USA: FBI Releases 2018 Statistics on Law Enforcement Officers Killed in the Line of Duty According to statistics reported to the FBI, 106 law enforcement officers were killed in line-of-duty incidents in 2018. Of these, 55 officers died as a result of felonious acts, and 51 officers died in accidents. Comprehensive data tables about these incidents and brief narratives describing the fatal attacks are included in the sections of Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted, 2018, released today. Felonious Deaths The 55 felonious deaths occurred in 28 states and in Puerto Rico. The number of officers killed as a result of criminal acts in 2018 was 9 more than the 46 officers who were feloniously killed in 2017. The 5- and 10-year comparisons show an increase of 4 felonious deaths compared with the 2014 figure (51 officers) and an increase of 7 deaths compared with 2009 data (48 officers). Officer Profiles. The average age of the officers who were feloniously killed was 37 years old. The victim officers had served in law enforcement for an average of 10 years at the times of the fatal incidents. Of the 55 officers: 52 were male 3 were female 46 were white 7 were black/African American 2 were Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander Circumstances. Of the 55 officers feloniously killed: 23 died as a result of investigative or enforcement activities 8 were performing investigative activities 6 were involved in tactical situations 3 were interacting with wanted persons 3 were investigating suspicious persons or circumstances 2 were conducting traffic violation stops 1 was handling a person with mental illness 11 were ambushed (entrapment/premeditation) 6 were involved in pursuits 4 were involved in foot pursuits 2 were involved in vehicular pursuits 4 were responding to crimes in progress 2 were burglaries in progress 1 was a report of a person with a firearm 1 was reported in the category of other crime against property. 3 were involved in arrest situations and were attempting to control/handcuff/restrain the offender(s) during the arrest situations 2 were on administrative assignments and were performing prisoner transports 2 were assisting other law enforcement officers with foot pursuits 2 were responding to disorders or disturbances 1 was responding to a disturbance call 1 was responding to a domestic violence call 1 was performing traffic control 1 was involved in an unprovoked attack Weapons. Offenders used firearms to kill 51 of the 55 victim officers. Four officers were killed with vehicles used as weapons. Of the 51 officers killed by firearms: 37 were slain with handguns 10 with rifles 2 with shotguns 2 with firearms in which the types of firearms were not reported. Regions. Felonious deaths were reported in four U.S. regions and Puerto Rico: 26 officers were feloniously killed in the South 12 in the Midwest 12 in the West 4 in the Northeast 1 in Puerto Rico. Suspects. Law enforcement agencies identified 55 alleged assailants in connection with the felonious line-of-duty deaths: 49 of the assailants had prior criminal arrests 20 of the offenders were under judicial supervision at the times of the felonious incidents Accidental Deaths Fifty-one law enforcement officers were killed accidentally while performing their duties in 2018, an increase of 3 when compared with the 48 officers accidentally killed in 2017. The majority (34 officers) were killed in motor vehicle crashes. Officer Profile. The average age of officers who were accidentally killed was 36 years old; the average number of years the victim officers had served in law enforcement was 10. Of the 51 officers accidentally killed: 47 were male 4 were female 39 were white 8 were black/African American 3 were American Indian/Alaska Native 1 was Asian. Circumstances. The 51 officers accidentally killed died in a variety of scenarios: 34 died as a result of motor vehicle crashes 29 while operating cars, SUVs, trucks, or vans 5 while operating ATVs or motorcycles 9 were pedestrian officers struck by vehicles 3 officers drowned 2 were killed in firearm-related incidents 1 officer fell while engaging in a foot pursuit 2 officers died in an other type of duty-related accident when they were struck by a commuter train. Use of seatbelts. Of the 29 officers killed in motor vehicle crashes while operating cars, SUVs, trucks, or vans, 8 were wearing seatbelts, and 15 were not. Data about seatbelt usage was not reported for 6 of the officers. Of the 15 officers who were fatally injured in motor vehicle crashes and were not wearing seatbelts, 1 was seated in a parked motor vehicle at the time of the accident. Regions. Accidental deaths were reported in four U.S. regions and Puerto Rico: 27 of the accidental deaths occurred in the South 11 in the Midwest 7 in the West 5 in the Northeast 1 in Puerto Rico Changes to Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted, 2018. New release schedule. In an effort to provide a more timely release of data to the public, todays release provides three sections of Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted, 2018. These sections include data and statistics concerning officers feloniously and accidentally killed and statistics about federal officers killed and/or assaulted. The remaining portions of the publication, which present data reported to the FBI concerning law enforcement officers assaulted in the line of duty in 2018, will be available later this year: Assaults data will be released in the fall and will include national statistics about officers assaulted in the line of duty. Detailed assault data will be released in the fall and will include statistics and narratives concerning a subset of assault incidents in which officers received injuries with firearms or knives/cutting instruments. Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted, 2018 is available exclusively on the FBIs website at https://ucr.fbi.gov/leoka/2018. This story has been published on: 2019-05-07. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. South Africa: All systems go for 8 May Excitement is mounting with just hours to go until South Africans head to the polls in the National and Provincial Elections. The Electoral Commission on Tuesday afternoon called on every South African citizen to celebrate 25 years of democracy by ensuring tomorrows elections take place in the spirit of 1994. Let voting continue peacefully, calmly and without disruption and let us once again show the world that South Africa remains a shining light of democracy in action, said Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo at a briefing at the Results Operation centre (ROC). The IEC also took the opportunity to remind voters of the following key information regarding voting: - They must be registered to vote. Voters can SMS their ID to 32810 or call 0800 11 8000 to check on their registration and voting station details. The Contact Centre will be open between 7am and 9pm to assist voters with any queries. - They must take a valid ID document which is either a green barcoded ID book, a smartcard ID or a valid temporary ID certificate. Branches of the Department of Home Affairs will be open tomorrow should voters urgently need a temporary ID certificate. - Voters whose addresses are not reflected on the voters roll will be required to provide their address prior to voting. Proof of address is not required. - If voters are voting in a voting station in their province they will be handed two ballot papers one for the national election and one for the provincial election. - Voters should ensure these ballot papers are stamped at the back by an election official. - Voters then cast their ballots and place their marked ballot papers into a ballot box. - Voters are reminded that the secrecy of the vote is protected by law and it is an offence to take a photograph of a marked ballot. As Tuesday marks the final day for special voters to cast their ballot, Mambolo said the two days of special voting helped iron out teething problems and ensure everything is in place and ready for Election Day. Among the challenges encountered was a crime-related incident on Tuesday. A group of knife-wielding men confronted a group of election officials conducting home visits in Giyani, Limpopo and confiscated 93 unused provincial ballot papers which they destroyed. Fortunately no-one was injured and the cast ballots were secured and not affected, said Mamabolo. Two suspects have been arrested and are now in police custody. In another incident, two vehicle accidents involving election staff were reported over the past two days but fortunately only minor injuries were sustained. Mamabolo said the IEC was investigating some irregularities that have been reported. One such irregularity includes the double envelope system not being used in some special voting yesterday as well as some ballot papers which may not have been stamped at the back. The stamping of ballot papers immediately prior to them being issued to voters is an important security measure. These incidents were also reported to the Party Liaison Committee this morning which has made recommendations to the Commission on these cases including to accept the ballots where their legitimacy can be verified, said Mamabolo. The Commission will ultimately make a decision on whether these votes are included in the count or not. The Electoral Commission also removed a Deputy Presiding Officer from a voting station in Benoni, in Ekurhuleni following an investigation into a video showing a party agent assisting with the transfer of special votes. Party agents are not permitted to handle any election material and may only observe and raise objections, said Mamabolo. In Tzaneen, Limpopo a pack of three unused and unassembled ballot boxes was found on the side of the road. Investigations showed it was lost in transport by the area manager. The person has been suspended pending an internal disciplinary. The ballot boxes were recovered by SAPS and returned to IEC. Special votes abroad Special votes from 113 of the 121 foreign missions which were cast by voters abroad on 27 April 2019 have already been received. Internationally, there are eight outstanding batches of special votes which are en route to South African and are expected to arrive before 9pm tomorrow night. The special votes cast overseas will be counted at our National Office on Thursday morning in front of party agents, said the CEO. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2019-05-07. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. The issue of money laundering in Canadas real estate industry is not adequately addressed by current policies. The CD Howe Institute says that Canada has some of the weakest anti-money laundering protections among western liberal democracies allowing the country to receive a high share of dirty money. While it is impossible to estimate the exact amount of money laundering, a realistic estimate of the magnitude of dirty money laundered in Canada each year likely lies in range of $100- $130 billion, says report author Kevin Comeau. The report Why We Fail to Catch Money Launderers 99.9 percent of the Time, published May 7 supports the creation of a publicly accessible registry of beneficial ownership, and mandatory declarations of beneficial ownership with meaningful sanctions for false declarations. Anonymity and invisibility could be reduced by implementing a publicly accessible registry of beneficial ownership of companies, trusts and real estate, he says. Structured properly, a public registry would offer a two-way flow of information communication of beneficial ownership information to the world and communication of foreign-based information to Canadian authorities which would bring more bad guys into the light of day. But the report highlights that neither the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance in its November 2018 report on money laundering, nor the December 2018 amendments to the Canada Business Corporations Act, included either of the two tougher measures. Obstacles to following the dirty money could be reduced by creating a new criminal offence: a false declaration of beneficial ownership, whether made on a public registry or submitted by a customer to a Reporting Entity. Not only would such an offence bring more integrity to the beneficial-ownership information being disclosed; it would also provide a solid base from which law enforcement agencies could conduct investigations of suspicious transactions, explains Comeau. The full report is at cdhowe.org Wilkes is the highest ranked institution in Luzerne County and within the top 25 percent of independent institutions in the nation. Wilkes University is once again being recognized for its commitment to social mobility. In A Windsor-based soldier has died while protecting wildlife in Malawi, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) has confirmed. Guardsman Mathew Talbot, of the 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards, died on Sunday, May 5. He was posted in Africa on counter-poaching operations. The MOD did not confirm his cause of death. His commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Ed Launders, said: I will always feel honoured to have served alongside Guardsman Mathew Talbot. He was a determined and big-hearted Coldstreamer who devoted his life to serving his country. It was typical of his character to volunteer for an important and challenging role in Malawi. He was hugely proud to of his work as a counter-poaching operator, and tragically died doing great good. Mathew was loved by his brothers in arms in the Coldstream Guards. We will sorely miss his humour, selflessness and unbeatable spirit. My deepest condolences go to his parents, family and loved-ones. My thoughts and prayers are with them at this desperately sad time. The MOD said in a statement that Gdsm Talbot was an exceptionally kind and friendly individual who was often found befriending the people of Malawi and learning the language. He was good friends with the Ghurkas attached to his team and was learning Nepali, he was a keen photographer and loved music, especially Frank Sinatra. He was an avid reader of military history and he was incredibly proud to serve in a regiment that had such a long and illustrious history, the statement added. After finishing training at Harrogate and Catterick, Gdsm Talbot was posted to Number Seven Company Coldstream Guards in London where he carried out state ceremonial and public duties. Since then he served in the 1st Battalion at Windsor. Malawi was his first operational deployment and the MOD said he took great pride in counter-poaching. BEIJING - Efforts to end a U.S.-China trade war are in shambles after the United States accused China of reneging on its commitments and prepared to raise import taxes on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 6/5/2019 (962 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. A beam of sunlight is cast on a woman on her way to work at the Central Business District in Beijing, Tuesday, May 7, 2019. Accusing Beijing of "reneging" on commitments it made in earlier talks, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer says the Trump administration will increase tariffs on $200 billion in Chinese goods beginning Friday, a sharp escalation in a yearlong trade dispute. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) BEIJING - Efforts to end a U.S.-China trade war are in shambles after the United States accused China of reneging on its commitments and prepared to raise import taxes on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods. A Chinese delegation is headed to Washington to salvage talks aimed at resolving a dispute over China's aggressive push to challenge American technological dominance. Negotiations are set to resume Thursday. The setback in negotiations caught financial markets by surprise, and the U.S. stocks fell Tuesday for the second straight day. For weeks, Trump administration officials had suggested that negotiators were making steady progress. China confirmed Tuesday its economy czar, Vice Premier Liu He, will lead China's delegation, ending speculation that he'd skip the talks or that the Chinese team would back out altogether. The announcement suggests President Xi Jinping's government is putting its desire to end a conflict that has battered Chinese exporters ahead of the political need to look tough in the face of U.S. pressure. The decision to have Liu take part in talks might keep alive hopes the two biggest global economies could make peace as early as this week. The sunlight is cast on women as they walk by a brokerage house in Beijing, Tuesday, May 7, 2019. Accusing Beijing of "reneging" on commitments it made in earlier talks, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer says the Trump administration will increase tariffs on $200 billion in Chinese goods beginning Friday, a sharp escalation in a yearlong trade dispute. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) The Trump administration is pressing Beijing to roll back plans for government-led development of Chinese global competitors in robotics, electric cars and other technologies. Washington, Europe, Japan and other trading partners say those violate China's market-opening commitments and are based in part on stolen technology. Trump's announcement Sunday that he would increase tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese imports to 25% from 10% on Friday caused global stock markets to plunge. Markets steadied after a Chinese spokesman said Monday that envoys still were preparing to go to the United States, though there was no word then whether Liu would take part. On Tuesday, China's main stock market index rose 0.7% and most other Asian markets also rebounded. The American side is led by Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. A Commerce Ministry statement announcing Liu's plans gave no indication whether other details, such as the size of his delegation, might change. Washington and Beijing have raised tariffs on billions of dollars of each other's exports, disrupting trade in goods from soybeans to medical equipment. Estimates of lost potential sales so far range as high as $25 billion. Both governments have said negotiations were making progress, but Trump expressed frustration Sunday at the pace. Women select clothing at an American fast fashion retailer "Forever 21" which is offering clearance discounts at a shopping mall after it pulled out from China's market, in Beijing, Tuesday, May 7, 2019. China confirmed Tuesday its economy czar will go to Washington for trade talks despite fears he might cancel after President Donald Trump threatened to escalate a tariff war over Beijing's technology ambitions. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) Mnuchin said Monday that Chinese officials "were trying to go back on some of the language" that had been negotiated in 10 earlier rounds of talks. In response, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman, Geng Shuang, said Beijing "is sincere in continuing consultations." Asked whether China took Trump's threat seriously, Geng said similar situations had happened "many times before." "We hope the United States can still work together with China," Geng said at a news briefing. "On the basis of mutual respect and equality, we will resolve each other's legitimate concerns and strive to reach an agreement of mutual benefit and win-win." The decision to send Liu to Washington as scheduled shows China "urgently hopes to reach an agreement," said Ma Hong, a professor at Tsinghua University's School of Economics and Management. "They couldn't abandon it just because of a Twitter comment," said Ma. The conflict is testing how far Beijing is willing to go in changing a state-led economic model it sees as the path to prosperity and global influence and how much power Washington will have to enforce any agreement. The United States accuses Beijing of pressing foreign companies to hand over technology in exchange for market access, improperly subsidizing Chinese firms and stealing American trade secrets. No details of the talks have been released. But private sector analysts say Beijing is willing to change details of its plans so long as it preserves the ruling Communist Party's dominant economic role. The Trump administration has imposed 10% tariffs on $200 billion in Chinese imports and 25% tariffs on another $50 billion. The Chinese have retaliated by targeting $110 billion in U.S. imports. 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. Trump said Sunday he also planned to impose 25% tariffs on another $325 billion in Chinese products. That would extend penalties to everything China ships to the United States, its biggest foreign customer. A stumbling block in the talks is U.S. insistence on an enforcement mechanism with penalties if Beijing fails to keep its promises. The Trump administration wants to keep tariffs on Chinese imports to maintain leverage over Beijing. Chinese negotiators have balked at what economists say they might see as giving Washington too much control. "It is not completely an economic issue," said Ma. "After all, it concerns the rights of a sovereign country." ___ Associated Press Economics Writer Paul Wiseman in Washington contributed to this report. ROVANIEMI, Finland - The Arctic is melting, but don't ask U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to talk about climate change. Nor even to agree on a text that mentions it. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 7/5/2019 (962 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo talks to the media on the sidelines of the Arctic Council ministers' working dinner at the Arktikum museum in Rovaniemi, Finland, Monday, May 6, 2019. (Mandel Ngan/Pool Photo via AP) ROVANIEMI, Finland - The Arctic is melting, but don't ask U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to talk about climate change. Nor even to agree on a text that mentions it. For the Trump administration, disappearing sea ice in the world's "high north" appears to be first and foremost an economic opportunity to exploit rather than a crisis to mitigate. That position was made clear by Pompeo over two days of meetings in the northern Finnish Arctic city of Rovaniemi involving the foreign ministers of the eight members of the Arctic Council Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden and the United States. "Steady reductions in sea ice are opening new naval passageways and new opportunities for trade, potentially slashing the time it takes for ships to travel between Asia and the West by 20 days," he said in a speech Monday, which was met with polite but muted applause. "Arctic sea lanes could become the 21st century's Suez and Panama canals." Finnish Foreign Minister Timo Soini, whose country is wrapping up its two-year chairmanship of the council, said Tuesday there was no joint declaration given the inability to get the U.S. to agree on a text that included language about climate change. Instead, a brief joint statement reaffirmed a "commitment to maintain peace, stability and constructive co-operation in the Arctic." Soini told reporters that he didn't want to "name and blame anybody" and called the outcome "good enough" for all parties. Finland's chairmanship of the council had largely focused on climate change concerns. A senior U.S. official, speaking to reporters on condition of anonymity, downplayed the failure to craft a declaration and defended Pompeo's omission of "climate change" from remarks. "Just because you don't have a certain phrase in it, you can't infer that the United States has taken a position that is anti-environment," the official said. Pompeo did acknowledge environmental concerns, and told the meeting Tuesday that "the Trump Administration shares your deep commitment to environmental stewardship." "The Arctic has always been a fragile ecosystem, and protecting it is indeed our shared responsibility," Pompeo said. Over the summit, Pompeo also defended President Donald Trump's decision to pull the U.S. out of the Paris climate accord in 2017, a day after a U.N. biodiversity report warned that extinction loomed for over 1 million species of plants and animals. "Collective goals, even when well-intentioned, are not always the answer," Pompeo said. "They are rendered meaningless, even counterproductive, as soon as one nation fails to comply." Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said his country is "open to the widest kind of co-operation in the Arctic" and that "there are no reasons for conflicts and for getting military methods involved in solving any issues arising here." Bill Erasmus, the chairman of the Arctic Athabaskan Council, a Canada-based group of indigenous people, expressed disappointment that a joint declaration had not been reached. "We recognize that climate change is real," he said. "Climate change is man-made, and our elders tell us that we are clearly in trouble." Official U.S. statements and documents prepared for the meeting did not refer to "climate change" and their scientific focus was limited to reductions in U.S. carbon emissions that predate the administration. According to statistics Pompeo presented, U.S. energy-related CO2 emissions fell by 14% between 2005 and 2017, while global energy-related CO2 emissions increased more than 20%. In terms of black carbon, which is a particular threat to the Arctic, U.S. emissions were 16% below 2013 levels in 2016 and are projected to nearly halve by 2025, he said. "I'm sure it was a good party," Pompeo said of the negotiations in Paris. "I'm sure it felt good to sign the agreement. But at the end of the day, what matters to human health, what matters to the citizens of the world, is that we actually have an impact on improving health. And our technology, our innovation, the R&D we put in in the United States, that's what will drive better climatic outcomes, that's what will create cleaner air and safer drinking water, and that's what I hope the whole world will focus on." Pompeo again declined the opportunity to mention "climate change" on Tuesday when he met with Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland who pointedly referred to the phenomenon as she played down a dispute with the United States over the sovereignty of the Northwest Passage. "We have a very close, very fruitful collaboration," she said. "And actually, as we see the conditions of the Northwest Passage changing with our changing climate, I think that's actually grounds for closer collaboration with the United States." Pompeo replied by saying the U.S. is more concerned about Russia and China in the Arctic than ownership of the Northwest Passage. 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 challenges in the Arctic aren't between the United States and Canada, let me assure you," he said. "There are others that threaten to use it in ways that are not consistent with the rule of law." Canada's Freeland also noted that "unpredictable weather patterns caused by climate change" are causing security threats and navigational issues. Iceland's foreign minister, Gudlaugur Thor Thordarson, was bleak in his assessment. "We can expect due to climate change more drastic changes in the next two decades than we have seen in the last 100 years," he said. ___ Jari Tanner in Helsinki, Finland, Jan M. Olsen in Copenhagen, Denmark, Dorothee Thiesing in Rovaniemi, Finland and David Keyton in Rovaniemi, Finland contributed. (Special) - With the advent of spring many Canadians turn their thoughts toward spending time at the cottage. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 6/5/2019 (963 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. (Special) - With the advent of spring many Canadians turn their thoughts toward spending time at the cottage. Canadians have a traditional love affair with the cottage as a place to get away from the city, enjoy time with family and friends and even as a home for their retirement. Owning a piece of the countryside may sound inviting, but investing in a recreational property is a big step that should involve a lot of thought and preparation before you take the plunge. Statistics show that an investment in recreational property generally has paid financial dividends over the last couple of years. According to the 2018 Royal LePage recreational property report survey, the price of recreational property in Canada was expected to increase by 5.8 per cent to $467,764 compared to 2017. The 2017 report similarly predicted that prices and sales volumes increased by about seven per cent over the previous year to an aggregate national price of $439,000. The reports note that prices can vary widely across different regions of the country. Deciding on whether or not to invest in a recreational property ultimately will come down to what your goals are. The LePage reports point toward retirement or a secondary home to raise the children as two of the main reasons why Canadians are flocking to get a piece of the country's lakes, streams, seaside and mountains. "Real estate generally is considered to be a good investment over the long term, but that may not always be the primary motivation for purchasing a property," Patrick Fitzgerald, an adviser with Sun Life Financial in Ottawa, said in an interview. "People may want an asset that appreciates over time but it may also be more for lifestyle, fun or for family reasons. It's important to first determine why you want to do it." There are a number of things people should take into consideration before deciding to purchase such as the location, distance from their main home, traffic, and the condition of the property. After the purchase, there are on-going expenses including property taxes, heat, hydro, insurance, maintenance, repairs, food, vacation toys such as boats and, of course, the cost of travelling to and from the cottage. Vacation property insurance is not the same as insurance on your primary home. Cottage policies tend to be more expensive due to increased risk. Costs will depend on the location of the property and whether it is accessible all during the year. Given the increasing value and interest in recreational properties, the family's cabin by the water could very likely be a part of the family's inheritance, which can bring with it a whole number of tax, ownership and succession issues. 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. "It's one thing to look at a cottage today but further down the road it can give rise to new goals about transferring it to family members or selling it," Fitzgerald says. "Either of these situations can trigger capital gains tax. It's important to consider these long-term goals at the beginning." Many cottage owners want to hand the cottage down to their children or heirs. They should sit down and talk to their children and determine who wants it and who doesn't, who can use it and who can't, and who can afford it or can't, because these issues will very much affect the planning on how the transition of the property is done. Fitzgerald believes that if people are going to buy a cottage they should consult an adviser who can help them understand all the ramifications and options available and include it in their financial plan. "Most people don't even have a financial plan on paper," Fitzgerald says. "They should get advice and include the cottage in their plan because there are a lot of cases of a cottage gone wrong. It's really important that people know what they're getting into before they buy to try and avoid unexpected surprises down the road." Talbot Boggs is a Toronto-based business communications professional who has worked with national news organizations, magazines and corporations in the finance, retail, manufacturing and other industrial sectors. Copyright 2019 Talbot Boggs A larger mesh size for commercial fish nets being imposed by the provincial government is being condemned by commercial fish harvesters who operate in Lake Winnipegs south basin. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 7/5/2019 (962 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. A larger mesh size for commercial fish nets being imposed by the provincial government is being condemned by commercial fish harvesters who operate in Lake Winnipegs south basin. Sustainable Development Minister Rochelle Squires announced the province will be raising the net size by half an inch to 31/2 inches for commercial fish harvesters in Lake Winnipegs south basin. Its a quarter-inch smaller than the province had proposed earlier this year. Squires said the province made the alteration because of the good response to the provinces quota buyback program. Newly appointed representatives for fish harvesters in the south basin, Einer Sveinson and Raymond Smith, refused to comment until they have discussed the provinces changes in the next day or two. But individual fish harvesters made clear their unhappiness with the larger mesh size. "Thats not going to fly," said Kris Isfeld, a commercial fisher based out of Winnipeg Beach. "Not a single commercial fisher will agree to that." Fishers will have to replace their nets at a cost of several thousand dollars, and see their harvest shrink at the same time because more fish will pass through. "None of us have those nets. Wed have to go buy all new nets," Isfeld said. Bill Buckels, who fishes out of Gimli, was also disappointed with the announcement. "Thats not going to sit well with the guys here in Gimli," 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. Squires did not answer directly when asked if her department found a consensus with commercial harvesters on net size. The new mesh size "is something we believe is a working solution and a show of good faith that were listening and working with all the fishers in the province," she said. She maintained the larger mesh will allow spawning walleye and sauger to live longer and reproduce. "We feel this is a good step in the right direction to ensuring fish sustainability," she said. The buyback program that cost the province $5.5 million removes half a million kilograms of fish quota out of Lake Winnipeg. That drops the quota to about 6.8 million kilograms. The provinces goal is to get down to 5.8 million kilograms, Squires said. The province plans to hold a second quota buyback program in the future, she said. A total of 126 commercial fishers sold some or all of their quota to the province. There were about 350 commercial fishers on the lake prior to the buyback program. bill.redekop@freepress.mb.ca TORONTO - Freedom Mobile confirmed Tuesday it had a data security breach from late March to late April, but the wireless carrier said only about 15,000 customers were affected far fewer than an outside research firm's estimate. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 7/5/2019 (962 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. A women walks past the new rebranding sign of Freedom Mobile in Toronto on Thursday, November 24, 2016. Freedom Mobile says about 15,000 customers were affected by a security breach in a new system before the problem was fixed on April 23. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette TORONTO - Freedom Mobile confirmed Tuesday it had a data security breach from late March to late April, but the wireless carrier said only about 15,000 customers were affected far fewer than an outside research firm's estimate. The Calgary-based company which operates networks in Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia was apparently warned of the breach by researchers at vpnMentor, which announced it to the press. The vpnMentor report said two of its researchers, Noam Rotem and Ran Locar, had warned Freedom of their findings on April 17, 18 and 23 but didn't get a response from the company until April 24. "For ethical reasons, we didn't download the database, so we don't know exactly how many people were affected," the blog said. However, the blog was posted under the title "Report: Freedom Mobile Customer Data Breach Exposes 1.5 Million Customers" based on the assumption that hackers could access unencrypted data from all of Freedom's customer base. Freedom said in an emailed statement that "any reference to 1.5 million customers affected is inaccurate . . . " The company said its investigation determined the breach began on March 25 and affected data processed by a new external third-party vendor, Apptium Technologies, that had been hired to streamline its retail customer support. "The internal systems of Freedom Mobile or (parent) Shaw Communications were not compromised as part of this third-party vendor security exposure," the company said in a statement. It said the breach affected customers at 17 retail stores who opened or changed accounts as late as April 15 or made changes to opened accounts on April 16. It said the problem was fixed by April 23. Freedom also said that it had found no evidence, as of Tuesday, that any data has been misused "and we are conducting a full forensic investigation to determine the full scope of impact." Valerie Lawton, of the federal privacy commissioner's office, said in an email that it had received a breach report related to Freedom Mobile late Monday afternoon. 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. "Canada's federal private sector privacy law, the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA), includes confidentiality provisions and we don't have further details to offer at this time," Lawton said. Under PIPEDA, which was most recently updated in November, private-sector organizations that control personal information must advise the privacy watchdog of breaches that pose a "real risk of significant harm" to individuals. They must also notify affected individuals about the breaches and keep records. However, the Canadian law in contrast to the European Union's year-old General Data Protection Regulation provides more flexibility about when organizations inform the Office of the Privacy Commissioner. Asked why it didn't disclose close the leak sooner, the company said it took time to verify the legitimacy of the warning and verify details with its third-party vendor. Companies in this story: (TSX:SJR.B) MARKHAM, Ont. - The chief security officer for Huawei Canada says the company's record in Canada shows the China-based company can be trusted to supply the country's fifth-generation wireless networks. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 7/5/2019 (962 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. 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 this Friday, March 29, 2019 file photo, Huawei mobile phones are displayed at a telecoms service shop in Hong Kong. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP /Kin Cheung, File) MARKHAM, Ont. - The chief security officer for Huawei Canada says the company's record in Canada shows the China-based company can be trusted to supply the country's fifth-generation wireless networks. Olivera Zatezalo says there's never been a security breach from Huawei equipment since the company arrived in Canada more than a decade ago. She made the comments at Huawei Canada headquarters in Markham, Ont., after several officials assured reporters that the company has a long-term commitment to Canada. The United States has been pressing its allies to shut Huawei out of their advanced 5G networks to prevent China's government from getting access to highly sensitive information. However, Zatezalo says that Canadians should trust their own government's expertise in network security and its experience working with Huawei. Zatezalo says she's in regular contact with the government body investigating the national security aspects of 5G technology but doesn't know whether its conclusion will be in Huawei's favour. TORONTO - Clothing retailer Roots Corp. says its chief financial officer is resigning to pursue an opportunity at an unnamed family owned food services company. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 7/5/2019 (962 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. TORONTO - Clothing retailer Roots Corp. says its chief financial officer is resigning to pursue an opportunity at an unnamed family owned food services company. Jim Rudyk, who has worked to transition Roots to a public company, will be leaving Aug. 9 after three years of service. Toronto-based Roots has hired an executive search firm to start efforts to find a replacement. Established in 1973, Roots has grown to 114 stores in Canada, seven in the U.S. and 154 partner operated stores in Taiwan and China. Companies in this story: (TSX:ROOT) San Francisco officials voted Tuesday to require brick-and-mortar retailers to take cash as payment, joining Philadelphia and New Jersey in banning a growing paperless practice that critics say discriminates against low-income people who may not have access to credit cards. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 6/5/2019 (962 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. This Thursday, May 2, 2019, photo shows a sign posted on a door alerting customers that cash is not accepted at Freshroll Vietnamese Rolls and Bowls in San Francisco. San Francisco is about to require brick-and-mortar retailers to take cash in payment for goods, joining Philadelphia and New Jersey in banning a practice that critics say discriminates against the poor. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) San Francisco officials voted Tuesday to require brick-and-mortar retailers to take cash as payment, joining Philadelphia and New Jersey in banning a growing paperless practice that critics say discriminates against low-income people who may not have access to credit cards. The vote by the Board of Supervisors was unanimous. Supervisor Vallie Brown, who introduced the legislation, said it "will go far in ensuring all San Franciscans have equitable access to the city's economy." Brown said she thought it unfair that someone couldn't buy a sandwich just because they had cash. She said young people, victims of ID theft, immigrants and homeless people are among those who don't have bank accounts or credit cards. In many ways, the legislation was an easy call for San Francisco officials, who strive to make life more equitable in a city with an enormous wealth gap. High-paid tech workers who flocked to San Francisco to work for Facebook, Google, Uber and Airbnb may like the ease of paying by credit card, debit card or smartphone. Customers shop in a newly-opened Amazon Go store, Tuesday, May 7, 2019 in New York. The store will be the first Amazon Go store to accept cash. At its other shops, customers can only enter with an app that links to a credit card or an Amazon account.(AP Photo/Mark Lennihan) But many low-income people, including more than 4,000 who sleep on San Francisco's streets every night, likely don't have money to sustain bank accounts. According to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, 17 per cent of African American households and 15 per cent of Latino households had no bank account. Some people also prefer to use cash because they don't want to leave a digital trail of where they have been and what they have bought. San Francisco's legislation requires brick-and-mortar businesses to accept cash for goods and some services. Temporary pop-up stores and internet-only businesses such as ride-hailing companies would be exempt, as would food trucks, which say they lack the resources to handle cash. Philadelphia and New Jersey passed similar laws this year. Legislation requiring merchants to accept cash also has been introduced in New York City. The efforts come after the rollout last year of cashless Amazon Go stores, which require customers to scan an app to enter . Whatever items customers take are automatically tallied in a virtual cart and charged to a credit card. The retail giant bowed to pressure last month and agreed to accept cash at more than 30 cashless stores. Amazon opened its first cash-accepting store Tuesday in a high-end New York City shopping mall frequented by office workers. Anyone who wants to pay with cash will be swiped through the turnstile entrance by employees. After shoppers grab what they want, an employee will scan the items with a mobile device, take the cash and give customers their change. Amazon didn't say when its 11 other Go stores will start accepting cash. Plenty of cheap dim sum spots, taquerias and dive bars take only cash in San Francisco, but some retailers argue that not taking cash is safer and more efficient. Cashless restaurants are clustered in San Francisco's Financial District and South of Market neighbourhoods, where white-collar employees devour upscale salads and protein bowls. 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. Those now refusing paper money include Bluestone Lane, a New York-based coffee chain, and The Organic Coup, which sells organic fast-food chicken. At Freshroll Vietnamese Rolls & Bowls, which has several lunch spots downtown, signs remind customers of its no-cash policy. Andy Stone, vice-president of brand marketing at Bluestone Lane, said the company "will always comply with the laws of jurisdictions where we operate." The other companies did not respond to requests for comment from The Associated Press. Some businesses appear to be getting on board as the backlash grows. Salad chain Sweetgreen announced last month that it will accept cash at all its restaurants by year's end, saying going cashless "had the unintended consequence of excluding those who prefer to pay or can only pay with cash." The San Francisco Chamber of Commerce did not take a position on the proposal. BISMARCK, N.D. - The Oglala Sioux and South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem are each waiting for the other side to make a move to resolve a disagreement over anti-protest legislation that led to the tribe banning the governor from one of the largest reservations in the country. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 7/5/2019 (962 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. FILE - In this Jan. 2019 file photo, South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem gives her first State of the State address in Pierre, S.D. South Dakota Gov. A Native American tribe has told South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem sheAos not welcome on one of largest reservations in the country after she led efforts to pass a state law targeting demonstrations such as those in neighboring North Dakota that plagued the Dakota Access oil pipeline. The Oglala Sioux tribe on Thursday, May 2, 2019 told South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem to stay away from the Pine Ridge Reservation until she rescinds her support for new state laws that target disruptive demonstrations by anti-oil pipeline activists. (AP Photo/James Nord, File) BISMARCK, N.D. - The Oglala Sioux and South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem are each waiting for the other side to make a move to resolve a disagreement over anti-protest legislation that led to the tribe banning the governor from one of the largest reservations in the country. The legislation aims to prevent costly and disruptive protests against the proposed Keystone XL pipeline similar to those that plagued construction of the Dakota Access pipeline in North Dakota. The Tribal Council on May 1 voted 17-0 to tell Noem she's no longer welcome on the Pine Ridge Reservation, and President Julian Bear Runner informed her by letter the following day "that you are not welcome to visit our homelands." "I'm going to respect tribal sovereignty. I'm not going to go where I'm not welcomed," Noem told reporters Tuesday. Noem said she wants to resolve the situation quickly and that she's having "ongoing discussions" with council members who reached out to her. But she hadn't yet spoken with Bear Runner, who she said would be welcome to visit her any time. "I'm hoping that the president will change his mind and be willing to work with me to help face some of the challenges that the tribe has dealing with economic development, the meth epidemic, some of the resources that they've asked me for," she said. Bear Runner's spokesman Chase Iron Eyes said the president would be willing to meet with Noem, though "who will make the first move, that remains to be seen." The two bills that Noem and GOP leaders pushed through toward the end of the legislative session in March allow officials to pursue money from demonstrators who engage in "riot boosting" or encouraging violence during a protest. Activists and American Indian tribes have been planning on-the-ground protests against the Keystone XL pipeline if it's built, similar to Dakota Access pipeline demonstrations in North Dakota in 2016 and 2017 that resulted in 761 arrests over six months and cost the state $38 million to police. "I gave my team the direction to build a plan that would protect our counties and local governments from expenses that come with pipeline construction and to protect our people from the costs and dangers that accompany violent riots," Noem said of the legislation. The American Civil Liberties Union and tribes contend the anti-riot law stifles free speech, and the ACLU is suing Noem, Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg and a county sheriff in federal court on behalf of activists. The Oglala Sioux is not a plaintiff but it opposes the pipeline that TC Energy wants to build to move Canadian crude through Montana and South Dakota to Nebraska, where it would connect with lines to Gulf Coast refineries. The $8 billion project has the backing of President Donald Trump but is being fought by opponents in the courts. Iron Eyes said Oglala Sioux members believe the pipeline threatens the environment. "They want a better way," he said. "They don't want a government that isn't thinking intelligently about impending ecological and existential crises." Noem said she has talked to people on the reservation who want to continue working with the state. "What I hear from community members and other local leaders is very different than the agenda that the president has put out there," she said. Iron Eyes disputed that. 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. "We are obviously taking issue with the idea that the elected leadership of the Oglala people don't reflect the will of the Oglala people," he said. Bear Runner's letter told Noem that if she ignores the tribal edict "we will have no choice but to banish you" from the reservation, which is roughly the size of Delaware and Rhode Island combined. Banishment is a formal tribal process in which a person can be barred permanently from the reservation after being given due process. Violations can result in fines or even jail time, but Iron Eyes said the tribe's goal is to show its unhappiness with Noem, not banish her. "Talks have not been cut off with the governor," he said. "She is more than welcome to contact anyone." Separately Tuesday, U.S. government attorneys said the Trump administration will finish a new environmental review of the pipeline ordered by a federal judge , even though the construction permit issued by the president last month is not subject to the National Environmental Policy Act and the Endangered Species Act. ___ Follow Blake Nicholson on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/NicholsonBlake MONTREAL - A Conservative government would move Canada's embassy in Israel to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv, party leader Andrew Scheer said in a sometimes fiery foreign-policy speech on Tuesday that took personal aim at Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 7/5/2019 (962 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. MONTREAL - A Conservative government would move Canada's embassy in Israel to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv, party leader Andrew Scheer said in a sometimes fiery foreign-policy speech on Tuesday that took personal aim at Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Scheer's speech in Montreal was a table-setter for the upcoming federal election, the first of several major policy statements the Conservatives say he will make in advance of the fall campaign. Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer addresses the Montreal Council on Foreign Relations Tuesday, May 7, 2019 in Montreal. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz "I will re-open the Office of Religious Freedoms and stand up for religious minorities all around the world. And I will recognize the fact that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel," Scheer said, in a portion of the speech not included in the prepared text his office distributed. Afterward, as he exited the Marriott Chateau Champlain's ballroom followed by a phalanx of journalists, the Conservative leader said what such recognition would mean for the Canadian Embassy: "That obviously would include making sure that Canada's representation there is in Jerusalem and we'd work with the government of Israel to accomplish those types of things." The promise to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital reaffirmed a pledge Scheer first made more than a year ago but he didn't include a promise to move the embassy then. Jerusalem is disputed territory between Israel and the Palestinians and its status is a pivotal question in any peace talks. Israel says Jerusalem is its capital and maintains nearly all its own national government institutions there, but nearly all the embassies in Israel are in Tel Aviv, 70 kilometres away. Moving Canada's embassy to Jerusalem would echo U.S. President Donald Trump, who has already angered Palestinians by moving his own country's mission, and would align Canada more closely with Israel than the last Conservative government of Stephen Harper did. Canada's official position on Jerusalem now is that its status can be resolved "only as part of a general settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli dispute. Canada does not recognize Israel's unilateral annexation of East Jerusalem." Then Progressive Conservative prime minister Joe Clark promised to move the Canadian Embassy to Jerusalem in 1979, sparking recriminations against Canada at the time. Clark gave up on the idea after a special report he commissioned advised that the move could harm prospects for peace. Bessma Momani, a University of Waterloo analyst of the Middle East, said Scheer's proposal is controversial and he needs to be mindful of how it backfired on Clark. "Mr. Scheer would be advised to better understand why this will further inflame the region and not to mention do little to advance the two-state process," she said. Scheer also pledged to join the U.S. ballistic-missile defence program one that previous Liberal and Conservative governments chose to not to join. The United States has gone ahead with the missile-shield program without Canada. He spoke of the threats posed by non-democratic actors such as China and Russia. "I will deal with China with eyes wide open," Scheer said. "Although China is a primary, and certainly the strongest, propagator of authoritarian values, Russia remains a serious threat." Scheer's sprawling speech acknowledged the need to do more to combat climate change, something Scheer said he would have more to say about in a speech on the environment later. There was also a sign of magnanimity in his proposal to more closely involve opposition parties in the military's strained procurement process if he becomes prime minister. But Scheer also launched personal attacks on Trudeau, deriding his 2015 declaration that "Canada is back" on the world stage. "Canada had, in fact, not gone anywhere," Scheer said. "And the profound arrogance of Mr. Trudeau's words foreshadowed how the new prime minister would conduct Canada's foreign affairs: with style over substance." He called Trudeau's trip to India last year "the most disastrous" ever by any Canadian prime minister. "Critiquing Trudeau makes perfect sense. He personalizes the Liberal foreign policy and capitalizes on the vivid debacle that the India trip symbolized," said Momani. "This messaging will resonate with voters but I'm not sure his vision articulates how he will fare better on tackling the thorny issue of continuing economic ties with autocratic regimes like China and Saudi Arabia." Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland said Trudeau has been an asset to her international diplomacy every day. "Knowing the strength, the appeal, the power of Justin Trudeau, and being able to say to my counterparts 'I can have the prime minister call your leader' that is just hugely, hugely valuable capital." The Liberals fired off their own statement before Scheer had even uttered a word. "Whether it's Andrew's Scheer's endorsement of Brexit chaos, skepticism on climate change, corrosive rhetoric on immigration, or uncertainty on NAFTA, the Conservative plan amounts to risk and uncertainty that would hurt Canadians and our economy," said Liberal MP and Quebec campaign co-chair Pablo Rodriguez. Scheer's remarks made a passing reference to the challenges of dealing with a mercurial American president but they shied away from any direct mention of President Trump. 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 Canada-United States relationship transcends the personalities of those who occupy each respective office. And its longevity is crucial to our respective peace and prosperity. It must be strengthened," he said. The audience for the speech to the Montreal Council on Foreign Relations included SNC-Lavalin, whose corporate name was affixed to one of the tables in the Montreal hotel ballroom where Scheer spoke and whose logo was on some of the event's posters. Scheer has accused Trudeau of a cover-up in the ongoing controversy over whether the government should have given the firm a deferred prosecution agreement over the criminal charges it faces for alleged bribery in Libya. Brock Harrison, a spokesman for Scheer, said the event was not a party fundraiser and the firm won't be giving the Conservatives any money. He also said Scheer had no meetings planned with any SNC-Lavalin executives in attendance. However, an SNC-Lavalin executive was at Scheer's large head table. Two representatives of the Montreal council could not answer questions about the event, including the cost per ticket, and who would receive the proceeds. WINNIPEG - The Manitoba Court of Appeal has reserved its decision on the sentence of a Winnipeg man who left his 89-year-old mother on the floor of their home for several weeks until she died. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 7/5/2019 (962 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. WINNIPEG - The Manitoba Court of Appeal has reserved its decision on the sentence of a Winnipeg man who left his 89-year-old mother on the floor of their home for several weeks until she died. Ronald Siwicki was sentenced last year to three months jail for criminal negligence causing the death of his mother. Ron Siwicki One month was deducted as credit for time he spent in custody before the trial. The Crown appealed, arguing the trial judge miscalculated Siwicki's moral culpability and a three-month sentence doesn't deter other people from committing a similar crime. The defence told the Appeal Court that the sentence was fit and more jail time would cause harm to the 67-year-old Siwicki. Elizabeth Siwicki, who was suffering from dementia, fell out of her bed in 2014 and was unable to get up. An autopsy found she had bed sores so severe they went down to her bones and caused her death. "This offence was prolonged, it was painful and it was preventable," Crown prosecutor Rekha Malaviya told court Tuesday. She said Court of Queen's Bench Justice Colleen Suche erred in her assessment of aggravating and mitigating factors, focusing on Ronald Siwicki's life rather than the crime. People enter the Law Courts in Winnipeg on February 5, 2018. Manitoba Court of Appeal judges have reserved their decision for a longer sentence in the case of a Winnipeg man who left his 89-year-old mother on the floor of their home for several weeks until she died. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods Malaviya warned the sentence could set a dangerous precedent, as more people take care of their aging parents. "The sentencing judge appears to have found this respondent so sympathetic, with the improvements he made in himself and his life, that it took precedence over the offence itself," she said. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. The trial heard how Siwicki and his mother had a close, almost unhealthy relationship. She told him how he should spend his time and with whom. Defence lawyer Mike Cook said that in many ways, Siwicki was a "prisoner in his own house." Siwicki promised his mother that she could die at home, but he was unable to deal with her mounting health problems, court heard. After she fell out of bed, Siwicki provided her with nutritional drinks and water but never called for help. Siwicki has already served his sentence, Cook told the court, and he is doing well in the community. He understands that he should not have been caring for his mother alone and should have acted differently, Cook said. "Every day he has to look in the mirror and see the man who caused his mom's death." AN embattled Tory MLA who has been MIA for nearly a month broke his silence Monday to say he is away on personal business, spurring one critic to call for clarity. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 6/5/2019 (963 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. AN embattled Tory MLA who has been MIA for nearly a month broke his silence Monday to say he is away on personal business, spurring one critic to call for clarity. Nic Curry, the MLA for Kildonan, hasnt been seen in the legislature since April 9, when the Free Press published a story citing government and party sources alleging the first-term Tory was embroiled in a controversy involving inappropriate behaviour with female staff. Curry has not responded to multiple requests for comment. On Monday, minutes after reporters asked questions of Premier Brian Pallister about the backbenchers prolonged absence, Curry posted on his personal Facebook page: "Today, I informed the Speaker of the Manitoba legislature that I am away on personal business and will return to the legislature on a soon but unspecified date." After briefly sitting in Currys vacant chair before question period, Pallister wouldnt say why the Tory caucus member was absent and whether Kildonan residents should be kept in the loop about their representatives whereabouts. "Any other questions?" he asked media assembled in a scrum, before adding: "Ive said to you repeatedly that there are laws (workplace health and safety protocols) in this province and we have to respect them, and I will do so." Last month, Curry announced he wouldnt seek re-election after serving a single term in office, noting he wanted to spend more time with his young family. A few days later, the Free Press reported allegations Curry had been the subject of two separate complaints by female staff for using sexual language in their presence. 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. Speaker Myrna Driedger confirmed she received Currys absence form Monday, and said she wasnt at liberty to discuss details of why he was away. A request for comment from the PC caucus was not returned before deadline. Meantime, the Prairie director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation said Kildonan residents deserve more information. "The explanation given to taxpayers isnt good enough. It doesnt really say anything," Todd MacKay said by email. "When an employee is missing work, the employer has a right to know why and how long the employee is going to be missing. Taxpayers still dont have any real answer to either of those questions." jessica.botelho@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @_jessbu OTTAWA Nurses at Berens River First Nation initially thought someone had stolen their health centre's four dialysis machines. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 6/5/2019 (963 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. OTTAWA Nurses at Berens River First Nation initially thought someone had stolen their health centre's four dialysis machines. The province says it was simply moving unused equipment to where it was needed most, but reserve officials say no one notified them of the change, one that illustrates the challenges of health care in small communities. "Theyve really pulled the rug from under the communitys feet," said northern Manitoba MP Niki Ashton, who visited Berens River last month. The First Nation is located 270 kilometres north of Winnipeg, and counts 3,500 band members, two-thirds of whom live on the reserve. SEAN KILPATRICK / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES MP Niki Ashton In 2007, the provincial NDP government announced it would install two dialysis machines on the reserve, so that patients with kidney issues did not have to fly to Winnipeg for care. The unit later expanded to four units and beds. But in the province closed the unit in January; the last on-reserve resident needing dialysis died last June. At that point, the province was paying for the equivalent of 2.6 full-time nurses despite "no patients for several months," and none living on the reserve qualifying for the treatment. "There was no patient for months, and so the decision was made to temporary suspend the unit until there were patients," said Amie Lesyk, a spokeswoman for the Manitoba Renal Program. "It's a temporary situation. The machines have been pulled out so they can be maintained in the interim, so that theyre not sitting there not being used and not being maintained." However, Berens Rivers health director Donna Everett said a woman in her 70s was being tested for dialysis at the time, and was approved for the treatment after the machines were removed. The elderly woman was sent to Winnipeg for treatment, and Everett said she's asked to return. Everett claims six other band members might qualify for treatment soon, though officials say none have met that bar yet. "It was a shock when they took (the machines) because there was no formal letter or phone call," Everett said. "We thought in the beginning that they were stolen. Like, we were going to call the RCMP." Renal program personnel met with band officials last October; the province says it informed the reserve it would be pulling out its equipment. Everett said the idea was floated, but the community received no formal notice. In any case, program officials say that with fewer than four patients, dialysis nurses would not have enough hours to keep their annual licence. Lesyk said the officials "check in with patients all the time" to see who can use the machines and avoid waiting lists. "We want our units to be used; the more people we can get dialyzing closer to home, the better." Manitoba Health Minister Cameron Friesen was not made available for an interview Monday. Ashton, whose riding has one of the highest diabetes rates in Canada, argues patients dispatched to Winnipeg are stressed without their community support and have worse health outcomes. 'We want our units to be used; the more people we can get dialyzing closer to home, the better.' Amie Lesyk, Manitoba Renal Program spokeswoman "It doesnt make financial sense and it doesn't make sense in terms of peoples human dignity," she said. Ashton brought up the issue in Parliament last week; Indigenous Services Minister Seamus ORegan responded by listing health-care investments. The federal government has been helping northern First Nations with long-term plans to devolve health care into their hands, in part to avoid cost disputes between Ottawa and Manitoba. The Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority noted that fewer dialysis patients "could reflect the delivery of enhanced primary health care" to avoid patients needing dialysis. Still, Liberal MLA Judy Klassen said Berens River was "left in the dark" during the pullout, and she claims patients living in Winnipeg have told her theyre trying to relocate to the reserve. MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES MLA Judy Klassen "Im very scared because we have faced nothing but cuts in our communities under this (provincial) government," Klassen said. Last November, Ashton took the province to task over moving an obstetrical delivery program in Flin Flon to join one in The Pas. "Theres no question the North is being short-changed," she said. "These are Manitobans were talking about." Ottawa pays to billet patients from reserves to places such as Winnipeg for up to three months. Ashton argues Ottawa should pay to send a dialysis machine to Berens River. "Ultimately, they are paying in other ways," she said. The Southern Chiefs' Organization is investigating the situation. The renal program and the local health authority expect to meet with the community. dylan.robertson@freepress.mb.ca OTTAWA The over-incarceration of Indigenous people is harming their health, local experts argue in a report calling out a public health crisis in Manitoba. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 7/5/2019 (962 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. OTTAWA The over-incarceration of Indigenous people is harming their health, local experts argue in a report calling out a public health "crisis" in Manitoba. "When you have so many people from one identifiable group that goes through this experience of incarceration, that has effects on the entire community," said Davinder Singh, who co-authored a commentary for the Canadian Medical Association Journal. PHIL HOSSACK / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Davinder Singh co-authored a commentary for the Canadian Medical Association Journal on the over-incarceration of Indigenous people in Manitoba. The report argues the health effects of a year behind bars knocks off two more years from the average persons life expectancy due to issues such as depression, infections and heart disease. With a disproportionate amount of First Nations and Metis adults sent to prison a rate that is 18 times the rate of the rest of Manitobans the effects are ravaging entire communities, the researchers argue. Singh, a researcher from the University of Manitoba, wrote the two-page report alongside a university colleague and a policy expert from the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority. The peer-reviewed report cites 10 existing studies. "It's pulling together different strands, because people hadn't looked at the issue in this way before." Singh said the tally doesnt account for direct effects of living behind bars. Other researchers have examined factors such as hepatitis infections that occur in prisons without clean-syringe exchanges, or food that doesnt meet nutritional standards. "If you include those burdens, the numbers get even more staggering," he said. When people are released, theyre six times more likely to die within the first two weeks of returning to society, largely due to overdoses and suicides. Singh said even though people entering jails already tend to have medical or mental-health problems, the data suggests those are worsened while behind bars. "The incarceration system itself has independent effects that harm health," 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. He hopes the report is a wake-up call for Manitoba, as the province tries to get its health-care spending under control. "The cost of dealing with these issues when someone already has been involved in the justice system, and has been pushed to the margins, is a lot more expensive," he said. "Its a lot better for everybody including the systems if you put in the investment in the first place, rather than having to deal with the consequences." The report takes a national view but notes data show a particularly large issue in Manitoba. Singh said he wasnt surprised by that, given the studies cited, anecdotes from social-service providers and recent reporting in the Free Press on access to restorative-justice programs. Singh said society needs to confront upstream issues such as poverty and housing, as well as downstream problems with how Legal Aid operates and job-market discrimination toward those who have served time. "You kind of have to tackle these problems at multiple levels, at multiple stages," he said, adding volunteering can help, but elected officials carry real heft. dylan.robertson@freepress.mb.ca Labour activists and academics from across Canada are gathering in the city for the start of a four-day conference to mark the 100th anniversary of the 1919 Winnipeg General Strike. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 7/5/2019 (962 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Labour activists and academics from across Canada are gathering in the city for the start of a four-day conference to mark the 100th anniversary of the 1919 Winnipeg General Strike. The University of Winnipeg will play host to the conference subtitled: Building a Better World: 1919-2019. It runs Wednesday through Saturday. The geography of Winnipeg remains shaped by the event, with its working-class North End and more-affluent south end neighbourhoods, said conference chairman James Naylor. (Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press) Some 300 delegates activists, academics and artists from the labour sector will take in 23 panel presentations. Plus, "We have three public roundtables, the first is on poverty and the fight for a material existence, the second is on building an inclusive labour movement, and the third is making labour a social force and a political leader," conference committee member and Brandon University history Prof. Rhonda Hinther said Tuesday. "Those are all wide open to the public... It is really an amazing cast of activists. leaders, scholars and other folks who involved in making public these very important issues and pushing them forward." Jane McAlevey, a prominent U.S. author, educator, activist and organizer, will deliver the keynote Thursday evening at the Ukrainian Labour Temple, described by conference organizers as "an artifact" of the landmark general strike. The building was a key organizing hub, as some 35,000 workers walked off the job in May 1919 to demand collective bargaining rights and a living wage that are now the cornerstones of modern labour unions. The strike halted factories and stalled an entire city for six solid weeks. The shockwaves reverberated across the country, triggered a rise in unionism and sympathetic labour actions from Nova Scotia to British Columbia and inflamed fears of a Bolshevik-style revolution. On June 21, Winnipeg mayor Charles Frederick Gray read the Riot Act, mounted police charged the unarmed crowds, a striker was shot dead, another later died of his wounds, strike leaders were arrested and the military patrolled city streets. In the wake of "Bloody Saturday," labour leaders called off the strike June 25. The geography of Winnipeg remains shaped by the event, with its working-class North End and more-affluent south end neighbourhoods, said conference chairman James Naylor. The temper of the times today is not unlike the social conditions a century ago, the Brandon University history professor said. "There are a lot of connections. One is the immediate cause of the strike was connected to two issues: (first), collective bargaining, which continues to be an issue today. Collective bargaining rights are sometimes tenuous. Business and government eat them away at various times, and thats the situation today," Naylor said. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. "The other issue is the fight against poverty and we are fighting with a lot of precarious jobs and that seems to be rising problem." The conference will draw attention to a factor that's often overlooked in the 1919 Winnipeg General Strike. "One of the interesting things... is in 1919, not a lot of workers were unionized. When they went out on strike, thousands of other workers who were not unionized went out in support of them and all sorts of other people, like returned soldiers from the (First) World War, rallied to support them," Naylor said. Ordinary people found themselves thrust into positions of leadership against a backdrop of inequality and injustice not all that different in this current age of populism, Naylor noted. "One of the kind of features of the last 20 years, of neoliberalism, is that the rates of social inequality are returning in many countries to what they were in the Great Depression and before. The worlds becoming hugely unequal, as it was at that time... There is a lot of fear and anger out there about all sorts of issues." alexandra.paul@freepress.mb.ca The Manitoba Metis Federation castigated the provincial government's spending priorities Tuesday, citing new research that shows young Metis children aren't keeping up with their peers in educational attainment. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 7/5/2019 (962 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. The Manitoba Metis Federation castigated the provincial government's spending priorities Tuesday, citing new research that shows young Metis children aren't keeping up with their peers in educational attainment. "It began with a simple question from (MMF president David) Chartrand, and that was simply, are Metis children falling behind? Is there a difference between Metis kids entering school and the rest of the province?" said report co-author Jino Distasio, director of the University of Winnipeg's Institute of Urban Studies, during a Tuesday morning press conference at the MMF's Winnipeg headquarters. "And what we found was that, yes... Metis children and children in Manitoba are certainly starting behind, when we get to the early readiness skills." That early educational attainment gap is "systemic and long term," Distasio added. The study from the U of W's Institute of Urban Studies is the first result of a 10-year, $600,000 funding agreement between the MMF and the university that was signed in 2018. The research drew on nearly 60,000 educational records. Researchers tracked a measure of school readiness called the Early Development Instrument that measures whether children are "ready" or "not ready" for school across five different domains: communication skills and general knowledge, emotional maturity, language and cognitive development, health and well-being, and social competence. Non-Metis Manitoba students performed slightly worse in all five categories than children across Canada, according to the research. But Metis children in Manitoba consistently performed worse than their non-Metis classmates, and were more likely to score as "not ready" for school. "(It) certainly gives us a strong indication that there is a significant difference between the Metis kids and non-Metis kids," Distasio said. "In particular, we know that 35 per cent just over a third of Metis children are not prepared for school, and that compares to 28 per cent for the rest of the province and 27 per cent nationally." MMF minister of provincial education Joan Ledoux said there was little evidence until now that Manitoba's educational system wasn't working as well for Metis students. The new, Metis-focused research "is the first of it's kind, it's never been done before," said Ledoux. "And it tells us a troubling story: the province is basically failing our Metis children and families." Dr. Annette Trimbee (from left), David Chartrand, Dr. Jino Distasio and Joan Ledoux released the report Tuesday. (Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press) MMF president David Chartrand didn't lay the blame for the situation solely at the feet of Manitoba's current Progressive Conservative government, and said decisions made by the previous NDP government also played a role. "So there's been no investment in the Metis community. And we pay over $400 million in taxes in this province, and yet there is nothing coming back to our community to help the shortfall," he said. "Starting behind is a serious and scary thing for any Manitoban, but this is not just a Metis story this is all Manitoba's story." Chartrand referenced Premier Brian Pallister's goal of eliminating the provincial deficit, and said the spending cuts required to achieve that goal would hurt Manitobans. "That's the whole danger of when politicians don't look towards the future, and they look only to their short-term, four years or eight years. And they don't look 20 years down the road," said Chartrand. "We're looking 20 years down the road." Chartrand also praised federal funding, announced in 2018, that will help fund Indigenous child-care programs and said the MMF will be using its share of that money to build daycare centres and Aboriginal Head Start centres. 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. "Now imagine if the province decided to come onboard, and said, 'I want to be partner and make that difference,'" he said. An emailed statement from Education and Training Minister Kelvin Goertzen did not directly address the MMF's statements Tuesday. "We know educational outcomes need to improve and that is why we have launched a comprehensive, independent review of Manitoba's education system, the first of its kind in decades," he said in the statement. "All Manitobans are encouraged to participate in the ongoing consultation process to help shape the future of our education system." solomon.israel@freepress.mb.ca @sol_israel NDP Leader Wab Kinew said he played no role in barring his former leadership rival, Steve Ashton, from becoming a candidate for the party in the next provincial election. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 7/5/2019 (962 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. NDP Leader Wab Kinew said he played no role in barring his former leadership rival, Steve Ashton, from becoming a candidate for the party in the next provincial election. "It's not my decision. And I recuse myself from any sort of appeal process..." he said Tuesday. The Canadian Press, quoting a party official in Thompson, reported Monday that Ashton had been rejected by the NDP's candidate selection committee. The former NDP cabinet minister, who served in the legislature as the member for Thompson for 35 years until his defeat in 2016, is believed to be appealing the decision to the party's executive. Ashton did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Free Press Tuesday. Blair Hudson, a member of the NDP's provincial council the party's governing body between conventions told the Canadian Press he believed Ashton is being barred, in part, because he was the lone challenger to Wab Kinew in the 2017 leadership race. The race became bitter at one point as details of Kinew's brushes with the law were leaked to the media. Some of Kinew's supporters accused Ashton's campaign of being behind the leaks. Kinew said he plays no role in the candidate vetting process. Although he's a member of the party executive, the NDP leader said he will not participate in any candidate appeals. He could not immediately say whether two members of his caucus, Tom Lindsey (Flin Flon) and Bernadette Smith (Point Douglas), would also be recusing themselves. 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. NDP provincial secretary Tim Johnson said party rules prevent him from commenting on any particular case. He said the candidate selection committee consists of longtime party members who play no other role in election planning or preparation. No elected officials or party executive members are members of the committee, he added. Meanwhile, Premier Brian Pallister waded into the controversy Tuesday, saying it appears that Ashton is being excluded from being a candidate because he disclosed accurate information about Kinew's past. "I wouldn't want to see a candidate excluded... on the basis that he released honest and accurate information about another candidate in their party or any other party," Pallister said. The premier acknowledged that his only knowledge of the issue came from press reports. larry.kusch@freepress.mb.ca The percentage of Winnipeggers who feel health-care services in the city are getting worse nearly doubled last year compared with the year before, according to a survey commissioned by the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 6/5/2019 (963 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. The percentage of Winnipeggers who feel health-care services in the city are getting worse nearly doubled last year compared with the year before, according to a survey commissioned by the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority. According to the poll, conducted by Probe Research, 39 per cent of Winnipeggers said they felt services were somewhat or much worse compared with 20 per cent who said so the year before. The Manitoba NDP, which obtained the results through freedom of information legislation, used the information Monday to attack the Progressive Conservative government about its health-care reforms in the legislature. "This is evidence that the premier is not listening to Manitobans when it comes to health care," said NDP Leader Wab Kinew, who has opposed city emergency room closures. "People are saying it's getting worse." Premier Brian Pallister told reporters the government is trying to heal a "broken" health system and improve wait times. "I'm always concerned when I hear politicians quoting polls as a reason to make public policy," he said. "That's the reason we didn't have any progress under the previous government." The WRHA has commissioned polls about the health system's performance for a number of years. The 39 per cent figure was a cumulative number based on four quarterly surveys from late November 2017 to the summer of 2018. It was the most negative annual result by far since at least 2010-11. Under the hospital reorganization plan, Misericordia Health Centre's urgent-care centre closed in October 2017. That same fall, Victoria Hospital's emergency room was converted to an urgent-care centre. According to the WRHA survey, seven per cent of those surveyed in 2017-18 felt services were somewhat or much better than the previous year, 48 per cent felt they were the same, while 39 per cent said they were much or somewhat worse. Eight per cent were unsure. A year earlier, seven per cent felt services were better, 65 per cent said they were about the same and 20 per cent felt they were worse. Again, eight per cent of respondents said they were unsure. In a statement Monday, the WRHA said the result was "not unexpected," given "the amount of change currently underway." "However, it is worth noting that the majority of people who indicated that theyd made use of health-care services in the past year reported positive results about their experiences," the WRHA 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. It said the current reforms are based on expert clinical advice and informed by best practices of high-performing health-care systems across North America. "The goal is creating a sustainable health-care system that provides the safest and highest quality care possible for Manitobans today, and for generations to come." Last week, the government announced that the health expert whose report several years ago formed the blueprint for the current hospital restructuring was being brought in once again to review how the process was going. Dr. David Peachey is expected to weigh in on whether the planned closure of Concordia Hospital's ER, set for June, should be delayed. Peachey once recommended that Winnipeg have three emergency rooms and three urgent-care centres. Under the plans announced so far by the government and the WRHA, there will be three ERs and only two urgent-care centres once the restructuring is completed later this year. Concordia would have a walk-in clinic. Asked Monday if the government might opt for an urgent-care centre at Concordia, Pallister was non-committal. "It's a fair question. I don't think it's wise to prejudge (Peachey's assessment). Let's bring him back. He knows what his recommendations were. He knows how we're proceeding..." larry.kusch@freepress.mb.ca Manitoba midwives and their supporters are calling on the provincial government to fund more midwifery positions in the province. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 6/5/2019 (963 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Manitoba midwives and their supporters are calling on the provincial government to fund more midwifery positions in the province. "I hear all the time that getting a midwife is like winning a lottery," Sarah Davis, president of the Midwives Association of Manitoba, told a crowd of close to 100 gathered in front of the Manitoba legislature Monday in the wake of the 2019 International Day of the Midwife. This month, 12 local midwives are graduating from a joint University of Manitoba-McMaster University program and just two have jobs lined up in Thompson, Davis said in an interview. MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Ashley Ford, with her nine-month-old, Daisy, says a midwife saved her life during the birth of her first child. The other 10 may have to work out of the province if Manitoba doesn't fund any new positions, she said. That doesn't sit well with advocates who say midwives play a vital role in the health of Manitobans. Ashley Ford says a midwife saved her life and that of her first-born child. "I had severe preeclampsia," said Ford, who was at the demonstration Monday with her nearly-three-year-old daughter, Poppy. The condition, formerly known as toxemia, involves high blood pressure and puts mom and baby at high risk. Ford said she was 33 weeks pregnant when she had a strange headache and one swollen foot. She called her midwife, Elaine Labdon, to let her know. MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Midwife, Elaine Labdon. "I was grocery shopping and on-call when Ashley called to say she had a weird feeling," said Labdon, who delivered hundreds of babies in England before moving to Canada and training to have her midwifery credentials recognized here. Labdon said Ford's blood pressure was "extremely high", and directed them to the hospital right away, where premature Poppy was delivered by caesarean section. The healthy relationship that develops between parents and a midwife can save lives, said Ford. "She helped me have a good birth experience with (second daughter) Daisy." There are close to 40 practising midwives in Manitoba, according to the association, but nearly 200 are needed to meet demand as some health regions have no midwives. The regulatory body that governs midwifery in Manitoba says it doesn't track numbers but, anecdotally, knows more are needed. "In some regions, 50 per cent of the women are turned away," said Janice Erickson, registrar of the Manitoba College of Midwives. MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Stephanie Bilan, a student midwife, during the rally on the steps of the Manitoba Legislative building Monday morning. A Winnipeg Regional Health Authority spokesman said Monday fewer than 10 per cent of women who requested a midwife in Winnipeg were declined because there wasn't a midwife available. 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. This year's 12 midwifery grads are the second class to graduate in Manitoba after the troubled University College of the North program that began in 2006 was discontinued by the province in 2016. The provincial government agreed to a partnership with Hamilton, Ont.,-based McMaster to allow students in the program to complete their studies at U of M, but provided no long-term solution for a future program. On Monday, a statement from Health Minister Cameron Friesen said there is more work to do. "Clinical teams are examining data and developing models of care that will best support access to quality perinatal care for Manitobas population. This includes a focus on how best to meet the needs of pregnant women and their families through collaboration among health-care providers of which, midwives are an important and valuable part of. Midwives are an active part of this planning." The province could save health-care dollars by using more midwives, said their association president. One-quarter of births attended by Manitoba midwives in 2018 took place outside of hospital and, in Winnipeg, the rate of births occurring by c-section with midwifery care was only 11 per cent, compared to the national average of almost 29 per cent, said Davis. carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca Opioid use in pregnancy has risen dramatically in recent years, along with the opioid epidemic within the general Canadian population. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 7/5/2019 (962 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Opinion Opioid use in pregnancy has risen dramatically in recent years, along with the opioid epidemic within the general Canadian population. One study found an alarming increase in the number of infants born to opioid-dependent women in Ontario from 46 in 2002 to almost 800 in 2014. Up to 80 per cent of these infants will go on to develop neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS), a constellation of clinical signs that usually arise within 72 hours of delivery. These infants experience tremors, a high-pitched cry, uncoordinated sucking, diarrhea and vomiting. This usually abates within 10 to 14 days of life. Whether NOWS impacts the long-term health and development of infants is currently unclear but is an active area of ongoing research. To date, infants diagnosed with NOWS have largely been managed in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) across the country. However, in light of significant evidence supporting its safety and effectiveness, management of NOWS is shifting towards care that keeps infants and their mothers together, called "rooming-in." There are few opportunities for rooming-in across Canada, even though this is recognized as the new standard of care. I know from my own practice, as an obstetric internal medicine specialist in Alberta, that our need for this model of care vastly exceeds its availability. In the face of an unrelenting opioid crisis, this is a problem. Babies show less severe symptoms Substantial research over the past decade shows that rooming-in is associated with many positive outcomes for opioid-exposed mothers and their infants compared to NICU-based care. Benefits include improved mother-infant bonding, greater chances of breastfeeding, less severe NOWS, less medication for the newborn and much shorter hospital stays. Further, some of these studies show that babies who room-in may have a greater chance of remaining in their mothers custody at discharge. Rooming-in was pioneered at B.C. Womens Hospital in Vancouver in 2003, establishing the first unit in Canada to provide pregnancy-related care alongside treatment for substance-use disorders in pregnant and postpartum women. Over the past 15 years, the practice has spread to hospitals in Kingston, Ont., Edmonton and Hamilton, to name a few. Stigma towards opioid-using women One reason for the limited availability of rooming-in may be that the shift towards rooming-in as the standard of care for NOWS is quite recent. It was less than a year ago when two influential Canadian medical bodies came forward with statements supporting rooming-in over NICU-based care (assuming NICU-based care is not otherwise indicated). The first was the Canadian Pediatric Society, in its May 2018 statement, "Managing infants born to mothers who have used opioids during pregnancy." The second was the B.C. Centre for Substance Use in itsJune 2018 guideline supplement, "Treatment of opioid use disorder during pregnancy." Still, supporting evidence for the practice of rooming-in dates back over 10 years. Based on my experience working to establish a rooming-in program in my own health region, I hypothesize that the lack of established programs may be due to other barriers. These include concerns about where to locate a rooming-in program, given significant bed shortages on maternity and pediatric units. 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. They also include discomfort among care providers about monitoring postpartum mothers with opioid dependence and babies with NOWS in a ward setting as well as ongoing stigma associated with opioid use in pregnant women, which leads to care-provider concerns about the safety of an infant remaining in the mothers care. We must be innovative and tireless I realize there will be unique challenges and barriers faced at each hospital looking to implement rooming-in care for opioid exposed mothers and their newborns, however we cannot be paralyzed into inaction as a result. We must work together to overcome these challenges in the name of providing family-focused care to opioid-dependent mothers and their babies. This will ensure the best possible outcomes, with the added benefits of de-escalating care (for instance, keeping care outside the NICU when possible) and cost savings due to shortened stays in hospital. We must be innovative and tireless within our individual health regions to ensure rooming-in programs are available across Canada. These infants, along with their newly postpartum mothers, deserve the best evidence-based care we can offer. Mary Malebranche is a clinical lecturer at the University of Calgary. This article was first published at The Conversation Canada: theconversation.com/ca. In January, Manitoba Education Minister Kelvin Goertzen announced the creation of a commission to review the provincial school system and propose a renewed vision for kindergarten to Grade 12 education, to ignite change to existing systems, structures and programs. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 7/5/2019 (962 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Opinion In January, Manitoba Education Minister Kelvin Goertzen announced the creation of a commission to review the provincial school system and propose a "renewed vision for kindergarten to Grade 12 education, to ignite change to existing systems, structures and programs." The impetus appears to be concern that the provinces students were "falling behind those in the rest of the country," particularly in math, science and literacy. And so, according to the minister, "Nothing is off the table." Goertzen referenced accountability for student outcomes, because the idea that there were multiple sources of responsibility seemed to frustrate him: "If were all responsible, then really nobody is responsible." When thinking about what parents want from schools, I would wager that most would reply with a version of "to have my kids needs met, and to help them learn." But with that comes the recognition that because not all childrens needs emotional or social are identical, schools and educators must be provided with the resources necessary to ensure that, in spite of differing needs, interests and realities, kids will still come each day to a place thats safe, supportive and able to help them find success and fulfilment. This takes resources: well-trained and experienced educators and education workers, including education assistants, office staff, guidance counsellors, custodians and therapists. It takes reference and resource materials and culturally relevant curriculum. It takes technology, furniture, functioning water fountains and roofs that dont leak. It takes safe play spaces and staffed libraries with reading materials. It takes functional gymnasiums, musical instruments and transportation. It takes breakfast programs and after-school clubs. And yes, this costs money. It also requires people and systems to be accountable accountability thats shared because schools and kids and families exist within our society, which is deeply inequitable. And although the most vulnerable kids are disproportionately marginalized, everyone in each classroom is affected. How does the school know when a child is feeling overwhelmed or bullied, if a parent has been laid off, or if an eviction notice is looming? These realities are present in every single classroom, and to pretend otherwise is to deny what far too many kids must try desperately to navigate before they even make it to school in the morning. Goertzen questioned whether the province needs so many school boards or trustees. Theres precedent here: Nova Scotia took consultant Avis Glazes advice and eliminated all but francophone school boards. (Parents and education advocates in Newfoundland and Labrador and Prince Edward Island have raised concerns about a lack of local input into decision-making when their boards were replaced with regional councils.) Quebecs government promised to "transform school boards into service centres and abolish elections." (Take that, democracy!) And in addition to reducing per-student funding and increasing secondary-school class sizes, Ontario Premier Doug Ford is musing about cutting back on school boards. So with the reduction or, in some cases, the elimination of formal mechanisms for feedback, engagement and representation, how do we ensure that parents and caregivers have access to the information and education workers and educators the resources they need? And how do parents and caregivers know if kids are being supported adequately, particularly when challenges arise? Ive yet to find a governing body that improved its citizen outreach and feedback methods by eliminating the democratic component altogether. And when it comes to the education, care and well-being of our kids, and helping them learn the skills they need to not just fit into the world but to change it for the better, citizen and community engagement, communication and outreach is fundamental. This is what local school boards are designed and best positioned to do. 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. Too often, test scores, school rankings and provincial comparisons are used as a proxy for accountability and transparency. But standardized assessments are not particularly good at determining how schools are doing, or where improvement is necessary and how to get there. They are very accurate at identifying the kids, schools and communities that are under-resourced and under-supported and who we, as a society, have let down. But thats not how theyre used. Standardized assessments are often used by critics to punish schools for not having managed to reverse the effects of income inequality, precarity and marginalization exacerbated by provincial and federal austerity policies on students, while dealing with inadequate resources. Thats not particularly accountable. An authentic accountability agenda starts with smaller classes, allowing for more flexibility and individualization in teaching and learning styles to meet kids needs. It means more time for educators and education workers to collaborate with parents and caregivers, better communication and support for vulnerable kids and a more nuanced understanding of the community in which kids and schools exist. Ensuring that public schools are accountable to the kids they teach and the communities in which theyre located, and that the schools have the human and financial resources required to fulfil that task without having to spend time and energy on fundraising campaigns, must absolutely be a priority. But lets not be distracted by policies imported from other jurisdictions that seem more about fomenting distrust and disengagement and a justification for pulling resources out of the system. Lets start from an understanding of what authentic accountability looks like for a democratic institution, and place at the centre of the process that key goal: "To have my kids needs met, and to help them learn." Erika Shaker is director of education and outreach at the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. She is speaking on public education, democracy and well-being tonight at 7 p.m. at the Manitoba Teachers Society. To register for this free event, please email ccpamb@policyalternatives.ca. For the second time in a month, a member country of the European Union has not voted a populist into power. Could it be that the populist wave has broken? Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 7/5/2019 (962 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Opinion For the second time in a month, a member country of the European Union has not voted a populist into power. Could it be that the populist wave has broken? It would be a good time for that to happen, because elections to the EUs parliament are this month. The hard-right populist parties that have already proliferated in the 28 member countries were hoping to sweep into a dominant position in the EU parliament as well, but maybe the story will be more nuanced. The Spanish election on April 28 saw the traditional socialist party increase its vote by a quarter under the leadership of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. "The future has won and the past has lost," said Sanchez, who has raised the minimum wage, appointed a female-dominated cabinet and promised during his brief time in power to bring in laws defining rape as sex without clear consent. That wasnt the headline the next morning, of course. Good news is no news, so the media played up the fact that a particularly nasty party of right-wing populists called Vox has made it into the Spanish parliament for the first time. Vox is anti-immigrant, anti-Muslim and promises to "make Spain great again." It wants to repeal laws against gender violence, and opposes abortion and same-sex marriage. But it actually only got 10 per cent of the votes, and most of those it stole from the Popular party, the traditional home for nationalist and ultra-conservative voters. Sanchez will still have a hard time putting a coalition government together hes probably going to have to make some deal with the Catalan separatists, which will alienate many other Spaniards but this is not exactly populism triumphant. It wasnt a populist triumph in Slovakia in March, either. The neo-fascist candidate, Marian Kotleba, didnt even make it into the run-off presidential vote. In the second round, Zuzana Caputova, a neophyte in politics, beat the candidate of Robert Ficos ruling Smer-SD party, which plays by right-wing populist rules and has close links with Viktor Orbans elective dictatorship in Hungary. The presidency is a largely ceremonial office in Slovakia, so Fico is still really running the government (although he had to step down as prime minister last year after an investigative journalist looking into links between Slovak politicians and organized crime was shot dead by hired killers). Its not all roses yet in Slovakia, but spring is in the air. So what does this tell us about the populist wave in Europe in general, and about the EU parliamentary elections later this month in particular? Not as much as youd like, because "Europe" is a very complicated place. What we can say is that there is a general rise in nationalism, from Brexit-supporting Britain to a huge surge of anti-Muslim, anti-immigrant feeling in eastern European countries (which have almost no Muslims, or indeed immigrants of any sort). We can also say (although most people wont admit it) that nationalism on this scale does pose a real threat to the future of the European Union. The European Union was the great political success story of the latter half of the 20th century. What was once the most war-torn part of the globe, the source of both the world wars, has become the most peaceful, co-operative and democratic region on the planet. It also looks after its citizens, on average, better than almost anywhere else. 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. Why would they (or at least a lot of them) now be in rebellion against all that? Economic growth has been slower in the past few decades, but they are not poor. The gap between the rich and the rest has been widening, but not nearly as much as it has in the United States or China or Russia. Why risk throwing it all away? The EU has lost its unifying external threat. It was the menace of an allegedly expansionist Soviet Union that drove the western European founders of EU to bury all their old quarrels and come together, but the Soviet Union is long gone and Putins Russia is not really a plausible replacement. Another irritant is the growing pressure of immigration: refugees from wars in the Middle East and from both tyranny and climate change in Africa. The "threat" that immigration poses is greatly exaggerated, but the 28 different governments of the EU have not come up with a coherent and effective policy to deal with it while the populists exploit it with great success. The right-wing populist group of parties in the European Parliament currently holds 37 seats in the 751-member parliament, but the latest opinion polls predict that it will rise to 61 seats in this months election. If the United Kingdom is still in the EU at that time, which seems likely, the total could rise to 100, but thats still hardly a landslide. The concern is not for the immediate future, but for the trend line. The populists have been gaining strength for two decades now, and if that goes on for another five years, the EU could just vanish, the way the old Soviet Union did in 1991. So from that point of view, at least, the news from Spain and Slovakia is good news. Gwynne Dyers latest book is Growing Pains: The Future of Democracy (and Work). YANGON, Myanmar - Two Reuters journalists whose imprisonment for their reporting on the Myanmar military's abuses of Rohingya Muslims drew the world's attention to curbs on freedom of the press were freed in a mass presidential pardon. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 6/5/2019 (963 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Reuters journalists Wa Lone, left, and Kyaw She Oo, third left, wave as they walk out from Insein Prison after being released in Yangon, Myanmar Tuesday, May 7, 2019. The chief of Yangon's Insein Prison said two Reuters journalists who were imprisoned for breaking the country's Officials Secrets Act have been released. (AP Photo/Thein Zaw) YANGON, Myanmar - Two Reuters journalists whose imprisonment for their reporting on the Myanmar military's abuses of Rohingya Muslims drew the world's attention to curbs on freedom of the press were freed in a mass presidential pardon. Wa Lone, 32, and Kyaw Soe Oo, 28, walked out of Yangon's notorious Insein Prison at about 9:40 a.m. Tuesday. As they passed through the front gate, waving to the gathered crowd, they were mobbed like rock stars by fellow reporters who as professionals had covered their plight and as colleagues had pushed for their release. "I want to say that I am very happy today. I want to thank our friends and families who were trying for our freedom and also to those from all over the world who sympathized with us," Wa Lone said. "I am really excited to see my family and colleagues. I can't wait to go to my newsroom." Reuters journalists Wa Lone, left, and Kyaw She Oo wave as they walk out from Insein Prison after being released in Yangon, Myanmar Tuesday, May 7, 2019. The chief of the prison said two Reuters journalists who were imprisoned for breaking the country's Officials Secrets Act have been released. (AP Photo/Thein Zaw) Then they were hustled into a black van and taken to reunite with their families. The two reporters were arrested in December 2017 as they were working on a story about security forces involved in killing Rohingya and were accused of illegally possessing official documents, a violation of the colonial-era Official Secrets Act. At their trial the two contended they were framed because of official displeasure over their work, but they were convicted last September and sentenced to seven years in prison. The case drew global attention not only as a media freedom issue but also as an example of how democratic reforms in Myanmar have stalled under Nobel Peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi's civilian government, which took power in 2016 with high hopes that it would usher in a new, more open era after decades of isolation under military rule. It also came as international condemnation built over the brutal counterinsurgency campaign that Myanmar's military which still maintains unchecked control of key ministries such as those responsible for security launched in the western state of Rakhine, driving more than 700,000 members of the Rohingya minority group to flee to Bangladesh. U.N. officials and others likened the offensive to ethnic cleansing, or even genocide. Reuters journalist Kyaw Soe Oo celebrates with wife Chit Su Win and their daughter after being released from prison after a presidential pardon, Wednesday, May 7, 2019, in Yangon, Myanmar. The two journalists Wa Lone, 32, and Kyaw Soe Oo, 28, were imprisoned for breaking Myanmar's Official Secrets Act over reporting on security forces' abuses of Rohingya Muslims were pardoned Tuesday, the prison chief and witnesses said. (Ann Wang/Pool Photo via AP) Stories based on reporting from Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo were published while they were in prison and the two last month were part of a Reuters team that won the Pulitzer Prize for International Reporting, one of journalism's highest honours. They shared the award with The Associated Press, which won for its reporting on Yemen. Zaw Htay, a spokesman for the office of President Win Myint, told journalists he spoke with in the eastern state of Kayah on Tuesday that the reporters' families had sent letters requesting they be pardoned, and they were included among 6,520 prisoners released to promote peace and national reconciliation. The families of Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, their employer, press freedom groups, and journalist associations around the world had called for their release all along. Prospects looked grim after Myanmar's Supreme Court on April 23 rejected their final appeal of their prison terms, and even grimmer after they were not included in two other recent mass pardons. It wasn't clear what had changed by Tuesday, but the news was welcomed by rights groups and many others. Reuters journalist Kyaw Soe Oo, left, holds his daughter next to wife Chit Su Win, and Reuters journalist Wa Lone poses with wife Pan Ei Mon and daughter after being released from prison after receiving a presidential pardon in Yangon, Myanmar, May 7, 2019. The two journalists were imprisoned for breaking Myanmar's Official Secrets Act over reporting on security forces' abuses of Rohingya Muslims were pardoned Tuesday, the prison chief and witnesses said. (Ann Wang/Pool Photo via AP) "I think this will reduce the pressures on Myanmar's government by the international community," said Yan Myo Thein, a political analyst. "Releasing them is progress. But it will be better for democracy and the transition of Myanmar if the president will consider releasing (all) those who are in jail for exercising freedom of expression." The U.N. human rights office in Geneva welcomed their release but said they never should have been arrested. "We remain concerned about flaws in the judicial process that led to their conviction in the first place," spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani said. White House press secretary Sarah Sanders also welcomed their release. "We hope that other jailed journalists in Burma will also be allowed their freedom," a statement from her office said, using Myanmar's previous name. Reuters released a video showing Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo reuniting with their families, hugging their wives and young children. Map shows Rohingya villages destroyed by Myanmar military.; At the time of their arrest, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo were working on an investigation of the killings of 10 Rohingya villagers. The government last year said seven soldiers were sentenced to up 10 years in prison with hard labour for the killings. Reporting on the Rohingya is sensitive in Myanmar, where many of the country's majority ethnic Burmans agree with the official government of denying the group citizenship and labeling them as illegal migrants from Bangladesh. The military has said its actions in Rakhine state were a response to attacks by Rohingya guerrillas, and it did not have a policy violating human rights or the laws of war. During their trial, the prosecution claimed the Reuters reporters were found in possession of secret government documents. The defence said the documents were neither secret nor sensitive and had been given to them by police seeking to frame them. That assertion was supported by surprise testimony from a whistleblower in the police department, who told the court that his superior had arranged for two policemen to meet the reporters and hand over documents described as "important secret papers" in order to entrap them. 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. As a result of his testimony, that officer was jailed for a year for violating the Police Disciplinary Act and his family was forced to leave their police housing unit. Even with the reporters' release, serious concerns remain about freedom of expression in Myanmar. The Myanmar group ATHAN, the Freedom of Expression Activist Organization, said last month that 47 journalists have faced trials since Suu Kyi came to power, and 31 have complaints against them pending. Of the 31, 18 were sued by government officials, four by the military and nine by various individuals. The online magazine The Irrawaddy and other media outlets have recently been sued by the army for their coverage of fighting between the government and the Arakan Army ethnic rebel group, which also operates in Rakhine state. ___ Peck reported from Bangkok. Associated Press writer Jamey Keaten in Geneva contributed to this report. For the first time in 40 years, the city of Winona will change its bus routes this summer. On Monday night, the Winona City Council unanimously approved a route redesign that will add more options for riders with a new transfer point on each end of town and decreased time between routes. The new routes will go into effect July 1. This is going to be great, city council member Michelle Alexander said. I think this will deal with some of the congestion issues downtown with the buses and make it easier for everyone to figure out where they need to go and get them there quicker, which is ideal. Currently, each of the four routes meet downtown at the main transit hub on Third and Center streets, which is the only place to transfer. The additional transfer points one near Maplewood Townhomes and the other on Menard Road near the east end shopping area will provide riders with more options. There are gaps in the system, as council member Paul Schollmeier pointed out. We have a Mankato corridor and a Broadway corridor, and I feel like theres a chunk of Third Ward and part of Fourth Ward that seems to be kind of left out, and thats between Franklin and Hamilton streets. Im hopeful that sometime in the future we can revisit that and reach that population a little better. City manager Steve Sarvi pointed out that Winonas dial-a-ride service extends beyond the normal bus routes. People who do not live near existing routes can call, schedule a ride and be picked up or dropped off at nearly any location in Winona or Goodview. Unless they are incapable of a little bit of ambulatory movement, they can get to a bus route pretty quickly, Alexander said. The new bus routes will consist of four corridors Broadway, Goodview, Mankato and Sarnia/Gilmore. The Broadway and Sarnia/Gilmore routes will take riders across from one end of the city to the other, while the Goodview route will operate through Goodview and up Hwy. 14 into the Saint Marys campus and Knopp Valley. The Mankato route will travel through the east end, near the shopping areas, to Minnesota State College Southeast and to Winona Middle School. There will also be standard signage that will be placed at bus stop across the city. The city has funding for 15 signs in 2019 and will add more in 2020. Im really looking forward to seeing all of the lovely bus stops were going to have with the cohesive design, city council member Eileen Moeller said. So everyone knows what theyre there for and where they can catch the bus. Love 3 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 The Minnesota Legislature is currently reviewing the budget request of the third branch of government: the judiciary. The Minnesota Judicial Branch is just 1.5% of the states general fund budget. A fully-functioning judiciary is one of the first promises made in our Constitution. In order to fulfill this promise, the Minnesota Judicial Branchs legislative request, which is crafted over the course of eight months, includes funding for treatment court funding stabilization, two additional judges and staff, judge and staff compensation and benefits, cybersecurity enhancements, and mandated psychological exams. There are many areas of the judiciary that would benefit from additional funding. We develop budget requests that reflect the highest needs of the branch, but also fit within the constraints of the state budget funding forecast. The five budget priorities put forward this year are critical to ensure access to justice, efficient and skilled administration, and timely outcomes for Minnesotans. In Minnesota today, there is a need for two additional judges and staff. The growing complexity of the cases coming before trial courts is the primary driver of this need. Complex cases include those involving children in need of protection or services, which have increased by 42% in the last four years, and cases involving a transition of a child or children from a biological parent(s) to a foster home or other care provider, which have increased by 69%. Retaining and attracting high-quality judges and staff will always be a challenge because we can rarely compete with large law firm salaries. The judicial branch strives to be an employer of choice in many ways; one of which is by staying competitive with the salary ranges of other government employers. Our budget request includes a 3.5% salary increase for judges and a 3.5% pool for staff compensation and benefits. The already tight labor market makes this funding even more important as we look to the future. By 2022, almost 40% of all judges that were on the bench in 2017 will have either retired or will have turned 65 years old, and one-third of current judicial branch staff will reach retirement age in the next 10 years. The Olmsted County Drug Court is one of five problem-solving courts that will see its federal start-up grant expire this year. The collaborative program has 25 participants currently enrolled who are held accountable to high standards and random but regular drug tests. By reconnecting offenders to a sober life, treatment courts can actually save money according to a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration study. The judicial branch is seeking to add the Olmsted County Drug Court to the statewide funding system to ensure the court can continue. The judicial branch is responsible for the safety and security of a magnitude of public, private, and sealed information regarding Minnesotans involved in the judicial system. We take very seriously the responsibility to keep that data protected so that Minnesotans can have confidence in their judicial system. The $5 million for cyber security will combat the risk of major data breaches, data corruption, system outages, document or data loss, and cyber-attacks. The final area we seek funding for is mandated psychological exams. The cost of these assessments, which are required for civil commitment and criminal cases, has increased, and more people in need of these exams have entered into the court system. The judicial branch worked to make these requests appropriate to the realities of the current budget forecast. A court system that is fully-functioning safeguards democracy, secures the rule of law, and ensures public safety. I ask you to join me in supporting this budget request. We are counting on the Legislature and Governor to fully fund the judicial branch so that we can uphold the promise of our Constitution and ensure access to timely, equitable, and effective administration of justice for all Minnesotans. Chief Judge Jodi L. Williamson was appointed to the district court bench in January of 2000. She has served as the chief judge of the Third Judicial District since July of 2017. The district, which includes Winona, Wabasha and Houston counties, has a total of 24 judges and one referee serving the more than 467,000 citizens of the district. In 2018, nearly 65,000 cases were filed in Third Judicial District courts. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Woods submitted to a field sobriety test and showed signs of impairment and was charged with drunken driving with a passenger under the age of 16, Meister said. The juvenile was released to a responsible adult. It is illegal in Wisconsin for anyone under 21 to drive with any alcohol in their blood. A first-offense drunken driving citation in Wisconsin usually is treated as a traffic offense for those 21 and over who are legally allowed to consume alcohol. However, driving while impaired with a minor under 16 can be a criminal offense with more significant penalties. Klafke said he was not aware of any drunken driving arrests related to the Portage High School prom over the weekend, and said police were aware of one house party that included underage drinking. The Sauk County Sheriffs Office investigates any reports of underage drinking parties, Spencer said. Deputies generally issue citations to adults who provide alcohol and minors who drink, but not other teens who are designated drivers and choose not to partake at such parties. Portage Police Patrol Lt. Rich Hoege said he hopes kids make healthy and safe decisions on big nights. Financial challenges have prompted Tellurian to close its outpatient addiction clinic in Baraboo. Operations will cease in June. The clinic benefited from grant funding for its first three years of operation, but that money ran out in July. The clinic since has relied on insurance reimbursements. This was a difficult business decision, but Tellurian is no longer able to operate the Baraboo clinic due to the financial impact on our organization, said Ann Gile, director of treatment. Tellurian runs facilities in Madison and La Crosse. The closing of Tellurians clinic will come a year after SSM Health St. Clare Hospital closed its Baraboo treatment and recovery center. Tellurian has operated a day treatment and outpatient program in Baraboo for the past two years. Additionally, it provided medication-assisted treatment and recovery services to residents of Sauk and Columbia counties as part of a three-year, $1 million grant awarded to Sauk County by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. FFA activities, this week State FFA CDE Contest Results: Columbus FFA members did pretty well at the State FFA CDE contest. The Ag Sales Team placed fifth with Griffin Hughland the high individual for the team. The horse team took third place and Amanda Dunbar was the high scorer for the team. The Dairy Team came in 17th with Emma Paulson placing seventh individual. The Meats Team placed 13th with Faith Baerwolf taking 17th place as an individual. Scoops of Thanks! At Culvers: Columbus FFA members delivered a lot of custard to customers May 2 for Culvers Scoops of Thanks. The FFA members met many community members at the door, in the drive up or at the table! It was a great night for frozen custard! The Columbus Culvers has a donation bucket for Columbus FFA that will be out all month so you still have time to donate to these great kids. Grain Adventures: Columbus FFA held their Grain Adventures program May 3 for the fifth grade students. The program started at Duffy Grain with seven stations focused on demonstrating the STEAM skills used in crop production and Ag Careers. The fifth graders met Ryan Duffy in the control room to test corn and fill trucks. They met Joel Strieber in the conference room to learn about Pioneer seed corn development and research. They learned about the technology used in a combine from Midstate Equipment to help harvest the corn. Columbus FFA members also helped present stations including soil sampling and agronomy skills by Jordan Prosser, soil tillage and planting by Steven Taylor and Garret Baerwolf and Farm Safety by Nick Schleicher. After lunch the fifth grade traveled to Baerwolf Dairy Farm to continue to learn about the logistics involved in producing the products they eat. The FFA members continued to teach the students about how the grain is fed to the cow that has a calf, to produce the milk that is made into ice cream. The fifth grade students met Rosie a Brown Swiss, sat in the tractor, watched the new Sassy Cow Promotion and visited the rotary milking parlor. The students finished the tour with Sassy Cow chocolate milk and ice cream. The FFA thanks Duffy Grain and Baerwolf Dairy for hosting the Grain Adventures Program today; it was a huge success! The Wisconsin Union is milking the popularity of its sunburst style Terrace chairs to raise money for the UW School of Veterinary Medicines expansion project. Officials debuted a miniature cow-printed Terrace chair Monday in the first of what they anticipate to be an annual partnership supporting campus causes with unique Terrace chair designs. It feels like a natural extension of our work in the community to help an important campus cause like the Veterinary Medicine building expansion, Susan Dibbell, deputy director of the Wisconsin Union, said in an announcement. Built to serve 12,000 patient visits annually, the teaching hospital, UW Veterinary Care, now sees more than 26,000 patients annually across more than 20 specialty services. A $128 million project would double the size of its small-animal hospital, expand labs for more research and expand its large-animal hospital. The school has raised more than $24 million of the $38 million it needs to raise. There are questions about whats going on, but I cant answer most of them, she said. Even more frustrating, for Cary and the veterans, has been the delay in services that resulted from the loss of staffing since Hasses suspension. Cary said a veterans spouse volunteered to do clerical work such as answer phones and take messages, but if a veterans service officer is not available, veterans have had to wait for assistance. I can get to their calls, Cary said. I just prefer not to have them scheduled out a couple weeks. If Hasse is dismissed, both Cary and Erickson want the job as Columbia County veterans service officer. Ruf said Cary would not be automatically promoted permanently if Hasse is fired. Rather, the job would be opened to any qualified applicant. Erickson said the Columbia County post is closer to his home in Wisconsin Dells, and officials at Marquette County know that he would prefer to work in Columbia County. Hasse was the Marquette County veterans service officer before coming to Columbia County, but Erickson said he did not work with him. Theyre illegal because they can render the publicly held meeting a mere formality, according to the office. TJ Mertz, a board member until he lost a re-election bid last month, didnt recall administrators asking board members specifically how they planned to vote in an open meeting, but I do recall myself and other board members giving feedback that indicated how you would vote on something. Mary Burke, a seven-year veteran of the board and its outgoing president, said her experience in the briefings is that members dont individually agree to act in a uniform way in later meetings of the full board. That hardly matters. The possibility exists that enough of these small-group meetings could be held to reach a quorum tacitly. The individual board members might not indicate how they will vote in the board briefings, but the superintendent can tally indications of support or disapproval in her or his head through a succession of such meetings, enabling the superintendent to get a feel for whether an initiative has majority support on the board, meaning the deliberations will have taken place in private instead of in public. Braunschweig said he was inspired to host the presentations after reading Lowes book for a multi-cultural class he took last winter at the University of Wisconsin Superior. He said his high school history classes taught him about events specific to Native American history, like the Trail of Tears, but didnt cover the extent of other aspects tribes faced during that time period, like the treaties put in place forcing Native Americans to leave their land. Loew discussed the Treaty of Prairie du Chien. Lowe said the treaty was framed as a peace and friendship treaty between different federal negotiators and several different tribes, including the Ho-Chunk and Menominee. Loew said in the presentation The Black Hawk War in 1832 was used as a pretense for forcing the Ho-Chunk tribe to sign session treaties, moving the tribe west of the Mississippi River and how a fraudulent Sauk treaty of 1804 affected how land was divided from tribes. She also talked about other federal actions taken to relocate Native Americans from their landing, including Congress Passing the Indian Removal Act of 1830. There were a lot of creative approaches to removal and course of treaties, Loew said. Laack said any businesses or organizations interested in learning about dementia training opportunities or joining the coalition in Reedsburg can contact the Aging and Disability Resource Center Baraboo office at 608-355-3289. Editor's Note: This article was updated May 8 to correct the school district that received dementia training. Follow Erica Dynes on Twitter @EDynes_CapNews or contact her at 608-393-5346. Aston Bay Holdings Ltd., an exploration stage company, acquires, explores, and develops mineral properties in North America. The company explores for copper, zinc, lead, silver, gold, and precious metal deposits. It holds a 100% interest in the Storm Copper and Seal Zinc project that consists of 118 contiguous mining claims and 12 prospecting permits covering an area of approximately 381,468 hectares on Somerset Island, Nunavut, Canada, as well as holds an interest in the Blue Ridge Project located in central Virginia, the United States. The company is headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Read More 5 hours ago Live updates: California nearing 5 million coronavirus cases SACRAMENTO, Calif. California health officials say the omicron variant is evident in 50% to 70% of new coronavirus cases in parts of the most populous state heading into the holidays, with the state nearing a total of 5 million virus infections for the pandemic. The U.S. Read Article The following companies are subsidiares of World Fuel Services: AHT Services LLC, ANY-G B.V., ANY-G Services B.V., AVCARD Holding Company (BVI) Ltd., AVCARD Services (BVI) Ltd., Advance Petroleum LLC, Air Petro Corp., Alta Fuels Llc, Alta Transportation LLC, Altitude Ventures Holding Inc., Amelia Holding AB, Amsterdam Software B.V., Ascent Aviation Group Inc., Associated Petroleum Products, Associated Petroleum Products Inc, Avinode AB, Avinode Aktiebolag, Avinode Group AB, Avinode Inc., Baseops International Inc., Bergen Energi AB, Bunkerfuels, CarterEnergy Corporation, Casa Petro S.R.L., Chrome Club Inc., Colt Aviation Holdings LLC, Colt International, Colt International Europe SARL, Colt International LLC, Colt International das Americas Servicos de Aviacao Ltda., Colt Risk Management Services LLC, Ecuacentair Cia. 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Ltd., AIG Global Asset Management Holdings Corp., AIG Global Real Estate Investment Corp., AIG Global Reinsurance Operations, AIG Holdings Europe Limited, AIG Insurance (Thailand) Public Company Limited, AIG Insurance Company China Limited, AIG Insurance Company JSC, AIG Insurance Company of Canada, AIG Insurance Company-Puerto Rico, AIG Insurance Hong Kong Limited, AIG Insurance Limited, AIG Insurance Management Services Inc., AIG Insurance New Zealand Limited, AIG International Holdings GmbH, AIG Investments UK Limited, AIG Israel Insurance Company Ltd, AIG Japan Holdings Kabushiki Kaisha, AIG Kenya Insurance Company Limited, AIG Korea Inc., AIG Latin America I.I., AIG Latin America Investments S.L., AIG Lebanon SAL, AIG Life Holdings Inc., AIG Life Insurance Company (Switzerland) Ltd, AIG Life Limited, AIG Life South Africa Limited, AIG Life of Bermuda Ltd., AIG MEA Holdings Limited, AIG MEA Limited, AIG Malaysia Insurance Berhad, AIG Markets Inc., AIG Matched Funding Corp., AIG PC Global Services Inc., AIG Philippines Insurance Inc., AIG Property Casualty Company, AIG Property Casualty Inc., AIG Property Casualty International LLC, AIG Property Casualty U.S. Inc., AIG Re-Takaful (L) Berhad, AIG Resseguros Brasil S.A., AIG Seguros Brasil S.A., AIG Seguros Mexico S.A. de C.V., AIG Shared Services Corporation, AIG South Africa Limited, AIG Specialty Insurance Company, AIG Technologies Inc., AIG Travel Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., AIG Travel Assist Inc., AIG Travel Assist Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., AIG Travel EMEA Limited, AIG Travel Inc., AIG Uganda Limited, AIG Vietnam Insurance Company Limited, AIG WarrantyGuard Inc., AIG-FP Pinestead Holdings Corp., AIG-Metropolitana Cia. de Seguros y Reaseguros S.A., AIGGRE EOLA LLC, AIGGRE Europe Real Estate Fund I GP S.a r.l., AIGGRE U.S. Real Estate Fund I GP LLC, AIGGRE U.S. Real Estate Fund I LP, AIGGRE U.S. Real Estate Fund II GP LLC, AIU Insurance Company, AM Holdings LLC, Ageas Protect, AlphaCat Managers Ltd., American General Corporation, American General Life Insurance Company, American Home Assurance Co. Ltd., American Home Assurance Company, American Home Assurance Company Escritorio de Representacao no Brasil Ltda., American International Group Inc., American International Group UK Limited, American International Overseas Association, American International Overseas Limited, American International Realty Corp., American International Reinsurance Company Ltd., American International Underwriters del Ecuador-Holding S.A., American Security Life Insurance Company Limited, Arthur J. Glatfelter Agency Inc., Avondhu Limited, Blackboard Customer Care Insurance Services LLC, Blackboard Insurance Company, Blackboard Services LLC, Blackboard Specialty Insurance Company, Blackboard U.S. Holdings Inc., Chartis Takaful Enaya B.S.C. (c), Commerce and Industry Insurance Company, Crop Risk Services Inc., Eaglestone Reinsurance Company, Ellipse, Fortitude Group Holdings LLC, Fortitude Life & Annuity Solutions Inc., Fortitude Reinsurance Company Ltd., Franklin Life Insurance Company, Fuji Fire and Marine, Glatfelter Insurance Group, Globe and Rutgers Insurance Group, Grand Isle SAC Limited, Granite State Insurance Company, Group Risk Services Limited, Group Risk Technologies Limited, Illinois National Insurance Co., Jefferson Eola Venture LLC, Johannesburg Insurance Holdings (Proprietary) Limited, Laya Healthcare Limited, Lexington Insurance Company, MG Reinsurance Limited, Mt. Mansfield Company Inc., National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh Pa., National Union Fire Insurance Company of Vermont, New Hampshire Insurance Company, PT AIG Insurance Indonesia, Pine Street Real Estate Holdings Corp., Private Joint-Stock Company AIG Ukraine Insurance Company, Risk Specialists Companies Insurance Agency Inc., SA Affordable Housing LLC, SAFG Retirement Services Inc., Service Net Warranty LLC, Stratford Insurance Company, SunAmerica Affordable Housing Partners Inc., SunAmerica Asset Management LLC, Talbot Holdings Ltd., Talbot Underwriting Holdings Ltd., Talbot Underwriting Ltd., Thai CIT Holding Company Limited, The Insurance Company of the State of Pennsylvania, The United States Life Insurance Company in the City of New York, The Variable Annuity Life Insurance Company, Travel Guard, Travel Guard Group Canada Inc./Groupe Garde Voyage du Canada Inc., Travel Guard Group Inc., Tudor Insurance Company, VALIC Financial Advisors Inc., Valic Retirement Services Company, Validus Holdings, Validus Holdings (UK) Ltd., Validus Holdings Ltd., Validus Reinsurance (Switzerland) Ltd, Validus Reinsurance Ltd., Validus Ventures Ltd., Volunteer Firemen's Insurance Services Inc., Western World Insurance Company, and Western World Insurance Group Inc.. The following companies are subsidiares of American Tower: 10 Presidential Way Associates LLC, 3267351 Nova Scotia Company, 3286208 Nova Scotia Company, 3298099 Nova Scotia Company, 52 Eighty LLC, 52 Eighty Partners LLC, 52 Eighty Tower Partners I LLC, ACC Tower Sub LLC, AT Kenya C.V., AT Netherlands C.V., AT Netherlands Cooperatief U.A., AT Sao Paulo C.V., AT Sher Netherlands Cooperatief U.A., AT South America C.V., ATC Africa Holding B.V., ATC Africa Shared Services (Pty) Ltd, ATC Antennas Holding LLC, ATC Antennas LLC, ATC Argentina C.V., ATC Argentina Cooperatief U.A., ATC Argentina Holding LLC, ATC Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., ATC Atlantic C.V., ATC Atlantic II B.V., ATC Atlantic III B.V., ATC Backhaul LLC, ATC Brasil Servicos de Conectividades Ltda., ATC Brazil Holding LLC, ATC Brazil I LLC, ATC Brazil II LLC, ATC Burkina Faso S.A., ATC CSR Foundation India, ATC Chile Holding LLC, ATC Colombia B.V., ATC Colombia Holding I LLC, ATC Colombia Holding LLC, ATC Colombia I LLC, ATC EH GmbH & Co. KG, ATC Ecuador Holding LLC, ATC Edge LLC, ATC Ethiopia Infrastructure Development Private Limited Company, ATC Europe B.V., ATC Europe LLC, ATC European Holdings Inc., ATC Fibra de Colombia S.A.S., ATC France Cooperatief U.A., ATC France Holding II SAS, ATC France Holding SAS, ATC France Reseaux SAS, ATC France SAS, ATC France Services SAS, ATC GP GmbH, ATC Germany Holdings GmbH, ATC Germany Services GmbH, ATC Ghana ServiceCo Limited, ATC Global Employment B.V., ATC Heston B.V., ATC Holding Fibra Mexico S. de R.L. DE C.V., ATC IP LLC, ATC India Infrastructure Private Limited, ATC Indoor DAS Holding LLC, ATC Indoor DAS LLC, ATC International Cooperatief U.A., ATC International Financing B.V., ATC International Financing II B.V., ATC International Financing II Holding LLC, ATC International Holding Corp., ATC Iris I LLC, ATC Kenya Operations Limited, ATC Kenya Services Limited, ATC Latin America S.A. de C.V. SOFOM E.N.R., ATC MIP III REIT Iron Holdings LLC, ATC Managed Sites Holding LLC, ATC Managed Sites LLC, ATC MexHold LLC, ATC Mexico Holding LLC, ATC Niger Wireless Infrastructure S.A., ATC Nigeria C.V., ATC Nigeria Cooperatief U.A., ATC Nigeria Holding LLC, ATC Nigeria Wireless Infrastructure Limited, ATC On Air + LLC, ATC Operations LLC, ATC Outdoor DAS LLC, ATC Paraguay Holding LLC, ATC Paraguay S.R.L., ATC Peru Holding LLC, ATC Polska sp. z o.o., ATC Ponderosa B-I LLC, ATC Ponderosa B-II LLC, ATC Ponderosa K LLC, ATC Ponderosa K-R LLC, ATC Sequoia LLC, ATC Sitios Infraco S.A.S., ATC Sitios de Chile S.A., ATC Sitios de Colombia S.A.S., ATC Sitios del Peru S.R.L., ATC South Africa Investment Holdings (Proprietary) Limited, ATC South Africa Services Pty Ltd, ATC South Africa Wireless Infrastructure (Pty) Ltd, ATC South Africa Wireless Infrastructure II (Pty) Ltd, ATC South America Holding LLC, ATC South LLC, ATC Spain LLC, ATC TRS I LLC, ATC TRS II LLC, ATC TRS III LLC, ATC TRS IV LLC, ATC Tanzania Holding LLC, ATC Telecom Infrastructure Private Limited, ATC Tower (Ghana) Limited, ATC Tower Services LLC, ATC Uganda Limited, ATC Uganda ServiceCo (SMC) Limited, ATC Watertown LLC, ATC WiFi LLC, ATS-Needham LLC, ActiveX Telebroadband Services Private Limited, Adquisiciones y Proyectos Inalambricos S. de R. L. de C.V., Agile Airband Ohio LLC, Agile Connect LLC, Agile IWG Holdings LLC, Agile Network Builders LLC, Agile Networks Indiana LLC, Agile Networks Site Development LLC, Agile Towers LLC, Alternative Networking LLC, American Tower Asset Sub II LLC, American Tower Asset Sub LLC, American Tower Charitable Foundation Inc., American Tower Delaware Corporation, American Tower Depositor Sub LLC, American Tower Guarantor Sub LLC, American Tower Holding Sub II LLC, American Tower Holding Sub LLC, American Tower International Holding I LLC, American Tower International Holding II LLC, American Tower International Inc., American Tower Investments LLC, American Tower LLC, American Tower Management LLC, American Tower Mauritius, American Tower Servicios Fibra S. de R.L. de C.V., American Tower Tanzania Operations Limited, American Tower do Brasil - Cessao de Infraestruturas Ltda., American Tower do Brasil Communicacao Multimidia Ltda., American Towers LLC, BR Towers, Blue Sky Towers Pty Ltd, Blue Transfer Sociedad Anonima, Broadcast Towers LLC, CNC2 Associates LLC, California Tower Inc., Cell Site NewCo II LLC, Cell Tower Lease Acquisition LLC, Central States Tower Holdings LLC, Colo ATL LLC, Colo Atl, Communications Properties Inc., Comunicaciones y Consumos S.A., Connectivity Infrastructure Services Limited, DCS Tower Sub LLC, Eaton, Eaton Towers (Lilongwe) Limited, Eaton Towers Ghana (M) Limited, Eaton Towers Ghana Limited, Eaton Towers Holdings Limited, Eaton Towers Kenya Limited, Eaton Towers Limited, Eaton Towers Niger S.A., Eaton Towers Uganda Limited, Essar Telecom Infrastructure, Eure-et-Loir Reseaux Mobiles SAS, GTP Acquisition Partners I LLC, GTP Acquisition Partners II LLC, GTP Acquisition Partners III LLC, GTP Costa Rica Finance LLC, GTP Infrastructure I LLC, GTP Infrastructure II LLC, GTP Infrastructure III LLC, GTP Investments LLC, GTP LATAM Holdings B.V., GTP LatAm Holdings Cooperatieve U.A., GTP Operations CR S.R.L., GTP South Acquisitions II LLC, GTP Structures I LLC, GTP Structures II LLC, GTP TRS I LLC, GTP Torres CR S.R.L., GTP Towers I LLC, GTP Towers II LLC, GTP Towers III LLC, GTP Towers IV LLC, GTP Towers IX LLC, GTP Towers V LLC, GTP Towers VII LLC, GTP Towers VIII LLC, GTPI HoldCo LLC, Ghana Tower InterCo B.V., Global Tower Assets III LLC, Global Tower Assets LLC, Global Tower Holdings LLC, Global Tower LLC, Global Tower Partners, Global Tower Services LLC, Gondola Tower Holdings LLC, Grain HoldCo LLC, Grain HoldCo Parent LLC, GrainComm I LLC, GrainComm II LLC, GrainComm III LLC, GrainComm LLC, GrainComm Marketing LLC, GrainComm V LLC, Haysville Towers LLC, IW Equipment LLC, IWD Equipment LLC, IWG Holdings LLC, IWG II Holdings LLC, IWG II LLC, IWG Miami LLC, IWG Towers Assets I LLC, IWG Towers Assets II LLC, IWG-TLA Australia Pty Ltd., IWG-TLA Canada Corp., IWG-TLA Encanto 1 LLC, IWG-TLA Encanto 2 LLC, IWG-TLA Encanto 3 LLC, IWG-TLA Encanto LLC, IWG-TLA Holdings LLC, IWG-TLA Media 2 LLC, IWG-TLA Media LLC, IWG-TLA Telecom LLC, IWL-TLA Telecom 2 LLC, Idaho Tower Company LLC, InSite (BCEC) LLC, InSite (MBTA) LLC, InSite Borrower LLC, InSite Co-Issuer Corp., InSite Guarantor LLC, InSite Hawaii LLC, InSite Issuer LLC, InSite Licensing LLC, InSite Towers Development 2 LLC, InSite Towers Development LLC, InSite Towers International 2 LLC, InSite Towers International Development LLC, InSite Towers International LLC, InSite Towers LLC, InSite Towers of Puerto Rico LLC, InSite Wireless Development LLC, InSite Wireless Group, InSite Wireless Group LLC, Insite Wireless LLC, Invisible IWG Holdings LLC, Invisible Towers LLC, JT Communications LLC, LAP Inmobiliaria Limitada, LAP Inmobiliaria S.R.L., LL B Sheet 1 LLC, Lap do Brasil Empreendimentos Imobiliarios Ltda, Lease Advisors-AU PTY LTD, Loxel SAS, MATC Digital S. de R.L. de C.V., MATC Infraestructura S. de R.L. de C.V., MATC Servicios S. de R.L. de C.V., MC New Macland Properties LLC, MCSU Properties LLC, MHB Tower Rentals of America LLC, MIP III Iron Holdings LLC, MIP III U.S. Iron LLC, Microwave Inc., Municipal Bay LLC, Municipal-Bay Holdings LLC, New Towers LLC, PCS Structures Towers LLC, R-CAL I LLC, RSA Media Inc., Repeater Communications Group I LLC, Repeater Communications Group II LLC, Repeater Communications Group III LLC, Repeater Communications Group IV LLC, Repeater Communications Group LLC, Repeater Communications Group V LLC, Repeater Communications Group VI LLC, Repeater Communications Group of New York LLC, Repeater IWG Holdings LLC, Richland Towers LLC, Signum/IWG Tower Corp., Southeast Network Access Point LLC, SpectraSite Communications, SpectraSite Communications LLC, SpectraSite LLC, T8 Ulysses Site Management LLC, TLA PR-1 LLC, TLA PR-2 LLC, Telecom Lease Advisors Management 2 LLC, Tower Management Inc., Towers of America L.L.L.P., Transcend Infrastructure Holdings Pte. Ltd., Transcend Towers Infrastructure (Philippines) Inc., Turris Sites Development Corp., Turris Sites IWG Corp, Tysons II DAS LLC, UNIsite, Uganda Tower Interco B.V., Ulysses Asset Sub I LLC, Ulysses Asset Sub II LLC, UniSite LLC, UniSite/Omnipoint FL Tower Venture LLC, UniSite/Omnipoint NE Tower Venture LLC, UniSite/Omnipoint PA Tower Venture LLC, Vangard Wireless LLC, Verus Management One LLC, Viom Networks, and Virdi IWG Holdings LLC. American Consumer News, LLC dba MarketBeat 2010-2021. All rights reserved. 326 E 8th St #105, Sioux Falls, SD 57103 | U.S. Based Support Team at [email protected] | (844) 978-6257 MarketBeat does not provide personalized financial advice and does not issue recommendations or offers to buy stock or sell any security. Our Accessibility Statement | Terms of Service | Do Not Sell My Information 2021 Market data provided is at least 10-minutes delayed and hosted by Barchart Solutions. Information is provided 'as-is' and solely for informational purposes, not for trading purposes or advice, and is delayed. To see all exchange delays and terms of use please see disclaimer. Fundamental company data provided by Zacks Investment Research. There is not enough analysis data for Bonavista Energy Co. (BNP.TO). 3.6 Community Rank Outperform Votes Bonavista Energy Co. (BNP.TO) has received 352 outperform votes. (Add your outperform vote.) Underperform Votes Bonavista Energy Co. (BNP.TO) has received 298 underperform votes. (Add your underperform vote.) Community Sentiment Bonavista Energy Co. (BNP.TO) has received 54.15% outperform votes from our community. MarketBeat's community ratings are surveys of what our community members think about Bonavista Energy Co. (BNP.TO) and other stocks. Vote Outperform if you believe BNP will outperform the S&P 500 over the long term. Vote Underperform if you believe BNP will underperform the S&P 500 over the long term. You may vote once every thirty days. Previous Next Capita plc provides consulting, digital, and software products and services to clients in the private and public sectors. It operates through six divisions: Software, People Solutions, Customer Management, Government Services, Technology Solutions, and Specialist Services. The company offers application software and other solutions, such as automation, critical communication system, finance and payment, management information system, workforce management, and education software products and services; and people solutions, including human resources advisory and digitally enabled services comprising learning, resourcing, pensions, and HR outsourcing services. It also provides customer management services, such as customer engagement, remediation, complaints management, collections, and regulated services; and services related to central and local governments. In addition, the company offers technology solutions, including digital IT and connectivity, network, Trustmarque, intelligent communications, cloud, cyber security, robotic process automation, and workplace IT services; and specialist services, such as travel and event, enforcement, insurance, Evolvi, real estate and infrastructure, GL hearn, Page One, Tascor, Optima, and translation and interpreting services. Further, it provides business operations, customer experience, industry-specific, and education services, as well as various digital solutions. The company offers its services to financial services, pensions, retail, telecoms and media, transport, energy and utilities, central and local government, education, defense and security, health and welfare, and justice and emergency services sectors. It operates in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Europe, the United States, India, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates. The company was formerly known as The Capita Group plc and changed its name to Capita plc in January 2012. Capita plc was founded in 1984 and is based in London, the United Kingdom. Read More Fortis Inc. operates as an electric and gas utility company in Canada, the United States, and the Caribbean countries. It generates, transmits, and distributes electricity to approximately 433,000 retail customers in southeastern Arizona; and 98,000 retail customers in Arizona's Mohave and Santa Cruz counties with an aggregate capacity of 3,233 megawatts (MW), including 59 MW of solar capacity. The company also sells wholesale electricity to other entities in the western United States; owns gas-fired and hydroelectric generating capacity totaling 65 MW; and distributes natural gas to approximately 1,048,000 residential, commercial, and industrial customers in British Columbia, Canada. In addition, it owns and operates the electricity distribution system that serves approximately 572,000 customers in southern and central Alberta; owns 4 hydroelectric generating facilities with a combined capacity of 225 MW; and provides operation, maintenance, and management services to five hydroelectric generating facilities. Further, the company distributes electricity in the island portion of Newfoundland and Labrador with an installed generating capacity of 143 MW; and on Prince Edward Island with a generating capacity of 130 MW. Additionally, it provides integrated electric utility service to approximately 67,000 customers in Ontario; approximately 270,000 customers in Newfoundland and Labrador; approximately 31,000 customers on Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands; and approximately 15,000 customers on certain islands in Turks and Caicos. The company also holds long-term contracted generation assets in Belize consisting of 3 hydroelectric generating facilities with a combined capacity of 51 MW; and the Aitken Creek natural gas storage facility. It also owns and operates approximately 91,000 circuit Kilometers (km) of distribution lines; and approximately 49,500 km of natural gas pipelines. Fortis Inc. was founded in 1885 and is headquartered in St. John's, Canada. Read More Intu owns and manages some of the best shopping centres, in some of the strongest locations, in the UK and Spain. Our UK portfolio is made up of 17 centres, including eight of the top-20, and in Spain we own three of the country's top-10 centres, with advanced plans to build a fourth. We are passionate about creating compelling experiences, in centre and online, that make our customers smile and help our retailers flourish. We attract around 400 million customer visits and 26 million website visits a year offering a multichannel approach that truly supports retail strategies. Our strategic focus on prime, high-footfall flagship destinations, combined with the strength and popularity of our brand, means that intu offers enhanced footfall, dwell time and loyalty. This helps our tenants flourish, driving occupancy and income growth. We are committed to our local communities, with our centres supporting nearly 130,000 jobs (representing about 3 per cent of the total UK retail workforce), and to operating with environmental responsibility. We have already met or exceeded a significant number of our 2020 environmental targets. Read More iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF's stock was trading at $158.09 on March 11th, 2020 when COVID-19 reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Since then, IWF stock has increased by 92.9% and is now trading at $304.95. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19. Schlumberger NV engages in the provision of technology for reservoir characterization, drilling, production and processing to the oil and gas industry. It operates through the following business segments: Digital and Integration; Reservoir Performance; Well Construction; and Production Systems. The Digital and Integration segment combines the company's software and seismic businesses with its integrated offering of asset performance solutions. The Reservoir Performance segment consists of reservoir-centric technologies and services that are critical to optimizing reservoir productivity and performance. The Well Construction segment includes the full portfolio of products and services to optimize well placement and performance, maximize drilling efficiency, and improve wellbore assurance. The Production Systems segment develops technologies and provides expertise that enhances production and recovery from subsurface reservoirs to the surface, into pipelines, and to refineries. The company was founded by Conrad Schlumberger and Marcel Schlumberger in 1926 and is headquartered in Houston, TX. Read More Zalando SE operates as an online fashion and lifestyle retailer. It offers a range of products, including shoes, apparel, accessories, and beauty products for women, men, and children, as well as free delivery and returns services. The company also sells its products through its Zalando Lounge; and brick-and-mortar stores in Berlin, Frankfurt, Cologne, Leipzig, Hamburg, Hanover, MAnster, Stuttgart, Mannheim, and Ulm. It serves in Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxemburg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. The company has a strategic partnership with Sephora SAS to create the online prestige beauty destination. Zalando SE was founded in 2008 and is headquartered in Berlin, Germany. Read More Rome, N.Y. - Assured Information Security, or AIS in rome has been awarded a $93.6 million federal contract. AIS is a cyber and information security company that works with both the Department of Defense and the intelligence community. The contract will allow the company to continue the development of its VIPER software for the Air Force Research Laboratory in Rome. VIPER stands for Virtualized Intelligence Platform Engineering and Research. Assured Information Security's SecureView team which works on the VIPER software project. They celebrated the contract award on Monday by ringing the contract bell located at the company's headquarters in Rome. Work on the VIPER software is expected to be complete by April, 2026. COOPERSTOWN,N.Y- Monday was a busy day in Cooperstown as hundreds of elected leaders from throughout the state gathered at the Otesaga Hotel for the 2019 Mayor's Conference. "This is our first year, that we've ever been in Cooperstown. This is our 110th annual meeting, we are traditionally up in Saratoga, said Peter Baynes. Around 500 attended this year's conference including Mayor Richard Adams from the Village of Frankfort. "I try and get to the conferences as much as I can to keep myself up to date on current legislation across the state. We just found out about some new legislation. Multiple levels of what's really going on in New York State" said Adams. A number of different topics were discussed throughout the day. One of the big topics that they touched upon was infrastructure and how to keep the bill out of the taxpayer's pockets. "At this point in the year, our top priority is getting restoration of some transportation funding that was cut in the state budget that goes to municipalities to fix potholes. As many of your viewers will know after a rough winter that's important to fix those potholes," said Baynes. The conference also allowed leaders to keep up to date and discuss legislation that comes down from Albany that effects their individual areas. There are issues that we are all confronting. How do we improve infrastructure without taxing our constituents? So we can all benefit by learning from each other," said Cooperstown Mayor Ellen Tillapaugh. Other topics such as Air BNB and the legalization of Marijuana were also discussed. ROME, N.Y.-- A Rome man is in serious condition tonight following a crash that happened earlier this afternoon. Peter Cutler, 38, was traveling east on Old Oneida Road (between State Route 26 and Henderberg Road) when the vehicle exited the south shoulder and into a ditch. Culter's vehicle hit a culvert causing it to become airborne and then roll several times before coming to a rest. Culter was air lifted by Mercy Flight Helicopter to a Syracuse hospital for further treatment and is currently listed in serious condition. The investigation into why Cutler's vehicle left the roadway is ongoing at this time and no citations have been issued pending continuing investigation. The Oneida County Sheriff's Office was assisted on scene by the New York State Police, Rome Fire Department, AmCare Ambulance and Mercy Flight. ROME, N.Y. -- Two arrests were made after more than 200 cartons of untaxed cigarettes were seized by Rome police over the weekend. On Sunday, around 10 a.m. RPD detectives, along with Oneida County Sheriffs Narcotics Unit, and member of the Tax and Finance Department, executed two search warrants regarding the illegal sale of cigarettes, Yazan Ahmen, 23 of Bennys Market, and Fares Alaodyi, 28 of Zach Mini Mart, were arrested and face felony tax and finance law charges. Police seized more than 200 cartons of untaxed cigarettes, $12,000 in cash and drug paraphernalia. The two were released on appearance tickets. WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - Governor Eric Holcomb will be on Purdue's campus Wednesday for what the Indiana Economic Development Corporation is calling a "major economic development" announcement. Holcomb will be joined by Purdue President Mitch Daniels and other state leaders at the Purdue Airport. A representative from the governor's office told News 18 the details of Wednesday's announcement were "confidential at this time." The announcement is set for 10 a.m. It will be live streamed on WLFI.com. A representative from the Purdue Research Foundation confirmed the announcement was not the location of the United States Department of Agriculture's Economic Research Service and National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Purdue was named a finalist Friday. TIPPECANOE COUNTY, Ind. (WLFI) - Hoosiers across the state will be heading to the voting booths Tuesday for the Indiana Primary election. Tippecanoe County is one of several surrounding counties with contested races. Voters will find that there is no primary in West Lafayette. Only Lafayette will have a primary. Four democratic candidates are running for Lafayette City Council At-Large seats. They are P. Russel Bridges II, Lon Heide, Kevin Klinker and Nancy Nargi. Only three of the candidates will be chosen to go on to the General Election in November. No Republicans face opposition. Eight voting locations will be open across Lafayette. A special meeting was held this afternoon to change the voting room at the Tippecanoe County Fairgrounds. It will now be held in the swine barn on the west side of the fairgrounds. An entire list of voting locations can be found here. FRANKFORT, Ind (WLFI) "Keep Frankfort moving forward" and "Faith, Family, Frankfort" are two slogans residents in the city have heard for weeks, as Election Day nears Tuesday. Every election Ive ever been in, Ive been opposed, said City of Frankfort Mayor Chris McBarnes. McBarnes has been the mayor for eight years. Now in this primary, hes running against another republican. I think people can relax," said Republican opponent Lewis Wheeler. "Were going to do our best to listen to them because they want to give feedback so that they can have a voice in the process of how Frankfort is run. Wheeler is a Frankfort native who served on the City Council for years. He believes the city suffers from an immense amount of debt. Our debt is off the charts for a city our size, said Wheeler. Were currently the fifteenth highest tax county in the state of Indiana. McBarnes begs to differ, saying the citys general fund is much higher because of pro-development. If we can create jobs here which weve done and we want to continue to do, said McBarnes. We can bring more private investment here its going to drive down tax rates for everyone that calls Frankfort home. Improvements like the Nickel Plate Flats apartment homes have already been brought to the City of Frankfort. However, some residents are looking to see other changes. Resident Michelle Wellman said shes happy to see more candidates running for office. Getting more money back in the community, said Wellman. Wellman believes there is a debt problem in the city. Were real poor when it comes to whats available, you know, were getting close to going bankrupt in the city, said Wellman. Other residents like Bryan Martin said regardless who wins, three things matter to the improvement of the city. Jobs, people and the security and stuff around town, said Martin. Voters have just about 24 hours to decide who they believe will do a better job delivering. The polls open at 6 a.m. and close at 6 p.m. Monday. A teenager was this week indefinitely detained in hospital for a brutal murder, blaming a voice in his head, Mitesh Patel, lecturer in Physiology, examines the issue of responsibility in relation to mental health conditions. Who is responsible for your actions, yourself or your brain? Locked in to us all is the ability to interpret another persons feelings and behaviours from which we act, be that sympathetically, joyously or angrily, as scattered on the brains surface are nerve cells that respond to another individual, coined mirror neurones. Damage to the mirror neurone system can lead to difficulty relating to another person and behaviours that challenge social norms yet others deliberately act inappropriately to provoke emotions or reactions. From the outside appearance, the two, one with a brain disorder and the other with callousness, are completely indistinguishable. The question of diminished responsibility from brain disorder has gripped us for decades as we learn of violent acts by people with mental health disorder. A 16 year old teenager from Gosport has recently been indefinitely detained in hospital after he murdered a university lecturer last year using electric drills, hammers and knives. There was nothing distinguishable about the boy from his outer appearance yet after the incident he reported hearing a voice in his head that made him do it. The disorder that characterises this, schizophrenia, is becoming a major talking point in criminal law given the auditory and visual hallucinations and illusions of grandeur that are associated with the condition. Imaging studies in people with schizophrenia show that the same brain areas for hearing physical sound in the external environment are active during auditory hallucinations indicating a very real abnormality. The pressing issue is whether individuals who experience auditory hallucinations are held fully responsible or can claim diminished responsibility, as the teen did in the Gosport case. Perhaps your views will be influenced by this piece of information? On the teens phone were graphic images of killings and apologies to his family. He acknowledged these hallucinations were present and was able recognise them as voices in the head and not from an external character. The case suggests conscious awareness of wrong-doing and his detention in a psychiatric hospital without a limitation on time was a logical action. Whether long-term psychiatry can truly ameliorate auditory hallucinations given their physical nature is questionable. The world of neurostimulation offers a parallel arm and here we enter another debate. Patients with organic disorders such as Parkinsons disease are treated by implanting electrodes in to their brain but not people who have conducted criminal actions from brain problems. In the Gosport case, we cannot say for sure that the killer would have acted any other way should he not have experienced a voice in the head. However, neuroscientists and neurosurgeons may hold the key to treating mental health conditions. Perhaps their specific involvement in mental health treatment will only surface when we have battled the argument of responsibility. Mitesh Patel currently works at the University of Wolverhampton as a lecturer in Physiology and formerly at Queen Mary, University of London, Malta. Mitesh does research in behavioural science and neuro-otology and is an honorary research associate with Imperial College London. A proposal for free college is nowhere to be found in the governors budget bill or in the budget under discussion in the General Assembly, but proponents of the measure have not given up. They say new numbers showing the possibility of a dramatic surge in enrollment and large revenues make the plan too promising to abandon. Ordinarily I would say the mountain is getting too steep, said Rep. Gregg Haddad, D-Mansfield, co-chairman of the legislatures higher education committee. But a fiscal note that came out [recently] actually looks very encouraging. Those numbers show that if a free or debt-free two years of community college is offered to all recent high school graduates who would be first-time, full-time students regardless of income enrollment could surge anywhere from 10 percent to 45 percent over current numbers. If the higher estimate is reached, the program if started in the fall of 2020 would cost $8.9 million in Fiscal Year 2022, but would bring in an estimated $10.7 million that year. Their revised approach would cover community college tuition costs for any recent graduate regardless of income who arent already covered by federal Pell grants, institutional aid, or other government or private grants. For students who are Pell-eligible and thus have all of their tuition costs covered, a minimum annual grant of $500 would be provided to cover costs for books, transportation, food and child care. If we have income limits, were sort of mitigating the size of the wave of new students because it just sounds less exciting, Haddad said. Its not a true free college program if you have an income limit. Haddad said the program would address the states lagging enrollment problems at the colleges which is contributing to the systems fiscal distress. With more students enrolling, the revenue gained mainly in federal Pell grant funds would range from an estimated $2.3 million to $4.9 million. But in a program with no family income limit, Haddad said, the Office of Fiscal Analysis has estimated the numbers on additional enrollment of full time students range from 10 percent to as high as 45 percent. As part of its calculations, the Office of Fiscal Analysis estimated that the loss in revenue at the state universities the result of students choosing the free community colleges for their first two years would be about $2.8 million. If subtracted from the revenues, that would leave the program with a $1 million price tag, though proponents note that any loss may be offset by a growing number of community college graduates going on to the state universities. This has the potential to increase the number of community college students at a reasonable cost, Haskell said. Morley Winograd, president of the national Campaign for Free College Tuition, said there are 12 states that offer a free college program. States really cant afford not to do it, he said, because you use up the capacity of your community colleges that are currently facing declining enrollment and you make an investment in the states future. So its a double-barreled benefit. Rhode Islands track record Lawmakers looked at what happened in Rhode Island as evidence of the strength of this plan for Connecticut. In 2017, Rhode Island started a free community college plan similar to the one being considered here. In the first year, the state reported a 43 percent increase in enrollment. If that increase is calculated over two years from 2016 to 2018 the increase is 113 percent. Critics of free college plans say they benefit the middle and upper middle classes, but provide no additional benefits to community college students who are low-income and have their tuition costs covered by Pell grants. But Amy Kempe, spokesman for the Community College of Rhode Island, said that over the past two years of the Promise Program, the number of low-income, first time, full-time students has gone up 143 percent, while the number of students of color has gone up 164 percent. We are closing the equity gap, Kempe said. Mark Ojakian, president of the Connecticut State College and Universities systems, which oversees the states 12 colleges and four state universities, has noted that almost 60 percent of community college students are already attending for free, covered mainly by federal Pell grants. Ben Barnes, the chief financial officer for the CSCU system, said he has concerns about whether the estimated surge in enrollment will actually materialize at hoped-for levels. With an expected shortfall of $30 million next year and a reserve fund of less than $40 million, Barnes said, In our current circumstances, for us to take a gamble The risk of us not getting that revenue in the short run is very difficult for us to accept, given that we are likely to to be drawing down on our reserves just simply to run our current organization and we dont have enough reserves to draw down on them for more than a year or two at this stage. Legislators have proposed providing the community colleges with additional funding beyond the governors proposal to help cover the burgeoning cost of fringe benefits: $8.2 million for FY 2020 and $10.35 million for FY 2021. Ojakian has said additional funding is an important step forward, but even with the increase, our institutions particularly the community colleges will continue to face a significant shortfall that will need to be closed by tapping into reserve funds. Haddad said he doesnt see a free college plan as a gamble. I think [Barnes] should be concerned about how we design the program to make sure we realize the enrollment that we think we could realize. I dont think free college alone will solve their problems, Haddad said, and I dont think additional public dollars will solve their problem. I think we need to do a combination of both. This story originally appeared on the website of The Connecticut Mirror, www.ctmirror.org. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Burkina Faso is a landlocked nation in Africa. It has an area of about 105,900 square miles and shares borders with Mali, Benin, Niger, Ghana, Ivory Coast, and Togo. As of July 2018, the United Nations estimated that the population of the country was around 19.8 million people. The capital city, which is also the largest city, is Ouagadougou. From an economic perspective, Burkina Faso had a nominal gross domestic product (GDP) of $12.6 billion in 2017, which was a growth of about 5.9% from that of 2016. Despite the increase, a large section of the population (about 47%) still lives below the poverty line. The most important industry in Burkina Faso is agriculture. Data shows that at least 80% of the population in the country depends on subsistence agriculture. However, there is a section of the population that works in the services and industry sectors, which also play a vital role in the economy. Unfortunately, most of the industries are owned by the government, which is ineffective. Consequently, they are largely unprofitable. These three sectors generate revenue mainly through exports, which had a value of around $3.14 billion as of 2017. In the same year, imports accounted for a slightly higher figure of $3.305 billion. The major export partners of the country are Benin and Togo with the two nations taking in around 25.9% and 12% of exports from Burkina Faso respectively. Most of the imports into Burkina Faso come from Cote d'Ivoire (18.9%) and Pakistan (18.1%). Agriculture in Burkina Faso Currently, Burkina Faso is not a self-sufficient country when it comes to the production of its own food, despite having a decent level of potential in that sector. Data from 2017 shows that agriculture contributed a share of around 31% to Burkina Fasos GDP. That figure is similar to the one from 2004, which shows that there has been some stagnation in the sector. Some common crops include cotton, sorghum, corn, millet, rice, sesame, groundnuts, and cottonseed. Other crops include sugarcane, cassava, sweet potatoes, cowpeas, and tobacco. There have been some government attempts to modernize the sector, which is an activity that has had some success. A good example of a success story is cotton production, which accounted for at least 50% of the exports back in 2004. In that year, about 85% of the total cotton produced (about 210,000 tons) was exported. Another cash crop that has had some success is sugarcane, whose production stood at a significant 450,000 tons in the same year. Despite the potential that agriculture has, the sector is constantly affected by rainfall fluctuations. The situation is made worse by the fact that the Sahara Desert is gradually encroaching onto the Mossi Plateau in the northern side of the country. Consequently, more people are forced to migrate toward the southern side of the country, which creates more competition for limited water resources. Industry and Services There are a few industries in Burkina Faso although the largest is arguably mining, which plays a major role in the economy. Some of the minerals produced include cement, gold, marble, phosphate rock, salt, pumice, volcanic rock, dolomite, zinc, and others. In 2012 alone, the country was the fourth largest producer of gold in the African continent. The Kalsaka gold project, which is a few kilometers from the capital city, had an estimated 6.5 million metric tons reserve. Such reserves and others motivate exploring companies such as Cluff Gold plc, Goldrush Resources, and Orbis Gold Limited. However, most of the gold is produced by slaves including child slaves. In 2012, Burkina Faso had six gold mines although the gold is not as high grade as that found in South Africa. Interestingly, the gold deposits keep on increasing with plenty of new reserves being discovered frequently. For this reason, the Ministry of Finance has come out before stating that gold is the nations top earner through exports. In 2011 alone, gold earned the country about $247 million. Between 2007 and 2011, gold exports brought in a massive $747 million, which was about 64.7% of all the exports in that time and 8% of the nations GDP. Another significant mineral is zinc with the country having a number of mines. For example, the Perkoa zinc deposit to the west of the capital had the potential of 130,000 tons per year when a feasibility study was done in 2005. Just like gold mining above, the main companies involved are foreign ones. The services sector is dominated by the banking sector although it is extremely concentrated. At least 90% of the countrys financial system is controlled by banks. There are 11 banks and 5 other financial institutions. Overall, however, banks play an important role in the economy as they contribute about 30% of Burkina Fasos GDP. The banks have sufficient operating capital although they remain at the mercy of fluctuating cotton prices. Costa Rica is a sovereign state found in Central America. It shares its borders with Nicaragua, Panama, Ecuador, and Cocos Island. The country also has a coastline running along the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. Costa Rica spends approximately 6.9% of its total budget on education in comparison to the world average of 4.4%. The economy of Costa Rica is heavily reliant on agriculture and tourism. In 2010, the country had a GDP of $21.17 billion and the growth rate of real GDP in the same year was 4.2%. The same year, the GDP per capita was approximately $11,300. Tourism Industry The tourism industry has experienced the fastest growth in the country, and in 1995 it had become the countrys biggest earner of foreign exchange. As of 1999, earnings from tourism overtook the revenues from exports of the top three most important crops, which include coffee, pineapples, and bananas. Tourism in the country began to boom in the early 1980s, and the tourists arriving in Costa Rica increased sharply to over 1 million visitors in 1999 from about 300,000 in 1988. By 2008, more than two million tourists arrived in the country, and in 2015 it reached the highest levels of 2.7 million visitors. As of 2012 tourism in the country accounted for about 12.5% of Costa Ricas GDP and employed about 11.7% of the country's labor force. In 2009 the industry was responsible for an estimated 17% of the country's foreign direct investments in the country. From 2000 to 2009 the country was attracting an average of 13% of foreign direct investment inflows, while in 2010 it accounted for about 21.2% of all foreign exchange earnings generated by exports. According to the estimates by the government, tourism was responsible for reducing poverty by as much as 3% in 2007. Costa Rica is rich in diverse flora and fauna which accounts for about 5% of the biodiversity in the world, even though its land area is only about 0.03% of the total world landmass. Agriculture Industry Agriculture is one of the major industries and plays a significant part in the country's economy accounting for approximately 6.5% of the country's total GDP and employs about 14% of Costa Ricas labor force. Agriculture is carried out in almost all parts of the country, but the crops and the techniques used in cultivation vary depending on altitude and location. Some of the major agricultural export items include coffee, pineapples, bananas, potatoes, sugar, fruits, vegetables, rice, corn, and ornamental plants. About 10% of the land is used for agriculture, and 21% of the country's area is used irrigation particularly with the use of surface water. Manufacturing Industry The manufacturing industry in the country consists of electronics, plastics, textiles, machinery, chemicals, and assembly plants. Until recently, the majority of the sectors were made up of mainly small-scale and light manufacturing industries. In 1998 the first large-scale undertaking in manufacturing was established when Intel Corporation set up base in the country, and several companies in the recent past have established plants. Intel set up a plant which employed about 1,500 employees. Currently, most investments in electronic manufacturing in the country originated from the US, but there are also other companies from Germany such as Zollner Elektronik AG. The company is among the worlds 15 largest electronic manufacturing concerns, and the company has made Costa Rica as one of its manufacturing locations because of the political and economic stability in the country as well as the education system and the manufacturing resources. Other plants found in the country manufacture cheese, alcohol, cigarettes, Coffee Mills, sawmills, sugar factories, and petroleum refinery facility, which is owned by the government. There are also factories which manufacture plastic, pharmaceuticals, textiles, chemicals, furniture, paper, and shoes among other items. Most of the Industries are in the capital city of San Jose. Other cities with a significant number of manufacturing concerns include Alajuela, Cartago, and Heredia. According to the government of Costa Rica, 24% of all industries are engaged in food processing, tobacco, and drinks, while 14% are involved in producing leather products or textiles. East Timor is a sovereign state found in South East Asia. It is also known as Timor-Leste. It is made up of part of the Island of Timor and the neighboring islands of Jaco, Oecusse, and Atauro. The country measures about 5,400 square miles in size. According to the World Bank, East Timor is a low-economy country with a medium level of human development. With a population of 1.296 million estimated in 2017, more than 20% of the population is unemployed, and more than 50% live on less than $1 per day. In 2012, the country's GDP was an estimated $1.293 billion with GDP per capita estimated at $3,620. In the same year, agriculture accounted for 32.1% of the GDP while industry accounted for 12.9% of the GDP and the service industry accounted for 55% of the country's GDP. The country still suffers the consequences of decades of a liberation struggle against Indonesia which displaced thousands of civilians and severely destroyed up to 70% of the economic infrastructure. East Timor has a market economy that relies on the export of a few commodities including coffee, marble, sandalwood, and petroleum among others. Agriculture Agriculture accounted for 32.1% of the GDP according to a 2017 estimate. However, as of 2003 only approximately 190,000 hectares, which is 12.8% of the land area of East Timor was arable land. East Timor's terrain mainly consists of rugged mountains, dry grassland, savannah forests, and coastal lagoons. Due to these reasons and an unreliable climate, most of the farming is at a subsistence level. In the few fertile areas, mostly to the south of East Timor, primary crops include cassava, cowpeas, corn, and sweet potatoes. In the lowlands, farmers utilize irrigation systems to cultivate rice. Farmers usually trade any excess produce in the local markets with maize and rice being the leading products. Coffee is the most important cash crop in the country. Coffee is the second largest exporter in East Timor after petroleum and contributes $10 million per year to the economy. East Timor is ranked the 40th largest producer of coffee in the world with purchasers including the U.S. through Starbucks. About 67,000 households were estimated to grow coffee in 2009. Other crops exported include cocoa and cinnamon, in which the country is ranked 6th and 50th producer respectively. Oil and Gas Significant deposits of petroleum and natural gas lay in the waters of East Timor. Revenue from the oil and gas is set to increase substantially as East Timor has announced the cancellation of an agreement with Australia which gave Australia 50% of the revenue since 2006. While the country now enjoys the income from the oil and natural gas, very little of it goes to the development of rural areas. Manufacturing When East Timor gained its independence from the Portuguese, before the Indonesian invasion of 1975, the country was self-sustaining in terms of food and income from coffee export and various industries. The manufacturing sector consists of industries such as printing, handicrafts, soap manufacturing, and woven cloth. These industries employ the majority of the urban population and contribute up to 12.9% of the GDP. Since independence, the industrial sector has been undergoing restoration, and a 2005 estimate sets the industrial production growth rate at 8.5%, and this is important to the economy as it creates much-needed employment while also utilizing the raw materials provided by the agricultural sector. Prospects Of The East Timor Economy For such a young nation, East Timor is firmly on the path to self-reliance although there remains work to be done. It must start with the establishment of social, economic, and legal infrastructure to facilitate economic stimulus through trade and industry. The country has been undertaking National Development Plans with specific objectives such as economic growth and alleviation of poverty, development of the private sector, and building of local institutions. Such programs have already shown results as the country has seen a steady GDP growth which was 2.2% in 2018. The East Timor economy is heavily reliant on the oil and gas which are set to increase in the future. Amazonas is a Brazilian state that is situated in the North region of the country. Amazonas is the worlds ninth-biggest nation subdivision and the largest in Brazil. Amazonas is bigger than Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay combined. The state occupies an area of about 606,468 square miles and has a population of over 4,080,611 people. Amazonas is surrounded by Acre, Rondonia, Mato Grosso, Para, and Roraima. The state also borders Venezuela, Colombia, and Peru. What Is The Capital Of Amazonas? The capital city of Amazonas is Manaus. With over 2 million residents, Manaus is the most populated city in the Amazon rainforest. The city is situated at the center of the Amazon and can only be accessed by airplane or boat. The isolation of the city helped preserve its culture and natural environment. Manaus serves as the access point to visiting the Brazilian Amazons flora and fauna. The city is on the northern bank of River Negro near the confluence of Solimoes and Negro rivers. It is the hub of tourism for river cruises, jungle lodges, and rivers. The city is a duty-free zone. History Of Manaus The city was established in 1669 when the Portuguese constructed a fort known as Sao-Jose-do-Rio-Negro. The indigenous mestizos, who had assisted the Portuguese in building the fort, started living in the vicinity. The regions population increased at a very high rate that the Missionaries constructed a chapel in 1695. The area was converted into a town known as Manaus in 1832. Manaus town became a city known as Barra-do-Rio-Negro in 1848 under Law 195 of Paras provincial assembly. Governor Pena Ferreira gave the city its previous name Manaus on September 4, 1856. Rubber made Manaus the wealthiest South American city during the late 1800s. Geography Of Manaus Manaus is the biggest northern Brazilian city which occupies an area of about 4,402sq miles and has a population density of about 450individuals per square mile. The city is surrounded by Novo Airao, Itacoatiara, Rio Preto-da-Eva, Iranduba, Careiro, and Presidente Figueiredo. Even though its situated in the Amazon, Manaus has very few green regions. Some of the biggest green areas in Manaus include Mindu Park, Bilhares Park, and Samauma State park among others. Climate The city receives a humid tropical rainforest climate with a rain index of about 90.6inches, relatively high humidity, and an average temperature of 27.6C per year. Summers are stormy in Manaus while winters are quite dry. The city does not experience cold days during winter because of its proximity to the equator. The strong polar air masses in the southwestern parts of the Amazon and the south-central parts of the country affect the city. Demography The city had a population of over 2,145,444 resident in 2018 with 2,631,239 people living in Greater Manaus. The Greater Manaus is the made up of thirteen municipalities including the capital city of Amazonas. Over 47.93% of the residents were men while 52.07% were women. Manauss population grew from 343,038 people in 1960 to 1,025,979 residents in 1990. The population growth rate of Manaus is 10% bigger than the average growth of Brasilia. A huge percentage of the locals live in the eastern and northern regions of Manaus. The Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic (NAR) is an autonomous exclave of Azerbaijan. It covers 2,100 sq miles and is separated from Azerbaijan by southern Armenia. It is landlocked and borders Armenia to the north and the east, Iran to the west and the south, and Turkey to the northwest. NAR has a population of about 453,000 and Nakhchivan City is the capital. History The region that is now Nakhchivan was part of Iran's Safavid Dynasty in the mid and late 16th century. It was awarded to Imperial Russia in 1828 after the Russo Persian War. In 1917, the region revolted against Imperial Russia and was placed under the rule of a provisional government. In May 1918, Nakhchivan, Zangezur, Nagorno-Karabakh, and Qazakh were contested by the newly-formed States of Azerbaijan Democratic Republic and the Democratic Republic of Armenia. The Ottoman Empire occupied the territory in June 1918 but pulled out and paved the way for a British occupation in adherence to the Armistice of Monroe. The Bolsheviks seized the land in 1920 and declared it an autonomous republic while upholding close ties with Azerbaijan. In 1990, it declared independence from the Soviet Union in protest against the marginalization of nationalistic movements in Azerbaijan. A year later, Nakhchivan declared itself an autonomous region of Azerbaijan governed by a democratically elected legislature. The region is still recovering from the Armenian-Azerbaijan war that saw Armenia annex part of its territory. Demographics The population of Nakhchivan as of December 2018 was estimated at 453,000. About 99% of the population consists of Azerbaijanis, Russians account for 0.15%, while the Kurds account for 0.6%. In the 1990s and 2000s, a large number of Azerbaijanis migrated to Azerbaijan and Turkey because of the poor economic status of the region and the political instability that followed the post-soviet era. Native Armenians were expelled during the forceful exchange of citizens between Azerbaijan and Armenia. About 70% of the population resides in a rural environment while the remaining 30% are found in urban settlements. Economy The economy of Nakhchivan is highly dependent on minerals including molybdenum, salt, and lead. Agricultural land developed during the Soviet era is used for the production of wheat, barley, tobacco, cotton, and grapes. The economy suffered immensely in 1988 as a result of the Nagorno-Karabakh War when raw materials and markets became inaccessible. Despite autonomy, 75% of the budget is provided by the government of Kazakhstan as well as aid from Turkey and non-governmental organizations. Current Situation in Nakhchivan Tension remains high in parts of Nakhchivan that borders Armenia as Armenian and Azerbaijani forces engage in constant military tassels over the control of the no-mans-land separating the two countries. In June 2018, the rival armies engaged in a shootout that led to the death of servicemen on both sides of the border. Nakhchivan and Turkey have also developed close social and economic ties as the former views the latter as a better ally than Armenia. Email Sign Up For Our Free Weekly Newsletter Based on JLL's latest whitepaper Shenzhen's Tech Prosperity Drives Office Demand, technology companies are spurring global demand for office space, and this phenomenon is particularly pronounced in Shenzhen, China. As Edward Xia, Managing Director, JLL Shenzhen points out, "After four decades of economic expansion, Shenzhen is now internationally recognized as South China's technology and innovation epicenter, inevitably drawing comparisons with Silicon Valley. The strong and sustained growth that the city's tech industry is currently experiencing is set to form an important source of office demand in coming years". China's Tech Powerhouse On the 40th anniversary of Reform and Opening, no transformation better exemplifies the growth and modernization of a Chinese city than Shenzhen. From its humble beginning as a rural fishing village, to current status as a tech-centric megacity, four key inter-related factors have driven this remarkable transformation. A combination of economic reform, capital-backed start-ups, agglomeration, and the ability to attract top talent are behind the Shenzhen tech industry's growth to date, and they will continue to propel it rapidly into the future. Between 2011-2015, over 41,000 Patent Cooperation Treaty filings came from the Shenzhen-Hong Kong cluster, the second highest in the world, and firmly ahead of many traditional innovation hubs. Silvia Zeng, Head of Research, JLL South China, said: "Shenzhen offers a unique model in which government initiatives, entrepreneurial spirit, corporate headquarters, talented people, business clusters, and plenty of investment capital, have come together to fuel the technology sector's growth, and a corresponding surge in Chinese innovation." In terms of office leasing demand, the tech industry is the most active player in the Shenzhen office market. It has spurred the city's evolution, with the last 15 years witnessing an eight-fold increase in office stock to 6.4 million square meters by late 2018, making Shenzhen the third largest office market in Mainland China. Demand for office expansion is being supported by both the growth of existing sectors and emergence of new ones. As staff numbers increase, the expansion and relocation of main or regional headquarters of the multinational tech giants and larger firms will lead future demand. The JLL report also points out that many tech firms can now afford higher rents and are also seeking to raise their corporate image, making upgrade demand another important force in the Grade A office market. Nanshan Leads, Suburbs Follow Shenzhen expects a staggering 7.6 million square meters of Grade A office supply to come online in the next five years. Active future demand from tech firms will be focused on Shenzhen High-tech Industrial Park and the surrounding Nanshan business district, which will remain Shenzhen's core submarket for the tech industry, accounting for 60% of future supply. With the predicted acceleration in the tech industry's growth, demand for business park space will rise, driven by expansion and setup. Emerging sectors with large space requirement such as robotics, will find suburban locations such as Bao'an and Longgang ideal for relocation or expansion. A new generation of workforce is calling for upgraded working environments that elevate user experience and promote innovative thinking through the latest technologies. This is particularly true of the innovative and progressive younger workers that the tech industry tends to attract. As Zeng points out, "A significant proportion of Shenzhen's future office supply will consist of corporate headquarters. As more companies begin to recognize the various benefits that Future of Work models can generate, an increasing number of offices in Shenzhen are expected to adopt this concept." Co-working will also become an important channel to meet future office demand. As expanding tech companies begin moving to semi and fully furnished flexible offices with short-term leasing options, a number of experienced global co-working service providers are weighing up their prospects for entering Shenzhen's highly dynamic market. The Greater Bay Area looks to have a bright future, with Shenzhen as a major driver with a booming office market closely linked to the flourishing tech sector. Both start-ups and established tech enterprises will ensure this surging office demand, while foreign institutional investors continue to pay close attention to assets in the region. As Jex Ng, Managing Director, JLL South China emphasizes, "Due to acute land supply shortages in Shenzhen, a significant amount of manufacturing, including even some from the hi-tech sector, will have to be relocated outside of Shenzhen. As the city's tech industry grows in coming years, such relocations will play an important part in the Greater Bay Area's industry upgrade process, helping many nearby cities replace traditional manufacturing with hi-tech alternatives." 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. Hannah Dwyer Heuston South Quarter - 200 million ($226m) mixed-use The Reflector - 155 million ($175m) office Bishops' Square - 180 million ($203m) office According to JLL, national investment deals greater than 1million ($1.13m) in Ireland's commercial property investment market totaled close to 600 million ($675m) in Q1 2019 across 31 deals.Although this is a decrease on volumes compared to previous quarters, this was expected given the strong performance in the market last year and a decrease in larger-sized transactions. There were only 2 deals in Q1 2019 that were greater than 50 million ($56m).The largest transaction in Q1, 2019 was the off-market sale of an 145 million ($164m) office block. The second largest was the sale of a 25% stake in The Pavilions Shopping Centre, which was sold by IPUT for 71 million ($80m) and was purchased by ILIM. The third largest deal was the purchase of North Quarter in Ballymun, a proposed student accommodation scheme. It was sold by Lidl Ireland and was purchased by AIG for 46 million ($52m).In terms of general market trends, Dublin remains the dominant location for investment activity, accounting for 96% of total volumes (24 deals). There was limited activity in the regions this quarter, with only 23.5 million ($26.5m) of investment activity outside of the capital across 7 deals. The largest deal outside of Dublin was the sale of an office block at Cork Airport Business Park. It sold for 7.5m ($8.5m) and was purchased by Yew Grove REIT as part of a receivership sale.47% of volumes this quarter were for offices; this is followed by retail and then residential.Investor demand in Q1 was varied with a number of investor types active, both overseas and domestic. Overseas investors include Hana Financial, AIG, and Patrizia, and active domestic investors this quarter include: ILIM, and IRES REIT.Hannah Dwyer, Director and Head of Research said, "It is positive to see a steady start to the year for the investment market. Whilst volumes are down from last quarter and the same period last year, this was expected given the particularly strong level of activity we saw last year. The decrease in volumes was also driven by a limited number of larger scale transactions, with only 2 deals greater than 50 million ($56m) in Q1 2019 compared to 7 in Q4 2018 and 4 in Q1 2018. It is these deals that drive large investment volumes in any one-quarter. Looking ahead we expect total investment volumes for the year-end to achieve 2 - 2.5 billion ($2.25 - $2.77 billion). Whilst this is a decrease in activity from 2018 and 2017, it is a return to what we would consider more 'normal' levels, and indeed coincides with longer-term averages for the Dublin market, and other global markets of Dublin's size. This forecast comes on the assumption that global economic markets remain steady, and that the large assets that are currently on the market trade at the levels we expect them to."Pipeline for 2019 looks steady with a number of assets either currently on the market or due to come onto the market in the next 6 months. This includes the following large assets:Max Reilly, Senior Director said that, "Q1 levels are encouraging and the pipeline for Q2 remains positive particularly with the depth of overseas demand." In 2018, flexible workspace centre supply in Kuala Lumpur grew by 36%, making it the fastest growing key city in the APAC region, outpacing fast-growing markets in Gurugram, Chennai, Brisbane, Hong Kong, Sydney and Singapore.Research by Instant Offices highlights why Kuala Lumpur remains a dynamic hub of activity for domestic and international markets, despite some of the most expensive markets for office space falling in the Asia-Pacific regionLast year in Kuala Lumpur, supply of hybrid office space increased by 31%, while pure co-working space and serviced offices saw 10% and 7% growth respectively. An average desk rate of RM 886 across the city indicates the strength of the market. Demand for space in the city continues to rise, and more businesses swap the constraints of traditional offices for flexible workspace and corporates. International firms are also making use of this low-cost, low-risk way of sampling the local market.As reported in the Asia-Pacific Flexible Workspace Report last year, two innovative workspaces had been delivered in Kuala Lumpur for AMEX and IT company Datacom. The managed office solution saw 90,000 sq. ft. of flexible office space being delivered for over 1,100 employees.In Kuala Lumpur, the government also has plans to use the tech in areas like safety, environment, energy, waste management and more. Outside of China, the region is the first to implement Alibaba's City Brain tech, an AI platform that tracks cameras citywide to monitor traffic control and accidents.The innovative and collaborative business culture has seen demand for flexible workspace grow in key cities across Malaysia. Email Sign Up For Our Free Weekly Newsletter According to ATTOM Data Solutions' Q1 2019 U.S. Home Sales Report, U.S. homeowners who sold in the first quarter of 2019 realized an average price gain of $57,500 since purchase, representing an average 31.5 percent return on the purchase price. Meanwhile, the report also shows that homeowners who sold in the first quarter had owned an average of 8.05 years, down slightly from a record-high average homeownership tenure of 8.17 years in Q4 2018 but still up from 7.75 years in Q1 2018. Homeownership tenure averaged 4.21 years nationwide between Q1 2000 and Q3 2007, prior to the Great Recession. "We are starting to see homes sales prices and profit margins softening for the nation, and the average homeownership tenure did see a slight dip from last quarter," said Todd Teta, chief product officer at ATTOM Data Solutions. "However, home prices are still above pre-recession peaks in 59 percent of local markets, and as the buying season starts to kick into gear, the next few months may provide even more answers to the question of whether a lasso is indeed around the market or if the recent trend is a temporary bump in the ride." Average homeownership tenure down in Kansas City, Tucson, Boston and Orlando Counter to the national trend, the average homeownership tenure in Q1 2019 decreased from a year ago in 25 of 108 metro areas analyzed in the report (23 percent), including Kansas City, Tucson, Boston, Orlando, and Oklahoma City. Among major metropolitan areas with a population of at least 1 million, those with the longest average homeownership tenure for home sellers who sold in the first quarter were Hartford, Connecticut (12.52 years); Boston, Massachusetts (12.36 years); Providence, Rhode Island (11.15 years); San Francisco, California (10.40 years); and San Jose, California (10.27 years). Prices in Denver, Austin, Dallas and Nashville 50+ percent above pre-recession peaks Median home prices in 73 of the 123 metro areas analyzed in the report (59 percent) were above pre-recession peaks in the first quarter of 2019, led by Greeley, Colorado (79 percent above); Denver, Colorado (68 percent above); Fort Collins, Colorado (67 percent above); Austin, Texas (62 percent above); and Dallas, Texas (58 percent above). Including Denver, Austin and Dallas, other major metros with at least 1 million people and with Q1 2019 median home prices at least 40 percent above pre-recession peaks were Nashville, Tennessee (55 percent above); San Antonio, Texas (49 percent above); San Jose, California (43 percent above); Houston, Texas (43 percent above); and Kansas City, Missouri (41 percent above). Prices in Hartford, Philadelphia, Chicago, Miami and D.C. still below pre-recession peaks Median home prices in 49 of the 123 metro areas analyzed in the report (40 percent) were still below pre-recession peaks in the first quarter of 2019, led by York-Hanover, Pennsylvania (56 percent below); Trenton, New Jersey (35 percent below); Atlantic City, New Jersey (32 percent below); Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, Connecticut (28 percent below); and New Haven, Connecticut (22 percent below). Those major metros with at least 1 million people and with Q1 2019 median home prices at least 10 percent below pre-recession peaks were Hartford, Connecticut (17 percent below); Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (15 percent below); Chicago, Illinois (14 percent below); Baltimore, Maryland (13 percent below); Miami, Florida (12 percent below); Washington, D.C. (10 percent below); and Birmingham, Alabama (10 percent below). Average home seller gains down from previous quarter, up from year ago U.S. homeowners who sold in the first quarter of 2019 realized an average home price gain since purchase of $57,500, down from an average gain of $60,000 in Q4 2018 but up from an average gain of $56,733 in Q1 2018. The average home seller gain of $57,500 in Q1 2019 represented an average 31.5 percent return as a percentage of original purchase price. Among 123 metropolitan statistical areas analyzed in the report, those with the highest average home seller returns in Q1 2019 were San Jose, California (84.1 percent); San Francisco, California (70.9 percent); Seattle, Washington (63.1 percent); Modesto, California (59.7 percent); and Salt Lake City, Utah (56.5 percent). Cash sales share decrease annually All-cash sales represented 28.0 percent of all single family and condo sales in Q1 2019, up from 27.7 percent of all sales in the previous quarter, but down from 28.9 percent of all sales in Q1 2018. Among major metropolitan areas with a population of at least 1 million, those with the highest share of all-cash sales in Q1 2019 were; Miami (44.6 percent); Tampa-St. Petersburg, Florida (40.7 percent); Birmingham, Alabama (40.6 percent); Detroit (40.1 percent); and Memphis, Tennessee (38.9 percent). Institutional investor sales share down nationwide, up in 29 percent of local markets The share of U.S. single family home and condo sales sold to institutional investors (entities buying at least 10 properties in a calendar year) was 1.8 percent in the first quarter, down from 3.7 percent in the previous quarter and down from 2.2 percent a year ago. Among 49 metropolitan statistical areas with a population of at least 200,000 and at least 40 institutional investor sales in Q1 2019, those with the highest share of institutional investor sales in the first quarter were; Columbia, South Carolina (7.9 percent); Atlanta, Georgia (7.4 percent); Charlotte, North Carolina (5.6 percent); Memphis, Tennessee (5.1 percent); and Las Vegas, Nevada (5.0 percent). Share of distressed sales continue annual decline Total distressed sales -- bank-owned (REO) sales, third-party foreclosure auction sales, and short sales -- accounted for 14.2 percent of all single family and condo sales in Q1 2019, up from 12.9 percent in the previous quarter but down from 15.2 percent in Q1 2018. Among 135 metropolitan statistical areas with a population of at least 200,000 and at least 100 total distressed sales in Q1 2019, those with the highest share of total distressed sales were Atlantic City, New Jersey (33.1 percent); Trenton, New Jersey (28.0 percent); Rockford, Illinois (27.3 percent); Peoria, Illinois (26.1 percent); and Shreveport, Louisiana (25.9 percent). Counter to the national trend, 33 of the 135 metro areas (24 percent) posted year-over-year increases in share of distressed sales, including San Antonio, Texas (up 22.2 percent); Salt Lake City, Utah (up 20.6 percent); New Orleans, Louisiana (up 11.8 percent); Indianapolis, Indiana (up 10.6 percent); and Raleigh, North Carolina (up 8.9 percent). FHA buyers share drops 7 percent from last year Sales to FHA buyers (typically first-time homebuyers or other buyers with a low down payment) represented 10.9 percent of all U.S. single family and condo sales in Q1 2019, up from 10.8 percent of all sales in the previous quarter but down from 11.8 percent in Q1 2018 to the 8th consecutive quarter with annual decreases. Among metro areas with a population of at least 1 million, those with the highest share of sales to FHA buyers were Indianapolis, Indiana (18.5 percent); Riverside, California (18.0 percent); Houston, Texas (17.3 percent); Providence, Rhode Island (16.2 percent); and Hartford, Connecticut (16.2 percent). 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. According to Transwestern Commercial Services', as the slow but steady resurgence of the New Jersey office market continues, vacancy has reached its lowest level in nearly a decade. After decreasing by one-tenth of a percentage point for the third straight quarter, the vacancy rate sits at 14.7%.Office vacancy was buoyed during the first quarter of the year by strong absorption: 12 of the state's 21 submarkets reported positive absorption, marking the fourth consecutive quarter in which the state recorded positive net absorption as a whole - a feat that hadn't been achieved since 2014.Although approximately 75 percent of leases signed throughout the state were for less than 25,000 square feet, with business service companies driving the bulk of leasing activity, nearly half of the 21 submarkets recorded more than 100,000 square feet of leasing. Biotechnology company Celularity's 147,215-square-foot lease at 170 Park Ave. in Florham Park represented the quarter's largest lease, and the only one exceeding 100,000 square feet."Due to high prices in walkable downtowns, millennials are expanding their geographical parameters for living preferences to areas just outside downtowns, which can only help suburban business, and consequently, the suburban office market," said Jim Postell, TCS Partner and City Leader. "The Celularity lease, where we're proud to have been the leasing agent for property ownership, is the latest example of a suburban office building gaining successful lease-up following substantial capital improvements."Despite receding slightly during the first quarter, asking rents are still trending upward in New Jersey. Year-over-year rents have increased by 2%, and they are up 8.9% over the past five years. Furthermore, the current average of $26.86 per square foot is the fourth-highest on record for the state. Year-over-year rents in five submarkets - Bergen East, Edison South, Meadowlands, Parsippany Region, and Wayne/Paterson - have increased by more than 5% each."Rents are increasing in buildings that are being upgraded, in part due to increased demand, but also because owners need to recover higher construction costs," said Matthew Dolly, TCS New Jersey Research Director. "Simultaneously, with the business sector prospering, tenants are increasingly competing to attract the best talent by seeking the most desirable workplace amenities: connectivity and convenience." On the heels of Amazon's surprise announcement yesterday to cancel moving forward with its plan to build a new headquarters facility in New York's Long Island City due to some Democratic political opposition, both the local real estate market and the Governor's office were stunned.In a prepared statement, New York's Governor Andrew Cuomo released the following comments this week:"Amazon chose to come to New York because we are the capital of the world and the best place to do business. We competed in and won the most hotly contested national economic development competition in the United States, resulting in at least 25,000-40,000 good paying jobs for our state and nearly $30 billion dollars in new revenue to fund transit improvements, new housing, schools and countless other quality of life improvements. Bringing Amazon to New York diversified our economy away from real estate and Wall Street, further cementing our status as an emerging center for tech and was an extraordinary economic win not just for Queens and New York City, but for the entire region, from Long Island to Albany's nanotech center."However, a small group politicians put their own narrow political interests above their community -- which poll after poll showed overwhelmingly supported bringing Amazon to Long Island City -- the state's economic future and the best interests of the people of this state. The New York State Senate has done tremendous damage. They should be held accountable for this lost economic opportunity."The fundamentals of New York's business climate and community that attracted amazon to be here - our talent pool, world-class education system, commitment to diversity and progressivism - remain and we won't be deterred as we continue to attract world class business to communities across New York State," concluded Governor Cuomo.After over a year and a half of politically courting Amazon's HQ2 to New York, in a deal that promised over 25,000 new high wage jobs for New York, along with creating another 82,000 indirect jobs with an economic impact topping over $35 billion dollars, the State's Governor was understandably disappointed at yesterday's news.The Real Estate Board of New York's president John H. Banks also released a prepared statement."New York's renaissance over the past forty years has been due in part to our ability to work through difficult issues that have led to record population and job growth and the emergence of our city as a true global capital. It's unfortunate that we have lost out on an opportunity to create tens of thousands of jobs for city residents and generate billions of dollars in tax revenue to fund vital services including infrastructure improvements for transportation, schools, and open space. Nevertheless, New York City is still open for business and will retain its status as a world class center for tech and innovation," says Banks.A number of local real estate brokers, developers and property speculators also had their dreams dashed this week with Amazon's decision not to come to New York.Hundreds of local properties have either gone under contract or have already traded hands since announcing Amazons move to Long Island City last November 13, 2018. Some local experts estimate the blow to the local real estate market will be into the hundreds of millions of dollars of lost property values in the next 12 months.Regardless of New York, Amazon's other two other HQ2 locations in Virginia and Tennessee are still slated to move forward as planned. The WRCs first visit to Copec Rally Chile (9 - 12 May) represents a clean sheet of paper for everyone from co-drivers filling that paper with all-new pace notes to drivers getting to grips with previously undriven roads. Round six is hosted in the port city of Concepcion, almost 500km south of capital city Santiago. Most of the route is sandwiched between the Pacific Ocean and the Biobio River, the countrys second biggest waterway. The gravel road fixture ventures deep into inland forests on medium-fast tracks used by timber trucks, but there are also more open tests with stunning Pacific views. It kicks off with a colourful opening ceremony on Thursday evening in central Concepcion. Fridays opening leg is the longest at 125.27km and journeys south for two arduous loops of forest tests, split by service at Talcahuano. El Pinar (17.11km) is driven once with El Puma (30.72km) and Espigado (22.26km) tackled twice. It ends with the exciting early evening Bicentenario street stage in the centre of Concepcion. The 2.20km test passes the citys theatre and the monument remembering the earthquake and tsunami which hit the region in 2010. El Puma is the longest test of the event and is described as the Ouninpohja of Chile, in reference to Finlands classic stage. The technically complicated but fast, cambered roads will be a tough challenge. Chile's Alberto Heller starts his home rally bidding for WRC 2 success A compact second leg closer to the city packs 121km of stages into less than 400km. Rio Lia (20.90km), Maria Las Cruces (23.09km) and Pelun (16.59km) are driven morning and afternoon with service in-between. Sundays four stage finale covers almost 59km and features more open roads. The 12.52km Bio Bio test, which starts by the river and finishes on the coast, opens the action and closes it as the Wolf Power Stage. It sandwiches Lircay (18.06km) and San Nicolas (15.28km). Top 5 Challenges No previous experience for competitors or back-up teams. Drivers and co-drivers must prepare new pace notes. No opportunity to perfect car set-up before the rally as testing in Chile was not allowed. Lack of knowledge about tyre performance and wear. Choosing when to cut corners. There are plenty of opportunities to save vital tenths, but road verges hide tree stumps and stones so pace notes must not be too optimistic. Head to WRC+ to watch All Live from Copec Rally Chile, including every stage broadcast live, breaking service park news and expert studio analysis. VIDEO More News The conflict between the Trump administration and congressional Democrats intensified along a wide range of issues Monday. Attorney General William Barr refused to supply an unredacted copy of the Mueller report to the House Judiciary Committee and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin rebuffed a request by the House Ways and Committee for six years of Trumps tax returns. The divisions conform to the reactionary and right-wing framework of US politics. Trump is basing his position on claims of unlimited presidential power, while the Democrats are escalating the anti-Russia campaign that has been the focus of their opposition to Trump since he took office. Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler said the panel would vote Wednesday to hold Barr in contempt of Congress, the first step in a protracted process that is unlikely to lead to any actual sanctions against the attorney general, since a contempt citation would be sent to the Justice Department for enforcement against its own leader. Even in redacted form, the Special Counsels report offers disturbing evidence and analysis that President Trump engaged in obstruction of justice at the highest levels, a statement released by the committee argued. Congress must see the full report and underlying evidence to determine how to best move forward with oversight, legislation, and other constitutional responsibilities. The statement added, that includes whether to approve articles of impeachment with respect to the President or any other Administration official, as well as the consideration of other steps such as censure or issuing criminal, civil or administrative referrals. Several rank-and-file Democratic representatives have already suggested impeachment charges, but the Democratic leadership, including both Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Chairman Nadler, have rejected any immediate move in that direction. A contempt citation similar to that proposed against Barr was approved by a Republican-controlled House against then-Attorney General Eric Holder during the Obama administration. The contempt citation was effectively killed by non-enforcement on the part of the Justice Department. The House went to court seeking a judicial order, but the process took so long that Holder was no longer attorney general when the court order was finalized. Barr refused to appear before the House Judiciary Committee Thursday, the day after he had testified at length before its Senate counterpart, brushing aside most Democratic queries with long-winded filibustering, quibbles and hair-splitting, protected by the Republican majority from any serious follow-up. Under the procedure set by the House panel, the committees majority and minority counsel would have questioned Barr for 30 minutes each. The attorney general was clearly unwilling to undergo such an interrogation, which would likely have focused on differences between Barr and Special Counsel Robert Mueller over whether there was evidence of obstruction of justice by Trump in relation to the Russia investigation. The House panel is expected to summon Mueller to testify about his report and his differences with Barr. While Barr told the Senate panel that he had no objection to Mueller testifying, President Trump reversed the administrations position in a tweet over the weekend, when he declared that Mueller should not testify: No redos for the Dems! Mueller is still technically a Justice Department employee and under the direction of the president, but his appointment is expected to lapse shortly, making Trumps opposition to his testimony a moot point from then on. Democratic congressional leaders and presidential candidates continued to flog the dead horse of supposed Russian intervention in the 2016 elections, even though the Mueller report was categorical that there was no evidence of collaboration between the Trump campaign and Russia. The actual evidence of Russian meddling is limited to unsupported claims by US intelligence agencies that Russian operatives spent under $100,000 on Facebook ads unfavorable to Hillary Clinton (in a $5 billion election!), and equally unsupported claims that Russian hackers obtained internal Democratic Party emails that were leaked to WikiLeaks and made public. The emails were greatly embarrassing to Clinton because they were true. They documented Democratic National Committee efforts to rig the primaries for Clinton over Bernie Sanders and provided the text of Clinton closed-door speeches to Wall Street audiences in which she promised to look out for the bankers interests. Nonetheless, Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, a Democratic presidential candidate, denounced Trump for his recent phone conversation with Russian President Putin. We know that his own FBI director has said that 2018 [the midterm election] was a dress rehearsal and that Russia is going to try this again. His director of intelligence said that theyre getting bolder, she said on CNNs State of the Union. All of this happens, and what does he do? He goes and cuddles up to Vladimir Putin again, she said. That is wrong. And he then makes it worse by calling it a hoax. Another presidential hopeful, Representative Eric Swalwell of California, who sits on the Judiciary Committee, speaking on the CBS program Face the Nation, said that the Trump administration could not be relied upon to protect future US elections from Russia. As for the current confrontation over the Mueller report, Im recommending that we impeach Atty. Gen. Barr so that we can get the information we need to protect our country. Adding fuel to the fire, nearly 400 former federal prosecutors signed on to a statement circulated among career Justice Department officialsin both Democratic and Republican administrationsdeclaring that the evidence assembled by Mueller would have been sufficient for criminal charges of obstruction of justice against Trump. The statement was released to the media Monday afternoon. Each of us believes that the conduct of President Trump described in Special Counsel Robert Muellers report would, in the case of any other person not covered by the Office of Legal Counsel policy against indicting a sitting President, result in multiple felony charges for obstruction of justice, the former prosecutors wrote. The signatories including several prominent Republicans, including William Weld, a former deputy attorney general and governor of Massachusetts, who is running against Trump for the Republican presidential nomination; and Paul Rosenzweig, a top deputy to independent counsel Kenneth Starr, who spearheaded the investigations that led to the impeachment of President Bill Clinton. Late on Monday, Treasury Secretary Mnuchin sent a letter to House Democrats denying the Ways and Means Committee access to Trumps tax returns. The power of the committee to review any individuals tax returns is written explicitly into a 1924 law, passed after the Teapot Dome scandal, but it has never before been used against a president, because no president in the modern era has refused, like Trump, to release his tax returns for public scrutiny. In his letter, Mnuchin wrote: In reliance on the advice of the Department of Justice, I have determined that the Committees request lacks a legitimate legislative purpose, and ... the Department is therefore not authorized to disclose the requested returns and return information. House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal has threatened legal action to compel the Treasury to release the returns. The Democratic-controlled New York state legislature is considering a bill that would allow the state tax department to turn Trumps state returns over to Congress, and specifically to the Ways and Means Committee. Thousands of aerospace workers jobs are threatened following Canadian aerospace and transportation transnational Bombardiers decision to sell off its wing-making operation in Belfast. Four sitesBelfast, Newtownabbey, Dunmurry and Newtownardscurrently employ around 3,600 workers. Bombardier has owned facilities in Northern Ireland since 1989, when the company took over the historic Belfast-based Shorts Brothers. The companys Moroccan plant, employing around 400 workers at the Midparc free economic zone in Casablanca, is also for sale. Bombardiers move is the next phase of a global restructuring, necessitated by ferocious competition in the world airline industry. The company is attempting to defend its profit margins and shareholder dividends at the expense of its 70,000-strong international workforce. The announcement was made by Bombardier President and CEO Alain Bellemare, whose annual salary and other compensations amounted to over $12.5 million in 2018. Late last year, the company announced 5,000 jobs were imperilled included 2,500 in Canada and 490 in Northern Ireland. The redundancies followed Bombardiers decision to sell its narrow-body commercial 150-seater C Series aircraft to Airbus, with the aircraft re-designated the Airbus 220. The aircrafts wings are currently made in Belfast. The C Series was the last technically competitive airliner to challenge US-based Boeing and European conglomerate Airbus. But even with a US$16 billion turnover, Bombardier was in no position to fund the huge development costs required. Bombardier also sold its Q400 turboprop aircraft programme, and its de Havilland trademark, to Longview Aviation Capital. Over the same period, rival regional jet producer Brazilian-based Embraer sold 80 percent of its commercial jet business to Boeing. Airbus and Boeing now between them control most of the world market for advanced commercial airliners. Bombardier intends to limit its aircraft production to private business jets and aims to integrate operations in Montreal, Mexico and Texas into a single unit. The Belfast and Casablanca plants are not certain to close. Aerospace component manufacturers are said to be eyeing both. These include Airbus, GKN Aerospace, US Spirit AeroSystems and Triumph Group Inc. According to JPMorgan, the Belfast wing-making plant site is viewed as a prize asset while the Casablanca location is already a concentration of primarily European aerospace component production. No further redundancies have been announced. Bids from Chinese companies are possible. According to Stephen Kelly, chairman of Manufacturing Northern Ireland, the Aviation Industry Corporation of China and the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China are believed to be exploring options regarding taking over. Bombardier states that the British governments paralysis over Brexitwith Parliament yet to pass Prime Minister Theresa Mays European Union (EU) withdrawal dealwas not a factor in its decision. However, the impasse and the UKs post-Brexit future must impact any decision of future buyers. Bombardier management pressured the pro-Brexit Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) to support Mays proposed deal to avoid a no-deal EU exit and disruption of Airbuss supply chains, without success. The threat to thousands of jobs is a searing indictment of the Unite and GMB trades unions and their pseudo-left apologists. Union officials have, since the first announcement of redundancies last year, and in line with their long-standing close integration into corporate management, done everything possible to prevent any mobilisation in defence of jobs and living standards. Speaking in November, Susan Fitzgerald, Unite regional coordinating officer and member of the Committee for a Workers International-affiliated Socialist Party (Northern Ireland), sowed illusions that the unions would organise a fightback. She told Belfast Live , Unite is already engaging with trade unions representing workers across the Bombardier sites in Europe and North America to bring forward a global workers response to this race-to-the-bottom agenda. As with any such promises of cross-border action by the nationalist trade unions, this amounted to nothing. Instead, the unions merely sought to limit job losses to voluntary redundancies. This is a tried and tested method used by the trade union bureaucracy everywhere to collaborate with companies to impose job losses. The result is always the same: The company gets the job losses it wants, with the unions cementing their position as reliable corporate partners in policing the workforce. In early April, under pressure from Bombardier workers who held factory gate protests, union officials reluctantly acceded to a ballot on industrial action against 30-35 compulsory redundancies. By April 29, Bombardier withdrew the compulsory layoffs. The unions claimed a great victory. Unite Assistant General Secretary Steve Turner hailed the great news for the workers affected and a tremendous win for the entire workforce; this success demonstrates the power of our unions when we stand together for jobs and skills. This was just three days before the sell-off announcement. Union officials immediately pledged to work with whatever buyer emerged. It doesnt matter whose name is above the gatewhat matters is that we safeguard jobs and skills in this critical industry, said Jackie Pollock, Unite regional secretary. Steve Turner admitted Unite was already in close contact with other global aerospace companies which could come forward as a potential buyer for Bombardiers aero structures. Turner and Pollok reach out directly to aerospace industry management teams to offer their skills in ensuring industrial peace during any selloff. The role of the pseudo-lefts, such as Fitzgerald and the Socialist Party, is to prepare the way for this, and blind workers as to the transformed character of the unions. Over the last four decades, the unions have ceased to be the limited defensive organisations they once were, when workers were able to extract improved terms and conditions from the employers in this or that country. This has been utterly undermined by objective developments in the world economy that have globalised every single area of economic life. The aerospace industry and the fate of Bombardier is a pivotal example. Faced with giant corporations, organised across continents and employing tens and hundreds of thousands of workers in many regions and countries, the trade unions are not able to extract concessions based on pressure on companies within the nation state. Today, the role of the unions is transformed, with their function to assist firms and attract investment through offering better rates of exploitation of the workforce and industrial peace to the companies. While workers have seen their jobs, conditions and security evaporate, the union apparatus has become a loyal partner and adviser to corporate management. The unions are populated at the top by a layer of well-paid officials, and as in Unite, many of whom are members of pseudo-left outfits. Bombardier workers are posed urgently with bringing their struggle into line with objective international developments. New organisations of rank-and-file workersindependent of the unions, seeking to unify struggles nationally and across borders and continentsare needed to take up the struggle in defence of jobs and living standards. In response to the global race to the bottom in living standards organised by the companies, and facilitated by the unions, workers must act as an international force and unify their fight with that of other aerospace employees fighting the same battles. Former CEO of Lynch, Jones & Ryan brokerage now works to improve the business district of Fifth Avenue in New York City. The main focus of the 70th National Congress of Germanys neo-liberal Free Democratic Party (FDP), which took place last weekend in Berlin, was the adoption of a European election program and the election of a new secretary general. The party went to great lengths to shed its image as a ruthless lobby for the rich and win back voters who have increasingly switched to the Green Party. The term empathy was one of the leitmotifs of the Congress. The partys new secretary-general Linda Teuteberg went so far as to express empathy for the socially deprived and actually mentioned Germanys miserly social welfare system (Hartz IV) and the growing problem of poverty amongst seniors. The Congress called for more gender equality and more climate protectionbased, of course, on free market solutions such as emissions trading. This was all facade, however. The central message of the Congress was unmistakable: the Free Democrats advocate aggressive international expansion, more corporate deregulation and austerity for the working class. With regard to foreign policy the party calls for a powerful European Union dominated by Germany and an acceleration of Germanys current program of military rearmament. Domestically, the FDP calls for a strong state. In his speech to the Congress, party leader Christian Lindner portrayed China as a role model in this respect. He started his speech with a sentence in Chinese saying that one has to move with the times when society and the economy change. Behind him, in huge Chinese characters, were the words economic policy. Lindner described China as both a role model, and as a rival and threat. He said he was impressed by the way in which China resolutely pursues its global interests and suppresses the class struggle in its own country. As things stand, our children will not only have to learn English, but also Chinese, he said. The aim however, he continued, was that the Chinese continue to learn English and German. The partys program for the forthcoming European election, adopted by the Congress, focuses on a powerful EU with a genuine common foreign, security and development policy and a European Army under a joint supreme command. The EU can only remain a genuine global player when it speaks with one voice in the competition between world powers, the program states. Secondly, the program calls for a more aggressive policy against refugees: We call for a common European asylum, refugee and immigration policy to effectively organise and control migration. The border protection agency Frontex should be expanded, refugees and migrants from civil war countries be turned back and at the same time migration based on labor market requirements should be promoted to attract the best minds. The program favours tightening up the Maastricht framework, which imposes a debt ceiling and ruthless austerity measures on EU member states. We do not want a transfer union, joint liability for deposits or joint unemployment insurance, the program reads. We demand automatic sanctions against member states which run up excessive debts. The FDP also intends to accelerate the rate of military rearmament. The FDPs leading candidate in the European elections, Nicola Beer, sharply criticised the federal government because it was not moving fast enough to fulfil NATOs demand for two-percent of GDP to be spent on defence. She also opposed the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline connecting Russia with Germany via the Baltic Sea. Alarmed by the huge support for a referendum in Berlin demanding the expropriation of large housing concerns, the party congress adopted an urgent petition calling for the deletion of Article 15 in the German Constitution (Basic Law). This article, introduced after WWII as a concession to widespread support for socialism following the atrocities of Nazi rule, permits the socialisation of land, natural resources and means of production in exchange for compensation. It has only been used onceand not as a socialist measure, but rather to rescue banks gone bankrupt. At the height of the financial crisis in 2009, the German Parliament passed a law that makes it possible to nationalise vulnerable banks when necessary. Now, however, at a time when opponents of real estate speculators and property sharks want to put the article to their own use the FDP wants to abolish it. The lip service previously paid by the FDP to certain individual basic rights, which the party never intended to put into practice, has now disappeared from the program and party speeches. The new secretary general Teuteberg stressed the partys commitment to a strong state. Lindner had already justified the surprising nomination of the 38-year-old to the post of secretary general by stating that he was impressed by the stance she had taken on immigration and refugee policies. In her speech to the party Teuteberg said that liberals could not tolerate a state of affairs where alleged right-wing arsonists were released, tax fraudsters remained free from prosecution and deportations not enforced because of a lack of staff and overly long legal processes. She pleaded for more deportations to improve the credibility of the state and demonstrate its ability to act. We have to enforce the removal of foreign nationals, she demanded to vigorous applause. Since its foundation in 1948, the FDP has been the party that has most consistently represented the interests of big business and finance capital. It was regarded as a party that could be bought and was kept afloat on a number of occasions by large donations from major industrialistssuch as in the 1980s, when it was deeply involved in the Flick party donation scandal, and in 20082009, when the owner of the Movenpick chain of hotels, August von Finck, donated 1.1 million euros to the party. In exchange the FDP, as part of the government, ensured a reduction in VAT for hotel accommodation. Finck, whose fortune was in part based on the Aryanisation of Jewish property under the Nazis, later switched his support to the far right AfD. After WWII the FDP stood on the extreme right of the German political party spectrum and campaigned for the votes of former Nazis and Nazi officials using national slogans. It only developed a more socially liberal stance after striking an alliance with the SPD in 1969 and helping Willy Brandt become chancellor. Brandt was required at that time to bring student unrest and militant labor disputes under control and open up new markets in the east for the German economy through his Ostpolitik. In 1982, the FDP changed sides again and helped Helmut Kohl (CDU) take power via a vote of no confidence. Although the party polled well under ten percent in most elections, the FDP exerted disproportionate influence in its role as favoured coalition partner of both the conservative Union (Christian Democratic Union and Christian Social Union) and the SPD. Between 1949 to 1998 the FDP was involved in all coalition governments, apart from two breaks, and controlled key ministries such as foreign affairs, and the interior and economics ministries. Between 2009 to 2013 it formed another coalition with the Union led by Angela Merkel. During this period the FDP was voted out of most state parliaments and finally out of the Bundestag due to its arrogant, right-wing politics. Following the federal election in autumn 2017, the FDP held talks on a possible coalition with both the Union and the Greens, but the talks broke down after several weeks. The CDU/CSU concluded that the highly unpopular policies of social cuts, militarism and rearmament, which all of the parties agreed to in principle, could best be implemented in the short term by a continuation of the grand coalition with the SPD. Since then the grand coalition has moved official policy far to the right. The extreme right-wing AfD is the official opposition party, heads important parliamentary committees and sets the line for government policy. The government has fully adopted the refugee policy of the AfD. Hardly a week goes by without the adoption of new police and surveillance laws. Military rearmament is progressing in leaps and bounds. Large sections of the population work in low-paid jobs and receive wages below the poverty line. Meanwhile, the grand coalition is in deep crisis and is despised for its right-wing policies. For the past weeks the CDU, CSU and SPD combined have failed to win sufficient support for a majority. The SPD is polling below 20 percent and millions have participated in strikes for better wages and working conditions. There have also been large-scale protests against high rents, pollution and internet censorship. At the same time, international tensions are growing and there is a threat of recession. Under these circumstances, the FDP is offering its service as a party of government in order to forge ahead with the reactionary offensive of the ruling class and suppress all opposition should the grand coalition collapse. On Monday, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) announced via an automated phone call that it would lay off an additional 32 autoworkers at its Belvidere Assembly Plant in northern Illinois. Nearly 1,400 workers were laid off when FCA eliminated the C shift over the weekend and workers have reported rumors that hundreds more layoffs may be coming later this summer. The cuts are part of the ongoing global jobs massacre by Fiat Chrysler and the other auto giants, with the collaboration of the United Auto Workers (UAW) union. In March, FCA announced it would also eliminate an entire shift, roughly 1,500 jobs, at its assembly plant in Windsor, Ontario, just across the border from Detroit in Canada. Last December, General Motors initiated the jobs bloodbath when it announced plans to lay off over 14,000 workers and close five plants in the US and Canada. The company is closing a transmission plant in Baltimore, Maryland this week, after shutting its Lordstown, Ohio assembly plant in March. In an April 30 filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission GM signaled more job cuts were coming, We may execute additional initiatives in the future, if necessary, to streamline manufacturing capacity and reduce other costs to improve the utilization of remaining facilities. Speaking to the Chicago Tribune, industry analyst Michelle Krebs indicated that the job cuts at Belvidere assembly may only be the prelude to the complete shutdown of the plant. One disadvantage a plant like Belvidere has is its kind of out of the way from all the other plants, Krebs said to the Tribune. Following the layoffs at Belvidere, FCA claims it will build a $4.5 billion assembly plant in Detroit, retool five other plants and allegedly create 5,000 jobs in a move to consolidate production of highly profitable Jeeps and pickups in the Detroit area. The auto companies are counting on the collusion of the UAW to cut jobs and use the threat of mass layoffs as a hammer to extract even deeper concessions from workers in the new four-year contracts being negotiated this summer. FCA is swimming in cash, having made $8.16 billion in pre-tax profits in 2018. Increased employment at any plants is dependent not only new concessions promised by the UAW but millions in tax cuts and other incentives. Democrats who control Detroits city government and the Michigan governors seat have offered FCA more than $100 million in contributions for land purchases, and the company is seeking even more in tax cuts. Im hearing from our illustrious union that FCA is basically forcing us to go work in Toledo [Ohio], if we dont, theyll cut our unemployment and benefits, said John, a second-tier worker furious at the layoffs. We hear there are 400 plus or minus TPT [temporary part-time] employees at Toledo and theyre going to replace them with us. Workers at the Belvidere plant, first opened in 1965, have endured a series of attacks on their jobs and livelihoods over the last two decades. After the 2008-2009 financial crisis, Chrysler declared bankruptcy and decimated the workforce at the plant, reducing the employee count to a skeleton crew of nearly 200 workers. Following the bankruptcy of Chrysler and General Motors, thousands of low-paying second-tier jobs were added with the assistance of the UAW, as part of Wall Streets restructuring of the entire auto industry overseen by the Obama administration. Autoworkers saw their living standards slashed in half overnight after the auto bailouts, as poverty wages were foisted on newer workers and wages were essentially frozen for older workers. The recently eliminated third shift at Belvidere was added in 2012 to great fanfare by the ruthless cost-cutter Sergio Marchionne, who famously said that US autoworkers must accept a culture of poverty instead of a culture of entitlement. In 2015, Fiat Chrysler workers rejected the first sellout deal brought back by the UAW and a second proposal was only ratified after a campaign of lies and intimidation. It has since been revealed that top UAW negotiators, including former union vice president Norwood Jewell were being bribed by FCA executives to sign pro-company deals. In 2017, production of the Jeep Cherokee was moved to Belvidere Assembly after workers were laid off that year at FCA Toledo Assembly. Until recently, over 5,131 hourly workers and 333 salaried workers worked at the plant. For workers in Belvidere, located 75 miles northwest of Chicago, as well as the surrounding economically-depressed region of the Rockford metropolitan area, the job cuts will be devastating. Ripple effects are expected throughout the region as parts suppliers to FCAs Belvidere assembly are expected to cut more than 320 jobs. Asked about his thoughts on the situation, John responded angrily, asking if a reporter wanted to know how the UAW sold us down the river? They arent obeying their own contract. They are doing absolutely nothing for us during this layoff. People that are keeping their jobs are also mad because the UAW isn't honoring seniority when it comes to bidding on jobs. They aren't letting seniority employees bump. So, the entire plant is dumbfounded because it feels we have nowhere to turn, nobody to back us up on any front. Almost every person who negotiated the 2015 contract has pleaded guilty to bribery, conspiracy, etc., John added. That contract should be null and void. Instead, they just make it more blatant that they are outright stealing from us, and what are we going to do? I cant support my household by being a Walmart greeter. Speaking of the explosive social tensions building up in the United States and internationally, John stated, The entire state of this country with the class separation is going to end up in another yellow vest demonstration. This is an absolute joke and our so-called leaders (politicians) are to blame. They are bought and paid for by Big Pharma, oil and Wall Street. Another worker with four years at the plant said about the WSWS initial report on the layoffs, The article is exactly what I'm thinking. Its ridiculous how it's all going down." The layoffs are definitely gonna be used as bargaining chip, he continued. Its all a game for them. And we are a pawn." Last month, the same worker blasted the UAW for it silence on the attack on jobs. Not a word, he said of the UAWs response to the job cuts. Miraculously, our union steward had scheduled time off. Im sure he knew it was coming. The worker grew up in the Rockford area and described the challenges as a young worker in the economically depressed Rustbelt region. Born and raised since 1990, he said. Its a struggle really. [Theres] not many good jobs. Chrysler is the best job in the area. Housing is high. Rent is high. This cutting of a shift is going to be tough for a lot of people. The jobs bloodletting must be stopped! Everything depends on workers themselves taking the initiative. In order to stop the job cuts, workers at Belvidere should act without delay to hold meetings and form a rank-and-file committee independent of the UAW. An urgent appeal must be made to the thousands of GM workers who have been laid off, along with the tens of thousands of autoworkers in Canada and Mexico who are facing brutal attacks by the same giant transnational corporations, to prepare a national and cross-border strike to defend jobs and oppose all concessions. The WSWS Autoworker Newsletter will do everything possible to help workers build the opposition to plant closings and layoffs. We urge those who want to join this fight to contact us today. The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) held a meeting last Friday at the Free Word centre in London to mark World Press Freedom Day. The event was billed as an opportunity to celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom, assess the state of press freedom throughout the world and pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty. Despite the NUJ having a membership of 35,000, just 50 people turned up. Outside the meeting, around 30 supporters of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange called for his freedom. The protest came just days after Assange was given a vindictive 50-week prison sentence for breaking bail, following his illegal expulsion from the Ecuadorian embassy. Assange supporters outside the NUJ meeting Proceedings for extradition to the United States began at Westminster Magistrates Court last Thursday. Those picketing the NUJ event on Friday night held banners including No to Extradition, Free Press, Free Assange and There is no free press until Julian Assange is a free man. Protesters demanded the NUJ give practical backing to its formal statement opposing Assanges extradition to the United States. In vain. Not a single mention of Assange was made by any of the speakers, all of whom claimed to be champions of press freedom. Leading figures on the platform responded with undisguised hostility to those in the audience who challenged their silence. NUJ General Secretary Michelle Stanistreet said the meeting was dedicated to Lyra McKee, the Northern Ireland journalist shot dead by the New IRA while reporting on disturbances in Derry last month. Stanistreet declared that all the NUJs resources would be used to ensure that Lyras vision of journalism will not be silenced. Dawson, Naji, Draghici, Stanistreet and Kohon We will not be silenced, Kasra Naji, the senior correspondent with the BBCs World Service Persian channel also declared, speaking about the Iranian governments campaign of harassment and intimidation of journalists. Chairperson Mariela Kohon, the Trade Union Congresss senior international officer said, The TUC stands in solidarity with any journalist labelled an enemy of the people and that proceeds from the event would be donated to the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) fund, which supports persecuted journalists and their families. The video of Jeremy Corbyn played at the meeting Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, a former NUJ chair and secretary of its cross-party Parliamentary Group was billed as a speaker but sent a pre-recorded video in which he declared, Today, lets remember the importance of a free press and all those journalists who go the extra mile to find out the truth. Corbyn uttered not a single word in defence of Julian Assange or WikiLeaks. When the floor was opened to questions, Assange supporter Cristina Navarrete thanked the speakers for their information about the dangers facing journalists but said there was a clear omission. On World Press Freedom Day, we have a journalist here in the UK that is in the high security prison in Belmarsh, she reminded them. As you know, Julian Assange was taken away from the Ecuadorian Embassy on 11th April. With that, the Ecuadorian president Lenin Moreno broke all the asylum laws. Yesterday, more importantly, Julian was informed about his extradition to the United States and he replied, I do not wish to surrender myself for extradition for doing journalism that has won many, many awards and protected many, many people. I just want to ask the NUJ and journalists in this room to help us step up the campaign in support of Julian Assange and hope you will help us as you have journalists in Iran and elsewhere. Cristina Navarrete addressing the meeting Will you issue a statement of support? she asked. World Socialist Web Site reporter Paul Mitchell challenged the platform: I find it incredible that nothing has been said about Julian Assange. This should be Julian Assange Freedom Day. Why has the NUJ not carried out a campaign? The NUJ had a mealy-mouthed two-paragraph statement on Wednesday to cover themselves. The IFJ statement was even lessjust two sentences. The last mention of Julian Assange on the NUJ website was in 2014 inviting him to a seminar with the New York Times and Washington Post. Two years before, at a delegates conference, a motion was passed in which they said he was the greatest asset to press freedom. The IFJ hasnt mentioned him for years. You owe a duty to the people demonstrating outside, to the millions of people around the world who see him as the most heroic figure of the 21st century, to say where you are and what you are going to do about it. Much more could have been said. In 2014 Assange was a guest speaker at the NUJs Investigative Journalism: A New Stage summer school, alongside Dana Priest of the Washington Post and Aron Pilhoffer, formerly of the New York Times and the Guardians Executive Editor of Digital. At a 2012 NUJ Delegate Meeting in Newcastle, a motion was passed which applauded WikiLeaks for exposing the culture of secrecy and lies that characterises the international operations of many governments of all political persuasions. It acknowledged the important contribution made by Julian Assange himself in the development of Wikileaks as a major resource for journalism and political analysis and stated that the type of journalism to which Wikileaks has made a significant contribution represents a real challenge to those governments, wherever they are, which rely on propaganda, torture, warfare and subversion to accomplish their political and economic aims. The last mention of Assange on the IFJs website before its May 1 statement was a 2010 article, IFJ Condemns United States Desperate and Dangerous Backlash over WikiLeaks. It is unacceptable to try to deny people the right to know, IFJ General Secretary Aidan White had written. These revelations may be embarrassing in their detail, but they also expose corruption and double-dealing in public life that is worthy of public scrutiny. The response of the United States is desperate and dangerous because it goes against fundamental principles of free speech and democracy. The IFJ and its members support the rights of whistle-blowers and the responsible reporting of information in the public interest, said White. All of this has been forgotten. On Friday, IFJ and NUJ speakers attacked WikiLeaks supporters in the audience who challenged their refusal to mount a campaign in Assanges defence. To focus on Assange would be offensive to the memory of those who have been killed all over the world, Stanistreet declared. NUJ President Tim Dawson claimed the union was a membership-led organisation and no one had raised the Assange case. As Socialist Equality Party (UK) national secretary Chris Marsden stated in his remarks to the International Online May Day rally on May 4, Stanistreet should explain to all of us how it is offensive to anyones memory to demand action to prevent Assange himself possibly being executed. Dawson told those assembled on Friday that some journalists have issues with Julian Assange. There are indeed many such despicable journalists, noted Marsden. In keeping with the NUJs Orwellian celebration of World Press Freedom Day, its report of the event, published on the NUJ website the next day, made no mention of the hour-long Q&A session featuring questions from Assange supporters. On Saturday, May 4, the International Committee of the Fourth International held the 2019 International Online May Day Rally, the sixth annual online May Day Rally held by the ICFI, the world Trotskyist movement. The rally heard speeches on different aspects of the world crisis of capitalism and the struggles of the international working class from 12 leading members of the world party and its sections and sympathizing organizations around the world. On successive days, the World Socialist Web Site is publishing the texts of the speeches delivered at the rally. Below is the speech delivered by Oscar Grenfell, a member of the National Committee of the Socialist Equality Party (Australia). On Monday, the WSWS published the opening report to the rally, given by David North, the chairman of the international editorial board of the WSWS and national chairman of the Socialist Equality Party (US). *** One of the great traditions of the international socialist workers movement on May Day is to extend our solidarity and support to all class war prisoners, and to pledge to redouble our efforts to secure their freedom. Today, the most prominent class war prisoners in the world are WikiLeaks founder and publisher Julian Assange and the courageous whistleblower Chelsea Manning. They are being ruthlessly persecuted by the most powerful governments in the world for their services to the international working class. Assange and Manning have committed no crime. They are being targeted for exposing the illegal wars, mass surveillance operations and daily diplomatic conspiracies of the US and all of its allies. At this celebration of international May Day, the World Socialist Web Site, the International Committee of the Fourth International and all its sections commit to deepening our protracted campaign against the attempts to extradite Assange to the US and to win his freedom. We also pledge to expand our struggle for the immediate release of Chelsea Manning. This is a decisive political fight for the working class and for all defenders of democratic rights. We have gathered just over three weeks since Assange was dragged from Ecuadors London embassy and arrested by the British police. Footage of a very ill, world-renowned journalist being manhandled by six British cops and wincing at his first exposure to sunlight in seven years will live in history as a milestone in the decay of bourgeois democracy and the turn to authoritarianism by governments around the world. Assanges arrest was illegal. His status as a political refugee, upheld by the United Nations, was trampled upon and annulled by a corrupt Ecuadorian regime seeking to curry favour with the Wall Street banks and intelligence agencies. As soon as Assange was detained, it was revealed that the Trump administration had issued a request for his extradition to face charges in the US. This was a vindication of the warnings made by WikiLeaks, the World Socialist Web Site and Assange himself that he required political asylum to avoid US prosecution for WikiLeaks lawful publishing activities. Assanges arrest has set in motion a judicial travesty, which can be described only as a pseudo-legal fig leaf for an extraordinary rendition operation. Within hours of his expulsion from the Ecuadorian embassy, he was convicted of trumped-up bail charges, denounced as a narcissist by the presiding judge, and provocatively told that he could submit to US extradition so as to get on with his life. Since then, Assange has been held in conditions of isolation in Belmarsh Prison, dubbed the UKs Guantanamo Bay after the US military jail notorious for torture and other violations of human rights. Last Wednesday, Assange was sentenced to 50 weeks in prison on the bail charges. This was despite the fact that he had already spent years in effective arbitrary detention, that he had forfeited the bail money and that the reason for his turn to the Ecuadorian embassythat he faced a politically motivated US prosecutionhad been confirmed. With all of the malice and vindictiveness of the British ruling class, the judge summarily rejected the arguments of Assanges lawyers and made no attempt to conceal her disdain for him. Her ruling demonstrates that preventing Assanges extradition to the US will require nothing less than an all-out mobilization of the only social force that can mount a successful defence of democratic rightsthe working class. The two publicly unveiled US charges against Assange are a farce. They center on claims that an unverified chat log revealed that Assange and Manning had attempted to crack a US military computer password. In fact, there is no evidence that the password was ever accessed. And even if it were, all Assange has been accused of is attempting to help Manning protect her identitya common practice for journalists working with sources. But as legal experts have warned, the computer hacking charges are merely aimed at facilitating Assanges extradition by bypassing a ban on UK prisoners being sent to the US on political offences. If the war criminals in Washington get their hands on the WikiLeaks founder, he will almost certainly be charged with espionage, a capital offence. A prosecution of Assange along these lines would be nothing less than an attempt to abolish the rights to freedom of the press and free speech, enshrined in the US Constitution. The goal would be to intimidate mass opposition within the working class to war, inequality and authoritarianism. The significance of such a charge is demonstrated by the history of the Espionage Act. It was used to imprison US socialist leader Eugene Debs for his opposition to World War I. In the 1970s, the Nixon administration unsuccessfully sought to use its provisions to block further publication of the Pentagon Papers, which exposed the scale of US criminality in the Vietnam War. The dangers confronting Assange are demonstrated by the plight of Chelsea Manning. She has been detained by the Trump administration for over eight weeks, at times in solitary confinement, for refusing to give perjured testimony against the WikiLeaks founder. If Assange is handed over to the US, there is every possibility that he will end up in Guantanamo Bay or a dark site jail operated by the CIAs torturers. All of the official institutions of capitalist society are implicated in the persecution of Assange. The corporate press has responded to his arrest with unconcealed glee. Corporate reporters, who function as stenographers for governments and the intelligence agencies, have proclaimed that Assange is not a journalist. They are the modern-day equivalents of the pharaohs scribes, or those German reporters who functioned as propagandists for the Nazi regime. Let it not be forgotten that such journalists were prosecuted at the Nuremburg Trials for their role in facilitating war crimes and unprecedented attacks on democratic rights. All of the establishment parties in Britain, the US and Australia have participated in the attacks on Assange. The Democrats have spearheaded the bogus claims that Assange is a Russian agent because WikiLeaks published true and newsworthy information exposing the fact that the Democratic National Committee rigged the partys 2016 primaries in favour of Hillary Clinton. Her secret Wall Street speeches, also published by WikiLeaks, exposed Clinton as a bought-and-paid-for servant of the banks. In Britain, Jeremy Corbyn and the Labour Party have done nothing to defend Assange. Successive Australian governments, Labor and Liberal-National alike, have joined the campaign against him, refusing to carry out their clear obligation to defend a persecuted Australian citizen and journalist. A host of organizations, from the pseudo-left to the trade unions, have abandoned Assange. Over the past eight years, after initially posturing as defenders of Assange, they have lined up behind every lie and slander against the courageous journalist, including the bogus Swedish allegations that he committed sexual misconduct. They ignore the fact that Assange has never been charged with a crime in that country and that the investigation was ended in 2017. Such organizations have already made their peace with imperialist war and repression. There is another force, however, that can and must be mobilized to defend Assange: the international working class. Millions of workers and young people rightly view him as a hero for exposing the US war crimes in Iraq and Afghanistan, Washingtons global meddling operations, and mass CIA spying, to name only some of WikiLeaks most prominent revelations. The working class is entering into mass social and political battles all over the world. The fight to free Julian Assange and Chelsea Manning must be inscribed on the banner of all of these struggles. Authorised by James Cogan for the Socialist Equality Party, Suite 906, 185 Elizabeth Street, Sydney, NSW, 2000. The victory of the Democratic Party in last Novembers congressional elections has done nothing to halt Trumps police state assault on immigrants. On the contrary, the Democrats, having taken control of the House of Representatives, have shifted further to the right and lined up more openly behind the administrations anti-immigrant policies. Perhaps the clearest expression of this shift to date is the lead editorial in Mondays print edition of the New York Times. Headlined Give Trump His Border Money, the statement demands that Congress approve the request sent by the White House to Congress last week for an additional $4.5 billion in emergency funding, ostensibly to manage the surge in the number of refugees from Central America crossing into the US to seek asylum. Summing up what has become the mantra of both big business parties and the whole of the corporate media, the editorial begins, President Trump is right: There is a crisis at the southern border. The Times goes on to make the cynical and dishonest argument that the money Trump is requesting is not for his border wall, but to deal with the humanitarian crisis of overcrowding, disease and chaos. It cites poverty and violence in the refugees homelands as the cause of the border surge, but remains silent on the US governments history of imperialist exploitation and intervention in Central America, well as the Trump administrations illegal refusal to process asylum claims and its dispatch of troops to turn the US-Mexican border into a militarized no-mans land. Nor does it mention Trumps authoritarian declaration of a national emergency on the border and his allocation of Pentagon funds to expand his border wall, in defiance of Congress and the US Constitution. Or his more recent moves in defiance of international and US law to effectively deny refugees the right to file for asylum and strip immigrants caught up in the US immigration system of their habeas corpus rights. Nor does it note last months purge of the Department of Homeland Security, carried out to move, as Trump put it, in a tougher direction on the border. Echoing the human rights imperialist pretexts used to justify neo-colonial wars in Iraq, Libya and Syria, the editorial declares: Something needs to be done. Soon. It then demands, expressing the position of the Democratic congressional leadership, that recalcitrant House Democrats end their political gamesmanship and finger-pointing and give Trump the money he is demanding to shore up his anti-immigrant campaign. Far from using its control of the House to seriously oppose Trumps war on immigrants, the Democratic leadership, beginning with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, has repeatedly rejected the launching of impeachment proceedings against Trump. Their major consideration is not the virtual certainty that the Republican-controlled Senate would refuse to convict Trump, or the fact that even if he were removed he would be replaced by his equally reactionary vice president, Mike Pence, but rather that a protracted impeachment process might provide an opening for mass working class opposition to Trump to take an independent form and move in an anti-capitalist direction. Just last week, Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer emerged from a closed-door White House meeting with Trump to hail the meeting as productive and reiterate their eagerness to work with the White House. This came one day after Trumps memorandum ordering the imposition of asylum application fees and the use of border cops to determine whether applicants have a credible fear of injury or death in their homeland. It also followed an op-ed column by the Times Thomas Friedman supporting Trumps border wall and Bernie Sanders attack on any policy of open borders. Meanwhile, there is mounting violence and misery along the southern border of the US. Last week, the Border Patrol recovered the body of a ten-month old infant and declared two other children and a man to be missing following the capsizing of a raft bearing nine people seeking to cross the Rio Grande near Eagle Pass, Texas. The missing include a boy and girl, both age 7, who were part of group of immigrants from Honduras. In fiscal 2018, border agents recorded 283 deaths along the US-Mexico border, including drownings, accidents and the discovery of human remains. This grisly statistic is down from a peak of 492 recorded deaths in 2005. These deaths do not include immigrants who have died in the detention camps or while in the care of the US government, such as the 16-year-old Guatemalan boy who died last week while hospitalized with a brain infection. Two new giant tent cities to house hundreds of undocumented immigrants were opened last week in Texas, one near El Paso and the other in the states Rio Grande Valley next to the Donna-Rio Bravo international bridge. The camps are meant to house immigrants for no more than 72 hours, until families are broken up and taken away by either Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or the Department of Health and Human Services. Many of the ICE detention centers are called iceboxes or hieleras by the immigrants because of the freezing temperatures they endure while detained inside them. Physical abuse and sexual violence are rampant in the camps and immigrants may be detained for many days, not just 72 hours. One tent city in Texas was found by the American Civil Liberties Union in 2014 to have problems with bug infestations, overcrowding, overflowing sewage, extreme temperatures and rotten food. None of the 2020 Democratic presidential candidates have made a major issue of Trumps immigration policies. The bipartisan character of the war on immigrants was underscored on Sunday when Trump named Mark Morgan as the new permanent head of ICE. Morgan will replace former acting director Ronald Vitiello, who resigned after Trump refused to make him the permanent head as part of his purge of the immigration apparatus. Morgan was head of the Border Patrol during the last six months of the Obama administration, which carried out the highest number of deportations in US history. Morgan has denounced Congress for failing to gut the so-called Flores Settlement, which limits the length of time the government can detain immigrant children. He is also on record supporting Trumps proposal to send undocumented immigrants detained by ICE to sanctuary cities. Labor leader Bill Shorten made a cynical populist pitch to growing social discontent at the partys official election launch in Brisbane last Sunday. At the same time, he sought to reassure the corporate elite that Labor could form a stable government committed to defending the interests of big business. Shortens duplicitous appeal reflected fears within Labor and the political establishment as a whole over seething anger among broad sections of the working class. Amid record low wage growth, mounting unemployment and social distress, the election campaign has been dominated by hostility to all the major parties. Less than two weeks before the ballot is to be held, polling indicates that neither Labor nor the Liberal-National Coalition are on track to win a clear majority. The balance of power in the Senate, parliaments upper house, will most likely be controlled by right-wing populists and so-called independents. If we win this election, our priority is not making the rich very richer. It is getting wages moving again for working people, Shorten declared. He called for people to Vote for a Labor government to put the health of Australians ahead of the tax rorts at the top end of town. The policies he outlined, however, made clear that this is so much hot air. Labor is absurdly claiming that paltry budget allocations to health and a miniscule increase in tax collected from multinational corporations, will resolve the deepening social crisis confronting millions of working people. The bogus character of Labors promises was made clear by the headline announcement of the launch: a supposed $500 million spend to improve hospital emergency waiting times. Shorten cited figures showing that less than two thirds of patients who arrive at an emergency department, and whose medical condition is deemed urgent, are triaged within the recommended period. He did not mention that this was a product of sweeping cuts to health funding by successive state and federal governments, including the closure of hundreds of hospital beds, by the previous federal Labor government, in which he was a senior minister. Half of the emergency department funding came from the $2.8 billion Better Hospitals Funding, which Labor had already announced. Moreover, the spending is being rolled out over six years, thus amounting to less than $500 million per year across the country. Parts of the $500 million emergency department funding are earmarked for six years, others for four. A substantial portion of the money will not even be spent in the next term of government. In other words, even the inadequate sums outlined by Labor may not ever reach a hospital. According to the Australian Associated Press, Labors expenditure, if it does go ahead, will amount to just $160 million over six years for emergency departments in New South Wales, Australias most populous state. This would be the equivalent of 211 beds, 586 doctors or 1,200 nurses, under conditions of a rapid population growth and a mounting hospitals crisis. In South Australia, only $35 million would be spent over six years, funding 36 beds, 99 doctors or 202 nurses. A report by the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine late last year found the state had the highest emergency department waiting times in the country, at over three hours. As in other states, ambulances routinely park outside emergency departments for hours with patients still inside, due to a lack of beds. Shortens other pledges were no less hollow. He claimed that a Labor government would restore weekend and overtime penalty rates to some low-paid workers, after they were cut by the Fair Work Commission (FWC) in 2017. It was the previous Labor government, however, which created the pro-business FWC and included penalty rates in a list of award entitlements to be reviewed, i.e., slashed. As the former leader of the Australian Workers Union, Shorten is himself implicated in regressive enterprise agreements, which stripped cleaners and other low-paid workers of their penalty rates. Shorten demagogically denounced multinational companies for failing to pay taxes. He pathetically declared that Labor would tighten tax collection rates to net $680 million over forward estimates. This would represent a tiny fraction of the multi-billion dollar annual profits of such companies. The only concrete policies outlined by Shorten, not based on smoke and mirrors, were a series of tax cuts and cash handouts to big business. A Labor government will create an Australian Investment Guarantee allowing businesses to immediately deduct 20 percent of any new investment worth more than $20,000 from their taxes. In a separate scheme, companies with an annual turnover of less than $10 million will be eligible for a 30 percent tax deduction for up to five new workers salaries. Shorten proclaimed that these measures would result in an expansion of full-time, well-paid employment. He made no attempt to substantiate these assertions. In reality, the policies are a transparent pitch to business and will do nothing to reverse declining wages, growing casualisation and increasingly onerous working conditions. Shorten declared Labors policies would be a win for business, a win for the workers and a win for the economy as a whole. He also invoked the legacy of the Labor governments of Bob Hawke and Paul Keating, in office from 1983-1996. The Hawke and Keating governments presided over a series of Accords with big business and the trade unions. These deregulated the economy, smashed up shop stewards committees and other workers organisations and destroyed hundreds of thousands of jobs across manufacturing. Shortens veiled references to this record, further underscore that a Labor government would seek to make the working class pay for the deepening crisis of Australian capitalism. The launch was attended by the past three Labor prime ministers, Keating, Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard. Rudd sat next to Gillard, who ousted him as prime minister in a backroom coup in June 2010. Shorten hailed the unity of the Labor Party that was on display. This was aimed at signalling to the corporate elite that a Labor government would be a stable instrument that could govern in its interests. Shorten contrasted the supposed unity with the deep-going divisions within the Coalition. His claims lay in tatters as soon as the launch was over. Keating approached the media to denounce the intelligence agencies for spearheading a McCarthyite campaign against Chinese influence in Australia. He said that the intelligence chiefs had gone berko in their approach to China, and denounced them as nutters. Keatings comments expressed the fears of a section of the ruling elite that Australias integration into the US confrontation with Beijing threatens lucrative trade and business relationships with China. Shorten immediately distanced himself from Keatings statements, and pledged his fealty to the intelligence agencies. Revealing deep rifts within Labor, prominent MP Anthony Albanese, who has previously contested for the partys leadership against Shorten, implicitly defended Keatings comments saying they expressed broader concerns. The furore, which is part of a debate within the ruling elite over how best to advance the interests of Australian imperialism, lifted the lid on one of the great unmentionables of the election campaign: the bipartisan commitment to place Australia on the frontlines of US preparations for a war with China that threatens a catastrophe. Authorised by James Cogan for the Socialist Equality Party, Suite 906, 185 Elizabeth Street, Sydney, NSW, 2000. On May 1, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (AMLO) signed labor legislation supposedly aimed at creating democratic and independent unions. The bill purportedly would allow workers to use a secret ballot to select union leaders and approve collective contracts. It will also create a federal arbitration board for the resolution of labor-management disputes. The Mexican Senate and Chamber of Deputies overwhelmingly passed the bill in April. The purpose of the labor reform is two-fold. First, the Mexican ruling class seeks to sow illusions in new trade union organizations, such as the newly-founded International Labor Confederation (CIT), that are in reality no different than the corrupt, pro-company unions that already exist in other countries to smother and betray workers struggles, regardless of the manner in which trade union leaders are selected. Four months ago, a wave of strikes hit the maquiladora industry in the border city of Matamoros. To the mortal fear of the ruling class, these struggles erupted in direct opposition to unions affiliated with the largest trade union confederation in Mexico, the Confederation of Mexican Workers (CTM). Thousands of workers took the decisive step of creating independent factory committees, democratically led and elected by workers, to coordinate and lead a struggle against transnational corporations that brutally exploit them in modern-day sweatshops. The open corruption and criminality of Mexicos trade unions is an undisputed fact. The CTM and its affiliates are notorious for signing agreements known as protection contracts that are negotiated behind the backs of workers without their vote, and sometimes even without their knowledge. The CTM has historically been tied to the right-wing Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) and for decades functioned as a pillar of government rule. However, workers must be urgently warned that AMLOs legislation will not improve their living and working conditions. Their exploitation will continue unabated, regardless of what illusion of choice is now presented. Mexican workers need only study the experience of their international counterparts, who won the right to form and elect unions during the first half of the 20th century, but face the same wage cuts, speed-ups, and plant closures under their own nationalist and pro-capitalist trade unions. In fact, when workers in the US and Canada learned of the independent rank-and-file initiative of the Matamoros workers, many responded that they wished to rebel against their own nominally democratic unions! No labor reform will democratize the factories and secure workers their rights, because the source of their exploitation is not fundamentally legal, but economic. An elected trade union official, no matter how sincere he or she might be, immediately confronts capitalist economic and political relations that are considered sacrosanct, including the right of corporations to maximize their profits and remain competitive by extracting as much value from the workers as possible. The choice of a trade union official is worthless when the options facing workers are only over which individual will enforce the diktats of management. In its five-part series Lessons of the Matamoros workers rebellion, the WSWS carried out an extensive historical and political analysis of these independent unions in Mexico and Latin America. Outfits like the CIT and the National Workers Union (UNT) are funded and supported by US and German governments to channel social opposition into the capitalist system, weed out left-wing and socialist-minded workers and politically subordinate them to the interests of imperialism. A second factor behind the enactment of the labor legislation was passage of the new US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Mexican labor reforms were a key demand of the Trump administration, Congressional Democrats, and the US trade union apparatus for agreement on the USMCA, which would replace NAFTA. US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer hailed the new laws by stating, These reforms will greatly improve Mexicos system of labor justice and are exactly what labor leaders in the United States and Mexico have sought for decades." The US government does not have an ounce of concern for the rights of Mexican workers. Latin American workers and youth, who have been the victims of dozens of US-backed dictatorships and are ruthlessly greeted by the modern-day immigration Gestapo at the US-Mexico border, know the true attitude of the US ruling class to their democratic rights. The Trump administration has sought to repackage NAFTA as a more explicit US-led protectionist trade bloc. The labor reforms are seen as nationalist measures to make Mexico a less lucrative investment platform for transnational corporations and increase the competitiveness of US firms. Leading members of the Democratic Party have tried to outflank Trump from the right on trade, claiming that USMCA will only be ratified once there is evidence that the reforms are being implemented. This includes the nationalist democratic socialist Bernie Sanders, who lined up behind efforts to pit Mexican and US workers against each other and line them up behind their own ruling classes. The NAFTA treaty that Trump re-negotiated with Mexico will still allow companies like General Motors to send our jobs to Mexico, said Sanders on April 13. For once in your life, keep your campaign promises go back to the drawing board. An assimilation of the lessons of the Matamoros workers rebellion is urgently needed to understand the way forward. Workers must fight not for new unions, but for rank-and-file workers power that takes as its starting point the objective needs and the social strength of the working class. This will not be granted by AMLO or any other capitalist politician, but must be fought for by the international working class, united under a socialist program and perspective. Will US bombs and missiles soon be raining down on Iran? The dispatch of US warplanes and an aircraft carrier strike group to the Persian Gulf region with the express aim of sending a clear and unmistakable message that Washington is ready to attack Iran, along with other bellicose US actions, indicates that preparations are far advanced for a provocation that couldand most likely wouldtrigger a catastrophic war. On Sunday evening, US National Security Adviser John Bolton announced that the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and US Air Force bombers were being deployed to threaten Iran. Claiming that there were troubling and escalatory indications and warnings, Bolton vowed that any attack on United States interests or those of our allies will be met with unrelenting force. We are fully prepared, added Bolton, to respond to any attack, whether by proxy, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, or regular Iranian forces. Boltons threats were echoed by fellow anti-Iran war-hawk, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. He too advanced a sweeping justification for possible military action against Iran, including any attack on US interests and those of its allies by a long and diverse list of groups that Washington castigates Tehran for backing, from Shia militias in Iraq and Houthi fighters in Yemen to the Palestinian group Hamas and Lebanons Hezbollah. We will hold the Iranians accountable for attacks on American interests, Pompeo told reporters late Sunday, The fact that those actions take place, if they do, by some third-party proxy, whether thats a Shia militia group or the Houthis or Hezbollah, we will hold the IraniansIranian leadershipdirectly accountable for that. With these warnings Washington has effectively proclaimed license to manufacture, at a time of its choosing, a pretext for launching war on Iran. An attack on the interests of the US and its allies could include virtually anything, from a clash between one of the various Shia militias in Iraq and any of the 5,500 US troops that remain stationed there, to the death of an Israeli-American citizen by a crude rocket launched from the Gaza Strip. In Syria, where notwithstanding Trumps pullout announcements, some 2,000 US Special Forces troops and their proxy armies continue to occupy large swathes of the country, the US military has frequently targeted Islamic Revolutionary Guard-supported militias. With these militias remaining in close proximity to US forces, the Pentagon or the CIA could at anytime strike them and label the ensuing clash an Iranian attack. The reckless and criminal character of Washingtons actions cannot be exaggerated. The Middle East is already ablaze as a result of the series of illegal wars the US has led and fomented in the region since 1991. A US attack on Iran, a country far larger and more populous than Iraq, would in all likelihood ignite a regional war, with Israel and Saudi Arabia serving as junior partners of US imperialism while pursuing their own predatory interests, and Syria, Hezbollah, Iraqi Shia militias and others allied with Tehran. Moreover, from the start such a conflagration would threaten to draw in the European imperialist powers, as well as Russia and China, the great powers that Washington now officially designates as its principal strategic adversaries. Because of its role as the worlds most important oil-exporting region and geostrategic significance as the hinge between Europe, Asia and Africa, the interests of all the imperialist and great powers intersect in the Middle East and all would have a massive strategic stake in its repartition through war. War between the US and Iran would also have a colossal impact on class relations within America. The ruling elite would seek to impose the full cost of the war on the working class and criminalize the mass opposition to it that would rapidly emerge. In his Sunday statement, Bolton claimed, The United States is not seeking war with the Iranian regime. This is a brazen lie. In an act tantamount to war under international law, the US has imposed sweeping sanctions on Iran aimed at crashing its economy and bringing about regime-change in Tehran. Last May, Trump abrogated the UN-endorsed nuclear accord, or JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action), which the Obama administration and the other great powers had reached with Iran in 2015, although the International Atomic Energy Agency and all the other parties to the agreementthe European Union, Britain, France, Germany, Russia and Chinaattested that Iran had followed its provisions to the letter. In torpedoing the JCPOA, Trump boasted he would soon impose sanctions even harsher than those with which the US and its European allies had punished Iran from 2011, halving its oil exports and crippling its foreign trade. Last Thursday, the Trump administration dramatically ratcheted up its economic war on Iran, vowing to enforce a complete embargo on Iranian oil and natural gas exports. In November, when it froze Iran out of the world banking system and re-imposed sanctions on Iranian energy exports, Washington provided waivers to eight countries, allowing them to continue to import reduced amounts of Iranian oil and natural gas. Over protestations from the main consumers of Iranian energy exports, including China, India, Japan and Turkey, Trump, Bolton and Pompeo refused to extend any of these waivers when they expired May 2. Washington is now committed to imposing a complete cut-off of Iranian energy exports. Other countries, including China, the largest purchaser of Iranian oil, are to be coerced into compliance with the threat of US secondary sanctions, based on the Federal Reserve Board and Wall Streets domination of the world financial system. The US sanctions have already had a devastating impact on Irans economy, driving up unemployment and fueling a 50 percent increase in prices since the spring of last year, and this in a country long marred by increasing poverty and social inequality. Washingtons preparations for a military provocation against Iran and proclamation of a total banking and energy embargo on Iran in defiance of the world is part of a dramatic escalation of US aggression and militarism around the world, with Washington acting as a power unto itself, dictating to foe and ostensible friend alike. The Trump administration is escalating its offensive against Iran even as it brandishes the threat of a military assault on Venezuela aimed at completing its regime-change coup against the countrys elected president, Nicolas Maduro. On Sunday Trump threatened to raise trade-war tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods to 25 percent and impose tariffs on an additional $200 billion of Chinese exports if Beijing fails to accede to US demands in this weeks trade talks. And on Monday, in a further act of aggression, two US warships sailed near islands in the South China Sea claimed by China, in the Pentagons latest freedom of navigation exercise. The name notwithstanding, these exercises are aimed at asserting the Pentagons right to deploy an armada off Chinas coast. The wars US imperialism has unleashed since 1991, in an attempt to offset the decline in its economic power, have manifestly failed to stop the erosion of US global dominance. But the American ruling class, steeped in financial parasitism and criminality, has no response other than increased aggression and violence. The Democrats have tactical disputes with Trump over foreign policy, including over the wisdom of privileging all-out confrontation with Tehran. But they are no less committed to the pursuit of US global hegemony through aggression and war. In league with sections of the military-intelligence apparatus, they have waged a neo-McCarthyite campaign against Trump, alleging collusion with Russia with the aim of imposing a more aggressive anti-Russia policy on the administration. They also support Trumps offensive against Beijing, underscored by Bernie Sanders recent anti-China tirade. US imperialism, however, is only the leader of the wolf-pack. The European imperialist powers are themselves all frantically rearming and cultivating far-right and fascist parties to intimidate the working class and build a constituency for militarism and war. The oligarchical regimes that arose in Russia and China as a result of the Stalinist bureaucracies restoration of capitalism, for their part, whip up reactionary nationalism while oscillating between military adventurism and desperate attempts to reach an accommodation with Washington and the other imperialist powers. Irans bourgeois nationalist regime, similarly, has no answer to imperialist aggression. The now shredded nuclear accord was only its latest failed attempt to effect a rapprochement with US imperialism. Committed to defending the class privileges of the Iranian bourgeoisie and ideologically founded on Shia populism and nationalism, the Islamic Republic is organically incapable of mobilizing the masses of the Middle East against imperialism. Opposing imperialist aggression and war requires the mobilization of the only social force with the power to overthrow capitalism and the outmoded nation-state system in which it is historically rooted: the working class. The resurgence of the class struggle around the worldas exemplified by the Yellow Vest protests in France, the mass protests in Algeria, the rebellion of the Matamoros workers in Mexico, and the wave of teachers and other strikes in the USis creating the objective basis for the emergence of a working class-led global movement against imperialism and war. Such a movement must unequivocally defend Iran and Venezuela, historically oppressed countries, against US aggression, oppose any and all war preparations against them and fight for the immediate lifting of all sanctions. Based on opposition to all the political parties and organizations of the bourgeoisie, it must unite the struggle against war with the fight to mobilize the international working class against capitalist austerity and social inequality. The Socialist Equality Party will hold its final meetings in the 2019 federal election campaign over the next two weeks. SEP candidates for the Senate and the House of Representatives will speak on the urgent need to build an independent political movement of the working class, based on a socialist and internationalist program, against all the establishment partiesLabor, Liberal and Greensand the myriad right-wing populist formations that their anti-immigrant and xenophobic policies have encouraged. None of these organisations has any solution to the deepening global economic, political and social crisis of capitalism. Their promises amount to empty posturing, as the experience of the past several decades can testify. Over that period, wages for ordinary workers and young people have declined; social services, including public health, education and aged care, have been gutted, while deeply reactionary measures, such as the new foreign interference legislation and the elimination of the right of dual nationals to stand for parliament, have been introduced to attack and destroy fundamental democratic rights. This is part of a turn, by governments internationally, toward authoritarianism, the far-right and to advanced preparations for a new imperialist war. Millions of voters regard politicians with distrust and contempt. So great is the hostility towards the current party leaders that, on the Australian Broadcasting Corporations Voting Compass site none of them scored a pass on either of the two qualities tested: trustworthiness and competence. More than 300,000 voters scored them less than 5 out of 10, with some as low as 1.2. The governments onslaught on democratic rights is expressed most sharply in its refusal to lift a finger against the arrest and jailing of Australian citizen and WikiLeaks founder, Julian Assange. Assanges offence is that he uncovered the war crimes, lies and conspiracies of the major imperialist powers and exposed them to the world. In doing so, he was carrying out his responsibilities as a journalistto stand up for the democratic rights of all to be informed, to freedom of speech, freedom of the press and freedom of expression. That is why the SEP has placed our demand that the Australian government use its legal and diplomatic powers to bring Julian Assange home at the very centre of our election campaign. The defence of democratic rights requires the struggle for socialism: that is, the mobilisation of the Australian and international working class to abolish the moribund capitalist profit system, and establish a workers government, which will expropriate the billionaires and nationalise the major corporations, banks and finance houses, placing them under the democratic control of the working class to fulfil social needs, not private profit. It is these critical issues that will be addressed at the SEPs final election meetings. Details: Sydney Date: Wednesday, May 15 Time: 7pm Place: Boronia Room, Holroyd Centre, 17 Miller Street, Merrylands Tickets: $5/$3 concession Melbourne Date: Sunday, May 12 Time: 2.30pm Place: Broadmeadows Leisure Centre, 41-85 Tanderrum Way, Broadmeadows Tickets: $5/$3 concession On the previous day, the SEP is holding a rally in Melbourne: Free Julian Assange! Defend Democratic Rights! Date: Saturday, May 11 Time: 1pm Place: Hume Global Learning Centre, 1093 Pascoe Vale Rd, Broadmeadows Newcastle Date: Saturday, May 11 Time: 2.30pm Place: North Cessnock Community Hall, Cnr of Church and Jurd St, Cessnock Tickets: $5/$3 concession Brisbane Date: Wednesday, May 15 Time: 7pm Place: SEP Oxley election office, 5/12 Queen St, Goodna, (upstairs, above coffee shop, with lift access), Tickets: $5/$3 concession Authorised by James Cogan for the Socialist Equality Party, Suite 906, 185 Elizabeth Street, Sydney, NSW, 2000. On Saturday, May 4, the International Committee of the Fourth International held the 2019 International Online May Day Rally, the sixth annual online May Day Rally held by the ICFI, the world Trotskyist movement. The rally heard speeches on different aspects of the world crisis of capitalism and the struggles of the international working class from 12 leading members of the world party and its sections and sympathizing organizations around the world. On successive days, the World Socialist Web Site is publishing the texts of the speeches delivered at the rally. Below is the speech delivered by Peter Symonds, national editor of the WSWS (Australia). On Monday, the WSWS published the opening report to the rally, given by David North, the chairman of the international editorial board of the WSWS and national chairman of the Socialist Equality Party (US). ** On May Day 2019, the International Committee of the Fourth International sends its special greetings to Chinese workers and youth on the centenary of the May 4 movement in China. It marked a historic turning point in the struggle against imperialist oppression. On May 4, one hundred years ago, thousands of students took to the streets in Beijing to protest against the outcome of the Versailles Peace Conference, which handed Shandong Province to Japan. The treaty ending World War I also maintained the colonial-style unequal treaties that subordinated China to the imperialist powers. The protest triggered a nationwide movement of workers and youth, not only against imperialist domination, but also against its collaborators in the Beijing government. The protests continued for weeks in the face of police repression. It was part of a broader cultural revolt based on the ideals of the European Enlightenment against the stultifying Confucian traditions that underpinned the rigid hierarchy of Chinese society. Inspired by the socialist internationalism that animated the October Revolution in Russia in 1917, a layer of students and intellectuals turned decisively toward Marxism and the Soviet Union. In July 1921, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) was founded. The Communist Party today has repudiated all of the principles on which it was established. Internationalism was long ago replaced by the reactionary Stalinist theory of Socialism in One Country. The Chinese variant of Stalinism, Maoism, deformed the workers state established after the 1949 Chinese Revolution and proved to be an economic and political dead-end. Maos rapprochement with US President Nixon in 1972 laid the basis for capitalist restoration from 1978 onwards. The Chinese Communist Party does not represent the working class, but the super-rich, who have accrued their obscene wealth through the plunder of state-owned property and the gross exploitation of the working class. Its rule rests ideologically not on socialism, but on Chinese nationalism. It is propped up by a vast police state apparatus to stamp out any signs of anti-government opposition. President Xi used his speech this week to mark the May 4 movement to hail nationalism and patriotism. In contrast to the iconoclasm that marked the 1919 protests, he insisted that young people today had to avoid mistaken thoughts and obey the party. The Communist Party, which was formed in a rebellion against Confucianism, is promoting its return to reinforce the stifling intellectual climate in universities and society as a whole. Capitalist restoration in China resulted in a flood of foreign investment, particularly after the 1989 crackdown on the Tiananmen Square protests signalled that the Stalinist apparatus would stop at nothing to discipline the working class. The Chinese economy has doubled in size every eight years, transforming it into the worlds second largest. The working class, however, has paid a terrible pricejobs with low pay, unhealthy and dangerous conditions, and owners who pay wages late or not at all. There is no right to strike or protest. Millions of rural migrant workers have no residency rights or access to urban services. Social inequality is staggering. China has gone from one of the most equal societies to one of the most unequal countries in the world. It is home to more dollar billionaires than any other country except the United States. While Chinese workers struggle to survive on $370 a month, the wealthiest individual, Tencent Chairman Pony Ma, has a personal fortune of almost $40 billion. Moreover, Chinas economic growth has put it on a collision course with US imperialism that threatens a catastrophic war. The Communist Party has no answers. On the one hand, it kowtows to Washington in the hope that it will buy some time. On the other, it is engaged in an arms race with the US that can end only in conflict and a nuclear disaster for all of humanity. The CCP defends the profit system and is thus incapable of making any appeal to the one social force able to halt the drive to warthe international working class. It requires a unified struggle of workers to abolish capitalism and restructure society along genuinely socialist lines. There are growing signs of a resurgence of working class struggle in China, as is taking place internationally. Workers are courageously taking strike action and organising protests to fight for their democratic and social rights despite the repressive measures of the police, company thugs and state-sanctioned trade unions. In the traditions of the May 4 movement, university students have begun to collaborate with workers in their fight, and have been detained for months for doing so. The critical question is: what political perspective and program will guide the emerging struggles? A fight for social equality and democratic rights means a struggle based on the working class for a socialist future. To clearly see the road forward, it is necessary to understand the past. But the Stalinist bureaucratic apparatus in Beijing has buried the revolutionary history of the Chinese and international working class under a mountain of lies and half-truths. We say to Chinese workers and youth: You have to reclaim that history, for it is the only way that a genuinely revolutionary party can be built in China or any other part of the world. And there is only one source from which the truth can be learnedthe international Trotskyist movement, which has waged a decades-long struggle against all the crimes and betrayals of Stalinism. Learn from the struggles of Chen Duxiu, the leading intellectual figure of the May 4 movement and founding chairman of the Chinese Communist Party, and the other Chinese Trotskyists who opposed Stalins betrayal of the Chinese revolution of 1925-27. They were persecuted, detained and killed for warning workers that Mao Zedong and his fellow Stalinists would lead the 1949 Revolution into a blind alley. President Xi and his fellow dark-suited bureaucrats have at their disposal a vast state apparatus of repression, which they will not hesitate to use. However, as Leon Trotsky explained in the Transitional Program, the founding document of the Fourth International in 1938, The laws of history are stronger than the bureaucratic apparatus. The Chinese working class, which is the largest in the world, numbering in the hundreds of millions, will revolt against the oppressive rule of the Chinese Communist Party. But a revolutionary leadership must be built in advance as part of the International Committee of the Fourth International. We call on Chinese workers and youth todayMay Day 2019to draw inspiration from the determination and courage of those who took part in the May 4 movement 100 years ago. Read the World Socialist Web Site, carefully study the history and program of the ICFI, contact us, and begin the process of building a section of the Fourth International in China. Following the sale of Pulitzer prize-winning newspaper the New Orleans Times-Picayune to a local competitor, the entire staff of the 182-year-old newspaper was told their jobs would be eliminated in 60 days. The media conglomerate Advance Publications, which purchased the New Orleans daily in 1962, sold it to a smaller, Baton Rouge-based newspaper family the Advocate. Last Friday, after announcing the firing of some 200 workers and reporters, the Advocate detailed plans to combine the two papers into a single daily paper using the masthead of both brands and combining their online presence into the Times-Picayune affiliated site nola.com. Before the devastation of Katrina in 2005, the Times-Picayune had a circulation of over 250,000. That dropped to around 85,000 after the storm but the paper won the respect and admiration of the New Orleans community due to its principled and consistent coverage of the storm and its aftermath. This devotion to serving the local community and honest reporting of the devastation following the storm won the paper two Pulitzer prizes. When Katrina hit, the Times-Picayune not only detailed the disaster, it connected us while we were scattered, local attorney and law professor William Quigly told the media. One of the Times-Picayune reporters found out of her firing while receiving a journalism award in New York, Last night, I stood in Pulitzer Hall at Columbia and accepted The Dart Award, Haley Correl tweeted, Today, I ugly cried on an airplane as I heard @NOLAnews was bought and were all losing our jobs in 60 days. The whole newsroom. The move follows previous efforts by the Advance Publications group, owned by the billionaire Newhouse family, to cut back staff and reduce the publications print output to three days a week back in 2012 as part of a general shift away from print toward more online presence and video content. Advance Publications, which owns glitzy, online media group Conde Nast, made similar shifts away from print to video content creation with its other owned properties around the web and, using its Advance Local subsidiary, across the United States local newspaper landscape. This follows the general shift across all printed media to a more digital focus. Between 2014 and 2017 some 5,000 media jobs across the country have been cut, with another 2,400 cuts in 2019 alone. With newspapers across the country shrinking, reporters and photographers are increasingly being downsized in an ever more monopolized online media market. This shift to digital is likely to hurt local publications the most. It has been reported that since 2004, 20 percent of US local newspapers have folded and most are now under the umbrella of major media conglomerates like Advance Publications, which owns local papers in Pennsylvania, Michigan and Alabama, markets where it has pursued similar strategies for cutbacks as in New Orleans. One week after the abortive coup launched by Juan Guaido, the right-wing, US-funded and self-proclaimed interim president of Venezuela, Washington has stepped up its threats of a direct US military intervention. Appearing on ABCs This Week news talk show on Sunday, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo insisted that President Donald Trump has the power to order an invasion of Venezuela without US congressional authorization. The president has his full range of Article 2 authorities, and Im very confident that any action we took in Venezuela would be lawful, Pompeo told ABC. Make no mistake, we have a full range of options that were preparing for, Pompeo said. Diplomatic options, political options, options with our allies, and then ultimately, a set of options that would involve use of US military. Were preparing those for him [Trump] so that when the situation arises, were not flat-footed. Pompeos threats follow a Pentagon meeting last Friday in which Admiral Craig Faller, the chief of the US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), which directs US military operations in Latin America and the Caribbean, was flown to Washington to brief top administration officials, including the secretary of state and national security adviser John Bolton, both principal architects of the Venezuelan regime change operation. Afterwards, Trumps acting defense secretary, Patrick Shanahan, told Pentagon reporters, We have a comprehensive set of options tailored to certain conditions and Im just going to leave it at that. When a reporter pressed as to whether the options under discussion included an invasion of Venezuela, Shanahan replied, Ill leave that to your imagination. All options are on the table. Meanwhile, Guaido told the BBC that he was seriously considering asking the US to launch a military intervention as the only means of placing him in the Miraflores presidential palace. Asked about the US military option, he said he would evaluate all options, adding that it was responsible to evaluate the prospects of an armed US invasion of Venezuela, and that, I, as president in charge of the national parliament, will evaluate all options as necessary. On the one hand, one has in Pompeo, Bolton and other imperialist thugs insisting that a war of aggression to enforce US regime change in a Latin American nation is lawful. On the other, there is the exposure of the supposed champion of democracy in Venezuela, Guaido, as a shameless stooge of Washington, prepared to invite US troops to invade the country. Guaidos mulling over the feasibility of a US invasion follows the abject failure of last Tuesdays coup attempt, in which he appeared together with the leader of his extreme right-wing Voluntad Popular party, Leopoldo Lopez, who had been under house arrest for his part in previous acts of violence, as well as a few dozen armed men in uniforms, outside of the La Carlota air base in eastern Caracas. His call there for the military to rise up and overthrow the government of President Nicolas Maduro failed to evoke any serious split in the armed forces, just as his appeal to the Venezuelan people to storm the air base evoked little popular support. Nonetheless, the attempt demonstrated the readiness of the forces behind Guaido, no doubt including CIA-trained mercenaries, to carry out extreme violence, as heavily armed civilians set up machine-gun positions on an overpass near the targeted air base. The failure of Tuesdays coup attempt was followed by an even more dismal turnout for the right-wing opposition on Saturday, when Guaidos call for Venezuelans to march on military bases and appeal to the armed forces to revolt brought out a few hundred people at best, while soldiers approached by the rightists burned leaflets they were handed. Meanwhile, there has been a flurry of US-Russia discussions over Venezuela, beginning with a 90-minute phone conversation between Trump and Vladimir Putin on Friday, followed by a meeting between Pompeo and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in Finland on Monday. Having blustered the day before in his ABC interview that the Russians must get out of Venezuela, Pompeo appeared smiling with Lavrov following their talk. Guaido, meanwhile, has insisted that, while last weeks coup attempt failed, a new military uprising could be coming. There were people who failed to follow through, he told the AFP in Caracas, claiming that it doesnt mean that they wont do it soon We are very close to achieving change in Venezuela. There are historical precedents for abortive coups being followed by the real thing later on. Such was the case in Chile in June 1973, when a lieutenant colonel led a column of tanks against the presidential palace, the so called tanquetazo revolt against the Popular Unity government of President Salvador Allende, which was quickly put down. The failed attempt, however, proved a dress rehearsal for the successful coup led by General Augusto Pinochet in September1973. It was used to gauge the reaction of the military, the government and the working class organizations. Pinochet would rule the country with a fascist-military dictatorship for the next 16 years. A military revolt to overthrow the Maduro government could provoke a bloody civil war in Venezuela. Its success would undoubtedly impose a savage dictatorship, joining sections of the armed forces with the countrys traditional right-wing oligarchy and US imperialism. Guaido has already spelled out the economic and social objectives of this regime in his so-called Plan Pais, which calls for the privatization of Venezuelas oil reserves, the largest on the planet, and handing them over to the US-based energy conglomerates, starvation wages and the complete subordination of the countrys economy to the austerity adjustment plans of the IMF. Such policies can be implemented only by means of police-state repression. The Venezuelan working class can rely neither upon the Maduro government nor the high command of the countrys military to defeat the conspiracies of Washington and its puppet Guaido. Both have defended the existing capitalist order in Venezuela, and the interests of both the boliburguesia of financial speculators, government officials and contractors, and those of the banks and transnationals, such as Chevron and Halliburton, while workers have seen their living standards decimated. The only progressive answer to the increasingly dangerous crisis unfolding in Venezuela lies in the independent political intervention of the working class, fighting for the arming of the masses, the seizure of bourgeois property and foreign capitalist holdings and the placing of the countrys vast oil wealth under popular control. The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature. Workers at Airbus Montreal facility repudiate union-backed, concessionary contract Seventy-three percent of the 1,000 Airbus (formerly Bombardier) employees assigned to the construction of the A220 medium-range jet voted on April 27 to reject a tentative contract settlement. Subsequently, they voted by 98.6 percent in favour of giving the International Association of Machinists (IAM) a strike mandate. The union backed the companys offer on the claim that it provided job security. It included a derisory 2 percent wage increase per year for 3 years, the loss of two out of six sick days, increased drug insurance premiums for workers and would have opened the door to outsourcing. The pension plan remained unchanged, but with no new indexation. Explaining what lay behind their dissatisfaction, several employees interviewed by the Canadian press noted that Bombardier had demanded many sacrifices from workers over the years to save the C Series (of which the A220 is part) while senior management was rewarded with massive bonuses. Bombardier transferred control of the C Series to Airbus in June 2018. As a result, the Bombardier/Airbus workforce, which had previously formed one group, were split into two units: Bombardier workers and those of a new partnership comprised of Airbus, Bombardier and the Government of Quebec. The two groups of workers work in the same facilities but no longer have the same conditions. Airbus management deplored the workers decision to vote down its offer, but pledged to work in close collaboration with its union partners to find a solution. Saskatchewan public workers rally ahead of strike deadline Hundreds of members of the Unifor union rallied at Wascana Park In Regina over the weekend as the deadline for legal strike action approaches for workers employed at Saskatchewan public utilities. Some 5,000 workers at SaskTel, SaskEnergy, SaskPower, SaskWater, the Saskatchewan Water Authority, Directwest and SecurTek are working with expired contracts. Unifor has accused the province of offering an insulting wage increase. The conservative government of Saskatchewan has maintained wage freezes in the public sector for years. Despite bluster by Unifor about a province-wide strike, negotiations have dragged on without any progress since January. Latin America Mexican teachers and students protest education reforms Teachers and students marched to the local Congress building in Chilpancingo, Guerrero, Mexico May 2 to protest the education reforms being pursued by successive governments. The teachers, members of the Guerrero State Education Workers Coordinator (CETEG), were joined by teacher-training students in a two-day strike and protest actions called by the National Education Workers Coordinator. On arrival at the Congress, the protesters forced their way through the entrance and denounced legislators for not calling for the abrogation of the pro-business, anti-teacher reforms. Government officials and the media sermonized about the need for constructive dialogue, i.e. more talk and temporizing while the measures go forward. CETEG and CNTE spokespeople stated that the strike and protests were decided on at a recent national CNTE congress and that another strike is scheduled for May 15 and 16. Truck drivers in Dominican Republic poised to strike over regulations On May 3, the Dominican Transport Federation (FENATRADO) announced that its affiliated truck drivers are set to go on indefinite strike today, May 7. The strike was called to protest new regulations issued by the General Directorate of Transit and Ground Transport (DIGESETT), one of which will impose fines for tires determined by DIGESETT agents to be in poor condition. FENATRADO president Ricardo de Los Santos, denouncing the persecution and arbitrariness of the agency, told reporters that the standard of thickness of tire tread by which DIGESETT will fine the truckers4.5 mmis much higher than the 2.5 mm international standard. In addition to demanding that the international standard be used, truckers will also call for transparency in the setting of the price of fuel. Jamaican academic staff strike over non-implementation of salary increase Around 500 members of the academic staff at the University of Technology (UTech) in Kingston, Jamaica walked off the job April 30. The workers are members of the UTech Academic Staff Union (UTASU), which called the walkout to protest the non-implementation of a raise agreed in the 2015/2017 Heads of Agreement. UTASU head Lebert Langley told rjrnewsonline.com reporters that the workers would stay out until they get a settlement of the item related to their salary adjustment and a clear timetable and a schedule that will indicate when these objectives will be met. The UTech administration and the Finance Minister have proposed ending the strike and holding a meeting, supposedly to resolve the issue. So far, the striking workers have held to their decision to remain out until their demand is met. Antiguan airport workers stage go-slow and sit-in over back pay, salaries Workers for the Antigua and Barbuda Airport Authority (ABAA) staged a go-slow on April 30 followed by a sit-in the next day to press their demands for payment of overdue wages and a salary increase. The ABAA has been dragging its feet in the release of an audit to the workers union, the Antigua and Barbuda Workers Union (ABWU), and on the other issues. These actions slowed operations at the V.C. Bird International Airport northeast of the capital St Johns. The ABWU has complained of ABAA management delaying action on the demands, yet on May 1 the union ordered the workers back on the job, with ABWU general secretary David Massiah saying, The Board acceded to our concerns and they expressed a number of issues which we will meet again to discuss. Massiah did not elaborate on the issues that were according to him resolved and the ones remaining to be addressed. Uruguayan anesthesiologists announce new three-day strike action over representation demands The Surgical Anesthesiologist Syndicate (SAQ) in Uruguay announced on May 2 that it would carry out a three-day nationwide strike beginning May 7. The main demand is the same as the previous four-day strike last month: that the SAQ be granted the right to represent itself and not under the umbrella of the Medical Syndicate of Uruguay (SMU), which they claim does not fight for their interests. The SAQ claims that their salaries have been cut 10 percent due to the SMUs negotiations with the national Salary Council. As is usually the case with medical professional strikes, surgeries will be suspended during the strike days except for emergency and oncology interventions. The United States New York City Pre-k strike cancelled A strike scheduled for May 2 by New York City early childhood educators who work for community-based organizations (CBO) and Head Start programs was suddenly canceled by AFSCME District Council 1707. The Pre-Kindergarten teachers were demanding wage parity with Pre-K teachers working in public schools under the Department of Education and are members of the United Federation of Teachers (UFT). Although the wage parity demand had been raised for years, the strike authorizations were made in the hope that increased opportunity existed to pressure the city government for funds because of the extension planned by Mayor de Blasio of free Universal Pre-Kindergarten availability from four-year olds to three year-olds, along with concurrent City Council annual budget negotiations. DC 1707 had only planned a one-day strike rally at City Hall and then instructed only the Head Start teachers in Local 95, who work in Head Start, to stay out while telling the larger group of Local 205 members, who work for CBOs, to remain at work because they would be violating the labor contract with Day Care Council of New York, representing the daycare centers, that runs to 2020. With no guarantee of funding for wage increases, DC 1707 accepted the offer of the de Blasio Administration to begin negotiations with employer representatives. The lower wages among the non-public Pre-K schools has created a large turnover of its teachers to jobs in the public schools. The use of public funding of private sourcing for public services in New York City has similarly resulted in low-pay for school bus drivers and attendants that has resulted in large turnover, resulting in worker shortages, inexperienced drivers, more children late to school, and less safe transportation. Illinois plant workers strike over company spying and intimidation Workers at the U.S. Silica plant in Utica, Illinois walked off the job over company attempts to intimidate workers who discussed contract negotiations. The International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 150 called the unfair labor practices strike and filed charges alleging that the 26 workers were unlawfully interrogated and surveilled while participating in federally protected union activity. The IUOE is currently in contract talks with U.S. Silica and has been without a contract since January 1 of this year. Negotiations are ongoing. U.S. Silica is considered a premier provider of silica sand for a wide variety of uses including oil and gas, chemicals, foundry and industrial filtration. It was ranked by Fortune magazine as number 43 among the top 50 fastest-growing companies based on a three-year period of profit, revenue and stock growth. By Express News Service After being duped of their money by fraudulent promoters, homebuyers of bankrupt Amrapali group have received fresh hope. Forensic auditors examining the case say that Rs 9,590 crore can be recovered from the group, which may solve the problem of raising the funds necessary to complete work on thousands of apartments. Homebuyers in the groups projects have also met the Secretary of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) seeking a probe into the misuse of funds by promoters. The company is already under the scanner, but despite gross violations in corporate governance, no concrete action has been initiated so far by investigative agencies. As per the auditors, it is possible to raise the required funds to complete the stuck projects. The money trail is clear and the entire diverted capital can be brought back. The assets of the group can also help raising money. Together, this will come to around Rs 9,500 crore, which is a decent amount to complete stuck projects, a senior official from the NBCC pointed out. In January this year, the Supreme Court had given the go-ahead to state-owned National Building Construction Corporation (NBCC) to complete two of the groups stalled projects. NBCCs appointment by the top court came after the company proposed to complete Amrapalis 16 stuck projects, comprising 46,575 flats, within 36 months at a construction cost of Rs 8,500 crore. According to the report submitted by the forensic auditors to the court last week, the promoters and top officials of Amrapali Group had diverted thousands of crores of homebuyers money to fund personal expenses and for building their own business empire. The audit report also reveals that around Rs 3,500 crore of homebuyers money was diverted by the Amrapali top brass, with this money spent on houses, luxury cars and weddings among other things. Some of this money was also invested in shares and mutual funds. In September 2017, a bench of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) had initiated insolvency proceedings at the behest of Bank of Baroda against Amrapali Infrastructure for dues of over Rs 50 crore. Meanwhile, homebuyers of Amrapalis Dream Valley project, comprising around 11,000 unfinished flats, moved the Supreme Court against the decision claiming that their interests wouldnt be protected if insolvency proceedings are initiated. 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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 Express News Service NEW DELHI: The US on Monday made it clear that it could not assure India of any concessional crude oil sales to make up for the loss of cheap Iranian supplies.Oil is owned by private people, so the government cannot force people to make concessionary price, US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said here after a meeting with finance minister Arun Jaitley. However, the US assured Indian officials here that it would ensure adequate supplies to crude purchasers in collaboration with its allies in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. India stopped contracting oil shipments from Iran this weekend following the end of a waiver by the US to its earlier unilateral sanctions on oil sales by the West Asian country. India was the second biggest buyer of Iranian crude oil after China, buying some 24 million tonnes of crude from Iran in 2018-19. Ross also met commerce minister Suresh Prabhu for an India-US Bilateral Trade meeting here on Monday. Ross is believed to have flagged concern about Indias e-commerce policy, which could impact US retail giants, including Amazon and Walmart. India and the US are locked in protracted negotiations over complaints by both sides over tariff barriers. The US is concerned by rules over data localisation and quotas for e-commerce firms to sell Indian goods. The two sides also discussed various outstanding trade issues (and) agreed to deepen economic cooperation and bilateral trade by ensuring greater cooperation amongst stakeholders, including government, businesses and entrepreneurs. Top commerce ministry officials said they had made offers of duty cuts on high-end automobiles, mobile phones and other high-value products the US is interested in, besides easing of rules to allow US agricultural products greater access to the Indian market. The talks come after President Donald Trump warned in a tweet he would raise tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese products to 25 per cent from 10 per cent, starting Friday. Give and take The Americans have been demanding cuts in import duties for agriculture goods, dairy products, medical devices, IT and communication items. India, on its part, wants easier access to H1B visas, rules for which are being slowly tightened by the US. Besides, it wants USAs GSP privilege, which India enjoys, allowing it to sell certain products at lower tariffs, to continue. By Express News Service BENGALURU: Panic gripped the residents of one of Bellandurs upmarket apartments after a WhatsApp message began doing the rounds, that police officials had visited their apartment to inform them that a terrorist was holed up in one of the flats. The security agency in charge had been instructed to conduct stringent checks and take details of bachelors in the complex, the message added. Dear All, A police officer from Bellandur police station came to the apartment (name withheld on request) today morning to inform the residents on a terrorist being holed up. The residents/security were instructed by the police to carry out stringent scanning/monitoring process before allowing tenants/visitors occupation especially bachelors into our complex.....Request everyones co-operation in maintaining safety & security here, read the message. Reading this message early in the morning, we panicked, said Roopa K, a resident of the apartment. She said the message started circulating in the apartment group first, and then it was all over social media. Initially, we didnt believe it, but then it also had the number of our beat policeman, who is in touch with us regularly. We started calling him and also checking with neighbours if they had seen any officer, she explained. Incidentally, a regular police beat meet was held in the apartment complex recently. There was a second part to the message. ....terrorists were spotted in Bangalore and they plan to do something worse in next 15 days, primarily in IT companies in Whitefield and Bellandur .... so as residents please be alert and anyone notice these guys and any info please contact the police immediately ...(sic), it read. The message also contained pictures of a few people, who were called terrorists. Meanwhile, a bachelor in the apartment said, on condition of anonymity, It felt like everyone was looking at me and my roommates with suspicion. Especially due to our religion. It was a very uncomfortable scenario. We were glad when there was a clarification from the police about the message. It was later known that some miscreants turned the regular beat policing event into a terror alert and created panic, Sandhya, a resident, said.Police later instructed all residents and association members to immediately delete the message. ITS A FAKE, TWEETS TOP COP Police commissioner T Suneel Kumar, too, put out a tweet saying it was a fake message and the public should ignore it. He told TNIE that though police had not received a complaint in this regard, they would trace the origin of the message, and if anyone lodges a complaint about their photograph being used, an inquiry would be conducted. There is no such information or search happening in any apartment, he added. The 13th District in Budapest has invited bids for the construction of a 35-home passive house one which requires minimal energy for heating and cooling at Jasz utca 35, according to the EU public tender website. The ultra-low energy house with 4,308m2 of available space must be erected on the 1,258m2 site within 13 months. The underground garage has spaces for 35 cars. Bids must be filed by June 4. The district had a 100-home passive house built on Reiter Ferenc utca for Ft 2.3 billion in 2014, and another last year with 23 units on Kartacs utca at a cost of Ft 961 million. By Express News Service BENGALURU: On Tuesday, lakhs of Bengalureans will make a beeline for their favourite jewellery shop to purchase gold. In the midst of all the excitement, there will be a few criminals looking to hoodwink the shopkeepers and escape without paying, the city police has warned. Considered one of the most auspicious days to buy gold, Akshaya Tritiya attracts miscreants every year and this year too, the police have asked people to be careful about people who might trick shop owners or gullible customers and rob their jewellery. Speaking to The New Indian Express, City Police Commissioner T Suneel Kumar said, Senior police officers in all zones have been instructed to increase vigilance in areas around jewellery shops. I have also instructed them to increase the movement of Hoysala vehicles in and around areas where jewellery shops are located. Beat policemen have been asked to stop anyone suspicious, he said. Meanwhile, jewellery shops have been instructed to ensure that their private security personnel are always on guard and also ensure that their customers, who have bought gold, reach their cars, auto rickshaws or vehicles safely. They have also been instructed to ensure that CCTV cameras are working and are always switched on.We have instructed shop owners to be wary of people who unnecessarily wander inside the shop seeking to see jewels. In case of any suspicious activity, they should immediately inform police, Kumar explained. Meanwhile, police said gang members like the OG Kuppam gang, notorious for their attention diversion techniques, will be highly active during such days and they might play tricks by throwing Rs 10 or Rs 100 note, and might divert the attention of a person with jewellery. People should not fall for such tricks or stop on their way from the shop to their residences unnecessarily. They have to be careful and not make any big announcements about their purchases, the commissioner said. Meanwhile, the manager of a famous jewellery shop in Jayanagar said, We have made a lot of pre-bookings and we expect a huge rush tomorrow. We have made all the necessary security arrangements. Takarekbank, the new universal commercial bank of Hungarys integrated savings cooperatives, launched on Monday with 139 branches in seven of Hungarys 19 counties as well as the capital. The lender, created from the merger of Mohacsi Savings Bank, Pannon Savings Bank and B3 Savings Cooperative, has more than 140,000 retail and 28,000 corporate clients. The ratio of agribusinesses among the corporate clients stands close to 10%. Takarekbank also serves 173 local councils. By the end of October, eleven more savings cooperatives as well as Takarek Commercial Bank, formerly called FHB Bank, will merge with Takarebank, giving it more than 1 million clients and lifting its total assets over 2,300 billion forints (EUR 7bn). With 750 branches, it will have the countrys largest banking network. Takarek group, which, in addition to Takarekbank, counts eleven regional savings cooperatives, Magyar Takarekszovetkezeti Bank (MTB) and savings cooperative integrator SZHISZ among its members, has total assets of close to 2,500 billion forints. Its market share is over 6.5%, making it the fourth-biggest banking group in Hungary. MTI Photo: Mathe Zoltan V4 Startup Force, a programme for the development and international expansion of startups from the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia was launched in Budapest on Monday, the organiser Design Terminal told MTI. One startup of each country will go on a networking tour in the Visegrad countries to build their networks with local businesses and startups, it said. The participating startups offer IT solutions to filmmakers, for quality assurance, security and marketing purposes, Design Terminal said. The International Visegrad Fund has funded the project. Photo courtesy of Design Terminal Here's a quick Q&A with Venezuelan-born Luis C Cano who is promoting expat voter registration in Hungary as part of the "Jovokepzo" ("Future Trainer") initiative. In case you didn't know, elections for European Parliament will be held on 26 May, and expats from EU countries who are residents of Hungary can choose if they would like to vote in their home countries or for a Hungarian party list. What's your background, what makes you passionate about politics in Hungary and the European Union? Luis C Cano: I am a lawyer in human rights and constitutional law with Venezuelan roots. I moved to Budapest due to the economic and political crisis in Venezuela and completed my studies at Central European University ten years ago. Having survived populism and realizing the direction in which Hungary and many other European countries are heading, made me appreciate how important it is to fight to defend the European project. Nothing is for granted, populism and hate have the power to undermine our democratic values, we shall not let it happen. As an expat who has recently done the citizenship process to become a Hungarian I am convinced it is my responsibility to prevent the dangers of populism in my new home. I already lost one country and I am not going to lose another one! Not without a fight! The elections for the European Parliament traditionally have very low voter turnout. Why should we care about them? The European Union has a major positive impact on our life and we might be taking it for granted. From what we eat, to how we move and how we interact with each other. On top of that, all the companies I have worked for have been multinationals with offices all over Europe, which is possible thanks to the Union. The EU's freedom of movement allows expats in Hungary to work, study, live and love here, just as it grants these opportunities to Hungarian citizens in other EU countries. It is worth fighting for this by supporting parties that aim to strengthen the European project instead of dismantling it. Has there been any event that motivated you to become active in this cause? And what exactly do you do to support it? My university was recently forced to move out of the country due to the pressure from the Hungarian government and this was also a trigger to understand that we as Europeans cannot take democracy or our freedoms for granted. Thus, I have become part of an education program under the foundation of a local political party, Momentum Mozgalom. Even when not being a party member, the foundation shares my values of liberalism, respect of the rule of law and critical thinking. Our initiative is named Jovokepzo, the name in English would be "Future trainer." We joined the #ThisTimeImVoting campaign to get expats and Hungarians abroad out there to vote. We organize workshops and produce videos and material online to inform people how to get register and vote in Hungary or abroad in the EU elections. What are the requirements for voting and what do expats have to do to register for the election? The registration is open to expats from EU member states who have a Hungarian address card and are at least 18 years old. The request can be submitted online or by post, which we explain in a YouTube video. It is important that the request is sent before this Friday, 10 May, which is the deadline for registering. As for Hungarians living abroad, the same participation restrictions apply, and their process of registration has to be in front of the Hungarian diplomatic representation offices as indicated in this video. We have made these videos to increase voter turnout and demystify the burden of registering while living out of the borders of your own country. Momentum also has put a lot of work into engaging expats and Hungarians to vote as the turnout in Hungary is below the European average at 29%. The party and its foundation have created much information material including a well updated website to inform voters on how to better engage. Exercising your right to vote can have a huge impact and save Europe from those willing to destroy it. I can only use the slogan of our organization to encourage you all to be active citizens: Feel Europe, Think future, Vote Local! Register here to vote in the European Parliament elections before Friday, May 10. 2-Year-Old Kentucky Boy Is Mauled to Death by 'Ferocious' Pit Bull Who Had Attacked Him Previously 2-Year-Old Kentucky Boy Mauled to Death by Pit Bull A 2-year-old Kentucky boy is dead after a pit bull that was known to be aggressive mauled the child inside his home despite the valiant efforts of neighbors who eventually scared the dog away, multiple outlets report. On Thursday morning, just before noon, the boys grandmother raced to a nearby house in west Louisville, banging on the door and screaming for help, neighbor Shelby Chadwell told local stations WLKY and WDRB. It was a ferocious dog, Chadwell told WDRB, adding that her cousin bashed sticks together to scare the dog away. Chadwell immediately started performing CPR on the severely wounded child. Several officers who arrived also performed CPR on the child before he was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he died 75 minutes later, WDRB reports. It was not immediately clear who owned the dog. The Louisville Metro Police Department, Louisville Metro Animal Services, and the Jefferson County Coroners Office did not immediately respond to PEOPLEs calls for comment. Louisville Metro Animal Services takes the pit bull into custody | WDRB On Friday, the coroners office identified the child as Isaiah Geiling, age 2, WAVE 3 News, WLKY and WDRB report. The childs grandmother, Cynthia Coy, says her grandsons death comes just two weeks after the dog had attacked the boy, WLKY reports. About three weeks ago, he had attacked him and got his ear, Coy told WLKY. We even have a picture of it. So, obviously, the dog has attacked him before. Why it happened again, Im not aware. The child died from multiple blunt force injuries, according to the coroner, WAVE 3 News reports. The attack happened around Noon May 2 at a home in the 3800 block of Grand Ave. https://t.co/wshn56JGmW wave3news (@wave3news) May 4, 2019 Homicide detectives are investigating the childs death, Lt. Emily McKindley of the LMPD Homicide Unit told WDRB. Authorities do not yet know what triggered the dog or how many times it bit the child, she told the outlet. Story continues Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Click here to get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the True Crime Newsletter. The deadly attack left the neighborhood reeling. A lot of people are pretty shook up having to go through that and experience that, including our officers, McKindley told WLKY. Authorities are working to determine if any charges will be filed, she said. The dog, known around the neighborhood to be aggressive, was taken into custody by animal services, WLKY reports. It will be quarantined for 10 days, while officials evaluate it and review its background, WDRB reports. The dog will be euthanized after 10 days if it is declared a potential (sic) dangerous animal, animal services spokeswoman Teeya Barnes said, WDRB reports. (This post contains spoilers for Avengers: Endgame. Because Spider-Man: Far From Home takes place after it and the trailer addresses certain major events that took place in that movie.) Avengers: Endgame made some big, big changes to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and judging from the second trailer for Spider-Man: Far From Home, a big part of Peter Parkers (Tom Holland) second standalone movie is going to be about how those changes play out for everyone moving forward. The trailer still clearly held back some of the films twists especially about Quentin Beck, a.k.a. Mysterio (Jake Gyllenhaal) but it has enough serious-sounding references to Endgame that it came with a spoiler warning. So theres surprisingly a lot we can infer from the trailer, so lets get to that now. 1. The MCU goes all in on the multiverse or does it? According to Nick Fury (Samuel L Jackson), after Bruce Banner and Tony Stark undid Thanos snap with snaps of their own in Avengers: Endgame, it tore a hole in our dimension which, were told, is how someone like Quentin Beck, who appears to have incredible powers, ended up here. And its true that the creation of parallel universes was expressly mentioned as a likely side-effect of the time heist shenanigans from Endgame. Also Read: 'Spider-Man: Far From Home' Second Trailer Ushers In the Multiverse (Video) One thing about bringing the multiverse into the MCU is that Marvel films now have an even easier way to explain characters with incredible powers than just saying they were exposed to an Infinity Stone. So it certainly looks like extradimensional stuff is going to play a big role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which makes sense as the franchise is supposed to be leaning hard into Marvels weird cosmic stuff in Phase 4 or whatever the next stage of the MCU is called. Unless, of course, the whole parallel universe thing is subverted somehow. spider-man far from home second trailer mysterio multiverse 2. Is Quentin Beck really from another dimension? Story continues Both Far From Home trailers want audiences to think Mysterio is a new superhero, possibly even someone who might fill the void left by the death of Iron Man, and the latest trailer adds the twist that hes apparently from another dimension. But comics fans know that the comic-book version of Mysterio is actually one of Spider-Mans oldest archenemies who not only isnt remotely a superhero, hes also not even super. Hes just a former Hollywood special-effects guy who turns to a life of crime and uses his professional skill set to fake his apparent powers. Were going to assume that ultimately Mysterios Far From Home story is gonna play out similarly, the only question being precisely how. Of course, its impossible to know until we see Spider-Man: Far From Home for ourselves, but there are plenty of reasons to think that the multiverse angle in this movie could be nothing more than a con job by Mysterio. For a much lengthier discussion of Mysterio as a character and the various scenarios that could play out with his supposedly extradimensional origins, check out our deep dive here. Also Read: What You Need to Know About Mysterio and the Elementals in 'Spider-Man: Far From Home' 3. The Far From Home subtitle has another meaning The title of the movie, Spider-Man: Far From Home, obviously refers to the fact that Spidey is operating in Europe, which is not near his home in New York. But clearly it also is referring to Mysterio, allegedly marooned in the wrong universe. Thats clever. 4. Captain Marvel has her nickname finally Despite the fact that there was already a movie called Captain Marvel, and the character Carol Danvers (Brie Larson) also appeared in Avengers: Endgame, the Captain Marvel name has not been mentioned on screen yet in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It seemed, really, that she just had not gotten her nickname yet at all, but what other conclusion could we draw from the fact that no one has said it yet? But in this new Far From Home trailer, Peter just casually refers to her as Captain Marvel. So I guess she did get her name at some point. Also Read: These Are the Time Travel Rules of 'Avengers: Endgame' 5. Iron Man has become kind of a godlike figure because of his snap Tony Stark is dead, and people are putting up murals of him in his armor all over the place. Everywhere I go, I see his face, Peter says at the beginning of this trailer. And we see several memorials and murals throughout the trailer. Iron Mans legacy is strong, as it should be. 6. Theyre still doing that teen comedy thing While the bulk of the trailer is very dramatic in tone, it does slip in a little bit of the teen comedy vibe that made Spider-Man: Homecoming so charming. So if you were worried that Far From Home was gonna be all heavy action and discussions of extradimensional threats, you can relax because this is still going to be a movie about teenagers hitting each other in the nuts as well. 7. This basically looks a lot like an Iron Man movie Theres a lot of stuff in here about Spider-Man, sporting the Iron Spider armor early on, possibly serving as a sort of heir to Iron Mans legacy. And it makes sense, considering he was literally Tony Starks protege and Tony served as a sort of father figure to him. But beyond just that, it looks like Far From Home will feature Happy Hogan (Jon Favreau) heavily which is pretty notable considering Happy was Tonys security chief through all the Iron Man movies. Presumably Happy will be introducing Peter to all the crazy stuff Tony was developing for him to use and maybe even giving him the tools to step into Tonys scientist boots. And if it turns out that the entire Elemental threat is just some stuff cooked up by Mysterio, this could be an Iron Man 3-type reversal were in store for. spider-man far from home trailer peter wears tony's glasses 8. Peter wears Tonys smart glasses In a sweet nod in a single shot late in the trailer, we see Peter sporting a distinctive pair of sunglasses yes, these are Tony Starks signature smart glasses that he wore when he wanted to make use of the capabilities of his AI program Friday while not in his armor. Why Peter has them and what hell use them for is unclear, but at minimum it seems like itll be a nice moment. 9. Still no hint at the impact of bringing back half the universe five years later One of the biggest mind-screws of Avengers: Endgame is the solution the Avengers came up with to undo Thanos universe-wide genocide. Early on, the film skips forward five years into the future, and now Tony Stark and Pepper Potts have a 5-year-old daughter, Morgan, so that Tony doesnt want to simply reset the timeline and lose the five years he had with her. So instead, he and the unsnapped Avengers decide to bring everyone wiped out of existence back to life in their present day. In other words, everyone dusted by the snap is the same age they were when the snap happened and everyone else is 5 years older. Its a logistical nightmare to bring back so many people to a world that is no longer built to support them. The Far From Home trailer doesnt mention anything about the time skip or the new, weird-as-hell mini generation the Avengers created or how Peter Parker managed to return to his old high school (and how many of his classmates are still his same age). But we do see that the film definitely takes place after the events of Endgame, since Tony is dead. The only thing we know for sure is that, fortunately for Peter Parkers love and social life, it appears that every single important supporting character from Homecoming was dusted along with him, so at least there wont be any awkward age gap between him and his love interest, MJ (Zendaya). Whew! Read original story Spider-Man: Far From Home': 9 Things We Learned From the Spectacular Second Trailer At TheWrap Nine months after getting engaged on The Bachelorette, Becca Kufrin and Garrett Yrigoyen are adjusting to domestic life together. The former Bachelorette star, 29, and her fiance, 30 who popped the question on season 14 of the ABC reality series recently moved in together in the San Diego, California, area. And while Kufrin is happily in love with Yrigoyen, shes quickly learned that they have different at-home rhythms. Its been a change! Because Ive never lived anywhere other than Minnesota and Ive never lived with a partner before, Kufrin tells PEOPLE. I was very independent and used to living on my own, so its been different to adapt to someone elses lifestyle. She adds, Garrett and I are just completely different in everything. Im very organized and so when I come home, I like to put everything in a proper place and put it away, so you dont see it. Garrett Yrigoyen and Becca Kufrin | Becca Kufrin/Instagram RELATED ARTICLE: Becca Kufrin And Garrett Yrigoyen House Hunting in San Diego, Reveal Wedding Is Far in The Future Hes more of a type of person to come home and throw his keys, his wallet and his receipts everywhere, she says of Yrigoyen, and I feel like Im always picking up after him! Although its been a transition for the lovebirds, its been a positive experience overall. Hes so adventurous and really pushing me outside of my comfort zone to try new things, so its been fun, she says. Im an Aries and hes a Pisces, so hopefully those are compatible! Kufrin says. Becca Kufrin and Garrett Yrigoyen | Becca Kufrin/Instagram RELATED ARTICLE: Bachelorette Becca Kufrin Gets a Lap Dance From Fiance Garrett Yrigoyen at Chippendales Show In March, Kufrin celebrated the pairs 1-year dating anniversary with a loving post, saying of Yrigoyen: You had my heart since the very beginning, and I love and value you so much. And while theyre looking forward to tying the knot in the future, they arent in any rush to wed. No weddings plans, no dates. Were kind of just playing it by ear and taking it day by day, says Kufrin. We literally just figured out where we want to live and moved in together! Health Eat This, Not That! The Omicron variant of COVID-19 has surged worldwide in record timeit was only three weeks ago that the first case was identified in South Africa. Last week, it accounted for 73% of new COVID infections in the United States, according to the latest CDC data. It's highly contagiousscientists estimate it's twice as transmissible as the Delta variant, which itself was twice as transmissible as the original COIVD strainwhich calls for an abundance of caution. How do you know if you've been infect Nick Di Paolo made the Photoshop fail to end all Photoshop fails. The comedian posted his new comedy special to YouTube on Monday and key art features a photo of Di Paolo giving a group of young protestors the middle finger. But comedy writer/producer Sachi Ezura noticed that one of the people in the photo [] Nick Di Paolo Nick Di Paolo made the Photoshop fail to end all Photoshop fails. The comedian posted his new comedy special to YouTube on Monday and key art features a photo of Di Paolo giving a group of young protestors the middle finger. But comedy writer/producer Sachi Ezura noticed that one of the people in the photo was Muhiyidin Moye (also known as Muhiyidin dBaha) a black activist who was killed in New Orleans in February 2018 at the age of 32. The guy in the Black Lives Matter shirt is activist Muhiyidin Moye who was shot and killed last year, Ezura wrote, but yeh sure, use him as your prop in a shitty photoshop job to demonstrate how edgy and brave you are. The guy in the Black Lives Matter shirt is activist Muhiyidin Moye who was shot and killed last year. but yeh sure, use him as your prop in a shitty photoshop job to demonstrate how edgy and brave you are. pic.twitter.com/jMqc1xSdmg Sachi Ezura (@misstrionics) May 7, 2019 Di Paolo responded to the tweet a few hours later, saying, I did not know that as I found it online in stock photos. Looking into changing it as we speak. My apologies. Muhiyidin made national headlines in 2017 when he leaped over police tape to snatch a Confederate flag during a protest in Charleston, South Carolina. The post Comedian Nick Di Paolo Apologizes for Promoting Comedy Special With a Photo of Him Flipping Off a Black Activist Who Was Murdered appeared first on The Blast. Then It Fell Apart, Mobys second memoir, sees the musician sharing anecdotes from his childhood alongside the tales of decadence and debauchery that hallmarked his foray into commercial success upon the release of his 1999 album, Play. The dual-narrative element intimately introduces Moby as he existed in two different stages of his life. Images of an imaginative boy growing up on welfare in Connecticut and a globally renowned solo artist with a penthouse and a penchant for vodka are vividly painted in tandem, offering readers an unfiltered look at who he was and who he became. What lies within the pages of Then It Fell Apart are stories that are humorous, heartfelt, heartbreaking, and above all else, revealing. Readers are given a front row seat to Mobys childhood growing up around a rotating cast of hippies, his friendship with former neighbor David Bowie, his candid battle with mental health, and, of course, his infamous Donald Trump knob touch. The level of honesty Moby poured into each page fills the book with memorable moments from cover to cover. While there are plenty worth mentioning, here are five of the most interesting reveals Moby shares in Then It Fell Apart. Moby - Then It Fell Apart __________________________________________________________ Moby unknowingly saved his mothers life Then It Fell Apart chronicles Mobys childhood in Connecticut, where he moved after his father passed when he was two years old. The men his mother dated while he was growing up play a recurring role in the book, including one named Kip whom Moby revealed to have liked among the least out of his mothers boyfriends. After going to bed prior to Kips arrival at their home one evening, Moby woke up the following morning to find his mother visibly upset. She revealed that she and Kip had gotten into an argument after she attempted to end their relationship, and in a fit of fury, he had attacked her with a knife. Little did Moby know, he had been sleepwalking the night before and found his way into the kitchen when the argument was taking place. Story continues He came after me with the knife. That was when you appeared. I what? You appeared. You were standing there. But we didnt hear you come into the kitchen. You just showed up. Kip dropped the knife and ran out the door You saved my life, Mobes. The then-10-year-old Moby had no recollection of waking during the night, let alone walking through his house and witnessing the near-fatal moment. Yet, he had unknowingly come to his mothers rescue during the moment when it mattered most. __________________________________________________________ The supergroup that never was Moby and Tommy Lee in We Are All Made of Stars Moby and Tommy Lee in We Are All Made of Stars Moby promised his then-girlfriend he would try to stay sober while on tour in 2002. He had upheld his promise for 12 days before ending up on a wild night out with Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee and Panteras Vinnie Paul and Dimebag Darrell during a day off in Dallas. Mobys original plan of returning to his hotel to get a sober nights sleep after attending Lees solo concert was brushed aside after accepting a bottle of whiskey from a Hells Angel and an invitation to the Clubhouse, Panteras strip club. It was there that the inebriated foursome hatched a new creative venture. Fuckin Moby! Darrell yelled. We should start a band. Seriously, Tommy said, balancing one stripper on each knee. We should. It would blow peoples minds. Moby writes that starting a band with Darrell and Vince and Tommy Lee sounded like the best idea I or anyone ever had. Ever. While the lifespan of the newfound supergroup began and ended at the Clubhouse that night, its certainly a hell of a lot of fun to try and imagine what their work would have sounded like. __________________________________________________________ The impromptu rave in Iowa While in London for the BAFTA awards, film icon David Lynch invited Moby to attend David Lynch Weekend, which was to be held at the Maharishi University of Management in Fairfield, Iowa. Moby had intended for the weekend to be devoted toward meditation and sobriety, but after heading to a bar with a local woman, a teenager approached the pair and invited them to a rave. Moments later Moby and his date were in a car with the teenager and his friends en route to the rave, passing around a joint laced with angel dust. At the rave, which was appropriately located in an abandoned warehouse in Fairfields outskirts, attendees supplied Moby with ecstasy, GHB, as well as his very first crystal meth experience. Id come to Iowa for sobriety and spirituality and meditation, but Id found enlightenment while sitting next to a beautiful woman in a beanbag chair in a rave. And all Id needed for transcendence was alcohol, angel dust, ecstasy, pot, and a water bottle filled with animal tranquilizer. And to think, he didnt need to attend the Maharishi University of Management after all. __________________________________________________________ Eminem at the 2002 MTV Video Music Awards Eminem publicly feuding is far from new. His ongoing series of gripes and grievances with others has been something of a pop-culture spectator sport for two decades, but Moby takes readers inside how it feels to be on the receiving end of his attacks. In their case, tensions culminated at the 2002 MTV Music Video Awards. Eminem was upset with Moby after he had highlighted that some of his lyrical content was misogynistic. As a part of Eminems ongoing retaliation that evening (which had already included him handing Moby a drawing of him being strangled and dirty looks aplenty), he remarked that he will hit a man with glasses a direct reference to Moby during his acceptance speech for an award he had won later on that night. Prior to the events that transpired that evening, both on and off camera, Moby assumed the feud had been in jest and that no real hatred was harbored. To realize that was not the case was startling. I was shaken, Moby writes. The realization sank in that Id just been threatened and embarrassed in front of an audience of millions. Thankfully, Mobys evening of mistreatment took a turn for the better. He traded rappers for rockers and ended his night drinking champagne while watching The Strokes perform from the side of the stage, singing along. Alls well that ends well. __________________________________________________________ Moby crashed Mission of Burmas dressing room in high school Riding high on the excitement of their impending high school graduation, Moby and his friends drove from Connecticut to New York City to see Mission of Burma and Bad Brains live. The trip was a gamble given that the group was underage and, therefore, unsure if they would be able to successfully get into the venue. But, thanks to Moby faking a British accent when talking to the bouncer, they were allowed in. While inside, Mobys search for a restroom led him to stumbling across Mission of Burmas dressing room. Astonished, he worked up the courage to open the door. Once he did, he was welcomed inside by drummer Peter Prescott and guitarist Roger Miller with a friendly welcome to the Burma headquarters. Hi, Im Moby, I said. I wanted to be cool, but not knowing how much time I had with my heroes before somebody strong and official kicked me out, I blurted, I just have to say how I love your band so much, and I cant wait to see you play again. Mission of Burma spoke with Moby until he excused himself to rejoin his friends. After reuniting with them at the front of the stage where Mission of Burma was due on at any moment, he recounted that thanks to a little courage and curiosity, he had spoken with his heroes. Then It Fell Apart is available May 7th. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp on Tuesday signed into law the Living Infants Fairness and Equality Act, legislation known as the heartbeat bill that prohibits most abortions in the state once doctors can detect a fetus heartbeat. The bill, now one of the nations most restrictive abortion laws, has been criticized by abortion-rights groups as well as many in Hollywood (fetal heartbeats are detected as early as about six weeks of pregnancy). The film and TV industry utilize Georgias extensive production tax credits; Avengers: Endgame is among the recent pics to shoot in the state. Related stories Georgia's "Heartbeat Bill" Passes House, Heads To Governor's Desk With Hollywood Watching Kemp, who beat Stacey Abrams in Georgias gubernatorial race last fall, made the bills passage one of his campaign promises. Like in other states that have attempted similar legislation, court challenges are expected. Several Hollywood entities weighed in on the bill as it wound its way through the Georgia Legislature, including Alyssa Milano who called for a boycott. To Georgias leaders, she wrote in a Deadline guest column. You have worked hard to showcase your state and bring in filming projects that have had a multiplier impact on your states economy, but these projects are not a given. I urge you to think hard before making Georgia a state that is not welcoming of women. About 50 actors including Amy Schumer, Amber Tamblyn, Alec Baldwin, Don Cheadle, Rosie ODonnell, Patton Oswalt, Sarah Silverman, Essence Atkins, Uzo Aduba, Gabrielle Union, Christina Applegate, Ben Stiller, Sean Penn, David Cross, Mia Farrow, Colin Hanks and Bradley Whitford signed a letter written by Milano in opposition to the bill. They vowed to do everything in our power to move our industry to a safer state for women if H.B. 481 becomes law. Said the WGA East and West in a joint statement at the time: This law would make Georgia an inhospitable place for those in the film and television industry to work, including our members. If the Georgia Legislature and Governor Kemp make HB 481 law, it is entirely possible that many of those in our industry will either want to leave the state or decide not to bring productions there. Such is the potential cost of a blatant attack on every womans right to control her own body. Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. By Express News Service BENGALURU: Despite putting up of steel fencing around the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA)s Community Amenity site in Kempe Gowda Layout, miscreants would manage to make their way through it and steal the red soil on the land under cover of darkness. To check the theft, the BDA has recently filed a police complaint and has also re-fenced it. According to a senior BDA official, Red soil measuring up to two feet on a 50x80 plot of land in Kommaghatta village of the 4th Block of KG Layout was stolen from our land. When we went on an inspection of the site on April 26, we found the land excavated. We subsequently filed a complaint with Kumbalgod police station against unknown individuals.The theft might have taken place during the elections when most of our staff were deputed for duty elsewhere, the official added. Local residents told us that they saw some JCBs and tipper lorries taking away soil from the land after midnight and in the early morning hours. The soil could be taken for use on farmland, we suspect. This is the first time such a kind of theft has been reported at KG Layout, he added. The security staff of L & T, who are guarding the equipment for construction work, have been asked to keep a watch on the CA site too now. Police have also assured us that they will keep a watch on our land now, he added. CA sites are earmarked in a layout for creating parks, post offices, libraries or any constructions that will benefit the public. There has been no theft reported in any of the neighbouring sites allotted. Microsoft's (MSFT) productivity line has always been known for Office, the collection of programs you've used, or fumbled with, since junior high. But the future of the company's all-important suite of workplace software will run through its Teams apps. Teams is Microsoft's enterprise chat app that lets you collaborate with your colleagues via text, voice, and video, and, perhaps most importantly, waste time sending .Gifs and links to "Florida Man" articles. The company is putting a great deal of effort into making Teams the centerpiece around which its Office 365 enterprise productivity software revolves. But it's also up against one of the hottest tech companies in Silicon Valley: Slack. Going all in on Teams Microsoft's Teams is just two years old, but it's already catching up to Slack, which launched in 2015, in terms of the number of companies that use the service. Raanah Amjadi, senior product marketer for Teams, says the chat platform is currently used by 500,000 organizations, including 91 Fortune 100 companies. And 150 of those companies have 10,000 or more employees. Slack, which debuted in 2015, and is preparing for its upcoming IPO, announced that it has 600,000 customer companies via its S1 filing. The company is valued at as much as $17 billion based on private share sales ahead of its IPO. In its last round of fundraising in August 2018, Slack's value was pegged at $7 billion. The company's following among millennial users and startups is a major reason for its growth. It's seen as the cool, fun messaging app that every worker wanted thanks to its ability to use .Gifs and custom emojis. Of course, it's also an impressive workplace communication tool that lets workers chat with individuals and groups. To counter Slack's slick, millennial-centric branding, Microsoft is putting all of its weight behind Teams. That includes deep integration with its Office suite, as well as third-party apps ranging from Adobe (ADBE) Sign to Zoom (ZM) and dozens of others. Story continues Microsoft is positioning Teams as the future of its Office suite, and a Slack killer. (Image: Microsoft) But it's Microsoft's Office capabilities that set it apart from Slack. While you can do things like preview documents in Slack, you still need to open a secondary app to edit them. So if your coworker sends you a preview of a document in Google Docs, you'd still need to open the Google (GOOG, GOOGL) Docs app to edit the document. With Teams, you can create, open, and edit Office files from within the Teams app itself. What's more, you can access video chat features, Outlook, and a host of other options from within the app. Team's growth During a briefing at Microsoft's headquarters on May 1, representatives for the company showed me a number of upcoming features for Teams including live captioning and subtitles, a slick whiteboard offering, 9-person video chat (kind of like a "Brady Bunch"-style chat) and more. The whiteboard feature in particular is interesting, as it lets people on video calls see a virtual version of a white board in a meeting room, as your in-person colleagues write on it. It's a nifty trick that sees a camera focus on the whiteboard and resize so that it fits on your screen. Software blocks out people, while highlighting anything on the board. The live captioning and subtitles feature will prove helpful for individuals with hearing difficulties, while the 9-person video chat feature should let you coordinate with colleagues from across the world with ease. But it also means that you won't be able to doze off while on a video call since everyone will see you now. A large part of Microsoft's Teams push ties back to what the company calls the Microsoft Graph. The Graph is essentially a point at which all of Microsoft's services interconnect, allowing users to bring their information from one app to the next. If, for instance, you open a document in Excel, and then jump to Teams, that same Excel document will be available as your most recently opened document. Headwinds for Teams Microsoft's Teams is built into Office 365, which means it has a built-in user base. But there's more competition than Slack in the collaboration software market. "There are also other options, like Workplace by Facebook (FB), Salesforce bought Quip and is building that out, and you've got Dropbox (DBX) with Paper, so there is an embarrassment of riches in the market for collaboration," explained Gartner analyst Mike Gotta. According to Gotta, Slack is seeing a lot of success in areas like DevOps and ChatOps, and it does very well with integration with Workday (WDAY), SAP (SAP), Oracle (ORCL) and Salesforce (CRM), areas where Microsoft historically put in as much of an effort. And while Microsoft's Office integration is strong, Slack still works with more apps. What's more, Gotta says, the collaboration isn't a winner-take-all marketplace. "There is an embarrassment of riches in the market for collaboration," he said. "It's a fragmented market, and people are making decisions based on use cases, and that's leading to a proliferation of multiple tools in the same organization, and that's the challenge because a single vendor can't solve all of my problems." For Microsoft, Teams is the future, but it will have to pull out all the stops to compete in this growing market. More from Dan: Email Daniel Howley at dhowley@oath.com; follow him on Twitter at@DanielHowley. Follow Yahoo Finance on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, andLinkedIn.finance.yahoo.com/ Photo credit: Tom Williams - Getty Images From Esquire Here's an interesting theory. "Maybe stronger leadership would have left the Kremlin less emboldened. Maybe tampering with our democracy wouldn't have seemed so very tempting. Instead the previous administration sent the Kremlin the signal they could get away with almost anything...so is it surprising that we got the brazen interference detailed in special counsel Mueller's report?" That was Mitch McConnell, on the floor of the United States Senate, blaming Barack Obama for the Russian ratfcking that helped install an international bunco ring in the White House. In the annals of pure Senate audacity, I don't know if that can be topped. Now, one can argue, and I might, that the Obama administration's reluctance to make full public use of what it knew about the ratfcking was a political and security disaster of the first order. From the Washington Post: They also worried that any action they took would be perceived as political interference in an already volatile campaign. By August, Trump was predicting that the election would be rigged. Obama officials feared providing fuel to such claims, playing into Russias efforts to discredit the outcome and potentially contaminating the expected Clinton triumph...Brian Kemp, the Republican secretary of state of Georgia, used the call to denounce (Homeland Security Secretary Jeh) Johnsons proposal as an assault on state rights. I think it was a politically calculated move by the previous administration, Kemp said in a recent interview, adding that he remains unconvinced that Russia waged a campaign to disrupt the 2016 race. I dont necessarily believe that, he said... In early September, Johnson, [James] Comey, and [HSA adviser Lisa] Monaco arrived on Capitol Hill in a caravan of black SUVs for a meeting with 12 key members of Congress, including the leadership of both parties. The meeting devolved into a partisan squabble. The Dems were, Hey, we have to tell the public, recalled one participant. But Republicans resisted, arguing that to warn the public that the election was under attack would further Russias aim of sapping confidence in the system. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) went further, officials said, voicing skepticism that the underlying intelligence truly supported the White Houses claims. Through a spokeswoman, McConnell declined to comment, citing the secrecy of that meeting. Key Democrats were stunned by the GOP response and exasperated that the White House seemed willing to let Republican opposition block any pre-election move. Story continues And here, alas, is where the Democratic administration choked. Not choked, exactly, but fell victim to the essential flaw of the entire Obama presidency: the steadfast belief that, ultimately, good faith bargaining with the other side would prevail. Here, though, apparently, McConnell as much as said what he would do if the administration went public, so maybe the Obama people choked after all. We'll never know. But what was obvious on Tuesday was that Mitch McConnell is not inclined to act in good faith even when the security of the country is at stake. He won't even take responsibility for his own acts of bad faith. Moreover, he gave the Democrats and the media "credit" for "finally waking up" to the ratfcking, which comes dangerously close to the law-school definition of "chutzpah." Photo credit: Pete Marovich - Getty Images And, as she reported on the electric Twitter machine, NBC's Leigh Ann Caldwell asked McConnell later, in the context of his earlier remarks, what he thought of the 90-minute, unrecorded phone call between the president* and Vladimir Putin the other day. She got no answer. Neither, apparently, will we. Not long afterwards, however, Senator Professor Warren took the floor and read, at length, some of the most damning parts of the Mueller Report regarding the obvious obstructions of justice committed by the president*. She went on for a while; somebody had to. And, at the end, she called again for the president*'s impeachment, and reminded her colleagues of the very real stakes in the current contest. For us, for Congress, to back up from that fight and to say that protecting the president is more important than protecting the Constitution, is not only wrong, it is a violation of our oath of office...This is not the fight I wanted, but this is the fight in front of us now. This is not about politics. This is about the Constitution of the United States of America. We took an oath, not to try and protect Donald Trump, we took an oath to protect and serve the Constitution of the United States of America and the way we do that is we begin impeachment proceedings now against this president. When she was done, of course, the state of play was the same. The attorney general and the Secretary of the Treasury were standing in defiance of custom and statute. The White House had spooked the president's former counsel, Don McGahn, into ignoring a House subpoena, and it was fighting like the very devil to keep Robert Mueller out of the hearing rooms as well. Those oaths previously mentioned? Ash in the wind. Respond to this post on the Esquire Politics Facebook page here. ('You Might Also Like',) Adam Shapiro, co-anchor of Yahoo Finances On the Moves, brings you the top headlines for Monday, May 6, 2019. Russian plane crash People gather around the damaged Sukhoi SSJ100 aircraft of Aeroflot Airlines at Sheremetyevo airport, outside Moscow, Russia, Monday, May 6, 2019. Russia's main investigative body says both flight recorders have been recovered from the plane that caught fire while making an emergency landing at Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport, killing at least 40 people on Sunday. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin) Russian investigators will analyze the black box recorders recovered from an Aeroflot jetliner that crashed Sunday during an emergency landing outside Moscow. At least 41 people were killed when the back of the plane burst into flames. The U.S. State Department says at least one of the dead is a U.S. citizen. Thirty-three passengers and four crew members were able to escape. Aeroflot says the flight crew had 1,400 hours of experience flying the type of jet that crashed. The pilots requested a return to the airport shortly after take off. Brunei death penalty A protester is seen holding a placard that says Stone one of us face all of us during the demonstration. Protesters gathered outside of the luxury Dorchester hotel in London, UK which is owned by the Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkia, to protest and condemn the new anti-LGBTIQ laws brought in by the Sultan. Under the new laws introduced in Brunei those found guilty of gay sex or adultery could be stoned to death. The Sultan of Brunei says his country will not execute people convicted of adultery or engaging in gay sex. Brunei recently codified punishments under Islamic law which call for the death penalty. Several countries including the United States, Germany and the United Kingdom condemned the brutality of the punishments. Several, which include whipping and amputation, remain on the books in Brunei. Gaza cease fire A Palestinian boy cleans a sofa from the rubble of the partial damage on his family house after and Israeli airstrike, Sunday, on a next door multi-story building in Gaza City, Monday, May. 6, 2019. The Israeli military has lifted protective restrictions on residents in southern Israel while Gaza's ruling Hamas militant group reported a cease-fire deal had been reached to end the deadliest fighting between the two sides since a 2014 war. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra) A cease fire in Gaza appears to be holding. It went into effect early Monday morning following a weekend of violence between Hamas, Islamic JIihad and Israel. At least 27 people were killed on both sides. Hamas and Islamic Jihad fired more than 700 rockets into Israel which retaliated with air strikes on targets inside Gaza. President Donald Trump tweeted the U.S. supports Israel's right to defend citizens writing, "terrorist acts against Israel will bring you nothing but more misery. Cohen starts prison sentence FILE - In this Saturday, May 4, 2019, file photo, Michael Cohen, President Donald Trump's former personal attorney, is confronted by members of the media as he heads back to his Park Avenue apartment in New York. Cohen has until Monday afternoon, May 6, 2019, to report to a federal prison where hell begin his three-year sentence. Cohen is the only person charged in connection with hush-money payments to women who allegedly had affairs with Trump. (AP Photo/Jonathan Carroll, File) President Donald Trump's former lawyer, Michael Cohen begins his three-year prison sentence today at a federal prison in New York. He was convicted of campaign finance violations, tax evasion and arranging hush money payments to women who allegedly had affairs, in years past, with Trump. Cohen spoke several times with Robert Mueller's investigative team as well as federal prosecutors investigating Trump's business dealings before he was elected president. President Donald Trump has granted a full pardon to Michael Behenna, a former Army lieutenant who was convicted in 2009 of killing an Iraqi prisoner suspected of being part of al-Qaida. Behenna, 35, was found guilty by a military court in of unpremeditated murder in a combat zone for shooting Ali Mansur Mohamed in 2008. Although he was initially sentenced to 25 years in prison, he was released on parole in 2014. Behenna claimed he acted in self defense. According to NPR, Mansur was being questioned about a roadside explosion that had killed members of Behennas platoon. He was released due to lack of direct evidence tying him to the explosion. Weeks later, Behenna decided to question Mansur on his own, according to the Washington Post. According to testimony in military court, Mansur was naked and unarmed when he was shot to death. The New York Times, citing court filings, reports Behenna told Mansur, This is your last chance to tell the information or you will die. Mansur said that he would talk, but Behenna shot him anyway, later telling other soldiers, he would do it again, and he did not feel bad about it because he just lost two guys, according to the filing. Behennas attorneys argued the prisoner had attempted to take his weapon, and that the soldier had shot the prisoner because he feared for his life. In a statement, the office of the White House press secretary said that the U.S. Armys highest appellate court had concerns about how the lower court had handled Behennas self-defense claim. Additionally, the Army Clemency and Parole Board reduced his sentence to 15 years and paroled him as soon as he was eligible, the release states. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Click here to get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the True Crime Newsletter. The White House says that Behennas case has attracted broad support from the military, Oklahomas elected officials, and the public. Thirty-seven generals and admiralssigned a brief in support of Mr. Behennas self-defense claim. The statement also goes on to list several Oklahoma lawmakers who have advocated for Behennas pardon. Further, while serving his sentence, Mr. Behenna was a model prisoner, the press release concludes. In light of these facts, Mr. Behenna is entirely deserving of this Grant of Executive Clemency. Behennas family had long advocated for his pardon. His father, Scott Behenna, has worked for both the FBI and Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, according to NPR. His mother, Vicki Behenna, is an attorney and former federal prosecutor. Seth Meyers took a Closer Look at President Trumps ironclad proof he did not collude with Russia: a phone call with Russian ruler Vladimir Putin. Special counsel Robert Mueller spent two years putting together a 400+ page report documenting Trumps various links to Putin. Trump decided that late last week was the perfect time to brag about that relationship, NBCs Late Night host head-scratched. Related stories Donald Trump's 'The Apprentice' Gets Exclusive Home On Tubi In a White House photo op, Trump told reporters that Putin sort of smiled during the phone call, as the two men discussed Muellers investigation report, and said something to the effect that what had started off as a mountain ended up being a mouse. How did you know he was smiling? Did you hit the FaceTime button, grandpa? Meyers asked. On the other hand, Meyers acknowledged, whenever Putin sees Trump he does light up like he just heard there was a sale on poison. On Sunday, when it was reported the House had set a tentative date for Mueller to testify about his report, Trump went nuts on Twitter, tweeting No redos for Dems!, Meyers told his Monday late-night crowd. First of all, No redos?! How is it Trump always seems to be 100 years old and 7 years old at the same time? Meyers wondered. Watches Fox News 100. Thinks trucks are rad 7. If, as Trump insists, Muellers report exonerated him why dont you want him to testify, the host asked. Meanwhile, Trumps former lawyer Michael Cohen reported to jail for crimes involving POTUS, hinting, tantalizingly, that there was even more to come, Meyers said. Can someone maybe ask him a follow-up question? Meyers implored. Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Photo credit: Amazon From Esquire John Clayton Mayer is many things: a style icon, a late-night-Instagram talk show host, a reformed provocateur, a thinker. But before all of that, Mayer is a musician, and a damn good one at that. Mayer's ability to articulate the human feeling is only trumped by his status as one of the greatest guitar players of his generation. Not convinced on that last point? Listen to him go to work toward the end "Gravity" from his live album Where the Light Is: Live in LA, wipe the tears away, and tell me I'm not right. Since his 2001 debut with Room for Squares, Mayer has produced seven studio albums. If you grew up listening to Mayer, you've listened to him growing up through his music as well. That lovesick boy on Squares has become a man with an innate ability to articulate questions about the world we live in-which we hear in his latest single, "I Guess I Just Feel Like." From my extremely subjective point of view, Mayer has really only ever made one bad song. It's called "Say," and you can hear it faintly playing at your local chain restaurant, department store, or in an elevator. Here's how his seven studio albums stack up against each other. Photo credit: Amazon 7. Paradise Valley (2013) After a long hiatus from the spotlight, Mayer's Born and Raised in 2012 surprised and delighted fans with a new sound. He carried that over to the following year with Paradise Valley which leaned into its predecessor's country/folk vibe. From a mainstream point of view, there's only one hit to be found on this record: a duet with then girlfriend Katy Perry called "Who You Love," which flexes both of their vocals (mainly Perry's) and some damn good harmonies. The line "My boy, he ain't the one that I saw comin'. And some have said his heart's too hard to hold," is a fitting, self-aware reference from Perry about Mayer's tumultuous dating history. That history also comes into play with "Paper Doll," a song rumored to have been written about Taylor Swift. Drama aside, the best part of the song is its music video-a parody of a viral internet tutorial on "Prancercizing." Not even a Frank Ocean feature on "Wildfire (Reprise)" could bump this one up on the list, but it's due more to the strength of the rest of his catalogue than to the failures of the album. Story continues Photo credit: Amazon 6. The Search for Everything (2017) Mayer's latest, released in 2017, is another that falls victim to the the brilliance of his previous work. The Search for Everything is full of bops, from the soulful, yet poppy, "Still Feel Like Your Man," to the deeply introspective "In the Blood." The album runs the gamut of feelings we've seen throughout Mayer's career. There's blues guitar, there are folksy acoustics, and of course, there are quests for love, but the album doesn't quite hit you in the feels the way others do. It also features a song called "Emoji of a Wave," which probably holds the largest disparity between the quality of a song and its title that I've ever seen. (You'll want to belt it out, regardless.) Photo credit: Amazon 5. Heavier Things (2003) Mayer's sophomore album is just as Young Man Existential as his debut with Room For Squares, but with a bit more solace. Mayer had hit the big time at this point, and, in my humble opinion, avoided the sophomore slump. This is the album that gave us "Daughters," perhaps his most popular song of all time. Where Room for Squares is curious, Heavier Things is anxious. Its final song, "Wheel," is not well-known, but paved the way for future life-appraising songs like "Emoji of a Wave" and "I Guess I Just Feel Like." Photo credit: Amazon 4. Born and Raised (2012) In 2011, Mayer underwent surgery for Granuloma of the vocal chords, a condition that's plagued the likes of Adele and Keith Urban as well. Born and Raised was a comeback story on many fronts. Not only does Mayer literally get his voice back post-surgery, the album also followed a long hiatus, where Mayer retreated from public life to Montana. The rebirth is evident not only in his vocals, but in the lyrics as well. On "Speak for Me," Mayer references the public fallout from a Rolling Stone cover story everyone has already talked about to death with the line "Now the cover of a Rolling Stone, ain't the cover of a Rolling Stone. And the music on my radio, ain't supposed to make me feel alone." The album flexes the influence Neil Young had on Mayer with country, folksy vibes, on songs like "Whiskey, Whiskey, Whiskey," but also brings back the blues guitar on classic Mayer love tracks like "Love Is a Verb," and "Something Like Olivia." The underdog MVP of the album is "Walt Grace's Submarine Test, January 1967," where Mayer tells the story of a man fed up with life, driving him to build his own submarine and take off for Tokyo. The song ends ambiguously, not knowing whether Walt Grace makes it across the Pacific or dies on his way. It's a sort of storytelling we'd not yet seen from Mayer, and it lands graciously. Photo credit: Amazon 3. Battle Studies (2009) In 2009 I was a junior in college and had just gone through a breakup, so of course Mayer's pure breakup ballad-filled Battle Studies ranks high on my list. Just look at some of these titles: "All We Ever Do Is Say Goodbye," "Perfectly Lonely," "Edge of Desire," and of course, the very on the nose "Heartbreak Warfare." Battle Studies also features a duet recorded during rumored romance with Taylor Swift called "Half of My Heart," which could have easily been recorded during their actual breakup talk. Battle Studies is dark and brooding-a catalogue of sad songs to listen to while walking home from class in the rain. It's also the first time Mayer references running away from it all and doing his own thing. While the album isn't full of hits, it's quintessential Mayer. Fans had waited three years for the album after Continuum, and what they got was a more grown-up, seemingly broken Mayer any Sad Boi worth his salt could relate to. Photo credit: Amazon 2. Room For Squares (2001) Mayer's debut album, originally only released online before Columbia signed him, could easily be his best, if we were ranking on songwriting alone. On Room For Squares, a young, curious Mayer explores the ups and downs of love and life from his own experiences. It gave us the songs anyone who causally knows of Mayer will reference upon his mention with "No Such Thing," ("I wanna run through the halls of my high school") and "Your Body Is a Wonderland," ("Your body is a wonderland"), but also contains some of his deepest songwriting of all time. On "83" Mayer pines to return to life at age six, and on "My Stupid Mouth," he, ironically enough, predicts his own future. Though not included on the original online release, the song "3X5" might be the album's best. It's a song you'll want to send to your ex to tell them you want to get back together. (Don't, though. Or any song for that matter.) Photo credit: Amazon 1.Continuum (2006) John Mayer's third album is often regarded as his best, and that's because it is Mayer at his most comfortable, and his most uninhibited in terms of songwriting and performance. If Squares gave us a taste of Mayer's ability as a songwriter then Continuum established Mayer as a master of his craft and not just a fluke hit artist. The album was nominated for three Grammys (including Album of the Year), and won two (Best Pop Vocal Album and Best Male Pop Vocal Performance for "Waiting on the World to Change." It's difficult to pick a top song from Continuum because of its consistency from start to finish. The beautifully unfortunate story within "Slow Dancing in a Burning Room," the existential bombshell of "Stop This Train," and tears-pouring-down-your-face inducing brilliance of "Dreaming With a Broken Heart" have all stood the test of time. But his all-time guitar work and frustratingly relatable songwriting on "Gravity" may go down as his greatest and most popular song of all time, let alone this album. By the time Continuum came around, John Mayer was already a star among the people, but this is the album that made an entire industry utter "whoa." It's too easy to put this atop his catalogue. ('You Might Also Like',) Instagram is testing whether to hide likes on posts a potential move that, if adopted across the entire platform, could have a substantial impact on the routines and mental health of its 1 billion users. Thats because theres growing evidence to suggest overexposure to likes may not be good for the human brain. The brain responds to likes like any other reward or thing that excites the brain like food, sex or gambling, said Ofir Turel, a professor at Cal State University, Fullerton and researcher at the University of Southern California. When you get likes, the reward system lights up and releases dopamine, making us feel good. That good feeling can become fleeting, though, as users get hooked on checking their phones for social validation after posting a picture or video. Turel, who has studied the impact of social media on the brain for more than a decade, said users habitually check their phones including 40% of Americans while driving because Instagram and other platforms have created a variable reward, something best associated with betting in a casino. Also Read: How Doing Things Media Laughed It Up to 30 Million Instagram Followers and a TV Show in 2 Years This is exactly what you have in gambling, Turel said. When you play the slot machines, sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. But you dont know the schedule. Its a gamble. Same thing with likes. You post a picture, its a gamble. You dont know if 5 people are going to like it, 100 people are going to like it, or 1 million are going to like it. The mystery of whether a post will be well-received or not just like hoping a pull of the slot machine will pay off keeps users glued to their phones. Instagram users spend an average of 53 minutes per day on the app. A Pew Research Study found 45% of teenagers last year said theyre on social media almost constantly, and Instagram might be the worst place to spend that time. And a 2017 study from the U.K. Royal Society for Public Health reported Instagram was the social app most detrimental to mental health for people 14-24, often exacerbating their depression, anxiety or body image issues. Instagram in particular makes young women compare themselves against unrealistic, largely curated, filtered and Photoshopped versions of reality, the report said. Story continues So it would seem like Instagrams latest test is a step in the right direction. Also Read: Why Former CNN White House Correspondent Jessica Yellin Chose Instagram Over Another Broadcast Job The Facebook-owned app is experimenting with private likes, where followers are unable to see the total likes on a photo, or the total views on a video, when they are scrolling through their Instagram feed. Users are still able to see likes for their posts, but theyre not front and center anymore. Instead, users need to click through added icons to check their likes tally. The test, being run in Canada right now, aims to 1) reduce the fixation on comparing likes between users and 2) encourage users to post pictures without worrying that their posts cant compare to the sleek production of a professional influencer. Head of Instagram Adam Mosseri explained the change to BuzzFeed News last week, saying the test is about focusing less on like counts and creating a less pressurized environment where people feel comfortable expressing themselves. He added: we do hear people worry about how many like counts they get. Some critics have questioned whether Instagrams test is really for the wellbeing of its users, however. Jennifer Grygiel, a communications professor with a focus on social media at Syracuse University, is highly skeptical Instagram would make this change if it dented its business even if it improves the mental health of its users. Also Read: Twitter's Camera-Driven Redesign Mirrors Popular Snapchat and Instagram Features We cant just assume a corporation, under no regulatory pressures, decided to do the right thing. We have not seen this tested independently we cant trust [Instagram], Grygiel said. This could actually increase time on platform, too, because people may be feeling better. Of course, more time on the app searching for those hidden like tallies would also mean more ad revenue for Instagram. Turel echoed Grygiel, saying while its a risky move to change the app, a more wellbeing-conscious Instagram could encourage more people to use it, which would ultimately be a boost to business. Regardless of the motivation, though, Turel sees an advantage in any steps to cut back on the crazy behavior of users posting over and over again to see how many likes their pictures rack up. Read original story Why Instagram Hiding Likes Could Be Good for Users and the Bottom Line At TheWrap Outlandish coincidences abound in Pedro Almodovars films, from unlikely chance encounters to mistaken identities. But in his latest picture, Pain and Glory, its surely no coincidence that a poster for Fellinis 8 graces the wall of somebodys apartment, or that the central character, Salvador Mallo, is an aging gay Spanish director with spiky gray hair whose name contains all the letters in Almodovar. Those are just a few of the signs that this new movie from the maker of All About My Mother is, in many ways, all about himself. Mallo, played by frequent collaborator Antonio Banderas, is an alter ego for Almodovar, 69, and an echo of Fellinis Guido Anselmi: a director edging into the twilight of life, plagued by physical and psychological frailty, visited by childhood memories, haunted by loss. Theres sex. Theres love. And, this being an Almodovar film, theres Mom (played in her younger years by Penelope Cruz, another of the directors longtime go-to actors). Related stories Ben Kingsley, Guy Pearce Starring in Action Movie 'Long Gone Heroes' Cannes Film Festival: How Netflix, Amazon, and Other Streamers Changed the Market Pain and Glory screens in competition at the Cannes Film Festival, which Almodovar and Banderas will attend together for the first time since 2011s The Skin I Live In. Both are familiar figures on the Croisette. Almodovar chaired the jury in 2017, and caused a kerfuffle when he proclaimed his support for the festivals decision to ban Netflix films from competing unless theyre destined for theatrical release, a position fellow juror Will Smith promptly scoffed at. In interviews with Variety in Madrid, Almodovar and Banderas continue to back Cannes stance, though Banderas has wrapped shooting on The Laundromat for Netflix, and, surprisingly, Almodovar says (take note, Ted Sarandos) that hes open to the idea of working with the streaming giant. I dont see myself making what Id call a Netflix original solely and exclusively for Netflix, because I would miss the cinema as the venue for my film to be shown, says the director, who goes to the movies once a week, even if no particular picture grabs his fancy. But I could see myself in the future making a series not a series that would be mono-thematic, but perhaps a series made up of different episodes of short stories, almost like short films. It would be a way of getting out of that straitjacket of a film that has to be an hour and a half in length, or an episode that has to be a half-hour only. Story continues Flouting convention has been a hallmark of Almodovars oeuvre of 21 movies, especially his willingness to put LGBT characters front and center, long before Ellen DeGeneres or Laverne Cox landed on the cover of Time. It was part of my life. I was surrounded by it, he says. So it was something I definitely wanted to put in my films, to make it something natural. Despite its Roman Catholic roots, Spain has embraced marriage equality and more affirming policies toward trans people. Banderas, 58, believes his old friend helped bring about that shift. I knew the power that Almodovar had over morality in Spain at a very particular time in our history, Banderas says. Fifty years from now well tell people how well he described the reality of a very specific time in the history of our country how things were broken to become different. For now, both men can bask in the somewhat unexpected adulation at home for Pain and Glory, which was released in Spain in March. Spaniards havent always been kind to their countrys most famous director since Bunuel (or vice versa), but his new film has won near-unanimous praise for its storytelling and its spare but beautiful style that stands in contrast to that of many of his earlier works. Sony Pictures Classics, which has released 11 of Almodovars movies, including Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown at Orion Classics, will open Pain and Glory in the U.S. on Oct. 4. (Sony now owns the entire Almodovar library.) The director considers the film to be the final panel of a triptych that began with Law of Desire (1987) and Bad Education (2004). One Spanish critic describes Pain and Glory as a dark and obsessive film, but at the same time so generous that it is filled with light and emotion. Another reviewer calls it a summation and meditation on everything else he had done before. Youve been quoted as saying that you hate los bio-pics. Isnt this a biopic of you? Pedro Almodovar: This is not a biopic of me, not even a portrait. Obviously this is a film that starts off with me. Im at the root of the script I started writing. But then when I carried on, it became just like any other film I would have written. You cant take this film literally, but I have myself been down all those paths trodden by the character played by Antonio in the film, and I know them all in depth. Look at the first shot of the film. Antonios character is suspended in water, just floating there, with no gravity at all. That image is from my own life, because during the summer it was my favorite place to go, to put myself in water and just hang there, weightless, not feeling my body or any tension. Immediately after I wrote that swimming pool scene, it took me by association to another memory from my childhood, which is also in the film, of my mother and her neighbors washing clothes in the river. Its a luminous memory, totally opposed to the dark period that the main character is going through. Antonio Banderas: Not everything that happened in the movie are things that happened to Pedro. There were things I knew he would have loved to say that he never said; there were things that he would have loved to do and he never did. It was auto-fiction. [I knew this] because we have been friends since 1980, so thats almost 40 years now. There are very few directors you can probably count them with your two hands who actually are faithful to their personality and to what they are. That is valuable in our times.Antonio Banderas The most difficult thing was, how am I going to be able to play him without imitating him? For me that was very important. I went to him like a plain soldier: I took off my medals; I took off everything and I tried to be as naked as I could, to create from scratch, with no mannerisms that I was using before, the things that you know as an actor work for you. That is very painful. You are in a very uncomfortable place. All of those comfort zones I eliminated, and then we started. The whole style of the film feels stripped down. Is this a new phase in your filmmaking? Almodovar: Absolutely. The style, the narration, is a continuation of what I did with Julieta: much more restrained and austere. Visually, the colors in this new phase are still vibrant and intense, because Im not turning my back on the coloring of my films. But the tone of the narrative is more stark. This is quite a challenge for me, being such a baroque director, to move into this new phase. I dont know whether Ill go back again to what I was doing before, because I dont normally look ahead and forecast what my next steps are going to be. Banderas: I was coming from [TV series] Picasso, and all the research I did about him, I could observe that at the end, as a painter, he became more and more simple. He was not as baroque as he used to be, because he didnt need it. When I observed that in Pedro, I knew that he was approaching an age in which he doesnt want to be too baroque. He needs very little to express something very big. You can communicate complexity and depth without having to do too many strokes. I knew that, and I tried to add that to my acting. Almodovar Banderas Penelope Cruz plays an important role as Salvadors mother, but the two of you never actually appear in a scene together. Banderas: No. We had a very little thing in Im So Excited! cameos but thats the only time weve worked together. It may happen soon a project in Spanish. I cannot talk about that, but it may be announced very soon. It is exciting for me because I admire her. I met her in New York when she was 18 years old. I was doing Philadelphia at the time, and she was thinking about moving to America. Almodovar: They asked me to write [a scene in Pain and Glory] for the two of them. They really liked the idea of working together. For Spanish cinema, they represent sort of a Mastroianni and Sophia Loren. So it is strange that we, and I include myself, havent written anything for the two of them, because theyre a very good couple physically. But there was no way. One of your directing idols, Billy Wilder, once warned you not to move to Hollywood. Are you glad you took his advice? Almodovar: As with anything, never say never. But Hollywood, for me, largely means making movies in English. Ive never said that I wont shoot a film in English; in fact, there might be a chance in the near future for me to film in English. However, the way I would do it would be with funding from Europe. The way I produce the film would be the way we do things in Europe. It would not be the way they do things in the Hollywood studio system. Im used to working the way I work. Im not saying I cant be flexible about things, but when I hear what director friends who have worked or are working in Hollywood say, the freedom and independence Im used to having might be a problem. Banderas: He never accepted the bell that was [ringing] in Hollywood for him, inviting him to work in a studio, because I think he knew that he was going to lose something in that transaction. Hes been absolutely loyal; thats very difficult in this industry. There are very few directors you can probably count them with your two hands who actually are faithful to their personality and to what they are. That is valuable in our times. He has admiration for American cinematography; he loves many actors, I know, because weve talked about that Meryl Streep, many of them who he would love to work with. But he wouldnt be himself completely. I think thats the problem. Yet Spain itself hasnt been so receptive to Pedro and his films. Banderas: Spain is a very interesting country with many sins. And even if I try to say always that we have a pardon for every sin, this one sin that we have, envy, is unforgivable. Pedro is just too successful that hurts a lot of people. Then there are people who think that if they confront Pedro, who is a king, then they become kings too. Eventually I felt it, but I dont confront it. You need two to box. This is a country that is very, very pernicious and very bad for some people. Almodovar: I dont have much of a relationship with the [film] establishment in Spain. I had more of one 10 years ago. Weve had our ups and downs, and Ive found it quite difficult to deal with those. It wasnt so much about being upset for myself but more for the people working with me. Ive won a lot of awards, probably more than I deserve, but I have felt hurt in the past for the people who work in my films. Take Talk to Her. That film won so many awards from so many different countries Italy, Russia, the U.S. but not a single one from Spain [except best original score]. I even won the Oscar for best screenplay, and it was only the second time that Hollywood has given an Oscar for a screenplay that was not in English. But I felt bad for the technicians and the actors, because most of them really deserved recognition. Its incredible that Marisa Paredes doesnt have a Goya or even Antonio. Antonio received an honorary Goya, but not for Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!, not for Law of Desire. It doesnt mean Im demanding an award. But sometimes for the people who I work with, who I feel grateful to because all of them were so generous to me, I feel very [bad] for them. So has the warm response to Pain and Glory been a surprise? Almodovar: I have been surprised, because people in Spain dont tend to go to the cinema to watch dramas anymore. Spanish cinema audiences have changed a lot over the last five or six years. Now, people tend to go to the cinema to watch local comedies, with actors they recognize from TV. So I really wasnt ready for the success that the film has had. When you think about the subject matter, its a director with his aches and pains. But the uncertainty I felt about how it would be received is exactly the same uncertainty I feel about every film. You just dont know whether its going to work at all. Now I know that this one works completely. It cuts across society, people of all ages, sexualities. Its always a surprise when a movie of yours moves the audience. This is a kind of miracle when that happens. Banderas: We knew we were doing something that was worth it to be in. We didnt expect the success of the movie in our own country. We have a saying in some places [in Spain]: You cannot be a poet in your own town. But in this case, it worked. It was something very mysterious. The movie couldve suffered a rejection from many conservative newspapers, but even conservative papers said this is a piece from Almodovar that will be remembered. I need a lot of time when I finish a work to really know the weight of it, whether its good or bad. I need five or six years. Someday Ill be zapping the television, and Pain and Glory [will be on], and then Ill be connected to really what the movie is telling me. Right now, for me, its very difficult. Fluidity of gender and sexuality has been present in your films from the beginning. Is society finally catching up with that vision? Almodovar: In Spain, the situation has improved a lot. Right now, fortunately, young trans people can make the transition within their families, at their schools, in their communities, and quite often it can be funded by our public health system. There are still some homophobic reactions from people in some parts of society, but I think its much less than what youd see elsewhere, and those attitudes are not representative of Spanish society. Where weve certainly made a lot of progress is in gender reassignment. In the past, a trans person had to certify their new identity in front of a forensic doctor, to demonstrate that your organs belonged to the gender you wanted to be known as. What a terrible and humiliating thing. Now, you dont even need to have, lets say, the final operation, which is a huge step forward. To feel as though youre a man or a woman doesnt depend on whether you have a vagina or a penis; it depends on something much more profound. Almodovar Banderas Banderas: When I was 25 and we were doing Law of Desire, my father and mother were very conservative, very religious people, and I remember thinking, how are they going to watch me in this movie kissing and making love with a man on the screen? Then it came to me. In Sequence No. 21, I kill somebody I bite somebody in the mouth, and I throw him off the cliff to his death. And that was OK [with audiences]. I thought, why does nobody say anything in terms of the morality of killing somebody, but a man kissing another man or a woman kissing another woman is not accepted? There is something wrong here. When my mother went to see the movie and she said, Why did you do that [love scene]? Think of my friends!, I said, Think about this, Mama. And she came to the [same] conclusion, and its the argument she used with her friends. I have no hostility toward Netflix or any other platform. But a film that may be up for an award really must be seen and shown on a screen in a cinema. Pedro Almodovar When I did my second movie as a director [2006s Summer Rain], I had a couple of actors who were gay, and both of them, in different moments of the movie, came to me saying, When I saw Law of Desire, I went back home that night and put my father and my mother on the sofa, and I confronted them and said, Mama, Papa, Im homosexual. Now youre bound for Cannes again. How would you describe your relationship with the festival? Almodovar: Its a long relationship. Everybody thinks that I immediately came to Cannes from the beginning, but the first time I was there was in 1982, with Labyrinth of Passion, my second movie. It was in a section dedicated to first and second films. I was very happy because I was in Cannes. For me, it was like a dream. Nobody saw my movie. The next time was in 1988, when we proposed Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown for competition, and they refused it. I went to the festival, only the market, but the screenings in the market became like the hot ticket of the festival, and I remember that some journalists asked [artistic director] Gilles Jacob why the movie that everybody was talking about was not in the festival. I wasnt in competition until 1999, with All About My Mother. That film was a huge hit, with the critics and the public. I think that was the time I got the closest to being awarded the Palme dOr. The French think Im absolutely obsessed with the Palme dOr, but thats not the case. Banderas: Cannes is absolutely necessary in this confusing world of platforms, to have a festival that actually is anchored in cinema. I see my daughter, she can watch a movie [on a cellphone], and I dont understand that. I say to her, How can you appreciate the lighting work, how can you appreciate a good performance, if you practically dont see the eyes of the actors? Oh, but I just follow the story, Papa! I prefer to go to a movie theater and see movies as they were conceived in the mind of the creators. And Cannes has been fighting for that. So Netflix films shouldnt be allowed to compete. Banderas: Im a Netflix consumer. I surf around, and sometimes I find work that is interesting movies from many different countries, in their own languages, from Italy, from Korea. I am not against that. [But] if they want to compete with other movies, they have to play on the same track. Its not really fair that you open in two or three theaters and then thats it. You have to do promotional work; you have to compete at the same level as the rest of the movies. Its a risky game, because you have to invest a lot of money, but I think its fair. If they want to compete in a festival like Cannes, or they want to go to the Oscars, thats the way to do it. Almodovar: I have no hostility toward Netflix or any other platform. But a film that may be up for an award really must be seen and shown on a screen in a cinema. Otherwise, it would be almost a contradiction in terms, because films are conceived to be shown on a screen to people who are strangers, who dont know each other, in the dark. Thats the magic of it all. I saw Roma both on my own TV screen and on the big screen. When you see it on a TV screen, it makes it so much less interesting as a film. What Im trying to defend is that pleasure, that ecstasy, that euphoria you feel when you see Roma on a big screen. All of that is stolen from us if we just end up seeing the film on a TV screen. The lead character in Pain and Glory is afraid hell never make a movie again. Is that true of you? Almodovar: That fear is always there. Its both the idea of not being physically able to shoot a film and of not having any new ideas. Its the sword of Damocles hanging over you. At the moment, Im thinking about an adaptation of a book in English, which would be my first. I cant tell you the name now. Its too early. Antonio, do you expect to work with Pedro again? Banderas: Every time I finish with Pedro, I never expect anything else. But then if he sounds the horn, Ill be there. Its impossible to say no to him. Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. From hurt to healing: Read an excerpt of Dr. Jennifer Ashtons Life After Suicide originally appeared on goodmorningamerica.com Dr. Jennifer Ashton, ABC News chief medical correspondent, has released her book, titled "Life After Suicide: Finding Courage, Comfort & Community After Unthinkable Loss." In it, she shares her emotional journey of coping with the death of her ex-husband Rob, who died by suicide. Within the book, she shares how she found the strength to be there for her children and heal after their tragic loss, and offers a rare look at how survivors can learn to cope with the grief that comes with tragically losing a loved one. You can read excerpts from Life After Suicide below. PHOTO: The cover of Dr. Jennifer Ashton's book, 'Life After Suicide: Finding Courage, Comfort & Community After Unthinkable Loss.' (William Morrow/HarperCollins Publishers) Suicide. Rob died by suicide. I couldnt begin to wrap my head around it. That gentle man, deliberately doing something so violent, and terrifying, and isolatedwhat could possibly have pushed him to be so resolved to end his life that it overrode the most basic human instinct of survival? His love for our children was soul-deep. Endless. Incalculable. The pain that drove him over that bridge must have been massive to have overshadowed all that love, so massive that it couldnt reach him, couldnt make him stop and say, I cant do this to them. The divorce? Was that what caused him such massive pain? It couldnt be. He seemed fine with it. He seemed to not even care all that much. I was sitting right there, I heard him with my own ears tell Dr. Simring, when she asked us if we were having any thoughts of suicide, No. Absolutely not. Was he lying to her? Or had something happened to make him change his mind? Wed never know, would we, because the only person who could tell us, and answer the countless other questions that were bound to come up, wasnt here anymore, would never be here again. How was that possible? Was he at least at peace now? Was that how this worked? I hoped so. (MORE: Dr. Jennifer Ashton on 'Life After Suicide': 'Losing a loved one to suicide does not make the survivor weak') Story continues Was it really that same morning that Id been at Soul-Cycle, preoccupied with what my life was going to look like after our divorce, and how divorce was the worst thing that ever happened to me, and finding my way through feeling like a failure to regain my optimism? It seemed like a lifetime ago. I felt like a failure that morning? Really? Multiply it by about a million. . . . You cant let this destroy you. Oh, my God, Mommy, please dont leave me. My childrens father was gone. My children had lost their daddy. Suddenly I was the only parent they had. It made me unbearably sad, and unbearably frightened. Id never been one of those people who gave a lot of thought to death. I got it that it was inevitable, and I wasnt especially looking forward to it; but it wasnt something I thought about very often, certainly not anything I would have called an active fear. Now, out of nowhere, the fear of dying and leaving my children with no parent at all slammed into me. I couldnt let that happen. If it took becoming the most cautious person on this planet, if it took never riding in the back of a cab without my seat belt again, and certainly if it took giving up scuba divingwhatever it took, however much or little I had to say about it, Alex and Chloe would not become orphans. Orphans? Oh, God, whose mind had taken over and even let in that terrible word? Whose hell was I suddenly living? Starting that night, and for weeks to come, I dont think I ever slept for more than two hours at a time. I couldnt sleep. I couldnt eat. I couldnt recognize myself, and the life I knew, in all this darkness. Maybe it was because, as of twelve short hours before, I wasnt whole anymore. Maybe it was because, twelve short hours before, I completely shattered. ***** PHOTO: jennifer ashton family (Courtesy Jennifer Ashton) What the hell is wrong with me? I asked her, in tears. Nothing, she said. What youre going through is a normal part of healingits not just normal, its healthy. Its called multiple truths. Multiple truths means that you can feel opposite ends of the emotional spectrum at the same time without one of those feelings negating the validity of the other. You can be in the worst, most gut-wrenching grief and still laugh, or feel something positive, or even fall in love, and it doesnt diminish the depth and sincerity of your grief. As Dr. Simring emphasized, its not choosing grief or laughter, its accepting and not judging the fact that grief and laughtercan and do coexistmultiple truths, both of them real and perfectly appropriate; so essentially, dont beat yourself up about them, embrace them as a sign that youre making progress. (MORE: Coping with the loss of a loved one by suicide: 6 steps survivors can take) It was a breakthrough for me, and a big relief. I realized Id been trying to push away any feelings of happiness and hopefulness, thinking they were disrespectful to Robs memory. But would Rob really have wanted to leave our children and me a legacy of misery for the rest of our lives? Of course not. Thats not who he was. And ready or not, looking forward was an inescapable part of my reality, with moving day, May 1, getting closer and closer. Ive always loved moving. I know to some people thats like saying Ive always loved root canals. But its like a new beginning to me, a new phase, a clean slate; and I also love the whole nesting and organizing facets of turning a blank, empty space into a warm, comfortable, welcoming home. (MORE: Melissa Rivers talks about her father's suicide with Dr. Jennifer Ashton) There was no question that our move from Fort Lee into an apartment in New York City was emotionally essential for my kids, and in some ways for me as well. I was excited about it because they were excited about it. I appreciated the busyness of it, and the chance to tackle a big challenge I happen to be good at. And all of us were beyond ready to escape our relentless view of the George Washington Bridge. PHOTO: Jennifer Ashton family (Courtesy Jennifer Ashton) For the first time in my life, packing and moving brought a bittersweet sense of heaviness with them. Rob had already moved out of that apartment and into his own place many months earlier, when we first separated. But hed also lived in that apartment for a year, back when we were still married and trying to make things work; and as I stared at stacks of boxes, I was surprised to feel such a tangible connection to him, a connection I hadnt felt during our divorce. Id reach to open the refrigerator door, for example, and find myself thinking, Rob touched this handle, or glance over at the bathroom sink and be almost amazed that once upon a time, Rob stood there shaving. It felt like even more of a good-bye that our new apartment on the west side would be the first place Id lived in twenty-two years that Rob would never come walking into, or even see. The finality stopped me in my tracks more than once as I tried to wrap my head around the idea that never really did mean never (MORE: What you can do to prevent suicide) The new apartment was unpacked, organized, feng shuid, and ready by the time Alex and Chloe got back from school. They loved it the instant they walked through the door, and I loved knowing Id given my kids a home theyd look forward to instead of dreading. Id made sure to keep their fathers presence alive in our new home, with lots of happy photos of him with them, him with his best friends, and him with all of us on display. Id put a lot of those photos away when Rob and I were going through our divorceamicable or not, I dont know too many people who enjoy looking at pictures of their soon-to-be-ex spouses everywhere they turn. But that seemed like ancient history now. He belonged here, smiling at us. I even put special effort into decorating the kitchen in his honor. Rob was a brilliant cook, and brilliant is not too strong a word. I, on the other hand, have to Google instructions on how to boil water. Rob would have appreciated a nice kitchen, so I made sure that our kids and I would have one whether I ever used it or not. (MORE: Life after attempting suicide: What 4 survivors want you to know) In fact, I put another finishing touch on the kitchen a few days ago, while writing this book. Rob and I had taken a wonderful trip to Florence, Italy, in 2006, for our tenth wedding anniversary. We were browsing one day in this lovely antique art store and came across the most charming little two-by-two-inch two-hundred-year-old paintings, one for each letter of the alphabet. We bought our initials, R and J, and also A and C, for Alex and Chloe. I wasnt sure what I was going to do with the R during our separation. Giving that one to Rob seemed weird, so I just kept all four; and now all four letters are on our kitchen wall, artistically (more or less) arranged around the light switches. Dr. Simring promised us over and over againthat, with enough time and enough healthy healing, the day would come when our memories of Rob would make us smile rather than cause us pain. A year and a half later, those little antique initials in the kitchen make me smile. From LIFE AFTER SUICIDE by Jennifer Ashton, M.D. Copyright 2019 by Jennifer Ashton. Reprinted by permission of William Morrow, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers. Proceeds from the sales of the book will be donated to Vibrant Emotional Health, which administers the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and other programs related to crisis response and emotional well-being, and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. If you or someone you know needs to talk, call 1-800-273-TALK (8255). If a person says they are considering suicide: Take the person seriously Stay with them Help them remove lethal means Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) Text TALK to 741741 to text with a trained crisis counselor from the Crisis Text Line for free, 24/7 Escort them to mental health services or an emergency room "Life After Suicide: Finding Courage, Comfort & Community After Unthinkable Loss" is available on May 7. Good Morning America Duchess Kate surprised royal-watchers by showing off her piano skills at a Christmas concert Friday. The Duchess of Cambridge joined Tom Walker for a performance of "For Those Who Can't Be Here" during the concert, "Together at Christmas," which was televised in the U.K. The duet was recorded at Westminster Abbey on Thursday, according to Town and Country magazine. Kate, 39, organized the concert, which also featured performances by Leona Lewis and Ellie Goulding, to show her gratitude to community leaders in the U.K. She added in her introduction that she also wanted to "recognize those whose struggles perhaps have been less visible, too." By Express News Service BENGALURU: A weekend party turned into a tragedy for three engineers, including an employee of HAL, after their speeding bike crashed into a road median in Basaveshwaranagar on Sunday night. The police said that all three were drunk and riding triples on the bike. A case of reckless riding has been booked. The deceased have been identified as Anil, an engineer in HAL in Nasik, and his friends, Srinath and Karthik, who worked in different private companies as software engineers. The trio were between 28 and 30 years and were unmarried.A senior police officer from Kamakshipalya police station said the incident occurred around 12.45am on Sunday when they were riding on Siddaiah Puranik Road. Karthik was riding a Yamaha R15 bike, which crashed into an electricity pole and hit the road median. The trio were thrown off the bike and crashed on the ground, killing them on spot. Due to the speed they were driving at, the bike stopped 300 metres away from the crash. Passersby alerted the police and their bodies were shifted to Victoria hospital for postmortem. Srinivas, an auto driver who heard the loud noise, rushed to the spot. He was horrified to see the brain of one of the riders about a metre away, and the two other deceased lying in a pool of blood. He alerted the traffic police who seized the bike. Karthiks uncle, Mahesh, told the police that they had left the house around 6 pm and were on their way to Magadi Road from Basaveshwaranagar. Its not every day the Pinecrest Retirement Community in Hickory, North Carolina, gets to celebrate a college graduation. They did last week, though, when Elizabeth Barker Johnson was presented with a cap and gown and an invitation to take part in the graduation ceremony at Winston-Salem State University as a surprise for her 99th birthday. Johnson had enrolled at what was then called the Winston-Salem Teachers College 70 years earlier. It was right after she returned to North Carolina after serving in World War II, as a member of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion of the Womens Army Corps, the only all-black female battalion stationed overseas during the war. After finishing her tour of duty, Johnson signed up at Winston-Salem Teachers College, becoming the first woman to attend the college thanks to the G.I. Bill. By August 1949, she had completed her degree to become a school teacher. However, Johnson had landed a job as a teacher as soon as she completed her coursework and that new job started immediately. While she was undoubtedly happy to have the work, she couldnt take the day off to walk in her commencement ceremony. I couldnt get anyone to substitute for me back then, so I had to miss my graduation, Johnson told the Winston-Salem Journal. It was terrible. WATCH: This Mississippi Paper Is Changing The Way News Is Reported Fast forward 70 years, and the veteran who taught children in North Carolina public schools for over 30 years, is finally getting to walk in a graduation ceremony. Elizabeth Barker Johnson is the embodiment of Winston-Salem States motto, Enter to Learn. Depart to Serve, said WSSU Chancellor Elwood Robinson, told the Winston-Salem Journal. We are inspired by her and excited to give her the opportunity, 70 years later, to finally walk across the stage at commencement. She will share the stage with Rams from the class of 2019 when they graduate on May 10. I just cant believe this is happening, Johnson said. I really think Im dreaming. Marieke Nijkamp is the #1 New York Times bestselling author ofThis Is Where it Ends , out in paperback today, and Before I Let Go . She is a storyteller, dreamer, globe-trotter, and geek. She holds degrees in philosophy, history, and medieval studies, has served as an executive member of We Need Diverse Books, and is the founder of DiversifYA. She lives in the Netherlands. Visit her at mariekenijkamp.com. The first time I set foot inside an American high school, I stared at signs that said No guns allowed and Gun free zone for what felt like an eternity. I went to high school in a post-Columbine era. I went to high school at a time when the first school shooting in my home country occurred. (In the years since, theres been exactly one other school shooting in the Netherlands. Number of casualties: 1.) Both events shocked us, of course, but neither affected my school life as far as I could tell. My high school was quite loose on matters of security. We had fire drills, sure. It was just that the fire alarms didnt always work. The doors were always open. We regularly climbed out of the windows to do our math classes on the track field. People could come and go as they pleased. In the schools I visit here, a lot has changed over the years, but not that. The signs on the doors at the strictest say things like: No smoking on the premises or: Mobile phone free zone." There are no metal detectors. When I talk to students at Dutch high schools, I have to explain what active shooter drills and lockdown drills are. Photo: Courtesy of Karin Nijkamp. When I talk to Dutch students about This is Where it Ends, we talk about how theyve never had to worry about going to school and not coming home. Its a sobering discussion, but an empathic one. School visits on the other side of the Atlantic are quite different. Which is to say, in many ways, they arent: every class has a few jokers. Every class has artists, whether they are comfortable admitting to it or not. Every class has its own triumphs and its own scars. Every class has a few students who hide the questions they really want to ask behind smiles and glances and quickly looking away. Some of them come up to me afterwards. Some of them dont. Story continues But when I talk to students at American high schools, I have to explain that Dutch students have never done, and likely will never do, an active shooter drill in their lives. When I talk to American students and teachers for that matter every single one of them has thought about going to school and not coming home. And too many of them have personal connections to situations where that fear turned out to be only too real. Some use This Is Where It Ends to talk about that fear. To talk about the pain. Or to talk about activism. Fiction, after all, helps to open up conversations that are too difficult to have when the context is too real. Art and fiction can be, and sometimes should be, ways to explore the world safely. When I talk to students at Dutch high schools, I have to explain what active shooter drills and lockdown drills are. To me, as the author, its humbling. But Im also well aware that it is far bigger than the book. This Is Where It Ends was first published in January, 2016. In the three years since it came out, there have been 218 shootings and incidents of gun violence at schools (per the K-12 School Shooting Database, featuring data from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School). In those three years, 324 students, teachers, and others were injured, and 97 of them were killed. I kept up with active shooting situations as I was writing the book, because I felt I owed it to my readers not to flinch away. I still keep up with them as much as I can, for the exact same reason and now because inevitably, Ill hear from some of the students and I owe it to them to be aware. Because its been well over three years since the book was first published. Almost one entire high school generation. So many readers have reached out to me. To tell me they loved the book (or sometimes hated it, which is entirely valid, too). To ask for information for school assignments. And once every few readers, to tell me about their own experiences with school violence and school shootings, about the people theyve lost, about hurting and healing. I listen to them, just like I listen to the stories I hear during school visits. In a very real sense, its my privilege. Listening is the very least I can do. Its the most important thing I can do. Because theyre empathic conversations instead of sobering ones. Theyre fierce. Stubborn. Unflinching. Hopeful. Because every conversation also turns to this: what theyre doing to stop this from happening again. To advocacy, to speaking up, to shouting. And in every school I visit, on either side of the Atlantic, I see the same determination. That schools should be safe. That one day, the doors can always stay open. That no one will have to worry about going to school and not coming home. And that someday, stories like these will be history or fiction and nothing more. Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here? Cory Booker & Ayanna Pressley Unveil Bill To Keep Black Women From Dying In Childbirth Kirsten Gillibrand Says She'll Only Nominate Pro-Choice Judges Inside The World Of The #KHive, Kamala Harris' Biggest Fans A multiracial group of young medical interns listening to a older doctor in a hospital corridor. Throughout my life, I was known as the accident prone kid. I was a competitive athlete that managed to get myself badly injured every season. During volleyball season in my sophomore year of high school, I tore the labrum of my right hip. This injury was a pivotal point for my physical health. I had to have surgery to repair the tear which left me in recovery for six months. During this time, I experienced a severe decline in my joint stability. In a search for answers, I went through genetic testing at the University of Iowa hospitals and again at Mayo Clinic. I was diagnosed with a connective tissue disorder known as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS). There is far too little known about this disease. What I do know is there is no cure and the only treatment is pain management paired with exercise rehabilitation. However, exercise is extremely dangerous for my joints. Related: To the Teacher Who Called Me a 'Part-Timer' Over the next few years my body experienced an extreme deterioration; I found myself in pain performing the simplest of tasks and was constantly at risk for a ligament tear or dislocation. Recently I experienced my worst dislocation episode yet. I was getting dressed for work one morning and dislocated my left shoulder, scapula, a rib and my elbow. This type of thing occurs often. It is both unpredictable and utterly excruciating. I have learned how to advocate for my medical care, reduce my own dislocations, and live despite the physical pain I feel each day. It is due to the extensive research I have conducted on my own, in trying to become as proficient in my genetics as possible that I fell in love with the field. Genetics is ever-changing, mysterious and I want to learn everything about it. Spring semester 2018, the greatest hospital in the world told me there was nothing they could do for me, but I had never been sicker. I spent my days juggling school while endlessly searching for a diagnosis for my excruciating head and neck pain. The reality of my current circumstances hit me hard. I had to decide whether or not to drop out of UMR, at least for the semester. I was failing my classes, I was in pain and I was depressed. I had multiple meetings with my advisor to decide what to do. Story continues Related: Why I'm 'Coming Out' About My Disability Everyone had an opinion. Everyone wanted to help but no one could take my pain away. My mom was terrified for me and she felt helpless while trying to advocate for me from home in Iowa. I was overwhelmed and disappointed in myself. I decided to stay the semester but take a lighter load of classes. I needed to at least try. I was just trying to make it through each day, one day at a time. Finally, after feeling like all hope was lost, I found a surgeon in Milwaukee, Wisconsin that not only believed in my pain but knew exactly what was wrong; my EDS had affected the tissue that supports and holds my cerebellum in place, in other words, my brain had fallen unto my spinal canal and was being crushed by spine. In the midst of the chaos of school, I scheduled a double brain and spinal surgery for two days after my final exams. Related: Why It's Ridiculous to Tell Patients Not to Use Google I fell into the arms of my best friend, overcome with emotion. I allowed myself to be vulnerable and comforted as the powerful nausea and breathtaking anxiety of my uncertain future took over. As a once independent young adult, I began to rely on the help of my friends and family in ways I did not expect. I was so lucky to have all of them by my side. The looming Chiari malformation decompression surgery plus cervical spinal stenosis surgery were both a glimmer of hope as well as a source of panic. I knew I could not keep living in pain, but I was becoming consumed by the fear of the surgery. Throughout the semester I felt defeated physically, mentally and emotionally. I believed I was a disappointment as I watched my peers continue to succeed as I slipped further and further behind. I felt like a failure as a daughter when I called my mom to break the news I needed major surgery and could no longer be the independent young adult I desperately longed to be. I felt like a failure on the phone with my insurance company when they told me it would be a $300,000 surgery. I felt like a failure as a friend when I was too sick to be one. When it came time for surgery I tearfully said goodbye to my mother, grandmother, and best friend for what I feared was the last time. By grace I came through. I arrived in recovery stronger than ever. I was determined to fight back. It was a long road to recovery between the complications from surgery, returning to school, and facing my other health conditions that were neglected in the previous months. I am finally back on track with my academics and my head and neck feel like new. I still struggle each day with my EDS, but I am learning to multitask managing my healthcare while also pursuing my career goals. Though I have and will continue to have health issues in my life, I have been given the opportunity to experience health care from the patient perspective and I refuse to let these invaluable lessons be taken for granted. I have witnessed health care providers with empathy that seems to never end and also those that will not give me the time of day. Because of these experiences, I know the kind of healthcare professional I want to become and the kind my future patients deserve. I want to be a provider that instills hope, healing and strength to her patients. I want to be a provider that does not give up on her patients. Lastly, I want to be a provider that heals. As a lifelong patient, I have seen some of the limitations within the healthcare system. There are too many stories like mine where patients are turned away and required to find a diagnosis alone. There are too many insurance companies in search of a big payday instead of helping the patient obtain affordable care. Right now, the American healthcare system is broken. People are suffering, treatments are amiss and communication between healthcare providers is disconnected. This creates a space for valuable information to get lost. If any of my providers had taken the time to look at the whole picture of me as a patient, instead of simply suggesting I had migraines, drank too much caffeine or was sleep deprived (Which describes a typical college student, right?), I might have been diagnosed a year earlier and my GPA as well as my mental health would have certainly been more intact. There are incredible healthcare providers out there. My life has been saved by many of them, but the system itself is flawed. Healing is personal. It is almost never a linear process. I have had many people throughout my life, even recently, tell me that I will not succeed, I will not achieve my dreams, and my health will hold me back. I have decided I will no longer listen to those who wish to deter me from my goals, and I will achieve my dreams not despite my illness, but because of it. My path to success will not be linear, easy or similar to others, but I am determined to make the most of it. None of this would have been possible without the never-ending support from my family and friends. Even on my worst days they never gave up on me. I am resilient. I am climbing each mountain and valley that comes my way. I am learning that the view from the top is worth the climb, however winding the road. I will use my own personal experience as a patient when treating patients in the future. I am still chronically surviving. Read more stories like this on The Mighty: 12 Public Figures Who Live With Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome When I Was Treated Like a Criminal At the Airport Because of My Disability 14 Ways to Describe What a Subluxation Feels Like The royal baby has finally (and I mean finally) arrived, but the royal family has been keeping the details of the birth guarded tighter than Buckingham Palace. Word on the street is that Meghan Markle wanted a home birth, but now rumors are spreading that she was actually whisked off to the hospital to deliver the littlest royal. No one knows for sure whether the duchess gave birth at her own residence or in the hospital, but her supposed plan to have her baby at home sparked quite a bit of controversy. Over the weekend, doctors at the annual meeting of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) in Nashville apparently laughed at the her home birth wishes. The Daily Mail reported that Timothy Draycott, MD, envoy of the Royal College of Gynecology and a lecturer at the University of Bristol, said at the meeting that Meghan Markle has decided shes going to have a doula and a willow treelet's see how that goes. The crowd reportedly laughed in response. He then added, Shes 37, first birthI dont know. Yikes. RELATED: You Have to See This Viral Video of a Woman Standing Up While Giving Birth to Her Fifth Child Dr. Draycotts comments illustrate what a sensitive topic home births can be for physiciansespecially American physicians. Christine Greves, MD, an ob-gyn at Orlando Health in Florida, tells Health that some doctors worry that if something goes wronglike the mother bleeds excessively or the baby has trouble breathingthey wont have access to necessary medical care. A hospital transfer is usually possible, says Dr. Greves, but time is of the essence. But not all health professionals are so dismissive of the idea. Michelle Palmer, a certified nurse-midwife, tells Health that many women choose to have home births for more control over their choices and because they feel that this is more in line with their family values. Story continues Moms-to-be might also want to give birth in the comfort of their own home or have the freedom to choose their care providers, Palmer adds. (A midwife, or a professional trained in assisting childbirth, is usually present at home births, rather than a medical doctor.) As for Dr. Draycotts comments at the ACOG meeting, it seems he was skeptical of Markles plans at least in part because of her age. The duchess is 37, and any pregnancy at age 35 or older is classified as high-risk, according to the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) here in the United States. (Both the NICHD and ACOG recommend against home births, regardless of the mothers age.) However, the UKs National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), which created the British governments childbirth recommendations, feels differently. Its guidelines state that home births are safe, and can even be beneficial, for almost half of low-risk births. They also state that high-risk births can still be performed at home if the mother's age is the only factor. RELATED: 17 Things No One Tells You About Recovering From Childbirth One reason home births may be safer in the United Kingdom is that theres an integrated system of care, meaning midwives are regulated by regional healthcare systems. The United States doesnt have a system like this in place nationally. Lisa Kane Low, a certified nurse-midwife and professor at the University of Michigan, told the Daily Mail that she remembers campaigns in the early 1990s that pushed women to give birth in hospitals, putting down midwives while shining the spotlight on obstetricians. Studies have shown that when home births are integrated into the healthcare system, the outcomes are at least as good, if not better, for the mom and baby, says Palmer. Countries like Canada and the UK have shown how successful integrated systems can be, and some US states, like New York and Washington, have followed their example. Others, like Oklahoma and Kansas, still keep home birth relatively separate from the healthcare system. Bottom line: Meghan Markle might have given birth at home, or she might have given birth at a hospitaland either way, its very likely that the royal family took every precaution to make sure the delivery went as smoothly as possible. Regardless, the duchess and her royal baby both seem to be healthy, and thats all that really matters. Well, other than the yet to be announced royal baby name, that is RELATED: 8 Unexpected Ways Your Body Might Change After You Have a Baby Paris (AFP) - Whether humanity has pushed the planet into a "mass extinction" event may be a matter of definition, but by any measure the rate at which life-forms are disappearing is deeply alarming, scientists say. "In each of the five previous mass extinctions, we lost about 75 percent of species," said Robert Watson, head of the UN science panel on biodiversity, which unveiled a grim assessment of the state of Nature on Monday. Over the last several centuries Earth has lost about two percent, and so -- by that criterion -- remains far below the threshold, he told AFP. But if one looks instead at the rate at which species are dying off, the picture becomes bleaker. Currently the pace of extinctions is up to several hundred times greater than the average over the last ten million years, the new report concluded. At that rate, we could hit the 75 percent mark within a couple of hundred years. Here are Earth's biggest die-offs over the last half-billion years, each showing up in the fossil record at the boundary between geological periods. - Ordovician extinction - When: about 445 million years ago Species lost: 60-70 percent Likely cause: Short but intense ice age Most life at this time was in the oceans. It is thought that the rapid, planet-wide formation of glaciers froze much of the world's water, causing sea levels to fall sharply. Marine organisms such as sponges and algae, along with primitive snails, clams, cephalopods and jawless fish called ostracoderms, all suffered as a consequence. - Devonian extinction - When: about 375-360 million years ago Species lost: up to 75 percent Likely cause: oxygen depletion in the ocean Again, ocean organisms were hardest hit. Fluctuations in sea level, climate change, and asteroid strikes are all suspects. One theory holds that the massive expansion of plant life on land released compounds that caused oxygen depletion in shallow waters. Armoured, bottom-dwelling marine creatures called trilobites were among the many victims, though some species survived. Story continues - Permian extinction - When: about 252 million years ago Species lost: 95 percent Possible causes: asteroid impact, volcanic activity The mother of all extinctions, the "Great Dying" devastated ocean and land life alike, and is the only event to have nearly wiped out insects as well. Some scientists say the die-off occurred over millions of years, while others argue it was highly concentrated in a 200,000-year period. In the sea, trilobites that had survived the last two wipeouts finally succumbed, along with some sharks and bony fishes. On land, massive reptiles known as moschops met their demise. Asteroid impacts, methane release and sea level fluctuations have all been blamed. - Triassic extinction - When: about 200 million years ago Species lost: 70-80 percent Likely causes: multiple, still debated The mysterious Triassic die-out eliminated a vast menagerie of large land animals, including most archosaurs, a diverse group that gave rise to dinosaurs, and whose living relatives today are birds and crocodiles. Most big amphibians were also eliminated. One theory points to massive lava eruptions during the breakup of the super-continent Pangea, which might have released huge amounts of carbon dioxide, causing runaway global warming. Other scientists suspect asteroid strikes are to blame, but matching craters have yet to be found. - Cretaceous extinction - When: about 66 million years ago Species lost: 75 percent Likely cause: asteroid strike A space rock impact is suspect No. 1 for the extinction event that wiped out the world's non-avian dinosaurs, from T-Rex to the three-horned Triceratops. A huge crater off Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula supports the asteroid hypothesis. But most mammals, turtles, crocodiles and frogs survived, along with birds as well as most sea life, including sharks, starfish and sea urchins. With dinosaurs out of the way, mammals flourished, eventually giving rise to the species -- Homo sapiens -- that has sparked fear of the sixth mass extinction. SOURCES: Peer-reviewed studies, National Geographic, Encyclopaedia Britannica. The 27th Amendment is the most recent amendment to the Constitution, and its existence today can be traced to a college student who proposed the idea in a term paper and was given a C by his professor for the idea. Today marks the 27th anniversary of the amendments ratification in 1992, and it seems likely we won't see a 28th amendment for some time. No law, varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives, shall take effect, until an election of Representatives shall have intervened, the 27th Amendment reads, as approved in 1992. In short, the amendment states that a sitting Congress cant give itself a raise (or cut its pay) during its current session. Any pay raise or cut can only take effect for the Congress that follows a sitting Congress. Its not a new idea. Founding Father James Madison first proposed this amendment back in 1789 along with several other amendments that became the Bill of Rights, but it took 203 years for it to become the law of the land. In 1982, a college undergraduate student, Gregory Watson, discovered that the proposed amendment could still be ratified and started a grassroots campaign. Watson was also an aide to Texas state senator Ric Williamson. Shortly after the amendment was ratified a decade later, New York Law School professor Richard B. Bernstein traced the journey from 1789 to 1992 in a Fordham Law Review article. Bernstein called Watson the step-father of the 27th Amendment. Watson was a sophomore at the University of Texas-Austin in 1982 and he needed a topic for a government course. Watson researched what became the 27th Amendment and found that six states had ratified it by 1792, and then there was little activity about it. Watson concluded that the amendment could still be ratified, because Congress had never stipulated a time limit for states to consider it for ratification. Watsons professor gave him a C for the paper, calling the whole idea a dead letter issue and saying it would never become part of the Constitution. The professor gave me a C on the paper. When I protested she said I had not convinced her the amendment was still pending, Watson told USA Today back in 1992. Story continues Undeterred, Watson started a self-financed campaign to get the amendment ratified. He wrote letters to state officials, and the amendment was ratified in Maine in 1983 and Colorado in 1984. The story appeared in a magazine called State Legislatures and an official from Wyoming, reading the magazine, confirmed that his state had ratified the amendment, too, six years earlier. The proposed amendment and its supporters tapped into general public anger about congressional pay raises. Five more states ratified it in 1985, as legal experts pondered whether the entire process was valid. One issue with the process was a Supreme Court case from 1921 called Dillon v. Gloss. In that case, the Court in a unanimous decision said that when amendments are . . . proposed, the reasonable implication [is] that when proposed they are to be considered and disposed of presently. However, the Court didnt explicitly require Congress to put an expiration date on amendments to be ratified by the states. In 1992, two states raced to be the 38th state to sign off on the 27th Amendment, making it part of the Constitution. Alabama beat New Jersey to the punch on May 7, 1992, but New Jersey quickly voted for ratification, too. The ratification, said Bernstein, caught Congress by surprise, with some key leaders still questioning the legality of the ratification approach. However, the Archivist of the United States certified the amendment as ratified under Article V of the Constitution, and published it in the Federal Register. And Congress voiced its support of the amendment in a near unanimous vote. Since then, the 27th Amendment has gotten very little publicity, except for the occasional news story about Watsons personal quest to get it passed. But in 2014, during the fight in Congress over the federal governments budget, GOP House leaders proposed linking congressional pay to the budget debate, and it didnt take long for journalists and academics to recall the 27th Amendment. Critics were quick to point out that withholding pay, even temporarily, would vary the compensation for members of Congress, and in their opinion, would present a direct violation of the 27th Amendment. Eventually, a short-term budget compromise was reached and the bills validity under the 27th Amendment was never tested. Copenhagen (AFP) - Danish Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen on Tuesday called a general election for June 5, with opinion polls suggesting a left-wing opposition bloc will kick his centre-right coalition out of office. Rasmussen, whose minority government relied on the informal support in parliament of the far-right Danish People's Party, has passed a string of laws tightening asylum and immigration rules. "I want to use all of my strength, my capabilities and my experience to continue to lead Denmark. And I ask Danes to re-elect me in the legislative elections to be held on June 5," Rasmussen said in parliament. His four-year term ends on June 17 and he was required to hold legislative elections before then. The latest opinion polls suggest the opposition left-wing bloc, headed by the Social Democrats, will win 54 percent of votes compared to 46 percent for Rasmussen and his right-wing bloc. The right-wing has struggled in recent polls amid voter apathy and an erosion in support for the far-right. The Danish People's Party's longstanding anti-immigration line has now been broadly adopted by most political parties, including the Social Democrats. Observers suggest that if the Social Democrats were to emerge as the biggest party, they would likely form a minority government that would cooperate with the right-wing bloc on immigration issues and with the left on other policies. - Changing political climate - The Social Democrats could also reach out to Danish People's Party leader Kristian Thulesen Dahl, who last year hailed the left party's shift towards a more restrictive immigration policy. That change has been eyed warily by other left-wing parties, who are yet to pledge their full support for Social Democrats leader Mette Frederiksen. A former employment minister who later took over the justice portfolio, she presented proposals last year to send "non-Western" foreigners and "non ethnic Danes" to UN camps in Africa. Story continues The anti-immigrant rhetoric, first introduced by the far-right, is now commonly used by all parties. "The political climate has been anti-immigration for years. The Danish People's Party's agenda has been adopted by mainstream parties," Anders Widfeldt, a lecturer at Scotland's University of Aberdeen who specialises in Nordic politics, told AFP. In this climate, two new far-right parties, pushing agendas to the right of the Danish People's Party, have emerged and are vying for seats in the election. One of them, the New Right, which promotes libertarian economic policies, has called for even tighter immigration rules. The other party, Stram Kurs which means "Hard Line" in English, is headed by Rasmus Paludan, a vehemently anti-Muslim provocateur already convicted of inciting racial hatred and blocked by Facebook. - The end of Rasmussen ? - For Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen, 54, an election defeat would in all likelihood put an end to his 25-year career in Danish politics. At the head of the centre-right Liberal Party since 2009, he has served twice as prime minister, from 2009 to 2011 and 2015 to 2019, interrupted by a four-year Social Democratic government. "Lars Lokke Rasmussen knows that if he loses he will also be finished as leader of his party," said Christine Cordsen, political analyst at public television DR. Yet under his leadership, Denmark's economy has thrived. It is expected to grow by 1.8 percent in 2019 against 1.3 percent in the eurozone. The country also has almost full employment, with a jobless rate of just 3.7 percent in March compared to 7.7 percent in the eurozone. The Danish parliament, the Folketing, has 179 seats, including two each for its autonomous territories Greenland and the Faroe Islands. Parties must win at least two percent of votes to be represented in parliament. Voter turnout is traditionally high in Denmark. In 2015, 85.9 percent of the 4.5 million eligible voters cast their ballots. Eat This, Not That! The Omicron variant of COVID-19 has surged worldwide in record timeit was only three weeks ago that the first case was identified in South Africa. Last week, it accounted for 73% of new COVID infections in the United States, according to the latest CDC data. It's highly contagiousscientists estimate it's twice as transmissible as the Delta variant, which itself was twice as transmissible as the original COIVD strainwhich calls for an abundance of caution. How do you know if you've been infect By PTI NEW DELHI: Delhi University professors got into a war of words over Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks about late Rajiv Gandhi, with one section condemning the comments and another supporting him. As many as 207 DU teachers issued a statement on Monday night against Modi for making "derogatory and untrue" remarks about former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi. It was followed a statement by 121 teachers on Tuesday in favour of Modi and accusing Gandhi of "corruption". The statements from the two sections came after Modi had targeted Congress president Rahul Gandhi on the Rafale issue in a rally on Saturday, where he said, "Your father was termed 'Mr Clean' by his courtiers, but his life ended as corrupt number 1." ALSO READ| Dare Congress to contest remaining phases of polls in the name of Rajiv Gandhi: PM Modi "Narendra Modi has lowered the dignity of the office of the prime minister by making derogatory and untrue remarks about the late Rajivji, who made the supreme sacrifice in the service of the nation," the signed statement read. No prime minister has ever "stooped" to this level through such actions as has Modi. FOLLOW OUR FULL ELECTION COVERAGE HERE The nation acknowledges the achievements of the former prime minister, they said. The statement had references to the role of the Bofors gun in the 1999 Kargil conflict and the telecom revolution. "When India beat back the invaders from Kargil, our soldiers shouted slogans praising Rajiv Gandhi for the Bofors gun even though Rajivji had been martyred a decade ago," the statement read. "If our IT companies earn each year billions of dollars in foreign revenue, it is because of the farsighted wisdom of Rajivji. If India is connected as a nation through the advances in the telecom sector it is because of the policies and actions of Rajivji," it said. According to the statement, if train travel is so much more convenient today, it is because of Rajiv Gandhi's acumen in computerising rail reservation. "History records the deeds of the good and the noble, but rarely does it pay attention to the carping of lesser individuals," it added. The statement was also signed by former Delhi University Teachers' Association (DUTA) president Aditya Narayan Misra, two DU executive council members, three academic council members, the DUTA vice-president and joint secretary, and a member of the varsity's finance committee. A media report claimed that two teachers did not sign the letter, but they did not respond to messages and calls. ALSO READ| Only have love for Modi who insulted a martyr: Rahul Gandhi Another section of the teachers fully supported Modi "for bringing into public attention the regime of corruption in big defence deals started during Rajiv Gandhi's tenure". "(The) Bofors deal became a symbol of official corruption; it initiated a trend which had consistently been followed by Congress-led governments. Scandals like 2G, Coalgate, CWG, and now Scorpene Submarine scandal directly involving Rahul Gandhi are all the natural corollaries of Bofors tradition," the statement read. "The subsequent remote-controlled Manmohan Singh's UPA government even defroze the accounts of Gandhi's family friend swindler Ottavio Quattrocchi," they said. They accused Rajiv Gandhi of beginning his term as prime minister "by justifying wanton murder of thousands of Sikhs in 1984 -- an officially sponsored pogrom". "Rajiv Gandhi as PM was responsible for letting Warren Anderson Chairman of Union Carbide escape justice in the Bhopal Tragedy episode. "His company was responsible for the death of thousands of poor Bhopal residents - most died instantaneously and thousands later owing cancer and other diseases caused by poisonous gas leaks. PM Modi has rightly pointed the darker side of Rajiv Gandhi. He can't escape historical critique," they said. The statement by some DU teachers wants everyone not to point out any finger at Rajiv Gandhi, whereas they refer to the Modi in the most foul language on a daily basis, it read "The fact that Sh. Rajiv Gandhi was awarded a Bharat Ratna- Jawaharlal Nehru and all his PM progenies had been so awarded- cannot prevent future analysts to critique his contribution to organised corruption and Congress supported genocide of Sikhs in 1984," the statement added. By Marius Zaharia HONG KONG (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump's fresh threats of tariff hikes on Chinese imports this week marked a new escalation in the trade dispute between the world's top two economies and a reversal of months of apparent progress in negotiations. The trade war formally kicked off in July last year with tariffs on $34 billion of Chinese imports, which were followed by tariffs on an extra $16 billion in August and another $200 billion in September. China has retaliated on each of these measures with its own set of tariffs. A subsequent threat to raise tariffs on the September list of products to 25 percent from 10 percent in March was suspended, pending trade talks. In the latest development, Trump on Sunday said those increases could now take effect on Friday and that he would target a further $325 billion of Chinese goods "shortly". All up, the tariffs would effectively cover all imports of Chinese goods into the United States. Here is a look at the impact the U.S.-China trade war has had so far on the two economies and the rest of the world. BILATERAL TRADE China's customs data shows exports to the United States in March fell 47 percent from June 2018, which was the last month before the first round of tariffs kicked in. Imports from the United States in March were 17 percent lower. Cumulatively, in the first quarter of 2019, Chinese imports fell almost a third year-on-year, while exports fell almost a tenth. In dollar terms, a decline in two-way trade of $25 billion accounts for around 0.5 percent of global trade. Compounding the decline in imports into China was a broader weakening in domestic demand following Beijing's campaign against financial risk taking. The bulk of the decline in U.S. exports to China is in raw materials and food. They represent about a third of the total and have more than halved, according to Oxford Economics. But U.S. firms in other sectors, including Caterpillar and Apple, have also issued China sales warnings. Story continues Of all Chinese exports to the United States, machinery and electrical equipment have taken the biggest hit. GROWTH Most analysts estimate direct U.S. losses so far of 0.1-0.2 percent of gross domestic product, while for China the damage could be 0.3-0.6 percent of GDP. These could grow with more, and higher tariffs. Theses estimates, however, do not take into account how the trade war impacts investment and spending decisions by firms and consumers while domestic policy measures also muddy the waters considerably. Partly reacting to external headwinds, the U.S. Federal Reserve has put monetary policy tightening on hold with markets now actually forecasting a rate cut this year. China has also responded with cuts in bank reserve requirement ratios, which have boosted domestic lending to a record 5.81 trillion yuan ($862.8 billion) in the first quarter. Tax cuts are estimated to unleash an extra 2 trillion yuan, while local governments are also allowed to issue 2.15 trillion yuan of special bonds to fund infrastructure projects. China's economy grew at a steady 6.4 percent pace in the first quarter. In the last pre-tariff quarter, April-June 2018, the economy grew 6.7 percent, but the difference accounts for some domestically-inflicted slowdown, U.S. import frontloading, domestic policy moves, and other seasonal factors. The U.S. economy grew 3.2 percent in the first quarter, faster than the 2.9 percent in the last pre-tariff quarter. CROSS-BORDER TRADE IMPACT S&P Global Market Intelligence's trade data firm Panjiva says U.S. import flows are being re-routed. U.S. imports of furniture from China fell 13.5 percent in the first quarter, which compares with a 37.2 percent increase in imports from Vietnam and a 19.3 percent rise from Taiwan. For refrigerators, imports from China fell 24.1 percent, but South Korea and Mexico each saw 32 percent jumps. Tire imports from China fell 28.6 percent, while those from Vietnam surged 141.7 percent. A DBS analysis of Asian supply chains for U.S.-bound products shows the biggest risks in machinery and electrical equipment in South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines and Taiwan. South Korea's minerals and petrochemicals exports were also exposed, as well as Indonesia's transportation industry, according to the DBS report. A study by think-tank Centre for Economic Policy Research showed about $165 billion in trade has been lost or redirected in order to avoid tariffs. MARKET IMPACT Since last July, the S&P 500 index has risen 8 percent while Shanghai stocks are up 5 percent, though this is a reflection of looser-than-expected monetary policy globally and in China, as well as hopes for a trade deal this year. The yuan took a hit last year, falling 5.3 percent against the U.S. dollar, before stabilising in 2019. UBS Global Wealth Management CIO Mark Haefele estimates more tit-for-tat tariffs could shrink U.S. earnings by 5 percent, which, coupled with falling valuations could result in a 10-15 percent decline in U.S. equities. Chinese equities could also fall 15-20 percent, while the yuan might breach 7.0 per dollar. (Additional reporting by Vidya Ranganathan in Singapore; Editing by Sam Holmes) Beirut (AFP) - Clashes between Syrian government forces and jihadists Monday killed 43 fighters in the country's northwest, where the regime and its Russian ally have stepped up bombardment in the past few days, a monitor said. Jihadists also fired rockets at a Russian air base in the region but were repelled with the attack causing no casualties or damage, the Russian defence ministry said in a statement. Twenty-two pro-government fighters were among those killed in fierce fighting in the northern countryside of Hama province, said the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Twenty-one jihadists, including members of Al-Qaeda's former Syrian branch, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), and its ally the Turkistan Islamic Party, were also killed, the war monitor said. The fighting came as regime forces advanced on two villages and a strategic hilltop in the region, it said. State news agency SANA said Syrian troops launched "intensive operations," targeting supply lines and areas where armed groups operate in northern Hama and neighbouring Idlib. The region held by HTS has faced intensifying bombardment in the past month, prompting a new wave of displacement. Earlier Monday, five civilians were killed in shelling and air strikes on Idlib and neighbouring areas by Syrian government forces and their Russian allies, said the Observatory. An AFP photographer in Idlib saw several houses completely destroyed by recent attacks. One man who lost his wife, his daughter-in-law, and his two grandchildren during shelling overnight prepared a pickup truck to relocate surviving members of his family. "I don't know where I'm going," he told AFP. More than 140,000 civilians have been forced to flee attacks since February, Refugees International said on Monday. "It is difficult to overstate the urgency of this looming humanitarian disaster if nothing is done to protect these people," the non-governmental organisation said in a statement. Story continues Escalated attacks have hit schools and medical facilities, according to the UN. Since 28 April, at least seven healthcare facilities have reportedly been struck, including four in Hama and three in Idlib, said David Swanson of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Russia and rebel-backer Turkey in September inked a buffer zone deal to prevent a massive regime offensive on the Idlib region, near the Turkish border. But the region of some three million people has come under increasing bombardment since HTS took full control of it in January. A statement by the Russian defence ministry said that the Hmeimim airbase in Latakia province neighbouring Idlib was the target Monday of rocket fire. "Altogether there were 36 rockets fired," during two separate attacks which were "repelled by air defence systems," it said. The civil war in Syria has killed more than 370,000 people and displaced millions since it began with the bloody repression of anti-government protests in 2011. BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) The European Union should stop "misleading" Turkey about its prospects of membership in the bloc and instead offer it a "comprehensive strategic partnership," Hungary's foreign minister said Friday. Peter Szijjarto, who was hosting his Turkish counterpart, Mevlut Cavusoglu, said that his counterparts from some of the larger EU members reject Turkey's membership at closed-door meetings, but don't say so publicly. "If this is the position of certain countries, then why don't they talk about it publicly and why do they mislead the Turks with something that isn't going to happen?" said Szijjarto. "If membership is impossible ... let's talk then about a comprehensive strategic partnership which will add to Europe economically, in terms of defense and in trade," Szijjarto added. Szijjarto also praised Turkey's role in preventing some 4.5 million migrants, mostly Syrians, currently in Turkey from migrating to Europe, saying "Europe's security today begins in Turkey." Cavusoglu told reporters that Turkey and the United States are trying to work out a date for a possible visit to Turkey by President Donald Trump, amid a deepening rift between the NATO allies over Turkey's purchase of Russian-made S-400 missile defense systems. The U.S. says the S-400 system poses a threat to the U.S. F-35 fighter jet program of which Turkey is also a partner. "Turkish-U.S. relations are not just linked to the F-35 or S-400," Cavusoglu said. "We have several regional and bilateral issues to discuss, including the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Syria." Cavusoglu repeated that Turkey does not believe that the Russian system would pose a threat to the F-35 fighter jet program, and added that Turkey has proposed the establishment of a joint committee to review any possible risks. Cavusoglu also thanked Szijjarto and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban for "representing Turkey's rights everywhere." ___ Suzan Fraser in Ankara, Turkey, contributed to this report. By Nidal al-Mughrabi and Jeffrey Heller GAZA/JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Rockets and missiles from Gaza killed four civilians in Israel, while Israeli strikes killed 19 Palestinians, more than half of them civilians, in surging cross-border fighting on Sunday, according to Gazan officials and the Israeli military. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he ordered the military to continue "massive strikes" against Gaza's ruling Hamas group and Islamic Jihad in the most serious border clashes since a spate of fighting in November. Israel's military said that more than 600 rockets and other projectiles - over 150 of them intercepted by its Iron Dome anti-missile system - had been fired at southern Israeli cities and villages since Friday. It said it attacked more than 260 targets belonging to Gaza militant groups. Gaza officials said Israeli air strikes and artillery fire killed 27 people, including 14 civilians, since Friday. A rocket that hit a house in Ashkelon on Sunday killed a 58-year-old man, police said. He was the first such Israeli civilian fatality since the seven-week Gaza war in 2014. Another rocket strike killed a factory worker, a hospital official said. The military said a civilian was killed near the border by an anti-tank missile fired at his car from Gaza and a fourth died when a rocket struck the city of Ashdod. In Gaza, militant groups identified eight fighters killed in Israeli strikes, while medical officials said that nine civilians also died, including a couple and their baby daughter. In what it said was a separate, targeted attack, Israel's military killed Hamed Ahmed Al-Khodary, a Hamas commander. The military said he was responsible for transferring funds from Iran to armed factions in Gaza. Hamas confirmed Khodary had been killed. The attack on his car was the first such killing by Israel of a top militant since the war five years ago. Israel had suspended what Palestinians call an assassination policy in an attempt to lower tensions. Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh issued a statement late on Sunday saying his group was not seeking a broader conflict and held out the possibility of a ceasefire, although sirens warning of rocket fire continued to sound in Israeli cities into the night. U.S. Vice President Mike Pence reiterated Washington's support for Israel, saying in a message on Twitter: "We strongly condemn the attacks in Gaza by Hamas terrorists. Israel has the absolute right to defend itself & the U.S. stands by our great ally Israel." SIRENS AND EXPLOSIONS The sounds of sirens and explosions reverberated on both sides of the frontier on Sunday, fraying nerves and keeping schools closed. Israel halted supplies from its main natural gas field. The Tamar field's offshore production platform is in range of Palestinian rockets. Israel also stopped fuel imports into Gaza through the main Kerem Shalom crossing. The latest round of violence began two days ago when an Islamic Jihad sniper fired at Israeli troops, wounding two soldiers, according to the Israeli military. Islamic Jihad accused Israel of delaying implementation of previous understandings brokered by Egypt in an effort to end violence and ease blockaded Gaza's economic hardship. This time, Israeli strategic affairs analysts said, both Islamic Jihad and Hamas militants appeared to believe they had some leverage to press for concessions from Israel, where independence day celebrations begin on Wednesday. In two weeks, Israel is also hosting the Eurovision Song Contest in Tel Aviv, the target of a Gaza rocket attack in March. That attack caused no damage. On Sunday, sirens sounded in the city of Rehovot, 17 km (11 miles) southeast of Tel Aviv. Netanyahu, who doubles as defense minister, convened his security Cabinet, which issued a statement saying it had ordered the military "to continue its strikes and to prepare for the next stages". RAMADAN APPROACHING For residents in Gaza, the escalation comes a day before the Muslim holy month of Ramadan begins in the territory on Monday. It is traditionally a time for prayer, family feasts to break a daylight fast and shopping. Among the 14 Gazan civilians killed since Friday were a 14-month-old baby and the baby's aunt, according to the health ministry. Israel's military said the intelligence information showed they were killed by a misfired Palestinian rocket. In Gaza, two Palestinian human rights groups described the cause of their deaths as an explosion with an as yet undetermined source. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the firing of rockets into Israel and urged all parties to "exercise maximum restraint". A U.N. envoy said it was working with Egypt to try to end the fighting. Israeli bombings in Gaza destroyed four multi-storey structures. Witnesses said the Israeli military had warned people inside to evacuate the buildings, which it alleged housed Hamas security facilities, before they were hit. Saeed Al-Nakhala, owner of a clothing store in one of the buildings, said he had no time to save his merchandise. "I was together with my son in the shop, there was a big noise and then another and people started to run. We left everything behind and escaped," said Nakhala. Some 2 million Palestinians live in Gaza, the economy of which has suffered years of Israeli and Egyptian blockades as well as recent foreign aid cuts and sanctions by the Palestinian Authority, Hamas' West Bank-based rival. Israel says its blockade is necessary to stop weapons reaching Hamas, with which it has fought three wars since the group seized control of Gaza in 2007, two years after Israel withdrew its settlers and troops from the area. (Reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi and Jeffrey Heller; Additional reporting by Matt Spetalnick in Washington; riting by Jeffrey Heller; Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky, David Goodman and Peter Cooney) A federal judge on Monday blocked the Trump administrations policy of returning Central American asylum seekers to Mexico until their cases are processed. Judge Richard Seeborg in San Francisco delayed the enforcement of his ruling thwarting the hardline immigration policy until Friday in order to give administration officials time to appeal it. The policy of requiring asylum seekers to wait in Mexico for their applications to progress was implemented in January at the crowded San Ysidro U.S. port of entry in California. It was a marked shift from previous U.S. policy for families seeking asylum, which was to release them into the U.S. with a notice to appear in court at a later date. The lawsuit was brought by the American Civil Liberties Union and other civil liberties groups as well as 11 Central American migrants who are seeking asylum. The plaintiffs accused the Department of Homeland Security of unfairly obfuscating the asylum application process. The lawsuit also objects that the policy, the Migrant Protection Protocols, place asylum seekers in mortal danger. Instead of being able to focus on preparing their cases, asylum seekers forced to return to Mexico will have to focus on trying to survive, the lawsuit states. These pressures may deter even those with the strongest asylum claims to give up, rather than endure the wait under such conditions. When the ruling takes effect, the 11 migrants from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras must be allowed into the U.S. within two days. The judge also issued a preliminary injunction blocking any future administration attempts to return asylum seekers to Mexico. The administration argues the policy is a humanitarian approach meant to address the urgent humanitarian and security crisis at the Southern border. The U.S. government currently has a backlog of over 800,000 immigration cases. The decision comes hours after Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen resigned her position, citing outside impediments to its mission that the department had faced under her leadership. Story continues I hope that the next Secretary will have the support of Congress and the courts in fixing the laws which have impeded our ability to fully secure Americas borders and which have contributed to discord in our nations discourse, Nielsen said in her resignation letter to Trump. Our country and the men and women of DHS deserve to have all the tools and resources they need to execute the mission entrusted to them. More from National Review New York (AFP) - The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission wasted no time in denying the appeal lodged Monday of the disqualification of Maximum Security from first place in the Kentucky Derby. The Louisville Courier-Journal reported that the appeal filed by horse owners Gary and Mary West was turned down by the body, which cited KHRC regulations stating that stewards' findings on matters during a race "shall be final and not subject to appeal". Maximum Security was first past the post in Saturday's 145th running of the Derby at Churchill Downs, but in an unprecedented move the colt bumped to 17th in the field of 19 because stewards judged he interfered with other horses when he briefly veered out from the rail as the field rounded the turn for home. Country House, a 65-1 longshot that crossed the line 1 3/4 lengths behind Maximum Security, was declared the winner. It was the first time the horse that crossed the finish line first in the Derby was denied victory because it hindered another horse. Gary West said on NBC's "Today" show on Monday that he felt stewards were "non-transparent" about their decision-making process, which left connections of both horses -- and bettors -- in suspense for 22 minutes as they made their decision. "The stewards wrote a statement that was probably prepared by their lawyers and refused, literally refused, to take a single question from the media," said West, 73. "So they have been about as non-transparent about this whole thing as anything I've ever seen in my life." According to the Courier-Journal, the appeal filed through Lexington-based lawyer Barry Stilz claimed "arbitrary and capricious acts" by the stewards and sought to have the purse money held in escrow until the appeal was resolved. Within hours, the KHRC had rejected the appeal, in a letter from general counsel John L. Forgy to the West's lawyer. "The stewards unanimously disqualified Maximum Security following two objections lodged immediately after the 145th running of the Kentucky Derby and after a thorough review of the race replay. That determination is not subject to an appeal," Forgy wrote, according to the newspaper. Story continues It was not immediately clear if that would be an end to the matter. In his "Today" show appearance West signaled he would consider taking the matter to court. "If the state racing commission refuses to hear about it, I think this is something that's big enough that the entire racing world is looking at this and I think they deserve an opportunity to really know what was going on," said West, who added that Maximum Security would not run in the Preakness, the second jewel in US flat racing's Triple Crown which also includes the Belmont Stakes. Photo credit: MANDEL NGAN - Getty Images From Esquire I may be speaking prematurely here, but I'm starting to get the feeling that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo might not be the the brightest guy ever to grace that office. Pompeo has had quite a few days for himself. To start with, he apparently thinks he's Henry Hudson. From the Calgary Herald: No one denies Russia has significant Arctic interests, Pompeo said in a transcript of remarks circulated by the U.S. State Department. We recognize that Russia is not the only nation making illegitimate claims. The U.S. has a long-contested feud with Canada over sovereign claims through the Northwest Passage. Pompeos branding of a longtime disagreement on Arctic policy between the Canada and the U.S. is a stunning rebuke of the 1988 Arctic Co-operation agreement between the two countries, said Fen Hampson, the head of the international-security program at the Centre for International Governance Innovation in Waterloo, Ont. The routes between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans run between Canadian islands but the two countries disagree about whether that makes them internal Canadian waters or international waters that have Canadian territory nearby. The disagreement matters more now that melting Arctic sea ice means the Northwest Passage is getting closer to being a viable commercial shipping route. The agreement reached by Mulroney and then-president Ronald Reagan allows the U.S. to designate the Northwest Passage as an international waterway while allowing Canada to say that it is a part of Canadian sovereign territory. The treaty recognizes the close and friendly relations between their two countries, the uniqueness of ice-covered maritime areas, the opportunity to increase their knowledge of the marine environment of the Arctic through research conducted during icebreaker voyages, and their shared interest in safe, effective icebreaker navigation off their Arctic coasts. I confess that the deal struck by Reagan and Brian Mulroney escaped my notice-probably because, before those clever Chinese hoaxsters worked their magic with the climate, there was no need to think seriously about the Northwest Passage except as either a) something you studied in fourth-grade history class, or b) a 1940 movie with Spencer Tracy and Ruth Hussey. Now, though, over the past few years, the Arctic sea ice has thinned and melted to the point where there actually is a northern sea route from Europe to ye Indies. Story continues Photo credit: D.Hayes - Getty Images Naturally, this administration* would like both to take advantage and to make a complete hash out of this newish situation. Enter Secretary Pompeo. The Canadians seem particularly impressed. Hampson said the treaty was a neighbourly understanding to agree to disagree about Canadas territorial claims over the Northwest Passage, whereby the U.S. would seek Canadas permission about transit through these straits. There is little that Canada can do if the U.S. sends a ship through the passage without prior notification, he said. We can remind them, though, that if they are worried about a growing Chinese and Russian presence in the North and aspirations to create a circumpolar Silk Road, they might want to work more closely with their NORAD partner and refrain from challenging our sovereignty, said Hampson. This isnt the time to be throwing snowballs. As for Pompeo, well, he sees the climate crisis as it pertains to the Arctic sea ice as a rare opportunity to get at deposits of those fossil fuels that are at the root of the climate crisis in the first place. Everything's coming up oil wells! From CNN: "The Arctic is at the forefront of opportunity and abundance," Pompeo said in remarks in Rovaniemi, Finland. "It houses 13 percent of the world's undiscovered oil, 30 percent of its undiscovered gas, an abundance of uranium, rare earth minerals, gold, diamonds, and millions of square miles of untapped resources, fisheries galore... Of course, fisheries, galore or not, often do not react well to the presence of oil and gas wells, to say nothing of nearby gold and uranium mining. (One might check with some shrimpers in and around Louisiana for details on this.) What in the hell is this man talking about? (Forget it. He's rolling.) "Steady reductions in sea ice are opening new passageways and new opportunities for trade. This could potentially slash the time it takes to travel between Asia and the West by as much as 20 days. Arctic sea lanes could become the 21st century Suez and Panama Canals." Is there something wrong with the current Suez and Panama Canals? This only makes sense if you're planning to mine and drill the daylights out of the Arctic-which, apparently, everybody wants to do, especially Pompeo and the people for whom he works. And he's prepared to damage our relations with Canada to do so. Note what Pompeo said above: he's willing to admit that Russia has designs on the Arctic wealth, too, but he's quick to pivot to reminding us that "other nations" want in on the bonanza, too. He's more worried about offending Russia than Canada, which surprises absolutely nobody. Photo credit: Anton Novoderezhkin - Getty Images Elsewhere, Pompeo is talking ominously-and the administration, very Judy Millerishly-about Iran these days and, as The New York Times has pointed out, things are picking up speed on that front. The White House announced on Sunday that the United States was sending an aircraft carrier strike group and Air Force bombers to the Middle East because of troubling and escalatory indications and warnings related to Iran. The deployment was intended to send a clear and unmistakable message to the Iranian regime that any attack on United States interests or on those of our allies will be met with unrelenting force, said John R. Bolton, the national security adviser, in a statement released Sunday night. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, when asked by reporters about Mr. Boltons statement on a flight to Finland, said, Its something weve been working on for a little while. How many people think Bolton gives a damn what Pompeo thinks? How many people think Pompeo gives a damn that Bolton doesn't give a damn what he thinks? "Escalatory indications and warnings"? What the hell is that? We are waist-deep in the Gulf of Tonkin, I'm thinking. And, finally, Pompeo is managing to get crossways with conservatives for his loyalty to the administration*'s incoherent trade policy. From CNBC: Yet while he is pushing the presidents agenda, Pompeo is risking his long-standing alliance with free-trade groups like the Koch network, which backed him during his political rise as a Republican former congressman from Kansas. Pompeo is traditionally a Koch-backed free trader. Since joining the administration, [Pompeo] has layered America First on top of that to assist Trumps efforts to level the playing field with China, said Dan Eberhart, a leading Republican donor who has attended Koch seminars. The Kochs have a litmus test so this might foreclose the door on them helping him. Mike Pompeo was a run-of-the-mill Tea Party congressman when he signed onto the Trump Train. Now he's Secretary of State. Maybe he doesn't want to go back to being, you know, Governor of Kansas. Right now, though, he's exactly the Secretary of State this president* wants. That's not necessarily being the one we deserve. Respond to this post on the Esquire Politics Facebook page here. ('You Might Also Like',) United Nations (United States) (AFP) - The Palestinians are asking the European Union to pick up the mantle in defense of the two-state solution if the upcoming US peace plan ditches Palestinian statehood, their UN envoy said Tuesday. President Donald Trump's administration is expected to unveil the long-awaited plan possibly as early as next month, but the Palestinians have already rejected it as heavily biased in favor of Israel. Palestinian ambassador Riyad Mansour told reporters that he urged European officials during recent meetings in Brussels to seize the initiative and not allow the United States to be the preeminent player in the Middle East peace process. The Palestinians urged the EU to call for an international conference that would reaffirm the global consensus of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and reject the US approach. "We are engaging them," Mansour told reporters about his meetings with EU officials. "They have to act." "We would be extremely happy to show that there is more than one player in the field, trying to determine how we move forward." The Palestinians have also urged European countries - in particular France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Ireland, Belgium and Luxembourg -- to recognize Palestine as a state. UN resolutions have advocated a two-state solution providing for an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel, and stressed that this outcome is to be agreed by the parties. Mansour said the Palestinians also wanted Russia to step up its Middle East diplomacy and suggested that the United Nations could convene the Middle East peace quartet. The US peace plan is expected to feature proposals for regional economic development that would include Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon but the Palestinians have been adamant that it will fail. Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner is the chief architect of the proposals. Mansour said the US plan -- which he has not seen -- appears to be aimed at providing a "pretext" for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to annex more Palestinian territory. Story continues Netanyahu promised during the election campaign to annex West Bank settlements, a move that would kill off prospects for a viable Palestinian state. Mansour said he was convinced that the Palestinians still enjoyed "massive support in the international arena", but suggested that if diplomacy failed, the battle could then turn to demographics. "If this is what they want to force on us -- one-state reality -- the Palestinian people will accelerate their reproduction machines and increase the number of Palestinians to face apartheid," he said. Doha (AFP) - Qatar said Tuesday it had allocated $480 million in aid to the cash-strapped Palestinian Authority to support education and health services and provide urgent humanitarian relief. The authority led by president Mahmud Abbas has been hit by the cutting of two of its leading sources of revenues. Washington has ended all bilateral US aid in response to the Palestinians' severing of contacts after it recognised the disputed city of Jerusalem as Israel's capital in 2017. A row with Israel has meanwhile led to a halt to transfers of customs duties it levies on goods destined for Palestinian markets. Both Abbas and the leader of Hamas, the rival Palestinian faction which controls the Gaza Strip, welcomed the Qatari announcement. "The state of Qatar has allocated $300 million in the form of grants and loans to support the health and education sectors' budgets with the Palestinian Authority," the official Qatar News Agency said. It said Doha had also allocated another $180 million in "urgent relief and humanitarian aid and in support of UN programmes in Palestine." Aid will also go to the power sector to ensure supplies are not interrupted. In a statement on official Palestinian news agency Wafa, Abbas thanked the emirate for its financial assistance, which he said would "contribute to alleviating and supporting the burdens of our people." Hamas leader Ismail Haniya said the aid was "a continuation of the unwavering Qatari stances that support the Palestinian people." In February, Israel February decided to deduct around $10 million a month from the customs duty it collects on behalf of the Palestinians, corresponding to the amount it said they paid families of prisoners or directly to inmates serving time in Israeli jails. The Palestinians responded by saying they would refuse any funds where unilateral deductions had been made. Israel sees the payments to those who have carried out attacks against Israelis as encouraging further violence. Story continues The Palestinian Authority describes the payments as a form of welfare, while the Palestinian public regards prisoners jailed by Israel as national heroes. Gas-rich Qatar is a major aid donor to the Palestinians, both to Abbas's West Bank-based Palestinian Authority and to the rival Gaza administration of Islamist group Hamas. In November, the Gulf state, which is a longtime Hamas ally, committed to providing around $15 million a month in aid to Gaza over six months. By Express News Service THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Opposition Leader Ramesh Chennithala has called for a probe into the conspiracy behind the governments cancellation of a stop memo issued by the Ernakulam District Collector on the reclamation of a paddy field at Kunnathunadu. There was news the lands owned by a businessman having close links with top leaders of the CPM. The file movement seems mysterious. Though it was sent for advise from the Law Department, the file was recalled before any advise was made. There has been high-level influence and pressurising behind this, he said. Chennithala said the Collector took the decision against reclamation based on an advise from the Advocate General, but the government did not seek any legal advise before cancelling the Collectors order. Gueret (France) (AFP) - Around 30 people were treated for hypothermia at an outdoor techno music festival in France after unexpected snowfall left many ravers sheltering under survival blankets distributed by the Red Cross. Around 10,000 people attended the unauthorised Teknival 2019 festival in the central Creuse region at the weekend, where temperatures dropped to -3 degrees Celsius (27 degrees fahrenheit) overnight on Saturday to Sunday. Around 30 people were treated for hypothermia at the scene and two were taken to hospital, local officials told AFP, with the several centimetres (inches) of snow turning the festival camping experience into an endurance test. Organisers put a heated tent on the muddy hill-top site, which belongs to the French military, and the Red Cross distributed 500 survival blankets to revellers at the scene. Teknival is an unauthorised electronic music festival that is held annually at a secret location which is revealed only at the last minute. French authorities had attempted to prevent this year's edition and police succeeded in stopping several trucks carrying sound systems from arriving. Last year, to mark its 25th year, the festival was held at a military base in northern France. Organisers were accused by local conservation groups of disturbing a nearby nature zone and unsettling the local birdlife. Belgrade (AFP) - Serbia on Monday said it will donate one million euros to help restore Notre-Dame Cathedral, after pro-government tabloids said the fire was "God's punishment" to France. The donation, equivalent to $1.1 million, "confirms our century-old friendship with the French people", the Serbian government said in a statement. Belgrade hopes "this symbol of French civilisation and the world will be rebuilt as quickly as possible." The gift comes after two tabloids, Alo and Informer, said the blaze was divine retribution after Kosovo's flag was displayed inside the cathedral during World War I centennial commemorations in Paris last year. Serbia does not recognise the independence of Kosovo, a former southern province that broke away in a 1998-99 war. The tabloid articles, entitled "God's punishment caught them", were later removed, while Serbia's President Aleksandar Vucic assured that "all citizens of Serbia are sad" about the fire. The display of Kosovo's flag inside the church, alongside those of other foreign guests at the ceremony last November, was tweeted by Serbia's ambassador to Paris but never confirmed by the cathedral or French authorities. It was met with outrage in Belgrade, which was already angry after Kosovo's president was given a more prominent position than Serbia's at one of the centenary's events. Hundreds of millions of euros have poured in from around the globe to help rebuild the cathedral since it went up in flames last Monday. French President Emmanuel Macron has set a five-year deadline to rebuild the cathedral, which took around 200 years to erect. JOHANNESBURG (AP) With revolutionary rhetoric, bright red outfits and left-wing policies, the Economic Freedom Fighters have shaken up South Africa's political landscape, becoming a potent challenge to the ruling African National Congress. Firebrand leader Julius Malema, 38, has a knack for catching headlines and appealing to South Africa's youth. Although the EFF has little chance of winning power in the Wednesday elections , the party's populist stance has pulled the governing ANC to the left. At his final rally Sunday, Malema said his party is demanding a bigger share of South Africa's wealth from the country's white minority. "White people, all we want is to join you at the dinner table and eat with you," said Malema to thousands of supporters in Soweto's Orlando Stadium. "If you do not want us to sit with you at the table, then we have no choice but to destroy the table." It's a classic Malema quote, dramatically vowing to threaten the existing order. As South Africans prepare to vote on Wednesday in what is expected to be a hotly contested national election, the EFF is once again a potential game-changer. Various polls indicate the party may increase its share of the vote to at least 12%, cutting further into the ANC's support. When a group of rebellious youths broke away from the ANC in 2013, few saw their new party as the beginning of a realignment of the country's politics. But eight months later, the EFF secured 6% of the vote in the 2014 national elections, making it the country's third biggest political party with 29 representatives in parliament. Two years later in municipal elections the EFF was central to ushering in a new era of coalition politics, exposing the ANC as vulnerable after nearly a quarter-century in power. The EFF members wear red workers' overalls in parliament, saying the outfits show they represent the interests of South Africa's working class. With shouting, singing and other disruptive antics, the EFF representatives have been thrown out of parliament several times. Story continues The EFF's militant, rebellious stance in parliament and the courts is partly credited with the removal from office last year of former president Jacob Zuma after persistent allegations of corruption. Under Malema's charismatic leadership, the EFF is a divisive element with its populist brand of politics. Malema, a former ANC youth leader who was expelled from the party for criticizing then-president Jacob Zuma, has become one of the most influential politicians among South Africa's restless youth. The EFF loudly promises that if elected it will expropriate white-owned land without compensation and nationalize South Africa's mines and banks. Despite the dire economic consequences of such policies in countries like Venezuela and Zimbabwe, Malema's rhetoric has struck a chord with many black South Africans who remain poor 25 years after the end of apartheid, the harsh system of racial discrimination. Malema draws capacity crowds when he speaks and many young South Africans see him as representing their struggles, while those who do not subscribe to his brand of politics see him as a radical who should never come close to a position of power. Thapelo Thobejane, a 31-year-old resident of the teeming Alexandra township in Johannesburg, said he supports the EFF and Malema because he can relate to the party's messages about inequality in South Africa, especially in the workplace. He works as a waiter in a trendy downtown district. "White workers earn more than black workers even though we have the same skills and do the same work," Thobejane said. "Malema is not afraid to speak about such things, and that encourages me because he is the only politician who seems to understand our everyday struggles." Whites make up just under 10% of South Africa's population but still hold much of the country's wealth, while blacks make up nearly 80% of the population of 57 million. Political analyst Ralph Mathekga, a researcher at the University of the Western Cape's Center for Humanities Research, attributed the EFF's popularity to the "drama and excitement" it brings. He expects the EFF to grow its electoral support to at least 10% in Wednesday's vote. "They exposed South African politics as being very stale. Theirs is a mix of street, populist and intellectual politics," Mathekga said. "Their leaders are intellectual, educated elites but they appeal to ordinary people because they bring drama and excitement." The rise of the EFF, despite being a leftist party, has similarities to the emergence of right-wing movements in parts of the world that have seen the election of populist leaders like Donald Trump in the United States and Jair Bolsonaro in Brazil. What they all have in common is an anti-establishment stance, Mathekga said. Malema, who recently was accused of inciting violence against white farmers by singing the anti-apartheid song "Kill the Boer," ("Kill the white farmer") says the EFF is not anti-white but simply seeks equality for South Africa's black majority. "The first thing we will deal with is the issue of land. We want to expropriate the land without compensation so that black people also benefit from its wealth," he said. According to Malema, the EFF is portrayed as anti-white because it threatens the "ill-gotten privileges that white people enjoy, and which are being protected by the ANC." He points to the ANC's "failure" to transform's the country's economy, where fewer than 5% of the companies listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange are black-owned. Although it is expected to increase its share of the vote in the upcoming elections, the EFF is unlikely to win or even to remove the Democratic Alliance as the official opposition as many South Africans remain skeptical of the party's stance. "I simply do not trust those guys," said Thabiso Nkoana, a 38-year-old resident of Kagiso township in Johannesburg. "Even their popular stance about expropriating land, that is an ANC position for as long as I can remember. I feel that they are simply being too populist so they can get the votes they want." ___ Follow Africa news at https://twitter.com/AP_Africa By Suleiman Al-Khalidi AMMAN (Reuters) - Syrian rebels backed by Turkey said on Monday that Moscow and its Syrian government ally were trying to wrest control of two major highways in their last enclave in the northwest of the country in a bid to shore up Syria's sanction-hit economy. The sixth day of the campaign by government forces saw heavy aerial attacks targeting the city of Jisr al-Shughour and the al-Ghab plain, as well as the towns of al-Latamenah and Maarat al-Numan in the south of Idlib province, the rebels said. Taking those areas would bring President Bashar al-Assad close to regaining control over the strategic M5 and M4 highways from Aleppo to Hama and Latakia on the Mediterranean coast, two of Syria's most important pre-war arteries. The first few days of the assault struck at towns in northern Hama and southern Idlib province inside a buffer zone agreed in September between Russia and Turkey as part of a deal which averted a major offensive on the area, the last major foothold of the Syrian rebellion. Russia and the Syrian army say they are responding to stepped up attacks by jihadists on government-held areas and deny indiscriminate strikes that medics and rescuers say have killed dozens of civilians in recent days, knocked down at least five medical centres, and paralysed day-to-day life. The United Nations has said the attacks have included the worst use of barrel bombs by the Syrian army in 15 months. It says an estimated 323,000 people have been displaced in northwest Syria since September last year. Residents say tens of thousands have fled their homes, many to camps on the Turkish border, since the latest offensive began. Some who failed to reach those camps sought shelter in olive orchards, residents and witnesses said. "The shelling and aerial strikes have increased in intensity and ferocity and the area hit has widened with more intensity," Naji Mustafa of the Turkey-backed National Liberation Front (NLF) rebel group told Reuters. Russia says Turkey has not done enough to evict jihadists from the buffer zone or to open the M5 and M4 highways that link cities held by the government and run from Syria's southern tip near the border with Jordan to the northern border with Turkey. Opening the commercial and passenger routes through Idlib province would reassert the state's control over a fragmented economy that sprung up during eight years of conflict and now facing U.S. and EU sanctions, economic experts say. Russian President Vladimir Putin said last week that he did not rule out a full-scale assault on militants in Idlib province, after Russian officials publicly questioned how far they would continue to tolerate jihadist control. [nL5N22908I] The Syrian opposition seeking to topple Assad accuse Moscow of using the jihadists as a pretext to step up attacks on civilian areas and put pressure on Turkey. "There has long been a Russian aim to capture these highways. This is rejected as a princple of our revolution and it would have meant the displacement of tens of thousands of people who live in the area and refuse to be under Russian (rule)," Major Yousef Hamoud, spokesman for the Turkey-backed National Army, told Reuters. The loss of opposition control over the highways would mean the loss of a financial asset for the rebels, as well as be a sign of their weakening hold on their last enclave. It would also undermine a sphere of influence that Turkey has carved out in recent years in Syria. (Reporting by Suleiman Al-Khalidi; Editing by Daniel Wallis) By Brendan Pierson NEW YORK (Reuters) - Michael Cohen, President Donald Trump's former personal lawyer, took a parting shot at his former boss - denouncing "xenophobia, injustice and lies" - before reporting to a U.S. federal prison on Monday to begin a three-year sentence. Cohen, who once vowed to "take a bullet" for Trump but now calls him a "con man," checked into the Federal Correctional Institution in Otisville, New York, about 70 miles (110 km) northwest of New York City, to serve his sentence for arranging hush payments to two women who said they had sexual encounters with Trump, financial crimes and lying to Congress. Cohen, 52, hinted he had more secrets to divulge as he made brief remarks to a crush of camera crews and reporters gathered on the sidewalk outside his Manhattan residence - the Trump Park Avenue apartment building - before being driven to the prison. "I hope that when I rejoin my family and friends that the country will be in a place without xenophobia, injustice and lies at the helm of our country," Cohen said, without uttering Trump's name. "There still remains much to be told, and I look forward to the day that I can share the truth." Cohen was driven to the prison in a black SUV, arriving shortly after 11:30 a.m. (1530 GMT), some 2-1/2 hours before his deadline to report. Aerial TV news video showed Cohen stepping out of the SUV, then removing his jacket and leaving it inside the vehicle before walking with two men, apparently prison officials, into a building entrance. The U.S. Bureau of Prisons, which runs the facility, confirmed by email Cohen was in its custody. Cohen is expected to stay at the prison's minimum security camp. Cohen's prison term completes a stunning fall for the native of New York's Long Island whose career was tethered to Trump as he evolved from wealthy real estate developer to reality TV personality to politician. For more than a decade, Cohen served as Trump's personal lawyer and self-described "fixer." Trump has blasted Cohen, calling him a "rat" as well as a "bad lawyer and fraudster." Cohen, who has been disbarred as an attorney, was dressed in jeans, sneakers, a white shirt and a navy blue blazer as he exited his apartment building, with a doorman holding the door. Several dozen bystanders stopped to take pictures, and one shook his hand. After Cohen made his remarks, the scene became chaotic, with equipment and people falling to the ground. Cohen helped one journalist to get back on his feet. Cohen then climbed into the SUV. FBI agents in April 2018 raided Cohen's Rockefeller Center office and Park Avenue hotel room as part of an investigation that grew out of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election. That set in motion events that caused Cohen's dramatic split with Trump. 'TELL THE TRUTH' Lanny Davis, spokesman for Cohen, issued a statement saying Cohen "will continue to be accessible to Congress and to federal, state and local law enforcement." "I will continue questioning why Michael is the only person within the Trump Organization to be prosecuted for crimes committed at the direction of and for the benefit of Mr. Trump," Davis added. Davis praised Cohen's "courageous decision ... to tell the truth about why Donald Trump represented a danger to our Constitution, our freedoms, and our nation's fundamental values." Cohen had originally been due to report to prison on March 6, but was granted an extension to recover from shoulder surgery and testify before Congress. Cohen broke with Trump in July 2018, telling ABC News he intended to put family and loyalty to his country ahead of the president. Cohen and his wife, Laura Shusterman, 49, have two adult children, Samantha and Jake. In February congressional testimony, Cohen said, "I am ashamed that I chose to take part in concealing Mr. Trump's illicit acts rather than listening to my own conscience. I am ashamed because I know what Mr. Trump is. He is a racist. He is a con man. He is a cheat." During his December sentencing in New York, Cohen said, "My weakness can be characterized as a blind loyalty to Donald Trump, and I was weak for not having the strength to question and to refuse his demands." Cohen pleaded guilty to violating campaign finance law, bank fraud and tax evasion. Prosecutors said Trump himself directed illegal hush payments orchestrated by Cohen of $130,000 to adult film star Stormy Daniels and $150,000 to Playboy model Karen McDougal to avert a scandal shortly before the 2016 election. Trump has denied sexual relationships with them and said he never directed Cohen to do anything illegal. Cohen also pleaded guilty to lying to Congress about a proposed Trump tower project in Russia that was being negotiated at the same time he was running for president. His prison time could be reduced by about 15 percent for good behavior. (Reporting by Brendan Pierson in New York; Editing by Noeleen Walder and Will Dunham) Rovaniemi (Finland) (AFP) - For the first time in over two decades, member states of the Arctic Council failed to agree on a final declaration at their bi-annual ministerial meeting on Tuesday, due to a US refusal to mention climate change. At the start of the 11th gathering of Arctic foreign ministers, in the Lapland town of Rovaniemi, Finnish Foreign Minister Timo Soini announced a change to the planned agenda, saying the final joint declaration would be replaced by ministerial statements. Several sources said it was because member states were unable to reach an agreement, with the United States alone refusing to mention climate change in the final text. "I don't name and blame anybody," Soini, who chaired the meeting, told reporters. "But of course it is clear that climate issues are different from the different viewpoints and the different capitals," he said. In place of the traditional declaration, the council released a shorter "ministerial statement", which set out future goals for the organisation but conspicuously made no mention of climate change. But Soini also took the unusual step of releasing much of the rejected declaration -- complete with climate goals -- as a "chair's statement". "The hang up here right now is America making it hard to make a final agreement," Sally Swetzof of the Aleut International Association, one of six organisations representing indigenous peoples, told AFP. The Arctic Council groups Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden, and the United States, and their cooperation is usually frictionless. - 'Doing our part' - US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo assured his Arctic counterparts that "the Trump administration shares your deep commitment to environmental stewardship." He insisted America was "doing our part" in protecting the climate, and said the US has reduced emissions of black carbon more than any other Arctic Council member state. Story continues The US has repeatedly pointed to Russia's failure to submit information about its own emissions as a reason why environmental targets do not work. "Collective goals, even when well intentioned, are not always the answer," Pompeo told the meeting. "They are rendered meaningless, even counterproductive, as soon as one nation fails to comply," he said. In a speech on the eve of the meeting, Pompeo instead pledged to strengthen the US's Arctic presence to keep in check the "aggressive attitude" of China and Russia in the resource-rich region. On Tuesday China's foreign ministry hit back at Pompeo's remarks, calling them "a misrepresentation of the facts that has ulterior motives". The Secretary of State's speech also drew strong criticism from some pressure groups. "America's Arctic ambivalence is a far greater threat than the ambitions of Russia and China combined," Victoria Herrmann of the Arctic Institute said in a statement. "With no strong fleet of icebreakers, no Arctic ambassador, and no climate change policy, America is arguably the weakest circumpolar nation, and shows no signs of correcting course," she said. Scientists have warned that global warming is progressing twice as fast in the Arctic as in the rest of the world. Representatives of the indigenous Arctic communities at the meeting called for urgent action against climate change. "The animals, birds and fish that we rely on for cultural survival are increasingly under stress," James Stotts from the Inuit Circumpolar Council said. "It's time to set the record straight. there is climate change and humans are responsible for most of it." By Steve Holland and David Morgan WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House on Tuesday instructed Don McGahn, its former counsel, to refuse to comply with a congressional subpoena for documents related to Special Counsel Robert Mueller's Russia inquiry, intensifying a fight between President Donald Trump's administration and Democratic lawmakers. McGahn, who left his post as White House counsel last year, was directed not to produce White House records sought in the subpoena issued by the House of Representatives Judiciary Committee, according to the current White House counsel, Pat Cipollone. It was the latest episode in an escalating fight between the Republican president and Democrats, who control the House and are seeking documents and testimony relating to various investigations, ahead of the 2020 presidential election in which Trump is seeking a second four-year term. Cipollone said in a letter to Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler that McGahn was given the documents during the investigation "with the clear understanding that the records remain subject to the control of the White House for all purposes." Acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney, a former House Republican, directed McGahn not to produce the records, the letter said. "The White House records remain legally protected from disclosure under longstanding constitutional principles, because they implicate significant executive branch confidentiality interests and executive privilege," Cipollone wrote. Executive privilege is a right claimed by presidents to withhold information about internal executive branch deliberations from other branches of government. A Republican congressional aide said the White House was not asserting executive privilege over the documents and pointed to Cipollone's readiness to respond to further congressional inquiries about the records. "Conversations ... would not occur if, in fact, the White House had asserted privilege here," the aide said. Story continues Nadler had asked McGahn to produce the documents by Tuesday morning. The committee also subpoenaed McGahn to testify at a deposition. Neither committee officials nor McGahn's lawyer were immediately available to comment on whether he would do so. "Because Mr. McGahn does not have the legal right to disclose these documents to third parties, I would ask the Committee to direct any request for such records to the White House, the appropriate legal custodian," Cipollone said. White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders told ABC earlier she did not believe McGahn would comply with the subpoena. "I don't anticipate that that takes place," Sanders said. CONGRESSIONAL INVESTIGATION House Democrats have sought McGahn's cooperation as part of their investigation of possible corruption and obstruction of justice by Trump. Trump denies wrongdoing. Mueller's 448-page report referred to conversations in June 2017 in which Trump called McGahn to tell him he should direct Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who was overseeing the special counsel's probe, to remove Mueller because of alleged conflicts of interest. The report cited "McGahn's clear recollection" that the president directed him to tell Rosenstein that "Mueller has to go." McGahn did not carry out Trump's order, the report said. Trump also tried unsuccessfully to get McGahn to dispute media reports that the president had attempted to fire Mueller, the report said. Trump is fighting congressional Democrats on several fronts. U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Monday denied a request by House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal for Trump's tax returns. The House Judiciary Committee has set a vote for Wednesday on whether to cite Attorney General William Barr with contempt of Congress over his refusal to provide it with a full, unredacted version of Mueller's report and underlying evidence from the investigation. Trump, his three oldest children and the Trump Organization also have sued Deutsche Bank AG and Capital One Financial Corp to try to block them from responding to U.S. congressional subpoenas issued by Democrats seeking financial records. Republicans in Congress have rejected the efforts of Democratic-led House committees as political gamesmanship intended to appeal to the Democratic Party's voting base ahead of the 2020 election. (Reporting by Steve Holland and David Morgan; Writing by Doina Chiacu; Editing by Mohammad Zargham and Will Dunham) Crown Princess Victoria Ingrid Alice Desiree and her spouse are in Vietnam for an official visit from May 6th-8th at the invitation of Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh. Vice President Thinh said the visit is an important event in an array of activities to mark the 50th anniversary of the two countries diplomatic ties (1969 - 2019). Host and guest reviewed bilateral cooperation and agreed that it has been expanded beyond politics-diplomacy and trade-investment to culture-education, bringing lots of benefits to their people. They asserted their determination to develop it efficiently. Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh (front, right) welcomes Crown Princess of Sweden Victoria Ingrid Alice Desiree before their talks in Hanoi on May 6th (Photo: VNA) The Vietnamese Vice President suggested the two sides continue to maintain the exchange of high-level visits to help create a strong driving force for the bilateral cooperation to grow in various fields. She relayed the regards and invitation to visit Vietnam from Party General Secretary and State President Nguyen Phu Trong to the King and Queen of Sweden. Crown Princess Victoria spoke highly of Vietnams socio-economic development and international integration achievements, affirming that Sweden places importance to developing its cooperative ties with Vietnam, a country having an important position in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The two sides agreed to work together to help their businesses to seek more investment and business partnerships, especially in the processing and support industries, science-technology, education-training, healthcare, the environment, smart urban construction, and information-communications. She asked Sweden to continue having a strong voice supporting the settlement of disputes by peaceful means based on international law to maintain peace, security, and navigation freedom and safety in the East Sea. She also asked Sweden to back Vietnams run for a non-permanent member seat at the United Nations Security Council for the 2020-2021 term. She proposed Sweden continue giving care and providing favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community to live, do business, and integrate into the host society, thus contributing to boosting the bilateral ties. Late on the day, Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh and her spouse hosted a banquet for Crown Princess Victoria Ingrid Alice Desiree and her spouse and entourage./. Navein Darshan By Express News Service Marina Puratchi, a film based on the protests against the ban on jallikattu, has finally been certified U by the censor board, upon the insistence of the Madras High Court order which was passed on January 7. The film, directed by filmmaker Pandirajs former associate MS Raj, was denied certification by both the primary censor board and the revising committee without citing a reason. About the judgment, the director says, For the first time, a high court has ordered the censor board to certify a banned film, surpassing the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal procedure. He complains that the central government purposely pressurised the censor board to delay the certification of the film till the last day of the elections. They were very particular not to project the fact that the central government was against jallikattu and as a result, we had to remove the word central government seventeen times in the film. He alleges that the delay in the certification was initiated by the animal rights organisation PETA. We all know that jallikattu was banned because of PETA and the protest was against them. But the committee asked me to remove all references to them. We fought a lot for this and managed to retain them in the final cut. Marina Puratchi, which was screened across eleven countries, including Australia, South Korea, New Zealand, Singapore, and Canada, during the ban period in India, will be released globally by Jesu Sundram Maran, who aided the US screening of the film, through his banner J Studios. 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. And provided, That, if necessary for the public convenience, roads may be run through the said reservation; and on the other hand, the right of way, with free access from the same to the nearest public highway, is secured to them; as also the right in common with citizens of the United States, to travel upon all public highways. The exclusive right of taking fish in all the streams, where running through or bordering said reservation, is further secured to said confederated tribes and bands of Indians, as also the right of taking fish at all usual and accustomed places, in common with the citizens of the Territory, and of erecting temporary buildings for curing them; together with the privilege of hunting, gathering roots and berries, and pasturing their horses and cattle upon open and unclaimed land. Ashameera Aiyappan By Express News Service For the first time, a film on the Tamil Eelam has been shot in war-torn Tamil regions in Sri Lanka. Sinamkol, directed by Ranjith Joseph, will address the post-war problems faced by Tamil people in the country, both culturally and economically. Unlike most films in this space, we were awarded a U certificate, and were only asked to mute a few words by the censor board. It will be an important film that talks about the economic and cultural struggles the Tamils face in Sri Lanka, post the war, he says. About filming in previously out-of-bound places in Sri Lanka, the director adds, This is the first time an entire technical team of 78 people has gone to places like Jaffna and Mullaitivu, and shot a film there. Thus, the audience will see the actual landscape of these lands for the first time.The film has been made with contributions from Sri Lankan Tamils living in Europe, Canada, and Tamil Nadu, among other places. The makers are eyeing a mainstream release for Sinamkol around July this year. 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. President Reuven Rivlin on Monday paid condolence visits to the families of those killed in the latest round of border fighting between Israel and Hamas. "We, the tribes of Israel, are together in good times and bad, in hope and in difficulty, regardless of which tribe we are from. Ultra-Orthodox, secular, religious and traditional, Jews and Arabs terror strikes us all without discrimination and without mercy and we will never surrender to it. We are together in celebration and in consolation and I pray with all my might that you will know no more sorrow," he said. Chef Ashley Christensen's comfort food at Poole's Diner in North Carolina and the modern Israeli cuisine at Zahav in Philadelphia took top honors Monday night at the James Beard Awards, which many consider to be the Oscars of the culinary world. Zahav's nod for outstanding restaurant comes two years after Zahav co-owner and Chef Michael Solomonov, who is from Israel but was raised in Pittsburgh, took home the outstanding chef award. Zahav's current menu features hummus with a daily chef's selected topping, duck and foie gras kebab and a concord grape sorbet with poached quince and peanut baklava. This year's outstanding chef is Christensen, who's been nominated in the category before but has never won. Christensen opened Poole's Diner in Raleigh in 2007 and her biography on the restaurant's website describes it as an "evolving chalkboard menu of comfort-food classics, re-imagined through a philosophy of locally grown, seasonal ingredients and French-influenced technique." By Express News Service If you want to experience the harmony of black and white in Korean ink painting, rhythmic movement of Korean calligraphy, elegance of pale green lustre of ceramic pottery, and the distinctive seasons of Korea, head to Korean Cultural Centre India (KCCI). The ongoing exhibition, Impressions: A Journey Backwards, encapsulates all things Korean through 31 artworks of calligraphy, pottery ink paintings and photographs. These artworks have been collected over years via donations from Korean and Indian artists as well as from repositories like South Koreas Goryeo Celadon Museum. Goryeo Celadon, also called greenware, are the ceramic items produced in ancient Korea during Goryeo dynasty, informs Radhika Mittal, art and exhibition assistant at KCCI. Originally from China, these spread to Korea by the 12th century, and are considered objects of fine art. Korean calligraphy, Mittal says, was introduced to Korea by the Chinese. Korean calligraphy was revolutionised by calligrapher Kim Jeong-hi, who introduced the Chusa style during the 19th century. Calligraphy is not only an artistic, but a spiritual activity. Calligraphy in Korean culture is an act of training and disciplining the mind. Only when one can achieve singular control of mind, can one create brilliant calligraphy. To create a work of calligraphy, one must be equipped with four main tools paper, brush, ink stick and ink stone. The ink paintings on display capture the simple and succinct essence of Korean paintings. Often without form or structure, they emphasise simplicity, spontaneity and self-expression.By just using dots and lines, they convey deeper meanings. The goal of the ink painting is not to recreate the exact characteristic of the subject, but encapsulate its spirit, avers Mittal. Unlike most East Asian countries, Korea experiences four distinct non-tropical seasons viz spring, summer, autumn and winter. All these seasons have been captured by photographer Shampa Guha Majumdar, who travelled to the country, few years ago. The show remains on till May 31. Korean Calligraphy Calligraphy is an act of training and disciplining the mind. Only when one can achieve singular control of mind, can become a good calligrapher. To create a work of calligraphy, one must be equipped with four main tools paper, brush, ink stick and ink stone. This art in Korea was revolutionsed by calligrapher Kim Jeong-hi. Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh on Tuesday thanked Qatar for its decision to transfer $480 million to the Palestinians. "We thank Qatar for the honorable grant, which seeks to help the Palestinian people in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, Qatar continues, even under the most difficult conditions, to support Palestine and its nation, he said. Israel on Tuesday partially opened the Kerem Shalom border crossing to allow the entrance of fuel into the Gaza Strip, after several days of cross-border fighting. The Erez border crossing remains closed. Qatar will transfer some $480 million to Palestinians in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, said an announcement by the country's foreign ministry Tuesday. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter Of the total sum of money, Qatar said that $300 million are aimed for health and education endeavors in the Palestinian Authority, and $180 million will fund humanitarian aid, support for UN programs and renovation works to improve electrical systems probably in the Gaza Strip, however no specific details were available at this time. Damage in Gaza from an IAF strike (Photo: AFP) The statement comes in a time of dire need in the Palestinian Authority, which is having severe financial difficulties for several reasons; on of which is Israel's February decision to deduct some half a billion shekels from the tax revenue it collects on behalf of the PA, due to its continued payment of terrorists' salaries. Qatar's decision comes after the Sunday night ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Gaza Strip terror groups. The 48-hour-long round of fighting cost four Israeli lives and approximately 25 casualties in the Gaza Strip, after some 700 rockets were launched at Israel from the coastal enclave and over 300 targets were bombed by the IDF. Building colapses after IDF air strikes on Sunday (Photo: AFP) Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh thanked Qatar for its decision to transfer $480 million to the Palestinians. "We thank Qatar for the honorable grant, which seeks to help the Palestinian people in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, Qatar continues, even under the most difficult conditions, to support Palestine and its nation, he said. Before and during the escalation, Hamas blamed Israel for delaying the $30 million monthly Qatari funds installment, but Israel denied the accusation during the negotiations for a ceasefire. Hamas employees receive salaries after Qatari funds are transferred (file photo) (Photo: AFP) According to unnamed sources, Israel was not behind the Qatari funds' delay, and Hamas is now discussing a possible enlargement of the support it receives from the Gulf Country. Source added that the ceasefire agreement reached between the two sides restores the 2014 Protective Edge conditions agreed on by Israel and Hamas, and added that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has an interest in reaching a long term arrangement. Such an arrangement, said the sources, will include rehabilitation of the Gaza Strip; however, Israel has conditioned it by the returning of the remains of IDF fallen soldiers and the two Israeli civilians held by Hamas. The killer of Israeli teen, Ori Ansbacher, was on Tuesday fit to stand trial, the district psychiatrist's investigation found. Arafat Irafayas attorney last week submitted a request for a psychiatrist examination. Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas thanked the Emir of Qatar for his transfer of $480 million to help Palestinians deal with the challenges they must face, until an independent Palestinian state is formed. Abass said the Qatari decision came after a delegation from the Palestinian Authority visited Qatar. Since the first Gaza war in 2008 (known as Operation Cast Lead), every single cross-border flare-up between Israel and Hamas has ended in losses for both sides. The latest round of violence that began four days ago, was no different. People were killed, lives were destroyed and traumas became even worse, and it was all for nothing, because were back to square one. There is no sense of victory in either Jerusalem or Gaza, only the feeling of mutual loss. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter Its reasonable to assume what happened over the weekend was the last major round of cross-border fighting between Israel and the militants in Gaza. Lets not kid ourselves, there will not be anymore attempts to "restore the deterrence" because it simply can no longer be restored. Gazas economical situation will not significantly improve even if Israel allows for another $200 million of Qatari aid to enter the Hamas-ruled enclave. In order to change the disastrous economic situation in the Strip, billions need to be invested, and it will never happen as long as Hamas - and not the Palestinian Authority - is at the helm. Hamas militants in Gaza during training exercise (Photo: EPA) Thus, the day of the intra-Palestinian reconciliation - between Hamas and Fatah - is edging closer than ever. In fact, the reconciliation might well be part of US President Donald Trumps long-delayed Mideast peace proposal under the chapter The New Palestine. Among other aspects the peace plane might include are: demilitarization of Hamas; annexation of Israeli settlement blocs (as well as isolated settlements) from the West Bank; maintaining the status-quo at the holy sites of Jerusalem and Israeli municipal control of the city (which would also be a ceremonial capital of The New Palestine), and an exclusive Israeli security control of the Jordan Valley. Some sources say The New Palestine would acquire national security services from Israel and conduct democratic elections, but will not be able to buy real estate in Israel (and vice versa), the Palestinian refugee question will most likely remain unanswered. The economic aspects of the long delayed proposal include: leasing parts of the Sinai Peninsula to The New Palestine - where Gaza port would be established; construction of highways and bridges between Gaza and the West Bank; opening of all border crossings between Israel and Palestine to allow movement of people and goods (financed largely by the Gulf states), and anyone who would oppose the plan, will not receive a single dollar in aid from the White House. US President Donald Trump (Photo: AP) Whether these leaks have a truth to them or are designed to undermine Trump, one thing is clear, the reconciliation between Gaza and Ramallah - under the Palestinian Authoritys leadership - is the only acceptable alternative to constant military confrontations. It seems that Hamas is also now more than ever willing to form a unity government with Fatah and to place its military forces under the command of the Palestinian Authority. This is the development that Israel must begin preparing for, because the era of cross-border flare-ups is over. The United Arab Emirates will soon lift a ban on its citizens travelling to Lebanon, Lebanese state media cited the UAE's ambassador to Lebanon as saying on Tuesday. BRUSSELS - European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said on Tuesday it was "totally unacceptable" to associate fellow top EU official Donald Tusk with Joseph Stalin and Adolf Hitler, as has been done by Polish state TV. Tusk, an ex-Polish prime minister and an arch-rival of the nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) party now governing in Warsaw, delivered a stinging critique of the government in a speech during a visit to the capital last week. Poland's state TV broadcaster, tightly controlled by the PiS since the party came to power in late 2015, reacted with a clip seeking to discredit Tusk as a politician more inclined to serve the interests of Germany than of Poland. Next to Tusk's image, the clip showed pictures of Stalin and Hitler, whose Soviet Union and Nazi Germany respectively invaded Poland in 1939. Millions of Poles lost their lives under occupation during World War Two. In his speech, Tusk told the eurosceptic PiS to stop flouting the rule of law and Poland's own constitution. DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- A Palestinian-born activist living in Norway under asylum protection has reportedly been whisked away to a secure location by Norwegian security after the CIA informed officials there that he could be in danger. Iyad el-Baghdadi, who is outspoken on Twitter and was researching several issues related to Saudi Arabia, was quoted by Norway's news agency NTB as saying Norwegian officials came to his home April 25 and told him he may be in danger and took him to a safe place. He says it's unclear what the threat was about, but that "something came on the radar of the CIA." The Guardian first reported the incident, saying the CIA had warned Norway el-Baghdadi faced a potential threat from Saudi Arabia. El-Baghdadi acknowledged on Twitter Tuesday a threat to his safety. PARIS - Europe would have to reimpose sanctions on Iran if Tehran reneged on parts of the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, a French presidency source said on Tuesday. Iran's state-run IRIB news agency reported on Monday that Tehran would restart part of its halted nuclear programme in response to the U.S. withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal, but added Tehran does not plan to pull out of the agreement. Iran's president is due to speak on Wednesday. "We do not want Tehran to announce tomorrow actions that would violate the nuclear agreement, because in this case we Europeans would be obliged to reimpose sanctions as per the terms of the agreement," the source said. "We don't want that and we hope that the Iranians will not make this decision." By Express News Service NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday expressed concern as to how, contrary to its order, the petitions seeking review of its verdict in Rafale case and the contempt plea against Congress chief Rahul Gandhi for wrongly attributing his statements to the apex court were listed separately. A special bench headed by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi said, We are little perplexed that the two cases are listed on different dates when the order was that these matters will be heard together. As soon as the hearing began on Monday, the CJI asked the Supreme Court Bar Association chief Vikas Singh if the contempt petition against Rahul was also listed for Monday, to which he replied that the petition will come up on May 10. This is the problem. There was an order for listing both the matters together. We had dictated the order in an open court but it says one case on May 6 and other on May 10. How can this be done? the CJI responded. The bench then slated the hearing for May 10 when both cases will be heard together. Advocate Prashant Bhushan, who is one of the petitioners in the case along with former Union ministers Yashwant Sinha and Arun Shourie, told the bench that there were three pleas before the court. Bhushan said besides the review plea, there were two other applications one seeking perjury action against unknown government servants for allegedly misleading the court during the Rafale case hearing earlier and the other for the production of certain documents. Leaked documents In a setback to the Centre, the SC on April 10 allowed the plea relying on leaked documents for seeking review of Rafale verdict and rejected Centres preliminary objections claiming privilege over them Two years ago, I sent an open letter to the defense minister and asked that he allow entry to Palestinians wishing to take part in the joint Israeli-Palestinian Memorial Day Ceremony. I wrote that among the Left, there are two different modes of action. There are those who seek to constantly demonize the State of Israel; they travel the world portraying Israelis as monsters. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter The second category, the Combatants for Peace who organize the annual joint ceremony, operate very differently, I wrote. They are seeking a humane common denominator. It is understandable that people find a problem with comparing the killers to the victims, but nevertheless, the very fact that the joint ceremony takes place indicates a desire to oppose violence and prefer reconciliation, peace and hope. Israeli-Palestinian Memorial Day ceremony Last year, I sent a similar letter to the defense minister, who issued a similar order blocking entry to Palestinian participants, before it was overturned by the High Court. But something has changed. The decision taken several days ago to prevent entry for Palestinians seeking to participate in the ceremony was correct and justified. With all due respect, the High Court need not interfere in every decision it does not agree with. Why am I saying that the government was correct in its decision? Because six months ago, Combatants for Peace activists published an advertisement that was pure propaganda for the fantasy that is the Palestinian "right of return." There is no such right, tens of millions of people became refugees in the last century, as a result of the collapse of empires and population exchanges following the establishment of ethnic nation states. After a few years, they ceased being refugees. Those tens of millions never had a "right of return." Only the leaders of Arab states refused every option to rehabilitate refugees by insisting on eternalizing the problem. Protesters outside of event The moment the refugee problem came into being, the demand for their return was not for the sake of peace but rather for the sake of the destruction of Israel. Already in October of 1949, the Egyptian foreign minister Muhamad Salah a-Din declared: "The demand for refugees to return is a demand to liquidate Israel." Egyptian president Gamal Abdel Nasser said in 1960: "If the refugees return to Israel, that will be the end of Israel." In 1988, Saker Habash, senior adviser to PLO chairman Yasser Arafat, said: For us, the matter of the refugees is the trump card for the purpose of eliminating Israel." I can go on. In recent decades, the Palestinians were repeatedly offered options for the establishment of a state on 95% of the territories (the West Bank and Gaza). They rebuffed all offers. The main issue was not the settlements but the Palestinians demand for the "right of return." The theme repeats itself: as former chairman of Fatah's central committee Farouk Kaddoumi said in 2002: "the right of return for refugees to Jaffa and Haifa is more important than a state." Palestinian stubbornness against recognizing the idea of two states for two peoples is based on the fact that such an acknowledgement will prevent a mass return of refugees, explicitly or implicitly. In order to advance a peace agreement, the peace camp should have not only pressured the government against building outside of major settlement blocs, but also declare to the Palestinians that the demand for the right of return is a demand for national suicide. It will not happen. But when a group like the Combatants for Peace adopts the rejectionist Arab and Palestinian stance and encourages the demand for the "right of return," it is not advancing the cause of peace but rather of rejectionism. They are adopting the stance of those who seek to destroy. They are not fighting for freedom, independence or an end to the "occupation," but against the very existence of the State of Israel. If the IDF imposes a general curfew on the West Bank for Memorial Day and Independence Day, there is no need to make allowances specifically for those serving an anti-Israel campaign. Most Israeli leftists support compromise, reconciliation and two states for to peoples. They do not support the fantasy of destroying Israel through demanding the "right of return." The Left-wing Meretz Party also opposes the "right of return." The moment the organization behind the joint Memorial Day Ceremony openly declares its support for a demand intended to deny the right of Israel to exist as a Jewish and democratic state it has crossed a line. The joint ceremony is a deception. The High Court should only interfere in unique cases involving violations of fundamental rights. This is not the case. The ceremony does not deserve support, not of leftists nor of the High Court. Israelis stood in silence as a siren rang out across the country ushering in National Memorial Day for Victims of Terror and Fallen Soldiers. Israel will remember the 23,741 soldiers who fell since the beginnings of the Zionist movement in 1860 and the 3,150 civilian victims of terrorism since 1948. A ceremony is taking place at the Western Wall in Jerusalem, attended by President Reuven Rivlin, the Joint Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi and Police Commissioner Motti Cohen. The central gathering ushering in national Memorial Day for Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terror began at the Western Wall in Jerusalem Tuesday evening at 8:01 pm, following a minute-long siren and moment of silence. President Reuven Rivlin, IDF Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi and police Commissioner Motti Cohen were in attendance. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter President Rivlin spoke about the return of the body of Zechariah Baumel, missing in battle for 37 years, last month, as an example of Israel fulfilling its pledge to Israeli mothers and fathers, who send their children into battle, that Israel will not rest until each and every soldier returns home. President Rivlin "This is an obligation that we continue to uphold to the families of those missing in action and those whose burial place is unknow," Rivlin said. The IDF chief of staff spoke about how each fallen soldier strengthens the security of the nation, adding: "The highest expression of the sanctity of life is doing all we can to minimize the extent of losses in battle and in peacetime. The operational objective is primary, and fort hat we endanger our lives. But refining combat methods as well as improving our training is the will of the fallen and we must work to fulfill it." Chief of Staff Kochavi (Photo: Central Productions) Kochavi added that the IDF is strong, "well trained, well equipped, has the best manpower and is motivated by the belief in the righteousness of its path and its commitment to the defense of the nation." He also mentioned the families of the missing soldiers and repeated the pledge to bring them home. Memorial Day ceremony at Western Wall Rivlin and Kochavi Singing nostalgically at the Knesset At the Knesset, bereaved families were joined by the prime minister, , the president, Speaker of the Knesset Yuli Adelstein, politicians and senior defense and security personnel for the annual Singing in their Memory event. Knesset plaza The crowd sang songs of nostalgia and the Land of Israel with the Shalva band, Shiri Maimon, Yonatan Razel, Natan Goshen, Harel Ska'at and other performers. The event is scheduled to conclude with a song sung by Ska'at and IDF orphans. Netanyahu sang the song Eretz Zvi, by Yehoram Gaon, from the main dais. The song was used as the theme song for the Entebbe Rescue movie which featured Gaon as commander of the operation Yoni Netanyahu, the prime minister's brother. Netanyahu at the Yad Lebanim ceremony Tue afternoon Also in Jerusalem, the Sultan's Pool arena hosted an event dedicated to remembering, singing and telling the stories of the loved ones lost in battle and to terrorism. Mayor Moshe Lion spoke there of sacrifice and of unity as a source of strength. On Wednesday at 8:45 am, there will be a ceremony at the Jewish Agency building in Jerusalem commemorating the victims of anti-Semitism around the world, including those recently killed at synagogues in San Diego and Pittsburgh in the United States; US Ambassador David Friedman will be present. Protesting joint Memorial Day ceremony Some 200 Right-wing demonstrators turned out to protest near the joint Israeli-Palestinian Memorial Day ceremony being held at Tel Aviv's Ganei Yehoshua Park. Police held them back behind a fence as they shouted slurs and expletives at the attendees. They also tried to set alight a Palestinian flag. Protesting joint event "How many more terror attacks will occur because of this event? You are legitimizing terrorism," shouted one protester. Others shouted "Kapo" and "Go to Gaza," at the participants. Police arrested two individuals for public disturbances and throwing objects at attendees. The event was organized by the Israeli-Palestinian NGO Combatants for Peace and the Forum of Bereaved Families for Peace. Initially, the prime minister, who is also defense minister, barred entry to those wishing to attend from the West Bank, but the High Court intervened, as it did in previous years, citing Free Speech, and the decision was overturned. It is the 14th such annual event. Organizers said the event has become a symbol of hope, reconciliation, commitment for peace and rejection of war. Actress Mika Almog emceed the event, alongside actress Samira Seraya. Last year, more than 7,000 people attended. The State of Israel is remembering the 23,741 fallen IDF soldiers and security agents and the 3,150 victims of terrorism since the dawn of the Zionist movement in 1860. Since last year's Memorial Day, 56 Israelis were added to the list and 40 disabled IDF veterans passed away as a result of their injuries in combat. 13 Israelis were recognized as victims of terror in the last year. The number of civilians killed in hostile actions since 1860 is 4,163, and 3,150 people since the founding of the state. These figures include 120 foreign citizens killed in terror attacks and 100 Israelis killed abroad. At 11:00 am Wednesday, there will be a two-minute siren while Israelis stand in silence in memory of the fallen. Immediately following, the national ceremony for fallen soldiers will take place at Jerusalem's Mt Herzl Military Cemetery, attended by the president and the prime minister. Dozens of Right-wing protesters demonstrated outside of the joint Israeli-Palestinian Memorial Day ceremony in Tel Aviv's Ganei Yehoshua Park. Police are at the scene. Many of the locations involved in this five-year, on-farm project are currently three years underway. Hird pointed out, The comparison treatments were developed with the farmers to answer questions they had about soil health management. Among the topics being studied at the 17 locations statewide include: monoculture cover crops vs. high-diversity cover crop mixes, grazed vs. un-grazed cover crops, cover crop vs. no cover crop, nitrogen management of corn following cover crops, and early termination of cover crops vs. later termination. Hird said the goal is to get every farmer and rancher to see the benefits of unlocking the potential of the soil beneath their feet, Living soil can be built and answers can be attained locally. Each of these projects has a unique set of circumstances applicable to the area. Anyone interested can contact their local NRCS office, find information online or contact any of the UNL partners. The public is invited to help celebrate national Small Business Week this week May 6 - 10. The York Chamber of Commerce supports and joins in this national effort to help Americas small businesses do what they do best, grow their business, create jobs, and ensure that our communities remains as vibrant tomorrow as they are today. The Chamber invites everyone to support the effort by visiting your favorite local business during this week, said Madonna Mogul, chamber executive director. For a list of small business week activities, follow us on Facebook or visit our website at https://yorkchamber.org/smallbusinessweek/. What the Heck: Hey people.just in case you havent checked the calendar this week, this Sunday is Mothers Day. Make sure you get in touch with your Mom and tell her just how great she is. This year will be a little bittersweet for Linda and I as this is the first year we havent had a Mom to get to contact as Mama Sjuts passed away late last summer. Lindas mother had passed away several years back and my Mom had certainly adopted Linda as part of our family a long time ago. Ive always said I think that she probably liked Linda a little more than she liked me. They always hit it off together very well. Anyway, grab your favorite Mom and tell her how special she is on Sunday and all the rest of the year. By P.J. GLISSON [email protected] Bessemer At their regular meeting Monday evening, members of the Bessemer City Council sought to clarify public confusion over their plans to pursue a feasibility study for a possible hotel. The council voted in favor of the study at an April 22 special meeting, in which they learned that $25,000 for the purpose will be available from the Michigan Economic Development Commission. Its not taking any funds from the city, said council member Terry Kryshak, who assured that no matching funds, nor any other financial contribution from the city, will be required. Rather, he emphasized, the funds became available because of the citys recently designated status as a redevelopment-ready city. Moreover, said mayor Adam Zak, I think the misconception among the public is that were for a hotel and not for a restaurant, whereas he added, If a hotel is feasible, a restaurant will be feasibile. Council members made clear already at the previous meeting that they were in favor of a hotel-restaurant combination, but were informed by state officials that the study could not address that magnitude. We picked the one we felt would balloon both of them, said Zak on Monday. Council members also restated that they wish strongly to support existing business. Our intention is not to undercut the hotel business, said Archie. Were not looking to cut anyones throat, said council member Linda Nelson regarding the potential studys exploration. She added, however, We still have to look out for the best interests of Bessemer. Brittany Blaszak, who owns the Black River Lodge in Ironwood Township with her husband, Justin Blaszak, shared her perspective during public comments. There is huge concern, she said about the general hospitality community regarding the possibility of a new hotel in the region. Zak said city manager Charly Loper is in the process of talking to local hotel owners to get their feedback. We are very committed not to hurt the businesses we have in the community, said Kryshak to Blaszak, who said the hotel is just a couple miles from Bessemer on Black River Road. Nelson also noted that people support all types of facilities, from mom and pop places to national chains to basic, no-frills operations that promote economical value. In addition, Archie said that the feasibility study may show that a new hotel is not viable, but he and other council members agreed that the information gained would still be of value. Youll get a lot that you can glean for other decision making, said Kryshak of any pending data gathered. Zak said that getting information from the study simply helps the council to be ready to go with whatever is feasible when the time is right. These people downstate seem to forget about us sometimes, said Archie, who added about the funds for the study, This is one time they didnt. After the meeting, city councilman Rob Coleman reinforced that collecting information from the study will come at no expense whatsoever to the city. The Labor Partys planned modifications to negative gearing and capital gains tax will bring consequences to both tenants and landlords, a new report from the Housing Industry Association (HIA) predicts. HIA has always said that changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax for housing are bad policy, said Graham Wolfe, HIA managing director. Wolfe said that rental supply is crucial, noting 2018s September quarter when Sydney rents dropped in real terms for the first time since December 2006. The recent additional supply of rental properties has underpinned the improvement in rental affordability. Changing the tax treatment on residential investment properties risks undoing the good work and lifting rental prices, he said. Research commissioned by HIA and conducted by JWS Research, revealed that 52% of the respondents believe rents will rise as a negative impact of the changes. HIA also found that 92% of renters aspire to buy their own home, and Labors proposed changes will weigh heavily on this groups savings plans. If these changes are made, rents will rise as supply dries up due to a lack of investment in new housing. This will make renting a home less affordable. If rents rise, renters saving for a deposit for their own home will take a backward step, said Wolfe. The Labor Party plans to limit negative gearing on newly built properties, which means that net losses, including interest cost, will be permitted to be offset against an investors total taxable income. At the same time, the tax will be payable on 75% rather than 50% of a propertys capital gain. These changes are anti-investment, according to Wolfe. They fail to recognise that private rental accommodation provides homes for almost three million families and reducing the supply of private rental homes will only lead to an increase in rents, he said. Wolfe believes that the problem with housing affordability cannot be solved by taxing housing. Yet this policy seeks to do just that, he said. Fayaz Wani By Express News Service SRINAGAR: Nobody from Shareefabad village, the native place of Burhan Wani, the poster boy of terror group Hizbul Mujahideen, voted Monday. Just 15 voted from the native place of the Pulwama suicide bomber, who nearly brought India and Pakistan to a war. There were more security personnel than voters on Monday in Shopian and Pulwama districts, which recorded the lowest turnout with just 2.81% votes polled. Over 25% stations did not record any polling at all. The family of Jaish-e-Mohammad suicide bomber Aadil Ahmad Dar, did not step out to vote at Gundibagh village, 35 kms from Shopian town. Neither did a single person in that village, as the third-phase voting for Anantnag constituency concluded today. FOLLOW OUR FULL ELECTION COVERAGE HERE How can we vote? It will be a betrayal of the sacrifice of my brother and others, said Aadils brother and a graduate, Arif. My parents and brother have never voted. We never vote, he added. Aadil had rammed an explosive ridden vehicle into a CRPF bus at Lethpora on February 14, killing 40 jawans. Arifs brother Aadil had rammed an explosive ridden vehicle into a CRPF bus in Pulwama on February 14, killing 40 paramilitary personnel. Also, zero polling was witnessed from the villages of other top militant commanders in south Kashmir, the hotbed of militancy in the valley, they said. ALSO READ | Kashmiri Pandits vote in special booths, hope for end of terrorism and return to homeland Also, zero voting was recorded from Noorabad, the village of Zakir Musa, the so-called chief of Ansar-Gazawat-ul-Hind terror group; Beighpora, the village of the incumbent Hizbul Mujahideen commander Riyaz Naikoo; and Sheikhpora, the village of Mudassir Khan, the mastermind of February 14 terror strike, said the officials. Burhan Wani's killing in an encounter with security forces in 2016 had triggered massive unrest in the valley that left nearly 100 people dead and a thousand others, including security forces, injured. ALSO READ | Grenade attack on polling station in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama The EC held a three-phase poll for Anantnag LS seat spread over four districts of Anantnag, Kulgam, Shopian and Pulwama. Militants carried out two grenade and two petrol bomb attacks on polling booths in Shopian and Pulwama on Monday. Pulwama and Shopian recorded the lowest turnout ever with just 2.81% of voters lining up. Officials said not a single vote was cast in over 200 out of 695 polling booths in the two districts. ALSO READ | JeM militant from Pulwama gives up gun, returns home (With PTI inputs) News New York - The Intercept has published Bodies in the Borderlands, a long-form feature by reporter Ryan Devereaux focused on the prosecution of Scott Warren, a humanitarian aid worker volunteering with the immigrant rights group No More Deaths (also known as No Mas Muertes) in Arizona. Arrested on January 18, 2018, in Ajo, Arizona, at a barn where two Central American men, Kristian Perez-Villanueva and Jose Arnaldo Sacaria-Godoy, were taking shelter, Warren is now accused, of providing the men with food, water, clean clothes, and a place to sleep over three days. These charges amount to two counts of harboring and one count of conspiracy and, if convicted, Warren could serve up to 20 years in prison. (Warrens first trial for a misdemeanor offense begins today (May 7, 2019) in Arizona. A second trial on felony charges is scheduled for May 29.) Watch the Short Documentary Let Them Have Water:" Devereauxs reporting points to new guidelines issued during the Trump administration that explicitly criminalize humanitarian aid at the border, and writes about the mention of Irineo Mujica as an unindicted co-conspirator in the charges Warren is facing. Mujica runs a migrant shelter in Sonoyta, a Mexican town in the state of Sonora, and is perhaps better known for his role in running Pueblo Sin Fronteras, an organization that has been instrumental in working alongside the migrant caravans to the U.S. border. Humanitarian assistance and solidarity with migrants and refugees is a common thing along the border region, said Warren. The U.S. government is trying to criminalize all of that. According to Devereaux, Like No More Deaths, Pueblo Sin Fronteras has been a favorite villain of the Border Patrol union. About Ryan Devereaux: Ryan Devereaux is an award-winning investigative journalist covering immigration enforcement, the drug war, and national security. Prior to The Intercept he worked at Guardian US reporting on policing and criminal justice. His work has also been published by Rolling Stone, The Nation and the Village Voice. He is based in New York City. About The Intercept: The Intercept is an award-winning nonprofit news organization dedicated to holding the powerful accountable through fearless, adversarial journalism. Its in-depth investigations and unflinching analysis focus on surveillance, war, corruption, the environment, technology, criminal justice, the media and more. 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. By PTI JAUNPUR/BHADOHI(UP): BSP supremo Mayawati and SP chief Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday said that their alliance will "shake the very roots" of the BJP and dislodge the "chowkidar of capitalists" from the prime minister's chair. Addressing election rallies in favour of Mahagathbandhan candidates in Machchlishahr and Jaunpur seats, they also targeted the Congress, alleging that it is "anti-Dalit" like the BJP and wants the people to remain poor. "BJP's guru and chela are all set to be out of power at the Centre," Mayawati said at a rally in Bhadohi, attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah. "This alliance is so strong that in the 2022 Assembly elections in UP, it will send Yogi baba back in his mutt," Mayawati said, referring to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. ALSO READ| Former Uttar Pradesh CM Akhilesh Yadav says vote intelligently not emotionally The BSP supremo alleged that the BJP tried to break their alliance, but she "exposed" it in the media and gave a "befitting reply" to the saffron party. "The BJP is going out of power in these elections. It has failed to fulfil the promises made to the poor and the middle classes in 2014 elections despite all this the Prime Minister is seeking votes again," she said in Jaunpur. Mayawati said, "Terror attacks are taking place and the government is busy in taking mileage of the army's valour." FOLLOW OUR FULL ELECTION COVERAGE HERE Terming Prime Minister Narendra Modi as 'chowkidar of capitalists", she alleged that he helped the rich become richer. She also alleged that the GST and note ban were a "source of corruption". Hitting out at the Congress, Mayawati alleged that "both BJP and Congress are anti-Dalits". Referring to the Congress' Nyaya scheme, she said the party which is claiming to provide Rs 6,000 every month to poor families "only wants people to remain poor and helpless. There is a need to remain vigilant from them." On Uttar Pradesh, she said farmers in the state were facing immense hardships because of stray cattle and blamed the Aditynath government for it. She also promised permanent jobs if the SP-BSP alliance is voted to power at the centre. In his address, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav echoed Mayawati's view that both "BJP and Congress are the same". "Had the Congress worked earnestly since Independence, there would not have been the need for the formation of SP and BSP. No one thought SP and BSP would form an alliance. All efforts to somehow break the alliance have failed. After five phases of polling, the BJP's morale has also come down. Its leaders and workers are worried," he said. "These BJP people talk about the security of the country but could not reply to questions of 'roti and daal' raised by a BSF jawan," he said referring to dismissed BSF jawan Tej Bahadur Yadav whose nomination papers from Varanasi were rejected. ALSO READ| 'If all goes well, I may...': BSP chief Mayawati hints at her PM ambition "BJP is standing on a foundation of lies and our alliance will shake its very roots. Perhaps the BJP is not aware that this alliance is a storm. This time around, people will snatch the chair of the chaiwala-turned-chowkidar," he said adding that that the alliance "will uproot the BJP which is standing on the foundation of lies and hatred." "There is a wind of change which is blowing. How can the prime minister, who got scared of a jawan in Varanasi, face terrorism and Naxalism. Not only the public but animals also are unhappy with this government," he quipped. I was half-annoyed, half-amused as I woke up to read newspaper reports that said most judges of the Supreme Court of India - barring the exceptional Dhananjay Chandrachud - stood in "solidarity" with the Chief Justice of India, Ranjan Gogoi, who has been exonerated of charges of sexual harassment by an internal panel of judges of the highest court of the land. Solidarity? Excuse me, but that word belongs in the lexicon of politics, not jurisprudence. Jurisprudence is the business of justice and law. The old saying goes that justice should not only be done but should also be seen to be done. It is not about judges supporting each other or their head but one governed by principles, procedures and evidence in a convincingly transparent manner. One principle is that judges are free of partisan concerns and where there is a potential conflict of interest, they recuse themselves from a case. In the instance of a fired junior Supreme Court staffer accusing the CJI of sexual misconduct, the field is admittedly tricky, but the basic principle should be that a judge is best judged by someone who is not a colleague, especially since the accused in question is right on top of the judicial pyramid. The other issue is that there must be as much transparency as possible in the case. In the case of CJI Gogoi, both concepts seem to have been bypassed, and this calls for a fresh approach. I have already written about how the judge should not judge himself but only mentioned in passing that the President of India should be involved in the matter. It is time now to invoke the idea of involving the President because both prominent lawyers and at least one sitting judge of the Supreme Court, Chandrachud, have questioned the manner in which the alleged victim was examined. Chandrachud did not like the idea that the inquiry went on though the woman in question opted out of the procedure. Her right to have a lawyer present has been denied and there has been no real inquiry as she was not present at all. This exoneration of the CJI goes against the principle of justice being seen to be done. Also, typically, an independent inquiry is best done by someone not likely to be part of the day-to-day functions of an accused. It is true that the judiciary should be independent of pressures, but we have to ensure that the pressures should also not come from within - subtly or through the sheer process of interactions that create or can create strange situations. Already, one judge recused himself from the panel that absolved the CJI on the ground that he was considered a personal friend of Gogoi. My attention is naturally drawn towards the President of India - the person who swears in the CJI and is technically the First Citizen of India, who towers above and outside all the other Constitutional offices. It is true that the President is usually a political man of sorts, indirectly elected by members of an electoral college comprised of legislators, and is bound by the advice of the Union Cabinet. But the office holds a special position. The President of India plays a crucial role (as we witnessed during the coalition era of 1996 to 2004) in the formation of governments where he acts outside of the cabinet. In post-election scenarios, the previous government continues in a caretaker capacity. I would argue that in the current context, the government can be deemed to be in that status and the President can be petitioned to examine the case involving the CJI without seeking or abiding by the advice of the government or the legislature. The President clearly has special powers where the government is of a caretaker nature. In the case involving CJI Gogoi, I would like to think that the judiciary as a whole needs to be insulated and yet some principles of jurisprudence need to be exercised. Judges, by judging themselves, become equivalent to politicians. By involving the President, an outsider to the judiciary, public faith in the judiciary can be restored. The President, in turn, should consult constitutional experts and/or appoint retired chief justices or judges of the Supreme Court and advise the panel to co-opt suitable persons to give a proper gender balance to the situation. I am surprised that both women's groups protesting against the Supreme Court's processes and prominent lawyers expressing concern over the issue do not seem to have thought of the President. President Ram Nath Kovind should be petitioned in the best possible manner so that the case can resume in front of a truly independent panel. The CJI may be exonerated yet again, but that would be appropriate in terms of procedures. Here, it must be remembered that Gogoi is hearing or has been hearing cases including the politically sensitive one on the Rafale aircraft deal in the election season. Political mischiefs to hurt the judiciary cannot and should not be ruled out. Targeting the CJI is not the issue. The real issue is of honest jurisprudence with an attendant set of procedures that raise the credibility of the judiciary. The National Commission of Women is officially empowered to review the legal and constitutional precautions for women, and I do believe it has the powers to move the office of the President of India since the role of the judiciary in judging itself is of constitutional significance. Those concerned by the events surrounding the CJI case can move the NCW and ask it or go with it or move separately to appeal to the President. The case is a sensitive one, but the Constitution does provide elbow room for extraordinary situations. This is clearly one such instance. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.) AHMEDNAGAR: In a case of honour killing, police said on Monday that a woman and her husband were set on fire allegedly by her family members in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra as they were against the marriage of the couple. The woman succumbed to her burn injuries at a hospital in Pune on Sunday, while the man who has suffered 40% burns is still struggling for life, said a police official. Inspector Vijaykumar Botre of Parner tehsil termed the incident a case of honour killing and told PTI that 23-year-old Mangesh Chandrakant Ranasing and his 23-year-old wife Rukmini Rama Bharathiya were set ablaze by her father and other relatives as they decided to tie the knot despite being from different castes. He added that the incident happened on Wednesday in Nighoj village, less than 100 kilometres from the district headquarters. Live TV "Ranasingh, a construction worker and Rukmini got married in November last year against the wishes of her parents. On April 28, she came to Nighoj village to meet her parents. On May 1, Mangesh came to take her to their marital home," Botre told PTI. Botre added that Rukmini's father Rama Bharathiya, her uncle Surendrakumar and maternal uncle Ghanshyam Ranej set the couple on fire after locking them in a room. The couple were rescued by neighbours who rushed to help after hearing their screams. The neighbours then called the police but all the accused had managed to escape from the scene of the incident before the arrival of police. "We rushed them to Sassoon Hospital in Pune where Rukmini died on Sunday while undergoing treatment. In her dying declaration, she has named the accused. We have arrested Surendrakumar and Ghanshyam. Accused Rama Bharathiya is absconding and efforts are on to nab him," Botre said. NEW DELHI: In a big relief for Karti Chidambaram, the Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday allowed him to travel to the US, Germany and Spain in May and June. It is to be noted that Karti is facing criminal cases and ED and CBI are currently probing these cases against him. While granting the relief to Karti, a SC bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices Deepak Gupta and Sanjiv Khanna said the permission to travel abroad was subject to compliance of conditions imposed earlier by the apex court. It may be recalled that in January the top court had allowed Karti, son of former finance minister and Congress leader P Chidambaram, to travel abroad after depositing Rs 10 crore with SC secretary general. Karti was also ordered by the top court to file an undertaking that he would not abscond and cooperate with the investigation. One of the cases filed against Karti relates to the clearance given to INX Media by Foreign Investment Promotion Board clearance for receiving foreign funds of Rs 305 crore when P Chidambaram was finance minister. Meanwhile, a Delhi court on Monday extended the interim protection from arrest granted to both Karti and P Chidambaram in Aircel-Maxis cases till May 30. The protection was granted by Special Judge O P Saini after senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for the Chidambarams, appealed the court in this regard. Singhvi made the request after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the CBI and ED, urged the court to grant some more time to the agencies to complete the probe. The case relates to alleged irregularities in grant of Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) approval in the Aircel-Maxis deal. New Delhi: Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor sparked a row after he showered praises on Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan for his 'genuine and far reaching' interest in history. However, the Congress leader expressed his disappointment that it took a Pakistani leader to remember the 'great Indian hero' on his death anniversary. He went on to add that Imran Khan reads and cares about subcontinent's history. "One thing I personally know about Imran Khan is that his interest in the shared history of the Indian subcontinent is genuine and far-reaching," Tharoor wrote praising Imran Khan. Tharoor was responding to Pakistan PM Imran Khan's recent tweet where he paid his tribute to Tipu Sultan and expressed his admiration for the 18th-century ruler of Mysore Kingdom. "Today 4th May is the death anniversary of Tipu Sultan - a man I admire because he preferred freedom and died fighting for it rather than live a life of enslavement," Imran Khan tweeted on May 4, on the death anniversary of Tipu Sultan. This is not the first time the Pakistan PM hailed Mysore kingdom ruler. In February, Khan had lauded Tipu Sultan's gallantry at a joint sitting of parliament convened in the wake of increased Indo-Pak tension after the Pulwama attack. "As a dignified nation, we will fight till our last breath if forced to choose between freedom and slavery," Imran had said. Tharoor's latest tweet is likely to bring the debate on Tipu Sultan back into political discourse. In May last year, BJP had crossed swords over the Karnataka government's decision to celebrate the birth anniversary of Mysore ruler Tipu Sultan on November 10 every year. BJP had termed the Congress government's move of observing Tipu Sultan Jayanti as an act of Muslim appeasement. It had even asked its leaders not to celebrate or attend Tipu Sultan birth anniversary celebrations. The BJP claims that Tipu was a 'terrorist' who persecuted the Kodavas and Catholics in Mangaluru. New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has come out all guns blazing after Shashi Tharoor praised Pakistan PM Imran Khan for lauding Tipu Sultan. Tharoor had stirred up a hornet's nest when he had praised Imran Khan for his words of appreciation for the 18th century Mysore ruler. "One thing I personally know about Imran Khan is that his interest in the shared history of the Indian subcontinent is genuine and far-reaching," Tharoor wrote. He also expressed his disappointment that it took a Pakistani leader to remember the 'great Indian hero' on his death anniversary. Rebuking Tharoor, who has often chosen the choicest of words to attack BJP leaders with, Ram Madhav said that the Congress leaders' admiration for Pakistan is rather well known. "His love for the neighbours and hate for our leaders is very well known. He uses choicest abuses for our leaders and he has great love for people across the border. He has to think what he is doing is right or not," the BJP national general secretary told news agency ANI. While this is not the first time BJP has accused Congress leaders of being sympathetic towards the Pakistani PM - Navjot Singh Sidhu has had to face a barrage of attacks for his close bond with Imran, Tipu Sultan has also been a key topic of debate. The party had clashed with the Karnataka government in May of last year when the state government under JDS-Congress combine had decided to celebrate the birth anniversary of the Mysore ruler on November 10 of each year. BJP had said it was an act of appeasement towards Muslims. Tharoor's appreciation now is likely to add fuel to the proverbial fire, also because of his appreciation for Imran Khan. The United States has said that it will consult India as the Afghan peace process goes forward even as it called for 'inclusive and legitimate process' that preserves the gains made in the last 18 years. A statement issued by the American embassy in New Delhi on US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad's two-day India visit, said, "Ambassador Khalilzad and his counterparts also discussed that Afghanistans political future is for Afghans to decide through an inclusive and legitimate process." During his visit, which is his second to New Delhi in 2019, Khalilzad met External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale and Indias Ambassador to Afghanistan Vinay Kumar. Taliban during its talks with the US has been calling for an interim administration in Kabul which will replace the existing government, something India is against as it backs Afghan President Ghani's government. Washington also 'recognized the many important contributions India has made to Afghanistans development.' This development comes months after US President Donald Trump took a jibe against development aid to Afghanistan. The US President in the first cabinet meet of the year - in January, had said even though he gets 'along very well with India', 'PM Modi is constantly telling me, he built a library in Afghanistan.' "Dont know whos using it (the library) in Afghanistan". India has built large-scale infrastructure projects in Afghanistan like the Parliament building in Kabul, Salma Dam in Herat and provided training to 3500 Afghans. New Delhi: US commerce secretary Wilbur Ross has asked India to reduce trade barriers and termed New Delhi's tariff rate as 'unjustified'. Speaking at the US-government backed business event 'Indo Pacific Trade Winds', Ross said, "Today, India is America's 13th largest market due to overly restrictive market-access barriers. The US is India's largest export market, that is a real imbalance." India's average applied tariff rate is 13% with tariff on auto at 60%, bikes at 50% and Alcohol at 100%. Calling it 'unjustified', Ross said, "US businesses face significant market-access barriers in India. These include both tariff and non-tariff barriers, as well as multiple practises and regulations that disadvantage foreign companies." He, however, assured US companies that Washington is 'working diligantly with the Indian government' on market access. Ross explained that the 'goal is to eliminate barrier' for US companies including on data localization, that 'weakens data security and increases cost of doing business.' Ross, who is on a two-day India visit, raised the matter with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday and during his bilateral meeting with commerce minister Suresh Prabhu on Monday. Bilateral trade last year between India and US stood at $142 billion, up $16 billion from 2017. US exports of goods to India increased by 7.4 billion to 33% but imports increased by 12% to 54 billion, representing trade deficit of $ 21 billon for US. This is what may have irked the Donald Trump administration. India has been trying to reduce its trade deficit with the US. India is importing $4.5 billion worth of US crude and natural gas. Indian private airlines have placed orders for around 300 Boeing aircraft to be delivered over the next five to seven years that are worth around $ 39 billion and will create 130,000 American jobs. Ross, however, has reaffirmed India-US ties and said 'MAGA (Make America Great Again' needs to be rephrased to 'MAGWIC (Make America Great Again With Indian Corporations).' New Delhi: A day after an in-house Supreme Court panel dismissed allegations of sexual allegations against Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi, the woman complainant on Tuesday demanded a copy of the committee's report. The complainant wrote a letter to the in-house committee in which she demanded a copy of the report. She also reportedly said that she is 'shocked and anguished' at the committee's decision to dismiss the allegations. Earlier in the day, several women lawyers and activists had staged a protest against the committee's decision to dismiss the allegations against CJI Gogoi. Many of them were seen carrying placards. The in-house committee was headed by Justice SA Bobde and also had two other women judges of the apex court - justices Indu Malhotra and Indira Banerjee. On Monday, the committee said it found no substance in the allegations made against the CJI. It was also held that since the report is part of a committee constituted as per the in-house procedure, it is not liable to be made public. Cops in Bengaluru have stepped up security in the city after footage from Kempegowda Metro Station on Monday night revealed a suspicious man fleeing from here. It is reported that when the suspect was stopped by the private security agency at the station, there was a beep sound on the metal detector. Before the matter could be probed further, the suspect made his getaway although the entire incident was recorded on CCTV cameras here. The incident was reported by the private security agency to Bengaluru Police and an investigation has been launched. Wanting to leave nothing to chance, security in the city has also been tightened although there is no alert issued. "People should not panic. The CCTV footage has been circulated to all police stations in the city. While security has been increased, there is no high alert," said Ravi Channannavar, DCP Bangalore West. Police officials in major Indian cities treat such incidents with extreme caution and vigil has been especially increased in southern Indian cities following multiple explosions in Sri Lanka on Easter. Just last month, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) had arrested a 29-year-old suspect linked to the Islamic State terror group for allegedly conspiring to carry out a suicide attack in Kerala. By IANS BHOPAL: The Congress on Tuesday handed over the list of 21 lakh farmers, whose loans the ruling party says it has waived off, to former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Under the leadership of senior Congress leader and former Union Minister Suresh Pachauri, a large number of party workers reached Chouhan's residence in open jeeps where they gave him the list. Pachauri said the Congress had promised to waive off farmers' debt of upto Rs 2 lakh and the process was initiated soon after the party formed the government under the leadership of Kamal Nath. So far, 21 lakh farmers have benefitted under the Jai Jawan Jay Kisan Debt Waiver scheme before the model code of conduct came into force on March 10, he said. The Congress said that under the scheme, a total of 55 lakh farmers were eligible to avail its benefit. New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party came out all guns blazing against Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday after she compared Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Duryodhana from Hindu mythological text Mahabharata. Speaking at a rally in Haryana earlier in the day, Priyanka had accused PM Modi of being arrogant like Duryodhana and adding that it is this that will bring about his downfall in Lok Sabha election 2019. She had also fired salvos directed at PM Modi for calling her father - former PM Rajiv Gandhi - 'corrupt No. 1'. The BJP swiftly countered the latest attack from Priyanka with party chief Amit Shah saying that the Congress' frustration is for all to see. "Priyanka just called PM Modi 'Duryodhana'. Priyanka ji, this is democracy, nobody becomes 'Duryodhana' just because you called them so. The result of Lok Sabha election on May 23 will teach a lesson to Priyanka. No amount of insults from Congress can change the mind of Indian voters," he said at a rally in West Bengal's Bishnupur. The war of words between BJP and Congress leaders have only intensified with each passing phase of Lok Sabha election 2019. Just before the fifth phase on Monday, PM Modi had referred to Rajiv Gandhi as corrupt which prompted a sharp rebuke from Congress. The party has even approached the Election Commission regarding the statement although party president Rahul Gandhi tweeted that he would deal with PM Modi's 'hatred' with 'love and hug.' BJP too has been scathing and has highlighted all the insults that have been hurled at PM Modi by Rahul and other Congress leaders in the past. Union Minister Arun Jaitley, in particular, said that repeatedly calling PM Modi a thief only showcased the 'hollow character' of Congress. (Full report here) With voting in just two phases to go, the verbal duel could further degenrate as both parties look to go the extra distance in not just highlighting their own achievements but also throwing accusations at one another. Bharatiya Janata Party's Gurdaspur candidate Sunny Deol may have been vocal against Pakistan in reel life, but the same can't be said of in real life. The actor-turned-politician, who starred in top grossing patriotic movies such as Gadar: Ek Prem Katha and Border, admitted that he doesn't know much about the Balakot air strikes or the Indo-Pakistan relations. Live TV Talking to the media during a campaign rally Tuesday, Deol refused to comment about the India Pakistan relations. I am here to serve people, if I win then maybe I will have my opinion, not now, said the 62-year-old. Taking a swipe at Congress candidate and sitting Gurdaspur MP Sunil Kumar Jakhar, Deol said, Jakhar keeps on saying what he wants. He is also contesting the election. Let him speak. He knows that I have come here for work and serve people. That's why he is afraid. Jakhar had accused Deol of having "no understating" of issues in Punjab. "Sunny Deol is unaware of the issues in Punjab and Gurdaspur. People are fast developing a perception about him that he is limited to cinema. Whenever he meets people and holds interaction with them, one will come to know about real Sunny Deol," Jakhar was quoted as saying by PTI. "Politics is not a time pass activity. This is a serious business which involves serving the people," said Jakhar further. Deol, along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a galaxy of top BJP leaders including Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, BJP President Amit Shah and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, are criss-crossing Haryana over the next four days to campaign for the May 12 polls on 10 Lok Sabha seats in the sixth phase of the ongoing seven-phased general elections ends. Deol will hold road shows at Sirsa and at Yamuna Nagar which falls under Ambala Lok Sabha constituency later this week. New Delhi: The Election Commission of India on Tuesday reportedly dismissed complaints against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his remarks calling former PM Rajiv Gandhi as 'corrupt No. 1.' News agency ANI, quoting sources within EC, reported that prima facie there was no violation of the Model Code of Conduct by PM Modi. "The speech mentioned in this complaint has been examined with a view to identifying instances of violation of the Model Code of Conduct. Prima facie, we did not figure out any literal violation of MCC as given in the Election Commission of India instructions. The case is, therefore, disposed of," ECI sources were quoted as saying. PM Modi had made the remark at an election rally and had referred to Rajiv Gandhi as 'Brashtachari (Corrupt) No. 1.' Congress had taken a strong objection to this and had accused the PM Modi of having insulted a former PM who died for the country. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Rahul Gandhi, in particular, took on PM Modi for the remark made against their father. Congress leaders too were livid and had a delegation had met with EC officials, asking them to take action against PM Modi for what they felt was a violation of Model Code of Conduct. The Bharatiya Janata Party, however, had rallied behind PM Modi and several of its leaders had said that insulting the current PM and calling him a thief would also be a violation of poll code. PM Modi himself stood by his remark and would go on to dare Rahul to fight the final two phases of Lok Sabha election 2019 in the name of Rajiv Gandhi. MUMBAI: In a surprising demand, Maharashtra Congress president Ashok Chavan on Monday said that Election Commission must install "network jammers" in and around strongrooms where Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) are kept before counting of votes. Talking to media after meeting the chief electoral officer (CEO) on the issue, the senior Congress leader claimed that wireless networks like mobile phone towers and wi-fi networks can be used by hackers to tamper the EVMs and this can only be prevented by the installation of jammers. "These jammers should be installed during the counting process as well. We demand that such network jammers be installed immediately in all Lok Sabha constituencies in the state," Chavan said. Live TV Chavan said that during the meeting with CEO, the Congress delegation has urged the EC to declare the result of each round of counting only after it is duly prepared and signed by the returning officer. He added that the counting for next round should not start before the completion of the entire first round process and the poll panel should consider a request for a recount round-wise. "Our demand for testing 50 per cent of EVMs against VVPAT slip remains," he added. "As per the present counting process of each EVM, the votes of each candidate on serial number 1 are displayed first in ascending order. We would like to request you (CEO) to reverse the counting order in each EVM starting from the last serial number candidate to the serial number 1 candidate in the descending or anti-clockwise order," Chavan was quoted as saying by PTI. In a related development, Congress' ally in Maharashtra NCP on Monday claimed that BJP-Shiv Sena candidates may tamper the EVMs. The NCP demanded that candidates must be barred by the EC from entering EVM strongrooms. "The candidates of the ruling parties can resort to EVM tampering using technology to change results," Maharashtra NCP chief Jayant Patil said. Kolkata: Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who addressed an election campaign in Kolkata on Tuesday, hit out at Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for inciting violence over the 'Jai Shri Ram' slogan. In her speech, Sitharaman also categorically mentioned the violence in West Bengal during the Lok Sabha election. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Trinamool Congress (TMC) workers have reportedly clashed in each of the five phases. "Mamata Banerjee is spreading violence in the state," the union minister said, adding that while she should protect the people, Mamata has problems if people chant 'Jai Shri Ram.' The controversy over chanting 'Jai Shri Ram' in West Bengal started over the weekend. A video showed Mamata stopping her car in West Midnapore district and questioning some people who had chanted the slogan as her carcade was crossing the area. This prompted BJP president Amit Shah to allege that the West Bengal CM is not allowing people to chant 'Jai Shri Ram' in the state and wondered if the God's name cannot be taken in India, will it be uttered in Pakistan. "Lord Ram is a part of the culture of India... Can anybody stop people from taking his name? I want to ask Mamata didi, if Shri Ram's name is not taken in India, will it be chanted in Pakistan?" Shah said. Meanwhile, speaking about the poll day violence in Bengal, Sitharaman said, "In spite of Central Forces coming in and assuring the voters that their presence will make a difference, Didi's (Mamata Banerjee) 'syndicate morcha people' were all over the place." Live TV "Violence which is being perpetrated by TMC workers is a cause for concern. Didi at the end of the day screams about democracy, she is the one who is violating it now," she added. New Delhi: The country's capital is where the political action is likely to be at this week with Prime Minister Narendra Modi scheduled to address a rally here on Wednesday. PM Modi will lead Bharatiya Janata Party's charge in all seven parliamentary constituencies here which vote in the sixth phase on Sunday. He has already been the centre of BJP Delhi unit's focus in recent weeks with the party trying to appeal to voters using the catchphrase 'Dilli ke dil me hai josh, Dilli ke dil me hai Modi'. Wednesday will see PM Modi address a rally at the iconic Ramlila Maidan and it is likely that he would unleash a frontal attack on both Congress as well as the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) here. Congress and AAP have both openly admitted that defeating BJP is high on their respective priority lists. The two parties had even tried to stitch together a pre-poll alliance but it had come up a cropper owing to differences in the seat-sharing arrangement. The consequent three-way electoral battle could well be a mouth-watering contest. Both Congress and AAP have already hit the ground running in Delhi. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will address two rallies on Wednesday - one each in North-East Delhi seat and South Delhi seat. AAP meanwhile has held numerous rallies with CM Arvind Kejriwal in attendance. A recent incident in which he was attacked during one of the rallies also led to a massive war of words with Kejriwal accusing BJP of planning it while BJP's Manoj Tiwari saying AAP had staged the incident. Interestingly, Kejriwal and PM Modi had faced off in a direct contest in the 2014 Lok Sabha election in Varanasi. PM Modi had managed to cruise to a win at the time. In the ensuing years, AAP has managed to take revenge of sorts by forming government in Delhi and having Kejriwal take over as CM. The party, however, continues to accuse BJP of creating hurdles and has demanded full statehood for Delhi. The BJP, however, is leaving nothing to chance in ensuring PM Modi's rally here is a grand success. News agency PTI reported that a large number of people from satellite cities of Noida, Ghaziabad and Faridabad are expected to be present at the rally while giant digital screens highlighting Modi government's achievements have already been placed along the roads leading up to the rally venue. NEW DELHI: Senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Sanjay Singh on Monday claimed that both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress president Rahul Gandhi were involved in the recent attack on Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal during a roadshow. Singh, who is a Rajya Sabha MP, said that Kejriwal has been attacked nine times so far and this is not an ordinary thing. He stressed that there is a conspiracy behind the attacks on Delhi CM and it is quite possible that his life is in danger. The AAP MP said that his party leaders had met Delhi Police Commissioner and requested him to probe this matter thoroughly. "Nine times attack on Chief Minister Kejriwal is not an ordinary thing, there is a conspiracy behind this. There could be a threat to his (Kejriwal) life. We met the Delhi Police Commissioner and appealed to investigate the matter. The accused`s wife said that her husband cannot tolerate if somebody says anything wrong to Prime Minister Modi, which means in this country speaking against Modi has now become a crime...We believe that behind this unfortunate incident (attack on Kejriwal), it`s Prime Minister Modi and BJP. We demand a brief investigation into the attack on Kejriwal," Singh was quoted as saying by ANI. Live TV The AAP leader also raised questions over Rahul Gandhi's silence over the incident and said that both the BJP and Congress are claiming that the AAP has staged the attack on Delhi CM in order to grab eyeballs. Singh noted that the attack has been condemned by all opposition leaders, except the Congress president which makes it amply clear that both the Congress and BJP are involved in this attack. "The BJP and Congress have accused us (AAP) for planning this attack to raise TRP. All opposition condemned this attack but Rahul Gandhi is quiet which means both BJP and Congress are involved in this... We have registered an FIR into the matter," he said. Meanwhile, Suresh, the man who had slapped Kejriwal during a roadshow, has been sent to two-day judicial custody by Delhi Police. Suresh has also been charged under Section 107/51 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC). Suresh had attacked Kejriwal on Saturday in West Delhi`s Moti Nagar area while he was campaigning for his party's Lok Sabha candidate from the seat. Kejriwal was attacked when he was travelling in an open jeep. The AAP has been repeatedly claiming that the attack was sponsored by those who are against the ideology of Kejriwal. (with ANI inputs) New Delhi: Rajnath Singh does not believe in stressing over election results. Most of his composure comes from the confidence he has in a Bharatiya Janata Party win in Lok Sabha election 2019 and his own triumph in Lucknow parliamentary constituency. Voting in Lucknow took place in the fifth phase on Monday with Rajnath facing off against Samajwadi Party candidate Poonam Sinha. Speaking to Zee News a day later, the Home Minister said that while he always relishes a solid electoral fight, the people are with the BJP. "I have never stressed over election in Lucknow. I have a lot of love from the people there. I don't believe anyone can challenge me as long as I have the love and support of the people in Lucknow," he said. "I said previously as well that I have no complaint against Poonam Sinha. The result on May 23 will reveal the outcome." Poonam Sinha joined SP just last month and was named as the party's candidate to face Rajnath who had won from Lucknow seat in the 2014 Lok Sabha election by close to three lakh votes. The SP had - and continues to - hurl accusations towards BJP and Prime Minister Modi but Rajnath is not too perturbed by these either. "Anyone can make any accusations. The point of the matter is whethere they can substantiate those accusations with facts and evidence. There has been no charge or allegation of any worth against PM Modi in the last five years. People's trust in him has only increased in the past five years," he said, while also playing down SP chief Akhilesh Yadav's claim that the next PM would be from Uttar Pradesh. Rajnath also took on Congress president Rahul Gandhi and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee for the manner in which they have campaigned this election season. "I think accusations have been made by them only for the sake of accusations. They have repeatedly raked up the non-issue of Rafale deal. The fact is that our PM understood the urgency of fighter planes being in short supply and therefore, took a quick decision. The matter was discussed between the governments of India and France. Will governments take bribes? How can someone even think like this," he said, adding that even TMC will have to pay a heavy price for its bravado. "The incidents of poll-related violence in West Bengal are extremely unfortunate. TMC will lose the election badly. Mamata did not even respond to PM's phone after Cyclone Fani. She is cheating the people of West Bengal." The Home Minister also said that BJP will, moving forward, continue to have a zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism. "We will not spare anyone conspiring against India and anyone who threatens our country. Congress has always been weak in this matter and now question surgical strikes. If such strikes happened when they were in power, why did they not tell the people of the country?" he said. Lok Sabha election 2019 has been a bitter and intense battle so far between BJP, Congress and other political parties. With each side claiming that they will end up triumphant, the wait is on for counting day on May 23. TRIVANDRUM: Just a day after meeting his Telangana counterpart K Chandrasekhar Rao, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday expressed confidence that regional parties will play an important role in the formation of the next government at the Centre after the Lok Sabha election. The Kerala chief minister, however, stressed that no talk was held on the matter of next prime ministerial candidate during the meeting with Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) chief. "Yesterday`s meeting with K C Rao was significant. We discussed the national political scenario. According to Rao, both the fronts may not get a majority. So, the regional parties will play a prominent role. There were no discussions about the PM candidate," said Pinarayi Vijayan. The meeting between Pinarayi Vijayan and K C Rao took place at the official residence of Kerala chief minister in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday. The idea of `Federal Front` was first floated by the Telangana chief minister in March last year. Since then KCR has been meeting leaders across India in order to form a 'Federal Front' which can provide an alternative to both the BJP and Congress. It is to be noted that KCR has so far met leaders of the Trinamool Congress, Biju Janata Dal, Samajwadi Party, Janata Dal(S) and the DMK. The TRS chief has also invited YSR Congress Party chief Jagan Mohan Reddy to join the 'Federal Front.' Meanwhile, K Kavitha, TRS MP and KCR's daughter, on Tuesday that no meeting has been fixed between her father and DMK president MK Stalin so far. Voting for all 17 seats in Telangana was held in a single phase on April 11. The results will be announced on May 23. Indian Overseas Congress president Sam Pitroda on Tuesday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his remarks on former PM Rajiv Gandhi by posting a letter on Twitter which has signature of 200 Delhi University teachers condemning the PM for his remark. Statement by over 200 Delhi University teachers condemning Narendra Modi for his remarks on the late Rajiv Gandhi with actual signatures... Sharing some of them here, tweeted the senior Congress leader. In the letter, the signatories write, We... teachers of University of Delhi strongly condemn the recent statement by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on the late Shri Rajiv Gandhi. The Delhi University teachers' letter claims that the achievements of the former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi is for everyone to see. It states, When India beat back the invaders from Kargil, our soldiers shouted slogans praising Rajiv Gandhi for the Bofors gun even though Rajivji had been martyred a decade ago. The letter written by DU teachers also praises the former prime minister for his decision to computerise rail reservation and usher in the IT and telecom revolutions in the country. The Delhi University teachers' letter declares Modi has lowered the dignity of the office of the prime minister by making derogatory and untrue remarks about the late Rajivji who made the supreme sacrifice in the service of the nation. No former prime minister has ever stooped to this level through such actions as has Narendra Modi. It is interesting to note that the first few signatories listed in the letter of DU teachers are all former office-bearers of the Delhi University Teachers Association (DUTA). The first name on the list is of Dr Aditya Narayan Misra, who is also associated with Vichar Vibhag (ideology cell) of the Congress. On Saturday, PM Modi had attacked Rajiv Gandhi while targeting Congress president Rahul Gandhi by saying, "Your father was termed Mr Clean by his courtiers, but his life ended as bhrashtachari no 1." Modi's remark had sparked a political row with leaders from different political parties criticising the PM for disrespecting the late prime minister. Manish Anand By Express News Service BHOPAL: The BJP appears to have fallen back on former chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to steer the saffron ship in Madhya Pradesh amid a Congress bid to turn political waters turbulent for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. That Chouhan is arguably a perfect foil to the Congress troika of Kamal Nath, Digvijaya Singh and Jyotiraditya Scindia can be gauged from Mama (as Chouhan is popularly called) logging in over 125 rallies, pulling crowd and workers alike. I began taking part in electoral politics in 1984. I know the pulse of the people, Chouhan told this newspaper during an interaction. Ive addressed 125 rallies and over a dozen roadshows. I am not yearning for positions in New Delhi. Ive opted for the path of struggle. My party, too, has decided this course for me, said Chouhan, making it clear that hes not Delhi-bound in the event of Modi bagging a second term. Dropping hints of impending political upheavals in the state, Chouhan said, We could have stalled the Congress from forming government (in MP). We had polled more votes. Yet, we stepped back since the Congress won more seats. But people now are in misery. The sooner the Kamal Nath government goes, the better it will be. Circumstances will emerge and well suitably respond. He claimed that every vote cast in the state will be a verdict for re-election of Modi and of disapproval of Kamal Nath. FOLLOW OUR ELECTION COVERAGE HERE Chouhan, known for his oratory and emotional connect with the people, argued that the central issue in the Lok Sabha elections is the question of leadership that could restore Indias glory in the world. People here remember Sudhakar (Lance Naik whose head was chopped off on Line of Control with Pakistan in 2013). All that his wife wanted was for the Indian government to ensure Pakistan returned Sudhakars head so that she could have the last darshan (pay obeisance). But the Manmohan Singh-led UPA government couldnt fulfill her wish. Modi, in contrast, brought (Wing Commander) Abhinandan Warthaman back unharmed within 48 hours, the BJP national vice president argued. The former CM counted elimination of all members of the group of Burhan Wani and network of SIMI (Students Islamic Movement of India) to assert that Indias war against terrorism is in a decisive stage. He combatively rejected the charge of the BJP compromising the issue of terrorism by fielding Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, accused in the Malegaon blast case, from against Congress veteran Digvijaya Singh. We never linked terrorism with any religion. Yet, the Congress-led UPA hatched a conspiracy alleging Hindu terrorism and implicated Thakur without any evidence We shudder at the scale of atrocities meted out to a Hindu daughter, Chouhan said. India needs strong PM Chouhan said India is seeing campaign on lines of a Presidential election. The PM should be a mass leader, unlike Manmohan Singh who never fought an election...The post should be held by one who knows pulse of the people and is acquainted with their aspirations, the former MP Chief Minister said. Our focus on development agenda Chouhan dismissed suggestions that the BJP poll campaign is focused on the issue of nationalism. We dwell upon issue of nationalism just for five minutes, with focus on development agenda of the party. In MP, the Kamal Nath government has undone pro-farmer initiatives, besides the state having been taken back to the era of power cuts that even the CM had to cast his vote in flash-light, he said. New Delhi: In a major lapse of security, at least six Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) and a VVPAT were recovered from a hotel in Bihar's Muzaffarpur on Monday. Muzaffarpur SDO Kundan Kumar seized the EVMs and took it under his possession. It is said that sector magistrate Avdhesh Kumar had taken the EVMs to the hotel since his driver went to cast his vote. Following the recovered of EVMs from the hotel, locals gathered and protested against the magistrate. They raised suspicions of wrongdoing by the in-charge. Bihar:EVMs&VVPAT were found from a hotel in Muzaffarpur yesterday. Alok Ranjan Ghosh, DM says,"Sector officer was given some reserved machines so that it could be replaced with faulty ones. After replacing EVMs he was left with 2 balloting unit,1 control unit&2 VVPAT in his car." pic.twitter.com/KjpoKbHpCa ANI (@ANI) May 7, 2019 A show-cause notice has been issued to Magistrate Avdhesh Kumar over the dereliction of poll duty. He has been asked to clarify how the EVMs reached the hotel. District Collector Alok Ranjan Ghosh confirmed the report and said that the Magistrate took the EVMs and a VVPAT to a hotel so that his driver could cast his vote. "Sector officer was given some reserved machines so that it could be replaced with faulty ones. After replacing the EVMs, he was left with 2 balloting unit,1 control unit and 2 VVPAT in his car. He shouldn't have unloaded the machines in the hotel which is against the rules. Since he has violated the rules, a departmental investigation will be done against him." On Monday, five Lok Sabha seats in Bihar - Sitamarhi, Madhubani, Muzaffarpur, Saran and Hajipur (reserved), went to poll in the fifth phase of Lok Sabha election. Except for Sitamarhi, the rest four seats were won by NDA in the 2014 election. New Delhi: The Editors Guild of India has condemned several incidents of physical attack on journalists in West Bengal on Thursday, during the fifth phase of Lok Sabha election 2019. Journalists belonging to Zee News and other media organisations were allegedly attacked by Trinamool Congress (TMC) workers at different polling stations. In Barrackpore, a Zee News reporter was injured in the attack. Therefore, the Editors Guild has urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) to take action against those who indulged in such acts. "Physical attacks against journalists are always reprehensible, but particularly so during elections as they undermine fair media scrutiny of an election, the Editors Guild said in a statement. Live TV The body has asked the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC government in West Bengal to ensure law and order in the state so that journalists are not attacked by political parties and they can perform their professional duties safely. Violence marred the fifth phase of polling in West Bengal, where the interim voter turnout was 74.4 percent. Seven seats in the state voted during this phase. Kolkata: The convoy of West Bengal BJP president Dilip Ghosh was allegedly attacked by Trinamool Congress (TMC) workers in East Midnapore's Khejuri on Tuesday evening. Assam minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who was also part of the convoy, shared a series of tweets in connection with the attack alleging that the "TMC goons had blocked the roads but the West Bengal Police did not help them." "I am appalled at such brazen abuse of power by Mamata Banerjee whose people have thrown all democratic norms to the gutter. Is this the New India that we dream of?" read one of Sharma's tweet. TMC goons have blocked the roads on both sides, even as West Bengal Police personnel standing like mute spectator. I am appalled at such brazen abuse of power by @MamataOfficial whose people have thrown all democratic norms to gutter. Is this the #NewIndia that we dream of? pic.twitter.com/BcW5AxLXKa Chowkidar Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) May 7, 2019 He also added that many of the BJP workers have been injured and both the leaders have been "stuck" at the place. We are at Khejuri in Kanthi LS constituency and attacked mercilessly by @AITCofficial goons. Many of our workers are injured even as @MamataOfficial goons gheraoing and abusing us. @BJP4Bengal President @DilipGhoshBJP and I are stuck. Chowkidar Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) May 7, 2019 While Ghosh and Sharma escaped unhurt, two vehicles were completely vandalised. Sharma further said that the CRPF personnel helped them in moving away from the place while three BJP workers were taken away by TMC goons in front of the police. The @crpfindia personnel are helping us to gradually move away from here. Three .@BJP4Bengal workers are taken away by .@AITCofficial goons in front of police / Kultha Bazar, under PS Khejuri and kept in TMC union office. Goons have damaged 20+ motorbikes.#ShameMamata pic.twitter.com/XT7wWE0Cmn Chowkidar Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) May 7, 2019 Live TV The incident comes just a day after several incidents of violence was reported from West Bengal during the fifth phase of Lok Sabha election. KOLKATA: A First Information Report (FIR) was registered against Bharatiya Janata Party's Barrackpore candidate Arjun Singh for allegedly physically attacking the lady in Titagarh. The FIR was registered in Titagarh Police Station. The development comes hours after the BJP candidate accused Trinamool workers of attacking him in Barrackpore during the fifth phase of Lok Sabha Election 2019 on Monday. "I was attacked by TMC goons while I was trying to talk with voters. It was a planned attack and I will report the matter to the Election Commission. TMC`s hooligans are running unchecked in the state, my bleeding mouth is a proof of it," news agency ANI quoted him saying. More clashes were reported between BJP and Trinamool Congress from other places in from several constituencies of West Bengal. Voting in West Bengal was being held for seven out of the 42 Lok Sabha constituencies in the state Hooghly, Sreerampore, Arambagh, Howrah Uluberia, Barrackpore and Bongaoan. These constituencies are spread across three districts of south Bengal -- Hooghly, Howrah and North 24 Parganas. New Delhi: In yet another incident of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena men assaulting critics of their leader Raj Thackeray, an Ambernath resident was made to perform sit-ups as punishment. A video of the incident in which the man, a marketing executive, is being verbally assaulted by the MNS workers, is doing the rounds on social media. The video shows some MNS workers abusing and threatening the man, and then forcing him to do sit-ups while holding his ears as 'punishment'. According to the police, the incident took place a day after Sandeep Tiwari, a resident of Dhara Residency society in Ambernath East took offence at a video of the MNS chief posted by another member on the societys common WhatsApp group. He reportedly posted some negative comments against Thackeray to register his objection. Some of the members allegedly informed local MNS leader Rakesh Patil about Tiwari's comments, following which he was summoned to the MNS office on Sunday. In the one-minute video, Tiwari is seen apologising to the party workers with folded hands while he serves the 'penalty' before them. New Delhi: Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar has donated Rs 1 crore to the Chief Minister's fund for the victims of cyclone Fani that wreaked havoc in Odisha and some parts of West Bengal. Akshay was one of the first actors to donate money for the victims. This is not new. Akshay has always been contributing for causes, be it his Bharat ke Veer initiative for the armed forces, or his contribution to the Kerala Floods or Chennai floods earlier, Hindustan Times quoted an industry source as saying. On the work front, Akshay will be next seen in Good News opposite Kareena Kapoor. In the film, Akshay and Kareena play a couple trying to get pregnant. The film also stars Diljit and Kiara in pivotal roles. Good News reunites Bebo and Akki after a hiatus of 9 years. They were last seen in Kambakkht Ishq. The film is backed by Karan Johar's Dharma Productions and helmed first-time director Raj Mehta. He will also be seen in Sooryavanshi, which is backed by Karan Johar's Dharma Productions. New Delhi: Bollywood beauty Deepika Padukone made her third appearance at the coveted Met Gala, which took place in Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute, New York. Deepika looked like a fairy princess in her Zac Posen custom pink lurex Jacquard gown, embellished with 400 three-dimensional embroidered pieces. Sharing her look for the day, Zac wrote, "The gorgeous and fabulous @deepikapadukone wearing a custom Zac Posen metallic pink lurex jacquard gown. This gown includes Zac Posen x GE Additive x Protolabs embroidery. #ZPlovesTech #MetCamp #ZacPosen." The actress also donned an Audrey Hepburn-inspired hairdo with a hairband. Deepika, who is usually seen in elegant gowns, added a tinge of drama to her outfit to be in sync with Met Gala. This transformation would surely make her husband Ranveer Singh, who is the ultimate king of quirks. On the work front, she will next be seen in Meghna Gulzar directorial 'Chhapaak'. The film is based on the life of acid attack survivor Laxmi Agarwal and has been high on the buzzword ever since Dippy's first look was out. The actress looked unrecognizable in the garb of Laxmi and celebs from almost the entire industry praised her for taking up such a role. A couple of days ago, a video of Deepika from 'Chhapaak' sets went viral in which she was seen dressed as a school girl. The film stars Vikrant Massey as the male lead and is slated to hit the silver screens on January 10, 2020. Deepika was last seen in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Padmaavat' which released in January 2018. New Delhi: Bollywood diva Priyanka Chopra, who left the tongues wagging with her dramatic look at the Met Gala 2019, has shared a milllion dollar picture from the Met Gala after party. The picture is more special for all her Indian fans because it unites 'Kashibai' Priyanka and 'Mastani' Deepika Padukone but there is no Ranveer Singh as Bajirao because there is Nick Jonas striking a cool pose with the gorgeous ladies. Sharing the picture on Instagram, Priyanka wrote, "Charlie and the Indian angels end the night .. #metgala2019." The picture also features stylist and Vogue editor Anaita Shroff Adajania and their friend Natasha Poonawala. All eyes were on the leading ladies Deepika and Priyanka, who completely stole the show with their looks. Although Priyanka's quirky look gave birth to a lot of memes on social media, fans suggested Ranveer Singh as the right choice for Met, not Deepika as her look was considered too 'bland. Priyanka, who donned a Dior dress, was pretty much in sync with this year's Camp theme while Nick thoroughly complimented his darling wife in an-white suit from Dior Men and paired them with a blingy pair of shoes. However, it wasn't PeeCee's sheer dress that caught everyone's attention but her quirky hairdo. The actress donned a towering crown that had everyone talking. While Deepika looked like a fairy princess in her Zac Posen custom pink lurex Jacquard gown, embellished with 400 three-dimensional embroidered pieces. New Delhi: Debt-ridden Jaypee Infratech's insolvency proceedings will continue for now as the Allahabad bench of NCLT has posted the matter for hearing on May 21 after lead lender IDBI sought extension of bankruptcy process beyond the deadline that expired on Monday. IDBI had approached the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) seeking extension of the corporate insolvency resolution process (CIRP) beyond the May 6 deadline as the proceedings are still underway to find a buyer for the Jaypee group's realty firm. According to sources, the Allahabad bench has posted the matter for hearing on May 21 and till then "status quo" will be maintained. A meeting of committee of creditors (CoC) has been scheduled on May 9, Jaypee Infratech's Interim Resolution Professional (IRP) Anuj Jain informed last week. Sources had said the CoC will now discuss the proposal of state-owned NBCC to acquire Jaypee Infratech, the real estate arm of Jaypee group. Jaypee Infratech is a subsidiary of Jaiprakash Associates, the flaghsip firm of Jaypee group. The creditors, which include banks and home buyers, on May 3 rejected the bid of Mumbai-based Suraksha group, the lone contender left after rejection of NBCC's bid on the ground that the offer did not have the approvals of government authorities. As the NBCC has now got the necessary approvals, the CoC is ready to discuss on NBCC's bid once again on May 9. On January 28 this year, the NCLT had extended the period of the CIRP by another 90 days as 180 days mandated under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) was ending on February 5, 2019. Under the IBC, a resolution process has to be completed under 180 days with a further extension of 90 days to 270 days. And if the company fails to complete the CIRP within the mandated 270 days, then the company goes for liquidation. In the last hearing on April 29, IDBI had requested the tribunal to deduct the number of days in litigation period at several judicial forums, which include the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) and the Supreme Court. IDBI's plea was supported by the representative of the home buyers, who have also got the status of financial creditors after amendments in the IBC. However, the promoters of Jaypee Infratech had opposed any move to extend the resolution period. In 2017, the NCLT admitted the application by an IDBI Bank-led consortium seeking resolution of Jaypee Infratech. During the first round of insolvency proceedings, the Rs 7,350 crore bid of Lakshdeep, part of Suraksha group, was rejected by lenders as it was found to be substantially lower than the company's net worth and assets. In October 2018, the resolution professional started a fresh initiative to revive Jaypee Infratech on the NCLT's direction. New Delhi: Self-proclaimed spiritual leader and Yog guru Swami Anand Giri was arrested in Sydney, Australia for allegedly assaulting two women who invited to their homes for prayers. Swami Anand Giri's guru Mahant Narendra Giri confirmed his arrest to Zee News on phone. Giri, who was arrested from the western suburb of Oxley Park in Sydney, has been charged with two counts of indecency on two women in separate incidents. Anand Giri is posted as a Mahant (junior) at renowned Bade Hanuman temple in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj. On his social media page, Giri claims that he got his spiritual calling at the age of 12. He is a graduate and is currently pursuing his doctorate in Yoga Tantra, as per his website. He had reportedly gone to Sydney on a spiritual teaching tour that lasted for almost six weeks. By PTI CHENNAI: The DMK Tuesday indicated its party chief MK Stalin may not meet K Chandrasekar Rao on May 13, as announced by the Telangana Chief Minister's Office earlier. Sources close to the DMK President only said Stalin was 'busy' with his campaign schedule for the May 19 by-polls to four constituencies in the state and declined to divulge more details. Earlier, a statement from the Telangana Chief Minister's Office (CMO) had said that Rao would meet the DMK chief at his residence here on May 13. READ MORE | Amidst third front hopes, K Chandrashekar Rao holds talks with Pinarayi Vijayan He had met his Kerala counterpart Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday, even as Karnataka chief minister H D Kumaraswamy also rang up Rao after learning about his visits to Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Rao, who had floated the idea of a non-Congress, non-BJP front some time ago, had met Stalin in April last as part of his outreach to regional parties, with the DMK leader hosting lunch for the visiting TRS supremo and his party colleagues. However, the Dravidian party later entered into a poll pact with Congress and faced the April 18 Lok Sabha polls in the state in alliance with the national party as part of a mega coalition that also includes the Left. The DMK's move is perceived as a signal to the Telangana veteran that it was keen to carry on its alliance with the Congress even after the results of the seven-phase polling are out on May 23. Incidentally, it was Stalin who had declared Congress President Rahul Gandhi as the Opposition's Prime Ministerial candidate at a party meeting here, though the idea did not find favour with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav. While by-polls to 18 assembly seats were held on April 18 along with the Lok Sabha elections, four others are going to polls on May 19. The outcome of the by-polls is crucial for Tamil Nadu as it would determine the continuance of the ruling AIADMK in power. Therefore, all parties including arch rivals AIADMK and DMK are leaving no stone unturned to ensure that they won maximum seats even as Stalin has been claiming that the ruling party will lose the elections and pave the way for a new government headed by the DMK. ISLAMABAD: In a hilarious claim, Pakistan's Science and Technology Minister Fawad Chaudhry on Sunday claimed that Hubble Space Telescope was sent into space by Pakistan's space agency SUPARCO and not by world's premier space agency NASA Chaudhry made the bizarre statement while speaking in a talk show on Geo News. "The world's biggest telescope was sent by Suparco [Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission]. One of the ways to see is the Hubble Telescope, which is the world's biggest telescope and was sent [into space] by Suparco, which is installed in a satellite," he said. The SUPARCO is responsible for public and civil space programme of Pakistan and it also takes case of the country's aeronautics and aerospace research. "Then there are other satellites, and there are other (types of) technologies," said Chaudhry. Live TV The Pakistani minister was trolled online for making this bizarre claim with his gaffe giving birht to hilarious reactions and memes on Twitter. "May be NASA head will resign and also join the Ministry of @fawadchaudhry as head of Suparco," one user tweeted. "You have really surpassed all your predecessors. Just a few days under your patronage we realized that SUPARCO has sent 'hubal' telescope into space.. Incredible. Mr. PM @ImranKhanPTI should send such discoverer into space as a reward..! #Pakistan @MaryamNSharif," another user tweeted. It may be recalled that in November last year Chaudhry had said that some politicians are creating chaos on the ground and they should be sent to space. "I will ask SUPARCO to ensure that once these politicians go to space, they cannot return," he had said. Named after astronomer Edwin Hubble, Hubble Space Telescope was launched in 1990 into low Earth orbit and it is still in operation. Hubble Space Telescope is one of the great observatories of the US-based space agency. JAKARTA: Indonesian anti-terrorism police have shot dead one Islamist militant and detained six suspected of planning attacks on officers with firearms or suicide bombings under the cover of rallies tied to recent elections, a police spokesman said. The suspects were detained after weekend raids in Bekasi in West Java and one died after being shot when he threw a bomb at police, national police spokesman Dedi Prasetyo said. "They were planning to take police firearms and use them to commit terrorism, whether by becoming suicide bombers or performing other attacks that could be fatal for protesters," Prasetyo said, adding that explosives had also been seized. President Joko Widodo declared victory after the April 17 election based on unofficial results from private pollsters, but his challenger, former general Prabowo Subianto, has complained of widespread cheating and insists he won. Prabowo has said that if his complaints were not addressed and an official count due by May 22 confirmed his loss, it could trigger "people power" style protests. Prasetyo said the suspected militants were linked to the Islamic State-inspired Jemaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD) group, the largest Islamic State-linked group in Indonesia, which was legally disbanded last year for "conducting terrorism" and affiliating itself with the foreign militant group. He said the suspects intended to use explosives and firearms to imitate the 2008 Mumbai attacks in which militants carried out a series of attacks and bombings across India`s financial capital. Indonesian police have had considerable success in stopping major attacks since the deadly 2002 Bali bombings, though analysts warn against complacency. "Indonesia has been lucky thus far that its terrorists generally have had too little experience to think big," analyst Sidney Jones from the Jakarta-based Institute for Policy Analysis of Conflict said in a recent report. "With a little imagination and better leadership, these pro-ISIS cells could do far greater damage," said Jones. In March, the wife and son of a suspected militant blew themselves up in their home on the island of Sumatra after hours of tense negotiations with counter-terrorism officers. Indonesia also saw a series of gruesome attacks in the city of Surabaya a year ago, when whole families, including children as young as nine, strapped on explosive vests and blew themselves up at churches and police stations, killing more than 30 people. By PTI BENGALURU: Pakistan based LeT, which had orchestrated terror attacks in India, including Mumbai and Bengaluru from here, had engaged its operative Abu Hamza to set up bases in various parts of the country, according to a former top official of the state intelligence department. As part of his mission, Hamza hired a man from Bihar and they carried out the December 28, 2005 attack at the Indian Institute of Science, killing mathematics professor Munish Chander Puri of IIT-Delhi and injuring four, Gopal B Hosur, former ADGP in the department said. "The Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) had engaged Abu Hamza to plant terror in various parts of India. He in turn found Sababuddin from Bihar to carry out terror operations Sababuddin got admission to a local college in Bengaluru only to get an identity card. His intention was to set up a base and to survey the city," Hosur said. He was speaking at the release of a book "Corridors of intelligence Revealing politics" and its Kannada version "Goodhacaryeya Aa Dinagalu" (Intelligence of those days) authored by retired DGP Dr V Guru Prasad in the city Saturday. Hosur said he came to know of LeT's role in the IISc attack after interrogating Mohammed Ajmal Amir Kasab, the terrorist nabbed alive after the November 26, 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. READ HERE | Lashkar-e-Taiba's grand terror plot in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Maldives "I was astonished at his vivid description of the incident and for a minute I thought he was also part of the Bengaluru terror attack incident at IISc," he said. Hosur said Kasab told him that LeT had through a power point presentation explained to its recruits the reasons for the failure of the Bengaluru terror attack. As per the plan, the LeT operatives wanted to throw grenades and then open fire from their AK-56 assault rifles during a national seminar at the IISc on December 28, 2005. They hired an autorickshaw and asked the driver to take them to the venue. However, the man refused to drive to the main gate in violation of traffic rules and took a detour. As a result the duo were delayed and the seminar was almost over, recalled Hosur. Prof Puri was walking out of the auditorium when the terrorists threw the grenade, which did not explode. READ HERE | Keralas most wanted fugitive terrorist Mohammed Sabir using Pakistan passport to frequent Dubai Then they opened fire indiscriminately, killing him and injuring others, Hosur said. After the attack, Hamza went to Frazer Town area here, then made his way to Hyderabad, Patna, and from there to Nepal and finally Karachi. Kasab's aide Sababuddin was later nabbed in Nepal, he said. Dr Guru Prasad opined that law and order should be shifted from the state list to the concurrent list to contain and control cross-border terrorism and left-wing extremism. Talking to Vietnam News Agency correspondents in France, Allaire, now 94 years old, said that the Vietnamese soldiers were very brave and highly motivated as they fought for the independence and freedom of the nation. Moreover, remaining side-by-side with them were political commissars who played an important role in encouraging their bravery and will, he stated. Colonel Jacques Allaire (Source: VNA) At the time, Allaire commanded a mortar division under a battalion of paratroopers and parachuted into Dien Bien Phu battlefield twice in December 1953 and March 1954. After the war, the French veteran visited Vietnam many times, with the most recent trip in November 2018 when he accompanied Prime Minister Edouard Philippe to visit Dien Bien Phu. According to him, Vietnam is a wonderful country and its people remain dynamic and courageous. The Dien Bien Phu campaign lasted for 56 days from March 13th to May 7th, 1954 in the northern mountainous province of Dien Bien. Under the command of General Vo Nguyen Giap, the Vietnam Peoples Army won the historical victory on May 7th, 1954, making important contributions to ending the Indochina war with the signing of Geneva Agreement on July 20th, 1954, thus restoring peace in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia./. By PTI NEW DELHI: Calling the Congress party the "cry baby" of this election, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley Tuesday said the model code of conduct cannot encroach the right to free speech. He said that political parties have developed a new tendency to excessively allege the violation of the model code of conduct (MCC) by their opponents. Those complaining to the Election Commission about the violation of model election code must keep in mind that right to free speech has not been diluted by the MCC in any way, Jaitley noted. "The MCC cannot encroach the right to free speech. The two have to exist harmoniously," Jaitley wrote in a blog post titled 'Model Code of Conduct Does Not Take Away the Right to Free Speech'. Any power exercised by the Election Commission under Article 324 cannot relate to areas which are covered by the legislation or regulation but will be confined to areas where legislation does not occupy any space, he said. FOLLOW OUR FULL ELECTION COVERAGE HERE Article 324 of the Constitution gives to the Election Commission the power to take all necessary steps in order to ensure the conduct of free and fair elections. "Of late, a tendency has developed amongst the political parties to excessively allege violation of the MCC by their opponents. The Congress Party as the 'Cry Baby' of this election, is leading the pack," Jaitley said. He said that while submitting memorandums on violation of the MCC with regard to political speech, the parties must bear in mind that the MCC cannot dilute the Right to Free Speech. Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal to first-time voters that they should keep in mind the sacrifice of martyrs while casting vote, Jaitley said "no party or candidate was mentioned". ALSO READ| Congress moves Supreme Court against PM Narendra Modi's statement on Rajiv Gandhi Modi, during an election rally in Maharashtra on April 9, had said, "Can your first vote be dedicated to those who carried out the air strike. I want to tell the first-time voters: Can your first vote be dedicated to the veer jawans (valiant soldiers) who carried out the air strike in Pakistan. Can your first vote be dedicated to the veer shaheed (brave martyrs) of Pulwama (terror attack)." Expansive reach of MCC may actually run it in the danger of being questioned for its constitutionality in relation to free speech. To avoid such a situation, the memorialist must keep in mind that the Right to Free Speech has not been diluted in any way by the MCC. Chowkidar Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) May 7, 2019 The Election Commission did not find any violation of its instructions on invoking armed forces in poll campaigns under the MCC in Modi's speech. Referring to Modi's comment in Wardha about Rahul Gandhi contesting from Wayanad, Jaitley said the Prime Minister only commented on the demographic composition of the constituency. "If such speeches are considered by anyone as violative of the MCC, that may actually run the danger of the MCC's constitutionality in relation to free speech being called into question. To avoid such a situation, the memorialist must keep in mind that the Right to Free Speech has not been diluted by the MCC in any way," he said. The Congress had last month approached the EC seeking action against Modi's "divisive" speech in Wardha on April 1 where he had reportedly said the opposition party was "scared" to field its leaders from constituencies where the majority dominates, indicating that Kerala's Wayanad constituency had more voters from the minority community. ALSO READ| Narendra Modi's anti-Rajiv comments spur more to join campaign He made the remark in reference to Congress chief Rahul Gandhi's decision to contest from a second Lok Sabha seat Wayanad in Kerala, in addition to his traditional constituency of Uttar Pradesh's Amethi. The Election Commission has given a clean chit to Modi for his comments on the demographic composition of Wayanad. Another illustration of Congress approaching Election Commission, Jaitley said, relates to the Gandhi family principle of "restrictive free speech". "They can call even an honest Prime Minister a 'Chor'. Others don't possess that right," he said. At a rally in Uttar Pradesh on Saturday, Modi in his speech attacked Rahul Gandhi by invoking his father former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi. "Your father was termed Mr Clean by his courtiers, but his life ended as bhrashtachari no 1," Modi had said, drawing sharp criticisms from opposition leaders. Prasanta Mazumdar By Express News Service GUWAHATI: The Mizoram government has sought the Centres help in combating a pest, which has swarmed into the state ostensibly from Myanmar and Bangladesh, and unleashed a reign of terror. The Fall Army Worm (Spodoptera Frugiperda) has destroyed farmlands, especially maize cultivation, across the state. According to a government source, the crop loss estimated so far was to the tune of Rs.20 crore. Maize cultivation on 1,747.9 hectares of land in 122 villages has been affected, the source said. The outbreak was first noticed in March this year in the remote Lunglei district which shares its border with Bangladesh and Myanmar. The states Agriculture Minister C Lalrinsanga told this newspaper that efforts were being made to combat the outbreak. This is the first such attack by this insect in Mizoram. We have received reports of damage to crops from all eight districts in the state. We have constituted a rapid response team to deal with the situation. Our operation is on, he said. He also said that the state government had already informed the Centre of the pest attack and sought its help to combat the menace. Asked if the state government will give any relief to the affected farmers, Lalrinsanga said he would look into the matter. He was scheduled to meet senior officials of the states agriculture department on Tuesday evening to take stock of the situation. Mizorams agriculture department director R Colney said pesticides were being used to kill the predators. After being tipped off by the Central government, the department had sent warnings to all district agriculture officers on February 27 on a possible attack by the insects which descend on agricultural land only at night. During the day, they hide under maize leaves, thereby making their detection difficult. Three years ago, farmlands near Kaziranga National Park in Assam had come under a similar pest attack. By PTI MASAURHI(BIHAR): Narendra Modi has been working 18 hours a day for around two decades without taking leave, while Congress president Rahul Gandhi dashes off to undisclosed foreign destinations at the slightest discomfort, BJP president Amit Shah claimed here on Tuesday. Alleging that Gandhi is in love with the terrorists, he asserted that under Prime Minister Modi, their every 'goli' (bullet) will be retaliated with a 'gola' (mortar shell). "I have known Modi for a long time. For the past 20 years, he has not taken a leave. He works 18 hours a day for the people," Shah told an election rally at Masaurhi that falls under Pataliputra Lok Sabha seat. Modi was the chief minister of Gujarat from 2001 till 2014, the year he became the prime minister. "We also have Rahul Baba. Whenever the mercury rises a bit, he runs away to some country of his choice, often leaving even his mother wondering where his son is," Shah claimed. FOLLOW OUR FULL ELECTION COVERAGE HERE He flayed Gandhi for promising abolition of the sedition law and abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution in the Congress' poll manifesto. The Article grants special status to Jammu and Kashmir and limits Parliament's power to make laws concerning the state. nShah said, "Rahul baba, you are free to croon Ilu Ilu with the terrorists. But under Narendra Modi, every goli fired by them will be retaliated with a gola." "Ilu" is an acronym for "I Love You" popularized by a Bollywood song in the 1990s. "The world has started looking at India differently ever since we taught Pakistan sponsored terrorists a lesson by the surgical strike and, recently, the Balakot air strike. We are now considered as being in the same league with the US and Israel," the BJP president claimed. Urging the people to support BJP nominee Ram Kripal Yadav in the May 19 poll, Shah said, "On the one hand you have the leadership of Narendra Modi who is committed to national security and working tirelessly to improve the lives of ordinary Indians. On the other hand, you have an alliance whose members are interested only in their dynasties." ALSO READ| Amit Shah retorts to Priyanka Gandhi's 'Duryodhan' jibe Shah also remembered Sanjay Kumar Sinha, one of the 40 CRPF jawans who were killed in terror attack at Pulwama in Kashmir on February 14. He was a resident of Masaurhi. "Please remember that it was Modi who ensured that Sinha's sacrifice did not go in vain and made the perpetrators of the dastardly attack pay the price. The vote that you will cast in favour of Ram Kripal Yadav, will help Modi," he said. Comprising mostly rural areas of Patna district, Pataliputra is currently represented by Union minister Ram Kripal Yadav whose re-election bid is being challenged by Lalu Prasad's eldest daughter and Rajya Sabha member Misa Bharti. ALSO READ| 'Will Lord Ram's name be taken in Pakistan, if not in India': Amit Shah in Bengal Formed after the 2008 delimitation, the seat has become a prestige issue for the family of the jailed RJD supremo, who had himself lost it to JD(U)'s Ranjan Yadav in 2009 followed by Bharti's defeat at the hands of Ram Kripal Yadav in 2014. Both Ram Kripal Yadav who joined the BJP ahead of the last general elections, and Ranjan Yadav had previously been close aides of Lalu Prasad. By Express News Service BHOPAL: The battle for the prestigious Bhopal Lok Sabha seat seems to be turning into a show of strength between the saffron-clad Sadhvi and Sadhus. A day before BJP national president Amit Shah embarks on a road-show in the communally sensitive Bhopal North assembly segment in support of party candidate the saffron-clad Pragya Singh Thakur, hundreds of sadhus from all across the country descended to an open ground in Bhopal n Tuesday to perform rituals for the electoral success of Congress candidate and ex-CM Digvijaya Singh. Led by Indore-based controversial sadhu Namdev Tyagi Computer Baba, who has been campaigning for the Congress since 2018 assembly polls in the state, the sadhus performed series of rituals, including the Hatha Yoga and Havans under the scorching sun at an open ground in Bhopal. At the same ground, the Congress candidate Digvijaya Singh along with wife Amrita Rai Singh performed 'havan' under the supervision of Computer Baba. The sadhus also announced that since Prime Minister Narendra Modi has deserted the cause of Ram Temple in Ayodhya, so they would campaign against him. The sadhus led by Computer Baba gave the slogan Ram Ram Hi Abki Baar, Badal Ke Rakh Do Chowkidar. FOLLOW OUR FULL ELECTION COVERAGE HERE Meanwhile, in a related development, a BJP delegation complained to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO-MP) in Bhopal on Tuesday against Digvijaya Singh and Computer Baba. In the complaint, the BJP alleged that since last ten days, sadhus are being used by the Congress candidate and Computer Baba for poll campaigning in Bhopal Lok Sabha constituency, on which around Rs 50 lakh has already been incurred. In the complaint, it was also alleged each of the around 1500 sadhus used for the event at the open ground in Bhopal on Tuesday were paid Rs 11,111, while the head of each group of sadhus got Rs one lakh each from the Congress candidate. The sadhus are staying in accommodations arranged by Singh in Bhopal and being rendered royal cuisine. After every two-four days, the accommodation of the sadhus is changed by the Congress party candidates team. The BJP delegation demanded that entire expenditure incurred on the sadhus in Bhopal be added into the poll expenditure of the Congress candidate and both Digvijaya Singh and Computer Baba be booked for poll code violation, as no permission was given to them by EC for holding such religious events to further the Congress electoral cause. Jain saint asks community to back Digvijaya Jain saint Pushpdant Sagarji Maharaj, meanwhile, has appealed the Jain community in Bhopal Lok Sabha constituency to back Digvijaya Singh. A 58-seconds video showing the Jain saint ask the Jain community to back Singh was posted on the official WhatsApp group of the Congress candidate in Bhopal on Tuesday. By PTI NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court Tuesday allowed Karti Chidambaram, who is facing criminal cases being probed by the ED and CBI, to travel to the US, Germany and Spain this month. A bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices Deepak Gupta and Sanjiv Khanna said the permission to travel abroad was subject to compliance of conditions imposed earlier. The apex court had in January granted Karti, son of Congress leader P Chidambaram, permission to travel abroad after depositing Rs 10 crore with the secretary general of the Supreme Court. The court, on the request of ED, had earlier asked Karti to file an undertaking that he would return to India and cooperate with the investigation. The court had said that it would "come down heavily" on Karti if he did not cooperate. The probe agency had earlier opposed the plea of Karti seeking permission to travel abroad, and said he has been evasive, non-cooperative and caused delay in completing the investigations. Karti was abroad for 51 days in the last 6 months, the probe agency had said. On September 18 last year it had allowed Karti to travel to the UK from September 20-30. The ED has said that Karti, who is also facing proceedings in cases like Aircel-Maxis and money laundering matters, has been "blatantly misusing" the liberty granted by court in allowing him to travel abroad and has been using the same to protract the investigation in the case. Karti is facing several criminal cases being investigated by the ED and CBI including one which relates to the Foreign Investment Promotion Board clearance to INX Media for receiving foreign funds of Rs 305 crore when his father was the finance minister. Harpreet Bajwa By Express News Service CHANDIGARH: Rajdeep Kaur, the sister of slain gangster Jaswinder Singh Rocky, on Tuesday joined the Congress after leaving the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) which she had joined a year ago. Rocky, who faced twenty cases but had been acquitted in eighteen, was shot dead in Parwanoo in Himachal Pradesh in 2016. He had hobnobbed with all political parties and in the 2012 assembly elections, he stood as an independent candidate from Fazilka. He managed to get 39,000 votes but lost to Surjit Kumar Jyani of BJP by 1,600 votes. Rajdeep joined the Congress along with a large number of supporters. Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh welcomed her into the Congress fold. Rajdeep had contested the 2017 assembly polls from Fazilka as an independent candidate, polling over 38,000 votes. Rajdeeps mother, Harmander Kaur, also joined the Congress. With more and more leaders and workers from other parties deciding to put their weight behind the Congress, the party was clearly dominating the Lok Sabha poll scene, said Amarinder adding that he was happy to have Rajdeep join the Punjab Congress efforts to clean the state of the destructive and divisive Akali forces. If such was the extent of disillusionment in Sukhbir Badals own constituency, one could gauge which way the wind was blowing across the state, Amarinder said, asserting that the SAD president would be ignominiously voted out by the people of Ferozepur. Rajdeep thanked the Chief Minister for giving her the opportunity to serve the people. She criticised Sukhbir Badal's autocratic and highhanded style of functioning and said many others like her, who were feeling disenchanted and suffocated in the SAD, wanted to join the Congress, which stands for democracy and inclusive progress. Pranab Mondal By Express News Service KOLKATA: Harvard educated and UN peacekeeper-turned-Bengal top cop Bharati Ghosh returned to Ghatal Lok Sabha constituency, an area where she once served as superintendent of police and earned Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjees unquestionable trust. She is in with a new assignment this time to take on Mamatas favourite candidate and Bengali film star Deepak Adhikary, popularly known as Dev. With BJPs decision to field former IPS officer Bharati, electors in Ghatal are all set to witness a unique battle between a real-life cop and a reel superstar. Bharati, a 2006 batch officer, was a key officer in Mamatas crackdown on Maoists in Jungle Mahal. She had famously been described by the Bengal chief minister in administrative rallies as her daughter and bhalo meye (good girl). ALSO READ | Will Mamata crush PM Modi's full majority dream? Relations between Mamata and Bharati soured after the results of bypoll in Sabang Assembly constituency in 2017, reflecting BJPs remarkable rise in the area. The saffron party secured a 15% rise in vote share and Mamata held Bharati responsible for it, even accusing her of hatching a conspiracy in connivance with Mukul Roy at present a senior BJP leader in Bengal to defeat Trinamool. Ghosh was charged with corruption by the state government on February 1, 2018. Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed BJPs Bengal unit after the party gained significant vote share in Sabang. Happy to see a significant rise in BJP vote share in Sabang, West Bengal. I thank the people for their support and assure them that BJP will leave no stone unturned in serving West Bengal Modi had tweeted. Even as the Sabang bypoll caught the PMs attention, Mamata immediately sidelined Bharati. She (Mamata) considered BJPs jump from 2.6% in 2016 Assembly elections to 18.8% in the bypoll as a political threat. In the by-election, the BJP had made its first inroads in the area, said a BJP leader in Jhargram. FOLLOW OUR FULL ELECTION COVERAGE HERE A section of electors believe, the BJP selecting Bharati as a candidate for Ghatal Lok Sabha constituency, was a well calculated strategic move.She ruled West Midnapore district and knows every remote pocket in the area where Trinamool might try to apply state power on Election Day. Bharati knows the area like the back of her hands. She was always determined to win against her enemies be it Maoists or politicians, said a Trinamool leader in Ghatal. Dahareshwar Sen, a secretariat member of CPMs Jhargram district, too, echoed the same feelings. Mamata utilised her not only to combat Maoists but also in surveillance over her political enemies. The ruling party is scared because they know that Bharati is well aware of their tricks, said Sen. Realising the BJP is posing a formidable challenge in Ghatals adjoining Midnapore Lok Sabha constituency, Mamata fielded Trinamool Rajya Sabha member Manas Bhuniya who defected from the Congress in 2016. Bhuniya replaced veteran actress and incumbent MP Sandhya Roy, who opted out for health reasons. Insiders in the Trinamool said Roy was removed because Mamata realised her star image would not work against the saffron wave. As an MP, Roy failed to deliver. She never participated in debates in the Parliament or asked questions. Our political rivals are highlighting it in their election campaigns. People can still recall the day in 2014 when elections were being held in Midnapore Lok Sabha constituency and Roy kept watching cartoon channels throughout the day, said a Trinamool leader in the district. For Bhuniya, the election outcome poses no risk to his personal career because if he loses, he will return to his assignment in the Rajya Sabha, opined the leader. READ HERE | BJP's Bharati Ghosh threatens to kill TMC workers like a dog In the panchayat polls last year, the BJP made heavy inroads by winning 13 seats out of 25 in a panchayat samiti. The saffron party made its debut by forming boards in 10 gram panchayats in the area. Banking on the flow from CPMs vote bank and common peoples resentment on the issue of corruption by Trinamools local leaders, the BJP is eyeing a huge surge in its votes this time. By PTI NOIDA: Some bike-borne men hurled stones on Tuesday at a statue of BR Ambedkar outside a village in Greater Noida, leading to resentment among locals, police said. The incident took place around 1 pm outside Sidipur village, under the Jarcha police station limits, officials said. "According to eyewitnesses, four to five men, who seemed to be in an inebriated condition, arrived on motorcycles and started hurling stones at the statue of Ambedkar, which was placed on the top of the concrete entry gate to the village. The condition of the statue is fine. No damage was done to it," a police official told PTI. The suspects, who were likely from nearby Kiyawali village, were being tracked down, the official said, adding that security has been beefed up in the village. "The law and order situation is normal. We are here as a cautionary measure while the suspects are being tracked down," the official said. By IANS NEW DELHI: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday accused Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Congress General Secretary for Uttar Pradesh (East), of teaching abuses to the youth of Amethi. Referring to her as Princess, Yogi went on to advise Vadra to go to Italy and teach abuses in her maternal country if she wants to. "I saw what Princes of Congress was doing... I can't believe that they can stoop so low that she will start teaching children of Amethi how to abuse," Yogi said referring to a video that went viral, in which some youths are seen abusing the Prime Minister in front of her. ALSO READ: 'Duryodhana too had such arrogance', says Priyanka Gandhi attacks PM Modi "Priyanka Ji, don't teach Indian youths how to abuse...if you want to teach abusing then go to Italy and teach the youth of your maternal country," Yogi added to the attack. The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister was adderssing an election rally in East Delhi's Mandawali area, seeking votes for Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Gautam Gambhir. ALSO READ: Narendra Modi, Priyanka Gandhi Yahoo's most-searched politicians Yogi, who reached the venue about five hours late, appreciated Central government's steps to improve security in India. He also claimed that the Congress has been making fake promises since Independence and does not deserve to be back in power. Kumar Vikram By Express News Service PHULPUR (UP): Hindutva, national security, unemployment, agrarian distress they might all be among the several issues that impact the polls in Phulpur Lok Sabha seat in eastern Uttar Pradesh but its caste polarisation that will ultimately determine the final outcome. Phulpur, situated along the bank of river Ganga, adjacent to Prayagraj, has the distinction of being the constituency of the first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru who won the seat in the first general election in 1952 and was re-elected in 1957 and 1962. A visit to some of the villages across the constituency disclosed how caste equations have made all other issues irrelevant in this general election. People may talk about the welfare schemes of the current government such as Swachh Bharat and Ujjawala, but when it comes to voting, caste overshadows all other factors. At a roadside dhaba in Babuganj area of the constituency, a heated chunavi charcha (poll debate) is on among Kaushlendra Singh Yadav and his friends. Here, only caste rules. People vote generally on the basis of caste in this area. Theres hardly any issue, says Yadav. His friend Himanshu is somewhat critical of the Central government. Its true that this government acted promptly in the case of Pulwama attack, but on what basis is it claiming about the numbers of terrorists killed in the Balakot airstrike? And, Nirav Modi is yet to reach India, he says, smiling at his friends. FOLLOW OUR FULL ELECTION COVERAGE HERE Priyanshu Singh quickly counters him saying, At least, people like Vijay Mallya and Nirav Modi will be brought to the country to face legal action. Earlier, many scams and scamsters used to go unnoticed and unpunished. Sunny Deol takes part in a roadshow for BJP candidate Kesari Devi Patel; (right) SP candidate Pandhari Yadav touches the feet of Akhilesh Yadav. (Photos | PTI) The importance of the caste factor is also reflected in the selection of candidates by the political parties in the fight. For last several terms, the Phulpur Lok Sabha seat had been a preserve of the Samajwadi Party, with the only exception of 2014 polls when BJP candidate Keshav Prasad Maurya won the seat in the Modi wave. However, after Maurya became a member of the UP legislative council and was made a deputy chief minister in the Yogi Adityanath cabinet following the 2017 Assembly poll victory, the BJP lost the seat to SP candidate Nagendra Singh Patel in the 2018 bypoll. However, this time, the seat which is dominated by Patels (Kurmis), is set to see a tough fight as the BJP has strategically chosen a candidate from the community. The party has fielded Kesari Devi Patel who will be taking on SPs Pandhari Yadav. While the Patels dominate, Yadav, Muslim and Dalit voters are also in sizeable numbers and play a deciding role. The BJPs Patel candidate is appearing a bit stronger, though she will have to contend with a Yadav, Muslim and Dalit polarisation due to the Mahagathbandhan and the impact of a recent joint rally by BSP supremo Mayawati and SP chief Akhilesh Yadav. Talking about the prospects of the two candidates, Ram Awadh Yadav, a farmer in Simri village, says, The Samajwadi Party should have given ticket to a Kurmi candidate, then it would have been a clear win for the party. This time most of the Patel votes could go to BJP candidate while Yadavs and Muslims will vote for the SP. It is not going to be easy for the SP this time. The hearings are intended to collect opinions from relevant sides and experts before building plans to step up the deals, according to Yonhap News Agency. A view of the Port of Busan in the RoK (Photo: AFP/VNA) At the talks on March 13th, RoK President Moon Jae-in and Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad agreed to promote an FTA to continue expanding bilateral trade and investment. Malaysia is currently the fourth biggest ASEAN trade partner of the RoK, following Vietnam, Indonesia and Singapore. Meanwhile, the RoK and the Philippines have agreed to accelerate a free trade pact to form a more comprehensive economic partnership. The Philippines now ranks fifth among the RoKs trade partners in ASEAN. An FTA between the two countries are expected to help strengthen trade and investment links while creating a legal foundation and momentum for the RoK Governments implementation of its New Southern Policy./. By IANS LUCKNOW: BJP MP Varun Gandhi has mastered the art of creating controversy after controversy. The young Gandhi is currently campaigning for his mother Maneka Gandhi in Sultanpur that goes to the polls in the sixth phase on May 12. Varun said on Monday that people should vote for 'Bharat Mata'. "My mother is contesting from here and she is a noble soul. You all should vote for 'Mata' that is 'Bharat Mata'. You are living in Hindustan and you should vote for Hindustan. If you vote for others (read SP-BSP alliance), you will be voting for Pakistan," he said. Earlier, Varun Gandhi had said that those who are contesting against his mother were the ones who used to tie his shoelaces. The reference was to the BSP candidate Chandra Bhadra Singh a.k.a. Sonu Singh and his brother Yash Bhadra Singh. FOLLOW OUR ELECTION COVERAGE HERE Sonu Singh was a staunch Varun loyalist when he held the Sultanpur seat, but is now an alliance candidate. In yet another controversy, Varun lashed out at the Yadav clan of the Samajwadi Party. "Till about 10-15 years ago, these people were making cow dung cakes in Saifai and today they are travelling in cars worth crores. Whose money is this? Is it not public money?" he asked. Varun Gandhi's statements in the past 24 hours in Sultanpur have generated considerable heat in the constituency. READ HERE | 'Will work for you even if you don't vote for me': Varun Gandhi tells Muslims By PTI GHATAL: BJP president Amit Shah Tuesday alleged that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is not allowing people to chant 'Jai Shri Ram' in the state, and wondered if the Lord's name cannot be taken in India, will it be uttered in Pakistan. Speaking at an election rally here, he said that polls in West Bengal are for restoring democracy in the state, where the BJP will win "more than 23 seats" out of the total 42 Lok Sabha seats. "Lord Ram is a part of the culture of India. Can anybody stop people from taking his name? I want to ask Mamata didi, if Shri Ram's name is not taken in India, will it be chanted in Pakistan?" Shah said. FOLLOW OUR ELECTION COVERAGE HERE A video had appeared in the social media that showed Banerjee stopping her car at a place in West Midnapore district on Saturday, and chasing some persons who chanted 'Jai Shri Ram' as her carcade was crossing the area. "The Narendra Modi government has given Rs 4,24,800 crore to West Bengal in its five-year tenure, but it has not reached the people, and, instead, gone to the syndicates," Shah claimed. He said the UPA-II government under the then prime minister Manmohan Singh had granted only around Rs 1,32,000 crore to the state. The BJP chief reiterated his party's resolve to implement the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in West Bengal to flush out illegal migrants from Bangladesh. G Ramesh Babu By Express News Service SRIKAKULAM: It has been more than six months since 22 fishermen from Srikakulam and Vizianagaram districts were captured by the Pakistan Coast Guard for entering into its territorial waters while fishing. While the fishermen have been languishing in Pakistan prison, their families here are still awaiting the promised monthly maintenance allowance from the government. After the 22 fishermen were captured by the Pakistan Coast Guard on November 28, 2018, the government promised to pay the monthly allowance of Rs 4,500 each to affected families. Not a single rupee has been paid to us till date, Surada Magatamma, whose husband Appa Rao and sons Kalyan and Kishore, have been lodged in Pakistan prison, told TNIE. She along with some other women members of the affected families met District Collector J Nivas here on Monday during the Grievance Cell and narrated their plight. Speaking to media, Magatamma said, Though the government released Rs 2 lakh compensation to each affected family, fisheries officials deducted Rs 1.2 lakh from it as deposit for provision of mechanised boats to us at subsidy. But we are yet to get the subsidised mechanised boats. Peoples representatives and government officials are least bothered about our welfare, rued Ganagalla Nukamma, member of another affected family. Kesam Totamma, Mailapalli Yerramma and other women who met the Collector, urged the government to pay the promised monthly maintenance allowance at the earliest. When contacted, Ranasthalam Fisheries Development Officer Satyanarayana said the distribution of mechanised boats to the affected families was delayed due to general elections. Odisha-based manufacturer is building the mechanised boats. All the boats for distribution will be ready by the end of this month, he said. By Express News Service KOCHI: Father Jis Jose Kizhakkel of Kothamangalam is no ordinary priest. A Naib Subhedar in the Indian Army now, Fr Kizhakkel has set aside his priestly vestments to proudly don the olive greens. On Saturday, at the Institute of National Integration in Pune, he became the first priest of the Syro Malabar Church to be appointed to the rank of Naib Subhedar, Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) ( Religious Teacher) in the Indian Army. 32-year-old Fr Kizhakkel wanted to tread a different path for the betterment of society, after his ordainment in Jan 2015. In their new role, he and the 18 other personnel, who were also appointed as JCO (Religious Teachers), along with him as part of the batch of successful trainees, will be imparting lessons of the scriptures and conducting rituals and religious ceremonials for officers, jawans and their families. They would be organising celebrations of all religious functions and festivals at their respective units. "When I came to know of the post of 'religious teacher' in Indian Army through their UPSC website, I was elated. After having been ordained a priest, I felt that this is the best thing I could for the nation and the soldiers who are selflessly guarding our lives. I applied, cleared the physical and medical tests in January last year and got selected for training," said Fr Kizhakkel. Training at the Institute comprised a gruelling seven-week physical training phase, and an 11-week spiritual training phase, which introduced us to teachings, principles, and rituals from every religion. This exercise is mandatory before being appointed as a JCO (Religious Teacher), Fr Kizhakkel added. Son of Valsa Jose and late Jose Varghese, Fr Kizhakkel studied theology at St Thomas Apostolic Seminary in Vadavathoor and did his graduation in Philosophy from Calicut University and BCA and MCS from Bharathiar University. "I find myself very fortunate to be part of the Army and serve with the soldiers, who face severe stress and depression, being away from their loved ones in adverse weather and rough terrain while serving the Nation. It is a service to God also, and as all are destined in life to play a role, and I have humbly accepted this opportunity. There are priests working in foreign countries as chaplains in their Armed Forces", said Fr Kizhakkel. The objective of a religious teacher in the Indian Army is to ensure national integration, with religious and regional harmony in the unit. "It is a very tough role to play. Undertaking spiritual counselling for the soldiers, understanding and alleviating their personal pains and distress, visiting and consoling the injured and other patients admitted at Army hospitals in forward areas, and visiting prisoners to counsel, advise and impart lessons to them, are among the duties of a JCO (Religious Teacher)", said Fr Kizhakkel. Shan A S By Express News Service THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Intelligence and security agencies have carried out checking on 28 people, mostly youth who were thought to have ties with extremist groups or elements especially those hinging on to the Salafi school of thought and found four people had connections. However, the four, including Palakkad native Riyas Aboobacker, did not play any role in the Sri Lankan serial blasts, in the aftermath of which the agencies decided to act. The remaining 24 people were let off. Sources said Riyas and the three other suspects two from Kasargod and one from Kollam were in touch. The background checks of the 28, who have been on the agencies radar, were conducted thoroughly. ALSO READ: Pooram to take place under an eagle eye They had been kept under watch for quite some time. Post the Lankan blasts, their activities were monitored to check whether they had any knowledge about the blasts or played any role in them. They were found to have no involvement or knowledge. Four, however, had extremist connections, a source said. Of the 24, some harboured extreme puritan thoughts, the agencies observed. Some of them were regularly feeding themselves on violent and extremist speeches of radical ulemas, said another source. Officers said the probe so far has disapproved doubts there was a direct Kerala link in the Lankan blasts. ALSO READ: States most wanted fugitive terrorist Mohammed Sabir using Pakistan passport to frequent Dubai Sri Lankan Army chief Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake had recently told BBC that the Lankan terrorists involved in the carnage had earlier visited Kerala. Indian agencies maintained they were yet to come across any proof to substantiate this allegation. But were still checking whether such a thing indeed happened, sources said. Meanwhile, an NIA team is still staying back in Colombo to garner more information about the terror cells that conducted the blasts. ALSO READ: Shocker! Terror mastermind Riyas Aboobacker taken to court in a private transport bus Tight security for Pooram The Kerala Police are devising an unprecedented level of security arrangements for Thrissur Pooram, on May 13. Sabir based in Rawalpindi Mohammed Sabir alias Ayub, the fugitive accused, is settled in the Pakistani city of Rawalpindi and using that cou-ntrys passport to travel to Dubai. Riyas taken to court in bus In a shocking security lapse, IS operative Riyas Aboobacker was on Monday taken to the NIA court in a private transport bus. Ajay Kanth By Express News Service KOCHI: A heavy security blanket will be thrown across the district in the lead-up to the Thrissur Pooram next week, with the state police devising a safety net on a scale not seen before for the cultural extravaganza. The pooram to be held on May 13 will witness a sea of humanity descending on the Thekkinkadu maidan, the main venue. The police have decided to go in for the massive security measures considering the growing threat of Islamic State (IS) in Kerala and the serial suicide blasts in Sri Lanka on Easter day which killed over 250 people. Thrissur range Inspector General Balram Kumar Upadhyay said the police will be devising tight security arrangements in the wake of terrorist attack alert. The entire city and the district in large will be under thorough surveillance of the police from the coming days. Heavy police force will be deployed for combing and shadow surveillance, he said. The national agencies, mainly National Investigation Agency (NIA), have already issued an alert on possible attack by IS and its frontal organisations, considering the open call made by IS operative Abdul Rasheed Abdullah, who left for Syria from Kasargod in 2016, in a voice message to IS sympathisers in 2017 about the need to carry out terrorist attack on Thrissur Pooram where Hindus converge in large number. The arrest of IS operative Riyas Aboobacker on charges of plotting su police on an alert mode as Pooram is highly vulnerable and a soft target considering large crowd and use of explosives for fire display. Riyas reportedly revealed he was readying for a suicide attack in Kerala but postponed it because he could not get explosives. By PTI BHUBANESWAR: The Odisha government on Tuesday sought the Centre's help in restoring power and telecom services in Puri and Khurda districts, worst hit by cyclone 'Fani', due to a shortage of skilled manpower, an official said. The state has to install as many as 1.56 lakh electric poles. According to an official, the toll in the cyclone, which hit the state Friday, rose to 37 on Tuesday with two more death reported in Cuttack district as the struggle to restore power, drinking water and telecom infrastructure continued. While 21 people had perished in Puri district, Cuttack reported five deaths followed by four cases each from Jajpur and Mayurbhanj districts. ALSO READ| Cyclone Fani: Adanis, ICICI Bank commit Rs 35 crore to Odisha Kendrapara district reported three deaths, Special relief commissioner (SRC) BP Sethi said. "We have sought the Centre's help in providing skilled manpower to assist Odisha in the restoration of electricity supply in the worst cyclone-hit districts of Puri and Khurda," Chief Secretary AP Padhi told reporters after meeting with Union Cabinet Secretary PK Sinha via video conference. He said though the state government has been able to restore water supply in Puri and Bhubaneswar by using diesel generators, it has been an uphill task to provide electricity to people in view of massive destruction of power infrastructure. Padhi said Odisha has requested the Centre to send 5,000 skilled manpower from neighbouring West Bengal, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. These people will be deployed in erecting electric poles and draw wire on them which would facilitate the state to restore power supply in a time-bound manner, he said. However, the Odisha chief secretary did not give any timeline for restoration of electricity service."I am not certain when exactly all areas will be provided with electricity supply. We have already started the process of providing power to the consumers in a phased manner. In view of the massive destruction, one cannot give a timeline," Padhi said. ALSO READ| Collectors of Fani-hit districts transferred During a review meeting, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik admitted that telecommunication network has completely collapsed in Puri and said the state has urged the Centre to make Mobile Tower on Wheels available in the district to facilitate relief and restoration works. He said lack of telecommunication has adversely affected relief and restoration works. Relief distribution work was launched in Bhubaneswar Tuesday and the same will start in parts of Khurda district from Wednesday, Patnaik said. In absence of drinking water and electricity during the mid-May summer, life in the coastal districts remained derailed even four days after the calamity. The miseries of the people were compounded with high levels of humidity which soared above 90 per cent in coastal districts. "Everything is dependent on power supply. If there is no electricity, the filling stations cannot operate even though they have enough stock of petrol and diesel," Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said. With an acute shortage of drinking water, lack of power supply and ATMs becoming defunct, many people, mostly students and elderly persons, have started leaving the state capital for their native places. "There is a rush at the bus stand as people move to their villages," Odisha Private Bus Owners Association secretary Tusharkant Acharya said. He said though 400 buses are now plying in the state, more are required to meet the passenger demands after the cyclone. Bus service has started in 80 per cent of routes as the national highways and state highways have been cleared of blockades. Though train service from Bhubaneswar resumed on Sunday, East Coast Railways Tuesday announced the cancellation of seven trains including Haridwar-Puri Kalinga Express, Chennai-Santragachi Suvidha Express, Neelachal Express, Puri-Shalimar Express. Meanwhile, the Centre on Tuesday extended the last date of registration for students of Odisha to enroll in the JEE (advanced) exam. The eligible students were to register their names online between May 3 and 9. "I am happy to announce that students from Odisha appearing JEE (Advance) 2019 will get an extension of 5 days till May 14 for their registration. A decision to this effect was taken following the request of Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik," Union HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar tweeted. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu extended a helping hand to cyclone-ravaged Odisha and tweeted, "A team of 2055 workers, shift operators and staff from energy department will be deputed for rectification work so that service can be restored at a faster pace." He also announced an assistance of Rs 15 crore for the cyclone victims of Odisha. Former prime minister HD Devegowda and Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy spoke to Patnaik on Tuesday and expressed their solidarity with the people of Odisha. Financial assistance poured in from many quarters with industrialist Gautam Adani contributing Rs 25 crore and ICICI Bank Rs 10 crore to the Chief Minister's Relief Fund. Indian Metals and Ferro Alloys (IMFA) also contributed Rs 75 lakh for the cyclone victims. Sahaya Novinston Lobo By Express News Service CHENNAI: Two days after over 150 youngsters were caught at an illegal rave party in Pollachi, as many as 160 people, including a foreign national and seven women, were arrested in the wee hours of Monday when a police team busted a similar rave party at the three-star Odour resort at Mahabalipuram near Chennai. Police said that the participants were in the age group of 18 to 25. Most of them were college students although a few IT professionals were also at the party. The participants had paid close to Rs 3,000 for entry, police added. Inspector of Ravikumar said that the police had seized liquor bottles and adhesives (that were used as intoxicants), LSD stamps, MDMA tablets, cocaine and 300 grams of marijuana. We could recover only a small amount of drugs and alcohol as the party was almost over. Except for the 16 organisers of the party, others were let off on station bail for the consumption of banned drugs and their parents were called. Only after their parents arrived were they allowed to go home. Some students are still at the marriage hall where they were detained as their parents are coming from other southern states, said Ravikumar. The 16 arrested included resort owner Thangaraj, manager George, organiser V Prabhu, Public Relations Officer Saravanakumar and a foreign national who had supplied the synthetic drugs. Police said they had landed up at the resort following a tip-off that a group of rowdies was gathering there. When the team, headed by R Ponni, Kancheepuram district Superintendent of Police (in-charge) and Deputy Superintendent of Police R Subburaju entered the place, they found it was a rave party. The Odour Resort, a three-star hotel, is located just 1.5 km from the Mahabalipuram shore temple. We surrounded the resort at around 1 am on Monday and nabbed the people inside. We could hear loud noises even as we were arriving... There seemed to be an unlimited supply of alcohol, marijuana and other synthetic drugs, said Subburaju. The police stopped the party and nabbed everyone who was trying to escape. Around 153 people were taken to a private marriage hall in Mahabalipuram and seven women were taken to the All Women Police Station for inquiry. Prabhu (34) from Ayanavaram had organised the party and posted about a DJ party through High Tech Revolution website. All people nabbed were within the age group of 18 to 25. Around 25 of them are working at IT firms while 31 were students of nearby engineering college and were partying after the end of the semester. Most of the participants were college students from popular colleges in Chennai, said Ponni. By PTI SINGAPORE: The ex-wife of an Indian-origin neurologist in Singapore has been granted Singapore dollars 25 million in assets, child support and spousal support by a British Columbia court, in one of the biggest divorce payouts abroad. Gobinathan Devathasan, 69, whose behaviour was described as "reprehensible" during the litigation, was ordered on April 29 to pay his ex-wife Christie Devathasan Canadian dollars 5,498,344 in spousal support, with another Canadian dollar 612,084 for child support. During the course of the litigation, Devathasan had handled funds in his Singapore bank account despite an asset freezing order, failed to disclose properties, deliberately embarrassed his daughter and suggested that a judge had "spread her legs wide" to the claimant's counsel, the court was told. The doctor ran a private clinic at Mount Elizabeth Hospital, and had married Devathasan in 1997. She filed for divorce in 2016, Channel News Asia reported. The couple was described in the court judgment as being "uncommonly wealthy", and had owned expensive cars, jewellery, artwork and homes, with investment properties in Canada, the US, Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia. Christie divorced her first husband in 1996, while Gobinathan divorced his first wife, with whom he had two children with, in 1997. Shortly after, the couple got married in Singapore in August 1997. The couple's relationship deteriorated in 2015 and early 2016, according to the court papers. Devathasan commenced divorce proceedings in July 2016. Devathasan obtained an asset freezing order and a protection order, and these orders were served to Devathasan in August 2016. The doctor claimed that they were not binding as he was in Singapore and took steps to deal with his assets. Devachan's past conduct was also taken into account in deciding ongoing and future child support. He has to pay Canadian dollars 33,084 for past child support and a lump sum of Canadian dollars 579,000 for child support for the period through to June 2022. "For a long time he was utterly unwilling to acknowledge or fulfill his parental and spousal responsibilities or acknowledge this court's role in adjudicating those responsibilities," Justice Gomery said in his judgment. In an affidavit sworn on May 22, 2017, he stated: "I will not pay a dollar for alimony now or till death or whatever any one decrees, no matter what." The judge ordered Devathasan to pay ex-wife Devathasan Canadian dollars 2,351,000 in connection with the allocation of family property and debt. He will also have to pay a total of Canadian dollars 612,084 in child support, and Canadian dollars 5,498,344 in total for spousal support. The Canadian dollars 16.4 million in assets granted to Devathasan include a house in West Vancouver worth Canadian dollars 6.2 million, an apartment in Vancouver worth Canadian dollars 2.35 million and an apartment in Florida worth Canadian dollars 2.48 million. The doctor was granted Canadian dollars 21.4 million after the proceedings. The judge described Devathasan as a "hardworking man all his life", adding that the doctor worked Monday to Friday and Saturday mornings throughout his career in private practices. "He has loyal patients," the judge was quoted as saying in the report. By PTI THE HAGUE: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will commence his four-nation tour of Europe with visit to the Netherlands from May 8-12, at the invitation of the Dutch government to explore possibilities of cooperation in water management, flood prevention and agriculture. The Netherlands, with 26 per cent of the country below sea levels is a world leader in the field of water management and flood control. It is also the world's second largest exporter of agriculture products. Kerala witnessed the biggest floods in 100 years in August 2018. "During the visit, the Kerala Chief Minister will meet Minister Cora van Nieuwenhuizen, Dutch minister for infrastructure and water management and Jan Kees Goet, secretary general of the ministry of agriculture," a statement issued Tuesday by the Indian Embassy here said. He will interact with representatives of business community in a meeting organized by Hans De Boer, president VNO-NCW (Dutch employers' federation), it said. The chief minister will visit the port of Rotterdam to discuss inland water management and also see first-hand measures taken for flood control and water management by the Dutch government, the statement said. "He will meet agricultural experts of the University of Wageningen to understand latest agricultural techniques in horticulture and floriculture," it said. Other items in the chief minister's programme include paying a visit to the National Archives of the Netherlands to view items in their collection pertaining to the Dutch presence in Kerala in the 17th century and holding discussions on digitizing Dutch records in the possession of Kerala state archives, the statement said. He will also meet and interact with the Indian community during the visit, it said. Following the floods in Kerala, two Dutch water experts were part of the United Nations/Asian Development Bank/World Bank/European Union Mission to Kerala. Subsequently, the Dutch government sent in March 2019 a four-member disaster risk reduction mission which has submitted a report to the Kerala government on Kuttanad, the region in the state below sea level, it said. Crown Princess Victoria Ingrid Alice Desiree and her spouse are in Vietnam for an official visit from May 6-8 at the invitation of Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh. Vice President Thinh said the visit is an important event in an array of activities to mark the 50th anniversary of the two countries diplomatic ties (1969 - 2019). Host and guest reviewed bilateral cooperation and agreed that it has been expanded beyond politics-diplomacy and trade-investment to culture-education, bringing lots of benefits to their people. They asserted their determination to develop it efficiently. VP Thinh suggested the two sides continue to maintain the exchange of high-level visits to help create a strong driving force for the bilateral cooperation to grow in various fields. She relayed the regards and invitation to visit Vietnam from Party General Secretary and State President Nguyen Phu Trong to the King and Queen of Sweden. Crown Princess Victoria spoke highly of Vietnams socio-economic development and international integration achievements, affirming that Sweden places importance to developing its cooperative ties with Vietnam, a country having an important position in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The two sides agreed to work together to help their businesses to seek more investment and business partnerships, especially in the processing and support industries, science-technology, education-training, healthcare, the environment, smart urban construction, and information-communications. VP Thinh asked Sweden to continue having a strong voice supporting the settlement of disputes by peaceful means based on international law to maintain peace, security, and navigation freedom and safety in the East Sea. She also asked Sweden to back Vietnams run for a non-permanent member seat at the United Nations Security Council for the 2020-2021 term. She proposed Sweden continue giving care and providing favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community to live, do business, and integrate into the host society, thus contributing to boosting the bilateral ties. Late on the day, Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh and her spouse hosted a banquet for Crown Princess Victoria Ingrid Alice Desiree and her spouse and entourage. By PTI COLOMBO: All the Islamic extremists involved in the Easter suicide bombings are either killed or arrested, Sri Lankan police and military chiefs have claimed, assuring that the country is now safe and can get back to normalcy. The tri-forces commanders and the police chief, addressing a press conference on Monday night, said the security of the country following the April 21 bombings that left 257 people dead has been ensured with adequate measures and steps have been taken to implement a special security plan. Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chandana Wickremaratne said that all those directly linked to the attacks on three churches and three luxury hotels have been arrested or were killed. He also said that all the explosives believed to be linked to local Islamist outfit National Thowheeth Jama'ath (NTJ), blamed for the attacks, have been found. READ HERE | Keralas most wanted fugitive terrorist Mohammed Sabir using Pakistan passport to frequent Dubai "All explosives possessed by the terrorist group has been seized. Almost everyone identified with the group has been arrested. Two of their bomb experts have died in the clashes. The police can happily announce that everyone with direct links have been either arrested or killed by now," Wickremaratne said. Wickramaratne did not say how many people have been arrested over the bombings, but police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekera on Monday said that 73 people, including nine women, were arrested and being questioned by the CID and the Terrorist Investigation Department (TID). The police spokesman also said the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) identified more than Rs 140 million cash and other assets worth over Rs 7 billion belonging to the NTJ. The Islamic State terror group claimed the attacks, the island nation's worst, but the government blamed ISIS-linked local Islamist extremist group NTJ. Wickramaratne, who was named acting police chief last week after President Maithripala Sirisena suspended his predecessor over his failure to act on intelligence warnings about the attacks, said the country can now get back to normalcy with the lifting of curfews imposed after the attacks. Wickramaratne urged the public not to be misled by unverified reports. The government reopened schools on Monday, but attendance dropped to below 10 per cent in many places with parents still fearing attacks. Wickremeratne said a joint security operation with schools authorities are underway. He pointed to unverified security fears spread through social media as the cause for unfounded security concerns. Army chief Lt Gen Mahesh Senanayake said the military has taken steps to ensure national security under the emergency regulations. Over the past two weeks, normalcy was returning to the country and the public must not be misled by false claims. All security measures to ensure safety in the country has been taken. The security forces were empowered by the emergency regulations since the attacks, Lt Gen Senanayake said. The Army chief urged the public to return to their day to day activities. The tourism industry leaders have urged the government to make strong measures to enable the industry to revive following the Easter Sunday attacks on three leading hotels. The suicide bombers attacked breakfast rooms of the Shangri La, The Cinnamon Grand and the Kingsbury Hotels. The attacks in which 44 foreigners including 11 Indians were killed prompted adverse travel advisories. At the moment most bookings are cancelled, with less than 10 per cent of occupancy we are in trouble," Hoteliers Association president Sanath Ukawatta said. The government has already decided on a package of concessions to the tourism industry which contributes 5 per cent of the island's GDP. The Tourism Authority said the total number of tourist arrivals during April was 166,975. This is a year on year decline of 7.5 per cent as the arrivals were 180,429 in April 2018. READ| Sri Lanka blocks social media platforms after Sinhalese-Muslim clashes By IANS NEW DELHI: India's deep state is well versed in the art of intelligence warfare. Its human intelligence-led inputs to the Sri Lankan establishment, though unutilised, showed that they were on top of their game. India has been tracking the National Thowheed Jamaat (NTJ) for sometime now. New Delhi moved with great alacrity passing on direct actionable intelligence in the weeks and days leading up to the Easter Sunday bombings. And this happened from material accessed during interrogations of an ISIS suspect arrested in India. The Sri Lankan government even had a warning that Catholic churches were among the possible targets. The suspect gave Indian investigators the name of a man - Zahran Hashmi - he had trained, who is associated with a Sri Lankan extremist group implicated in the bombings. The shadowy man, Zahran Hashim, was identified in a video of the purported attackers released by ISIS, which claimed responsibility for the Easter Sunday macabre massacre. IANS met several top intelligence functionaries to piece together the emergence of Sri Lanka as the new terror central. While doing so, it unearthed a gargantuan and deep-seated Lashkar plot which goes back at least 14 years showing how LeT had invested for years in Lanka, Bangladesh, Maldives and even Malaysia as part of a larger encirclement strategy of India. Indian intelligence has been alive to this and has used all its skill sets and ground-level inputs to mitigate the terror threat emanating from the island and other neighbouring countries. It needs to be established here that ISI C Wing and LeT are two sides of the same coin as far as jihad is concerned. ISI has been using Idara Khidmat-e-Khalq (IKK) as a proxy to radicalise unemployed Muslim youth in Sri Lanka and coax them to join the NTJ. In parallel, India has bolstered its security apparatus in Tamil Nadu and Kerala due to the strong presence of NTJ members in these states. READ HERE | Keralas most wanted fugitive terrorist Mohammed Sabir using Pakistan passport to frequent Dubai The rise of IS and its vile and noxious thought process of establishing a Caliphate has found takers in Lanka, Bangladesh and the Maldives. At least 200-250 Maldivians have reportedly fought for the IS in trouble spots like Syria and these are mules who make the trek to Yemen where they are further indoctrinated and trained, then sent on wars sometimes to Mali and Chad for fighting or to the combat zone in Iraq and Syria to fight under the IS flag. A Tokyo-based online magazine 'The Diplomat' validated this saying a December 2015 report by the Soufan Group, a private intelligence agency run by former FBI agent-turned contractor Ali Soufan, put out a count of foreign fighters who'd volunteered to fight for the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq. Four South Asian countries featured in that list - Malaysia, Pakistan, India, and the Maldives - sending an estimated 393 fighters among them. It was the island nation in the Indian Ocean that sent analysts and headlines into a tizzy with the rise of radical Islam with its bent towards Salafist tendencies. It had by far the highest per capita fighters in the sandbox. The Indian deep state has been following Islamic militancy in Sri Lanka, a fertile breeding ground since 2004. The tipping point in the rise of Islamic fundamentalism in the emerald isle has Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT)'s hand prints all over it. A special group headed by LeT's Muzzamil Bhat from Sialkot and his lackeys made forays into Bangladesh, the Maldives and Sri Lanka between 2005 and 2007, knowing fully well that these areas could be used to further their agenda and to encircle India. Muzzamil Bhat is one of the planners of 26/11 and is reported to be the architect of the Chittisinghpora massacre. The entire construct of this plan to use these countries as a launchpad to train terrorists was part of his larger architecture. ALSO READ | Yes, Lashkar-e-Taiba responsible for 26/11 Mumbai terror attack: Pakistan PM Imran Khan The FBI in its 26/11 chargesheet named Bhat as D, a key LeT military commander, who was involved in the Chittisinghpora massacre in Jammu and Kashmir on the eve of President Bill Clinton's visit to India in March 2000. In its second chargesheet, filed in a Chicago court, the FBI named an ISI officer, Major Iqbal, and four LeT operatives - Sajid Majeed, Abu Qahafa, Abu Alqama and the unknown Lashkar member 'D'. About 'D' the chargesheet states that after the arrest of Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi in Pakistan in connection with the 26/11 attacks, he became the overall operational commander of LeT. According to FBI, 'D', who is yet to be arrested by Pakistan, was a handler of David Coleman Headley. Headley told Indian investigators that Muzzamil was involved in the Chittisinghpora massacre. In turn, Headley also said Muzzamil was most trustworthy lieutenant of Lakhvi and apart from Chittisinghpora killings of Sikhs, he planned the Akshardham temple attack in September 2002. According to Indian security establishment sources, Muzzamil is a Kashmiri born in 1976. He is married and his family lives in the Gujranwala town of Pakistani Punjab. Bhat, on the other hand, is a planner and his understanding was that with Indian intelligence and security forces keeping a close vigil on southern India in those years, he reckoned that taking the training camps offshore would be a better idea. SIMI was already active in southern India, they had set up a southern chapter across the four states, while Bhatkal had become a new centrifuge. Terror central was moving from Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra to the southern part of India. Hence Muzzamil arrived in Sri Lanka to test the waters and quickly realised that there was traction amongst Tamil Muslims after the Tsunami, ditto in Bangladesh among the Rohingyas between 2004-2008. But RAW which was extremely active in both Bangladesh and Sri Lanka did not allow Bhat or his henchmen to stabilise their operations. In 2011, ably abetted and assisted by ISI officer Amir Zubair Siddiqui (Counselor in the Pakistan High Commission in Colombo), a new name popped up on the radar - Zakir Hussain - who began to actively consort with and recruit Tamil Muslims on the island. The plan was to recruit them and unleash hell on diplomatic missions in Chennai and Bangalore, but RAW once again found the scent and pursued them to cut off their feed stock of financing, explosives and weapons. India engaged with Colombo and brought it up to speed on Siddiqui's shenanigans who was then packed off from Sri Lanka. The diplomat Amir Zubair Siddiqui's plot was to attack the US Consulate in Chennai, Israeli Consulate in Bengaluru, Eastern Naval Command HQ in Visakhapatnam and ports across the country. Once RAW had blown his cover, NIA moved in to chargesheet Siddiqui who was then visa counselor at the Pakistan High Commission in Colombo. Siddiqui was arrested for allegedly conspiring to attack vital establishments in India and was quietly withdrawn even before the NIA's request under Mutual Assistance Legal Treaty (MLAT) reached Colombo. The terror plot was uncovered after the NIA police personnel arrested an ISI agent Mohammed Zakir Hussain (37) through the 'Q' Branch of the Tamil Nadu police in 2013. The reason was that he was gathering details about vital installations in Tamil Nadu and sent photographs to Siddiqui. Hussain used his counterparts Sivabalan and Mohammad Salim to circulate fake currency in the state. During questioning, Hussain also confessed that he had also used Rafeeque (29) to pump in fake Indian currency in the state. A much larger network of Maldivians, Sri Lankan Muslims and Malaysian Tamils was discovered through this overarching probe. The hunters caught up with the quarry - Zakir Hussain - and another lynchpin was caught in Malaysia and the cartel was busted. Muzzamil Bhat was the spider who spun the web across the three countries and began the process of indoctrination in Sri Lanka. His tireless efforts paid dividends for he planted the seeds as far back as the mid-2000s. He was the first to connect the dots between Thowheed Jamaat which proselytises (mainly among the Tamil community), fights for "pure Islam" and actively promotes construction of mosques in Tamil Nadu and Sri Lankan Tamil Muslim areas. By PTI WASHINGTON: Over USD 600,000 (Rs 4.1 crore approx) has been raised in just eight days through crowd-funding for the treatment of a 13-year-old Indian-American girl fighting for her life after an Iraq war veteran in California mowed her and her family in a suspected case of hate crime. On April 23, Dhriti Narayan, a grade 7 student, her brother, father and other family members were crossing a road in Sunnyvale when they were struck down by a former soldier, Isaiah Peoples, 34, reportedly to be suffering from Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Peoples, an Iraq war veteran, injured seven others, who were crossing the road, including Dhriti's father and her 9-year-old brother. The family was targeted apparently in a hate crime because the motorist thought they were Muslims, police said. Peoples, who was unharmed in the incident, is facing eight counts of attempted murder and is being detained at Santa Clara County Jail with no bail set. According to a crowdfunding page, GoFundMe, set up to help the family cover her medical costs, Dhriti has suffered life threatening injuries including severe brain injuries and is currently on life support. Since the fundraising appeal went live on GoFundMe eight days ago, more than 12,400 people have donated money and have raised around USD 605,000. The target was USD 500,000. By Online Desk A new baby is often showered with gifts. From onesies to baby products to stuffed animals, new parents can expect a wide range of presents. But Prince Harry and Meghan Markle cannot accept most gifts for their baby. Yes, you read that right! The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who were blessed with a baby boy on May 6, will have to send back most of their gifts, thanks to the royal guidelines. A notice placed on an easel in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace to formally announce the birth of a baby boy to Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, in London on Monday, May 6. (Photo | AP) According to a report in the Mirror, "The fundamental principle governing the acceptance of gifts by Members of The Royal Family is that no gifts, including hospitality or services, should be accepted which would, or might appear to, place the Member of The Royal Family under any obligation to the donor. "In this regard, before accepting any gift, careful consideration should always be given, wherever practicable, to the donor, the reason for and occasion of the gift and the nature of the gift itself. Equally, before declining the offer of a gift, careful consideration should be given to any offence that might be caused by such an action." Here's a list of presents which the royal couple can and can't accept: Fan-sent gifts: The royal family refuses these over concerns about the motive behind the gift or the person who sent it. Having said this, there are exceptions: Flowers/food Books gifted by the author, as long as the content isn't controversial. Gifts under 150 pounds. The rest can either be returned to the sender or donated to another body or organisation. Presents from businesses: These gifts are a strict no-no. The couple can, however, accept them as a souvenir when they are on an official visit or gifted as a mark of a royal celebration or special personal occasion - royal births being a case in point. In case Meghan and Harry decide to keep the gift, they will have to ensure that the enterprise doesn't exploit the gift for commercial purposes. The BT Tower displays a message in celebration of the birth of the royal baby. (Photo | AP) Gifts from overseas: Because of Meghan's American background and the number of countries she has visited till date with Harry, the couple is likely to receive presents from overseas. Though the royal guidelines state that gifts sent from outside the UK should normally be refused, they can be accepted after the recommendations of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office or the Commonwealth Secretariat. These are considered as 'official gifts,' once accepted. Money: Cash is another big no-no for the royal baby - unless it's accepted on behalf of a charity. In case they're sent money, they can neither refuse it nor return it. They must donate it to the charity. Here are a few gifts which the royal couple can finally keep: Royals are allowed to keep gifts sent by government bodies, trade associations, guilds, civic bodies, the armed services and charities, again only if they are from the UK. Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead official Town Crier Chris Brown announces the news of the birth of a baby boy to Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, outside Windsor Castle in Windsor, south England, Monday May 6, 2019. (Photo | AP) Here's what you can do instead of sending a gift: Harry and Meghan have encouraged people to donate to charity, as an alternative to sending gifts. A royal couple spokesperson in a post on their official Instagram account said: "The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are immensely grateful for the outpouring of love and support in anticipation of the birth of their first child. "In lieu of sending gifts, the couple have long planned to encourage members of the public to make donations to select charities for children and parents in need. If you already made a donation, the couple send you their greatest thanks." Four organisations -- The Lunchbox Fund, The Little Village HQ, Well Child and Baby2Baby -- were selected by the couple, for the public to donate to. Alternatively, a card can be sent to congratulate the royal couple, the address for which is: TRH Duke & Duchess of Sussex Clarence House London SW1A 1BA United Kingdom By PTI COLOMBO: Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Tuesday said that authorities have arrested or killed all the militants responsible for the deadly Easter blasts, but warned that the country still faces the threat of ISIS terror attacks. Speaking in Parliament during a debate on the current security situation in the country, Wickremesinghe said all those directly linked to the Easter Sunday attacks were either killed or are in custody. Nine suicide bombers carried out a series of devastating blasts that tore through three churches and three luxury hotels on the Easter Sunday. The Islamic State claimed the attacks, but the government blamed local Islamist extremist group National Thawheed Jammath (NTJ) for the bombings that killed more than 250 people. ALSO READ | Sri Lanka extends deadline by 48 hours for public to hand over swords, sharp weapons Wickremesinghe said investigations had revealed the bombers had direct or indirect links with Islamic State and the island nation needed sophisticated technology to deal with the threat posed by such terror networks. "The danger is not over, we are now a victim of global terrorism," he said. He said that Sri Lanka must work with the international community to face the global threat from terrorism. "Some assume working with the international community means bringing down foreign troops. That will not happen," he said. His comments came as Sri Lankan police and military chiefs assured that the country is now safe and can get back to normalcy. ALSO READ | Sri Lanka blocks social media platforms after Sinhalese-Muslim clashes Addressing a press conference on Monday night, the tri-forces commanders and the police chief said the security of the country following the April 21 bombings has been ensured with adequate measures and steps have been taken to implement a special security plan. Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chandana Wickremaratne said that all those directly linked to the attacks on three churches and three luxury hotels have been arrested or were killed. He also said that all the explosives believed to be linked to local Islamist outfit National Thowheeth Jama'ath (NTJ), blamed for the attacks, have been found. "All explosives possessed by the terrorist group has been seized. Almost everyone identified with the group have been arrested. Two of their bomb experts have died in the clashes. The police can happily announce that everyone with direct links have been either arrested or killed by now," he said. Wickramaratne did not say how many people have been arrested over the bombings, but police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekera has said that 73 people, including nine women, were arrested and being questioned by the CID and the Terrorist Investigation Department (TID). The spokesman also said the Criminal Investigation Department identified more than Rs 140 million cash and other assets worth over Rs 7 billion belonging to the NTJ. Wickramaratne, who was named acting police chief last week after President Maithripala Sirisena suspended his predecessor over his failure to act on intelligence warnings about the attacks, said the country can now get back to normalcy with the lifting of curfews imposed after the attacks. He urged the public not to be misled by unverified reports. The government reopened schools on Monday, but attendance dropped to below 10 per cent in many places with parents still fearing attacks. Wickremeratne said a joint security operation with schools authorities are underway. He pointed to unverified security fears spread through social media as the cause for unfounded security concerns. Army chief Lt Gen Mahesh Senanayake said the military has taken steps to ensure national security under the emergency regulations. He said that over the past two weeks normalcy was returning to the country and the public must not be misled by false claims. "All security measures to ensure safety in the country has been taken. The security forces were empowered by the emergency regulations since the attacks," Senanayake said. The tourism industry leaders have urged the government to make strong measures to enable the industry to revive following the Easter Sunday attacks on three leading hotels. The suicide bombers attacked breakfast rooms of the Shangri La, The Cinnamon Grand and the Kingsbury Hotels. The attacks in which 44 foreigners including 11 Indians were killed prompted adverse travel advisories. "At the moment most bookings are cancelled, with less than 10 per cent of occupancy we are in trouble," Hoteliers Association president Sanath Ukawatta said. The government has already decided on a package of concessions to the tourism industry which contributes 5 per cent of the island's GDP. The Tourism Authority said the total number of tourist arrivals during April was 166,975. This is a year on year decline of 7.5 per cent as the arrivals were 180,429 in April 2018. Meanwhile, the St.Anthony's church partially opened for worship Tuesday. Devotees will be able to visit the St.Anthony's Shrine in Kotahena from 7 am to 7 pm. Services will not be held at the Shrine. At present, the Navy is currently carrying out restoration activities at the Church. Security measures have been tightened around Churches in order to ensure the safety of devotees who visit the shrine. By AFP SEOUL: At least one of the weapons North Korea fired at the weekend had many of the hallmarks of a missile, but that was the one word conspicuously missing from descriptions of the tests by Washington, Seoul, and even Pyongyang. According to analysts, North Korea wanted to express its frustration towards the US over the breakdown of the Hanoi summit when the two sides clashed over sanctions and the extent of Pyongyang's nuclear concessions. South Korea had brokered the now-deadlocked nuclear talks between the US and North Korea, and the White House had described the absence of a missile test for more than a year as a major foreign policy success. So Seoul, Washington and Pyongyang all have an incentive to play down the nature of the weekend drills. "President Trump's biggest North Korea policy achievement has been the suspension of Pyongyang's nuclear and missile tests since late 2017," Hong Min, a senior researcher at the state-run Korea Institute for National Unification, told AFP. ALSO READ | UN warns of increased tensions over North Korea weapons test "But if we declare the drill involved ballistic missiles at this point, it would all but shatter his self-touted success." North Korea's official KCNA news agency said the Saturday drills involved "long-range multiple rocket launchers" -- which are not targeted by UN sanctions resolutions - and unspecified "tactical guided weapons". But unlike rockets, missiles have guidance systems, and analysts said the images released by state media showed a device similar to Russia's single-stage Iskander missile. It appeared to be one displayed at a North Korean military parade last year, just as the diplomatic rapprochement on the peninsula began. South Korea's military initially said the North had fired "short-range missiles" but within an hour was describing them as "projectiles". They had a range of around 70 to 240 kilometres (45 to 150 miles) and fell into the sea, it said, but further analysis was required on whether they were short-range ballistic missiles. ALSO READ | Donald Trump and Japanese PM Shinzo Abe discuss North Korea Similarly, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo avoided calling them missiles, describing them as "short range" in TV interviews, and telling ABC it "didn't present a threat" to the United States, South Korea or Japan. "We hope that we can get back to the table," he added. 'Ratcheting up tension' Pyongyang had not launched any missile since November 2017, and last year leader Kim Jong Un declared the development of the North Korean atomic arsenal complete, announcing an end to nuclear and ICBM tests. While a short-range test would not violate that, any ballistic missile firing could inflict "tremendous damage" on the North-US talks process, said Hong. And the respected 38 North website said in a commentary that Saturday's drills did not amount to a policy reversal by Pyongyang, which would "require a major and wrenching strategic line change". "That could still be done but is unlikely to be undertaken only two months after the Hanoi Summit," it added. But many South Korean conservatives -- who take a more hawkish stance on the North than the liberal Moon Jae-in government -- say Pyongyang did fire ballistic missiles and Seoul's reaction was putting national security at risk. "The North's missiles pose a threat to lives and safety of South Koreans," said MP Na Kyung-won of the conservative opposition Liberty Korea party. "But our military and intelligence are only trying to downplay the risk." The Russian Iskander can carry a small nuclear warhead, the conservative JoongAng Ilbo newspaper added in an editorial Tuesday, and a North Korean version could put "two thirds" of the 20 million people living in or near Seoul at risk. "Even though North Korea is ratcheting up tension, its time-honoured strategy, our government barely reacts." Champaign, IL (61820) Today Rain likely. Low 51F. Winds SW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Rain likely. Low 51F. Winds SW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 80%. With an investment of VND34.5 billion (US$1.48 million), the centre will serve as a place for information sharing and connection between city leaders, and authorised agencies, and the press as well as providing services related to media activities. The centre was established under the decision of the municipal Peoples Committee issued on March 18, 2019, and was completed after more than a month of installation. Addressing the inauguration ceremony, Nguyen Thien Nhan, Politburo member and Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee, said that the centre was implemented in a quick manner, expressing the determination of city leaders in offering the best development conditions for the press. "The media centre will be the place where the administration provides information to the people in the timeliest manner. This is also a place where the administration has the opportunity to listen to people's opinions and feedback through the press," Nguyen Thien Nhan said. In its first phase, from 2019-2020, the centre includes five functional areas with a total area of approximately 1,600m2. It has two press conference rooms for up to 100 people, a VIP meeting room, simultaneous interpreter booths, a reporters working area with hi-speed Internet connection, and others. Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Information and Communications, Tu Luong, was appointed as Director of the Media Centre. Reporter Debra Pressey is a reporter covering health care at The News-Gazette. Her email is dpressey@news-gazette.com, and you can follow her on Twitter (@DLPressey). 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). Chief Executive Carrie Lam Innovation and technology (I&T) is a sector dear to my heart and is among the key policy priorities of this term of Government. And central to building an I&T hub here in Hong Kong is a thriving R&D (research and development) industry. I am therefore glad that ASM Pacific Technology opens its new R&D centre here today. A Hong Kong-based company, ASM Pacific Technology was founded in 1975. In those days, very few Hong Kong people talked about technology. After some 40 years, today the company counts more than 16,000 employees in over 30 countries. The new Hong Kong centre employs, I am told, more than 600 R&D engineers and professionals, with more than 10% of them holding a PhD degree. A world leader in semiconductor assembly, packaging equipment and materials, and surface mount technology applications, ASM Pacific Technology was named to Thomson Reuters Top 100 Global Technology Leaders list last year, joining distinguished companies like Apple, Alphabet, Microsoft and other I&T giants. In short, ASM Pacific Technology is now a global industry leader - a role model for our startups and for our I&T sector as a whole. My Government is fully committed to promoting I&T. We have, to date, committed around $100 billion of resources to drive I&T development through a variety of policies and programmes. We have also set an ambitious target of increasing total R&D expenditure to 1.5% of our Gross Domestic Product by 2022. But the Government can hardly do it alone. Investing in R&D by private enterprises is essential to achieving our goal and hence we have introduced a super deduction in profits tax for companies' R&D spending. Talent development is another major factor for a sustainable I&T sector. ASM Pacific Technology is certainly doing its part. The company has been collaborating with our universities and technical colleges, initiating joint projects in new technology R&D. It also offers internships and job placements for local engineering students and graduates. I understand that among the more than 600 engineers working in this new Hong Kong centre, nearly half are under the age of 30. That is both impressive and inspiring. I look forward to meeting some of them during my tour later and listening to their views on Hong Kong's I&T opportunities and challenges. Hong Kong's I&T future is, if I may say so, gathering momentum. It is finding shape and sustainability thanks to the confluence and connectivity of numerous critical variables, from our booming startup sector and superlative educational institutions, to our growing alliances with leading international I&T companies and organisations. Thanks, too, to the offices and R&D centres set up by world-class businesses like ASM Pacific Technology here. I look forward to working with the company and other industry players in promoting I&T development in Hong Kong. Chief Executive Carrie Lam gave these remarks at the ASM Pacific Technology Hong Kong Office Grand Opening on May 6. Mr Wong (third left) meets Department of International Cooperation of the Ministry of Natural Resources Deputy Director-General Wang Qian (third right). Secretary for Development Michael Wong met a number of Mainland ministry officials in Beijing today. Mr Wong first met China International Development Cooperation Agency Director Zhao Gang to discuss Hong Kong's participation in the Mainland's foreign aid construction projects. He then had a meeting with Ministry of Housing & Urban-Rural Development Vice Minister Ni Hong to discuss matters relating to mutual recognition of professional qualifications under the Mainland & Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement. They also spoke about Hong Kongs participation in the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area and the Belt & Road Initiative, as well as the preparation of next year's Mainland & Hong Kong Construction Forum. In the afternoon, Mr Wong met Department of International Cooperation of the Ministry of Natural Resources Deputy Director-General Wang Qian. They exchanged views on promoting mutual recognition of professional qualifications for planners, and sought to enhance exchanges between Hong Kong and Mainland professionals. Mr Wong also met Ministry of Water Resources Vice Minister Jiang Xuguang to discuss water resources management, allocation of Dongjiang river basin water resources, Dongjiang water supply agreements and flood prevention work. We will have among us, those who are as yet unable to think like that, but its a thinking process. Its a thought process. Its an act of conscience. You choose to think in a particular way, but in this case we are saying, dont choose to act corruptly, choose to act in a manner that is required by the law, he said. PRESIDENT Mnangagwa arrived in Botswana yesterday for the Kasane Elephant Summit which is expected to bring together three other Heads of State whose countries are part of the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area to discuss a common policy towards the management of jumbos. The assessment was made at a workshop held in Hai Phong city on May 6 by the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA) and the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), aiming to review the 25 year national level implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, one of the world's most progressive blueprints for gender equality and advancing womens rights. In 2020, the world will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and five years of implementing the Sustainable Development Goals. In Vietnam, 2020 is also the last year of the first ever National Strategy on Gender Equality and the Government will prepare a new gender equality strategy for the 2021-2030 period. Therefore, the preparation in 2019 for the comprehensive assessment and review of the implementation of gender equality policies with the participation of all stakeholders is particularly important. In implementing the Beijing blueprint, Vietnam has been promoting the integration of gender issues in law building and enforcement, while issuing specific programmes and projects on gender equality and the prevention of gender-based violence, as well as strongly implementing information campaigns on gender equality and improving women's empowerment in society. Thanks to such efforts, the proportion of women participating in the National Assembly has been raised to 27.1%, higher than the regional and global average. According to international assessments, at present, the rate of female business owners in Vietnam has reached 31.3% of the total number of business owners, while the rate of new job creation for female workers has always been maintained at over 48% in the last five years. However, there are still difficulties and challenges facing Vietnamese women and girls as gender inequality remains evident. Deputy Minister of MoLISA Nguyen Thi Ha speaks at the workshop. (Photo provided by UN Women) Speaking at the workshop, Deputy Minister of MoLISA Nguyen Thi Ha suggested that international and domestic experts focus on discussing difficulties in the implementation of the Beijing blueprint, prioritising solutions to prevent violence against women and girls and promote women's rights. In the post-2020 phase, attention should be paid to communication solutions, awareness raising and behaviour changing concerning gender equality, Ha said, adding that it is also necessary to develop strategic, comprehensive and specific solutions in education and training, healthcare, poverty reduction, job creation and income improvement to improve the quality of women's lives. Elisa Fernandez, UN Women Head of Office in Vietnam, said that the UN entity believes that the process of assessing the implementation of the Beijing blueprint provides a good opportunity for Vietnam to rejuvenate its commitments and actions for gender equality and women's empowerment. The review process should mobilise all women and men, of all ages and different circumstances, to ensure that the different voices and needs of all sexes are listened to and eliminate all forms of discrimination, she affirmed. The two-day workshop is also expected to enhance the participants' understanding of international standards for drafting the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, as well as recognising the different views and experiences of all parties in promoting gender equality and women's empowerment in Vietnam. It is not clear whether the suspect, Adrew Ndlovhu, originally from Zimbabwe and is also known as Andrea Druza is still in South Africa or he went back to his home country, he said. Nurses are often under-resourced and there is need to capacitate them as they have a key role to play in contributing towards socio and economic development. I am humbled by the latest appointment as Health Ambassador and I pledge to work harder and improve health delivery in Zimbabwe. There is also need to give a voice to nurses and ensure they are given leadership positions in the health sector, she said. Ironically, what was unearthed in our intense investigation were widespread attempts to blackmail Bushiri by several people within his church, community leaders, law enforcement officers and leading political parties. The engagements between #NotInMyName and the ECG are understandably still ongoing, as the church comprises of thousands of members whose actions can be traced back to the name and image of the church. Let us know what you're seeing and hearing around the community. Submit here An attendee walks through the rows of solar panels during a tour of the new GVEA Solar Farm off of South Cushman Street Friday afternoon, October 12, 2018. The 563KW solar array consists of 1760 300-watt panels and covers about 2 1/2 acres. The micro-inverter system has an estimated peak production of 6 megawatt hours of electricity per day. (THIS FROM PRESS RELEASE) Golden Valley Electric Association and local officials held a ribbon cutting ceremony today to acknowledge the commissioning of its 563-kilowatt solar farm. GVEAs solar installation is the largest photovoltaic (PV) system in the State of Alaska. The project should produce enough energy to power 71 homes (using an average of 660 kWh per month). GVEA is expanding its renewable energy portfolio with the addition of this solar PV system, said Cory Borgeson, GVEAs President & CEO. GVEAs Board of Directors approved this project last fall. A local Fairbanks business, ABS Alaskan Inc. supplied the 1,760 panels, each of which has a peak generating potential of 320 watts. This solar farm will give Golden Valley a better understanding of the performance of a solar farm on our system and the resulting cost per kilowatt-hour, Borgeson said. The solar array is constructed on a 3-acre parcel between Van Horn Road and Bidwell Ave. The site is located next to GVEAs Wilson Substation and the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). Theres room for future expansion, and the panels will be visible looking north from Van Horn Road. The project will cost just over a million dollars to complete. A grant from the U.S. Department of Agricultures Rural Energy for America Program offset $225,000 of the cost. Golden Valley has a dedicated web page for the project at http://www.gvea.com/energy/solar-farm. The page includes a 2-minute project overview video from project manager Nathan Minnema. The Daily News-Miner encourages residents to make themselves heard through the Opinion pages. Readers' letters and columns also appear online at newsminer.com. Contact the editor with questions at letters@newsminer.com or call 459-7574. Community Perspective Send Community Perspective submissions by mail (P.O. Box 70710, Fairbanks AK 99707) or via email (letters@newsminer.com). Submissions must be 500 to 750 words. Columns are welcome on a wide range of issues and should be well-written and well-researched with attribution of sources. Include a full name, email address, daytime telephone number and headshot photograph suitable for publication (email jpg or tiff files at 150 dpi.) You may also schedule a photo to be taken at the News-Miner office. The News-Miner reserves the right to edit submissions or to reject those of poor quality or taste without consulting the writer. Letters to the editor Send letters to the editor by mail (P.O. Box 70710, Fairbanks AK 99707), by fax (907-452-7917) or via email (letters@newsminer.com). Writers are limited to one letter every two weeks (14 days.) All letters must contain no more than 350 words and include a full name (no abbreviation), daytime and evening phone numbers and physical address. (If no phone, then provide a mailing address or email address.) The Daily News-Miner reserves the right to edit or reject letters without consulting the writer. Dating in Japan can be a very different experience to dating in Western cultures. Here, itas incredibly rare to see public displays of affection that go beyond holding hands, and getting down on one knee to propose in a public place is something that only really exists in Hollywood movies. So itas not every day that a Japanese couple decides to get engaged in the middle of a shopping mall with a flash mob proposal. But thatas exactly what happened on the weekend, when Motonori Kan popped the question to his girlfriend of five years, Emi Miyazaki. The flash mob broke out in Queen Street Mall in Brisbane, Australia, on 5 May, when dozens of dancers from local dance school Mad Dance House started moving their bodies to the beat of Rihannaas 2011 hit aWe Found Lovea. During the performance, Miyazaki was in the crowd to the left of the screen, filming the dancers on her phone, totally unaware that the performance was all for her. Things change dramatically around three minutes into the performance, when the group parts and Kan appears. This is when the music switches to Ed Sheeranas slow-paced love song aThinking Out Louda, as Kan walks down the aisle to surprise his girlfriend, who doesnat quite know why heas there. Then, after a few quiet words, Kan gets down on one knee, and his reason for being there becomes obvious to Miyazaki, and the crowd of onlookers around them. Everyone holds their breath in anticipation for a moment, and then Miyazaki holds out her hand to accept the ring, prompting both the dancers and the crowd to erupt in cheers and applause. BEIJING, May 5 (Xinhua) -- The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the State Council, or China's Cabinet, on Sunday announced guidelines on the promotion of integrated urban-rural development. China has made great headway in advancing urbanization and balancing development between rural and urban areas since the 18th National Congress of the CPC. However, barriers hindering integrated urban-rural development still exist. The guidelines are aimed at eradicating such barriers to promote rural revitalization and speeding up the modernization of agriculture and rural areas. The systems and mechanisms for promoting integrated urban-rural development should begin to take shape by 2022. The country will also gradually eliminate restrictions on urban settlement, according to the guidelines. China aims to put in place more sound systems and mechanisms for promoting integrated urban-rural development by 2035. The urban-rural gap in development and living standards will be remarkably reduced. By the middle of the century, China will meet the goal of realizing the comprehensive integration of urban-rural areas and rural revitalization and basically realize the target of achieving shared prosperity for everyone. To achieve these ambitious goals, China will break barriers that restrict the free flow of resources -- such as capital, talents, information -- between urban and rural areas, and inject new impetus to the countryside. China will deepen household registration reforms, relax restrictions on urban settlement except for several mega-cities, promote coordinated development between cities and towns, as well as increase the population carrying capacity and attractiveness of mid- and small-sized cities. The country will also make cities more inclusive and help migrant workers settle into city life. China will implement incentive policies to attract talents to work or start businesses in rural areas. The country will continue to deepen and improve rural land reform and allow farmers to turn their land-use rights into shares in farming enterprises or cooperatives. China will also improve financial services in rural areas, and support the issuance of government bonds by local authorities to finance public welfare projects on integrated urban-rural development. Considering that public services are weak in rural areas, China will establish and improve its systems and mechanisms to channel more resources there. China will establish a mechanism to balance the allocation of educational resources and prioritize developing education in rural areas. Provincial-level governments are encouraged to build a supplementary mechanism for unified selection of rural teachers and send more outstanding college graduates to rural schools. The country will improve the medical and health service system in rural areas, efforts will be made to increase the attractiveness of grassroots medical jobs and training of rural medical workers will be strengthened. China will also improve the public cultural service system and channel more cultural resources to rural areas. Cultural workers and volunteers are encouraged to participate in the cultural development in rural areas. The guidelines also call for improving the unified urban and rural social security system, coordinating urban and rural social assistance systems and establishing rural governance mechanisms. Institution and mechanism will be established to promote the integrated development of urban and rural infrastructure, with priority given to rural areas. To promote diversified economic development in rural area, the country will continue to protect its agriculture, establish a cultivation mechanism for new industries and build a platform for integrated development of urban and rural industries. The country will also expand the channels to raise farmers' income and constantly narrow the gap in the living standard of urban and rural residents. Employment discrimination will be eliminated, more jobs created and business opportunities increased to form an environment for promoting income increase for farmers, according to the guidelines. Anyone who traveled through Terminal 2 at Narita International Airport in Tokyo on April 22, 24 and 26 and is not vaccinated against measles should get to their primary care provider or local immunization clinic, according to a Facebook post by U.S. Forces Japan. An airport employee may have exposed travelers to the disease on those days, the Wednesday message said. American Forces Network Pacific is running a similar public service announcement. aThere have been no confirmed cases on U.S. bases,a Capt. Michel Balihe, an Air Force public health officer at Yokota told Stars and Stripes on Monday. Children older than 4 and adults who are up-to-date with their two documented measles, mumps and rubella, or MRR, vaccinations are protected from any potential threat, according to the Facebook post. aEven in rare occurrences like this it just goes to show how important it is to ensure you and your children are vaccinated,a said Amanda Gutierrez, a family member at Yokuska Naval Base, in an interview with Stars and Stripes on Monday. aIt only takes one rare occurrence to be faced with a potentially deadly threat.a Measles is a highly contagious infectious disease that is spread by person-to-person contact or by an infected person through coughing and sneezing. Symptoms may develop after 10-12 days and last two weeks. They start with a high fever, accompanied by red, itchy eyes; a runny nose; white spots on the tongue; and after about five days the appearance of the telltale rash, said Lt. Col. Kenji Takano, an Air Force public health emergency officer at Yokota. That rash begins at the head and spreads to the rest of the body. More than one in 10 houses in Japan don't have anyone living in them, according to a recent survey released by the country's central government. That means 8.46 million homes are sitting completely vacant right now, up 260,000 from the previous survey just five years ago. These empty houses are either intended for rental or sale in the future, or they've simply been abandoned with no plans for use. According to the survey, the abandoned homes number 3.47 million, or 13.6 per cent of the nation's total houses. That number is up 9.7 per cent since 2013. Interestingly, the survey counts holiday homes as vacant housing, which explains why popular tourist destinations have such high rates of vacancy. For instance, the Yamanashi Prefecture, which includes the north of Mount Fuji, sits at 21.3 per cent vacant, while the Nagano Prefecture, which was the site of the 1998 Winter Olympics, sits at 19.5 per cent vacant. There are several factors contributing to the proliferation of these "ghost houses", but one of the biggest is Japan's recent housing boom. According to the survey, about 950,000 new residences began construction in 2018, up 0.7 per cent from 2017. This becomes a particularly tricky problem when combined with the massive decline in the country's population. According to government figures, only 921,000 babies were born in Japan in 2018, down 25,000 from the previous year. This also marks the third year running that the figure has been below one million. Meanwhile, the number of deaths in 2018 was 1.37 million, making the total natural population decline 448,000 for the year. As these figures suggest, Japan's population is ageing at a rapid pace. Hong Kong: Fugitive bill retains safeguards Proposed amendments to the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance and the Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Ordinance will maintain all existing human rights and procedural safeguards, Secretary for Security John Lee said. Speaking at a press conference today, Mr Lee said the safeguards provided for in the current legislations will be maintained under the case-based arrangements. These include no surrender for a political offence, the double criminality principle and protection against the death penalty. Other safeguards include the restriction against re-surrender, rule against double jeopardy as well as the application for habeas corpus and right to appeal and judicial review. He called on the Legislative Council to start vetting the bill as soon as possible because the jailed suspect in the Taiwan homicide case could be released as early as October. Mr Lee said: We approach the question of offering legal assistance to the Taiwan side with respect to the Taiwan authorities. At the present moment, I have said repeatedly theres no legal basis to offer assistance that has been requested. He added the proposed amendments would grant the Government with the legal basis to provide full assistance to Taiwan authorities. We can only do the best Hong Kong can do to ensure that this suspect, whom they want, can be surrendered to them lawfully. This story has been published on: 2019-05-07. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Yi Xin Qiao (Photo/www.cqcb.com/) The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), the leading global professional body in land, real estate, infrastructure and construction, recently announced the winners of the 2019 RICS Awards China. The Yi Xin Qiao Bridge Project in Dujia village, southwestern Chinas Chongqing municipality, won the Jury's Award thanks to its outstanding concept and achievements in environmental protection, sustainable development, public welfare in rural areas, and technological innovation. The project was submitted collectively by The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), Tsinghua University, Chongqing Jiaotong University and Chongqing University. Shao Changzhuan (right) (Photo/www.cqcb.com/) Made of more than 700 Moso bamboo plants, the covered arch bridge measures 21 meters in height and 3 meters in width, with a service life up to 20 years. Prior to this project, the team built Chinas first modern bamboo bridge in Xiaowu village. The project was supported by the One University One Village Rural Sustainable Development Assistance Program launched by CUHK, said professor Xiang Zhongfu at Chongqing Jiaotong University, adding that his student, Shao Changzhuan, now a Ph.D. student at CUHK, designed the bridge. Moso bamboo, abundant in southern China, only takes three to five years to grow and is more environmentally friendly and less costly than typical steel and concrete structures, said Xiang. The bridge serves as a reference for the broader application of bamboo in rural infrastructure going forward. (Photo/www.cqcb.com/) The communique read in part: The round-table after a comprehensive review of the conduct of the 2019 general elections passes a vote of confidence on the (INEC) Prof Yakubu for the successful conduct of the election, and notes with satisfaction the transparency in communication and regular engagement of stakeholders at the national, state and local government levels which ensured that everybody was carried along in the process. Nearly 14 million people affected by Boko Haram insurgency are to benefit from President Muhammadu Buharis five-year recovery plan for ... Nearly 14 million people affected by Boko Haram insurgency are to benefit from President Muhammadu Buharis five-year recovery plan for states in the North-East zone of the country. Mr John Mamza, the National Programme Coordinator, Rural Water and Sanitation Services, made this known during a one-day rural water supply overview programme in Yola on Tuesday. Mamza explained that the Federal Government through the African Development Bank (AfDB) in 2018 secured a flexible loan of 179.42 million U.S. dollars for North East Emergency Transition, Recovery and Peace building, NAN reports. He said that the project was under the Inclusive Basic Service Delivery and Livelihood Empowerment Integrated Programme (IBSDLEIP) funded by AfDB and implemented by the five North Eastern states of Adamawa, Taraba, Gombe, Borno, and Bauchi. This Programme is part of on-going Federal Government efforts toward North-East States Emergency Transition, Recovery and Peace building, elaborated by the five-year programmatic `Buhari Plan of 2016. The programme is multi-sectoral, cutting across Education, Health, Labour, Women Affairs and Water Resources, with the rural water supply project taking up the largest share. Also, the Programme is designed to help address the needs of an estimated 14 million affected people, including more than 2.3 million Internally Displaced Persons, of whom nearly 80 per cent are women, children, and youths and with special attention to rural households in Local Government Areas affected by the insurgency, Mamza said. Mamza pointed out that the Programme had three components that include: service delivery, economic recovery and Institutional Strengthening and Project Management. An Ikeja high court on Tuesday sentenced a 36-year-old woman, Stella Gilbert, to death for stabbing her neighbour, Mrs Stella Godwin, t... An Ikeja high court on Tuesday sentenced a 36-year-old woman, Stella Gilbert, to death for stabbing her neighbour, Mrs Stella Godwin, to death during a fight at their residence in Ajegunle, Lagos. The fight was over a bench in the premises of their single room apartments also known as faceme-I-face you. Stella Gilbert being carried out of an Ikeja High Court today (Tuesday) after being sentenced to death for death The fight was caused by an argument over who should be using the bench belonging to their former neighbour. Justice Raliatu Adebiyi sentenced Gilbert after dismissing her claim of self-defence. The judge held that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. The defendant, in this case, used a knife on the deceased; by any standard, a knife is a lethal weapon. the cousin of PW1 (the deceaseds husband), and that of PW3, the female police officer, was that the deceased was stabbed on the chest. The evidence of PW2 (Prosecution Witness 2),the cousin of PW1 (the deceaseds husband), and that of PW3, the female police officer, was that the deceased was stabbed on the chest. The coroners report tendered in evidence by PW4 confirmed that the deceased was stabbed on the chest. The chest is where the heart is; the defendant, by stabbing the deceased on the chest, a very fragile part of the body, clearly intended to cause the most harm to her. The death of the deceased occurred as a result of grievous injury caused by the defendant. The defendant is culpable of the offence of murder, she said. The judge remarked that a lot of cases in courts were caused by animosity and violence due to individuals living in close proximity in the metropolis. She said that the situation called for improvement in social housing in Lagos State. She said: From the evidence, the fight took place in a room; though no evidence was given about the size of the room, it could not have been a very large room. The evidence was that the deceased and the defendant lived in a house consisting of rooms occupied by families popularly called face-me-I-face-you. It is worrisome that the level of violence, unnecessary animosity and death, which occur among our citizens as a result of living together in close proximity without sufficient personal space and boundaries, remain unabated. There is clearly a need to improve social housing and living conditions. The court hopes that this message will be conveyed to the necessary authorities through prosecutors who have the responsibility to prosecute these cases and should be able to provide vital statistics, she urged. Following the conviction of the Gilbert, her counsel, Mr Y. E. Yusuf, prayed the court to temper justice with mercy. The defendant has been in detention for six years; during that time, she lost both parents and her brother. She is in her late 30s and unmarried, she has gone through a lot. She was not harbouring the intent to murder when the incident occurred. I want my lord to temper justice with mercy and refrain from giving the defendant the maximum sentence, Yusuf urged. However, the judge passed a death sentence on Gilbert. The defendant, Stella Gilbert, is hereby sentenced to death. May God that grants life have mercy on your soul, she said. On hearing the sentence, Gilbert collapsed on the dock. Wailing loudly, she said, Please ma, temper justice with mercy, why me oh, only me In her tears, she was led out of the courtroom and had to be carried by a mobile policeman and a prison warden out of the court complex to avoid disruption of proceedings in other courtrooms due to the commotion. During the trial, four witnesses the husband of the deceased, the brother-in-law of the deceased, the investigating police officer and the coroner testified for the prosecution. The defendant testified alone in her defence. According to the state counsel, Mrs O. R. Ahmed-Muili, the convict murdered Godwin, mother of three, on June 22, 2013, at No. 59, Ojora St., Ajegunle, Lagos. The convict stabbed the deceased on the chest and arm with a knife during a fight. Loom, a new Ponzi scheme which has been described by a top-notch media as a new dangerous money-making scam, is presently taking over t... Loom, a new Ponzi scheme which has been described by a top-notch media as a new dangerous money-making scam, is presently taking over the Nigerian internet, targeting young people on social media. fractal mandala and blessing loom. According to Daily Mail, the scheme has surfaced online all over the world, with names such as loom circle,fractal mandala and blessing loom. It was gathered that the first step of the process is being invited to join a WhatsApp group chat, usually by a friend or relative. Then you are asked to invest N1,000, N2,000 or N13,000 with a promise that you will make eight times the amount back once you recruit new entrants. After you have paid in the money, you are asked to invite at least one person to join the system. There are four levels in Loom Nigeria Purple, Blue, Orange and Red. Each time eight people join the loom, the person in the centre (Red) will get the target amount and leave the group. Netsafe CEO Martin Cocker has warned that the scheme is just a pyramid scheme disguised as something new. Mr Cocker said the loom is one of the first scams that has been seen to spread successfully on social media targeting young people who wont recognise it as being a pyramid scheme. Any scam targeting people through social media is effective, because as you receive contacts from people you know, you lower your guard, Mr Cocker said. It would be pretty easy for a scammer to release a similar kind of programme and release it into social media and see how far it can go. All of the issues were about the involvement of the leadership of Miyetti Allah and getting them to prevail upon its members and they are many. We asked them to assist the administration to recover weapons which were owned by a lot of these elements, Shehu said. PDP 2019 Vice Presidential candidate, Peter Obi is presently receiving treatment at an hospital after he fell ill to an undisclosed ai... PDP 2019 Vice Presidential candidate, Peter Obi is presently receiving treatment at an hospital after he fell ill to an undisclosed ailment. The former governor Anambra State was admitted at the Rosary Hospital, Onitsha, for a few hours where his blood samples were taken to run some tests. Media Aide to Peter Obi, Valentine Obienyem confirmed this saying: He only complained of being a little feverish. Yes, he visited the hospital but has since returned and gone back to work. Like every human being, he gets sick. But what struck me this afternoon was that one of his friends that visited him, who also learnt that he visited the hospital, argued so vehemently that for a person like him, any sign of discomfort should see him of the UK for good care. I watched in amusement when Mr. Peter Obi disagreed with him by telling him that the urge to travel is because our leaders neglect the health sector. He quoted Obi as saying: There are many hospitals I can confidently visit when ever in Anambra State. I can visit Odumegwu-Ojukwu Teaching Hospital at Awka, we got it accredited. I can visit the General Hospital at Onitsha, we also got it accredited. Mr Know it today that Peter Obi can visit Our Lady of Lourdes, Ihiala; Queen of Rosary, Onitsha; Borromeo, Onitsha; St. Joseph, Adazi-Nnukwu; Diocesan Hospital, Amichi. Why do I say so? I know the resources our Government committed to these hospitals and I can testify the level of their improvement before we left office. If leaders sustain such efforts, in 20 years, nobody should be talking of medical tourism. The Police have filed fresh charges against Senator Ademola Adeleke, as he was arraigned before a Magistrate Court in Mpape, Abuja on ... The Police have filed fresh charges against Senator Ademola Adeleke, as he was arraigned before a Magistrate Court in Mpape, Abuja on Tuesday. Adeleke was arraigned on a fresh five-count charge. He was accused of forging a letter of attestation and result from Muslim Grammar School, Ede, Osun State, which he allegedly submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) before he contested the last governorship election in Osun State as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The police already have a similar charge pending before the Federal High Court, Abuja in which he is currently being tried with four others. Adeleke pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to him, following which Magistrate Muhammed Suberu granted him bail at N2 million with one surety, who must reside within the jurisdiction of the court. The Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, has said that Miyetti Allah Cattle Bre... The Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, has said that Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, is like Afenifere and Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo socio-cultural groups and thus should not be criminalised. Shehu also defended the meeting between the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu and the leadership of the Miyetti Allah. Speaking on Channels TVs Sunrise Daily on Tuesday, the presidential spokesman told Nigerians not to politicise the meeting. It is a mistake to say the Nigerian government is talking to bandits. The Miyetti Allah group is like Ohanaeze and Afenifere. It is a socio-cultural group. There are criminals within the Yoruba race and you cannot say because of that, Afenifere is a group of criminals. The Nigerian government is speaking with the leadership of the Fulani herders association, Miyetti Allah, Shehu said When asked if it is true that the herders were offered N100m to help maintain peace, Shehu replied: That is 100 per cent untrue. I have confirmed that in all the meetings held, money was never discussed. All of the issues were about the involvement of the leadership of Miyetti Allah and getting them to prevail upon its members and they are many. We asked them to assist the administration to recover weapons which were owned by a lot of these elements, Shehu said. President Muhammadu Buhari has ratified the appointment of former Minister of Commerce, Bello Maitama-Yusuf, as member of the Board of... President Muhammadu Buhari has ratified the appointment of former Minister of Commerce, Bello Maitama-Yusuf, as member of the Board of Directors of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, NRC. Special Assistant on New Media to the Governor of Jigawa State, Auwal Sankara, confirmed the appointment and revealed that Maitama-Yusuf was nominated by Muhammad Badaru Abubakar, Governor of the state. He wrote on Facebook, In recognition of his hard work, resilience and steadfastness in the progress of APC and development of Jigawa State and Nigeria at large, the Governor of Jigawa State Alhaji Muhammad Badaru Abubakar has facilitated the appointment of Senator Bello Maitama Yusuf as a Member of the Board of Directors of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC). Maitama-Yusufs appointment letter read: Pursuant to section 5 of the Nigerian Railway Corporation Act cap. N129, LFN2004, and all powers enabling the Honourable Minister of Transportation in that behalf, and consequent upon your nomination by the governor of Jigawa State, I am pleased to inform you of your appointment by the Honourable Minister, as a member of the Directors of Nigerian Railway Corporation. President Muhammadu Buhari has ratified the appointment of former Minister of Commerce, Bello Maitama-Yusuf, as member of the Board of Directors of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, NRC. Special Assistant on New Media to the Governor of Jigawa State, Auwal Sankara, confirmed the appointment and revealed that Maitama-Yusuf was nominated by Muhammad Badaru Abubakar, Governor of the state. He wrote on Facebook, In recognition of his hard work, resilience and steadfastness in the progress of APC and development of Jigawa State and Nigeria at large, the Governor of Jigawa State Alhaji Muhammad Badaru Abubakar has facilitated the appointment of Senator Bello Maitama Yusuf as a Member of the Board of Directors of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC). Maitama-Yusufs appointment letter read: Pursuant to section 5 of the Nigerian Railway Corporation Act cap. N129, LFN2004, and all powers enabling the Honourable Minister of Transportation in that behalf, and consequent upon your nomination by the governor of Jigawa State, I am pleased to inform you of your appointment by the Honourable Minister, as a member of the Directors of Nigerian Railway Corporation. Your tenure of appointment shall commence on the date of inauguration of the board and shall subsist at the pleasure of the President of the Federal republic of Nigeria, pursuant to Section 8 of the above-referenced Act. The 74-year old Maitama-Yusuf, served as Minister of Internal Affairs in 1978 and later as Minister of Commerce in 1982. He served as senator representing Jigawa South-West at the National Assembly between 1999 and 2007, initially on the platform of the All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP. He later defected to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. He also contested for the governorship of Jigawa State in 2007. President Buhari had in 1983 accused Maitama-Yusuf of corruption during his military regime between 1983 to 1985. Foreign Ministry says preparations underway for next round of talks China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged joint efforts by the United States and China to meet halfway and strive to achieve a mutually beneficial, win-win trade agreement based on mutual respect. Following a new US threat to increase tariffs on Chinese imports, the ministry announced on Monday that the Chinese team is preparing to visit the US for further economic and trade consultations. US President Donald Trump tweeted early on Sunday that he would increase tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese goods to 25 percent from the current 10 percent, beginning on Friday. His tweet came as a Chinese delegation was scheduled to continue trade talks in Washington within the week. Analysts expressed concerns about the escalation of trade tensions between the world's two largest economies and called for the two sides to shelve their differences and reach a resolution in a timely manner. Joe Kaeser, CEO of Germany-based multinational conglomerate Siemens AG, said: "We are all already worried about the China-US trade dispute. I think the whole world is worried about it because it's a dispute between the No 1 and No 2 economies. As a result, all the other countries will have a problem." The world economy has shown signs of slowdown. Major international organizations, such as the International Monetary Fund, have warned that global growth may slow this year because of head winds and uncertainties caused by trade tensions. Vincent Chan, head of China Equity Strategy Research at Credit Suisse, said he hopes the two nations can reach an agreement as soon as possible. Otherwise, the shock to the world economy could be huge, he said. "In order to reach such an agreement, both parties may have to make some compromises, or some issues, which are unable to be solved now, should be postponed. Any agreement is better than no agreement at all," Chan added. Given uncertainties brought about by the trade friction, small and medium-sized enterprises would face more difficulty in establishing new plants in other locations, he said. Ma Yu, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, said any escalation of trade tension would hurt the recovery of the world economy, especially regarding foreign direct investment. Ma said many manufacturers, especially original equipment manufacturers and small and medium-sized enterprises, would suffer heavily not only this year, but in the long run as well, because they don't have branding power and their market channels are limited. Global stock markets were generally down on Monday. In the Asia-Pacific region, the benchmark Hang Seng Index in Hong Kong dropped 2.9 percent, while Japan's Nikkei 225 Index dipped 0.22 percent. The Shanghai Composite Index slumped 5.58 percent, and the Shenzhen Component Index plunged by 7.56 percent. In Europe, the CAC 40 Index of France dropped 1.8 percent when the market opened on Monday. Market analysts said the US administration should bear in mind that a full-blown trade war would not damage China alone. It would affect US industries and workers as well as the world economy as a whole, they said. Despite any short-term pain, the Chinese economy would show more resilience in the long run, thanks to its huge domestic market, said Wang Bin, deputy director-general of the Commerce Ministry's department of market operations and consumption promotion. Lu Xiang, an expert on Sino-US relations with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said that if the US does raise tariffs on Chinese goods as Trump has threatened, the Chinese economy will be dealt a blow. But the global economy, and especially the economy of the US, will suffer to a large extent in response, Lu said, because China will not sit idly and allow its interests to be trodden upon. China has shown more entrenched signs of stabilization, as its first-quarter GDP growth came in at 6.4 percent, halting recent slides. The purchasing managers index, a leading indicator of economic prospects, also performed well in the past two months, adding to the possibility that the economy may be recovering. The Nigeria police force has defended the detention of Ademola Adeleke, lawmaker representing Osun west senatorial district. Speak... The Nigeria police force has defended the detention of Ademola Adeleke, lawmaker representing Osun west senatorial district. Speaking on Monday, Frank Mba, force spokesman, said Adeleke was detained in connection with ongoing criminal investigations against him. Recall we had reported how the police detained Adeleke, who was candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2018 governorship election in Osun state. The senator had honoured an invitation at the force headquarters in Abuja before he was detained. Mba revealed Adeleke will be charged to court on Tuesday. He said: Senator Adeleke is currently in police custody. He was taken into custody in the evening of today 6th May, 2019 in connection with ongoing criminal investigations touching on his person. Meanwhile, in the best tradition of natural justice and fair hearing, he has already been served with the relevant charge sheet containing his alleged offences in the presence of his Attorneys. He will be arraigned in a competent court of law tomorrow, 7th May, 2019. The police had arraigned Adeleke for alleged examination malpractice. But his campaign organisation accused the force of working for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) over the detention. The principal of the secondary school attended by Senator Adeleke testified through affidavit before Bwari High Court that the school indeed issued the testimonial. WAEC equally testified that the Senator sat for the examination. For the Police to revive this old clarified issue confirms political vendetta, it said in a statement. Photo: Xinhua A military spokesperson said that the People's Liberation Army will stay on high alert and take all necessary measures to protect national sovereignty and security and safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea, after two US ships illegally entered the area. Senior Colonel Li Huamin, a spokesperson of the Southern Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army, made the remarks after they discovered US guided-missile destroyers Preble and Chung Hoon traveling close to the Nansha Islands on Monday. The command had identified and warned the ships to leave in accordance with laws, Li said in a statement released on the command's WeChat account on Monday afternoon. China owns indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha Islands and their adjacent waters, Li noted. Geng Shuang, a spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, expressed China's strong discontent and firm opposition to the US destroyers' behavior at a routine press conference on Monday. The behavior violated China's sovereignty, disturbed regional peace and stability, he noted. The two destroyers traveled within 12 nautical miles of the Nancun and Chigua reefs in the Nansha Islands, according to Geng. "The situation in the South China Sea is improving thanks to the efforts of China and ASEANcountries," Geng said, urging the US to stop such provocative operations. The operations are the latest of the US to threaten China's sovereignty in the South China Sea under the name of freedom of navigation, which experts said is just "an excuse for the US to stir up tensions in the region and contain China." "The US' excuse of freedom of navigation does not stand because international law never allowed US warships to freely enter another country's territorial waters," Zhang Junshe, a senior research fellow at the PLA Naval Military Studies Research Institute, told the Global Times on Monday. "As you can see, the situation in the South China Sea has already stabilized. Countries directly involved, including the Philippines, all agreed to peacefully solve the problems through dialogue and negotiations, and these countries are now focusing on economic cooperation," Zhang noted. Countries like Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines and Brunei sent naval vessels to China in April, joining the celebrations of the PLA Navy's 70th anniversary. Following the celebrations, China held a joint naval exercise with the Southeast Asian countries in Qingdao, East China's Shandong Province, from April 24-26. These show that countries around the South China Sea want peace and stability in the region, which is being sabotaged by US actions, according to Zhang. 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. Chinese President Xi Jinping reiterated that the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative should focus on high quality and sustainability so that the platform would yield more beneficial results to the world. (Graphic from Global Times) Xi made the remarks during a press conference at the closing of the Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF) in Beijing on Saturday, April 27. The BRF, which was held from April 25 to April 27, attracted 5,000 participants from more than 150 countries and 90 international organizations. A total of 283 items of practical outcomes were achieved during the three-day forum and cooperation agreements worth more than $64 billion were signed at a CEO conference on April 25. A joint communique released after a leaders roundtable meeting at the forum on April 27 stressed that cooperation of BRI should be open, green and clean, and based on extensive consultations, joint efforts, shared and mutual benefits. Chinese analysts said that the results show that the BRI has entered a new phase that focuses on practical and high-quality implementation of projects. The communique and President Xis speeches also demonstrate that China does listen to suggestions from partners and is proactively improving BRI projects according to their needs, Huo Jianguo, vice chairman of the China Society for World Trade Organization Studies, told the Global Times. It also shows Chinas commitment to following international rules and regulations to achieve long-term and mutually beneficial results for BRI projects, said Huo. Participants agreed that the forum is an important platform for multilateral cooperation, and should be held on a regular basis, Xi said. In the joint communique, participants said that they look forward to the third BRF. Its a very important opportunity for opinion leaders and decision makers to get together to share their views and agree on the common ground for further steps of cooperation and development, said Massimo Bagnasco, vice president of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China. For Mansoor Lari, CEO of the India's Silk Route Trade and Industry Development Cooperation, the BRF has given a roadmap for the company to focus on an aggressive market promotion to increase exporting Indian products to China and to facilitate the participation of Indian small- and medium-sized enterprises. He said that a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed with Chinese partners to promote AI and block chain synergies. Sushil K. Lamsal, deputy chief of mission at the Embassy of Nepal, called the second BRF a historic event as it provides guideposts and priorities for the future trajectory of BRI cooperation. Our two countries have already agreed to enhance such cooperation under the rubric of trans-Himalayan connectivity networks. So, I believe theres a bright future for bilateral cooperation under this landmark initiative, said Lamsal. Global benefits So far, more than 150 countries and international organizations have signed BRI cooperation documents with China. From 2013 to 2018, trade between China and other Belt and Road countries surpassed $6 trillion, and Chinas investment in those countries exceeds $90 billion. Because of the cooperation under the BRI, eastern Africa has its own expressway, the Maldives has its first inter-island bridge, Belarus can produce cars and the number of freight trains between China and Europe is on the rise, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said at a press conference in March. The BRI is a very important and positive initiative which China is offering to the world. It greatly contributes to global peace and stability, said Sigfrido Reyes, president of the Export and Investment Promotion Agency of El Salvador. Through increased trade connectivity, investment and technological exchanges, many countries in the world could benefit from the initiative, said Reyes. We could accelerate our development via BRI platforms as well, he said. In our country, there is an infrastructure deficit to fill, such as building more ports, airports, railways and highways. And we also need to increase our digital connectivity, Reyes told the Global Times. The purpose of these activities is to mitigate poverty, create new and high-quality jobs. And at the same time, we also need to tackle problems like climate change and managing natural resources, he said. In the month leading up to the forum, Italy and Luxembourg became the latest European countries to sign BRI cooperation documents. Twenty-two European countries had signed BRI cooperation documents with China. Amedeo Scarpa, director of the Italy Trade Agency in Beijing, told the Global Times that the economic systems of China and Italy are very complementary. BRI could facilitate and further boost this growing and promising trade and business cooperation between Italy and China, said Scarpa. We expect economic and trade opportunities to benefit from this renewed climate of strategic collaboration, said Scarpa. Not a political tool When asked whether they think China is seeking global hegemony through the initiative, BRF attendees stressed that as the world seeks new ways to address challenges such as climate change, poverty and illnesses, China should not be blamed for offering proposals or solutions. BRI emphasizes incorporation, not confrontation, Reyes said. And in the end, it will benefit not only China, but also the international community, and I would never expect anything but a large contribution from Chinas leadership to further address the current global challenges, Reyes said. Bagnasco noted that with the rise of protectionism, China has a great opportunity to assume leadership on many global issues - such as climate change - within the framework of existing multilateral institutions. It can also help work toward much needed WTO reforms, as it has agreed to do along with the EU, through the EU-China Joint Working Group, Bagnasco noted. Reyes said he doesnt share the concerns of the alleged debt trap issue of BRI. China has put a lot of effort and resources to make this initiative a reality, and that includes providing favorable financing terms for developing countries. Reyes noted that he was also impressed with Chinas commitment to the initiatives transparency. Every project should be closely scrutinized, not only in this initiative. That is the rule for every project in the world. I think this is a very important message to corporations that these initiatives should be free from corruption, said Reyes. The International Horticultural Exhibition 2019 Beijing (Beijing Expo 2019) recently raised curtain. 110 countries and international organizations, as well as over 120 unofficial exhibitors gathered at the foot of the majestic Great Wall and by the beautiful Guishui River. Tourists take pictures in front of a flower parterre, which is set up to celebrate the 2019 Beijing International Horticultural Exhibition, April 29. (Photo by Weng Qiyu from Peoples Daily Online) The event is the highest-level and largest international fair held in China after the International Horticultural Exhibition held in the southwestern city of Kunming in 1999, the 2010 Shanghai World Expo and the first China International Import Expo in 2018. Hailed as the Olympic Games of the horticultural world and themed Live Green, Live Better, the Beijing Expo 2019 aims to promote respect for nature and a better life in harmony with nature. It is bound to become an energetic international gathering and a great platform for global communication and cooperation in the horticulture sector. It is our hope that this Expo Park, designed to blend into its splendid surrounding landscape, will show the world the vision of green development. Chinese President Xi Jinpings remarks at the opening ceremony of the Beijing Expo 2019 well explained the philosophy and practices to promote ecological progress and build a beautiful China. Revealing the close relation between ecological conservation and the future of human, he made five proposals for the participating guests to preserve what gives the planet life and embrace green development. Xis speech, showing profound and far-reaching visions, has triggered active response among the participants and aroused broad attention from the international society. The history of civilizations shows that the rise or fall of a civilization is closely tied to its relationship with nature. Ecological environment serves as the foundation for human survival and development, and the changes of ecological environment has a direct impact on the rise and fall of civilizations. It is said that man has conquered natural force by means of science and his creative talent, while natural force has also avenged man, said Friedrich Engels. Mankind has experienced rapid development of traditional industries since the start of industrial civilization. However, they are also over-exploiting the natural resources when creating huge material wealth, which has broken the circulation and balance of the original ecological system of the earth and led to tension between human being and the nature. Drawing experiences from history, President Xi pointed out that development without considering the future is not sustainable, and the way forward should be green development that focuses on harmony with nature and eco-friendly progress. Only by advocating harmony between man and nature can our children and childrens children have material wealth and enjoy starry skies, green mountains and sweet flowers. Building an ecological civilization is of fundamental importance for the sustainable development of the Chinese nation. Lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets. Environment is the peoples livelihood, green mountains are beautiful, and blue skies provide happiness. The above remarks were made by Xi, who is at the core of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China. They profoundly explained the major theoretical and practical issues, such as why, what kind of and how ecological civilization should be built, systematically developing Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization and offering important guidance on advancing ecological progress in the new era. Today, Chinas ecological and environmental protection is going through historical, transitional, and overall changes. Given the widely accepted ideas of ecological civilization, the Chinese people are making concerted efforts to promote ecological progress and build a beautiful China. With a philosophy of Make horticulture part of nature; Let nature touch the soul, as well as a goal of A new horizon of world horticulture; A new model of ecological conservation, the Beijing Expo 2019 is demonstrating the outcomes of Chinas efforts in promoting ecological progress and has become an important platform to enhance global communication and cooperation of the green industries. It is an important opportunity to carry forward the concept of green development, and promote the transition of ecological development models and peoples lifestyles. Besides, it is also a practice to build a beautiful China. A beautiful homeland is the shared aspiration of mankind. In the face of environmental challenges, all countries are in a community with destinies linked. As an important participant, contributor, and leading force of global ecological civilization construction, China supports to accelerate the building of an ecological system that reveres nature and advocates green development. In addition, the country is committed to delivering more benefits to people in the Belt and Road countries through ecologic progress and related practices. At the Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation which has just drawn to a successful conclusion, guests agreed that they will pursue open and green development in Belt and Road cooperation. The five proposals raised by President Xi called on countries to advocate harmony between man and nature, pursue prosperity through green development, follow a philosophy that cares for nature, adopt a scientific approach to ecological conservation and join hands to meet common challenges. These proposals manifested Chinese wisdom that advocates ecological civilization and green development, reflected Chinas responsibility to push for the joint building of a beautiful earth, and a community with a shared future for mankind. They also serve as an important approach to embrace a clean and beautiful world. Lush mountains, green fields, singing birds and blossoming flowers offer more than beauty to the eye. They are the basis for future development. The horticultural expo provides an opportunity to show the world the vision of green development. Through concerted efforts to promote ecological progress and passing on the baton of conservation, we are bound to build a better planet, the only home for mankind. Knowledge is the core that drives innovation, and intellectual property rights (IPR) are a vital strategic resource that countries need in pursing growth and in boosting international competitiveness. A better protection constitutes the most prior part in optimizing the IPR system and the most powerful stimulus for bolstering economic competitiveness. Without innovation, there will be no progress, Chinese President Xi Jinping pointed out in the keynote speech he delivered at the opening ceremony of the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF). China will strengthen international cooperation in intellectual property rights protection, Xi said. His remarks have showcased Chinas strong determination to strengthen IPR protection, and are of vital significance for promoting a higher level of opening up and turning China into a safe land for unleashing the value of intellectual property. Strengthening IPR protection is not only necessary to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of both domestic and foreign companies, but also an inherent requirement for building China into an innovation-driven country and promoting high-quality development. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), the CPC Central Committee has remained committed to the new development philosophy and placed top importance on innovation-driven development. China has seen a rising number of innovation-oriented companies under the national strategy to achieve innovation-driven development. As more foreign companies come to the Chinese market and Chinese enterprises go global, the voice calling for stronger IPR protection has become louder. It is hoped that through effective IPR protection, the passion for innovation is encouraged and new sources of innovation are cultivated. China protected IPR on a voluntary basis, instead of being forced to do so, just as it has acted proactively in addressing global climate change. China has made noticeable accomplishments in IPR protection. Since reform and opening up, the country has established a comprehensive and high-standard legal system of IPR, an achievement which could take developed countries decades or more than a century to make. Unremitting efforts have been made by China in juridical protection of IPR. It not only deals with the largest number of IPR cases, patent cases in particular, but also makes itself one of the countries taking the shortest time for review of IPR cases concerning foreign countries. Besides, the country offers both administrative and juridical protection for IPR. In 2018, China paid $35.8 billion for IPR royalties to foreign countries, rising to the 4th largest importer of IPR royalties worldwide. China allows a gigantic market and fair exchange for other countries to leverage the value of their intellectual property assets. Like other countries, China also needs to take further efforts to strengthen IPR protection. Property rights protection, especially IPR protection, represents an important facet of a good business environment. To expand a new round of higher-level opening-up calls for strengthened efforts of IPR protection. Guided by the important speech given by Xi, who is also General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, we should create a business environment that respects the value of knowledge, and encourage stricter adherence to the spirit of contract among enterprises, social groups and individuals, including staff members of the public sector. China will take efforts to improve the legal system for IPR protection, revise related laws, regulations, and normative documents, to ensure that technology transfer is based on willingness and rules of the market. We should say no to forced technology transfer, ease or lift restrictions on the share of foreign-owned equity, and eradicate unreasonable conducts and rules that distort the market. China will substantially raise the cost of violations by punishing IPR infringements of foreign investors in a law-biding manner, and establishing a punishment system for infringements. It will also enhance coordination on IPR protection, combine efforts of different departments, align administrative and juridical protection in IPR protection. The country will enhance law enforcement, simplify the procedures and lower the cost for rights guarding and step up protection efforts. To reinforce protection of IPR according to the law, including business secrets of domestic and foreign investors, will help build a sound business environment, stimulate the vitality of innovation, and turn China into major producer of IPR from a major consumer of IPR. There is no best, only better IPR protection. In the new round of emerging scientific and technological revolution, the world is facing increasingly complicated challenges concerning cooperation on innovation and IPR protection, and countries have to deal with such issues as recognition of intellectual property rights, spread of technology and fair and equitable sharing of benefits. China encourages and supports domestic and foreign companies to carry out technology cooperation based on willingness and market rules, so as to achieve mutual benefits and win-win results. The country is willing to work with other countries and related international organizations to strengthen strategic collaboration on IPR protection, reinforce legal cooperation, enhance alignment of policies, exchange experiences on law enforcement and information, conduct joint law enforcement, in order to build an open, inclusive, balanced and effective international IPR protection system. The country will stay committed to the principle of propelling innovation-driven development and technology transfer with the international property system, so as to inject more vitality into global economy and open a broader space for development of all countries. At the International Pavilion of the 2019 Expo, 94 flower umbrellas are clustered together to form a white flower sea. (Photo by Weng Qiyu from Peoples Daily Online) A grand international horticultural exhibition, scheduled to kick off on Monday, April 29, is widely seen as the best way to demonstrate Chinas achievements and commitment to global ecological construction. President Xi Jinping attended the opening ceremony on Sunday evening, calling for the pursuit of harmony between man and nature. Xi said that the overall balance of the Earths ecology should be maintained, so that the starry sky, lush mountains and floral fragrance will be retained for future generations who will enjoy material prosperity at the same time, the Xinhua News Agency reported. Lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets and improving ecological environment is increasing productivity, Xi said. The theory was first raised by Xi in 2005 during an inspection tour to Anji, East Chinas Zhejiang Province. Xi reaffirmed the theory during several inspection tours after the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) was convened in 2012. He proposed embracing simple, moderate, green and low-carbon ways of life, and making the idea of ecological and environmental conservation the mainstream culture in society. This is the second high-level horticultural expo held in China after the first one hosted in Kunming, capital of Southwest Chinas Yunnan Province in 1999. The expo is being held at a 503-hectare site at the foot of the Great Wall in Beijings Yanqing district, which is a national progress demonstration district and an innovative base for practicing the theory of lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets, an expo brochure reads. From April 29 until October 7, more than 16 million visitors are expected at the expo, which will host 2,500 activities, including academic conferences, horticulture competitions and flower parades, officials from the organizing committee said at a press conference on Thursday, April 25. Eighty-six countries and regions, as well as 24 international organizations, will display horticultural arts alongside domestic exhibitors from 31 provincial-level administrations, officials said. The expo will provide opportunities for the world to see what China has achieved as there are many greening programs around Beijing, such as the Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Program, said Ding Yifan, a research fellow of the Institute of World Development at the State Councils Development Research Center. It will also be a platform for different countries to exchange experiences in green development, Ding said. The Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Program - dubbed the Great Green Wall - was launched in 1978 to halt desertification and provide a green buffer zone from Chinas arid northern regions. The project had rehabilitated 33.6 million hectares of desert land as of November 2018, China Central Television (CCTV) reported. Geng Liwen, an expo volunteer from the Beijing Forestry University, told the Global Times on April 28 that she is happy to see more Chinese people paying attention to the idea of green development. This will benefit sectors related to forestry, including parks and city planning," she said. Green ideology One of the keys to Chinas great achievement in green development is participation by governments, business and local residents, Ding said. China accelerated the promotion of green development after the 18th CPC National Congress. Since then, it had implemented more than 40 plans, including establishing an accountability system, a national park system and cracking down on imports of foreign waste to enhance construction of an ecological civilization, the Peoples Daily reported on April 28. Between 2013 and 2018, China reforested 40 million hectares, boosting the countrys total forest coverage to 215 million hectares, said the report. This year also marks the 40th anniversary of Chinas National Tree Planting Day, which takes place every year on March 12. In the past 40 years, Chinas forest area and forest stock volume have doubled, the Xinhua News Agency reported. The proportion of Chinas contribution to the worlds vegetation increase also ranks first. A NASA report released in February revealed that China accounted for at least one-fourth of the 5 percent increase in global green leaf areas between 2000 and 2017, although this also includes cropland. Chinese enterprises also showed innovation in mobilizing Chinese people to plant trees. For example, Alipay, the mobile and online payment service of Chinas e-commerce giant Alibaba Group Holding, launched a program in 2016 to help users to plant real trees in arid areas by collecting virtual energy points through a low-carbon lifestyle. The program had planted more than 55 million trees covering about 507 square kilometers across China as of February. Besides planting trees, efforts have also been made in China to adjust the energy structure and control industrial discharge. The proportion of coal consumption has decreased by 1.4 percent to 59 percent of the countrys total energy consumption in 2018, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. China Business Card - The 70th Anniversary Exhibition of RMB issuance in Shanghai (Photo by Zhou Dongchao from Peoples Daily Online) The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has fueled the yuans internationalization, particularly in the past two to three years as work on related projects accelerated. In Southeast Asia where economic relations with China are closer than in other countries and regions the yuan usage is getting popular, one expert told the Global Times on Monday, April 29. However, he said that relatively strict foreign exchange policies in many BRI markets, as well as insufficient branch network of domestic financial institutions in those markets, are restricting the yuans internationalization in the short term. On the positive side, the growing pace of yuan use in BRI countries has been faster than the yuans overall usage in the world in recent years. The trend is particularly evident in some Southeast Asian countries like Singapore, Zhou Yu, director of the Research Center of International Finance at the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on April 29. The Shanghai Sunrise Polymer Material Co is providing services and materials for several BRI construction projects in Laos, Malaysia, Cambodia and some African countries. The companys director Fu Lefeng told the Global Times on April 29 that business settlements in those markets are shifting from a mostly US-dollar settlement pattern to a mixed currency settlement pattern where the yuan, local currencies and the US dollar are all used. For example, in Laos, we often settle balances in yuan while in Malaysia we often settle balances in the ringgit, he said. According to Fu, this change is taking place very naturally as local companies gradually accept yuan settlement in their increasingly active business interaction with Chinese companies. This trend is also facilitated by rapid business expansion of Chinese banks in BRI countries, he said. According to a statement the Bank of China sent to the Global Times Friday, April 26, it has set up 12 offshore yuan-clearing banks, some of which are located in BRI countries like Malaysia. It is also helping local companies use the yuan for business settlement in countries along the routes of the BRI. As a Chinese company, we of course want to settle balances in yuan, which would help us avoid many exchange rate risks, Fu said. But Zhou cautioned that the strict foreign exchange policies in BRI countries, which are in general tighter compared with the developed countries, will hinder the yuans internationalization. Chinas State Administration of Foreign Exchange on April 22 published a report summarizing the foreign exchange policies of 123 countries and regions that have signed BRI cooperation documents with China. According to this report, those countries have different foreign exchange policies but most of them impose some level of restrictions, like cross-border capital flow controls, quota management programs and currency exchange limits. Fu also said that BRI countries differ in terms of the tightness of their foreign exchange policies. Some allow capital to flow relatively freely in and out. Some, like Laos, are tight on foreign exchange management. But in general, those policies wouldnt impact Chinese companies local business too much, he said. Zhou said that this problem can be eased by the signing of agreements between central banks in China and in BRI countries to open an extra channel for their investment projects. He also said that Chinese banks branches in BRI countries remain inadequate, but it will take some time for this situation to improve. In the long term, I believe the yuans internationalization will be an evitable trend. It will also be a trend that not only benefits China but benefits BRI countries as many of those countries are also thirsty for foreign exchange, he noted. Malaysias housing ministry is currently in discussions with Chinese companies to build 100,000 houses this year for Malaysias low-income population, Zuraida Kamaruddin, Minister of Housing and Local Government of Malaysia, told the Global Times. On March 5, 2019, the Viking Ocean ro-ro ship carrying 2,602 domestic cars slowly drove away from the Meixi Roll-Royed Ferry Terminal in Zhoushan, Ningbo, to Malaysia and Israel. (Photo by Tang Jiankai from Peoples Daily Online) Kamaruddin, who is in Beijing for the Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, said they have signed MOUs with six Chinese companies, including China Railway Engineering Company, which will not only provide capital but also be responsible for the construction of the 100,000 houses. The program is part of the Malaysian governments plan to build 1 million affordable homes within the next 10 years for the countrys poor. Kamaruddin noted to the Global Times that the Chinese companies are willing to help Malaysia. Both sides will work on a plan, including how to use Malaysias state sovereignty as guarantee. The plan is expected to be achieved in two months, after which construction would begin. About 10 percent of the 100,000 houses belong to the Bandar Malaysia project, which Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said last week would be resumed after being abandoned in 2017. The announcement came after the prime minister decided to resume work on the East Coast Rail Link this month. The 140-billion ringgit ($34 billion) Bandar Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur is expected to attract financial institutions and companies and will become an interchange for a number of rail lines, AFP reported. We suspended [Chinese projects] because we are the new government. So when we took over, we needed to review the projects, Kamaruddin told the Global Times. She noted that after a thorough review, they found these Chinese projects reliable, and that the Chinese companies "will be able to do the projects." In the original plan, the Bandar Malaysia didnt include the 10,000 affordable houses, but Kamaruddin requested their inclusion because she wants poor people to live in the city. This could reduce their expenses, she said. She stressed that as both governments have agreed on the two major projects, the Chinese investors should be more confident as the governments are backing them up. They [Chinese companies] are very excited to construct the houses, she said. According to Kamaruddin, the industrialized building system (IBS) method will be used to build the houses to cut costs. The construction of each house will be limited to less than 300,000 ringgit, according to the minister. Kamaruddin proposed rent-for-own, which means people pay the rent for five years and on the sixth year, they will have the option to buy the house. At least 30 percent of the houses will adopt the rent-for-own mode. According to the minister, the Chinese companies will get their investment back with minimum interest five years after the completion of the construction. Malaysia also wants Chinese investment in infrastructure and is considering to include Huawei in developing the countrys smart cities, she said. Kamaruddin said there was a time when they didnt have a clear picture of the BRI, so they were concerned that the Chinese would come to invest and then take something from Malaysia. This is a wrong perception. Now we understand the system [of the BRI], that China wants to spread its knowledge to other countries because its willing to help. Its not only because of business, but about transferring and sharing knowledge. She stressed that shes not worried about the so-called debt trap. I bring Chinese investment and develop the countrys economy. If I have this project, there will be more jobs in Malaysia. Konjo county in Southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region effectively used WeChat groups to motivate residents to help crack down on gang crimes, amid a nationwide tendency to use the advantages of social media to fight crimes. Experts said that using social media will not only help authorities gather evidence but will also make it convenient for residents to report tips. Since the beginning of the year, Konjo authorities have gathered more than 2,000 messages through WeChat groups of local villages and neighborhood committees, the Tibet Daily reported on Monday. The WeChat groups were established as part of the county authorities' efforts to urge residents to stay away from gangs and illegal organizations, the Tibet Daily reported. Some gangs in the Tibetan region have colluded with the Dalai clique, serving as a base to help the clique spread separatism and create separatist incidents, Zhu Weiqun, former head of the Ethnic and Religious Affairs Committee of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, China's top political advisory body, told the Global Times on Monday. "The Dalai clique is very good at using modern communications channels, including WeChat, to spread separatism," Zhu noted. Members of these groups are local residents. Resident representatives have been selected and are required to report at least one message a day during certain period of time. Local authorities will confirm these messages and reward the reporters according to the messages' authenticity, timeliness and value. The Tibet Daily report did not mention how many people have been rewarded so far or how much the rewards were. Other Chinese cities and regions, including Hefei, East China's Anhui Province, and Yinzhou district of Ningbo, have also reportedly used WeChat groups to crack down on gang crimes. Engineering researchers receive NSF grant to study power generation using human sweat BINGHAMTON, NY -- The National Science Foundation has awarded a grant to faculty at Binghamton University, State University of New York for research to generate power from human sweat. Binghamton University's Seokheun Choi, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering, and Ahyeon Koh, assistant professor of biomedical engineering, will attempt to generate an innovative, practical and longstanding power source from human sweat, which is one of the few available energy resources on the skin, by using the metabolisms of sweat-eating bacteria. Their project is titled "Power-on-Skin: Energy Generation from Sweat-Eating Bacteria for Self-Powered Electronic Skins." Electronics skin, or e-skin, refers to flexible, stretchable and self-healing electronics that are able to mimic functionalities of human skin. Choi said that sweat-based power sources have a lot of potential. Devices that scavenge energy from sweat could be a superior substitute for conventional batteries, energy storage devices and other energy harvesting devices for future e-skin applications. "Among many energy-harvesting devices for e-skins, biochemical energy harvesting from human sweat is arguably the most underdeveloped because of immature technologies," said Choi. "Nonetheless, excitement is building for scavenging power from sweat, as it is the most suitable energy source for skin-contacting devices. Sweat is readily and constantly available in sufficient quantities, can be acquired non-invasively, and contains a rich variety of chemical and biological entities that can produce electricity." E-skins have recently emerged as a novel platform for electronics, taking on more important roles in health diagnostics, therapeutics and monitoring. Stand-alone and self-sustained e-skins are essential to providing reliable, effective and sometimes life-saving functions, and Choi said these devices are the future of technology. "Electronic skins or 'e-skins' have now reached the 'tipping point'," said Choi. "With the development of stretchable, biocompatible and self-healing electronic materials, significant research efforts are dedicated to the seamless and intimate integration of electronics with human skin, which will produce breakthroughs in human-machine interfaces, health monitoring, transdermal drug delivery and soft robotics. As the emerging technologies of artificial intelligence and the internet of things are advancing at a rapid pace, e-skins will definitely be one of the ultimate forms of next-generation electronics." While e-skins provide many benefits, they require a stable power supply. Therefore, a realistic and accessible power source is urgently needed for a next-generation of smart, stand-alone, always-on e-skin systems. However, this is a challenge because human skin intimately integrated with e-skins is an extremely harsh environment for power generation, as skin is cool, dry, acidic and lacks potential energy sources. Thus, researchers believe that using the metabolisms of sweat-eating bacteria, including human skin microorganisms or ammonia-oxidizing microorganisms, will successfully create a power source for new e-skins. "The proposed sweat-powered batteries will be based on microbial fuel cells (MFCs), which will exploit sweat-eating bacteria to transform the chemical energy of sweat into electrical power through bacterial metabolism," said Choi. While sweat-generated batteries are intended to power e-skins, Choi said this project has the potential to impact more than just the e-skin market. "Scientific knowledge gained from this project will have far-reaching implications and support long-term goals of a truly stand-alone and self-powered e-skin that operates independently and self-sustainably," said Choi. "The project outcomes will address grand challenges in sensing and power sectors critical to U.S. security and competitiveness, through enabling skin-mountable electronics that will augment human capabilities, and well-being by providing a tool that can improve many healthcare devices. Therefore, the proposed research has potentially far-reaching social and economic effects linked to health monitors, human-machine interfaces, soft robotics, medical therapies and disease diagnostics. ### This story has been published on: 2019-05-07. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Photo via People's Daily China tops the world in the number of geological parks at 39 after two geological parks in eastern China got approved to be part of the Global Network of National Geoparks. The two geological parks - Jiuhuashan National Geopark in East Chinas Anhui province and Yimengshan Geopark in East Chinas Shandong province - were recently approved to become part of the network at the 206th meeting of the Executive Board of UNESCO. Jiuhuashan National Geopark covers an area of 139.7 square kilometers, with three sites of world-class geological relics, while Yimengshan Geopark spreads across an area of 1,804.76 square kilometers, boasting rocks that date back to 2.8 billion years as well as Chinas earliest Kimberlite. As the initiator of the establishment of national geological parks, China has had a soaring number of geological parks in recent years, marking the worlds fastest growth in geopark numbers. Since 2000, the nation launched a campaign to set up and protect national-level geological parks, with a series of measures including educational activities to spread knowledge on geology. The geopark-related service industry is also thriving and steps have been taken to help alleviate poverty. For instance, Chixi Village in southeast Chinas Fujian province has created over 190,000 jobs in 2017 alone thanks to Taimushan Geopark, which also helped achieved an increased income of over 448 million yuan for villagers. Ma Huateng, chairman and CEO of Tencent, addresses the main forum of the ongoing second Digital China Summit in Fuzhou, East China's Fujian province. [Photo by Hu Meidong/chinadaily.com.cn] E-governance has been playing a significant role in deepening reforms to delegate power, streamline administration and optimize government services and the business climate in China, said a senior official from China's top internet watchdog. More efforts should be made to construct a national unified online governance platform with better service quality and a greater utilization rate of resources, Yang Xiaowei, deputy head of the Cyberspace Administration of China, said at a sub-forum of the second Digital China Summit in Fuzhou, East China's Fujian province on Monday. As a spearhead of china's reform and opening-up, Guangdong province is leading the nation's development of digital governance. A recent government report ranked Guangdong first among the 31 provinces and municipalities in that respect, followed by Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Guizhou, Shanghai and Anhui. The result is largely attributable to the province's big push in beefing up reform and innovation of administration systems as well as its cooperation pattern with companies such as Tencent Holding Ltd, according to Zhang Hu, vice governor of Guangdong. The Shenzhen-based tech behemoth joined forces with the nation's three major telecom carriers and launched a company responsible for the operation of all the province's e-governance platforms at different levels. In less than a year, Yueshengshi, a mobile app jointly developed by the companies, has accumulated over 10 million users and handled 130 million government service and approval requirements, official data show. Ma Huateng, chairman and CEO of Tencent, noted that Guangdong's move to empower businesses to operate is in line with the development trend of digital techs including cloud computing, which demand higher updating efficiency and frequency. He lauded the province's practice of assessing the effectiveness of government services by the popularity of e-government platforms among local residents, which had enabled Tencent to fully leverage its prowess in personal terminal services. On top of Tencent, Alibaba Group Holding Ltd, another tech giant in China, is also fueling the digitalization of the country. According to Hu Xiaoming, president of Ant Financial, the mobile payment arm of Alibaba, over 500 million people from 442 cities across China, accounting for a quarter of the nation's population, accessed life and government services including paying utility bills, withdrawing housing provident funds and applying for electronic driving licenses on Alipay in 2018. Lu Xiangdong, deputy head of e-governance at the General Office of the State Council, revealed that the nation has accelerated the pace of constructing a national unified online government service platform underpinned by regional ones. China has seen a notable improvement in business climate through the relentless efforts to enhance its governance capacity and efficiency in recent years. The World Bank's report of Doing Business 2019 ranked China number 46, up by 32 spots from 2017. Two months after China grounded the Boeing 737 MAX, four aircrafts of this model were shifted from airports in Shanghai to two cities in northern China for storage, media reports said on Monday. On Monday morning, four Boeing 737 MAX jets of Shanghai Airlines landed in Lanzhou, Northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region and Taiyuan, North China's Shanxi Province, domestic news site yicai.com said. The Civil Aviation Administration of China ordered all domestic carriers to stop flying the Boeing 737 MAX on March 11, after one crashed in Ethiopia, killing 157 people. Shanghai Airlines has 11 Boeing 737 MAX planes that are grounded and they will also fly to Taiyuan and Lanzhou for safe storage from Monday, the report said. The adjustment is due to weather factors. As the rainy season is coming to Shanghai, and Taiyuan and Lanzhou are drier than the city, the shift was made to preserve the aircraft from possible corrosion, the report said. The move is similar to Southwest Airlines of the US ferrying many of its Boeing 737 MAX jets to the Southern California Logistic Airport, which is in a desert, for storage. A total of 96 Boeing 737 MAX planes have stopped flying in China, including 24 from China Southern Airlines, 15 from Air China and 10 from Xiamenair, according to the report. As the grounding began after China's annual Spring Festival travel rush (Chunyun), which ended on March 1, and due to restricted flight capability, many domestic air carriers' revenue will not be heavily affected in the short term, the report said. But as the number of Boeing 737 MAX accounts for a relatively large portion of transport capacity in the next two years, and if the problem remains unresolved until the peak season which begins after June, the capacity increase will be significantly constrained, according to a report from Industrial Securities. Valmet to Supply a Quality Management System to Cartones Ponderosa in Mexico Valmet's delivery consists of a Valmet IQ Quality Control System (QCS) with three scanners and related measurements and controls. May 7, 2019 - Valmet will supply a Valmet IQ Quality Management Solution to Cartones Ponderosa's cartonboard machine BM1 in Mexico. The comprehensive solution will improve machine efficiency and the overall end-product quality, Valmet said. Typically, the value of these kinds of automation system deliveries is below EUR two million, Valmet added. "[The quality management system] provides measurements for fiber analysis online, coating characteristics, such as surface topography, and PPS (Parker Print Surf) direct photographic readings for printability predictions. With our solution, the mill can achieve its desired end-product properties with improved efficiency," explained Miguel Sagahon, Sales Manager, Automation, Valmet. Valmet's delivery consists of a Valmet IQ Quality Control System (QCS) with three scanners and related measurements and controls. The scope of basis weight, coating and moisture measurements and controls is complemented with surface topography, fiber orientation, optical caliper as well as gloss measurements and controls. About Cartones Ponderosa Cartones Ponderosa, based in Mexico, produces and supplies recycled coated board for the manufacture of folding cartons. The company produces more than 50% of the total Mexican recycled coated board grades and is the only exporter in its field. Located in San Juan del Rio, Queretaro, the mill started production in 1979 with a total capacity of 66,000 tons per year. At present, it produces 240,000 tons per year and is continuously investing in its boxboard machine, making it one of the most productive and efficient machines on the continent. Valmet is a leading global developer and supplier of process technologies, automation and services for the pulp, paper and energy industries. To learn more, please visit: www.valmet.com SOURCE: Valmet Before this year's Met Gala, noted British designer Ozwald Boateng presented what he called "an immersive fashion experience" in Harlem's legendary Apollo Theater, sponsored by British Airways. The show began with a short film about African storytelling and the future of AI. The collection on view aimed to show the ways a person can express authenticity in this day and age. To do this, Boateng presented a range of clothes that prioritized a type of unbothered casual elegance invoking both the essence of Harlem Renaissance icons and African royalty through silken fabrics, dynamic shapes, and vibrant prints. Additionally, the event featured musical performances from The Harlem Orchestra and opera singer John Holiday. Items were also available to be bought via see now/buy now, exclusively on Vero, who live-streamed the show. Further, adding to the show's focus on tech, Boateng redefined what AI could mean by promoting different acronym breakdowns online, from "Authentic Identity" to "Ancestral Identity." Nothing artificial about this form of artistic intelligence. Boateng and British Airways first joined forces last year, when the airline announced him as the next British designer to create new uniform styles for their 32,000 employees who wear them for their roles. "We live in a time where Authentic Identity is becoming a crucial part of who we are and the journey we are on," Boateng says. "My journey continues through working with British Airways on the new uniform, something I am proud and excited to share next with the world." Until those are unveiled, see what guests wore to Boateng's Apollo presentation: And here's what showed on the runway: Bolton's War With Iran 05/07/19 By Paul Pillar (source: LobeLog) John Bolton: "Head Of The B-Team" (artwork by Bozorgmehr Hosseinpur) National Security Advisor John Bolton, aided by his comrade-in-arms Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, is doing everything possible to instigate a war with Iran. Naked aggression as a means of starting such a war may be too much for even Bolton to pull off, so the strategy has been to try to pressure and goad Iran into doing something-anything-that could be construed as a casus belli. So far, no doubt to Bolton's frustration, Iran has exercised remarkable restraint in the face of unrelenting and escalating hostility from the Trump administration. Iran even continues to comply with its obligations under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the agreement that restricted Iran's nuclear program, despite the U.S. reneging on the agreement and the resulting absence of economic improvement for Iran that was part of the deal. But Bolton keeps searching for still more ways to goad and to pressure. One of the most recent ways is a twist on the ever-expanding U.S. sanctions against Iran, the main effects of which so far have been to make life for ordinary Iranians more uncomfortable and to poison relations with U.S. allies and other states doing ordinary business with Iran. The twist-and another U.S. violation of the JCPOA and of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231-is to sanction anyone who, in compliance with the terms of the JCPOA and Resolution 2231, imports any heavy water or low-enriched uranium from Iran, thereby keeping Iran's own stocks of these materials under the agreed limits. The U.S. move is a way of pressuring Iran into exceeding those limits and violating the agreement. The move shows that the campaign of goading Iran is taking precedence over even the nonproliferation objective of keeping the Iranian nuclear program peaceful through the enforcement of strict limits. Unsheathing the Saber The very latest escalation in the campaign is a saber-rattling statement that Bolton issued over the weekend: "In response to a number of troubling and escalatory indications and warnings," the United States is deploying a carrier strike group and bomber task force to the region "to send a clear and unmistakable message to the Iranian regime that any attack on United States interests or on those of our allies will be met with unrelenting force." The statement was issued in the name of Bolton himself, making the origin clear. No explanation or details have been given about the supposed "troubling and escalatory indications and warnings," and nothing in the news suggests any heightened Iranian interest in attacking U.S. interests or attacking anyone else, for that matter. The phrasing of the statement is more of the obscurantist rhetoric of the "malign, nefarious, destabilizing behavior" variety that has become an anti-Iran mantra but almost never gets to specifics. Follow-up comments suggest that Bolton's move does not respond to any specific Iranian threat. One report, sourced to Israeli officials, indicates that Israel was the origin of whatever information was involved but that the information was "not very specific" and, in the words of an Israeli official, "It is still unclear to us what the Iranians are trying to do and how they are planning to do it." A Reuters report quotes a U.S. official as saying that the U.S. deployment, given the already high tensions between Washington and Tehran, was made "as a deterrence to what has been seen as potential preparations by Iranian forces and its proxies that may indicate possible attacks on U.S. forces in the region." The official said that the United States was not expecting any imminent attack and cited no specific Iranian activities that raised any new concerns. If the Iranians have been making preparations for possible military action, that would be only prudent on their part given all the threats they have been hearing from Washington. The administration's rhetoric about Iranian conduct has been internally inconsistent. When Pompeo or President Trump wants to argue that all those U.S. sanctions have been successful even though they have not brought Iran an inch closer to a negotiating table, they contend that they have curbed bad Iranian behavior in the Middle East. But when Bolton wants to heat up the war fever, the contention is the opposite-that Iranian behavior is worse than ever. In fact, the nature and tempo of Iranian regional activity have not changed appreciably, one way or another, in the last couple of years. The Iranians do what they do in the region for what they consider to be reasons important to their security, and they do not ramp that activity up or down in response to the state of their nation's economy. What they are doing now is basically the same as what they have been doing for some time. The language in Bolton's statement about interests "of our allies," as well as a later reference in the statement to how the United States would respond to actions "by proxy" as well as by Iran itself, is an open invitation to Iran's regional rivals to generate some incident that could spark a war. As former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates once observed, the Saudis "want to fight the Iranians to the last American." Something similar could be said about the Israeli government of Benjamin Netanyahu, who has made hostility toward Iran a hallmark of his premiership and the all-purpose distraction from things he would rather not talk about. A shooting war between Iran and the United States would be the best distraction of all. The opportunities for the regional rivals to ignite a spark are numerous and easy to imagine, ranging from a sophisticated black-flag operation to a simple encounter at sea. Bolton would exploit, rather than be deterred by, any murkiness about responsibility for an incident. A pretext for war would not even require a manufactured incident and instead could involve spinning the meaning of "proxy" and "ally." Mark Dubowitz of the misleadingly-named Foundation for Defense of Democracies, which has been Bolton's most influential pressure-group ally in stoking hostility toward Iran, is using this gambit. He suggests that such fighting as recently occurred in the Gaza Strip is somehow an Iranian way of distracting Israel from Iranian plans "for strikes against U.S. assets and allies." In fact, the fighting in Gaza has everything to do with conditions in Gaza and the unresolved Israeli-Palestinian conflict and nothing to do with Iran. Effects of War It probably would be futile to try to get inside the war-mongering mind of John Bolton to figure out why he wants a war with Iran. Suffice it to note that Bolton to this day contends that the 2003 war against Iraq-a colossal blunder of U.S. foreign and security policy-was a good thing. He probably expects a war with Iran to trigger regime change in Iran. That overlooks the likelihood that a war would be at least as likely to trigger a rally-round-the-flag effect as it did during the devastating Iran-Iraq War, when the Islamic Republic was less well established and more vulnerable than it is today. It also overlooks that any regime change that might occur probably would produce a government more hardline and less democratic than what Iran has now. Overlooked as well are the other destructive effects of such a war, including but not limited to the direct physical and fiscal costs. They also would include wider economic effects, especially given the disruption to the oil trade that a war in the Persian Gulf region would entail. And they would include lasting animosity toward the United States among future generations of Iranians. Bolton is in a position to accomplish much of this mayhem himself. He reportedly has caused much of the usual policy-making machinery to be bypassed or simply to fall into disuse. Meetings of National Security Council principals have become rare. There is a parallel here, too, with the disastrous Iraq War. No policy process ever examined whether launching that war was a good idea. The person who most needs to pay attention to all this is the one in the Oval Office. Having dismissed Steve Bannon when he came to perceive how much his once-influential political advisor was manipulating him, Trump needs to realize how much Bolton is manipulating him now. A war begun in the next few months would be past the "mission accomplished" stage and into the stage of regrets and awareness of costs when Trump-who won votes in 2016 by criticizing excessive U.S. involvement in Middle Eastern wars-is up for re-election. Trump already has cashiered two previous national security advisors, one (Michael Flynn) for good cause and the other (H.R. McMaster) because Trump got impatient with an adult in the room telling him what to do. Trump's earlier hesitation to bring Bolton into his administration reportedly stemmed from his dislike for Bolton's mustache. Surely getting the United States into another Middle East war, which would be damaging to Trump's presidency as well as highly damaging to U.S. interests, would be a least as good a reason to separate Bolton from the levers of power. About the author: Paul R. Pillar is Non-resident Senior Fellow at the Center for Security Studies of Georgetown University and an Associate Fellow of the Geneva Center for Security Policy. He retired in 2005 from a 28-year career in the U.S. intelligence community. His senior positions included National Intelligence Officer for the Near East and South Asia, Deputy Chief of the DCI Counterterrorist Center, and Executive Assistant to the Director of Central Intelligence. He is a Vietnam War veteran and a retired officer in the U.S. Army Reserve. Dr. Pillar's degrees are from Dartmouth College, Oxford University, and Princeton University. His books include Negotiating Peace (1983), Terrorism and U.S. Foreign Policy (2001), Intelligence and U.S. Foreign Policy (2011), and Why America Misunderstands the World (2016). Parliament has endorsed the revised petroleum agreement for the South Deepwater Tano (SDWT) Block. With this ratification, AGM Petroleum Ghana Limited (AGM) can now begin exploring for oil in the ultra-deepwater block over 3.5 kilometres below sea level. There has been a lot of public interest in recent weeks relating to the oil and gas industry in Ghana and in particular AGM, the operator in the SDWT block. Questions have also been raised about the benefits to the people of Ghana. Ghana would be the main beneficiary of any oil produced in the SDWT block. The reality is that the Government of Ghana has negotiated terms that now makes the development of the block sufficiently attractive for international investors and operators in the industry. In comparison to recently approved Petroleum Agreement in the same region, the terms in the SDWT block are more favourable to Ghana. AGM has committed to a significantly larger work programme, drilling four wells and a sizeable seismic activity. AGM is looking forward to working with its partners, suppliers and not least Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), Petroleum Commission, Ministry of Energy and other important stakeholders to conduct operations in a safe and transparent manner. The petroleum agreement, which was ratified by Parliament on 3 May 2019, gives a fiscal take to Ghana, which is substantially above the international deepwater average of approximately 55%. AGM is pleased that Parliament approved the agreement and subject to successful exploration, the company is looking forward to developing the resources on behalf of and together with the Ghanaian people. If the exploration is not successful, the operator bears all the financial risk and burden. We are grateful for the opportunity given to us to explore for oil and gas in the SDWT block together with our partners. We hope and believe this will be the beginning of a long and prosperous journey together with the Ghanaian people that will create wealth and opportunity for generations to come, said Atle Andresen, CEO of AGM. David Adomakoh, Director of Quad Energy added: We look forward to a fruitful long-term relationship with AGM and are committed to working together to unlock the potential of the SDWT block. This will give us a unique opportunity to maximise the participation of our local oil and gas services companies. Source: Daily Guide Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video As a customer of Gold Coast Securities Limited for years l was worried when I heard media reports of the troubles the company was going through. I set out to find out the reasons why an A class performing company will all of a sudden be struggling to pay its customers their monies. Even in the face of the banking crisis of 2017 and 2018 GCFL GHc1.3 billion of investment funds to its customers stressing no investment company can be unscathed if 25 percent of its customers redeemed their funds at a go. The challenge the Company is going through now is the failure of government to pay its debt of 1.5 billion Cedis it owes the company. This is as a resulted of investments in pre-financing of governments infrastructure projects across the country. Dr. Papa Kwesi Ndoum in January this year wrote this on Facebook on the back of Gold Coast wahala. For all those wondering whats going on. First let me assure you that I operate on the principle that every problem has a solution. We are working to keep GN Bank doors open come 2019. The Gold Coast Fund Management problem needs long term solution and we will put one there. Eventually it will work. It needs goodwill. All these problems were created deliberately by some people. The end game they wanted is total collapse of all Groupe Nduom entities. But we are down into the fabric of this country, Ghana. We are inextricably linked to everything Ghanaian. It is difficult now, yes. We are working hard to do better. Please keep the faith..." I chanced upon an infrastructure finance and projects related cost report by ABA, Chartered Accountants and Management Consultants on Group Ndoum and its operations. The report gives details of projects undertaken by Gold Coast Fund Management with support from UTs sister company GN Bank across the country. They include Department of Urban Roads, GETFUND, Various MMDAs, Ministries, Departments & Agencies, Department of Feeder Roads, Ghana Highway Authority, Ministry of Food and Agriculture among host of others - a tall list. All infrastructure projects were initially financed by Gold Coast securities before Ghana Growth Fund Limited (GGFL), a subsidiary of Gold Coast Securities took over from 2009 due to restructuring. GGFL also took over projects that were financed by First National Savings and Loans in 2014. Groupe Nduom (GN) being the ultimate beneficiary of these companies engaged the services of ABA to review the Groups financial exposure in the financing of various infrastructure projects. The procedures were done with respect to interim payment Certificates (IPCS), Contract loans and related outstanding balances on loans and delayed payments due Groupe Ndoum as at 1November. 2018. Our engagement was undertaken in accordance with the international Standard on Related Services 4400. Per the report, verification of all interim Payment Certificates (IPCs) that have been issued for projects funded by Groupe Nduom companies such as Ghana Growth Fund Company come up to approximately 14 Billion cedis. Yes 14 Billion cedis. There is more, a total of 976 lPCs were compiled between October 2005 and January 2018 with a total value of GH373.081.170.91. Here is the breakdown a) Completed - Gh246.339.180.64 b) On-going , Gh116.287.255.34 c) Terminated Gh7.549.362.76 d) Suspended - Gh2.905.372.16 The report also gives details which agencies were awarded Accra Met. Roads Dept, AFDB/ Road Fund, COCOBOD Department 0F Feeder Roads, Department Of Urban Roads, Getfund Ghana Highway Authority, Min of Works and Housing Min. Local Govt & Rural Devt, Ministry of Food & Agriculture, Ministry Of Health among other just to mention a few. The report also talks about loans given to contractors for their projects with the hope that when government pays them they pay back the loans to GN Bank. A total of GH316.814.538.08 loans were granted contractors to finance infrastructure projects as at 1 November. 2018. All the loans verified had valid loan agreements indicating agreed terms of the facility between the contractors and either Ghana Growth Fund Limited. Gold Coast Securities or First National Savings & Loans. The loans were disbursed in phases. The loan balances were categorized as follows: a. Completed Projects - GH 930.140.061.66 b. On-going Projects - GH 426,768.894.53 c. Suspended Projects- GH 82.524.073.50 d. Terminated Projects - GH 222,880.419.05 From the figures above do I need to say more that a fraction payment of the debt owe Dr. Papa Kwesi Ndoum will go a long way to help him pay agitated and angry customers of Gold Coast Management Fund . Will be right if it is concluded that the failed bhb to pay the debt is political knowing very well Dr. Ndoum has a political party and an ambition of been President of Ghana one day?. Mr. Ken Ofori Atta, l am well informed of series of meetings between officials of Group Ndoum and the Presidency asking you to at least pay part of the debt to restore hope and confidence in Group Ndoum investment. Mr. Ofori Atta please pay Ndoum for him to pay us. By Nii Armah Abbey, a concerned Gold Coast Fund Management Customer. Source: By Nii Armah Abbey, a concerned Gold Coast Fund Management Customer 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 decision by the Takoradi Technical University (TTU) to invest a whopping GHS2.5 million in Brooks Financial Service, a private investment firm with the hope of making more profit is gradually becoming a mirage. The huge investment is not only going bad but management has also come under severe criticism for taking the decision to invest the money without the knowledge and approval of the Governing Council. A member of the Council told The Chronicle that members of the previous council were not aware when the decision was taken to invest the money in the financial company in 2016. According to him, the present members were only called upon to ratify it, which was done against protestations from some of the members of the Governing Council. The member, who did not want to be named, said the ratification was done after the issue was put into vote and the majority who were in favour won the day. Some of us voted against it because we could not condone the illegality that was being perpetuated by the Governing Council, he said. The Chronicle gathered from independent sources that the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) at a point in time came in and attempted to investigate the issue but the investigative body truncated the process, after they were allegedly told by management that the Governing Council approved the investment. But the Vice Chancellor, Professor Frank Eshun, told The Chronicle in the presence of other management staff that EOCO never made any attempt to investigate them and that the state investigative agency was rather assisting them to retrieve the money from Brooks Financial Service. According to him, as spending officers, management members were clothed with powers to make such investments and that it is erroneous for someone to claim that they (management) failed to seek approval from the Governing Council. According to him, the University management did due diligence to find out the financial standing of Brooks Financial Service including checking from the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) which gave the investment firm a clean sheet. He said the investment with Brooks was not the first or last investment the school would undertake. He also showed this reporter documents that, according to him, proved that the Governing Council was in the known as far as the investment was concerned. Notwithstanding this strong argument by management, the signs are clearly on the walls that the university may not get the money back. The Chronicle gathered from sources in the university that though a court of competent jurisdiction has given orders for TTU to search, locate and garnishee the assets of the owner of the investment firm, Mr Ben Koudja, no positive results has been achieved. Counsel for the University, Samuel Adinkra, who confirmed the orders of the court told The Chronicle that assets they located were later found to be in the name of different people. Unconfirmed report indicate that EOCO had seized the passport of Mr Ben Koudja and digging deeper to lay hands on his assets, which they hope to sell to pay part of the money owed the university. Though this alleged move by EOCO is yet to produce any positive result, Rev. Prof. John Frank Eshun, the VC, told this reporter that his outfit was hoping to receive the first tranche of payment from the investment company by the middle of this month. Surrounded by the Financial Director, Emmanuel Boadi and a Lecturer, Asiedu Kokuro, the VC was optimistic that both the EOCO and BNI would help them retrieve the money and that the investment would not go waste. Source: The Chronicle 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 There has been an increase in deaths from snakebites in the Kwahu Afram Plains in the Eastern Region because victims are resorting to the use of local concoctions, including a black stone which they believe, sucks the venom from a reptile bite when placed on the wound. "Majority of the people here are farmers who in most cases resort to the use of herbal and other concoctions when bitten by snakes and only rush a victim to hospital when they realise the situation is not improving, and in most cases, it becomes too late," the General Manager of the Presbyterian Hospital at Donkorkrom in the Kwahu Afram Plains North, Mr Ezekiel Amadu Daribi, has stated. Statistics The General Manager who briefed the Daily Graphic at Donkorkrom last Saturday on the situation, said within the first quarter of 2019, the hospital recorded five mortality cases from snakebites as against two for the same period last year, making snakebites the third cause of death at the hospital as compared to 2018 when it was ranked 10th. According to him, the figures represented official cases brought to the hospital. A number of the cases are also referred to the Presbyterian Hospital at Agogo or the Government Hospital at Koforidua. Anti-snake venom He explained that deaths through the snakebites were not because the hospital lacked the anti-snake venom, "but because the people here often report late with their conditions." Mr Daribi attributed a decline in visit to the hospital to the practice by the people to resort to self-medication. He said the hospital was teaming up with other stakeholders to embark on sensitisation campaigns in communities, including churches and mosques to educate the people on the dangers of self-medication and the need to always visit the hospital for medical treatment. On control of diseases, Mr Daribi said the hospital was able to reduce cases of pneumonia and hypertension which were among the leading causes of death in the hospital in 2018 to two cases each. There are, however, new cases of malaria and retroviral infections with the latter claiming more lives in the hospital in the first quarter of 2019. He mentioned other causes of death to include hepatitis, pneumonia, cardio arrests (heart failure), haemorrhagic shocks and substance abuse. In all, diseases and snakebites caused a total of 43 deaths in the hospital within the first quarter of 2019. Source: Daily Graphic Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Four out of 16 firms that expressed interest in the Ghana-Burkina Faso interconnectivity railway project between the port of Tema and Ouagadougou have successfully submitted their qualification documents. They are the China Railway Construction Engineering Limited, Frontline Consortium, China Railway Number 10 Consortium and African Global Development. The remaining 12 were not successful because they were unable to submit their qualification documents as requested by a Joint Evaluation Committee and a Transaction Advisor. Expression of Interest advertisements The expression of interest by the firms followed advertisements simultaneously published in Ghana and Burkina Faso to invite interested private sector investors to partner the governments of the two countries for the project on a Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) basis. The objective of the railway interconnectivity project is to facilitate trade and development between both countries through an efficient transport service for both freight and passengers. Ceremony Mr Godwin Gadikor (hands raised), Senior Planning Officer of the Ministry of Railways Development, displaying the tender documents at the meeting. Looking on are Mr Joe Ghartey (2nd right), Minister of Railways Development, Mr Pingrenoma Zagre (right), the Burkina Faso Ambassador to Ghana, and other officials. Picture: GABRIEL AHIABOR At a brief ceremony to officially open the bid session for the request for qualification stage in Accra yesterday, the Minister of Railways Development, Mr Joe Ghartey, said an independent Joint Evaluation Committee with membership from both Ghana and Burkina Faso would immediately commence an evaluation process of the documents presented for the qualification stage from today. He expressed the hope that the procurement processes would be completed on time to allow them to meet the deadline for the start of construction of the project within the first quarter of 2020. Procurement process Mr Ghartey explained that the terms of reference for the Joint Evaluation Committee were to conduct a detailed evaluation of the Request for Qualification (RfQ) documents received from the four firms, make appropriate recommendations for the pre-qualification of firms based on the minimum qualification requirements specified in the RfQ and submit an evaluation report within two days ending May 8. Upon submission of the Evaluation Report by the Joint Evaluation Committee, the necessary approvals will be sought and the next stage of the procurement process, that is the Request for Proposals (RfP), will be launched, he added. At that stage, the minister said detailed Technical and Financial Proposals would be requested from the pre-qualified bidders for further evaluation and the most technically and financially competitive bidder would be selected as the preferred bidder going for pre-contract negotiations. We are, therefore, still within our target to complete the procurement phase of the project to enable the commencement of the actual construction works in 2019, he stated. Mr Ghartey expressed the commitment of both countries to ensure the realisation of the vision to link the two countries by an efficient and effective railway network to facilitate the socio-economic growth of the neighbouring countries. The Burkina Faso Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Pingrenoma Zagre, in a brief remark, thanked all partners involved in the project and also expressed their commitment to see to the success of the project. Background President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and President Roch Marc Christian Kabore of Burkina Faso agreed in May 2017 to construct a rail interconnectivity to accelerate economic growth and development of both countries. The proposed rail network is expected to pass through the eastern corridor of Ghana starting from the Tema Port, through Akosombo, Ho, Hohoe, Yendi, Tamale and to Paga. The line will continue in Burkina Faso from Dakola going through Po along the national highway number 5, integrating the pole of growth of Bagre and end at Ouagadougou. The project is expected to be undertaken through a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement with the intention to reduce the time and resources people spend transacting business between Ghana and Burkina Faso. Source: Graphic Online 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 WASHINGTON, May 6 (Xinhua) -- French and German scientists found that the Sino-Tibetan language family, including Chinese and Burmese, originates about 7,200 years ago in North China. This language family, one of the most diverse language families with more than 400 modern languages and spoken by about 1.5 billion speakers, originates among millet farmers of the Neolithic cultures of late Cishan and early Yangshao. The findings are published on Monday in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. During the past 10,000 years, two of the world's largest language families emerged, one in the west and one in the east of Eurasia, altogether accounting for nearly 60 percent of the world's population. While the Indo-European one in the west has been examined comprehensively, the Sino-Tibetan one remains unclear about its origin. Some researchers assumed that it arises from southwest China or northeast India around 9,000 years ago. The researchers assembled a lexical database containing core vocabulary from 50 Sino-Tibetan languages. This database includes ancient languages spoken 1,000 and more years ago, such as Old Chinese, Old Burmese, and Old Tibetan, as well as modern languages documented by field work. "We find clear evidence for seven major subgroups with a complex pattern of overlapping signals," said the paper's co-author Simon Greenhill of the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History. "Our estimates suggest that the ancestral language has arisen around 7,200 years ago." The most likely expansion scenario of the languages involves an initial separation between an Eastern group, from which the Chinese dialects evolved, and a Western group, which is ancestral to the rest of the Sino-Tibetan languages, according to the researchers. Another study published in the journal Nature on April 24 also confirmed that Sino-Tibetan languages originates in present-day northern China and this language family began to disperse and diversify around 5,900 years ago, a prehistory period associated with the Yangshao culture and the later Majiayao culture in the basin of Yellow River. Thirty percent of the annual budget goes to the educational sector, President Akufo-Addo has stated. The decision to allocate the chunk of the national budget to the sector is informed by its importance to the maximization of the potential of the youth, who are key in the human development of the country, he explained. He disclosed this yesterday during the opening of the Global Peace Inter-Generational Dialogue an initiative of the African Centre for Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD) held in Accra for world leaders to deliberate upon their aspirations for a better world. President Akufo-Addo, who expressed pride in his achievements in the educational sector, did not leave out the fee education from kindergarten to senior high school. Today in Ghana, Im delighted to be able to say that education in the public sector is now free from kindergarten to senior high school, he stated. Continuing to showcase the achievements of his government, he pointed at the new curriculum being rolled out for pupils from kindergarten to class six in the primary schools. This, he said, has mathematics, science, reading, writing and creativity at its core. All is set for the construction of 21 state-of-the-art technical and vocational education training centres, this year, with 10 other science, technology and engineering and mathematics centres for basic education, the president added. We are determined to ensure that Ghanas young people acquire skills that will put them at par with their peers anywhere in the world, he emphasized. On her part, Chairperson of Global Peace and the African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD), Graca Machel, thanked President Akufo-Addo for hosting the first of several inter-generational dialogues expected to take place across the African continent. She charged the young people participating in the dialogue to organise their lives since that is the only way they are going make an impact in the world. Source: Daily Guide Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Minister for Communications, Mrs. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, in a short ceremony on May 3, 2019, handed over the e-Government Infrastructure to Lebara Ghana Limited to manage and commercialise for 10 years. The government fibre and LTE network was previously managed by the National Information Technology Agency (NITA. Speaking at the event, she indicated that the government is committed to a partnership with the private sector to promote efficiency and cost-effectiveness in the delivery of services to the people. She indicated that the commercialisation of the e-Government infrastructure will also pave the way for NITA to focus on its core mandate as a regulator whilst ensuring the effective management of the government's IT infrastructure by a private firm. The Minister indicated that the award of the contract to Lebara Ghana Limited is in line with the governments agenda to promote local content into the management of strategic areas in the economy. I think that its increasingly becoming evident that NITA cannot be regulator and operator at the same time if it is going to do its work effectively, she said. Mrs. Owusu-Ekuful, however, cautioned Lebara that Government will demand accountability and strict compliance with the Quality of Service standards outlined in the Service Level Agreement with Lebara Ghana Ltd and urged them to work diligently. She again called on the management of Lebara Ghana Ltd to explore opportunities to launch solutions that will narrow the digital divide and promote financial inclusion. Mrs. Owusu-Ekuful was hopeful that, the unconnected parts of the country will be connected shortly through the rural telephony project and the accelerated backbone and last mile connectivity programs of the Ministry, to be able to deliver services to every Ghanaian in every part of the country. She expressed confidence in the ability of Lebara to execute the O&M task and while having no doubt about their capacity to deliver, she would be keeping a close eye on them. The Minister was confident that the two parties could work together to deliver services to current and potential clients in a mutually beneficial way. The Board Chairman of Lebara Ghana Ltd, Mr. David Amankwah, thanked the Honourable Minister, the staff of both the Ministry and NITA and reiterated Lebara Ghanas commitment to ensuring that their stewardship would be a resounding success to the benefit of all Ghanaians. About Lebara Ghana Lebara Ghana is a wholly Ghanaian-owned ICT and Telecommunications organisation which holds the franchise for Lebara Group in Ghana. Lebara has been awarded a ten-year contract to manage and commercialise the Governments ICT infrastructure which includes part of the Data Centre, the Metro Fibre & the Eastern Corridor fibre and the LTE network. Source: Daily Graphic Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video TRADE AND Industry Minister, Alan Kyeremanteng, has urged Ghana to diversify its cash crops such as cocoa and palm nuts. He says while Malaysia was adding value to its palm nuts for instance, largely what Ghana was doing with its palm nuts was to prepare palm soup, urging that we need to move beyond palm nut soup. On diversification of the economy, he stated that cocoa has served Ghana but we need to be able move beyond that. He called for deliberate efforts to ensure economic growth and diversification. Mr. Kyeremanteng was addressing journalists at the Information Ministrys Meet the Press Series on Tuesday, May 7, 2019. Source: Daily Guide Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Monday launched the Global Peace Inter-Generational Dialogue in Accra. The dialogue is a global effort engineered by the African Centre for the constructive resolution of disputes to garner a global discussion among youthful future leaders, city mayors, captains of industry and country leaders. It is to provide them with the opportunity to deliberate on their aspirations for a better world. President Akufo-Addo said the government would continue to invest heavily in equipping the youth with the requisite skills to enable them to be on top of the global competition and trends. He said the 21st century was a competitive one, with science and technology as the centre and, therefore, there was the need to educate and equip the youth with the requisite skills to enable them to compete favourably. The President said to ensure that the youth were equipped properly, the government had made education free from kindergarten to the secondary school level, while a new standard curriculum which had mathematics, science, reading and writing, and creativity at its core, was being rolled out from kindergarten to Class Six. Digital technology The President noted that the mastery of digital technology by the youth must be the compelling challenge for them if they were to survive in the current competitive technological environment, adding that technology that had made the world a global village could enable once poor people to become prosperous and scale up the value of their economic activity. They have to survive. Technology is what helps us to make the world truly a global village and enables once poor people to become prosperous, and scale up the value of their economic activities, he added. Training centres President Akufo-Addo announced that all was set for the construction of 21 state-of-the- art technical and vocational training centres in the regions and 10 science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) centres were also being built to provide support for the introduction of STEM into basic education after a pilot phase. He recalled that last year, he launched a youth competition dubbed: Africa Innovates for the SDGs, which sought to unleash the potential of the youth to contribute directly to the attainment of the SDGs. He announced that very soon, he would honour the first five winners with $10,000 each, to help scale up their innovation towards the attainment of the SDGs. In addition, he said, the winners and all shortlisted finalists would be put through incubation hubs to help to better develop their innovations for scalability. Peace President Akufo-Addo said the goal of SDG 16 was the recognition that there could be no sustainable development without peace, just as there could be no peace without sustainable development. We cannot talk about sustainable development without the active involvement of the youth, he said. He said it was important for the youth to be involved in the processes leading to the creation of a peaceful world and that was why he took youth matters as his priority and called for the involvement of young people in decisions that affected them. He called on African leaders to also prioritise the establishment of a peaceful atmosphere on the continent. I do not talk of the peace of the grave yard nor do I wish for us a security of the bonded slave market. I am talking about taking advantage of the dynamism and exuberance of the youthful population to build an orderly and prosperous society that promote peace, he stated. The President explained that he was talking about building a free society that promoted the spirit of competition and at the same time, recognised the safety net provided by humane and civil societies. He said that was why the call to promote global peace as a catalyst for sustainable development was one all must support. Take advantage The Chairperson of Global Peace and the African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes, Mrs Graca Machel, urged the youth to take advantage of technology and social media to mobilise themselves to engender peace and development. She said the older generation would be ready to support the young generation with their knowledge and experiences to take decisions that would bring about world peace, emphasising that gone were the days when young people were not allowed to speak. Mrs Machel commended President Akufo-Addo for representing the voice of the African people in all spheres of life and also allowing Ghana to be used to launch the global initiative. Source: Daily Guide Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video 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. Workers of the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) are protesting against the high cost of running the Teshie desalination plant, which has overburdened the finances of the company. They are, therefore, advising the board of the company and the government to either review the contract terms or abrogate it altogether. Speaking to the media, the workers claim Ghana Water Company Limited is losing GH6 million every month for the running of the plant. According to them, the GWCL pays GH8 million a month to the owners of the project, and rakes in only GH2 million within the same period. The plant, they said, has the capacity to desalinate 13 million gallons of seawater a day, explaining that the focus of the project was misplaced, in that, given the high cost of treatment, the best option was to have supplied the treated water to the Tema Industrial enclave to enable the companies there to pay commercial rates to offset the cost of production, instead of selling the water to the people of Teshie and its environs. The GWCL water desalination project falls under the Accra East Region of the Ghana Water Companys operations. In 2011, the Government of Ghana awarded a contract to Befesa Desalination Development Ghana for the establishment of the sea water treatment plant to produce clean water, which will be channeled into the pipelines of GWCL. Messrs Befesa Limited, an engineering firm, was contracted by the government to build the desalination plant, operate to defray its cost, and hand over to the GWCL after 25 years. The project was executed by Abengoa, a Spanish company, and Sojitz Corporation, Japans largest importer of rare earth metals. The two hold 94% equity in the project. The plant was designed, constructed and is being operated by Befesa Desalination Developments Ghana, a joint venture of Abengoa Water Investments Ghana, Daye Water Investment (Ghana), and their local partner, Hydrocol. The total cost of the project is known to be $126 million. The project is a Build, Operate, Own and Transfer project, spanning a period of 25 years, with a revenue forecast of about $1.3 billion dollars over the 25 years period. This public-private partnership arrangement will see Abengoa operate the plant for 25 years, and then transfer its management to GWCL. But credible information available at the head office of GWCL indicates that the company faces imminent collapse if the government does not move in swiftly to save the situation, by abrogating the contract and bringing the operations of the company to a halt. It will be recalled that the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL), last year, shut down the Accra Desalination Plant, which supplies water to residents within Teshie, Nungua and surrounding communities. The shutdown, which took effect on January 1, 2018, was to allow the water company to resolve pending challenges it had with the management of the desalination plant. In a statement signed by the head of Communications, Stanley Martey, the water company said it had made alternative arrangements for water to be supplied to communities which may be affected by the shutdown. From the 1st of January, 2018, Teshie, Nungua and surrounding communities served by the Desal Plant, will be served on Wednesdays and on weekends (Friday to Sundays) from alternative sources, the statement said. The operation of the Teshie Desalination Plant has come under scrutiny, following claims by the water company that it was incurring losses as a result of the operation of the plant. The company insisted that the private firm contracted to operate the plant was raking in more profit at a time the water company itself was incurring losses. The Public Utility Workers Union, as a result of the brouhaha, called on the government to take a second look at the contract signed with Messrs Befessa to build and operate the desalination plant in Teshie. Per the details of the contract put out by the union, GWCL was required to pay the capacity charge of US$ 1.4 million per month to Messrs Befessa, which charge was payable whether the plant was working or not. Again, GWCL was obliged to pay the electricity bills of the desalination plant, which stood at an average of GH3 million per month (for the year 2017). The union insisted that these payments were having a toll on the water company, and called on the government to renegotiate the contract. It was as a result of these challenges that the water company has to shut down the plant. Source: The Chronicle 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 Founder and Leader of the Glorious Word and Power Ministry International, Rev Isaac Owusu Bempah, has reiterated that former President John Dramani Mahama has no chance of leading the country again. Speaking on NEAT FMs morning show Ghana Montie, the controversial prophet noted that the former President is wasting his financial resources in his bid to be President again. According to him, John Mahama lacks good advisors and has been surrounded by hypocrites. People cant tell him the truth. He [Mahama] is just wasting his money. He can lose the election again, he said. Former President John Mahama in his bid to secure a second term, lost to Nana Akufo-Addo in the December 2016 election. The New Patriotic Partys Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo secured 53.85 per cent of the total valid votes cast as against John Mahamas 44.4 per cent. The stage is thus set for a serious electoral battle next year with the NDC grimly determined to wrestle power from the NPP. Listen to interview Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/Peacefmonline.com/ Twitter: @Washman5/ Instagram: Ambrose_wash Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Deputy General Secretary of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Obiri Boahen has described the Member of Parliament for Sagnerigu constituency, Hon. A.B.A Fuseini as a 'notorious loose talker'. He says he doesn't expect the Member of Parliament to speak like that because he represents a section of Ghanaians in Parliament. Speaking on Okay FM's 'Ade Akye Abia' programme, the astute lawyer took a swipe at the MP for some comments he made about the decision of Rockson Bukari to resign over a leaked audio involving Starrfm's Upper East regional correspondent, Edward Adeti and the former Minister of State. Alhaji A.B.A Fuseini who was incensed with distasteful words on NEAT FMs morning show Ghana Montie, claimed the Nana Addo-led government is using Northerners in his administration as scapegoats to protect others. An allegation he refused to retract, he maintained that governments strategic defense on why the Inter-Ministerial Committee Executive Secretary on small-scale mining, Mr Charles Bissue is still at post after his role in a galamsey fraud is useless. This government thinks we [Ghanaians] are fools to believe all the trash they are telling us . . .That man [Charles Bissue] is still in office, they didn't ask him to go. What he did is worse than Rockson Bukari . . . some other person they will carry him out of office because he is from the northern part of the country, he alleged. But Obiri Boahen believes the MP's statement were in bad taste and that he does not expect a Member of Parliament who commands respect from the public to talk like a serial caller. 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 A private legal practitioner, Capt Rtd. Nkrabea Effah-Dartey, wants the 80-year-old leader and other members who attempted to declare the Volta Region an independent state to be dealt with severely by state authorities. According to him, the group must face the full riguors of the law after describing their attempt as an explosive move which could have destroyed the entire nation. I pray that the Attorney General and the President will deal with them mercilessly, he said in an interview with Neat FM morning show 'Ghana Montie'. An 80-year-old leader and seven other leading members of the Volta Separatist movement have been arrested and flown to Accra by personnel from National Security. The separatist movement in the Volta Region, the Homeland Study Group Foundation (HSGF), is a group calling for the secession of the Volta Region from Ghana. The group claims that the Volta Region (Western Togoland) was an independent state before being made to join Ghana in a plebiscite. The leader of the group, Mr. Charles Kormi Kudzodzi popularly known as Papa Hogbedetor, was arrested with seven others on Sunday at one of the groups regular study meetings. Listen to interview... Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/Peacefmonline.com/ Twitter: @Washman5/ Instagram: Ambrose_wash Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Presidential Candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, will embark on a two-day tour of some select constituencies in the Greater Accra Region. The tour will be on Tuesday and Wednesday. A press release issued by the Greater Accra Region branch of the party said the tour will be to coastal constituencies. Ada, Sege, Ningo Prampram, Kpone Katamanso, Krowor, Ledzokuku and Odododiodio are some of the constituencies to be visited by the former president. The flagbearer will be interacting with community leaders, fisher folks and other key stakeholders, the statement signed by Jerry Johnson on Monday, May 6 said. Constituency executives have been urged to help in the smooth organization of the tour for Mr Mahama. Source: 3news 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 Photo via People's Daily Say goodbye to lets go have a drink after work. Now the new trend is lets go hit the gym. Hitting the gym is a major trend among university students and white-collar workers nowadays in China. Regular fitness activities and gym memberships are on the rise. Those previously overly-exhausted people now make time to exercise. In major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, gyms far surpass that of bars and KTVs, according to Dianping.com, a local life information and trade platform. The total number of gyms within China has reached that in the US, with over 46,050 by 2018. Behind the fervor is reportedly a change of lifestyle among younger generations, observers said. With a fast working pace and mounting pressure from modern life, people are in increasingly urgent need of an outlet and this is where gyms come in handy. Through exercise, heavy psychological loads can be at least temporarily unloaded and physical conditions improved. In addition to traditional gyms, there is also a rising number of connected gyms and fitness studios, which feature flexible payment options and greater area-effectiveness, these new forms of fitness clubs move behind disturbing sales promotions and guarantee a more customized fitness experience, thus winning more followers. A member of the Communications team of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Eric Amoako Twum, has stated that the lives of Ghanaian workers have been a lot better under the Akufo-Addo-led government than they were under the John Mahama-led administration. This he attributed to what social policies of the government, which he explained saved workers money. According to him, governments Free Senior High School programme, the Nation Builders Corps (NABCo) and other interventions have gone a long way to lessen the burdens of the Ghanaian worker. Speaking on TV3s New Day Wednesday, Mr. Amoako claimed the NPP government stands out when it comes to dealing with issues affecting the Ghanaian worker. He said the president has shown commitment in almost all the challenges confronting the public sector and that he is dealing with them. You have a worker who now has the opportunity of sending his ward to school without paying school fees, that is significant, he stressed. You have a child who has finished university 3,4, 5 years and is unemployed and is a burden on the family that child is benefiting from NABCo, NEIP, he added. These, he said, are pragmatic practical policies that actually impact people positively, emphasizing the average Ghanaian worker is much better off than the one that we actually inherited. With specific reference to issues of pension, the former deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Exports Promotion Authority (GEPA) accused the National Democratic Congress (NDC) of doing absolutely nothing to address them. But Member of Parliament (MP) for the Tamale North Constituency, Alhassan Alhaji Suhuyini, contested that even though parents may not be paying school fees, they still incur unexpected costs. He claimed some parents have had to rent places for their wards and buy mattresses for them while in school. Source: 3news 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 Chief Executive Officer of AGM Petroleum Ghana Limited (AGM), Mr Atle Andresen, says the companys entry into Ghanas upstream oil and gas space signifies hope for the oil industry in the country. Parliament has ratified the revised petroleum agreement for the South Deepwater Tano (SDWT) block, off the coast of the Western Region, for AGM. The agreement ratified by Parliament last Friday, gives a fiscal take to Ghana, which is substantially above the international deep-water average of approximately 55 per cent. With the ratification, the company is set to begin exploring for oil in the ultra-deep-water block, which is over 3.5 kilometres below sea level. In a statement, Mr Andresen said: We hope and believe this will be the beginning of a long and prosperous journey together with the Ghanaian people that will create wealth and opportunity for generations to come. The partners The company, which is the operator in the South Deepwater Tano block, holds 80 per cent participating interest. The other partners are the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), with a 15 per cent carried interest, and Quad Energy, with a five per cent paying interest, as the indigenous local partners of AGM. The Director of Quad Energy, Mr David Adomakoh, said they were looking forward to a fruitful long-term relationship with the lead operator, AGM. He pledged the partners commitment to work together to unlock the hydrocarbon potential of the South Deepwater Tano block for the benefit of all stakeholders. This will give us a unique opportunity to maximise the participation of our local oil and gas services companies, he said. In a separate statement, the company admitted that there had been a lot of public interest in recent weeks relating to the countrys upstream oil and gas industry and in particular AGM, which is the operator in the SDWT block. About benefits It said despite questions being raised about the benefits of the latest petroleum agreement to the people of Ghana, the country would be the main beneficiary of the profits from any oil produced in the SDWT block. The reality is that the Government of Ghana has negotiated terms that now makes the development of the block sufficiently attractive for international investors and operators in the industry, the statement said. Four wells It said in comparison to the recently-approved Petroleum Agreement in the same region, the terms in the SDWT block were more favourable to the country, with the AGM having committed itself to a significantly larger work programme - drilling four wells and a sizeable seismic activity. The company said it was looking forward to working with its partners, suppliers and the national oil company, Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), the Petroleum Commission, the Ministry of Energy and other important stakeholders to conduct operations in a safe and transparent manner. People of Ghana The statement said the company was pleased that Parliament had approved the agreement, and subject to successful exploration, the company was looking forward to developing the resources on behalf of and together with the Ghanaian people. It explained that if the exploration activities proved unsuccessful, the operator would bear all the financial risks and burden. We are grateful for the opportunity given to us to explore for oil and gas in the SDWT block, together with our partners, it added. AGM Petroleum AGM Petroleum Ghana (AGM) is a private oil and gas exploration company founded in Ghana in 2012. The company has offices in Oslo, Norway and Accra. Source: Daily Graphic Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Minister for Communications, Ursula Owusu Ekuful has charged the NPP government to prevent Mahama from returning to power in 2020 and beyond. According to the Minister for Communications who doubles as the Member of Parliament for Ablekuma West constituency, the NPP is the only political party that can lead the development agenda of Ghana. On May 3, 2019, Ursula Owusu brought together some leading women of the governing New Patriotic Party to discuss ways to empower them. Speaking at the forum dubbed, The Ablekuma West Womens Conference to discuss ways to empower women folks in the NPP, Mrs. Owusu Ekuful spoke of the need to stop Mahama from returning to power. She also urged the NPP to continue to be in power after 2020 and beyond. Lets go into the 2020 campaign, she continued with a sense of belonging and the notion that your problem is mine, mine is yours and continue to sit on the seat of power till thy kingdom come, she said. We are determined to guard this power that we have jealously. Together we will fight to protect it, the power that Ghanaians gave us. The worst NPP government is better than NDCs best," she added. Also, cautioning the participants against an act that will endanger the chances of the party in 2020, Mrs. Owusu Ekuful said: If somebody is complaining in our polling stations we, the polling station executives, especially the females, it is our responsibility to explain government policies to them so that they will understand that since this government came to power unprecedented development has touched every home in this country. 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 Although the general impression is that the local movie industry is not doing well, actor James Gardiner thinks that it is growing and everyone should be optimistic. I feel like we are growing; in everything there will be challenges, everyone faces challenges so instead of bashing, let us all put in positive energy and give suggestions that will help the industry to grow. Steadily we are getting there, we are filming, we are doing things outside the country, we are getting there gradually so we should not give up on our industry, he said passionately. According to James Gardiner, he had shot about four movies this year, one in Ghana and the rest in Nigeria. I have also shot a series in Ghana, Entrapped by Smarttys Productions, so you see, we are not doing badly at all, he said. James Gardiner has been acting for the past 10 years and we asked him if he would like to try Kumawood movies. I dont want to call them Kumawood, we are all the same, I have shot movies with Lilwin and Bishop and for me, if a producer is up to the task, I will work with him, I will do it, why not?, he stated. James Gardiner has played quite a number of romantic roles in his movie career so the next question is his best kiss. Best kiss? I honestly cant say. You know there are lines to remember and you are working so you dont pay attention to how good a kiss is. "It is intentional so we dont attach emotions to kissing scenes, you feel a little tense because it is out of your comfort zone, he stated. James Gardiner admitted that he was currently dating and would eventually settle down, Once you are dating, you will eventually settle down, there is no definite time set but I will eventually do so at the right time. Asked how he dealt with attention from his female fans, this was what he had to say. There is a way you deal with people so you dont send a wrong signal, I appreciate my fans and I love them to bits. I try as much as possible to be cool, calm and collected. I respond to them on Instagram and I relate to them well but in all of it, I try not to send the wrong signal, its humbling to know that people look up to me, he stressed. James Gardiner had some advice for everyone. Dont give up on the Ghana movie industry, we should try and patronise our movies. Lets take particular interest in what we do in whichever small way we can, its for us all. Source: Graphic Showbiz 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 We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form The concept of a national park for the South Okanagan-Similkameen has divided the community. Many believe a referendum is the way to go, but not Oliver council. Robots sort parcels at the sorting center of an express delivery company in Yingdong Economic Development Zone of Fuyang, east China's Anhui Province, Nov. 9, 2018. China's digital economy reached 31.3 trillion yuan (4.6 trillion U.S. dollars) in 2018, accounting for 34.8 percent of the country's total GDP, according to a report released by the Cyberspace Administration of China on Monday. Unveiled at the ongoing 2nd Digital China Summit in southeastern China's city of Fuzhou, the report shows that the country's innovation system was continuously improved, as the outstanding loans of China's enterprises on science and technology stood at 3.53 trillion yuan at the end of last year. Digital economy has fostered and strengthened the country's new drivers of development, with 31.63 trillion yuan of e-commerce trade volume and over 9 trillion yuan of online retail sales last year, as well as more than 600 million users of online payment, according to the report. (Xinhua/Wang Biao) FUZHOU, May 6 (Xinhua) -- China's digital economy reached 31.3 trillion yuan (4.6 trillion U.S. dollars) in 2018, accounting for 34.8 percent of the country's total GDP, according to a report released by the Cyberspace Administration of China on Monday. Unveiled at the ongoing 2nd Digital China Summit in southeastern China's city of Fuzhou, the report shows that the country's innovation system was continuously improved, as the outstanding loans of China's enterprises on science and technology stood at 3.53 trillion yuan at the end of last year. Digital economy has fostered and strengthened the country's new drivers of development, with 31.63 trillion yuan of e-commerce trade volume and over 9 trillion yuan of online retail sales last year, as well as more than 600 million users of online payment, according to the report. The report also shows that the added value of the country's manufacturing industry increased by 11.7 percent in 2018. Moreover, data resources have become a core factor behind the development of digital economy, and information consumption has become a strong driving force for domestic demand and economic growth, according to the report. The brouhaha over the buying of new voting machines for the city reached a crescendo when 83 of the most expensive and least secure varieties according to voters rights advocates arrived in Philadelphia last week. The machines toured by a crew from a local television station before the procurement process had been finalized. That move subsequently has raised lots of eyebrows and questions and now has the whole affair under investigation by City controllers Rebecca Rhynharts office. City Commissioner Lisa Deeley, who has recused herself from sitting on the commission because she is running for re-election, gave NBC10 a look at the ES&S Express Vote XL machines, which cost about $8,000 each and which advocates from Protect Our Vote Philly Coalition and other groups say are less reliable and less protected against tampering than paper ballot systems with scanners. I think they we picked the worst, most expensive, least secure machines, unfortunately, said Democratic commissioner candidate Jen Devor, who is running in a pool of 12 other Democrats, including Deeley, in the May 21 primary. From the start of the conversation Ive been advocating for hand-marked paper ballots with limited ballot marking devices, and I was really disappointed with the decision. At a meeting on Feb. 20, commissioners Deeley and Al Schmidt, who is also running for re-election, voted in favor of the large-face, touchscreen, paper-audit machines. Then they immediately recused themselves from the three-member commission. Judges Giovanni Campbell and Vincent Furlong were appointed as interim commissioners. Commissioner Anthony Clark, who is not running for re-election, retains his seat. Deeley has claimed that accessibility and familiarity were reasons that she selected these machines. But voting-rights advocates say that the process was unnecessarily cloaked in secrecy during a private request for proposal process and that the new machines are more vulnerable and more expensive than preferable hand-marked paper ballot systems available on the market. Advocates are outraged that Deeley apparently brought in 83 of the ES&S Express Vote XL machines in a furtive manner to show off to the press, questioning her motives and saying she should have nothing to do with the machines at this point since she is running for re-election. Asked how the 83 machines suddenly appeared, Deeley responded in an email, On Monday, the department received an advanced shipment of 83 ballot marking devices so that there is a supply for public outreach efforts and for hands-on training programs for the staff and poll workers starting early this summer. The delivery of these 83 machines before a contract has been signed or funding approved by City Council shows just how broken this process has been, every step of the way. Im deeply concerned about the legality of this process, and as City Controller, I will not release $1 of payment while these questions go unanswered. Philadelphia City Controller Rebecca Rhynhart Nobody authorized this, said attorney Mark Zecca, who worked for the city for 20 years. Nobody has authority to be spending any of this money. This hasnt gone through the controller or through any of the normal approvals. And shes [Deeleys] supposed to have hands off entirely. At a sunshine meeting last Wednesday, members from Protect Our Vote Philly Coalition urged the commissioners make a motion to halt the procurement process and start over. POV members are also calling for Deeleys resignation from the commission and from her race for re-election and urging the Philadelphia Board of Ethics and the state Ethics Commission to investigate her actions, saying in a statement that Commissioner Deeley attempted to obscure the fact that she was already a candidate under state law well before February 20, when both she and Commissioner Al Schmidt voted to approve the purchase of ES&S ExpressVote XL voting machines. State law provides that commissioners must be removed from the Board of Elections when they become candidates so that they do not handle equipment such as voting machines which could be used to count votes in their own elections or make decisions about the conduct of their own elections. Deeley knowingly voted to approve machines intended to be used in the November election in which she planned to be a candidate pending the outcome of the primary. We have a suggested motion that one of you could make now to stop all this in the interests of protecting the integrity of Philadelphias voting system, said Gloria Gilman of Protect Our Vote Coalition at Wednesdays meeting. Would either of you like to make such a motion? No one did. But Commissioner Anthony Clark, who is not running for re-election and refused to sign a confidentiality agreement during the request for proposals process, spoke out Wednesday during and after the meeting. How the machines came I dont know, Clark said, after testimony from those outraged by Deeleys actions. Whos paid for them, I dont know. All three of us will find out howwe are the board, so no decision should be made without the board knowing whats going on. Following the meeting, Clarks sentiments were far from over. I dont want to be a part of any secret, Clark said. It was said to me that they didnt tell me [about the machines coming in] because I didnt sign the confidentiality [agreement]. But yet the press had it. They didnt sign confidentiality [agreements]. So is that the real reason or is it something else is going on? Since Clark refused to sign a confidentiality agreement, he wasnt part of the selection committee. This was the first time the city used a best value procurement initiative, not binding the city to choose the lowest bidder and allowing the process to be closed to the public. Councilman Bobby Henon who was recently included in a 116-count federal indictment against union boss John Johnny Doc Dougherty, introduced the best value procurement initiative. Deeley is a former Henon aide. According to phillypowerresearch.org, her campaign is heavily supported by the building trades. Critics claim that the request for proposals was written in such a way that only the ES&S Express Vote XL machines could have been chosen. They are heavy machines, weighing approximately 300 pounds each compared to the current machines, implemented in 2002, that weigh about 100 pounds each. Some critics have said that the new machines will even require a climate-controlled warehouse that the city has not designated at this point. Her [Deeleys] funding comes from unions, Zecca said. You have to wonder. You would have to have this new warehouse. Theyre [the machines] harder to transport, heavier, bulkier, more sensitive, more prone to break down. So theyre going to keep people busy who work with electrical equipment who move, install, and repair electrical equipment, a lot more truck drivers so your operating costs each and every year are going to be a lot more. The city has allocated $22 million for the purchase, with new machines being required of all state counties before the presidential election next year. Russian tampering in the 2016 election and worries about voters rights has made buying new machines a hot button topic. But $22 million will fall far short of the $50 million to $60 million needed if the city goes through with the purchase of the ES&S Express Vote XL machines. We think that this whole process for selecting these voting machines has not been transparent, and there are a lot of problems with it, said Vicki Miller, leader of Indivisible Philadelphia and part of the Protect Our Vote Coalition. This is a system that has been proven in other jurisdictions to be unreliable All the security experts say this is not the most secure system. Systems that use hand-marked paper ballots that then go through an optical scanner to be tabulated are preferable partly because they are cheaper and more secure, advocates say. A paper ballot is much harder to tamper with and does not pressure voters to rush since they can go off in a corner and take their time, rather than waiting in line to use a machine, Zecca said. They [Deeley and Schmidt] seem like in a hellbent mad rush, and it makes it seem like theyre not in it for interests of the public but for their own reasons, Zecca said. After the 83 machines arrived, City Controller Rebecca Rhynhart issued a statement saying, The delivery of these 83 machines before a contract has been signed or funding approved by City Council shows just how broken this process has been, every step of the way. Im deeply concerned about the legality of this process, and as City Controller, I will not release $1 of payment while these questions go unanswered. This is highly significant for several reasons, Zecca wrote in an email to PW in reaction to Rhynharts statement. It indicates that the city administration is fighting the subpoena; that it is obstruction of justice, particularly in this case, at this time, in this Local 98 indictment climate; that the obstruction of the controllers valid authority under the charter to obtain this information is an independent ground for her to use her charter authority to block funding; that she has a duty to determine the legal authorization of funding before releasing it; that failure to allow her to get the information she needs thwarts her valid inquiry; that the burden is on the administration to show her that the funding is properly authorized through a lawful process. If they fail to do so, she is authorized to block it. Asked if she will halt the process, Rhynhart said she essentially had, since she is not releasing any money. Her office has subpoenaed records from the commissioners office related to the voting machine selection process. Theres too much concern about the legality of the process, Rhynhart said. My office has an investigation ongoing. To further complicate matters, a Philly.com report just this week revealed that Deeley has been stripped of her notary license for failing to check someones identification, which led to the fraudulent denial of a womans rights to her husbands death benefits. I think people should call on Lisa to resign, Zecca said. If she cant honestly do a notary job with integrity [which is the lowest level license calling for honesty]how can she be trusted with a job calling for much greater integrity such as her elected position? I speculate also that she must have been asked to do this improper notarization by someone powerful to her. In response to a request for comment, Deeley told PW via email: Last year, I voluntarily surrendered my notary commission to resolve a complaint about a lapse in my work as a notary dating back to 2010 long before holding elected office. I took full responsibility for this lapse. I voluntarily surrendered my commission which is not required to hold my office, to avoid any distraction in my work serving the people of Philadelphia. The notary issue aside, others were still calling for Deeleys resignation based on her behavior during the voting machine procurement process. Absolutely she should step down, Gilman said. It [bringing in the machines] was totally outside her job and puts the city in jeopardy because we have liability if somebody steals these machines or mars them or whatever, and who gave her permission to do that? And thats really shocking. Schmidt did not respond to requests for comment. I personally feel violated, said South Philly resident Caroline Leopold, after Wednesdays meeting. I feel like I cant trust the election process at all. TWITTER: @CHARRISBOND If you read this story and liked it, consider joining altPhilly, our membership program that offers exclusive content, instant access to the editor and awesome perks for like-minded Philadelphians. At PW, our coverage goes against the grain of the local mainstream media. Learn More Related UGANDA Gorilla habituation in Uganda is a true African adventure involving a crafted journey into the thick tropics in search of the endangered apes. The chance to get close to these animals in their natural habitats is a lifetime experience that all travelers desire to have. Ugandas Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga national park are currently the prime homes of the mountain gorillas in Africa, followed by Volcanoes national park in Rwanda and Virunga national park in D.R. Congo. Over 450 mountain gorillas live in Ugandas western tropical forests that are almost half of the total gorilla population in the world. Before trotters experience an authentic gorilla trek in Uganda, a vital to-do list stands between them and the Uganda safari. Choosing a gorilla habituation safari in Uganda would be tedious, but the better one is prepared, the higher the chances of a successful trip that meets their expectations. Here is a simple guide on how you can choose a Uganda gorilla habituation and trekking tour. When you finally make up your mind to come for gorilla habituation and tracking safari in Uganda, the first thing to do is to get in touch with an experienced tour operator whether in the home country or in Uganda. Find out the kind of safaris that the tour company you have chosen specializes in. Let the tour operator know of the expectations and the to-do list such that they advise according to which safari is most appropriate for those needs. It is very important to know the inclusions of the gorilla tour cost before payment. The best gorilla tours in Uganda are the ones that include everything, from domestic transport, accommodation, meals plus all additional activities, leaving the trekker with only one responsibility of having fun and creating memorable experiences worth telling stories when back home. Consider the additional activities to the gorilla trek. Uganda being largely blessed with unique wonders, it would be unjust if any trotter came to the country and only did gorilla trekking unless its the wish of the visitor. At least a wildlife tour in Queen Elizabeth national park or a cultural encounter with the Batwa pygmies could be a perfect add-on. It is also wise to consider the accommodation options to use while on the gorilla tracking or habituation tour in Uganda. When it comes to lodging facilities in Uganda, travelers should not worry over that, their only concern should be on whether to stay in a luxury, mid range or budget lodge. Luxury lodges are the high-end hotels with the best quality services and highest prices. Budget, on the other hand, are of low prices offering relatively basic services, yet midrange is the standard lodges, offering moderate services. Before any trip, consider which type of lodges you prefer according to the quality of services you need as well as the budget. Means of getting to the gorilla destinations. It is true that Uganda has the largest number of gorillas compared to Rwanda and D. R. Congo. But trekking the gorillas in Uganda from Entebbe international airport can take a minimum of three days if getting there is by road. It is a full day journey from Kampala, Ugandas capital to Bwindi or Mgahinga national parks; the prime gorilla homes. However, if you are not the kind of traveler who wants to sit in a safari vehicle for long, opt for a chartered flight to Kisoro or Kihihi airstrips; note that this could increase the costs. Packing List: Before choosing any gorilla tracking or habituation tour in Uganda, still consider what to carry for the tour. For this trip requires travelers to carry long sleeved shirts and trousers, jackets, raincoats, hiking boots, insect repellents, caps, and hand gloves for skin protection. Also, dont forget the camera bag with a camera and spare batteries to take photos of the incredible moments. Another consideration in choosing a gorilla habituation safari in Uganda is the best time to trek mountain gorillas. Ugandas location to the equator and climate make it a whole year round travel destination; though the best time to visit Uganda for a gorilla trek is during her dry seasons of December- February and from June to September. Knowing this helps the trekker to know to do Uganda gorilla trekking in friendly weather conditions. The number of days to spend in Uganda. For trotters with limited time yet still want to encounter the gentle apes of the forest should opt for a short tour to Bwindi or Mgahinga, trips that dont exceed three days. They can even choose to take a red-eye flight to maximize their time in Uganda. For any successful gorilla trip to Uganda, it is important for all travelers to consider those factors before choosing any safari in Uganda. This is for better preparations of a lifetime experience in the pearl of Africa. Advantages of Gorilla tourism to the local people Uganda is one of the best African safari destinations hence gaining names like the pearl of African and having the safari slogan Gifted by Nature. Despite it being a landlocked country in the center of Africa, Uganda is one of Africas most bio-diverse destinations for nature and culture. Uganda is blessed with a variety of natural attractions ranging from superb ecosystem like swampy vegetation, Savannah vegetation, tropical rain forests, and mountain vegetation, wildlife, over 50 diverse cultural communities and up to 1080 species of birds, more than any other country in East Africa. In addition to all the natural gifts, Uganda is one of the three countries in the world that harbors the largest number of mountain gorillas well known to be one of the critically endangered apes in the world. The other countries that host mountain gorillas are; Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Though the country is endowed with many other wildlife and primates, many safari travelers around the world consider seeing mountain gorillas in the wild a must do activity during safaris in Uganda. This has enabled the country to benefit through selling gorilla trekking permits hence an immense contribution to GDP. Gorilla tourism in Uganda began way back in 1993 in Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga Gorilla national park when the first habituated gorilla family, Mubare was tracked by tourists and from that time up to date gorilla tourism has been steadily developing in these two national parks. Gorilla safaris are in the rise hence the local people benefiting from it in different ways depending on how they venture into it. The first benefit is that Ugandas gorilla tourism is promoted under the basis of pro-poor and eco-friendly strategy, making it a relevant aspect of creating development in rural communities. This has motivated most visitors to travel to destinations that are exercising sustainable tourism development to consider paying visit to these endangered species. Advantages of gorilla tourism include the creation of employment in different forms for the local people especially as game rangers, tour guides, potters, trackers, among other jobs. Even the employees of lodges that are located close to these gorilla habitats, and others have benefited indirectly as food suppliers to the accommodation facilities, among others and this has greatly improved local peoples standards of living. The local communities of Bwindi impenetrable and Mgahinga national parks have gained through revenue sharing from Uganda Wildlife Authority and projects such as Schools, hospitals, roads have been constructed within these communities. The gorilla tourism has led to the development of other tourism products whose contribution is direct on supporting the local people such as the Buniga forest walk and the Batwa trail is specifically for the locals who act as guides and also potters hence earning directly from tourism. In Bwindi national park, there are fundamentals of volunteering in local communities around the park. One example is Bwindi community hospital which started under a tree but due to the influx of tourists for gorilla safaris, some decide to stay and volunteer, while others contribute funds. Currently, the hospital is one of the best hospitals in the area. Gorilla tourism supports a lot of community projects which are either international or local, one of the international projects that gorilla tourism supported is the international gorilla conservation and others include the integrated conservation through development, among others which allow the locals to access resources from the forest. With all the benefits listed above, native communities are encouraged to continue supporting the conservation of mountain gorillas if they still believe that there are many advantages than disadvantages that can come out of conservation. Related NEW DELHI, India Friends, I greet you in the name of the Almighty. I wish the Muslim community a fruitful Ramadhan. I am happy to be alive three months since I was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Every day I live is a bonus. Its all because of the mercy of Allah together with your love, support, and prayers. I am a lot better, thank you so much. It has been a while since forces of change threw unpleasant blows at one another to the pleasure of our tormentors its however gratifying to see harmony coming again. I had warned that it was dangerous to label each other moles during this time instead of concentrating on fighting the common enemy. In fact, every time we fight the enemy gets a holiday and plans against us. You cannot clean all your followers until the end. Some people forget that Rt. Hon Rugunda was UPC, Rt. Hon Moses Ali was Amins right-hand finance minister, Rt. Hon Sekandi was DP, Gen Katumba and Gen Kasirye Gwanga were Amins soldiers. Let me surprise you that some, if not all the figures I have mentioned are still holding on to their old belonging dearly and they are ever treated as inevitable intruders by the M7 inner circle. So even if you knew one was a mole treat them carefully and thats all for now. I also discouraged the idea of criticising each others plans. For example, why do you spend quality time and energy presenting the argument against people powers ndanga muntu plan? On the other hand, why do you loose profitable efforts against the peoples government? Or DP block. Dont you recognise the benefit to our side when people power are staging massive colorful action in Kampala while peoples government t is doing the same in Kiboga? Now, despite the posturing, the enemy is fully convinced that the day these forces will embark on a national wide campaign it will be game up. There has been loose talk about the appropriateness of Dr Besigyes standing as candidate again and on the other side some voices are saying Hon. Kyagulanyi is not the most suitable presidential candidate. To answer this query, Dr. Besigye is one person and an FDC member, in just the same way as Mr. Museveni one person and is the choice of NRM (if this is true). Both parties have expressed open dissatisfaction about those choices to the extent that both parties have seen some of their senior members somehow parting ways. Gen Muntu and group now have a new party. In DP, Hon. Nambooze and Lord Mayor Lukwago did not find comfort in the leadership of Hon. Mao and are now practically more aligned to FDC than to DP. These debates can never be concluded. We just have to live with them. Let us carefully drive our fragile agenda up to the end. Signs are already visible on the billboard. The Museveni NRA regime is in its last days. Inside the NRM camp there are many silent factions. There is the group of elderly individuals who are now after preservation of the wealth they have accumulated in 33 years. They think we must sit down with everybody and define the way forward. These have already settled part of their families abroad. There is a corresponding minority youth group walking this talk. On the opposite side there are majority youths who are insisting that the political question must be peacefully resolved. These have their little wealth together with their families here in Uganda and they fear loses of property and life in case of a forced change. About candidates, it is common in Ugandan politics to mudsling opponents and wish them away in public. I remember the insults we swallowed as a small group which later became JEEMA when everybody opposed to Mr. M7 supported Dr. Besigye in 2001. We had sat in several meetings including one with Dr. Besigye himself, and concluded that we couldnt support him as long as he remained in NRM and wished only to reform it (hence Reform Agenda). But we also agreed not to clash with each other in the 2001 elections, a promise JEEMA leaders kept till the end. The followers of Dr. Besigyes group called us all sorts of names and many lived in shame when they discovered that they went overboard after all. From 2006 onwards (2006, 2011), when it was clear that Dr. Besigye was a multi partyist under FDC, we joined hands, openly, with no regrets. About individuals, it must be known that the history of demeaning emerging leaders has existed for centuries Jesus and Muhammad PBUH were deeply criticized by none other than their own. Locally here Dr. Obote was referred to by DP as one who didnt even know how to comb own hair at the time he teamed with KY. When Amin took over the major weapon against him was he cant speak English. In the not so distant past, Mr. Museveni was bashed by his own people in Ankole as a joker who has never led a sub-county, they added he didnt know how to wear a suit. They added that he never concluded school and it is alleged that people like Hon. S. Kuteesa and Dr. Obote said he was not Ugandan. So, today it is just returning with Bobi Wine as a drug addict, a mere musician, a gambler, too young to lead a progressive state arguing that Museveni managed as a young leader because there was no state left by the time he took over. It is also sung that Bobi does not know how to interpret economic policy etc. These are normal reactions to anything fundamentally new. The important point today is not all that junk talk. It is rather the point of who attracts the majority sentiment? It is not to look for the most suitable candidate but rather the most appropriate one. I found myself in that situation during the IPC days in 2011 to be honest, I had the numbers to defeat Dr Besigye in the Nambole IPC delegates conference. But in our final confidential consultations the night before, we agreed it was possible to win as the most suitable candidate but end up as inappropriate. I accepted Besigye was more appropriate at the time. The same story is true today. We are not looking for the most suitable candidate but rather the most appropriate. This is just because the other appropriate persons are not willing or able to offer themselves. In smart board room politics Bobi wouldnt raise a finger and he himself says it. It is not about him. Look at Rt. Hon Kadaga, Dr. Wavamunno, Mr. Rugumayo Hon. Omara Atubo and the like. Try the youth table also Dr Muvawala, Mr Daudi Mpanga, Mr Kobushenga and Chairman Mao. Those above would be most suitable and appropriate too, but except Mao, the rest are silent and unwilling to come out. How do you expect the population to go chasing them out of hiding and install them as chief executives of Uganda? Last on this is the call for patience, till all opposition forces sit together and prepare a final common line accepted by the majority population to follow if we see one force rejecting the common agenda without a reason then we can direct our force against that. Meanwhile, Ugandans must expect the intensification of political persecution, suppression of freedoms, arbitrary silent abductions. I also suspect some surprising resignations from government positions and we may experience self-imposed exiles by a number of seeming powerful NRM. At the moment Mr. Museveni is in panic and fearful of everybody, yet the return to the bush talk is no longer meaningful even to himself. There has been a smell of a high profile assassination (count five from top and exclude no one) and blame it on a neighbouring country as a way of diverting attention from the supreme leader. Thats why the rumour that speaker Kadaga has spoken out against big fish must be interrogated. There is increased recruitment of new agents in his spying force and confirmed reports coming in is that the president has gone back to his old method of using carefully selected non-Muslim individuals, give them Muslim names and send them to Makkah and Madina for Umra (the lesser pilgrimage) and Hijja (the bigger pilgrimage) to effectively spy on Muslims. I appeal to the managers of Hajj and Umrah in Uganda, to tighten controls and scrutinize their intending pilgrims more rigorously in order to prevent this from happening with ease. Related Its not often that a City Council sues the mayor of the same city. It happened recently though when the Dearborn Heights council filed a suit against Mayor Daniel Paletko over a disagreement about hiring an outside law firm to perform a financial review. The suit will be heard in Wayne County Circuit Court a 9 a.m. May 7, in Judge Muriel Hughes courtroom. Paletko maintains that, based on the City Charter, the Council cant hire the firm. He vetoed their decision, they, in turn, voted to overturn his veto. He still refused to sign the contract. The audit was triggered by the accusation of nearly $1.4 million missing from the Public, Educational, and Governmental fund. That fund is set up to be specifically for special television channels. Prior to the suit being filed, he told the Press & Guide that theyd have to sue him to make him sign the contract, as he wasnt doing anything he thought was illegal. A few weeks later the suit was filed. Without a vote to approve the suit, the firm of Ottenwess, Taweel & Shenk filed a suit in Wayne County District Court. Thomas Bruetsch is the attorney representing the Council for the firm. He didnt return attempts to contact him for this article. John Knappman was hired to represent Paletko. City Attorney Gary Miotke cant represent either side in the suit, as he represents the entire city, not the mayor or council separately. In response to the suit, Knappman repeated Paletkos claims that the way the Council attempted to hire the new law firm was against the City Charter. The response basically said because there wasnt a specific contract for the services the firm was being asked to do, that it wasnt legal to hire. According to the City Charter, its effect was a statement of future intent by the City Council. the counter-argument says. Because of that, Knappman says in the response that the vote and resolution is of no significance. Before the suit was filed Paletko said the language of the resolution was changed from asking for a forensic audit, which he said is timely and very expensive, to an undefined financial review. Vietnam earned 55.17 million USD from tra fish exports to the ASEAN as of the late March, up 18 percent year-on-year, according to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Processors. Notably, its exports to Malaysia surged by 70.9 percent, reaching 5.51 million USD in March, up 119 percent annually. Apart from Malaysia, Vietnams tra fish exports to Thailand and the Philippines also grew by 6.5 percent and 40.6 percent, respectively, in the period under review. The growth proves that regional trade agreements, including the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement, began to yield fruits. In 2018, tra fish exports brought in a record of 2.26 billion USD, rising 26.4 percent year-on-year. Vietnam has targeted a revenue of 2.4 billion USD for this year.-VNA Welcome Guest! You Are Here: Welcome Guest! You Are Here: Home Regional News East Supreme Court upholds 15-year sentence of Moscow railway terror attack plotters RAPSI, Vladimir Burnov 13:32 07/05/2019 MOSCOW, May 7 (RAPSI) The Supreme Court of Russia on Tuesday upheld sentence of two Tajik citizens, who had received 15 years in high security prison each for plotting a terrorist attack on the Moscow Central Circle (MCC) railway, the courts press service told RAPSI. The Moscow District Military Court found Bakhtiyer Makhmudov and Zafarkhon Rakhmatov guilty of preparing a terrorist attack, abetting terrorism, participation in a terrorist group, illegal buying, producing and keeping weapons and explosives on February 11. Prosecutors earlier asked the court to sentence the defendants to 17 years in high security prison each. Makhmudov and Rakhmatov were arrested in December 2017. Two assault rifles, detonators, grenades and explosives were seized from them. According to prosecution, the defendants are members of the Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist organization banned in Russia. They planned to commit two terrorist attacks including a blast between two MCC stations and explosion in a Moscow Region mall. After the blasts they planned to bombard survivors with grenades. The would-have-been terrorists have pleaded guilty. Russian lawyers appeal against recovery of $4.5 mln dismissed RAPSI, Vladimir Burnov 15:18 07/05/2019 MOSCOW, May 7 (RAPSI, Nikita Shiryayev) The Tenth Commercial Court of Appeals on Tuesday dismissed an appeal against an order to recover over 308 million rubles ($4.5 million) from Chairman of Tretyakov & Partners law firm Igor Tretyakov involved in the Roscosmos embezzlement case, RAPSI reports from the courtroom. In late November, the Moscow Regional Commercial Court ordered recovery of the money Tretyakov allegedly received in the S.A. Lavochkin Scientific Union under the pretence of legal services. The court also declared 21 contracts signed by the Scientific Union and the lawyer between July 2016 and January 2018 invalid. The court therefore granted a claim filed by the Moscow Region Prosecutors Office on behalf of the Federal Property Management Agency (Rosimushchestvo) and the state corporation Roscosmos. Prosecutors insisted that the agreements were invalid as Tretyakov had not participate in court proceedings himself. Thus, the lawyer has only created a semblance of his activity. Currently, Tretyakov is also a defendant in the case on embezzling 330 million rubles (about $5 million) from Roscosmos. His detention was recently extended until June 19. Two other defendants, ex-CEO of the S.A. Lavochkin Scientific Union Sergey Lemeshevsky and chief of the Unions legal department Yekaterina Averyanova are also detained. According to investigators, the defendants have stolen assets of Roscosmos by signing fraudulent contracts for provision of legal services with the law firm. All the works were allegedly performed by the corporations own specialists. The overall sum of payments to the firm reached 330 million rubles. Five men get prison terms of up to 8 years for weapon smuggling from Europe to Russia RIA Novosti, Alexei Malgavko 17:27 07/05/2019 ST. PETERSBURG, May 7 (RAPSI, Mikhail Telekhov) The Kalininsky District Court of St. Petersburg sentenced five men to prison terms ranging from 5 to 8 years in prison for weapon smuggling from Europe to Russia, the United press service of St. Petersburg courts told RAPSI Tuesday. The smuggling ring leader, who was a Federal Penitentiary Services employee when committing the crime, Mikhail Svetlov received 8 years behind bars and was fined 350,000 rubles. Ex-police officer Mikhail Moshkin and one more gang member Pavel Peshkov were sentenced to 5.5 years in penal colony and a 20,000-ruble fine each. The gang leaders brother Leonid Svetlov and his friend Maxim Romanov were given 5 years and 2 months in jail each. Cases against two other defendants Dmitry Bogdanov and Constantine Dankov, who signed a plea deal with the investigators, were considered separately. They earlier were sentenced to short prison terms. According to case papers, in 2015, the smuggling ring members bought a great deal of firearms and ammunition in the EU countries and gave them to unidentified persons, who illegally transferred the weapon to Russia for further storage and selling. Law enforcement officers have seized over 100 weapon units, ammunition, grenades, tritol, hexogen, detonators and detonating fuses. Lets start with a statement that might shock you: I am not a big fan of grand complications. For many fans of fine watchmaking, what I have just said may put you off reading any further. But let me explain why. First, I admit that these watches are fantastic examples of style and technology, of know-how and imagination and, whats more, are proof that watchmakers are artists. I have been lucky enough to observe watchmakers working on watches at their workbenches and see the fire in their eyes when they talk about the watches they make. But, aside from being a watch, a high-end timepiece must also be able to awake sensations and emotions. So you need time to appreciate its importance and its true value. So why then, after such a declaration of love, can I still write that I am not touched by these works of art? Because I am a firm believer in accessible watches. A watch should remain what it is supposed to be: an everyday object that is simple, useful but nevertheless intimate. And today grand complication watches are too far removed from reality, in terms of both emotions and cost. First of all, there is the cost. For most people, a grand complication is an inaccessible luxury. It is too expensive, too far beyond economic reality, too extreme. It takes watchmaking to another too distant world. You may well retort that we have hypercars in the automotive world, so why not hyperwatches in the watch world? And you would be right. But the grand complication watch is even more different from these exceptional cars because it is even more difficult to comprehend. While it is relatively easy to understand Bugattis La Voiture Noire, it is more difficult to grasp all the nuances of a watch packed with complications. The other thing that bothers me is the emotional distance. In my humble opinion, the grand complication destroys the main role of a watch, while the hypercar hypertrophies the notion of a car. That is the real problem with fine watchmaking: it removes the main vocation of the watch. And that is why I tend to keep my distance from such items. I like watches with modest ambitions that grand complications sometimes seem unintentionally to be making ridicule of by affirming too much technical superiority. But I respect these watches as works of art, as well as the technical and artisanal prowess that has gone into them. And I know that I will never own one of these objects. I can also admit that I have never even held one of these marvels in my hands. For reasons unknown to me, even when I have had the chance, I have always wanted to keep my distance from them. To keep on the offensive a little, there is something else that sometimes bothers me about these grand complications. They want to do too much, at the risk of doing it badly. Too many functions, too many components, too many extremes. In wanting to push boundaries, these watches become a technical receptacle that loses its meaning. We can understand the presence of a tourbillon, even if its role nowadays is completely useless. But why have two, or three? Why have it rotating one way rather than the other? And Im OK with one complication, or maybe two, or even three but why stack them all on top of each other rather than simplify them? So dont try to do too much. Art should remain simple. And so should a watch The grand complication watch is an exceptional creation that has lost some of its usefulness at the expense of prestige. Because watches were, in their day, genuinely useful. All of the functions they offered were important: a chronograph to measure short time intervals, a more or less detailed calendar, a moon phase to track tides, time zones for travelling, an alarm, a tourbillon to improve precision and a striking mechanism to tell the time at night. And more besides And today? The need for complication is still there. More than ever, in fact. And that is the huge paradox of grand complications. More and more people are using them. But their name has changed. These new objects are now called smart watches. They are packed with technology and are affordable yet highly complex. They push the limits of miniaturisation and are winning people over. They talk to you, inform you, measure you. Maybe in the future they could even save your life. But are they really watches? I genuinely dont know, but one thing is certain: they are eating up market share and threatening the market for traditional watches. To conclude, lets leave nostalgia aside. Because there are complicated watches that can still awake our enthusiasm, even among the more sceptical. And when I saw this Patek Philippe 5212A for the first time, I dreamed about holding one. Because this Calatrava appeals to me for a number of reasons: its simple, uncluttered and emotionally interesting, and it looks like a normal watch. And thats how it seduced me. Why Patek Philippe ? Im going to admit something that might surprise you. I have never been inside the Patek Philippe store in Geneva. Not because I never had the chance. Ive passed by it hundreds of times and Ive even stopped to look in the windows. I even visited the Patek Philippe exhibition in New York with my family. But I have never crossed the threshold of the famous store at 41 Rue du Rhone. I think that in this way I am demonstrating a form of respect for the brand established by a watchmaker who was born in the same country as my father. So its difficult for me to say any more about this company, which, as we all know, has made such a huge contribution to the field of watchmaking. Patek Philippe is a reference, a monument and one of the best flag-bearers for Swiss and Genevan watchmaking. Patek Philippe does, of course, offer a number of complications that scare me. But it also offers models that fit much better with my personal horological values. It combines gravitas at every level with self-assured classicism. Whether you like it or not, nobody can ignore Patek Philippe and its technical accomplishments. When it comes to grand complications, Patek Philippes workshops are the benchmark. Some of the companys creations hold records as the worlds most complicated watches, as much as such a record can actually be quantified. The 6300G is the perfect example of what I mentioned above. Its movement comprises 1,400 components in a case that is just as complex. It is extreme, or even extremist. Its unrealistic and unattainable. I respect it as much as I fear it, because it does too much. But thats not the timepiece I want to talk about today. Instead I have chosen a watch that appeals to me because it is far removed from its highly complicated predecessor. It offers some refreshing characteristics. The Patek Philippe Calatrava 5212A: What week is it? The first Calatrava was created in the 1930s by David Penney, who wanted a watch with a simple and understated design. At a time when Patek Philippe was developing grand complications, the Calatrava would become an example of stripping things down and refining them. Its name may well evoke wars and the Spanish military-religious order of Calatrava but it is nevertheless a watch that remains discreet and can therefore appeal to the biggest audience. Since the 1930s, there have been numerous versions of the Calatrava, but with each new one Patek Philippe managed to preserve the refined aesthetics that are so far removed from the overcrowded grand complications. Now, in 2019, the brand from Geneva presents a new version of the Calatrava, the very surprising 5212A. I like it for a number of reasons. First, its 40mm case is in steel, which is still quite rare for a Patek Philippe. It also keeps the style of the first three-hand models, with a simple round case. Furthermore, by choosing a 40mm case, Patek Philippe has gone for the contemporary option with a diameter aimed for the greatest appeal. Calatrava Weekly Calendar 5212A Patek Philippe The off-white dial looks simple, until you take a closer look. The combination of steel and this cream colour gives an impression of softness but also gives the watch a real presence on the wrist. The Calatrava 5212A is a seductress and she knows how to surprise. Because with this watch Patek Philippe has introduced a brand-new complication. For the first time, the brand has a watch that can display the week, in addition to the date, the day and the month (and the time, of course!). What is the point of this new complication? To be honest, I dont know. I dont even check what week it is on my iPhone, so why would I want to do it on a watch? So the complication itself is not much use, although it is appealing. The self-winding 26-330 S C J SE calibre Patek Philippe It all comes from the way it is incorporated on to the dial and how it fits in with the other elements of the watch. Apart from the date, all the other information is indicated by hands. The magic of the Calatrava 5212A comes from the interplay between the hands and the apparent simplicity of the dial. Even though it comprises a lot of elements, it remains eminently legible thanks to the coherence of its indications. There is no window, there are no subdials and no colour contrasts. The Calatrava remains loyal to its origins. But it nevertheless has something unusual about it. You need to take a closer look at the dial to see that the font used is unusual, strange even. Patek Philippe chose to reproduce the handwriting of one of the watchs designers. So it isnt actually a font at all, just a reproduction of human handwriting. I love it! This little detail means that the Calatrava 5212A bridges the gap between technicality and emotion and we have to thank the people at Patek Philippe for daring to incorporate this detail that changes everything. Patek Philippe Because of this typography, the Calatrava 5212A looks imperfect, or even poorly finished. And you know what? Thats probably why we should consider this watch to be a genuine success, not just on a technical level but on a societal level, too. With the 5212A Patek Philippe manages to take itself not too seriously but at the same time produce a watch of technical excellence. It is provocative, fun and imperfect. Coming back home after watching Avengers End Game, I couldnt help but see a little bit of Ironman in this Calatrava. In conclusion, we have a grand complication that knows how to play down the grand and not take itself too seriously by hiding the very same quest for perfection seen in the brands other complications. The Patek Philippe 5212A is a nice surprise that has got me liking grand complications and may even encourage me to enter the store at 41 Rue du Rhone on my next visit to Geneva. What does the devils advocate think? The devil loves excess, exaggeration and vulgarity. So nothing about this watch could interest him... But, taking a closer look, there are a couple of details that bother me. First, the strap. I like the simplicity of the gold leather (well done, and thanks for not killing any alligators), but I wish Patek Philippe had kept the buckle with the Calatrava cross. Patek Philippe Second, even if the 40mm case seems to be an ideal choice, one or two millimetres smaller would have brought it even closer to perfection. Finally, I would have preferred to see the date window in the same colour as the dial. Patek Philippe Apart from that, there is nothing more to say. The Patek Philippe Calatrava is a model of sobriety and balance. How to wear this Calatrava 5212A? The Calatrava is a special kind of complication that is best shown off with a simple look. So lets ignore the brands advertisements and go for a white polo or popover shirt. This mix between a polo shirt and a shirt fits perfectly with the image of the 5212, refined but simple. The most affordable models are available from Suit Supply, but you can also find them at Proper Cloth or G Inglese, which offers its famous Agnelli polo shirt in a variety of colours. To keep things simple, try cargo pants from Standards. I like these trousers with pockets on the legs that allow you carry things around without looking too weighed down. As you know, I love blazers, and for our Calatrava I would opt for denim from John Varvatos. The jacket may seem stiff at first, but it will soften over time to become a second skin. For the shoes, it has to be a pair of sneakers, this time from JM Le Gazel with exceptional patina or Altan, whose Camo model is worth a look. Now youre ready to stroll along the shores of Lake Geneva. If you have time, pop into the Patek Philippe store and let me know whether its worth a look! Canton, MA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 05/07/2019 --Alliance Scale is pleased to announce that they have become the Northeast regional service center for Ohausa global powerhouse in the weighing technology industry. As a regional service provider for one of the biggest weighing companies in the world, Alliance Scale is responsible for providing professional, quality service on OHAUS balances and scales within their region. Alliance Scale will extend the capabilities of OHAUS factory-level service out to the field to provide strategic geographic coverage throughout the Northeast along with depot-level service at their Canton, Massachusetts service facility. The company will provide fast turnaround times, expert technical support, training, and quality system documentation to benefit Ohaus customers. As an OHAUS Regional Service Center Alliance Scale offers: - Expert repair and support for OHAUS weighing products - Warranty and non-warranty repair of all OHAUS products by factory trained technicians using original equipment replacement parts - An economical means of obtaining fast service throughout the U.S. and Canada - Preventative maintenance and calibration service (certified and traceable) - A loaner equipment program to eliminate downtime - Field service Ray Secour, President of Alliance Scale, said "Becoming a regional service provider for our trusted supplier Ohaus was an opportunity we had to jump on. It exposes us to a new customer base and we've already noticed an uptick in calibration orders related to this initiative. We are excited to offer excellent service to any company in the Northeast that needs professional servicing of their Ohaus equipment and are looking forward to the opportunities this program provides". For more information about Alliance Scale, visit www.alliancescale.com. About Alliance Scale Alliance Scale, Inc. is based in Canton, MA and is a value-added distributor for several major manufacturers of industrial scales and weighing systems. Alliance also provides expert repair and inspection services throughout the greater New England area. Offering on-site servicing and skilled technicians, Alliance Scale is always at the ready with quick response to repair or inspection needs to keep scales operational and help meet all regulatory and compliance requirements. Lausanne, Switzerland -- (ReleaseWire) -- 05/06/2019 --Octonion, the developers of the Brainium Core software, announces that its end to end IoT solution, along with the SmartEdge Agile IoT device from Avnet has adopted Microsoft's new IoT Plug and Play. IoT Plug and Play is designed to help software integrators and IoT developers quickly prototype, pilot, and produce end-to-end IoT solutions using Azure IoT certified devices, without the requirement of writing additional code. Brainium delivers a pre-configured edge software architecture with a comprehensive IoT device that works right out of the box, dramatically reducing integration time for developers. IoT Plug and Play is being unveiled at this year's Microsoft Build Developer Conference, taking place May 6 through 8 in Seattle, Washington. Developers who purchase SmartEdge Agile with IoT Plug and Play will have access to Azure IoT Central, providing resources and tools that allow developers to connect, monitor, manage, and scale their IoT assets. Streamlining Development for Developers of IIoT Brainium, SmartEdge Agile from Avnet, and IoT Plug and Play address the different challenges in the marketplace for developers creating IIoT (industrial IoT) solutions. It often requires in-depth knowledge of embedded development to connect to the cloud and send telemetry in a secure manner. It's also difficult for developers to bridge the gap between low-level device messages into meaningful insight, events, and workflows. In addition, hardware sourcing, integration, and ramping to production can take several months or even years for most IIoT projects. "Octonion created the Brainium Core Software so developers could quickly deliver prototypical IoT and AI-based end-to-end solutions," said Ongan Mordeniz, COO and co-founder of Octonion. "We noticed a huge gap in the marketplace between device skills and cloud skills. The engineers who create devices don't have the expertise to facilitate connectivity, and the developers who integrate connectivity don't design devices. Octonion's solution fills that gap, bridging these two areas of specialization with a single, out-of-the-box product." Mordeniz describes this as the missing link in IoT adoption, and the most time consuming and laborious part of any long-term IoT project. "The integration that SmartEdge Agile provides is the key to being able to gather data from on-site devices, analyze it, and put it into a meaningful context for users," continued Mordeniz. "The product's AI sensors can conduct automated predictive maintenance, including the ability to track movement, vibrations, and activity for equipment, livestock, or even employees on a warehouse floor. As part of IoT Plug and Play, we'll be able to drive the trajectory of the IIoT market trend forward, where software integrators and developers will be able to scale-up and manage their connected projects quickly, delivering proven, mature AI technology and Security at the Edge in one package." "Octonion is focused on creating ways to bring sophisticated IoT hardware and software to market faster with simplicity, realizing the potential that the Internet of Things has been promising for years," said Sam George, director, Azure IoT at Microsoft Corp. "Octonion's Brainium Core Software with IoT Plug and Play will help drive widespread adoption of smart devices, allowing developers to incorporate high-performance IoT functionality, leveraging edge computing to achieve AI capabilities and versatile connectivity." All brands and trade names are trademarks or registered trademarks, and are the properties of their respective owners. About Octonion Octonion is an IoT Intelligent Edge software platform that meets today's complete IoT requirements from the embedded layer to the cloud based services. Octonion was created in 2014 in Switzerland and has since raised 16m from Foxconn (FIH Mobile Ltd), Ginko Ventures, Orkos Capital, Swisscom, and Almaz Capital. Octonion's team has built an unprecedented AI framework and developed an edge computing architecture. Octonion's expertise allows clients to deploy a connected project in 6 months as opposed to the 18 to 24 months currently needed with most other platforms. Its major achievement to date has been the launch of the PIQ Sport intelligence brand with major partners such as Everlast, Babolat, Rossignol, and North Kiteboarding. Learn more about Octonion at www.octonion.com. Egyptian security forces have killed two "extremely dangerous" criminal suspects in a shootout in Qena in Upper Egypt, the interior ministry said on Tuesday. Police received information that a suspect accused of murder and drug-related charges was hiding along with four others in Hosaynat village in Qena governorate, the ministry said in a statement. The criminals opened fire on security forces who approached them in a farm area where they were hiding. The officers returned fire, killing two of them. Security forces backed by combat groups have launched an extensive campaign to target the group, which the statement described as "extremely dangerous." A third suspect was arrested, while two others escaped, the ministry added. Search Keywords: Short link: Saugus, MA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 05/07/2019 --The face of marketing has evolved a lot over several years, thanks to modern technology and social media. With thousands of new ideas coming in, business enterprises are trying their hands at different business promotional tools. Union trade show signs remain a highly valuable tool for promoting one's business products or services. The professionals at Park Press Printing are familiar with the benefits that come with well-designed trade show booths and displays. Having a strong presence at a trade show not just allows individuals to engage with the target audience, but also build one's brand and create a lasting impression. The range of union trade show signs they offer come in a variety of shapes and styles. One can choose the right one depending on their requirements and budget. The professionals at Park Press Printing will help in selecting the correct signage for their business. Branding is important. A lot of business success depends on meaningful branding. The introduction of union trade show signs has remarkably redefined the overall concept of branding. An excellent presentation with a catchy display never fails to draw the attention of the attendees. At Park Press Printing, they pride themselves on high-quality trade show signs and graphics that boost prospects. At Park Press Printing, one can find a great variety of trade show signs that one can utilize for marketing their business, including pop-up displays, banners, table throws, custom backdrops, and floor graphics. A right kind of union trade show sign is sure to give one's business a boost. The professionals at Park Press Printing can explain the design and fabrication process, as well as its benefits. With years of experience behind them, they are ready to give the business an edge over competitors with tailored graphics, appealing signs, and a solid depiction of the brand. For more information on a printer in Nashua NH and Lawrence, Massachusetts, visit https://www.parkpressprinters.com/. About Park Press Park Press, an expert Cambridge, MA Printing Service Provider, is dedicated to provide cost-effective printing solutions. With 80 years of experience, they have made the reputation as one of the leading printing service providers who specialize in commercial printing, newspaper printing, hardcover book printing, magazine printing, or any other form of printing. President discusses Al-Rashad Party Union 's role despite aggression, Salafists' normal, free life in Sanaa [07/May/2019] ANAA, May 7 (Saba) - Field Marshal Mahdi Al-Mashat, chairman of the Supreme Political Council met Tuesday with the member of Higher Committee of the Union of Al-Rashad Party of Yemen Mohammad Anam. During the meeting, they discussed the activities and role Al-Rashad Party especially in light of the current situation in the country as a result of the continued US-saudi coalition aggression targeting all elements of life in order to increase the suffering of the Yemeni people. The meeting dealt with aspects related to the situation of the Salafists and their normal life in the capital Sana'a freely and without any harassment. AA Saba Egypt's top appeals court upheld on Tuesday death sentences against 13 members of the terrorist group Ajnad Misr, who were convicted on charges including murder. The defendants were first handed the death penalty by a lower criminal court in December 2017 before they later appealed the sentences. They were convicted on the murder of security personnel, attempted murder, joining an outlawed group, and possessing firearms, in association with events that took place between 2013 and mid-2015. Tuesday's rulings by the Court of Cassation, the country's highest court, are final and cannot be appealed. Ajnad Misr, or Soldiers of Egypt, emerged in early 2014 and claimed responsibility for a number of attacks on security forces, mainly in the Egyptian capital. The group was designated a terrorist organisation by the Egyptian government in the same year. Its leader was killed by security forces in 2015, and many of its members are in jail. The court also upheld life sentences for 17 defendants, 15-year prison terms for two others and five-year terms for seven. Search Keywords: Short link: Over 62 per cent voters exercised their franchise on Monday in the fifth phase of Lok Sabha elections in 51 constituencies, with voting percentage marginally higher than 61.75 per cent recorded in 2014 parliamentary elections. The constituencies were spread across seven states. The fifth phase was the smallest of seven-phase elections to elect a new Lok Sabha. The polling percentage was higher compared to 2014 in Hindi heartland of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. "The overall polling percentage was 62.56 per cent in 2019 compared to 61.75 per cent in 2014," Deputy Election Commissioner Sandeep Saxena told reporters here. He said the figure is expected to go up further once all the votes cast are accounted for. In seven seats in West Bengal, polling percentage was 73.97 per cent compared to 81.37 per cent in 2014. In Uttar Pradesh where 14 seats went to polls on Monday, 57.33 per cent voters had cast their ballot by 6 p.m. The polling percentage was 56.92 per cent in 2014. In five seats of Bihar, the voter turnout was 57.86 per cent compared to 55.69 per cent in 2014. In Jharkhand, where polling was held for four seats, 63.72 per cent electorate had cast their vote by 5 p.m. The polling percentage in these seats was 63.85 per cent in 2014. In Madhya Pradesh, the seven seats that went to the polls on Monsday, recorded a polling percentage of 62.60 per cent compared to 57.86 per cent in 2014. In Ladakh constituency of Jammu and Kashmir, polling was 63.76 per cent by 5 p.m compared to 71.9 per cent in 2014. Polling was completed in Anantnag parliamentary seat on Monday after a three-phase election. The two districts - Shopian and Pulwama - where polling was held on Monday, registered 2.88 per cent and 2.14 per cent polling until 6 p.m. The overall polling percentage in Anantnag is 8.76 per cent which is far less compared to 28.45 per cent registered in 2014. The 12 seats in Rajasthan that went to the polls on Monday saw 63.75 polling compared to 61.80 per cent in 2014. Saxena said 26 states and Union Territories have completed their election with the conclusion of fifth phase. The polling percentage was 69.50 per cent for the first phase, 69.44 in second, 68.40 in third and 65.51 in the fourth phase. He said in the five phases of elections completed until Monday, over six crore additional votes have been cast compared to the last general election. Four places in Rajasthan saw poll boycott due to demands concerning development but voters were later persuaded to vote. After a clean chit to Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi on Monday in the sexual harassment case, the complainant in a statement has said she is highly disappointed to learn that the "in-house committee has found no substance in my complaint" and that she felt gross injustice has been done to her. The woman said she is "now extremely scared and terrified" as evidence on record has been rejected by the Supreme Court committee. "I and my family members remain vulnerable to the ongoing reprisals and attack," she said in a statement to the media. The woman's statement has come hours after a three-judge in-house committee probing the CJI on allegations of sexual harassment claimed that no substance was found against him. The woman claimed that her accusation in the affidavit sent to the Supreme Court judges is "substantiated by documents and is verifiable." The former SC employee also said that she is not just "highly disappointed and dejected" to learn that the in-house committee appointed by the Supreme Court found "no substance" in her sexual harassment complaint, but also felt that "gross injustice" has been done. According to her, "the committee has announced that I will not even be provided a copy of the report, and so I have no way of comprehending the reasons and basis for the summary dismissal of my complaint of sexual harassment and victimization." The woman said she would consult her lawyer and decide on the next course of action. "Today, I am on the verge of losing faith in the idea of justice," she said. Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court-appointed three-judge in-house committee probing the allegations of sexual harassment against Chief Justice of India (CJI) Ranjan Gogoi gave a clean chit to him. A statement issued by the top court said: "The in-house committee has found no substance in the allegations contained in the complaint dated April 19, 2019, of a former employee of the Supreme Court of India." The in-house panel comprised Justice S.A. Bobde, the second most-senior judge in the apex court, Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice Indu Malhotra. The committee submitted its report on May 5 in accordance with the "in-house procedure to the next senior-most judge competent to receive the report and also sent a copy of the report to the judge concerned, the Chief Justice India." The court also said that the "in-house procedure was not liable to be made public." On Sunday, the apex court had issued a statement declining that Justice D.Y. Chandrachud and Justice Rohinton Nariman had met Justice Bobde, who was heading the panel probing the sexual harassment allegations. It was claimed that Justices Chandrachud and Nariman had met the members of the in-house committee on the evening of May 3 to register their concerns over continuing with the probe involving the CJI in the absence of the complainant. In a press release issued on Sunday, SC Secretary General Sanjeev Kalgaonkar said: "This is wholly incorrect. The in-house committee... deliberates on its own without any input from any other honourable judge of this court." On April 30, the former employee of the Supreme Court, who accused the CJI of sexually harassing her, had said that she would no longer appear before the in-house panel set up by the apex court. The committee was formed after the woman on April 19 leveled allegations of sexual harassment against Chief Justice Gogoi reportedly in a letter addressed to 22 judges of the Supreme Court. Albany, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/07/2019 -- The acknowledgment and presence of advanced innovations at airports has successfully made ecosystem inside airports stronger so that can oblige any necessities of the purchaser, while likewise guaranteeing a smooth and safe working of the airport itself. From mobile boarding passes and instant messages for flight calendars to sensor-based activity control and even huge data analytics, the global airport digitalization market is as of now abounding with developments went for making the whole procedure smoother, quicker, more secure, and financially savvy. Biometric technologies are enabling airports to make client profiles that permits staff and even fliers to oversee procedures, for example, self-check in, direction through the airport, and quick reports on flight plans. The global airport digitalization market likewise incorporates various advanced trials that can help settle basic explorer issues and enhance the operational proficiency of the airport. From the point of view of wellbeing, the global airport digitalization market is at the highest point of its business operations, with various players giving best in class security and wellbeing based advanced innovations and administrations. The developing rates of wrongdoing and terrorist activities over the world is augmenting the demand for enhanced airport security, offering ascend to digital measures for securing luggage transport and travelers alike. The most important factor driving the market for airport digitalization is the growth in crimes and terrorist activities across airports prompting human casualties along with the damage to the infrastructure. Organizations over the globe are creating vigorous advancements for traveler screening, stuff screening, and safety efforts which helps in examining each traveler while entering the airport and additionally their things. This factor has expanded enthusiasm among airport experts to consolidate these safety efforts so as to secure the airport. In addition, the improvement of programming utilizing Big Data that guides travelers amid check in or ticketing utilizing self-benefit stands is assisting airport specialists with digitalizing the airports. The impact of Big Data in the digitalization of airports has had a positive effect and is incredibly assisting the market for airport digitalization. Global Airport Digitalization Market: Snapshot The acceptance and presence of digital technologies at airports has successfully created ecosystems inside airports that can cater to any and all needs of the consumer, while also ensuring a smooth and safe functioning of the airport itself. From mobile boarding passes and text messages for flight schedules to sensor-based traffic control and even big data analytics, the global airport digitalization market is currently teeming with innovations aimed at making the entire process smoother, faster, safer, and cost effective. Biometric technology is allowing airports to create user profiles that allows staff and even fliers to manage processes such as self-check in, guidance through the airport, and immediate updates on flight schedules. The global airport digitalization market also includes a number of digital experiments that can help resolve common traveler issues and improve the operational efficiency of the airport. Report Brochure For Industry Insights https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=27416 From the perspective of safety, the global airport digitalization market is at the top of its game, with numerous players providing state of the art security and safety based digital technologies and services. The growing rates of crime and terrorist activities across the world is creating a heightened need for airport security, giving rise to digital measures for safeguarding baggage transport and passengers alike. The most prominent factor driving the market for airport digitalization is the increase in crimes and terrorist activities in airports leading to human casualties as well as infrastructure damage. Companies across the globe are developing robust technologies for passenger screening, baggage screening, and security measures which helps in scrutinizing every passenger while entering the airport as well as their baggage. This factor has increased interest among airport authorities to incorporate these security measures in order to secure the airport. Moreover, the development of software using Big Data that aids passengers during check in or ticketing using self-service kiosks is helping airport authorities to digitalize the airports. The influence of Big Data in the digitalization of airports has had a positive impact and is greatly helping the market for airport digitalization to expand in future. The growth rate of the market for airport digitalization is however hampered by the increasing need for data privacy and protection. The world is facing a challenge from cyber-attacks, which is also negatively impacting digitalization in every sectors. Data regarding passengers, baggage, staff, as well as airport operations is growing rapidly on a daily basis. This data can be converted into important information with the objective of improving airport operations by increasing business flexibility and minimizing operational risks. The risk of losing this valuable information can lead to unavoidable situations at an airport. In developing nations, airport authorities are limiting the incorporation of such software in order to reduce the risk of cyber-attacks, which in turn is inhibiting the airport digitalization market to expand in the coming years. The airport digitalization market is poised to grow over the years due to certain factors extensively impacting market growth such as evolution of mobile based applications, introduction of facial recognition and retina recognition systems in airports, as well as baggage scanning software. Mobile based applications allow passengers to check-in before arriving at the airport, also help ticketing to get done easily. The facial or retina recognition systems helps law enforcement officers to scrutinize every passenger entering an airport. Baggage scanning software allows the crew and the police to scan the baggage or cargo before loading them on to the aircraft. Thus, these factors are expected to fuel the market for airport digitalization in the coming years. Download Report TOC for in-depth analysis https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=T&rep_id=27416 The market for airport digitalization is segmented on basis of application and geography. Based on application, the market is categorized as passenger screening and security, baggage services, passenger assistance, and retail. The rapid escalation of terrorist activities and crimes in airports have led the introduction of various passenger screening and security measures such as retina scan, facial recognition, self-service kiosks, and biometric sensors. These safety measures have enabled the passenger screening and security segment (in the application segment) to dominate the market and the segment is anticipated to retain its dominance in the next few years. The market for airport digitalization is segmented on the basis of five strategic regions globally, namely, North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, and Latin America. The market is led by North America due to a number of companies developing different software in order to offer enhanced safety in airports and to the crew as well as provide easy passenger assistance. Moreover, airports authorities across North America are rapidly adopting these safety and easy measures, which is leading the region to dominate the market. The major players operating in the airport digitalization market includes Microsoft Corporation (U.S), IBM (U.S), Cisco Systems Inc. (U.S), Siemens AG (Germany), Apple Inc. (U.S), Living PlanIT SA (Portugal), Scarabee (Netherlands), Wind River (U.S), Daifuku Co. Ltd. (JAPAN), and SITA (Belgium). Palanga, Lithuania -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/07/2019 -- AMBEROS has been established with the passion to share what Mother Nature and the beautiful and stormy Baltic Sea has bestowed on humans. Amber, born after millions of years' depositions and careful sedimentation process, is in itself a miracle. After preserving this treasure for decades and generations together, AMBEROS has decided to share its pleasure with the world in the form of its amber jewellery for babies and their moms. The naturally born amber stone, a plant resin with a unique colour and properties, can be woven in any form. The spokesperson of AMBEROS shared in a recent interview, "We have carefully picked these splendid amber pieces with their myriad of colours and have made them into necklaces, anklets, and bracelets. Our special teething necklaces are sent out with love to the babies who have much need for their soothing effect. Amber bracelets are safe for babies and help them heal and grow with nature. Our products come with a certificate of authenticity, which ensures that the amber item has the highest amount of succinic acid to help with teething." Baltic amber is known for its marvelous healing properties. The naturally occurring succinic acid in this stone works as an analgesic and relieves pains and aches. Thus, it has been the most sought-after stone since ages. AMBEROS carves and polishes these precious stones into jewellery pieces. With the recently invented and patented Baltic amber polishing technology, the jeweller's amber beads become extremely shiny and nice roundish smooth. On its online store, AMBEROS provides sparkling amber necklaces that are fascinating in appearance. The spokesperson further informed, "We have experienced craftsmen who manually polish amber stones to bring out the best lustre and colour and then shape them into various beads, either round ones or flattened and weave into baby anklets and other jewellery for babies and adults. Our bead anklets can be worn in an area inaccessible to the babies, to make them safe and secure. We are one of the few certified Baltic amber suppliers whose products are certified by the Lithuania National Probation Lab." For customers who want the best authentic amber teething necklace or best baby teething jewellery, AMBEROS provides quality backed items with free shipping across the world. The retailer offers both standard and special product deliveries. The customer service representatives at AMBEROS assist people with the knowledge of the different sizes, shapes and colours of amber stones that they find in its online store. The representatives also help them pick the best amber stone item and order on its secure shopping platform. About AMBEROS AMBEROS offers the highest-quality amber jewellery. Along with the best amber for babies, the retailer presents its new collection of products that includes amber amulets on the red thread, as well as chakra necklaces and bracelets that are made as a mix of the most powerful semi-precious gemstones and Baltic amber. Additionally, the jeweller is establishing cooperation with India-based gemstone suppliers to get the purest natural gemstones, such as rose quartz, amethyst, turquoise, lapis lazuli, and colourful jade. Customers can also get these Baltic amber products with colourful gemstones at AMBEROS. Contact Information: Company : AMBEROS Address: Kretingos G. 62A, Palanga, Lithuania Email: info@amberosbabies.com Website: https://amberosbabies.com/ Albany, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/07/2019 -- According to a new market report published by Transparency Market Research titled "Ammunition Market Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast, 2018 2026," the global ammunition market is expected to reach US$ 16,468.2 Mn by 2026. The market is projected to expand at a CAGR of 3.5% during the forecast period from 2018 to 2026. According to the report, the increase in defense expenditure by emerging economies such as China, India, and Japan is expected to be the primary growth driver for the ammunition market. Asia Pacific is projected to be at the forefront of global demand, with the market in the region growing at a CAGR of 5% through 2026. Report Analysis@ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/ammunition-market.html Full metal jacket segment to be the fastest growing throughout the forecast period The global ammunition market is segmented by type into full metal jacket (FMJ) ammunition, tracer ammunition, incendiary ammunition, armor piercing ammunition, and other ammunition. The full metal jacket segment is anticipated to occupy major revenue share by 2026 owing to the increased demand from the military and other law enforcement organizations. In order to improve the penetration of the bullet, FMJ design has room for customization of the bullet which makes it among the most preferred ammunition in the market. Military segment to be the major revenue generating segment by 2026 due to growing security concerns In terms of application, the ammunition market is segmented into commercial, military, and law enforcement. The military segment is expected to be the major revenue generating segment by 2026. This growth can be attributed to the increased defense spending by governments of various regions and the need to improve the versatility, agility, and capability of the armed forces. The military segment is expected to expand at a modest CAGR of 3.8% over the forecast period. Request a PDF Sample - https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=1225 North America expected to continue to hold significant share in the overall market North America is expected to hold highest share in the ammunition market during the forecast period and experience significant growth over the forecast period. The growth is mainly due to the presence of large number of players providing ammunition and associated products coupled with the significant increments in military budgets by the governments in the region.The Asia Pacific market is projected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period due to the increasing military spending and growing demand for ammunition from countries such as China, India, and Japan. China is expected to be at the forefront of ammunition demand among all the Asia Pacific countries. India, South Korea, and Japan are also expected to contribute significantly to the Asia Pacific ammunition market. Companhia Brasileira de Cartuchos, BAE Systems, Fiocchi Munizioni, General Dynamics Corporation, Hornady Manufacturing Company, Inc., Nammo A.S., Nexter Group, Orbital ATK, Inc., Prvi Partizan A.D., Rheinmetall AG, and RUAG Group among others are some of the key players operating in the ammunition market profiled in this study. Details such as financials, business strategies, recent developments, product implementation expertise, key contracts, certified professionals, and other such strategic information pertaining to these players have been duly provided as part of company profiling. Los Angeles, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/07/2019 -- Automotive safety systems are designed to comply with the standards and regulations prescribed by government agencies and transport authorities worldwide. Passive safety systems are designed to protect passengers, drivers, and pedestrians during an accident. In terms of region, the global Automotive Passive Safety Systems market can be segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Middle East & Africa. Asia Pacific is likely to hold a prominent share of the global market due to high vehicle production in the region. The market in Latin America is anticipated to expand at a substantial growth rate during the forecast period. GDP of countries in Latin America is expanding at a significant growth rate. Moreover, increase in the number of production plants for passenger and commercial vehicles due to high demand for these vehicles and presence of rapidly expanding economies such as Mexico and Brazil are anticipated to drive the market in the region. The light commercial vehicles sub-segment of the market in North America is expanding at substantial pace due to extensive usage of these vehicles to transport daily goods in the region. The global Automotive Safety market is valued at xx million US$ in 2018 is expected to reach xx million US$ by the end of 2025, growing at a CAGR of xx% during 2019-2025. This report focuses on Automotive Safety volume and value at global level, regional level and company level. From a global perspective, this report represents overall Automotive Safety market size by analyzing historical data and future prospect. Regionally, this report focuses on several key regions: North America, Europe, China and Japan. Get PDF template of this report: https://www.qyresearch.com/sample-form/form/987238/global-automotive-safety-market 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: Autoliv Delphi Automotive Takata TRW Automotive ... Segment by Regions North America Europe China Japan Segment by Type Airbags Seatbelts Occupant Sensing Systems Whiplash Protection Systems Segment by Application Passenger Vehicle Commercial Vehicle About QYResearch QYResearch always pursuits high product quality with the belief that quality is the soul of business. Through years of effort and supports from huge number of customer supports, QYResearch consulting group has accumulated creative design methods on many high-quality markets investigation and research team with rich experience. Today, QYResearch has become the brand of quality assurance in consulting industry. New York, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/07/2019 -- Commodity chemicals (bulk chemicals) are a group of chemicals that are made on a very large scale and act as intermediates to produce other chemicals, which, in turn are used to produce a extensive range of end-user products including construction materials, adhesives, plastics, apparel and tires. Commodity chemicals are the largest sub-segment of the chemical industry. Commodity chemicals are commonly traded under broad categories such as organics, inorganics, plastics resins, synthetic rubbers, fibers, films, explosives and petrochemicals. These broad categories include chemicals such as, acetic acid, acetone, acrylate esters, adipic acid, acrylonitrate, benzene, bisphenol, butadiene, butanediol, butyl acetate, hexane, melamine, polyvinyl chloride, propylene, methanol, methyl, glycol and glycerines. These chemical are very low in product differentiation, and hence making price the dominant economic factor in purchasing decisions for the end users. The commodity chemical industry is highly fragmented and served with large number of local or regional players. Asia Pacific is by far the largest market for commodity chemicals accounting almost half of the total market. It is followed by North America and Europe. The growth prospective is still high in Asia Pacific attributed to the growing economy and ongoing trend and support for manufacturing sector in the developing countries such as India, China, and Indonesia. Bulk availability of crude oil and natural gas from gulf countries such as Saudi Arabian, Iran, Iraq and Syria is helping the commodity chemical industries in Asia Pacific. Request Sample Report@ https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/2787 Commodity chemicals serve a wide range of industries ranging from personal care products to aerospace industries. It has its application either directly or indirectly in almost all manufacturing industries. The economy growth and increasing Gross domestic product (GDP) of developed and developing countries around the world is boosting the overall market of commodity chemicals. However the stiff regulation of the governments around the world regarding the health and environment side effect of chemicals and fluctuating prices of crude oil and natural gas are posing significant challenge for the industry. Request Report TOC@ https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/2787 Some of the major players in commodity chemicals market include, BASF SE, Bayer AG, The Dow Chemical Company, Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corporation, PPG industries, Linde Group, Akzo Nobel, LyondellBasell Industries, Asahi Kasei, Sumitomo chemicals, Evonik Industries, INEOS Group Holding and Chem China. Edison, NJ -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/07/2019 -- HTF MI newly added the Global Automatic Packaging Machinery Market Study that gives meticulous investigation of current scenario of the Market size, share, demand, growth, trends, and forecast in the coming years. The report firstly introduced the Automatic Packaging Machinery Market basics: definitions, classifications, applications and market overview; product specifications; manufacturing processes; cost structures, raw materials and so on. Then it analyzed the world main region market conditions, including the product price, profit, capacity, production, supply, demand and market growth rate and forecast etc. Companies Profiled in this report includes: Chapter 3, the Automatic Packaging Machinery competitive situation, sales, revenue and global market share of top manufacturers are analyzed emphatically by landscape contrast. Get the inside scoop of the Sample report @: https://www.htfmarketreport.com/sample-report/1823442-global-automatic-packaging-machinery-market-7 The research study gives a complete list of all the leading players working in the Global Automatic Packaging Machinery Market. Moreover, the financial status, company profiles, business strategies and policies, along with latest expansions in the worldwide market have been mentioned in the research study. Research objectives - To study and analyze the Global Automatic Packaging Machinery Market size by key regions/countries, product type and application, history data from 2013 to 2018, and forecast to 2025. - To understand the structure of Automatic Packaging Machinery Market by identifying its various sub segments. - Focuses on the key Global Automatic Packaging Machinery Market players, to define, describe and analyze the value, market share, market competition landscape, SWOT analysis and development plans in next few years. - To analyze the Automatic Packaging Machinery Market with respect to individual growth trends, future prospects, and their contribution to the total market. - To share detailed information about the key factors influencing the growth of the market (growth potential, opportunities, drivers, industry-specific challenges and risks). - To project the size of Automatic Packaging Machinery Market, with respect to key regions, type [, Fully Automatic Packaging Machinery & Semi-Automatic Packaging Machinery] and applications [Food Industry, Beverage Industry, Pharmaceutical Industry & Other]. - To analyze competitive developments such as expansions, agreements, new product launches and acquisitions in the market. Read Detailed Index of full Research Study at @ https://www.htfmarketreport.com/reports/1823442-global-automatic-packaging-machinery-market-7 In this report you will also find additional deals into key geographical segments of Global Automatic Packaging Machinery Market and deliver details about their current and former share. Ongoing trends, upcoming Challenges, future better regional investments and many other influencing factors have been considered and presented. The regions North America (United States, Canada and Mexico), Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy), Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia), South America (Brazil, Argentina, Colombia etc.) & Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa) have been studied in depth to gain better market penetration and assure exact analysis. Top manufacturers have been given prime importance to make sure their strategies are understood and their position in this particular market can be elucidated. Acquire Single User PDF license of this research report @ https://www.htfmarketreport.com/buy-now?format=1&report=1823442 In the end, the report includes Global Automatic Packaging Machinery Market new project SWOT analysis, investment feasibility analysis, investment return analysis, and development analysis. The report also presents a round-up of vulnerabilities which companies operating in the market must avoid in order to enjoy sustainable growth through the course of the forecast period. Thanks for reading this article; you can also get individual chapter wise section or region wise report version like North America, Europe or Asia (China, India, Japan etc) or Oceania [Australia and New Zealand]. Fundamentals of Table of Content: 1 Report Overview 1.1 Study Scope 1.2 Key Market Segments 1.3 Players Covered 1.4 Market Analysis by Type 1.5 Market by Application 1.6 Study Objectives 1.7 Years Considered 2 Global Growth Trends 2.1 Global Automatic Packaging Machinery Market Size 2.2 Automatic Packaging Machinery Growth Trends by Regions 2.3 Industry Trends 3 Market Share by Key Players 3.1 Global Automatic Packaging Machinery Market Size by Manufacturers 3.2 Global Automatic Packaging Machinery Key Players Head office and Area Served 3.3 Key Players Product/Solution/Service 3.4 Enter barriers in Automatic Packaging Machinery Market 3.5 Mergers, Acquisitions, Expansion Plans 4 Automatic Packaging Machinery Market by Product 4.1 Global Automatic Packaging Machinery Sales by Product 4.2 Global Automatic Packaging Machinery Revenue by Product 4.3 Global Automatic Packaging Machinery Price by Product 5 Automatic Packaging Machinery Market by End User 5.1 Overview 5.2 Automatic Packaging Machinery by End User Valley Cottage, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/07/2019 -- Europium is a rare earth metal which oxidizes readily in presence of air and water. It is generally present in oxide form and has applications in automobiles, catalysts, consumer electronics, flat panel displays, metallurgy and fluorescent lamps and as a dopant of glass in lasers and optoelectronic devices. Growing demand from flat panel displays and LEDs in Asia Pacific market is expected to drive the market. The shift from traditional lighting to solid state lighting systems in displays is expected to fuel the market for flat panel displays and LEDs. Increasing civil infrastructure is the main factor behind growing demand for LEDs owing to its use in street lighting and highway lighting. However, the supply issues and lack of refining, alloying and fabricating technologies for europium are expected to hamper the growth of this market. Technological advances in the field of earth metal nano-crystals are expected to provide immense opportunities for the players in this market. Europium nano-crystals are being use in the LEDs as a phosphor which emits wide range of spectrum. Download Sample Copy @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-359 Asia Pacific region was the largest consumer of europium and its derivative products. China contributes highest for the consumption of this metal owing to increasing population, improving living standard and disposable income. Growing demand from Japan, Korea and China for consumer electronics is fueling the market in this region. China is the largest manufacturer of europium and its derivatives. However, export restrictions and increasing local demand has been causing supply issues. Asia Pacific is followed by North America owing to demand from LEDs and consumer electronics industries. Decreased exports from China causing development of new exploration and production sites in this region to fulfill the demand. The key players in europium market include Rare Element Resources, Avalon Rare Metals Inc., Molycorp, Lynas, Minmetals Corporation, Baotou Steel Rare-Earth, Xiamen Tungsten, Great Western Minerals Group Ltd., Indian Rare Earth, Arafura Resources Ltd. and Canada Rare Earth Corporation among others Download Regional Data @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-359 Northbrook, IL -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/06/2019 -- The report "Fluorosurfactants Market by Type (Nonionic, Anionic, Amphoteric, and Cationic), Application (Paints & Coatings, Specialty Detergents, Firefighting, and Oilfield & Mining), Region - Global Forecast to 2021", The global fluorosurfactants market was valued at USD 382.6 Million in 2015 and is projected to reach USD 667.4 Million by 2021, at a CAGR of 9.8%. Browse 104 market data tables and 49 figures spread through 141 pages and in-depth TOC on "Fluorosurfactants Market - Global Forecast to 2021" Download PDF Brochure @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=59254433 The market is driven by the better performance of fluorosurfactants in various application areas, such as paints & coatings and specialty detergents ascompared to other surfactants, and the increasing demand for less toxic, short-chain fluorosurfactants due to stringent environmental regulations. Paints & coatings segment estimated to be the largest application segment of the fluorosurfactants market The paints & coatings application segment accounted for the largest share of the global fluorosurfactants market. Fluorosurfactants are used in paints & coatings owing to their better wetting and leveling properties as compared to other surfactants. The growth of the paints & coatings industry globally is driving the paints & coatings application segment of the fluorosurfactants market. The specialty detergents segment accounted for the second-largest market share. Anionic segment projected to be fastest-growing type segment of the fluorosurfactants market By type, the anionic segment of the fluorosurfactants market is projected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. Anionic fluorosurfactants exhibit excellent wettability and permeability, besides providing better leveling. Anionic fluorosurfactants are widely preferred for paints & coatings. The growing demand in the paints & coatings application segment is expected to increase the demand for anionic fluorosurfactants globally. The nonionic segment is estimated to be the second-largest type segment of the fluorosurfactants market. Rising demand in Asia-Pacific drives the growth of the fluorosurfactants market The Asia-Pacific region is expected to be the largest market for fluorosurfactants during the forecast period. In 2015, North America was estimated to be the largest market for fluorosurfactants, in terms of volume. However, Asia-Pacific is projected to outgrow North America and Europe to become the largest market for fluorosurfactants during the forecast period. The shift of the fluorosurfactants market towards emerging economies owing to stringent regulations on emissions in developing economies is driving the Asia-Pacific fluorosurfactants market. Get 10% FREE Customization on this Report @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestCustomizationNew.asp?id=59254433 The key companies profiled in the fluorosurfactants market research report are The Chemours Company (U.S.), The 3M Company (U.S.), Merck KGaA (Germany), OMNOVA Solutions Inc. (U.S.), Asahi Glass Co. Ltd. (Japan), Tyco International Plc. (Ireland), DIC Corporation (Japan), Advanced Polymers, Inc. (U.S.), Innovative Chemical Technologies, Inc. (U.S.), and Pilot Chemical Company (U.S.). 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. Shelly Singh 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 RTHK: Nothing to see here, McConnell tells Democrats Mitch McConnell, the top Republican in the US Congress, said on Tuesday it was "case closed" regarding the special counsel's report on Russian interference and urged Democrats to drop their investigations of President Donald Trump. The Senate majority leader laid out his argument for turning from "unhinged partisanship" and paralysis after a 2016 election that did not go Democrats' way to cooperating on legislation now that the two-year investigation has run its course. Democrats "told everyone there had been a conspiracy between Russia and the Trump campaign, yet on this special question, the special counsel's finding is case closed," McConnell said in a floor speech. "They are grieving that the national crisis they spent two years wishing for did not materialize," he said of congressional Democrats. "But for the rest of the country, this is good news." Top Democrat Chuck Schumer responded immediately and heatedly, calling McConnell's remarks "an astounding bit of whitewashing" amid rising Democratic concerns that Trump may have acted inappropriately or even illegally. "It's sort of like Richard Nixon saying 'Let's move on' at the height of the investigation of his wrongdoing," Schumer said, referring to the president who resigned in disgrace in 1974 during the Watergate scandal. McConnell's call to move on is "a concerted effort to circle the wagons, to protect the president from accountability, to whitewash his reprehensible conduct by simply declaring it irrelevant." McConnell barely mentioned the specifics of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's probe, but Schumer was quick to note that the report identified around a dozen instances of potential obstruction of justice by Trump. In a withering follow-up statement, Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi assailed McConnell's "case closed" argument as "a stunning act of political cynicism." "On every issue that matters in people's lives, the administration and a complicit Republican Senate are waging an unprecedented, unwarranted, unconstitutional and utterly dangerous campaign of stonewalling," they said. The back-and-forth comes amid rising tensions on Capitol Hill, where House Democrats have scheduled contempt proceedings for Wednesday against US Attorney General Bill Barr for failing to produce Mueller's full, unredacted report. Barr, whom McConnell praised as a "distinguished public servant," angered Democrats by refusing to testify before a House panel last week. Another front of conflict opened on Tuesday when the administration instructed former White House counsel Don McGahn, a key figure in Mueller's report, to withhold documents sought by the House Judiciary Committee. (AFP) This story has been published on: 2019-05-07. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Egypt is sending medical assistance to Sudan to help maintain security and stability in the Arab country, the Egyptian foreign ministry said on Tuesday. The ministry added in a short press statement that the first shipment of aid consists of 25 tonnes of medicines. It added that extending aid to the brothers in Sudan aims to consolidate the longstanding relations between the two neighbouring River Nile nations and reflects Egypt's keenness on serving the best interest of the Sudanese people. Search Keywords: Short link: Albany, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/07/2019 -- ResearchMoz include new market research report "Global Fibre Drum Packaging Market Insights, Forecast to 2025" to its huge collection of research reports. The report on global Fibre Drum Packaging market is outcome of thorough study conducted by experienced and expert researchers and analysts. Aim of the report is to assist vendors, investors, and new entrants and introduce them with product, market growth, restraints, current trends, and lucrative opportunities in executive summery and market dynamics. Based on recent developments, the report predicts future for forecast years on global, regional, country, and segmented basis. These predictions of revenue, trends, and opportunities helps to decide their strategy to acquire substantial share in market and to hold notable place in global Fibre Drum Packaging market. Request For sample Copy of this research to evaluate more: https://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=2288324 This report researches the worldwide Fibre Drum Packaging market size (value, capacity, production and consumption) in key regions like United States, Europe, Asia Pacific (China, Japan) and other regions. This study categorizes the global Fibre Drum Packaging breakdown data by manufacturers, region, type and application, also analyzes the market status, market share, growth rate, future trends, market drivers, opportunities and challenges, risks and entry barriers, sales channels, distributors and Porter's Five Forces Analysis. The following manufacturers are covered in this report: Grief L.Smith Schutz Container Systems Mauser Group TPL Plastech Industrial Container Services Three Rivers Packaging Sonoco Product Company Milford Barrel Enviro-Pak Orlando Drum & Container Fibrestar Drums Great Western Containers Patrick J. Kelly Drums SHRI KRISHNA PACKAGING Fibre Drum Company Consolidated Container Company Fibre Drum Packaging Breakdown Data by Type Metal Closure Plastic Closure Fiber Closure Fibre Drum Packaging Breakdown Data by Application Chemical Industry Food & Agro-allied Industry Pharmaceutical Industry Building & Construction Industry Others For Enquiry Visit @ https://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=E&repid=2288324 Fibre Drum Packaging Production Breakdown Data by Region United States Europe China Japan Other Regions The study objectives are: To analyze and research the global Fibre Drum Packaging capacity, production, value, consumption, status and forecast; To focus on the key Fibre Drum Packaging manufacturers and study the capacity, production, value, market share and development plans in next few years. To focuses on the global key manufacturers, to define, describe and analyze the market competition landscape, SWOT analysis. To define, describe and forecast the market by type, application and region. To analyze the global and key regions market potential and advantage, opportunity and challenge, restraints and risks. To identify significant trends and factors driving or inhibiting the market growth. To analyze the opportunities in the market for stakeholders by identifying the high growth segments. To strategically analyze each submarket with respect to individual growth trend and their contribution to the market. To analyze competitive developments such as expansions, agreements, new product launches, and acquisitions in the market. To strategically profile the key players and comprehensively analyze their growth strategies. About ResearchMoz ResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price. For More Information Kindly Contact: ResearchMoz Mr. Nachiket Ghumare, Tel: +1-518-621-2074 USA-Canada Toll Free: 866-997-4948 Email: sales@researchmoz.us Follow us on LinkedIn @ http://bit.ly/1TBmnVG Blog: https://newmarketsize.blogspot.com New York City, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/07/2019 -- Increasing government initiatives aimed at promoting energy-efficient lighting systems, growing number of smart city projects, and longevity of LED lights are driving the growth of the sector. Due to various benefits of LED lights, such as low energy requirement, electricity expenditure reduction capabilities, and better build, their demand from businesses has increased. The APAC LED lighting market was valued at $27.5 billion in 2018 and is predicted to witness a CAGR of 13.0% in the forecast period (20192024). Based on the product type, the LED lighting market in APAC is categorized into lamps and luminaires. Out of these, in 2018, luminaries were the largest revenue contributor in the market, accounting for over 75.0% share, owing to the increasing demand for LED lighting fixtures from the construction industry. Furthermore, with surging government initiatives toward the adoption of LED lighting in developing countries, such as China, India, and Australia, the LED luminaires market is predicted to advance in the region. For instance, in 2015, the Indian government launched the Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All (UJALA) scheme to promote energy-efficient lighting. Request Sample Copy of Report :: https://www.psmarketresearch.com/market-analysis/apac-led-lighting-market/report-sample On the basis of application, outdoor and indoor are the categories of the APAC LED lighting market. Of these, in 2018, the indoor category held the larger share (0ver 85.0%) in the market, which is attributed to the increasing government investments on smart city projects. For instance, the construction of 321,567 affordable houses was sanctioned in 2018 under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) launched by the Government of India in 2015. Hence, due to the increasing number construction projects, the demand for LED indoor lighting is escalating. In 2018, among China, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and rest of APAC, China held the largest revenue share in the market, owing to its growing number of urban lighting projects for buildings, roads and railways, rising government spending on bettering the lighting system in shopping malls, offices, and hospitals, and surging demand for energy-efficient and eco-friendly lighting products. For instance, in February 2019, the Government of China announced that to improve the rail network in the country, nearly $120 billion would be invested in construction. With the help of energy-efficient lighting, the greenhouse gas emission and thermal pollution can be minimized. Government initiatives toward checking carbon emissions are playing an important part in supporting the growth of the APAC LED lighting market. In 2015, the Government of India launched the Street Light National Programme (SLNP) to encourage energy efficiency. SLNP is aimed at replacing 35 million conventional lights with LED lights. The same year, the Indian government also launched the Smart Cities Mission to develop 100 cities, benefited by all modern facilities. Read summary of report here :: www.psmarketresearch.com/market-analysis/apac-led-lighting-market Hence, with the growing initiatives of governments toward energy-efficient lighting, building new residential houses and commercial buildings, and development of smart cities with all modern facilities, the demand for LED lighting is escalating, thereby resulting in significant growth of the APAC LED lighting market. Fairfax, VA -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/07/2019 -- Mehnaz Khan Law, PLLC is a law firm based in Northern Virginia. The law firm has relocated to a new office in another part of Fairfax County, VA. As a divorce attorney, bankruptcy attorney and Immigration law attorney, Mehnaz Khan, at Mehnaz Khan Law has touched the lives of many in need. "We have moved to a new office and aim to continue in reaching out to more citizens in need of efficient and zealous representation in this part of Fairfax County, Virginia" says Mehnaz Khan. Whether the citizens need to sort their child custody before or after a painful divorce or separation, or need a lawyer to help in their financial fight for survival combating bankruptcy, the law firm is there to help. Whether it is for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13, they can handle all with ease. The Attorney has all the know-how to even manage the immigration-related services to the clients who seek it. The bankruptcy attorney or the immigration-related lawyer provide complete support from the time clients come for counseling to the last day of a verdict. The attorney is compassionate and comprehensive of the stress the clients undergo during this phase. The clients have high reviews regarding the services of the attorney at Mehnaz Khan Law PLLC. This is the reason for a firm to announce its relocation so more locals from these parts can easily approach the firm. About Mehnaz Khan Law, PLLC Mehnaz Khan Law PLLC is a Northern Virginia-based divorce, immigration and bankruptcy practice law firm. The attorney here has been fighting successfully on various divorce and prenup agreements, along with immigration-related issues for quite some time now. Edison, NJ -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/07/2019 -- HTF MI released a new market study on Southeast Asia Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) Market with 100+ market data Tables, Pie Chat, Graphs & Figures spread through Pages and easy to understand in depth analysis. "Southeast Asia Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) Market by Type (, Type I, Type II & Type III), by End-Users/Application (Application I, Application II & Application III), Industry Size, Organizations, and Region - Forecast and outlook to 2025". At present, the market is developing its presence. The Research report presents a complete assessment of the Market and contains a future trend, current growth factors, focused opinions, details, and industry certified market data. The research study provides estimates for Southeast Asia Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) Forecast till 2025*. Some of the key players profiled are Stmicroelectronics, Robert Bosch, Analog Devices, NXP Semiconductors, Texas Instruments & Panasonic etc. Get Access to sample pages @ https://www.htfmarketreport.com/sample-report/1826446-southeast-asia-micro-electro-mechanical-systems The Southeast Asia Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) market report more focuses on top industry leaders and explores all essentials facets competitive landscape. It explains potent business strategies and approaches, consumption propensity, regulatory policies, recent moves taken by competitors, as well as potential investment opportunities and market threats also. The report emphasis crucial financial details of major manufacturers including year-wise sale, revenue growth, CAGR, production cost analysis, and value chain structure. In 2017, the Southeast Asia Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) market size was USD XX and is forecast to reach Million YY USD in 2025, growing at a CAGR of xx%. The objectives of this study is to define, market segment having opportunity, and to project the size of the Southeast Asia Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) market based on company, product type, application and key regions. Besides, the report also covers segment data, including: type segment, industry segment etc. cover different segment market size. Also cover different industries clients' information, which is very important for the Major Players. If you need more information, please contact HTF MI at sales@htfmarketreport.com. **The market is valued based on weighted average selling price (WASP) and includes any applicable taxes on manufacturers. All currency conversions used in the creation of this report have been calculated using constant annual average 2018 currency rates. Competition Analysis Southeast Asia Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) Market - Vendor Landscape: The analysts authoring the publication explain the nature and future changes in the competitive scenario of the worldwide companies that are profiled in the publication guide, some of key players that includes in the study are Stmicroelectronics, Robert Bosch, Analog Devices, NXP Semiconductors, Texas Instruments & Panasonic The Study is segmented by following Product Type , Type I, Type II & Type III Major applications/end-users industry are as follows Application I, Application II & Application III Enquire for customization in Report @ https://www.htfmarketreport.com/enquiry-before-buy/1826446-southeast-asia-micro-electro-mechanical-systems Region Segmentation: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam & Singapore ** Customized Report with detailed 2-level country level break-up can also be provided. North America (United States, Canada) South America (Brazil, Argentina, Rest of South America) Asia (China, Japan, India, Korea, RoA) Europe (Germany, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, Russia, Rest of Europe) Others (Middle East, Africa) In this study, the years considered to estimate the market size of Southeast Asia Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) are as follows: - History Year: 2013-2017 - Base Year: 2017 - Estimated Year: 2018 - Forecast Year 2018 to 2025 Buy full research report @ https://www.htfmarketreport.com/buy-now?format=1&report=1826446 Key Stakeholders/Global Reports: - Southeast Asia Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) Manufacturers - Southeast Asia Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) Distributors/Traders/Wholesalers - Southeast Asia Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) Sub-component Manufacturers - Industry Association - Downstream Vendors Following would be the Chapters to display the Southeast Asia Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) market. Chapter 1, to describe Definition, Specifications and Classification of Southeast Asia Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS), Applications of Southeast Asia Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS), Market Segment by Regions; Chapter 2, to analyze the Manufacturing Cost Structure, Raw Material and Suppliers, Manufacturing Process, Industry Chain Structure; Chapter 3, to display the Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis of Southeast Asia Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS), Capacity and Commercial Production Date, Manufacturing Plants Distribution, R&D Status and Technology Source, Raw Materials Sources Analysis; Chapter 4, to show the Overall Market Analysis, Capacity Analysis (Company Segment), Sales Analysis (Company Segment), Sales Price Analysis (Company Segment); Chapter 5 and 6, to show the Regional Market Analysis that includes 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 & Africa, Southeast Asia Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) Segment Market Analysis (by Type); Chapter 7 and 8, to analyze the Southeast Asia Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) Segment Market Analysis (by Application) Major Manufacturers Analysis of Southeast Asia Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS); Chapter 9, Market Trend Analysis, Regional Market Trend, Market Trend by Product Type [, Type I, Type II & Type III], Market Trend by Application [Application I, Application II & Application III]; Chapter 10, Regional Marketing Type Analysis, International Trade Type Analysis, Supply Chain Analysis; Chapter 11, to analyze the Consumers Analysis of Southeast Asia Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS); Chapter 12,13, 14 and 15, to describe Southeast Asia Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, Research Findings and Conclusion, appendix and data source. Read Detailed Index of full Research Study at @ https://www.htfmarketreport.com/reports/1826446-southeast-asia-micro-electro-mechanical-systems Thanks for reading this article, you can also get individual chapter wise section or region wise report version like North America, Europe or Asia. Also, If you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want. Bakersfield, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/07/2019 -- M&S Security Services is a well-known security firm that's been known to offer top-of-the-range solutions as it pertains to the security industry. Founded by a team of security professionals, the company offers a variety of security services which include alarm systems, guard & patrol services as well as guard training. The company draws its inspiration from the decades of experience they've accumulated, and this has allowed them to offer their clients excellent solutions on multiple occasions. Whether one is looking to get security solutions for commercial or private purposes, they can trust that the company will meet them at the point of their needs with the least hassles. Speaking about their security services, the Company's Spokesperson said, "Since our market entrance in 1972, we've been all about providing scalable security solutions that make a difference for our clients. We understand that security is a critical element of our day-to-day living and that's why we seek to ensure that our customers get the best there is in the market. That said, we've invested in modern equipment that will see our clients get the best protection for their premises and even their property. Additionally, our team of security guards has been highly trained, which ensures that one gets to enjoy world-class security services. Our services are in line with the laid down industry guidelines, making us a worthy partner for all your security needs." M&S Security Services has over the years proved to be an industry giant through its solutions that have made a significant impact on the lives of their clients. Keen on ensuring they serve their clientele to the latter, the company focuses on providing customized solutions that speak to the needs of a particular client. To date, they've worked with dozens of security assignments where they've delivered beyond client satisfaction, and this has seen them rise through the ranks. No security assignment is beyond their reach, and they can always be banked on to provide security services that will leave one smiling. Giving insights as it pertains to their alarm systems in Bakersfield, the Company Spokesperson said, "If you're looking to get high-performance alarm systems in Bakersfield, you've come to the right spot. The provision of alarm systems has been an area that we've specialized in for many years, and we've evolved to be good at it. The world of alarm systems is broad, and we work with you to ensure you get the right alarm system for your application. We offer a variety of alarm systems, and we'll see to it that you're well catered for in this arena." When it comes to finding secure systems in Bakersfield, M&S Security Services has separated itself from the herd to be a worthy contender for this endeavor. The company stays in touch with the ever-changing industry trends which allows them to provide clients with up-to-date solutions as it relates to security systems. More details on their security systems can be found on their online platform About M&S Security Services M&S Security Services stands tall as a highly decorated firm that offers top-notch security services in California. The company is good at what it does and can be trusted to provide solutions that will see one get value for their money. Contact Details Company Name: M&S Security Services Address: 2900 L Street, Bakersfield, CA 93301 Phone: 661.397.9616 Fax: 661.852.0187 Website: https://www.mssecurityservices.com/ Edison, NJ -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/07/2019 -- HTF MI released a new market study on Southeast Asia Natural Gas Refueling Stations Market with 100+ market data Tables, Pie Chat, Graphs & Figures spread through Pages and easy to understand in depth analysis. "Southeast Asia Natural Gas Refueling Stations Market by Type (, Type I, Type II & Type III), by End-Users/Application (Application I, Application II & Application III), Industry Size, Organizations, and Region - Forecast and outlook to 2025". At present, the market is developing its presence. The Research report presents a complete assessment of the Market and contains a future trend, current growth factors, focused opinions, details, and industry certified market data. The research study provides estimates for Southeast Asia Natural Gas Refueling Stations Forecast till 2025*. Some of the key players profiled are Atlas Copco, Clean Energy Compression, KwangShin, Wayne Fueling Systems, ANGI Energy Systems & Ingersoll Rand etc. Get Access to sample pages @ https://www.htfmarketreport.com/sample-report/1825816-southeast-asia-natural-gas-refueling-stations-market-report The Southeast Asia Natural Gas Refueling Stations market report more focuses on top industry leaders and explores all essentials facets competitive landscape. It explains potent business strategies and approaches, consumption propensity, regulatory policies, recent moves taken by competitors, as well as potential investment opportunities and market threats also. The report emphasis crucial financial details of major manufacturers including year-wise sale, revenue growth, CAGR, production cost analysis, and value chain structure. In 2017, the Southeast Asia Natural Gas Refueling Stations market size was USD XX and is forecast to reach Million YY USD in 2025, growing at a CAGR of xx%. The objectives of this study is to define, market segment having opportunity, and to project the size of the Southeast Asia Natural Gas Refueling Stations market based on company, product type, application and key regions. Besides, the report also covers segment data, including: type segment, industry segment etc. cover different segment market size. Also cover different industries clients' information, which is very important for the Major Players. If you need more information, please contact HTF MI at sales@htfmarketreport.com. **The market is valued based on weighted average selling price (WASP) and includes any applicable taxes on manufacturers. All currency conversions used in the creation of this report have been calculated using constant annual average 2018 currency rates. Competition Analysis Southeast Asia Natural Gas Refueling Stations Market - Vendor Landscape: The analysts authoring the publication explain the nature and future changes in the competitive scenario of the worldwide companies that are profiled in the publication guide, some of key players that includes in the study are Atlas Copco, Clean Energy Compression, KwangShin, Wayne Fueling Systems, ANGI Energy Systems & Ingersoll Rand The Study is segmented by following Product Type , Type I, Type II & Type III Major applications/end-users industry are as follows Application I, Application II & Application III Enquire for customization in Report @ https://www.htfmarketreport.com/enquiry-before-buy/1825816-southeast-asia-natural-gas-refueling-stations-market-report Region Segmentation: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam & Singapore ** Customized Report with detailed 2-level country level break-up can also be provided. North America (United States, Canada) South America (Brazil, Argentina, Rest of South America) Asia (China, Japan, India, Korea, RoA) Europe (Germany, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, Russia, Rest of Europe) Others (Middle East, Africa) In this study, the years considered to estimate the market size of Southeast Asia Natural Gas Refueling Stations are as follows: - History Year: 2013-2017 - Base Year: 2017 - Estimated Year: 2018 - Forecast Year 2018 to 2025 Buy full research report @ https://www.htfmarketreport.com/buy-now?format=1&report=1825816 Key Stakeholders/Global Reports: - Southeast Asia Natural Gas Refueling Stations Manufacturers - Southeast Asia Natural Gas Refueling Stations Distributors/Traders/Wholesalers - Southeast Asia Natural Gas Refueling Stations Sub-component Manufacturers - Industry Association - Downstream Vendors Following would be the Chapters to display the Southeast Asia Natural Gas Refueling Stations market. Chapter 1, to describe Definition, Specifications and Classification of Southeast Asia Natural Gas Refueling Stations, Applications of Southeast Asia Natural Gas Refueling Stations, Market Segment by Regions; Chapter 2, to analyze the Manufacturing Cost Structure, Raw Material and Suppliers, Manufacturing Process, Industry Chain Structure; Chapter 3, to display the Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis of Southeast Asia Natural Gas Refueling Stations, Capacity and Commercial Production Date, Manufacturing Plants Distribution, R&D Status and Technology Source, Raw Materials Sources Analysis; Chapter 4, to show the Overall Market Analysis, Capacity Analysis (Company Segment), Sales Analysis (Company Segment), Sales Price Analysis (Company Segment); Chapter 5 and 6, to show the Regional Market Analysis that includes 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 & Africa, Southeast Asia Natural Gas Refueling Stations Segment Market Analysis (by Type); Chapter 7 and 8, to analyze the Southeast Asia Natural Gas Refueling Stations Segment Market Analysis (by Application) Major Manufacturers Analysis of Southeast Asia Natural Gas Refueling Stations; Chapter 9, Market Trend Analysis, Regional Market Trend, Market Trend by Product Type [, Type I, Type II & Type III], Market Trend by Application [Application I, Application II & Application III]; Chapter 10, Regional Marketing Type Analysis, International Trade Type Analysis, Supply Chain Analysis; Chapter 11, to analyze the Consumers Analysis of Southeast Asia Natural Gas Refueling Stations; Chapter 12,13, 14 and 15, to describe Southeast Asia Natural Gas Refueling Stations sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, Research Findings and Conclusion, appendix and data source. Read Detailed Index of full Research Study at @ https://www.htfmarketreport.com/reports/1825816-southeast-asia-natural-gas-refueling-stations-market-report Thanks for reading this article, you can also get individual chapter wise section or region wise report version like North America, Europe or Asia. Also, If you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want. Sellbyville, DE -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/07/2019 -- Global Network Packet Broker Market report 2024 focuses on the major Types and Applications for the key players. The market forecast report also provides analysis of the market share, segmentation, revenue forecasts and geographic regions of the market. The research report is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of global Industry. The network packet broker market solutions are adopted in various application verticals including government organizations, enterprises and service providers. The market is witnessing a huge adoption rate from the enterprises due to their increasing bandwidth requirement coupled with rise in the enterprise data. Companies operating in this market are also innovating advanced solutions to deliver enhanced services to the enterprises. Request for an in-depth table of contents for this report @ https://www.gminsights.com/request-toc/upcoming/2930 For instance, in November 2017, Ixia introduced a new software version of its network packet broker device. This new solution will transform open switches in network packet brokers providing data center visibility to the enterprises. It also offers access to network packets facilitating real-time visibility and security for high density networks. The growth in the internet services, social media, IoT, and web applications has resulted into exponential growth in the network traffic causing the risk of service degradation and network outages. The network packet brokers assist in creating scalability, relieving oversubscription of monitoring tools and deliver centralized monitoring. Furthermore, the rising bandwidth necessity in data centers and increasing trend of bare-metal switches also creates huge growth opportunities in the network packet broker market. Request for customization @ https://www.gminsights.com/roc/2930 The adoption of these devices has created new challenges including the difficulty in managing network connections and monitoring traffic flows at scale. Hence, IT organizations are adopting network packet broker solutions to solve these challenges with increased scalability and flexibility. North America dominates the network packet broker market due to the rising adoption of IT and cloud services along with growth in the new data center technologies. The region is also home to some of the leading cloud service providers including IBM cloud, Microsoft Azure, and Google cloud platform increasing the network packet broker market demand. The network packet broker market is highly competitive due to the existence of a substantial number of players in the space. Some of the major players present in the market are NetScout Systems, Inc, Gigamon, Ixia, Broadcom Inc., APCON, Inc., Network Critical, Motadata, Netgear Inc. Corvil, Big Switch Networks, Inc., Juniper Networks, Inc., Cisco Ssytems Inc., and Zenoss Inc. Browse Complete Report Summary @ https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/network-packet-broker-market About Global Market Insights: Global Market Insights, Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider; offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy and biotechnology. Albany, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/07/2019 -- Network segmentation is a process of splitting the computer networking into sub networks to boost network performance and improve security. Increasing cyber-attacks on connected devices is a major driving factor for the growth of the global network segmentation solution market. For instance, in 2014, cyber criminals attacked the Home Depot's network and stole information of more than 56 million payment cards. In 2017, WannaCry ransomware attack, a worldwide cyber-attack, affected more than 200,000 computers in 150 countries in which India, Russia, Taiwan, and Ukraine were majorly affected. Obtain Report Details @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/network-segmentation-solution-market.html Similarly, the 2016 Indian banks data breach and the 2017 Equifax data breach are some of the other major cyber-attacks through which personal data or information of millions of customers have been stolen. Hence, increasing cyber-attacks have driven the need for advance network security solutions which controls the unauthorized access of cyber criminals. This has accelerated the network segmentation solution market globally. In addition, the increasing numbers of network connected devices have raised the demand for advance network security solutions which accelerates the market. For instance, by 2022, global networked devices is expected to reach 28.5 billion units, up from 18.0 billion units in 2017. On the basis of component, the network segmentation solution market is segmented into solution and services. The service segment is sub segmented into professional and managed services. Managed services is expected to expand at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. Managed service plays a key role in the development of network segmentation solutions according to client requirement. Managed services includes planning, designing, testing, and maintenance and support. Based on deployment model, the network segmentation solution market is segmented into on-premise and cloud. In terms of enterprise size, the market is segmented into large enterprises and small & mid-size enterprises. Based on verticals, the market is segmented into government and defense, BFSI, it and telecom, healthcare, retail, manufacturing, energy & utilities, and others. In terms of region, the global network segmentation solution market can be categorized into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, South America, and Middle East & Africa. North America held a dominant position in the global network segmentation solution market and is expected to retain its dominance throughout the forecast period. The increasing incidence of cyber-attacks in countries of the North America region has accelerated the demand for network segmentation solutions. In 2016, 46 U.S. financial institutes were targeted by the Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack in which data of more than 83 million bank customers were stolen. Download PDF Sample for this Research Report @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=65621 The network segment solution provides effective control to limit further movement of unauthorized access of cyber criminals across the network. Moreover, the presence of strong IT infrastructure and networking have accelerated the demand for networking security solutions for improving network security and performance in the region. In addition, the significant presence of network segment solution providers in North America has provided a dominant position to the region in the global market. The market in Asia Pacific is expected to expand with the highest CAGR during the forecast period. India, China, Japan, and Australia are some of the major countries which drive the market in this region. The increasing adoption of networking devices is a key factor driving the network segmentation solution market in this region. By 2022, networked devices are expected to reach 13.1 billion units in Asia Pacific, up from 8.6 billion units in 2017. Hence, the increasing number of networking devices has raised the demand for advance network security solutions which consequential accelerates the network segmentation solution market in this region. Albany, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/07/2019 -- Transparency Market Research delivers key insights on the active, smart and intelligent packaging market for cosmetics and personal care, in the report titled, 'Active Smart and Intelligent Packaging Market for Cosmetics and Personal Care: Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, Historical Analysis 2014-2018 and Forecast 2019-2027'. In terms of value, the global active, smart and intelligent packaging market for cosmetics and personal care is projected to register a CAGR of 7.8% during 2019-2027, owing to various factors. In this report, TMR delivers detailed insights about the current market scenario, trends, and opportunities in the active, smart and intelligent packaging market for cosmetics and personal care. Request a Sampe - https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=766 Due to evolving Internet of Things (IoT) technology in the packaging industry, North America and Europe are estimated to be prominent regions for the active, smart and intelligent packaging market for cosmetics and personal care. In the United States, the developed retail sector and logistics industry are playing key roles in increasing the share of the active, smart and intelligent packaging market for cosmetics and personal care. In the United States active, smart and intelligent packaging market for cosmetics and personal care, smart labels and tags are expected to create lucrative opportunities throughout the forecast period, due to retailers' need for preventing stealing and counterfeiting in cosmetics and personal care products. In 2019, Europe is estimated to be a prominent active, smart and intelligent packaging market for cosmetics and personal care, but is expected to witness sluggish growth after 2019. 2021 onwards, the North America active, smart and intelligent packaging market for cosmetics and personal care is expected to take over the dominance of Europe. Owing to rapid adoption of technology, Spain is projected to witness fast-paced growth in the active, smart and intelligent packaging market for cosmetics and personal care. The active packaging segment is expected to expand at a CAGR of 11.0% during 2019-2027, due to high spending on the research and development of active packaging industry leaders. The track and trace function is anticipated to be the key functional preference in the Europe active, smart and intelligent packaging market for cosmetics and personal care. Asia Pacific is projected to witness fast-paced growth in the global active, smart and intelligent packaging market for cosmetics and personal care. Growing number of IoT system providers, and smart label and code manufacturers from China, India, and ASEAN counters are expected to provide strong growth to the smart packaging market for cosmetics and personal care. In the overall Asia Pacific active, smart and intelligent packaging market for cosmetics and personal care, active packaging is expected to account for below 1% share throughout the forecast period. China is estimated to be a prominent country in the Asia Pacific active, smart and intelligent packaging market for cosmetics and personal care, followed by Japan and India. The India active, smart and intelligent packaging market for cosmetics and personal care is expected to witness fast-paced growth, due to the growing luxury cosmetics market, and the entry of new augmented reality interactive label and packaging providers. The Latin America active, smart and intelligent packaging market for cosmetics and personal care is expected to lose market share by 110 BPS to North America by the end of 2027. Brazil is estimated to hold around half of the market share in Latin America during the forecast period. In Latin America, the Argentina active, smart and intelligent packaging market for cosmetics and personal care is expected to witness impressive growth during 2019 and 2027. The Middle East & Africa active, smart and intelligent packaging market for cosmetics and personal care is estimated to hold a minor market share of around 3% during the forecast period, owing to less number of cosmetics and personal care players in the region. GCC countries are anticipated to be lucrative active, smart and intelligent packaging markets for cosmetics and personal care throughout the forecast period. Key players performing in the global active, smart and intelligent packaging market for cosmetics and personal care are 3M Company, Amcor Limited, Bemis Company, Inc., CCL Industries Inc., Cosmogen, Coveris Holdings S.A., Crown Holdings, Inc., Cryolog S.A., Deltatrak Inc., Landec Corporation, LCR Hallcrest LLC, Multisorb Technologies, Inc., PakSense, Inc., Sealed Air Corporation, ShockWatch, Inc., Temptime Corporation, Thin Film Electronics ASA., Timestrip UK Ltd., Varcode, Ltd., and Vitsab International AB. 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. Sellbyville, DE -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/07/2019 -- Global Market Insights recently introduced new report on global Plastic Compounding market with an in-depth study providing complete analysis of the industry size, share and statistics for the period 2019 to 2024. It also provides complete overview of Plastic Compounding industry considering all the major industry trends, market dynamics and competitive scenario. The demand from the consumer goods sector will propel the plastic compounding market by 2024. The sector will have plastic compounding requirement for various applications including, packaging, home appliances, 3D printing, furniture, etc. Fluctuating crude oil prices will be a growth restraint over the forecast timespan. Request for a sample copy of this report @ https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/1533 In 2016, North America held a share close to 19% in the plastic compounding market. Robust demand for 3D printing especially from defense & aerospace, education, healthcare, and consumer goods sectors will drive plastic compounding demand in the region by 2024. Latin America market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of over 5% over the forecast period. In 2016, thermoplastic polymers generated above USD 18.4 billion in the global market. Thermoplastic polymers will lead the market throughout the forecast timespan. These will witness a vast demand from various end-user industries owing to their re-usability, moldability, and lesser manufacturing costs. Electrical & electronics segment will witness growth at a CAGR of over 4% in the plastic compounding market by 2024. Various electrical applications of plastic include sockets, switches, semiconductors, wires & cables, enclosures, etc. PE and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) will be the leading polymers used in the segment by 2024. The enormous growth in the automotive sector is expected to be a key driver for plastic compounding market in the future years. The automotive sector held a share of over 30% in the global market in 2016. China, Australia, Japan, India, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia accounted for over 40 million automobile units (including passenger cars, trucks, and light commercial vehicles) in 2016. Make an Inquiry for Purchasing this Report @ https://www.gminsights.com/inquiry-before-buying/1533 Germany, Poland. France, Italy, Spain, and the UK together constitute more than 60% automotive demand in Europe. Plastic involved in a car contributes about 10-15% of the total car weight and thus plays a crucial role in propelling plastic compounding market. Additionally, in 2016, the plastic compounding consumption per vehicle in the U.S. was approximately USD 52 per vehicle. Regulations encouraging automotive weight reduction to reduce vehicular emissions will support market growth over the forecast period. Foremost participants, such as Honda, Nissan, and Mazda, have been investing in the industrial facilities in the central region of Mexico, which would encourage the automotive plastics demand in the region. These trends present a strong potential for the market in LATAM by 2024. The MEA plastic compounding market generated revenue more than USD 2 billion in the year 2016. The development of the downstream petrochemical industry by the Middle East government will propel the market during the forecast timeframe. The Plastic Compounding Market report offers detailed competitive landscape of the global market. It includes companies, industry statistics, market share analysis and product portfolio of the major industry participants. The report provides detailed segmentation of the Plastic Compounding market based on product, technology, end user and region. Browse Report Summery @ https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/plastic-compounding-market Significant market players include: - RTP Company - Schulman - The Dow Chemical - BASF - LyondellBasell Industries - Solvay - SABIC Major industry giants are involved in expanding their production capacity. For example, in 2015, RTP Company expanded its thermoplastic compounding facility in Mexico to support the regional demand and bolstered its supply to its customer base in Central and South American countries. About Global Market Insights: Global Market Insights, Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider; offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy and biotechnology. Egypt's Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly on Tuesday chaired a meeting with heads of the educational directorates nationwide to follow up on preparations for the electronic tests for the grade-one students of secondary schools. The meeting was attended by Minister of Education Tareq Shawqi, Minister of Communication and Information Technology Amr Talaat and representatives of other specialized bodies. Talaat asserted that there is full coordination between the Ministry of Education and other state organs to make sure that schools nationwide are fully ready to start the electronic tests of the students. Earlier, Shawky said in a parliament meeting that education reform will involve a shift from the current system which focuses on memorization to ensuring that students understand the knowledge and information they get through their curricula. The minister said that students will be tested on computers and/or tablets, and their answers will be sent to two professional teachers for correction, where an average of the two grades each teacher gives will determine the student's final marks. All tests will be corrected anonymously, he made it clear. The new system should also help prevent a repeat of exam question leaks that took place in previous years, he added. Search Keywords: Short link: Sellbyville, DE -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/07/2019 -- Release Agent Market size is expected to witness a surge in demand owing to increase demand in end use application in food industry. Health awareness and increased disposable income, upsurge in baking industry and high demand for baked food & confectionery items like pastries, biscuits and cakes are key growth driver for release agent market. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest growing release agent market over the forecasted years. Emerging economies with growing population including China and India, will support the market growth owing to high consumption of processed and packaged food in the region. Low land and labour cost will attract many food processing units in turn creating huge opportunities for the product market. Also, improving economic conditions and high disposable income in middle class population will strengthen the market growth during the forecasted period. Request for an in-depth table of contents for this report @ https://www.gminsights.com/request-toc/upcoming/1711 North America, led by U.S release agent market due to presence of large meat processors including, Cargill, Tyson and JBF which have increased the demand of product market in the region. Europe, mainly led by Germany, Italy and France release agent market is likely to witness the same in the forecasted years owing to high processing and bakery industries in the region. Other European countries including Denmark, UK, Sweden and Switzerland is like to surge the demand for release agent owing to increasing demand for frozen desserts and innovation in domestic bakery manufacturers which will propel the industry growth. Various food industries use these products in producing chewing gum, pasta and cheese sauces enhancing the product market size over the forecasted years. Changing lifestyle among consumers now are shifting to bakery food over packaged food. Pizza, gourmet, donuts and specialty breads are fastest consumed product in this category which in turn has raised the demand for release agent in food and baking industry. Former non-food applications of product market were plastic & tire molds, pharmaceutical, paper and rubber industry. Earlier, baking industries were facing difficulties in baking products but using these products have revolutionized the outlook of release agent market. Hectic schedule, lack of time management and health conscious people are persuading process food coupled with safety and easy storage. Processed meals including dried, fried, cooked, frozen and canned food need some release agent to avoid the direct bonding between two surfaces. Easy application by spraying on this materials will further enhance the release agent market. Release agent is used to control bonding of materials to surfaces. It can deliver a solution in processes including die-cast, mold, adhesive, plastic, and tire & web release. They are moist and sticky covered with Teflon coatings which makes it easier in releasing bakery products like rolls, cakes and breads. Raw materials used for making these products are getting costlier which may hamper the industry growth. Also, growing awareness in consumers regarding baked over packaged food and meat food will reinforce the market. Based on its composition, release agent market is segmented into vegetable oils, emulsifiers, antioxidants and wax & wax esters. Further, emulsifiers is sub-segmented into lecithin, stearoyl lactylates, sorbitan esters and mono & di-glycerides. Wax and emulsified waxes are mostly used product due to their high controlling viscosity and distribution property on the surfaces. Request for customization @ https://www.gminsights.com/roc/1711 Release agent market can be categorized based on its form into solid, fluid, water based, specialty and multifunctional release agent. On the basis of its application product market is divided into meat, processed foods and bakery & confectionery. Among these, bakery & confectionery holds are major share due to its wide range of applications in cakes, pastries, rolls, breads, cookies and biscuits. Global release agent market is moderately fragmented in nature with presence of various local and international manufacturers including AAK, Bunge, Avatar, Par-Way Tryson, Archer Daniels Midland and Associated British Foods. Other leading companies across the globe are DuPont, Mallet, Dow Corning, Masterol Foods, Munzing Chemie and Lecico. About Global Market Insights Global Market Insights, Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider; offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy and biotechnology. Sellbyville, DE -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/07/2019 -- Asia Pacific space robotics market is expected to grow over the forecast time span owing to many space exploration & research projects in countries including China, Japan, and India, majorly driving the industry growth. For instance, in January 2019, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) announced that the country?s first unmanned space mission will include a humanoid robot, which is in the development stage and has multilingual features. China is also involved with several projects for space & moon exploration, which will add up to industry development prospects. North America is a leading participant in the market owing to the presence of national organizations, including NASA and CSA, that are actively working toward the industry development. The U.S. and Canada are investing huge amounts in R&D and technology enhancement to achieve space exploration initiatives. The Asia Pacific space robotics market is also growing at a rapid pace in countries including India, Japan and China due to several on-going and upcoming space projects. In September 2018, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency announced that its two rovers had successfully landed on an asteroid named Ryugu and started a survey on its surface. These robots are efficiently working in the low gravity environment, allowing them to gain knowledge on Ryugu's physical aspects. Request for a sample of this research report @ https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/3219 In the space robotics market, products including rovers, probes, and arms are increasingly used in both deep and near space-related projects. Robotic arms are capable of cleaning litter and debris produces in space due to lost equipment and old satellites orbiting around the planet. The increasing need to clean the debris, which is a threat to existing satellites, spaceships, and astronauts is increasing the demand for probes and arms. Governmental organizations are developing efficient robotic arms for various projects, which will aid in performing maintenance & research related tasks to astronauts. For instance, in March 2019, Canada announced an investment of USD 1.4 billion in NASA?s Lunar Gateway Program and offered a robot arm that will aid the continuous functioning of the lunar-orbiting base. Rising enterprise and government spending towards development of space exploration technologies has propelled the space robotics market revenues, as efforts are being made to bring more efficiency into activities like equipment maintenance, satellite assembly and extraterrestrial surveys. Essentially, performing physical tasks in the orbit not only present risks for astronauts, but also require high levels of precision and control. Robotic arms or manipulator systems can provide the necessary accuracy and automation to safely repair and maintain spatial objects. Continuous improvement of automated systems and the ability of robots to significantly increase productivity will fuel the space robotics industry expansion. Make an Inquiry for purchasing this Report @ https://www.gminsights.com/inquiry-before-buying/3219 Commercial applications in the space robotics market are growing due to technical advancements and various exploration missions adopted by governments along with companies. In March 2019, SpaceX announced the launch of Crew Dragon's demonstration mission, which was intended for demonstrating the company's capabilities including safety of astronauts to fly to and from the International Space Station. The spacecraft is America's first one to autonomously dock along with the orbiting laboratory. The segment includes companies that include satellite operators & private owners, launching service providers, and exploration companies, which aid in the proper functioning of spaceflights, adding up to the market growth. In the space robotics market, robotic arms are witnessing a high demand for the deployment in advanced space systems. Robotic arms aid astronauts in lifting and handling heavy & large objects in space. Moreover, rovers are spacecraft that use exploration vehicles and perform the transportation of crew members from one spaceflight to another. The companies working in the market are developing partially or fully autonomous rovers for exploration & transportation applications. In January 2019, NASA announced that it has developed a unique rover for the Mars 2020 mission, which is painted with a formulation for reducing chemical gas release that will impact scientific experiments. Browse Full Reports: https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/space-robotics-market About Global Market Insights Global Market Insights, Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider; offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy and biotechnology. Northbrook, IL -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/07/2019 -- According to the new market research report "Target Acquisition Systems Market by Subsystem (Cameras, Scopes & Sights, Detecting & Locating Systems, Modules), Platform (Land, Airborne, Naval), End Use (Military, Homeland Security), Range, and Region - Global Forecast to 2024", published by MarketsandMarkets, the global Target Acquisition Systems Market is projected to grow from USD 11.9 billion in 2019 to USD 15.5 billion by 2024, at a CAGR of 5.46% from 2019 to 2024. This growth can be attributed to the advancements in automatic weapons, increasing defense expenditure of countries, rise in demand for artillery systems by military forces, and ongoing military modernization programs worldwide. Ask for PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=89317342 Based on platform, the land segment is expected to lead the target acquisition systems market during the forecast period. Based on platform, the target acquisition systems market is projected to be led by the land segment from 2019 to 2024. Target acquisition systems bolster the defense capabilities of land platforms and provide greater safety to soldiers during war and anti-terrorist operations. Countries such as the US, Russia, China, Saudi Arabia, and India have increased their defense expenditure, and the expansion of military capabilities by emerging nations have accelerated the demand for target acquisition systems for different classes of armored vehicles. The military segment is expected to lead the target acquisition systems market during the forecast period. Based on end use, the military segment of the target acquisition systems market is projected to lead from 2019 to 2024. This growth can be attributed to the ongoing military modernization programs worldwide, adoption of target acquisition systems by military forces, and increasing defense expenditure of countries globally. The detecting & locating systems segment is expected to lead the target acquisition systems market during the forecast period. Based on sub-system, the detecting & locating systems segment is projected to lead the target acquisition systems market from 2019 to 2024. This growth of this segment can be attributed to the increase in demand for advanced laser rangefinders, laser target designators, and target acquisition radars/tracking radars, among others for various platforms, such as land, airborne, and naval. North America is expected to lead the market for target acquisition systems during the forecast period. The target acquisition systems market in North America is expected to witness substantial growth during the forecast period due to the high demand for target acquisition systems from the US Department of Defense. Target acquisition systems are integrated into larger advanced platforms for enhanced target acquisition and firing. Advanced target acquisition systems are manufactured mainly by the US defense companies, such as Lockheed Martin Corporation (US) and Raytheon Company (US). Browse in-depth TOC on "Target Acquisition Systems Market" 93 Tables 43 Figures 147 Pages Request Sample pages of the Report: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=89317342 Major players operating in the target acquisition systems market include companies, such as Hensoldt (Germany), Elbit Systems (Israel), Israel Aerospace Industries (Israel), Aselsan A.S. (Turkey), Rheinmetall (Germany), BAE Systems (UK), and Leonardo (Italy), and Raytheon Company (US). About MarketsandMarkets MarketsandMarkets provides quantified B2B research on 30,000 high growth niche opportunities/threats which will impact 70% to 80% of worldwide companies' revenues. Currently servicing 7500 customers worldwide including 80% of global Fortune 1000 companies as clients. Almost 75,000 top officers across eight industries worldwide approach MarketsandMarkets for their painpoints around revenues decisions. Our 850 fulltime analyst and SMEs at MarketsandMarkets are tracking global high growth markets following the "Growth Engagement Model GEM". The GEM aims at proactive collaboration with the clients to identify new opportunities, identify most important customers, write "Attack, avoid and defend" strategies, identify sources of incremental revenues for both the company and its competitors. MarketsandMarkets now coming up with 1,500 MicroQuadrants (Positioning top players across leaders, emerging companies, innovators, strategic players) annually in high growth emerging segments. MarketsandMarkets is determined to benefit more than 10,000 companies this year for their revenue planning and help them take their innovations/disruptions early to the market by providing them research ahead of the curve. MarketsandMarkets's flagship competitive intelligence and market research platform, "Knowledge Store" connects over 200,000 markets and entire value chains for deeper understanding of the unmet insights along with market sizing and forecasts of niche markets. Contact: Mr. Shelly Singh MarketsandMarkets INC. 630 Dundee Road Suite 430 Northbrook, IL 60062 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: sales@marketsandmarkets.com Northbrook, IL -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/07/2019 -- According to the new market research report "Weigh-In-Motion System Market by Type (In-Road, Bridge Weigh, Onboard), Vehicle Speed (Low, High), Component (Hardware, Software & Services), End-Use Industry (Highway Toll, Oil & Refinery, Logistics), Sensors, function and Region-Global Forecast to 2026", published by MarketsandMarkets, The Weigh-In-Motion System Market is estimated to be USD 913 million in 2019 and is projected to reach USD 1,656 million by 2026, at a CAGR of 8.89%. The increasing government initiatives towards intelligent transportation system, increasing public-private partnerships (PPPs), increasing traffic congestion, and low cost compared with static weigh system are projected to drive the Weigh-In-Motion System Market. Browse and in-depth TOC on "Weigh-In-Motion System Market" 77 - Tables 51 - Figures 163 - Pages Download PDF Brochure @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=242065043 The low-speed WIM system segment is estimated to be the largest Weigh-In-Motion System Market, by vehicle speed The low-speed WIM system segment is estimated to dominate the Weigh-In-Motion System Market. The low-speed system offers various advantages such as low operating cost, low maintenance, ease of installation, and higher accuracy than the high-speed weigh-in-motion systems. Low-speed systems are installed in logistics centers, oil & refinery, agriculture, and mining industries. According to inputs from industry experts, industries such as mining and agriculture are potential markets for the low-speed WIM system. In the Asia Pacific and North America, most of the highway tolls are equipped with low-speed weigh-in-motion systems. The key reason behind the high adoption rate of a low-speed weigh-in-motion system in the Asia Pacific region is the low cost compared to the high-speed weigh-in-motion system. In North America, regularity authorities do not allow a system with lower accuracy. The onboard system is expected to grow at the highest CAGR in the Weigh-In-Motion System Market during the forecast period The onboard weigh-in-motion system is fitted to the vehicles, rather than to the road. This system can transfer vehicle weight information at any point of time from a moving vehicle to the data storage system. As of 2019, the onboard system had a very less market share. However, it is expected to be the fastest growing market during the forecast period. According to insights from industry experts, the onboard system is the future of the WIM system market. The onboard weigh-in-motion system has numerous advantages over other systems. It has low cost, requires less maintenance, and can work at any vehicle speed. Europe and the Asia Pacific are estimated to be the largest and fastest growing market for a weigh-in-motion system, respectively Europe is estimated to be the largest Weigh-In-Motion System Market during the forecast period due to increased freight traffic and free movement of goods between European countries, which have increased traffic in national and international highways in toll plazas. WIM systems are used to detect overweight vehicles without disturbing the traffic flow. The Asia Pacific WIM system market is estimated to be the fastest growing market because of increasing investments in the intelligent transportation system, smart traffic management, and smart cities, especially in China and India. Request for Sample Pages @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=242065043 Some of the key players in the Weigh-In-Motion System Market are Kapsch TrafficCom (Austria), Q-Free (Norway), METTLER TOLEDO (US), Avery Weigh-Tronix (Illinois Tool Works) (US), TE Connectivity (Switzerland), International Road Dynamics (Quarterhill) (US), Kistler (Switzerland), TransCore (Roper Technologies) (US), Axis Communications (Sweden), and EFKON (Austria). Browse Related Reports: Artificial Intelligence in Transportation Market by Machine Learning (Deep Learning, Computer Vision, Context Awareness, NLP), Application (Semi & Full-Autonomous, HMI, Platooning), Offering (Hardware, Software), Process, and Region - Global Forecast to 2030 Truck Platooning Market by Type (DATP, Autonomous), Systems (ACC, AEB, FCW, GPS, HMI, LKA, BSW), Sensor (Lidar, Radar, Image), Services (Telematics- ECall, ACE, Tracking, Diagnostics, & Platooning- Pricing, Match Making), Region - Global Forecast to 2030 About MarketsandMarkets MarketsandMarkets provides quantified B2B research on 30,000 high growth niche opportunities/threats which will impact 70% to 80% of worldwide companies' revenues. Currently servicing 7500 customers worldwide including 80% of global Fortune 1000 companies as clients. Almost 75,000 top officers across eight industries worldwide approach MarketsandMarkets for their painpoints around revenues decisions. Our 850 fulltime analyst and SMEs at MarketsandMarkets are tracking global high growth markets following the "Growth Engagement Model GEM". The GEM aims at proactive collaboration with the clients to identify new opportunities, identify most important customers, write "Attack, avoid and defend" strategies, identify sources of incremental revenues for both the company and its competitors. MarketsandMarkets now coming up with 1,500 MicroQuadrants (Positioning top players across leaders, emerging companies, innovators, strategic players) annually in high growth emerging segments. MarketsandMarkets is determined to benefit more than 10,000 companies this year for their revenue planning and help them take their innovations/disruptions early to the market by providing them research ahead of the curve. MarketsandMarkets's flagship competitive intelligence and market research platform, "Knowledge Store" connects over 200,000 markets and entire value chains for deeper understanding of the unmet insights along with market sizing and forecasts of niche markets. Contact: Mr. Shelly Singh MarketsandMarkets INC. 630 Dundee Road Suite 430 Northbrook, IL 60062 USA: 1-888-600-6441 Email: sales@marketsandmarkets.com Research Insight: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ResearchInsight/weigh-in-motion-market.asp Visit Our Website: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com An international team of anthropologists and bioarchaeologists has found the primary ingredients of ayahuasca a plant-based drink that is reported to induce hallucinations and altered consciousness in a 1,000-year-old leather bundle from a rock shelter in the Bolivian Andes. We already knew that psychotropics were important in the spiritual and religious activities of the societies of the south-central Andes, but we did not know that these people were using so many different compounds and possibly combining them together, said Dr. Jose Capriles, a researcher in the Department of Anthropology at the Pennsylvania State University. Dr. Capriles and colleagues were searching for ancient occupations in the dry rock shelters of the dry Sora River valley in the Lipez Altiplano region of southwestern Bolivia when they found a ritual bundle as part of a human burial. The bundle contained a large leather bag with a pair of carved wooden snuffing tablets, a snuffing tube, a pair of llama-bone spatulas, a colorful textile headband, fragments of dried plant stems held together by wool and fiber strings and a pouch stitched from three fox snouts. Radiocarbon dating traced the bundle to 905-1170 CE. This period in this location is associated with the disintegration of the Tiwanaku state and the emergence of regional polities, Dr. Capriles noted. The scientists obtained a tiny scraping from the interior of the fox-snout pouch, which likely belonged to a shaman, and analyzed the material using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. They identified the presence of multiple psychoactive compounds: cocaine, benzoylecgonine (the primary metabolite of cocaine), harmine, bufotenin, dimethyltryptamine and possibly psilocin (a compound found in some mushrooms). These compounds came from at least three different plant species likely Erythroxylum coca, a species of Anadenanthera, and Banisteriopsis caapi. The bundle was likely used by local ritual specialists, or shamans, who acted as intermediaries between natural and supernatural worlds, entering into altered states to connect living people with deities and ancestors thought to exist in other worlds, said Dr. Melanie Miller, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Otago, New Zealand. Shamans were ritual specialists who had knowledge of plants and how to use them as mechanisms to engage with supernatural beings, including venerated ancestors who were thought to exist in other realms, Dr. Capriles added. It is possible that the shaman who owned this pouch consumed multiple different plants simultaneously to produce different effects or extend his or her hallucinations. Two of the identified compounds harmine and dimethyltryptamine are the primary ingredients of modern ayahuasca preparations. This chemical evidence suggests the possibility of an early form of ayahuasca-type preparation combining plants containing harmine and tryptamines such as dimethyltryptamine and/or bufotenine, Dr. Miller said. Scholars believe that ayahuasca has relatively recent origins, while others argue that it may have been used for centuries, or even millennia, Dr. Capriles said. Given the presence of harmine and dimethyltryptamine together in the pouch we found, it is likely that this shaman ingested these simultaneously to achieve a hallucinogenic state, either through a beverage, such as ayahuasca, or through a composite snuff that contained these plants in a single mixture. This finding suggests that ayahuasca may have been used up to 1,000 years ago. The presence of these compounds indicates the owner of this kit had access to at least three plants with psychoactive compounds, but potentially even four or five, Dr. Miller said. None of the psychoactive compounds we found come from plants that grow in this area of the Andes, indicating either the presence of elaborate exchange networks or the movement of this individual across diverse environments to procure these special plants. This discovery reminds us that people in the past had extensive knowledge of these powerful plants and their potential uses, and they sought them out for their medicinal and psychoactive properties. The discovery is reported in a paper published online this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. _____ Melanie J. Miller et al. Chemical evidence for the use of multiple psychotropic plants in a 1,000-year-old ritual bundle from South America. PNAS, published online May 6, 2019; doi: 10.1073/pnas.1902174116 The British embassy in Cairo tweeted on Tuesday that the UK supports Egypt and the UN's role in mediating the Gaza ceasefire. "The UK supports Egypt and the UNs vital role in the Gaza ceasefire. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of all those affected. We continue to work together for a peaceful two-state solution," the tweet read. The ceasefire deal aims to end four-day battles between Palestinian factions and Israel, which have left more than 23 people killed in the Gaza Strip. Search Keywords: Short link: French President Emmanuel Macron expressed concern on Tuesday over Syrian government strikes carried out in Idlib and he called for a U.N.-backed political resolution to the war. "Grave concerns over the escalation of violence in Syria and the region of Idlib. The strikes by the regime and its allies, including on hospitals, have killed numerous civilians in recent days," Macron wrote on his Twitter page. The upsurge in violence in the Idlib area has strained a Russian-Turkish deal that had staved off a government offensive since September. The area is part of the last major foothold of the Syrian rebellion. Search Keywords: Short link: A suspected US drone strike killed four alleged Al-Qaeda jihadists in central Yemen on Tuesday, a security official in the area said. The strike targeted the men's vehicle as they were heading to a farm in Marib province, according to the official, who did not want to be named. The United States considers Yemen-based Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) to be the radical group's most dangerous branch. A long-running US drone war against AQAP has intensified since President Donald Trump took office in January 2017. AQAP and other jihadist groups have flourished in the chaos of the country's civil war, which pits the government -- backed by a Saudi-led military coalition -- against Shiite Huthi rebels. On Sunday, four suspected Al-Qaeda members were killed in a suicide attack claimed by the Islamic State group in Bayda province, a local official told AFP. The more than four-year conflict in Yemen has killed tens of thousands of people, many of them civilians, relief agencies say. The fighting has triggered what the United Nations describes as the world's worst humanitarian crisis, with 3.3 million people still displaced and 24.1 million -- more than two-thirds of the population -- in need of aid. Search Keywords: Short link: The Libyan National Army (LNA), led by commander Khalifa Haftar, said it shot down a Tripoli government warplane purportedly flown by a foreign mercenary south of the Libyan capital on Tuesday. The LNA media unit released photographs of what it said was the pilot receiving medical treatment while seated on a chair. One showed an LNA commander, Abdulsalam al-Hassi, standing behind him. Video posted on social media, which an LNA source said was authentic, showed the pilot, looking groggy and wearing a blood-soaked T-shirt and khaki jacket, being questioned in English. Asked his name, he said what sounded to be Jimmy Rees but his answer was not clear. He gave his age as 29 and said he was "from Portugal". Asked what he was doing in Libya, he said: "I was requested to destroy roads and bridges". Asked who sent him, he said it was a civilian contract with someone called Hadi but he did not know his full name. In Lisbon, the Portuguese Defence Ministry and they could not confirm the pilot's nationality. "For now the only thing we can say is that he is not a Portuguese soldier," a ministry spokeswoman told Reuters. Reuters correspondents in Lisbon said the man did not sound Portuguese. A spokesman for forces aligned with the internationally recognised government which is based in Tripoli had no immediate comment on the incident. Residents of Gharyan, about 80 km (50 miles) south of Tripoli, said that when the plane was heard overhead, anti-aircraft fire opened up. There was an explosion as it was hit. "The jet was shot down in Al-Hira town (10 km from Gharyan) and I saw LNA troops capturing the pilot," a Gharyan resident told Reuters. The eastern-based LNA, led by Haftar, began an offensive against Tripoli in early April but its advance has been blocked by forces loyal to Tripoli on the city's southern outskirts. The escalation is a setback for efforts by the United Nations and Western states to end the chaos and political division in Libya eight years after a NATO-backed uprising that toppled former leader Muammar Gaddafi. *This story was edited by Ahram Online. Search Keywords: Short link: Important step This is an important step towards creating a future, sustainable cruise industry, Jensen said. Copenhagen alone has taken a lot of steps to achieve greener air within the city, he added, noting that carbon emissions are down 42% since 2005. 'The cruise industry is here to stay,' Jensen said, 'so we need to consider the environmental impact and focus on achieving a more sustainable future cruise industry.' Follows on Green Cruise Port Action Plan Speaking to Seatrade Cruise News, Capt. Michael McCarthy, chairman, Cruise Europe, and moderator of the conference, noted that for three years an Interreg Project was run in the Baltic involving the effect of cruise ships on the environment. Most of the Baltic ports took part in developing the Green Cruise Port Action Plan 2030, which details sustainability measures. 'So, in signing the agreement this morning,' McCarthy said, 'the partners are looking at a road map for the future to achieve the goals of the project. As chairman of Cruise Europe it was an honour to attend this morning with many other member ports. Goal: Offering world's most sustainable cruise experience I am extremely proud that all the ports are backing this by signing the manifesto,' Cruise Baltic Director Claus Bdker added. 'We want to offer the most sustainable cruise experience in the world and this is a good way forward.' The conference focused on the need for the cruise industry to play its part to reach a more sustainable environment. Topics included the environmental footprint of cruise vessels, focusing on air emissions, alternative energy solutions, whether the Baltics should have something similar to Norway's NoX Fundand the question of funding sustainability through differential fees. Vale said on Monday that the Minas Gerais Court of Justice (Tribunal de Justica do Estado de Minas Gerais had reversed a ruling by a lower court which allowed the mine to reopen last month. Vale reiterates that the Laranjeiras dam and all the other geotechnical structures of Brucutu have valid Declaration of Stability (DCE) issued by external auditors in March 2019, and is taking the appropriate measures related to the decision, the Brazilian mining giant said. The courts ordered the closure of the Brucutu in early February following the fatal dam collapse in Brumadinho. The closure of Brucutu ha heavy impact on the dry bulk shipping market with Vale saying it would lose 30m tonnes in iron ore production on top of 40m tonnes lost from the decision to decommission 10 dams. The BDI lost 4.55% on Monday to close as 985 points having moved back above the 1,000 points range last week. Vale reiterated its 2019 iron ore and pellets sales guidance of 307-332m tonnes with the miner saying it was likely to be the lower middle of the range. In March, Hong Kong-listed Singamas announced that this substantial disposal is expected to be transacted at between RMB3.5bn to RMB4bn to an unnamed purchaser. The five companies include three container manufacturing factories (Qidong Singamas Energy Equipment, Qingdao Pacific Container, Ningbo Pacific Container), one R&D centre (Singamas Container (Shanghai) Limited), and one depot (Qidong Pacific Port), which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Qingdao Pacific. The companies businesses include manufacturing of dry freight, specialised and refrigerated containers, provision of terminal services and provision of technical and development of services container manufacturing in China. Singamas, subsidiary of Pacific International Lines (PIL), said it expects to record a loss of approximately $15m from the disposal. Amongst the total gross proceeds of $565m from the disposal, the lions share of $300m will be used for repayment of bank loans, while the remaining will be used for distribution of special dividend and for general working capital. Singamas pointed out that the disposal will be an important step towards shifting the groups business focus to logistics services and the manufacturing, R&D and sale of specialised containers. In light of the increasing demand for personalised and customised high value-added specialised containers, the group believes this segment will be the key growth driver in the future, Singamas stated. Following the disposal, Singamas said it will continue to own its entire logistics business, except for Qidong Pacific, including 10 container depots, eight at major ports in China Dalian, Tianjin, Qingdao, Shanghai, Ningbo, Fuzhou, Xiamen and Guangxi and two in Hong Kong and a logistics company in Xiamen, as well as containers manufacturing operations in Shanghai Baoshan, Shanghai Jiading, Yixing and Xiamen. Read more: Singamas to sell over half its container manufacturing capacity for up to $595.5m From the operational perspective, instead of focusing on producing standardised containers, the remaining group will further invest in R&D and sales and marketing for promoting and developing the customised specialised containers, Singamas said. Other than continue to operate its existing specialised container manufacturing business, the group will devote resources and explore new business opportunities including specialised containers for non-sea freight purposes including fish farming, housing, storing, power generating, etc. to broaden its revenue stream, it added. Press Release May 7, 2019 Lacson Sets Condition for Early Senate Hearing on 'Bikoy' Claims More at: https://pinglacson.net/2019/05/07/lacson-sets-condition-for-early-senate-hearing-on-bikoy-claims/ The Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs may hold a hearing on the claims made by "Bikoy" as early as within this week, but only if he personally presents his sworn statement and evidence to support his accusations. Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson, who chairs the panel, said this in a post on his Twitter account Tuesday, as he noted "Bikoy" has become a political - if not an election - issue. Lacson indicated one of the goals of the hearing would be to bolster proposed legislation providing heavier penalties against perjury, especially before congressional investigations. "Like it or not, Bikoy has become a political, if not an election issue. The Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs can schedule a hearing this week on one condition: Bikoy must personally present a sworn statement and his evidence to support his accusations," he said. An early hearing would provide the public a chance to see for themselves if the claims made by "Bikoy" have basis, Lacson said. "In fairness to those 'Bikoy' linked to the drug trade, the hearing will allow the public to observe his demeanor and determine if his claims are true. And if his claims have basis, it will allow voters to reject those involved," he said in an interview on DZMM radio. He added "Bikoy" must provide documents to support his claims, for evaluation by his committee. In an interview on DZBB on Sunday, Lacson said only "Bikoy" - the hooded figure who appeared in a series of online videos linking members of the First Family to the drug trade - can substantiate such claims. He said that while the Senate is willing to "accommodate" "Bikoy's" accusations, it has to determine if such allegations have basis. On Monday, one Peter Joemel Advincula, claiming to be "Bikoy," appeared at the Integrated Bar of the Philippines where he read a statement before the media. Meanwhile, Lacson said the hearing may provide added inputs on legislation against perjury, especially in congressional investigations. "I filed Senate Bill 253 to protect innocent people from being wrongly jailed or having their reputations suffer because of lying witnesses," said Lacson, who himself had suffered from lying witnesses in the past. Under his bill, which is pending before the Justice and Human Rights Committee, any person who shall give false testimony in any criminal case shall suffer the same penalty for the crime the defendant is being accused of. A public officer or employee who orders such false testimony may suffer such penalty in its maximum period, along with a fine of up to P1 million, and perpetual absolute disqualification from holding any government position. Fletcher Buildings Michelle Kernahan is leaving the company at the end of July for a "new career challenge. She is to be chief executive of privately-owned logistics and trucking company Halls Group. Halls is delighted to secure an executive of Michelles calibre and experience, chair Karl Smith said, noting Kernahan's experience, her MBA from Canterbury University and being a graduate of Harvard Business School's advanced management programme. Michelle will lead the Halls Group as it continues its transformation programme to ensure it becomes the most cost-efficient partner for our customers, Smith says. Halls specialises in refrigerated and frozen transportation, cold storage services and a range of logistics services including warehousing and distribution. Kernahan has been at Fletcher since 1998, holding a number of key jobs within that company. Her appointment as chief executive of Fletchers building products division was announced in July last year, although she didnt start in that role until November when former KiwiRail chief executive Peter Reidy took over the construction division Kernahan had been managing since March 2017. Her appointment to head the building products division had all the hallmarks of a promotion, given chief executive Ross Taylor had identified that division as a core business. It hasnt been plain sailing at the building products division though. In February, Fletcher reported the divisions operating profit had fallen 10 percent in the six months ended December. Kernahans stint heading the construction division can only be described as tumultuous because her appointment came just as Fletcher was beginning to reveal that division was in trouble, although it remained in denial about the extent of the losses until after Taylor took the helm in late 2017. Those losses, nearly $1 billion over 18 months, were made by the high-rise construction business, called the Building + Interiors unit, and had been the result of unfavourable contracts the construction division had signed that put all the risks on Fletcher, rather than on the client, which in many cases was the government. A number of key personnel left the construction division during Kernahan's stewardship including John Burden, who had been in charge of the $1.4 billion Waterview Tunnel project which opened in July 2017, and David Kennedy, who had been recruited from Britain in 2017 to head the B&I unit but who was demoted in early 2018 to head the Commercial Bay project at the bottom of Aucklands Queen Street. He left Fletcher by September 2018. Before moving to the construction division, Kernahan had held a number of general management roles at Laminex Australia, Golden Bay Cement and Fletcher EQR, which focused on residential construction and repairs in Christchurch after the 2011 earthquakes. Fletcher also announced today that its chief information officer, John Bell, is retiring and plans to leave the company in the second half of 2019. Michelle and John have been valued members of Fletcher Buildings executive team and I want to thank them for their commitment and leadership. I wish them all the best as they leave the company, Taylor says in a statement. (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: 24th December 2021 Morning Report Goodman Property Trust (NZX: GMT) GMT to develop North Shore facility for NZ Post 23rd December 2021 Morning Report SkyCity Entertainment Group Limited (NZX: SKC) EXPANDS STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP WITH GIG Spark New Zealand Limited (NZX: SPK) Spark to take full ownership of Connect 8 22nd December 2021 Morning Report Precinct Properties New Zealand Limited (NZX: PCT) Wynyard Quarter Stage 3 Commenced AMP Limited (NZX: AMP) Announces Delisting from the NZX Main Board 21st December 2021 Morning Report Greenfern Industries Limited (NZX: GFI) Updates on NTA Two Reuters journalists jailed for their reporting on the Rohingya crisis in Myanmar walked out of prison on Tuesday, freed in a presidential amnesty after a vigorous global campaign -- and backroom diplomacy -- for their release. Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo were mobbed by media as they stepped out of Yangon's notorious Insein prison after more than 16 months in detention. Their December 2017 arrests made them an international cause celebre and a sign of Myanmar's deteriorating press freedoms under Nobel laureate and civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Wa Lone, 33, thanked people from "around the world" for advocating for their release and vowed he would return to work. "I can't wait to go to my newsroom," he said. "I am a journalist and I am going to continue." Reuters editor-in-chief Stephen Adler said: "We are enormously pleased that Myanmar has released our courageous reporters". "Since their arrests 511 days ago, they have become symbols of the importance of press freedom around the world. We welcome their return." They were freed in an amnesty that included more than 6,000 prisoners. A government spokesman told reporters that family members had sent letters to Suu Kyi and the president Win Myint. "Leaders took into consideration the long-term interest of (the) country," Zaw Htay said. Lord Ara Darzi, a British advisor and confidant of Suu Kyi, said it was "fitting" the pair were released a few days after World Press Freedom Day. "The lesson is simple: dialogue works even in the most difficult of circumstances," he told media in Yangon. US Vice President Mike Pence, who had previously condemned the Reuters journalists' jailing, said the release was "great news". "Freedom of religion & freedom of the press are essential to a strong democracy," he tweeted. The journalists waved and smiled broadly as they walked out of the jail. The two men were convicted on charges of violating the official secrets act and sentenced to seven years each. At the time of their arrest, they had been reporting on a September 2017 massacre of 10 Rohingya Muslims in conflict-hit Rakhine state, where the Myanmar army forced some 740,000 of the stateless minority to flee over the border to Bangladesh. The case prompted an outcry around the world and crushed what was left of Suu Kyi's legacy as a rights defender. We are very happy Reuters has said the two were imprisoned in retaliation for their expose. The army jailed seven soldiers for the massacre in a rare response to allegations of atrocities. Military spokesman Zaw Min Tun said it had no comment on the release except that the case was "undertaken in line with the law". While inside, the duo missed numerous family milestones, including the birth of Wa Lone's daughter. Their families were overjoyed with the news. "We are very happy," Chit Su Win, who is married to Kyaw Soe Oo, told AFP. A reunion photo of both couples celebrating, smiling and holding each of their daughters was widely shared on Twitter. During their imprisonment, the journalists were showered with numerous awards and honours in response to their work. Last month, they won the prestigious Pulitzer Prize. Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo were also on the cover of TIME magazine as part of its person of the year coverage featuring journalists targeted for their reporting. The case against them became a byword for the war against press freedom and prompted an international campaign that attracted the support of prominent rights lawyer Amal Clooney, who said Tuesday it had been an "honour to represent" her clients. Rights groups and legal experts say the prosecution's case was riddled with irregularities. A whistleblowing police officer testified during their trial that his superior had ordered his team to trap the reporters in a sting -- testimony the judge chose to ignore. The now-former officer Moe Yan Naing told AFP he was "delighted" the families were back together, and expressed interest in meeting the journalists if they wanted to. Media advocates, the UN, and rights organisations praised the release but slammed the original arrest and conviction. "We congratulate Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo on walking free from unjust imprisonment and applaud they have now been reunited with their families," said Phil Robertson, Human Rights Watch deputy Asia director, adding they should have never been arrested in the first place. Suu Kyi led her National League for Democracy party to victory in historic 2015 polls, ending decades of military-backed rule. But the dreams of a new day for Myanmar were short-lived -- the army launched a campaign against the Rohingya in Rakhine state, which UN investigators have said amounted to genocide. Myanmar has denied the charges and said it was defending itself against Rohingya militants, who attacked and killed police officers in August 2017. Search Keywords: Short link: Chennai: DMK President M.K. Stalin on Monday accused the BJP-led Central government of leasing out all central government jobs in Tamil Nadu to North Indians, thereby aggrevating the employment situation in the state. In a statement issued here, Stalin said that at a time when over 80 lakh people in Tamil Nadu have registered with the employment exchange, all the central government jobs and jobs in the central public sector undertakings were given to North Indians. Stalin said in the apprenticeship exam held by Golden Rock Railway Workshop in Trichy, about 300 persons from North India have been appointed on the grounds that none of the Tamil Nadu candidates cleared the exams. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) was probing the case of candidates from Maharashtra, Haryana and Punjab scoring high marks in Tamil subject in the postal department recruitment exams, Stalin said. According to the DMK leader, Chief Minister K. Palaniswami not only went along with this policy but also entered into electoral alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party. Stalin said once the BJP government goes home after May 23 when results of the Lok Sabha polls will be declared, the DMK will ensure 90 per cent of the central government jobs in Tamil Nadu for people of this state. New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday said that "no coercive action" would be taken against the Volkswagen Group till the German automaker's plea challenging the Rs 500 crore penalty imposed on it by the NGT was heard by it. Passing its direction - which virtually indicates a stay on the fine - after hearing the petition filed by Volkswagen Group challenging the penalty, a bench of Justice S.A. Bobde and Justice S. Abdul Nazeer also issued notice. Volkswagen had moved the apex court against the fine imposed on it by NGT Bench of Chairperson, Justice A.K. Goel in March this year. The tribunal had found the car carmaker guilty of deploying "cheat devices" in its diesel cars, which caused an immense amount of damage to the environment. Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Volkswagen, told the bench that initially the fine on the carmaker was Rs 100 crore, but it was increased five fold to Rs 500 crore. In January 2019, the NGT imposed a fine of RS 100 crore on the carmaker, which challenged it in the Supreme Court. The top court found out four errors, and sent the case back to the tribunal, which, in March, passed an order increasing the fine to Rs 500 crore. Singhvi told the court that the NGT did not consider its own committee report, which had found no violations on Volkswagen's part. He also contended that the carmaker should not be treated an isolated case, as there are many other car manufacturers indulging in much greater violations of many norms. The case against the German carmaker originates from the 2015 cheat devices scandal where Volkswagen was held guilty by the US' Environmental Protection Agency. The agency had found that the carmaker had intentionally programmed its TDI diesel engines to activate their emissions control only during laboratory emissions testing, which allowed the emission of the polluting nitrogen oxide well over the prescribed pollution emission standards. The Automotive Research Association of India, in the same year, found that the tested Volkswagen vehicles' emissions were many times over the permitted levels. A group of private petitioners moved the green tribunal, seeking a ban on the vehicles by the German carmaker for allegedly flouting the emissions norms. The NGT appointed committee recommended a penalty of Rs 171.34 crore on the carmaker for causing air pollution due to flouting the emission norms. Egypt's finance ministry has drafted a law cancelling a planned increase in a tax on stock exchange transactions, keeping it at EGP 1.5 per 1,000, the ministry said on Tuesday. The increase to EGP 1.75 per 1,000 was due to take effect on 1 June. The proposed changes are meant to "reduce the financial burden on stock exchange traders and support the activity of the Egyptian stock exchange," the ministry said in a statement. The amendments will be submitted to the cabinet during its meeting on Wednesday. Egypt introduced a stamp duty of EGP 1.25 per 1,000 in June 2017, with the current law stating that it will gradually rise to EGP 1.5 in the second year and EGP 1.75 in the third. Search Keywords: Short link: The Arctic Council promotes cooperation, coordination and interaction among Arctic states, the region's indigenous communities and other inhabitants on common issues, particularly on sustainable development and environmental protection. India has been re-elected as an observer to intergovernmental forum Arctic Council, officials said Tuesday . M Rajeevan, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences tweeted: At the 11th Arctic Council ministerial meeting at Rovaniemi with Vani Rao Ambassador, Finland. Happy news. India re-elected as Observer of the Arctic Council. India committed to do more contributions in the Arctic Council. pic.twitter.com/6rqfafBhKD Madhavan Rajeevan (@rajeevan61) May 7, 2019 Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden and the United States are members of the Arctic Council. Indian researchers have been studying whether there is a co-relation between Indian monsoon and the Arctic region. India's National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research, an institute under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, has set up a research station, 'Himadri', in Svalbard in Norway that works on the mass balance of glaciers, the effect of the warming on the marine system, the formation of clouds and precipitation, and the effect on biodiversity. A crucial state in these Lok Sabha elections is Uttar Pradesh. The BJPs dominance in the state is being challenged by the two key players - the Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). A total of 80 seats up for grabs as the BJPs hopes of remaining in power rely on their performance in the state. Its the state where big names have hit the trail hard Mayawati, Akhilesh Yadav, Modi, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi. The party has dominated the state and have installed Yogi Adityanath, one of its strongest surrogates as Chief Minister; someone who proudly carries and propagates their Hindutva message across the state and country. Their victory in 2014 was in part due to their good showing in the Hindi heartland states including Uttar Pradesh. A News Nation Opinion Poll from last month projected the BJP of winning 37 seats. In 2014, it secured 71. Last time, the BJP faced individual parties, now it faces an alliance and a solo Congress in the state. Sunita Aron, in a column for the Hindustan Times, as the question of whether such a triangular contest hurts or helps the BJP The BJP kept the momentum going as in the 2017 elections it ousted the ruling SP government in the assembly elections winning 325 seats. The state has witnessed many incidents of communal violence and riots. The unemployment rate of 9.6% in the state is a cause for worry as mirrored nationally for the BJP. Farmer distress is present in the state as well with mounting dues of Rs.10,000 crore to sugarcane farmers still unpaid, since the Adityanath government came into power. An evergreen issue for the BJP and one that its made as a poll promise is building a Ram temple at Ayodhya. With the issue still not settled in the courts, hard-line BJP supporters might be frustrated with the lack of movement on this front. Authors, Sudha Pai and Sajjan Kumar, in a column for The Wire, write on how Modis popularity will affect the partys performance in the state SP Chief Akhilesh Yadav is rooting for a woman Prime Minister, and he has one person in mind Mayawati, the BSP Chief. He said in part, The alliance will give the next PM of the country. And if it is a woman, we will be very happy. The two came together in an unlikely alliance to take on the incumbent BJP in the state. The alliance is stark considering the history. In June 1995, Mayawati and her legislators were assaulted by SP supporters at the State Guest House in Lucknow. This incident made sure that the two parties wouldnt see eye to eye in the decades ahead. However, in 2019, they saw a common foe in the BJP and forged an alliance. A rally where supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav, his son Akhilesh and Mayawati shared a stage sealed the deal. Is this alliance formidable enough to get the numbers on their side? Sanjay Pandey, in a column for the Deccan Herald, thinks it will be a tight contest The electoral math is one to watch here. Can the alliance secure enough to get an outright majority? The News Nation opinion poll cited earlier project the alliance winning 42 seats. The alliance didnt include the Congress and according to Akhilesh Yadav, the Congress and BJP are the same. In a recent interview, he said SP and BSP have done a lot for the people in Uttar Pradesh. What has BJP done here? Congress betrayed SP, set up inquiry against Mulayam Singh Yadav. The Congress has used Priyanka Gandhi in its campaigning fairly extensively in the state. The party, going solo in the state isnt expected to do well here except in Amethi and Rae Bareli. This complicates things for the Congress as forming alliances in order to get to 272 may be tougher if the SP BSP alliance performs well enough to dampen the BJPs hopes in the state. The decision to go it alone could be disastrous, according to journalist Prem Shankar Jha, who in a column for The Wire writes on why he thinks the party, will fare poorly here With Priyanka Gandhis appointment as General Secretary for eastern UP, the party is banking on a fresh face and new found energy. With large crowds and a grand introduction, she will play a crucial role in the state for the party. So the strategy according to Badri Narayan is to regain the lost value in the state, as he writes Page Content Philipsburg, St. Maarten, 3 May 2019 - Today, the Government of Sint Maarten and Airbnb signed a memorandum of understanding to promote tourism to the island, spotlighting the friendly islands rich culture, stunning scenery and warm, welcoming locals to Airbnbs vast community of travelers worldwide. "As a government, we are pleased to work with Airbnb to take advantage of the opportunity to create a realistic and balanced approach to improving the destination's room inventory, stated Minister of Tourism, the Honourable Stuart Johnson. Signing the MOU with Airbnb also puts the government on the path to generating increased revenue from our tourism product. It also allows us to further explore and capitalise on the benefits of destination marketing from a major platform such as Airbnb," said Johnson. This MOU establishes a framework of mutual collaboration and cooperation on areas of common interest; including marketing promotion and good faith engagement. St. Maarten is an important and growing destination for Airbnb. Todays announcement brings new opportunities to generate sustainable growth of the local tourism industry through our collaborative efforts. Our people-to-people platform aligns with St. Maartens reputation as the friendly island, economically empowering locals while they showcase all that makes St. Maarten unforgettable. said Carlos Munoz, Airbnb Campaign Manager for Public Policy and Communications in the Caribbean and Central America. With more than 6,200 Airbnb guest arrivals in St. Maarten in 2018, home sharing continues to thrive as a healthy addition to the local tourism sector. These travelers were accommodated by hosts who opened their doors to offer locals and foreigners alike a diverse, inclusive and sustainable travel experience. St. Maarten serves as a beacon in the region, steadily rebuilding following the devastation of Hurricane Irma in September 2017, stated Munoz. We hope, through our partnership, to support these efforts through our healthy tourism initiatives that aim to encourage environmental sustainability while empowering local people and their communities to be the primary beneficiaries of this economic growth. St. Maarten is the most recent island in the region to formalize a partnership with Airbnb. In the last six months, Airbnb has collaborated with The British Virgin Islands, Dominica, Aruba, Curacao and Martinique, with 17 signed agreements in the region. Airbnb will continue to work with governments to help stimulate inclusive, sustainable tourism throughout the Caribbean. ### About Airbnb Founded in 2008, Airbnbs mission is to create a world where people can belong through healthy travel that is local, authentic, diverse, inclusive and sustainable. Airbnb uniquely leverages technology to economically empower millions of people around the world to unlock and monetize their spaces, passions and talents to become hospitality entrepreneurs. Airbnbs accommodation marketplace provides access to 6+ million unique places to stay in more than 81,000 cities and 191 countries. With Experiences, Airbnb offers unprecedented access to local communities and interests through 25,000 unique, handcrafted activities run by hosts across 1,000+ markets around the world. Airbnb's people-to-people platform benefits all its stakeholders, including hosts, guests, employees and the communities in which it operates. About The Sint Maarten Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications (TEATT) Sint Maarten has a long history of being one of the Caribbean's top tourism destinations. This success has been primarily due to the unique concept of being "two countries in one, twice the vacation and fun, exquisite cuisine, beautiful beaches and magnificent scenery. The Ministry of TEATT is the largest of seven government ministries, which manage the daily administration and operation of the island. The Ministry of TEATT is responsible for the economic sustainability of St. Maarten. To function effectively in service to the people, the Ministry has several departments such as the St. Maarten Tourism Bureau, which directly promotes the destination in collaboration with key public partners. The Ministry of Economic Affairs researches and provides statistical data and the policy framework for protecting and improving the island's economy, while the Bureau of Telecommunication and Post oversees telecommunication legislation and monitors industry players. Air and Sea Transport is managed by the Department of Civil Aviation, Shipping and Maritime. Each department head reports to the Secretary-General for the Ministry of TEATT who reports to the responsible Minister. Egypt's Minister of Investment and International Cooperation Sahar Nasr said on Tuesday that cooperation between the World Bank and the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority has reached $1 billion following the signing of the latest agreement to support entrepreneurship and small and medium-scale enterprises. A statement released by the ministry said that Egypt and the World Bank signed the agreement worth $200 million at the end of a visit to Egypt by president of the World Bank Group David Malpass. The agreement focuses on increasing the volume of available credit for small and medium-sized companies and enhancing access to it as well as encouraging entrepreneurship to create job opportunities and eliminating any obstacles facing youth and women with their startups, the minister said. Search Keywords: Short link: Page Content PHILIPSBURG On April 29th, during a recent visit to Sint Maarten, the Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs Stef Blok was updated by Steering Committee member Marcel Gumbs and the Director of the National Recovery Program Bureau (NRPB) Claret Connor on the progress of the various activities being implemented under the Sint Maarten Recovery, Reconstruction and Resilience Trust Fund. Several projects including home repairs, income support programs, debris management and repairs to public buildings are being implemented through the Trust Fund, which is financed by the Dutch Government and managed by the World Bank. The NRPB is pleased to have had the opportunity to share with Minister Blok the progression of the recovery progress on Sint Maarten. Director Connor explains. The Minister shared his concerns for the work that is being carried out and funded by the Trust Fund, particularly in regards to the home repair program. It was an opportune time to inform the Minister on the agreements made at the recent Steering Committee meeting in Washington to accelerate this specific program by using various implementation modalities. After the meeting the Minister visited the Philipsburg Police Station, where the first phase of ongoing works, financed by the Trust Fund, is nearing completion. At the station the group was welcomed by the Police Chief Carl John and his management team, who also gave a presentation on the damages to the station right after the hurricane and reconstruction activities since then. After this the Minister was shown some repair works which included installation of new and improved doors and windows, the installation of hurricane shutters and repairs to the roofs, of both Philipsburg and the Simpson Bay Police Stations. According to Washington State University Biochemistry, Medical Science Professor Martin L. Pall by Arjun Walia We are in the midst of a 5G wireless technology rollout, and politicians have yet to address safety concerns. I recently used Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as an example, but its happening worldwide. Its one of many examples that illustrates how large corporations completely control politics. I also recently wrote about Robert F. Kennedy explaining how this came to be, and how theyve been able to completely compromise government, big media, and our federal regulatory agencies that are supposed to be protecting and informing us. In the video, he uses Big Pharma as an example, as they provide the most money to congress; even more so than big oil and gas. In that article I also outline multiple examples of fraud so readers can get a clearer picture of whats going on and see some actual evidence of it. Its clear that we are not being protected, and politicians are simply abiding to the the will of their masters, the big corporations, who in turn act as slaves to their financial overlords, the big banks. We continue to see products and services being approved and implemented without ever going through any safety testing. This is a big problem, and one of the main reasons why we could be seeing a drastic rise in multiple diseases and ailments, especially when it comes to neuropsychiatric disorders. A study titled Microwave frequency electromagnetic fields (EMFs) produce widespread neuropsychiatric effects including depression published in the Journal of Chemical Neuroanatomy outlines this quite clearly, and its only one of thousands of peer-reviewed studies raising multiple concerns in regards to this type of technology. Is there really any concern for the well being of humanity within these institutions? If not, why do we continue to support them? Is it because were under the illusion that there is actual concern? And why do we continue to take power away from ourselves by electing corrupt politicians? Anyways, in this article, Id like to draw your attention to Dr. Martin L. Pall, PhD and Professor Emeritus of Biochemistry and Basic Medical Sciences at Washington State University. Taken from his report titled 5G: Great risk for EU, U.S. and International Health! Compelling Evidence for Eight Distinct Types of Great Harm Caused by Electromagnetic Field(EMF) Exposures and the Mechanism that Causes Them, he states that: Putting in tens of millions of 5G antennae without a single biological test of safety has got to be about the stupidest idea anyone has had in the history of the world. That report goes through a lot of science, which only adds to all of the science thats already available regarding the harmful effects of 5G technology. If youre looking for more information, I often point people toward the Environmental Health Trust because its a great resource that gives you access to more science. This is not new information. For years, numerous studies have been published proving the health concerns regarding 5G technology and hundreds of scientists have petitioned the United Nations about them. These initiatives started as a result of the work done by Dr. Marin Blank from Columbia Universitys Department of Physiology and Cellular Biophysics. According to him, with regards to wireless radiation in general: We have created something that is harming us, and it is getting out of control. Before Edisons light bulb there was very little electromagnetic radiation in our environment. The levels today are very many times higher than natural background levels, and are growing rapidly because of all the new devices that emit this radiation. Putting it bluntly they are damaging the living cells in our bodies and killing many of us prematurely. Again, its unbelievable that these technologies are being rolled out without any safety testing done. How is this even allowed to happen? The thing is, if there was safety testing done, there would likely be no changes made anyways, and these corporations would be allowed to rollout and utilize these technologies. Seeing how this article is about the work of Dr. Pall, below is a lecture that goes into detail about his research and why we should be concerned with 5G technology. Its alarming that some people have been made to believe that this is pseudoscience. Not only is this surprising, but its also very concerning. During the Health in Buildings Roundtable sponsored by the NIH and co-organized by the US CDC and several other organizations, Dr. Martin Pall from Washington State University (WSU) concluded that the 5G rollout is absolutely insane. In this short presentation, Dr. Pall confirmed that the current 2G/3G/4G radiation the population is exposed to has been scientifically linked to: lowered fertility, insomnia, fatigue, depression, anxiety, major changes in brain structure in animals, cellular DNA damage, oxidative stress, hormonal disruption, cancer, and much more. Dr. Pall briefly explained the mechanisms of how the electro-smog emitted by our cell phones, wifi routers, cell phone antennas, and other wireless technologies affect human cells. Weve written about this topic in depth, and below are some recent articles weve published that go into more detail if youre looking for more information. On a side note, a lot of this information can spark a fearful reaction, and thats normal. It could elicit the same fearful reaction you may have to other humanitarian issues including the massive amounts of pesticides being sprayed in our environment and on our food, the rising deforestation rates, and several other aspects of the human experience that need to be changed. As important as it is to not react with fear and panic, its even more important not to completely ignore these things and think everything will magically be okay. Earth has become engulfed with this mess as a result of our ignorance, as a result of us ignoring important scientific findings such as these. If we continue along this path, disease rates will continue to rise. Awareness is key, and simply being informed about this issue is a huge step in the right direction. So, what can you do? You could purchase some EMF protective clothing and bedding, or you could even paint your home with EMF protective paint. You can unplug your computer when not in use, turn off your cell phone, and unplug all your electronic devices before you go to sleep. You could have a wired internet connection, which is actually much faster than any wireless connection. You can live a healthy lifestyle, and you can use mind-body healing techniques to help you. I write a lot about parapsychology, and its quite clear that our minds can have a significant impact on our biology. I know it sounds a little new agey, but the truth is, if you dont believe you are being harmed, odds are that the impact on your biology will be significantly different than someone who is fearful and stressed out about health concerns. Consciousness is huge, and it is one of the biggest factors in regards to preventative measures. 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Provided Okorafor spoke about her journey as a writer at the library's main branch. Lisa Mauch/Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County How writers write how they began, where they find inspiration, how they create characters is fascinating. For Nnedi Okorafor, a science fiction and fantasy author, the compulsion to write came at the age of 19 in a hospital bed. Paralyzed from the waist down after an adverse reaction to surgery, bedridden for months, she began writing. The only way I was able to keep my sanity was to write little stories to myself, she says. What started in a hospital bed as a way to imagine other worlds has become a career, as Okorafor is now the author of comics based on the Black Panther movie, has written a spinoff graphic novel, Wakanda Forever as well as nearly a dozen other books and has captured a Hugo and Nebula award, the most prestigious prizes in science fiction literature. Okorafor shared her story last week in an appearance at the downtown public library. In an intimate reception before her talk, she described her unlikely path to becoming a sought-after science fiction writer. She was born in Cincinnati, but her family moved to the Chicago region two months later. Her parents were from Nigeria and her frequent trips to the West African country stuck in her imagination and generated ideas she would use in her books. But while growing up in South Holland, Ill., writing was not among her dreams. Bugs were her thing. She wanted to be an entomologist. Born with scoliosis, an abnormal curvature of the spine, she underwent surgery, suffered a rare reaction to the procedure, and was temporarily paralyzed. So began her practice of writing. And she wrote a lot. She wrote five novels, not caring whether they were ever published or whether anyone would ever read them. I didnt realize it at the time, but what I was doing was practicing, she says. The sensation slowly returned to her legs, but instead of working with bugs, she caught the writing bug and changed her college major from pre-med to creative writing, much to her parents horror. She found her way to science fiction through her frequent experiences visiting her relatives in Nigeria. I learned very early that the world was a big place, she says. Her first stories were influenced by Ibo tribal traditions and folklore. Later, Nigerian culture and technology and how they might evolve in the future exerted a deep influence on her work. Thats what led me to start writing science fiction, she says. She wrote several books for young adults and her first adult novel, Who Fears Death, was nominated for a Nebula award and earned the attention of HBO. One day randomly, HBO sent an email to me, she says. It was quite surreal. George R.R. Martin, the creator of Game of Thrones, whom she met at a writers conference, is also working on the HBO project. Her trilogy, Binti, won both a Hugo and a Nebula. Marvel comics hired her to write Black Panther comic books based on the blockbuster movie. She wrote a Black Panther spinoff novel Wakanda Forever, and is currently working on another spinoff called Shuri. The world exploded, she says of imaginative fiction. I haven't stopped writing since. When you find that thing that you love, theres nothing that can turn you away from it. With a line-up of community leaders and small business owners from the Northern Kentucky entrepreneur arena to share their expertise, the 2019 Non-Conventional (NON/CON) Entrepreneur Conference, presented by SparkLight Creative Group through a grant from The Center for Great Neighborhoods, brought together attendees at The Hellmann Creative Center in Covington on May 4 to discuss some of the key challenges and opportunities the region presents for non-traditional entrepreneurs. NON/CON provided an environment unlike anything else where our community of small business owners, contractors, and home businesses came together for a half-day of invaluable education, connection, and inspiration, all conducted at the Hellmann Creative Center, a cultivative hub for art, design, and creative placemaking. The half-day conference was composed of five sessions of highly educational content provided by a roster of speakers and other like-minded entrepreneurs and innovators looking to build relationships, participate in impactful networking, and create partner opportunities. Kicking off the event with his introductory remarks on the importance of diversity in the areas entrepreneurial landscape, Jerome Bowles, CEO of Bowles Center for Diversity Inc., brought to attention a change needed in our area, where diversity needs to be more central with regard to entrepreneur development. As for the other insights shared at the event, I was fortunate enough to conduct one of the first trainings under the title So You Want To Create a Business Plan, which revolved around discovering how those with a business idea could re-package their idea to receive equity; both monetary and cultural. There was a round table discussion comprised of new small business owners who recently completed the FreshLo Chefs program at The Center for Great Neighborhoods. According to The Centers website, the program is designed to give a hand up and a push forward to anyone with a passion to start, or to grow, their own food-based business. The second set of trainings delved on the importance of taking on entrepreneurship in a conscious way and getting an intense rundown on what small businesses should know about taxes. John Wood, who specializes in business and individual tax, as well as audit and accounting services, gave a presentation on small business taxes. In addition, Michelle Slaughter, a socially conscious millennial who is enthralled with civic engagement, conveyed the importance of being a conscious entrepreneur. The conference's dynamic keynote, delivered by WVXU's Cincinnati Edition Host Michael Monks, seemed to be a case to never give up on a dream deferred. Organizers believe the stand-alone nature of a conference which targets the non-traditional entrepreneur, tapping into their specific gifts and traits, will bring reality to a much larger audience. This is why they have already started the process to begin planning for next years conference. Interested in participating on the planning committee? Contact SparkLight Creative Group at sparklightcreativegroup.com for info. SCN coalition honored by National Agri-Marketing Association The SCN Coalition - a public/checkoff/private partnership formed in 2018 to increase the number of growers who are actively managing soybean cyst nematode (SCN) - won a national Best of NAMA Award in 2019 for their public relations campaign. The National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) is the largest U.S. association for marketing and agribusiness, and the Best of NAMA Awards honor the nation's best work in agricultural communications. Since its launch, The SCN Coalition's public relations efforts have made 12.1 million impressions among North America's soybean growers. "The SCN Coalition is a large team effort, and there are dozens of people responsible for our successful campaign launch," says Samuel Markell, plant pathologist at North Dakota State University and leader of The SCN Coalition. "We built the SCN Coalition as a public-private partnership. This includes university scientists in 28 states and Ontario." Tennessee is represented by Heather Kelly, a University of Tennessee Extension plant pathologist and associate professor with the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology. Kelly is housed at the West Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center. Her research and extension programs focus on the major disease challenges for Tennessee producers. Markell says the goal of The SCN Coalition's campaign is to have the entire industry speak with one voice in an effort to reduce the economic loss that soybean growers are facing from SCN. It starts with "Take the test. Beat the pest." Growers need to know their SCN numbers, and that starts by testing their fields so they know what their nematode populations are doing. "SCN is North America's top yield-limiting pest in soybeans. Unfortunately, research shows SCN populations are adapting and reproducing on PI 88788, the source of resistance used in 95 percent of all SCN-resistant varieties, and yields are decreasing," he adds. "Most soybean growers are not aware that their yield loss is increasing. That's why we formed the Coalition." ### To learn more about the SCN Coalition, or to find state-specific recommendations, go to thescncoalition.com. Through its mission of research, teaching and extension, the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture touches lives and provides Real. Life. Solutions. ag.tennessee.edu Contacts: Heather Kelly, associate professor, UT Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, 731-425-4713, youngkelly@utk.edu Ginger Rowsey, UTIA Marketing and Communications, gtrice@tennessee.edu, 731-425-4768 This story has been published on: 2019-05-07. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. My mother just wanted to have a child and she would go through anything to get one... and when I was born she received endless congratulating postcards from all over the world, mostly from women with fertility problems. This was part of a recollection that Louise Brown, the worlds first tube baby, shared with a medical audience in Cairo on 25 April during the Ain Shams University Conference for Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Infertility. In an interview with Ahram Online, Brown, who was born in the UK to great international attention on 25 July 1978, said she was in Egypt to remind everyone really that every woman has the right to have a child and that treatment of fertility problems is a right that should be made available for every woman. In her talk before the conference, Brown expressed a lot of admiration for the medical team who helped her parents go through the necessary preparation for the first successful in vitro fertilisation (IVF) by British gynaecologist Patrick Steptoe and scientist Robert Edwards, who had begun their pioneering collaboration a decade earlier. Before giving birth to Louise, Lesley Brown had suffered years of infertility due to blocked fallopian tubes. In November 1977, she underwent the then-experimental IVF procedure. In her statement before the conference in Cairo, Brown recounted the ordeal of cumbersome travels and medical tests and preparations that her mother had to go through so patiently and so willingly just to have a child. Speaking to Ahram Online, Brown said that when her mother passed away in 2012, she realised that the only two people involved in this experiment left alive were herself and one of the assisting members of the medical team. Then, Brown, who works as a nurse, decided that it was her duty and responsibility to tour the world and tell her story to keep alive the memory of a pioneering medical team and the bravery of a woman yearning for motherhood. Brown's efforts, she added, have another purpose: to assert that all people that need IVF should have access to it. Over four decades after her birth, Brown said, millions of children have been conceived thanks to the IVF treatment, but there are still so many couples who wish to have a child but have no access to this treatment, either because it is too far away or because they cannot afford it. This, she argued, is not just the case for people in poorer countries, but even in developed countries, simply because fertility problems are mostly not covered by the national or private health care programmes. When Louise Brown was born, the world questioned the ethics of the IVF technique and wondered about the fate of the child who was announced to have been born healthy through a caesarean section. My mother even received some hate mail, including a letter that came from California calling my birth unnatural, she said. Brown told the audience that Time Magazine featured a cover story about the fate and chances of the first ever tube baby and whether or not it was a good thing for couples to pursue IVF. But at the end of the day, the commotion over the birth of the first ever tube baby was mostly positive, as the procedure promised an end to the agony of millions of women with fertility problems. Lesley and Peter Brown were in fact unable to take Louise back home for 12 days because of the hubbub around the extraordinary event. Several years later, the couple had their second IVF child, Natalie. In 1999, Natalie was the first IVF baby to give birth to a child of her own, through natural conception. Louise herself was a few years later to give birth to two healthy boys, also through natural conception; Cameron, now 12 years old, and Aiden, now five. John, her husband, was in fact a neighbourhood kid who came to the house of the Browns along with other children to see the newborn Louise. But it was only some 25 years later that Louise actually met John in a local bar and they later decided to get married. When I was growing up it was not such a big deal that I was born through IVF. My mother told me about it when I went to school, but it was not something we obsessed about my parents wanted me to have a natural life, Brown said. Brown is very grateful for the memory of her parents, whose endurance, especially that of her mother, made it possible for IVF experiments to bear fruit. In 2010, the Nobel prize for physiology was awarded to the British scientist who pioneered IVF, a procedure that had by that point helped in the conception and birth of 4 million people around the world. Brown is committed to eventually writing her memoires to pay respect to the medical team and her parents. For now, however, she is convinced that the best thing she could do in their memory is continue touring the world to remind people that no woman should be denied the right to motherhood, that many people still cannot get treatment for fertility problems and that couples should not be fearful of pursuing new treatments to have a child of their own. Search Keywords: Short link: Risks rise as US warns Iran with aircraft carrier Washington, May 6 (AFP) May 06, 2019 Fears of conflict rose Monday as the US vowed to send a message to Iran by deploying an aircraft carrier strike group, amid a report that Tehran would scale back commitments under a nuclear deal after mounting pressure by President Donald Trump. Patrick Shanahan, the acting US defense secretary, said he approved the deployment of the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group to unspecified waters in the vicinity of Iran in response to "indications of a credible threat by Iranian regime forces." "We call on the Iranian regime to cease all provocation. We will hold the Iranian regime accountable for any attack on US forces or our interests," Shanahan tweeted. The announcement came first on Sunday evening from John Bolton, Trump's national security advisor, who said the move was "a clear and unmistakable message to the Iranian regime that any attack on United States interests or on those of our allies will be met with unrelenting force." "The United States is not seeking war with the Iranian regime, but we are fully prepared to respond to any attack, whether by proxy, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, or regular Iranian forces," Bolton said. US officials did not give more details on the alleged threat, and the Pentagon had already announced in April that the USS Abraham Lincoln had headed on a "regularly scheduled deployment" out of its base in Norfolk, Virginia. Iran's supreme national security council spokesman Keyvan Khosravi dismissed Bolton's statement, calling it a "clumsy use of an out-of-date event for psychological warfare." - Based on intelligence, or politics? - The news site Axios said Bolton's warning came after Israel, which has pushed to isolate Iran, passed along intelligence on a possible plot by Tehran "against a US target in the Gulf or US allies like Saudi Arabia or the UAE." Quoting an unnamed Israeli official, Axios said the intelligence was "not very specific at this stage" but that the "Iranian temperature is on the rise" due to pressure. Mark Dubowitz, chief executive of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, which advocates a hard line on Iran, said he had heard of a "spike" in intelligence in recent days about planned attacks. He believed Iran had given the green-light to Islamist movements Hamas and Islamic Jihad to fire missiles into Israel in a weekend flare-up to "create a crisis to distract the US and Israel" from plots elsewhere. Other observers were much more skeptical of the intentions of Bolton, who has advocated attacking Iran and enjoyed close ties to the country's formerly armed opposition before Trump hired him. "The Trump administration's team of saber-rattling foreign policy advisors are all but openly shouting their desire for an unauthorized and unconstitutional war with Iran," said Senator Tom Udall, a Democrat. "Congress must act immediately to stop this reckless march to war before it's too late," he tweeted. The deployment announcement came almost a year to the day after Trump pulled the United States out of a multinational accord under which Tehran drastically scaled back its sensitive nuclear work. "I think this is manufactured by Bolton to try to justify the administration's very harsh policy toward Iran despite the fact that Iran has been complying with the nuclear deal," said Barbara Slavin, the director of the Future of Iran Initiative at the Atlantic Council think tank. - Iran frustration mounting - With frustration mounting in Iran over the lack of dividends from the nuclear accord, the semi-official ISNA news agency said that President Hassan Rouhani would announce "retaliatory measures" on Wednesday to mark the anniversary of the US pullout. The news agency said that Rouhani would invoke sections of the accord under which Iran can cease some or all of its commitments if other parties fail to adhere to their part, notably on ending sanctions. The Trump administration instead has imposed sweeping sanctions on Tehran and in recent weeks has hit even harder, moving to ban all countries from buying Iran's oil, its top export, and declaring the Revolutionary Guards to be a terrorist group -- the first such designation of a unit of a foreign government. UN inspectors say that Iran has remained in compliance with the nuclear deal, which is still backed by European powers as well as Democrats seeking to unseat Trump next year. Britain, France and Germany have set up a special payments system to let European businesses operate in Iran and avoid US sanctions, although few firms have been willing to incur Washington's wrath. Five dead, 233 arrested in Venezuela protests: Attorney General Caracas, May 6 (AFP) May 06, 2019 Five people died and 233 were arrested in protests sparked by a failed military uprising against Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro last week, Attorney General Tarek William Saab said on Monday. "All those cases are being investigated," Saab said in a television interview. A small number of military personnel on April 30 joined opposition leader Juan Guaido outside an air base in the capital Caracas calling on those inside to join the rebellion. The insurrection quickly petered out, though, and 25 rebel soldiers sought refuge in the Brazilian embassy. Saab, a Maduro loyalist, confirmed that 18 arrest warrants were issued against "civilians and military plotters," although he gave no names. In an interview with AFP on Monday Guaido blamed the failure on unkept promises by other members of the armed forces. Maduro has threatened to go after "traitors" after crisis-wracked Venezuela's military leadership reaffirmed its loyalty to the socialist president. Venezuela's Supreme Court on Thursday ordered the re-arrest of key opposition figure Leopoldo Lopez, who made a sensational appearance alongside Guaido outside the air base claiming to have been released from house arrest by soldiers. The 48-year-old has sought refuge in the Spanish ambassador's residence. Lopez was sentenced to 14 years in prison in 2014 after he was accused of inciting violent protests against Maduro, which left 43 people dead. He was then transferred to house arrest in 2017. On Wednesday, Lopez's wife Lilian Tintori claimed their Caracas home had been broken into and ransacked while she was out. Venezuela lurched into a political crisis in January when National Assembly speaker Guaido challenged Maduro's authority by declaring himself acting president. Guaido said that Venezuela's constitution allowed him to do so after the opposition-controlled but sidelined legislature declared Maduro a usurper over his controversial 2018 re-election. Venezuela has suffered five years of recession that has seen more than 2.7 million people flee poverty and insecurity since 2015, according to United Nations figures. Of the 30 million people left behind, the UN says almost a quarter are in desperate need of humanitarian aid. atm/erc/rsr/bc/ch Escalation in Syria's Idlib rattles months-old truce Kafr Nabl, Syria, May 7 (AFP) May 07, 2019 Air strikes and shelling killed eight civilians in northwestern Syria Tuesday after deadly clashes between pro-government forces and jihadists rattled a months-old truce and sparked a new wave of displacement. At least 53 fighters have been killed since Monday, in one of the deadliest flare-ups since a demilitarised zone around the Idlib region was agreed in September last year, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. Several deadly skirmishes have occurred since the deal was reached in Russia but the last few weeks have seen an uptick in violence inside the planned buffer zone. The region of some three million people is under the control of a former Al-Qaeda affiliate in one of the last parts of Syria President Bashar al-Assad has yet to take back. His government had threatened an all-out assault on the area last year but that was averted by the deal for a de-militarised buffer zone between his ally Moscow and rebel backer Ankara. A surge in attacks since April 20 has raised new fears a government offensive is imminent, prompting thousands of civilians to flee their homes towards quieter areas deeper inside Idlib province. "This is the third time we have been displaced but this time is the scariest," said Abu Ahmad, a 40-year-old from southern Idlib who was fleeing with his family towards areas near the border with Turkey on Tuesday. "Overflights by warplanes and shelling have been relentless," said the father of three, his blue pick-up truck stacked with mattresses, bed sheets and household appliances. - 'Urgent de-escalation' - Battles between jihadists and pro-government forces raged overnight around a hilltop in the northern countryside of Hama province, following an advance by Assad's forces. Twenty-four pro-government fighters were killed in fierce fighting, the Observatory said. Twenty-nine jihadists were also killed. They were members of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a group dominated by fighters from a former Al-Qaeda affiliate, and of the Turkistan Islamic Party, a Uighur-dominated jihadist group. Fighting subsided early Tuesday after pro-government forces thwarted several counter attacks and consolidated new positions, Observatory chief Rami Abdul Rahman told AFP. But, the air and artillery bombardment continued for an eighth straight day, killing eight civilians, the war monitor said. At least nine civilians were killed in shelling and air strikes on Monday. State news agency SANA said Syrian troops launched rocket attacks on armed groups in northwestern Hama province on Tuesday, killing several fighters, but it did not provide any toll. UN chief Antonio Guterres has called "for an urgent de-escalation of the situation as the holy month of Ramadan begins" and urged "the parties to recommit fully to the ceasefire arrangements of the memorandum signed on 17 September 2018." A UN statement said Guterres was alarmed by "reports of aerial attacks on population centres and civilian infrastructure". At least seven health facilities have been hit since April 28, it said. Nine schools have also been struck since April 30, and many more have closed their doors indefinitely, it added. - 'Limited offensive'- It remains unclear whether the Syrian government and its Russian ally are planning to launch a full-scale assault, but Aaron Lund of the Century Foundation said "a limited offensive into Idlib, peeling off a few areas, should be easily within their capabilities." He said the recapture of two key highways running through Idlib -- the M4 and the M5 -- could be among the "many goals" behind such an operation. Under the September deal, hardliners were supposed to withdraw from the planned buffer zone, allowing traffic to once again flow along the two strategic highways, which connect government-held areas with the Turkish border. Turkey has failed, however, to secure the jihadists' withdrawal, prompting government forces to take matters into their own hands, Syria specialist Fabrice Balanche said. Taking the two highways would help Assad boost the recovery of Syria's nearby second city Aleppo, which remains cut off from most of its countryside and poorly connected to the rest of the country, he told AFP. "Restoring traffic on these two axes will reduce transport costs to Aleppo," he said. Retaking the two highways would also cut the rebel-held region in two, making it easier for government forces to recapture its southern part and isolate the jihadists in the north. Escalation in Syria's Idlib rattles months-old truce Kafr Nabl, Syria, May 7 (AFP) May 07, 2019 Air strikes and shelling killed 13 civilians in northwestern Syria on Tuesday, a monitor said, in the latest escalation to rattle a months-old truce and spark displacement. At least 53 fighters have also been killed since Monday, in one of the deadliest flare-ups since a demilitarised zone around the Idlib region was agreed in September last year, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. Several deadly skirmishes have occurred since the deal was reached between regime ally Russia and rebel backer Turkey, but the last few weeks have seen an uptick in violence inside the planned buffer zone. The region of some three million people is under the control of a former Al-Qaeda affiliate, in one of the last parts of Syria which President Bashar al-Assad has yet to take back. The September deal aimed to avoid an all-out government offensive on the enclave. But a surge in attacks since April 20 has raised new fears a government offensive is imminent, prompting thousands of civilians to flee their homes towards quieter areas deeper inside Idlib province. "This is the third time we have been displaced but this time is the scariest," said Abu Ahmad, a 40-year-old from southern Idlib who was fleeing Tuesday with his family towards areas near the border with Turkey. "Overflights by warplanes and shelling have been relentless," said the father of three, his blue pick-up truck stacked with mattresses, bed sheets and household appliances. - 'Urgent de-escalation' - Battles between jihadists and pro-government forces raged overnight around a hilltop in the northern countryside of Hama province, following an advance by Assad's forces. Twenty-four pro-government fighters were killed in fierce fighting, the Observatory said, along with 29 jihadists. The latter were members of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a group dominated by fighters from a former Al-Qaeda affiliate, and of the Turkistan Islamic Party, a Uighur-dominated jihadist group. Fighting subsided early Tuesday after pro-government forces thwarted several counter-attacks and consolidated new positions, Observatory chief Rami Abdul Rahman told AFP. But the air and artillery bombardment continued for an eighth straight day, killing the 13 civilians, the war monitor said. At least nine civilians were killed in shelling and air strikes on Monday. State news agency SANA said Syrian troops launched rocket attacks on armed groups in northwestern Hama province on Tuesday, killing several fighters, but it did not provide any toll. French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his "extreme concern" over the heightened violence. "The humanitarian situation in Syria is critical and no military option is acceptable," he said on Twitter Tuesday. "We demand a halt to the violence and support the UN in backing a necessary political solution." UN chief Antonio Guterres has called "for an urgent de-escalation of the situation as the holy month of Ramadan begins" and urged "the parties to recommit fully to the ceasefire arrangements of the memorandum signed on 17 September 2018." A UN statement said Guterres was alarmed by "reports of aerial attacks on population centres and civilian infrastructure". At least seven health facilities have been hit since April 28, it said. Nine schools have also been struck since April 30, and many more have closed their doors indefinitely, it added. - 'Limited offensive' - It remains unclear whether the Syrian government and its Russian ally are planning to launch a full-scale assault. Aron Lund, from the US think tank The Century Foundation, said "a limited offensive into Idlib, peeling off a few areas, should be easily within their capabilities". He said the recapture of two key highways running through Idlib -- the M4 and the M5 -- could be among the "many goals" behind such an operation. Under the September deal, hardliners were supposed to withdraw from the planned buffer zone, allowing traffic to once again flow along the two strategic highways, which connect government-held areas with the Turkish border. Turkey has failed, however, to secure the jihadists' withdrawal, prompting government forces to take matters into their own hands, Syria specialist Fabrice Balanche said. Taking the two highways would help Assad boost the recovery of Syria's nearby second city Aleppo, which remains cut off from most of its countryside and poorly connected to the rest of the country, he told AFP. "Restoring traffic on these two axes will reduce transport costs to Aleppo," he said. Retaking the road between the regime's coastal stronghold of Latakia and Aleppo in particular would cut the rebel-held region in two, making it easier for government forces to recapture its southern part and isolate the jihadists in the north, Balanche added. Trump pardons US Army officer convicted of killing Iraqi Washington, May 7 (AFP) May 07, 2019 President Donald Trump has granted a full pardon to a former US Army officer convicted of the 2009 murder of an Iraqi detainee. Michael Behenna, 35, a former lieutenant in the 101st Airborne Division from Oklahoma, was released from prison in 2014 after serving five years in jail. Behenna was convicted in 2009 of unpremeditated murder for the death of Ali Mansur, an Iraqi who was suspected of belonging to Al-Qaeda. Mansur was picked up by US troops following a bomb explosion that killed two members of Behenna's unit but was released. Behenna later conducted his own interrogation of Mansur and claimed at his trial that he killed him in self-defense. In granting the pardon, the White House said Behenna's case had "attracted broad support from the military, Oklahoma elected officials, and the public." Hina Shamsi, director of the National Security Project at the American Civil Liberties Union, condemned the presidential pardon for Behenna. "This pardon is a presidential endorsement of a murder that violated the military's own code of justice," Shamsi said in a statement. "The military appeals court found Behenna disobeyed orders, became the aggressor against his prisoner, and had no justification for killing a naked, unarmed Iraqi man in the desert, away from an actual battlefield. "Trump, as commander-in-chief, and top military leaders should prevent war crimes, not endorse or excuse them," Shamsi said. Austria hands over MiG 'symbol' of Croatian independence war Zagreb, May 7 (AFP) May 07, 2019 A fighter jet flown to Austria by a defecting Croat pilot at the start of the bloody break-up of Yugoslavia was on Tuesday sent from Vienna to Croatia, where the military hailed it a symbol of "heroism". The MiG-21 jet was originally taken to Austria by pilot Rudolf Peresin, who refused to bomb his native Croatia in the war for independence. It is due to be displayed in front of the defence ministry in Zagreb later this month. Croatian army chief of staff, General Drago Matanovic, said the plane was "a symbol of the heroism in the war for the homeland", the Hina news agency reported. Yugoslavia fell apart in a series of bloody wars in the 1990s in Croatia, Bosnia and Kosovo, that left more than 130,000 people dead and millions displaced. Croatia declared independence from the former Yugoslavia in 1991, sparking one of the first of the conflicts. Peresin explained his decision at the time of his defection: "I am Croat and I do not want to shoot on Croats." He was killed in May 1995 at the end of the bloodshed between Croatia and the Belgrade-backed ethnic Serb minority. The war claimed 20,000 lives. The jet will be displayed at the Zagreb defence ministry on May 12 to mark 24th anniversary of the pilot's death. It will then be stored in a military airport close to Zagreb, awaiting installation in a future Croatian military museum. Libya's Haftar forces say warplane downed near Tripoli Tripoli, May 7 (AFP) May 07, 2019 Troops loyal to Libyan military commander Khalifa Haftar said Tuesday they shot down a warplane and captured its foreign "mercenary" pilot near the capital Tripoli. The Mirage F1 was downed in Al-Hira region, 70 kilometres (43 miles) south of the capital, Haftar's self-styled Libyan National Army said on its Facebook page. There was no immediate comment on the report from the Government of National Accord, whose forces have been locked in battle with the LNA since Haftar's fighters launched an offensive to take Tripoli on April 4. The LNA posted pictures of a man with an apparent head wound and blood-splattered uniform whom it identified as a "Portuguese mercenary". In a video circulating on social media, the man is asked in English by an LNA fighter in the back of a pickup truck whether he was a soldier. "No, I am a civilian," he says. In another video published by a pro-Haftar website, the pilot says he is a 29-year-old "from Portugal". "I was requested to destroy roads and bridges" as part of a "civilian contract", he said in English in response to a question about what he was doing. Asked about the incident by AFP, a spokesman for the Portuguese defence ministry said the country's "air force has no missing pilots, is not currently on a mission in Libya and does not have a Mirage F1 in its fleet". The almost five-week-old battle on the southern outskirts of Tripoli has killed at least 432 people, wounded 2,069 and displaced some 55,000 others, according to the UN. After initial advances for the LNA, its rivals have launched a counter-offensive, leading to a stalemate on the ground. The two sides often accuse each of resorting to the use of foreign mercenaries and outside military assistance. Libya has been mired in chaos since the ouster and killing of Moamer Kadhafi in 2011, with Haftar supporting a rival administration in the east of the country. ila/hc/dv/rsc UK soldier on anti-poaching mission killed by elephant London, May 7 (AFP) May 07, 2019 A British soldier serving in Malawi with an anti-poaching operation has been killed by an elephant, the defence ministry said Tuesday. Mathew Talbot was on patrol Sunday in Liwonde National Park when "he was killed by an elephant," a spokesman told AFP. The Director of Malawi's Department of National Parks and Wildlife Brighton Kumchedwa said that "two British soldiers and three Malawian wildlife rangers were out on a normal patrol where they came across three elephants. "One of the elephants charged and the team tried to run for cover." According to Kumchedwa, the elephant pulled Talbot from a tree he had climbed and trampled on him. "His friends tried to resuscitate him but it was all in vain because he died before they could take him to hospital," he said. Defence Secretary Penny Mordaunt said in a statement that the tragic incident was a "reminder of the danger our military faces as they protect some of the world's most endangered species." The presence of well-equipped British forces in the 530-square-kilometre (250 square mile) Liwonde park has reassured rangers who routinely confront gangs of poachers armed with assault rifles. Prince Harry, who visited the park in 2016, is the public face of the anti-poaching project that began that year. Talbot's commanding officer Ed Launders said he was "determined and big-hearted" and had volunteered for the Malawi mission. "He was hugely proud of his work as a counter-poaching operator and tragically died doing great good," Launders said. Talbot enlisted in 2013 and last year attended a multi-national training exercise in Kenya. Benson Linje, a communications officer at the British High Commission in the capital Lilongwe, told AFP that Talbot's body would be repatriated to the United Kingdom by the end of the week. Spanish and E.Guinea navy rescue 20 crew from pirate hijacking Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, May 7 (AFP) May 07, 2019 A joint Spanish and Equatorial Guinea naval operation has rescued 20 crew members on a merchant ship from a hijacking by pirates in the Gulf of Guinea, the Spanish defence ministry said Tuesday. The captain of the Maltese-flagged vessel sounded the alarm on Sunday after their ship was approached by armed pirates, the ministry said, with the crew taking refuge in an emergency compartment. "Once on board, the pirates used a megaphone to demand the crew surrender and give them all the money on board," the ministry added. When the captain refused to comply, the pirates managed to fire into the emergency compartment, the ministry said. No one was injured by gunfire. The Spanish "Serviola" patrol ship, which carries out security and surveillance tasks in the region, received reports of the hijacking and conducted a rescue operation with an Equatorial Guinea navy vessel. Ten pirates were arrested, according to the Equatorial Guinea authorities. "I congratulate the heroic action of our armed forces," said Vice President of Defence and Security in Equatorial Guinea, Teodorin Nguema Obiang, in a statement read out on state radio on Tuesday. He said the navy intervened after "a call for help from a boat... attacked by a speedboat with ten pirates on board". "Thanks to the swift intervention of our armed forces, (we) managed to save the crew on board and arrest ten pirates," he said, adding that their presumed nationality was Nigerian. The Gulf of Guinea, a coastal zone stretching thousands of kilometres off West Africa, has now eclipsed the Gulf of Aden -- off the Horn of Africa -- as the continent's piracy hotspot. Reports of attacks in waters between the Ivory Coast and the Democratic Republic of Congo more than doubled in 2018 compared to the year before, according to a piracy report by the International Maritime Bureau in January. The last quarter of 2018 saw a significant spike in violence off West Africa, with vessels boarded by pirates well outside territorial waters, and crew kidnapped and taken to Nigeria where they were held for ransom, the report said. Piracy in the Gulf, home to Sub-Saharan Africa's two main oil producers Nigeria and Angola, has seriously disrupted international shipping routes and cost the global economy billions of dollars. Countries in the region, whose surveillance and maritime defence capabilities are limited, have been trying for several years to bolster their means of intervention and to put in place closer collaboration, with the help of Western powers. Pompeo in Baghdad on unannounced visit: Iraq govt source Baghdad, May 7 (AFP) May 07, 2019 US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo landed in Baghdad late Tuesday on an unannounced visit, an Iraqi government source told AFP, cancelling a trip to Germany amid escalating US-Iran tensions. The source, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the high security nature of the visit, said Pompeo was set to meet Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi. The visit comes two days after the US announced it was dispatching an aircraft carrier strike group and bomber task force to the Middle East to send a "clear and unmistakeable" message to Iran. National Security Advisor John Bolton said the deployment was in response to a "number of troubling and escalatory indications and warnings," but did not elaborate. "The United States is not seeking war with the Iranian regime, but we are fully prepared to respond to any attack, whether by proxy, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, or regular Iranian forces," he said. Pompeo had been en route to Germany but suddenly cancelled the trip due to "pressing issues," the State Department said, without elaborating where he was heading. But in response to a question about threats from Iran or its proxies on US forces in Iraq, the top US diplomat mentioned both Iraq and Jordan. "As Secretary of State I have a responsibility to keep the officers that work for me safe each and every day all around the world. That includes in Erbil and Baghdad, in our facilities in Amman, all around the Middle East," he said. "And so any time we receive threat reporting, things that raise concerns, we do everything... that we can to make sure that those planned or contemplated attacks don't take place, and to make sure that we've got the right security posture," he said. Pompeo had been traveling from Finland, where he had attended a meeting of the Arctic Council. He was due to meet both Chancellor Angela Merkel and Foreign Minister Heiko Maas later Tuesday in Germany. Pompeo in Baghdad on unannounced visit: Iraq govt source Baghdad, May 7 (AFP) May 07, 2019 US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo landed in Baghdad late Tuesday on an unannounced visit, an Iraqi government source told AFP, cancelling a trip to Germany amid boiling US-Iran tensions. The source, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the high security nature of the visit, said Pompeo was due to meet Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi. The surprise visit is seen as an effort to stand up Washington's ties with Baghdad as it wages a campaign of "maximum pressure" against Tehran -- a US arch-rival, but an ally of Iraq. On Sunday, Washington announced it was dispatching an aircraft carrier strike group and bomber task force to the Middle East in a "clear and unmistakeable" message to Iran. National Security Advisor John Bolton said the deployment was in response to a "number of troubling and escalatory indications and warnings," but did not elaborate. Both Bolton and Pompeo have said in recent days that the US would respond to any attack by Iran, its feared Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, or armed groups allied to Tehran across the region. - 'Security posture' - Pompeo had been travelling from Finland, where he had attended a meeting of the Arctic Council, to Germany, where he was due to meet both Chancellor Angela Merkel and Foreign Minister Heiko Maas later Tuesday. He suddenly cancelled the trip due to "pressing issues," the State Department said on Tuesday, without elaborating where he was heading. But in response to a question about threats from Iran or its proxies on US forces in Iraq, the top US diplomat mentioned both Iraq and Jordan. "As Secretary of State I have a responsibility to keep the officers that work for me safe each and every day all around the world. That includes in Arbil and Baghdad, in our facilities in Amman, all around the Middle East," he told journalists. "And so any time we receive threat reporting, things that raise concerns, we do everything... that we can to make sure that those planned or contemplated attacks don't take place, and to make sure that we've got the right security posture," he said. In a press conference a few hours before Pompeo's arrival, Abdel Mahdi said Iraq would not accept any attack on foreign troops on its land. "Iraq really is taking the responsibility to avoid any attack on any of our friends here, coalition forces or any of our friends here," he told reporters. "This is an obligation that Iraq would honour, (and) not accept any attack on anyone -- whether Iraqi, foreigner, whether it's an embassy or a company or a military mission," he said. Pompeo and Abdel Mahdi had spoken by phone on Friday, but a readout provided by the PM's office did not mention Iran. - Tit-for-tat - Pompeo is due in London after his trip to Iraq, his second time in Baghdad as secretary of state. He travelled to Baghdad and Arbil in January, also unannounced, to reassure Washington's Kurdish allies after the US announced it would withdraw its troops from Syria. Washington and Tehran have been at loggerheads since the US unilaterally withdrew from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal and instead vowed "maximum pressure" against Tehran -- with Baghdad repeatedly caught in the middle. In November, the US reinstated tough sanctions on Iran's energy and finance sectors, but granted Iraq waivers to keep importing Iranian electricity and gas for its crippled power sector. The US has urged Baghdad to partner with US companies to fill that gap. And last month, Washington named the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps a "foreign terrorist organisation," in the first such designation for a government body. The move prompted Iran to designate US troops across the region as "terrorists." In Iraq, a debate has been raging in recent months over the fate of some 5,200 US troops stationed across the country. Their presence angers the Hashed al-Shaabi, a paramilitary force that is dominated by pro-Iran factions which played a key role alongside government forces in the fight against IS. 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 situation has indeed been complicated by two factors by Dr. S. Chandrasekharan It is to the credit of Sheikh Hasina that despite intense pressure from interested groups, she has managed to keep the Rohingya issue as a bilateral one and any criticism so far has been managed internally. But with the overwhelming success of Hasina in the last General elections and an assured stability in administration for the next five years there are calls that Bangladesh should take a tougher stand as the issue has already been internationalized and more importantly the bilateral talks have stalled with no progress despite four meetings of the Joint Working Group with the last one meeting recently in the first week of this month at Naypyitaw. A million refugees are in the camps here in Southern Bangladesh near Coxs Bazaar with no prospect of their immediate return. As one who has seen the situation in the refugee camps in southern Nepal some years ago, of the Bhutanese of Nepali origin who numbered about one hundred thousand, one can imagine the chaotic conditions in Rohingya camps where a million people are housed. In Nepal the refugees were well behaved innocent people and well-disciplined and yet there were problems galore. In the Rohingya camps, there is said to be total lawlessness and the camp officials are afraid to move around after sunset. The ARSA is said to have already infiltrated in many camps and there have been instances of human trafficking. Refugees have been found sneaking regularly into Mizoram and as far away as Malaysia. Even Chennai has a small Rohingya refugee community in Kelambakkam! In addition, there are the drug pushers and Yaba tablets are available in plenty and are being transported to other regions! An article in the Daily Star of Dhaka has made out a very good case as to why Bangladesh should take a tougher stand on the Rohingya issue. A well- respected Professor Imtiaz Ahmed of International Development at Dhaka University has made out a cogent case for a tougher stand. The points made out are; Bangladesh Government should change its approach on the Rohingya issue as repatriation is stalled and it has already proved its humanitarian responsibilities since 2017. Bangladesh has tried to solve it bilaterally. It took the initiative in November 2017 for an amicable solution despite the crisis being an international one. A tripartite agreement was also signed by the two countries in 2018 along with UN Refugee Agency and UNDP wherein the UN agencies were allowed to visit and assess the conditions in Rakhine State for the return of the refugees. In UNs assessment the conditions were not considered ripe for return and the Rohingyas in the camps who had by now have formed into a trade union type of arrangement, also refused to return. There was a suggestion that the Rohingyan refugees should also be represented in the Joint Working Groups as they are the ones who are to take a final call for the return. But the refugees refused to be part of the group. It is doubtful whether even Myanmar would have agreed to such an arrangement! A new element has entered into the dynamics of the Rohingya issue with fierce clashes between the Myanmar Army (Tatmadaw) and the Arakan Army in the last few months. It is likely to be a protracted one. The Myanmar Government which had declared that it was ready to take back the refugees has not amended its laws either to guarantee citizenship to Rohingyas or provide them with other rights. A section of the Myanmar Military is already facing accusations of genocide and some in the West like the European Union have already started imposing sanctions. If Myanmar is sincere, it has to change its laws including the citizenship laws and recognize Rohingyas as an ethnic group and ensure other rights to them. As it is, the Joint Working Group is only deceiving both the Rohingyas and the International Community Perhaps both the countries could opt for a two-track diplomacy instead of formal talks. The situation has indeed been complicated by two factors- one the presence of ARSA in the camps and two, the raging civil war in the Rakhine State where both the Government of Myanmar and the Tatmadaw have vowed to crush the Arakan Army. Unfortunately, the Arakan army is now well entrenched in Rakhine area though it continues with its training and recruitment in the Kachin Headquarters at Laiza. The Rakhines have a proud history, claiming a cultural continuity from 3000 BC to 1784 AD and the Arakan Army is popular with the people. Left to themselves, Myanmar would not take back even a single Rohingya back and any international pressure would only throw them further into Chinas lap. The Myanmar Army Chief in his three day(?) visit to China recently specifically thanked the Chinese authorities for protecting them from international sanctions! They cannot be fighting on one hand and at the same time prepare themselves for the orderly return of the Rohingya refugees. They are not ready as yet even with the laws to recognize them as an ethnic unit with rights to citizenship. Track two meetings may go on but the Myanmar government should first get to come to terms with the Arakan Army and agree for a bilateral ceasefire for peace and stability in the region. Then and then only can anyone think of the Rohingya issue and for peaceful repatriation of the Rohingyan refugees. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, former defence secretary, Sri Lanka by Lakshmi Subramanian ( Courtesy: The Week) AS DEFENCE SECRETARY in his elder brother Mahinda Rajapaksas government, Gotabaya Rajapaksa played a ruthless role in wiping out the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, which had waged a civil war for three decades in Sri Lanka. A few days after the terror attacks on Easter Sunday, THE WEEK met Gotabaya in his small bungalow in Nugegoda near Colombo. Putting aside the book The Future is Asian by Parag Khanna which he was reading, he spoke on the return of terrorism and on his determination to become the countrys president. Excerpts: It is clear that the authorities and the government did not take the [intelligence]information seriously. The most popular leader in this country has been Mahinda Rajapaksa. But he cannot contest. That is why he wanted me to [contest]. What do you have to say about the Easter attacks? It is very sad and shocking. Especially so for me, as I was one of the leading personalities responsible for ending the war. I never thought Sri Lanka would witness [such] a violent incident after 2009. Mahinda Rajapaksa said this would not have happened if he were in power. For the Rajapaksa government, the top priority was national security. Every time there was a threat, we took action to identify the threat to prevent this type of [attacks]. After ending the war in 2009, we had to act differently to identify the threat. We did that. We found there were [remnants] of the LTTE, which could regroup, reorganise and restart their campaign. Then we saw the radical Islam group as a potential threat. We worked towards preventing it. And then the next threat was drugs. What would you have done if you were the current defence secretary? We gave freedom to the intelligence agencies for monitoring and surveillance. I sent senior officers to the US for training [to fight radicalisation]. They were well trained to collect intelligence, and to monitor groups and cyberspace. To monitor cyberspace, we set up a centre with all the infrastructure. We recruited people in intelligence and at the cyber centre to monitor Islamic radicals; they were also trained in Arabic. We did not allow radical preachers from other countries to come in. A hundred preachers were deported. I was criticised, but till the end of 2014 there was no spot of violent preaching. I was always security conscious. We were prepared. And because I had the intelligence knowledge, we neutralised the LTTE. Similarly, we would have monitored this (radicalisation), too, and would have controlled it with the mechanism we had. If they (the current government) had monitored it, they could have arrested them and broken the network. Do you think it was an intelligence failure? Or was the intelligence ignored? It is clear that the authorities and the government did not take the information seriously. The intelligence information was always there. Because the intelligence network was broken, the authorities were not aware of it. You know, they are very complacent. The government is not considering the security of the country as a priority. So how can others? This is the problem. I think they gave the information on April 10; they had [done so] previously, and also two hours [before the attacks]. It is unfortunate that we could not act upon it. Has India always helped Sri Lanka in terms of intelligence? Yes. Especially after the Mumbai attacks (in 2008), I got information from the Indian intelligence agencies, on numerous occasions, that certain people from various countries come here and meet people from India. I stopped them from coming into the country. I arrested them. Indias intelligence has been helping Sri Lanka and vice versa. When you were defence secretary, how was your rapport with India? I had a very good rapport with India (smiles). I dont know if you have read the book Choices. (He picks up the book by former foreign secretary Shivshankar Menon from his huge bookshelf and opens a chapter marked in green ink.) It has a chapter on Sri Lanka. It describes me, a chapter on Gota. It explains our relationship. We met outside the normal channels, out of the foreign ministry, and created a different channel to have this relationship. Three people from here and three people from there, including myself and [presidential adviser] Basil Rajapaksa, Shivshankar Menon, [national security adviser] M.K. Narayanan and [foreign secretary] Vijay Singh. We met very regularly. We exchanged ideas at different times, very sensitive times, and we solved those issues. We had a very close relationship. How useful was this relationship for Sri Lanka? It was very useful. I believed working with India closely was very important to Sri Lanka. But now it seems like Colombo has taken Chinas side and has started ignoring India. This tilt started during your rule. We were blamed for [this] during the later stage [of our rule]. But I think it was misunderstood. The geopolitical analysts analysed it in the wrong way, because they did not have the correct information. Of course the China-Sri Lanka relationship was a diplomatic relationship. It was very old. But during our period, after the war, there was a lot of Chinese investment in Sri Lanka. That was purely a commercial arrangement, because after the war we needed quick development in the country. We got assistance from China mainly on infrastructure development. We never forgot about the national security issues and our relationship with India; we categorically said that we will not allow any country to have military presence in Sri Lanka and that we will not do anything that will [cause] any security concerns for India. Have you ever felt that India acted like a big brother in its diplomatic relationship with Sri Lanka? No. I did not feel that because of the way Narayanan and Menon acted. They had a very friendly attitude. I thought we always had the opportunity because ours is a small country and if we worked properly, India has a very big market for our products, and we can get assistance in many areas. I think we can benefit because of India. You said geopolitical analysts have got it wrong when it comes to Sri Lanka. Does geopolitics play a major role in politics in Sri Lanka? It looks like that because, again, I feel it is a misunderstanding of this China factor. Geographically, we are in a very strategic location in the Indian Ocean, which itself is very important as it links the east and the west. And both sides need to use the Indian Ocean, especially for shipping and sea links. China, Japan and all the industrialised countries need energy that is coming from the Middle East. Also, China needs a lot of minerals from Africa. At the same time, the products produced by these countries have to go to these markets, whether it is Europe or Africa or the Middle East. So they need to keep this access open. When they see the Chinese involvement, they get worried about [whether there will be] a sort of China domination in the Indian Ocean. They all want to be part of this region. But we will definitely react. Do you think Sri Lanka is slipping once again when it comes to peace? It has already slipped. We never expected this to happen after 10 years. Now I think the government must put things together and immediately put a stop to this. The civil war was over in 2009. But there was a lot of bloodshed. Some even look at you as a villain. Yes. But I am worried about the country, the people. I know the majority of the people respect me as a hero, and because I did what a lot of people couldnt do for a long period. I did not start the war. It was started in late 1979. And when I took over [as defence secretary in 2005], the war was at a critical juncture. I didnt create the LTTE. It was a strong terrorist group by that time. It is not the Rajapaksas who created the war. The previous governments and their mistakes did it. [The unrest] started during the United National Party rule, during the J.R. Jayewardene period. Actually, one reason I think it started was the economy. You see, before 1977, the Jaffna farmer was very rich. Chillies, onions, tomatoes, potatoes, fish and tobacco were coming from the north. So, those days, we were self-sufficient. But after 1977, when the Jayewardene government introduced economy without any control, we began importing these things, and the economy of these people collapsed. The UNP government could not control it. What they did was, they collected all the people here and sent them to Jaffna. They are the people who strengthened the LTTE. That was when the Tamil diaspora was created. So, again, the UNP is responsible. The Jaffna Public Library burning (in 1981), it is the UNP [that did it]. Then the District Development Councils brought a solution and the [1982 presidential] election was held. But it was rigged by the UNP. The Sri Lankan Freedom Party government didnt do anything against the Tamil people. I dont understand how the Tamil National Alliance can support the UNP. We did not start this whole thing. We stopped the war. Now what you see in the east and the north are the results of stopping the war. There is development. Instead of [taking up] weapons, [children] are going to school. The people are not worried about their children joining the LTTE. I dont understand why people point fingers at me. During the last stages of the war, did LTTE chief V. Prabhakaran try to contact you or did you reach out to him? No. He never did. Because he is a different kind of leader. We monitored his conversations with KP (LTTE leader Kumaran Pathmanathan) several times. Even during the last stages, KP wanted to take him out [of Sri Lanka]. But he never agreed. Will you run for president? Yes. Is it because Mahinda cannot run? Yes. The most popular leader in this country has been Mahinda Rajapaksa. But he cannot contest [because of the 19th amendment to the constitution]. That is why he wanted me to [contest]. [There are also a] lot of people who see me as a person who can deliver, because I have delivered on whatever responsibility was given to me, whether it was urban development or law and order. And, generally, there is frustration and dissatisfaction with the traditional politicians in Sri Lanka. Maybe that feeling is there all over the world. I am somebody out of traditional politics. I think it is my duty and responsibility to serve the country and that is why I decided to contest. You have dual citizenship. Is that not a hindrance? I have renounced it (US citizenship). TO VIEW MORE NEWS STORY, PLEASE CLICK ON NEWS TAB ON MAIN MENU BAR 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. HORSE RACING BLAIRS Cove, trained by Dan Skelton and ridden by his brother Harry, landed the feature Qatar Airways Handicap Chase in front of another big crowd at Warwicks Kids Carnival Day on Monday, writes David Hucker. Alcester-based Skelton chalked up 205 winners last season and was quickly out of the blocks with a double on the opening day of the new campaign on Saturday and continued his form in the first of four meetings that make up the Qatar Airways May Racing Carnival. Blairs Cove, a warm 6-5 favourite, jumped to the front down the back straight and had no trouble in seeing off the challenge of Royal Supremo and Nikki Steel. The day hadnt started well for Skelton, however, as his Ferrobin, an early race faller on his previous start at Stratford, was beaten when sent off the 8-15 favourite in the opening Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Novices Hurdle over two miles and three furlongs. Taken straight into the lead, a good jump at the third-last flight seemed to have given him a winning advantage but, turning for home, Smiths Bay started to make progress and closed the leader down approaching the final jump. He came away the quicker and, with Ferrobin not looking the easiest of rides on the run-in, ran on well to post an eight-length win. Winning trainer Alan King and jockey Wayne Hutchinson looked to have a good chance of doubling up in the following Introducing Racing TV National Hunt Maiden Hurdle with Colditz Castle, runner-up on his previous start at Wincanton. The writing was on the wall, however, when they started to lose ground coming to the end of the back straight and it was Bucks Bins who led the field turning for home. But, he had no answer to the challenge of Golden Taipan, brought with a well-timed run by Paddy Brennan to lead approaching the last. His win set up a double for trainer Fergal OBrien completed by Phoebus Lescribaa in the concluding Agetur UK Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle. Phoebus Lescribaa was left clear when Stubborn Logic crashed out at the third-last flight and came home the easiest winner of the afternoon with Conor Brace, beating Hillview Ladd by 11 lengths. Jaboticaba was all the rage in the betting market for the Join Racing TV Now Novices Handicap Chase, shortening from 6-4 into 11-10 favourite. He came to challenge leader Kilcara over the final two fences, but a bad mistake at the last cost him whatever chance he had and Kilcara who, by contrast had drifted in the betting from 9-2 to 13-2, went clear on the run-in to score a four-length success in the hands of conditional jockey Rex Dingle. Longest race of the afternoon was the Follow @racingtv On Twitter Handicap Hurdle over three miles and one furlong and it produced the closest finish with less than a length between the first three home. It went to Telson Barley, who jumped to the front at the final flight, holding off the late challenge of Taaffes Castle and Blackmill, who has been prominent throughout the race. Favourite Urtheonethatiwant was held up at the back by Matt Griffiths, as he had done when winning at Exeter last time, but made mistakes at the final two flights in the back straight when looking to make a run, finishing tailed off in last place. After riding Burbank to victory in the second race at Kempton Park, jockey Jeremiah McGrath made the dash to Warwick in time to partner Passing Dream in the Bet At racingtv.com Handicap Hurdle and, despite drifting to the right on the run-in, the mare recorded back-to-back victories, beating Champagne Mist and Atlantic Storm. Alan Rusbridger The Chipping Campden Literature Festival this year celebrates its tenth anniversary and runs from 7th to 11th May. Festival director Vicky Bennett talks Herald arts through some highlights from the programme. News is this years main theme. On the opening day of the festival, on 7th May at Tokes Bar, former editor of the Guardian, Alan Rusbridger presents his book on Breaking News: The Remaking of Journalism and Why it Matters Now; and Ed Vulliamy, Observer foreign correspondent, shares his book on When Words Fail: A Life with Music, War and Peace, with Charlie Bennett, director of Chipping Campden Music Festival. On 11th May at Chipping Campden School, Professor of American Literature at the University of London Sarah Churchwell (at 2pm) argues that, in the age of Trump, the meanings and history of the terms The American Dream and America First need to be understood afresh so that the true spirit of America can be reclaimed; and (at 3.30pm) Womens Hour presenter Jenni Murray celebrates the lives, struggles and achievements of extraordinary women from around the globe. To mark the 70th anniversary of the publication of Nineteen Eighty-Four former Home Secretary Alan Johnson talks to Professor John Sutherland about how George Orwells writing influenced his political career (11th May, noon, Tokes Bar). Before that, at 10.30am at Tokes, and Gill Bennett, chief historian of the Foreign Office 1995-2005, presents her book The Zinoviev Letter which delves into a fake news story from 1924 that tried to bring down the then Labour government. Texan-born Kelleigh Greenberg-Jephcott, whose debut novel is long-listed for the 2019 Womens Prize, relates the tragic story of Truman Capote and the beautiful, wealthy women he called his Swans at Chipping Campden School on 10th May at 7pm. Images and sport play a vital part in selling news so on 9th May at 8.30pm (Town Hall) investigative journalist Cal McCaffrey examines the relationship, while on 10th May Terry Waite revisits his memoirs (11.45am St James Church). Broadcaster Sue Cooks Big Book Group is bigger than ever. Her author is UK editor of Vanity Fair, Henry Porter with his timely thriller FireFly that follows the refugee trail from Syria to Europe (8th May, 7pm, Tokes Bar). Sue also has an event with Paul Willetts who has written the bizarre true story of grifter and King of Jazz Age con artist Edgar Laplante, sending #FakeNews off the scale (8th May, 11.30am, Town Hall). Other highlights include: Nadine Akkerman details the lives of 17th century She-Intelligencers in Invisible Agents (8th May, 10am, Town Hall); Jacqueline Riding, the historian to the Mike Leigh film Peterloo, discusses her tie-in book with journalist Lindsay Mackie (9th May, 2pm, Town Hall); and sociologist Elisabeth Schimpfossl investigates the lives of the Russians who pepper the Sunday Times Rich List in her book Rich Russians (9th May, 3.30pm Town Hall). The Cotswold House Hotel hosts a two-course lunch at which Adrian Tinniswood relates some juicy tales about royalty from Elizabeth I to II in his book Behind the Throne (7th May, noon). The Printers Wayzgoose returns on 11th May (10am to 4pm, Church Rooms). Once the day for a works party, usually involving a trip to the country, today it is meeting of letterpress printers, displaying their work and exchanging ideas. Finally, bringing the festival to a close on 11th May (7pm, Chipping Campden School) best-selling novelist Patrick Gale reads from Take Nothing With You and discusses music education with cellist, Julian Lloyd Webber. For the full programme and to book tickets visit www.campdenlitfest.co.uk Nursing home cameras aim to protect the vulnerable but present ethical dilemmas For many people who care for aging parents, one solution is a safe, responsible nursing home. But an increasingly common means of ensuring that safety -- security cameras installed by relatives -- may do more harm than good, says Clara Berridge, an assistant professor of social work at the University of Washington. With reports of crimes against nursing home residents gaining media attention around the country, it's understandable that families would want to protect their loved one and attempt to establish accountability for care, Berridge said. But in articles published late last winter in AJOB Empirical Bioethics and Elder Law Journal, Berridge outlines the list of legal and moral issues that surveillance raises. "The use of cameras in resident rooms is so common that some states have passed laws to help families and facilities navigate the legal issues. But it's not just a gray zone for law. Lots of ethical issues are at play, and it raises the question of privacy's role in our lives." At least 10% of Americans ages 60 and older are believed to have been the victim of some form of elder abuse, whether physical, sexual or psychological, or in the form of financial mismanagement or a deprivation of resources such as food or medication. (Cases are believed to be underreported, making the 10 percent figure a low estimate.) While most abuse is committed by relatives, the high-profile nature of crimes against nursing home residents by facility staff can alarm anyone whose loved one is in residential care. This is especially true for families of people with forms of dementia, because those residents are less likely to be able to accurately report abuse. So far, seven states, including Washington, have passed laws allowing placement of surveillance cameras in the rooms of nursing home residents. In the Elder Law Journal article, Berridge and her co-authors analyze each state's law and conclude that for each law, privacy concerns remain. For the study published in AJOB Empirical Bioethics, Berridge distributed an online survey through the Center for Gerontology and Healthcare Research at Brown University to nursing homes and assisted living facilities. More than 270 facilities from 39 states responded to the anonymous survey, which included specific and open-ended questions about policies and use of surveillance cameras. Of the caregiving facilities that responded, some 11% had initiated use of cameras on their premises. In this survey, the majority of respondents cited privacy and dignity of residents as key disadvantages to cameras. By their very nature, surveillance cameras record all of the activity in a room, including personal moments such as hygiene or dressing. From a crime-prevention perspective, those are times when a resident is most vulnerable, but from a privacy perspective, the resident may not want such footage to be recorded, let alone viewed. Tied to questions about privacy is the issue of consent, Berridge said - not only whether the resident has the capacity to consent to being monitored, but also, in the case of two-person rooms, whether the roommate can consent. "Most nursing home residents have a roommate. Protecting their privacy when a camera is in the room would be very difficult in practice, especially if the camera picks up audio," Berridge said. "We found that the real-life constraints on opportunities to selectively move or cover a camera in a given situation are not acknowledged in the state laws. These are chronically understaffed settings." A less-cited -- and often overlooked -- issue, Berridge added, is the legal responsibility the camera owner has for the security of the feed. Installing a camera without establishing a secure portal can expose the resident (and a roommate) to hackers. Respondents to the survey pointed to potential advantages of cameras, as well, particularly as deterrents to abuse, and to use by the facilities themselves to inform about individual residents' needs and as resources to help staff improve. Ultimately, Berridge and her co-authors say that while cameras may offer families some comfort, they aren't the answer to preventing abuse, or a proxy for accountability. Rather, the focus should be on reform and increased funding for the long-term care system so that nursing homes and assisted living facilities are sufficiently staffed, with employees paid a living wage. Berridge points to a "culture change" movement in long-term care that aims to deinstitutionalize nursing homes and make them more home-like. This movement involves practices to improve care quality, enhance person-centeredness, and empower staff. In Washington, lawmakers this year passed the Long-Term Care Trust Act, which establishes a publicly funded source of long-term care insurance. The measure, which awaits Gov. Jay Inslee's signature, may help people pay for in-home services as an alternative to nursing home care. Berridge recently received a four-year, nearly $500,000 grant from the National Institute on Aging to develop a self-administered tool to help people with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia and their families understand and make decisions about the use of a range of technologies that remotely monitor people in their homes for their safety, including webcams. Unlike cameras in nursing home rooms that are aimed at potential abusers, technologies addressed in this study are used to monitor older adults' activities and behaviors. It's easy, Berridge explained, for adult children to overlook, or even dismiss, the concerns of a parent when it comes to issues of monitoring care, and the parent's right to privacy and sense of freedom. "This tool will be the first of its kind to support families to navigate the complex technology landscape and guide them in balancing their perceived need for ongoing surveillance and the older adult's dignity and wishes," Berridge said. The Elder Law Journal article was funded by the Borchard Foundation Center on Law and Aging. Berridge conducted the survey while a postdoctoral fellow at Brown University through a National Research Service Award from the Agency for Health Research and Quality. Co-authors on the camera study were Jodi Halpern of the University of California, Berkeley and Karen Levy of Cornell University; Levy also led the Elder Law Journal article, along with Lauren Kilgour of Cornell. ### For more information, contact Berridge at clarawb@uw.edu. This story has been published on: 2019-05-07. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Chinese Navy type 055 destroyer Nanchang (101) joins the naval parade to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Chinese PLA Navy in Qingdao, China's Shandong Province, on April 23, 2019. Photo: IC China is running out of provincial capitals to name new destroyers, and it might have to turn to other big domestic cities, which reflects the country's rapid naval development in recent years, military experts said on Monday. At the maritime parade in Qingdao, East China's Shandong Province in late April to celebrate the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy's 70th anniversary, the PLA Navy confirmed that it has named its first Type 055 destroyer Nanchang, the capital city of East China's Jiangxi Province. One of the three other Type 055 destroyers will be named Lhasa, the capital of Southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, Upolitics, a public WeChat account run by Beijing Youth Daily, reported. With other provincial capital names being used by other destroyers, the naming of the Nanchang and Lhasa leaves only Nanning and Taipei available, according to the report. China's 13th and latest Type 052D destroyer is named Qiqihar and will soon be commissioned into the PLA Navy, Hecheng Evening News, a Qiqihar-based newspaper, reported in April. Qiqihar is a city in Northeast China's Heilongjiang Province and is not the capital. Chinese destroyers and frigates should be named after big and medium Chinese cities, according to the naval vessels naming regulation. This means naming of destroyers does not necessarily have to use provincial capitals, as it was a non-binding tradition, experts said. A few Chinese destroyers have been named after big cities other than provincial capitals, like the Shenzhen, a Type 051B destroyer. As China runs out of provincial capitals to use, more examples like the Shenzhen and Qiqihar will be used, an anonymous military expert told the Global Times. Li Daguang, a professor at the National Defense University of the PLA, told the Global Times that the naming issue reflects the rapid development of the PLA Navy in recent years. While new destroyers might have to use names of big cities other than provincial capitals, older destroyers that use provincial capital names might be decommissioned in the future and their names could be used again on newer ships, Li told the Global Times. In terms of future Chinese destroyer development, Upolitics reported that three more Type 055 destroyers have been launched and a total of eight are being planned for the first batch. More Type 052D destroyers could also be on the way, analysts said. China's 14th and latest Type 052D was launched in July 2018, media reported. It is the first stretched variant that is reportedly four meters longer than the original Type 052D. Illustration: Liu Rui/GT Joe Biden, former US vice president and Democratic presidential front-runner, said during a campaign in Iowa on Wednesday that China is not "bad folks" and China is not "competition for us." "China is going to eat our lunch? Come on, man," said Biden. Biden's words triggered much criticism in the US. President Donald Trump said Biden's statements were "naive" and "very dumb." Some also believed that Biden has underestimated the world's second-largest economy. Biden's comments on China were opposite to the so-called China threat theory. There are disagreements between Biden and his opponents on China-US relations and on policies toward China. Such disagreements show that the US has not viewed China reasonably and objectively. Biden is proud of the US' global hegemony. He probably believes that Washington's economic strength and military strength are still respected and unrivaled in the world. By playing down China's national strength, Biden wants to boost Americans' confidence in their country. On the other hand, those who disagreed with Biden have been exaggerating China's threats because they fear China's rapid development. Such a tough stance against China has become popular in the US. Advocating the "China threat" theory echoes the mainstream opinion. It also helps win more funds from the US Congress and thus serves the voters or interest groups that support them. Essentially, playing down China or exaggerating the "China threat" theory both serves US politicians' own political purpose. Biden's comments on China can be regarded as a campaign strategy. It is common to play the China card in US general elections, but playing down China seems unusual. Biden has two reasons to do so. First, he wants to boost the American people's confidence. He wants to make American people believe that the US' problems were not as serious as Trump said, and that no country could surpass the US as long as the US walks on its own path. Second, Biden wants to absolve himself of responsibility since Trump criticized the Obama administration as having not been tough enough on China. Biden's campaign strategy does not seem effective. Washington is generally tough against Beijing, and few approve of Biden's statements. If Biden wins the Democratic presidential nominee in 2020, his comments on China may become a hot topic which will not benefit him in the long run. Consequently, Biden may want to take back his words or be more careful on China-related topics. China-US relations have experienced twists and turns in the past 40 years. Competition and cooperation always coexist, but the two countries understand that cooperation is reciprocal, and antagonism will hurt both. For the two countries' leaders, managing disputes and preventing them from escalation are always important strategic issues. Beijing and Washington should draw lessons from history. Many Americans have not viewed China-US relations from a long-term perspective. Some politicians pursue US benefits but harm the two countries' sustainable development. This is a huge strategic mistake. China and the US are different in terms of politics, social system, ideology and traditional culture. It is normal that they have different views in certain areas. But the US' views on China may become increasingly biased if the country distorts and demonizes China's development. We hope a few people's statements will not drift China and the US further apart. The author is an assistant research fellow at the China Institute of International Studies. Source: The Financial Times Reuters By Liu Xiaoming Back when the US and the Soviet Union were negotiating what would become the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty, I was a student at Tufts Universitys Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. As a researcher in cold war geopolitical strategies and arms control during the height of the cold war, I found the heated talks fascinating: this became the focus of my research. I argued in my thesis that if the treaty was concluded and observed, it could become a cornerstone for lasting peace in the world. My professor at Fletcher spoke highly of my dissertation and gave it an A. Since then, my conclusion has been proved right. The INF treaty, signed at the end of 1987, has played a positive role in maintaining relative peace in the world. Unfortunately, both the US and Russia recently announced their withdrawal from the treaty. The US even cited Chinas intermediate-range missiles as one of its excuses, along with alleged Russian cheating. Such an effort to blame China is groundless and unacceptable. The INF treaty is, in nature, bilateral rather than multilateral. It was a deal between the worlds two largest military powers to avoid an endless arms race. It has resulted in the destruction of 2,692 missiles, played an important role in easing tensions between major countries, safeguarding regional and world peace, and maintaining strategic balance and stability. Even now, the US and Russia still hold about 92 per cent of the worlds 14,500 nuclear warheads. These two countries should continue to shoulder the major responsibility for arms control and disarmament. China is committed to peaceful development and exercises the utmost restraint in developing strategic forces. All of its land-based short- and intermediate-range missiles are deployed within its borders. If the US is right when it claims that more than 90 per cent of Chinas nuclear missiles have a range between 1,000 and 5,500 kilometres and would be covered by the treaty if it were a party to it, these are absolutely no threat to America, which is nearly 10,000 kilometres away from China. Chinas nuclear capability is limited and only meets the minimum needs of Chinas national security. Furthermore, China, unlike the US, is publicly committed to no-first-use of nuclear weapons. Although the US complains about other countries, its real goal appears to be breaking free from the INF treaty and its prohibitions on arms expansion. What will happen in a world without the INF treaty? The US does not seem to be planning to deploy intermediate-range missiles on its own territory. The more likely scenario would be forward deployment to maintain an American military presence around the globe. In these circumstances, limits or prohibitions that focus only on land-based short- and intermediate-range missiles fall short of the universally-accepted arms control principle of undiminished security for all. Rather than being abandoned, the INF treaty should be strengthened. The likely redevelopment and redeployment of missiles would undermine strategic stability across the world, trigger regional tension and hamper the global cause of arms control and disarmament. So, in the interest of upholding the international system of arms control treaties and maintaining regional and world security, the top priority should be to rescue the INF treaty and make sure it is observed by both Russia and the US, rather than making it multilateral and including other countries. Peace is like air and sunshine, whose presence is easily taken for granted but whose absence is life-threatening. The INF treaty is a milestone in international arms control and disarmament. There can be no going back. Russia and the US should strive to address their differences properly through constructive dialogue, observe the treaty and continue to be a positive force in maintaining world peace. The writer is the Chinese ambassador to the UK (This article was originally produced and published by The Financial Times. View the original article at The Financial Times.) Stay on the top of all the latest markets movements! Subscribe to The Bull free weekly newsletter to receive our best tips, offers and promotion... SUBSCRIBE label The sailing team of Chinas Dalian Naval Academy displays national flag in the parade at the 35th Naval Academies Regatta in the streets of Livorno, Italy. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Yang Liang) LIVORNO, May 7 (ChinaMil) -- Recently, good news from Livorno, Italy says that the sailing team of the PLA Dalian Naval Academy had won the third place in the 35th Naval Academies Regatta on May 1, during the event of International Sailing Week of Naval Academy and the city of Livorno. The Naval Academies Regatta was initiated by the Italian Naval Academy and the City of Livorno in 1981. Livorno is home to the Italian Naval Academy which annually hosts the sailing trophy popular in navies across the world. This year marks the 11th time for the PLA Dalian Naval Academy to participate in the event. Starting from April 28, the regatta has attracted a total of 27 teams from 26 countries, including Italy, China, the UK, Spain and Norway, etc., marking the largest number of participating countries and highest level of strength of the event. The sailing team of the Dalian Naval Academy is the first of its kind for the PLA Navy since its establishment in 2006. It has won medals in many important sporting events both at home and abroad, including the Italian Naval Academies Regatta, the Brazilian Navy International Regatta, the China-Japan-Korea Keelboat Friendship Regatta, and the China Cup International Regatta (CCIR). ABUJA, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Nigerian Air Force on Tuesday said its airstrikes killed 20 armed group members while destroying their camp near a forest in the country's northwestern state of Zamfara. A major kingpin surnamed Lawal was also arrested by the ground troops supported by the air force which conducted the Tuesday dawn raid on the camp, near Rugu Forest, where many nefarious activities were planned by the armed group, said Ibikunle Daramola, spokesman for the air force. Daramola said the operation followed credible intelligence that the notorious kingpin was camped, along with dozens of his fighters, at a settlement about 4 km west of the Rugu Forest. The settlement was where Lawal kept his logistics supplies, coordinated operations and launched attacks against security forces as well as innocent civilians, according to the official. "Consequently, following detailed confirmatory intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions, the ATF dispatched one Alpha jet and an attack helicopter to strike the camp," he said. He said the Alpha jet strikes recorded direct hits on the camp, destroying the armed group's structures, fuel storage containers, arms, explosives, and other logistics supplies, which were seen engulfed in flames. The spokesman said the Nigerian air force, working in consonance with surface forces and other security agencies, would sustain its operations to flush the armed group out of the northwest region of the country. Last month, the Nigerian military launched a full-scale offensive against armed groups operating in Zamfara. The offensive is part of sustained efforts to flush out "banditry and criminality" in the state in particular and the northwest region in general. The state of Zamfara, as well as neighboring Kaduna state, have witnessed a series of attacks by armed groups in recent months. There have also been recurring incidents of livestock rustling and armed banditry in the region. China says its negotiators are preparing to travel to the United States for their next round of trade talks this week, even after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened higher tariffs on billions of dollars of Chinese goods after he complained the process is taking too long. Trump's comments about the new tariffs on Twitter on Sunday sent Asian stocks and U.S. futures tumbling Monday and added uncertainty over the figure of U.S.-China trade negotiations. Despite the market drop, China's official media stayed silent on Trump's comments all morning. Hours later, Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told reporters that China is "trying to get more information" about Trump's comments about new tariffs but stressed that Beijing's negotiating team is still preparing to travel to the U.S. for talks this week. "The tweet is a big wrench in China's foreign trade policy," Nick Marro, analyst at the Economist Intelligence Unit (The EIU) told VOA. "There were a lot of expectations that at least the groundwork for a deal will be finalized this week," he said, explaining why Beijing should be upset by the new threat. Tweet with Teeth In his tweet issued on Sunday, Trump said he would increase tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods from 10 percent to 25 percent on Friday. This would mark a reversal of a decision Washington took last February to keep it at 10 percent in the midst of trade talks. "The Trade Deal with China continues, but too slowly, as they attempt to renegotiate. No!," Trump said expressing dissatisfaction about the pace of trade negotiations and what he considers Chinese attempt to renegotiate some aspects of the proposed deal. President Trump also said that his policy of hiking taxes on Chinese goods had paid dividends. "These payments are partially responsible for our great economic results," he said. He went further saying another $325 billion of Chinese goods which "remain untaxed" will be taxed at 25 percent. He did not specify a timeline for making this change. The Perspective Atlanta, Georgia May 7, 2019 The May 4, 2019 story carried by the Liberian local newspaper, Frontpageafricaonline) about the June 7, 2019 protest encouraged me to share my views about the would-be protest. In the article, the writer stated, the much-publicized protest dubbed Save The State has created mixed reactions amongst Liberians, with many reminiscing the 1979 Rice Riot, the proverbial straw that unleashed 25 years of mayhem, anarchy, destruction, and death on Liberians. Preceding this assertion, many other Liberians have asked President Weah government and the June 7, 2019 organizers to meet, negotiate, and search for compromise. Certainly, if violence will become inevitable, then it is a good idea to delay instituting the rule of law and/or spurring prosperity principles, for example. This is because violence whether provoked by the suppressors or the suppressed will eventually prolong the institutionalization of fairness and democracy. This line of thinking along with its recommendation is not new. Therefore, is it fair to ask whether President Weah Administration will follow the rule of law if the June 7 Protest organizers were to postpone the Rally? Since we cannot predict the future, has the postponement of the rule of law in the past in Liberia promoted democracy or spur prosperity? For instance, did awarding Charles Taylor the highest office within the Republic of Liberia, discourage him from instituting dictatorial regime in Liberia? Did former warlords disarm and promote democracy after Liberia and international community awarded them with the privilege to handpick leaders of the 2003 Interim of the late Gyude Brant? A big no. Instead, many of the warlords are using their stolen wealth acquired through their political offices to delay spurring prosperity. I suspect that many of the organizers want President Weah to do the following things if they were to postpone the rally: 1) To prosecute individuals such as individuals of FIBLL who stole US $19M from the Central Bank of Liberia, according to KPMGs Report submitted to the Weah government in 2018. 2) That President Weah will provide information about the sources of the money he used to build his residential and commercials properties within less than twelve months; 3) that President Weah will provide more information about the L$81.1 billion since the two investigating Teams did not perform professionally, according to Mr. Benoni Urey who, at the recent Conference of the four political party-meeting, called on the government to account for the L$18.1 billion; However, none of the issues listed above reduces profits of big business, one of the three major actors (big business, military, and political class) in any rally, according to the NY Times article called What makes a Coup Succeed? Confidence and Consensus. Ironically, big business feels uncomfortable with June 7 protest since the focus (i.e., promoting democracy or upholding the rule of law) usually threatens elites power/income Well, could it be for profit motives that is preventing the owner (Mr. Charles Brumskine) of the Law Firm of the Central Bank of Liberia from addressing the L$18.1 billion dollar saga? Mr. Brumskine was the presidential candidate of Liberty Party during the 2017 election in Liberia, is silent about the missing L$18.1 billion and/or the US. In addition, many businesses provided services, including printing reports and advertisement, legal services, accounting services, consulting for government and non-governmental agencies. In fact, according to USAID 2015 Report (www.liberian_businesses_-_the_engines_of_economic_recovery_and_growth), government and nongovernmental agencies give out about 90% of all contracts in Liberia, requiring many businesses to pay homage to government officials. However, some big businesses might support the June 7 protest because President Weah government shifted away US $50M and US $17M from many industries such as retail, services, restaurants, etc. to the construction industry and special Ministries. In my view, this special money movement, consciously or unconsciously, is choking the Liberian economy. Firstly, what is the status of the Liberias cash balance sheet? The government, using two different reports, says everything is okay, contradicting the views of the market women who claim that there is no money or prices are high. President Weah stated in January 2019 that Liberias GROSS FOREIGN RESERVES at the end of November 2018 was $410.2 million United States dollars Also, there is a minimal difference of about US $560K ($528.5M minus $528.0M) between the Total expenditure of the 2016/2017 numbers and the projected Total expenditure of 2020/2021, according to the 2018/2019 Budget. So, are the market womens views incorrect, that there is no money? Let us review a sample of the schedule I took from the 2018/2019 budget document. The Grand Totals of 2016/17 and 2020/2021 are about the same. Compensation went up by $2M in 2020/2021, while Use of Goods and Services declined from $66M in 2016/2017 to $15M in 2020/2021. This arrangement allowed the government to redirect $51M ($66M minus $15M) and $17M ($17M minus $0.00) from amounts allocated for goods and Services (i.e., money allocated for business industries located around the country) to the construction industry and non-financial assets for special Ministries and Agencies. This arrangement has allowed the government to take money away from businesses that interact frequently with small businesses such as garages that repair government vehicles, stationery stores that provide supplies to government, restaurants that provide food at seminars and conferences, stores that sell calculators, fans, air-conditioners, gasoline stations that provide petroleum for employees, etc. Always benefiting from anti-democratic actions, big business will influence corrupt leaders to suppress efforts intended to advance democracy and the rule of law, efforts. So, it is not surprising that surrogates of big business, including American Embassy, continue to remind Liberians about the ugliness of the 1979 demonstration (an incident that occurred (40) forty years ago), but conveniently omit the successful story of the demonstration (i.e., BRINGBACKOURMONEY). More so, they do not mention the fact that police officer in 1979 provoked the violence in 1979; neither do they mention that representatives of President Weah government provoked and attacked residents in District # 10 and # 13. Also, they do not mention that agents of President Weah government did disrupt and attack delegates at the Ceremony of the forty-third (43rd) Anniversary of the Movement of Justice in Africas in 2019. Folks, President Weah, under pressure, could, for example, publish his bank statements. But could the President re-shift the construction money, and thereby, abandon his 2023 presidential campaign project and/or abandon the World Banks policy infrastructure? In my view, whether the June 7 protest is postponed or not Liberians are gradually winning the fight against dictatorship and corruption. Montreal, CA (H4T1V6) Today Cloudy with snow developing after midnight. Low -5C. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 90%. Snow accumulations less than one inch.. Tonight Cloudy with snow developing after midnight. Low -12C. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 90%. Snow accumulations less than one inch. "We still believe that there's an opportunity to get a negotiated outcome where we get fully verified denuclearization," Pompeo added in an interview with ABC. This could hint at the launch of a ballistic missile, which UN resolutions prohibit North Korea from launching. But U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Sunday that the missile was "relatively short range" and "didn't present a threat to the United States or to South Korea or Japan." North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on Saturday observed a test of new rocket launchers and tactical guided missiles, with a map showing the parabolic trajectory of the projectile. Cheong Wa Dae did not comment on Monday. A presidential official here said, "We will refrain from rushing to state our position before accurate analyses by the [South] Korean and U.S. governments are out." Right after the test on Saturday, the Defense Ministry characterized the launch as a "short-range missile" but later referred to it simply as "projectiles," raising criticism that it was trying to downplay the test. The National Intelligence Service told the National Assembly it was "analyzing" what the projectile was and added that the launch "cannot be viewed as an act of provocation." But U.S. and South Korean experts believe the North launched a Russian Iskander-class ballistic missile with a range of 500 km. If fired from the inter-Korean border, it could strike any target on the Korean Peninsula as far south as Jeju Island and could carry a nuclear warhead. It would currently be difficult to shoot down by existing Patriot or Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense systems. DURBAN Eswatini companies have learned new marketing strategies from Africas Travel Indaba. This was the response from representatives of hotels and companies which had attended the event which was hosted at the Durban International Convention Centre on the last day of the event. It began on May 2 and ended on the 4th. Most companies attested to the fact that they acquired new perspectives and strategies from the indabas exposure. Networking These included, but were not limited to, speed networking and online diary. This was despite that the Republic of South Africa was underway with preparations for their national elections. Xolile Tsabedze, Sibane Hotel representative stated that they had learnt new marketing strategies from other companies which were at the Indaba. Tsabedze also affirmed that they had engaged with numerous buyers from as far as Holland and China. She highlighted that events such as these were essential in that they exposed Eswatini businesses to global businesses that were doing well in the tourism industry. Tsabedze said they learned a lot from them. Interest There were 19 companies which had attended the tourism occasion and most of them expressed that they were satisfied with their buyers, who all came to the party and showed interest in their services. Royal Villas Marketing Manager Thandeka Dlamini said all their potential buyers had come to them to enquire about their services. We are very pleased with our buyers who have seemed to grow from the previous year. She attributed this to the online diary which the hotel used to set up meetings with potential buyers. Dlamini added that they had also met with their customers who had supported them over the years. The marketing manager stated that they engaged with them to hear their comments, suggestions and recommendations on the services provided by the hotel. Strengthen She said this was done to strengthen and maintain the relationship between their customers. Meanwhile, Louigi Rossi, Happy Valley General Manager (GM) said, There has always been a meaningful impact from the Travel Indaba. I think that in the past few years with the institution of the world travel market we have seen a less crowded one; however still very positive in relation to consolidation of relationships with the tour operators and foreign outbound travel agencies from the African countries. He reiterated that they had acquired consolidation of business and relationships with the existing companies that the hotel was already working with. He also said they had also established new relationships with some up and coming tour operators and travel agencies outside of South Africa. Visit He said this was because the African continent tourism had become more apparent and there was less interest from the African people to go to Europe. Rossi said they were keen to visit other African countries such as Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique and Uganda among many more. He said Eswatini was one of the countries which had been able to keep its traditions intact; hence it had a promising and thriving future in the tourism sector. On the same breath, Moses Vilakati, Minister of Tourism, expressed his appreciation for the success of the event not only on its own but for Eswatini as a kingdom. He appreciated the collaboration between the countries that traded their tourism packages. Exhibited Over all, all the companies exhibited their services and expressed that they were bought, said Vilakati. He further mentioned that some of the companies had lost their voices as a result of the influx of tourists from around the world who came to ask about the services Eswatini had to offer to visitors. Vilakati encouraged companies in the tourism sectors which had not attended the event not to miss it next year. He said the country should begin preparing now by positioning itself to the international market. MBABANE A new window of opportunities has availed itself.This will be like music to any talented persons ears as the Minister of Information, Communication and Technology (ICT), Princess Sikhanyiso, has revealed plans to establish a fund that will sponsor artists to record for free at the Eswatini Broadcasting Information Services (EBIS). She officially announced the news last Thursday when she touring the countrys national broadcasting stations. Even though she did not detail how the fund would be established, the princess mentioned that it would benefit those talented people who were disadvantaged and did not have the financial muscle to record their music. Motivated Being someone who has experience in the arts industry herself, the princess applauded and motivated the countrys stables and emphasised on the issues of growth and supporting young talent. While delivering her remarks at the EBIS, she commended the stations work of sharing information and most importantly maintaining local content and culture. This stable has done great work in terms of sharing information, educating and localising the content, she said. Moreover she also pointed out one of the challenges that the national broadcaster had, which was lack of renewed energy that would cover the whole country in order for the citizenry to have access to their channels. Support I would also like to urge local businesspeople to venture into renewed energy which the country has a huge gap on and also help support young people, said the minister. Also speaking during the tour was Manzini North Member of Parliament Macford Sibandze, who is also the chairman of the portfolio committee. Developing Sibandze, who also has experience in the arts industry, stated that they were willing to work with any stable in support of the ministers vision of developing and promoting local stables and talented young people. Called for comment, Eswatini Arts and Music Association (SWAMA) President Melusi Zox Dlamini expressed his enormous excitement about the idea of the fund, which he said would solve one of the challenges they were facing. GOVERNMENT must reconsider its stance on the issue of corporate and personal income tax. The recovery of the economy depends on it. As it is, corporate tax contributes a measly 9 per cent to governments revenue while personal income tax, also known as pay-as-you-earn (PAYE) contributes twice the amount contributed by companies amounting to one fifth (19 per cent) of total government revenue. In short, individual income taxpayers are the majority shareholders of the G-wallet. Individual taxpayers are literally responsible for all the development that is funded through the G-wallet, even more so considering the fact that individual consumers also pay value added tax (VAT), which also contributes another 18 per cent to total government revenue. Eswatini now awaits the much anticipated economic recovery strategy, which hopefully will get the ball rolling on turning our economy for the better. The economic recovery strategy will for one provide the policy direction on how the newly appointed Mandvulo-led government intends to rescue the economy out of the gutter. Government is banking on private sector companies in an export driven economy to grow Eswatini out of the 2 per cent economic growth glass-ceiling and catapult everyone to Vision 2022. In other words, government wants to grow the 9 per cent contribution by private companies by cutting corporate tax by more than half to 12.5 per cent. This, the minister of Finance must reconsider! Recently I took the liberty to investigate how Eswatinis current 27.5 per cent corporate tax rate compares to other countries. I mean, even the European Union (EU) is now bullying the country insinuating that the current corporate tax rate is choking business growth and development in Eswatini. Well, here are some select figures on corporate tax in the EU: France 33 per cent; Spain 25 per cent; Norway 23 per cent; Sweden 21.4 per cent; Finland 20 per cent; United Kingdom 19 per cent; Switzerland 17.9 per cent and Germany 15 per cent. Economies Yes, these are matured economies but they are certainly getting their moneys worth from their private sector companies. Take the land of the free, the USA, which always sings tax cuts, the corporate tax rate there is 21 per cent with some businesses paying as much as 35 per cent. In Africa, we are competing with 28 per cent in South Africa, 22 per cent for Botswana, 25 per cent in Lesotho, 30 per cent in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Hopefully, you get the drift; none of these countries are playing with corporate tax below the 15 per cent let alone 20 per cent level. Countries that play around with zero or ultra-low tax rates have either rich mineral resources like oil such as in Saudi Arabia, Qatar or the island like Bermuda, The Bahamas, and Camay Island, etc, where rich folk go to hide their cash. But I get where our government is coming from. Logic has it that if a country lowers corporate tax rates, more companies will flock in to set-up shop and hire more people. Here is some food for thought: Economic development is determined by economic factors and non-economic factors. Economic factors include; capital formation, natural resources availability, economic systems, conditions in foreign trade, and marketable surplus of agriculture. Non-economic factors include human resources, technical know-how and general education, political freedom, social organization, corruption, and the desire to develop. Our government is high on supply side economist Arthur Laffer, which states that lower tax rates boost economic growth. Laffers theory supports that the more an activity - such as production - is taxed, the less of it is generated. Likewise, the less an activity is taxed, the more of it is generated. Eventually, if tax rates reached 100 per cent, all people would choose not to work because everything they earned would go to the government. This means that after a point it is counter-intuitive to keep increasing tax rates, what is known as the tax prohibitive range. Herein lies the key: tax cuts work best in the prohibitive range by increasing consumer spending and demand. Government would like to be at a point where it collects maximum amounts of tax revenue while people continue to work hard. Therefore, government must reassess its stance on whether it should and how far it can cut corportate tax because Laffer avoided some key points that either make a tax cut effective or simply ineffective. Whether tax cuts stimulate the economy, is conditional because of these factors; the type of tax system in place; how fast the economy is growing; how high taxes are already; tax loopholes; the ease of entry into non-taxable, underground activities, and the economys productivity level. Any of these factors can prevent tax cuts from stimulating economic growth. Do we know where we are in terms of these factors in Eswatini? Will the corporate tax cut guarantee growth and more government revenue? Or will the individual taxpayer have to pick up the bill yet again when the private sector fails to grow as anticipated? MANZINI - Will it be a steep hill for those seeking to operate liquor shops on Swazi Nation Land (SNL)? Following the announcement by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade that it had removed barriers in starting and running a business in the country, such that it was now possible for people occupying SNL to own liquor licences, the Swazi Commercial Amadoda (SCA) says; Thats a big no. In fact, Solomon Ndwandwe, the president of SCA warned members of the public, especially those who could be tempted to open bottle stores and bars on SNL, not to dare. He said if they did, they would face the wrath of the law and further risk forfeiting their businesses. Ndwandwe said this during a press conference, which was held at SCA boardroom at ka-Khoza yesterday afternoon. He said there was a royal command, which was made by King Sobhuza II at the Sibaya (Peoples Parliament) that no alcohol would be sold on SNL. He said as far as they were concerned, as the Kings overseer on SNL, the royal command still stands, because His Majesty King Mswati III had not made any amendments on it. The president said it was only SCA which had control of businesses operated on SNL, not government. Government and chiefs do not have power over businesses on SNL, he emphasised. The president was quick to clarify that they were not fighting ease of doing business in the country. He said they were fully behind the initiative. Recommendations On that note, he said they already issued recommendations for trading licences and that they were working on having online approvals and recommendations in order to speed up the process. However, he said there were due procedures to be followed before the recommendation could be issued. He said on SNL, in order for one to start building a structure for a business, that individual had to get the Kings consent. Again, he said the recommendation would be only issued after the structure was completed and approved. He said that was the difference between starting a business on SNL and urban area, where one would find the structure existing and only had to apply for a licence and put in stock. What the ministry is doing, is bypassing SCA. This is the same as bypassing the King and elevating chiefs to the status of the King, the president said. MBABANE Imagine being on board a bus that is escorted by a convoy of traffic police officers? Such will soon become a reality for passengers of the bus operating under the style name Ding Dong Transport, as the Manzini Bus Association and the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, together with the Mbabane traffic police officers reached an agreement yesterday that the bus will be escorted by police officers during their daily operations. The bus services the Mbabane-Manzini-Mahlanya route. This agreement is a culmination of a meeting that was held at the Ministry of Public Works and Transport offices in Mbabane. Blocked This arrangement, according to the parties involved, was intended to avoid the occurrence of an uproar similar to the one that was experienced recently at the Mbabane bus rank, whereby one of the vehicles was blocked from entering or leaving the bus rank on allegations that legal procedures were not followed when obtaining their permit to service the route. The disorder ensued when livid bus conductors blocked the road with four garbage containers and stones, when the brown and white Ding Dong vehicle made an entry at the bus terminal. Police officers arrived at the scene as the behaviour was a clear defiance of the interim court order that was issued by the High Court. One conductor was caught by the police, but a marshal stepped in to mediate as the mayhem could not be attributed to one person. He was able to resist arrest and walked away with a minor foot injury. On March 25, 2019, the High Court ruled in favour of the bus owner, Jabulani Mbuso Gulwako, by way of an interim order interdicting the marshals and the Mbabane Branch Swaziland Local Kombi Association from interfering with the smooth operations of the bus. This was after he had filed an urgent application seeking an order that the association be interdicted from interfering with the operations of the bus. The reason Gulwako filed an urgent application, was because the bus rank marshals and conductors were questioning how an operating permit had been issued in respect of the two buses. Their contention was that the route was said to be saturated and the issuing of permits had been suspended indefinitely. Resolution During the meeting yesterday, a resolution was made that traffic police officers from Mbabane would be deployed at the rank to ensure a safe operation of the buses on a daily basis. It was agreed that the law enforcers would escort the buses all the way from Mangwaneni when coming from Manzini to the Mbabane bus rank and then from the bus rank back to Mangwaneni. MBABANE Meanwhile at Mqolo Primary School, parents want the school keys from the head teacher. Following claims that the school had been without water for the whole of the first term and some months of the third term last year, parents decided to put aside their busy schedules yesterday, while demanding the Head teacher Archie Thwala to step down. The parents made it clear that they wanted nothing to do with the head teacher of the school anymore. The issue of water was so serious that for the whole of last term the pupils had nowhere to relieve themselves and further had no clean drinking water. Police officers were eventually called to the school to ensure that there was no violence during the protest. The angry parents, who were shouting at the entrance of the school, pointed out a number of grievances which among them was the shortage of water, where they said the duration was too long. They alleged that water supply was disconnected because the school had not pay bills amounting to E75 000 since last October. They went on to claim that the head teacher would come with 25 litre buckets to collect water from the school. Health clearly states that people should practices hygiene when coming from the toilet, how is this possible for the pupils when they do not even have a drop of water? asked one parent. Even pots used by the school were in the list of grievances, which they alleged that one of them disappeared from the school and what was surprising was that the head teacher was not doing anything about it. One other thing was the fencing of the school, and the maintenance of the grounds, which they said according to the financial report, money amounting to E70 000 was recorded as expenditure for maintenance. ENHLANGANISWENI It was yet another episode of parents ganging up against head teachers in two schools, as they decided to take over the schools operations. Parents at Enhlanganisweni High locked out pupils from entering the school premises in a bid to have an audience with Head teacher Nomthantazo Tembe. Yesterday was suppose to be the official start of the second term school calendar at the school, but parents made sure that pupils did not set foot within the premises until they got rid of the head teacher, whom they were accusing of a litany of things, some of which will not be printed because they have not been proven. Accusing Parents said they were sick and tired, and wanted the head teacher out of the school, further accusing the Ministry of Education and Training of failing to assist them. The fed-up parents said they had been trying hard to request a meeting with the head teacher who had declined to meet with them in three attempts. They said their reason for locking the gate, was to send a loud message to the Ministry of Education and Training to pay attention to their plea. As early as 7am, the parents were already blocking the school gate with the hope that they would prevent the head teacher from entering the premises. However, as if the head teacher had an informer, she beat them at their own game by arriving early at the school yesterday. The parents were accusing the head teacher and the School Committee vice chairperson Phindile Bhembe, of allegedly colluding in some of the issues that were making the school ungovernable. In an interview with the School Committee Chairman Meshack Makhubu, he reiterated the parents sentiments. Makhubu said the initial plan was to lock the gate until the ministry granted them their wish to conduct an audit at the school. He said following a meeting on April 28, they resolved that they would not allow pupils to enter when schools opened for the second term. According to Makhubu, parents accused the committee of being in bed with the head teacher which was why they had to clarify issues. They questioned how the school was operating without holding meetings and budgets presented to them, he said. Thousands of Korean exporters could be in trouble if they continue shipments to Iran after Korea's exemption from unilateral U.S. sanctions ended. With the expiry of the waiver last Thursday, won-denominated bank accounts the Central Bank of Iran has at Industrial Bank of Korea and Woori Bank are being suspended, meaning Korean exporters cannot settle payments with Iranian importers. Korea has used the accounts for trade with Iran with permission from the U.S. since 2010 when U.S. dollar-based transactions with Iran were banned. Korean petrochemical companies deposit what they have to pay for oil in the accounts while Korean exporters withdraw money from them to receive their payments. But now around 2,100 Korean companies are prevented from making withdrawals. Already Korea's exports to Iran fell 43 percent to US$2.29 billion in 2018 when U.S. President Donald Trump unilaterally pulled out of a nuclear deal with the country. The proportion of Korea's total exports that Iran accounts for fell to a mere 0.38 percent. 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). Abu Dhabi Financial Group (ADFG), a leading global investment group, has entered into a strategic partnership on developing a platform for innovation hubs and coworking spaces known as 500 Spaces. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed with GS SHOP, South Korea's leading online and multi-media retailer and part of the GS Group, one of the largest conglomerates in South Korea, and 500 Startups, a global venture capital seed fund headquartered in Silicon Valley, USA. Once functional, 500 Spaces will provide a complete and sustainable ecosystem for innovation and start-ups, including accelerator and mentorship programs. By leveraging the experience and expertise of the partners involved, the 500 Spaces platform will capitalize on the exponentially growing global coworking space industry. Krypto Labs has successfully operated coworking spaces in the Middle East is a party to the agreement and will be lending its operational expertise. 500 Spaces would launch a $100million fund to develop and scale the 500 Spaces coworking business model across different regions including the Middle East, the US, Asia, Europe and North Africa. Mustafa Kheriba, COO of ADFG, said: We are entering a new era that is influenced by innovation and new collaboration models, and stirred by companies and individuals experimenting with new ways of working. For start-ups, the coworking solution ticks all the boxes of flexible, affordable space and provides a creative hub to foster new ideas and new business, which are all essential components of innovation. With coworking spaces rapidly emerging as the future of work, we see them at the heart of innovation and growth for small businesses and startups. Through the partnership with GS SHOP, 500 Startups and Krypto Labs, we are looking to foster an incubator culture and spur innovation by ensuring startups and innovation hubs across the globe have complete access to a full-fledged ecosystem, where they can work, grow, collaborate, network and be able to showcase their business to a wider audience, he added. Christine Tsai, CEO of 500 Startups, said: In 2010, we set out on an audacious mission to discover and back the worlds most talented entrepreneurs, help them create successful companies at scale, and build thriving global ecosystems. The 500 Spaces partnership with ADFG, GS SHOP, and Krypto Labs will help us further leverage the expansive global startup network weve developed over the years and cement ourselves as the worlds most active global investor. 500 Spaces will provide a physical presence for more startups from around the world to gain access to funding, a strong talent pool, an amazing mentor community and access to a lifelong network. Best of all, corporations and government agencies are also part of this vision, creating a network of local innovation ecosystems as part of a global vision. Im honoured to deepen the partnerships with ADFG, GS SHOP, and Krypto Labs in a collaborative effort to help even more founders around the world, Tsai added. Younghoon Park, EVP of GS SHOP, said: "At the height of the Italian Renaissance, sculptors, artists, scientists worked together in common working spaces to create the masterpieces that have endured until today. Over the years, GS SHOP has invested in startups through funds, accelerators and through direct investments globally. We are excited to see how further ecosystem building will bridge opportunities for startups, corporates as well as investors, not only on a local but on a global scale through a network of associated spaces, created through the collaborative works of ADFG, Krypto Labs, 500 Startups and GS SHOP. From the 'bottega' of 15th-century Florence to the modern data-driven era, collaboration has remained a key to growth. It is with this spirit that we look forward to the exciting potential of 500 Spaces, Park added. TradeArabia News Service Belgium's deputy commissioner-general Aldwin Dekkers became the first envoy from a participating country in Expo 2020 Dubai to be issued with an establishment card by General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai (GDRFA). Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashemy, Minister of State for International Cooperation and Director-General of Bureau Expo Dubai 2020, and Major General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director-General of GDRFA, handed over the establishment card to Dekkers. The card was issued in the presence of Najeeb Al Ali, the executive director of Expo Dubai 2020 Bureau; Major General Obaid Muhair bin Suroor, the deputy director-general of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai; Colonel Dr Omar Al Shamsi, Assistant Director-General of Entry and Residency Permits Sector in GDRFA Dubai; Major Salam bin Ali, the General Coordinator of Expo 2020 in GDRFA Dubai, and a number of officials from both parties. Speaking at the event, Al Hashemy praised the efforts of Dubai's GDRFA and its continued support for facilitating the participation of various countries in Expo 2020 in line with the slogan Connecting the Minds, Creating the Future. She stressed the importance of the role of government entities in supporting this national project and its contribution to preparations for the global event, adding that the concerted efforts of all governmental institutions at both federal and local levels are critical in the organisation of an exceptional World Expo worthy of the UAE. Major General Al Marri said that GDRFA Dubai was working to facilitate the entry and the exit procedures of Expo 2020 Dubai participants with smart systems. Participants can obtain various types of visas through this smart platform within seconds of completing all documentation, and establishment cards can be issued electronically within a few minutes of the submission of an application, he added. He said that following the UAE's successful bid for the event, GDRFA Dubai formed an integrated core team comprising of a higher committee under the follow-up of Maj. Gen. Obaid Muhair Bin Suroor, supported by an executive committee headed by Brig. Talal Al Shanqeti, the Assistant Director-General of Airports Affairs and Col. Dr. Omar Al Shamsi. Al Marri noted that GDRFA Dubai is gearing up to process 45,000 transactions per day. All applications will be processed through Artificial Intelligence systems, he added. Nearly 25 million visitors are expected to visit the Expo 2020 between October 2020 and April 2021, with more than 70 percent of visitors coming from outside the UAE. It is also the first world expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia, and the largest event of its kind in the Arab world with nearly 192 countries having confirmed their participation.-TradeArabia News Service Deyaar Development, one of Dubais leading property developers and real estate service providers, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Dubai Cares to improve childrens access to quality education in an underprivileged community in Malawi, Africa. As per the deal, Deyaar will work with Dubai Cares to build a community-based school in Malawi, with construction set to start in 2020. Previously, Deyaar had collaborated with Dubai Cares to build schools in Nepal and Senegal, said a statement from the Emirati developer. Moreover, volunteers from Deyaar will participate in setting the foundation for the new school, which is set to benefit primary schoolchildren and adult illiterate men and women in a remote village in Malawi, it added. Deyaar CEO Saeed Al Qatami said: "We may be a UAE company, but we believe that our responsibility to do good and give back extends beyond the borders of our country." "Dubai Cares has provided us with several opportunities in recent years to make a real difference in the lives of hundreds of families in communities in need of support, and we are honoured to be able to make a positive impact on a Malawian community through this new project," he stated. Dubai Cares CEO Tariq Al Gurg said: "We are excited to once again have Deyaar supporting our Adopt a School initiative. The ability to contribute towards changing children and young peoples lives requires collaborative efforts from across the community, and that is why we value the support of companies in the UAE, with Deyaar being one of the most prominent examples." In addition to partnering with Dubai Cares, Deyaar has conducted several community-focused initiatives in recent years. Amongst these is the Deyaar Al Khair programme, through which the company revamps homes across the UAE, he added.-TradeArabia News Service Ajman Free Zone (AFZ) has signed a partnership deal with Kazakhstan-based Ipravo, a business consultancy company, to represent the free zone in some Central Asia and East Europe countries. This is part of AFZs ambitious plans to promote its services in main markets across the world and attract more businesses by highlighting the myriad benefits of establishing a business in Ajman, said a statement. The agreement will help AFZ to promote its services to the Russian speaking nations and strengthen its presence there, it said. Ipravo will be the official representative of AFZ in Kazakhstan, Russia, Belorussia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Kirgizstan and Azerbaijan, it added. AFZs sales director Majid Al Mulla and sales executive Leyla Sakhabiev signed the agreement with Ipravos chief executive officer and owner Vitalli Jeryasov. The newly-appointed company will participate in international events and exhibitions on behalf of AFZ, communicating the wealth of opportunities that the Emirate of Ajman can provide ambitious companies set on a growth trajectory. Eastern Europe and Central Asian countries boast many talented individuals with great vision, and AFZ wishes to take advantage of their requirement to execute growth plans in the Middle Eastern region. Through the partnership with Ipravo, an entity that understands their requirements and who can effectively communicate its compatibility, AFZ is in a very strong position to secure their confidence and their subsequent investment in Ajman, it stated. TradeArabia News Service Aluminium Bahrain (Alba), the Bahrain-based aluminium smelter, recently welcomed the board members of the International Aluminium Institute (IAI) to the Alba campus. The visit was part of the IAI annual general meeting and its board meeting, which were held last month, at the Ritz Carlton, Bahrain. Albas chief executive officer Tim Murray, and the executive management team at the company received the IAI delegation which consisted of 26 representatives from various member companies of the primary and secondary aluminium industries, said a company statement. The delegation was given an up-close and personal tour to Alba operations and Line 6 Expansion Project site, it said. Murray said: It is our pleasure to receive industry leaders from around the world and showcase them our companys evolution over the last five decades. We are equally pleased to share the latest developments of our flagship Line 6 Expansion Project as we progress to become the largest smelter in the world once Line 6 is fully operational, he added. TradeArabia News Service Microsoft demonstrated the power and benefits of the intelligent cloud to the regional oil and gas industry as bronze sponsor of a recently-held Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) workshop in Kuwait. Titled Transforming Oil and Gas Towards Digital Intelligence, the event at the Hilton Kuwait Resort in Kuwait City, featured a series of keynote and case-study presentations, panel discussions and exchanges of ideas among delegates, designed to advance the use of best practices in digital transformation programmes across the regions oil and gas sector. Omar Saleh, regional director, Manufacturing and Resources, Middle East & Africa at Microsoft, and Mohamed Malek, digital architect at Microsoft, delivered guidance on integrating technology solutions in the oil & gas industry. Salehs keynote highlighted how technology can play a role in Transforming the Oil and Gas sector towards Digital Intelligence. Malek discussed the emerging technologies such as robotics, augmented reality, IIOT, automation, digital twins and the intelligent cloud, that are evolving the industry. The intelligent cloud puts digital intelligence within the reach of energy-sector decision-makers, by combining with edge devices in the field to deliver the capability of immediate actionability, said Saleh. Organisations become infinitely more agile when devices, software and communications technology form a contiguous ecosystem that allows seamless planning, reaction and optimisation. We are proud to demonstrate these capabilities at SPEs oil and gas digital intelligence workshop and how these empower Oil & Gas organisations to achieve more. The participants also included Toufic Halabi, manufacturing and resources lead at Microsoft Kuwait who represented SPE at the workshop as a steering committee member, where he was actively involved in establishing the scope and objectives of the programme, developing and determining key areas of technical sessions and held key discussions with leaders. Microsoft has long been a leader in technology solutions for the regions oil and gas players. Azure IoT Edge allows organisations to extend their cloud intelligence and analytics capabilities to devices in the field by offering the containerisation of cloud workloads such as Azure cognitive services, machine learning and stream analytics, so they run locally on devices such as raspberry Pi or an industrial gateway. Low latency between field sensors, the intelligent cloud and smart edge devices allows almost instantaneous action on any data gathered. Meanwhile, IoT Edge employs advanced cybersecurity measures to deliver robust protection of all infrastructure, from the edge to the cloud and back again. Following a sizeable surge in the demand for trusted cloud services in the region, Microsoft will open two dedicated cloud data centres later this year, one in Dubai and one in Abu Dhabi. These facilities will offer the companys secure, flexible and intelligent cloud to enterprises in the Middle East, allowing them to innovate in confidence and achieve more. The oil and gas sector is undergoing digitisation and the cloud will be pivotal to this journey, said Jamal Al-Humoud, workshop chairperson, manager Research and Technology Group, Kuwait Oil Company. It is very important at this stage for industry professionals to work closely with technology players to discuss their challenges and the opportunities ahead, so innovations can take birth that are tailored to their needs. This workshop held in partnership with SPE and Microsoft is a stepping stone towards our efforts of driving digital transformation in the energy sector, and enable engineers and professionals to harness the power of technology and do more. TradeArabia News Service Factory of the future heralds new era for Australian manufacturing A proposed $50 million Flinders University-led Australian Centre for Innovative Manufacturing (ACIM) at Tonsley will be the nation's first reconfigurable 'Future Factory'- connecting Australian companies with the latest manufacturing technologies, research expertise and providing training to modernise workforces. The 4000m2 advanced manufacturing test bed facility at Flinders' award winning Tonsley Innovation District is expected to play a key role in providing state of the art facilities to explore the application of new technologies capable of manufacturing next generation products. Professor John Spoehr, Pro-Vice Chancellor, Research Impact and Director of the Australian Industrial Transformation Institute, has welcomed a $20 million commitment from federal Labor, announced by Opposition spokesperson for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research Senator the Hon Kim Carr, and is looking forward to support from all sides of politics. "This is an initiative that transcends politics and is deserving of broad support in the state's - and the nation's - interest" Professor Spoehr says. "Advanced technologies are transforming manufacturing around the world, fuelling the growth of new and existing companies and generating thousands of well-paid and rewarding jobs, " says Professor Spoehr. ACIM will be established with a mandate to create jobs and promote growth in areas of strategic importance to Australia including defence and aerospace, construction, medical devices/assistive technologies, wine and food and minerals and energy. "Step change strategies are needed to enable Australia and SA to be at the centre of this technological revolution. Large scale 'Factories of the Future' are playing a key role in accelerating this transition in the UK, Europe and the United States because they bring researchers and companies together in purpose built facilties to explore innovation of existing technologies and experimentation with new technologies." Advanced manufacturing technologies featured at ACIM could include: automation robotics cobotics (collaborative robots) digitally assisted assembly photonic sensing land and maritime autonomous systems ACIM will be an affiliate of the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) in Sheffield, UK - the world's leading advanced manufacturing accelerator funded by the UK Government's Industry Catapult Program. The centre will also work closely with the University of Strathclyde's Advanced Forming Research Centre (AFRC) to support the application of new manufacturing technologies for shipbuilding. Economic benefits The future factory is expected to generate $182 million in economic activity for South Australia and create more than 750 jobs. It will incorporate more than 200 academics from Flinders, employ an additional 20 researchers and technical personnel and be capable of hosting up to 50 industry personnel working collaboratively on multiple projects. The facility will also provide accredited courses in manufacturing and in industry 4.0, advanced education and training for up to 1000 students each year and accommodate up to 50 post-graduate students. ACIM has already attracted significant industry support, most notably in the shipbuilding sector where the benefits of advanced manufacturing practices will be significant. BAE Systems will explore the potential applications of robotics and automation technologies in shipbuilding, while SAGE plans to co-locate its Skills Lab Head office and main laboratory in ACIM. "ACIM will significantly lower the barriers to entry that many companies face when considering the adoption of advanced manufacturing technologies and play a brokerage role in helping to connect companies to key enabling technologies and research capabilities," says Professor Spoehr. Flinders University Vice-Chancellor Professor Colin Stirling says the facility reinforces Flinders University's contribution to the state's - and the nation's - prosperity. "ACIM will encourage a "can-do" culture, where students can interact with business and where business interacts with researchers to transform manufacturing processes of the 21st Century. "We're helping to revolutionise the way we live and work, by placing Australia at the forefront of Industry 4.0 change to help accelerate the growth of advanced manufacturing companies and jobs" Professor Stirling says. Flinders University will invest $10m towards land, capital and operational costs while $30m investment has been sought from the Federal and State Governments towards capital, equipment and operational costs. Industry investment is expected to be more than $10m over the short term. ### This story has been published on: 2019-05-07. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Parents are increasingly strained by the demands of their teenage children to travel abroad alone or on school trips. According to Korea's largest travel agency Hana Tour on Monday, the number of teenage customers who traveled abroad alone last year rose almost 50 percent from 4,200 in 2016 to 6,200. Some countries require documentation for teenagers traveling alone, prompting travel agencies offer chaperoned tours. Tandem is one travel agency specializing in chaperoned package tours for minors and opened in 2015. "We are seeing growing demand for such trips and getting a lot of calls asking about our packages," a Tandem staffer said. "The number of teenage travelers more than doubled from 105 in 2016 to 237 last year." Hana Tour also offers teenage package tours to Europe and elsewhere for the summer and winter vacations. A Hana Tour staffer said, "Traveling overseas is no longer considered a huge event among most Koreans and this has changed attitudes regarding traveling abroad among teens." But the cost has added to the financial strain on parents, who are already out of pocket due to the endless after-school cramming their children are subjected to. Kim Jung-sook (55) from southwestern Seoul said, "My daughter in high school has been begging me to send her on a summer trip to Europe that costs more than W5 million (US$1=W1,171). Not only is that too expensive, but I said no for safety reasons. But my daughter tells me that the parents of all her friends are letting them go." Paris-based JCDecaux SA, a leading global outdoor advertising company, said that its subsidiary JCDecaux Abu Dhabi has been awarded a 10-year exclusive advertising concession for the new Midfield Terminal of Abu Dhabi International Airport. As a driving force behind the development of innovative interactive and connected projects, JCDecaux will roll out a unique media platform at the Midfield Terminal, including exclusive VIP networks and availing the latest generation of digital media, with 85-inch digital networks delivering reach and frequency and4 iconic media walls of 20 sq m offering an immersive experience to passengers among others. This shift to digital out-of-home (DOOH), supported by an ambitious data strategy, will offer brands the ability to identify and target specific audiences and facilitate engaging, rich-media campaigns that reach sophisticated and discerning travellers. It will also contribute to an enhanced passenger experience by offering relevant and contextualised content to audiences on the move. This new contract builds upon a successful partnership between Abu Dhabi Airports and JCDecaux, and further consolidates JCDecauxs leading position in the Middle East, with a unique airport media platform comprising 32 airports in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Oman, allowing brands to reach over 227 million high-profile passengers every year. Bryan Thompson, chief executive officer of Abu Dhabi Airports, said: We are pleased to welcome JCDecaux onboard as the exclusive advertising concessionaire for the Midfield Terminal. Our partnership with JCDecaux demonstrates our strong commitment to offer a world-class travel experience to all passengers who will be using the MTB, leveraging JCDecaux global expertise and innovative data approach to create a unique and engaging media platform. Jean-Charles Decaux, chairman of the Executive Board and Co-CEO of JCDecaux, said: We are delighted that Abu Dhabi Airports has chosen JCDecaux once again to partner them in this truly exciting and iconic project that will turn Abu Dhabi International Airport into a major global travel hub. This demonstrates our capacity to propose innovative advertising solutions and services (including world-class digital products) that enhance the passenger experience while providing optimal visibility for advertisers and their brands. As the number one worldwide in airport advertising, JCDecaux will use its expertise in media and audience data to ensure the success of this partnership and build an unprecedented media platform that will set new standards in the industry. TradeArabia News Service Emirates, the worlds largest international airline, is looking for Bahraini candidates to join its multinational cabin crew team. The Dubai-based airline is hosting Cabin Crew Recruitment Open Day on May 14, at the K Hotel in Bahrain. The Open day will begin at 9:00 am sharp. The airline is looking for candidates to fill new positions which have been created due to the continued growth of the airline. Emirates hires a multinational cabin crew that comprises of over 135 nationalities speaking over 60 languages. Cabin crew are offered an entire employment package, which includes a variety of benefits such as a free high standard shared fully furnished accommodation in Dubai, free transport to/from work, medical and dental cover as well as exclusive discounts on shopping and leisure activities in Dubai. It also offers attractive concessional travel benefits for cabin crew as well as their families and friends, particularly advantageous as Emirates growing global network offers many travel opportunities across the airlines six continents-spanning network. The Emirates website provides additional information on the recruitment process and requirements. Although not mandatory, candidates are encouraged to complete an online application on the Emirates Group careers website prior to attending the Open Day. Emirates has also shared four key tips that can help candidates succeed during Open Day - 1. Check the requirements - Potential Emirates cabin crew members must be at least 21 years of age at the time of joining, fluent in spoken and written English, at least a high school graduate and have an arm reach of at least 212 cm when standing on tiptoes. 2. Schedule a full day for the assessment - Candidates should be prepared to spend a full day at the venue, if required, for assessments. Successful candidates will be informed of subsequent assessments and interview. 3. Open Day Dress code advice - Women are suggested to wear business attire; a skirt suit or a dress and jacket while men are suggested to wear a suit and tie. Ladies with long hair should tie it back in a professional style. 4. Dont forget your CV - All candidates are asked to bring their updated resume in English, along with one recent photograph. Emirates has been flying to Bahrain since 2000 and serves the kingdom with four daily flights. Emirates currently flies to 158 destinations in 86 countries spread over six continents and operates a modern fleet of 271 wide-body aircraft. The airline is the world's largest operator of Boeing 777 and Airbus A380 aircraft. - TradeArabia News Service Air Arabia, the Middle East and North Africa's first and largest low-cost carrier (LCC), has announced plans to launch a direct flight from Sharjah to Tunis, Tunisias capital city, starting from July 4. The new flight will operate three times a week; on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The flights depart Sharjah International Airport at 15:30 hours local time, arriving at Carthage International Airport in Tunis at 19:05 hours local time. The return flights depart Carthage International Airport in Tunis at 20:05 hours arriving in Sharjah at 05:05 hours local time. Adel Al Ali, group chief executive officer, Air Arabia, said: We are pleased to add Tunis to our growing destination network from Sharjah offering a new and affordable travel option to visit the country. Tunisia is a culture-rich destination with a great appeal for tourism and we look forward to the start of this service that will significantly add to the convenience of residents in both UAE and Tunisia." Known for its golden beaches, sunny weather and affordable luxuries, Tunisia offers its visitors a great mix of attractions spreading from its cosmopolitan capital city Tunis to the ancient ruins of Carthage and its coastal resorts. Air Arabia currently serves Tunisia from its hub in Morocco with direct flights connecting Casablanca and Tunis. Air Arabia now serves over 170 international and domestic routes from its hubs in the UAE, Morocco and Egypt. - TradeArabia News Service North Korea is reduced to selling hair like the Victorian poor to earn hard currency as international sanctions ban more lucrative exports. Japan's Asahi Shimbun on Monday reported that North Korean wigs and false eyelashes are being advertised in the Chinese border city of Dandong, and a former North Korean electronic parts factory with excess staff of several thousands of workers is now making them instead. Last autumn, company managers asked a broker for an introduction to Chinese companies that might place orders for such products, according to the Japanese daily. Unlike minerals, seafood and vegetables, exports of handicrafts are not banned by UN sanctions. The North exported an estimated US$2.4 million worth of wigs and other hair products to China in February, about double the amount of the same month in 2018 and taking up more than 10 percent of the North's total exports to China of about $17.96 million. The regime has also opened dance and music classes in China as another way to earn hard currency. In March, a group of North Korean residents in Shenyang advertised lessons by North Korean artists for a fee of about 50 yuan (about W9,000) per hour. Electric lines lie in the road and block apartment complexes, like the Residencia Parque San Lorenzo, in downtown San Juan on Sept. 28, 2017. 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. Astronomers have discovered rapidly swinging jets coming from a black hole almost 8,000 light-years from Earth. Published today in the journal Nature, the research shows jets from V404 Cygnis black hole behaving in a way never seen before on such short timescales. The jets appear to be rapidly rotating with high-speed clouds of plasma potentially just minutes apart shooting out of the black hole in different directions. Lead author Associate Professor James Miller-Jones, from the Curtin University node of the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR), said black holes are some of the most extreme objects in the Universe, adding: This is one of the most extraordinary black hole systems Ive ever come across. Like many black holes, its feeding on a nearby star, pulling gas away from the star and forming a disk of material that encircles the black hole and spirals towards it under gravity. Whats different in V404 Cygni is that we think the disk of material and the black hole are misaligned. This appears to be causing the inner part of the disk to wobble like a spinning top and fire jets out in different directions as it changes orientation. V404 Cygni was first identified as a black hole in 1989 when it released a big outburst of jets and radiation. Astronomers looking at archival photographic plates then found previous outbursts in observations from 1938 and 1956. Associate Professor Miller-Jones said that when V404 Cygni experienced another very bright outburst in 2015, lasting for two weeks, telescopes around the world tuned in to study what was going on. Everybody jumped on the outburst with whatever telescopes they could throw at it. So we have this amazing observational coverage. When Associate Professor Miller-Jones and his team studied the black hole, they saw its jets behaving in a way never seen before. Where jets are usually thought to shoot straight out from the poles of black holes, these jets were shooting out in different directions at different times. And they were changing direction very quickly over no more than a couple of hours. Associate Professor Miller-Jones said the change in the movement of the jets was because of the accretion disk the rotating disk of matter around a black hole. He said V404 Cygnis accretion disk is 10 million kilometers wide, and the inner few thousand kilometers was puffed up and wobbling during the bright outburst. The inner part of the accretion disk was precessing and effectively pulling the jets around with it, Associate Professor Miller-Jones said. You can think of it like the wobble of a spinning top as it slows down only in this case, the wobble is caused by Einsteins theory of general relativity. The research used observations from the Very Long Baseline Array, a continent-sized radio telescope made up of 10 dishes across the United States, from the Virgin Islands in the Caribbean to Hawaii. Co-author Alex Tetarenko a recent Ph.D. graduate from the University of Alberta and currently an East Asian Observatory Fellow working in Hawaii said the speed the jets were changing direction meant the scientists had to use a very different approach to most radio observations, saying: Typically, radio telescopes produce a single image from several hours of observation. But these jets were changing so fast that in a four-hour image we just saw a blur. It was like trying to take a picture of a waterfall with a one-second shutter speed. Instead, the researchers produced 103 individual images, each about 70 seconds long, and joined them together into a movie. Dr. Tetarenko said: It was only by doing this that we were able to see these changes over a very short time period. Study co-author Dr. Gemma Anderson, who is also based at ICRARs Curtin University node, said the wobble of the inner accretion disk could happen in other extreme events in the Universe too. Anytime you get a misalignment between the spin of a black hole and the material falling in, you would expect to see this when a black hole starts feeding very rapidly. That could include a whole bunch of other bright, explosive events in the Universe, such as supermassive black holes feeding very quickly or tidal disruption events, when a black hole shreds a star. Provided by: International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research [Note: Materials may be edited for content and length.] Like this article? Subscribe to our weekly email for more! After participating in this years exhibition by Studio Pepe, Ukrainian brand returns to Italy for Venice Design this month, the largest exhibition of contemporary object design, organized by the European Cultural Centre in the historic centre Palazzo Michiel on the Grand Canal. This year, the exhibition will present objects from 42 countries of the world from the most talented designers, each of whom works in the original technique. Faina will present an authentic collection of furniture, light and decor, created by Ukrainian architect Victoria Yakusha, based on the use of natural materials typical of Ukrainian culture: clay, flax, solid wood and willow. Kono told NHK during a visit to Ethiopia on Sunday that such moves will "damage the legal foundation" of bilateral relations. Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono on Monday warned Seoul to prevent the selloff of the Korean assets of Japanese companies that have refused to comply with Korean court orders to compensate forced labor victims. Last October, Tokyo refused to accept the Korean Supreme Court's ruling that a Japanese company should compensate its forced labor victims, while urging Seoul to respect a 1965 agreement that Tokyo claims settled all claims of the victims of wartime atrocities. He warned that Tokyo would take "prompt action" if court orders caused damage to Japanese companies. Kono lashed out at remarks by Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha in a press briefing on May 2, where she said the Korean government cannot intervene in the process if victims who have won their case in a court of law exercise their right to sell off the assets. But Kono claimed stopping the sale is "not an intervention in judicial procedure" and the problem must be solved or risk causing "misunderstanding" between the two neighbors. The Supreme Court here last year ruled that a treaty between states cannot override the rights of individual victims to sue for compensation from their abusers. If you have an event you'd like to list on the site, submit it now! Submit U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Sunday that North Korea's latest weapons test involved a "relatively short range" missile and added that it "didn't present a threat to the United States or to South Korea or Japan." Yet photographic evidence did suggest that the North tested a ballistic missile, which UN resolutions prohibit, and Pompeo appeared reluctant to admit it, insisting that no international boundaries were crossed. There is no way Pompeo does not know that the North's latest missile provocation was a violation of UN Security Council sanctions. But he is probably reluctant to take issue with it for fear of tarnishing U.S. President Donald Trump's diplomatic achievements in meetings with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Before the failed U.S.-North Korea summit in Hanoi earlier this year, Pompeo already said that it was the safety of the American public that was the ultimate goal of the Trump administration. He referred more often to the need to get rid of "direct threats" to the U.S. than to scrapping North Korea's nuclear weapons altogether, strongly suggesting that the prime focus was on the North's intercontinental ballistic missiles. Now he is trying to sugarcoat Trump's diplomatic achievements by telling Americans they are no longer at risk of a North Korean attack as long as the isolated state refrains from testing ICBMs. The Trump administration has backed itself into a diplomatic situation it can no longer handle, as it blunders and blusters over Iran, Venezuela and Syria and is stuck in a trade war with China. That could reduce Trump's chances of a second term in office even further, and for Trump reelection is far more important than the North's nuclear program and the alliance with South Korea. Meanwhile, in an interview with German media published Tuesday, South Korean President Moon Jae-in said, "The sound of gunshots has disappeared from the skies, seas and land of the Korean Peninsula. Spring has approached that much closer." To be fair, the answers were prepared last month, but Moon apparently did not bother changing them in spite of North Korea's latest provocation. The sound of gunfire has just started again, and has only fallen silent on the South Korean side. The military dutifully lived up to its promise to North Korea and halted joint military exercises with the U.S. Aerial surveillance and artillery drills along the inter-Korean border have also stopped. So when North Korea now launches another provocation, the only thing Seoul can do is express "concern." North Korea's short-range missiles are squarely aimed at South Korea. The latest missile is believed to be capable of thwarting South Korea's defenses by flying at high speed at low altitudes. Any reasonable government would be busy checking the military's defenses, but this government only says it is "analyzing" the data and does not want to jump to conclusions. Just like Trump, the Moon administration needs to tout a false sense of peace to help the ruling party win next year's general election. But while everyone is playing politics, the North is blithely breaking any agreements, its nuclear program is alive and well, and South Korea's national security grows weaker and weaker. Advertisement By WestKyStar & MSU Staff May. 07, 2019 | MURRAY By WestKyStar & MSU Staff May. 07, 2019 | 01:17 PM | MURRAY Dr. Claire Fuller has been named dean of the Murray State University Jesse D. Jones College of Science, Engineering and Technology, effective July 1. Fuller is a biological sciences professor who has served as interim dean since July 1, 2018, after former dean Dr. Steve Cobb stepped down from the position to return to teaching. The Murray State University Board of Regents recently announced Fullers appointment after a successful search process. The Jesse D. Jones College of Science, Engineering, and Technology has always benefited from great leadership in the deans office and Dr. Fuller will be no exception, said Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Mark Arant. The success of a dean is directly dependent on the talent of the faculty, staff and students within the college. By combining Claires leadership and the resident talents within the college, great days are certainly on the horizon. Fuller is a broadly-trained ecologist with specializations in animal behavior, population ecology and parasitology. She received her Ph.D and masters degree in zoology at Oregon State University and earned her undergraduate degree at the University of California. She has served as a faculty member in the Department of Biological Sciences since 1997. Additionally, Fuller has co-authored nearly 20 biology publications. Im honored and humbled to serve as dean of this institution, Fuller said. I look forward to continuing the tradition of academic excellence set by this college and Murray State as a whole. Murray State University affords opportunities for students through a high-quality education with experiential learning, academic and personal growth and the ability to secure a lifetime of success. Since 1922, the true value of higher education has been found at Murray State University, where our commitment is to afford endless opportunities for developing leaders in the community, the country and the world. The Universitys main campus is located in Murray, KY and includes five regional campuses. For more information about Murray State University, please visit murraystate.edu. Email To : Multiple e-mail addresses must be separated with a comma character(maximum 200 characters) Email To is required. Your Full Name: (optional) Your Email Address: Your Email Address is required. Advertisement By West Kentucky Star Staff May. 07, 2019 | PADUCAH By West Kentucky Star Staff May. 07, 2019 | 02:31 PM | PADUCAH A Paducah man was sentenced Tuesday on charges related to an elder abuse case from 2018. The McCracken Circuit Court Clerk said Lance Carter received two sentences of five years each, which will be served consecutively for a total of ten years in prison. He plead guilty in March to second-degree assault and exploiting an adult. Carter's wife, Rebecca, will be sentenced in June after she plead guilty to charges from the same investigation related to a 91-year-old victim, for whom Rebecca was hired as a caregiver. Both Carters were arrested in July 2018 after the elderly woman reported an assault to family members. McCracken Sheriff's Detectives said they learned the Carters bought several thousand dollars worth of tools and equipment using the victims' credit card, then sold the items at a pawn shop. Lance Carter assaulted the victim during an argument at her home, and when Rebecca took the woman to the hospital, she said the woman fell down some stairs. By West Kentucky Star Staff May. 02, 2019 | 10:44 AM | PADUCAH / GLASSPORT, PA According to Paducah Police, detectives worked closely with the Glassport, Pennsylvania Police Department and the Allegheny County Sheriffs Department in their efforts to find 16-year-old Megan Edgin. New information led officers to search the Glassport home of 56-year-old Rory E. Shelton, Sr., where Edgin was found and taken into protective custody. The investigation determined Shelton rented a vehicle in Pennsylvania and drove to Paducah, where he met up with Edgin and helped remove her ankle monitor. He then drove back with her to Pennsylvania. Last Thursday, police said Edgin had been communicating with a Pennsylvania man, but the investigation at that time showed he had not come to the area, and Edgin was not with him. Shelton was taken into custody and has been charged by Paducah Police with custodial interference, a class D felony. He is facing additional charges in Pennsylvania for his involvement in this case. Police say the investigation is ongoing and more charges are possible. A Paducah teenager reported as missing May 2nd was located in Pennsylvania Tuesday morning, and a Pennsylvania man has been arrested.ORIGINAL STORY:Police are asking for the public's help finding a missing Paducah teen.The Paducah Police Department says 16-year-old Megan Edgin was reported missing early Thursday morning by her foster parent from their home on North Valley Road. She reportedly took a small dog and a blanket when she left.Edgin is 5'3" tall, with blonde hair and green eyes. She weighs about 100 pounds.Police said she had been communicating online with a man in Pennsylvania prior to her disappearance. Investigators contacted Pennsylvania authorities, who determined Thursday afternoon that the man has not come to the area, and Edgin is not with him.Anyone with information about Edgins whereabouts is asked to call the Paducah Police Department at 270-444-8550. By WestKyStar & Paducah Public Schools Staff May. 07, 2019 | 01:25 PM | PADUCAH Stewart is a veteran educator with 28 years of experience as a teacher and administrator. She served as assistant principal and principal at Heath Middle School before being named principal of Concord Elementary in 2005. Stewart was principal at Concord Elementary from 2005 until 2018. During that time Concord Elementary earned multiple Distinguished School classifications from the Kentucky Department of Education based on the schools state test scores. Stewart served as Director of District Programs for McCracken County Schools during the 2018-19 school year. She has collaborated with local business partners this year to place more than sixty internships for high school seniors. Additionally, Stewart has engaged local business and industry leaders about the need for students to develop soft skills. Mrs. Stewart is a respected educator who has a wealth of knowledge and expertise in teaching and learning for students, said Superintendent Donald Shively. Her success as an educator is second to none, and there is enormous respect for what shes done for students in her career. Mrs. Stewarts dual focus of helping us improve our instructional practices and build business and industry partnerships in advance of the opening of the Innovation Hub in fall of 2020 will be invaluable as we pursue our vision to know each and every child by name and need. Ginger Stewart has been hired to serve as College and Career Readiness Specialist for Paducah Public Schools. Stewart will begin her work with the district July 1 following her retirement from McCracken County Schools at the end of this school year. Advertisement By West Kentucky Star Staff May. 07, 2019 | PADUCAH By West Kentucky Star Staff May. 07, 2019 | 03:19 PM | PADUCAH Two men were arrested Tuesday on drug charges in the parking lot of a Paducah business. The McCracken County Sheriff's Office says drug detectives arrested 35-year-old Michael Thomas of West Paducah and 26-year-old Ronnie "Ty" Copeland of Paducah Tuesday following a drug investigation in the parking lot of Paducah car wash. Detectives said they were conducting surveillance in the area of 2900 Park Avenue when they saw Thomas, who was out on bond for Methamphetamine offenses. Copeland then arrived in the parking lot in a rental car. Thomas approached Copeland and got inside, giving Copeland what they believed to be money. Thomas then got out of the vehicle and drove away. Detectives stopped Thomas, and seized about 57 grams of crystal meth, Suboxone, marijuana, scales, counterfeit money and drug paraphernalia. They also stopped Copeland and smelled marijuana in his vehicle. During a search of Copeland, detectives seized Marijuana and $790. Deputies said their investigation showed Copeland had sold Methamphetamine to Thomas. Both men were arrested and booked into the McCracken County Regional Jail. Thomas is charged with meth trafficking second offense, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana, and third-degree possession of a controlled substance. Copeland is charged with meth trafficking second offense, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana, and failure to notify address change to the department of transportation. Deputies said more charges are likely. Advertisement By WestKyStar Staff May. 07, 2019 | PADUCAH By WestKyStar Staff May. 07, 2019 | 11:00 AM | PADUCAH Paducah Tilghman High School (PTHS) Class of '69 is planning its 50-year reunion for this fall during BBQ on the River, Sept. 27-28. The next meeting is TODAY at 3 pm at the McCracken County Public Library in the 2nd floor meeting room. Anyone interested in helping make the event happen is invited to attend. Paducahans are encouraged to share contact info for their in town or out of town PTHS Class of '69 friends. Email PTHS.reunion60@gmail.com or call 270-519-1321 to be included in plans. The group has been meeting since the first of the year and is pleased with responses so far, but it's a class of over 400. Only 140 classmates have been located to date. Finding contact info for the remaining Class of '69 graduates is their top priority. The group is reaching out to find all of their high school friends. Advertisement By West Kentucky Star Staff May. 07, 2019 | PADUCAH By West Kentucky Star Staff May. 07, 2019 | 11:34 AM | PADUCAH A judge has sentenced a McCracken County woman to prison, after she pleaded guilty in March to charges related to sex with a minor. Crystal Ashford-Payne entered a guilty plea in McCracken County Circuit Court on March 25 to charges of third-degree rape, prohibited use of an electronic communications system to procure a minor for a sex offense, first and second-degree unlawful transaction with a minor, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana, and having a prescription drug not in its proper container. Court records show Judge Tim Kaltenbach sentenced Payne Monday to seven years in prison. She will be required to serve at least 20 percent of that time before she is eligible for parole. Ashford-Payne was among the first defendants to be tried under a new law, known as 'Jenna's Law'. It was passed in July, and says a person is deemed incapable of consent when he or she is 16 or 17 years old, and the suspect is at least 10 years older than the victim at the time of the sexual act. Ashford-Payne was arrested last November, after detectives say she admitted to being sexually involved with a 17-year-old juvenile, and also reportedly had nude images of him on her cell phone. They also said she tried to gain guardianship of the juvenile and referred to him as her child, and gave the teen methamphetamine and marijuana. Village that beat occupation and floods plans tourist boom From:ChinaDaily | 2019-05-07 10:05 An ethnic Korean settlement that was founded during World War II aims to make history once again. Cheng Si reports from Antu, Jilin province. "When we came here in 1954, there were willows everywhere. There was no arable land in the village because the population had left as a result of extensive warfare," recalled Piao Mingchun, an 80-year-old ethnic Korean, who lives in Hongqi village, a Korean settlement in the northeastern province of Jilin. "Responding to State appeals for land reclamation, we were part of the second batch of immigrants from Helong city in the province to clear forested land in the outlying areas. "It was not easy at the beginning. The place was abandoned, with overgrown grass and run-down houses left by earlier generations of villagers and the Japanese army," he said, adding that there were few tools to plow the land. "We didn't have enough cattle, so humans with iron shovels were the main workforce for planting. However, despite the laborious work, yields were pretty low." Blood and tears The Korean Peninsula's close proximity means the provinces of northeastern China have long been attractive to immigrants. Historically, farmers leading poor lives in the peninsula moved to neighboring territories, such as Jilin. By 1918, the number of Korean immigrants in China's northeastern provinces was 360,000, according to a statement by the Jilin government. Hongqi, a village in Antu county, Yanbian Korean autonomous prefecture, is home to 86 households of 326 people. More than 80 percent of the residents are members of the Korean ethnic group. "Actually, the village, previously called Tribe No 2, was founded by the Japanese army during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45)," said An Xuebin, a member of Antu's political consultative committee, who researches Chinese culture and history. "Around 1939, the Japanese army used the area around Changbai Mountain as a military base, and forced 80 poor households from the Korean Peninsula to move to Autu and reclaim the land by planting rice. Conditions were really harsh, because the people were oppressed and short of food and clothing." According to the county's official history, Tribe No 2 was liberated around 1945, but it struggled economically throughout the 1950s as a result of the scars left by the war. In 1958, it was renamed Hongqi Brigade, referring to the smallest administrative unit for villages, and became Hongqi village in 1985. Piao said life never seemed to improve, no matter how hard the inhabitants worked. "In the 1950s, five people in my family worked on the farm - my sisters and brothers, and my father - but we only had 3 jiao left at the end of the year," he said, referring to a small denomination coin. The turnaround came in 1981, when Piao and two other villagers became the first residents to rent land from the brigade, which still administered the village. "The land and all the crops grown on it were the collective property of the village back then, which meant the residents had little incentive to work hard. Piao was one of three villagers who took the lead to rent the land. Even after submitting a prescribed amount of produce to the brigade, they could each get more grain as long as they worked hard," said Zhao Zhefan, the village Party secretary. Piao was excited when he recalled the contract: "My family was highly motivated after I rented 8 mu (0.5 hectares) of land from the brigade. The yield grew to 750 kilograms per mu from 600 kg in just one year, and we made a profit of 1,000 yuan that year." The villagers began to live better lives by developing folk tourism, benefiting from the increasingly prosperous tourist industry around Changbai Mountain that started in the late 1970s. By National Weather Service May. 06, 2019 | 08:56 PM | PADUCAH If you suspected lately that your weather radio might be broken, you had good reason to be suspicious.During the entire month of April, the National Weather Service office in Paducah only issued two severe thunderstorm warnings across its 58-county service area.April is usually the beginning of peak severe weather season, and the average April has seen almost 45 thunderstorm warnings during the 25 years that they have been generated out of Barkley Field.By comparison, there were 164 severe thunderstorm warnings issued in April of 2011, and 150 in 2006. No comparable month has had less than 10 warnings since 1995.Otherwise, April was very typical for Paducah. Rainfall was only slightly higher than the usual 4 to 5 inches for the month, and the average temperature was just about a degree warmer than normal.Paducah's last frost happened on April 15, about a week later than average.Another indicator of the lack of wild weather: no daily or monthly records were broken or tied at Barkley Field during April. On the Net: By West Kentucky Star Staff May. 07, 2019 | 12:26 PM | MARSHALL COUNTY A Marshall County man is facing DUI and drug charges. According to the Marshall County Sheriff's Office, a deputy conducted a traffic stop Monday on 39-year-old James Roedel of Benton, who had two active warrants. After further investigation, Roedel was arrested and charged with DUI, operating on a suspended or revoked license, license to be in possession, improper registration plate, possession of an open alcoholic beverage container in a motor vehicle, theft of motor vehicle registration plate, possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of controlled substance and possession of synthetic drugs. He was lodged in the Marshall County Detention Center. By West Kentucky Star Staff May. 07, 2019 | 04:52 PM | BENTON, KY The Commonwealth's Attorney for Marshall County has responded to a motion filed Monday requesting a change of venue in the case of accused Marshall County High School shooter Gabriel Parker.Parker's legal team cited news media coverage and social media discussion as reasons for the request in Marshall County Circuit Court.Commonwealth's Attorney Dennis Foust asked the judge to deny the motion, but if the motion is granted, he asked that Christian County be chosen as the alternate venue.Foust's response states that a location any farther than that would be a hardship on the victims and their families, possibly requiring overnight lodging. He added that some witnesses in the trial - doctors and nurses from Vanderbilt Medical Center - would have to drive no farther than those from Marshall or McCracken Counties.Foust said moving the trial to Daviess or Warren County would be more inconvenient for everyone.A hearing on the motion is set for May 17 in Marshall County Circuit Court. By West Kentucky Star Staff May. 07, 2019 | 11:54 AM | MARSHALL COUNTY A weekend traffic stop in Marshall County led to the arrest of two men on methamphetamine charges. The Marshall County Sheriff's Office said a deputy conducted a traffic stop on Saturday after observing the vehicle swerve several times. The deputy spoke with the driver, 41-year-old Kerry Henson, of Almo. According to the deputy, Henson was making jerking, rapid motions and could not remain still. While speaking to Henson, the deputy said Henson 's passenger, 56-year-old Jack Morgan of Benton, moved the console and placed something there. As a result of the investigation, Henson was arrested and charged with careless driving, DUI, possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. Morgan was also arrested and charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. Both were lodged in the Marshall County Detention Center. By The Associated Press May. 06, 2019 | 09:23 PM | FRANKFORT Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin lacks the votes to push his replacement pension bill through a special legislative session he has promised to convene, some top GOP lawmakers said Monday. House Majority Floor Leader John "Bam" Carney said the governor is getting closer to gaining enough support, but said Bevin has work to do to line up enough votes in the GOP-led House. "They're still short of the votes to pass it, but they continue to reach out to members," Carney said in a phone interview. Members of Bevin's team on Monday spent two hours briefing House Democrats on the Republican governor's draft bill, presented as an alternative to a pension bill he vetoed. The goal is to give relief to regional universities and many agencies facing surging pension costs. Legislative leaders have said it's up to Bevin to craft the new bill and line up support. The governor is grappling with the politically treacherous issue as he seeks re-election this year. Senate Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer said Monday the governor's bill would have a "pretty good chance" of passing the Republican-dominated Senate. But he said the bill lacks the votes in the House, based on recent conversations he had with some GOP House members. Thayer supports the governor's proposal, calling it a "pretty good work product," but he acknowledged that the outcome for the measure is far from certain. "I think there's a chance that we don't have a special session and we deal with this in January which is going to mean six very painful months for some of these agencies," he said by phone. Regional universities as well as county health departments, rape crisis centers and many other quasi-governmental agencies face ballooning pension costs on July 1. Bevin's administration and lawmakers are trying to head off those increases, worried the surging pension obligations could jeopardize some crucial services for Kentuckians. Bevin's plan basically allows the agencies to stay with the Kentucky Retirement Systems at full cost, leave the retirement system by paying a lump sum equal to future projected benefits payments or buying their way out in installment payments over 30 years. It extends a freeze on pension costs for another year for the regional universities and quasi-public agencies. His plan has been endorsed by regional university presidents and picked up support from some representatives of local health departments, mental health centers and other agencies. Thayer said Monday he would oppose a stand-alone freeze in pension contribution rates, saying such a move would be "fiscally irresponsible and an abdication of leadership." "I will not agree to a freeze unless there are back-end pension reforms," he said. The governor's deputy chief of staff, Bryan Sunderland, said he's heard similar concerns from some lawmakers that such a move would "dig another deeper hole" for public pension plans. Sunderland didn't shed any light on the timing of a special session as he and other Bevin aides briefed House Democrats about the governor's pension bill. Later when talking with reporters, Sunderland said: "When the General Assembly has the votes to pass this, I think the governor will exercise his option to call a special session." House Minority Whip Joni Jenkins said her Democratic House colleagues have concerns about the governor's proposal, but said it's still early in the process. "I think at this point, nobody is ready to go in and vote on this bill," she told reporters. "There are still a lot of questions." Bevin's team acknowledged the difficulty of tackling the state's deep-rooted pension problems as they briefed House Democrats. "We are surrounded by unhappy options," State Budget Director John Chilton said. Kentucky has one of the worst-funded pension systems in the country, but Bevin has had a turbulent time in trying to revamp it. He called lawmakers back to the Capitol last December to vote on a much broader pension bill that had been struck down by Kentucky's Supreme Court. Lawmakers adjourned without passing any legislation. Taxpayers were left with a bill of about $120,000 for the two-day session. The State Council's decision to upgrade workforce skills and expand enrollment for vocational colleges has been lauded by experts as a move that will beef up employment and speed up economic transformation. The cabinet decided at an executive meeting on April 30 that the country will use 100 billion yuan ($14.8 billion) from the balance of the Unemployment Insurance Fund to launch a campaign to improve the skills of workers, according to a statement released after the meeting. The measures, coupled with a plan to expand vocational college enrollment by 1 million this year, are part of the central government's efforts to implement the employment-first policy and underpin industrial upgrading and high-quality development, the statement said. Chen Yu, director of the China Institute for Occupation Research at Peking University, said the measure unveiled by the State Council is aimed primarily to solve the problem of structural mismatch in the job market. "With many people struggling to find jobs, many employers are faced with difficulties in recruiting the right person," he said. The growth of new business types and industries has given rise to new positions, and a sizable amount of the workforce are struggling to adapt to the new demands in the job market, he noted. "The only solution to the problem is to offer more training to the workers to enable them to better adapt to the new technologies and new positions," he said. The State Council meeting rolled out specific training for skilled workers to accommodate the needs of key groups of people for employment and those having difficulty in landing jobs. A total of 15 million training sessions will be conducted this year, with over 50 million such sessions set to be offered in the next three years. The government will support companies, especially micro and small enterprises, in carrying out vocational training, and help struggling companies through employee upgrading to switch jobs, the statement said. The government will encourage vocational schools to expand enrollment, and support companies and private actors in providing vocational training. In government procurement of services, private institutions will enjoy the same treatment as their publicly run counterparts, the statement added. According to the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, China added 3.24 million new jobs in urban areas in the first quarter, and the registered urban unemployment rate was kept at 3.67 percent, below the official target of 4.5 percent for this year. According to the statement, the increased enrollment will tilt in favor of quality vocational colleges, high-demand disciplines and poverty-stricken areas. The expanded enrollment will primarily cover professions including preschool education, nursing, domestic services, aged care and modern service industries. The country is set to organize another round of vocational college applications this year targeting high school and secondary vocational school graduates, veterans, laid-off workers, rural migrant workers and modern professional farmers. Veterans, laid-off workers, rural migrant workers and modern professional farmers are not required to sit exams for academic subjects but for professional adaptability or skills organized by vocational schools, according to the statement. The meeting also called for intensified work to align academic diplomas and vocational certificates as well as efforts to see that vocational college graduates enjoy the same treatment as university graduates in seeking urban residency, employment and promotion. Chen Yunchao, vice-president of Chongqing Technology and Business University, said the expanded enrollment of vocational colleges breaks old conventions in that it included groups such as veterans, migrant workers and modern professional farmers as enrollment targets. "However, it will also bring about challenges to the higher education system, especially in finding the right students," he said. "For the colleges, it is important to offer them effective and targeted training programs tailored to their social and life experiences." (Source: China Daily) Li Yunlong, the 26-year-old midwife, has won recognition thanks to his sensitivity and humor. [People's Daily Online] A male midwife has delivered over 600 babies in southwest China's Chongqing Health Center for Women and Children since he started working there in 2016. Li Yunlong, the 26-year-old midwife, became an ICU nurse in an affiliated hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine after graduating from college, but soon quit his job. "Back then, I dealt with critical patients every day. I was overwhelmed by death. That's why I decided to become a midwife, so I could welcome new lives," Li said. "Delivering babies is the happiest thing in my life," he added with a smile. Though refused by some prenatal women at first, Li has won recognition thanks to his sensitivity and humor. Some expectant mothers have even explicitly asked for Li's help. "It is energy-consuming during delivery as we may need to lift and transfer patients. Since men are stronger than women, we can be more efficient in this regard," said Li. As China has begun to implement the two-child policy, there is now a higher demand for midwives. The ratio of male midwives will continue to rise, said an official at Chongqing Health Center for Women and Children. The second Digital China Summit is held in Fuzhou, SE China's Fujian Province, May 6, 2019. [Xinhua/Lin Shanchuan] China on Monday sounded another heartening note for its development of information technologies, as both companies and the government rush to harness this nationwide tech boom to raise efficiency, buoy public satisfaction and even tackle corruption. The second Digital China Summit opened Monday in eastern China's Fujian Province, shedding light on the latest information technologies that have penetrated the country's government, industries and society. The Chinese government has expected information technologies to nurture new economic engines and upgrade old industries as the country shunts from the high-speed economic growth to the path of high-quality development. Huang Kunming, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, in a keynote speech at the summit called for advancing the building of a digital China and smart society, stressing the role of information technology in promoting high-quality development. Huang, also head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, said China's advantages in internet technology innovation, technology application and as a huge market should be transformed into advantages in developing a digital economy. The official called for achieving breakthroughs in core technologies, enhancing protection of intellectual property rights, advancing information infrastructure construction and narrowing digital gaps between urban and rural areas. A report reviewing the country's digital development in 2018 was also issued at the summit, pointing to rapid growth in sectors including electronic information manufacturing, software service, communications and big data. The report published by the Cyberspace Administration of China said the country last year recorded more than 9 trillion yuan (1.3 trillion U.S. dollars) in online retail. China's digital economy reached 31.3 trillion yuan in scale, accounting for one-third of the national GDP in 2018. Provincial-level e-government platforms have also slashed time for getting government permits by an average of 30 percent, noted the report. Trendy technologies from driverless vendor vehicles and facial recognition security checks to 5G networks are being used at the event in the city of Fuzhou. A number of tech companies are displaying their cutting-edge products including Baidu's driverless vehicles, Huawei's AI chip "Ascend" and Foxconn's "future factories." Pony Ma, CEO of China's Internet giant Tencent, said at the summit that the company, by working with Fujian police, has used its facial recognition technology to help 1,000 families find missing family members in the past two years. Hu Xiaoming, president of Ant Financial that runs the popular online payment network Alipay, said at the event that one of every four Chinese now handles government services on Alipay, making it the country's largest platform that offers access to government services. ByteDance, known for its short video sharing app TikTok, also demonstrated its poverty-relief project at the summit, which it said has trained 10,000 people from 505 impoverished Chinese counties and helped sell 1.94 million yuan worth of agricultural products. Information technologies have drawn more attention in recent years, particularly in China's industrial sectors, where they are credited with revving up automation in traditional factories and creating new industries. As China steps up its industrial upgrade, which will result in inefficient industries being phased out, booming e-commerce is believed to have cushioned the job market by creating a deluge of new positions from online shopping "guides" to scooter-riding couriers of take-out food.Meituan, an online food delivery platform in China, said it draws 31 percent of its riders from phased-out industries. The company has 2.7 million courier riders, boosted by China's booming online food delivery. According to the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT), China's digital economy provided 191 million jobs last year, marking a yearly increase of 11.5 percent. E-government One of the major highlights at this year's summit is the many e-government apps, which have mushroomed across China to incorporate a wide range of government and public services. They are part of the government's efforts to cut red tape to benefit residents and businesses alike. In Fuzhou, the host city of the event, a citizen's typical day now revolves around the e-Fuzhou app, which allows users to buy bus tickets, pay tuition fees and manage social security accounts without the need of visiting government offices. A slew of digital technology applications, including the big data credit inquiry system, the online tax bureau, and the paperless customs clearance system, have also been developed in the province over the years. Dingxi, one of the least developed cities in west China's Gansu Province, has a booth displaying an online monitoring platform, which it launched last year to allow villagers to scrutinize the management of poverty-relief funds and report any signs of corruption. "We went door-to-door to teach villagers how to use mobile phones to check the subsidies they are entitled to and the sum other families actually received," said Yang Sirun, an inspector with the city's discipline inspection commission. "In the past, some wealthy families feigned poverty to claim subsistence allowances, while some officials fraudulently pocketed subsidies in the names of families that had moved away. The new platform can easily expose such 'micro corruption,'" Yang said. The official said since its launch, over 3,400 officials and residents have voluntarily turned in their illegal gains for fear of being reported. "Many hidden problems were also found during the collation of data from different departments, which proves big data's power in fighting corruption," he said. The summit from May 6 to 8 aims to serve as a platform for issuing China's policies on IT development and displaying the achievements and experience of e-government and the digital economy. More than 1,500 officials, company representatives and scholars are attending the event, which is co-organized by the Cyberspace Administration of China, National Development and Reform Commission, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and Fujian provincial government. Going global Among the array of mind-blowing tech innovations displayed at the summit are products tailored to overseas markets, revealing the ambitions of many Chinese digital startups to go abroad. Netdragon, a Fuzhou-based tech company, earlier this year inked a memorandum of understanding with the Egyptian government to build 265,000 Popup Classrooms in the African country in three years. The containers-turned classrooms are equipped with the latest technologies such as hologram projection, virtual reality and interactive panels. Easy to assemble and transport, they are expected to help improve education quality in less-developed areas. "In a Popup Classroom, students from even the most remotest corners of the world can enjoy the same quality of lectures as those in big cities," said Xiong Li, CEO of Netdragon. "With the aid of 5G technology and hologram projection, they can interact with teachers thousands of miles away." "All countries should benefit from technological advances, and we hope to bridge the gap in education between developing and developed countries," said Xiong. Digital companies are among the latest in the bevy of Chinese enterprises venturing abroad, with the latest hit being ByteDance, whose short video services are now available in over 150 markets and in 75 languages. Netdragon chairman Liu Dejian observed that many countries along the Belt and Road "are now very interested in China's rapid digitalization and are seeking inspiration from China's smart city construction, e-government, e-commerce and digital education." "The many solutions in China's digitalization will support other countries' development and help the world share the benefits of digital trends," he said. Tatwah Smartech, a satellite and telecom company, said they managed to provide affordable satellite communication services for cargo ships and fishing boats in seven countries in Southeast Asia. "Fishermen in these countries were basically isolated from the world in the past, but now, they are connected via phones or the internet," said Wang Zhongmin, vice president of Tatwah Smartech. "Our presence there will improve the telecommunication infrastructure and create considerable job opportunities." People visit a 5G technology studio during an achievement exhibition on digital China construction in Fuzhou, SE China's Fujian Province, May 6, 2019. [Xinhua/Song Weiwei] A staff member shows the technology of AI recognition on consumer behavior during an achievement exhibition on digital China construction in Fuzhou, SE China's Fujian Province, May 6, 2019. [Xinhua/Lin Shanchuan] People view a model about comprehensive management of smart city during an achievement exhibition on digital China construction in Fuzhou, SE China's Fujian Province, May 6, 2019. [Xinhua/Lin Shanchuan] Photo taken on May 6, 2019 shows intelligent vehicles at the second Digital China Summit in Fuzhou, SE China's Fujian Province. [Xinhua/Lin Shanchuan] A staff member tries a Cloud VR product at the second Digital China Summit in Fuzhou, SE China's Fujian Province, on May 6, 2019. [Xinhua/Wei Peiquan] Photo taken on May 5, 2019 shows a driverless sweeper and an unmanned logistic vehicle during an achievement exhibition on digital China construction in Fuzhou, SE China's Fujian Province. [Xinhua/Lin Shanchuan] Deliveryman Ding Hong (R) checks the order form of customer at a restaurant in Yueyang, Central China's Hunan Province, Feb. 4, 2019. [Xinhua/Xue Yuge] A man views the screen of a big data analysis system at a citizen service center in Yumen, NW China's Gansu Province, Aug. 17, 2018. [Xinhua/Fan Peishen] Gao Fu (L), director general of Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and Yan Nieng (R), Shirley M. Tilghman Professor of Molecular Biology at Princeton University. [CGTN] The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) on Tuesday, elected two Chinese scientists as foreign associates "in recognition of their distinguished and continuing achievements in original research". The two scientists are Gao Fu and Yan Nieng. This recognition is considered one of the highest honors a scientist or engineer can receive in the U.S. Gao is the director general of Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), dean of medical school of University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, and vice president of National Natural Science Foundation of China. His research interests include the molecular mechanism of interspecies transmission of pathogens, molecular virology, and molecular immunology. Gao received his bachelor's degree from Shanxi Agricultural University in 1983 and Ph.D. degree from University of Oxford in 2004. He was working at University of Oxford as a lecturer and doctoral supervisor from 2001 to 2004 and went back to China as director of Institute of Microbiology of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) until 2008. Gao started his career at China CDC in 2011 as deputy director and became director general in 2017. Yan is a structural biologist and the Shirley M. Tilghman Professor of Molecular Biology at Princeton University. Born in 1977 in East China's Shandong Province, Yan received her bachelor's degree from China's Tsinghua University and went on to finish her Ph.D. degree at Princeton University in 2004. In 2007, Yan returned to China and started working at Tsinghua University when she was 30 as the director of the Department of Biology. She became the youngest professor and Ph.D. advisor at Tsinghua, one of the top universities in China. Among the 100 new members and 25 foreign associates, forty percent are women the most ever elected in any year to date. There are currently 2,347 active members and 487 foreign associates at NAS in total. (Source: CGTN) Kang Yu (L), a graduate of Renmin University of China, teaches students to write poetry at a middle school in Mangshui Township, Baoshan City, Yunnan Province. [For China Daily ] "I am a selfish child. I hope the sunshine lies only upon me, so I can feel its warmth. I am a selfish child. I hope there is a corner of the world that can comfort me when I am sad. I am a selfish child. I hope my mom belongs only to me, so I can enjoy the sweetness of love." That poem was written by a middle school student in a remote mountainous town in Yunnan Province during her first poetry class. It laments her mother, who died when the girl was 5. Kang Yu, the teacher who taught the girl how to write the poem, graduated from Renmin University of China in Beijing in 2015. One month before her graduation, Kang, now 26, decided to move to Mangshui Township, in Yunnan's Baoshan City, and work as a teacher at a middle school. In doing so, she went against the wishes of her parents, as she had already enrolled for a master's degree at the university. Her decision was based on a desire to provide better educational opportunities that would allow the students to leave the township and see the outside world. However, a large number of the students did not want to study. Many were "left-behind" children, whose parents lived in large cities as migrant workers and had left their offspring in the care of their grandparents. The children often skipped school, fought each other and played video games. To help the less-disciplined students, Kang organized an after-school study group to allow them to catch up with their peers. However, the students did not appreciate their "over-caring" new teacher. "My own parents do not care about me, the other teachers do not care about me; who are you to tell me what to do?" one student asked Kang. One day in autumn 2015, Kang was teaching a calligraphy class when it began to rain. All the students looked outside with great interest, so Kang decided to let them write poems about the rain and the sky. One wrote: "When I was little, I would ask my grandma what the stars were. She would tell me that people become stars when they die. Now, my grandparents have become the brightest stars in the sky. And I often look at the starry sky, silently, waiting for the stars to talk to me." Kang said, "Compared with urban students, perhaps students in rural areas need a way to express their feelings and be heard more." In response, whenever it rained, she allowed the students to write poems. Supported by the principal and other teachers, the school held eight poetry classes for students every year, two per season. As the classes grew in popularity, Kang became the school's favorite teacher. Every day, she brought a box to school so the students could write their problems on slips of paper, which they put in the box. Every night, Kang opened the box and tried to find ways to deal with the problems in conjunction with the students. She received more than 2,000 slips in her two years at the school, and became close friends with many of the students. In 2017, she finished her two-year teaching engagement at the school and returned to Beijing with the intention of studying overseas. In China, Teachers' Day falls annually on Sept 10. On that date in 2017, Kang received a big box full of poems and letters written by students at her old school. One read: "I want to make a wish. I hope more children can find out who they are by writing poems, just like I did." Kang said: "It made me realize the significance of writing poems to the students. I am the one who cannot leave them, rather than the other way round." She abandoned her plans to study overseas. Instead, she founded Enlighten our Future, a charity that teaches rural students how to write poems. In less than two years, the organization has provided poetry classes for more than 50,000 students at 609 primary and middle schools in Yunnan, Shandong and Henan Provinces. "Now, I go to several cities every week, trying to help more rural students learn how to write poetry. I sleep less than six hours a night and the job provides no vacations and little pay, but the happiness and satisfaction I feel is rewarding enough," Kang said. Developers behind Henblas Square developments launch appeal over planning committee decision This article is old - Published: Tuesday, May 7th, 2019 The applicants behind the redevelopment of Henblas Square have launched a bid to overturn a decision made by councillors last month. In an appeal submitted to the Welsh Government on behalf of The Mandale Group, the planning committee is described as having acted unreasonably after refusing a request by the developers to reduce its contribution towards affordable housing. Planning permission to convert the first floor of the Henblas Square development into 53 apartments had been approved in November 2018, despite concerns from some councillors about the lack of parking for future residents. At the time it was agreed that The Mandale Group provided a sum of around 300,000 towards the cost of affordable housing elsewhere in the county borough. However the company had been accused of greed at a planning committee meeting after it attempted to reduce the sum to just under 29,000. A revised viability appraisal put forward by the company showed a profit of just over 250,000 if the changes were allowed. But last month the application from the group was rejected by committee members, with some raising strong objections after questioning the figures put before them. Now in the appeal submitted on behalf of the company by ELG Planning, it is noted that the company will be seeking full award of the costs against the decision of Wrexham County Borough Council as the Local Planning Authority [LPA]) on the grounds of unreasonable behaviour, which has caused the appellant to incur unnecessary expense in the appeal process. In a letter to the planning inspectorate, ELG Planning state that the decision to refuse the application against the recommendation of Officers was entirely unfounded and, crucially, not based on any evidence. ELG Planning, add: In refusing the application for the stated reason, the council have not only gone against the recommendation of their officers, they have done so without any reasoned justification. At the committee meeting on 1st February, certain figures within the viability appraisal were questioned by member, and in response the appellant clarified and updated the viability appraisal accordingly, providing the necessary evidence where appropriate. Despite this, the council seemingly chose not to accept the evidence provided, even though they had no evidence of their own to dispute this. This lack of council evidence (to dispute evidence provided by the appellant) was something that was specifically highlighted by the lead planner during the meeting, and again, the council simply chose to ignore their officers. It should also be noted that during the 1st April Committee meeting the appellant offered to have the viability appraisal assessed independently at their expense, proposing that the application be deferred while this was carried out. The council, despite the aforementioned lack of evidence, declined the appellants offer and refused the application. On this occasion with a projected profit of just 8% (254,294) it is clear that the appellant was fully entitled to submit a viability appraisal (as was also the case when the original viability appraisal was submitted, as this still only projected a 16% profit even when there was no affordable housing contribution). The appellant contends that the behaviour of the council has been totally unreasonable on this occasion, and as a direct result has incurred unnecessary costs associated with instructing their professional consultants to address this issue thoroughly as part of the appeal. A decision will be made by the planning inspectorate at a later date. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-06 23:42:52|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close MADRID, May 6 (Xinhua) -- Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez opened talks on Monday with leaders of the country's main political parties in an attempt to form a government in the wake of his Socialist Party's (PSOE) victory in the April 28 general election. Sanchez met Pablo Casado, leader of the right-wing People's Party (PP), at his official residence in the Palacio de la Moncloa on the outskirts of Madrid. Government sources told the Spanish national TV network RTVE that the meeting had been "cordial, affable and fluid," and that it was "a first contact aimed at having a normal relationship and that is what it achieved." After the meeting, Casado (whose party won 66 seats in the election) told the press that he would not aid Sanchez's investiture as prime minister. "I have a first impression that we are going to have a legislature with a weak government that will have a strong but firm and responsible opposition in the PP," he said. Sanchez is scheduled to meet with Albert Rivera, leader of the center-right Ciudadanos party, on Tuesday and then with Pablo Iglesias, leader of the left-wing Unidas Podemos party. The prime minister has not invited the extreme right-wing Vox party, which won 24 seats in the election, to talks. Although the PSOE won the general election, the party's 123 seats in the 350-seat Congress of Deputies leaves Sanchez well short of the 176 seats needed for an overall majority. Sanchez's options of forming a government appear to be to either reach an agreement with Ciudadanos --although Ribera had previously stated he will not support Sanchez in power -- or conclude a deal with the left-wing Unidas Podemos, whose leader, Iglesias, has made it clear that he is willing to form a leftist government coalition. However, the fact that Unidas Podemos won just 42 seats in the election would still leave Sanchez looking for further support among the smaller parties, such as the Basque Nationalist Party, to be able to govern. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-07 00:28:25|Editor: yan Video Player Close NAIROBI, May 6 (Xinhua) -- Kenya will adopt innovative financing models to revitalize tertiary education that is key to realization of the country's growth and transformation agenda, a government official said on Monday. George Magoha, cabinet secretary for education, said the government will reach out to industry, foundations and fund managers to help bridge a financing gap that has undermined learning and research in colleges and universities. "The country has seen an exponential growth in the number of tertiary institutions but underfunding has affected quality of teaching and research needed to achieve industrial growth," said Magoha. Magoha spoke during a forum to review the status of higher education in Kenya organized by the Kenyan government in partnership with the World Bank. Senior policymakers, representatives of donors and scholars attending the two-day forum agreed that Kenya required a paradigm shift to realize financial sustainability of tertiary institutions. Magoha said the government has enacted robust policy and regulatory incentives to attract funding from the private sector and upgrade institutions of higher learning. "We intend to promote domestic resource mobilization to ensure our universities and colleges are modernized and well equipped to handle cutting-edge research," said Magoha. He said that Kenya will borrow international best practices to strengthen academia industry linkages in order to address skills gap that is to blame for rampant youth unemployment. Kenya's 74 public and private universities continue to experience high enrollment rates driven by rising incomes and quest for 21st century skills among the country's youth. Experts said that smart investments are required to expand physical infrastructure and boost transition from high school to universities. "Kenya's tertiary institutions should tap into non-traditional funding models like reaching out to alumni and listed companies to modernize infrastructure that support training and research," said Jamil Samil, a former World Bank tertiary education coordinator. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-07 01:19:12|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close A fighter from forces of the UN-backed Libyan government is seen in Salah Al-Din frontline, Tripoli, Libya, on May 6, 2019. A total of 432 people have been killed and 2,069 others injured in the fighting between the UN-backed Libyan government and the east-based army in and around the capital Tripoli, the World Health Organization (WHO) said Monday. (Xinhua/Amru Salahuddien) TRIPOLI, May 6 (Xinhua) -- A total of 432 people have been killed and 2,069 others injured in the fighting between the UN-backed Libyan government and the east-based army in and around the capital Tripoli, the World Health Organization (WHO) said Monday. "Since the armed conflict in Tripoli, Libya began, 432 people have died, 2,069 people have been wounded, and more than 50,000 have had to flee their homes," WHO tweeted. "Every day of violence means more people killed, injured, or displaced," WHO added. The east-based army, led by Khalifa Haftar, has been leading a military campaign since early April to take over Tripoli, where the UN-backed government is based. During a cabinet meeting last Thursday, Libyan Prime Minister Fayez Serraj said there will be no cease-fire until the rival army forces "return to where they came from." Libya has been struggling to make a democratic transition amid chaos since the fall of former leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-07 02:44:47|Editor: yan Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, May 6 (Xinhua) -- "What they need is lifting the blockade," said Permanent Observer of Palestine to the United Nations Riyad Mansour on Monday while talking about civilians' life in Gaza Strip. In a press conference at the UN headquarters, Mansour condemned Israel's recent surge of violence against the Palestinian people in Gaza Strip. "We are totally against harming any innocent civilians from any side, regardless of the justification," he said. A ceasefire deal, mediated by Egypt, has been reached between Israel and Palestinian resistance factions in Gaza and came into effect early on Monday, putting an end to the recent surge of violence that left at least 27 Palestinians killed, including four children. The ceasefire agreement includes cessation of Israeli onslaught on Gaza and easing the Israeli blockade on the strip, including opening the border crossings and stopping targeting Gaza fishermen, farmers and protesters. "We sincerely hope that this ceasefire to hold," said Mansour, adding that the need of people in Gaza is "to live as normally as possible", as well as protections. Those people's miseries are "beyond imagination", said the Palestinian envoy. "When you are in a situation like this, anything could spark a confrontation," he added. The root cause of the confrontation is the blockade and occupation, said Mansour, noting that Palestinian civilians are suffering immensely in this huge man-made prison, and he called for an end to it. Gaza Strip has been put under a severe blockade since 2007. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-07 02:55:01|Editor: yan Video Player Close KIGALI, May 6 (Xinhua) -- Rwanda on Monday joined the 5th United Nations Global Road Safety Week as Rwanda National Police launched a road safety week in the capital city of Kigali. During the week, traffic officers will be sensitizing motorists and other road users, including cyclists and pedestrians, about road safety issues such as avoiding speeding and drunk driving, as well as the use of seat belts, according to the police. The event was launched with a march for road safety which attracted different categories of road users. Road accidents in Rwanda claimed the lives of at least 465 people while 654 were injured in 2018, Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Operations Felix Namuhoranye told the marchers. Most road accidents are preventable, and bribes given to traffic officers play a big role in causing road accidents, Namuhoranye said. A total of 77 traffic officers were dismissed from the police over corruption last year, while about 160 motorists were jailed over bribery of traffic officers, according to him. Up to 80 percent of road accidents in Rwanda are caused by human behaviors, Jean de Dieu Uwihanganye, minister of state in charge of transport in the Ministry of Infrastructure, told the marchers. After the road safety week, the Rwandan police will embark on a 52-week sustainable campaign to raise more awareness on road safety, said Uwihanganye. The 5th United Nations Global Road Safety Week from May 6-12 goes with the theme of "Leadership for Road safety." Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-07 03:00:05|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close MOSCOW, May 6 (Xinhua) -- Moscow opposes a military solution to the Venezuelan crisis, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Monday, following talks with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in the Finnish city of Rovaniemi. "We are categorically against a military action in violation of international law anywhere. The use of force can only be authorized by the UN Security Council, or it can be used in response to aggression against a sovereign state," Lavrov told reporters. "In Venezuela, nothing like this is observed in any variants. From my contacts with U.S., European and Latin American counterparts, I do not see supporters of a reckless military solution," he said, according to a Russian Foreign Ministry press release. Lavrov said he hopes that this understanding, shared by everyone including U.S. diplomats, will be turned into a practical policy as a military action will be "catastrophic." According to him, Russian President Vladimir Putin and his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump have agreed to meet again when they have such an opportunity. As for his meeting with Pompeo, Lavrov called it "very good, constructive." Lavrov said he and Pompeo discussed strategic stability as well as issues on the current agenda of the UN and in general concerning international relations. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-07 05:51:43|Editor: yan Video Player Close ISTANBUL, May 6 (Xinhua) -- Ekrem Imamoglu, the newly elected mayor of Turkey's biggest city Istanbul, said Monday night that it is now time to raise voices against "all kinds of injustices" in the country within the framework of democratic principles, as the Supreme Election Council (YSK) ruled for fresh mayoral election in the economic hub. "I ask everyone, including workers, artists, civil servants and business people to raise their voices against violations of rights," Imamoglu told a crowd in the Beylikduzu district of Istanbul hours after the YSK decided to annual the result of the March 31 local election and re-run it in the city upon the objections of the ruling party over what it calls "irregularities" during the votes. The crowd interrupted Imamoglu's speech, demanding the YSK members to resign. The YSK decided to reorganize the election on June 23 and canceled the mandate of Imamoglu, who was certified as the mayor of Istanbul on April 17, the board said in a written statement. For his part, Binali Yildirim, the candidate for the ruling Justice and Development Party, urged people to go to polls again, saying Turkey is a state of law and "the YSK is the boss." Meanwhile, residents banged pots and pans and blew whistles across the city to show their displeasure, while others took to the streets in the Kadikoy and Besiktas districts to protest against the YSK verdict. Imamoglu, the candidate for the main opposition Republican People's Party, won a narrow victory against Yildirim in the previous election, marking the first time for the ruling party to lose control of the city in 25 years. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-07 05:56:45|Editor: yan Video Player Close ROVANIEMI, Finland, May 6 (Xinhua) -- The needs of indigenous communities living in the Arctic area and the services offered by national meteorological organizations were discussed at an Arctic Council seminar here on Monday. Besides hearing and giving examples of the latest weather changes around the Arctic area, the meeting focused on the needs of the inhabitants of northern areas as customers of weather services. To assist them in coping with the climate, inhabitants would need more clearly "impact oriented" forecasts, telling what the practical repercussions would be for livelihoods. BETTER WEATHER SERVICES NEEDED Opening the event, Petteri Taalas, Secretary General of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), said there are now indications that the Arctic area is warming at a higher speed than thought. So far the view has been that the Arctic area is warming twice as fast as the rest of the globe, but now some say it would be warming four times faster. Several speakers from the indigenous groups underlined that better weather services would be needed. Sergei Anatolievich Sizonenko, vice chairman of Russia's RAIPON Business Council, said the local producers need more information as winters are getting shorter and fish migrates earlier. But he also said that locals themselves may actually be the first to notice a change, and scientists only discover it later. Louis Uccellini, Assistant Administrator for Weather Services at the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, concluded that weather related risk assessments by local people in the Arctic areas have changed. "The traditional weather forecasts do not work." He said the indigenous people have been impacted profoundly, and a dialogue for mutual benefit will be needed, learning from each other. Aleksander Klepikov, Deputy Director of the Russian Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute, said the event demonstrated that more has to be done to help local people adapt. Eeva-Liisa Rasmus-Moilanen, Director of the Sami Education Center, told the gathering that this spring the Teno river, in northern Lapland, had lost its ice cover a month before the usual time. She also said that changes have been noticed in the behaviour of reindeer. FINLAND'S CROWNSOURCING INFO SYSTEM The Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI) introduced at the meeting a crowdsourcing-based mobile application for transmitting weather information. The system could be used anywhere where there is access to a mobile phone network. Users can report whether there is precipitation, what the temperature or wind is like, for example. Juhana Hyrkkanen, head of the Observation Services at the FMI, told Xinhua that people can send the weather info anonymously. The system forms a random based device ID only. "This is a tool for the mass audience and does not replace weather observation stations." The Finnish service cannot verify if what is sent in is true and correct. "But the crowdsourcing system will ensure that false information would be eliminated," Hyrkkanen said. Hyrkkanen said the Finnish application is not totally unique. Meteo France has introduced earlier a service which is fairly similar. He also noted that Norwegians have been active in using the services of weather hobbyists. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-07 06:52:08|Editor: Xiaoxia Video Player Close United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (R, Front) and African Union (AU) Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat (L, Front) attend a joint press conference at the UN headquarters in New York, on May 6, 2019. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and African Union (AU) Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat on Monday welcomed the strong cooperation and collaboration between the two organizations. (Xinhua) UNITED NATIONS, May 6 (Xinhua) -- United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and African Union (AU) Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat on Monday welcomed the strong cooperation and collaboration between the two organizations. The two leaders welcomed particularly the cooperation in the implementation of both the "UN-AU Joint Framework for Enhanced Partnership in Peace and Security" and the "AU-UN Framework for the Implementation of Agenda 2063 and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development," according to a joint communique issued after the Third African Union-United Nations Annual Conference, held at the UN headquarters in New York. They expressed their commitment to continue to deepen the strategic partnership between the two organizations "in addressing peace and security issues and achieving sustainable development issues" in Africa through a more integrated approach. "Continued collaboration for the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area and other related instruments, including the Free Movement Protocol and the Single African Air Transport Market, was discussed, notably in view of their significant potential to boost regional integration, strengthen inclusive economic growth, generate jobs for young Africans, alleviate poverty and lead to more stable and peaceful societies," said the joint communique. They emphasized the importance of taking decisive and immediate action on climate change, and underlined the urgency of the issue and the need for a significant boost in political will, it said. The two leaders called for robust action by the international community "to address the root causes of crises, and alleviate the humanitarian crises and risks, as well as to strengthen resilience in vulnerable communities." The two agreed to convene the Fourth AU-UN Annual Conference in Addis Ababa in 2020. They also agreed to meet on the margins of the UN General Assembly and AU Summit to take stock of progress in the partnership between the two organizations. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-07 08:28:24|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close Michael Cohen, U.S. President Donald Trump's former long-term personal attorney, speaks to the press outside his Manhattan apartment before reporting to prison in New York, the United States, May 6, 2019. Michael Cohen began his three-year prison sentence on Monday after pleading guilty in December 2018 to a series of crimes, including campaign finance violations, tax evasion and lying to Congress. (Xinhua/Li Muzi) Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-07 07:47:17|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close HOUSTON, May 6 (Xinhua) -- China's Qingdao city in Shandong Province signed a cooperation agreement on Sunday with a U.S. medical service provider, aiming at improving healthcare in the coastal city. Hua Zhang, director of health commission of Qingdao, said the cooperation agreement, signed with U.S. MORE Health company, will help Qingdao improve its medical service. "MORE Health will help us make connections with resources of Texas Medical Center (TMC), including people exchange and training. Just like other places in China, Qingdao city government is paying efforts to upgrade healthcare service." Based in Silicon Valley, California, telemedicine service provider MORE Health has entered the Chinese market and worked with Chinese healthcare providers to reach a growing number of patients and to provide shot-term training by introducing U.S. medical experts to China. Fredrick Hagemeister, senior advisor of MORE Health, told Xinhua that he is looking forward to seeing the cooperation and collaboration, which helps bring specialized care to more people. Hagemeister is also an oncologist in Houston, U.S. state of Texas, and is affiliated with University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. "We have access to certain technologies that we want to share with other people so that we can increase the number of patients who have care for cancer in the whole world," he said. "Developing newer therapies and newer relationships through whatever means possible is very valuable and important." Qingdao is a major seaport in eastern China. The Tsingtao Brewery, the second largest brewery in China, is in the city. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-07 08:32:25|Editor: Xiang Bo Video Player Close ISLAMABAD, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Monday that Chinese companies are playing an important role in the countrys economy by contributing in revenue and creating job opportunities. The prime minister expressed the views during a briefing to senior media persons of the country at the prime minister office in Islamabad, saying that the Chinese companies are providing thousands of new jobs to locals by establishing new industries and making investments in different sectors. He briefed his recent visit to a factory of the Chinese automobile company Forland in the eastern city of Lahore and said the company has employed 8,000 workers directly and has been creating indirect jobs for 40,000 others. The prime minister said foreign investment especially from China would bring the country out of economic difficulties and the government is trying its best to facilitate investors by promoting ease of doing business culture. He also told the reporters that his government is in talks with the Chinese side to seek help in the agricultural sector. During the last couple of decades, China has successfully increased per hector yield by three times. Now, we want them to help us by transferring their technology and expertise to Pakistan, said the prime minister, if we succeed in at least doubling our yield, it will revolutionize our economy as well as ensure food security. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-07 08:47:32|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close MANILA, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Philippine police said on Tuesday morning that a head-on collision between a passenger bus and a 10-wheeler cargo truck has killed three and injured 73 others. Police said the accident occurred Monday night on a highway in Atimonan town in Quezon province. The driver of the truck, his helper and a passenger in the bus were killed at the scene. Police said the bus was traveling to the Bicol region, south of Manila, while the truck was headed for Manila. Initial investigation showed that the bus driver tried to overtake several vehicles in the two-lane highway when it collided with the oncoming truck. The injured were taken to nearby hospitals, police said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-07 09:37:54|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close WASHINGTON, May 6 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan said Monday that the deployment of U.S. military assets was to counter a "credible threat" from Iran. The deployment of a U.S. aircraft carrier strike group and a bomber task force to the U.S. Central Command region of responsibility represented "a prudent repositioning of assets in response to indications of a credible threat by Iranian regime forces," Shanahan tweeted Monday. "We call on the Iranian regime to cease all provocation," the acting Pentagon chief noted, adding "we will hold the Iranian regime accountable for any attack on U.S. forces or our interests." U.S. National Security Advisor John Bolton said late Sunday that his country is deploying a carrier strike group and a bomber task force to the Middle East, aiming "to send a clear and unmistakable message to the Iranian regime that any attack on United States interests or on those of our allies will be met with unrelenting force." The New York Times on Monday cited senior U.S. officials that new threats by Iran against U.S. troops in Iraq were behind the sudden deployment of an aircraft carrier strike group and Air Force bombers to the Persian Gulf. Following the exit from the Iran nuclear deal in May last year, the U.S. government has kept piling up pressure on Iran through a series of sanctions. On April 22, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that the 180-day U.S. waivers for major importers of Iran's oil formally expired on May 2, which aggravates the impacts of tough pressures on Iran. Iranian semi-official Fars news agency reported on Monday that Tehran would soon announce a set of retaliatory measures in response to the U.S. withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal and re-imposition of sanctions against Iran. Tensions between Tehran and Washington has flared up in recent months, following U.S. decisions to designate Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) a "foreign terrorist organization" and to reimpose sanctions on Iran. In response to the U.S. moves, the Iranian parliament also passed a bill blacklisting the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces in West Asia as a "terrorist group," pledging to fight back any provocation by Washington. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-07 10:18:26|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close NICOSIA, May 6 (Xinhua) -- Recent discovery of natural gas in Cyprus paved the way for its further cooperation with China, a Cypriot official said Monday. Resource discoveries brought opportunities for international cooperation, including infrastructure constructions for gas exploration and exports of oil and gas, as well as the country's major shipping business, Cyprus's Deputy Minister of Shipping Natasa Pilides told Xinhua. Cyprus announced in March that a natural gas field containing 5-8 trillion cubic feet of the resource are found in its exclusive economic zone. With discovery of natural gas in Cyprus and nearby regions, energy reserves in the Eastern Mediterranean is positively influencing the shipping industry, Pilides said, adding that the region may become a large energy base given the prospects of further discovery in Greece and Lebanon. As an industrial report released last month by the Shanghai Urban and Rural Construction and Transportation Development Research Institute suggested China's Shanghai has overtaken Germany's Hamburg in 2018 as an international shipping center ranking fourth globally, the deputy minister said that "Cyprus does wish to collaborate (with China) more closely in the coming years ... and promote the already strong relations between the two countries," she added. "We already have a great relationship with Chinese companies, including leasing companies, finance companies, whereas our own companies are collaborating with them and are actively taking part in trading operations," she said. Pilides said that she will attend a shipping meeting in China later this month, regarding the event as an opportunity to build relationship with potential partners. "I believe it is important for the government to express the willingness to expand our cooperation ... and I hope we'll find a lot of common grounds and develop the existing relationship even further," she said. Relations between China and Cyprus have been expanding rapidly over the last decade. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-07 10:18:30|Editor: Liu Video Player Close RIO DE JANEIRO, May 6 (Xinhua) -- Brazilian midfielder Thiago Mendes could leave French club Lille in the summer to join Atletico Madrid, according to media reports in his homeland. Atletico face competition for the 27-year-old's signature from several European rivals, including Chelsea and Everton, Globo Esporte said on Monday. The newspaper added that the Spanish club is prepared to pay 25 million euros (28 million US dollars) to prise the playmaker away from France. Mendes has made 57 first-team appearances for Lille since joining the club from Sao Paulo in July 2017. He has started in all but one of Lille's 35 Ligue 1 matches this campaign as the club seeks to return to the Champions League next season. His current contract expires in June 2022. A victory at home against Bordeaux on Sunday would guarantee Lille a berth in the group stage of the 2019-20 Champions League. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-07 11:08:57|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close HAVANA, May 6 (Xinhua) -- Spain will continue to invest in Cuba despite the uncertainty and concern raised by the recent activation of Title III of the Helms-Burton Act by the United States against the island nation, visiting Spanish Trade Minister Reys Maroto said here. The minister reaffirmed the Spanish stance over the issue at a gathering of more than 130 representatives of Spanish companies in Cuba. The controversial act, enacted four days ago by Washington, allows U.S. citizens to establish lawsuits against foreign companies operating in Cuba on nationalized properties after 1959. "The meeting encourages us to continue working to strengthen trade and investment ties with Cuba. There are key investments Spanish companies can make in strategic areas for the modernization of the country such as renewable energies, transport, infrastructure and auto," she said. In a press conference held after the meeting, Maroto also affirmed that Madrid's message to its investors in the Caribbean nation is based on "commitment," "responsibility" and "loyalty" to Havana and its business community. "We are going to analyze all the recommendations from now on, both by our government and within the framework of the European Commission," she insisted. Maroto said Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez will seek to mediate with the Trump administration to solve this issue and prevent "any kind of commercial war." Implementing Title III of the 1996 Helms-Burton Act, which had been suspended by every U.S. president since Bill Clinton, aims to dash foreign investment in the island and further strengthen the nearly six-decade-old economic embargo, according to observers. Also, it would unleash thousands of claims over major properties like factories, industries, tourism infrastructure, government buildings and even houses where ordinary Cubans live today. "We will stand by our investments in Cuba and it could be years of litigation to make any decision," she said. Among Spanish firms that could receive claims are Melia, Iberostar and Barcelo which operate more than 60 hotels owned by the Cuban government. She highlighted the first Spanish investment fund of 40 million euros (about 45.6 million U.S. dollars) signed between the two countries last November during Sanchez's visit. Maroto announced a second fund of 375 million euros (about 420 million dollars) to finance the island's local currency priority development projects linked to the interests of Spanish companies. Spain is Cuba's third largest trading partner. According to official figures, Spain's exports to the island grew 5 percent in 2018 to around 900 million euros (about 1 billion dollars). Madrid is Havana's main European partner with a market share close to 40 percent. This new investment fund announced Monday by Maroto is a fresh shot of vitality for Spanish businesses in Cuba, which is mired in tensions with Washington. "Different sectors can contribute to Cuba's development with new investments, others can further develop ongoing projects and new companies have an enormous interest in this market," Inmaculada Riera, director of Spain's Chamber of Commerce, told Xinhua. Spanish companies in such areas as tourism, agriculture and food processing, infrastructure, construction, energy were present at the meeting. "This commitment goes beyond the Helms-Burton Act. The European Commission has a lot to say about this situation and Spain is leading a very strong and firm position of support for its companies," said Riera. The decision by the Trump administration to fully implement Title III was met with wide opposition from the European Union and Canada, whose companies have invested billions of dollars in Cuba. Brussels considers the move to be "contrary to international law" and said it would respond. U.S.-Cuban relations have plummeted since Donald Trump took office, partially after he decided to roll back the detente initiated by his predecessor Barack Obama. The two sides still maintain their diplomatic ties re-established in July 2015 under Obama. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-07 11:19:07|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close WASHINGTON, May 6 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov discussed the issue of Venezuela in Finland, the U.S. State Department said on Monday. The two had a meeting on Monday during the 11th Ministerial Meeting of the Arctic Council, which was held in Rovaniemi, Finland. Pompeo told the traveling press that his meeting with Lavrov covered a wide range of issues, calling it "a good conversation," according to a press release issued by the State Department. Pompeo revealed that he made clear to Lavrov that Venezuelans should not have "any foreign party running their country or involved in their country on a consistent basis in a military way." "We want the Cubans out ... Russia's military out," Pompeo said, adding Washington and Moscow would have further conversations. For his part, Lavrov said that Moscow opposed a military solution to the Venezuelan crisis. "We are categorically against a military action in violation of international law anywhere. The use of force can only be authorized by the UN Security Council, or it can be used in response to aggression against a sovereign state," Lavrov was quoted a Russian Foreign Ministry press release as telling reporters after his meeting with Pompeo. The United States and Russia have been at odds over Venezuela. Washington repeatedly urged Moscow to cease its support to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro while Russia stressed that Washington's interference in the internal affairs of a sovereign state and threat against its leadership is a gross violation of international law. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-07 11:24:14|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close BEIJING, May 7 (Xinhua) -- The presence of eight international students, who work as public aid volunteers at a major tourist spot in Hangzhou, capital of east China's Zhejiang Province, has caught the attention of tourists during the recent May Day holiday. The eight are the first international volunteer team serving at the West Lake, a famous spot listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2011, according to China Daily. All wearing yellow vests and Bluetooth headsets, and riding electric scooters, these foreign volunteers help with providing touristic information, as well as safeguarding the historic sites. Selected from more than 50 candidates for the volunteer program, Bela Nitesh Parmar from India, said that by helping other, she can also earn confidence and positive energy. Millions of domestic travelers paid visit to the West Lake during the recent holiday, making it one of the most popular tourist spots in China, along with the Great Wall and the Forbidden city, according to China Daily. The foreign volunteers come from different countries, including India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Ethiopia and Yemen. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-07 12:49:54|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close CARACAS, May 6 (Xinhua) -- At least five people were killed and around 233 people arrested after the April 30 coup attempt in Venezuela, Venezuela's prosecutor general Tarek William Saab said Monday. In an interview with local television, Saab said that the coup was carried out through a call by opposition leaders Leopoldo Lopez and Juan Guaido, backed by renegade soldiers. The Public Prosecutor's Office has so far issued 18 arrest warrants and some are against military officials, the prosecutor general said. "What happened on April 30 was an open call for a coup d'etat, to topple a legitimately established government, to bathe a country in blood, violating human rights," he said. The prosecutor general said that among the soldiers who participated in the attempted coup was the former head of the detachment of the Bolivarian National Guard in the Federal Legislative Palace, Ilich Sanchez Farias. Investigating authorities have determined that Sanchez Farias tricked his troops, calling for "a routine operation, and he took them to the Altamira Distribuidor Road in Caracas, where they met with Guaido and Leopoldo Lopez," he added. Saab considered the reactions of some governments against the attempted military coup to be positive, saying that this "means that peace is winning, we're going to have a dialogue." Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-07 12:59:59|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, May 6 (Xinhua) -- United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was alarmed by reports of aerial attacks on population centers in Syria, said a statement issued Monday by his spokesman. "The secretary-general is following with great concern the intensifying hostilities in the de-escalation area of northwestern Syria involving Syrian government forces and their allies, armed opposition forces, and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. He is alarmed by reports of aerial attacks on population centers and civilian infrastructure resulting in hundreds of civilian dead and injured and over 150,000 newly displaced persons," the statement said. On May 5, three health facilities were reportedly hit by airstrikes, bringing the total of such attacked medical venues to at least seven since April 28. Nine schools have reportedly been hit since April 30, and schools in many areas have been closed until further notice. The secretary-general urged all parties to uphold international humanitarian law and protect civilians. "He calls for an urgent de-escalation of the situation as the holy month of Ramadan begins and urges the parties to recommit fully to the ceasefire arrangements of the memorandum signed on Sept. 17, 2018." "He urges the Astana guarantors to ensure that this takes place," the statement added. The Astana process was launched by Russia, Iran and Turkey in the Kazakh capital of Astana in January 2017 to bring all warring parties in the Syrian conflict to the table to find a political solution as a complementary part of the UN-sponsored peace talks in Geneva. The most significant outcome was the establishment of four de-escalation zones in Syria. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-07 13:15:04|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close PUL-E-KHUMRI, Afghanistan, May 7 (Xinhua) -- At least 13 Taliban militants were killed after Afghan national army conducted a special operation in northern province of Baghlan overnight in the latest raid against the insurgents, a military source said Tuesday. "The raid was launched by army's Special Operations Forces in Dand-e-Ghori, an area on outskirts of provincial capital Pul-e-Khumri. The security forces received hostile fire during the mission, and they returned fire, killing 13 militants," Abbas Twakuli, a press officer of army Corps 217 Pamir based in the region, told Xinhua. The NATO-led coalition personnel were in an advisory capacity and they did not fire their weapons, he added. There were no casualties on the security forces, the source added. The province has long been the scene of clashes between Taliban militants and security forces. On Sunday, 18 police officers were killed and about 60 police and civilians were injured after seven Taliban suicide bombers and gunmen attacked the provincial police station in Pul-e-Khumri, 160 km north of the country's capital, Kabul. The Afghan security forces, backed by the NATO-led coalition troops, have increased ground and air offensives against militants within the past few months as spring and summer known as the fighting season is drawing near in the country. The militant group has yet to respond to the report. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-07 13:30:11|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close HANOI, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam gained nearly 55.2 million U.S. dollars from exporting tra fish or shark catfish, a common kind of catfish, to other members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in the first quarter of this year, witnessing a year-on-year increase of 18 percent. Specifically, the export turnovers of Vietnamese tra fish shipped to Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand surged by 70.9 percent, 40.6 percent and 6.5 percent, respectively, according to the Vietnam Tra Fish Association on Tuesday. Vietnam has set a target of reaping some 2.4 billion U.S. dollars from exporting tra fish this year, up from nearly 2.3 billion U.S. dollars last year. The country gained 549.4 million U.S. dollars from exporting tra fish to the United States in 2018, up 59.5 percent against 2017, and 243.9 million U.S. dollars from shipping the fish to the European Union, up 20.2 percent. Vietnam's Mekong Delta is striving to regulate tra fish output and improving quality of the fish, partly by preventing unauthorized aquaculture and strictly monitoring the use of chemicals like antibiotics in farming, the association said. 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 Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-07 13:45:19|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close YANGON, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Two Reuters journalists, who were arrested for illegally obtaining and possessing government documents in December 2017, were released as part of the Myanmar presidential amnesty to 6,520 prisoners on Tuesday, according to the President's Office. The two Yangon-based journalists, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo from Reuters, were sentenced to seven years in September 2018 for breaching the Official Secrets Act. They were arrested for possessing important and secret government documents with regard to the Rakhine state and security forces and intending to send them to the foreign news agency. Meanwhile, the presidential amnesty has brought the total prisoners released since Myanmar's traditional New Year last month to 23,019. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-07 13:45:23|Editor: Xiang Bo Video Player Close HARBIN, May 7 (Xinhua) -- China and Japan on Tuesday jointly kicked off mobile destruction of chemical weapons abandoned by Japan (Japanese ACWs) during the Second World War in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. Disposal facilities for the destruction work were completed and set up, and Japanese ACWs found in surrounding areas were then transported to the destruction site, according to a Chinese government official. "Since preparation for the mobile destruction work at Harbin began in 2010, China and Japan have reached agreement on issues including the technical approaches, risk assessment, environmental monitoring and contingency plans in nearly 30 rounds of negotiations," the official said. In 2007, leaders of the two countries reached consensus on destroying Japanese ACWs scattered in China with mobile disposal facilities to expedite the process. In accordance with the Chemical Weapons Convention as well as a Memorandum of Understanding inked between the two governments, Japan is responsible for destroying the ACWs and providing all necessary funds, technology, experts, apparatus and other resources, while the Chinese side offers assistance, the official added. Harbin is the fourth city in China to carry out the destruction of Japanese ACWs with mobile facilities, after Nanjing, Shijiazhuang and Wuhan, where stockpiles of chemical weapons left during Japanese invasion have also been found. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-07 13:45:24|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close HANOI, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam's export turnovers of key agricultural products including coffee, rice, cashew nuts and pepper plunged in the first four months of this year, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development said on Tuesday. The country gained nearly 1.1 billion U.S. dollars from exporting 629,000 tons of coffee in the four-month period, plunging 22.6 percent in value and 13.5 percent in volume on-year. Vietnam also raked in 866 million U.S. dollars from selling offshore over 2 million tons of rice, posting a respective decline of 21.7 percent and 7.9 percent. The export turnovers of cashew nuts fell by 16.9 percent on-year to 884 million U.S. dollars while those of pepper decreased by 12 percent to 270 million U.S. dollars. In 2019, Vietnam targets to expand its agricultural product export to over 43 billion U.S. dollars, up from 40 billion U.S. dollars last year. The country was striving to become one of the world top 15 farming powerhouses in the next 10 years, the government said in January. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-07 14:15:36|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close RIO DE JANEIRO, May 6 (Xinhua) -- Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro is considering traveling to the U.S. state of Texas where he may meet with Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings, his spokesperson said Monday, days after he canceled a trip to New York City. Plans for a potential trip by Bolsonaro to Dallas city for an event scheduled for May 14-16 are still being finalized, spokesperson Otavio Rego Barros told a regular press briefing. Bolsonaro had planned to visit New York City to receive a "Person of the Year" award from the Brazil-U.S. Commerce Chamber, but the schedule was deleted after the venue for the ceremony, the New York Museum of Natural History, decided not to host the event because of criticism of his anti-environment remarks. Following the museum's boycott, organizers failed to find any venue, and three major sponsors pulled out of the event. After New York Mayor Bill de Blasio campaigned against the event, the Brazilian government announced that Bolsonaro would not attend the ceremony, saying the situation was "ideologized." According to Barros, the president may receive the award during his trip to Texas, but detailed information has not been confirmed yet. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-07 14:25:44|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close KUNMING, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Thirty-five participants from six Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) countries are attending a week-long training program in Kunming, capital of southwest China's Yunnan Province. The Second Training Program for LMC National Secretariats and Coordination Units was started on Monday. Participants will join a series of activities including lectures, exchanges with officials, group discussions and field trips. Liang Jianjun, counselor of the Asian Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, said at the program's opening ceremony that LMC has developed from the incubation stage to a growth period. "LMC is the baby born out of the wisdom and hard work of our six countries, and will also be our shared endeavor," Liang said. "The '3+5+X' cooperation framework has taken shape." The "3+5+X" mechanism of cooperation refers to the three cooperation pillars of political and security issues, economic and sustainable development, and cultural and people-to-people exchanges; the five key priority areas of connectivity, production capacity, cross-border economic cooperation, water resources, and agriculture and poverty reduction; as well as cooperation in broader areas such as the digital economy, environmental protection, customs and youth. The LMC is a sub-regional cooperation mechanism serving the common needs of the six countries along the Mekong River (the Chinese stretch of which is called the Lancang River), including China, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. During the past three years since the launch of LMC, a set of organizations have been set up, such as the Lancang-Mekong water resources cooperation center, the Lancang-Mekong environmental cooperation center and global center for Mekong River studies. About 300 small and medium-sized cooperation projects and over 20 large infrastructure and industrialization projects have been launched. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-07 14:40:59|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close HOHHOT, May 7 (Xinhua) -- North China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region plans to renovate toilets for 50,000 herdsmen households within this year to improve their living standard, local authorities said. Each household will receive an average of 3,000 yuan (443 U.S. dollars) for rebuilding toilets, according to Feng Renfei, head of provincial housing and urban-rural development department. Since 2015, the regional government has advanced the national "toilet revolution" into rural areas. China has been pressing ahead with "toilet revolution" in rural areas to improve rural residents' living quality. Nationwide, around 64,000 toilets will be built or improved at tourist destinations by 2020. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-07 14:51:02|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close BEIJING, May 7 (Xinhua) -- China has launched exports of second-hand cars, with Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai and Guangdong among the first batch of 10 regions allowed to conduct such trade, according to a statement from the Ministry of Commerce. The second-hand cars export market has huge growth potential, according to the statement issued Monday. The trade was officially kicked off Sunday. Earlier, a guideline was released in late April which required the development of sound inspection and after-sales services for second-hand cars exports. The MOC will work with the Ministry of Public Security and the General Administration of Customs to improve regulations and services to support the sector, the statement said. Industrial data showed that about 13.82 million used cars were traded in China last year, less than half of the new vehicles sold. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-07 15:06:12|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close SEOUL, May 7 (Xinhua) -- South Korea, the United States and Japan will hold the annual trilateral security talks later this week in Seoul, local media reported Tuesday citing South Korean defense ministry. The 11th round of Defense Trilateral Talks (DTT) will be held on Thursday in the headquarters of South Korea's defense ministry in Seoul. The DTT was launched in 2008 to discuss regional security issues, including the nuclear and missile programs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). The meeting will be attended by South Korean Deputy Minister for National Defense Policy Chung Suk-hwan, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Randall Schriver and Takeshi Ishikawa, director general for defense policy of Japan. During the talks, the three sides will discuss the denuclearization of and the settlement of permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula, regional security situations and the trilateral defense cooperation, the ministry said. It would come after the DPRK fired several short-range projectiles Saturday morning into the sea from its east coast city of Wonsan. South Korean defense ministry saw the projectile launches as a live-fire exercise by the DPRK, not a provocation. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-07 15:46:44|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close ULAN BATOR, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Mongolia has launched a national campaign to protect the environment, according to a statement on the website of the country's Environment and Tourism Ministry on Tuesday. The month-long campaign aims to raise public awareness of environmental protection and intensify efforts to protect environment, especially rivers and lakes, the ministry said in the statement. During the national campaign starting on Monday, employees of the government, non-governmental organizations and companies will clean several major rivers and lakes across the country. In addition, the ministry and relevant agencies plan to hold numerous activities, including publicity campaigns on environmental protection and volunteering to plant trees along river banks. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-07 15:51:55|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close CANBERRA, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison has been egged on the campaign trail before the nation's general election on May 18. Morrison was greeting members of the Country Women's Association (CWA) at an event on Tuesday when a protestor walked up behind him and threw an egg, which bounced off Morrison's head without smashing. The protester, who was carrying a carton of eggs, was tackled to the floor by security and has been taken into custody by New South Wales (NSW) Police. An elderly woman, Margaret Baxter, who was knocked over by the protestor, was helped to her feet by Morrison and did not suffer any injuries. "My concern about today's incident in Albury was for the older lady who was knocked off her feet," Morrison said on social media. "I helped her up and gave her a hug." "Our farmers have to put up with these same idiots who are invading their farms and their homes," he said. "We will stand up to thuggery whether it's these cowardly activists who have no respect for anyone, or militant unionists standing over small businesses and their employees on work sites." Asked about the incident at a press conference on Tuesday, Bill Shorten, leader of the opposition Australian Labor Party (ALP), described it as "unacceptable," according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). "Let me be very clear. This is appalling and disgraceful behavior," he said. "In Australia, we have violence-free elections. People are allowed to protest peacefully but anything approaching violence is completely unacceptable. "If this protestor thinks that she will get any sympathy or support from me she couldn't be more wrong. "This is completely unacceptable and the Prime Minister has my complete sympathy and, of course, the lady who got knocked down in the process." It is the second egging incident in Australian politics in months. Fraser Anning, a Queensland senator, was egged by a 17-year-old from Melbourne in March after he linked Muslim immigration to the Christchurch mosque attacks. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-07 15:56:59|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close COLOMBO, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lankan security forces have arrested all those directly linked to the Easter terror explosions on April 21, Acting Police Chief Chandana Wickramaratne said in a special statement here on Tuesday. Wickramaratne said the police had identified all those involved in the terror attacks and many of them had committed suicide when security forces had attempted to arrest them. He said the two bomb experts involved in the terrorist attacks had also been killed and forces had seized all the explosives and bombs which had been stored for future attacks. "We request the public to resume their daily activities without fear. Search operations will continue throughout the island, but all those directly involved in the attacks have been arrested or are dead. The security forces will continue to provide security to all its citizens," the police chief said. He said that tight security would remain in places of worship and security forces were also conducting a program to create awareness about safety and security in all schools. More than 250 people were killed and over 500 injured in the Easter Sunday explosions which targeted three churches and three luxury hotels. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-07 15:57:01|Editor: mingmei Video Player Close BEIJING, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Chinese space experts have strengthened international exchanges in the latest achievements in exploring the moon, Mars, Jupiter, asteroids and the deeper cosmos. While developing the Chang'e-5 and Chang'e-6 lunar probes and China's first Mars probe, China Academy of Space Technology (CAST) is also pushing forward space programs such as the planned unmanned lunar research station, and probing asteroids, Mars, the Jovian system and the edge of the solar system, as well as interplanetary exploration, said experts from CAST. They were speaking to more than 370 experts from both at home and abroad in Beijing at a recent international symposium on lunar and deep space exploration. Deng Zongquan, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and a professor with the Harbin Institute of Technology, introduced many creative ideas at the symposium on designing future probes and rovers for exploring the moon and Mars. The design of the future lunar and Mars rovers could be different from the six-wheeled lunar rovers, Yutu and Yutu-2, already sent onto the moon, Deng said. Four-wheeled and eight-wheeled rovers also have advantages. For instance, the eight-wheeled rover could have a better carrying capacity and be used in building lunar scientific research station, Deng said. Chinese experts are also developing drilling technology and research on ice detection methods on the moon, he said. China recently unveiled its plan to explore an asteroid and a comet, inviting scientists around the world to participate. The mission will involve exploring a near-Earth asteroid, named 2016HO3, and a main-belt comet, named 133P, according to the China National Space Administration. Huang Jiangchuan, a researcher from CAST and chief designer of China's Chang'e-2 probe, said China's first asteroid probe is expected to be launched before 2025. He said the scientific objective of the exploration includes studying the formulation and evolution of the solar system, the role of near-Earth asteroid and main-belt comet impacts on the origin of life, and the solar system small bodies dynamics formation. The target 2016HO3 has a very close relationship with Earth and is called as a "mini moon" or a quasi satellite of the earth, said Huang. "Where is it from? What's its relationship with the earth and moon? Those are questions we want to know," he said. The second detection target of the mission, the comet 133P, probably contains water based on observation on Earth, and the exploration will help study its volatilization mechanism. "We are facing great technological challenges in exploring asteroids and comets due to the little understanding about their detailed features and high uncertainty," he added. "Compared with Japan, Europe and the United States, China is a latecomer in the exploration of asteroids and comets. We need to go faster, and we hope the mission will have multiple goals and can satisfy scientists' curiosity," said Huang. Over the past few years, CAST has been working on the mission design, and key technologies of asteroid exploration through self-funded projects, Huang said. "Due to the technology complexity, vast investment and high risks, CAST is willing to cooperate with other institutes in various ways and jointly conduct international deep space exploration for the benefit of humanity," said Huang. "There are so many small bodies like asteroids and comets in space, but only a few have been detected. The exploration could help us prevent threat from them to the earth, as well as exploit their resources," Huang said. Athena Coustenis, an astrophysicist from the Paris Observatory, said at the symposium that European scientists have a strong interest in collaborating with China on the asteroid exploration mission. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-07 16:02:03|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close CANBERRA, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has admitted Australia's carbon emissions are rising. The admission from the prime minister on Monday night came as a new international report warned 1 million species are at risk of extinction as a result of global warming. "They have lifted," Morrison said when asked about emissions on Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) television. Despite the rise, the prime minister said that Australia remains on track to meet its Kyoto 2020 target, which calls for emissions to be 5 percent lower than 2000 levels, according to The Canberra Times. A different report released in November 2018 warned that Australia is not on track to meet its Paris climate commitment of reducing emissions from 2005 levels by 26-28 percent by 2030 - a finding that was dismissed by Morrison and Environment Minister Melissa Price at the time. Morrison has announced 3.5 billion Australian dollars (2.4 billion U.S. dollars) in funding for climate initiatives on the campaign trail for the May 18 general election but has been outmatched on the issue by Bill Shorten, leader of the Opposition Australian Labor Party (ALP). Shorten has promised to reduce Australia's emissions by 45 percent from 2005 levels by 2030 if elected and has pledged to have 50 percent of the nation's electricity come from renewable sources. "The government just gets itself tied up in knots over doing anything, and in the meantime businesses and community and young people, they all just want real action on climate change," he said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-07 16:02:05|Editor: Lu Hui Video Player Close XI'AN, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Yan'an, a former revolutionary base of the Communist Party of China (CPC), is no longer labeled "poor," as its last two impoverished counties have shrugged off poverty, the Shaanxi provincial government announced Tuesday. Yan'an hosted the then headquarters of the CPC and the center of the Communist revolution from 1935 to 1948. The city is now home to more than 350 sites related to the Chinese revolution. An investment of 6.25 billion yuan (920 million U.S. dollars) from the central and local governments has been poured into Yan'an over the past four years. To make sure that every household could get rid of poverty, the city has sent a total of 1,784 Party chiefs, 1,546 working teams and 37,400 cadres to live in the villages to help with poverty alleviation. The cradle of the revolution has continued to undergo tremendous changes over the past decades. Improved environment and infrastructure, booming agricultural economy, increasingly affordable education, healthcare, and multiple career choices for rural residents have rejuvenated the city. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-07 16:02:07|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close JAKARTA, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Planes passing through pathway around Mount Sinabung volcano in Sumatra island have been cautioned to exercise caution as volcanic ashes from the volcano endangers flight, the national volcanology agency said here on Tuesday. Mount Sinabung of 2,475 meter high situated in Karo district of North Sumatra province erupted on Tuesday, spewing a column of ashes up to 2,000-meter high, the agency said. The belching of ash smoke shot from the volcano spread to the east and southeast of the crater, the agency said. "The volcanology agency has issued a notification dealing with flight activities. The notification is at the level of orange, meaning that the volcanic activities are potential to endanger flight," the volcanology agency said in a statement. The notification or volcano observatory notice for aviation (VONA) will be renewed if the condition change significantly, it added. The eruption also triggered rains of ashes pouring down areas in the flank of the volcano, spokesman of national disaster management agency Sutopo Purwo Nugroho told Xinhua. Mount Sinabung has been on top alert status with no-go zone from 3 km to 7 km, according to the country's volcanology agency. Mount Sinabung has been active again in 2010 after dormancy since 1,600. In its eruption in 2014, 16 people were killed and thousands of others displaced. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-07 16:02:08|Editor: mingmei Video Player Close BEIJING, May 7 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese company has assembled an 80-tonne thrust liquid oxygen-methane engine in Huzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province. The TQ-12 engine, independently developed by private rocket-maker LandSpace over the past two years, is a new generation power system for carrier rockets. Its main components, the thrust chamber, gas generator, turbopump and valve have passed tests. The TQ-12 has a lower servo motor load and engine wobble range. Its integrated design can reduce both components quantity and cost. The design of the TQ-12 used 3D digitization and computer simulation verification techniques, while 3D printing, laser welding and digital bending were used for its manufacturing. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-07 16:02:10|Editor: mingmei Video Player Close SHANGHAI, May 7 (Xinhua) -- The State Small Theater of Vilnius, Lithuania, will present Nikolai Gogol's masterpiece, The Government Inspector, at Daning Theater in Shanghai from May 10 to 12. Witty, smart and wildly satirical, the play exposes the corruption of a Russian town with biting hilarity, said a China Daily report. Inefficient town officials mistake a well-dressed rogue for the incognito government inspector they are expecting, only to find themselves tricked by the rogue who takes advantage of their dinners and bribes. The play climaxes when the real inspector arrives just as the officials realize their mistake. It was inspired by a conversation between Gogol and Alexander Pushkin, another famous Russian writer. Pushkin mentioned an anecdote of a person being mistaken as a government inspector to Gogol, who then turned it into a play. Source: Xinhuanet| 2019-05-07 16:18:07|Editor: mingmei Video Player Close By Lu Hui BEIJING, May 7 (Xinhuanet) -- A century has passed since the May Fourth Movement happened on May 4, 1919, but its great spirit flourishes and continues to encourage the young generation to devote their youth and strength to realizing the Chinese dream of great rejuvenation. A century ago, on May 4, 1919, mass student protests broke out against the government's weak response to the Treaty of Versailles that imposed unfair treatment on China and undermined the country's sovereignty after World War I. It then triggered a national campaign to overthrow the old society and promote new ideas, including science, democracy and Marxism. The May Fourth Movement is a great patriotic and revolutionary campaign pioneered by advanced young intellectuals and joined by the people from all walks of life to resolutely fight imperialism and feudalism. It is a significant milestone in modern Chinas history of pursuing national independence and development. In his speech at a gathering to mark the centenary of the movement, Chinese President Xi Jinping said the May Fourth Movement gave birth to the great spirit centered on patriotism, progress, democracy and science, with patriotism at the core. History shows the Chinese nation was born with patriotism. Patriotism serves as the powerful spiritual strength for the Chinese people and Chinese nation in safeguarding national independence and national dignity. "As long as the banner of patriotism is being held high, the Chinese people can unleash great powers in the endeavors to transform China and the world," Xi said. For 100 years, patriotic young people in China, generation by generation, have dedicated themselves to serving the motherland by actively participating in the great cause of revolution, construction and reform, writing chapters of magnificent paeans of youth. In the new era, the Chinese nation, which since modern times began has endured so much for so long, has achieved a tremendous transformation: it has stood up, grown rich, and is becoming strong. The new era provides the young people with a broader stage to bring their talents into full play. Here is the story of young people who make life different by working hard for the development of the country and the peoples wellbeing. Starting to learn batik, a traditional craft of the Miao minority ethnic group, at age of 11, Yang Chengjian is now an accomplished batik artisan in Paimo Village, Danzhai County of southwest China's Guizhou Province. Although many of his colleagues have shifted to other jobs for practical reasons, Yang still sticks to his ideal and is determined to carry on this glorious time-honored craft. His dedication not only contributes to the protection and development of the intangible cultural heritages, but more importantly helps villagers get rid of poverty and achieve prosperity. His experience shows that down-to-earth spirit and tenacity are the key for the young people to achieve success. Another young person is social worker Li Luling, who has been doing social work for 10 years since her graduation from college. In a rapidly aging society, Lis work plays a very important role in improving the seniors livelihood, therefore helping the government solve a big social problem. Similar to Lis experience of helping others, Fang Zhou, a young entrepreneur, is dedicated to helping the big-city females pursue a healthy after-work lifestyle. After having gone through varied difficulties, Fang realized that one must take action to achieve the ideal. I help others grow when I grow, and I help others experience life when I experience life, Fang noted. The best way to carry on the spirit of the May Fourth Movement for the youth today is to align their individual aspirations with the nations cause. President Xi stressed that a nation will prosper only when its young people thrive; a country will be full of hope and have a great tomorrow only when its younger generations have ideals, ability, and a strong sense of responsibility. In the new era, the Chinese youth surely have the courage to take over the historic relay baton, shoulder the responsibility and strive for a bright prospect of national rejuvenation. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-07 16:27:21|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close BANGKOK, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's Election Commission announced on Tuesday that 349 MPs have entered the House of Representative of the parliament. The Election Commission said in a statement that it was announcing the results of the election in 350 constituencies and released the list of newly-recognized MPs, consisting of 349 people. The elected MP of one constituency in Chiang Mai is not announced yet. Thailand's general election was held on March 24 and the Election Commission is to announce the official results before May 9, according to the constitution. A total of 150 party seats would be announced later to finally form the 500 member House of Representative. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-07 16:32:24|Editor: mingmei Video Player Close BEIJING, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Nur Bekri, former head of the National Energy Administration, has been prosecuted for taking bribes, the Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP) announced Tuesday. Nur Bekri, also former deputy head of the National Development and Reform Commission, was charged with abusing his positions to seek profit for others and accepting a large amount of money and property in return, according to an SPP statement. The case was investigated by the National Supervisory Commission before being transferred to the Municipal People's Procuratorate of Shenyang for review and prosecution. The procuratorate filed the case in the Shenyang Municipal Intermediate People's Court. The SPP said the prosecutors had informed the defendant of his litigation rights, interrogated him and listened to the defense counsel's opinions. ABC/Image Group LALindsay Ell is currently one spot away from country's top twenty with "What Happens in a Small Town," her duet with Brantley Gilbert. But that isn't her only superstar collaboration. Last year, Lindsay teamed with Keith Urban on "Horses," for his Graffiti U album. "If you were to tell ten-year-old little Lindsay that she was gonna have a song with Keith Urban," she tells ABC Radio, "I would've said you were crazy!" The Aussie superstar also invited Lindsay to join him on his shows when he took the Graffiti U World Tour to her native Canada. Along the way, Lindsay says she was inspired by Keith's attention to detail. "We were [sound] checking 'Horses,'" she recalls, "and Keith spent the next 45 minutes to jump down in the VIP section and make sure the sound in the VIP section was good." "Because he's like, 'These people pay the most for their tickets, but they usually get the worst sound, because they're right up front by the stage.'" As a relative newcomer, Lindsay says that helped shape the kind of entertainer she wants to be. "I'm like, 'That is so cool!'" she declares. "Keith Urban does not need to do that. But he does, because he cares so much. And he wants the show for his fans to be as good as it can be." "So being around him and just his presence, and his band and crew, was such a wonderful learning experience for me," says Lindsay. "Because it was like, 'All right, if that is [where] the bar is set, then I think that's a pretty good direction to shoot for.'" Lindsay's currently in the United Kingdom with Chris Young. In June, she joins Brantley on his Not Like Us Tour. Copyright 2019, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-07 16:47:32|Editor: mingmei Video Player Close HOUSTON, May 6 (Xinhua) -- China-U.S. collaboration in science and technology has great potential and is beneficial to both countries, Chinese Consul General in Houston Li Qiangmin said here Monday. The world's largest annual oil and gas trade show, the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC), kicked off here on Monday. Visiting Chinese exhibitors, Li said there are more Chinese companies participating in OTC 2019, "showing great potential in China-U.S. science and technology cooperation and collaboration." "The United States has been playing a leading role in science and technology for so long, but China is catching up as a rising star. Therefore, the two countries are complementary in science and technology cooperation," he told Xinhua. Chinese participants in the four-day event include state-run leading companies such as China National Offshore Oil Corp. and China National Petroleum Corp., as well as private enterprises from across the country. Li noted that using cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence and digitization, the private companies can be competitive in the global market. At the event's opening general session on Monday, several senior industrial executives and scholars gave keynote speeches and shared their thoughts during an executive panel discussion. The technical program of the four-day event includes more than 80 technical sessions, industry breakfasts and themed luncheons covering a wide range of topics. This year's new program, Around the World Series, features global industry leaders from Australia, Canada, France, Ghana, Guyana, Israel, Mexico, Norway, and the United Kingdom to discuss new licensing and business opportunities, as well as recently introduced technologies. Founded in 1969, OTC provides a platform for energy professionals to exchange thoughts to advance scientific and technical knowledge on offshore resources and environmental matters. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-07 16:57:43|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close Thai mahouts ride on elephants during a procession to honor King Maha Vajiralongkorn after his coronation ceremony outside the Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand, May 7, 2019. (Xinhua/Rachen Sageamsak) BANGKOK, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Eleven elephants with beautiful tusks from Ayutthaya Province on Tuesday paraded outside the Grand Palace in Bangkok in honor of the coronation of the King. The pachyderms in beautiful uniforms kicked off the 1-km parade Tuesday morning from the Territorial Defense Command on Sanam Chai road to the location in front of the Grand Palace. A male pachyderm 'Plai Siam' carried the royal emblem, leading ten other elephants to march in the procession along with the rhythm of the drum. The elephants and marchers stopped and knelt down to pay their respects to the royal portrait and representatives of elephant handlers sang the royal anthem to express loyalty to His Majesty the King. The Ayutthaya Elephant Palace and Royal Kraal and elephants keepers nationwide transported the 11 elephants by truck from Ayutthaya province. When they arrived at the Territorial Defense Command, the elephants were dressed up and a ceremony was performed by elephant keepers before the beginning of the parade. Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn ascended to the throne becoming King Rama X following his father's death in 2016. His coronation ceremonies were held from May 4-6 to wholly complete the process of ascension according to Thai tradition. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-07 17:17:58|Editor: zh Video Player Close TOKYO, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe expressing his eagerness to hold talks with Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) leader Kim Jong Un reflects the leader's determination to settle unresolved issues and take steps towards potentially normalizing relations, Japan's top government spokesman said Tuesday. At a press briefing on the matter, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said that Abe has stated that he wants to end "mutual distrust" and meet with Kim to resolve a number of matters. "His alluding to a summit without conditions reflects that determination more clearly," Suga said. The top government spokesman was referring to comments made by the Japanese premier following a telephone conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump. Abe told reporters Monday that in order to resolve issues, he would "need to face Chairman Kim without conditions." The Japanese government in a seeming shift away from its fundamental policy towards the DPRK, which previously came with preconditions, has maintained, however that agreements made between the two countries in a bilateral declaration signed in 2002 remain in force. The bilateral accord inked in 2002 maintains that both countries will seek to settle the DPRK's nuclear and missile ambitions, as well as to resolve the issue of Japanese nationals being abducted in the 1970s and 1980s. In addition, the 2002 Pyongyang Declaration seeks the normalization of bilateral relations. If the summit between Abe and Kim were to take place, it would be the first such summit between Tokyo and Pyongyang since 2004. The abduction issue, previously claimed to be resolved by the DPRK, has been one of Abe's top priorities as prime minister. Suga said that the Japanese government hopes to take the initiative and bold action on the issue, and not miss any chances for progress to be made with the DPRK. He added that Abe expressing his straightforward willingness to hold an unconditional summit with Kim is a reflection of his determination to move forward with resolving outstanding issues with the DPRK. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-07 17:18:02|Editor: zh Video Player Close MOGADISHU, May 7 (Xinhua) -- The Somali National Army (SNA) killed 11 al-Shabab fighters in clashes between government soldiers and the militants on Monday evening in the country's southern region of Middle Shabelle, officials said Tuesday. Mohamed Kulmiye, general manager of information for Hir-Shabelle State, said the Somali forces launched an attack on al-Shabab extremists in Yaqle village, a location between Jowhar and Bal'ad in the Middle Shabelle region. "Our forces inflicted heavy casualties on the militants in the fierce battle. I can confirm that we killed 11 militants," said Kulmiye, adding that the SNA's unit 27 commander sustained injuries during the battle. Abdulkadir Aden Jelle, minister of internal security and rehabilitation for Hir-Shabelle State, also confirmed the battle, saying there were casualties on the government side. "We lost one soldier in the offensive and four others got injured," said Jelle. Residents said a fierce battle erupted between government forces and al-Shabab militants in Yaqle on Monday evening. "Government forces attacked al-Shabab militants in the village, the two forces engaged a fierce fight that lasted for several hours," Hassan Mo'alim, a resident told Xinhua via phone. The extremist group claimed through their affiliated media channels that they ambushed the government forces, killing 12 soldiers including a brigade commander. It added that they wounded the brigade commander's deputy and destroyed three vehicles. The latest clash came amid sustained security operations by Somali forces against al-Shabab militants in central and southern Somalia. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-07 17:23:05|Editor: zh Video Player Close KASANE, Botswana, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Five Southern African countries have concluded a ministerial meeting on Monday with an aim to address the conflict between humans and elephants housed in the region. The meeting, as a precursor to the 2019 Elephant Summit, was held in Kasane, northern Botswana, and attended by representatives from Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Russell Taylor, one of the summit's facilitators, said at the close of the meeting that one of the meeting's resolutions on elephant management is to ensure continuous assessment of elephants' impact and address the human-wildlife conflict through dialogue, information and communication. On the legal trade and use of live elephants and their body-parts, Taylor said there should be engagement of transit and destination countries for illegal ivory at bilateral and multilateral levels to address issues of demand reduction, to lobby support for proposals to review Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and to increase community participation in CITES ahead of the next CITES Conference. Referring to the human-elephant conflict as "a challenge" for most states of the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA-TFCA), Taylor said there should be integrated land use planning and harmonization of land use policies at the KAZA-TFCA level. According to Taylor, the meeting also discussed the much debated proposal to lift hunting ban on elephants, advocating that benefits from hunting should reach all people in the communities to alleviate poverty. Heads of state in the region will gather for the elephant conservation summit on May 7 themed Towards A Common Vision for the Management of Our Elephants. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-07 17:53:35|Editor: zh Video Player Close THIMPHU, Bhutan, May 7 (Xinhua) -- A recently released fourth pay commission report of Bhutan has recommended the government to introduce sustainable development fee (SDF) on regional tourists which refer those tourists from India, Bangladesh and Maldives. The report recommended introducing a Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) of 500 Nu (8 U.S. dollars) per head for regional tourist visiting Bhutan. This was recommended as part of the revenue enhancement measures. As per the report, introducing of SDF on regional tourists would earn an estimated 425 million Nu (6.25 million U.S. dollars) annually. Bhutan has been receiving increasing number of regional tourists. In 2017, around 170,000 regional tourists have visited Bhutan, which has increased to 202,290 in 2018. The pay commission report also recommended the government to look into the possibility of enhancing the SDF of 65 dollars currently levied on international tourists, as it has remained unchanged for the last 40 years or more. The tourism officials were also with the view that, although nothing to do with the pay commission's report, there was a plan to introduce a minimal fee on regional tourist and also revise the current SDF of international tourists. However, officials have clarified that this doesn't mean to discourage or restrict regional tourists. It is just about regulating and managing the regional tourists effectively. Regional tourists are important. Hotel and Restaurant Association of Bhutan in its recent report said that regional tourists are important for tourism. The increasing numbers of regional visitors are helping the hotel business stay afloat, as international tourists mostly visit during peak seasons. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-07 18:08:45|Editor: zh Video Player Close SUVA, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Fiji's Ministry of Forests is finalizing the Emissions Reduction Program (ERP) document with feedback from the independent World Bank Technical Advisory Panel in order to receive funds for emission reduction. Fiji is party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and is obliged to develop and implement programs for mitigating or adapting to changing environmental conditions due to climate change. According to a press release by the Fijian government on Tuesday, Fiji's Minister for Forests Osea Naiqamu on Tuesday said they would submit Fiji's ERP to the Fijian Cabinet first for endorsement as soon as this month. And later in July, they will present Fiji's ERP to the Forest Carbon Partnership Fund -- Carbon Fund Participants Committee. If Fiji's ERP is approved by the Carbon Fund, the island nation will be eligible to receive payment for emissions reduction. Fiji's ERP document proposes efforts to combat climate change by removing from the atmosphere and reducing emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) from the forest at the rate of two million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent in five years. "Legal analysis of forest carbon rights in the context of Fiji is fundamental to providing certainty towards trading of carbon and for developing benefit sharing mechanism. The right to sequestered carbon is a new and unique form of property rights." Fiji's ERP is due to be implemented by June 2020. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-07 18:13:49|Editor: zh Video Player Close MEHTARLAM, Afghanistan, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Four police officers, including a district police chief, were killed in a bomb blast in Afghanistan's eastern province of Laghman on Tuesday, the provincial government confirmed. "Alingar district police Chief Colonel Harif Saadat was martyred together with three police officers following an improvised explosive device attack in Miskinabad locality of Alingar," the government said in a statement. Two police officers were wounded and a police vehicle was destroyed in the attack which occurred roughly at midday, the statement added. The injured police personnel did not suffer life-threatening wounds. The statement blamed enemies of peace, referring to the Taliban militant group, for the attack. The Afghan security forces' casualties have risen since the beginning of 2015 when Afghan soldiers and police assumed full responsibilities of security from the U.S. and NATO troops. Nearly 40 Afghan security force members lost their lives during clashes and blasts elsewhere in the country within the past several days. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-07 18:24:03|Editor: zh Video Player Close XI'AN, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Yan'an, a former revolutionary base of the Communist Party of China (CPC), is no longer labeled "poor," as its last two impoverished counties have shaken off poverty, the Shaanxi provincial government announced Tuesday. Yan'an hosted the then headquarters of the CPC and the center of the Communist revolution from 1935 to 1948. The city is now home to more than 350 sites related to the Chinese revolution. The counties of Yanchuan and Yichuan, with a population of 192,000 and 120,000 respectively and both located along the western bank of the Yellow River, have limited fertile valley fields. Villagers there had been plagued by poverty for decades. American journalist Edgar Snow wrote in his 1937 book "Red Star over China" that the area was "one of the poorest parts of China" he had seen. According to the provincial poverty relief office, poverty-stricken residents in the two counties now only account for 1.06 and 0.58 percent respectively of their populations, meeting the country's requirement for an impoverished county to shake off the title. An investment of 6.25 billion yuan (920 million U.S. dollars) from the central and local governments has been poured into Yan'an over the past four years. To make sure that every household can get rid of poverty, the city has sent a total of 1,784 Party chiefs, 1,546 working teams and 37,400 cadres to live in the villages to help with poverty alleviation. A total of 693 impoverished villages in the city have shaken off poverty, with 195,000 people being lifted out of poverty. The cradle of the revolution has continued to undergo tremendous changes over the past decades. Improved environment and infrastructure, booming agricultural economy, increasingly affordable education, healthcare, and multiple career choices for rural residents have rejuvenated the city. Yan'an will continue to help the remaining impoverished people shake off poverty, and strive to enter a moderately prosperous society in all respects with the rest of the country by 2020, said Xu Xinrong, Party chief of the city. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-07 18:29:08|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close BEIRUT, May 7 (Xinhua) -- The United Arab Emirates (UAE) will lift the travel warning on Lebanon soon, the National News Agency (NNA) reported Tuesday. "A team from the Department of Civil Aviation of the UAE is meeting with the Lebanese Civil Aviation team to study some technical matters," said Hamad Bin Saeed Al Shamsi, UAE ambassador to Lebanon. Shamsi's remarks came after his meeting with Lebanese Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil over bilateral ties. The UAE, along with other Gulf countries, issued a travel warning against Lebanon in February 2016, citing the instability of the country affected by the Syrian war. The travel warning came after Lebanon voted against an Arab League's call to designate Hezbollah, a militant group in Lebanon, as a terrorist organization and the suspension of Syria's membership in the Arab bloc. The warning was renewed in November 2017 amid a Lebanese-Saudi crisis sparked by a controversial resignation announcement by Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri during his visit to Riyadh, capital of Saudi Arabia. Hariri rescinded his resignation soon afterward. Saudi Arabia already lifted its travel warning on Lebanon more than two months ago. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-07 18:39:15|Editor: mingmei Video Player Close CHONGQING, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Police officer Hu Yang, a medium-height and stout figure, looks inconspicuous in the crowd, but he faces some of the most dangerous criminals in the city. Yu leads a 100-member squad in fighting organized crimes in the Public Security Bureau of Yubei District, Chongqing, a metropolis in southwest China with a population of 31 million. In 2018, Chongqing launched a special campaign against organized crime and gang members, and Hu only took three days off the whole year. By the end of March, more than 2,500 criminal cases had been investigated as a result of the special campaign. A total of 2,676 criminal suspects have been detained. "Officer Hu goes all out when he investigates a case, and he hardly rests," said Zhang Yue, a colleague of Hu. "Organized crimes have become harder to investigate. It takes many field investigations and efforts to pore through voluminous papers to locate the evidence," Hu said. Having spent 15 years as a police officer, Hu often has to put himself in harm's way to protect others. In 2016, one of the suspects he arrested had a loaded gun. "If I had not seized his hands, he would have probably pulled the trigger and wounded the police officers or the public," Hu said. Discipline, dedication, and bravery of Chinese police officers like Hu have helped maintain peace, order and public security. "People long for brightness, but to safeguard that brightness, we need to strike at the dark side," Hu said. Statistics show that the homicide rate in China, 0.81 in every 100,000 people, was one of the lowest in the world in 2017. More than 95 percent of the people are satisfied with the overall situation of public security. Aziz Ullah from Afghanistan has lived in Yiwu, known as the world's supermarket, for 15 years. He relies on the Yiwu-Madrid freight train service to send consumer goods from Yiwu to his shop in London. "The primary feeling of living in China for so many years is that it is safe here. My family and I have never experienced theft or robbery. Disputes in business are handled in a fair and professional manner," said Ullah. Ullah is among 21 foreign mediators invited by the local government to help mediate trade disputes between Chinese and foreign merchants. Yiwu has around 15,000 foreign residents from more than 100 countries. It receives more than 400,000 overseas visitors every year. The city has issued over 10,000 merchants' cards, which contain the electronic information of foreign businessmen in Yiwu. With the cards, foreign merchants can apply for residence permits in Yiwu. In case of an emergency, they can present the card to the police for help. Not far from Yiwu, Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang Province, is taking the lead in the nation's drive to build smart cities. It has boosted city-wide use of technologies such as AI and the Internet-of-Things (IoT) to help manage traffic and spot security hazards. As the host city of China's internet giant Alibaba, Hangzhou has implemented the Alibaba City Brain project using AI algorithms to monitor and control traffic signals and street cameras. Wang Jian, chairman of the technology committee of Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., said the city brain system, covering 420 sq km of the downtown area, is accessible to urban management, public security and tourism authorities, helping them respond to emergencies and promptly handle urban problems. With information sensed and automatically alerted by the system, the public security departments can monitor and swiftly dispatch police officers to restore order and tackle traffic congestion. Hangzhou police said the city brain system has helped double the capacity of police, which is equivalent to adding 280 police officers on a single day. In Zhejiang, the goal to build a safe province has seen actions to ensure security in political, social, economic, Internet and environmental fields. In 2018, the number of criminal cases in Zhejiang dropped by 13.1 percent year on year. The number of homicides decreased by 10 percent, said Zhu Chen, deputy secretary of the Zhejiang Provincial Committee of Political and Legal Affairs. Due to improved police efficiency, fire-related accidents in 2018 decreased by 32.5 percent, and deaths caused by such accidents were down by 37.5 percent year on year. Yang Guoqing, an official with the Public Security Bureau of Jianggan District of Hangzhou, said technology has helped police improve precision and efficiency. "Now, in 94 percent of the cases we handle, police officers can arrive at the scene of a crime or accident within five minutes after they receive an alert sent by the system," said Yang. "The future of police work will be more digitized, networked and rely on information technology. It will help us predict, alert and respond to any situation that needs our assistance," he said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-07 18:54:26|Editor: mingmei Video Player Close BEIJING, May 7 (Xinhua) -- China will select and honor 10 outstanding science and technology workers to encourage dedication to the country's scientific and technological progress. Science and technology workers across the country and the public are encouraged to recommend candidates who have made outstanding contributions to scientific and technological innovation and education, according to a notice jointly issued by several departments, including the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, the China Association for Science and Technology and the Ministry of Science and Technology. A series of events will also be organized in enterprises, research institutions, campuses, government organs, as well as online to call on people to learn from the role models, the notice said. The list of final winners will be released in mid-July. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-07 18:54:27|Editor: mingmei Video Player Close BEIJING, May 7 (Xinhua) -- China on Tuesday congratulated Laurentino Cortizo on his election as president of Panama. The Chinese side warmly congratulates Cortizo on his election as the new president of Panama, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said at a news briefing, adding China believes that under Cortizo's leadership the national development of Panama will make new strides. "Panama is an important country in Central America," Geng said, noting that over the past 23 months since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries on the basis of the one-China principle, their bilateral relations have achieved remarkable progress, with all-around cooperation yielding fruitful outcomes. China highly values its ties with Panama and is willing to work with Panama to deepen mutual trust and cooperation under the principles of mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit and non-interference in each other's domestic affairs, to ensure the sound and steady development of bilateral relations, thus delivering benefits to the two countries and peoples, said the spokesperson. According to reports, Panama's electoral tribunal on Sunday declared the Democratic Revolutionary Party candidate Cortizo the winner of the country's presidential elections. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-07 18:59:32|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close LONDON, May 7 (Xinhua) -- British Prime Minister Theresa May's future at 10 Downing Street was slated to be at the top of the agenda at a crunch meeting Tuesday with the chairman of the Conservative Party's committee of backbench MPs. Widespread media reports in London said Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the 1922 Committee is expected to press May to name a proposed date when she will step down as leader of the party, effectively meaning calling an end to her time as prime minister. The fresh impetus by Brady follows concerns raised by a number of Conservative MPs over talks also due on Tuesday between May's government and the main opposition Labour Party to strike a Brexit deal. Both parties have been engaged in weeks of behind-closed-doors talks in a bid to break the deadlock that has so far prevented the House of Commons from agreeing a deal that would pave the way for Britain to leave the European Union. Labour has insisted it wants a deal that will keep Britain linked to the EU's Customs Union and Single Market, but the Conservative Party's policy has been that membership of both bodies should end to enable Britain to strike global trading deals. One of May's strongest critics, MP Bill Cash, a leading Eurosceptic, commented: "The time has come for her (May) to resign. She needs to be given a date. The sooner the better. But it needs to be done in an orderly manner." In a separate blow for May, the body representing local level Conservative associations across the country has called an emergency convention meeting mid-June to hold a no-confidence vote in May. Britain's Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said in a radio interview Tuesday that both sides in the Brexit talks between the Conservative Government and Labour need to be willing to compromise. Britain's Education Secretary Damian Hinds said in a breakfast television that people should not "read too much" into the timing of the May's meeting with Brady. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-07 18:59:37|Editor: mingmei Video Player Close BEIJING, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Chinese authorities closed the websites of nine illegal social organizations and banned their public accounts on social media platforms Wechat and Weibo in accordance with the law, the Ministry of Civil Affairs (MCA) said Tuesday. The campaign was jointly carried out by the MCA and cyberspace affairs as well as telecom authorities, following reports that websites of some illicit social organizations that had been prohibited were still in operation. The MCA and the Ministry of Public Security had launched a crackdown on illegal social organizations between last April and December. A total of 5,845 had been investigated and handled and over 300 suspected ones exposed. The ministry said it will continue to beef up the crackdown and strengthen online and offline inspections, adding that those incorrigible founders of illegal organizations will be blacklisted by relevant authorities. The ministry said members of the public can check registration information of social organizations at www.chinanpo.gov.cn. The country currently has more than 800,000 registered social organizations, according to the MCA. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-07 19:04:41|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close JAKARTA, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Indonesian President Joko Widodo checked on Tuesday the areas nominated as the nation's new capital city in Kalimantan Island following his decision to relocate the capital city from Jakarta. The areas checked by the president are Balikpapan and Palangkaraya, the capitals of East Kalimantan and Central Kalimantan provinces, Media and Protocol Deputy at Presidential Secretariat office Bey Macmuddin said. He said that Balikpapan was the first area visited by the president. "After that the president would continue to Central Kalimantan province and stay overnight there," Bey said in a statement. Widodo reaffirmed the capital relocation plan on Monday night in a fast-breaking event with his ministers and senior political figures in presidential palace. "We have been seriously discussing the capital relocation plan in the last three years. Since one and half years ago, we had ordered development planning ministry to undergo more detailed studies on impacts of capital relocation in economy, social, politics and environment sectors," the president said in the event. President Widodo has opted to relocate the capital city to a place outside the densely-populated Java for population distribution concerns. The president said that three areas have been identified capable to host the nation's new capital city so far. "Those places have an area of 80,000 hectares, 120,000 hectares and 300,000 hectares each. We are yet to make any definite decision on the area that we would pick," he said. According to the results of studies carried out by the development planning ministry, some 466 trillion rupiah (about 32.6 billion U.S. dollars) of fund is required to finance construction of new capital city in each 40,000 hectares of area. The idea to move Indonesia's capital city has been running since the government of the first President Soekarno who wanted to make Palangkaraya as Indonesian capital due to its central position in Indonesia's territory. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-07 19:14:47|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close BAGHDAD, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Iraq on Tuesday strongly condemned a Taliban attack against military posts in Afghanistan's western province of Farah. "Iraq strongly condemns the terrorist attack of Taliban gangs against a security headquarters in Afghanistan's western province of Farah," said Ahmed al-Sahaf, spokesman of the Iraqi Foreign Ministry, in a ministry statement. "Iraq affirms its stance to reject terrorism, and stands with the international community in confronting terrorism, and supports all good efforts aimed at eliminating extremism and violence," the statement said. Iraq also "supports the efforts of the Afghan government and its measures to maintain the security and stability of the country," it added. A day earlier, Afghan officials said Taliban militants launched overnight attacks on army posts in Farah, killing at least 13 soldiers and wounding 12 others. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-07 19:14:51|Editor: mingmei Video Player Close MANILA, May 7 (Xinhua) -- China has overtaken Japan as the biggest foreign market of Philippine bananas, buying more than 1.1 million metric tons in 2018, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said on Tuesday. In an interview with Xinhua, PSA Assistant Secretary and Officer-in-Charge Josie Perez said China has bought a total of 1.165 million metric tons of bananas from the Philippines in 2018, or an increase of 56 percent compared to 2017. In 2018, she said China's banana imports from the Philippines comprised 37.29 percent of the total banana imports and valued at 496 million U.S. dollars. "China became the number one country importing fresh bananas from the Philippines in 2018," she added. Based on the data from PSA, Japan was the largest importer of Philippine bananas from 1991 to 2017. Perez said it was the first time that China hit the number one spot, a position that Japan held for nearly three decades. Perez said China's increasing importation of Philippine bananas is a good sign of the growing trade relations between the two neighboring Asian countries. "So, if these agricultural products will reach the other Asian countries like China that would be better for our trade," she said. Besides bananas, more tropical fruits are entering the Chinese market from the Philippines. Figures from the Chinese government show that China imported more than 2 million tons of tropical fruits from the country in 2017 and 2018. Tropical fruits like bananas, pineapples, mangos and coconuts, abound in the Philippines. This southeast Asian country is the world's second-leading exporter of bananas behind Ecuador. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-07 19:19:53|Editor: Lu Hui Video Player Close Aerial photo taken on April 24, 2019 shows the newly-built dwellings and a school in Wen'anyi Town, Yanchuan County of Yan'an City, northwest China's Shaanxi Province. (Xinhua/Liu Xiao) XI'AN, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Yan'an, a former revolutionary base of the Communist Party of China (CPC), is no longer labeled "poor," as its last two impoverished counties have shaken off poverty, the Shaanxi provincial government announced Tuesday. Yan'an hosted the then headquarters of the CPC and the center of the Communist revolution from 1935 to 1948. The city is now home to more than 350 sites related to the Chinese revolution. Chinese President Xi Jinping has stressed the need to end poverty in old revolutionary base areas and improve local people's standard of living. Xi said a well-off society is incomplete if people in old revolutionary base areas cannot shake off poverty. The counties of Yanchuan and Yichuan, with a population of 192,000 and 120,000 respectively and both located along the western bank of the Yellow River, have limited fertile valley fields. Villagers there had been plagued by poverty for decades. American journalist Edgar Snow wrote in his 1937 book "Red Star over China" that the area was "one of the poorest parts of China" he had seen. According to the provincial poverty relief office, poverty-stricken residents in the two counties now only account for 1.06 and 0.58 percent respectively of their populations, meeting the country's requirement for an impoverished county to cast off the title. An investment of 6.25 billion yuan (920 million U.S. dollars) from the central and local governments has been poured into Yan'an over the past four years. To ensure that every household could get rid of poverty, the city has sent a total of 1,784 Party chiefs, 1,546 working teams and 37,400 cadres to live in the villages to help with poverty alleviation. A total of 693 impoverished villages in the city have shaken off poverty, with 195,000 people being lifted out of poverty. The cradle of the revolution has continued to undergo tremendous changes over the past decades. Improved environment and infrastructure, booming agricultural economy, increasingly affordable education and healthcare, and multiple career choices for rural residents have rejuvenated the city. GREENER CITY ON LOESS PLATEAU Located in the hinterland of the Loess Plateau, where 258 million tonnes of mud and sand were once washed into the Yellow River each year, Yan'an used to be vulnerable to drought and floods. The adverse natural environment and poor industrial foundation has not only affected the city but also instilled in the locals the importance of environmental protection while struggling with poverty. About 40 km south to the city center of Yan'an, Nanniwan Township is famous for a large-scale production campaign mobilized by late Chinese leader Mao Zedong in the 1940s, urging a revolutionary spirit to reclaim farmland from the uncultivated land to become self-reliant on the grain supply. Hou Xiuzhen, 73, has witnessed the great change of the town over the past half-century. As the daughter-in-law of a veteran of the brigade of Chinese Eighth Route Army which led the campaign at that time, Hou and her husband continued to do farm work in the fields cultivated by the brigade after the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949. "In the 1950s, the hills were covered by farmland instead of trees. But we barely had much grain yield due to the barren soil and arid climate," Hou said. With government subsidies, Hou led her villagers to plant trees in the surrounding hills in 1999. Thanks to two decades of reforestation, Nanniwan now has a new look, with all the surrounding mountains covered with green trees in late spring. "Last year, we successfully planted over 26 hectares of lotus, which attracted plenty of tourists. I had never heard that lotus could grow on the loess plateau. So you know how the environment has changed here," Hou said. Growing grains failed to help farmers in Yan'an cast off poverty, but planting trees made it. The vegetation coverage of Yan'an has increased from 46 percent in 2000 to the current 81.3 percent. ROAD TO FORTUNE Mashuping, a cliff village on the Yellow River bank, was one of the poorest villages in Yichuan County, where most of its population are living in the mountainous areas. Until the completion of a road, Fu Changhong from a registered poor household in Mashuping had never been to the renowned Hukou Waterfall on the Yellow River, only 30 km away from his village. The road Fu mentioned is a newly-built highway along the Yellow River, which opened to traffic in 2017. The north-south highway, stretching 828.5 km along the west bank of the Yellow River, has contributed to the poverty alleviation of the three once poorest counties of Yan'an, including Yichuan and Yanchuan. "In the past, we had no ways to go out of the village but a narrow meandering footpath," Fu said. "I used to look at the Yellow River and thought how nice if it were a road." About 20 years ago, local villagers started to grow Sichuan pepper trees, seeds of which are a popular seasoning found in Sichuan cuisine. But they had to sell the farm produce at very low prices to dealers who came by motorbikes. "With the highway, we can sell peppers to factories directly at much better prices," said Fu. Wang Ruixin, Party chief of Liuwantou Village which administers Mashuping, said the annual per capita income of the village was 10,300 yuan last year, much higher than the national poverty line of around 3,000 yuan. The highway also means a new possibility to the local apple growers, as they can sell apples to the overseas market via e-commerce. Feng Tianxing, 56, from Chunqu Village of Yichuan, said the county government has sent cadres to help them sell apples in online shops. Apple planting has played a significant part in improving local farmers' income. In 2018, the revenue from apples accounted for a half of the city's rural residents' per capita disposable income. Feng made over 20,000 yuan last year simply by growing apples. "Apples have been sold out when they were still green hanging on the trees," said Feng. CAREER SETS SAIL As the deadline to eradicate absolute poverty approaches, China redoubles its efforts to focus on the nation's poorest people in rural areas with precise and targeted measures. To train impoverished people and offer them appropriate jobs is one of such measures Yan'an has come up with. Though the nearest sea is more than 1,000 km away, Yan'an is proud of its sailor education. Nearly 2,000 sailors have graduated from Yan'an Vocational and Technical College over the past decade. Poorly educated, Yang Yufan saw no future, until he was enrolled in a four-month vocational training course as a sailor at the college. After graduation, he got a job on a general cargo ship in Southeast Asia. Now, his monthly salary is 1,200 U.S. dollars. He paid off the debt for his parents and built a two-story house in his hometown. "Sailors trained in the college are very popular by employers for they carry the Yan'an spirit characterized by arduous struggling," said Yang Yancun, department head of shipping engineering of the college. The city government has also cut tuition fees to encourage more people from poor households to participate in various vocational training, according to Yang. Yan'an will continue to help the remaining impoverished people shake off poverty, and strive to enter a moderately prosperous society in all respects with the rest of the country by 2020, said Xu Xinrong, Party chief of the city. (Video reporters: Li Hua, Liu Tong; Video editor: Liu Yuting) Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-07 19:40:01|Editor: mingmei Video Player Close BEIJING, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Chinese archeologists unearthed over 200 pieces of cultural relics from two ancient tombs in Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, according to the National Cultural Heritage Administration at a meeting Monday. Items including pottery, bronze ware and jade ware were discovered during an excavation of the two tombs dating back to the Western Han Dynasty (202 B.C.-8 A.D.), from June to November last year. The findings of the site provide valuable knowledge for the study of ancient funeral customs and the structure of ancient tombs, according to archeologists at the meeting. The administration, which announced four archeological discoveries at the meeting, also noted another site in Xi'an, which include two large tombs dating back to the Sixteen Kingdoms (304-439 A.D.). Archeologists found murals and a number of cultural relics during an excavation of the two tombs between January 2018 and April this year. The administration also noted the discovery of about 5,000 bamboo and wooden slips at two other archeological sites in central China's Hubei Province. The administration will announce major archeological findings from time to time, according to Song Xinchao, deputy head of the administration. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-07 19:45:03|Editor: mingmei Video Player Close BEIJING, May 7 (Xinhua) -- China and Japan will hold their 11th round of high-level consultations on maritime affairs in Otaru, Japan, from May 10 to 11, a foreign ministry spokesperson said Tuesday. Spokesperson Geng Shuang told a routine news briefing that officials from foreign ministries, defense ministries, maritime law enforcement and management departments of both counties will attend the talks. China expects to fully exchange views with Japan on maritime issues of common concern to strengthen mutual understanding and trust with Japan, Geng said. The China-Japan high-level consultations on maritime affairs were established in 2012. The last round of consultations was held in Wuzhen of eastern China's Zhejiang Province last December. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-07 19:55:13|Editor: Xiaoxia Video Player Close A displaced girl is seen in a school where hundreds of families are seeking refuge after fleeing their homes in Tripoli, Libya, on May 7, 2019. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday, a total of 432 people have been killed, 2,069 others injured and 50,000 displaced in the fighting between the UN-backed Libyan government and the east-based army in and around the capital Tripoli. (Xinhua/Amru Salahuddien) by Mahmoud Darwesh TRIPOLI, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Violent clashes have been going on for about a month between the east-based Libyan army and the UN-backed government in and around the capital Tripoli, as the army aims to take over the city. The conflict started in early April when the army commander Khalifa Haftar launched a military campaign to take over Tripoli, sparking a government counter campaign against the army's plans. The fighting between the rival parties has been concentrated in southern Tripoli, where many civilians were killed, injured and displaced. "This is the fiercest and geographically most significant combat axis. If it falls, it means the opening of an easy access for Haftar's forces into Tripoli. Therefore, we defend and repel any attacks from the enemy," Abdannaser Mehoub, a government field commander, told Xinhua. "We are stationed here and work to stop their progress. We have lost good fighters trying to fight those attempts to take our positions a few days ago, but we will not back down or allow them to enter Tripoli," Mehoub said. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the fighting has so far killed 432, injured 2,069, and displaced more than 50,000 others. Libyan Prime Minister Fayez Serraj said on Thursday that there will be no cease-fire until the rival army forces "return to where they came from." However, Haftar ordered his army to continue the military action in Tripoli "until terrorism is eliminated." The UN Support Mission in Libya on Sunday called for an extendable one-week truce in Tripoli, in order to "allow the delivery of humanitarian aid to those in need and to ensure the freedom of movement for civilians during this truce." Munir al-Sukni, director of a charity, said continued forced displacement would cause many problems in Tripoli, especially during the holy month of Ramadan. "We provide food for the camp and assist the Red Crescent to provide services for the displaced. This mission is carried out throughout the day," al-Sukni told Xinhua. He pointed out that the number of displaced people is increasing daily, "which causes great pressure to absorb such a large number of people." Mohamed al-Mizoghi left home with his family in southern Tripoli, fleeing the fighting near their house. "We stayed for two weeks amid clashes. We couldn't even sleep at night. After that, the clashes started getting closer. We were then told to leave for our safety," al-Mizoghi told Xinhua. "This camp is not perfect, but it is still better for us in these difficult circumstances," he said, expressing hope for the conflict to end soon. Some schools in the city have been used to accommodate displaced people, as classes have been suspended because of the fighting. According to Othman Abduljalil, deputy head of the government's Crisis Management Committee, some 55,000 displaced persons have been registered so far. Abduljalil confirmed that 40 reception centers and 27 schools have been used to house the displaced, adding the committee is ready to receive 11,000 more people. Libya has been suffering escalating violence and political division ever since the fall of the late leader Muammar Gaddafi's regime in 2011. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-07 20:00:17|Editor: mingmei Video Player Close BEIJING, May 7 (Xinhua) -- China's National Health Commission called on public hospitals to improve their management in a bid to promote healthcare quality and efficiency. Public hospitals should enhance their service quality and economic benefits, said Ma Xiaowei, head of the commission. The move requires public hospitals to spend more on improving medical doctors' incomes instead of the hospitals' equipment or buildings. Improving public hospital management is an important measure to make medical treatment affordable for all, which is a major goal of China's deepened medical reform, Ma said. According to Ma, China will promote partnerships between medical institutions of different levels across the country, improve medical services provided by county hospitals and facilitate wider access to telemedicine services in rural areas. The country will also promote contracted family doctor services, which are provided by a group of doctors including general practitioners registered with grassroots health institutions, qualified doctors at township clinics and village doctors, Ma said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-07 20:05:21|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close LUSAKA, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Zambia will this month host an Africa-China think tank forum to discuss ways of how Africa could benefit more from the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), organizers said on Tuesday. The forum, to be held from May 23 to 24, will see experts from think tanks in Africa and China converge to brainstorm on how Africa could seize opportunities presented by the BRI. The forum will be held under the theme of "Africa-China Economic Development Agenda-Opportunities for Belt and Road Initiative & FOCAC," with the sub-theme of "Rebranding Africa as a Premier Destination." Bernadette Deka-Zulu, Executive Director of the Policy Monitoring and Research Center, said the forum is organized in collaboration with the Chinese Embassy in Zambia. She said in an interview with Xinhua that the forum is expected to offer viable recommendation to the governments on how they could seize opportunities presented by the BRI. "It would be very wise to have this platform where we can talk about how we can bring around practical roadmaps and measures in which we can actually benefit from the Belt and Road Initiative and accelerate and enhance our friendship with China for the betterment of our people," she said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-07 20:30:36|Editor: mingmei Video Player Close BEIJING, May 7 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson on Tuesday refuted U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's criticism over China's participation in Arctic affairs, stressing that China would not be absent on trans-regional and global issues concerning the Arctic. China can, and is ready to, play a constructive role on such issues, spokesman Geng Shuang told a press briefing, noting that the Arctic issues not only involve Arctic countries but also have global significance. "China will not interfere in the affairs that purely belong to the Arctic countries," said Geng. He stressed that China has always adhered to the principle of openness, cooperation and mutual benefits while taking part in Arctic affairs. "On the Arctic issue, China has always stressed the importance of scientific research, advocate environmental conservation, reasonable utilization, law-based governance and international cooperation," he said. "We are neither playing a geopolitical game nor making an exclusive small circle." China is willing to work with all sides to contribute to the peace, tranquility and sustainable development in the Arctic, according to the spokesperson. Pompeo said China appeared to have national security aims in the Arctic, which had to be watched closely, as he arrived in Finland for a meeting of the Arctic Council. The criticisms made by the U.S. official "were totally incorrect" and "had ulterior motives," said Geng. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-07 20:40:48|Editor: mingmei Video Player Close HARARE, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Zimbabwe's largest referral hospital has once again partnered China's Hunan Provincial Maternal Hospital in offering free cervical cancer screening and treatment to at least 1, 700 Zimbabwean women in 2019. Zimbabwean and Chinese officials on Tuesday gathered at the Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals in Harare for the launch and donation of equipment for the cervical cancer detection and treatment center. Under the treatment camp, which is running for the third consecutive year at the hospital, women aged between 30 and 65 from throughout Zimbabwe will receive high-tech free cancer screening and treatment. Over the past two years, over a thousand women in the country have benefited from the healthcare service project as the country scales up the fight against one of the leading women cancers in Zimbabwe. Speaking at the launch ceremony, Zimbabwean First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa who was on Monday appointed the country's ambassador for Health and Child Care, urged women to take advantage of the screening and treatment camp to come and receive cervical cancer health care services. She also lauded China for its support to Zimbabwe in fighting the scourge, which she noted continues to be a serious public health problem globally. "I commend the gesture made by China through Hunan Provincial Maternal Hospital for this continuous partnership with Parirenyatwa Hospital in this noble cause. This is consistent with our national cervical cancer screening, treatment and prevention program," she said. She observed that efforts by countries in the developing world to offer modern medicines for cervical cancer were being hampered by lack of funds. "It is in light of this that we value your partnership to take us along with the rest of the developing world in the fight against cervical cancer," she said. Chinese ambassador to Zimbabwe Guo Shaochun said China's support to Zimbabwe's health sector continued to grow with the cervical cancer screening and treatment camp being another example of the expanding cooperation. He said the equipment will make Zimbabwe one of the only four countries in Africa that are able to carry out HPV tests. Hunan Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital vice dean Liang Songyue said through the project, China had made significant contribution to women's health in Zimbabwe and made great achievements with the completion of three free clinics and two academic exchanges. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-07 20:50:54|Editor: Xiaoxia Video Player Close Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari (R) meets with President of the 73rd Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Maria Fernanda Espinosa at the State House in Abuja, Nigeria on May 7, 2019. Muhammadu Buhari Tuesday launched a revised appeal to the United Nations and the international community to help address devastation brought about by the persistent Boko Haram insurgency. (Xinhua/Olatunji Obasa) ABUJA, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday at his office held a closed-door meeting with the visiting President of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Maria Espinosa. Espinosa, president of the 73rd session of UNGA, is in the West African country on a two-day working visit. A presidency source told Xinhua that the agenda of the bilateral meeting included issues bordering on insecurity in the Lake Chad Basin, development and environmental protection, among others. Espinosa told reporters upon arrival on Monday that addressing the challenges in Africa was a priority of the UN. Africa, according to her, was at the forefront of global development and her visit to the region for the second time since taking office clearly shows the interest of the UN in Africa. "Basically, we are going to discuss the main challenges of Nigeria and the need to address the issues of peace and security together with the challenges of development and environmental protection," she said. During her working visit here, the UNGA president would also hold meetings with Nigeria's cabinet officials including the foreign minister and the minister of women and social development to discuss strengthening bilateral ties, she said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-07 20:55:58|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close CAIRO, May 7 (Xinhua) -- An Egyptian court on Tuesday upheld the death sentences against 13 people over charges of terrorist attacks, official news agency MENA reported. In fact, the appeals of 39 people were rejected by the Court of Cassation, Egypt's supreme court. The court also confirmed life sentences, an equivalent of 25 years in prison in Egypt, against 17 people. Other verdicts varied from 15 years to five years in prison. The defendants were found guilty of planting explosive devices and targeting security check points and police stations. The case dates back to 2013, just after the army-led ouster of former Islamist President Mohamed Morsi in response to mass protests against his one-year rule. The prosecutor said these people established a group named Egypt Soldiers which called for killing the ruler, assaulting police and armed forces institutions, murdering Christians and destroying churches. Their attacks on the security checkpoint at Cairo University killed a police officer, three soldiers and wounded several policemen, according to the prosecution. Hundreds of Morsi's loyalists and members of his outlawed Muslim Brotherhood have been subject to trials over charges of murder, espionage and terror. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-07 20:56:02|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close TOKYO, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Japanese Defense Minister Takeshi Iwaya said Tuesday that debris believed to be pieces of the cockpit and flight recorder has been recovered from a Japanese Air Self-Defense Force (ASDF) F-35A stealth fighter jet that crashed off northern Japan last month. Speaking at a press briefing on the matter, Iwaya said that the debris was retrieved from the seabed of the Pacific Ocean close to where the F-35A is believed to have crashed. He said that a U.S. military-chartered vessel had retrieved the debris on May 3 or thereafter. Iwaya said that while it appears that the F-35A's flight recorder had been retrieved, the data storage unit has yet to be recovered, meaning determining the exact cause of the jet's crash might be difficult. The defense minister said that joint operations between Japan and the U.S. will continue to try and recover more debris from the jet. A vessel from the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology, as well as a Japanese SDF ship, has also been involved in the search for the crashed fighter jet and its pilot, who still missing. The plane, some wreckage of which has already been found, crashed into the Pacific Ocean off the northeast coast of Aomori Prefecture in Japan, in waters thought to be as deep as 1,500 meters, leaving the pilot unaccounted for. Along with Japan's ever-increasing outlays for constitutionally questionable next-generation military hardware, military experts have also questioned Japanese pilots' ability to fly the 5th generation multi-role stealth fighter, intimating that the cutting-edge aircraft requires a significant amount of knowledge and expertise to fly. A former Japanese ASDF lieutenant said that Japanese pilots need greater skills and more knowledge to be able to fly the ultra-advanced jets and that it had yet to be determined whether the crashed jet, which had made two emergency landings in the last two years, was itself faulty, or if human error was the cause of the crash. The crashed jet, the first to be assembled in Japan at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd.'s plant in Aichi Prefecture, was forced to abort a test flight after a cooling system malfunction, Japan's Defense Ministry has said. It also said that a position indicator malfunction also occurred in the jet when it was flying in bad weather. The ASDF began deploying the F-35A jets, the flying time alone of which costs the taxpayer 50,000 U.S. dollars per hour, at its Misawa base in Aomori Prefecture, northern Japan, in January last year. A new F-35 squadron has been formed at the base with 80 personnel and the Japanese government plans to bolster its fleet of F-35s with the acquisition of a total of 105 F-35As and 42 of the short take-off variant F-35B stealth fighters. The crash of the locally-assembled jet was the first for an F-35A anywhere in the world, sparking concerns over the Japanese government's plans to buy more than 100 of the 100-million-dollar fighters, as it seeks to overhaul its fleet of mainstay jets, as part of its controversial national defense guidelines. The jets, the Pentagon's most sophisticated 5th generation multi-role stealth fighter and most expensive weapons system, are supposed to replace Japan's fleet of F-15 and aging F-4 fighter planes. Underscoring rising concerns about the jets' safety, a Japanese ASDF team looking into the cause of the accident said it suspects the pilot, a major in his 40s who had logged 3,200 hours of flying time including around 60 hours specifically flying F-35As, may have noticed some kind of "abnormality" before the plane crashed. The Defense Ministry has since said that the plane likely crashed before the pilot had time to eject, as the plane's ejection system sends out an automatic alert when the ejection system is deployed. The 5th generation jets are co-developed by nine countries including the United States, Britain and Italy and are produced by U.S. defense company Lockheed Martin Corp. The crash of the jet and the F-35s' checkered developmental phase have presented a quandary for the Japanese government's future procurement and air defense plans, as laid out in its contentious guidelines. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-07 21:01:09|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close ABUJA, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Nigerian Air Force on Tuesday said its airstrikes killed 20 armed group members while destroying their camp near a forest in the country's northwestern state of Zamfara. A major kingpin surnamed Lawal was also arrested by the ground troops supported by the air force which conducted the Tuesday dawn raid on the camp, near Rugu Forest, where many nefarious activities were planned by the armed group, said Ibikunle Daramola, spokesman for the air force. Daramola said the operation followed credible intelligence that the notorious kingpin was camped, along with dozens of his fighters, at a settlement about 4 km west of the Rugu Forest. The settlement was where Lawal kept his logistics supplies, coordinated operations and launched attacks against security forces as well as innocent civilians, according to the official. "Consequently, following detailed confirmatory intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions, the ATF dispatched one Alpha jet and an attack helicopter to strike the camp," he said. He said the Alpha jet strikes recorded direct hits on the camp, destroying the armed group's structures, fuel storage containers, arms, explosives, and other logistics supplies, which were seen engulfed in flames. The spokesman said the Nigerian air force, working in consonance with surface forces and other security agencies, would sustain its operations to flush the armed group out of the northwest region of the country. Last month, the Nigerian military launched a full-scale offensive against armed groups operating in Zamfara. The offensive is part of sustained efforts to flush out "banditry and criminality" in the state in particular and the northwest region in general. The state of Zamfara, as well as neighboring Kaduna state, have witnessed a series of attacks by armed groups in recent months. There have also been recurring incidents of livestock rustling and armed banditry in the region. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-07 21:16:14|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close BEIRUT, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Italy on Tuesday donated 1.7 million euros (1.9 million U.S. dollars) to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) for its health services provided to Syrian refugees in Lebanon, the National News Agency (NNA) reported. "We highly appreciate the generous Italian donation for our medical care program at the UNHCR given the huge need by the agency for support to cover healthcare services offered to Syrian refugees in Lebanon," Mireille Girard, UNHCR representative in Lebanon, was quoted as saying by the NNA. Girard made the remarks during a signing ceremony held at the Italian Embassy in Lebanon. Meanwhile, Italian Ambassador to Lebanon Massimo Marotti said his country is aware of the great efforts by the Lebanese government to host this big number of Syrian refugees. "Italy will continue supporting the UNHCR in its help for Syrian refugees in Lebanon," he added. The UNHCR aims at covering about 73,000 Syrian refugees with healthcare while Italy is funding healthcare services for around 3,000 people. More than 1 million Syrian refugees are registered with the UNHCR in Lebanon, while the Lebanese government estimated the true number of Syrians in the country at 1.5 million. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-07 21:56:51|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close ATHENS, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Retail commerce in Greece has been suffering a decline this year, according to official statistics and market experts, largely due to overtaxation, shrinking disposable incomes of households and political uncertainty. On Tuesday, the Institute of the Hellenic Confederation of Commerce and Entrepreneurship (INEMY ESEE) published a survey showing the dissatisfaction of 75 percent of the retailers polled with their sales last Sunday, the first of the spring mid-term sales windows. This follows an estimated 4-6 percent decline year-on-year during the Greek Orthodox Easter period last month, according to ESEE President Vassilis Korkidis. The index of business expectations in retail commerce has dropped to its lowest point in 18 months, with Greece being the only member state of the European Union to record a decline in sales volume this year, according to recent Eurostat figures. The latest Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) data have shown that the annual decline of the retail sales volume in Greece was 2.9 percent in January and 3.3 percent in February. Eurostat data confirm that these figures make Greece the only country among the 28 EU states where an annual decline in this respect was recorded at the start of 2019. INEMY ESEE Director Valia Aranitou explained to Xinhua that various factors have contributed to this development, including "the unstable weather and consumers' departure from the main cities for Easter, but in general there has been a decline from last year, when retail (commerce) reached a high point. It appears it is shrinking compared to 2018." At the same time, the April findings of the business expectations index published by Greece's Foundation for Economic and Industrial Research (IOBE) on Monday revealed a fresh drop last month to 94 points, against 95.5 points in March and 106.5 points in April 2018. As IOBE notes in its report, "the positive estimates about the current retail sales are significantly weakened," and "there is a decline in orders to suppliers." Especially in the homeware commodities category, expectations have been steadily declining over the past few months, reaching 58.2 points in April, down from 61.5 points in March and 105.5 points in April last year. "We have witnessed a significant decline this year that is attributed to the exhaustion of the phenomenon of the weak rise in demand in previous months. This has come from the liquidation and spending of assets, such as bank deposits and cash saved under mattresses," explained Antonis Zairis, vice president of the Hellenic Retail Business Association (SELPE). "This has started to become evident this year and is due to the heavy taxation of households as well as to problems in the growth of the Greek economy's main drivers, such as tourism, exports and investments," Zairis, who is also an associate professor at the Neapolis University in Cyprus, told Xinhua. Greece emerged from its third bailout program last August and posted 1.9 percent annual growth in 2018. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-07 22:07:00|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close MARSABIT, Kenya, May 7 (Xinhua) -- At least 11 Kenyans were killed and two others were injured in clashes along the Kenya-Ethiopia border in Kenya's northern Marsabit County on Monday, police and local government officials confirmed on Tuesday. Local government official Mamo Honicha said two others are nursing gunshot wounds after the attack in Forole area over a dispute on a watering point. Honicha said the assailants, from Ethiopia, sprayed bullets on locals who were attending a meeting that sought to iron out issues between neighboring communities. He said the incident took place at midday Monday when a section of Ulan elders and young men were invited to the meeting that turned into a tragedy. Marsabit County commissioner Gilbert Kitiyo said he was yet to be furnished with details of the incident but promised action to solve the conflict. "It's true the incident happened. We are yet to be furnished with more details," Kitiyo told Xinhua over the phone. "We are also in contact with our Ethiopian counterparts on the issue." Local leaders met in Nairobi on Tuesday to condemn what they termed as heinous massacre of their clan members by the attackers. A former Turbi ward member of the county assembly, Yattani Wario, said the killing was well organized. "It's unfortunate the officials tricked about 15 Gabra elders from Forole area in North Horr Sub-County to attend a peace meeting along the border. The meeting later turned into bloody slaughter of 11 elders and wounding of three others. We later learnt it was a decoy to butcher Kenyan elders," Wario said. He feared the number of casualties will likely rise as fighting was still going on by Tuesday morning along the border. Wario said the victims, all above 60 years, were killed by the attackers from Ethiopia after a disagreement over a watering point. He complained that no security officers from the Kenyan side responded to the attack even though a police station is situated 4 km from the scene. The leaders blamed the bloody conflicts on a section of politicians in Marsabit County with Ethiopian roots for allegedly funding clashes in the region. They called on the government to return firearms that were confiscated from the National Police Reservists in March, saying the communities have been left vulnerable to attacks. "We appeal to the government to help recover the 11 bodies of the victims from the scene to enable Forole community, families and relatives to conduct burials of their beloved ones," Wario said. Livestock herding is the main livelihood and source of income in northern and some parts of eastern Kenya, and the hike in cattle thefts threatens to ignite cross-community reprisals and raids that could set the stage for a surge in ethnic fighting in the region. Photo taken on May 7, 2019 shows South Africa's ruling party ANC putting up campaign boards for the May 8 elections. (Xinhua/Chen Cheng) JOHANNESBURG, May 7 (Xinhua) -- With over 26 million South Africans expected to head to the polls on Wednesday, three major political parties have intensified their campaigns to woo voters, especially those still undecided. This is South Africa's sixth general national election since the first one in 1994. With various polls showing that no political party would get an outright majority win in South Africa's economic hub Gauteng province, parties shifted their focus on the province this past weekend. Both the African National Congress (ANC), Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) held their major rallies on Sunday in Gauteng, while the Democratic Alliance (DA) hosted its rally on Saturday as they are attempting to garner major support in the province. The latest poll by the Institute for Race Relations (IRR) has shown the ANC would receive over 53 percent of votes nationally, with the DA likely to obtain 24 percent and the EFF 14 percent, if the turnout is 70 percent. IRR's head of politics and governance Gareth van Onselen said the remaining time was crucial for parties to consolidate support. "Also, this poll is not a prediction. There is still fluidity, especially where the ANC and EFF are concerned. Final days could see some movement," van Onselen said. Political analyst Shadrack Gutto told Xinhua that the ANC could no longer rely on its glorious past to win support, but it should root out corruption and widespread looting that became a norm under former President Jacob Zumba's administration. "The balance of power is not on the ANC's favor in Gauteng. This is a party of Nelson Mandela, OR Tambo, but young people are not keen on voting for the past," he said. "The party can't be resting on the laurels of its past leaders." Polls predict that the EFF is the only political party set to grow its support during the elections. Established six years ago by former ANC Youth League President Julius Malama, it obtained over 6 percent of votes in its first election in 2014 and its support is predicted to be at 14 percent this time. The DA is likely to grow its support by 2 percent from its 22 percent previous performance. Gutto cited EFF's great mobilization ability and young leadership as some of the reasons behind its growth. "EFF has been great at mobilizing at grassroots level. They have been able to reach out to the youth voters because they are led by the youth," Gutto said. He said the party has been able to "invigorate parliament." Some have expressed concerns about the dwindling number of young people participating in this year's election. During registration period, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) visited universities' campuses to encourage young people to vote, but the number of the youth registered to vote has declined since 2014. There are 341,236 youth between 18 and 19 registered to vote on Wednesday, but this figure was at 643,133 in 2014. Among those aged between 20 to 29, it has decreased from 5,759,236 to 5,299,297. Gutto said that socio-economic problems mostly impacting the youth were to be blamed for the decline. "Young people are dissatisfied. Corruption is going up, unemployment is growing and it affects the youth. They are the one's entering the job market," he said. Meanwhile, the IEC said the record number of political parties set to contest in the May 8 election has placed "demand and pressures" on it. South Africa's current electoral system permits people to be chosen as public representatives on political party tickets and not as individuals. "It's a political party that then chooses its leader of the country through the propositional representation system," Gutto added. As voting nears, IEC has urged calm and vigilance, saying parties should ensure that elections take place without any disturbances. Domestic and international observers to monitor the elections have been deployed. Parties contesting the election would be permitted to deploy two party agents to oversee and monitor the voting process and counting. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-07 22:18:43|Editor: mingmei Video Player Close An Afghan woman receives medical treatment at the Mirwais Regional Hospital in Kandahar, Afghanistan, May 4, 2019. The Mirwais Regional Hospital, locally known as the "Chinese Hospital", was built by China in 1974 and put into operation in 1979 on 44 acres of land in Kandahar, the largest city in the southern region as a gift to the Afghan people. The hospital is the largest health center in Afghanistan's southern region and provides almost all kinds of services to patients ranging from diagnosis of diseases to surgery of war victims, childcare and maternity. (Xinhua/Sanaullah Seiam) Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-07 22:17:07|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close JAKARTA, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Some 450,000 military troops and police personnel would be deployed to tackle possible riots incited by those unsatisfied with the announcement of 2019 elections results scheduled on May 22, Indonesian Military Commander Air Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto said here on Tuesday. "Provocations and spread of false information on social media have been escalating at present, and may lead to demonstrations and attacks over the General Elections Commission (KPU) building," Hadi said in a meeting with Jakarta provincial parliament members here. Besides deploying troops in all regions across the country, the military would also prepare adequate armament system as an anticipating move to secure the results of elections, he added. On a different occasion, Indonesian National Police Chief General Tito Karnavian said the deployment of police to secure the elections announcement is part of their tasks to assure elections security since the campaign process that began last September. The police deployment to secure the election will end on October 21 after the elected president is sworn in to the presidency from 2019 to 2024. Tito said that the police have deployed half of their total personnel to secure the election process. As counting process has reached over 70 percent of overall votes on Tuesday, the incumbent president candidate Joko Widodo has pocketed 56.27 percent votes, higher than his arch rival Prabowo Subianto who earned 43.73 percent vote so far. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-07 22:17:10|Editor: Lu Hui Video Player Close HARBIN, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Member units of the working group of the China Book International Project met Tuesday in Harbin, capital city of northeastern Heilongjiang Province, to brainstorm on promoting Chinese publications overseas. The member units mostly include publishing houses and companies across the country that meet on a regular basis to discuss relevant issues. The China of the new era needs to show itself to the world, while the changing world needs to better read and understand China, attendees of the meeting noted. The excellent stories recorded over the 70 years since the founding of the People's Republic of China should be told with more dedication, emotion and effort, especially those on the historical changes and achievements the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the country have made since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, the attendees said. They stressed that publication work should play an active role in serving the construction of the Belt and Road, with more diverse and customized publications and further exploration of the international market to improve the country's influence along the Belt and Road. Attendees of the meeting also called for efforts to further promote Chinese culture, with a focus on displaying both fine traditional culture and advanced contemporary culture to the world. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-07 22:47:25|Editor: yan Video Player Close WASHINGTON, May 7 (Xinhua) -- A shooting has killed three U.S. soldiers in the U.S. state of Virginia, in what appears to be a double homicide and a suicide, local police said late Monday. Local police said all three victims of the late night shooting on Saturday were active service members in the U.S. Navy. Two women, 19-year-old Shianne Soles and 23-year-old Meaghan Burns, were shot to death at a local convenience store, while in a nearby parking lot a man, 22-year-old Donavon Moora, died from what appeared to have been a self-inflicted gunshot. Moora was believed to have killed the two women before killing himself. Soles and Burns were stationed at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, while Moora was stationed at Camp LeJeune in the nearby state of North Carolina. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-07 23:38:12|Editor: yan Video Player Close WARSAW, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Fake bomb alerts were sent to hundreds of schools across Poland on Tuesday, for the second day in a row, leading to delays in holding end of school exams. The math exam taken on Tuesday by over 250,000 high school students across Poland started with delays in 181 schools across the country, on account of bomb alerts emailed to the schools early in the morning. On Monday, Polish high school students started a series of exams called "matura" -- the Polish equivalent of the international baccalaureate -- which count towards admission to university. A total of 663 schools across Poland received bomb warnings on Tuesday, while on Monday 301 schools got the emails. According to Polish law, upon receiving such notices, the schools must be evacuated until the premises are checked by the police, which caused the delay of the exams. "The schools are getting information that a bomb load has been placed. The school directors and the police are reacting quickly. They are all false alarms," Marcin Smolik, the head of the Central Examination Commission told Polsat News. The police are currently searching for the source of the fake announcements. The end of school exams are scheduled to last until May 25. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-07 23:48:26|Editor: yan Video Player Close WARSAW, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Poland's gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to grow 4.2 percent in 2019 and by 3.6 percent in 2020, the European Commission said on Tuesday when it published its spring macroeconomic forecasts for the European Union. While this means a slowdown for the Polish economy after a 5.1 percent GDP growth rate in 2018, the country will remain one of the best performers in the EU, the forecast showed, with only Malta doing better in 2019. "Private consumption is set to remain the key growth driver in 2019 and 2020, supported by a robust increase in wages. An increase in social transfers will act as additional stimulus until around mid-2020," the Commission wrote in its analysis. On the whole, GDP is forecast to grow by 1.4 percent in the EU this year and by 1.2 percent in the eurozone. "The European Commission raised its forecast for Poland's GDP growth to 4.2 percent in 2019, lowering its predictions for the eurozone. This means that our GDP will grow three times faster than the EU average and that we will be the second most dynamically developing economy in the union," Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki wrote on Twitter in response to the forecast. The European Commission also said Poland's fiscal deficit was expected to increase to 1.6 percent of GDP in 2019 and then slightly fall to 1.4 percent in 2020. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-07 23:48:28|Editor: yan Video Player Close PARIS, May 7 (Xinhua) -- A gunman has taken five people hostage in a tobacco shop in Blagnac, a town near Toulouse, in southwestern France, according to local media. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-07 23:48:29|Editor: yan Video Player Close TAIPEI, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Taiwan's exports fell for a sixth consecutive month in April, as weak demand continued to weigh on its electronic products, revealed the latest trade data. Exports declined 3.3 percent year on year to 25.83 billion U.S. dollars in April, while imports rose 2.6 percent from the previous year to 23.15 billion U.S. dollars, resulting in a trade surplus of 2.69 billion U.S. dollars, 1.47 billion U.S. dollars less than last year, according to Taiwan's trade data. For the first four months, exports dropped by 4 percent from a year earlier to 102.2 billion U.S. dollars, while imports stood at 90.55 billion U.S. dollars, trimming trade surplus for the period by 4.26 billion U.S. dollars year on year to 11.65 billion U.S. dollars. The Chinese mainland remained the biggest trade partner of Taiwan in the first four months, receiving 27.17 billion U.S. dollars of the island's exports, or 26.6 percent of the total, according to the data. During the four months, Taiwan exported 16.8 billion U.S. dollars worth of goods and services to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, 14.23 billion U.S. dollars to the United States, 11.95 billion U.S. dollars to Hong Kong, 9.94 billion U.S. dollars to Europe and 7.47 billion U.S. dollars to Japan. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-07 23:53:32|Editor: yan Video Player Close PARIS, May 7 (Xinhua) -- A gunman has taken five people hostage in a tobacco shop in Blagnac, a town near Toulouse, southwestern France, local media reported Tuesday. Security forces have cordoned off the area and elite RAID police officers are at the scene, according to France 3 TV. The hostage-taker has demanded to speak with a negotiator and threatened to shoot a hostage if the security perimeter is not receded, it was reported. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-07 23:53:35|Editor: yan Video Player Close MOSCOW, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Uncontaminated oil will start running again through the Druzhba pipeline to all the foreign consumers in the second half of May after a short suspension due to contamination, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said Tuesday. "As for the general normalization of the situation, we expect it in the second half of May. Work continues in this direction," Novak said at a government meeting, adding that normalization means clearing in each of the main export destinations. On April 23, Belarus suspended the export of light oil products to Ukraine, Poland and the Baltic states after its state concern for oil and chemistry Belneftekhim reported a sharp deterioration in the quality of the Russian oil running through the Druzhba pipeline. Currently, clean oil has resumed pumping through the pipeline to Belarus and Ukraine, Novak said. The minister said that Russian investigation services had revealed a group of companies, which were using organochlorine compounds in an excessive amount in the oil to the Druzhba pipeline. A source of oil contamination has been identified in the Lopatino metering unit in the Samara region in southwestern Russia, according to the minister. "A criminal case was initiated... Four people were detained and placed in a detention facility by a court decision," Novak said. Inspection documents have been transferred to the prosecutor's office, and Russia's Federal Security Service and the Investigative Committee are carrying out a set of operational measures and investigative actions, the minister added. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-07 23:53:38|Editor: yan Video Player Close HARARE, May 7 (Xinhua) -- The inaugural sub-regional elephant summit opened in Botswana's Kasane town on Tuesday, with President Mokgweetsi Masisi calling on countries in southern Africa to unite and take an active role in lobbying for adoption of international decisions that allow them to derive financial benefits from their wildlife conservation efforts. The summit is being attended by leaders in the five-member Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA) and is aiming to raise awareness on the status of the African elephant, particularly in the southern Africa region. It is also aiming to exchange ideas on human-elephant conflicts, tackle the legal and illegal trade of elephants and their products with a view to reaching consensus on how to address the challenges, state news agency New Ziana reported. Southern Africa is home to the largest elephant population in the world, concentrated in the Kaza region made up of Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. President Masisi said the region, which is under a CITES moratorium in trade in elephants and related products for nearly a decade, was in a catch-22 situation as its human and elephant populations were growing leading to a rise in animal-human conflict. At the same time, the countries were not allowed to benefit from the resources through trophy hunting, trade in elephants, ivory and related products. "The huge expanses of land reserved for wildlife and its associated management costs have come at the expense of human development that includes agriculture, education, health, provision of water and other infrastructure," Masisi said. "We believe in a people centered approach to pursuing sustainable and economically inclusive solutions in the management of wildlife." he said. Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Edgar Lungu of Zambia and Hage Geingob of Namibia are attending the summit which is also being attended by experts in wildlife management. Masisi said the ban in elephant trade had not stopped poaching of the animals, as well as natural death of elephants, which had seen ivory stockpiles growing over the years. "Security and management of the sizeable ivory stocks, most of which came because of natural mortalities are a great cost to us," he said. "The closure of legal ivory trade markets continues to create additional challenges to future efforts to dispose of these valuable stockpiles. There is no doubt that there is a need for deeper stakeholder conversations on this matter in an objective and realistic manner particularly taking cognizance of the realities of those who live with and among elephants," he said. Growth in elephant populations was not only resulting in increasing deaths of humans killed by the animals, but also massive devastation of bio-diversity due to limited carrying capacity as well as destruction of other infrastructure. Masisi said the impact of this conflict on communities trying to eke out a living cannot be underestimated and lamented that measures to reduce human-animal conflict required significant resources which are not always available due to other competing priorities. "There should be no debate that our local communities need protection to secure their livelihoods and most importantly to participate in the conservation of these iconic species," he said. "We cannot continue to be spectators while others debate and take decisions about our elephants. It is not by accident that our region is home to the largest population of elephants. Our conservation and management practices and successes are world class and we should not be shy to proudly so proclaim." he said. Masisi also regretted that Africa had failed to come up with an agreed position on how it should benefit from its wildlife resources, especially elephants. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-07 23:58:42|Editor: yan Video Player Close ADDIS ABABA, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Ethiopia's newly elected Foreign Minister Gedu Andargachew left here on Tuesday to Juba, capital of South Sudan, to chair the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Council of Ministers' Extraordinary Session on South Sudan's peace process. The Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), in a statement issued on Tuesday, said that Andargachew, who was appointed Ethiopia's FM last month and eventually assumed the rotating chairmanship of the IGAD Council of Ministers, opened the 67th extraordinary session of the IGAD Council of Ministers, which kicked off Tuesday afternoon in Juba. The ministerial meeting mainly aimed at taking stock of the progress made in the implementation of the Revitalized Peace Agreement and the challenges encountered in meeting some of the key timelines and benchmarks, MoFA said in a statement on Tuesday. The Ethiopian foreign minister stressed during the opening session on "the importance of developing a clear roadmap and implementation schedules for the pending tasks." "Andargachew commended the parties for their commitment to reach a consensus in extending the pre-transitional period for six months to allow for the full implementation of critical pending tasks," the statement read. Andargachew also commended the Transitional Government of National Unity for its pledges to commit 100 million U.S. dollars to expedite the implementation of the pending tasks, which he said, "would encourage regional and international partners to provide support to this process." Ethiopia's foreign minister expressed his hope that the ministerial meeting would bring consensus "on the right course of action to help the process move forward." Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-07 23:58:44|Editor: yan Video Player Close JUBA, May 7 (Xinhua) -- South Sudanese government agreed to extend the deadline for the formation of a unity government by six months to avoid return to war, information and broadcasting minister Michael Makuei Lueth said Tuesday. Makuei said President Salva Kiir's administration had initially objected to delay in forming the unity government beyond the May 12 deadline, but it compromised for the sake of peace. "We did not want to go back to war and we don't want to declare the agreement has collapsed, but we want to come out with a government that is acceptable to all of us. That is why we accepted the extension," Makuei said. Makuei said any failure in extending the pre-transitional period would have shattered the fragile peace deal and returned the world's youngest nation into war. He called on the parties to the pact to unite and ensure that the pending issues, such as security arrangements and determination of number of states be completed before the elapse of the six months. "We make sure we operationalize the provisions of chapter two because at the end of the six months, there will be no room again for extension," Makuei said. Parties to the agreement on Tuesday held a news conference in Juba to brief the country about the outcome of last week's talks in Ethiopia where they agreed to delay the new government by six months. Signatories to the 2018 peace agreement on May 3 agreed to extend formation of the transitional government by six months following delays in the implementation of the pact. Henry Odwar, deputy chairman of the main rebel group, Sudan People's Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) said the delay would allow the parties to resolve the pending issues. "In the last eight months, we were unable to implement the security arrangements and we hope in the next six months, we should be able to implement the security arrangements. We need to work together so that we achieve peace," Odwar said. Gabriel Changson Chang, chairperson of Opposition Alliance, a grouping of smaller armed factions in the peace deal, said the extension was not to destroy the peace deal, but it was meant to salvage the deal from collapse. South Sudan descended into civil war in late 2013, and the conflict has created one of the fastest growing refugee crises in the world. The UN estimates that about four million South Sudanese have been displaced internally and externally. A peace deal signed in August 2015 collapsed following renewed violence in the capital Juba in July 2016. Under the 2018 peace deal, opposition leader Riek Machar, will once again be reinstated as President Salva Kiir's deputy. Deng Alor kuol, representative of SPLA-FDs, a group of former politicians detained during the onset of the conflict in 2013, said the extension is a testing moment for the various factions to show commitment and settle the outstanding issues within the six-month period. "The six months extension, we cannot extend it more. So, we have very difficult period to make sure that we do everything within the six months. We do not want to disappoint ourselves, disappoint the people of South Sudan once more," said Alor. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-08 00:34:19|Editor: yan Video Player Close BERLIN, May 7 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called off his visit to Berlin due to "pressing issues", the U.S. Embassy in Berlin said on Tuesday. "Unfortunately, we must reschedule the Berlin meetings due to pressing issues. We look forward to rescheduling this important set of meetings. The secretary looks forward to being in Berlin soon," said a statement. Pompeo's trip was his first official visit in Germany, where he planned to meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Foreign Minister Heiko Maas. Topics including Ukraine, Venezuela, Iran and Syria were to be discussed, according to Deutsche Presse Agentur. Maas confirmed the cancellation, adding he has made telephone call with Pompeo and showed understanding. "We need the tight wire to Washington. We have vital interest in cooperating on the urgent international issues," Maas said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-08 00:34:21|Editor: yan Video Player Close BERLIN, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Germany's biggest airline Lufthansa said it would make a non-binding bid to purchase Condor, the German airline of travel operator Thomas Cook, the company announced on Tuesday. "We decided yesterday in the meeting of the management board to bid for all of Condor with the option to be able to extend this (bid) to all Thomas Cook airlines," said Lufthansa's Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Carsten Spohr during the company's Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Bonn. The Lufthansa CEO said that due to anti-trust regulations, it was unlikely that a single buyer could acquire all of Thomas Cook's airlines. Thomas Cook, the nearly 200-year-old UK company that pioneered mass holidays in the 1800s and the package holiday in the 1960s, lost 80 percent of its market capitalization in 2018. Thomas Cook has, however, continued to make money operating its airlines, which consists of a fleet of over 100 airplanes. In February, in order to raise money following a series of profit warnings, Thomas Cook announced that its airlines were for sale. The deadline for expressions of interest is May 7. U.S. private equity firm Indigo Partners, which owns stakes in numerous low-cost airlines, is also widely reported to be among the potential buyers of Condor. At the AGM, Lufthansa announced record annual revenues of 35.8 billion euros (40.08 billion U.S. dollars) in 2018, earnings of 2.8 billion euros and a dividend of 0.80 euros per share. This corresponded to a dividend yield of 4 percent. The German airline said it was expecting revenue growth in the mid-single digit range and an adjusted EBIT (earnings before interest and tax) margin of 6.5 percent to 8 percent in 2019. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-08 00:39:29|Editor: Yamei Video Player Close BEIJING, May 7 (Xinhua) -- The city of Yan'an, a former revolutionary base of the Communist Party of China (CPC), has won another hard battle led by the CPC, eliminating absolute poverty. Yan'an announced on Tuesday it had shaken off absolute poverty, which is of great significance as this year marks the 70th founding anniversary of new China. Commonly termed as "the cradle of the Chinese revolution", the city hosted the then headquarters of the CPC and the center of the Communist revolution from 1935 to 1948. Located in the hinterland of the Loess Plateau, Yan'an was a very poor place in history. In the 1937 book "Red Star over China," American journalist Edgar Snow depicted the northern part of Shaanxi Province, where Yan'an is located, as one of the most poverty-stricken regions of China he had ever seen. However, despite the challenges, remarkable achievements have been made after decades of hard work. The Party has never eased its efforts to support Yan'an, a drought- and flood-prone area. Nor did the local people stop their fight against poverty. With the help of government investments, the impoverished locals engaged in profitable businesses including apple orchards, tourism, e-commerce, and high-tech enterprises. Emerging industries reshaped local economic structure, reducing the area's reliance on natural resources and increasing the income of local people. By the end of 2018, 195,000 people had been lifted out of poverty in Yan'an. The per capita annual income of former registered impoverished households reached 8,289 yuan (1,226 U.S. dollars), far above the national poverty line. Under the CPC's leadership and the guidance of the "Yan'an Spirit," Yan'an people have won a victory over poverty, and the then "cradle of revolution" is now turning into a "cradle of hope." In the revolutionary days, the "Yan'an Spirit" means sticking to the right political direction, liberating thoughts, seeking the truth, self-reliance and serving the people wholeheartedly. In the fight against poverty, the "Yan'an Spirit" is fully inherited. Under the CPC's leadership, abundant resources have been poured into the area for poverty relief. Governments at every level have taken steps to make sure the task is completed on time. For instance, the local government has supported certain industries based on the area's conditions, including apple farming and online selling, to secure effective and sustainable results. Party members were dispatched to villages to mobilize and guide the impoverished. Each registered poor family was assigned an official responsible for lifting them out of poverty. Apart from the Party's efforts, local people's "never give up" attitude is also indispensable in the fight against long-standing poverty. Yan'an people's story will bring hope to those still living under the poverty line to continue striving for better lives. According to government figures, there were still 16.6 million impoverished people in China's rural areas by the end of 2018. China aims to eliminate absolute poverty by 2020. There are less than two years left to meet the goal, more success stories will happen. It is certain that no one will be left behind in the country's poverty relief campaign. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-08 00:44:32|Editor: yan Video Player Close KATHMANDU, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Nepali Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli is visiting Vietnam and Cambodia from May 9 to 15, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said here on Tuesday. Oli is paying an official visit to Vietnam on May 9-13 and to Cambodia on May 13-15, according to the ministry. During the visit, Oli is scheduled to hold delegation-level bilateral talks with his Vietnamese counterpart and meet with the President of the National Assembly, according to the ministry. During the visit, the two countries will sign some agreements and memorandum of understandings to further promote bilateral relations, according to the ministry. Concluding his visit to Vietnam, Oli will reach Cambodia on May 13 where he will hold delegation-level bilateral talks with his Cambodian counterpart. This will be Oli's first official visit to the two Southeast Asian nations. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-08 00:49:35|Editor: yan Video Player Close by Misbah Saba Malik ISLAMABAD, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Rafaqat Ali, 24, was born in a poor family in Sahiwal district of Pakistan's east Punjab province. His father's meager income restrained Ali from getting education, leaving no choice for him but to work as a laborer to support the family. "My father and grandfather were plumbers so I inherited this profession. I used to work as a plumber in my village when one day I came to know that a Chinese company is launching a power project in Sahiwal," Ali told Xinhua, adding that he applied for the job of a plumber in the company and was immediately selected by the Chinese. Located in Sahiwal, the coal-fired Sahiwal power plant is a key project under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Completed in the record period of 22 months, it is the first coal-fired power plant completed under the CPEC. Ali impressed his Chinese colleagues with his hard work and dedication, who promoted him to the slot of the manager of labor management. "CPEC has been a game-changer for me, before getting the job in the Sahiwal power project, no one even noticed the guy (Ali) who would repair taps in their kitchens and washrooms, no one liked to talk to him, but now everyone likes to meet the 'new me' who has money and who works as a small boss in a big Chinese company," said Ali. The CPEC has provided employment opportunities to Ali and many others like him, who were either unemployed or underpaid. CPEC projects have created more than 75,000 direct job opportunities for Pakistani people. The project also created thousands of other employment opportunities to promote economic development and employment of Pakistan by subcontracting a large number of projects to local Pakistani companies. In a conversation with Xinhua, Bilal Chaudhry, manager of human resource development in the Sahiwal power plant, said that the CPEC project has helped uplift the life of common laborers who could hardly make 6,000-8,000 (about 42-56 U.S. dollars) a month. "The unskilled laborers employed by us now take home minimum 18,000 rupees (about 127 U.S. dollars) which gets increased based on their performance, and we also provide them free food, free accommodation and free transportation." He said that the life of local laborers has changed for better after joining the project because they earn more money than before, they can send their children to school and buy good clothes for them. Talking to Xinhua about the forthcoming employment opportunities, Muhammad Muzammil Zia, policy head of job growth and human resource development in the CPEC Centre of Excellence, said that a huge demand for white collar and blue collar jobs will emerge after the initiation of the industrial phase of CPEC in nine special economic zones (SEZs) proposed under the CPEC. The CPEC Centre of Excellence is an Islamabad-based think tank working under Pakistan's Ministry of Planning, Development and Reform. The SEZs will bring new opportunities as well as challenges for Pakistani labor as with the immense industrialization, demand for skilled labor will increase, Zia said, adding that Chinese companies and Pakistan's state-run institutions are teaching local laborers skills to help them avail employment opportunities in the industrial sector. According to Pakistan's Ministry of Planning, Development and Reform, the Pakistani market has the ninth largest labor force in the world with an estimate of 61 million workers, out of which 5.9 percent are unemployed. Out of the total labor force, about 43 percent is associated with the agriculture sector, 20 percent work for the industrial sector while the remaining, about 37 percent do miscellaneous labor work. The increased demand for skillful labor is currently a challenge for Pakistan, as the country's Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood recently said that each year, around 2.5 million people enter the local job market while the majority of them lack necessary skills to meet the demands of the local industry. The National Vocational and Technical Training Commission recently said in a statement that the country's system has a capacity to produce only 445,000 skilled laborers annually. To bridge up this gap, Chinese companies are providing on-job training to raw laborers to make them meet the demands of the industry. Chaudhry told Xinhua that at the peak time of the Sahiwal project, they hired 3,000 laborers and provided them on-job training to equip them with basic skills for working in the industrial sector. "The laborers we trained are now working at good positions in other companies including power projects. They got quick promotions in whatever companies they went, some of them are now even training other local staff in their respective companies," he said. In a conversation with Xinhua, Dileep Kumar, mine manager in Thar coalfield, said that they hired raw laborers and gave them training courses to help them work in the power project. "Some Chinese engineers trained raw local laborers for three months free of cost, then they were given on-field technical training during which they were also paid basic salaries." "The number of skilled labor in Thar used to be less than one percent. After the CPEC project, now more than 80 percent of laborers are trained. You can imagine how their life has changed and how their confidence has been boosted," said Kumar. "They are skilled now, even if they don't want to work with us, they have a vast scope in the market, and they can get job anywhere." Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-08 01:29:50|Editor: Yamei Video Player Close Botswana's President Mokgweetsi Masisi, Namibian President Hage Geingob, Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Zambian President Edgar Lungu (from L to R) pose for photos during the 2019 Elephant Summit in Kasane, northeastern Botswana, on May 7, 2019. The leaders of Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe have agreed to pursue an "integrated response" to global outcry over the anticipated re-introduction of elephant hunting. (Xinhua) KASANE, Botswana, May 7 (Xinhua) -- The leaders of Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe have agreed to pursue an "integrated response" to global outcry over the anticipated re-introduction of elephant hunting. They were attending the 2019 "elephant summit" in Kasane, northeastern Botswana, which ended on Tuesday. The leaders of Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe also rallied behind Botswana's call for the region to have a unified approach in tackling human-wildlife conflict. For his part, Namibian president and Southern African Development Community chairperson, Hage Geingob, took a swipe at those who criticize Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA) countries for its conservation programs that call for reduction of elephant numbers. "I support KAZA efforts on elephants. We should not be victims of our success in conservation," he said. "The West must humble itself and learn conservation from us, instead of lecturing us on what we ought to do." In 1995, Namibia only had 2,000 elephants. The number has since grown to 40,000 thanks to effective policies and laws, Geingob said, calling for a sustainable way of ensuring that the ecosystem's carrying capacity is maintained. "The elephant population in Namibia is in safe hands. The shared approach on elephant management will go a long way in reducing human-elephant conflict," he said. Botswana's president, Mokgweetsi Masisi, urged the governments in the KAZA to speak with one voice on the need to reduce elephant numbers. The rise in elephant population is making it difficult to manage sustainable ecosystems, especially in Botswana, where their number is estimated at over 130,000, Masisi said. The prevailing circumstances call for an urgent review of the strategy with a key element of effective international engagement, hence the Kasane Elephant Summit, he Masisi. In his address, Zambian president Edgar Lungu said the elephant summit is a testimony on the region's common resolve to manage the KAZA TFCA natural resources. The African Savanna elephant thrived in the KAZA area because of good conservation policies, he said. Lungu encouraged his colleagues in the region to work hard in fighting poaching and illegal wildlife trade. "Together with our communities, we have to practice sustainable conservation and real benefits from conservation should support livelihoods," he said. Zimbawean president Emmerson Mnangagwa also affirmed his country's support to controlled elephant management. Elephants are a symbol of conservation success in the KAZA region, he said, adding that Zimbabwe is committed to the elephant management approach as championed by the region. He also called on countries to implement robust mechanisms to curb illegal wildlife trade. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-08 01:54:58|Editor: yan Video Player Close GAZA, May 7 (Xinhua) -- "The Israeli Defense Forces will attack your building. You have only five minutes to evacuate." These words were heard by Ibrahim Abu Habib, 19, from an Israeli soldier, who ordered him to leave his apartment. After he ended the phone call, he described the moment as a "race with the death." He told Xinhua that he immediately ran toward the other apartments and knocked strongly on the doors, asking the residents to leave quickly, because the Israeli war jets will attack their building. The women were crying and the children were scared, and no one knew what was going to happen. They wanted to leave the place and stay in a safe place before the Israeli aircraft strike the building, Abu Habib said. "We stopped in a location not far from our building to see what will happen," he said. An Israeli drone fired three missiles on the building, which were called warning missiles, he said, adding that then Israeli F-16 war jets attacked the building with three rockets, and destroyed the building completely. His mother did not expect that the building will be destroyed totally, and she thought that the Israeli warplanes will target one apartment or two but not the whole building. The building, called "Abu Qamar," is located in the middle of Gaza city with 23 apartments inside. After a few hours, they looked at the ruins of the destroyed building, and found some of their personal belongings. "We are civilians and we are not involved with any military activities. I do not know why we should be punished and hold the responsibility in every military escalation between Hamas and the Israeli army," the mother said while crying. The mother and her seven family members lived in their own house in Al-Shejaeia neighborhood, but they lost their house in the latest Israeli war in 2014. "We were displaced for the first time since that time. We are suffering and cannot live in a stable life," Nirmen Abu Habib, 21, said to Xinhua. On Saturday, tensions in the Gaza Strip between Israel and Palestinian military factions had been flaring, causing 27 Palestinians killed, and 154 wounded, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. A total of 130 residential apartments were completely destroyed and 700 others were partially destroyed in the Israeli strike in Gaza, said a statement of the Housing Ministry in Gaza. The statement said that the ministry has begun to remove the rubble of the destroyed buildings and houses in the Gaza Strip to open roads and streets in residential neighborhoods targeted by Israeli attacks. Egypt, the United Nations and Qatar brokered a new cease-fire agreement between Palestinian factions and Israel to end the round of tension. The cease-fire agreement was reached on Monday between Israel and the Palestinian factions after three days of tensions. The first day of the end of the escalation was the first day of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which usually has a special ritual for Muslims. "We were preparing for the holy month of Ramadan, and we bought the necessary supplies such as food and lanterns for the children. We decorated our house with colorful lights as we used to do in previous holy months of Ramadan for long time" Nirmen Abu Habib said. She said "now we are homeless and we are being hosted in our relatives' house," which is located on the eastern line of Shejaeia and overlooks the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israeli territory. People in the war-ridden Yemen complain about soaring prices of vegetables, fruits and other essentials as Ramadan began, a holy month in which Muslims worldwide abstain from eating and drinking from dawn to dusk. (Xinhua/Murad Abdo) by Murad Abdo ADEN, Yemen, May 7 (Xinhua) -- People in the war-ridden Yemen complained about soaring prices of vegetables, fruits and other essentials as Ramadan began, a holy month in which Muslims worldwide abstain from eating and drinking from dawn to dusk. In different retail markets in the southern port city of Aden, prices of the ingredients used particularly for preparing Iftar meals such as tomatoes, potatoes, beans, and onions showed an upward trend. During the first two days of Ramadan, many consumers from fixed and low-income groups said that the skyrocketing food prices deprived them of enjoying the joy and spirituality of their religious month. People in the war-ridden Yemen complain about soaring prices of vegetables, fruits and other essentials as Ramadan began, a holy month in which Muslims worldwide abstain from eating and drinking from dawn to dusk. (Xinhua/Murad Abdo) In Aden, tomatoes are sold for 700 Yemeni riyals (2.8 U.S. dollars) per kg, onions for 400 riyals per kg, potatoes for 600 riyals per kg and lemons for 500 riyals per kg. The costs of watermelons and mangoes have increased, but bananas remained stable. "Traders are using this month as an opportunity to multiply prices much more than before Ramadan. We are tired of the soaring vegetables and fruits prices," said Abu Haroon, an Aden-based citizen. "During the first days of Ramadan, prices of various vegetables and fruits shocked us and everything has become so expensive suddenly," he said. He added that budgets of the Yemeni people who are still suffering from years of deadly conflict can't meet the skyrocketing prices of commodities anymore. Suhail Ahmed, a shopper, told Xinhua that many low-income families decided to cancel buying fruits and vegetables for their Iftar meals during Ramadan due to the soaring prices. Suhail said that "fruits and vegetables are absent in the Iftar meals of Ramadan this year for the first time in years of the country's crisis." He added that "basic commodities including flour and sugar were barely secured by many Yemeni families several days ahead of Ramadan." People in the war-ridden Yemen complain about soaring prices of vegetables, fruits and other essentials as Ramadan began, a holy month in which Muslims worldwide abstain from eating and drinking from dawn to dusk. (Xinhua/Murad Abdo) Traders and street vendors justified the rising prices of foodstuffs, particularly fruits and vegetables, as a result of an increasing demand and low of supply during Ramadan. They said that many other factors triggered this price hike, including blocked roads as a result of the ongoing fighting in areas linking the southern provinces with the northern Yemeni provinces, where many vegetables and fruits come from. Safyan Bin Ali, a street vendor, said that transportation of vegetables and fruits from other neighboring provinces into main cities like Aden faced difficulties in recent days amid an escalation of fighting that led to the destroying of key roads and bridges. "Actually we buy vegetables and fruits at high prices from the the wholesalers who are complaining of high transportation costs and lack of fuel," said Safyan. "Some vehicles specialized for transporting vegetables and fruits are frequently targeted by shelling along the main roads, which is another obstacle that contributes to the price hike," he added. In addition, the continuing depreciation of Yemeni riyal further worsened the economic condition of the country. In the street markets in Aden, 1 dollar is traded for 534 riyals, up from 215 riyals before the war. Yemen has been locked in a civil war since the Houthi rebels overran much of the country militarily and seized all northern provinces, including the capital Sanaa, in 2014. Saudi Arabia leads an Arab military coalition that has intervened in Yemen's conflict since 2015 to support the government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi after Houthi rebels forced him into exile. The prolonged military conflict has aggravated the suffering of Yemenis and deepened the world's worst humanitarian crisis. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-08 04:06:20|Editor: yan Video Player Close PARIS, May 7 (Xinhua) -- "Nature is declining globally at rates unprecedented in human history," warns a report on biodiversity, drafted for the United Nations (UN) by a group of 145 experts from across the world and published on Monday. According to the unprecedented study, nearly one million animal and plant species are threatened with extinction in the decades to come. The experts call for serious action on a global scale ahead of the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15), which will take place at the end of 2020 in Kunming, China. MOST VIOLENT BIOLOGICAL CRISIS The conclusions of the report released by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) are stark: humanity is faced with the most violent biological crisis since the beginning of the modern era. Of the nearly one million animal and plant species in danger of extinction, many are at risk in the next decades. Without swift and decisive action on local and international levels, one out of eight species could disappear in the medium term, warn the experts working for the UN. Several studies with converging conclusions have already sounded the alarm in the past, but the IPBES report -- which claims to be the "most comprehensive assessment of its kind" -- has sent a shockwave through the media and the public worldwide. Citizen initiatives and calls for civil disobedience campaigns are multiplying across Europe, with the aim of putting pressure on governments accused of "climate inaction" or even of "ecocide" (killing of ecosystems). Gathered in Metz in eastern France under the French Presidency of the G7, the world's most industrialized countries -- the United States, Canada, Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom, France and Italy -- signed on Monday a charter on biodiversity, which nevertheless carries no legal obligations. In this context, the COP15 on biodiversity will be a critical meeting point for world leaders. "The health of ecosystems on which we and all other species depend is deteriorating more rapidly than ever. We are eroding the very foundations of our economies, livelihoods, food security, health and quality of life worldwide," declared Sir Robert Watson, chair of IPBES. "The overwhelming evidence of the IPBES Global Assessment, from a wide range of different fields of knowledge, presents an ominous picture," he said. The current rate of extinction is dozens, if not hundreds or thousands, of times higher than the average of the last 10 million years, affirmed the IPBES report. CALL FOR MORE EFFORTS Undertaken during the last three years by 145 experts, based on a systematic review of approximately 15,000 scientific references and governmental sources, and supported by the contributions of 310 additional experts, the study evaluates the changes at work during the last 5 decades and analyzes the relationship between the trajectories of economic development and their impacts on the environment. "Nature is declining globally at rates unprecedented in human history -- and the rate of species' extinction is accelerating, with grave impacts on people around the world now likely," summarizes the IPBES in a press release. The experts point a finger at five causes, all originating with humans: natural habitat destruction, overexploitation of resources, climate change, all types of pollution, and the increase of invasive species. The experts stress the need for a mode of development less destructive for nature and for indispensable financing -- including fair burden-sharing between rich and poor countries -- of biodiversity preservation and restoration. Today, more than 8 billion euros (8.93 billion U.S. dollars) per year are dedicated to biodiversity preservation and restoration worldwide. Between 200 and 300 billion euros per year would be needed, argued the IPBES. The report also underlines that, since 1980, greenhouse gas emissions have doubled, provoking a rise in average global temperatures of at least 0.7 degrees Celsius. Climate change already has an impact on the environment, from ecosystems to genetic diversity, the consequences of which should increase in the coming decades. In 2010, during the Aichi Biological Diversity Conference in Japan, political leaders fixed ambitious objectives, which are far from being achieved. The COP15 on biodiversity will therefore be a critical meeting. "We still have the means to ensure a sustainable future for the people and the planet," said IPBES scientists. This would necessitate a "fundamental, system-wide reorganization across technological, economic and social factors, including paradigms, goals and values," they wrote in their press release. The researchers insist on the need for major economic reform, with strict controls, especially on financial systems, as well as for private interests to be set aside for the common good. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-08 05:42:26|Editor: yan Video Player Close LONDON, May 7 (Xinhua) -- A comprehensive Chinese culture and tourism promotion program was launched on Tuesday night in London. The launch of 2019 China Weeks -- When Culture and Tourism Blend -- was hosted at Cultural Office of the Chinese Embassy in the United Kingdom. From May to June, the China Weeks, consisting of 11 programs covering areas like performance, dialogue, lecture, concert, exhibition and promotion event, will be held across Britain. The highlights include world renowned choreographer Yang Liping's The Rite of Spring, which will be staged at the Sadler's Wells Theatre from May 9 to 11, a Philharmonia Orchestra Concert at Royal Festival Hall on May 11, the Amazing China exhibition at 2019 London Craft Week from May 10 to 12, and the signing of MOU between Britain's Tate Gallery and Shanghai's Pudong Museum of Art. Minister Counselor Yu Peng said at the opening speech that this year marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, and also the 40th anniversary of the signing of China-UK cultural cooperation agreement. In recent years, there have been strong demands for British culture in China. The V&A, the British Museum, the British Library and the Philharmonia Orchestra have been attracting huge audiences in China. "Meanwhile, we are seeing an increasing appreciation in the UK for Chinese culture, too," he said. The Terracotta Warriors exhibition in Liverpool was one of the most popular museum exhibitions of last year. The Chinese New Year Celebration at the Trafalgar Square attracted really big crowds this year. "Cultural exchange is crucial in forging a mutual understanding between our two nations. And it will also help us encourage bilateral cooperation in culture and tourism," he noted. The China Weeks is part of a global effort. A total of 19 China National Tourist Offices and 34 China Cultural Centers overseas joined hands to host various events globally during the following two months, presenting beautiful China with different cultural activities for increasing inbound tourism. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-08 05:52:29|Editor: yan Video Player Close ADEN, Yemen, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Around four government troops and five Houthi fighters were killed on Tuesday in fighting between the two sides in the southeastern province of al-Bayda, a military official told Xinhua. Scores of Houthi fighters launched an armed attack, accompanied by heavy shelling on the positions of government forces in the area of AlHumegan located in the southwest of al-Bayda province, the local military source said on condition of anonymity. He said that the attack sparked armed confrontations that ended up in killing four government soldiers, including a field military commander, and wounding several others. The source pointed out that the government forces repulsed the attack, and fought fierce battles with the Houthis causing unknown casualties among the Houthi assailants. In a brief statement, the country's Defense Ministry said that the government forces backed by local tribesmen targeted the Houthi-controlled sites in al-Bayda, killing five Houthis and wounding others. On the other hand, the pro-Houthi media outlets confirmed that the group's fighters launched an offensive on the positions of government forces in AlHumegan district, killing and wounding several pro-government soldiers including leaders. Large areas of al-Bayda province are witnessing continuous fighting between the Yemeni government forces and the Houthis rebels who are attempting to expand their control to include areas in the country's southern and eastern part. Yemen has been plagued by a civil war since late 2014 after Houthi rebels revolted against the internationally recognized government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi. The rebels advanced from their far northern stronghold of Saada Province toward the south, and seized control over much of the country's north including Sanaa, thus triggering the civil war. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-08 06:02:35|Editor: yan Video Player Close YAOUNDE, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Cameroon's National Committee on Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (NCDDR) said Tuesday that in the past five months 165 fighters in the Far-North region and two English-speaking regions of the country have "voluntarily" laid down their weapons "to embrace normal life". "We have 35 of them in Bamenda in the Northwest region, 21 in Buea in the Southwest region, mostly men and a few young women, and we have 109 in Mora in the Far North. The numbers may seem small but I think we are doing a lot because in addition to these numbers, we have hundreds of them who have laid down their arms but have not come to us yet," Francis Fai Yengo, national coordinator of NCDDR, told reporters after briefing the prime minister and other senior government officials of the new development. NCDDR will provide professional training and host the ex-combatants in rehabilitation centers across the country, Yengo said. "We are going gradually but surely. We will demobolize them. They are going to move to the centers when the security situation is better," he said. Cameroon is facing serious security challenges in the two Anglophone regions of Northwest and Southwest where separatists want to create an independent nation. In the Far North, where terror group Boko Haram is intensifying attacks on civilians and government forces. NCDDR was created by President Paul Biya last year "to avoid the use of extreme measures" and supervise and manage the disarmament and reintegration of ex-combatants of Boko Haram and armed separatists in the Anglophone regions. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-08 06:17:44|Editor: yan Video Player Close DUBLIN, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Tourism Ireland's target to grow the number of Chinese visitors to the island by 2025 has been revised up to 200,000, an increase of more than 14 percent from its previous figure of 175,000 due to the huge potential of the Chinese travel market. The revised growth target figure was announced on Tuesday in a statement of Tourism Ireland, a state agency tasked to market the island of Ireland overseas as a leading holiday destination. To achieve the newly-set target, Tourism Ireland will double its marketing efforts in China in the coming months, which will include doubling its investment in China to one million euros (1.12 million U.S. dollars) as well as doubling its marketing team on the ground in the country, said the statement. Currently Tourism Ireland has set up four offices in the Chinese mainland. They include Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chengdu. A largest ever sales mission of Tourism Ireland, which comprises 26 Irish tourism businesses, left for China on Monday, said the statement. The mission, according to the statement, will meet hundreds of travel agents and tour operators as well as key airlines and travel journalists in Guangzhou, Chengdu, Shanghai and Beijing. Another sales mission will be sent to China this autumn, which will take in Hong Kong and Shenzhen to capitalize on the direct flights recently opened between the two cities and Dublin, it said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-08 06:27:47|Editor: yan Video Player Close DUBLIN, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Tourism Ireland's target to grow the number of Chinese visitors to the island by 2025 has been revised up to 200,000, an increase of more than 14 percent from its previous figure of 175,000 due to the huge potential of the Chinese travel market. The revised growth target figure was announced on Tuesday in a statement of Tourism Ireland, a state agency tasked to market the island of Ireland overseas as a leading holiday destination. To achieve the newly-set target, Tourism Ireland will double its marketing efforts in China in the coming months, which will include doubling its investment in China to one million euros (1.12 million U.S. dollars) as well as doubling its marketing team on the ground in the country, said the statement. Currently Tourism Ireland has set up four offices in the Chinese mainland. They include Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chengdu. A largest ever sales mission of Tourism Ireland, which comprises 26 Irish tourism businesses, left for China on Monday, said the statement. The mission, according to the statement, will meet hundreds of travel agents and tour operators as well as key airlines and travel journalists in Guangzhou, Chengdu, Shanghai and Beijing. Another sales mission will be sent to China this autumn, which will take in Hong Kong and Shenzhen to capitalize on the direct flights recently opened between the two cities and Dublin, it said. Irish Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross, said in the statement that China is the world's fastest-growing outbound travel market and the additional funding by his department for Tourism Ireland in developing the Chinese market will help it to deliver on its ambitious China target set for 2025. Niall Gibbons, CEO of Tourism Ireland, said: "Our review of emerging tourism markets confirmed China as a market of considerable opportunity for us." According to Gibbons, Tourism Ireland welcomed an estimated 100,000 Chinese visitors to the island of Ireland in 2018, up 11 percent over 2017. "The recent introduction of direct flights linking three Chinese cities, namely Beijing, Hong Kong and Shenzhen, to Dublin has been a major game changer and offers a real opportunity for us," said Gibbons, adding that this has boosted Tourism Ireland's confidence in revising up its growth target for the Chinese market. According to Tourism Ireland, around 11.2 million overseas residents visited the island of Ireland in 2018, delivering total revenue of approximately 6.1 billion euros. Enditem Irish Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross, said in the statement that China is the world's fastest-growing outbound travel market and the additional funding by his department for Tourism Ireland in developing the Chinese market will help it to deliver on its ambitious China target set for 2025. Niall Gibbons, CEO of Tourism Ireland, said: "Our review of emerging tourism markets confirmed China as a market of considerable opportunity for us." According to Gibbons, Tourism Ireland welcomed an estimated 100,000 Chinese visitors to the island of Ireland in 2018, up 11 percent over 2017. "The recent introduction of direct flights linking three Chinese cities, namely Beijing, Hong Kong and Shenzhen, to Dublin has been a major game changer and offers a real opportunity for us," said Gibbons, adding that this has boosted Tourism Ireland's confidence in revising up its growth target for the Chinese market. According to Tourism Ireland, around 11.2 million overseas residents visited the island of Ireland in 2018, delivering total revenue of approximately 6.1 billion euros. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-08 06:47:56|Editor: Yamei Video Player Close BAGHDAD, May 7 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Tuesday made an unannounced visit to the Iraqi capital Baghdad, during which he discussed with Iraqi leaders the latest regional developments amid the rising tension with Iran. Speaking after the meetings, Pompeo told reporters that he made the surprise visit to Iraq because Iran "is escalating their activity" in the region following the U.S. move to ban Iranian oil exports. He added that Iraqi leaders promised to protect U.S. interests as they understood that this was their responsibility. Iraqi Foreign Minister Mohammed al-Hakim said in a tweet that he participated in two separate important meetings that Pompeo held with Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi and Iraqi President Barham Salih. In the two meetings, "we have discussed bilateral relations and the latest security developments in region, as well as counter-terrorism efforts," al-Hakim said, without giving further details. Pompeo arrived in Baghdad after he abruptly cancelled his visit to Germany on Tuesday. His visit came amid the tense situation in the region after U.S. President Donald Trump decided not to reissue the sanctions waivers for major importers to continue buying Iran's oil when they expired in early May, in a bid to pile up pressure on Iran. The United States has also increased its military activities in the region recently, citing a threat of Iranian "attack." Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-08 06:57:59|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close WASHINGTON, May 7 (Xinhua) -- The United States formally terminated a 2013 agreement with Mexico on tomato trade, possibly resulting in an anti-dumping duty on Mexican tomatoes sold to the United States, the U.S. Department of Commerce said Tuesday. The statement said that the United States will continue to negotiate a possible revised agreement with Mexico, one that is "acceptable to the Mexican signatories" and "also addresses the concerns of the U.S. industry to the extent permissible by U.S. trade law." The department issued a statement on Feb. 6 notifying Mexico that it intended to terminate the 2013 Suspension Agreement on Fresh Tomatoes from Mexico, effective on May 7. "Today, 90 days after Commerce notified the Mexican signatories, the Department is withdrawing from the Agreement," read Tuesday's statement. "As a consequence of withdrawal, the Agreement terminates today." The current agreement suspended an anti-dumping investigation into Mexican tomato imports in exchange for the Mexican side agreeing to certain restrictions. The United States began negotiating revisions to the six-year-old trade pact with Mexico in January 2018. After the termination of the agreement, Commerce will continue with its investigation into sales of Mexican tomatoes to the United States, according to the statement. If Commerce "continues to find sales made at less than fair value," the U.S. International Trade Commission will complete its own investigation and "make a final determination with respect to injury," the statement said. Some producer groups from California -- which accounts for over 95 percent of processed tomato the country produces -- and other U.S. western states warned that if the United States resumes anti-dumping investigations into Mexican crops, Mexico may retaliate with similar moves targeting U.S. agricultural products such as apple, according to a report by CNBC in February. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-08 07:08:02|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close LOS ANGELES, May 7 (Xinhua) -- At least seven students were injured in a shooting Tuesday afternoon at a charter school near Denver, capital of the U.S. western state of Colorado, local police said. "7 possibly 8 students have been injured. Two shooters in custody. SWAT still clearing school," Douglas County Sheriff's Office tweeted about two hours after the incident. The reports of shots fired came at 1:53 p.m. local time, according to Douglas County Sheriff's Office, which also confirmed later that two suspects were in custody so far. Douglas County Undersheriff Holly Nicholson-Kluth was quoted by the local Denver Post newspaper as saying that authorities did not believe another suspect was still in the school, however deputies were still going room to room at the school, clearing the building. She said it wasn't yet known whether the suspects were students at the school and she did not disclose the details of the shooting, just saying that when police entered the school, they found some sort of "struggle." Meanwhile, Wendy Forbes, spokeswoman for Littleton Adventist Hospital, briefed reporters that five patients were transported the hospital, four of them in serious condition while one in fair condition. The incident occurred at STEM School Highlands Ranch, located about 32 kilometers south from the Denver downtown. There are about 1,850 students in the K-12 charter school. Pompierii avertizeaza: un brad de Craciun poate fi cuprins de flacari in mai putin de un minut Cele mai mari riscuri de incendiu la un brad impodobit vin de la asezarea lui langa surse de incalzire, dar si de la instalatia electrica ori amplasarea lumanarilor sau artificiilor de pom in imediata [citeste mai departe] Volodymyr Zelensky won the most votes in the Eastern (87%) and Southern (85%) regions, slightly less in the Central (70%) and Western (57%) regions Two presidential candidates - Volodymyr Zelensky (right) and Petro Poroshenko (left) Open source The exit polls showed the peculiarities of voting in the second round of presidential elections, revealing regional and settlement, sexual, and educational issues. The results of the research are published on the website of the Ilko Kucheriv Democratic Initiatives Foundation. The Ilko Kucheriv Democratic Initiatives Foundation, the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS), and the Oleksandr Razumkov Ukrainian Center for Economic and Political Studies conducted the study. Volodymyr Zelensky won the most votes in the Eastern (87%) and Southern (85%) regions, slightly less in the Central (70%) and Western (57%) regions. Petro Poroshenko has got his best result in the Western region (41%), while in the other regions it was significantly lower: Central 28%, Southern 13.5%, Eastern 12%. Zelensky has a tangible advantage in settlements of various types, most of all in cities with a population of 100,000 or more (87%), urban-type settlements (81%), cities with a population of less than 20,000 (80%), and in cities with a population of 50,000 to 100,000 (74%), in villages (73%). A slightly smaller percentage was received in regional centers (68%) and cities with a population of 20 to 47 thousand (64%). Petro Poroshenko was supported by the voters of cities with a population of 20 to 49 thousand (35%) and in regional centers (30%) relatively more. There is virtually no difference in support by gender. However, voices differed by the age groups. Zelensky has the highest support among young voters: among voters aged 1829 years old 80%, 3039 years old 73.5%, 4049 years old 73%, 5059 years old 72%, 60 years and older 69.5%. Poroshenkos support is higher among older voters: in the group of voters 1829 years old 19%, 3039 years old 25%, 4049 years old 25%, 5059 years old 26.5%, 60 years and older 29%. Also, social scientists have found the difference in voting depending on education. Zelensky received the most votes among voters with incomplete secondary education (82%). Among voters with full secondary education, secondary specialized and incomplete higher education, support is about the same (78%, 75%, and 77% respectively), and slightly less (67%) among voters with a full higher education. Petro Poroshenko had the best result among voters with higher education (31%), and the worst among voters with incomplete secondary education (16%). Zelenskys electorate is mainly concentrated in the Central and Southern regions (65%), while Poroshenkos electorate dominates in the West and the Center in (61%). A larger percentage of Poroshenko's supporters is concentrated in the regional centers (40% vs. 32% for Zelensky), and Zelensky's electorate is mainly the voters from the cities with a population of more than 100,000 (10% and 4% for Poroshenko). Speaking about the electorate of Petro Poroshenko, people with higher education prevail (48%), in the structure of Zelenskys electorate this category is significantly less (36.5%). Recall, voting in the second round of presidential elections was held on April 21. Voter turnout in the second round of the presidential election was 62.07%. On April 30, the Central Election Commission announced the official results of the presidential election. Volodymyr Zelensky won with 73.22% of the vote. Read the original text at 112.ua. Artem Sytnyk will be interviewed within the criminal case of possible power abuse Artem Sytnyk, the Director of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine focus.ua Prosecutor General's Office of Ukraine summons National Anti-Corruption Bureau Head Artem Sytnyk for the interview; it is slated for May 10. Andriy Lysenko, the spokesman of the Office said that during the Tuesday briefing. 'He is summoned for 10 a.m.', he said. Lysenko explained that Sytnyk will be interviewed within the criminal case of possible power abuse. In late March, the State Bureau of Investigations began to look into the case about Sytnyk's possible interference into the U.S. presidential election. The reason to initiate the case appeared after MP Boryslav Rozenblat claimed that the official passed the black ledger of the Party of Regions (currently disbanded, - 112 International) to the U.S., in order to support Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election campaign. He served in this office since September 2015; his deputy Mykola Balan will replace him Yuriy Allerov, Commander of National Guard of Ukraine (2015-2019) Open source Yuriy Allerov has been relieved of his duty as the Commander of the National Guard of Ukraine. The respective order has been posted on the website of the head of the state. Another order, released immediately, puts Mykola Balan in charge of the National Guard; until today, Balan served as Allerov's deputy. Under the acting legal frameworks, the National Guard Commander is assigned and fired by the President of Ukraine, based on the appeal of the Minister of Internal Affairs. The National Guard of Ukraine has a wide list of duties, including: - protection of life, rights, freedoms and legitimate interests of citizens, society and the state, protection of the constitutional system of Ukraine and the integrity of its territory; - performance of tasks on territorial defense; - the conduct of hostilities in the event of armed conflict or the threat of an attack on Ukraine; - suppression of the activities of illegal militants or armed groups, terrorist organizations, organized groups and criminal organizations; - participation in antiterrorist operations. The woman was taken to Sklifosovsky hospital Plane crash at Sheremetyevo International Airport in Moscow TV Centre A citizen of Ukraine who got injured in a plane crash at Sheremetyevo International Airport in Moscow is in a hospital in a critical condition, as Vasyl Kyrylych, the official representative of the Department of Consular Service of Foreign Ministry said, Interfax-Ukraine reported. Ukrainian citizen is among the victims, she was hospitalized, her condition is critical, Kyrylych said. As it was reported earlier, a burning plane conducted an emergency landing at Sheremetyevo airport, Russia. 41 passengers were reported dead, 18 injured, 37 survivors evacuated. At the time of landing the plane was completely engulfed in flames. A three-day mourning is declared in Murmansk region. Russia's Investigative Committee said it had opened a criminal investigation into the case, listing its avenues to address. According to Alexandr Novak, Russian Minister of Energy, the investigation defined a group of companies which brought polluted oil to the pipeline. Druzhba pipeline for oil delivery, Russia TASS Four people were detained in Russia in the case on pollution of oil in Druzhba pipeline, as TASS news agency reported, citing Alexandr Novak, Russia's Minister of Energy. According to him, the investigation defined a group of companies, which brought polluted oil to the pipeline. Russias Energy Ministry suggests controlling the quality of oil daily. If government confirms it, there might be amendments to legislation on the inspection process. As Novak put it, one pipe string of Druzhba pipeline will be cleared in each direction in late May. Besides, the current situation with polluted oil did not influence its production. Soon, Russias Energy Ministry expects the beginning of a pump to Poland. Earlier Belarus has temporarily stopped the export of the light oil products to Ukraine, Poland, and the Baltic States. The reason was the supply of the poor-quality oil from the Russian Federation. As we reported before, the Russian Federation placed a ban for export of petroleum and petroleum products, including coal, petroleum, and petroleum products to Ukraine. Related video: The EU official congratulated Zelensky on winning the presidential election, adding that the victory gives the new leader the mandate to fight corruption President-elect Volodymyr Zelensky met with European Commissioner for EU Enlargement and Neighborhood Policy Johannes Hahn. The latter posted that on Twitter. Today I congratulated Volodymir #Zelenskiy personally in #Kyiv to his impressive victory to become President of #Ukraine which gives him a very strong mandate to fight against corruption + for de-oligarchisation. 1/3 pic.twitter.com/yYJuTYPYXN Johannes Hahn (@JHahnEU) 7 2019 . Hahn congratulated Zelensky on his victory in the presidential election in Ukraine and stressed that the victory gives the new leader the mandate to fight corruption and oligarchs. 'I offered the president-elect full EU support in all reforms, which prove its usefulness for Ukrainian citizens. Ukraine faces a lot of challenges and threats, and all Ukrainian authorities - the president, the government and the Verkhovna Rada - now should act most responsibly. It means that in the transition period before the parliamentary election, reforms should be speeded up to ensure the financial and economic stability', Hahn said. The Verkhovna Rada, the Parliament of Ukraine registered one more the bill on holding the solemn session devoted to the President-elect Volodymyr Zelensky making an oath and start performing his duties. The website of the Verkhovna Rada reports this. According to the report, the initiator of the decree was Viktor Baloha, the MP without spinster party. The document is passed to the review of the parliaments authorities, but it has not been published yet. No casualties among the Ukrainian Armed Forces have been registered The Russia-backed militants violated the ceasefire regime eight times today. No casualties among the Ukrainian Armed Forces have been registered. The press service of the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) HQ reported. The enemy used 120 mm mortars, infantry fighting vehicles, and heavy machine guns. In Donbas region, the occupant fired five times at the positions of the Joint Forces operation: with the anti-tank grenade launchers near Talakivla settlement, four times with heavy machine guns near Marinka, Hranitne, Talakivka, and Lebedynske villages, the report said. According to the report, in Luhansk region, the enemy shelled the positions of the Joint Forces operation three times near: twice with 120 mm mortar and infantry fighting vehicle weaponry near Novozvanivka, and 120 mm mortar near Troitske settlement. No casualties among the Joint Forces operation registered. The Ukrainian subdivisions stopped the fire by opening fire as well. The enemys casualties have been checking yet, the report added. Ukraines National Anti-Corruption Bureau opens probe against Verkhovna Rada speaker on deliberate abuse of power for the unlawful benefit, misuse of public funds Spokesperson of Verkhovna Rada Andriy Parubiy The Verkhovna Rada Ukraines National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) opened a criminal proceeding against the Spokesperson of Verkhovna Rada Andriy Parubiy under the suspicion of misuse of public funds, as NABU press office reported, Unian news agency informs. April 10, 2019, in response to a ruling of Solomyansky District Court of Kyiv investigation judge as of April 2, 2019, NABU representative included information in the Unified registry of pre-trial investigation provided by the articles of Ukraines Criminal Code, the establishment reports. Therefore, the pre-trial investigation is being held on deliberate abuse of power or official authority for the unlawful benefit, misuse of public funds, budget spending or loans from the budget without set allocations from the budget or with their excess. Courts ruling as of April 2 reads that Solomyansky Court of Kyiv obliges NABU to include the information about misuse of public funds into the Unified registry of the pre-trial investigation. Parubiy has not commented on this. Earlier, NABU opened a criminal proceeding on alleged state treason and other crimes against Roman Truba, the Head of State Bureau of Investigation. Ukraines Security Service conducts the investigation. Accident in Ivano-Frankivsk region took lives of tree Belarusian tourists State Emergency Service of Ukraine The Embassy of Ukraine in Belarus expressed condolences to the families of tourists who died in the accident in Ivano-Frankivsk region. This was reported on the Twitter page of the embassy. We express deep condolences to the families and friends of the citizens of Belarus who have died as a result of the accident in Ivano-Frankivsk region, the message says. As it was reported earlier, a truck with tourists broke off a cliff about 40 meters high and fell into the Chorny Cheremosh river in Krasnyk village of Ivano-Frankivsk region at 11:43 on May 6. This was reported on the website of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine. The accident took the lives of three people. In total, there were 24 people in the truck (23 foreign tourists and a driver). The police found out that a 47-year old driver was driving in a state of alcohol intoxication. He was taken from the hospital to the temporary detention facility. A group of tourists from Belarus was supposed to go rafting on the river, so it was heading to the destination. The bodies of three dead people were found in the car: a man who was the head of the group, and two women. 16 people survived on their own, and 3 people were saved by rescuers and sent to medical institutions. United Nations are holding open debates on peacekeeping operations Ukrainian delegation to UN The United Nations are holding open debates on peacekeeping operations. The session is broadcasted by the UN press service. "The delegation of Ukraine is headed by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Serhiy Kyslytsia," as the Permanent Mission of Ukraine to the United Nations noted. As it was reported earlier, Ukraine urged the UN Security Council member countries to increase the sanctions pressure on Russia - in the view of Russian leader Putin's recent decree on issuing Russian passports to residents of the occupied Donbas. Ukraine's Envoy in the UN Volodymyr Yelchenko said this at the urgent session of the UN Security Council. On April 25, the Ukrainian Parliament turned to the international community, asking governments and parliaments to blame the Russian Federation's actions aimed at issuing passports for residents of the occupied territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The respective appeal was sent to the EU member countries, Canada, the United States, as well as the UN, OSCE and the Council of Europe. 'Thus, the Kremlin once again breached the basic principles of the international law - deliberately and cynically. The previous practice of Russia's illegal use of the citizenship in the occupied territories shows this policy is of forced and discriminative nature, being the instruments of committing crimes against the humanity and entails human rights violations', reads the address. The U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch ends her three-year term in Kyiv as scheduled. The data of her departure complies with the transition of power in Ukraine, as Ukrinform reported referring to the answer of the official representative of the U.S. State Department to the journalists request. Ambassador Yovanovitch ends her three-year diplomatic term in Kyiv as scheduled, the U.S. foreign service reported. As the representatives of State Department stressed, confirmed date of her departure complies with the transition of presidential power in Ukraine. The team of the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv and in Washington continue cooperation with the Ukrainian government and civil society to enhance our partnership, the U.S. State Department informed. Earlier, media reported that the U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Mary Marie Yovanovitch would end her term in our country on May 20. Related video: The president elect of Ukraine thanked the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church for the spiritual support of citizens in this difficult time Zelensky met with head of Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, May 2019 Zelensky's team Facebook The president-elect of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky held a meeting with the head of Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church Svyatoslav Shevchuk. This was reported by the press service of Zelensky. Zelensky congratulated the Patriarch Svyatoslav on the occasion of his birthday and the head of the UGCC has congratulated Volodymyr Zelensky on his election win. Volodymyr Zelensky thanked the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church for the spiritual support of citizens in this difficult time. The president-elect also noted the importance of divine service held by the Church on the occupied territories of Donbas and annexed Crimea, the message says. During the meeting, the parties discussed the mission of the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and religious organizations in preserving religious peace and public initiative to build a European Ukraine. They emphasized importance of Ukrainian World Congress and Ukrainian diaspora for support of Ukraine in the world and the necessity of adequate response to the challenges of the hybrid war. Separately, it was discussed about the mass migration of young people from Ukraine and the role of the church in the keeping of the connection of citizens with their motherland. At the end of the meeting, Svyatoslav Shevchuk presented Volodymyr Zelensky with a book about the history of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church and the icon of Great feasts in the Eastern Orthodox Church. As it was reported earlier, Zelensky asked the Ukrainian Rabbis Council to support his idea of building a dialogue with the residents of the temporarily occupied territories in the east of Ukraine and the Crimea. It is noted that at the meeting, among other things, there was a discussion about the fight against anti-Semitism. In particular, the participants noted that today in Ukraine this problem is not as acute as in other countries of the world. Every year more than 800 thousand pilgrims come to Ukraine; 150 Jewish righteous people are buried here. Runs through 05/18/2019. Named after the wounded Fisher King of Arthurian Legend, A Prairie Fisher King espouses the notion of home as both a site of idealization and a locus for wounding. Drawing from memory, a narrative is woven in the form of photographs and text of the rural Iowa countryside where my family has lived for generations. A Prairie Fisher King is an ongoing body of work reflecting on the nature of familial hardship and generational connection through the lens of place. An undertone of violence embodies the emotional distress accumulated with age as well as a looming threat posed upon the landscape. Initially conceived as a bittersweet love letter to home, A Prairie Fisher King considers the various myths we construct in order to survive in the face of inevitable change. Through the accumulation of intimately described detail a search for reconciliation becomes palpable. I assume the role of reluctant hero and return to seek the damaged king, to seal old wounds and to salve the land. __________________________________________ Chelsea Darter received her MFA at Columbia College Chicago in 2018 and her BFA from The University of Iowa in 2013. Her work has been exhibited nationally and internationally, and featured online by Light Leaked, Aint-Bad, and Fraction Magazine. Her personal work explores themes of place attachment, class, familial connection and local mythologies. She lives and works in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Honor Flight San Diego(SAN DIEGO) -- A 95-year-old World War II veteran died during a flight to San Diego on Monday evening, returning from an "Honor Flight" to Washington, D.C., to vist the WW II Memorial, the organization arranging the trip confirmed. Frank Manchel was completing a trip arranged by Honor Flight San Diego a group that provides veterans with all-expense-paid trips to visit war memorials in the nation's capital. "It is with our most deepest sympathy that we send our condolences to the Frank Manchel family," Honor Flight San Diego said in a statement on its Facebook page. "Mr. Manchel passed away on the flight to San Diego last evening. He collapsed and resuscitation measures were taken but he could not be revived." Manchel, who served in the Army during WWII, was accompanied by his son during the trip. His brother, nephew, and second son joined him in Washington for the festivities. Frank Manchel was so excited to go on Honor Flight," Bruce Manchel, the family's spokesperson and one of Manchel's sons, told Honor Flight San Diego. "To be with both of his sons as well as his 93-year-old brother who met him in Washington, D.C., was so special. My fathers passing was the ending to the most amazing weekend, surrounded by his newest best friends." According to Honor Flight San Diego, after Manchel passed away during the flight, his body was draped in the American flag that the group had carried with them to Washington while two chaplains on board prayed for him. Shelly Zimmerman, a retired San Diego police chief who was on the flight, ensured the group followed protocol once the flight landed in San Diego with medical personnel, firefighters, and law enforcement saluting Manchel as paramedics escorted his body to the tarmac. American Airlines, which flew the honor cordon from Washington, has offered to fly Manchel to his final resting place in Michigan, along with his family members, at no cost, Honor Flight said. "We thank all of you Honor Flight San Diego, American Airlines, San Diego International airport, friends, and supporters for your concern and for allowing the weekend to be so special for all of us to share together," Bruce Manchel said. "Frank passed quickly and peacefully and the compassion and respect that that was shown to our family will be treasured always. May he rest in peace as he is now with his other beloved son Jimmy. Copyright 2019, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. My airplane has wingtip-mounted fuel tanks, installed under a supplemental type certificate (STC). In many ways, theyve transformed and improved the machine by adding greater loading flexibility, thanks in part to a gross-weight increase. What drag they produce isnt noticeable, and the additional endurance means the airplane is faster over some trips than it was before. For many of my destinations, I can depart with full tanks, fly to my destination, shoot an approach, miss it and fly home with reserves. But the first time I flew the airplane after the installation was complete and signed off, I did slow flight and stalls to determine if the airplanes low-speed characteristics had changed. After leak checks, I topped all the tanks and took off solo, heading for the practice area. I climbed to 3000 feet, cleared the area and flew level turns with the stall warner on for about five minutes. Then I pulled the power off and kept easing back on the yoke until the stall broke and the airplane fell off on a wing. I recovered, did one with some power and went home. My brief career as a test pilot was over. With the tip tanks installed, the airplane basically handled as it did before, and I was satisfied. But it just as easily could have gone pear shaped. I was, quite literally, the first to fly what was essentially an untested airplane. There are many ways to screw up performing a stall series, but one of the easiest is to start out at too low an altitude. No, you probably wont always need a 3000-foot altitude margin when doing stalls in a certified piston single (the FAA recommends at least 1500 feet), but it cant hurt. Another way to screw up a stall series is to start out with plenty of altitude, but then not climbing back up where you were for the next round. Background On December 7, 2016, at about 1043 Alaska time, a ski-equipped Bellanca 7GCBC Citabria was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain about 17 miles southeast of Fairbanks, Alaska. The solo airline transport pilot was fatally injured. Visual conditions prevailed for the local flight, which was the first one for the airplane after a vortex generator (VG) kit was installed under an STC. Data from a portable GPS receiver found in the wreckage included time, location and GPS altitude, plus groundspeed and track information. The airplane began its takeoff roll at 1026:14. Between 1033:11 and 1037:07, the airplane performed one right 360-degree turn and two 720-degree turnsone to the left and one to the rightwhile flying at GPS altitudes between 1601 feet and 1437 feet and maintaining groundspeeds of 44 to 100 knots. At 1037:07, the airplane turned to a southwesterly track and performed slow-flight maneuvers. The airplane slowed to 46 knots for a period of 19 seconds, accelerated and then slowed to 40 knots for 14 seconds before accelerating to 68 knots, maneuvers consistent with practicing stalls. At 1040:52, the airplane began tracking southeast for two minutes and 36 seconds. During this final track, the airplane descended from 1545 feet to 981 feet, decelerated from 81 knots to 26 knots, and then entered a rapid descent at about 2000 fpm and a rapid turn to the south. About 30 seconds before the rapid descent began, the airplane had a rate of descent of 510 fpm as it decelerated below 40 knots. The last valid data indicated increasing groundspeed of 35 knots and a GPS altitude of 587 feet (75 feet AGL). Investigation All major components of the airplane were located at the accident site, which was contained within an area about 60 feet long and 20 feet wide at an elevation of about 512 feet MSL. The initial impact point was indicated by three freshly fractured spruce treetops about 350 feet from the wreckage. The fuel tanks were ruptured but liquid consistent with 100LL avgas was present in the left wing. Both propeller blades sustained damage consistent with being under power during impact. Control continuity was established from the cockpit to the control surfaces. The VGs on the wings and horizontal stabilizer were examined, measured and determined to be installed in accordance with the manufacturers instructions. The exact gross weight of the airplane could not be determined because its fuel load could not be verified. Based on the mechanics recollection that the fuel tanks were about full before engine start, the airplanes weight was calculated to be 1705 lbs., 55 lbs. above its maximum gross takeoff weight. The center of gravity was calculated to be within limits. Weather in the area included light northerly winds, visibility of 10 miles, clear skies below 12,000 feet and cold temperatures. Sunrise was at 1037, with the sun at an elevation angle of 0.1 degree above the horizon at an azimuth of 153 degrees true at 1043. The VG manufacturers documentation called for a post-installation test flight which need only consist of a subjective evaluation of aircraft handling to determine that no adverse characteristics exist. The VG manufacturer did not provide guidance on how to conduct the test flight or determine any adverse effect. The STC application paperwork included a test-pilot notation that before the VG installation on a similar airplane, a definite left-wing drop was noted at aerodynamic stall; however, after VG installation, none was noted. Probable Cause The NTSB determined the probable cause(s) of this accident to include: The pilots operation of the airplane at an altitude that was too low to allow for recovery from an intentional aerodynamic stall, which resulted in an impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident were the pilots inability to recognize altitude deviations during slow flight due to the sun glare and the pilots lack of knowledge of the stall performance characteristics of the airplane modified with vortex generators due to the lack of information from the manufacturer. The pilot initiated the practice stall sequence lower than recommended and apparently entered a deep stall with a high descent rate. The NTSB highlighted the VG-test airplanes tendency to drop a wing in a stall before the VGs were installed and its lack of such a tendency afterward. Its possible the pilot didnt realize he was fully stalled, and the early-morning glare of the sun rising in his face helped with the illusion he was higher than he was. Regardless, he had insufficient altitude to safely recover from the maneuver before the airplane impacted terrain. Aircraft Profile: Bellanca 7GCBC Citabria Engine: Lycoming O-360-A2B Empty Weight: 1150 lbs. Maximum Gross Takeoff Weight: 1650 lbs. Typical Cruise Speed: 111 KTAS Standard Fuel Capacity: 35 gal. Service Ceiling: 17,000 feet Range: 480 NM V SO : 39 KIAS Prevent Aerodynamic Stall At Low Altitude According to the NTSB, While maneuvering an airplane at low altitude in visual meteorological conditions, many pilots fail to avoid conditions that lead to an aerodynamic stall, recognize the warning signs of a stall onset, and apply appropriate recovery techniques. Many stall accidents result when a pilot is momentarily distracted from the primary task of flying, such as while maneuvering in the airport traffic pattern, during an emergency, or when fixating on ground objects. Reducing [angle of attack] by lowering the airplanes nose at the first indication of a stall is the most important immediate response for stall avoidance and stall recovery. This may seem counterintuitive at low altitudes, but is a necessary first step. Jeb Burnside is the editor-in-chief of Aviation Safety magazine. Hes an airline transport pilot who owns a Beechcraft Debonair, plus half of an Aeronca 7CCM Champ. This article originally appeared in the December 2018 issue ofAviation Safetymagazine. For more great content like this,subscribe toAviation Safety! . 63 COVID-19 24 , - . ... Michael Tullberg/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) -- Michael Cohen, the former fixer and personal attorney of President Donald Trump, had just six weeks of freedom before his three-year prison term was set to begin. He was feeling reflective, grappling with the repercussions of his public and precipitous split with the president. "I had a mission that I needed to fulfill," Cohen, who once boasted he "would take a bullet" for his former boss, told Tom Arnold, the actor and comedian, in a March 25 phone conversation. "I needed to get the truth out there." Arnold shared excerpts of his conversation with Cohen on ABC News' "The Investigation" on Tuesday. The Wall Street Journal first reported some details of their discussion last month. "It's very hard when you spend 10 years taking care of somebody and their family," Cohen said, referring to his time with Trump, before adding, "look, I always knew, you know, who he was and what he was and so on." [ READ THE FULL TRANSCRIPT OF ARNOLD'S INTERVIEW ON "THE INVESTIGATION" ] On Monday, Cohen, who pleaded guilty in 2018 to charges of campaign finance violations, lying to Congress and a bevy of financial crimes, reported to the federal corrections facility in Otisville, New York, to begin serving his sentence. During his conversation with Arnold, Cohen relayed his frustration at taking the fall for what he claims are the crimes of others -- including the president. "My family's happiness, my law license, I lost my business, I lost everything my insurance, my bank accounts," Cohen complained. "All for what? Because Trump had an affair with a porn star? That's really what this is about." Federal prosecutors implicated the president in Cohen's campaign finance violation, writing in court documents that then-candidate Trump directed Cohen to make payments in an effort to keep adult film actress Stormy Daniels and former Playboy playmate Karen McDougal from making their allegations of affairs with Trump public. Trump has denied directing Cohen to break the law. Cohen complained to Arnold that he did not receive adequate credit for his cooperation in several state and federal investigations targeting Trump, his business empire, his charitable foundation and his associates, recounting his surprise at the judge's decision "to throw a three-year freaking sentence." "After a hundred hours of testimony, including 7 1/2 hours of being beaten up on international television," Cohen said, referring to his public testimony before the House Oversight Committee in February, "you would think that you would have folks stepping up and saying, 'This guy's lost everything.'" Congressional Republicans later referred Cohen's testimony to the Justice Department, citing what they said were several lies he told the committee, though the DOJ has yet to publicly indicate they're pursuing additional charges. During his conversation with Arnold, Cohen lamented how Republicans turned on him after he turned on Trump. "You would think that I had killed one of their grandchildren. I mean they were so tough, they were so angry, and they were so nasty," said Cohen, who once served as the vice chair of the Republican National Committee, before recounting an altercation with one of the Republican committee members. "I turned and said, 'Do you mind if I say something here in my defense?'" Cohen said. "'You didn't think I was this bad of a guy when I was out there raising $140 million for the RNC as the vice chair, right?'" Despite his clashes with Republicans, Cohen sparked a friendly exchange with Rep. Eric Swalwell, a Democrat on the Oversight panel and prospective 2020 candidate. "He's a really good guy," Cohen said. "And I said to him, You know what, can I say something to you?' He goes, 'Of course.' ... 'How about a Biden-Swalwell ticket?' Right?" Arnold, a Hollywood fixture who has appeared in more than 130 films, seems an unlikely confidante for the former New York-based attorney. The two met last year in New York and struck up a friendship. "I want him to know he did a good thing, he came through," Arnold said on "The Investigation." "He did make a difference, you know, I don't know what people think -- he genuinely is a good guy, you know, we all make mistakes." Arnold said he decided to release the recording of his conversation with Cohen for Cohen's own good. "It's the best of all worlds," Arnold explained. "You could blame me if anybody says anything, you say, 'Tom Arnold recorded me, man. Tom Arnold's a jerk. He recorded me, I didn't know it.' So, that's the best thing going, you can always blame me. This is the perfect situation." Cohen, scheduled for release in mid-2022, also was ordered to pay $1.39 million in restitution plus $500,000 in forfeiture for the financial and campaign finance crimes. He faces an additional fine of $50,000 for lying to Congress. Copyright 2019, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. 16:21 | Lima, May. 7. "Public investment fell in the first two months of the year, but that decline has been reversed starting March ()," the official expressed. Likewise, he is confident Peruvian economy will expand 4.2% this year , thanks to the latest data public investment has registered. Mi total respaldo al ministro Moran, Gral Lavalle e integrantes de la @PoliciaPeru que se presentaron en el Congreso. Se ha faltado el respeto a nuestra Policia Nacional y a todos los peruanos. Basta de esta forma de hacer politica.#ALaPoliciaSeLaRespeta #ReformaPoliticaYa Presidente @MartinVizcarraC: Ofrezco mi total respaldo a todos los policias que han sido maltratados el dia de ayer en el Congreso de la Republica. Si exigimos el respeto a la policia, nosotros como autoridades debemos ser los primeros en dar el ejemplo. pic.twitter.com/3wRCqFsVIc 18:06 | Lima, May. 7. "Yes to immunity, but more objective mechanisms must be considered ()," the Head of State expressed. In this sense, the top official recalled the High-Level Political Reform Commission recommended in its proposal that the Judicial Power's Supreme Court should be in charge of lifting lawmakers' parliamentary immunity "If Congress believes it should be worked in another way, they can make a suggestion, but it will be achieved based on a discussion. If they do not debate the subject, then we cannot advance at all," he expressed. On the other hand, the statesman pointed out Prime Minister Salvador del Solar held meetings with Congress' political groups and may hold more audiences, but if there is not any willingness, the matter will not be included in the agenda. "What are we waiting for? Let's debate the political reform . In the meantime, let's all work together all the State's branches and the population in order to find the paths that will lead us to finding solutions to these problems," President Vizcarra concluded. (END) FHG/CCR/DTK/MVB Likewise, he underlined the Executive Branch works hard to comply with its functions and requested Congress therefore to do the same. Presidente @MartinVizcarraC: Esta semana se cumple un mes desde que presentamos los proyectos de #ReformaPolitica. Le pedimos al Congreso, al igual que cinco bancadas, se ponga en agenda los proyectos de reforma. The Peruvian Prosecutor showed up at the National Criminal Court this morning to file a formal accusation against the ex-Head of State and his wife. The couple is accused of asset laundering and of leading a criminal organization. This is the first accusation filed before the Judicial Branch against an ex-President of the Republic linked to the payment of bribes by the Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht Humala's Peruvian Nationalist Party is included in the accusation file as a (legal) person under investigation since the Prosecutor's investigation determined that it was used as a vehicle to launder money. "The Nationalist Party is included as accused so that, in case of a guilty verdict, we can demand the dissolution of the party as it has been used for money laundering activity," he expressed. The National Criminal Court scheduled a hearing to protect Humala and Heredia 's rights for 11:00 AM Tuesday, at the request of defense attorney Cesar Nakazaki. On the matter, Atoche said the lawyer is requesting to rule out the elements of conviction included in the Prosecutor's accusation using an effective collaboration file. "There are various documents referring to the allegedly fictitious contract between Apoyo Total company and Nadine Heredia ," he indicated. (END) RMCH/CCR/RMB/MVB The Public Ministry has demanded 20 years in prison for former President Ollanta Humala (2011-2016) , as well as 26 years and six months for his wife Nadine Heredia, due to alleged asset laundering crimes, Lava Jato Case Special Prosecution Group member German Juarez informed Tuesday.Published: 5/7/2019 YEREVAN, MAY 7, ARMENPRESS. Armenia has planned to take a number of actions to improve its business climate and positions in the World Banks Doing Business 2020 report. A great attention will be paid to the construction permissions, recognition of bankruptcy and payment of taxes, which are still at low positions in the report, but have a great potential for improvement. Deputy minister of economic development and investments Albert Babayan introduced the expected actions. Improvement of the Business Environment 2019 Action Plan, which was approved by the government in April, aims at improving the business climate and outlining the actions for 2019 which should be carried out for the assessment in the World Banks report. The WB report assesses actions being implemented at 10 directions, and from this perspective the actions cover all these directions. 51 actions will be taken. There are three indicators in Armenia which have a great potential for improvement, in other words, they are in low positions. These are the construction permission, recognition of bankruptcy and payment of taxes. In the report the construction permission is ranked 98th, bankruptcy 95th and taxpaying 88th. By cooperating with the World Bank experts we also must completely revise the construction permission process. An electronic system for construction permissions will also be introduced which will accelerate the process and raise the level of transparency, he said. As for bankruptcy, the main problem with this in Armenia is the following: enterprises, which face financial difficulties, are often dissolved, and in this regard the creditors are unable to return back the money they have provided to that enterprise. But the methodology says that the enterprise should continue its life, should improve financially, and the recovery rate will be high. The deputy minister said the actions in this regard will be focused on improving the financial condition and protecting the interests of maximally secured creditors. Armenias low positions in terms of payment of taxes are conditioned with the elimination of VAT debt remnants. These sums started to be returned since the second half of 2017. And we expect to have a great progress from the assessment perspective, Albert Babayan said. The World Bank not only focuses on the fact what reforms have been carried out by the state agencies, but also to what extent they became applicable in the private sector. The report also assesses the countrys legislative field to see to what extent it is directed to providing opportunities to improve the organizations. Given this the Armenian government also plans to make large-scale changes in the legislation. Albert Babayan added that taking into account this and a number of other changes, their estimates show that Armenia has great chances to come closer to the top 20, even top 10 countries of the 2020 report. Armenia has improved its positions in the World Banks 2019 report by 6 points, capturing the 41st place. The deputy minister introduced the changes carried out this year aimed at ensuring progress. The return of the VAT debt remnants has been carried out. We also need to take into account the fact that not only the opportunity, but also the practical process is being assessed, in other words, how much time the return takes. We have quite a good figure in this regard, the average duration of returning the money is about one month. The presentations of environmental reports have completely become online, he said. Armenia is ranked 41st in the Ease of doing business ranking in the World Banks Doing Business 2019 report. Turkey is ranked 43rd, and Georgia is ranked 6th in the ranking. Reported by Anna Grigoryan Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, MAY 7, ARMENPRESS. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo commented on his meeting held with Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov, Reuter reports. We have interests that are definitely different. ... There was a desire to begin to try and find paths where we can make real progress on places where we have overlapping interests, as narrow as they may be, and hope we can achieve that, Pompeo said. In his turn Russias Lavrov said they held a good and constructive talk. The US Secretary of State and the Russian FM meet on May 6 in Rovaniemi, Finland. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, MAY 7, ARMENPRESS. Mayor of Yerevan Hayk Marutyan has chaired a regular meeting with City Hall staffers. Before beginning the session, the City Hall officials observed a minute of silence in honor of Garegin Nalbandyan, the Head of Real Estate Management Department of the City Hall Staff who was killed in a traffic accident recently. The session discussed the 2019 April figures, whereby the citys revenue budget performance totaled 101,9%. This figure is more by 1 billion drams against the previous years same period. Then, City Hall staffers briefed the Mayor on ongoing activities such as daily supervision to tackle illegal outdoor trading. Supervision agents are carrying out daily visits to construction sites in the city to check safety regulations. Last week, 16 reports were filed on violations in construction sites. At the end of the session Mayor Hayk Marutyan thanked Zaven Arakelyan, the outgoing Head of the Legal Department, and wished him success in his future career. Arakelyan was with the City Hall since 2003. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, MAY 7, ARMENPRESS. The authorities of Qatar made a decision to provide 480 million dollars in support of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza, the countrys foreign ministry said in a statement, Reuters reported. Qatar allocated 300 million dollars in grants and loans to support the Palestinian Authoritys budget for the health and education sectors. The other 180 million dollars will go to urgent rescue and humanitarian support, as well as supporting the United Nations programs in Palestine, and to support the electricity services to ensure various sectors of the Palestinian people have access to them. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, MAY 7, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian met with the teaching staff of the Law faculty of the Yerevan State University (YSU) led by faculty dean, Professor Gagik Ghazinyan, the Presidential Office told Armenpress. The meeting, in particular, focused on the reforms carried out in judicial and education systems, as well as the issues on supplementing the state and judicial systems with highly qualified personnel. President Sarkissian listened to the opinions of the guests on the candidates for the position of the judge of the Constitutional Court. Armen Sarkissian discussed the same issues also during the meeting with a group of lawyers. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, MAY 7, ARMENPRESS. The Prosperous Armenia faction of Parliament will again vote against the bill on making changes and amendments in the Law on Composition and Activity of the Government during the second reading, faction member Naira Zohrabyan said during the debate of the bill in the Parliament. Like during the first reading, in the second reading as well the Prosperous Armenia faction will vote against this bill, she said. The MP added that she doesnt see logic to merge the ministry of culture with the ministry of education and science. In case of the complete adoption of the bill, the new government will have the following ministries: Ministry of foreign affairs Ministry of defense Ministry of emergency situations Ministry of justice Ministry of labor and social affairs Ministry of education, science and culture Ministry of nature protection Ministry of healthcare Ministry of finance Ministry of economy Ministry of territorial administration and infrastructures Ministry of high technological industry Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, MAY 7, ARMENPRESS. President of Artsakh Bako Sahakyan and former President of the country Arkady Ghukasyan have petitioned to Armenias Prosecutor General Arthur Davtyan to release ex-President Robert Kocharyan ahead of May 9 a day that is celebrated as Victory Day, the Artsakh Defense Army Day and Shushi Liberation Day. Traditionally, guests at celebrations in Stepanakert and Shushi include, among other honorable guests, all former leaders of Artsakh Republic, people who have had huge contribution in the Artsakh War, have stood at the origins of the creation of our state and army, have participated in liberating Shushi, have shaped our victory, Sahakyan and Ghukasyan said in a joint letter published on the official website of the Artsakh presidency. Taking into account that First President of Artsakh Robert Kocharyan is detained, we are asking you to make a decision ahead of May 9 and change the bail. They said they are ready to provide any public guarantee that will be necessary for Kocharyans release. They said if all leaders of Artsakh will be present at the celebrations it would be a signal of solidarity and unity not only for our society, but the entire world and also the adversary. Kocharyan was President of Artsakh from 1994 to 1997. Second President of Armenia Robert Kocharyan, who ruled the country from 1998 to 2008, spent two weeks in jail in summer of 2018, but was eventually freed. But on December 7, a higher court overruled the release and ordered him to be remanded into custody pending trial again. At the time the court announced the verdict, Kocharyan turned himself in to authorities. Kocharyan is charged with overthrowing constitutional order during the 2008 post-election unrest, when clashes between security forces and protesters left 10 people dead, including two security officers, during his final days as president. Kocharyan is also charged with bribery. He vehemently denies wrongdoing. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, MAY 7, ARMENPRESS. Political consultations were held between the foreign ministries of Armenia and China in Yerevan, the Armenian MFA told Armenpress. The Chinese delegation was led by Guo Zhijun, advisor at the department of Eastern Europe and Central Asia at the ministry of foreign affairs. The Armenian delegation was led by head of the MFA department of Asian, African and Oceanian countries Areg Hovhannisyan. During the consultations the sides discussed a wide range of issues of bilateral interest, including expanding and deepening the political dialogue and mutual visits, as well as cooperation in international organizations. They also exchanged views on the cooperation within the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and regional issues. The sides also praised the fact that during 2019 positive developments have been outlined in terms of the entry of the Armenian winemaking production to the Chinese market and etc. The Chinese delegation also had a meeting with deputy FM of Armenia Avet Adonts. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, MAY 7, ARMENPRESS. Two journalists of Reuters jailed in Myanmar after they were convicted of breaking the Official Secrets Act walked free from a prison on the outskirts of Yangon on Tuesday after spending more than 500 days behind bars, Reuters reports. The two reporters, Wa Lone, 33, and Kyaw Soe Oo, 29, had been convicted in September and sentenced to seven years in jail. They were released under a presidential amnesty for 6,520 prisoners on May 7. It is customary in Myanmar for authorities to free prisoners across the country around the time of the traditional New Year, which began on April 17. Reuters has said the two men did not commit any crime and had called for their release. Reuters Editor-in-Chief Stephen J. Adler welcomed the news. We are enormously pleased that Myanmar has released our courageous reporters, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo. Since their arrests 511 days ago, they have become symbols of the importance of press freedom around the world. We welcome their return, Adler said. YEREVAN, MAY 7, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan paid a surprise visit to the Public Radio of Armenia on the Radio Day. In a live video on Facebook the PM called his visit symbolic, as a return to the Public Radio. First of all, let me congratulate the radio staff, radio listeners on this day and wish them success. I hope the radio will maintain its positions in this new media situation. When I was an MP, I was one of the Public Radios active listeners and specifically listened to the reports of the Radios golden fund, and I hope that the best traditions will continue, and the Public Radio will become a media outlet in accordance with the new conditions of our public, political life. Today I attended the renovation ceremony of one of the doors of the building, and what I didnt manage to do during the previous entry to the building [on April 14, 2018, during the velvet revolution days Pashinyan and his supporters entered the building of the Public Radio], today I made remarks in live broadcast, he said. Pashinyan toured the building and remembered his previous visit to the building. I once again congratulate you on this day and I am very happy that I visited here in such conditions. At that time, I apologized several times, but today as well I again apologize to all members of the radio staff for causing any concern to them during that day. I hope we all accept that it was a civil act which justified itself in short-run, and I hope it will justify itself also in the long-run, he said. May 7 is the International Radio Day. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, MAY 7, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan will take a two-day vacation in early June. I am planning to leave for vacation in the first days of June. I didnt manage to be cut off from a working environment since March 31 up to now, perhaps, the New Year holidays were the main exception, but they also have their difficulties, he said during his visit to the Public Radio on Radio Day. Talking about his upcoming press conference on May 8, the PM said he will start the press conference by releasing 100 facts about new Armenia which aims at showing the changes that have taken place in the country. After that the reporters will decide what I should talk about, he added. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, MAY 7, ARMENPRESS. Armenian deputy minister of foreign affairs Avet Adonts received Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Armenia Woo Yoon-keun (residence in Moscow) on the occasion of the completion of diplomatic mission, the Armenian MFA told Armenpress. The deputy FM thanked the Ambassador for the activity aimed at further expanding and deepening the Armenian-Korean relations. Avet Adonts wished success to the Ambassador in his future activities. Ambassador of Korea expressed confidence that the relations between the two countries will continue developing for the benefit of the two friendly peoples. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, MAY 7, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian received the family members of pilots who were fallen during the Artsakh liberation war, the Presidential Office told Armenpress. President Sarkissian highly valued the heroic deeds of the pilots who sacrificed their lives for the homeland and expressed his gratitude to their families. Serving the homeland and being killed for the homeland is a high human value, but being the widow of a hero and continuing to live in a dignified way after that is another heroism, Armen Sarkissian said. The meeting participants introduced their issues of concern to the President. The President considered it important and necessary to solve the issues of the families of pilots and those killed during the Artsakh war and show consistent attitude to these matters. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, MAY 7, ARMENPRESS. Families of the victims of the Aeroflot Flight 1492 May 5, 2019 disaster will receive 9,000,000 rubles compensations each, Russias Transportation Minister Yevgeny Ditrikh said at a recent Cabinet meeting. In addition, Aeroflot will pay 1,000,000 rubles to survivors who didnt need hospitalization, he said. The Sukhoi Superjet 100, operating Flight 1492 en route from Moscow to Murmansk, returned to Sheremetyevo shortly after take-off, bouncing on landing and causing the landing gear to collapse. The aircraft caught fire and slid on its belly to a standstill. Out of the 78 occupants onboard, 41 were killed. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, MAY 7, ARMENPRESS. Armenias minister of transport, communication and information technologies Hakob Arshakyan received the US delegation led by Deputy Assistant Secretary for Trade Policy and Negotiations David Meale, the ministry told Armenpress. Introducing the Armenian governments priorities aimed at economic development and progress, the minister highlighted the field of high technologies, stating that the government attaches great importance to the development of the sector. Hakob Arshakyan also highlighted Armenias technological potential, the unique abilities and skills of the Armenian specialists in artificial intelligence, mathematics, physics and other areas. In his turn David Meale thanked for comprehensive introduction and stated that the US side is interested in the technological developments of Armenia and is ready to cooperate. During the meeting the participants discussed the opportunities to cooperate in a number of directions. The sides also touched upon the World Congress on Information Technology (WCIT) 2019 which will take place in Armenia on October 6-9. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, MAY 7, ARMENPRESS. Ameriabank and Citibank signed a new trade finance deal, Ameriabank raising about $14 million loan from Citibank. Part of the loan has been extended under the existing credit limit opened by Citibank for Ameriabank, while the rest is secured by guarantee of the Asian Development Bank. Ameriabank has the status of issuing and confirming bank under the Asian Development Banks Trade Finance Program, Ameriabank told Armenpress. The new facility will secure better and more competitive terms for Ameriabanks clients engaged in foreign trade. Citibank and Ameriabank have been cooperating for several years during which the number and volume of deals have been continuously growing, which is the best proof of mutual trust and efficiency. Ameriabank has an average $100 million pool of borrowed funds a year for trade finance purposes, and this deal is another successful one in the scope of trade finance. *** About Ameriabank CJSC Ameriabank is a dynamically developing bank and one of the major and most stable financial institutions in Armenia. The first investment bank in Armenia, Ameriabank has been providing a large package of innovative banking services since 2007. Now Ameriabank CJSC is a universal bank offering corporate, investment and retail banking services in a comprehensive package of banking solutions. Ameriabank is the leading bank in Armenia as measured by all key financial indicators (assets, liabilities, loans portfolio, net profit and equity) according to the 2018 year reportable data. YEREVAN, MAY 7, ARMENPRESS. Armenias Ambassador to Qatar Gegham Gharibjanyan presented his credentials to Emir Tamim ben Hamad Al Thani, the foreign ministry said. The Emir of Qatar was pleased over Armenias opening of an embassy in their country and assured that soon they too will address the issue of opening an embassy in Yerevan. The Emir congratulated the Armenian Ambassador and wished good luck, expressing hope that the Qatari-Armenian relations will develop and record progress. Ambassador Gharibjanyan thanked the Emir and assured that he will continue maximal efforts for the deepening of bilateral relations and enhancement of cooperation agenda. The ambassador conveyed greetings on behalf of President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian, wishing the Qatari nation further progress and welfare. The Emir of Qatar, in turn, also conveyed greetings to the Armenian President, emphasizing their personal and official close cooperation. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, MAY 7, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian Velvet Revolution was romanticisms triumph over pragmatism this is how Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan described the developments in Armenia in an interview with the Russian RBK on the first anniversary of the 2018 events. RBKs Ilya Doronov released a preview from an exclusive interview with Pashinyan that will be available on May 13th. At one point in the preview the PM is heard saying that they spent 200,000$ on the Armenian Revolution, referring to the spending of donations to their movement which he had earlier released in a detailed report. The small preview shows the Armenian PM and the interviewer walking around Yerevan, entering a convenience store and joking. Are these cashiers or the prime ministers bodyguards the interviewer jokingly asks Pashinyan at the supermarket. Pashinyan smilingly answers that they are real cashiers. PM Pashinyan also talks about Russian President Vladimir Putin in the interview, noting that he has very good relations with him. This part of the interview was released earlier on April 23, where the Armenian PM was giving advice to new Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky on how to build relations with Putin. I dont think it will be difficult for Zelensky to work with Putin, there is one condition here, you must be maximally honest. One should simply be honest and frank, the PM said. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, MAY 7, ARMENPRESS. Shortly after President of Artsakh Bako Sahakyan and former President Arkady Ghukasyan released a joint letter to the Prosecutor General of Armenia petitioning for the release of ex-President Robert Kocharyan, the Prosecutor Generals office released a response, noting that the letter is misaddressed. The Prosecutor Generals Office said bail can be changed only by the body that is carrying out the criminal proceedings, that is the Yerevan Court of General Jurisdiction. Therefore discussing the Presidents petition addressed to the Prosecutor General at this phase is not in the General Prosecutions jurisdiction. Earlier today, President of Artsakh Bako Sahakyan and former President of the country Arkady Ghukasyan petitioned to Armenias Prosecutor General Arthur Davtyan to release ex-President Robert Kocharyan ahead of May 9 a day that is celebrated as Victory Day, the Artsakh Defense Army Day and Shushi Liberation Day. Traditionally, guests at celebrations in Stepanakert and Shushi include, among other honorable guests, all former leaders of Artsakh Republic, people who have had huge contribution in the Artsakh War, have stood at the origins of the creation of our state and army, have participated in liberating Shushi, have shaped our victory, Sahakyan and Ghukasyan said in a joint letter published on the official website of the Artsakh presidency. Taking into account that First President of Artsakh Robert Kocharyan is detained, we are asking you to make a decision ahead of May 9 and change the bail. They said they are ready to provide any public guarantee that will be necessary for Kocharyans release. They said if all leaders of Artsakh will be present at the celebrations it would be a signal of solidarity and unity not only for our society, but the entire world and also the adversary. Kocharyan was President of Artsakh from 1994 to 1997. Second President of Armenia Robert Kocharyan, who ruled the country from 1998 to 2008, spent two weeks in jail in summer of 2018, but was eventually freed. But on December 7, a higher court overruled the release and ordered him to be remanded into custody pending trial again. At the time the court announced the verdict, Kocharyan turned himself in to authorities. Kocharyan is charged with overthrowing constitutional order during the 2008 post-election unrest, when clashes between security forces and protesters left 10 people dead, including two security officers, during his final days as president. Kocharyan is also charged with bribery. He vehemently denies wrongdoing. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, MAY 7, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan held a meeting today with outgoing South Korean Ambassador Woo Yoon-keun, the PMs office said in a news release. The PM praised the ambassadors active and productive activities in Armenia and wished good luck in his future career. Nikol Pashinyan attached importance to the continuous development of the Armenian-South Korean relations, emphasizing that the Government of Armenia is interested in enhancing ties in different sectors. The Armenian PM also attached importance to organizing mutual high-level visits and asked the ambassador to convey to the President of South Korea his invitation to visit Armenia. The Republic of Korea Ambassador thanked for the close cooperation and added that his Government is also attaching importance to developing partnership with Armenia, both at governmental and parliamentary levels. The outgoing ambassador noted that in recent years bilateral cooperation in tourism and humanitarian fields is actively developing. According to him, the number of tourists from South Korea who visited Armenia in 2018 doubled against 2017, exceeding 7000. Pashinyan noted that Armenia has entered a new and important phase, and the Governments objective is to carry out an economic revolution in the country. The Armenian PM found the South Korean economic development experience interesting and expressed hope for cooperation in this direction also. Nikol Pashinyan added that the ongoing democratic reforms in Armenia also contribute to improving the business climate, and highlighted the development and enhancement of business ties in terms of boosting economic cooperation between Armenia and South Korea. Other cooperation-related issues were also discussed at the meeting. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, MAY 7, ARMENPRESS. Deputy Assistant Secretary in the European and Eurasian Bureau at the U.S. Department of State George Kent assesses the meeting with Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan as productive, ARMENPRESS reports George Kent told during a press conference on May 7. This was my 2nd meeting with PM Pashinyan. It was a very productive meeting. We discussed all the directions of our partnership. We talked about the development of Armenia, also referred to security issues and Nagorno Karabakh conflict. The other representatives of our delegation met with different ministers and all the issues of our cooperation were discussed, he said. The Deputy Assistant Secretary of State is in Armenia to attend the 1st session of Armenian-US strategic dialogue. Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan Mr Lynn said KTA should reverse its decision to donate money to an Australian NGO and instead use the funds to save the life of a 14 year old Kokoda schoolgirl. He has also demanded that the matter take precedence due to the urgency and potential illegality of KTAs plan to fund a scholarship program proposed by NGO the Kokoda Track Foundation. Mr Lynn, whose company Adventure Kokoda has self-regulated reforms and is leading a push to have other trek companies do the same, has asked that the issue of third party funding be placed on the agenda of todays meeting. The KTA is holding a forum in Port Moresby amidst another controversy over what critics say has been a failure to support reforms to improve the welfare of guides, carriers and communities along the Kokoda Trail. NOOSA The board of the Kokoda Track Authority (KTA) faces a challenge from ex-Major Charlie Lynn today over its decision to support third parties with funding designated for track infrastructure. He said 80% of funds from trek permit fees are required to be used for community infrastructure projects on the Trail with 20% set aside for administration expenses. There is no mention of supporting a third party such as the Kokoda Track Foundation in any sort of scholarship program, he said. If there is no proper authorisation by the Board and the KTA does not annul the agreement with KTF, Adventure Kokoda will reserve its right to proceed with legal action against the KTA over the unauthorised use of trek fee income to a third party. Freda Dumu Mr Lynns ire has been amplified by the case of schoolgirl Freda Dumu of Kokoda, who has a serious congenital heart defect requiring urgent surgery that is not available in Papua New Guinea and would cost $100,000 in Australia. In seeking Mr Lynns help, Fredas mother Doreen, a nurse at the Kokoda Hospital, wrote in January, that further delay of her operation has been a concern for us which is becoming desperate, thereby resulting in our plea. Seeking to assist, Mr Lynn approached PNGs health minister, who did not reply, and two other organisations, which did not have the funds required. He then contacted the Kokoda Track Authority and suggested it contact each of the 600 Australians who trekked Kokoda during the Anzac period to seek donations for Fredas operation. For reasons known only to the KTA they did not respond, Mr Lynn said. On Monday I learned that the KTA, which has not produced a financial statement for seven years, suddenly found K350,000 ($147,600) worth of trek fees in some KTA Account to donate to an Australian NGO to pay the parent contribution project fees for 1,850 primary students from along and around the Kokoda Track. This is obviously an illegal disbursement of KTA funds which are supposed to be used for community development along the Trail. An amount of this magnitude should require KTA board approval, Mr Lynn said. This is obviously not possible because the KTA Board has been dysfunctional for a number of years no board minutes have ever been distributed and no audited financial reports have ever been published to account for the K13 million ($5.5 million) they have collected in trek fees over the past decade. Mr Lynn said that Freda can no longer attend school because of her heart condition and her parents are beyond desperate in seeking support for her as she battles to stay alive. It must gall them to know that her plight is being ignored by the very organisation that was established to help her. Her only hope now is for the Acting CEO of the KTA to reverse his decision to give K350,000 ($147,600) trek fees away to an NGO and offer to pay for the operation that will save Fredas life. Images: Getty, AAP Days are getting shorter, nights growing colder and Australians thoughts are turning to summers in Europe. But why limit the holiday to one month? For less than the price of a coffee, you could buy a house in Italy. Mussomeli, a town in southern Sicily, is selling hundreds of ancient homes for one Euro or less online as the local government attempts to revitalise the area. UNSPECIFIED - CIRCA 2002: The Manfredonico Chiaramontano Castle of Mussomeli, Sicily. Italy, 14th century. (Photo by DeAgostini/Getty Images) Many of Italys smaller villages are experiencing a mass exodus as residents leave the towns for urban areas. UNSPECIFIED - CIRCA 2002: The Manfredonico Chiaramontano Castle of Mussomeli, Sicily. Italy, 14th century. (Photo by DeAgostini/Getty Images) For example, fellow-Sicilian town Sambuca is now offering to pay families around the world to move there and rehabilitate the abandoned homes. UNSPECIFIED - CIRCA 2002: The Manfredonico Chiaramontano Castle of Mussomeli, Sicily. Italy, 14th century. (Photo by DeAgostini/Getty Images) It means those with a penchant for a project could pick up a property on the ancient streets, as long as theyre willing to renovate their new home. UNSPECIFIED - CIRCA 2002: The Manfredonico Chiaramontano Castle of Mussomeli, Sicily. Italy, 14th century. (Photo by DeAgostini/Getty Images) The catch? Buyers are expected to renovate their homes within a year of purchasing, or theyll lose the $8,000 security deposit they are required to pay. Make your money work with Yahoo Finances daily newsletter. Sign up here and stay on top of the latest money, news and tech news. Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's royal baby is finally here. Photo: Getty Images Ever since Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced they were expecting their first child together on their royal tour of Australia, theyve made it very clear that they would be doing things their own way. No plans were revealed for where the baby would be born and just last month the Duke and Duchess of Sussex released a statement saying they would be celebrating the arrival privately as a new family. So when the time came for the announcement to be made that the royal couple had welcomed their baby boy into the world, it was no surprise that they went about things very differently than royals have done in the past. Impromptu press conference When Prince William and Kate Middleton welcomed their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis into the world, the Duke of Cambridge merely waved and smiled at waiting photographers outside the Lindo Wing. Prince Harry on the other hand held an impromptu press conference in Windsor, where he said the pair were "absolutely thrilled" and thanked the public for their support. Mother and baby are doing incredibly well. It's been the most amazing experience I could ever have possibly imagined, he said. How any woman does what they do is beyond comprehension, but we're both absolutely thrilled and so grateful to all the love and support from everybody out there. 'It's been amazing, so we just wanted to share this with everybody. While the news of a royal baby is usually released by the palace, it seems they were completely caught off guard when journalists called them asking them if Meghan has indeed gone into labour. When Yahoo UK contacted Buckingham Palace after the announcement Meghan was in labour, it seemed they were unaware that the Duke and Duchess of Sussexs son had already been born. Speaking to the BBC, Katie Nicholl says: I dont know how much this has caught the palace press office by surprise as well, its happened very quickly. Story continues It gives you some indication of how private this birth has been kept. Unlike Kate Middleton and Prince William, who appeared on the steps of the Lindo Wing just six hours after Prince Louis was born, Meghan was nowhere to be seen when Prince Harry made the birth announcement. Photo: Getty Images Prince Harry looked ecstatic as he revealed the baby was born in Windsor. Photo: Getty Images No photocall Images of Kate Middleton and Prince William loving cradling their newborn children on the steps of the Lindo Wing just six hours after the Duchess of Cambridge gave birth will go down in history in the royal family. However, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle decided to do things differently, with the duke appearing on his own to reveal the happy news. He told reporters the couple would be appearing together as a family with their newborn son in a few days time. That's the next bit, but for us I think we will be seeing you guys in probably two days' time as planned as a family to be able to share it with you guys and so everyone can see the baby. 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. Pamela Anderson has visited Julian Assange in prison. Photo: Getty Baywatch star Pamela Anderson has again expressed her support for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, referring to him as the worlds most innocent man. The 51-year-old star has been a long-term advocate for Assanges cause and shared her message of support on social media after visiting him at Belmarsh Prison in London. She arrived at the prison wrapped in a grey blanket emblazoned with words including gagged and free speech. Anderson later told her Twitter followers that the 47-year-old Assange is treated as the worlds most dangerous man in order to make him a criminal, without him ever having done anything whatever wrong. The Wikileaks founder is currently serving a 50 week prison sentence. Photo: Getty Julian Assange is the worlds most innocent man. pic.twitter.com/wC1NPDjJAG Pamela Anderson (@pamfoundation) May 7, 2019 This is misrule of law in operation the worlds most famous victim, she added. "People don't even know why they're mad at him. They say he's bad. Justice depends on public opinion." Assange is currently serving 50 weeks in prison for a bail violation, but faces extradition to the US, where he would be questioned about his actions surrounding the WikiLeaks release of American state secrets. He had spent almost seven years living in the Ecuadorian embassy in London, after the country granted him asylum in August 2012. His asylum was withdrawn in April and police were invited into the embassy to arrest Assange, who may also face a reopened investigation into sexual assault allegations in Sweden. At a preliminary hearing to discuss Assange's possible extradition to the U.S., he told Westminster Magistrates Court, "I do not wish to surrender myself for extradition for doing journalism that has won many awards and protected many people." Anderson was accompanied on her visit to Belmarsh by WikiLeaks editor Kristinn Hrafnsson. Pamela Anderson was regularly seen visiting Julian Assange at the Ecuadorian Embassy in London. Photo: Getty She is the first person to visit Assange in prison, other than his legal advisers. Story continues This continues a long-term bond between the two, with Anderson serving as a confidante for Assange during his years holed up in the embassy. Words by Tom Beasley Got a story tip? Send it to tips@oath.com Want more lifestyle and celebrity news? Follow Yahoo Lifestyle on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Or sign up to our daily newsletter here. A major earthquake in Papua New Guinea has been felt in far north Queensland but theres no tsunami risk to Australia. The 7.2-magnitude quake hit on Tuesday about 30km north of the town of Bulolo, in PNGs Morobe Province. No #tsunami threat to Australia from #earthquake felt in #FarNorthQueensland (magnitude 7.0 near the Eastern New Guinea Region, PNG), Australias Bureau of Meteorology posted on Twitter. Its unclear if the quake has caused any significant damage but video footage from people in the country shows houses swaying as it hit. Christopher Lam, who was in Lae, about 100km north of Bulolo, said the rumble was audible. Items are seen splattered across the floor of a supermarket. Source: Twitter It was big. You can hear it. Got stuff thrown around in the house and the power is now cut off, he tweeted, alongside a video that showed his home rattling. According to the Richter Scale, a 7-magnitude quake is equivalent to the detonation of 20 billion kilograms of dynamite and can cause serious damage to building foundations and underground pipes. Officials said there were no immediate reports of major damage and the depth of the tremor meant there was no tsunami threat. We have no reports as yet of serious damage, Bulolo police station commander Inspector Leo Kaikas, told AFP. We are still assessing the situation. This was a big one that lasted for a bit in Lae. I only caught the tail end of it on film but it was big. You can hear it. Got stuff thrown around in the house and the power is now cut off. pic.twitter.com/qwuE5obqzL Christopher Lam (@chrislampng) May 6, 2019 Staff at Bulolos Pine Lodge hotel said there was very minor damage from objects falling off tables, but nothing more serious. Residents in Lae, more than 100 kilometres away, said the quake knocked things off shelves and worktops and cut electricity in some areas. Story continues I had just woken up, Mr Lam, a designer who lives in the city, told AFP. It lasted a little more than 30 seconds. We had household items knocked off their shelves. A 7.2 magnitude earthquake has hit Papua New Guinea. Source: US Geological Survey Things seem to have returned to normal. No structural damage here, though Im not sure about other buildings in the city. There are estimated to be around 110,000 people living within 50 kilometres of the epicentre, according to UN data. with AAP and AFP Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, download the Yahoo News app from iTunes or Google Play and stay up to date with the latest news with Yahoos daily newsletter. Sign up here. Some of Australia's most dangerous criminals could have their convictions overturned after revelations their defence lawyer was secretly feeding information to police. For a decade before the turn of the millennium, Melbourne's gangland wars gripped Australia, with police seemingly unable to penetrate the city's shadowy underworld as the death toll soared. The series of up to 40 bloody retributive murders came as rival gangs battled over Melbourne's lucrative drug trade and only eased when key mob figures were put behind bars. But a legal scandal now threatens dozens -- if not hundreds -- of their convictions, with the shocking revelation that criminal defence lawyer Nicola Gobbo was also acting as a police informant at the time. The former barrister represented some of Australia's most dangerous criminals on charges ranging from drug trafficking to murder, while also feeding information about her clients to police. Prosecutors last year informed 22 people that they could have grounds to appeal. But Gobbo -- also referred to as Lawyer X and Informer 3838 -- claims that at least 386 people were arrested and charged based on the information she provided, according to a June 2015 letter that was made public in December. A Royal Commission inquiry is currently underway to determine how many cases have been impacted by Gobbo's double life, with hearings set to resume on Wednesday. "Any conviction in any case where Gobbo played anything but a very minimal role in providing legal services is almost certainly going to be overturned," Melbourne University law professor Jeremy Gans told AFP. - 'Gross misconduct' - Crime boss Tony Mokbel -- who survived a stabbing attack in prison this February -- is among those seeking leave to appeal his 30-year sentence for drug trafficking. Also challenging his conviction is Faruk Orman, currently serving a 20-year jail term for driving the getaway car in a 2002 shooting murder, who has always maintained his innocence. Gobbo acted as Orman's defence lawyer when he was charged. His new lawyer, Ruth Parker, told AFP that the use of Gobbo as a police source was an example of "gross misconduct and corruption". "Ms Gobbo and every investigator with whom she worked should be investigated both for misconduct in their duties as public officers but also for crimes," Parker said. Victorian Police Commissioner Graham Ashton has staunchly defended the force, saying they acted in "good faith" and their conduct should be viewed in the context of the spiralling gangland war. "It was a desperate and dangerous time and a general sense of urgency was enveloping the criminal justice system, including the police," he told reporters in December. The period inspired a television series, "Underbelly", which gripped Australian audiences for six seasons. Gobbo, who comes from a prominent Melbourne family, was a key police source during the critical years of gangland prosecutions between 2005 and 2009 but was registered as an informant as far back as 1995, two years before she was admitted to practice law. She was recruited as a police informer after being charged with drug offences in 1993 when a raid on her shared house found a stash of cannabis, amphetamines and weapons. She received a good behaviour bond and no conviction was recorded, according to a police informant registration document tabled with the Royal Commission. Victorian police spent five years and millions of dollars fighting in the courts to keep Gobbo's identity a secret, maintaining that she could be murdered if it came to light. Gobbo herself has lost trust in the police and has refused to enter witness protection on the basis she did not believe her confidentiality would be respected. In March, the High Court lifted the suppression order that had protected her anonymity, accusing her of "fundamental and appalling breaches" of her obligations as a lawyer, and accusing Victoria Police of "reprehensible conduct" for their role in the saga. The Royal Commission is also investigating six other possible police sources in the legal profession, including legal secretaries and a former court clerk, though police said only one -- a now-deceased lawyer -- ever provided them with information. Victoria Police said that the way informants are managed has now been completely overhauled, and that such a breach could not happen again. The reaction to the scandal among Australia's legal community has ranged from shock and embarrassment to anger and disbelief, according to Adrian Evans, Emeritus Professor of Law at Monash University. "Overall fairness absolutely requires silence, as otherwise, no one will trust lawyers or the legal system and that will lead to a dystopian existence," he told AFP. The Royal Commission is due to release a report detailing its interim findings by July 1. Authorities have been battling gang violence for years in Melbourne, where wars between rival groups spiked in the decade before the turn of the millennium Crime boss Tony Mokbel is among those seeking leave to appeal his 30-year sentence for drug trafficking Australians campaigning to end the former colony's allegiance to the British monarchy "warmly" congratulated Harry and Meghan on Tuesday on the birth of their son. But in a cheeky message, the Australian Republic Movement reminded the royals that their goal remained a nation where any child can aspire "to the top job regardless of their family". Australians voted to keep the British monarch as their head of state in a 1999 referendum, but the opposition Labor party has vowed to hold a new plebiscite on the issue if they win national elections on May 18, as opinion polls predict. Conservative Prime Minister Scott Morrison, a supporter of the monarchy, tweeted "huge congratulations" to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex after their baby son was born overnight. The Republic Movement also said it "warmly congratulates Harry and Meghan on the birth of their son", but added that their sentiment extended to "all Australians who welcomed a child into the world today". The movement noted that the baby is the seventh in line to the British throne, "making him unlikely to ever rule over Australians". "We look forward to when our head of state is chosen by Australians, and on merit, instead of birthright," it said. Public support for Australia breaking its ties with the British monarchy slumped following a visit Down Under by Harry and Meghan shortly after the former American actress announced she was pregnant. An opinion poll found only 40 percent of respondents favoured Australia becoming a republic, the lowest level of support in 25 years and 10 points down from a similar survey conducted before the royal couple's October visit. Public support for Australia breaking its ties with the British monarchy slumped following a visit Down Under by Harry and Meghan shortly after the former American actress announced she was pregnant last year South Africa: Government welcomes PEPFAR HIV funding The South African government has welcomed the decision by the US government to increase funding for the countrys HIV programme through the President's Emergency Fund for Aids Relief (PEPFAR) programme. This follows negotiations between the Department of Health (DOH) and PEPFAR in Washington DC in April this year after the US signalled that they were considering reducing funding for the next funding cycle, which commences in October 2019. During discussions, the DOH was able to convince PEPFAR leadership that government is committed to initiating an additional two million people with HIV on treatment by December 2020, as announced by President Ramaphosa during the 2018 State of the Nation Address. Having at least 6.1 million people on treatment and virally suppressed by December 2020 will enable South Africa to move towards epidemic control. The US government is one of the biggest international HIV/Aids donors and has provided support to the countrys HIV programme since 2004 through PEPFAR. According to the DOHs Deputy Director General for Health Programmes, Yogan Pillay, these successful discussions have resulted in an agreement that the department will work with PEPFAR to develop a detailed proposal that will assist the department to increase the number of people with HIV on treatment and to ensure that they remain on treatment. While the proposed total funding envelope is yet to be approved by the US Congress, there is every indication that there will be an increase in PEPFAR funding to South Africa to support our HIV response, said Pillay. The department thanked the US for their continued support, which will enable South Africa to move towards epidemic control. Meanwhile, the department urged all South Africans to know their health status by testing regularly for HIV, and if positive, to start treatment immediately to ensure that they are virally suppressed and healthy. - SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2019-05-07. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Zach Gibson/Getty Images(BALTIMORE) -- Education Secretary Betsy DeVos wouldnt commit to another four years as head of the agency when asked if she would serve if President Donald Trump were to win another term. Im not sure my husband would be okay with that, DeVos said during a Q&A at the Education Writers Association conference in Baltimore on Monday. DeVos is one of the longest-serving members of Trumps cabinet -- one of the few cabinet secretaries to survive the administration since Trumps 2016 election. But the president has taken little interest in education policy and has focused on immigration instead. The result has been little traction on her plan to encourage school choice, her signature issue. Last February, DeVos pitched a federal tax credit for scholarships that would enable students to pay for private and home schools, apprenticeships and other programs. Conservative groups have spoken out against the plan because they say it would complicate the tax code. And Democrats call it a nonstarter because they claim it would shrink the tax base needed to fund public schools. During her speech on Monday, DeVos also blasted reporters for using her name as clickbait. I never imagined Id be a focus of your coverage, she told reporters. I dont enjoy the publicity that comes with my position, DeVos added. I dont love being up on stage or on any kind of platform. Im an introvert. As much as many in the media use my name as clickbait or try to make it all about me, its not, she said. Education is not about Betsy DeVos nor any other individual. Another buzzy moment during the session happened when DeVos took aim at the head of the American Federation of Teachers union. DeVos said she felt walking out of classrooms too often hurts students. We think, I think, teaching as a profession should be a highly honored and respected profession and I think its been de-professionalized in many ways," she said. "And I think great teachers perhaps should be making at least half as much as what Randi Weingarten does at half a million dollars a year. Copyright 2019, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. A fighter jet flown to Austria by a defecting Croat pilot at the start of the bloody break-up of Yugoslavia was on Tuesday sent from Vienna to Croatia, where the military hailed it a symbol of "heroism". The MiG-21 jet was originally taken to Austria by pilot Rudolf Peresin, who refused to bomb his native Croatia in the war for independence. It is due to be displayed in front of the defence ministry in Zagreb later this month. Croatian army chief of staff, General Drago Matanovic, said the plane was "a symbol of the heroism in the war for the homeland", the Hina news agency reported. Yugoslavia fell apart in a series of bloody wars in the 1990s in Croatia, Bosnia and Kosovo, that left more than 130,000 people dead and millions displaced. Croatia declared independence from the former Yugoslavia in 1991, sparking one of the first of the conflicts. Peresin explained his decision at the time of his defection: "I am Croat and I do not want to shoot on Croats." He was killed in May 1995 at the end of the bloodshed between Croatia and the Belgrade-backed ethnic Serb minority. The war claimed 20,000 lives. The jet will be displayed at the Zagreb defence ministry on May 12 to mark 24th anniversary of the pilot's death. It will then be stored in a military airport close to Zagreb, awaiting installation in a future Croatian military museum. TheYugoslav Air Force MiG-21 jet that was flown to Austria in 1991 by pilot Rudolf Peresin - who refused to bomb his native Croatia during the war on independence - will be displayed outside the defence ministry in Zagreb Baby Sussex is here and the world is delighted. Meghan Markle, 37, and Prince Harry, 34, shared the news of the birth of their first child, a baby boy, in the early hours of Monday morning UK time. Here are all the details you may have missed: When well see the baby It seems we wont have to wait too long before we get our first glimpse of Baby Sussex, as Prince Harry revealed theyre planning to step out as a family in two days time. I think we will be seeing you guys in probably two days' time as planned as a family to be able to share it with you guys and so everyone can see the baby, he told the press outside Windsor Castle. Harrys already in love, but theres no name yet A beaming Prince Harry said the pair were "absolutely thrilled" and thanked the public for their support. He said Meghan and the baby were doing "incredibly well" and that the baby "is absolutely to die for. "It was amazing, absolutely incredible. As I say, I am so incredibly proud of my wife and, as every father and parent would ever say your baby is absolutely amazing, this little baby is absolutely to die for," a smiling Harry said. He added they had not yet decided on a name for the child but because he was overdue, theyve had some time to think about it. A beaming new dad. Prince Harry announced the news to the world. Photo: Getty The Palaces gaffe A royal commentator has suggested that palace aides may have been caught off guard by the arrival of the Duke and Duchess of Sussexs baby. An announcement that Meghan had gone into labour in the early hours of Monday morning (GMT), was followed by another one less than an hour later, revealing that she had safely delivered a son, weighing 7lbs 3ozs (3.2kg). When Yahoo UK contacted Buckingham Palace after the announcement Meghan was in labour, it seemed they were unaware that the Duke and Duchess of Sussexs son had already been born. Speaking to the BBC, royal expert and author Katie Nicholl said, I dont know how much this has caught the palace press office by surprise as well, its happened very quickly. Story continues It gives you some indication of how private this birth has been kept. And while the customary piece of royal parchment was placed outside of Buckingham Palace to announce the happy arrival, there was one key detail missing, which further highlights just how private the birth of Baby Sussex was. The traditional announcement at Buckingham Palace. Photo: Getty One thing that differed when it came to this announcement, compared to previous ones, is that it didn't include any details of where the baby was delivered, or any mention of a doctor. When Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis were born for example, the bulletins included the signatures of the doctors present at the births. Meghans family reacts The Duchess beloved mum Doria Ragland, is at the couples new home in Windsor, Frogmore Cottage, and according to the palace, shes overjoyed by the arrival of her first grandchild. Meanwhile Meghans estranged Markle family were never expected to stay quiet, and her father, Thomas Markle, released a statement about the birth. I am proud that my new grandson is born into the British royal family and I am sure that he will grow up to serve the crown and the people of Britain with grace, dignity, and honour, he told The Sun. God bless the child and I wish him health and happiness, and my congratulations to my lovely daughter Duchess Meghan and Prince Harry, and God save the Queen. Blue balloons and a bunch of flowers were also seen being delivered to his home in Mexico. Meanwhile, the Duchess half-brother, Thomas Markle Jr. issued a plea to Meghan to let him see her newborn son. "Hopefully this baby will help mend the family rift - we'd all love to meet the baby and become a part of his life - especially my dad," he told The Sun. Baby Sussex has already made history Hes still a newborn, but baby Sussex has already made history in a number of ways. Reflecting much of the population of Britain itself, baby Sussex is mixed race. Historians will argue over whether he is the first mixed race baby born into the royal family however, as Queen Charlotte (who married King George III in the 1700s and had 15 children with him) may have had African ancestry. The tiny tot is also the first senior member of the family to have both a British parent and an American-born parent, meaning he may be a dual citizen. Having been born in the UK to a British dad, he automatically holds British citizenship, and he may be entitled to US citizenship depending on Meghans own citizenship status. Children born outside of the US to one US parent are entitled to citizenship if that parent has lived in the US for at least five years, two of which when the parent was under the age of 14. Meghan grew up in the States and qualifies under this, and she is currently in the process of obtaining British citizenship. The baby boy is Meghan and Harry's first child, but he may not be a prince. Photo: Getty He will not be a prince Despite his father being a prince, baby Sussex will not inherit the title of prince unless the Queen steps in with an exception. In 1917, George V limited titles within the royal family so prince and princess titles and the HRH status are now only reserved for children or grandchildren of the Monarch, and baby Sussex is the great grandchild of the Queen. Prince George was the exception as his father, Prince William is in line to be king, and the Queen actually issued a new Letters Patent when Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis were born to give them the same title as their older brother. If she didnt, the now Princess and Prince would have been known as Lady Charlotte Mountbatten-Windsor and Earl Louis Mountbatten-Windsor. When Charles ascends to the throne, Harry and Meghans children will be entitled to the prince and princess titles, unless they choose not to accept them. Harrys uncle Prince Edward did this with his daughter Lady Louise and son James, who is known as Viscount Severn. He wont take either of his parents surnames Royals dont really need surnames, theyre pretty well known as it is. Theyre usually given a string of first names when born, and only adopt surnames when they first go to school at least this was the case with William and Harry, and George and Charlotte. Likewise, its expected that baby Sussex will take up a surname when he heads to school, and it wont be Markle like his mum, or Wales like his dad, or Cambridge like his cousins. Just like Harry took up his fathers title of Wales, and George has taken his dads title of Cambridge, the baby will likely adopt the surname Sussex, even though the British royal family are generally known as the Mountbatten-Windsors (just to make it even more confusing). The royal baby will be Seventh in live to the throne. Photo: Yahoo Lifestyle Australia Their tribute to Diana In a touching gesture in honour of Harrys late mother Princess Diana, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex informed Dianas siblings, sisters Lady Jane Fellowes, Lady Sarah McCorquodale and Earl Spencer, of the birth before making it known to the public. Harry has stayed close to his mothers siblings, and even asked his aunt, Lady Jane Fellowes, to give a reading at the their May 2018 royal wedding. Lady Jane Fellowes with Doria Ragland, Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding in May 2018. (Image via Getty Images). After announcing their engagement in 2017, Markle noted in a televised interview just how important it was for her to get to know Princess Dianas siblings as well as her good friend, Julia Samuels. I think in being able to meet his aunts and also like Julia and just different people who were so important to his mum, Im able to, in some way, know a part of her through them and of course through him, Markle said. Its incredibly special. Will he ever be King? Its highly unlikely baby Sussex will even ascend to the throne. With the birth of Prince Louis around this time last year, Prince Harry was bumped down to sixth in line to the throne after Charles, William, George, Charlotte and Louis, in that order. So that means the new royal baby will slot in behind his father as seventh in line, ahead of Harrys uncle Prince Andrew, who comes in at eight. Likewise, Andrews eldest daughter Princess Beatrice was bumped down the line after William, Harry and her own father, when he was born, but he was still in front of her aunt Princess Anne (who is ten years older than Andrew). This is because the line of succession used to favour male children, meaning Anne was pushed below her younger brothers Andrew and Edward. However, this was changed in 2011 so Princess Charlotte will not be usurped by Louis. Check out all the latest royal baby news here Got a story tip? Send it to lifestyle.tips@verizonmedia.com Or sign up to our daily newsletter here. China angrily assailed the United States on Tuesday for calling on countries at the United Nations to deprive Beijing of a seat at a UN forum over its treatment of the Uighur minority. It was the second time in as many weeks that the two countries openly clashed at the United Nations over the rights of the Uighurs and other mostly Muslim minorities held in camps in China's Xianjiang region. Last week, the United States invited the head of the World Uighur Congress, Dolkun Isa, to address the UN forum on indigenous peoples, infuriating China. US diplomat Courtney Nemoff said ahead of elections on Tuesday that China's treatment of Uighurs should be a factor in deciding on membership to the UN forum tasked with protecting indigenous people worldwide. "The United States is alarmed that more than a million Uighurs, ethnic Kazakhs, Kyrgyz, and other Muslims have suffered arbitrary detention, forced labor, torture, and death in camps in China's Xinjiang" region, said Nemoff. "These atrocities must be stopped. We call on member states to bear this in mind in this important forum." A Chinese diplomat took the floor to strongly reject the US statement. "The US representative made an unreasonable accusation against China and defamation against China," he said, expressing Beijing's "strong displeasure over this and our firm opposition to it." Despite the US appeal, China's candidate, Zhang Xiaoan, was elected by acclamation to the 16-member UN forum along with four other representatives from Burundi, Namibia, Denmark and Russia. Beijing claims the camps in Xinjiang are "vocational training centers" to steer people away from extremism and reintegrate them, in a region plagued by violence blamed on Uighur separatists or Islamists. In his address at the UN, Isa said Uighurs were being rounded up to live in "an open-air prison," deprived of their religious rights and freedom. The Chinese diplomat told the meeting that Isa was a "terrorist designated by the Chinese government" and supported by the US, which "is utilizing him to attack China and defame China, with no basis at all." The United States was among a group of countries that asked UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to raise the plight of the Uighurs during his visit to China last month. Guterres told Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi that "human rights must be fully respected in the against terrorism," according to UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric. Muslim men arrive at a mosque in the old town of Kashgar in China's Xinjiang region, where UN experts say as many as one million Uighurs and other Muslim minorities are being held in camps As a transgender pastor of a small Hong Kong church that welcomes all sexualities, Marrz Balaoro wants to conduct religious marriage ceremonies for same-sex couples but fears arrest -- a battle he is now taking to the courts. Despite growing support for gay marriage in the international financial hub, campaigners have made little headway against stiff opposition from the city's successive pro-Beijing governments and religious conservatives. But now an unprecedented legal challenge filed by the Filipino Reverend Balaoro turns the more commonly heard religious argument opposing gay marriage on its head. In a filing with the city's High Court he argues that his congregation's freedom to worship -- a right enshrined in Hong Kong's mini-constitution -- is being trampled on by the city's ban on same-sex marriages. "All we ask for is to be allowed to worship and practise our religious faith in the eyes of God, free from the threat of persecution," Balaoro explained. The 62-year-old pastor -- who has worked as a domestic helper in Hong Kong since 1981 -- knows that threat all too well. In 2017 he was arrested on suspicion of breaking Hong Kong's marriage laws for officiating "Holy Union" ceremonies at the city's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Straight (LGBTS) Christian Church. The denomination originated in the Philippines but has a small following among gay domestic workers in the southern Chinese city. The union ceremonies were religious blessings for same-sex couples with no legal weight and prosecutors eventually dropped the case. - Court protection? - But despite repeated attempts, Balaoro was unable to get written assurances from Hong Kong authorities that he won't be arrested again should he conduct another union. His legal application seeks a court declaration that such same-sex religious ceremonies are not illegal. Balaoro is clear his church's same-sex ceremonies have no legal substance under Hong Kong law, but he says they carry great spiritual importance for his flock. "They know this is just a celebration of love and togetherness," he told AFP, describing the occasions as "joyous". Hong Kong does not recognise same-sex marriage or civil unions and only decriminalised homosexuality in 1991. But a British lesbian won the right to live and work in Hong Kong with her partner in a landmark ruling last year hailed by rights groups. A separate case has been lodged by two Hong Kong men directly challenging the same-sex marriage ban as unconstitutional. But Balaoro's application is unusual because it includes a freedom of religion argument. In the filing requesting the court to hear their case, his lawyers said current legislation restricting the "celebration of the religious rite of marriage only to heterosexual monogamous couples" is discriminatory. Balaoro and his parishioners are "treated differently on the basis of their religion, to their detriment". - 'Accepted for who you are' - Originally from the Philippine province of Abra, Balaoro has identified as a male since the age of five. "When I was younger my parents could not even impose on me to wear dresses and skirts, not until I went to a private Catholic (girls') school... I wore shorts under my skirt, and I wore a t-shirt under my long-sleeves, and I took off everything on my way out of the school campus," he said with a laugh. On top of his full-time job as a domestic worker, he became a pastor in 2013, established the Hong Kong branch of the LGBTS Christian Church a year later, and was ordained as a reverend in 2017. Born into a Catholic family, he stopped going to church during his high school and college years, citing the discrimination he faced. But when he later encountered the slogan of the LGBTS Christian Church -- "you are accepted for who you are, and safe for what you are" -- he found his calling to propagate faith with advocacy. "I think it is my role, it is my duty, not only to the LGBT community but to all people out there (to say) that we exist and there's nothing wrong with us." There are nearly 370,000 migrant domestic workers in the city -- mostly women from the Philippines and Indonesia -- often performing menial tasks for low wages while living in poor conditions. Gay domestic workers, he says, are especially vulnerable, often facing discrimination at other churches. "The support we need is to defend us, to support our cause, to respect our gender identity. That's what matters to us." Marrz Balaoro's legal application seeks a court declaration that such same-sex religious ceremonies are not illegal Despite growing support for gay marriage campaigners face stiff opposition from the city's successive pro-Beijing governments and religious conservatives Balaoro says that the unions have no legal substance in Hong Kong law, but great spiritual importance to believers Balaoro became a pastor in 2013, established the Hong Kong branch of the LGBTS Christian Church a year later, and was ordained as a reverend in 2017 As firefighters rushed to stop 400,000 litres of water pouring from fire hydrants inside a Melbourne hotel they came across Bradley Vogt, mop in hand, trying to clean up the mess he's accused of creating. There wasn't much the Traralgon man could have done as water gushed from hydrants on 18 floors of the Experience Bella Hotel in May 2018, so firefighters evacuated him along with more than 300 guests. But minutes later more firefighters came across the 28-year-old lying on the stairs two levels down, the mop still in his hand and water flowing over his body. Vogt faced a committal hearing in Melbourne Magistrates Court on Tuesday, charged with seven offences including intentionally causing damage up to $2 million, resisting emergency workers, interfering with a hydrant and trafficking ice. It's alleged Bradley Vogt released 432,000 litres of water. Source: 7News Almost a year later the damage bill is still rising, and with lost earnings it's estimated the cost could reach $3 million. Vogt checked into the hotel four days before the flood on May 27. He consumed a substantial combination of ice, cannabis and GHB before heading to the fire escape about 9.20pm, prosecutor Craig McConaghy told the court on Tuesday. Vogt allegedly opened all the fire hydrants between levels one and 18, releasing 432,000 litres of water. Within 10 minutes of water beginning to pool around the ground floor fire escape door, the water level rose to more than 1.7 metres in a nearby stairwell and the fire door began to bow. Water gushed from hydrants on 18 floors of the Experience Bella Hotel (pictured) in May 2018. Source: Facebook/jasminakevric Firefighter Tim Erikson said he had serious safety concerns because of the sheer volume of water pressing behind it. The door subsequently snapped and water flooded the lobby. Mr Erikson and other firefighters found the hydrants "wedged" open, some needing tools to be closed. Mr McConaghy said they found Vogt on level 10 with a mop in his hand, attempting to soak up the ankle-deep water. He admitted turning on the hydrants, he said. Mr Erikson said Vogt told him he "had to do it" because "they're out of jail and they're after me". Story continues Vogt was sent outside, but firefighters heading upstairs then found the level-four hydrant open again and at level eight, Vogt was lying on the stairs, mop still in hand, and water washing over him. Firefighter Tim Erikson (right) said he had serious safety concerns because of the sheer volume of water pressing behind it. Source: AAP He was taken to the manager's office but when police tried to talk to him, Vogt allegedly lashed out violently at four officers. More police arrived to help as Vogt was sedated, and he continued to lash out until he was strapped to a stretcher. A bag containing 1.4g of methamphetamine and an ice pipe were found after Vogt left the manager's office, and another 7.2g was later found in his underwear, it's alleged. The hearing is set to continue on Wednesday, before magistrate Peter Reardon decides whether Vogt will stand trial. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, download the Yahoo News app from iTunes or Google Play and stay up to date with the latest news with Yahoos daily newsletter. Sign up here. At least one of the weapons North Korea fired at the weekend had many of the hallmarks of a missile, but that was the one word conspicuously missing from descriptions of the tests by Washington, Seoul, and even Pyongyang. North Korea wanted to express to the United States its frustration over the breakdown of the Hanoi summit, when the two sides clashed over sanctions and the extent of Pyongyang's nuclear concessions, analysts say. South Korea had brokered the now-deadlocked nuclear talks between the US and North Korea, and the White House had described the absence of a missile test for more than a year as a major foreign policy success. So Seoul, Washington and Pyongyang all have an incentive to play down the nature of the weekend drills. "President Trump's biggest North Korea policy achievement has been the suspension of Pyongyang's nuclear and missile tests since late 2017," Hong Min, a senior researcher at the state-run Korea Institute for National Unification, told AFP. "But if we declare the drill involved ballistic missiles at this point, it would all but shatter his self-touted success." North Korea's official KCNA news agency said the Saturday drills involved "long-range multiple rocket launchers" -- which are not targeted by UN sanctions resolutions ?- and unspecified "tactical guided weapons". But unlike rockets, missiles have guidance systems, and analysts said the images released by state media showed a device similar to Russia's single-stage Iskander missile. It appeared to be one displayed at a North Korean military parade last year, just as the diplomatic rapprochement on the peninsula began. South Korea's military initially said the North had fired "short-range missiles" but within an hour was describing them as "projectiles". They had a range of around 70 to 240 kilometres (45 to 150 miles) and fell into the sea, it said, but further analysis was required on whether they were short-range ballistic missiles. Similarly, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo avoided calling them missiles, describing them as "short range" in TV interviews, and telling ABC it "didn't present a threat" to the United States, South Korea or Japan. "We hope that we can get back to the table," he added. - 'Ratcheting up tension' - Pyongyang had not launched any missile since November 2017, and last year leader Kim Jong Un declared the development of the North Korean atomic arsenal complete, announcing an end to nuclear and ICBM tests. While a short-range test would not violate that, any ballistic missile firing could inflict "tremendous damage" on the North-US talks process, said Hong. And the respected 38 North website said in a commentary that Saturday's drills did not amount to a policy reversal by Pyongyang, which would "require a major and wrenching strategic line change". "That could still be done but is unlikely to be undertaken only two months after the Hanoi Summit," it added. But many South Korean conservatives -- who take a more hawkish stance on the North than the liberal Moon Jae-in government -- say Pyongyang did fire ballistic missiles and Seoul's reaction was putting national security at risk. "The North's missiles pose a threat to lives and safety of South Koreans," said MP Na Kyung-won of the conservative opposition Liberty Korea party. "But our military and intelligence are only trying to downplay the risk." The Russian Iskander can carry a small nuclear warhead, the conservative JoongAng Ilbo newspaper added in an editorial Tuesday, and a North Korean version could put "two thirds" of the 20 million people living in or near Seoul at risk. "Even though North Korea is ratcheting up tension, its time-honoured strategy, our government barely reacts." Analysts say North Korea wanted to express to the United States its frustration over the breakdown of the Hanoi summit US President Donald Trump has touted the absence of a North Korean missile test for more than a year as a major foreign policy success Paris police said "yellow vest" protesters whose weekly demonstrations have caused vandalism and security headaches will be barred from Paris's famed Champs-Elysees avenue on Wednesday during commemorations of the end of World War II. The anti-government demonstrators will be banned from disrupting "solemn ceremonies" to take place at the Arc de Triomphe and along the avenue, which is near the French presidential palace, the police said in a statement. French authorities have been taking a harder line against the "yellow vest" protests since the last Paris police chief was sacked on March 18 for failing to counter a stone-throwing and fiery rampage along the Champs-Elysees. The police chief who succeeded him, Didier Lallement, noted that the protests -- which began in November over fuel tax increases and swelled into an anti-government movement -- regularly saw police officers targeted by "a radical splinter group of demonstrators". The protests usually take place in Paris on Saturdays, but officials feared they could happen on Wednesday this week, which is a public holiday in France. During Wednesday's commemorations celebrating Victory in Europe Day -- Nazi Germany's surrender to the Allies on May 8, 1945 -- French President Emmanuel Macron is to leave his palace and go up the Champs-Elysees with an honour guard to lay a wreath under the Arc de Triomphe. That famous monument has been repaired in time for the occasion, after "yellow vest" protesters vandalised it in a December demonstration. They sprayed graffiti, smashed sculptures and stole commemorative medals and snuffed out an eternal flame that burns atop a Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, causing 1.2 million euros ($1.3 million) in damage. Yellow Vest protesters take shelter behind fences during clashes with riot police forces on the Champs-Elysees Pope Francis urged the Balkans to embrace its patchwork of faiths and ethnicities during his visit to North Macedonia on Tuesday, where he delivered prayers and speeches that kept returning to the legacy of an illustrious Skopje native: Mother Teresa. The pontiff was welcomed with yellow billboards and buses bearing pictures of his smiling face during his one-day stop in the mainly Orthodox Christian country. Catholics make up a small sliver -- less than one percent -- of the 2.1 million population, which also includes a large Muslim minority that is ethnic Albanian. Addressing political leaders in the morning, Francis praised the "crucible of cultures and ethnic and religious identities" in "your land, a bridge between East and West". North Macedonia's diversity, which reflects the mix of communities in the wider Western Balkan region, is a "mosaic in which every piece is essential for the uniqueness and beauty of the whole", he added. The pontiff said "unfailing respect for diversity" was key to the entire region's "increased integration with the nations of Europe." All the Western Balkan countries are trying to join the European Union, which if it happens would soften the hard borders drawn between them during Yugoslavia's bloody collapse the 1990s. North Macedonia itself averted the inter-ethnic wars that shattered much of the region along communal lines. But the landlocked country was brought to the brink in 2001 during a brief Albanian insurgency. - 'Great woman' - On Tuesday people of all faiths filled Skopje's main square for the mid-morning mass led by the pope, who had arrived after a visit to Bulgaria, another country where the Orthodox church dominates. Believers from the region, including some from mainly Catholic Croatia, were also among the thousands-strong crowd, waving their country's flags under sunny skies. "For me this is a historic visit, not only for Catholics but also for us Orthodox, Muslims and all others living in North Macedonia," said 18-year-old Filip Etmisovski, who arrived early for a spot in the square. Bishop Kiro Stojanov of Skopje thanked the Pope for coming to meet "the small Catholic community that lives in the diaspora." In his homily, the Pope urged his audience to follow in the footsteps of Mother Teresa, who loved "the despised, the unloved, the lonely and the forgotten." The celebrated nun was born to an Albanian family in Skopje in 1910, when it was part of the Ottoman empire. Though she spent most of her life devoted to the poorest of the poor in Calcutta, her legacy is visible in her birthplace in the form of statues, memorials and a highway in her name. "You are rightly proud of this great woman," Francis told political leaders. He also delivered a prayer and blessed the poor at a memorial dedicated to the nun whom Francis canonised as a saint in 2016. "She became the prayerful cry of the poor and of all those who hunger and thirst for justice," he told a gathering of leaders from the Catholic, Orthodox, Muslim, Jewish and Methodist faiths. - New name - Prime Minister Zoran Zaev, who is leading his country's push to join the EU, welcomed the pope's call for unity during a time of bitter political divisions. "For me the message from the Pope is that we should continue build bridges for understanding and reconciliation," he said. The pope's visit came shortly Zaev's government changed the country's name from Macedonia to North Macedonia, ending a decades-old row with neighbouring Greece. The move helped clear Skopje's path to join NATO and the EU. But it upset critics who felt they had been robbed of a piece of their national identity. burs-ssm/ach Macedonia Square was packed for the mass celebrated by Pope Francis The pope prayed in front of a statue of Mother Teresa Pope Francis' robe blows in the wind as he delivers a speech during an inter-faith meeting in the Bulgarian capital Sofia Map of North Macedonia. The 318 people aboard a Church of Scientology ship docked in the Dutch Caribbean island of Curacao will remain quarantined at least until Wednesday while authorities determine how many might be infected with measles. Dr Izzy Gerstenbluth said late Sunday a team of health officials took 277 blood samples and sent them to the Netherlands. He said he expects results on Tuesday or Wednesday, adding that the atmosphere on the boat is good and that everyone is cooperating. The Freewinds cruise ship docked in the port of Castries, the capital of St Lucia, on May 2. Source: AP/Bradley Lacan Dr Gerstenbluth said 31 crew members and 10 passengers provided a vaccination certificate, and that the remainder were vaccinated. But that is for the future, it will not help them now, he said. The 134-metre Freewinds ship was previously quarantined in St Lucia after a crew member was diagnosed with measles. Authorities have said she arrived in Curacao on April 17 and visited a doctor April 22 for cold symptoms. Authorities in the eastern Caribbean island have quarantined the 'Scientology' cruise ship after discovering a confirmed case of measles aboard. Source: AP/Bradley Lacan A blood sample was taken and sent to nearby Aruba, where officials confirmed it was measles on April 29, a day after the ship had departed for St Lucia. Curacao health officials then alerted authorities in St Lucia. The former cruise ship returned to its home port of Curacao early Saturday. Dr Gerstenbluth said the decision to release passengers and crew members will be made after consulting with health officials in the Netherlands and the Pan American Health Organization. Measles has sickened more than 700 people in 22 US states this year, with federal officials saying the resurgence is driven by misinformation about vaccines. Authorities in Curacao on Saturday boarded the ship that arrived in the Dutch Caribbean island under quarantine, to start vaccinating people to prevent a measles outbreak. Source: AP/Dick Drayer Symptoms include runny nose, fever and a red-spotted rash. Most people recover, but measles can lead to pneumonia, brain swelling and even death in some cases. Church officials have not returned calls for comment. According to the churchs website, the ship is the home of a religious retreat ministering the most advanced level of spiritual counseling. It says religious conventions and seminars also are held aboard. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, download the Yahoo News app from iTunes or Google Play and stay up to date with the latest news with Yahoos daily newsletter. Sign up here. An angry driver told a fellow Melbourne motorist "I'm not afraid to hit a girl" before delivering a violent bashing that left a student paramedic with a fractured eye socket. Joshua Burke, 21, could be jailed for up to five years after pleading guilty on Tuesday to a string of offences linked to the road rage incident. The victim, Erin, who doesn't want her surname made public, was 23 at the time of the attack on November 1, 2018. She told Melbourne Magistrates Court the terrifying ordeal left her physically and emotionally scarred, derailed her studies and affected her job prospects. Joshua Burke yelled and intimidated a student paramedic before punching her in the face and fracturing her eye socket in two places. Source: AAP/Daniel Pockett Burke yelled and intimidated Erin before punching her in the face and fracturing her eye socket in two places. "I'm not afraid to hit a girl," he told the victim before the assault. Erin was driving from work placement and wearing her paramedic uniform at the time. Driver intimidated student paramedic during violent road rage attack The incident began when both parties were travelling south on the Western Port Highway about 7pm. Erin was alone and Burke had a female passenger. Burke began repeatedly accelerating and braking, keeping the victim in a position where she could not get around him. At a bend in the road with a 100 km/h speed limit, he forced her to a complete stop. She got around Burke by driving on the wrong side of the road - while another vehicle approached. "I thought we were both going to die," she said. Burke then tailgated Erin for about 10km, pursuing her as she drove as fast as she could to get away. She stopped in Somerville when she saw a friend. Burke tried to smash Erin's window with his hand before assaulting her. When she told him to stop, Burke "'came at' the victim with a puffed up chest and his arms spread wide". Erin was driving from work placement and wearing her paramedic uniform at the time of the road rage attack. Source: AAP/Julian Smith He punched her in the face, knocking her to the ground and leaving her "bloody and extremely distressed". She was taken to Frankston Hospital and treated overnight for head trauma. Burke reported the clash to police. Story continues Officers searched his vehicle where they found four box cutters and three bags of cannabis weighing about five grams. Everything had changed for road rage victim since the attack Erin wept as she told court how "everything had changed" since the attack. At the time she was at a critical point in her full-time studies, working as a road traffic controller, enjoying her work placements as a paramedic, playing netball and horse riding. Since the attack Erin said she had suffered a relationship breakdown, was suffering flashbacks and taking pills for depression, anxiety and to sleep. The stress saw her fail a crucial exam, miss work placements and her netball grand final. She also took a financial hit for medical treatment and through loss of work. Burke faced multiple charges including intentionally causing injury, damaging property and possession of cannabis. He is on bail and will be sentenced on June 26. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, download the Yahoo News app from iTunes orGoogle Play and stay up to date with the latest news with Yahoos daily newsletter. Sign up here. Cayuga County Clerk Sue Dwyer, who opposes legislation to allow undocumented immigrants to apply for driver's licenses, believes the bill's sponsor is targeting clerks who have publicly opposed the proposal. State Sen. Luis Sepulveda is the author of a bill that would enable undocumented immigrants to obtain driver's licenses. On Monday, he introduced a bill, S5527, that would allow the governor to remove a county clerk from office if they refuse to issue licenses to undocumented immigrants. "It is not up to county clerks to question, or change public policy," Sepulveda's bill reads. "Indeed, county clerks have sworn to uphold New York state law. The willful failure to do so should be grounds for removal from office." The legislation memo adds later, "Just like other public officials, (county) clerks must obey the law and cannot refuse to perform their duties or take law into their own hands." The governor already has the authority, through the state Constitution, to remove a county clerk from office. A public hearing must be held before a clerk can be removed. Dwyer, a Republican, thinks Sepulveda, D-Bronx, is engaging in "showmanship" by introducing a bill targeting clerks. "Otherwise, why would he do it?" she said in a phone interview Monday. "(The governor has) already got powers to remove certain public people. Why would they go ahead and do this?" Dwyer repeated her concerns with the bill, but she's open to a compromise. She is urging legislators to amend the measure and remove a citizenship question from the driver's license application for undocumented immigrants. When applying for a driver's license, Dwyer explained, the applicant is asked if they are a U.S. citizen. If the applicant answers yes, then they are given the option of registering to vote. If they register to vote through the Department of Motor Vehicles, Dwyer believes there isn't a way for the Board of Elections to verify whether the individual is a U.S. citizen. Katie Lacey, the Democratic elections commissioner in Cayuga County, disputed this in March. She said if someone does register to vote through the DMV process, they wouldn't be automatically added to the voter rolls. The county and state election boards would need to verify their forms. The legislation hasn't been considered by the state Assembly or Senate. Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie announced last week that there is enough support among Democrats for the bill to pass. Sepulveda's bill in the state Senate has 24 cosponsors, including Syracuse state Sen. Rachel May. Dwyer said she contacted Cayuga County's state legislative delegation about the bill. Republican state Sens. Bob Antonacci, Pam Helming and Jim Seward, along with state Assembly members Gary Finch and Brian Manktelow, oppose the measure. But as members of the minority legislative conferences, there's little they can do to stop it. There hasn't been any communication between Dwyer and Sepulveda. She said she didn't contact him, but thinks he's heard about her complaints and ideas for amending the bill. "I tried my best and I hope he heard the message," she said. "But I think this is the message I got was Senate bill 5527. That's what message I got today." Online producer Robert Harding can be reached at (315) 282-2220 or robert.harding@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter @robertharding. Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 7 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. Butler Correctional Facility, a former state prison in Wayne County that closed in 2014, will be auctioned off this year. A spokesperson for Empire State Development, New York's lead economic development agency, confirmed that an auction is planned for later this year. The date of the auction hasn't been finalized. Brian Pincelli, CEO and executive director of the Wayne County Economic Development and Planning Department, said Tuesday that he's been told the auction will be held sometime this summer. The state's decision to auction the 196-acre site followed a request for proposals in 2018. The RFP sought potential reuses for the property, which includes a former medium security prison and a shuttered minimum security prison. State officials said the request "did not generate sufficient proposals." With the lack of serious reuse ideas, the state opted to auction the property. "I'm aware that they're preparing to put it to auction, excited to see what the results of that are and certainly the door is open to work with anyone over there," Pincelli said. Butler was one of four correctional facilities closed by the state in 2014. Since Gov. Andrew Cuomo took office in 2011, the state has shut down 13 prisons. Cuomo plans to close up to three more prisons this year. It has been challenging to find a potential reuse for shuttered prison. There has been interest in the property over the years, but any serious plan to redevelop the prison remains elusive. What could make the prison more attractive at auction is a state fund established to help communities affected by the 2014 closures. The state provided $30 million, with each community receiving $7.5 million. As of last summer, Wayne County had about $5.5 million in unused funds from the program. While Pincelli didn't have updated figures, he said there's "a substantial balance of that funding available." Despite what's happened in the past, Pincelli believes the former prison is an attractive site for businesses. The medium and minimum security facilities each have administrative buildings, dining halls, gymnasiums, housing units, kitchens and maintenance facilities. There is a paved road around the property and a 45-acre parcel adjacent to the prisons. "I think for the right use, it could be a great site," Pincelli said. "There's a lot of infrastructure capacity over there. I'm hopeful that the right user can find its way to making a good offer and then we can get some activity over there." 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 1 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. Syracuse will host the first of four hearings held by state Senate Democrats on extending rent regulations and proposed tenant protections. The hearing is scheduled for 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 9, at Danforth Middle School, 309 W. Brighton Ave. Other hearings are planned for Albany, Brooklyn and Newburgh. Anyone interested in testifying at the hearings should email stair@nysenate.gov. Rent regulation hearing schedule Thursday, May 9: 4 to 8 p.m. at Danforth Middle School, 309 W. Brighton Ave., Syracuse Thursday, May 16: 1 to 8 p.m. at Medgar Evers College, 1650 Bedford Ave., Brooklyn Wednesday, May 22: 1 to 8 p.m. at the Legislative Office Building in Albany Thursday, May 23: 2:30 to 8 p.m. at Newburgh Armory Unity Center, 321 S. William St., Newburgh State Sen. Brian Kavanagh, who chairs the Senate Housing, Construction and Community Development Committee, will lead the hearings. "Decent affordable housing is one of the most fundamental human needs, and yet our laws to protect New York tenants have been far too weak and riddled with loopholes that not only permit bad behavior, but sometimes incentivize it," Kavanagh said. The state's existing rent regulation laws are set to expire in mid-June. Lawmakers want to address the lack of rent-stabilized apartments, especially in New York City, and there are other proposals being considered. The proposed bills include a plan that would establish universal rent control across the state. State Sen. Rachel May, who represents most of Syracuse, all of Madison County and portions of Onondaga and Oneida counties, hopes the hearing will highlight the importance of rent regulations and tenant protections outside of New York City. "[R]enters all across New York state are facing serious challenges with access to quality, affordable housing," May, D-Syracuse, said. "The 53rd Senate District is a prime example, with high eviction rates in Syracuse and aging housing stock across the region. She added, "I am thankful to Senator Kavanagh for hosting a hearing in Syracuse so that the Senate can hear voices of renters in upstate. We cannot work to adequately improve rental conditions in New York if we aren't listening to constituents everywhere." Rent regulations will be a top priority for state lawmakers in the final weeks of the legislative session. The session concludes June 19. Online producer Robert Harding can be reached at (315) 282-2220 or robert.harding@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter @robertharding. Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. From December 19th through December 26th we will be granting free access as a gift to our readers presented by Cayuga Community College An Auburn parent and mental health advocate has been recognized for her work in lessening stigma on children's mental health issues. Kara Georgi received a state award at an event in Albany Tuesday, the state Office of Mental Health said in a news release. The Whats Great in our State event spotlights programs and people who are "successfully advancing the cause of childrens mental health in New York State," the news release said. "Kara Georgi has been involved in supporting children and families in her Cayuga County community since she first recognized the needs of her own son and began to build bridges between his services and providers. Her personal understanding of how isolating mental health challenges can be sparked a determination to reduce the stigma that surrounds it," the news release said. Georgi's work includes the creation of Play Space in Auburn, where families can create relationships and young children can spend time together, and hosting and promoting Community Cafes, where families can talk to one another. Karas dedication to making connections between families and providers in her community is a perfect example of how someones personal experience can improve our prevention framework across the state," state Office of Mental Health Commissioner Ann Sullivan said. "Kara has had a profound impact on children and families that face mental health issues in her community." Love 5 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 A Syracuse man was charged Friday with repeatedly selling cocaine to an undercover agent, the Auburn Police Department said. Leonard C. Hamilton Sr., 49, of 1109 Spring St., Apt. 1, was charged with 12 class B felonies including seven counts of third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance and five counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. He was also charged with fourth-degree conspiracy, a class E felony. APD said that the arrest Friday morning followed a Finger Lakes Drug Task Force investigation that spanned from summer 2017 to early 2018. Police said an undercover agent made seven controlled purchases of cocaine from Hamilton. Hamilton appeared in Cayuga County Court Tuesday morning with a bail bondsman to post bail and be released from jail. Hamilton is due back in court July 9. Love 0 Funny 10 Wow 3 Sad 2 Angry 4 MORAVIA Austin G. Aussie Weaver, 83, of Old State Road, Moravia, (commonly referred to as The Canadian Side of Montville), died May 1, 2019, at his home with his family at his bedside after a long battle with Parkinsons disease. Aussie was born Nov. 26, 1935 in Auburn, a son of the late Claude E. and Alice Gobel Weaver. He was a resident of Moravia all of his life and had owned and operated Weavers Garage and Weavers Auto Sales in Moravia for several years and was a school bus driver for the Moravia School District. He served in the Army from 1958-1964. He was a classic car buff and an active member of the Moravia community in several organizations, which included the Moravia Fire Department, VFW Post #7127, Moravia Rotary Club, First Congregational Church, now the United Methodist Church, Fillmore Auto Show, and he had served as councilman on the Moravia Town Board for several years. Aussie will be remembered by many for his quick wit, storytelling abilities, endless jokes, and classic cars. He took great pride in maintaining their beautiful lawn and creekside property, where he and his wife, Nancy, would often sit and enjoy a cold drink. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Nancy Bergenstock Weaver, of Moravia; son, Mark Weaver, of Bluffton, S.C.; daughter, Cindy (Michael) Reeves, of San Juan Bautista, Calif.; six grandchildren, Anna, Patrick, Ciarra, Ashley, Daniel, and Cayla; sister, Millicent Redmond, of Moravia; sister-in-law, Betty Weaver, of Moravia, and a few nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, William Weaver, and a granddaughter, Lauren. A memorial service with military honors will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 13, 2019, in Christ United Methodist Church, Moravia, with Rev. Wayne Hampton officiating. Friends may donate in Aussies memory to the local VFW, or an organization of your choice. WASHINGTON, D.C.The Woodhull Freedom Foundation has announced the recipients of the 2019 Vicki Sexual Freedom Awards, which honors will be presented at an awards luncheon that will take place during the Woodhull Sexual Freedom Summit in mid-August. This year, Woodhull will honor two extraordinary individuals for their life-long commitment to sexual freedom as a fundamental human right: Nadine Smith and Kate Kendell. The Vicki Sexual Freedom Awards are named in honor of Victoria Woodhull (1838-1927), who was a leader of the women's suffrage movement, and ran for President of the United States in 1872the first woman to do so. Woodhull was an advocate of "free love," by which she meant the freedom to marry, divorce and bear children without social restriction or government interference. The Woodhull Freedom Foundation is named for her. A fierce advocate for LGBTQ equality, Kate Kendell's leadership has led to the transformation of the lives of millions of people. Kates passionate commitment to justice and human dignity lifted the National Center for Lesbian Rights from a small non-profit to the powerhouse it is today, credited with victories for families and children, for non-discrimination and a wide variety of intersectional issues that impact LGBTQ people. Meanwhile, in Florida, a conservative state, Nadine Smith has been leading Equality Florida for more than three decades. Nadine, named one of the states Most Powerful and Influential Women, has secured more bipartisan legislative support than ever for issues of non-discrimination and family rights. One of four national co-chairs of the 1993 March on Washington, Nadine has served on national boards and Presidential committees. It is particularly fitting that on this 10th anniversary of Woodhulls Sexual Freedom Summit, we are celebrating two legends, two extraordinary individuals whose tireless work on behalf of sexual freedom has changed the landscape of our world forever, said Ricci Levy, CEO and founder of the Woodhull Freedom Foundation. "Kate Kendell and Nadine Smith have dedicated their lives to overcoming discrimination based on sexual or gender identity. I can't wait for everyone to celebrate their incredible accomplishments when we gather together at the Summit." The 10th Annual Sexual Freedom Summit, a project of the Woodhull Freedom Foundation, will be held August 15-18 in Alexandria, Va. The Sexual Freedom Summit features human rights activists, sexuality educators and researchers, authors, and professionals from the legal and medical fields who come together to share information, experiences, tools, and strategies to use in the fight for human rights and sexual freedom. For further information about the Sexual Freedom Summit or purchase tickets for the Awards Luncheon, visit www.sexualfreedomsummit.org or follow the conversation on social media with #SFS19. Pictured, top to bottom: Nadine Smith, Kate Kendell CHICAGO Heinz has long been the undisputed king of ketchup, with Hunts a distant runner-up and falling farther behind. But as millennials and their flavor-seeking taste buds drive growth in condiments, the underdog is putting up a fight. Chicago-based Conagra Brands, which makes Hunts, is rolling out a revamped all-natural ketchup, premium barbecue sauces and new lines of hot sauces, flexing its muscle in a category it largely has ignored for years. Meanwhile Kraft Heinz, co-headquartered in Chicago and Pittsburgh, is asserting its dominance on the condiment shelves with a line of mashups including Mayochup (mayonnaise and ketchup), Mayomust (mayo and mustard), Mayocue (mayo and barbecue) and Kranch (ketchup and ranch), seeking to capture the attention of shoppers hungry for new experiences. The hustle in the normally sleepy condiment aisle comes as millennial shoppers display a penchant for sauce. While fresh food is commanding a greater share of grocery budgets, consumers are dousing their food with bottled flavors to liven up their meals and create variety throughout the week, said Darren Seifer, food and beverage industry analyst at market research firm NPD Group. Chili sauce is particularly hot, with sales surging 23 percent between 2013 and 2018 and projected to climb another 16 percent by 2023, according to Euromonitor. That appetite for spice is driving manufacturers to give old standbys a kick, and curry ketchup and wasabi mayonnaise are joining the regular staples in many household refrigerators, said Megumi Matsunaga, senior analyst at Euromonitor. Driving the saucing trend are millennials, who developed their taste buds eating out, often in ethnic restaurants, and turn to condiments for an affordable way to replicate those flavors at home, said Conagra CEO Sean Connolly. The hope is to cater to those who grew up on Chipotle and Sriracha, he said. They love bold flavors, they love to sauce their foods, and they love brands, Connolly said. But standing out in the condiment aisle is challenging for brands when there are dozens of options that all look mostly the same. Its also a product with heavy competition from private-label manufacturers, including Amazon, which recently launched a mustard under its Happy Belly brand as it expands its private-label efforts. Michael Whitaker, 36, was in a Marianos grocery store in Bucktown recently to buy buffalo sauce for vegetarian wings he planned to make. A fan of Franks RedHot brand, Whitaker chose Franks RedHot Wings sauce even though the $4.99 price tag was $2 more than a competitor, because he knows he likes the flavor profile. But Whitaker is not brand loyal when he shops for ketchup, and focuses more on the nutrition label on the back. Hell usually buy the ketchup with the least amount of sugar at the best price, regardless of who makes it, he said. The introduction of healthier options has been driving much of the sales growth. The Heinz brand posted record 8 percent growth last year, propelled mostly by its ketchup lines that are organic, free of high fructose corn syrup, sugar-free or sweetened with honey, said Steve Cornell, president of sauces, meals and frozen food at Kraft Heinz. Those better-for-you products now represent 15 percent of ketchup sales and are growing, he said. We are bringing back households that gave up on condiments years ago, Cornell said. Now Conagra is giving Hunts ketchup a long overdue makeover. The recently launched Hunts Best Ever ketchup has no high-fructose corn syrup, is non-GMO and is thicker and richer thanks to more tomatoes, said Dale Clemiss, president of grocery and snacks. It also switched from an upright glass bottle to a squeezable plastic container, catching up to its competitors, he said. At a local Marianos store, its priced 40 cents higher than the original Hunts. Hunts isnt close to grabbing the No. 1 spot in the $885 million U.S. ketchup market. Market leader Heinzs ketchup sales topped $551 million over the past year, while the No. 2 brand Hunts had sales of$85.5 million, according to IRI, a Chicago-based market research firm. Private-label products accounted for $152 million in ketchup sales. But by making Hunts a premium product, Conagra hopes to win over shoppers and grow share. That may not be an easy feat. At Marianos, shopper Holly Hemwall, 33, stood before the condiment shelves holding a regular Heinz ketchup in one hand and Simply Heinz, its all-natural version, in the other. She was examining sugar content and chemicals in the list of ingredients, and ultimately threw the Simply Heinz into her basket. Hemwall said she didnt think to consider Hunts Best Ever, which was on the bottom shelf retailing for $1.99, a dollar less than Simply Heinz. I dont see why I would change ketchups, said her husband, Peter Hemwall, 30. Conagras $1.2 billion condiments business is the companys latest investment focus as Connolly, who took the helm in 2015, seeks to modernize its broad portfolio of packaged foods to appeal to more sophisticated, health-conscious consumers. In addition to ketchup, Conagra is relaunching corn syrup-free Hunts barbecue sauces with flavors like cherry wood chipotle and hickory cracked pepper. It is debuting lines of hot sauces from Frontera, its brand of Mexican frozen meals and salsas developed with Chicago chef Rick Bayless, as well as Ro-Tel, a brand better known for diced tomatoes, boasting ingredients like fire-roasted hatch green chilies on the front label. Kraft Heinz is promising condiment innovation also, and its line of mashups represent just the very beginning, Cornell said. The company last year asked on Twitter if consumers would like it to bring Mayochup to market, and it did so after it got more than 500,000 votes. By the end of the year, Mayochup was in 50 percent of grocery stores. Don Fitzgerald, a food industry consultant and former Marianos executive, said anything to jazz up the condiment aisle is welcome because its been a ho-hum category for a long time. But even though sauces are popular and dipping culture in particular has caught on other consumer trends dont portend well for them, he said. As people move away from meat toward more plant-based alternatives, they may move away from the foods that traditionally called for condiments hamburgers and hot dogs. Do you really want to put ketchup on your Impossible Burger? he said. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The Coconino County Sheriff's Office reported Timothy Coen, 29, missing Monday. Coen was traveling throughout northern Arizona last week when his black 2004 GMC Yukon stopped working north of Williams. On May 2 at approximately 11:30 p.m. Coen made contact with a friend and stated that his vehicle was disabled and that he was going to walk out for help. No further contact has been established since that time, according to the Sheriff's Office. The vehicle was located several miles west of SR64 in the Valle, Ariz. area. The GMC Yukon has a Minnesota plate. Deputies and Search and Rescue are actively searching for Coen, who is not familiar with the northern Arizona area. Coen is 6 feet and 190 pounds. He has brown hair and hazel eyes. Coen was in the company of his dog, Harlow. If you have any information about Coen please contact CCSO at 928-774-4523 or Silent Witness at 928-774-6111. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 6 Angry 1 PHOENIX -- With a final squeeze, the state Senate on Monday gave final approval to legislation declaring lemonade the official state drink despite objections that the action sends the wrong message to teens who want to affect state policy. Proponents of HB 2692 pointed out that the measure was crafted by a Gilbert high school student who complained that Arizona lacks an official beverage. So he took his case to House Majority Leader Warren Petersen, R-Gilbert, who agreed to be the bill's champion. With that backing plus testimony from Garrett Glover, the Gilbert teen, the measure is now headed to Gov. Doug Ducey. But Sen. Juan Mendez, D-Tempe, said that's precisely why lawmakers should not go along. "This is the most ridiculous standard to be used as an example of civic education,'' he said. Mendez said there was a march last year of about 15,000 high schoolers on the Capitol to advocate for gun safety legislation. That included a "die-in'' demonstration at the House, Senate and governor's office. Ducey would not meet with the leaders of the March for Our Lives group. And legislation to deal with access to weapons, including mandatory background checks for all sales, went nowhere. "These students were not afforded the same privileges to help shape their legislation and learn about civics as some other people's constituents are given that privilege,'' Mendez said. "Yet this bill was shepherded through this process,'' Mendez said, with House Majority Leader Warren Petersen, R-Gilbert, taking up the cause for the student from his district. "It's really hard to stomach all of what's going on,'' Mendez complained. But he did agree with colleagues on one thing: The fact that this "inconsequential'' bill got all the way through the process and gun safety legislation did not is truly a "teaching moment.'' "I'm definitely going to take this to students all around the state,'' Mendez said. Sen. Lisa Otondo, D-Yuma, also complained that lawmakers were dealing with this question even as they have yet to tackle more serious issues like homelessness and the budget. "But, yet, lemonade is the topic,'' she said. But Otondo ended up being one of the 18 votes in favor. So what changed? "In Yuma, in my hometown, there are very near, dear friends of mine who have groves and groves of lemons,'' Otondo told colleagues. Sen. Rick Gray, R-Sun City, had his own concerns when the voted against the measure two weeks ago. "I have a personal bias against sugar,'' he said. "I have come to realize that sugar is as bad for you or worse for you than tobacco.'' Gray, however, said he is now convinced that it sends the right message that an 18-year-old student can manage to not only propose legislation but get it through the process. And he couldn't help but punctuate that point with some puns. "Does lemonade as our state drink really put a bad taste in our mouth?'' he asked. "No, most people would say it's sweet.'' There was no immediate word from Ducey on the fate of the measure. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sex trafficking can be a hard issue to approach in a community, but it is not impossible, according to two members of ARISE Project for Humanity, founder Williamson Sintyl and board member Coco Berthmann. As a part of ARISE, Sintyl runs a mentorship program in Haiti to help women and vulnerable children advocate for their own safety to help them avoid becoming a victim. Berthmann was born into a family of sexual traffickers in Germany. She was forced to work for sex until she was 15, when she escaped. She is currently studying to become an international human rights attorney. Berthmann, now 25, said if she had not escaped her life of being trafficked for sex, she would be dead. I have seen children being murdered in trafficking. I have seen babies raped. I go to sleep every night and I have the images. I know what happens when I am going to sleep, Berthmann said. I cannot know I will live peacefully knowing there are still so many slaves out there that are being tortured. This is what drove me to action to say, OK, I have a story. I survived. Im going to use it for good. The Flagstaff Initiative Against Trafficking helped organize the event for Berthmann and Sintyl at NAU Cline Library and is a local agency that found 188 adults and 32 youth who experienced trafficking last year. Berthmann explained the signs of trafficking at the event and what tips help national hotlines and law enforcement save victims from trafficking. You have been around human traffic victims, and Im super sure you have been next to one, Berthmann said. You can find them every day in every country. Berthmann described the United States as the capitol of human trafficking. In 2018, there were 400,000 people reported as slaves in the United States and 20 million worldwide. She described sex trafficking as a $150 billion enterprise. Trafficking victims can work from ages 17 to 21 and can make their captors $4,000 per day, Berthmann said. If the trafficker has multiple victims under their control, they can make upwards of $100,000 in a week. Lets look at gun crimes and drug trafficking. If you want to traffic a drug or a gun, you can sell it once, Berthmann said. If you want to traffic a human being, you can traffic or sell a human repeatedly over and over again. Berthmanns mother sold her for sex where she was born in Germany. She described a life that appeared normal in many ways going to school and dance classes. But as soon as the door closed, she said police officers, lawyers, doctors and teachers would objectify her and purchase her and her siblings from her family. She said her family life and lack of education kept her from understanding her situation until after she escaped. "We moved at least once a year. I was in 16 different schools, Berthmann said. Berthmann listed signs to spot traffickers and human trafficking victims: to be aware of controlling men or women who wont let their children speak for themselves; young children with tattoos or brands; or children that are malnourished or have serious dental issues. Sintyl said after he survived the 2010 Haitian earthquake, he eventually was able to move to the United States. On a return trip, his younger sister woke him up at midnight to tell him that her teacher was exchanging good grades for sex, and that she did not want to trade sex for an education. After his sister came forward to him, Sintyl created ARISE to start mentorship programs for children in Haiti and teach them about sexual violence and how to better shield themselves from it. We teach the principles, the tools that will really change their mindsets, Sintyl said. "Because once youve been trafficked, you will still think they are an object. We try to change that victim mentality into a victor mentality. Scott Buffon can be reached at sbuffon@azdailysun.com, on Twitter @scottbuffon or by phone at (928) 556-2250. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 4 Angry 4 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. In tweets and articles, Abigail Disney a filmmaker, activist and notably the granddaughter of one of the companys founders has called out the Walt Disney Co. for paying its CEO Bob Iger an insane $65.6 million in 2018. That is more than 1,424 times the median salary of a Disney employee, a disparity she says has a corrosive effect on society. In its defense, Disney pointed out that it has made historic investments to expand the earning potential and upward mobility of its employees, introducing a minimum wage of $15 at Disneyland, along with an educational initiative for hourly employees. So, is Disney exacerbating income inequality or is it improving the lives of its 200,000-plus employees? A CEO-to-median pay ratio of 1,424 to 1 is certainly shocking but such numbers are a shiny decoy, distracting us from how little we actually know about the particular pay practices of large companies. Pay ratios are now headline news because of a controversial provision in the 2010 Dodd-Frank Act, passed in the wake of the financial crisis. It requires publicly traded companies to report their median employee pay ($46,127 in Disneys case) and calculate the CEO pay ratio. Since mandatory reporting began last year, these ratios have captured public attention in ways that the typically technical corporate disclosure documents never do. Progressive politicians, including Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders, have cited the CEO-to-worker pay ratios when proposing new business regulation bills. The city of Portland, Ore., imposed a penalty business tax on firms where the pay ratio exceeds 100 to 1. Similar measures have been proposed in states including California, Illinois and Massachusetts, and at the federal level. But when we analyzed the pay ratio, we found it is highly problematic. Yes, maybe its interesting to step into the shoes of the hypothetical median worker whose yearly paycheck is less than what the CEO earns in two hours. Its also tempting see how companies stack up. Discovery Inc. (pay ratio 1,511 to 1) looks worse than Disney, while CBS (pay ratio 263 to 1) appears much better. But such comparisons are meaningless to the point of being misleading. These things tell us nothing useful about the pay practices, or inequities, of organizations. The compensation packages of tens of thousands of unique employees cannot be reduced to a single number. In the case of Disney, for instance, we know nothing about the earnings of the 100,000 workers who, by definition, get less than the median. How many get just the minimum wage? How many receive a living wage, tailored to the cost of living where they work? Do Disneys employees own some company stock, aligning employee pay with corporate performance? Do they receive benefits, training and retraining opportunities? Given that a skilled workforce is just as valuable and needs to be managed just as carefully as financial capital, how does Disney manage its human capital? If Disney and all other public companies were required to provide this type of information to investors and regulators, we might amass data that really would tell us something about pay inequities in individual companies and income inequality in society more broadly. But under the current regulatory regime, no information about employee compensation is required to be disclosed except the median pay and the flawed ratio. This is especially odd given how much information firms have to provide about executive compensation each year; that adds up to dozens of pages detailing pay practices for just a handful of executives. In other words, labor as a factor of production aside from executive labor is practically invisible in corporate filings. Corporate reports need to bring workers out of the shadows. Disclosure cant be a substitute for more substantive policy measures but without meaningful worker pay information we cant intelligently debate the problems or the solutions related to income inequality or wealth concentration. There have been some small moves in this direction. Investors, including the worlds largest fund, BlackRock, have started to demand information about human capital management practices as a way to assess how well a company is run. Last month, the investor advisory committee attached to the Securities and Exchange Commission recommended that the SEC consider expanding its disclosure requirements to cover this topic. The recommendation faced strong opposition, however, and its unlikely the SEC will make this a priority in the near term. Meanwhile, highly visible companies that trade on their reputation, such as Disney, can expect to face this kind of fallout each spring when they release their headline-grabbing CEO compensation and pay ratio figures. And how Disney decides to respond to the rising tide of income inequality may well determine whether Americans continue to think of it as the happiest place on Earth. Steven A. Bank and George S. Georgiev are professors of corporate law at UCLA and Emory University, respectively. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 N. Oregon Coast Preview: Pacific City, Tillamook, Manzanita in Spring Published 05/07/2019 at 6:13 AM PDT By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff (Manzanita, Oregon) May quite literally springs to life on the north Oregon coast. As the Tillamook County region of Manzanita, Rockaway Beach, Garibaldi, Tillamook and Pacific City hurdle towards the big opening of summer, things pick up steam. Then June comes around and the area continues to pick up the pace. Both months feature bundles of food, outdoors, arts and nature events and even a stellar wine and beer tour. Heres a preview: May 12. Mothers Day Feast. Celebrate new traditions and bring your friends and family to the beach to enjoy ocean-to-table dining. This year, the Oregon coast foodie destination will be serving up a $60 Prix Fixe menu with additional sweet and savory a la carte options available. 8 a.m. Meridian Restaurant & Bar. 33000 Cape Kiwanda Dr. Pacific City, Oregon. 503.483.3000. Meridian Restaurant website. May 12. International Migratory Bird Day. To celebrate, join birding expert James Billstine for a Birding and Ecology field trip through the Lower Nehalem Community Land Trusts Alder Creek Farm. The focus of the trip will be on birds, bird habitats, and the wonders of spring migration. There will be some walking through tall grass involved, and people are welcome to come and go as they please. Bring: Rubber boots and walking gear, binoculars, bird book (National Geographic, Sibley Guide, Peterson Guide, etc.), rain gear if needed, water, and quiet voices. Free. 9 a.m. Alder Creek Farm. 35955 Underhill Lane in Nehalem, Oregon.Website. May 15 and 22. Oregon Coast Trail Party - Cape Falcon. Trailkeepers of Oregon continue work on the Oregon Coast Trail at Oswald West State Park. With your help we'll be doing tread maintenance and brushing on the Cape Falcon Trail. Plan to hike less than a mile to the work area and work using hand digging tools, loppers, and hand saws. 9 a.m. Near Manzanita, Oregon. https://www.trailkeepersoforegon.org/organizer/trailkeepers-of-oregon/ May 18. Writing Workshop: Making Characters Come Alive. This workshop for both fiction and nonfiction writers explores the ways writers can create three-dimensional characters. Join multi-award-winning narrative nonfiction author Lauren Kessler to explore, discuss and practice the art of character building. $60. 10 a.m. Hoffman Center For The Arts, 594 Laneda Avenue, Manzanita, Oregon. May 18. Authors In Conversation. Lauren Kessler and Nancy Miller Gomez. Authors Lauren Kessler and Nancy Miller Gomez discuss the transformative power of words for prison inmates .The US has the highest rate of incarceration in the world. Listen to two authors who spent time with some of the inmates Kessler with Lifers in a maximum security prison and Gomez with men and women in jails and prisons. $7. Hoffman Center For The Arts, 594 Laneda Avenue. Manzanita, Oregon. May 18. TCWRCs 13th Annual Soup Bowl Project. All-You-Can-Eat bread, soup and dessert and live music. $50 will get you a bowl and dinner tickets, which includes selecting and keeping your handmade bowl created by a local group of potters. $25 will get you dinner only. Dinner only tickets are limited and can only be purchased at the main office 1902 2nd Street, Tillamook or at the event. 5 p.m. Pacific Restaurant. 2nd & Main. Tillamook, Oregon. 503-815-2800. www.tcwrc.net. May 19. 8th Annual Dont Get High Tea & Silent Auction. Fundraiser is an elegant afternoon luncheon, featuring tables set with linen, tea selections served in china teacups, buffet delicacies enjoyed in a relaxing atmosphere and background music by an accomplished pianist. Guests will also receive the opportunity to bid on great donations at the silent auction. Advance tickets can be purchased for $25 by calling Julia Allen at Tillamook Serenity (503) 842-1115. Admission is $30 at the door the day of the event. 2 p.m. $25 - $30. Tillamook Fairgrounds. Tillamook, Oregon. Website. May 25. Tillamook Downtown District Artwalk. Each month a variety of merchants will host local artists in a dynamic and evolving art show. For more information or a listing of the venues and artists that will be participating each month, visit: www.artaccelerated.org. 1 p.m. Tillamook, Oregon. Website. June 1. Literary Tea. Enjoy Tea & Scones ($5 per person) while meeting and learning about scheduled guests. Each author will be reading an excerpt from one or more of their books, talking about their writing process and answering questions. They will also have their books available to purchase and be signed. 3:30 p.m. La Tea Da Tea Room. 904 Main Ave. Tillamook, Oregon. 503-842-5447. www.lateadatillamook.com. June 1. Open Mic and Community Dinner. Community musicians and writers share their creativity in a family friendly, supportive atmosphere in 1916 Grange Hall with excellent acoustics and modern sound system. Dinner by donation, with proceeds supporting the continuing renovation and refurbishment of the Grange Hall. 6 p.m. Tillamook, Oregon. http://www.grange.org/fairviewor273/. nealclemery@gmail.com. June 14. 2019 Cork & Brew Tour. Kick off at 4:30 with a Launch Party that will featuring live music, games and activities. Tourists will be set loose at 6:00 PM, passports in hand, to explore downtown and revel in the experiences that each tour stop will have crafted. $45. Downtown Tillamook, Oregon. tillamookfarmersmarket.com. June 15. Oregon Coast Farm Weaving Workshop and Farm-to-Table Dinner. Connect with Seattle fiber-based multi-disciplinary artist Mandy Greer on an adventure of fiber, farm-to-table food, environmental stewardship, the natural drama of the Pacific Coast, and the interconnectedness of weaving to the healing nature of learning together. $153. 11:30 a.m. North Fork 53 Retreat Center, 77282 Highway 53. Nehalem, Oregon. (503) 368-5382. http://mandygreer.org/weaving-retreat. June 22. June Dairy Parade. Udderly A-Moo-Sing! Parade through downtown Tillamook. 10 a.m. 503-842-7525. junedairyparade.com. Lodging in Manzanita, Wheeler - Where to eat - Lodgings in Three Capes - More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging..... More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining..... Coastal Spotlight LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles Back to Oregon Coast Contact Advertise on BeachConnection.net All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright BeachConnection.net Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted Officials gathered at Southeast Community Colleges Beatrice campus Tuesday afternoon to break ground on a new building expected to enhance the quality of education the college provides. The $19-million multidisciplinary building will include classrooms, health and science labs as well as a multi-functional room that can be used for many purposes. SCC President Paul Illich said that around 16,000 students graduate from Southeast Community College each year, and that many of the students stay in Nebraska after college. A series of improvements and additions are being made across SCCs campuses to continue attracting students. In Beatrices case, the building will be used to support several areas of study. The decision was made to construct a facility to support all of our programs on the Beatrice campus, including agricultural business, health sciences, arts, physical and biological sciences, academic transfer and criminal justice, Illich said. The new facility will be designed to maximize student and faculty collaboration by placing faculty spaces near classroom and lab spaces on each floor. The building will also make use of natural light in attempt to stay energy efficient, and will be around 52,000 square feet. The multidisciplinary center will represent one of the first major steps toward the transformation of the Beatrice campus to ensure it provides the highest quality learning experience for students throughout southeast Nebraska, Illich said. It will also represent a commitment and investment in Beatrice and the surrounding communities. SCC-Beatrice Campus Director Bob Morgan said the building will meet a desperate need for classrooms. Walker Zulkoski, director of the NGage economic development group, added that the building may help solve one of the areas biggest problems. We have a workforce shortage, and couldnt be more excited that Southeast Community College is going to step up to the plate and build these facilities here to help fix that problem, he said. For them to do it here proves that we have a great economy. Theres things happening and theyre listening to our work. Hausmann Construction is building the facility and its designed by BVH Architecture and Gould Evans. Construction will be complete by August of 2020. The groundbreaking is the latest step in an overhaul of the campus. On Friday crews began demolishing Hoover Hall as construction nears completion on a new three-story residence hall. SCC-Beatrice has invested roughly $8 million in the new hall, which will house up to 153 students, 80 more than Hoover Halls maximum capacity. The new dorms sit in the southwest part of campus, northwest of the Kennedy Center. A $3 million dining hall is also on the way and will be just south of the new residence hall. It's expected to be ready later this summer. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Dallas Woodhouse, N.C. Republican Party executive director, speaks during a Jan. 21, 2019, news conference in Raleigh. Dallas Woodhouse, former TV reporter and grass-roots activist, announced Monday, April 15, he would leave his position as executive director of the N.C. Republican Party after the party's state convention in June.Woodhouse confirmed the announcement Monday morning to several media outlets.he wrote in a text to WRAL News.The NCGOP's executive committee met Sunday night to discuss Woodhouse's future with the party. Acting state party Chairman Aubrey Woodard said Monday that Woodhouse would stay through June 15.State party Chairman Robin Hayes was indicted , along with megadonor Greg Lindberg and two of Lindberg's associates, several weeks ago in an alleged bribery scandal targeting state Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey. Causey cooperated with federal investigators.Woodhouse has said he testified in December before the federal grand jury investigating the alleged scheme. He wasn't indicted and has said he isn't a subject of or target of the probe.Hayes relinquished most daily activities with the state party after making his initial court appearance. The four defendants have pleaded not guilty.The party also is recovering from the election fraud scandal in the 9th U.S. Congressional District. The Rev. Mark Harris, a Republican and the apparent winner of the November election, withdrew after the State Board of Elections conducted a four-day evidentiary hearing into allegations of illegally tampering and manipulating absentee ballots by a contractor who worked for the Harris campaign.The board voted unanimously in February to order a new election. It's scheduled Sept. 10 . Ten Republicans will seek the GOP nomination in a May 14 primary. The winner will face Democrat Dan McCready, who trailed Harris by 905 votes on election night, and Libertarian Jeff Scott, who finished third in November, along with Green Party candidate Allen Smith.Woodhouse led the state party through the 2016 and 2018 election cycles. He was a media fixture locally and nationally as he touted the party's conservative agenda and assailed Democratic proposals.He was a reporter for NBC-17 from the 1990s until 2001. In 2006, he became the N.C. state director for Americans for Prosperity, a grass-roots conservative advocacy group. "And the Band Played On" (A Comprehensive Look at the AIDS Epidemic in the 1980's) by Randy Shilts I just finished reading a truly wonderful book - AND THE BAND PLAYED ON, by Randy Shilts. The book chronicles the AIDS epidemic of the 1980's, focusing on the cases, the symptoms, the mystery, the epidemiology, the panic, the politics, and ultimately the scientific breakthrough in identifying the causative agent, HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) and its mode of infection and spread. I remember living through that frightening era in North Jersey and watching it unfold on TV and in the news, and seeing the many billboards on the highways into New York City announcing how many lives the yet unknown disease had claimed. As a student thinking of going into the field of science, it presented a most compelling reason why research scientists are so badly needed in this country and around the world. Each week that scientists are unable to unravel the causes of new diseases, or to figure out how individuals are infected or how it is spread, or to understand how to treat those who suffer, the more lives are claimed. In the case of AIDS, if only officials had listened to scientists rather than pander to politics and especially, identity politics, the lives of many thousands of young men and women, and children too, would have been spared. I hope the story of the AIDS epidemic will enlighten those when the next deadly or potentially-deadly disease hits. In fact, the author opens the book by explaining: "I would not have been able to write this book if I had not been a reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle, the only daily newspaper in the United States that did not need a movie star to come down with AIDS before it considered the epidemic a legitimate news story deserving thorough coverage." The first documented case of a man dying from an opportunistic infection (pneumocystis carinii) due to a diminished immune system was in 1981. Cases followed of gay men presenting with a very rare skin cancer (Kaposi's sarcoma, which previously only affected elder Italian and Jewish men). They too were found to have a severely diminished immune system. It wasn't until two years later that the virus that killed off the critical Helper T cells (that mounts a person's immune response) was isolated and characterized. French scientist Luc Montagne published his findings in May 1983. Due to a rivalry with the American research team, Dr. Robert Gallo of the National Cancer Institute (NCI), treatment in the United States ignored the French discovery, allowing thousands to become infected and die. AIDS was a death sentence back then. Dr. Gallo would isolate and characterize the virus a year later (although he characterized it incorrectly; the French got it right), and with utmost arrogance and an ego unmatched in the field of research, would insist and assert that it was he who identified the AIDS virus. President Ronald Reagan chose to remain silent about the disease for most of his time in the White House, but in 1987, he finally addressed the epidemic. On April 2, he appeared before the College of Physicians in Philadelphia to deliver what would be his first "major speech" on AIDS, calling it "public enemy number one." And then the following month, on May 31, he agreed to speak at a dinner honoring the American Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR), which was founded by Rock Hudson shortly before he passed away (on Oct. 2, 1985). The president had been invited by actress Elizabeth Taylor, who was named by Hudson to be the chairman, to offer a few remarks. By the time Reagan finally agreed to address the epidemic at amfAR, 36,058 Americans had been diagnosed that year with the disease and 20,849 had already died. By 1984, it was estimated that approximately 33-40% of all gay men in San Francisco and New York City were HIV-positive. The virus had a long latency period - approximately 5 years (that is, once infected, full-blown AIDS would set in about 5 years later). Consequently, the chances of contracting the disease, for those who hadn't already, were increasing rapidly and dangerously. As of 1986, after 5 years of seeing the epidemic unfold and trying to understand it, the cumulative number of AIDS cases in the United States reached 270,000 of which 179,000 died. By the spring of 1987, the disease had been reported in 113 countries (more than doubled the number of countries from just a year prior), with 51,000 persons infected outside the US. Most of those infected had visited the United States - New York City or San Francisco in particular. Others had visited Africa - the equatorial regions, such as Zaire. It was projected (correctly) that there would be over 3 million cases by 1991. The book makes abundantly clear why the AIDS epidemic claimed so many lives, and needlessly so: (1) Because it only affected gay men (at least in the first years). The 1980's was still an era of extreme homophobia. Gay men were considered perverts, freaks, and disease-carriers. The unspoken sentiment was that as long as the disease was contained and limited to the gay community, that was good. It was a good thing, the homophobic community believed, to get rid of the freaks. This sentiment, by the way, clearly drove public policy at the time, resulting in a lack of funding for the epidemic. (2) Because it predominantly affected gay men. The gay community was fiercely protective of its civil rights and the advances they had made in being able to live their promiscuous, detached, sex-charged lifestyle. Bath houses (centers for mass anonymous sex, orgies, drugs, etc) and other gay sex clubs and bars catered to this promiscuous sex-obsessed lifestyle. When health officials advised first that public notices be posted to reduce the number of partners, refrain from risky gay sex, and to engage in safe-sex, and then that bath houses be shut down, the gay community flew into absolute outrage, threatening to sue officials and to obtain injunctions on any and all such actions. The fierce resistance to plans designed to educate the gay community and to help stem the spread of the deadly disease in order to save lives was the one thing that condemned thousands and thousands (maybe more) to a needless death. The gay community viewed such actions as public notices and closing bath houses as stigmatizing their kind, bringing more unwelcome discrimination upon them, un-doing the progress they had already made, and ultimately paving the way for society to round them up under the guise of being carriers for disease and segregating them from heterosexuals. They refused to allow any of such consequences. If they had to die for their rights, they would. And they did. The ironic thing is that the gay community to an overwhelmingly extent spread the disease as an identity group, through its lifestyle and its sexual practices, yet it didn't want to be stigmatized as an identity group by the disease when it came time to address its deadly contagion. It was always about saving lives and not about discrimination. I recommend this book wholeheartedly. Beaufort County Grand Jury is a Disappointment Normally, I think of the Grand Jury being my protection or stop gap between overly enthusiastic prosecutors and the court system. After reading the Beaufort County Grand Jury report of their required by statute jail inspection I am reminded of the District Attorney who said " I can indict a ham sandwich". He was telling the truth. It all depends on what and what and how he tells the Grand jury to get the indictment. Same thing happened on the 2018 jail inspection. The ham sandwich got indicted because the grand jury lost track of what it is supposed to be doing. Now, I am un easy about how useful today's Grand Juries are. Jails are not intended to provide first class services to inmates. They are intended to provide basic every day service to those who are accused of criminality. I say it again. Our jail is in compliance with the laws of the State of North Carolina. It is clean and will kept. The Grand Jury report dated December 10, 2018 is reproduced below. No grand Jury can possibly tour any institution and pick out all of the complaint items presented in this report without the sheriff telling them what to say. Please note, when I say the Sheriff I am referring to his representatives. Please note the purpose of this visit is to insure there are no deplorable conditions in the jail, and not to give the juror's opinion of the Commissioners or to give us their opinion on what they prefer or how they would like the world to be. 12-10-18: Grand Jury visit to Beaufort County Jail Lt. Kat Bryan tour has left the grand jury in agreement of the deplorable general notice and lack of willingness of our community to bring this entity into the century we live in. We see that money is flowing out to this facility when forced to re house; transportation to other jails an other courts; contract food services and the list continues. With citations against the jail the loss of grant funding fails us all and the community that needs it the most. If not for staff and leadership of those operating the jail; this county I simply sliding by: Toured areas: 1.) Intake area too small and conducive of mayhem 2) control room too small for staff, no space for meeting 3.) processing room too small, inadequate 4.) conference - not large enough to dignify the moniker "conference" 5.) Kitchen food brought in by contractor -why? In cooers! 6) Visiting area -doubles as garbage and laundry bin storage -using "speaking boxes", standing not condusive to actually visiting 7)General housing - dangerous to have 4 persons in cell with one toilet during midnight to 6 am 8 Clinic - barely passable as a clinic -too small to function 9) Remodeled area in general housing - cells face to face not allowing for required "separating" needs The jail has no refrigerator, no allowance for fire department (word not legible) to move around. There is no natural light, no exercise area, no allowance for upgraded IT to service a population that needs the most, to see attorneys, family volunteers who are there to facilitate rehabilitation. Those who handle the funding that could change the future of this facility need to spend a few nights there themselves. Please understand spending the money now to fix this outrageous system will return. The "daily rights violations" overarching theme should wake up our county commissioners to put aside personal political agendas and not let this jail be the worse in the state of North Carolina. Signed (Joseph Sapp) Please note, I have presented this type written version as closely as I can using the punctuation, spelling and sentence structure as the original hand written document. The reader may obtain a copy and a list of jurors from the Beaufort County Clerk of Court. There is no management on the part of the Sheriff. He wants a new jail estimated to cost 25 million dollars. I continue to advocate for speedy trials so prisoners do not have to spend so much time in jail, and a screening system to get more people out of jail pending trial..Our jail is in compliance with the requirement of the State of North Carolina rules and laws. It is inspected two times each year No citizens is safe with this kind of thinking. This report is a hit piece for a jail from the Sheriff. It was inspiring that some of the most ardent public land opponents in the country including former Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch and Congressmen Rob Bishop and John Curtis joined with some of the most ardent wilderness advocates in the country in support of the Utah bill, which begs the question: If Bishop can join with the likes of the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance in designating 661,000 acres of Wilderness in Utah (not exactly known as a wilderness-loving state), what is preventing Daines from joining with timber mill operators, ranchers, and others in Seeley Lake and Ovando in designating 80,000 acres in Wilderness-loving Montana? Daines supporters certainly wouldnt mind. After all, the BCSA enjoys the support of 68 percent of Republicans, as well as 74 percent of independents and 78 percent of Democrats (according to the 2018 bipartisan University of Montana Public Lands Survey). Moreover, 65 percent of Montanans, according to the same poll, support additional Wilderness in the state. Despite these numbers that show Montanans overwhelmingly support the BCSA, Daines has refused to support the bill and have yet to publicly explain why. He demonstrated that he isnt opposed to wilderness. So what gives? Monday, Oct. 7, Pub Station Ballroom, 8 p.m. Tickets for the all-ages show are $22 in advance and $25 at the door, plus any applicable service fees. Lucero has long been admired in their hometown of Memphis, where they have hosted The Lucero Family Block Party every spring for many years. At the 2018 Block Party they celebrated their 20th anniversary as a band, with the citys Mayor Jim Strickland officially declaring it Lucero Day. Its been two decades since original members Ben Nichols, Brian Venable, Roy Berry, and John C. Stubblefield (keyboardist Rick Steff joined in 2006) started playing shows in Memphis. The bands first show was April 13, 1998 at a warehouse space across the street from what is now the National Civil Rights Museum, the infamous Lorraine Motel where Martin Luther King Jr. was shot. Their first set was six songs played to about six people. On August 3, 2018, record release day for Among the Ghosts, the band will be co-headlining Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado. The bands ninth studio album, Among the Ghosts, is their first for noted Nashville indie label Thirty Tigers. It was recorded and co-produced with Grammy-winning engineer/producer and Memphis native Matt Ross-Spang (Jason Isbell, Margo Price, Drive by Truckers) at the historic Sam Phillips Recording Service, the studio built by the legendary producer after outgrowing his Memphis Recording Service/Sun Studio. Information courtesy 11:11 Presents Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The Billings Police Department is offering a reward for help with information leading to the recovery of a Billings woman's body. CrimeStoppers is offering a $1,000 for help in finding Laura Johnson's remains. Johnson, 49, was reported missing by family members in the fall of 2018. She was last seen alive in Billings on Sept. 13, 2018. On April 17, Gregory Scott Green, 53, was arrested in Henderson, Nevada, on charges of deliberate homicide in connection with Johnson. Green and Johnson were in a relationship and lived together when she disappeared. According to charging documents there is footage of Green carrying an object "in the size and shape of a body" from his house that he loaded into his white truck, along with several other items and a shovel. He left that night and returned about three hours later. Using video footage collected from local businesses and eyewitnesses, police determined he drove from Billings to a rural area south of Laurel. He was also known to be in the location of Pompey's Pillar on Sept. 15. Blood was also found in Green's truck that was tested and found to be "112 quadrillion times" likely to be Johnson's blood. Joe Walsh likes what he's seen at Orchard Elementary. Walsh, the principal at Newman Elementary, has watched the South Side neighbor's kindergarten jumpstart program. The six-week, half-day summer program aims to help kids get a leg up on adapting socially and behaviorally to school, with some ABCs and 123s. Newman and Orchard, plus Ponderosa Elementary, cater to a high proportion of kids from low-income families on Billings' South Side. Billings schools are zoned by neighborhood, and South Side neighborhoods are relatively poor. Poor kids are less likely to begin school prepared socially or behaviorally. They're less likely to read or perform math at grade level, and gaps that begin in kindergarten are likely to stretch into high school. Ultimately, they're less likely to graduate high school or attend college. They're also less likely to attend preschool. Walsh and other South Side principals believe, backed up by research, that addressing the front-end issue can lead to improvements on the back end. Gov. Steve Bullock shot down a bill that would have created a "school marshal" program for training armed guards for public schools. House Bill 567, sponsored by Rep. Derek Skees, a Whitefish Republican, lays out requirements for what would be included in a training program for the gun-toting school marshals, but leaves the actual program design to the Department of Justice and school trustees. "Even the most experienced, highly trained law enforcement officers can make mistakes, especially when presented with deadly force," Bullock wrote in a letter explaining the veto. "To put armed, poorly trained school marshals in our schools makes little sense and will not enhance the safety and security of Montana schools." The bill was opposed by several law enforcement groups and education advocates, but was supported by the Montana School Boards Association. CASPER, Wyo. One-hundred and thirty Wyoming Army National Guardsmen will fly to Texas ahead of a nine-month deployment to the Middle East, with Gov. Mark Gordon sending them off at a Wednesday ceremony in Casper. The troops of the 2nd Battalion of the 300th Field Artillery come from several western states from Nebraska to Washington, according to a press release from the state Military Department. The Wyomingites in the unit come from more than two dozen communities here, from Casper and Lovell to Cheyenne and Moorcroft. The Military Department will hold a sending-off ceremony for the unit at Natrona County High School on Wednesday, which will start at 4:30 p.m. Gordon and the adjutant general of the department, Maj. Gen. Greg Porter, will both be in attendance, as will be other senior officers from the state guard. The event is open to the public. Six Wyoming Army National Guard units set to head to Middle East in largest deployment in nearly a decade Roughly 300 soldiers from six Wyoming Army National Guard units will deploy to the Middle East between January and September 2019, the state announced. The troops will travel from Casper to Fort Bliss in Texas, likely on Thursday, department spokeswoman Deidre Forster said. They will prepare for their deployment there before heading to various locations in the Middle East. The state of Montana budgets about $9.8 million a year to operate and maintain its 55 state parks, which have an estimated $23 million in deferred maintenance needs. The 2019 Legislature laid a foundation for starting to chip away at that maintenance backlog and to bolster the meager operating funds that result in minimal or no staffing a parks that host more the 2.5 million visits per year. Help for Montana State Parks is in Senate Bill 24, sponsored by Sen. Terry Gauthier, R-Helena, which went to Gov. Steve Bullock's desk with bipartisan support. Bullock signed SB24; it's a great deal for Montanans. The bill raises the optional $6 parks fee on annual vehicle registrations to $9. The fee is still optional, so those who don't want to pay, simply subtract the parks fee from what they owe. Fortunately, more than 80 percent of vehicle owners do pay the fee, which is the single largest source of support for our state parks. Montana State Parks receive no general fund money. Instead, about a third of parks revenue comes from the vehicle registration fees, 22 percent from park fees, such as camping; 19 percent from the state lodging use tax, 11 percent boat and fuel decals and 10 percent coal tax. XTO Energy is working to determine the cause of a pipeline leak that spilled 1,900 barrels, or 79,800 gallons, of brine in a Dunn County pasture. XTO Energy discovered the spill on April 24 in a three-inch produced water pipeline the company owns, said Todd Spitler, a spokesman for ExxonMobil, the parent company of XTO. The pipeline was immediately shut down and the leak was isolated, Spitler said. The company reported the spill to the Department of Environmental Quality on April 26 and reported the spill volume was unknown. On Monday, XTO provided an update to regulators with the spill volume estimate. Spitler said the company is gathering data to identify the cause of the leak. Bill Suess, spill investigation program manager for the Department of Environmental Quality, said the leak is believed to have been caused by the installation of an electrical line that intersects the pipeline. XTO is listed as the responsible party on a spill report submitted to regulators. The company is working to delineate the extent of the brine contamination, Suess said. It has not affected any surface water sources, but it is unknown whether groundwater was affected, he said. Cleanup is underway. XTO is working with the landowner and regulators on remediation, Spitler said. A North Dakota One Call ticket shows that McKenzie Electric Cooperative submitted a locate request before working in the area. All of these locates appeared to have been done correctly, said John Skurupey, CEO for McKenzie Electric. (Reach Amy Dalrymple at 701-250-8267 or Amy.Dalrymple@bismarcktribune.com) Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 0 The North Dakota Grain Growers Association on Tuesday announced a decision to withdraw from the National Association of Wheat Growers. NDGGA president Jeff Mertz of Hurdsfield submitted a letter on May 3 notifying Ben Scholz, NAWG president, of the North Dakota groups resignation from the national association. The vote to leave the national group by the North Dakota associations board of directors was unanimous. The move ends a relationship that started in 1977. Considering North Dakota consistently paid some of the highest dues out of all the states represented by NAWG, we believe were no longer seeing an adequate return on investment and have decided not to renew our contract that expires on June 30, 2019, Mertz said in a Tuesday news release. He said the relationship with NAWG had been a beneficial one but, in recent years, NDGGA had seen a decline in support for issues specifically affecting North Dakota. Mertz said in the release the national association still provides value to producers on the national level, but NDGGAs foremost focus is on North Dakota farmers and, at this time, we believe we can better represent their best interests by investing our resources elsewhere. Mertz in an interview said a number of factors influenced the decision but said much of it was based on philosophical differences. As an example, he cited an incident from 2008 when NDGGA asked for a letter of support about a crop insurance issue. NAWG declined, and Mertz said it seemed like a simple matter that wouldnt have affected other states. My point is theyre not adaptable, not flexible, he said. Scholz in a Tuesday news release said NAWG leadership did everything possible to address NDGGAs concerns. It is unfortunate that a major wheat-producing state, who provided unique insight into national policy and influenced others in the industry, wont be moving forward with NAWG, he said. Mertz said money that had been used for NAWG dues in the past will now be used to fund additional efforts at the state level. NAWG dues are based on the number of bushels sold in each state. (Reach Travis Svihovec at 701-250-8260 or Travis.Svihovec@bismarcktribune.com) Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Sculptor Gary Greff will have first-time state funding this summer to help maintain his sculptures along the Enchanted Highway in western North Dakota. "We're going to start fixing what we can, and then I'm going to go as far as I can go with it," Greff said Tuesday. North Dakota lawmakers budgeted $75,000 for maintenance of the scrap metal sculptures along the 32-mile road to Regent off Interstate 94, east of Dickinson. Greff said he thinks he can stretch the money to stabilize welding at two or three of his seven sculpture sites. Needing most attention is "Fisherman's Dream" and "Geese in Flight." The latter sculpture was embroiled in an 18-month lawsuit with new landowners who closed the site over liability and questioned Greff's lease. They settled out of court this spring as Greff bought the site and plans to reopen it once paperwork is completed, perhaps this month. Lawmakers' conference committee on the new two-year budget for the state Department of Commerce whittled down the funding proposed for the sculptures' maintenance from $250,000 in a matching grant to the standalone $75,000, which ultimately passed in the budget Gov. Doug Burgum signed last week. Rep. Mike Nathe, R-Bismarck, carried the budget in the House. He said lawmakers thought it would be difficult for Greff to raise $250,000 to match the state's grant, while they also felt more comfortable with a smaller amount for the repair and maintenance. Senate Majority Leader Rich Wardner, R-Dickinson, previously said the Enchanted Highway has been a major tourism draw for North Dakota, but needing upkeep due to the sculptures' wear and tear. Greff said he's unsure if he may ask lawmakers in the 2021 legislative session for future funding. Nathe said he hopes the money is one-time funding. Greff began the Enchanted Highway in 1989 as a way to revive his hometown of Regent, welding scrap metal into the elaborate sculptures that include geese, fish, grasshoppers, deer, pheasants and other prairie images that have proven to be a popular tourist attraction. Reach Jack Dura at 701-250-8225 or jack.dura@bismarcktribune.com. Love 8 Funny 2 Wow 1 Sad 1 Angry 4 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The membership of the Roman Catholic and Lutheran churches will fall by half in Germany by 2060, experts forecast. Most of that will be due less to Germans low birth rate than to Christians actively renouncing their religion. The number of Catholics and Lutherans will drop from 45 million today to 22.7 million in a generation, according to a new report commissioned by the Catholic German Bishops Conference and the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD). The writing has been on the wall for decades. Between 205,000 and more than half-a-million people have filed the necessary government paperwork to leave the two communions every year since 1990. The church tax creates a perverse incentive They have to file an official form, known as an Anmeldung, to opt out of the governments church tax, the Kirchensteuer. At baptism, children become enrolled members of one of these two churches, or a handful or other Christian or Jewish communities that have signed up for the tax. Once children reach working age each German state, or Bundesland, deducts between eight and nine percent of their income and transfers it to church leaders. For acting as an intermediary, the state takes its own cut from the collection plate. Those who want to leave the church, a process known as Kirchenaustritt, must pay the government another 30 fee. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI criticized the bishops decision to impose automatic excommunication of those who dont pay, calling the punishment untenable. Older generations felt more inclined to pay the tax for cultural reasons but a new, more secular generation has no qualms opting out, and saving money. The reports lead author, Bernd Raffelhuschen, explained that the probability of leaving is so high that this probably explains between half and two thirds of the loss of members, while demographics account for at most one third to one half. Church officials acknowledge that the Kirchensteuer has only made matters worse. A 2015 decision to close a loophole for capital gains income became just the straw that broke the camels back for people who were already thinking of leaving, said EKD spokeswoman Ruth Levin. Since then, defections have hovered steadily in the mid-300,000s. Tax plays a lesser role than the rampant secularization of the West but poor economic decisions create perverse financial incentives for apostasy. Empty churches, full coffers Despite the mass exodus out of the church, the German Catholic Churchs income reached a record 6 billion ($7.1 billion U.S.) in 2017, and the countrys 27 dioceses are in the phrase of the National Catholic Register sitting on a fortune of at least 26 billion ($31.2 billion). These cash infusions may have lulled church leaders into complacency. Self-described non-practicing Christians outnumber church-going Christians in Germany by more than two-to-one. A quarter of professing Catholics and one-third of Protestants dont believe in God, one survey has found. Some say the financial relationship has also encouraged church leaders to remain mum on distinctive Christian doctrines that run contrary to the modern zeitgeist. Most church-attending Christians in Germany support abortion-on-demand, and non-practicing Christians are nearly as likely to favor abortion as those with no faith. There is a fear from the side of the bishops to proclaim the truth in social-political topics since they want to avoid a hostile reaction from the [political] parties, one concerned German told the Catholic News Agency. Empty churches, empty cradles The lack of faith is driving the other time bomb facing church membership demographics according to the Max Planck Institute for Demographics. The German fertility rate would increase by 39 percent if German women had the same frequency of attendance at religious services or the same attitude toward the importance of religion as women in the United States, it found. Demographic winter threatens Germanys welfare state, with the tax burden of its old-age pensions and other benefits resting on an ever-dwindling tax base. Regardless of this track record, the Catholic archbishop of Kampala has suggested importing the church tax to Africa. At the same time, not every faith in secular Europe faces imploding membership especially among those not participating in the church tax. Germanys Muslims thrive without the church tax Pew estimates that Germanys Muslim population of five million will increase to between six and 17.5 million by 2050. Muslims receive no German taxpayer funding (although some extremist imams encourage their members to exploit the nations generous benefits as a form of welfare jihad). German Muslims opted out of the church tax scheme. Instead, they either pay for their own mosques or rely on Saudi funding, which has been tied to extremism. Their independence and faith create a hope for the future that gives Muslims a higher fertility rate than native-born Germans. The church tax has discouraged church membership, given the church a (not always undeserved) reputation as equal parts wealthy and out of touch, and potentially sapped Christians desire to proclaim the Gospel in its fullness to active church-goers and evangelize those outside. The primary drivers behind Christian retreat in the West are cultural and philosophical. But when the government adds an economic disincentive, it broadens the aisles leading out of the church. (Photo credit: Julen Chatelain. This photo has been cropped and transformed from the original. CC BY-SA 2.0.) My colleague Dan Huggers latest post on the PowerBlog titled The dangers of Catholic anti-liberalism got me thinking about a subject that has always intrigued me: The relationship between the Catholic Church and liberalism. In my view, there are at least two problems in the argument presented by Hugger in his article and the discussion developed by Korey D. Maas on anti-Catholicismfully adopted by Hugger. In the first place, there is no precise definition of the nature of liberalism, and this, in my view, should be not only the initial step but the basis of the argument itself. My second objection is that Hugger writes about Christianity broadly speaking while seeming to be speaking about Catholics. I think it would be difficult for anyone to argue that liberalism is not inherently a Protestant political ideology, utterly alien to the Catholic mindset. The consolidation of liberal political theory during the so-called Scottish Enlightenment marks not only a programmatic articulation of the free-market economy but also a deep split of the liberal movement. As historian Gertrude Himmelfarb writes, within the Enlightenment came two antagonistic schools, the first was represented by John Locke, who believed in the possibility of radical reform of the human being. The second, she asserts, was represented by Shaftesbury and Hutcheson who believed in a natural benevolence of man. Locke dominated the stage in continental Europe, while the moralist school was predominant in the Anglo-Saxon world. Voltaire, Thomas Paine, and Mandeville were associated with the first school; on the other hand, Hume, Adam Smith, and Edmund Burke defended the ideas of the moralists. The earliest liberalism was not called liberalism. Actually, it was labeled as such by its successors at a later moment when liberals sought political legitimacy. Adam Smiths moral school had as its essence the defense of the free market economy. As wrote the Brazilian philosopher Olavo de Carvalho: The arguments Smith presents are practical, technical, psychological and moral, but it is essential to understand that in its beginning liberalism was neither a proposal for action nor a political movement. Smith did not establish a political program but described a set of economic processes that had existed since the Middle Ages, explaining the reasons for its effectiveness, extolling its intrinsic morality and explaining some political and cultural conditions required for its continued success. Smith was not a partisan political ideologue, but a philosopher and social scientist. Therefore, it should not be surprising to find that Smiths ideas were widely accepted by Tories such as William Pitt the Younger, and that the father of modern conservatism, the Whig Edmund Burke, saw himself as Smiths disciple. According to the historian Guido de Ruggieros Storia del Liberalismo Europeo, liberals in pejorative opposition to serviles saw themselves as promoters of the Enlightenment s rationalistic ideas against faith and tradition. These proposals had little economic relevance, since the center of industrial and commercial progress at the time was precisely the country which most emphatically fought the ideas of the French Revolution and remained more attached to its monarchical and religious traditions: The United Kingdom. Smiths classical economic liberalism and the French and Spanish atheistic and anticlerical liberalism were not only independent of each other but opposed. Smith showed that the market economy would only progress inasmuch it could find a social environment based on the rule of the law and strong public moral assumptions. English traditionalism, not Franco-Spanish revolutionary liberalism, was the framework of a regime of natural freedom. In France and Spain, the rise of the liberal revolutionaries led, on the contrary, to an expansion of bureaucratic authority, anticlerical policies, and a system of education based on atheism. Liberalism as we know it owes nothing to Smith but to the French Jacobins. John Stuart Mill seems to be paradigmatic in this sense. Defender of the free-market economy and an unapologetic atheist, Mill ended his days as a social reformer close to the Fabian socialists. In Mills thought, we can find all the elements present in political liberalism: the cult of the individual as the center of political reality and the progressive view of history. Not surprisingly, the Catholic Church has been against this conception of society. An institution based on the hierarchy and the transmission of apostolic authority over the centuries can only show disdain towards an ideology that rejects transcendence, worships the present and the future, and lowers the horizons of politics to individualism. It seems contradictory to me to believe that the Catholic Church should be liberal. One of the most distinctive characteristics of Catholicism concerning other Christian denominations is precisely the unity of the interpretation of the sacred scriptures and the power of the Pope as guardian of the infallible magisterium of the Church. Among Catholics, freedom of interpretation is constrained by the teaching of the Church and authority is entrusted to the bishops and especially to the Bishop of Rome, not because of the judgment or will of the laity but rather the apostolic succession. This arrangement is the opposite of liberal individualism and its ontological sameness. Catholic liberalism was an attempt to reconcile the Church with the ideals of the French Revolution and to make Rome the epicenter of a new revolution, not only political but one that aimed to destroy every institution that did not fit into the Jacobin creed. However, what seems even more problematic is the belief that some society can be based on freedom and not on public morality. Freedom is an empty concept because it is not a principle but an outcome. The room for individual freedom is the result of institutional accommodation, unfolding of the distribution of power within a society. Historians such as Fustel de Coulanges, Jacob Burckhardt, and Christopher Dawson demonstrated how the social dimension is inseparable from the religious one, insofar as the former is defined by the latter. In summary, it is Christianity that says what freedom means and not the other way around. The United States, for example, was conceived as a Protestant nation in which the individual freedoms guaranteed by the law were disciplined and controlled by a strong sense of public morality, a pure anathema of the liberal creed that the individual should be the ruler and sole judge of the right and the wrong. American decadence began precisely when this public morality, for various reasons, was eroded. As of the 1960s, 80 percent of the American people agreed that children should pray in schools. In the 1962 landmark decision Engel v. Vitale, the Supreme Court ruled unconstitutional schools to support praying, which was understood as a victory for liberals and their need to make every religious manifestation a matter of separation between church and state. Since then, one of the central promises of Conservatives and Republicans like Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan was to undo Engel Reagan even fundraised on that subject in 1980. Dare to say the same nowadays and someone will call you a Christian fundamentalist. Liberal political ideology condemns religion to play a minor role in the ordering of society, sometimes a wholly irrelevant one. However, when an engineer decides to knock down the main pillar of a building in the hope that the small beams will hold the structure together, he has actually choosing demolition over maintenance as a more acceptable option. HomePage photo: Unsplash In 2018, the Wisconsin Court of Appeals issued a bizarre opinion suggesting that plaintiffs could avoid Section 230 by targeting the services design and operation. The authoring judge seemed confident that he had spotted a statutory interpretation flaw that hundreds of other judges had overlooked. He hadnt. The case was appealed to the Wisconsin Supreme Court, which corrected the appellate courts mistake and restored sanity to Wisconsins Section 230 jurisprudence. The Ruling The case involves Armslist, an online classified ads service for guns. A shooter, Haughton, bought a gun via Armslist from a private seller, which bypassed any legally required background checks. The shooter was subject to a restraining order that prohibited him from owning guns. He used the Armslist-acquired gun to kill four people, including himself and the person protected by the restraining order, and injure four others. The estate sued Armslist for negligence and more. Everyone agrees that the gun seller created the ad in question. The plaintiff argued that Armslist partially developed the ad. Among other allegations, the plaintiff claimed there were: several simple measures Armslist could have taken in order to reduce the known risk of illegal firearm sales to dangerous prohibited purchasers. Daniel alleges that Armslist could have required buyers to create accounts and provide information such as their name, address, and phone number. In states similar to Wisconsin, where there is online access to an individuals criminal history, Armslist could have required potential buyers to upload their criminal history before their accounts were approved. She alleges Armslist could have allowed users to flag potentially illegal firearm sales. It could have prohibited users from obtaining one anothers contact information until Armslist confirmed their legal eligibility to buy and sell firearms. Armslist defended on Section 230 grounds. The circuit court agreed with Armslist. The appeals court reversed. The Supreme Court ruled for Armslist in a straightforward, but highly defense-favorable, opinion. The court relies on the Roommates.com neutral tools standard, as clarified by Goddard v. Google: The concept of neutral tools provides a helpful analytical framework for figuring out whether a websites design features materially contribute to the unlawfulness of third-party content. A neutral tool in the CDA context is a feature provided by an interactive computer service provider that can be utilized for proper or improper purposes. A defendant who provides a neutral tool that is subsequently used by a third party to create unlawful content will generally not be considered to have contributed to the contents unlawfulness. Examples of such neutral tools include a blank text box for users to describe what they are looking for in a roommate, [Roommates], a rating system that allows consumers to award businesses between one and five stars and write reviews [Kimzey], and a social media website that allows groups to create profile pages and invite members. [Klayman] All of these features can be used for lawful purposes, so the CDA immunizes interactive computer service providers from liability when these neutral tools are used for unlawful purposes. This is true even when an interactive computer service provider knows, or should know, that its neutral tools are being used for illegal purposes. The neutral tools concept is an oxymoron. Tools are never neutral; they always reflect biases and prioritize some outcomes over others. As a result, the neutral tools legal standard makes it easy for judges to deem tools non-neutral in ways that could undermine Section 230. Fortunately, the Goddard case helpfully framed the definition of neutral tools: a tool isnt neutral only when it has the singular purpose of being used for illegal activity. Very few tools should satisfy that standard. The plaintiff claimed Armslist should have known, actually knew, or even intended that its website would facilitate illegal firearm sales to dangerous persons. The court responds: One obvious problem with Daniels argument is that 230(c)(1) contains no good faith requirement. Therefore, the issue is not whether Armslist knew, or should have known, that its site would be used by third parties for illegal purposes. Instead, the issue is whether Armslist was an information content provider with respect to Linns advertisement. Armslist.coms provision of an advertising forum and the related search functions are all neutral tools that can be used for lawful purposes. Sales of firearms by private sellers are lawful in Wisconsin. Further, private sellers in Wisconsin are not required to conduct background checks, and private sales are not subject to any mandatory waiting period. Accordingly, the option to search for offers from private sellers is a tool that may be used for lawful purposes. The remainder of the design features referenced in Daniels complaintlack of a flag option for illegal activity, failing to require users to create an account, failure to create restrictions on who may post or view advertisements, and failing to provide sufficient legal guidance to sellersare voluntary precautions that the CDA permits but does not require. Whether or not Armslist knew illegal content was being posted on its site, it did not materially contribute to the contents illegality. This is powerful stuff. The court reinforces that scienter is irrelevant to Section 230(c)(1). As a result, a defendant can win a motion to dismiss even when a plaintiff alleges that the defendant knew aboutor intendedthe allegedly illegal content. To emphasize this point, the court cites Doe v. Backpage: the allegation of intent is a distinction without a difference and does not affect CDA immunityallowing plaintiffs to escape the CDA by arguing that an interactive computer service provider intended its neutral tools to be used for unlawful purposes would significantly diminish the protections offered by 230(c)(1). As I note in my paper, Why Section 230 is Better Than the First Amendment, this statutory mooting of scienter allegations distinguishes Section 230 from First Amendment constitutional doctrines. Similarly, the court emphasizes that Section 230(c)(1) doesnt have a good faith requirement, in contradistinction to Section 230(c)(2). This is a prime reason why defendants can win a 230(c)(1) motion to dismiss but may not be able to win a parallel 230(c)(2) motion. More generally, this case adds to the growing precedent that plaintiffs cant get around 230(c)(1) by alleging defective website design. The First Circuit and Second Circuit emphatically rejected such workarounds in the Doe v. Backpage and Herrick v. Grindr rulings, respectively. This court extends that jurisprudence. Along the way, the court denigrates the 2015 JS v. Village Voice ruling from the Washington Supreme Court, which rejected Backpages motion to dismiss. The court calls the JS ruling unpersuasive for two reasons: (1) Washingtons pleading standards are laxer than Wisconsins, and (2) the Washington Supreme Court ignored the text of the CDA, and the overwhelming majority of cases interpreting it, by inserting an intent exception into 230(c)(1). The court summarizes the negligence claim: Daniels negligence claim is simply another way of claiming that Armslist is liable for publishing third-party firearm advertisements and for failing to properly screen who may access this content. The complaint alleges that Armslist breached its duty of care by designing a website that could be used to facilitate illegal sales, failing to provide proper legal guidance to users, and failing to adequately screen unlawful content. Restated, it alleges that Armslist provided an online forum for third-party content and failed to adequately monitor that content. The duty Armslist is alleged to have violated derives from its role as a publisher of firearm advertisements. This is precisely the type of claim that is prohibited by 230(c)(1), no matter how artfully pled. That Armslist may have known that its site could facilitate illegal gun sales does not change the result. Because 230(c)(1) contains no good faith requirement, courts do not allow allegations of intent or knowledge to defeat a motion to dismiss. Regardless of Armslists knowledge or intent, the relevant question is whether Daniels claim necessarily requires Armslist to be treated as the publisher or speaker of third-party content. Because it does, the negligence claim must be dismissed. The court dismisses the negligence per se, aiding-and-abetting, public nuisance, civil conspiracy, negligent infliction of emotional distress, wrongful death and piercing the corporate veil claims on similar grounds. One judge dissented, saying the design itself is the creation of content. This is supported by an odd footnote: Examples of design content are ubiquitous. One need look no further than the design content of algorithms, used to influence everything from where we shop to the sentencing of criminals. The parameters of content extend beyond simply words on a page. Im not really sure what the dissent was trying to say with this riff on the definition of content. Citing Roommates.com and JS, the dissent says that Armslist should be accountable for its design choices. Additional Implications This case parallels the cases alleging that social media services provide material support for terrorists. Each involves claims for offline deaths allegedly caused by the dissemination of online content. Some of the material-support cases have been dismissed on Section 230 grounds, and this ruling gives courts additional precedent to cite. However, those cases have also failed for lack of proximate causation (something that might have been harder for Armslist to argue), and I expect that trend to continue. After the HomeAway v. Santa Monica ruling, its not clear if Armslist would get the same Section 230 dismissal if it were structured as an online marketplace for guns rather than a classified ads service. Online marketplaces are generally more helpful to buyers than classified ad services, but Section 230 steers services away from becoming marketplaces. While this is a favorable Section 230 ruling, I wonder how anti-gun advocates will respond to this ruling. Will they seek to impose greater responsibilities on private gun sellers? Or will they target Section 230 for their ire? Section 230 already has many victims advocacy groups queuing up to gut it; this opinion may encourage another. While Armslist won this case, I wonder if they should do more to slow down the movement of guns and to ensure that the guns end up in appropriate hands? This isnt the first time that Armslist has been implicated in a shooting tragedy, and Section 230 gives Armslist the discretion to police its users interactions more aggressively. Case citation: Daniel v. Armslist, LLC, 2019 WI 47 (Wis. Sup. Ct. April 30, 2019) Reuters reporters U Wa Lone, third from left, and U Kyaw Soe Oo, to his right, walk free from prison in Yangon, Myanmar, on Tuesday. IMAGE courtesy Reuters. Reuters reports tonight, and the New York Times and WaPo confirm, that Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, jailed since December 2017 for their journalism that exposed a massacre of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar, have been set free by the authorities in Myanmar (Burma). BREAKING: @Reuters reporters jailed in Myanmar freed from prison witnesses pic.twitter.com/C6spG68Sio Reuters Top News (@Reuters) May 7, 2019 BREAKING: Prison chief says 2 Reuters journalists jailed for breaking Myanmar's Official Secrets Act have been freed from prison. The Associated Press (@AP) May 7, 2019 "After spending more than 500 days in prison for reporting on the ethnic cleansing of the rohingya, wa lone and kyaw soe oo are free. I just watched them walk out of the prison myself," wrote Gerry Doyle on Twitter. And then came the photos that showed Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo walking out of from Insein Prison in Myanmar, to their freedom. Official Reuters statement: "We are enormously pleased that Myanmar has released our courageous reporters, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo. Since their arrests 511 days ago, they have become symbols of the importance of press freedom around the world. We welcome their return." pic.twitter.com/hBYtNTNqzD Andrew RC Marshall (@Journotopia) May 7, 2019 Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Wa Lone on his release from jail: "I'm really happy and excited to see my family and my colleagues. I can't wait to go to my newsroom." Welcome home, Wa Lone! #FreeWaLoneKyawSoeOo pic.twitter.com/1IsclRHrNl Andrew RC Marshall (@Journotopia) May 7, 2019 Finally free. Thanks to all who made this possible and worked to #FreeWaLoneKyawSoeOo #JournalismIsNotACrime pic.twitter.com/PxiHW3Oo30 Matthew Tostevin (@TostevinM) May 7, 2019 From the New York Times report tonight: The two reporters, U Wa Lone, 33, and U Kyaw Soe Oo, 29, were arrested in December 2017 and sentenced in September to seven years in prison under the colonial-era Official Secrets Act for receiving documents from a police officer. The men, along with their Reuters colleagues, were awarded in April the Pulitzer Prize for international reporting, one of journalism's most coveted and prestigious honors. Their case had become an international cause celebre, with journalists, human rights activists and world leaders calling for their release. Their arrest, like the ethnic conflict they were covering, was a turning point in the West's perception of Myanmar's de facto prime minister, Aung San Suu Kyi, who had long been seen as a force for democracy and tolerance. Best news ever. Reuters journalists Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo have just walked free from Insein Prison in Myanmar after more than 500 days behind bars. What a glorious sight to see your smiles. pic.twitter.com/lQ2aoBvMkS Andrew RC Marshall (@Journotopia) May 7, 2019 "Swamped by media and well wishers as they walked through the gates of Insein Prison, a grinning Wa Lone gave a thumbs up and said he was grateful for the international efforts to secure their freedom." Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo are free. https://t.co/DLW56RppPi Andrew RC Marshall (@Journotopia) May 7, 2019 #FreeWaLoneKyawSoeOo A new version of Robert Mueller's report on Russian interference in the 2016 elections has just been made public in response to a BuzzFeed News lawsuit. PDF Links, 5/6/2019 edition: VOLUME 1 | VOLUME 2 This new version of the Mueller report was released by the Department of Justice on Monday in response to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, and a followup lawsuit filed by BuzzFeed News and separately by the Electronic Privacy and Information Center (EPIC.org). The new version helps to explain "why significant portions of the 448-page document were redacted before it was released to the public earlier this month," write BuzzFeed News reporters Jason Leopold and Anthony Cormier. Excerpt: The copy of Mueller's report that Attorney General William Barr released earlier this month contained redactions that were labeled according to one of four categories: harm to ongoing matter, meaning investigations that are still ongoing; grand jury material, which is secret under federal rules and exempt from disclosure; classified information; and personal privacy. Before the report was released, BuzzFeed News filed its public records request, as well as the related lawsuit, to compel the Department of Justice to explain any redactions in accordance with FOIA's nine exemptions. Each of those exemptions spell out the type of information the government can withhold and the harm that would result if it was disclosed. Earlier this month, during a hearing in the case, US District Judge Reggie Walton said Barr had "created an environment that has caused a significant part of the American public to be concerned about whether there will be full transparency." Walton, who made those comments before the report was publicly released, told the government attorney he may want to review an unredacted copy of the report to better understand the reasons for the redactions. BuzzFeed News and EPIC will now have the opportunity to challenge the legitimacy of the redactions and argue before Walton that overwhelming public interest compels the disclosure of additional information in the report. At a hearing last week, Walton said he will still consider whether he should review an unredacted copy of the report but will wait until BuzzFeed News, EPIC and the government finish arguments over the redactions. A New Version Of The Mueller Report Has Been Released In Response To A BuzzFeed News Lawsuit Trump's Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday gave a speech in which he praised the Arctic region's rapidly shrinking sea ice for all the economic opportunities the melting waterways present to shipping commerce. No mention of climate change or any risks from anthropogenic changes at all, nothing bad, just new trade routes. "The Arctic is at the forefront of opportunity and abundance," Pompeo uttered glibly today in remarks in Rovaniemi, Finland. "It houses 13 percent of the world's undiscovered oil, 30 percent of its undiscovered gas, an abundance of uranium, rare earth minerals, gold, diamonds, and millions of square miles of untapped resources, fisheries galore." Oh, and it houses Russia, too! "Steady reductions in sea ice are opening new passageways and new opportunities for trade," he went on. "This could potentially slash the time it takes to travel between Asia and the West by as much as 20 days." "Arctic sea lanes could become the 21st century Suez and Panama Canals," Pompeo today said. "POMPEO delivered his Arctic policy speech, which largely focused on the threats Russia and China posed to the region, on the same day a UN report warned that one million species were at risk of extinction due to human action, including climate change," reports CNN. "Why are we just apprehending them () not lining them up and shooting them? We have to go back to Hitler days and put them all in a gas chamber." Remember that US-Mexico border white supremacist terrorist group that published videos of members detaining hundreds migrants at gunpoint, with the Border Patrol's apparent tacit consent? Today, we learn that one member of that racist New Mexico border militia told police that another fellow member once said, "Why are wenot lining them up and shooting them? We have to go back to Hitler days and put them all in a gas chamber," reports Ken Klippenstein. Klipperstein obtained the documents under FOIA. From his report: "Why are we just apprehending them and not lining them up and shooting them," a border militia member in New Mexico is alleged to have said of border migrants that the group had been monitoring. "We have to go back to Hitler days and put them all in a gas chamber," the militia member, Armando Gonzalez, is also alleged to have said. Gonzalez did not respond to multiple requests for comment by TYT. The disturbing comments appear in an April 24 police report containing allegations by a former member of the militia group. The former member, Steven Brant, contacted the Sunland Park Police Department to notify them of what he called "terroristic threats" he had witnessed by the group. The report was produced by the Sunland Park Police Department and was obtained by TYT through a public records request. On April 18, the border militia, which calls itself the United Constitutional Patriots (UCP), sparked national outrage after reportedly detaining about 200 border migrants, including several children, at gunpoint. After video surfaced appearing to show UCP impersonating Border Patrol a federal offense the FBI arrested UCP's leader, Larry Mitchell Hopkins,. Although the police report obtained by TYT does not mention UCP by name, Daniel Carranco, Sunland Park City Clerk, confirmed to TYT that UCP is the group referenced. The police report is an interview of a militia member named Steven Brant who told police he went by the codename "Viper." Read the rest. At the Madeira Municipal Building in Ohio, a high school student's artwork depicting a pig in a police uniform was taken down by the organizers of an annual student art show. In the artwork, the pig is standing in front of collaged newspaper headlines about police using deadly force. Guess what? People complained. The unnamed student created the artwork as a response to the following assignment: "Take current event articles published in newspapers or magazines on a similar topic and then summarize those articles into a visual representation of the feelings and emotions within the articles selected." The Madeira Police Department would not confirm or deny whether they asked for the painting to be removed. From WCPO: "The members of the Madeira Police Department fully respect and support the student's right to free speech and recognize that this young artist is very talented," (a police) statement reads. "However, officers are troubled by the perceived message of the student's art project." So was Lt. Dan Hils, president of the local Fraternal Order of Police and a frequent defender of Cincinnati officers whose use of force becomes the subject of public discussion. On Monday night, Hils said he was saddened by the piece but would not have asked for it to be removed. "For me, the word I think of is just a little disappointed disappointed that there is youth that believe that of police officers," he said, adding: "It's a beautiful thing our country has the ability for people to express how they feel and this young person was expressing how they feel. I feel they were wrong." "Madeira student's art project depicting police officer as pig removed from city art show" (Thanks, Charles Pescovitz!) Dillon Shane Webb (23) of Florida was driving his truck on Sunday when a deputy pulled him over. The deputy informed Webb that the sticker in his rear window, which read, "I Eat Ass," was obscene and ordered Webb to remove one of the letters from the word "ass." According to the police report, the officer asked Webb how "a parent of a small child would explain the meaning of the words." Webb told the deputy that he was exercising his first amendment rights and refused to remove the sticker. The deputy arrested Webb and was charged with "obscene writing on vehicles and resisting an officer without violence." [via Lake City Reporter] The Bering Strait between Russia and Alaska is only about 50 miles. It would be very expensive to build a bridge across the Bering Strait, even thought there are a couple of islands in the middle (the Doimedes), which would take the price of construction down to about $105 billion (5 times the price of the English Channel tunnel). If such a bridge were built, you could drive from Los Angeles to Paris (or even Miami to Capetown). But this video gives all the reasons why this bridge will probably never be built. News / National by Staff reporter AT least 14 high-profile corruption trials have been stopped for various reasons by the High Court since last year, a development that has sparked public debate on the seriousness by some stakeholders in the criminal justice system in tackling the vice.The slow progress of the trials has put a drag on the fight, and President Mnangagwa is on record as expressing frustration at the slow progress of bringing corrupt elements to book in the Second Republic, which has adopted a zero tolerance stance on graft as a key deliverable.Proceedings in most of the cases of graft have been stayed pending review applications filed by defence lawyers while in some cases the accused persons were discharged by the High Court. The 14 cases in question were presided over by eight different judges of the High Court.Secretary for Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Mrs Virginia Mabiza has since expressed concern at the rate at which the cases are being stalled before commencement of trial.Mrs Mabiza said the development has attracted public criticism on the stakeholders' seriousness in fighting corruption."We are concerned with the rate at which high-profile corruption cases are being stalled at a certain stage of the justice delivery system. "We continue to receive complaints from members of the public who are suspicious of our seriousness in the fight against graft. But it is clear that cases are being brought up and investigated," said Mrs Mabiza.Head of the Special Anti-Corruption Unit in the President's Office Mr Tabani Mpofu said the cases were progressing well at the magistrates' courts but stalled at the High Court. Mr Mpofu said the State will pursue the cases to ensure they are heard in court."Yes, there are a number of our cases whose progress at the magistrates' court has been stalled by decisions in the High Court for one reason or the other."Our approach is to pursue them on a case by case basis and we are confident that at the end of the processes that are prescribed by our laws, all the cases will eventually be heard in the magistrates' court," said Mr Mpofu.The Judicial Service Commission (JSC), which employs the judges, refused to comment on proceedings pending at court.Said JSC acting secretary Mr Walter Chikwana: "As JSC, we do not get involved in matters that are done and pending in court. We do not comment on matters pending in court." Three cases in which former Cabinet minister Ignatius Chombo, former Makoni legislator Kudzanayi Chipanga, and two others are being accused of criminal abuse of office dragged for over a year.Trial in case numbers R529-30/18, R521/18 and R553/18 was supposed to take off in February 2018 but dragged after the High Court stayed proceedings on July 19 the same year. The High Court then dismissed the review applications in February this year, almost a year later.Former Chitungwiza chamber secretary Priscillar Vengesai, who is facing bribery charges under R434/18, had a trial date set for July 25 last year but a High Court judge granted temporary stay of proceedings on November 31. Heads of argument in the review proceedings are yet to be filed, six months after the granting of the High Court order.Another judge of the High Court granted an order for temporary stay of the corruption trial of former Mines and Mining Development Minister Walter Chidhakwa and permanent secretary Francis Gudyanga on July 24 last year but the review application was only filed on January 7 this year.The record is not yet ready for allocation with some papers still to be filed. Proceedings in a case in which former minister Saviour Kasukuwere is being charged with criminal abuse of office under R842/18 were stayed last year but it is yet to be allocated to a judge for review.Former University of Zimbabwe Vice Chancellor Professor Levi Nyagura, charged with criminal abuse of office, unsuccessfully excepted to the charge but filed a review application on April 30 this year, which is yet to be determined.Former minister Supa Mandiwanzira, who was arrested last year for criminal abuse of office, under case number R990/18, was acquitted by the High Court on one count and had proceedings related to the second count stayed.The case of Chief Magistrate Mishrod Guvamombe was stayed on April 30 this year pending review of the decision to have him tried by his junior. He will now appear at the High Court for trial.Another case in which former Midlands Governor Jason Machaya is being charged with criminal abuse of office was also stopped on April 2 pending review of the magistrate's decision.Businessman Genius Kadungure, who stands accused of fraud, lost his bail application at the magistrates' court but was freed by the High Court on appeal. Wicknell Chivayo, a director of Intratrek Zimbabwe, was acquitted by the High Court after a successful exception application. News / National by Staff reporter A high-powered Zanu-PF delegation led by national party chairperson Oppah Muchinguri yesterday left for China for a strategic exchange programme with the Communist Party of China (CCP).The delegation also comprises Cdes Englebert Rugeje (National Commissar), Mabel Chinomona (Women's League secretary) Paul Mangwana (Legal Affairs secretary), Pupurayi Togarepi (Youth secretary), Simbarashe Mumbengegwi (Secretary for External Affairs), Lovemore Matuke (Secretary for Security).Other members include Women's League national commissar Appolonia Munzverengi, Tsitsi Gezi (Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly) and Politburo members Tsitsi Muzenda, Munyaradzi Machacha and War Veterans deputy secretary Douglas Mahiya.In an interview at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport just before the delegation's departure, Machacha said the visit will strengthen cooperation between the two revolutionary parties."This is part of our regular cooperation. We are two revolutionary parties that share a rich history. We want to exchange views on party building so that we can strengthen the party."He said cooperation will also focus on economic matters as Zanu-PF will learn strategies of how the Chinese Communist Party assists its government in running the world's second largest economy."Over the years China's Communist Party has been crucial in directing the economic policies of the Chinese government."We also want to take lessons from this model so that Zanu-PF continues to assist the Government in reviving our economy. This is in line with the promises we made to the people in the 2018 elections to transform our economy." Machacha said the delegation will also seek to build ideological synergies with the CCP."This visit will also bring a lot of benefits to the Chitepo Ideological College. We are looking at coordinating with CCPs ideological schools to share ideological positions as well as training of our cadres and sharing of relevant literature." News / National by Staff reporter The dispute over the gold claims in Chegutu turned fatal last week when one man was shot dead after police tried to control a marauding crowd of approximately 3 000 artisanal miners who wanted to stop the Deputy Sheriff from evicting them.The artisanal miners, who are part of the Danangwe District Youth Mining Co-operative, have been embroiled in a dispute with Breekridge Investments over the gold claims.The case, however, spilt into the High Court which ruled against the artisanal miners. In an interview, national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the death of Lovemore Feyani after the skirmishes that followed when the Deputy Sheriff tried to evict the artisanal miners."On April 25 this year, Mr Drian Mudimu, an Assistant Sheriff, was accompanied by the police to evict some artisanal miners in Chegutu but was confronted by at least 3 000 men who were resisting the eviction order."The artisanal miners threatened the court official and police fired teargas to disperse the rowdy crowd and, subsequently, fired shots at the crowd which had turned violent leading to the death of one man," he said.Asst Comm Nyathi said police are, however, investigating the case. He also urged artisanal miners to resolve their differences without engaging in violent activities."What is important is for them to resolve their disputes peacefully. This also includes the other stakeholders in the sector and we want to urge them to play their part and work in peace and harmony with others," he said."The artisanal miners should also be reminded that that there are certain procedures that need to be followed in resolving disputes without resorting to violence."The Danangwe District Youth Mining Co-operative recently vowed to take over the five blocks that are part of 61 claims believed to be lying idle for alleged speculative purposes.The co-operative's chairperson, Mr Stewart Luckford, said their decision was informed by Government's intentions to repossess idle gold claims which he claimed had been lying idle since 1969. He said Breekridge came in 2000 to do exploration and displaced people between 2001 and 2002 but no mining had been taking place since then."In 2010, we organised ourselves as youths and formed our co-operative which was fully registered in 2014 and since then we have been religiously contributing gold to Fidelity Printers and Refiners."He said the miners invested their funds to resuscitate the mines abandoned several years ago. Mr Luckford said the youths were ready to work with the company suing them as long as the five blocks were secured. Mashonaland West provincial Chiefs' Council chairman Senator Chief Ngezi also called for dialogue between the company and the co-operative."They should come to the negotiating table. They might claim the claims but the youths are also bona fide citizens who should benefit from the country's natural resources."I once assisted Breekridge to resolve a dispute with a farmer when they wanted to construct a road through his farm and the issue was solved amicably so the same can be done at the mine," he said. Government has raised concern over claims held for speculative purposes across the country. News / National by Staff reporter ZANU-PF Bulawayo province's restructuring programme is in full swing after President Mnangagwa dissolved provincial structures in March and a new executive is expected to be in place by the end of this week.Yesterday, the province's City Centre District elected new leaders during elections that took place at the provincial headquarters, Davies Hall. Caleb Sengu is the new district chairperson after Nkosana Dube withdrew his candidature.The new deputy chairperson is Raymond Mtomba who won against Nkosilathi Dube.The Women's League chairperson is Marvelous Ali and is deputised by Lydia Phiri. The Youth League chairperson is now Mayibongwe Zvigadza and is deputised by Emmanuel Sunduza, who were both uncontested.This district executive, together with 38 other party members per wing, stand a chance to contest in the upcoming provincial elections that are expected to be conducted by Sunday.The co-ordinator of the restructuring exercise in Bulawayo, Retired Colonel George Nare, who is also the party's director in the commissariat, said the province will conclude its elections and restructuring exercise by Sunday."The restructuring exercise started from the cells and branches. Now we're restructuring the districts and we're planning to wrap up the whole exercise by May 12, 2019. On Tuesday we'll have a feedback meeting at Davies Hall as we prepare for the provincial elections where people will vote for their provincial executive," said Rtd Col Nare.Yesterday's elections were however, at some point disturbed by skirmishes, which resulted in the deployment of anti-riot police at Davies Hall. Rtd Col Nare said they managed to quell the skirmishes, which were caused by some members of the party who went on a drinking spree before the elections."We had slight disorder after some members who came drunk for reasons known to themselves argued that some members were not qualified to contest because they had criminal records."We ignored that because they were basing their argument on mere allegations with no court records. We managed to calm them down and decided to go ahead with the elections and everything is going on well," said Rtd Col Nare.He said the election process went well and he was happy as most people from the district turned up for the elections."This district has a lot of problems but we're here to resolve them and make sure that the new leadership has the party and the people at heart. After the elections we'll continue monitoring the new leadership to see if they're working in line with their mandate to serve the party."If we realise that they're only concerned about lining their pockets we'll definitely take action," said Rtd Col Nare.He said the co-ordinating team was holding weekly meetings for feedback, adding that they were preparing a full report for the Politburo. Politburo member, Mike Bimha, who is also the Zanu-PF secretary for indigenisation and economic empowerment, said the election process was democratic."The elections are going on well and the process is democratic according to the party's constitution but of course in any election people favour different candidates and this can result in arguments but everything is under control."We're already preparing for provincial elections this week and we're certain everything will be in order," said Bimha.In March, Zanu-PF First Secretary and President Mnangagwa dissolved all the party's structures in Bulawayo and Harare. The party leadership said the dissolution of the party's structures in Bulawayo and Harare would address problems that have resulted in the party perennially losing elections in the two metropolitan provinces.The party said Vice President Constantino Chiwenga is superintending over the party's affairs in Harare while Vice President Kembo Mohadi has been assigned to oversee structures in Bulawayo. News / National by Staff reporter THE Zanu-PF Youth League has urged all ministers to periodically update the nation on the progress they have made on economic and transformation issues.Zanu-PF Secretary for Youth Affairs Pupurai Togarepi challenged Government officials to use various media platforms to communicate with people in line with the nation's economic mantra championed by President Mnangagwa's 'Zimbabwe is open for Business'."We would like to call on ministers and other stakeholders in key sectors of the economy, be it service delivery or economic players to open up and apprise the nation on the progress they have made, if any, and the challenges they face in executing their roles," said Togarepi in his weekly column that he posts on Facebook."We challenge ministers to open up, just as "Zimbabwe is Open for Business" by periodically informing the nation through various forms of the media what they will be doing, their failures and successes."He called for accountability in all Government departments. Togarepi said some ministries remain closed to public scrutiny and engagement even when the President himself is accessible."Our people deserve better from all public and private institutions as both are designed to serve the people of Zimbabwe not the other way round. Some pronounce policies that are inconsistent with the President's thrust to turn around the economy while others have become saboteurs to the President's vision. That must stop now," he said."The time to confront those working against the President's vision is now. We want answers now otherwise these purveyors of doom will destroy the hope created by the New Dispensation."Togarepi said Parliament should also promulgate laws that will protect the public from economic saboteurs."Parliament should also play its part and enact laws that protect the general public from economic saboteurs. We do not expect double standards from parliamentarians and any corrupt legislator has no role in the August House, but rather a place in Chikurubi," he said. News / National by Staff reporter Former University of Zimbabwe (UZ) vice-chancellor Levi Nyagura has petitioned the High Court seeking an order to nullify the decision of a Harare magistrate who dismissed his application to have the criminal charges levelled against him dropped.Nyagura is being accused of single-handedly awarding former First Lady Grace Mugabe a doctor of philosophy degree (PhD) in 2014, when he was heading the university.When his trial started at the Harare Magistrates' Courts, Nyagura made an application seeking the dismissal of the charges on the basis that they were not in accordance with the law.He argued that the granting of the PhD was done by the UZ and not himself as a person. However, his application was dismissed."For an office to be abused, it must be capable of doing the acts complained of and that in the course of exercising function in terms of that office, an accused acted improperly.Secondly, as these actions pertaining to abuse of 'an office', an accused cannot be charged in his personal capacity, but in the capacity that occupies the office," Nyagura said in his founding affidavit."The State has no locus standi to institute the proceedings and the criminal court had no jurisdiction over the matter. The acts complained of remain valid under the maxim omnia praesumuntur rite esse act with the administrative authorities reposed with the powers to supervise decisions under the UZ Act, stating that no criminal complaint arose in the matter."Nyagura said there was no personal liability under the UZ Act, Chapter 25:16, as compared to the Companies Act."The university and the chancellor are the answerable entities at law to decisions made by the university. The remedy against extant administrative decisions is an administrative as opposed to a criminal one. Allegations are incapable of constituting a criminal offence at law," he said.Nyagura, however, said when acting chief magistrate Munamato Mutevedzi entertained his application, he did not address his mind to the nature of the real application, but dealt with a different application, which he eventually dismissed."This is an application to review the decision of the first respondent (Mutevedzi), wherein he dismissed my application for quashing of charges on the basis of disclosing any lawful cause of action. I also seek that this honourable court reviews the manner in which the first respondent arrived at such decision, because I am of the firm belief that it was arrived at irregularly," Nyagura said.His trial is set for May 16, 2019. News / National by Staff reporter A BULAWAYO man, who was found in possession of an AK47 rifle, will continue to languish in remand prison after he was denied bail by a Bulawayo magistrate, who ruled that he was a flight risk.Ame Mpala (35) of Pumula East, who was represented by Kholwani Ngwenya, however, denied the charge of illegal possession of a dangerous weapon as defined under section 28(1)(e) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Chapter 9:23, when he appeared before magistrate Jeconiah Ncube yesterday.His lawyer filed an application for bail, which was dismissed by the court. Mpala is expected to appear in court again on May 15 for trial.His lawyer said he was contemplating an appeal against denial of bail.Allegations against Mpala are that on March 20, officers from Hillside Police Station, were manning a security roadblock at the 22km peg along the Bulawayo-Gwanda Road.At around 8pm, the team stopped a black Toyota Wish being driven by Wingstone Muguta of Mahatshula South in Bulawayo on suspicion that it was involved in the commission of crime, wherein they allegedly discovered the AK47 assault rifle with erased serial numbers.The butt of the firearm was reportedly detached from the stalk. They also reportedly recovered a 30-round magazine loaded with five live rounds. Mpala was arrested and he allegedly implicated a police officer identified as David Fugao (42) as the source of the firearm, which he reportedly said was used for poaching.The accused allegedly told the police that when he was arrested, he was on his way to return the gun to Fugao, an inspector and officer in charge at the Matabeleland North provincial armoury.On his arrest, Fugao allegedly admitted knowing Mpala, but denied having supplied him with the gun. He has since appeared in court and his case is still pending. News / National by Staff reporter A HARARE court yesterday acquitted Mt Pleasant legislator, Samuel Banda (MDC Alliance), who was accused of contravening a section of the Electoral Act by falsifying his home address for the purpose of registration to represent the constituency.Banda (43), who was represented by Job Sikhala, was acquitted by magistrate Learnmore Mapiye after a full trial.In acquitting Banda, Mapiye ruled that the whole case was as a result of sour grapes and bitterness by two people who lost elections to the MP.During the defence case, the court heard that there were 14 other people who registered the residence as their home and Mapiye ruled that the owner of the house, Isaac Chidavaenzi, who was the witness, actually had a case to answer on why 14 people used his house to register for voting.The magistrate further ruled that all the 14 people could not have registered at his house without his knowledge.Sikhala had told the court that the matter was purely a fight between the MDC-T, led by Thokozani Khupe, and the other MDC led by Nelson Chamisa.The magistrate ruled it was regrettable that factional fights had found their way into the courts.Banda had told the court that the complainants, Warship Dumba and Chidavaenzi, wanted to settle their scores against him as they wanted his position.Chidavaenzi lost the position to Banda in the parliamentary elections, while Dumba wanted the position, but was relegated to council elections.After the ruling, Sikhala said it was the most difficult case he had come across, whose inspiration and foundation was bitterness."Dealing with bitter losers is the most difficult pre-occupation. However, I was so patient and took the two bitter men (Dumba and Chidavaenzi) on their journey of bitterness and sour grapes," Sikhala said.Allegations are that on December 28 last year, during the national biometric voter registration exercise, Banda misrepresented to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission that he was residing at number 34 Waller Avenue in Mt Pleasant, Harare, in order for him to register as a voter in that constituency while in actual fact, he did not reside there.Peter Kachirika appeared for the State. News / National by Staff reporter RIOT police were called in to restore order during Zanu-PF's chaotic internal elections on Sunday after drunk and angry supporters accused the party's chefs of holding sham elections ahead of next week's crucial provincial polls.Bulawayo province holds its elections to choose a new executive next Sunday amid disquiet by disgruntled members who have raised the red flag over the manner in which district elections have so far been conducted.On Sunday, scores of Zanu-PF supporters caused mayhem at the party's Davies Hall provincial offices after some of the contestants vehemently protested the outcome of the Bulawayo city centre district elections.Riot police were summoned to diffuse the ruckus which Zanu-PF restructuring exercise coordinator George Nare downplayed as a "common" occurrence in electoral processes."What happened is common. The disgruntled party members were fighting over posts."Where positions of power are concerned, there are bound to be such skirmishes. Anyone is free to contest for any district post but those who lost must accept that they were defeated."That's how democracy works. Overall, the elections went very well," Nare told the Daily News.Caleb Sengu was elected as Bulawayo district chairperson and is deputised by Raymond Mtomba who won against Nkosilathi Dube.Mayibongwe Zvigadza now chairs the youth league while Emmanuel Sunduza deputises him.Zvigadza and Sunduza won the posts uncontested while Sengu's challenger, Nkosana Duve withdrew from the race altogether.Marvelous Ali was elected as the women's league chairperson and Lydia Phiri as her deputy.Nare said the eagerly-awaited provincial elections will now be held next Sunday as the party searches for a bigger venue to accommodate a large number of people expected for the gathering."The district executive will contest in the provincial elections which have been postponed to Sunday mainly to give time for administration and logistics to be put in place."We have decided to secure a bigger venue that will accommodate about 550 delegates and 140 contestants we are expecting."Davies Hall is small as it only accommodates about 250 to 300 people."We also need time to secure presiding officers, ballot papers andto give contestants guidelines a week in advance so they familiarise with them," Nare added.President Emmerson Mnangagwa dissolved Harare and Bulawayo provinces early this year to pave way for restructuring aimed at instilling confidence in the two areas which performed dismally in the July 30 2018 elections.Former Cabinet minister Callistus Ndlovu led Bulawayo province before he died in February after succumbing to pancreatic cancer.He was buried at the National Heroes Acre in Harare - amid much misgivings by Dumiso Dabengwa's Zapu opposition party, which accused him of having been a "sell-out".His death and the subsequent dissolution of the entire executive, have triggered fierce jostling and infighting among ambitious Zanu-PF bigwigs in the fractious Bulawayo province.Firebrand former war veterans' leader Jabulani Sibanda, Bulawayo Provincial Affairs minister Judith Ncube and Industry deputy minister Raji Modi are among those being touted as front-runners to replace Ndlovu as regional party boss. News / National by Staff reporter MDC veteran politician Paurina Mpariwa has chickened out of the race as Nelson Chamisa's deputy opting to contest for the position of women assembly chairperson.MDC spokesperson Jacob Mafume confirmed the development to the Daily News yesterday saying Mpariwa was nominated both for vice president post and women assembly chairperson."She just withdrew from contesting for the VP post and opted for women's assembly chairperson. She was nominated for both posts," Mafume said.The withdrawal of Mpariwa has reduced the number of bigwigs who are contesting for the vice president position to seven.Those vying to deputise Chamisa include current VPs Morgen Komichi, Welshman Ncube and Elias Mudzuri.The triumvirate will battle it out with other party bigwigs who include former Finance minister Tendai Biti, Lillian Timveos, Lynnet Karenyi-Kore, and former Zanu-PF MP Tracy Mutinhiri who have all secured a nomination or two.MDC secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora, who recently threw in the towel and put his weight behind Chamisa while he settled for the position of secretary-general, will battle Chalton Hwende and Daniel Molekeli.For the post of treasurer-general, former Education minister David Coltart is expected to square off against Tapiwa Mashakada.For the position of national youth assembly chairperson current secretary general Lovemore Chinoputsa is set to battle it out with Obey Sithole, former student leader with the Zimbabwe National Students' Union (Zinasu).This comes as the opposition party has begun caucuses for those contesting where they are going to outline their plans for the party.Mafume said after presentations of their manifestos they will respond to questions from the public. News / National by Staff reporter MDC vice president Elias Mudzuri says party structures should reject both Tendai Biti and Welshman Ncube as they once left the party to form their own political parties, as the fighting for the three vice presidency posts up for grabs gets dirty.Mudzuri, Biti, Ncube and Morgen Komichi are locked in a bitter contest to win the hearts of the MDC supporters ahead of the party's elective congress that will be held on the 24th and 26th of this month in Gweru.The MDC has three vice presidents but one seat is reserved for a woman leaving Ncube, Komichi, Biti and Mudzuri to fight for the two available seats.Already Chamisa, who has no challenger, has been confirmed as the party president for the next five years but there is everything to fight for among his aides, with Mudzuri being the first to fire salvos at his rivals.The MDC has opened the floor for campaigns and on Sunday the aspiring candidates presented their manifestos to the MDC Harare province in the first stop that will take them across the country before congress on May 24."I believe that I am a pillar of the organisation that never waiver, you cannot remove a pillar of the house," Mudzuri said in an apparent dig at Ncube and Biti who once left the late MorganTsvangirai-led MDC to form their own political outfits.Ncube and Biti both returned to the MDC just before last year's elections, fulfilling Tsvangirai's death wish as he wanted to see all opposition parties confronting Zanu-PF with one voice. However, as with many prodigal sons they are yet to fully gain the support of the party supporters.Mudzuri on the other hand sees himself as Tsvangirai's anointed vice president and is building his campaign around his unwavering loyalty.On the other hand Komichi, who was appointed to become the party's vice president by Chamisa, also touched on his loyalty as one of the key reasons why the party structures should back him."You want a leader who is clear on the duties that he must do, to assist in the office of the president and to act in the absence of the president, as you do these duties you must do with loyalty, you don't have to compete with the president. You need to be a consistent leader and stand and defend the president in times of turbulence. If you have not been consistent it will be hard to have the confidence of the president and I have been loyal throughout unlike others."A good leader is a good follower, this organisation has been in operation for 20 years and we are very clear on what we should be targeting now."The problem in Zimbabwe is that even if we have elections now the results will be changed, we now need to focus on finding solutions to deal with these people, they need to understand their role, we have a project that we must lead and also make sure that there is peaceful transfer of power from Zanu-PF to the MDC," said Komichi.However, Biti who left the MDC in 2014 after a nasty fallout with the late Tsvangirai said he is the right man for the job to deputise Chamisa."The 2019 MDC congress is going to be a very important congress. It's an opportunity to start a new dialogue with the people of Zimbabwe. It's an opportunity for the people of MDC to show the people of Zimbabwe that we are tired of being an opposition party. The party must focus on the rural areas."We are an urban-centric party but to gain power we must go into the areas...we need to change strategy," said Biti.Ncube, who left the MDC in 2005 after disagreements with Tsvangirai and is a professor of law said the MDC structures must vote for him because he can help Chamisa in thinking and strategising."I will do all I can, all in my power to render assistance to...Chamisa. One of the important issues that have not been spoken about is the task of providing strategic direction, in other words the task of thinking, to think with the president, to think until it is hurting," said Ncube.Changing the way the campaigns are run, the MDC has opened the race with prospective candidates pitching their goals to party structures. News / National by Staff reporter PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa, backed by his ruling Zanu-PF party and close to 18 opposition political parties, is pressing ahead with political parties' dialogue without the main opposition MDC and its leader Nelson Chamisa, who has insistently refused to join the process.Zanu-PF and the other political parties, who include the MDC-T led by Thokozani Khupe, NCA led by Lovemore Madhuku and other leaders including Bryn Mteki, yesterday met at State House and agreed to officially launch the dialogue on May 17 at the HICC.The programme, although not yet finalised, will see the parties to the dialogue, now led by National Peace and Reconciliation Commission chairperson Justice Selo Nare and Zimbabwe Gender Commission chair Margaret Mukahanana-Sangarwe, setting the terms and reference of the talks.Cleric Patrick Mugadza, who is part of the talks, confirmed the launch, saying the committee will meet on Friday to finalise all the logistics of the launch."We will only be able to say the terms of reference of the talks after the launch on May 17, most likely at the HICC [Harare International Conference Centre]. We will meet soon after the launch and discuss the issues that will be tabled as part of the dialogue," he said.In a statement, the Information ministry said at the meeting, the parties also adopted a code of conduct."Today (yesterday), the political actors in the national dialogue met and adopted a code of conduct that will promote conditions that are conducive for dialogue built on political tolerance, mutual respect, consensus, information dissemination and commitment to the dialogue," the ministry said.Chamisa has insisted that for him to meet Mnangagwa for talks, there was need for an independent interlocutor mutually agreed on by the MDC and Zanu-PF.His party has also insisted on discussing the legitimacy of Mnangagwa's presidency, a condition Zanu-PF has said it will not accept. News / National by Staff reporter MDC Kuwadzana East MP, Charlton Hwende's request for freedom failed after Harare Magistrate Babra Mateko rejected his application against further remand stating that it was too early for him to protest.Hwende is facing charges of subversion linked to the January violent demonstrations that President Emmerson Mnangagwa's government contests were bankrolled by Western powers with a regime change agenda.Through his attorney, Hwende had challenged further remand claiming that the State was not ready to prosecute him.The State had applied for a postponement saying Hwende's docket has been sent to the National Prosecution Authority for authority to proceed with trial.Hwende's lawyer then complained that this shows that the State had no case against his client.Hwende once made an application challenging placement on remand and the request was rejected after the court ruled there was reasonable suspicion that a crime was committed.While making his application, Hwende disowned his alleged Twitter handle arguing the state has no evidence to prove the account belongs to him.The MP also argued that the allegations he is facing do not disclose any offense.Allegations are that between December 28, and 31, last year Hwende allegedly posted on his Twitter handle messages that could incite people to revolt against the government.According to the State, Hwende wrote on the Twitter account: "2019 should be the year of the final push to a new Zimbabwe. We cannot continue on this trajectory of failure and kwashiorkor of leadership. Enough is enough. In January citizens must organise themselves for a complete shutdown of the country."Stay at home no one will shoot you2019 is the year of rolling mass action against the illegal regime of @edmnangagwa. We voted for @nelsonchamisa and we must be prepared like the thousands of gallant liberation struggle heroes to die defending our right to choose the president of our choice #2019Chamisamuoffice ." News / National by Staff reporter The trial of former ICT, Postal and Courier Services Minister Supa Mandiwanzira kicked off this Tuesday at the Harare Magistrates Court with the accused seeking the release of his passport.Meanwhile, MDC Alliance legislator Charlton Hwende's application for removal from remand has been dismissed.Mr Mandiwanzira through his lawyer Thembinkosi Magwaliba has filed an application seeking the release of his passport.Mandiwanzira is facing allegations of criminal abuse of office for appointing his personal assistant Tawanda Chinembiri to the board of the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ).It is alleged that during that time Chinembiri received $35 000 in allowances.Representing Mandiwanzira, Advocate Magwalimba argued that his client's business cannot be hamstrung by the court's decision and he must be allowed to go for his medical check-ups in India which are due next month.Through his lawyer, Mandiwanzira revealed that his business is in jeopardy since he is failing to travel outside the country.Mandiwanzira will be back in court this Wednesday (tomorrow) for ruling.Meanwhile, Harare magistrate Hosea Mujaya postponed the trail of former Foreign Affairs Minister Walter Mzembi as the prosecutor presiding over the case Brian Vhito had other commitments.Mzembi is being jointly charged with Aaron Mushoriwa and Suzanna Makombekuhudzayi facing criminal abuse of office and fraud allegations.In another case, Harare magistrate Barbara Mateko dismissed an application by MDC legislator Charlton Hwende seeking his removal from the remand.In her ruling, however, magistrate Mateko said his application is premature.Appearing for state Sebastin Mutizirwa said the accused person is before the courts because of reasonable suspicion and his case is a complex one which needs experts to analyse his twitter message.In his defence through his lawyer Advocate Harrison Nkomo opposed the ruling saying the accused person has been in the hands of the state for two months hence he must be allowed to exercise his constitutional rights.It is the state's case that during the period extending from 28 December 2018 to 31 December 2018, Hwende posted on his twitter handle, messages that had the effect of inciting citizens to revolt against government.The matter has been postponed to 11 June for continuation of trial. Georgia's New Heartbeat Bill Is Another Dangerous Step Towards A "Handmaid's Tale" Reality On Tuesday, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp passed whats known as a fetal heartbeat bill, a law banning abortion once a heartbeat can be detected, often as early as 6 weeks. Georgia is the fourth state to enact the heartbeat bill into law, following Ohio, Kentucky and Mississippi. Considering most women are unaware they are pregnant, within the first few weeks of pregnancy, heartbeat laws suggest a near-outright ban on abortion. Dr. Krystal Redman of Spark Reproductive Justice Now told Vox, Its basically a forced pregnancy bill. Its a health care ban bill. The increase of heartbeat bills this past year is a clear indication that abortion opponents are desperate to abolish Roe. v. Wade. As reported by Vox, heartbeat bills are based on model legislation written by Faith2Action, a Christian organization that claims to be the nations largest network of pro-family groups. Their website FAQ states, while not the beginning of life, the heartbeat is the universally recognized indicator of life. The model legislation says that if a patient requests an abortion, a doctor must use standard medical practice to see if the fetus has a heartbeat. If a heartbeat is detected, the doctor is forbidden from conducting an abortion, unless the procedure is medically necessary to save the patients life or to prevent a serious risk of the substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function. Even more disturbing, situations involving rape or incest are not exempt under the bill. No other law allows for the killing of an innocent child for the crime of his or her father, states the Faith2Action website. ADVERTISEMENT Such simplistic and glib rhetoric, popular amongst pro-life groups, becomes all the more ludicrous and dangerous considering recent reports of an Ohio man raping and impregnating an 11-year-old girl, who now must carry the fetus to full term because of Ohios new heartbeat bill. This young girls case prime example why heartbeat bills should have never been introduced. The lifelong trauma this 11-year old child will have to cope with is a result of irresponsible legislation that aims to diminish womens bodily and biological agency. While Georgia's heartbeat bill does include exceptions for rape and incest, the state has some of the highest rates of maternal mortality in the country. The new heartbeat law will inevitably hurt patients, especially black, queer and low-income individuals who are statistically more likely to seek abortion care. Furthermore, criminalizing abortion forces medical professionals to consider the bounds of the law before the health of their patient, consequently putting the patients safety at risk. Ive said it before when Ohio passed its heartbeat bill and I will keep saying it: criminalizing abortion DOES NOT STOP ABORTIONS. But it does prevent safe abortions. Header photo by trac1 via Adobe Stock More from BUST Ohio's Governor Just Signed One Of The Harshest Abortion Bills In America Kentucky Is Trying To Pass A Law That Would Ban Abortion At Six WeeksBefore Most People Know They're Pregnant Ireland's Abortion Ban Is Officially Over Hi there! Im a comedian, writer and actress living in New York City. Im the only person to have a subscription to Nickelodeon Magazine without access to the Nickelodeon channel. My favorite movie is George Of The Jungle. Follow me on Twitter and Instagram @stonecoldvolpe and check out my website francescavolpe.com for more of my writing and silly videos! Ogdens Own Distillery Releases Five Husbands Vodka for Pride Nude Dudes Adorn 'Five Husbands' Vodka, In Honor of Pride Month Whats the best way to celebrate Pride month? According to a controversial Utah distillery, you release a new vodka with five naked guys on the label. RELATED: 10 Best Vodkas You Can Buy If you have an aversion to nudity or risque imagery you might not want to read any further. Utah-based Ogdens Own Distillery recently announced a new vodka in honor of the LGBTQ community. The new beverage, Five Husbands, features five chiseled men who are entirely in the buff on a stark white label, with each model holding a large cock over themselves in a fun, yet charming manner. This isnt the first time the distillery made waves with its drinks. Ogden's Own Distillery made headlines earlier in the decade when they promoted their groundbreaking and daring Five Wives vodka, a product which critics claimed had a heavy connection to polygamy. The state of Idaho went so far as to ban Five Wives vodka from store shelves, according to TODAY, despite Utah having a deeper historical relationship to the practice due to a heavy concentration of Mormons. Distillery CEO Steve Conlin made his enthusiasm for the product and the philosophy it represents very clear in a statement to NBC News regarding the launch of Five Husbands vodka. Believe it or not, under the surface, Utah is a pretty fun and wild place, he said. [It is] really progressive once you get past the religion. Conlin continued with his reasoning for wanting to sponsor the Utah Pride Festival, pointing to the magic of acceptance and personal freedom. Theres something really magical about seeing people being able to express themselves and be themselves. On the other side of the discussion, pride festival organizers seem equally pleased to have a major local sponsor approach them for a partnership. Liz Pitts of the Utah Pride Center told interviewers with Q Salt Lake that the gesture was very much appreciated. We are a festival that celebrates our local community, she said. and we are excited when homegrown companies want to be part of it in such a fun way. RELATED: Why You Should Never Put Vodka in the Freezer With a label that may appeal to members of both sexes and a positive attitude to boot those looking to down a few shots of Five Husbands will have to the Beehive State. Youll have to be quick thoughonly 3,000 bottles it are slated for production. Some of the allocation will be available to patrons of Utahs Pride festival, while the remainder will likely hit local liquor store shelves. Hopefully, Five Husbands vodka is as robust and muscular as the naked bodies on the bottle. You Might Also Dig: AskMen Style Defined: Keeping Casual Classic Going Casual Never Looked So Good 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. Here at AskMen, we strive to bring you new and interesting content to help answer any questions you may have from sex and dating to health and fitness to food and booze and of course, style and grooming. In our latest installment of the weekly series AskMen Style Defined, we talk about just how simple and clean a classic style can be for the upcoming summer weather. RELATED: AskMen Style Defined Last Week: Make Black Look Anything but Basic New York-based lifestyle blogger and Columbia University finance student Albert Groshenko was born and raised in Russia until he made the move to the United States at age 18. After living in New York City for five years and blogging just shy of a year, Groshenko has a summer internship in finance fast approaching. That may seem like a lot, but he plans on getting the most out of every day this summer. Im traveling to Barcelona and Milan [very soon], followed by [my] internship back in New York ... In August I plan to travel to New Mexico to volunteer at the center for newly arrived immigrants, followed by traveling to Europe again [in the fall]. With so much going on outside the world of fashion, we wanted to know where he actually pulls his inspiration from when putting it all together for Instagram and his blog. He is fed inspiration everyday from the streets of New York, he told us. He goes for comfortable, trendy and good looking. I put on clothes considering how I feel, some days are easy and chill, so I throw on my McQueen jacket, a pair of chinos, GG belt and Gucci shoes, he continues. If its a formal day then the best way to dress is a suit, and depending on the event it might be a t-shirt or shirt, and corresponding shoes or sneakers. What stood out about this style of choice from Groshenko was its simplicity. It is an outfit that works for just about anyone no matter their age, income or interest in fashion. It just always look good. If you are looking for an idea how to make a stylish impression with the most classic of pieces, we suggest starting here, with an outfit that will look good on you today, tomorrow and ten years from now. Items to shop inspired by Groshenkos look: Budget: Goodthreads Long-Sleeve Shirt, $21.25 at Amazon.com Naadam Essential $75 Cashmere Sweater, $75 at Naadam.co Abercrombie Skinny Distressed Stretch Jeans, $88 at Abercrombie.com Daniel Wellington Classic York, $229 at DanielWellington.com Florsheim Riva Loafer, $120 at Florsheim.com Baller: The Row Keith Striped Cotton Shirt, $650 at MrPorter.com Loro Piana Slim-Fit Baby Cashmere Sweater, $1,285 at MrPorter.com Amiri Skinny-Fit Distressed Stretch Jeans, $1,050 at MrPorter.com IWC Portofino IW5111-01 Watch, $14,500 at CrownandCaliber.com Gucci Roos Horsebit Burnished-Leather Loafers, $690 at MrPorter.com We think this outfit will look stylish on even the most fashion-opposed guy, because it doesnt look good because its the latest, most expensive label. It looks good because the fashion simply acts as a canvas for you and your personality. What do you think? What do you want to see? Do you have a look you like? Follow us on Instagram and Twitter and friend us on Facebook to share your best looks or tell us about someone we should check out. Tag us and use the hashtag #AskMenStyleDefined to get our attention. Or email us directly at [email protected] with AskMen Style Defined in the subject line. Maybe next week, well pick you! You Might Also Dig: 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. (Reuters) - Sherritt International Corp will not be materially impacted by the Trump administration's decision to allow lawsuits in U.S. courts against foreign firms in Cuba, the Canadian mining firm said on Wednesday. The Trump administration will allow lawsuits in U.S. courts for the first time against foreign companies that use properties confiscated by Communist-ruled Cuba since Fidel Castro's revolution six decades ago, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said. Toronto-based Sherritt, which is among foreign companies heavily invested in Cuba, said it would continue to operate as usual and would focus on meeting its nickel/cobalt production targets. U.S. President Donald Trump threatened in January to allow a law that has been suspended since its creation in 1996, permitting Cuban-Americans and other U.S. citizens to sue foreign companies doing business in Cuba over property seized decades ago by the Cuban government. The complete lifting of the ban could allow billions of dollars in legal claims to move forward in U.S. courts and likely antagonize Canada and Europe, whose companies have significant business holdings in Cuba. (Reporting by Aakash Jagadeesh Babu in Bengaluru; Editing by James Emmanuel) DUP leader Arlene Foster with Sinn Fein's Mary Lou McDonald and Michelle O'Neill at the funeral of Lyra McKee. Photo: Charles McQuillan/AFP/Getty Images Talks on restoring power-sharing involving five of Northern Irelands main political parties will begin in Belfast on Tuesday. Northern Ireland has been without an executive for more than two years as a result of a political stalemate between the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and Sinn Fein. The five-week negotiations, the first since February 2018, will be formally opened by the British and Irish governments. Prime minister Theresa May and her Irish counterpart Leo Varadkar last month urged political leaders in Northern Ireland to heed the unmistakable message heard at the funeral of murdered journalist Lyra McKee. Martin Magill, a Catholic priest, was given a standing ovation during a eulogy delivered at McKees funeral when he asked why it took the death of the 29-year-old woman, who was shot by dissident republicans in Londonderry, to get politicians to come together. READ MORE: Tories lose only council seat in Northern Ireland Talks on Tuesday are expected to focus more on the process and timeline, with substantive deliberations on restoring power at Stormont beginning on Wednesday. Northern Ireland secretary Karen Bradley and Irish foreign minister Simon Coveney will lead the proceedings, which are expected to involve round-table discussions, working groups, and one-on-one meetings with political parties. Bradley on Monday announced a 105m investment package for the Londonderry region. The talks also come after last weeks local elections in Northern Ireland failed to change the political calculus. Both the DUP and Sinn Fein remain the largest political parties. The collapse of power-sharing in January 2017 followed a scandal involving a failed renewable energy incentive scheme known as the Renewable Heat Incentive. But talks have not progressed for a number of reasons, including Sinn Feins objections to both the DUPs use of a parliamentary mechanism to prevent the introduction of same-sex marriage and its position on the Irish language. Story continues Both parties also fundamentally disagree about Brexit, with the DUP staunchly in favour of the UKs departure from the EU, and Sinn Fein opposed. READ MORE: Nancy Pelosi visits seamless Irish border Rallies are planned across the country on Monday to make climate action an election issue, inspired by the U.S. movement in support of a stimulus program known as the Green New Deal. In Canada, the non-partisan coalition Pact for a Green New Deal is calling for a move away from fossil fuels and to cut emissions in half by 2030 while protecting jobs. The group launches in three cities this week, including Vancouver, bringing together high-profile figures including environmental activist David Suzuki, Grand Chief Philip Stewart and musician Dan Mangan. "Basically, it's calling for a very fast and far-reaching transition away from fossil fuels," said Nayeli Jimenez, a youth organizer involved in the movement. "This basically just puts, at the forefront, the issue as an election issue in front of our politicians to actually take action." Jimenez, 28, is one of the organizers with the youth-led climate justice movement Our Time that is calling for a Green New Deal. "The federal government has proven that we need something called a 'crisis' or an 'emergency' and they can actually pull the resources to act really fast," she told CBC's The Early Edition. "That's what climate change should be: it is an urgent crisis and it is right here, right now." Darryl Dyck/Canadian Press Town halls across the country The Green New Deal is essentially a road map to shift the Canadian economy. The plan, she emphasized, has to address issues like economic inequality, green transportation and job creation. She wants all Canadians to be part of the conversation. "As we build this diverse movement, we are going to host town halls all across the country so that every day Canadians can actually come and have a say in what that looks like," she said. "Once that gets built, it will be brought to politicians to put pressure on them so it becomes the centre of the election." (Evan Mitsui/CBC) Change comes partly at the ballot box, Jimenez said, but also wants to ensure those who can't vote are also included. Story continues She has been living in Canada for a decade, after immigrating from Mexico, but can't vote. "That doesn't mean I don't have a say," she said. "Climate impacts don't care about borders or [immigration] status." The Pact for a Green New Deal also launches in Montreal and Toronto this week. Two nurses from Truro, N.S, hope to bring to the G7 their message that torture isn't limited to covert military operations or just inflicted on prisoners during wartime. Linda MacDonald and Jeanne Sarson say the same type of horrific violence happens in homes and neighbourhoods around the world, including across Nova Scotia. They'll be representing the organization they founded, Persons Against Non-State Torture, at the Women 7 Summit in Paris on Thursday and Friday. The group is one of 100 organizations gathering to come up with recommendations for the G7 focused on financial and political steps to promote gender equality. The G7's first Gender Equality Advisory Council took place last summer in Quebec. This week's sessions will be an opportunity to work with other feminist organizations and push leaders to recognize that violence against women and girls can take many forms, Sarson said. "We really want them to be bold and put non-state torture on the table, because it's a crime that's still so invisible," she said. The advocacy is part of MacDonald and Sarson's ongoing efforts to shine a light on a crime they say society doesn't acknowledge. Teckles Photo Inc. The registered nurses grew up knowing about the impact of violence in their own homes. Their anti-torture activism began in Truro in 1993 when while working as nurses in an evening clinic they met with a woman who disclosed brutal assaults at the hands of her family. MacDonald said they quickly realized the woman was experiencing a specific type of trauma, one that they didn't have the supports or services to address. "The third night after listening, after she left, we both looked at each other and said that's not abuse, that's torture. There's a difference," MacDonald remembers. "So we decided that instead of abandoning her, because she was suicidal, we'd help her as long as we could. Eventually we helped her and we became experts in the field." Story continues The pair began doing research and started building a network of global contacts. They now operate a website and have taken part in United Nations sessions. Torture painful and degrading The term non-state torture, which Sarson said was developed after consulting with Amnesty International, is meant to encompass specific types of violence inflicted on people by parents, family members and groups of people. It takes the form of painful and degrading actions including being shocked, burned, confined, raped or forced to witness the abuse of others. It can involve female genital mutilation, human trafficking, prostitution and pornographic victimization. "Maybe the state torture is in a black-ops site somewhere or prisons, this is in the home or cottages or cabins," Sarson said. Maad El Zikry/Associated Press Research is scarce but the other Canadian organization taking part in the W7 Summit, the London Abused Women's Centre in Ontario, adopted the non-state torture group's care model and started keeping track of how often the women who came to them after sexual violence reported what the groups considered torture. MacDonald said about seven per cent 67 women did. "It's much more prevalent than people know because we know by the amount of women who contact us and say, 'No one believes us, I never shared this with anyone else, we know you understand. We know you're out there and it gets us hope.' We get those emails all the time," she said. Calls to include non-state torture in criminal code For years, Sarson and MacDonald have been advocating for Canada to follow the lead of countries such as France, Australia and Germany and list non-state torture as a crime. Having it in the criminal code would create a more accurate picture of how often it's occurring and could lead to more public education about the problem, they said. "When a law names a crime then it changes the whole culture. We'd have data, we'd get more concerted effort by the government to collect the data, the same as they do on assault charges now, and then we'd get services that would fit for torture survivors," said MacDonald. "The ripple effect would be cultural." Sarson said the existing practice of labelling an act of torture as an assault can also further isolate someone who has been hurt. "You've already dismissed their truth, you've already dismissed acknowledging to them that you've heard them. And that's harmful to them," she said. MORE TOP STORIES Photo credit: Woman's Day From Woman's Day OFFICIAL RULES NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING 1. WINNER SELECTION: Winners (individually and collectively, the Winner) will be selected on or about 07/07/19 in a random drawing from among all eligible entries received. Each sweepstakes is a different drawing that must be entered separately. All the sweepstakes in these Official Rules are individually and collectively the Sweepstakes. In the event the Sponsor does not receive any eligible entries, the Sponsor has the right to cancel the Sweepstakes. 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SPONSOR: The Sponsor of these Sweepstakes is Hearst Magazine Media, Inc., 300 W. 57th Street, New York, NY 10019. ('You Might Also Like',) The Toronto District School Board Education Centre on Yonge Street. (Photo from Roberto Machado Noa/LightRocket via Getty Images) The Toronto District School Board recently admitted there were gaps in the way staff at a Toronto school handled racist attacks on a black student by a white classmate. But the girls mother and anti-racism advocates say it hasnt done enough close those gaps and end racial discrimination within its nearly 600 schools. In several posts to social media this month, a woman with the Instagram handle @__chocolatecharlie provided an account of ongoing physical and verbal assaults against her daughter, a black student at Glenview Senior Public School, by a white male classmate. She also accused staff at the school of attempting to cover up or minimize the severity of the attacks and of neglecting to report past incidents to the schools principal. She said the schools failure to protect her daughter stems from racial discrimination among its staff and inherent in the school boards administration. If this had been a black little boy that did this to a white little girl there would be justice, she said on Instagram. According to the woman, the schools vice principal contacted her in March to explain that her daughter, identified in the social media posts as Genesis, had been punched in the face by another student. ALSO SEE: Student finds 'whites only' note in school bathroom: 'Racism has taken over our school' She alleges, however, that staff only called her after attempting to minimize the appearance of swelling around the girls eye with ice, and that they failed to mention she had also been struck in the face with a binder, triggering a nosebleed. She said she only learned of that injury because the girl told her about it, and that she feels the school intentionally downplayed the seriousness of the attack. They knew how I would react to the incident so they tried to cover it up, she said in a social media post. She alleged the boys bullying goes back as far as November and includes using the N-word and spreading rumours that the girl has sex with her dad. Story continues In a statement released on May 4, the board confirmed racist and violent attacks had taken place at the school and said staff had addressed them, but did not specify how. It also acknowledged that anti-black racism exists within its schools, which serve 246,000 students, and that while it has policies in place for dealing with racism, staff failed to follow them in Genesiss case. In this specific case, there were gaps in how the procedures were followed and for that, we apologize, the statement says. As a system, we know that anti-black racism exists within our schools and we remain committed to identifying, challenging and overcoming it. ALSO SEE: Mom says elementary school is demanding that her first-grader cut his dreadlocks: 'I won't conform to racist policies' Although the board says it continues to take her concerns seriously, the girls mother alleges the boy continues to harass her daughter and says she still feels school staff are failing the girl. The student is still at the school bullying my daughter and the school is doing nothing to stop this child, she said in a social media post. Hes always at my daughters locker. On May 6, the woman, who has not responded to requests by Yahoo Canada for an interview or to confirm her name, has said on social media she plans to stage a peaceful protest outside Glenview Senior Public School. She has not publicly shared any other details about the event. Neethan Shan photographed at Toronto City Hall. (Carlos Osorio/Toronto Star via Getty Images) Neethan Shan is the executive director of the Urban Alliance on Race Relations and says he knows firsthand that the board is continuously working to provide anti-racism training to staff. But that training, he says, only scratches the surface of systemic racism present at every level of educational systems. Shan is a parent himself, as well a former Toronto city councillor, TDSB trustee and York Region Public School board trustee. My concern is about the scale and depth at which this training happens, he said. This nature of downplaying anti-black racism or undermining the concerns of parents consistently happens, and thats why anti-black racism is allowed to happen in the system. Shan said many parents like Genesis mother have no advocates within school boards who can support and assist them in keeping schools and staff accountable for how they handle incidents like this. If they did, Genesis mother would not have had to make her story public in order to elicit a response from the board acknowledging its mistakes. If parents dont have the resources and the support or means to hold the school system accountable, in many cases these things dont get addressed, and that is a problem, he said. We need to find a way to resolve these issues without having the parent go to social media or change schools. Let us know what you think by commenting below and tweeting @YahooStyleCA!Follow us on Twitter andInstagram. Check out Yahoo Canadas podcast, Make It Reign our hot takes on all things royals in a non-stuffy way onApple Podcasts and Google Podcasts. Updates throughout the day at http://calevbenyefuneh. blogspot.com. If you enjoy "Love of the Land", please be a subscriber. Just put your email address in the "Subscribe" box on the upper right-hand corner of the page.Twitter updates at LoveoftheLand as well as our Love of the Land page at Facebook which has additional pieces of interest besides that which is posted on the blog. Also check-out This Ongoing War by Frimet and Arnold Roth. An excellent blog, very important work. . ..Israel Hayom..06 May '19..What is behind the diplomatic arrangement plan for the Gaza Strip, which the Left has been peddling? As a rule of thumb, its mouthpieces avoid getting into detail; they know the public, mainly the mothers of soldiers, wont like their plan once they learn what it entails.Behind the term arrangement is their plan to reconquer Gaza and transfer it to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. If all goes according to the Lefts design, the IDF will enter Gaza in a ground operation; soldiers and tanks, with air cover, will clean out the tunnels, bunkers, homes and secret weapons stashes and hand Abbas a spotless Gaza Strip. The IDF will then withdraw, to be replaced by the PAs security forces from Ramallah.Weve already been in this movie. Following the disengagement from Gaza we transferred the territory to Abbas and the PAs security apparatus. Two years later, the heads of these security services found themselves being hurled off of buildings to their deaths. Hamas seized control. Who will prevent another Hamas coup, once the IDF leaves upon concluding this Left-driven operation? After all, Hamas is stronger, better trained and more organized than the PA. How can the PA be inserted into a territory it cant seize on its own? But so goes the argument the PA is still functioning in Judea and Samaria.We cannot compare Gaza to Judea and Samaria, where the PA is buttressed on the ground by the IDF and Shin Bet security agency. So who will protect the PA in Gaza?Assuming members of the Israeli opposition want things to end well instead of merely swiping at the government, they should learn from their past mistakes. Sometimes the enemy of the good is a better idea, turned bad. This is what happened to the Left in 1992 after the right-wing government quashed the Intifada with Moshe Arens as defense minister.The Left didnt suffice there. There was still a need to patrol the alleys of Nablus and Gaza, but with greater vigilance. A group of do-gooders, known as the Oslo underground, reached for a magical diplomatic solution that would make the IDFs presence in Judea and Samaria extraneous. They imported Yasser Arafat and his gang from Tunisia, armed them with guns and handed them control of the area. Peace is made with enemies, they said, and signed Arafat to a piece of paper together with Shimon Peres, Yitzhak Rabin and Bill Clinton.That piece of paper was just that, a piece of paper, yet the doves of peace never followed. Quite the opposite; the Oslo Accords led to countless casualties, from 160 to around 1,700 in comparison to similar periods. Had Israel not immediately transferred all security responsibility to the PA, the fledgling Palestinian uprising would have never become a full-blown terror war, which was fought with the weapons we gave them.Its time to admit: Wherever our forces are in control, and not the Palestinians there is security. The solution to the Gaza Strip, therefore, is for the IDF to assume control, as it did in the past and still does in parts of Judea and Samaria. And barring national consensus over remaining in Gaza, the intermediate alternative is the war of attrition currently being waged by the Israeli government. In any case, we must certainly never allow Hamas to link with Fatah and the PA. Indeed, separation of the wicked is good for them and good for the world. * The 4th International Competition of Cartoons Aleksandar Klas 2017, Serbia: All cartoonists whose cartoons are selected in the catalog and the exhibition will receive a free copy of the catalog ( Regulation ). * International Cartoon Contest in Memory of Cartoonist Prof. Atila Ozer 2016, Turkey: The selected cartoons will be published in a catalog. These will be sent at no cost to the participants whose works are : The selected cartoons will be published in a catalog. These will be sent at no cost to the participants whose works are exhibited and published ( Regulation ). So my trip to Colombia was beautiful and amazing. I didn't expect it to be as incredible as it was. I think going in with no expectation always helps. I made plans to go down the 1st -16th of April, but then her father became ill. I had planned to change the tickets to the 15th-30th, but unfortunately, John, her father, passed away on the 26th of March, so I decided it would be best to be down there with her while she was going through this rough transition. There never seems to be the perfect time for anything. Kids, family, life and death. It all happens on Gods time, not ours. I have talked about this before but when you think you need to wait for the perfect time, think again. All we have is now. Yesterday truly is a memory and tomorrow is not promised to us. I was nervous to go, but as soon as I saw Deisy waiting for me outside the Pereira airport with her two cousins, my heart felt at home. The first night we stayed at the Hotel Santo Bambu Hotel Campestre. It is a beautiful little property located about 25 minutes southeast of the Pereira Airport . It was really nice because I was able to book 3 beds for less than $45 a night. This included breakfast for 4 in the morning. It was a delicious cooked to order breakfast. Deisy was nice enough to order for me since she knows what I like. I had eggs, Arepa , fresh tomatoes and Cafe con leche. The coffee is so delicious there. I love it because I get a great buzz and it is not as strong as Starbucks here in the states. The next night we flew to Popayan . Popayan is a city in western Colombia, southwest of Bogota. It's known for its whitewashed colonial buildings and as a religious center with popular Holy Week processions. The city's many churches include the domed, neoclassical Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of the Assumption and the 17th-century Church of La Ermita. In the citys heart, tree-shaded Caldas Park is home to a 17th-century clock tower. We had to fly because apparently there were some problems with the roads and vehicles not being able to make it from Cali to Popayan. There were roadblocks and we may not have made it down there. The girls, Maria Paula and Valery were very excited because they had never flown before. I was a little stressed because I am so used to traveling by myself, but Deisy, was a pro. She kept me calm and we managed to get through both Pereira and Bogota airport with little to no headaches. Deisy's sister was very kind to open her home to us. We landed at about 1020pm and the girls were tired and to be honest I was a bit sleepy my self. We caught a taxi to the house, which dropped us off at the front door. The house is very cute with four bedrooms and one bathroom. Her sister had made up the spare bedroom for deisy and I. My only shock was that they don't do hot water and most showers are taken in Cold water We spent just over a week at her sisters house. The goal really was to have a vacation for Deisy. I really wanted her to have a little bit of relax time to remove the stress from her father passing. She ended up taking care of me the whole time plus dealing with stress from moving out of her old apartment. Turns out her landlord was not a nice person. She was trying to extort money from Deisy, even though Deisy had paid all her commitments to the old landlord. Seeing my girlfriend so stressed made me angry and sad at the same time. We tried to deal with it in our own way. Luckily, Deisy and I snuggle and sleep well together each night so that helped alleviate the stress. We went into the city on several occasions and her sister was a fantastic tour guide. My favorite was at night, walking the streets with minimal people and traffic. You get a different feel every time and in every city. I think the night time always shows a different part of every city. We went to Purace (Coconuco). Coconuco is a well known region in Colombia because of Coconuco thermal pools and streams. Going to Coconuco is the perfect day trip to relax and enjoy the surrounding nature. It was very empty but was great since it was just Me, Deisy, her sister and the two girls. We spend all afternoon there. The drive up was interesting because we had to stop about 45 minutes in and walk 1/2 an hour to another location where we could take another car. The locals had blocked off the roads. They are protesting the government and want to limit the amount of traffic. They would put roadblocks in the road to keep people from driving through. It was beautiful and we were very close to Ecuador. The next day Valery had choir practice in town. Deisy and Maria Paula and I dropped her off and walked around the white city for a little bit. We waited for Valery to get done and then walked around to other parts of the city. We had a great lunch in a great little place called Rincon Payanes. Lunch was cheap and delicious. I had empanadas and fresh strawberry juice. The girls had the same. We walked around for a while and finally went home with tired feet and full bellies On Tuesday, the 9th, We woke up and had breakfast. We decided to walk into town with the girls. We had lunch again at the same place as the day before. We walked up to El Morro de Tulcan, which is a beautiful mountain (built on pyramids) that overlooks the city. It was at this moment that I decided that it would be the perfect time to ask for Deisy's hand in marriage. She was so nervous and scared but after I got down on one knee, she gladly said yes and pulled me in for an amazing kiss. Shortly thereafter we went to the natural history museum. I never realized how many species lived in Colombia, specifically in this region. It was mind blowing. On to the Museum after a successful engagement proposal. :-) We did not do much the next day as Deisy was feeling a little under the weather. We stayed at home and cleaned and did laundry. In the afternoon we went out and saw a beautiful church. We took some photos and came home and had some delicious food and passed out watching "Super Lopez" on netflix The next morning we woke up at 630 in order to be able to really go in and see Popayan and the white city. We had breakfast in a cute little corner cafe (sorry no food photos) and proceeded to go on two quick tours. The first was Casa Museo Guillermo Leon Valencia. He was one of the great presidents of Colombia. He was the 21st president of Colombia and a great politician and lawyer. During his presidency, Valencia committed his administration to substantial economic and social reforms. On the economic front, he created the Junta Monetaria (Federal Reserve), doubled the production of electric power and promoted both oil drilling and the export of crude oil. In matters of social reform, his administration increased the national budget for education by 20%, and under the auspices of the government of the United States, launched the construction of Ciudad Kennedy, a project of 200,000 affordable homes for lower income citizens. Unfortunately he died of a heart attack in New York on November 4, 1971. We had to travel to the airport at noon. I wanted to get Deisy a nice suitcase because she always has to carry many bags when she travels. We found her a great suitcase to fit all her clothes. This way she could keep her make up and travel gear in her backpack. The night before we were able to find a very nice purse for her so that she could keep her phone and wallet and other things inside. Between the Gold purse and the purple luggage, I think she was very happy. We arrived to the airport to fly back to Pereira very early. We decided to grab lunch. I tried a tamale, which was delicious, but slightly different than the tamales we are used to eating stateside. Our plane boarded and before long we were up up and away. The plane was an ATR-72 which is a prop plane. I was very surprised at how quiet it was. The flight was uneventful and it was the first time Deisy and I were alone for a while and it was nice to just hold hands and admire the scenery. We arrived into Pereira at about 6 as we had to fly through Bogota. We were both quite tired, to be honest, and Deisy decided to go out and get us some food. I ordered a hamburger and she had chicken kababs. As much as I liked the flavor of my burger, it did not agree with me and the next day, I paid for it. My stomach was rumbling like a lion in the jungle all day and eventually we had to go get something for it before we met with her brother and mother. We ended up meeting her mother and brother outside the restaurant. It was a very nice spot located on the main road in Pereira. The food was very well priced but unfortunately the ribs were not cooked enough. We made our way to the bus station. We had to buy a ticket from Pereira to Montenegro. Unfortunately there is no direct, you have to go beyond Montenegro and get on a small bus into the city of Montenegro. From Montenegro we decided to take an old jeep willy to the resort, also known as Yipao . The first Jeeps (M38 or CJ-2A models) arrived to Colombia in 1946 for military purposes. They were imported by the Colombian Ministry of Defense and soon became very popular among Colombian coffee farmers who saw in this vehicle the needed qualities for the difficult roads in the mountainous region of the country. Besides the transportation of coffee, Jeeps are used to transport many other agricultural products, as well as country workers to places previously accessible only to pack animals. Due to this quality, the Jeeps are also known locally in Spanish: "mulitas mecanicas"(or mechanical mules). It was a fun 15 minute ride from town to our awesome resort. Deisy and John sat in the back and stood up most of the way. It was fun to watch them enjoy themselves as we arrived in the resort. John had a smile from ear to ear. The resort was beautiful and very close to the Parque del Cafe. Although I paid (significantly) more than I would have if we had stayed a little further away, I wanted us to be able to relax and I also wanted to be able to have hot water. Hotel Campestre Las Camelias is strategically located in the municipality of Montenegro, in the heart of the Quindio Eje Cafetero, communicated by excellent inter-municipal and equidistant routes from other municipalities and sites of interest in the region. Only 20 minutes from the City of Armenia, 20 minutes from El Eden Airport, 35 minutes from the PANACA National Agricultural Culture Park and only 5 minutes from the National Coffee Park. We went to the restaurant for dinner that night. Deisy and I ordered from the buffet and ordered soup for John. We called it an early night as we wanted to get up early to have breakfast and get to the part and enjoy the day. The Parque del Cafe is an amusement park build on a coffee plantation. It was truly beautiful to be there. We spent all day doing rides, watching John get soaked on water rides, eating good food and walking over 20,000 steps. We finished the day with a coffee before we headed back to the resort. They have Juan Valdez in place of Starbucks. Apparently he is kind of a big deal there. We ordered food at the cabana close to our room and the pool. John had a blast swimming in the "Piscina" while Deisy and I soaked in the hottub while ejoying some michelada's. We stayed up a little bit later as tomorrow would be the last day at the resort. We wanted to relax and enjoy the day. We slept in til 8:30 and immediately went to breakfast. John was anxious to go swimming in the pool. The breakfast buffet was quite impressive. The staff here was extremely warm and catering. We enjoyed the pool and some lunch and relaxed our last day here. I decided that we would take car back to pereira and have a direct ride without all the stops. Deisy arranged for the driver that took us to the park to meet us the following day to pick us up and drop us off at the hotel in Pereira. The cost was about 35-40 US and was very worth it to me. There was a very impressive rain storm at about 5pm that seemed to knock the power out briefly at the hotel. It disrupted power three times. While John and I were eating dinner, we watched the lightning off in the distance. The next morning we woke up early and took breakfast. We came back to the room to pack up all of our belongings and rest a while before the driver came at noon. We reflected on our time in the Parque as well as the trip. While waiting, I made a reservation in at the Movich Hotel de Pereira. It was a great hotel in the city center, very near to many things. The room was very nice, a little on the small side, but still nice. John decided to stay with us and as we had arrived a little bit later in the afternoon, we walked down the street to an interesting place, El Palacio de la Chunchurria. I ordered the empanadas as I wasn't feeling particularly creative or daring this day. Deisy ordered fried intestines I believe. Apparently it is very tasty and a delicasy for the locals. John had the local deep fried fish. Afterwards we walked back to the hotel and watched some TV, relaxed and finally fell asleep. It was sad for me because I knew I would be leaving. Deisy snuggled me closely all night and it was a morning that I did not want to wake up. I had a quick shower in the morning and ran down and ate breakfast by myself. We said our goodbyes and I could see the sadness in Deisy's eyes. It broke my heart. I didn't want to leave. I kissed her passionately and got my uber to the airport. The flight home was uneventful. I had to overnight in Los Angeles and stayed at the Marriott there. I couldn't believe how expensive the hotels are around the airport,but since my flight was early in the morning, I didn't want to have to wake up super early. I woke up in time to catch some nice shots of the airport and an Airbus 380 landing. In all the trip to Colombia was a success. I had a good time although short, I really enjoyed being there with Deisy and meeting her family. I was sad the timing wasn't good, and I was very sad that I didn't get to know her father better. He was a great person: John Jhairo Cardona Born November 2, 1974 Died March 26, 2019 In our hearts you will always remain, beautiful, alive and brilliant. It took just one day of use for several common sunscreen ingredients to enter the bloodstream at levels high enough to trigger a government safety investigation, according to a pilot study conducted by the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, an arm of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The study, published Monday in the medical journal JAMA, also found that the blood concentration of three of the ingredients continued to rise as daily use continued and then remained in the body for at least 24 hours after sunscreen use ended. The four chemicals studied avobenzone, oxybenzone, ecamsule and octocrylene are part of a dozen that the FDA recently said needed to be researched by manufacturers before they could be considered "generally regarded as safe and effective." So should you stop using sunscreen? Absolutely not, experts say. "Studies need to be performed to evaluate this finding and determine whether there are true medical implications to absorption of certain ingredients," said Yale School of Medicine dermatologist Dr. David Leffell, a spokesman for the American Academy of Dermatology. He added that in the meantime, people should "continue to be aggressive about sun protection." "The sun is the real enemy here," said Scott Faber, senior vice president for government affairs at the Environmental Working Group, or EWG, an advocacy group that publishes a yearly guide on sunscreens. "It's not news that things that you put on your skin are absorbed into the body," Faber said. "This study is the FDA's way of showing sunscreen manufacturers they need to do the studies to see if chemical absorption poses health risks." The need to screen According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, more Americans are diagnosed with skin cancer each year than all other cancers combined. Around the world, melanoma ranks as the 19th most common cancer in both men and women, the World Cancer Research Fund says. In the United States, sunscreens were originally approved as an over-the-counter solution to sunburn. They came in two types: one using chemical combos to filter the sun, the other using minerals to block the sun such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, which leave a telltale white coating. With many people not wanting to sport a white tint, the popularity of the chemical sunscreens soared. Because of the way they were used at the time, there wasn't a lot of concern about a potential health impact. But that soon changed, and the FDA began to ask the industry for safety testing, said David Andrews, senior scientist at the EWG. "They were originally used in small quantities to prevent sunburn on vacation," Andrews said. "Now they recommend applying these every day, applying them to large parts of your body. And the FDA began raising concerns." Small study of sunscreen chemicals The new FDA study enrolled 24 healthy volunteers who were randomly assigned to a spray or lotion sunscreen that contained avobenzone, oxybenzone or octocrylene as ingredients or a creme sunscreen that contained the chemical ecamsule. The volunteers were asked to put their assigned sunscreen on 75% of their bodies four times each day for four days. Thirty blood samples were taken from each volunteer over seven days. Of the six people using the ecamsule cream, five had levels of the chemical in their blood considered statistically significant by the end of day one. For the other three chemicals, especially oxybenzone, all of the volunteers showed significant levels after the first day. "Looking through the results tables of the study, one thing about oxybenzone stood out," Andrews said. "Oxybenzone was absorbed into the body at about 50 to 100 times higher concentration than any of these other three chemicals they tested." Of all of the sunscreen ingredients, oxybenzone is known to be the most common cause of contact allergies; a 10-year study found that 70% of people had a positive patch test when exposed. A Swiss study found oxybenzone or one of four other sunscreen chemicals in 85% of breast milk samples, sparking concern that newborns could be exposed. And Hawaii, the Pacific nation of Palau and Key West recently banned sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate because they cause coral bleaching and are dangerous to marine ecosystems. The European Union has mostly replaced oxybenzone in its sunscreen products with newer, more protective substances that block out more of the dangerous UVB and UVA rays. But those newer products have not passed the safety tests needed for FDA approval. So oxybenzone remains in use; in fact, a 2018 report by the EWG estimated that it was in two-thirds of all chemically based sunscreens sold in the United States. Protect yourself from the sun In an editorial accompanying the new study, former FDA Chairman Dr. Robert Califf assured readers that just because the research found chemical levels "well above the FDA guideline does not mean these ingredients are unsafe." The Personal Care Products Council, the national trade council for sunscreen, cosmetic and personal care products, agreed in a statement. "The presence of sunscreens in plasma after maximal use does not necessarily lead to safety issues," said Alex Kowcz, chief scientist for the council. "It's important for consumers to know that for the purpose of this study, sunscreens were applied to 75% of the body, four times per day for four days, which is twice the amount that would be applied in what the scientific community considers real-world conditions," Kowcz said. The council was concerned, she said, that the FDA's study might confuse consumers and discourage the use of sunscreen. When going outside, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends applying at least 1 ounce of sunscreen to all exposed skin every two hours or after swimming, including "back, neck, face, ears, tops of your feet and legs. If you have thinning hair, either apply sunscreen to your scalp or wear a wide-brimmed hat. To protect your lips, apply a lip balm with a SPF of at least 15," the academy says, adding that since UV rays are always present, sunscreen should be applied to exposed skin even on cloudy days and in the winter. Research urgently needed Califf said next steps would be appropriately designed clinical trials by industry to test safety and determine the optimal dose to prevent skin cancer while balancing risk and benefit. In addition, he said, "an urgent question involves absorption in infants and children, who have different ratios of body surface area to overall size and whose skin may absorb substances at differential rates." The Personal Care Products Council's statement said the industry has offered "state-of-the-art toxicological safety approaches as alternatives" to the FDA's testing method. "We look forward to our continued work with the FDA to ensure that consumers have access to products containing a broad variety of sunscreen active ingredients," Kowcz said. While science continues to answer questions about sunscreen, Califf and other experts call for the public to continue to protect their skin from the dangerous rays of the sun. The Environment Working Group recommends choosing a mineral sunscreen containing titanium dioxide and zinc oxide when possible, while the American Academy of Dermatology recommends talking to a board-certified dermatologist if you are concerned about the safety of the sunscreen's ingredients. Both organizations say there are ways to protect yourself and your family other than sunscreen. Seek shade, especially between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. when the sun is at its hottest, and whenever your shadow is shorter than you. Use protective clothing, such as long-sleeved shirts and pants and a hat with a wide brim, and don't forget the sunglasses. "It's seeking shade, using clothes and when necessary using sunscreen," Andrews said, "but not using sunscreen to prolong your time in the sun." The-CNN-Wire & 2019 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company. All rights reserved. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 A Cadott woman has been charged with supplying drugs to a Holcombe woman who later died of an overdose. Breana J. Heuer, 22, was charged in Chippewa County Court with first-degree reckless homicide/delivering of drugs-party to a crime and manufacturing and delivering amphetamines. Heuer appeared in court Wednesday for a bond hearing. Judge Steve Cray ordered Heuer be held on a $5,000 cash bond, and not to have any contact with the deceased womans family or the womans boyfriend. She will return to court June 19. According to the criminal complaint, Carissa R. Kasmeirski and her boyfriend were smoking meth at a home at 25251 27th Ave. in the town of Birch Creek on March 23 when Kasmeirski stopped breathing. A coroner arrived and pronounced Kasmeirski deceased at the scene. An autopsy was performed in Minnesota two days later which confirmed she died from using meth. The boyfriend, who has not been charged at this time, told law enforcement he purchased the drugs from a woman at a business in Chippewa Falls. The investigator was able to obtain video surveillance from that business and observed the drug sale occur. Heuer was previously charged in 2018 with possessing meth, drug paraphernalia and bail jumping. She also was charged in Clark County in April with possessing meth, controlled substances and illegally-obtained prescriptions, plus resisting an officer. She returns to Clark County Court on May 13. Chippewa County Sheriff Jim Kowalczyk noted this is the third overdose death in the past three years in the county where the person who supplied the drugs has been charged with homicide. Unfortunately, we are seeing more and more of these overdoses, Kowalczyk said. I have to give credit to the investigators and the (district attorney) for these charges. Someone supplies an illicit drug, they should face the consequences. We have to do something to deter the sale and distribution of these drugs. The other drug-related homicide cases include Shane P. Johnson, 41, who was arrested Nov. 24, 2017, two days after 40-year-old Nicholas J. Buck was found deceased at his Chippewa Falls home of a suspected drug overdose. Johnson, who is already serving a 20-year federal prison sentence on drug convictions, returns to Chippewa County Court on May 31 on the homicide charge. In another overdose death case, Dustin Leshock, 29, Eau Claire, was convicted of supplying drugs to 18-year-old Isaac C. Repetto in November 2016, causing Repettos death. Leshock was sentenced in August 2017 to four years in prison and four years of extended supervision. Unfortunately, we are seeing more and more of these overdoses. Jim Kowalczyk, Chippewa County sheriff Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 3 Angry 0 Federal employees serve and protect us every day at every level across the country and in our community. At no time was this more evident than during the 35-day partial government shutdown earlier this year. From ensuring safe air travel to regulating new medicines to maintaining a safe food supply to processing Social Security checks, civil servants are everywhere, yet invisibly so. And, contrary to popular belief, 85 percent of the federal workforce is located outside of Washington, DC. When natural disasters strike, they provide relief and help us rebuild. When mass shootings take place, they enter harm's way and care for the wounded. And, when once-eradicated viruses reappear, they investigate public health crises. Whether they are in the public eye or active behind the scenes, civil servants take pride in working for something bigger than themselves. At a time when the image of civil servants is unfairly tainted, and the idea of a career in public service is not on the minds of young professionals, it's imperative that we recognize public servants and the noble profession of civil service. As we celebrate Public Service Recognition Week, let's thank a federal employee for keeping our country running safely, efficiently and for the good of the American people. Roger Rihn, Chippewa Falls Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Mark Wilson/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) -- In testimony before members of the Senate on Tuesday, FBI Director Chris Wray appeared to split with Attorney General Bill Barr, telling lawmakers he would not use the term "spying" to describe his bureau's investigative practices. "That's not a term I would use," Wray said in an appearance before the Senate Appropriations Committee. Barr told lawmakers during an appearance before Congress last month that he believed "spying did occur" on the Trump campaign during the 2016 election, sparking criticism from some former members of the intelligence community and law enforcement. Barr defended his use of the term before the Senate just last week, saying he didn't intend to use the word as "pejorative" as his department continues its investigation into whether any surveillance on members of the Trump campaign was proper. President Trump had celebrated Barr's testimony as vindication of his long-disputed claims that the Obama administration was illegally spying on members of his campaign in order to undermine his run for the presidency. Republicans have in turn used the comments as fuel to their calls for an "investigation of the investigators," which Democrats have argued is merely an attempt to distract at some of the more damning revelations that surfaced in Mueller's more than 400-page report. Wray said he has so far seen no evidence of any improper surveillance on any of the 2016 presidential campaigns, but said his bureau continues to cooperate with an ongoing inspector general investigation into that very question. "I mean, look, lots of people have different colloquial phrases," Wray said. "I believe that the FBI's engaged in investigative activity and part of investigative activity includes surveillance activity of different shapes and sizes and to me, the key question is making sure it's done by the book, consistent with lawful authorities." Wray was also pressed by lawmakers on his reaction to the release of the special counsel Rober Mueller's report and his bureau's work to prevent any future Russian meddling in America's elections. One Republican committee member specifically inquired whether any other countries are meddling in U.S. elections in a similar fashion to the 2016 Russian effort. "The specific form of sowing divisiveness and discord through the bullhorn that social media provides, that is something that is really unique to the Russians," Wray said. Copyright 2019, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. While General Cigar has been working with AJ Fernandez to create many new blends in its portfolio, they wanted to see what he could do with an old favorite. At this years IPCPR Trade Show, General Cigar will unveil the Hoyo La Amistad Dark Sumatra. Its a new spin on General Cigars classic Hoyo de Monterrey Dark Sumatra line. The original Hoyo de Monterrey Dark Sumatra is a blend that has been in existence for two decades and was produced at the HATSA factory. With Fernandezs Hoyo La Amistad Dark Sumatra, it uses the same blend, but this time it is rolled by the torcedors at Fernandezs factory in Esteli, Nicaragua and uses tobaccos fermented and aged under Fernandezs direction. The blend itself features an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper over a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper and a combination of Dominican, Honduran, and Nicaraguan tobaccos. The cigars are being released in three sizes. The Hoyo La Amistad Dark Sumatra is the fourth release under the Hoyo La Amistad line, a collaboration series done between General Cigar and Fernandez. At a glance, here is a look at the Hoyo La Amistad Dark Sumatra: Blend and Origin Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra Binder: Connecticut Broadleaf Filler: Dominican, Honduran, Nicaraguan Country of Origin: Nicaragua Factory: Tabacalera Fernandez Vitolas Offered Espresso: 4 1/2 x 50 (20-count boxes, $7.99 SRP/cigar) Median Noche: 5 3/4 x 54 (25-count boxes, $8.49 SRP/cigar) Noche: 6 1/2 x 52 (25-count boxes, $8.59 SRP/cigar) Photo Credit: Cigar Coop Joya de Nicaraguas two exclusive releases for the Tobacconist Association of America (TAA) for 2019 are now heading to the retail members of that organization. These cigars include a return of the Joya de Nicaragua Antano Gran Reserva Presidente TAA Exclusive and the first installment of the Seleccion de Torcedor program. The Joya de Nicaragua Antano Gran Reserva Presidente is the fourth size to be released in the Antano Gran Reserva line. It is a 6 1/2 x 50 box-pressed vitola that was also released exclusively to the TAA as a part of the 2018 TAA Exclusive Series. The Antano Gran Reserva is based on Joya de Nicaraguas Antano 1970, but it uses fillers that have been aged up to an additional five years. The Seleccion de Torcedor is an additional offering being offered to TAA retailers. Its a new program where Joya de Nicaragua will select a special blend and size and share it with a selected group of retailers. The idea is to also use this as a platform to determine how well the product will be received by the market and whether it should be a regular offering. The Seleccion de Torcedor 2019 is being made available in five packs to retailers who have ordered the Joya de Nicaragua Antano Gran Reserva Presidente. We are so humbled by all the recognition we received in 2018 during our 50th anniversary, that we decided we needed to give an extra step to express our gratitude with the trade and the industry, and this is how we came up with the Seleccion de Torcedor program, that will be part of something even bigger, commented Joya de Nicaragua Executive President Juan Ignacio Martinez in a press release. We are very excited that consumers in the US will enjoy Dr. (Alejandro Martinez) Cuencas favorite vitola with a rare piece that weve been working at the factory for quite a few years. The blend in Seleccion de Torcedor 2019 is a very approachable smoke, smooth yet flavorful, and with a selection of tobacco especially conceived as a cigar that reflects the historic ties between Nicaragua and the US. Im sure theyll enjoy this 652 toro as much as us in the factory, added Joya de Nicaragua Factory Manager Mario Perez. For more details on Joya de Nicaraguas 2019 TAA releases, see our previous story: Photo Credits: Joya de Nicaragua Lola Garcia The Coconut Grove Arts and Historical Association, producer of the annual Coconut Grove Arts Festival, has announced its officers for 2019-2020. The incoming officers are: Lola Garcia, Chair; Nathan Kurland, Chair-Elect; Todd Carpenter, Secretary; and Curtis Crider, Treasurer. The past chair is Lilia Garcia and the president is Monty Trainer. These new officers have demonstrated their commitment to the Historical Association as well as a host of organizations in our community, said Monty Trainer. We look forward to what the future will bring with their fresh ideas and initiatives. A Miami native, Garcia has served on the Association Board for more than 20 years and has been an educator with Miami-Dade County Public Schools since 1991. Kurland serves as chair of the Miami Bayside Foundation and is a Visiting Professor in the Communication Department at Florida International University. Nathan Kurland The Coconut Grove Arts Festival is produced by the non-profit Coconut Grove Arts and Historical Association. The association also maintains the Gallery @ CGAF and presents special exhibitions throughout the year from its location at the Mayfair. Since its inception in 1963, the association has awarded hundreds of scholarships to students who attend fine arts programs in local schools. The Coconut Grove Arts Festival has consistently been named one of the best fine arts festivals in the nation by Sunshine Artist Magazine and remains the top voted outdoor arts festival in the history of the magazines 200 Best. The 57th edition of the Coconut Grove Arts Festival will be held on Presidents Day Weekend, February 15, 16 and 17, 2020. Redland is responsible for providing customers with customized commercial and agribusiness lending solutions, along with developing new business. Prior to joining First National Bank, Redland held leadership roles as Vice President at Security State Bank in Basin, Wyoming for seven years as a commercial and agricultural lender. He also served as Vice President at Foundation One Bank as Enterprise Risk Manager. Redland graduated from the University of Wyoming with degrees in Applied Economics and Agriculture Business. This week, the Legislature will debate the largest tax increase in Nebraska history. LB 289 raises the state sales tax rate by 9%, cuts property tax relief from the state in half, imposes new taxes on a variety of services (including car and home repair), raises the cigarette tax, and increases the tax on buying a house. If youve read one of my recent columns, you may be surprised to hear that LB 289 is still under consideration. Nebraskans, from farmers to home builders, voiced overwhelming opposition to the bill when it was heard in front of the Revenue Committee less than two weeks ago. After the hearing, Senators tinkered around with the billand made it even worse! In addition to the taxes mentioned above, the revised bill also now proposes new sales taxes on 20 services including: pet-related services, moving services, storage, hair care and hair removal services, nail care, skin care, tattoos, home services and repair (including plumbing, HVAC, and electrical), interior design, taxi, limo, rideshare, lawn care, parking, swimming pool cleaning, dating, Teleflora, wedding planning, weight loss, personal training, clothing alteration, candy, pop, bottled water, car repair (including brakes, scheduled maintenance, and body repair), and ice. When debate on LB 289 starts, Nebraskans will feel a bit of deja vu: The bill is premised on the notion that Nebraska can finally get property tax relief if we raise a bunch of other taxes to lower property taxes. The truth is that this method has been tried and failed. In 1990, the Legislature passed LB 1059 which created the school aid formula known as the Tax Equity and Educational Opportunities Support Act (TEEOSA). With this bill, the Legislature raised the sales and income tax over the veto of Governor Kay Orr. School property taxes went down for two years and by the third year we were back at the same level as 1990 with more than double the spending on state aid to schools and no tax relief. Subsequent attempts to achieve property tax relief have continued to involve the TEEOSA formula. For example, in 1999, the Legislature increased state aid to schools by about $134 million, or a 21% increase. By 2001, just two years later, school property taxes set a new record high. Between 2007 and 2009, the Legislature boosted state aid another $183 million, or 19% over two years. School property taxes went up $153 million over the same period of time, setting new record highs. Every time the Legislature tries to do tax relief this way, we ended up with record high property taxes. Its why were here again trying to fix our property tax system. If Senators raise taxes yet again, we can expect the same results. We are going to end up with both higher sales taxes and higher property taxes at the end of the day. If Senators actually want to fix the problem, they need to break the seemingly endless tax-and-spend cycle. The old idea of raising revenues (increasing taxes) to provide property tax relief has failed in the past, and it will fail again. Instead, Nebraskans need the Legislature to take a fresh approach that actually controls spending within the state budget, so the state can provide direct relief, and puts limits on growth in local property taxes as well. In contrast to the Legislatures scheme to shift taxes and accelerate spending, I support property tax relief that controls spending. Each of the past five years, Ive made property tax relief my top priority. Weve increased the Property Tax Credit Relief Fund by 60%, which is good progress, but there is much more that needs to happen. This year, Ive outlined three proposals for additional relief: Increase the Property Tax Credit Relief Fund by 23%, which is $51 million each year. Create a statutory floor of $275 million in the Property Tax Credit Relief Fund. Give the people of Nebraska an opportunity to vote on a constitutional amendment to limit annual increases in local property taxes. Im also open to working with Senators on additional tax relief by controlling spending. I strongly oppose, however, squandering taxpayer money on repairs that wont actually fix our broken system. The Legislature cannot just endlessly raise state sales and income taxes every time property taxes get out of hand. Thats why this new approach of controlling spending is so critical. If they do end up raising taxes, our state will be in an even worse position in just a few years. To tell your Senator to scrap LB 289 and to start working on real and sustainable tax relief, you can find their information at www.NebraskaLegislature.gov. To contact me, you can email pete.ricketts@nebraska.gov or call 402-471-2244. Pete Ricketts is the governor of Nebraska. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 A Columbus man who last year threatened his neighbors with a large knife was sentenced to a term of probation recently by Judge Robert Steinke in Platte County District Court. Hugo R. Cisneros, 37, pleaded no contest and was found guilty of two counts of making terroristic threats, Class IIIA felonies. He was sentenced by Steinke to spend the next 18 months on intensive supervised probation for both offenses, which are set to run concurrently. Two additional charges of using a deadly weapon to commit a felony, Class II felonies, were dropped/dismissed, court records show. At 1:03 a.m. Dec. 17, Columbus Police Officer Brian Hunke was dispatched to an apartment complex located in the 1100 block of Fifth Street in regard to a woman stating that a male was chasing her around the apartment building with a large knife, according to a warrantless arrest affidavit. Upon arrival, Hunke made contact with the woman and another party. The woman reported that she went to do some laundry and that a man who lives in the downstairs area came around the corner with a large knife. Cisneros then started saying Whats up while holding a knife in the air. The second witness reportedly stepped out in the hallway after hearing the commotion which led to the defendant continuing to say whats up among other expletives. He noted that the defendant was standing in front of them outside the door to their apartment. Both reporting parties said that Cisneros lifted the knife above his head and made stabbing gestures, which led them to shut the door and contact law enforcement. According to court records, the duo said that they have had problems with the defendant in the past. They also reportedly showed Hunke gouge marks made in their door appearing to be made with a sharp object which they suspected the defendant made. Both witnesses reportedly said they feared for their lives. Contact was subsequently made with Cisneros who denied being in the upstairs area of the apartment and said he didnt know the people who talked to police. Speaking with Cisneros, court records show the officer noticed a large knife sheath sitting on Cisneros kitchen counter and subsequently located a large Bowie knife with a curved blade under some clothes in an open suitcase on a bedroom floor. After being placed under arrest, the two victims identified the defendant as being the man who threatened them with the blade. In other district court news: *Chasin P. Renteria, 35, of Columbus, was sentenced to an indeterminate sentence of not less than 42 months in prison, nor more than six years. The defendant was found guilty of distributing methamphetamine, a Class II felony. Under state law, the defendant could have faced up to 50 years in prison. He was also sentenced to 90 days in jail for committing unlawful acts relating to drugs. All sentences are set to run concurrently. *Jeremy J. Kozak, 38, of Columbus, was sentenced to 18 months of probation in two separate cases for violating a protection order, a Class I misdemeanor. Two felony stalking charges encompassing two case files were dropped/dismissed. *Miguel Pedraza-Leon, 26, of Columbus, had his sentencing continued until 10 a.m. on June 19. The defendant pleaded no contest and was found guilty being in possession of a controlled substance, a Class IV felony. Pedraza-Leon faces a maximum sentence of two years in prison and 12 months of post-release supervision. Sam Pimper is the news editor of The Columbus Telegram. Reach him via email at sam.pimper@lee.net. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Cody Lawson insisted on walking from his brother's house to Lee's Chicken on Sunday evening, but with a thunderstorm rolling into the Capital City, his brother, Austin Kucera, convinced him it would be best to drive. When the two arrived, Lawson parked in the back of the lot, reasoning that if they weren't going to walk the short distance from Kucera's house, they could at least get in a few steps before they gorged on a chicken dinner. From that parking spot, Lawson captured on camera the moment a tornado struck the area of Coddington Avenue and West Van Dorn Street. Brian Smith, the warning coordination meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Valley, said Sunday evening's tornado traveled nearly west to east along West Van Dorn Street for a half-mile, according to a damage survey done Monday. The tornado achieved peak wind speeds of 120 mph, was about one-eighth of a mile wide, and was rated an EF-2, the weather service determined. "There's a lot of wind damage, but there is a tornado track we could clearly see where the Dairy Sweet was hit," Smith said. "It extends back to just west of Pioneers Park and goes east from there." The weather service recorded a second tornado between Malcolm and Lincoln's Air Park neighborhood, but Smith said most of Sunday's damage in the Lincoln area was likely due to violent straight-line winds. One such burst captured on video ripped through the backyard of Tyler Brown's home near West A and Southwest 37th streets at about 5:30 p.m. Brown installed a security camera on the rear of his house last year, for more peace of mind when he was away from home for work. Out of town with his family on Sunday, Brown checked the camera's live feed after the storm struck, and found his backyard fence and patio in ruins. "We went back to see if we caught anything on video and it did," Brown said in a phone interview. As the winds picked up in the Timber Ridge neighborhood, chunks of roofing material from neighboring homes began slamming into his fence and overturning his patio furniture. The swing under Brown's deck yo-yos toward the camera, and then back out into the yard, eventually landing near where it was originally situated. A University of Nebraska-Lincoln student living in a downtown high-rise fixed his camera to the west for a time-lapse video of the storm rolling in from the northwest. Twitter user @BenV_'s 22-second video shows the skies going green over west Lincoln, with ominous clouds lowering and beginning to swirl. At about the 8-second mark, clouds begin raking across the ground in what appears to be a tornado as it spins off to the south. It's not clear if that rotating updraft was the tornado that touched down near Air Park, or the twister that destroyed the ice cream stand near Pioneers Park. Coulds forming over downtown Lincoln, NE from around 5:20-5:50pm pic.twitter.com/8BIE9gc8hf Ben (@BenV_) May 5, 2019 Through a series of uncanny decisions, that tornado came directly into the frame of the dashboard camera in Lawson's 2012 Ford Focus. Lawson, of Central City, and Kucera were unaware the camera was even recording, however. Inside the restaurant, Lawson pulled up his cellphone just before the tornado gave the building a glancing blow, shattering several windows. At one point, he narrates the drop in pressure as the storm passes. "It was almost like getting into a plane and taking off," Lawson said Monday. "Your ears almost hurt." After the storm passed, Lawson and Kucera checked the dashcam and saw the twister tear through the C & L Dairy Sweet across the street from Lee's Chicken. "We captured the entire thing," he said. The video, which Lawson shared on Facebook late Sunday night, shows the tornado growing in size as it approaches at 5:38 p.m., the updraft tossing dirt and debris into the air. A sedan driving west on West Van Dorn Street zips into the picture from the left, braking as it enters the roundabout before disappearing in a cloud of dust. A sign on the ground detailing Lee's Sunday special rotates 90 degrees clockwise as it is blown closer toward the building before it, too, vanishes inside the sweeping tornado. Debris -- presumably from the now-destroyed ice cream stand about 300 yards away -- swings into the frame, appearing to land in the restaurant's outdoor patio just as another vehicle, this one turning east onto West Van Dorn from South Coddington, accelerates away. More wreckage picked up by the storm swirls through the parking lot as the tornado looks to envelope Lawson's car and others. And then it's gone. The picture clears up, showing uprooted trees lining the streets and Lee's chicken mascot, Pioneer Pete, swaying in the still-stiff winds. Just to the south, Gary Fuller, pastor at Gentle Shepherd Baptist Church near Coddington and West Burnham Street, watched with parishioners gathering for a 6 p.m. service as trees started bending and dust and debris began swirling across the church lawn. "I could feel dust hitting me and I yelled at the three or four people who were out there with me to get inside," Fuller said. "You're thinking a million little thoughts. There's a lot to process." Cleanup continued on Monday, from trees snapped and uprooted across southwest Lincoln to the Dairy Sweet store toppled from its concrete foundation. Chris Kliment, who escaped the ice cream stand -- which celebrated its 40th anniversary just a few weeks ago -- said the staff has already had a recommendation for a new product if and when they reopen. "They said, call it 'Twister,'" Kliment said. Photos, video from the storm and aftermath Reach the writer at 402-473-7120 or cdunker@journalstar.com. On Twitter @ChrisDunkerLJS. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 1. U.S. acceptance of coexistence as the only alternative to atomic war. 2. U.S. willingness to capitulate in preference to engaging in atomic war. 3. Develop the illusion that total disarmament of the United States would be a demonstration of moral strength. 4. Permit free trade between all nations regardless of Communist affiliation and regardless of whether or not items could be used for war. 5. Extension of long-term loans to Russia and Soviet satellites. 6. Provide American aid to all nations regardless of Communist domination. 7. Grant recognition of Red China. Admission of Red China to the U.N. 8. Set up East and West Germany as separate states in spite of Khrushchev's promise in 1955 to settle the German question by free elections under supervision of the U.N. 9. Prolong the conferences to ban atomic tests because the United States has agreed to suspend tests as long as negotiations are in progress. 10. Allow all Soviet satellites individual representation in the U.N. 11. Promote the U.N. as the only hope for mankind. If its charter is rewritten, demand that it be set up as a one-world government with its own independent armed forces. (Some Communist leaders believe the world can be taken over as easily by the U.N. as by Moscow. Sometimes these two centers compete with each other as they are now doing in the Congo.) 12. Resist any attempt to outlaw the Communist Party. 13. Do away with all loyalty oaths. 14. Continue giving Russia access to the U.S. Patent Office. 15. Capture one or both of the political parties in the United States. 16. Use technical decisions of the courts to weaken basic American institutions by claiming their activities violate civil rights. 17. Get control of the schools. Use them as transmission belts for socialism and current Communist propaganda. Soften the curriculum. Get control of teachers' associations. Put the party line in textbooks. 18. Gain control of all student newspapers. 19. Use student riots to foment public protests against programs or organizations which are under Communist attack. 20. Infiltrate the press. Get control of book-review assignments, editorial writing, policymaking positions. 21. Gain control of key positions in radio, TV, and motion pictures. 22. Continue discrediting American culture by degrading all forms of artistic expression. An American Communist cell was told to "eliminate all good sculpture from parks and buildings, substitute shapeless, awkward and meaningless forms." 23. Control art critics and directors of art museums. "Our plan is to promote ugliness, repulsive, meaningless art." 24. Eliminate all laws governing obscenity by calling them "censorship" and a violation of free speech and free press. 25. Break down cultural standards of morality by promoting pornography and obscenity in books, magazines, motion pictures, radio, and TV. 26. Present homosexuality, degeneracy and promiscuity as "normal, natural, healthy." 27. Infiltrate the churches and replace revealed religion with "social" religion. Discredit the Bible and emphasize the need for intellectual maturity which does not need a "religious crutch." 28. Eliminate prayer or any phase of religious expression in the schools on the ground that it violates the principle of "separation of church and state." 29. Discredit the American Constitution by calling it inadequate, old-fashioned, out of step with modern needs, a hindrance to cooperation between nations on a worldwide basis. 30. Discredit the American Founding Fathers. Present them as selfish aristocrats who had no concern for the "common man." 31. Belittle all forms of American culture and discourage the teaching of American history on the ground that it was only a minor part of the "big picture." Give more emphasis to Russian history since the Communists took over. 32. Support any socialist movement to give centralized control over any part of the culture--education, social agencies, welfare programs, mental health clinics, etc. 33. Eliminate all laws or procedures which interfere with the operation of the Communist apparatus. 34. Eliminate the House Committee on Un-American Activities. 35. Discredit and eventually dismantle the FBI. 36. Infiltrate and gain control of more unions. 37. Infiltrate and gain control of big business. 38. Transfer some of the powers of arrest from the police to social agencies. Treat all behavioral problems as psychiatric disorders which no one but psychiatrists can understand. 39. Dominate the psychiatric profession and use mental health laws as a means of gaining coercive control over those who oppose Communist goals. 40. Discredit the family as an institution. Encourage promiscuity and easy divorce. 41. Emphasize the need to raise children away from the negative influence of parents. Attribute prejudices, mental blocks and retarding of children to suppressive influence of parents. 42. Create the impression that violence and insurrection are legitimate aspects of the American tradition; that students and special-interest groups should rise up and use united force to solve economic, political or social problems. 43. Overthrow all colonial governments before native populations are ready for self-government. 44. Internationalize the Panama Canal. 45. Repeal the Connally reservation so the United States cannot prevent the World Court from seizing jurisdiction over nations and individuals alike. Chennai More than 18 months after sand imported from Malaysia arrived at the Tuticorin port, there are still no takers for it as local developers have turned wary about its quality. This is after the state government raised concern over the quality of the privately sourced sand. "We see it as a risk to use the sand because of the government's initial suspicions about its quality. Unless the government authenticates the sand, there won't be any takers," said a Tuticorin-based developer said. Imported sand costs the same as that from government-run quarries in the Trichy region. One unit (100 cubic feet sand) of river sand transported from Trichy to Tuticorin costs between 10,000 and 12,000; the imported sand is priced at 10,000. "The issue has also been politicised. None was ready to buy the sand as it may be viewed as acting against the government," the developer added. About 58,000 tonnes of river sand was imported from Malaysia to V O Chidambaranar Port at Tuticorin in October 2017 by a Pudukottai-based private firm. It was blocked at the port after state government officials raised concerns over quality. In September last year, the Supreme Court directed the Tamil Nadu government to pay 11.71 crore compensation to the private importer by selling the imported sand. Finally, the Public Works Department (PWD) threw open the online sale of the imported sand on September 21, 2018. Tamil Nadu State Sand Lorry Owner's Federation president S Yuvaraj said hardly a few loads of sand were booked during the initial days. "How will the sand find takers when the government has raised concerns over the standard of this imported sand at Tuticorin," he asked. Yogesh Kabirdoss, Economic Times, Chennai Kinky Friedman, Cousin Nancy (Nancy Parker-Simons) and Tony Simons founded Utopia Animal Rescue Ranch in '98. Friends Willie Nelson, Billy Joe Shaver, Spike Gillespie, Richard Pryor, Jerry Jeff Walker, Molly Ivins, Dwight Yoakam support the ranch. We primarily rescued dogs. Nancy, author of "The Road to Utopia: How Kinky, Tony & I Saved More Animals Than Noah" by UT Press '06 utopiarescue.com. cousin nancy blog 2021 by Cousin Nancy All rights reserved. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp LinkedIn Email Telegram CPJ celebrates World Press Freedom Day Reuters reporters Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo are freed from prison in Yangon, Myanmar, on May 7 after receiving a presidential pardon. (Reuters/Ann Wang) Thank you to all of you who donated to CPJ on World Press Freedom Day! We certainly couldnt do it without you. Your support has helped CPJ win convictions in journalist murders and the release of hundreds of journalists worldwide, including, just today, the two Reuters journalists who have been jailed in Myanmar since December 2017. To mark World Press Freedom Day on May 3, CPJ participated in a host of public events around the world, authored opinion pieces, made media appearances, released a package of infographics and videos, and launched a Facebook fundraiser. The flurry of activity included celebrating the introduction of the 2019 World Press Freedom Day resolution in both the U.S. Senate and House reaffirming the importance of a free and independent press to a healthy democracy and reasserting press freedom as policy priority of the U.S. government. CPJ worked closely with congressional staff on the resolution language, which cites CPJ data in describing growing threats to journalists around the world. World Press Freedom Day was a high-octane day for CPJ on social media this year. Our main Twitter account alone received more than 1.3 million impressions, making it the biggest day for us on the platform since CPJs 2018 International Press Freedom Awards in November. Our video got more than 400,000 views on just Twitter, becoming the most-viewed video produced by CPJ in recent years. Today is the 26th #WorldPressFreedomDay. We remember that at least 1,340 journalists have been killed for their work worldwide since 1992. And hundreds of journalists are jailed across the world simply for doing their job.#WPFD2019 #PressFreedompic.twitter.com/ntopW1bbSc Committee to Protect Journalists (@pressfreedom) May 3, 2019 The video was a simple slideshow featuring the faces of the journalists on our 10 Most Urgent list for May, an initiative of the One Free Press Coalition. It resonated with users throughout the world because, one, these journalists are jailed simply for doing their job reporting the news; two, the medium we used to tell their stories, video, is powerful on social; and three, our partners amplified the message, said Ahmed Zidan, CPJs digital manager. CPJs World Press Freedom Day activities sought to bring attention to challenges journalists face around the world and their right to work safely and without fear of reprisal. CPJ participated in UNESCOs official event in Addis Ababa, another UNESCO event in New York on misinformation and elections, and a forum in Mexico hosted by the Mexico City Human Rights Commission. CPJ Executive Director Joel Simon wrote an op-ed for the Columbia Journalism Review asserting the importance of defending the rights of journalists with whom we may disagree or even those who have behaved unethically to protect the broader principle of a free press. CPJs Sub-Saharan Africa representative, Muthoki Mumo, had an op-ed in Inter Press Service, and European Union Representative and Advocacy Manager Tom Gibson had one in the EU Observer. Online, CPJ launched a set of infographics on social media platforms, and Advocacy Director Courtney Radsch co-hosted a Reddit Ask Me Anything event to remember fallen and imprisoned colleagues. And we launched a Facebook fundraiserplease share our cause with your networks! CPJ welcomes a spring burst of Egypt, Saudi prison releases. But the outlook remains grim. Spring brought a burst of prison releases in Egypt and Saudi Arabia. But the outlook remains grim for press freedom. Egypt on April 6 released jailed journalist Hisham Jaafar after three and a half years in pretrial detention in a maximum-security prison. The founder and director of the Mada Foundation for Media Development, an organization that provided media training and support for local journalists, had been charged with belonging to the banned Muslim Brotherhood. He is among many journalists who have been swept up in a government crackdown framed as a fight against terrorism. Jaafars release followed the March releases of Mahmoud Abou Zeid, the photojournalist known as Shawkan who won CPJs 2016 International Press Freedom Award, and journalist Alaa Abdelfattah. Both served full five-year sentences. However, the conditions of all three releases mean none of the men are truly free. Jaafar must report to a police station every Friday and Saturday evening for a few hours, where he may be held overnightthe same terms imposed on blogger Wael Abbas. Worse, Shawkan and Abdelfattah are required to check in every evening and, so far, have spent every night in detention. The authoritarian regime of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi continues to punish journalists even after they are released, CPJs Middle East and North Africa Program Coordinator Sherif Mansour said. This is a form of compounded punishment, and it is meant to keep those journalists in check. Egypt remains one of the worlds top jailers of journalists, with more than 25 behind bars as of our annual prison census in December. Many of them are held on fake news charges, Mansour said during a panel discussion on the Hill timed to el-Sisis April visit to Washington, where he was embraced by President Trump. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia on the eve of World Press Freedom Day temporarily released Hatoon Al-Fassi after in late March releasing Eman Al Nafjan, two of four women journalists arrested in a crackdown on activists and writers focused on womens rights. Two other womens rights activists were also released. But again, while one hand giveth, the other taketh away. In April, Saudi authorities detained seven more Saudi bloggers and journalists as well as a Jordanian journalist. CPJ applauds convictions for the 1999 murder of Serbian journalist Slavko Curuvija A November 1, 1998, photo of Serbian journalist Slavko Curuvija at a press conference in Belgrade. A Serbian court on April 5, 2019, sentenced four former intelligence officers to decades in prison for the 1999 killing of Curuvija. (AFP/Andrej Isakovic) Justice came almost 20 years to the day. A Belgrade court convicted four former Serbian state security officers for the April 1999 murder of Slavko Curuvija, the owner of the mass-circulation daily paper Dnevni Telegraf and the weekly magazine Evropljanin, and an outspoken critic of Slobodan Milosevics regime. CPJ had long advocated for justice for Curuvija. We spotlighted his case in our 2014 investigative report on breaking the cycle of impunity in the killing of journalists. The convictions send an encouraging message that murders of journalists will not be forgotten. Justice was a long time coming in this case, and there is still far to go until all perpetrators, including those who ordered Curuvijas murder, are fully prosecuted, said Elisabeth Witchel, consultant on CPJs Global Campaign Against Impunity. Two of the former officers were convicted of instigating the murder and two of carrying it out. All received lengthy prison sentences of 20 and 30 years. Curuvijas case was a focus of the Serbian Commission for the Investigation of Murders of Journalists, which was established in 2012 and comprised of journalists and government officials. The commission played a crucial role in promoting justice by reviewing and uncovering evidence and keeping the case in a public spotlight, Witchel said. CPJ accelerates election safety initiative with events in India, South Africa CPJ ramped an initiative to systematically support journalists covering elections, who face growing safety threats, by hosting a series of meetings in India and South Africa, where campaign coverage is in full swing. India is holding massive rolling national and provincial elections from April 11 to May 19. But as the country celebrates over 70 years of democracy, journalists have been subject to attacks, harassment, cyber bullying, and government restrictions. At least five journalists were killed in relation to their work in India in 2018, according to CPJ research. Thats why India Correspondent Kunal Majumder spent three weeks in late March and early April hosting workshops in three regions: Northeast India, Chhattisgarh, and the Telangana and Andhra Pradesh city of Hyderabad. Majumder presented and distributed a special CPJ India election safety kit in English, Hindi, and Telugu that provides information about how to mitigate digital, physical, and psychological risks. More than 150 journalists attended the events, which were covered widely in local media. Meanwhile, links to the safety kits went viral on WhatsApp, he said, with postings on journalist groups likely reaching some 5,000 people. The toughest event Majumder organized was in a town called Bijapur in Chhattisgarh state, a part of the country where journalists have been caught between Maoist rebels and government forces and face constant threats and intimidation. To reach Bijapur, he took a 10-hour overnight bus from Raipur, the state capital. There, he spoke to journalists who had travelled from multiple towns in the region at a Patrakar Bhawan, or journalist hall, beside a picture of Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of learning. There was only one fan to cool them in the more than 100-degree heat. India Correspondent Kunal Majumder presents CPJs India elections safety kit on April 4 in Bijapur. (CPJ) Im so happy I made that trip to Bijapur, he said. The journalists were moved that someone was willing to help them. It changed my perspective, he said. I need to travel more, to get out of the big cities and go local where important journalism is happening. Meanwhile, in South Africa, CPJs journalist safety specialist Colin Pereira traveled to Nelspruit, Johannesburg, and Durban to deliver safety training to journalists and provide CPJs South Africa election toolkit ahead of May 8 general elections. The threat landscape has grown as certain political parties in South Africa have in the last few years begun demonising journalists and calling for direct targeting of the media, Pereira said. Theyre being intimidated online, doxxed, and physically assaulted, leading many to grow fearful for their safety. As such, Pereira worked with the South African National Editors Forum on the tailored toolkit and delivered workshops in Nelspruit and Durban to its network. He also visited two of South Africas biggest media players, the South Africa Broadcast Corporation and City Press, to enhance their staffs safety knowledge and build a relationship between frontline journalists and CPJs Emergencies team. The information he gave us was incredibly useful, and it was enormously helpful. We are going to do things in a very different way from now on. Truly eye-opening and super engaging, said Nicky Gulens, the investigative editor at City Press in Johannesburg. Must-reads from May A U.S. food industry lawsuit to block an Argus Leader journalists Freedom of Information Act request seeking government spending data on food assistance has reached the countrys highest court. A Supreme Court win for the industry would strike a significant blow to press freedom and crucial accountability reporting, CPJs Avi Asher-Schapiro writes. A loss, the Argus Leader says, effectively eviscerates FOIA of its purpose. CPJs emergencies director, Maria Salazar Ferro, chronicles her March trip to the Colombian border to meet stranded Venezuelan journalists. They told her about the dangers they faced covering February border clashes and how extended border closures led many journalists to risk travelling paths trolled by armed groups to get back to Venezuela. They will look through everything you have, and if they find a microphone or a camera, they will stop you and take everything. And from that point on you dont know what can happen, one journalist said. Dramatic press freedom reforms spearheaded by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed are transforming Ethiopia, once one of the most-censored countries in the world and worst jailers of journalists in sub-Saharan Africa, CPJs Muthoki Mumo writes. But while journalists praise the changes, they say many challenges remain and that gains could easily be reversed unless there is legal and institutional reform as well. There has been change because the leaders on top are willing, but neither their willingness nor their hold on power is permanent, one journalist said. CPJ launches photojournalist safety initiative at World Press Photo Festival CPJ Emergencies Director Maria Salazar-Ferro speaks on stage at the World Press Photo Festival in Amsterdam on April 12. (Frontline Freelancers Register/Andalusia Knoll) CPJ launched a new Safety in Focus initiative for photojournalists, who are particularly vulnerable to threats. Emergencies Director Maria Salazar-Ferro and Scout Tufankjian, a photographer and CPJ consultant, unveiled the program at the World Press Photo Festival in Amsterdam on April 12, where they gave a talk about the risks photojournalists face, and how to mitigate them. CPJ cosponsored the festivals first Safety Meetup with the ACOS Alliance, Free Press Unlimited, Frontline Freelance Register, and Rory Peck Trust. The meetup kicked off with a workshop led by CPJs safety technologist, Ela Stapley, on how to mitigate the risks posed by social media platforms, which many photographers use to share their work. Then, Stapley and other safety experts provided free one-on-one, personalized digital-security consultations to photojournalists and documentary photographers in attendance. CPJ in the news Sri Lankans Accuse Him of Wartime Atrocities. California May Decide, The New York Times Can journalists report freely in Tanzania? Al Jazeera English The U.S. Now Ranks As A Problematic Place For Journalists, WABE Chinese photographer Lu Guangs detention raises alarm, DW The Indictment of Julian Assange is a Threat to Press Freedom, The New Yorker Under Trump, more leaks and more leak investigations, NBC News The unsolved assassination of a journalist, Columbia Journalism Review Christiane Amanpour Warns Against Using Fake News as Weapon Against Journalists, Variety They Bear Witness. They Report. Theyre Threatened, Jailed, or Worse, Fortune #WhereIsAzory: Still no trace of Tanzanian journalist missing for 500 days, Daily Maverick AfricaLink on Air 04 April 2019, Deutsche Welle Egypt blocks campaign site opposing constitutional changes monitor, Reuters Singapore Joins the Fake News Parade, Asia Sentinel A Top Progressive Consulting Firm Is Doing PR for an Israeli Spy Company, The Intercept Rana Ayyub on global list of journalists under threat, Firstpost Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp LinkedIn Email Telegram Magdy Shandi, editor-in-chief of the Cairo-based independent newspaper al-Mashhad, planned to send 30 journalists to report from polling stations while votes were being cast in Egypts constitutional referendum between April 20 and April 22. He ended up ordering them to stay away, he told CPJ in a telephone interview in May. The states media regulator used a new law to block al-Mashhads website at the height of the referendum campaign, leaving the outlet in uncharted territory as it mounted an appeal, according to Shandi and news reports. The constitutional amendments proposed in the referendum increase the presidents control over the judiciary and the militarys role in political affairs, and extend President Abdel Fattah el-Sisis eligibility for office until 2030, according to news reports. His final term would otherwise have concluded in 2022, the reports said. On April 23, election officials announced that voters had approved the amendments by a 90% majority, according to news reports. Ahead of the referendum, a ubiquitous advertising campaign encouraged Egyptians to do the right thing, often with a green checkmark and an image of el-Sisi to illustrate that this meant voting yes, The New York Times reported. News reports said no campaigns were notably absent in comparison. On April 9, thousands of web pages run by technology companies, religious groups, non-governmental organizations, and others, were suddenly unavailable in Egypt, apparently collateral damage from the latest government censorship order, according to NetBlocks, an independent, international censorship watchdog group. The blocked sites all shared a hosting service with an online petition against amending the constitution, NetBlocks reported. The petition, Batel (void), registered tens of thousands of no votes before it was blocked hours after its launch, according to Human Rights Watch. Al-Mashhad had published a March 18 investigation that alleged police were helping secure food packages to offer in exchange for votes, among other reports about the referendum, according to the local investigative news website Mada Masr. But on March 22 the Supreme Council for Media Regulation (SCMR), a regulatory body that operates under el-Sisi, fined al-Mashhad 50,000 Egyptian pounds (US$2,909) and said Egyptian internet service providers would block the papers website for six months, according to news reports and local human rights group Egyptian Observatory for Journalism and Media. Websites run by local news outlets have been subject to blocking in Egypt since 2017, according to CPJ reporting and local press freedom groups. The government imposed a three-month state of emergency shortly after the bombing of a Cairo church, and 21 news websitesincluding Mada Masrwere subsequently blocked for what an official news agency described as spreading false news and extremism, CPJ reported in May of that year. Today, that state of emergency is ongoing; el-Sisi last extended it for another three months on April 25, according to local news reports. In ongoing tests conducted by the Egyptian human rights group Association for Freedom of Thought and Expression (AFTE), 103 websites that the group categorizes under press and media are consistently inaccessible in Egypt; at least five have ceased operation as a result, AFTE reports. Dozens of virtual private networks (VPNs) and proxies, tools that help people bypass internet censorship, are also subject to frequent blocking, AFTE reports. No government agency or internet service provider has confirmed these blocks, according to AFTE, and two news outlets CPJ contacted in 2017 said they received no notification when their sites were taken offline. Mohamed Salah, a researcher at the local press freedom group Egyptian Observatory for Journalism and Media, told CPJ by phone that it has not generally been possible to know which agency ordered a site to be blocked in the past because of the lack of written notices. In March, however, the independent local newspaper al-Masry al-Youm newspaper published a copy of SCMRs letter to al-Mashhad detailing the block and the fine. It was the SCMRs first use of new penalties under a recent media law, al-Masry al-Youm reported. President el-Sisi signed Law No. 180 of 2018 last August after parliament approved it, according to news reports. The broad law bans spreading false news, defamation, pornography and content the SCMR deems threatening to national security, the reports said. On March 18, the SCMR issued a bylaw announcing that news outlets it finds in violation of Law No. 180 would see their websites temporarily or indefinitely blocked, and face fines of up to 250,000 Egyptian pounds (US$14,555), according to Mada Masr. The law, a copy of which was published by local news outlets, applies to all online and offline media outlets, as well as social media accounts with more than 5000 followers. In its letter, the SCMR accused al-Mashhad of defaming two actresses through publication of pornographic images. News reports about the sanction connected it with a widely-reported scandal involving filmmaker and parliamentarian Khaled Youssef. Youssef, a member of the opposition Free Egyptians Party, was one of a small group of politicians who publicly opposed changing the constitution before the referendum, according to the Middle East Eye news website. In a March 11 article, al-Mashhad quoted comments Youssef made to the BBC that accused his opponents of trying to discredit him by alleging he had appeared in sexually explicit videos with actresses. But Magdy Shandi told CPJ that he does not know which images or reports from al-Mashhad could be considered pornographic, and the SCMR did not respond when he asked for clarification. The SCMR did not respond to CPJs email request for comment. The SCMRs letter made it possible for al-Mashhad to appeal the decision in an administrative court in Cairo on March 24, Shandi said. No SCMR representative attended, but on April 7 the SCMR reduced the duration of the website block from six months to one month, starting from the appeal date, according to Shandi. It was now due to expire on April 24, the day after the referendum results were announced. Al-Mashhad continued reporting on the referendum and distributing its print edition, but soon encountered another obstacle, Shandi said. To enter polling stations, journalists require permits from the National Elections Authority, which failed to issue any until late on April 19, just hours before voting began, according to the National Syndicate of Journalists. The Authority had approved press permits for 30 al-Mashhad journalists, but never issued them, according to Shandi. The Syndicate and the Egyptian Observatory for Journalism and Media separately reported complaints from other journalists who were unable to obtain a permit. Shandi knew al-Mashhad staff still had the right to report in the vicinity of polling stations, even without accreditation. But other journalists reported obstructive authorities confiscating cameras or ordering them to erase material, according to the Observatory. I was stopped in front of three different stations for taking pictures and talking to voters, a journalist with al-Masry al-Youm who obtained an official press permit told CPJ by phone. These polls did not have a big turnout, and it felt like authorities did not want this part covered in the media. The journalist requested anonymity due to fear of retaliation. Security officials at three out of the eight polling stations she visited refused to let her enter, demanding an additional security permit, she said. A second local print journalist, who also requested anonymity, told CPJ that officials at half the polling stations they visited refused to recognize the official press permit. Magdy Shandi ultimately told al-Mashhad journalists to avoid polling stations altogether, rather than take their chances with authorities who appeared to be targeting the newspaper, he told CPJ. So far, however, there is little sign that pressure on the paper is lifting; despite the partial success that appeared to result from the appeal, al-Mashhad was still inaccessible in Egypt as of May 7, according to Shandi. Like most blocked news websites in Egypt, al-Mashhad has to rely on using VPNs and proxies to continue operating, which is very challenging as they are always subject to blocks. Shandi told CPJ. Al-Mashhad is not even an anti-government newspaper, he said. It is simply practicing its constitutional right to objectively cover the news. Sheetz has joined forces with Millersburgs Rusty Rail Brewing Co. to offer a limited-edition coffee bean IPA called Project Coffee Hopz. In Cumberland County, the new beer will be available at the Carlisle location at the intersection of Allen Road and Ritner Highway and at the Shippensburg location at 359 E. King St. History, industry create recipe for Pennsylvania beer scene Pennsylvania once again has produced more craft beer than any other state in the country. Brewed with Sheetz Brothers Sumatra coffee beans, the new IPA blend features light and floral taste notes with a coffee presence. Four-packs of Project Coffee Hopz 16 oz cans will be available at select Sheetz locations across Pennsylvania starting on May 21 for $7.99. A small batch craft beer, Project Coffee Hopz will be available while supplies last and will not be restocked once sold out. We are lucky to collaborate with Rusty Rail Brewing Co., a well-known brewery born in central Pennsylvania, to create this limited-edition craft beer, said Ryan Sheetz, in charge of brand strategies at Sheetz. We have worked for years to make beer available in our store locations across Pennsylvania and now, with beer in more than 140 stores across the state, we are excited to take the next step in this journey. Something's Brewing: Brewers turn a hobby into a business If theres a stereotypical craft brewery owner, it just might be Dave Hamilton of Burds Nest Brewing who started dabbling in brewing his own Email Tammie at tgitt@cumberlink.com. Follow her on Twitter @TammieGitt. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The business news you need Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The Windsor Park Shopping Center is becoming known as a one-stop-shop for diverse cuisines, so when Twee Thai Kitchen opened up there several weeks ago, it was almost a no brainer. When my companion and I arrived last Friday night to the plaza off Simpson Ferry Road in Lower Allen Township, we discovered that it was a bit of a ghost town during the dinner hour. This made it easy to find a convenient parking space, but I felt bad for the businesses who depend on a lot of foot traffic to stay open. When we entered Twee Thai, we had the place entirely to ourselves and were immediately greeted by an attentive, polite waiter who offered us drinks while we perused the manageable menu. Selections include appetizers, soups and salads, noodles and rice and chefs specials. Dishes and prices are listed on the restaurants website for pre-planning purposes. Among the several dozen dishes available are green, red and pineapple curry, the popular Pad Thai and the popular Drunken Noodle, all served with the customers choice of protein. Kids in tow? No problem. Twee Thai attempts to appeal to the little ones with selections like fried rice and chicken dishes, be it noodles or nuggets, all costing $6 or less. The decor is a bit minimalist, with walls painted in a pleasant sky-blue hue, illuminated by soft, white pendant lighting and festooned with Thai-themed art. Seating is comprised of brown lacquered tables paired with black chairs, and comfy upholstered benches line the side wall. If I had to make a guess, Id venture to say that the BYOB seats about 50. My partner decided to kick off our dinner with Larb Chicken ($7), a simple dish from the salad section of the menu comprised of ground chicken, chili, onions and scallions in a lime dressing. I wont say that I have an aversion to lime, but for the most part, Im not a fan, and he seemed quite happy to have the dish all to himself. For his main course, he chose the Drunken Noodle with chicken ($12), with a special request that the cook hold the sugar. This always turns out to be a good idea, in my opinion. Ive tasted Drunken Noodle with and without sugar, and the latter is far superior. One of my favorite Thai flavors is coconut, and if you feel similarly, youd likely be happy with any curry dish. This time, however, my love for garlic won out and I passed over the curry dishes for an entree listed on the menu as Peppery Garlic. Described as a stir fry with fresh garlic and white pepper topped with crispy garlic and cilantro, the hearty dish can be made with shrimp, beef, chicken or my protein of choice, pork ($12). We placed our order and shortly thereafter our dishes began arrivingstarting with the Larb Chicken, which earned a thumbs up from my partner. He also enjoyed his Drunken Noodle dish, which he described as savory with a nice depth of flavor from the caramelized onions. He said that he especially liked the texture of the thick noodles. As for my Peppery Garlic Pork, I enjoyed the dish, and the portion was large enough to take some home for lunch the following day. In retrospect, I may have been happier with more garlic and less sugar, and I may place a special order myself next time. Those who enjoy their meals on the sweeter side should be quite happy with it, however. Service was fast, congenial and on point, and we were out of there in a flash, which is something to keep in mind if you find yourself wanting curry in a hurry. In the meantime, its my hope that this place is shown a bit more love as the word gets out. I did hear that the lunch buffet is popular and runs from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. throughout the week. Diners just have to keep in mind that Twee Thai is also open for dinner as well. Next Up: Lunch at CCs Kitchen in Mechanicsburg. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 BRISTOL, Pa. A man has been sentenced to two consecutive life terms without possibility of parole in the murders of two men during a prom night altercation last spring in suburban Philadelphia. Joseph Williams, 19, was convicted of killing Zyisean McDuffy and Tommy Ballard, both 19, during an argument in front of a mutual friend's Bristol Township home in May 2018. Authorities in Bucks County said the slayings, which came as some teenagers were heading to the local high school's prom, stemmed from tensions between two rival neighborhood groups. Williams was also convicted of attempted homicide and evidence-tampering. Defense attorney John Fioravanti Jr., before Friday's sentencing, cited his client's age, saying there were many years in which he could become a better person, and also pointed to support from the defendant's family. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 PHILADELPHIA The former general manager of a Philadelphia U-Haul operation has been sentenced to two years' probation on charges stemming from an investigation into a food truck explosion that killed a woman and her teenage daughter almost five years ago. Miguel Rivera, 31, and U-Haul Co. of Pennsylvania denied having filled the propane cylinder of La Parrillada Chapina food truck that ruptured in July 2014, killing Olga Galdamez, 42, and her daughter Jaylin, 17. Prosecutors earlier dismissed charges related to the deaths and to alleged filling of out-of-date tanks. Rivera and the company pleaded guilty to using untrained workers. The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that Rivera said he "made a terrible mistake." Defense attorney Michael Engle said the violations were unrelated to the explosion and "did not ultimately lead to any tragedy." Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 PITTSBURGH Health officials in western Pennsylvania have released new information about possible exposure to measles last month in the Pittsburgh area. The Allegheny County health department says four people with measles, three of them overseas visitors and one resident of the county, may have exposed people at a restaurant, thrift store and the National Aviary. Officials earlier said people may have been exposed at the airport and a car rental agency. So far there are five known cases of measles in the county. Health officials say most people aren't at risk because they have been immunized or have had measles, and those born before 1957 are considered immune. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Question: Regarding my posts about the terrible perversion of Torah and halacha that Rav Shmuel Kaminetsky has engineered with his prod... Absolute proof that the Vaccines are an intentional Bio weapon foward this to your Doctor Inbox PATTERNS IN THE DEPLOYMENT OF TOXIC COVID ... Important!! email - yadmoshe@gmail.com "Some kids are unwanted, so you either kill them now or kill them later." That quote is from an Alabama state Democratic representative, John Rogers, speaking a few days ago during debate about an abortion bill. He went on to say, "You bring them into the world unwanted, unloved, then send them to the electric chair." He said this during the same week in which all of Israel had a period of silence to remember the millions who were exterminated during the Holocaust. He said it while a play, "All Our Children," is running in lower Manhattan, at the Sheen Center, about Nazi Germany's systematic killing of 100,000 or so people with disabilities who were deemed "unworthy of life." Playwright Stephen Unwin called the program "the logical extension of the eugenics movement, which had attracted support from a wide range of people, many with impeccable liberal credentials, across Europe and the United States." "By early 1941," Unwin explains, "5,000 children, many only a few months old, with a wide range of conditions -- Down syndrome, 'idiocy,' cerebral palsy and so on -- had been assessed, registered and murdered. Initially, their parents were asked for their consent, and a panel of three 'medical experts' were convened to agree on the course of action. In due course, however, deception and social pressure were deployed, and children were sent to so-called 'special sections,' apparently to receive medical treatment, but instead bussed off to their deaths." I found it impossible to watch "All Our Children" without crying. Increasingly, I'm having the same reaction listening to Democratic politicians of all sorts seemingly falling over one another to outdo themselves in abortion extremism. We seem to have entered a new point in our discussion of the issue, in which euphemisms are giving way to a new boldness. But all the rhetorical evasions in the world can't mask the central question: Do we care to value and protect life or not? No small part of the "All Our Children" story is about Clemens August Graf von Galen, the Catholic bishop of Munster, who spoke out against the Nazi policy of killing "unproductive citizens" (and spent years under house arrest for doing so). In one of his sermons, he said: "(W)e are dealing with human beings, with our neighbors, brothers and sisters, the poor and invalids ... unproductive -- perhaps! But have they, therefore, lost the right to live? Have you or I the right to exist only because we are 'productive'? If the principle is established that unproductive human beings may be killed, then God help all those invalids who, in order to produce wealth, have given their all and sacrificed their strength of body." Sobering words, indeed, and unfortunately, they're still very relevant to our current cultural moment. We would do well to ponder their ramifications, regardless of our individual political beliefs. "All Our Children" reminds us of what can happen when all life isn't valued. We can all do our parts to combat an encroaching culture of death -- we don't need to be playwrights or heroic priests. Currently, some of the excesses of Democratic lawmakers and candidates regarding abortion are routinely being dismissed as evidence of conservative hangups. You don't have to be a conservative pro-lifer to agree that vulnerable lives ought to be protected, that vulnerable mothers must be helped and cherished, and that we must think in terms of more love, not less. Kathryn Jean Lopez is senior fellow at the National Review Institute, editor-at-large of National Review Online and founding director of Catholic Voices USA. She can be contacted at klopez@nationalreview.com Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Everyone eligible should be vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of long-distance travel or employment. Vaccination should be voluntary but those who don't get vaccinated should be frequently tested for COVID-19 as a condition of long-distance travel and employment. Both vaccination and testing should be voluntary and not required as a condition of long-distance travel or employment. I defer to the judgment of lawmakers as long as they base their decisions on a consensus of medical professionals. Vote View Results Myanmar: To resume fish exports to Saudi Arabia after inspections May 07,2019 | Source: Myanmar Times Saudi Arabia has sent the necessary checklists to Myanmar Fisheries Department on April to allow farmed fishes export from Myanmar said U Thet Naing, deputy director of the Quality Control and Research Division of Fisheries Department. "They sent some question based on our fact. We resent the question to the responsible department, collect the answer and report to our superior. If the department head accepts then we will provide the result to Saudi Arabia. They will then come and inspect our fishery system after everything is completed so we can resume exports,." said U Thet Naing. Saudi Arabia, which imports about 20,000 tonnes of marine products from Myanmar annually, had stopped buying rohu fish since April last year after bacteria was found on the same fish species imported from Vietnam. Before the suspension, Myanmar exported 60 percent of river catfish to Saudi Arabia. Saudi officials will visit Myanmar and inspect the countrys fishery system is in accordance with their standard and has Good Aquaculture Practices (GAP), said U Thet Naing. Of the 25 cold storage plants exporting fish to Saudi Arabia, 20pc of its breeding farms follow the GAP, while 20pc of farms have not even started implementing GAP, he added. Saudi Arabias' suspension of fishery imports from four countries - Bangladesh, India, Myanmar and Vietnam - Myanmar is the only country left for inspections, said U Tun Aye, president of Myanmar Fisheries Products Processors and Exporter Association. The respective body from Saudi Arabia inspected 24 cold storage plants in Vietnam exporting fish and discovered that only 9 plants follow standards. The body suspended fish import from Vietnam, Myanmar, India, and Bangladesh in March last year. 2019 The Myanmar Times Andhra Pradesh: 9,200 fisherfolk hit by fishing ban in Krishna May 07,2019 | Source: The Hindu The fisheries officials have completed the enumeration of people whose livelihood has been affected due to the annual fishing ban that came into force from the midnight of April 14. The State government offers Rs.4,000 to each fisherman to compensate for the loss of livelihood for the 61-day ban period. Assistant Director of Fisheries Mr. Suresh told The Hindu that the enumeration of the affected people had been completed in Krishna district by Sunday. A total of 9,200 people have lost their source of income due to the fishing ban in Krishna district. They engage in fishing on motorised boats in the Bay of Bengal. In Diviseema alone, 4,500 beneficiaries have been identified for the payment of compensation, said Mr. Suresh. The State government needs to provide Rs.40 crore compensation to observe the annual fishing ban across the nine coastal districts in the State. Krishna Collector A.Md.Imtiaz will review the enumeration data and forward it to the State government for the release of funds. According to fisheries officials, the compensation is likely to be released by early June and directly deposited in the bank account of the beneficiaries. 2019, THG PUBLISHING PVT LTD. With a new imperial year and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, death row inmates are likely to be spared in the coming two years. Last year the Japanese government executed the highest number of prisoners in a single year since the death penalty resumed in 1993 after a five year pause. Japan is one of two developed democracies, the United States being the other, that continues to use the death penalty. But unlike the United States, the death penalty in Japan is neglected by the media and thus dodges a heated debate. Despite international scrutiny, Japans reluctance to abolish the death penalty and the execution method of hanging continues to draw protest by human rights advocates. In Japan, capital punishment is usually reserved for the most malicious and remorseless homicides. But as a discretionary system there are 18 crimes punishable by death that dont have to end in death. This includes treason, attempted murder, armed robbery and kidnap. Sentencing is dependent on the crimes impact on Japanese society and minors are not excused from execution. The Ministry of Justice justifies execution based on a yearly opinion poll that showing an overwhelming majority and boasting as high as 86 percent support in 2015. Some academics believe the level of support for the death penalty isnt as high as the government makes it out to be. Dr. Mai Sato is an expert in Japans criminal justice system and a researcher at Australia National University. She points out the government administered survey is far from objective, with sampling errors that are left uncorrected and results taken at face value. She argues the government should tailor questions to ask whether the public would accept or tolerate abolition instead of if the public support the death penalty. Satos research shows that if people have access to transparent information about capital punishment their support declines. Japanese people know very little about the death penalty which makes support based on ignorance, the lack of information or misinformation she explains. There are arguments that Japan isnt really ready to move toward abolition but that isnt the case. The retentionists would accept abolition if the government were to show leadership. Until 2009 the names of executed prisoners were not publicly revealed. In the past one line in the newspaper would be printed without giving out names. With the death penalty system shrouded in secrecy, Sato believes that the government reveals so little in fear of public scrutiny. With such little demand from media or public to disclose information why would they? Japan has signed the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) in 1978 which obliges the government to report to the UN Human Rights Committee to periodically explain why they have not abolished the death penalty. But Sato says a resolution isnt getting closer. The UN and Japanese government have diametrically opposed approaches stemming from human rights and public opinion she said. Amnesty International considers the death penalty the ultimate infringement of human rights. Japanese death row inmates are only notified on the day of the execution, normally one hour or two before. They dont have time to contact lawyers or family members. Families are informed after the execution. The Japanese government justifies this for the mental health of the prisoner. They argue that if prisoners knew in advance they would be unstable and meeting with family members would be too painful. Sato notes that the government is likely to put on hold any executions as not to tarnish the beginning of the Reiwa imperial era and prevent negative publicity for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. | Report an error, an omission, a typo; suggest a story or a new angle to an existing story; submit a piece, a comment; recommend a resource; contact the webmaster, contact us: deathpenaltynews@gmail.com Opposed to Capital Punishment? Help us keep this blog up and running! DONATE! "One is absolutely sickened, not by the crimes that the wicked have committed, but by the punishments that the good have inflicted." -- Oscar Wilde On Friday, Longs attorneys argued in Hillsborough Circuit Court that the lethal drugs might cause a seizure. TAMPA A Tampa judge has denied an effort to stop the scheduled May 23 execution of Bobby Joe Long, a Tampa Bay area killer who murdered eight women in the 1980s. Hillsborough Circuit Judge Michelle Sisco issued an order Monday afternoon rejecting arguments from Longs defense, including the contention that Floridas lethal injection drugs might cause Long to have a seizure during the execution. RELATED | Florida: Judge to rule whether lethal drug is 'cruel' for serial killer Bobby Joe Long Longs case now heads to the Florida Supreme Court. His defense must file initial arguments by Thursday and the state must respond by Monday. The defense can then respond to the states arguments by May 14, after which the court will decide whether oral arguments are necessary. If the state high court denies Longs claims, he can still make a final appeal in the federal system, with the last stop the U.S. Supreme Court. The states lethal injection procedure was the focus of a daylong hearing Friday in a Tampa courtroom. Doctors testified about the effects of etomidate, a sedative that is the first of three drugs the state uses to kill the condemned. Florida is the only state that uses etomidate in its lethal injection protocol. The state adopted the sedative in January 2017. Since then, five men have been executed. One of them, Eric Branch, screamed and thrashed on the death gurney as the lethal drugs entered his body. Opinions differed, though, about whether his final acts were a response to pain or simple theatrics. The states previous execution procedure called for midazolam, a drug that has become difficult for states to acquire because pharmaceutical companies object to its use in executions. Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Longs death warrant last month in the murder of Michelle Denise Simms. The 22-year-old former beauty contestant, who worked as a prostitute, was abducted, raped and murdered in May 1984. Amid the debate over whether the drugs would cause needless suffering, prosecutors suggested that whatever happens to Long would be justified. Hes not entitled to a pain-free death, said Assistant Attorney General Christina Pacheco. Michelle Simms certainly didnt have one in this case. In order to challenge the drugs use, the law required the defense to argue that an alternative, less painful execution method was readily available. Longs attorney, Robert Norgard, begrudgingly suggested the drugs pentobarbital or fentanyl might be available to the Department of Corrections. I think it is absolutely absurd that I have to stand up here and tell the courts what I think a better way would be to kill my client, Norgard said at the end of Fridays hearing. But were playing with the cards were dealt. If Longs execution proceeds, it will be the first under DeSantis, who took office in January. His predecessor, Rick Scott, ordered 28 executions, the most of any Florida governor. | Report an error, an omission, a typo; suggest a story or a new angle to an existing story; submit a piece, a comment; recommend a resource; contact the webmaster, contact us: deathpenaltynews@gmail.com Opposed to Capital Punishment? Help us keep this blog up and running! DONATE! "One is absolutely sickened, not by the crimes that the wicked have committed, but by the punishments that the good have inflicted." -- Oscar Wilde On Tuesday, multiple news outlets picked up on a statement that was issued by Amnesty International, calling attention to the latest executions of juvenile offenders in the Islamic Republic of Iran. The nation has long maintained its status as the 2nd most prolific user of the death penalty, with the worlds highest per-capita rate of executions. In terms of the total number of state-sanctioned killings, Iran lags only behind China, while it is apparently number one among the small handful of countries that still implement the death penalty for persons who were under the age of 18 at the time of their crimes. Ordinarily, the Iranian judiciary delays the execution of such offenders until after they have passed the internationally-recognized age of majority. However, Iranian law allows for boys to be held legally responsible at the age of 13, and girls at the age of nine. This principle has been variously reaffirmed by Iranian judges after international outcry helped to encourage the review of relevant cases, only for the vast majority of death sentences to be upheld on the basis of the courts claim that the alleged criminals were sufficiently mature at the time of their offenses. Despite the rarity of vacated death sentences, the reexamination of juvenile offenders cases has generally been regarded as part of an effort to defray some of the international condemnation that almost invariably emerges from public appeals by Amnesty International and other human rights defenders. The Iranian regimes effort to control its notoriety without altering its practices is presumably also the reason why most juvenile offenders are not executed until after they have turned 18. But this practice was not repeated in the context of the case most recently highlighted by Amnesty and by Western media. The defendants in question, Mehdi Sohrabifar and Amin Sedaghat, were abruptly executed on April 25, although both boys were still only 17 years old. They had been arrested on allegations that they committed rape at the age of 15, and the boys were held in pretrial detention for two months, during which they were repeatedly beaten by their interrogators. were flogged shortly before their deaths. RELATED | Iran: Two 17-year-old boys flogged and secretly executed in abhorrent violation of international law Amnesty International also reported that the resulting trial, like a great many prosecutions in the Islamic Republic, was unfair and was characterized by a lack of legal representation for the defendants. Furthermore, the verdict in that trial was apparently not communicated to the condemned boys or to their families until the time of their execution. Sohrabifar and Sedaghat were transferred to a new prison, without explanation, just 1 day before they were hanged. Their families were then invited to visit them, but were not informed that they had been scheduled for execution until the following day, when they were instructed to collect the victims bodies. Examination of those bodies indicated that both boys By maintaining such secrecy regarding the case, authorities were arguably working to compensate for their decision not to hold back the executions until after the boys had grown somewhat older. That scheme was apparently successful in the sense that it prevented serious outcry about the case from flaring up in advance of the execution. However, with multiple reports stemming from the Amnesty statement, the incident stands to add significantly to international recognition and condemnation of Irans human rights violations, particularly as they relate to children. A Pattern of Child Abuse Relevant statistics about Irans recent and long-term juvenile executions have re-emerged in those reports. CNN pointed out, for instance, that at least 97 incidences have been recorded of juvenile offenders being executed between 1990 and 2018. And according to Al Jazeera, the Islamic Republic put to death at least seven such individuals last year alone, while the total number of executions for people of all ages was recorded as 253. This represents a decline over previous years, owing perhaps entirely to a reform of the nations drug laws that ostensibly gets rid of the mandatory death penalty for non-violent traffickers. Nevertheless, the death toll is adequate to maintain Irans status as the leading abuser of the death penalty, and the Sohrabifar/Sedaghat case reaffirms that there are still serious human rights issues to be found among non-drug related sentencing. At the same time, the practice of juvenile executions calls attention to Irans broader disregard for the rights of children. Since 1994, the Islamic Republic has technically been a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. This and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights both prohibit the execution of juvenile offenders under all circumstances. Yet the Iranian regimes adoption of the Convention was accompanied by a proviso declaring itself immune from any aspect of the document that was deemed to be at odds with Iranian law or Islamic law. It is presumably this principle that is invoked by the Iranian judiciary each time it reviews a juvenile death sentence and upholds the death sentence on the basis of Irans own conception of legal maturity. On Tuesday, IranWire referenced Irans selective and ultimately arbitrary enforcement of the Convention while reporting on the recruitment and deployment of child soldiers. The article noted that children as young as 13 routinely fought in Irans war against neighboring Iraq between 1980 and 1988. More than 22,000 persons under the age of 18 were killed in combat during that time, though it is not known how many minors received training from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in total. Whatever this number may have been in 1988, it has continued to grow ever since. IranWire notes that human rights groups have warned about child soldiers being deployed from Iran to fight as part of paramilitary groups tasked with the defense of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad. At the same time, even among minors who are not actually deployed to combat zones, there is a common trend of appearing in state propaganda that emphasizes youths supposed commitment to the IRGC and military defense of Iran and its theocratic revolution. Although this practice has been roundly condemned throughout the world, IranWire concludes that there is ultimately nothing the international community can do, legally speaking, to halt the practice. The use of child soldiers was banned worldwide in an Optional Protocol added to the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 2000. And although Irans Foreign Minister signed the document in 2010, it has never been ratified by the Iranian parliament. Concerted hardline opposition to such ratification serves to underscore the clerical regimes refusal to be bound by international standards of behavior, even where the rights of children are concerned. As yet another example of Irans disregard for this issue, Iran Human Rights Monitor reported last week that the latest statistics show 4,000 girls between the ages of 10 and 19 as having been married in North Khorasan Province alone, during the Iranian calendar year that ended in March 2019. This reflects a nationwide phenomenon that has left 24,000 girls widowed nationwide before the age of 18. This latter statistic speaks to the fact that the marriages in question are often arranged marriages involving a young girl and a much older man, often motivated by the economic hardship of the girls family. According to Parvaneh Salahshouri, the head of the womens delegation in the Iranian parliament, a staggering six percent of married Iranian women had their wedding between the ages of 10 and 14. Early marriages comprise 24 percent of total marriages annually, according to other government officials. But even this statistic presumably refers only to marriages involving girls aged 13 or older, since this is technically the legal age of marriageability. However, younger girls may be married under certain circumstances, and in other cases, the relevant law is simply not enforced. Girls Hardship Continues Through Adulthood Noting that the practice of child marriage has been institutionalized by the Iranian government, IHRM identifies it as one of the examples of violence against women. In fact, there are potential signs that the situation in the Islamic Republic is presently growing worse for women and for children, and thus especially for young girls. Regime authorities have been engaged in a years-long effort to reinforce hardline principles regarding gender and sexuality, as by pressuring young women to avoid the workforce in favor of starting large families at an early age, and extending bans on mixed-gender activities to include school-aged boys and girls. Naturally, though, the most prominent example of the ongoing crackdown on womens rights relates to the laws that mandate Islamic head coverings for all Iranian women, in all public places, even when outside the country or out of public view. Opponents of forced veiling have been boldly protesting the law, with 2018 being marked by a series of protests dubbed Girls of Revolution Street, in which participants removed their hijabs while standing on elevated structures in public. Those women were almost invariably arrested, and some have been handed multi-year prison sentences, while a prominent lawyer who sought to defend the protesters was recently given a sentence of 33 years. The Revolution Street protests were an outgrowth of the White Wednesdays movement, which simply encouraged women to wear white hijabs on Wednesday as a symbol of silent protest against the forced veiling laws. The main organizer of that movement, UK-based Iranian activist Masih Alinejad, was previously known for popularizing the My Stealthy Freedom campaign, which involved women removing their veils in private spaces, such as in their cars, then posting them to social media. Though seemingly private in nature, such activism generated backlash from regime authorities that is still ongoing to this day. IHRM reported on Tuesday that hundreds of Iranian women had recently received text messages summoning them to appear before the countrys morality police in connection with allegations that they had violated the Islamic dress code while driving their cars. Tehran police commander Hossein Rahimi confirmed via state media that the messages were official warnings, then declared, The police will identify and deal with vehicles whose passengers remove their veils. Persons who responded to the summons were reportedly released after signing a statement pledging not to repeat the violation, and they were informed that failure to abide by that statement would result in criminal charges. Any such prosecution would be in keeping with a wide-ranging crackdown on dissent that has been by no means limited to the sphere of womens rights. Meanwhile, the use of text messaging as a tool of intimidation reflects the regimes broader efforts to leverage information technology for the purpose of enforcing hardline principles while limiting the ability of the general population to use those same resources for organizing and open discussion. Part of a Larger Crackdown Of course, the internet has presented a number of battlegrounds for that effort, and Iranian authorities may be on track toward issuing a ban on Instagram, the last major social media platform to be officially tolerated in the country. In the meantime, some of those same authorities are taking steps to enforce vaguely defined standards of behavior in virtually all online communications. As reported by the Center for Human Rights in Iran on Monday, a committee within the governments Supreme Cultural Revolution Council recently passed an amendment to academic disciplinary regulations which could set the stage for punishment of Iranian university students whose online activities are deemed unethical by regime authorities. That term is not defined by the standards, and this opens the door for criminalizing any expression of dissent or any challenge to the countrys hardline, Islamist identity. Indeed, CHRI points to previous instances of Tehran cracking down on students online activities in just this way. While some of those examples were attacks on dissent, as when Mojtaba Dadashi was sentenced to three years in prison for criticizing the regime as un-Islamic, others were reminiscent of the crackdown on womens rights and the overall effort to preserve and defend the regimes worst impulses. Multiple students have been suspended from school and summoned before government authorities over social media posts containing images in which they violated the Islamic dress code while on vacation abroad. This prompted one student activist to say of the regimes response to such activities, Imagine what they will do now that theres a law against it. Accusations of unethical behavior carry no defined sentence in Iranian law. However, such accusations can easily be connected to established but vaguely characterized crimes such as spreading corruption on Earth or enmity against God. These and other such charges may be used as legal justification for capital punishment in the Islamic Republic, and Irans latest executions of juvenile offenders strongly suggest that the judiciary would rarely feel compelled to hesitate in doing so. | Report an error, an omission, a typo; suggest a story or a new angle to an existing story; submit a piece, a comment; recommend a resource; contact the webmaster, contact us: deathpenaltynews@gmail.com Opposed to Capital Punishment? Help us keep this blog up and running! DONATE! "One is absolutely sickened, not by the crimes that the wicked have committed, but by the punishments that the good have inflicted." -- Oscar Wilde irannewsupdate.com, Staff, May 5, 2019 The 3 Catholic bishops in Tennessee are calling on Gov. Bill Lee to spare death row inmate Donnie Johnson's life and stop all other executions scheduled this year. Nashville Bishop J. Mark Spalding, Knoxville Bishop Richard F. Stika and Memphis Bishop David P. Talley penned a joint letter to the governor on April 23 and the Nashville diocese published it Friday. "We urge you to use your authority as governor to put an end to the fast-track executions planned for later this year, and particularly the execution of Donnie Johnson scheduled for May 16. As you know, he was convicted of the brutal murder of his wife, but even their daughter has spoken against his execution," the letter states. Johnson, who is scheduled to be executed on May 16, has been on Tennessee's death row since he was sentenced to death for the 1984 murder of his wife, Connie Johnson. She died in Memphis. Johnson is the 4th person scheduled to die since Tennessee resumed executions in August. Gov. Bill Haslam, who was wrapping up his final term when Lee was elected, did not intervene in any of the previous executions, but Johnson's request for clemency is the 1st Lee will be weighing as governor. The Nashville and Knoxville bishops issued similar appeals ahead of the three 2018 executions. The Memphis bishop is new; he was installed April 2. The Catholic Church has a history of speaking out against capital punishment and in August, Pope Francis changed church catechism to assert that the death penalty is inadmissible. "We clearly state our strong opposition to the state carrying out the death penalty," the letter from the Tennessee bishops states. "Nationally, we have seen many people released from death row after they have been found to have been innocent of the crime for which they were convicted. Based on a human system as it is, there is always the chance that the state executes an innocent person. Even when guilt is certain, the execution is not necessary to protect society." | Report an error, an omission, a typo; suggest a story or a new angle to an existing story; submit a piece, a comment; recommend a resource; contact the webmaster, contact us: deathpenaltynews@gmail.com Opposed to Capital Punishment? Help us keep this blog up and running! DONATE! "One is absolutely sickened, not by the crimes that the wicked have committed, but by the punishments that the good have inflicted." -- Oscar Wilde The Tennessean, Staff, May 6, 2019 LINN COUNTY SHERIFF Theft at boat ramp About 2 p.m. Sunday, a caller in the 44000 block of Quartzville Road reported that someone entered an unlocked vehicle at the boat ramp and took a cellphone and wallets. Theft About 5:15 p.m. Sunday, a caller in the 500 block of Wagon Wheel Drive reported that someone entered a residence and took $2,500 worth of items. Missing trailer About 7 p.m. Sunday, a caller in the 5000 block of Three Lakes Road reported a single-axle trailer valued at $1,500 was missing. SWEET HOME POLICE Tire dumping About 10 a.m. Thursday, a caller in the 600 block of Oak Terrace reported someone dumped several tires and a weed mower on her property. Laptop computer About 5:32 p.m. Thursday, a caller reported finding a laptop computer in the restroom at Sankey Park. The laptop was placed in the Sweet Home Police Department property locker. CORVALLIS POLICE Stolen car At 7 a.m. Friday a man called to report his dark green 2000 Chevrolet Malibu, Oregon license number XRR-474, had been stolen from the 200 block of Southwest 53rd Street. Stolen car At 9:30 a.m. Friday a man came to the Law Enforcement Center to report the theft of his light blue 1995 Honda Accord from outside his residence in the 1000 block of Southwest Park Avenue. Menacing At 12:52 p.m. Friday officers were dispatched to Castor, 458 SW Madison Ave., for reports of a man being abusive and making threats. After being asked to leave by an employee, the man reportedly responded by raising his fist and throwing water at the employee. He also allegedly threatened to punch the employee, cut her ovaries out, sexually assault her children, and kill her children and her cat. Cameron Matthew Corbell, 45, was arrested on charges of menacing and disorderly conduct. Disorderly At 4:45 p.m. Friday an officer was dispatched to Northwest Fifth Street and Van Buren Avenue, where a man was standing in the middle of the intersection, obstructing traffic and making rude hand gestures at motorists. Cameron Matthew Corbell, 45, who had been released from jail earlier that afternoon, was arrested on a charge of second-degree disorderly conduct and taken back to jail. Probation violation At three minutes to midnight on Friday, an officer was dispatched to the 1500 block of Northwest Monroe Avenue for reports of an intoxicated male who was harassing people and attempting to start fights with them. Vladimir Pearson, 24, was arrested on a charge of violating his probation by consuming alcohol. At the jail, his blood alcohol level reportedly was measured at 0.18%. Funny money At 2:41 p.m. Saturday an officer was dispatched to the 7-Eleven convenience store at 746 NW Kings Blvd. for reports that a man had attempted to purchase pizza and cigarettes with a phony $100 bill. The note, which was marked with pink Chinese characters, appeared to be Oregon State University training money used to educate Chinese exchange students about U.S. currency. The man who had attempted to pass the bill told the officer he was schizophrenic and appeared to be having a mental health issue. He was not charged with a crime. Disorderly At 9:53 p.m. Sunday, an officer was dispatched to Starbucks at 425 SW Madison Ave. for reports of a man who was high on meth, eating food he couldnt pay for, disturbing customers and refusing to leave. He reportedly punched another man who tried to intervene, but the victim declined to press charges. Marcus Alexander Popa, 23, was arrested on a charge of second-degree disorderly conduct. Disorderly At 12:29 a.m. on Monday, an officer was dispatched to reports of a potential fight in progress near Northwest Monroe Avenue and 14th Street, where two men were seen chasing and threatening another man. Jesse Jack Mason, 36, and David Davis, no age or middle name available, were arrested on charges of disorderly conduct. Contact Linn County reporter Alex Paul at 541-812-6114. Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The Jefferson Fire District has a five-year levy on the May 21 special election ballot that would raise a total of $1.38 million. The local option tax, if approved by voters, would be used to replace a 2004 ambulance, purchase a new water tender, upgrade an existing water tender, increase apparatus maintenance and conduct facilities improvements. The levy also would help offset a loss caused when Millersburg switched from Jefferson to Albany for fire protection. The annual loss of the Jefferson Fire Districts tax base from the change was about $270,000 roughly one year of the five-year tax, said Jefferson Fire Chief Kevin Hendricks. The levy would collect 38 cents per $1,000 of assessed value. Travis Powers, a volunteer lieutenant firefighter and director of the Friends of the Jefferson Fire District, said that the agency has received plenty of support from Jefferson-area residents, in part because of its history. For years and years, the Jefferson Fire District has been conservative with spending money, he added. The proposed levy is just one small part of improvements that could occur for the district, however. According to a study by the Jefferson Fire Districts board of directors, the agency needs to replace aging facilities and equipment, and all of the upgrades would cost roughly $14.5 million. The board figured that going for all of that at once wasnt feasible, however, especially with the Jefferson School District passing a $14 million bond in May 2017. Instead, the board decided to focus on immediate needs, Powers said. We want to start fixing things and replacing things as we go, he added. The 2004 ambulance has been having numerous mechanical issues, and having better water tenders was seen as critical. About 98 percent of the district that we work is rural. Only the city of Jefferson itself has hydrants, Powers said. The agency also often assists neighboring agencies with field fires and other blazes. The Jefferson Fire District currently has three water tenders, and will drop down to two if the levy passes. Hendricks said things run more efficiently with upgraded equipment. The tenders wont need to use portable transfer tanks on the scenes of fires, and instead can provide water directly to engines. Without having to worry about the process of moving water from a tender to a portable tank to an engine, more firefighters will be free to actually fight fires, he said. Its a better way of utilizing our people, he said. Two of the current tenders are from 1982, and its difficult to get parts for the rigs, Hendricks said. Jeffersons newest and best tender is from 1993, but it only can pump out 100 to 200 gallons of water a minute. Powers said that if the levy passes, the agency will retrofit the apparatus so it can pump 700 gallons or more per minute. The facilities improvements include repairing roofs and exterior painting. But eventually, the fire station will need to be replaced. The older part of the building was built in 1956. Weve been maintaining that but structurally its starting to deteriorate, Powers said. Much of the maintenance has been conducted by volunteer firefighters as well. New apparatus and equipment are larger than in the past, and they dont fit the size of the current station. One of the districts bays already has been enlarged for a newer fire engine. Kyle Odegard can be reached at kyle.odegard@lee.net, 541-812-6077 or via Twitter @KyleOdegard. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A Mill City man has been sentenced to 16 months in the custody of the Oregon Department of Corrections on child pornography charges. Leslie James Van Dolah, 53, pleaded guilty in Linn County Circuit Court to four counts of second-degree encouraging child abuse in early March. His sentencing hearing was on April 26. Two counts of first-degree encouraging child sex abuse and three counts of encouraging the sexual assault of an animal were dismissed as part of the negotiated settlement. Van Dolah, who was a city of Salem automotive services worker, must register as a sex offender. He had no previous criminal history. The Linn County Sheriffs Office investigated the case. Kyle Odegard can be reached at kyle.odegard@lee.net, 541-812-6077 or via Twitter @KyleOdegard. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 2 September 28, 1923 April 30, 2019 Georgene Whitney Winniford, 95, passed away Tuesday, April 30, 2019, at the Mennonite Home in Albany. Georgene was raised on a farm, first in Nebraska where she attended a one-room school. In 1936, she came to Dayton, Oregon, with her parents Sam and Gladys Whitney. She attended high school there, where she was involved in many activities drama, volleyball, school paper, cheerleading and choir. She graduated from Oregon State College with a B.S.N. (nursing), spending the last three years in Portland at the Multnomah School of Nursing. She married Robert Winniford, PhD (1921-2004), in 1944. They spent the last 20 years of their professional lives at Whitworth College in Spokane, Washington, where she was Director of the College Health Center and advisor of nursing. Upon retirement, they moved to their tree farm in Sweet Home, where they built their log house. She was an elder in Brownsville Presbyterian Church and enjoyed the Women's Group, outdoors, square dancing, and laughter. They had four children, David Winniford (1948-1982); Nancy Ashley (1951- ) of Leaburg, Oregon; Gail Bergeleen (1952- ) of Spokane; and MaryAnne Winniford (1957- ) of Spokane; and five grandchildren. Georgene spent her last 13 years at the Mennonite Village in Albany. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Mennonite Village Foundation. Huston-Jost Funeral Home is handling arrangements. The Sweet Home School District just got a $50,000 boost. The district announced on April 23 that it was awarded two Technical Assistance Program (TAO) grants from the state of Oregon, each worth $25,000, to test for radon and complete a long-range facility plan. Other districts awarded TAP grants include Lebanon Community Schools, Corvallis School District and Harrisburg School District. All schools in the state must test for the gas by January of 2021. According to the district, the grant funds will allow testing to be completed during the upcoming 2019-2020 school year. Radon can be harmful and cause such ailments as lung cancer if breathed in at high levels for a long period of time. It has no smell or taste and is not visible and can make its way into a building through cracks or openings in foundations. The district plans to engage an independent professional environmental service to conduct the radon testing, the announcement read. The testing, which will be completed in the winter, will consist of non-invasive methods including the use of an air-sample collection packet placed in classrooms and offices inside the districts facilities. The district will also complete a long-range facility plan by December of 2020, a condition of accepting the second $25,000 grant. There are seven schools in the district and according to the announcement, the district will assess current conditions of its facilities before a recommendation is made to the school board. The long-range facility plan will also consider what can be done to make facilities safer and more secure for students and staff members, the announcement stated. Sweet Home School District will form a committee allowing members of the public to take part in the planning process by evaluating the condition of the facilities, study what other districts are doing to address their facilities and then develop options for the board to consider, the district said. No method of choosing committee members has been announced. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Babies In Cages-- Donald Trump Child Immigrant Detention Center by Nancy Ohanian Let me begin by going out on a limb. None of these freshman Democrats in Congress today-- Katie Hill (CA-37.3%), Xochitl Torres Small (NM-52.9%), Lizzie Fletcher (TX- 30.6%), Laura Underwood (IL- 11.7%), Lucy McBath (GA- 12.5%), TJ Cox (CA-72.9%), Jeff Van Drew (NJ- 15.5%), Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (FL-69.5%), Kendra Horn (OK- 15.4%), Gil Cisneros (CA-33.6%), Jennifer Wexton (VA-12.7%), Tom Malinowski (NJ-11.8%), Collin Allred (TX-26.8%), Donna Shalala (FL-72.7%), Max Rose (NY-16.2%), Ben McAdams (UT- 16.2%), Jason Crow (CO-19.8%) and Josh Harder (CA-41.7%)-- would have been elected without support from the Latino community. All of them flipped red districts by winning narrowly, each with strong support from Hispanic voters in their districts. The percentage shows how much of the population in each district is Latino. This week, Latino Decisions released a poll-based report, What do Latinos really think of Trump? If you guessed they're overwhelmingly not fans... well, that's pretty easy. However, there are still congressional districts with huge Latino populations supporting Republican incumbents. In part because the DCCC was too stupid and pig-headed to run a Latino, a good example is TX-23, which has a 69.6% Latino population. Republican Will Hurd was reelected, narrowly-- 103,285 (49.2%) to 102,359 (48.7%). Only the DCCC has the ingrained knack for losing a district like this. In fact, they plan to run the same closing candidate again in 2020. What an amazing organization-- and this cycle with their worst leader, Cheri Bustos, in history. The data from Latino Decisions is far more relevant and accurate than anything you're picking up from the national polls at this point. Why? Matt Barreto pointed out in a post about the report that "Given the growth in the Latino electorate, which is expected to surpass African Americans as the second largest group of voters in 2020, many polling organizations now report out subgroup results for 'Hispanics.' They shouldnt. Their sample sizes of Latino voters are woefully small, typically 80-150 in size, and their methodology continues to overly-sample more conservative and more acculturated Latinos who are more likely to be U.S. born, third generation, English-dominant, college educated and live in the suburbs. We have proven this factually true in more than a dozen analysis of existing so-called 'mainstream' polling when examining their Latino sample on closer inspection. In order to get a more accurate understanding of the Latino electorate heading into the 2020 cycle we can examine the April 2019 national survey of 606 Latino registered voters conducted in partnership with the NALEO Educational Fund. Not only is there a large and robust sample, but it is demographically reflective of the true underlying Latino population with the correct proportion of immigrants, second and third generation, Spanish-dominant, bilingual and English-dominant voters, and does not over-sample acculturated suburban-dwelling households, but at the same time does not under-sample them. Instead, based on both the underlying sample, and the post-stratification weights, it is an accurate portrait of the national Latino electorate." So what do Latinos think of the Trump administration and national politics five months after the historic midterm elections of 2018? Overwhelmingly, Latino voters remain angry, frustrated and feel disrespected by Trump and the Republican Party as a whole. Exhibit A: The Republican Party is now seen as openly hostile towards Latinos. A majority of Latinos now believe the Republican Party is being hostile towards the Latino community. In 2012 when Romney was the nominee 56% of Latinos said Romney does not really care about the Latino community while 18% described him as hostile towards Latinos. In 2019 those numbers have changed significantly with 51% now saying Trump and the GOP are hostile towards the Latino community and an additional 29% stating Trump and the GOP dont really care about Latinos. Taken together, that is 80% of Latino registered voters who think Trump and the GOP dont care or are hostile towards Latino interests. Exhibit B: Access to health care remains the number one policy issue and Trump is trying to end Obamacare. When asked to choose the top policy priority for their community, the top issue was lowering the cost of health care, cited by 37%. This is consistent with polling during the 2018 midterms which found increasing access to affordable health care the top pocketbook issue facing Latino families. Latinos made major gains in access to health insurance under Obamacare, but still, Latinos have the highest rates of being uninsured or under-insured of any racial group in the U.S. Now, the Trump Department of Justice wants to stop defending Obamacare altogether in lawsuits. When asked if they agree or disagree, a strong majority of Latino voters (72%) said they disagree with the Trump DOJ decision to stop defending Obamacare in the courts. Exhibit C: Trumps decision to continue bashing immigrants is seen as racist and strongly rejected. Immigrant bashing started on the Trump campaign trail in 2015 and resurfaced as the primary campaign issue for Republicans in 2018, and now in 2019 Trump and Republican have not let up in their attacks, especially those targeting Central American migrants. In addition Trumps delusional quest for his mythical border wall with Mexico continually turns off Latinos. Overall, 33% of Latinos cited protecting immigrant rights or stopping racism against immigrants as their number one issue, surpassed only by lowering the costs of health care (37%). When asked about the bipartisan legislation in Congress which blocked Trumps national emergency spending spree on the border wall versus Trumps veto, fully 82% of Latinos said Congress was right to block Trump from redirecting federal money for his wall. When asked about asylum policy at the Southern border, 77% of Latino voters said the Central American migrants are not a security threat and should be allowed to apply for asylum. Finally, when asked about the rise in racism, the poll found that 81% stated that racism against immigrants and Latinos in general was a problem in the U.S. today. If Trump and Republicans continue on this path of bashing immigrants, using racist rhetoric to describe migrant families, as well as disparaging border cities they will continue to alienate the average Latino voter who is sick and tired of being the target of scapegoating, stereotyping and immoral immigration policies. Whats more, on the policy issue most important to Latino voters-- access to affordable health care-- Trump and Republicans appear to be on a path towards repealing Obamacare through the courts, and not introducing any legislation or policy solutions at all. Looking ahead to 2020, it is quite likely that the lessons of 2018 will repeat themselves with an angry, energized, mobilized and Democratic-leaning Latino electorate. According to Pew Research, Hispanic voters were more engaged in 2018 than in any previous midterm . Everyone concerned can thank Trump's racism and xenophobia. There was the typical problem for Democrats though. Because the DCCC is the single most incompetent organization on the face of planet earth-- even with a Latino chairman at the time, a notorious imbecile and moron named Ben Ray Lujan (currently Schumer's pick to be the next docile, ineffective waste of a Senate seat from New Mexico)-- Hispanic voters were less likely than all U.S. voters to say they know about the congressional candidates in their district (47% vs. 59%, respectively). More than 29 million Hispanics are eligible to vote, a new high, up 4 million from 2014. Leave it to the DCCC, which thinks people are motivated to vote because of meaningless DCCC slogans-- to fail to work effectively with a voting bloc like this! This years election comes at a time when most Latinos have grown dissatisfied with the nations direction and have more concerns about their place in American society. They also overwhelmingly disapprove of the presidents performance and see his administrations policies as harmful to Latinos. Even so, not all Latinos feel the same way. Latino Republicans are generally more upbeat than Latino Democrats on these measures. Similar shares of both groups say they have given quite a lot of thought to the upcoming election and say they are more enthusiastic to vote than in previous congressional elections. Hispanic registered voters affiliate with the Democratic Party over the Republican Party by a more than two-to-one margin. About six-in-ten Hispanic voters (62%) identify with or lean toward the Democratic Party, compared with 27% who identify with or lean toward the Republican Party. These shares have remained steady since the last midterm election. The party affiliation of Latino registered voters mirrors how they intend to vote in the congressional elections, according to a September survey. If the election for Congress were being held today, 63% of Latino registered voters said they would support the Democratic congressional candidate in their district, while 29% said they would support the Republican candidate. About half (48%) of Latino registered voters say the Democratic Party has more concern for Latinos than the Republican Party, while a third (32%) say there is no difference between the parties and 14% say the Republican Party has more concern. However, the Democratic Party has lost ground since 2016. The share of Hispanic registered voters who say Democrats have more concern for Hispanics than Republicans has declined in recent years after reaching a recent high of 59% in 2015. Meanwhile, the share of Hispanic voters who see no difference between parties is up, from 22% in 2015 to 32% today. A higher share of Latino Democratic voters say their party is more concerned for Latinos, compared with the share of Latino Republican voters who say the same about their own party. About seven-in-ten Latino Democratic voters (72%) say the Democratic Party has more concern, while 24% say there is no difference. Fewer than half (45%) of Latino Republican voters say the Republican Party has more concern for Latinos, while 40% say there is no difference between the parties. After the midterms, Pew was back with a look at what happened . They estimate that 11% of all voters were Hispanic. 69% voted for the Democratic congressional candidate and 29% backed the Republican candidate. Also-- Latinos "made up a notable share of eligible voters in several states with competitive races for U.S. Senate and governor, including Texas (30%), Arizona (23%), Florida (20%) and Nevada (19%)... Nine U.S. House districts in which Hispanics make up at least 10% of eligible voters changed parties. These include Floridas 26th and 27th districts, Californias 25th District, Arizonas 2nd District, Texas 7th and 32nd districts, Colorados 6th District, New Yorks 11th District and New Jerseys 2nd District. In all of these congressional districts, the Democratic candidate won a seat previously held by a Republican." So... if the DCCC wasn't congenitally incompetent which are some of the Republican incumbents who would be most vulnerable because of Hispanic disdain for Trump? FL-25 (Mario Diaz-Balart)- 70.4% TX-23 (Will Hurd)- 69.6% TX-27 (Michael McCloud)- 51.0% CA-22 (Devin Nunes)- 46.5% CA-08 (Paul Cook)- 38.3% WA-04 (Dan Newhouse)- 37.6% CA-23 (Kevin McCarthy)- 37.5% CA-42 (Ken Calvert)- 37.2% TX-02 (Dan Crenshaw)- 30.8% CA-50 (Duncan Hunter)- 30.2% Other than TX-23, again, I don't recall that any of those districts are on the DCCC 2020 target list. In a tweet early Monday, Bernie reminded Trump that he's "not a dictator. In our democracy, he wrote, "when Congress calls on Robert Mueller to testify, he will testify." Maybe he will; maybe he won't. But Democratic Party primacy voters-- as well as most independent voters-- certainly appreciate the effort. Democratic primary voters favor impeaching Trump over the Mueller report. Neither independents nor, obviously, Republicans do. Yesterday a poll on twitter open to people from all parties, blamed the shocking and worrying deterioration in American democracy, not on Trump, but on Trump's supporters, both the enablers in Congress and the Regime and on the voters who supported him in 2016 and are eager to vote for him again in 2020, even after everything that has happened since he was installed in the Oval Office: I doubt Biden has his own Twitter account, but even if he does, he clearly didn't vote in my poll This worth remembering since the Democratic Party front-runner, Status Quo Joe, hasn't been able to comprehend it at all. Over at, Mehdi Hasan adds that to the long list of Biden disqualifiers , reminding his readers that Biden "has a horribly right-wing record on everything from school desegregation to mass incarceration to the Iraq War . He is an old white man running against the most diverse field of presidential candidates in U.S. history. He has a bad habit of making ridiculous and offensive statements. However, the No. 1 reason why Biden would be an utter disaster both as the Democratic nominee and as president is his belief that Donald Trump is the sole cause of the current political and constitutional crisis in the United States. He has shown a shocking inability (refusal?) to see that Trump is a symptom of longstanding Republican nihilism and derangement-- not the cause of it. In fact, Bidens obsession with bipartisanship, with wanting to cut deals and make compromises once Trump is out of the way, betrays a dangerous mix of ignorance and naivete. Consider the recent New York Times story headlined Biden Thinks Trump Is the Problem, Not All Republicans. Other Democrats Disagree. The Times quotes the former vice president telling an audience in Iowa that the Trump administration is a historical aberration: Limit it to four years, Mr. Biden pleaded with a ballroom crowd of 600 in the eastern Iowa city of Dubuque. History will treat this administrations time as an aberration. This is not the Republican Party, he added, citing his relationships with my Republican friends in the House and Senate. Sorry, what? It is beyond astonishing to hear Biden, of all people, make such demonstrably false claims. This is a Democrat who served as No. 2 to Barack Obama over an eight-year, two-term period in which Republicans, among other things, nominated the know-nothing, race-baiting Sarah Palin as their vice presidential candidate; ran a presidential campaign against Obama suggesting that he was a friend of terrorists; declared the single most important thing we want to achieve is for Obama to be a one-term president; heckled Obama as a liar during his primetime address to Congress; promoted a racist, anti-Obama birther conspiracy theory; repeatedly discussed impeaching Obama for spurious reasons; conducted six different congressional investigations into Hillary Clinton and Benghazi; made dozens and dozens of attempts to kill the Affordable Care Act without offering any alternative; brought a snowball to the floor of the Senate while opposing efforts to combat climate change; and refused to allow Obama to fill an empty Supreme Court seat for almost a year. Yet Biden, writes Paul Krugman in the New York Times, still seems to genuinely believe that his good personal relations with leading Republicans in Congress will translate into an ability to make bipartisan deals on policy, despite the fact that weve already seen this movie, and it was a tragedy. The big concern about a Biden presidency, continues Krugman, is that he would repeat all of Obamas early mistakes, squandering any momentum from electoral victory in pursuit of a bipartisan dream that should have died long ago. Do Democrats really want to nominate a candidate for president who thinks Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is not responsible for enabling Trumps multiplicity of crimes and excesses? Who isnt bothered by constant GOP attacks on Special Counsel Robert Mueller and the rule of law? Who ignores the fact that Republican National Committee Chair Ronna McDaniel has warned her fellow party members that anyone who does not embrace the @realDonaldTrump agenda of making America great again will be making a mistake? Who pretends 9 out of 10 Republican voters dont approve of Trump? This. Is. The. Republican. Party. To watch a shameless whitewashing of the modern GOP-- This is not the Republican Party-- by the current frontrunner in the Democratic Party presidential primaries is deeply dispiriting. Biden is the wrong candidate for this political moment. The next Democratic president has to be willing to take the fight to the Republicans-- not be bent on doing a deal with them. Getting rid of Trump in 2020 wont get rid of Republicans who traffic in bigotry, screw over the poor, and undermine the rule of law. Remember: It wasnt Trump who began the smear campaign against Rep. Ilhan Omar over her comments about 9/11; it was Republican Rep. Dan Crenshaw. It wasnt Trump who who started the rumor that George Soros was funding the migrant caravan from Central America; it was Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz. It wasnt Trump who conceived of the pro-rich Trump tax cuts, it was the former Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan. It wasnt Trump who turned Attorney General William Barr into the Coverup General-- that title was given to Barr by the late conservative writer William Safire in 1992, as the former was helping President George H.W. Bush bury the Iran-Contra affair. Need I continue? Perhaps Biden should listen not to me, but to his own former boss. It did not start with Donald Trump, declaimed Obama in a scathing speech in Illinois in September 2018, ahead of the midterm elections. He is a symptom, not the cause. Hes just capitalizing on resentments that politicians have been fanning for years. Over the past few decades, added Obama while decrying empty bipartisanship, the politics of division and resentment and paranoia has unfortunately found a home in the Republican Party. Not since 2015 or 2016-- but over the past few decades. That Joe Biden cannot-- or does not want to-- acknowledge this stark reality, and isnt prepared to aggressively confront it on the afternoon of January 20, 2021, makes him singularly unqualified to be the next Democratic president of the United States. The Peugeot logo is seen on a car displayed at the headquarters of French carmaker PSA. Photo by Reuters Vietnam's leading auto firm THACO has opened a plant in central Quang Nam Province to assemble luxury cars, starting with Peugeot. THACO will assemble two multi-purpose vehicles (MPV) under the Peugeot Traveller brand, with parts imported from France, CEO Pham Van Tai said Sunday at the inauguration of the plant. The VND4.5 trillion ($194.3 million) factory, spanning an area of 7.5 hectares, has a capacity of 20,000 cars a year. MPVs are becoming popular in Vietnam for their large interior space, suitable for both family and business use, industry insiders say. Last year, MPV sales rose 24.5 percent over 2017 to over 20,300 units, according to the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers Association. THACO is a major assembler of foreign brand vehicles including Peugeot, Kia and Mazda. Its chairman Tran Ba Duong had said in December that the company plans to assemble BMW cars, without giving further details. The company is the sole authorized distributor of BMW in Vietnam. It currently runs two BMW showrooms in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. THACO proposed recently that the special consumption tax on car parts produced in the country be removed so as to strengthen the local supporting industry and reduce the prices of made-in-Vietnam cars. Vietnams supporting industry for car manufacturing remains weak compared to other countries in the region. There are only 358 such businesses in the auto industry in Vietnam compared to 2,500 in Thailand, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade. The ministry has also said that Vietnam imports over 90 percent of its auto parts. Youth with mental disorders work at a unique Hanoi restaurant, sparking hope they can stand on their own feet. "Teacher, I want to draw something special." "What do you want to draw?" "Here," says Ha, adding, "This is my gift to you." Ha, a 14 year old girl with Down syndrome, has just drawn Nguyen Thi Le Thuy, her teacher. Thuy is not Has formal teacher, and they are not in a drawing class. Ha works at the Ong Mat (Honey Bee) restaurant. Her drawing is one of many activities that she participates in after she finishes her work every day. At first glance, Ong Mat looks no different from other restaurants that serve lunch to office workers. Nothing on its menu or its decoration stands out. But once a customer steps in, the difference is obvious. All the waiters and waitresses are teenagers with various kinds of disorders, including autism and Down syndrome. The restaurant, which opened at 20, Alley 165 of Xa Dan Street in Dong Da District in January this year, is the initiative of Thuy, mother of an autistic child. Nguyen Thi Le Thuy prepares vegetables with some of the special staff at Ong Mat restaurant. Photo by VnExpress/Le Minh With a desire to "love, accompany and give hope" for their special children, Thuy and 11 other parents established the restaurant in coordination with the Hanoi-based Support for Families and Children with mental Disabilities (SFCmD). The restaurant is a safe, secure place for the special needs children and youth to learn both work skills and life skills, hopefully enabling them to stand on their own feet, someday. The name Ong Mat, literally meaning "honey bee," was chosen to stress the fact that "to get where they are now, all the kids here have been working really hard like a bee that makes honey," Thuy said. Not working hard is not an option for the adults and the kids at the restaurant. While it would only take a few days in order to teach a normal child basic kitchen skills, the children and their parents at Ong Mat, go on a difficult journey to get there. There have been days when the kids totally forgot everything they had learned and had to start everything all over again. Over three months of innumerable ups and downs, most of the "bees" at Ong Mat have gone from not knowing how to hold a knife properly to mastering cooking skills at a certain level. They have learnt to process raw materials, wash dishes, serve customers and even cook as a chef. To encourage the kids, the parents would give them gifts and award stars every time they showed an improvement. Thuy said Ong Mat was a dream she had been nurturing for almost a decade to help people like her son. From her own experience, she understood the pains of children with mental disorders as well as the sufferings of their parents. Most of the time, the children are isolated from the outside world. Like all such parents, Thuy worried about what would happen her child grew up. How would they survive? How will they integrate with society? Ong Mat is an effort to find an answer to such questions. "I really hope that this project will work out and that the kids will have a job, a place where they can really work and take care of themselves when they grow up." "When we, parents of these kids, can no longer be by their side, whos going help them?" Small steps For the "bees," a working day at Ong Mat starts at 8:30 a.m. and lasts until customers have finished their lunch. Each bee is guided to do the job that suits his or her ability. Thuy and others in charge constantly try to create a work environment wherein the children can communicate with each other. After the working session, the kids play games, learn to draw, do math and read. "Ever since my daughter joined Ong Mat, I have seen positive changes. She is now braver, more responsible and enthusiastic," said Nguyen Thi Duong, Has mother. Two employees of Ong Mat peel potatoes and carrots. Photo by VnExpress/Le Minh Adults learn, too Thuy said she used to be a hot tempered person, but thanks to her son, Diu Dang, she has learned how to stay patient and calm. Diu Dang would easily forget how to peel and cut vegetables if he was away from the restaurant for a few days. Each time it happened, Thuy would train him again from scratch. With some of the children not even knowing how to ask for what they want or to tell others if they are hurt or tired, the adults have to strain hard to understand them. Therefore, Ong Mat has no place for yelling or scorning anyone. At Ong Mat, the parents have to work nonstop, repeatedly telling the kids what they have to do, and showing them how to do it the right way. Slowly but surely, the kids are developing a sense of belonging at Ong Mat. Thuy said that whenever one of them is naughty or makes too many mistakes, she only needs to tell them: "You dont have to come to Ong Mat anymore," and they would be so scared that they would try to fix their mistakes immediately. For every smile, nod and sentence that the staff gives to customers, Thuy and other parents cannot say how many times they have had to tell themselves to be calm and patient. Customers to Ong Mat also need to show some patience, and not expect fast, smooth service from the children for whom the most normal thing is a big struggle. A parent teaches the children at Ong Mat to use cash. Photo coutersy of Ong Mat Its working But all efforts have started to pay off. Three months on, Ong Mat has now built a circle of loyal customers, and every day, new customers are finding the place. "This is the first time I've come to Ong Mat. I learned about this place through the social media so Ive brought some friends here." "The food is good enough and I feel quite comfortable communicating with the kids here. I think they have tried really hard to be able to do what theyre doing now," said Nhu, 23, an office worker. "Ha rarely said a word during the first month she was here but now she is really energetic. Dat could not hold a knife but now he does that just perfectly. Minh could not do anything in the beginning but now, he could almost covers every job and is the one that has truly improved the most," said Thuy, unable to hold back her emotions. Encouraged, Thuy and other parents are now teaching their children how to use cash so that they can collect payment from customers, return change and one day in the near future, go the supermarket on their own. 65 years ago, the Battle of Dien Bien Phu was decisively won by Vietnamese forces, forcing the French out of Indochina. Approximately 150 documents, photos and artifacts relating to the 1954 battle, from both Vietnam and France, are on display at an exhibition in the Museum of Dien Bien Phu Victory in the eponymous northern town. The exhibition will remain open until May 10. President Ho Chi Minh discusses strategy for the Battle of Dien Bien Phu in December 1953. General Vo Nguyen Giap (2nd, R) and other commanding officers discuss Dien Bien Phu plans in 1954. Vietnamese troops march towards the northwestern battlefield in 1954. Two-ton cannons are pulled through tough terrain to the battlefield. Soldiers share a moment of merriment in a trench. Medics tend to injured soldiers. A unit joins the battle to gain control of the Muong Thanh Bridge, carrying a flag. Vietnamese troops capture a French tank. A soldier waves a Vietnamese flag on top of General Christian de Castries's bunker on May 7, 1954, signalling the Viet Minh's victory. General de Castries and his officers are captured. Muong Thanh after the battle. The Battle of Dien Bien Phu was one of the most major confrontations in the First Indochina War, fought between the Viet Minh Communist Revolutionaries and the French Union's French Far East Expeditionary Corps. Lasting from March 13 to May 7, 1954, the battle was decisively won by the Vietnamese side, effectively terminating the French presence in Indochina and the signing of the Geneva Accords. Archival photos obtained by VnExpress An ensemble of Catholic churches of northern Vietnam is truly unique heritage, on a global scale. Martin Rama, World Bank advisor Your Excellencies, Father Vu Dinh Hieu, Bishop of Bui Chu Diocese and Father Vu Van Thien, Archbishop of Hanoi: I am taking the liberty of writing to you despite being neither Vietnamese nor Catholic. I am from Uruguay, a small country half the way around the globe. But for many years I lived in Hanoi and I truly love Vietnam and its people. Also, like many Uruguayans I am an atheist. But I sincerely believe that religious faith, of all sorts, has given us the strong values and the deep sensitivity that connect us all as human beings. Today I am writing to you in the name of those strong values and deep sensitivity. And I am writing to you with a plea, as I believe that you are the only people who can avoid a sad outcome for Vietnam, for the Catholic Church, and for the entire world. The magnificent Bui Chu Cathedral, under your jurisdiction, is scheduled to be torn down in barely two weeks. The destruction of such an extraordinary building comes after the demolition of Tra Co Church in the southern Dong Nai Province in March 2017, and the loss of Nam Dinh's Trung Lao Church to a big fire in August of the same year. Other churches under your jurisdiction, including the Saint Peter Parish Church, are also scheduled for demolition. I very well understand the reasons to replace these old buildings. Renovating them would be very expensive. Given their old age and bad state of disrepair, there is a risk that beams or plaster could fall from the ceiling and hurt, even kill, innocent villagers attending mass. There is no available land nearby to erect new ones. Besides, few of these churches is in the Heritage List of Vietnam, and therefore the Catholic Church is legally entitled to get rid of them. All of this is absolutely true, but I am afraid that history will not be kind with this decision. Vietnam is not a rich country yet, and understandably its people put convenience before heritage. Nobody can criticize them for that. But I have no doubt that Vietnam will prosper. New generations will travel abroad, enjoy European cities, be exposed to global ideas... And sooner or later they will look back, remember the beautiful country they grew up in, and ask who was responsible for the loss of its character. Invoking the same strong values and the deep sensitivity the Catholic Church incarnates, they may question the decisions of their forebearers, with sadness. Inside Bui Chu Cathedral in Nam Dinh Province, northern Vietnam. Photo by VnExpress/Nguyen Van Hoc Even today, in the aftermath of the tragic fire at the Notre Dame cathedral in Paris, the demolition of Bui Chu cathedral could be met with disbelief, even anger. For many hours, the entire world watched the French people agonize over the possible loss of a beloved monument, a witness of their countrys history and a magnificent piece of architecture. The fire at Notre Dame was a tragedy, but the popular reaction to it was deeply moving. And the emotion voiced around the world was reassuring about our collective attachment to cultural heritage, regardless of religious faith. I am afraid that the demolition of Bui Chu Cathedral will also be watched by the world with anguish. Except that this time the loss will not be a tragic accident, but rather a deliberate act of destruction. The Vietnamese people still remember with anger the demolition of the One-pillar Pagoda by insensitive colonizers. It would be sad if the Catholic Church of Vietnam was remembered that way by future generations, in relation to the magnificent churches of the countrys north. There is an alternative, however. A very good one. And through this letter I would like to respectfully ask you to consider it. Maybe none of the Catholic Churches of northern Vietnam, on their own, qualify as world heritage. But together, they are an ensemble that is truly unique, on a global scale. These beautiful buildings combine French architecture from the Beaux Arts period with clearly Vietnamese touches, including wooden pillars and stucco decorations reminiscent of traditional pagodas. These churches could be part of a very successful tourist circuit, bringing jobs and income to the local populations, as well as the resources needed for their maintenance and renovation. Even more important, Vietnam is successfully emerging from a long history of conflict. Invasion by a powerful neighbor, colonization by a foreign power, war on an unprecedent scale and, worst of all, tension between Vietnamese people with different beliefs... The Catholic Church can play an important role in healing these wounds. Christians are a minority in Vietnam, but they could be seen as leaders in protecting the cultural heritage of the country. In doing so, they would earn sympathy and support from people of all faiths. Just 10 days ago the government of Vietnam made a very important gesture towards the Catholic Church. During the Holy Week the authorities of Ho Chi Minh City notified the Archbishop of Southern Vietnam that the Thu Thiem Church would be saved from demolition and preserved as a historical and cultural relic. There was applause in the church when the news was announced, at the end of the mass. The Vietnamese government was enlightened in its decision, and we all feel grateful for it. My respectful question to you, dear Fathers, is whether the Catholic Church of Vietnam wants to be on the side of demolition after such an encouraging gesture from the authorities. Saving Bui Chu Cathedral would send a powerful encouragement to the custodians of Catholic buildings in other provinces. I am not Vietnamese, I am not a Catholic, but I want to offer my full support to you if you decide to protect the magnificent heritage under your purview. I am determined to spend time in Vietnam and to devote my energy to sustainable urban development in Hanoi and its surroundings. If you agree, I will be delighted to work with you, with the priests and with the local populations, to make the old French churches of the north shine as a treasure of Vietnam. Yours respectfully, *Martin Rama is a senior advisor with the World Bank and a project director with the Vietnamese Academy of Social Sciences. He is the author of the award-winning book Hanoi Promenade. The views expressed are his own. People wait to apply for South Korean visas outside the South Korean embassy office in Hanoi April 9, 2019. Photo by VnExpress/Giang Huy South Korea will temporarily stop receiving Vietnamese workers from 40 districts in 10 provinces this year. The step has been taken as a response to the high percentage of illegal workers from these places, said Tong Hai Nam, head of the Department of Overseas Labor. Local reports on Monday said the 40 districts were selected from out of 100 districts that had the record of having more than 30 percent of their overseas workers in South Korea staying on illegally after their contracts expired. The 10 provinces are the northern Hai Duong, Nam Dinh, Thai Binh, Bac Ninh, Bac Giang and Hung Yen, and the central Nghe An, Thanh Hoa, Ha Tinh and Quang Binh. The labor ban would continue in 2020 if the percentage and number of illegal workers in South Korea is not reduced. Last month, surging demand for South Korean visas in Vietnam prompted the embassy to open two visa offices in Hanoi and HCMC. The visa application rush followed rumors that the current visa policy could change any time. Last year, South Korea granted C-3 visas to Vietnamese citizens from the three biggest cities of Hanoi, HCMC and Da Nang. Those who do not have a permanent residence in the three major cities are required to show temporary residence papers. These visas allow holders to stay in South Korea for up to 30 days, with no restrictions on number of visits for five years. South Korea is one of the largest labor export markets for Vietnam. There were over 45,398 Vietnamese migrant workers in South Korea by the end of June 2018, the majority of them registered under the Employment Permit System, according to official labor reports. A legendary journalists account of his meeting with President Ho Chi Minh about the battle that ended French colonialism. from Wilfred Burchett, North of the 17th Parallel, 1955 A sun-helmet lay on the bamboo table of a thatch-roofed hut deep in the jungle of Northern Vietnam. It was late afternoon in mid-March 1954, and somewhere overhead an aeroplane was buzzing about. It had no chance of sighting the dozen or so bamboo and thatch huts that made up the little village. Much of the jungle had been cleared away but the smooth pillars of giant iron-woods and other jungle denizens supported a thick canopy of inter-woven broad-leaved creepers, nature's most perfect camouflage net flung over the village. A helicopter could hover a few meters over the top of that green canopy for an hour and see nothing that it covered. It was not the jungle however but the image of the sun-helmet that was to remain in my mind for many weeks that followed. My road to this jungle village had led almost directly from Panmunjom in Korea with a day or two's halt in Peking to change clothes for the difference in temperature between snow-bound Panmunjom and the tropical jungles of the Viet Bac, or North Vietnam. What a contrast between the bare hills and treeless roads of Korea and the generous, luxuriant verdure of the Vietnamese jungle! But in both countries nature had been turned to good account by those who defended their country's soil. In Korea the resistance was based underground in the most literal meaning of the term in the thousands of kilometers of underground tunnels, bored into the bare hills. In Vietnam, it was based in the deep, green jungle. The underground tunnels and jungle robbed the enemy of much of the advantages of superior technique, unlimited air and naval power. During my voyage to the Viet Bac, the radio had been full of news about a place called Dien Bien Phu. According to the stern radio reports, the French had built up a big base there and had started offensive operations to "clean up the Viet Minh" from the whole of Northwest Vietnam and encircle them in a giant pincers movement which would extend from Dien Bien Phu to the Red River Delta. And this is where the sun-helmet comes into the story. For it belonged to President Ho Chi Minh and alongside the helmet was the president himself. A photo of President Ho Chi Minh that journalist Wilfred Burchett always kept with him. With the minute attention to detail that I found later was so characteristic of this great leader of the Vietnamese people, he had called shortly after my arrival with another journalist, to assure himself that we had survived the rigours of the journey and were in good health. It was difficult to believe that within a few hours of arrival we should be sitting opposite this legendary revolutionary leader. But there he was, the unmistakably kindly face, the twinkling depthless black eyes, the thin straggling beard, the face we had known from photographs and portraits for years past. He had appeared out of the jungle shadows unannounced, a windbreaker jacket thrown cape-like across his shoulders, walking briskly with a long bamboo stick, sun-helmet worn high over his broad brow. After he had put us completely at our ease in his fluent French and English and had addressed a few words in Italian to my Italian colleague we asked President Ho why the radio was making such a noise about Dien Bien Phu. What in fact was going on there? "This is Dien Bien Phu," he said and tipped his sun-helmet upside down on the table. "Here are mountains," and his slim, strong fingers traced the outside rim of the helmet, "and that's where we are too." "Down here," and his fist plunged to the bottom of the helmet, "is the valley of Dien Bien Phu. There are the French. They can't get out. It may take a long time, but they can't get out," he repeated. That was the battle of Dien Bien Phu in a sun helmet. It was the picture which remained before my eyes for the weeks that followed, listening to the radio on the long train ride back to Peking, all the way across the Trans-Siberian railway to Moscow and during that first week at the Geneva Conference when the ebb and flow of battle was dramatized by western news agencies with their highly colored and distorted accounts of French victories and break-outs. In the bowl of President Ho's sun helmet were the best troops the French High Command could muster in lndo-China, gradually to be built up to over 16,000, two-thirds of all the specially trained mobile forces in North Vietnam and by the end of the battle all their trained and many untrained parachute troops. A few minutes after President Ho had so succinctly presented the Dien Bien Phu picture, the sun helmet was brought into play again when in a few words and with a few brief gestures, he related how guerilla fighters in coordination with the Dien Bien Phu action had penetrated into the French air base of Gia Lam at Hanoi and Cat Bi at Hai Phong to destroy a total of 78 planes on the ground 60 of them at Cat Bi. "Cat Bi is a heavily guarded peninsula," explained President Ho and again the sun helmet was upside down, its oval rim the 20 kilometers long perimeter of Cat Bi with the sensitive brown fingers tracing the series of barbed wire fences which surrounded the field, pausing to stab into place artillery and anti-aircraft positions, machine-gun nests, searchlights and all the other obstacles the guerilla fighters had to overcome to carry out their extraordinary exploit. One had the feeling from his intimate knowledge of the defenses of the aerodrome that the president himself had something to do with mapping out the attack. But he had not come to discuss military affairs with us. After assuring himself that we were comfortably installed and had really survived the journey in good shape, he threw his wind-breaker over his shoulders again, put on his sun helmet and with his bamboo stick and a single soldier for protection, moved off into the deepening jungle shadows. As he left, he turned and said, "You can tell the comrades over there," waving in the general direction of Europe with his stick, "that I am in good health. I can still walk 40 kilometers a day as long as there's not too much of this..." and he waved his stick up and down to indicate the high mountains which surrounded us. With a final wave, he was swallowed up by the jungle. The first impression of this meeting with the leader of the Vietnam people was the complete informality, the warmth and simplicity of it all. President Ho or Uncle Ho as he is to millions of people throughout lndo-China had the ability to make one feel at ease from the first moment and to present the most complex questions in a few clear words and gestures. In subsequent meetings with this great personality it is just those qualities of warmth, simplicity and the clarity of expression which only comes with exceptional intelligence and complete grasp of the subject which made the deepest impression. Everyone who is received by President Ho comments on these characteristics, and above all their feeling of being immediately "at home" with him. A photograph of an article written on the historic Dien Bien Phu battle by Wilfred Burchett. Editor's note: Vietnam marks the 65th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu battle on Tuesday. Spellings used in the original article have been retained. U.S. Navy Capt. Randy Van Rossum, Pacific Partnership 2019 mission commander, addresses attendees during the Pacific Partnership 2019 closing ceremony in Malaysia, April 11, 2019. Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Nicholas Burgains Vietnam is among the hosts this year of the Pacific Partnership, a humanitarian and disaster response-preparation program in the Indo-Pacific. An opening ceremony for the program was held on Monday in Tuy Hoa coastal town in the south central Phu Yen Province and attended by diplomats from the U.S. and other program partner nations. The program is run by the U.S. navy in partnership with a number of other Pacific Ocean countries. U.S. and Vietnamese troops and volunteers are scheduled to take part in a series of events including first-aid and preventive medicine exchanges, healthcare symposiums, engineering projects, disaster response seminars, and community outreach engagements with the goal of improving humanitarian assistance and disaster preparedness in the Indo-Pacific. "Through Pacific Partnership and other efforts, the U.S. aims to support Vietnams goals and objectives while building interoperability with our regional partners and allies to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific region," the American consul general in HCMC, Mary Tarnowka, said. "As an Indo-Pacific country, the United States envisions a regional order where all nations large and small are strong, independent, and free from coercion." Pacific Partnership began as a response to one of the worlds most catastrophic natural disasters, the December 2004 tsunami that devastated parts of South and Southeast Asia. The mission has evolved over the years from emphasis on direct care to enhancing partnerships through host nation subject matter expert and civil-military exchanges. The other partner nations are Australia, Canada, Japan, Malaysia, Peru, the Philippines, South Korea, Thailand, and the U.K. This year the program has been to the Marshall Islands, the Philippines, Micronesia, Malaysia, and Timor-Leste, and will conclude in Thailand. Vietnamese workers join a protest for direct hiring and elimination of brokers in Taipei, Taiwan, on January 7, 2018. Photo by Andy Ip Vietnamese workers in Taiwan are calling for direct hiring instead of having to go through brokers, Taiwan's Central News Agency reported Sunday. More than 20 workers gathered in front of the Vietnam Economic and Cultural Office (VECO) Sunday to call for a direct hiring scheme to replace the current brokerage system. One worker said the required brokerage fees to go to Taiwan for work is $4,000, and could be higher in some cases. The workers wanted brokerage fees to be lowered in the future and laws to regulate "unscrupulous manpower agencies." Besides the brokerage fees, which are several times their monthly income, Vietnamese workers in Taiwan also have to pay for passports, medical checkups and deposits to ensure they will not run away from employers, said Chuang Shu-ching, a social worker at the Vietnamese Migrant Workers and Immigrants Office. Taiwan has become a sought after destination for Vietnamese seeking jobs overseas ever since it lifted a 10-year ban on certain categories of Vietnamese workers in 2015. Vietnamese workers in the territory can earn $700 - $800 a month, three or four times the typical remuneration in Vietnam. Last year, 65,000 Vietnamese workers were sent to Taiwan, accounting for nearly half of Vietnam's overseas workforce. The Chinese navy asked the US vessels to leave after they entered waters adjacent to the Spratly Islands, according to the foreign ministry. Photo by AFP/Ted Aljibe China said two U.S. warships sailed near disputed islands in the South China Sea without permission on Monday in the latest U.S. challenge to Beijing's territorial claims in the region. The Chinese navy asked the U.S. vessels to leave after they entered waters adjacent to Gaven and Chigua reefs in the Spratly Islands, which Beijing calls Nansha, the foreign ministry said. The move comes on top of trade tensions as President Donald Trump said Sunday he would raise tariffs on $200 billion in Chinese goods on Friday because talks were moving "too slowly." "The relevant actions of the U.S. warships violated China's sovereignty and undermined peace, security and good order in the relevant sea areas," ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said at a press briefing. "The Chinese side expresses strong dissatisfaction and resolute opposition" to the operation, Geng added, noting that the ships had entered "without permission." The U.S. Navy regularly conducts "freedom of navigation operations" to challenge Beijing's vast claims in the sea. The People's Liberation Army identified the two U.S. ships as the USS Preble and the USS Chung-Hoon, both guided-missile destroyers. Air and sea forces were deployed to identify and ask the ships to leave, a spokesman for the PLA's Southern Theatre Command said on China's Twitter-like Weibo platform. "The (Southern) Theatre troops will maintain a high degree of alert and take all necessary measures to resolutely defend the sovereignty of the country and resolutely safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea," said the spokesman, Li Huamin. Beijing has built artificial islands and military installations in the sea, including on the Spratlys. China claims nearly all of the sea, though Taiwan, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia all claim parts of it. The Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Indonesia and Taiwan have competing claims in the region. Vietnam, which calls the waters the East Sea, has repeatedly asserted its sovereignty over the waters. "China has indisputable sovereignty over the South China Sea islands and its adjacent waters. No matter how provocative foreign warships are, this fact cannot be changed," Li said. Geng said the situation in the sea was "constantly stabilising" due to the "joint efforts" of Beijing and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. "Under such circumstances, China urges the U.S. to stop such provocative acts, to respect China's sovereignty and security interests, and respect the efforts of regional countries to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea," he said. "At the same time, China will continue to take all necessary measures to safeguard national sovereignty and safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea." Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex leave after the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey, on Commonwealth Day, in London, BritainMarch 11, 2019. Photo by Reuters/Toby Melville Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex and wife of Britains Prince Harry, gave birth to a boy on Monday, the seventh-in-line to the throne. The baby has been described by his proud father as "absolutely to die for." The baby, who has not yet been named, was born in the early hours of the morning weighing 7 lbs 3oz (3.26 kg). Meghan, a U.S.-born former actress, and the baby, the couple's first child, were both healthy and well, the palace said. "How any woman does what they do is beyond comprehension but we're both absolutely thrilled and so grateful to all the love and support from everybody out there," a smiling Harry told reporters in Windsor, west of London where the couple live. "It was amazing, absolutely incredible. As I say, I am so incredibly proud of my wife and, as every father and parent would ever say your baby is absolutely amazing, this little thing is absolutely to die for." Harry, Queen Elizabeth's grandson, was present for the birth and Doria Ragland, Meghan's mother, was with the couple at their home, Frogmore Cottage, on the estate of Windsor Castle where they married in a lavish ceremony in May last year. The baby is the eighth great grandchild of the 93-year-old queen, the world's longest-reigning monarch, and could be entitled to hold joint British and American citizenship according to nationality rules. However, the child will not automatically be a prince or a princess and any such title would have to be bestowed by the queen by issuing what is known as a letter patent. The queen and other members of the royal family, including the sister and brother of Harry's late mother, Princess Diana, were delighted by the news of the birth, the palace said. Britain's royal family attracts huge media interest but the younger members, especially Harry, 34, and Meghan, 37, are treated like Hollywood superstars. Their baby is the first mixed race baby born into a senior position in British royalty, according to royal experts. For some this is a significant moment for the monarchy. Others note however that Meghan, whose mother is African-American and father is white, has been the target of racist commentary on social media. "It's symbolic of a more modern monarchy. It appeals to people across the world," royal biographer Claudia Joseph told Reuters. "They will be able to identify with the royal family as never before." Harry and Meghan used their official Instagram account to announce the birth, in modern fashion. But in accordance with a tradition dating back at least to 1837 when Buckingham Palace became the sovereigns official residence, some hours later a notice announcing the birth was posted on a ceremonial easel on the forecourt of Buckingham Palace. The palace did not confirm whether Meghan gave birth at home. While the late Princess Diana gave birth to Harry and his older brother William in hospital, the queen's four children were all born at Buckingham Palace. James, Alexander, Albert, Philip, and Arthur are among the favourite names for the child, according to bookmakers. "We're still thinking about names," Harry said. "The baby's a little bit overdue so we've had a little bit of time to think about it ... that's the next bit." Meghan's father Thomas Markle, a former lighting director for U.S. TV soaps and sitcoms, said he was delighted at the news. "I am proud that my new grandson is born into the British royal family and I am sure that he will grow up to serve the crown and the people of Britain with grace, dignity, and honour," he said in a statement to the Sun newspaper. 'Tops the wedding' Unlike Prince William and his wife Kate, who posed for massed photographers outside a London hospital just hours after their three children were born, Harry andMeghan are expected to take part in only a limited photo call in the grounds of Windsor Castle in the next couple of days. Harry has held a special place in the hearts of many Britons since millions around the world watched him, aged just 12, walk slowly behind his mother's coffin as the funeral cortege made its way through the packed streets of London after Diana's death in a Paris car crash in 1997. In his youth, he found himself in the headlines for under-age drinking, wearing a Nazi outfit to a costume party and scuffling with photographers outside London nightclubs. But after a successful stint in the army, where he served two tours of duty in Afghanistan, his relaxed style and playful antics when on official engagements have seen him become one of the most popular members of the royal family. "It means an awful lot to me. This tops the wedding," said royal fan John Loughrey, 64, from London, who said he had been sleeping out in Windsor for the last three days. "They've brought a royal baby into the world, we're all excited." Harry's marriage to Meghan, a divorcee hailing from Los Angeles who starred in the U.S. TV legal drama "Suits", has only increased global interest, bringing in a new army of royal fans. "For Anglo-American relationships it's going to be very important because suddenly there's a child in the House of Windsor that is half-American," said Ingrid Seward, editor of Majesty Magazine. "This is their entry into the royal family." While Harry has gained plaudits for talking about his struggle with mental health issues, Meghan, has been vocal on feminist causes. "I'd seen this documentary on Netflix about feminism and one of the things they said during pregnancy was 'I feel the embryonic kicking of feminism'," she said during an engagement in March. "I love that. So boy or girl or whatever it is, we hope that that's the case, with our little bump." Their baby will be brought up in the couple's newly-refurbished home in Windsor, where they only recently moved. They have also set up their own office, breaking away from the joint operation they shared with Prince William and Kate. Britain's media has been rife with speculation about a rift between the brothers and their wives, although there has been no public indication of any disagreements. However, some British newspapers have reported that Harry and Meghan might move abroad, most likely to Africa, after the birth as they seek to forge their own royal role. Ex Goldman Sachs banker and his lawyer Marc Agnifilo leave the federal court in New York, the U.S. May 6, 2019. Photo by Reuters/Jeenah Moon Malaysia has extradited a former Goldman Sachs banker to the United States to face criminal charges linked to a multibillion-dollar scandal at state fund 1MDB. Malaysian Roger Ng has been detained in Kuala Lumpur since November 1, shortly after the U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) announced charges against him for allegedly laundering funds diverted from the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) fund. He left Goldman Sachs in 2014. Ng had agreed to be sent to the United States, but the proceedings were delayed after Malaysia's home minister said he should first face criminal charges in theSoutheast Asian nation. Malaysian and U.S. authorities, however, agreed last week to extradite Ng to the United States, The Edge financial daily reported on Monday, citing an unidentified source. "I can confirm that he left last Friday and is now in the U.S. under the watch of the DoJ," the daily quoted the source as saying. The attorney general's office did not immediately respond to a Reuters' request for comment. Ng's lawyer was unavailable for comment. A prosecutor working on Ng's case, who asked not to be identified as he was not authorised to speak on the matter, said the attorney general would release a statement on Ng's status soon. Goldman Sachs is under scrutiny for its role as underwriter and arranger of three bond sales that raised $6.5 billion for 1MDB. The DoJ has estimated that a total of $4.5 billion was misappropriated by high-level 1MDB fund officials and their associates between 2009 and 2014, including some of the funds that Goldman Sachs helped to raise. Goldman Sachs has consistently denied wrongdoing and said certain members of the former Malaysian government and 1MDB lied to it about how the bond proceeds would be used. Ng was charged in Kuala Lumpur with four counts of abetting the bank to provide misleading statements in the offering prospectus for 1MDB bond sales. He was also charged in the United States for conspiring to launder 1MDB money and violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, a U.S. law targeting official bribery abroad. Tim Leissner, another former Goldman Sachs official, and Malaysian financier Low Taek Jho have also been charged in the United States over 1MDB funds. Leissner has pleaded guilty. Malaysia has said it was seeking up to $7.5 billion in reparations from Goldman over its dealings with 1MDB, set up in 2009 by then-prime minister Najib Razak. Najib, who lost a general election last year, is facing 42 criminal charges related to losses at 1MDB and other state entities. He has pleaded not guilty. Permalink Notice Because of changes created by Blogger, older permalinks to my archived posts no longer work. My apologies for that. The year-and-month in the old permalinks are correct, however, so you may be able to find the post you are looking for with some work. Alternatively, e-mail me for the currently functioning permalink. 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. May is National Older Americans Month and to celebrate, Atlanta Gas Light is reminding its customers about the company's Senior Citizen Discount. "Every family deserves reliable energy at a price they can afford," said Bryan Batson, president of Atlanta Gas Light. "For many older Georgians on a fixed income, the Senior Citizen Discount can offer some relief on the Atlanta Gas Light base charge." Customers 65 years of age or older and who have a total annual combined household income of $24,980 or less are eligible for up to a $14 monthly discount on their base charge. Natural gas service must be in the senior customer's name to be eligible. To apply, seniors should complete and mail in the application found on atlantagaslight.com. In addition, Atlanta Gas Light is cautioning seniors about scam tactics. Although there are several, a common tactic involves a customer receiving an unsolicited phone call from an individual who falsely claims to be a company representative. The scammer warns that the company will disconnect the customer's natural gas service if a payment is not made within a short timeframe. Other tactics include scammers duplicating a company's upfront Interactive Voice Response system, so when customers call back phone numbers provided by the scammer, it appears to be legitimate. Some of these scammers also use caller ID spoofing to replicate a company's customer service number. Below are additional tips to help identify and protect against seniors against scammers: Red flags for scam activity The individual becomes angry and tells the customer his or her account is past due, and service will be disconnected if a large payment isn't made - usually within less than an hour. The individual instructs the customer to purchase a pre-paid debit or credit card - widely available at retail stores - then call him or her back to supposedly make a payment to the company. The individual asks the customer for the prepaid card's receipt number and PIN number, which grants instant access to the card's funds. How to protect yourself Whenever a field service representative or one of our contractors visits your home or business, they will provide proper identification. If you have further concerns, please contact customer care at 1-800-427-5463 to confirm that a representative has been scheduled to perform work at your premises. Atlanta Gas Light will never call customers regarding their natural gas bill. While we maintain the pipeline infrastructure, respond to emergencies and read meters every month, we do not bill customers directly. Certified marketers sell natural gas to customers served by Atlanta Gas Light and bill their customers for usage directly. If you want to verify that the call is legitimate, request to have the representative confirm information about your account that only you and your marketer would know, including the date of your last payment, the amount of your last payment and your account number. Any customer who has doubts about the legitimacy of any call from Atlanta Gas Light should call us directly. Any customer who suspects or experiences fraud or feels threatened during contact with an individual posing as a company representative, should contact local authorities, and then the customer care center phone number listed on their bill. For information about natural gas safety, visit .atlantagaslight.com/safety. About Atlanta Gas Light Atlanta Gas Light is one of four natural gas distribution companies of Southern Company Gas, a wholly owned subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO). Atlanta Gas Light provides natural gas delivery service to more than 1.6 million customers in Georgia. In operation since 1856, the company is one of the oldest corporations in the state. For more information, visit atlantagaslight.com. About Southern Company Gas Southern Company Gas is a wholly owned subsidiary of Atlanta-based Southern Company (NYSE:SO), America's premier energy company. Southern Company Gas serves approximately 4.2 million natural gas utility customers through its regulated distribution companies in four states with 685,000 retail customers through its companies that market natural gas and related home services. Other nonutility businesses include investments in interstate pipelines, asset management for natural gas wholesale customers and ownership and operation of natural gas storage facilities. For more information, visit southerncompanygas.com. SOURCE Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) will use aerial drones to inspect transmission lines in the East Central Indiana area beginning today (51) and continuing for about six weeks. The drone inspection of wires and poles is occurring in portions of Adams, Delaware, Grant, Jay and Randolph counties. These inspections help I&M to ensure the safe and reliable operation of the area's transmission system. The aerial drone will follow transmission lines for extended periods of time to capture high-resolution images of I&M equipment for structure and line condition assessments. I&M has contracted with Asymmetric Technologies to manage these aerial inspections. A licensed operator pilots the drone, assisted by a camera operator/inspector on the ground. Inspection teams will follow FAA rules that require the pilot to maintain line of sight to the drone at all times. The inspection team will travel along the rights-of-way to access the transmission lines. Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) is headquartered in Fort Wayne, and its 2,450 employees serve more than 593,900 customers. More than half of its generation is emission-free, including 2,278 MW of nuclear generation in Michigan, 450 MW of purchased wind generation from Indiana, 22 MW of hydro generation in both states and approximately 15 MW of large-scale solar generation in both states. The company's generation portfolio also includes 2,600 MW of coal-fueled generation in Indiana. American Electric Power, based in Columbus, Ohio, is focused on building a smarter energy infrastructure and delivering new technologies and custom energy solutions to our customers. AEP's more than 17,000 employees operate and maintain the nation's largest electricity transmission system and more than 219,000 miles of distribution lines to efficiently deliver safe, reliable power to nearly 5.4 million regulated customers in 11 states. AEP also is one of the nation's largest electricity producers with approximately 32,000 megawatts of diverse generating capacity, including 4,300 megawatts of renewable energy. AEP's family of companies includes utilities AEP Ohio, AEP Texas, Appalachian Power (in Virginia and West Virginia), AEP Appalachian Power (in Tennessee), Indiana Michigan Power, Kentucky Power, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, and Southwestern Electric Power Company (in Arkansas, Louisiana and east Texas). AEP also owns AEP Energy, AEP Energy Partners, AEP OnSite Partners and AEP Renewables, which provide innovative competitive energy solutions nationwide. Nonprofit groups may submit announcements of upcoming events to events@elkodaily.com. Museum passport adventure ELKO Children and their families can pick up their passports at the Western Folklife Center, Northeastern Nevada Museum or the Cowboy Arts and Gear Museum on May 8. Visit all three museums and get your passport stamped. Jam On! ELKO Join a musical jam session at the Western Folklife Centers Pioneer Saloon from 6-8 p.m. May 8 at 501 Railroad St. Facilitated by Southwind, bring your favorite tunes to share, your instruments, your friends and fans. The bar will be open for business. GBC Student Art Show ELKO The Great Basin College student art show runs from May 8-10 in the Leonard Center for Student Life. Local RPEN Chapter meets May 8 ELKO The Elko County Chapter of Representing Public Employees of Nevada will hold their monthly meeting at 12:30 p.m. May 8 at the Terrace Senior Center at 1795 Ruby View Drive. The guest speaker will be Ben Reed to discuss Enhanced 911 and how it works. All active and retired public employees who are in the PERS retirement system are invited to attend. For more information contact President Margaret Marcucci at 775-934-7361 or email mkmarcucci@yahoo.com. An American Forrest live ELKO Come enjoy the musical stylings of An American Forrests new album Oh Bronder, Donder Yonder at 7 p.m. May 9 at the Three Bar Theater in the Western Folklife Center. Whether you want to listen or dance along, its sure to be a great time. Bookmark the website for more information as it becomes available at www.westernfolklife.org/event-calendar or visit An American Forrest at www.americanforrest.com. GBC Ice Cream Social and Bowl Sale ELKO The Great Basin College Ice Cream Social and Bowl Sale takes place from 3-6 p.m. May 10 at the Leonard Center for Student Life. Bowls will cost $6 for a small and $10 for a large. There will also be free drinks. Halleck Bar Party ELKO Northeastern Nevada Museum will be throwing the biggest bash of the year at 6 p.m. May 10. The event includes a silent auction, paella, libations and the traditional shot of Beef Eater Gin to commemorate the accession of the Halleck Bar. The bar was donated by the Glaser Family and Chach Evans. This years theme is The Great Train Robbery in recognition of the sesquicentennial of the founding of Elko County and the driving of the Golden Spike. The best costume gets the grand prize. The Halleck Bar Party is one of the museums most important fundraisers. Members pay a $20 donation and non-members pay $25. Call 738-3418 for more information. Argentum Publishing Party ELKO Contributors, students and community members are invited to attend the 2019 Argentum publishing party. The party will be held from 3-6 p.m. May 10 in the Leonard Center for Student Life. Free copies of this years college publication will be available. Stamp Out Hunger ELKO The National Association of Letter carriers is holding the Stamp Out Hunger food drive May 11. Residents are encouraged to leave a nonperishable donation in a bag by their mailboxes. The food will be delivered to the local food bank. Kountry Kraft Fair & Flea Market ELKO The first annual Elko County Fair Kountry Kraft Fair & Flea Market will be held on May 11 at the Fairgrounds Exhibit Building. Vendor applications are now being accepted for both craft booths and flea market (yard sale items) booths. The fairgrounds will accept applications until May 6 or until full. This event is one of many fundraisers for the fairgrounds improvement fund. For an application, visit the Elko County Fair Facebook page or call Dawn at 934-8414. Southwind at the Pioneer Saloon ELKO Drop by the Western Folklife Centers Pioneer Saloon at 510 Railroad St. and enjoy the lively Americana, Folk and Celtic music of Elkos own Southwind band from 6-8 p.m. May 15. The bar will be open for business and theres always room to dance. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 ELKO The Elko High School Choraliers took first place medals in four categories at the Hollywood Heritage Festival in this spring. About 65 students with 22 parents and chaperones traveled to Calabasas, California during Spring Break March 28 to April 1, and competed in mens and womens choir, concert choir and show choir. The concert choir also received the Adjudicators Award for scoring 95 or higher in their competition. Scoring was based on the national music standards, said director Karen Rogers. Next year, the Choraliers will travel to Hawaii to compete in the Honolulu Heritage Festival and perform at Pearl Harbor on the USS Missouri. We have several fundraisers planned to help the students pay their way for this once in a lifetime trip, Rogers added. The award-winning choirs along with the EHS Chorus, advanced choir and Adobe Middle School Choir will be performing at the spring concert, 6:30 p.m. May 20 at the Elko Convention Center. Admission is free. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 ELKO Mountain View Elementary school was recently congratulated by the American Heart Association for raising the most money in the state for a first-year school participating in the Kids Heart Challenge. Physical education teacher Jeannie Baumann reintroduced the program to the school this year. Mountain View students raised approximately $10,000 for lifesaving heart research, beating larger schools from Clark and Washoe Counties. The students jumped rope and participated in a heart education assembly. Students learned how to jump rope, learned jump rope tricks and competed for most jumps, said Baumann. Funding came from families and friends in the community. This support may have been due to Mountain View having two heart heroes who were born with heart problems. Baumann said she has seen the positive impacts for the school. We see a lot more kids jumping rope on the playground, now. According to the AHA, The Kids Heart Challenge prepares [children] for success through physical and emotional well-being. They learned how to better take care of their hearts to prevent heart disease, Baumann said. They learned that [jumping rope] is hard, and you have to keep working at it to get better. Ultimately, Baumann attributed the schools success to the students. We just have good, kind-hearted kids, she said. The AHA is the largest nonprofit that donates to lifesaving research. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 2 Angry 2 Attorney General Aaron Fords former law firm could earn up to $350 million through a potentially lucrative contract to represent the state in a massive lawsuit against the nations top opioid manufacturers and producers. Fords office released details of the selection process and contract with his former employer, Eglet Prince, on Monday after announcing early in April that the firm had won the contract with the state. Ford, who previously announced that he would recuse himself from selection of an outside law firm, moved in January to obtain permission from state lawmakers for his office to seek outside counsel in the lawsuit, a break from former Attorney General Adam Laxalt, who filed suit against Purdue Pharma in 2018. The contract is based on contingent fees, an arrangement wherein the state will pay nothing up front but will owe a certain percentage of any damages received if the state prevails in the suit. The contract gives the state the ability to terminate the agreement without cause or if the contract potentially jeopardizes federal grant funds. The awarding of the contract marks the end of a nearly two-year effort by Eglet Prince to represent the state in a lawsuit against opioid manufacturers. Robert Eglet, head of the firm, met with Laxalt in June 2017 on the issues but was denied by the former attorney general, who declined to move further after determining the state was instead best positioned to continue participating in a multistate investigation into potential unlawful practices by opioid manufacturers. Laxalts office also warned municipalities, including the city of Reno, that entering into a contract with an outside law firm could unintentionally undermine the states position and ability to receive damages or cash settlements from any future settlement. For his part, Ford was instrumental in passing a last-minute amendment in the 2017 Legislature that removed a cap on fees awardable to outside law firms that contract with the state. Such contingent fee contracts have been criticized by some legal experts and former attorneys general as allowing states to outsource their litigation power to private firms. The contract was kick-started through approval by state lawmakers during a meeting of the Interim Finance Committee in January, available through a declaration of findings signed by Ford and Gov. Steve Sisolak on Jan. 23 saying the state required additional legal resources to pursue the litigation. Nevadas drug overdose mortality rate was 21.6 per 100,000 residents in 2017, and in 2016 the states doctors wrote an average of 81 painkiller prescriptions for every 100 residents. The CDC counted 676 drug-overdose deaths in the state in 2017. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 SPARKS The objection period following the U.S. Forest Services rejection of an oil and gas leasing proposal in the Ruby Mountains has ended, and neither the petitioner nor anyone else is complaining. Forest Supervisor Bill Dunkelberger selected the No Leasing alternative, which makes National Forest System lands within the analysis area unavailable for oil and gas leasing. The final decision was affirmed May 7. After the end of the 45-day objection period, no objections to the No Leasing decision were received, said Dunkelberger. I want to thank everyone who provided feedback and comments during the National Environmental Policy Act process. Based on extensive analyses and public input, I feel that my decision best serves the public. The Forest Service stated that Dunkelbergers decision was the result of detailed analysis and extensive involvement of citizens and communities. The analysis revealed unfavorable geologic conditions in the area, meaning that there is little to no potential of oil and gas resources in the area. Additionally, camping, hunting, fishing, and motorized recreation are popular activities in the proposed lease area and represent part of a $12.5 billion recreation industry in Nevada an industry that supports 87,000 jobs statewide. The forest lands analyzed are approximately 52,533 acres between Lamoille Creek and Sherman Creek in the Ruby Mountains in Elko County. The Ruby Mountains Oil and Gas Leasing Analysis began in 2017 when the USDA Forest Service was informed by the Bureau of Land Management that interest had been received regarding oil and gas leasing in the Ruby Mountains area. The request drew the attention of the Sierra Club and other conservation groups, including a coalition of sportsmen groups. The Sierra Club praised the Forest Service for its decision but said the BLM is set to include parcels directly adjacent to the Ruby Mountains in its July lease sale. Todays final decision not to subject the precious Ruby Mountains to oil and gas destruction makes something very clear: public opinion matters and dirty fuels on our public lands put way too much at risk, the group stated. Thanks to the public outcry from Elko County locals, Native American Nations and conservation groups, the Forest Service recognized the economic, ecological, and recreational benefits of rejecting leases in the Ruby Mountains. The Bureau of Land Management should take note of this process, and withdraw any parcels and all lands immediately adjacent to and surrounding the Ruby Mountains from their upcoming oil and gas lease sale. Houston-based Noble Energy drilled in the foothills near the Ruby Mountains during the fracking boom of 2014-15, but wells were plugged in 2017 as leases on the public land expired. Love 3 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 2 Te-Moak Tribe of Western Shoshone is facing an election June 28 that could change the tribes constitution to expand enrollment, and this upcoming balloting has surprised, angered or confused many in the tribe. The ballot will ask voters whether they want to continue to require that only those with one-quarter Te-Moak Western Shoshone blood be enrolled in the tribe or allow all those in direct lineal descent of enrolled Te-Moak members on the rolls. Its just about who we are and keeping customs and traditions alive, said petitioner Shelly Herrera-White, who said she spent two years in research and on the petition process for an election, including going door-to-door in the Te-Moak colonies. In a fact sheet, she wrote that many current Te-Moak members are one-quarter, so their children and grandchildren could be less than one-quarter blood quantum and not be able to enroll. This election will be done through the mail under the umbrella of the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs. Only those who register to vote for this proposal to amend the constitution can cast ballots. The Te-Moak Tribe includes the Elko, Wells and Battle Mountain bands and the South Fork Reservation. BIA Superintendent Joseph McDade said a total mailout to the 2,300 enrolled Te-Moak tribal members started April 29, including the registration forms that will be checked before the ballots are later mailed. The BIA in Elko will handle the election. McDade said he was aware that people are upset, especially after the BIA held an April 23 public meeting regarding the election, but he said a member of the tribe has the right to petition the BIA to hold a secretarial election to amend the constitution. Election concerns Among those who raised concerns about the upcoming election is a former tribal chairman and Elko Band Council member, Felix Ike of Elko, who said the biggest problem has been the procedure. People are not only surprised, but they are asking what is going on. We are not getting the answers we need. It seems like it has been crammed down our throats. Ike said in a May 6 email he had checked last week with the BIAs regional office regarding the registration packets being mailed out. The BIA reported McDade was of the opinion everything went out April 29. However, the regional office had learned the packets were going out about May 2. In an outline of issues Ike provided, the authors stated that the Te-Moak Tribe of Western Shoshone Indians may be changed forever, if the amendment is approved. They also alleged that the petitioners and BIA officials have colluded to push through the petition quietly and as quickly as possible. The statement on the issues was signed by Ike; Leta Jim, a former member of the Te-Moak and Elko Band councils; and Lyle Yowell, a former BIA law enforcement officer. Ike said a Dec. 17 letter confirming that the BIA received the petition was posted at the BIA office in Elko but no one saw it. That letter stated there was 30 days from Dec. 17 to challenge the petition. McDade said there were no challenges. Ike said the timeframe didnt give people a chance to challenge the petition and procedures. One of those on the three-member election committee, Elwood Mose, said the timeline for the petition process was affected by the government shutdown. The 35-day partial shutdown began Dec. 22, 2018. Mose said he is the tribal representative on the committee and reports to the tribal council, but he has no horse in this race. He said, however, that the petition and election caught people pretty flat-footed. McDade said he received word from the BIA regional office on April 19 that there was approval to hold the election, and should the amendment receive a majority of yes votes, Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt will be required to sign off on the amended document. Jim said she and others had problems obtaining copies of the packet of information. Letter to McDade Merlene Ike and Jim wrote a letter to McDade dated April 24 with copies sent to Bernhardt, the BIA regional office and Nevadas congressional delegation, but they said they hadnt received any responses. McDade also said he hadnt received any inquiry from the delegation. The letter expresses disappointment that the BIA didnt present all the facts concerning the petition and secretarial election process in full to the tribal membership. The letter also provided a link to an audio of the April 23 meeting. Felix Ike, Jim, Yowell and others in a joint phone call said they plan a community meeting for tribal members once they receive the voter packets. Right now, the only avenue to take is to address all the irregularities and challenge the election, Yowell said. Mose said the Te-Moak Tribal Council may discuss the election, and the South Fork council is working on a resolution to oppose the whole thing. Conflict of interest? One concern Felix Ike raised was whether there is a conflict of interest because McDade is an enrolled tribal member and the petitioner is a niece-in-law. Leta Jim also said she thought McDade was in total conflict. McDade disagreed. I dont see what it would be, he said. Theres a political faction out there, and a big change could be coming to them. Herrera-White said she knew there would be conflict-of-interest questions, but she went over McDades head directly to the regional BIA office in Phoenix to find out about the petition process to avoid any conflict. She also said that while her mother, Andrea Woods, is the Wells Band chairwoman, she wasnt when the process started. I followed every procedure. I think it surprised people that a lone petitioner could have that much power. I heard some say they thought it was a joke. Its got the tribe divided, for sure, said Herrera-White, a real estate agent in Las Vegas and an enrolled tribal member. McDade said Herrera-White had the legal right to petition for a secretarial election, and the BIA had no control of the petition process. Its a tribal initiative. Herrera-White said she obtained 186 signatures, which met the criteria to call for an election, but now that she represents the petition on the three-person election committee, she cant tell voters whether to approve the ballot question. I did this all on my own because of my children. I am looking at future generations. Survival of the tribe is what both sides want, rather than to fade away when there are fewer people with one-quarter Te-Moak, she said. I see why people are scared, but it is opening doors to new opportunities. Change could be costly Felix Ike and others also raised concerns that increasing tribal membership under the proposed amendment would be more costly to the tribe because benefits such as housing, land and scholarships would be extended to more people. It would have a huge impact. It could quadruple membership, and we dont have the funds to do it, Felix Ike said. Herrera-Whites niece who helped carry petitions, Tarina Elliott, said federal grants already are often determined by descendancy rather than the one-quarter requirement, and she didnt think housing would be an issue. McDade said the descendancy decision is a tribal one, and BIA would have no way of knowing what, if any, financial implications there may be as a result. Other tribes changing Herrera-White said tribes across the country are making a descendancy change to protect their tribes and culture. In Nevada, she cited the Ely Tribe of Western Shoshone and the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe. Tribes are worried they will breed themselves into extinction over the years without the changes, she said. Elliott, of Las Vegas, said she isnt enrolled in the tribe but was a ward of the Te-Moak Tribe growing up and wants to say to tribal members open your eyes. The tribe is disintegrating. She said there are fewer than 200 registered tribal members under the age of 18. Herrera-White also said that while people are saying they were taken by surprise, she put her proposal for amending the constitution on Facebook, had a booth at the annual powwow and passed out flyers, but people didnt take me seriously. She approached band councils to be on their agenda in late 2017 and in 2018, and she attended the Nov. 8, 2017, Wells Band Council meeting. The Wells council passed a resolution supporting the petition effort, according to a council action notice. The Elko Band Council agreed to allow her on the April 25, 2018, agenda under new business, but South Fork and Battle Mountain didnt reply to her efforts to appear, Herrera-White said. Explaining descendancy Herrera-White said she wanted to explain that lineal descendancy is direct line from parent to child. You cant break the chain, which is stricter than collateral descendancy used by some tribes. Collateral descendancy would mean brothers and sisters and aunts and uncles could be in the lineage. Herrera-White said she has been asked why she didnt petition to change the constitution from one-fourth to one-eighth. She said direct descendancy can close the book, rather than people fighting over descendancy again in future years. Election details McDade, Mose and Herrera-White make up the election committee, which will oversee the ballot count and any challenges. McDade said any challenges to the vote count must be in by July 3. According to the rules, all enrolled members 18 and over who register can vote. The Secretarial Election Board must receive the voter registration forms by U.S. mail by 1 p.m. May 24. Forms are available at the BIA office at 2719 Argent Ave. in Elko if tribal members dont receive them by mail. The completed forms must be mailed to the Argent Avenue address. Challenges to names of registered voters can be sent to McDade at the Argent Avenue address by 1 p.m. May 31, according to the rules. The requirement to get a secretarial election set called for 25 percent of registered tribal voters, and there are fewer than 700 voters. However, there are roughly 2,300 enrolled in the tribe. Mose said the Te-Moak constitution hasnt been changed since 1982, when changes in laws passed by Congress led to the amendments of the 1938 document. Love 4 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 2 President Donald Trump recently promised that America will never be a socialist country. Lets hope! But some of his top officials at the Department of Health and Human Services apparently didnt get the memo. Theyre forging ahead with a plan to impose price controls in Medicare. Many seniors, patient advocacy groups, and health policy experts strongly oppose the proposal, which would deprive American patients of lifesaving medications. President Trump should tell his officials to stand down. HHSs plan affects Medicare Part B, which covers medications that doctors administer in offices or hospitals. Part B currently pays more for those drugs than other developed countries such as the United Kingdom and Canada. Those nations use price controls to cap the cost of prescription drugs. If a pharmaceutical company refuses to accept the government-imposed prices, those countries simply refuse to cover the companys product. Such a step may save the government money, but does it save lives? The HHS plan would index Part B drug reimbursements to the average sales prices paid by over a dozen developed countries. By tying U.S. reimbursements to the price-controlled nations, HHS would effectively be importing socialist price controls here. The result would be that U.S. patients would lose access to many targeted drugs immediately, and in the future to the drugs that were never invented. The average newly approved drug costs about $1.7 billion to develop. And it can take 12 years to make it through the process; only 12 percent of medicines that enter clinical trials make it to market. Drug companies finance these projects because a single breakthrough medicine can deliver a substantial return that enables them to cover all their development costs. If HHSs plan is implemented, drug companies returns will be more limited. What might have been a profitable drug at a market price may not be at a government-controlled price. That means some potentially life-saving drugs will not be invented. Drug makers would have no reason to fund future innovation. This scenario has already played out in Europe. In 1986, Europe outspent the United States on R&D by nearly 25 percent. As European countries continued to implement price controls, funding for medical research migrated to more competitive American markets. Now, more than half of all new drugs invented worldwide are created here in the United States. Price controls would deter lifesaving medical innovation and harm American patients. If the president wants to end socialism and put America first, he should stop his health chief from pursuing this disastrous plan. Merrill Matthews is a resident scholar with the Institute for Policy Innovation in Dallas, Texas. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Dead on arrival. Thats what almost every expert predicts will be the fate of the Trump administrations long-awaited peace plan to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. As the author of the new book, The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: What Everyone Needs to Know, I share this view. Low expectations Developed in secrecy for the past two years by Jared Kushner, President Trumps son-in-law and senior adviser, along with Trumps longtime lawyers Jason Greenblatt and David Friedman (now U.S. ambassador to Israel), the peace plans release has been repeatedly postponed. According to news reports, it will finally be made public sometime next month. Thats after the new Israeli government is formed and the Muslim holy month of Ramadan ends. You might think that a plan cloaked in secrecy, aimed at achieving what President Trump has called the deal of the century to end the long-running conflict between Israel and the Palestinians, would be eagerly anticipated and widely welcomed. But it seems that no one is enthusiastically waiting for this plan or ready to embrace it, least of all Israelis and Palestinians. Even President Trump has kept his distance from the plan and, reportedly, hasnt read it in full. About the only thing the Trump administrations peace plan has going for it is the fact that nobody expects it to succeed. With expectations so low, theres less risk that the likely failure of the plan will trigger another round of Israeli-Palestinian violence. Thats what happened previously when U.S.-led efforts to make peace failed. The Second Intifada, for example, erupted shortly after the failure of the peace talks at Camp David in July 2000. Dim chance of success There are many reasons why Kushners peace plan seems doomed to fail. Some of these are the Trump administrations own making. President Trump recognized Jerusalem as Israels capital in December 2017 with no mention of Palestinian claims to East Jerusalem. Since then, relations between his administration and the Palestinian leadership based in the West Bank have gone from bad to worse. The administration has taken a series of punitive actions against Palestinians. They include ending U.S. funding for the U.N. agency responsible for Palestinian refugees, slashing aid to the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority, closing the PLOs office in Washington, D.C. and even eliminating funding for Israeli-Palestinian coexistence programs. But those actions have not forced the Palestinian leadership to be more compliant and compromising. Instead, the measures stiffened their resistance to American pressure while angering and alienating the Palestinian public, who have suffered as a result of the cutbacks in U.S. aid. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has railed against the Trump administrations pro-Israel bias, and the Palestinian Authority that Abbas heads has refused to meet with or talk to Trump administration officials. Political aspirations vs. money Even if President Abbas were not so hostile to the Trump administration and vice versa, he would never accept the terms of the peace plan that Kushner and company have devised. Although its details remain secret, its broad outlines have gradually emerged. In exchange for a massive infusion of aid and investment financed by wealthy Arab gulf states, the Palestinians would have to accept Israeli settlements deep inside the West Bank, Israels permanent control over the Jordan Valley and a long-term Israeli military presence in the West Bank, where roughly 2.8 million Palestinians live. The Palestinians would also have to abandon their demand for a capital in East Jerusalem and maybe even give up their decades-long quest for sovereign statehood. No Palestinian leader would agree to these terms, which effectively amount to a surrender to long-time Israeli demands, not a peace agreement based on mutual compromise. Palestinians desperately need economic opportunities. But I doubt they will pressure their leadership to capitulate as Kushner apparently hopes they will or forsake their long struggle for national self-determination. And many younger Palestinians, who are less committed to the goal of Palestinian statehood, would prefer to have Israeli citizenship than live in a small, fragmented, autonomous Palestinian entity. Nor will Arab states like Saudi Arabia force the Palestinians to accept such a one-sided deal. Kushners friend, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, might be willing to offer Abbas billions of dollars, but that wont entice Abbas to give up Palestinian political aspirations and territorial demands. Prelude to Israeli annexation While the Palestinians are bound to reject the Trump administrations peace plan, the Israelis are unlikely to fully embrace it, despite its decidedly pro-Israel bent. Prime Minister Netanyahu will certainly be careful not to antagonize President Trump, with whom he has forged a friendship and political alliance. But he will also be careful not to lose the support of his coalition partners on which the survival of his government depends. It seems likely that Netanyahus government will include far-right parties that want Israel to annex the West Bank, in whole or in part. They will object to any plan that cedes West Bank territory to the Palestinians, since they regard it as sacred land that belongs to the Jewish people for eternity. I believe there is a real risk that a new, right-wing Israeli government will seize upon Palestinian rejection of Kushners peace plan to justify annexing Israeli settlements in the West Bank. In a television interview shortly before the recent Israeli election, Netanyahu promised to extend Israeli sovereignty to its settlements in the West Bank. This was undoubtedly a last-minute bid by Netanyahu to convince right-wing Israelis, especially settlers, to vote for his Likud Party. Yet Netanyahu may have no choice but to fulfill this promise if he forms a right-wing government with a slim parliamentary majority. The inevitable failure of Kushners peace plan might give him the perfect opportunity to do this with American acquiescence, if not support. To avoid this danger, and the potentially dire consequences that could follow from Israels annexation of its West Bank settlements, I think it would be better if the Trump administration just kept its peace plan to itself. Releasing the plan will probably do more harm than good. It almost certainly wont bring peace, and it could ultimately lead to a severe deterioration in Israeli-Palestinian relations. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 MERIDIAN, Idaho (AP) Idaho State Police say a passenger in a car died after a wasp flew into the vehicle and it overturned into a creek. Police say a juvenile was driving west on Robie Creek Road in Boise County Saturday evening when a wasp flew into the car. Police say the car veered off the road and ended up partially submerged into Robie Creek. The juvenile passenger died at the scene. Both the driver and the passenger were wearing seatbelts. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Pedro Sanchez and Pablo Casado at their Monday meeting. Samuel Sanchez Spains acting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and opposition leader Pablo Casado of the Popular Party (PP) have agreed to open up a permanent communication channel on the issue of Catalonia, where the independence drive has deeply divided the region. In this new climate of goodwill, Sanchez and Casado spent 90 minutes discussing the need for deals Such an initiative would have been unthinkable just a few weeks ago, and it showcases how the PP has performed a U-turn following its resounding defeat at the general election on April 28, when it won just 66 seats in Congress, down from the 137 it took in 2016. Casado, who until recently had described Sanchez of the Socialist Party (PSOE) as a traitor, a squatter and a stand-in, has now adopted a completely different tone. Until now, the Catalan crisis had created seemingly unbridgeable differences between both men. The last time Sanchez and Casado had met at La Moncloa, on August 2, the latter had walked out with the feeling that he didnt trust Sanchez not to yield to what he described as separatist extortion. And in October, Sanchez officially broke off all talks after Casado called him an accomplice to coup plotters, alluding to the fact that Sanchez had become the prime minister in June after leading a successful no-confidence vote against then-PM Mariano Rajoy, with support from Catalan separatist parties in Congress. On Monday, both men made a commitment to keep discussing the Catalan crisis. Casado said that his party will, in any event, remain very vigilant in case there should be any concessions to the Catalan separatists, either on budget issues or devolved powers. But he did not insist on an immediate reintroduction of the special constitutional powers that suspended Catalonias self-rule for several months following the unilateral independence declaration of October 2017. For months prior to the general election, Casado had campaigned for a renewed application of Article 155 of the Constitution, which introduced central rule in the northeastern region. In this new climate of goodwill, Sanchez and Casado spent an hour and a half discussing the need to reach deals on Catalonia and also on pensions, gender violence, scientific research, environmental measures, defense issues and even the situation of the Venezuelan opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez, who recently took refuge inside the Spanish ambassadors residence in Caracas. Casado said he will remain vigilant in case there are any concessions to Catalan separatists However, the conservative leader said his party will not facilitate Sanchezs reinstatement with an abstention at a potential investiture vote. Instead, Casado suggested that the third-largest force in Congress, Ciudadanos (Citizens), should abstain to make sure that Sanchezs government is not propped up by Catalan separatist parties. Ciudadanos won 57 seats, up from 32 in 2016, and only received 200,000 fewer votes than the PP. But it takes 176 seats for an overall majority, and the PSOEs 123 representatives will need to find additional support to get their candidate back into La Moncloa, the seat of government. On Tuesday, Sanchez will meet with Ciudadanos leader Rivera and with Podemos chief Pablo Iglesias, who is widely expected to support Sanchezs bid for a new term in La Moncloa. But even Podemoss 42 seats are not enough to reach the required figure. Spaniards will be going to the polls again on May 26 to vote in local, regional and European elections. English version by Susana Urra. A reader's opinion on a news feature published by the newspaper or a current event. Addressed to the newspaper's editor and selected and edited by the editorial team Image published on Voxs official Twitter account. Youd have to be pretty ignorant to think that using the character Aragorn from the Lord of the Rings film trilogy to promote the campaign of a xenophobic, far-right party like Vox would be a good idea. Not only is it absurd to link me, the actor who played the role for Peter Jackson, and a person interested in the rich variety of cultures and languages that exist in Spain and the world, to an ultra-nationalist and neo-fascist political party. It is even more ridiculous to use the character Aragorn, a multilingual statesman who advocates for the knowledge and inclusion of the different races, traditions and languages of Middle Earth, to legitimize an anti-immigration, anti-feminist and Islamophobic political party. I would laugh at their ineptitude but Vox has entered Spains Congress with 24 seats; its no joke, and we will have to be alert and proactive, like Aragorn in the Tolkien saga. Let the battle begin! A tweet with the photo of missing student Natalia Sanchez Uribe. @sosdesaparecido (Twitter) More information Spanish student who went missing in Paris found alive The French authorities have opened an investigation in conjunction with the Spanish Civil Guard into the disappearance of a 22-year-old Spanish student who was on an Erasmus study year in Paris. The family and friends of Natalia Sanchez Uribe, who was studying Economy and Business at the Barcelona Autonomous University (UAB), have not heard from her since last Thursday. For the last month, Sanchez Uribe had been expressing her concern to her friends that she was being followed and observed Sources close to the investigation said that she had been in the French capital since September, where she was studying a course at the Sorbonne Economics School. She was due to conclude her studies there in two weeks. According to the UAB, the youngsters rucksack which contained her cellphone and laptop was located today, Tuesday. Friends of hers explained that these personal possessions appeared in a park close to the university. One of these friends, who asked not to be identified, added that for the last month, Sanchez Uribe had been expressing her concern that she was being followed and observed. She had been saying for a month that she felt that someone was following her, but we thought that she was exaggerating, because she has always been fearful, and as such we didnt take much notice of her, her friend said. The QSD Foundation, which works to locate missing people, has put out a request via its Twitter account for help from the public to locate the student, who was seen for the last time on May 1. Since then she has not responded to cellphone calls. Sources said that her roommates reported her disappearance with the French police, and her parents residents of the Balearic Island of Mallorca, but originally from Granada have since traveled to Paris to keep up to date with the investigation. According to QSD Global, the youngster who is 1.62 meters tall, has dark skin, long brown hair and a nose piercing lived in Paul Fort street, in district 14, near the Porte DOrleans Metro station. On the morning of her disappearance, she was helping a Spanish friend move house. After dropping off two suitcases, Sanchez Uribe said she would be back with a third, but never showed up again. Turkey's council for assessing safeguard measures with regard to imports of goods has unanimously decided to finish a probe into imports of Ukrainian metal products without imposing safeguard measures, Ukraine's Economic Development and Trade Ministry reported on Tuesday. "It is reported that the council for assessing safeguard measures with regard to imports of goods unanimously decided to finish investigation without imposing measures due to the fact of absence of growth of imports in absolute figures and due to absence of causing damage or a threat of causing serious damage to local producers over imports of the products," the ministry said. The document comes into force from the moment of publication of the report about it, the ministry said. In 2018, Ukraine exported metal products to Turkey for $59 million. In 2017, prior to the start of the investigation, the exports of these products amounted to $270 million, according to the ministry. As reported, Turkey launched a safeguard investigation against a number of metallurgical products on April 26, 2018, and since October 17 last year for a period of 200 days, Turkey has introduced provisional safeguard measures in the form of a tariff quota. When exceeding the quota, the duty is set at 25%. Incumbent Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko received the highest level of support among older voters in the recent presidential election, he also enjoyed more support of Ukrainians with higher education, while young people, as well as Ukrainians with incomplete secondary education, voted for Volodymyr Zelensky. According to the demographic analysis of Ukraine's National Exit Poll 2019 results presented at a press conference in Kyiv on Monday, Zelensky was the leader in all age groups of voters. In this case, he received the highest support among the youngest voters. The National Exit Poll 2019 was conducted by the Ilko Kucheriv Initiatives Foundation, the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) and the Kyiv-based Oleksandr Razumkov Centre. Of voters under the age of 30, some 80% voted for Zelensky; he also enjoyed support of 73.5% of voters aged 30 to 39, 73% of those aged 40 to 49, 72% aged 50 to 59, and 69.5% of voters over 60. Poroshenko received the most support from older voters. Some 29% of voters over 60 supported him, he enjoyed support of 26.5% of Ukrainians aged 50 to 59 and 25% of those aged 30 to 49. Only 19% of voters between 18 and 29 years old supported him. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has not appeared at the Prosecutor General's Office (PGO) on Tuesday for questioning in the Maidan case, head of the PGO's special investigations department Serhiy Horbatiuk said. "Two weeks ago Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko was invited for questioning as a witness at 10:00 today. Unfortunately, as you see, he has not arrived for questioning. No one was in touch with investigators to inform them he would not be coming or to ask to reschedule questioning," Horbatiuk said, noting that Poroshenko was summoned to the PGO in order for investigators to ask "additional questions about the events of February 18-19 [2014] and December 1 [2013]." Horbatiuk said in November 2016 Poroshenko gave additional evidence that he did not give during the first interrogation. "For two years he did not sign the protocol of the first interrogation ... He was in a hurry and did not sign. He promised that he would sign the next day. We reminded him more than once, but he never appeared. We will continue summoning him," he said. According to Horbatiuk, they cannot make Poroshenko appear for summoning because of presidential status." If he repeatedly fails to appear, we'll go to court to fine [him]. But until he has presidential status, compulsory attendance is not applicable. When [his] presidency expires, we'll apply to the court for compulsory attendance," he added. As reported, Poroshenko was summoned for questioning at 10:00 a.m. on May 7. Horbatiuk said it was supposed to be the second interrogation of Poroshenko as a witness in criminal proceedings concerning crimes committed during the Revolution of Dignity. State Aviation Service allows Windrose to fly from Odesa to Tel Aviv The State Aviation Service of Ukraine has allowed Windrose airline to fly from Odesa to Tel Aviv (Israel), according to a relevant decision posted on the website of the service. The agency allowed Windrose to fly from Odesa to Tel Aviv on a regular basis with a frequency of three times a week and an unlimited right to this route. At the same time, the regulator refused SkyUp and Atlasjet Ukraine flights to the specified direction with a frequency of two flights a week. The State Aviation Service also permitted Air Taurus to carry out air transportation to Zimbabwe. Prosecutor General Yuriy Lutsenko has said Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko is ready to give testimony in cases involving the Revolution of Dignity in 2013-2014 at any time when he does not have planned official events and investigators should arrange a schedule for questioning. "I know the position of the president: he is ready again to appear for questioning as a witness to events which happened on Maidan, in which he participated and which he knows about. If that helps [Chief of the Prosecutor General's Office (PGO) special investigation department Serhiy] Horbatiuk complete the five-year old case, which society has been waiting for, then the president is ready to again answer questions which investigators have," Lutsenko told journalists on Tuesday. "I think, considering his status as head of state, investigators should arrange a questioning schedule. I know the president is ready to be questioned on any day, including today, but when he does not have any official events to attend. This is obvious," Lutsenko said. The prosecutor general said investigators last year questioned Poroshenko at the presidential administration. "Why they did not get him to sign [the protocol of the interrogation] is a mystery to me. Why Horbatiuk remembered this a year later is not a mystery to me, because he has reacted defensively to criticism by the head of state and, using an administrative approach, is trying to 'thank' [Poroshenko] Therefore, it seems to me Horbatiuk in this case is feeding his ego and is not seeking justice. To remember the president forgot to sign a protocol after a year, you will agree, does not look very good," Lutsenko said. As reported, Poroshenko was summoned for questioning at 10:00 a.m. on May 7 but did not appear. Horbatiuk said it was supposed to be the second interrogation of Poroshenko as a witness in criminal proceedings concerning crimes committed during the Revolution of Dignity. "Unfortunately, as you see, the witness did not appear. No one contacted the investigators or informed them that he would not appear or asked to reschedule the interrogation," Horbatiuk told journalists in Kyiv on Tuesday. Horbatiuk said in November 2016 Poroshenko had given additional evidence that he had not given during the first interrogation. "For two years he did not sign the protocol of the first interrogation ... He was in a hurry and did not sign. He promised that he would sign the following day. We reminded him more than once, but he never appeared. We will continue summoning him," he said. Poroshenko on the morning of May 7 took part in a ceremony at which judges were sworn in to Ukraine's Supreme Court. Russia will broaden the range of foreigners qualifying for permanent residence without obtaining a temporary residence permit first, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said at a government meeting on Tuesday. "We are broadening the range of persons qualifying for permanent residence without obtaining a temporary residence permit. These are people who were born in the territory of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic and were Soviet citizens, as well as those who were deported from the Crimean Autonomous Union Republic, and their direct descendants," Medvedev said. Children born in Russia and adopted by foreign citizens will also qualify for permanent residence, he said. NABU opens case into fact of possible illegal use of budget funds by Parliament Speaker Parubiy The National Anti-corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU), pursuant to the ruling of the investigating judge of Kyiv's Solomiansky district court, has opened a criminal case into the fact of possible misuse of budget funds by Parliament Speaker Andriy Parubiy. "On April 10, 2019, NABU's authorized representative, pursuant to the April 2, 2019 ruling of the investigating judge of Kyiv's Solomiansky district court, entered case information into the Unified Register of Pretrial Court Investigations on signs of crimes under Part 1 of Article 364 and Part 1 of Article 210 of Ukraine's Criminal Code," NABU's press service told the Kyiv-based Interfax-Ukraine news agency on Tuesday, commenting on the criminal case regarding the possible misuse of budget funds by Parubiy. As reported, Kyiv's Solomiansky district court has obliged NABU to enter into the United Register of Pretrial Court investigations information about the possible misuse of budget funds and wrongdoing using the authority or status of Parubiy. Solomiansky district court made the ruling on April 2 and gave NABU 24 hours to comply after receiving it. The complaint to the court concerned the fact that NABU had not entered into the register information about criminal violations under Article 210 (misuse of budget funds) and Article 364 (misuse of authority or official position) of Ukraine's Criminal Code. European Commissioner for European Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn has met with President-elect Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv. "Today I congratulated Volodymyr Zelensky personally in Kyiv to his impressive victory to become President of Ukraine which gives him a very strong mandate to fight against corruption + for 'de-oligarchisation'," Hahn said on Twitter on Tuesday. Hahn said he offered Zelensky the full support of the European Union for all reforms which will benefit Ukrainians. "Ukraine faces many challenges and threats and all Ukrainian authorities President, Government and Verkhovna Rada have now to act in the most responsible manner," Hahn said. The European commissioner said elections should not slow the pace of reforms in Ukraine. "This means to ensure that in the current transition period + ahead of Parliamentary elections urgent reforms are not stalled, but accelerated to ensure financial + economic stability (incl. the guarantee of internat. financial support + energy supply). No time to be wasted," he said. Ukrainian President-elect Volodymyr Zelensky said he sees a victory over corruption, de-monopolization in the energy sector, and de-oligarchization of the media environment among his priorities after taking office. "Our priority is not fighting corruption but defeating corruption. De-monopolization in the energy sector, de-oligarchization in the media," Zelensky's press service quoted him as saying at a meeting with European Commissioner for European Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn. Zelensky also said he was determined to make sure that illegal enrichment is criminalized again in Ukraine. Klimkin calls on G7, EU to introduce new sanctions against Russia for giving passports to Ukrainians in Donbas Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin has appealed to his colleagues from other states, including from the G7 and the European Union, asking them to introduce new sanctions against Russia for its decision to give Russian passports to Ukrainian citizens living in Russia-occupied areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions. "We must react to the passport banditry now. And we must give an effective response to the Kremlin. It will simultaneously be systemic and asymmetrical This is why I am asking foreign ministers of G7 countries to introduce new sanctions against Russia," Klimkin said in his blog published by the Kyiv-based Ukrayinska Prava ezine on Tuesday. The foreign minister said an effective response would be united efforts with the entire world community. As reported, on April 24 Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree "On the definition for humanitarian purposes of categories of persons entitled to apply for admission to the citizenship of the Russian Federation in a simplified manner." According to the decree, such a right is granted to persons permanently residing in Russia-occupied territories of Luhansk and Donetsk regions. Russian officials said that on April 29 in Novoshakhtinsk, Rostov region, a passport center was opened, began operating in test mode and reportedly received 80 applications from residents of the "Luhansk People's Republic" for Russian passports. On April 30, a passport center for residents of the "Donetsk People's Republic" was opened in the village of Pokrovskoye, Neklinovsky district, Rostov region. The center began operation in test mode. Ukraine's Foreign Ministry has expressed a strong protest against the opening of the passport centers for Ukrainian citizens in Russia's Rostov region. It has called on the international community not to recognize such documents. The General Prosecutor's Office of Ukraine calls director of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) Artem Sytnyk on Friday, May 10, for questioning as a witness in criminal proceedings on the fact of his possible abuse of authority. "At 10:00 a.m. on Friday, he is summoned for questioning by the Prosecutor General's Office," Andriy Lysenko, the spokesperson of the Prosecutor General's Office, told Interfax-Ukraine on Tuesday. As reported, in the late March, the State Bureau of Investigations (SBI) initiated investigative actions in the framework of criminal proceedings on the possible intervention of Artem Sytnyk, Director of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU), in the election of the U.S. President. "As for the possible influence of the head of the NABU in the presidential elections in the United States. Criminal proceedings on this fact have been recently registered by employees of the General Prosecutor's Office of Ukraine. We are just starting investigative actions in this criminal proceeding," SBI director Roman Truba said then. As reported, on March 15, 2019, Lutsenko said during the Right to Power program that he had received a statement from MP Borysav Rozenblat (unaligned) in which the latter alleged Director of the National Anti-corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) Artem Sytnyk had shared information from the so-called "black ledger" [of the Party of Regions] to support Hillary Clinton in the presidential election. On March 22, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) said its detectives did not collect and hand over to any party any proof of U.S. political consultant Paul Manafort's illegal activities. In turn, Ukraine's Specialized Anti-corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) head Nazar Kholodnytsky said, "If he (Sytnyk) really saw himself as a geopolitical figure and helped Hillary, then it is necessary to draw conclusions. This is wrong ... I met with him [Sytnyk] in 2016 and talked with him at a conference in Panama. He also told me he wanted to help Hillary. He didn't answer when I asked him where he was and where Hillary was." The leak of the records kept by the Party of Regions was a reason for Manafort's dismissal as Trump's campaign manager and became one of the key accusations in the investigation of collusion [between Trump campaign officials] with Russia. The case has been under investigation for the last two years. According to The New York Times newspaper, Manafort's name is mentioned 22 times in the "black ledger," which indicates $12.7 million was paid to him from 2007 to 2012. Kyiv Mayor, Chairman of the Kyiv City State Administration Vitali Klitschko has discussed the situation in Ukraine after the presidential and before the parliamentary elections with Special Representative of the U.S. State Department for Ukraine Negotiations Kurt Volker. The mayor met with the special representative in Washington (U.S.), the official Facebook page of Klitschko says. "They talked about the situation in Ukraine after the presidential and on the eve of the parliamentary elections. About the serious challenges facing Ukraine and about the support of our partners for the Euro-Atlantic course of the Ukrainian state," it reads. President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko hopes that the country's judicial system will remain independent with President-elect of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky. "I am hopeful that the next president and his team will respect the decision on an independent and just court enshrined in the Constitution, and it is precisely this form of independence, when neither the president nor the parliament have any influence on the court, and the procedures for the appointment and dismissal of judges are at the heart of judicial reform," Poroshenko emphasized in a meeting on occasion of the appointment of judges of the Supreme Court and a ceremony of taking oath by judges appointed for the first time in Kyiv on Tuesday. The president expressed confidence that the initiated judicial reform would be completed. "My term was not enough to fully complete the judicial reform, but its implementation has already yielded tangible positive results. The formation of the Supreme Court and High Anticorruption Court has already been completed, and judges who have successfully passed the qualification assessment have already been moved to the new appellate courts and started working," Poroshenko said. He noted that from today on, the Supreme Court would work almost in full. The president noted that, thanks to judicial reform, "authorities do not always win in court." Poroshenko positively assessed the changes that have occurred in the judicial system, including the Supreme Court, over the past year and a half. He recalled that the completion of the competitions in the High Court on Intellectual Property, the completion of the qualification evaluation of the judges of first instance and the selection of new judges in the first and second instances are on the waiting list. "These procedures are to be completed in a bit more than a year," he said. Poroshenko expressed satisfaction that in the past there were decisions of courts with a "political color," and the Ukrainian experience of judicial reform is already being studied in other countries. "The experience of public involvement in promoting the High Qualification Commission during the assessment and competitive procedures has become not only a norm for Ukraine, but also an example for other countries, especially in the formation of the High Anticorruption Court. They already study and implement the Ukrainian experience," the president added. According to him, the new government has many tasks and some of them lie on the shoulders of the Supreme Court judges, including forecasting judicial practice, "and the completion of the consideration of many thousands of cases, which our citizens have already waited for, and above all, the protection of rights and freedoms of citizens, an ordinary person who came to court to seek protection and justice." "The Supreme Court is the last and main border of the rule of law in our country," the president said. Acting Ukrainian Health Minister Ulana Suprun has filed a criminal case on defending her reputation and demanding refutation of inaccurate information against journalist and blogger Oleksandr Dubynsky, who reported information about laundering budget funds via the Patriot Defense (Zashchita Patriotov) Foundation. "People have filed lawsuits against Oleksandr at least four times. All cases concern refutation of information, inaccurate information, demanding evidence and protection of business reputation. I received many messages and comments about the need to sue as well. I decided to test this protection tool, the truth, since, as we see, the trend of refuting fakes is not decreasing their appearance. They just registered a claim statement on the protection of honor, dignity, business reputation and the refutation of false information in Kyiv's Solomiansky district court," Suprun said on Facebook. The acting health minister said, "The number of information attacks against the work of the Health Ministry is on the rise," adding that opponents of change are behind the recent spate of fakes. In early May, Dubinsky on his website published information about embezzlement involving the Patriot Protection Foundation, which is headed by Suprun's husband, Marko Suprun. According to the report, about UAH 20 million was allocated for training and professional development of medical staff. The Health Ministry has denied the information. PARIS, May 7 (Reuters) Europe would have to reimpose sanctions on Iran if Tehran reneged on parts of the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, a French presidency source said on Tuesday. Iran's state-run IRIB news agency reported on Monday that Tehran would restart part of its halted nuclear programme in response to the U.S. withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal, but added Tehran does not plan to pull out of the agreement. Iran's president is due to speak on Wednesday. "We do not want Tehran to announce tomorrow actions that would violate the nuclear agreement, because in this case we Europeans would be obliged to reimpose sanctions as per the terms of the agreement," the source said. "We don't want that and we hope that the Iranians will not make this decision." France, Germany and Britain, the European signatories to the agreement that lifted sanctions against Tehran in exchange for restrictions on Iran's atomic activities, have scrambled to save the deal amid U.S. efforts to isolate Tehran since it announced its withdrawal a year ago. However, the three have repeatedly warned Iran that it must comply with all aspects of the deal and most importantly the elements related to nuclear activity. Those restrictions have increased the time Iran would need to build a nuclear bomb if it chose to do so. The United States and the U.N. nuclear watchdog believe Iran had a nuclear weapons programme that it abandoned. Iran denies ever having had one. "We sent messages to Tehran to say that we were determined to implement the agreement, that we really wanted them to stay in this agreement even though we took into account the complexity of the situation and passed on the same messages to our American allies," the French source said. "Tomorrow, depending on what is in the statement from Tehran, at this stage what we're expecting is a collective European reaction but as we do not yet know exactly what will be in it, we are preparing for different eventualities." (Reporting by Jean-Baptiste Vey; writing by John Irish; editing by Richard Lough and Dale Hudson) In a closed-door session on Monday, May 6, the majority of lawmakers in Irans parliament opposed raising fuel prices, putting the cash-strapped Rouhani government in in a tight spot. "Majles has decided to oppose raising gasoline prices," just for the sake of preventing fuel smuggling Speaker Ali Larijani announced, adding, "Majority of the MPs believe that the only way to reduce the amount of fuel smuggled out of Iran, is rationing the product." In recent days, there have been conflicting reports of impending fuel rationing or price increases in Iran, where the government heavily subsidizes gasoline and other fossil fuels. Cheap fuel prices leads to large-scale smuggling of gasoline to neighboring countries where prices are much higher. The state-run monopolized Radio&TV news agency, IRIB, cited Larijani also as saying, "There was a lengthy debate on rationing gasoline and distributing it through special cards or vouchers during Mondays closed-door parliament session." Furthermore, Larijani insisted that he personally supported rationing fuel since it is the right decision and the majority of Majles are for it. "Offering the product to consumers with fuel cards is the right thing to do and Parliament backs this decision," Larijani maintained. Meanwhile, the spokesman for the presiding board of the Iranian Parliament, Behrouz Nemati, said the use of fuel cards (vouchers or coupons) may help prevent the smuggling of fuel." However, Nemati denied that distributing gasoline cards would mean rationing it. "In no way, we are going to reimpose rationing system for the distribution of fuel. The sole purpose of issuing the new cards is helping the management of fuel consumption in the country," Nemati asserted. However, many observers believe that re-distribution of fuel cards could be the first step toward rationing gasoline in the country. Nevertheless, the state-run Mehr News Agency (MNA) also reported on Monday, "Fuel will not, at least for now, experience a hike in price or rationing; rather, consumers will have to use special cards, known as fuel card, to receive the product. Ministry of Petroleum is doing preparations for the measure which is expected to be implemented, soon." Fuel cards were initiated during the hardliner former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in 2009. With U.S. sanctions drastically reducing Irans export revenues, draining government coffers, the issue of more than $40 billion in annual fuel subsidies has been pushed to the foreground. In recent months, President Hassan Rouhani and his cabinet have repeatedly insisted that fuel prices should increase to help the budget deficit. But it is not easy to put an additional burden on the people who are already feeling tremendous pressure because of Irans ongoing economic crisis Predicting popular anger, the parliament has been reluctant to endorse a fuel price rise, but large-scale smuggling is real problem, threatening Irans self-sufficiency in gasoline refining. Amid heated debates, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC)-run news agency (Tasnim) reported last Wednesday that gasoline would be rationed the following day. Hours after the report was published, long queues were formed at gas stations across Iran, prompting government officials to scramble to convince the public that no decision has yet been made to ration gasoline or raise the price. The Revolutionary Court in Bushehr, in southern Iran, has sentenced seven members of the Bahai religious minority to a total of 21 years in jail on the charges of "propagating against the political system." An individual close to the seven Bahais has told Radio Farda that they did not have any political activity and that they have been sentenced to jail solely for their religious beliefs. The verdict against the Bahais, Minoo Riazati, Ehteram Sheikhi, Asadollah Jaberi, Pooneh Nasheri, Emad Jaberi, Farideh Jaberi and Farrokhlagha Faramarzi, has been issued on May 6 after a very brief summary trial. They were arrested on February 13, 2018 and their houses were searched and their belongings were taken away from them. They were subsequently released on bail before their trial. International human rights watchdogs as well as the United Nations Organization have criticized the Islamic Republic for harassing and jailing Bahais for their belief. The Bahais in Iran are deprived of university education and the right to work with the government, and their businesses are shut down by religious authorities of the Islamic Republic. The government's behavior has been characterized by the International Bahai Community as "economic apartheid." Tens of Bahais are currently in jail in Iran while scores of others have been released on bail, awaiting their trial. The Iranian government does not recognize Bahaism, but Tehran is committed under international laws to protect the rights of all of its citizens regardless of their religious beliefs. The newly appointed managing director of the Islamic Republic of Iran Airline (Iran Air) is on the U.S. sanctions list. Touraj Dehghani Zanganeh replaced state-owned Iran Airs first female director Farzaneh Sharafbafi on Sunday May 5. Previously, Mr. Zanganeh was the CEO of Meraj Airline which was established in 2010. The airline and its manager were sanctioned by the United States in 2018. According to U.S. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin those sanctioned had helped IRGC Qods Force and the Iranian regime in airlifting weapons, money and troops to help Tehrans agents in the region including the Lebanese Hezbollah as well as Assads regime in Syria. Zanganeh is a retired Iranian army pilot who has served with the Iranian Air Force at Mehrabad airport for several years. Former Iran Air Manager Farzaneh Sharafbafi held a Ph.D. in aerospace science and led Iran Airs Training Department for many years during the 20 years she served the airline. Baku, Azerbaijan, May 7 Trend: A new print edition of the AZERNEWS online newspaper was released on May 7. The new edition includes articles: Nations new tourism brand awarded in Dubai; FAO launches 4-year project in country; Land of Fire expects more tourists from Persian Gulf states; Trade with Mexico increases etc. AZERNEWS is an associate member of the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA). The online newspaper is available at www.azernews.az. Baku, Azerbaijan, May 7 Trend: Over the past 24 hours, Armenian armed forces have violated the ceasefire along the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops 24 times, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said on May 7, 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. Details added (first version posted on May 6, 11:58) Baku, Azerbaijan, May 6 Trend: President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has received Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Executive Board of Russian Railways OJSC Oleg Belozerov, Trend reports referring to the Azerbaijani presidential press-service. The president hailed Azerbaijans cooperation with the Russian Railways, and noted that Belozerovs visit to the country creates good opportunity for fruitful discussions on prospects for bilateral relations. President Aliyev expressed his hope that the opportunities in the railway sector will contribute to expanding cooperation between the two countries in the years to come. Praising the increase in Russias cargo transit via Azerbaijan, the president expressed confidence that further steps will be taken in this area. Hailing the successful cooperation with the Azerbaijan Railways, Belozerov described a 25-percent growth in the volume of transportation in the first quarter of this year as a very good sign of this. Belozerov noted the importance of the fact that the two countries presidents constantly support the development of bilateral relations in the railway sector. He underlined that the organization of transit and identification of new routes contributed to the economic development between Azerbaijan and Russia. The sides also exchanged views on cooperation prospects. Baku, Azerbaijan, May 7 Trend: Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has signed an order regarding measures to renovate water supply and sewage systems in the city of Horadiz. Under the presidential order, Azersu OJSC is allocated 6 million manats for the design and renovation of the water supply and sewage systems in Horadiz. Baku, Azerbaijan, May 7 Trend: Azerbaijani Defense Minister, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov met with Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus First Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Oleg Belokonev, who is on an official visit to Azerbaijan, Trend reports referring to the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry. The sides expressed gratification with the results of joint activities in the military, military-technical and military-educational fields between Azerbaijan and Belarus, as well as the importance of developing cooperation in these spheres. The sides positively assessed the provision of the Azerbaijani Army with various military products produced by enterprises of the military-industrial complex of Belarus envisaged for all types of troops. The sides discussed a wide range of issues of military-technical cooperation and determined the directions for the implementation of new big projects aimed at increasing the combat capability of the Azerbaijani Army. Baku, Azerbaijan, May 7 Trend: President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and first lady Mehriban Aliyeva have attended the inauguration of Gobustan District Central Hospital. The head of state first cut the ribbon symbolizing the opening of the hospital. Minister of Health Ogtay Shiraliyev informed the head of state and first lady of the work done. The hospital was built in 1965. The construction of the hospitals new building started in 2014, and ended in 2018. President Ilham Aliyev and first lady Mehriban Aliyeva viewed conditions created at the hospital. The 90-bed hospital occupies an area of more than 2.6 hectares. The hospital was supplied with the state-of-the-art medical equipment and devices. The hospital employs 26 doctors and 51 medical workers. President Ilham Aliyev and first lady Mehriban Aliyeva then met with the hospital staff. Congratulating the hospital team, President Ilham Aliyev said: - The opening of such a beautiful hospital is a very significant event. I congratulate you on this event! I am glad that a modern medical facility meeting the highest standards has been set up in Gobustan district as well. Hospitals are built everywhere in our country. In recent years, more than 640 modern medical institutions have been established. The main goal of this is to provide services to citizens. The equipment installed here and the conditions available meet the highest standards. There is the same level of equipment here as in the hospitals of the most advanced countries. The main objective is that patients should be provided with excellent services and treated with care. I am sure that you will provide this. I am told that more than 70 jobs have been created here for doctors and medical personnel. So the opening of this hospital once again demonstrates our successful policy. It shows that the people of Azerbaijan are at the center of our policy and the social sphere is a priority. This year, the state will provide medical checkups to about six million people. We have been successfully implementing this program for several years now. I believe that this practice has already fully justified itself on a global scale. The state builds hospitals, diagnostic centers, creates opportunities for people to undergo free examination. All other social facilities are being created in the capital, in large cities and in regions with a small population. The population of Gobustan District is about 50,000 people. Seven thousand people live in the city. Notice how much is being done to develop the district, create the infrastructure and build roads. Every district and every sphere should develop. There should be a modern approach. It is necessary to show attention and care for citizens. Today we see a clear example of this. The hospital pleases the eye both with its appearance and internal design. I congratulate you on this wonderful event and wish you success. Hospital team: Thank you! Thank you very much! Baku, Azerbaijan, May 7 Trend: President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva have attended the opening of the Gobustan branch of "Azerkhalcha" Open Joint Stock Company, Trend reports referring to the Azerbaijani presidential press-service. President Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva viewed the unique Azerbaijani carpets of 19th and early 20th centuries. The president then cut the ribbon symbolizing the opening of the branch. Chairman of the Board of "Azharkhalcha" OJSC Vidadi Muradov informed President Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva of the conducted work. The Gobustan branch of the "Azerkhalcha" OJSC occupies an area nearly 1,300 square meters. Thus, 150 weavers and 14 administrative staff members will be employed in the branch. The building features a textile workshop, artist`s room, warehouse, canteen, medical point, sales room and a conference hall. After viewing the branch, President Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva met with carpet-weavers. The president addressed the meeting. President Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva then viewed the activity of the "Azharkhalcha" OJSC supply center for Gobustan regional wool and dye plants. The center occupies a total area of 1,770 square metres and features a production and administrative departments. The Gobustan regional wool and dye plants supply center created 25 permanent jobs. The president talked to center employees and posed for photographs together with them. Baku, Azerbaijan, May 7 Trend: President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva have attended the inauguration of Gobustan-Poladli highway, Trend reports referring to the Azerbaijani presidential press-service. Chairman of the Board of Directors of Azerbaijan Highway State Agency Saleh Mammadov informed the president and first lady of the conducted work. The two-lane road, which links six residential areas with a total population of 5,000 people, is 14.5 km in length, and 6m in width. President Aliyev cut the ribbon symbolizing the opening of the highway. Baku, Azerbaijan, May 7 By Aysham Rustamova - Trend: The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is one of the most intractable conflicts in the region and the world, the assistant to the President of Azerbaijan on political issues, head of the department Ali Hasanov told reporters, Trend reports. "There are an aggressor and a party subjected to aggression. We need informational support from Turkic-speaking states, because Armenians periodically carried out their propaganda," Hasanov said. "The strengthening of Turkic Council members' integration in the information sphere is inevitable. For example, during the April battles in 2016, Azerbaijan needed information support. It was necessary to inform the region and the world about the provocations of Armenians, their aggressive policy in the region and the destruction of cultural and religious sites of Azerbaijan. Therefore, I believe that the member countries of the Turkic Council should support each other at such moments," he said. He added that today, a dirty campaign against Islam is carried out around the world. "Islamic states, Muslim nations are identified with terror, while their culture and values are rejected," he noted. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts. Baku, Azerbaijan, May 7 Trend: A Cooperation Contract was signed by Baku Higher Oil School (BHOS) and Huawei, one of the largest Chinese multinational telecommunications companies. The contract envisages establishment of the ICT Academy at BHOS and free of cost supplies of computer equipment and software programmes for a state-of-the-art laboratory to be an integral part of the Academy. The signing ceremony was attended by Mr. Wang Chungang, Counsellor, Economic and Commercial Counsellors Office, the Embassy of the Peoples Republic of China in Azerbaijan, Mr. Wen Guohui, Attache, the Embassy of the Peoples Republic of China, Mr. Lu Canlin, CEO, Huawei Technologies Azerbaijan, Mr. Tao Ziven, Programme Manager, Ms. Zhong Jing, Accountant Manager, Huawei Technologies Azerbaijan, as well as BHOS students and senior staff. Rector of BHOS Elmar Gasimov pointed out that His Excellency Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, during his official visit to China this April, met with Mr. Liang Hua, Chairman of Huaweis Board of Directors, and underscored the companys substantial contribution to strengthening bilateral economic relations and creating prospects for further cooperation. Rector expressed his appreciation to Huawei for providing support in creating the ICT Academy and its laboratory at BHOS and emphasised an indispensable role of this cooperation in crafting skills of students of the Process Automation Engineering Department to cultivate them as highly-qualified specialists. He noted that the cooperation contract will result in launching the ICT Academy with its cutting-edge laboratory soon, and students will be able to utilize the new lab facility. In his welcoming speech, Mr. Wang Chungang, Counsellor, Economic and Commercial Counsellors Office, the Embassy of the Peoples Republic of China in Azerbaijan, mentioned that such strong bilateral relations further galvanise cooperation between the both countries, and expressed his hope for sustaining new partnership opportunities. Mr. Lu Canlin, CEO, Huawei Technologies Azerbaijan, spoke highly of the close collaboration evolving between the company and BHOS, and expressed his excitement in participating in the establishment of the laboratory of the ICT Academy. He assured the companys willingness to support students who are specialised in automation in their aspiration to advance their knowledge and wished them every success. A legal basis for cooperation between BHOS and Huawei was laid on 23 January 2019 while signing a Memorandum of Understanding, which offers BHOS students internship opportunities within the company to help them use their talents and fosters knowledge sharing between the companys specialists and students. Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. is a Chinese multinational conglomerate specialized in telecommunications equipment, consumer electronics, artificial intelligence, and technology-based services and products. The company produces in 170 countries; it has built over 1500 networks, serving one-third of the worlds population. Baku, Azerbaijan, May 7 By Kheyraddin Nasirzade Trend: The Baku branch of Bank Melli Iran intends to increase its loan portfolio till late 2019, a source in the Baku branch of Bank Melli Iran told Trend. The bank is not interested in increasing the deposit portfolio, but intends to increase the loan portfolio due to high liquidity of the Baku branch. As for the issue of changing the banks strategy regarding the interest rate of loans, the source said that the banks strategy will change depending on the market requirements. The source also added that an increase in the interest rate may adversely affect the customer loyalty, therefore, a decrease in the interest rate of loans is a priority for the bank to retain positions in the market. The assets of the Baku branch of Bank Melli Iran for 2018 increased by 9.89 percent up to 110.44 million manats. The loan portfolio of the bank increased by 6.6 percent reaching 3.5 million manats for the year. Moreover, net profit for the year decreased by 69.1 percent, reaching 2.14 million manats. The bank's capital also increased. The capital reached 51.01 million manats in 2017, then it increased by 4.2 percent up to 53.15 million manats in 2018. Bank Melli Iran has been operating in Azerbaijan since 1993. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @1nasirzade Baku, Azerbaijan, May 7 By Sara Israfilbayova, Aysham Rustamova Trend: In order to expand cooperation between Azerbaijan and the EU in the field of transportation, a relevant aviation agreement should be signed in the nearest future, the EU ambassador to Azerbaijan Kestutis Jankauskas told Trend. "The aviation agreement is an integral part of the regional transport hub project, which is the next major project of Azerbaijan. This project is equally beneficial for both the EU and Azerbaijan," Jankauskas said. He added that a high-level dialogue on transportation with Azerbaijan began this year. "We have various infrastructure projects," he noted. Jankauskas also pointed out that negotiations are underway on a new agreement on strategic partnership between the EU and Azerbaijan. "We had a series of video conferences after the last round of negotiations on trade issues. The work is underway. Everything possible must be done to ensure that the text is signed as soon as possible," said the EU ambassador. Creation of a common aviation area is an initiative of the European Commission and aims to open and integrate aviation markets. This will lead to new opportunities for consumers and operators, and, most importantly, to high standards in terms of flight safety as well as air traffic management. In November 201, the European Council issued a mandate to the European Commission and the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy to conduct negotiations regarding a comprehensive agreement with Azerbaijan on behalf of the EU and its member states. The new agreement should replace the 1996 partnership and cooperation agreement and should better take into account the objectives shared by the EU and Azerbaijan and the challenges facing them today. It will follow the principles endorsed in the 2015 review of the European Neighborhood Policy and offer a renewed basis for political dialogue and mutually beneficial cooperation between the EU and Azerbaijan. Currently, bilateral relations between the EU and Azerbaijan are regulated on the basis of an agreement on partnership and cooperation that was signed in 1996 and entered into force in 1999. The new agreement envisages the compliance of Azerbaijans legislation and policies with the EUs most important international trade norms and standards, which should facilitate access of Azerbaijani goods to the EU markets. Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, May 7 By Huseyn Hasanov Trend: A meeting with representatives of the World Bank (WB) was held at the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan (UIET), Trend reports May 4 with reference to the UIET. The discussion included promising areas of cooperation in projects in the field of the digital economy, as well as the use of WB expert experience in improving the banking system and achieving international financial standards, the report said. It was earlier reported that Lilia Burunciuc, WB Regional Director for Central Asia, held talks in Ashgabat. The WB proposed to expand cooperation in the areas of the digital economy, logistics, energy, water resources and hydrometeorology. The bank declared its readiness to consider proposals for the implementation of projects in the fields of transport, healthcare and education. Expert advice from the WB on improving the banking system of Turkmenistan and achieving international financial standards in the country were also proposed. According to a report by British Petroleum (BP), Turkmenistan ranks fourth in the world in terms of natural gas reserves and currently exports it to China and Iran. The official exchange rate of the Turkmenistan manat to dollar from January 2015 remains at the level of 3.50 Turkmen manats. The country set a course for diversifying the local economy. The oil, gas, chemical, and building material industries are actively developing. Baku, Azerbaijan, May 7 By Fakhri Vakilov Trend: The South Korean company Hyundai is planning to start production of electric vehicles in the Kokand free economic zone of Uzbekistan, Trend reports with reference to the press service of the President of Uzbekistan. The project was presented to the head of state Shavkat Mirziyoyev during his trip to the Fergana region on May 6, 2019. The president approved the project and emphasized the need to pay special attention to quality and timeliness in its implementation. Earlier, representatives of the South Korean company announced plans to build a plant in Namangan region with an annual production capacity of 3,000 trucks and buses. The enterprise will assemble trucks with a carrying capacity from 1 ton to 50 tons as well as intercity, international and tourist buses, and special vehicles. The company noted that at the first stage, the daily production will be 8-20 cars, and the annual production will reach 1,000 vehicles. Within three years, this figure will be increased to 3,000 vehicles including 2,000 trucks and 1,000 buses. At the beginning, the spare parts will be imported from Korea. Later, in accordance with the three-year localization program, it will be possible to produce the components locally. --- Follow author on Twitter:@vakilovfaxri Baku, Azerbaijan, May 7 By Elnur Baghishov Trend: The goods worth over $939 million were exported through the customs of Irans south-eastern Sistan and Baluchestan province last Iranian year (started on March 21, 2018), chairman of the Industry, Mine and Trade Organization in Sistan and Baluchestan province Nadir Mirshikar said. The export of goods increased by 126 percent last Iranian year compared to the previous Iranian year, Mirshikar added, Trend reports referring to the Industry, Mine and Trade Organizations website. He added that 1.58 million tons of goods were exported through the customs and border markets of Sistan and Baluchestan province. The goods worth $224 million were exported through the customs of the province, while the goods worth $695 million - through the border markets, Mirshikar said. He said that the non-oil goods worth $664 million were exported from the province. The building materials, cement, dates, gas, tin and ceramics, sulfur, fruits were exported to Afghanistan, Pakistan, Turkey, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and other countries last Iranian year. Baku, Azerbaijan, May 7 By Fakhri Vakilov Trend: Moscow companies will supply high-tech prostheses and medicines to Uzbekistan, Trend reports via Uzbek media. The parties reached such agreements at the 24th Tashkent International Medical Exhibition "Health-TIHE 2019". The collective stand organized by the Moscow Export Center and subordinated to the Department of Entrepreneurship and Innovative Development of the city of Moscow, presented 16 companies under the single brand Made in Moscow. During the exhibition, negotiations were held with representatives of the largest state scientific and practical medical centers of Uzbekistan in the field of surgery, pediatrics, cardiology, oncology and radiology. For example, the Moscow company Motorika, which creates functional prostheses for everyday life and digital rehabilitation platforms, has signed an agreement with VETERAN, the Association of veteran soldiers and disabled people of Uzbekistan. The parties agreed on the introduction of new prosthetic technologies for members of the association and other potential consumers in Uzbekistan. Another company JSC Bios successfully conducted an operation on its own equipment in one of the clinical centers of Tashkent. At a meeting of Moscow businessmen with representatives of the country's largest medical holding ASKLEPIY, agreements were reached on the supply of medicines to Uzbekistan. The total volume of non-energy non-energy exports from Moscow to Uzbekistan in 2018 increased by more than 40 percent and amounted to $291.9 million compared to 2017. The share of exports of medical and pharmaceutical products in non-primary non-energy exports from Moscow to Uzbekistan was 13.9 percent of these. --- Follow author on Twitter:@vakilovfaxri Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead(WASHINGTON) -- President Donald Trump has pardoned Michael Behenna, a former Army Ranger in the 101st Airborne Division convicted of murdering an Iraqi prisoner in 2009. Behenna, 35, was sentenced to 25 years in prison for "unpremeditated murder in a combat zone" after killing suspected al-Qaeda terrorist Ali Mansur. Behenna was paroled in 2014. While Behenna said he killed Mansur in self-defense, during the trial he admitted that he disobeyed orders to return Mansour to his village after he was released from military intelligence and questioned about his connection to an explosion that killed two U.S. soldiers. Prosecutors said Behenna instead interrogated and stripped Mansour naked before shooting him twice. Behenna's trial raised the support of fellow soldiers. White House press secretary Sarah Sanders wrote in a statement that upon his release from jail in 2014, "Dozens of Patriot Guard motorcycle riders met Mr. Behenna to escort him back to his home in Oklahoma." She added that "Behenna's case has attracted broad support from the military, Oklahoma elected officials, and the public" and he was a "model prisoner." But questions have been raised about Behenna's claim of self-defense. Oklahoma Attorney General Mike sent a letter to Attorney General William Barr earlier this year urging the Trump administration to consider a pardon for Behenna. In a statement, Behenna thanked the president "for his act of mercy." "Although this is a time of great joy for my family, we as a country must never forget Adam Kohlhaas and Steven Christofferson and all those who gave their lives in service of this great nation," Behenna said, referring to his comrades killed during combat. "They represent the finest of our society, and their families will forever be in our thoughts and prayers." Copyright 2019, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. Baku, Azerbaijan, May 7 By Elnur Baghishov Trend: This Iranian year (started on March 21, 2019), 4,000 tons of medicinal herbs are planned to be harvested from the areas in Iran's Markazi province, head of the department of the Agricultural Organization of Markazi province Ali Asgar Zarei said. Meanwhile, 950 hectares of the province accounted for Damascus rose, 280 hectares - saffron and 253 hectares - other medicinal herbs, he said. Last Iranian year 190 kilograms of saffron, 1,600 tons of Damascus rose and 1,500 tons of other medicinal herbs were harvested, Zarei added. He said that the revenues worth 400 million rials ($9,500 according to the official exchange rate and $2,680 according to the exchange rate in the black market) are obtained as a result of planting medicinal herbs in each hectare in the province. Baku, Azerbaijan, May 7 By Fakhri Vakilov Trend: The Fergana region of Uzbekistan plans to use $ 2.5 billion in direct investments and create over 31,000 new jobs as part of the investment program, Trend reports with reference to the press service of the President of Uzbekistan in 2019-2020, it is planned to implement 643 investment projects totaling 26.4 trillion soums in the Fergana region . "For the whole year, the Fergana region should work hard to attract investments and develop industry and entrepreneurship. Until May next year, both the administration and the relevant ministries will provide reports. We will work for one year, and then everything shall be clear," President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev said at a meeting in Fergana with activists of the region, heads of ministries and departments, entrepreneurs, and representatives of the older generation. Last year, industrial production in the region grew by 8 percent, the provision of services by 9 percent, while the volume of used investments increased one and a half times. However, in terms of gross regional product per capita, the Fergana region lags behind the average level in the country. Industry is not developing in five districts of the region: Kushtepa, Furkat, Altyarik, Fergana and Yazyavansky. According to the program, a project worth $ 200 million will be implemented in Fargona Yasin Qurilish Mollari enterprise in the Besharyk district. The enterprise will produce 800,000 tons of cement this year and 1.2 million tons in the next year. Kokand superphosphate plant will be modernized through direct investment from Indorama in the Kokand district. The annual production capacity of the enterprise is planned to be increased from 100,000 to 375,000 tons of phosphate fertilizers. By attracting $30 million, Shaffoff Omadli Sanoat enterprise (Uchkupriksky district) will set up production of 350,000 gas cylinders for cars, electric forklifts, mini-tractors and other equipment for agriculture . Furthermore, within two years, an area of 3,000 hectares will be provided for vineyards in Altyaryk district, an area of 2,000 hectares will be allocated for pomegranate production in Kuva district, and 2,000 hectares will be provided for cherry trees growing in Quvasay district. ($1-8441.67 soums on May 7) --- Follow author on Twitter:@vakilovfaxri Baku, Azerbaijan, May 7 By Fakhri Vakilov- Trend: Samarkand Automobile (SamAvto) Plant of Uzbekistan exported 78 units of cars to Afghanistan from March to May 2019, Trend reports via Uzbek media. Cooperation between the SamAvto plant and the Afghanistan National Procurement Authority began in 2018 with the conclusion of a contract for the delivery of 121 ambulances. This year, the range of equipment supplied was expanded. Dump trucks, milk trucks, a crane-manipulator, irrigation and combined irrigation sweepers were also shipped to Afghanistan, in addition to 11 units of ambulances. After arriving in Afghanistan, 65 units of equipment were handed over to the Kabul municipality, and 2 milk trucks were sent to maintain kindergartens. In order to promote products in Afghanistan, a dealer agreement was signed between SamAvto LLC and Afghan company Ahmad Samir Ahmadi Ltd, according to which SamAvto can sell equipment in Afghanistan, carry out warranty and after-sales service for vehicles and supply spare parts. SamAvto was established in 1995-1996 for work on a project on creation of a joint venture for the production of buses and trucks of small and medium capacity. Furthermore, in July 2015, the Japanese Isuzu Motors and the Uzavtosanoat company signed an agreement in Tashkent to sell an 8 percent stake in the authorized capital of the Samarkand Automobile Plant. --- Follow author on Twitter:@vakilovfaxri Baku, Azerbaijan, May 7 By Kheyraddin Nasirzade Trend: The trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Afghanistan increased by 46 percent during the first quarter of 2019, Minister of Economy Shahin Mustafayev said at a meeting with the Ambassador of Afghanistan to Azerbaijan Khairullah Spelenai, Trend reports referring to the Ministry of Economy of Azerbaijan. Minister Mustafayev noted that the trade turnover increased by 37 percent throughout 2018. According to the minister, the increase in trade turnover is an indicator of the high level of relations between the two countries. The minister noted that over 15 documents have been signed between Azerbaijan and Afghanistan in the trade and economic sphere. In his words, 11 Afghan companies operating in the services, industry and transportation sectors are registered in Azerbaijan. Mustafayev also praised the support shown by Afghanistan to Azerbaijan on international platforms. The minister said that it would be beneficial for Afghanistan to use the transit potential of Azerbaijan due to the economic position and geographical location of the country situated at the intersection of international transport corridors. He spoke about the agreement on Lapis lazuli route, which was signed during the Regional Economic Cooperation Conference on Afghanistan (RECCA) held in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. The minister stressed the utmost importance of this project for expanding trade and transit cooperation. In his turn, the Afghan Ambassador Khairullah Spelenai noted the interest of Afghanistan in holding meetings of business people of both countries as part of economic cooperation. The Ambassador thanked Azerbaijan for the assistance provided to Afghanistan. At the meeting, ways of expanding cooperation in various sectors of the economy including issues related to the activities of the joint working group were also discussed. Follow the author on Twitter: @1nasirzade Baku, Azerbaijan, May 7 By Fakhri Vakilov Trend: Vice-President of Asian Development Bank (ADB) Shixin Chen and Uzbekistan Deputy Prime Minister, ADB Governor of Uzbekistan Elyor Ganiyev signed loan agreements for the Horticulture Value Chain Infrastructure Project and the Second Tashkent Province Water Supply Development Project during ADB Annual Meeting in Fiji, Trend reports with reference to ADB. At the bilateral meeting, VP Chen and Ganiyev also discussed the upcoming country partnership strategy for Uzbekistan, the 2019 assistance pipeline, and regional cooperation projects. As Trend reported earlier, the Asian Development Bank has approved $105.3 million loan to help rehabilitate and expand the regional water supply system in the Yangiyul and Chinaz districts of Tashkent province in Uzbekistan delivering safe potable water to over 220,000 people. Tashkent province, Uzbekistans largest and most economically advanced region generating almost 25 percent of the countrys gross domestic product, suffers from pervasive urban service limitations, particularly in water supply and sanitation (WSS). The Second Tashkent Province Water Supply Development Project will finance the rehabilitation and improvement of the VU-1 regional water supply system in Tashkent Province. This includes the construction of 65 kilometers of transmission mains; 27 km of distribution mains; 540 km of distribution network; 37 water reservoirs; 22 water distribution centers; 5 pressure towers; 2 administration buildings; 2 water quality laboratories; 37,500 metered water supply connections; and 4,000 individual wastewater disposal systems. This is a first project of this kind in Uzbekistan. ADBs assistance covers the initiation of smart technology features including supervisory control and data acquisition, geographic information system, and meters for improved billing and increased revenue. This is on top of a pilot public-private partnership initiative to invite private contractors to carry out operation and maintenance of water supply facilities in some settlements. Total cost of the project is $124.7 million, with the Government of Uzbekistan contributing $19.4 million. The project is expected to be completed by August 2025. ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 member states, and 49 of them are from the region. In 2018, ADB's total commitments reached $35.82 billion, including $14 billion in co-financing. --- Follow author on Twitter:@vakilovfaxri Baku, Azerbaijan, May 7 By Fakhri Vakilov Trend: Uzbekistan Pochtasi JSC and the South Korean corporation Samsung Electronics signed a memorandum of cooperation, Trend reports with reference to the official website of the Uzbekistan Post. The parties approved the provisions that formed the basis for the signed memorandum during a meeting held back in April 2019. Samsung highly appreciates the initiative of Uzbekistan Pochtasi to introduce digital technologies into the postal infrastructure, the news report says. At the current stage, Samsung Electronics is ready to provide its own products for this project. The corporation will begin deliveries of mobile jobs for employees and postmen. This will be an important step in streamlining workflows and structure upgrades. Moreover, Samsung will train employees of the post service in management of the equipment. At the signing ceremony, Director General of Uzbekistan Pochtasi JSC Evgeny Birger and Vice-President of Samsung Electronics for Central Asia Sang Kim stressed the importance of such initiatives for both countries. --- Follow author on Twitter:@vakilovfaxri Baku, Azerbaijan, May 7 By Matanat Nasibova - Trend: FMO Group, an Azerbaijani company providing services in the construction sector, notes a significant decrease in demand for the rental of air release valves for sandwich panels, a source at the company told Trend. According to the source, the main reason for the decline is a decrease in activity in the construction market. "Compared to the last two years, the scope of work in the construction sector has decreased noticeably. Accordingly, the demand for services in this market segment has dwindled. The number of appeals to the services sector, which our company is involved in, has also decreased significantly, especially with regard to the rent of air release valves for oval glass and sandwich panels," the source said. This figure fell by 30-40 percent, according to the source. The source noted that air release valves for oval glass and sandwich panels are imported by FMO Group from Germany and Turkey with the aim to use them in the local consumer market. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @MatanatNasibova Baku, Azerbaijan, May 7 By Kheyraddin Nasirzade Trend: The trading house of Azerbaijan will open in the capital of Kazakhstan Nur-Sultan in September 2019, Trend reports referring to the Ministry of Economy of Azerbaijan. According to the report, the Minister of Economy of Azerbaijan Shahin Mustafayev met with the Secretary General of the Cooperation Council of Turkic Speaking States (Turkic Council) Baghdad Amreyev in Baku. The current activities of the Turkic Council were discussed during the meeting, and discussions were held for the further expansion of relations within the framework of cooperation. It was noted that the Councils member states successfully develop relations in the political, trade, economic, humanitarian and other fields within the framework of the Turkic Council, creating great opportunities for expanding cooperation between small and medium-sized business entities. The importance of the creation of trade houses by Azerbaijan for stimulating exports, within the framework of adopted mechanisms, was also discussed. Thanks to the work done, several trading houses were opened in a number of countries, with indicators of good performance. It was noted that another trading house will open in the city of Nur-Sultan in September of this year. Among others, the issues related to the creation of a chamber of commerce and a joint investment fund, and to the organization of a business forum within the framework of the VII Summit of the Turkic Council, which will be held in October 2019 in Azerbaijan, were also addressed during the meeting. Follow the author on Twitter: @1nasirzade Baku, Azerbaijan, May 7 By Sara Israfilbayova Trend: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) intends to cooperate with Azerbaijan in the field of renewable energy sources, Trend reports referring to the website of the Azerbaijani Ministry of Energy. At the meeting between Azerbaijani Minister of Energy Parviz Shahbazov and the UAE delegation led by Sheikh Ahmed Dalmook al-Mazroui, the prospects of cooperation with Azerbaijani state oil company SOCAR were also discussed. Shahbazov stressed that relations between Azerbaijan and the UAE are at a high level in many spheres and there is a potential for their development in the energy sector. The minister said that during the OPEC + ministerial meeting in Baku, talks were held with UAE Energy Minister Suhail Al-Mazroui. "As a result of these negotiations, discussions have been initiated with UAEs Mubadala company, Shahbazov said. The Azerbaijani side also cooperates with UAEs Masdar company in the field of alternative energy." The minister spoke about the complex measures being taken in the field of alternative energy and about favorable conditions created for investors in Azerbaijan . The 13th meeting of the OPEC and non-OPEC Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee was held in Baku on March 18, 2018. The day before, the 27th meeting of the Joint Technical Commission was held in Baku. The participants discussed the current situation in the oil market, existing problems and other issues. A presentation dedicated to the pace of the development of the oil market was held, and the Joint Technical Commissions report on the production figures for February was made. ----- Follow the author on Twitter: @IsrafilbekovaS Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, May 7 By Huseyn Hasanov Trend: Japanese companies are actively operating in the fuel and energy complex (FEC) of Turkmenistan, Trend reports referring to the speech of the Japanese ambassador Katsumata Takahiko at the Oguz Khan University of Engineering Technologies published in the media. Currently, Japanese companies carry out their activities in the process of purification and processing of natural gas of Turkmenistan, and the production of chemical products such as polyethylene and polypropylene (Toyo Engineering), fertilizers (Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Mitsubishi Corp.) and complete factory equipment that produces petrol (Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd.) In addition, they contribute to the implementation of construction projects for gas turbines and thermal power plants (Sumitomo Corp.) in order to supply electricity to Afghanistan. "These projects will bring great power in the socio-economic development of Turkmenistan, in particular, by diversifying industry, acquiring foreign currency, stimulating imports and alternative industries, creating jobs. It also contributes to the stabilization of neighboring countries and regions," the diplomat said. It was noted that these projects are supported by technologies created in Japan. "Technology is something that is constantly evolving, so new products are produced on the market one by one, and life becomes easier for us. These technologies will change not only the peoples lives, but also the functions, structures of government, society, economy, and other things. Science and basic research are the sources of these technologies," said Katsumata. Diplomatic relations between Japan and Turkmenistan were established on April 22, 1994. President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov visited Japan three times - in 2009, 2012, 2015, while Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe visited Turkmenistan in October 2015. Baku, Azerbaijan, May 7 By Fakhri Vakilov Trend: Uzbek delegation visited a number of relevant UK agencies to study best practices in the digitalization of public services, including usage of the blockchain technology, Trend reports citing Uzbek media. During the trip, the Uzbek delegation was familiarized with the work of the UK Government Digitalization Service. In addition, the Uzbek specialists were informed about the strategy on digital transformation in Britain and the country's experience in creating digital data. Members of the delegation also met with Ben Terrett, Director of Public Digital company that introduced online filing and voter registration programs, and Andrew Greenway, the main cooperation partner of this company. Representatives of the British company expressed interest in cooperation with relevant institutions of Uzbekistan. At the meeting with representatives of the "FutureGov" Agency, the parties agreed to attract the Agency experts to improve the design, technology and organizational development of public services in Uzbekistan. During the meeting with the Uzbek delegation at FarmaTrust company, CEO Peter Bryant and Director of Business Development Mike Quinn, expressed interest in assisting in the creation of a drug authentication system based on blockchain technology in Uzbekistan. In its turn, Blackinetix company offered to establish contacts with the Ministry of Health, Uzkimyosanoat JSC, Uzbekneftegaz JSC and private companies interested in integrating information technology into industry and establishing safe supply chains for products and services. --- Follow author on Twitter:@vakilovfaxri Tehran, Iran, May 7 Trend: The Persian Gulf Star Oil Company (PGSOC) has announced a tender to sell part of its Heavy End products. The participants should pay 100 billion rials (about $2.3 million) as a guarantee alongside 2 million rials ($47) to the Persian Gulf Star Oil Company bank account 2390381134 at Tejarat bank for tender documents, Trend reports citing PGSOC website. The tender would include two different terms of delivery, Ex-work (80,000 Mt ton) and FOB Shahid Rajaee port in Bandar Abbas (120,000 Mt ton). Those willing to participate in the tender should send the application to the PGSOCs legal and contracts department. Tender bids are acceptable until May 20, 2019. For more information please call 009876-31310000 Email: [email protected] Address: PGSOC - Bandar Abbas Port, Hormozgan Province, Iran Baku, Azerbaijan, May 7 Trend: Turkmen-Russian high-level negotiations were held in Ashgabat on May 7, 2019, Trend reports referring to the Turkmen Embassy in Azerbaijan. The delegation of the Russian Federation headed by Deputy Chairman of the Government, Head of State Administration Konstantin Chuychenko arrived in Turkmenistan to participate in the talks. In the first half of the day, the Russian delegation was received by President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. During the meeting, the parties discussed current issues related to Turkmen-Russian relations in political, trade-economic and cultural-humanitarian spheres. Then, the 11th session of Intergovernmental Turkmen-Russian Commission on Economic Cooperation was held in the premises of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan. During the session, the parties spoke about the key aspects of bilateral cooperation, particularly issues of trade and economic nature. The participants elaborated on the subjects related to the development of mutually beneficial cooperation between profile ministries and agencies of the two countries, implementation of agreements, as well as talked about the process of executing trade actions. The parties considered the joint projects, issues related to the work of Russian companies on the territory of Turkmenistan, as well as prospects of cooperation in the industry, construction, transport, oil and gas, gas-chemical and electro-energy spheres. Upon completion of the session, the ceremony of signing bilateral documents took place. These included: Protocol of the 11th session of Intergovernmental Turkmen-Russian Commission on Economic Cooperation, Memorandum between the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan and the Government of Astrakhan region on establishing a Turkmen-Astrakhan Joint Council on commercial issues, Agreement between All-Russia State Institute of cinematography named after S.A.Gerasimov and State Committee of Turkmenistan for Television, Radiobroadcasting and Cinematography on Cooperation in the area of elevating the qualifications of Turkmen specialists, Agreement between the Federal State Budgetary Establishment Moscow Helmholtz Research Institute of Eye Diseases of the Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation and the Scientific-Clinical Centre of Eye Diseases of the State Medical University of Turkmenistan named after Murad Garriyev. It is worthwhile to note that the day before, on May 6, 2019, the meeting of experts of the two countries was held in the framework of preparations to the above mentioned meeting. Baku, Azerbaijan, May 7 By Elnur Baghishov Trend: European banks do not want to cooperate with Iran under the Instrument in Support of Trade Exchanges (INSTEX), Faryal Mostowfi, Director of the Investment Center of the Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture of Tehran, told Tasnim News Agency, Trend reports. According to Mostowfi, without the cooperation of European banks, INSTEX is of no use. He reminded that this mechanism was developed to transport food products, medicines and humanitarian supplies to Iran. "Sanctions have left no options for European banks' trading with Iran. On the other hand, we have been informed that the Europeans are trying to convince banks or financial institutions to cooperate with Iran under INSTEX," he said. The US announced its withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action in May 2018. Three European signatories of the agreement - France, Germany and the UK (shortened as E3) - officially announced the creation of INSTEX, a special purpose vehicle, to allow them bypass US sanctions in the trade with Iran. INSTEX facilitates non-dollar trade with Iran, allowing European companies to trade with the Islamic Republic without being hit by the sanctions. In recent days, a special mechanism, known in Persian as SATMA, was introduced in Iran for trade and finance operations between Iran and Europe. However, the Iranian side is still worried by INSTEX not operating properly. Baku, Azerbaijan, May 7 By Elnur Baghishov Trend: The fire which broke out in Omidiyeh-Ahvaz oil pipeline, located in Irans southwestern Khuzestan Province, has been put out, Ahmad Mohammadi, CEO of National Iranian South Oil Company (NISOC), told IRNA, Trend reports. According to him, this pipeline was transporting oil to Isfahan Oil Refinery. Work is currently underway on establishing the safety of the pipeline, Mohammadi added. "Isfahan Oil Refinery and Bandar Imam Petrochemical Plant are being supplied with fuel through alternative fuel pipelines," he said. A fire broke out on May 6 in the Omidiyeh-Ahvaz oil pipeline, 5 kilometers away from the city of Omidiyeh. The fire was caused by oil leakage, after a bulldozer hit the 42-inch pipeline during repair work. The fire also spread to a nearby 12-inch gas pipeline. Myanmar will release 6,520 prisoners in an amnesty on Tuesday, the presidents office said in a statement, Trend citing Reuters. President Win Myint pardoned thousands of prisoners in two mass amnesties last month. It is customary in Myanmar for authorities to free prisoners around the time of the traditional New Year, which began on April 17. It was not clear whether two jailed Reuters reporters were among the prisoners scheduled to be released. The two Reuters reporters, Wa Lone, 33, and Kyaw Soe Oo, 29, were convicted in September of breaking the Official Secrets Act and sentenced to seven years in jail, in a case that raised questions about Myanmars progress toward democracy and sparked an outcry from diplomats and human rights advocates. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov discussed the issue of Venezuela in Finland, the U.S. State Department said on Monday, Trend reports citing Xinhua. The two had a meeting on Monday during the 11th Ministerial Meeting of the Arctic Council, which was held in Rovaniemi, Finland. Pompeo told the traveling press that his meeting with Lavrov covered a wide range of issues, calling it "a good conversation," according to a press release issued by the State Department. Pompeo revealed that he made clear to Lavrov that Venezuelans should not have "any foreign party running their country or involved in their country on a consistent basis in a military way." "We want the Cubans out ... Russia's military out," Pompeo said, adding Washington and Moscow would have further conversations. For his part, Lavrov said that Moscow opposed a military solution to the Venezuelan crisis. "We are categorically against a military action in violation of international law anywhere. The use of force can only be authorized by the UN Security Council, or it can be used in response to aggression against a sovereign state," Lavrov was quoted a Russian Foreign Ministry press release as telling reporters after his meeting with Pompeo. The United States and Russia have been at odds over Venezuela. Washington repeatedly urged Moscow to cease its support to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro while Russia stressed that Washington's interference in the internal affairs of a sovereign state and threat against its leadership is a gross violation of international law. British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said on Tuesday he was not a believer in a post-Brexit customs union with the European Union but that both the Conservative and Labour parties should compromise to deliver Brexit, reports Trend citing to Reuters Im not a believer in a customs union as a sustainable long-term solution, Hunt told BBC radio, saying he did not think any kind of permanent customs union would work because Britains economy was too big. I want to look whatever deal is come to between the parties and I know this is a crucial week. I think this is a time when we have to be willing to make compromises on all sides because the message of last week was that voters for both main parties are very, very angry about the fact Brexit hasnt been delivered, Hunt said. Gunmen killed three Iraqi policemen during an attack on a guard post near the city of Kirkuk late on Monday, reports Trend citing to Reuters Another federal police officer was wounded in the assault in the town of Altun Kupri, on the boundary between the northern provinces of Kirkuk and Erbil, the interior ministry added. There was no immediate claim of responsibility but Islamic State militants are active in the area and a security source said it was likely they were involved. Iraq declared victory over the group, which once held large swathes of the country, in December 2017. But Islamic State has switched to hit-and-run attacks aimed at undermining the Baghdad government. Its fighters have regrouped in the Hamrin mountain range in the northeast, which extends from Diyala province, on the border with Iran, crossing northern Salahuddin province and southern Kirkuk. Security forces killed eight militants in the western Anbar province, the military said in a statement late on Monday. Samsung Electronics said on Tuesday it cannot confirm the shipping date for its foldable device Galaxy Fold yet and apologized to its pre-order customers in the United States for the delay, reports Trend citing to Reuters Samsung delayed global sales of the foldable phone after reviewers discovered problems with its display. If we do not hear from you and we have not shipped by May 31st, your order will be canceled automatically, the South Korean tech giant told Galaxy Fold pre-order customers in an email late on Monday, which was confirmed by a Samsung spokeswoman. For years, scientists have been warning the world about the outsized effect that climate change canand willimminently have every single aspect of life on Earth. But a new report the United Nations released on Monday, a summary of a comprehensive analysis slated to be published later this year, proves that things are far more dire, particularly regarding the planet's biodiversity. Culled from Indigenous and local reports, scientific studies, and hundreds of experts from around the world, the paper details an "unprecedented" decrease in nature, with an uptick in many species' extinction, which will almost certainly have "grave impacts on people around the world." It also draws a critical through-line between loss of biodiversity, climate change, and the political, social, and economic implications these shifts will have if they continue on this steady trajectory. The report found that because of shifts in the use of land and ocean resources, exploiting organisms, climate change, pollution, and invasive species (in that order), 1 million animal and plant species may become extinct, and possibly within several decades. Since 1900, native species that once thrived in land-based habitats have decreased by at least 20%, and water-dwelling creatures have it especially bad: Over 40% of amphibian species, and more than one-third of marine mammals are also threatened with extinction, a trend slated to continue through 2050 and beyond. Beyond having catastrophic effects on local ecosystems, the decline has significant implications on humanity's ability to survive. Changes in the likes of agricultural production (which has happened to keep up with the world's growing population) have caused land degradation, shrinking the global land surface's productivity by 23%, according to the report. As The New York Times notes, humans are looking at a near future where a limited number of crops are not only more susceptible to disease and pests, but newer varieties will also be tougher to grow in our increasingly warming planet. The report's authors also stress that "regional and global scenarios currently lack and would benefit from an explicit consideration of the views, perspectives and rights of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities, their knowledge and understanding of large regions and ecosystems, and their desired future development pathways." While they note that nature that's in the care of Indigenous communities is "declining less rapidly than in other lands," Indigenous communities are often among the first to be hit by the ongoing negative effects of climate change. "The health of ecosystems on which we and all other species depend is deteriorating more rapidly than ever," said Sir Robert Watson, Chair of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, in a press release. "We are eroding the very foundations of our economies, livelihoods, food security, health and quality of life worldwide. A lot will have to change for the impact to not be as drasticand the efforts right now aren't enough. The U.N. report calls for "transformative change," meaning a "fundamental, system-wide reorganization across technological, economic and social factors, including paradigms, goals and values," as Watson put it. That goes beyond the current global Aichi Biodiversity goals (most of which we're not close to hitting right now, as the report notes). It involves thinking about this on a much larger scale, and in particular evolving "global financial and economic systems to build a global sustainable economy, steering away from the current limited paradigm of economic growth." Upon its release, the full report will include a set of actions across many industries, from finance to agriculture, that can help make sustainability and conservation efforts more effective. Lufthansa will make an offer for Thomas Cooks German airline Condor with an option to acquire the remaining airlines of the British travel group, Lufthansas CEO said on Tuesday, reports Trend with reference to Reuters Lufthansa boss Carsten Spohr added it was unlikely a single buyer could acquire all Thomas Cook airlines due to antitrust regulations and declined to comment on the offer price. We decided yesterday in the meeting of the management board to bid for all of Condor with the option to be able to extend this (bid) to all Thomas Cook airlines, Spohr said on the sidelines of Lufthansas annual general meeting in Bonn. Thomas Cook shares were up more than 10 percent while Lufthansa shares declined 1.4 percent. Thomas Cook put its profitable airlines business up for sale in February after profit warnings in 2018 left it needing to raise cash. The indebted travel groups airlines business consists of Germanys Condor, as well as British, Scandinavian and Spanish operations. Sources said earlier this month that Indigo Partners and Lufthansa were most interested in the business, with a deadline of May 7 set for expressions of interest. Lufthansas Spohr earlier this year said his company will be an active player in consolidation among European airlines. Lufthansa, which owns airlines like Swiss and Austrian Airlines, has also expressed its interest in Italian flagship carrier Alitalia. Spohr on Tuesday reiterated that Lufthansa would only be interested in the loss-making company if it were restructured and the Italian government left out. Nepali Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli is visiting Vietnam and Cambodia from May 9 to 15, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, Trend reported citing Xinhua. Oli is paying an official visit to Vietnam on May 9-13 and to Cambodia on May 13-15, according to the ministry. During the visit, Oli is scheduled to hold delegation-level bilateral talks with his Vietnamese counterpart and meet with the President of the National Assembly, according to the ministry. During the visit, the two countries will sign some agreements and memorandum of understandings to further promote bilateral relations, according to the ministry. Concluding his visit to Vietnam, Oli will reach Cambodia on May 13 where he will hold delegation-level bilateral talks with his Cambodian counterpart. This will be Oli's first official visit to the two Southeast Asian nations. Since the beginning of 2019 the Russian sole state intermediary agency for exports or imports of defense-related products, Rosoboronexport, has signed contracts amounting to $5.2 billion and exported vehicles and weapons abroad for $4.9 billion, the companys press service reported on Tuesday, citing its CEO Alexander Mikheev, Trend reported citing TASS. "Just in the first four months of 2019, Rosoboronexport exported Russian weapons and military vehicles amounting to $4.9 billion, as well as signed new contracts for $5.2 billion," the press service quotes Mikheev as saying. According to him, it is the result of the ambitious marketing work of the Russian parties to military and technical cooperation and production companies. "Its key element is public demonstrations of the military vehicles in expos and parades," the CEO said. For instance, the Victory Day parade at the Red Square will feature modern samples of the military vehicles and weapons, the export versions of which can be found in the Rosoboronexport catalogue. In particular, these are the Buk-M2E and Tor-M2E missile systems, Pantsir-S1 missile system, Iskander-E mobile short-range ballistic missile system, 2S19 Msta-S self-propelled howitzer, Smerch multiple rocket launcher, Tigr-M all-terrain infantry mobility vehicle, Taifun-K and BTR-82A armored vehicles, T-72 type tanks and BMPT armored fighting vehicle. The aviation is represented by the Il-76MD-90A(E) strategic airlifter, MiG-29M multi-purpose fighter, Su-30SME multi-functional supermaneuverable fighter jet, Su-32 fighter bomber, Su-35 multipurpose supermaneuverable fighter, Mi-28NE and Ka-52 attack helicopters, as well as Mi-26T2 heavy transport helicopter. "On May 9, the Red Square parade will also feature military vehicles that have great export potential, such as the Armata tank, Bumerang infantry fighting vehicle and Kurganets-25 infantry fighting vehicle and armored personnel carrier. These vehicles taking part in the parade will demonstrate the highest quality of the Russian defense industry to our overseas partners," the Rosoboronexports press service added. According to the Russian Defense Ministry, in total, 1600 units of military vehicles will take part in the Victory Day parades across Russia. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has expressed condolences to Russian President Vladimir Putin over the SSJ-100 plane crash that took place on May 5, taking the lives of 41 people, UN Secretary Generals Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric informed on Tuesday, Trend reported citing TASS. "Secretary General has written a letter to President Putin of the Russian Federation to express his deepest condolences over the loss of lives at the Moscow airport over the weekend. In the letter, Secretary General sends his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims as well as to the people and families of the Russian Federation. He also wishes those injured a speedy recovery," Dujarric informed. Aeroflots Sukhoi Superjet 100 passenger plane (flight SU-1492) with 73 passengers and five crewmembers onboard that was bound for Murmansk caught fire after emergency landing at Sheremetyevo shortly after its takeoff on May 5. A total of 41 people, including two children, died in the plane fire. Baku, Azerbaijan, May 7 By Rufiz Hafizoglu - Trend: The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) railway is one of important transport projects in the region, Turkish Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Mehmet Cahit Turhan said, Trend reports May 7 with reference to Turkish media. He was commenting on the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Ankara, Baku and Moscow on the development of cargo transportation along the BTK railway. He said that the signing of a memorandum between Turkey, Russia and Azerbaijan will strengthen the importance of this project. On May 6, Ankara, Baku and Moscow signed a memorandum of understanding on the development of cargo transportation along the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) railway. On October 30, 2017, a solemn ceremony on the occasion of the opening of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway was held at the Baku International Sea Trade Port. The BTK railway is built according to the Azerbaijani-Georgian-Turkish intergovernmental agreement. At the initial stage, the volume of freight traffic will reach 6.5 million tons of cargo, and up to one million passengers will be transported through this railway. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu Baku, Azerbaijan, May 7 By Rufiz Hafizoglu Trend: Holding repeat municipal elections in Istanbul does not contradict the principles of democracy, said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Trend reports referring to Turkish media. According to Erdogan, the results of the elections held on March 31 were rigged. The head of state said that Turkeys Supreme Electoral Council (YSK) is obliged to hold fair and transparent elections on June 23, 2019. On May 6, the YSK said that repeated municipal elections will be held in Istanbul on June 23. On April 17, YSK officially announced the results of the municipal election in Istanbul. According to YSK, the candidate for the position of the head of the Istanbul municipality from the opposition Republican Peoples Party Ekrem Imamoglu received 4.169 million votes, while the candidate from the Justice and Development Party Binali Yildirim received 4.156 million votes. Turkey's Supreme Electoral Council issued a mandate to Ekrem Imamoglu for the position of the Head of the Istanbul municipality, while AKP recently officially appealed to YSK to hold the repeat elections in Istanbul. Shortly after the elections, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the results of the municipal elections in Istanbul may be annulled. Meanwhile, Deputy Chairman of AKP Ali Ihsan Yavuz said that the ruling party demanded to hold new municipal elections in Istanbul. He added that the ruling party had all the evidence of falsification of the election results. The municipal election results in Istanbul were almost completely rigged, President Erdogan said earlier. He noted that the ruling Justice and Development Party appealed to YSK to identify the perpetrators. Meanwhile, the Justice and Development Party presented facts of falsification of 11,000 votes in Istanbul in favor of the candidate of the opposition Republican Peoples Party Ekrem Imamoglu. Thirteen political parties took part in the municipal elections held on March 31. These included the Felicity Party (SP), the Independent Turkey Party (Bagmsz Turkiye Partisi), the Communist Party of Turkey (Turkiye Komunist Partisi), the Patriotic Party (Vatan Partisi), the Great Unity Party (Buyuk Birlik Partisi), Free Cause Party (Hur Dava Partisi), Republican Peoples Party (Cumhuriyet Halk Partisi), Justice and Development Party (Adalet ve Kalknma Partisi), Democratic Party (Demokrat Parti), Nationalist Movement Party (Milliyetci Hareket Partisi), Iyi Party (IYI Parti), Peoples Democratic Party (Halklarn Demokratik Partisi) and Democratic Left Party (Demokratik Sol Parti). It was reported that Imamoglu was leading the race with 4.159 million votes, while the candidate from the ruling party Binali Yildirim had 4.131 million votes in Istanbul. The coalition of the ruling party and the Nationalist Movement Party gained 51.67 percent of votes in the municipal elections throughout the country. Following the elections, candidate of the Republican Peoples Party Mansur Yavas became Mayor of Ankara. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu The U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called off his visit to Berlin due to "pressing issues", the U.S. Embassy in Berlin said on Tuesday, Trend reported citing Xinhua. "Unfortunately, we must reschedule the Berlin meetings due to pressing issues. We look forward to rescheduling this important set of meetings. The secretary looks forward to being in Berlin soon," said a statement. During his trip in Germany, Pompeo had planned to meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Foreign Minister Heiko Maas. Topics including Ukraine, Venezuela, Iran and Syria were to be discussed, according to Deutsche Presse Agentur. Maas confirmed the cancellation, adding he has made telephone call with Pompeo and showed understanding. "We need the tight wire to Washington. We have vital interest in cooperating on the urgent international issues closely with the Americans and representing the EU position," Maas said. Some local media said that the call-off might be a sign of the tense ties between Berlin and Washington, as the two countries were recently at odds on several issues, like the construction of Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline and the sanctions against Iran. Germany has been facing pressure over its support for the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline as the U.S. claimed it will increase Europe's dependence on Russian gas. Last week, the German government, along with EU, UK and France, issued a joint statement, expressing concerns over the U.S. decision to scrap sanction waivers for oil imports from Iran. Maas dismissed the speculations, saying "it is good to have Mike Pompeo in foreign office, so that we can discuss on these issues." Pompeo started his European tour on Monday attending an Arctic Council meeting in Finland, where he also had talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Pompeo is scheduled to travel to the UK on Wednesday. KYODO NEWS - May 7, 2019 - 14:21 | All, Japan The Japanese government began its annual "Cool Biz" campaign Tuesday to promote energy conservation in the workplace by dressing more casually. Cool Biz, which calls for setting office air conditioners at 28 C, will run until the end of September, allowing officials at the central government to work without jackets and ties and wear polo shirts, sneakers and even Hawaiian aloha shirts. (Officials at the Emvironment Ministry after the start of the "Cool Biz" campaign.) The Environment Ministry introduced the initiative in 2005 and is also promoting its "Cool Share" campaign aimed at getting people together in air-conditioned common spaces including commercial facilities and cafes. It is also encouraging people to use "green curtains" by growing shade-producing plants. "Although it is not compulsory, if we reduce the use of air conditioning, we will be able to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions," said Shinji Isobe, head of the ministry's lifestyle policy office. Private companies such as supermarkets and department stores also joined the initiative to combat global warming, with some planning to offer new fashion styles to help people spend the summer more comfortably. If the news trickling down from the industry sources is anything to go by, the talented actress Keerthy Suresh will be soon appearing on sets of Nagarjuna-starrer Manmadhudu 2. Sources claim that she will be playing a cameo role in the much-awaited romantic entertainer. However, no official confirmation regarding the same has been made. also read: Pic Talk: Chay-Sam latest pictures from Spain are giving us major vacation goals Recently, Samantha Akkineni finished the shooting of her part for Manmadhudu 2 in Portugal. The Southern beauty will be seen playing an extended cameo and her character will reportedly bring a huge twist in the film. The two actresses were seen together in a hit film, Mahanati. If reports are anything to go by, it will be interesting to see Samantha and Keerthy back for a film. Starring Rakul Preet Singh and Akshara Gowda as the leading ladies, the Rahul Ravindran directorial is currently undergoing a long shooting schedule in Europe The film also features Vennela Kishore, Rao Ramesh, and Jhansi among others. The sequel to Nags career-best blockbuster, Manmadhudu 2 is being directed by actor-turned-director Rahul Ravindran. .also read: Baahubali to marry a US-based girl soon? Sonam Kapoor who is known for speaking frankly spoke opun on her equation with her sister in law. Calling her mother-in-law her mother, Sonam Kapoor said, "I like to call my mother-in-law my mother. She has two children and she treats me like her third child. She is my friend and at the same time, shes my mom. I think shes loved me as much as my mother loves me. She doesnt have a daughter, so she keeps saying that she eventually got a daughter in me and I think everyone should be as lucky as I am." Troll calls Katrina work monotonous and repetitive, here is actress epic reply The actress said, "She is a fantastic lady. I thank my mother-in-law every day for making Aditya the person he is today. Shes an absolutely fantastic lady to know, and this is something thats clearly visible in the way that shes brought him up. She has instilled such good values in him that I keep thanking her." Katrina Kaif cover photo the latest fashion magazine is unmissable On the work front, Sonam is busy with her upcoming film The Zoya Factor, while Juhi Chawla was also last seen sharing the screen space with Sonam in Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga. On the other hand, Rani Mukerji is busy with Mardani 2 and Vidya Balan will next be seen in Mission Mangal. Gather your sorting hats: a Harry Potter dining event is making its way to New York City this August. The "Wizard's Brunch & Dinner" will be in the city for one weekend only, August 17th and 18th, and were almost positive Hogwarts cosplay will be as big a deal as the food. Tickets are now on sale for this traveling dinner theater (adult tickets range from $135 to $150, plus fees), which has delighted Potter-obsessed crowds everywhere from Denver, Colorado to Liverpool, England. The immersive experience invites Muggles to learn spells, drink witchy brews, and visit fortune tellers. Picture Medieval Times for the J.K. Rowling set. Honestly it looks pretty intense: Wizard's Brunch & Dinner will take place twice a day, with different sessions available for fans of all ages, and others strictly for adults. Pier 60, the site of this fantastical extravaganza, will be transformed into a replica of Hogwarts Great Hall (floating candles included). The venue will house the various Potter characters and activities like competitive quizzes and live music, and the themed, three-course meal will be prepared by New York City-based chef Abigail Kirsch. Everyone is encouraged to dress up. Jake May | MLive.com file photo Proposals for May 7, 2019 election ballot Voters in Kent, Ottawa, Muskegon, Kalamazoo and Allegan counties will weigh in on a variety proposals on the May 7, 2019 election ballot including: School bonds, sinking funds and operating millages 911 surcharge Aquatic center bond Special permits for medical marijuana facilities Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. To make Election Day a little easier, try to avoid common mistakes such as going to the wrong polling place or failing to bring photo identification. Biggest Mistakes Michigan Voters Make at the Polls See what requests are on your local ballots by scrolling down: Don't Edit Cory Morse | MLive.com file photo Rockford schools bond, sinking fund requests Rockford Public Schools in Kent County has two tax proposals on the May 7, election ballot that would generate $185 million over 10 years to address growth, improve facilities, and promote innovation and collaborative learning. Neither request requires an increase in taxes because of retiring debt. In fact, Assistant Superintendent for Finance Michael Cuneo said the tax rate will decrease by 1 mill to 7.5 mill. Click the link below for the full story on the tax requests. Rockford's 2 ballot proposals target facility needs and collaborative classrooms The specifics of the proposals that combined would address the capital needs of the 8,000-student district are: A 30-year, $174 million school improvement bond to pay for long-term capital projects, including a new elementary on the West Side and expansion of four other buildings to address current and future growth. A 0.5 mill sinking fund millage for 10 years -- 2019 to 2028 that would generate a total of $11 million with no interest costs to support district-wide capital improvement projects such as technology and security system upgrades, roof replacements, and HVAC systems. Don't Edit MLive File Photo Holland Community Aquatic Center bond request The Holland Community Aquatic Center in Ottawa County serves approximately 200,000 people a year. On May 7, voters will decide whether to support a renovation and construction bond proposal for a 20-year, 1.25 mill that would raise $26.3 million. $26.3M Holland aquatic center bond would renovate, expand facility For the owner of a home valued at $150,000 with a taxable state equalized value of $75,000, a yes vote would cost $93.75 per year. The funds would go toward upgrades to the aging facility and expanding programs and services. Don't Edit MLive File Photo Muskegon County 911 phone surchage Voters once again will be asked May 7 to approve an increase in their phone bills to pay for updates to the Muskegon County 911 emergency dispatch system. Previously defeated 911 phone surcharge back before Muskegon voters The same proposal, which would fund switching from an analog to digital dispatch system, was defeated at the polls in November 2018. Muskegon County Central Dispatch ballot proposal would increase the monthly 911 surcharge from 42 cents to $2.75 per month. The surcharge would raise an estimated $2.95 million the first year. The new ballot initiative puts an end date on the surcharge June 30, 2032 while the previous, defeated measure did not have a specific date it would end. Don't Edit Mark Bugnaski |MLive.com file photo Kalamazoo voters weigh in on school taxes Some Kalamazoo County residents will weigh in on the Comstock Public Schools sinking fund millage. Comstock Public Schools asking voters to support sinking fund tax Voters in the district will be asked to approve a 1-mill sinking fund tax to be levied annually for 10 years, 2019 to 2028, for construction and repair of school buildings, including school security improvements, acquisition or upgrades of technology and for other purposes. For every $100,000 of home value, the contribution would be approximately $50 per year. The sinking fund will generate $528,352 in 2019 Here is a list of projects the district has targeted for priority with the funds: Paving projects at all buildings Roofing especially at Green Meadow Flooring and carpeting Windows Doors Ceilings Sidewalks Upgrades to the computerized facilities and building management system that runs furnaces, boilers, and other related equipment Upgrading the outer walls of both North Elementary School and STEM Academy by removing the original surface and replacing it with a new material Residents of the Climax-Scotts Community Schools will see a Non-Homestead Operating Millage renewal on the ballot for four years, 2020 through 2023, to support school operations. State law requires schools levy 18 mills on non-homestead properties to receive full state foundation grant funding. The millage would generate approximately $296,428 in 2020 to support the operation of schools. Don't Edit Don't Edit Cory Morse | MLive.com file photo West Ottawa bond, operating millage request Voters in the West Ottawa School District are deciding whether to support a 25-year, $97.9 million bond proposal to fund capital improvements and facilities. Superintendent Thomas Martin said no millage increase is expected because the district has been aggressively paying down debt and in 2020 a lot of district debt is scheduled to fall off the rolls. The bond would fund three key projects in addition to other improvements: A new elementary school in the southeast area of the district. A new performing arts center at the high school. A new multi-sport stadium at the high school. The bond would also address securing entrances at Sheldon Woods Elementary and the high school. To see frequently asked questions and other planned improvements, visit the district website. The district also has an operating millage renewal proposal on the ballot, which is required for it to receive its state revenue per pupil foundation allowance. The 18 mills for operating purposes is expected to generate $12.4 million for 2019 if approved. Don't Edit MLive File Photo Sparta sinking fund tax renewal Sparta School District voters will decide whether to renew a sinking fund millage thats been in place since 2000 generating cash for educational upgrades and facility repairs. Sparta schools asking voters for sinking fund renewal If approved, the district could levy 1.25 mills for a period of 10 years, 2020 to 2029, to create a sinking fund to build or repair of buildings, security improvements, technology upgrades, and to purchase real estate. Sparta cannot refer to the millage in the ballot language as a renewal because in 2016 the Michigan Legislature expanded the use of sinking funds to include technology and security, and voters must agree to those uses. Superintendent Peter Bush said the current levy wont increase. Due to district boundaries, the proposal will appear for some voters on the Kent and Ottawa election ballot. Don't Edit MLive File Photo Holton Township to decide future of marijuana dispensaries Voters in Muskegon's Holton Township will decide if the municipality should allow medical marijuana facilities to operate in some areas of town. Future of medical dispensaries in Holton Township to be decided by May 7 election If passed, the measure would let medical marijuana growers, processors and dispensaries operate in specially created districts in agricultural and commercial zones. The measure also would place special land use restrictions on any proposed facility in those areas to be determined by the Holton Township Planning Commission. If the measure fails, then no medical marijuana facilities will be allowed to operate in Holton Township since there wont be a regulated zoning district to put them in, according to township officials. But the township board could amend the existing ordinance restricting where facilities can be located, said township Clerk Sarah Hippler. Don't Edit Cory Morse | MLive.com file photo Hudsonville operating millage renewal Hudsonville Public Schools in Ottawa County has an operating millage renewal proposal on the election ballot. Only non-homestead properties -- second homes, rental properties and businesses - pay the operating millage of 18 mills, not primary residences. This proposal allows the district to continue to levy the statutory rate of not to exceed 18 mills for 2019, in order to receive its revenue per pupil foundation allowance from the state. The district of nearly 7,000 students expects to collect approximately $4.8 million. Hudsonville planning for more growth in student enrollment Don't Edit Cory Morse | MLive.com file photo Lowell school improvement bond Lowell Area Schools has a 30-year, $52 million school bond proposal to accommodate growth, renovate, modernize and improve school facilities. Lowell schools $52M bond aims to renovate, modernize and improve facilities The bulk of the bond, $34 million, would go toward the total makeover of middle school to create a 21st century learning environment. There are 870 students at the school, located at 750 Foreman St. Superintendent Greg Pratt said there would not be an increase to the current 7.0 debt millage because debt falling off the rolls over the next few years. At the elementary level, the proposal aims to meet five-year infrastructure needs, limit each building to 600 students, and add five K-2 classrooms at Alto Elementary the fasting growing primary program. For more information about the full bond proposal, visit the district website. Don't Edit Don't Edit Neil Blake | MLive.com file photo East Grand Rapids schools operating millage renewal East Grand Rapids Public Schools has operating millage renewal proposal on the ballot, also known as an 18 mill non-homestead tax levy. Eight Kent, Ottawa districts need operating cash The non-homestead millage renewal is for industrial and commercial properties, and second homes. It does not include a familys primary residence. The millage is a portion of district's state per-pupil foundation allowance and for EGR amounts to $1.3 million annually. To receive full operational funding granted by the state, schools must levy the 18 mills on non-homestead property. EGR's renewal request actually contains two proposals: The first would renew the current 17.63 mills being levied this tax year. The second requests an additional 3 mills of authority to return the overall non-homestead levy to 18 mills. This would be for a period of five years, 2019 to 2023, and is done to protect against further millage reductions due to Headlee rollbacks. Don't Edit Cory Morse | MLive.com file photo Byron Center schools operating millage request Public school districts must levy 18 mills on non-homestead properties to receive full state foundation grant funding. Headlee Override Operating Millage Proposal Byron Center Public Schools non-homestead tax levy has been Headlee reduced to 17.3984 mills. The school board is asking voters to consider the approval of an additional 3.0 mills for Headlee restoration purposes for a period of nine years, 2019 to 2027, When property values rise at a greater pace than the rate of inflation the non-homestead tax levy will be automatically Headlee reduced, known as a Headlee Rollback. The increase would allow the restoration of lost funds as well as a buffer in the event future Headlee rollbacks continue to occur. Officials say the district is currently losing 0.6016 mills of non-homestead funding for the per-pupil foundation allowance. This equates to a loss of approximately $219,000 in 2018-2019. The estimated revenue that would be collected in 2019 from the increase is $312,000. Don't Edit MLive File Photo Montague schools sinking fund request Voters in the Montague Area Public School District will decide a 0.8-mill sinking fund proposal Montague schools sinking fund tax proposal The district is requesting support for a 10-year (2019 to 2028), 0.8-mill sinking fund tax. If approved, the tax is expected to maintain the districts current millage rate of 8.6 mills while generating about $3 million over 10 years to improve infrastructure. A tax of 0.8 mill equals $40 a year for the owner of a home with a market value of $100,000. The district would collect about $283,992 in 2019 if the proposal passes. In 2017, a slightly higher millage request for a sinking fund was rejected by voters. Don't Edit MLive File Photo Kentwood schools operating millage renewal Kentwood Public Schools in KentCounty has an operating millage renewal for voters to decide. The district of around 9,200 students is asking that the currently authorized 18.8033 mills be renewed for 10 years, 2020 to 2029, for operating purposes. Only non-homestead properties -- second homes, rental properties and businesses - pay the operating millage of 18 mills, not primary residences. This proposal allows the district to continue to levy the statutory rate of not to exceed 18 mills. Approval is needed to receive its revenue per pupil foundation allowance from the state. If renewed, the district expects to collect approximately $18 million in 2020. This renewal is for the millage that will expire with the 2019 levy. Don't Edit Contributed by Zeeland Public Schools Zeeland schools operating millage renewal Zeeland Public Schools in Ottawa County has an operating millage renewal proposal on the election ballot. Only non-homestead properties -- second homes, rental properties and businesses -- pay the operating millage of 18 mills, not primary residences. By law, districts cannot levy more than 18 mills. However, some district communities have previously approved additional millage to restore millage lost due to Headlee rollbacks. This cushion ensures the district can still collect 18 mills even as property values rise. Voters are asked if the currently authorized millage rate of 18.7760 mills can be renewed for 2020 for operating purposes. The estimated revenue the district would collect if approved is approximately $8.2 million. This renewal is for the millage set to expire with the 2019 tax levy. Don't Edit Don't Edit MLive File Photo Kelloggsville schools operating millage request Kelloggsville Public Schools has an operating millage proposal on the May 7 election ballot. The request asks voters if the currently authorized millage rate of 17.6087 mills can be renewed for a period of two years, 2020 and 2021, and also be increased by .5 mill for the same period to provide funds for operating purposes. The estimate of the revenue the school district will collect if the millage is approved and 18 mills are levied in 2020 is approximately $3.2 million. This millage is to renew millage that will expire with the 2019 levy and to restore millage lost as a result of the reduction required by the Headlee Amendment and will be levied only to the extent necessary to restore that reduction due to a millage rollback. This ensures the district can still collect 18 mills even as property values rise. Don't Edit Joel Bissell | MLive.com file photo Grand Haven schools operating millage renewal Grand Haven Area Public Schools in Ottawa County has an operating millage renewal proposal on the May 7 election ballot. Only non-homestead properties -- second homes, rental properties and businesses - pay the operating millage of 18 mills, not primary residences. This proposal allows the district to continue to levy the statutory rate of not to exceed 18 mills for 2019, in order to receive its revenue per pupil foundation allowance from the state. The district of around 6,100 students expects to collect approximately $15.2 million for operating purposes. Don't Edit MLive File Photo Saugatuck school improvement bond Voters in the Saugatuck School District in Allegan will decide a $39.9 million bond that would modernize learning environments, upgrade aging infrastructure, and renovate and refresh buildings. Saugatuck schools $39.9M bond targets modernizing learning spaces The estimated net millage increase for the 27-year proposal over the prior years levy is 1.36 mills. The owner of a home with a market value of $100,000 would pay $68.07 if they support the proposal, according to Superintendent Tim Travis. In May, a $50.7 million bond request failed. Travis said they reduced the amount by 21 percent, in response to community feedback. Some planned improvements include: Middle/High School - a section of the building and gyms would be refreshed with minor renovations, while the remaining sections of the buildings would receive major renovations. Douglas Elementary and the Middle/High School would receive renovations to secure the front entrances, new video surveillance systems and enhanced keycard access. Purchase of new buses to replace the oldest buses in the fleet. Address parking and traffic flow at Douglas Elementary School and the Middle School / High School. Don't Edit MLive File Photo Tri County Area Schools bond request Tri County Area Schools has a $37 million bond proposal on the ballot that would focus on creating a community campus, improving educational opportunities, and capital improvements. Tri County Schools $37M targets creating a community campus Superintendent Al Cumings said the main objective of the bond is to build a new K-5 elementary school on the same campus as the middle and high school, giving the district a central campus at the Howard City site. The boundaries of the Montcalm district, which has 1,906 students, stretch into Kent and Newaygo counties. There are 751 registered Kent voters in Nelson (724) and Solon Townships (27) that can have a say in the bond. In November, Tri Countys $40.7 million school bond proposal failed. Cumings said the request was revised in response to community feedback. Don't Edit MLive File Photo Lakeview schools sinking fund tax request Lakeview Community Schools in Montcalm County has a sinking fund proposal on the election ballot. The measure will be on a Kent County ballot because the boundaries extend into Spencer Township's Precinct 1, where there are 220 registered voters. Mecosta County voters will also weigh in on the measure. The proposal is to establish a building and site sinking fund for 1.5 mils for five years, 2019 to 2023, for the construction or repair of school buildings, security improvements, and for the acquisition or upgrading technology. If approved, the district would levy approximately $500,000 in 2019. A taxpayer with a home value of $100,000 and taxable value of $50,000 would pay $75 per year. See the proposed projects and cost to those with other home values on the district website. Don't Edit Don't Edit MLive File Photo More coverage of the May 7 election The polls are open on May 7 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. To find your polling location, or to check your voter registration status, visit the Michigan Voter Information Center. Biggest mistakes Michigan voters make the polls Visit the Ottawa County, Kent County and Muskegon County election sites to see ballot language proposals. What Michigan voters need to know, including new rule changes TWEET ME DISCLAIMER *COMMENTS, LINKS, AND CUT AND PASTE ARTICLES, ARE NOT ALL ENDORSED BY THE PUBLISHER. THIS BLOG claims no credit for any images posted on this site unless otherwise noted. Images on this blog are copyright to its respectful owners. If there is an image appearing on this blog that belongs to you and do not wish for it appear on this site, please E-mail with a link to said image and it will be promptly removed. MORE DISCLAIMERS This is a commercial free blog. Money is nice, but being able to speak my mind is better. "Real talk: Daniel Rubin has a great little piece up wherein he chats with The Field Negro, the Philly-based blogger who sharply ponders all things black on a daily basis. (Seriously, if youve never checked in with TFN, you should: Its author, Wayne Bennett, is a fantastic read who can cut through bullshit like a hot knife through butter, which is a far grosser analogy than I wanted to make, but there you have it.)" ~Philebrity~ "One of the most precocious and hilarious Black political minds on the net. Ive been a long-time fan!" ~Asad Malik~ "..While most of what he writes is tongue-in-cheek, his space is a safe house for candid discussions about race, especially in the comments section, where people of all colors meet." ~~Daniel Rubin, "The Philadelphia Inquirer"~~ "To white people, Bennett's musings are like kitchen-table talk from a kitchen they may otherwise never set foot in. To African Americans, he is part of a growing army of black Internet amateurs who have taken up the work once reserved for ministers and professional activists: the work of setting a black agenda, shaping black opinion and calling attention to the state of the nation's racial affairs." ~~Richard Fausset, "L.A. Times"~~~ ~Erik Hare, "The Twin Cities Daily Planet"~ "That's why I love the blog " Field Negro " so much. Field, as he's known to his fans, has the sense of reality that it takes to call out the ( CowPuckey ) of blame beating by those who are in positions of power and their lackeys. Because of his handle and his unabashed way of writing about racial issues, Field is often cited as a "Black blogger." What he is, however, is a first-class detector of blame deflection and an excellent student of history. If you want to write about the past and future of repression there's really no other perspective to take - which is why everyone should read Field."~Erik Hare, "The Twin Cities Daily Planet"~ 411 On The Field field negro Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States Raised in the house, but field certified. Jamaica is the land of my birth, but I consider myself a citizen of the world. I currently practice law in the city of "brotherly love". View my complete profile "Half a century after Little Rock, the Montgomery bus boycott and the tumultuous dawn of the modern civil rights era, the new face of the movement is Facebook, MySpace and some 150 black blogs united in an Internet alliance they call the AfroSpear. Older, familiar leaders such as Rev. Jesse Jackson, Rev. Al Sharpton and NAACP Chairman Julian Bond, are under challenge by a younger generation of bloggers known by such provocative screen names as Field Negro, thefreeslave and African American Political Pundit. And many of the newest struggles are being waged online." ~Howard Witt-The Chicago Tribune~ "I had no idea, for example, of the extent of the African-American blogging world out there and its collective powers of dissemination.But now, after reading thousands of anguished, thoughtful comments posted on these blogs reflecting on issues of persistent racial discrimination in the nation's schools and courtrooms, what's clear to me is that there's a new, "virtual" civil rights movement out there on the Internet that can reach more people in a few hours than all the protest marches, sit-ins and boycotts of the 1950s and 60s put together." ~Chicago Tribune Reporter, Howard Witt~ IF YOU ARE BRAVE ENOUGH TO FLAUNT IT. Come visit my store on CafePress! Getty Images Gold prices have endured an up-and-down 2019 that has seen the yellow metal surge for the first couple months before sliding to a slight year-to-date loss. Still, gold stocks - the mining companies that actually produce the shiny commodity - are worth a look right now. A little exposure to gold can help your portfolio. And one way to get that exposure is via mining companies, whose results are heavily tied to the metal's price but can also stand out from one another based on their management, operational efficiency and economies of scale. Prices, while slightly lower this year, remain well off their two-year lows set in August 2018, sitting roughly in the middle of their three-year range. Moreover, gold and gold stocks remain a hedge against market, economic and geopolitical turmoil here and abroad. Choose your catalyst: failure to reach a trade deal with China, saber-rattling on the Korean peninsula, a no-deal Brexit, new Russian incursions. Any of these could help gold regain its moxie. Here are five gold stocks to buy to take advantage of additional sparks in the yellow metal. All five stand out as some of the best operators in the space, and all do something that gold itself can't do: pay cash dividends. SEE ALSO: 50 Top Stocks That Billionaires Love Newmont Goldcorp Market value: $24.5 billion Dividend Yield: 1.9% In April, Newmont Goldcorp (NEM, $29.94) and Goldcorp shareholders approved the former's $10 billion takeover of the latter. The combination has created what should be the world's largest gold producer and currently is the largest player among gold stocks (by market value). The deal's architects were so confident of the potential synergies that they dangled an 88-cent-per-share special dividend as a reward if shareholders OK'd the pairing. To put this into context, 88 cents is roughly six quarters' worth of Newmont Mining's regular dividends. What is now Newmont Goldcorp likely will become the industry leader, with management projecting 6 million to 7 million ounces of annual gold production. Story continues Newmont has an impressive pipeline of projects coming on line. The most recent, and most notable, is a joint venture with giant Barrick Gold (GOLD) after a failed merger bid. While Newmont was trying to buy Goldcorp, Barrick launched a hostile bid for NEM that included breaking off its pursuit of Goldcorp. However, Barrick capitulated and instead agreed to a JV that will combine the pair's Nevada assets, significantly reducing costs. Bank of America analysts have a "Buy" rating on the stock, citing "Newmont's impressive pipeline of production replacement projects, strong forecast free cash flow generation and a solid balance sheet with a below industry average net debt to EBITDA ratio." Kirkland Lake Gold Market value: $6.5 billion Dividend yield: 0.4% Kirkland Lake Gold's (KL, $30.90) stock has been on a tear compared to most of the industry. Shares have jumped 72% over the past year while the VanEck Vectors Gold Miners ETF (GDX) has lost more than 9%. The bullish sentiment around Kirkland concerns its two primary assets: the Fosterville Mine in Victoria, Australia, and the Macassa Mine in Ontario, Canada. While Kirkland operates seven mines, these two accounted for 82.4% of 2018's 723,701 ounces of production. (Across production improvements from all of its mines, KL is on track to hit production of 1 million ounces of gold in 2019.) Australia's Fosterville is driving the bulk of Kirkland's growth. For the first quarter of 2019, total gold production at Fosterville was 128,445 ounces, slightly more than doubling what it produced in the year-ago quarter. Fosterville offers multiple opportunities to extend existing mining operations as well as adding new mining lines within the site. Kirkland forecast 550,000 to 610,000 ounces of production at Fosterville in 2019 following 356,000 ounces last year. Guidance for the Fosterville mine levels off in 2020, but Kirkland has a history of raising estimates. Fosterville's strength drove a fantastic first quarter from an operational standpoint. The company reported record profits (+114% year-over-year) and free cash flow (+85% YoY). That sparked the company to juice its dividend by 34% to 4 cents per share. While the yield will remain modest - it will go from just below 0.4% today to above 0.5% as of the new payout - it's a strong vote of confidence. BMO Capital Markets has a "Market Perform" rating (equivalent of "Hold") on this gold stock, but a price target of $50. An upside scenario of $60 is possible, too. "As part of the St. Andrew acquisition, Kirkland Lake acquired a very large land package," BMO's analysts write. "Exploration success could add value to the stock. Now that the Newmarket Gold transaction is complete, further exploration success at Fosterville may act as a catalyst as well." SEE ALSO: 57 Dividend Stocks You Can Count On in 2019 Agnico Eagle Mines Market value: $9.6 billion Dividend yield: 1.2% Toronto-based Agnico Eagle Mines (AEM, $40.88) is primarily a gold miner that also produces silver, copper and zinc. It has eight mines across Canada, Finland and Mexico, with additional exploration-and-development activities in the U.S. and Sweden. Agnico is something of a turnaround opportunity. AEM shares have languished against a weak year - 2018 production of 1.6 million ounces, while above guidance, was off 5% from 2017. However, Agnico is guiding 1.75 million ounces of gold production for this year, then 2 million ounces in 2020. Even better for investors: Agnico is forecasting its cost to produce an ounce of gold to stabilize and then decline through 2021. "After the first quarter, we're tracking extremely well towards that target and we'll be revisiting those numbers in our second quarter update in late July as we move through the commissioning of both Meliadine and Amaruq," CEO Sean Boyd said during the first-quarter earnings conference call. Agnico also sweetened the pot for shareholders in February when it improved its dividend by 13.6% to 12.5 cents per share. CFRA analysts, who rate Agnico a "Strong Buy," write, "AEM has a track record of strong execution and AEM operates in favorable jurisdictions, which help justify AEM's valuation premium compared to peers." Barrick Gold Market value: $22.1 billion Dividend yield: 1.3% Barrick Gold (GOLD, $12.60), which owns gold mines worldwide, was until not too long ago the world's largest gold producer. Newmont Mining's rejection of Barrick's bid, followed by its buyout of Goldcorp, has changed that ... but there's still plenty to like about Barrick. The diversity of Barrick's global portfolio -- from Asia to north and south America, Africa and the Middle East -- provides investors a much higher degree of insulation from political and regulatory risks that are part and parcel of investing in gold stocks. And Barrick hasn't been completely shut out on the M&A front. Its $6.5 billion acquisition of Randgold in September 2018 bolstered its portfolio and left it with five of the world's 10 lowest-cost gold mines. Morningstar analyst Kristoffer Inton pointed out after the buyout that Barrick has more than 10 mines producing more than 200,000 ounces of gold each - the entire production of many mid-tier producers. Moreover, the mines associated with the Randgold deal "helps offset production declines in Barrick's legacy portfolio with costs at or below the company average," Inton writes. There's also the Newmont-Barrick JV to consider. The companies say they can reduce costs in their Nevada mines by $500 million in the first five years and $5 billion over 20 years. Prior to the Randgold acquisition, Nevada minds accounted for 40% of the company's revenues. SEE ALSO: 33 Ways to Get Higher Yields AngloGold Ashanti Market value: $4.7 billion Dividend yield: 0.6% Johannesburg, South Africa-based AngloGold Ashanti (AU, $11.42) is among the largest gold stocks in the world. Its operations in nine countries produced 3.4 million ounces of gold in 2018, putting it behind only Newmont and Barrick. Bulls like AngloGold because the redevelopment of its Obuasi mine in Ghana portends meaningful new production at lower costs while shifting the company away from what many feel is an over-concentration of mining in South Africa. Political instability, recently implemented and restrictive mining rules, and a strengthening South African currency has diminished the appeal of doing business there. What tends to give investors pause are the company's production costs, which are higher than its peers. But for 2019, AngloGold guided to cash costs of $730 to $780 per ounce, which would represent a decline of between 5.5% and 1%. That's a step in the right direction - Morningstar's Inton writes, "Progress on cost reductions is better we had previously forecast" - and more could be on the way. In September, AngloGold replaced CEO Srinivasan Venkatakrishnan with Barrick Gold President Kelvin Dushnisky, who presided over cost reductions at Barrick. SEE ALSO: The 45 Cheapest Index Funds in the ETF Universe EDITOR'S PICKS Copyright 2019 The Kiplinger Washington Editors Abraxas Petroleum (AXAS) came out with quarterly earnings of $0.02 per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.03 per share. This compares to earnings of $0.09 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items. This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of -33.33%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this energy company would post earnings of $0.04 per share when it actually produced earnings of $0.02, delivering a surprise of -50%. Over the last four quarters, the company has surpassed consensus EPS estimates just once. Abraxas, which belongs to the Zacks Oil and Gas - Exploration and Production - United States industry, posted revenues of $34.51 million for the quarter ended March 2019, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 9.05%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $40.63 million. The company has topped consensus revenue estimates three times over the last four quarters. The sustainability of the stock's immediate price movement based on the recently-released numbers and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's commentary on the earnings call. Abraxas shares have added about 23.8% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's gain of 17.5%. What's Next for Abraxas? While Abraxas has outperformed the market so far this year, the question that comes to investors' minds is: what's next for the stock? There are no easy answers to this key question, but one reliable measure that can help investors address this is the company's earnings outlook. Not only does this include current consensus earnings expectations for the coming quarter(s), but also how these expectations have changed lately. Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions. Investors can track such revisions by themselves or rely on a tried-and-tested rating tool like the Zacks Rank, which has an impressive track record of harnessing the power of earnings estimate revisions. Story continues Ahead of this earnings release, the estimate revisions trend for Abraxas was mixed. While the magnitude and direction of estimate revisions could change following the company's just-released earnings report, the current status translates into a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to perform in line with the market in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. It will be interesting to see how estimates for the coming quarters and current fiscal year change in the days ahead. The current consensus EPS estimate is $0.05 on $35.50 million in revenues for the coming quarter and $0.24 on $157.93 million in revenues for the current fiscal year. Investors should be mindful of the fact that the outlook for the industry can have a material impact on the performance of the stock as well. In terms of the Zacks Industry Rank, Oil and Gas - Exploration and Production - United States is currently in the top 15% of the 250 plus Zacks industries. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Abraxas Petroleum Corporation (AXAS) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research For Immediate Release Chicago, IL May 7, 2019 Zacks Equity Research Anglogold Ashanti AU as the Bull of the Day, Anderson Flooring AFI as the Bear of the Day. In addition, Zacks Equity Research provides analysis on Alphabet GOOGL, Lyft LYFT and GrubHub GRUB. Here is a synopsis of all five stocks: Bull of the Day: Those of you that followed the old philosophy of Shut up and buy the dip benefited today. After President Trump rocked the market with his strong stance on the China deal, speculators jumped in and pounded the market. Small caps led the way higher, digging out of their early hole and bursting though to highs not seen in weeks. In an environment like that, its tough to buck up and buy into the selloff. What if you pick a dud? What if your stock is on the edge of a swirl down the bowl? One way to avoid that potential situation is by buying stocks with great earnings trends. Stocks that have seen earnings estimates from analysts push to the upside. One way of uncovering stocks like this is by leaning on the power of the Zacks Rank. That Zacks Rank can help you find stock ideas like todays Bull of the Day Anglogold Ashanti. AngloGold Ashanti Limited operates as a gold mining company. It also produces silver, uranium, and sulphuric acid; and dore bars. The company operates 14 mines and 3 projects in 10 countries in South Africa, Continental Africa, the Americas, and Australasia. AngloGold Ashanti Limited was incorporated in 1944 and is headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa. The reason for the favorable Zacks Rank lies in the series of earnings estimate revisions to the upside. Over the last sixty days, two analysts have increased their earnings estimates for both the current year and next year. The bullish revisions have increased the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year from 75 cents to 99 cents while next years number has shot up from 69 cents to $1.17. But that really hasnt shown up in the stock price as the stock has remained under pressure, coming down from highs over $14 to the $11 level. Story continues Bear of the Day: It looked like curtains for the market early on Monday as traders came in to sell the market following President Trumps tweet about the China trade deal. Luckily, the market recovered of the lows, with the small caps of the Russell managing to breakeven. You may think that because of that you can just jump in and buy any stock you see. To the contrary, many risks still loom in the market. By avoiding stocks with negative earnings estimate revisions, you can avoid potential pitfalls that lie ahead. One way of finding these stocks is by leaning on the power of the Zacks Rank. Todays Bear of the Day is one of those stocks that may carry more risk than youd expect. Todays Bear of the4 Day is Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell) Anderson Flooring. Armstrong Flooring, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, designs, manufactures, sources, and sells resilient flooring products for use primarily in the construction and renovation of commercial, residential, and institutional buildings in North America and the Pacific Rim. The company sells its products to independent wholesale flooring distributors, retailers, builders, contractors, installers, property management firms, homeowners, and others. The reason for the unfavorable Zacks Rank lies in the series of recent earnings estimate revisions to the downside. Over the last sixty days, our current year Zacks Consensus Estimate has come down from 53 cents to 26 cents. Next years number has dropped from 70 cents to 55 cents. With estimates moving in the wrong direction, investors should make sure they understand the long-term goals of the company. The Building Products Wood Industry ranks in the Bottom 16% of our Zacks Industry Rank. Additional content: Should You Buy Uber Pre-IPO? Ride hailing companies are coming of age. Soon after its younger cousin Lyft filed for an IPO, Uber is slated to do likewise. One cant help wondering why the company is choosing to go public at a time when the perceived value of its brand seems to be declining and multiple problems appear to be plaguing it. In fact, the risk section of its prospectus is long enough to arouse fear in most. The primary issues before the company and those that investors must be concerned about include 1. Its ability to recruit and retain drivers without increasing costs significantly 2. Its ability to retain and grow the user base without increasing the fares significantly 3. Its ability to diversify successfully beyond ride sharing into the chosen areas of food delivery, other mobile (escooters and ebikes), trucking/logistics, autonomous driving, etc. 4. Its ability to deal with significant and growing competition in each of its served markets 5. Its ability to generate profits 6. Its ability to stay out of regulatory trouble with respect to anti-competitive behavior, user data (privacy and security) and also improper cash usage in certain developing countries 7. Uber also has the job of undoing its unsafe image and poor corporate culture under former CEO and founder Travis Kalanick whos still on its board (there is considerable improvement on this front already) 8. In addition, theres the concern that some early investors might be looking to cash out since Ubers valuation seems to be falling (and could fall further if Lyfts fortunes are any indication) Drivers Drivers of several Uber, Lyft and other ride hailing apps in New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Diego, Philadelphia and Washington, DC are joining a strike called by the New York Taxi Workers Alliance (NYTWA) for a couple of hours on Wednesday morning. They are seeking job security, living wages and a restriction on the amount ride hailing companies can collect from each fare. The problem is summed up by an NYTWA member: "Uber claims that we are independent contractors even though they set our rates and control our work day." Driver dissatisfaction is a big problem that is likely to remain because all employees expect increments even when the value of the services delivered dont increase. In Ubers case, some drivers complain that they dont get paid as much as regular taxicabs, but the law of demand states that this would cause them to quit. In most cases when drivers pull out, its because they dont want to work for incentives. On the other hand, the company needs to lower cost if it is to contain price increases and continue taking share from traditional cabbies. Dissatisfaction among its 3.9 million drivers is widespread not only in the U.S. but also in other key markets like India. Lyft reportedly defended its position in an emailed statement: "Over 75% drive less than 10 hours a week to supplement their existing jobs. On average, drivers nationwide earn over $20 per hour." So Lyfts position seems to be that it doesnt control the work day as claimed by the NYTWA worker, in which case, fewer drivers will be driven to a strike. Ubers S1 indicates that it pays 70-80% of gross bookings to drivers. So unless theres something seriously wrong with the operating model, drivers shouldnt be complaining at all. Users According to its S1 filing, Ubers monthly active platform users (MAPC), defined as unique consumers using Ridesharing, New Mobility or Uber Eats services at least once a month averaged quarterly, were 91 million at the end of 2018. Ridesharing and Uber Eats with 70 million+ and 15 million+ users, respectively, together constitute the core platform. User growth continues to grow strongly (at around 34% in 2018, significantly slower than the 51% growth in the prior year). Users naturally want to pay as little as possible while drivers want to earn as much as possible. This led to the creation/promotion of UberPOOL. Uber started increasing rates on the single passenger rides so more and more people opted for POOL, which was half the cost. Then it started increasing rates on POOL, so they were almost level with normal unshared taxi services. Getting paid for two or three trips in one (trips grew 37% in 2018 over the 58% increase in the prior year), while not having to figure out where to go since there are now common pick up spots, has been a good deal for drivers, who remain dissatisfied. In the meantime, users are beginning to see that prices go on rising as deliveries drop in value. UberPOOL still remains a good option for many office goers, so if prices dont go on increasing, the user base will continue to expand till there is critical mass in many more cities. As Uber says, many of the markets in which it operates are significantly underpenetrated, averaging at around 2%, so there is significant room for growth. Any price hike can only come in areas where it has already attained critical mass. Diversification Of the $11.3 billion Uber generated in 2018, $9.2 billion (81%, up 33% from 2017) came from ridesharing, less than 7% came from Uber Eats (up 149%), around 1% from Uber Freight and the balance from other areas. So while one diversification idea appears to be working out, the others like freight, ebikes and escooters, and particularly autonomous vehicles are still years in the making. Even the ridesharing business is far from mature since expanding in underpenetrated markets, which appears to be a key growth strategy will require investment in human resources, local knowledge, advertising and technical support among other things. The S1 says that Eats will require significant further investment, which can be justified by its high growth rate (nearly 168% increase in gross bookings in 2018 over the 2017 level). Escooters and things are experiments at best now and the company has made some acquisitions and collaborations in the space the benefits of which arent evident as of now. On the other hand, autonomous vehicles are a market the company has to crack, theres no choice in this. If it has effective automation in driving, it can keep the driver cost in check. Second, if it doesnt do this, others like Alphabets Waymo are going to get there. Then theres nothing to stop them from taking over not only the ride sharing business but also other markets like food delivery, trucking etc, totally devouring Ubers business. Uber may be able to deploy cars from traditional auto makers that incorporate self-driving technology, but Waymo appears to be in the lead. Competition Uber is primarily a logistics business. It has fleet management software and maps that help it determine how to most profitably deploy vehicles for the transport of people, food or other goods. The growing digitization of our lives has led to a healthy volume of startups and others like Lyft and GrubHub in the space. Additionally, large technology companies that already possess some of the building blocks like Googles maps, customer data, and artificial intelligence (AI); and Amazons logistics, robotics, customer data and AI also pose challenges. Profitability The company had an operating loss of $3 billion for the year, down from $4.1 billion in 2017. But it intends to invest heavily in expansion of the core business as well as its future growth in freight and autonomous technology and doesnt expect to see profits in the foreseeable future. Revenue growth slowed significantly from 106% in 2017 to 42% in 2018. If revenue growth continues to decelerate while costs continue to increase, investors may not get a good return on their investment. Conclusion Uber has presented a business proposition with significant growth prospects. The company is also in possession of key technologies and has a broad presence in a large number of markets where its services have achieved a certain level of popularity. At the same time, its road to profitability lacks clarity. In this situation, and given that the company has been in operation for several years already without anything to show in terms of profit or plans of attaining profitability any time in the near future, there is considerable risk in investing in the shares. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Will you retire a millionaire? One out of every six people retires a multimillionaire. Get smart tips you can do today to become one of them in a new Special Report, 7 Things You Can Do Now to Retire a Multimillionaire. Click to get it free >> Media Contact Zacks Investment Research 800-767-3771 ext. 9339 support@zacks.com https://www.zacks.com Zacks.com provides investment resources and informs you of these resources, which you may choose to use in making your own investment decisions. Zacks is providing information on this resource to you subject to the Zacks "Terms and Conditions of Service" disclaimer. www.zacks.com/disclaimer. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss.This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL) : Free Stock Analysis Report Grubhub Inc. (GRUB) : Free Stock Analysis Report Armstrong Flooring, Inc. (AFI) : Free Stock Analysis Report AngloGold Ashanti Limited (AU) : Free Stock Analysis Report Lyft Inc. (LYFT) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. (Bloomberg) -- Web Smiths recent experience at his local Apple store in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio, has been an exercise in frustration. There was the time he visited the Easton Town Center location to buy a laptop for his 11-year-old daughter and spent almost 20 minutes getting an employee to accept his credit card. In January, Smith was buying a monitor and kept asking store workers to check him out, but they couldnt because they were Apple Geniuses handling tech support and not sales. It took me forever to get someone to sell me the product, says Smith, who runs 2PM Inc., an e-commerce research and consulting firm. Its become harder to buy something, even when the place isnt busy. Buying a product there used to be a revered thing, now you dont want to bother with the inconvenience. Smiths sentiment is shared by legions of Apple customers who vent on social media, customer forums and in conversations with reporters. Only a few years ago, the raves easily outpaced the pans. In interviews, current and former Apple employees blame a combination of factors. They say the stores have become mostly an exercise in branding and no longer do a good job serving mission shoppers like Smith. Meanwhile, they say, the quality of staff has slipped during an 18-year expansion that has seen Apple open more than 500 locations and hire 70,000 people. The Genius Bar, once renowned for its tech support, has been largely replaced with staff who roam the stores and are harder to track down. Thats a significant drawback because people are hanging onto their phones longer these days and need them repaired. In January, Apple Inc. stunned Wall Street, warning that revenue for the holiday quarter would come in well below forecasts, mostly owing to slowing sales of the iPhone. While weakening demand for Apples most important product largely reflects a maturing smartphone market, the problems at the stores werent helping. Weeks later, Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook announced that retail chief Angela Ahrendts was leaving and would be succeeded by veteran Apple executive Deirdre OBrien. Story continues OBrien, 52, has plenty to work withand her division remains an object of envy for the beleaguered retail industry. Last year, Apple stores and the accompanying web site were responsible for a significant chunk of the $77 billion that the company got from direct distribution channels. As recently as 2017, the retail arm was generating an estimated $5,500 in sales per square foot, easily outpacing rivals. But thats getting harder to pull off. When Apple reported earnings on April 30, executives acknowledged resorting to long-shunned retail tactics, such as discounts, cheap financing and generous trade-ins, to goose demand for the iPhone. Thats not a viable long-term strategy. OBriens immediate challenge is to make the stores more shopper-friendlyeven if that means moving away from the tony gathering places her predecessor favored and creating more clearly defined spaces for browsing, quick purchases and service. As human-resources chief (a position she will hold concurrently), she is well situated to overhaul recruitment and training. Thats crucial because store associates will probably be deployed in the coming years to sell the array of servicesmusic subscriptions, extended warranties and moreApple is counting on to augment slowing iPhone sales. An Apple spokesperson declined to comment and didnt make OBrien available for an interview. Ahrendts didnt respond to requests for comment. Skepticism greeted the 2001 opening of Apples first two stores near Los Angeles and Fairfax County, Virginia. Consumer gadget companies had tried similar experiments with mixed results, and the stampede online was already underway. But Apple pulled it offtransforming the retail experience with airy, minimalist stores and industry-disrupting innovations like the Genius Bar. Before long, consumers were lining up for days to get their hands on the next iPhone or iPad, and kids were hanging out after school, taking snapshots on the Mac Photo Booth app. Over the next few years, the Apple Stores uncluttered look was emulated by Microsoft, Samsung, Tesla and more. For a decade, Apples retail experiment flourished under Ron Johnson, a former Target executive whose efforts earned him a mostly deserved reputation as a retail pioneer. During his tenure, Johnson oversaw the opening of 350-plus stores and expansions into more than a dozen countries, including Japan, Australia, Italy, China and Canada. Then, in 2011, he left to reboot the department store chain J.C. Penney (where he struggled to replicate the Apple magic before being pushed out). Johnson didnt return requests for comment. He was replaced in early 2012 by John Browett, who had previously run the British electronics chain Dixons. Browett borrowed from the big-box playbook by pushing accessories and warranties. That boosted sales but weakened a culture that preferred to help customers rather than sell to them. In a morale-damaging effort to cut costs, he fired workers, cut the hours of others, reduced overtime and promoted fewer people. Browett didnt even make it to the holiday shopping season; Cook fired him and ran the retail operation himself until Ahrendts started in May of 2014. The former Burberry chiefs hiring was widely applauded. At the time, Apple was positioning itself as a fashion brand; an executive who had made her name pushing $500 cashmere scarves and $3,000 trench coats now would be selling pricey Apple Watches. Under Ahrendts, the stores began to resemble jewelry emporiums, where a $17,000, special-edition Watch wouldnt seem out of place. For the first time, salespeople recommended products and were encouraged to say things like, I think the smaller one suits your wrist. One of her first moves was to turn the stores into Town Squares, where shoppers could hang out and, in industry parlance, spend time with the brand. Lines at the Genius Bar would have spoiled the effect, so stores started replacing the beloved customer-service counters with Genius Groves (comfortable seating under trees), tables and roaming Geniuses. Checkout counters also disappeared in favor of salespeople armed with mobile devices. The goal was to make Apple stores more like luxury showrooms, pushing offstage the unseemly business of checking out and fielding complaints. Meanwhile, Ahrendts began moving sales and service onto the webencouraging staff to tell customers to get in line, online. Customers were to make an appointment on Apples website and then pick up the product at a store. Apple was trying to streamline things, says one employee, but in the process made things more difficult for some customers. Before her arrival, the Apple Store excelled at three key tasks: selling products, helping customers trouble-shoot their devices and teaching them how to get the most out of their gadgets. Steve Jobs was really keen on stepping into the store and knowing what to do, recalls a former Apple retail executive, who requested anonymity to speak freely. Mission shoppers who wanted to pick up a pair of headphones or an iPhone could get in and out quickly; those who wanted to learn more about their purchase could spend an hour getting trained by a Creative. If someone brought in a busted iPhone, a Genius would sort it out. Over time, according to several current and former employees, Ahrendts upset that finely tuned balance. You dont feel like there is much engagement at the front of the store, there isn't a push to people, says the former executive. The store should be a place where you see upgrades happening. The overhaul of the Genius Bar has been especially controversial. Customers looking for technical advice or repairs must now check in with an employee, who types their request into an iPad. Then when a Genius is free, he or she must find the customer wherever they happen to be in the store. Ahrendts was determined to get rid of lineups, but now the stores are often crowded with people waiting for their iPhones to be fixed or batteries swapped out. The Genius service also lost the human touch. In the past, Geniuses could work on a Mac or iPhone right at the counter, chatting and explaining what they were doing. The people doing the support now dont have a lot of room to work, this person says. They often have to take your machine to a back room. Opinion is divided on the changes Ahrendts made to customer education. For many years, you could pay a $99 annual fee and schedule one-on-one training sessions with an Apple worker. Ahrendts replaced that with Today at Apple, free group sessions where customers can learn to drum on GarageBand, use an Apple Watch or enjoy a concert. The company says few people signed up for the previous service but that 18,000 Today at Apple sessions are held each week. Employees say customers complain that the classes proceed only as quickly as the slowest learner and recommend bringing back the one-on-one sessions. Ahrendts gets credit for accelerating the stores focus away from Macs to mobile devicesa necessary move since iPhones generate most of Apples revenues. Industry watchers applaud the accessories section, which features pullout drawers containing iPhone cases. The installation of giant video walls marketing products added wow factor. Employees also say not all of the problems afflicting the stores can be blamed on Ahrendts. Some say her tenure got off to an undeservedly rough start with the launch of the Apple Watch. Apples first wearable device had been hyped for months but, owing to production snafus, the stores didnt have enough units for several months. Ahrendts (and store associates) took a lot of heat for that, they say. Employees also say the deterioration in the quality of store staff didnt start under Ahrendts but worsened during her tenure. Employees used to be very skilled, one says. When you came to Apple, you could walk in and talk to someone who happens to be a musician or videographer on the side, really knowledgeable. They hire really nice people now, but they are much less technical. During the Johnson era, sales associates got three weeks to a month of training; now they get about a week if theyre joining an existing store. Geniuses, who earn $22 an hour on average, according to Glassdoor, were trained at Apples Cupertino, California, headquarters. Now theyre mostly trained in stores. Even before Ahrendtss departure was announced in February, Apple began moving away from her strategy. Stickers and poster boards appeared in stores pushing new devices and initiativesanathema to Ahrendtss less-is-more philosophy. The pricey, special-edition watches were long gone, and Apple had introduced lower-priced handsets like the iPhone XR. Her successor will probably borrow from the past, says the former executive. The original Apple stores were broken up into sections where, for example, customers could learn how to create music, photo slideshows or home videos on a Mac. This person says OBrien could potentially create areas to promote Apple Music, Apple News+, the upcoming TV+ video service and iCloud storage. Some employees speculate shell bring back the original Genius Bar. Apples new retail chief recently embarked on a listening tour of the stores, her Instagram feed filling up with happy snaps and shoutouts to employees she encountered in Paris, Hong Kong and Austin, Texas. The rank-and-file mostly welcome her ascension, employees say, because shes a known quantity. OBrien helped launch Apple stores almost two decades ago, working alongside Jobs, Johnson and Cook. In the early days, she was responsible for getting products on shelves in the Americas. On May 11, OBrien will open a new Apple Store at Carnegie Library in Washington D.C., the companys 505th location and the first to open on her watch. Deirdre has a deep understanding of the stores, says the former executive. Shes just never been the face of them. Now, for better or worse, she is. To contact the authors of this story: Mark Gurman in Los Angeles at mgurman1@bloomberg.netMatthew Townsend in New York at mtownsend9@bloomberg.net To contact the editor responsible for this story: Alistair Barr at abarr18@bloomberg.net, Robin AjelloMolly Schuetz For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com 2019 Bloomberg L.P. A woman who was struck by a cyclist in Midtown last month has died of her injuries. Donna Sturm was hit by a cyclist in the crosswalk at West 57th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues during her lunch break on April 25th. The cyclist, 40-year-old Damian Deward, allegedly ran a red light when he hit Sturm. Sturm suffered a fractured skull and fell into a coma; the 67-year-old died over the weekend, according to the Medical Examiner's office. Deward remained on the scene after hitting Sturm. An NYPD spokesperson said he had been issued a ticket for running a red light, but that no charges have been filed. The spokesperson said the crash is still under investigation. Sturm's family gave a statement to CBS: Donna Sturm was a vibrant, energetic and wonderful woman who died as a result of carelessness and negligence. She died because a bicyclist completely disregarded the law. She was crossing a street, in the crosswalk, with the light in her favor when she was struck. Unfortunately, she suffered horrific head injuries and, although the doctors tried their best over the last week, they were unable to save her life, the statement continued. Ted Panken lost his wife and his daughter lost a devoted, loving mother. Donna Strums entire family is, simply put, devastated. They will never recover from this loss. A message left with Ted Panken has not yet been returned. Our hearts go out to Donna Sturm's family. Her senseless death could have been prevented," Marco Conner, interim executive director at Transportation Alternatives, said in a statement. "Just like motorists, cyclists must watch out for pedestrians and obey traffic laws at all times. It's easier to do that when streets are designed to safely accommodate everyone, including standardizing city-wide protected bike lanes, which benefit the safety of not just cyclists but pedestrians, too." Sturm is the first pedestrian killed by a cyclist in New York City since 2017, when Shun Kwong Leung was struck by a cyclist on Essex Street running a red light. Leung later died of his injuries, and the Manhattan DA declined to prosecute the case. In August of 2014, a 17-year-old cyclist hit Irving Schachter, 75, as he was jogging in Central Park. The teen was not cited, and Schachter died two days after the collision. Around a month later, Jill Tarlov was struck by cyclist Jason Marshall in Central Park. Tarlov died of her head injuries several days after the crash. Marshall was not cited or charged, and called Tarlov's death an "unavoidable accident." Marshall was reportedly traveling in the bike lane on West Drive when he left it to avoid hitting another group of pedestrians. Of the 754 pedestrians killed on city streets in the half decade before Tarlov's death, three pedestrians were killed by cyclists. According to the NYPD's numbers, traffic deaths are up by 30 percent over the first four months of this year compared to 2018, though the Department of Transportation says the increase is closer to 10 percent due to how the police department keeps its records. Correction: This post initially stated that Jill Tarlov was the last pedestrian killed by a cyclist in New York City in 2014. In fact Shun Kwong Leung died after he was hit by a cyclist in 2017. There have also been at least three pedestrians killed by cyclists since 2009, not two, as the post originally stated. We regret the errors. A top official at the pharmaceutical industrys main lobbying association on Tuesday said the U.S. should include provisions in new trade agreements to force foreign countries to pay more for prescription treatments. The discrepancy between what American consumers and patients in other countries pay for drugs is a key focus for President Trump. The White House is weighing a proposal to tie the reimbursement for prescription treatments in the U.S. to international benchmark pricing, one the pharmaceutical industry bitterly opposes, partially because the sector is able to recoup costs lost elsewhere by charging more here. Unlike other countries that employ a single-payer system, the federal government does not negotiate treatment prices, instead deferring to complex negotiations between insurers, middleman pharmacy benefit managers and the pharmaceutical firms to drive down costs. In some instances, drug companies are required to sell a treatment for whatever a foreign government asks, according to James Stansel, general counsel at the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, the sectors main lobbying association. Individual companies, he argued, do not have the clout to force those countries to pay more and advocated for Congress and the White House to act. We should use our trade agreements to do that, he told the Senate Judiciary Committee. While the drug industry tries to realign focus away from costs in the U.S., opponents say the existing American health care system gives pharmaceutical firms to largely unfettered ability to hike prices. "Theyre making a whole lot more from us because we dont stake steps to protect Americans," David Mitchell, founder of Patients for Affordable Drugs, told the panel. Pharmaceutical executives previously told the Senate Finance Committee that the industry, by and large, still makes a profit on drugs sold in countries outside the U.S. Drug pricing-related measures are typically a hot-button issue in trade negotiations. Story continues A provision in the new trade deal between Canada, Mexico and the U.S. to increase the time period that some advanced prescription treatments can be offered exclusively in those countries, without generic competition, is driving opposition among some House Democrats whose votes could be necessary for the Trump administration to win overall passage. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX BUSINESS APP Disagreements over the exclusivity that some medications receive in China has also reportedly been a point of contention in negotiations with the U.S. over a new trade deal. Related Articles (Adds comment from Mexican automakers association) By Marcelo Rochabrun SAO PAULO, May 7 (Reuters) - Automakers in Brazil warned on Tuesday of the threat from cheap imported cars from Mexico, as the end of a cap on bilateral trade in the sector presents a new challenge to the dominance of local manufacturing in Latin America's largest auto market. The Brazil-based arms of global automakers such as General Motors Co, Volkswagen AG and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV, whose local plants have long benefited from high tariffs, said through national industry group Anfavea that they struggled to match Mexico's low production costs. The Brazilian industry's warning echoes the concerns of U.S. President Donald Trump and U.S. labor unions about the threat posed by increasingly efficient Mexican factories staffed with lower-paid workers. Brazil and Mexico agreed in March to open trade in light vehicles after years of capping trade volumes between the countries. Mexico has been seeking to diversify trading partners since Trump warned of the possible end to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) that has defined Mexico's economy. Anfavea officials said they had presented the Brazilian government with a study comparing production costs and tax burdens facing auto plants in Mexico and Brazil to underscore the challenge. "We have a very modern industry in Brazil," said Luiz Carlos Moraes, a Mercedes-Benz executive who assumed the presidency of Anfavea in recent weeks. "We can tend to our market. That is what we defend." Eduardo Solis, the president of the Mexican Auto Industry Association, known as AMIA, said his members were not concerned about the new trade rules with Brazil, and that the two groups had already met to discuss the future. Brazil is one of the world's most closed major economies and its size has historically helped lured some of the world's largest automakers to set up local production there, serving what had been one of the world's top five car markets before a recent slump. "We cannot lose our current production volume, or our ability to generate jobs, or our ability to affect the country's GDP," Moraes said, citing statistics that were compiled by PwC consultants at Anfavea's request. Story continues Moraes said the study had concluded that making a car in Mexico was 18 percent cheaper than in Brazil and that importing a Mexican car to Brazil was still cheaper than a locally made one. He made the comments at a news conference presenting monthly statistics, which showed automobile production in Brazil rose 11.1 percent in April from March, while sales rose 10.9 percent. Automakers in Brazil produced around 267,500 new cars and trucks last month, while sales totaled about 231,900 vehicles. Compared with a year ago, auto output rose 0.5 percent and sales grew by 6.7 percent. (Reporting by Marcelo Rochabrun; Additional reporting by Sharay Angulo in Mexico City Editing by Brad Haynes, Bill Trott and Jonathan Oatis) (Adds CEO comment, PIX available) By Allison Lampert May 7 (Reuters) - WestJet Airlines Ltd beat analysts' estimates for quarterly profit on Tuesday, helped by higher traffic and proceeds from a sale-leaseback deal for three aircraft, but the Canadian carrier still faces the impact of the global grounding of the 737 MAX. WestJet, which operated 13 MAX planes, is eying a return of the Boeing jets to service during the third quarter. The jets were grounded worldwide in March following two deadly crashes involving the model. WestJet Chief Executive Ed Sims said the company would be "firm and uncompromising with Boeing in terms of their understanding of the challenges that it has created for us," at its annual general meeting in Calgary. "But it is also a time for understanding of their challenges and to work with them (Boeing) to turn a short-term crisis into the best possible opportunity for us longer term." While the carrier would not provide a 2019 financial forecast, Chief Financial Officer Harry Taylor told analysts earlier in the day that cost per available seat mile (CASM), a key airline metric, would be affected during the second quarter because of the grounding. Canada's second-largest carrier has been adding international flights and wooing affluent travelers to boost profit. WestJet has also expanded its budget carrier Swoop by adding more aircraft and flights. But demand for the ultra-low-cost airline has fluctuated and was disappointing to the company in the quarter. "Swoop was weaker than we expected and would have liked," Taylor said. WestJet said traffic rose 5.3 percent in the first quarter, while available seat miles, a measure of passenger carrying capacity, ticked up at the same level. The carrier's net profit for the quarter rose to C$45.6 million ($33.9 million), or 40 Canadian cents per share, from C$34.2 million, or 30 Canadian cents per share, a year earlier. The results were helped by an estimated C$15 million ($11.13 million) gain during the quarter from a sale-leaseback deal for three Boeing Dreamliner jets. Analysts on average had expected the company to post a profit of 30 Canadian cents per share, according to IBES data from Refinitiv. Total revenue rose 5.5 percent to C$1.26 billion. Rival Air Canada on Monday reported a surprise quarterly profit, boosted by strong growth in passenger traffic and its purchase of a loyalty program, despite also being hit by the MAX jet groundings. (Reporting by Allison Lampert in Montreal and Shanti S Nair in Bengaluru; editing by Shounak Dasgupta, Andrea Ricci and Bill Berkrot) Green Thumb Industries (GTBIF) has suddenly become an under the radar multi-state (MSO) cannabis operator in the U.S. The company has slowly expanded via small acquisitions that havent gotten the same attention as competitors in the sector, but GTI is positioned to become a significant player in the industry as rapid state expansion allows this company to grow up in a hurry. Rising Into Ohio GTI started May be opening two Rise retail locations in Ohio. The company now has 18 retail locations with licenses for up to 77 locations and up to 88 with the closing of several deals. GTI has plans for 3 more stores in Ohio plus a processing facility in the state. The state is expected to have up to 300,000 patients on medical cannabis as the market recently opened up. The Chicago-based cannabis company has just recently opened a second retail location in Florida. In Q4, GTI only generated operating revenues in five markets: Nevada, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and Maryland. Besides the above-mentioned plans in Florida and Ohio, GTI has deals in place to enter New Jersey, Connecticut, California and Colorado. The company will go from 14 open stores at the end of 2018 to an additional 15 to 20 stores added in 2019. Plus, GTI added the Beboe luxury cannabis brand that also offers a CBD product line called Beboe Therapy. The basis of the investment story is that GTI has substantial expansion plans that are generally being over looked with the stock mostly flat for the last year. Business Update As with a lot of the MSOs, the business is soaring via additional licenses in new states and retail store openings combined with numerous acquisitions. GTI reported Q4 revenues of $20.8 million with pro-forma revenues of $44.0 million. Those revenue totals are some of the largest levels in the sector even including the Canadian LPs that grab all of the headlines. At the same time, GTI has a listed market cap below $3 billion as the stock has stalled over the last year. Story continues When the company finally reports Q1 results on May 30, the market will get a better insight into the progress that GTI has made from a financial perspective. The company started 2019 with annualized pro-forma revenues of $176 million and a business that will at least double retail stores and states where the company generates revenues. With activist investor Marcato Capital Management arguing against the Canopy Growth (CGC) right to purchase Acreage Holdings (ACRGF), the best opportunity is to invest in MSOs like GTI that arent already encumbered with bad deals. Marcato believes U.S. cannabis stocks will surge with federal relaxation of cannabis laws making the best investment being long the MSOs that havent cashed out already like Acreage. Takeaway The key investor takeaway is that GTI remains a great expansion story in the key U.S. cannabis market. The stock has a reasonable valuation that should become more appealing now that competitors like Acreage Holdings are currently off the market. To read more on the nitty gritty of whats going on in the rising cannabis industry, click here. Disclosure: The author has no position in Green Thumb Industries stock. Read more: Green Thumb Industries (GTBIF) Can Rally 25%, Says Analyst More recent articles from Smarter Analyst: Ten teenagers were treated for second and third degree burns after someone unleashed white paint and unknown chemicals on them during a basement party in the East Village on Saturday night. On May 4th, more than 300 high school students reportedly attended a party in the basement of a New York City Housing Authority apartment building in the East Village. As some of the partygoers gathered in a courtyard outside the basement, an unidentified individual poured an unknown liquid caustic substance down on them, an NYPD spokesperson told Gothamist. The Saturday night fete had been advertised on social media and charged a $10 cover. Tenants association president Heyward Walker told the Times he had not rented out the basement roomwhich is usually used for tenant meetingsto the young man who threw the party. Tenants at the First Houses development off Third Street do not believe the party host is a fellow resident in the building, according to the Times. It was nuts, resident Michael Strachan told the Times. I came home and there were all of these teenagers and smashed beer bottles everywhere, all of these cop cars were here, nobody knew what was going on. According to reports, many of the party attendees are students at Brooklyn Technical High School. Valerie Vail, the mother of a sophomore at the school, told the Times her daughter suffered quarter-sized burns on her back, chest, and arms, and that other students had even larger burns on their necks and legs. Following the incident, some of the victims ran to a nearby deli to treat their burns with milk; others were taken to area hospitals for treatment. The injured teens (aged 15 to 18, six girls and four boys), reported third degree burns to the skin, according to an NYPD spokesperson. No arrests have been made, and police are still trying to confirm whether the person responsible is a resident of the building. A NYCHA spokersperson said the agency is working with the NYPD to investigate the incident and has also begun an internal investigation. MEDFORD, N.Y., May 07, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Chembio Diagnostics, Inc. (CEMI), a leading point-of-care diagnostics company focused on infectious diseases, today announced the approval of its DPP Dengue System by Agencia Nacional de Vigilancia Sanitaria (ANVISA), Brazils health regulatory agency, in collaboration with Bio-Manguinhos, a Brazilian government agency and supplier of diagnostic products to Brazils Ministry of Health. Chembios DPP Dengue test allows simultaneous and discrete detection of antibodies against all four dengue serotypes for both active infection by dengue virus (IgM) and prior exposure to the dengue virus (IgG), which is important for both treatment and surveillance. The test is performed using a small (10L) drop of fingertip blood and provides quantitative results in approximately 15 minutes when used with the companys handheld DPP Micro Reader. An evaluation of the dengue test by Brazils Instituto Nacional de Controle de Qualidade em Saude (INCQS) demonstrated outstanding analytical performance using patient samples in this highly endemic region, yielding sensitivity of 96.6% and 100% and specificity of 99.0% and 99.0%, for IgM and IgG antibody detection respectively. We are pleased to receive ANVISA approval for our dengue test, which shows high sensitivity and specificity, especially considering that the number of dengue cases in Brazil tripled compared to last year, stated John Sperzel, Chembios Chief Executive Officer. We now have multiple point-of-care tests available in Brazil and look forward to fulfilling the recently-announced initial order from Bio-Manguinhos for our dengue, chikungunya and Zika tests. Dengue is a mosquito-borne virus that is transmitted by female mosquitoes, mainly the species Aedes aegypti and, to a lesser extent, Aedes albopictus, which also transmit chikungunya, yellow fever and Zika viruses. Dengue is caused by a virus of the Flaviviridae family and there are 4 distinct, but closely related, serotypes of the virus that cause dengue (DEN-1, DEN-2, DEN-3 and DEN-4). According to the World Health Organization, there are nearly 400 million annual dengue infections and 3.9 billion people, in 128 countries, are at risk of infection with dengue viruses. According to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Brazil has reported nearly 600,000 cases of dengue during 2019, including nearly 400 cases of severe dengue, and 169 dengue-related deaths. Story continues About Chembio Diagnostics Chembio is a leading point-of-care diagnostics company focused on detecting and diagnosing infectious diseases. The companys patented DPP technology platform, which uses a small drop of blood from the fingertip, provides high-quality, cost-effective results in approximately 15 minutes. Coupled with Chembios extensive scientific expertise, its novel DPP technology offers broad market applications beyond infectious disease, a number of which applications are under active development with collaboration partners. Chembios products are sold globally, directly and through distributors, to hospitals and clinics, physician offices, clinical laboratories, public health organizations, government agencies, and consumers. Learn more at www.chembio.com . Forward-Looking Statements Statements contained in the third paragraph of this release that are not historical facts may be forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of the company and its management. Such statements, which are estimates only, reflect management's current views, are based on certain assumptions, and involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results, events, or performance may differ materially from the above forward-looking statements due to a number of important factors, and will be dependent upon a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, the success of Chembios research, development and commercialization efforts and Chembios retention and attraction of key personnel. Chembio undertakes no obligation to publicly update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date hereof or to reflect any change in Chembio's expectations with regard to these forward-looking statements or the occurrence of unanticipated events. Factors that may impact Chembio's success are more fully disclosed in Chembio's most recent public filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. DPP is our registered trademark. For convenience, this trademark appears in this release without symbols, but that practice does not mean that we will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, our rights to the trademark. Media contacts: (Bloomberg) -- Chinese electric-car startup Byton is close to clinching funding from investors led by state-owned China FAW Group Co., as it prepares to begin sales in the countrys burgeoning new-energy vehicle market, according to people familiar with the matter. FAW, Chinas third-largest automaker, is scheduled to sign an agreement within weeks to inject about $100 million into the car maker, the people said, asking not to be named because the matter is private. Byton aims to bring in a total of about $500 million from its latest round of fundraising, which would value the company at more than $2.5 billion, the people said. The deal would help Byton, led by former BMW AG and Nissan Motor Co. managers, join the growing number of Chinese electric-car startups that have raised at least $1 billion as investors position themselves for what could be one of the biggest shifts in the automotive world since the dawn of cars. With China accounting for more than half of the worlds electric-vehicle sales in 2018, BloombergNEF estimates investors poured nearly $8 billion to fund Chinese EV startups, led by U.S.-listed NIO Inc., last year. A representative at Byton declined to comment and FAW Group had no immediate comment. FAW was the lead investor for a previous $500 million financing round last year. The state-owned giant has been trying to revive Red Flag, the limousine brand known to have been favored by the late Chairman Mao Zedong. It made the investment last year as part of efforts to breathe new life into the Red Flag by cooperating with Byton in product development, manufacturing and sales. Byton, which has a factory in Nanjing, plans to start selling its first model M-Byte in China at the end of the year. It will also target North America and Europe around mid-2020, Daniel Kirchert, one of Bytons founders, said in an interview in January. The company will consider an initial public offering after new financing and production begins, Kirchert said then. Story continues To contact Bloomberg News staff for this story: Tian Ying in Beijing at ytian@bloomberg.net;Lulu Yilun Chen in Hong Kong at ychen447@bloomberg.net To contact the editors responsible for this story: Edwin Chan at echan273@bloomberg.net, Young-Sam Cho, Peter Elstrom For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com 2019 Bloomberg L.P. An Aurizon coal train travels through the countryside in Muswellbrook, north of Sydney, Australia, April 9, 2017. REUTERS/Jason Reed/Files MELBOURNE (Reuters) - China stepped up purchases of Australian steelmaking coal in March after customs delays earlier this year, Australian government data showed on Tuesday, but exports of thermal coal to the world's biggest consumer continued to fall. Chinese traders had cut back on purchases of both thermal and metallurgical coal from Australia in February due to lengthy quality checks on supplies from there that lasted as long as two months at some ports. That came months after Australia banned China's telecoms giant Huawei Technologies from competing in a telecoms tender, raising questions about whether the developments were linked. China's foreign ministry denied any correlation. Australia's hard coking coal exports to China rose by 42 percent in March from February, making it the second biggest customer for the commodity after India, data from Australia's statistics bureau showed. The bureau did not give actual volumes. The total value of Australia's hard coking coal exports rebounded in March by 58 percent to A$1.066 billion ($748.6 million). The data comes after numbers issued late last month by Chinese customs showed China's imports of Australian coking coal nearly doubled in March from a month earlier. While Australia's total exports of thermal coal climbed by 9 percent due to bigger purchases by South Korea and Japan, thermal coal shipments to China continued to fall, the Australian data showed. Quantities were down 18 percent. China is importing less thermal coal as it shores up its domestic market, hitting top supplier Australia the hardest. China's state planner on Tuesday took a step to further consolidate its coal industry, saying it would ramp up closures of small coal mines to boost safety and reduce pollution. ($1 = 1.4239 Australian dollars) (Reporting by Melanie Burton; Editing by Joseph Radford) American pork producers are using feed from China for their pigs, raising concerns about bringing a contagious disease to the U.S. African swine fever has devastated China's hog herd and has spread to other parts of Asia. "Feedstuffs can carry it, and one of our concerns is we bring in vitamins and trace minerals for our pork industry from manufacturers in China," says Steve Meyer of Kerns & Associates in Iowa. The fear is it could spread to U.S., where it could devastate the more than $20 billion pork industry. American pork producers are using feed from China for their pigs, raising concerns about bringing a contagious disease to the U.S. At least 129 cases of the African swine fever in China have been reported since August, and the incurable viral disease has spread to other parts of Asia, including Vietnam and Mongolia. The fear is it could reach the U.S., where it could devastate the more than $20 billion pork industry. "Feedstuffs can carry it, and one of our concerns is we bring in vitamins and trace minerals for our pork industry from manufacturers in China," said Steve Meyer, an industry expert with Kerns & Associates in Iowa. "If you get the virus in those things, they can survive for a while." For example, Meyer said the so-called organic soybean meal known for its high protein content is shipped from China and typically fed to organic livestock, including to hogs. So far, the U.S. and Canada haven't banned imports of plant-based food from China, but some experts have recommended a quarantine on imported feed of at least 20 before using it. "They are still bringing it in, but it can be done in a responsible manner," said Meyer. "We're still concerned that somebody won't be responsible, and I'd [be a] whole lot happier if we had regulations and stuff that allowed all that to happen on our shores." China accounted for about 12% of all soybean meal the U.S. imported from abroad in 2018 although India was another significant source of the animal meal, according to WISERTrade, a Massachusetts-based trade research organization. Story continues "Animal feed ingredients and fomites have the potential to be pathways associated with a moderate likelihood of [African swine fever virus] entry, but there is high uncertainty because of the lack of data on transmission from these sources," a recently published report from the the U.S. Department of Agriculture assessing the likelihood of swine fever entry to the U.S. A meeting was held in Ottawa last week where U.S., Canadian and Mexican pork industry and government officials met to coordinate efforts to prevent the spread of the highly contagious swine fever into North America. "We've never had this disease here in the United States, we don't ever want to have this disease," said Dr. Dave Pyburn, a veterinarian and vice president of science and technology at the industry trade group National Pork Board. "If we were to get it, it would be devastating for our pigs." The U.S. currently exports just under 30% of its pork, which could be at risk if the swine fever reached the domestic market, Pyburn said. He said the disease only affects pigs and not people. Along with infected feed, experts say the swine disease can be spread by pigs' bodily fluids and their meat as well as feral hogs and the animals eating uncooked garbage. Blood-sucking ticks also can carry the virus and spread it to swine, which is believed to be primary way it initially spread in Africa. "If the ticks were to come here and be infected, they could spread it to here," said Pyburn. "The good thing is we've got Customs and Border Patrol that not only are dealing with insects as shipments come in from other countries, but you have them making sure we don't bring in pork from these countries that have the virus." In March, customs agents in New Jersey seized about 1 million pounds of illegal pork products coming into the U.S. from China. Also, Japanese officials last month announced they detected the virus in sausage brought in by visitors coming from China. The U.S. government recently announced increased measures to prevent the disease from entering the domestic livestock supply, including a renewed focus on "strict on-farm biosecurity" measures and other steps. That includes new teams of specially trained detector dogs to sniff out illegal feedstuffs being brought in to airports and seaports. Beijing hasn't divulged the exact number of hogs lost to swine fever, but Rabobank estimates up to 200 million animals could be affected and production could decline by 30%. That compares with about 75 million hogs and pigs in the total U.S. inventory. No effective vaccine is available for the swine fever although research is underway. Among the companies conducting research are New Jersey-based Zoetis and a European company, Huvepharma. "We are easily several years away, if not longer than that, from having an effective vaccine," said Pyburn. "This is an extremely large and complex virus, and so it's been very difficult for vaccines to be put together that are effective against it." More From CNBC Citigroup is creating the Markets Acceleration Lab to help traders and coders share knowledge, Bloomberg writes. The company wants traders to boost their knowledge about machine learning and AI, and for technicians to learn more about equity markets; believing this can help the bank cut costs and increase earnings.The post Citigroup setting up lab for traders and coders to exchange expertise appeared first on The Block. Citigroup is creating the Markets Acceleration Lab to help traders and coders share knowledge, Bloomberg writes. The company wants traders to boost their knowledge about machine learning and AI, and for technicians to learn more about equity markets; believing this can help the bank cut costs and increase earnings. The company is looking for 12 people to participate in the lab this autumn. The intersection of quantitative, technical and markets knowledge is critical, said Deirdre Dunn, Citigroups regional head of markets for North America. This is something weve been trying to foster in many different ways. The Lab could be tasked with balance sheet optimisation or creating visualisation tools. As the momentum for federal legalization continues to build you should be looking for one type of marijuana company Last Thursday, Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) announced legislation to legalize and regulate recreational marijuana dispensaries in the nations capital and its setting up a potential showdown with the federal government. Right now, D.C.s marijuana laws are mixed. Residents are permitted to grow and possess small amounts of the marijuana due to a 2014 voter-approved law. But they cant legally purchase marijuana, nor can the city government tax sales. Why? InvestorPlace - Stock Market News, Stock Advice & Trading Tips A provision in the federal budget that prohibits the District from enacting or enforcing any marijuana legalization laws. So, with this legislation, Mayor Bowser is basically thumbing her nose at current laws and the federal government in the governments own backyard. ***Regardless of how this plays out, the real story is how its one more illustration of the growing pressure on the federal government to enact meaningful marijuana reform From Rolling Stone: Its not a question of if were going to get a federal law, says Sen. Ron Wyden, a Democrat who represents pot-legal Oregon and is the ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee. Its a question of when. Pressure is coming from all areas an increasing number of states are enacting their own reform legislation a majority of Americans now support marijuana legalization nearly every democratic 2020 presidential hopeful supports marijuana reform a large group of congressmen/women are calling for federal banking reform measures as they relate to the marijuana industry CBD businesses are selling their products despite murky laws prohibiting it We even have Attorney General, William Barr, calling the current marijuana situation in the U.S. intolerable just last month. He went on to say that the Justice Department is currently reviewing the recently reintroduced STATES Act (Strengthening the Tenth Amendment Through Entrusting States Act). This legislation would allow individual states to enact their own marijuana laws without federal interference. Story continues At this point, the reform-pressure has reached a critical velocity. There willbe measures of federal legalization, its just a matter of waiting out the obligatory backroom-meetings and glad-handing that will lead to whatever political posturing accompanies the reform. And when that happens, the market is going to explode. Research firms estimate the U.S. market for legal marijuana products will reach $20 billion next year alone. Thats up from a mere $5.4 billion in 2015. And by 2030? The size will skyrocket to $75 billion. Within that, certain sectors will see even more growth for instance, the CBD market is expected to explode 40-fold over the next decade. Simply put, the investment wealth created by this rate of industry growth will be staggering. ***So, whats the timing of federal legalization? Its anyones guess while it could be months away, any day wouldnt be a surprise. Why? For that answer, Im going to turn to Matt McCall, editor of Investment Opportunities. Matt is our resident marijuana expert. While a great many other analysts are just now jumping on the marijuana bandwagon, Matt has been a leader in the space since 2014. Given his experience and understanding of the industry, many of Matts early recommendations have soared hundreds, even thousands of percent. Thats why Matts opinion holds a great deal of weight in the industry. Matt begins his explanation of timing by referencing the recent announcement that Canopy Growth (a Canadian company) is buying a U.S. based marijuana company called Acreage Holdings. Ill let Matt take it from here: I knew right away that the deal would only make sense if marijuana were legal in the U.S. After all, if Canopy bought Acreage while marijuana is illegal federally, the worlds largest pot stock would have to delist from both the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the Toronto Stock Exchange. There was no way the company would ever do that, so my initial reaction was that Canopy must know something I did not that U.S. legalization must be a near certainty and probably a lot closer than many anticipate. I looked into the deal further, and it became clearer that Canopy likely had unique insight into the future. As I mentioned in the alert I sent you on April 18, Acreages Board of Directors includes three of the most important people on the planet: former U.S. Speaker of the House John Boehner, former Massachusetts governor and current presidential candidate William Weld, and former Prime Minister of Canada Brian Mulroney. The knowledge and connections of those three men are unparalleled. Canopys due diligence had to be extensive, and the evidence must have been so compelling that the company determined it was time to plant its flag in the U.S. ***Whats the next domino to fall that we should be looking for? Thats where things get a bit murkier. But Id guess well be looking for passage of the STATES Act. Additional meaningful reform seems to be anchored on this. To illustrate why, take the SAFE Banking Act (Secure and Fair Enforcement). This legislation would clear the way for traditional banks and financial institutions to service marijuana companies (which, currently, is considered illegal). At present, the SAFE Act has been approved by the House Financial Services Committee. Its now waiting placement on the calendar for a full House floor vote. That would seem to make it a likely candidate as being the next domino to fall. But last week brought news that Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID) might be a roadblock to its passing. He was quoted as saying: As long as cannabis is illegal under federal law, it seems to me to be difficult for us to resolve this This is something that the Department of Justice deals with before congressional action I cannot make a commitment as to whether we will take up legislation yet because we want to see how we can resolve this difference between criminal law and our financial law. So, where is the Department of Justice on the issue? Well, that ties us back to Attorney General William Barr, whom we referenced earlier, calling the current marijuana situation intolerable. And his stance, as pertaining to some form of legalization, points toward support of the STATES Act. Here is Barr, from U.S. News: I think the way to go is to permit a more federal approach so states can make their own decisions within the framework of the federal law, so were not just ignoring the enforcement of federal law. ***But dont wait for legalization before you act. In Matts most recent issue of Investment Opportunities, he describes what is likely to happen after legalization by looking at how this situation played out in Canada. He points toward Canopy Growth. It went public in Canada in 2014, yet it took two years before the stock began its parabolic rise. Back to Matt: The chart below shows Canopys market cap along the way. During the first half of 2014, the company was worth a mere $20 million. By September 2015, it had tripled but was still valued at just $61 million. Today, Canopy Growth is worth nearly 300 times that at $16.9 billion. This one company already created billions in wealth for its shareholders. There are many more Canadian marijuana companies that have grown from microcap stocks worth less than $100 million to valuations well above $1 billion. With marijuana illegal in the U.S., stocks based here are still in the earlier part of that chart. There are major limitations on how marijuana companies do business. These limitations result in the stocks trading at a major discount to their Canadian peers. Matt then describes this difference in valuation. Specifically, he points toward the price-to-sales ratio, noting how U.S. based marijuana companies are trading for significantly lower valuations. How significant? Matt tells us even the most expensive U.S. stock (Cresco Labs) trades at one-third the value of a cheap Canadian stock like Tilray. Back to Matt: In general, U.S. stocks are valued at about one-tenth of their Canadian peers. This is absolutely crazy to me. And I absolutely love it because its a huge opportunity. The California marijuana market alone is bigger than all of Canada and its growing. If and when U.S. legalization occurs, this country will immediately become the largest market in the world. In fact, it will be bigger than the rest of the world combined. Even if legalization takes longer than I anticipate, the gap in valuations will lessen in the next 18 months. Thats why U.S. marijuana stocks are one of the best buying opportunities in the entire market, not just the cannabis sector. As to specific investment opportunities, Matt is now focusing on those smaller U.S. companies that are in position to see the biggest market gains as reform finally takes hold. If you havent invested in the marijuana industry, this would be a good way to begin constructing a portfolio. But Matt tells us there is a cautionary note: Please dont wait until the major news outlets run stories about legalization. Dont wait until your neighbor and co-worker are talking about legalization. And definitely dont wait until legalization is a done deal. The really big money is made by investors who are able to buy early. My entire investment career has been about this. Buying ahead of the legalization of marijuana could be one of the best investments you make in your life. In one last note, a separate congratulations to Matt and his subscribers for banking even more gains. This past Friday, one of the marijuana stocks Matt has recommended, Turning Point Brands, hit a new 52-week high. Since Matt added the stock to his Marijuana Boom portfolio in August, its climbed 53%. Its just another in a string of winners for Matt and his subscribers. And from the looks of it, theres plenty more to come. Have a good evening, Jeff Remsburg Compare Brokers The post Closer Than Ever to Marijuana Legalization appeared first on InvestorPlace. A Miami man suspected of a grisly sword slaying rode the NYC subway on Sunday morning, and ran into local law enforcement when he stepped off the L train at 1st Avenue. After a scuffle, he was taken into custody, and is reportedly awaiting his return to Florida. According to the NY Daily News, an NYPD officer and a transit sergeant spotted 32-year-old Nicholas Brent Gibson exiting onto the platform around 9:20 a.m., and recognized him from a photo Miami Beach detectives distributed on Friday. Gibson reportedly resisted arrest, but with the help of an MTA workerwho reportedly grabbed Gibson's legs so officers could restrain himthey eventually handcuffed the suspect. According to the Daily News, the cops sustained "minor injuries" in the altercation, although an NYPD spokesperson told Gothamist no one had been reported hurt, and attributed the arrest to "good police work." Florida police believe Gibson may be responsible for the mutilation and murder of 77-year-old Erik Stocker, whose body cops found in his Miami Beach home on April 30th. The corpse had reportedly been lying there for 10 days before neighbors alerted police to a foul smell coming from Stocker's apartment. When they showed up to investigate, they encountered an "unusually gory scene," per the Miami Herald, leading them to conclude that whoever killed Stocker may have attacked him with a sword. Stocker's relationship to Gibson remains unclear, according to the Herald, but the younger man may have served as some kind of caretaker for the older man. After detectives identified Gibson as a suspect, they learned that U.S. Marshalls were also looking for him, due to the 32-year-old's failure to register as a sex offender in an unrelated, decade-old case. The agencies tracked Gibson to New York City, where he could now face additional charges for assaulting an officer. He will be charged in Stocker's murder once he returns to Miami. A Boeing news conference at the general annual shareholder meeting. Two men who lost 10 family members in last month's crash of Ethiopian Airlines 302 filed lawsuits Monday against The Boeing Co., manufacturer of the grounded 737 Max 8 aircraft, as well as administrative claims against the Federal Aviation Administration. Two plaintiffs' law firms, Chicagos Clifford Law Offices and Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy of Burlingame, California, announced the 10 lawsuits at a press conference held hours after Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg apologized to crash victims and attempted to assure shareholders about the safety of its aircraft while skirting calls for his resignation. I, like many of you today, listened to Boeing and their CEO say as he began his press conference that he was sorry, said Frank Pitre, of Cotchett Pitre. And I think what weve heard today is theres a lot to question about the sincerity that Boeing has when it uses the words, Im sorry. If you look at the actions of Boeing, it portrays a very different picture. He continued: I question, and I think these families here today, the sincerity behind the words Im sorry. Pitre called on Boeings entire board to resign, and for Congress to investigate serious problems at the FAA. The lawsuits involved two Canadian families in the Toronto area: Manant Vaidya, who lost his parents, his sister, her husband and their two children in the crash, and Paul Njoroge, whose wife and three children, including a 9-month-old daughter, died in the crash. Both gave tearful statements at Mondays press conference. It is hard to believe that my entire family was wiped out in an incident in such a horrific way, Vaidya said. I lost three generations of my family: my parents, my sister, my nieces. If a person just lost one life, their whole life is shattered, but right now, with me, Im completely lost. Vaidyas family was on vacation, while Njoroges had planned to visit extended relatives in Kenya. I was left alone to lead an empty life, with pain and anguish. My life will never be the same, Njoroge said. His other children were ages 6 and 4. The Ethiopian Airlines flight, which killed 157 people on board after nosediving soon after takeoff, was the second involving the 737 Max 8. An Oct. 29 crash of Lion Air Flight 610 in Indonesia killed 189 people. The FAA grounded the aircraft days after the Ethiopian Airlines crash, but after 22 other countries had done so. Earlier this month, the same two law firms filed a lawsuit on behalf of Samya Stumo, a U.S. passenger on the plane and niece of consumer advocate Ralph Nader. Other lawsuits have been filed against Boeing over the Ethiopian Airlines crash, including one by another firm, Kline & Specter in Philadelphia, on behalf of the estate of Manisha Nukavarapu, a citizen of India. In a footnote in that lawsuit, Kline & Specter indicated it planned to bring an administrative complaint against the FAA. Boeing became an immediate target following the crash. Lawsuits have linked the crashes to the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation Systems, or MCAS, an automated safety mechanism designed to prevent stalling that, under certain conditions, could push the aircraft into a nosedive. Monday's lawsuits also named Rosemount Aerospace Inc., a Minnesota-based unit of Farmington, Connecticuts United Technologies Corp. that manufactured the sensors. In its quarterly report filed last week with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Boeing acknowledged the suits filed over both crashes and added, we are fully cooperating with all ongoing governmental and regulatory investigations and inquiries relating to the accidents and the 737 MAX program. Lawsuits also insisted Boeing failed to property train pilots on the new software. Boeing originally had planned to complete a software upgrade by April but has since given no schedule on the fix. Earlier this month, Boeing issued a statement: We now know that the recent Lion Air Flight 610 and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 accidents were caused by a chain of events, with a common chain link being erroneous activation of the aircraft's MCAS function. We have the responsibility to eliminate this risk, and we know how to do it. Boeing continued: We're also finalizing new pilot training courses and supplementary educational material for our global MAX customers. This progress is the result of our comprehensive, disciplined approach and taking the time necessary to get it right. But on Monday, Muilenburg changed his tune, Clifford Laws Kevin Durkin said, noting that the CEO had refused to answer whether Boeing was at fault. We are going to seek every single email, text message, that was between them and the FAA, Durkin said Monday. It will be our goal in this lawsuit to take that CEOs deposition, ask him questions about his shifting positions on accepting responsibility for this tragedy. Delta, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 7, 2019) - Desert Gold Ventures Inc. (TSXV: DAU) (FSE: QXR2) (OTC Pink: DAUGF) ("Desert Gold" or "the Company") is pleased to announce that the Company has entered into an option agreement with Mineral Management Consulting ("MMC") to acquire a 100% interest in two properties contiguous and proximal to the Company's flagship Farabantourou gold project in Western Mali. MMC is a private company located in Bamako, Mali, involved in the acquisition and exploration of mineral properties. The MMC property acquisition is another step in Desert's Gold's regional strategic plan (see Figure 1). ABOUT THE MMC PROPERTIES The first concession, Keniebandi East, is 60km2 in size and is contiguous to the northern border of the Company's Farabantourou property. A brief summary of the concession follows: Keniebandi East encompasses an additional 3.5 km portion of the Senegal Mali Shear Zone ("SMSZ") Upon completion of this acquisition Desert Gold would control exploration ground along 11 km of the SMSZ, which, regionally, is related to 6 gold deposits, 5 of which exceed 3 million ounces ( 1) The concession contains a partially tested 440-metre long, open-ended gold zone with historic drill values to 5.89 g/t gold over 8 metres The permit also contains an additional 26, untested, >200 ppb gold-in-soil anomalies, a group of which lies along a previously highlighted northeast-trending structural corridor, which hosts the Companies' Barani East gold deposit The second MMC concession, Koussili West, is 43km2 in size and lies immediately north, along strike, of Ashanti Gold's Gourbassi West Zone (Ashanti Gold is subject to an acquisition proposal by Desert Gold previously announced on April 1, 2019). The Gourbassi West Zone lies proximal to the interpreted location of the Main Transcurrent Fault, which is related to Barrick's 3-million ounce Massawa gold deposit(2). Even though Koussili West lies along a highly prospective trend, there is no previous recorded exploration. For reference, the Gourbassi West Zone has returned drill intercepts to 2.86 g/t gold over 43 metres. Mineralization hosted on adjacent properties is not necessarily indicative of mineralization that may be identified on the MMC properties. Story continues Both MMC properties have seen little to no previous exploration with 60% to 100% of the properties not even covered by soil sampling. Based on previous Desert Gold experience, with the recent discovery of numerous gold zones on its Farabantourou property, management strongly believes the systematic exploration of these new properties will lead to the discovery of new gold zones. Cannot view this image? Visit: https://media.zenfs.com/en-us/newsfile_64/60fdd63be5cedc097a0e90ebcfadcfc1 Figure 1. Regional image of Farabantourou, Ashanti Gold concessions and new MMC properties To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4954/44586_9cc445e9d4354845_001full.jpg KEY TERMS OF THE OPTION AGREEMENT Desert Gold to pay MMC CAD $500,000, of which CAD $250,000 will be paid upon closing of the transaction to earn an initial fifty-five (55%) percent interest with the balance of CAD $250,000 to be paid over a three (3) year period; The issuance of 1,000,000 Desert Gold common shares to MMC in four (4) equal instalments of which 250,000 shares will be issued upon closing of the transaction and the remaining instalments are to be issued annually over a three (3) year period; Incur exploration expenditures of CAD $350,000 over a three (3) year period; MMC shall retain a two (2%) percent net smelter royalty on all ore mined from the properties; During the three (3) year option period, Desert Gold shall be responsible for maintaining the permit in good standing and performing any and all obligations required by law and will take over operation control of the projects on closing of the transaction with MMC Desert Gold's President Jared Scharf remarks, "The acquisition of the MMC properties on commercially viable terms is consistent with our strategy of creating a regionally significant land package on one of the most desirable geological structures in all of Africa." ABOUT THE ASHANTI GOLD ACQUISITION On April 1, 2019 the Company announced that it had entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Ashanti Gold Corp by way of a 3-cornered amalgamation. The amalgamation is subject to a May 13, 2019, Ashanti shareholder vote and the renewal of Ashanti's Kossanto East permit in Western Mali. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD "Sonny Janda" ___________________________ Sonny Janda CEO & Director ABOUT DESERT GOLD Desert Gold Ventures Inc. is a gold exploration and development company which holds 3 gold exploration permits in Western Mali (Farabantourou, Segala West and Djimbala) and its Rutare gold project in central Rwanda. For further information please visit www.SEDAR.com under the company's profile. Website: www.desertgold.ca CONTACT: Jared Scharf, President and Director Email: jared.scharf@desertgold.ca Tel. No.: +1 (858) 247-8195 Don Dudek, P.Geo. is a director of Desert Gold and a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the Desert Gold scientific and technical information contained in this press release. Barrick's Loulo-Gounkoto mine complex to the west with ore reserves of 32 Mt (million tonnes) average at 4.6 g.t for 3.7 million oz Au in the Proven and Probable category. BCM's (formerly Endeavour Mining) Tabakoto and Segala mines which hosts ~3 million oz Au (18.5 Mt at 3.5 g/t for 1.8 million oz Au Measured and Indicated, 9 Mt at 3.6 g/t for 1 million oz Au Inferred and 6.4 Mt at 3.5 g/t for 0.7 million oz Au Proven and Probable. B2Gold Fekola mine to the south with ore reserves of 48.3 Mt average at 2.37 g/t gold for 3.34 million oz Au in the Proven and Probably category and 65.8 Mt average at 2.13 g/t gold for 4.5 million oz Au. To the north Sadiola/Yatela mine contains ore reserves of 38 Mt at 1.57 g/t gold for 2 million oz Au and 87 Mt at 1.58 g/t gold for 6 million oz Au in the Measured and Indicated category. Source: company annual reports and corporate filings. Barrick website - https://barrick.q4cdn.com/788666289/files/quarterly-report/2018/Randgold-2018-Reserves-Resources.pdf ; Estimated Indicated mineral resources of 23Mt @ 4.0 g/t Au totalling 2.5 million ounces of gold and estimated inferred mineral resources. This news release contains forward-looking statements respecting the Company's ability to successfully complete the Offering. These forward-looking statements entail various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in these forward-looking statements. Such statements are based on current expectations, are subject to a number of uncertainties and risks, and actual results may differ materially from those contained in such statements, including the inability of the Company to successfully complete the Offering. These uncertainties and risks include, but are not limited to, the strength of the capital markets, the price of gold; operational, funding, and liquidity risks; the degree to which mineral resource estimates are reflective of actual mineral resources; and the degree to which factors which would make a mineral deposit commercially viable are present; the risks and hazards associated with mining operations. Risks and uncertainties about the Company's business are more fully discussed in the company's disclosure materials filed with the securities regulatory authorities in Canada and available at www.sedar.com and readers are urged to read these materials. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from such statements unless required by law. 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 does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the securities described herein in the United States. The securities described herein have not been and will not be registered under the united states securities act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the united states or to the account or benefit of a U.S. person absent an exemption from the registration requirements of such act. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/44586 Investing.com The U.S. dollar climbed against its rivals on Tuesday, on data showing underlying strength in the labor market, but upside was limited by a rise in the yen as U.S.-China trade worries fueled safe-haven demand. The U.S. dollar index, which measures the greenback against a trade-weighted basket of six major currencies, rose by 0.15% to 97.41. The U.S. Labor Department's latest Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTs) report, a measure of labor demand, showed job openings in March improve to about 7.49 million from 7.14 million in February, beating expectations of 7.350 million. The upbeat data provides further evidence that the labor market remains robust and just a few days after data on Friday showed the U.S. economy created more jobs than expected. But a rise in safe-haven currencies like the yen on fresh concerns that the U.S. may escalate its trade conflict with China kept a lid on growth in the greenback. Despite confirming that talks with China would go ahead this week, U.S. trade representative Robert Lighthizer accused China of backtracking on commitments in trade talks, and reaffirmed President Donald Trump's threat to raise tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods to 25% from 10%. The hike on tariffs would come into effect on Friday at 12:01 a.m. ET, Lighthizer confirmed. USD/JPY fell 0.46% to Y110.26. USD/GBP fell 0.31% to $1.3055 as calls for Prime Minister Theresa May to resign grew louder following the results of local elections, in which both the ruling party and opposition suffered heavy defeats amid a backlash over a prolonged Brexit process. May met with Graham Brady, chairman of an influential committee representing members of parliament from her Conservative party, according to the BBC. Later, she said Britain is targeting July 1 as the date the UK would leave the European Union. It was not clear if she's agreed to a date for stepping down as prime minister. EUR/USD fell 0.20% to $1.1175 as German factory orders bounced less-than-expected and the European Commission cut its GDP forecasts for 2019 for all members of the bloc, with the notable exception of Greece. Story continues USD/CAD rose 0.29% to C$1.3481 as the loonie shrugged off better-than-expected Canadian manufacturing growth amid a slide in U.S. oil prices on U.S.-China trade worries. Related Articles StockBeat: Mylan Slumps on Revenue Miss, Strategic Review No Show Forex - Yen Rises on Trade Uncertainty, Lira, Yuan Drop Forex - Turkey Slides Toward New Lira Crisis on Vote Annulment ANKARA, May 6 (Reuters) - Turkey expects NATO to support its rights in the eastern Mediterranean, President Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday, after the United States and European Union voiced concerns over Ankara's plans for offshore drilling in an area claimed by Cyprus as its exclusive economic zone. Speaking at NATO's North Atlantic Council Mediterranean Dialogue Meeting in Ankara, Erdogan also said that Turkey rejected arguments claiming its deal to purchase Russian S-400 defence systems meant Ankara was looking for alternatives in its international ties. (Reporting by Tuvan Gumrukcu and Ece Toksabay Editing by Dominic Evans) Funding will be provided to the Red Cross to assist with ongoing disaster relief efforts Builds upon previous $300,000 contribution following Cyclone Idai IRVING, Texas(BUSINESS WIRE)ExxonMobil said today that it is providing $100,000 to support disaster relief and recovery efforts in Mozambique following Cyclone Kenneth, which made landfall on April 25. The $100,000 contribution will go to the American Red Cross, which will coordinate its assistance with the Mozambique governments National Disasters Management Institute in support of ongoing rescue efforts and for food, shelter and comfort for the storms victims. We are deeply saddened by the impact of Cyclone Kenneth on Mozambique and surrounding countries, said Liam Mallon, president of ExxonMobil Upstream Oil & Gas Company. The devastation from cyclones Idai and now Kenneth have been widespread, and this funding will help provide relief during a very difficult time. Our thoughts are with everyone affected. ExxonMobil employees and contractors have been reported safe following the cyclone. Since Cyclone Idai, ExxonMobil has contributed more than $400,000 in support of recovery efforts in Mozambique. In Mozambique, ExxonMobil holds an indirect 25 percent interest in Area 4 and will lead the construction and operation of onshore natural gas liquefaction plants. The company also holds 60 percent operating interest in the Angoche (A5-B) and Zambezi Delta (Z5-C and Z5-D) basins awarded during Mozambiques fifth licensing round. About ExxonMobil ExxonMobil, the largest publicly traded international oil and gas company, uses technology and innovation to help meet the worlds growing energy needs. ExxonMobil holds an industry-leading inventory of resources, is one of the largest refiners and marketers of petroleum products, and its chemical company is one of the largest in the world. For more information, visit www.exxonmobil.com or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/exxonmobil. Story continues Contacts Media Relations (972) 940-6007 Walking to the edge of the nearly completed second span of the Kosciuszko bridge on Monday, Governor Andrew Cuomo leans over and shouts at a couple of iron workers, Anyone need any help? Hes there to announce that the second span of the Kosciuszko bridge, which connects Brooklyn and Queens over Newtown Creek, will open in September, four months earlier than the state had announced when the last section opened in 2017. The governor also wants everyone to know that by using a design-build method, which involves the contractor early in the design process, the state was able to keep the costs down to $873 million for the entire bridge project. Still, it was the most expensive single-contract public works project in New York history. When asked whether that section of the BQE needs a nearly billion dollar bridge, the states Chief Engineer on the project, Wahid Albert, says this isnt like other bridges, that are built to last 75 years. This is a once in a lifetime type of structures, a cable-stay, Albert says, referring to the type of bridgeone that uses cables connected to towers which directly hold up the deck. This iconic structure requires this kind of budget and it's designed for 100 years. Wahid added that traffic in that section should speed up 65 percent, though it seems likely the traffic will come to a grinding halt farther down the BQE in the not-too-distant future. Later the governor explained to reporters why the project was moved up four months. This has been accelerated, and accelerated, and accelerated again, we want to get it open because it's going to make a tremendous difference in the volume of traffic, Cuomo said. One of the Laborers Local 731 union workers at the site explained how theyre able to get the work done ahead of schedule. There's definitely a lot of overtime, and now that the weather is getting nice they're gonna expect more of the same out of us, he said. Like the first span, this bridge will also include LED lights, although the costs for it were included in the first section, $4.5 million. The first span of the bridge cost $555 million, the second is expected to cost $318 million. There will be park space on both ends of the bridge, which is not included in the price. When the second section opens, there will be a total of eight lanes of traffic, plus a foot path and bike lane. On the Brooklyn side the path will connect to the bridge at Meeker Ave and Van Dam Street, running to Laurel Hill Boulevard and 54th Road in Queens. During the governors walk-about on the still-under construction bridge he was joined by engineer Albert, who explained what the governor was seeing. These are the steel counterweight to put in that span to keep it down, Albert said. Four million pounds of steel and four million pounds of concrete. The governor translated his findings for the journalists invited along. These are steel, he said. Four million pounds of steel is added to that far end of the bridge to serve as a counterweight to keep it stable and balanced. I think this is a beautiful bridge, Cuomo concluded. Stephen Nessen is the transportation reporter for WNYC. You can follow him on Twitter @s_nessen. We the Commuters is a weekly newsletter about transportation from WNYC and Gothamist. Sign up below for essential commuting coverage delivered to your inbox every Thursday. Loading... (Bloomberg) -- Facebook Inc. Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg is meeting with Senators on Capitol Hill Tuesday as the social-media company nears a record privacy settlement with U.S. regulators that could cost up to $5 billion. Sandberg is in Washington for long-planned meetings on the Hill and with civil rights groups, and isnt discussing the companys pending privacy settlement with the Federal Trade Commission, according to a Facebook spokesperson. Sandberg met with Republican Senator Roger Wicker from Mississippi, who chairs the Senate Commerce Committee. Wicker said in an interview that they discussed the committees effort to draft federal privacy legislation. Republican Senator Jerry Moran of Kansas said he also plans to meet with the Facebook executive. Moran is also working on the push for national privacy legislation, which could restrict the collection and use of consumer data by technology companies. Moran also sits on the Senate Commerce Committee, which oversees the FTC. Facebook has said that the agreement, which is still being finalized, could cost between $3 billion and $5 billion. The accord could also elevate privacy oversight to Facebooks board of directors. For more: Facebook Accord With U.S. to Elevate Privacy Oversight to Board Sandberg was also set to meet with Senator Mark Warner, a Democrat from Virginia, according to Warners office. The pending FTC settlement has come under fire among lawmakers and privacy advocates. On Monday, Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut and Republican Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri said that the estimated sum would represent a "bargain." They pushed for long-term limits on Facebooks collection and use of personal information. FTC Chairman Joe Simons, who is testifying on the Hill Tuesday, declined to comment on whether he is meeting with Sandberg. (Updates with details on meetings from Facebook spokesperson in second paragraph.) To contact the reporters on this story: David McLaughlin in Washington at dmclaughlin9@bloomberg.net;Daniel Stoller in Washington at dstoller1@bloomberg.net;Kurt Wagner in San Francisco at kwagner71@bloomberg.net Story continues To contact the editors responsible for this story: Sara Forden at sforden@bloomberg.net;Jillian Ward at jward56@bloomberg.net;Keith Perine at kperine2@bloomberg.net For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com 2019 Bloomberg L.P. EUR/USD The Fiber showcased a seesawed performance during the day amid some astounding Euro-specific data. Multiple bounces from the robust 1.1181 support levels remained capped near 1.1205 levels. The April Markit Services PMI for the EMU region reported well above the consensus estimates. The PMI came around 51.5 points, over the market expectation of 51.3 points. Along with PMI, the March YoY Retail figures culminated near 1.9 percent, over the estimates around 1.8 percent. The Fiber marked the days high near 1.1204 levels and lowed near 1.1180 levels. In the middle of all the positive Euro reports, two adverse reports got published. Firstly, Spain April Markit Services PMI reported 4.33 percent below the consensus estimates of 55.4 points. Secondly, Italy April PMI came around 50.4 points compared to the expectation of 52.0 points. US Dollar Index USD Index 240 Min 06 May 2019 The Greenback computed against the six major rival currencies initiated the day near 97.58 levels. The US Dollar Index touched the active resistance line near 97.70 levels, last marked on May 2. Notably, the economic calendar remained silent amid lack of USD-specific events. However, higher-than-expected EMU April PMI figures pushed down the Green Money during the day. Trumps threat to increase tariff duties on Chinese goods had already left the investors unnerved. The US President had mentioned that the US might lift the Chinese tariffs to 25% over the current 10%. He also alluded of some additional tariff duties which are yet to come. Hence, the overall sentiment remained risk-averse amid trade talk uncertainties. AUD/USD The Aussie pair started the day near 0.6975 level and remained capped near 0.6994 levels. After opening, the pair kept on moving upward. In the last week, the pair observed a decreasing trend whereas, this week the pair remained higher. The AUD/USD pair kept deviating above and created a new high today near 0.6999 levels. The US Federal Reserve Banks prominent Authorities delivered a speech at 13:30 GMT elevated the hike. Also today, the USD slipped 20 pips following the bearish US 3-Months & 6-Months Bill Auction. This downfall in the US Dollar Index helped the pair to move upward. The pair then attempted to touch 0.7000 levels. At 17:30 GMT, the pair was trading around, 0.6998 level. Story continues USD/CNY The USD/CNY pair opened up on Monday morning near 6.7346 level. The pair displayed a massive rise of 0.88 percent, reaching near 6.7941 level in the Asian session. However, at 01:45 GMT the pair tumbled down reaching near 6.7648 level. The sudden soar in the pair gets discounted to Trumps Tweet on Sunday. The President warned that he would increase the US tariffs on Chinese goods. USDCNY 240 Min 06 May 2019 During the last week, some progress over the US-Sino Trade deadlock got observed. Somehow, the sudden change in the US tone has increased pressure on China to further negotiations over the trade deal. In the meantime, Chinas Central Bank addressed the reduction of Reserve Requirement Ratios (RRRs). With this move, the Bank aims to help small and medium-sized banks. And, this rate cut gave a boost to the Chinese Yuan dragging down the pair. This article was originally posted on FX Empire More From FXEMPIRE: Glenview Capital Management CEO Larry Robbins said Monday that he's shorting shares of industrial conglomerate 3M. Robbins underscored 3M's litigation headaches, which span multiple states and center on business-related pollution. On the long side, he said he likes HMO health-care stocks like Cigna, Humana and UnitedHealth Group, but that political agenda will dampen drug stocks. Glenview Capital Management CEO Larry Robbins said Monday that he's shorting shares of industrial conglomerate 3M MMM . Robbins underscored 3M's mounting litigation headaches, which span multiple states and center on pollution as a result of its operations. The manager added that, since 2015, 3M's lawsuits have soared eightysevenfold and now pose a significant liability to the company's earnings. Glenview estimates that 3M will lose between $4 billion and $6 billion as a result of the litigation. "You don't have to be Erin Brockovich to realize it's not a good pattern," Robbins said. "This company, 12 days after filing their 2017 10-K in 2018 paid out" an $850 million settlement to Minnesota, which claimed the manufacturer contaminated water in the state for at least 50 years. New Jersey officials filed a similar suit against 3M in March to pay to clean up water and soil contamination. The suit in New Jersey court came days after the state's environmental department directed five companies to take action on contamination caused by toxic chemicals commonly known as PFAS. Shares of 3M fell 1.9% Monday versus the S&P 500's 0.8% decline. Long a fan of health-care stocks, Robbins also said he likes HMO health-care names like Cigna CI , Humana HUM and UnitedHealth Group UNH , but he doesn't like pharmaceutical stocks due to the political risk. He highlighted that many Democratic presidential hopefuls as well as President Donald Trump are opposed to lofty drug prices. "In pharmaceuticals ... the president can act unilaterally to reduce drug pricing," Robbins warned from the 2019 Sohn Conference in New York. "The same drug in the United States costs three times as much as other" developed countries. Story continues Robbins spoke at length about possible changes to the health-care system, calling the "Medicare for all" plan favored by many progressives "dead on arrival." Robbins said Glenview has three long and 16 short positions in the pharmaceutical space and recommends investors short any ETF that tracks the space. Last year, he picked Express Scripts -Cigna CI , CVS CVS - Aetna and McKesson MCK as his winners in the field. More From CNBC Hawaiian Electric (HE) came out with quarterly earnings of $0.42 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.39 per share. This compares to earnings of $0.37 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items. This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of 7.69%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this the parent of Hawaii's largest electricity generator would post earnings of $0.47 per share when it actually produced earnings of $0.45, delivering a surprise of -4.26%. Over the last four quarters, the company has surpassed consensus EPS estimates just once. HEI, which belongs to the Zacks Utility - Electric Power industry, posted revenues of $661.62 million for the quarter ended March 2019, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 14.30%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $645.87 million. The company has topped consensus revenue estimates four times over the last four quarters. The sustainability of the stock's immediate price movement based on the recently-released numbers and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's commentary on the earnings call. HEI shares have added about 13.9% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's gain of 17%. What's Next for HEI? While HEI has underperformed the market so far this year, the question that comes to investors' minds is: what's next for the stock? There are no easy answers to this key question, but one reliable measure that can help investors address this is the company's earnings outlook. Not only does this include current consensus earnings expectations for the coming quarter(s), but also how these expectations have changed lately. Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions. Investors can track such revisions by themselves or rely on a tried-and-tested rating tool like the Zacks Rank, which has an impressive track record of harnessing the power of earnings estimate revisions. Story continues Ahead of this earnings release, the estimate revisions trend for HEI was unfavorable. While the magnitude and direction of estimate revisions could change following the company's just-released earnings report, the current status translates into a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to underperform the market in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. It will be interesting to see how estimates for the coming quarters and current fiscal year change in the days ahead. The current consensus EPS estimate is $0.43 on $592.84 million in revenues for the coming quarter and $1.94 on $2.71 billion in revenues for the current fiscal year. Investors should be mindful of the fact that the outlook for the industry can have a material impact on the performance of the stock as well. In terms of the Zacks Industry Rank, Utility - Electric Power is currently in the bottom 38% of the 250 plus Zacks industries. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc. (HE) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. As atmospheric warming gallops forward, and as the waters rise all around us, hurricane season poses an increasingly dire threat to NYC. With calamity looming in the near-to-middle future, the city has long-term plans to fortify Manhattan's lower half to thwart tides and storm surge. In the meantime, as part of a temporary mitigation effort, the city's Interim Flood Protection Measures (IFPM) will utilize double-wide, triple XL sandbag structures stretched along part of Manhattan's southern point. They're like the pixel snakes from everyone's favorite Nokia game, only bloated to extreme proportions. No one has bigger sandbags than New York City. Nobody. Our sandbags are the biggest in the entire world. And not only do we have the biggest sandbags, but the best quality sand.@NYTpatrick https://t.co/Tb4f0mT2jZ Aaron Carr (@aaronAcarr) May 7, 2019 According to the Office of Emergency Management, the city will be lining a section of the East River Waterfront Esplanade with four-foot-tall HESCO barriers, which are tarp-lined, wire-mesh cubes that can be filled with sand or dirt or gravel and linked together to form a wall, from Wall Street up to Catherine Slip near the Brooklyn Bridge. (Similar models have previously been deployed in Red Hook and in Astoria.) The bulwark at Dirtbag Mile will feature 18 gaps "to allow for vehicular and pedestrian access" to the cordoned-off area: when storms gather on the horizon, the Office of Emergency Management will patch the holes with Tiger Dams (plastic tubes you fill with water and stack). (Office of Emergency Management) Personally, I see these and am strongly reminded of the long, pellet-filled logs my grandmother used to jam into the cracks under doors, to guard against drafts. You know the ones: Local business owners, some of whom dealt with the fallout from Hurricane Sandy firsthand, do not seem entirely satisfied with the fix. "Six years of studying it and you come up with sandbags? Really?" Marco Pasanella, owner of a 180-year-old, river-facing building on South Street, scoffed to the NY Times. In a separate interview with CBS New York, Pasanella pointed to a flood line, leftover from Sandy, on the wall of the building's wine shop. During the 2012 storm, the water rose five or six feet within the shop. Going into hurricane season, Pasanella feels skeptical about the dirt wall. "It doesn't exactly leave me brimming with confidence," Pasanella told CBS. On top of seeming insufficient to block storm surge, the dirtbags only last about five years. (Office of Emergency Management) A bunch of child-height sandbags won't do much to beautify the urban landscape, so the city will invite local artists to help mitigate the FEMA vibes and, ideally, mollify disgruntled residents who hate looking at these eyesore sentinels. As Regional Plan Association Vice President for Energy and Environment Robert Freudenberg explained it to the Times, the important thing is that the city comes up with a game plan, and quickly. "We're in the Wild West of adaptation where it's like anything goes," Freudenberg said. "It comes down to the need to do something soon. Sometimes that looks a little uglier than the visions that are laid out." As for the long term, Mayor Bill de Blasio unveiled a $10 billion plan in March that would extend Lower Manhattan out into the East River. That's going to be a mammoth undertaking, of course, so in the meantime: Sandbags. Just very ,very big sandbags to guard us from the (even bigger?) waves. Do you feel safer, knowing that our shores will soon be guarded by a troop of humongous dirt snakes? Or are you still worrying about the mass death of amphibians and marine life we'll witness in coming decades? If the latter, hard same. By Nidhi Verma NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India's oil imports from Iran fell about 57 percent year-on-year in April, according to tanker arrival data seen by Reuters, the last month when New Delhi was allowed to load Iranian oil ahead of U.S. sanctions stopping purchases of oil from the OPEC member. India, Iran's top oil client after China, shipped in about 277,600 barrels per day (bpd) of oil from Tehran in April, down about 31.5 percent from the previous month, preliminary tanker arrival data from shipping and industry sources showed. The United States introduced sanctions in November but gave a six-month waiver to eight nations, including India, which allowed them to import some Iranian oil. India was allowed to buy an average 300,000 bpd of oil during November-April, but actual volumes varied from month to month due to lack of ships after foreign shipping lines backed out of Iranian deals under pressure from U.S. sanctions. In April, Washington asked buyers of Iranian oil, mostly in Asia, to halt purchases or face sanctions. India is scheduled to get two very large crude carriers carrying 4 million barrels of Iranian oil this month - one each at Paradip in the east and Kochi in the west. The two vessels were loaded in April. Since November, when India received the sanctions waiver, only state-run Indian Oil Corp, Bharat Petroleum Corp, Hindustan Petroleum and Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals have been buying Iranian oil. India's overall imports from Iran in January to April 2019 fell nearly 45 percent to 304,500 bpd compared with 552,000 bpd a year ago, the data showed. The sources declined to be identified as they were not authorised to speak with media. (Reporting by Nidhi Verma; Editing by Mark Potter) FILE PHOTO: Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi speaks during a news conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel (not pictured) at the Chancellery in Berlin, Germany, April 30, 2019. REUTERS/Annegret Hilse By Ahmed Rasheed BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq is close to signing a $53 billion, 30-year energy agreement with Exxon Mobil and PetroChina, Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi said on Tuesday, denying any link between the mega-project and U.S. permission for Iraq to do business with Iran. Iraq expects to make $400 billion over the 30 years the deal will be in effect, the prime minister said. The southern mega-project involves the development of the Nahr Bin Umar and Artawi oilfields and raising production from the two fields to 500,000 barrels per day (bpd) from around 125,000 bpd now, Abdul Mahdi said. The project is crucial to supplying water to oilfields in the south in order to boost pressure and keep production steady. Media reports had quoted Iran's ambassador in London on Monday saying the United States would grant waivers to Iraq allowing it to deal with Iran economically, in exchange for Baghdad signing an oil deal with Washington. "Talks now between the oil ministry and Exxon Mobil and PetroChina are focused on how to split profits if oil prices rise or decline," Abdul Mahdi said in response to a Reuters question on the obstacles holding up a final agreement. "The deal lasts for 30 years and such financial details are sensitive and should be given more discussions," he added. Iraq is the second largest oil exporter in OPEC and has long-term aims to boost output curtailed by decades of war and sanctions. Such projects are among the most valuable prizes in the world for international oil companies. An initial agreement would be a big boost for Exxon Mobil's plans to expand in Iraq. It is also one of the only countries in the world to have friendly relations with both the United States and Iran. Tehran and Washington, arch enemies elsewhere, are Baghdad's main allies and vye for influence there. Exxon Mobil and PetroChina will build a water injection project to feed oil wells in the south, as well as rehabilitate and build new export pipelines, Abdul Mahdi said. Story continues The project also aims to process 100 million standard cubic feet of natural gas per day from the Artawi and Nahr Bin Umar fields. U.S. President Donald Trump pulled out last year from a 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers, and reinstated sanctions against Tehran. Washington has told buyers of Iranian oil to stop purchases by May 1 or face sanctions. Iraq does not import oil and has a waiver from the United States allowing it to import Iranian natural gas. "The U.S. sanctions are against countries that buy Iranian oil only, and Iraq doesn't buy any Iranian crude. For gas, as far as I know (waivers ending) won't affect (gas imports) right now. The waiver for gas still stands," an Iraqi oil official told Reuters on Monday. (Reporting by Ahmed Rasheed; Additional reporting by John Davison; Writing by Ahmed Aboulenein; Editing by Louise Heavens and Peter Graff) (Adds statement from labour group) By Andrea Mandala MILAN, May 6 (Reuters) - Italian banks have backed a 720 million euro rescue plan ($806 million) for rival Carige that will hand control of the Genoa-based bank to U.S. asset manager BlackRock, the head of a banking fund said on Monday. Carige was placed under special administration by the European Central Bank at the start of the year after Italy's Malacalza family, the lender's top shareholder, blocked a proposed cash call, derailing an industry-financed rescue. Italian banks bought a 320 million euro hybrid bond issued by Carige in November to beef up its capital reserves. The investment was carried out through the voluntary-contribution arm of Italy's FITD depositor protection fund. Speaking to reporters on Monday after a meeting of the voluntary scheme's steering committee, FITD chairman Salvatore Maccarone said banks were set to convert 313 million euros worth of the hybrid bond into equity, giving them a roughly 43 percent stake in Carige. The debt-to-equity conversion is expected to receive final approval at an FITD general meeting on May 14, he said, adding the whole rescue plan, which includes the issue of further additional shares, would then be presented to the European Central Bank on May 17. "It's a deal which we believe will solve (Carige's) problems once and for all," Maccarone said. The exact size of BlackRock's investment is not yet known but it will cover the remainder of the new share issue apart from a small amount which will be available to current shareholders. BlackRock will take operational control and name a new chief executive, Maccarone said. The deal needs to be approved by Carige's shareholders, meaning the position of the Malacalza family, which holds a 27.6 percent stake, will be key. A shareholder meeting to vote on the plan is expected to take place in June or July, trade union FABI said in a statement after a meeting with the bank's special administrators. The union said the cash call should take place after the summer and that no additional job cuts were planned beyond the 1,250 cuts already announced in February. Story continues The family of steel billionaires will see its holding heavily diluted, even if it buys into the portion of the cash call reserved for current shareholders. The Malacalzas have invested more than 400 million euros in Carige since 2015, although their stake was worth just 23 million euros when the bank was placed under special administration and trading in the stock halted. The government has earmarked up to 1 billion euros to buy Carige shares and stands ready to step in should a private investor fail to seal a deal. State-owned soured loan vehicle SGA will take on the bank's bad loans under the plan. "The overall deal has a number of pieces that must fall into place", Maccarone said, including BlackRock being granted a waiver from a regulatory obligation to launch a full takeover bid for the bank. Carige has been laid low by years of mismanagement and an excessive exposure to the depressed economy of the northwestern Liguria region. ($1 = 0.8934 euros) (Reporting by Andrea Mandala, writing by Valentina Za; Editing by Kirsten Donovan and Jane Merriman) Thousands of ride-hailing drivers in New York City will go on strike for two hours on Wednesday morning, as part of an international day of actions to demand better wages and working conditions ahead of Uber's planned IPO later this week. The company is expected to go public on Friday with a valuation as high as $90 billion. But as Uber shareholders are set to get richer, drivers say they've been left behind in the offering. Studies have shown that half of U.S. Uber driverswhom the company does not consider employeesmake less than $10 an hour on average. "With the IPO, Uber's corporate owners are set to make billions, all while drivers are left in poverty and go bankrupt," said Bhairavi Desai, executive director of the NY Taxi Workers Alliance, which is helping to organize the NYC-based action. "That's why NYTWA members are joining the international strike to stand up to Uber greed." In New York City, drivers with Uber, Lyft, Via, and Juno will turn off their apps for two hours, beginning at 7 a.m. A rally is planned for 11 a.m. outside Uber's driver hub in Long Island City. STRIKE STRIKE STRIKE! We are calling on all people of good conscience in NYC to log off of the apps in 7 AM to 9 AM Wednesday, May 8th to support our strike. Don't use Uber, don't use Lyft. Log off of all the apps! Support app drivers demanding job security and livable incomes! NY Taxi Workers (@NYTWA) May 3, 2019 Already this week, both Uber and Lyft have sent push notifications to riders informing them of discounted fares, which some have interpreted as an effort to undermine the strike. "We've seen this before: When we held our strike at JFK airport to protest the Muslim ban, Uber turned off surge pricing to try to break our strike," said Desai. "Ubers attempt to break our strike backfired then and it won't work now." The strike comes as the app-based companies have found themselves on the losing side of multiple battles with their own workforce, a group that numbers more than 65,000 in New York City. Last week, a lawsuit filed by Lyft against the city's newly enacted minimum wage rules for drivers was tossed by a state judge. Prior to the minimum wage law, 85 percent of local for-hire vehicle drivers were making less than $15 an hour, according to the city. Both Uber and Lyft have also now stopped hiring new workersa result of a cap passed last summer, which had broad support from drivers, who say the glut of for-hire vehicles on city streets in recent years has depressed wages. Still, drivers say that the ongoing destabilization of the for-hire driving economy is far from over, and has continued to fuel a rise in suicides. On Tuesday morning, NYC Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and the Independent Drivers Guild unveiled a mental health and wellness program "in response to an epidemic of for-hire vehicle driver suicides and desperation among drivers across the city." According to some workers, conditions at Uber have become increasingly precarious in recent months, as the company has rushed to demonstrate efficiency ahead of its public offering, reducing bonus payments and increasing the size of the cut the company takes from each fare. "I think the people on Wall Street said dont give drivers more incentives, because theyre already making enough money," said one Uber driver, who plans to participate in Wednesday's strike and asked to remain anonymous for fear of getting cut off from accepting fares via the Uber app. "They used to take 10 percent, then 20 percent, now they take almost 30 percent from us." (The company maintains that new Taxi and Limousine Commission regulations have limited their ability to offer incentives to drivers.) In reality, the driver said, he works nearly every day, and doesn't make close to the $90,000 salary that Uber once claimed as a median income. He noted that he left his job as an accountant almost two years ago, only to realize that "Uber lies about everything." The company, which has never turned a profit and continues to lose money on every ride, indicated in its SEC filings that future profits could be in the "trillions" of dollars. But while Uber plans to reserve about 3 percent of its total offering for workers, not everyone is interested in investing. "As an accountant, I know it's a waste of money," the unnamed driver told Gothamist. "It's not going to work." A spokesperson for Uber declined to comment due to a "quiet period" ahead of the IPO. Lyft did not immediately respond to Gothamist's inquiries. We the Commuters is a weekly newsletter about transportation from WNYC and Gothamist. Sign up below for essential commuting coverage delivered to your inbox every Thursday. Loading... In conjunction with National Teacher Appreciation Day, Connecticut resident selected among thousands of substitute teachers across the U.S. TROY, Mich., May 07, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- National Teacher Appreciation Day serves as a reminder to schools, parents and communities to honor and appreciate the daily contributions teachers make to students lives. In celebration, Walter Bailey has been selected by Kelly Educational Staffing (KES ) , as the National Substitute Teacher of the Year for the 2018-19 school year. KES is the largest provider of substitute teachers nationwide and a specialty service of Kelly, a global workforce solutions provider thats always asking whats next in the world of work. A resident of New Haven, Connecticut, Mr. Bailey is being recognized for his outstanding performance and excellent service as a substitute teacher in Hamden Public Schools. He developed an interest in teaching students after serving as a volunteer tutor for two years at New Haven Reads , a one-on-one tutoring program that serves over 500 children every week. During the four years Mr. Bailey has been a KES substitute teacher, he has served as a paraprofessional, library media specialist, special education professional and substitute teacher in kindergarten through sixth grade classrooms. When asked what he likes most about being a substitute teacher, Mr. Bailey replied, I like seeing the spark of understanding on a childs face when a lesson clicks for them. Most of all, though, I want to take part in helping shape the next generation. Mr. Bailey has worked in almost every classroom environment at our school and has exhibited an exemplary performance, said Dr. Michael Lorenzo, principal of Helen Street School in Hamden, Connecticut. He always approaches every assignment with the utmost professionalism and regards the overall well-being of the students as being of paramount importance. Each year, as part of a long-standing tradition and an integral component in recognizing substitute teachers and paraprofessionals for their success, KES employees across the U.S. have the opportunity to nominate individuals for the state and national teacher of the year awards in recognition of the ways they enrich the lives of students. The nominations include feedback provided by the administration at KES partner-schools. From the state winners, one national winner is selected, representing the highest achievement a KES substitute teacher can receive. Story continues As the KES national winner, Mr. Bailey will receive an award certificate and a $1,500 bonus as well as an additional $1,500 to donate to the school of his choice within the district. Mr. Bailey is a true representation of the high-quality educators KES provides to its partner schools each day, said Nicola Soares, vice president and managing director of KES. He is dedicated to ensuring a successful learning environment exists in the classroom and the needs of each student are met. We are proud to recognize his commitment with this honor. About Kelly Educational Staffing At Kelly Educational Staffing (KES), we believe that education is a shared responsibilityand were dedicated to bringing the best educators to your classrooms. Operating as a specialty service of Kelly, a global workforce solutions provider thats always asking whats next in the world of work, were proud to be the first and largest comprehensive education talent management solution in the U.S. Launched in 1997, KES partners with more than 7,000 public, private, and charter schools across 36 states. In addition, KES provides schools with quality substitute teacher staffing and management, as well as after-school program staffing, and the staffing of non-instructional positions such as custodians, cafeteria employees, administrative assistants, and school nurses. More than three million classrooms are filled by a KES substitute teacher each school year. Note to Editors: Photos available upon request. ELKO, NV / ACCESSWIRE / May 7, 2019 / Lithium Corporation (LTUM) ("LTUM" or "the Company"), a North American company focused primarily on energy metals for the growing energy storage sector and high tech industries, is pleased to announce the February 10th, 2016 option agreement pertaining to their Fish Lake Valley prospect has been terminated with Lithium Corporation retaining 100% ownership of the subject property. Lithium Corporation acquired the Fish Lake Valley prospect in 2009. In the 1800s, it operated as a producer of borates from a lithium/boron/potassium rich brine recovered from the east side of the salt flats. The prospect is currently comprised of one hundred and forty three - 80 acre Association Placer claims for a total of approximately 11,360 acres (4,597 hectares), covering the most prospective portions of the playa. These flats lie at an elevation of 4684 feet (1427 meters) above sea level and are ideally suited for a lithium brine operation. In addition to the flat geography, the valley is arid and there are considerably more evaporative days in the year than days where conditions are not conducive to evaporation. The property is easily accessible via Highways 6 & 773 and several miles of well maintained gravel roads. In addition to the road network, infrastructure is very good in Fish Lake Valley with power, fuel and phone service available locally, and most supplies available in Tonopah approximately 40 miles (60 kms) east. As the crow flies the property is only 22 miles (35 kms) west across the Silver Peak Range from Albermarle's Silver Peak lithium brine operation, the only active commercial lithium mine in the United States. LTUM's Fish Lake Valley lithium-in-brine prospect is quite analogous to the Silver Peak lithium brine operation as: Hosts a documented lithium enriched brine both near surface and at relatively shallow depths has not been fully delineated, and explored to depth. Brine hosted in the same sediments/rocks as the mineralized brine at Silver Peak. Proximal to lithium enriched geothermal waters which are likely at least in part responsible for the formation of the lithium-in-brine deposits that occur both here and at Silver Peak. Structure conducive to the formation of a Silver Peak style deposit. At the junction of a possible splay of the northeasterly trending Death Valley - Furnace Creek fault system and the northwesterly trending Grand Central fault which is possibly related to, or an extension of, the Cross Central fault that is an integral part of the system at the Silver Peak mine. The Company intends to concentrate its time and resources in the short term reviewing the work done by the Optionee during the past three years, following this a plan will be formulated for developing the Fish Lake Valley property. Story continues About Lithium Corporation Lithium Corporation is an exploration company based in Nevada devoted to the exploration for energy storage related resources throughout North America, and looking to capitalize on opportunities within the ever-expanding next generation energy storage markets. The Company maintains a strategic alliance with Altura Mining, an ASX listed natural resource development company that is currently ramping up production at its 100% owned world-class Pilgangoora lithium pegmatite property in Western Australia. Website: www.lithiumcorporation.com Contact Info Tom Lewis, CEO Lithium Corporation 775-410-5287 info@lithiumcorporation.com Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This current report contains "forward-looking statements," as that term is defined in Section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Statements in this press release which are not purely historical are forward-looking statements and include any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. Such factors include, among others, the inherent uncertainties associated with mineral exploration and difficulties associated with obtaining financing on acceptable terms. We are not in control of minerals prices and these could vary to make development uneconomic. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and we assume no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the beliefs, plans, expectations and intentions contained in this press release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions will prove to be accurate. Investors should consult all of the information set forth herein and should also refer to the risk factors disclosure outlined in our most recent annual report for our last fiscal year, our quarterly reports, and other periodic reports filed from time-to-time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. SOURCE: Lithium Corporation View source version on accesswire.com: https://www.accesswire.com/544251/Lithium-Corporation-Regains-Full-Control-of-Fish-Lake-Valley-Property Mom's Photo of 'Blue' Breast Milk Goes Viral, Experts Explain the Science Behind this Color Change The mom attributed the change in color to an immune response to her daughter's vaccinations, but experts say that's not true, explaining how it's natural for breastmilk to change colors throughout the day. May 7, 2019 When Jody Danielle Fisher posted a photo to Facebook last week of her "normal" colored breast milk alongside a bottle of "blue" colored breast milk, she didn't expect it to go viral. But her claim that this "blue" milk, produced two days after her one-year-old daughter received her immunization shots, was an immune response to the vaccinations raised a lot of eyebrows. As she explained, "It's blue from all the antibodies my body is producing as it thinks she's sick with what she was vaccinated against! When she feeds her saliva sends signals to my body to produce more milk with illness specific antibodies!" Fisher's take on the color change is fascinating for sure, but experts aren't as convinced the color change is a result of vaccinations. "While there is still so much that we don't know about human milk, we do know that breast milk comes in a wide variety of colors and consistencies. The vast majority of those differences are normal," Barbara Cohen, a longtime board-certified lactation consultant in New York City, told Parents.com. And breast milk can change color for a number of reasons, including the time of day. "The blueish color is most noticeable during the first few minutes of milk expression, when the composition is mostly foremilk," Nancy Hurst, director of Women's Support Services at Texas Children's Pavilion for Women in Houston, told Romper. "As the breast continues to empty, the composition changes to hind milk, which is higher in fat, giving it that creamier color." RELATED: What's In Your Breast Milk Hurst added: "A mother may notice this blueish color more when she has gone a longer time between pumpings, say first thing in the morning, when her breasts are fuller. A blueish tint in expressed breast milk is mainly due to the foremilk composition and how the light refracts off of it." Story continues Fisher responded to suggestions the color change was due to her diet or the time of her pumping session by insisting the blueish breast milk in the viral photo "was expressed straight after a feed" and was not foremilk. She added that she hadn't eaten "anything artificially colored" or had any supplements or green vegetables in the days leading up to the production of her "blue" breast milk. "My milk is only ever this color when my daughter has been sick," she wrote. "It's never been like it when she's been well." According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, vaccines contain the same germs that cause disease, but these germs have been either killed or weakened to the point that they dont make you sick. A vaccine does stimulate your immune system to produce antibodies like it would if you were exposed to the disease, but a vaccine gives immunity without actually ever giving the recipient the disease. That said, it would be interesting if Fisher's breastmilk reacted to the antibodies in her recently vaccinated child, however, there is not enough science to back up that claim. Still, the photo was shared more than 7,000 times and received more than 9,000 comments, many of which were supportive. One commenter said, "One of the reasons why I want to breastfeed." Another wrote, "Absolutely incredible! Truly, our bodies are miraculous." Ben Stansall - WPA Pool / Getty Images(LONDON) -- Prince William, a father of three children ages 5 and under, gave a realistic welcome to parenting to his younger brother, Prince Harry, who became a dad on Monday. "I'm very pleased and glad to welcome my own brother into the sleep deprivation society that is parenting," William said Tuesday as he and his wife, Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, attended the The Kings Cup regatta in London. "[I'm] absolutely thrilled and obviously looking forward to seeing them in the next few days when things have quieted down," he added of Harry, Duchess Meghan and their newborn son. Harry and Meghan's son is the first cousin on their father's side for Prince William and Kate's children, Prince George, 5, Princess Charlotte, 4, and one-year-old Prince Louis. Kate noted that this time of year will be a happy season for the two families, as Prince Louis's birthday is April 23, Princess Charlotte's is May 2 and Harry and Meghan's son's is May 6. "It's such a special time, obviously with Louis and Charlotte just having their birthdays, it's such a great time of year to have a baby," Kate said, according to ABC News royal contributor Omid Scobie. The Duchess of Cambridge also revealed that even she and William do not yet know the name of their new nephew. "As William said, we look forward to meeting him and finding out what his name is going to be," Kate said. Harry, 34, said Monday that he and Meghan were still deciding on a name for their son, who was born at 5:26 a.m. local time and came around one week after his due date. "That's the next bit," Harry said in brief remarks he made Monday near the couple's Frogmore Cottage home, where Meghan, the baby and Meghan's mom, Doria Ragland, are now. The public is expected to get their first look at Harry, Meghan and their son Wednesday when they step before the cameras for the first time as a family of three. Buckingham Palace has not yet released details of the photo opportunity. Nearby Harry and Meghan's Frogmore Cottage home in Windsor is the baby's great-grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, who could be among the first members of the royal family to see the baby. Queen Elizabeth is in residence now at Windsor Castle, a short walk from Frogmore Cottage. The palace though has not said whether the queen already has or plans to visit Harry, Meghan and the baby. Miles away, in Germany, the newborn's paternal grandfather, Prince Charles, also spoke out about the new arrival. We couldnt be more delighted at the news and were looking forward to meeting the baby when we return," Charles said Tuesday while visiting Berlin with Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall. Harry and Meghan's baby, whose name has not been released is the fourth grandchild for Prince Charles. Copyright 2019, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. Three Researchers Awarded $250,000 Each to Advance Independent Research in Cardiac Diseases SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., May 07, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MyoKardia, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company pioneering precision medicine for the treatment of serious cardiovascular diseases, today announced the award of $750,000 divided among three innovative research projects through the first cycle of its MyoSeeds Research Grants Program (MyoSeeds). MyoSeeds is MyoKardias initiative intended to support original, independent research in the biology and underlying mechanisms of cardiomyopathies, and approaches to precision heart disease treatment as part of the companys mission to change the world for people with serious cardiovascular diseases. MyoSeeds grants are reflective of our efforts to target the underlying drivers of cardiac diseases, with the ultimate goal of improving patient care through better diagnosis and treatment options. We are not just investing in the advancement of our own programs, but also seek a variety of creative ways to foster a broader community with a shared commitment to better understand and address cardiomyopathies, said Robert McDowell, PhD., MyoKardias Chief Scientific Officer. The positive response to the MyoSeeds Research Grants Program surpassed our expectations and we congratulate our inaugural class of MyoSeeds fellows and thank all of the applicants for their proposals. Over 50 applicants participated in a competitive review process, in which proposals were assessed for scientific merit, feasibility and impact of the proposed project, and alignment with the research priorities for the funding cycle. Three projects have been selected for the 2019 annual funding cycle and will receive $250,000 each in support of their research project. This years MyoSeeds grant recipients join a growing community of industry, academic and clinical researchers striving to shed new light on the underlying drivers of heart disease. Story continues Helena Kenny, PhD, Postdoctoral Research Scholar, University of Iowa Topic: Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and heart failure Dr. Kenny has developed novel models of ER stress, which she will use to dissect underlying contributors to progression of heart failure. Peder Larson, PhD, Associate Professor, University of California, San Francisco Topic: Age-related changes in energy and metabolism in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy increases the energy used during each contraction of the heart. Dr. Larson is investigating the use of non-invasive cardiac magnetic resonance imaging to understand shifts in energetic burden in the HCM heart over time. Sakthivel Sadayappan, PhD, Professor of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine Topic: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in populations of South Asian descendants Dr. Sadayappans lab is committed to elucidating the causes of sarcomeric disease at the molecular level. He will investigate the molecular consequences of the D389V mutation in cMyBP-C and its interplay with myosin. MyoKardia plans to initiate the 2020 funding cycle for MyoSeeds Research Grants Program in the second half of 2019 to support research focused on basic biology of the heart and cardiomyopathies. Priority research areas for funding will be announced prior to each cycle. MyoKardias research and drug development efforts are focused on applying a precision medicine approach to the treatment of cardiomyopathies by establishing a deep understanding of the biology of the disease, creating novel drugs that are targeted to that biology and identifying subgroups of patients with shared disease characteristics who are most likely to benefit from a targeted treatment. Currently, more than 1.5 million individuals in the U.S. are affected by HCM or dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), the two most prevalent forms of heritable cardiomyopathy. There are no approved medical therapies that target the underlying defects in contractility characteristic of HCM or DCM. About MyoKardia MyoKardia is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company pioneering a precision medicine approach to discover, develop and commercialize targeted therapies for the treatment of serious cardiovascular diseases. MyoKardias initial focus is on the development of small molecule therapeutics aimed at the cardiac muscle proteins that modulate cardiac muscle contraction and underlie diseases of systolic and diastolic dysfunction. Based on an in-depth understanding of disease biology, MyoKardia applies a precision medicine approach to develop its therapeutic candidates for patient populations with shared characteristics, such as causal genetic mutations or disease subtypes. MyoKardias most advanced product candidate is mavacamten (formerly MYK-461), a novel, oral, allosteric modulator of cardiac myosin intended to reduce hypercontractility. Mavacamten has advanced into a pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial, known as EXPLORER-HCM, in patients with symptomatic, obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). MyoKardia is also developing mavacamten in a second indication, non-obstructive HCM, in the Phase 2 MAVERICK-HCM clinical trial. MYK-491, MyoKardias second product candidate, is designed to increase cardiac output among patients with systolic heart dysfunction by increasing the overall extent of the hearts cardiac contractility. MyoKardia is currently evaluating MYK-491 in a Phase 1b/2a study in stable heart failure patients. MyoKardias mission is to change the world for patients with serious cardiovascular disease through bold and innovative science. Contacts: For questions about the MyoSeeds Grants Program, please contact: myoseeds@myokardia.com Michelle Corral (investors) Senior Director, Corporate Communications and Investor Relations MyoKardia, Inc. 650-351-4690 ir@myokardia.com --Agriculture Technology company connects crop suppliers with St. Louis-area restaurants including Sardella and Vicia-- ST. LOUIS, May 06, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Agriculture technology company NATIVE has officially launched in the St. Louis market following several new partnerships connecting farms and restaurant buyers. Beginning in May, farm distribution companies Double Star Farms , Eat Here Saint Louis and Such & Such Farms will use NATIVEs technology platform to share their harvest data with local restaurants that include Sardella, located in Clayton, and Vicia, located in the Cortex Innovation community. NATIVE co-founder Frank Pica was born in St. Louis and started his career as a founding member of the renowned technology company, LockerDome, under founder Gabe Lozano. Our mission at NATIVE is to help farmers and companies selling their products meet the rising demand for local, quality foods. From what weve gathered from consumers, this means that the food should not only be nutritious but that the origin of that food should be transparent and therefore traceableNATIVEs technology enables this, said Pica. Launching in St. Louis was not only a dream of mine, but it aligns perfectly with the NATIVE vision given that the state of Missouri yields the second most farms in the entire country after Texas. Food hub Eat Here Saint Louis works with farmers and producers to bring the finest and freshest produce, meat, dairy and grains to St. Louis chefs. NATIVEs technology will help us with our goal of providing high-quality, locally grown products to St. Louis restaurants, schools, and groceries, said Preston Walker, Proprietor of Eat Here Saint Louis. NATIVE will simplify the supply chain and help many local farmers reach a network of St. Louis' best chefs and other buyers looking to support the local food economy. To support its local operations, NATIVE has opened an office in the Cortex Innovation community, the vibrant innovation hub and technology district integrated into St. Louis historic Central West End and Forest Park Southeast residential neighborhoods. Cortex Innovation is also the home of Vicia restaurant, named the #2 restaurant in America in 2017 by a USA Today readers poll. Story continues Vicia is a celebration of what goes on above and below the soil. Our cuisine is driven by the best of whats available and sourced from the relationships we have with farmers, said Tara Gallina, Owner, Vicia. NATIVEs technology platform will help us grow those relationships and continue to provide the highest-quality food to our patrons. By implementing real-time inventory and sales management tools at the farm level, NATIVE allows wholesale buyers to access local food as soon as it is harvested. The NATIVE platform ensures that farms sell locally, maximizing the value of their harvests, while also helping restaurants better access local farms and deliver on the promise of local sourcing. To learn more about NATIVE, please visit www.nativeag.io . Investing.com - Oil prices recovered on Tuesday in Asia after falling as much as 3% the previous session after U.S. President Donald Trump revived the risk of a full-blown trade war between Washington and Beijing. The U.S. Crude Oil WTI Futures rose 0.3% to $62.45 by 1:00 AM ET (05:00 GMT). International Brent Oil Futures inched up 0.1% to $71.30. Heightened tensions in the Middle East were cited as supportive for oil prices today and overshadowed news that the White House will raise levies on Chinese goods on Friday. Oil prices went from 3% down at one point to settling up on Monday after Axios.com quoted Israel's Channel 13 diplomatic correspondent Barak Ravid as saying that Israel has passed information to the U.S. about an alleged Iranian plot to attack U.S. interests in the Persian Gulf. "This was before (U.S.) national security adviser John Bolton threatened Iran with 'unrelenting force' last night, senior Israeli officials told me," Ravid said. Trump said on Twitter on Sunday that tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods would increase to 25% from 10% on Friday, reversing a decision he made in February to keep them at 10% in light of progress in trade talks between the two sides. His comments revived the risk of a full-blown trade war between Washington and Beijing and created fresh doubts on whether the two sides could reach a trade agreement. Since the two sides agreed to a tariff ceasefire in November, several rounds of talks have been held, with both governments talking up the possibility of a deal this spring. "Trump's sudden hard-line on China tariffs has spooked investors, who are scrambling to reduce their risk levels in the markets," said Jasper Lawler, head of research at futures brokerage London Capital Group. "The prospect of months of trade talks being derailed by Trump has raised concerns over future demand for oil," he added. Chinese Vice Premier Liu He will travel to Washington later in the week to resume negotiations with the U.S. Story continues Related Articles Gold Prices Edges Down as Asian Equities Recover from Trumps Tariff-hike Threat Oil mixed as U.S.-China trade dispute weighs, but sanctions keep market tense Oil Shakes Off Tariff Woes as U.S. Sends Warships to Middle East May 7 (Reuters) - The following are the top stories from selected Canadian newspapers. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy. THE GLOBE AND MAIL ** Hudson's Bay Co said on Monday it is pursuing "strategic alternatives" for U.S. Lord & Taylor chain's operations, which could lead to a possible sale or merger as part of its strategy to focus on its best opportunities. https://tgam.ca/2H07nDa ** Air Canada said on Monday it will redeploy some of its idled 420-odd 737 Max pilots to fly other planes as the grounding of the Boeing Co planes drags on. https://tgam.ca/2Vj33J7 ** Jordan Jacobs, the chief of business and strategy for artificial intelligence at Toronto-Dominion Bank is leaving just 16 months after selling his startup for $100 million to launch an AI-focused venture capital fund. https://tgam.ca/2ViPw4s NATIONAL POST ** Canadian federal officials are setting the stage to award Irving Shipbuilding contracts to build two more Arctic and offshore patrol ships but the vessels will be delivered to the Canadian Coast Guard instead of the navy. http://bit.ly/2H6Auoa ** American multi-state cannabis operator Acreage Holdings Inc said it is "very confident" its proposed acquisition by Canopy Growth Corp will get shareholder approval next month despite activist investor Marcato Capital Management LP calling it a "value-destroying" transaction and urging Acreage shareholders to vote against the deal. http://bit.ly/2VlYRbq (Compiled by Bengaluru newsroom) Want to participate in a short research study? Help shape the future of investing tools and you could win a $250 gift card! Public Joint-Stock Company Interregional Distribution Grid Company of Volga (MCX:MRKV), which is in the electric utilities business, and is based in Russia, received a lot of attention from a substantial price movement on the MISX over the last few months, increasing to RUB0.11 at one point, and dropping to the lows of RUB0.099. Some share price movements can give investors a better opportunity to enter into the stock, and potentially buy at a lower price. A question to answer is whether Interregional Distribution Grid Company of Volga's current trading price of RUB0.11 reflective of the actual value of the small-cap? Or is it currently undervalued, providing us with the opportunity to buy? Lets take a look at Interregional Distribution Grid Company of Volgas outlook and value based on the most recent financial data to see if there are any catalysts for a price change. Check out our latest analysis for Interregional Distribution Grid Company of Volga What's the opportunity in Interregional Distribution Grid Company of Volga? Great news for investors Interregional Distribution Grid Company of Volga is still trading at a fairly cheap price. According to my valuation, the intrinsic value for the stock is RUB0.18, but it is currently trading at RU0.11 on the share market, meaning that there is still an opportunity to buy now. Whats more interesting is that, Interregional Distribution Grid Company of Volgas share price is theoretically quite stable, which could mean two things: firstly, it may take the share price a while to move to its intrinsic value, and secondly, there may be less chances to buy low in the future once it reaches that value. This is because the stock is less volatile than the wider market given its low beta. What kind of growth will Interregional Distribution Grid Company of Volga generate? Story continues MISX:MRKV Past and Future Earnings, May 7th 2019 Future outlook is an important aspect when youre looking at buying a stock, especially if you are an investor looking for growth in your portfolio. Buying a great company with a robust outlook at a cheap price is always a good investment, so lets also take a look at the company's future expectations. Interregional Distribution Grid Company of Volgas revenue growth are expected to be in the teens in the upcoming years, indicating a solid future ahead. Unless expenses grow at the same level, or higher, this top-line growth should lead to robust cash flows, feeding into a higher share value. What this means for you: Are you a shareholder? Since MRKV is currently undervalued, it may be a great time to accumulate more of your holdings in the stock. With an optimistic outlook on the horizon, it seems like this growth has not yet been fully factored into the share price. However, there are also other factors such as financial health to consider, which could explain the current undervaluation. Are you a potential investor? If youve been keeping an eye on MRKV for a while, now might be the time to make a leap. Its prosperous future outlook isnt fully reflected in the current share price yet, which means its not too late to buy MRKV. But before you make any investment decisions, consider other factors such as the track record of its management team, in order to make a well-informed buy. Price is just the tip of the iceberg. Dig deeper into what truly matters the fundamentals before you make a decision on Interregional Distribution Grid Company of Volga. You can find everything you need to know about Interregional Distribution Grid Company of Volga in the latest infographic research report. If you are no longer interested in Interregional Distribution Grid Company of Volga, you can use our free platform to see my list of over 50 other stocks with a high growth potential. We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned. Thank you for reading. (Adds stock price, CEO comments) HOUSTON, May 7 (Reuters) - Pioneer Natural Resources said on Tuesday it has asked nearly a third of its executives to leave their jobs as the U.S. shale producer continues to trim costs and considers selling more assets. The company expects to save $100 million annually with the job cuts and a new organizational structure, Chief Executive Scott Sheffield said during an earnings call. The Irving, Texas-based oil and gas producer expects to shed the employees on a voluntary and involuntary basis by June 1. Shale firms have pushed U.S. oil output to record levels. But years of heavy spending led to investor pressure to reduce spending and use the cash to pay dividends and repurchase shares. "The big change is to treat capital just as important as production," Sheffield said. Pioneer's stock was trading 6.8 percent lower at $145.71 around midday on Tuesday after Sheffield said he did not expect a wave of consolidation in the industry. The stocks of producers focused on the Permian Basin bounced in April when Chevron Corp revealed it had agreed to pay $33 billion for Anadarko Petroleum Corp. Occidental Petroleum Corp then made a $38 billion hostile bid for Anadarko. Pioneer shares traded at $150.92 the day before the Chevron-Anadarko deal, but closed at $168.32 the day it was announced. "I didn't come back to sell the company," said Sheffield the company's founder, who returned as CEO after veteran executive Tim Dove abruptly retired in February. "I personally don't think that there's going to be a lot of (mergers and acquisitions) over the next one to two years." On Monday, Pioneer reported its first-quarter profit jumped to $350 million, or $2.06 per share, from $178 million, or $1.04 per share, a year ago. The company did not say how many executives will leave and did not respond to a request for comment. It plans to sell a share of its gas processing infrastructure and may sell its water infrastructure, Sheffield said. On Monday, Pioneer disclosed it had sold its Eagle Ford Shale acreage and remaining assets in South Texas for up to $475 million to become a purely Permian Basin producer. (Reporting by Jennifer Hiller Editing by Paul Simao) MUNICH (Reuters) - Siemens on Tuesday said it would spin off its power and gas business, separating the business which has dragged on the Germany engineering company's performance due to collapsing demand for gas turbines amid the rise of renewable power. Siemens said the new business would create a "major player" on the energy market with business volume of 30 billion euros and over 80,000 employees. The business, which includes the company's oil and gas, conventional power generation, power transmission and related services businesses, is to be carved out with the aim of a subsequent public listing planned to take place by September 2020, Siemens said. In addition, Siemens AG plans to contribute its majority stake in the market-leading renewable energies company SGRE currently 59 percent to Gas and Power. Last week Reuters, citing sources familiar with the matter, reported that Siemens was considering carving out its Gas and Power unit. (Reporting by John Revill; Editing by Edward Taylor) VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / May 7, 2019 / Silver Range Resources Ltd. (SNG.V) ('Silver Range') announces that subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval, it has concluded a purchase agreement with Discovery Consultants of Vernon B.C. to acquire an extensive exploration database ('Discovery Database'). The Discovery Database is based on 25 years of exploration work covering 363 targets in the southwest United States, predominantly in Nevada. It contains over 26,000 rock, soil, BLEG and heavy mineral sample results and logs for 295 exploration drill holes. Silver Range will acquire the database for $10,000 and 400,000 shares. Silver Range will integrate the Discovery Database into its growing database which includes results from its own work and proprietary historical data. Silver Range is using its database to generate new exploration targets in mining friendly jurisdictions. About Silver Range Resources Ltd. Silver Range is a precious metals prospect generator working in Nevada and Northern Canada. It has assembled a portfolio of 42 properties, 16 of which are currently optioned to others. Silver Range is actively seeking other joint venture partners to explore the high precious metal targets in its portfolio. ON BEHALF OF SILVER RANGE RESOURCES LTD. 'Mike Power' President, C.E.O. & Director For further information concerning Silver Range or its exploration projects please contact: Investor Inquiries Richard Drechsler Vice-President, Communications Tel: (604) 687-2522 NA Toll-Free: (888) 688-2522 rdrechsler@silverrangeresources.com http://www.silverrangeresources.com Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release may contain forward looking statements based on assumptions and judgments of management regarding future events or results that may prove to be inaccurate as a result of exploration and other risk factors beyond its control, and actual results may differ materially from the expected results. Story continues SOURCE: Silver Range Resources Ltd. View source version on accesswire.com: https://www.accesswire.com/544387/Silver-Range-Resources-Ltd-Purchases-Extensive-Nevada-Database Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 7, 2019) - STILLCANNA INC. (CSE: STIL) ("StillCanna" or the "Company") the Company is pleased to announce that further to the Company's press release dated March 18, 2019, the Company successfully acquired 100% of Olimax's issued and outstanding shares. The acquisition of Olimax provides Stillcanna with a vertically integrated licensed cultivator, extractor and formulator of CBD. One of Olimax's many core strengths is its agriculture expertise with hemp. The founders of Olimax Zofia Valber and Krystyna Bojeck have taken on the roles of VP Operations Poland and will oversee the day-to-day management of the Company's Polish operations. With over 40 years combined experience in hemp products, their accomplishments include a patented microelement fertilizer and the germination and registration of an EU certified propriety varietal of high CBD content hemp. Zofia and Krystyna have decades of hemp production and product formulations along with degrees in agriculture and chemistry. The Company is seeding its 1500 hectares of land in Poland with the Company's proprietary hemp varietal and expects its harvest to be in early August. "This acquisition uniquely positions Stillcanna in the supply chain of wholesale CBD in Europe," pointed out Jason Dussault Chief Executive Officer of StillCanna, "there is global interest in sourcing a reliable flow of wholesale CBD in Europe and StillCanna is now in a position to address that global interest." The purchase price of Olimax consists of 24,000,000 common shares and $2,000,000 in cash. 20,064,000 of the 24,000,000 shares are subject to a contractual restriction on trading whereby 1/12 of the shares will be released from such contractual restriction every three months from the date of issuance and all of the shares are subject to a four-month and a day hold period from the date of issuance, in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws. Story continues As previously announced on April 25, 2019, the Company completed a financing of an aggregate of 21,187,587 subscription receipts at a price of $1.15 per subscription receipt for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $24,365,000 with Canaccord Genuity Corp. as agent. The net proceeds of the financing were released to the Company in connection with the satisfaction of the escrow release conditions by the Company through its successful acquisition of Olimax. The subscription receipts automatically converted into one common share of the Company and one-half of one common share purchase warrant. Each warrant is exercisable to acquire one common share for a period of 12 months at an exercise price of $1.73. The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the Offering to expand its CBD processing capacity at the Company's facility in Romania, to build out Olimax's CBD extraction facility and agricultural capabilities in Poland along with working capital and general corporate expenditures. In connection with the acquisition of Olimax, the Company issued 450,000 common shares to certain finders. It also issued 700,000 common shares to certain consultants in exchange for financial advisory services. ABOUT STILLCANNA INC. StillCanna Inc. (CSE: STIL) (www.stillcanna.com) is a Canadian early-stage life sciences company focused on large-scale CBD extraction in Europe. Based on a proprietary process and intellectual property, the Company is forecasted to be one of the lowest-cost CBD extractors operating in Europe. The Company has signed an extraction contract to be the exclusive extractor for Dragonfly BioSciences LLC, a United Kingdom-based supplier of CBD. With the completion of the Olimax Transaction, StillCanna is one of the leading processors and providers of market-ready CBD in Europe. On Behalf of the Board, Joel Leonard, Chief Financial Officer and Director E-mail: joel@stillcanna.com Phone: 778-838-3692 The CSE has not in any way passed upon the merits of and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements: This release includes certain statements and information that constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws, including statements regarding the expected harvest date of the Company's 1,500 hectares of land being in early August. Generally, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "intends" or "anticipates", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should" or "would" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on certain material assumptions and analysis made by the Company and the opinions and estimates of management as of the date of this press release, including that the cultivation of the Company's hemp will be successful and the harvest date of the Company's 1,500 hectares of land will be in early August as anticipated by management of the Company. Although the Company considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available to it, they may prove to be incorrect, and the forward-looking statements in this release are subject to numerous risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause future results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. Such risk factors may include, among others, that the cultivation of the Company's hemp will not be successful or will be delayed and the harvest date of the Company's 1,500 hectares of land will not be in early August or at all. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. 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. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not intend, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to, update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Corporate Logo To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/44568 PARIS (Reuters) - Supermarket group Casino, battling investor concerns over its high debt and ability to generate cash, said on Tuesday that retail sales in its core French market improved in April after a flat showing in the first quarter. Overall, same-store sales rose 0.9 percent on a year-on-year basis in France in April, according to slides released to coincide with Casino's annual shareholder meeting. Revenues improved at its Geant hypermarket stores, Monoprix and Franprix convenience stores, outpacing the LeaderPrice discount stores where sales were still weak. Last month, Casino reported slower sales growth in most of its store formats in France during the first quarter, including a mere 0.3 percent growth at the Geant hypermarkets. (Reporting by Dominique Vidalon; Editing by Sudip Kar-Gupta) Real-World Data Presented at American Urological Association Meeting Highlight Consistency with Controlled Studies and Effectiveness in Diverse Patient Populations WAYNE, Pa., May 06, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Teleflex Incorporated (TFX) today announced the presentation of new clinical data at the American Urological Association (AUA) 2019 Annual Meeting from five studies of the UroLift System for patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), showcasing the safety and effectiveness of the minimally invasive treatment in real-world patient populations. Findings from these studies are consistent with results found in controlled clinical studies, reaffirming the safety and long-term benefits of the minimally invasive UroLift System treatment for BPH in diverse patient populations, said Dave Amerson, president of Teleflex Interventional Urology business unit. We are pleased to add this data to the growing portfolio of real-world outcomes frequently found among more than one hundred thousand patients that have been treated for BPH with the UroLift System. Mark Rochester, M.D., Norwich & Norfolk University Hospital, presented Early Outcomes of Prostate Urethral Lift in Subjects Acute Urinary Retention. The study examined 52 patients to evaluate the feasibility of the UroLift System treatment for patients with acute urinary retention. The results demonstrated that 79% of patients were catheter-free within three months, and 96% reported being much or very much better at six months. Patients with acute urinary retention are faced with extremely limited treatment options and have been previously excluded from PUL studies, said Dr. Rochester. These results demonstrate that the UroLift System treatment can quickly and safely restore urinary flow in the majority of patients with acute urinary retention, providing this challenging patient population a safe and effective alternative to long-term catheter management and invasive BPH treatment options. Story continues UroLift System Featured in Four Additional Presentations at AUA Meeting The presentation, Real World Outcomes of Prostatic Urethral Lift Confirm Clinical Study Results, was presented by Steven Gange, M.D., a urologist at Summit Urology Group in Salt Lake City. The study highlighted real-world results of 1,413 patients who received the UroLift System treatment across 14 sites in North America and Australia. Results were consistent with those seen in previous clinical studies of the UroLift System, despite the more diverse patient population. Gregory McMahon, D.O., urological surgery resident of Rowan University of Osteopathic Medicine, Stratford, N.J., presented Large Retrospectively Managed Single Surgeon Experience with Prostatic Ureteral Lift, featuring the largest single surgeon series reported on PUL. The study examined 156 patients that received the UroLift System treatment from a single surgeon. Results from the study shows statistically significant improvement in BPH symptoms, quality of life and post-void residual volume for patients treated with the UroLift System, and were similar to the results reported from the pivotal L.I.F.T. study. Prostatic Urethral Lift (PUL) Symptom and Sexual Function Results Maintained in the Treatment of All Types of Prostate Enlargement Including Obstructive Middle Lobe, was presented by Daniel Rukstalis, M.D., professor of urology at Wake Forest School of Medicine. The presentation featured results from the pivotal randomized L.I.F.T. study combined with data from the MedLift Study of the UroLift System for patients with an obstructive middle lobe (OML). Findings from the study suggest that patients with all types of prostate enlargement experience excellent symptom improvement and preservation of sexual function. Prostatic Urethral Lift (PUL) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): Defining artefact and risk of obscuring significant cancer was presented by Peter Chin, M.B.B.S., associate professor at Wollongong University Graduate School of Medicine in Australia. The study examined 10 patients to define the size and location of artefact caused by the UroLift System on MRI for patients undergoing screening for prostate cancer. Results from the study show the UroLift System is unlikely to obscure prostate cancer for patients receiving MRI screening. About the UroLift System The FDA-cleared UroLift System is a proven, minimally invasive technology for treating lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The UroLift permanent implants, delivered during a minimally invasive transurethral outpatient procedure, relieve prostate obstruction and open the urethra directly without cutting, heating, or removing prostate tissue. Clinical data from a pivotal 206-patient randomized controlled study showed that patients with enlarged prostate receiving UroLift implants reported rapid and durable symptomatic and urinary flow rate improvement without compromising sexual function.*1,2 Patients also experienced significant improvement in quality of life. Over 100,000 men have been treated with the UroLift System worldwide. Most common adverse events reported include hematuria, dysuria, micturition urgency, pelvic pain, and urge incontinence. Most symptoms were mild to moderate in severity and resolved within two to four weeks after the procedure. The Prostatic Urethral Lift procedure using the UroLift System is recommended for the treatment of BPH in both the American Urological Association and European Association of Urology clinical guidelines. The UroLift System is available in the U.S., Europe, Australia, Canada, Mexico and South Korea. Learn more at www.UroLift.com. About Teleflex Interventional Urology The Teleflex Interventional Urology Business Unit is dedicated to developing innovative, minimally invasive and clinically effective devices that address unmet needs in the field of urology. Our initial focus is on improving the standard of care for patients with BPH using the UroLift System, a minimally invasive permanent implant system that treats symptoms while preserving normal sexual function. Learn more at www.NeoTract.com. About Teleflex Incorporated Teleflex is a global provider of medical technologies designed to improve the health and quality of peoples lives. We apply purpose driven innovation a relentless pursuit of identifying unmet clinical needs to benefit patients and healthcare providers. Our portfolio is diverse, with solutions in the fields of vascular and interventional access, surgical, anesthesia, cardiac care, urology, emergency medicine and respiratory care. Teleflex employees worldwide are united in the understanding that what we do every day makes a difference. For more information, please visit www.Teleflex.com. Teleflex is the home of Arrow, Deknatel, Hudson RCI, LMA, Pilling, Rusch, UroLift and Weck trusted brands united by a common sense of purpose. Dr. Peter Chin, Dr. Steven Gange, Dr. Mark Rochester, and Dr. Daniel Rukstalis are paid consultants of Teleflex Incorporated. Contacts: For Teleflex Incorporated: Jake Elguicze, 610.948.2836 Treasurer and Vice President, Investor Relations Media: Nicole Osmer, 650.454.0504 nicole@healthandcommerce.com *No instances of new, sustained erectile or ejaculatory dysfunction 1. Roehrborn, J Urology 2013 LIFT Study 2. Shore, Can J Urol 2014 Local Study MAC01082-01 Rev A Donations collected during two-week campaign will send 4-H youth to camps and other hands-on programming BRENTWOOD, Tenn., May 06, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hundreds of 4-H youth from across the country will have the opportunity to participate in valuable hands-on learning experiences as a result of Tractor Supply Companys Paper Clover spring fundraiser. Tractor Supply customers and team members raised $917,954 in only 12 days during the Paper Clover campaign by making donations in-store and online across the country. A biannual program, Paper Clover is in partnership with the National 4-H Council. Tractor Supply customers and team members continue to show support to 4-H youth through the Paper Clover campaign because they recognize the lasting impact that 4-H programs have on youth in their communities, said Christi Korzekwa, senior vice president of marketing at Tractor Supply Company. The impact of the Paper Clover program is proven by the important opportunities it presents to 4-H youth nationwide. We are proud to work with our customers and team members to make a difference in the lives of these young people. From March 27 to April 7, Tractor Supply customers and team members purchased paper cloversthe emblem of 4-Hfor a donation during checkout at stores nationwide or through purchases made online at TractorSupply.com. Dollars collected during Tractor Supplys Paper Clover event fund scholarships for numerous state-level 4-H programs, and every donation benefits youth within the state it was collected. Scholarships are used for camps and leadership experiences where attendees learn everything from animal care and woodworking to networking practices and civic responsibility. Programs like Paper Clover are key to supporting the development of our youths skills and passions, and we are beyond grateful to Tractor Supply, which continues to help us provide hands-on learning experiences for our kids, said Jennifer Sirangelo, president and CEO of National 4-H Council. By presenting 4-H youth with learn-by-doing programming, we give them the tools they need to become tomorrows leaders. Story continues Now in its 10th year, the Paper Clover campaign has raised $13.2 million for 4-H youth nationwide due to the commitment and in-store participation of Tractor Supply customers, team members and local 4-H groups. The second 2019 Paper Clover event will be held this fall, from Oct. 9 20. For more information on the program, visit www.TractorSupply.com/4H . About Tractor Supply Company Tractor Supply Company (TSCO), the largest rural lifestyle retailer in the United States, has been passionate about serving its unique niche, as a one-stop shop for recreational farmers, ranchers and all those who enjoy living the rural lifestyle, for more than 80 years. Tractor Supply offers an extensive mix of products necessary to care for home, land, pets and animals with a focus on product localization, exclusive brands and legendary customer service that addresses the needs of the Out Here lifestyle. With more than 29,000 team members, the Company leverages its physical store assets with digital capabilities to offer customers the convenience of purchasing products they need anytime, anywhere and any way they choose at the everyday low prices they deserve. At March 30, 2019, the Company operated 1,775 Tractor Supply stores in 49 states and an e-commerce website at www.TractorSupply.com . Tractor Supply Company also owns and operates Petsense, a small-box pet specialty supply retailer focused on meeting the needs of pet owners, primarily in small and mid-size communities, and offering a variety of pet products and services. At March 30, 2019, the Company operated 176 Petsense stores in 26 states. For more information on Petsense, visit www.Petsense.com . About 4-H 4H, the nations largest youth development organization, grows confident young people who are empowered for life today and prepared for career tomorrow. 4H programs empower nearly six million young people across the U.S. through experiences that develop critical life skills. 4H is the youth development program of our nations Cooperative Extension System and USDA, and serves every county and parish in the U.S. through a network of 110 public universities and more than 3000 local Extension offices. Globally, 4H collaborates with independent programs to empower one million youth in 50 countries. The research-backed 4H experience grows young people who are four times more likely to contribute to their communities; two times more likely to make healthier choices; two times more likely to be civically active; and two times more likely to participate in STEM programs. Learn more about 4H at WWW.4H.ORG , or find us on Facebook and Twitter. Media Contact: Francie Corcoran francie.corcoran@finnpartners.com 615-610-0315 The latest U.S. tariffs on China could be a sign of what's to come for Europe, analysts have told CNBC. The latest U.S. tariffs on China could be a sign of what's to come for Europe, analysts have told CNBC. President Donald Trump announced Sunday that the current tariffs of 10% on $200 billion of Chinese goods will increase to 25% on Friday. In a Twitter post, he also threatened to impose an extra 25% levies on an additional $325 billion of Chinese goods "shortly". His decision sparked a sell-off in global equity markets and created further jitters in Europe whose exports could also face similar U.S. tariffs. "It is a harbinger of what is likely to come for Europe," Fredrik Erixon, head of the European Centre for International Political Economy (ECIPE), told CNBC via email. "Trump may be an economic illiterate, but he means what he says, and the message that has been coming for quite a while is that European auto producers will be hit with higher tariffs as well," Erixon added. President Trump threatened in early 2018 to impose duties of 20% on European cars. Since then, he has met the president of the European Commission, the EU's executive body, and both decided to seek an agreement over trade and avoid tariffs. Nearly a year since their meeting, both sides of the Atlantic have yet to start those official trade talks. On Monday, European auto stocks fell more than 3%. "On the one hand, this (tariff announcement on China) just confirms what we already know, which is that President Trump is willing to publically escalate conflicts to achieve policy objectives. So, we may also see volatility in the settling of European trade negotiations," Mark Haefele, chief investment officer at UBS Global Wealth Management, told CNBC via email. The 28 European countries have agreed on a common position to negotiate a trade deal with the U.S. However, the White House and the European Commission have yet to announce a date for when they will have the first round of talks. "The latest Trump statement shows that also in the negotiations with the EU, the EU should be prepared to face maximum pressure from the U.S. until the very last minute. Expect the threat of tariffs on European automotive stocks emerge again very quickly," Carsten Brzeski, economist at ING, told CNBC via email. Story continues Uri Dadush, a Washington-based scholar for the think tank Bruegel, also said the EU will face a very complicated situation. "No-one wants to negotiate with a knife at their throat or be faced with last minute surprises. For the EU, an assembly of proud democracies with varied interests, it is likely to be even more difficult than for the Chinese, who have a single party state and are led by a pragmatist," he said. The need for a strong US economy "On the other hand, what has also not changed is that President Trump will continue to need a strong U.S. economy as we move towards the U.S. electionthat should make the administration increasingly interested in finding a way forward that supports economic growth and the markets," Haefele also said. The U.S. economy grew at a rate of 3.2% in the first quarter of this year. This is after registering growing 2.2% in the previous quarter. Data released last Friday also showed the United States economy added 263,000 jobs in April and the unemployment rate fell to 3.6%, a near 50-year low. In the meantime, higher tariffs on Chinese goods could have an impact on the U.S. as well the European economies. This is because analysts are expecting China to retaliate. "New tariffs on Chinese goods coming to the U.S. would be bad also for the EU. Tariff hikes lower the temperature of the world economy, and that means falling demand also for EU goods. Since China is likely to retaliate, the effect will also be stronger than what would happen if it was only the U.S. that raised their tariffs," Erixon told CNBC. Plenty of people complain about being over-taxed. Now they have another legitimate gripe: being over-tariffed. For all the talk of tariffs on Chinese goods going into effect Friday, consumers are actually dealing with a triple threat. Indeed, relationships with the countrys biggest trade partners by farCanada and Mexicoare sitting in limbo, even with NAFTA replacement USMCA (US-Mexico-Canada Agreement) having been signed in October 2018. That leaves a sticky problem that either gets solved soon or which may sit around well into a presidential election year. The Trump administration originally imposed 25% steel and 10% aluminum tariffs on metals coming in from Canada and Mexico to pressure for changes on NAFTA. But though a new agreement has been signed, the U.S. has yet to remove its tariffs and, in response, neither have the neighbors to the north and south. The center-right American Action Forum has estimated that tariffs applied to imports from Mexico, Canada, and the EU, would cost consumers $4.3 billion a year. And while the tariffs are in place, none of the three NAFTA countries will ratify the USMCA, which could mean longer-term expenses. Follow the money Canada and Mexico are both bigger American export markets than China. In 2018, the U.S. sold $298.7 billion in goods and service into Canada, while Mexico took $265 billion, according to data from the Census Bureau. China bought $120.3 billion. When it comes to imports into the U.S., China sent $539.5 billion last year. Imports from Canada were $318.5 billion and from Mexico, $346.5 billion. Take North America as a whole, and the combination of trade with Canada and Mexico dwarf that of China. Some of the big categories of trade are automobiles, electronics, oil and gas, manufacturing equipment, steel, and aluminum, according to Ram Ramasamy, and industry director for Frost & Sullivan. Canada is also the largest oil exporter to the U.S. Higher prices for such a large volume of imports mean the cost of production will go up, according to Ramasamy, and what consumers ultimately pay. Story continues What companies have done is pass this onto consumers, said Usha Haley, a professor of management at Wichita State University and director of the schools Center for International Business Advancement. She pointed to increased tariffs on washing machines but not on dryers. Although washing machines have gone up in price, there is no need for dryers to go up in price, Haley said. But manufacturers have raised prices on both. The big numbers, and the product categories, are a direct result of the original NAFTA, which was supposed to encourage trade among the three countries. But the original agreement has aged and it had many critics, particularly among workers who blamed the pact for companies moving manufacturing jobs to Mexico. President Trump focused on NAFTA during the 2016 election, calling it the worst trade deal the U.S. had ever entered. Although claiming he would abandon NAFTA, Trump instead opted to keep much of it in place in the new USMCA. He did set higher tariffs on some key imports, like steel and aluminum, framed as a national security issue but perceived as pressure for a new agreement. After some contentious negotiations, all three countries agreed to the new framework and signed the deal. Political pugilism Everyone thought the tariffs would be dropped in the lead-up to the signing, said Jessica Wasserman, a partner at law firm Greenspoon Marder and long-time trade attorney who has also held senior positions in the Department of Commerce and the Department of Agriculture. But they werent, either before or after pens came off the paper. Now were back to the mumbling that were not going to ratify it. There may not seem to have been an immediate impact beyond the increased prices, but Wasserman argues that there has already been a business impact because of the uncertainty. I think it really has messed with investment decisions, she said. I have some clients that have been affected. One, a cheese producer, ultimately opened additional facilities in Canada rather than expand U.S. operations. The impact on businesses and on labor groups has translated into tensions on Capitol Hill. Because the new agreement is not technically a treaty, both the House and the Senate would have to support it, meaning that Trump has to come to terms with Nancy Pelosi. Thats the negotiation that matters right now, said Tim Keeler, an international trade partner at law firm Mayer Brown and former U.S. Trade Representative chief of staff. To me, everything else is a sideshow. Democrats have issues with labor and environmental issues in the agreement, wanting tighter controls on Mexico, and pharmaceutical intellectual property, because they ultimately want cheaper drug price availability from Canada. Should Trump and Pelosi not come to an agreement, there would be two possible outcomes. Either NAFTA would continue to be the governing deal or Trump could pull the U.S. out entirely and rely on World Trade Organization. If there is a strategy, I have yet to see it or figure it out, said Peter Bible, chief risk officer at accounting firm EisnerAmper. Were telling people to stay the course. Its too soon to talk about relocation or reconfiguration of operations. And if the issue isnt resolved in the U.S. by August, it wont get ratified until at least 2020 because of the U.S. presidential election, Haley said. Consumers and businesses may be forced to wait for politicians to get something done. The real question: Will the economy be as patient? The popular annual fundraising event known as Wein and Saengerfest will return to the streets of downtown New Braunfels this year, city offici MILAN, May 6 (Reuters) - A consortium of Italian investors has agreed to buy Italy-based frozen food business Gelit from Conagra Brands as the U.S. group seeks to sharpen its focus on core businesses. The move by Chicago-based Conagra is similar to that of Kraft Heinz, which plans to sell Italian baby food business Plasmon to focus on its global brands. Conagra, which owns Birds Eye frozen vegetable meals among others, wanted to divest Gelit because it is a private label company and a local brand, a source close to the matter said. The parties did not reveal the financial details but the source said the Italian consortium of private equity firms Consilium and Progressio and entrepreneur Massimo Menna paid a little more than 70 million euros ($78.3 million). Gelit, which produces frozen ready meals for supermarket chains, last year achieved sales of 45 million euros and core earnings of 9 million euros. The buyers have been advised by Banca IMI and legal firm BonelliErede. Intesa Sanpaolo's Mediocredito Italiano provided funding for the deal, the buyers said. BNP Paribas and legal firm Jones Day advised Conagra Brands. ($1 = 0.8939 euros) (Reporting by Francesca Landini Editing by David Goodman) Union Pacific (NYSE: UNP) announced which intermodal terminals it would close around Chicago, Illinois, weeks after hinting on its first quarter earnings call that it planned to consolidate operations there. The railroad said on May 2 that the changes are a result of its efforts to "simplify" its supply chain along its intermodal network and brought on by the company's transition to precision scheduled railroading, an operating model which schedules railcars on a fixed schedule. The company currently has six intermodal facilities around Chicago that serve domestic and international business. Union Pacific plans to idle the Global 3 intermodal ramp and the Canal Street Container Depot in July. It also plans to move international intermodal volume out of the Global 2 facility so that it can focus on domestic intermodal shipments. Meanwhile, the Global 4 facility will handle international intermodal shipments, while the Yard Center will handle auto parts and north-south shipments. Having six facilities created complexity for UNP in terms of equipment issues and additional switching, while customers faced complex drayage arrangements and vendor management, the company said. The changes will reduce car dwell (the time a railcar sits in a rail yard or on a siding) and allow UNP to deploy strategic capital investments to make the facilities state-of-the-art, according to Kenny Rocker, UNP's executive vice president for marketing and sales. "While these changes to the Chicago intermodal complex allow us to streamline operations and offer faster loading and unloading of containers, they will also result in benefits to our customers," Rocker said. "Currently, many customers must arrange drayage and pick up loads at multiple ramps. By condensing specific shipment types to a single facility, customers will likely benefit from fewer vendors to manage, simplified billing, and it some cases, reduced chassis repositioning costs," he said. Story continues Union Pacific's decision could help improve operations if the facilities have the ability to handle the volumes, a transportation consultant said. "The consolidation of the UNP intermodal terminals in Chicago makes sense if the remaining ones can handle the volume. Separating domestic and intermodal also makes sense since they usually move on different trains," the consultant said. Meanwhile, city officials of Rochelle, Illinois, where the Global 3 intermodal ramp is located, were disappointed in UNP's announcement, but they hoped to recover some of the lost business with the development of the city's own intermodal facility. The City of Rochelle Railroad is poised to open its new transloading and unit train switching service, which will allow shippers direct access to both UNP and BNSF. The double track transloading yard will have the ability to load and unload bulk shipments, box cars, flat cars and tanker cars. The city will consider whether to provide intermodal services as part of the next phase of the project. The city's railroad currently serves over 2 million square feet of Class A warehouses, with more than 1 million square feet of that as freezer and cooler facilities. "Phase II of the multi-modal project is being designed and the CIty will begin to study the feasibility of incorporating intermodal container transloading to fill the vacuum left behind by the closing" of Global 3, said Jason Anderson, the city's economic and railroad director. Changes at its Santa Teresa facility In addition to announcing its plans for its Chicago intermodal terminals, Union Pacific also detailed operational changes at its Santa Teresa intermodal facility in New Mexico, which the company also alluded to in its first quarter earnings call. The company will add a block swap yard so that containers from inland ramps destined to southern California will launch more frequently. The yard and the change will reduce dwell time and congestion overall, which will in turn reduce overall transit time. Union Pacific will also extend sidings along its 760-mile Sunset Corridor from El Paso, Texas, to Los Angeles, to allow for longer trains. Project costs are estimated at $20 million. The post Union Pacific details changes at Chicago intermodal terminals appeared first on FreightWaves. Image sourced from Pixabay See more from Benzinga 2019 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. (Adds statement from Guaido's special prosecutor) CARACAS, May 7 (Reuters) - Venezuela's National Assembly, led by opposition leader Juan Guaido, on Tuesday authorized an interest payment on an overdue bond, in a bid to keep the country's crown jewel overseas asset out of creditor hands. The $71 million interest payment will be paid on state oil company PDVSA's 2020 bond, which is backed by shares in its subsidiary, U.S. refiner Citgo Petroleum. Failure to make the payment could prompt creditors to attempt to seize up to half of the shares in Citgo. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government had remained current on the 2020 bond in order to avoid losing Citgo, even as it has fallen behind on more than $9 billion in payments on other debt issued by the government and by PDVSA. But the latest interest payment, due on April 27, remains outstanding. PDVSA has a 30-day grace period in which to make the payment before creditors can attempt to seize the shares. The United States slapped sanctions on PDVSA in January in a bid to pressure Maduro, a socialist labeled a dictator by the Trump administration and many other countries in the region, to step down. That would have complicated any effort by a Maduro-linked entity to make the payment. Jose Ignacio Hernandez, who Guaido has named as a special prosecutor representing Venezuela's interests abroad, said the team would pay the bonds with funds that were frozen due to U.S. sanctions. "Paying interest on the PDVSA 2020 bond is, under the current conditions, the only option that allows us to protect the Venezuelan state's assets, and leaves the government in a better position for its strategy to renegotiate public debt," Hernandez said in a statement. Allies of Guaido, who in January invoked the country's constitution to assume an interim presidency, arguing Maduro's 2018 re-election was illegitimate, have said they would seek an authorization from the U.S. Treasury Department to make the payment. Story continues Neither PDVSA nor Venezuela's oil ministry responded to requests for comment on the payment authorization. Maduro has accused the opposition of attempting to "steal" Citgo. Holders of the 2020 bond are not the only threats to Venezuela's continued ownership of Citgo. Canadian miner Crystallex is attempting to seize shares in the company as compensation for an unpaid arbitration award after Venezuela expropriated its gold mining project. Venezuela also pledged part of Citgo to Russia as collateral for a $1.5 billion loan. (Reporting by Corina Pons, Mayela Armas, Luc Cohen and Angus Berwick Editing by Alistair Bell and Rosalba O'Brien) Aircraft maker Boeing Co (NYSE: BA) was aware of a problematic cockpit safety alert for a year and didn't share the information with airlines and government regulators, The Wall Street Journal reported Sunday, citing industry and government officials. What Happened One of Boeing's 737 Max jets crashed in Indonesia last October and a second jet crashed in early 2019 in Ethiopia. It was only after the second tragedy that Boeing "became more forthcoming" about the safety alert, WSJ said. The company may have communicated the problem with different airlines months apart. The safety feature, first used on earlier aircraft models, didn't function on the MAX jets, WSJ said. It's unclear whether the feature could have prevented one or both of the crashes if it functioned correctly, according to the newspaper. Boeing said its engineers were aware cockpit alerts weren't operating as intended due to a software mistake, WSJ said. The company's internal reviews noted the issue didn't "adversely impact airplane safety or operation." Yet senior executives weren't aware of the issue until the first fatal 737 Max crash in late 2018, according to the report. Why It's Important Senior Federal Aviation Administration officials and airline representatives are now "raising questions" over how transparent Boeing is in communicating any problems with its cockpit warnings, WSJ said. This could represent a new challenge for Boeing in gaining the support from regulatory bodies across the world. What's Next Boeing shares were down 1.68 percent at $370.15 at the time of publication Monday. Related Links: Boeing CEO Grilled By Shareholders On 737 Max Issues American Airlines Cancels 737 MAX Flights Through August 19 Photo by Edward Russell/Wikimedia. See more from Benzinga 2019 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. Editors Note: This is the third of a series of stories that will run each Tuesday through the month of May in which different mental health c For Immediate Release Chicago, IL May 6, 2019 Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: Cadence Design Systems Inc. CDNS, Ciena Corp. CIEN, CommScope Holding Co. Inc. COMM, Guidewire Software Inc. GWRE and Upland Software Inc. UPLD. Here are highlights from Fridays Analyst Blog: 5 Tech Stocks to Buy on Possible U.S.-China Trade Deal On May 2, CNBC reported that the United States and China may jointly declare the much-awaited trade deal by this weekend. President Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping could sign the deal later that month or the first week of June. In this regard, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin visited Beijing last week. As a follow up to the procedure, Chinese vice premier Liu He will likely visit Washington in the week of May 6, for the last round of negotiations. Notably, on Apr 4, President Trump twitted that a trade deal with China is possible in the next four weeks. National Security Concerns Dominate Trumps Decision The Trump administration is gravely concerned about Chinas drive to unseat the United States as the primary developer and supplier in the fields of high-tech sophisticated products. The implementation of tariffs stems from the Trump administrations concern that China is leaving the intellectual property of the American companies vulnerable to theft. On Mar 27, Reuters reported that China has made unprecedented proposals on a range of issues including the protection of U.S. intellectual properties to resolve the trade disputes. On Apr 4, White House economic advisor Larry Kudlow claimed that China has acknowledged for the first time that the United States has legitimate and genuine concerns about IP theft, forced technology transfer and cyber hacking by Chinese companies. Story continues Trade War Upsets Global Economy On Apr 9, the International Monetary Fund reduced its global economic growth forecasts for 2019. The new growth projection is 3.3% compared with 3.5% in January and 3.7% in October. For the IMF, the prevailing trade conflict between the United States and China is the key concern for the global economy. Wall Street witnessed extreme volatility throughout 2018 primarily owing to trade-related issues. However, U.S. stock markets turned around impressively since the beginning of 2019 once positive trade-related developments started. Technology Sector to Benefit Most China is the largest trading partner of the United States. A strong economy in China, the largest market for high-tech products, will give U.S. technology companies a solid boost. Moreover, China plays the role of a low-cost supplier of intermediary products and other inputs to high-tech U.S. industries. In 2018, the Trump administration levied tariffs on Chinese imports worth $300 billion in two phases. Most of these products are from the high-tech industrial sectors. U.S. companies that rely on Chinese imports are unhappy about the move, which pushed up prices of high-tech equipment and several electronics products. An end to the U.S.-China trade spat is likely to restore Chinese and global economic growth, which in turn will create demand for high-tech U.S. products. Likewise, the repeal of tariffs on Chinese intermediary goods should raise the profit margin of U.S. tech giants. Moreover, clinching a lasting agreement with China, which will strictly protect U.S. intellectual properties, will be immensely beneficial for the home-grown tech behemoths. Our Top Picks At this stage, it will be prudent to invest in technology stocks. We have narrowed down our search to five such stocks each carries a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and strong growth potential. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. Cadence Design Systems Inc. provides software, hardware, services and reusable integrated circuit design blocks worldwide. The company has an expected earnings growth rate of 12.3% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved 2.4% over the last 60 days. Ciena Corp. provides network hardware, software, and services that support the transport, switching, aggregation, service delivery, and management of video, data, and voice traffic on communications networks worldwide. The company has an expected earnings growth rate of 30.2% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved 2.3% over the last 60 days. CommScope Holding Co. Inc. provides infrastructure solutions for communications networks worldwide. The company has an expected earnings growth rate of 24.7% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved 30.4% over the last 60 days. Guidewire Software Inc. provides software products for property and casualty insurers worldwide. The company has an expected earnings growth rate of 21.1% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved 6.2% over the last 60 days. Upland Software Inc. provides cloud-based enterprise work management software in the United States, the U.K, Canada, and internationally. The company has an expected earnings growth rate of 29.4% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved 3.8% over the last 60 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 >> Media Contact Zacks Investment Research 800-767-3771 ext. 9339 support@zacks.com https://www.zacks.com Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Upland Software, Inc. (UPLD) : Free Stock Analysis Report Guidewire Software, Inc. (GWRE) : Free Stock Analysis Report CommScope Holding Company, Inc. (COMM) : Free Stock Analysis Report Cadence Design Systems, Inc. (CDNS) : Free Stock Analysis Report Ciena Corporation (CIEN) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Updated: May 9, 2020 Investment crowdfunding opportunities are growing in the country. And I believe it will continue to proliferate in the next few years. A lot of people have been asking me about this. Particularly, they want to know if a certain company is legit or not. Or if the investment offer is good and fair. Regardless if its your first time, or youre already aware and planning to put money in this alternative investment, I hope this article will give you a better understanding of what investment crowdfunding is. What is crowdfunding? In order to fully appreciate investment crowdfunding, its important to first understand the second part of that term crowdfunding. What does it mean? The word itself provides an excellent definition crowd + funding. Or simply, raising capital (funding) for a business or project by soliciting money from other people (crowd), usually through the Internet. Crowdfunding, from its earliest definition, means getting financial support from the public. And because its basically a monetary donation, theres no real expectation from the crowd that theyll receive anything in return. However, its common to give the backer a simple reward or a token of gratitude. Popular crowdfunding website, Kickstarter, regularly raises thousands of dollars for people looking for backers around the world. A couple of notable crowdfunded projects are that of musician, Amanda Palmer, who raised US$1.2 million from 24,883 backers in June 2012 to make a new album and art book. And Coolest Cooler inventor, Ryan Grepper, who raised more than US$13 million from 62,642 backers for his multi-function cooler back in August 2014. What is investment crowdfunding? Back in 2016, I gave US$50 to a boardgame project by a Filipino in Kickstarter. As a token of gratitude for participating in the crowdfunding, I received a copy of the boardgame before it went into market. And because its simply a crowdfunding project, all that I will ever receive is that boardgame. However, an investment crowdfunding project is different because the money you give is no longer a donation. Youre now either buying equity shares from the company, or lending money in exchange for rewards or debt interest payments. If that boardgame project was an investment crowdfunding, I should regularly receive a portion of its sales income. Or expect the US$50 to be returned to me, plus interest, on a specific date. So basically investment crowdfunding is a way for businesses to raise capital, wherein the public invests money in exchange for dividends, rewards, or interest payments. Investment crowdfunding in the Philippines Raising business capital from the public is exactly what companies do in the Philippine Stock Exchange. However, to be a publicly-listed in the PSE, your company needs to have an authorized capital stock of at least PhP 500 million. What if youre just a small goat farm owner looking for extra funds to expand the business? Or a social entrepreneur hoping to get funding for a livelihood project? Then you can apply for a loan, seek business partners, borrow money from family and friends, or find an angel investor or venture capitalist. But also now, you can do investment crowdfunding. Various investment crowdfunding companies, websites, and platforms are already operating in the country. Through them, one can invest and engage in a food franchise, a farm or agribusiness, a gasoline station, and many others. The emergence of crowdfunding activities in the Philippines has already compelled the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to create rules and regulations that will govern them, in order to protect the public from scams. Unfortunately, the Proposed Rules (PR) by the SEC is still in the process of being finalized, much more from being effectively implemented. Thus, this investment opportunity is considered high-risk given its lack of regulation. Thus, if youre thinking of putting money in an investment crowdfunding opportunity, then its necessary to do some due diligence. Before investing in a crowdfunding business How can you protect yourself from crowdfunding scams and avoid fraudulent investments? There are three things you need to check. 1. SEC Registration and secondary license Check the legitimacy of the business. An SEC registration is required to prove that they are a legal entity. Moreover, having SEC Registration is not enough because they also need to have a secondary license to solicit investments, particularly if theyre doing an equity crowdfunding. 2. Business legitimacy and realistic returns Learn about the business, especially if its an agribusiness. Make sure that its a profitable venture. Particularly, the numbers that theyre giving you are realistic. And lastly, that the business is being managed by a competent organization. A friend asked me what I thought about a banana farm in Batangas, which is doing an investment crowdfunding. The company claims your investment will have a 50% ROI after 6 months. I contacted someone I know who works in the agriculture industry, and thats how I learned that banana trees typically have a cycle of 10-14 months, and the ROI is about 30%-80%. Knowing these, I started to suspect that the banana farm may be overpromising returns a definite red flag. Thus, I told my friend to investigate further. The following week, he took a leave from work to visit the banana farm. He immediately called me when he learned that the given address by the company is actually just a vacant lot in the outskirts of Batangas. 3. Representative credibility and platform security Lastly, you should also check on the credibility of the person that youre talking to. The company may be legal and profitable, but then, you could be dealing with a fraudulent individual. Ive heard of stories about people misrepresenting themselves, claiming theyre still connected to the company but in fact, they already left. Or worse, they never were part of the company. Contact the investment crowdfunding company and confirm that youre dealing with an authorized representative. Never give money without an official receipt and a signed contract or agreement. Moreover, if youre investing through a website or online platform, then make sure that they have safety and security measures that protect your personal information. Final reminders on crowdfunding Investment crowdfunding is still relatively new in the country, but it is growing fast. Moreover, its not just the Philippines who is struggling to come up with complete and proper regulations. Other countries as well, such as Malaysia and Singapore, are trying to come up with effective ways to protect investors. And while we wait for that time when the government starts to implement those regulatory measures, it is up to us to be careful and vigilant. Be wary of your greed. Check the numbers and make sure that its realistic. And as always, never invest on something that you dont understand. Enter your email address and be notified if theres a new article on this site: PLATTSMOUTH A Weeping Water man who was convicted of assisted suicide last year was ordered Monday to begin his sentence after his appeal to the Nebraska Supreme Court. Matthew J. Stubbendieck, 43, appeared in Cass County District Court for a sentencing hearing and judgment on the Supreme Courts mandate. A jury found him guilty of a Class IV felony charge of assisting suicide during an April 2018 trial. Jurors listened to evidence that supported the states assertion that Stubbendieck had helped Florida resident Alicia Wilemon-Sullivan, 38, end her own life in August 2017. Authorities learned Stubbendieck and Wilemon-Sullivan had sent each other dozens of text messages earlier in the summer. They also learned Wilemon-Sullivan had told Stubbendieck she had terminal cancer and wanted to speak to him in person. The state provided evidence that Stubbendieck had actively tried to obtain liquid morphine to help Wilemon-Sullivan with her suicide. The two people traveled to a remote wooded location near Weeping Water before Wilemon-Sullivan cut her wrists. The jury learned Stubbendieck attempted to assist her by covering her nose and mouth in order to suffocate her. Stubbendieck stayed with her for nearly eight hours while she bled but did not call authorities or emergency responders for help. He then left the scene as she died. Stubbendiecks defense team had appealed the case for three reasons. They questioned whether there was sufficient evidence to support the decision, and they argued the district court had erred in admitting text messages between Stubbendieck and another woman as evidence. They also questioned whether the district court erred in allowing testimony of a forensic pathologist during the trial. The Supreme Courts March 29 ruling said the factual testimony of the forensic pathologist was relevant to the case. Judges said her testimony gave jurors useful information to determine whether a suicide took place and how much aid Stubbendieck provided that day. The fact that Sullivans body was found to have a lethal amount of morphine cannot be discounted, especially as it relates to the testimonial evidence regarding Stubbendiecks attempts to acquire morphine in furtherance of Sullivans plan, an affirmative act which constitutes aiding or abetting under State Statute 28-307, the courts ruling states. The Supreme Court also said the district court was correct in allowing text messages between Stubbendieck and another woman as evidence. Stubbendieck fails to point to any specific text message that demonstrates undue prejudice or is irrelevant standing alone, the courts ruling states. The trial court exercised its discretion in determining that the evidence was relevant and that its prejudicial effect did not substantially outweigh its probative value. Judges concluded their ruling by saying there was sufficient evidence to support the verdict. Having viewed the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution, we hold that any rational trier of fact could have found, beyond a reasonable doubt, that Stubbendieck did aid and abet Sullivan in committing suicide, the courts ruling states. Judge Michael Smith had ordered Stubbendieck in June 2018 to serve four years on probation. Stubbendieck was required to wear a continuous alcohol monitoring device, obtain chemical dependency and psychological examinations and attend moral recognition therapy. Smith also ordered Stubbendieck to immediately serve five days in Cass County Jail. Stubbendieck was also ordered to serve time in jail from Aug. 1-5 during each of the next four years. Those dates match the timeframe between Wilemon-Sullivans death and Stubbendiecks first call to police telling them what had happened. The probation had been put on hold while the appeals process took place. Stubbendieck completed his first five days in jail in June 2018, but he had remained free during the Aug. 1-5 dates in 2018 because of the appeal. Smith reaffirmed all of the probation requirements in Mondays hearing. The only change came in the future jail dates. Stubbendieck will now be required to spend time in jail from Aug. 1-5 in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022. His probation will last until May 1, 2023. 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. I love Mothers Day. When I was a little girl I loved the opportunity to tell my mom how much I appreciated her. That often involved a handmade card that was made in school during my elementary years. The teachers who knew my grandmother lived with us always encouraged me to make a card for her as well. As I got older it was fun to actually shop for mom and grandma. Since my mother was a lover of books, it was pretty easy to find a volume or two that she wanted to read. Since her death, many of those volumes now reside on my shelves where they remind me of her love of reading. When my sisters and I became mothers ourselves, the fun of Mothers Day increased but got a bit more complicated. We still wanted to honor mom but we wanted a celebration for us too. That is where Mothers Day got a bit knotty. We didnt want to spend the entire day cooking so we tried breakfast out. After a year or two of waiting in long lines for brunches with restless kids in tow, we decided we would cook for all of us and looked for ways to make it easier. Since mom had four daughters, we could make a great breakfast without any one of us taking on a huge task. That is when we started collecting recipes for stratas layers of eggs and bread and vegetables that could be made the day before and easily baked and transported. If we added fruit and cinnamon rolls we had everything we needed for a fantastic homemade brunch. Moms been gone for a dozen years now but I still look for great egg casseroles for celebrations. The principle is still the same moms dont want to spend the day dedicated to them, cooking for their families. So assemble any of these three casseroles the day before and add fresh spring berries and have a feast. Aunt Ginnys Egg Casserole and her Praline French Toast Strata are both recipes from Karlas delightful aunt who lives in Wisconsin. The Egg Casserole is great if you are serving folks who are gluten intolerant. The Praline French Toast is really yummy and if you choose to make this one, you dont need a sweet roll at all. The Blueberry French Toast with Blueberry Sauce is also delicious. My sister, Jayne found this recipe and it was one of the Becker girls favorites. I still make this even though I use aronia berries for both the casserole and the sauce. Since Gregg loves aronia berries, I have used it for Fathers Day. Aunt Ginnys Egg Casserole 1/4 cup butter 18 eggs 1 cup sour cream 1 package (8-ounce) cream cheese, cubed and softened 1 cup milk 2 teaspoons salt 1/20 teaspoon garlic salt Green peppers Green onions Chives Melt butter in a 9-inch-by-13-inch pan. Mix eggs, sour cream, cream cheese, milk and seasonings using a hand held mixer. Add seasonings. Top with peppers, green onions, chives or whatever veggies you like. Recipe Note: Dont worry if there are flecks of cream cheese that are not incorporated into the eggs and milk. They give a delightful texture to the casserole. Aunt Ginnys Praline Topped French Toast Strata 1 loaf French bread 8 large eggs 2 cups half-and-half 1 cup milk 2 tablespoons granulated sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg Dash salt Praline topping, recipe follows Maple syrup Slice bread into 20 slices, 1-inch thick. Arrange slices in a generously buttered 9-inch-by-13-inch flat baking dish in 2 rows, overlapping the slices. In a large bowl, combine the eggs, half-and-half, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt and beat with a rotary beater or whisk until blended but not too frothy. Pour mixture over the bread slices, making sure they are all covered evenly with the milk egg mixture. Spoon some of the mixture in between the slices. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight. The next day, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spread praline topping evenly over the bread and bake for 40 minutes, until puffed and lightly brown. Serve with maple syrup. Praline Topping 1/2 pound butter (2 sticks) 1 cup packed light brown sugar 1 cup chopped pecans 2 tablespoons light corn syrup 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and blend well. This makes enough for one pan of strata. Blueberry French Toast Strata 12 slices day-old Texas toast, cut into 1-inch cubes 2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, cubed 1 cup frozen blueberries, thawed 12 eggs 2 cups milk 1/2 cup sugar 1/3 cup honey Cinnamon to taste Nutmeg to taste Sauce 2 cups sugar 4 tablespoons cornstarch 2 cups cold water 2 cups frozen blueberries, thawed 2 tablespoons butter Spread half of bread cubes in the bottom of a greased 9-inch-by-13-inch-by-2-inch baking dish. Arrange cream cheese cubes evenly over the bread and sprinkle with blueberries. Top with remaining bread cubes. In a medium bowl, beat eggs, milk, sugar, honey, cinnamon and nutmeg with a whisk until well blended. Pour evenly over bread. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake, covered, for 45 minutes then remove cover and continue baking for an additional 25 to 30 minutes. Make the sauce while the French toast is baking. Place sugar, cornstarch and water in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Boil for 3 minutes. Add blueberries and butter. Reduce heat to low and simmer 10 minutes. Serve over French toast. Quote of the Week: I loved raising my kids. I loved the process, the dirt of it, the tears of it, the frustration of it, Christmas, Easter, birthdays, growth charts, and pediatrician appointments. I loved all of it. Jane Elliot Ellen Lund of Fremont is a freelance food columnist. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 A Fremont man pleaded guilty in Dodge County District Court on Monday to possessing a deadly weapon despite being a prohibited person, a class III felony punishable by zero to four years in prison. Joshua J. Delong, 41, made the plea on Monday as part of an agreement with the Dodge County Attorneys office in which other charges were dismissed. Delong was arrested in February after officers with the Dodge County Sheriffs Office arrived at his residence due to a tip they received in relation to a search for a missing firearm. Officers were granted consent to search the house, and while they were unable to find the firearm, they located a fixed-blade knife with a blade length longer than 3.5 inches. Because Delong is a convicted felon, hes prohibited from possessing such weapons. According to a police affidavit filed in court, Delong admitted that the knife belonged to him. The affidavit also noted that Delong allegedly admitted to selling the firearm to another party in Omaha, but other charges, including an additional charge for possessing a weapon, were dropped as part of the plea agreement. Dodge County Chief Deputy Attorney Sara Sopinski said that there was no agreement on sentencing. Dodge County District Court Judge Geoffrey Hall ordered a pre-sentence investigation and set a sentencing date for June 17. In other district court news from Monday: Jeromy Henrichson, 27, was sentenced to 24 months of intensive supervised probation on one count of child abuse. Henrichson had pleaded no contest in March to striking a minor repeatedly, leading to excessive bruising. The charge child abuse is a class IIIA felony punishable by zero to three years in prison. During Henrichsons March plea hearing, the Dodge County Attorney Office had said that it would have no objection to probation as part of the agreement, assuming that Henrichson cooperated in a pre-sentence investigation. On Monday, Hall honored that agreement but noted he would have likely sentenced Henrichson to prison had it not been for the agreement. If you come back before this court on any violation, you will go to prison, Hall told Henrichson. Several individuals were sentenced to probation on lower-level class IV felonies, which carry a presumption of probation meaning that probation will be the most likely outcome unless substantial reason could be determined otherwise. Those included Raymond L. Kalkas, Wendy Little Elk, Brandon U. Groves, and Ronnie Avila Jr. Jonathan M. Booze and Bailey N. Ham failed to appear for court in their respective cases. Bench warrants were issued for their arrests. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Children at Washington and Linden Elementary Schools who were affected by the recent flooding will be receiving a new pair of shoes, as part of a fundraising effort spearheaded by local childrens book author Julia Cook, the Fremont Area United Way and other partners. However, the effort was really driven by donations from kids across the country, who gave money as part of a Hat Day campaign started by Cook. Cook asked that schools across the country participate in a hat day, where students bring in a dollar in order to wear a hat for the whole day. All of that money was sent to victims from the floods that ravaged Nebraska this March. With the help of the Fremont Area United Way, First National Bank, Guilliatt & Associates and the Indiana-based shoe retailer Shoe Sensation, put together a donation of shoes, as well as comfort kits that will be distributed Tuesday, in coordination with the Fremont Area Big Give. About 300 shoes are going to Washington and Linden Elementary. In addition, more than 1,000 comfort kits will be distributed at both schools, in addition to North Bend Central Public Schools. Other kits will also go to kids in Arlington and Winslow at a later date. The comfort kits include a Julia Cook book, a pen, a pencil, a notebook, a fidget spinner, a teddy bear and a note from Julia, all put together into a drawstring bag, according to Shawn Shanahan, executive director at the Fremont Area United Way. The kits were put together by students at Trinity Lutheran School all part of the projects goal to put forward a theme of kids helping kids. It really goes with the theme of kids helping kids, Shanahan said. The entire process has been all about kids. Kids that helped raise the money, kids that helped put the comfort kits together and then the delivery tomorrow is going to be other school kids. The shoes were provided at a discounted price by Shoe Sensation. But the money was all made possible by the kids from around the country who were willing to pay a dollar and help out. I think it continues to show us that kids around the world want to help other kids, Shanahan said. I also feel like its important because were letting kids step up and be leaders and organize the events within their school. Love 4 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. KANDAHAR, Afghanistan -- The weeks-long closure of roads leading to and from a rural district in southern Afghanistan has raised fears that its 120,000 residents might soon suffer a food shortage. Residents of Khakrez, a rural district in the southern province of Kandahar, say the Taliban have closed the main road linking the region to the provincial capital, also called Kandahar, some 60 kilometers away. They say the Afghan forces' closure of irregular routes and dirt tracks used by pedestrians and motorcyclists means the region has been completely cut off from the rest of Afghanistan for more than two weeks. Jumma Gul, a resident of Khakrez, says he is stuck in Kandahar. He told Radio Free Afghanistan that residents of Khakrez are now facing hunger because of a chronic food shortage in the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, when all adult Muslims abstain from eating and drinking from dawn to dusk. We just want the road to be opened so our families can have enough food, he said. Our people are suffering badly. In addition to the food shortage, we are facing great difficulties in bringing our sick to see the doctors here [in Kandahar]. Mahmood, another resident who goes by one name only, says the situation is getting worse. We are being besieged both by the Taliban and the government, he said. We just want them to open the roads. Officials in Kandahar, however, say they have launched a security operation to force the insurgents to open the road to Khakrez. Kandahar Deputy Governor Abdul Hanan Munib says that government forces are not responsible for closing access to Khakrez. The insurgents are the real problem because they have closed the road to pressure residents of Khakrez to vacate one area for establishing a hideout and possible minefield, he told Radio Free Afghanistan. They are tormenting people. When contacted, the Taliban claimed they had closed the road only to security forces and were allowing civilians to go through their check posts. The agricultural district of Khakrez is home to the shrine of Shah Maqsud, which is one of the most important Islamic sites in southern Afghanistan. The region is surrounded by the districts of Arghandab, Ghorak, and Shah Wali Kot. Kandahar was the birthplace of the hard-line Taliban Islamist movement in the 1990s. Abubakar Siddique wrote this story based on Mohammad Sadiq Rastinais reporting from Kandahar, Afghanistan. Authorities in Pakistan have arrested a group of 10 Chinese nationals for allegedly arranging fake marriages with young Pakistani girls before forcing them into prostitution in China. A senior official at the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in Lahore, capital of Punjab province, told reporters on May 6 its anti-human trafficking cell has also rounded up four Pakistani partners in the prostitution ring. Jameel Ahmed Khan said the detained foreigners, with the help of local facilitators, were primarily trapping women from poverty-stricken families of the minority Christian community in phony marriages between Chinese men and Pakistani women. The FIA officer said a female Chinese national and a fake Pakistani priest were also among the detainees. Forced Into Prostitution Khan noted that some members of the ring told interrogators they have sent dozens of Pakistani girls to China where they are forced into prostitution. The Chinese embassy in Islamabad has said it is cooperating with Pakistani authorities to curb the illegal activity. Chinese media reported authorities have also recently arrested some members of the network in China. Zhao Lijian, the deputy chief of the diplomatic mission, said, "And not only Chinese, there are also Pakistanis involved in this business." Lijian told local media the Chinese government has sent a task force and it is currently in Pakistan working with the Ministry of Interior as well as the FIA to try to resolve this issue. Human Rights Watch Last week, the New York-based Human Rights Watch urged Pakistan and China to take seriously increasing evidence that Pakistani women and girls are at risk of sexual slavery in China and take effective measures to end bride trafficking. The number of Chinese visiting Pakistan has dramatically increased since the launch of the bilateral multi-billion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) five years ago. The flagship pilot project of Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has brought $19 billion in much-needed Chinese investment to Pakistan. Matchmaking Center A mainstream Pakistani television station last month aired images of an illegal matchmaking center in Lahore housing several Chinese men and six Pakistani women, including two teenage girls, awaiting transit to China as brides. The victims told the ARY News channel their families received about $3,000 and were promised about $280 a month in future payments as well as a Chinese visa for a male family member. -- Voice Of America Colorado Springs-area home prices rose to a record high in April good news for sellers who can command top dollar for their homes, but gut wrenching for buyers as the cost of housing gets more and more expensive. The local market started off really slow this year, said Joe Clement, broker/owner of Re/Max Properties. Once February hit, we just really started cranking, and weve been cranking ever since. Its just been very busy and very, very exciting, but yet frustrating. A new report from the Pikes Peak Association of Realtors shows: The median price of single-family homes sold in April climbed to $328,000, a 7.5 percent increase over the same month last year and surpassing the previous record high of $324,750 in June 2018. Median prices have risen each month since December 2014; the median is the mid-point, with half of all sale prices in April coming in below $328,000 and the other half above. Data in the associations April report covers home sales that took place mostly in El Paso and Teller counties. Average sale prices also set a record high of $371,752 last month, a 6.6 percent year-over-year increase and beating the old record of $361,499 set last June. Real estate experts, however, consider the average to be less reliable because it can be skewed by a few very low or very high figures. Home sales totaled 1,320 in April, up 2.6 percent from the same month last year and the first year-over-year increase in sales since February 2018. Through the first four months of 2019, sales totaled 4,368, a scant 0.7 percent decline from the same period last year. The inventory of homes for sale totaled 1,572 last month, up 3.2 percent from April 2018. Although the supply has been on the rise for each of the last 10 months, it nevertheless remains historically low. Based on the pace of recent sales and the number of homes available, Aprils inventory amounted to a 1.2-month supply of homes for sale. A healthy local economy and a tight supply of properties for sale have combined to drive up housing costs, Clement said. The solid economy means demand is on the upswing; more people are working and are confident enough in their job security to buy a home. But when they go house hunting, buyers find fewer homes available, especially at prices under $400,000, Clement said. Monday, for example, just under 700 homes listed for sale were priced at $399,000 and below in the Colorado Springs area, he said, citing Multiple Listing Service statistics compiled by his office. Not enough, not enough, Clement said. The tight inventory sets off a scramble for homes, leading to multiple offers that often exceed a sellers asking price and driving up costs, he said. Its still very frustrating for a lot of our buyers. Theyre just not finding what they want, and when they find it, theyve got to fight for it. Occasionally, the battle even involves more expensive houses, Clement said. His office recently had dueling offers for a home priced at more than $900,000. Which is crazy, he said. We dont usually have that. An ongoing problem for the market: Many homeowners fear they wont be able to find another home if they sell theirs, causing them to hold onto their houses and contributing to the shortage of homes. People are skittish, nervous, about listing their homes because they keep looking at all the different websites and seeing that theres not a ton (of homes) for them to go to, Clement said. A lot of people dont want to get into a bidding war. So they dont want to take the chance of putting theirs out there on the open market unless they know for sure where theyre going. Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. AB InBev on Tuesday said its first-quarter profit was $3.57 billion, compared with $1.02 billion in the same period a year earlier. PHOTO: JOHN THYS/ZUMA PRESS Vectrus grew revenue slightly during the first quarter but told stockholders Tuesday to expect double-digit growth next year since the Colorado Springs-based defense contractor won a major contract April 12. Vectrus landed a $1.38 billion Army contract to provide logistics and other services to regional commands in the Middle East and Asia over the next 10 years. The contract also gives the company access to all nonurgent and compelling opportunities in all (regional) commands for the next 10 years, Vectrus CEO Chuck Prow said during a conference call with stock analysts. The Logistics Civil Augmentation Program (LOGCAP) 5 contract positions us to deliver double-digit revenue growth in 2020, Prow added in a news release. That forecasts assumes the Government Accountability Office rejects protests filed by Fluor and PAE-Parsons Global Logistics Services, who won the two smallest of the four contracts awarded, he said. If the protests are rejected, Vectrus will boost its contract backlog from $3 billion at the end of last year to nearly $5 billion, putting the company on track to double its revenue to $2.5 billion and its profit margin to 7% over the next five years. Vectrus has landed multiyear contracts totaling $2.2 billion this year. The LOGCAP win was key for Vectrus because its largest contract the Kuwait-Base Operations and Security Support Services (K-BOSSS) contract will be folded into the LOGCAP 5 contract. The Army added a year in March to that contract, valued at $548 million. Since winning the LOGCAP contract, Vectrus stock surged to a record $42.03 Friday before drifting lower this week, more than doubling since Dec. 24. Vectrus reported its first- quarter revenue grew 1.7% from a year earlier to $325.9 million, while earnings rose 16 percent during the same period to $7.09 million, or 62 cents a share. Both the revenue and profit fell short of forecasts by the two analysts who follow the companys stock. Contact Wayne Heilman: 636-0234 A heated debate takes place every year around Christmas time. Its not about which relatives house you should visit for the holidays, its a topic with greater importance. Its a question everyone wants to know the answer to but cant seem to agree on. Is the 1988 film Die Hard, starring Bruce Willis, a Christmas movie? You voted: A student was killed and eight more wounded in a shooting Tuesday at a K-12 charter school south of Denver, the Douglas County Sheriff's Office reported. The student slain was an 18-year-old man, and several of the other injured students were in critical condition after the shootings at STEM School Highlands Ranch, Sheriff Tony Spurlock said. Devon Erickson, 18, and a boy, both students at STEM, were arrested in the shootings, Spurlock said. They "got deep inside the school and engaged students in two separate locations," he said. He declined to identify the younger suspect but said, "We did not have them on any radar that we know of." About two minutes after the shooting was reported at 1:53 p.m., the first deputies arrived and "engaged the suspects," he said. "I have to believe that the quick response of the officers that got inside that school helped save lives." At 2:04 p.m., the Sheriff's Office tweeted about an "unstable situation" at the school at 8773 S. Ridgeline Blvd. and asked people to avoid the area. A suspect vehicle was "being contained in the parking lot," and authorities were working to get search warrants for the vehicle and the suspects' houses, Spurlock said. "We do know that we do not have any other suspects. We have all the people that are involved. So we're slowing everything down, and we're going to try to focus on processing that crime scene, taking care of those who are injured and investigating this case ... " he said. Diego Palmer, 13, told The Denver Post he was in study hall in the cafeteria when students ran through the door yelling, "School shooting! School shooting! Get out now!" He said he wasn't sure it was real but didn't want to risk it, so he ran outside with other students to a nearby brewery, where his mother picked him up. "It was so scary," he told The Post. The shooting happened less than 10 miles from Columbine High School in Jefferson County, where 12 students and a teacher were gunned down April 20, 1999. More than 20 others were wounded, and the two gunmen died of self-inflicted gunshot wounds. Just days before the 20-year anniversary of that massacre, an 18-year-old woman from Miami flew to Denver, bought a shotgun and allegedly threatened Denver-area schools, sparking panic. She was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in Clear Creek County after a nearly 24-hour manhunt. Colorado has seen three other school shootings since Columbine, The Denver Post reported: A male student armed with a machete, three Molotov cocktails, a pump-action shotgun and more than 125 rounds of ammunition entered Arapahoe High School in Centennial on Dec. 13, 2013, apparently intending to intending to track down a librarian who had disciplined him. Instead, he killed a fellow student before setting fire to the library and turning the gun on himself. Two eighth-grade students were wounded by a gunman Feb. 23, 2010, in the parking lot of Deer Creek Middle School in Littleton. The suspected shooter was found not guilty by reason of insanity and sent to the Colorado Mental Health Institute in Pueblo. A teenage girl was killed at Platte Canyon High School in Bailey on Sept. 27, 2006. A gunman took her and other female students hostage and sexually assaulted them. The gunman died of a self-inflicted gunshot. STEM School parents were asked Tuesday to go to Northridge Recreation Center, 8800 S. Broadway in Highlands Ranch, to reunite with their children after the shootings. "We know that there are 1,800 kids that go to that school, and we are frantically trying to identify every one of those and making sure that we can connect them to their parents," Spurlock said. "That's going to take a little bit of time." Preeti Grover told The Post that her 12-year-old son, Vivaan Kalura, sent her three alarming texts at 1:59 p.m. "THERE IS A SHOOTING AT SHOOL (sic)." "IM FING SCARED." "TWO KIDS HAVE BEEN SHOT." At first, she told The Post, she thought he was referring to a shooting at a different school. But then the messages continued. "IM CRYING. I SWEAR TO GOD THIS IS NO JOKE." Vivaan was in his math classroom when he heard a thud, then two gunshots in what seemed to be the next classroom over, The Post reported. He and his classmates huddled under tables in the back of the room, as his teacher told them to stay calm. Police came to escort the children out, and Vivaan said they were told to keep their hands on their heads and walked past blood in the hallway, The Post reported. After receiving the texts, Grover raced to the school, where her 8-year-old son also is a student, then joined hundreds of parents at the recreation center. The STEM School was placed on lockdown, meaning no one could enter or leave. And other Douglas County School District schools temporarily were placed on lockout, so no one could enter, "due to law enforcement activity in the area," the district said in a statement. All after-school activities and programs were canceled. "Highlands Ranch families, most of our buses are being used to transport STEM students," the district tweeted at 4:08 p.m. "If at all possible, please pick up your students from other HR schools as we do not know when we will be able to get buses out to those schools." Gov. Jared Polis tweeted: "We are making all of our public safety resources available to assist the Douglas County Sheriff's Department in their effort to secure the site and evacuate the students. We are monitoring the situation in real time. The heart of all Colorado is with the victims & their families." The "innovative, free, public, charter learning community" has more than 1,850 students, its website says 550 in elementary school, 700 in middle school and 600 in high school. The school has private security but no school resource officer, Spurlock said. Englewood Gov. Jared Polis is warning Coloradans not to become complacent despite predictions of an average to below-average wildfire season. I dont want this average risk to lull people into a false sense of security, Polis said Tuesday at Centennial Airport southeast of Denver. Meteorologists are forecasting below-average potential for large fires from May through July for most of Colorado, says an outlook published April 26 by the Bureau of Land Management. Colorado this winter got its third largest snowpack since 1992 about 130 percent of median and predictions call for below-average temperatures and above-average precipitation. About this time last year, the snowpack was at 57 percent of median. Five of the 20 largest wildfires in Colorados recent history burned that summer, including the 108,045-acre Spring Creek fire in La Veta, the 54,129-acre 416 fire near Durango and the 42,795-acre MM 117 fire in southern El Paso County. Even with favorable conditions, the state expects to respond to about 6,000 fires across 100,000 acres this year, said Mike Morgan, director of the state Division of Fire Prevention and Control. We still need to be vigilant and minimize risk, he said. Polis said the threat of wildfire, regardless of snowfall and rain, is exacerbated every year by climate change and increasing numbers of people living in the wildland-urban interface. Nearly 3 million Coloradans live in that interface today, compared with 2 million five years ago. And the average acreage burned and the severity of burns are expected to balloon with higher global temperatures and frequency of drought, as outlined in the Fourth National Climate Assessment released by the federal government in December. Standards for fire response have not changed; in fact, local governments have more resources, Polis said. The two things that have changed are the increased population in the WUI and climate change. Between 1970 and 1979, only one fires suppression duties were handed off to the state, Polis said. Between 2000 and 2018, the state commanded 70. Communities hit by flames last year also need to keep an eye on the burn scars during rain, especially as the monsoon kicks off in July and August, said Stan Hilkey, executive director of the Colorado Department of Public Safety. These areas are likely to see more flooding, debris flows and landslides because of soil instability on the hillsides. Hilkey pointed to the burn areas of the Spring Creek fire La Veta, Walsenberg and other areas in Costilla and Huerfano counties and the 416 fire near Durango as chief concerns. Were working to make sure if and when debris does flow, it flows as efficiently as possible, he said. Meanwhile, a consortium of government partners in Basalt met Monday to discuss flood mitigation in the wake of the Lake Christine fire. The 12,588-acre blaze roared above Basalt and El Jebel starting July 3 after vegetation was ignited by tracer rounds allegedly fired by Richard Miller, 24, and Allison Marcus, 23. The two pleaded not guilty in January to felony arson. The fire was declared 100% contained in mid-August, and mitigation crews got to work, said Matt Yamashita, district wildlife manager at Colorado Parks and Wildlife and a panelist at Mondays meeting. By the end of summer, 450 acres of the burn area were reseeded by hand to help the soil reestablish. And 625 more acres were treated by plane. Even before the bountiful winter, the plants were beginning to sprout, Yamashita said. Mother Nature has a way of coming back from disturbances and colonizing, he said. She started doing that pretty quickly, and we saw brush shooting up and catching up into the fall months. With the late snow and current rain, he said, The plants have a good shot of getting established. If we didnt have the precipitation we did, they would have struggled and the root system wouldnt have established as much, which is what is critical for soil stabilization. Colorado Parks and Wildlife and its state and federal partners also reinforced rock dams and built catch basins to halt ash and silty debris before it hits Basalt and the rest of the Roaring Fork Valley. With any of these mountain communities that lie so close to wildfire, these risks are always on everyones mind, Yamashita said. Last year, they became a reality for Basalt and all of the Roaring Fork Valley so its good for people to know that action is being taken to protect the area. Twitter: @lizmforster Phone: 636-0193 Republicans say they hope next year will be better. Monday, Senate Minority Leader Chris Holbert of Parker said he hopes the 2020 legislative session wont be a repeat of 2019 and hopes Democrats especially in the Senate have learned lessons on calendar management and working across the aisle. Some bills waited months for action, such as House Bill 1032 on the states sex education curriculum for public schools. The measure sat in the Senate Appropriations Committee for almost two months, finally moving to the Senate floor April 23. Sponsors didnt bring the bill up for debate until the day before the session ended, and then did so with a rewrite that deleted some language offensive to conservative Christian groups. Holbert said he would have preferred to see that measure die, but if a similar situation arises next year, Republicans will be better prepared. Weve been accused of being obstructionists, but in some cases (including the sex ed bill), that just wasnt true, he said. Other measured moved too quickly, he said, such as Senate Bill 181, regulating the oil and gas industry. It went through three Senate committees in one week, Holbert noted. I expect next year will be a balance, with fewer aggressive bills. The 2007-08 session saw aggressive measures, but they were more balanced in 2008-09, an election year, he said. Holbert said hes proud of the Senate Republicans efforts to slow the rush on some Democratic measures. Republicans found opportunities all along the way, such as when a bill got laid over in a committee or on the floor. The logjam at the end of the session saw more bills than hours left to pass them. I am proud that our team helped create that, he said. That played out most in committee hearings, such as in Senate Finance, he said. Our members are good at asking questions and understanding concerns and the input of people who testify in committees. Our members are good at having debate and making our points and concerns known on the floor. As to successes, Holbert pointed to Senate Bill 25, sponsored by Sen. Jim Smallwood of Parker. That measure put information about safe haven laws establishing legal places for parents to relinquish unwanted newborns into comprehensive sex ed or general health curricula taught in public schools. Safe haven laws have been in place for almost two decades, yet the Smallwood bill ran into controversy because of its possible inclusion in the sex ed bill. At one point, the measure was on the verge of being killed by a Senate committee. But the committee chairman, Sen. Mike Foote, D-Lafayette, had second thoughts. A week later, the measure won his committees unanimous approval. Much ado about nothing, Holbert mused, with unnecessarily aggressive opposition. Senate Bill 188, the family leave measure, changed in its final days from a paid family leave program unpopular with many businesses to a study. Sen. Bob Rankin, R-Carbondale, carried the amendment to change the bill into a study, and fellow Republican Sen. Jerry Sonnenberg of Sterling found support for an amendment that dictated a new bill would have to be introduced to put the program into law. On a big policy issue for Democrats, Im most pleased it became a study, said Holbert. Our strategy led to that. We could have gone hours and hours in debate, but that wasnt needed. Holbert also addressed the tactics Republicans employed during the session, whether it was asking for a 2,023-page bill to be read at length, which led Senate Democrats to set up five computer programs to read the bill all at once. That led to a lawsuit and an injunction granted to the Republicans to ensure those incomprehensible readings didnt take place again. There were other tensions throughout the session. The logjam began to break when Democratic Sen. Nancy Todd of Aurora and Sonnenberg begged the two sides to stop fighting and start talking. That eventually led to a deal on transportation that resulted in $300 million in one-time money for road and bridge projects. Thats good for the people of Colorado, Holbert said. It also gave the Republicans a platform for moving forward in discussions with the majority party leaders. What frustrated Holbert during the session was the lack of communication with Senate Democrats. In the past, when delay tactics like reading a bill at length came up, the majority party would reach out to the minority party to ask what it will take to work things out. That never happened in 2019, Holbert said. He and Assistant Minority Leader John Cooke of Greeley learned they had to make their interests known, because it was only then that Senate Democrats began to respond. El Paso County Assessor Steve Schleiker wont sugar coat it. Most county property owners will see higher tax bills since the latest round of state-mandated assessments. By now, more than 300,000 property owners in the county should have received an updated valuation notice in the mail. The notices show how a propertys value has changed over the past two years and how that change will affect the property taxes owed. Single- and multi-family home values rose 20% to 25% on average, the Assessors Office reports. Commercial and industrial properties also saw increases. Colorado law requires assessors offices statewide to update property values every other year. The last assessments were done in 2017. Why are taxes going up for so many property owners? Colorado Springs hot real estate market drove many of the value increases, which in turn typically lead to higher property taxes. Many millennials, retirees and others moving to Colorado are drawn to the Pikes Peak region, where housing costs less than in the Denver area, Schleiker said. His office must assess homes based on sales data from their neighborhood or comparable properties. For this years assessments, the office staff analyzed data from nearly 43,000 sales from July 1, 2016, to June 30, 2018. Some folks believe these value increase are just arbitrary, which they are not. By law, you have to go off the sales, Schleiker said. The Assessors Office saw bidding wars in many of those sales, with aspiring buyers offering $5,000 to $20,000 above the asking price, he said. The notice includes an estimated taxes amount for 2019. Could that number change before property tax bills are issued? Yes. The estimate is based partly on the mill levy that applied to the property in 2018, but that figure could change. Mill levies are set by individual taxing entities, such as cities and school, fire and library districts. Voters have to approve mill levy increases, and that still could happen before the rates are finalized in December, Schleiker said. The estimated taxes number also does not take into account the Senior Homestead Exemption, which applies to many older county property owners, he said. The non-residential assessment rate is capped at 29. But the residential rate is periodically adjusted to comply with state law, which mandates that residential and commercial property owners pay certain shares of total property taxes statewide. What can property owners do if they disagree with their valuation? Anyone who disagrees with the current year actual value or property classification can file an appeal through June 3. Appealing property owners are encouraged to submit documentation to support their claim. Appeals can be submitted online, in person or by phone. Detailed instructions are attached to the valuation notices that property owners received. The office will review the appeal and make a determination within 30 days, Schleiker said. Where are homeowners seeing the biggest increases? Areas with more affordable housing, such as east of Interstate 25 and south of Platte Avenue, saw some of the biggest increases in value. Single-family homes values soared by 30% or more in the Valley Hi, Eastborough, Hillside, Lowell and Deerfield Hills neighborhoods, the Assessors Office found. Neighborhoods where homes sell for millions of dollars saw slower growth in values, Schleiker said. In Crystal Park, Broadmoor and Flying Horse, single- family home values increased 10% or less. How do our countys increases compare with those in the rest of Colorado? Property values went up across the state, especially along the Front Range, Schleiker said. Some Teller County homeowners saw their property values rise by 50 percent. Adams County values grew by about 24%, Schleiker said, and many Douglas County homes had values increase by nearly 15%. Home values rose an average of 22 percent in Arapahoe County and 21 percent in Denver County, The Denver Post reported. Were seeing significant increases statewide, Schleiker said. A lot of people are moving to our state. This is not just within El Paso County. Property owners with more questions can call the Assessors Office at 520-6600 during business hours. Kristy Milligan is the Chief Executive Officer of Westside CARES, an organization that serves people experiencing poverty and homelessness on the west side of El Paso County. EDITOR'S NOTE: We have corrected an erroneous paragraph in the original version of this editorial, regarding a peripheral topic of the Denver You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close The National Technical Assistance Center on Transition identifies work experience as a strong predictor of post-school success in the area of employment for students with disabilities. Work experience is any activity that places a student in an authentic workplace. The skills gained, for students who participate in work experience, include career readiness skills and soft skills that all employers look for in any position. While participating in a work experience activity, a student learns specific occupational skills and workplace expectations. A work experience in high school helps a student establish a work history and a connection with an employer. A work experience also provides the opportunity for the student to explore different occupations in order to help with future career choices. Central Rivers AEA (CRAEA) work experience coordinators provide direct service to students with disabilities who have an identified need for skill development in the area of employment. Based on a students strengths, interests, preferences and an assessment process, a work goal is created and tied to the Iowa Core 21st Employability Skills. Once the goal has been identified, the CRAEA work experience coordinator places the student at an appropriate site. Throughout the work experience placement, the coordinator maintains regular contact with the student, school staff and employers. This is done through worksite observations, student consultation, employer and teacher conversations, and performance evaluations. The work experience coordinator collaborates with worksite representatives to solve any problems related to the student placement and provides interventions and strategies for the student to maintain employment. Each work site placement provides students the opportunity to learn responsibility, how to follow directions and accept feedback appropriately. Students also learn the value of good attendance, promptness and positive employee behaviors while participating on the work site. Exploring different job sites and learning workplace demands strengthen the transition to post-secondary life for each student who participates in a work experience prior to high school graduation. Work experience provides social, personal and employability skills needed to live and work as a productive member of the community. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 When you find out a company is looking to build 607-foot wind turbines next to your home, you get educated. With knowledge gained in 12 months of research, I give rebuttal to the April 21 Globe Gazette editorial disputing arguments against wind energy. The 2018 World Health Organization Guidelines strengthened evidence for cardiovascular and metabolic health effects from wind turbine noise. Wind companies are not meeting noise guidelines. While the Globe Gazette editorial does acknowledge some may find life near a turbine annoying, it does not address that sleep deprivation no matter the reason is known to cause a number of health problems including hypertension, diabetes and heart disease. While sound lower then 20mHz cannot be heard by the human ear, this sound - termed infrasound is a type of energy and needs to be more thoroughly studied. The wind companies contest infrasound being of any consequence and yet in the draft contract we were given one must agree to noise, vibration, air turbulence, wake ... and other effects attributable to wind turbines. If wind turbines do not kill birds and bats, then why did MidAmerican Energy apply for a permit with the US Fish and Wildlife Services to kill Bald Eagles and two protected bat species? The American Bird Conservancy reports that 5,000 wind turbines have killed more than 2,000 eagles in California alone since 1998 when facilities were made to keep track. Local municipalities owning wind turbines accounts for less then 0.5% of wind assets. Most energy from wind developments is dumped into the electrical grid. When a renewable energy source puts one megawatt-hour on the grid, it writes itself a certificate of credit. These Renewable Energy Credits are often purchased by states that have renewable energy mandates or companies that receive tax credits for purchasing the equivalent number of RECs needed to offset the carbon footprint of energy consumed. The actual energy being produced in Iowa may not be used in Florida, but its energy credits are. The value factor of wind energy has been shown to decrease by 40 percent as the market share reaches 30 percent (Hirth). In Iowa, electricity prices rose 21 percent while the electricity market share from wind grew from 14 to 37 percent between 2009 and 2017. Tax Increment Finance revenue that counties can implement on wind turbines has to be paid back with interest. Is it possible to have too much TIF debt? Worth County had the third highest debt-to-value ratio of Iowa counties in 2018. Common sense and more than one study show a decline in residential property values within two miles of a wind turbine. Up to a 45 percent market value decline has been reported with some properties deemed uninhabitable and the wind companies being required to buy them out. The overwhelming majority of landowners do not sign wind easement agreements. Tile damage, soil compaction, impedance of aerial spraying, inadequate decommissioning, visual blight, and a contract heavily weighted in the wind companies favor are among the reasons wind energy is not worth it. Julie Kuntz farms in Worth County and works as a clinical pharmacist in Mason City. Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 Beyond its population distribution, Australia differed from the United States in two profound ways. First, the distance between Australia and Britain made extensive contact impossible. Second, Australias center was unproductive, and the country had few exports that interested Britain. It was therefore generally self-sufficient and far more isolated from the international system than the United States was. It also suffered internal isolation: While transport routes developed in the southeastern coastal strip, much of the rest of Australias settlements were isolated from the main corridor and from one another. The American colonies developed in a degree of isolation, but Australias was so intense that the various states did not form a single federated country until 1901. The distance made conflict between Australias states impossible, but it also meant that Australia did not need the kind of heterogeneous immigration that the U.S. needed to exploit the country. Therefore, in spite of isolation and differences in how they lived, Australias population did not differentiate itself linguistically or culturally. Geography did not create multiple, incompatible political centers. But that virtue became a vice; Australia needed to grow its population to cement the nation. To attract immigrants, it needed to create economic opportunities and luxuries, which it could not do through its domestic economy alone. Australia had to import not only many luxuries but many of the necessities, too, and as a result, it needed to have products it could export and trade. Much later in the 20th century, those products were industrial minerals, but until then Australia had a range of agricultural products available. Australias strategic priority became the need to maintain access to sea lanes, particularly in the western Pacific Ocean. But that became a problem. Think of Australia as a creature whose circulatory system is outside of its body. That circulatory system maritime trade is essential to both its regular functions and its ability to grow. Obviously, having a circulatory system outside the body is enormously dangerous. Someone could easily cut off that circulation, leaving Australia in a desperate condition. There is a massive imbalance between Australias dependence on trade and its ability to protect that trade. Given the size of Australias economy and population, it cannot build and operate a naval force large enough to protect the circulatory system. Its only advantage is that invading Australia is both difficult and yields relatively little value for the effort. The size of the land and narrow lines of attack make Australia an unlikely choice for an invasion and impossible to occupy as a whole. Its urgent requirement is, therefore, to establish and maintain an alliance with a major naval power, which, in the course of pursuing its own ends, can secure Australias sea lanes without any interest in cutting them. Australias strategic history, then, can be divided into two. During the first phase, from when it was first settled in the 18th century until the fall of Singapore in 1942, Australia depended on the Royal Navy a natural relationship that grew out of Australias colonial history to guarantee its maritime access. But the relationship also carried with it a price: Australia had to fight in British wars. There is a photo of my wife Merediths maternal grandfather heading out to the Boer War; another of her paternal grandfather going to fight in the trenches of France; and another of her mothers cousin in uniform, who would die in the downing of a de Havilland Mosquito over Austria in World War II. This was the price Australians paid for protection of the trade that was their lifeblood. The second phase began with the fall of Singapore and the Royal Navys departure from the Western Pacific. Australia pivoted quickly to dependence on the new global naval power, the United States. The U.S. needed Australia as a forward base to fight the Japanese, and Australia needed the reassurance that it would not be isolated by Japan. The relationship has been maintained since then with the same quid pro quo as with the British: The Australians contribute their limited ground forces, and the U.S. guarantees the sea lanes Australia uses. (Our daughter, when serving in Iraq, visited Australian troops regularly for tea, Vegemite and whiskey.) What makes the Australian geopolitical situation so interesting is that it appears on the surface that Australia is too far, too big, and too rugged to be attacked, and therefore not in need of a defense policy. But given its dependence on maritime trade and inability to afford a navy, Australia is actually an extremely vulnerable country, especially because its most important sea lanes run through the Western Pacific, the very focus of World War II. This all raises a theoretical question: Can cultural affinity transcend geopolitical divergences? The U.S. and Australia have a common cultural base. But Australia and the United States (like Australia and Britain) have potentially different strategic needs. Could their potential divergences break the alliance? The United States and Australia are a laboratory for geopolitical theory. They have common cultural roots but widely different geographies and histories. They are bound together in a common interest. The cultural and the strategic reinforce each other. But can strategic interests diverge while cultural affinity is maintained? Can cultural similarities diverge while strategic interests remain? The question of cultures relationship to geopolitics is tested here. It is also tested in Hungary, a country utterly different from Australia and the United States. But thats a topic for next week. China stimulus efforts show signs of stabilising economy Concerns remain that recovery is fragile with trade war and weak credit supply curbing growth Don Weinland and Sherry Fei Ju in Beijing A section of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau bridge, one of the key infrastructure projects in southern China Bloomberg Beijing had a clear message to local authorities at the end of last year: hurry up and build. The flurry of government debt issuance and a boom in infrastructure projects that followed in early 2019 have started to deliver a boost to the economy, lifting sentiment after months of gloomy economic data. But it is unclear how far the uplift will carry through this year. The flow of credit to businesses in China remains weak and demand for exports feeble even as a trade war with the US inches closer to resolution. Some economists worry that positive signals from March are a seasonal fluke, and that Chinas frothy stock market will eventually experience a deep correction as economic growth slows to a three-decade low. In its strongest reading since June, Chinas official manufacturing purchasing managers index on Sunday marked a return to growth: it rose to 50.5 in March from 49.2 in February, outpacing even the highest expectations for the index. A PMI reading above 50 signals expansion while a reading below 50 indicates contraction. The survey results offer an early peek at the activity at the heart of the economy such as factory output and demand for raw materials but are considered less robust indicators compared with industrial profits, which a week earlier notched the fastest rate of decline in almost a decade. The leading source of fresh growth for March was manufacturing production, a sign that government spending on infrastructure projects was having a noticeable impact on the economy, according to Robin Xing, chief China economist at Morgan Stanley. This is a policy-driven rebound, he said. Its better than in previous easing cycles because its not relying on shadow banking. They are more focused on fiscal policy easing. The impact has been felt in infrastructure spending, with the number of power plants under construction increasing according to Global Energy Monitor, a non-governmental organisation that tracks fossil-fuel use. Approvals for local debt issuance usually come after the week-long lunar new year holiday that lands between late January and late February. But this year, facing a serious economic slowdown, regulators front-loaded those approvals to expedite the building of infrastructure. In the first two months of the year, gross local bond issuance hit Rmb782.1bn ($116.5bn), up from just Rmb28.5bn for the first two months of last year. Several other new fiscal policies are coming down the line, Mr Xing said. A value added tax relief programme came into effect on Monday, with the potential to deliver Rmb2tn in tax cuts this year. The fiscal spur represents a change in approach for China. Policymakers have often attacked economic problems with a flood of credit and a command to banks to lend more, often leading to a spurt of growth but high leverage for companies. Regulators this year are still pushing for more lending but they have not fully opened the credit taps and are focused on helping smaller companies borrow. The previous one-size-fits-all deleveraging has now become structural deleveraging and stable leveraging, said Zhao Xijun, head of the Financial and Securities Institute at Renmin University of China. Some economists worry the credit supply could still be growing too slowly to support a continued turnround in other areas of the economy. Total social financing, Chinas broadest measure of credit growth, increased by just 10.6 per cent year on year in February, down from 13.3 per cent a year ago. Conditions in March for small and medium-sized companies improved from a month earlier but were still contracting, according to the PMI data. Conditions worsened for large enterprises last month. Were a bit cautious about calling this the bottom [for credit growth], said Julian Evans-Pritchard, senior China economist at Capital Economics. This still points to a further slowdown. But challenges to growth remain beyond Chinas borders. While Beijing and Washington are closer to an agreement in their trade war the PMI survey has showed export demand remains weak. I dont think there is any clear sign of external demand stabilising yet, said Charles Yuan, a China economist at CICC, the Beijing-based investment bank. The market was expecting a temporary trade resolution at the end of March but we didnt get that. Many economists, including Mr Yuan, have warned that the lunar new year gave March a seasonal boost. By landing in early February, the holiday pushed some economic activity into the third month of the year. Chinas stock market has traditionally been sensitive to signs of an economic slowdown. However, a barrage of gloomy data in January and February did not discourage investors from moving into equities. Chinese stocks have rallied during that time and climbed to their highest level in a year on Monday following the positive PMI news. Part of the rally has been driven by margin lending, where large shareholders pledge stock for loans and often reinvest. The government is likely to crack down on the activity in the hope of bringing back healthy investment to the market, said Chi Lo, senior strategist for greater China at BNP Paribas Asset Management. Froth has come back to the market and that has caught Beijings eye because they want to keep it stable, said Mr Lo. A lot of investors are waiting for that correction to get back into the market. Additional reporting by Lucy Hornby in Beijing "Our state never sent a Representative to Congress who accomplished so much in a single term as this first Republican member from Iowa." Grand Old Partisan honors James Thorington, born in North Carolina this day of 1816. He attended military school at Fayetteville before graduating from the University of Alabama. He then studied law in Montgomery. For two years, Thorington hunted along the Missouri and Columbia rivers, six months accompanied by famed explorer Kit Carson. He settled at Davenport, Iowa in 1839 and three years later was elected mayor. While a district court clerk, in 1854 he defeated a former Democrat governor for the U.S. House of Representatives. Though elected as a Whig, Thorington helped merge all anti-slavery Iowans into a Grand New Party. This made him the state's first Republican congressman. He championed passage of the Iowa Land Grant Act, providing four million acres of federal land for railroad construction. Despite this achievement, resentment from towns not along the routes cost him re-nomination. Next, a Republican Governor appointed him agent for the state in Washington, DC. During the Civil War, Thorington was sheriff of Scott County, regional Union Army headquarters strategically located along the Mississippi River. President Ulysses Grant named him consul at what is now Colon, Panama. He resided there nearly ten years before retiring. Here is a Video Version of this article on YouTube: https://youtu.be/5FBoMMd_y08 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 See www.youtube.com/q?v=IzxKCiXc5Qc for a brief video of a Texas Republican praising Back to Basics for the Republican Party. "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" " " Should you refrigerate your eggs? In egg-bathing countries, the answer is yes. 8vFanI/ThinkStock If you live in the U.S., Australia or Japan, you might think it's obvious. Of course you should refrigerate eggs! It would be unsafe not to, right? But if you live anywhere else in the world, the question might be puzzling. Why would you refrigerate eggs when they're perfectly fine at room temperature? Here's where everyone agrees: The Salmonella enteritidis bacterium is extremely dangerous to humans and can infect hens' ovaries and contaminate eggs even before they're laid. Cracked or porous eggs also can become infected during the production process. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, salmonella is the No. 1 cause of food-borne illness in the U.S., causing more than 142,000 illnesses a year [source: FDA]. Advertisement Because there's no way to tell which eggs have been infected, egg producers have blanket protection policies against salmonella. The U.S., Australia and Japan require eggs to be washed immediately in a hot, soapy bath and then refrigerated for the remainder of their shelf life. Producers and consumers in most other countries don't wash or refrigerate their eggs at all. On first glance, it might seem that the wash-and-refrigerate contingent has the safety advantage. In reality, the two camps are using two ways to get the same result. Washing eggs kills bacteria, but it also removes the waxy shell coating that defends eggs against microorganisms. So then the washed eggs have to be constantly refrigerated to make up for their lack of protection. Non-egg-washing countries generally vaccinate their hens to prevent infection, and then the naturally coated eggs don't have to be washed or refrigerated. Neither process has been shown to be safer, which is something of a blessing for poorer countries where refrigeration would be prohibitively expensive for both individual families and farms. So, should you refrigerate your eggs? It depends on where you are and from whom you've bought them. If the eggs have been refrigerated through the production process, you need to keep them in the fridge. If you live in most areas of the world, put your eggs in the pantry and carry on. " " New research shows that in rare instances, overwhelmingly positive emotions can stress the body so much that a cardiovascular event occurs. David Hume Kennerly/Getty Images In the early 1900s, a light-skinned young black woman leaves home to pass as white. Overcome with grief at her daughter's rejection of family and tradition, an aging mother dies of a broken heart. That's precisely what happens in Fannie Hurst's 1933 novel "Imitation of Life" and the iconic film adaptation released the following year. It's plain, unadulterated heartbreak that kills the character Delilah. Advertisement While becoming so overcome with emotion that you literally die may seem like an unbelievably dramatic trope looking at you, Lady Capulet scientists have known for decades that in rare cases, extreme stress can suddenly, actually kill. Known colloquially as broken heart syndrome, takotsubo cardiomyopathy was first identified by Japanese researchers in the early 1990s. A sudden weakening of a portion of the heart musculature can result in a rapid expansion of the left ventricle. Triggers include physical stress as well as acute emotional stress or anxiety. Broken heart syndrome can cause pain, breathlessness, heart attacks and even death. Here's a video showing just that: New research published today in the European Heart Journal finds that, ironically, the human heart can also literally burst with joy. Scientists studied 1,750 patients in the United States and eight European countries diagnosed with takotsubo syndrome (TTS). Of that group, the researchers identified 485 patients whose TTS had definitely been triggered by an emotional event. TTS is most common in post-menopausal women, and 95 percent of the diagnosed patients in this group were women. While 96 percent of the incidences followed sad and stressful events (a spouse's death, for instance, or attending a funeral), 4 percent followed happy events like a birthday party or the birth of a grandchild. That's only 20 people, but it's still a significant finding. Couple that with the conclusions of a 2006 study that you're 27 percent more likely to experience a cardiovascular event on your birthday, and that surprise party you're planning may not seem like such a good idea any more. " " A Burmese woman cries tears of joy after being reunited with an incarcerated family member freed in a release of political prisoners in Yangon. Ye Aung Thu/AFP/Getty Images "A TTS patient is no longer the classic 'broken hearted' patient," says principal study investigator and cardiologist Dr. Jelena Ghadri in a press release announcing the findings, "and the disease can be preceded by positive emotions too." Ghadri, a co-founder of the International Takotsubo Registry, continues: "Clinicians should be aware of this and also consider that patients who arrive in the emergency department with signs of heart attacks, such as chest pain and breathlessness, but after a happy event or emotion, could be suffering from TTS just as much as a similar patient presenting after a negative emotional event." The takeaway? Put the pedantry on pause when someone says they're so happy their heart is literally about to burst, Grammar Police. And maybe don't email Grandma this cat video: Now That's Interesting Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is named for a traditional Japanese octopus-catching device whose bulbous shape resembles how broken heart syndrome patients' hearts suddenly balloon. The public is invited to the Independent Record's inaugural Nurses Appreciation Event, where 10 Helena-area nurses will be recognized for their contributions to the community. In honor of National Nurses Week, the luncheon event will be held from noon to 1 p.m. Thursday at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana, 3645 S. Alice St. Tickets are available for $15 each at helenair.com/event-tickets or at the Independent Record office, 2222 Washington St. From more than 120 nominations, nine of the nurses were chosen by a panel of representatives from the Independent Record and the local health care community and one was chosen by IR readers in an online poll. This year's winners are: Jennifer Kenison: St. Peter's Health Blanche Reishus: Montana VA Health Care System Christina Keener: PureView Health Center Donna Greenwood: Carroll College Karen Zawacki: Montana VA Health Care System Stephanie Bauch: East Helena Public Schools Jan Campana: Helena College, Leo Pocha Memorial Clinic, Carroll College Jennifer Hawkins: Shodair Children's Hospital Brenna Scofield: St. Peter's Health Candyce Kepler: Shodair Children's Hospital This year's event is sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana, St. Peter's Health, Carroll College and the Montana VA Health Care System. Love 3 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 In what may have set a record for customer scandal/service, Google restored a paid ad from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation it had initially rejected because of animal cruelty issues hours after it received a letter from Montanas Republican congressional members. The Missoula-based hunting advocacy group was notified April 25 that its ads were disapproved, according to RMEF spokesman Mark Holyoak. The group appealed to Sen. Steve Daines and Rep. Greg Gianforte, who sent a joint letter to Google CEO Sundar Pichai on Friday. RMEF also contacted Democratic Sen. Jon Tester who sent a letter to Google, according to RMEF. Holyoak said a Google representative called on Friday evening rescinding the decision and reinstating RMEFs ad. The advertisement went to Googles Ad Network, which places the sponsored results above any Google search. In an email provided by Daines and Gianforte, a Google Support representative states any promotions about hunting practices, even when they are intended as a healthy method of population control and/or conservation, is considered as animal cruelty and deemed inappropriate to be shown on our network. I can imagine how displeasing this could be to hear as you would like to promote this video so that you can show hunting in a positive manner, however, we are also bound by our policies and protocols and according to Google's policies, promotions such as these cannot be allowed to run. The Missoulian reached out to Google for comment on Monday, but messages were not returned. Holyoak said the ad promoted an 8-minute video about former RMEF board member Nancy Hadley, who participates in a muzzle-loader elk hunt in New Mexico and reminisces about growing up in a hunting family. The cover image of the video shows Hadley in camouflage holding an elk antler in the field. RMEFs Elk Network media department produced the video. Weve had a Google ad account for eight or nine years, Holyoak said on Monday. Like so many businesses and organizations out there, its an important part of our outreach. Holyoak said the video was one of several RMEF had promoted with Google ads in the past. We try to push out and promote responsible, ethical hunting, Holyoak said. It goes hand-in-hand with the emphasis on our mission to ensure future of elk, wildlife habitat and our hunting heritage. This was no different than any other piece weve put out. In their letter, Daines and Gianforte asked Google to immediately change this policy interpretation to uphold our hunting and conservation heritage. They also asked Pichai to meet with them to discuss the importance of Montanas and the United States hunting heritage. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 2 Mental health literacy and understanding continues to become a more widely discussed topic, both in medicine and in society at large. We are seeing positive trends that inspire confidence in those of us who care for patients living with mental illness. The stigma around discussing these health conditions, while still present, has begun to dissipate as more individuals speak up about the importance of reliable access to a variety of treatment options. However, despite the progress that we have made, international pricing proposals, both from the administration and individual lawmakers like Vermonts Bernie Sanders and Floridas Rick Scott could threaten this success. These proposals arbitrarily link American drug prices to the prices of drugs in other countries, without regard for the impact this may have on beneficiary access. Many of the countries that would be used for price setting have government-run health care systems that have very restricted access to certain drugs and treatment and individuals often experience delays in receiving care. In our state of Montana with a population of about one million, almost 4.4% of adults live with a serious mental health condition, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depression. These are conditions that require a variety of drug options and consistent care plans to effectively treat and manage. Mental Health America of Montana is proud to support these individuals through advocacy and education initiatives to better foster quality services and treatment options. However, in order to preserve access to these options, the system cannot be subjected to top-down government interference, a common fixture of these recent proposals. Both the administration and Sen. Scott, tout the potential for cost-saving should international pricing comparisons be implemented within the Medicare Part B program. However, this one-size-fits-all approach to health care is not only restrictive, but shortsighted. Tying the prices of American drugs to those from other countries could potentially disrupt current treatment regimens patients and their doctors have worked hard to individually tailor. This disruption would dramatically impact patient adherence, which not only harms patients, particularly those with mental illness, but also could increase health care spending over time as more patients arent receiving proper care. Furthermore, international reference pricing is counter to the spirit of innovation that has made the U.S. a leader in new drug development. These proposals could disincentivize pharmaceutical manufacturers from engaging in the research and development efforts necessary to provide cutting-edge treatment options. Even worse, some of these changes would be implemented through proposals that call for mandatory participation subjecting patients, including those with serious mental illnesses, to government mandated, restrictive and impersonal care plans. The only people who should be involved in the treatment of mental health conditions are the patients themselves, their caregivers and trusted doctors, who are informed about the uniqueness of each individual case. These recent proposals would disregard this focus on personalized treatment in favor of a top-down approach to health care, one that amplifies government power and reduces patient autonomy, access and choice. Mental Health America of Montana is a statewide education and advocacy organization that works for good mental health for all, for social justice and for quality services for persons with mental illnesses. For over 65 years, MHA of MT has been dedicated to eliminating the stigma of mental illness, to supporting programs and individuals who provide direct mental health services, to improving care and treatment of persons with mental illnesses and to preserving the rights of mental health consumers and their families. Shellie Aune is the executive director of Mental Health America of Montana, based in Bozeman. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 DECATUR A nearly 100-block police chase Monday morning ended in the arrest of 24-year-old Devante Hall, who police said was armed with a handgun, Sgt. Chris Copeland said. Officers were following a 2013 Kia Optima at 1:15 a.m. Monday near East Pershing Road and North Woodford Street, as the vehicle matched the description of one involved with a previous complaint of criminal damage to property, Copeland said. Copeland said the officers received information that Hall was driving the vehicle and might be armed with a gun. As they followed the vehicle in the area of North Jasper Street and East Garfield Avenue, a sergeant turned on his emergency lights to try to pull over the suspect's vehicle, Copeland said. The vehicle did not stop, ran several red lights and was speeding, Copeland said. Officers used spike strips at East Eldorado and North 22nd streets, Copeland said. An officer found the unoccupied vehicle near Chandler Park with a tire blown from the spike strips, he said. Hall was found in the area, intoxicated, and taken into custody Copeland said. He said officers found a loaded 9 mm magazine while searching the vehicle. Officers retraced the vehicle's path and found a loaded 9 mm handgun in the 200 block of South 16th Street along the curb, as well as a little over half of a gram of crack cocaine, Copeland said. The gun had scuff marks and dirt, as if it had been thrown from a vehicle. A 9 mm magazine was found near the gun, and matched the magazine recovered from the vehicle, Copeland said. The magazine recovered from the vehicle also fit into the handgun. Hall faces two Class X felony preliminary charges: possession of a weapon by a felon and armed violence. Other preliminary charges are criminal damage to property under $500, aggravated fleeing police over 21 mph, violating the Controlled Substance Act, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and aggravated driving under the influence. Hall also had two outstanding warrants for traffic-related charges issued by the Macon County Sheriff's Office, records show. All preliminary charges are subject to review by the Macon County State's Attorney's Office. No bond had been set as of Monday morning. Contact Kennedy Nolen at (217) 421-6985. Follow her on Twitter: @KNolenWrites Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 Whiteley Hired as AgriLife Extension Agent in Hansford County Matt Whiteley has been hired as the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service agriculture and natural resources agent for Hansford County. (Texas A&M AgriLife photo by Kay Ledbetter) SPEARMAN The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service has hired Matt Whiteley as the agriculture and natural resources agent for Hansford County, effective April 10. Whiteley will spend his first month going through the First Step training program in Roberts County. Matt will make an excellent member of the team in District 1, said Brandon Dukes, AgriLife Extension district administrator in Amarillo. His balance of teaching youth and on-farm experience make him a great fit for Hansford County. Dukes said Whiteley increased participation in his program as an agricultural science instructor, and he will bring that same level of enthusiasm to both the adult and youth sides of AgriLife Extension programming. Whiteley, a native of Sunray, was involved in FFA in high school. He earned his bachelors degree from West Texas A&M University, and is Texas State Board of Education certified in agricultural sciences. He spent five years as an agricultural sciences teacher in the Hartley and Spearman school systems before working most recently as a farmer and herd manager. He also has been a welding instructor for the past three years at Frank Phillips Community College in Borger. Im looking forward to spending time in the fields with producers in Hansford County to determine what their needs are and make sure we offer programming to address those needs, Whiteley said. He also said he is interested in working with community development and youth programs throughout the county. DECATUR Fans of the Oscar-winning movie "Green Book" will find a connection in the newest exhibit at the African-American Cultural and Genealogical Society of Illinois Museum. The travel guide by Victor Hugo Green, compiling safe spots for African-Americans to visit in the Deep South during the Jim Crow era, is part of the exhibit Headin for the Promised Land - The Great Migration created for the museum by Mount Zion High School's African-American Experience class. This is the seventh year that the class, taught by Rich Hansen, has created an addition for the museum often confronting harsh realities in the process. This class teaches you a lot about history you really wouldnt learn about in a regular history class, said student Colby Vahlkamp, who researched the Ku Klux Klan for the exhibit. You think you know about the topics but until you really dive into the details, you have no idea how serious and how violent this time was. Members of the class unveiled the exhibit Monday night after a program at Central United Methodist Church where they explained their work. The theme of the class was the Great Migration, when millions African-Americans moved from the rural South to northern cities during and after World War I. Growing tensions led to what became known as the "Red Summer," a series of race riots in which hundreds of people were killed. The riots started in late winter 1918 and ended in August 1919. The Mount Zion High School Mixed Ensemble performed Headin For the Promised Land to complement the theme. Hansen said students particularly focused on migration routes from Mississippi to Chicago and Brownsville, Tennessee, to Decatur. They researched the way Blues music traveled north, as well as the riots and the resurgence of the Klan. The exhibit involved students researching these topics in small groups and designing the look of the exhibit and incorporating existing artifacts, Hansen said. Senior Paige Willer worked with fellow classmates to include the section on the Green Book. Willer, 17, said seeing her classmates' work in the museum was fulfilling. Everything weve created goes together very cohesively and Im so proud of my class for what we accomplished in the short amount of time, Willer said. The students were given four months to research and design the exhibit. Hansen has taught at the high school for 22 years but started teaching this class seven years ago. Last years exhibit provided an overview of the civil rights movement. In previous years, students have researched topics and created exhibits based on Little Rock Nine, the Underground Railroad, the Emancipation Proclamation and the Jim Crow segregation and lynching. Hansen said he has seen an increase of the class enrollment each year, and this event could be the reason why. The class works with the nonprofit African-American Cultural and Genealogical Society, which was established 26 years ago with a mission to promote an interest in African-American genealogy and the study of African-American history. The society provides access to the public to research using local, state and national sources. Since opening in 1993, museum staff have located slave names during the period of 1619-1860. Evelyn Hood, founder and CEO of the organization, said she looks forward to this event all year round. It is my pleasure to have the students here to learn what the history is all about, she said. Hood said she plans on continuing to incorporate student involvement in the museum because the students play an important role in making sure racism does not continue. Seeing their passion for contributing to the museum is a wonderful thing, she said. These kids give you faith things will get better. Contact Analisa Trofimuk at (217) 421-7985. Follow her on Twitter: @AnalisaTro Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The United Way of Decatur & Mid-Illinois will hold its annual meeting on Wednesday at the Decatur Club. Board Chair John Guymon, and United Way President Debbie Bogle will host the meeting, dinner and awards ceremony. Doors open in the Grand Ballroom at 5 p.m. with the program beginning at 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Cost is $50 per person. For more information, please visit uwdecatur.org or call (217) 422-8537. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 WASHINGTON (AP) Nearly 400 former federal prosecutors have signed onto a letter saying President Donald Trump would have been charged with obstruction of justice if he were anyone other than the president. The letter was signed by more than 370 former Justice Department prosecutors who served under both Democratic and Republican administrations. It was released Monday by Protect Democracy, an advocacy group formed two years ago that is critical of the Trump administration. The former prosecutors say special counsel Robert Mueller's report "describes several acts that satisfy all of the elements for an obstruction charge." Those actions include Trump's efforts to have Mueller fired; Trump's attempts to limit the scope of the Russia investigation; and Trump's tweets and public statements aimed at discouraging aides from cooperating with prosecutors. "In our system, every accused person is presumed innocent and it is always the government's burden to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt," the letter states. "But, to look at these facts and say that a prosecutor could not probably sustain a conviction for obstruction of justice the standard set out in Principles of Federal Prosecution runs counter to logic and our experience." Mueller examined nearly a dozen acts by the president for potential obstruction of justice. He ultimately reached no conclusion on whether Trump had criminally obstructed justice, citing in part an opinion from the department's Office of Legal Counsel that says a sitting president cannot be indicted. Attorney General William Barr and Deputy Attorney Rod Rosenstein then stepped in and determined Mueller's evidence was insufficient for an obstruction charge. Trump has used that finding to claim that the report found no obstruction. But the ex-prosecutors make clear that in their view the evidence leans heavily in the other direction. "As former federal prosecutors, we recognize that prosecuting obstruction of justice cases is critical because unchecked obstruction which allows intentional interference with criminal investigations to go unpunished puts our whole system of justice at risk," the letter states. "We believe strongly that, but for the OLC memo, the overwhelming weight of professional judgment would come down in favor of prosecution for the conduct outlined in the Mueller Report," it says. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 CHICAGO Opponents of legalizing recreational marijuana in Illinois on Monday rejected Gov. J.B. Pritzker's argument that his proposal would promote social equity by providing potential benefits to communities that have been disproportionately affected by enforcement of lower-level drug crimes. "Minorities have said to me we don't want this stuff in our neighborhood," state Rep. Marty Moylan, D-Des Plaines, said at a news conference outside the Thompson Center in the Loop. "There's other ways to generate revenue, not on the backs of our children and young adults." A proposal unveiled over the weekend would allow residents 21 and older to possess up to 30 grams of marijuana for recreational use. The proposal also would allow members of communities most affected by enforcement of low-level drug crimes to participate in a low-interest loan program to become growers. In addition, it would expunge thousands of low-level drug convictions. Moylan, joined at the news conference by medical professionals and representatives of Smart Approaches to Marijuana, a group that lobbies against legalization nationwide, said legislation expunging misdemeanor marijuana offenses should not be tied to legalization. He said he thinks there are enough opponents in the state legislature to stop a bill. At a separate event Monday, Pritzker said he remains confident that lawmakers will pass a recreational marijuana bill this session. "I think we're going to see, in Springfield, movement over the next several weeks," the governor said. "There are some questions by others of tweaks to make to the bill, so that will probably occur. But I believe before May 31st we will have it in place." If that happens, dispensaries might start selling cannabis Jan. 1, 2020, he said. Pritzker predicted that marijuana legalization would have a "massive impact" on black market sales of the product in Illinois. "That's a major reason that legalizing it is so important," he said. "We wanted it to be a moderate tax rate that would not drive it back into the black market," he said. Moylan and the legalization opponents argue that expansion of legal pot would exacerbate an existing issue with use and addiction. He also expressed concerns over the levels of THC that could be allowed in marijuana products and said big businesses, not individuals, would benefit from the proposal. Pritzker announced his proposal Saturday at the Black United Fund of Illinois on Chicago's South Side, declaring that "Illinois is going to have the most equity-centric law in the nation." "Is selling candy marijuana social justice?" Dr. Ray Bertino, a retired Peoria physician who opposes legalization, asked at Monday's news conference. "The sole focus of the industry is to sell as much marijuana as possible, and to get many to use as much marijuana as possible." Abu Edwards, national director for Smart Approaches to Marijuana, said the proposal benefits "white men in suits who work on Wall Street." "This is about creating a big business that African-Americans are not going to have the capital to get into," said Edwards, who is African-American. "It's not about a person smoking a joint, this about big corporate greed coming into our communities and benefiting off of addiction in our communities." Also on Monday, representatives of the Medical Cannabis Alliance of Illinois, which represents many growers and dispensaries, said it was too early to pass final judgment on the new legislation to legalize pot but that they were encouraged by the proposal. Pam Althoff, the alliance's executive director and lobbyist, said it was likely that some lawmakers who are calling for slowing down legalization will support it once they get something out of the deal. John Sullivan, a board member of the alliance and official with Cresco Labs of Chicago, which runs three grow warehouses in the state, said even non-marijuana users should support legalization to address social justice problems caused by the war on drugs, and for public safety, with testing to ensure that users aren't ingesting contaminants or pesticides. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 One cannot look at the troubling condition of Illinois finances and reach any other conclusion: We, the taxpayers of Illinois, are broke. The situation has grown to be especially dire because we are carrying the enormous burden of tens of billions of dollars of unfunded pension liabilities, leaving few options on the table to alleviate the situation, all of which would inflict some level of pain. In addition to finding ways to expand tax revenue, our leaders in the General Assembly are also examining the expense side where can we cut to save money? Its a mandatory question that any responsible steward of the publics finances should be asking. But all too often, I see government consolidation presented as a cost-saving tactic, but consolidation is an approach that is overreaching in its promise to shrink the budget, and taxpayers would discover that the centralization of some forms of government would actually be more expensive. I believe I have a unique insiders view of local government. I have served in Long Creek Township and in Macon County government, and I am the executive director of the Township Officials of Illinois. From my decades of experience, I can tell you that townships are an extremely efficient and cost effective unit of government the data tells me this. Respected public policy researcher Wendell Cox proves that the smallest governments generally spent half as much per capita as those with local governments of populations between 10,000 to 250,000 residents. Much of the township cost savings come from salaries for example, township salaries are 40 percent lower than state salaries. Plus, townships much more frequently save money by employing a more cost-conscious, part-time labor force. Do you know who doesnt heap more liability of the states pension systems? Part-time workers. Your editorial on May 5 Let voters have a say in dissolving Illinois Townships accurately describes the primary functions of the civil servants working in more than 1,400 townships across Illinois. As a baseline for services, townships provide general assistance for those in need including food, shelter and emergency relief, assessment of real property for the basis of local taxation, and maintain 71,000 miles of roads and bridges outside federal, state and local jurisdiction. We seem to agree that these services provided by township government are necessary, but our disagreement begins with the philosophy that consolidating these services into larger units of government would always save money. The data says otherwise. Smaller, local control is frequently the wisest course of action thats why states, counties, cities, wards, and yes, even townships have been deemed wise to create and maintain in these United States. I urge policymakers to look at the facts and remember that townships vital services are delivered at a lower cost than if the identical services were delivered by their larger government counterparts. Bryan Smith is executive director of Township Officials of Illinois. He is a lifelong resident of Long Creek Township and is a former township supervisor and township clerk. Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The information below has been supplied by dairy marketers and other industry organizations. It has not been edited, verified or endorsed by Hoards Dairyman. The Compeer Financial Fund for Rural America, the corporate giving program of Compeer Financial, has awarded 19 Fair Facility Upgrade Grants to county fairs across Wisconsin, totaling $57,000. Across the organizations 144-county territory, 55 grants were awarded. The grants, which total $164,740, will touch the lives of more than 1.6 million fair organizers, participants and attendees. The purpose of these grants is to help make upgrades and repairs to fairgrounds and facilities so fairs can continue to bring people together to experience agriculture, said Karen Schieler, Senior Corporate Giving Specialist. The fair tradition plays an important role in agriculture youth development, celebrating their hard work and contributions to rural communities. And fairs in general bring our communities together each year to have fun and enjoy rural life. Groups received grants of $2,750 to $3,000 each. The list below outlines grant recipients and a brief description of the projects funded: Alto 4-H and Farm Bureau Fair; to upgrade blacktop on fairgrounds Bayfield County Fair; to repair roof, fascia boards, gutters and replace trusses and rafter ends in horse barn Buffalo County Fair; to purchase swine, sheep and goat scale Burnett County Agricultural Fair; for updated lighting and safety signage in cattle barn Columbia County Fair Association; to construct a concrete platform with walls for manure storage Crawford County Meat Animal Auction; to extend the swine and sheep barn Dodge County Fair Association; for new roof, soffit and fascia, and updated lighting and electrical on milkhouse Grant County Fair; to remove old fountains and install water cooler bottle filling stations Green County Ag Society and Mechanics Institute; to improve electrical service in beef barn Jackson County Agricultural Society Inc.; for gates and pens for small animals Monroe County Agricultural Society; to purchase new animal scales, platforms and heads Ozaukee County Agricultural Society; to pave road and walkway leading to 4-H barns Racine County Agricultural Society Inc.; to repair and rebuild livestock wash rack Rock County 4-H Fair; to replace roof, repair front door and siding on 4-H Fair Museum Sheboygan County Fair Association; to replace concrete aisles in livestock buildings St. Croix County Fair Inc.; for updated lighting in judging arena Vernon County Agricultural Society Inc.; for new rabbit cages Washburn County Junior Fair Association; to replace signs on buildings and entrance Winnebago County Fair Association; to purchase gates for beef barn, signs for fairgrounds and to restore entrance archway Since the program began, a total of $344,740 has been awarded to 119 fairs, touching the lives of more than 3.5 million fairgoers and participants. The Compeer Financial Fund for Rural America will offer this program again in March 2020. About the Fund for Rural America The Compeer Financial Fund for Rural America is the corporate giving program of Compeer Financial, structured to support Compeer Financials mission to enrich agriculture and rural America. Compeer Financials Board of Directors has dedicated one percent of annual net earnings to support the Funds focus areas of education, youth engagement, rural development, community enrichment, agricultural advocacy and development, and cooperative initiatives. The fund is managed by a Board of Trustees, made up of team members from Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin and members of the Compeer Financial Board of Directors. More information about opportunities available through the fund can be found at Compeer.com/giving-back . About Compeer Financial Compeer Financial is a member-owned Farm Credit cooperative serving and supporting agriculture and rural communities. The $21.0 billion organization provides loans, leases, risk management and other financial services throughout 144 counties in Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Based in the Upper Midwest, Compeer Financial exists to champion the hopes and dreams of rural America, while providing personalized service and expertise to clients and the agriculture industry. These three COVID-19 research stories were among the most read InnovationMap articles of 2021. Photo via Getty Images The Star of Bethlehem (circa 5 BC) was the star that appeared at the birth of Jesus Christ. Our only source for this is the gospel of Matthew there is no... 13 hours ago IceViking strongly condemns physical attacks and harassment directed towards them. They are also often victims of the Islamic idea. This is true when it comes to the cruel and tragic treatment of Muslim women and children when it is in accord with the Koran, the example of Mohammed and Islamic law, Sharia, which may be applied regardless of where a Muslim male may find himself in the world, whether in a Muslim or non-Muslim country. However, in no way, shape or form should one judge all Muslim men because of what is in Islamic scripture and what constitutes the Islamic law, Sharia. "Race", ethnicity or basically anything that you are "merely" born with should never be a basis for bigotry and discrimination. Apostates from Islam have been executed for 1400 years in accord with the Koran and the words and actions of the Islamic prophet Mohammed and Islamic law, Sharia. They should be lovingly helped. Furthermore, approximately as many as 11,000,000 Muslims may have been killed by other Muslims since 1948. To quote the website The Religion of Peace (TROP), edited by Glen Roberts: While it may be safe to say that a true Muslim would not intentionally kill another true Muslim ( 4:92-93 ), the Quran places no such value on the life of a Muslim who is not true. Consider verse 9:73 : Strive hard against the disbelievers and the hypocrites, and be harsh against them, their abode is Hell. The Arabic for strive hard uses the same root as Jihad - and the context in this sura is holy war (see v. 86 and 91). Thus, there are two distinct classes of people that a true Muslim is to target with harshness: disbelievers and hypocrites. A disbeliever obviously refers to a non-Muslim, so a "hypocrite" must be a Muslim of some sort. In fact, hypocrites are those who say they believe, but do not act as they should. In other words, they are "Muslims", but not true Muslims. They will go to hell just as unbelievers do, and so, according to the verse, their lives matter for naught. The same sura says that a hypocrite can be recognized not just by lack of piety (reluctance to follow Sharia), but by fear of death ( 9:56 ), reluctance to fight ( 9:44-45 ) and even friendliness toward non-believers ( 9:67 ). A true Muslim would thus be a pious person who relishes martyrdom, is eager to fight, and shuns non-believers. Even the Quranic passage that warns against killing "believers" ( 4:88-94 ) is more complicated than it first appears. It never says that a true Muslim is incapable of killing another Muslim, just that it should not be done. In fact, it makes exceptions for the unintentional killing of "believers" in war and mandates the killing of "hypocrites." Verse 17:33 says, "Do not kill anyone which Allah has forbidden, except for a just cause" . The greatest cause of all is that Islam be superior ( 9:33 ), which is exactly what Islamic terrorists say is their goal. Thus believing Muslims are allowed to be collateral damage in the war on unbelievers. There is sadly a phenomena that I`ve noticed in Sweden and elsewhere of people using true facts about Islamic doctrine and history as a cover for all sorts of irrational targeting of Muslims, ranging from xenophobia and racism to verbal abuse and physical attacks. This is strongly condemned by this website and does not in any way serve serious criticism of orthodox Islam and other important work. It`s also important that one tries to express oneself in a civilized way. Words matter. In this bloggers humble opinion the root cause of the problem is the ancient doctrine of orthodox Islam. In simple terms a non-Muslim is a Kafir. " The Koran defines the kafir and kafir is not a neutral word. A kafir is not merely someone who does not agree with Islam, but a kafir is evil, disgusting, the lowest form of life." An exact quote, as stated in the writings of Dr. Bill Warner in the article "Kafir" at http://www.politicalislam.com/kafir . In the perfect Koran (Allah`s direct and literal word as revealed to Mohammed through the angel Jibril), Muslims are told 89 times to emulate Mohammed in all ways (see Koran 33:21 for instance). Mohammed`s example, the Sunna, is found in the Hadith (stories of what Mohammed said and did) and the Sira (biographies of Mohammed). Islamic law, Sharia , is directly derived from these unchanging scriptures. It is based on the Koran`s numerous commands to obey Allah and obey the Messenger, that is Mohammed (see Koran 4:59 for instance). Islam is Sharia. Sharia is Islam. It is a capital crime for Muslims to deny Sharia in any way. A Muslim is someone who submits to Islam and submitting to Islam means obeying the Sharia of Allah. Sharia law includes pronouncements for both Muslims and non-Muslims (Kafirs). Islam is a "complete way of life", a "complete code of life", a "complete system of life". Islam is not just a religion but also a comprehensive ideology. Islam is a supremacist ideology. Islam is a totalitarian and imperialistic ideology akin to Communism and Nazism. Islam is a civilization. Islamic law, Sharia, is a manual for a civilization. Islamic law, Sharia, governs every aspect of life. It has a say about every conceivable human act . Non-Muslims are morally and legally inferior in Islam. Women are morally and legally inferior in Islam. The History of Jihad: From Muhammad to ISIS by Robert Spencer is the first one-volume history of jihad in the English language and a great book on the topic. Allah guarantees Paradise to those who "kill and are killed" for him (Koran 9:111). A hadith depicts a Muslim asking Muhammad: "Instruct me as to such a deed as equals Jihad (in reward)." Muhammad replied, "I do not find such a deed." (Bukhari 4.52.44) Muhammad himself said: I have been commanded to fight against people so long as they do not declare that there is no god but Allah, and he who professed it was guaranteed the protection of his property and life on my behalf except for the right affairs rest with Allah. (Sahih Muslim 30) Freedom of speech, human rights, democracy, science and human lives are all at stake in the fight against the Islamic Jihad. 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 If someone tells you theyre a Kurt Vonnegut fan, theres usually a follow-up waiting to be asked: What got them into his work? For Chris Lafave, curator at the Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library in Indianapolis, it was a blend of reading Breakfast of Champions in college, diving into Welcome to the Monkey House after Vonneguts death and finding comfort in Cats Cradle while working through the 2008 recession in Chicago. That was a weird thing to jive with all of our liberal arts degrees: were all begging Subway for a job, so it was nice to have a book that was funny about the end of the world, he said. For Indiana University Arts and Humanities Council Associate Director Joe Hiland, it was an older friend in college coming home to visit with Breakfast of Champions and Slaughterhouse Five in tow and demanding Hiland catch up before he saw him next. I think I read probably two-thirds of what Vonnegut had written over the next year and a half. Support For Indiana Public Media Comes From Granfalloon, the music, arts and academics festival centered around Vonnegut, wants to take those personal connections and fashion them into a celebration of the writer, through concerts, live performances and an academic conference. It returns this weekend for its second year. Attendees' creations at the "Draw Like Vonnegut" table at Granfalloon 2018. (Photo: IU Arts and Humanities Council) And while Vonnegut is front and center, IU Arts and Humanities Council Director Ed Comentale emphasized that the festival isnt all Vonnegut and only Vonnegut, but rather an extension of the writers ethos. We selected Vonnegut as our kind of patron saint of the festival, Comentale said. We think Vonneguts a Hoosier hero. He really believed that practicing an art was an everyday, democratic [act]almost a right. Comentale said Granfalloon is a reason to celebrate Bloomington and its arts scene, as well as the contemporary arts and humanities in the state at large. And that manifests itself in a wide array of ways at Granfalloon. At the top of the lineup this year is Grammy-nominated indie rocker Neko Case, who will take the stage Saturday, May 11, at Upland Brewing Company. Shell be joined by New York City punk band Parquet Courts and Durand Jones & The Indications, a Bloomington-native soul group. Other acts on the weekends lineup include Sudan Archives, Khruangbin, Barrie and Huckleberry Funk. Other stage productions include performances of teleplays adapted from Vonneguts short stories presented by Cardinal Stage, plus a performance by Bloomington chamber choir Voces Novae of Vonneguts Requiem, a secular, humanist version he wrote in response to Andrew Lloyd Webbers Requiem. The group commissioned eight different composers to bring the project to life. But before the concerts and conferences start, WonderLab will be hosting its After Dark series, this time focused on the science behind Kurt Vonneguts fiction. And on Friday, writer Dave Eggers will be on hand to give the festivals keynote at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater. Eggers is a bestselling writer, founder of literary journal McSweeneys and a journalist whose work has been featured in outlets like The Guardian and The New Yorker. Hell also be on a panel on Writing, Incarceration and Social Justice as part of Granfallons accompanying academic conference. I dont recall us inviting a writer to campus with the explicit intention of them talking about another writer, Hiland remarked. Hiland added that the academic conference feels like a running two-day conversation. Throughout Friday and Saturday of the festival, the conference is free and open for the public to hear speakers, attend panels and even participate in a few activities, like one this year that invites guests to invent their own religion. IU Arts & Humanities Council Director Ed Comentale reads from "Breakfast of Champions" at a coffee shop read-a-thon ahead of Granfalloon 2019. (Photo: IU Arts and Humanities Council) The concept behind Granfalloon didnt immediately begin and end with Vonnegut. As Comentale recounted, the Arts and Humanities Council was already spearheading community events like First Thursdays and Mexico Remixed, but they needed a flagship summer festival that could act as a bridge between the campus and community art scenes. Both Comentale and Hiland had crossed paths with Vonneguts writing through their academic work, and coupled with the Lilly Librarys Vonnegut Archive, there was a whole well of interest right in IUs backyard. We think that he represents the best and most interesting writing and thought in the state, Comentale said, so we really wanted to advance his reputation and his work as a way of being a thoughtful Hoosier. From there came the challenge of programming the first Granfalloon, but it all fell into place when Father John Misty, a noted Vonnegut fan, jumped at the opportunity to headline the festival. Comentale said having Misty on the billing set the tone for what kind of festival Granfalloon would be. Getting picked up in outlets like Pitchfork didnt hurt, either. View this post on Instagram A post shared by IU Arts and Humanities Council (@iuahcouncil) on May 12, 2018 at 10:11am PDT We cross a lot of genres intentionally with the festival so that theres something for everybody, and hopefully something new for people to discover, Hiland said. The strategy behind the festival would be to begin with Vonnegut and move outward. No matter how big in scale Granfalloon gets, Vonneguts legacy is at the core. And as Comentale, Hiland and Lafave shared, that legacy endures because of the personal connection the author was able to strike with his readers. Hes a lovable failure. He failed out of pretty much every institution that he signed up for, and he was notoriously bombed by his own government during World War II, Commentale said. Through all that, he persevered and became a famous writer, and theres a lot of comfort in that story, especially for young people who have an artistic streak. The more work we do on Vonnegut, the more we realize that he is addressing issues that are either ahead of his time or are timeless, Hiland said. What [Breakfast of Champions] has to say about American culture, particularly things like racial tensions and the legacy of Jim Crow and slavery, and what it has to say about corporate America and environmental degradation[it] feels like it could have been written last year. Comentale added, Last year at the conference we decided that he was the best non-living writer of the Trump era. A lot of it has to come from the fact that some peoplecould really use a laugh, and Vonnegut could produce those. He had a rare ability to accomplish those goals without sounding overtly cranky or mean, Lafave said. There was a cynicism in his work, but so many people could see past that to a certain kind of joy and humor. Granfalloon 2019 runs from Thursday, May 9, to Saturday, May 11, with an encore performance of Vonnegut: Requiem on May 12. The academic conference is free and open to the public. Tickets for onstage performances and more information on the festival is available at the IU Arts and Humanities website. The execution of Mehdi Sohrabifar and Amin Sedaghat stands out in that report as one of the regimes most internationally condemned actions during the given 30-day period. Last week, the cousins made headlines in the global press and were named by Amnesty International in a statement regarding Irans persistent defiance of international law through its execution of persons who were less than 18 years old at the time of their alleged crimes. Sohrabifar and Sedaghat were accused of committing rape and robbery, although their trial was subject to irregularities that are commonplace in Iranian jurisprudence. Both boys were reportedly deprived of legal counsel and beaten into providing confessions. But regardless of these facts or facts regarding their culpability for the alleged crimes, the Islamic Republic is a signatory to two United Nations documents that categorically ban the execution of juvenile offenders. Iran routinely ignores the relevant provisions while asserting the right to allow its own laws, or Islamic law, to supersede international agreements. For many years, this defiance of the global will prompted Iranian judiciary officials to continue the practice of executing non-violent drug criminals, as well as juvenile offenders. Although the latter practice remains largely unchanged, the rate of executions in the Islamic Republic has declined over the past two years as a result of changes to minimum sentencing laws for certain persons accused of drug trafficking. Still, this has not prevented Iran from retaining its status as the country with the highest per-capita rate of executions. This was confirmed by the IHRM report and, one day earlier, by a report specifically focused on the death penalty, which was prepared by the group Iran Human Rights. While the general report on Aprils abuses notes that there were at least 27 executions carried out in that month alone, the accompanying report indicates that a further 52 people, at a minimum, were executed in the preceding three months. This represents an increase over the same period last year. Between January and April of 2018, at least 64 people were put to death by the Iranian judiciary. As well as carrying out more executions overall, the Iranian regime has arguably demonstrated even less sensitivity to international condemnation during the first months of 2019. Iran Human Rights points to uncorroborated reports that a third juvenile offender may have been executed during that period. If these reports prove true, it will mean that Tehran killed as many such prisoners between January and April as it did during the entire previous 12-month period. Additionally, both of the given reports emphasize that these figures are only minimums, and that the actual numbers of executions, including juvenile executions, could be considerably higher. The Iranian regime has a long history of maintaining official secrecy in these matters, and this was readily apparent in the case of Sohrabifar and Sedaghat. Neither the condemned boys nor their families were informed of the death sentence ahead of time. While the family was invited to visit them in prison the day before their hanging, they were not told that it was their last opportunity to see them alive. This was disclosed only after they were instructed to return and collect the bodies, which showed marks of having been flogged prior to hanging. This level of secrecy can perhaps be explained in part by the fact that the judiciary did not follow its usual procedure in this case by keeping the condemned children in prison until after they had passed the legally recognized age of majority. This being the case, the international response would have no doubt been louder, had the plans for this execution been revealed ahead of time. Tehrans anxiety over international scrutiny is evident in other areas of its human rights record, as well. The regime has been recognizably engaged in a war on foreign infiltration at least since the conclusion of nuclear negotiations with six world powers in 2015. Supposed signs of this infiltration are numerous and include the promotion of Western lifestyles via social media networks and the apparently rising levels of conversion to other faiths in the Shiite Islamic theocracy. The crime of apostasy can also be grounds for execution under that system, and the threat of such sentencing may become even more serious as the regimes paranoia grows regarding the erosions of its fundamentalist national identity. Minister of Intelligence Mahmoud Alavi recently issued a public warning about that phenomenon, telling a gathering of clerics in the city of Qom that Christianity is spreading among ordinary people, who had accordingly been summoned to answer for their spiritual interests. The potential consequences of such summons were made clear by Voice of America News last week when it reported that at least 171 Christians had been arrested for practicing their faith during the year 2018, compared to only 16 the year before. This figures come from the latest annual report by the US Commission on International Religious Freedom, and it notes similar escalation in the crackdown on non-Shiite Muslims and others. Of course, coordinated attacks upon freedom of religion and belief were a highlight of the Iran Human Rights Monitor report, which specifically emphasized the continued plight, in April, of the homegrown religious minority known as the Bahai. IHRM then connected this religious persecution to the persecution of ethnic minorities, noting that at least 88 Ahwazi Arabs, 12 Kurdish people, three Baluchi people and three people from Irans Turkic minority were arrested by the state security forces in April. But recent stories regarding Irans human rights record also underscore that specific religious or ethnic identities are not necessary in order for a person to be identified as a threat to Irans enforced hardline identity. For example, IranWire pointed to the case of expatriate journalist and poet Mohammad Tangestani, who is just the latest such person to be made subject to an Iranian clerics fatwa declaring him an apostate. The declaration reportedly stems from one particular poem that takes aim at Islamic extremism, supposedly insults the Iranian regime by decrying the epidemic of poverty, and makes unfavorable reference to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force. Additionally, Tangestanis case is indicative of the threat that Iranian authorities perceive in the simple act of communicating freely about Iranian affairs. This situation was highlighted on World Press Freedom Day on Sunday, which spurred an outpouring of statements in solidarity with recently arrested Iranian journalists. This trend was highlighted by the Center for Human Rights in Iran, with regard to the case of Marzieh Amiri. The report quoted one of her colleagues as stating in no uncertain terms that she was arrested for doing her job: Journalism. More specifically, the arrest stemmed from Amiris effort to inquire about workers rights activists who had been arrested at a rally marking International Workers Day on May 1. Just days earlier, a dozen activists were arrested for a preliminary gathering in which they allegedly called for broader protests to mark the annual occasion. This led at least one activist to observe that the governments pressures on workers had followed the same trend in recent months as has its pressure on religious minorities, dissident authors, and others, in the sense that they had grown more severe than before. The thing is that the Regime has a viable alternative in the form of the oldest, largest, and most popular resistance organization in Iran, which has fought two separate regimes since it was founded in 1965. That is the Peoples Mojahedin of Iran (PMOI/MEK). In order to help you learn more about the MEK, we have created an in-depth series. In this part, we will learn about how the Iranian Regime seeks to destroy the MEK outside of Iran. The Iranian Regime seeks to eliminate the MEK inside and outside Iran for the sole reason that the MEK is the best shot the Iranian people have at overthrowing the mullahs. Inside Iran, they have banned the MEK and routinely arrest and execute MEK supporters, but outside, they assassinate and attempt to discredit MEK members. Since 1979, the Iranian Regime has assassinated at least 162 political opponents outside Iran, according to the Iran Human Rights Documentation Centre, the majority of which were MEK members. These are not rogue elements in the Iranian Regime, as the mullahs might claim. Rather these are high-ranking officials who go onto better positions within the Regime. In 1994, President Hassan Rouhani admitted to Ettela at newspaper that he was a member of a select extra-legal committee in Iran that authorized assassinations of the MEK. He said that Iran will not hesitate to destroy the activities of counterrevolutionary groups abroad. Now, for a time the Regime was largely forced to curtail its violent attacks on the MEK outside of Iran due to international pressure, but in the past few years, Iran has begun to assassinate MEK members, even going so far as to plot terror attacks in Europe in 2018. The Regime has also tried hard to discredit the MEK using propaganda campaigns, something noted by intelligence agencies in Europe. The Netherlands General Intelligence and Security Service (AIVD) said: Teherans efforts to undermine the opposition Peoples Mojahedin Organization of Iran (MEK) in the Netherlands continued unabated in 2011. In a campaign co-ordinated and financed by the Iranian intelligence services, the media and a number of politicians and other public servants were approached with a view toward portraying the MEK in a highly negative light. The Federal Office for the Protection of the German Constitution (BfV), said: The main responsibilities of the Iranian regimes intelligence apparatus revolve around monitoring and severely confronting opposition groups inside and outside IranIranian regimes efforts in the context of gathering information about the exiled opposition are concentrated on the [MEK] and the NCRI. Of course, the Regime will never be able to destroy the MEK or end the support it receives internationally because the Iranian people and diaspora are well aware that that the MEK is the best chance they have to get rid of the mullahs and usher in a new Iran where freedom and democracy reign. In our next piece, we will talk about the international support that the MEK receive from both the Iranian diaspora and foreign diplomats. Bolton also indicated that the deployment was specifically intended as a warning against further escalatory actions by Iran, following an outpouring of rhetoric from hardline officials. US intelligence reportedly also acquired credible information that Iranian forces had been planning attacks on American assets in the region. Although neither Bolton nor any other White House official would go into detail about the nature of these threats, the notoriously hawkish National Security Advisor suggested that prospective attacks could come from Irans regular military, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, or foreign-based proxy groups such as Hezbollah. The United States is deploying the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group and a bomber task force to the U.S. Central Command region to send a clear and unmistakable message to the Iranian regime that any attack on United States interests or on those of our allies will be met with unrelenting force, Bolton said in his statement. However, in line with all previous statements on this matter by the Trump administration, Bolton reiterated that the US is not interested in war with the Islamic Republic, but is exclusively focused on using maximum pressure through economic and diplomatic means, to compel a change in the regimes behavior and the end of its malign activities. For its part, the Iranian regime has variously proclaimed that it has no intention to start conflict, and that its ongoing military buildup and ballistic missile development are purely defensive in nature. But that regime has been largely defined in recent years by major foreign policy disagreements between the pragmatic political faction associated with President Hassan Rouhani and the hardline faction led by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and the IRGC. And to the extent that this dispute has been resolved over the past couple of months, it has seemingly been resolved in favor of hardline policies. Foreign Minister Javad Zarif announced his intention to resign in late February, after he was excluded from a meeting with Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad, in which Khamenei was accompanied by Qassem Suleimani, the head of the IRGCs special foreign operations wing, the Quds Force. Although the resignation was quickly withdrawn, accompanying statements affirmed the Foreign Ministrys role in prosecuting the hardline principles most closely associated with the IRGC. Zarif himself was identified therein as a loyal servant on the front lines of conflict with the West. Accordingly, the Rouhani administration has reliably contributed to hardline rhetoric in many subsequent public statements. These include threats to close the Strait of Hormuz in response to any effort by the US to halt Irans oil exports. Last month, the White House announced that it would not be renewing sanctions waivers for any importers of Iranian oil. The pre-existing waivers for eight leading importers expired at the beginning of May. Iranian threats regarding the Strait of Hormuz may have influenced Boltons decision to warn the regime against any potential attacks. But those particular threats are not the only public statements that could be interpreted as evidence of Tehrans war-footing. Defense officials and particularly the IRGC have long insisted that they are prepared to stand up to the US in open combat. This was the apparent implication last week of the IRGCs release of drone footage purporting to show a flyby of an American aircraft carrier Persian Gulf. However, the US Navy responded to that release by pointing out that the footage appeared to be several years old and that there currently is no aircraft carrier in that waterway. That situation will only change once the Abraham Lincoln arrives, assuming the Persian Gulf is indeed its intended destination. However, even this change will only be a modest one, as the US has maintained an aircraft carrier presence in the region more or less consistently since the 1980s. Indeed, Admiral John Richardson, the chief of US naval operations, pointed out on Monday that the Lincolns deployment was previously planned. Richardson subsequently clarified that the vessel was subject to dynamic force deployment, with its specific schedule and maneuvers being determined by ongoing changes to American defensive interests. As such, its immediate turn in the direction of Iran was indeed decided by Bolton and the US Defense Department. An unnamed official within that department also confirmed that there were clear indications of a possible attack by Iran and/or proxy forces upon US or US-allied targets both on land and at sea. Still, the American response to those threats constitutes little more than a reminder of the pre-existing force in the region, which Iran remains ill-equipped to face head-on. Furthermore, Boltons announcement was arguably expected, given that the head of Central Command highlighted the US militarys awareness of Iranian provocations more than a week ahead of time. On April 27, General Kenneth McKenzie told Sky News Arabia that the US would continue to reach out to partners in the region in order to effectively counter the expansion of Iranian influence while preventing further threats from the expansionist Islamic Republic. I believe well have the resources necessary to deter Iran from taking actions that will be dangerous, he said of the combined deterrence from American and allied forces. We will be able to respond effectively. Meanwhile, sanctions and other non-military pressures remain at the heart of US policy for dealing with the Iranian regime. As such, it was reported on Monday that President Donald Trump was planning to impose still more economic sanctions within the week, this time targeting sectors of the economy other than Irans all-important energy trade. In addition to halting oil purchase waivers last month, the administration also designated the Revolutionary Guards as a foreign terrorist organization, thereby interrupting global trade with various commercial entities that the hardline paramilitary controls either directly or indirectly. Sources within the administration told the New York Post that the goal of forthcoming sanctions was to prevent the Islamic Republic from diversifying its economy in line with the resistance strategy outlined by Supreme Leader Khamenei and endorsed by President Rouhani. On Saturday, Rouhani delivered a speech in which he specifically urged the expansion of non-oil exports while also boasting of the countrys prospect for evading US sanctions and continuing to export petroleum at a high level. And separately, Deputy Oil Minister Amir Hossein Zamaninia insisted that Iran was mobilizing all resources to facilitate the sale of oil on the grey market. Such claims are somewhat at odds with widespread reporting upon the compliance of US allies and partners with the still-growing roster of sanctions. Iranian officials defiance has variously been accompanied by retaliatory measures, but in many cases these have had little practical effect. In other cases, Tehran has merely threatened unspecified retaliation in hopes of presenting an image or strength or providing encouragement to political allies. This trend appeared to continue on Monday when Iranian state media teased the announcement of reciprocal actions based on the American withdrawal from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. Wednesday marks the one-year anniversary of that withdrawal, and as such it is expected that the latest US sanctions will be announced on that date. The Iranian response is expected to include the resumption of some nuclear activities, especially given that the US withdrew waivers on Friday which allowed the Islamic Republic to expand its nuclear power plant and exceed limits on low-enriched uranium. But it is difficult to see what effect Irans retaliation might have in the current geopolitical climate other than to give the European signatories of the nuclear deal less incentive to remain within it while also bolstering global anxieties about Irans own provocations. On the other hand, such provocations may be a major emphasis of Irans foreign policy at the moment, insofar as they encourage defiance of Western interests by what some have called coalitions of the sanctioned. This term was used by the Los Angeles Times on Sunday to describe the possible development of alliances committed to finding ways around the US financial system. The Times suggested that this could make persistent sanctions pressure a losing proposition for the US, with hidden costs that outweigh whatever benefits the Trump administration envisions. Of course, escalating regional tensions could be one aspect of those costs, especially if the US has no clear vision for how to achieve its regional goals without increasing the risk of international conflict. But contrary to the Times article, many close observers of the administrations strategy believe that there is a specific, if undisclosed vision behind the application of maximum pressure. President Trump and his foreign policy advisors have variously praised activist movements inside Iran that are opposed to the clerical regime. Organizations like the Peoples Mojahedin Organization have publicly embraced Western sanctions on the understanding that the Iranian peoples economic discontent will lead to political protests like the nationwide uprising that defined the beginning of 2018. On Sunday, EA Worldview reported that Irans economic crisis had reached a point at which the government was considering the rationing of goods something not done since the 1980-88 war against Iraq. This comes at a time when exports have declined 60 percent and while the economy is projected to shrink six percent this year alone. To date, the Iranian regime appears to have no plan for addressing the situation other than boasting of its own strength and targeting the US military with threats that are generally viewed both as non-credible and as justification for further economic pressures. This is not something that differentiates Trump from his predecessors, but what does differentiate him is his treatment of the Iranian regime. Trump has identified Iran as the number one threat to peace and security in the region and he has vowed to curb its influence. His administrations announcement at the weekend regarding the U.S. deployment is significant because it is a message to the Iranian regime that it will strongly consider retaliating against its proxy attacks on allies in the region. Once again, Trump is warning the Iranian regime that he will take any action necessary to curb the Iranian threat, because he can and because he wants to make it very clear that the United States under his control, unlike previous administrations, will not sit back and watch the regime wreak havoc across the Middle East. Sending a Navy carrier group to the region shows that Trump means what he says. And the fact that the move came while the Trump administration has been dealing with several urgent issues such as North Koreas rocket testing and the Venezuela situation is very significant. It is the Trump administrations way of saying that it cannot be taken by surprise or that the Iran threat is being pushed to the backburner while other foreign policy issues are being sorted out. For now, it appears that the Iranian regime is trying to keep under the radar as much as possible while still carrying out its usual activities. It is still funding its proxy groups and militias across the region but it is in a hopeless situation. The Trump administration has vowed to stop Iran from carrying out the acts that it depends on for survival and the people of Iran have made it very clear that they want regime change. So all Iran can do in this truly hopeless situation is to try to survive through Trumps time in office in the hope that he is replaced by an administration like Obamas. Many are hoping that it will not come to this. Iran is a major impediment to peaceful progression in the Middle East and it is the worlds biggest state sponsor of terrorism. It is also a prolific human rights abuser and the people of Iran have been denied the most basic of rights in all areas of their lives. The regime has committed one of the most horrific crimes against humanity that saw tens of thousands of political prisoners executed in what has become known as the 1988 massacre. Lets hope the next U.S. President does not have such a rogue regime to consider. About Me William Kelly I am a freelance writer, journalist and historian whose major interests are music and history, with a special emphasis on the assassination of President Kennedy. View my complete profile Blog Archive Today's Highlight in History: On May 7, 1945, Germany signed an unconditional surrender at Allied headquarters in Rheims (rams), France, ending its role in World War II. On May 7: In 1763, Pontiac, chief of the Ottawa Indians, attempted to lead a sneak attack on British-held Fort Detroit, but was foiled because the British had been tipped off in advance. In 1789, America's first inaugural ball was held in New York in honor of President George Washington, who had taken the oath of office a week earlier. In 1915, a German U-boat torpedoed and sank the British liner RMS Lusitania off the southern coast of Ireland, killing 1,198 people, including 128 Americans, out of the nearly 2,000 on board. In 1939, Germany and Italy announced a military and political alliance known as the Rome-Berlin Axis. In 1945, the 1944 Pulitzer Prizes were awarded; winners included John Hersey for his novel "A Bell for Adano," Mary Chase for her play "Harvey," and Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal for his picture of the Iwo Jima flag-raising. In 1954, the 55-day Battle of Dien Bien Phu in Vietnam ended with Vietnamese insurgents overrunning French forces. In 1963, the United States launched the Telstar 2 communications satellite. In 1975, President Gerald R. Ford formally declared an end to the "Vietnam era." In Ho Chi Minh City formerly Saigon the Viet Cong celebrated its takeover. In 1984, a $180 million out-of-court settlement was announced in the Agent Orange class-action suit brought by Vietnam veterans who said they'd been injured by exposure to the defoliant. In 1992, the latest addition to America's space shuttle fleet, Endeavour, went on its first flight. In 1998, the parent company of Mercedes-Benz agreed to buy Chrysler Corp. for more than $37 billion. Londoners voted overwhelmingly to elect their own mayor for the first time in history. (In May 2000, Ken Livingstone was elected.) In 2004, Army Pfc. Lynndie England, shown in photographs smiling and pointing at naked Iraqi prisoners, was charged by the military with assaulting the detainees and conspiring to mistreat them. (England was later convicted of conspiracy, mistreating detainees and committing an indecent act, and sentenced to 36 months; she served half that term.) In 2009, a federal jury in Paducah, Kentucky, convicted a former soldier, Steven Dale Green, of raping and fatally shooting a 14-year-old girl after killing her parents and younger sister while he was serving in Iraq. (Green was sentenced to life without possibility of parole; he hanged himself in prison in February 2014.) Former Illinois police Sgt. Drew Peterson was indicted for murder in the death of his third wife, Kathleen Savio. (Peterson was convicted of murdering Savio, and was sentenced to 38 years in prison.) Mickey Carroll, one of the last surviving Munchkins from the 1939 film "The Wizard of Oz," died in Crestwood, Missouri, at age 89. In 2014, Russian President Vladimir Putin softened his tone in a confrontation with the West, declaring that he had pulled his troops away from the Ukrainian border. The Nation's Report Card said America's high school seniors lacked critical math and reading skills for an increasingly competitive global economy. The International Olympic Committee awarded the exclusive U.S. broadcast rights to NBC for an additional six games in a record $7.75 billion deal. In 2018, First lady Melania Trump unveiled what she called the "Be Best" public awareness campaign to help children, focusing on childhood well-being, social media use and opioid abuse. Retired Lt. Col. Oliver North, the Marine at the center of the Iran-Contra affair in the Reagan administration, was named president of the National Rifle Association. New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced that he would be resigning from office after he was accused of physical violence by women with whom he had been involved; Schneiderman had been a high-profile advocate for women's issues. Thought for Today: "Be a philosopher but, amid all your philosophy be still a man." David Hume, Scottish philosopher (1711-1776). Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 CHARLESTON -- A man who returned to his Charleston apartment to find it being burglarized fought with one of the suspects before he was shot. That was according to police testimony Monday in the case against a suspect in the April 28 burglary and shooting, which also put two other suspects at the scene. And while the testimony also indicated police found that others might have been there, charges against any other possible suspects are yet to be determined, according to a prosecutor. Charleston police Detective Joel Shute testified Monday about the investigation of the shooting at the apartment building at 24 Buchanan Ave. Shute was the prosecution's witness during the preliminary hearing for Shannon M. Barnes, 19, who's charged with the burglary and the shooting, as well as having some accountability for the incident. Coles County Circuit Judge James Glenn ruled the detective's testimony sufficiently linked Barnes to a possible crime and ordered his case to continue. Another adult suspect in the case, Alyssa A. Jenkins, also 19, appeared in court Monday waived her right to a preliminary hearing. According to Shute, Barnes told police that she was driving the car the suspects used. The attorneys representing both suspects entered not guilty pleas on their behalves. Also arrested in connection with the shooting was a 17-year-old male, who's charged in juvenile court and is accused of firing the shot that injured the apartment resident, Trevor R. Pinkstaff. Shute said Pinkstaff, 20, who was shot in the abdomen, was interviewed at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana, two days after the shooting. Pinkstaff said he returned to his apartment after receiving a phone call from a man wanting to buy marijuana, Shute said. On the stairs to the apartment, he first met Barnes, whom he recognized and who ran around him, Shute said. Pinkstaff next encountered the juvenile, whom he also recognized and was holding property from the apartment, making Pinkstaff realize a burglary was taking place, the detective related. Shute said Pinkstaff then struck the teenager in the face and the two continued to fight until the juvenile pulled a gun and shot him. The juvenile and the two adult suspects live in Mount Vernon, but the juvenile was arrested at a Mattoon residence where police also found about two ounces of marijuana Pinkstaff identified as his, Shute also said. After Shute's testimony, Public Defender Anthony Ortega, who represents Barnes, argued Barnes' "mere presence" at the scene didn't make him accountable for the shooting. However, Glenn agreed with State's Attorney Jesse Danley, who contended the evidence showed that Barnes was "not an innocent bystander." During Shute's testimony, he mentioned that police were told about others who were also in Barnes' and Jenkins' car, including another juvenile they were told threw away the gun. Asked after the hearing about the possibility of charges against other suspects, Danley said that's yet to be determined. A hearing to review the status of Barnes' case was scheduled for May 20 and a status hearing for Jenkins was set for June 6. The juvenile, who was identified only by his initials during Monday's hearing, is scheduled for a Friday court appearance. All three suspects are charged with aggravated battery with a firearm and Jenkins is also charged with residential burglary. Contact Dave Fopay at (217) 238-6858. Follow him on Twitter: @FopayDave Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 3 STRASBURG -- Winners have been announced for this year's Americanism Essay Contest, sponsored by the American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary, and the Sons of the American Legion. The theme this year was, What are my responsibilities as a U.S. citizen? The contest was open for grades seven through 12. Each level of competition has monetary awards with the first place Department award for 11th and 12th grade being a $1200 scholarship. The Strasburg American Legion Auxiliary Unit 289 has sponsored the Americanism Essay Contest for many years. Strasburg Unit 289 has always been very fortunate to have the cooperation and encouragement of the Stewardson-Strasburg Junior High and High School staff in supporting this essay contest. A dinner for the essay winners was on held in March at the Strasburg Community Building. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 CHARLESTON -- Todd Vilardo, superintendent of Charleston schools, recently told the Charleston Rotary Club how the district is using the sales tax referendum revenue. Coles County voters in 2016 approved a sales tax increase that the Charleston, Mattoon and Oakland school districts can use on facilities. Vilardo told Rotary members that the Charleston district receives approximately $157,000 a month. A district facilities committee looks at projects needed that can benefit from the added revenue. One project is to replace the roof at Jefferson Elementary School. The original roof was installed in the 1940s, Vilardo said. Other construction/remodeling projects to be tackled include the Carl Sandburg School gym, the roof at Mark Twain Elementary, drainage issues at three elementary schools and some heating and air conditioning issues. District officials already announced they are combining some of the sales tax funds with a grant from the Charleston Charitable Foundation to build new science labs at the high school. Theres no way we could do these things without the community support through the 1 percent sales tax, Vilardo said. The superintendent said school officials also would like to purchase the former Twice as Nice building on 18th Street and repair a storage building the district owns near Jefferson School. The district also is setting aside 20 percent of the sales tax revenue for emergencies until the fund reaches $1 million. Charleston Rotary has served the Charleston community for more than 90 years. One of the clubs main services is geared toward youth. Rotary meets at noon each Tuesday in the Rotary Room of the Charleston Public Library. More information is at Charlestonrotary.wordpress.com and on Facebook at Rotary Club of Charleston. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 3 WASHINGTON Chicago Mayor-elect Lori Lightfoot is in Washington for meetings with national lawmakers this week. Lightfoot was scheduled to meet Tuesday with Ivanka Trump, President Donald Trump's daughter, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, among others. The incoming mayor is not expected to meet with the president during her trip to the nation's capital. Both the president and his daughter, however, did call Lightfoot after she won the April 2 runoff election. Since winning the Chicago mayor's race over Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle last month, Lightfoot and her transition team have been gearing up to take office later this month. In the days after her victory, Lightfoot headed down to the Illinois Capitol in Springfield, where she met with Gov. J.B. Pritzker, legislative leaders and addressed both the state House and Senate. She'll be sworn in as Chicago's 56th mayor on May 20. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Tuesday, May 07, 2019 Underdog Watch: Challenger To ABQ Councilor Davis Says She Is Not Part Of A "Democratic Clique" And Can Pull Off The Upset Gina Naomi Dennis A UNM political science student is among a number of readers and political observers who are urging that insiders give ABQ city council candidate The student and others argue that if any contender has a shot at pulling off an upset in November's election it is Dennis. That's because the SE Heights district continues to grapple with epidemic levels of crime and other serious issues. Monday we chatted up Like her parents she became politically aware and eventually took her law degree from Along her life path she snagged a top White House internship under President Clinton, helping to compile his news briefings as well as clipping out the crosswords puzzles for him when he traveled on Air Force One. She also spent four months living in China, where she learned how to speak Mandarin while working on environmental issues (she is also a green building specialist). Dennis wasted no time plunging into politics when she moved here to practice tribal law. She became president of the He is not being honest about the crime problem. Unlike him, I am not telling people crime is going down because it isn't. Because of apathy there is widespread underreporting of crime. And when police are called response times are still too slow. We as a community need to manage APD. For example, by getting officers who are on patrol that are experiencing low call volumes to get on a beat with higher volume. We also need improved lighting throughout the district. And vacant and abandoned properties continue to be a major problem. My opponent is part of a Democratic Party clique. I am not. But I can get the job done. Dennis calls herself a "true progressive" who was a Bernie Sanders NM delegate to the '16 Democratic National Convention. Dem ABQ Congresswoman Deb Haaland has openly endorsed Davis. No big surprise there since Davis dropped out of the US House race and then gave Haaland an important endorsement which helped propel her to victory in the 2018 primary and eventually to the US House. DAVIS VS. DENNIS Pat Davis Dennis says she would not be running if she had not heard from a cross-section of residents who want a change. She is pursuing public financing, as is Davis, and if she qualifies by the end of the month deadline she will have the money to carry her message. Part of that message will be ART, the controversial transit project that Councilor Davis heartily backed under Republican Mayor Berry and which turned into one of the most bungled public works projects in city history. Dennis says: The supposed leadership in District 6 drove right over our public input and gutted our historic Route 66--Central Avenue--and crushed our businesses. Councilor Davis continues to campaign on the idea that his district (and the city) are turning around and are "back on the right track" especially on the crime front. That is a debatable proposition. Each time he says it there seems to be another shocking slaying, like the one this past weekend of 23 year old UNM athlete Jackson Weller. Davis' high name ID and previous council win have insiders putting him in good shape for re-election. But there's no question a serious and lively campaign is in the best interest of the city--and Ms. Dennis assures us we're going to get one. TOUGHEN UP? While the city council campaigns heat up over crime, more calls to get tougher on it seem to be circulating on social media in the wake of the ongoing violence. Here are two samples from Facebook: Greg Cook--It seems most of the offenders that are caught have already been in the justice system and released...hint! The judges are not using their power to hold and imprison these offenders. People will say rehab before prison...I say rehab IN prison! Mike Johnson--Rampant crime enabled and encouraged by left wing, soft-on-crime judges, DAs, and politicians. That is New Mexico True. Republicans have stayed mostly under the radar on the city's #1 issue. No wonder. They had the helm of the city for eight years--from 2009-2017--when the trouble started and stayed. THE BOTTOM LINES Dem US Senate candidate Rep. Ben Ray Lujan has named his campaign manager, a familiar name in political circles. From the campaign: Brad Elkins will serve as campaign manager for his Senate bid. . . Elkins managed. . . Senator Martin Heinrichs reelection campaign. . . Elkins oversaw all operations for a campaign that generated a 24-point victory for Heinrich in a three-way contest. In 2016, Elkins served as deputy campaign manager for Jason Kanders U.S. Senate race in Missouri. . . 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 A UNM political science student is among a number of readers and political observers who are urging that insiders give ABQ city council candidate Gina Naomi Dennis a second look. That's after her candidacy challenging incumbent Dem Councilor Pat Davis was given short shrift on the Monday blog.The student and others argue that if any contender has a shot at pulling off an upset in November's election it is Dennis. That's because the SE Heights district continues to grapple with epidemic levels of crime and other serious issues.Monday we chatted up Dennis , 40, who is an attorney and four year resident of the district. She tells me she grew up in DC where her father was a neurosurgeon and her mom an activist (as was her father).Like her parents she became politically aware and eventually took her law degree from Spelman College in Atlanta, "a global leader in the education of women of African descent." She said she departed Spelman feeling "empowered."Along her life path she snagged a top White House internship under President Clinton, helping to compile his news briefings as well as clipping out the crosswords puzzles for him when he traveled on Air Force One. She also spent four months living in China, where she learned how to speak Mandarin while working on environmental issues (she is also a green building specialist).Dennis wasted no time plunging into politics when she moved here to practice tribal law. She became president of the District 6 Coalition of Neighborhoods who face steep challenges with drugs, crime, vacant and abandoned buildings and poverty. She says the difference between her and Davis is this:Dennis calls herself a "true progressive" who was a Bernie Sanders NM delegate to the '16 Democratic National Convention.Dem ABQ Congresswoman Deb Haaland has openly endorsed Davis. No big surprise there since Davis dropped out of the US House race and then gave Haaland an important endorsement which helped propel her to victory in the 2018 primary and eventually to the US House.Dennis says she would not be running if she had not heard from a cross-section of residents who want a change. She is pursuing public financing, as is Davis, and if she qualifies by the end of the month deadline she will have the money to carry her message.Part of that message will be ART, the controversial transit project that Councilor Davis heartily backed under Republican Mayor Berry and which turned into one of the most bungled public works projects in city history. Dennis says:Councilor Davis continues to campaign on the idea that his district (and the city) are turning around and are "back on the right track" especially on the crime front. That is a debatable proposition. Each time he says it there seems to be another shocking slaying, like the one this past weekend of 23 year old UNM athlete Jackson Weller.Davis' high name ID and previous council win have insiders putting him in good shape for re-election. But there's no question a serious and lively campaign is in the best interest of the city--and Ms. Dennis assures us we're going to get one.While the city council campaigns heat up over crime, more calls to get tougher on it seem to be circulating on social media in the wake of the ongoing violence. Here are two samples from Facebook:Republicans have stayed mostly under the radar on the city's #1 issue. No wonder. They had the helm of the city for eight years--from 2009-2017--when the trouble started and stayed.Dem US Senate candidate Rep. Ben Ray Lujan has named his campaign manager, a familiar name in political circles. From the campaign:This is the home of New Mexico politics. E-mail your news and comments. (jmonahan@ix.netcom.com) Links HOME E-MAIL ME About Joe Google News Real Clear Politics Huffington Post Drudge Report The Politico NM TV stations Gov. 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Buffett appeared on CNBC Monday with Berkshire Hathaway Vice Chairman Charlie Munger and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, who serves on Berkshire's board. Over the weekend, roughly 40,000 people attended Berkshire's shareholder meeting in Omaha, Nebraska. Trump said over the weekend that he may impose 25 percent tariffs on more Chinese imports, and financial markets initially plunged. The Dow fell 500 points before recovering somewhat to a decline of about 200 points by midday Monday. Buffett said Trump is making a "nuclear threat" that may bring the Chinese to the table. But it's impossible to predict the outcome because both countries' leaders are used to getting their way. "It's a dangerous game," Buffett said. Munger said a trade agreement that includes some tariffs and both sides feeling somewhat disappointed would be a good thing. "A good settlement is better than a lovely world war," Munger said. Gates said the rational thing would be for both sides to agree to a trade deal. Online delivery app Shipt announced Tuesday that it will soon start delivering beer and wine from Target to local customers' doorsteps. Shipt also delivers for Hy-Vee, CVS and other stores in Lincoln, but alcohol delivery will only be available from Target. Those wanting alcohol delivery from Shipt must prove they are 21 by showing a valid ID at delivery. The company originally said alcohol delivery had started in Lincoln, but it later backtracked and said that while delivery is planned, it does not have an exact date yet. Shipt joins several other companies that have announced plans for alcohol delivery in Lincoln and/or Nebraska. Hy-Vee, for which Shipt also delivers, said last month that it will start alcohol delivery in Lincoln and Omaha this summer after it opens a new distribution center in Sarpy County. Hy-Vee plans to do the delivery through its own online service. GoPuff, an online convenience store that set up shop in Lincoln earlier this year, was the first to announce plans for local alcohol delivery, back in March, but it has not yet started. A spokeswoman said she does not know when the service will begin in Lincoln. Hunt said the bill was based on one paper that was done unethically, with no institutional review board oversight, no involvement from an ethical review committee, and was published in a disreputable journal. The original bill supports an experimental procedure, she said, not approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration, opposed by the American Medical Association and not adequately tested and may be dangerous for women and their pregnancies. The Judiciary Committee amended the bill before sending it to the floor of the Legislature for debate in order not to force doctors to give information to women that is not scientifically proven. Chairman Steve Lathrop said there was a constitutional problem with the original language, since the state cannot force someone to say something they don't believe to be true. Sen. Robert Clements of Elmwood said that although some babies would survive that first pill without additional support, "it is scientific common sense to supply the hormone (progesterone) in order to increase the survival rate of fetuses for women who have changed their mind." There is more than ample evidence, he said, that progesterone markedly improves survival. Albrecht moved to invoke cloture, that is, stop debate and take a vote on the bill, and that was approved by a 37-5 margin. Reach the writer at 402-473-7228 or jyoung@journalstar.com. On Twitter @LJSLegislature. Love 1 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 2 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Lincoln police were called to the area of 13th and Washington streets for the second time in three days on a report of gunshots. Officer Angela Sands said a number of people heard the gunfire around 9:15 Monday night but didnt see from where it was coming. She said police didnt find casings or anything that had been damaged but planned to return to the area Tuesday to look in the daylight. Sands said at around 4:40 a.m. Saturday police were sent to the same area and found five shell casings in the street. Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 1 Sad 6 Angry 2 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The Butler County Sheriff's Department said 24-year-old Juan Maldonado of Lincoln drove his 2008 Chevy Tahoe over the middle line and crashed into a Toyota Corolla driven by 26-year-old David City resident Levi Kreitman at Nebraska 92 and P Road around 7:20 a.m. * "Most Popular Intellectual Property Law Blawg" of all time according to Justia rankings , December 2021. * "Most Popular Copyright Blawg" of all time according to Justia rankings , December 2021. * PermaKat Eleonora Rosati listed as one of the World Intellectual Property Review's "Influential Women in IP" of 2020. * PermaKat Eleonora Rosati listed as one of the Managing Intellectual Property magazine's "Fifty Most Influential People" of 2018. * IPKat founder and Blogmeister Emeritus Jeremy Phillips listed as one of the Managing Intellectual Property magazine's "Fifty Most Influential People" of 2005, 2011, 2013, and 2014. * Recommended by the European Patent Office as reading material for candidates for the European Qualifying Examinations, 2013. * Listed as "Top Legal Blog" in The Times Online, March 2011. 2010 ABA Journal 100. * One of the only two non-US blogs listed in the Blawg100. * Court Reporter Top Copyright Blog award winner, November 2010. * Number 1 in the 2010 Top Copyright Blog list compiled by the Copyright Litigation Blog, July 2010. * Selected by the United States Library of Congress for inclusion in its historic collections of Internet materials related to Legal Blawgs as of 2010. * Top Patent Blog poll 2009: 3rd out of 50 in the "Favourite Patent Blog" poll and 2nd out of 50 in the "Most-read" poll. Blog of the Year, 20 August 2008. * ComputerWeekly IT Law and Governance, 20 August 2008. The UNL students get paid for their work. Some funding comes from the Mott Foundation, and the honors program is applying for a grant to expand the clubs next year. They plan to continue some clubs this summer. They hope schools and perhaps UNL students who go home over the summer will use the curriculum online to start similar programs across the state, Mangram said. It's a learning experience for the UNL students who get hands-on experience managing classrooms and working with children. They learn organization skills, how to think on their feet -- and that things don't always go as planned, Mangram said. "I'm very proud of how they've grown," she said. "I've heard them say things like, 'I've never had to adapt so quickly.'" Mangram said they hope the clubs can help close the achievement gap in schools by exposing kids to high-quality activities that tap into their passions. The clubs also pair kids with college students -- an experience that might help them see themselves in college one day. About 250 LPS students are in the clubs this semester, Mangram said. Interstate 29 from southwest Iowa to northwest Missouri could reopen by Memorial Day weekend. The highway sustained major damage from March flooding and has been closed since, with an original target date for reopening in June. Right now, we have contractors in place working, said Scott Suhr, transportation planner for the Iowa Department of Transportation. Were shooting for an opening by Memorial Day weekend, weather permitting. Were also hoping to open up Iowa 2 at the same time. Iowa 2 is the highway that connects Nebraska 2, which runs from Lincoln to Nebraska City, to I-29. The route is the primary link between Lincoln and the Kansas City area. When I-29 reopens, it wont be a fully functioning four-lane highway for several weeks. There are likely going to be head-to-head sections, one lane in each direction, in some places," Suhr said. "It will take some time. But well, at least, get it open." The cost of the repairs has not yet been determined, Suhr said. But it will be in the millions. Target Corp. does more than just sell merchandise to shoppers. Since 2016, it also has operated a separate, in-house media company that creates digital advertising for a host of major brands and businesses, not all of whom sell products at Target stores. The retailer made a splash late last week in New York at NewFronts, a marketing conference for digital media, when it announced a rebranding of that business and signaled its intention to become a more aggressive player in the sector. The company has tossed aside the more-staid name of Target Media Network and recast the business as Roundel. Its a name officials said provides a wink at the Target bulls-eye (a roundel is a circular disc) but is different enough in color and design to signal that its a distinct entity from the retailers red and white logo. Target, which has three Lincoln locations, is not alone in rethinking the power of its in-house media business as more commerce shifts to the digital world. Walmart recently announced an overhaul to its Walmart Media Group. Amazon brought in $10 billion in advertising last year, doubling its business. DETROIT U.S. safety regulators are investigating reports that side curtain air bags can inflate for no reason on some Mazda CX-9 large SUVs. Documents posted Monday by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration say two owners have complained about the problem. Four people were hurt in one of the cases. In both complaints owners told the agency that the left and right air bags went off for no reason while the SUVs were moving. The probe covers CX-9s from the 2010 through 2013 model years. Mazda sold just over 112,000 of the SUVs from 2010 through 2013. The safety agency says investigators will figure out how often the problem happens and determine the safety consequences. The agency could seek a recall. Messages were left Monday morning seeking comment from Mazda. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 BURLINGTON A 40-year-old Burlington woman and a 42-year-old woman from Los Angeles are facing criminal charges after they allegedly attacked a man and stole more than $400 from him Friday night. One of the women, Brandie Nicole Alston of the 400 block of West State Street in the City of Burlington, reportedly kicked a police sergeant twice in the groin while at a hospital emergency room. Alston has been charged with a felony count of battery to a law enforcement officer and misdemeanor battery with domestic abuse assessments and use of a dangerous weapon, misdemeanor theft and two counts of disorderly conduct. The Los Angeles woman, Keyana Adriel Grimage, has been charged with disorderly conduct as party to a crime and use of a dangerous weapon. According to the criminal complaint: A man called police just after 8 p.m. Friday, saying he had been attacked by two women in his home. The man told an officer: Brandie was all pissed off. I dont know why, because she cant get her own way. They are on some (expletive). They attacked me in the house. They took my money, wallet, everything. The man said that Grimage helped Alston attack him. He said that they tipped a dresser over on top of him, beat the living (expletive) out of me and stole as much as $600 from his wallet. After being apprehended, Alston reportedly was found with $412 in cash, including four 100-dollar bills. Officers reported that Alston became hostile, vulgar and disorderly after she was taken to Aurora Burlington Medical Center, 252 McHenry St., for a cut on her forehead. While in the emergency room, she reportedly ignored officers commands to stay in bed, yelled and physically resisted law enforcement and kicked a male sergeant twice in the groin, after which point she was handcuffed to the bed. After being told she was under arrest for battery to a law enforcement officer, Alston reportedly said, I dont give a (expletive) multiple times. Alston made an initial appearance Monday, during which a $400 bash bond and $5,000 signature bond were set, records show. Grimage also made an initial appearance and received a $200 cash bond. A preliminary hearing for Alston is scheduled for 9 a.m. on May 22 at the Racine County Law Enforcement Center, 717 Wisconsin Ave. A status conference is scheduled for Grimage on July 15. Both women remained in custody as of Monday night at the County Jail. Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 2 Sad 1 Angry 2 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. MOUNT PLEASANT A womans ankle was fractured after an allegedly intoxicated Illinois man ran a red light and crashed into her van Saturday night, Mount Pleasant Police say. Najid TD Jantuah, 28, of Homewood, Ill., is charged with a felony count of intoxicated use of a vehicle causing great bodily harm and misdemeanor counts of disorderly conduct and resisting an officer. According to the criminal complaint: Jantuah ran a red light at 11:17 p.m. Saturday at the intersection of highways 20 and V. A minivan traveling through the intersection T-boned Jantuahs Ford Fusion as it ran the red light. The woman driving the van exited the vehicle and collapsed to the ground. When police arrived, she said she had pain in her right leg and could not stand up. The womans ankle reportedly was fractured and required surgery. Jantuah failed three field sobriety tests and was arrested. He resisted officers as they tried to put him in the back of a squad car and only got in once an officer threatened to use his stun gun. Officers took Jantuah to Ascension All Saints Hospital for a blood draw. He reportedly resisted the blood draw and officers reported they had to use a stun gun on him to get him to comply. Jantuah remained in Racine County Jail as of Monday afternoon, records show. He made an initial court appearance Monday afternoon, during which a $2,500 cash bond was set. His next appearance is 8:30 a.m. May 15. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Before going any further, it is worth noting that Facebook modified these documents between the start of the proceedings and the publication of the decision by the Paris Tribunal. The edited and current version of Facebooks terms is reported to address some of the issues raised in Tribunals decision ( here ). In fact, the European Commission praised Facebook for editing its terms and conditions on the very day the decision of the Paris Tribunal came out ( here ). However, and as discussed below, these changes do not affect clauses related to copyright. Unless Facebook appeals the decision and wins on appeal, this Paris Tribunal decision will send Facebook back to the drawing board for a second rewrite of its T&Cs. Read on. Parkside student gets Broadway internship SOMERS The University of Wisconsin-Parksides Jessica Baker went to compete in the 50th annual Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival, held April 16-20 at the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., and came away with a coveted internship. For her efforts during the national competition, Baker was offered an internship opportunity with the illustrious Eugene ONeil Theatre, a Broadway threater located in Midtown Manhattan In addition to her offer with the ONeil, Baker will also take on an internship at The Great River Shakespeare Festival in Winona, Minnesota, this summer. She will work there as an electrician and light-design a show. Student artists from across the United States were invited to appear at KCACTF in recognition of their outstanding work from the eight regional festivals that were held from January through February of this year. Baker was the KCACTF Region 3 Theatrical Design Recipient for Lighting Design, which earned a spot to compete at the KCACTF National Festival. Nursing student inducted into honor society KENOSHA Emma Dresen, of Racine, a nursing student at Carthage College, was inducted into the Phi Beta Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing on April 27 along with four other nursing students. The society is committed to fostering excellence, scholarship and leadership in nursing to improve health care worldwide. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 RACINE Students at Red Apple Elementary School have moved far beyond the classic vinegar-and-baking-soda volcano project, as was evident during last weeks STEAM fair where they showcased robots that they constructed and programmed. STEAM stands for science, technology, engineering, allied arts and math, but Principal Kevin McCormick said STEAM is more of a philosophy of integration than just a group of subjects. Alongside the robots in the schools Idea Lab, fair-goers checked out Red Apples small aquaponics system where students grew peas and basil. Aquaponics is the joining of aquaculture, or the raising of fish in tanks, with hydroponics or the raising of plants in water. Through this system, waste from the fish provides nutrients to the plants and the plants clean the water before it cycles back to the fish. Community partners The schools STEAM fair is an annual event showcasing student work, but this is the second year that Red Apple has invited community partners to teach the kids about their own work. This couldnt happen without our partners, McCormick said. One of the most popular presentations, with a crowd of students and parents surrounding it to watch, was a Rube Goldberg machine created by students from Pius XI High School in Milwaukee. Rube Goldberg machines are created to perform a simple task through a series of complicated, connecting steps. The Pius XI machine deposited money in a piggy bank through numerous steps like pouring liquid into a container, cutting a string and a toy car rolling along a track. The machine won its regional competition and went on to compete at nationals. Other outside organizations included a chance to play a virtual reality game with Racine Creative Center and a demonstration of students Python computer coding skills with the help of representatives from Childrens Hospital of Wisconsin, who meet with the students twice monthly to teach them. Unique performance The STEAM fair began last Thursday afternoon with a unique performance by Red Apples advanced strings, a group of fourth and fifth grade students who play string instruments. The students performed a much abbreviated version of Gustav Holsts The Planets, a classical composition about the known planets at the time it was created between 1914 and 1916. The music was arranged by the strings teacher, Candice Kopecky The musical performance was interspersed with information about each of the planets from students holding artwork created in Jeff Ruggabers art classes resembling those planets. The students also shared information about the mythology associated with each planet. Youve got the science aspect of researching the physical properties of each planet, youve got the literature: youre researching the mythology that goes along with it and plus youve got the music, Kopecky said. So youve got a lot of different arts all working together here. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 Want to see more like this? Get our local education coverage delivered directly 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. BURLINGTON ChocolateFest will end with a bang this year after all. The fireworks for this years festival, which runs May 24-27, were nearly eliminated after the festival lost its longtime corporate sponsor. But through the partnership of Community State Bank and Mangold Insurance, the show will go on, weather permitting. For many years, the fireworks were sponsored by Runzheimer International, the Waterford-based corporate travel and expense analysis firm. But after the firm merged with Motus, a Boston-based equity firm, the company decided not to donate to the fireworks for ChocolateFest. Tyson Fettes, Burlington market president for Community State Bank, said he was happy the two businesses were able to get together to save the fireworks. ChocolateFest is a really important piece of the community and we knew that if we partnered together we can step up and keep the fireworks going, Fettes said. Its a small piece of what makes chocolate fest so great. Jim Mangold, president of Burlington-based Mangold Insurance, said he was sad when he heard the prospect of the fireworks going away. I think the fireworks is a big thing for this community, Mangold said. Every single year as long as Ive had kids, we all got together and we all watched the fireworks. Its a great family event. Its just a wonderful thing for the community. Longtime Burlington residents remember what the festival was like when they were a kid and now want to give that same feeling to their kids. I remember going as a kid and riding the rides, Fettes said. Its so cool as I remember last year taking my daughter to ride some of those similar kinds of rides and it just brought back all kinds of crazy memories and how fast time goes. Without a sponsor, ChocolateFest fireworks won't happen BURLINGTON Unless a sponsor steps up, this years ChocolateFest will go on without a bang at least from a pyrotechnics standpoint. Grateful community Mangold said several members of the community have thanked them for stepping in, but thinks they shouldnt be the ones getting the praise. They really shouldnt be thanking me, they should be thanking the people who do business with us because thats how we can afford to do it, Mangold said. Although its unclear if this partnership will continue to sponsor the fireworks in the coming years, Fettes said he is glad they were able to fund it for this year. It was our way to give back, Fettes said. Its a small piece of what makes ChocolateFest so great. Neither Fettes nor Mangold would disclose how much was paid to keep the fireworks going. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. RACINE After two years spent securing financing and approvals, on Monday golden shovels dug in at the site of the Gold Medal Lofts, an $18 million affordable housing project planned for the citys Uptown area. Josh Jeffers, president and CEO of Milwaukee-based J. Jeffers and Co., the lead developer on the project at 1701 Packard Ave., said company officials expect to close on financing next week, start reconstruction and plan to start leasing units by the summer and fall of 2020. We are all very proud to bring 77 units of high quality, affordable rental housing to Racines Uptown neighborhood, said Jeffers. We fully intend for the reimagined historic building to stand as a statement of our confidence in the bright future of Racine while also acknowledging the citys rich commercial and cultural history. Ivan Gamboa, chairman of the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority, announced WHEDA had approved $955,769 over 10 years in tax credits for the project. Its truly only the best of the best projects that receive the tax credit awards, and when we award the credits, we award them to the project that adds the most to the community, said Gamboa. Gold Medal Lofts is definitely deserving of the tax credits that will enhance the neighborhood and significantly impact the community. The city is providing about $1.54 million in community development block grant loans (1 percent interest over 20 years) and a $300,000 HOME loan; the city Redevelopment Authority approved a request to waive $27,000 in residential equivalent charge fees. Affordable housing The mixed-income project is planned to include market-rate units, as well as units for households with an average income of no more than 60%, 50%, and 30% of county median income. Alderman John Tate II of the 3rd District, where the lofts are located, said with the rising economy theres concern in his district which is made up of about 50% renters that the project could, as a source of housing stability, shut out some a the lower end of the market. People can easily get displaced when a landlord chooses to sell their home to another homeowner which is what we want, we want homeowners, said Tate. But we also dont want to see people displaced because of a rising economy. We want to see all boats lifted by that rising tide. Tate and Gamboa noted the significance of the 23 three-bedroom units, which will be able to accommodate families. That is exactly what this community needs, and Im so glad to see it happening right in my district right at a time when were needing it most in the City of Racine, said Tate. J. Jeffers partner on the Gold Medal Lofts is Lutheran Social Services. LSS Vice President Dennis Hanson said that once the project is completed, theyll have a service coordinator on-site to help all residents, low-income or not. Weve certainly been aware of the need for quality affordable rental housing in the Racine market for a number of years, said Hanson. We couldnt be more excited to be part of that solution. Reviving a landmark Mayor Cory Mason said that at the last event announcing the project, Alderman Mary Land of the 11th District told him that she used to work at the Gold Medal Camp Furniture Manufacturing Co.; he added that he looked forward to having the historic building brought back to life. This is a place where people came to work. This is a place that help stabilized this neighborhood and the middle class in this area, said Mason. Now Im very excited to say that itll see new life as a residential facility. Jeffers said the materials selected for the project have been approved by the Wisconsin State Historic Preservation Office and the name, Gold Medal Lofts, is an homage to the buildings original purpose. The reimagined buildings design is very intentional, blending historic and modern elements, said Jeffers. After the ceremonial digging in of shovels to mark the start of the project, the crowd was encouraged to walk around the inside of the building. This project will bring back to life this beautiful building, said Mason. You look at this building and youre reminded that they just dont build buildings like this anymore and we should do everything we can to help preserve them. Jeffers said people can check updates on their project on their website, www.jjeffers.com/properties-2, and at the companys Facebook page. This is a place where people came to work. This is a place that help stabilized this neighborhood and the middle class in this area. Now Im very excited to say that itll see new life as a residential facility. Mayor Cory Mason, speaking about the Gold Medal Lofts building in Uptown Love 4 Funny 3 Wow 1 Sad 1 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. MOUNT PLEASANT After a nationwide search, Mount Pleasant officials ended up staying close to home in selecting the Police Departments new leader. The Mount Pleasant Police and Fire Commission on Friday unanimously selected Matt Soens, a 21-year veteran of the village department, as its new chief, the village announced Monday. The chief is hired by the Police and Fire Commission and reports to the village administrator. Soens has been serving as interim chief since the retirement of Tim Zarzecki, the former chief. This was an extremely competitive process with candidates from across the United States, said Jim Ivanoski, acting chair of the commission. The village is pleased to appoint Matt Soens as the next chief of police to continue the strong tradition of community policing in the Village of Mount Pleasant. Soens said that he excited for his new role in his career. There are a lot of things happening in Mount Pleasant, he said. Im definitely looking forward to working with the management team and with people on the village side. In September, Zarzecki announced that he was retiring after 30 years with the department and 34 years in law enforcement. Mount Pleasant PD Chief Zarzecki announces retirement MOUNT PLEASANT After 30 years with the Mount Pleasant Police Department and 34 years in law enforcement, Chief Tim Zarzecki will be retiring Soens said he went through the same procedure that other candidates for the job did. There was a lot of care taken to ensure that I was not privy to any more information than the other candidates received and that I went through the same process as other candidates, Soens said. At the beginning of the hiring process, Soens said, he heard there were about 30 candidate for the job. Five candidates made it to the final round for in-person interviews, which were held last Thursday and Friday. Soens, who has a degree in criminal justice administration, has served the Police Department in the roles of captain, sergeant and patrol officer. Earlier in his career, he worked for the Wisconsin Department of Corrections and for the City of Janesville. The Mount Pleasant Police Department department has a staff of 58 sworn officers, 11 civilian staff members and two active K-9 officers. In 2019, the department had a budget of $7 million, the village reported. Future plans Soens said that he hopes to continue the departments focus on community policing and build more community partnerships. I think community partnerships are a huge benefit for not just us, but the community as a whole, Soens said. The more trust and legitimacy we can establish as a police department, the better we all are. Soens also hopes to remain vigilant in the fight against opioid abuse and to focus on maintaining the physical, emotional and spiritual wellness of officers, as what they see and handle on a daily basis can affect them long term. I know people can be concerned about the cost of wellness, and how it takes money and manpower, but we cant afford not to do it, Soens said. With the arrival of Foxconn in the village, Soens said the department has to be willing to adapt and be flexible with the demands the development will have on the area. Police Chief Soens will help keep us safe as we grow with Foxconn at our front door, Village President David DeGroot said. There are a lot of things happening in Mount Pleasant. Im definitely looking forward to working with the management team and with people on the village side. Love 6 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 7 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. RACINE As politicians search for answers to try to resolve the issue of individuals seeking entry to the U.S. from the southern border, some have taken it upon themselves to learn why people are leaving their home countries. Racine Dominican nun Ann Pratt spent a week in Honduras during March with 75 other religious workers from throughout the country to understand why people were taking the risk of heading north. Going to the border is only going to give you so much information, Pratt said. What her group saw, Pratt said, was a country with little to offer for employment opportunities and little to offer in terms of safety for its citizens. Basically this country has been gutted, Pratt said. Theres no place for people to make a living to support their families. The fact-finding entourage split up into three groups: one looked at the impact mining had on local communities; one looked at homelessness; and Pratts group looked at health care and employment. Pratt and her group went to La Presa, a very small town with less than 100 families. According to Pratt, the town cannot be accessed by a road and travelers need to use a hammock bridge to get there. Theres no way to get cars in there, they do drive motorcycles over (the bridge), Pratt said. Le Presa was one of the most impoverished places Ive ever been to in my life. Pratt and her group stayed in La Presa for several nights and said her hosts were gracious and kind people. They wanted us, so much, to understand they dont want to leave Honduras, its their country, its where their families are, Pratt said. But if they cant stay there and believe that their children arent going to starve or theyre not going to get killed, that they have some way of making a decent living for themselves. They often feel like they dont have any other choice but to go. Honduras has been known for its high murder rate and lack of success in prosecuting those murders, Pratt said adding there is a culture of corruption within the police and military that allows gangs to run roughshod over this country. If you go underneath that you understand that its actually the corruption of the police and the military which allow the gangs to run wild and not contain them at some point people cant stand to deal with that and then they move on, Pratt said. Scary feeling One night, the group held a candlelight vigil outside of the U.S. Embassy in Tegucigalpa, the capital city. Pratt said police are used to protests going on and often prepare for violence. All of a sudden I looked behind my shoulder and I went Oh my God! Pratt said. And there were like 12 fully decked out riot-geared police officers standing behind us. And another probably half a dozen (police officers) congregated to the right of us. They had their shields and their weapons at that moment it was a really scary feeling. The vigil went on for several hours, Pratt said, and by the time it was over the police had taken off their heavy riot gear. The whole group of us as we were leaving turned around and said Thank you for being here, Pratt said. And they just looked at us like we were out of our minds. Pratt said they did not make any promises to the people of Honduras, except to tell the story of those who live in the country. They dont hate the United States, Pratt said. But they love their country and they want to have a country where its safe to live. They dont hate the United States. But they love their country and they want to have a country where its safe to live. Sister Ann Pratt, Racine Dominican nun Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. WAUKEGAN, Ill. A rural Union Grove man is one of three Kenosha County men killed during Fridays silicone plant explosion in Waukegan, Ill. Byron Biehn, 53, of Brighton, lived about three miles south of the Racine-Kenosha county line and two miles east of the Richard Bong State Recreation Area in the Union Grove ZIP code. Two other local men, Allen Stevens, 29, of Paddock Lake, and Jeff Cummings, 56, of Kenosha, also were killed, according to multiple sources. All three died after the AB Speciality Silicones plant, 3790 Sunset Ave., near the Gurnee-Waukegan border, exploded for unknown reasons Friday night. Two bodies were located Sunday and were both recovered as of Monday, CNN reported. Stevens died Saturday morning at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, Ill., according to the Cook County Medical Examiners Office. Authorities remained at the scene on Monday searching for one remaining missing person. Biehns family and neighbors declined to speak with The Journal Times Monday evening. Heroic effort lauded Cummings, a third-shift supervisor at the plant, is being hailed as a hero. He assisted employees out of the factory and went back inside to find others when the blast shook houses and buildings as far as Kenosha, according to Jason Griffin of Kenosha, a close friend of Cummings. Griffin said he drove to the accident scene Friday evening when it was determined Cummings was one of the nine workers inside of the factory when the explosion occurred. One of the guys that came out said Jeff helped him out and went back in to get more people, Griffin said. I believe (Cummings) was the one who identified the problem. He was doing a search for his people and getting them out. He got a couple people out of the door and turned right back around to go notify others. He helped everybody else before helping himself. Griffin said Cummings was one of the most responsible, caring people he ever met. He described Cummings as a loving family man and an avid bowler and motorcyclist. Cummings was a member of the Wednesday night Pinbusters League at Sheridan Lanes in Kenosha. He was one of those guys who was never, ever late, said Griffin, a manager at Sheridan Lanes. Hed go in at least a half-hour early to get in touch with the other supervisor. I dont even know if his shift started yet. Once he found out how dangerous it was, he started looking for his employees. Fundraising underway A GoFundMe page was created for the Cummings family on Monday. The page refers to Cummings as not only an amazing husband, father and papa, but an exceptional brother, uncle, son and friend. It describes him as a gentle soul, who would give the shirt off of his own back for someone else. He lived for his family, Griffin said. He wanted to make sure everyone was taken care of. A GoFundMe page created on Sunday for Stevens family describes Stevens as not only an exceptional friend, but an exceptional husband, son, brother, uncle, nephew and cousin ... all of the words put together to try and describe the amount of grief this family is experiencing cannot be fathomed. Mac Penman, general manager at AB Specialty Silicones, released a statement Saturday evening. We are shocked and heartbroken by the tragedy that occurred in our plant last night, Penman said. We have spent the day trying our best to support all of the members of our AB family as we attempt to process this terrible loss together. We want to express our extreme gratitude to all of the first responders who arrived at the scene. We continue to work closely with the Waukegan Fire Department and the Illinois Fire Marshal as they secure the scene and complete their investigation. 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. Last year, following the installation of solar panels at our church (Ministries at North Pointe), our congregation participated in a dedication of these panels and a solar power informational event. The event included presentations by consultants and organizations that shared information about tax incentives, grants, energy savings and group-buy discounts. Participants had the opportunity to sign up for free assessments of their homes or businesses. Given our commitment to environmental sustainability, we took advantage of the free assessment and decided to move forward and install solar panels on our home. It was a very positive experience. In addition to receiving some financial incentives that made this project more feasible and the knowledge that we would ultimately be saving a significant amount in energy costs, we recognized we would also be doing our bit to reduce our carbon footprint. Another public energy workshop will take place on May 15 at the Racine campus of Gateway Technical College. This Solar Summit will be held in the Michigan Room of Gateway from 6:30-8:30 p.m., and will offer the opportunity to learn about incentives, group-buy discounts and free assessments. This would be an excellent opportunity to check out the benefits of solar to determine if it might work for you. Martha and Steve Oppeneer, Racine Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 - The spokesperson of Otso Diretso admitted that only Mar Roxas and Bam Aquino have higher chances of winning - He said that they rely on their volunteers and citizens participation - However, they still remain optimistic for the upcoming polls PAY ATTENTION: Click "See First" under the "Following" tab to see KAMI news on your News Feed Otso Diretso spokesperson Barry Gutierrez admitted that they knew from the beginning that only Senator Bam Aquino and former Interior Secretary Mar Roxas could make it to the Top 12. KAMI learned that the opposition coalition has been relying on their volunteers and citizens participation to make it in the polls. From the start, alam naman namin na ganun ang mangyayari. Thats why we were relying very heavily on volunteers and citizens participation, Gutierrez told CNN Philippines The Source. The reality is, no matter how optimistic we may be and no matter how much we take place a premium on volunteerism and citizens participation and volunteerism, that can only take you so far, particularly when you talk about surveys, where name recall is really the key thing, he added. PAY ATTENTION: Using free basics app to access internet for free? Now you can read KAMI news there too. Use the search option to find us. Read KAMI news while saving your data! Gutierrez noted that the opposition slate has lesser resources compared to the candidates endorsed by the administration. Despite the low survey rankings of Otso Diretso candidates Chel Diokno, Samira Gutoc, Florin Hilbay, Gary Alejano, Romy Macalintal, and Erin Tanada in the national surveys, most of them are acing the mock elections and surveys in different schools and universities. It tells me that theres a bright future for this country. Yung mga batang Pilipino na nagaaral eh maganda yung tingin sa Otso Diretso, the spokesperson said. The opposition remains hopeful since there had been instances in the past that candidates won despite not making it in the surveys. As previously reported by KAMI, the Otso Diretso candidates commented on their low survey ratings. Only Roxas and Aquino were included in the Top 16. However, both candidates had been in and out of the Top 12. Enjoyed reading our story? Download KAMI's news app on Google Play now and stay up-to-date with major Filipino news! We have included some of the most tricky questions and interesting challenges! This time, we asked different people, "What Is Kulangot In English?" Do you enjoy watching street interviews and listening to different opinions? Check it on KAMI HumanMeter YouTube channel! Source: KAMI.com.gh - Kren Austria was continuously gaining more and more bashers - Some netizens even fueled the public backlash by making a fake account of the viral daughter - Based on Maria Magdalena Austria's comment in a Facebook status where she got tagged, their relationship is getting better PAY ATTENTION: Click "See First" under the "Following" tab to see KAMI news on your News Feed! As a mother, Maria Magdalena Austria sought help because she wanted to end the feud going on within their family. Despite everything that was done to her by her children, she was ready to give them another chance. However, she was able to disclose one of her daughter's act which enraged the viewers of Raffy Tulfo in Action as well as the netizens. Kren Austria, her youngest daughter was immensely bashed and shamed online. Netizens protested and contacted Kren's employer through social media to let them know what she had done to her mother. Just like some of the most hated netizens who trended, there were fake accounts made which fueled the public's anger. With Kren, an FB account which was under her name posted statuses which triggered the netizens fury. 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! A Facebook user named Derek Agito urged her friends and family to stop sharing the fake account and let the family settle their problems. He tagged Maria Magdalena's Facebook account and called her Ate Mina. "sa mga kaibigan at kamag anak ko huwag nyo ng ishare yung fake account ni Kren Austria kasi alam nman natin na indi kanya yun at lalong indi makakatulong sa pamilya nila! nakausap ko na ate Austria Maria Magdalena Mina na naayos na nila lahat! hayaan natin maging maayos pa Pamilya nila hinding hindi makakatulong ang ang pag share ng fake account na yan kaya erase nyo na!" Austria replied and thanked Agito for letting his FB friends know about the fake account. "Salamat Derek Agito, sa pamamagitan into malalaman nila na ayos na kmi at malalaman nila na mayron na pumasok na anay na pilot nananinira. God bless you & your family. More blessing are coming now. Take care." Update: Magdalena Austria shares opinion about fake social media accounts using daughter's name Source: Facebook Maria Magdalena Austria earned the netizens and the viewers sympathy when she asked help from Raffy Tulfo. In the second part of the trending Raffy Tulfo in Action video, The eldest Irish and Maria Magdalena seemed to have forgiven each other. However, Kren was not seen as she was already at work. Netizens kept on demanding for a video from Kren apologizing to her mother. POPULAR: Read more viral news here Enjoyed reading our story? Download KAMI's news app on Google Play now and stay up-to-date with major Filipino news! Tricky Questions: What Is Kulangot In English? | HumanMeter HumanMeter continues to ask tricky questions in the streets of the Philippines. We will try to find out how many respondents can answer the question, "What Is Kulangot In English?" Click "Play" and watch our new Tricky Question Challenge on HumanMeter! Source: KAMI.com.gh DO YOU WANT TO QUIT SMOKING On a request by some of my friends, I am re-posting this memoir which so many smokers found useful. It may be... First bird flu death in the country exposes passive surveillance and poor preparedness The H5N1 bird flu virus that has been confirmed as the first cause of death in Nepal, 10 years after it was first detected in birds in 2009, is the worlds first H5N1 human infection since February 2017 and has raised issues of public health emergency of international concern as government and WHO officials refuse further information on the case. A post file photo of a poultry farm Kiran Panday Gypsy moth trappers will be setting traps mid-May through early July to gather data that the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection will use to plan future gypsy moth treatments. The department asks that property owners allow the trappers access to place the traps, and that the public not disturb the traps. The traps are small orange or green boxes tied to tree branches. They are designed to catch male gypsy moths, not the immature gypsy moth caterpillars. The traps are used to estimate population levels, not to control the moths. The department does treatments in spring to control the caterpillars. Trappers from the department will set about 11,000 traps total in 44 counties, mainly in western Wisconsin. The traps will stay in place until the male moths stop flying in August, when trappers will begin taking them down. Trapping tells us where the gypsy moths are and where theyre not, said Michael Falk, gypsy moth trapping coordinator. It helps determine if we need to do an egg mass survey in the fall to better evaluate the population, and if an area may need an aerial treatment the following year. Trappers wear fluorescent vests and carry identification cards. Each trap is labeled with a phone number that property owners can call if they have questions. Most landowners are very cooperative, and we appreciate that, Falk said. But, if a landowner wants a trap moved or removed, they can call the number listed on the trap, and we can move the trap. The traps catch only male gypsy moths, because they can fly and the females cannot. To find each other and reproduce, the females release a pheromone for the males to detect and follow. This pheromone is undetectable to other insects and is used as a lure in the traps. Its important to leave the traps up during moth flight to get the data we need. Then, when the moth flight ends, well take them down, Falk said. For more information, call the toll-free number 1-800-642-6684 or visit https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/GypsyMoth.aspx. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The annual Vernon County Police Memorial Service will be held in front of the Sheriffs Office, 1320 Bad Axe Court, Viroqua, Tuesday, May 14, at 10 a.m. This is an opportunity for law enforcement to remind the public of the sacrifices made daily by officers in protecting the lives and property of citizens. Each year approximately 60,211, law enforcement officers are injured in the line of duty, and in 2018, 163 officers were killed in the line of duty. So far in 2019, 38 officers have been killed in the line of duty, with three being from Wisconsin. Sheriff John B. Spears said he would like to remind everyone that throughout the nation National Police Week will be observed May 12-18. National Peace Officers Day is observed on Wednesday, May 15, in Washington, D.C. The Wisconsin Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony will be held at the Capitol in Madison on May 10. Everyone is welcome to attend the local memorial service. Guest speaker this year will be City of Viroqua Mayor Karen Mischel. In the event of rain, the service will be moved inside the Sheriffs Office. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Olivia Rodrigo kicks off her album SOUR with the words I want it to be, like, messy. Apt for 2021. Here are AP's picks for top albums of t Longtime educator and current Gov. Tony Evers was recognized for his contributions to higher education Tuesday at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. Evers received the UW-L Student Associations Higher Education Advocate Award, presented each year to someone who has shown exemplary support for students and colleges in Wisconsin. Ben OConnell, Student Association president, said Evers was deserving not just because of his political advocacy or legislative goals, but because he routinely takes time to talk with students. Its about his willingness to listen to students and interact with them to see what we need and what we want in higher education, OConnell said at Tuesdays award ceremony. He used an example from early December, when the newly elected Evers had lunch with UW-L students. To be honest, students get ignored much of the time by higher elected officials when theres no political affiliation or press involved. In this case, Gov. Evers asked to eat lunch at a table with just students, OConnell said. It was amazing to be able to share our perspectives and what we go through as students with somebody who is an actual governor. UW-L Chancellor Joe Gow said Evers interest in students makes a strong impression and says something about his values. Evers, who served as the state superintendent from 2009 to early 2019, said the UW System is damaged after years of cuts and neglect by the previous administration. One of his priorities as governor, he said, is restoring the states investment in higher education. In his state budget proposal, Evers recommended freezing in-state tuition and awarding UW schools an extra $50 million to make up for the lost revenue. He also backed $1.1 billion in capital projects across the UW System, including $161 million of work at UW-L. Noting Republican opposition to much of his proposed education budget, Evers dug in his heels on Tuesday and encouraged students and faculty to advocate for themselves. Were not going to negotiate against our students, and were not going to negotiate against ourselves, he said. Its our job to make sure students get every dollar they deserve, and not a penny less. OConnell, a graduating senior, underscored the need for capital investments at UW-L and across the UW System, saying that students shouldnt have to go to class in a building that was made in the 1960s, thats crumbling and falling apart. He also thanked Evers for proposing a $50,000 study into student loan debt relief an item that Republicans have struck from their own budget proposal. Even though the Legislature has removed the proposal, we appreciate that Gov. Evers has set a new expectation that we dont have to be in debt for the rest of our lives, OConnell said. Evers, a native of Plymouth, took an unorthodox path to the governors office. He spent the better part of four decades climbing Wisconsins public education ladder, spending time as a teacher and principal in Tomah, as a superintendent in Oakfield and Verona, and as an administrator with the Cooperative Education Service Agency in Oshkosh. After unsuccessful bids in 1993 and 2001, Evers was elected state superintendent in 2009. I think the reason Im getting this award is everybody in the state of Wisconsin believes that whats best for our students is going to be whats best for our state, Evers said. Its always been a top priority for us. Its whats made us strong in the past, and well make sure it continues to be a strength. Kyle Farris can be reached at (608) 791-8234 or kfarris@lacrossetribune.com. Follow him on Twitter at @Kyle_A_Farris. Love 3 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 0 Erick Thomas Ybarra writes: Jimmy Akins argument here on the doctrine of Justification is right on the money, and it is why I wish the authors of the Open Letter did not write on this point. It is very clear Amoris dodges this accusation. . . . My concern, however, with Akins article, and I would ask him to clarify for me, is that his argument on the canonical crime of heresy vis-a-vis the definition of dogma which requires both divine & catholic faith, would render the ancient presbyter Arius as free of the canonical crime of heresy. The Council of Nicaea (325) gives us the Creed with homoousian (one substance), but only anathematizes those who hold to it, and does not specify anywhere in clear enough terms that the matter is divinely revealed. Happy to oblige! The reason that Arius counts as a heretic can be answered in more than one way. By Historical Standards The first way involves judging him by the standards of his own time. In this era, the term heresy did not have its modern, technical meaning. Instead, as I discuss here, it was used in a broader sense that could refer to anything that conflicted with basic Christian doctrine or practice. Consequently, it was not necessary at that time to show that a particular doctrine had been infallibly defined as divinely revealed to label someone a heretic. Ariuss denial of the divinity of Christ unambiguously conflicted with basic Christian teaching, as solemnly confirmed by the First Council of Nicaea, and so he was labelled a heretic. Thus, Arius has been known as a heretic down through history. By Modern Standards A second way of approaching the question is to apply the standards of our time, retrospectively, to the case of Arius. In other words: Would he be convictable as a heretic given the modern use of the term? Today the term heresy, in simple language, refers to the obstinate, post-baptismal refusal to believe a dogma (for the technical definition, see CIC 751 with CIC 750). Arius certainly was obstinate at the Council of Nicaea. He refused to submit to its teaching on the divinity of Christ and was consequently sent into exile. He also was baptized. This leaves us with the question of whether the divinity of Christ is a dogmathat is, a truth that the Magisterium has infallibly defined to be divinely revealed. There are several issues to be considered here: What the Council of Nicaea actually said What authority the Council was understood to have at the time What authority it is understood to have today What Nicaea Said Regarding the first question, the Council published what scholars refer to as the Creed of Nicaea. It was later supplemented at the First Council of Constantinople (381) to for the Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed (more popularly called the Nicene Creed). The main difference between the two creeds is that the Creed of Nicaea did not end the same way. It didnt have the passage declaring the divinity of the Holy Spirit. Instead, it ended this way: [We believe . . .] in the Holy Spirit. However, those who say: There was a time when he [the Son] was not and Before he was born he was not and that he was made from nothing or who say that the Son of God may be of a different hypostasis or essence, or may be created or subject to change and alteration, [such persons] the Catholic Church anathematizes (DH 126). As Erick points out, the anathema at the end of the Creed does not mention the doctrine being divinely revealed. However, another part of the Creed indicates that divine revelation is involved. The Creed begins: We believe in one God, the Father almighty, creator of all things, visible and invisible, and in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Only-Begotten generated from the Father, that is, from the being of the Father, God from God, light from light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, one in being with [homoousion] the Father, through whom all things were made, those in heaven and those on earth . . . (DH 125). The key part of this for our purposes is the verb that introduces and governs the entire sentence: We believe (Greek, pisteuomen, Latin, credimus). This verb indicates that the truths articulated belong to the Faith (Greek, he pistis, Latin, fides), and thus as belonging to divine revelation. We thus have the text of Nicaea indicating that divine revelation is involved. What Authority the Council Was Understood to Have at the Time The First Council of Nicaea was initially confirmed by the authority of the Emperor Constantine. Bishop Karl Josef von Hefele notes: Constantine the Great solemnly confirmed the Nicene Creed immediately after it had been drawn up by the Council, and he threatened such as would not subscribe it with exile. At the conclusion of the Synod he raised all the decrees of the assembly to the position of laws of the empire; declared them to be divinely inspired; and in several edicts still partially extant, he required that they should be most faithfully observed by all his subjects (A History of the Councils of the Church, I:42). This is interesting from the point of view of history, but the question from a theological perspective is what the pope said about the Council. According to von Hefele: The signatures of the Popes legates, Hosius, Vitus, and Vincentius, subscribed to the acts of the Council before the other bishops, must be regarded as a sanction from the See of Rome to the decrees of Nicaea. Five documents, dating from the fifth century, mention, besides, a solemn approval of the acts of the Council of Nicaea, given by Pope Sylvester and a Roman synod of 275 bishops. It is granted that these documents are not authentic, as we shall show in the history of the Council of Nicaea; but we nevertheless consider it very probable that the Council of Nicaea was recognized and approved by an especial act of Pope Sylvester, and not merely by the signature of his legates, for the following reasons: It is undeniable, as we shall presently see, that . The fourth ecumenical council looked upon the papal confirmation as absolutely necessary for ensuring the validity of the decrees of the Council; and there is no good ground for maintaining that this was a new principle, and one which was not known and recognized at the time of the Nicene Council. . Again, in 485, a synod, composed of above forty bishops from different parts of Italy, was quite unanimous in asserting, in opposition to the Greeks, that the three hundred and eighteen bishops of Nicaea had their decisions confirmed by the authority of the holy Roman Church (confirmationem rerum atque auctoritatem sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae detulerunt). . Pope Julius I [r. 337-352] in the same way declared, a few years after the close of the Council of Nicaea, that ecclesiastical decrees (the decisions of synods) ought not to be published without the consent of the Bishop of Rome, and that this is a rule and a law of the Church. . Dionysius the Less also maintained that the decisions of the Council of Nicaea were sent to Rome for approval; and it is not improbable that it was the general opinion upon this point which contributed to produce those spurious documents which we possess (ibid. I:44-45). At this time, the theology of ecumenical councils and when they teach infallibly had not been worked out. That was a subject that would be clarified through later doctrinal development. However, Nicaea was held by its supporters to be divinely guided and supremely authoritative. (The Arians, naturally, disagreed.) What Authority the Council Is Understood to Have Today Now that the theology of ecumenical councils has undergone a high degree of doctrinal development, how is First Nicaea viewed from a contemporary perspective? It is universally regarded as the first of the ecumenical councils. According to Church teaching: The college of bishops exercises power over the universal Church in a solemn manner in an ecumenical council. But there never is an ecumenical council which is not confirmed or at least recognized as such by Peters successor (CCC 884). Bishop von Hefele argues that First Nicaea was recognized as ecumenical by a special act of Pope Sylvester I (r. 314-335), during whose reign it occurred. However, even if it turned out that Pope Sylvester did not recognize it by a special act, the council would still be ecumenical. A special act of recognition by the pope is not requiredonly the recognition itself. Subsequent popesincluding all of the recent oneshave unmistakably recognized this council as ecumenical, and so it is. Prosecuting Arius for Heresy by Modern Standards That brings us to the Creed of Nicaeas infallibility. While the theology of magisterial infallibility also had not been developed at the time the Council met, it has now, and the Church holds that: [When the bishops are] gathered together in an ecumenical council, they are teachers and judges of faith and morals for the universal Church, whose definitions must be adhered to with the submission of faith (Lumen Gentium 25). At Nicaea, the bishops were gathered in an ecumenical council, so that leaves us with the question of whether the Creed of Nicaea counted as a definitionthat is, as a statement the bishops intended to be binding on all the faithful and to absolutely bring all legitimate discussion of a matter to an end. Note that an ecumenical councillike a popedoes not have to use any set form of words to issue a definition. It does not have to say anathema or we define. It just has to indicate in one way or another that the matter is definitively settled. In this case, it did. The bishops of the Council of Nicaea clearly intended to bring all legitimate discussion of the topic to an end, for all of the faithful, and to make this point they put their teaching in the form of a profession of faith for the faithful to say. This profession of faith also has become universal in both East and West as an obligatory expression of Christian truth. One cannot be an orthodox Christian and deny it. (This means, among other things, that the ordinary and universal magisterium also has infallibly taught it, not just the extraordinary magisterium.) That brings us to the final issue, which is whether the use of the verb believe (pisteuomen/credimus) indicates a matter of divine revelation. It does. In the Doctrinal Commentary on the Concluding Formula of the Professio Fidei, Ratzinger and Bertone note that the verb believe (Latin, credo) is used for all those doctrines of divine and Catholic faith which the Church proposes as divinely and formally revealed and, as such, as irreformable (n. 5). By contrast, the verbs accept and hold (Latin, amplector ac retineo) are used for all those teachings belonging to the dogmatic or moral area, which are necessary for faithfully keeping and expounding the deposit of faith, even if they have not been proposed by the Magisterium of the Church as formally revealed (n. 6). Such a truth is thus a sententia definitive tenenda (Latin, opinion to be definitively heldas opposed to be believed with divine and Catholic faith). Thus, from a modern perspective, the confession of faith offered in the Creed of Nicaeaor the modern Nicene Creedconsists of matters to be believed, not merely held, and thus as consisting of truths contained in divine revelation. Consequently, Ratzinger and Bertone state that among truths of this kind belong the articles of faith of the Creed, the various Christological dogmas and Marian dogmas (n. 11). By requiring Christians to profess belief in the divinity of Christ, Nicaea thus infallibly defined that this is a truth of divine revelation. Therefore, even when we apply modern criteria, Arius was a heretic. Woody Allen is not Harvey Weinstein, but he is sometimes treated almost as if he were. Weinstein, the prominent film producer, was arrested in May 2018 and charged with raping a woman in a Manhattan hotel room in 2013 and forcing a sex act on a different victim in 2006. He is awaiting a September trial under a $1 million bond. At least 80 women have made allegations of sexual misconduct against Weinstein. He was the spark for the #MeToo movement, which has emboldened many other women to come forward with distressing stories of sexual violence, harassment and abuse. Allen, on the other hand, has not been charged with a crime. But prominent actors have expressed regret for appearing in his movies in the past and vowed never to work with him again. In June 2018 Amazon cancelled a four-movie, $68 million deal with Allen because, Amazon said, of supervening events, including renewed allegations against Mr. Allen, his own controversial comments, and the increasing refusal of top talent to work with or be associated with him... And last week The New York Times reported that at least four major publishing houses have taken a pass on a full-manuscript memoir by Allen because of the negative publicity that working with Allen may have generated. Some publishing executives reportedly used the word toxic when describing the challenges of working with Allen in the current environment. Again, Allen is not Weinstein, but in a way that is different from the way in which former-senator Al Franken is not Kevin Spacey. Franken and Spacey both deserve the attention of the #MeToo movement, which has correctly called out bad behavior (Franken) and very, very bad behavior (Spacey) by powerful men who have exploited their access to young people with much less power. But in some respects, the allegation against Allen falls outside of the parameters of the #MeToo movement altogether and is much worse than anything Spacey or Weinstein was charged with. It involves a child. Allen was accused of molesting, in 1992, his 7-year-old adoptive daughter, Dylan Farrow. Its hard to imagine acts more despicable. However, the circumstances surrounding the incident are in considerable dispute. Their complexity precludes a thorough discussion here beyond these bare facts: At the time of the allegation, Allen and Mia Farrow were involved in an acrimonious divorce. Farrow accused Allen of molesting Dylan. An investigation of the allegation conducted by the Yale-New Haven Hospital concluded: It is our expert opinion that Dylan was not sexually abused by Mr. Allen. The state of Connecticut declined to press charges. On the other hand, Dylan Farrow has been unswerving in her allegation that Allen molested her, and she credibly argued her case in a December 2017 Los Angeles Times article entitled Why has the #MeToo revolution spared Woody Allen? I decline to take a position on Allens guilt or innocence. Contrary to Attorney General William Barrs fuzzy thinking about the law, the failure to file charges against Allen does not constitute exoneration. Nevertheless, its worth remembering that Allen is a tempting target for many people for reasons having little to do with the allegation. Some people just dont like his movies. Fair enough. But I suspect that much of the antipathy for Allen stems from his romance with Mia Farrows adopted daughter Soon-Yi Previn. Allen was 56 when it began and Soon-Yi was about 22. Some people find such a tryst tacky and tasteless. Their point is well taken. But this is how Allen put it: The heart wants what it wants. Theres no logic to these things. You meet someone and you fall in love and thats that. Allen and Soon-Yi have maintained a conventional and apparently happy marriage for almost 22 years. So the Soon-Yi issue should have no bearing on this case. But the presumption of innocence and the right to privacy should. And we should be careful to ensure that the very necessary and worthy #MeToo movement exercises the wisdom and judgment to discriminate between the deeply guilty and the merely accused. John M. Crisp lives in Georgetown, Texas, and can be reached at jcrispcolumns@gmail.com. Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Conservatives sometimes accuse the academic left of ignoring the good in American history and emphasizing the horrors. But in some respects, the typical telling of the American story does not focus enough on the horrors. As I recall from my distant youth, American history texts dealt with the run-up to the Civil War, then the war itself, then the failure of Reconstruction, before moving on to the Gilded Age and progressive reform. But the failure of Reconstruction was not just a disembodied fact but a planned and ruthless act of sabotage. As Henry Louis Gates Jr.s new book, Stony the Road: Reconstruction, White Supremacy, and the Rise of Jim Crow, effectively reminds us, the period of history after the Civil War involved a violent campaign to reverse the social, political and economic outcomes of the conflict. And this effort which southerners called Redemption was successful in almost every respect. With the defeat of the Confederacy, the federal governments enforcement of civil and voting rights was beginning to work a revolution. Hundreds of thousands of African-American citizens registered to vote and eventually elected an estimated two thousand black officials at every level of government. The Freedmens Bureau helped former slaves in matters ranging from land rights to education. Families divided by slavery were reunited. Workers transitioned into a wage system. The process was difficult but hopeful. The white south, however, was having none of it. A broad counterattack was mounted to undo the work of the 13th, 14th and 15th amendments. This involved a campaign of murder and intimidation to disenfranchise black Republicans and the imposition of economic systems (sharecropping and convict labor) that effectively recreated the conditions of slavery. By 1875 just a decade after the war ended white rule was reestablished in all but three southern states. At first, Republicans such as President Ulysses S. Grant tried to help southern blacks through armed interventions by federal troops. But this policy proved politically unpopular and was abandoned. The re-imposition of white rule was a bloody, unpunished historical crime. The depth of the reaction against the demands that the Negro have the right to vote, Gates argues, and the sheer range of racist vehemence and terrorism that arose to neutralize that right ... is stunning to contemplate. Between 1868 and 1871, an estimated 400 African-Americans were lynched across the South. About 30 were executed on a single day in Meridian, Mississippi. The killers often roving bands of former Confederate soldiers acted with total impunity. By 1890, Ben Tillman, who would serve as governor of South Carolina, was crowing: The triumph of Democracy and white supremacy over mongrelism and anarchy is most complete. Those interested in this period will find Eric Foners Reconstruction: Americas Unfinished Revolution more thorough, and Nicholas Lemanns Redemption: The Last Battle of the Civil War more emotionally engaging, but Gates valuable book goes further. He recounts the massive, seemingly coordinated betrayal of black citizens following Redemption by every white institution. How the Supreme Court gutted civil rights protections. How the scientific community justified white supremacy with bogus research. How white churches ignored or blessed oppression. How the world of advertising adopted demeaning black stereotypes to sell soap and cereal. How the world of movies and literature popularized the myth of the Lost Cause, in which Reconstruction was a period of carpetbagger oppression and black people really longed for the security of the plantation. Gates is especially insightful in revealing how black people, after their constitutional rights were stolen, attempted to reassert their dignity in non-political ways. Through Booker T. Washingtons version of self-help. Or by cultivating the achievements of W.E.B Dubois talented tenth. Or through the artistic excellence of the Harlem Renaissance. Or through pan-African pride. Ultimately, Gates argues that Frederick Douglass got closest to the truth that there is no path to pride and equality that does not include political power, particularly voting rights. This was the main theme of the NAACP and, eventually, of Martin Luther King Jr. It is a tribute to the importance of justice as the first human need. The denial of justice recounted by Stony the Road was every bit as bad as apartheid. It was not just racism, but the systematic attempt to destroy through violence, threats and mockery the dignity, political rights and social standing of blacks in America. It was far worse than anything I was taught in history classes. Yet only by knowing this period can we understand how white supremacy became the broadly accepted, and sadly durable, ideology of white America. Washington Post columnist Michael Gerson can be reached at michaelgerson@washpost.com. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 2 Angry 0 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 Long Beach is facing an uncomfortable truth: it's been over 30 years since the AIDS crisis hit the U.S., but the local rate of sexually transmitted diseases is on the rise. While the rate of new HIV infections in Long Beach has actually gone down in recent years, it is still twice as high as the statewide rate. And STD rates in Long Beach are up, with sharp increases in reported cases of gonorrhea, syphilis and chlamydia -- local gonorrhea rates alone have increased by a whopping 267% since 2012. The Long Beach Comprehensive Planning Group, made up of representatives from the LGBTQ community, doctors, social service agencies and the city's health department, has spent the past two years figuring out how to combat the problem. At a press conference Monday, Mayor Robert Garcia announced the results of the group's work, a new report that lays out a plan to tackle the problem on multiple fronts. "As not just the mayor but also as a gay man, it's incredibly important for me...that we address this in a way that is sensitive to the issue," Garcia said, calling the rates of infection "unacceptable." Courtesy City of Long Beach/ Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services Long Beach is the second largest city in L.A. County, with nearly half a million people. It's also one of the most diverse cities in the country. As of December 31, 2017, the report estimates that 4,520 Long Beach resident were living with HIV -- 80% of them were men who have sex with other men. (The report is careful to clarify that not all men who have sex with other men identify as gay...more on that here for the curious.) The HIV rates are generally proportional to the population along racial lines -- for instance, 45% of Long Beach residents are Latino and 41% of those newly infected with HIV are Latino. For white residents, it's 26% of the total population versus 24% of the infected population. But there is one notable exception -- black residents have twice the rate of HIV infection compared with the rest of the population. Even though the rate of new HIV cases in Long Beach (26 people per 100,000) has decreased overall since 2012, it's still much higher than the rest of California (13 per 100,000) and Los Angeles (19 per 100,000), despite the availability of preventative treatments like PrEP and PEP. Courtesy City of Long Beach/ Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services The city's health officer, Dr. Anissa Davis, cited the rise of data apps like Tinder, which came out in 2012, as well as the stigma surrounding LGBTQ health. There have been a few regional studies elsewhere that make the connection between dating apps to STD's -- Grindr was linked to over half of all syphilis cases in New Zealand in 2012 and an NYU study found that Craigslist contributed to a 16% increase in HIV cases between 1999 and 2008, across 33 states. Some public health officials have gone so far as to call dating apps "digital bathhouses." But the research on this is limited because (surprise!) the dating app companies don't want to release their data to scientists for fear that they'll be negatively associated with STD's. Others argue that blaming dating apps for the rise of STD's is just the latest form of sex shaming. The Long Beach report also points out that federal funding for STD control efforts decreased by $21 million between 2003 and 2016. "A lot of the organizations at the table are also now receiving less support from our federal partners and other partners to do the important work that is happening all across the city, and across the country," Garcia said. Courtesy City of Long Beach/ Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services STD's are on the rise nationally, according to the CDC. New cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis rose to a record high of 2.3 million in 2017, for the fourth year in a row. In the CDC's report, the director of the National Center for HIV/AIDS and STD prevention said that nationally, "We are sliding backwards." One other terrifying reason for the potential increase? Gonorrhea is increasingly becoming resistant to antibiotics. Both Gonorrhea and chlamydia can often go unnoticed because not everyone has visible symptoms, says the CDC. Long Beach plans to invest $2 million in strategies to help reduce the rate of infections. That includes educating 100 health providers per year on STD/HIV/PrEP & PEP care, conducting workshops for 4,000 teens and young adults per year, providing HIV/STD education at community events, and expanding educational outreach to disproportionately affected communities, like black, gay men. There are also plans to get more Long Beach residents on PrEP, which can reduce the risk of getting infected by 90%), and PEP, which can be taken up to 72 hours after a high risk sexual encounter. "We also want to provide guidelines to transform medical offices to be sex positive and stigma and barrier-free for clients and patients who access their services," Davis said. The planning group also plans to look at their data to see where the gaps are in HIV/STD services -- one of those gaps, Davis said, is in North Long Beach, which has a higher population of black men. The city's main goal is to reduce HIV infection rates by 50% by 2022. "You're going to see our partners in the health department everywhere talking about this issue," Garcia said. "It's something that I think is not discussed enough." Emily Dugdale and Brian Frank contributed reporting to this story. 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 For decades, this spot near the southeast corner of the triangular East L.A. strip mall bordered by Atlantic, Pomona and Beverly boulevards was home to a Chinese restaurant. For almost a year now, it has been Kermes Taco Grill, a small taqueria that specializes in volcanes crisp, corn tortillas, curled at the edges and heaped with toppings, maybe pollo con crema or chicharron in a verde sauce or calabacitas (squash sauteed with corn, tomatoes and onions). Despite the amazing breadth and diversity of Mexican food in Los Angeles, volcanes aren't something you often find at restaurants or food trucks here. When you do, they go by many names. Vampiros. Gringos. At acclaimed DTLA restaurant Sonoratown (which just won Taco Madness 2019), they're called "lorenzas." Whatever you call them, nobody does them quite like Kermes. Jorge Pacheco, Zuly Barrios and chef Eva Torres at Kermes Taco Grill in East L.A. (Chava Sanchez/LAist) The credit goes to chef Eva Torres, 54. She runs and owns Kermes, along with her daughter, Zuly Barrios, and her son-in-law, Jorge Pacheco. Torres came to Southern California in the late 1970s from Jalisco, where she's part of a culinary family. In her hometown of Melaque, a small town between Puerto Vallarta and Colima on Mexico's west coast, Torres's mother runs Restaurant Costinoy. Volcanes are common street food in Jalisco, Sinaloa and Baja California, especially at night, Barrios said. When Torres arrived in Los Angeles at age 19, she worked at a bunch of restaurants. She worked at a King Taco, El Cihualteco in South L.A., and a cousin's restaurant in Lakewood. For several years, Torres and her husband ran a lunch truck that they parked at a hardware store near San Pedro and Vernon. What did Torres do there? She was a cook, her daughter tells me. Always a cook. Last year, the family decided to open their first brick and mortar restaurant. They named it Kermes, after the term for a food fair or festival. "Tacos, quesadillas, tostadas, flautas. We have a little bit of everything, and we're like a kermes," Barrios said, so that's what she named the restaurant. A volcan at Kermes Taco Grill in East L.A. (Chava Sanchez/LAist) When she and her mom were deciding on the menu, they knew they needed to serve volcanes. "I think every Mexican family after a barbecue, you kind of grill your tortilla on the barbecue grill and you top it with cheese and then you make your volcanes," Barrios said. "This is something we don't see that they sell too much around here, so we wanted to bring it to East L.A." The crisp tortilla is similar to a tostada, but different in a couple of crucial ways. Where tostadas are fully cooked tortillas that are fried in oil to make them crisp, volcanes start life as flattened rounds of masa that are placed onto a grill and cooked at extremely low heat for a long time, maybe an hour and fifteen minutes. The curl up at the edges forming a sort of crater that resembles a volcano, hence the name. Kermes makes about 400 of these each day. At Kermes, you can choose from 13 different toppings, mostly guisados (or stews), all of which are made by Torres from recipes that she has spent decades perfecting. The asada and the tinga are probably the most popular choices. There's also cabeza, lengua, chicken mole, shrimp, rajas (poblano peppers grilled with corn, tomatoes and onions) and refried beans with elote. (You can get any of these toppings made as a quesadilla, mulita, burrito or taco.) The volcanes come with Monterey cheese, guacamole and sour cream. After that, it's up to you to dress them. Aside from the usual options sliced radishes, pickled carrots, a few salsas, etc. Kermes has a large electric kettle filled with warm pinto beans. The bean pot at Kermes Taco Grill in East L.A. (Elina Shatkin/LAist) "Where we're from in Jalisco, whenever you go to a taqueria, they always have the beans in the middle of the table, so you could always add the beans to your taco. So this is something that we wanted to also introduce here," Barrios said. The beans, too, are a family recipe. In fact, all of Kermes is a family affair. Barrios, Torres and Pacheco not only work together, they live together in East L.A., not far from the restaurant. "We're family owned and operated," Barrios said. "We're local from East L.A., and our food is made fresh daily with nothing coming from a can." A chicharron volcan at Kermes Taco Grill in East L.A. (Chava Sanchez/LAist) I listened to Florida legislators argue why school staff should be disarmed. I shook my head because their foolishness was so strong. This is the time when legislators need commons sense.. even if we have to give it to them good and hard. Their arguments sound like this. We should protect our students with plastic no-guns signs since you cant prove that a teacher wont go crazy and shoot people. Any gun at school could go off, so how can you guarantee the safety of students and staff? Teachers are not trained Navy SEALs so they shouldnt be allowed to have guns around our children. It is too expensive to hire Navy SEALS to protect our children, so lets do nothing. And besides, we shouldnt allow Navy SEALS in our schools if they have guns. In short, the reason we should leave our children unprotected is that improbable things will happen, and bad solutions are worse than what we have now. That means we should leave our children at risk or do something irrelevant that the politicians want to do anyway. ..... First cholera case confirmed in Kathmandu Cholera has been detected in a patient who was admitted to Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital in Teku for treatment of diarrhoeal disease. Expelled in 1956 for Being Black, Autherine Lucy Foster Gets Doctorate at U of Alabama TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) Autherine Lucy Foster, the first African-American student to attend the University of Alabama, received an honorary doctorate degree Friday from the university where her presence brought mobs of protesters in 1956. The Tuscaloosa News reported that Foster, 89 received the degree during graduation ceremonies. She enrolled at the all-white university in 1956. However, she was expelled three days later after her presence brought protests and threats against her life. ADVERTISEMENT Foster received a standing ovation Friday, news outlets report. Before receiving the honor, she remarked on the difference in seeing smiling faces instead of frowning and displeased at my being here. I sat down last night, and when I thought about it, I was crying. The tears were just rolling down my eyes because it is so different and so unique for me to be able to come to such a university as this. That is a wonderful campus out there, Foster told the newspaper. Her brief enrollment came after a lengthy court battle. She had first applied to the university in 1952 after earning a degree in English from Miles College, but her acceptance was rescinded because she was not white. African American students did not return to the campus until 1963 when Gov. George Wallace made his infamous stand in the school house door. Foster earned a masters degree in education from the university in 1991, more than 35 years after attending her first class. She waited until 1992 to graduate to share the moment with her daughter, who is also a UA alumna. ADVERTISEMENT The university recognized Foster in 2017 with a historic marker in front of Graves Hall which houses the college of education. The university also named the clock tower at Malone Hood Plaza after Foster. NAACP Opposes Michael Parks Nomination to Second Circuit, says Failure to Support Brown V. Board is Disqualifying The NAACP announced its opposition to the nomination of Michael Park to the U.S Circuit Court for the Second Circuit. The Senate will vote on Mr. Parks nomination later this week. Derrick Johnson, president and CEO, made the following statement: Next week, we celebrate the 65th anniversary of the Supreme Courts seminal decision in Brown v. Board of Education. This ruling transformed our nation by affirming the principle of equal justice for all. But, during his hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Mr. Park could not even say that Brown v. Board was correctly decided. Any nominee who cannot fully endorse Brown is completely disqualified from the federal bench. ADVERTISEMENT Mr. Park has a horrendous record in denying equal educational opportunities to students of color. He has led the battle against race-conscious measures for promoting diversity in higher education. For example, Park challenged the University of North Carolinas equal opportunity admissions program as a massive racial preference. Michael Park has played a key role in the Trump administrations attack on our democracy. He vigorously defended its attempt to add a citizenship question to the 2020 Census, which would drastically undercount communities of color. He relied precisely on the defensethat the data is needed to enforce the Voting Right Actthat has been discredited by three separate courts. The truth is that a citizenship question would undermine enforcement of the Voting Rights Act. Park has aligned himself with the very individuals and groups behind the most destructive campaign to unravel civil rights over the last three decades. His law firm website celebrates the mastermind behind successful Supreme Court challenges to affirmative action and the federal Voting Rights Act. Park joined the firm to work on headline-making cases, such as the one seeking to exclude non-citizens from the one-person, one vote requirement. The NAACP has sent a letter opposing the Park nomination to each Senate office. As we celebrate the Brown decision next week, the Senate must honor its promise, not desecrate it by appointing Michael Park to a lifetime seat on the Second Circuit. Read the letter here. According to the Perryman Group, "The current slowdown at the US-Mexico border is causing substantial economic harms. Trade volume has grown substantially, more than doubling over the past 20 years and up 55% between 2010 and 2018. During 2018, total trade volume between the United States and Mexico exceeded $611.5 billion, with $265.0 billion in US exports to Mexico and $346.5 billion in imports from Mexico. In fact, recent data for January and February of 2019 reveals that, for the first time, Mexico is the top US trading partner. . . . . Millions of trucks cross the border every year, and delays at the border cause logistical problems. The current slowing on the US-Mexico border is reducing efficiency and costing the US economy billions in output and hundreds of thousands of jobs. The Perryman Group recently analyzed the total economic losses associated with the current border slowdown based on recent evidence regarding increased delays and structural issues. If these problems cause a one-third reduction in trade that extends over a three-month period, the cost to the US economy includes over $69.0 billion in gross product and 620,236 job-years (when multiplier effects are considered). Almost half of these losses occur in Texas." Click here to view the full report. KJ Tuesday, May 7, 2019 A terse opinion of the Louisiana Supreme Court The Office of Disciplinary Counsel ("ODC") commenced an investigation into allegations that respondent engaged in an inappropriate verbal exchange with opposing counsel in open court. Prior to the filing of formal charges, respondent and the ODC submitted a joint petition for consent discipline, in which the parties stipulated that respondent violated Rule 3.5(d) of the Rules of Professional Conduct. Having reviewed the petition, IT IS ORDERED that the Petition for Consent Discipline be accepted and that Iain A. Dover, Louisiana Bar Roll number 33540, be publicly reprimanded. The Advocate reported A veteran prosecutor in Orleans Parish District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro's office was reprimanded Monday over a courtroom dust-up he had in August with defense attorney and political consultant Ike Spears. The state Supreme Court publicly chided Assistant District Attorney Iain Dover for "an inappropriate verbal exchange with opposing counsel" in court. There were no more details in the public order, but a source with knowledge of the investigation confirmed that it involved a testy blow-up between Dover and Spears in the courtroom of Criminal District Court Judge Robin Pittman. The two attorneys were arguing over whether Pittman should increase the bail for a defendant in a domestic violence case, according to a transcript. Spears claimed the accuser had previously been convicted of filing a false police report against his client, but Dover said Spears had no proof of that. "Excuse me, sir. You're a liar," Dover told Spears. "I will punch the (expletive) out of you if you call me a liar again," Spears replied. Dover responded by calling Spears a liar again. Spears raised a fist to Dover, who raised his arm up "in a blocking motion." When Pittman tried to stop the fight, Spears told her he was going to be the bigger man than Dover but also offered to settle the exchange "outside the courtroom." "Perhaps, you shouldn't, Mr. Spears," Pittman said. The judge then ordered the two men into her chambers. They both apologized on the record after meeting with her. "Your Honor, let me first apologize to the court for losing my temper with Mr. Dover, threatening to kick his butt after using profanity in the courtroom. It won't happen again," Spears said. "I'll make the same apology, Judge," Dover said. (Mike Frisch) https://lawprofessors.typepad.com/legal_profession/2019/05/in-open-court.html U.S. President Donald Trump is again criticizing China on trade. Trump wrote on Sunday, The Trade Deal with China continues, but too slowly, as they attempt to renegotiate. No! His comments appeared on the news and social media service Twitter. The president followed that Monday with more tweets about trade imbalances. He wrote, The United States has been losing, for many years, 600 to 800 Billion Dollars a year on Trade. With China we lose 500 Billion Dollars. Sorry, were not going to be doing that anymore!" Trump announced that he would raise taxes on $200 billion dollars of imports from China. His warning marked an escalation in the trade dispute between the worlds top two economies. His comments come after months of apparent progress in negotiations. The announcement caused prices on international financial markets to drop. It also led some observers to suggest that China might pull out of negotiations set for this week. Trade war The trade war officially began in July of 2018 when the Trump administration ordered taxes on $34 billion of Chinese imports. That was followed by new tariffs on an extra $16 billion in August and another $200 billion in September. China has answered each of these moves with its own set of tariffs. Two months ago, the Trump administration threatened to raise more tariffs on the September list of products. But that move was suspended, pending trade talks. In the latest development, Trump on Sunday said those increases could now take effect this Friday. He also announced that he would target a further $325 billion of Chinese goods shortly. If they take effect, the tariffs would effectively cover all imports of Chinese goods into the United States. Here is a look at the effect the trade war has had on the two countries and the rest of the world. U.S.-China trade In the first three months of 2019, Chinese imports fell almost a third compared to a year earlier. Exports fell almost a tenth during the period. In dollar terms, a loss of $25 billion in two-way trade represents around 0.5 percent of the worlds trade. The majority of the decline in U.S. exports to China is in raw or unprocessed materials and food. They represent about a third of the total and have more than halved. That information comes from Oxford Economics, which advises more than 1,500 businesses worldwide. Of all Chinese exports to the United States, machinery and electrical equipment have taken the biggest hit. Economic growth Chinas economy grew at a yearly rate of 6.4 percent in the first three months of this year. April to June of 2018 was the last quarter before the U.S. tariffs took effect. During that period, the Chinese economy grew at a yearly rate of 6.7 percent. The U.S. economy grew 3.2 percent in the first quarter of 2019, faster than the 2.9 percent in the last quarter before the trade war. Most economic observers say the losses for both countries could increase with more, and higher tariffs. Effect on other trading partners A study by the Center for Economic Policy Research showed that about $165 billion in trade has been lost or redirected in order to avoid tariffs. In the first three months of 2019, U.S. imports of furniture from China fell 13.5 percent. That compares with a 37 percent increase in imports from Vietnam and a 19 percent increase from Taiwan. For refrigeration equipment, U.S. imports from China fell 24 percent, but South Korea and Mexico each experienced 32 percent jumps. Tire imports from China fell almost 29 percent, while those from Vietnam rose over 140 percent. After Trump's tweets, measures of major stock markets around the world all fell on Monday. The famous American investor Warren Buffett added, If we actually have a trade war it will be bad for the whole world. Im Jonathan Evans. George Grow adapted this story for Learning English based on Reuters and Associated Press news reports. Hai Do was the editor. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story escalation n. the act of increasing in number, amount of intensity pending prep. while awaiting; during furniture n. chairs, tables and/or other equipment for the home or office tire n. a piece of rubber than covers a wheel of an automobile or other vehicle We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page. A new report from the United Nations says human activity is threatening the survival of up to 1 million species of animals and plants. Many, the report says, will disappear within decades. This would be more than ever before in human history. The U.N.s Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, or IPBES, released the report on May 6 in Paris. British chemist Robert Watson is the IPBES chairperson. In a statement he said the misuse of resources by humans is not only killing plants and animals, it is also destroying, the very foundations of our economies, livelihoods, food security, health, and quality of life worldwide. The IPBES says the document is the first intergovernmental report of its kind and the most comprehensive ever completed. It involved 450 experts from 50 countries. The team examined about 15,000 scientific and governmental sources. To increase the importance of these findings in deciding governmental policies, the report listed five things humanity is doing that have had the largest worldwide effect so far. In order, they are: changes in land and sea use direct exploitation of organisms climate change pollution and invasive alien species Professor Josef Settele of Germany co-chaired the IPBES effort. He says in the press statement, This loss is a direct result of human activity and constitutes a direct threat to human well-being in all regions of the world. The report found that city areas have more than doubled since 1992. It also found that more than a third of the worlds land surface and nearly 75% of freshwater resources are now devoted to crop or livestock production. And in 2015, 33% of marine fish stocks were being harvested at unsustainable levels. Robert Watson also spoke with National Geographic about the report. He said his biggest personal concern is the state of the oceans. He added that with plastics, dead zones, overfishing, acidification... Were really screwing up the oceans in a big way. The report also details the relationship between economic development and its effects on nature. Rebecca Shaw is a chief scientist at World Wildlife Fund and another expert who worked on the report. She spoke about it with Here and Now, an American radio show. She said the report details the human-caused destruction of ecosystems. She said the goal of the report is not just to protect other species of animals, but humans as well. Humans depend on healthy ecosystems for food and medicine. As Professor Settele noted in the statement, the interconnected web of life on Earth is getting smaller and increasingly disconnected. Human life is not outside of these endangered ecosystems, but dependent on them. The report adds that it is not too late to make changes but they must be massive changes. It says all parts of government -- from agriculture, forestry, marine and freshwater systems to city areas, energy and finance need to work together to make the difference. And we must act, IPBES chair Robert Watson wrote in an opinion piece for the Guardian. We simply cannot afford the cost of inaction. Change of the magnitude required will mean a different life for everyone, but the costs of doing nothing will be much higher, he wrote. Im Caty Weaver. Anna Matteo wrote this story. Caty Weaver was the editor. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story foundation n. a basis (such as a tenet, principle, or axiom) upon which something stands or is supported comprehensive adj. covering completely or broadly region n. a part of a country, of the world, etc., that is different or separate from other parts in some way devote v. to set apart for a special purpose unsustainable adj. not capable of being prolonged or continued dead zone n. Dead zones are low-oxygen areas in the worlds oceans and lakes acidification n. technical : to cause (something) to become acidic screwing up phrasal verb : make a mistake or error magnitude n. great size or extent From December 19th through December 26th we will be granting free access as a gift to our readers presented by Western Interlock It has come to pass. As I noted last year, "three of the five academic [authors]--Rebecca Kennison, Yannik Thiem, and Adriel Trott--were signatories to the open letter defaming Prof. Tuvel and calling on Hypatia to retract her article. That's right, the majority of this committee supported unethical and unprofessional conduct by Hypatia." And for good measure, they've added an Advisory Board that is a "who's who" of bad behavior and contempt for academic freedom in the profession, including Linda Alcoff, Lisa Guenther (seriously?), and Rebecca Kukla. You have to dig into the details to see the mischief that is afoot in this "white paper." (UPDATE: see this assessment.) It is open for comment, for anyone who wants to be bothered. UPDATE: A philosopher elsewhere points out that Amy Ferrer, the Executive Director of the American Philosophical Association, is also involved as a co-author; as this philosopher wrote: "Its shocking that a non-philosopher, who is moreover a paid executive of the APA, is allowed to be involved in these partisan, highly inflammatory ventures." ANOTHER: Bioethicist Laurence McCullough writes: The research team conducted focus groups and group interviews. Both are accepted forms of qualitative research in the qualitative social sciences. I have conducted such research with colleagues trained in qualitative social science and published the results in peer-reviewed journals. Both of these forms of qualitative research have accepted methods for preparing accurate and anonymized transcripts for analysis and then analyzing transcripts, e.g., inductive, deductive, mixed methods. The methodology section describes only the methods for obtaining qualitative data. There is no description of how the transcripts were prepared or how qualitative analysis of the data in the transcripts (the natural languages responses of subjects to questions posed) was performed. The results that they report from the focus groups and interviews therefore have no scientific value. Laurence B. McCullough, Ph.D., Distinguished Emeritus Professor, Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas. ONE MORE: For amusement: Justin Weinberg tries to suppress discussion of the bad behavior of the authors of this "white paper," only to be demolished by David Wallace in two separate comments (scroll through). (Weinberg also admits to removing other comments on this subject: feel free to send them to me, I'll publish any amusing or especially relevant ones.) Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. Death of a child due to blood mismatch raises concerns over top heart centres safety protocols The death of a young girl at Shahid Gangalal National Heart Center, allegedly due to an acute hemolytic transfusion reaction, has raised serious concerns over safety procedures at the countrys leading cardiac centre. Let us be your guide to great programs, stimulating things to do, local services, discounts and more. Learn all about interesting places to go, things to see and social spots! Members of education commission press for making public their report Members of the High-Level National Education Commission have launched a signature drive to put pressure on the Prime Ministers Office to make public a report they had prepared and submitted four months ago. The use of wiretapping during the investigation of certain kinds of crimes, should include those involving bribery, according to a suggestion made by the Commission Against Corruption (CCAC) during the public consultation for the amendments to the communication interception law. The suggestion was well received by the authorities, who proposed to accept it and thereby broaden the types of crimes that may warrant wiretapping. The acknowledgment was made through the publication yesterday of the report on the opinions on the public consultation that took place last year from September 26 to November 9. Another change instigated by the government, which was said to follow from a lack of consensus among the public, concerned the dismissal of a proposed measure that would have allowed judges to order the inspection of the data from a suspects communication devices. This measure has been removed from the final version of the bill. The report also notes that the government is considering the needs and fairness in establishing a compensatory system in cases related with illegal interception of communications, proposing to increase the sanctions of such actions in order to have a deterrent effect and consequently, protect the freedom of citizens and the privacy of their communications. One of the previously requested measures by several organizations and groups has also been accepted by the government. This measure states that statistical data on the number of communications intercepted and the purpose for such interception would be published regularly. According to a statement by the Judiciary Police, the public consultation consisted of a total of 4,315 opinions collected from the public, as well as others from specific sector organizations, including the Macau Lawyers Association, telecommunication operators, and several government departments such as the CCAC and the Personal Data Protection Bureau. The man connected to a recent crime was said to be hearing impaired. The Social Welfare Bureau (IAS) said that they deployed social workers and sign language interpreters to the scene to provide assistance. The Bureau explained that there is a mechanism for interaction with law enforcement, by which mechanism assistance by the IAS was requested. The Bureau pledged to continue their role in the investigation, while they reiterated their constant improvement of accessible facilities in Macau. Further and continuous training will be offered to train more sign language interpreters. The Neighborhood Union, on the other hand, urged the police to release information related to the case. Lawmaker comments on current condition of tourism Records of border-crossing headcounts were broken again during the past Labor Day holiday, leaving a multitude local districts packed. With regards to easing this, lawmaker Si Ka Lon made three recommendations: first, improving smart tourism, including the provision of all necessary data to tourists to enable them to travel on non-peak days; second, pacing up the development of commercial circles near border checkpoints, community tourism, harbor tourism, and island tourism; and third, constructing integrated tourism complexes, such as a theme park featuring Chinese culture. Si also suggested the use of a surveillance system to monitor crowding at bus stops. 1.2 million people crossed the border on the first two days of the holiday. Old-style travel passes between mainland, Macau, HK to expire The passport-shaped travel pass for use between the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong or Macau will be completely out of use by September 13, the National Immigration Administration (NIA) said. Citizens will not be able to use old-style passes to apply for a travel permit, said the NIA statement, urging citizens to renew travel documents as quickly as possible. The new travel pass, which has been available since 2014, is in the shape of an ID card. As of April 1 this year, mainland residents may apply for travel passes to Hong Kong and Macau across the country regardless of their household registration. Two people have been arrested and an overnight curfew lifted yesterday after mobs attacked Muslim-owned shops and some vehicles in a Sri Lankan town where a suicide bombing targeted a Catholic church last month. Residents in the seaside town of Negombo say the mostly-Catholic attackers stoned and vandalized shops. It is unclear how the dispute began but most residents say a private dispute took a religious turn. Police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekara said earlier that the violence was brought under control and two people arrested. A.M. Jeffry, a Muslim resident of Porutota village near Negombo, said the attackers burnt a three-wheeler taxi and a motorbike. Rizwan Jeffry, a gem-seller who is not related to the former, said about 400 people rampaging in the streets stoned his shop. Some of them took precious stones kept in showcases, he said. Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith along with Muslim clerics visited the area yesterday to appeal for peace. The government blocked some social media sites overnight, including Facebook and WhatsApp, in order to control the situation, the information department director Nalaka Kaluwewa said. The block was lifted early yesterday. The clash was the first reported since the Easter bombings by Islamic extremists two weeks ago that killed more than 250 people. A state of emergency has been in place since then, with warnings that more attacks are possible. Catholic churches were closed for a second weekend, and Muslims are under security surveillance and subjected to hate comments on social media. Military spokesman Sumith Atapattu said Sunday that several people had been injured in clashes in Negombo, where St. Sebastians Church was targeted in the attacks carried out by bombers who had pledged support for the Islamic State group. Ethnic clashes arent new to Sri Lanka. A civil war between rebels from the minority Tamil community and the Buddhist Sinhalese-majority government ended in 2009. Most of Sri Lankas majority ethnic Sinhalese are Buddhists, but Negombo has a majority Sinhalese Catholic community. Eranga Jayawardena, Negombo, AP Accident victims left in the lurch On April 26, 2018, Durga Tiwari, chairman of the Dhading District Court Bar, was critically injured in a road accident while going to Kathmandu in an ambulance for his fathers treatment. Provisional statistics have shown that Macau hosted a total of 636,644 visitors throughout the Labor Day holiday weekend, which was extended to a span of four days in mainland China. Visitor arrivals during the first three days of the Labor Day Holiday this year reached 531,503, registering a year-on-year rise of 37%. Some 436,679 of the visitors came from the Mainland, an increase of 42.7%. To date, the capacity of various local hotels and guesthouses has reached a total of 40,162 rooms. According to the latest figures provided by industry operators, local hotel establishments saw an average occupancy rate of approximately 96.2% during the Labor Day holiday, a year-on-year rise of 1.9 percentage points. The average room rate of hotel establishments in the city reached MOP1,882.2, an increase of about 16.7%. Meanwhile, the bureau recorded a total of 2,665 users that utilized the smart application for visitor flows from May 1 to 4, who were mainly local residents and tourists from the mainland. During this period, the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) conducted 38 inspections at major ports of entry and tourist attractions and found no irregularities involving unlicensed tour guides. Yet it discovered that there were a few individuals leading tour groups without displaying or wearing any local tour guide license. The bureau said that three official statements were issued against such cases of irregularities by tour guides leading tour groups without wearing a tour guide license, and sanction procedures will ensue. The MGTO also carried out 12 joint actions against illegal accommodation with the Public Security Police Force and closed eight apartments allegedly operating as illegal accommodation. Meanwhile, the bureau said that it has plans for developing a pilot scheme to unfold in the vicinity from Senado Square to the Ruins of St. Pauls, to collect statistical figures about visitor flows via measuring devices using the Internet of Things (IOT), thus optimizing the forecast of visitor flows at tourist attractions. The MGTO and the Hong Kong Tourism Board will sign a Cooperative Agreement on [a] Research Project about the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge, to conduct a comprehensive analysis on the situation since the bridge has come into operation. The findings are intended to serve as reference for future tourism planning and destination promotion of the SAR. MGTO said that it would also work on developing new tourist attractions for re-distribution of visitor flows and embark upon a study regarding the possible imposition of a tourism tax. LV Talks between the U.S. and China to resolve their year- long trade standoff appeared to be on life-support yesterday, with Beijing struggling to respond to a pair of tweets by President Donald Trump that threaten an escalation of tariffs by the end of the week. Chinas foreign ministry said that officials were still planning to travel to the U.S. for the next round of talks but was unable to confirm when amid signs that a delay is now being considered. Meanwhile, a media blackout on Trumps threat left investors baffled as stocks and the yuan tumbled on rumors that the trade war is now back on. We are now trying to get more information on the relevant situation, ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told a briefing in Beijing. What I can tell you is that the Chinese team is preparing to travel to the U.S. for trade talks. Trump on Sunday raised pressure on Beijing to strike a trade deal by announcing he would increase tariffs on USD200 billion of Chinese imports Friday to 25 percent from 10 percent. He also floated the possibility of extending a new 25 percent duty on another $325 billion of imports not already covered. Risks of a full blown trade war are escalating, Chua Hak Bin, a senior economist at Maybank Kim Eng Research Pte. in Singapore, said before the ministrys announcement. Trumps threat may backfire as China will not want to negotiate with a gun pointing at their heads. Global equities tumbled and Treasury futures climbed on the news. The yuan slumped alongside crude oil. Futures on the S&P 500 Index sank as much as 2.2 percent, signaling a punishing start to the week on Wall Street, while European stocks slid and Chinese equities plunged. China was considering delaying a U.S. trip this week by a trade delegation led by Vice Premier Liu He after Trumps tariff threat, according people familiar with the matter. Liu and about 100 other officials had been scheduled to arrive Wednesday for what was shaping up to be the final round of negotiations. It was unclear whether the threat reflected deeper concerns by Trump, who stunned North Korean leader Kim Jong Un by walking away from their nuclear summit in February, or a negotiating tactic. The U.S. had been targeting May 10 to announce a deal, that would be finalized and signed by Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping later at an official summit, people familiar with the negotiations said last week. The two sides have been locked in intense negotiations since last year for an agreement to address U.S. concerns over Chinas trade surplus, alleged theft of intellectual property and forced technology transfers. Trump and Xi agreed to a tariff truce on Dec. 1 to allow senior officials time to negotiate. The truce helped soothe investors concerns about a further escalation in a trade war between the worlds two largest economies, which imposed tariffs on about $360 billion of each others good last year. Trumps latest tweets mark an abrupt reversal in stance for the White House after both sides had been saying for weeks that negotiations were going well. That shift reflects growing U.S. frustration with Chinas backpedaling on some of its earlier commitments, including on the crucial matter of technology transfer, two people familiar with the situation said. Thats emboldened trade hawks within the Trump administration to push for a harder line, including the raising of tariffs, the people said. White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow said on Fox News that the president was issuing a warning. While great progress has been made in the talks, structural and enforcement issues remained, he said. Trump imposed duties of 25 percent on an initial $50 billion of Chinese goods last year and then 10 percent on an additional $200 billion in products in September. Those duties were set to rise to 25 percent on Jan. 1 and then again on March 1, but Trump delayed that as talks continued. China has imposed tariffs on $110 billion of U.S. exports in retaliation and repeatedly warned it would counter tariffs with actions of its own. That means theres a risk China would counter any extension of U.S. levies, though the smaller size of its imports may constrain its ability to do so. China isnt likely to make concessions that the U.S. want with a big stick hanging over its head, said Zhou Xiaoming, a former Ministry of Commerce official and diplomat. If the tariffs that Trump threatens are implemented on Friday, China has to respond. Based on calculations by Bloomberg Economics, tariffs at the current level add up to a 0.5 percentage-point drag on Chinas gross domestic product growth this year. An increase to 25 percent tariffs on $200 billion in Chinese exports from 10 percent would raise the drag to 0.9 percentage point. Tariffs on all of Chinas exports to the U.S. would increase the burden to 1.5 point. Just as Chinas stock markets were opening, the Peoples Bank or China announced it would inject $41 billion of longer term funds by lowering the proportion of deposits smaller banks need to lock away. Previous releases on such reserve required ratio cuts have taken place mostly in the evening or at weekends. The choice of announcing the targeted RRR cut today is very likely to be used to offset the negative impact of the sudden shift of the U.S.-China trade talks, said Lu Ting, chief China economist at Nomura Holdings Inc. in Hong Kong. Jenny Leonard, Steven Yang & Lucille Liu, Bloomberg Megan Plunkett loved wearing her combat uniform when she joined the Wisconsin Army National Guard. It was comfortable, it shielded her from dirt, from bugs, from heat. It connected her to the soldiers with whom she served. After she was sexually assaulted in it, the uniform made her skin crawl. I felt disgusting being in it, she said. Seeing your assailant wearing something and seeing it on yourself at the same time is a total mindfuck. It represents the men who assaulted me, the men who reprimanded me for it and the bullying I incurred because of it. Plunkett said she was sexually assaulted by three different men while serving as an officer in the Wisconsin Army National Guard from 2012 through 2018. She reported the assaults to the Guard, which determined that her allegations were unsubstantiated. Guard investigators acknowledged that there was sex involved, but concluded that Plunkett was always a willing participant. Her case exemplifies a system that is under growing scrutiny as numerous complaints about a culture of sexual assault and harassment in the Wisconsin National Guard have surfaced in recent months. Gov. Tony Evers and U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin have asked the federal government to review the Guards policies and an investigation is set to start this month. Once Plunketts allegations began, the Guard leveled its own against her. By October 2018, Plunkett, now a first lieutenant, who had earlier been identified as a leader and named a Distinguished Honor Graduate, had been accused of and disciplined for insubordination and fraternization (having sex with a lower ranking soldier). But after the Guard punished her, the federal Veterans Administration, which provides health care to veterans, affirmed Plunketts experiences, concluding that she has severe post-traumatic stress disorder from military sexual trauma. An independent military panel later concurred with that diagnosis and found that it affected Plunketts behavior while serving. The VA now provides Plunkett with free health care, which is unusual for National Guard veterans who have not been on active duty. She was also awarded $3,000 a month for living expenses and costs associated with her PTSD after undergoing multiple medical evaluations from doctors and psychiatrists. Wisconsins National Guard maintains that preventing sexual assault within its ranks and aggressively responding to such allegations are top priorities. Officials there would not comment to the Cap Times about the specifics of Plunketts allegations, citing the federal Privacy Act, a 1974 law that bars some federal agencies from disclosing information on personnel. A review by the Cap Times of internal investigations, memos and hundreds of emails between Plunkett, her attorneys and Guard leaders, however, reveals a military system that often re-traumatizes victims, offers them limited justice and operates largely behind closed doors with minimal oversight from the state or federal government. One piece of evidence is an investigation into the culture of Plunketts first company by one of the Guards officers. Investigating Wisconsin National Guard officer Rene Emond found prevalent sexual misconduct there, including that four of its senior officers collaborated to prey upon female personnel in the unit for sexual favors, nicknaming themselves the four horsemen. The former top attorney for the U.S. Air Force, who prosecuted sex crimes and was interviewed for this story, reviewed the transcripts of the report on the four horsemen and the Guards investigations of Plunketts allegations. He said the reports investigating Plunketts complaints were biased, read as if they were written by children and show an offensive and jaw-dropping lack of understanding of sexual trauma. Plunkett is not representative of every woman in the Wisconsin National Guard nor every person who has been sexually assaulted in the military, but her experiences are widely shared. Last week, the U.S. Department of Defense reported that sexual assault complaints increased 38 percent across all branches of active military forces from 2016-2018. Plunkett entered Guard service as a second lieutenant with perfect academic and physical fitness test scores along with exemplary reviews from her superior officers. Before the assaults, she attended college while working two jobs. Friends and family say she was once ambitious, friendly and full of energy. Now, Plunkett cannot keep a full-time job and some days cannot get out of bed. She struggles with depression and anxiety, and has attempted suicide. Officer Megan Plunkett When she joined the Wisconsin Army National Guard in 2012, Plunkett was a single mother of an infant. She realized the $10 per hour she was making as a preschool teacher was unsustainable, so she sought a way to further her education. She had a bachelors degree in child development and had recently moved to Green Bay with the father of her son when a friend told her about the National Guard, a part-time military commitment with full-time benefits and a $10,000 commissioning bonus if she became an officer. She was drawn to an opportunity that would allow her to serve her country like her father and grandfather, who are veterans, and her brother, who is currently in the military. I had student loans and (the preschool job) was not paying the bills and was not providing for my son, so I knew I had to do one thing to advance my earning potential for my family, she said. So I joined the Army National Guard. She is one of thousands in the state who have done so. The Wisconsin Army National Guard is made up of 7,100 soldiers, 1,470 of whom are women. It has four major command stations throughout the state that break down into smaller units of 80-150 people. Soldiers train or drill for missions in these units one weekend a month. There is also a smaller Wisconsin Air National Guard component made up of 2,300 airmen. These units can be asked to respond to an in-state emergency like a natural disaster, but also can be called to respond to crises in other states. The units are run by officers, which include the top commander of the unit; the deputy, called the executive officer or XO; and a group of officers called platoon sergeants who oversee and train smaller groups of enlisted soldiers. After completing Officer Candidate School, Plunkett entered the Guard as an officer in the 457th Chemical Company, a unit based in Hartford, 40 miles northwest of Milwaukee. It plans missions for how to respond to a chemical, radiological or nuclear attack and weapons of mass destruction in the United States. She led and planned training for 25 to 50 soldiers in the unit each month. Plunkett was one of few female leaders in the 457th, which, because of its technical, science-based work, requires soldiers to have a higher level of science skills and is a smaller company than others in the Guard. She earned a perfect score on the Armys vocational aptitude test and its physical fitness test. In early evaluations, one of Plunketts supervisors called her a bright young officer and her performance very strong. She always put her (soldiers) needs ahead of her own and led by example 2nd Lt Plunketts ability to enhance training proficiencies within her platoon was the best in the Company, wrote Kristopher Allen, one of two officers who rated her work in 2014. Another supervisor said she could be a future company executive officer, or XO, second to the commander of the unit. The first alleged assault Trainings for the Wisconsin Army National Guard, a part-time, civilian military force, occur on bases generally located in rural, isolated parts of the state. Multiple soldiers, who were interviewed in the Emond report, describe a culture of drinking and sharing hotel rooms when participating in weekend training at bases, often located hours from their homes. Plunkett met the superior officer who she says later assaulted her on her first training weekend in 2013. He was in charge of rating her peformance on a physical fitness test, and was friends with other unit leaders who had power over her career. The Cap Times is not naming the alleged perpetrator because he was not charged with a crime. He is named, however, in the Emond investigation as one of the four horsemen the group of soldiers who preyed on women in Plunketts unit for sexual favors. He welcomed Plunkett on her first night with a dinner out alone, several drinks (he was buying) and unwanted sexual advances. That later led to a quid pro quo relationship in which he gave her a laptop, allowed her to re-take a physical fitness test and greenlighted promotions and accolades. As he kept buying her drinks, she used the upcoming physical fitness test as an excuse to stop. He said she didnt have to take the test and bought her more drinks. He told her he was married but was getting a divorce soon. I didnt even ask, so the fact that hes telling me that outright, thats a red flag, she said. I felt uncomfortable with that, but at this point he is the one totally in control. He told her he had back pain earlier in the night, and she mentioned she used to crack her mothers back. After drinking, he drove her back to her hotel and insisted he walk her to her door, for safety. Then he asked to come in so she could crack his back. So I crack his back, like without sitting on him, and then I sit off to the side and he goes, Can I kiss you? And I say, What do you mean, can you kiss me? And he said, Sorry, its been a long time since Ive done this, and so he leans in and kisses me. Plunkett said she told him to leave. He got up, started to walk out but then pulled her into the bathroom on the way to the door. He picked her up, put her on the counter next to the sink and started kissing her. My head is spinning, and Im wondering, How am I going to get out of this, how do I tell him No without pissing him off because if I piss him off hes going to make me take a (physical fitness) test tomorrow? she said. He had the influence of the people who had the ability to make my life really shitty really fast. Plunkett recalled feeling like its full fight or flight, and when you cant leave, its freeze and ... its extremely frightening, she said. She told him he should go and he did not. She pushed him off her and toward the door. She slid off of the counter but he picked her up and put her back. The only thing I could think of was to pretend like I was teasing him, give him a little bit and tell him the rest would come later. That this is a game, a tease. Me saying, You should go now, was not getting through to him. He did not respect that whatsoever. So then I gave him a little bit of oral (sex) and let him go ... back to his room. People often think of sexual assault as a violent altercation but often the way it happens is more pernicious and manipulative, Plunkett said. She froze and didnt see another way out of the unwanted situation. Plunkett did not immediately report the assault and call for an investigation of it because she didnt want to cause drama and did not think it would help, she said. After she said she was assaulted by another man and found out that there was a pattern of sexual misconduct in her unit, she filed reports that triggered Guard investigations in January 2017. It took the Guard more than a year to investigate and release its findings. Timeline June 15, 2012: Plunkett enters Wisconsin Army National Guard June 8, 2013: First training weekend, first alleged sexual assault July 9, 2013: Starts training at Basic Officer Leaders Course (BOLC) at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri Sept. 1, 2013: Alleged assailant arrives at BOLC, ongoing quid pro quo relationship with Plunkett Dec. 15, 2013: Alleged assailant transfers out of Wisconsin National Guard Spring 2014: Sends texts warning alleged assailant to stop sexual harassment Oct. 1, 2014: Transfers to 641st Headquarter Command Battalion Nov. 1, 2014: Notified of investigation for "conspiring to disobey an order" April 30, 2015: Findings and recommendations in Fasel investigation completed Aug. 19, 2015: Letter of Reprimand issued for insubordination from Fasel investigation Aug. 25, 2015: Alleged rape by second man during annual training in Minnesota Sept. 12, 2015: Files restricted reports of assaults against first two men Oct. 31, 2015: Transfers out of 641st and into 173rd Brigade Engineer Battalion March 3, 2016: Files anonymous Equal Opportunity complaint to Major Daniel Kalhammer, triggering investigation by Rene Emond June 18, 2016: Alleged sexual assault by third man during annual training Aug. 1, 2016: Receives notice she is under investigation for fraternization Dec. 1, 2016: Reprimanded for fraternization Jan. 29, 2017: Makes restricted sexual assault reports unrestricted for alleged assaults by all three men, triggering internal National Guard investigation May 26, 2017: Reports all three sexual assaults to local law enforcement Jan. 19, 2018: Emond report, findings and recommendations sent to Adjutant General Donald Dunbar's chief of staff Feb. 6, 2018: National Guard Bureau releases its three investigations into Plunkett's reports of sexual assaults June 17, 2018: She receives notification that a Withdrawal of Federal Recognition proceeding will take place connected to the fraternization charge against her July 30, 2018: Receives final medical discharge orders for PTSD because of military sexual trauma Aug. 1, 2018: Wisconsin Army National Guard revokes medical discharge citing forthcoming Withdrawal of Federal Recognition proceeding Oct. 24, 2018: Start of three-day Withdrawal of Federal Recognition proceeding at Joint Force Headquarters in Madison Oct. 26, 2018: Withdrawal of Federal Recognition panel of officers votes to uphold Plunkett's medical and retirement benefits, determines she has PTSD and that her behavior in the Guard was caused by it In February 2018, the Guard found her allegations in the first assault to be unsubstantiated. After interviewing Plunkett, her alleged assailant, and six others who were not present the night of the alleged assaults, the Guard investigator wrote that more likely than not all sexual contact was consensual and intended to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of both the alleged perpetrator and victim. The Guard supported its findings, in part, by noting that because Plunkett shared a hotel room with another female soldier, that made it less likely that the physical contact between the victim and the reported perpetrator in the hotel room bathroom was non-consensual. The soldier who shared the room with Plunkett told the Cap Times in an interview she was not in the room at the time, and told Guard investigators that. Her comments are not included in the investigation report. Guard investigators also noted in their report that her alleged perpetrator has a reputation for truthfulness while Plunkett has a reputation for untruthfulness. The reported perpetrator claims that all physical contact was consensual, while the victim alleges she did not consent, the report reads. The investigative team evaluated the credibility of the parties and determined that the reported perpetrator was more believable than the victim. The investigators conclusion that her alleged assailant had a reputation for truthfulness is noteworthy, because a month before they wrote that, the separate Emond investigation of Plunketts entire unit concluded that sexual misconduct was prevalent there, citing her alleged assailant as a perpetrator whose name came up repeatedly when soldiers were interviewed about sexual misconduct. In his report, investigating officer Emond said the sexual misconduct he uncovered included allegations of sexual assault, sexual harassment, inappropriate relationships, fraternization, and a civil case involving second degree sexual assault. Emond identified 12 investigations of former or current soldiers in the unit over a six-year period, from 2011 through 2017. He also found a pattern of sexual misconduct by the very men who were charged with administering the Guards sexual assault and response programs. Emond cited Plunketts first assailant as one of those men who nicknamed themselves the four horsemen. Seemingly, these leaders objective was to prey on female personnel within the unit for sexual favors, Emond wrote in his report, sent to Adjutant General Donald Dunbars office in January 2018. These same individuals came up several times in my interviews when identifying potential sexual misconduct incidents. Both the investigation into Plunketts alleged assault and the broader report on the units climate were sent to Dunbar, the states chief military officer who leads the Wisconsin National Guard and has done so since 2007. He was first appointed by Gov. Jim Doyle and later re-appointed by Gov. Scott Walker. His appointment expires in 2022. The investigators, defense attorneys, prosecutors and judges of Guard assault cases all answer to Dunbar. When asked multiple times how Dunbar responded to the Emond report, the Guard said it could not "comment on or confirm the existence" of the report nor comment on whether any policies were changed because of it. The Cap Times requested an interview with Dunbar and Emond for this story but the National Guard did not make them available. Plunkett gave Emonds report and the Guard investigations of her case to the Cap Times after she obtained them through a legal discovery process and a federal Freedom of Information Act, or FOIA, request. Victims and alleged perpetrators of sexual assault are not given copies of any investigations or evidence involving them unless they request the materials themselves through a FOIA request, which takes months, and can be denied. Her alleged assailant is now a higher ranking officer in the National Guard but is no longer based in Wisconsin. He did not respond to repeated requests for comment by email, phone and certified letter. In the Guard investigation into Plunketts assault report, he acknowledged they had sex but maintained it was consensual. After their first encounter, her alleged assailant kept looking at her and texting her, Plunkett said. He called her on her way home to Green Bay and invited himself to visit. I said, No, absolutely not. That was all a mistake, leave me alone. He kept texting me and calling me and said, Hey, lets just be friends. He told her he was going through a divorce and wanted to talk to her about what to tell his kids, since she had a degree in child development. Aware of the power he had over her as a superior officer, she agreed to talk, but anything sexual would be off limits, Plunkett said. The texts were constant and he always pushed boundaries, she said. Text messages between them during that time provided to the Cap Times by Plunkett show he pursued her. I have a lot of friends that are girls and not one of them has everything you have. Most get my sense of humor but dont have one of their own. If they are good looking theyre normally a bitch of some sort. If theyre smart their ego is through the roof which is annoying. But you understand my sense of humor and have a great one of your own, he wrote. You either trust me and want to be with me like I do with you or you dont. I know my feelings and maybe I havent conveyed them properly. A month after the first alleged assault, in July 2013, Plunkett attended the Armys Basic Officer Leaders Course in Missouri, a four-month course where officers are trained in how to lead their troops. She was halfway through the course when he arrived to also train. We go out to dinner and its awkward, Plunkett said. Afterward, he came back to her room. Quote 1 I say, I dont want to have sex. I dont want to have sex yet, and I say, I want to wait. He said, Ive waited long enough. I say, I dont want to have sex. I dont want to have sex yet, and I say, I want to wait. He said, Ive waited long enough, and he pins me down and slides his dick into me and I just give up. We had sex and I didnt moan. I didnt give any type of inclination that I was having a good time whatsoever. In the Guards investigation of the alleged assault, investigators quote a soldier who said he was staying in the room next to Plunkett during leadership training in Missouri. The soldier, whose name is redacted in the report, said he heard Plunkett moan with sexual pleasure the night the alleged perpetrator came to her room. Investigators said that anecdote was evidence that the encounter was consensual. He heard consensual sexual activity, which he described as a headboard banging against a wall, accompanied by female sexual moans of pleasure. He heard nothing which sounded to him like a sexual assault, as there was no yelling or sounds of distress, investigators wrote. Throughout the rest of their training program, Plunkett said she started drinking heavily and the two had sex throughout the leadership training, often drunk. That was a very traumatic experience and it messed with my head in ways I am still trying to unravel and figure out, she said. Plunkett said at times she initiated sex, in part to take back some measure of control. If sex was going to happen, it was going to happen on her terms. If it wasnt rape, you are OK. You were never overpowered, she told herself. I couldnt fight him. Fighting it didnt work, so if I just said yes then I couldnt be raped because I hadnt said no. I wanted him to love me because then it wouldnt have been rape. But it was. It was rape. He never loved me and I never loved him. That type of sexual behavior is a symptom of PTSD recognized by therapists and psychologists at the VA hospitals in Madison and Tomah. Veterans with PTSD from military sexual trauma can struggle sexually, often vacillating between hypersexual and asexual extremes, said Dr. Sarah Dahl, a psychologist and the military sexual trauma coordinator at the Tomah VA Medical Center, which has an inpatient psychiatric facility for patients with military sexual trauma. Its definitely not only an issue, but its one that doesnt necessarily get talked about, said Dahl, who did not review Plunketts records, but said her symptoms are consistent with PTSD from sexual trauma. Despite this, Plunkett graduated from the leadership course as the Distinguished Honor Graduate, an award given to the soldier with the highest academic performance and evaluation from superiors. Retaliation In December 2013, her alleged assailant left the unit. Plunkett continued to lead a unit in the 457th and receive positive performance evaluations. Months later, Plunkett said another female soldier told her about several incidents where her alleged perpetrator and other men pursued female soldiers and had a competition to see how many women they could have sex with. I sent him a text saying I found out about him and his true colors and said, The sexual harassment stops now. This is my unit now and I will sacrifice my career if I have to. I will go down swinging. I am telling this to you I will not tolerate it. I will report it, Plunkett said. After that text, which she said she sent in spring 2014, Plunketts performance, according to her rating officers, plummeted. She did not report the assault to Guard officials until September 2015, but it was after she sent that text message that other officers in the unit began to turn against her, she said. She was reprimanded and investigated in July 2014 for how she responded to a soldier in her platoon who had a personal crisis. During a drill weekend, the enlisted soldier was concerned she was pregnant and wanted a female officer to bring her to the medical center. Plunkett was not sure what to do and explained the situation to several superior officers, asking for guidance, email records show. They told her that the soldier needed to be escorted to the troop medical center by a superior officer. Plunkett followed those orders, and a male superior officer took the soldier to the medical center. That fall, she was given a letter of reprimand and notified of a full investigation examining whether she conspired to disobey a direct order. The investigation found that though she ultimately obeyed the order, she previously conspired to not do so and found her guilty. Andrea Fasel, who investigated Plunkett, held the same rank as she did. Fasel was asked to determine whether Plunkett or their shared commander, Jeremiah Hellenbrand, was correct. The Guard's strong response to Plunkett's actions was "bizarre, according to a personal legal memo written by Plunketts Guard-appointed attorney, Kacey Deiss. All soldiers who are investigated for misconduct are assigned a military defense attorney by the National Guard. In that memo, Deiss questioned why the Guard asked Fasel to investigate an issue that involved her own supervisor. He told Guard leadership that he thought the investigation was a conflict of interest and asked them to appoint a different investigating officer, according to correspondence between him and Plunkett. The commander refused, saying that he was certain Hellenbrand was right and Plunkett was wrong, according to Deiss memo. Plunkett did no overt act to conspire to disobey an order, Deiss wrote, citing a text message Plunkett sent to her superior officer asking for guidance. Requesting an alternative course of action is not a crime Plunkett did nothing to prejudice the good order and discipline of the military, he wrote. He later notes in the memo: There is a possibility that the way this incident is being treated is retaliation for a complaint of sexual harassment against a soldier who was popular with company command staff. Deiss also questioned why Capt. Hellenbrand and the first sergeant demanded to be the ones to take a scared private to the troop medical center (against her wishes?) and the swift retribution to 2Lt Plunkett for proposing an alternative plan. Brand new commander? Power trip? Did he already have a target on Plunkett for other reasons??? Deiss wrote. About three months after the investigation, the company commander gave Plunkett the letter of reprimand, a formal professional rebuke that can hamper promotions and pay advancements. You engaged in inappropriate and intentionally deceptive behavior regarding the reporting of a pregnancy of a junior enlisted soldier, the commander wrote. During a conversation with the company commander, you displayed false confidence and an inability to comprehend and implement proper reporting procedures by refusing to disclose a pregnant soldiers name in direct contravention to the Commanders right to know. The second alleged assault In October 2014, Plunkett was transferred to a new unit, the 641st Headquarter Command Battalion based in Madison. It was a lateral move to get her out of the 457th that the Guard chose for her. A headquarter command battalion is a larger unit that oversees several smaller units under it, including the 457th. Plunkett had previously befriended a superior officer in the 641st. He had been a mentor when she was a platoon leader in the 457th, offering professional advice about how to train and counsel her troops. He was married and their friendship was platonic for months, Plunkett said. Things started to change in December of that year after she told him that she underwent a procedure to prevent pregnancy. The moment he knew he couldnt get me pregnant, thats when he became outright, saying Do things for me and I can do things for you, she said. That dynamic continued into 2015 when they both attended annual training at Camp Ripley in Morrison County, Minnesota. They were assigned to rooms on the same floor on the base. One night during training, the soldiers were authorized to go out for dinner and have two drinks. Plunkett went out, but said she purposely avoided him and went back to her room alone. About an hour after she returned, he knocked on her door. She opened it and he pushed his way in. He then pushes me down and pulls my pants off and he tries going down on me and I was like, No no no, and pull him off me and am telling him No, she said. He is then on top of me and pins me down and puts himself inside me and Im saying, What are you doing? No. Stop. Get off me. I cant do this. You cant do this. Get off of me, and he finally gets off of me and he leaves the room. She tried to think of who to call and realized she didnt have any other soldiers phone number. It was the middle of the night, and she figured the troop medical center was closed. Her head was spinning, she said. Im like, Oh my god, what just happened? Im trying to think of what I can do, I wonder if I can get a rape kit done, if I can get any evidence that he touched me. Then Im thinking of his wife and his two kids. He is a full-timer. If he loses his job then he loses retirement benefits, he loses the wife and the kids, they lose their medical insurance and everything is gone and I felt bad for them. Plunkett said nothing about it for days. She did not get a sexual assault exam, but months later she filed a police report with Morrison County, records show. She did not push for police to investigate because she feared reprisal. Her alleged assailant did not respond to repeated requests for comment by the Cap Times through email and phone. Two certified letters sent to his last known home and work addresses were returned. The paper is not naming him because he was not charged with a crime. Plunkett and her alleged assailant stopped talking after that. But in text messages between the two around that time reviewed by the Cap Times, Plunkett wrote, does it not bother you that we had sex and now never talk? He responded, Megan, we shouldnt have done that. Least of all when I was drunk. We can be friends but we cant have a relationship of that sort. I wouldnt be able to bring anything healthy to (your) life in fact quite the opposite. I may be unhappy but Im still married. Plunkett responded, I dont want a relationship, nor did I want one. And I also agree that that shouldnt have happened. Kinda hence the fight afterward. I dont want to be friends. He went on: OK, well, Im trying but thats your prerogative....I dont want hard feelings and I feel like there definitely is. There definitely are, Plunkett said. In the Guards November 2017 investigation of the incident, officials said the use of the word we in text messages suggest mutual participation in the sexual act. They did not include Plunketts texts in their report, only her alleged perpetrators. He declined to be interviewed for the investigation and now serves in the Army National Guard in another state. There was no friendship, Plunkett said. It was all grooming, it was all fake. The third alleged assault Plunkett was transferred to yet another unit in October 2015, a lateral move to get her out of the same unit as her alleged perpetrator. Now a first lieutenant, she started to see a counselor for anxiety, depression and PTSD at the Green Bay Vet Center. A few months into training with her new unit, Plunkett began dating an unmarried soldier who was enlisted, a lower rank than her. That is considered fraternization, a military crime. He was not in her chain of command and Plunkett said he was planning on leaving the Army. At the time, she was going through the medical discharge process for a herniated disc and hoping to get out soon. We were the same age. He was nice. It felt like a healthy, dating relationship, she said. They dated for a few months in early 2016 and Plunkett ended it, she said, after realizing it was a bad idea. Both were at the units annual training in Burlington, 30 miles west of Racine, in June 2016. Because of her back injury, Plunkett was on a no drill profile, meaning her exit from the Guard was imminent and she was excused from normal training. She was working at the firing range as other soldiers shot their weapons. At one point, she said she walked inside a building near the range and the soldier she had dated followed her. He asked her how she was and they chatted for a bit. Then he said, Hey, lets go have sex. I miss you, Plunkett said. She told him no repeatedly. He kept pushing. Plunkett said she eventually went to the bathroom to get away. When she came out of the bathroom he was standing there. He grabbed her between two humvees and pushed her up against one of them. He stuck his hands down her pants, under her underwear, she said. I cant even believe with my belt he could do that, but he could. He put his hands down my pants and forcibly kissed me. She pushed him off. I told him to get off of me and said, No, I dont want to have sex with you. I dont want to do anything with you. Stay the fuck away from me. He is still serving in the Wisconsin Army National Guard. When reached via email by the Cap Times, he referred all questions to the National Guard headquarters. In Guard investigations, he said he had a brief consensual dating relationship with Plunkett and denied assaulting her at the firing range during annual training. In their report, investigators did not ask him specific questions about the alleged incident and said his admission of their previously consensual sex made him credible. Since the relationship described by the reported perpetrator is prohibited by regulations regarding fraternization, his admission was a statement against his own interests, and it lends credibility, investigators wrote. The Cap Times is not naming him because he was not charged with a crime. According to the federal Uniform Code of Military Justice, which the National Guard cites in its own investigations of Plunketts sexual assault complaints, consent means words or overt acts indicating a freely given agreement to the sexual conduct by a competent person. It also reads: A current or previous dating relationship by itself shall not constitute consent. She didnt report the assault at first. Six weeks later she was notified she was being investigated for fraternization. Reporting the alleged assaults The National Guard allows those who experience sexual assault to make two kinds of reports: restricted and unrestricted. A restricted report remains confidential. It is not shared with leadership or investigated, but allows the National Guard to refer the soldier to counseling or other medical help. In order for a report to be investigated, a soldier must file an unrestricted report. Soldiers can choose to make their previously restricted reports unrestricted at any time. When an unrestricted report is filed, it is automatically referred to local civilian law enforcement, which reviews the complaint and decides whether to investigate and pursue criminal charges. Under Wisconsins Military Code of Justice, local law enforcement officials have primary jurisdiction over all sexual assault claims. Regardless of how law enforcement proceeds with a complaint, the National Guard also investigates all unrestricted reports of sexual assault through an internal administrative process. It can also send cases from that process to the state Department of Justice, which agreed in October 2018 to take referrals from the Guard. In the seven months since, the Guard has not yet referred any cases, according to the department. Gillian Drummond, a department spokeswoman, said that they do not comment on the investigatory practices for any cases. When the National Guard initiates its investigation, the sexual assault allegations become known within the same chain of command that could include alleged perpetrators. The Guard appoints an investigating officer who interviews people and makes findings and recommendations to the adjutant general. Guard officials said this process alone, which was implemented in the last few years, is evidence that they go above and beyond for sexual assault victims. Officials said they strictly follow procedures for how to fairly investigate assault claims without hurting victims. They will also remove victims from a unit where an alleged perpetrator is also serving. We work to actively create a culture that encourages victims to come forward to report assault, said Capt. Joe Trovato, a National Guard spokesman based in Madison. We recognize our system is not perfect but we are continuously striving to improve. Protecting victims and advocating for their interests throughout the investigative process is a priority, said Jackie Halverson, a local Guard spokeswoman. We dont take sides, she said. We provide support to the victim. That was not Plunketts experience. She filed restricted reports of her first two alleged assaults in 2015. She later made them, along with the report of her third alleged assault, unrestricted in 2017. That decision triggered three investigations by the Guard for each one of her reports. When she reported the assaults to the Guard, she also called civilian law enforcement in each place she said she was assaulted, according to records. She has not pursued criminal investigations with those agencies because too much time had passed, she said. Army National Guard ranks In the Army National Guard and across all military branches, there are two types of personnel: officers and enlisted. Commissioned officers are personnel who must have a college degree and have completed basic training and Officer Candidate School a type of officer boot camp from which they are commissioned. They are the highest tier of personnel and always outrank enlisted personnel. Non-commissioned officers are enlisted personnel who, through experience and time in the military, rise through the ranks to become officers. They lead units of enlisted personnel but do not outrank commissioned officers. Enlisted personnel are the lowest ranking personnel. They have completed basic training. In the Army National Guard, most soldiers, including high level commanders, serve in these ranks officers, enlisted and noncommissioned officers on a part-time basis. They typically train one weekend per month and work full-time civilian jobs. There are soldiers who work for the National Guard as full-time staff members, either at headquarters or at units throughout the state. These full-time staff members can either be officers or enlisted personnel and run operations at each unit and/or administer policies and programs throughout the Guards ranks. Officer ranks Commissioned officers are the managers and planners who lead enlisted soldiers. They plan missions, give orders and assign soldiers tasks. Second Lieutenant Typically the entry-level rank for most commissioned officers. They leads groups of 16 to 44 soldiers. First Lieutenant A seasoned lieutenant with 18 to 24 months service. As a senior lieutenant, they are often selected to be the executive officers of company-sized units with 110 to 140 personnel. Captain Commands and controls company-sized units with 62 to 190 soldiers. Instructs skills at service schools and is often a staff officer at the battalion level. Major Serves as primary staff officer for brigade and task force command regarding personnel, logistical and operational missions. Lieutenant Colonel Typically commands battalion-sized units with 300 to 1,000 soldiers. Colonel Typically commands brigade-sized units of 3,000 to 5,000 soldiers. Also found as the chief of divisional-level staff agencies. Brigadier General Serves as deputy commander to the commanding general for Army National Guard divisions. Assists in overseeing the staff's planning and coordination of a mission. Major General Typically commands division-sized units of 10,000 to 15,000 soldiers. For each of the Guards investigations, a Guard team interviewed Plunkett and each alleged perpetrator, along with five or six other soldiers, none of whom were present at the time of the incidents. Guard officers are assigned to conduct internal investigations, but their names were redacted from the reports. Despite each incident occurring with different people, at different times and places, the Guards investigative reports are virtually identical. In every report, the investigating officers interviewed the same people, quoted their statements similarly and repeated their assessments of Plunketts character. Investigators used their findings in the first and second assault investigations as evidence that she was lying about the third allegation. The victim was untruthful to the investigative team in a companion case. The victim alleged that two other (Wisconsin Army National Guard) members sexually assaulted her during her five year military career, they wrote. The investigators then cite their previous two reports and say that the victim provided untruthful testimony to this investigative team in those cases. In each investigation, the Guard did not dispute that a sexual interaction occurred but concluded that Plunkett consented and that it was the mans intention to sexually gratify her. Therefore, her claims of sexual assault in each instance were unsubstantiated, the reports said. Plunkett said investigators did not ask her for any witnesses who could corroborate her accounts and none were in the reports. This approach was questioned by Plunketts special victims advocate at the time, Karla MacArthur Harris, a member of the South Dakota Army National Guard who was assigned to Plunketts case after she requested an advocate from out of state. In June 2018, Harris asked the National Guard Bureau to review the investigations into Plunketts complaints, writing in a memo that investigators violated National Guard Bureau rules and showed potential bias in several ways. The National Guard Bureau is a federal agency that oversees Guard units in each state and is jointly run by the Department of the Army and the Department of the Air Force. Only one team of investigators was sent to investigate all three reports of sexual assault. This, in turn, had the investigators building perceptions and conclusions into each report while investigating the other, she wrote in a memo addressed to Doug Moore, the Wisconsin National Guards deputy staff judge advocate, who provides legal advice and counsel for the adjutant general. The National Guard Bureau declined to review the investigation and Plunkett decided not to pursue it further because it could have prolonged her time in the Guard. In transcripts of their interviews with Plunkett, Guard investigators noted any time she cried or had an emotional response while recounting her experiences. She did not describe any other reaction that might be expected from a victim of sexual assault, such as crying or feeling of shock, the investigators wrote. They were also suspicious about her interaction with a therapy dog during the interview, even though the use of it is something Wisconsin Guard officials regularly cite when they talk about their efforts to support victims of sexual assault. The service dog helps to eliminate some of those barriers (to reporting assaults) because oftentimes we find the service members will speak up while petting our canine and that will open up comfortability, said Amber Garfoot, a victim advocate with the Wisconsin Army National Guard. After their interview with Plunkett, Guard investigators wrote that: The therapy dog climbed into the victims lap. ...The victim did not appear distressed and the dog sat back on the floor in less than two minutes. That investigators used their perceptions of her emotional responses to influence their investigation of her claims is a problem, Plunkett said. If Im telling you that this rape happened and it was very upsetting to me, then it was very upsetting for me, whether Im crying while Im saying it or not, Plunkett said. If me not crying is me dealing with it, then thats how Im dealing with it. Regarding the alleged assault by the second man, the team concluded Plunkett had motive to fabricate her story because she did not file a restricted report until three weeks later. They also said the fact that she opened the door when the alleged perpetrator knocked showed that she was open to sex. Colonel Don Christensen, president of Protect Our Defenders, a national nonprofit based in Washington, D.C., that helps military victims of sexual assault with their legal cases, said the Wisconsin National Guards investigations read as if they were written by children. The absolute bias just comes across the page, he said. Christensen served as chief prosecutor for the United States Air Force between 2010 and 2014 and as a trial counsel, defense counsel or military judge for each of his 23 years in the Air Force. The absolute lack of understanding of trauma and how to appropriately investigate a sexual assault case just leaps off the page, he said. The things the investigator is saying are so offensive, it is beyond belief that they are putting these things down in writing. In one report, Guard investigators determined Plunketts assertion that she was intimidated by her alleged assailants rank and position was not credible because she had a history of standing up to senior officers over other issues. Somebody should be fired, whoever wrote that, and that person should never ever, ever be able to do anything with sexual assault, Christensen said. That is one of the most offensive lines I have ever seen in an investigation a jaw-dropping, ignorant statement. To equate sexual assault with your official duties is unbelievable. In that same investigation, the Guard highlighted comments from a group of soldiers who thought the alleged perpetrator was always professional and seemed like a decent person and said the women never complain about him, according to the report. One person said that she cannot imagine the reported perpetrator sexually assaulting anyone. Those same people called Plunkett a snake, said she often stands too close to men, acts flirty and said those things because she always wants to get her way. More than a year after the Guard finished its investigations into Plunketts complaints, top officials invited the media in so they could explain their efforts to protect and seek justice for sexual assault victims. The invitation came after the Cap Times began asking questions about Plunketts case and also after Baldwin, Evers and state Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, called for reviews of how the National Guard responds to sexual assault allegations from multiple people. At the media roundtable on April 11, Guard officials said they welcomed outside reviews of their organization and emphasized their care for sexual assault victims. Lets take a moment to acknowledge that victims of sexual assault will read the stories you write to inform the public. In fact, the message they receive will either provide them with the courage to come forward and seek help or it will create yet another barrier to reporting, said Maj. Robert Brania, the National Guards sexual assault response coordinator, a federal employee hired to advocate for victims. With that in mind, I assure you as a passionate advocate that makes personal sacrifices to place victims first, that this organization considers prevention of and response to sexual assault as its highest priority. The March 2016 memo originally outlining the reason for Emonds investigation of the 457th Chemical Company offers another potential explanation. If in fact these allegations are substantiated, the result is a direct negative impact on unit readiness, a violation of the dignity and human rights of our soldiers; and creates an exposure of liability to the Wisconsin National Guard and perhaps public media attention if not resolved, wrote Maj. Daniel Kalhammer, who sent the memo to Adjutant General Dunbars chief of staff. Gilkes sees Wisconsin more as one of a Big 10 lineup of Midwestern states competitive states like Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Iowa and Minnesota. Those are the states that are going to decide the president of the United State next go-round, he said. Gilkes said one of the key factors Trump has on his side, at least for now, is the good economy, an area for which 51 percent of voters gave him credit in recent polls. If the economy is going well, so goes the campaign for an incumbent president, he said. Not necessarily, said Franklin. Low unemployment and a growing economy is a boon for any sitting president, he said. But in todays topsy-turvy political world, even that dynamic is changing. For instance, the economy was doing well on Oct. 31, 2016, yet polling showed that Republicans had soured on the nations economic prospects. On Nov. 10, after Trumps election, they were shockingly positive, Franklin said. The opposite was true of Democrats. It shows that people are filtering their views of the economy so much more strongly through partisanship now than they did in the past, he said. "It has both legal and political dimensions. The legal aspect requires us to ask whether there have been high crimes and misdemeanors such as treason or bribery, which I take to mean grave offenses from on high of a public character against the democracy itself. The political part requires us to ask whether the public interest demands impeachment and conviction as a remedy to stop a pattern of misconduct that is contemptuous of the rule of law and our Constitution. If it were a purely legal judgment, it would have been assigned to the courts in Article III, but the founders rejected that idea and located it in Article I, with Congress. "From the beginning of the administration, Ive said impeachment should not be a fetish for anybody, but it should be a taboo for nobody. At this point in events, we have to be taking it very seriously. "What people sometimes miss is that impeachment takes the question of holding presidents to account out of the paradigm of crime and punishment. The president is not punished by virtue of impeachment as he would be with a prosecution. He doesnt go to jail. He may face prosecution separately, but this is about defending our Constitution by removing a president who has become an intolerable threat to the people and our form of government. And certainly not most states, because 36 states and Washington D.C. have adopted Medicaid expansion. These are red, blue and purple states that put politics aside to invest in the health and wellness of their residents, while saving countless state dollars and attracting billions in federal funding. Since former Gov. Scott Walkers initial rejection of Medicaid expansion in 2014, Wisconsin has missed out on $2.7 billion in additional federal funds and lost $1 billion in state savings. Yet Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos has dug in his heels against this proposal. In response to a recent article suggesting some Republican legislators may be open to a compromise on Medicaid expansion, Speaker Vos simply tweeted #never. This dismissiveness is a slap in the face to the people of our state. And its not just Medicaid-eligible individuals who benefit from expansion, because we reinvest these federal dollars and state savings in initiatives to improve the health of all Wisconsinites, such as behavior health supports, addiction treatment, improving maternal and infant health, lead remediation for children, expanding access to dental care and increasing caregiver wages and nursing home reimbursement rates, which are some of the lowest in the nation. The man said that Grimage helped Alston attack him. He said that they tipped a dresser over on top of him, beat the living (expletive) out of me and stole as much as $600 from his wallet. After being apprehended, Alston reportedly was found with $412 in cash, including four $100 bills. Officers reported that Alston became hostile, vulgar and disorderly after she was taken to Aurora Burlington Medical Center, 252 McHenry St., for a cut on her forehead. While in the emergency room, she reportedly ignored officers commands to stay in bed, yelled and physically resisted law enforcement and kicked a male sergeant twice in the groin, after which point she was handcuffed to the bed. After being told she was under arrest for battery to a law enforcement officer, Alston reportedly said, I dont give a (expletive) multiple times. Alston made an initial appearance Monday, during which a $400 bash bond and $5,000 signature bond were set, records show. Grimage also made an initial appearance and received a $200 cash bond. A Wisconsin Dells mans body was found by jailers Sunday after he apparently hanged himself in his cell at the Columbia County Jail, authorities said Monday. In a press release, Columbia County Sheriff Roger Brandner said the body of Fuad Pashayev, 31, was found shortly after 11 p.m. while jail staff were completing routine checks. Pashayev was being held in jail on $1 million cash bond on charges he stabbed his wife, Tetiana Huhzov, 23, to death April 4 at their home. The couple had a 2-year-old daughter. Pashayev faced up to life in prison if convicted of the first-degree intentional homicide charge. Jail staff were able to cut the inmate down and perform life-saving measures as well as called an ambulance from Divine Savior Hospital; however, those life-saving measures were unsuccessful, Brandner said in the release. Divine Savior Healthcare Marketing and Community Relations Director Haley Gilman said a medical team was dispatched to the Columbia County Jail at 11:09 p.m. Sunday. Prithvi Man Shrestha is a political reporter for The Kathmandu Post, covering the governance-related issues including corruption and irregularities in the government machinery. Before joining The Kathmandu Post in 2009, he worked at nepalnews.com and Rising Nepal primarily covering the issues of political and economic affairs for three years. A Janesville man who crashed his car on Interstate 90/94 Monday afternoon was arrested for an alleged fourth operating while intoxicated offense. Terry Anderson, 54, was taken to the Sauk County Jail following the crash that occurred at about 3:30 p.m. in the westbound lanes of the Interstate just east of Lake Delton, the State Patrol said. Troopers dispatched to the crash scene found Anderson's Ford Crown Victoria blocking the right lane of traffic and pointed in the wrong direction. A section of guardrail along the highway also was damaged. "Trooper detected a strong odor of intoxicants coming from Anderson, who admitted to drinking earlier," the incident report said. Field sobriety tests were administered and Anderson was arrested. Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. State law requires K-12 students to show that they have received the required immunizations, though its also one of 17 states that grants an exemption for those who object to being immunized because of personal or moral beliefs. The percentage of Wisconsin children receiving at least one dose of the measles vaccine by 24 months has held steady at about 85 percent for the last six years, according to the state Department of Health Services. Between 85 and 95 percent of a population needs to be immunized in order to protect vulnerable populations and to keep diseases from spreading, experts say. For Wisconsin students, most have cleared the bar, Kinsey said. UHS encourages, but does not require, students to upload their immunization records on file for UHS staff to access in case of an outbreak. More than 90 percent of students do so, and the submitted records show about 90 percent of students are vaccinated, according to the most recent UHS data, which are a few years old. If theyre willing to come and spend four years in college and get accustomed to our weather, it gives us at least a little leg up (against other states), she said. Auditors found in-state enrollment dropped by 12,881 students between academic years 2008-09 and 2017-18, from 138,018 to 125,137 . Auditors spoke to staff at seven schools Milwaukee, Stevens Point, Parkside, Eau Claire, River Falls, Oshkosh and Superior to understand whats driving the decline. Some schools told them that declining regional populations might be playing a role. UW-Superior noted that the declining population in northern Wisconsin means fewer students are eligible to enroll at the school. Most of the institutions noted a decline in the number of Wisconsin high school graduates. The audit cites state Department of Public Instruction data showing 6.1% fewer students graduated in school year 2016-17 than in 2009-10. Other campuses said more students arent enrolled as long because the system has been working to improve the four-year graduation rate. Nearly 40% of freshmen enrolled in fall 2013 graduated in four years compared with nearly 29% of freshmen who enrolled in fall 2003. A Minnesota native is thrilled to be a Badger after being named dean of students at UW-Madison. Christina Olstad, currently the interim assistant vice president for student affairs, housing and residence life at Towson University in Maryland, will begin her new job as dean of students at UW-Madison on July 1. Olstad replaces Lori Berquam, who left the post at the end of the 2017-18 school year. Im passionate about the Wisconsin Experience and ensuring that all students have the tools and resources they need to succeed, Olstad said in a statement. After growing up and attending college in Minnesota, Im thrilled to get to become a Badger. Olstad has almost two decades of higher education administration experience, first at Augsburg University in Minneapolis where she received her bachelors and masters degrees, then at the University of Vermont, where she received a doctorate in education, before going to Towson in 2013. One person was killed and a second person injured Sunday night in a fire in a 16-unit apartment building in Sun Prairie. Charles Dean Cobb, 40, died of injuries sustained in the fire, the Dane County Medical Examiners Office said Monday. No foul play was suspected in the fire, which happened at about 9:15 p.m. at 205 S. Bird St., although the cause of the blaze is still being determined, the Sun Prairie Fire Department said. Three residents were trapped in their first-floor apartment and were rescued by firefighters; one of those residents was taken to the hospital for treatment. The fire originated in a second-floor apartment. Additional crews arrived on scene and primary searches were done in each unit, said Fire Chief Chris Garrison. On primary search of one of the units, firefighters reported an obvious fatal victim on the second floor. Fire and police officials, as well as an agent from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, are investigating the fire and what caused it. No damage estimate was given. The building did not have sprinklers because it was built before sprinklers were required in apartment buildings. Its clear we are striving to meet Wisconsins needs. Now we are looking to exceed expectations by offering solutions to some of Wisconsins more pressing issues. We are graduating more students than ever a record 36,825 at all levels in 2018. We expect the final figures for 2019 to be equivalent or higher. That means were helping solve Wisconsins employment challenges by providing needed employees. It also means were doing better than ever in helping students progress through college, earn degrees and enter our talent pipeline. An investment in UW System will help us continue these successes and generate more graduates especially in high-need areas such as nursing, engineering, business, computer science, information technology and data science. Across the System, our campuses have plans to expand these vital areas through our 2019-21 state budget capacity-building initiatives. Moreover, our faculty generate groundbreaking research that improves lives and communities and often leads to new companies and patents. The 13 UW universities throughout Wisconsin are regional hubs of cultural and economic life. If policymakers want to invest in the future of where we all work and live, UW System represents an excellent return on investment. Cross is president of the University of Wisconsin System, serving more than 170,000 students: president@uwsa.edu and @RayWCross. TWIN FALLS Its Teacher Appreciation Week, and aspiring educators will have a one-stop opportunity to meet with prospective employers from school districts and charter schools in the Twin Falls area this week. The Region IV Educator Career Fair will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday in the Rick Allen Room of the Herrett Center for Arts & Science, Twin Falls. To register, go to eventbrite.com/e/region-iv-idaho-educator-career-fair-attendee-registration-tickets-59342274340. Recent graduates from bachelors degree education programs, education majors within a year of graduation, holders of Idaho teaching certificates and professionals in other fields seeking a career change are all invited to attend and find out about job opportunities. Districts and charter schools from Regions V and VI will hold their Educator Career Fair from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Shoshone-Bannock Hotel and Event Center, Chief Targhee A, Fort Hall. To register, go to eventbrite.com/e/region-vvi-idaho-educator-career-fair-attendee-registration-tickets-59342737726. Find out more about the Be An Educator Program by going to the SDEs Certification and Professional Standards site at sde.idaho.gov/be-an-educator/. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 An Idaho man accused in the September killing of a man has been charged with the additional crime of cannibalism and authorities in court documents said the suspect believed he could "cure his brain" by eating some of the victim. Tika R Pradhan is a senior political correspondent for the Post, covering politics, parliament, judiciary and social affairs. Pradhan joined the Post in 2016 after working at The Himalayan Times for more than a decade. JEROME The Jerome School District is preparing to open a standalone alternative high school in the fall to serve at-risk students. The school district already has an alternative program it has been in existence for more than 25 years but its not a standalone school and its under the umbrella of Jerome High School. The new alternative school which doesnt have a name yet will be housed in classrooms at the Jerome School Districts administrative office, which is an old middle school building. Idahos alternative schools can accommodate students up to age 21. If any teenagers enroll who are parents, Jeromes alternative school will be required to provide day care. The school must also provide some type of career/technical education program. Its unknown yet how many students will enroll at the alternative school, but it will likely open with about 50 students. We see it as growing because theres a need, Jerome School District Superintendent Dale Layne said Monday. Its just a different opportunity for kids. Just a smaller environment is probably one of the biggest differences. Students will take three classes at a time for a shorter duration, instead of seven at a time at Jerome High. Eventually, the alternative school will likely use a mastery-based education model, where students will progress through schoolwork at their own pace. School officials have met with students at Jerome High who may be interested in the alternative school and passed out about 150 applications. One or two completed forms were turned in the same day. Thats just an indication that theres a need and a real interest, Layne said. South-central Idaho is already home to a handful of alternative schools: Magic Valley High School in Twin Falls, Wakapa Academy in Buhl, Silver Creek High School in Hailey, Cassia Junior/Senior High School in Burley and Mt. Harrison Junior/Senior High School in Heyburn. The state requires prospective students to meet three of the following criteria: has repeated at least one grade, absenteeism higher than 10 percent compared with the previous semester, failed at least one academic subject in the past year, behind on credits toward graduation or grade promotion, attended three or more schools within the last two years, has a pattern of substance-abuse behavior, is pregnant or a parent, an emancipated or unaccompanied youth, a previous dropout, has a serious personal/emotional/medical issue, has a court or agency referral, or demonstrates behavior thats detrimental to their academic progress. Currently, the Jerome School District has a very small alternative school and for the most part, classes are online. There used to be one teacher, but the position has been vacant since fall 2018 and the school district hasnt been able to find anyone to fill it. In years past, anywhere from a handful to 25 students have been enrolled at a time at the alternative school. Currently, students earn class credits through the program and the goal is to have them return to Jerome High to graduate. We were really trying to get kids back to the high school, Layne said. Starting this fall, the new alternative school will be a standalone school. Students will be able to earn a diploma and graduate specifically from the alternative school. To prepare for opening an alternative school, the Jerome School District hired Sean Spagnolo a math teacher at Magic Valley High in March as the new schools principal and hes in the midst of interviewing candidates for teaching positions. The school plans to hire three teachers wholl teach core academic classes such as English and math, and one secretary. We will probably end up doing some online courses still, Layne said, since there will be a limited number of teachers. Spagnolo who started his career at Jerome Middle School has been teaching at Magic Valley High for four years. For the last couple of years, he has also taken on some administrative duties. Working with alternative school kids is awesome, he said. I wouldnt go back. He said hes looking at how Jeromes new alternative school can create change and be an advocate for at-risk students. The school district also plans to go through the process of getting accreditation for the new school from AdvancED the same organization Jerome High School already has accreditation through. It will allow students to graduate with a diploma under the alternative schools name. Theres also a process to get approval for the schools operation from the Idaho State Department of Education. The school districts first alternative program also sponsored by Jerome High School was a night school that started during the 1992-93 school year, Layne said, and it was specifically for teenagers who had a child. It expanded after that to include other at-risk students. It used to draw students from outside the Jerome School District boundaries, but numbers dwindled as other area school districts opened alternative schools. The online program began during the 2011-12 school year. Love 3 Funny 0 Wow 2 Sad 0 Angry 2 John Burke, 79, of Twin Falls, Idaho passed away on May 5, 2019 with loving family by his side. Arrangements are pending under the direction of Parkes Magic Valley Funeral Home of Twin Falls, Idaho. Mary Frances (Peggy) Varley, 87, of Twin Falls died Sunday, April 14, 2019. Services are pending for early June. Marvin L. Armes, 85, of Buhl, passed away Sunday, May 5, 2019 at a Twin Falls care facility. Arrangements are pending under the care of Farmer Funeral Chapel, Buhl. Margaret Melton, 98, of Twin Falls, Idaho passed away on Sunday, May 5, 2019 at a local nursing facility. Arrangements are under the direction of Reynolds Funeral Chapel. Anita June Tverdy, 82, of Buhl, passed away Sunday, May 5, 2019 at a local care facility. Services are pending under the care of Farmer Funeral Chapel, Buhl. Erika Mumm, 82, of Kimberly died, Saturday, May 4, 2019 at home A celebration of life will be held at 6 p.m., Saturday, May 11, 2019, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Twin Falls. Cremation is under the direction of. Serenity Funeral Chapel Life Celebration Center and Cremation Services of Idaho, Twin Falls. Condolences may be shared at www.serenityfuneralchapel.com. Beverly Ann Danvers, 83, of Twin Falls passed away on Sunday, May 5, 2019 at Bridgeview Estates. A memorial service will be held on Friday, May 10, 2019 at 11 a.m., at Rosenau Funeral Home. Arrangements are under the direction of Rosenau Funeral Home. My longtime friend and colleague Dr. Thomas Sowell has just published a revised and enlarged edition of Discrimination and Disparities. It lays waste to myth after myth about the causes of human differences not only in the United States but around the globe. Throughout the book, Sowell shows that socioeconomic outcomes differ vastly among individuals, groups and nations in ways that cannot be easily explained by any one factor, whether its genetics, sex or race discrimination or a history of gross mistreatment that includes expulsion and genocide. In his book The Philadelphia Negro (1899), W.E.B. Du Bois posed the question as to what would happen if white people lost their prejudices overnight. He said that it would make little difference to most blacks. He said: Some few would be promoted, some few would get new places the mass would remain as they are until the younger generation began to try harder and the race lost the omnipresent excuse for failure: prejudice. Sowell points out that if historical injustices and persecution were useful explanations of group disadvantage, Jews would be some of the poorest and least-educated people in the world today. Few groups have been victimized down through history as have the Jews. Despite being historical targets of hostility and lethal violence, no one can argue that as a result Jews are the most disadvantaged people. Jews are not alone in persecution either. The number of overseas Chinese slaughtered by Vietnamese mobs and the number of Armenians slaughtered by mobs in the Ottoman Empire in just one year exceeds the number of black Americans lynched in the history of the U.S. From 1882-1968, 4,743 total lynchings occurred in the United States, of which 3,446 of the victims were black. Sowell concludes this section suggesting that it is dangerous for society to depict outcome differences as evidence or proof of malevolent actions that need to be counterattacked or avenged. Politicians and others who are now calling for reparations to blacks for slavery should take note of Sowells argument. Theres considerable handwringing among educational experts about the black/white academic achievement gap. Part of the persistence of that gap can be laid at the feet of educators who replaced what worked with what sounded good. One notable example of success is the achievement of students at the all-black Dunbar High School in Washington, D.C., from 1870 to 1955. During that period, Dunbar students frequently outscored white students on achievement tests in the Washington, D.C., area. Sowell, who studied Dunbar and other high-achieving black schools, says, Dunbar had unsparing standards for both school work and for such behavioral qualities a punctuality and social demeanor. Dunbars homework requirements were more than most other public schools. Some Dunbar parents complained to the D.C. Board of Education about the large amount of homework required. Dunbar High School was not the only black school with a record of success that would be the envy of todays public schools. Schools such as Frederick Douglass (Baltimore), Booker T. Washington (Atlanta), PS 91 (Brooklyn), McDonogh 35 (New Orleans) and others operated at a similar level of excellence. By the way, these excelling students werent solely members of the black elite; most had parents who were manual laborers, domestic servants, porters and maintenance men. Observing the historical success of these and other black schools, one wonders about the catchwords of Chief Justice Earl Warrens statement that separate schools are inherently unequal. That vision led to racial integration going from being a means to an end to racial integration becoming an end all by itself. Sowell doesnt say this, but in my view, integration becoming the goal is what has made diversity and inclusion the end all and be all of todays educators at many levels. Dr. Thomas Sowells Discrimination and Disparities is loaded with pearls of wisdom from which we can all benefit, and as such, this will not be my final discussion of his masterpiece. Walter E. Williams is a professor of economics at George Mason University. To find out more about Walter E. Williams and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate webpage at www.creators.com. Walter E. Williams is a professor of economics at George Mason University. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 0 CU Boulder civil, environmental and architectural engineering professor Lupita Montoya, left, and PhD candidate Aaron Lamplugh have been studying how Colorado nail salon employees are exposed to high levels of carcinogenic chemicals and possible solutions to mitigate exposure and dangers. They are photographed with a selection of tested products in their lab. Credit: Glenn Asakawa/University of Colorado Colorado nail salon employees face increased health risks due to high levels of indoor airborne pollutants such as formaldehyde and benzene, new University of Colorado Boulder research finds, concluding that working in a salon is akin to working at an oil refinery or an auto garage. The new study, which monitored volatile organic compound (VOC) levels in six Colorado nail salons, is among the first to illustrate the serious health risks prevalent in the industry, where technicians commonly work long hours and report symptoms such as headaches, respiratory difficulties and skin irritation. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined that long-term exposure to carcinogenic compounds significantly raises the chances of developing cancers such as leukemia and Hodgkin's lymphoma. "The study provides some of the first hard evidence that these environments are dangerous for workers and that better policies need to be enacted to protect them," said Lupita Montoya, lead author of the research and Research Associate in CU Boulder's Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering. Montoya's interest in researching airborne hazards in nail salons dates back nearly a decade. She recalls visiting a salon years ago and being struck by the pungent smell of open chemicals used in gel and acrylic nail applications. The air quality couldn't be very good in such a confined space with poor ventilation, she suspected, drawing on her background as a mechanical engineer. But while many of the VOCs from nail products had already been identified, no scientific studies had looked at the long-term health impacts for workers exposed to them day in and day out. Which compounds were in the air at what concentrations? And once released, how could they be removed? On two separate occasions, Montoya tried to get field tests started, but securing a location proved difficult. Over 90 percent of nail salons nationwide are small businesses, employing a predominantly minority workforce and lacking the resources to adequately address worker health and safety. Fearing consequences, many declined to participate. "This is an issue that requires tremendous sensitivity and a respectful approach to the communities being served," Montoya said. In 2017, four undergraduate students working with Montoya used personal connections to help secure access to six salons for a monitoring test over the course of 18 months. The salons agreed to participate on the condition of anonymity. The researchers set up equipment to monitor known VOCs such as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes (BTEX, collectively) along with formaldehyde. While formaldehyde levels were similar to those measured in other settings, the study turned up higher-than-expected concentrations of harmful benzene, which has been linked to leukemia, in all six salons. The real concerns, the researchers say, is for workers in this industry. Montoya and her colleagues asked employees to fill out questionnaires about employment practices, safety practices and health symptoms. Technicians reported working an average of 52.5 hours per week, with some ranging as high as 80 hours per week. Seventy percent of workers reported experiencing at least one adverse symptom, with common responses including headaches, skin irritation and eye irritation. The study found that for workers in some salons, lifetime cancer risk was up to 100 times higher than baseline EPA-issued levels. CU Boulder civil, environmental and architectural engineering professor Lupita Montoya holds a nail polish product that was tested in their lab. Credit: Glenn Asakawa/University of Colorado Boulder The researchers stressed that salon customers, however, face significantly fewer risks. The observed levels of air pollution observed are unlikely to have any negative health effects on all but the most vulnerable, such as those who are pregnant or have serious asthma. "It really depends on how much time you spend in and around that environment," Montoya said. "Customers spend a fraction of the time in salons that workers do. Unless they have pretty severe allergies or asthma, there's not much for customers to be concerned about." With the hazards readily apparent, Montoya said, the biggest question is how to remove VOCs safely and without disrupting the salon business. Montoya and her students had an answer: engineering as art. In 2016, mechanical engineer and Ph.D. candidate Aaron Lamplugh began working with Montoya on ways to reduce VOC concentrations passively using low-cost, absorbent materials like heat-treated coal or wood with strong affinity for organic molecules like BTEX compounds. These activated carbon materials can remove harmful VOCs through passive diffusion, but it takes a long time. Air jets that direct polluted air toward the absorbent material with greater flow provide far more efficient removal. "We've seen high rates of VOC removal with this method in controlled lab settingsnearly 100 percent," said Lamplugh, "We're still optimizing it for the field, where conditions are more unpredictable." With the support of a fellowship from CU Boulder's Nature, Environment, Science and Technology (NEST) Studio for the Arts in 2018, Lamplugh teamed up with ceramicist and MFA candidate Camila Friedman-Gerlicz to use activated carbon-based materials to create gallery-worthy artwork. The pieces could hang on the wall in a nail salon, pleasing to the eye while quietly cleaning the air. In an ideal real-world setting, small jets would sit at the end of each table, fanning the chemical fumes directly toward the charcoal artwork, efficiently eliminating lingering VOCs. "These materials can be beautiful, affordable and effective," Montoya said. Bringing engineering innovations out of the lab and into the communities that will benefit from them most is crucial, Lamplugh said. "There's a huge knowledge gap and a regulatory gap right now," he said. "We should invest in technology that's going to solve a problem on the ground, where it's accessible and usable." Montoya credits her undergraduate researchers (including study co-authors Feng Xiang and Janice Trinh) with embracing that mission and dedicating themselves to research that will improve quality of life, especially in underserved communities. "So often, technology gets stuck in the theoretical," Montoya said. "I think our students want to help right now. It's this new kind of engineering that will attract the next generation." Explore further Educational outreach, public policy changes needed to reduce health hazards at nail salons More information: Aaron Lamplugh et al, Occupational exposure to volatile organic compounds and health risks in Colorado nail salons, Environmental Pollution (2019). Journal information: Environmental Pollution Aaron Lamplugh et al, Occupational exposure to volatile organic compounds and health risks in Colorado nail salons,(2019). DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.03.086 Mycobacterium tuberculosis the bacteria shown here in a colorized electron micrograph cause tuberculosis, the most lethal infectious disease in the world. Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and Umea University in Sweden have found a compound that can prevent and even reverse antibiotic resistance in TB bacteria. Credit: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases About 1.5 million people died of tuberculosis (TB) in 2017, making it the most lethal infectious disease worldwide. A growing rise in drug-resistant TB is a major obstacle to successfully treating the illness. Now, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and Umea University in Sweden have found a compound that prevents and even reverses resistance to isoniazid, the most widely used antibiotic for treating tuberculosis. The research, published the week of May 6 in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, was conducted in bacteria growing in the lab, setting the stage for future studies in animals and people. Using the compound in conjunction with isoniazid potentially could restore the antibiotic's effectiveness in people with drug-resistant tuberculosis. The compound also may bolster the antibiotic's power to kill TB bacteria even those sensitive to drugs which means doctors could start thinking about cutting down the onerous six-month treatment regimen they prescribe today. "It is very hard for people to comply with such a long regimen," said co-senior author Christina Stallings, associate professor of molecular microbiology at the School of Medicine. "It's four drugs. They have side effects. It's no fun. The longer people have to be on antibiotics, the more issues with patient compliance you get, and that can lead to drug resistance and treatment failure. Here, we've found a compound that sensitizes bacteria to an antibiotic, prevents drug resistance from arising, and even reverses drug resistance at least in the lab. If we can turn this compound into a drug for people, it could make our current therapies more effective and be really beneficial for fighting this pandemic." Tuberculosis is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Once inside the body, the bacteria morph into a tougher form that can withstand more stress and is harder to kill. Rather than look for new and better antibiotics, Stallings and co-first authors Kelly Flentie, Ph.D., a former postdoctoral researcher at Washington University, and Gregory Harrison, a graduate student, decided to look for compounds that prevent the bacteria from toughening up. When put in a low-oxygen environment to mimic the stressful conditions TB bacteria encounter inside the body, the bacteria come together and form a thin film called a biofilm that is resilient to not only low-oxygen conditions but also to antibiotics and other stressors. With the help of co-senior author Fredrik Almqvist, professor of chemistry at Umea University, they screened 91 compounds that share a core chemical structure that inhibits biofilms in other bacterial species. The researchers found one compound, called C10, that did not kill the TB bacteria but prevented them from forming a biofilm. Further experiments showed that blocking biofilm formation with C10 made the bacteria easier to kill with antibiotics and even curbed the development of antibiotic resistance. The researchers needed only a fraction of the amount of isoniazid to kill the TB bacteria when C10 was included than with isoniazid alone. In addition, one out of 1 million TB bacteria spontaneously become resistant to isoniazid when grown under typical laboratory conditions. But when the researchers grew TB bacteria with isoniazid and the compound, the drug-resistant mutant bacteria never arose. "By combining C10, or something like it, with isoniazid we could enhance the potency of the antibiotic and block the TB bacteria from developing drug resistance," Stallings said. "That means we might be able to shorten the treatment regimen." Most surprisingly, the compound even reversed drug resistance. TB bacteria with mutations in the gene katG can withstand isoniazid treatment. But such bacteria die when treated with isoniazid plus the compound, the researchers discovered. The bacteria had not lost their genetic resistance, but they'd lost the ability to survive when exposed to isoniazid, as long as it was given alongside C10. "This was a totally unexpected finding," Stallings said. "We had no idea we would be able to reverse drug resistance. But this could mean that with all those millions of isoniazid-resistant TB cases, if we use something like C10, we could give people the option of using isoniazid again." The compound is not ready to be used in people or even tested in animals, Stallings cautioned. This study was conducted on bacteria growing in a lab. The researchers are still figuring out whether the compound is safe and how it might be processed by the body. "We have this great compound, and we've shown that it's possible to prevent and reverse antibiotic resistance," Stallings said. "But now we have to either improve on the compound itself so we can start testing it in animals, or figure out how it prevents biofilm formation so we can develop other drugs that target the pathway. We have a new strategy to treat TB, but it's going to take time before it's a reality." Explore further Pharmacists develop new substance to counteract antimicrobial tuberculosis resistance More information: Chemical disarming of isoniazid resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. www.pnas.org/cgi/doi/10.1073/pnas.1818009116 Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Chemical disarming of isoniazid resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Credit: CC0 Public Domain The common symptom of tics for those living with Tourette syndrome can sometimes interrupt a person's life, and for some, the condition also may come with other neurodevelopmental and psychiatric conditions. New guidelines by the American Academy of Neurology outline effective ways to treat the symptoms that range from new therapies to holistic care. Dr. Joseph Jankovic, professor of neurology and director of the Parkinson's Disease Center and Movement Disorders Clinic at Baylor College of Medicine, is one of the authors of the guidelines, published today in the online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the AAN. Tourette syndrome is a common neurodevelopmental disorder but the causative gene or genes have not yet been discovered despite extensive genetic research. While the motor and phonic tics typically start in childhood, Tourette is a life-long condition in most patients, often accompanied by attention deficit, obsessive-compulsive disorder and other behavioral co-morbidities. "If the tics are not interfering with patient's functioning or social interactions, behavioral therapy, if performed by a trained therapist, can be helpful. However, by the time patients with Tourette syndrome are referred to our movement disorders clinic at Baylor, some form of pharmacologic therapy is often needed," said Jankovic, who also is Distinguished Chair in Movement Disorders at Baylor. "There are many therapeutic options available for the treatment of Tourette, but the most important message from the guidelines is that therapy of Tourette must be individualized." To create the guidelines, the authors reviewed the latest scientific evidence and outlined methods to support accurate diagnosis, ongoing medical assessment of the severity of tics, and therapies that include holistic care, behavioral strategies and medications to manage tics over time. Lead author Dr. Tamara Pringsheim, with the University of Calgary in Alberta, Canada and a Fellow of the AAN, said tics rarely disappear but may get better overtime, so management is key. Key recommendations include: Watching and waiting as a management strategy could work for those whose tics are not disrupting everyday life. This should be done under consultation with a doctor who can educate the person to understand and cope with what is going on. Treatments must be individualized and based on a collaborative decision by those living with Tourette syndrome, caregivers and doctors. Doctors should talk to children and caregivers about how tics could improve with age for some. For those whose tics are disruptive, a first treatment option to consider is Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT). CBIT combines relaxation training, habit-reversal training and behavioral therapy. Patients with tics should be evaluated for other commonly coexisting conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and mood and anxiety disorders. For some, one medication can help lessen symptoms for both issues. In some cases, antipsychotic medications for tics are prescribed but if other side effects associated with these drugs are seen, patients must be weaned off under a doctor's supervision to prevent abnormal movements seen when medications are stopped too quickly. Botulinum toxin given by injection into the muscles might be an option for older teenage or adult patients. Deep Brain Stimulation is an option for those who are resistant to medical and behavioral therapy, but they must first be screened by a mental health professional and continue to be monitored throughout DBS treatment. The guidelines take into account the experiences of adults who have, on their own, treated their Tourette syndrome tics using cannabis. A person who chooses to do this should talk to his or her doctor. If a physician is not authorized to supervise the use of cannabis, the physician should recommend a doctor who is authorized and only in states where cannabis is legal. Jankovic also added that some drug therapies, such as tetrabenazine, deutetrabenazine and valbenazine, act by partially depleting brain dopamine and as such do not cause additional movement related side effects. These drugs are not mentioned in the new guidelines, partly because they have not yet been approved by the FDA in Tourette syndrome. They have been approved, however, for other conditions, such as Huntington disease and tardive dyskinesia, and, therefore, can be prescribed by physicians for Tourette. Jankovic said this is another reason why treatment must be individualized for each person to understand what will work best and have the best outcomes. Explore further Can medicinal cannabis treat the tics in Tourette syndrome? A Queensland University of Technology analysis of studies gauging attitudes to medicinal cannabis has found that while health professionals are broadly supportive, they feel they lack clinical and legislative knowledge, and their greatest concerns are the psychiatric harm that may be caused to patients and misuse by recreational drug users. The findings have been reported in PLOS One. QUT pharmacy Ph.D. researcher Kyle Gardiner led the analysis of the studies with principal supervisor Professor Lisa Nissen, Head of QUT's Faculty of Health School of Clinical Sciences. Mr Gardiner said with cannabis moving rapidly from a criminalised product to where it may be prescribed medicinally it was important to understand the views of the health sector. "In almost all international jurisdictions the involvement of at least one health professional is required for patients to acquire medicinal cannabis," he said. "So, clinicians are in the crosshairs and we need to understand their behaviours and engagement. "It is important to know their attitudes and concerns about the delivery and use of medicinal cannabis, what knowledge they have, and where they are getting their information. However, these are a few pieces of a much larger picture. "The picture we need to build is a more robust understanding of health professional behaviour. This is an important step in recognising and better informing strategies that change the way healthcare is delivered so that patients are not disadvantaged. "This study is one part of putting together that picture relating to medicinal cannabis." In Australia, several forms of imported medicinal cannabis are available, to be prescribed under certain conditions and used in clinical trials. Mr Gardiner said in the various studies examined, practitioners raised concerns around people growing cannabis for medicinal use, potential contamination, drug misuse, interactions with other drugs, and driving under the influence. They were also concerned about psychiatric adverse effects, and in three of the studies medical practitioners believed "negative mental health outcomes were positively correlated with the use of medicinal cannabis". However, Mr Gardiner said it wasn't clear whether the views of all health professionals were based on peer-reviewed clinical evidence or something else. "Consistently across medicine, pharmacy and nursing, health professionals all said their knowledge of medicinal cannabis was poor," he said. "Many highlighted a need for further education and easy-to access information. Where they felt evidence-based resources were not accessible, their knowledge was generated from online learning, news and media, and patient experiences." Mr Gardiner said it wasn't surprising that in the more recently published studies, health professionals' views were more supportive of medicinal cannabis than those reported in older studies. "Support did vary between jurisdictions, but there was no obvious pattern relative to the laws and leniency or strictness around cannabis in those jurisdictions. "There was also greater support from professionals who were in specialty medical fields rather than in general or community practice." Mr Gardiner said while broadly health professionals in the various studies expressed support for medicinal cannabis, this doesn't necessarily mean a willingness to deliver it. "There is a fundamental difference between being supportive of medicinal cannabis and being directly responsible for its delivery. More research is needed in this area." More information: Kyle M. Gardiner et al, Health professional beliefs, knowledge, and concerns surrounding medicinal cannabis A systematic review, PLOS ONE (2019). Journal information: PLoS ONE Kyle M. Gardiner et al, Health professional beliefs, knowledge, and concerns surrounding medicinal cannabis A systematic review,(2019). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0216556 Among adults with mental health needs, those covered by Medicare or employer-sponsored health insurance have greater access to medical treatment, less out-of-pocket cost and are more likely to receive care than those seeking an appointment through an Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace-sponsored plan, according to findings from researchers at Drexel University's Dornsife School of Public Health. Their study, published in the May 2019 issue of Health Affairs, provides preliminary results on disparities among those experiencing psychological stress since the ACA became law in 2010. The researchers used National Health Interview Survey data on adults experiencing mental illness. They looked at a dataset that included 4,500 Medicaid enrollees, 8,600 with employer-sponsored insurance and nearly 900 on a Marketplace plan, and measured access to treatment, specifically whether individuals received care in the previous 12 months and whether those patients could afford treatment. Among those seeking mental health care during the previous 12 months, success was highest for those with employer coverage. Although 5 percent of those with employer-sponsored insurance and 9 percent of Medicaid patients reported trouble getting a mental health doctor appointment in the previous year, 12 percent of Marketplace-enrollees experienced this same trouble. Additionally, nearly 12 percent of Marketplace and nine percent of Medicaid enrolleesbut only four percent of those with employer-sponsored insurancereported being unable to be accepted as a new patient during the previous 12 months. Of the 44.7 million adults with a mental illness in the United States, only 43.1 percent received treatment in the previous year in 2016. The ACA mandates coverage of behavioral health services in Medicaid and all exchange health plans, and expands protections in individual and small-group insurance markets. "Although the ACA added about 20 million people to the number of insured in the United States, significant disparities remain," said lead author Ryan McKenna, Ph.D., MA, an assistant professor of Health Management and Policy in Drexel University's Dornsife School of Public Health. "Policy makers must look at this data and remedy these barriers for millions of Americans." The authors propose making health insurance more transparent by developing a metric to measure quality and size of a plan's network, much like the one that exists for Medicare's Star Rating System. Sorting enrollees into plans that fit their health needs more effectively may help lower out-of-pocket and out of network costs for enrollees, the authors suggest. To combat a shortage of behavioral health specialists participating in various health plans, the authors advise simplifying administrative processes. The researchers note that changing Medicaid organizational procedures may speed up reimbursements to clinicians and lower costs for physicians to accept Medicaid. Explore further Adults with mental health, substance disorders more likely subject to Medicaid work rules ICYMI: Here are our top stories from Tuesday, May 7 Here are some of the top stories from The Kathmandu Post (May 7, 2019). High grade dysplasia (carcinoma in situ) in the uterine cervix. The abnormal epithelium is extending into a mucus gland to the left of centre. This disease can progress to invasive cancer (squamous cell carcinoma) of the cervix. Credit: Haymanj/public domain Girls began queuing at their local school with their friends, waiting for their names to be called. Many were apprehensive. After all, most of them had not had a vaccination since they were babies. It was 2013 and a new vaccine had arrived in Kanyirabanyana, a village in the Gakenke district of Rwanda. Reached by a reddened earth road, the village is surrounded by rolling hills and plantations growing crops from bananas to potatoes. Unlike the 10 vaccines already offered to young children as part of the country's immunisation programme, this vaccine was different: it was being offered to older girls, age 1112, in the final year of primary school. Three years before, Rwanda had decided to make preventing cervical cancer a health priority. The government agreed a partnership with pharmaceutical company Merck to offer Rwandan girls the opportunity to be vaccinated against human papillomavirus (HPV), which causes cervical cancer. This was the first time an African country had embarked on a national prevention programme for cervical cancer. Could Rwanda become the first country in Africa to eliminate it? It was an ambitious goal. Cervical cancer is the most common cancer in Rwandan women, and there were considerable cultural barriers to the vaccination programme HPV is a sexually transmitted infection and talking about sex is taboo in Rwanda. Added to this, rumours that the vaccine could cause infertility made some parents reluctant to allow their daughters to be vaccinated. Rwanda's economy and history also made it seem an improbable candidate for achieving high HPV vaccination coverage. After the 1994 genocide, it was ranked as one of the poorest countries in the world. High-income countries had only achieved moderate coverage of the HPV vaccine; if the United States and France couldn't achieve high coverage, how could Rwanda? Worldwide, cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women. There were an estimated 570,000 new cases in 2018 and over 310,000 deaths, the vast majority in low- and middle-income countries. Sub-Saharan Africa has lagged behind the rest of the world in introducing the HPV vaccine and routine screening, which means the cancer often isn't identified and treated until it has reached an advanced stage. Almost all cases of cervical cancer are caused by HPV. It is one of the commonest sexually transmitted infections globally, and most of us are infected with at least one type of genital HPV at some point in our lives usually as teenagers or young adults. In most cases the virus is harmless and resolves spontaneously without causing any symptoms such as genital warts. There are more than 100 strains of HPV, at least 14 of which can cause cervical cancer and a range of less common cancers, including of the penis, vagina and anus. Persistent infection with two strains of HPV, 16 and 18, is responsible for 70 per cent of cervical cancer cases. The first vaccine against HPV became available in 2006. This was the culmination of decades of work, notably by scientists in Germany, who in 1983 discovered the link between HPV infection and cervical cancer. Ian Frazer and Jian Zhou at the University of Queensland, Australia, then jointly developed the technology that enabled the HPV vaccine. Using recombinant DNA technology, they built the shell of the virus from scratch and made an 'empty' human papillomavirus in the lab. "This was something nobody had achieved before," Frazer says. They realised this empty, non-infectious HPV could be used as a vaccine to prevent HPV and cervical cancer. The news that there was a new vaccine which could drastically reduce the number of women getting cervical cancer went around the world. But with the excitement about the new vaccine came the realisation that not all girls would have the same opportunity to receive it. It was likely that at least a decade would pass between its introduction in high-income countries and in low-income countries. Today there are three HPV vaccines Gardasil and Gardasil 9, made by Merck, and Cervarix, made by GSK. All are highly effective at preventing infection with virus types 16 and 18. The newest Gardasil 9 was licensed in 2014 and protects against nine types of HPV, which between them cause around 90 per cent of cervical cancers. More than 800,000 people died in the Rwandan genocide, and its widespread destruction left the country devastated. Coverage of most World Health Organization-recommended childhood vaccinations plummeted to below 25 per cent. But within 20 years, the number of babies in Rwanda receiving all recommended vaccinations, such as polio, measles and rubella, had increased to around 95 per cent. Rwandans' life expectancy more than doubled between 1995 and 2011. The Rwandan government had demonstrated the determination and thoroughness of its approach to vaccinations. Could it now have the same success with HPV? Before the HPV vaccine arrived in Kanyirabanyana, 63-year-old Michel Ntuyahaga, a community health worker, spent weeks canvassing his village, going to each of the 127 mud-brick houses to inform parents about the upcoming vaccination campaign. Joined by a nurse, he explained to parents that if they had an adolescent daughter, they had an opportunity for her to be vaccinated against a deadly women's disease cervical cancer. "I explained to parents that the cancer is a disease and that the one measure to prevent it is vaccination," he says. Ntuyahaga wasn't the only person educating the community about the vaccination campaign. Constantine Nyiransengiyera has been a primary school teacher in Kanyirabanyana for the past 13 years. In addition to teaching maths, science, French and English, she was and continues to be responsible for gathering all the 12-year-old girls at the local school to educate them about the HPV vaccine. Silas Berinyuma, a leader in Kanyirabanyana's Anglican church for the past 24 years, preached about the importance of the vaccine for weeks before it arrived in the village. The church used drama to depict scenes of cervical cancer's devastating impact. This continues today. The same awareness campaign was taking place around the country Rwanda has a network of 45,000 community health workers, volunteers who are present in every village. Bugesera is a district in the Eastern Province, not far from the border with Burundi. Billboards line roads through the district, advertising soft drinks alongside public health messages. One says: "Talk to your children about sex, it may save their lives." Not far off the main road is Karambi, a village surrounded by banana plantations. Toddlers roll tyres down the red-earth roads, teenagers carry handfuls of firewood on their heads, and adults herd cows and goats. In 2013, the then 12-year-old Ernestine Muhoza was vaccinated against HPV at her school. "The teachers called just girls for assembly and told us that there was a rise of a specific cancer among girls aged 12 and that it was time for us to get vaccinated," she says. When she went home to tell her parents about the vaccination, they'd already heard about it on the radio and via community health workers. Muhoza's parents readily agreed. But not every parent did. Some were sceptical. Why, they wondered, would their girls be getting vaccinated now, at this age? Why couldn't all girls and women receive the vaccine? And rumour had it that the vaccine would make girls infertile. Community health worker Odette Mukarumongi worked tirelessly in Karambi to counteract the rumours. "I told parents that a girl will go into constant menstruation like endless bleeding if she gets cervical cancer," she says. Mukarumongi says parents eventually "surrendered" and allowed their daughters to be vaccinated. Today, she says, parents rarely refuse, now that they can see the widespread acceptance of it in the community. In Kanyirabanyana, Ntuyahaga worked similarly hard to convince parents that the vaccine wouldn't stop their daughters from being able to conceive. "Parents had heard that the vaccine made girls infertile. We struggled to explain to them it wasn't true that it was better to vaccinate their daughters against the cancer because if they got it they would become infertile," he says. Community health workers and nurses visited homes with posters of women's reproductive organs to show parents the damage cervical cancer could do to their daughters. Felix Sayinzoga, manager of the maternal, child and community health division at the Ministry of Health, says: "Rwandans are really afraid about cancer so it was easy [to roll the vaccine out]. It was also about the trust the community has in the government. That was really important the community knows that we do not bring things that are not good for them." The current health minister, Diane Gashumba, agrees that trust in the government has been critical in supporting the vaccine's uptake, but admits that the rumours surrounding it were difficult to quash. "The rumours were not anticipated. But, of course, as the HPV vaccine was a new vaccine for a new target group there were many questions." She adds that church and village leaders, community health workers and radio programmes played an integral role in dispelling myths about the vaccine. Despite the vaccine's potential to save lives millions of them HPV vaccination has been mired in controversy and hostility, and this has heightened in recent years. The vaccine is recommended for girls, and in some countries for boys aged 12 to 13 too, because this is before sexual activity begins, bringing the risk of exposure to HPV. This has resulted in the vaccine being linked with promiscuity a belief that vaccinating young girls against an STI sexualises them and encourages sexual activity. There is no evidence that boys or girls who receive the vaccine have sex earlier than those who do not have the vaccine. But this concern is one of the reasons that India a country where more than 67,000 women die from cervical cancer every year has refused to introduce HPV vaccine into its routine immunisation programme. Leela Visaria, social researcher and honorary professor at the Gujarat Institute of Development Research in India, says: "The underlying reason why people don't want it [the vaccine] is the fact it's given to adolescent girls. They fear that girls will become promiscuous." Parents' concerns about the HPV vaccine have been further fuelled by false claims about its safety. This misinformation has spread rapidly, worldwide, on social media. Japan's take-up rate has plunged from more than 70 per cent to less than 1 per cent. Coverage has also dropped in parts of Europe, such as Denmark. In Ireland, conversely, a targeted social media campaign is reversing a sharp decline in the HPV vaccination rate. Peter Hotez, a vaccine scientist and dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine in Texas, agrees that there is a problem in the fears that the vaccine sexualises young girls. "The other problem is that the anti-vax movement has been making false assertions about it claims that it leads to autoimmune diseases and paralysis. "I think the movement is attempting to draw a line in the sand and say, 'no more vaccines' and when something like HPV comes along they are throwing everything they can at it. It's having a devastating impact. I worry that we will start to export this garbage and it will impact vaccine uptake in Africa." "Initially, when the HPV vaccine was introduced in different countries, there were differences of opinion on whether to focus on HPV and how it's transmitted, or to focus on the fact that HPV leads to cancer and this vaccine will prevent cancer," says Mark Feinberg. He is the former chief public health and science officer at Merck who was involved with the Rwanda programme. "Rwanda emphasised cancer prevention. It sought to communicate that the vaccine is here to protect young women from cervical cancer." Sayinzoga, from the Ministry of Health, agrees that policy makers made a conscious decision not to link the vaccine with sex. "For us, we didn't associate the vaccine with sex. We rather focused on the side-effects of cervical cancer: that it can cause infertility. Sex wasn't part of the campaign," he says. It's a decision that is widely accepted by public health experts as the right one. Ian Frazer, the immunologist who co-invented the first HPV vaccine, says: "The HPV vaccine has had a negative association. It has turned cervical cancer into an STI, which it is, of course, but we have to be careful. There is a right messaging for every country. Now we just talk about it as a vaccine to prevent cervical cancer. I think that's the right strategy." In Karambi, Muhoza, who is now 17 years old, says: "You know, there are some things that cannot be talked about openly, especially when they relate to sex." When Rwanda and Merck signed their agreement, it meant that from 2011 the pharmaceutical company would supply the country with HPV vaccinations for three years at no cost. As one of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies, Merck wanted to demonstrate that it was feasible to introduce the vaccine in low-income countries in the hope that Gavi a global health alliance to increase access to vaccination in these countries would take note and get on board. "Yes, Merck is a for-profit company, but our motivation was to maximise the impact of the vaccine. We wanted to find ways of enabling its innovations to be more broadly available," says Feinberg, who is now president and CEO of the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative. "You quickly recognise that you have a vaccine that can have such a major impact in preventing cervical cancer, and the greatest disease burden is concentrated in the world's poorest communities. You cannot with any conscience not come forward and make the vaccine affordable and create a sustainable vaccination programme. "The programme in Rwanda had two purposes: to get the vaccine to a population who could benefit, but also to demonstrate what was possible. Rwanda is an incredible country in its commitment to national health. If it wasn't possible in Rwanda, we knew it wouldn't be possible anywhere else." Rwanda's decision to partner with Merck wasn't without its critics. In a scathing letter to the Lancet, German public health researchers voiced "serious doubts" that the HPV programme was "in the best interest of the people". A major issue, they contended, was that while the burden of cervical cancer in the region was substantial, there were far more pressing diseases to vaccinate against, such as tetanus and measles. Rwanda's then Minister of Health, Agnes Binagwaho, replied publicly in a letter co-signed by two US researchers. They said that Rwanda already had very high vaccination rates for tetanus and measles, and asked: "Are the 330,000 Rwandan girls who will be vaccinated against a highly prevalent, oncogenic virus for free during the first phase of this programme not regarded as 'the people'?" Drawing an analogy with earlier opposition to antiretroviral therapy in Africa, they said that such objections were "the latest backlash against progressive health policies by African countries. When the possibility of prevention exists, writing off women to die of cancer solely because of where they are born is a violation of human rights." Binagwaho, now vice-chancellor at the University of Global Health Equity in Rwanda, is still scathing about the critics of the decision to rollout the HPV vaccine. "The people who have created a backlash haven't done their homework they don't know our country, they don't know that our kids are well vaccinated with other vaccines available. [The HPV vaccine is] a great tool to prevent one of the most ravaging women's cancers. It is less costly to prevent cervical cancer and all its suffering." Rwanda has proved to the world that it can achieve excellent HPV vaccination coverage. The Ministry of Health reports that 93 per cent of girls now receive the vaccine. Almost all Rwandan girls attend school, and the systematic inclusion of local and religious leaders, community health workers and teachers in the vaccine delivery strategy has proved highly effective in spreading the message about the benefits of the vaccine and combating myths. "I think some of the biggest reasons why Rwanda has been so successful is, first and foremost, the political will and national mobilisation, and secondly, that they decided to do a school-based programme," says Claire Wagner, a student at Harvard Medical School who formerly worked as research assistant to Binagwaho. The success in getting girls vaccinated has boosted confidence that the country is making rapid progress towards eliminating the disease. "We are working on our goal. We put our people first," says health minister Gashumba. Since 2006, over 80 countries have introduced the HPV vaccine into their routine immunisation programmes. The majority are high-income, from Australia to the United Kingdom to Finland. These countries also have screening programmes for HPV and are moving from the pap smear test to a more advanced test, taken every five years, that detects high-risk HPV infections before cancer develops. In Rwanda, before the HPV vaccine was introduced in 2011, there was no cervical cancer screening available in public health facilities a few private clinics and NGOs offered it sporadically. Along with the vaccination programme, Rwanda also launched a national strategic plan for the prevention, control and management of cervical lesions and cancer. Women are meant to undergo visual inspection of cervix with acetic acid (VIA) at their local health centre or district hospital. Done by nurses and doctors, the screening is available to women with HIV aged 30 to 50, and other women aged 35 to 45. It's unclear how effective and widespread this screening is. "The problem with VIA is that one in five women will be positive but only 5 per cent need to be treated. That is an enormous cost to the healthcare system," Frazer says. "If we want quick results we need to have some type of screening programme, but there's a lot of debate about what that should look like in the developing world and how feasible it is." In Bugesera, community health worker Odette Mukarumongi says the closest health centre doesn't do cervical cancer screening. Instead, she tells girls and women that if they experience any symptoms, like pelvic pain or constant menstruation, they should go to the health centre for a check-up. Given that most cervical cancer cases occur in women in their 40s and 50s, if Rwanda is going to eliminate cervical cancer it will need a robust screening programme that reaches all women women who have not benefited from the vaccine. Countries across sub-Saharan Africa and Asia have struggled to implement cervical screening programmes. Given geographical challenges, lack of funding, and competing health issues such as HIV and malaria, cervical cancer hasn't been a priority for most policy makers. While it accounts for less than 1 per cent of all cancers in women in high-income countries, in low- and middle-income countries it's almost 12 per cent. This is why the HPV vaccine is so critical: for girls and women in these countries it is their best and often only line of defence against the disease. Another factor in the success of Rwanda's campaign to end cervical cancer will be its ability to sustain the HPV vaccination programme. In 2014, Merck's donation of Gardasil ended. As Feinberg had hoped, the Gavi alliance announced it would support Rwanda's HPV programme through a co-financing model. Rwanda pays 20 cents per dose of the vaccine, and Gavi covers the remainder of the $4.50 cost. As the country's economy continues to grow, its co-financing obligations will rise until it reaches a threshold after which Gavi support will phase out over a five-year period. Eventually, Rwanda will fully finance its HPV vaccine. Will the country be able to afford this? Sayinzoga from the Ministry of Health admits he's concerned about the country's ability to pay for the vaccine in future. "The HPV vaccine is very expensive. What we are doing annually is looking at how we can plan for the next three years. We were in need and we accepted Merck's help. We need to invest in the life of our people," he says. Gashumba says the Ministry is exploring options to make the vaccination programme sustainable, such as including the vaccine in health insurance. Whatever the challenges in the future, Rwanda has today achieved remarkably high coverage of the HPV vaccine for girls an extraordinary public health achievement that should inspire countries around the world. As Rwanda gears up for a new round of vaccinations later this year, the immunologist responsible for the vaccine that has saved so many women's lives believes the world cannot be complacent. "You can't be happy until everyone has been vaccinated," Frazer says. Explore further A great majority of Mozambican adolescent girls are willing to be vaccinated against HPV Provided by Mosaic This article first appeared on Mosaic and is republished here under a Creative Commons licence. Bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) is better than a tape measure for assessing a woman's risk for developing lymphedema after breast cancer surgery, according to interim results of a study led by Sheila Ridner, Ph.D., RN, Martha Ingram Professor and director of the Ph.D. in Nursing Science Program at Vanderbilt University School of Nursing. The multisite international study compares the two methods for identifying women who should be prescribed compression sleeves and gauntlets to reduce lymphatic fluid in the arm and prevent progression to lymphedema. BIS surveillance reduced rates of progression by approximately 10%, a clinically meaningful improvement. Interim findings from the study were published May 3 in Annals of Surgical Oncology and Ridner presented the analysis during the annual meeting of The American Society of Breast Surgeons in Dallas. "The bioimpedance device measures lymphatic fluid, and the tape measures everything," said Ridner, a researcher with Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center. "It takes more lymphatic fluid to make your whole arm volume change than it does to make the device pick up changes. The device is just more sensitive to changes in lymphatic fluid." Breast cancer related lymphedema affects between 20% and 30% percent of women due to damage to the lymph glands from surgery, radiation and some medicines, Ridner said. Lymphedema causes swelling in the arm, can be physically debilitating and puts women at greater risk for infections as well as psychological stress. The results are an interim analysis of an ongoing controlled trial called PREVENT, launched in 2014 and led by Ridner. The analysis involved 508 participants who had been monitored for a year or longer. Participants identified at risk for lymphedema received compression sleeves and gauntlets and were instructed to wear them 12 hours daily for 28 days to prevent progression to lymphedema. Patients who developed lymphedema reached their endpoint with the trial and were referred to clinicians for complex decongestive physiotherapy (CDP). "CDP is resource intensive and costly," Ridner said. "Lymphedema therapists are not accessible everywhere and mostly are in metropolitan areas. You go an hour-and-a-half in any direction outside of Nashville, for example, and we can't find people to treat these patients." Clinicians have traditionally used tape measures to monitor breast cancer patients for lymphedema, but that method can vary greatly depending upon how a clinician does this. "Tape measure is the most commonly used method around the world even though it is fraught with error," Ridner said. "To get accurate measurements for a research study, there is an incredible amount of training to teach all the sites in this international study how to measure the same way. I do annual fidelity oversight visits to every single site to make sure there has not been any slippage in the protocol." BIS is a painless and noninvasive procedure that entails running an electronic signal through the body. The technology is similar to electronic monitors for body mass index, but much more refined. Although the study showed that participants in the BIS experienced reduced rates of progression to lymphedema requiring CDP, the tape measure group triggered an intervention more often and earlier. The median time that triggered an intervention in the tape measure group was 2.8 months versus 9.5 months for the BIS group. "It is possible that at three months post-surgery in some patients there remains a generalized, whole-arm inflammatory response that is identified by tape measure," the analysis states. "Increased extracellular fluid may not be a major factor in that volume change." Ridner and the research team will evaluate the factors associated with triggering for both groups going forward. "We had statistically significant more people trigger an intervention that were in the tape group than in the BIS group, which was contrary to what many people thought would have happened in the study. One of the concerns about BIS in general was that it might generate false positives and we might psychologically distress people," Ridner said. "That was never my experience in the 15 to 16 years I've been working with the technology." Explore further Advanced device improves health and saves costs for patients with lymphedema More information: Sheila H. Ridner et al. A Randomized Trial Evaluating Bioimpedance Spectroscopy Versus Tape Measurement for the Prevention of Lymphedema Following Treatment for Breast Cancer: Interim Analysis, Annals of Surgical Oncology (2019). Journal information: Annals of Surgical Oncology Sheila H. Ridner et al. A Randomized Trial Evaluating Bioimpedance Spectroscopy Versus Tape Measurement for the Prevention of Lymphedema Following Treatment for Breast Cancer: Interim Analysis,(2019). DOI: 10.1245/s10434-019-07344-5 Led Zeppelin frontman and certifiable rock god Robert Plant has booked a concert at KettleHouse Amphitheater in Bonner on Friday, Sept. 27. Plant will perform with the Sensational Space Shifters, one of his many solo projects in the last 15 years. A search through the Missoulian archives doesn't give any sign that Plant has ever played in Montana before. Plant has stayed busy exploring different solo sounds in the last two decades, from the Americana-tinged "Raising Sand," a Grammy-winning collaboration with Alison Krauss in 2007, continuing through 2017's world music-influenced "Carry Fire" with the Space Shifters. NPR said it was a "finely woven blend of folk, Celtic, blues and world music" and noted that Plant's voice can still "summon the fury of the Gods when necessary." On stage, the band has covered Led Zeppelin songs like "Black Dog," sometimes in new arrangements that don't attempt to mimic his former band. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, May 10, at the Top Hat, logjampresents.com or 1-800-514-3849. They run from $64.50 on the lawn to $74.50 in the pit. There's an online-only presale from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday, May 9. Go to logjampresents.com to sign up. Also this week, Logjam Presents, which runs the 4,000-capacity venue on the Blackfoot River, announced a concert by alternative rock band Incubus. The band is on a "20 Years of 'Make Yourself' & Beyond" tour in honor of its 1999 album. They'll perform on Wednesday, Sept. 18. Tickets run from $49.50 to $79.50, and go on sale Friday, May 10, at 10 a.m., with a Thursday presale. Go to logjampresents.com to sign up. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Stay up-to-date on what's happening Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A Missoula nonprofit leader has been honored by the U.S. State Department for her work in helping build and sustain civil society across the globe. Susan Hay Patrick, the CEO of United Way of Missoula County, is the only American winner this year of a prestigious Professional Fellows Program Alumni Impact Award, presented by the Office of Citizen Exchanges at the Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs. The Professional Fellows Program is a two-way, global exchange program designed to promote mutual understanding, enhance leadership and professional skills and build lasting, sustainable partnerships between leaders from foreign countries and the U.S., according to the State Department. Patrick has mentored fellows from Southeast Asia while they were in the U.S. and has traveled abroad to share her expertise in everything from fundraising to technical expertise and leadership. Susan is a living example of Americas legacy of civic engagement and dedication to service, said Deena Mansour, the executive director of the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Center at the University of Montana, which manages the PFP in Montana. Her expertise, experience, dedication to Professional Fellows and ability to inspire with insight and humor make her the ideal candidate for (the award). Patrick traveled to Cambodia in 2014 to provide her expertise on things like starting and running a food bank for families in need. Patricks work at United Way has often focused on hunger prevention and relief, and Mansour said Patrick has helped start a large number of food banks in the United States. She brought her knowledge of nonprofits to Cambodia, where the regime led by Pol Pot committed genocide during the 1970s that resulted in the death of a quarter of the countrys population. In a country where more than 50 percent of the population is under the age of 25, Susans workshops inspired attendees to become agents of change in their communities, specifically through volunteerism and service, Mansour said. Patrick returned to Cambodia and also visited Thailand in 2017, speaking about nonprofit management, governance, fundraising, planning, evaluation and leadership. From her office in downtown Missoula, Patrick said she tries to help people create a culture of philanthropy in their own communities that matches the strong culture she sees in Missoula. Fundraising is about relationship-building, Patrick said. The people shes helped are involved in nonprofits with a range of missions, from environmental protection to womens empowerment to child welfare to poverty reduction. One Cambodian citizen named Chhon Yut was able to develop his eco-tourism business, Ayana Journeys, after receiving mentorship from Patrick, according to Mansour. Susans fundraising workshops have been among the most highly-evaluated of the leadership sessions arranged for our Fellow, Mansour said in a nominating letter. Beyond the tangible skills she offers, she has a deep understanding of and respect for the Professional Fellows Program and the Fellows cultural backgrounds. Without this empathy, she would be far less successful at providing the Fellows with specific skills and knowledge to use in follow-on action plans. Patrick said the work is rewarding. It has reinforced my belief in the importance of mentoring young people, Patrick said. If you have the opportunity to make a difference in the life of a young person you believe in, you should always seize that chance. I have learned from them, and admire them and want to be like them, and I feel that way about a lot of young folks in Missoula that Ive come to know, and I try to support them. Patrick said the work has also shown how Missoulas philanthropic culture compares to that of developing nations. I gave me an appreciation of how fortunate we are to live in a community and country that has such a strong and vibrant nonprofit sector and culture of philanthropy, she said. Especially in Missoula where networking and giving back are community values. We take a free press for granted, and we take a responsive government for granted, to some extent." In places like Cambodia that have been ravaged by genocide, the foundation for nonprofits isn't as strong and takes much more work to build, she said. "These young people are changing their countries against sometimes very difficult odds, including inter-generational poverty," Patrick said. Three other winners along with Patrick will be honored in Washington, D.C., at the end of May, attended by nearly 300 Fellows from 60 countries. The Mansfield Center has successfully competed to host the program since 2011, and more than $4 million in federal grant funding and the travel of more than 200 international fellows and 80 Montanans has been supported by the program. Two other people from western Montana, Germaine White of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and Missoula County commissioner Josh Slotnick, have also received the award in years past. No other state or host organization has more than one, so the fact that Montana has spawned three winners is a testament to the strength of the program, the expertise of the Fellows and the community, Mansour said in a telephone interview. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. After whittling a 12-person jury out of the pool of 200 people called in to Missoula County District Court on Monday, opening arguments were set to begin Tuesday morning for an alleged 2013 double homicide in Frenchtown. Caressa Hardy, also identified in court filings as Glenn Dibley, is charged with two counts of deliberate homicide, as well as an additional charge for allegedly soliciting inmates at the Missoula County jail to kill a key witness in the case. Prosecutors charged Hardy, 51 at the time, in 2017, after the Missoula County Sheriff's Office, with assistance from Missoula police and the FBI, had been investigating the case for more than a year. Authorities began digging into the disappearances of Thomas Korjack and Robert Orozco after a woman reported witnessing Hardy fatally shoot them both. After their disappearance, multiple transactions were made on Korjack's financial accounts, investigators found. Authorities said in court documents the remains of the two were believed to have been unearthed on Hardy's property outside Frenchtown. After Hardy's arrest, inmates went to authorities alleging Hardy had asked them to kill a key witness in the case. According to court records, Hardy offered to kill another man's girlfriend if he would kill the witness in Hardy's case. The defense had sought a judge's order that those inmates' testimony be withheld during trial, but Judge James Wheelis last month denied the request. Hardy faces two counts of solicitation to commit deliberate homicide for those allegations. The witness, according to court documents, told police Hardy shot both men after Hardy had come to believe the other three would kick Hardy out of the house where all four lived together. She said Hardy cleared much of the furniture from the home and burned everything in piles outside. Investigators also reported finding bones in the same burn piles on Hardy's property. Hardy has been held on $2 million bail since being arrested. The trial is expected to last two weeks or more. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The wife of the Montana Highway Patrol trooper who was seriously injured when he was shot multiple times in March has recorded an emotional message to supporters. Trooper Wade Palmer was injured in a March 15 shooting after responding to a call to locate a man suspected in an earlier shooting that injured two people and killed a third. In the video, Lindsey Palmer says she is honored to be a part of the "LEO" (law enforcement officer) family and says the generosity of supporters has allowed her to take a leave from work and be with her husband at a hospital in Utah. "In the last couple of weeks, every day has brought us small improvements," she said. "Those of us who know Wade well can see his personality slowly emerging through his actions. Wade has a long road to recovery. Rehabilitation and more surgeries are in his future, and at this point there is much that we dont understand. The path ahead will not be easy but Wade is tough and he is a fighter." Casey Blanchard, one of the victims who survived the earlier shooting, is also being treated at University Hospital in Utah. The wife of the Montana Highway Patrol trooper who was seriously injured when he was shot in March has recorded an emotional thank-you video. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 1 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. David Erickson Business Reporter Follow David Erickson Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today A 19-year-old Missoula man on Monday pleaded guilty to raping four girls, as well as to charges related to soliciting another person to intimidate the victims in two different cases so they wouldn't testify. Bryce Allen Johnson admitted guilt in Missoula District Court on Monday to allegations from four different girls, each younger than the age of consent and one of whom was 12 at the time. As part of a plea agreement, prosecutors dismissed two counts of sexual assault, one a felony and the other a misdemeanor. One case, filed in 2018, alleges Johnson and a 15-year-old girl were in the back of a pickup in 2017 when he assaulted her, even though she told him to stop. Another case said he assaulted a girl he knew was 14. That incident was reported by the victim's grandmother, according to court documents. On Monday, Johnson also admitted to soliciting someone to intimidate two of the girls from different cases so they wouldn't testify against him. According to court documents, Johnson sought someone to kill the two victims while he was in jail awaiting trial. A fellow inmate provided the name "Victor," but then turned Johnson's request over to law enforcement. Agents with the Montana Department of Justice's Division of Criminal Investigation took over as "Victor," speaking in a phone call (which was recorded, as are all calls at the detention center) and in person about the plan to carry out the killings, which Johnson hoped would look like an accidental overdose, according to court records. "Victor" offered to simply scare the girls so they wouldn't testify, and Johnson reportedly agreed to try that method first. In court on Monday, Johnson was collected as he responded with a simple, "Yes, your honor," to each of Judge Karen Townsend's questions. He faces up to 100 years in prison on each of the court counts of sexual intercourse without consent. Johnson's sentencing is set for June 11. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The legal fray over oil and gas drilling in the Badger-Two Medicine area continued Monday, with a new filing in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. The battle over drilling in this area, held sacred by the Blackfeet, stretches back decades. The most recent phase has lasted two years, and centers on the Obama administrations January 2017 decision to revoke drilling leases held there by Solenex LLC and W.A. Moncrief Jr. In September, federal Judge Richard Leon ruled both companies leases had been improperly canceled and ordered them reinstated. The U.S. Department of the Interior, joined by the Pikuni Traditionalist Association and several local environmental groups, appealed. But last month, Interior dropped its appeal of the Moncrief case and then moved to have the appeal by the Pikuni Traditionalist Association and its allies dismissed as well. Interior's argument hinged on one of the actions that Judge Leon prescribed in his order, when he wrote this case is remanded to the Department of the Interior with the order that the Moncrief lease be REINSTATED. The government, in its April 12 motion to dismiss, wrote remand orders generally may not be appealed, and the intervenors who were continuing the appeal didnt have the right to do so. Not so, argued Earthjustice attorneys Tim Preso and Josh Purtle in their response, filed Monday. The motion (to dismiss the appeal) is premised on the principle that intervenors cannot appeal an order remanding a matter to the government, but ignores that the district court also ordered Interior to permanently reinstate Moncriefs lease, they wrote. The courts order thus controls the outcome of the Interior Departments remand, and leaves nothing for Interior to decide. Leons remand order, they concluded, was a final order that could be appealed. As these two motions await a decision from the U.S. Court of Appeals, reaction to the Department of Interiors sudden reversal from appellant to opponent of the appellants is growing. Last week, Tim Davis, who chairs the Blackfeet Tribal Business Council, wrote to Montanas three representatives in Congress. (While the Tribal Business Council governs the Blackfeet Nation, it is not itself an appellant). In turn, U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, a Democrat, wrote to Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt, urging him to re-join the effort to protect this stretch of the Rocky Mountain Front. A spokesperson for U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, a Republican, said he had requested more information from Interior about the decision. Republican U.S. Rep. Greg Gianforte's office did not respond to a request for comment. Earthjustice's Purtle said it would be at least a week before a decision is reached. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. 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. Investment pledges shrink to one-third Foreign investment pledges in the first nine months of 2018-19 shrank sharply to one-third of the amount pledged during the same period of the previous fiscal, despite a 17 percent rise in the number of projects. As I reflect on the 66th Legislature, I cannot but help to tell you my utmost truth, because to me truth is much more interesting than political cliche. Minority Leader Casey Schneider is correct. All his parties major goals were accomplished. His minority party, along with the moderate Solutions Caucus Republicans controlled the deciding votes this session. To be forthright, myself and most legislators voted for the civil and criminal revisions on child sex assault, firefighters' compensation benefits and Hannas Act. There are issues everyone can agree on. What I cant for the life of me understand is the division within the Montana Republican Party. I walked into a room with a lot of lines already drawn as I entered the Capitol this January. People with biases and grudges I was not aware of. Our hard-working Speaker Greg Hertz had to manage egos and division within his own caucus. Hertz did an amazing job this winter; his work ethic and leadership gave me pride to serve with him. Unfortunately for him, and the rest of our minority conservative caucus, we were the unrepresented minority in deciding votes that raised our taxes. As conservatives we created a meme: our real vote count was 38-62, the 38 special. Conservative voices were kept out of the discussion on major issues. It was fascinating to watch. The path forward seems obvious to me. President Trump will win in 2020, and there will be a historic sweep in the federal House and Senate after our nation learns just how criminal the Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama shenanigans were. In 2021 there will be a clear mandate from national leadership. There are new ideas being planned for our healthcare system in the White House now. Personal healthcare savings accounts, tax free, under control of the individual, should be one. Furthermore, we need more entrepreneurial freedom for our doctors, healthcare professionals and hospitals. We could have a plethora of free-market options, which rewards ingenuity, if we reverse our bureaucratic nightmare in control of the healthcare industry. The answer is not more government welfare or regulation, it is the individual given access to more options to decide for themselves what healthcare provider can serve them best. Medicaid expansion is financially insolvent. Within the latest state version of Medicaid expansion, our hospitals charge a new $30 million bed tax, matched by the fed's 90/10 to result in a $300 million windfall to our state's hospitals. This new tax was necessary because the program is so insolvent to begin with! My local hospital takes losses on each Medicaid expansion patient, and 75% of their business is Medicare, Medicaid and Medicaid expansion. That is a staggering number to me. It is my belief we will have better options presented to us in 2021. While the conservative caucus was a minority this session, I see success for our belief systems and our party in the future at a state level. We will have genuine federal leadership next election cycle in regard to health care. With a Republican state governor, all the Solutions Caucus games stop. I call on all my engaged patriotic Republicans across the state to examine your representatives' voting records. The solution for conservatives is to primary those within our party who we disagree with politically. We must do this by having better candidates, and greater conservative energy in our central committees. Let us not resort to name-calling, whining and disparaging remarks on the internet or salacious attacks. The correct path forward is to find better candidates and win the vote where it belongs, at the doors of our constituents next summer. Rep. David Dunn, R-Kalispell, represents House District 9 in the Montana Legislature. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 2 When I delivered my fourth and final State of the State address, I shared my optimism that in Montana we can still be a shining example of how our political system is supposed to work and that as elected leaders we should base our decisions not only on todays needs, but with an eye toward improving the Montana our kids and grandkids will inherit. That optimism was proven out in the 66th Montana legislative session. Nearly every proposal I asked the legislative body to take seriously made it to my desk. Republicans and Democrats came together to do a job for Montanans, and it was done right. For our education system: We have once again put a freeze on college tuition, preventing an increase for 28,000 Montana students and their families. We will no longer be the only state in the nation that doesnt provide need-based financial aid for students. And we will be making an increased investment of $77 million over the next two years into our K-12 schools. For Montanans health care: We reauthorized Medicaid expansion, preserving access to physical and mental health care for nearly 1 in 10 of our states population, while also preserving jobs, our economy and our rural hospitals. We passed laws to tackle skyrocketing prescription drug costs, and for the Montanans who receive coverage on the individual marketplace, we created a state reinsurance program to lower premiums by 10-20%. For our economy: We have finally broken the logjam. Instead of passing on crumbling infrastructure to our kids, we will put shovels to dirt, create good-paying jobs, and invest in water and sewer systems, bridges and more all across the state. And we will continue economic development tools that have helped over 15,000 small businesses expand their footprint and supported more than 12,000 jobs. For our tribal nations: We passed a package of legislation, including Hannas Act, to report, investigate and address the missing and murdered Indigenous women epidemic. Were again providing funding to preserve our Native languages, and so too our culture and rich history. And in two years when the legislature convenes again, the flags of our Tribal nations will be on permanent display on our State Capitol grounds. For our firefighters: After a nearly two-decade fight, our firefighters will finally be getting the protections for job-related illnesses they and their families deserve. For our elections: Montanans can rest assured that the source of spending flowing into our elections isnt coming from foreign entities. Other states have tried to outlaw foreign money from their elections in recent years, but they havent gotten it done. In Montana we did. Of all the work accomplished, however, we do leave the session with a missed opportunity. The legislature failed to invest in high-quality preschool. There are over 1,400 kids across the state who wont be able to enter a preschool classroom next year, nearly 100 classrooms at risk, teachers who could lose their jobs, and parents who wont be able to participate in the workforce without a quality childcare option. Quality preschool and the lifelong benefits of early childhood education ought not be only for the families who can afford it. I call on our future leaders who convene again in 2021 to find a way to get a permanent, publicly-funded preschool program done for this state, once and for all. I walked into my last session as governor hopeful and determined. I share that same sentiment today. The work weve done this session will have a positive and lasting impact on Montanas future and remain an example to the nation of how to govern. Steve Bullock is governor of Montana. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 0 The Montana State Parks Foundation is publishing a weekly showcase of Montana State Parks' 55 properties. The Smith River is mostly known as a wonderful 59-mile-long river full of natural beauty with great boating and fishing opportunities. Permits to float the river are highly sought after and distributed through a lottery system similar to hunting licenses for certain big game species in Montana. But Smith River State Park is so much more than just a float, and you don't need a permit to enjoy some of the great amenities the park has to offer. If you weren't lucky enough to win a permit during the annual lottery system, you can still enjoy the Smith River by visiting Camp Baker west of White Sulphur Springs, or Eden Bridge 59 miles downriver and just a short drive south of Great Falls. At Camp Baker you'll find a campground with primitive campsites, latrine facilities, and a busy boat ramp for the lucky folks who won launch permits. After the floating parties have launched for the day Camp Baker becomes quiet for a few hours and visitors will enjoy great access for fishing, birdwatching, and even swimming in the summer months. At the other end of the park is Eden Bridge, the normal takeout for Smith River float trips. Eden Bridge is a minimally developed day-use site with latrine facilities, a boat ramp, and access to the river. While there are few amenities at Eden Bridge, it does make for a nice day trip destination from Great Falls where visitors have a chance to spend time on the banks of one of Montana's most iconic waterways. Looking for activities at Smith River State Park? You can go: boating, with a permit only; fishing; swimming; wildlife viewing; and camping. Many find Smith River State Park a place of peace because a permit is required to float the Smith River. This permit requirement means visitors can expect to have a quality, multi-day float with relative solitude and excellent trout fishing opportunities. Of course you don't need a permit to access the campground and enjoy all the natural splendor of the area. The Montana State Parks Foundation helps fund work at parks, for more information log on to www.montanastateparksfoundation.org. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 What's happening with the Yellowstone volcano? How many eruptions is Steamboat geyser up to now? Have any new geothermal areas been discovered recently? Join Mike Poland, USGS scientist-in-charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, at one of the upcoming community meetings to find out. Poland will host two public events to talk about how the YVO team is monitoring the Yellowstone volcano, with recent activity and research updates. Presentations will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will end at 7:30 p.m. The Gardiner meeting will be held on Thursday, May 16, at the Gardiner Community Center, 208 Main St. The West Yellowstone talk will be held on Wednesday, May 22, at the Holiday Inn, 315 Yellowstone Ave. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 After eating at Steak n Fries in PB, instead of heading right over to Grand to get out of PB, I drove up Garnet. I was shocked to see that Latin Chef had closed. Yes, they had really slipped over the years, especially after the original chef left and headed back to Cusco. But the place had sentimental value to me. Much like Sultan had inspired us to travel to Turkey; Latin Chef got us to head to Peru. I'd always enjoyed Peruvian food; the ever changing amalgamation of the cuisines of those who set foot upon its shores. It seems that Peru embraces the dishes and aims to do it "right". And while places like Maido might not do everything to our taste; I appreciate the honest, sincere combination of Nikkei-Tusan-Amazonian tastes and textures. So yes, I was sad to see Latin Chef close; even though it seemed like the writing had been on the wall for a while. I was just as shocked upon walking through the Liberty Public Market on our way to El Jardin a few days later to see a sign up for "The Latin Chef"! Could it be? Anyway, I waited until that weekend to check them out. Located where I believe Meze Greek Fusion used to be, Latin Chef has assumed the small kitchen and counter. I sidled up to the counter; there are two tables also available, and was handed a menu by the nice woman working. She introduced herself as the Chef's wife. I was suddenly full of questions, but just asked one.....and she confirmed, Fredy was no longer associated with Latin Chef, she and her husband, a Nikkei from Peru were now in charge. The menu was chock full of Peruvian standards, Lomo Saltado, Chaufa, Tallarin, and so forth. Of course the first thing on my mind was some Cebiche Pescado; but I noticed they used Swai. In spite of the various concerns about Swai (I'd eat it before Escolar); I just find most preparations; perhaps fried is the best, turns out mushy. So; I went with the Leche de Tigre instead to see how the fish was prepared. And as you can see; some Chicha Morada, which was decent...not too sweet, cinnamon tones. Loved the good amount of chanchita; the nutty-earthy tones really match well with the sour lime. The leche de tigre was super bracing and sour; it was lime heavy. I'd grown used to some balance with the addition of more savory and pungent components. And no, I didn't expect the "nuevo style" Leche de Tigre dishes we had in Lima during our last visit. The shrimp was cooked by the book, plainly boiled like for a typical shrimp cocktail and the fish, small pieces were kind of mushy and flaky. I also got the Anticuchos Corazon, the classic grilled beef heart dish of Peru. This was also done pretty much by-the-book, achiote-cumin-salt. Luckily they gave me a nice little container of aji rocoto, which added some nice zip. While I wasn't expecting, say anything on the level of Panchita's; this version was tad too tough...I'm used the toothsome-chewiness, which I find rather pleasant; but perhaps just slicing things a bit thinner like like the former Latin Chef and Nazca Grill used to do. it also could have done with more aji and some good acid. Again, I was thankful for the aji rocoto as it added some nice zip to things. So, with that under my belt, I decided to head back the next weekend. And, of course I ordered the Lomo Saltado. While this was better than what I last had at Pisco; it lacked enough acidity from tomatoes and pungency from onions and just had way too much potatoes. The sauce was bit oily and it edged on being too salty. The meat, was toothsome but not tough. The rice was fine; but this was nothing like the balance that Latin Chef had at its peak. After being served; the chef came out to chat. His name is Tony Kaneshiro and he is a full blown Nikkei from Peru. We talked about the food; he hasn't been back to Peru in ages and goes for basic, straight forward Peruvian food. In a very interesting coincidence, he told me he used to cook at El Rocoto in the mid-90's, which would be about the time we used to go there often! Small world. The Peruvian stylings at this version of Latin Chef is quite straight forward. I found it to be somewhat inconsistent but will check back in a few months to see. I'm happy to see the legacy of Latin Chef being carried on, by two really nice folks. I hope they do well. The Latin Chef (In Liberty Public Market) 2820 Historic Decatur Rd. San Diego, CA 92106 Hours: Mon - Sat 11am - 8pm Sunday 11am - 7pm In total, an estimated 7,061 children live in Butte-Silver Bow, and 20 percent of them about 1,410 kids live in poverty. Thats according to the Montana Kids Count 2018 Data Book, which was issued in April. Montana Kids Count is part of a national network that provides access to data and research to inform policy decisions that impact children and families. The data book is chock-full of information related to Montana families and kids. An example is the number and percentage of children, pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, who were enrolled to receive free or reduced-price school lunches in the 2016-17 academic year. In Butte-Silver Bow, 2,301 were enrolled in the program during that academic year, or almost one-third of our kids. In a letter accompanying the data book, Montana Kids Count said a variety of factors contribute to the future success or lack thereof of children. Many factors contribute to the well-being of our children, in areas as diverse as economic conditions, physical and mental health, education, and family and community situation, the letter said. It is an unfortunate and indisputable fact that some of Montanas children face poorer life outcomes than others; these are the children who are vulnerable because of their race, ethnicity, poverty, sexual orientation or disability. Through data, Montana Kids Count works to tell the story about how these social determinants of health or barriers to health impact children its part of the organizations mission. To the extent that we are able, said the organizations letter, Montana Kids Count highlights the unequal outcomes in educational attainment, income, risk behaviors, death by suicide, and a multitude of other measures of life success. The data book highlights demographics. From 2010 through 2016, Butte-Silver Bows population grew by 4 percent, from 32,959 to 34,467. But the countys population of children in that same period of time declined by 2 percent there may be a healthy reason behind that. From 2014 through 2016, the countys birth rate live births per 100,000 total population was 11.8. The percent of births to teens ages 15 through 19 was 8 percent down from 13 percent in 2010 a success story. The data book also highlights economic status the median household income in Butte is $45,231, compared to $50,265 statewide. The unemployment rate is 4.2 percent (compared to Montanas 4.0 percent). The number of families in Butte-Silver Bow receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), or welfare assistance, is an estimated 138; the number of people of all ages receiving benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or assistance in purchasing food, is 5,165, or almost 15 percent of the countys population (compared to 11.6 percent in the state as a whole). A success story in Butte-Silver Bow and in Montana is the number of children enrolled in Healthy Montana Kids, a free or low-cost health insurance plan that provides coverage to eligible Montana children (based on family income) up to age 19. Covered services include medical, dental, vision and other services. In 2016, 3,901 children were enrolled in Butte-Silver Bow, compared to 503 enrolled in 2010. In Montana, 126,180 kids are enrolled, compared to 74,287 in 2010. Another success story in Butte-Silver Bow our high school dropout rate has declined, from 7.1 percent in 2010 to 4.2 percent in 2016. A full slate of information data allows for the creation of solid and helpful policies, and the collection and reporting of such data is among Montana Kids Counts values. Montana Kids Count believes that responsibly collected and reported data are necessary for sound decision-making, according to the data book. Policy and program decisions should support children in reaching their fullest potential. All children, families and communities should have access to opportunity and security regardless of their race, ethnicity or geographic location. And Montana Kids Count makes this additional and very salient point. When children thrive, Montana prospers. And so goes Butte-Silver Bow. Karen Sullivan is Butte-Silver Bow Health Officer and Director of the Health Department. Her column, The Public's Health, appears weekly on The Montana Standard's health page. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The 66th Montana Legislature passed bills to continue Medicaid expansion, enhance infrastructure across the state and address the epidemic of missing and murdered indigenous women, among many others. But efforts to expand preschool funding and to create a statewide pre-K program were unsuccessful this session, forcing state-supported programs like those in Butte and Anaconda to brainstorm how they can penny-pinch over the next two years to stay afloat. Our school board is invested in early childhood education and committed to keeping our preschool program, said Norah Barney, principal of the Lincoln Primary School, where Anaconda School District No. 10s pre-K through second-grade students are housed. We need to have pre-K offered in our school. There would be a big impact on the entire community if we stopped. Barney, a tall woman with an energetic vibe and bright smile, walked around to each preschool and kindergarten classroom at the Lincoln school as she talked about Anacondas free, public preschool program. She explained that the district has always had a pre-K program for 3-year-old students identified early as having special education needs, but with the help of the Montana Preschool Development Grant award in 2015, the Lincoln school was able to expand this program to include two classrooms for 4- and 5-year-olds. These two classrooms created more preschool opportunities for all Anaconda children aged 3 to 5, and better integrated special needs students with the general population. Since this integration, roughly four years ago, Barney said Anaconda students kindergarten readiness has jumped from 37 percent to 64 percent going into this school year, and that most of the students who attended the public preschool program did not need to be referred to special education because they were behind on learning. Weve seen such a huge improvement in kindergarten readiness and continue to monitor that first cohort, which is now in second grade, Barney said. Moving forward, our preschool program may change in terms of its focus and the standards we need to meet, but we are excited to maintain the progress weve seen so far and are hopeful it can continue in the future. In 2015, Montana was one of 18 states to receive a federal preschool development grant, known as the Montana Preschool Development grant, which put $10 million a year for four years toward improving access to quality preschool in high-need communities across the state, as previously reported. This is Montanas last year of that federal grant, which supports four public and five Head Start pre-K classrooms in Butte and Anaconda. Its also the last year of STARS grant funding, a state-supported preschool pilot program that funneled $6 million to startup and support Montana preschools in 2017. Two bills to continue and expand financial support for preschool programs at the state level, including the creation of an office of childhood learning within Gov. Steve Bullocks office, and a plan to fund public, Head Start and private preschool programs, were tabled early in the recent 2019 legislative session. Efforts by lawmakers, including Butte Democrat and Senate minority leader Jon Sesso, to ensure some support was allocated for preschools over the next two years also failed. According to Sesso, the rub for some legislators and Montana teachers came with setting aside some public funding for private preschool programs in rural areas of the state and with having a state office of childhood learning. Even after Sesso said he and other legislators collaborated to make amendments to scrap the controversial parts of the initially proposed state preschool plan in the final days of the 2019 Legislature, and attempt to at least continue the preschool programs in place, a supportive bill couldnt get passed in time. Not only did we not get the grand prize, we may lose the progress weve made over the past several years, Sesso said, referring to legislators not establishing a statewide preschool program this session. I couldnt be more disappointed This was important to the governor, families and children across the state that need a head start. But while no funding for preschool has been secured by Montana legislators, Gov. Steve Bullocks office and the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, in collaboration with the Montana Office of Public Instruction, secured a one-year, $4.2 million grant to analyze preschool programs statewide earlier this year. According to Dylan Klapmeier, director of communications and federal relations for the OPI, this study grant could make it easier for Montana to secure federal funding when it becomes available moving forward. Klapmeier also said OPI is looking at the potential of bringing Waterford UPSTART, an online kindergarten readiness project for 4-year-olds launched in Utah about a decade ago, into Montana. Still, Klapmeier acknowledged that no future federal or state support has been secured for the 2019-2020 school year, outside of the rollover preschool development grant money the Butte and Anaconda preschool programs both have and plan to utilize. Its hard to say what the impact will be on local programs, Klapmeier said, referring to the lack of state and federal support for Montana preschool programs going into the 2019-2020 school year. Local school districts may be able to re-allocate their budgets, but its really a local decision. Anaconda School District No. 10 has already made that decision and has taken steps over the past four years to support its preschool program locally, evident this school year in its ability to pay for one preschool teachers salary and one preschool paraprofessionals salary without grant help. Despite the lack of state and federal funding, Barney and Anaconda preschool teachers Callie Rieger and Brianna Eamon are optimistic for the future of the districts pre-K program because of this local support. The whole school feels different, mostly because of the preschool program, said Eamon. She went onto explain that because students have been taught to self-regulate their emotions and introduced to the school environment earlier, it has been easier to educate them in pre-K and beyond. Rieger agreed. Early childhood education is so important, Rieger said. Our school district is so supportive of it, Im not worried about us not having a program. I just wish the rest of the state could see the work were doing. Its not just local teachers who see this work local parents see it too, and are advocating for future preschool program support at all levels. I think its a great opportunity and so important for our little ones to be there, said Jessica Tone, a former Anaconda kindergarten teacher and mother with a son in the public preschool program. Its been great for my son socially and the fact that its free is amazing. Joshua Schwarz, a father of a student in the Butte PUPS preschool program expressed similar thoughts. Everyone here has a developmental mindset and gives the children what they need as an individual, Schwarz said. Schwarzs son, Simon, has been diagnosed with autism. He said that early education is the most reliable predictor of future success for all students, but especially for those with special needs like Simon. Schwarz said the PUPS preschool program has helped Simon interact with his peers and was one of the only early education options for him. Theres not an abundance of private preschool programs in Butte or in Montana, Schwarz said. I think early education is vital to the children of Montana and has to be here for Montana to function as a modern state. We need to come into the 21st century. Like Barney and the Anaconda school board, Butte School District No. 1 Superintendent Judy Jonart is also dedicated to keeping the local public preschool program in place and is optimistic for the future. Jonart said she has been so thankful for the districts opportunity to expand preschool seats for Butte children, and doesnt want to see those seats go away. We know the need and the impact, so we are making it a priority. Its my priority, Jonart said. Its ultimately a school board decision, but I am committed to making sure we have a plan (for preschool) moving forward. Love 0 Funny 2 Wow 0 Sad 2 Angry 2 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. Lt. Gov. Mike Cooney and Chad Moore, state Small Business Development Center director, honored one of Buttes economic-development advocates in Great Falls last week for her role in supporting and sustaining small businesses in southwest Montana. The two officials Thursday handed out the SBDCs State Star award which recognizes standout performers among the 10 SBDC centers across the state to Buttes Julie Jaksha. Jaksha is the regional director of Headwaters RC&D, the SBDC for southwest Montana, where she and Headwaters staff provide small-business counseling and many other services. Jaksha joined the SBDC network in 2009. Over the last decade, she has counseled more than 420 clients, assisted with launching more than 45 businesses, and helped clients secure almost $24 million in financing. Jaksha was also named the 2014 Montana State Star. In September, Jaksha will join 49 other State Stars as they gather in Long Beach, California for the 39th Annual Americas SBDC Conference, where theyll be recognized on a national stage. Julies work in southwest Montana has created a lasting impact on Montanas small businesses and the states economy, said Cooney Thursday in a news release. Julies commitment to supporting the growth and development of small businesses across the region is remarkable, and this is well-deserved recognition. Julie provides leadership to our network through her strong commitment to Montanas small businesses, said Moore in a similar statement, adding that Jaksha strives to ensure that her clients are knowledgeable and have the best chance for success. Shandy Moran is the regional director of the Great Northern Development Corp., an SBDC center in Wolf Point that serves seven counties in northern Montana. Moran said Monday Jaksha is a great resource for those entering into the economic-development field. When Moran started her job two years ago, Jaksha took the regional director under her wing. You can really tell what a big impact shes had, said Moran, noting that she hears positive things from Jakshas clients. Stephanie Sorini, executive director of the Butte Chamber of Commerce, described Jaksha as a humble, knowledgeable, detail-oriented person whos willing to go the extra mile for her clients. Julie works so hard for small businesses, said Sorini Monday. She puts her heart and soul into making small businesses thrive. To receive the award, Jaksha had to be nominated by other SBDC directors across the state. Jaksha said she wasnt expecting the award and teared up when her name was announced Thursday during the states annual SBDC celebration. Being recognized by her peers is definitely a highlight, she said, but pales in comparison with being able to work with entrepreneurs across southwest Montana. I have the best job in Montana and get to work in the best part of the state, she said. Love 9 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. When Sarah Rhoads was landing fighter jets onto aircraft carriers in the dark of night, in the middle of the ocean, she relied on the "grit I absorbed from the culture and community called Butte." So she told more than 500 Montana Tech graduates and a large crowd of their friends, family and other supporters who gathered inside the Butte Civic Center Saturday for the university's 119th commencement ceremony. Rhoads was raised in Butte before leaving to attend the U.S. Naval Academy, becoming a fighter pilot, executing 37 combat missions in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and becoming, just last month, director of Amazon Global Air, the company's international air-haul network. But before she left town, Rhoads told her audience that the university perched on Butte's west side played a vital role in introducing her not only to the toughness the Mining City is renowned for but also to Tech's trademark emphasis on scientific rigor and engineering prowess. She recalled competing in science fairs on campus, in the HPER. She talked about the importance of attending a university event aimed at engaging girls in the science, technology, engineering and math fields. She remembered being inspired by watching the International Collegiate Mining Competition on the Tech campus. She discussed the importance of a Montana Tech commencement speech she'd listened to as girl, given by the legendary Montana Senator Mike Mansfield. But while she looked back on the importance of her own experience in Butte, Rhoads also asked graduates to look forward with some keywords of wisdom: "I would ask that you remember two words: grit and gratitude." Together, she said, these two values would help carry graduates forward, grateful for their opportunities and tenacious in taking advantage of them. It was a theme that Brock Tessmann, Montana University System deputy commissioner for Academics, Research and Student Affairs, echoed. Tessmann has spent considerable time on Tech's campus over the past six months or so, leading the search for a new chancellor to replace Don Balckketter, who presided over his final commencement on Saturday. And Tessmann told graduates that the grittiness Rhoads described stood out to him, too. "If there's one thing that's clear about this place is it's driven by people who know how to roll their sleeves up and get things done," Tessmann said. During Saturday's ceremony, the university honored four past graduates Sky Callantine, Keith MacPhail, John McCarthy and Robert Morris whose careers seem to embody that practical determination with Distinguished Alumni awards. Tech also announced its Outstanding Student Awards for this year's class. (See related story.) Chance Maes, president of the Associated Students of Montana Tech and the recipient of a degree on Saturday, spoke to his classmates about how grateful he was for his time in Butte, about the importance of maintaining bonds forged on campus and about his own recent encounters with some of the school's notable alumni. Their success, Maes said, "shows what a degree from Montana Tech can do for you." Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Class of 2009 reunion July 5-6 The Butte High School class of 2009 will have their 10th reunion Friday-Saturday, July 5-6. Classmates are asked to join a pub crawl Friday night, which begins at 7 p.m. On Saturday, there will be a bounce house at 2 p.m. at Stodden Park, and ice cream will be served. Classmates will meet at 7 p.m. at the Copper King for hors doeuvres and games. If you plan on attending, make your reservation with Cheyenne Crooker at 406-498-6405 or Felicia Luebeck, 406-491-6339. For more details, go to http://tinyurl.com/ButteHigh2009 Free firewood cutting allowed ANACONDA Free firewood cutting for personal use is now allowed by permit through Nov. 30, in designated areas on the Mount Haggin Wildlife Management Area, located 10 miles south of Anaconda. Anyone who wishes to gather firewood on the WMA must first obtain a permit at the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Butte Area Resource Office, 1820 Meadowlark Lane, in Butte. They must also abide by the following rules: The designated area to cut firewood on Mount Haggin WMA is along any roads that are open for motorized travel. Trees can be cut on either side of the road as long as it is within one tree length of the road, not within a stream or riparian area, and there is no off-road driving. Only standing trees that are dead or beetle infested can be cut down. Removal of standing trees, live or dead, in all other areas of the WMA is prohibited. Firewood gatherers must have a permit with them when cutting trees. Lop and scatter slash away from roads, ditches and streams. There is no limit to the amount of firewood that can be gathered by the permit holder. However, firewood must be for personal use only. Commercial use of this firewood is prohibited. Roads on a portion of the WMA will open May 15. For more details, 406-494-1953 Tech lecture set for May 16 Rob Semper of the San Francisco Exploratorium will be the guest speaker at Montana Techs public lecture series at 4 p.m. Thursday, May, 16 in the Engineering Laboratory Classroom Building (ELC) Room 202 on the Montana Tech campus. The public is invited to attend. Since joining the Exploratorium in 1977, Semper has led numerous grants and projects for exhibit development, teacher enhancement and media development including serving as Co-PI on the NSF funded Nanoscale Informal Science Education Network. His Ph.D. in solid state physics is from Johns Hopkins University. Today, the Exploratorium continues to create inquiry-based experiences that transform learning worldwide from its new home. The vision, however, is the same a world where people think for themselves and can confidently ask questions, question answers, and understand the world around them. 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. Nepal needs much work before using Chinese sea and land ports The signing of the Protocol on Implementing Agreement on Transit and Transport between Nepal and China in Beijing last week during the state visit of President Bidya Devi Bhandari has ensured Nepals access to the Chinese sea and land ports. Three hemp-related bills approved by the Montana Legislature without much resistance have been signed by Gov. Steve Bullock. Senate Bills 176, 177 and 178 all passed through the Legislature without any amendments. The bills are set to exempt hemp processing equipment from taxation, generally revise the laws around hemp in Montana, and give authority to the Montana Department of Agriculture to set up a hemp certification program. SB 177 received Bullock's signature on April 26 and the other two were signed April 29. Bill sponsor Sen. Tom Jacobson, D-Great Falls, previously said he believes the bills will pave the way for Montana to continue to be a leader in United States hemp production. Last year, the state was the largest domestic producer of hemp, which is legally classified as having less than 0.3% tetrahydrocannabinol, the psychoactive ingredient found in hemp's sister plant, marijuana. Revising the laws around hemp means that farmers no longer have to be fingerprinted to receive their hemp license. Additionally, the Montana Department of Agriculture won't have to take such extreme precautions to keep hemp seeds under lock and key. The hemp certification program will be set up by the agriculture department and will give Montana growers and producers the ability to leverage the state's distinct identity on the open hemp market. The program will be similar to "certified organic," but according to Montana Department of Agriculture spokesman Andy Fjeseth, the requirements to become certified won't be as strict as they are for certified organic. He said the primary focus of the program will be to prove the product is genuine hemp and that it was grown in Montana. The exemption on hemp processing equipment is fairly straightforward. Operations won't have to pay taxes on the extremely expensive equipment used for processing the raw materials of a hemp crop. Montana already has drawn significant interest from those looking to grow, process or turn hemp into products. Recently, the Department of Agriculture formed one of the nation's first hemp advisory committees. States are waiting for the U.S. Department of Agriculture to begin approving state hemp programs that were submitted earlier this year. The USDA has said it doesn't intend to review the plans until this fall, after the 2019 growing season has passed. In the meantime, states are expected to fall back on their 2014 pilot programs, which are more restrictive in nature. The Montana Department of Agriculture said anyone interested in growing hemp should reach out to the department. This article originally reported that the deadline to submit a hemp license application had passed. However, the Montana Department of Agriculture announced the day of publishing that the deadline has been extended to Wednesday, May 15. Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 In what may have set a record for customer scandal/service, Google restored a paid ad from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation it had initially rejected because of animal cruelty issues hours after it received a letter from Montanas Republican congressional members. The Missoula-based hunting advocacy group was notified April 25 that its ads were disapproved, according to RMEF spokesman Mark Holyoak. The group appealed to Sen. Steve Daines and Rep. Greg Gianforte, who sent a joint letter to Google CEO Sundar Pichai on Friday. RMEF also contacted Democratic Sen. Jon Tester who sent a letter to Google, according to RMEF. Holyoak said a Google representative called on Friday evening rescinding the decision and reinstating RMEFs ad. The advertisement went to Googles Ad Network, which places the sponsored results above any Google search. In an email provided by Daines and Gianforte, a Google Support representative states any promotions about hunting practices, even when they are intended as a healthy method of population control and/or conservation, is considered as animal cruelty and deemed inappropriate to be shown on our network. I can imagine how displeasing this could be to hear as you would like to promote this video so that you can show hunting in a positive manner, however, we are also bound by our policies and protocols and according to Google's policies, promotions such as these cannot be allowed to run. The Missoulian reached out to Google for comment on Monday, but messages were not returned. Holyoak said the ad promoted an 8-minute video about former RMEF board member Nancy Hadley, who participates in a muzzle-loader elk hunt in New Mexico and reminisces about growing up in a hunting family. The cover image of the video shows Hadley in camouflage holding an elk antler in the field. RMEFs Elk Network media department produced the video. Weve had a Google ad account for eight or nine years, Holyoak said on Monday. Like so many businesses and organizations out there, its an important part of our outreach. Holyoak said the video was one of several RMEF had promoted with Google ads in the past. We try to push out and promote responsible, ethical hunting, Holyoak said. It goes hand-in-hand with the emphasis on our mission to ensure future of elk, wildlife habitat and our hunting heritage. This was no different than any other piece weve put out. In their letter, Daines and Gianforte asked Google to immediately change this policy interpretation to uphold our hunting and conservation heritage. They also asked Pichai to meet with them to discuss the importance of Montanas and the United States hunting heritage. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The much-needed extended three year program will in most cases prepare students to be productive citizens in the work force. These students are just delayed in their learning pace. Each student has great capacity to learn, acquire knowledge, and apply to their future lives. House Bill 274 would have started the process of extending the productive workforce in Montana. In the 2021 legislative session, will the vote be YES for this crucial three-year (19-22 yrs) program? In so doing Montana would join other states of this United States of America in caring for all citizens. Montana should be the leading state and not the last to pass this legislation. As evidenced by devastating flooding in Nebraska this year, the Missouri River has set a new record for spring runoff. The total March-April runoff for the upper basin was 18.7 million acre feet, the highest since record-keeping began in 1898 and exceeding the previous record of 15.9 MAF, which occurred in 1952, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The river challenged other records this spring, as well. April runoff in the upper basin the Missouri River above Sioux City, Iowa was 7.8 MAF, the third highest April runoff in 121 years of record keeping. The average April runoff is 2.9 MAF. Runoff in the Gavins Point Dam to Sioux City reach was 2.3 MAF, the second highest April runoff for the reach. Looking ahead, the near-record April runoff which was nearly three times average increased the 2019 upper basin runoff forecast to 42.3 MAF. If realized, this runoff total will be the third highest runoff in 121 years of record-keeping, only surpassed by 1997 (49.0 MAF) and 2011 (61.0 MAF). Runoff in 2018 was 42.1 MAF, which is currently third highest. Gavins Point releases are currently 55,000 cfs, which is about 25,000 cfs above average for this time of the year," said John Remus, chief of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Missouri River Basin Water Management Division, in a press release. Gavins Point Dam is on the South Dakota-Nebraska border. "We will maintain Gavins Point releases at this rate to continue evacuating water from Oahe and Fort Randall, which are using much of their respective flood storage," Remus said. We want to reduce the pool levels in Oahe and Fort Randall a few feet to provide flexibility should we need to reduce Gavins Point releases for short periods over the remainder of the spring and summer. The Corps expects that releases from all Missouri River system projects will be above average for the next several months, and possibly as late as November. The mountain snowpack has begun melting in the reaches upstream from Fort Peck and Garrison Dams at near-average levels. The mountain snowpack has peaked in both reaches on April 18 in the Fort Peck reach at 105% of average and on April 17 in the Fort Peck to Garrison reach at 104% of average. The mountain snowpack normally peaks in mid-April. Fort Peck and Garrison reservoirs have adequate flood control space to capture and manage the mountain snowmelt runoff, Remus said. Fort Peck Reservoir has risen to an elevation of 2,241 feet, up 3 feet from the end of March. The exclusive flood control zone starts at an elevation of 2,246 feet. Once the lake reaches the exclusive flood control zone water may be released from the dam's spillway as quickly as downstream conditions permit. In the record-setting runoff year of 2011, Fort Peck Reservoir's elevation crested at 2,252 feet. The top of the spillway gates is close to 2,280.5 feet. To evacuate that 2011 water, Fort Peck was dumping 52,600 cubic feet of water per second in the month of June. Right now Fort Peck is holding more than 16 million acre feet of water, with a capacity to hold about 2 MAF more. River inflows to the lake are 19,000 cfs while releases out of the dam are 8,400 cfs. Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Before paint goes on the wall, a few things still need to happen. One of those is ideas. "It's not just our wall," Anderson said. "We want the community's input." Summitt said she wants to create a feeling of cooperation downtown. "There's been this thought that Muscatine is no good," she said. "We want to get people out of that mindset." Volunteers are needed to generate ideas to incorporate into the mural design and to help paint when the time comes. Anderson said he could set it up like a coloring book where people paint in the lines. He said when people say things such as they can't even draw a stick figure, the mindset "immediately limits them from doing any more than that." After first painting a mural of a river scene in 2013 on the alley-side of the National Pearl Button Museum at the History and Industry Center, Anderson has done paintings for 10 businesses. Thinking back on it, he said the painting was "rudimentary," it showed the artist was too scared to do more because it might be too much. Now having six years of experience he said his eyes are open to what is possible. "I'm more capable than ever," he said. MyBroadband has released its April 2019 ISP satisfaction ratings, which show that Supersonic is the top-rated Internet service provider in South Africa. MyBroadbands ISP satisfaction ratings are based on feedback from 9,781 South African broadband users between 1 April 2019 and 30 April 2019. These ISP ratings are gathered through three speed test platforms: To ensure a neutral testing environment, MyBroadbands speed test servers are hosted in Teracos vendor-neutral data centres. Through NAPAfrica, all network operators present at its peering points are provided with a free 10Gbps connection to the MyBroadband speed test platform. As part of their speed test, users are also given the opportunity to rate their Internet service provider (ISP) which is then used for the ISP satisfaction ratings report. MyBroadband April 2019 ISP ratings The table below provides an overview of the ratings of prominent fibre, ADSL, and fixed-LTE service providers in South Africa. South African ISP Rankings ISP Rating (/5) Supersonic 4.83 Cybersmart 4.69 Vox 4.16 Cool Ideas 4.00 Home Connect 3.56 Axxess 3.46 Cell C 3.44 Rain 3.28 MTN 3.27 Liquid Telecom 3.22 RSAWEB 3.17 Vodacom 3.13 Afrihost 2.84 Internet Solutions 2.83 MWEB 2.35 Telkom 2.21 Now read: The best big data deals South Africa has ever seen The Federal High Court of Nigeria has rejected the Notice of Preliminary Objection filed by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) in response to MTN Nigerias lawsuit. MTN announced the case is now scheduled to be heard on 26 June 2019. MTN Nigeria filed a lawsuit after the AGF issued a demand for unpaid duties and taxes, with the company challenging the authority of the AGF to deal with issues around tax and custom duties. According to the law, oversight for this is the responsibility of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), MTN said. The AGF requested that MTNs lawsuit be dismissed because it was not filed within the appropriate timeframe, which the AGF asserted was within three months of receipt of the initial request for a self-assessment. However, the judge determined that MTN was only required to file its case within 3 months of receipt of the actual demand notice, which it did. It is important to note that even if the court ultimately rules that the AGF is within its rights to assess taxes and duties, it does not imply that the assessment that has been made is legitimate, MTN said in a statement. MTN maintains that it is fully compliant with Nigerian tax laws. The company remains committed to meeting its fiscal responsibilities, and to contributing to the social and economic development of Nigeria. Working in ecommerce in South Africa, one of the first comments Lars Veul heard was whatever you do, never use the Post Office. This stuck with him, and it was the driving force behind his decision to start smart logistics company Pargo with his business partner Derk Hoekert. Veul said the more they reflected on the Post Offices poor service levels, the more they realized the depth of the challenge in South Africa. In South Africa, ecommerce companies are deterred from using the national Post Offices due to poor digital integrations, frequent strikes and service shutdowns, he said. The absence of a reliable Post Office was a big a hindrance to people getting access to goods, especially in outlying towns, rural areas, and townships. While there was demand for ecommerce services across the country, there was no way to get goods to people living in rural areas. Veul and Hoekert decided to change this by creating a network of pickup points across the country for ecommerce deliveries in 2015 Pargo was born. Starting and growing Pargo Veul and Hoekert self-funded Pargo to get it off the ground and spent the first few months seeing clients, pickup point partners, and retailers. At the time, Pargo had no employees other than the founders and they initially worked from home and in coffee shops. The business started to gain traction they made their first R1 million in just 3 months and they launched a small seed investment round. They also employed their first employee at this time to help with operations, call centre, and admin tasks. Their growth continued and a Series A funding round followed where SAAD Investment Holdings and a few small independent investors joined the company as shareholders. Pargos biggest challenge and strong growth Veul said Pargos major challenge was in finding the first client to send goods through their network or pickup point retail partner. It was a classic chicken-egg dilemma: To convince potential clients to work with them they needed a network of pickup points, but to get a network of pickup points they needed to convince retail stores that they had enough clients lined up that would work with them. We eventually reached out to Freshstop at Caltex to pilot in 14 stores around the Western Cape as alternative pickup locations for our first few ecommerce clients, including One Day Only, he said. After 3 weeks, we were given the green light to expand nationally. We managed to open a total of 500 pickup points in our first year through more retail partnerships. This growth continued and Pargo now has over 2,000 pickup points across the country, which include Clicks, Lewis, The Fochini Group, Cape Union Mart and Spar. This expansion has enabled us to have a pickup point in almost every town and suburb in South Africa, Veul said. Today Pargo offers a true alternative to the SA Post Office and is an enabler for ecommerce delivery across South Africa. Lars Veuls tech and business choices Pargo founder Lars Veul shared his tech and business choices with MyBroadband. What was your first ever business? Pargo was the first business that I started and built myself together with my co-founder Derk. What was your first job and what was your salary? Im from an entrepreneurial family and most of my family run their own businesses. From a young age my parents encouraged me to work and make a little extra pocket money, thus starting from around the age of 11 I started to work in my uncles factory doing odd jobs on Saturdays and during school holidays for a few Euro. How did you get into the tech field? Ive always been interested in tech and followed the Silicon Valley stories and publications since high school. After finishing university, I joined Groupon in the Netherlands just two months after it launched. This early exposure to the Groupon model opened my eyes to the opportunity that is inherent in finding scalable technology-based businesses and new business models. As part of the founding team in Groupon, I helped grow the business from 10 to 500 employees with $50 million in annual sales over the next 2.5 years. Groupon at the time was an exceptional fast-growing ecommerce company and swiftly expanded to 50 countries. In 2012, I was asked to join operations in South Africa, which I happily agreed to. Arriving in South Africa I realized that the problems facing ecommerce posed by the country were about as great as its promises and decided to start Pargo together with Derk to enable ecommerce clients in South Africa and the rest of Africa to thrive. What laptop do you currently use? Lenovo. What smartphone do you currently use? iPhone XR (in Pargo Yellow). What is the best gadget you have ever bought? An electrical skate board. I caused some havoc in the centre of Amsterdam with that thing. What is the worst gadget you have ever bought? I grew up during a period that the music industry was disrupted every 3-5 years and needed to upgrade time over time. Ive had to replace all the below: Walkman Cassette recorded from the radio Discman CDs bought in the record shop Mini Disc Player downloaded from Napster iPod bought on iTunes iPhone streaming through Spotify What was your best ever investment? I probably still have the biggest ROI on early Bitcoin investments made. What was your worst ever investment? A Land Rover I bought a few years after moving to South Africa that got me stuck 75% of the way to Windhoek over a very hot December holiday. What is the best business advice you have ever received? As more systems around the world go digital, many have suggested that voting should follow this trend. Cyril Ramaphosa seemingly agrees, as he recently said we are going to have a discussion with the IEC about going digital. Many countries have gone digital and we cannot be left behind. The IEC already uses certain digital processes to streamline the election process, but this only takes place on the back-end vote slips are scanned and then added to a central digital database. In contrast, the actual voting process encountered by South African citizens remains completely manual, as does the vote counting process. Public perception and data security Grant Masterson is the senior programme manager of Governance Institutions and Political Processes at the Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa. Masterson said that one of the most important considerations when deciding whether to implement a new, digital electoral system is public perception. Any changes to the electoral system need to be consensual and avoid controversy, said Masterson. He added that unless there is a compelling reason that shows how a change brings about additional benefits, the implementation is likely to run into resistance. He said a good example of this can be found in Botswana, where opposition parties criticised the implementation of an electronic voting system. They claimed that such systems were prone to manipulation and hacking. However, while Masterson acknowledges that electronic voting systems arent foolproof, they arent necessarily as vulnerable as many believe them to be. Any electoral system has got some form of weakness or areas of manipulation. Its probably over played with digital systems, he said. Possible electronic systems According to Masterson, when Ramaphosa talks about digital change, two of the most likely possibilities are: Biometric voter registration where voters register with fingerprints, retinal ID or photo scans. These are then checked when the voter presents themselves at the voting station. Actual electronic voting where you actually use a machine to cast your ballot, such as is the case in Namibia. Additionally, said Masterson, the digital tabulation of results has become increasingly popular. EISA is seeing that in recent years, technology election issues are more on the back end than on the front end, he added. Where it makes sense Masterson highlighted that there are two specific scenarios where front-end electronic systems have shown particularly high levels of value and success. The first is in incredibly large countries, where elections can span extensive periods of time. In these scenarios, electronic voting systems offer an efficient way of letting more people vote in less time. Masterson said that a great example of this can be found in India, where the technology moves between states and allows for a speedy and continuous electoral process. The second scenario is in countries who have incredibly large numbers of candidates running for election. In these situations, large ballot papers would otherwise need to be printed, which use more paper and are cumbersome to transport and use. This was the reason that electronic voting systems were implemented in the DRC where hundreds of candidates run for election. However, unfortunately, the DRC is also an example of where public perception resulted in a negative reaction to electronic systems. The perception was so bad that a warehouse burned down because it was housing about 2,000 electronic electoral devices in Kinshasa. Ultimately, believes Masterson, it is important to balance public perception with the benefits that electronic systems can provide in each scenario. Nepal will soon be implementing an Equipment Identity Register for all mobile devices in the country. But what does that actually entail? There are many in Nepal who import mobile phones, formally or informally For the latter, these mobile phones are generally for friends and family, as the same model phones are generally more expensive in Nepal I did not authorise payment for ... Tuesday, April 30 1902 A business owner requested extra patrol on Money Way during a tent sale on Friday and Saturday. Wednesday, May 1 0857 Report of a brown poodle running loose on Crinella Drive. It went back home before police arrived. 1213 A bottle of medication was stolen from a Hunt Avenue business three or four days ago. 1305 A person received a scam phone call. Police remind citizens not to give out their personal information over the phone, and to block suspicious numbers. 2236 Police responded to a three-car accident near Madrona Avenue and Spring Mountain Road. 2259 Someone reported feeling an earthquake. Thursday, May 2 0013 PG&E replaced power lines along the 2300 block of Madrona Avenue. Power was scheduled to be restored to the homes west of Spring Mountain Road by 6 a.m. 0654 Medical aid for a woman feeling dizzy and light-headed on Boyson Lane. 0819 Report of cars speeding in a school zone at the Valley View bridge. 1143 Report of cars coasting through the stop signs at Oak/Mitchell. 1203 A person asked police to keep an eye on the crosswalk at Charter Oak Avenue because drivers were failing to stop for pedestrians, especially around 10 a.m. and from 3:45 to 4:45 p.m. 1815 A car was reported stolen two weeks ago in San Francisco. 2329 A black and tan dog with a blue flashing light on its collar was running loose near Main Street. It was last seen running behind the post office. Friday, May 3 0252 Medical aid for a woman having a seizure on Kearney Street. 0732 Report of construction work starting early on Vineyard Avenue. 0836 A Spring Mountain Road resident complained about a loud speaker intercom coming from the middle school at around 8:20-8:30 a.m. 1253 Police took a harassment report. 1254 An elderly woman with memory loss was briefly reported missing from Hunt Avenue. She was found shortly thereafter. 1528 Fire and police units responded to a condo fire on Stralla Court. The fire was contained. 1623 A person asked for more police patrol and traffic enforcement on Sylvaner Avenue in the mornings. 1701 A resident received a fraudulent call claiming to be from PG&E and demanding money. Police remind people not to share any personal information over the phone and to block any numbers associated with these calls. 1953 Police were notified of a child custody issue. 2030 Report of two men running on the railroad tracks near Oakville. Saturday, May 4 0013 Medical aid for a fall victim on Pope Street. 0639 Police took a vandalism report on Adams Street. More vandalism was found on Main Street. 1323 Someone was soliciting for fence work and asking who lives where on Pine Street. 1537 Report of people speeding on Allyn Avenue. 1703 Minor-injury accident at Main/Mitchell. Sunday, May 5 1044 A loose dog had been hanging around McCorkle Avenue all morning. 1202 Medical aid for a man who fell getting out his car and hurt his knee on Madrona Avenue. 1620 A white poodle was found on Hunt Avenue. Monday, May 6 0025 Report of a possible drunk driver on Main Street. 0832 Lift assist on Redondo Court. 1244 A caller requested extra traffic patrol on Spring Street. An officer responded and stopped two drivers for going 36 mph in a 25 mph zone. 1407 A juvenile left school during lunch and didnt return. The student was brought to the police department and picked up by parents. 1905 Medical aid on Madrona Avenue. In the opening of the trailer for Wine Country Amy Poehlers highly anticipated, directorial debut that hits Netflix on Friday Maya Rudolph falls backwards off a piano during a drunken serenade. Its just one of several instances of debauchery in the movie, which was filmed at locations throughout Napa Valley, and it understandably has some locals and members of the wine community holding their breath. Remember Sideways? All it took was one line of dialogue to single-handedly disrupt the Merlot industry. Fifteen years later, the poor grape is just now starting to make a comeback. So, could Wine Country also have a severe, lasting and negative impact on Napa Valley? Will it attract the kind of large, rowdy groups, who care more about selfies than learning the craft of wine, that tasting rooms hate most? George Blanckensee, director of hospitality at Chateau Montelena, recalls the mania that ensued after Bottle Shock hit screens on 2008. They had such a tremendous boost in the number of visitors that they had to create a new parking lot to accommodate more than 150 extra cars. Many of the people visiting were not necessarily wine lovers or wine enthusiasts, but they were movie enthusiasts, said Blanckensee. Some visitors just wanted to take pictures and were even surprised to find that Montelena was a working winery not just a movie set but overall, the extra tourism is a positive. Ultimately, its a problem that everyone would love to have, Blanckensee said. Theres still a pretty good majority of people that come because of the movie. They may not be wine people, but we need to convert them to wine people. Its our duty to tell them and tell them in a way that they can be ambassadors for Chateau Montelena, Napa Valley and the wines of California. Rich Frank, proprietor of Frank Family Vineyards and former vice president of Disney, knows the ins and outs of the movie industry better than most. When he was approached about having his wines featured in Wine Country, he declined when they wouldnt show him the script. You could be a hero product and you could be the goat product and you dont know unless youre able to read the script, said Frank. The key to me is to see how youre portrayed. Thats the first thing if youre a business. Its all about brand, its our name and we work very hard to create an image with consumers every day of the year. You dont want to have that taken apart for a particular reason. That being said, Frank doesnt see Wine Country being a branding issue for Napa Valley as Sideways and Bottle Shock were much more wine-focused than this one. Napa and the wine industry are the backstory not the front story, he said. Its a bunch of people getting together in Napa and having a good time. We see those trips every day here. [Viewers] may actually think its a place they want to be. Napa should look beautiful in this. Susan Sueiro, president of Artesa and a big fan of the cast of women, said the experience of working with the Wine Country cast and crew was positive. The people we were working with were so respectful of our brand. They asked us, Whats your look and feel? They designed a set that matched our furniture; made fake uniforms for their staff with our actual logo embroidered, she said. They really went out of their way to make this a positive and we trusted them that they were trying to do the right thing. She even went as far to call the opportunity kismet, noting that the filming occurred at a tough time, just after the holidays, after the fires. It was really perfect timing for them to come to us and bring some business, but also, they were really on a mission to share with the public that Napa is beautiful and be a counterpoint to the public perception that Napa Valley entirely burned down. Wine Country features a all-female cast of Poehler and fellow Saturday Night Live alums Rachel Dratch, Maya Rudolph, Ana Gasteyer, Tina Fey and Paula Pell. The script was based off Dratchs 50th birthday celebration in Sonoma, but producers chose to shoot the film entirely in Napa Valley at locations like Artesa Winery, Baldacci Family Vineyards, Quintessa and in Calistoga. Sueiro was able to attend an advanced screening of the film and confirms that, This isnt some Girls Gone Wild party trip to wine country, which I think some people are fearing it is. Sure, there are some jokes about wine speak and snobby wine professionals, but its simply satire, she said. Its not really about wine country. Its about these women. Its about female friendships, a womans perspective on a midlife crisis, said Sueiro, adding that she identified with the films characters. How often do you get to see that? Their priority is to be together and connect on a personal level, and wine country is just a backdrop of that. They arent focused on intellectualizing the wine, theyre not disparaging the wine experience. Its just not their focus. Chris Canning, mayor of Calistoga, also had great things to say about the few days that production invaded the town. They went shopping here, eating here, drinking here. Were proud and excited, he said. Some business owners expressed concern early on, but this is going to be seen by millions and millions of people, and the long-term benefits surely outweigh the short term inconveniences we may have had. Canning said the city didnt charge the production, which then made donations to the Boys and Girls Club and the citys firefighters association. He was left with just one, minor complaint. The worst part of the whole filming process is that Im not in the movie, Canning joked. Napa County Planning Commissioners are pondering what the states drive to spur more housing development might mean for rural wine country farmland. The county in 2018 issued 31 building permits for new housing units in the unincorporated areas outside of city boundaries. That low number is because county policies funnel subdivisions and apartments into cities to protect agriculture and open space. Meanwhile, Gov. Gavin Newsom wants 3.5 million more housing units built in California by 2025. Potential, new state housing laws and mandated housing numbers could affect both cities and rural areas. Can the county continue to successfully argue to the state that house-building mandates should be tempered in its unincorporated areas? Planning Commissioner Dave Whitmer sees this as becoming a harder sell. It seems were having a harder time representing why Napa should be treated differently, in a sense, Whitmer said as the Planning Commission discussed housing on Wednesday. County Planning, Building and Environmental Services Director David Morrison said the state under Gov. Jerry Brown provided incentives for housing and asked for cooperation. Today, the state is looking at more drastic measures. Many cities and counties dont relish adding more people. Meanwhile, housing advocacy groups say the needs of tens of thousands of families looking for housing outweigh the needs of communities that feel special, Morrison said. Still, he didnt paint a doom-and-gloom picture for county efforts to help bring more affordable housing to its cities while protecting the farmland and open space of its unincorporated areas. I think there is recognition about Napas unique place in the Bay Area, Morrison said. I think that fight gets harder every year, but its still there. California assigns each region numbers for new housing at various affordability levels over eight-year cycles. In the San Francisco Bay Area, the Association of Bay Area Governments then breaks this regional number into state-mandated Regional Housing Need Allocation (RHNA) numbers for each city and county. From 2015 to 2023, Napa County and its five cities must provide 1,482 new homes of various affordability levels. Of that total, 180 housing units are assigned to the unincorporated county. In the middle of this eight-year cycle, Napa County has issued 134 permits for houses in the unincorporated areas. But 99 of these homes are in the above-moderate category, where only 67 homes are assigned. The county has work to do in other categories. It has issued permits for 11 of its assigned 32 moderate units, six of its assigned 30 low-income units and 18 of its assigned 51 very low-income units. Can you talk a little bit about the consequences if those numbers arent met? Commissioner Anne Cottrell asked. County Principal Planner John McDowell noted the state is suing Huntington Beach for allegedly refusing to allow for enough affordable housing. Consequences might not be grave if a jurisdiction is trying. Napa County is trying to meet its mandated numbers, he said. Were halfway through the cycle at this point, he said. Were well on our way to meeting those numbers. Unincorporated Napa County would exceed its RHNA targets with the building of Napa Pipe, McDowell said. This planned development on 154 acres along the Napa River is to have a Costco and other businesses and up to 945 homes. The county plans to use its affordable housing funds to help bring 140 affordable housing units to the site. A roadblock tied to the RHNA situation has arisen and Napa Pipe construction has yet to begin. The county planned to issue building permits for the Napa Pipe houses, receive credits toward its state-mandated housing numbers and then have the city of Napa annex the land to provide police, water and other services. The city has already annexed a Phase I area, which is to have Costco but originally wasnt targeted for homes. But the Napa Pipe developer has concluded that the project can move forward only if some of the housing is relocated to the Phase I area, a state report said. Because this land is in the city, the city, and not the county, would receive the RHNA credits. Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, is carrying legislation to change this situation by enabling the county to receive Napa Pipe credits. His Senate Bill 235 recently passed the Senate and is now in the Assembly. This bill will allow the city and county to work together to get critically needed housing built, Dodd said in a press release. Meanwhile, county officials are already thinking about the 2024-2032 RHNA cycle and future state-mandated housing numbers for unincorporated Napa County. They expect the numbers to be far higher than the present 180-unit mandate. The Planning Commission wants to talk more about housing at a future meeting. A future RHNA number could impact the ag preserve. Thats something were looking down the road to, but I think thats worth thinking about, Cottrell said. 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. Saudi Arabia is an absolute monarchy, a kingdom ruled by one person. In 2015, Salman bin Abdulaziz al Saud took on that role. In addition to being the king, he serves as prime minister, holding supreme executive, legislative and judicial power. Key support positions, such as the ministers of defense and foreign affairs, are given to members of the royal family. King Salmans son, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, is next in line to the throne. Since taking power, Salman and others in the royal family have taken measures to tighten their grip over their subjects. Once seen as a reformer, Crown Prince Mohammed has faced international condemnation after Octobers grisly murder of dissident Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey. In April, King Salman ratified a royal decree to behead 37 Saudi citizens, most of them Shiite Muslims a minority in a country ruled by Sunni Muslims. Officials said those condemned had engaged in terrorism-related offenses, allegations questioned by human rights advocates. The monarchy has also ordered the arrest of womens rights activists, including protesters of the nations since-lifted ban on women driving. Upper Tamakoshi Project: Penstock installation delayed by crane wire rope failure The installation of penstock pipes at the Upper Tamakoshi project hit a setback after the steel wire ropes of the crane lifting and placing the pipe sections broke. Each 5-metre section weighs 27 tonnes. Workers had planned to start installing the pipes in the lower vertical shaftthrough which water will run from the reservoir to the turbinesby the first week of May. Armenia PM: There are no legal grounds for existence of enclaves Armen Ashotyan to Pashinyan: Real catastrophe took place when a nincompoop like you came to power in Armenia Armenia PM: Catastrophe took place in Karabakh negotiations in 2016 Armenia PM on first meeting held in '3+2' regional format Armenia PM on opening of communications Yerevan mayor's oath-taking ceremony to be held on Dec. 25 Putin to not call Biden on the phone to wish him a Merry Christmas Armenia PM on granting status of observer to Azerbaijan within Eurasian Economic Union Georgia Parliament Speaker resigns Armenia's Pashinyan: I refuse to discuss any issue related to the army publicly Armenia PM: If the Armenian-Turkish negotiations are a success, of course, there will be a meeting with Erdogan Earthquake hits Armenia-Georgia border zone Armenia PM: I returned from meeting in Sochi with a feeling of satisfaction Armenia PM says he will attend non-official summit of CIS countries, will have contact with Aliyev Armenia's Pashinyan: We returned the captured Azerbaijani servicemen without preconditions Azerbaijan to deploy special military detachments in Karabakh's Hadrut region Azerbaijan President is blatantly threatening Armenia again Armenia FM meets with members of ruling parliamentary faction Armenia PM giving press conference Armenian PM attends Requiem Service for wife of National Hero of Armenia Karen Demirtchyan Analyst clarifies what will disturb Turkey and Azerbaijan from opening so-called corridor via Armenia NEWS.am daily digest: 24.12.21 Republican Party of Armenia: Authorities are creating barrier between Diaspora and historic homeland with their policy Turkey, Qatar sign memorandum on joint management of Kabul International Airport Armenia ex-defense minister Davit Tonoyan to remain in custody Representatives of Azerbaijani and Armenian communities meet in Moscow for first time after Karabakh military conflict Dollar still losing value in Armenia Parliament vice-speaker receives American Chamber of Commerce in Armenia board chairman Republican Party spokesperson: Armenia authorities decided to smoothen ties with Turkey after defeat in war Armenia Health Ministry Legal Department head: Decision of Constitutional Court is ministry's victory MFA: Russia welcomes international efforts to normalize Armenian-Azerbaijani relations Armenia President receives group of parents of deceased servicemen Armenia Security Council holds session Iran FM: Tehran is ready to participate in next stage of negotiations with Saudi Arabia Zakharova on Armenia-Azerbaijan railway link: Substantive discussions continue on trilateral working group Kremlin: US may consult with Ankara over settlement of situation in Ukraine Zakharova: Moscow believes Ankara will take Russia's signals seriously Non-official meeting of leaders of CIS countries to be held on Dec. 28 Audit Chamber official: Armenia banks have misused state subsidies they received Armenia health, labor inspectorate to inspect 700 economic entities in 2022 Russia peacekeepers ensure safe travel of more than 2,000 people to, from Karabakh in one day Azerbaijan's Aliyev celebrates 60th birthday in occupied Armenian city of Hadrut Russia MFA: Not only Turkey ready to hold 3+3 regional consultative mechanism meeting Maria Zakharova wishes Yerevan and Baku peace and patience Valerie Pecresse posts comment on Facebook: I visited Armenia - France's fraternal country Putin, Aliyev confirm readiness to strengthen Russia-Azerbaijan strategic partnership Middle East Eye: Turkey encouraged by Armenia PM Pashinyan's reelection, aims to normalize relations Armenia government: Constitutional Court decision does not lift requirement for employees to submit PCR test result New program shall develop Armenia metrology Armenia opposition MP: Corridor is spoken of as established fact in Azerbaijan Armenia Constitutional Reform Council to include 2 representatives of international organizations Putin expresses Aliyev readiness to continue dialogue, joint work to strengthen regional stability, security 1 more person dies of coronavirus in Karabakh 135 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Lavrov: Involvement of Kiev in NATO poses serious risks, even large-scale conflict in Europe Newly elected Vanadzor city council first session not convened NATO to approach Russia borders in case of aggression against Ukraine President thanks Russia peacekeepers, Putin in terms of Artsakh security Newspaper: What is actual Covid death toll in Armenia? Newspaper: Details became known from closed meeting between Armenia PM, parliament majority faction US arms exports fall 21% in 2021 Diaspora Commissioner: More than 1.5 million people left Armenia in 30 years High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs: Armenia won't build relations with Turkey at expense of interests of nation High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs: Fifth Turkish Column is very active in Armenia Armenia High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs: We Armenians don't know our enemies well Biden administration welcomes 'small' steps toward diplomacy with Russia Blinken, Stoltenberg discuss NATO's 'dual-track approach' to Russia Armenia ruling faction MP: Talks in Brussels were discussed during meeting with PM Armenia Health Ministry responds to Constitutional Court's decision on COVID-19 testing Armenian High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs: Living in Armenia is safer than in developed countries Analyst shares information about growth of sales of Armenian wines Analyst: Artsakh wine export indicators have dropped Karabakh President: Presence of Russian peacekeeping contingent in Artsakh needs to be guaranteed and termless Iraq calls for launch of direct talks between US and Iran Hayk Marutyan bids staff of Yerevan Municipality farewell Moscow State Institute of International Relations to introduce Armenian language courses Armenia PM: Digital processes should have daily practical significance for people Iran FM expresses willingness to assist Azerbaijan in restoring Karabakh's occupied territories Turkish vice-president tests positive for COVID-19 Lights of main Christmas tree in Yerevan switched on YEREVAN. Recently it has become noticeable that Armenias Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan expresses his apparent dissatisfaction with the US policy, according to Past (Fact) newspaper. The American side has become especially irritated by the fact that Pashinyan makes comments on Armenian-American relations in Russian news agencies. According to Past newspapers information, in response to Pashinyans complaints, the Americans are going to counter him by making a unique [chess] knights move. In the near future, they will offer Pashinyan a new strategic format of interstate, intergovernmental cooperation. The [respective] calculation of the Americans is roughly as follows: If he agreed [to it], very well; there will be mutual cooperation. [But] if he refused, then the Russian factor exists. [But] according to some viewpoints, in all likelihood, Pashinyan will try to evade such apparent cooperation, Past wrote. YEREVAN. The Armenia-US strategic dialogue meeting is underway Tuesday at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia. The Armenian delegation is led by Deputy Foreign Minister Grigor Hovhannisyan, and the US delegationby George Kent, Deputy Assistant Secretary in the European and Eurasian Bureau at the US Department of State. The meeting will be followed by summing up its results, a ceremony of signing documents, and a briefing. Reimagining diplomacy In the past decade and a half, after non-resident Nepali politics started to rage along party lines, they now have an additional role of promoting candidates for elections to the multiple Nepali associations that exist abroad. US congressmen sent a letter to the US President Donald Trump and urged him to recognize the Armenian Genocide, the Armenian Assembly of America (AAA) reported. According to the source, the initiator of the resolution is US Congressman Jackie Speier (D-CA), while the letter is signed by 28 Members of Congress, including the Caucus leadership: Reps. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Peter King (R-NY), and Adam Schiff (D-CA). "The Armenian Assembly applauds Congresswoman Jackie Speier for spearheading this initiative and the bipartisan support from the Armenian Caucus Members," stated Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny. "We appreciate the continued efforts to unequivocally affirm the Armenian Genocide, especially given the alarming statement by Turkey's authoritarian leader that the relocation of Armenians in 1915 was 'reasonable.' The mass deportation of an entire race is never reasonable - not 104 years ago and not today," he added. We want to express our disappointment that your statement did not directly acknowledge the Armenian Genocide as President Ronald Reagan did during his presidency. However, there is no wrong day to recognize the Armenian Genocide. We hope you will consider future opportunities to pay fitting tribute to the memory of those targeted for their faith, those who perished and those who survived, as well as to the brave men and women in our military, who continue to proudly serve our country and defend our most cherished ideals and freedoms, the letter to President Trump read. The letter also references the heroic efforts of Major General James G. Harbord, General John J. Pershing's Chief of Staff during World War I, who, at the direction of President Woodrow Wilson, led an American Military Mission to Armenia in 1919. As reported earlier, the U.S. President Donald Trump issued a statement on the Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day once again avoiding the word genocide. Today, we commemorate the Meds Yeghern and honor the memory of those who suffered in one of the worst mass atrocities of the 20th century. Beginning in 1915, one and a half million Armenians were deported, massacred, or marched to their deaths in the final years of the Ottoman Empire. On this day of remembrance, we again join the Armenian community in America and around the world in mourning the many lives lost, the statement said. YEREVAN. We are in a very good starting position now and can carry out a truly major economic breakthrough. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Tuesday stated this during his visit to the Public Radio of Armenia, and on the occasion of Radio Day. In his words, the key and global issues of Armenia are linked to a growth in economic opportunities, prosperity, and income in the country. Steps have been made in that direction, and will be made [also] in the future, he added. This year, we plan over $100mn capital spending which, according to our calculation, shall be a stimulus for the [countrys] economy. Thank God, the economic activity index is in a quite stable, acceptable situation. Now our key task is to stimulate the [countrys] economy through large-scale, capital investments. And asked whether practical steps have been taken towards the economic revolution in Armenia, the PM responded as follows: We can record that the first most active phase of the economic revolution has success. Today, everyone predicts danger, and this is why the Armenian Revolutionary Federation-Dashnaktsutyun political party has organized this forum. This is what former representative of the ARF-D Bureau Hrant Markarian stated in the beginning of his speech at the Armenia-Artsakh Strategic Alliance Forum taking place in Stepanakert today. The danger is that some Armenians believe Artsakh is a burden and that it is necessary to lift that burden as soon as possible, Hrant Markarian said, adding that there are also people who believe Artsakh is an opportunity and a signal for Armenians to become strong. Artsakh will help us develop Armenian economy and liberate Gandzak and Nakhichevan. Artsakh is a vital necessity for Armenias existence. We can enhance the country, but we cant do it by making concessions. Even the smallest concession will lead us to perdition. This doesnt mean we shouldnt negotiate. Even if Azerbaijan makes a concession, we must realize that this conflict is eternal, Hrant Markarian said, adding that all Armenians need to unite as one, become organized and win this battle for existence, even if it takes centuries. Recently, top government officials said each family needs to send a son to the army, if we want a war. They shouldnt intimidate the people like that. They should understand that the homeland is more important than anything else, Hrant Markarian said. He is certain that the Armenian people must become organized and constantly undergo training by creating reserve military formations so that they are ready for war. Two Reuters reporters freed in Myanmar after more than 500 days in jail Two Reuters journalists jailed in Myanmar after they were convicted of breaking the Official Secrets Act walked free from a prison on the outskirts of Yangon on Tuesday after spending more than 500 days behind bars. Today, within the scope of the events dedicated to the three celebrations of May, Minister of Defense of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh Republic), Commander of the Defense Army, Major General Karen Abrahamyan and Minister of Culture, Youth Affairs and Tourism Lernik Hovhannisyan met with the participants of the Following the Traces of Heroes lesson/campaign during which the army commander attached importance to the conduct of such events and touched upon the historical significance of the Liberation of Shushi. That same day, according to tradition, the army commander and the minister of education, science and sport held a lesson on courage at Artsakh State University. Artsakhs defense minister presented the symbol of the three celebrations of May, touched upon the lessons of the victories and talked about the creation and functioning of the Defense Army. In response to the attendees questions, Karen Abrahamyan touched upon the operative-tactical situation on the border and the complex processes unfolding in the defense sector. The ultimate goal of Artsakh and Armenia is reunification, Artsakh Ombudsman Artak Beglaryan said on Tuesday speaking at the Armenia-Artsakh Strategic Alliance forum held in Stepanakert. The Alliance is not a goal, but a tool to achieve the goals. There is consensus on the goal issue - the final goal of reunification with Armenia. There is no consensus on the method of achievement, through independence or direct reunification, he noted. As Beglaryan noted, some consider that a framework agreement is necessary, others are supporters of a direct union. In my opinion, Armenia and Artsakh do not have sufficient external resilience and weight to counter sharp turns. Perhaps this alliance will not be so, but the preparatory work is necessary for the international community to accept correctly, Artak Beglaryan added noting that Azerbaijan has its own strategy and the format of relations between Armenia and Artsakh is irrelevant for it. Armenias Minister of Transport, Communication and Information Technologies Hakob Arshakyan received the delegation led by US Deputy Assistant Secretary David Meale. As reported the Ministry of Transport, Communication and Information Technologies, talking about the Armenian governments priorities for the countrys economic development and advancement, the minister set aside the high technology sector and emphasized the fact that the government is particularly focused on the development of this sector. Expressing gratitude for a thorough presentation, David Meale stated that the US is interested in the development of technology in Armenia and is willing to collaborate. The opportunities for partnership, the working mechanisms and joint approaches in several directions were discussed during the meeting. The parties also touched upon the World Congress on Information Technology (WCIT) to be held in Armenia in October, and the minister highlighted the importance of the high-level participation of US companies. STEPANAKERT. The situation at the border with Azerbaijan is assessed as relatively stable. Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh Republic/NKR) Minister of Defense and Defense Army Commander Karen Abrahamyan on Tuesday stated this during his talk with students at Artsakh State University, Artsakhpress reported. Also, he stressed that the Defense Army is ready for any provocation by the adversary. The last reality still is that we have had an incident of a soldiers injury by the adversary. At present, [his] health state is stable; there is stability in [the health condition of] the military serviceman, Abrahamyan added. Analyzing the situation in recent months, it should be noted that the exchange of fire has increased on the border. [But] Azerbaijan is disseminating false information that, supposedly, the Armenian side fired on [Azerbaijani] border villages, and the children who were playing at the courtyard of the buildings of border villages have become afraid of our shots. The information was refuted by us. We have also announced that all encroachments [by Azerbaijan] will be stopped promptly and appropriately. As per the Artsakh Defense Minister, all the work that has been done along the frontline enables to fully assess the nature of the entire actions by the adversary. 1. Yes. If a department head is doing a bad job and the city manager wont act, its needed. 2. Yes. Its a crucial safeguard against poor hiring decisions and conflicts of interest. 3. No. It would only muddle the leadership structure and damage employee morale. 4. No. It would make it harder to recruit and retain qualified city leaders at all levels. 5. Unsure. Council oversight may be good, but perhaps not to such a significant extent. Vote View Results We want to return Artsakh to the negotiating table, but our state apparatus isnt doing anything in that direction. This is what secretary of the Bright Armenia faction Gevorg Gorgisyan said during the Armenia-Artsakh Strategic Alliance forum taking place in Artsakh. In his speech, Gorgisyan particularly stated the following: Today we want to adopt another declaration, but it is abstract. We havent stated the goal that the Armenia-Artsakh Strategic Alliance has to serve. There are no specific tools for us to show the world that this is necessary. There are provisions stated in the declaration, but not much has been done. Im not sure if an alliance is the right format in this stage or not, but this is a great discussion. Yes, there are objectives, but we shouldnt simply state them in a declaration. I call on everyone to get to work. Armenia cant exist without Artsakh, and we all need to realize this. However, the countrys political leadership must realize this first. Citizens dont understand what Artsakh is and what the Artsakh issue is all about. We all need to work together. Incumbent and former presidents of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Bako Shaakyan and Arkadiy Gukasyan have sent a letter to Armenia's Prosecutor General Artur Davtyan asking to commute the decision on remanding Armenias ex-president Robert Kocharyan in custody. In their letter, Sahakyan and Ghukasyan recalled that May 9 marks the victory in the Great Patriotic War, Liberation of Shushi and the Day of Karabakh Defense Army, which traditionally brings together all former heads of Karabakh. They hope all three leaders of Karabakh, including former president Kocharyan, will be present during the events. Sahakyan and Ghukasyan said they are ready to provide guarantees in connection with his release during the entire period of the trial. The Armenian lawmakers held the second-reading debates on the package of bills on making amendments and addenda to the law on the structure and activities of the government. According to the package, the number of ministries has to be reduced from the current 17 down to 12. Pashinyans My Step Alliance said they would vote for this legislative initiative proposed by the government. As before, the Bright Armenia Party (BAP) is categorically against the new version of the government-proposed structure. The inability of bringing the countrys power structures under parliamentary oversight has neutralized all previous excuses by the ruling alliance, said Ani Samsonyan, MP from Bright Armenia faction. Prosperous Armenia is also against the bill. The Armenia-US strategic dialogue meeting was held Tuesday at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia. The Armenian delegation was led by Deputy Foreign Minister Grigor Hovhannisyan, and the US delegationby George Kent, Deputy Assistant Secretary in the European and Eurasian Bureau at the US Department of State. The armed terrorists dropped missiles on the Eskuran village of Kessab, Syria, and in other areas on Monday, Kantsasar Armenian newspaper writes. Kantsasar reports that three missiles were dropped in the area, and two Kessab-Armenians were injured and immediately transferred to the hospital in Latakia. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan will leave for Artsakh on the occasion of the 27th anniversary of the liberation of Shushi, his office reported. Pashinyan will participate in the festivities in Artsakh. Ex-president of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan will also leave for Artsakh, office of his Republican Party of Armenia said in a statement. However, Sargsyans participation in the festivities hasnt been announced yet. YEREVAN.The United States are interested to see prosperous Armenia which lives in peace with its neighbors, Deputy Assistant Secretary George Kent said during a briefing in Yerevan. Speaking about todays meeting of Armenia-U.S. strategic dialogue, Kent said it was held in the spirit of friendship and cooperation. The American side confirmed its readiness to work with Armenia, he added. Asked whether military cooperation was discussed during the meeting, State Department official said this is the second meeting with Nikol Pashinyan, and they had an efficient discussion. The sides spoke about development of Armenia, security issues, Nagorno-Karabakh. All issues on the agenda were discussed, he assured. Referring to the provision of the document signed at the meeting, including the study of English in Armenias provinces, George Kent noted that the American side intends to promote the study of the language throughout the republic. The team, led by the U.S. ambassador, will continue to work in this direction, he added. The US expectations on security issues in the South Caucasus region are associated with the safe, peaceful coexistence of all states in the region, Deputy Assistant Secretary George Kent said during a briefing in Yerevan. According to him, proceeding from this, the US State Department is working with other co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group with Armenia and Azerbaijan to find a peaceful solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. We, as members of the OSCE, the US, the countries of the South Caucasus and Russia, have agreed on the principles of exclusion of force and the threat of its use, territorial integrity and the right of peoples to self-determination, he said adding, that speaking of security issues, it is impossible to bypass countries in the south - Iran and Syria. According to him, during the discussions, security issues were considered not only in the Caucasus region, but more widely, including countries whose efforts are not aimed at peace. As reported earlier, in Baku George Kent confirmed the US readiness to accept the meeting of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. The second phase of the joint program by the Council of Europe and the European Union Partnership for Good Governance was launched in Brussels on Tuesday. The program is meant for the EU Eastern Partnership countries. With a budget of 17.5 million EUR, it will run from 2019 to 2021. The European Union will provide 80% of the funding for the second phase of the Partnership for Good Governance, while the Council of Europe will implement the activities involved and fund the remaining 20%. For the second phase of the program, the focus in Armenia will be on two themes: strengthening institutional capacities to fight and prevent corruption in Armenia and implementation of judicial reforms in Armenia. The first stage of the program been running from 2015 to 2018. At the first meeting of the Armenian-American strategic dialogue, the governments of the US and Armenia reaffirmed their readiness to continue further strengthening bilateral relations, Armenian MFAs press service reported. According to the source, the American delegation was received by Armenian Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan. The meeting was also attended by the Armenian Ambassador to the US, Varuzhan Nersesyan. The US delegation was led by Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs George Kent. The delegation also included US Ambassador Lynne Tracy and senior officials from the US Agency for International Development, the US Department of Commerce and several offices of the US State Department. In the course of the Armenian-American strategic dialogue, delegates discussed cooperation in the area of strategic reforms and the promotion of common democratic values. During the discussions, issues of global and regional security and cooperation in law enforcement were also touched upon. Armenias Minister of Foreign Affairs Zohrab Mnatsakanyan received today US Deputy Assistant Secretary George Kent, who is in Armenia to participate in the Armenia-US strategic dialogue meeting along with the high-ranking officials of the USAID, the US Department of Trade and several offices of the US Department of State, reports the news service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Greeting the guest, Minister Mnatsakanyan stated that Armenia-US ties are on strong foundations and that Armenia is committed to take actions for further reinforcement of the bilateral agenda. The parties emphasized the Armenia-US strategic dialogue and the regular meetings and reciprocal visits in different formats. Minister Mnatsakanyan presented the interior political developments that took place in Armenia and the reforms that are being implemented by the legitimate government. In this regard, Armenias foreign minister attached importance to the continuity of cooperation with international partners for the promotion of democratic reforms and reinforcement of the achievements in Armenia. The parties also exchanged views on several pressing regional and international issues. Armenias Minister of Foreign Affairs presented Armenias approaches to and fundamental position on the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The requested page is currently unavailable on this server. Back to [RTHK News Homepage] 6000 Compton Estates Way. | Photos: Zumper Curious just how far your dollar goes in Tampa Palms? According to Walk Score, this Tampa neighborhood requires a car for most errands, is fairly bikeable and has a few nearby public transportation options. Data from rental site Zumper shows that the median rent for a one bedroom in Tampa Palms is currently hovering around $975. So, what might you expect to find with a budget of $1,100/month? Read on for a roundup of the latest rental offerings, via Zumper. (Note: prices and availability are subject to change.) Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in this article may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions. 6000 Compton Estates Way Listed at $1,100/month, this 1,080-square-foot one-bedroom, one-bathroom is located at 6000 Compton Estates Way. In the unit, you can expect a dishwasher, in-unit laundry and a balcony. Building amenities include a swimming pool, a fitness center and secured entry. Pet lovers are in luck: cats and dogs are allowed. (Take a look at the complete listing here.) 15350 Amberly Drive Next, there's this one-bedroom, one-bathroom located at 15350 Amberly Drive. It's listed for $1,070/month for its 941 square feet of space. Building amenities include on-site laundry, garage parking and a swimming pool. In the unit, there are hardwood floors, a dishwasher and a balcony. Cats and dogs are not allowed. (Check out the complete listing here.) 15210 Amberly Drive Finally, here's an 868-square-foot one-bedroom, one-bathroom at 15210 Amberly Drive that's going for $1,040/month. In the unit, you'll get a dishwasher, in-unit laundry and a balcony. The building boasts a swimming pool, a fitness center and secured entry. Good news for animal lovers: both dogs and cats are welcome here. (Take a look at the full listing here.) This story was created automatically using local real estate data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback. 335 W. Ninth St. | Photos: Zumper Curious just how far your dollar goes in Downtown? According to Walk Score, this Indianapolis neighborhood is very walkable, is very bikeable and has a few nearby public transportation options. Data from rental site Zumper shows that the median rent for a one bedroom in Downtown is currently hovering around $925. So, what might you expect to find with a budget of $1,300/month? Read on for a roundup of the latest rental offerings, via Zumper. (Note: prices and availability are subject to change.) Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in this article may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions. 946 Doctor M.L.K. Jr St. Listed at $1,295/month, this 749-square-foot one-bedroom, one-bathroom is located at 946 Doctor M.L.K. Jr St. In the furnished unit, you can expect a balcony. The building boasts assigned parking. If you've got a pet, you'll be happy to learn that cats and dogs are allowed. The rental doesn't require a leasing fee. (Take a look at the complete listing here.) 335 W. Ninth St. Next, there's this one-bedroom, one-bathroom situated at 335 W. Ninth St. It's listed for $1,240/month. In the furnished unit, there are hardwood floors, a dishwasher and in-unit laundry. Building amenities include a fitness center, a swimming pool and a roof deck. For those with furry friends in tow, know that cats and dogs are welcome on this property. (See the complete listing here.) 640 E. Michigan St. Finally here's a 585-square-foot studio at 640 E. Michigan St. that's going for $1,215/month. In the unit, you'll get hardwood floors and in-unit laundry. Amenities offered in the building include a fitness center, a swimming pool and secured entry. When it comes to pets, both meows and barks are welcome. Future tenants needn't worry about a leasing fee. (Check out the complete listing here.) This story was created automatically using local real estate data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback. * FTSE 100 down 1.6 percent; FTSE 250 down 1.2 percent * G4S slips after Garda World drops takeover plan * Domino's Pizza down on weak trading update * Banks, oil majors are biggest drags on main index (Adds news items, analyst comment, updates to closing prices) By Muvija M and Yadarisa Shabong May 7 (Reuters) - Britain's main stock index tumbled to a near six-week low on Tuesday as investors returned from a long weekend to a threat of more U.S. tariffs on China that triggered a selloff led by oil majors and banks. The FTSE 100 slumped 1.6 percent, while midcaps were 1.2 percent lower. HSBC and Prudential fell as U.S. President Donald Trump's threat to impose additional tariffs on Chinese goods hit Asia-exposed financial stocks. Oil majors Shell and BP suffered their worst day since early December as the trade nerves fanned concerns about global growth and demand. Industrial groups Melrose and Ashtead lost 5.8 percent and 3.5 percent respectively. "There is a sense that the U.S. is working extremely hard to extract last-minute concessions from China ahead of a planned visit by Vice-Premier Liu He," Neil Wilson, an analyst at Markets.com, said. All but one blue-chip sector ended in the red as investors steered away from riskier assets and moved to defensive stocks, viewed as better bets in times of economic uncertainty. That benefited Utilities SSE and Centrica, and pharmaceutical groups Hikma and AstraZeneca were also higher. Volumes were high after markets were shut for a holiday on Monday. The FTSE 100's volume was 130 percent of its daily average, and the FTSE 250's stood at 110 percent. A further blow to equities was the European Commission cutting its quarterly growth forecast for the euro zone. "The timing of the EUs announcement isn't great, but global trade tensions are likely to hurt the region," said CMC Markets analyst David Madden. The more domestically-focused midcaps were also weighed down by a weaker pound, which dipped on rising concerns about the progress of Brexit negotiations and worries UK Prime Minister Theresa May is facing a mounting challenge to her leadership. Story continues Security group G4S gave up nearly 3 percent after Garda World said on Sunday it would not make an offer for the company, while Essentra skidded 4.8 percent after a rating downgrade by Stifel. Domino's Pizza, Britain's biggest pizza delivery firm, dipped 1.5 percent as the company said it no longer expected its international business to break even this year. It earlier fell as much as 12 percent. AIM-listed Purplebricks tanked 11.9 percent after the online estate agent said its founder and chief executive, Michael Bruce, would quit immediately as the company winds down its Australian operations and reviews its U.S. business. (Reporting by Muvija M in Bengaluru, editing by Dale Hudson and John Stonestreet) (Adds details, background) JUBA, May 7 (Reuters) - A bush fire fanned by gusty winds has gutted four villages in South Sudan's Western Bahr el Ghazal region, killing 33 people, the president's spokesman said, adding the toll was likely to rise. The spokesman said in a statement late on Monday that 60 other people were in a critical condition after the fire on Sunday. The injured are receiving medication which is not sufficient given the remote state of the area in which the incident has taken place," Ateny Wek Ateny said in a statement at the statehouse on Monday evening. On Tuesday, Mathok Wal, Lol State's information minister, said the fire had also destroyed 138 houses in the villages in Korok East County and killed 10,000 cattle. (Reporting by Denis Dumo; Editing George Obulutsa and Alison Williams) (Adds quotes, details, background) By Ben Blanchard and Michael Martina BEIJING, May 7 (Reuters) - China said on Tuesday that Vice Premier Liu He will go ahead with a visit to the United States this week, after efforts to reach a deal to end a trade war were thrown into doubt by U.S. President Donald Trump's vow to impose new tariffs. U.S. officials have said China has backtracked on substantial commitments it made during months of negotiations. Those concerns prompted Trump to say on Sunday that he would raise tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods to 25 percent from 10 percent by the end of the week, and would "soon" target remaining Chinese imports with tariffs. The president's tweets abruptly ended a five-month ceasefire in a trade dispute that has cost the two countries billions of dollars and disrupted manufacturing supply chains. The flare-up in tensions sent global stocks and oil prices lower on Monday, and raised speculation that China could cancel Liu's planned visit. China's Commerce Ministry confirmed that Liu, who leads the talks for Beijing, will visit the United States on May 9 and May 10. The ministry did not elaborate or give the expected topics of discussion. If Liu joins the delegation flying to the U.S., "it will signal how serious China is and indicates that China and the U.S. are going to talk further," economists at ING said in a note earlier on Tuesday. So far, the Chinese government's response to the prospect of new tariffs has been reserved, and on Tuesday, Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told a news briefing that mutual respect was the basis for reaching a trade agreement. "Adding tariffs can't resolve any problem," Geng said. "Talks are by their nature a process of discussion. It's normal for both sides to have differences. China won't shun problems and is sincere about continuing talks," he said. The nationalist Global Times tabloid said in an editorial that Beijing's willingness to go ahead with the visit in the face of Trump's tweets shows it would remain calm and "focus on the talks rather than engage in public opinion warfare." Story continues "Even if the negotiations break down and Washington comprehensively raises tariffs, that does not mean the door to talks is closed," the paper said, adding that the impact on China of such a failure would be "controllable." 'EROSION OF COMMITMENTS' U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, who has been an advocate for tough structural changes in China, said on Monday that Beijing had reneged on commitments it had made previously that would have changed the agreement substantially. "Over the course of the last week or so we have seen ... an erosion in commitments by China," Lighthizer told reporters. "That in our view is unacceptable." "We're not breaking off talks at this point. But for now ... come Friday there will be tariffs in place," Lighthizer said. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, considered to be less hawkish toward China, said China's backtracking became clear with "new information" over the weekend. He declined to give specifics and said the U.S. side had originally hoped to conclude a deal one way or the other this week. "They were trying to go back on language that had been previously negotiated, very clear language, that had the potential of changing the deal dramatically," Mnuchin said. "The entire economic team ... are completely unified and recommended to the president to move forward with tariffs if we are not able to conclude a deal by the end of the week." China has repeatedly said it will make changes to open its economy according to its own timeline, not in response to trade disputes. But recently it has enacted new laws and amended others, moves some see as efforts to address concerns shared by the United States and other foreign investors, including those from China's largest trading partner, the European Union. The United States imported about $539.5 billion in goods from China in 2018 and exported $120.3 billion, for a record trade deficit of $419.2 billion, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Trump lashed out over the trade deficit with China on Monday. "With China we lose 500 Billion Dollars. Sorry, we're not going to be doing that anymore!" he tweeted. The United States currently has 25 percent tariffs on $50 billion of Chinese machinery and technology goods, and 10 percent tariffs on $200 billion of products from computer modems and routers to furniture, lighting and building materials. Negotiations on removing U.S. tariffs have been one of the remaining sticking points. China wants the tariffs to be removed. U.S. officials want to keep some, if not all, as part of any final deal to ensure China lives up to its commitments. (Reporting by Beijing Monitoring Desk; Editing by Kim Coghill) MEXICO CITY (AP) The bodyguard for a prominent Mexican journalist thwarted an attempt to steal the columnist's car in an upscale Mexico City neighborhood Monday, killing one of three armed robbers and wounding another in an exchange of gunfire, authorities said. Columnist Hector de Mauleon, who was inside a nearby restaurant and not injured, is known for his critical writing on organized crime for the newspaper El Universal and has been threatened on numerous occasions. The newspaper said de Mauleon had hired the retired military officer as his bodyguard because of the threats. El Universal said that as de Mauleon sat in the restaurant on a tree-lined street in the Condesa neighborhood, three gunmen approached the car, where the armed bodyguard was waiting. The paper said the bodyguard "confronted the assailants and left one of them dead, while another was wounded and one more fled." The city prosecutor's office confirmed that gunfire was exchanged, but mentioned only the dead assailant and the wounded one. It said the wounded assailant was taken to a hospital in police custody. An Associated Press journalist at the scene saw a body loaded into a forensic van. De Mauleon writes frequently about organized crime in Mexico's capital and has been outspoken about extortion rackets in Condesa. In 2017, Mexico's National Human Rights Commission condemned a chilling video threat against De Mauleon. Mexico's federal security agency condemned Monday's incident on Twitter. * Meghan and Harry expected to show new baby on Wednesday * Prince Charles says delighted * William welcomes brother Harry to "sleep deprivation society" * Baby is seventh-in-line to British throne * (Adds Prince Charles, Prince William, quote) By Peter Nicholls WINDSOR, England, May 7 (Reuters) - Senior members of the British royal family said on Tuesday they were delighted and thrilled at the birth of Prince Harry and Meghan's baby as the couple considered a name for their son. Meghan gave birth in the early hours of Monday morning to the boy, the seventh-in-line to the British throne, leaving his father, Queen Elizabeth's grandson, and royal fans across the world enthralled. "We couldn't be more delighted at the news and we're looking forward to meeting the baby when we return," Prince Charles, the baby's grandfather and heir-to-the-throne, said to well-wishers while on a trip to Berlin. Harry's elder brother Prince William and his wife Kate said they were absolutely thrilled at the news. "I'm very pleased and glad to welcome my own brother to the sleep deprivation society that is parenting," he said. "I hope the next few days they can settle down and enjoy having a newborn in their family and all the joys that come with that." Kate added: "As William said, we're looking forward to meeting him and find out what his name's going to be so it's really exciting for both of them." So far, Harry and his aides have merely confirmed the boy weighed 7 lb 3oz (3.26 kg) and that Meghan and the couple's first child were both healthy and well. "I am so incredibly proud of my wife and, as every father and parent would ever say your baby is absolutely amazing, this little thing is absolutely to die for," Harry said on Monday. Few details about the birth have been released by Buckingham Palace with the announcement itself a mix of traditional and modernity which many say the baby himself represents, being the first mixed race child to be born into a senior position in British royalty in recent history. Story continues The news was relayed on a ceremonial easel outside the palace after "It's a Boy!" was trumpeted on the couple's Instagram account, attracting more than 2.6 million "likes." It was not clear whether the birth took place at the couple's home, Frogmore Cottage on the estate of Windsor Castle where they married in a lavish ceremony in May last year, or if Meghan had been rushed to a London hospital as a number of British newspapers reported. CONGRATULATIONS FLOOD IN Celebrities and world leaders were among those to send messages, a reflection of the star status of Harry, 34, and former U.S. actress Meghan, 37. "Congratulations, Meghan and Harry! Barack and I are so thrilled for both of you and can't wait to meet him," former U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama said on Twitter. Harry and Meghan decided to eschew the recent royal tradition of posing for photographs with their new baby hours after the birth, leaving the world's media and royal fans waiting for a first glimpse of the boy who is entitled to both British and American citizenship. It is expected that the couple will hold a limited photo call on Wednesday to show off their son. "We're still thinking about names," Harry said. "The baby's a little bit overdue so we've had a little bit of time to think about it ... that's the next bit." Bookmakers have James, Alexander, Albert, Philip, and Arthur as the favorite names, although other suggestions include Spencer, which was the surname of Harry's late mother Princess Diana. The baby, the eighth great-grandchild of 93-year-old Elizabeth, the world's longest-reigning monarch, will not automatically be a prince or a princess or be known as "His Royal Highness" unless the queen issues a decree. However, when Elizabeth is succeeded by Prince Charles, royal rules mean the boy would then have such titles. "It is possible that Harry might want his child not to have the burden of a royal title but I think the rest of the world would like the child to have (one)," said Ingrid Seward, editor of "Majesty" magazine. "Harry always says how much he didn't want to be a prince and he'd rather be almost anything else but when you're in that world it's very difficult to step out of it." ( Writing by Michael Holden; editing by Guy Faulconbridge and Alexandra Hudson) (Recasting with polls opening, adds mayoral race on ballot, new byline) By Keith Coffman DENVER, May 7 (Reuters) - As Denver voters went to the polls on Tuesday for a mayoral election, they were also asked to decide whether to decriminalize possession of psilocybin, the hallucinogenic drug in what is widely known as "magic mushrooms." If passed, the ballot initiative would make Colorado's capital the first U.S. city to end the imposition of criminal penalties for individuals at least 21 years of age for using or possessing the psychedelic drug. Psilocybin would remain illegal under both Colorado and federal law. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration classifies the drug as a Schedule 1 substance, meaning the agency has deemed that it has a high potential for abuse with no accepted medical application. Decriminalize Denver, the group behind the ballot question, said psilocybin has a wide range of medical benefits. It has been shown to reduce depression and anxiety and to help in treating tobacco, alcohol and opioid addictions, and with alleviating symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), according to the organization. We are decriminalizing mushrooms in Denver because the cure for trauma is connection, and mushrooms are a key. They can help someone access the core of their issues and make radical change for the better, the group said on Facebook. Some opponents worry that if passed, the initiative would further the citys image as a haven for drugs, given that Colorado was one of the first states to legalize possession and sale of marijuana for adult recreational use. Denver District Attorney Beth McCann opposes the initiative. But if the measure is approved, she supports formation of a review panel under the initiative to study the effects of the drug and the impact the ordinance would have on Denver, spokeswoman Carolyn Tyler said. Mayor Michael Hancock, who is running for re-election, has told the Denver Post that he opposes the mushroom question. Denver residents first voted to decriminalize marijuana possession in 2004, years before Colorado voters ultimately approved its legalization statewide for recreational purposes, establishing a full regulatory framework to license retail outlets and collect sales taxes on cannabis products. The psilocybin initiative is one of a handful of questions on Tuesday's municipal ballot that also includes Hancock's bid for a third term as mayor, and a measure to rescind an ordinance that restricts homeless people from establishing encampments in public places. (Additional reporting by Brendan O'Brien in Milwaukee; editing by Bill Berkrot) By Prossy Kisakye The Kyadondo East Mp Robert Kyagulanyi known to many by his stage name Bobi Wine has pledged to continue working with all opposition members to ensure change takes place. Addressing journalists in Kamyokya, Bobi Wine says much as there have been efforts to bring him down, he is not about to give up. He has also reechoed calls for a unified opposition saying it is the only way they will defeat president Museveni in the 2021 poll. His remarks come after a latest opinion poll showed that majority of Ugandans showed their belief in a joint candidate for 2021 if the opposition is to take over power. Bobi Wine has meanwhile announced Joel Senyonyi, a former NTV anchor as the spokesperson of the people power movement. (Adds quote, TV, detail) BRUSSELS, May 7 (Reuters) - European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said on Tuesday it was "totally unacceptable" to associate fellow top EU official Donald Tusk with Joseph Stalin and Adolf Hitler, as has been done by Polish state TV. Tusk, an ex-Polish prime minister and an arch-rival of the nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) party now governing in Warsaw, delivered a stinging critique of the government in a speech during a visit to the capital last week. Poland's state TV broadcaster, tightly controlled by the PiS since the party came to power in late 2015, reacted with a clip seeking to discredit Tusk as a politician more inclined to serve the interests of Germany than of Poland. Next to Tusk's image, the clip showed pictures of Stalin and Hitler, whose Soviet Union and Nazi Germany respectively invaded Poland in 1939. Millions of Poles lost their lives under occupation during World War Two. In his speech, Tusk told the eurosceptic PiS to stop flouting the rule of law and Poland's own constitution. His remrks came amid speculation about his possible return to Polish politics after his term as president of the European Council of member states expires at the end of November. Juncker told a news conference in Brussels: "If this (Hitler-Stalin comparison) is possible, this has something to do with the overall political atmosphere in the country, I don't like that. I find these remarks totally unacceptable." He called the Hitler-Stalin insert "highly disgusting." "But I think Poland has its place at the heart of Europe... Although we have some divergences and differences with the Polish government, we'll be able at a given moment to solve these problems," Juncker added. "Europe is a construction of people, not of governments." The conservative nationalist PiS government has placed public media, courts and civil society under tight state control, clashing repeatedly with the EU over accusations that Warsaw is backpedaling on democratic standards. Despite criticism from the bloc and international rights advocates, the PiS remains popular in Poland with its combative nationalist rhetoric and increases of social spending. Poland is due to hold parliamentary elections this autumn and a presidential vote in May 2020. (Reporting by Gabriela Baczynska Editing by Philip Blenkinsop and Mark Heinrich) (Adds more details, PIX available, no immediate Boeing comment) By David Shepardson WASHINGTON, May 7 (Reuters) - The Federal Aviation Administration said on Tuesday it had convened a multi-agency Technical Advisory Board to review Boeings proposed software fix on the grounded 737 MAX. The board consists of experts from the FAA, U.S. Air Force, NASA and Volpe National Transportation Systems Center that were not involved in any aspect of the Boeing 737 MAX certification. The board's recommendations will "directly inform the FAAs decision concerning the 737 MAX fleets safe return to service." The plane was grounded worldwide in mid-March after two Boeing 737 MAX crashes in October and March killed 346 people. Boeing, which has yet to formally submit the software fix to the FAA for approval, did not immediately comment Tuesday on the new review. Some in Congress have urged the FAA to conduct an independent review into the anti-stall system at the center of investigations into two deadly plane crashes before allowing the planes to resume flying. The board known as TAB will assess Boeing's proposed fix to the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS), the FAA said. "The TAB is charged with evaluating Boeing and FAA efforts related to Boeings software update and its integration into the 737 MAX flight control system. The TAB will identify issues where further investigation is required prior to FAA approval of the design change," the FAA said. The worlds largest planemaker, facing its worst crisis in years and the worldwide grounding of its top-selling jetliner, has said its software upgrade and associated pilot training will add layers of protection to prevent erroneous data from triggering MCAS. The system activated in the Ethiopian Airlines crash in March and also during a separate Lion Air crash in Indonesia in October. There are a number of other reviews ongoing, including a blue-ribbon committee appointed by Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao looking at the FAA's aircraft certification process. Federal prosecutors, the Transportation Departments inspector general and lawmakers are investigating the FAAs certification of the 737 MAX 8 aircraft. A separate joint review by 10 governmental air regulators started last week and is expected to last about 90 days, but the FAA has said that a decision on ungrounding the plane is not contingent on that review being completed. (Reporting by David Shepardson Editing by Nick Zieminski) (Adds comments from senators) By David Shepardson and Diane Bartz WASHINGTON, May 7 (Reuters) - With a multibillion-dollar settlement looming for Facebook over user privacy violations, Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg met with U.S. lawmakers on Capitol Hill on Tuesday to discuss legislation to protect users of the social network, officials said. The meetings had been long planned and were not to discuss reports that Facebook will soon settle a probe by the Federal Trade Commission into privacy lapses, according to a Facebook spokeswoman. Sandberg met with Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Roger Wicker, a Republican, and Democratic Senator Mark Warner and was expected to meet with Republican Senator Jerry Moran later on Tuesday, representatives for the senators confirmed. Moran and Wicker are among the six senators on a working group to draft a bill aimed at setting standards for online privacy for consumers. Sandberg met Monday with Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein, according to a staffer in the senator's office. The Federal Trade Commission is investigating allegations that Facebook failed to live up to a 2011 consent decree to protect users' privacy. The world's largest social media network is accused of inappropriately sharing information belonging to 87 million users with the now-defunct British political consulting firm Cambridge Analytica. Facebook said last month the settlement could cost between $3 billion and $5 billion. Several published reports say a settlement would require the company to create an independent privacy oversight committee and take other steps to safeguard users. The steps would include appointing a federally approved privacy official at the highest level of Facebook and creating a privacy oversight committee that may include Facebook board members. FTC Chairman Joe Simons declined comment on the agency's probe after a hearing on Tuesday before a Senate appropriations subcommittee. Story continues In the hearing, two lawmakers urged Simons to be tougher, with some of the concern focusing on the big social media platforms. Senator John Kennedy, a Republican, pressed Simons on when the FTC's newly formed high-tech task force would bring significant new cases. Senator Chris Coons, a Democrat, made a similar point, saying to Simons: "I'm concerned you could be doing much more." The potential settlement has found few defenders on Capitol Hill. In a letter to the FTC, Senators Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat, and Josh Hawley, a Republican, told the agency that even a $5 billion civil penalty was a "bargain for Facebook" and urged the agency to hold top officials, potentially including founder and Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg, personally responsible. Wyden argued on Tuesday that the social media giant appeared to be getting off easy. "First, Mark Zuckerberg has shown clear disregard for his customers' privacy. He already has immense personal control over Facebook. I dont see how making him a compliance officer solves Facebooks problems," Wyden said in an email comment. "Second, a $5 billion fine is simply not enough to be a deterrent to a company like Facebook." (Reporting by David Shepardson and Diane Bartz; Editing by Dan Grebler, David Gregorio and Leslie Adler) (Adds reaction) By Daniel Trotta May 7 (Reuters) - Georgia became the fourth U.S. state this year to outlaw abortion after a doctor can detect a fetal heartbeat, when its Republican governor on Tuesday signed a bill that an abortion-rights group vowed to challenge immediately. Opponents called the legislation a virtual ban because fetal heartbeats can be detected as early as six weeks, before a woman may be aware she is pregnant. Abortion foes say the bills are intended to draw legal challenges, in hopes that a case will land before the U.S. Supreme Court, where a majority of conservative judges including two appointed by Republican President Donald Trump could overturn Roe v. Wade, the 1973 landmark decision that established a woman's right to an abortion. "Our job is to do what is right, not what is easy," Georgia Governor Brian Kemp said as he signed the bill, surrounded by applauding supporters. Kentucky, Mississippi and Ohio have enacted heartbeat laws since mid-March, and Iowa passed one last year. Courts have blocked the Iowa and Kentucky laws, and the others face legal challenges. The American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia and the Center for Reproductive Rights have vowed to sue to stop this law. "This law is bafflingly unconstitutional," Elisabeth Smith, chief counsel for the center, said in a statement. "Bans like this have always been blocked by courts. We will be suing Georgia to make sure this law has the same fate." Anti-abortion advocates have introduced measures in 15 states to ban the procedure as early as six weeks into a pregnancy, according to Rewire.News, a site specializing in the issue. Georgia's Living Infants Fairness and Equality Act permits later abortions in medical emergencies. In cases of rape or incest, it requires the woman to file an official police report. The Georgia law has also raised concerns among abortion-rights advocates about expanding "abortion deserts," described as major cities that are at least 100 miles (160 km) from an abortion provider, adding a particular hardship for poorer women. Story continues Between Georgia and Mississippi is Alabama, where the state's House has passed a bill that would ban all abortions unless the mother's life is threatened. The state's Senate is likely to vote on it this week, raising the prospect of a extensive abortion desert in the Southeast. "Women will have to cross state lines and likely multiple state lines in order to get the care that they need," Angeline Ti, a family medicine physician in Georgia and fellow with Physicians for Reproductive Health, said in a telephone interview. "We know that when abortion is illegal that doesn't mean it goes away. And so what this means is that the women are going to have to do more extreme things." (Reporting by Daniel Trotta in New York; Editing by Lisa Shumaker and Steve Orlofsky) (Recasts lead paragraph, adds background throughout) By Paresh Dave MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., May 7 (Reuters) - Alphabet Inc's Google business on Tuesday announced new privacy controls for its services, including Incognito mode for Google Maps, and published new privacy commitments for its hardware, showing how increased public scrutiny is forcing greater transparency in Silicon Valley. The announcements were dotted throughout nearly two hours of product updates from the search giant at its annual Google I/O developers' conference. Google also launched its lowest priced smartphone yet, the Pixel 3a, and demonstrated upcoming capabilities for its virtual assistant, such as car rental and movie ticket bookings by voice commands. Google has been fending off some of the growing legislative and regulatory pushes in the United States and elsewhere to regulate data privacy and other issues core to its business model. Proposals being weighed by lawmakers would limit how Google, Facebook Inc and other internet companies track consumers and distribute information. With revenue growth slowing and costs largely growing, Alphabet has faced questions from investors about the threat of new rules and its ability to commercialize newer services such as the Google Assistant. Alphabet shares closed Tuesday down 1.2 percent to $1,178.86. They have fallen from an all-time high of $1,296.98 since the company reported quarterly sales last month that were $1 billion below expectations. Incognito mode, which is launching on Google Maps "soon" and Google search later this year, would block the company from storing user activity in those services, the company said. For home-based devices including smart speakers, thermostats and security alarms, Google on Tuesday published a new website with disclosures on how sensors such as microphones and cameras on those devices work. In addition, it committed to giving users the ability to review any sensor recordings and delete them. Story continues Further, the company said it would not use "video footage, audio recordings, and home environment sensor readings" to personalize ads. Other privacy announcements included more granular control starting later this year over how mobile apps for Google's Android operating system access location data. "The central focus of the release is security and privacy," Stephanie Cuthbertson, director of product management for Android, said on stage. NEW ASSISTANT OPTIONS The car booking capability, which Google demonstrated on National Car Rental's website, builds on the company's push over the last two years to integrate more artificial intelligence-fueled features into its virtual helper, Google Assistant. It aims to free users from manually filling out forms on websites, Google Chief Executive Sundar Pichai told the several thousand conference attendees. It will be available later this year on Android phones in the United States and United Kingdom, Google said. In an update to search, Google introduced augmented reality technology that enables users to view three-dimensional renderings of some visual results through their smartphone cameras. Google said it was working with companies such as New Balance, Target Corp, Samsung and Volvo to make 3D models of their products available in mobile search. Google also brought Google Assistant to new products. Starting at $399, the Pixel 3a could help the company reverse flagging sales of more premium phones. It will be available in the U.S. in T-Mobile and Sprint stores for the first time in addition to Verizon outlets. AT&T, the fourth major wireless carrier, has declined to stock it, people familiar with the matter said. Google said it would re-brand all of its "Home" hardware as "Nest," reflecting the thermostat maker it purchased in 2014. The Google Nest Hub Max, a larger version of Google's smart speaker with a display, will arrive later this year, the company announced. Priced at $229, the Max will include a camera with facial recognition technology to activate the device without a voice command. That camera sensing feature will not send imagery to Google's servers once it is set up, Google said on its new privacy website. (Reporting by Paresh Dave; Editing by Jeffrey Benkoe, Dan Grebler and Susan Thomas) (Adds response from economy minister) GUATEMALA CITY, May 7 (Reuters) - Guatemalan prosecutors have launched an investigation into a presidential candidate, six lawmakers and a cabinet minister on suspicion of corruption, the U.N.-backed International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG) said late on Monday. The Guatemalan attorney general's office and the CICIG said in a joint statement the eight had overseen the approval and distribution of bribes worth $7.5 million for 62 deputies between 2012-2015 during the administration of former President Otto Perez. Perez and his former vice president Roxana Baldetti are in prison and are being tried on various corruption charges. Both, who are members of the conservative Patriot Party, deny any wrongdoing. According to the CICIG, bribes were distributed from Baldetti's office to trusted Patriot Party deputies and were used to secure approval of certain laws and judicial appointments. All eight people under investigation belonged to the Patriot Party in the last administration. Estuardo Galdamez is now seeking to succeed President Jimmy Morales as president of Guatemala, representing Morales' conservative National Convergence Front (FCN). Guatemala holds a general election in June. Galdamez on Tuesday posted a statement on Twitter from the FCN rejecting the accusations. The CICIG and the attorney general's office said they are also investigating Economy Minister Acisclo Valladares in the case. Valladares told Reuters the allegations against him were groundless and that the probe was based on unreliable witnesses. The lawmakers accused by the CICIG could either not be reached for comment or rejected the allegations in local media. CICIG investigations led to the downfall of Perez in 2015 and the anti-graft body also went after Morales, alleging he broke campaign finance rules during his presidential run. But it failed to secure enough votes in Congress to impeach him. Morales accused the CICIG of abusing its power and refused to renew its mandate, which will end in September. Last month, another presidential candidate was arrested in the United States, accused of making deals with the Sinaloa drug cartel in Mexico. (Reporting by Sofia Menchu; Editing by Bernadette Baum and Rosalba O'Brien) * U.S. firms face market access barriers in India - Ross * Data localisation rules, price of medical devices obstacles * India says will engage regularly to resolve trade issues (Adds quotes, context) By Neha Dasgupta NEW DELHI, May 7 (Reuters) - India's rules on localisation of data and price caps on medical devices imported from the United States are barriers to trade but New Delhi is committed to addressing them after the country's elections, U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said on Tuesday. Speaking at a business conference in New Delhi, Ross said there were still overly restrictive market barriers in India. The United States is India's second-biggest trade partner after China. "We applaud India's commitment to addressing some of these barriers once the government is re-formed, probably starting in the month of June," Ross said in a speech. India's 39-day general election ends on May 19, and votes will be counted four days later. Ross met his Indian counterpart Suresh Prabhu on Monday, after which New Delhi said that the two countries would engage regularly to resolve outstanding trade issues. India and the United States are locked in disputes over tariffs, price caps India has imposed on imported U.S. medical devices, and rules banning companies from selling products via firms in which they have an equity interest. Ross said India's recent push to force foreign companies to store more of their user data locally was a hindrance to trade. "Our role is to eliminate barriers to U.S. companies operating here, including, data localisation restrictions that actually weaken data security and increase the cost of doing business," he said. Last year, global payments companies including Mastercard , Visa and American Express unsuccessfully lobbied India to relax central bank rules requiring all payment data on domestic transactions to be stored locally. Ross said India's 2017 decision to cap prices of medical devices made in the United States was also an issue. Story continues U.S. President Donald Trump announced in March that he would end preferential trade treatment for India that allows duty-free entry for up to $5.6 billion worth of its exports to the United States. "As President Trump has said, trade relationships should be based and must be based on fairness and reciprocity. But currently, U.S. businesses face significant market access barriers in India," Ross said. "These include both tariff and non-tariff barriers as well as multiple practices and regulations that disadvantage foreign companies." U.S. goods and services trade https://ustr.gov/countries-regions/south-central-asia/india with India totalled an estimated $142.1 billion in 2018, with the United States running a deficit of $24.2 billion. (Additional reporting by Aditya Kalra; Editing by Krishna N. Das and Jacqueline Wong) (Adds further quotes, background) By Alastair Macdonald BRUSSELS, May 7 (Reuters) - Jean-Claude Juncker thinks heeding David Cameron's request to stay silent while Brexit campaigners told "lies" before Britain's 2016 referendum was the biggest mistake he has made as EU chief executive. At a Brussels news conference on Tuesday at which he laid out a defense of his record as president of the European Commission, he was asked to name the biggest error of a five-year mandate which ends in October, and he delivered a stinging assessment of the former British leader over the Brexit vote. After faulting his personal response to a scandal dating to his time as premier of Luxembourg, Juncker said: "The second mistake I made was to listen too carefully to the British government. Cameron. Because the then prime minister asked me not to interfere, not to intervene in the referendum campaign." "It was a mistake not to intervene and not to interfere because we would have been the only ones to destroy the lies which were circulated around. I was wrong to be silent at an important moment." Cameron angered fellow EU leaders by promising a referendum on Britain's membership of the bloc in a bid to prevent voters deserting his ruling Conservatives for the UK Independence Party. Having secured some special concessions from the EU, he then campaigned to keep Britain in the EU in the June 2016 vote. Juncker has said that he kept out of that British debate, partly because Cameron told him it would be counter-productive. Many EU leaders were irritated, however, that Cameron's campaign made little mention of the special deal they had given him. Cameron resigned after his defeat, handing over to Theresa May. She has negotiated terms for Britain's departure but has found them rejected by British lawmakers, delaying Brexit. Asked if he now believed Britain might stay on, possibly as an awkward member, Juncker made light of the uncertainty, saying he had given up trying to guess British intentions. Echoing a remark that he had made earlier in his presentation that "nobody understands England but everybody understands English," Juncker repeated a recent comment likening the British parliament to the enigmatic Sphinx of ancient Egypt. "Either they will stay or they will leave," Juncker said. "If they stay they stay; if they leave they leave." (Editing by William Maclean) (Updates number of killed and injured; adds comments from prison spokesman, volunteer firefighter) By Sofia Menchu GUATEMALA CITY, May 7 (Reuters) - At least seven people were killed and 17 injured after shooting broke out at a prison near Guatemala City on Tuesday, according to officials, who said that authorities have regained control at the prison. "Security forces have already entered and have regained control of the center. Regarding the number of deceased inmates, there are seven confirmed. That is a preliminary number," Carlos Morales, a spokesman for Guatemala's prison system, said. A spokesman for the volunteer firefighters, Mario Cruz, said eight people were killed and 17 injured. "So far we have already removed seven bodies and we are waiting for the last one," Cruz said. Camilo Gilberto Morales, director of Guatemala's penitentiary system, said the gunfire in one part of the prison appeared to have stemmed from an altercation between inmates. "According to preliminary information it was a confrontation between an inmate in an alleged state of intoxication, shooting at another inmate," he told local television channel TN23. An Interior Ministry spokesman said officials were still gathering information about the incident. The Pavon prison, some 10 miles (16 km) from the Guatemalan capital, houses more than 4,100 inmates, according to official data. In 2016, a riot at the same prison left 14 people dead. (Reporting by Sofia Menchu, Writing by Daina Beth Solomon; Editing by Leslie Adler) (Adds Anadarko agreed to sell itself to Occidental) By Jennifer Hiller HOUSTON, May 6 (Reuters) - T. Rowe Price Group Inc said on Monday it intends to vote against the Occidental Petroleum Corp board of directors because the company will not allow shareholders to vote on its bid for Anadarko Petroleum Corp, which T. Rowe Price and other shareholders oppose. Several other investors also said they might vote against approving Occidental's board of directors at the annual meeting on Friday. Occidental on Sunday increased the cash component of its $38 billion bid to acquire Anadarko, removing a requirement for Occidental shareholders to approve the deal. That move led Anadarko on Monday to name Occidental's $76-a-share offer as superior to that submitted by Chevron Corp , requiring Chevron by Friday to revise its offer or walk away. "We dont feel we have any choice," said fund manager John Linehan, portfolio manager at T. Rowe Price. "We really struggle to understand the logic of not putting a transformational deal to your shareholder base." T. Rowe Price, Occidentals sixth largest shareholder, held 21.1 million shares of the oil company as of Dec. 31, along with 865,000 shares of Anadarko and 8 million in Chevron, which offered $33 billion for Anadarko. Occidental risks the ire of billionaire activist Carl Icahn, who has been amassing a stake in the Houston-based oil producer intending to challenge its Anadarko offer, according to sources. Icahn's involvement throws a wild card into the merger battle, said David Katz, president of Matrix Asset Advisors, which held 241,700 shares of Occidental and 61,300 shares of Chevron at the end of April. Matrix opposes the merger and may vote against the Occidental board "to send a message," Katz said. "We dont think theyre correctly handling their fiduciary decisions." Occidental Chief Executive Officer Vicki Hollub said on Monday the decision to increase the cash portion of the offer was designed to address Anadarko's need for greater certainty the deal would go ahead. Story continues "Our objective in doing this was not at all to avoid a shareholder vote. It was to ensure we had a reasonable chance to make this happen," she said on a conference call on Monday. "We werent at all on a level playing field," she said, noting that the Anadarko board had failed for days to make a decision. It has "been a 12-day process" and "our proposal still wasn't deemed superior, which is why we've yesterday submitted the increased cash offer," Hollub said. Occidental's bid includes a pricey financing deal with billionaire Warren Buffett, whose Berkshire Hathaway would receive preferred shares paying an 8 percent dividend. "Occidental putting in more cash is really a ploy to not have a shareholder vote," said Christian Ledoux, investment chief at South Texas Money Management, which holds shares of Chevron and Occidental. "Thats upsetting from an investor point of view." Ledoux opposes the merger, fearing that Occidental would go into the next oil price downturn with a debt-laden balance sheet. He has not decided how his company will vote on the Occidental proxy. It will wait to see what else develops and whether Icahn takes a stand, Ledoux said. "I would imagine theres going to be a lot of votes against (the board) as a protest," Ledoux said. (Reporting by Jennifer Hiller; Editing by David Gregorio and Peter Cooney) By Prossy kisakye. The opposition Justice Forum (JEEMA) has condemned the brutality and illegal acts unleashed to the public by the newly launched Security reserve force (LDUs). This has been revealed by JEEMAs party president Asuman Basalirwa while addressing the journalists at the party headquarters in Mengo. Basalirwa said its bad for the force that has been recruited to offer security to start siding with the police to violate the rights of Ugandans The incidents of brutality by the LDUs was experienced last week at Luzira trading center when Kyadondo East Member of Parliament Robert Kyagulanyi supporters who were escorting him from prison were beaten. Related Stories LDUs urged to be gentle when making arrests (Adds military prosecutor's comments) GOMA, Democratic Republic of Congo, May 7 (Reuters) - Three suspects in the killing of two U.N. investigators in Democratic Republic of Congo escaped from prison overnight, a defense lawyer in the case said on Tuesday. Evariste Ilunga Lumu, Kanowa Tshiaba and Mbayi Amoxi Tshikangu are on trial accused of participating in the killing of American Michael Sharp and Zaida Catalan, a Swede, in March 2017. The U.N. investigators were probing alleged atrocities during fighting in the central Kasai region between government forces and the local Kamuina Nsapu militia, which prosecutors blame for their deaths. Ilunga is the only defendant among more than a dozen on trial to have admitted having participated in the killings. An army colonel and an informant for the national intelligence service, the ANR, have also been arrested in connection with the case. They deny involvement and have not been formally charged over the killings. Tresor Kabangu, the lawyer for Ilunga and Tshiaba in the trial, which began in June 2017, said the three defendants had escaped from prison in the city of Kananga overnight. Timothee Mukuntu, Congo's top military prosecutor, confirmed at a news conference that Ilunga and Tshiaba were among five prisoners who had escaped by climbing over the prison wall during a driving rainstorm. He did not mention Tshikangu. "It is a tough blow for us that Ilunga Lumu escaped," said Mukuntu. "We are going to do everything to find him." Florence Marchal, spokeswoman for the U.N. peacekeeping mission (MONUSCO) said the suspects' escape showed "a dysfunction in the system ... dysfunctions that need to be corrected for justice to be done." Reuters and Radio France Internationale (RFI) revealed in December 2017 that the informant who helped Catalan and Sharp plan their fatal trip the day before they left was working at the time for Congos intelligence agency (ANR). Story continues Their findings revived questions about what role state agents may have played in the killing. The United Nations and human rights groups have accused government forces of involvement in atrocities in the conflict that Sharp and Catalan were investigating. The Congolese government has in the past denied any responsibility for mass graves that have been found in the Kasai region, and denied that its troops have systematically used excessive force there. Catalan's mother Maria Morseby tweeted: "I'm so disappointed and sad because with Ilunga important information and testimony disappears." (Reporting by Fiston Mahamba and Aaron Ross Writing by Aaron Ross Editing by Sofia Christensen and Gareth Jones) (Adds McConnell, Warren) WASHINGTON, May 7 (Reuters) - The top Democrat in the U.S. Senate said on Tuesday that Congress should thoroughly investigate the findings of Special Counsel Robert Mueller before deciding whether to move forward with impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump. "I believe that we should have hearings. We should thoroughly investigate the Mueller report. We ought to see every aspect of the Mueller report and then we can make a decision," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer told reporters. U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Tuesday sought to slam the door on further investigations of Trump by declaring "case closed" after a two-year probe of Russia's meddling in the 2016 elections. [nL2N22J0KY} However, battles between the White House and congressional Democrats over documents and testimony related to the Mueller investigation showed no signs of abating. Some Democratic lawmakers continue to call for Trump's impeachment. Senator Elizabeth Warren, a 2020 Democratic presidential candidate and longtime Trump critic, called for his impeachment on the Senate floor after McConnell spoke. She said the Mueller report on Russia's role in the 2016 election that put Trump in the White House made clear the Republican president tried to obstruct justice. "We took an oath not to try to protect Donald Trump. We took an oath to protect and serve the Constitution of the United States of America," she said. "And the way we do that is we begin impeachment proceedings now against this president." (Reporting by Amanda Becker and Makini Brice; Writing by Tim Ahmann; Editing by Doina Chiacu and Andrea Ricci) (Adds details from South Korean statement; White House) WASHINGTON/SEOUL, May 7 (Reuters) - South Korea said on Tuesday that U.S. President Donald Trump supports Seoul's plan to provide humanitarian food aid to North Korea after the United Nations reported the country had suffered its worst harvest in decades, leaving many there chronically short of food. Trump and South Korean President Moon Jae-in spoke by telephone for 35 minutes on Tuesday and discussed ways to continue dialog with North Korea in spite of its testing of weapons last week, a statement from the South Korean presidency said. "The two leaders exchanged their views on a recent report on North Koreas food situation," the statement said. "President Trump assessed that South Koreas food provision to North Korea as a humanitarian effort will be a very timely and positive measure and he supported this." Trump and Moon also talked about a visit by Trump to South Korea "in the near future," the statement said, without giving details. A White House statement on the call said only that Trump and Moon "discussed recent developments" on North Korea and how to achieve its "final, fully verified denuclearization." However, Trump was asked by reporters last month whether he was prepared to ease some sanctions on North Korea, Trump said he and Moon were discussing "certain humanitarian things" and the possibility of South Korea helping North Korea with food. A United Nations report released on Friday said four in 10 North Koreans were chronically short of food and further cuts to already minimal rations were expected after the worst harvest in a decade. The South Korean statement said that despite North Korea's weapons tests, Trump and Moon "discussed ways to resume denuclearization talks as soon as possible, while keeping North Korea on the dialog track for denuclearization." Trump and his administration have played down the North Korean weapons tests, which took place on Saturday, and which military analysts say could have involved short-range, ground-to-ground ballistic missiles. In a Twitter message on Saturday, Trump said he was still confident he could reach a deal with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Analysts have interpreted the North Korean tests as an attempt to exert pressure on Washington to give ground in denuclearization negotiations after a February summit between Trump and Kim ended in failure. (Reporting by Jane Chung on Seoul and Makini Brice, Doina Chiacu and David Brunnstrom in Washington) * Suspects identified as one adult and one aged under 18 * Eighteen-year-old pronounced dead at scene, eight wounded * Shooters opened fire in two classrooms -sheriff * 'A guy pulled a pistol out of a guitar case' -victim's father * President briefed, White House offers condolences (Editor's note: Some readers may find language in paragraph 8 offensive. Adds name of suspect, updates number of injured, possible motives, paragraphs 1-3, 5, 10, 12, 18-20) By Keith Coffman HIGHLANDS RANCH, Colo., May 7 (Reuters) - Two male students armed with handguns burst into a Denver-area school and opened fire on Tuesday, killing one classmate and wounding eight before being taken into custody, law enforcement officials said. Two surviving victims of the attack at the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) School in Highlands Ranch, a Denver suburb, remained in serious condition, medical officials said. Others were stable or had been discharged from hospital. An 18-year-old male was pronounced dead at the scene, Douglas County Sheriff Tony Spurlock said a short time later. "Two individuals walked into the STEM school, got deep inside the school, and engaged students in two separate locations," Spurlock said. He told Reuters in a brief interview that the suspects, each armed with a handgun, opened fire in two separate classrooms. Devon Erickson, 18, was named as one of the suspects, while the other was identified only as a juvenile. The school serves students from kindergarten through to 12th grade. Television images showed police vehicles gathered outside a suburban house about 2 miles (1.2 km) from the school, where Erickson was believed to live. Police towed a white car with "FUCK SOCIETY" spray painted in blue on one side away from the house. 'ENGAGED SUSPECTS' Sheriff's deputies arrived at the school, located about 25 miles (40 km) south of Denver, within two minutes of the first reports, Spurlock said, and "engaged the suspects." Story continues Police dispatch tapes recorded officers looking for one suspect with black hair wearing a Nirvana hoodie and one with purple and black hair and a black hoodie. Law enforcement officials declined to comment on a possible motive for the rampage, saying it was too early in the course of the investigation, which was being assisted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Colorado ABC affiliate Denver 7 reported a combination of factors, including revenge and anger, spurred the attack. One suspect faced bullying for wanting to change from female to male and identifying as a male, the station said, citing law enforcement sources. The shooting occurred less than a month after the 20th anniversary of the Columbine High School massacre in nearby Littleton, about 5 miles (8 km) from the Highlands Ranch school. Two Columbine students killed 13 people there in 1999 before committing suicide in what remains one of the deadliest school shootings in U.S. history. A man who identified himself as Fernando Montoya said his 17-year-old son, a junior at STEM, was shot three times and that one of his son's friends was also wounded. Montoya said his son told him that one shooter walked into his classroom and opened fire. "He said a guy pulled a pistol out of a guitar case and started to shoot, Montoya told Denver 7. HUDDLED BEHIND DUMPSTERS Medical helicopters landed and took off outside the school as the incident unfolded. Elementary school children left the building in single file with their hands on their heads. Police officers with rifles stood by a group of high schoolers huddled behind dumpsters, many of them typing on their phones. Stunned kindergarten children and weeping high school students were reunited with their parents at a nearby recreation center. The White House offered a message of condolence. "Our prayers are with the victims, family members, and all those affected by today's shooting," White House spokesman Judd Deere said. Some of the worst mass shootings in the United States have occurred in Colorado. In addition to Columbine, a man opened fire at a movie theater in Aurora, another Denver suburb, in 2012, killing 12 people and wounding scores more. Tuesday's bloodshed in Colorado came a week after a gunman opened fire on the Charlotte campus of the University of North Carolina, killing two people and wounding four others. A 22-year-old former student of the university has been charged with murder and attempted murder in that case. (Reporting by Keith Coffman in Highlands Ranch, Colo. Additional reporting by Steve Gorman and Dan Whitcomb in Los Angeles, Andrew Hay in Taos, New Mexico Writing by Dan Whitcomb Editing by Jonathan Oatis, Leslie Adler and Paul Tait) (Adds details and background) By Roberta Rampton WASHINGTON, May 7 (Reuters) - The United States is lifting economic sanctions on a former Venezuelan general who turned against President Nicolas Maduro in an action it hopes will lead other Maduro military allies to follow suit, Vice President Mike Pence said on Tuesday. An attempted uprising last week led by Juan Guaido, the opposition leader backed by the United States and other Western countries, failed to dislodge Maduro, as have a series of U.S. sanctions against his government. Pence's speech was the first look at how the Trump administration plans to recalibrate its strategy to support Guaido. While U.S. officials have previously dangled what they called "off ramps" for those hit with sanctions who abandon Maduro, this is the first time the Trump administration has made good on its pledge. The Treasury Department said it removed sanctions on Manuel Cristopher, who was the head of the South American country's Sebin intelligence service until Tuesday. Maduro had accused Cristopher, whose whereabouts are unknown, of conspiring to help Guaido's uprising by releasing opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez, who was under a house arrest enforced by Sebin. "We hope the action that our nation is taking today will encourage others to follow the example of General Cristopher Figuera and members of the military who have also stepped forward," Pence said in an address to the Americas Society at the State Department. Arguing that Maduro's 2018 re-election was illegitimate, Guaido invoked Venezuela's constitution in January to declare himself interim president. But Guaido has thus far failed to entice high-level military defections from Maduro, who has said Guaido is a puppet of Washington. Maduro has sought to show that the military remains on his side, but opposition leaders and U.S. officials have said that support is tenuous. The United States has blacklisted more than 150 Venezuelan officials and businesses tied to Maduro. Removing Cristopher from the list will mean he can access any blocked assets and property he has in the United States and do business with U.S. individuals, companies and banks. Story continues SHIFT TO CARROTS U.S. President Donald Trump and his top officials have taken a hard line against Maduro and his allies in Cuba, Russia and China, insisting that he must leave and investing significant diplomatic and economic capital in intervening in the crisis. Trump has repeatedly refused to rule out the use of military force, though he has emphasized he wants a peaceful transition even as the Pentagon has prepared contingency options for consideration. Pence offered other carrots in his Venezuela address, announcing that the USNS Comfort military hospital ship will deploy to the Caribbean, Central America and South America in June. The five-month mission will help relieve pressure on countries that have taken in large numbers of people fleeing Venezuela, the Pentagon said. Last year, the hospital ship cared for Venezuelan refugees and others as it stopped in Colombia, Peru, Ecuador and Honduras. Pence also pledged that the United States would work with other nations and lenders on trade finance and credit to create jobs and fight poverty in Venezuela once Maduro departs office. But his speech also pointed at sticks to come, condemning Venezuela's pro-Maduro Supreme Court for becoming "a political tool for a regime that usurps democracy, indicts political prisoners, and promotes authoritarianism." In 2017, the Treasury Department imposed sanctions on the court's president, Maikel Moreno, and the seven principal members of its constitutional chamber. It is now preparing sanctions for the 25 remaining members of the court, a senior U.S. administration official told Reuters on Monday. The court on Tuesday asked Venezuela's Constituent Assembly, a pro-Maduro legislative body, to determine whether to open criminal proceedings against seven opposition lawmakers. The court also would be responsible for signing off on any warrant for an arrest of Guaido - a step that U.S. officials have warned would result in severe consequences. "Let me take this opportunity to be very clear: the safety and security of President Juan Guaido and his family are a priority for the United States of America," Pence said. (Reporting by Roberta Rampton Addiitonal reporting by Idrees Ali and Phil Stewart in Washington and Brian Ellsworth in Caracas Editing by Alistair Bell and Rosalba O'Brien) (Updates with McConnell delivering Senate speech; Schumer quotes) By Richard Cowan WASHINGTON, May 7 (Reuters) - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Tuesday sought to slam the door on further investigations of President Donald Trump by declaring "case closed" after a two-year probe of Russia's meddling in the 2016 elections, even as House Democrats' war with the White House intensified. McConnell, the top Republican in the U.S. Congress, delivered a stinging rebuke of Democrats seeking additional information on Special Counsel Robert Mueller https://graphics.reuters.com/USA-TRUMP-RUSSIA/010091HX27V/report.pdf 's report that found no evidence Trump's 2016 campaign colluded with Russia. "The special counsel's finding is clear. Case closed," McConnell declared. Meanwhile, battles between the White House and congressional Democrats over documents and testimony related to the Mueller investigation deepened on Tuesday. White House Counsel Pat Cipollone informed the House Judiciary Committee in a letter that ex-White House Counsel Don McGahn does not have the legal right to comply with a House of Representatives subpoena and disclose documents related to Mueller's investigation. White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders, when asked by ABC News whether McGahn would comply with the subpoena, said, "I don't anticipate that that takes place." McConnell accused Democrats of being in an "absolute meltdown" and refusing "to accept the bottom line conclusion" that Mueller's "exhaustive" report found no collusion with Russia. Since the public release of the report last month, House and Senate Republicans have defended the president and called for an end to congressional investigations. Mueller detailed extensive contacts between Trump's campaign and Moscow. His 448-page report also outlined 11 instances in which the president tried to impede the special counsel's investigation, but avoided a conclusion on whether or not Trump obstructed justice. Story continues Speaking on the Senate floor after McConnell, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer fired back, calling Trump a "lawless president" and accusing the Senate Republican leader of wanting to bury any congressional investigations. "Of course he wants to move on. He wants to cover up," Schumer said of McConnell. Schumer likened McConnell's move to President Richard Nixon, who was under investigation by Congress before resigning from office in 1974 in the face of impeachment and likely conviction. "It's sort of like Richard Nixon saying let's move on at the height of the investigation of his wrongdoing," Schumer said. While McConnell urged an end to the fight over the Mueller report, he acknowledged that was unlikely. Democrats hold a majority in the House, while Republicans control the Senate. "Would we finally be able to move on from partisan paralysis and breathless conspiracy theorizing? Or would we remain consumed by unhinged partisanship," McConnell said, adding, "Regrettably, the answer is pretty obvious." House Democrats prepared to meet with Justice Department officials on Tuesday over Attorney General William Barr's failure to release the full unredacted Mueller report as they prepared to cite him for contempt. The House Judiciary Committee has scheduled a Wednesday vote on a contempt citation for Barr, who missed a second deadline to give lawmakers the full report and failed to appear at a hearing before the panel last week. The full House would then vote on the rebuke. A contempt citation against McGahn or other administration officials could lead to a civil case, raising the possibility of fines and even imprisonment for failure to comply. The Judiciary Committee is among several House panels investigating Trump and his administration on various matters, including the Russia probe and Trump's personal and business tax returns. The administration is stonewalling congressional investigators while the president, who has denied any wrongdoing, vowed to fight all congressional subpoenas. On Monday, U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin turned down the House Ways and Means Committee's request for Trump's tax returns, teeing up a likely legal battle. Democratic lawmakers want Mueller to testify before Congress, something Trump has balked at although Barr has said he would not object. If lawmakers decide that Trump obstructed justice by seeking to impede Mueller, Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler could move to impeachment proceedings against the president. If the House goes down the impeachment route, at least some Republican support would be needed for a Senate conviction. (Reporting by Richard Cowan; Additional reporting by Susan Heavey, Tim Ahmann and Steve Holland; Editing by Jeffrey Benkoe) (Adds Finnish foreign minister, U.S. State Dept) By Simon Johnson ROVANIEMI, Finland, May 7 (Reuters) - The United States has refused to sign an agreement on challenges in the Arctic due to discrepancies over climate change wording, diplomats said on Tuesday, jeopardizing cooperation in the polar region at the sharp edge of global warming. With Arctic temperatures rising at twice the rate of the rest of the globe, the melting ice is creating potential new shipping lanes and has opened much of the world's last untapped reserves of oil and gas to commercial exploitation . A meeting of eight nations bordering the Arctic in Rovaniemi in Finland on Tuesday was supposed to frame a two-year agenda to balance the challenge of global warming with sustainable development of mineral wealth. But sources with knowledge of the discussions said the United States balked at signing a final declaration as it disagreed with wording that climate change was a serious threat to the Arctic. It was the first time a declaration had been canceled since the Arctic Council was formed in 1996. Instead, in a brief statement, ministers from the United States, Canada, Russia, Finland, Norway, Denmark, Sweden and Iceland repeated their commitment to sustainable development and the protection of the Arctic environment. Except for the United States, other nations had wanted to go further, participants said. "A majority of us regarded climate change as a fundamental challenge facing the Arctic and acknowledged the urgent need to take mitigation and adaptation actions and to strengthen resilience," talks chair and Finnish Foreign Minister Timo Soini said in a statement. "I don't want to name and blame anyone," he told reporters. ARCTIC OIL A senior U.S. State Department official denied Washington had again dragged its heels over global environmental action. "There were several different versions of the declaration going around. The U.S. was ready to sign," said the official, who spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity. Story continues The idea for "a simpler, positive, unified, collective message" had come from Russia and Canada, he added. Scientists believe the Arctic contains around 13 percent of the world's undiscovered reserves of oil and 30 percent of its reserves of natural gas as well as huge deposits of minerals such as zinc, iron and rare earth metals. Harvesting them remains expensive, but melting ice is making that more feasible, as well as affecting the world's weather, and the Arctic's wildlife and indigenous residents. Addressing the Council, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said President Donald Trump's administration "shares your deep commitment to environmental stewardship" in the Arctic. But he said collective goals were not always the answer. Agreements between countries in the Arctic Council are non-binding, and Pompeo accused Russia and China of not playing by the rules as they look to assert rights over resources and trade routes. "Collective goals ... are rendered meaningless, even counter-productive as soon as one nation fails to comply," Pompeo told the Council. President Trump has frequently expressed skepticism about whether global warming is a result of human activity and has stood by his 2017 decision to withdraw from the Paris climate accord signed by almost 200 governments in 2015. That has put him at odds with campaigners and many other countries. "A climate crisis in the Arctic is not a future scenario, it is happening as we speak," Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom said in her address to the Council. The Paris accord agreed to limit a rise in average global temperatures to "well below" 2C (3.6F) above pre-industrial times by 2100. Worldwide, temperatures are up about 1C (1.8F). (Additional reporting by Anne Kauranen in Helsinki; Editing by Niklas Pollard and Andrew Cawthorne) * U.S. market leader expanding in Europe * EU allows one-third of U.S. nicotine * Says youth vaping not as big an issue in EU (Adds quotes and details of EU regulatory environment and global expansion plans) By Conor Humphries DUBLIN, May 7 (Reuters) - A push by makers of electronic cigarettes to raise nicotine levels in the European Union towards their far higher American levels is running into opposition, a senior executive at U.S. market leader Juul said on Tuesday. But there is little sign in Europe of the kind of regulatory backlash seen in the United States over youth vaping, said Grant Winterton, EMEA president of Juul. E-cigarettes, which offer a nicotine alternative to cigarettes without the same toxic and cancer-causing chemicals, have seen rapid growth in the United States, prompting Marlboro maker Altria Group to buy a 35 percent stake in Juul for $12.8 billion in December. But the roll-out across European Union countries of Juul, whose devices resemble a USB flash drive and work by vaporizing a nicotine-laced liquid, has been hampered by limits of 20 milligrams of nicotine per millimeter of liquid compared to 59 in the United States. This, the company says, makes it less effective as an alternative to cigarettes for heavy smokers. "We will put forward our position that we think the limit should be increased," Winterton said, looking ahead to a review of the EU's Tobacco Products Directive in 2021. "At the moment I would say there is quite a lot of resistance to that," he added in an interview coinciding with Juul's launch in Ireland, one of a number planned in the European Union this year. While public health bodies in Britain have embraced vaping as a tool to wean smokers off cigarettes, governments in other EU markets, where smoking rates are higher, have been cooler. Most are "neutral to slightly positive" but no significant market is hostile, Winterton said. YOUTH VAPING In recent months e-cigarette makers including Juul have been under fire for the popularity of their products among teens attracted to candy and dessert flavor varieties. Story continues In November, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced curbs on sales of flavored e-cigarette products, including Juul's mango and cool cucumber, responding to concerns of underage use reaching epidemic proportion. "We do not see at this time some of the issues that have been raised in the United States," Winterton said, referring to youth vaping. European regulators have responded "very positively" to measures it has introduced, including voluntary nicotine warnings, marketing targeted only at over-30s and vetting to make sure retailers adhere to age limits. It would be "moral and commercial suicide" to target young non-smokers with nicotine products, he added. Juul is trying to match its success in the United States with a global roll-out with a target of international sales eclipsing U.S. sales within five years. It's U.S. market share increased from 13.6 percent in early 2017 to more than 75 percent by the end of last year, according to a Wells Fargo analysis of Nielsen retail data. Winterton said Juul plans to launch in multiple Asian locations in 2019 and the Middle East and Africa in 2020 and 2021. "There is no one who is not on our radar if you look forward next 4-5 years," he said. (Reporting by Conor Humphries Editing by Louise Heavens/Keith Weir) (Recasts with decision of Congress, adds comment from lawmaker, adds background) CARACAS, May 7 (Reuters) - Venezuela's pro-government Constituent Assembly on Tuesday stripped seven opposition legislators of parliamentary immunity after they joined rallies on April 30 amid a failed uprising aimed at ousting President Nicolas Maduro. The country's Supreme Court earlier had said the legislators should be investigated for crimes including conspiracy, treason and rebellion. It did not specify which actions the lawmakers had taken that could be considered criminal. The lawmakers in question include Henry Ramos, former chief of the legislature, and Edgar Zambrano, currently the legislature's vice president. "The usurper Supreme Court believes that by attempting to illegally violate the parliamentary immunity of our deputies it will slow the struggle of an entire country to escape this tragedy," Zambrano wrote via Twitter, in response to the Supreme Court's announcement. "They're wrong." On April 30, opposition leader Juan Guaido tried to spark a military uprising to oust Maduro, but there were no widespread defections among soldiers and the plan fizzled out. Maduro denounced it as a coup attempt. In April, following a similar request from the Supreme Court, the Constituent Assembly approved a measure allowing for a future trial of Guaido - who in January invoked the constitution to assume an interim presidency. Guaido has described Maduro as a usurper, calling his 2018 re-election fraudulent. The United States and most other Western nations have recognized Guaido as Venezuela's legitimate leader. (Reporting by Angus Berwick and Luc Cohen; editing by Leslie Adler) It's that time again, folks. Next week, Aurora Cannabis (NYSE: ACB), the most popular pot stock among millennials and a very polarizing stock as a whole, is slated to report its fiscal third-quarter earnings, which covers the period from Jan. 1, 2019, through March 31, 2019. As the second-largest marijuana stock by market cap, and the company leading all growers in terms of current annual run-rate production and long-term peak annual output, all eyes will be on Aurora when it gives Wall Street and investors a look under the hood. Since Aurora is such a complex company, having made 15 acquisitions since August 2016, there's much more to its earnings report than meets the eye. With that being said, here are 10 figures you'd be wise to focus on in Aurora's fiscal third-quarter report. Two rows of cannabis buds lying atop neatly arranged hundred dollar bills. Image source: Getty Images. 1. Revenue (gross or net) I know, "Thanks, Captain Obvious!" Although gross or net revenue (net revenue is simply gross cannabis sales less excise taxes paid) is something that every investor should be paying attention to with each and every pot stock they own or follow, it's of particular interest in Aurora's case, with Canada having so many supply chain issues. Cannabis store revenue has declined in two consecutive months (January & February) in our neighbor to the north, and when combined with a packaging shortage throughout the country, it could lead to significant lower-than-expected sales for Aurora Cannabis. Wall Street currently pegs Aurora for 79.7 million Canadian dollars in gross revenue, but this is down from a consensus of more than CA$91 million just a few weeks ago. 2. Operating loss Next, you'll want to de-emphasize Aurora's bottom-line loss or profit, as it's likely going to be influenced by a number of one-time benefits and expenses, such as the revaluing of its investments, or fair-value adjustments on its biological assets (i.e., cannabis plants). Instead, pay close attention to the company's operating loss to see if it's narrowed from the sequential second quarter. Aurora is in the midst of numerous capacity build-outs, and the company's operating results, sans one-time benefits and expenses, will give investors their truest look at the health of this company. Story continues 3. Recreational-to-medical sales ratio In case you missed it, Aurora Cannabis left nothing to doubt during its second-quarter operating results press release, saying that it was going to focus its attention on medical marijuana patients rather than adult-use consumers. That's because medical patients use cannabis more often than adult-use consumers, and they're more willing to buy high-margin derivative products, such as oils. During the second quarter, close to 55% of Aurora's revenue was derived from medical marijuana sales, even though recreational weed was legalized on Oct. 17, 2018, in Canada. What will be interesting to see is if this recreational-to-medical (45% to 55%) sales ratio has shifted notably during the fiscal third quarter. A vial of cannabidiol oil next to cannabis leaves. Image source: Getty Images. 4. Cannabis oil revenue as a percentage of sales Somewhat building on the previous figure, pay close attention to the amount of revenue Aurora Cannabis is generating from oils. As noted, oils are a much higher margin product than traditional dried flower, and a focus on medical marijuana patients should, presumably, lead to higher derivative sales. This number is also noteworthy given that Curaleaf Holdings Executive Chairman Boris Jordan noted on CNBC this past week that "over 50%" of all worldwide sales right now are of cannabis oils and oil-related products, not dried flower. 5. Average net selling price for dried flower and extracts Next, you'll want to pay close attention to the average net sales price for dried flower and cannabis extracts. There was a pretty substantial dip in these average selling prices in the sequential second quarter for Aurora, primarily because of the inclusion of the excise tax into its results. The third quarter should provide a more apples-to-apples comparison. My expectation is that we'll see a slight uptick in both numbers as supply for dried flower and oils remains limited by capacity expansion ramp-ups, regulatory red tape, and packaging shortages. 6. Overseas sales No marijuana stock has a more impressive overseas presence right now than Aurora Cannabis, with a distribution and/or production presence in 24 countries (including Canada). But in the second quarter, just a sliver of the company's revenue was being derived overseas. Part of this has to do with limited production capabilities as Aurora completes a slew of greenhouse projects. But this may also relate to Health Canada coercing growers to focus on domestic Canadian demand before exporting product to international markets. Either way, this is a figure to monitor. A cannabis leaf laid within the outline of the red maple leaf of Canada's flag, with rolled joints and a cannabis bud to the left of the flag. Image source: Getty Images. 7. Percent of Canadian marijuana sales Although it's the only one of the 10 numbers here that isn't guaranteed to be in Aurora's third-quarter operating results, pay attention to whether or not the company discloses what percentage of all marijuana sold in Canada during the previous quarter it was responsible for. In its second-quarter operating results press release, the company noted that roughly 20% of all weed sold in the October-through-December period was its doing. It's unclear if Aurora will disclose this info again in the upcoming quarterly release. 8. Cash on hand Considering that Aurora Cannabis is the only one of the three largest pot stocks by market cap not to have landed a major partnership, its cash position is worth closely monitoring. The company ended the fiscal second quarter with $123 million in cash, but completed a CA$345 million convertible offering in January. All told, this gave Aurora about $379 million in cash on hand, not counting the $750 million shelf offering that it announced was at its disposal in early April. Even though Aurora has been averse to using its cash to make acquisitions, it still needs plenty of capital to complete capacity expansion projects and cover branding and marketing expenses. 9. Outstanding shares Speaking of using its common stock like Monopoly money, investors are encouraged to pay close attention to Aurora's latest outstanding share count, which should be north of 1 billion shares. Becoming the biggest producer in Canada has come with a price. Namely, the company has financed nearly all of its acquisitions by issuing shares of its common stock. With more than 1 billion shares outstanding, it's becoming increasingly harder for Aurora to deliver a meaningful per-share profit. An accountant checking figures line by line with the aid of a calculator. Image source: Getty Images. 10. Goodwill Lastly, take note of Aurora's goodwill on its balance sheet. At the end of the fiscal second quarter, Aurora was lugging around CA$3.06 billion in goodwill, which is essentially the aggregate "premium" it's paid for all of its acquisitions (through Dec. 31, 2018) above and beyond the tangible assets it received. This goodwill worked out to 63% of total assets, which is an exceptionally high figure and suggests that future writedowns are a real possibility. Ideally, investors would like to see goodwill, and its percentage of total assets, decline. Now we simply watch and wait for Aurora Cannabis to deliver the goods. More From The Motley Fool Sean Williams has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. By Moses Ndhaye The National Council for Higher Education is considering reviewing the procedure for accrediting operations of universities in the country. The councils Communications Officer Saul Waigolo, says one of the things they are planning to implement is capping the number of students enrolled for each program. This, he says will be dependent on the nature and quality of available facilities. He made the remarks during the inter university for East Africa 9th annual forum was running under the theme competence based learning for achieving sustainable development goals. On his part, the Inter-University Council for East Africa secretary prof Alexandre Lyambabaje called for a uniform fees structures across all institutions in the region. The move he says will increase and ease access to higher education to the regions students, but will also deepen integration. * Hunt says release of Reuters journalists "fantastic news" * "Glimmer of hope" for defenders of press freedom Hunt says * Hunt says Suu Kyi deserves credit (Adds quotes, detail, background) By Alistair Smout LONDON, May 7 (Reuters) - Britain welcomed Myanmar's release of two Reuters journalists on Tuesday after more than 500 days in jail, a step that Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said could open a new chapter in relations. The journalists had been jailed and sentenced to seven years in prison after working on an investigation into the killing of 10 Rohingya Muslim men and boys in western Myanmar's Rakhine State. "This is fantastic news for Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, who have been imprisoned unjustly for a very long time now," Hunt told Reuters in an interview in London. "I hope it can be the start of a new chapter in our relations with Myanmar, if, following this, we can also have the same kind of openness about the issues in Rakhine province for the Rohingyas." Wa Lone, 33, and Kyaw Soe Oo, 29 had been convicted of breaking the Official Secrets Act in jail in a case that raised questions about Myanmar's progress towards democracy and sparked an outcry from diplomats and human rights advocates. "All of us who support a free press are heaving a huge sigh of relief," Hunt said. "It's a glimmer of hope because media freedom is on the decline in the world at the moment... This is a sign that actually, when the world sits up and decides to take action, you can get results." But Hunt said Myanmar needed to address the substance of reported atrocities of the kind that Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo had been investigating, adding that the United Nations had highlighted concern over events in Rakhine State. "The UN report said that there were potentially some terrible atrocities, potentially genocide, potentially crimes against humanity," Hunt said. "If we're going to solve this problem, then there needs to be accountability." Story continues On a trip to Myanmar last year, Hunt raised the case with Myanmar's civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi and pressed her on the importance of holding the armed forces accountable for any atrocities. "Today I think we have to give her credit for the fact that she did listen," Hunt said of Suu Kyi, a Nobel laureate. "This is a person who has fought for freedom and democracy for all her life. She knows what it's like to be on the wrong side of due process." (Reporting by Alistair Smout; editing by Guy Faulconbridge and Gareth Jones) (Adds comment from government spokesman and Lord Darzi) By Simon Lewis and Shoon Naing YANGON, May 7 (Reuters) - Two Reuters journalists jailed in Myanmar after they were convicted of breaking the Official Secrets Act walked free from prison on Tuesday after more than 500 days behind bars. Wa Lone, 33, and Kyaw Soe Oo, 29, had been convicted in September and sentenced to seven years in jail in a case that raised questions about Myanmar's progress towards democracy and sparked an outcry from diplomats and human rights advocates. They were released under a presidential amnesty for 6,520 prisoners. President Win Myint has pardoned thousands of other prisoners in mass amnesties since last month. It is customary in Myanmar for authorities to free prisoners across the country around the time of the traditional New Year, which began on April 17. Reuters has said the two men did not commit any crime and had called for their release. Swamped by media and well-wishers as they walked through the gates of Insein Prison, on the outskirts of Yangon, a grinning Wa Lone gave a thumbs up and said he was grateful for the international efforts to secure their freedom. "I'm really happy and excited to see my family and my colleagues. I can't wait to go to my newsroom," he said. Kyaw Soe Oo smiled and waved to reporters. The two were then driven away by Reuters colleagues and reunited with their wives and children. Before their arrest in December 2017, they had been working on an investigation into the killing of 10 Rohingya Muslim men and boys by security forces and Buddhist civilians in western Myanmar's Rakhine State during an army crackdown that began in August 2017. The operation sent more than 730,000 Rohingya fleeing to Bangladesh, according to U.N. estimates. The report the two men authored, featuring testimony from perpetrators, witnesses and families of the victims, was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for international reporting in May, adding to a number of accolades received by the pair for their journalism. (https://reut.rs/2KFTSgQ) (https://reut.rs/2M5benE) Story continues Government spokesman Zaw Htay said the decision to release the two was made after the families wrote to government leader Aung San Suu Kyi. "We took the letters into consideration and released them in the interest of the country," Zaw Htay told reporters. Reuters Editor-in-Chief Stephen J. Adler welcomed the news. "We are enormously pleased that Myanmar has released our courageous reporters, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo. Since their arrests 511 days ago, they have become symbols of the importance of press freedom around the world. We welcome their return, Adler said. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was relieved to learn of the release, a spokesman said. The United Nations in Myanmar said it saw the release as a sign of the government's commitment to the transition to democracy. The U.S. Embassy also welcomed the release and said it was glad the two could return to their families. 'DIALOGUE WORKS' Myanmar's Supreme Court had rejected the journalists' final appeal in April. They had petitioned the top court, citing evidence of a police set-up and lack of proof of a crime, after the Yangon High Court dismissed an earlier appeal in January. The reporters' wives wrote a letter to the government in April pleading for a pardon, not, they said, because their husbands had done anything wrong, but because it would allow them to be released from prison and reunited with their families. The Reuters journalists were released at the prison to representatives of Reuters and to Lord Ara Darzi, a British surgeon and health care expert who has served as a member of an advisory group to Myanmars government on reforms in Rakhine State. "This outcome shows that dialog works, even in the most difficult of circumstances, Darzi said in a statement. Darzi said discussions about the pardon for Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo had involved the Myanmar government, Reuters, the United Nations and representatives of other governments. He said the government, led by Nobel laureate Suu Kyi, could only consider releasing the pair after the Supreme Court had rejected their final appeal. "I'm very grateful to the president, the state counselor (Suu Kyi) and also the cabinet, for making that happen." Darzi has been a member of an advisory commission that was formed in 2016 to see through the advice from a panel headed by former U.N. chief Kofi Annan on solving the long-running conflict in Rakhine. (Reporting by Poppy McPherson, Michelle Nichols in NEW YORK Editing by Alex Richardson, Robert Birsel and Nick Macfie) * To spin off Gas and Power, market listing by Sep 2020 * Siemens to give up majority stake in Gas and Power unit * To transfer stake in Siemens Gamesa to new company * Targets 2.2 bln euros in costs cuts by 2023 * Plans 10,400 job cuts, but global net increase of 10,000 (Adds CEO quotes, details) By John Revill and Arno Schuetze MUNICH, May 7 (Reuters) - Siemens is spinning off its gas and power business, which has dragged on the German engineering firm's performance as the rise of renewable power hits demand for gas turbines. The new firm would be a "major player" in energy with revenues of 27 billion euros ($30 billion) and more than 80,000 employees, Siemens said on Tuesday, adding that it would now focus on its Digital Industries and Smart Infrastructure businesses. Siemens said the Gas and Power division, which includes its oil and gas, conventional power generation, power transmission and related services businesses, will be set up as a standalone company with the aim of a public listing by September 2020. Last week Reuters, citing sources familiar with the matter, reported that Siemens was considering carving out the unit, whose 2018 profit fell by 75 percent to 377 million euros ($421 million) as revenue dropped 19 percent. "The new company won't have to compete for resources with higher margin business like smart infrastructure and digital industries," Siemens Chief Executive Joe Kaeser told reporters. Siemens also plans to include its 59 percent stake in wind energy company Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy in Gas and Power. The decision to separate the business, which will be led by Gas and Power head Lisa Davis, was approved by Siemens supervisory board, which met on Tuesday ahead of its second quarter figures on Wednesday. The Munich-based company said it would remain an anchor shareholder in Gas and Power with between 25 and 50 percent. "It's the right thing to do; it's necessary and courageous to trigger the planned changes when the company is doing well," Siemens chairman Jim Hagemann Snabe said. Story continues STARVED Unions also supported the decision, saying the business was better off outside Siemens. "If the unit were to stay part of Siemens, investments would be further reduced. Thus the business would literally be starved to death," Siemens works council head Birgit Steinborn, who is also deputy chairwoman of the company, said in a statement. "With the planned initial public offering in Germany, co-determination will be maintained and Siemens remains committed to keeping jobs in Germany and Europe. In a joint venture, for example with a Japanese competitor, we would have seen that at great risk," she added. Siemens is targeting cost cuts of 2.2 billion by 2023 by cutting 10,400 jobs - mainly administration and support roles - at its remaining core units, including 3,000 at Smart Infrastructure and 4,900 at Digital Industries. The company will shed at least 10,400 jobs in the overhaul. At the same time, Siemens plans to create 20,500 jobs by 2023, resulting in a net increase. For its Smart Infrastructure unit - which makes fire safety and security products, grid control or energy storage systems for buildings - Siemens is now targeting a profit margin of 13-15 percent by 2023. Digital Industries - which among other products offers industrial software and automation solutions for companies - is targeting a margin of 17-23 percent. Kaeser stressed that Siemens has many options and plenty of time available for its rail unit Siemens Mobility. Siemens tried to combine Mobility with listed peer Alstom , but scrapped the deal earlier this year as antitrust concerns mounted. Analysts expect that Siemens will eventually opt for a stock market listing for the unit. ($1 = 0.8948 euros) (Additional reporting by Arno Schuetze; Editing by Edward Taylor, Andrew Cawthorne and Alexander Smith) (Adds details on dismantling of militia group) By Khalid Abdelaziz and Nadine Awadalla KHARTOUM, May 7 (Reuters) - Sudan's military rulers said on Tuesday they generally agreed with proposals made by protest leaders on the structure of an interim government, but want Islamic Sharia laws and local norms to guide legislation. Protesters whose months of street demonstrations helped force longtime President Omar al-Bashir from office last month have kept up their demands for change, calling on the military officers who took over to hand over power to civilians. Responding to a draft constitutional document presented by a coalition of protest groups and political parties, the ruling Transitional Military Council (TMC) noted that the document omitted Sharia law. "Our view is that Islamic Sharia and the local norms and traditions in the Republic of Sudan should be the sources of legislation," TMC spokesman Lieutenant General Shams El Din Kabbashi told reporters. He also said the council believes that the power to declare a state of emergency in the country should go to a sovereign authority, not the Cabinet as the opposition suggested. The transitional period should last two years, not four, which was the opposition's proposal, he said. Discussions with the opposition were ongoing, but calling early elections within six months would be an option if they could not reach an agreement, Kabbashi said. Former intelligence chief Salah Gosh was under house arrest, he added. Another council member said more than four members of the TMC had resigned and that the TMC was dismantling an unofficial militia group, known as Popular Security, which was operated by Bashir's party. This came after Sudanese forces seized explosives belts, guns including rifles fitted with silencers, devices used to detonate explosives remotely and satellite telephones in a raid on a property in the capital Khartoum, on Monday The TMC said on Tuesday that those weapons belonged to Popular Security. Story continues The Declaration of Freedom and Change Forces, an alliance of activists and opposition groups, sent the military council the draft constitutional document on Thursday outlining its vision for the transitional period. Earlier on Tuesday the main group spearheading protests in Sudan said that the TMC had responded to its plans for an interim government structure, and it would announce its position once it had studied the reply. Amjad Farid, spokesman for the Sudanese Professionals Association (SPA), which has played the leading role in the protests, said the council had sent a written reply. "We will study the response and will announce our position later," Farid told reporters. The constitutional draft, seen by Reuters, describes the duties of a sovereign transitional council that the opposition groups hope will replace the TMC, but does not specify who would sit on it. It also outlines the responsibilities of the Cabinet and a 120-member legislature. The military removed Bashir on April 11 after months of demonstrations against his 30-year rule. (Reporting by Khalid Abdelaziz and Nadine Awadalla in Khartoum and Nayera Abdallah in Cairo Writing by Lena Masri Editing by Frances Kerry, Tom Brown and Jonathan Oatis) * Retaliation by India not appropriate under WTO rules - Ross * New e-commerce rules could hurt future investments * U.S. firms face multiple trade barriers in India * Data localisation rules, price of medical devices obstacles * Hopes U.S. to win defense contracts in aircrafts, helicopters (Adds details from interview) By Neha Dasgupta NEW DELHI, May 7 (Reuters) - Any retaliatory tariff by India in response to the United States' planned withdrawal of trade privileges will not be "appropriate" under WTO rules, U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross warned on Tuesday. The comments, made to broadcaster CNBC-TV18 during a trip to India's capital, come as trade ties between the United States and China worsen. The U.S. is India's second-biggest trade partner after China. India's new e-commerce rules could hurt future investments by the U.S in the South Asian country, Ross said, even as he said he was hopeful that U.S firms would win defense deals from India in future. Indian officials have raised the prospect of higher import duties on more than 20 U.S. goods if President Donald Trump presses ahead with a plan announced in March to end the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) for India. India is the biggest beneficiary of the GSP, which allows preferential duty-free imports of up to $5.6 billion from the South Asian nation. "Any time a government makes a decision adverse to another one, you will have to anticipate there could be consequences," Ross said. "We don't believe under the WTO rules that retaliation by India would be appropriate." He said the decision on GSP could be reversed in future if India deals with the issues raised by the U.S. He added that India's new rules on e-commerce, which bar companies from selling products via firms in which they have an equity interest, and data localisation have been discriminatory for U.S. firms such as Walmart Inc and Mastercard Inc. "So the American companies are showing very good will and a very cooperative attitude towards 'Make in India' and the other programs," Ross said, referring to a manufacturing push by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Story continues "But there's a limit to how far the discriminatory behavior can go. And our job is to try to get a level, more level playing field." "The tragic part of it is not that Walmart won't be able to function. They will, but it will cost them money. But we will never know how many new investments that also will cost India," Ross said. PRICE CAPS Earlier, Ross told a business conference that localisation rules and price caps on medical devices imported from the United States were barriers to trade but that New Delhi was committed to tackling them after general elections. "We applaud India's commitment to addressing some of these barriers once the government is re-formed, probably starting in the month of June," Ross said. "Our role is to eliminate barriers to U.S. companies operating here, including data localisation restrictions that actually weaken data security and increase the cost of doing business." India's 39-day general election ends on May 19, and votes will be counted four days later. Ross met his Indian counterpart Suresh Prabhu on Monday, after which New Delhi said the countries would engage regularly to resolve outstanding trade issues. Last year, global payments companies such as Mastercard, Visa and American Express unsuccessfully lobbied India to relax central bank rules requiring all payment data on domestic transactions to be stored locally. "As President Trump has said, trade relationships should be based, and must be based, on fairness and reciprocity," Ross added. "But currently, U.S. businesses face significant market access barriers in India." Ross said with the "new enhanced status of the defense relationship" between the countries, the U.S. could land defense deals in future which will also help to reduce the trade deficit that the U.S. runs with India. He clarified that India will continue to remain in a preferential position as far as H1B visas are concerned irrespective of the outcome of any discussion on immigration. (Additional reporting by Aditya Kalra; Editing by Clarence Fernandez and Ed Osmond) Wayfair (NYSE: W) is in no danger of giving up its positive market share momentum. In fact, the e-commerce giant just announced another quarter of surprisingly strong sales growth as it kicked off its fiscal 2019. Revenue soared 39% to comfortably pass management's February forecast. However, investors witnessed widening losses accompanying those market share wins. In addition, a few metrics, such as advertising spending and repeat order growth, showed signs of weakness. Wayfair illustrated those contrasting trends for shareholders in an investor presentation, and below are key highlights from that document. 1. Winning over new customers A chart showing active customers. Image source: Wayfair investor presentation. CEO Niraj Shah described the top line results as "exceptional", and that's not an exaggeration. After adding $2 billion to its annual sales base last year, Wayfair continued soaking up market share to start 2019. Revenue rose 39% in the U.S., compared to management's prior forecast of between 33% and 36%. Sales were also up 42% internationally, compared to the target range of between 35% and 40%. The company gained almost five million customers and notched healthy volume growth. On the downside, repeat order growth took a rare step lower, so that metric will be worth watching over the next few quarters. 2. Rising costs A table showing Wayfair's main costs. Image source: Wayfair investor presentation. Wayfair warned investors to expect reduced profitability in the first quarter, in part because this selling period often pairs a sales slowdown with rising expenses in preparation for seasonally stronger quarters ahead. Encouragingly, the company managed healthy gross profit margin, which indicates healthy pricing power and rising sales efficiency. Yet two spending categories more than offset that strong result. Specifically, advertising spending jumped to 12.5% of sales (from 11.4% in full-year 2018). That's a long ways off from management's long-term goal of around 7%. Selling expenses, which mainly involve headcount, soared to 13.5% of sales compared to 11.7% last year. Together, these trends ensured that adjusted profitability worsened to a 5.3% loss. Story continues The good news is that Wayfair is choosing to boost these investments today in a bid to fuel growth, meaning the spike should be temporary. Still, rising losses make it harder to project when the company might eventually stabilize spending and begin marching toward generating profits. 3. International bets A chart detailing Wayfair's international ambitions. TAM = total addressable market. Image source: Wayfair investor presentation. Wayfair posted a $74 million adjusted loss in its international business, or about three times the losses it booked at home in the first quarter. That slump is partly because it has had less time to build out in areas like the U.K., Canada, and Germany. Wayfair's shipping network is relatively inefficient at the moment, and brand awareness isn't quite as high as it is in the U.S. Executives believe those key markets will follow along roughly the same path that the U.S. segment has, so they're investing even more aggressively there than they did in the early days. The above graphic illustrates a key reason for that bullishness, which is that Wayfair can double its addressable market with a solid foundation in Europe alone. For the time being, though, investors will mostly see concrete costs from the international expansion, and a path toward sustainable profits likely won't become clear until next year at the earliest. The good news is that Wayfair's robust sales pace supports management's contention that its growth initiatives are achieving solid returns. More From The Motley Fool Demitrios Kalogeropoulos has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Wayfair. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Photo: Bence Boros/Unsplash From a Harry Potter-themed beer festival to a yoga event, there's plenty to enjoy in Austin this week. Read on for a rundown of ideas for how to fill your calendar. Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in this article may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions. Wizards and Witches Beer Festival Don't miss this traveling beer festival with a Harry Potter theme. Head to Fair Market this Saturday, and you'll get to sample more than 20 magical beers and explore the Adult Butterscotch Beer Tavern, Lair of Secret Cider Potions and Wizards Alley. When: Friday, May 10, 6:30-10 p.m. Where: Fair Market, 1100 E. Fifth St. Admission: $39 Click here for more details, and to get your tickets Luxe Summer Fashion Best of the Islands Fashionistas: enjoy an evening of fashion, culture and music--and support a good cause. Presented by Faith Love Care International Children's Foundation, "Best of the Islands" will showcase cocktail dresses, swim wear and more from designers from Austin, Asia and Asia Pacific. When: Saturday, May 11, 6-10 p.m. Where: Holiday Inn Austin Town Lake (Lady Bird Lake), 20 Interstate 35 Admission: $35 (General Admission). More ticket options available. Click here for more details, and to get your tickets Contemporary Texas Group Exhibition - Opening Reception If you're a fan of the arts, the West Austin Studio Tour is for you. This Saturday, check out curated artwork from 700 entries from across Texas and meet the artists. When: Saturday, May 11, 7-9 p.m. Where: Ao5 Gallery, 3005 S. Lamar Blvd., Suite C110-B Admission: Free Click here for more details, and to get your tickets Love of Yoga Festival Calling yogis of all ages! The annual "Love of Yoga Festival" is back this Sunday, offering everything from yoga asana to nutrition workshops and a meditation tent. There's even a kids' yoga area with arts and crafts and face painting. Story continues When: Sunday, May 12, 2-9 p.m. Where: Texas Capitol, 1100 Congress Ave. Admission: Free Click here for more details, and to get your tickets This story was created automatically using local event data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback. Gaslight. | Photo: Greg D./Yelp Looking for a delicious French meal near you? Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the top French spots around Boston, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of the best spots to venture when cravings strike. 1. Gaslight Topping the list is Gaslight. Located at 560 Harrison Ave. (between Union Park and Waltham streets) in South End, the cocktail bar, French and New American spot is the most popular French restaurant in Boston, boasting four stars out of 1,934 reviews on Yelp. 2. Marliave Photo: rosie q./Yelp Next up is downtown's Marliave, situated at 10 Bosworth St. (between Tremont Street and Chapman Place). With four stars out of 1,231 reviews on Yelp, the cocktail bar, French and Italian spot has proven to be a local favorite. 3. Mistral Photo: jim f./Yelp Back Bay's Mistral, located at 223 Columbus Ave. (between Clarendon Street and Cahners Place), is another top choice, with Yelpers giving the French and Mediterranean spot four stars out of 924 reviews. 4. Aquitaine Aquitaine, a French spot in South End, is another go-to, with four stars out of 853 Yelp reviews. Head over to 569 Tremont St. (between Union Park and Upton Street) to see for yourself. 5. Ma Maison Photo: rich u./Yelp Finally, there's Ma Maison, a Beacon Hill favorite with 4.5 stars out of 179 reviews. Stop by 272 Cambridge St. (between Grove and Anderson streets) to hit up the cocktail bar, wine bar and French spot next time you're in the mood. This story was created automatically using local business data, then reviewed and augmented by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback. Photo: Teresa Hammerl/Hoodline On Saturday, May 6 at 1:06 a.m., a two-alarm fire broke out in a residential building at 1635 Golden Gate Ave. (at Scott). No injuries were reported, but five residents of the building were displaced. The San Francisco Fire Department (SFFD) quickly extinguished the blaze, declaring it contained just 33 minutes later. Lt. Jonathan Baxter, a SFFD spokesperson, told Hoodline that all of the displaced residents found alternate accommodations, and no Red Cross services were needed. The building has been secured, he said, and the cause of the fire remains under investigation. By Ritah Kemigisa. Police have vowed to apprehend all its officers who were behind the brutal arrest of the Kyadondo East MP Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine. Police on Easter Monday broke the window of Bobi Wines car using pistol butts and a hammer and later fired teargas in to grad him out of his car and disperse his supporters before he was arrested. Addressing journalists at the Naguru police headquarters, the police spokesperson Fred Enanga said the incident is regrettable and that all the officers involved will be charged because they did not follow the right procedures of police. The commitment by police come after President Yoweri Museveni in a statement issued yesterday condemned the manner in which Bobi Wine was arrested. Museveni said police should have towed Bobi Wines vehicle to wherever they wanted him to be and not break in. Related Stories. Bobi Wine arrested over blocked shows, plans Demonstration North Carolina Museum of History. | Photo: Katharine B./Yelp There's a little something for everyone coming up on the events calendar this week. From a discussion about a historic landmark to a free yoga session, here are the best options to help you get social around town. Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in this article may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions. History a la Carte: Race Against Time From the event description: Check out guest speaker Sabrina Goode from the Friends of Oberlin Village. Goodes great-great-grandfather helped establish the Oberlin Village, which was founded in the late 1800s by freed people and their families. Goode is now one of several people fighting to preserve whats left of the community and raise awareness about its significance. When: Wednesday, May 8, noon-1 p.m. Where: North Carolina Museum of History, 5 E. Edenton St. Admission: Free Click here for more details, and to get your tickets King Nobuyoshi Godwin Book Signing From the event description: Come join us in celebrating King Nobuyoshi Godwin, an autistic artist with an inspiring story at the Gregg Museum Wednesday night. The event will feature a book signing of "The Artist is Having a Very Good Day," a book by Susan Woodson, which gives readers an intimate look inside his process. Additional words from his family, poetry by Kelly McCall Branson and design by Linda Noble present the story of King finding his voice. Refreshments and appetizers will be served. When: Wednesday, May 8, 6-8 p.m. Where: Gregg Museum of Art & Design, 1903 Hillsborough St. Admission: $0-$40 Click here for more details, and to get your tickets The Office Trivia at World of Beer North Hills From the event description: Take a break from being the "World's Best Boss," your art classes or beet farming to prove you know the most about the Dunder Mifflin family. Prizes will be awarded. The best way to reserve tickets is by selecting a team captain and putting them in charge of tickets for all team members. Story continues When: Wednesday, May 8, 7:30-9:30 p.m. Where: World of Beer, 4208 Six Forks Road, Suite 150 Admission: Free Click here for more details, and to get your tickets Longleaf Film Festival From the event description: Watch movies, meet filmmakers and enjoy popcorn for free at the fifth annual Longleaf Film Festival this Friday night. Guests will enjoy three screens, dozens of films, panels and awards. The festival will kick off with an opening reception and conclude with a closing wrap party. When: Friday, May 10, 4-Saturday, May 11, 11 p.m. Where: North Carolina Museum of History, 5 E. Edenton St. Admission: Free Click here for more details, and to get your tickets Raleigh Raw Block Party From the event description: Raleigh Raw is throwing another block party this Saturday morning. The event will kick off with free yoga at 9 a.m. Stick around for live music, games, vendors, poke bowls and more. When: Saturday, May 11, 9-10:30 a.m. Where: 7 W. Hargett St. Admission: Free Click here for more details, and to get your tickets This story was created automatically using local event data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback. Most investors have one overriding goal: to build a nest egg that will last as long as they do. But some who are lucky or talented focus on something else: passing assets to heirs. It's not as simple as just leaving a list of accounts. Steps taken years before the inevitable can help minimize taxes and headaches for those who inherit. "The biggest mistake when it comes to passing investments on to heirs is not knowing the rules (on what will happen) when you pass away," says Patrick Simasko, elder law attorney and wealth preservation specialist at Simasko Law in Mount Clemens, Michigan. [See: 10 of the Best Stocks to Buy for 2019.] Many investors want assets passed to children and, if one should die, to that child's children, he says. But if accounts were not set up properly, the law may distribute the child's portion to the investor's other children instead. "You hope your surviving children will follow your wishes," he says. "Keep hoping, as in many cases they won't. They will find a reason to cut out those grandchildren every time." The major issues for investors to consider for their heirs include: -- Family relationships. -- Estate and gift taxes. -- Insurance. -- Roth conversions. -- Annuities. -- Record keeping. Family Relationships Experts say that to make sure wishes are followed even young investors in good health should be careful to have an up-to-date will, living will and power of attorney, and to name the right beneficiaries on insurance policies, individual retirement accounts and other assets. Beneficiary designations are easy to overlook on accounts that have been around a long time and need updating. "Many estate planning professionals focus solely on the most tax efficient way to distribute assets, losing sight of what is really much more important -- family harmony," says Greg Kushner, founder, chairman and CEO of Lido Advisors in Los Angeles. He says investors often choose one child as executor to their estate without thinking how this will sit with the others, so it's a matter to be considered carefully and revisited as conditions change. Story continues Estate and Gift Taxes Most small investors don't have to worry about estate tax these days, since the first $11.4 million per individual, and $22.8 million for a married couple, is exempt. In addition, assets passed to heirs while the giver is still alive are exempt from tax if below $15,000 per year per recipient. Still, the rules are tricky. You can exceed the $15,000 limit, for example, by paying college tuition for a child or grandchild. Also, Congress could trim those exemptions someday. So investors with big holdings and big hearts should get professional advice. Insurance Life insurance, of course, can pass substantial sums to heirs, or just offset any taxes they might face on selling inherited assets. "Very few instruments can outperform the payout ratios of life insurance death claims when it comes to passing assets to heirs, unless you want to take on substantial amounts of risk," says Nelson Lee, managing partner at Pacific Wealth Solutions, a California insurance firm. Term policies are the least expensive but cover the insured for only a given number of years, so Lee recommends a permanent policy that will last for life. Roth Conversions Investors with traditional IRAs and 401(k)s can convert them into Roth versions that do not tax withdrawals. Conversion involves paying tax on holdings that have not been taxed before, such as investment gains and contributions on which deductions were claimed. The trade-off is paying tax to convert to avoid tax on withdrawal, so it's worth doing if the current tax rate is lower than the one expected later. [See: How to Pick Stocks: 7 Things You Should Know.] "In the simplest of terms, if the beneficiary's tax rates are higher, it would make sense for the current IRA owner to convert the IRA, pay the taxes now at current rates, and bequest the higher-income beneficiary a tax-free account," says John O'Rourke III, vice president at First American Bank in Coral Gables, Florida. "If on the other hand, the beneficiary's income is less, fewer assets reside in the lower-taxed state, etc., then it may make more sense to leave the traditional IRA (or 401k) alone and have the beneficiary pay at their lower rate(s)" on withdrawals after inheriting, he says. Annuities These insurance policies are typically used to provide the owner with lifetime income starting immediately or some years after the policy is purchased. Annuity holders willing to take a lower income can have it continue for the life of a spouse as well, and some annuities include death benefits paid to a spouse or other beneficiary. "If the annuity has a death-benefit provision or very specific details within the agreement, the owner can designate one or several beneficiaries to inherit the remaining funds after death," O'Rourke says. Since the annuity is customized for the policy holder, it's essential to know what the contract says. Keeping Records Obviously, heirs will be happier, and perhaps wealthier, if they also inherit clear records. "The IRS expects you to keep and maintain accurate records clearly stating your cost basis in the investments, O'Rourke says. "I recommend keeping hard copies as well and scanning for back-up" in a computer and on the cloud. Most assets are "stepped-up" upon the owner's death -- the cost basis for heirs becomes the value on the deceased's death rather than the price originally paid. (Cost is subtracted from sales proceeds to determine capital gains tax after heirs sell inherited assets.) The step-up eliminates many potential headaches, but snags are still possible. [See: 10 Long-Term Investing Strategies That Work.] "We recommend that our clients complete an "Important Documents Locator" which outlines all assets, where they are held -- brokerage firm, safe deposit box, etc. -- and a list of important contacts," Kushner says. "Even things like passwords, airline and hotel rewards points and burial instructions should be provided." 7419 S. Phillips Ave. | Photos: Zumper Curious just how far your dollar goes in the South Shore? According to Walk Score, this Chicago neighborhood is moderately walkable, is relatively bikeable and has good transit options. Data from rental site Zumper shows that the median rent for a one bedroom in South Shore is currently hovering around $800. So, what might you expect to find if you don't want to spend more than $700 / month on rent? Read on for a roundup of the latest rental listings, via Zumper. (Note: prices and availability are subject to change.) Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in this article may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions. 6751 S. Jeffery Ave. First, there's this studio situated at 6751 S. Jeffery Ave. It's listed for $700/month for its 450 square feet of space. The building boasts on-site laundry and an elevator. Pets are not allowed. There isn't a leasing fee associated with this rental. (See the complete listing here.) 7120 S. East End Ave. Here's a 675-square-foot one-bedroom, one-bathroom at 7120 S. East End Ave. that's going for $695/month. In the unit, you'll get hardwood floors. The building boasts on-site laundry. Cats and dogs are not allowed. Future tenants needn't worry about a leasing fee. (Check out the complete listing here.) 7419 S. Phillips Ave. Located at 7419 S. Phillips Ave., here's a 500-square-foot one-bedroom, one-bathroom that's listed for $655/month. In the unit, you can anticipate hardwood floors. Amenities offered in the building include on-site laundry. Animals are not permitted. There isn't a leasing fee associated with this rental. (Take a gander at the complete listing here.) 7624 S. Kingston Ave. Next, check out this 600-square-foot one-bedroom, one-bathroom that's located at 7624 S. Kingston Ave. It's listed for $635/month. In the unit, you'll have hardwood floors. The building has on-site laundry. Neither cats nor dogs are allowed. The rental doesn't require a leasing fee. Story continues (Check out the complete listing here.) 7706 S. Saginaw Ave. Located at 7706 S. Saginaw Ave., here's a 650-square-foot one-bedroom, one-bathroom that's listed for $630/month. In the unit, you can expect hardwood floors. Building amenities include on-site laundry. Good news for animal lovers: Both dogs and cats are allowed here. The rental doesn't require a leasing fee. (Check out the complete listing here.) This story was created automatically using local real estate data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback. Eight people are suing Conagra, the maker of Pam and other cooking sprays, because they say the cans exploded and severely burned and disfigured them. The half a dozen lawsuits, filed in Cook County Circuit Court in Chicago on Tuesday morning, allege that Conagra designed and produced cooking-spray cans that were defective, especially when close to kitchen heat sources such as stoves and grills where this food product tends to be used. Conagra failed to warn consumers of the danger, the court filings charge. "When Pam is used correctly, as instructed, it is a 100% safe and effective product," the Chicago-based company said in a statement. "Pam Cooking Spray is used safely and properly by millions of people every day and several times a day." Pam cooking spray stands on a shelf for sale at the Heinen's grocery store in Bainbridge Twp., Ohio, March 24, 2010. Ka-ching: Amazon says small business owners earn $90,000 a year from selling in its stores Zzzzzzzzzzzz: Tempur-Pedic introduces bed-in-a-box mattress: Tempur-Cloud debuts Conagra added that the can design in question is no longer in production. The plaintiffs are: Maria Mariano, whose canister of Wellsley Farms Cooking Spray on a counter near the stove in her Staten Island, New York, home, exploded as she was boiling water on April 5. Raveen Sugantharaj, who was burned by an exploding can of Pam Cooking Spray in his Indianapolis home on March 6. Paytene Pivonka and Jacob Dalton, whose Pam Cooking Spray on a wall shelf above the stove where they were cooking in their Provo, Utah, home exploded and burned them on Nov. 6. Andrea Bearden and Brandon Banks, who were burned in their Mount Carmel, Illinois, home, on May 19 when the can of Pam Cooking Spray on a counter beside their stove exploded. Reveriano Duran, a cook at of the Berryhill Baja Grill in Houston, who on July 16, 2017, moved a canister of Sysco Cooking Spray from the left side of a shelf near the grill top to the right side and then was burned when it exploded. YTesia Taylor, who was burned and blinded in one eye on July 15, 2017, when a canister of Pam Cooking Spray, which she'd just used to spray a baking dish with and then placed on a rolling wooden utility cart next to the stove where she was cooking, exploded as she finished putting the dish in the oven in her Greenville, Texas, home. Conagra said that all Pam Cooking Sprays include clear instructions on both the front and back of the packaging that it should be used responsibly due to its flammability and that it shouldn't be left on a stove or near a heat source, sprayed near an open flame or stored above 120F." Story continues The new cans "were designed and manufactured so that when the can buckled and the u-shaped vents on the bottom of the canister opened, the internal contents of the canister would escape through the vents and the pressure inside the can would be reduced," the lawsuits allege. J. Craig Smith of Koskoff Koskoff & Bieder, which represents the victims in these cases, explained that in 2011, after decades, Conagra switched to a new kind of aerosol can primarily for cans 10 ounces or larger, primarily sold at wholesale retail chains as a cost-saving measure. The design makes the can more likely to explode at lower temperatures than intended. Perhaps more alarming is the fact that, to this day, Conagra apparently refuses to institute a nationwide recall to ensure that the defective cans sitting on store shelves right now are removed before someone else suffers permanent injury from an explosion," he said in a statement. "Each day that these cans remain on store shelves, Conagras negligence puts consumers in danger. Conagra's other brands include Healthy Choice, Vlasic, Birds Eye, Marie Callender's, Reddi-wip and Slim Jim. Follow USA TODAY reporter Zlati Meyer on Twitter: @ZlatiMeyer This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 8 people allegedly disfigured by exploding cans of cooking spray like Pam sue Conagra Actor Aaron Eckhart is looking to move on and make a profit from his three-bedroom Beverly Hills home. After purchasing the 3,000-square-foot property in 2002 for $1.55 million, the Dark Knight star is listing the '60s-style abode for double that priceand the views alone are worth it. While the exterior of the single-story home (built in 1960) may be understated, the interior is impeccably designed. Upon entering through large, carved wooden doors, one sees a massive off-white living/dining room complete with large windows and a wall of French doors that open to the outdoors. A large skylight illuminates the main living space even more, and several columns separate the different areas. Nearby is a large eat-in kitchen with a center island and a breakfast nook featuring light-colored wood cabinets and flooring. This space is also light and airy, with windows and glass doors lining the back wall, and another skylight overhead. Elsewhere, youll find three bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms, with the master suite boasting a walk-in closet. Outside is where the new buyer will likely want to spend the most time. The backyard has a swimming pool, spa, and patio surrounded by stunning landscaping. Plus, the house sits on two hilltop acres, providing views of the ocean, the canyon, and city lights. Offering the ultimate privacy, it is an ideal property for a celebrity or someone seeking the ultimate seclusion from the hustle and bustle of the city, reads the listing. This home is move-in ready, but also provides a lot of potential to build. Ron Williams, the former CEO of Aetna, has a new book out this morning called Learning to Lead. You may wonder whether the world really needs another leadership primer. But Williams has a unique story to tell. An African-American who grew up on the south side of Chicagoson of a bus driver and a manicuristhe portrays himself as the least likely person ever to lead a $34 billion corporation. One of the main lessons he learned along the way was that before you can lead others, you have to lead yourselfdiscovering the inner drive that will spur you to seemingly impossible achievements. In my generation there were no black chief executives, there were no women chief executives, Williams said during a visit to the Fortune offices yesterday. But he defied those expectations by not accepting other peoples framing of what I was capable of, and consistently elbowing my way to the table. Williams talked about how much CEO leadership has changed in the last two decades, as stakeholders, empowered partly by social media, have become more visible, prominent and active. He cites the employees at Amazon and Google who campaigned against their companies doing work for the Defense Department as an example. I cant imagine that happening 20 years ago CEOs have to manage all that. By the way, as CEO of Aetna, Williams played a critical role in shaping the Affordable Care Actnow known universally as Obamacare. His big regret? That they werent able to get a bipartisan deal, and instead created a perpetual health care warall about slogans, not solutions. The book, which is filled with very practical advice not only from Williams, but also from other ex-CEO friends like Jack Rowe, Pat Russo, Ken Chenault and Ursula Burns, is available Story continues here . This story originally appeared in Fortunes CEO Daily newsletter. Subscribe here. HERAT, Afghanistan (Reuters) - Air strikes in western Afghanistan this week destroyed a number of Taliban drug labs and also killed dozens of civilians, according to reports from local officials that were rejected by the Afghan government. The Afghan defense ministry said coalition air strikes in three locations in the western province of Farah late on Sunday destroyed 68 Taliban drug labs and killed 150 insurgents, as part of an air campaign aimed at cutting off one of the movement's key sources of revenues. However Abdul Ghafoor Mujahid, the governor of Bakwa district, where the attacks took place, said many of those killed were civilians working in the labs. He said at least 45 civilians were killed in the strike, along with around 18 Taliban fighters. Several civilians in neighboring houses were wounded, he said. "The civilians were hired by the Taliban to work in their heroin processing labs and were unfortunately killed during the air strikes," Mujahid told Reuters. Defense Ministry spokesman Qais Mangal denied any civilians were killed in the strikes in Farah, a remote and sparsely populated area where hundreds of police and soldiers have been killed in months of heavy fighting. The attack followed a report from the United Nations last month which indicated that more civilians were killed by Afghan and U.S. air strikes in the first three months of the year than by any other means. But it also underlined the ambiguity around how civilians working for the Taliban are classified. U.S. forces were not immediately available to comment. The Afghan government estimates that drug processing and taxation generate about $200 million annually for the Taliban and the campaign of air strikes over the past year has been aimed at cutting off a key source of revenue. Despite peace talks between U.S. officials and Taliban gaining momentum, fighting has intensified in recent months as both the government and the Taliban announced their spring offensives but civilians still bear the brunt of the conflict. As U.S. and Afghan forces have increased the number of air strikes, they have killed increasing numbers of civilians and in the first three months of the year they were the largest single cause of civilian deaths, killing 145 people, according to the latest UN civilian casualty report. (Reporting by Mohammad Stanekzai in LASHKAR GAH, Jalil Ahmad Rezayee in HERAT, writing by Hamid Shalizi, Editing by Nick Macfie) Seven former Amazon warehouse workers say the tech giant discriminated against them because they couldnt keep up with the fast pace and labor intensive job while pregnant. CNET reported on Monday that seven lawsuits have been filed against Amazon in the last four years alleging that the company fired the workers because they were pregnant. According to the suits, which refer to incidences dating back to 2011, all seven women alerted their managers that they were pregnant and asked for simple accommodations, including more bathroom breaks and fewer continuous hours on their feet. Within weeks of notifying their managers, all seven women were fired. The incidences point to a troubling pattern of how Amazon treats pregnant workers. One of the seven women, Beverly Rosales, told CNET that she alerted her manager at Amazons Fulfillment Center in San Bernardino, California, in October that she was pregnant. By November, she had been fired. Amazon wants to push out as much product as possible, Rosales said. They need as many people that dont need accommodations to work there. They care more about the numbers than their employees. Six of the seven cases were settled out of court. Two women didnt respond to CNETs request for comment, while the four others declined to speak because it could violate their settlements with Amazon. Amazon did not immediately respond to HuffPosts request for comment, but a spokesperson told CNET that the company could not comment on Rosales pending litigation or any past suits. The company denied the accusation that it monitors bathroom breaks. It is absolutely not true that Amazon would fire any employee for being pregnant; we are an equal opportunity employer, an Amazon spokeswoman told CNET. We work with our employees to accommodate their medical needs including pregnancy-related needs. We also support new parents by offering various maternity and parental leave benefits. Head over to CNET to read the full report. Amazons (AMZN) cashierless convenience store, Amazon Go, store is known for the cutting-edge just walk out technology with mobile app payments. But now its saying yes to cash as more cities and states start to ban cashless stores. The e-commerce giant brought back the old-fashioned checkout method when it opened its high-tech Amazon Go store in New York City its 12th Go store in the nation and the first one in New York on Tuesday. The 1,300-square-foot store, located in Brookfield Place in downtown Manhattan, differs from the other Go stores by placing an unnoticeable wooden color cart with a white top at the corner, which turns out to be its cash checkout counter. Here is how you can use cash at Amazon Go: You cant scan on your phone to walk in like other customers. You need to talk to associates in stores wearing uniforms, who use their device to scan you in. Then you can shop as you would in any other stores and meet an associate by the checkout counter. The associate takes out a Clover device, the mobile point-of-sale system owned by First Data, to scan the products. Then a cash drawer in the counter will open. A sticker on the counter says we do not accept bills over $20. But Amazon Go finally accepted my $50 bill after I told them this was the only cash I've got. Amazon Go accepts cash payments in New York (Krystal Hu/ Yahoo Finance) When I shopped at Amaon Go on Tuesday, it was easy to pay by cash. But the Amazon Go concept isnt designed to have the cash checkout capability, so bottlenecks may ensue if too many consumers try to pay with cash. Amazon expects to add the cash checkout method to 11 Go stores across the U.S. and said it would learn from the pilot in New York. Admittedly, using cash takes away the full experience of being able to just walk out and shop in a short period of time. It also prevents Amazon from tracking consumers shopping data and behavior. New York councilman welcomes Amazons move A customer scans to get into Amazon Go store. (Krystal Hu/Yahoo Finance) The Amazon Go store today is designed to offer a seamless checkout experience. Before shopping at Amazon Go, customers need to download an Amazon Go app and log in with their Amazon account and payment information (you dont need to be a Prime member). The technology relies heavily on cameras and machine learning. Amazon Go attracted many people on Tuesday, who downloaded the app while waiting in line outside the store during their lunch hour. Story continues But the idea of providing cashless checkout conflicts with proposed regulations on cashless stores by some state and city officials, who argue that such businesses discriminate against people who dont have bank accounts. Amazon hasnt spoken publicly about its position on such legislation, but it did send a letter to the city of Philadelphia stating a ban would impact its decision to open new stores in the city. On Tuesday, San Francisco passed legislation on requiring restaurants and other brick-and-mortar retail businesses to accept cash as payment, joining New Jersey and Philadelphia in banning cashless stores. Currently, there are three Amazon Go locations in San Francisco. The New York City Council is also discussing a similar ban on cashless stores introduced by Councilman Ritchie Torres last year. Torres applauds Amazons move to accept cash before the city passes any cashless ban. Amazon saw the writing on the wall and made the right decision to start accepting cash at its Amazon Go stores, Torres told Yahoo Finance. A cashless business model is a discriminatory model that excludes the unbanked and people without access to credit. Write to Krystal via krystalh@yahoofinance.com or follow her on Twitter. Read more: Amazon shuffles thousands of workers in its quest to revamp delivery Amazon to offer free one-day shipping to Prime members, will invest $800 million to get there Amazon eyes closed Sears stores for Whole Foods expansion Corrections & Clarifications: A previous version of this story misstated how much of every sale Kindle Direct Publishing authors get to keep While it's often blamed for the fall of brick-and-mortar stores nationwide, Amazon also helps millions of small businesses thrive in the digital era. The tech giant published its second annual Small Business Impact Report on Tuesday, revealing that it has helped more than 1.9 million U.S.-based small and medium-sized businesses (SBMs) generate more than $160 billion in 2018. The company says that these businesses, on average, pull in $90,000 a year in Amazon sales. Small business owners and authors expand their business by selling in Amazons stores, publishing via the company's e-book's unit and utilizing the online retailer's various web services. Builders and developers who create Alexa-enabled devices also bring in revenue by selling items on the nation's largest e-commerce marketplace. In fact, the tech giant says 90% of the Alexa-enabled gadgets on its site were built by someone outside of the company. "As we work to help them grow their businesses, we are making big investments in our delivery network, data centers, AI research (and) robotics, said Jeff Wilke, CEO of Amazon's worldwide consumer division, in a statement. The CEO said that the company is "inspired by the type of inventiveness that makes entrepreneurs tick," so Amazon has invested tens of billions to help them succeed. Here are some of the key takeaways from the report: Shipping: Amazon looking to shift to one-day Prime shipping and delivering orders wherever you want Alexa, play free music: Amazon may challenge Spotify and Pandora, report says Sellers The number of companies selling products in Amazon's stores is growing, and last year the number of SMBs that surpassed $1 million in sales grew by 20% over the year before, Amazon said. On average, U.S. small business owners sold 4,000 items a minute in Amazons stores. The e-commerce website lent more than $1 billion to help owners build inventory. Story continues The top-selling categories are Health & Personal Care, Home, and Beauty. Writers In 2018, authors made more than $260 million from Amazon's self-book publishing unit called Kindle Direct Publishing. The Seattle-based company says that thousands of independent authors earned more than $50,000 last year and more than a thousand surpassed $100,000 in royalties. Since 2007 when the publishing division launched, hundreds of thousands of authors from around the world have self-published using the service. Authors get to keep up to 70% of every sale, Amazon says. Delivery Amazon lets entrepreneurs build their own business by delivering packages. The company claims that small business owners earn as much as $300,000 in annual profit by operating a fleet of up to 40 vehicles, however, the report did not reveal how much delivery operators make on average. States Some states are outselling others. These states are the fastest growing, according to Amazon: 1. Mississippi 2. Nebraska 3. Maine 4. Texas 5. Indiana 6. Colorado 7. North Dakota 8. Vermont 9. Wisconsin 10. Missouri Follow Dalvin Brown on Twitter: @Dalvin_Brown. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Amazon says small business owners make $90,000 a year from selling in its stores BEIRUT, May 7 (Reuters) - The United Arab Emirates will soon lift a ban on its citizens traveling to Lebanon, Lebanese state media cited the UAE's ambassador to Lebanon as saying on Tuesday. "The lifting of the ban on Emiratis traveling to Lebanon will come soon," Lebanon's NNA quoted Hamad Saeed al-Shamsi as telling journalists after meeting Lebanese Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil. The UAE's close ally Saudi Arabia said in February it was lifting its own advice to citizens not to travel to Lebanon, where Gulf tourism was once a mainstay of the now struggling economy. The UAE and Saudi Arabia have both voiced frequent concern over the political situation in Lebanon, located next to war-torn Syria and home to the heavily armed, Iran-backed Hezbollah group. Lebanon's armed forces in 2017 ended the presence of Syrian rebel and militant groups that had taken small territorial enclaves in the mountains along the frontier. The conservative Sunni monarchies regard Iran, a revolutionary Shi'ite theocracy, as their main regional rival and have declared Hezbollah, which holds wide influence in Lebanon, a terrorist group. (Reporting By Angus McDowall; Editing by Catherine Evans) The lone American to die in the fiery crash landing of an Aeroflot jet in Moscow was a recent college graduate bound for his dream job as a fly-fishing guide in northwest Russia, friends and colleagues say. The Russian news agency Tass listed Jeremy Brooks, 22, as the only U.S. citizen among Sunday's victims. Brooks, from New Mexico, graduated from Colorado College with a degree in environmental studies in 2018. Alex Hernandez-Siegel, associate dean of students at the private, liberal arts school, sent a message to students saying staff were available to help anyone struggling with the news of Brooks' death, KDVR-TV in Denver reported. His advisor... described Jeremy as an amiable student with a love for ecology," Hernandez-Siegel said in the message. "He was someone who always had a smile on his face and was always there to assist his peers. An Instagram account that appears to belong to Brooks includes dozens of photos of him fishing. Friends and wellwishers posted memoriams after his death. This undated photo provided by Ivan Valdez shows Jeremy Brooks. A recent college graduate from New Mexico who had just landed his dream job as a fishing guide in Russia, Brooks was among those killed when an Aeroflot airliner burst into flames during an emergency landing in Moscow. "Rest In Peace," said jsp_fit_to_fly. "Hope youre crushing them up there in that eternal river." Brooks previously worked as a guide at The Reel Live fishing shop in Santa Fe. In his biography on the website, he said he first fly-fished on his seventh birthday. "I got a starter fly rod and reel combo the same day, and targeting fish with flies has been my passion ever since," Brooks wrote. He cites the relationships he developed with clients and other fishermen as his greatest takeaway from the sport. Want news from USA TODAY on WhatsApp? Click this link on your mobile device to get started "I live two different lives," he wrote. "One among friends and family that floats between school in Colorado Springs and my house in Santa Fe, and one that takes place in mountains, always near water with a fly rod in hand." Ivan Valdez, owner of the The Reel Life, told the Albuquerque Journal he hired Brooks as a guide when he was still a teen. Story continues He never had a mean bone in his body, Valdez said. He had it all to offer the world. I never heard a bad complaint against him. Brooks died when his Murmansk-bound plane was struck by lightning shortly after takeoff, then caught fire while conducting an emergency landing. Thirty-seven people survived the tragedy. Russian authorities have begun a criminal investigation. Marco Rossetti, a friend who attended Santa Fe Prep with Brooks, told the Journal he was struggling with the news. Rossetti recalled long days of fishing together. Aside from the point of fishing, because thats not all he is, he was the best person," Rossetti said. I have more respect for him than any other person on this planet. And now hes not on this planet. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: American killed in Russian jet fire was recent college grad bound for dream job as fishing guide Ameris Bancorps ABCB deal to acquire Fidelity Southern Corporation LION for $750.7 million has received approval of shareholders of both companies. The agreement, expected to close later this quarter, was announced in December 2018. Notably, the transaction still requires regulatory approvals and is subject to customary closing conditions. Per the agreement, shareholders of Atlanta, GA-based Fidelity Southern will receive 0.80 share of Ameris Bancorp for each share of Fidelity Southern. Following the deal closure, Ameris Bancorp will have a branch network across four states and roughly $17 billion in assets (excluding the accounting adjustments for the purchase). Further, the all-stock deal will be accretive to Ameris Bancorps earnings in the mid-single digit range, after realizing cost saving of 40% on Fidelity Southerns projected non-interest expense. Also, the company will benefit from revenue synergies and Fidelity Southerns low-cost deposits. Moreover, five Fidelity Southern directors will be joining the Ameris Bancorp board, which will be increased in size to 14 members upon closure of the buyout. At the time of announcement of deal, Dennis J. Zember Jr., CEO of Ameris Bancorp had commented, This partnership not only strengthens our management team, but also creates a dynamic franchise with the opportunity for quality growth for the foreseeable future. Ameris Bancorp has been expanding inorganically over the past several years. In 2018, the company acquired Hamilton State Bancshares, Inc and Atlantic Coast Financial Corporation. With strong liquidity position and scope to expand, Ameris Bancorp is likely to continue following its inorganic growth strategy. These efforts are expected to support the companys financials, going forward. Shares of Ameris Bancorp have rallied 18.1% so far this year, underperforming the industrys rise of 20.5%. Currently, it carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Over the past year, banking sector has been witnessing an increase in M&A activities. Improving economy, easing banking regulations and lower tax rates have resulted in considerable liquidity for banks. Further, as the companies continue to expand into different growth avenues, M&As are expected to remain part of their growth initiatives. A couple of banks that have entered into M&A agreements recently are Glacier Bancorp GBCI and BancorpSouth Bank BXS. Radical New Technology Creates $12.3 Trillion Opportunity Imagine buying Microsoft stock in the early days of personal computers or Motorola after it released the worlds first cell phone. These technologies changed our lives and created massive profits for investors. Today, were on the brink of the next quantum leap in technology. 7 innovative companies are leading this 4th Industrial Revolution - and early investors stand to earn the biggest profits. See the 7 breakthrough stocks now>> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report BancorpSouth Bank (BXS) : Free Stock Analysis Report Ameris Bancorp (ABCB) : Free Stock Analysis Report Fidelity Southern Corporation (LION) : Free Stock Analysis Report Glacier Bancorp, Inc. (GBCI) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research HOUSTON (Reuters) - Anadarko Petroleum Corp's board on Monday backed a $38 billion bid from Occidental Petroleum Corp, adding pressure on rival Chevron Corp to raise its offer or walk away from the takeover contest. The decision capped a series of moves by Occidental to finance and reduce hurdles before its $38 billion deal after Anadarko balked at several earlier offers. Occidental received the board's endorsement after raising $18.8 billion in cash pledges that allowed it to avoid a vote by its shareholders on the deal. Chevron has four days to decide whether it wants to alter an existing merger agreement that Anadarko already accepted or make a new bid. A spokesman confirmed it had receive the notice of termination from Anadarko and declined comment on its next steps. Anadarko said its board had unanimously determined that the revised Occidental proposal constituted a "superior proposal" and that it intended to terminate the Chevron merger agreement, a decision that would see it pay Chevron a $1 billion termination fee. The decision was a victory for Occidental Chief Executive Vicki Hollub, who pressed Anadarko's board to reject the Chevron agreement and pulled in support from billionaire Warren Buffett for the deal. She convinced Buffett to invest $10 billion in the deal after flying to Omaha, Nebraska, to make the case. Days later, Hollub won a deal with French oil giant Total SA to take most of Anadarko's international assets, including a liquefied natural gas project in Mozambique estimated to cost up to $25 billion to complete. Total agreed to pay $8.8 billion for the assets once the merger goes ahead. Hollub wants her target's prime position in the top U.S. shale field. Anadarko holds nearly a quarter million acres (102,000 hectares) of land in the Permian Basin, the biggest prize for Chevron and Occidental. The Permian has become the epicenter of the shale oil-and-gas boom, helping drive U.S. oil output to a record 12 million barrels a day (bpd), more than Russia and Saudi Arabia. Story continues Anadarko first disclosed a merger deal with Chevron on April 12 after snubbing a higher bid from Occidental. That prompted Occidental's Hollub to go public with her offer, to pressure Anadarko to reconsider its stance. The change of heart came after Occidental increased the proportion of cash in its $76 per share offer to 78 percent cash and 22 percent stock, removing a stock exchange requirement for the approval of Occidental's shareholders. Some investors in Occidental oppose the decision to bypass a shareholder vote of approval. T. Rowe Price Group Inc, said on Monday it intended to vote against the Occidental board of directors at the annual meeting on Friday in protest. Occidental said in a statement that it looked forward to completing the discussions and "executing our merger agreement with Anadarko to complete this exciting transaction." (Reporting by Shanti S Nair in Bengaluru and Gary McWilliams in Houston; Editing by Rosalba O'Brien, Cynthia Osterman and Peter Cooney) New York (AFP) - US oil group Anadarko said Monday that Occidental Petroleum's takeover bid is "superior" to Chevron's, amid a fierce battle over the company's assets in the shale-rich Permian Basin in Texas. After initially siding with Chevron, Anadarko reopened talks when Occidental raised its share price. Last week, Occidental also upped its cash offer to $38 billion. Anadarko's "board of directors... has unanimously determined that the revised acquisition proposal it received from Occidental Petroleum Corporation on May 5, 2019 constitutes a 'Superior Proposal' as defined in Anadarko's previously announced merger agreement with Chevron Corporation," a statement read. "Anadarko intends to terminate the Chevron Merger Agreement in order to enter into a definitive merger agreement with Occidental in connection with the Revised Occidental Proposal." Under the new deal, Occidental would purchase Anadarko for $59 in cash and 0.2934 of a share of Occidental common stock per share of Anadarko common stock, a further increase by Occidental's initial April 24 offer that came two weeks after Chevron's. However, Anadarko noted that Chevron has until Friday -- and the deadline can be further "extended" -- to propose revisions to its offer or m ake another proposal. Should Anadarko terminate the deal with Chevron in order to enter into a definitive agreement with Occidental it would pay Chevron a $1 billion termination fee, in accordance with the parties' contract. A Chevron representative told AFP the company had received Anadarko's notice, but declined to comment further. Ahead of its latest offer, Occidental had raised its profile after American mega-investor Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway invested $10 billion to enable the mid-sized company to beat out the much bigger Chevron in the hostile takeover bid. French energy giant Total said Sunday it has reached a deal to buy Anadarko's assets in Algeria, Ghana, Mozambique and South Africa for $8.8 billion contingent upon the company completing its proposed buyout of Anadarko. People often imagine drug use to be a modern phenomenon, but an ancient drug pouch shows that people were taking cocaine and hallucinogens a thousand years ago. Reearchers found a drug pouch in the Sora River valley in south western Bolivia, containing snuffing tablets used to crush plants into sniffable form. There were also three fox snouts, and a mix of chemicals suggesting that the powerful hallucinogen ayahuasca was used at least 1,000 years ago. The researchers tested the pouch and found traces of cocaine, plus hallucinogens including dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and possibly traces of magic mushrooms. Read more from Yahoo News UK: Ukip candidate questioned over rape comments Passenger complains he didnt get refund after crash kills 41 Two teens arrested after boy shot in Wolverhampton The find suggests that ancient people in Bolivia may have combined different drugs. Researcher Dr Jose Capriles said: We already knew that psychotropics were important in the spiritual and religious activities of the societies of the south-central Andes, but we did not know that these people were using so many different compounds and possibly combining them together. Dr Capriles said the fox-snout pouch was likely to have belonged to a shaman a type of witch doctor. It is possible that the shaman who owned this pouch consumed multiple different plants simultaneously to produce different effects or extend his or her hallucinations. Dr Capriles said that finding harmine and DMT the primary ingredients of ayahuasca, a drink reported to induce hallucinations and altered consciousness in the pouch suggests the use of the brew as one of the drugs in the shamans kit. He added: Some scholars believe that ayahuasca has relatively recent origins, while others argue that it may have been used for centuries, or even millennia. Given the presence of harmine and DMT together in the pouch we found, it is likely that this shaman ingested these simultaneously to achieve a hallucinogenic state, either through a beverage, such as ayahuasca, or through a composite snuff that contained these plants in a single mixture. This finding suggests that ayahuasca may have been used up to 1,000 years ago. LUANDA, May 7 (Reuters) - Angola's President Joao Lourenco called on Tuesday for a quick resolution to the fuel crisis plaguing the capital Luanda and cities around the country, causing long queues in Africa's second-largest crude producer. A statement issued by the president's office blamed a lack of communication between state energy company Sonangol and other state institutions that resulted in problems with the import of refined products such as gasoline and diesel. Lengthy lines were seen at petrol stations all over Luanda on Tuesday, severely clogging traffic and frustrating motorists who had to wait for hours to fill up. "Measures have been taken and the necessary resources mobilized to stabilize the market for fuel in the coming days," said the note issued after a meeting between the president and leaders from the fuel industry. Over the weekend, Sonangol said it was having difficulty accessing hard currency to cover imports of refined products. Angola, a member of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, imports 80 percent of its refined products despite producing around 1.5 million barrels of crude per day. The state company said the "constraints" at filling stations were also partly the result of mounting unpaid debts owed to Sonangol by industrial clients to whom it delivers fuel. (Reporting by Stephen Eisenhammer; Editing by Dale Hudson) COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) Sri Lanka's president says "99%" of the remaining suspects in the Easter attacks on churches and hotels have been arrested and their explosive materials seized, and it is safe for tourists to return to the Indian Ocean island nation. "The country is in a safe position right now," President Maithripala Sirisena said in an interview with The Associated Press on Tuesday. "Our intelligence divisions have identified how many terrorists are there and 99% of them have been arrested. One or two may have been left and they too will be arrested," he said. Sirisena spoke hours after an interim report was submitted by a committee his office formed to examine why Sri Lankan security forces did not heed Indian intelligence information ahead of the attacks that killed more than 250 people. Sirisena declined to discuss the report but said that "heads of security divisions have failed to take appropriate measures and failed to inform me too." The president also said "all" of the suspects' explosives, weapons, safe houses and training centers had been found in the 16 days since the blasts rocked the island off India's southern tip. Acting police chief C.D. Wickramaratne said in a statement Monday that authorities had also seized improvised explosive devices and hundreds of swords, $140,000 in cash in bank accounts and $40 million in assets including land, houses, vehicles and jewelry connected to the suspects. Those things weren't discovered earlier because of "weaknesses" in Sri Lanka's intelligence divisions, Sirisena said. Officials say the coordinated suicide bombings on Easter morning were carried out by Sri Lankan militants targeting churches full of people and luxury hotels in the capital, Colombo. Since Sri Lanka's civil war ended a decade ago, the country has built a vast tourism sector that draws visitors to its beaches, wildlife and ancient temples. The dead included dozens of foreigners. Story continues Sirisena was out of the country on a private trip to Singapore on the day of the attacks. Upon his return, he demanded the resignation of his defense secretary and chief of police. Sirisena said Tuesday that the violence wasn't a problem specific to Sri Lanka, instead ascribing it to "global terrorism." He said countries fighting international terrorism had voluntarily sent intelligence experts to the island who are collaborating with local intelligence units. Police say two previously little-known radical Islamist groups National Towheed Jamaat and Jammiyathul Millathu Ibrahim conspired in the attacks. Officials say Zahran Hashim, a vitriolic preacher from the country's east, may have led the attackers and was one of the nine suicide bombers to die. Two days after the bombings, the Islamic State group claimed responsibility and later released a video of Hashim and other men pledging their loyalty to IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Later, al-Baghdad praised the attackers in a video that was his first public appearance in nearly five years. Sirisena's enmity with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and his Cabinet and a lack of communication between the two leaders is also considered a key factor in the breakdown of intelligence sharing ahead of the attacks. Sirisena "is a big failure, but others also should have made up for it. The others have also looked at their interest above the country," said Chandra Jayaratna, a social activist and the former head of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce. Sirisena, who was health minister under former strongman Mahinda Rajapaksa, quit that government and teamed up with Wickremesinghe to defeat Rajapaksa in the 2015 presidential election. However, the two leaders fell out and their rivalry became public last October when Sirisena suddenly sacked Wickremesinghe and appointed Rajapaksa as prime minister. The crisis brought the country to a standstill for seven weeks and was only resolved after a court ordered Sirisena to reinstate Wickremesinghe. A presidential election is due by the end of the year and both Sirisena and Wickremesinghe are widely expected to run. Sirisena has previously said the intelligence services were weakened by Wickremesinghe and his ministers who insisted that intelligence and security personnel accused of human rights violations during the civil war be investigated in line with a pledge to the United Nations' human rights council. During and immediately after the 26-year conflict between rebels from the ethnic minority Tamil community and the Sinhalese-majority government, intelligence officials were accused of involvement in the abduction, assault and disappearance of critics, journalists and other civilians. Rajapaksa was the country's leader at the time. ___ Associated Press writer Krishan Francis contributed to this report. HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) A police officer who fatally shot a man during an attempted traffic stop last month had been told his conduct was unacceptable by several former supervisors, including some who raised concerns about his difficulty in handling stressful situations, records show. Wethersfield Officer Layau Eulizier, 26, was involved in several episodes in which he lost his composure with the public and made tactical mistakes when he was with Manchester police from 2015 to 2018, according to personnel records obtained by The Associated Press. "It is my opinion that Off. Eulizier needs immediate attention," Manchester Sgt. Jamie Taylor wrote in a report in 2016. "I worry that if he does not vastly improve his work performance under stress he is going to hurt himself or someone else." Eulizier, an Air Force veteran who joined Wethersfield police in August, shot and killed 18-year-old Anthony Jose Vega Cruz in Wethersfield on April 20 when Vega Cruz drove his car at the officer while trying to flee a traffic stop, police said. A passenger, Vega Cruz's 18-year-old girlfriend, was not injured. The shooting, which was recorded on police dashboard camera and surveillance video that has been released to the public, sparked protests in which demonstrators said the use of deadly force was unnecessary. In the first public comments on behalf of Eulizier on Tuesday, attorney Elliot Spector said he believed deadly force was justified because the officer's life was in danger when the car came at him. Eulizier had to run in front of the car because he couldn't see the driver through the darkly tinted door windows. Spector also said the Manchester documents portray Eulizier unfairly. While Eulizier did make "some rookie mistakes," the records pertain only to a small fraction of Eulizier's time on the Manchester force and don't show all the good he did, Spector said. "He's upset about the incident," Spector told the AP. "And he's concerned and he feels he's being unfairly attacked, and I can't disagree with that. It's very difficult for police officers to be involved in these shooting incidents. No one wants to do something like this, and he certainly did not. He wishes Mr. Cruz had not driven toward him." Story continues Wethersfield Police Chief James Cetran and lawyers for Vega Cruz's family said Monday night that they could not comment. Cetran said he was at a town meeting where protesters had gathered again but did not return a new phone message Tuesday. A lawyer for Vega Cruz's family, Ben Crump, has previously said last month's shooting was reckless. He plans to hold a news conference with the man's relatives Wednesday. The shooting occurred four days after two other officers opened fire on an unarmed couple in a car in New Haven and wounded a 22-year-old woman. Both shootings sparked several days of protests. Spector also represents a Hamden officer involved in the New Haven shooting, Devin Eaton, and says that it was justified because the officer thought the driver had a gun. According to documents provided to the AP by Manchester police under a public records request, Eulizier during a 2015 training exercise opened fire to provide "cover" for other officers when he was not supposed to, surprising the instructors. During a traffic stop, also in 2015, Eulizier lost his composure and screamed at the driver while using "poor physical control tactics," the records show. In 2016, when another officer was being dragged by a car during a traffic stop, Eulizier screamed the wrong code in the police radio multiple times and unsafely drove his cruiser at nearly 100 mph (160 kph) on local streets trying to locate the car, the records show. In January 2018, Marc Montminy, the police chief in Manchester at the time, reprimanded Eulizier for "conduct unbecoming" for improperly approaching a car and trying to open the driver's door with his gun drawn, creating the danger of the driver grabbing the gun or the weapon accidentally firing. Manchester police officials sent Eulizier to several remedial trainings to try to improve his performance. "This department has made several attempts to help you correct these performance issues through remedial training, but we are still observing deficiencies," Montminy wrote in the letter of reprimand to Eulizier. In August 2016, Montminy extended Eulizier's probationary period for six months after police supervisors reported several instances of poor performance. He successfully completed the probation in January 2018, one day before he was reprimanded, records show. Eulizier also received several "acceptable" job performance reviews during his probationary period, including one that commended him for being one of the department's top performers in terms of traffic stops and call responses. While with Manchester police, Eulizier and a state trooper were involved in a fatal 2015 shooting that was ruled justified. The trooper fatally shot a man who threatened the officers with a box cutter. Eulizier also opened fire but missed. Jeremy Brooks, a 22 year-old American, was among the 41 people who died when a Russian plane burst into flames while making an emergency landing in Moscows Sheremetyevo Airport on Sunday. The recent graduate of Colorado College was on his way to work as a fishing guide for Atlantic salmon in northwest Russia, according to his former employer. Brooks was reportedly the only U.S. citizen on the Murmansk bound Aeroflot plane, which had to turn back just 30 minutes after taking off from Moscow as a result of unspecified technical difficulties. Russian authorities said 37 passengers survived by escaping from the slides at the front of the plane as the rear was engulfed in flames. [Brooks] was in the back of the plane, so he wasnt able to make it out, Valdez told the Sante Fe New Mexican news site. Crew members and passengers say the Russian-built Sukhoi Superjet-100 was struck by lightning after taking off, disconnecting communications with ground control, the BBC reported. But some aviation experts have questioned whether a lightning strike could severe the planes communications, given that modern jets are designed to withstand storms. Russian investigators are considering pilot error as a possible cause of the crash. The Russian news outlet, Kommersant Daily, quoting unnamed sources close to the investigation, says several factors are being scrutinized. Among them are why the pilots decided to fly into a storm front, which raised the level of risk, why they were in a hurry to land, though normal procedure is to circle over the airport first to burn up fuel, and why they appear to have exceeded the normal landing speed which, along with heavy fuel tanks, made the plane bounce off the tarmac. Valdez, Brooks former employer and owner of the The Reel Life fishing shop in Santa Fe, told the Albuquerque Journal, a New Mexico news site, that Brooks had it all to offer the world. I never heard a bad complaint against him. Brooks was the most patient, knowledgeable and kind guide we could ever have had, he said in another interview. Story continues The 22-year-old had studied environmental science and also loved philosophy, the The Santa Fe New Mexican reported. Jim Leonard, head of school at Santa Fe Preparatory School, who saw Brooks two weeks before his departure called him a terrific kid, and said that his nature was one of such kindness. In Moscow, Brooks had been working at what he called the most prestigious fly fishing lodge in the world, according to Mark Rossetti, a friend of Brooks. It costs about $15,000 for a week of fishing, and to get the position that he got is unheard of, Rossetti told the The Santa Fe New Mexican Thats not an easy job to get. I think theres only two or three Americans who have ever guided there. Brooks had dreamed of working in Russia for the rest of his life, said Rossetti. He just spent an entire month with the new rod that he bought for that jobHe spent an entire month up in Washington just learning to cast. Didnt even catch a fish. Took work so serious that he flew across the country just to cast for a month day in, day out. He would live by, live straight, not straightened, said Rossetti, meaning make the right decision the first time so that you dont have to go back on your mistakes. He always did that. He was the most amazing man. I cant believe hes gone, said Valdez. TOULOUSE, France, May 7 (Reuters) - A gunman was holding several people hostage in a newsagent store in the Blagnac suburb of Toulouse in southwestern France on Tuesday, in what a police source said appeared to be a botched armed robbery. The gunman fired at least one shot over the heads of elite RAID officers and had demanded a negotiator, the source said, adding that the incident did not appear to be terrorism-motivated. Police believe five individuals are being held by the assailant, the source said. Police told neighbors to stay indoors and set up a 300 meter security perimetre around the store. (Reporting by Julie Rimbert in Toulouse, writing by Richard Lough; editing by John Irish) Blagnac (France) (AFP) - Four women were freed "safe and sound" Tuesday after being held hostage for five hours by an armed teenager at a bar on the outskirts of the southern French city of Toulouse, officials said. The 17-year-old hostage-taker remained holed up alone in the establishment in the northwest Blagnac suburb of the city for a couple of hours afterwards before finally being arrested following protracted negotiations, Interior Minister Christophe Castaner said on Twitter. The teen, "who is nearly 18, has a police record for incidents of violence, notably against police officers, for robbery, and also for participating in December in a 'yellow vest' (anti-government) protest during which he was arrested," Toulouse chief prosecutor Dominique Alzeari earlier told a news conference. He was not "someone who was classed as dangerous" previously, he said. The gunman, who was not identified publicly, burst into the bar in the afternoon, firing two shots and allegedly warning he would fire on police if they approached, Alzeari said. He left a letter at his home "in which he seemed fairly depressive, or at least worried about his state of health, and he made mention of the 'yellow vest' movement but stating that the act he was about to commit would not go beyond what turned out to be not so impressive," he said. The mayor's office in Blagnac said earlier there was "no suspicion of a terrorist motive" in the incident, an evaluation shared by police. The gunman released the female owner of the bar first, then a short time later the three other women who some witnesses said included bar staff. A delivery man who said he knew the father of the gunman told media outside the police cordon at the scene that the teen, named "Yanis", was a local resident from a nearby downmarket neighbourhood. He said police had brought the mother to the scene, apparently to help with negotiations. Logo of jester cap with thought bubble. Image source: The Motley Fool. Assurant Inc (NYSE: AIZ) Q1 2019 Earnings Call May. 7, 2019, 8:30 a.m. ET Contents: Prepared Remarks Questions and Answers Call Participants Prepared Remarks: Operator Welcome to Assurant's First Quarter 2019 Earnings Conference Call and Webcast. At this time, all participants have been placed in a listen-only mode and the floor will be open for your questions following management's prepared remarks. (Operator Instructions) It is now my pleasure to turn the floor over to Suzanne Shepherd, Senior Vice President of Investor Relations. You may begin. Suzanne Shepherd -- Senior Vice President, Investor Relations Thank you, Christina, and good morning, everyone. We look forward to discussing our First Quarter 2019 Results with you today. Joining me for Assurant's conference call are Alan Colberg, our President and Chief Executive Officer; and Richard Dziadzio, our Chief Financial Officer. Yesterday, after the market closed, we issued a news release announcing our results for the first quarter 2019. The release and corresponding financial supplement are available on assurant.com. As noted in both documents, we updated our key financial metrics for the enterprise and our operating segments to align with the company's strategic focus, and the financial objective shared at our recent Investor Day. We believe these metrics will be a better indicator of performance going forward. We'll start today's call with brief remarks from Alan and Richard before moving into a Q&A session. Some of the statements made today may be forward-looking. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by these statements. Additional information regarding these factors can be found in yesterday's earnings release as well as in our SEC reports. During today's call, we will refer to non-GAAP financial measures, which we believe are important in evaluating the Company's performance. For more details on these measures, the most comparable GAAP measures and a reconciliation of the two, please refer to yesterday's news release and financial supplement. Story continues I will now turn the call over to Alan. Alan B. Colberg -- President and Chief Executive Officer Thanks, Suzanne. Good morning, everyone. Overall, we are pleased with our results for the first quarter. Performance across our three operating segments was strong, especially mobile and Global Lifestyle. Our results reaffirm our belief that we are well positioned to sustain our performance long term. Our leadership positions and innovative offerings should continue to support double-digit earnings growth, with a more diversified and higher quality mix of business. During the quarter, we continued to execute on our strategy. In Global Housing, we've repositioned the segment for growth. First, by beginning to stabilize lender-placed and second, by continuing to drive profitable growth within multi-family housing and our other specialty property offerings. In multi-family housing, we grew revenues 7% from both our affinity and property management partners, now protecting 2.1 million renters across the US. Our focus remains on investing in our key capabilities to deliver even more value for our clients and their renters. To that end, we continue to rollout our new point-of-lease tracking capability to seamlessly integrate our products and services, and gradually increase attachment rates. With our vertically integrated capabilities, broad product suite and emphasis on the customer experience, we've built a leading position in the PMC channel. We continue to expect strong top and bottom line growth going forward. We've also further strengthened our leading lender-placed franchise by renewing three key partnerships in the quarter, and over the past five months, the renewals completed represent nearly one-third of our loans tracked. This bodes well for the future as lender-placed earnings have started to stabilize after years of market declines. Over the next three years, we believe we will generate a 17% to 20% operating ROE, including an average expected cat load. In Global Lifestyle, we are aligned with leading brands to bring innovative products and services to market. In connected living, this includes services like our premium tech support, which creates greater value for the end consumer and adds new and important profitables. We now protect more than 47 million covered mobile devices, up 26% year-over-year. As we highlighted at our Investor Day, our new partnerships with companies like Verizon, Comcast, Charter, KDDI and the renewal and expansion of our T-Mobile relationship to include Metro by T-Mobile demonstrate that our vertically integrated capabilities continue to drive value for our customers and serve as a significant differentiator for Assurant. We made additional progress integrating The Warranty Group acquisition, realizing operating synergies as planned and finding ways to unlock additional value from our stronger, more scalable global automotive business. For example, this quarter, we introduced Pocket Drive, our new technology platform that will expand our offerings beyond service contracts. We expect to launch pilot testing in the second quarter with select dealer partners. We are pleased by the continued strong revenue growth and innovation in this business for the 48 million vehicles we protect worldwide. This also supports our long-term view that we can continue to grow Global Lifestyle's net operating income at least 10% annually on average over the next three years. Turning to Global Preneed, we produced solid, consistent earnings and cash flows in the quarter, supported by our growth from pre-funded funeral policies and favorable mortality trends. Base sales were also strong with a 7% year-over-year increase from new distribution partners within our Final Need product. Over the next three years, we believe we can achieve a sustainable operating ROE of 13% in Global Preneed. In addition to setting these long-term segment targets at our Investor Day, we also provided several key enterprise financial objectives. Over the course of 2020 and 2021, we expect to grow earnings per share on average by 12% with double-digit expansion in net operating income. In addition, starting in 2019, we intend to return $1.35 billion to shareholders over the next three years in the form of share repurchases and common stock dividends, illustrating the confidence we have in our future cash flows. We recognize that executing against our plans for 2019 will be an important step in delivering on these long-term targets. For this year, we continue to expect to grow operating earnings per share, excluding catastrophe losses, by 6% to 10% from the $8.65 we reported in 2018. This will be driven by double-digit earnings growth and disciplined capital deployment. Looking at results for the first quarter 2019, we reported a net operating earnings per share, excluding catastrophes, of $2.33, an increase of 9% from $2.14 in the prior year period. This was driven by earnings growth, partially offset by shares issued last year related to our TWG acquisition. Net operating income, also excluding catastrophes, for the quarter was up 30% to $149 million, due to TWG contributions and organic business growth. At the end of March, holding company liquidity totaled $354 million, after returning $51 million in share repurchases and $37 million in common stock dividends. Overall, we're pleased with our performance in the first quarter. We're confident in our ability to continue to expand earnings and cash flow. This will allow us to continue to invest in our business and sustain our track record of returning excess capital to shareholders over the long term. I'll now turn the call over to Richard to review segment results and our 2019 outlook in greater detail. Richard? Richard Dziadzio -- Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer Thank you, Alan, and good morning, everyone. Let's begin with Global Housing. Net operating income for the quarter totaled $73 million, an increase of $2 million from the first quarter of 2018. Excluding mortgage solutions, in the prior year period, earnings declined as growth in multi-family housing was offset by higher catastrophe costs and decreased profitability in our specialty property offerings. Lower earnings in our specialty property offerings were mainly the result of higher non-cat loss experience in our small commercial property products. For the segment, reportable catastrophes in the quarter totaled $9 million, level with last year. Global Housing revenue was down, reflecting the sale of mortgage solutions. Excluding mortgage solutions, revenue was up 5% due to growth in small commercial products, multi-family housing and our sharing economy offerings. Lender-placed revenue decreased due to lower placement rates, partially offset by higher premium rates. During the quarter, the placement rate declined 13 basis points year-over-year and only 2 basis points from year-end 2018, in line with our expectations. As noted earlier, we have revised our financial supplement disclosure following Investor Day. Specifically for housing, we've aligned our key financial metrics to report the loss, expense and combined ratios for the entire segment. For the first quarter, the combined ratio for Global Housing was unchanged from the prior year period at 86.7%. This falls within our longer-term range of 86% to 90%, including an average expected capital. For full-year 2019, we continue to expect Global Housing to realize modest earnings growth, excluding cat losses. This will be driven by continued expansion of our specialty offerings, most notably, multi-family housing. As we look to the second quarter, we expect higher non-cat loss ratios reflecting typical weather patterns and we will monitor the elevated loss experience in the small commercial products. Lender-placed earnings will reflect the additional reinsurance coverage we secured earlier this year, but underlying profitability is expected to remain stable. We also continue the process of migrating clients to our new operating platform, as this will lower expenses longer term, and more importantly, further enhances the customer experience. Moving to Global Lifestyle. The segment reported earnings of $101 million for the first quarter, a $45 million increase year-over-year. This reflects $30 million after-tax from TWG, including $10 million of realized synergies and $2.8 million of intangible amortization. We also benefited from strong organic growth in the business, led by connected living, which grew earnings by 54% in the quarter. This was mainly due to mobile subscriber growth from programs launched over the past two years. In addition, we realized higher trading volumes from carrier promotions and strong margins in repair and logistics. Segment earnings were also supported by more favorable Global Automotive results for legacy Assurant, compared to the prior period, which was marked by some higher one-time expenses. Looking at total revenue for this segment, net earned premiums and fees were up $763 million, mainly from the $651 million TWG contribution. Excluding TWG, revenue was up $112 million or 12%. Organic revenue growth was driven primarily by mobile programs launched during the past two years, mainly in Asia-Pacific and North America. This growth was across various distribution channels and from multiple profit pools, including device protection, premium tech support, as well as repair and logistics. Auto revenue, excluding TWG, was up 20%, benefiting from strong prior year period sales in our TPA distribution. Foreign exchange volatility, primarily from unfavorable currency movements in Argentina and Brazil, partially offset growth in the quarter. Looking at the full year, we continue to expect strong earnings growth due to full-year TWG contributions, including $25 million to $30 million of incremental expense synergies, mainly in Global Automotive. In addition, mobile should remain a significant contributor, driven by organic growth from new and existing programs. It's important to note that the first quarter was particularly strong compared to last year, reflecting the timing of new phone introductions and carrier promotions. For the balance of the year, we expect typical mobile seasonality and some additional pressure from anticipated declines in our legacy credit business within financial services, investments to enhance and strengthen our capabilities, particularly in mobile and auto, will also be important as we look to stay on the forefront of innovation for the future. Now let's move to Global Preneed. The segment reported $12 million of net operating income, a $2 million year-over-year increase. Higher investment income and lower mortality compared to the prior year period were the key drivers. Revenue in Preneed was up 6%, mainly driven by growth in US, including sales of our Final Need product. Global Preneed's outlook for the year remains unchanged with earnings roughly flat with 2018. We will continue to manage expenses closely, as we implement the segment's long-term growth strategy, drive more sales to our funeral home distribution, work with new partners and expand our portfolio of products. At Corporate, the net operating loss was $19 million, relatively flat with the prior year period. For full-year 2019, we expect the net operating loss to be similar to 2018, creating additional leverage with our expense structure as we grow. Turing to capital, we ended March with $354 million of holding company liquidity or about $129 million above our current minimum target level of $225 million. Dividends in the quarter from our operating segments totaled $78 million, lower than segment earnings as we typically wait until later in the year for greater visibility. In addition to our quarterly corporate and interest expenses, the outflows included $51 million in share repurchases, $42 million in common and preferred dividends and $8 million of investments, including strengthening our repair and logistic capabilities in Canada. In the second quarter through May 3rd, we purchased an additional 224,000 shares for $21 million. For full-year 2019, we expect dividends from our operating segments to approximate segment operating earnings. These dividends should provide flexibility to invest in our businesses, and return capital to shareholders, subject to market conditions. While our 2019 capital deployment plans take into account our potential purchase of Ike Asistencia in light of our investment in TWG, we are evaluating how Ike fits into our expanded Latin American operations. We are exploring strategic options for Ike and have delayed the put call option until February of 2020 to complete our review. In summary, we're very pleased with our strong performance in the first quarter, we remain focused on delivering on our commitments for the full year. And with that, operator, please open the call for questions. Questions and Answers: Operator The floor is now opened for questions. (Operator Instructions) Thank you. Our first question is coming from John Nadel from UBS. Alan B. Colberg -- President and Chief Executive Officer Hey, good morning, John. John Nadel -- UBS -- Analyst Good morning. I have a couple of questions and then I'll get back in the queue. One that I'm curious about the number of renters policies, that's growing really solid double-digit year-over-year, I think the growth rate this quarter was 13%, 13.5%, but your actual net earned premium is growing high-single. Is there just a lag effect there that I'm missing or is there some pricing competition going on? Richard Dziadzio -- Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer Hey, John, good morning. It's Richard. John Nadel -- UBS -- Analyst Good morning. Richard Dziadzio -- Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer I think there is probably the two parts of it. I think first of all, we're expanding in the property management channel, I mean, we have really good growth and strong growth. As we said in -- Alan said in his remarks, we're investing in that channel to stay at the forefront of innovation and allowing renters to come in and on-board more quickly. So there is some expense there. I think there's probably two-fold, I mean, we're being very competitive in the market, but also there is a lag effect between when we bring on, we are writing the premium when the premium flows through, but I would say, no big changes in margins that we've seen. John Nadel -- UBS -- Analyst Okay, that's helpful. And then, just one housekeeping item. Is that your outlook for 2019. I'm just curious we've seen that property reinsurance costs, particularly in the State of Florida are up pretty significantly. I just wonder whether you already knew that had that big in to your outlook or if that was more of an estimate, and is there any impact we should expect as it relates to your outlook for reinsurance costs, impacting your overall outlook for '19? Alan B. Colberg -- President and Chief Executive Officer Hi, John. Yeah, thanks for the question. And actually we did, I think the market had some visibility in terms of the cat cost in Florida, the cost of the hurricane -- Florida Hurricane Cat Fund. So we have a, I say a large part of that in to it. As we come into the year, might be a tiny bit higher, but nothing that would impact our outlook whatsoever. Richard Dziadzio -- Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer John, the other thing that we talked about at Investor Day, we've really expanded the multi-year component of our reinsurance, which really stabilizes cost for us over time. John Nadel -- UBS -- Analyst Got you, that's helpful. Thank you. And then the last one, I'm just thinking how did -- overall, how did 1Q earnings compare with your own sort of internal expectations, it sounds to me like you're signalling that, in particular, connected living had a pretty solid, maybe favorable quarter. How should we think about -- you talked about seasonality, you talk about a little bit higher loss ratios as we move from 1Q into 2Q for that particular business, how can we -- can you help us by sizing maybe in a dollar amount or a range, how we should think about that earnings of -- for connected living from 1Q to 2Q? Alan B. Colberg -- President and Chief Executive Officer Yeah. So, certainly, if we look at the quarter, we're pleased by the results and mobile was stronger than we had expected, really driven by trade in volumes. The late introduction in Q4, some of the smartphones push volume into Q1, more than we had expected. So as we head into Q2, we will have seasonality in connected living both in the normal summer, where we just have a greater loss experience and then trade in volumes usually slowdown in Q2 and Q3 as people are anticipating the next smartphone introductions. John Nadel -- UBS -- Analyst How to -- is any chance we can talk about how to think about that in terms of dollar amount of earning, typical seasonality as it is like a 5% quarter-over-quarter decline, and... Alan B. Colberg -- President and Chief Executive Officer It's hard for us to predict that, but I would say as we remain very confident in our long-term outlook that we've given for Lifestyle, which is that 10% plus average annual mortgage growth that we have a lot of confidence in quarter-to-quarter, it's harder to predict. John Nadel -- UBS -- Analyst Got you. Okay, thank you. Operator (Operator Instructions) Our next question comes from Christopher Campbell from KBW. Your line is open. Alan B. Colberg -- President and Chief Executive Officer Hey, good morning. Christopher Campbell -- KBW -- Analyst Hi, good morning. Congrats on the quarter. Richard Dziadzio -- Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer Thank you. Christopher Campbell -- KBW -- Analyst First question is just on the higher-than-expected losses in housing, I guess how much of the year-over-year increase was due to the higher commercial losses? Richard Dziadzio -- Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer It was due to -- I'm sorry. Christopher Campbell -- KBW -- Analyst The higher attritional, like specialty property losses. Richard Dziadzio -- Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer Yeah, I mean there was a part in there due to that, I mean that was I would say, the primary part that -- the loss ratio year-over-year as we have sort of pointed out, that's within, just for everyone, that sort of within the specialty property component of housing, which was about $120 million to $500 million and specialty commercial property part is about 20%, 25% and that was a small component, and we didn't have great experience to get increase in severity in that book of business and as we've said, we are monitoring it as we go forward. Christopher Campbell -- KBW -- Analyst Got it. And is that more attritional or was it just large losses this quarter? Alan B. Colberg -- President and Chief Executive Officer Really an increase in severity, I would say in the book, no huge several big things, but an increase in severity overall. Christopher Campbell -- KBW -- Analyst Okay. And then question on repurchases. I mean is $50 million a good quarterly run rate to think about going forward? Alan B. Colberg -- President and Chief Executive Officer So, I think the way I think about that question is, we've said that we expect over the next three years to return $1.35 billion to shareholders via common stock, dividends and repurchases, that translates into roughly $300 million a year over the three years in repurchases. We have to remember, we buy via 10b5-1 and so we can't go in and out of the market that easily. Christopher Campbell -- KBW -- Analyst Okay, thanks. And then just in mobile, I mean any new clients or relationship extensions that you guys are looking at? I mean, how does the sales pipeline look relative to last year? Alan B. Colberg -- President and Chief Executive Officer I think we're very pleased with our progress in mobile. You heard in my prepared remarks, I rave about these four or five major new clients that we've started relationships with in the last 18 to 24 months. And as I mentioned at Investor Day, we will be ramping up later this year with Metro by T-Mobile, which has the potential for about 3 million subs to be added over time to our portfolio. So we're very focused on executing on that, but the pipeline remains strong. Our innovative offerings have really differentiated us and giving us a lot of traction in the market. Christopher Campbell -- KBW -- Analyst Okay, great. And then just, I know you guys have talked about like 5G being like a possible tailwind like further out, I guess, just any additional clarity that you have on the development of 5G and then the impact -- the potential impact on your business? Alan B. Colberg -- President and Chief Executive Officer Got it. In 5G, what we've talked about is ultimately when that gains real consumer traction, there will be a handset replacement cycle that will occur. I think it's still quite a ways in the future if you look at the timing of the rollout of 5G, but that is a long-term tailwind that will help the business at some point. Christopher Campbell -- KBW -- Analyst Okay, great. Well, thanks for all the answers. Best of luck in the second quarter. Alan B. Colberg -- President and Chief Executive Officer Thanks, Chris. Richard Dziadzio -- Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer Thanks, Chris. Operator (Operator Instructions) Our last question is coming from John Nadel from UBS. Your line is open. Alan B. Colberg -- President and Chief Executive Officer Hey, John. John Nadel -- UBS -- Analyst Hey, good morning. It seems everybody's tied up on AIG this morning. Sorry, guys, but I care. So... Alan B. Colberg -- President and Chief Executive Officer We appreciate that. Thank you, John. John Nadel -- UBS -- Analyst If we -- I am curious your commentary and I appreciate your commentary around the delay of the put call option on Ike into early 2020. I guess -- I'm more curious about how -- you talked about evaluating how that business within given the given the acquisition of TWG and the integration you've got going on. Can you -- like, can you expand on those thoughts a little bit? I know you don't want to get ahead of things here, but I'm just curious what that means? Alan B. Colberg -- President and Chief Executive Officer Yeah. So John, let me provide a little context. So when we originally signed the agreement, which was in late 2013, and it's really all about creating more scale for our business in Latin America, which we -- in key markets like Mexico, that's a priority. With The Warranty Group acquisition, we added dramatically more scale in the key markets like Mexico and Argentina and Brazil, and given that, it causes us to step back and say, how do we think about this business. Now, it's important to note over the five years, we've been involved, the business has performed well. It's actually slightly ahead of the expectations we had when we made the original investment. But we have scale now in Latin America. So it's a good chance for us to step back and think about what's best for our shareholders. John Nadel -- UBS -- Analyst Got it, understood, OK. And then Alan, one of the -- I guess one of the critics that I hear from time to time and based on the disclosures that we get from you guys, I think it's not so easy to counter this critique, is an overarching belief that your position, and I'm talking about Lifestyle here, your position, Assurant's position in the value chain is one that suffers maybe from lower economic relative to maybe a service provider like a Verizon or another, and that the growth as you grow, your incremental margin may actually be lower. Is that a fair critique or is there some way that you can provide some data that counters that? I think that's one thing that weighs a little bit, your growth rate is -- the top line growth rate looks terrific, right? I mean, in particular these last couple of quarters. I'm just trying to -- I'm trying to see if there's a way to counter that overarching belief or perception. Alan B. Colberg -- President and Chief Executive Officer I don't think that's at all the way we think about the business. So we're aligned with the market leaders. We are expanding our whole and providing services to them. We've talked about the addition of major new services in the last 18 months, like premium tech support. And if you look at the long-term, we have grown earnings in that business, 10% plus over the last six years, with an outlook that we're going to continue to be able to do that. So it's a very good business where we are critically important to our partners and delivering the consumer experiences they want. And so we don't tend to think about the margin of each service, because some of them are fee income, some are not. But we look at it and can we continue to grow profitably, and expand and deepen our relationships with our key clients, which we've done very well. John Nadel -- UBS -- Analyst And if we think about Lifestyle discreetly, can you remind us what your return target is for that particular segment? Alan B. Colberg -- President and Chief Executive Officer We don't have one, because what we've said matters in Lifestyle. It's not a traditional insurance business. So thinking about returns is not the way to think about it. What we have said is, we can grow earnings and we've done it for six plus years and we can continue to do it. Now, we've said overall for the enterprise, we will be disciplined in that growth with overall enterprise ROE gradually rising over the next three years. But for Lifestyle, specifically it's about profitable earnings growth. John Nadel -- UBS -- Analyst Got you. And the last one I have for you, you talked about this some time ago, I don't remember if at Investor Day, there was any real commentary around this, but I'm thinking about Global Auto and the potential that there may be some opportunity to drive down repair costs given your better size and scale and maybe some ability to renegotiate some contracts with repair facilities dealership. I'm just wondering if there's any update on that front. I know it's not something that -- I know you did not build in anything from that and essential stream into your synergies. I'm just wondering if you can give us an update on any progress? Alan B. Colberg -- President and Chief Executive Officer John, appreciate question. Let me maybe start just a little more broadly on the TWG synergies, and then I'll come to that one specifically. If you recall, when we did the deal, we announced that we had a hard cost synergy target of $60 million run rate pre-tax by the end of 2019. We are on track and we expect we will deliver that by the end of this year. With that said then, we've really turned a lot of our focus to other sources of synergy ranging from revenue synergies. One of the things we recently rolled out in Japan as the partnership of KDDI around our connected home, we're leveraging our relationship with the legacy Warranty Group capabilities to deliver in the home in Japan. So that's an example of a revenue synergy that they were going hard after, and on the claims costs absolutely, we now have an extraordinarily strong position in the market, leveraging our knowledge of the cards with the payers, these things that go on. And so we're looking to how do we leverage that now, a lot of that benefit will flow to our clients and many of our programs are reinsured or quota shared with our clients. But that strengthens our relationships with those clients and we'll get some benefits. So we're early days on those, it takes time to implement that. But it's another significant source of synergy that as you said, it's not reflected when we talked about the expectations for the TWG deal. John Nadel -- UBS -- Analyst Got it. And since you still have plenty of time, I may as well throw one more in. If I think about the migration on the lender-placed side, the migration to a single operating platform. I know you don't -- you haven't really quantified what spent there if you think can be generated from that over time. I'm wondering if you could give us the sense it doesn't sound like it's that big of a contributor in 2019. I'm wondering, 2020 and beyond, if you think that could be a material impact to the earnings for Global Housing? Richard Dziadzio -- Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer Yeah, John. Hi, it's Rich. I will take that one. Starting to on-board clients, we are getting some some some good reactions from the clients, I mean, first and foremost, our investment in the program is to position us for a great customer experience going forward and investment we've made is being well received. So I think that's probably the biggest point on that, it's a multi-year project, and I think as we look forward, I don't think there will be a threshold moment where in 2020, we would see a big impact of expenses. But it would be over time and over, I would say over the next years. On the other hand, I think as you look at the overall expense ratio for the housing area, we are really managing expenses tightly both in the housing area, but overall as a company as you've seen, also in our overall Corporate loss and stability there. Alan B. Colberg -- President and Chief Executive Officer John, the important thing on lender-placed, I think probably want to remember is we've now set that we've got that business more stable with significant upside, if we get into an accounting downside . Specifically, on our single source platform for 2019, it's a modest amount. It's really more about as (inaudible) longer term and the consumer experience. John Nadel -- UBS -- Analyst And that expense ratio for that segment, should we see that coming down over the next couple of years? And is this maybe part of that driver? Alan B. Colberg -- President and Chief Executive Officer I mean, it's hard to predict now where the expense margin is going to go. I think when we look at the overall expense ratio in the first quarter, also taking into account the variety of businesses within it, whether it would be lender-placed, multi-family, whatever, we have brought it down, managing it well. What I expect to go down in the future as we get through the single source platform, I would expect it to go down, but it's hard today to kind of predict what would happen in 2020, exactly. John Nadel -- UBS -- Analyst Okay. Maybe it's just the redefinition or redefining the segment loss ratio, expense ratio, combined ratio, but I thought you guys used -- previously, you were talking about 2 to 4 point over time of expense ratio reduction, is that no longer the case or is that just been, like yes, muted or hidden if you will by the aggregation of that expense ratio for the total segment? Richard Dziadzio -- Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer I think John , what I would say is we still feel very good about the long-term impact of that and we've reaffirmed that 86% to 90% combined ratio over time for the segment. John Nadel -- UBS -- Analyst Okay, that's helpful. Thank you so much. Alan B. Colberg -- President and Chief Executive Officer Thanks, John. Alright, well, thanks everyone for participating in today's call. We're pleased with our first quarter performance and believe we're off to a strong start for the year. We look forward to updating you on our progress on our second quarter earnings call in August. In the meantime, please reach out to Suzanne Shepherd or Sean Moshier with any follow-up questions. Thank you. Operator Thank you. This does conclude today's teleconference. Please disconnect your lines at this time and have a wonderful day. Duration: 36 minutes Call participants: Suzanne Shepherd -- Senior Vice President, Investor Relations Alan B. Colberg -- President and Chief Executive Officer Richard Dziadzio -- Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer John Nadel -- UBS -- Analyst Christopher Campbell -- KBW -- Analyst More AIZ analysis All earnings call transcripts AlphaStreet Logo More From The Motley Fool This article is a transcript of this conference call produced for The Motley Fool. While we strive for our Foolish Best, there may be errors, omissions, or inaccuracies in this transcript. As with all our articles, The Motley Fool does not assume any responsibility for your use of this content, and we strongly encourage you to do your own research, including listening to the call yourself and reading the company's SEC filings. Please see our Terms and Conditions for additional details, including our Obligatory Capitalized Disclaimers of Liability. Motley Fool Transcribers has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. ROME (Reuters) - The Auschwitz-Birkenau holocaust museum said on Tuesday it will boycott Turin's prestigious international book fair if a publishing house close to an Italian neo-fascist group is allowed to have a stand there. The announcement followed growing discontent in Italian literary circles over a decision by the fair's organisers to include Altaforte publishers. The firm is run by its founder Francesco Polacchi, who defines himself openly as a fascist. The fair runs from May 9-13 and the museum had been planning to hold a panel at the event on Thursday with Holocaust survivor and writer Halina Birenbaum. "We cannot ask the survivors to share the space with those who question the historical facts that led to the Holocaust, with those who re-propose a fascist idea of society," the museum wrote on Twitter. It has said it would stage the panel event elsewhere in Turin if it left the book fair. The fair's organisers said in a post on Facebook that the Italian constitution called for freedom of speech. It added that Altaforte had the right to its own stand because the group had never been convicted of crimes related to fascism. The city of Turin, which is governed by the anti-establishment 5-Star Movement, and the broader Piedmont region, which is run by the centre-left Democratic Party, issued statements saying they would sue Polacchi for his fascist views. Under existing laws, pro-fascist propaganda is deemed illegal if it is seen to be part of an effort to revive the old Fascist Party. Altaforte has recently published a book of interviews with far-right League leader Matteo Salvini, who serves as deputy prime minister and interior minister. Polacchi has dismissed the controversy over his company's presence at the fair and has asserted both his own fascist beliefs and his membership of the extremist Casapound group. "The real problem with this country is anti-fascism," Polacchi told Radio 24 this week. Story continues In an interview with La Stampa newspaper on Tuesday, he said he had never questioned the veracity of the genocide of Jews in World War Two. However, he praised Italy's fascist wartime leader Benito Mussolini as the country's greatest statesman. Contacted via his Facebook page, Polacchi made no immediate comment about the Auschwitz museum or about the decision by city and regional authorities to sue him. Some well-known writers and intellectuals have dismissed calls for a boycott of the Turin fair. They included writer Michela Murgia, who said such a boycott would be counterproductive. "We will not let Italy's most important publishing event fall into the hands of the fascists," she said. (Reporting by Angelo Amante; Editing by Crispian Balmer and Frances Kerry) WASHINGTON The Pentagon is rushing additional military muscle, including B-52 bombers, to the Middle East to counter Iranian threats to U.S. troops on the ground and at sea, the Pentagon announced Tuesday. The announcement follows two days of increasing alarm over threats from Iran. National Security Advisor John Bolton said Sunday that the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier and bombers were being sent to the region. Meanwhile, senators from both parties urged the White House to move cautiously. By Monday, Pentagon spokesman Charles Summers was pointing "to indications of heightened Iranian readiness to conduct offensive operations against U.S forces and our interests." On Tuesday, the Pentagon fleshed out the nature of its response. The Air Force is dispatching B-52 bombers, long-range warplanes capable of carrying 70,000 pounds of bombs. The Abraham Lincoln, which already was scheduled for deployment to the Persian Gulf region, is cutting short other port visits to arrive ahead of schedule. The aircraft carrier, with a wing of warplanes and 3,000 sailors aboard, is accompanied by the USS Leyte Gulf, a guided-missile cruiser, and four destroyers: the USS Bainbridge, Gonzalez, Mason and Nitze. "U.S. Central Command continues to track a number of credible threat streams emanating from the regime in Iran throughout the CENTCOM area of responsibility," Navy Capt. Bill Urban, a Central Command spokesman, said in a statement. In this April 1, 2019, file photo, the USS Abraham Lincoln deploys from Naval Station Norfolk, in the vicinity of Norfolk, Va. The White House said Sunday, May 5, that the U.S. is deploying military resources to send a message to Iran. White House national security adviser John Bolton said in a statement that the U.S. is deploying the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group and a bomber task force to the U.S. Central Command region, an area that includes the Middle East. (Kaitlin McKeown/The Virginian-Pilot via AP, File) The escalating tensions follow an announcement last month by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo of new sanctions against any country, including U.S. allies, that imports Iranian oil, the country's top source of income. The White House also designated the Revolutionary Guards Corps as a foreign terrorist organization, part of a hardening stance toward Iran. Pompeo, who canceled a long-planned visit with Germany's Angela Merkel, made an unannounced stop in Baghdad instead on Tuesday to meet with the countrys intelligence and defense chiefs, among other officials. He said he wanted to discuss the new threats from Iran with Iraqi leaders. "Iran is escalating their activity," Pompeo told reporters en route to Baghdad. "I wanted to go to Baghdad to speak with the leadership there, to assure them that we stood ready to continue to ensure that Iraq is a sovereign, independent nation." Story continues Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky, warned against any U.S. military action against Iran. I think its very important that the administration know they do not have our permission to (engage in) any kind of war or regime change operation in Iran. Asked if he is worried about Bolton pushing for military action, Paul said: I think that the presidents instincts are good on this and hopefully hell listen to his inner voice. Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., in a statement, said the White House was being reckless in confronting Iran and lacked legal authority to start a conflict. Im deeply worried that the Trump administration is leading us toward an unnecessary war with Iran," Kaine said. To others, the deployment makes sense as a warning to Iran, said Michael O'Hanlon, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution. "I like the decision, to the extent I can understand the backdrop to it, because it tells Iran they wont get away with doing something nasty by proxy," O'Hanlon said. "We are on to them. That may or may not suffice as deterrent, and we have to be careful about assuming that a carrier or bomber can stop a covert operative, but I still favor it and I also favor reminding Iran that we arent really pivoting out of the Middle East too too dramatically, either." More: President Trump moves to cut off Iran oil exports; decision could roil markets There are thousands of U.S. troops in the region, many of them in Iraq, Iran's neighbor to the west. During the bloody insurgent war there, hundreds of U.S. troops were killed by weapons the Pentagon said were furnished by Iran. Read more: Download the USA TODAY app This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: B-52s added to aircraft carrier strike group rushing to Middle East to confront Iran threats DOHA/DUBAI (Reuters) - Bahrain's premier phoned Qatar's Emir on Monday to mark the first day of Ramadan, Qatari media said, but Manama said the call, a rare exchange amid a lengthy dispute between Doha and some of its neighbors, signaled no change in political stance. Bahrain along with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt launched a diplomatic and trade boycott of Qatar in 2017, accusing it of supporting terrorism, a charge Doha denies. The call by Bahraini Prime Minister Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa to Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to exchange wishes on the first day of the holy month is a common tradition among Muslim countries. It appeared to be the first publicly announced call by Bahrain to Qatar since the boycott, and a rare interaction between the feuding group of nations. In September 2017 Saudi Arabia called Qatar to discuss the crisis, but the next day said it had suspended dialogue with Doha. "The call between HRH the Prime Minister and the Emir of Qatar does not represent the official position of the Kingdom of Bahrain and does not affect its commitment, alongside its sister countries Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt, regarding (Qatar)," the official Bahrain News Agency quoted the minister of cabinet affairs as having said. The Ramadan call came a week after Bahrain and Saudi Arabia sent delegates to a political forum in Doha, also a first since the rift. Qatar's foreign minister played down last week's conference attendance, however, saying there was no sign of a thaw in the row. Qatar's state news agency did not provide further details of the Ramadan call. (Reporting by Eric Knecht and Lisa Barrington; Editing by Mark Heinrich) President Donald Trumps latest threat to impose tariffs on Chinese imports was followed by market volatility on Monday. But for most small business owners, it may just be business as usual. In fact, most small business owners say they dont see tariffs having any impact on their businesses, according to Bank of Americas Spring 2019 Small Business Owner Report. Small businesses cover many different sectors, so of course the potential impact of tariffs depends the type of small business involved, according to Sharon Miller, head of small business at Bank of America. Tariffs typically hurt agriculture and wholesale goods more than other businesses, but 59% of 1,504 small business owners surveyed said they dont see any impact. Still, trade will likely continue to be on the minds of small business owners. Economies goes up and down, Miller said. The trade conversation continues to go on ... What we did find in our survey was that most were not worried. Bank of Americas Spring 2019 Small Business Owner Report Of course, some small business owners have complained that tariffs will in fact affect them a great deal. Tiffany Williams, the owner of a luggage shop in Texas, told NPR last February that a 10% tariff on Chinese imports was a big deal because most of the items in her store came from China. The hiring challenge Economic confidence did fall slightly from last year, with just 48% expecting the national economy to improve, down from 55% last year. Yet business owners are continuing to project a strong business outlook for the year ahead with most respondents expecting their revenues to increase and expand. This puts owners in a conundrum as they will need to hire more workers to help their businesses. With unemployment at a near 50-year low, businesses are facing higher competition to hire the right talent. The number one concern that continues to come to the top whenever we do this survey, is the ability for the small business to find the right talent, the right labor, Miller said. Story continues Its really up to the company. Theyre putting together the attractive job opportunity for people to come work for them. Bank of Americas Spring 2019 Small Business Owner Report Miller said benefits including flexible work hours, ability to work from home, the right 401K, and a competitive health care package are all ways to help attract the right talent. Having the right package is key to attract right talent, but the study shows the number one concern for small business owners is healthcare costs. Healthcare costs, regulations. It continues to pop to the number one concern. This along with finding the right skilled labor, she said. Tax reform Last year, about 58% of small business owners thought the tax reform was a game-changer. This number has dropped dramatically to 35%. Miller said tax reform went from game-changer to very neutral. The small business owner today is still figuring out what does it mean for my business? When it comes to the surface, its neutral, she said, referring to tax reform. Bank of America contacted a national sample of 1,504 small businesses with revenue between $100,000 and $4,999,999 and between two and 99 employees. Additionally, it contacted 300 small business owners in 10 target markets throughout the U.S. A bartender has been charged for serving drinks to a man who later went on to kill his estranged wife and another seven people. Lindsey Glass, 27, was arrested last week and charged with a misdemeanour violation of "sales to a certain persons" in Texas. The law in the southern US state prohibits selling alcohol to a "habitual drunkard or an intoxicated or insane person". Lindsey Glass is accused of serving the gunman when it was clear he was intoxicated and dangerous. (Plano Police Department.) She was working at the bar in Plano where Spencer Hight went before he turned up at his estranged wife Meredith Hight's home and shot her and seven of her friends. The group had been together to watch the Dallas Cowboys match. Hight was shot and killed by police officers responding to the incident. Glass had tried to persuade Hight not to drive after she served him, and her attorney, Scott Palmer, said it is "not in the interest of justice" to arrest her. Spencer Hight shot and killed eight people before being stopped by police. (Facebook) According to NBC, Glass told another bartender Hight had been at the bar earlier in the day had and had two gins, returning later to have two beers and a shot. She speculated that he had been at another bar while he was gone, and later told a colleague in a text: "Spencer has a big knife on the bar and is spinning it and just asked for his tab and said I have to go do some dirty work... Psychoooooooo." Officials say Glass should have known not to serve Hight and that he displayed signs of intoxication. Read more from Yahoo News UK: Ukip candidate questioned over rape comments Passenger complains he didnt get refund after crash kills 41 Two teens arrested after boy shot in Wolverhampton The victims included 27-year-old Meredith Hight, 33-year-old Anthony Michael Cross, Olivia Nicole Deffner, 24, James Richard Dunlop, 29, Darryl William Hawkins, 22, 31-year-old Rion Christopher Morgan, Myah Sade Bass, 28, and 25-year-old Caleb Seth Edwards. The bartender's lawyer said in a statement: "It is shameful of the Plano Police Department to go after the person who was vital in trying to stop the horrific events of that evening. Story continues "This arrest is not in the interest of justice and appears to be a last-ditch effort by the Plano PD to make someone pay. "Lindsey Glass is the person who called 911. Not only did she know Spencer but she was friends with Meredith and was supposed to be at the party that evening." Glass faces a year in prison, a $500 (380) fine or both if found guilty. Want to participate in a short research study? Help shape the future of investing tools and you could win a $250 gift card! While some investors are already well versed in financial metrics (hat tip), this article is for those who would like to learn about Return On Equity (ROE) and why it is important. By way of learning-by-doing, we'll look at ROE to gain a better understanding of Breedon Group plc (LON:BREE). Our data shows Breedon Group has a return on equity of 8.4% for the last year. One way to conceptualize this, is that for each 1 of shareholders' equity it has, the company made 0.084 in profit. Check out our latest analysis for Breedon Group How Do You Calculate Return On Equity? The formula for return on equity is: Return on Equity = Net Profit Shareholders' Equity Or for Breedon Group: 8.4% = UK65m UK773m (Based on the trailing twelve months to December 2018.) It's easy to understand the 'net profit' part of that equation, but 'shareholders' equity' requires further explanation. It is the capital paid in by shareholders, plus any retained earnings. You can calculate shareholders' equity by subtracting the company's total liabilities from its total assets. What Does ROE Mean? ROE measures a company's profitability against the profit it retains, and any outside investments. The 'return' is the yearly profit. The higher the ROE, the more profit the company is making. So, as a general rule, a high ROE is a good thing. That means it can be interesting to compare the ROE of different companies. Does Breedon Group Have A Good ROE? By comparing a company's ROE with its industry average, we can get a quick measure of how good it is. Importantly, this is far from a perfect measure, because companies differ significantly within the same industry classification. As is clear from the image below, Breedon Group has a lower ROE than the average (13%) in the Basic Materials industry. Story continues AIM:BREE Past Revenue and Net Income, May 7th 2019 That certainly isn't ideal. We'd prefer see an ROE above the industry average, but it might not matter if the company is undervalued. Nonetheless, it might be wise to check if insiders have been selling. Why You Should Consider Debt When Looking At ROE Virtually all companies need money to invest in the business, to grow profits. The cash for investment can come from prior year profits (retained earnings), issuing new shares, or borrowing. In the first two cases, the ROE will capture this use of capital to grow. In the latter case, the debt used for growth will improve returns, but won't affect the total equity. In this manner the use of debt will boost ROE, even though the core economics of the business stay the same. Breedon Group's Debt And Its 8.4% ROE While Breedon Group does have some debt, with debt to equity of just 0.45, we wouldn't say debt is excessive. I'm not impressed with its ROE, but the debt levels are not too high, indicating the business has decent prospects. Careful use of debt to boost returns is often very good for shareholders. However, it could reduce the company's ability to take advantage of future opportunities. But It's Just One Metric Return on equity is a useful indicator of the ability of a business to generate profits and return them to shareholders. In my book the highest quality companies have high return on equity, despite low debt. If two companies have around the same level of debt to equity, and one has a higher ROE, I'd generally prefer the one with higher ROE. But ROE is just one piece of a bigger puzzle, since high quality businesses often trade on high multiples of earnings. It is important to consider other factors, such as future profit growth -- and how much investment is required going forward. So you might want to take a peek at this data-rich interactive graph of forecasts for the company. But note: Breedon Group may not be the best stock to buy. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies with high ROE and low debt. We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned. Thank you for reading. Belfast (AFP) - Northern Ireland's rival parties made a fresh bid on Tuesday to restore the province's power-sharing executive after the killing of a journalist drew public outrage at a political deadlock that has lasted more than two years. Mary Lou McDonald, leader of Sinn Fein, said her republican party was ready to negotiate "in good faith". "Whatever may divide people, there is an absolute commonality in the view that we are not going backwards," she told reporters after an initial meeting with the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) in Belfast. DUP leader Arlene Foster, the province's former first minister, called for "a balanced way forward and one that everyone in Northern Ireland is comfortable with". Lyra McKee was shot dead by republican paramilitaries on April 18 while reporting on riots in Londonderry, Northern Ireland's second city, which is also known as Derry. Her death has triggered a renewed attempt to mend fences between the main parties, whose coalition imploded in January 2017 in a row over a botched green energy scheme. Northern Ireland was torn apart over three decades by a sectarian conflict that largely ended in 1998 with a peace deal that set up a local government to share power. Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Cody Bellinger returned to the starting lineup against the Atlanta Braves on Monday after missing two starts due to a shoulder injury. The red-hot Bellinger sustained a separated right shoulder during the Dodgers' Friday road game against the San Diego Padres. He sat out Saturday and was limited to a pinch-hitting appearance on Sunday. Bellinger, primarily the Dodgers' right fielder, got hurt while playing first base. Bellinger told reporters on Saturday that the shoulder "popped out" and immediately popped back in as he dived for a ball. The 23-year-old Bellinger has been one of the best players in the majors over the early stages of this season. Bellinger entered Monday as the major league leader in batting average (.412), on-base percentage (.486), slugging percentage (.840), RBIs (38), hits (49) and runs scored (32). His 14 homers were second in the majors behind Milwaukee star Christian Yelich's 15. In other Dodgers injury news, center fielder A.J. Pollock (elbow) is slated to miss six more weeks due to the infection in his right elbow. Pollock had elbow surgery last Thursday. Pollock is batting .223 with two homers and 14 RBIs in 28 games this season. --Field Level Media Caiaimage/Sam Edwards/Getty Images May 7, 2019 Being a working mom can be tough no matter where you live, but according to a newly released report from WalletHub, it's better in some states than others. In order to determine which states were most attractive to working mothers today, the personal finance site compared key metrics like daycare quality, childcare costs, gender pay gap, the ratio of female to male executives, and parental-leave policies in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Based on this methodology, WalletHub ranked Massachusetts as the No. 1 state for working mothers in 2019. It was followed by Rhode Island, Connecticut, Vermont, and the District of Columbia. The worst state for working moms was Louisiana, while Mississippi, Idaho, South Carolina, and Alabama followed right behind. Massachusetts ranked No. 1 in terms of childcare, which factors in daycare quality, the average cost of childcare, pediatricians per capita, and school system quality. The New England state also nabbed the top spot for work-life balance, which is a score based on parental-leave policy, the average length of a woman's work week, and average commute time. But Massachusetts only ranked 30th in terms of professional opportunities for working mothers. Nebraska earned the No. 1 ranking for professional opportunities, which factored in median women's salaries, the gender pay gap, and female unemployment rate. But the Cornhusker State ranked significantly lower in terms of child care (30) and work-life balance (26). As a whole, WalletHub's report found that blue states are more friendly to working moms than red states. Only a handful of states offer paid family leave. We may eventually see more states offering paid family leave, but until then, it's up to employers, says Anne E. Winkler, Ph.D., a professor of economics & public policy administration at University of Missouri at St. Louis. Story continues "Given that we still lack federal paid family leave in the United States and it is unlikely to materialize in at least the short term, firms should provide paid leave so all workersnot just professionalshave the financial ability to take time off after the birth of a child," Winkler told WalletHub. "Such policies benefit firms as well as parents by improving worker morale and attachment to the firm." Kerri J. Wade, MSW, LGSW, agrees that employers can and should do more to support working moms and dads. "I'm not referring to lip service, but actual policies and guidelines. It is understood that the goal of the company is to be profitable and for that to occur they need a workforce that shows up on time, works hard, and is dependable," said Wade, associate professor and assistant director of West Virginia University Extension Service's Families and Community Development Unit in Morgantown, West Virginia. "This is true whether the company provides professional services or hospitality," added Wade. "However, if an employee has a family member to care for, whether that be a young child or an aging parent, that employee at times is going to struggle to simultaneously meet the needs of their employer and their family." In the long and short term, happier, healthier parents make better, more productive employees. Here's hoping this WalletHub report has companies in every state thinking of ways to support working moms and dads. WASHINGTON A nonprofit group has tapped a veteran to sue the Department of Veterans Affairs over a Bible displayed at a VA facility in New Hampshire, arguing it violates the Constitutions prohibition of government establishment of religion. The Bible, carried by a prisoner of war in World War II, is part of a display in the lobby of the VA medical center in Manchester, New Hampshire, commemorating missing and imprisoned service members. Mikey Weinstein, the founder of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, said the group is filing the suit on behalf of New Hampshire veteran James Chamberlain. Weinstein, who declined to make Chamberlain available for an interview, said the VA is a federal agency and its display of the Bible is an outrage. That is stamping it with the approval of raising one faith over all the others, he said. From our perspective, its a repugnant example of fundamentalist Christian triumphalism, exceptionalism, superiority, and domination, and it cannot stand. More: Does a 40-foot Latin cross honoring World War I veterans violate the Constitution? The Supreme Court will decide. His group has been successful in pushing for the removal of Bibles from similar displays at other VA and military facilities in recent years, including in Buffalo, New York; Cheyenne, Wyoming; and Denver, Colorado, according to correspondence on the foundations web site. The foundation was initially successful at the Manchester VA Medical Center. The facility removed the Bible after receiving a complaint about it in January but then replaced it. The Bible is now in a plastic case on the display table. VA: The Bible stays Manchester VAMC officials temporarily removed the Bible from the display out of an abundance of caution, VA spokeswoman Kristin Pressly said in a statement provided to USA TODAY. Following that removal, Manchester VAMC received an outpouring of complaints from Veterans and other stakeholders many of whom dropped off Bibles at the facility in protest of this action. Story continues Pressly said that after consulting with lawyers, the facility determined the Bible will stay and remain indefinitely as part of the missing man display, a secular tribute to Americas POW/MIA community. We apologize to the Veterans, families and other stakeholders who were offended by our incorrect removal of this Bible, she said. National VA spokesman Curt Cashour criticized the lawsuit as "nothing more than an attempt to force VA into censoring a show of respect for Americas POW/MIA community." "Make no mistake: VA will not be bullied on this issue," he said. Weinstein is not only pressing the matter in court. He said his group has hired a plane to fly a banner over the medical center Tuesday urging the facility to Honor all POW/MIA Remove Bible. The lawsuit says plaintiff Chamberlain is a former Air Force pilot and a devout Christian who believes the Bible should be removed. As a Christian, he respects and loves all his military brothers and sisters and does not want to be exclusionary by placement of the Christian Bible, the complaint says. Weinstein said 14 veterans contacted the Military Religious Freedom Foundation about the Bible, but they declined to be identified by name because they feared retaliation from the VA where veterans receive medical care. The suit seeks a permanent injunction requiring the VA to remove the Bible and the payment of attorney fees for the plaintiff. The display is part of a missing man table, a tradition of setting up an unoccupied table with several symbolic items to remember troops missing in action or prisoners of war, according to the National League of POW/MIA Families. They include a lighted candle signifying continued concern for their return, and a Bible, which the National League says signifies the strength gained through faith to sustain us and those lost from our country, founded as one nation under God. Ann Mills-Griffiths, chief executive and chairman of the league, called the foundations efforts to have Bibles removed from displays absurd and stupid. She said those who have removed them under pressure from the group are politically correct cowards. Its not our freedom that would be taken away by them deciding what should be on a missing man table? Mills-Griffiths said. That is the way we do it regularly, and this group continues to try to undercut any mention of God or In God We Trust, or you know, rewrite American history. Revisionist history is not high in my estimation no matter where applied. Chaplain violated Army rule in promoting book Proselytizing may mean court martial Military clarifies faith policy Read more: Download the USA TODAY app This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Bible display at Veterans Affairs facility in New Hampshire triggers lawsuit BioDelivery Sciences International (BDSI) came out with a quarterly loss of $0.05 per share versus the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of $0.08. This compares to loss of $0.18 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items. This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of 37.50%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this specialty pharmaceutical company would post a loss of $0.10 per share when it actually produced a loss of $0.10, delivering no surprise. Over the last four quarters, the company has surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times. BioDelivery, which belongs to the Zacks Medical - Biomedical and Genetics industry, posted revenues of $19.77 million for the quarter ended March 2019, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.88%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $11.28 million. The company has topped consensus revenue estimates two times over the last four quarters. The sustainability of the stock's immediate price movement based on the recently-released numbers and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's commentary on the earnings call. BioDelivery shares have added about 30.8% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's gain of 17.5%. What's Next for BioDelivery? While BioDelivery has outperformed the market so far this year, the question that comes to investors' minds is: what's next for the stock? There are no easy answers to this key question, but one reliable measure that can help investors address this is the company's earnings outlook. Not only does this include current consensus earnings expectations for the coming quarter(s), but also how these expectations have changed lately. Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions. Investors can track such revisions by themselves or rely on a tried-and-tested rating tool like the Zacks Rank, which has an impressive track record of harnessing the power of earnings estimate revisions. Story continues Ahead of this earnings release, the estimate revisions trend for BioDelivery was mixed. While the magnitude and direction of estimate revisions could change following the company's just-released earnings report, the current status translates into a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to perform in line with the market in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. It will be interesting to see how estimates for the coming quarters and current fiscal year change in the days ahead. The current consensus EPS estimate is -$0.11 on $24.27 million in revenues for the coming quarter and -$0.24 on $100.71 million in revenues for the current fiscal year. Investors should be mindful of the fact that the outlook for the industry can have a material impact on the performance of the stock as well. In terms of the Zacks Industry Rank, Medical - Biomedical and Genetics is currently in the top 28% of the 250 plus Zacks industries. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report BioDelivery Sciences International, Inc. (BDSI) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research FRANKFURT (Reuters) - BMW's Chief Executive Harald Krueger on Tuesday said there are no plans for the Bavarian carmaker to take a stake in rival Daimler as the two carmakers continue talks on how to deepen cooperation in the area of autonomous vehicles. BMW and Daimler are cooperating in the area of mobility services, joint procurement of components and development of autonomous vehicle technologies. Upon being asked whether the multi-billion euros alliance between the two German carmakers could include taking a small stake in Daimler, Krueger said, "I can rule that out." (Reporting by Edward Taylor; Editing by Tassilo Hummel) A BMW hybrid car near Rotterdam's Erasmus bridge. Photo: REUTERS/Eva Plevier Profits at BMW have nosedived by 78% after the German firm ploughed money into its electric car business and put aside cash for a potential fine. The carmaker saw its operating profit tumble to 503m (589m) in the first quarter, despite higher deliveries of luxury cars. The firm said it would begin a cost-cutting drive to deal with rising costs, planning more than 10.25bn (12bn) of savings by 2022. It comes as the firm awaits the outcome of an EU investigation into alleged collusion between German car firms over emission-filtering technology. BMW was forced to set aside 1.2bn (1.4bn) to cover a possible fine if the European Commission decides its actions amounted to anti-competitive behaviour. READ MORE: Cheapest places to fill up and avoid petrol station postcode lottery The company denies making secret agreements with rivals, and said it would fight the allegations. The other key drag on profits was its heavy investment in converting its factories to manufacture electric vehicles. Spending on property, plants, and equipment was up by 36%. The companys first-quarter profits were lower than expected by analysts in a Reuters poll, which had forecast earnings of 569m (666m). Overall revenue was down 0.9% to 19.25bn (22.5bn). The automotive division would have posted a 5.6% operating profit without the money set aside for any fine by regulators, according to the firm. It also announced it would cut back the number of engine and gearbox combinations it offers customers by 50%. READ MORE: Big business under fire as up to a million species risk extinction Software updates planned for Boeing Inc.s (BA) troubled 737 Max 8 aircraft, grounded worldwide after two deadly crashes, may not be enough to satisfy critics. All Max 8 planes will be modified to feed additional data into a system designed for the 737 Max called MCAS, or Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System, known to have been involved in the Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines crashes that killed all passengers and crew on board. The software update that were making going forward includes dual sensor feed into that system, Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg said during the companys annual shareholder meeting on April 29. This plane should never take to the air again Arthur Rosenberg, a plaintiffs attorney and pilot, described the dual software update as insufficient. Rosenberg has been contacted by families of crash victims considering legal representation. If thats the case, this plane should never take to the air again, he said. You really need three AOA sensors, with two in agreement to provide data to MCAS. If you only have two, and the data is telling pilots that one doesnt agree, youre still left with a plane that has inherent unsafe flight conditions, which cause a nose-up tendency. Passengers may share Rosenbergs trepidation. On Tuesday, Barclays downgraded Boeing, noting that it surveyed more than 1,700 flyers and found that nearly half would not fly a Max for a year or more. If given a choice between a Max and another plane on identical flights, 52% would choose the other plane. Protester Tarek Milleron holds the photographs of victims in the Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 plane crash, outside Boeing's annual shareholders meeting at the Field Museum in Chicago on Monday, April 29, 2019 (AP Photo/Jim Young) Shortly after takeoff from Jakarta, Indonesia on October 29, 2018, Lion Air Flight 610 crashed into the Java Sea killing 189 people. Subsequently, on March 10 of this year, Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crashed shortly after takeoff from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, killing 157. In both cases, errant sensor data is suspected to have engaged MCAS, which automatically tilts the horizontal stabilizer and in turn pushes the nose down to prevent the plane from stalling in the air. Story continues The originally-FAA-certified Max 8s relied on a single angle of attack sensor (AOA), a titanium vane that points into the wind to measure the angle between the nose and the relative wind from the planes forward movement. The measurement is to gauge whether the wings have enough lift. The data is then communicated to MCAS. This airplane can fly without MCAS MCAS was designed to make the 737 Max handle similar to earlier 737 models. Its engines, more fuel-efficient and powerful than in prior models, were raised and moved forward on the fuselage, causing it to fly with a nose up tendency. To compensate, Boeing installed MCAS, which automatically adjusted the nose down when data from the AOA sensor deemed it necessary. The flight control system in Boeings modified planes compares inputs from both AOA sensors, and deactivates MCAS if the sensors meet a threshold level of disagreement, plus alerts pilots using an indicator on the flight deck display. This airplane can fly without MCAS, Chris Clearfield, a licensed commercial pilot and co-author of Meltdown, told Yahoo Finance. Clearfield said pilots need to know how and when to deactivate the system. The nose-up tendency, he said, can be safely managed, even in scenarios where two sensors disagree and MCAS is disabled. This is one of those cases where it might be enough just to turn off this system, to turn it back into a slightly less sophisticated airplane if the systems aren't working, and the pilots can then take over and be pilots, he said. Roger Phillips, Communications Committee Vice Chairman for Air Line Pilots Association a United Airlines pilots union told Yahoo Finance that added system redundancies are welcome, though he did not say whether the Association had a position on the number of AOA sensors recommended for the modified planes. We are working closely with United (UAL) and Boeing to develop training that ensures our pilots have full confidence in the changes Boeing has made to the 737 Max. Pilots need to know the full details of any design modifications being put into place, and the lessons learned from these two tragic accidents must be fully incorporated into our training programs so this never happens again, Phillips said. Dennis Tajer, a spokesman for the American Airlines pilots union, reportedly told The New York Times that he was concerned Boeing lacked full understanding of how the Max 8 worked, after the company on Sunday revealed an additional issue involving MCAS. In a statement, Boeing said certain Max 8 planes were delivered to customers with cockpit display software that didnt meet Boeings requirements. Two types of AOA sensor data, the company said, were linked in such a way that disabled a disagree alert in planes whose customers did not also purchase an AOA indicator. Engineers identified the software discrepancy as early as mid-August 2017, more than a year before the Lion Air crash, though Boeing said its senior leadership was not aware of the issue until after the crash. Boeing has maintained that the Max 8 could fly safely, regardless of the software issue. Neither the angle of attack indicator nor the AOA Disagree alert are necessary for the safe operation of the airplane, the company said. Yahoo Finance contacted Boeing to ask whether it identified the AOA software discrepancy during test flights of the Max 8 and did not receive a response. The company said the software update itself will take approximately two hours. However, because all Max 8 aircraft are currently grounded, there are logistical matters associated with the upgrade. Alexis Keenan is a New York-based reporter for Yahoo Finance. She previously worked for CNN and is a former litigation attorney. Follow on Twitter @alexiskweed. RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) Brazil's national museum said Tuesday it has recovered 200 pieces from its Egypt collection after a devastating fire last September. The collection had 700 pieces and was the largest in Latin America before the blaze. The artifacts recovered include statues, vases and amulets that had been buried inside the casket of a mummy and hadn't seen the light of day since the mummy was buried around 750 B.C. Museum director Alexander Kellner told reporters the museum's recovery effort is being conducted with funds provided by the German government, an online money-raising campaign and an allocation from the previous Brazilian government. He said the new administration of President Jair Bolsonaro hasn't allocated any money for the museum and recovery efforts will soon run out of funding. "Look, all this is going to end, there is no way we can continue," Kellner said. The national museum depends on funding from the Ministry of Education and Kellner said they have not been able to make direct contact with ministry officials. "We need to have direct contact with the minister," he said. "Without the Education Ministry, we won't have another national museum." The ministry didn't respond immediately to requests for comment. The museum was running on a fraction of the budget that officials said they needed when the fire ravaged most of its contents. From 2015 to 2017, the museum spent only $4,000 on safety equipment, according to a nonprofit group that tracks public spending. In total, the museum has recovered just 2,700 artifacts out of the more than 20 million it held before the fire, officials said. An investigation found the fire was caused by an air conditioner that was installed incorrectly. By Jake Spring and Ricardo Brito BRASILIA, May 6 (Reuters) - Brazil's right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro is considering traveling to the United States to be honored at an event in Texas next week, his spokesman said on Monday, just days after he canceled a heavily criticized visit to New York City. Spokesman Otavio Rego Barros, speaking at a regular press briefing, said plans were still being finalized for a potential trip by Bolsonaro to Dallas for an event to be held between May 14 and 16 at the invitation of Mayor Mike Rawlings. Bolsonaro canceled a visit to New York this month where he was set to be honored as person of the year by the Brazilian-American Chamber of Commerce, after facing criticisms for his past racist, homophobic and anti-environment remarks. New York Mayor Bill de Blasio had called Bolsonaro "a dangerous man" and several high profile sponsors had pulled out of the event. The gala was also moved from the American Museum of Natural History after the museum came under pressure not to host the event. Barros did not say whether he would be received by the Brazilian-American chamber during his visit to Texas. "Other authorities, other businessmen, other politicians, including those in the Democratic Party, have invited our president to share with them a positive and democratic environment in the United States of America," Barros said. (Reporting by Ricardo Brito and Jake Spring Editing by Leslie Adler) Windsor (United Kingdom) (AFP) - Delighted Britons bet on baby names and dusted off their Union Jack costumes after Prince Harry and Meghan welcomed the royal family's first known mixed-race child. Ending days of suspense, a visibly relieved Harry, 34, announced Monday the arrival of the couple's firstborn -- a son who will be seventh in the long line to the British throne. It was a rare piece of good news for a nation exhausted by its endless fight over Brexit, a chance to celebrate royal traditions -- this time with a young American twist. Prince Charles, on a visit to Germany, said he was "obviously delighted"and "impatient" to see his third grandchild. The heir to the British throne, speaking in German, said he would see the baby "in the coming days when things are calmer". Back in Britain, curiosity mounted about the newest member of the royal family. "I want to see how he'll look. As Meghan is mixed race, I'm curious", said Zahra Kibue, 34, who lived in Kenya before moving to England a few years ago. "It's very important," said Kibue. "The monarchy is saying, the door is open, anybody could be of royal kinship." The royal couple are due to show off their son to the world's media and announce his name on Wednesday. It is not known whether the child will be given a royal title but it is highly likely. Meghan Markle, a 37-year-old former TV star who studied in the suburbs of Chicago and has an African American mother, has created a fresh buzz around the century-old House of Windsor. The American duchess made waves by closing her own car door -- a task usually performed by aides. The couple announced the birth of the seven-pound, three-ounce (3.26-kilogramme) baby -- "It's a BOY!" -- to their 6.5 million followers on Instagram. Perhaps most notably, Meghan decided to ignore past practice by keeping the birth private and well away from the prying media's eyes. Story continues "Congratulations. Another great grandchild!" Britain's Press Association quoted a guest as telling the queen as she posed for a group photo at Windsor Castle. "I know," the 93-year-old monarch said. It was her eighth, as she herself pointed out. - 'Sleep deprivation society' - Most UK media assumed that Meghan had opted for a home delivery. But not The Daily Mail, which breathlessly reported that "overdue Meghan's home birth dream was dashed as she was secretly whisked to a London hospital on Sunday by Harry and his Scotland Yard security team". The Sun, a competing tabloid, said Meghan ended up being secretly rushed to a A15,000-a-night ($20,000, 17,500-euro) London hospital before giving birth "at exactly sunrise". The Daily Mail claimed that the birth came precisely three minutes later than that. Either way, Harry's brother William, two years his senior and with three kids of his own, warned the happy couple that they were in for some long nights. "I'm very pleased and glad to welcome my brother to the sleep deprivation society that is parenting," William said with a grin. - 'UNUSUAL name' - Britain has a long and proud history of betting on just about everything, and the royal baby had the bookies busy for months before the birth. "It's been crazy," Amy Jones, a spokeswoman for Paddy Power bookmakers, told AFP. "Now that the baby has arrived, everyone is backing the name Alexander." UK royal names are normally chosen from a relatively restricted pool of those used by past kings and queens. But Meghan and Harry, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, are anything but normal royals. "Meghan Markle and Prince Harry to choose UNUSUAL name for baby that UNIFIES the US and UK," The Daily Express wrote, sparking a wild guessing game on Twitter filled with puns and jokes. - 'Broken families' - Perhaps only half in jest, bookies were offering 250-1 odds on the boy being named Donald, in honour of US President Trump. As the BBC noted, this seemed "unlikely". Although the couple received congratulations from former US first lady Michelle Obama, the White House remained silent, sparking speculation that Trump was still smarting over not being invited to the wedding. Meghan's estranged father Thomas did not attend either, creating a lingering scandal. "All newborn babies bring entire families happiness and joy -- they can even bring broken families back together again," Thomas told The Sun. LONDON, May 7 (Reuters) - British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said on Tuesday he was not a believer in a post-Brexit customs union with the European Union but that both the Conservative and Labour parties should compromise to deliver Brexit. "I'm not a believer in a customs union as a sustainable long-term solution," Hunt told BBC radio, saying he did not think any kind of permanent customs union would work because Britain's economy was too big. "I want to look whatever deal is come to between the parties and I know this is a crucial week. "I think this is a time when we have to be willing to make compromises on all sides because the message of last week was that voters for both main parties are very, very angry about the fact Brexit hasn't been delivered," Hunt said. (Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge; editing by Michael Holden) LONDON, May 7 (Reuters) - Prince Charles, heir to the British throne, said on Tuesday he was delighted at the birth of Prince Harry and Meghan's baby boy. "We couldnt be more delighted at the news and were looking forward to meeting the baby when we return," Charles, the baby's grandfather, said to well-wishers while on a visit to Berlin. (Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge; Editing by Michael Holden) Mathew Talbot, of The 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards, who has died while on counter poaching operations in Malawi, the Ministry of Defence has announced. It is understood Guardsman Talbot was killed by an elephant whilst on patrol. (PA) A British soldier has been killed by an elephant while on counter-poaching operations in Africa. Mathew Talbot, of The 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards, died while on counter poaching operations in Malawi, the Ministry of Defence has announced on Tuesday. He was on his first operational deployment when he died during counter poaching operations in Malawi on May 5. His commanding officer, Lt Col Ed Launders, said Guardsman Talbot "was a determined and big-hearted Coldstreamer who devoted his life to serving his country" and "tragically died doing great good". An African elephant bull (Loxodonta africana) on the shore of the Shire River in Liwonde National Park, Malawi. Stock image. (Getty) Company Commander Major Richard Wright added that in the short time he knew Guardsman Talbot "he never failed to make me smile". He said: "A true Coldstreamer, fit, energetic and full of selfless commitment, Guardsman Talbot bravely lost his life whilst ensuring that endangered species will be around for future generations to learn from and enjoy." He leaves behind his father Steven, his mother Michelle and sisters Aimee and Isabel, and Olivia his girlfriend, Mr Wright added. Defence Secretary Penny Mordaunt said: "I was deeply saddened to hear of the death of Guardsman Mathew Talbot, who died while carrying out vital counter-poaching work in Malawi. Read more from Yahoo News UK: Ukip candidate questioned over rape comments Passenger complains he didnt get refund after crash kills 41 Two teens arrested after boy shot in Wolverhampton "This tragic incident is a reminder of the danger our military faces as they protect some of the world's most endangered species from those who seek to profit from the criminal slaughter of wildlife. "Throughout his career with the Coldstream Guards, Guardsman Talbot served with great courage and professionalism, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones at this terrible time." Lt Hugo Cazalet, the platoon commander, said: "Guardsman Talbot was an exceptional and unique personality, possessed of a quick and dry wit. "He was a proud 'Brummie' with an epic work ethic, he always worked hard for his mates and put the needs of the team before his own. Story continues "He was a constant source of morale, even in the direst situations and his infectious humour ensured that his team were constantly smiling too." Defence minister Tobias Ellwood said the "untimely death" showed that soldiers face dangers in many aspects of the job they do. He told Forces News: "It shows you that this may not have been a battlefield but it shows you that there's dangers inherent right across what our armed forces do. It's truly sad to learn of his untimely death and our thoughts and prayers are very much with his friends and family at this moment." He said: "He was doing an important job and I know that's something that he loved as well." Operation Corded, the name given to the Army's counter-poaching deployment in Malawi, assists in the training of rangers in a bid to help them crack down on the illegal wildlife trade. Park rangers are taught skills such as tracking, partnered patrolling, communications, surveillance, and intelligence-sharing - with the first deployment taking place in August 2017. Want to participate in a short research study? Help shape the future of investing tools and you could win a $250 gift card! I.T Limited (HKG:999), which is in the specialty retail business, and is based in Hong Kong, saw significant share price movement during recent months on the SEHK, rising to highs of HK$4.24 and falling to the lows of HK$3.61. Some share price movements can give investors a better opportunity to enter into the stock, and potentially buy at a lower price. A question to answer is whether I.T's current trading price of HK$3.7 reflective of the actual value of the small-cap? Or is it currently undervalued, providing us with the opportunity to buy? Lets take a look at I.Ts outlook and value based on the most recent financial data to see if there are any catalysts for a price change. See our latest analysis for I.T Is I.T still cheap? Good news, investors! I.T is still a bargain right now. My valuation model shows that the intrinsic value for the stock is HK$6.52, which is above what the market is valuing the company at the moment. This indicates a potential opportunity to buy low. Another thing to keep in mind is that I.Ts share price may be quite stable relative to the rest of the market, as indicated by its low beta. This means that if you believe the current share price should move towards its intrinsic value over time, a low beta could suggest it is not likely to reach that level anytime soon, and once its there, it may be hard to fall back down into an attractive buying range again. What kind of growth will I.T generate? SEHK:999 Past and Future Earnings, May 7th 2019 Future outlook is an important aspect when youre looking at buying a stock, especially if you are an investor looking for growth in your portfolio. Although value investors would argue that its the intrinsic value relative to the price that matter the most, a more compelling investment thesis would be high growth potential at a cheap price. I.Ts earnings over the next few years are expected to increase by 41%, indicating a highly optimistic future ahead. This should lead to more robust cash flows, feeding into a higher share value. Story continues What this means for you: Are you a shareholder? Since 999 is currently undervalued, it may be a great time to accumulate more of your holdings in the stock. With a positive outlook on the horizon, it seems like this growth has not yet been fully factored into the share price. However, there are also other factors such as financial health to consider, which could explain the current undervaluation. Are you a potential investor? If youve been keeping an eye on 999 for a while, now might be the time to enter the stock. Its buoyant future outlook isnt fully reflected in the current share price yet, which means its not too late to buy 999. But before you make any investment decisions, consider other factors such as the strength of its balance sheet, in order to make a well-informed investment decision. Price is just the tip of the iceberg. Dig deeper into what truly matters the fundamentals before you make a decision on I.T. You can find everything you need to know about I.T in the latest infographic research report. If you are no longer interested in I.T, you can use our free platform to see my list of over 50 other stocks with a high growth potential. We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned. Thank you for reading. By David Ljunggren OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canada's government is trying to address complaints about its military procurement process that have prompted threats from Washington to block Ottawa from buying Lockheed Martin Corp's F-35, the Canadian air force's preferred option for its new fighter jet, a government source said on Tuesday. U.S. unhappiness about the way Ottawa is handling the race to supply 88 new jets is the latest challenge for a trouble-plagued process that has dragged on for more than a decade, embarrassing Conservative and Liberal governments in Canada. The affair could be another problem for Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau ahead of an election in October, on top of allegations of interference in a corporate corruption case. Canada's procurement rules say bidders for the jet contract - worth between C$15 billion and C$19 billion ($11.1 billion-$14.1 billion) - must promise to give Canadian businesses billions of dollars in so-called industrial benefits. But this contradicts rules of the consortium that developed the F-35 fighter, a group of which Canada is a member. The U.S. military's F-35 office wrote to Ottawa last December to say the plane would not take part in the competition unless Canada dropped the demand for benefits. The letter was obtained by the Ottawa-based Macdonald-Laurier think tank. Still, dropping the demand would likely infuriate the other firms in the race: Boeing Co, Airbus SE and Saab AB - and could prompt them to scrap their bids. The Canadian government source said the firms involved had raised "a whole bunch" of different questions and concerns about the process. "This (the U.S. letter) is one of them and there has been a great deal of work going on, which is not yet completed, to address as many of those concerns as possible while keeping the playing field level," said source, who requested anonymity given the sensitivity of the situation. Procurement Minister Carla Qualtrough, in overall charge of the competition, told reporters on Tuesday that "as we design this process for fighter jet procurement, it has to be open, it has to be transparent, it has to be competitive". Two defense sources said one option would be to count the money Canada has already invested in the F-35 project as an industrial benefit. Although Ottawa is due to issue a final list of requirements for the jet next month, the sources predicted that would be delayed until after the election. In response, the Canadian source said "we are still saying quite clearly we are going to get (the requirements) out soon". Canada has been trying unsuccessfully for almost a decade to buy replacements for its aging F-18 fighters. The former Conservative administration said in 2010 it would buy 65 F-35s but later scrapped the decision, triggering years of delays. Trudeau came to power in 2015 vowing not to buy the F-35 on the grounds that it was too costly, but Ottawa has since softened its line. The Conservatives, now in opposition, said in a statement they would "immediately start an open competition to select a new fighter jet" if they won the October election. (The story corrects day of week to Tuesday in first paragraph.) (Reporting by David Ljunggren; Editing by David Gregorio) Montreal (AFP) - Conservative leader Andrew Scheer on Tuesday kicked off a campaign to unseat Canada's Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau with a foreign policy speech promising a tougher stance on China. "I will deal with China with eyes wide open," Scheer told the Montreal Council on Foreign Relations. "My goal is better relations. My goal is more economic opportunity. But that can only come after we make a stand. And I will," he said. Ottawa's relations with China took a sudden downturn last December when Beijing detained two Canadians in apparent retaliation for the arrest in Vancouver of Chinese telecom executive Meng Wanzhou on a US warrant. Meng is currently fighting extradition to the US, where she faces charges of violating Iran sanctions and lying about it to US banks. The diplomatic row recently escalated, with Beijing sentencing two other Canadians to death and banning Canadian canola shipments worth billions of dollars. Scheer, whose Tories are neck and neck with the Liberals in the latest public opinion polls ahead of elections in October, accused Trudeau of taking too soft a stance with China. "If this government isn't willing to stand up to China when two Canadians are unlawfully imprisoned and billions of dollars in trade is under attack, it never will," he said. He vowed if elected to launch a World Trade Organization complaint against China and pull Canada's Can$250 million from the Beijing-based Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. He also said he would "not allow Chinese state-owned enterprises, solely focused on the political interests of Beijing, unfettered access to the Canadian market." Trudeau's government has insisted that the courts deal with Meng, while lining up a dozen allied nations to press China on what he has described as the "arbitrary detention" of the two Canadians -- a former diplomat and a businessman. Scheer also pledged to list Iran's Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist entity, recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, join the US ballistic missile defense program, and bolster Canada's icebreaker fleet to keep Russia in check in the Arctic. By Clement Rossignol WATERLOO, Belgium (Reuters) - Catalonia's former separatist leader Carles Puigdemont on Tuesday urged Pedro Sanchez, the winner of Spain's parliamentary election last month, to be open to dialogue with the independence movement but declined to say if his party would back him in parliament. The northeast region's bid to break away from Spain was at the heart of the election, which Sanchez's Socialists won but without enough seats to have a majority on their own. "I would ask him one thing: opt for the courage of dialogue and not the cowardice of repression," Puigdemont said in an interview with Reuters, when asked what he would ask of Sanchez if he gets enough support to stay in as prime minister. "He has the rare opportunity to do what no other prime minister has done," said Puigdemont, who has been living in self-imposed exile in Belgium since Spanish authorities sought to arrest separatist leaders for organizing a banned referendum in October 2017 and briefly declaring independence. Puigdemont is still his Junts per Catalunya (JxCat) party's leading figure. Although he did not stand in the Spanish parliamentary election last month, he will run in the upcoming EU vote. Junts per Catalunya lost one seat in the election and now have seven lawmakers. In total, Catalan separatists have won a record 22 seats in parliament, but their potential influence has been diminished by the Socialists' strong jump in seats. If Sanchez gets backing from far-left Podemos, which has suggested coalition talks, and from Basque nationalists, he would need the vote, or abstention, of only one other lawmaker to form a government with a parliamentary majority. Asked if his party could bring him that support, Puigdemont said all would depend on what position Sanchez would take on Catalonia. "Let's see what speech he makes in parliament when he asks for the confidence of the chamber. He has not contacted our group, it would be interesting to know what his opinion is." Although his separatist party is right-wing, Puigdemont said that he considered that the best coalition scenario would be that Sanchez' Socialists strike a coalition deal with far-left Podemos. On paper a deal with the center-right Ciudadanos would be possible, but they have taken a hard line on Catalonia. A Madrid court ruled on Monday that Puigdemont could run in the European Parliament election on May 26. (Writing by Belen Carreno and Ingrid Melander; editing by John Stonestreet and Angus MacSwan) What happened? The Government confirmed today the UK will have to take part in European elections on 23 May. The announcement means Theresa May has accepted she wont be able to get a Brexit deal through Parliament in time for the elections to be cancelled. The Government said it was redoubling its efforts to get an EU Withdrawal Agreement ratified by the start of July so the MEPs elected this month never have to take their seats. Pressure mounts on May The PMs spokesperson said Mrs May deeply regrets that EU elections will have to take place and acknowledged the public will feel deeply frustrated. Her failure to persuade MPs to back her Brexit deal in time for the elections to be called off will add to the mounting pressure on her to step aside. Mrs May is being urged by her own party to set a firm resignation date ahead of a meeting with the chairman of the powerful 1922 Committee of Tory backbenchers. The committee has requested clarity about the Prime Ministers timetable for standing down and triggering a leadership contest after she said she would give way once she has succeeded in getting Parliaments approval for her Brexit deal. Polls predict a humiliation for the Tories in the EU elections, with the Brexit Party heading towards an impressive election performance. A drubbing in the polls will only push the PM closer to the door. Read more: Brexit talks between Tories and Labour resume (The Guardian) How to register to vote in the European elections (The Independent) Euro elections must go ahead, Government says (PA Ready News) A police officer could be sacked for knocking a suspected thief off his moped. The incident followed the introduction of tougher measures to crack down on moped crime, including so-called hard stops, allowing police to knock suspects off their rides with their cars. Should officers be allowed to knock riders off their mopeds? Read the full story and have your say below Prince William welcomes Harry to sleep deprivation society Story continues The Duke of Cambridge has said he is absolutely thrilled about the birth of the Duke and Duchess of Sussexs son and revealed he hasnt meant the new royal baby yet. The Duke said he was looking forward to seeing them in the next few days when things have quietened down, adding: Im very pleased and glad to welcome my own brother into the sleep deprivation society that is parenting. Read the full story here (HuffPost) British soldier killed by elephant in Malawi A British soldier has been killed by an elephant while on counter-poaching operations in Africa. Mathew Talbot, of The 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards, died in Malawi on May 5 while on his first operational deployment. Lt Hugo Cazalet, the platoon commander, said: Guardsman Talbot was an exceptional and unique personality, possessed of a quick and dry wit. He was a proud Brummie with an epic work ethic. Read the full story here (Yahoo News UK) The Met Gala is the most anticipated event for A-listers and a chance for them to show off their most outrageous fashion choices. Held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, this years theme was Camp, and they didnt disappoint. Heres a rundown of the most over-the-top ensembles on show: 20,771ft A group of rugby players, including former internationals, has taken part in the highest game of the sport in history. Former England and Bath hooker Lee Mears and ex-Wales and Ospreys wing Shane Williams were among those taking part in the seven-a-side match on the East Rongbuk Glacier on Mount Everest. Teams battled altitude sickness, fatigue and exhaustion to compete in the match, which raised more than 250,000 for charity Wooden Spoon. Read the full story here. (Sportsbeat) Investors monitor stock price movements at a securities company in Shanghai on May 6. U.S. President Donald Trump sent Asian markets plunging after threatening to hike tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese goods at the end of the week in a bid to speed up stuttering trade talks between the economic superpowers. AFP South Korean stocks opened sharply lower Tuesday on concerns over increased geopolitical risks stemming from North Korea's test-firing of projectiles and the deepening trade dispute between the world's two largest economies. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) nosedived 29.61 points, or 1.35 percent, to 2,166.71 in the first 15 minutes of trading. North Korea conducted the test-firing of a barrage of projectiles on Saturday, upping tensions on the Korean Peninsula. U.S. President Donald Trump also earlier this week vowed to raise Washington's tariffs on US$200 billion worth of Chinese products to 25 percent from the current 10 percent starting later this week. By Richard Leong May 6 (Reuters) - Ashley Christensen, who transformed a luncheonette into a modern diner that serves her unique vision of Southern cuisine, was named the country's top chef by the James Beard Foundation on Monday, the biggest night for the U.S. restaurant industry. Poole's Diner in Raleigh, North Carolina, which opened in 2007, has lineage where John Poole opened his pie shop in 1945 which later evolved into a lunch spot. Christensen, 42, serves macaroni and cheese and other Southern comfort foods infused with her use of local, seasonal ingredients and French cooking techniques. Diners at Poole's can also eat while seated on chrome barstools at a double horseshoe counter. The menu, which changes almost daily, is written on blackboards. Christensen is the seventh woman to nab the top chef honor from the foundation, which established awards for U.S. chefs, restaurants and food writers in 1990. "Life is rich and full. Don't forget kindness, and we'll see you on the dance floor tonight," she said in her acceptance speech. Christensen has opened a number of other restaurants in Raleigh, including a burger joint called Chuck's and Beasley's Chicken and Honey, that serves fried chicken and chicken pot pies. In an effort to address criticism about the lack of diversity of its award recipients, the foundation last year directed its awards committees to raise diversity in their judges and ranks. Modern U.S. Southern cooking was also recognized with the outstanding pastry chef prize going to Kelly Fields of Willa Jean in New Orleans. This year's other top awards recognized achievements in other cuisines across the United States. Philadelphia's Zahav, which has been praised for its modern Israeli dishes, was named top U.S. restaurant. Its chef and co-owner Michael Solomonov won the Beard Foundation's top chef award two years ago. The global popularity of cuisines from Israel and the Middle East has increased in recent years, led by chefs including Solomonov in the United States and Yotam Ottolenghi in Britain. Story continues The foundation also cited Kevin Boehm and Rob Katz for their restaurants in Chicago as outstanding restaurateurs. Frenchette, a French brasserie located in New York, was named the year's top new restaurant. Publican Quality Bread's Greg Wade in Chicago was cited top baker, while Kwame Onwuachi of Kith and Kin in Washington was awarded the "rising star chef" honor. The foundation's awards for chefs and restaurants were announced at the Lyric Opera in Chicago. (Reporting by Richard Leong, editing by G Crosse) Washington (AFP) - Recent satellite photographs indicate China's construction of its third aircraft carrier is well underway, a Washington think tank reported Tuesday. ChinaPower, a unit of the Center for Strategic and International Studies, published photos of a large vessel under construction at the Jiangnan Shipyard in Shanghai. The bow and hull are already under assembly, the pictures indicated, and are likely to be the beginnings of the 80-85,000 tonne type 002 aircraft carrier the Chinese navy has been known to be planning. "Visible through the clouds and mist is what looks to be a bow and main hull section of a large vessel," ChinaPower said. "While details regarding the Type 002 are limited, what is observable at Jiangnan is consistent with what is expected for the People's Liberation Army Navy's third aircraft carrier." China's first carrier, the three-decade-old, 66,000 tonne Liaoning, was Soviet-built and acquired from Ukraine in 1998. The second, a home-built carrier designated Type 001A and based on the Liaoning's design began sea trials, one year ago. ChinaPower said that, based on the photos, the Jiangnan shipyard appears to be building a new tower crane, a floodable ship basin and a launching channel to accommodate the huge new carrier. In a report published online, ChinaPower said the carrier is expected to be completed in 2022. In January, a senior Chinese naval expert said the country needs "at least" three carriers to defend its coastline and global interests. "Our country has an 18,000-kilometre (11,000-mile) long coastline. Also, our economy is outward looking and our interests abroad are growing," said Commodore Zhang Junshe, a member of the Naval Research Institute. GENEVA, May 7 (Reuters) - WTO talks took a leaf out of Brexit's playbook on Tuesday, when China's ambassador revealed he is a fan of the speaker of Britain's parliament and suggested following one of his rulings. The World Trade Organization has been at loggerheads over potential reforms for far longer than the Westminster wrangling triggered by Britain's 2016 vote to leave the European Union, but few would point to Brexit as a model for deal-making. However, Zhang Xiangchen told a meeting in Geneva, where the U.S. ambassador reiterated proposals to change the rights of developing countries at the WTO, that he had been watching the Brexit debates on television. "I very much like the style and the voice of John Bercow, who is the speaker of the House of Commons," Zhang said. Zhang cited an "important decision" by Bercow, that the British government could not bring the same Brexit deal back for repeated votes during the same session without substantial changes, based on a rule dating from the 17th century. "I think perhaps we should consider having similar rules to ensure the quality of our discussions," Zhang added. (Reporting by Tom Miles; Editing by Alexander Smith) An expert on China says the country is facing greater consequences than the U.S., if trade negotiations fall through between the worlds two largest economies. Certainly, China has more to lose, said Gordon Chang, author of The Coming Collapse of China. While the potential failure of the U.S.-China talks would have global fallout, Chang told Yahoo Finance that Beijing has more on the line given its slowing economy. China in reality is growing maybe 1%, maybe even contracting, he said. Meanwhile, the U.S. economy is experiencing strong growth and a roaring jobs market. Chinas official data shows the economy expanded at a rate of 6.4% in the first quarter, but Chang was highly skeptical of those figures. Some observers have long suspected Beijing inflates the data, which could mask more softness than whats reflected in official figures. Given slowing growth and heavy debt, the worlds second largest economy cant afford to walk away from a deal with the U.S., Chang suggested in an interview. Trade tensions are escalating between the U.S. and China, as President Trump is threatening to hike tariffs on $200 billion worth of imported Chinese goods to 25%, up from 10%. (Courtesy: Qilai Shen/Bloomberg via Getty Images) On Sunday, Trump stunned the world by threatening to hike tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods as early as Friday. Markets initially seized up, starting the week sharply lower, but recovered after the Chinese delegation pledged to make its way to Washington to continue negotiations. Still, the U.S. is sticking to its commitment to raise import taxes by the end of the week. That has investors and economy watchers like Chang worried about whether the two sides can strike a deal and how that failure might play out for Chinese President Xi Jinping. The one thing weve got to remember about the Chinese side is that Xi Jinping owns this trade war. Hes being blamed for it, Chang told Yahoo Finance. So if he doesnt come up with a good result, its better for him not to have a trade agreement at all, he added. Chang predicted a deal wont be set in stone this week, but he said it was necessary for the Trump administration addresses issues with China, like intellectual property theft even if potentially higher tariffs impact U.S. consumers. Story continues This is going to cost us to sort this out. But its absolutely necessary that we bear this pain now, said Chang. - Follow Yahoo Finance on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Flipboard, SmartNews, LinkedIn, YouTube, and reddit. BEIJING, May 7 (Reuters) - China will work with all parties to play a constructive role in the Arctic, the foreign ministry said on Tuesday, as the United States warned about Beijing's involvement in the region. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said Russia was behaving aggressively in the Arctic and China's actions there had to be watched closely as well, amid growing divisions in the polar region over global warming and access to minerals. Speaking as he arrived in northern Finland for a meeting of nations with territory in the Arctic, Pompeo said China appeared to have national security aims there, and Russia's activities, including plans for new shipping channels from Asia to northern Europe, deserved a closer look. In Beijing, Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said Pompeo's criticisms "were totally out of sync with the facts." He told a daily news briefing, "It is inconsistent with the general trend of peaceful cooperation in the Arctic, completely confuses right with wrong, and has ulterior motives." Arctic matters don't only concern those countries in the Arctic, but have global significance, and China will not get involved in matters that purely concern those countries, he added. "But on the cross-regional and global issues of the Arctic, China will not be absent and can and will play a constructive role." China is willing to work with relevant parties to jointly understand and protect the Arctic, and make its own contribution to the region's peace, stability and sustainable development, he added. Countries have been scrambling to claim territory or, like China, boost their presence in the region as thawing ice raises the possibility of exploiting much of the world's remaining undiscovered reserves of oil and gas and huge mineral deposits. The Arctic Council groups Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia and the United States. China has had observer status since 2013. (Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Clarence Fernandez) Good morning. Ron Williams, the former CEO of Aetna, has a new book out this morning called Learning to Lead. You may wonder whether the world really needs another leadership primer. But Williams has a unique story to tell. An African-American who grew up on the south side of Chicagoson of a bus driver and a manicuristhe portrays himself as the least likely person ever to lead a $34 billion corporation. One of the main lessons he learned along the way was that before you can lead others, you have to lead yourselfdiscovering the inner drive that will spur you to seemingly impossible achievements. In my generation there were no black chief executives, there were no women chief executives, Williams said during a visit to the Fortune offices yesterday. But he defied those expectations by not accepting other peoples framing of what I was capable of, and consistently elbowing my way to the table. Williams talked about how much CEO leadership has changed in the last two decades, as stakeholders, empowered partly by social media, have become more visible, prominent and active. He cites the employees at Amazon and Google who campaigned against their companies doing work for the Defense Department as an example. I cant imagine that happening 20 years ago CEOs have to manage all that. By the way, as CEO of Aetna, Williams played a critical role in shaping the Affordable Care Actnow known universally as Obamacare. His big regret? That they werent able to get a bipartisan deal, and instead created a perpetual health care warall about slogans, not solutions. You can buy the book, which is filled with very practical advice not only from Williams, but also from other ex-CEO friends like Jack Rowe, Pat Russo, Ken Chenault and Ursula Burns, Story continues here . More news below. Alan Murray @alansmurray alan.murray@fortune.com The U.S. and Japanese militaries are dismissing the possibility that China will find Japans missing F-35A Lightning II aircraft before their own search parties. The Japanese have the lead there, and were working very collaboratively with them," acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan said Friday. "And weve got a capability if what they have doesnt prove to be sufficient. When asked whether he was concerned China could get to the crash site first, Shanahan said: No, Im not. The F-35, which belonged to the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, crashed in the Pacific Ocean off northern Japan on April 9. The pilot was flying with three other F-35s when he lost contact and disappeared from radar roughly 85 miles east of Misawa Air Base. Not long after the F-35 went missing, there was speculation about whether Chinese or Russian assets were searching for the secretive aircraft and whether they could beat the U.S. and Japan to the crash site. We dont have such possibility, absolutely no, Japanese Defense Minister Takeshi Iwaya said through an interpreter during a visit with his U.S. counterpart. We are conducting surveillance and warning activities so we can identify and find the missing aircraft. F-35A crash: Japans defense minister addresses security concerns, procurement plans The area in which the F-35A crashed is estimated to be about 5,000 feet deep. The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force has deployed a rescue submarine, among other vessels, to search the area. This is a very important aircraft, so we would like to locate the aircraft as soon as we can and salvage it, Iwaya said Friday. Japan will lead the investigation, but were hoping and also it is indispensable to have the support of the U.S. So while we do that, we would like to find the root cause of the accident. China and Russia are each developing rival aircraft to the F-35. Unveiling secrets of the fifth-generation stealth fighter could potentially be a windfall for the U.S. militarys peer adversaries. Story continues Appropriating the technology of lost military assets isnt something out of the realm of possibility, as pointed out by Task & Purpose. In the early 1970s, the CIA spent hundreds of millions of dollars attempting to recover a sunken Soviet submarine that the Kremlin had failed to rescue in 1968, according to declassified CIA documents. The sub broke apart during the recovery operation, which took place at a depth of 16,000 feet, but the U.S. still managed to recover two nuclear-tipped torpedoes and some submarine manuals without the Soviets noticing, NPR reported. Pentagon spokesman Charles Summers Jr. said Thursday that the primary U.S. search effort has ended, however, we will continue to coordinate with our Japanese partners on efforts to locate and recover the missing aircraft. The incident has not shaken the American and Japanese militaries faith in the F-35 program, he said. The U.S., and all F-35 partners, remain fully committed to protecting all F-35 capabilities and technology," Summers added. "Our thoughts continue to be with the family, friends and colleagues of the missing pilot. U.S. Navy destroyer Stethem and several P-8A Poseidon aircraft took part in the search alongside Japan Self-Defense Forces, according to Defense News. Some wreckage from the F-35 was found at sea; however, the pilot was not recovered and the bulk of the aircraft is still missing beneath the waves. The cause of the crash is unknown. It is the second crash of an F-35. The U.S. Marine Corps lost an F-35B in South Carolina near Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort. The pilot safely ejected during that incident. The department has full faith and confidence in the F-35 program," Summers said. All 276 U.S. F-35s continue to fly, including U.S. Air Force F-35As in the U.S. [Central Command] area of responsibility. gettyimagesbank By Nam Hyun-woo More than 2,100 companies here can no longer sell goods to Iran after two Korean banks and the Central Bank of Iran (CBI) halted won-denominated settlement services amid escalating U.S. sanctions on Tehran, according to industry analysts, Tuesday. Since dollar-based trade between Iran and other countries was blocked in 2010, Korean firms have bypassed the trade restrictions by using won-based services offered by Woori Bank and the Industrial Bank of Korea (IBK). However, this may also be shut down after the U.S. ended sanctions waivers given to Korea and seven other countries. The Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency said it had informed domestic exporting firms that financing for Korea-Iran trade based on won-denominated settlement services was no longer available. In 2010, Woori Bank and the IBK opened their won-based accounts at the CBI so that Iranian buyers could pay Korean sellers by depositing rial into the central bank and Korean exporters could receive their payments by withdrawing won from Korean banks linked to the CBI. In return, Korean importers deposit won into Woori and IBK accounts at the CBI when they import oil and other goods from Tehran. The banks stopped services on May 2 in line with the waivers ending the same day. In November last year, the U.S. reinstated its Iranian sanctions but gave 180-day grace periods to eight countries Korea, China, India, Turkey, Japan, Greece, Italy and Taiwan to allow them to import Iranian oil. Korea has been requesting the U.S. to extend the waiver, but Washington said all countries will have to completely end importing Iranian oil. Reportedly, the government demanded the U.S. allow the use of the won-denominated settlement service, saying it was separate from the oil waiver, but failed to win approval. The banks said they have been informing companies about a potential freeze, thus the amount of receivables will not be great. However, industry officials said the freeze is expected to affect many small- and medium-sized manufacturers' future Iran-bound exports. According to data from the Korea International Trade Association and the trade ministry, a total of 2,111 Korean firms exported goods worth $2.28 billion in 2018. Of those goods, auto parts accounted for the most at $443 million as of October last year. These were followed by synthetic resin at $278 million and complete cars, $83 million. "Companies have been lowering their trade reliance on Iran, wary of the U.S. reinstating sanctions, but many of them still have shipments en route," an industry official said. "With no possible way to address the situation on their own, companies will have no other option but to monitor the situation or lose customers." A federal magistrate agreed on Tuesday to release a Coast Guard lieutenant accused of planning a mass killing into supervised custody with relatives while hes awaiting trial. The order by magistrate Charles Day in U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland was immediately appealed by prosecutors and stayed pending another hearing, which the attorneys office said it expected next week. Christopher Hasson has been in custody since his arrest in February. Day agreed to conditions for the release of Hasson, a self-described white nationalist, while he awaits trial on drug and gun charges. Prosecutors had called for Hasson to remain in detention through his trial. They charged he was gathering a hit list of Democratic politicians, media members and Supreme Court Justices, plotting to commit murder on a scale rarely seen in this country. Christopher Hasson, left, and weapons found in his possession. (Photo: U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Maryland, U.S. District Court via AP) Related: Two terror suspects, two very different sets of charges. Why? >>> Day ordered Hasson to stay in Virginia with either his father-in-law or mother-in-law his wifes parents are divorced with no access to weapons or internet devices. Hasson will also be monitored by GPS and additional monitoring equipment set up by Virginia state officials following inspections of the two homes. Hes got to have a whole lot of supervision, Day said during a hearing in late April. Somebody whos got eyes and ears on him like nobodys business. "The Government continues to believe that the defendant poses a serious danger and must be detained pending trial," Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Windom wrote in a court filing Sunday. Because prosecutors have not identified any specific actions by Hasson to put his alleged plans into action, or connections to a terrorist organization, he has not been charged with terrorism or attempted murder. He has pleaded not guilty to charges of illegal possession of firearm silencers, possession of firearms by a drug addict and unlawful user, and possession of a controlled substance. If convicted of all the charges, he could face up to 31 years in prison. Story continues Hassons defense attorney, Liz Oyer, said that the government was trying to prosecute her client for private thoughts and that they have not come forward with evidence that Mr. Hasson is a domestic terrorist because he is not. Federal prosecutors alleged that in addition to accumulating firearms and silencers, Hasson routinely perused the manifesto of Anders Behring Breivik, a far-right Norwegian terrorist who killed 77 people in two attacks in 2011, and whose beliefs were cited by the gunman who killed 50 people at a series of New Zealand mosques last month. In what prosecutors described as an apparently unsent draft email from September 2017, Hasson addressed a well-known American neo-Nazi leader, whose name has not been disclosed, identifying himself as a long time White Nationalist, having been a skinhead 30 plus years ago before my time in the military. Hassons arrest renewed concerns about members of white nationalist and other extremist groups infiltrating the U.S. military. According to prosecutors, Hasson compiled a list of targets including a number of Democratic politicians and left-leaning political commentators. The names on the list include Sen blumen jew (presumably Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn.) and poca warren (presumably Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass.). There are also references to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and a long list of additional Democratic senators, including Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., Cory Booker, D-N.J., Kamala Harris, D-Calif., and Tim Kaine, D-Va. The list also includes likely references to a number of House members (Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn.), television hosts (Joe Scarborough and Chris Hayes of MSNBC, Don Lemon and Chris Cuomo of CNN), former Rep. Beto ORourke of Texas and the Democratic Socialists of America. On the same day he finished the list, the court filing says, Hasson completed the following Google searches over the course of three hours: what if trump illegally impeached, best place in dc to see congress people, where in dc to congress live, civil war if trump impeached and social democrats usa. In an April 23 filing, prosecutors said Hasson had previously searched for the addresses of two unnamed Supreme Court judges and two unnamed social media executives along with the phrases best n----- killing gun, white homeland, when are whites going to wake up, and please god let there be a race war. Prosecutors also allege that Hasson was present at a 1995 assault by a neo-Nazi leader in a jacket with swastika patches. Per the court document, Hasson had been serving as an acquisitions officer at the Coast Guards D.C. headquarters since June 2016. Though he did not receive any tactical weapons or explosives-related training in this position, the prosecutors note that Hasson served in the Marine Corps from 1988 to 1993, followed by approximately two years of active duty with the Army National Guard. When authorities raided his residence in Silver Spring, Md., they found 15 firearms and over 1,000 rounds of mixed ammunition, according to the charges filed against him. _____ Read more from Yahoo News: Ninth-seeded Marin Cilic of Croatia survived four match points and swept a final-set tiebreaker to defeat Slovakian qualifier Martin Klizan 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (0) and snap a four-match losing streak on Monday at the Mutua Madrid Open. It was the third head-to-head win over Klizan for Cilic, ranked No. 11 in the world, who won 75 percent of his first-serve points and served an ace to wrap up the match in 2 hours, 48 minutes. World No. 13 Karen Khachanov of Russia, seeded 11th, also faced a three-setter against Spaniard Jaume Munar. Khachanov battled past the wild-card entrant, 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-3, in three hours to snap a five-match losing streak. "I am really happy with my performance today and I tried to fight until the end," Khachanov said. "It's the kind of game I've been looking for. I am really happy to get through to the second round, to build my confidence and go back to basics. This is the kind of win, over three hours, physically demanding, that I needed." Fifteenth-seeded Frenchman Gael Monfils had an easier time of it against Italy's Andreas Seppi. The World No. 18 cruised past Seppi, 6-3, 6-1, in just 55 minutes. He put 87 percent of his first serves in play and was 100 percent (5 of 5) on second-serve points. Frances Tiafoe lead an American charge into the Round of 32 along with qualifiers Taylor Fritz and Reilly Opelka. Tiafoe beat 14th-seeded Nikoloz Basilashvili of Georgia despite dropping the opening set 6-7 (8), 6-3, 6-4 in two hours. Fritz, ranked No. 57, served 15 aces in his win over Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov, 7-6 (8), 7-6 (4), and next will face world No. 1 Novak Djokovic of Serbia. New York Open champ Opelka, ranked No. 58, won 34 of 39 first-service points and served 14 aces in his 7-6 (5), 6-4 victory over Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta. In other action Monday, Frenchman Richard Gasquet beat wild-card entrant Alejandro Davidovich Fokina of Spain, 7-5, 7-6 (5); Germany's Philipp Kohlschreiber topped Kazakhstan's Mikhail Kukushkin, 6-2, 7-6 (5); Spaniard Fernando Verdasco, ranked No. 38, beat Moldova's Radu Albot, 6-2, 3-6, 6-1; and in an all-Serbian matchup, Laslo Djere ousted Dusan Lajovic 6-4, 6-4. Story continues World No. 3 Roger Federer of Switzerland makes his return to clay-court action for the first time in three years on Tuesday when he faces Gasquet. "I have not high expectations in some ways, but at the same time, I also know that things are possible," said Federer, who last played on clay at the 2016 Italian Open, where he lost to Austrian Dominic Thiem in the third round. "Madrid always plays fast with the altitude, so (I am) intrigued to find out myself. But it's been good so far." Federer began practicing on clay only last month, but he started upping his endurance training since December, knowing the surface requires different movements and additional stamina. "You have to put in the hours on clay again. You have to get used to sliding," he said. "It's about the different pressures that clay puts on your thigh and calf muscles compared with grass, for example. "When you're playing on grass, it's more about explosivity. Here, it's a bit more about endurance. You just have to work on that. The work is difficult and it's hard. You have to be ready for long rallies and long matches, so you have to work on different things for your endurance." --Field Level Media One student was killed and eight others were wounded when two shooters opened fire at a K-12 school outside Denver on Tuesday. The suspects, a juvenile female and an adult male, are in custody after the shooting at STEM School Highlands Ranch, a charter school in Highlands Ranch, Colo., Douglas County Sheriff Tony Spurlock said at a press conference Wednesday morning. Law enforcement authorities initially incorrectly identified the juvenile shooting suspect as male. The deceased student is an 18-year-old man who died at the school, authorities said. His immediate family has been notified, but his identity has not yet been released publicly. That student was going to graduate and would have been out of school in three days, Spurlock said. It is with extreme sadness that we can confirm that 1 student at the STEM School was killed in todays #stemshooting incident. The immediate family has been notified. Douglas County Coroner Jill Romann has not officially identified the student is stating its an 18 year old male. DC Sheriff (@dcsheriff) May 8, 2019 Spurlock said that all the victims are 15 years old or older. By Wednesday morning, three of the victims were still in intensive care at hospitals in the area. The rest of the victims had been released. Tuesdays violence was just the latest mass shooting in the Denver suburbs. Highlands Ranch is a suburb of Denver, and the school is roughly 14 miles from the city center. The schools website says that about 1,800 students attend the school. The school is about eight miles from Columbine High School, where 12 students and one teacher were murdered on April 20, 1999. Several days before the 20th anniversary of the Columbine shooting, schools throughout the Denver area were closed after a young woman, who was said to be infatuated with the Columbine attack, threatened schools in the area. The woman later died by suicide. Story continues Ive got four kids in this school system, my wifes business is less than a mile from here, I grew up in these parts, 18th Judicial District Attorney George Brauchler said at Wednesdays press conference. And if you had suggested to anyone behind me or in this room that within 20 years and 20 miles, we would have dealt with Columbine, the Aurora theater, Arapahoe High School, the shooting of Zack Parrish and four other deputies, wed have thought you mad. And yet, here we are again. In addition to Columbine, Brauchler referenced the July 2012 shooting at a movie theater in Aurora, Colo. that left 12 dead and dozens wounded; the Dec. 13, 2013 shooting at Arapahoe High School in which a heavily armed student fatally wounded a classmate before taking his own life; and the Dec. 31, 2018 killing of Douglas County Deputy Zack Parrish in an ambush that resulted in four deputies and two bystanders being wounded. In addition, there was a November 2017 shooting at a Walmart in Thornton, Colo. in which a gunman walked into the store and killed three customers. At STEM Academy, the two shooters entered through the middle school entrance, where there are no metal detectors, and walked deep inside the school and started attacking students at around 2 p.m., Spurlock said. People in the school almost immediately called 911, and police arrived at the school about two minutes later. Undersheriff Holly Nicholson-Kluth said that police were on the scene almost immediately because there is a police substation a block from the school. She said that police could hear gunshots as they entered the school. Students escorted on school bus in front of STEM School Highlands Ranch after a shooting. May 7, 2019. | Hyoung Chang/MediaNews Group/TheDenver Post via Getty Images The school does not have a school resource officer, but has one armed security guard hired from a private company. Spurlock said one of the suspects was restrained by the time the deputies came into contact with them. The suspects were taken into custody without any exchange of gunfire with authorities. Spurlock said two handguns were used in the shooting, but did not release more details about the weapons that were used or how they were obtained. Spurlock also declined to answer questions about a potential motive in the shooting. #stemshooting 7 possibly 8 students have been injured. Two shooters in custody. SWAT still clearing school. Students being bused to Northridge Rec Center. Parents please have patience with reunification process. DC Sheriff (@dcsheriff) May 7, 2019 Nicholson-Kluth said that crimes like this are uncommon in Highlands Ranch. This is a good community. Its usually very quiet. Low crime rate. So this is unusual for us, said Nicholson-Kluth. STEM school incident: still getting info, believe 2 injured. Please find other routes. Media staging now on south side of AMC! DC Sheriff (@dcsheriff) May 7, 2019 #stemshooting, at 1:53 pm responded to STEM school off Ridgeline Blvd in HR on call of shots fired in school, first update, 2 injured, deputies in process of identifying and locating shooter(s). Still active and unstable scene. DC Sheriff (@dcsheriff) May 7, 2019 Jennifer Brown, a reporter from the Colorado Sun, tweeted a picture taken at the crowded parent reunification center. Scene at Northridge, parent reunification center. They will call out last names by group as kids arrive. #stemshooting pic.twitter.com/tOBLcXHS3A Jennifer Brown (@JenBrownColo) May 7, 2019 The White House released a statement about the shooting on Tuesday night. Our prayers are with the victims, family members, and all those affected by todays shooting at STEM School Highlands Ranch in Littleton, Colorado, the statement said. Tragically, this community and those surrounding it know all too well these hateful and horrible acts of violence. The White House has been in communication with state and local officials, and the President has been briefed and continues to monitor the ongoing situation. We offer our full support to local law enforcement and first responders and thank them for their heroism. (John Kemp is a Reuters market analyst. The views expressed are his own) * Chartbook: https://tmsnrt.rs/2LpJ0Ek By John Kemp LONDON, May 7 (Reuters) - Hedge fund managers have started to increase their bearish oil positions for the first time since the start of the year, amid signs the previous bull run had become overextended and prices were ripe for a correction. Hedge funds and other money managers were net sellers of the six major petroleum futures and options contracts in the week to April 30, bringing to an end a record-breaking 15-week run of net purchases. Portfolio managers cut their net long position by 17 million barrels last week, after having raised it by a total of 609 million since Jan. 8 (https://tmsnrt.rs/2LpJ0Ek). Funds were net sellers last week of NYMEX and ICE WTI (-19 million barrels), U.S. heating oil (-2 million barrels) and European gasoil (-8 million barrels). Net sales were only partially offset by small purchases of Brent crude (+8 million barrels) and U.S. gasoline (+3 million), according to position records published by regulators and exchanges. Before the sales, positions in crude and especially gasoline had started to look very lopsided, increasing the probability fund managers would reduce some of their length and reverse the recent bullish price trend. Fund long positions outnumbered short ones by a margin of 35:1 in gasoline, 11:1 in crude and 3:1 in middle distillates on April 23. Following last weeks sales, the long-short ratios have been trimmed slightly to 28:1 in gasoline, 9:1 in crude and 2:1 in middle distillates. From a fundamental perspective, spot oil prices and calendar spreads appear poised to rise further, provided the global economy avoids a recession. Fund managers are betting U.S. sanctions on Iran and Venezuela combined with output restraint by Saudi Arabia will cause the crude market to tighten significantly in the second half of 2019. They are also anticipating that U.S. refineries will process record amounts of crude to stabilize gasoline inventories this summer and then build distillates stocks before new maritime fuel rules at the end of the year. Story continues Record crude processing should tighten the global oil market even further in the remainder of the year, which is showing up in a big backwardation in crude futures prices. Brent's calendar spread for July to December has climbed to a backwardation of more than $2.80 per barrel, up from $1.80 a month ago, and a small contango at the start of the year. From a positioning perspective, however, hedge fund managers are already heavily committed to the bullish narrative. With so much speculative money riding on a further rise in prices, and few short positions left to squeeze, oil prices had become increasingly vulnerable to a correction. The resulting short-selling has seen Brent prices drift down from around $75 per barrel on April 25 to just above $70 now. Related columns: - Oil market will tighten sharply when U.S. refineries return from maintenance (Reuters, May 3) - Diesel traders anticipate shortage, but not just yet (Reuters, April 30) - Oil prices stumble as hedge funds become overextended (Reuters, April 29) - Hedge funds bet big on spike in U.S. gasoline prices (Reuters, April 24) (Editing by Edmund Blair) Johnny C. Taylor Jr., a human-resources expert, is tackling your questions as part of a series for USA TODAY. Taylor is president and CEO of the Society for Human Resource Management, the world's largest HR professional society. The questions are submitted by readers, and Taylor's answers below have been edited for length and clarity. Have a question? Do you have an HR or work-related question youd like me to answer? Submit it here. The first step to reaching such an understanding is to truly hear the other persons perspective. And the art of listening is one of the most important communication tools for fostering this awareness. Question: I am a high school English teacher with 20 years in the trenches. As the age of technology and social media progresses, my fellow teachers and I are aware of a growing gap in our students' communication skills, both written and spoken. What do you see as the greatest deficits of the younger generations' communication skills as they enter the workforce? Robin Johnny C. Taylor, Jr.: Communication skills are among the top abilities missing in workers today. While this skill gap can be seen in other generations, it is a real concern for those now entering the workforce. Business leaders Ive talked to say that, with the widespread use of social media and texting, members of younger generations seem to be losing the ability to converse with others and are adopting the language of abbreviations and acronyms text speak. What does this mean for the workplace? Text speak leads to poor grammar, spelling and punctuation, as well as the use of casual phrases not appropriate in a professional setting. Some younger workers dont use or understand formal business language. We cant spend enough time teaching our children the elements of good writing and public speaking. Dont get me wrong. The technological capability of our younger generations is a clear advantage in the workplace. But poor communications skills limit young professionals ability to make presentations, manage, represent the company in business transactions, direct projects and lead teams. Employers are looking for workers who can do todays jobs as well as grow into tomorrows jobs that dont yet exist. Employees with poor communication skills will be at a disadvantage if they are labeled as unprofessional or ineffective. Story continues And theres an additional issue to those Ive already mentioned. Thanks to technology and social media, everyone has a voice, and they use it. With so much chatter going on, whats often missing is the ability to listen. Active listening is a valued soft skill, along with problem-solving, interpersonal skills, critical thinking, and dealing with complexity and ambiguity. When employees lack these skills, companies see more internal conflicts, customer service issues and higher employee turnover. Active listening skills can be acquired, but many other soft skills are difficult for educators to teach and employers to screen for. The truth is, many schools and universities arent building out these skills as part of their curriculum. More than half of HR professionals say our education systems have done little or nothing to help address skills shortages. So, how can we ensure that those entering the workforce are prepared for work and a career? We are counting on dedicated teachers like you. Its important to note, however, that educators and employers play equally critical roles in the development of our workforce. As such, we want them talking to each other and working as an effective team to address skills lapses. Employers need to be clear about what they need from education, starting with kindergarten curriculum. And they must complement our education systems with investments in internships, apprenticeships and other learning opportunities, along with mentoring on invaluable workplace skills like communication. Jury duty: Can I be fired for missing work to serve on a jury? Ask HR Moving up: What's the best way to ask for a job promotion? Ask HR Q: When you have unused vacation and sick-time hours and you leave a job, is the company legally obligated to pay you for the time? R. Taylor: Possibly. Since there is no federal statute obliging companies to pay employees for their accrued and unused paid time off (PTO), the answer will depend on the laws of your state and the policies of your employer. Keep in mind that the rules around the payout of PTO are state-specific. Some states mandate it, while others dont. For example, California law essentially says that once PTO is accrued, you own it and cannot be deprived of it by your employer regardless of whether you quit or get fired. In contrast, Virginia has no specific law. Most state laws, however, lie somewhere in between, often requiring the payout of unused leave when an employment contract or company policy exists. If you are considering a job offer elsewhere, its wise to be aware of your companys policy. Check your employee handbook or ask HR. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Communication skills still essentials for the tech generation: Ask HR WASHINGTON The House Judiciary Committee is considering taking a rare step to enforce a subpoena for the unredacted report by Justice Department special counsel Robert Mueller by holding Attorney General William Barr in contempt. The effort reflects an impasse over how much information must be shared between the executive and legislative branches of government. But contempt citations are issued rarely, with only three major cases in the last 35 years. Contempt can lead to criminal or civil penalties, but the Justice Department declined to prosecute in each of the three cases. Congress has only rarely resorted to either criminal contempt or civil enforcement to combat non-compliance with subpoenas, according to a March 27 report by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service. In the latest case, Barr released a redacted version of the Muellers report on April 18. But the House panel subpoenaed the unredacted version and now could vote as early as Wednesday on whether to hold Barr in contempt for refusing to provide it. More: Democrats may hold AG Barr in contempt of Congress. What is that and can it actually be used? Here is a synopsis about how each of three recent cases played out, according to CRS reports: In 2007, a House Judiciary Committee investigation of the resignations of nine U.S. attorneys sparked the first civil case in decades, when Congress filed a lawsuit for subpoenaed documents and testimony. Former White House counsel Harriet Miers, who had left office by the time the subpoena was issued, refused to provide documents or testify under a claim of executive privilege, which ensures the confidentiality of advice given the president from his advisers so that they may speak candidly. The House adopted a pair of resolutions on a vote of 223-32 in February 2008 to refer her for prosecution and to authorize a civil lawsuit to enforce the subpoenas. But the Justice Department declined to prosecute. A U.S. district court affirmed Congresss right to information in July 2008 and said Miers didnt have absolute immunity from testifying, but she could assert executive privilege in response to specific questions. The court made no explicit comment about punishing executive-branch officials for contempt. Story continues The administration appealed the ruling but no decision was reached before the Congress ended in January 2009. At that point, the subpoena and contempt citation each expired. Lawmakers and the White House reached a settlement in March 2009 for some of the documents requested and for Miers to testify at a closed hearing. Then-White House Counsel Harriet Miers is interviewed Jan. 26, 2007, in her office in the White House in Washington. In November 2011, former Attorney General Eric Holder conceded to the Senate Judiciary Committee that the Justice Department provided inaccurate information about a gun-running investigation called Operation Fast and Furious, which resulted in thousands of guns being smuggled to drug cartels in Mexico. The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee later subpoenaed documents about the program and Holder refused to fully comply. The House voted 255-67 in June 2012 to find him in contempt and refer him for prosecution. A second resolution approved by a vote of 258-95 authorized a civil lawsuit to enforce the subpoena. Then-Deputy Attorney General James Cole notified the House the same day as the votes that the department wouldnt prosecute Holder because his response to the subpoena does not constitute a crime. The committee then filed a federal lawsuit in August 2012 to enforce the subpoena, in a case that dragged on more than six years. Former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder speaks at the National Action Network's annual convention, April 3, 2019 in New York City. In 2013 and 2014, an Internal Revenue Service official refused to answer questions at the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. Lois Lerner, then director of exempt organizations, had publicly acknowledged that the IRS inappropriately targeted conservative groups for scrutiny. But when the committee asked and then subpoenaed her to testify, Lerner declined under the Fifth Amendment. The House voted 231-87 in May 2014 to hold Lerner in contempt and refer her case for prosecution. But in contrast to the other cases, the House didnt pursue a civil lawsuit. Ronald Machen, who was then the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, notified the House in March 2015 that he declined to prosecute because Lerner had invoked the Fifth Amendment. More about battles between Congress and the Trump administration: 'Slow-motion constitutional car crash': Trump, Congress battle over investigations with no end in sight 'We're fighting all the subpoenas.' Congress and Trump prepare to battle over wide-ranging probes House Judiciary Committee sets Wednesday contempt vote for Attorney General William Barr This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Congress could hold AG William Barr in contempt. How often does that happen? Two people have died after eating raw marmot meat (Picture: PA) A couple have died in Mongolia from bubonic plague after eating raw marmot. The deaths of the Mongolian couple led to a quarantine that left tourists stranded for days. The pair had eaten raw marmot meat and kidney and a six-day quarantine was imposed on May 1 following their deaths in Mongolias wester Bayan Olgii province bordering China and Russia. The plague was responsible for millions of deaths in Europe and Asia in the 14th century. Cases are very rare today but can be deadly unless sufferers are treated with antibiotics. The couple had eaten the meat of the marmot, a type of rodent, as it was thought to be a remedy for good health, it was reported. The quarantine has now been lifted, allowing tourists to leave the area. Marmots are a known carrier of the plague bacteria and hunting them is illegal. "After the quarantine not many people, even locals, were in the streets for fear of catching the disease," Sebastian Pique, a US Peace Corps volunteer, told the AFP news agency. Read more One million species at risk of extinction due to humanitys greed, scientists warn Most Leavers say its important your parents were born in Britain to be truly British Sweden tells citizens to stockpile cash in case electronic payments collapse The World Health Organization (WHO) said 118 people had come into contact with the couple and had to be isolated and administered antibiotics. It was reported that dozens of tourists from Russia, Germany and the US were unable to leave the area for a period because of the quarantine. The plague is usually transmitted from animals to humans via fleas and has a 30% to 60% fatality rate if left untreated. A quarantine was imposed in Mongolia after two people died after eating marmot (Picture: Getty) Between 1989 and 1997 there were 69 cases in Mongolia and 22 deaths, said the WHO. There have been 12 recorded deaths from the plague in the US since 2000. Parts of Yosemite National Park had to be shut in 2015 because of a plague outbreak. In the 14th century, the Black Death led to about 50 million deaths in Africa, Asia and Europe. Watch the latest videos from Yahoo By Anastasia Moloney BOGOTA, May 6 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - An attack against a leading and award-winning Colombian environmentalist, Francia Marquez, has put the spotlight on the dangers facing campaigners in a country where one activist is gunned down every two days on average. Marquez and other rights activists survived an attack against them involving grenades and gunfire late on Saturday as they held a meeting in a rural area in the country's southwestern Cauca province, according to local media reports. So far, no one has been arrested for the attack. Colombia's president Ivan Duque said in a tweet on Sunday that he has ordered an investigation into the incident he called a "cowardly attack," which authorities say has already started. "We can't allow the free expression of social leaders to continue to be threatened," Duque tweeted. At least two bodyguards provided by the government to protect at-risk campaigners attending the meeting were injured during the assault, according to media reports. Last year, Marquez was awarded the prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize, known as the "Green Nobel" that honors grassroots activism, for her work in defending Afro-Colombian land rights and communities. Marquez told the Thomson Reuters Foundation in an interview last year that she has faced death threats for her activism after speaking out about the scourge of illegal gold mining and the pollution she says it causes. "We condemn the cowardly attack against Francia and her colleagues and will continue to support her success and safety in any way we can," said Michael Sutton, executive director of the Goldman Environmental Foundation. "We call on the Colombian government to bring the perpetrators of this attack to justice and to redouble efforts to prevent further harm to activists," he said. The United Nations on Monday also called on Colombia to make sure that the attackers are brought to justice and that efforts are stepped up to protect activists. Story continues The latest attack highlights the dangers facing campaigners in Colombia, where rising numbers of rights activists and land rights defenders are being killed despite a 2016 peace deal with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). The accord ended a half century of civil war but activists working to implement the deal, as well as land rights campaigners and those fighting human rights abuses are targeted by criminal groups seeing their financial interests threatened. According to Colombia's Ombudsman Office, murders of activists have increased to 178 in 2018, up from 126 in 2017. Diana Sanchez, coordinator at Somos Defensores, a Bogota-based human rights campaign group, said attacks and killings of activists, especially in rural areas, will likely continue. "This is a very worrying attack .. it involves well-known leaders," Sanchez told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. She said most of the time it is not known who is behind the killings of activists in Colombia, but said drug traffickers, illegal armed groups and FARC dissidents are often to blame. (Reporting by Anastasia Moloney @anastasiabogota, Editing by Jason Fields. Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, that covers humanitarian news, women's and LGBT+ rights, human trafficking, property rights, and climate change. Visit http://news.trust.org) NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) Cyprus' new police chief on Tuesday apologized over the handling of the country's serial killer case amid accusations of negligent police work that may have allowed the suspect to claim more victims. Kypros Michaelides offered the apology to the families of seven foreign women and girls who an army captain has confessed to killing. He said that police had failed to protect the victims, adding that those who failed to properly investigate their disappearances will be held accountable. "We fully understand the public's justified reaction," Michaelides said at a ceremony marking his appointment. "I'll do whatever is humanly possible...to restore the ground we lost, to restore the public's trust in the police," Michaelides said, adding that the force operates without prejudice, racism or sexism. Last week, President Nicos Anastasiades fired Michaelides' predecessor while the justice minister resigned amid strong criticism that police failed to properly investigate initial missing persons' reports that could have tracked down the 35-year-old suspect before he could kill again. Among the victims were a 36-year-old Romanian woman and her 8-year-old daughter who disappeared in 2016. But police apparently told people who inquired about the whereabouts of the mother and daughter that they had good reason to believe both had absconded to the breakaway, Turkish Cypriot north of the ethnically divided country. Five of the suspect's victims disappeared after that. The bodies of two Filipino women were discovered by chance last month in an abandoned mineshaft, sparking the investigation. The suspect told investigators he dumped three of his victims the Romanian mother and daughter as well as another Filipino woman in a toxic lake after placing their bodies in suitcases. Divers have so far recovered two suitcases from the lake, including a small bag that authorities believe contains the remains of the 8-year-old. Story continues The suspect also led police to the decomposed body of a woman believed to be from Nepal down a pit in a military firing range. Authorities are also looking in a reservoir for the body of the 6-year-old daughter of Mary Rose Tiburcio, 38, who was found in the shaft. Visiting the toxic lake Tuesday, Michaelides said police will spare no effort until the case is fully solved. "We've dug in our heels and that's why we're here and we'll stay here until the very end," he said. ___ This story has corrected the spelling of the new police chief's last name to Michaelides, not Michailides. Nicosia (AFP) - Cyprus's new police chief issued the force's first apology on Tuesday for its handling of the killings of seven foreign women and girls, acknowledging officers had failed to protect them. The murders -- dubbed the Mediterranean island's first serial killings -- have sparked anger against the police over its failure to act on missing person reports that allowed the killer to carry on undetected for nearly three years. New chief Kypros Michaelides issued the apology as he was sworn in to replace Zacharias Chrysostomou. Chrysostomou was sacked by President Nicos Anastasiades on Friday over what he called police "negligence and incompetence", a day after Justice Minister Ionas Nicolaou resigned. "The recent painful developments and the loss of defenceless innocent women and children who had come to our country in search of a better future have greatly damaged the prestige, honour and reputation of the Cyprus police, highlighting weaknesses, gaps and omissions," Michaelides said. "That is why, as representative of the police force, I want... to convey a big apology because we did not manage to protect these innocent and defenceless souls who died in a tragic and disgraceful way." In his dismissal letter to Michaelides' predecessor, the president decried "the apparent negligence and dereliction of duty of the police in investigating reports of missing persons". "Some of the horrific crimes that shocked Cyprus could have been prevented," he wrote. There has been a series of angry protests outside the presidential palace in Nicosia, with demonstrators accusing police officers of routinely disregarding missing persons reports involving foreigners. The killings came to light in mid-April when unusually heavy rains brought the body of 38-year-old Filipina Mary Rose Tiburcio to the surface of the disused mine shaft where it had been hidden. That triggered a murder investigation which led to the arrest of Greek Cypriot National Guard captain Nicos Metaxas on April 18. Story continues Metaxas, 35, who has not yet been formally charged over the murders, appeared in court on Sunday and was remanded in custody for a further eight days. The suspect, who has allegedly signed written confessions to the seven murders, although not to separate allegations of rape, has been helping police to find the bodies of other victims. Police have so far recovered two from a disused mineshaft, one from a well near an army firing range outside the capital Nicosia, and two from suitcases dumped in an acidic manmade lake. Investigators were continuing to search the lake near the village of Mitsero on Tuesday for a third suitcase, using a robotic camera brought in from the United States. CZ has announced a new Binance Charity Foundation program dedicated to paying the legal fees of people who can't afford to fight sue-happy Craig Wright alone. (i) REUTERS / Darrin Zammit Lupi (ii) YouTube/BBC; Edited by CCN By CCN: Changpeng CZ Zhao wants Craig Steven Wright to pick on someone his own size. The binance CEO has announced a new Binance Charity Foundation program dedicated to the legal fees of people who cant afford to fight sue-happy Wright alone. To kick things off, CZ is putting his money where his mouth is and donating $10,000 in BNB to the fund. The BNB is earmarked for people who are being targeted by the Satoshi Nakamoto imposter but who lack the resources to battle him in court. The Binance CEO expects the cases will be a slam dunk, tweeting: The donations will be sent to selected lawyer directly from BCF, with proper verifications and tracked on the blockchain. And when the case is done, we should get the funds back from the lawyers. Wright is seemingly threatening individuals with the deepest pockets, but the charitable fund has more of a David vs. Goliath ring to it. So far, Wright is reportedly targeting Bitcoin Cash evangelist Roger Ver, who according to Ver the Australian entrepreneur is suing for GBP 100,000, Peter McCormack, who is behind the podcast What Bitcoin Did, and Ethereum Co-Founder Vitalik Buterin. But Wright has also come after someone in the crypto community who goes by the handle @hodlnaut for calling him a fraud. CZs poll asking the crypto community whether or not theyll vote has thus far garnered more than 1,000 votes, two-thirds of which are in favor of donating to stop CSW. CSW is picking on the people who have a hard time fronting their legal fees. How about we do a @BinanceBCF charity program to raise money from the community for legal fees for anyone CSW sues?@PeterMcCormack @rogerkver @jihanwu CZ Binance (@cz_binance) May 7, 2019 CZ Getting His Hands Dirty CZ has been a voice of calm in the crypto community and is among the few to trumpet a collaborative environment. In fact, he was one who inspired the #delistBSV movement, setting in motion a wave of bitcoin exchanges that followed his lead. Craig Wright is the creator of Bitcoin SV but has claimed to be bitcoins maker Satoshi Nakamoto, which has inspired the Craig Wright is a fraud movement. CZ apparently felt compelled to stand up for the little guy. BENTON, Ky. (AP) A defense attorney representing a teenager accused of killing two classmates during a shooting at a Kentucky school has asked that the trial be moved outside Marshall and neighboring counties. The Paducah Sun reports public defender Tom Griffiths cited multiple reasons for the move including pretrial publicity and strong local opinions about the case. Seventeen-year-old Gabriel Parker was a sophomore when police say he killed students Preston Cope and Bailey Holt and injured more than a dozen others at Marshall County High School on Jan. 23, 2018. Parker has pleaded not guilty to murder and assault charges. The motion indicates it will be heard before a judge on May 17. Parker is charged as an adult. A prosecutor has indicated he'll seek a sentence of life in prison if Parker is convicted. ___ Information from: The Paducah Sun, http://www.paducahsun.com Si and Am from Lady and the Tramp (Credit: Disney) Like a few things in the Disney canon, the famous We Are Siamese song from Lady and the Tramp really hasnt aged very well. Originally written and performed by the legendary Peggy Lee in the 1955 animation, the song, as well as the nature of the scheming, duplicitous characters on screen, has been long been criticised as an unpleasant example of post-war stereotyping of Asian cultures. Read more: Disney accused of trying to edit out racially dubious past As such, in the new version of the movie, it will be reinvented, with the characters not even being siamese cats, insiders have told Variety. Grammy-winning artist Janelle Monae and her Wondaland collective will be on duty for the movies songs and soundtrack, its been confirmed. Janelle Monae (Credit: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images) Were dealing with Wondaland, her team of incredibly creative writers and producers that she works with. So our director has engaged with her in terms of what the storytelling [of] the song needs to be, Kaylin Frank, a vice president in Creative Music and Soundtracks at Disney, told the industry paper. The new live-action movie is led by Thor: Ragnarok star Tessa Thompson and Justin Theroux as the upper crust spaniel and her mutt-ish companion. Meanwhile, the move by Disney follows a number of other changes to its back catalogue to reflect modern attitudes. Read more: New Lion King isnt an identical remake says Seth Rogen The 1946 movie Song of the South, long criticised as racist, will not be streamable on the new Disney+ platform when it launches in November, it was confirmed last month. Equally, the doo-wop singing crows from Dumbo, a call-back to the racist Jim Crow segregation laws, will also be cut. However, the Mouse House has received some heavy flack for the decision, with some movie fans accusing it of trying to whitewash its racially dubious past. The new Lady and the Tramp, with voice performances from Sam Elliott, Ashley Jensen, Benedict Wong and Janelle Monae, as Peg, a Pekingese, will be exclsuively released on Disney+. Story continues It launches on November 12. Want to participate in a short research study? Help shape the future of investing tools and you could win a $250 gift card! Investors can buy low cost index fund if they want to receive the average market return. But if you invest in individual stocks, some are likely to underperform. For example, the Sreeleathers Limited (NSE:SREEL) share price return of 29% over three years lags the market return in the same period. Zooming in, the stock is actually down 21% in the last year. View our latest analysis for Sreeleathers While markets are a powerful pricing mechanism, share prices reflect investor sentiment, not just underlying business performance. By comparing earnings per share (EPS) and share price changes over time, we can get a feel for how investor attitudes to a company have morphed over time. During three years of share price growth, Sreeleathers achieved compound earnings per share growth of 40% per year. The average annual share price increase of 8.8% is actually lower than the EPS growth. So one could reasonably conclude that the market has cooled on the stock. The graphic below depicts how EPS has changed over time (unveil the exact values by clicking on the image). NSEI:SREEL Past and Future Earnings, May 7th 2019 It might be well worthwhile taking a look at our free report on Sreeleathers's earnings, revenue and cash flow. A Different Perspective We regret to report that Sreeleathers shareholders are down 21% for the year. Unfortunately, that's worse than the broader market decline of 0.01%. However, it could simply be that the share price has been impacted by broader market jitters. It might be worth keeping an eye on the fundamentals, in case there's a good opportunity. Regrettably, last year's performance caps off a bad run, with the shareholders facing a total loss of 4.6% per year over five years. We realise that Buffett has said investors should 'buy when there is blood on the streets', but we caution that investors should first be sure they are buying a high quality businesses. Before forming an opinion on Sreeleathers you might want to consider these 3 valuation metrics. Story continues If you are like me, then you will not want to miss this free list of growing companies that insiders are buying. Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on IN exchanges. We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned. Thank you for reading. Want to participate in a short research study? Help shape the future of investing tools and you could win a $250 gift card! Glyn Edwards has been the CEO of Summit Therapeutics plc (LON:SUMM) since 2012. First, this article will compare CEO compensation with compensation at similar sized companies. Then we'll look at a snap shot of the business growth. And finally we will reflect on how common stockholders have fared in the last few years, as a secondary measure of performance. This process should give us an idea about how appropriately the CEO is paid. See our latest analysis for Summit Therapeutics How Does Glyn Edwards's Compensation Compare With Similar Sized Companies? According to our data, Summit Therapeutics plc has a market capitalization of UK45m, and pays its CEO total annual compensation worth UK629k. (This is based on the year to January 2018). While this analysis focuses on total compensation, it's worth noting the salary is lower, valued at UK305k. We examined a group of similar sized companies, with market capitalizations of below UK152m. The median CEO total compensation in that group is UK236k. As you can see, Glyn Edwards is paid more than the median CEO pay at companies of a similar size, in the same market. However, this does not necessarily mean Summit Therapeutics plc is paying too much. A closer look at the performance of the underlying business will give us a better idea about whether the pay is particularly generous. You can see a visual representation of the CEO compensation at Summit Therapeutics, below. AIM:SUMM CEO Compensation, May 7th 2019 Is Summit Therapeutics plc Growing? Over the last three years Summit Therapeutics plc has grown its earnings per share (EPS) by an average of 71% per year (using a line of best fit). In the last year, its revenue is up 307%. Overall this is a positive result for shareholders, showing that the company has improved in recent years. Most shareholders would be pleased to see strong revenue growth combined with EPS growth. This combo suggests a fast growing business. You might want to check this free visual report on analyst forecasts for future earnings. Story continues Has Summit Therapeutics plc Been A Good Investment? With a three year total loss of 76%, Summit Therapeutics plc would certainly have some dissatisfied shareholders. So shareholders would probably think the company shouldn't be too generous with CEO compensation. In Summary... We examined the amount Summit Therapeutics plc pays its CEO, and compared it to the amount paid by similar sized companies. As discussed above, we discovered that the company pays more than the median of that group. However we must not forget that the EPS growth has been very strong over three years. However, the returns to investors are far less impressive, over the same period. Considering the per share profit growth, but keeping in mind the weak returns, we'd need more time to form a view on CEO compensation. Shareholders may want to check for free if Summit Therapeutics insiders are buying or selling shares. If you want to buy a stock that is better than Summit Therapeutics, this free list of high return, low debt companies is a great place to look. We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned. Thank you for reading. WASHINGTON President Donald Trump's team told former White House counsel Don McGahn on Tuesday not to provide any records to Congress, a sign that it may invoke executive privilege to block his testimony. In a letter to McGahn's attorney that is sure to provoke a fight with Congress, current White House counsel Pat Cipollone said McGahn was working on the president's behalf during special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian election interference. "The White House records remain legally protected from disclosure under longstanding constitutional principles because they implicate significant Executive Branch confidentiality interests and executive privilege," said the letter to McGahn lawyer William Burck. Cipollone sent a similarly worded letter to Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, asking him to redirect McGahn document requests to the White House. The letter also suggested officials would be willing to negotiate the release of some documents. Nadler has argued that the White House lacks the authority to block production of McGahn's records. The Democratic-led House committee issued a subpoena last month for McGahn's records, seeking his testimony to Mueller about whether Trump took steps to obstruct the Russia investigation that shadowed the first two years of his presidency. The White House did not actually invoke executive privilege with its series of letters. Only Trump himself can actually claim executive privilege, and must sign a formal document in order to do so. The 2020 candidates: Who is running for president in 2020? An interactive guide The age spectrum: 4 decades separate 2020's presidential candidates. Here's what that looks like. In his letter to Nadler, Burck said his client McGahn would stand pat while the committee and the White House negotiate what to do with the records. "Where co-equal branches of government are making contradictory demands on Mr. McGahn concerning the same set of documents, the appropriate response for Mr. McGhahn is to maintain the status quo unless and until the Committee and the Executive Branch can reach an accommodation," the letter said. Story continues Trump has objected to the idea of having McGahn or Mueller testify before Congress, saying the investigation is over and that it found no collusion between his campaign and Russians who meddled in the 2016 election. Trump has also denied allegations he sought to obstruct justice in the investigation. The administration has also sought to block production of other documents sought by Congress in various investigations, a list that includes Trump's tax returns. Like what you're reading?: Download the USA TODAY app for more This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Donald Trump's team tells former WH counsel Don McGahn: Don't give Congress any records Doria Ragland reportedly prepped for the royal babys birth by taking grandparenting classes [Photo: Getty] Meghan Markles mother Doria Ragland reportedly prepared for the birth of the royal baby by signing up to 5,000 grandparenting classes. Yesterday the Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced the birth of their baby boy and Doria was confirmed to be with the couple as they enjoyed their first few hours as a new family at Frogmore Cottage. The fact that Doria was given a special mention yesterday, when Buckingham Palace officially announced the babys birth, also offers an indication of the important role shell play in the coming weeks. The Duchesss mother, Doria Ragland, who is overjoyed by the arrival of her first grandchild, is with Their Royal Highnesses at Frogmore Cottage. Her Royal Highness and the baby are both doing well. The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) May 6, 2019 Read more: Meghan Markle gave birth in London hospital not at home From the moment she found out her daughter was expecting, the 62-year-old yoga instructor, was said to have been keen to prep for grandparenting duties, with reports suggesting she had taken classes at Los Angeles-based Cradle Company. And now the owner of the company, whose clients include actresses Meghan Fox, Rosamund Pike and Julia Stiles, has opened up about the important role grandparents can play in the weeks and months following a new babys birth. Some mothers want to forge their own path, and dont want grandmother to take a strong role in their parenting philosophy; others find strength in grandma and lean on her to encourage, nurture and help them, Brandi Jordan told Daily Mail. We feel grandmothers have a lot of value to offer to new mothers, and we dont discount the wisdom they have, the 40-year-old, who is known as The Baby Sleep Fairy, added. Read more: Thomas Markle reacts to birth of royal baby Doria is expected to take an active role in helping with the royal baby [Photo: Getty] Jordan went on to say that even though grandparents often have an abundance of parenting wisdom and experience, taking a parenting class can help provide them with more modern and new information. Story continues Things have changed since they had their kids, so we bring them up-to-date, she told Daily Mail. For example, we tell them about products that werent on the market 30 or 40 years ago. But she also said it is important to create a mother/grandmother partnership where shared advice can benefit everyone. Those old-school remedies, such as massaging a babys colicky stomach with olive oil, and traditional ways of treating coughs and colds, can still be helpful, she adds. Read more: William and Kate delighted by news of royal babys arrival Doria was understood to have travelled to the UK from Los Angeles some weeks ago to be with her daughter during her first days as a new mum. And according to PR expert Nick Ede, who exclusively revealed to Kate Thornton in Yahoo UKs The Royal Box the then grandmother-to-be was ready and raring to go. I think shes going to be a really great grandmother, he says. Shes got a really strong maternal instinct and shes the perfect partner to be with Meghan at this time. Doria has been by Meghans side for every important occasion. She accompanied her daughter in the car during the drive from Cliveden House to St Georges Chapel in Windsor, on her wedding day. She also made a surprise appearance at the launch of the Hubb Community Kitchen cookbook last September, just weeks before Meghan announced her pregnancy. So it is no surprise that she will have a key role in the upbringing of her grandchild. Skopje (Republic of North Macedonia) (AFP) - An Eastern rite Catholic priest told Pope Francis on Tuesday that marriage and his family had made him a better cleric, during a meeting between the pontiff and local clergy in North Macedonia. While Latin church priests must take a vow of celibacy, Eastern rite churches allow already married men to take the cloth. "As a priest, God gave me the grace to be able to feel the fatherhood of the body, within my family, and at the same time the spiritual fatherhood, in my parish. I have experienced that these two things are complementary," said Father Goce Kostov, a member of the Byzantine rite Catholic Church in Skopje, accompanied by his wife Gabriela and their four sons. "My family helps me in my pastoral work, in my relationships with people, with young people, with children. Without them I would be much poorer," he added. The tiny Catholic community in North Macedonia -- less than one percent of the mainly Orthodox Christian population -- hails predominantly from the Byzantine rite. "Your testimony has that 'Gospel fragrance' of the first communities," commented Pope Francis. "Thank you for having shown the familiar face of the God with us, the God who never ceases to surprise us amid the pots and pans!" the Pope added in conclusion, interrupted by the cry of a baby inside the cathedral. Catholic priests were in fact able to marry for centuries. According to the Bible, Saint Peter, the church's first pope, had a mother-in-law. Celibacy was only made mandatory for Latin rite priests in the 11th century. In January, Pope Francis said he did not think celibacy should be "optional", though he conceded there could be "some possibilities for far flung places", such as the Pacific islands or the Amazon where "there is a pastoral necessity". The idea is likely to be on the table at a synod this year dedicated to the Amazon, an immense territory where clergy are scarce. CAIRO (Reuters) - Egypt's top appeals court on Tuesday upheld death sentences for 13 members of a disbanded militant group who were convicted of launching attacks on security forces, a judicial source and lawyer said. The 13 had appealed to the Court of Cassation after a Cairo criminal court handed them the death penalty in 2017. The Court of Cassation is the highest civilian court in Egypt and its rulings cannot be challenged on appeal. The 13 were members of Ajnad Misr, or Soldiers of Egypt, a group that emerged in January 2014 and targeted security forces in and around the capital Cairo. The group's leader was killed by security forces in 2015, and many of its remaining members are held in custody. Egyptian security forces launched a large security operation in February 2018 to crush Islamist militants who have waged an insurgency that has killed hundreds of soldiers, police and residents over many years. Security forces have battled militants, including an Islamic State affiliate, in the mainly desert region of North Sinai, stretching from the Suez Canal eastwards to the Gaza Strip and Israel, since 2013. (Reporting by Haitham Ahmed; Writing by Yousef Saba, Editing by William Maclean) By Juarawee Kittisilpa BANGKOK, May 7 (Reuters) - Ten elephants painted white marched on Tuesday near Bangkok's Grand Palace to honor Thailand's newly crowned King Maha Vajiralongkorn, a day after ceremonies for his coronation ended. The animals and their handlers from the ancient capital of Ayutthaya walked for a short stretch before paying their respects to a portrait of the king. Many among the crowd of enthusiastic onlookers held portraits of the king. "I'm delighted because I've never seen this before in my 70 years," said motorcycle taxi driver Boonsueb Unnimit. Elephants hold special significance in Thai history and culture. "The elephant is a symbol of the monarch, a symbol of battles, as well as a symbol of peace and serenity," said Bangkok resident Panarat Panchuer, 61. No elephants participated in the official coronation ceremonies, although the king to be presented with a white elephant, a gift that is considered especially auspicious, some time later. The three-day ceremonies started on Saturday, after a long period of official mourning for the king's revered father, who died in October 2016 having reigned for 70 years. Laithongrien Meepan, the owner of Ayutthaya's Elephant Kraal and Village, said he was pleased the elephants managed to stay calm on Tuesday despite the bustling crowd and the heat. "We're here full of happiness and overwhelmed," he said. A non-toxic, water-based paint mixed with powder was used to create the appearance of a white elephant without harming the animals, the Kraal center said. (Writing by Kay Johnson; Editing by Clarence Fernandez) Senator Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.) called for President Trumps impeachment in remarks on the Senate floor on Tuesday. We took an oath not to try to protect Donald Trump, we took an oath to protect and serve the constitution of the United States of America, and the way we do that is we begin impeachment proceedings now against this president, Warren said. On the Senate floor, Sen. Warren calls for impeachment proceedings against President Trump: "We took an oath to protect and serve the Constitution of the United States of America, and the way we do that is we begin impeachment proceedings now against this president." pic.twitter.com/3IjR0NSrdK NBC Politics (@NBCPolitics) May 7, 2019 Though Warren and a number of other Democrats vying for the partys 2020 presidential nomination have called for impeachment during campaign rallies and other public appearances, her remarks represent the first such call made on the Senate floor. Reiterating an argument shes made from the stump, Warren said that the information outlined in Special Counsel Robert Muellers report pertaining to Trumps efforts to interfere in his investigation is sufficient to begin impeachment proceedings. The information that has been given to us in the Mueller report clearly constitutes adequate information to begin an impeachment proceeding in the House of Representatives, Warren said. No matter how many times Mitch McConnell or the rest of the Republicans want to wish that away, its there in black and white in the report. Warrens remarks came hours after Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell urged Democrats to accept Muellers finding that no one in the Trump campaign or administration colluded with Russia and allow a return to the normal legislative process. Story continues Given the Lefts total fixation on delegitimizing the president Americans chose and shooting any messenger who tells them inconvenient truths, Im afraid the Russians hardly need to lift a finger, McConnell said on Tuesday morning on the Senate floor. Well madame president, the last stage of grief is acceptance. For the countrys sake, I hope my Democratic friends can get there sometime soon. Speaker Nancy Pelosi has maintained that impeachment would be too politically divisive and has argued that Americans should be given the chance to determine Trumps fate in 2020. But a growing cohort within her caucus has argued that Trumps efforts to manipulate public officials into publicly exonerating him, his ordering then-White House counsel Don McGahn to fire Mueller, and his directing his son to mislead the public about the infamous June 2016 meeting between top campaign officials and a Kremlin-connected lawyer, constitute high crimes and misdemeanors that should result in impeachment. More from National Review We listen to local police and fire departments scanner traffic, but sometimes miss crimes, wrecks, fires or other incidents, especially if they happen overnight. If you know of something were not covering yet, please let Managing Editor Jeff Pownall know by emailing him at jpownall@lufkindailynews.com, or submit a news tip online by visiting lufkindailynews.com/tips. Nairobi (AFP) - Ethiopia's clothes factory workers, producing items for top fashion brands including Guess, H&M and Calvin Klein, are the worst paid in the world, earning only $26 (23 euros) a month, a report said Tuesday. As Ethiopia seeks to become the continent's leading manufacturing hub, it has sold investors on workers' willingness to toil for less than half the salary of tailors in Bangladesh, said the report by New York University's Stern Center for Business and Human Rights. The report, entitled "Made in Ethiopia: Challenges in the Garment Industry's New Frontier," said that in comparison, notoriously poorly-paid workers in Bangladesh earned $95. Their Kenyan counterparts earn $207 a month, and those in China $326. "Rather than the compliant, cheap workforce promoted in Ethiopia, the foreign-based suppliers have encountered employees who are unhappy with their compensation and living conditions and increasingly willing to protest by stopping work or even quitting," said Paul Barrett, the centre's deputy director. "In their eagerness to create a 'Made in Ethiopia' brand, the government, global brands, and foreign manufacturers failed to anticipate that the base wage was simply too little for workers to live on." Ethiopia has no official minimum wage for the private sector. The report found that workers, many of them young women, received very little training and faced cultural conflicts with managers from south or east Asia. The study took place in the Hawassa Industrial Park, the flagship of Ethiopia's manufacturing drive and one of five hubs inaugurated by the government since 2014. - 'Seemingly unrealistic - Some 25,000 people work there, making clothes for the most sought-after brands around the globe, a number expected to grow to about 60,000. Suppliers from China, India and Sri Lanka have opened factories in the park. Ethiopia is Africa's second-most populous country, with some 105 million people who still largely survive off agriculture, and face punishing droughts and poverty. Story continues The government hopes clothing exports will go from $145 million today to about $30 billion per year, a figure the report states is "seemingly unrealistic" not least because low salaries have led to poor productivity, regular strikes and high attrition rates. The report showed that factories replaced all of their workers every 12 months on average. The Stern Centre urged the Ethiopian government to establish a minimum wage and craft a long-term economic plan to strengthen the apparel industry. PARIS,, May 7 (Reuters) - Europe would have to reimpose sanctions on Iran if Tehran reneged on parts of the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, a French presidency source said on Tuesday. Iran's state-run IRIB news agency reported on Monday that Tehran would restart part of its halted nuclear program in response to the U.S. withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal, but added Tehran does not plan to pull out of the agreement. Iran's president is due to speak on Wednesday. "We do not want Tehran to announce tomorrow actions that would violate the nuclear agreement, because in this case we Europeans would be obliged to reimpose sanctions as per the terms of the agreement," the source said. "We don't want that and we hope that the Iranians will not make this decision." (Reporting by Jean-Baptiste Vey; writing by John Irish; editing by Richard Lough) PARIS (Reuters) - Europe would have to reimpose sanctions on Iran if Tehran reneged on parts of the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, a French presidency source said on Tuesday. Iran's state-run IRIB news agency reported on Monday that Tehran would restart part of its halted nuclear program in response to the U.S. withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal, but added Tehran does not plan to pull out of the agreement. Iran's president is due to speak on Wednesday. "We do not want Tehran to announce tomorrow actions that would violate the nuclear agreement, because in this case we Europeans would be obliged to reimpose sanctions as per the terms of the agreement," the source said. "We don't want that and we hope that the Iranians will not make this decision." France, Germany and Britain, the European signatories to the agreement that lifted sanctions against Tehran in exchange for restrictions on Iran's atomic activities, have scrambled to save the deal amid U.S. efforts to isolate Tehran since it announced its withdrawal a year ago. However, the three have repeatedly warned Iran that it must comply with all aspects of the deal and most importantly the elements related to nuclear activity. Those restrictions have increased the time Iran would need to build a nuclear bomb if it chose to do so. The United States and the U.N. nuclear watchdog believe Iran had a nuclear weapons program that it abandoned. Iran denies ever having had one. "We sent messages to Tehran to say that we were determined to implement the agreement, that we really wanted them to stay in this agreement even though we took into account the complexity of the situation and passed on the same messages to our American allies," the French source said. "Tomorrow, depending on what is in the statement from Tehran, at this stage what we're expecting is a collective European reaction but as we do not yet know exactly what will be in it, we are preparing for different eventualities." (Reporting by Jean-Baptiste Vey; writing by John Irish; editing by Richard Lough and Dale Hudson) European elections are set to take place in Britain on May 23 as their is not enough time to ratify a Brexit agreement, an MP has said. Stock image. (PA) European Parliament elections will go ahead in the UK on May 23, after the Government determined that there is not enough time left to complete the ratification of Brexit before that date, Cabinet Office minister David Lidington has said. The Government has accepted it cannot get its Brexit deal through Parliament in time to avoid European elections on May 23. Theresa May's effective deputy confirmed the elections will go ahead, but said the Government was "redoubling our efforts" to get an EU Withdrawal Agreement ratified by the start of July so the MEPs elected this month never have to take their seats. Mr Lidington was speaking shortly before cross-party Brexit talks with Labour resumed in Whitehall. David Lidington has confirmed EU elections will take place this month. (PA) Pressure on both sides to make progress was heightened by their poor performance in last week's local elections, which both Conservative and Labour leaderships interpreted as a message from voters to get on with delivering Brexit. Mrs May had been hoping the talks would deliver a compromise deal in time to allow her to call off the European Parliament elections. But, more than a month after the talks began, Mr Lidington acknowledged time is now too tight to get a Withdrawal Agreement Bill through both Houses of Parliament by the date of the poll. Read more from Yahoo News UK: Ukip candidate questioned over rape comments Passenger complains he didnt get refund after crash kills 41 Two teens arrested after boy shot in Wolverhampton Speaking at the Cabinet Office in Whitehall, he said that, after its Withdrawal Agreement was rejected three times by MPs, the Government was trying to find "a way forward that has maximum possible support amongst politicians of all political parties". "What this now means, given how little time there is, is that it is regrettably not going to be possible to finish that process before the date that is legally due for European parliamentary elections," he said. "We very much hoped that we would be able to get our exit sorted and have the treaty concluded so that those elections did not have to take place. But legally they do have to take place unless our withdrawal has been given legal effect, so those will now go ahead. Story continues "But we will be redoubling our efforts and talks with MPs of all parties to try to make sure that the delay after that is as short as possible. "Ideally we'd like to be in a situation where those MEPs never actually have to take their seat at European Parliament - certainly, to get this done and dusted by the summer recess." By Roberta Rampton WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Vice President Mike Pence is set on Tuesday to offer new incentives to Venezuela's military to turn against President Nicolas Maduro, responding to an attempted uprising that fizzled out last week, a senior administration official told Reuters. In a speech to the Americas Society at the State Department, scheduled for 3:25 p.m. (1925 GMT), Pence will also warn that the United States will soon move to sanction 25 additional magistrates on Venezuela's supreme court, the official said on Monday, speaking on condition of anonymity. Pence will also offer assistance for refugees who have fled the country, and an economic aid package contingent on a political transition, according to the official. Pence's speech will be the first look at the Trump administration's recalibrated strategy following massive street protests last week led by Juan Guaido, the opposition leader backed by the United States and most other Western countries. Guaido had described the protests as the start of his "final phase" to oust Maduro, but mass military defections failed to come to fruition. President Donald Trump has invested considerable political capital in the diplomatic and economic intervention in the Venezuela crisis. Although Guaido's attempted uprising failed to immediately dislodge Maduro, it exposed new fissures within the country, the official said. "A week before last, all the media - including you guys, everybody - was writing about how there's no way forward, complete stalemate," the official said. "Suddenly last week, everyone woke up." NEW CARROTS, AND A STICK Guaido, the president of the country's national assembly, invoked Venezuela's constitution in January to declare himself interim president of the country, arguing that Maduro's 2018 re-election was illegitimate. Maduro - who has said Guaido is a puppet of Washington - has sought to show that the military remains on his side, but opposition leaders and U.S. officials have said that support is tenuous. "They sat back in the barracks and they're there, but they don't want to be identified as the institutional source of repression," the official said. Pence will offer new "carrots" to the Venezuelan military, the senior official told Reuters, declining to provide details of the incentives ahead of the speech. "He'll be showing where the opportunities lay if people do the right thing moving forward," the official said. Pence is also set to outline new assistance for Venezuelans who have fled the oil-rich OPEC member, which has been plagued by hyperinflation and shortages of food, water, power and medicine - and a "Day One" economic assistance plan for Venezuela contingent on Maduro's departure, the official added. The vice president in addition will deliver a "warning shot" to magistrates on Venezuela's supreme court. The Treasury Department sanctioned the court's president, Maikel Moreno, in 2017 and the seven principal members of its constitutional chamber - and is now preparing to sanction the 25 remaining members of the court, the official said. "We feel like that's where the pressure needs to be," according to the official. "All 32 magistrates in the TSJ are going to sink or swim together," the official said, using the acronym for Tribunal Supremo de Justicia. The court would be responsible for signing off on any warrant for an arrest of Guaido - a move the U.S. official emphasized would have severe consequences. The United States imposed sweeping sanctions on Venezuela's state-owned oil company, PDVSA, in January. Oil provides 90 percent of export revenue for Venezuela. The administration also continues to work on other responses to increase financial pressure on Maduro, including "secondary sanctions" on companies from other countries that do business with Venezuela, and additional shipping sanctions for oil, the official said. (Reporting by Roberta Rampton; Editing by Peter Cooney) WASHINGTON, May 7 (Reuters) - Facebook Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg is meeting with U.S. lawmakers on Capitol Hill on Tuesday ahead of an expected settlement with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), a spokesman for Senator Jerry Moran said. Facebook has been talks with the FTC to settle an investigation into revelations that Facebook inappropriately shared information belonging to 87 million users with the now-defunct British political consulting firm Cambridge Analytica. Facebook said last month the settlement could cost between $3 billion and $5 billion. Facebook did not immediately comment on Sandberg's meetings. (Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Steve Orlofsky) After going through something as life-altering as a car accident, the best thing you can get out of it is... Consumer Reports has no financial relationship with advertisers on this site. Facebook reorganized the privacy settings in its mobile app in August, eliminating the "Privacy" tab and sorting the controls into six broad categories such as "Account" and "Audience and Visibility." Facebook says it based the change on research into where users expect to find the settings. But the move spurred criticism from privacy advocates, who argue Facebook's already confusing settings will now be even harder to navigate. The redesign has hit the app and the mobile browser version of Facebook, but the settings are still where they used to be if you log on from a computer browser. Below, you'll find details on the most important controls, with step-by-step instructions for where to find them using a computer. Facebook points to its privacy settings as a solution for consumers worried about their databut most of those settings will only safeguard your information from other users. However, some Facebook settings do affect how the platform gathers and uses your personal data. And we've found a few outside tools you can use to limit Facebooks tracking, as well. Below, youll find instructions on how to: Clear data Facebook gets by tracking you around the web Keep your location data private Turn off facial recognition Stop data collection by Facebooks partners Guard your account from hackers Make your profile harder to find Limit who sees your photos and posts Take some control over targeted ads Avoid ads on sensitive subjects Prevent Facebook from following you on other websites Decide who can message you Protect your privacy on Facebooks other products Clean up your friends list "Clear" the Data Facebook Gets From Tracking You Around the Web Facebook collects a lot of data about you when youre not even on Facebook. Hundreds of thousands of apps, websites, and other services send the company reams of information about what youre doing on other parts of the internetand sometimes even what youre up to in the real world. Story continues For a peek behind the curtain, the Off-Facebook Activity menu will give you a look at some of that data. It houses the Clear History button, which, despite the name, doesnt actually delete anything. Instead, it disconnects the data from your account, preventing the company from using it for targeted ads. Facebook keeps a copy of that information, and will continue to use it for analytics reports provided to other websites and detailed performance measurements for the companys advertising clients. Youll also find a Manage Future Activity setting, which essentially lets you keep your history cleared by default. After you turn it off, other companies will keep sending Facebook information about you. But again, Facebook says that the data wont be used to target you with ads. Theres a major caveat. Turning off Future Activity disables the Facebook Login tool that lets you sign into other apps and websites using your Facebook credentials. Or you can go through a list one-by-one and disable Future Off-Facebook Activity for specific services where you dont need Facebook Login. On a computer: Click the down arrow in the top right of the Facebook home page > Settings & Privacy > Privacy Shortcuts > View or clear your off-Facebook activity. From there, you can hit the Clear History button. To prevent the data from being used for targeted ads in the future, tap Manage Future Activity on the right-hand side, hit the Manage Future Activity button on the next screen, and then switch off the toggle. Keep Your Location to Yourself When you use the Facebook mobile app, whether youre scrolling through your news feed, tagging a family photo on the Golden Gate Bridge, or just leaving the app idling in the background, the company can collect data about your location to use for targeting ads. The most accurate source of location data can be controlled through your devices location services settings. Adjusting that wont stop the company from accessing your location entirely, though. Facebook admits it uses information such as your network connection to approximate your whereabouts for advertising purposes. But if you revoke the Facebook apps location permission, the data available to the company will be less precise. On an iPhone: Go to the phones Settings > Privacy > Location Services > Facebook. Then click either While Using the App or Never. On an Android phone: Go to the phones Settings > Location > App access to location > Facebook > Select Allow only while using the app or Deny. (These instructions may vary slightly depending on what phone you have. On older phones, check for a Permissions menu.) Only the newest version of Android provides the Only while using the app option. Users with older Android phones can access a location setting in the Facebook app itself to get the same effect. Find a Background Location setting in the Location menu under Privacy Shortcuts. Turn Off Facial Recognition In 2017 Facebook promised a privacy setting to let users delete facial recognition data the company has collected and opt out of any systems that use the technology. Almost 18 months later, a Consumer Reports investigation found that some users never received the setting. The Federal Trade Commission cited our findings in July 2019 in its announcement of a multifaceted settlement against Facebook that included a $5 billion fine. The FTCs complaint against the company revealed that the setting had been missing for about 30 million users. Facebook announced a fix that September, and a company spokeswoman later confirmed that the setting was finally rolled out to all affected accounts. Facebook says facial recognition is a useful tool for tagging friends in photos and other features, such as spotting fake accounts. According to a Facebook spokesperson, the company isnt selling facial recognition data or using it for targeted ads. But privacy experts say there are other ways that biometric data could eventually be used. Facebook has invested a lot in facial recognition, says Justin Brookman, the director of consumer privacy and technology policy for Consumer Reports, and its exploring ways to get a return on that investment. Heres how to turn Face Recognition off for good. On a computer: Click the down arrow in the top right of the Facebook home page > Settings & Privacy > Privacy Shortcuts > Control face recognition > Edit > No. Limit Data Collection by Facebook's 'Partners' The Facebook Login feature is a quick and easy way to sign in to other websites and apps. But as described above, Facebook gets to collect a bit more of your personal data in exchange. It can also give the companies that provide those outside services access to account info, which can include your name, photo, email address, and other data visible to the public by default such as your likes and comments. After the 2018 Cambridge Analytica scandal where user data may have been siphoned for targeted political ads, Facebook withdrew this access from any third-party app that users hadnt logged in to for 90 days, eliminating one source of illicit data collection. It may be impossible to find and delete personal info harvested by other companies in the past, but you can see which apps are currently collecting data from your account and stop them. You will no longer be able to access these apps using your Facebook Login, so you may want to create a new log-in and password for each app before making changes. On a computer: Click the down arrow in the top right of the Facebook home page > Settings & Privacy > Settings > Apps and Websites > Active > Click on the box next to the apps name > Remove. Protect Your Account From Hackers Its a good idea to use two-factor authentication, also called multifactor authentication, to bolster the password on any account that offers it. This is particularly important if youve ever used the same password on more than one account or you tend to use subpar passwords. (Consumer Reports has expert tips for creating good passwords.) Once you turn on two-factor authentication in Facebooks settings, the company will send you a verification codevia text or appto confirm your identity when you access your account from an unverified location, device, or browser. That makes it much harder for someone to breach your account with a stolen password. But Facebook has misused this technology. After an investigation, Facebook admitted the company uses phone numbers collected for two-factor authentication for advertising purposes. Security experts still recommend that you use two-factor authentication, however, because its one of the best ways to protect your account. You dont have to give Facebook your phone number to use two-factor authentication, eithera dedicated app such as Google Authenticator or Duo Mobile can be a more private and secure solution. Its easy to set up. If Facebook already has your phone number, follow the instructions in the section below so that strangers cant use it to find your page. On a computer: Go to Settings > Security and Login > Set Up two-factor authentication > Get Started. Make Your Account Harder to Find The default settings on Facebook permit your user profile to show up in any Google search that includes your name. But you can change the settings to make your profile less Google-able. And while youre at it, you can also set limits on who can send you friend requests and look you up using the email address or phone number tied to your account. On a computer: Go to Settings > Privacy > Do you want search engines outside of Facebook to link to your profile? > Edit > Click the check box on the bottom > Turn Off. Then on the same page, select Who can look you up using the phone number you provided? > Only me. Then do the same for Who can look you up using the email address you provided? Limit Who Sees Your Profile, Photos, and Posts It can be fun to share the details of your life with family members and friends, but its less amusing to serve up that data to criminals who comb Facebook pages for personal details to use in identity-theft scams. If you leave your info open to the public, anyone can discover your birth date, mothers maiden name, and passion for poodles. Each time you post a new photo, video, or status update, Facebooks interface gives you the option to keep the news among your friends. You can even exclude certain pals, like, say, your boss or that nosy neighbor. Thats a good practice going forward, but its easy to go back to your old posts and limit the audience retroactively. That way, you can make certain youre not sharing telltale details with people you dont know. While youre at it, you can change the default audience so that your future posts are more private automatically. On a computer: Go to Settings > Privacy > Who can see your future posts? > Edit. Then on the same page, hit Limit The Audience for Old Posts on Your Timeline. Take a Little Control Over Targeted Ads There isnt much you can do to keep your information out of Facebooks marketing services altogether. But the company does offer a bit of control over certain aspects of the Facebook ad system. There are three settings worth thinking about. The first is Data about your activity from partners. The specifics are complicated, but the bottom line is that if you turn the setting off, Facebook says it will avoid using some of the data it gets about what you do on other companies websites and services for its own ads. The second is Ads shown off of Facebook. Facebook doesnt just show you ads on Facebook; the companys ad system runs all over the internet and in apps. The Ads shown off of Facebook setting determines whether advertisers can use information based on your Facebook activity to target you on other platforms. Finally, youve probably seen Facebook ads that list your friends names: So-and-so likes . . . Thats because Facebook lets advertisers use your name and products you likeGirl Scout cookies, Starbucks coffee, Ford trucksin ads pitched to people in your network. You can turn off the Social Interactions setting to put a stop to it. On a computer: Go to Settings > Ads > Ad Settings > Select Data about your activity from partners, and turn the toggles off. Then do the same for Ads shown off of Facebook and Social Interactions. (Facebook has recently been rolling out updates to its advertising settings. The last few instructions may be slightly different on some accounts, but these steps will be close enough that you should be able to find your way.) Avoid Ads on Sensitive Subjects You cant turn off Facebook ads, but you can choose to avoid ads on a few select topics. You can tell Facebook you want to see fewer ads related to alcohol, parenting, pets, social issues, elections, and politics. The company doesnt guarantee youll never see ads related to these subjects altogether, though. There are additional ways you can adjust your social media feed for a healthier and more pleasant experience, too. On a computer: Go to Settings > Ads > Ad Settings > Ad Topics > Click See fewer next to the subject you want to avoid. Restrict Facebook From Tracking Your Activity on Other Websites As we discussed above, Facebook's data collection doesnt stop when you leave the platform. If youve ever gone to a website that uses Facebook servicesLike and Share buttons, Facebook Login, or the companys invisible analytics toolsyouve provided info on the stories youve read, the videos youve watched, and the products youve looked at. If those buttons are on the page, regardless of whether you touch them, Facebook is collecting data, says Casey Oppenheim, co-founder of the digital security firm Disconnect. Millions of websites also use Facebook's hidden tracking "pixels" that give you no visual clue you're being monitored. Theres no foolproof way to stop that surveillanceand no way at all through Facebooks settings. You can, however, install an ad blocking extension such as Disconnect, Ublock, or Privacy Badger on your browser to disrupt Facebooks efforts to track you online. The Mozilla Foundation, the nonprofit organization behind the Firefox browser, has designed an ad blocker specifically for this task. Its called Facebook Container, and it uses a unique browser tab to wall the social media platform off from the rest of your online activity. It takes only a few clicks to install the Facebook Container extension. The directions are easy to find online. (Consumer Reports uses Facebooks services, too. For details on the data we collect, consult our privacy policy.) Decide Who Can Message You When someone you arent friends with tries to contact you, their messages generally get sent to a message requests folder. You wont get a notification about these messages, and Facebook lets you read them without telling the other person youve taken a look. That gives you a little preview before you decide to open up a dialog. However, you can decide not to receive these messages at all. Or you can go in the other direction with some kinds of connections, and have messages open up straight to a regular chat. Since the company combined the messaging platforms on Instagram and Facebook Messenger, there are also some options for communicating with Instagram followers you havent friended on Facebook. Facebook allows for some fine-tuning. You can make specific choices for different categories of people, such as friends of friends. On a browser: Go to Settings > Privacy > Under How You Get Message Requests, and tap the various potential connections and choose how you want to be contacted. Protect Your Privacy on Facebook's Siblings Adjusting your Facebook settings is a great first step toward protecting your privacy. But the apps on your phone and the services you use online unite to form an entire data ecosystem, and you should take the whole picture into account. If you use other services that Facebook owns, such as Instagram and WhatsApp, lock down your settings on those products, too. (And now that youre on a roll, consider doing the same for other services, such as Google and even LinkedIn.) Do a Little Crowd Control The people on your friends list can jeopardize your privacy, sometimes without even knowing it. While Facebook closed the policy loophole that allowed the 2014 data leak that led to the Cambridge Analytica scandal, there are plenty of other ways friends can let you downby posting inappropriate content, for example, or falling for scams that permit accounts to be hacked. Thats why its best not to maintain Facebook friendships with people you dont really know (e.g., your best friends sisters tai chi instructor). Facebook doesnt make it easy to delete large groups of friends. You have to go to your Facebook profile, select people to dismiss one at a time, hover over a drop-down menu, and choose Unfriend. To make the process a little easier, consider using the birthday method. When you log in to Facebook, check the birthday notifications the app has sent you, and for each one decide whether to send out well wishes or to quietly unfriend people youre willing to part with. This can help you keep your account more secure. How Targeted Ads Work Do you often see online ads that relate to your likes and hobbies? On the Consumer 101 TV show, Consumer Reports expert Thomas Germain explains to host Jack Rico what targeted ads are and how they work. May 7 (Reuters) - Two Reuters journalists jailed in Myanmar after they were convicted of breaking the Official Secrets Act walked free from prison on Tuesday after spending more than 500 days behind bars. Following are comments and reactions: STEVE ADLER, REUTERS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: "We are enormously pleased that Myanmar has released our courageous reporters, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo. Since their arrests 511 days ago, they have become symbols of the importance of press freedom around the world. We welcome their return." LORD ARA DARZI, MEMBER OF MYANMAR ADVISORY GROUP: "This outcome shows that dialog works, even in the most difficult of circumstances. "The power of dialog must be turned towards securing a lasting peace in Rakhine State and the return of the hundreds of thousands of refugees, whose desperate plight continues. This is essential if Myanmar is to build on today's progress so that all its citizens can live together in dignity in the hope of a better tomorrow." UNITED NATIONS IN MYANMAR "The UN in Myanmar welcomes the release of Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo from prison. The UN in Myanmar considers the release of Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo a step toward improving the freedom of the press and a sign of government's commitment to Myanmar's transition to democracy. "The UN stands ready to continue to support Myanmar in its complex transition process." AMAL CLOONEY, COUNSEL TO WA LONE, KYAW SOE OO AND REUTERS: "Since taking on this case over a year ago, I have witnessed incredible determination by Reuters, in particular editor-in-chief Steve Adler and Chief Counsel Gail Gove, in their pursuit of justice for their brave reporters Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo. "It is inspiring to see a news organization so committed to the protection of innocent men and the profession of journalism. "It has been an honor to represent Reuters and the two journalists in this case and I hope that their release signals a renewed commitment to press freedom in Myanmar." (Editing by Darren Schuettler) (Adds comments of film star George Clooney) May 8 (Reuters) - Reuters journalists Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo walked free from prison in Myanmar on Tuesday after spending more than 500 days behind bars on convictions for breaking the colonial-era Official Secrets Act. Here are comments and reactions: SPOKESMAN FOR UN SECRETARY GENERAL ANTONIO GUTERRES: U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was relieved to learn of the release of the Reuters reporters, U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said. STEVE ADLER, REUTERS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: "We are enormously pleased that Myanmar has released our courageous reporters, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo. Since their arrests 511 days ago, they have become symbols of the importance of press freedom around the world. We welcome their return." JEREMY HUNT, BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY: "Having personally raised their case with (Myanmar leader) Aung San Suu Kyi in September, I am extremely grateful she has listened to me and many others and responded to a clear miscarriage of justice. "In a world where media freedom is under attack, this is a rare glimmer of hope." LORD ARA DARZI, MEMBER OF MYANMAR ADVISORY GROUP: "This outcome shows that dialog works, even in the most difficult of circumstances. "The power of dialog must be turned towards securing a lasting peace in Rakhine State and the return of the hundreds of thousands of refugees, whose desperate plight continues." TUN KHIN, PRESIDENT OF BURMESE ROHINGYA ORGANISATION UK: "The only people that should be locked up for the Rohingya genocide are those that committed it, not those that helped expose it. "The Rohingya community stands with U Wa Lone and U Kyaw Soe Oo today, just as we have every day of their unlawful imprisonment by this complicit Burmese regime." NICHOLAS BEQUELIN, AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL: "The case against Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo was a travesty of justice from start to finish and they should never have spent a day in prison. Story continues "While all those who campaigned for their release welcome the government's decision, the reality is the country retains a range of repressive laws used to detain journalists, activists and any perceived critic of the authorities. "Until these laws are repealed, journalists and activists remain under a permanent threat of detention and arrest." SHAWN CRISPIN, COMMITTEE TO PROTECT JOURNALISTS: "CPJ ... reiterates that Myanmar should never have charged and jailed them in the first place. "May their release herald a new era of press freedom in Myanmar, where reporters no longer fear reprisal merely for doing their jobs." PHIL ROBERTSON, HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH: "These courageous investigative journalists should have never been arrested, much less imprisoned, in the first place and their release is long overdue. "Time to act on the problem that Myanmar's faltering respect for media freedom indicates the dire situation facing human rights and democracy as the country moves toward national elections in 2020." DUTCH EMBASSY IN MYANMAR: "We applaud the President and the government of Myanmar for having taken this positive step. It was the right thing to do." UNITED NATIONS IN MYANMAR: "The UN in Myanmar welcomes the release of Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo from prison. The UN in Myanmar considers the release of Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo a step toward improving the freedom of the press and a sign of government's commitment to Myanmar's transition to democracy. "The UN stands ready to continue to support Myanmar in its complex transition process." AMAL CLOONEY, COUNSEL TO WA LONE, KYAW SOE OO AND REUTERS: "Since taking on this case over a year ago, I have witnessed incredible determination by Reuters, in particular editor-in-chief Steve Adler and Chief Counsel Gail Gove, in their pursuit of justice for their brave reporters Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo. "It is inspiring to see a news organization so committed to the protection of innocent men and the profession of journalism. "It has been an honor to represent Reuters and the two journalists in this case and I hope that their release signals a renewed commitment to press freedom in Myanmar." FILM STAR GEORGE CLOONEY, SPEAKING AT THE PREMIERE OF HIS SERIES 'CATCH-22' IN LOS ANGELES: "I couldn't be more proud of Reuters and how they stuck up for journalism in a way that is important and it's a dangerous time. "It's a bad time, it's a dangerous time to be a journalist. So to win one. I'm very proud of my wife and congratulations to everybody." SUZANNE NOSSEL, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF PEN AMERICA: "Although Myanmar has failed shamefully to redress the injustice of their trumped-up arrest and conviction on spurious evidence, we are relieved that their ordeal behind bars is over. "Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo have proven their courage and fortitude, never once wavering in their claims of innocence." BAERBEL KOFLER, GERMANY'S COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS: "I am pleased that the two Reuters journalists were released after a presidential amnesty today. This is an important humanitarian gesture which I greatly welcome. Press freedom is key to the further democratization in #Myanmar." AUDREY AZOULAY, DIRECTOR GENERAL OF UNESCO, WHICH AWARDED ITS 2019 GUILLERMO CANO WORLD PRESS FREEDOM PRIZE TO BOTH MEN: "It is a relief for them and their relatives, but also a positive step for freedom of the press....it is essential for the good functioning of our democracies that journalists are able to carry out their mission without fearing retaliation. "Through their dedication and the courage they showed, Kyaw Soe Oo and Wa Lone are an inspiration for all those who fight to defend the freedom of the press." CANADIAN PRIME MINISTER JUSTIN TRUDEAU "I'm really pleased to see that the two journalists who were being unjustly imprisoned in Myanmar have been released. Canada has long been pushing for their release. We will always stand up for press freedom." (Editing by Darren Schuettler and Clarence Fernandez) (Reuters) - President Donald Trump is refusing to cooperate in numerous U.S. congressional probes of himself and his administration, taking a defiant stance that is likely to land him in protracted court fights with Democrats in the House of Representatives. Trump's stonewalling has hardened since the mid-April release of a redacted report from Special Counsel Robert Mueller on how Moscow interfered in the 2016 U.S. presidential election and Trump's subsequent attempts to impede Mueller's probe. On May 2, it was revealed that the Trump administration is asserting it has the right to instruct advisers not to testify before congressional committees on the Russia probe. In most of the cases where Trump and his advisers are refusing to cooperate, they run the legal risk of contempt of Congress citations and legal enforcement actions that could result in fines and even imprisonment. Here are several instances of Trump defying Congress: EX-COUNSEL MCGAHN On Tuesday, the White House told the House Judiciary Committee that ex-White House Counsel Don McGahn does not have the legal right to comply with a committee subpoena seeking documents from him on Mueller's probe. McGahn was a key witness in the probe. House Judiciary, chaired by Democrat Jerrold Nadler, wants to hear from McGahn and review related administration documents that he has. McGahn has been directed not to produce the documents in response to the committee's subpoena, according to current White House counsel Pat Cipollone. In a letter to Nadler, Cipollone said McGahn got the documents during the Mueller probe "with the clear understanding that the records remain subject to the control of the White House for all purposes." McGahn left his post at the White House in October 2018. UNREDACTED REPORT The redacted Mueller report, released on April 18 by Attorney General William Barr, left some questions about the probe unanswered. Democrats have subpoenaed the unredacted report and the evidence Mueller relied on. Barr, a Trump appointee, has refused to comply with the subpoena. The House Judiciary Committee moved a step closer on Monday to holding Barr in contempt of Congress. The panel is slated to vote on Wednesday on finalizing a contempt citation. TAX RETURNS Unlike past presidents in recent decades, Trump has refused to make public his tax returns, raising questions about what is in them. Democrats are probing Trump's past business dealings and possible conflicts of interest involving him. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Monday denied a leading House Democrat's request for Trump's returns. In a May 6 letter, Mnuchin told House tax committee Chairman Richard Neal that he would not comply with the Democrat's April 3 request, saying it lacks "a legitimate legislative purpose." MAZARS Trump has filed a lawsuit attempting to keep U.S. lawmakers from obtaining his financial records. The unprecedented suit seeks to block a subpoena issued by House Oversight Committee Chairman Elijah Cummings, a Democrat. The subpoena sought eight years of documents from Mazars USA, an accounting firm long used by Trump. A May 14 court hearing has been set in the case. CENSUS AND CITIZENSHIP The Justice Department has rebuffed the Oversight Committee's request for an interview with John Gore, an official involved in the administrations decision to include a citizenship question in the 2020 census, if he could not have a Justice Department lawyer at his side. IMPEACHMENT Trump has vowed to fight any effort by congressional Democrats to launch impeachment proceedings against him, promising to go to the Supreme Court, even though it plays no role in the constitutional impeachment process. FBI HEADQUARTERS Congressional Democrats have complained that the administration has responded too slowly to their requests for documents about Trump's abandonment of a plan to relocate the FBI's headquarters. Before he became president, Trump supported moving the headquarters to the suburbs of Washington from the center of town, said Democrats looking into the matter. They said that after Trump was elected and disqualified from bidding to buy the FBI's present headquarters site for commercial development, he switched his position. Democrats have raised questions about a possible Trump conflict of interest. IMMIGRATION AIDE The White House has refused a request for Trump's top immigration aide Stephen Miller to testify to Congress, in a letter to the House Oversight Committee. BANK SUBPOENAS Trump, his three oldest children and the Trump Organization have sued to block House subpoenas seeking Trump financial records from two banks: Deutsche Bank AG and Capital One Financial Corp. A 2017 financial disclosure form showed that Trump had at least $130 million of liabilities to Germany's Deutsche Bank. Democratic lawmakers have asked Capital One's chief executive for documents related to potential conflicts of interest tied to Trump's hotel in downtown Washington and other business interests. In the lawsuit, Trump accused House leaders of pursuing records for no legitimate or lawful purpose, hoping to "stumble upon something" they could use against him. (Compiled by Caroline Stauffer; editing by Kevin Drawbaugh and Phil Berlowitz) A discarded Islamic State (IS) group flag lying on the ground in the village of Baghouz in Syria's eastern Deir Ezzor province, where British jihadi Samia Hussein is believed to have been when she contacted her family. (Getty) The family of a British woman severely injured in a coalition attack on Islamic State has appealed for her to be allowed home. Samia Hussein lost an arm and was left badly mutilated after a suspected drone missile attack on the Islamic State-occupied town where she was taken by Jihadist fighters. A report in the Telegraph claimed the former student from Southall, in west London, is among a number of British women to join Islamic State, who were only discovered after the fall of Baghouz last month. Like Shamima Begum it is uncertain as to whether she will ever be allowed back into Britain A general view shows the banks of the Tigris river in Mosul's Old City, on January 8, 2018, six months after Iraqi forces seized the country's second city from Islamic State group jihadists.(Getty) Three weeks ago she reportedly called her family to say she was still alive but had been severely injured, losing her left arm and half of her breast. An unnamed relative said: We need the Government to help her. Shes British, she was born here and has a British passport and we want her to come back to this country. Miss Hussein, 25, claimed she fell for the lies of the jihadists when she gave up her studies in 2015 to become one of their camp followers, only to find herself trapped inside Isils murderous Caliphate. It is claimed that Miss Hussein fell under the influence of extremists during her time at university in Nairobi, Kenya. The IS flag displayed on a mobile phone. She was told she would be helping children in need. We don't know who brainwashed her, but they werent from Britain, they were from Nairobi, said the relative. Asha Hussein, one of her sisters, added: Samia was a really bright girl, really happy. She did her A-levels and wanted to become a journalist. She was really clever, always helping me with things like official forms. She was always happy, always made us laugh. Read more from Yahoo News UK: Ukip candidate questioned over rape comments Passenger complains he didnt get refund after crash kills 41 Two teens arrested after boy shot in Wolverhampton I really miss her. We all do. I had no suspicion about her or any idea that something was going to happen. She just disappeared one day and It was awful. Story continues There was no sign of Samia having become radicalised or anything like that. She was just a normal girl. The Foreign Office told the Telegraph it would not comment on individual cases but said it does not have a consular presence in Syria, making it difficult to provide assistance. Consumer Reports has no financial relationship with advertisers on this site. Update: On May 8, members of the subcommittee on infant inclined sleep products met at an ASTM International meeting and rejected requests from consumer advocates, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and parents to withdraw the category from the market. Instead, members decided to investigate the category further, reconvening in October 2019. In the meantime, unless the Consumer Product Safety Commission intervenes, manufacturers can continue to sell infant inclined sleepers. This article was originally published on May 7. Following the deaths of at least 37 babies, the Consumer Product Safety Commission says infant inclined sleep products present such a danger that the current standards and warning labels governing them may need to change. The CPSC, which regulates the products, says it plans to reevaluate the entire product category. At the same time, consumer advocates are pushing to eliminate the category from the market. Inclined infant sleepers are dangerous and have no place in a safe sleep environment, said Ben Hoffman, M.D., chairperson of the American Academy of Pediatrics Council on Injury, Violence, and Poison Prevention Executive Committee, at a CPSC hearing last week. We urge [the CPSC] to eliminate this product category altogether so these deadly products are no longer available. Though it is rare for the CPSC to keep an entire category of products off the market, the agency does have that authority. One possible scenario: The CPSC could withdraw the infant inclined sleep product category and implement new requirements and warnings for the products under a different category. This would likely require that the products be significantly redesigned and not marketed for sleep. If that were to happen, companies could no longer sell or import todays infant inclined sleep products, and any such products on the market could be subject to recall. Story continues Inclined Sleepers on the Market Last month, a Consumer Reports investigation into the safety of inclined sleepers helped prompt the recall of 4.7 million Fisher-Price Rock n Play Sleepers linked to at least 32 infant fatalities, and the recall of nearly 700,000 Kids II sleepers linked to at least five infant deaths. But there are still several other inclined sleep products available for sale, such as the SwaddleMe By Your Bed Sleeper and the hiccapop DayDreamer Sleeper Baby Lounger Seat and Travel Bed for Infants. Currently, there is no specific federal regulation that would stop a company, including Fisher-Price or Kids II, from putting new inclined sleepers on the market. But CR thinks that the CPSC should use every tool at its disposal to help get all inclined sleepers off the market and out of peoples homes. The CPSC must take action to protect infants safety, and to help make sure that parents and caregivers dont unwittingly put their babies at risk, says William Wallace, manager of home and products policy for CR. Inclined sleep products shouldnt be on the market. They conflict with American Academy of Pediatrics safe sleep recommendations, which state that babies should be put to bed alone, on their backs, on a firm, flat surface, unrestrained, and without any soft bedding or bumpers." Regulatory Red Tape Getting an entire category of products off the market can be a long, bureaucratic process. The infant inclined sleep product category was established via ASTM International, an independent organization that brings together manufacturers, government officials, academics, medical experts, consumers, and others to establish voluntary industry standards for thousands of products and processes. CR is an active member and participates in working groups, including the subcommittee for infant inclined sleep products. In order to have the ASTM infant inclined sleep product standard withdrawn and the product category eliminated, the subcommittee would need to approve such a step and then bring the motion before other overarching committees, which would also need to sign off on the action. The process might be lengthy, but its not unprecedented to have a standard withdrawn. And given the recent recalls and the numerous deaths associated with inclined sleepers, its a possibility that may get serious consideration when the members of the infant inclined sleep products subcommittee convene at an upcoming ASTM meeting on May 8. In advance of the meeting, the CPSCs career staff submitted a memo with their comments, which the agency also sent to CR. The CPSC project manager for the infant inclined sleep products category stated that current warning labels on the sleepers are insufficient to address the serious hazards posed by inclined sleep products and that the CPSC staff urges the subcommittee to reconsider the whole standard. The memo stopped short of calling for a complete withdrawal of the infant inclined sleep products standard. The CPSC did not elaborate further on the comments, but individual CPSC commissionerswho are appointed by the President and confirmed by the U.S. Senateoften express their own perspectives. CPSC commissioner Robert Adler told CR he has serious misgivings about infant inclined sleep products: Right now Im leaning toward being very skeptical about inclined sleepers as a product category. I think that [Dr. Hoffman of the American Academy of Pediatrics] made a powerful case that this is a product that probably shouldnt be on the market. Engineer Steps Down Last week, the head of the ASTM infant inclined sleep products subcommittee, a Fisher-Price engineer who helped create the Rock n Play Sleeper, stepped down from that post, leaving representatives from ASTM to lead the upcoming proceedings. When CR asked Fisher-Price why its engineer stepped down as head of the subcommittee he helped establish, a company spokesperson did not answer the question directly, saying their energies are focused on the recall at this time. Nancy Cowles, executive director of Kids in Danger, a nonprofit that focuses on reducing childhood injuries from consumer products, also says that all infant inclined sleep productsnot just the brands that have been recalledare inherently unsafe and that there is no fix that could make it safe for infants to sleep at an incline unsupervised. Inclined sleep products, like the Fisher-Price Rock n Play Sleeper, should not be used or sold, Cowles says. She also adds that infants should be put to bed in a crib, play yard, or bassinet that meets existing strong federal standards and that no other product is safe for sleep. In the meantime, the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association, an industry trade group that certifies childrens products, told CR that JPMA will continue to certify inclined sleepers. Fight for Transparency CRs investigation into inclined sleepers has put a spotlight on the government and industry systems that too often fail to protect consumers from harm. At the center of these failures is a controversial federal lawcalled Section 6(b) of the Consumer Product Safety Actthat sharply restricts and sometimes entirely prevents the CPSC from publicly releasing company-specific information, frequently keeping consumers in the dark about product-related hazards, injuries, and deaths. As CR previously reported, 6(b) prevented consumers from learning about the number of deaths associated with the Rock n Play Sleeper and the Kids II sleepers. For years, the law also kept secret the number of tip-over deaths associated with Ikea dressers. At the CPSC hearing on May 1, many advocates voiced concerns about 6(b) and called for its repeal. Crystal Ellis, a child safety advocate and a mother whose 2-year-old son Camden died after a dresser fell on top of him, spoke at the CPSC hearing about how Section 6(b) had kept her from learning about the safety risks of the Ikea dresser in her sons bedrooma dresser that the CPSC and Ikea already knew had been linked to deaths. We need to eliminate 6(b) to protect consumers, the constituents. The restriction of information prevented my family from even having a chance to know that our dresser was unsafe, said Ellis, speaking on behalf of herself and Parents Against Tip-Overs, a nationwide coalition of parents of young children who lost their lives from a furniture tip-over incident. Whats more, the law also allowed Ikea to delay the recall [of the dresser] with an ineffective education campaign that ultimately resulted in the death of my friend, Janets son, Ted. Remington A. Gregg, counsel for civil justice and consumer rights at Public Citizen, a nonprofit advocacy organization, also put pressure on the CPSC during the hearing last week to reconsider Section 6(b). Section 6(b) has restrained the CPSC in its ability to proactively disclose safety hazards to the public. To our knowledge, no other federal agency that deals with public health and safety is subject to similar public disclosure restrictions, Gregg said. 6(b) negatively affects consumers by unnecessarily shielding critical product safety information from public view. There is no legitimate justification for this law, and Congress should eliminate it. ... True transparency requires 6(b) to be removed from law. When CR asked the CPSC about Section 6(b), a spokesperson stated that the agency does not have an official stance on the law. But individual commissioners sometimes express their personal opinions. The two current Democratic CPSC commissionersElliot Kaye and Robert Adlerconsistently have called for the law to be amended or eliminated. The three Republican commissioners have not taken a position on whether the law should be changed. Current acting chairman Ann Marie Buerkle, a Republican, recently told CR: I affirm the legislative branch of elected officials should decide what our laws should be. I respect the roles of the different branches of governmentthey legislate, we execute. Cowles, of KID, however, emphasized that the CPSC owes it to public safety to reexamine their use of the Act. More from Consumer Reports: Top pick tires for 2016 Best used cars for $25,000 and less 7 best mattresses for couples Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. CR does not endorse products or services, and does not accept advertising. Copyright 2019, Consumer Reports, Inc. WASHINGTON FBI Director Christopher Wray told a Senate panel Tuesday he was unaware of evidence that suggested the FBI engaged in unauthorized surveillance during the now-completed investigation into Russia's interference in the 2016 campaign. While Wray acknowledged that he was assisting Attorney General William Barr's review of the origins of the 22-month inquiry headed by special counsel Robert Mueller, he distanced himself from Barr's recent characterization that "spying did occur" during the Russia inquiry. "That's not the term I would use," Wray told the Senate Appropriations subcommittee. Last month, Barr startled some lawmakers on the same committee when he outlined the scope of his surveillance examination into whether federal investigators had overstepped their authority. "Spying on a campaign is a big deal," the attorney general told lawmakers then. "I think spying did occur. The question is whether it was adequately predicated." Just last week, during testimony before a separate Senate panel, the attorney general defended his portrayal of the FBI's investigative activities when repeatedly pressed by lawmakers. More: 'We're out of it.' Attorney General Barr defends release, conclusions of special counsel's Russia report More: Barr vs. Mueller: The attorney general fights his own battle with the special counsel as he stands up for Trump I think spying is a good English word, Barr said last week, adding that was an off-the-cuff reference. Im not going to back off. I dont consider it pejorative. President Donald Trump and some Republicans have long called for a deeper review of the FBI's conduct during the Russia inquiry and immediately embraced the news of Barr's surveillance inquiry. Apart from Barr's review, the Justice Department inspector general is conducting a separate review of the the FBI's handling of warrant applications under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. Former Attorney General Jeff Sessions referred the matter to the inspector general after questions were raised about the FBI's monitoring of former Trump foreign policy adviser Carter Page. Story continues The attorney general has said he planned to examine the "genesis and the conduct" of the FBI's investigation into possible ties between the Trump campaign and Russia, launched in the midst of the 2016 presidential run. The inquiry was ultimately turned over to Mueller to complete, and determined that Trump's campaign did not conspire with the Russian government. "The attorney general is seeking to understand better relating to how this investigation started," Wray told lawmakers Tuesday. "I think thats part of his job and part of mine." Asked directly about Barr use of the term "spying" to describe the FBI's surveillance activities, Wray said: A lot of people have a lot of colloquial phrases," Wray said, adding that he was focused on "making sure its done by the book, consistent with our lawful authorities. Like what you're reading?: Download the USA TODAY app for more This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: FBI chief Wray says he is unaware of 'spying' during Russia election interference investigation Federal regulators are warning consumers that they shouldnt return anonymous phone calls because of a one-ring robocall scheme thats affecting parts of the United States. The Federal Communications Commission released an advisory on Friday about these robocalls in which scammers let peoples phones ring once or twice before the call hangs up. The idea is to lure the targets into dialing back. When people do call back, theyre connected with a 900 number that charges per-minute fees. Most recently, residents in some New York and Arizona area codes have been hit, usually late at night and with calls using the 222 country code for Mauritania, according to the FCC. Robocallers can spoof their phone numbers to hide exactly where theyre coming from, so the 222 area code does not necessarily mean the calls are coming from that West African nation. In addition to #robocalls from Mauritanias 222 country code, consumers should be on the lookout for unknown, late-night calls from Sierra Leone (country code 232) or elsewhere. Do not call them back!https://t.co/jPHkBGiImq Ajit Pai (@AjitPaiFCC) May 6, 2019 Advances in technology allow massive amounts of calls to be made cheaply and easily. In addition, spoofing tools make it easy for scammers to mask their identity, the agency said. The FCC is working to combat scam calls with enforcement actions, a strong push for caller ID authentication, and support for call blocking tools. The FCC recommends that consumers not return phone calls they dont recognize and monitor their bills for premium charges if they have returned such a call. If you see those premium charges resulting from a scam call, reach out first to your phone company and second, if that doesnt work, file a complaint with the FCC. Affected consumers can also file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission. YouMail, a robocall-blocking software company, estimated that Americans received nearly 50 billion robocalls last year. Unwanted calls are responsible for 60% of all complaints to the FCC. BEIJING, May 7 (Reuters) - Dallas Federal Reserve Bank President Robert Kaplan said on Tuesday he was optimistic the United States and China would find ways to deal with their trade issues. In a sharp deterioration in talks between the world's two largest economies, top U.S. trade officials said on Monday that China had backtracked on substantial commitments it made during trade negotiations with the United States. The concerns prompted U.S. President Donald Trump to say he would raise tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese goods imported into the United States. Kaplan, who was attending a question-and-answer session at a top Beijing university, said the U.S. economy should remain healthy, and a downturn or a recession was not to be expected. (Reporting by Kevin Yao; Writing by Ryan Woo; Editing by Clarence Fernandez) Beirut (AFP) - Clashes between Syrian government forces and jihadists have killed 43 fighters in the country's northwest, where the regime and its Russian ally have stepped up bombardment in the past few days, a monitor said. Jihadists also fired rockets at a Russian air base in the region but were repelled, with the attack causing no casualties or damage, the Russian defence ministry said in a statement. Twenty-two pro-government fighters were among those killed in fierce fighting in the northern countryside of Hama province, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on Monday. Twenty-one jihadists, including members of Al-Qaeda's former Syrian branch, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), and its ally the Turkistan Islamic Party, were also killed, the war monitor said. The fighting came as regime forces advanced on two villages and a strategic hilltop in the region, it said. State news agency SANA said Syrian troops launched "intensive operations," targeting supply lines and areas where armed groups operate in northern Hama and neighbouring Idlib. The region held by HTS has faced intensifying bombardment in the past month, prompting a new wave of displacement. Earlier Monday, five civilians were killed in shelling and air strikes on Idlib and neighbouring areas by Syrian government forces and their Russian allies, said the Observatory. An AFP photographer in Idlib saw several houses completely destroyed by recent attacks. One man who lost his wife, his daughter-in-law, and his two grandchildren during shelling overnight prepared a pickup truck to relocate surviving members of his family. "I don't know where I'm going," he told AFP. - 'Humanitarian disaster' - United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged the warring parties to protect civilians and respect a ceasefire. Guterres "calls for an urgent de-escalation of the situation as the holy month of Ramadan begins and urges the parties to recommit fully to the ceasefire arrangements of the memorandum signed on 17 September 2018", a statement read. Story continues More than 140,000 civilians have been forced to flee attacks since February, Refugees International said on Monday. "It is difficult to overstate the urgency of this looming humanitarian disaster if nothing is done to protect these people," the non-governmental organisation said in a statement. Escalated attacks have hit schools and medical facilities, according to the UN. Since 28 April, at least seven healthcare facilities have reportedly been struck, including four in Hama and three in Idlib, said David Swanson of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Russia and rebel-backer Turkey in September inked a buffer zone deal to prevent a massive regime offensive on the Idlib region, near the Turkish border. But the region of some three million people has come under increasing bombardment since HTS took full control of it in January. A statement by the Russian defence ministry said that the Hmeimim airbase in Latakia province neighbouring Idlib was the target Monday of rocket fire. "Altogether there were 36 rockets fired," during two separate attacks which were "repelled by air defence systems," it said. The civil war in Syria has killed more than 370,000 people and displaced millions since it began with the bloody repression of anti-government protests in 2011. As a transgender pastor of a small Hong Kong church that welcomes all sexualities, Marrz Balaoro wants to conduct religious marriage ceremonies for same-sex couples but fears arrest -- a battle he is now taking to the courts. Despite growing support for gay marriage in the international financial hub, campaigners have made little headway against stiff opposition from the city's successive pro-Beijing governments and religious conservatives. But now an unprecedented legal challenge filed by the Filipino Reverend Balaoro turns the more commonly heard religious argument opposing gay marriage on its head. In a filing with the city's High Court he argues that his congregation's freedom to worship -- a right enshrined in Hong Kong's mini-constitution -- is being trampled on by the city's ban on same-sex marriages. "All we ask for is to be allowed to worship and practise our religious faith in the eyes of God, free from the threat of persecution," Balaoro explained. The 62-year-old pastor -- who has worked as a domestic helper in Hong Kong since 1981 -- knows that threat all too well. In 2017 he was arrested on suspicion of breaking Hong Kong's marriage laws for officiating "Holy Union" ceremonies at the city's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Straight (LGBTS) Christian Church. The denomination originated in the Philippines but has a small following among gay domestic workers in the southern Chinese city. The union ceremonies were religious blessings for same-sex couples with no legal weight and prosecutors eventually dropped the case. - Court protection? - But despite repeated attempts, Balaoro was unable to get written assurances from Hong Kong authorities that he won't be arrested again should he conduct another union. His legal application seeks a court declaration that such same-sex religious ceremonies are not illegal. Balaoro is clear his church's same-sex ceremonies have no legal substance under Hong Kong law, but he says they carry great spiritual importance for his flock. Story continues "They know this is just a celebration of love and togetherness," he told AFP, describing the occasions as "joyous". Hong Kong does not recognise same-sex marriage or civil unions and only decriminalised homosexuality in 1991. But a British lesbian won the right to live and work in Hong Kong with her partner in a landmark ruling last year hailed by rights groups. A separate case has been lodged by two Hong Kong men directly challenging the same-sex marriage ban as unconstitutional. But Balaoro's application is unusual because it includes a freedom of religion argument. In the filing requesting the court to hear their case, his lawyers said current legislation restricting the "celebration of the religious rite of marriage only to heterosexual monogamous couples" is discriminatory. Balaoro and his parishioners are "treated differently on the basis of their religion, to their detriment". - 'Accepted for who you are' - Originally from the Philippine province of Abra, Balaoro has identified as a male since the age of five. "When I was younger my parents could not even impose on me to wear dresses and skirts, not until I went to a private Catholic (girls') school... I wore shorts under my skirt, and I wore a t-shirt under my long-sleeves, and I took off everything on my way out of the school campus," he said with a laugh. On top of his full-time job as a domestic worker, he became a pastor in 2013, established the Hong Kong branch of the LGBTS Christian Church a year later, and was ordained as a reverend in 2017. Born into a Catholic family, he stopped going to church during his high school and college years, citing the discrimination he faced. But when he later encountered the slogan of the LGBTS Christian Church -- "you are accepted for who you are, and safe for what you are" -- he found his calling to propagate faith with advocacy. "I think it is my role, it is my duty, not only to the LGBT community but to all people out there (to say) that we exist and there's nothing wrong with us." There are nearly 370,000 migrant domestic workers in the city -- mostly women from the Philippines and Indonesia -- often performing menial tasks for low wages while living in poor conditions. Gay domestic workers, he says, are especially vulnerable, often facing discrimination at other churches. "The support we need is to defend us, to support our cause, to respect our gender identity. That's what matters to us." Harry and Meghan have welcomed a baby boy [Photo: PA] The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have welcomed their first child. Meghan, 37, gave birth to a healthy baby boy, weighing 7lbs 3oz, at 05:26 on May 6, 2019. Proud new father Harry, 34, gave a short TV interview after the announcement on Monday, saying he was over the moon about his arrival. He added: Well be seeing you guys in probably two days time as planned, as a family, to be able to share it with you guys so everyone can see the baby. While the duke and duchess opted out of an initial post-birth photo call, its likely the world will get the first glimpse of their baby boy on Wednesday. READ MORE: Meghan Markle 'gave birth in London hospital' not at home Royal commentator Omid Scobie tweeted: It will be a quiet day in terms of announcements but tomorrows photo call is not far away. He added: Im told their first night as a family of three was peaceful and emotional. It will be a quiet day in terms of announcements but tomorrows photo call is not far away. Until then, Harry and Meghan are quietly enjoying private time at Frogmore Cottage with their new son. Im told their first night as a family of three was peaceful and emotional. Omid Scobie (@scobie) May 7, 2019 Originally it was believed that Meghan had a home birth, but reports have since emerged that she was taken to a London hospital - likely The Portland - on Sunday evening. A basic delivery costs upwards of 15,000 at the private maternity hospital. READ MORE: Body language expert on Harry's giddy birth announcement Buckingham Palace has declined to comment, while a spokeswoman for The Portland told Yahoo UK: We are unable to confirm speculation about individuals who may or may not have been cared for at The Portland Hospital." The babys name is also yet to be announced. Harry said he and Meghan are still thinking about names. James, Alexander and Arthur are among the frontrunners in the latest royal baby name odds, according to bookmakers. Yesterday, my colleague and podcast co-host Alexandra DeSanctis wrote a piece describing a confrontation between Pennsylvania state representative Brian Sims and an elderly woman who was apparently praying quietly outside a Planned Parenthood office in Pennsylvania. Simss actions toward the woman were absurdly aggressive. He mocked her faith, her age, and her race. He impeded her path, and then tried to get her address so he could go protest in front of her home. Later yesterday, another video emerged, this one on Simss Facebook page, in which he mocks a small group of young protesters, tries to dox them, and attacks their race and religion. Most of the response to Sims yesterday focused on his ridiculous substance and demeanor. Hes a public official trying to bully and intimidate people who are quietly and peacefully exercising their First Amendment rights. But I have a different question: Where are the social-media police? Just last week, Facebook banned a series of extremist accounts for being dangerous after evaluating their content and their owners activities outside of Facebook. Twitter has launched its own round of bans against far-right figures, including for example banning Laura Loomer after she tweeted that Ilhan Omar was anti-Jewish and part of a faith in which homosexuals are oppressed and women are abused. Just today, Twitter suspended a clearly marked Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez parody account, in part for attempting to manipulate the conversations on Twitter, whatever that means. Shouldnt the exact same rules that empowered bans of far-right figures apply to far-left Brian Sims? Lets look at Facebooks community standards. They prohibit hate speech and define it as a direct attack on people based on [their] protected characteristics race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, caste, sex, gender, gender identity, and serious disease or disability. Moreover, they also prohibit soliciting certain kinds of personally identifiable information, including addresses. Story continues On Facebook, Sims tried to dox young girls and explicitly attacked their race and religion. Simss post is still up, and Simss account is still active. Twitters hateful conduct policy prohibits directly attack[ing] someone on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, religious affiliation, age, disability, or serious disease. It also explicitly notes that women are disproportionately targeted for online abuse. On Twitter, Sims tried to dox an elderly lady and explicitly attacked her race and religion. He also chronicled behavior that was clearly physically intimidating. Simss tweet is still up, and Simss account is still active. Moreover, if we want to apply the terminology of power dynamics, in both cases Sims is punching down. A male public official is engaging in abusive behavior against women who lack his platform and stature. By any fair reading of either social-media platforms rules, Sims is just as guilty of violations as any number of far-right accounts. Yet he skates by with apparent impunity. Why? The answer goes to the heart of the reason why Silicon Valley has lost the public trust of tens of millions of Americans. They know the rules are malleable. They know double standards apply. And they know that the campus-censorship culture is being imported online. On campus (and increasingly also on social media), far-right anger and attacks are deemed dangerous and abusive. Far-left anger and attacks are instead deemed expressions of righteous outrage. Maliciously racialized far-right language is seen as evidence of white supremacy and white nationalism. Maliciously racialized far-left language is perceived as an attack on the privileged and powerful. The result is that hate-speech policies exist not as easily interpreted, uniformly applied rules that provide all users fair notice of the conditions for using the platforms, but rather as subjectively interpreted, selectively applied weapons to wield on behalf of favored ideas and individuals. The result is that some people are more exposed to abuse than others because those people are deemed less worthy of protection. Twitter will move to protect a U.S. congresswoman like Ilhan Omar a highly visible public figure with a huge platform from attacks on her faith, but it will not lift a finger to protect an unknown elderly woman from becoming an object of hate and derision on the basis of her age, race, or faith. How does this make any rational sense? As a matter of principle (private companies enjoy the blessings of liberty) and pragmatism (social media is unlikely to improve under the watchful eye of, say, President Kamala Harris), I oppose government efforts to regulate social-media speech policies. But publicly exposing inconsistency and hypocrisy lays the groundwork for a market correction. The most powerful check on social media remains the user base; the companies economic models depend not just on user loyalty but also user growth. I have long argued that social-media companies should voluntarily adopt First Amendmentbased speech policies. A First Amendment analysis does not mean anything goes, but it does mean that rules and regulations restricting speech must be viewpoint-neutral. Harassment, incitement, invasion of privacy, and intentional infliction of emotional distress are speech limitations with viewpoint-neutral definitions, and one of the fastest ways to violate the First Amendment is with selective enforcement even of viewpoint-neutral rules. The great value of viewpoint neutrality is that it comports with our sense of fundamental fairness. It hearkens back to the image of the blindfolded Lady Justice, holding her scales, indifferent to the power or privilege of her petitioners. Twitter and Facebook have removed the blindfold, thrown away the scales, and chosen to wield only the sword. Its the weapon of social justice, and when its wielded against a lone, brave woman on a Philadelphia sidewalk, its an instrument of bias, abuse, and hate. More from National Review COPENHAGEN (Reuters) - Danish prosecutors have charged Thomas Borgen, former chief executive of Danske Bank, over his involvement in one of the world's biggest money laundering scandals, newspaper Borsen reported on Tuesday, citing his lawyer. Borgen is the first person to be charged in a case that involves suspicious transactions of some 200 billion euros ($224 billion) that passed through Danske Bank's Estonian branch between 2007 and 2015. Denmark's biggest bank is being investigated by authorities in several other countries including the United States, where it could face major fines. Shares in Danske Bank have more than halved since March last year, and on Tuesday fell to their lowest since August 2013 following the Borsen report, which did not specify the nature of the charges against the bank's former CEO. Borgen, who had been in charge of Danske Bank's international operations, including Estonia, between 2009 and 2012, resigned in September after an investigation revealed the scale of the suspicious payments. Prosecutors raided Borgen's home on March 12, the report quoted the lawyer as saying. Borsen also cited unnamed sources as saying the Danish prosecutor had charged at least two other former managers at Danske Bank in relation to the money laundering case, but did not give any names. Borgen and his lawyer did not respond to calls, while the prosecutor and Danske Bank both declined to comment. Denmark's state prosecutor filed preliminary charges against Danske Bank itself in November for alleged violations of the country's anti-money laundering act in relation to its Estonian branch. The prosecutor said at the time he would clarify whether individuals could be held responsible. The money laundering scandal has spread to Sweden where Swedbank in March dismissed its chief executive over allegations its Baltic accounts were used to launder money. (Reporting by Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen; Editing by Dale Hudson/Keith Weir/Alexander Smith) (Corrects former Prime Minister's ethnic group in para 8) ADDIS ABABA, May 7 (Reuters) - The former head of Ethiopia's intelligence service was charged in absentia on Tuesday with misuse of power and corruption, part of a crackdown by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's government on senior security officials suspected of rights abuses. Details of the two charges against Getachew Asefa, former head of the National Intelligence and Security Service, and 25 other defendants ran to 106 pages. Getachew is accused of torture, causing deaths during interrogations and detaining members of opposition groups - at a time when they were labeled terrorist groups and banned under the previous government. Four of those charged, including Getachew, are missing; the charge sheet says they are hiding in the Tigray region. The rest are in custody. The men have not yet entered a plea. After taking office a year ago, Abiy promised to clean up state-owned firms and the military. Dozens of officials who served under the previous government have been arrested and charged with abuse of office and corruption. Last month Ethiopian authorities arrested 59 government officials on suspicion of corruption and economic sabotage and 60 were arrested in November, including the former head of military-industrial conglomerate METEC. Former Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, from the Wolayta ethnic group, was forced to step down last year after three years of sporadic, deadly protests. Abiy is from the same ruling coalition, but comes from the larger Oromo ethnic group, which was at the forefront of the protests. Ethiopia, a country of more than 100 million people, is Africa's fastest-growing economy but it continues to be rocked by sporadic, deadly ethnic violence. There are nearly 3.2 million people internally displaced, according to the United Nations. (Writing by Katharine Houreld Editing by Frances Kerry) ISTANBUL, May 7 (Reuters) - Former Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim will again be the ruling AK Party's candidate in next month's re-run of the Istanbul mayoral election, President Tayyip Erdogan told reporters on Tuesday. Yildirim narrowly lost the March 31 Istanbul election to the main opposition candidate, but the High Election Board ruled on Monday to annul the vote over various irregularities and called a fresh contest for June 23. (Reporting by Orhan Coskun; Writing by Daren Butler; Editing by Jonathan Spicer) Paris (AFP) - France Telecom's former CEO on Tuesday rejected any responsibility for a string of suicides as he pushed through a wrenching restructuring plan that cost thousands of employees their jobs a decade ago. Didier Lombard and other former executives are on trial on unprecedented charges of moral harassment that allegedly prompted 35 employees to take their lives in 2008 and 2009. "The transformations a business has to go through aren't pleasant, that's just the way it is, there's nothing I could have done," Didier Lombard told a Paris court. "If I hadn't been there, it would have been the same, if not worse," he said. "The problem was that we had to get our house in order." Now 77, Lombard resigned under a cloud in 2010 after several disparaging remarks including one referring to a "suicide fad" at the former state telecoms giant, since rechristened Orange. In 2006, he told staff: "I'll get people to leave one way or another, either through the window or the door." Relatives of the suicide victims and other plaintiffs accuse Lombard and other officials of instituting systemic psychological pressure to push workers to quit, through forced transfers or demotions. The restructuring plan involved cutting 22,000 jobs out of 120,000 over a three-year period. On Tuesday, however, Lombard blamed a "media crisis" for overshadowing the success of his efforts. "Newspapers said the company was in a terrible state, it wrecked morale," he said. - 'Profound sadness' - In a letter he read to the court, Lombard also expressed his "sincere and profound sadness that this situation involuntarily contributed to the fragility of some, to the point that they carried out this irreparable act." But his remarks angered some former workers attending the trial. "I can't believe it. It makes me sick," said Yves Minguy, an IT specialist who suffered severe depression which he said resulted from intense pressure by his supervisors. Story continues "Saving a company means the loss of human lives, and he couldn't do anything about it?" he told AFP after the hearing. "It's staggering." During their investigation, magistrates focused on the cases of 39 employees -- 19 of whom killed themselves, 12 who tried to, and eight who suffered from acute depression or were signed off sick as a result of it. Alongside Lombard, also in the dock on the same charge were his former number two Louis-Pierre Wenes and the ex-head of human resources Olivier Barberot. Four others face charges of complicity in a trial set to be closely followed by businesses, unions and workforce experts. If convicted, they could face a year behind bars and a 15,000-euro ($16,800) fine. The trial could last until July 12. Orange itself could be slapped with a 75,000-euro sanction if found guilty. The trial marks the first time that representatives from a blue-chip company in France's CAC-40 stock index have gone on trial for moral harassment. PARIS, May 7 (Reuters) - The United States and China must avoid escalating trade tensions in their current negotiations to keep global growth on track, French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said on Tuesday. "We want the negotiations to stick to the principals of transparency and multilateralism," Le Maire said as he arrived for a conference at the French finance ministry. "I really urge everybody to avoid decisions that would threaten and jeopardize world growth in the coming months," he added. China's commerce ministry had also said on Tuesday that Vice Premier Liu He would visit the United States on May 9 and May 10 for bilateral trade talks at the invitation of senior U.S. officials. (Reporting by Leigh Thomas; Editing by Sudip Kar-Gupta) PARIS, May 7 (Reuters) - French President Emmanuel Macron expressed concern on Tuesday over Syrian government strikes carried out in Idlib and he called for a U.N.-backed political resolution to the war. "Grave concerns over the escalation of violence in Syria and the region of Idlib. The strikes by the regime and its allies, including on hospitals, have killed numerous civilians in recent days," Macron wrote on his Twitter page. The upsurge in violence in the Idlib area has strained a Russian-Turkish deal that had staved off a government offensive since September. The area is part of the last major foothold of the Syrian rebellion. (Reporting by John Irish and Sudip Kar-Gupta; Editing by Angus MacSwan) The case of two Reuters journalists - freed in Myanmar on Tuesday -- played a key part in shredding Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi's reputation as a rights champion after she failed to come to their defence or speak up for the persecuted Rohingya minority. Suu Kyi was once a staunch advocate for the press and a darling of the foreign media, but her silence over the persecuted Rohingya minority has drawn widespread condemnation. During her long years of house arrest under the former junta -- which choked the media inside Myanmar -- it was foreign correspondents who beamed her message of peaceful defiance to the outside world. Glowing profiles burnished her image, with comparisons made to the Dalai Lama, Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King. Suu Kyi remains adored inside Myanmar. Supporters of her democracy battle say she has limited control over the military, which embarked on reforms in 2010 after almost 50 years in power. Yet former friends and supporters have looked on aghast at her lack of criticism over the military's campaign against the Rohingya, which UN investigators have said amounted to genocide. Tuesday's release of Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo after 511 days behind bars brought joy and relief for Myanmar's embattled press community, but further highlighted Suu Kyi's crippled legacy. - 'Part of the problem' - Rights groups have slammed the civilian leader for not using her influence to stop the Reuters case from proceeding. Phil Robertson, deputy director for Human Rights Watch in Asia, said Suu Kyi was continuously unhelpful and evasive over the plight of Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, and her "increasingly hostile attitude toward independent media in Myanmar was a big issue". He said Suu Kyi could have requested a presidential pardon long ago and that she has now become "part of the problem" since the start of the Rohingya crisis in August 2017, playing a role in a "national cover-up of the atrocities". Story continues Since sweeping to power after historic elections in 2015, Suu Kyi has had an increasingly fraught relationship with the press. Prosecutions of journalists and media intimidation more redolent of the junta years have been common. Around 20 journalists were prosecuted in 2017, many under a controversial online defamation law. At the same time Suu Kyi has been accused of backing misleading information about the Rakhine crisis. State media published by the Suu Kyi-controlled Ministry of Information has continuously echoed the military line, rejecting many of the allegations of atrocities against the Rohingya as deliberate fake news. That has put her at odds with a mountain of evidence and an international community calling for justice. Political analyst Maung Maung Soe said it was this "huge international pressure" which eventually brought about the release of the two journalists, which was unlikely to have any significant impact on Suu Kyi's reputation. Robertson said Suu Kyi will likely ignore the the journalists' release and "act like justice was served". - Praise for generals - Suu Kyi's defenders say her hands are tied by an army that still controls security matters as well as 25 percent of parliamentary seats. The stateless Rohingya are also deeply unpopular among the Buddhist-majority public in Myanmar, where Islamophobia has surged in recent years. That reality gives Suu Kyi little political incentive to defend the Muslim minority -- or reporters who write about their plight. But some analysts note a transformation in recent months, from Suu Kyi trying to avoid talking about the issue to supporting the military's kickback against "terrorists". And at a speech in Singapore in August 2018 she referred to generals in her cabinet as "rather sweet". burs/je/joe/rox (For a live blog on European stocks, type LIVE/ in an Eikon news window) * FTSE 100 down 0.3 pct * FTSE 250 down 0.2 pct * G4S slips after Garda World drops takeover plan * UK's Domino's Pizza down on weak trading update * Banks biggest drags on main index May 7 (Reuters) - Britain's main stock index fell to a one-month low on Tuesday as investors returned from a long weekend to a threat by U.S. President Donald Trump to China on tariffs. Mid-cap security group G4S dropped after Canada's Garda World abandoned its takeover plan. The FTSE 100 was down 0.3 percent by 0711 GMT after falling as much as 0.7 percent. Midcaps were 0.2 percent lower. Trump's threat to impose additional tariffs on Chinese goods hit Asia-exposed financial stocks. HSBC and Prudential were among the biggest drags on the blue-chip index. Industrial groups Melrose and Ashtead, which are vulnerable to uncertainties in the global market, lost 2.5 percent and 1 percent respectively. On the midcap index, Security group G4S slumped 8.2 percent and headed for its worst day in six months after Garda World said on Sunday it would not make an offer for the company. Shares in Domino's Pizza, Britain's biggest pizza delivery firm, led declines on the FTSE 250. Its shares fell 10.5 percent after the company said it no longer expects its international business to break even this year. AIM-listed Purplebricks dropped 7.5 percent after the online estate agent said its founder and chief executive, Michael Bruce, would quit immediately and the company would wind down its Australian operations and reviews its U.S. business. (Reporting by Muvija M in Bengaluru, editing by Larry King) NEW DELHI (AP) With India's general election inching toward the finish line, the battle for one seat in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh is being closely watched to see whether the scion of the country's most important modern political dynasty can retain his seat and revive his party's fortunes. After 15 years in politics, Rahul Gandhi is beginning to articulate a vision for India that some observers say is making him a more credible leader. But it's unclear whether Gandhi, who is president of the opposition Congress party, has rallied enough support in time to defeat Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Gandhi, 48, has often been the object of derision from political rivals, who accuse him, despite his pedigree, of being a lightweight. In contrast to Modi, a tea seller's son who went on to become India's leader, Gandhi inherited his power, making him an easy target of charges of nepotism and dynasty politics. For years, Modi and other leaders of his Bharatiya Janata Party have referred to Gandhi as the "shehzada," or prince. Critics accuse him of being aloof, a cosmopolitan elite detached from the harsh realities of India's legions of rural poor. After the Congress party's hold in Parliament collapsed from 206 of 543 seats to a mere 44 seats in 2014 elections, Gandhi's political obituary was all but written. But with small businesses and farmers hurt by some of Modi's signature policies, and mob attacks on Muslims on the rise, Gandhi and the inclusive, secular politics the Congress party has long represented are starting to resonate. Gandhi is seeking re-election for a fourth consecutive time in the Uttar Pradesh town of Amethi. The general election, which is being held in seven phases, ends May 19, and vote counting begins May 23. "In finding his feet in politics, Gandhi has become a perfect foil for Modi," said political commentator Seema Mustafa. "He comes through as humble, democratic and responsive, and plays on love, peace and humanity as against hate and aggression. The smile against the wagging finger, the embrace against the threat it is all now part of a persona, natural and yet crafted." Story continues If Gandhi came across as a reluctant politician, the reasons are not hard to find. His family, starting with his great-grandfather, Jawaharlal Nehru, has produced three prime ministers. Two of them his grandmother Indira Gandhi and father, Rajiv Gandhi were assassinated in office. "In my life, I have seen my grandmother die, I have seen my father die, I have seen my grandmother go to jail, and I have actually been through a tremendous amount of a pain as a child," Gandhi said in a 2014 interview with an Indian TV channel. Even after becoming a lawmaker, he distanced himself from political life, refusing to even call himself a candidate for prime minister. In 2014, he was re-elected in Amethi, considered a Gandhi bastion, by only a thin margin. Yet, under relentless public scrutiny, Gandhi has honed his public speaking and leadership skills. He now comes across as more confident, forceful and credible, according to political analysts. And he is also starting to come across as a vigorous and even pugnacious campaigner. In Parliament, where he's represented Amethi since 2004, he had been a backbencher, leaving the party reins largely to his mother, Sonia Gandhi. But he's started to hit back. One recent barb in particular struck home he taunted Modi for wearing a monogrammed suit worth $14,400, saying that Modi's "suit-boot" government was only for the rich. Perhaps most important, Gandhi has shown he has the stomach for a fight, even challenging Modi, a much more experienced politician, to a public debate. Modi has ignored the challenge. Gandhi's biggest political triumph in 15 years was easily Congress' win in assembly elections in December, wrangling power away from Modi's BJP in the states of Rajasthan, Madya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Suddenly, the BJPs' preferred Gandhi jibe "pappu," Hindi for greenhorn began to fall flat. Suhsmita Dave, head of the Congress party's women's wing, said she has known Gandhi well for a decade and he's basically the same man. The only difference, she said, is that earlier, he held back out of respect for protocol, letting his mother run the party and Manmohan Singh lead the Congress-controlled government. "He let them get on with their jobs. This gave the BJP a chance to paint him as a reluctant politician," Dave said. "But the truth is that he was never a leader in a hurry. He waited his turn. When it came, he took the bull by the horns and has been vocal and aggressive. There is no point firing your gun until the time is right." Still, critics say there's a long way to go. Gandhi brought his sister, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, into the party, appointing her to oversee a post in the eastern part of Uttar Pradesh that includes Varanasi, the Hindu holy city where Modi is up for re-election as a member of Parliament. Her popularity has drawn huge crowds to campaign events, but it may not be enough to counter her brother's perceived sluggishness. Gandhi has been criticized for his low attendance in the last Parliament, showing up just over half the time; for being abroad at critical moments; for describing power as "poison"; for not cultivating a younger generation of Congress leaders; and for failing to fulfill a promise to overhaul his party's hierarchy. He also was unable to forge an alliance with two important opposition parties in vote-rich Uttar Pradesh to wrest power away from the BJP in the current election. In New Delhi, too, he was unable to tie up with the ruling party to combat the BJP. Whatever the result of the election, Gandhi is now seen as a feisty opponent, most recently in an interview with the daily Indian Express newspaper. "That destruction of the idea of an invincible Mr. Modi, that destruction of the lie of Mr. Modi, is primarily the work of the Congress party," he said. Is your business prepared? A year ago, the European Union adopted the General Data Protection Regulation, or GDPR, a piece of legislation designed to force companies to protect peoples data. In just a few months, another data-related EU law is coming into effect: the Second Payment Services Directive, or PSD2. The new law, which becomes mandatory on September 14, takes aim at financial firms. The goal: Boost competition and innovation within the industry by making banking and payments safer and more open through stronger security and data portability provisions. Claire Hughes Johnson, chief operating officer of Stripe, the highest privately valued fintech startup in the U.S., dropped by Fortunes Balancing The Ledger studio to discuss her companys approach to compliance. She said the infrastructural challenges presented by the rules are pretty rough. One aspect of the new law requires that companies support strong customer authentication; in other words, banks must reject payments that fail to verify the identity of the purchaser, in real time, through multiple steps. Financial firms have been ordered to use a combination of passwords or PINs along with a second factor, which could involve a text message sent to a phone number, a hardware security token, or biometrics, like a fingerprint or face scan. (There are some exemptions.) For people who study consumer behavior and shopping carts its really scary because it does create a lot of friction, Johnson said. Our mission is to take away that complexity and cover all the compliance and the infrastructure you need for payment acceptance and paying out. In April 2018, Stripe for an undisclosed sum acquired Touchtech Payments, a Dublin-based fintech startup that builds authentication technologies for banks, specifically to address the regulatory challenge. At the time, John Collison, Stripes cofounder and president, told TechCrunch that the regulation is a huge deal and that people are sleepwalking into it. Three months after GDPR went into effect, one oft-cited study found that out of 103 GDPR-applicable businesses, about 70% failed to comply with one of the laws basic mandates: supplying personal data to a consumer who requests a copy within a month. That sluggish response does not bode well for companies facing down the new rules deadline. To quote Billie Joe Armstrong, frontman of the punk rock outfit Green Day: Wake me up when September ends. HOSCHTON, Ga. (AP) The mayor and a council member in a mostly white north Georgia city are facing calls to resign over racially charged comments. At issue is how Mayor Theresa Kenerly treated a black candidate for the city administrator job in Hoschton. In documents released by the city, Councilwoman Hope Weeks wrote that the mayor told her Keith Henry was a good candidate "but he was black and we don't have a big black population and she just didn't think Hoschton was ready for that." Initially, Kenerly would not answer questions about her reported comments, saying she could not publicly talk about matters that occurred in executive session even though the law does not forbid that. Later, she issued a statement disputing accounts from other city officials, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported . "I do not recall making the statement attributed to me regarding any applicant for the City Administrator position, and I deny that I made any statement that suggest (sic) prejudice," she said. The AJC's investigation into the controversy revealed not only a deeply flawed hiring process, but also hard racial attitudes inside Hoschton's government. All of this occurs as the city of fewer than 2,000 people just outside Gwinnett County is poised for dramatic growth with the construction of thousands of new homes. Henry said he was interviewed by Kenerly over the phone and did not detect bias on her part. But as a black man applying for executive government positions in small Southern towns, he said he is not shocked if there was. "It comes with the territory," he said. "If you live in America as a minority you can't be naive that it is the reality that you face." At a tense city council meeting Monday, Councilwoman Susan Powers called for resignations of the mayor and Councilman Jim Cleveland, who earlier told the newspaper that he abhors interracial marriage because he's a Christian. Story continues Cleveland defended the mayor, while confirming many aspects of the story, including that she made a tearful apology in another executive session on March 12. According to accounts from council members, Kenerly said she was "looking out" for Henry because the city does not have a lot of minority residents. "I was there for that," Cleveland said. "She cried. She had tears in her eyes. It was in my opinion a very sincere apology." Powers said she was unimpressed with the apology. "It was, 'I'm sorry if I caused you guys trouble,'" she said. "She was apologizing to the council. To me, she shouldn't be apologizing to us, but to the person she harmed and to the city." The AJC asked Kenerly why she apologized and removed herself from the search for a new administrator if she did not make the comments, as she said in her statement to the newspaper. She did not respond to those questions. According to a series of emails obtained by the AJC, a deal was made between Mitchell and the city's five elected officials to continue the hiring process that allowed Kenerly to attend, but not participate, in the interviews. Cleveland said he did not think Kenerly was necessarily wrong regarding her comments about Henry. "I understood where she was coming from," he said. "I understand Theresa saying that, simply because we're not Atlanta. Things are different here than they are 50 miles down the road." Hoschton sits just across the Gwinnett County line in Jackson County, adjacent to the larger city of Braselton. Nearly 90 percent of its residents identify as white. Downtown Hoschton occupies about two city blocks, but it is ringed with new, partially built subdivisions. In February, Florida-based Kolter Homes announced it had closed on 1,422 acres of land south of Hoschton on which it plans to build a high-end senior citizen community with 2,600 homes. ___ Information from: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, http://www.ajc.com BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany hopes that an escalation of the trade dispute between the United States and China can be avoided, Economy Minister Peter Altmaier said on Monday, adding that all parties should be careful with implementing unilateral decisions. U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to ratchet up tariffs on $200 billion worth of imports from China, escalating the dispute marked by tit-for-tat duties between Washington and Beijing as ongoing talks were set to continue this week. "We all hope that the trade conflict between the U.S. and China can be resolved because it doesn't have any positive consequences for anyone," Altmaier said on the sidelines of a conference in Berlin when asked to comment on the trade dispute. "We need a rules-based trade order, we need open markets, we need fairness and a level playing field i.e. equal rights for companies from all countries involved," Altmaier added. (Reporting by Michael Nienaber; Editing by Michelle Martin) BERLIN Police say they have rescued a 17-month-old boy three hours after he fell into a three-meter (nearly 10-foot) shaft in western Germany. Rescue workers were called on Monday afternoon after the boy lifted a cover from the empty conduit while playing with his brother and fell inside the shaft. Airman under investigation after car crash that killed German teen German and U.S. military police helped oversee the operation in the village of Erzenhausen, which is near the United States Ramstein Air Base. Fire personnel used a small excavator to uncover the conduit as far as possible and then opened it up to free the toddler. The child was taken to a local hospital for observation and reported to be uninjured. By Rajendra Jadhav MUMBAI (Reuters) - Indians could buy at least 10 percent more gold during the annual Hindu and Jain holy festival of Akshaya Tritiya than a year ago, industry officials said, as a dip in prices prompted consumers to increase purchases. A rise in consumption by the world's second-biggest gold consumer could help global prices which are currently hovering near a 4-month low, but could widen India's trade deficit and put pressure on the rupee. "Demand is picking up across the country. We will end up with at least a 10 percent rise over last year," Anantha Padmanabhan, chairman of the All India Gem and Jewellery Domestic Council (GJC) told Reuters. Indians were celebrating Akshaya Tritiya on Tuesday, one of the most auspicious times to buy gold, along with Diwali and Dhanteras, which fall in October or November. "Buying gold is a must for me on Akshay Tritiya," said Deepti Mascarenhas as she tried on gold jewellery at a showroom in Mumbai. "This year it is more attractive as jewellers are offering discounts on jewellery making charges." Sudheesh Nambiath, head of the India Gold Policy Center, an industry think tank based at Ahmedabad in western state of Gujarat, estimated that gold sales during Akshay Tritiya account for around one-third of second quarter sales in the country. Gold futures in India fell to 31,240 rupees per 10 grams on Friday, the lowest level in more-than four months and down 8.2 percent from a 2019 high of 34,031 rupees hit in February. The price correction was boosting demand and individual customers were buying more than last year, said Ishu Datwani, owner of Mumbai-based Anmol Jewellers. Dealers were charging a premium of up to $2.5 an ounce over official domestic prices this week, up from last week's $2. The domestic price includes a 10 percent import tax and 3 percent sales tax. "In spite of the elections, all the indicators point towards a good buying season this Akshaya Tritiya in comparison to the previous year," said Somasundaram PR, the managing director of the World Gold Council's Indian operations. Story continues With voting underway in a general election that began on April 11 and ends on May 19, the Election Commission has made it mandatory for people to show valid documentation if they are carrying more than 50,000 rupees ($722) in cash, or else it could be seized. The ruling has hurt the jewellery industry, especially in rural areas where more than half of gold is bought in cash, said GJC's Padmanabhan. (Reporting by Rajendra Jadhav; Editing by Kirsten Donovan) Google on Tuesday kicked off the first day of its 2019 I/O developer conference with a keynote highlighting the companys latest projects and products, as well as its accessibility initiatives powered by machine learning. Those more ambitious projects, like developing speech recognition software for people with speech impediments and using machine learning to detect diseases in their early stages, are all built atop the companys research into machine learning and computer vision. While the conference is ostensibly geared toward developers, there was plenty for Google fans and Android users to get excited about. Here are four of the biggest reveals from Google I/O 2019: New, cheaper Google Pixel smartphones Google After more than a few leaked images heralding the cheaper Android phones arrival, Google officially unveiled the comparatively affordable Pixel 3a and 3a XL smartphones. On their surface, they dont look much different from the original Pixel 3 and 3 XL counterparts, save for their plastic construction compared to the previous versions glass and metal build. Inside, the slower processor, lack of wireless charging, and dismissal of any waterproofing rating explain the lower price point. But the 3a includes the much-desired 3.5mm headphone jack, just in case you wanted to use the headphones you already own for a change. The Pixel 3a and 3a XL are b available immediately in black, white, or purple, from various wireless carriers (though AT&T is suspiciously absent from Googles list) starting at $399. Google Assistant just got way more interesting The search giants ubiquitous Google Assistant got a major upgrade at I/O 2019 that could alter how people interact with or speak to their phones. Its thanks to Googles newest AI update that allows for on-device AI processing, reducing latency for tasks like transcription or speech recognition, and letting you take advantage of machine learning capabilities even when youre offline. Story continues Google demonstrated the improved Assistants new tricks by bouncing between apps, booking a Lyft ride, pulling up photos, and filling out an email from subject to sign off, all through voice commands that ditched the whole Hey, Google, call to action. Responses were faster, and thanks to new contextual updates, the Google Assistant can actually understand and provide accurate results for tasks like getting directions to moms house. Nest is taking over smart homes Google Google is consolidating some of its hardware products by sticking its Google Home devices under the Nest brand, which features items like the Nest Hello Doorbell and Nest Secure Alarm. The first new product revealed under the Nest brand is the Nest Hub Max, a 10-inch, camera-equipped version of Googles smaller 7-inch Home Hub (now called the Nest Hub). The larger Nest Hub Max adds a more powerful audio system, as well as a camera for video calls using Google Duo. It also supports facial recognition for displaying personalized information on the screen when appropriate. Google also demonstrated a pretty smart gesture feature, taking advantage of the camera to let you raise your hand to instantly pause whatevers playing instead of screaming over it. Whether or not Googles inclusion of the camera ruins what many loved about the bedroom-friendly Nest Hub is yet to be seen. Your alarms new safe word is stop Undoubtedly, the announcement that received the most applause was a surprisingly minor one: an update coming to Google Home devices will finally let users stop alarms and timers by simply saying Stop, rather than depending on Googles wake phrase to get a gadgets attention. By Angela Moon and Paresh Dave NEW YORK/MOUNTAIN VIEW, California (Reuters) - Alphabet Inc's Google launched more affordable versions of its Pixel smartphone on Tuesday at about half the price of its current models, and dropped an exclusive U.S. distribution deal with Verizon Communications Inc, signaling a major shift in the tech giant's hardware strategy. Since hitting the market three years ago, the Pixel has been a slow seller compared to phones from Apple Inc and Samsung Electronics Co. Those companies spend far more than Google on advertising, offer options at multiple prices and ensure wide distribution. Google is now moving to close the gap. The new Pixel 3a is priced as low $399, compared with $799 for last year's Pixel 3. The cheaper version will have one front camera instead of two and no wireless charging option, Google said. The phone will sell in the same 13 countries as the Pixel 3. And while Pixel devices currently work on T-Mobile, Sprint and U.S. Cellular networks, those U.S. wireless carriers will also begin to sell the phones starting Wednesday, along with Verizon. "It was the right time" for the expansion, Mario Queiroz, the Google vice president overseeing Pixel, told Reuters last week. "Getting into the market initially, it was better to do it in a focused way, but we've got to the point where we're ready to do it more broadly." Google had discussions with AT&T, another major U.S. carrier, but could not overcome some differences, according to people familiar with the matter. But Google and AT&T continue to discuss the possibility of stocking smartphones in the future, one of the people said. Google's Queiroz declined to comment on talks with partners. He said advertising for the Pixel 3a would be a continuation of campaigns for the Pixel 3. The Pixel 3a was unveiled Tuesday on the main stage at Google I/O, Google's annual conference for its thousands of industry partners and its showcase for new products. Story continues Technology analysts said the mid-price range smartphone, which had been rumored for weeks, makes Google a more serious contender in the industry. Earlier Pixel devices have drawn strong user reviews for camera features and artificial intelligence capabilities that beat those in phones from Samsung and other manufacturers using Google's Android mobile operating system. But Android partners have seen little threat as demand slowed for phones priced above $500. Google last month reported fewer first-quarter Pixel sales than a year ago due to increased competition and decreased demand in the high-end market. "Up until now, Pixel was more like a hobby than an actual business," said Ben Wood, chief of research at market research firm CCS Insight. The Pixel 3a and its 0.4-inch larger cousin, Pixel 3a XL, which starts at $479, could upset Android partners, analysts said. "It's like walking a tightrope," said Wayne Lam, an analyst with IHS Markit. "You don't want to upset your licensees but you have to go where the money is." Queiroz, the Google VP, declined to comment on profit margins for the new models, which will keep features like a headphone jack that are obsolete in higher-priced smartphones. "Its not the absolutely bleeding edge technology," he said. "Our bet is that our software capabilities are better than our competitors." (Reporting by Angela Moon in New York and Paresh Dave in San Francisco; Editing by Jeffrey Benkoe) ATHENS, Greece (AP) Officials say a far-left Greek extremist serving 11 life terms for a string of assassinations is in the hospital following a five-day hunger strike over prison authorities' refusal to grant him temporary leave. Dimitris Koufodinas, 61, was being treated in the central town of Volos Tuesday, health officials said. Koufodinas was the main hit man for the November 17 group, which killed 23 people, including Western diplomats, between 1975-2000. N17 was eradicated in 2002. Since late 2017 Koufodinas has been granted six furloughs once after a hunger strike and transferred from a maximum-security Athens prison to a laxer penitentiary near Volos. That has sparked protests from relatives of his victims and U.S. officials. Anarchist groups in Athens plan a march in support of Koufodinas later Tuesday. The Grounding of the Max 737 Is Stoking More Open Skies Hypocrisy Next month, Air Canada expects to pay Qatar Airways to operate two routes for it from Montreal, one to Paris and the other to Barcelona, both with Airbus A330s. This is called a wet lease, and its a normal arrangement. Air Canada is short on planes because regulators have grounded its 24 Boeing 737 Max aircraft, while Qatar has more aircraft than it needs. Air Canadas Max jets generally dont cross the Atlantic, but the airline shifted some bigger jets to North American routes, and it needs more capacity to Europe. Air Canada will borrow planes and crews from other airlines, too. But none is as controversial in North America as the loaners from Qatar Airways. Heres why: The three major U.S. carriers United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and American Airlines have been livid with Qatar Airways for several years, saying it competes unfairly by taking government subsidies that may allow it to absorb losses on competitive routes. Once, they were most angry about Qatars growing slate of flights between the United States and Doha that allowed easy connections to the Middle East and Africa, but more recently they have complained about Qatar Airways investing in Air Italy, a fledgling Italian transatlantic airline. You may be wondering what that saga has to do with Air Canada, which does not have the same vitriol toward Qatar Airways or other Gulf airlines. But all these airlines are intertwined more than you might think, making complaints about Qatar from U.S. airlines seem disingenuous. The Ties That Bind Us In fact, at the same time a United-funded trade group inveighs against Qatar Airways, calling it a cheater and a stealer of American jobs, United and its customers will benefit from Air Canadas decision to lease jets and crews from Qatar Airways. The reason? Most travelers know United and Air Canada are partners, which is why passengers can book Newark to Montreal to Barcelona on United.com, an itinerary that includes United 8674 from Montreal to Barcelona, an Air Canada flight. Story continues But they may not know how closely United and Air Canada work together. On transatlantic routes, theyre part of a legalized oligopoly. They, along with several Lufthansa Group airlines, have antitrust immunity from European and U.S. regulators. Employees from all the companies work in the same offices in Europe and North America, setting capacity, fixing prices, and marketing flights. They even share revenue, so for United, its not so important whether a customer chooses United or Air Canada for transatlantic flights. United makes money regardless of where customers buy their itinerary, or what flight numbers it carries. Mums the Word There could be a carveout for wet-lease flying. But Skift was unable to get a straight answer from Air Canada or United on how Qatar-operated flights fit into the joint venture. Asked several times whether the companies share revenue on wet leases, Air Canada spokesman Peter Fitzpatrick said, Theres no change to the current structure. Air Canada/JV has P&L risk on these operations. United also declined to address the issue. Were not going to comment on our partners decisions on these matters, but we support their efforts to minimize any inconvenience to our customers due to the grounding of Max, an airline spokesman said. Meanwhile, the Partnership for Open & Fair Skies, the group funded by the Big Three, declined to comment, an odd move, considering how hard it has hit Qatar Airways. In a recent release, the group said Qatar Airways was cheating and threatening American jobs because of its 49 percent stake in Air Italy. The group has asked the Trump Administration to intervene, even though its not clear Qatar is breaking any laws. The whole thing seems hypocritical: How can U.S. airlines criticize Qatar Airways but then benefit directly or indirectly from Air Canadas partnership with it? The Proverbial Cake Lets remember United isnt the only U.S. carrier that takes indirect help from Qatar when convenient. American Airlines has anti-trust immunity with two airlines owned by International Airlines Group Iberia and British Airways and is seeking a similar arrangement with LATAM Airlines in South America. Yet Qatar Airways owns 20 precent of IAG and 10 percent of LATAM. Qatar has relatively small stakes in both, so maybe the investments dont matter. But two years ago, when some British Airways cabin crew went on strike for better wages, it borrowed nine short-haul airplanes from Qatar. They operated to Munich, Brussels, and Madrid, according to FlightRadar 24, all cities Americans customers visit. You can bet some American transatlantic passengers flew on wet-leased Qatar Airways planes. Again, this is not the problem. Wet-leasing is a part of the airline industry. Sometimes, airlines are short of planes and crews, and they need help. But if the U.S. airlines are going to be silent when their closest partners take help from Qatar Airways, they probably also shouldnt run to the Trump Administration every time Qatar does something they dont like. Subscribe to Skift newsletters covering the business of travel, restaurants, and wellness. * Banks face short-term obligations * Citizens queuing for cash and fuel * Military and protesters negotiating on transition By Patrick Werr CAIRO, May 7 (Reuters) - As wrangling over Sudan's political future drags on, its economy risks sinking further into disarray, with pledges of assistance from the Gulf expected to provide only short-term relief, say economists. The mass protests that led the army to topple president Omar al Bashir last month reduced business activity at a time when Sudan needs immediate resources to pay for wheat, fuel and medicines, bankers and other officials told Reuters. Almost four weeks after Bashir's departure, military leaders are locked in talks with opposition factions and protests groups on how to lead the country into its new dawn. As they talk, banks say they are still short of foreign exchange to pay off looming commitments, and farmers are searching for supplies for the summer growing season, due to start in a matter of weeks. Without swift economic and political progress, "public confidence will collapse, the crisis of the banking system will continue and the economic collapse might even worsen" , said Ibrahim Elbadawi, a Sudanese economist and former World Bank employee based in Cairo. A pledge of $3 billion in aid last month by Saudi Arabia and the United Arabic Emirates (UAE) will provide only a short breathing space, he and other economists added. The Saudi and UAE support included a $500 million deposit in Sudan's central bank, with the rest going towards fuel, wheat and medicine. So far, only the UAE has sent money to Sudan, placing a $250 million deposit with the central bank, a Sudanese banker in Khartoum said. He estimated this would cover essentials for one or two months. Elbadawi said even if the rest of the Gulf money came through, and hundreds of millions of dollars of gold and currency reportedly recovered in the homes of former officials found their way to state coffers, it would not prop up the economy much longer. Story continues "TOUGHER AND TOUGHER" Any new government that emerges from talks between the army and opposition factions and will face the same problems that brought down Bashir - from unsustainable state subsidies to cash and fuel shortages - while having to manage the public's heightened expectations. Meanwhile queues for petrol and bank notes have continued. Business has slowed, as manages wait for a clear steer on import policy and foreign exchange. The economy is also still haunted by Bashir's legacy - the penalties imposed first for his support of militant groups, later for the offensive he launched to crush rebels in the western region of Darfur. Because Sudan is still listed by the United States as a state sponsor of terrorism and has $1.3 billion of IMF arrears, it is unable to tap the IMF and World Bank for support. Sudanese banks have struggled to re-establish correspondent relationships with foreign banks. They now need to make efforts to honor the payments, the banker in Khartoum said. "If they lose trust, or contacts with existing correspondents, it's going to be tougher and tougher going forward." The U.S. has said it will not remove Sudan from the terrorism list while the military holds power. Sudan's main agricultural season for domestic and export crops starts within weeks, and supplies will be needed, said Mohamed Haroon, a social science professor at the University of Khartoum. "This is an issue that has to be dealt with in a prompt way by the new government," he said. The military council said on April 28 it had secured fuel and other inputs for the summer farming season and was working to provide funds to the central bank. Spending on Sudan's vast security network - both military and paramilitary - is also high. Elbadawi, who estimated that security and subsidies combined eat up more than 75 percent of the budget, said access to a World Bank program for demobilizing militias would need U.S. support and more financial backing from the Gulf. But many protesters say they reject Gulf aid because of the influence it could give Gulf states. "The cost might be high for the handouts we may get from some of the countries of the region," said Haroon. (Additional reporting by Khalid Abdelaziz in Khartoum Editing by Aidan Lewis and Andrew Heavens) BENGHAZI, Libya (Reuters) - Forces loyal to eastern commander Khalifa Haftar shot down a Tripoli government warplane purportedly flown by a foreign mercenary south of the Libyan capital on Tuesday, the Libyan National Army (LNA) said. The LNA media unit released photographs of what it said was the pilot receiving medical treatment while seated on a chair. One showed an LNA commander, Abdulsalam al-Hassi, standing behind him. Video posted on social media, which an LNA source said was authentic, showed the pilot, looking groggy and wearing a blood-soaked T-shirt and khaki jacket, being questioned in English. Asked his name, he said what sounded to be Jimmy Rees but his answer was not clear. He gave his age as 29 and said he was "from Portugal". Asked what he was doing in Libya, he said: "I was requested to destroy roads and bridges". Asked who sent him, he said it was a civilian contract with someone called Hadi but he did not know his full name. In Lisbon, the Portuguese Defence Ministry and they could not confirm the pilot's nationality. "For now the only thing we can say is that he is not a Portuguese soldier," a ministry spokeswoman told Reuters. Reuters correspondents in Lisbon said the man did not sound Portuguese. A spokesman for forces aligned with the internationally recognised government which is based in Tripoli had no immediate comment on the incident. Residents of Gharyan, about 80 km (50 miles) south of Tripoli, said that when the plane was heard overhead, anti-aircraft fire opened up. There was an explosion as it was hit. "The jet was shot down in Al-Hira town (10 km from Gharyan) and I saw LNA troops capturing the pilot," a Gharyan resident told Reuters. The eastern-based LNA, led by Haftar and backed principally by Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, began an offensive against Tripoli in early April but its advance has been blocked by forces loyal to Tripoli on the city's southern outskirts. The escalation is a setback for efforts by the United Nations and Western states to end the chaos and political division in Libya eight years after a NATO-backed uprising that toppled former leader Muammar Gaddafi. (Reporting by Ayman al-Werfalli; Writing by Ahmed Elumami; Editing by Angus MacSwan) BENGHAZI, Libya (Reuters) - Forces loyal to eastern commander Khalifa Haftar shot down a Tripoli government warplane purportedly flown by a foreign mercenary south of the Libyan capital on Tuesday, the Libyan National Army (LNA) said. The LNA media unit released photographs of what it said was the pilot receiving medical treatment while seated on a chair. One showed an LNA commander, Abdulsalam al-Hassi, standing behind him. Video posted on social media, which an LNA source said was authentic, showed the pilot, looking groggy and wearing a blood-soaked T-shirt and khaki jacket, being questioned in English. Asked his name, he said what sounded to be Jimmy Rees but his answer was not clear. He gave his age as 29 and said he was "from Portugal". Asked what he was doing in Libya, he said: "I was requested to destroy roads and bridges". Asked who sent him, he said it was a civilian contract with someone called Hadi but he did not know his full name. In Lisbon, the Portuguese Defense Ministry and they could not confirm the pilot's nationality. "For now the only thing we can say is that he is not a Portuguese soldier," a ministry spokeswoman told Reuters. Reuters correspondents in Lisbon said the man did not sound Portuguese. A spokesman for forces aligned with the internationally recognized government which is based in Tripoli had no immediate comment on the incident. Residents of Gharyan, about 80 km (50 miles) south of Tripoli, said that when the plane was heard overhead, anti-aircraft fire opened up. There was an explosion as it was hit. "The jet was shot down in Al-Hira town (10 km from Gharyan) and I saw LNA troops capturing the pilot," a Gharyan resident told Reuters. The eastern-based LNA, led by Haftar and backed principally by Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, began an offensive against Tripoli in early April but its advance has been blocked by forces loyal to Tripoli on the city's southern outskirts. The escalation is a setback for efforts by the United Nations and Western states to end the chaos and political division in Libya eight years after a NATO-backed uprising that toppled former leader Muammar Gaddafi. (Reporting by Ayman al-Werfalli; Writing by Ahmed Elumami; Editing by Angus MacSwan) Reports of the California red-legged frogs death are greatly exaggerated. The amphibian made famous by Mark Twain, who wrote about it in his short story The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County, has returned to Yosemite National Park after an absence of about half a century. Scientists this spring have discovered tadpoles and clusters of eggs in meadows and ponds, the first signs of breeding since the red-legged frogs were reintroduced to Yosemite in 2017. They had been extinct from the park for approximately 50 years due in large part to the proliferation of nonnative, predatory bullfrogs, which Yosemite has been eradicating. Its unusual to find eggs in any location, and to find them this soon is a strong indication that red-legged frogs are adapting successfully to the riparian areas where we reintroduced them, Yosemite Superintendent Mark Reynolds said Monday. The frogs, with their distinctive red hue under the hind legs and in the abdomen, can be found in California and in parts of northern Mexico. They are listed as a threatened species and will probably become endangered in the foreseeable future, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, but are not currently in danger of extinction. A red-legged frog released Friday at Yosemite National Park is shown in this photo provided by the National Park Service. Their existence in Yosemite was jeopardized with the 1950s introduction of the bullfrogs, which the park website calls a voracious predator that has been implicated in the decline of many native animals. A fungal disease also contributed to the red-legged frogs diminished population. The species, the largest native frog in the western U.S. with a length of between 1 and 5 inches, was brought back to Yosemite under a partnership with federal and state agencies, the Yosemite Conservancy and the San Francisco Zoo, where thousands of tadpoles and adult frogs are being bred for release in the park 200 miles away. More: 'Catastrophic' fungus disease is killing frogs everywhere, linked to 'mass extinction': Study Story continues The program has reintroduced about 4,000 California red-legged frog eggs and tadpoles and 500 adult frogs. Another 275 will be released in June, and among them 75 will be fitted with radio transmitters to better understand their behavior and habitats to determine the best locations for future reintroductions, officials said. Rob Grasso, an aquatic biologist at the park who runs the release program, said frogs in general play an important role in the ecosystem as both predator and prey. The apparent success of the red-legged frogs reintroduction to the park marks a major milestone toward the goal of bringing their numbers back closer to the norm. The significance is if we can get the frogs established in Yosemite Valley, Grasso told the San Francisco Chronicle, hopefully we can use this as a pinch point to start releasing in other known historic localities. Contributing: The Associated Press This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Half a century later, red-legged frogs return to Yosemite Aeroplanes have metal shells that prevent passengers being affected by lightning - Copyright 2016. All rights reserved. There remains some confusion as to what was responsible for the crash-landing of an Aeroflot aircraft in Moscow on Sunday, but it is understood the Sukhoi Superjet100 was struck by lightning. The Russian-made aircraft returned to the airport shortly after take-off, bounced hard on landing and burst into flames, killing 41 of the 78 people on-board. The investigative committee is said to be considering three possible causes - poor training of the flight crew and ground personnel, a technical malfunction and bad weather. The plane's pilot Denis Yevdokimov told media that lightning had knocked out radio and electronic guidance systems, forcing pilots to fly the aircraft by hand. But in itself a lightning strike is not usually sufficient to cause a plane crash. Indeed, it is believed aircraft are struck from above on a regular basis without incident. One study puts the rate at once per aircraft for every 1,000 flying hours - around once a year. Typically, a bolt will hit an extremity, such as a wing tip, or the nose, and the current will travel through the aeroplanes metal shell before leaving from another point the tail, for example. Lightning seen from a plane window above Kuala Lumpur Credit: getty Patrick Smith, pilot and author of Cockpit Confidential, a book on the ins and out of air travel, agrees that planes are hit by lightning far more frequently than one might think. An individual jetliner is struck about once every two years, on average, and aeroplanes are designed accordingly. Once in a while theres exterior damage a superficial entry or exit wound or minor injury to the planes electrical systems, but a strike typically leaves little or no evidence. You might not even notice it, he says. Professor Mamu Haddad, professor and director at Cardiff University's Morgan-Botti Lightning Laboratory, which works on understanding lightning strikes on aeroplane construction materials, explains further. Modern aircraft, he says, are made from lightweight carbon composite covered with a thin layer of copper Boeing Dreamliners and Airbus A350s have this construction and act as effective Faraday Cages, meaning that the space inside the metal (i.e. the aircraft cabin) is protected from electric currents. Story continues Most important, he adds, is that the fuel tanks in the wings are not exposed to any lightning sparks hence the surrounding metal, structural joints, access doors, vents and fuel filler caps must be able to withstand any burning from a bolt of lightning, which can have temperatures of up to 30,000C. Strikes are most likely to happen when a jet is passing through cumulonimbus (storm) clouds, between two and five kilometres (6,500-16,500 feet) from the ground. And, like Patrick Smith, Prof Haddad says that fliers need not be concerned. Lightning can be up to 200,000 amps at a low current people might hear noise, or see a flash of light through the window, but they wont feel anything," he said. "One effect on the aircraft body might be some local melting, where the lightning struck, but the aerospace industry is highly conservative, and testing so rigorous, that passengers arent at risk. Rare though they may be, there have been several fatal incidents involving lightning strikes. In January 2014, four charred bodies were reportedly pulled from plane wreckage in Indonesia after a light aircraft owned by Intan Angkasa Air was hit by lightning and crashed. Bambang Ervan, an Indonesian transport ministry spokesman, confirmed to an Australian news site that all four people on board the aircraft were killed instantly. Planes travelling in storm conditions are most likely to be hit by lightning Credit: getty In 2010, two people were killed when a Boeing 737-700 from Bogota was struck by lightning and split into three pieces as it landed at San Andres island in the Caribbean. At the time, aeronautical specialists explained that the lightning alone was unlikely to be the cause of the accident, but combined with a sharp change in wind direction, or an air pocket linked to lightning when a plane is near the ground, it could cause a crash. Another serious case, resulting in 81 deaths, happened in 1963, when a lightning strike over Maryland caused a wing to explode on a Boeing 707 flown by Pan Am. The Federal Aviation Administration, the US equivalent of the Civil Aviation Authority, subsequently introduced changes to fuel tanks and discharge wicks aboard all aircraft. The crash is often cited as the last caused by a lightning strike Non-fatal incidents are far more common. Famous cases include the flight taken by Francois Hollande, the French President, to crucial talks with Angela Merkel in Germany in 2012. The presidential Falcon 7X was struck by lightning just four minutes into the flight; Mr Hollande eventually arrived in Berlin 90 minutes late, on a different plane. Patrick Smith remembers having a close encounter with lighting when he was at the helm of a 37-seat aeroplane. Lightning from a tiny embedded cumulonimbus cell got us on the nose," he said. What we felt and heard was little more than a dull flash and a thud. No warning lights flashed, no generators tripped off line. Our conversation went: What was that? I dont know. Lightning? Might have been. Mechanics would later find a black smudge on the forward fuselage. In other words, an incident is likely to be over in a flash, literally, leaving passengers on board unaware. Its often those on the next flight who could be delayed, as the plane undergoes post-lightning safety checks. WASHINGTON (AP) A former White House lawyer defied a congressional subpoena Tuesday, setting the Trump administration on course for another collision with the Democratic-led House over its pursuit of documents related to the Russia investigation. Don McGahn's refusal to provide the documents to the House Judiciary Committee came at the instruction of the White House, which suggested the documents could be subject to executive privilege. Such a claim can shield some presidential material from disclosure. President Donald Trump has defied requests from House Democrats since the release of special counsel Robert Mueller's report last month. Republicans have largely united behind the president, with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Tuesday declaring "case closed" on Mueller's Russia probe and potential obstruction by Trump. McConnell said Democrats are "grieving" the result. Mueller said he could not establish a criminal conspiracy between the Trump campaign and Russia, but he did not reach a conclusion on whether Trump obstructed justice. Mueller didn't charge Trump but wrote that he couldn't exonerate him, either. Democrats say the case is anything but closed and are conducting their own review of Mueller's investigation of Russian election interference . The Judiciary panel wants to speak to McGahn and review certain documents, in part because he was a vital witness for Mueller, recounting the president's outrage over the investigation and his efforts to curtail it. White House counsel Pat Cipollone said McGahn does not have any "legal right" to the materials because they are controlled by the White House. Cipollone did not invoke executive privilege in a letter to House Judiciary Chairman Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., but strongly signaled the option is on the table. He said the records Democrats are seeking "remain legally protected from disclosure under longstanding constitutional principles." Story continues In a letter to McGahn's lawyer Tuesday evening, Nadler rejected the argument that McGahn has no right to turn over documents to the committee. He said the "blanket suggestion of potential privilege is entirely insufficient." Executive privilege is the president's power to keep information from the courts , Congress and the public to protect the confidentiality of the Oval Office decision-making process. There is no reference to executive privilege in the Constitution, but the Supreme Court has held that it derives from the president's ability to carry out the duties the commander in chief holds under the Constitution. Nadler also threatened to hold McGahn in contempt of Congress if he doesn't testify before the committee later this month. Trump has signaled he will try to block McGahn from appearing, despite a committee subpoena. McGahn's lawyer said that he will "maintain the status quo" and wait for the White House and the committee to reach an agreement. "As you will appreciate, Mr. McGahn, as a former assistant to the president and the most senior attorney for the president in his official capacity, continues to owe certain duties and obligations to the President which he is not free to disregard," wrote attorney William Burck. The struggle over McGahn's testimony is playing out against the backdrop of a larger debate on Capitol Hill about what action if any to take following the conclusion of Mueller's investigation. McConnell, in his most significant public comments yet on the investigation, opened the Senate on Tuesday with a speech discussing how Mueller's "exhaustive" probe is now complete. "It's finally over," the Kentucky Republican said. He called Mueller's findings "bad news for the outrage industrial complex but good news for the rest of the country." The speech drew swift rebuttals from Democrats. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer issued a joint statement calling it "a stunning act of political cynicism and a brazen violation of the oath we all take." After McConnell's speech, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a Democratic presidential candidate, made her own trip to the Senate floor to say the House should begin impeachment proceedings a step that Pelosi has so far resisted. Yet Pelosi also said Trump seems to be "making the case" for his impeachment by brazenly obstructing investigations. "He's just trying to goad us into impeachment," Pelosi said in a talk at Cornell's Institute of Politics and Global Affairs. The dispute with the White House over McGahn is among several requests being resisted by the administration. The Judiciary Committee is also negotiating with the Justice Department over obtaining a full, unredacted version of Mueller's report. Attorney General William Barr released a redacted version to the public last month, but Democrats want to see the full document, plus underlying documents, and have scheduled a committee vote Wednesday to hold Barr in contempt for not providing it. With the contempt vote looming Wednesday, staff members from the House Judiciary Committee met with Justice Department officials on Tuesday afternoon. Negotiations went into the evening as the two sides traded offers on how many lawmakers would be able to view the report, how many staff, and whether the department would work with the committee to gain access to secret grand jury material. But talks stalled late Tuesday evening when the two sides couldn't agree on any of those terms. In another development, Assistant Attorney General Stephen Boyd told the committee in a letter late Tuesday that, in the face of a contempt vote, Barr would be compelled to request that the president invoke executive privilege with respect to the materials subject to the subpoena. It was not immediately clear how a claim of executive privilege would work given that Mueller's report has already been released to the public in redacted form. Nadler dismissed the idea, saying in a statement in response to Boyd's letter to the committee that "this is, of course, not how executive privilege works." "The White House waived these privileges long ago, and the Department seemed open to sharing these materials with us earlier today. The Department's legal arguments are without credibility, merit, or legal or factual basis," Nadler said. If the committee approves a contempt resolution against Barr, it would head to the full House for final approval. But that step is unlikely to lead to criminal charges. A House vote would send a criminal referral to the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, a Justice Department official who is likely to defend the attorney general. Democratic House leaders could also file a lawsuit against the Justice Department to obtain the Mueller report, an option that could take months or even years to resolve. Some committee members have suggested they also could fine Barr as he withholds the information. ___ Associated Press writer Eric Tucker contributed to this report. The current dispute between Democrats in the House of Representatives and Attorney General William Barr could result in contempt proceedings. So what contempt powers does Congress possess and can they be used against a member of the Executive Branch? House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler is considering issuing a contempt citation against Barr if the Justice Department does not give his committee an unredacted version of the Mueller report. In turn, the Justice Department claims the House subpoena for the report does not serve a legitimate legislative purpose. Based on precedent, statutes, and court rulings, the House and the Senate each have the power to invoke three types of contempt proceedings if a committee believes someone is obstructing its investigative powers. The Congressional Research Service described each of these powers in a detailed March 2019 report. The first type of contempt power is a citation of criminal contempt of Congress. This power comes from a statute passed by Congress in 1857. Once a committee rules that an act of criminal contempt has occurred, the Speaker of the House or Senate President refers the matter to the appropriate U.S. attorneys office, whose duty it shall be to bring the matter before the grand jury for its action. However, the Executive Branch in prior situations has claimed that it has the discretion to decide if a grand jury should be convened to hear the charges. But if the case goes to a grand jury, fines and a jail term could result from the ensuing criminal prosecution. The second type of contempt power comes in the form of a civil lawsuit brought by the House or Senate, asking a court to enforce a subpoena. The Senate and its committees are authorized to bring such a lawsuit under a federal statute. There is no similar statute that applies in the House, but the federal district court in Washington, D.C. has decided that the House can nevertheless authorize its committees to bring a similar civil suit for enforcement of a subpoena. In either case, an executive branch member can contest the subpoena based on a governmental privilege or objection the assertion of which has been authorized by the executive branch of the Federal Government, the CRS said. Story continues The third type of contempt powerCongresss dormant inherent contempt poweris rarely used in modern times. Inherent contempt was the mode employed by Congress to directly enforce contempt rulings under its own constitutional authority until criminal and civil contempt statutes were passed, and it remained in use into the twentieth century. Under inherent contempt proceedings, the House or Senate has its Sergeant-At-Arms, or deputy, take a person into custody for proceedings to be held in Congress. Although these powers are not directly stated in the Constitution, the Supreme Court has ruled on multiple occasions that they are implicit as an essential legislative power held by Congress. Justice Willis Van Devanter made perhaps the most famous statement of these powers in McGrain v. Daugherty, a 1927 Supreme Court decision about Mally S. Daugherty, the brother of former Attorney General Harry Daugherty. A select Senate committee issued a subpoena for Daugherty to testify and to also surrender records from an Ohio bank. When Daugherty refused to comply after a second subpoena, the Senate passed a resolution issuing a warrant and authorizing a Senate deputy to take Daugherty into custody. Daugherty filed a habeas petition against his detention. A lower court ruled that the Senate exceeded its powers by detaining Daugherty, freeing him. However, the Supreme Court upheld his conviction, holding that under the Constitution, Congress has the power to compel witnesses and testimony to obtain information in aid of the legislative function. Each house of Congress has power, through its own process, to compel a private individual to appear before it or one of its committees and give testimony needed to enable it efficiently to exercise a legislative function belonging to it under the Constitution, Van Devanter said. This has support in long practice of the houses separately, and in repeated Acts of Congress, all amounting to a practical construction of the Constitution. Another interesting dispute over inherent contempt citations took place in 1917, when a House subcommittee had United States attorney H. Snowden Marshall cited for contempt because he used insulting language in a letter to Congress. After federal judge Learned Hand denied Marshalls habeas petition, the Supreme Court said in Marshall v. Gordon that the letters language did not obstruct the subcommittee from performing its legislative duties and it ordered Marshall discharged from custody. In recent battles between Congress and the Executive Branch over contempt charges, executive privilege claims originating from a presidential directive or a Justice Department decision to not convene a grand jury have stopped criminal contempt proceedings from advancing. Civil contempt cases involving the executive branch have remained in the court system for extended time periods. In all, the House has brought four criminal contempt and three civil contempt actions against Executive Branch officials since 2008. In each instance of a criminal contempt citation, the executive branch declined to refer the charges to a grand jury. In the three civil cases, the Congressional Research Service said the committees involved eventually obtained much of the information sought through those lawsuits, but only after prolonged litigation. For example, as of March 2019 the dispute over contempt charges in the Operation Fast and Furious subpoena involving President Obamas Attorney General Eric Holder had still been pending resolution in court for six years. If Attorney General Barr were to face a contempt citation, he would be the fourth Attorney General since 1980 to become involved in a contempt dispute with Congress. In addition to the Holder contempt citation filed by the House in 2012, a Senate committee filed a contempt citation against William French Smith in 1984 and a House committee took similar actions against Janet Reno in 1998. The Smith citation never gained full Senate approval, while Renos dispute ended when the 105th Congress concluded its session without acting on the committees recommendation of a contempt citation. Scott Bomboy is the editor in chief of the National Constitution Center. House Democrats are ready to hold Attorney General William Barr in contempt of Congress after the Department of Justice failed to deliver an unredacted copy of Special Counsel Robert Muellers report. Jerrod Nadler, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, has set a Wednesday vote for lawmakers to hold Barr in contempt of Congress, saying the Attorney Generals failure to comply with a subpoena calling for the full, unredacted Mueller report left the Committee with no choice but to initiate contempt proceedings. Barr has objected to releasing the full report over rules that prevent him from giving material related to grand jury testimony to Congress. While the Justice Department has offered to make available a less redacted version to Congress than the one already made public, Democrats have argued that they should be allowed to see the full report. As a growing number of Democrats have come out against Barrs handling of the Mueller report, the party is now taking steps to charge the Attorney General. Heres what to know about contempt of Congress and how it works. How do lawmakers hold someone in contempt of Congress? House Judiciary Committee Chair Jerrold Nadler waits to start a hearing on the Mueller report without witness Attorney General William Barr who refused to appear, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, May 2, 2019. The House Judiciary Committee is threatening to hold William Barr in contempt if he does not provide the full, unredacted Mueller report. | J. Scott ApplewhiteAP The House or Senate can draw up contempt of Congress citations in instances where their subpoenas are denied. A statute on the criminal contempt of Congress holds that anyone who willfully fails to comply with a subpoena is committing a misdemeanor, according to a report from the Congressional Research Service. Upon issuing the citation, the power to prosecute the individual goes to the executive branch, the report says. Congress can alternatively file a civil suit to enforce a subpoena. A vote to hold Barr in contempt of Congress is likely to succeed on the floor, since Democrats control the lower chamber. The case would then be sent to the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia or the Department of Justice to pursue criminal charges. But it is unlikely that a federal prosecutor would bring charges against their own boss, a former member of a House counsel office tells TIME. Story continues Why do Democrats want to hold Barr in contempt? U.S. Attorney General William Barr testifies during a US House Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Subcommittee hearing on the Department of Justice Budget Request for Fiscal Year 2020, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., April 10, 2019. | Mandel NganAFP/Getty Images The move by Democrats to hold Barr in contempt of Congress marks the first time they have set out to punish an official with the Trump Administration for failing to comply with subpoena requests. On Wednesday, the House Judiciary Committee will vote to hold Barr in contempt over his refusal to turn over an unredacted version of the Mueller report. Democrats argue that a full copy of the report will assist them in their push for an investigation into whether Trump abused the powers of his office. Access to these materials is essential to the Committees ability to effectively investigate possible misconduct, and consider appropriate legislative, oversight, or other constitutionally warranted responses, the contempt report states. Attorney General Barrs refusal to comply with the Committees subpoena or to engage in a meaningful accommodations process therefore continues to thwart the Committees ability to fulfill its responsibilities. What are the consequences of being held in contempt? Under the contempt of Congress statute, a person found guilty of willfully failing to comply with a subpoena can be punished with imprisonment for up to one year and a maximum $1,000 fine. But it is unlikely that Barr will face criminal charges because neither a U.S. attorney nor the Department of Justice are expected to go forward in prosecuting the Attorney General, according to veterans of congressional investigations. A former House attorney tells TIME that failing criminal prosecution, Congress is likely to try to enforce the subpoena through a civil suit. What will happen next is unclear. They may have to get the House to vote on contempt, file this case as well, and then we will see what happens, the attorney says. The political pressure may be such because every poll weve seen shows the public is tremendously in favor of transparency. A PBS News Hour/NPR/Marist poll found in March that about three-quarters of people said the full report should be released. In the past, the House has also used the rarely invoked inherent contempt method. Lawmakers technically have the power to arrest and detain people who refuse to comply with subpoena requests, according to the Congressional Research Service. Its an option that gives broader powers than the criminal contempt statute because it can also be used in response to actions that are seen as obstructing Congresss legislative power. Lawmakers have largely abandoned the practice of using the inherent contempt option since the 1930s, but they still have the right to detain a person in an effort to speed up their access to the requested information. When has this happened before? U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder speaks at the Justice Department on Dec. 3, 2014 in Washington D.C. | Mark WilsonGetty Images Only one sitting Attorney General has been held in contempt of Congress. A Republican-controlled House held Attorney General Eric Holder, who served during the Obama Administration, in contempt of Congress in 2012 over his failure to provide documents for a congressional inquiry into an operation called Fast and Furious, a failed program run by an Arizona division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives which allowed guns to be sold to Mexican drug gang members. Obama declined to prosecute Holder, citing executive privilege. With reporting from Alana Abramson SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) Illinois lawmakers on Tuesday took aim at the state's Department of Children and Family Services, which has been haunted for decades by deaths wrought of abuse and neglect and is in the spotlight again following the beating death of a 5-year-old suburban Chicago boy with a long history of contact with the agency. Rep. Sara Feigenholtz stood with more than a dozen House and Senate members of a new child welfare reform caucus to propose legislation that would bolster checks and balances in the child welfare agency. Also Tuesday, Auditor General Frank Mautino issued a review of the agency's investigative practices from 2015 to 2017. It found that while abuse and neglect complaints jumped 11%, the DCFS hotline put callers into voicemail more than half the time, caseloads of investigators regularly exceeded limits set by a federal consent decree, and in more than three of five cases in which a child stayed with a family after an investigation, documentation did not exist to show proper social services were provided. DCFS has requested funding for 126 new hires in the budget year that begins July 1. Feigenholtz's measure would set up a review of allegations of neglect or abuse in which DCFS investigators concluded there was insufficient evidence to sustain the claim, to make sure all the boxes were checked. "We want to make sure that there are other sets of eyes on these cases that are so difficult," said Feigenholtz, a Chicago Democrat. It was a key missed piece in the case of Andrew "AJ" Freund of Crystal Lake. Records in AJ's case show he confided to an emergency room doctor in December that he had been beaten with a belt, but a DCFS administrator conceded last week that the information was missed when the agency ascribed AJ's bruising to a playful family dog and closed the complaint in January. The 5-year-old's body was found April 24 wrapped in plastic in a shallow grave near Woodstock, and his parents have been charged with murder. Story continues "Our mission is to take all the necessary steps to overhaul longstanding policies and procedures that have failed Illinois' children and these recommendations are an important element of our path forward," DCFS Director Marc Smith said in a prepared statement. Even before AJ's death, Gov. J.B. Pritzker ordered a review of the agency to recommend improvements following the deaths of two toddlers. The mother of a 2-year-old Decatur girl has been charged with her murder after the girl was returned to her from foster care, and a 2-year-old Chicago boy 's autopsy showed bruises and rib fractures never reported despite numerous DCFS visits. DCFS has for years emphasized keeping biological families intact when possible, but given the recent record, a change of focus might be in order, said Rep. Anna Moeller. Like AJ, the 47-year-old Elgin Democrat was born with opiates in her system. Moeller was taken from her biological mother and reared by her grandparents. "Our main priority must be what is best for the child, even if that means removing him or her from their parents," Moeller said. "We need to support and improve our foster care system and our adoption care programs. We need to provide appropriate resources so DCFS can do its job." The audit, ordered by the House in June 2017, suggests DCFS has repeatedly failed to provide the necessary social services to help troubled families with problems such as drug addiction, joblessness or a lack of parenting skills. There was no listing for services recommended in 11% of cases and in 26% the listing was "No Service Needed," a statistic which James McIntyre, co-founder and board president of the Illinois chapter of Foster Care Alumni of America, said is telling. "What that says in normal-people talk is we left families alone, we left families stranded," McIntyre said. "We let that kid know that their voice does not matter and that although, yes, abuse is wrong, we as a state said, 'OK, we don't need to offer services. We don't need to offer support.'" ___ Feigenholtz's bill is SB193. Online: www.ilga.gov . ___ Audit of DCFS Investigations of Abuse and Neglect: https://bit.ly/2Y6dpcm ___ Follow Political Writer John O'Connor at https://twitter.com/apoconnor . To what end should dividends drive an investor to invest? Truly, every dividend has its beginning, friends -- at least in terms of how to start buying the stocks that offer them. Aside from the obvious "which stocks" question, there's no shame in studying the basics to get there. Answering these questions will help: -- Does a healthy dividend equal a healthy stock? -- How come not all stocks offer them? -- What are those dividend do's and don'ts? [See: 10 of the Best Dividend Stocks to Buy for 2019.] In basic terms, a dividend is a payment companies extend to shareholders as a result of quarterly excess earnings. And they can fatten portfolios over time. Experts contend that dividends can open the door to reliable returns, with the goodies sometimes streaming in for generations. What's more, reinvested dividends over time can accumulate a large number of additional shares, which ignite the dividend's initial value if the shares appreciate. But before you rush for the nearest dividend gusher, take note that the digits aren't always what they seem. A high dividend yield may seem like a very good thing, but guess again. That number measures the dividend amount divided by the stock price and thus "consumers investing in dividend stocks for the first time should be wary of the highest yielding stocks, real estate investment trusts and master limited partnerships," says Daniel Kern, chief investment officer at TFC Financial Management in Boston. "High yields are often a signal of financial distress." So where to begin? "First, you need to decide an investment strategy," says Marc Pfeffer, who serves as chief investment strategist for Omaha, Nebraska-based CLS Investments. "Why do you want stocks that pay dividends? Many growth companies do not. Some reinvest the profit to grow the value of their stocks while others will pay it out in the form of dividends." And yet, otherwise robust dividends can disappear without a trace. How does one know a dividend isn't going away? Well, that can happen at any time. Story continues Former dividend aristocrat General Electric Co. (ticker: GE) began to slash and burn its investor payouts in November 2017 -- from 24 cents to 12 cents -- and then repeatedly hacked away until they hit rock in December 2018: just a penny per share. That's same amount it cost GE co-founder Thomas Edison in 1881 to produce carbon filaments for his first light bulbs. Then again, GE investors had plenty of warning their dividends were headed south. Dating back two years, the stock has fallen by two thirds and trades at just $10 per share today. Thus finding a safe dividend often boils down to examining a company's cash flow. Kern explains how this works: "Comparison of dividend payouts to cash flow can identify how safe the payout is. Cash flow is harder to manipulate and often less variable than earnings, so many investors look at cash-flow metrics as the more important measure. The lower the ratio, the higher the margin of safety associated with the dividend." [See: 6 Great Tips to Build an Income-Producing Portfolio.] As noted earlier, companies that don't offer dividends -- examples include Amazon.com ( AMZN), Tesla ( TSLA) and Netflix ( NFLX) -- often decline because they're following a vigorous pro-growth agenda. Money that would otherwise go to shareholders gets plowed back into the business with investors then rewarded, at least in theory, by a rising share price. There is some wisdom to this, as Netflix has climbed 18% over the last 12 months; Amazon is up 23%. That beats any dividend, right? Yet these are also the very stocks that investors can drive high above their true value, as in Tesla's case. "Tesla is an uninvestable stock for me," says Vitaliy Katsenelson, chief investment officer and CEO at Investment Management Associates in Greenwood, Colorado, and author of "The Little Book of Sideways Markets." Why the lack of Tesla love? "It's not just because of its high valuation but also because it fails our fairly basic quality test, which I shamelessly borrowed from Warren Buffett: Would I still buy this stock if right after the purchase the stock market were to close for 10 years?" That doesn't mean he hates the car, though. Katsenelson offers this personal disclosure: "I'm an unsecured lender to Tesla through my $1,000 deposit on a Model 3." At least one legendary economist contended dividends aren't worth anyone's time. Fischer Sheffey Black opened his controversial 1976 paper, "The Dividend Puzzle," by posing the question "Why do corporations pay dividends?" [See: 10 of the Best Stocks to Buy for 2019.] And yet, there's indeed another side to the puzzle. Dividends have a steadiness to them that share prices don't, especially when companies get hit by market headwinds. Dividends are often the hallmark of more mature companies, such as 3M Co. ( MMM), Dover Corp. ( DOV) and Genuine Parts Co. ( GPC) -- all of which have awarded rising dividends since Dwight Eisenhower was in the White House. "Corporate finance theory suggests there is a signaling aspect to dividends; that is, the corporation's management provides a positive signal of the future of a firm through raising its dividend," says Robert Johnson, professor of finance at Creighton University's Heider College of Business. Thus the first step on the dividend journey can lead to a very happy ending, if you work out just the right balance. As Pfeffer says: "It's a good idea to have a mix of growth stocks -- ones that don't pay dividends versus ones that do -- to counterbalance and diversify a portfolio." INDIANAPOLIS (AP) Police said Tuesday that they arrested two men in the non-fatal shooting of two southern Indiana judges outside of an Indianapolis fast food restaurant last week. Brandon Kaiser, 41, and Alfredo Vazquez, 23, are due in court Wednesday to face charges in the shooting of Clark Circuit Court judges Bradley Jacobs and Andrew Adams early on May 1, police said. Kaiser faces preliminary charges of attempted murder, battery, aggravated battery and carrying a handgun without a license, according to Marion County jail records. Vazquez is charged with assisting a criminal. Jail records don't list an attorney for either defendant. Police did not say what led to the arrests. On Friday, police released surveillance video showing two suspects getting out of an SUV outside the restaurant and asked for the public's help in identifying them. Police said an argument between the suspects and the judges, who were in Indianapolis for a judicial conference, escalated to the shootings. They also said they had found no evidence to suggest that the judges were targeted because of their jobs. Both judges are hospitalized in Indianapolis in stable condition. Attorney Larry Wilder, a spokesman for the judges, said Monday that both men have been up and walking around, but it will be a while before they can return to work. Clark County lies along the Ohio River just north of Louisville, Kentucky. JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesian anti-terrorism police have shot dead one Islamist militant and detained six suspected of planning attacks on officers with firearms or suicide bombings under the cover of rallies tied to recent elections, a police spokesman said. The suspects were detained after weekend raids in Bekasi in West Java and one died after being shot when he threw a bomb at police, national police spokesman Dedi Prasetyo said. "They were planning to take police firearms and use them to commit terrorism, whether by becoming suicide bombers or performing other attacks that could be fatal for protesters," Prasetyo said, adding that explosives had also been seized. President Joko Widodo declared victory after the April 17 election based on unofficial results from private pollsters, but his challenger, former general Prabowo Subianto, has complained of widespread cheating and insists he won. Prabowo has said that if his complaints were not addressed and an official count due by May 22 confirmed his loss, it could trigger "people power" style protests. Prasetyo said the suspected militants were linked to the Islamic State-inspired Jemaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD) group, the largest Islamic State-linked group in Indonesia, which was legally disbanded last year for "conducting terrorism" and affiliating itself with the foreign militant group. He said the suspects intended to use explosives and firearms to imitate the 2008 Mumbai attacks in which militants carried out a series of attacks and bombings across India's financial capital. Indonesian police have had considerable success in stopping major attacks since the deadly 2002 Bali bombings, though analysts warn against complacency. "Indonesia has been lucky thus far that its terrorists generally have had too little experience to think big," analyst Sidney Jones from the Jakarta-based Institute for Policy Analysis of Conflict said in a recent report. "With a little imagination and better leadership, these pro-ISIS cells could do far greater damage," said Jones. In March, the wife and son of a suspected militant blew themselves up in their home on the island of Sumatra after hours of tense negotiations with counter-terrorism officers. Indonesia also saw a series of gruesome attacks in the city of Surabaya a year ago, when whole families, including children as young as nine, strapped on explosive vests and blew themselves up at churches and police stations, killing more than 30 people. (Reporting by Jessica Damiana and Kanupriya Kapoor; Writing by Ed Davies; Editing by Clarence Fernandez) (Adds missing word "concern" in penultimate paragraph) BEIRUT, May 7 (Reuters) - The Syrian army has made a small advance into the rebels' last major stronghold in Syria, a pro-government newspaper and a war monitor reported on Tuesday, after massive bombardments that began late last month. Al-Watan daily said the army had captured the villages of al-Janabara and Tel Othman, where rebels said on Monday they had repulsed government assaults. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said government troops had seized Tel Othman. Northwest Syria is the only significant territory still in rebel hands. The area being targeted in the latest bombardment was the subject of a Russian-Turkish agreement last September to hold off a government offensive. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a British-based organization that monitors the war, said 69 civilians had been killed by bombardments since April 30. At least 41 insurgents had been killed by air strikes and fighting, it said. The dominant rebel force in the northwest said on Monday it would meet any government attempt to advance with "iron and fire." The group, Tahrir al-Sham, includes al Qaeda's former affiliate the Nusra Front. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has recaptured most of the country from rebels since Russia joined the war on his side in 2015, deploying its air power in support of the army and allied Iran-backed militias. The United Nations has said the northwestern Idlib region is home to 3 million people, half of whom have already fled their homes at least once during the conflict, and that a big battle there risks causing a new humanitarian disaster. Bombardments since April 28 have displaced more than 158,000 people, the U.S.-based Union of Medical Care and Relief Organizations (UOSSM) said on Monday. A media spokesman for the Civil Defence organization, which conducts rescue operations in opposition-held areas of Syria, said the bombardment was non-stop. Story continues "There is a first wave of barrel bombs dropped by helicopters. A few minutes later a jet will drop another wave of weapons hitting first responders. Then it's followed by a wave of artillery," the spokesman said. The Observatory said nine civilians were killed after midnight by bombardment and reported helicopters dropping barrel bombs - improvised munitions filled with explosives. U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres is following the hostilities with great concern, his spokesman, and urged parties to recommit to the ceasefire that was agreed last year. Part of the rebels' northwestern enclave is held by Turkish-backed groups aided by the Turkish army. The rest, including the southern flank where fighting has focused this week, is dominated by Tahrir al-Sham group. (Reporting by Angus McDowall; Editing by Angus MacSwan) BEIRUT (Reuters) - The Syrian army has made a small advance into the rebels' last major stronghold in Syria, a pro-government newspaper and a war monitor reported on Tuesday, after massive bombardments that began late last month. Al-Watan daily said the army had captured the villages of al-Janabara and Tel Othman, where rebels said on Monday they had repulsed government assaults. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said government troops had seized Tel Othman. Northwest Syria is the only significant territory still in rebel hands. The area being targeted in the latest bombardment was the subject of a Russian-Turkish agreement last September to hold off a government offensive. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a British-based organisation that monitors the war, said 69 civilians had been killed by bombardments since April 30. At least 41 insurgents had been killed by air strikes and fighting, it said. The dominant rebel force in the northwest said on Monday it would meet any government attempt to advance with "iron and fire". The group, Tahrir al-Sham, includes al Qaeda's former affiliate the Nusra Front. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has recaptured most of the country from rebels since Russia joined the war on his side in 2015, deploying its air power in support of the army and allied Iran-backed militias. The United Nations has said the northwestern Idlib region is home to 3 million people, half of whom have already fled their homes at least once during the conflict, and that a big battle there risks causing a new humanitarian disaster. Bombardments since April 28 have displaced more than 158,000 people, the U.S.-based Union of Medical Care and Relief Organizations (UOSSM) said on Monday. A media spokesman for the Civil Defence organisation, which conducts rescue operations in opposition-held areas of Syria, said the bombardment was non-stop. "There is a first wave of barrel bombs dropped by helicopters. A few minutes later a jet will drop another wave of weapons hitting first responders. Then it's followed by a wave of artillery," the spokesman said. The Observatory said nine civilians were killed after midnight by bombardment and reported helicopters dropping barrel bombs - improvised munitions filled with explosives. U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres is following the hostilities with great concern, his spokesman, and urged parties to recommit to the ceasefire that was agreed last year. Part of the rebels' northwestern enclave is held by Turkish-backed groups aided by the Turkish army. The rest, including the southern flank where fighting has focused this week, is dominated by Tahrir al-Sham group. (The refiled story adds missing word "concern" in penultimate paragraph.) (Reporting by Angus McDowall; Editing by Angus MacSwan) Want to participate in a short research study? Help shape the future of investing tools and you could win a $250 gift card! Understanding how China Huirong Financial Holdings Limited (HKG:1290) is performing as a company requires looking at more than just a years' earnings. Today I will run you through a basic sense check to gain perspective on how China Huirong Financial Holdings is doing by comparing its latest earnings with its long-term trend as well as the performance of its consumer finance industry peers. See our latest analysis for China Huirong Financial Holdings Commentary On 1290's Past Performance 1290's trailing twelve-month earnings (from 31 December 2018) of CN61m has jumped 20% compared to the previous year. Furthermore, this one-year growth rate has exceeded its 5-year annual growth average of -27%, indicating the rate at which 1290 is growing has accelerated. What's enabled this growth? Let's take a look at if it is solely owing to an industry uplift, or if China Huirong Financial Holdings has seen some company-specific growth. SEHK:1290 Income Statement, May 7th 2019 In terms of returns from investment, China Huirong Financial Holdings has fallen short of achieving a 20% return on equity (ROE), recording 3.8% instead. Furthermore, its return on assets (ROA) of 4.1% is below the HK Consumer Finance industry of 5.8%, indicating China Huirong Financial Holdings's are utilized less efficiently. And finally, its return on capital (ROC), which also accounts for China Huirong Financial Holdingss debt level, has declined over the past 3 years from 9.5% to 6.7%. What does this mean? Though China Huirong Financial Holdings's past data is helpful, it is only one aspect of my investment thesis. Recent positive growth isn't always indicative of a continued optimistic outlook. You should continue to research China Huirong Financial Holdings to get a better picture of the stock by looking at: Future Outlook: What are well-informed industry analysts predicting for 1290s future growth? Take a look at our free research report of analyst consensus for 1290s outlook. Financial Health: Are 1290s operations financially sustainable? Balance sheets can be hard to analyze, which is why weve done it for you. Check out our financial health checks here. Other High-Performing Stocks: Are there other stocks that provide better prospects with proven track records? Explore our free list of these great stocks here. NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the trailing twelve months from 31 December 2018. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures. We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned. Thank you for reading. By Virginia Furness LONDON (Reuters) - Core euro zone bonds yields fell on Monday as investors sought safe havens after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to raise tariffs on China, while PMI data pointed to anaemic growth in the euro zone. Trump's move marked an escalation in tensions between the world's largest economies and a shift in tone from Trump, who had cited progress in trade talks as recently as Friday. Global equity markets fell, with China's main indexes down 5 percent. Treasuries rallied after Trump said tariffs on $200 billion of goods would rise on Friday to 25 percent from 10 percent. The president also said he would target a further $325 billion of Chinese goods with 25 percent tariffs "shortly", essentially covering all products imported to the United States from China. Germany's 10-year government bond yield, the benchmark for the region, went negative for the first time since April 30, down 2.4 basis points on the day to -0.002 percent before rising to 0.014 percent. "Everyone was quite optimistic that they were close to a deal " said Daniel Lenz, rates strategist at DZ Bankit. Trump's threat "may cause the opposite action, talks might come to a stop, which is the fear everyone has." Most other core 10-year yields in the bloc fell around two basis points,. Data on Monday painted a mixed picture of euro zone economic growth. Germany's services stood out among a gloomier bloc-wide report from research firm Markit's final purchasing manager data for April. German services created jobs in April at the fastest rate in more than a decade, offsetting deteriorating manufacturing, the data showed. But overall, weakness in euro zone manufacturing increasingly affected the dominant services industry. IHS Markit's Euro Zone Composite Final Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI), considered a good measure of overall economic health, dipped to 51.5 in April from March's 51.6. However, overall investor improved for the third month in a row, reaching its highest since November 2018, the Sentix research group said on Monday. Story continues ITALY IN FOCUS Italian government bonds underperformed the rest of the periphery. Concerns about the stability of the Italian government added to worries about global trade. Italian Deputy Prime Minister Luigi di Maio said on Monday a graft case involving a junior minister from the ruling League party would trigger a government crisis only if the League itself pushed for it. Italy's short-dated bonds were up to six basis points higher before pulling back. The spread of its 10-year debt over Germany's widened to nearly 260 basis points for the first time since April 30. (Reporting by Virginia Furness, editing by Larry King) DUBAI, May 7 (Reuters) - Iran's Foreign Ministry will announce Tehran's "diminished commitments" to the 2015 nuclear deal to envoys of the accord's five remaining signatories on Wednesday, and President Hassan Rouhani is to send a letter, state media said on Tuesday. Tensions have risen on the eve of the anniversary of the U.S. withdrawal from world powers' nuclear deal with Iran. Tehran is likely to revive part of its halted nuclear program on Wednesday in response to the U.S. move but does not plan to pull out of the agreement itself, state media has said. "On Wednesday, Iran will announce its decision to diminish its commitments to the (nuclear deal) ... after the unilateral U.S. withdrawal," the state news agency IRNA said, adding that the Foreign Ministry will inform the envoys of Russia, China, Germany, France and Britain and that Rouhani will send a letter. (Reporting by Dubai newsroom; Editing by Alison Williams) Jerusalem (AFP) - Israelis observed a minute of silence on Tuesday evening as sirens sounded throughout the country for Remembrance Day, commemorating fallen soldiers and civilian victims of violence. Motorists stopped and left their vehicles, to reflect at 8:00 pm local time (1700 GMT). President Reuven Rivlin and the military's chief of staff Aviv Kochavi attended the opening ceremony at the Western Wall. The site, one of the holiest in Judaism, 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. National flags will fly at half mast until Wednesday evening. Citizens paid tribute this year to 23,741 members of Israel's security forces and 3,150 civilians killed since 1860 -- the year the first Jew was killed by an Arab in what would become Israel. Four of those civilians were killed since Saturday as a result of the latest flare-up in violence with Palestinian militants based in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip. "We are not eager to go to war, but know that our willingness to sacrifice is the guarantee of our fate," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said during a commemorative ceremony earlier Tuesday, a day after a truce ended the two-day escalation with the Palestinian enclave. Solemn gatherings will be held Wednesday morning at military cemeteries and war memorials across the country beginning with a siren at 11:00 am local time. Memorial events will conclude with an evening ceremony on Wednesday triggering a transition to 24 hours of festivities marking Independence Day, in celebration of the state's 71st birthday. For Palestinians, the anniversary of Israel's 1948 independence marks the Nakba, or "catastrophe", when more than 700,000 fled or were expelled during the war surrounding Israel's creation. By Kate Kelland LONDON, May 7 (Reuters) - More than 34,000 people across Europe caught measles in the first two months of 2019, with the vast majority of cases in Ukraine, the World Health Organization said on Tuesday as it urged authorities to ensure vulnerable people get vaccinated. The death toll among 34,300 cases reported across 42 countries in the WHO's European region reached 13, with the virus killing people in Ukraine - which is suffering a measles epidemic - as well as in Romania and Albania. The risk is that outbreaks may continue to spread, the WHO warned. "If outbreak response is not timely and comprehensive, the virus will find its way into more pockets of vulnerable individuals and potentially spread to additional countries within and beyond the region," it said in a statement. "Every opportunity should be used to vaccinate susceptible children, adolescents and adults." Measles is a highly contagious disease that can kill and cause blindness, deafness or brain damage. It can be prevented with two doses of an effective vaccine, but - in part due to pockets of unvaccinated people - it is currently spreading in outbreaks in many parts of the world including in the United States, the Philippines and Thailand. In Europe, the majority of measles cases so far in 2019 are in Ukraine, which saw more than 25,000 people infected in the first two months of the year. There is no specific antiviral treatment for measles, and vaccination is the only way to prevent it, the WHO said. Most cases are in unvaccinated or under-vaccinated people. It added that even though the region had its highest ever estimated coverage for the second dose of measles vaccination in 2017 - at around 90 percent - some countries have had problems, including declining or stagnating immunization coverage in some cases, low coverage in some marginalized groups, and immunity gaps in older populations. The WHO called on national health authorities across the region to focus efforts on ensuring all population groups have access to vaccines. "The impact on public health will persist until the ongoing outbreaks are controlled," it said, adding that health authorities should "identify who has been missed in the past and reach them with the vaccines they need." A report by the United Nations children's fund UNICEF last month found that more than 20 million children a year missed out on measles vaccines across the world in the past eight years, laying the ground for dangerous outbreaks. (Reporting by Kate Kelland Editing by Mark Heinrich) Logo of jester cap with thought bubble. Image source: The Motley Fool. Jacobs Engineering Group (NYSE: JEC) Q2 2019 Earnings Call May. 07, 2019, 10:00 a.m. ET Contents: Prepared Remarks Questions and Answers Call Participants Prepared Remarks: Operator Good morning. My name is Michelle, and I will be your conference operator today. At this time, I would like to welcome everyone to Jacobs fiscal second-quarter 2019 earnings conference call and webcast. [Operator instructions] I would now like to turn the call over to Mr. Jonathan Doros. Please go ahead. Jonathan Doros -- Head of Investor Relations Good morning and afternoon to all. Our earnings announcement was filed this morning, and we have posted a copy of this slide presentation to our website, which we'll reference in our prepared remarks. I would like to refer you to our forward-looking statement disclaimer, which is summarized on Slide 2. Certain statements contained in this presentation constitute forward-looking statements as such term is defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and such statements are intended to be covered by the safe harbor provided by the same. Statements made in this presentation that are not based on historical fact are forward-looking statements. Although such statements are based on management's current estimates and expectations and currently available competitive, financial and economic data, forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain, and you should not place undue reliance on such statements as actual results may differ materially. We caution the reader that there are a variety of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from what is contained, projected or implied by our forward-looking statements. For a description of these and other risks, uncertainties and other factors that may occur that could cause actual results to differ from our forward-looking statements, see our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 29, 2018, and our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the second fiscal quarter of 2019, which is filed this morning. Story continues More From The Motley Fool We are not under any duty to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this presentation to conform to actual results, except as where required by applicable law. During the presentation, we'll be referring to non-GAAP financial measures. Please see Slide 2 of the presentation for more information on these figures. In addition, during the presentation, we'll discuss comparisons of results to prior periods on a pro forma basis. See Slide 2 for more information on the calculation of these pro forma figures. We have provided historical pro forma results in the appendix of the investor presentation. We believe this information helps provide additional insight into the underlying trends of our business when comparing current performance against prior periods. Now turning to Slide 3, the agenda. Steve will begin by discussing the Aerospace, Technology and Nuclear, ATN, line of business dealership transition we announced last week, then move to the highlights around cultural initiatives then provide a recap of our second-quarter results, including a marker review of our business. Kevin will then provide some more in-depth discussion of our financial metrics then provide an update on our M&A costs and synergies as well as our review our balance sheet and cash flow. Finally, Steve will provide an updated outlook along with some closing remarks, and then we'll open up the call for your questions. With that, I'll now pass it over to Steve Demetriou, chair and CEO. Steve Demetriou -- Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Thank you, and welcome to our fiscal year second-quarter 2019 earnings call. Before we begin, on Slide 4, I'd like to discuss the Aerospace, Technology and Nuclear, ATN line of business leadership transition that we announced last week. After more than 30 years of exceptional leadership at Jacobs across multiple businesses and operations, Terry Hagen, COO and president of ATN, has decided to begin transitioning to retirement. Over the last several years, under Terry's leadership, our ATN line of business has developed a deep bench of leaders with proven execution capabilities and a road map for continued strong profitable growth. And while I'll miss Terry's amazing leadership on top of ATN, we're in good hands with a strong set of ATN leaders across the globe. I'm very excited that Dawne Hickton has agreed to become the COO and President of ATN, replacing Terry effective June 3. Dawn, who stepped down last week as a director of our board to take this Jacobs executive position, is the former vice chair and CEO of our RTI International. She has built numerous relationships across the aerospace industry, brings strong business acumen and has a track record of shareholder value creation. And most importantly, Dawn is an inspirational leader who'll fit well with our ATN organization and government services client base. She comes to ATN with momentum. For example, Dawn was engaged in the development of our new Jacobs strategy that was presented at investor day, and she was also involved in the due diligence and decision to acquire KeyW. As Dawn takes over the leadership of our global ATN business, Terry will become executive strategic advisor reporting to me. Terry will leave the KeyW integration process, working closely with Dawn in the ATN leadership team. Turning to Slide 5. Our second-quarter results demonstrated continued momentum toward achieving our 2019 outlook, and our first half performance is a great start to ultimately realizing our 2021 strategic targets. On a year-over-year basis, second-quarter net revenue grew 9%, operating profit increased significantly and our adjusted EPS of $1.19 was up 37%. On April 22, we announced the acquisition of KeyW, a leading federal technology provider. And then on April 26, we closed the sale of our Energy, Chemicals and Resources business. These strategic actions represent key steps in the continuing Jacobs transformation to provide client solutions that are aligned to secular growth trends such as space, urbanization, sustainability and the convergence of information and operational technology. Also, the CH2M acquisition continues to be successfully executed and revenue synergies are now materializing in our backlog. I'm very proud of our organization's capability to drive these significant and transformative initiatives while staying focused in delivering strong second-quarter financial results. We're driving a culture of innovation and accountability deep into the foundation of our company, which will propel our success even further as our markets evolve. Now on to Slide 6 to discuss our focus on culture and specifically our talent. Jacobs employees are our most important asset, and therefore, we're relentlessly focusing on attracting, retaining and developing the world's best talent. Talent retention is a business imperative and I've made it a personal goal to further increase our industry-leading employee retention rates. We believe hire retention is a multifaceted approach that consists of top-down inspirational leadership and clarity of strategy throughout the organization; an inclusive and diverse workplace so all employees feel engaged and empowered; and that we have innovative and entrepreneurial opportunities for our employee development. Let me share two examples of our focus to create a healthy and attractive workplace. First, this week at Jacobs' Safety Week. We use Safety Week to refocus our commitment to be leaders in making health and safety a priority, both physical and mental. Throughout this week, across the globe, we'll raise awareness of key health and safety topics, engaging our workforce, clients, contractors, family and friends by sharing information, ideas and celebrating success. As evidence that our diversity initiatives are gaining traction, I'm excited to share that Jacobs was recently awarded the highest designation by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation for LGBTQ equality at 100%. This is something that we're immensely proud of. We truly believe that our focus on our cultural priorities creates an environment where all employees can bring their whole self to work, enabling them to thrive, innovate and ultimately solve critical challenges for our clients. Turning to Slide 7, let's discuss another key component of our strategy, innovation. At investor day, we outlined the strategy for accelerating innovation, part of which were investments in five focus areas of cyber-security, applied geospatial science, automated design, Internet of Things and predictive analytics. Our announced acquisition of KeyW directly aligns to this strategy by strengthening our capabilities in these areas. In addition, KeyW's intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance team brings new capabilities to Jacobs with proven technology relied upon by the intelligence community and associated government agencies. Now let me recap the strategic rationale and benefits of the KeyW acquisition on Slide 8. KeyW's ISR business is leading edge and they are differentiated by their ability to deliver at a faster pace and lower cost than traditional space ISR providers. Jacobs brings the global platform and financial resources needed to materially accelerate KeyW's trajectory in the multibillion-dollar space intelligence industry. Jacobs enterprise IT and defensive cyber capability, complemented by KeyW's mission IT and offensive cyber capability, will enable us to offer the full spectrum of IT services. Jacobs' existing clients already recognize us as a trusted provider of solutions to their most critical problems and, combined with KeyW's workforce, we will be able to translate what they do into other equally challenging environments, whether it's new sensor and communication enhancements for smart city, geospatial or water security clients; cyber training and assessments to support our Department of Defense Department of Energy and NASA clients; or secure infrastructure technology for our building and infrastructure business, we will be able to deploy enhanced capabilities that benefit our current clients and springboard KeyW's growth into adjacent high-value sectors. Now moving on to a review of each line of business on Slide 9, starting with Aerospace, Technology and Nuclear, ATN. During the quarter, our ATN business continued to outpace the growth of the market with 15% year-over-year revenue growth. ATN backlog continued to grow in the second quarter, up 2% versus last year to $7.3 billion. As previously noted, we're approaching 2 major ATN rebids, the Hanford Plateau Remediation contract and a confidential contract with the U.S. government. These contracts are burning revenue without a corresponding increase in backlog. And when adjusting for the impact of these two contracts, which we expect will have favorable outcomes, backlog growth would have increased 4%. Furthermore, second-quarter backlog does not include the upside from a $785 million Army HTASC award, which has now cleared protest and will enter our backlog in the third quarter. Also, approximately 85% of bookings during the quarter were from new business. And when considering the full value of our contracts, including options and extensions, ATN's backlog would be more than 50% larger than the $7.3 billion recorded in the second quarter. As I just mentioned, during the second quarter, we had the large U.S. Army HTASC win. Under this seven-year $785 million single-award IDIQ contract, Jacobs will support the Army Training Intelligence Center of Excellence, including hands-on practical performance and simulated virtual training for the overarching training support missions of the U.S. Army. We are also continuing our work on the Patriot Excalibur software and systems engineering for the U.S. Air Force. This renewed five-year $84 million contract provides a software solution to conduct real-time operations and tracking of mission readiness. Continuing along the lines of high-end government contracts, we were awarded the Department of Homeland Security Intrusion Prevention Security Services contract. This is a $31 million contract that enhances cybersecurity analysis, situational awareness and security response to the Department of Homeland Security. Also during the quarter, we supported the first ever salvo test of the ground-based midcourse defense system, involving two interceptors against an intercontinental ballistic missile conducted by the Missile Defense Agency. We provided integrated solutions to support the test in all phases: launch, ground, sea- and space-based sensors providing real-time target acquisition and tracking, operation of the command, control, battle management and communication system and finally, target discrimination and ground-based launch and intercept. In our portfolio, we received an 18-month contract extension at the Department of Energy's Savannah River site. This contract is part of the environmental management portfolio where Jacobs has strong leadership. Bids have now been submitted for multiple contracts at the DOE's Hanford site. For the Hanford Central Plateau contract, where Jacobs is currently the majority JV partner, we've submitted as a minority partner. If successful as a minority partner, we will only recognize our portion of the fee from the joint venture. However, on the Hanford tank farms, we bid as the majority joint venture partner, which would be a new win and add material revenue and incremental operating income. Finally, as part of our international portfolio, we are a shareholder in AWE Management Limited, which operates the Atomic Weapons Establishment, AWE in the U.K. AWE has secured the next phase of the program which covers the next three years, successfully continuing the operating profit contribution to the ATN bottom line. In summary, the ATN business had outstanding performance in the second quarter of fiscal 2019, and looking forward, we're excited about our record high $30 billion pipeline of new opportunities. We are focused on growing high-quality operating profit with emphasis on mission-critical government programs that bring resiliency to our business. We're optimistic that our strategy, which combines strong technical expertise, a unique localized delivery model and an industry-leading efficient cost structure, will allow us to continue to gain share over time. Now turning to Slide 10 to discuss the performance of our Buildings, Infrastructure and Advanced Facilities, BIAF line of business. BIAF maintained a solid growth trajectory with second-quarter net revenue up 5% and operating profit up 9% year over year. This strong performance was driven by continued positive momentum across all our industry sectors and further optimization of CH2M integration synergies. North America had solid top-line growth, outpacing the market. In the U.K., despite geopolitical headwinds, we see continued capital commitments for infrastructure. And similarly, in the Middle East, our business remains strong. In Australia and New Zealand, we continue to experience some softness but we made solid progress against our sales forecast with key bookings across the geography. Our second-quarter BIAF backlog was up 11% over -- year over year to $13 billion. Backlog growth can be attributed to capitalizing on CH2M revenue synergies, traction with our BIAF global delivery model, contract extensions on several long-term engagements and large-scale wins in our advanced facilities business. Operating profit margin as a percent of net revenue grew 40 basis points to 12%, demonstrating our continued drive to a higher-value solutions-based portfolio. As we look across the BIAF industry, we see strong and steady growth in all our key infrastructure sectors, specifically in life sciences and electronics. Capital spending in the U.S. life sciences sector is increasing, and electronics capex investment continue to be strong globally to support future demand for leading-edge products. Two significant wins this quarter include a confidential vaccine manufacturing plant in the southeast U.S. and the design of a micro processing chip manufacturing plant in the U.S. The U.S. federal sector continues to have a promising outlook, reporting several wins, including IDIQ contracts with the Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Department of State overseas buildings operation. In the Climate Leadership Conference in March, I was honored to accept multiple awards on behalf of Jacobs from the Environmental Business International Group for our leadership in technology, environmental, restoration and remediation in climate adaptation. We anticipate healthy growth by leveraging our environmental services as an enabler across all infrastructure sectors, Our transportation business continues to perform well globally. Our ports and maritime business experienced the highest growth, driven by expansion of global container terminal operators and containerized bulk shipping. In aviation, we have a strong pipeline of opportunities in the U.S. as well as the rapidly expanding market in Europe and Southeast Asia. We had significant contract wins with Metrolink's rail in Toronto and a one-year contract extension for Heathrow's runway expansion. Our water business remains strong with solid year-on-year growth, continued recognition as a global innovation leader. We were recognized by the Global Water Summit with various awards, including the Global Desalination Project of the Year for the Tuas desalination facility in Singapore. As we mentioned at investor day, information technology and operational technology are converging. We believe those that can combine digital expertise and domain knowledge will take share. An example of where we are leveraging our domain knowledge and digitally enabled solutions is a recent win for a confidential client where we're developing a cyber defense architecture for protecting their operational technology attack surface. Another key strategic win was an artificial intelligence transportation control system with Delaware transportation management that collects and analyzes high-resolution data to disseminate real-time travel information to generate traffic congestion solutions In summary, our BIAF business continued to outpace the market, including double-digit backlog growth. We're well positioned for strong growth for the remainder of fiscal year 2019. Now I'll turn the call over to Kevin to discuss our financial results in more detail. Kevin Berryman -- Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President Thank you, Steve. Before we review our results, let me comment on KeyW's results, which were also filed today. As you might imagine, we had the opportunity to review KeyW's preliminary March quarter results prior to signing of the acquisition agreement. We are encouraged by the progress the company has made with key project extensions and new awards. As a result, the company has strengthened its growth profile, with backlog up over 10% year over year when excluding the impact of the discontinued flight services contract. The company reported $1.6 billion in proposals submitted and awaiting award, up 23% versus the year-ago quarter. We remain confident in achieving the financial outlook we outlined at announcement and are excited to welcome the KeyW team to Jacobs. Let me also comment on our pro forma adjusted figures that have been included in our appendices to this presentation. We have updated and provided results for all quarters in fiscal 2018 and 2019 on a consistent basis. We have done this to ensure clarity as to how the business is performing on a comparable basis year over year. I will be referring to these figures throughout my remarks. But now I'll discuss more detailed summary of our financial performance for the second quarter of fiscal 2019 on Slide 11. Second-quarter gross revenue increased 8% year over year with net revenue up 9%. Both ATN and BIAF contributed to the strong growth profile with ATN leading the way with a 15% increase versus the year-ago quarter. Please note that we expect our second half year-over-year total net revenue growth to moderate somewhat. Second-quarter adjusted gross margin as a percentage of net revenue was 24.9% and was impacted by a higher mix of ATN revenue during the quarter, which carries, as you know, a lower gross margin. Our adjusted G&A as a percentage of net revenue was down nearly 200 basis points year over year as we benefited from CH2M cost synergies and our relentless focus on maintaining an efficient cost structure. GAAP operating profit was $103 million and included $94 million of restructuring and other costs related to the acquisition of CH2M and the divestiture of ECR, $19 million of amortization from acquired intangibles and $6 million of expanded costs from of our ECR divestiture to be eliminated or reimbursed through a transition services agreement. Adjusting for these items, adjusted operating profit was $222 million, up 27% versus the year-ago period. Our adjusted operating profit and net revenue, our new margin metric announced at our recent investor day, was 9% and up 130 basis points from the Q2 2018 figure of 7.7%. Adjusted EBIT -- EBITDA was $250 million or 10.2% of net revenue. GAAP EPS from continuing operations for the quarter was $0.82 and was impacted by the after-tax per share amounts I outlined earlier above when discussing operating profit. And it was also impacted by some items below the operating income line. GAAP EPS was further impacted by $0.10 of after-tax interest expense associated with debt that was paid down with ECR sale proceeds, a $0.27 benefit from a noncash deferred tax adjustment related to the ECR sale and a onetime $0.18 benefit primarily associated with a settlement gain associated with the closure of the CH2M retiree medical plan. Excluding all of these items, including operating profit and below operating profit adjustments, second-quarter adjusted EPS was $1.19. This figure benefited from $0.03 due to a lower tax rate. For the year, we now expect our effective tax rate to trend down to slightly below the 25% level we had previously guided to. Finally, turning to our bookings during the quarter. Our pro forma book-to-bill ratio was just over 1.1 times for both the trailing 12-month period and the quarter. The pipeline of opportunities across both businesses are strong, and as Steve mentioned, we are beginning to see revenue synergies from CH2M materialize in our backlog. Regarding our LOB performance, let's turn to Slide 12 and begin with ATN. Revenue for ATN grew 15% year over year but please note that the revenue mix in the quarter had a lower associated unit profit margin associated with some of the larger enterprise contracts during the quarter. As a result, operating profit margin for the quarter was 7%. Longer term, we continue to expect operating profit margins to improve in ATN as we shift the portfolio to a higher-value mix. It is important to note that our focus remains on driving operating profit growth versus revenue growth, given factors that include the structure of joint ventures, which can actually impact how revenue may or may not be reported on our P&L. We believe operating profit growth is the best indicator of performance, and we continue to expect an over 10% operating profit compound annual growth rate through 2021. Moving to BIAF. Second-quarter BIAF grew net revenue 5% year over year and pro forma operating profit was up 9%. Operating profit as a percentage of net revenue was over 12.3% for the quarter, up 45 basis points on a pro forma basis from the year-ago period. While we are pleased that BIAF's operating profit margin during Q2 was at the high end of the target provided at our recent investor day, it is important to note that on a quarterly basis, the profitability can fluctuate depending upon the revenue mix in the quarter. Regardless, we are confident in the margin expansion for BIAF from a combination of leveraging the benefits of scale from our global model, strong project execution and higher-margin opportunities currently in our pipeline. Finally, our non-allocated corporate overhead costs were $25 million for the quarter, down $17 million from Q2 2018 driven by the realization of CH2M cost synergies. We continue to be focused on driving costs affecting this into our corporate-related cost structure, especially now that we have divested the ECR business. Let's turn to Slide 13 where I would like to update our initiatives relative to our onetime costs and expected synergies related to our recent transactions. As you know, the company has undergone significant transformation over the last two years, including the $3.3 billion acquisition of CH2M and the $3.3 billion divestment of our Energy, Chemicals and Resources business. In addition, we recently announced the pending acquisition of federal technology provider, KeyW. All of these actions are clearly resulting in a higher-margin, higher-growth company with more predictable cash flows. Let me provide an update on each, starting with the CH2M integration and cost synergies. We achieved a run rate of more than 90% of expected CH2M synergies as of Q2 2019 and continue to anticipate achieving our synergy run rate target of $175 million as we exit fiscal 2019. Through Q2, we have incurred approximately $250 million of the expected $265 million in costs to achieve these synergies. We remain on track to significantly outperform our original synergy estimates. Turning to ECR. As you know, the divestment of ECR closed on April 26, 2019. As a result, we received $2.6 billion in net pre-tax cash proceeds on that date. We now expect $200 million of onetime ECR-related transaction, separation and restructuring costs to reflect the shift to a two line of business company. During the quarter, we incurred $40 million of these onetime costs, comprised mainly of IT and labor to achieve separation. We expect all costs to be incurred by the end of the calendar year. Finally, as outlined when we announced the KeyW acquisition, we expect to achieve $15 million of run rate cost synergies by the end of fiscal 2020 with approximately $25 million of costs to achieve those synergies. Additionally, we expect approximately $16 million of transaction fees and other onetime acquisition-related costs. Now on to the cash flow generation and the balance sheet on Slide 14. During the quarter, free cash flow from continuing operations excluding restructuring, integration and deal-related costs, totaled over $200 million. Free cash flow substantially improved in the quarter from our Q1 figures as our focus on driving improved cash flow gained traction. Certainly, part of that improvement was driven by improved DSO levels although there still remains more work to be done. We remain confident that the elevated DSO figures that we saw in Q1 were a short-term issue and not related to any structural changes in our normalized levels of days sales outstanding. In fact, we continue to expect to see a reduction in DSOs for the second half of fiscal 2019. During the quarter, capital expenditures totaled $39 million, of which nearly $15 million was associated with nonrecurring IT and real estate restructuring related to our cost synergy efforts. As a result of our improved cash flow, we ended the quarter with cash of approximately $900 million and a gross debt level of $2.8 billion. On April 26, we received $2.6 billion in pre-tax net cash and approximately $600 million of Worley equity. We expect to pay approximately $500 million to $550 million in cash taxes and $200 million of transaction, separation and restructuring costs related to this transaction. As a result, on an after-tax and fee basis, we expect $2.5 billion in proceeds from ECR, including the Worley equity stake. So looking at the right side of the chart, when accounting for the proceeds from the sale of ECR and the upcoming cash outflow related to the acquisition of KeyW, we expect Q2 pro forma net debt, assuming full taxes paid on ECR transaction, to be approximately $400 million or well under one time adjusted EBITDA. Regarding our accelerated share repurchase, we expect the ASR to be completed in June with the delivery of the remaining 20% of the shares of the ASR. At that time, we will evaluate further future share repurchases. And finally, given our strong balance sheet and continued expectation of improved cash flow, we also announced our quarterly dividend of $0.17 per share. And as you know, our dividend represents an increase of 13% versus our year-ago dividend level. Now I'll turn it back over to Steve for some closing thoughts. Steve Demetriou -- Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Thank you, Kevin. I'm very pleased with our solid start to the first half of 2019 and the strong demand environment we're seeing within our core industry sectors. We have an ambitious strategic vision for Jacobs, a strong track record of execution and disciplined philosophy of allocating capital, the combination of which we believe is paramount to delivering above-market returns for our shareholders. As we look forward, we continue to expect fiscal 2019 adjusted EBITDA to be in the range of $920 million to $1 billion, and we're increasing our total fiscal year 2019 adjusted EPS guidance to $4.45 to $4.85 per share from our previous guidance of $4.40 to $4.80. Operator, we'll now open the call for questions. Questions & Answers: Operator [Operator instructions] The first question comes from Josh Sullivan from Seaport Global. Your line is open. Josh Sullivan -- Seaport Global Securities -- Analyst Can you hear me now? Steve Demetriou -- Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Yes. Josh Sullivan -- Seaport Global Securities -- Analyst Hey, sorry about that. Just given one of your competitors successfully changed its code designation, what would be the time line for Jacobs to potentially make a similar transition? Kevin Berryman -- Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President Well, as you know, the makeup of our revenues currently are associated with BIAF and ATN, and our government services piece of that represents a smaller portion of the total revenue base right now. We're in the process of further evaluating a recharacterization of some of our revenues, which we know have either government services and/or IT-related activities, which ultimately will translate into our ability to probably, near the end of this fiscal year, be able to talk to S&P in order to look to try and change our code longer term. And I think that, that's going to be work in progress that we're going to be working on over the next six months. Josh Sullivan -- Seaport Global Securities -- Analyst OK. Great. Thanks. And then just on the free cash flow and the DSOs. What do you think a normalized level, including KeyW, looks like? And then will the new design centers in Poland and elsewhere have any impact on DSOs, positive or negative? Kevin Berryman -- Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President Ultimately, we believe that we should be receiving a conversion against net income, which translates into one time, and we think that, that is the viable view of how our cash flows will be driven longer term, including KeyW. And I think that KeyW will ultimately be accretive to what we're able to do primarily because of the higher-margin profile that we are expecting out of that business longer term. As it relates to our, let's call it, our global business services efforts, the more that we can get structured and disciplined as it relates to our processes, which DBS will ultimately be a big part of, the better our ability to drive down DSOs will be. So we would expect that longer term, that's going to be a positive versus our ability to continue to drive improved profitability for the quarter or for the years going forward. Josh Sullivan -- Seaport Global Securities -- Analyst Appreciate the color. Thank you. Operator Your next question comes from Lucy Guo from Cowen and Company. Your line is open. Lucy Guo -- Cowen and Company -- Analyst Thank you for taking my questions. Wanted to say congrats to Terry on his pending retirement and I look forward to working with Dawn going forward. So first question perhaps for Kevin. If you can -- so you reiterated the adjusted EBITDA guidance for FY '19. Q1 came in at more than 25% of the year at the midpoint. Can you just talk about where you may be conservative versus if there's anything that is trending downward in the rest of the year? Kevin Berryman -- Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President Look, I think what we've done is we've included a raise to our guide $0.05 let's call that, primarily around taxes. We still feel good about the ramp-up in the second quarter and effectively, we think that our ability to drive our growth in the second half, which is substantial, is still there. So we think we're just being prudent as it relates to our ability to continue to deliver against the numbers that we've provided to you. Lucy Guo -- Cowen and Company -- Analyst OK. Great. Second question is on KeyW. Their results also came out this morning that was kind of below where the street expected. Can you just talk about maybe into the second half the calendar year if there's anything that's changed versus your expectations? Steve Demetriou -- Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Good morning, Lucy. We're confident in the projections that we put in place that modeled the acquisition including 2019. We see a timing situation going on with KeyW that some awards get pushed into the second quarter and second half of the year. We've been following it closely. We believe the second quarter is going to be a very solid quarter. There's been some good wins that they should be announcing soon. And so we're confident in the remainder of 2019. Lucy Guo -- Cowen and Company -- Analyst Good to hear. And finally, just want to see if there's any changes in the recompete timings of the two large ones that you have highlighted? And I'll pass it on. Appreciate it. Steve Demetriou -- Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Yes. The confidential contract that we have in ATN continues to move to the right, which is good for us. We believe that there's going to be some extension opportunity there over the near term. And then I mentioned, I think the other one you're talking about is Hanford where we're excited because we're actually involved in two programs there, that rebid as well as the new tank farm opportunity. So we continue to feel very positively about those and other opportunities. I think I mentioned earlier that our pipeline is a record high $30 billion in the ATN business, and then we're been very excited about the pipeline in KeyW and the margin improvement there that's going to bring to Jacobs. So all in all, a great pipeline going forward. Operator Your next question comes from Michael Dudas from Vertical Research. Your line is open. Michael Dudas -- Vertical Research -- Analyst Good morning, gentlemen. Steve, in your prepared remarks, you talked about how you felt with the first half of 2019 from a book of business backlog positioning standpoint, as you're trying to execute looking at 2020, and not to get into 2020 expectations but where relative to where you were six months ago to where you finished up second quarter and taking into consideration KeyW, how better or how much more confident relative to your plan or backlog or order rolloff do you anticipate in each of the business for 2020? Steve Demetriou -- Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Yes. We feel very confident about our three-year ramp associated with our strategic plan that we outlined at investor day and we're off to a great start in the first half. When you look at some of the macros going on, we continue to feel like we're extremely well positioned. The -- there's a lot going on as far as budgets being set by the federal government as well as state and local. NASA remains very aggressive in their whole program of getting to the moon by 2014, and the good news is there's a debate on how much more will be spent at NASA moving into 2020 and beyond. But the good news is all the talk is more, whether it's $1 billion to $2 billion more or something even higher than that. So we feel good about NASA and our position there. The -- and then when we look at the Department of Defense budget, which I think the talk is somewhere between $730 billion and $750 billion, the -- when you peel the onion and look at the specific programs, really almost right on top of all the mission-critical programs we've participated in, a lot of the programs are actually being discussed as double-digit growth opportunities moving into 2020. And so whether it's cyber or some of the other mission-critical intelligence community areas that we and KeyW participate in, we feel very confident there. And then of course, on our BIAF program, the recent moves around the Democrats and Trump talking about finally getting at this federal infrastructure spending, whether it's $1 trillion or $2 trillion, we're talking about a heck of a lot more spending opportunity in the U.S. around infrastructure. And then when you look overseas, the infrastructure opportunities are very robust. The Middle East continues to be strong for us. But even in the U.K. with what's going on with Brexit, the spending has been preserved. A lot of the major programs on rail and highways that we're participating in are moving forward. And we believe that once Brexit is resolved, the very first thing they're going to focus on is infrastructure to be a stimulus to the economy there. So our second-largest market in our BIAF market bodes very well. And then we continue to just be very excited about our advanced facilities business. I mentioned a couple of key wins in life sciences and electronics, but we're well placed with regard to the clients that we're focused on in both of those sectors. And so all in all, I would say we're just -- we continue to be very confident in our three-year strategic plan. Michael Dudas -- Vertical Research -- Analyst Well put, Steven. Just Kevin, a brief follow-up. When you talk about once KeyW's in the mix and you look at the ATN operating profit and you mentioned about minority chipping at some of your joint ventures majority to minority, how much of a percentage or a contribution on a normalized basis would those be to the overall operating profit going forward to ATN? Kevin Berryman -- Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President I don't have that. Really kind of depends on what the win profile looks like. But obviously, if, in fact, we go from the prime to a sub on a JV or something like that, managing partner versus not, you're going to effectively see -- all that you're going to see in our financials is the fee that we're earnings as it relates to that. So obviously, it will be a big number in terms of profitability with no revenue. The numbers probably are not exactly hugely material in terms of numbers but it will be accretive. And certainly, we can get that information back to you after the fact when we start to get a better sense of how it's going to play out. Michael Dudas -- Vertical Research -- Analyst Excellent. Thank you, gentlemen. Operator Your next question will come from Jamie Cook from Credit Suisse. Your line is open. Jamie Cook -- Credit Suisse -- Analyst Hi. Good morning. Just a couple of clarifications on the guidance, Kevin. I think in your prepared remarks, you mentioned something about growth -- revenue growth in the top line in the back half sort of moderating. Can you just talk about the drivers behind that or just get a little more specific in particular with restating things year over year? And then my second question is obviously, this changes with KeyW but the operating margins in ATN, how you're thinking about that in the back half as well? Thank you. Kevin Berryman -- Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President Yes. I think clearly, Jamie, as it relates to the back half moderation comment, it's really more about the fact that the comparables for ATN specifically continued to expand and grow last year in the back half as the ramp-up on the large enterprise contracts occurred. So the comparables in the back half of 2018 are strong -- stronger than what the first half was. So we're just comparing to a bigger part of those ramp-ups actually having occurred. So that's probably the biggest piece of the ramp down. I think that -- or the moderation down. I think the other point as it relates to margin profile, as we think about going forward, certainly, the ATN business has an expectation level that we're going to be improving margin consistent with the strategic plan that we outlined relative to the investor day. And we would expect to see part of that occurring in 2019 back half as well. Relative to KeyW, it depends on really when it closes, and to the extent it does close with enough time to really have an impact in the back half, we would expect to see accretion relative to that as well. But it will be pretty immaterial, given where we are in the year and when the close might occur, some potential limited benefit in fourth quarter but it really depends on when the deal closes. Jamie Cook -- Credit Suisse -- Analyst OK. Thank you. Operator Your next question will come from Jerry Revich from Goldman Sachs. Your line is open. Jerry Revich -- Goldman Sachs -- Analyst Yes. Good morning, everyone. I'm wondering if we just flesh out in BIAF really strong bookings this quarter, can you give us a sense for how much of the growth was in water versus transportation? So what part of the portfolio are you seeing backlog growing? And related question, the $2-plus billion CH2M revenue synergy pipeline, how much contribution are you expecting over the next, call it, 12 to 18 months? How much have we already seen flow through the results? Can you just give us a touch more granularity on that part of the opportunity set, please? Thanks. Steve Demetriou -- Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Yes. It's been, for BIAF, pretty much across the board. We've seen it both in the B&I side as well as the advanced facilities side. On the -- when we look at our business, we're ramping up some major water programs out that we've announced in California and Houston and some others that clearly, we attribute to a combination of Jacobs and CH2M. We had a major highway win in the Washington, D.C. area. That was something that we don't believe either company would've won on its own and together. And the other story on that, Jerry, is that it's margin improvement as well. Whereas both companies in the past would have partnered with others, including each other and would have had their share of the margin as an integrated company now, we're getting more of the pie as we're winning rail or highway or airport or water, environmental solutions wins because of the fact that we can bring now most everything we need other than having to team up from time to time with small set-aside business partners. So it's -- just can't overemphasize it's across the board. The advanced facilities was a major contributor this quarter and as they're ramping up programs both in the electronics and the life sciences area. And it's been global across the globe with really the only soft point that is in the Australia, New Zealand area after several great years there. So we really like what we're seeing across the globe in all sectors. Jerry Revich -- Goldman Sachs -- Analyst OK. And then Kevin, back to your comments about sales growth moderating in the back half because of tough comps in ATN. On the flip side, you have really strong bookings momentum in BIAF and the organic growth has generally, year-to-date, been, call it, the toward the midpoint of your long-term targets and it feels like you've got bigger bookings momentum at least near term. Can you just address what your expectations are for BIAF organic growth? Is that -- any comps that we need to be aware of? Kevin Berryman -- Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President No. Look, I think if we were to characterize the growth outlook for both of the businesses, ATN, while we still like the growth, BIAF has the stronger kind of near-term momentum over the back half of the year because they're not facing some of the ramp-ups that ATEN had in back half of last year. So year over year, it's certainly going to be stronger for BIAF in the back half than ATN. And I would say that we feel good about those bookings and how they've come into the mix. I think it's very clear with the backlog being up $1.3 billion in BIAF at the end of the quarter, clearly, that's indicating some stronger near-term opportunities in terms of the burn in the back half. So certainly stronger in BIAF, more muted in ATN but still we feel pretty good about the back half in terms of the revenue growth but moderating a tad. Jerry Revich -- Goldman Sachs -- Analyst OK. And let me add my congratulations to Terry as well, quite contribution to the business, Terry. And Dawn, welcome and we're looking forward to working with you. Thanks, everyone. Steve Demetriou -- Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Thanks, Jerry. Kevin Berryman -- Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President Thanks. Operator Your next question will come from Tahira Afzal with KeyBanc. Your line is open. Tahira Afzal -- KeyBank Capital Markets -- Analyst Congratulations on a good quarter. I guess, first question, and I hate to beat the ATN horse again, Kevin, but I'm looking at your 2% to 3% CAGR guidance, and even if I assume [Inaudible] for the rest of the year, it seems it's tough to build my CAGR even at the upper end of that [Inaudible] as well exceeding that. Unless I assume that your revenues in ATN are flat or even worse for the outer years. So I assume that's conservatism on your part and to the extent it is and the [Inaudible] will be higher, how does that impact or benefit your margins? Kevin Berryman -- Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President So for the ATN guide, we haven't really given specific guidance, first point. And as it relates to our revenue for ATN, had a good quarter obviously this quarter. And consequently, I think that the back half is still going to be showing some growth. And for us, what you're talking about is the guide previous to this quarter. So I think effectively, we will see incremental revenue versus what we had been thinking last quarter. I will say the margin profile was a little bit less strong, given the mix of the profile. And consequently, we saw a little bit lower profitability margin associated with that relative to the dynamic. But I think '19 is shaping up to be a pretty good look for ATN in terms of revenue and BIAF. So if you're talking about the longer-term guide in the investor day, clearly, that plays into the whole dynamic relative to joint ventures and how that may or may not play into the profile. And there's a big chunk that if we do our strategy, which has been to participate as a -- it's not the general partner in some of the JV work, that will ultimately affect our reported growth profile, that's one of the reasons for that guide. Tahira Afzal -- KeyBank Capital Markets -- Analyst Got it, OK. And Kevin, remember you guys bought a communications-oriented business a while back, maybe a Verizon piece. How does that -- can you leverage that toward a lot of the satellite work or the [Inaudible] work you might be doing once KeyW gets going? Kevin Berryman -- Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President Yes. I think the -- you're talking about the acquisition, which was boy, four, five years ago maybe [Inaudible] So yes. Look, I think that certainly was one of the initial stages of the transformation of the ATN organization in terms of getting into that business with certainly being very high technology-oriented and work associated with managing telecommunications for some of the three-letter agencies in the U.S. government. So clearly, a high technology play. We've been very, very excited and happy with that deal. I think ultimately, the KeyW, while I think there's opportunities in ATN to further leverage those capabilities, I would say we're actually excited about the opportunity associated with BIAF as well because of the sensor capabilities to bring some of the technology into play in terms of the portfolio BIAF longer term. So yes, I think there is some opportunities in ATN and we think there's a good -- we talked about there being strong revenue synergies, which were not included in our analysis on the KeyW acquisition. But they don't only exist in ATN, they also exist in BIAF as well. Tahira Afzal -- KeyBank Capital Markets -- Analyst Got it. Thank you, Kevin. Operator Your next question comes from Andy Kaplowitz from Citi. Your line is open. Unknown speaker Good morning. This is Betty on behalf of Andy. Can you give us some color on what's underpinning the continued strength in Middle East infrastructure that you just referenced, given that we have seen some more mixed trends in other industrial end markets in the region? Steve Demetriou -- Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Yes. I think it's in different areas. We're doing a lot of work in places like Abu Dhabi and Dubai and there's things going on with the Expo. There's major rail expansions. There's economic growth that's driving the need for new infrastructure. You've got Saudi Arabia with the 2030 vision and just a real relentless pursuit of expanding everything from healthcare to entertainment to smart cities and so it's -- I can't compare it to what what's going on in the various, but if I do look at Saudi, for example, it's a diversification and it's now spreading. It's funding which in the past has been exclusively around the energy and chemicals refining sector to areas around infrastructure is a good example. Unknown speaker Thank you. That's helpful. And my follow-up would be with ECR sale complete and given that you noted that CH2M integration is near-complete, you can -- can you talk about how you think about the pace of potential incremental M&A activity going forward? Should we expect some pause coming into the [Inaudible] KeyW or should we see more bolt-on acquisitions? Steve Demetriou -- Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Well, I think as we still have a tremendous runway of opportunity to maximize the integration and synergies of CH2M especially with our BIAF business. I expect that from time to time, we'll have some bolt-on opportunities to take that combination of BIAF's, Jacobs and CH2M capability and bring some additional capabilities. Talked about at investor day, digital consulting is an area that we're interested in and there could be other bold-on opportunities. ATN, I think we're -- the KeyW was initial step of our strategy to really become a Tier 1 government services player, especially focused around areas like federal IT and mission intelligence community and those priority areas for us. And so I would expect over the next several years, from time to time, some bolt-on opportunities. But we're very mindful and balanced around our capital deployment. We still believe Jacobs is a great investment. And we are -- we've launched our first step with the ASR and we've laid out the fact that we expect to not only continue our dividend but increase it as our earnings increase. So we have, we believe, a good discipline, patient capital deployment strategy. Operator Your next question comes from the line of Steven Fisher with UBS. Your line is open. Steven Fisher -- UBS -- Analyst Thanks. Good morning. Just a competitive question around ATN. I know you expect to pursue and win higher-margin contract in ATN. I guess to what extent are you guys seeing a convergence of bidders on a relatively narrow batch of higher-margin attractive technologically driven contracts? Or is the overall pie of higher-margin contracts just getting bigger? I'm sure everyone wants to pursue higher-margin work. Are there more opportunities for everyone or is there a convergence on sort of a select set? Steve Demetriou -- Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Well, we've talked about the fact that ATN, unlike most of our other markets, is very highly fragmented. And we still have a relatively small share of the whole big pie there when we talked about just in the U.S. market. And so we see our ability because of our differentiated models that we've talked about around our ability to tailor our offerings to our client rather than some of our competitors bringing sort of their overhead structure to the clients and to work in a swift basis. And I think KeyW is only going to get us even at a higher level there with their rapid deployment that's been their proven differentiation. And so we look at it less around how much going after the same thing versus our ability to bring unique offerings. Our wind tunnel business, for example, in ATN, we bring a unique technology there that enables us to command good solid margins and win more than our fair share of business there. And our ability now to work with our clients around 5G deployment is a very positive area. Cyber security and what we've done now with KeyW to strengthen our cybersecurity platform is only going to make a stronger there. And we're excited again with KeyW-Jacobs around analytics capabilities, artificial intelligence, machine learning and what we're going to be able to do. And I mentioned that some of the specific focal areas by the Department of Defense are really in these high-margin differentiated areas where we bring unique capabilities. So all in all, we feel confident in our ability to not only win more than our fair share but to focus on the best value sectors in our ATN industry. Kevin Berryman -- Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President Just another comment to make too relative to the strategy that the ATN team has developed. And it's really relative to some of the contracting strategies and they really are looking because of their very strong position on cost profile and in capabilities which Steve has just outlined. There's an ability for the team to be doing fixed-price services work, which is low risk but ultimately allows for margin enhancement. And Terry outlined that as part of investor day, and I think that, that continues to be an opportunity for that team in ATN to continue to drive that business. And so not only do we have the opportunity on the enterprise contracts, the larger ones, which sometimes can be a little bit more challenging from a margin perspective, there is a very specific focus on the other side which some of these in smaller, more fixed-price services, which really don't have risk that's any different than some of the other jobs that we do or projects that we do. And consequently, that's should be part of the strategy and already is part of the strategy that's being executed by the ATN team. Operator Your next question comes from the line of Chad Dillard with Deutsche Bank. Your line is open. Chad Dillard -- Deutsche Bank -- Analyst Good morning, everyone. So I just want to dig into the ATN procurement cycle. So I just want to understand from where we are today to continue growing backlog through the balance of the year. And then longer term relative to the $30 billion pipeline. Can you just talk about the balance of smaller projects driving the potential wins versus larger ones? I know you mentioned that Hanford was one potential but is there anything beyond that? Steve Demetriou -- Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Yes. Again, it's such a broad-based answer so I'll try to be succinct around it. But I'll just start with NASA. A lot of the ability to grow with NASA starts with performance, and we've had a great outcomes recently on our award scores. And so when we look at NASA being aggressive on going after their programs and we see an increasing budget, we clearly see ramp-up in NASA across-the-board there. I mentioned automotive, where we have unique capabilities and a very high value wind tunnel commercial automotive business. We've been very strong in the U.S. We're expanding into Europe with a lot of the automotive players there as fuel efficiency and acoustics and some of the other areas that the automotive industries was focusing on. Missile defense, that program is going great for us and we're finding opportunities to grow. We see that continuing to ramp up. And then when we look at, as I mentioned earlier, cybersecurity, that's an area now that where this whole conversion -- convergence really excited to see the clients lock in now to see Jacobs as a major player there. And the KeyW acquisition only further increased our brand and awareness there for penetrating that business. So it's pretty widespread. And then internationally, in the U.K., we're -- and also Europe, we're focused there. There's some initiatives were working on to get bigger outside of the U.S. on ATN into some adjacent markets. And then the opportunity is, as I mentioned earlier, this ability to take what we're doing in ATN and BIAF together and looking at opportunities, whether it's smart cities or the 5G rollout or other opportunities to bring our domain knowledge and capability that we've established in Buildings, Infrastructure and Advanced Facilities and bring the ATN capabilities to those markets. So it's -- there's a tremendous opportunity that's driving that $30 billion pipeline that we mentioned earlier. Kevin Berryman -- Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President I think it's important to augment or reinforce Steve's comment that he also made during the prepared remarks, which talks about kind of this is a government services business that we have. And everyone talks about DoD and what the total increase is. But if you peel away the onion and you look at what we do for the DoD and NASA and other agencies, the increases are not the kind of single-digit numbers that everyone's talking about. It's more in line with double-digit increases in 2020 for the federal government business. Now that still has got to be worked through but clearly, indications are where we do our work, we're talking more in line with double-digit increases in spend for the government in the 2020 budget. So it obviously, on top of what Steve has talked about in terms of capabilities, sets a foundational element of there being a general boat that's floating a little bit higher in the water. Chad Dillard -- Deutsche Bank -- Analyst Just a question here. How should we think about the cash conversion for the business through the balance of the year? Kevin Berryman -- Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President Well, we think that clearly, we saw an improvement in Q2, which that was important to do, given what we saw in Q1. Q3 and Q4 tend to be strong cash flow periods for us, so I would think that we should be seeing an improvement. It's ultimately going to be driven by the ability for us to deliver against the DSO expectations that we have for ourselves. We've got to continue to drive that down over the second half of the year. And I make these comments ex I would say some of the restructuring onetime costs that we're continuing to execute through, given the issues associated with our myriad of transition opportunities, transformation opportunities on ECR, on CH and what will begin to happen, which is Key West. So we feel pretty good about the second half cash flow in the back half. And like I said, not sure we'll get to the one-time conversion for the full year this year, but we certainly believe that, that's going to be the expectation for this portfolio and we should expect that going forward longer term as we communicated at our investor day. Operator Your next question comes from the line of Justin Hauke with Robert W. Baird. Your line is open. Justin Hauke -- Robert W. Baird and Company -- Analyst Yes. Good morning. I guess I just wanted to maybe get one more clarification on the big ATN contracts that you have. You've got the two recompetes that are outstanding and then you've got the Hanford tender that you submitted. And so if the timing for the award decision on all of those the same September of this year? And just in terms of relative scope, how big are the recompetes versus the incremental opportunity of Hanford just so we can think about how those go, what it might be? Steve Demetriou -- Chairman and Chief Executive Officer The Hanford ones, both of them should play out around the same time and it will be later this fiscal year, whereas the confidential contract is more moving into 2020 time frame. So those are not overlapping. And what we're excited about is, especially when we look about the $30 billion pipeline, the majority of that's new business and it's not extensions or rebid, although they will be from time to time. But we're really expanding into. When you look at the wins that moved the needle for ATN over the last 12 to 18 months, whether it's special ops command or missile defense, as an example, we moved into new areas there. The KeyW acquisition is only going to accelerate that now when we talk now about getting into ISR space and being able to take their capabilities and move them into our water business or sustainable solutions or agricultural solutions when we talk about this whole IT/OT convergence, that's moving into new areas. So I think we're well balanced when it comes to contract extensions or rebids and new business. Justin Hauke -- Robert W. Baird and Company -- Analyst OK. And then my second question here is just on the DSOs, Kevin, appreciate your comments on that. But unbilled was up fairly significantly quarter to quarter, $230 million or so. I know last quarter, there was issues with collections on the federal government. But is that still tied to that or is that -- the federal billings, have those been billed or is the $230 million still on that or is it something else? Kevin Berryman -- Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President No. Look, I think the -- if we track both of these metrics obviously, and then didn't net against that the billings in excess, which is prepayments that our customers have made, which is how we track our DSO figures. So we did see some of those challenges at the, let's call it, at the beginning of the quarter but not so at the end of the quarter because of the ability for the government to get back on track as it relates to the shutdown that we had there for bids. So look, I think there's a lot of moving pieces in terms of our system environment and implementations, which will create some volatility in those numbers in the short term. Remember that we've gone to -- on the CH2M integration, we effectively, at the beginning of the year, went to 80% of the CH2M business, roughly plus or minus, went on to the Jacobs system environment that we're still working through the adjustments and necessary improvements as it relates to that go-live in anticipation for the next 20% going live, which is probably at the end of our third quarter, which is coming up here shortly. And so there are some kind of moving pieces right now. We're expecting that at the end of the day, all of this is going to translate into lower DSOs going forward. We have to because we saw that the tweak-up in Q1 to levels that we believe we need to get down quickly. Justin Hauke -- Robert W. Baird and Company -- Analyst Thank you. Operator There are no further questions in queue at this time. I'd turn the conference back over to our presenters. Steve Demetriou -- Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Thank you. So as I reflect on our second-quarter results, we are immensely proud of our organization. We're performing at a high level during a period of extraordinary transformation, where we're focusing and progressing the integration of CH2M successfully, we're executing on our three-year strategy, which we laid out at investor day. We made an important acquisition with KeyW in the government services sector and obviously, completing the transformational divestiture of ECR and separating that from Jacobs. And concurrent with all of these activities, our people are focused delivering exceptional results. So the bottom line is we have extraordinary people and delivering extraordinary outcomes. And I hope you're as excited as I am about our growth here at Jacobs. Thank you. Operator [Operator signoff] Duration: 74 minutes Call participants: Jonathan Doros -- Head of Investor Relations Steve Demetriou -- Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Kevin Berryman -- Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President Josh Sullivan -- Seaport Global Securities -- Analyst Lucy Guo -- Cowen and Company -- Analyst Michael Dudas -- Vertical Research -- Analyst Jamie Cook -- Credit Suisse -- Analyst Jerry Revich -- Goldman Sachs -- Analyst Tahira Afzal -- KeyBank Capital Markets -- Analyst Unknown speaker Steven Fisher -- UBS -- Analyst Chad Dillard -- Deutsche Bank -- Analyst Justin Hauke -- Robert W. Baird and Company -- Analyst More JEC analysis All earnings call transcripts This article is a transcript of this conference call produced for The Motley Fool. While we strive for our Foolish Best, there may be errors, omissions, or inaccuracies in this transcript. As with all our articles, The Motley Fool does not assume any responsibility for your use of this content, and we strongly encourage you to do your own research, including listening to the call yourself and reading the company's SEC filings. Please see our Terms and Conditions for additional details, including our Obligatory Capitalized Disclaimers of Liability. Motley Fool Transcribing has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. By Sam Nussey TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's SoftBank Group Corp is expected to report a small rise in its fourth-quarter profit, while investors look for details on whether the conglomerate plans to monetize its almost $100 billion Vision Fund through an IPO. SoftBank is considering taking the Saudi-backed investment fund public, a source said on Friday, adding that no formal process has been started. Shares of the group rose as much as 4 percent on Monday as trading resumed after Japan's extended "Golden Week" holidays. Following the listing of the group's domestic telco SoftBank Corp in December, the Vision Fund is the largest segment in SoftBank's earnings without a market valuation. It is, however, unclear how the world's largest technology investment fund could be listed in its current form. SoftBank is expected to post on Thursday a 1 percent rise in operating profit to 156 billion yen ($1.41 billion) for the three months ended March, an average estimate of three analysts polled by Refinitiv shows. SoftBank has not provided a forecast and moved to new accounting standards this financial year. The results come at a potential inflection point for the group and the Vision Fund as portfolio companies like Uber Technologies and the owner of WeWork, The We Company, prepare to list, putting a price tag on some of the conglomerate's largest bets on unlisted startups. With investors struggling to quantify Vision Fund's growing investments amid a lack of clarity over its valuation methods, analysts think the listings could help underscore its strategy. Given the group's focus on technology companies, "if something happens to that sector it could be very negative", said Dan Baker, an analyst at Morningstar. Uber is set to price its $10 billion IPO on May 9, seeking a valuation of up to $90 billion. That is lower than what Uber insiders had hoped for, but investors have reported strong demand for the shares. The lower valuation comes after rival Lyft Inc's poor stock performance after its market debut. That reflects investor scepticism over Lyft's path to profitability, with peers likes Uber and WeWork also heavily losing money. In China, Sequoia Capital China, viewed as a bellwether for tech investment, is set to lay off as much as 20 percent of investment staff as a slowdown in the tech sector saps appetite for risk, two people have said. While the Vision Fund has previously profitably exited its stakes in Indian online retailer FlipKart, which it sold to Walmart, and in already-public chipmaker Nvidia Corp, Uber will be its first portfolio company to go public. SoftBank's rapidly growing investments continue to cause investor headaches in valuing the business, while also raising concerns about returns and SoftBank's indebtedness. Last week, a newly created Latin America-focused fund under SoftBank Group COO Marcelo Claure made its first move after SoftBank announced a $1 billion investment in Colombian delivery app Rappi. WEAK TELCO RESULTS SoftBank Group's domestic telco reports its financial results a day ahead of its parent. Three analysts on average see a weak end to SoftBank Corp's year, with operating profit set to fall 11 percent to 94 billion yen. While the telco hopes a series of joint ventures with SoftBank portfolio companies will help drive growth, pressure on carrier fees have left many investors in wait-and-see mode. Sprint Corp, a SoftBank unit, and T-Mobile US Inc last month extended the deadline for completing their $26 billion merger, as regulators have yet to decide whether to approve the transaction announced a year ago. SoftBank Group's shares have risen 60 percent this year, but the telco's shares are down 5 percent and languish 14 percent below their December 1,500 yen IPO price. SoftBank Group's shares were up 0.9 percent at 1300 local time (0400 GMT), while SoftBank Corp's shares down 1.3 percent in line with the broader market. Graphic: A tale of two SoftBanks - https://tmsnrt.rs/2DHuDoI (Reporting by Sam Nussey; Editing by Miyoung Kim and Himani Sarkar) PARIS (AP) Jean Vanier, a Canadian Catholic whose charity work helped improve conditions for the developmentally disabled in multiple countries over the past half-century, has died. He was 90. A charity he founded, L'Arche, said Vanier died Tuesday in Paris after suffering from thyroid cancer. Pope Francis praised Vanier as a man who spent his life understanding the mystery of suffering, illness and death, "the mystery of those who are despised and thrown away in the world." Speaking to reporters en route home from North Macedonia, Francis said he had called Vanier a week ago after learning he was close to death. "I wanted to express my gratitude for this witness," Francis said. "Thanks to him, and to God for having given us this man with a great witness." Vanier worked as a Canadian navy officer and professor before turning to charity work. A visit to a psychiatric hospital prompted him to found L'Arche in 1964 as an alternative living environment where those with developmental disabilities could be full-fledged participants in the community instead of patients. The charity now has communities in 38 countries that are home to thousands of people both with and without disabilities. "He saw people locked up, and he decided to make a gesture, inspired by the Bible," said Pierre Jacquand, who leads L'Arche's facilities in France. "He felt a calling to defend the most marginalized." "He gave them a voice," Jacquand said, adding that over time, his work helped inspire broader change in how France addresses the needs of those with developmental disorders including Down syndrome and autism spectrum disorders. He also traveled the world to encourage dialogue across religions, and was awarded the 2015 Templeton Prize for spiritual work, as well as France's Legion of Honor. He was the subject of a documentary shown at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival called "Jean Vanier, the Sacrament of Tenderness." Story continues Vanier handed over leadership of L'Arche decades ago but continued to live in the first community center he founded north of Paris. He had no direct descendants but left a legacy in many countries, and "his family is everywhere now," Jacquand said. A private memorial service is expected next week. By Aditi Shah NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Jet Airways' pilots' union has appealed to India's top court to direct State Bank Of India (SBI) to release interim funding to try to revive the grounded airline, according to a court filing made on Tuesday which was reviewed by Reuters. Jet halted all flight operations indefinitely on April 17 after its lenders rejected its plea for emergency funds, potentially the end of the line for what was once India's largest private airline. The debt-laden airline has struggled to compete with low-cost carriers like IndiGo and SpiceJet that now dominate Indian skies, and its mounting losses forced it to ground its planes. The National Aviator's Guild said in its petition that SBI's decision to not give the interim funding of 15 billion rupees ($216 million), after agreeing to it in March as part a resolution plan, has resulted in the airline being grounded and has impacted the livelihood of Jet's 22,000 employees. This "singular decision" by SBI was responsible for the operations of Jet Airways coming to a stop and "substantial de-valuation/depreciation in the value of Jet", the union said in the court filing. SBI, as part of the resolution plan, has also invited bids from potential investor to take a stake in Jet. So far no bidders have publicly shown interest and the final bids are expected to be submitted by May 10. There was no immediate comment from SBI. Without the emergency funds Jet was unable to pay rentals on its leased aircraft, forcing lessors to take back planes. Its slots have been temporarily re-allocated to other airlines and some of its pilots and other employees who have not been paid in months have taken up jobs elsewhere. The union has asked the Supreme Court to direct the civil aviation ministry and aviation regulator to decline any further de-registration requests for Jet's leased aircraft and not to reassign its slots to other airlines permanently, according to the filing. Story continues Allocation of Jet's slots, allotment of its seats under the international bilateral agreement with other airlines and handing over its de-registered aircraft to other carriers without following due process has "further devalued the worth of Jet Airways", the union said in its petition. "The consequence is that there is hardly any likelihood of some serious buyer for the airline," the pilots' union said in the petition, urging the court to act swiftly. (Reporting by Aditi Shah; Editing by Martin Howell/Keith Weir) Beirut (AFP) - Threats, interference and aid deliveries in jeopardy -- relief workers say jihadists are adding to the huge challenges they face in violence-plagued northwest Syria where a fragile ceasefire is at risk. The Idlib region, controlled by a former Al-Qaeda affiliate, is one of the last areas of the country that President Bashar al-Assad has yet to recapture. Around 2.7 million of its roughly three million residents need humanitarian assistance according to the United Nations. Most rely heavily on food, medicine and other aid brought across from Turkey by the UN and charity groups. But efforts by the "de-facto authorities" in Idlib "to tamper with, impede or frustrate the delivery of humanitarian assistance including by undermining the safety of humanitarian workers, has been an unfortunate reality", said Rachel Sider of the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC). The Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) jihadist group and its civil wing -- the so-called "Salvation Government" -- cemented control over Idlib in the beginning of the year. "The interference has increased since January," said a humanitarian worker in Idlib, who wanted to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation. "There is not a single aid organisation that has been spared threats, arrests, or closure for very silly reasons," he said, even as Idlib has come under increased bombardment by the regime and its ally Russia over the past month. In April jihadists threatened to detain him because he refused to provide them with food baskets his team was distributing at a camp for the displaced in southern Idlib, he added. "They told me I should give them aid because they are mujahideen," said the 27-year-old. He said HTS also detained him for four days seven months ago in Idlib city for photographing aid deliveries without their authorisation. Militants beat him, confiscated his laptop, and broke his camera, he said. "They told me I should thank God I was being released alive." Story continues - 'Interference' - Paul Donohoe of the International Rescue Committee said "aid groups face interference from armed groups in Idlib, such as the restricting of access to vulnerable populations or attempting to influence beneficiary selection and the location of aid delivery." He declined to provide more detail but a second humanitarian worker in Idlib, who also asked to remain anonymous, said several projects by international aid agencies have been dropped in recent months because of such meddling. A plan to provide bakeries in Idlib with free flour was scrapped because the Salvation Government insisted on limiting beneficiaries to bakeries it is affiliated with, the 29-year-old said. "Our activities as an organisation have become very modest since this happened to us," he added. The governing body is also trying to ensure its affiliates are among those who secure tenders with aid agencies, which attempt to avoid this through screening, he said. "They want a cut of any project implemented in the area," he said. The encroachment has sparked concern that relief items and aid money may fall in the wrong hands. Sider, of the NRC, said: "In this environment, aid agencies cannot completely eliminate the risk of diversion and we'd like donors to recognise this." The UN has said it is taking extra measures to combat diversion. They include "additional screening from partners, suppliers, even workers, staff, and third party monitoring, including the use of modern technology -- barcoding, establishing hotlines -- to be able to be sure that aid reaches the right people," the UN regional coordinator for Syria, Panos Moumtzis, told AFP. - 'The pressure only grows' - There has yet to be any major decrease in humanitarian assistance but some donors have cut funding, said Ahmed Mahmoud, Syria director for the Islamic Relief charity. "So far, five major hospitals have had to close entirely and seven other medical facilities -- including hospitals focusing on paediatrics and obstetrics -- severely cut back their operations due to funding cuts," he said. Though there could also be other reasons, "some donors may have concerns regarding the shifts in control in northwestern Syria, which may have affected their funding decisions. "As one facility after another shuts its doors, the pressure only grows on those that remain," he said. For its part, the Salvation Government denies jeopardising relief efforts. A Salvation Government official in charge of coordinating aid, who gave his name as Dr Jihad, said the administration was "striving to organise (humanitarian) work" by strengthening cooperation with relief agencies and facilitating aid deliveries. "The more we share responsibility and decision making and the more we coordinate our work, the better the results," he told AFP. RICHMOND, Va. (AP) A federal judge has struck down a Virginia law that says only physicians can perform first-trimester abortions. The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports that U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson issued his ruling Monday. His opinion could increase access to abortions in the state by allowing more medical providers to perform the procedure. Hudson wrote that the law "is unnecessary and provides minimal medical benefits with respect to first trimester abortions." He added that such regulations present an undue burden to women seeking an abortion. The lawsuit challenging that law and others was filed by a medical center and reproductive rights groups. A trial over other state abortion laws is still scheduled for May 20. Those laws include a requirement for ultrasounds and a 24-hour delay for an abortion in some circumstances. ___ Information from: Richmond Times-Dispatch, http://www.richmond.com YANGON (Reuters) - Reuters journalists Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo were freed on Tuesday months after being sentenced to seven years in jail on convictions under the colonial-era Official Secrets Act. The two were arrested in December 2017 while working on an investigation into the killing of 10 Rohingya Muslim men and boys by security forces and Buddhist civilians in western Myanmar's Rakhine State. (https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/myanmar-rakhine-events) The conviction of Wa Lone, 33, and Kyaw Soe Oo, 29, in September last year sparked an outcry from diplomats and press freedom advocates, who said the jailing of two young reporters raised questions about Myanmar's progress toward democracy. (https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/myanmar-reporters-democracy) During more than 500 days behind bars, their reporting on a military crackdown in Rakhine State was recognized with international awards and they were named by Time magazine as its "Person of the Year" alongside other journalists last year. Here are some key facts about the two journalists, who had been detained since Dec. 12, 2017: WA LONE - Wa Lone, 33, was born to a rice farming family in Kin Pyit, a village of fewer than 500 people in the dry plains of central Myanmar's Sagaing region. - In his 20s, Wa Lone moved to Myanmar's largest city, Yangon, and took up journalism. He worked as a reporter for outlets including the Myanmar Times, an English-language newspaper where he met his future wife, Pan Ei Mon. He joined Reuters in 2016 and married Pan Ei Mon the same year. - Outside of his day job, Wa Lone did regular charity work. He co-founded the Third Story Project, a charitable foundation that produces and distributes books that aim to promote tolerance between Myanmars different ethnic groups. He authored some of the books himself, including Jay Jay the Journalist, which he wrote while incarcerated at Yangon's Insein prison. - Months after Wa Lone joined Reuters, an insurgent group from the Rohingya Muslim minority announced itself with attacks on police posts in the western state of Rakhine. Wa Lone was central to Reuters' coverage of the conflict that followed. - Weeks after her husband's arrest, Pan Ei Mon discovered she was pregnant with their first child. Their baby girl, Thet Htar Angel, was born on Aug. 10, 2018, in a Yangon hospital. Wa Lone has only seen his daughter a handful of times on her visits to prison. KYAW SOE OO - Kyaw Soe Oo, 29, comes from Sittwe, the capital of Rakhine State, and was born to a Buddhist family from the Rakhine ethnic group that makes up the majority in the state. - His home state has been beset by bursts of ethnic violence since 2012, but friends said Kyaw Soe Oo stayed out of the conflict, instead developing a love of books and composing poetry. - Kyaw Soe Oo begun working as a journalist and was involved in setting up Root Investigative Agency, an outlet focused on news in Rakhine. - He is married to Chit Su Win, who once worked for his family in Sittwe. Their daughter, Moe Thin Wai Zan, is three years old. - After the north of Rakhine State erupted in violence in 2017, Kyaw Soe Oo started working for Reuters, where he and Wa Lone uncovered a massacre of Rohingya men and boys in the village of Inn Din. The pair were awarded a Pulitzer Prize for international reporting in April. (Writing by Simon Lewis; Editing by Nick Macfie, Robert Birsel) Kite Realty Group (KRG) came out with quarterly funds from operations (FFO) of $0.44 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.43 per share. This compares to FFO of $0.51 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items. This quarterly report represents an FFO surprise of 2.33%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this real estate investment trust would post FFO of $0.47 per share when it actually produced FFO of $0.48, delivering a surprise of 2.13%. Over the last four quarters, the company has surpassed consensus FFO estimates three times. Kite Realty Group, which belongs to the Zacks REIT and Equity Trust - Retail industry, posted revenues of $83.52 million for the quarter ended March 2019, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.13%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $89.76 million. The company has topped consensus revenue estimates three times over the last four quarters. The sustainability of the stock's immediate price movement based on the recently-released numbers and future FFO expectations will mostly depend on management's commentary on the earnings call. Kite Realty Group shares have added about 17% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's gain of 17.5%. What's Next for Kite Realty Group? While Kite Realty Group has underperformed the market so far this year, the question that comes to investors' minds is: what's next for the stock? There are no easy answers to this key question, but one reliable measure that can help investors address this is the company's FFO outlook. Not only does this include current consensus FFO expectations for the coming quarter(s), but also how these expectations have changed lately. Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in estimate revisions. Investors can track such revisions by themselves or rely on a tried-and-tested rating tool like the Zacks Rank, which has an impressive track record of harnessing the power of estimate revisions. Story continues Ahead of this earnings release, the estimate revisions trend for Kite Realty Group was unfavorable. While the magnitude and direction of estimate revisions could change following the company's just-released earnings report, the current status translates into a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to underperform the market in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. It will be interesting to see how estimates for the coming quarters and current fiscal year change in the days ahead. The current consensus FFO estimate is $0.44 on $82.35 million in revenues for the coming quarter and $1.67 on $323.47 million in revenues for the current fiscal year. Investors should be mindful of the fact that the outlook for the industry can have a material impact on the performance of the stock as well. In terms of the Zacks Industry Rank, REIT and Equity Trust - Retail is currently in the bottom 28% of the 250 plus Zacks industries. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Kite Realty Group Trust (KRG) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Want to participate in a short research study? Help shape the future of investing tools and you could win a $250 gift card! We often see insiders buying up shares in companies that perform well over the long term. The flip side of that is that there are more than a few examples of insiders dumping stock prior to a period of weak performance. So before you buy or sell Imperial Pacific International Holdings Limited (HKG:1076), you may well want to know whether insiders have been buying or selling. What Is Insider Buying? It is perfectly legal for company insiders, including board members, to buy and sell stock in a company. However, most countries require that the company discloses such transactions to the market. We don't think shareholders should simply follow insider transactions. But equally, we would consider it foolish to ignore insider transactions altogether. As Peter Lynch said, 'insiders might sell their shares for any number of reasons, but they buy them for only one: they think the price will rise.' View our latest analysis for Imperial Pacific International Holdings The Last 12 Months Of Insider Transactions At Imperial Pacific International Holdings In the last twelve months, the biggest single purchase by an insider was when Chairperson of the Board Li Cui bought HK$9.6m worth of shares at a price of HK$0.058 per share. Although we like to see insider buying, we note that this large purchase was at significantly below the recent price of HK$0.18. While it does suggest insiders consider the stock undervalued at lower prices, this transaction doesn't tell us much about what they think of current prices. Li Cui bought 406.4m shares over the last 12 months at an average price of HK$0.078. You can see the insider transactions (by individuals) over the last year depicted in the chart below. By clicking on the graph below, you can see the precise details of each insider transaction! SEHK:1076 Recent Insider Trading, May 7th 2019 There are plenty of other companies that have insiders buying up shares. You probably do not want to miss this free list of growing companies that insiders are buying. Story continues Insider Ownership of Imperial Pacific International Holdings Another way to test the alignment between the leaders of a company and other shareholders is to look at how many shares they own. I reckon it's a good sign if insiders own a significant number of shares in the company. Imperial Pacific International Holdings insiders own about HK$16b worth of shares (which is 64% of the company). This kind of significant ownership by insiders does generally increase the chance that the company is run in the interest of all shareholders. What Might The Insider Transactions At Imperial Pacific International Holdings Tell Us? The fact that there have been no Imperial Pacific International Holdings insider transactions recently certainly doesn't bother us. However, our analysis of transactions over the last year is heartening. It would be great to see more insider buying, but overall it seems like Imperial Pacific International Holdings insiders are reasonably well aligned (owning significant chunk of the company's shares) and optimistic for the future. Along with insider transactions, I recommend checking if Imperial Pacific International Holdings is growing revenue. This free chart of historic revenue and earnings should make that easy. If you would prefer to check out another company -- one with potentially superior financials -- then do not miss this free list of interesting companies, that have HIGH return on equity and low debt. We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned. Thank you for reading. Kateryna Kozlova upset No. 5 seed Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic 7-5, 2-6, 6-4 on Tuesday to reach the third round of the Mutua Madrid Open. The Ukrainian survived 14 aces from Pliskova and broke the former world No. 1 twice in the final set, finishing the match in 1 hour and 51 minutes. "I was pretty consistent in the points, and when I could handle her serve, I was playing smarter in the rallies," said the 85th-ranked Kozlova. "This win means a lot because it's always an amazing feeling to beat someone that good. It gives you confidence, and I think we're all working so hard to play at their level, so when you get the win, you feel like, this is why I'm here." Kozlova will battle Belinda Bencic of Switzerland for a spot in the quarterfinals. No. 1 seed Naomi Osaka of Japan survived a challenge from Spain's Sara Sorribes Tormo, winning 7-6 (5), 3-6, 6-0 in 2 hours and 35 minutes. Playing aggressively, Osaka finished with 46 winners compared to eight by her opponent. "In the second set ... I just got a little bit unfocused," Osaka said. "In the third set, I just like went zombie mode, and then just thought of everything that I had to do to win." No. 3 seed Simona Halep of Romania defeated Britain's Johanna Konta 7-5, 6-1. The two-time Madrid champion played a clean match with just 13 unforced errors, compared to 34 by Konta. Petra Martic of Croatia won in a walkover when No. 4 seed Angelique Kerber of Germany was forced to withdraw with an injured right ankle. She twisted it during practice Tuesday morning. "I think it's not too serious, but I'm not able to give today everything, and that's why I decide to be safe for the rest of the clay-court season," Kerber said. "I cannot really walk without pain, so this is why I said, 'OK, it's better not to risk it.'" In the Round of 16, Martic will face fellow Croatian Donna Vekic, a 6-4, 6-4 winner against Kristyna Pliskova of the Czech Republic. Story continues There were mixed results for France's top hopefuls. Carolina Garcia outlasted Sorana Cirstea of Romania 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, but countrywoman Alize Cornet fell to China's Saisai Zheng 6-2, 3-6, 6-4. Aliaksandra Sasnovich of Belarus won the only lopsided match of the day, a 6-2, 6-2 victory over Anna Karolina Schmiedlova of Slovakia. --Field Level Media There may never be as big a fight in Kristen Bells household as the one she had with husband Dax Shepard over the placement of a La-Z-Boy. To Bell's displeasure, her spouse moved the recliner into the center of the living room, and the pair had a very public social media debate about it, which even prompted an appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. While the situation has since been resolvedthe chair is now in the atticthe hilarious interaction attracted the attention of the furniture company. Now, La-Z-Boy has teamed up with the actress to relaunch the Live Life Comfortably campaign, highlighting pieces that are entirely customizable (from the fabric down to the nail heads). Architectural Digest was able to catch up with the star of The Good Place to talk about her interesting history with the brand and all the details about her new house, including the fun feature her kids requested. Architectural Digest: I know that the location of a La-Z-Boy was a point of contention in your home. Is that how this partnership came to be, or is there a deeper love affair? Kristen Bell: No, ironically, I believe thats what sparked it. And when they called us I thought they got the wrong Bell Shepherd. But they said wed like to approach you because we think that youre not familiar with the entire brand. As I dislike the placement of the chair, I am strong enough to admit that it was the most comfortable thing Ive ever set my butt cheeks in. So, when they said they make a ton of other furniture (and, by the way, its really cute), I said, Well, Ill be the judge of that. Cut to It is really cute and its just as comfortable, so its sort of an everybody-wins situation. And particularly for me, its really important when I take on any ambassador or any brand partnership that I really believe in what the heck Im talking about. Theyre born and raised in Michigan, thats where their headquarters are. Theyre manufactured in the USA. Its a very familial vibe that I really, really like. Story continues AD: Well, we know you love La-Z-Boys styles. But whats the design style of your home in general? KB: Its a bit of a mishmash. Its a mostly eclectic vibe where its about trying to be a little clean California. AD: Did you work with a designer? KB: No, I didnt. But were moving at the end of the year, and I hired Amber Interiors. Oh my God, shes still spectacular. Shes the epitome of that laid-back California style. She has this very effortless clean-but-not-at-all-sterile style that is full and warm and bright. And her designs are something that Ive tagged on Instagram for years and years. And so when we decided to move, I said, Im going to spoil myself and get some advice on what you do. So I had been working with her for, like, the last six months, and it has been so much fun. Its so beautiful. AD: Is there one room in particular that youre especially excited about? KB: Yes, our kitchen. Our kitchen and the living room is one big room, which was important to us when we bought a house. Our house was getting tight. But the one thing we love about it is that it the kitchen and living room blend together, and we didnt want to lose that, since the majority of time is spent there. Its got a good flow. But I do really like to cook, and Amber convinced me to get a Lacanche stove in bone white. Im very excited about learning to cook on a French stove. She somehow managed to find the perfect balance between an elegant kitchen [and] one that you can destroy while cooking. Thats the line I like to straddle. AD: And what style will the house be? KB: The exterior is a little French Normandy. It was designed by Arthur Kelly, who designed the Playboy Mansion [in L.A.]. AD: Do you and Dax have a similar design style? KB: No. He doesnt let me so much as I just do it, because Ive explained to him how important nesting is to me. I told him I wouldnt pick anything that he hated. But I am asking for permission to nest. It is in my DNA. It makes me feel very healthy and stable when I can create my space. So I will absolutely compromise, and there are tons of beautiful options everywhere. I wont do anything that you despise, but can I take the reins? And he said yes. Today - Season 68 Photo: Nathan Congleton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images AD: What would it look like if he had taken the reins? KB: A lot of wood. A lot of dark, scary wood. And a lot of microsuede. When I moved into our house, everything was microsuede. The dining room chairs, everything. It was like a dark library. But I have brought him to the light side and made him realize that plants cant live here. Ive had quite a few arguments, and I think hes okay with white walls now. He wants to feel like hes in a cigar shop all day long AD: Is there one room in the house that he has total control over? KB: Not anymore. The garage. Thats it. AD: Is the new house being completely renovated? KB: We thought we werent going to have to soup-to-nuts everything. And with most design projects, you realize something is wrong. So weve been dealing with all of that. But were doing it with a smile because were still really excited to have bought our dream home. AD: Are your kids able to design their rooms in the new house? KB: I wanted to because in a dream world if you have dream kids, you say to them, What would you like in your bedroom? And then they pick something cute. That is not how it unfolded. I was looking through pictures, and they were trying to explain what they wanted. And I roughly got a sketch in crayon of, like, a slide and a ball pit. I dont know what you think is happening. Were not building a Chuck E. Cheese. What kind of curtains do you want? Flowers? Check? Whats your tone? Whats your palette? They didnt get it. Three-time event champion Petra Kvitova recorded a 6-3, 7-6 (5) victory over France's Kristina Mladenovic on Monday to reach the third round of the Madrid Open. The defending champ finished off Mladenovic in one hour, 55 minutes while winning her eighth straight match in Madrid. "I fought hard in the end and that is what is counting," second-seeded Czech star Kvitova said after the victory. "The clay and the conditions here are a bit different compared to other venues, so I always needed time to fight it out." Mladenovic came close to forcing a third set before Kvitova won the final three points to end it in straight sets. "I'm glad I won the tie-break," said Kvitova, who registered seven aces. "That is my kind of issue sometimes, but overall it was pretty tight. "In the first set I was up, I started pretty well and she came back, but then I took her serve again and it was a bit easier. In the second, I started very well as well but she just came back and played a bit better than the first set." Seeded players Kiki Bertens (seventh), Sloane Stephens (eighth), Ashleigh Barty (ninth) and Anastasija Sevastova (12th) also prevailed. Bertens, from Netherlands, knocked off Latvia's Jelena Ostapenko 6-4, 6-3. Bertens, who lost to Kvitova in last year's final, racked up 11 aces while cruising past Ostapenko in 80 minutes. "You never know what ball you're going to get," Bertens said afterwards in regards to Ostapenko's hitting. "Well, it's always going to be fast -- but you don't know if it's going to be in or out." Bertens next faces another Latvian in Sevastova, who posted a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Romania's Mihaela Buzarnescu, also in 80 minutes. Stephens had to battle to get past Victoria Azarenka, winning 6-4, 2-6, 6-2 in two hours, six minutes. The American has beaten Azarenka -- from Belarus -- in four straight matchups after losing their first three meetings. Story continues "Playing Vika is always really competitive. She's a good player, a great champion. I just tried to play my game, focus on what I was supposed to be doing," Stephens said after the match. "In the second set, she raised her game a little bit and I dropped overall. Overall, I thought it was a super-competitive match, and we both played well." Barty won her 10th consecutive match by recording a 6-1, 1-6, 6-1 win over American Danielle Collins in 85 minutes. Collins looked to be in good shape after dominating the second set but Barty rediscovered her game and rolled through the decisive set. In other matches, Switzerland's Belinda Bencic outlasted Russia's Svetlana Kuznetsova 7-6 (4), 2-6, 6-3; Kazakhstan's Yulia Putintseva ousted France's Pauline Parmentier 6-4, 4-6; 6-3, and Slovakia's Viktoria Kuzmova swept Spain's Carla Suarez Navarro 6-4, 7-6 (2). --Field Level Media Nigel Farage, who has urged Brexit Party supporters to join a "fightback" as he continues on his campaign trail ahead of the European elections. A councillor was kicked out of a Brexit Party rally after dressing as Nigel Farage and being found with eggs, reports claim. Matt Bryan, a Labour councillor for the Upton ward Cheshire West Council, told the Chester Standard he was ejected from the event in Chester on Bank Holiday Monday. Former Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe was also at the event which was part of the partys European election campaign. Coun Bryan was ejected alongside a blogger who said they were a neutral observer at the event. Cheshire West councillor Matt Bryan later tweeted and said he had no intention of throwing eggs at Nigel Farage (Twitter) Coun Bryan said: I wore a Farage blazer, a Farage shirt, Farage chinos and Farage loafers. Thats how I managed to get in and infiltrate the conference on the way back from the shop with my eggs, milk and loaf of bread. I think they suspected something as the bouncers just jumped on me and stole my bag! They were incredibly hostile and heavy-handed. My only regret is not being able to plant one of those eggs on Farage. However, he later took to Twitter where he clarified he had no intention of throwing any eggs. Nigel Farage speaks during a Brexit Party rally at Mill Farm Sports Village, Wesham, Lancashire. On the stage, Mr Farage congratulated the Duke and Duchess of Sussex on the arrival of their baby, but joked he thought the chances of him being named Nigel were "quite low". He said there would not be an "ounce of negativity" on the platform, and described Brexit as the "greatest opportunity this country has had in our lifetime". Mr Farage said: "What Theresa May has done to us, frankly is nothing short, in my view, of a national humiliation." The former Ukip leader was cheered by the crowds and signed Brexit Party placards and posed for selfies as he left. Read more from Yahoo News UK: Ukip candidate questioned over rape comments Passenger complains he didnt get refund after crash kills 41 Two teens arrested after boy shot in Wolverhampton He was joined on the stage, in the car park of the Old Hall Country Club, by party chairman Richard Tice, former Conservative MP Anne Widdecombe and North West candidates Claire Fox, Dr David Bull, Ajay Jagota and Henrik Overgaard-Nielsen. Story continues Mr Tice read out a question from a member of the crowd, which said: "I've put a bet on Nigel being the next prime minister. Was my money well invested?" Mr Farage said the 25 fee to become a registered supporter of the Brexit Party was the "best investment in this country's future you can ever make". Mr Jagota held up a Fudge chocolate bar as he described the Government's handling of Brexit, while Ms Widdecombe described Theresa May as having not even reached "the level of leadership skills required for a Brown Owl". Bitcoin Cash (BCH) is currently trading at $291 and is struggling to remain close to its 200-day EMA, which currently stands at around $300. My medium-term bet is that the entire cryptocurrency market will continue to turn profits, at least until there is some uncertainty in the economic panorama. As some experts point out, a shift in economic conditions could offset the market, even though there is little correlation between altcoins and other financial assets. This means Bitcoin Cash could continue to see minor pump-and-dumps until it goes below its 50-day EMA. If volume continues to drop, I really dont see any way BCH will recover soon. Lets take a look into whats going on with Bitcoin Cash. Bitcoin Cash suffered a 30% drop from late April to early May, when it started to recover its lost gains. As we can see from the chart above, the 20-day EMA is still above the 50-day EMA, which is a really bullish long-term signal. At the time of writing, the 20-day EMA is sitting above $250, while the 50-day EMA is sitting around $230. If this trend continues and the 20 and 50-day EMAs cross the 200-day EMA, we could definitely see price dancing between $350 and $400. However, by looking at BCHs price action between September and November last year, there are some indications of price resistance around these levels. Volume-wise, it seems most traders are still betting heavily on a downtrend and sellers are still in control. Fundamentals remain strong I recently spoke with Bitcoin Cashs strongest advocate, Roger Ver, and discussed the most recent developments on the horizon for BCH. You can find all the details here, but the most juicy news seems to be the recent spike in adoption due to the implementation of smart contracts. Roger, like myself, believes key components for mass adoption are speed and flexibility. What Bitcoin Cash Oracles offers is a way for any user to easily deploy an escrow transaction that can be used to trade globally without the hassle of trusting the other party. Story continues I personally think those trade escrows will be key in terms of adoption, especially for work-related tasks. In a way, they do enable milestone-based funding which may be the new and better way of conducting ICOs instead of simply creating an extra layer of complexity with STOs that require KYC and accreditation something that goes against what we should be promoting within the crypto ecosystem. I try not to bet against the momentum, so for now, I would stick with riding the wave upwards. Current live BCH pricing information and interactive charts are available on our site 24 hours a day. The ticker bar at the bottom of every page on our site has the latest BCH price. Pricing is also available in a range of different currency equivalents: US Dollar BCHtoUSD British Pound Sterling BCHtoGBP Japanese Yen BCHtoJPY Euro BCHtoEUR Australian Dollar BCHtoAUD Russian Rouble BCHtoRUB Bitcoin BCHtoBTC About Bitcoin Cash Bitcoin Cash was born out of the idea of making Bitcoin more practical for small, day-to-day payments. In May 2017, Bitcoin payments took about four days unless a fee was paid, which was proportionately too large for small transactions. A change to the code was implemented and Bitcoin Cash was born on 1st August 2017. More Bitcoin Cash news and information If you want to find out more information about Bitcoin Cash or cryptocurrencies in general, then use the search box at the top of this page. Heres an article to get you started: By Scott Thompson May 7, 2019 As with any investment, it pays to do some homework before you part with your money. The prices of cryptocurrencies are volatile and go up and down quickly. This page is not recommending a particular currency or whether you should invest or not. You may be interested in our range of cryptocurrency guides along with the latest cryptocurrency news. The post Latest Bitcoin Cash price and analysis (BCH to USD) appeared first on Coin Rivet. WALL, N.J. (AP) The Latest on a lawsuit over pro-Trump photos in a school yearbook (all times local): 2 p.m. The leader of a New Jersey school district being sued for suspending a yearbook adviser over altered pro-Trump photos says she is confident in her office. Wall Township schools Superintendent Cheryl Dyer said Tuesday that she could not comment on the specifics of the lawsuit. But she says that she did a thorough investigation and that if there is a hearing, information will be made public. She says that "I'm confident that when the full facts come to light, all of the actions of this office and the Board of Education will be found to be wholly appropriate." Yearbook photos of two students were altered to remove President Donald Trump's name on their clothing. Teacher Susan Parsons says school officials requested the changes in 2017 but then set her up to "take the blame." ___ 1 p.m. A New Jersey high school yearbook adviser who was suspended after photos of two students were altered to remove President Donald Trump's name on their clothing is now suing the district. Teacher Susan Parsons says school officials requested the changes in 2017 but then set her up to "take the blame." She says the district created a hostile work environment that led to harassment and death threats against her and violated her rights by barring her from speaking to the media. School officials have said one photo was altered even though the shirt the student was wearing didn't violate the school's dress code. The other photo was resized to match others and apparently wasn't altered for the purpose of removing Trump's name. An email seeking comment was sent to Superintendent Cheryl Dyer on Tuesday. HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) The Latest on a Connecticut police officer's fatal shooting of a driver during an attempted traffic stop and chase (all times local): 3:20 p.m. The lawyer for a Connecticut police officer who fatally shot a driver during an attempted traffic stop last month says the use of deadly force was justified. Attorney Elliot Spector on Tuesday made the first public comments on behalf of Wethersfield Officer Layau Eulizier. Police say Eulizier killed 18-year-old Anthony Jose Vega Cruz on April 20 when Vega Cruz drove his car at the officer. Spector said Eulizier was forced to run in front of the car to get a look at the driver through the windshield because of the car's darkly tinted door windows. Spector also said Eulizier was unfairly portrayed in disciplinary documents released Monday by Manchester police, where the officer worked before Wethersfield. The records say Eulizier's performance was unacceptable at times and he had trouble handling stressful situations. ____ 9:20 a.m. Personnel records show former supervisors of a Connecticut officer who fatally shot a man during an attempted traffic stop last month had concerns about his "unacceptable" performance and difficulty handling stressful situations. The records obtained by The Associated Press show officials cited several instances of Wethersfield Officer Layau Eulizier losing his composure and making tactical errors while he was with Manchester police from 2015 to 2018. A Manchester sergeant wrote in 2016 that he worried Eulizier might hurt someone if he didn't improve. The AP obtained the documents from Manchester police through a records request. Police say Eulizier killed 18-year-old Anthony Jose Vega Cruz in Wethersfield on April 20 when Vega Cruz drove his car at the officer. Eulizier didn't immediately respond to an email message seeking comment Monday night. WASHINGTON (AP) The Latest on the United States and Venezuela (all times local): 4:25 p.m. Vice President Mike Pence says the U.S. is lifting sanctions on a former Venezuelan intelligence official who broke with the government of President Nicolas Maduro during a failed uprising last week. Pence said the action to lift sanctions on Gen. Manuel Figuera is meant as a signal to others who might abandon the embattled Maduro. Figuera was head of the SEBIN intelligence agency. He was among about 150 officials and businesses sanctioned as part of a U.S. effort to force Maduro to step down. Pence said in a speech on Tuesday that the U.S. was also considering sanctions on members of the Venezuelan Supreme Court. The U.S. and more than 50 other countries view Maduro's reelection as illegitimate and have recognized National Assembly leader Juan Guaido as interim president. ___ 3:20 p.m. The Pentagon says a U.S. Navy hospital ship is preparing to deploy to Latin America to provide medical services in countries where several million Venezuelans have taken refuge. Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan said Tuesday that before the USNS Comfort can be deployed from its homeport of Norfolk, Virginia, a staff of doctors, nurses and other medical staff have to be assembled. Another defense official said the plan is to send the ship from Norfolk in June. The Comfort's last tour provided medical assistance in Colombia and other countries where most of an estimated 3 million Venezuelan refugees have settled to escape a deep political and economic crisis. U.S. officials have warned that many more Venezuelans are expected to flee their country if the crisis continues. A condolence book is seen next to a picture of Ignacio Echevarria who was hailed as the 'skateboard hero' after he confronted the three terrorists using his skateboard when they were attacking other members of the public. (Photo by Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty Images) A victim of the London Bridge terror attack attempted to fight off the terrorists with a skateboard to protect another woman as he was stabbed to death. An inquest into the death of the eight people who died was told how Ignacio Echeverria courageously fought back as he was brutally murdered on June 3 2017. The chief coroner said eight people were killed and 48 more were seriously injured in less than 10 minutes of high and terrible drama during the London Bridge and Borough Market terror attack. The victims were Christine Archibald, 30, Xavier Thomas, 45, Alexandre Pigeard, 26, Sara Zelenak, 21, Kirsty Boden, 28, Sebastien Belanger, 36, James McMullan, 32, and Ignacio Echeverria, 39.Their attackers, Khuram Butt, 27, Rachid Redouane, 30, and Youssef Zaghba, 22, were shot dead by police at the scene. The attack came just three months after Khalid Masood mowed down pedestrians on Westminster Bridge in a hired car before stabbing a police officer to death. Victims of the London Bridge terrorist attack (top row left to right) Christine Archibald, James McMullan, Alexandre Pigeard, Sebastien Belanger, (bottom row left to right) Kirsty Boden, Sara Zelenak, Xavier Thomas and Ignacio Echeverria. The London Bridge terrorists (left to right) Khuram Shazad Butt, Rachid Redouane and Youssef Zaghba. An inquest into the deaths of eight people killed in the London Bridge and Borough Market terror attack is under way at the Old Bailey, London. Mark Lucraft QC addressed the families of the eight victims killed in the 2017 atrocity on the first day of an inquest in a packed court one at the Old Bailey on Tuesday. He expressed his condolences as he said: The lives of many people were torn apart by what took place in less than 10 minutes of high and terrible drama. Mr Lucraft said: It is important to acknowledge that many lives were saved by the rapid response of members of the public and members of the emergency services. A number of those were eyewitnesses to the unfolding drama and will give evidence of what they saw. Mr Lucraft QC told the court that he hoped the inquest would answer the obvious and understandable questions of the relatives of those who died and give the bereaved families some comfort. Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick, the head of UK counter-terrorism policing Neil Basu and the Commissioner of City of London Police Ian Dyson joined the families in standing for one minutes silence. Story continues An undated handout photo issued by the Metropolitan Police, London, and made available Saturday, June 10, 2017, showing a map and timeline of the London Bridge and Borough Market terror attacks of Saturday June 3 which killed several people and wounded dozens more. The ringleader of the London Bridge terror gang tried to hire a 7.5 tonne lorry hours before the attack, police have revealed. Detectives suspect the carnage inflicted could have been even worse if Khuram Butt had not failed to secure the vehicle because his payment did not go through. (Metropolitan Police London via AP) Canadian Christine Archibald told her fiance that she loved him and gave him a passionate kiss moments before she was killed on London Bridge. The 30-year-old was visiting the capital for a short trip while her partner, Tyler Ferguson, was in the UK for work. On the night of the attack in June 2017, the couple had been out for a "celebratory" dinner after he had a particularly successful day. Mr Ferguson said: "We decided to walk over London Bridge. At one point Chrissy stopped me out of nowhere, gave me a passionate kiss and told me she loved me. "Then the attack happened and Chrissy was killed." A view of the van, Sunday June 4, 2017, which was used by three attackers which was driven onto London Bridge, striking pedestrians, before they went on a stabbing rampage in nearby Borough Market (Jonathan Brady/PA) Kirsty Boden ran from Boro Bistro towards attackers after she heard their van crash. (PA) In an emotional tribute, James Hodder said he was "completely floored" by girlfriend Kirsty Boden, who was from the small town of Loxton, in South Australia, when she moved to London in 2013. Ms Boden, a senior staff nurse, died as she ran towards the attackers, she was dining with friends at Boro Bistro when she heard the sound of the van crashing before running to try to help. Mr Hodder said: "Her actions on that night didn't surprise anyone who knew her. To Kirsty it would not have seemed brave. "She loved people and loved her life helping others. To Kirsty, her actions that night would have been an extension of how she lived her life. People receive medical attention in Thrale Street near London Bridge following an attack Sunday, June 4, 2017. (PA) People observing a minute's silence in St Ann's Square, Manchester, England, in honour of the London Bridge terror attack victims, Tuesday June 6, 2017. A new search was underway Tuesday in a neighborhood near the home of two of the London Bridge attackers, hours after police said they had freed everyone detained in the wake of the rampage that left several dead and dozens wounded. (Peter Byrne/PA via AP) Families will also want answers to how Butt was able to plan and carry out the attack whilst he was under investigation by security services. Another issue likely to be raised by lawyers acting for the relatives of the victims is the lack of security checks required to hire rental vehicles after cars and lorries were used as weapons in Nice, Berlin and Westminster Bridge. Xavier Thomas, 45, was thrown into the River Thames, where his body was recovered downstream three days later - while his partner of two years, Christine Delcros, was struck and seriously injured in the attack. She wept as she paid an emotional tribute to Mr Thomas in French from the witness box on Tuesday as the court heard of their "passionate love story". Read more from Yahoo News UK: Ukip candidate questioned over rape comments Passenger complains he didnt get refund after crash kills 41 Two teens arrested after boy shot in Wolverhampton The mother-of-one said: "Since Xavier disappeared in such tragic and traumatic circumstances our whole world has fallen apart." Mr Thomas, who had arrived in London on the day of the attack, lived near Paris, worked for American Express and had two children from a previous marriage. His stepfather, Philippe Pesez, also spoke in French as his mother, Christiane Pesez, stood in tears behind, while a photograph of Mr Thomas was shown on big screens in court. He was on the phone to his son when he was struck and killed, making him the first victim of the terror attack. James McMullan, 32, had just received financial backing for a new business. (PA via AP) James McMullan had been out celebrating getting financial backing for his online education company when he was killed in the attacks. The dual British and Filipino from Brent, north-west London, was watching the Champions League final with friends in a pub, but was stabbed to death when he left to have a cigarette. His sister Melissa said he called their mother, who died months later, the previous morning. "He was excited, giddy. He told her how everything was going to be okay, that he was going to be able to look after her," she said. Alexandre Pigeard was at the height of his youth and happy living in London when he was murdered, his father has said. The 26-year-old Frenchman moved to the English capital to work in a restaurant but also because it was central to the electronic dance music that he loved. On the night he died, he video-called his father during a break from work at the Boro Bistro. He had planned to return to France in autumn 2017 to help open a restaurant in Nantes and to record an EP with his dad. Alexandre's friends nicknamed him "King of the Night", and to them he was "a big brother, a confidant, an accomplice, his joy of life was contagious". In the coming weeks, the court will hear from eye witnesses, the family and friends of the attackers and a senior MI5 officer. Other evidence is expected to include CCTV footage of the attacks and the terrorists movements, body-worn video from police officers and footage from members of the public caught up in the carnage. (Repeats story moved on Tuesday for wider distribution, no changes to text) * Macron's lead candidate has made a series of gaffes * Opinion polls show Le Pen's party ahead of Macron's * Analysts say still time to correct false start By Michel Rose PARIS, May 7 (Reuters) - A series of missteps by Emmanuel Macron's lead candidate for European Parliament elections has unsettled the French president's camp barely three weeks before the vote, which Macron sees as crucial for French influence in Europe. By picking European affairs minister Nathalie Loiseau, a career diplomat once described as "Macron's secret weapon" in Brexit talks, the president was hoping to capitalize on her expert knowledge of EU affairs and her Catholic background to expand his appeal beyond centrists to more conservative voters. But Loiseau, who has no political campaign experience, has got off to a shaky start, with a series of gaffes that have put Macron's team on the defensive on a subject the French leader considered his forte. In recent weeks Loiseau has been forced to explain why, as a student at the elite Sciences-Po university 35 years ago, she ran on a student union ticket that included far-right activists. After initially denying it, Loiseau then dismissed it as a "youthful mistake" and chose to attack the founder of Mediapart, the respected investigative website that revealed the story. In another blunder, she said she "had been received like a gipsy" when she became director of the elite ENA administrative school because she was not an alumna, prompting more criticism. And Loiseau caused more unease in secular circles when she invited journalists to join her for celebrations marking the Christian festival Palm Sunday. With Macron framing the European election as a battle between Eurosceptic, anti-immigrant nationalists and pro-EU "progressives" such as himself, the fact his candidate has had to defend her liberal credentials has led to consternation. Story continues "It's not easy," one irritated Macron lawmaker involved in the campaign told Reuters. "It's hard to focus on substance when we have to spend three days over a tweet or controversies on social media." In France, the number of seats a party wins in the European Parliament is determined by the proportional representation system across a single, national constituency. The party allocates its seats according to its list of candidates, in the order it presented them in. The higher you are on the list, the better the chance you have of winning a seat. Top candidates on the lists therefore serve as flag-bearers for their parties. Compounding Macron's problems is the relative success of both the far-right top candidate on Marine Le Pen's National Rally party list, clean-cut 23-year-old Jordan Bardella, and the traditional conservatives' leading candidate Francois-Xavier Bellamy, a 33-year-old philosopher. Loiseau, a 54-year-old technocrat who struggles to work a crowd or play politics, appears flat next to both rivals, with Bardella particularly full of energy when delivering populist soundbites against immigration and globalization. Bellamy, the Republicans' top candidate, has had some success in re-energizing the center-right party since its collapse after its presidential candidate, Francois Fillon, was defeated by Macron in the 2017 election. Recent opinion polls have shown both Bardella and Bellamy gaining ground with voters, while Macron's party has slipped below the score he reached in the first round of the presidential vote two years ago. An Ipsos poll last week saw the far-right list move into the lead on 22 percent, while Macron slipped to 21.5 percent. The Republicans were in third place on 13.5 percent. LIMITS OF ONE-PERSON FOCUS Finishing behind Le Pen's party in the May 26 vote would be an embarrassment for Macron on the European stage, especially as the French leader is trying to persuade other EU countries to support his integrationist agenda. Coming second would diminish his influence in choosing the next group of EU officials. For some analysts, the Macron camp's struggle to set the agenda in the campaign is down to Macron's preference for technocrats over experienced politicians and his party's inability to let other strong personalities emerge. "Macron is the only glue that holds his En Marche movement together, and the further his political fortunes sink as the time for his re-election approaches, the greater the danger that things come unstuck," analysts at the Eurointelligence newsletter wrote. Potentially underlining that point, Macron will personally throw himself into the campaign in the coming weeks, possibly by appearing at a campaign rally, an Elysee source told Reuters. Yet as was shown during three months of national debate prompted by the "yellow vest" protests, when Macron re-energized supporters by rolling up his sleeves and holding forth for up to seven hours in town hall meetings, the 41-year-old president remains a force to be reckoned with. Undecided voters can still make a difference, analysts say. "It's more a false start than a crash," Francois Miquet-Marty, a political analyst at the Viavoice polling institute told Reuters. "Typically, voters make up their mind in the last two weeks of European elections. There's still time." (Additional reporting by Elizabeth Pineau, Richard Lough and Jean-Baptiste Vey Editing by Luke Baker and Frances Kerry) Paris (AFP) - French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday meets Libyan Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj, who has accused Paris of supporting his rival and tacitly backing his assault on Tripoli, a presidential source said. Relations between the two leaders have soured since strongman Khalifa Haftar launched a campaign last month against Sarraj and his internationally recognised Government of National Accord. Sarraj claimed France had switched sides to support a "dictator", in comments deemed "unacceptable and unfounded" by the presidential source on Tuesday. "France supports Prime Minister Sarraj and was opposed to Haftar's military offensive against Tripoli," the source said, while reiterating that France had maintained contacts with actors on both sides of the conflict. On April 4, Haftar launched a drive towards Tripoli where Sarraj's UN-recognised government is based, triggering fighting that has claimed nearly 400 lives. Macron intends to ask Sarraj about the humanitarian situation and see if he has proposals to end the conflict, which appears to have reached a stalemate in recent days. "Sarraj is a pragmatic politician whom we can work with," the source said. "But in his entourage and among his supporters there are some extremists, clans and factions which think it's easier to accuse foreigners, in this case the countries which have been the most active, like France." On Tuesday, Sarraj met in Rome with Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, who appeared to rule out any military intervention in Libya. He was later to meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and may travel to London as part of his tour to drum up European support for his beleaguered government. The French government "has coordinated closely" with officials in Rome, Berlin and London in order to ensure a consistent message on Libya, the presidential source said. Britain has pushed for a resolution at the UN Security Council demanding a ceasefire in Libya, but its efforts have foundered against opposition from Russia and the United States. In a student art piece that hung briefly in the Madeira Municipal Building, a man with a pigs head stands with its hands folded behind its back, flanked by a collage of headlines in capital letters. SHOT SIX TIMES. GRAND JURY DECLINES TO INDICT OFFICER IN FERGUSON SHOOTING. TORTURED BY COPS. THEY KILLED HIM. It wears a gun, a badge and an American flag. The choice to display it in a city building sparked threats against the student artist, outraged calls to the Madeira Police Department which is headquartered in the same building as the art display and, ultimately, an early removal. In a statement, Madeira City Schools said it had arrived at the decision out of concern for the safety of the student. KUALA LUMPUR, May 7 (Reuters) - Malaysia on Tuesday said the U.S. government had returned some $57 million in funds recovered from 1MDB assets in the "first installment" of funds to be repatriated under a U.S. kleptocracy asset recovery initiative. The U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ), in the biggest ever case in its anti-kleptocracy program, is pursuing billions of dollars it says were misappropriated from 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), a state fund founded by former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak. The $57 million repatriated to Malaysia was forfeited from Hollywood film production company Red Granite Pictures, which is linked to Najib's stepson Riza Aziz, according to the Malaysian Attorney-General's chambers (AGC). The DoJ is also in the process of remitting another $139 million, pending the sale of a Manhattan property linked to fugitive Malaysian financier, Low Taek Jho or Jho Low, the AGC said in a statement. (Reporting by Joseph Sipalan; Editing by Michael Perry) KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) Malaysia's attorney general said Tuesday that the U.S. will return $196 million recovered from seized assets linked to the multibillion-dollar looting of the 1MDB state investment fund, part of which has already been repatriated. Attorney General Tommy Thomas said Malaysia has received a first tranche of $57 million that came from a settlement reached with Red Granite Pictures Inc., the production company behind the 2013 Leonardo DiCaprio film "The Wolf of Wall Street." Red Granite, owned by the stepson of former Malaysian leader Najib Razak, paid the U.S. government $60 million last year to settle claims that it benefited from the 1MDB scandal. Thomas said the U.S. withheld $3 million to cover its investigation costs. Thomas said in a statement that the U.S. is in the process of remitting another $139 million from the sale of a Manhattan property linked to fugitive Malaysian financier Low Taek Jho, who is wanted in both the U.S. and Malaysia. U.S. investigators say more than $4.5 billion was stolen from 1MDB by associates of Najib between 2009 and 2014 and authorities are working to recover some $1.7 billion. They say the ill-gotten gains were laundered through layers of bank accounts in the U.S. and other countries to finance Hollywood films and buy hotels, a luxury yacht, art works, jewelry and other extravagances. Some $700 million from the fund that Najib set up for Malaysia's economic development allegedly landed in his own bank account. Anger over the 1MDB scandal led to the spectacular election defeat of Najib's long-ruling coalition a year ago. Najib is now on trial for multiple counts of corruption linked to 1MDB. Thomas said Malaysia's government has recovered a total of $322 million worth of 1MDB assets so far. Apart from the U.S. recoveries, Singapore is also returning 50 million Singapore dollars ($36.7 million) in funds linked to 1MDB and the government sold a luxury yacht bought with 1MDB funds by Low for $126 million, Thomas said. "1MDB asset recovery efforts across the globe are still ongoing and Malaysia is optimistic of recovering further monies in the coming months," he said. By Benet Koleka TIRANA, May 7 (Reuters) - Zhaku, Lenci and Bobby, three lions whose miserable plight in a private Albanian zoo stirred uproar and led the Albanian government to order their rescue, began their journey to a Dutch big cat center on Tuesday, from where they will hopefully be returned to the wild. Pictures of a malnourished Lenci, with an infected, reddened and half-closed eye, which appeared in a British newspaper last October, piled pressure on the Albanian government to rescue the wild animals. The father lion and his twin sons were kept in a zoo in Fier, southern Albania, in small cages without natural light, leaving them with enduring kidney, skin and teeth ailments. "If they recover, as we hope, then maybe they will go to South Africa where we have a big sanctuary," said Ioana Dungler of animal welfare group Four Paws. Environment Minister Blendi Klosi called their plight "shameful" and last year ordered environment inspectors, police in Fier and animal welfare officers to take them. The zoo has since been closed. Local media have reported it had no official designation as a zoo in the national register. Albania, a NATO member and European Union membership candidate is one of the poorest countries in Europe so awareness of animal welfare can be low, said Dungler. The lions were moved from Fier to a zoo in Tirana, where conditions were better, but still inappropriate for wild animals, she said. "There is no sun, no shade, no rain on their skin, and this is not healthy for a wild animal," she said, speaking by cages lined with ceramic tiles, reeking of urine. Lenci has recovered his sight in his infected eye after an operation, though it will never be perfect. An Albanian vet at Tirana zoo said he had grown close to Zhaku, the 13-year-old father, and taken good care of him, but he would have a better life in the Netherlands, he said, as the lions were sedated and carried off for their two-day road trip. (Reporting by Benet Koleka Editing by Alexandra Hudson) Lynton Bryan who has been jailed for one year and 10 months after terrorising an air crew and attempting to open an emergency exit during a flight from Manchester to Turkey. (GMP) A man who terrorised cabin crew before trying to open the door of a plane has been jailed. Lynton Bryan of Fairway Road, Oldham pleaded guilty to reckless endangerment of an aircraft and passengers after a flight to Turkey on June 14 last year. When the flight, which was delayed for around three hours, was due to take off from the runway Bryan got out of his seat and opened the overhead locker telling cabin crew he was getting a sweet for a child. Despite being warned numerous times the 34-year-old proceeded to leave his seat before the flight was airborne. The incident took place on a flight from Manchester to Antalya, in Turkey. Stock image. (PA) During the four-hour flight Bryan became increasingly volatile, terrorising crew and passengers by following them around the plane, making aggressive gestures and shouting loudly. Throughout the entirety of the flight he accused staff of being racist and becoming increasingly aggressive. He forcefully banged on the flight deck door before pulling frantically attempting to open the exit. He threatened a member of cabin crew telling her [I am]a bad boy from Manchester, I will hunt you down and when I do, I will hurt you. On Tuesday he was jailed for one year and 10 months at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court. Read more from Yahoo News UK: Ukip candidate questioned over rape comments Passenger complains he didnt get refund after crash kills 41 Two teens arrested after boy shot in Wolverhampton Detective Constable Brad Howarth of GMPs Manchester Airport Team, said: Bryan frightened not only the cabin crew who were simply doing their job and there to keep the rest of the passengers safe, but also frightened the holiday goers who should have been excited at the start of their trip. With the amount of witness accounts we were able to put to him in interview, he had little room to deny his vicious and repulsive actions. In a job like ours, you come across people who behave like Bryan on the street all too often but the way the crew dealt with him in the air and in the confines of a plane, while avoiding any physical harm coming to themselves or their passengers is truly commendable. However oblivious he seemed to be to the fright and alarm he was causing people on that flight, he now has time to think about that and nothing else as he remains firmly grounded for the next 22 months. Want to participate in a short research study? Help shape the future of investing tools and you could win a $250 gift card! If you own shares in MaxLinear, Inc. (NYSE:MXL) then it's worth thinking about how it contributes to the volatility of your portfolio, overall. In finance, Beta is a measure of volatility. Volatility is considered to be a measure of risk in modern finance theory. Investors may think of volatility as falling into two main categories. First, we have company specific volatility, which is the price gyrations of an individual stock. Holding at least 8 stocks can reduce this kind of risk across a portfolio. The second sort is caused by the natural volatility of markets, overall. For example, certain macroeconomic events will impact (virtually) all stocks on the market. Some stocks are more sensitive to general market forces than others. Some investors use beta as a measure of how much a certain stock is impacted by market risk (volatility). While we should keep in mind that Warren Buffett has cautioned that 'Volatility is far from synonymous with risk', beta is still a useful factor to consider. To make good use of it you must first know that the beta of the overall market is one. A stock with a beta greater than one is more sensitive to broader market movements than a stock with a beta of less than one. See our latest analysis for MaxLinear What does MXL's beta value mean to investors? Looking at the last five years, MaxLinear has a beta of 1.15. The fact that this is well above 1 indicates that its share price movements have shown sensitivity to overall market volatility. If the past is any guide, we would expect that MaxLinear shares will rise quicker than the markets in times of optimism, but fall faster in times of pessimism. Share price volatility is well worth considering, but most long term investors consider the history of revenue and earnings growth to be more important. Take a look at how MaxLinear fares in that regard, below. Story continues NYSE:MXL Income Statement, May 7th 2019 Could MXL's size cause it to be more volatile? With a market capitalisation of US$1.8b, MaxLinear is a small cap stock. However, it is big enough to catch the attention of professional investors. It's not particularly surprising that it has a higher beta than the overall market. That's because it takes less money to influence the share price of a smaller company, than a bigger company. What this means for you: Beta only tells us that the MaxLinear share price is sensitive to broader market movements. This could indicate that it is a high growth company, or is heavily influenced by sentiment because it is speculative. Alternatively, it could have operating leverage in its business model. Ultimately, beta is an interesting metric, but there's plenty more to learn. This article aims to educate investors about beta values, but it's well worth looking at important company-specific fundamentals such as MaxLinears financial health and performance track record. I urge you to continue your research by taking a look at the following: Future Outlook: What are well-informed industry analysts predicting for MXLs future growth? Take a look at our free research report of analyst consensus for MXLs outlook. Past Track Record: Has MXL been consistently performing well irrespective of the ups and downs in the market? Go into more detail in the past performance analysis and take a look at the free visual representations of MXL's historicals for more clarity. Other Interesting Stocks: It's worth checking to see how MXL measures up against other companies on valuation. You could start with this free list of prospective options. We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned. Thank you for reading. Federal officials are proposing new regulations that for the first time could allow patients to compare prices charged by various hospitals and other health care providers using data sent to their smartphones. Donald Rucker, who coordinates health information technology policy for the Department of Health and Human Services, said he expects that the rules, first proposed in March, will give patients new power to shop for care based on price and quality. Consumers have long sought more knowledge about health care prices, but administration officials cautioned it could take two years or more for it to appear in a user-friendly form on a phone app. Many specifics, including how patients would make sense of complex pricing policies for purchasing health care and insurance and assessing quality via an app, remain unclear. Rucker said in remarks prepared for a Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions Committee hearing Tuesday that patients have few ways if any to anticipate or plan for costs, lower or compare costs, and, importantly, measure their quality of care or coverage relative to the price they pay. The Trump administration proposal comes amid growing outrage from patients hit with seemingly exorbitant surprise medical bills. One study found that these billswhich are for amounts far more than the patient anticipated or for care not covered by insurancehave bedeviled more than half of American adults. The Senate committee is reviewing regulations proposed under the 21st Century Cures Act, a law passed in 2016 to promote innovation in health care. Dr. Kate Goodrich, the chief medical officer for the federal governments Centers for Medicare & Medicare Services, said the agency wants every American to have an electronic health record (EHR) that will follow them as they move through the health care system, giving them the data they need to make the best decisions for themselves and their families. Story continues Everyone, Goodrich said in her prepared statement to the committee, should be able, without special effort or advanced technical skills, to see, obtain, and use all electronically available information that is relevant to their health care, and choicesof plans, providers, and specific treatment options. Meeting these goals could prove to be a tall order. For well over a decade, federal officials have struggled to set up a digital records network capable of widespread sharing of medical data and patient records. In 2004, President George W. Bush said he hoped to have a digital record for most Americans within five years. In early 2009, the Obama administration picked up the challenge and funneled billions of dollars in economic stimulus money into a campaign to help doctors and hospitals buy the software needed to replace paper medical files. Critics argue that poor oversight over the stimulus spending and objectives has saddled many doctors and hospitals with flawed software that typically cannot share information across health networks as promised. It has also caused new types of errors that compromise the safety of patients. Botched Operation, a recent investigation published by Kaiser Health News and Fortune, found that the federal government has spent more than $36 billion on the EHR initiative. Thousands of reports of deaths, injuries, and near misses linked to digital systems have piled up in databases over the past decadewhile many patients have reported difficulties getting copies of their complete electronic files, the investigation found. Despite the slow progress, federal officials remain optimistic that digital records will save the nation billions of dollars while reducing medical errors, unnecessary medical testing, and other wasteand encouraging more Americans to take a bigger role in managing their health care by comparing prices. But Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., the committees chairman, said the results would have been better had officials not rushed out the stimulus plan. I am especially interested in getting where we want to go with input from doctors, hospitals, vendors, and insurers, so we have less confusion, make the fewest possible mistakes, and make sure we dont set some kind of unrealistic timeline, he said in a statement. Anger over the lack of easy access to health care has dominated public comments on the proposed regulation posted on a government website. The proposed policy to mandate disclosure of health care pricing by hospitals, insurance companies, etc. is one of the most important in American history. That is not hyperbolic, one anonymous commenter wrote, adding: The only way to save money on healthcare in America is to never receive it. This story was originally published on Kaiser Health News, a nonprofit news service covering health issues. It is an editorially independent program of the Kaiser Family Foundation that is not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Tuesday tore into congressional Democrats who continue to probe President Trumps potential efforts to obstruct special counsel Robert Muellers investigation into the 2016 presidential election, claiming the case is closed. This investigation went on for two years, McConnell said in a speech on the Senate floor. Its finally over. Many Americans were waiting to see how their elected officials would respond, the Kentucky Republican continued. With an exhaustive investigation complete, would the country finally unify to confront the real challenges before us? Would we finally be able to move on from partisan paralysis and breathless conspiracy theorizing? Or would we remain consumed by unhinged partisanship and keep dividing ourselves to the point that [Russian President Vladimir] Putin and his agents need only stand on the sidelines and watch us as their job is actually done for them? Regrettably, I think the answer is pretty obvious. McConnell called on Democrats to stop endlessly litigating a two-year-old election result and to end to what he called a Groundhog Day spectacle. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and President Trump. (Photo: Brendan McDermid/Reuters/File) In some corners, special counsel Mueller came to be regarded as a kind of secular saint, destined to rescue the country from the inconvenient truth that the American people actually elected Donald Trump, he said. For two years, many of the presidents opponents seemed to be hoping the worst conspiracy theories were actually true. They seemed to be hoping for a national crisis. While McConnell, the top Senate Republican, wields significant power on Capitol Hill, he can do nothing to stop members of Democratic-controlled House from continuing their oversight. The Mueller report, released last month, did not find that the Trump campaign conspired with Russia to influence the election. It left open the question of obstruction of justice by Trump, citing among other things a Justice Department memo that precludes bringing an indictment against a sitting president. Attorney General William Barr and Justice Department leadership made the decision not to bring charges against Trump. Story continues But Mueller chronicled at least 10 potential episodes of efforts by Trump to obstruct the federal investigation, leaving it up to Congress to pursue further action. Robert Mueller departs dinner in Washington, D.C., on Monday. (Photo: Al Drago/AP) McConnells speech comes amid calls from House Democrats for Mueller to testify; for Barr to turn over an unredacted version of Muellers report; for former White House counsel Don McGahn to turn over notes related to Trumps potential acts of obstruction; and for Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin to turn over Trumps tax returns. Last week, Barr told the Senate Judiciary Committee that he would not object to Mueller, who is still an employee of the Department of Justice, testifying before the committee. And Trump told reporters he would leave it up to the attorney general. But on Sunday, Trump reversed course, tweeting: Bob Mueller should not testify. No redos for the Dems! On Monday, Mnuchin refused the House Ways and Means Committee request to turn over the presidents tax returns, saying that the panels request lacks a legitimate legislative purpose. The move sets up a likely, and potentially lengthy, legal battle. McGahn, who left the White House in October, had until 10 a.m. ET Tuesday to turn over his notes. Barr missed a Monday deadline to release an unredacted version of the Mueller report. House Democrats have scheduled a Wednesday vote to hold Barr in contempt of Congress. ___ Read more from Yahoo News: REUTERS/Aaron Bernstein From the Senate floor, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) on Tuesday morning called to an end of the Groundhog Day spectacle of the investigation into President Trump. This investigation went on for two years. Its finally over, said McConnell of the probe by Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who looked into potential ties between the Trump campaign and Russian interference in the 2016 election. Many Americans were waiting to see how their elected officials would respond, McConnell told the chamber. With an exhaustive investigation complete, would the country finally unify to confront the real challenges before us? Would we finally be able to move on from partisan paralysis and breathless conspiracy theorizing? Would we remain consumed by unhinged partisanship, and keep dividing ourselves to the point that Putin and his agents need only stand on the sidelines and watch as their job is done for them? he asked. Regrettably, I think the answer is obvious. McConnell declined to mention that, by refusing to sign a bipartisan statement of condemnation before the election, he reportedly prevented President Obama from publicly addressing Russian interference before the 2016 election. Muellers 448-page report, which was released by Barr in a redacted version last month, included several instances of possible obstruction of justice. Mueller noted that while this report does not conclude that the president committed a crime, it also does not exonerate him. Barr has repeatedly said that, according to the report, there is insufficient evidence to support obstruction charges against Trump. On Monday, a letter signed by more than 450 former federal prosecutors from both parties said Muellers report would have produced obstruction charges against Trump had he not held the office of the president. Back on the Senate floor, McConnell derided Democrats who he believes have refused to accept Muellers findings, saying: The American people actually elected President Trump and that his colleagues across the aisle appear to be working through the five stages of grief. Story continues The facts disappointed them, McConnell continued. Our legal system will not magically undo the 2016 election for them. Case closed, he added, despite this weeks chaotic back-and-forth between the White House and House Democrats, who are considering contempt proceedings against Attorney General William Barr on Tuesday. Trump, meanwhile, has refused to hand over his tax returns to the House Ways and Means Committee, leading to a formal denial from the Treasury Department on Monday afternoon. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), on the floor, accused McConnell and his speech of whitewashing the investigation. Its sort of like Richard Nixon saying lets move on at the height of the investigation of his wrongdoing. Of course he wants to move on, said Schumer. It is not done. This is very serious stuff. Read more at The Daily Beast. Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast here Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell on Tuesday urged his Democratic colleagues to accept Special Counsel Robert Muellers findings rather than continuing to obstruct President Trumps agenda in the name of greater transparency. Reading from prepared remarks on the Senate floor, McConnell said the question of whether anyone in the Trump administration or campaign colluded with Russians to sway the election was closed, and argued that Democrats attempts to secure Muellers full, unredacted report, as well as the evidence that underlies it, stemmed from an inability to accept the reality of Trumps election. Given the Lefts total fixation on delegitimizing the president Americans chose and shooting any messenger who tells them inconvenient truths, Im afraid the Russians hardly need to lift a finger, McConnell said. Well madame president, the last stage of grief is acceptance. For the countrys sake, I hope my Democratic friends can get there sometime soon. For two years the Democratic party held out hope that the legal system would undo their loss in 2016. They refuse to make peace with the American peoples choice. But the American people elected this president. They did, he continued. The American people sent us here to deliver results for their families. Thats what Republicans have been doing for the past two years and counting, thats what Republicans will continue to do, and whenever our Democratic friends can regain their composure and come back to reality, we look forward to their help. Sen. Mitch McConnell says Democrats "refuse to make peace" with the results of 2016 and calls on them to move on from the Mueller probe: "The last stage of grief is acceptance. For the country's sake, I hope my Democratic friends get there sometime soon" https://t.co/ZmUp1hr4Ef pic.twitter.com/kuPM49KklB ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) May 7, 2019 Taking to the Senate floor after McConnell, Minority Leader Chuck Schumer accused his Republican colleagues of trying to whitewash Muellers findings by resisting subpoena-backed requests for the unredacted report and Muellers testimony. Story continues So our leader says lets move on. Its sort of like Richard Nixon saying lets move on at the height of the investigation of his wrongdoing, Schumer said. The legislative process has ground to a halt in recent weeks as Republican leadership continues to deny Democrats access to documents and witness interviews related to Trumps business dealings and Muellers investigations into Russian interference. Shortly after McConnells speech, White House attorneys announced that they instructed former White House counsel Don McGahn not to accede to Democrats demands to turn over his personal notes as part of their investigation into Trumps alleged attempts to obstruct Muellers probe. More from National Review Meghan reportedly had a hospital birth [Photo: PA] The Duchess of Sussex, 37, gave birth to a healthy baby boy, weighing 7lbs 3oz, at 05:26 on May 6, 2019. The announcement of the birth came shortly after a first statement saying that Meghan had gone into labour, suggesting that palace aides had been caught off guard by the news. While it was first believed that the duchess had had a home birth at Frogmore Cottage in Windsor, reports have emerged that she was driven to hospital on Sunday afternoon by Harry and their Scotland Yard security team. Its understood that Meghan was taken to a London hospital, most likely The Portland Hospital, reports the Mail Online. A basic delivery costs upwards of 15,000 at the private maternity hospital. READ MORE: Royal baby: Title of Meghan and Harry's firstborn child Portland Hospital for Women and Children, London, pictured in 2009 [Photo: PA] When Yahoo UK contacted The Portland Hospital, a spokeswoman said: We are unable to confirm speculation about individuals who may or may not have been cared for at The Portland Hospital." Buckingham Palace has declined to comment on where Meghan gave birth and details were not included on the famous easel yesterday. The place of birth is likely to be confirmed on the birth certificate within 42 days. The Duchess of Yorks daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie were both born at The Portland in 1988 and 1990, respectively. READ MORE: Palace 'caught by surprise' by arrival of royal baby Other notable royal births include Samuel and Arthur Chatto - the sons of Lady Sarah Chatto, who is Princess Margarets daughter. David Armstrong-Jones wife Serena (Princess Margarets daughter-in-law) had their two children Viscount Linley and Lady Margarita Armstrong-Jones at The Portland. Its also where Victoria Beckham gave birth to sons Brooklyn and Romeo. Proud new father Harry in Windsor yesterday [Photo: PA] Shortly after the birth announcement yesterday, Harry gave a TV interview within the grounds of Windsor Castle, saying he was over the moon after the arrival of his child. He said: It was amazing, absolutely incredible. Im so incredibly proud of my wife. Story continues And as every father and parent would say, your baby is absolutely amazing. READ MORE: Who Meghan and Harry's child shares a birthday with The duke and duchess announced ahead of the birth that they wanted to keep details around the birth private and opted out of an initial photocall. It is thought that the world will get the first glimpse of their baby son within the next few days - likely on Wednesday. Meghan Markle pictured as a child in Rwanda with her mother Doria - Pix supplied as a technical service by Tim Stewart News Limited 07932745508. No copyright inferred o Buckingham Palace has announced the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have had a baby boy, with Prince Harry at her side for the birth. The now-retired American actress, have maintained an element of secrecy around the arrangements for the birth, saying they will share news of their babys arrival once they have had an opportunity to celebrate privately as a new family. It has already been quite a different journey for Meghan where her introduction into the Royals is concerned - she didn't come from a similar upbringing to her royal-ready Middleton sister-in-law. The Duchess of Sussex (born Rachel Meghan Markle) was born in Los Angeles on August 4, 1981 and quite literally grew up in Hollywood. Though her parents - Doria Ragland and Thomas Markle Snr - divorced when she was six, her extended family's story does not end there. In fact, it takes unlikely and estranged turns towards a diplomat uncle, cannabis-growing nephew, and beyond. As Meghan welcomes her baby into the world with Prince Harry, here we take a look at her family, many of whom are never far from the headlines. Doria Ragland, Meghan Markle's mother Doria Ragland, 62, was born in Los Angeles to an antique dealer father and a mother who was a nurse. She attended the Fairfax High School, where she was remembered as bright and friendly - the teenager with the "Afro" hairstyle who loved listening to Marvin Gaye and dining out at a local Mexican taco joint with friends. After school she worked as a make-up artist, which is how she met her husband, Thomas Markle Snr, a lighting director in Hollywood. The pair married in 1979 and Ms Markle was born two years later. Meghan Markle pictured as a child in Rwanda with her mother Doria Credit: TIM STEWART NEWS LIMITED The family moved into a house in The Valley, LA, to a neighbourhood that Ms Markle described as "leafy and affordable". Ms Ragland and Mr Markle divorced in 1987, but remained friends. Ms Ragland took a job as an air stewardess, meaning their daughter was frequently cared for by her father. Story continues Meghan Markle with her moother Doria, who has a masters in social work Credit: TIM STEWART NEWS LIMITED She later returned to university to obtain a masters in social work, following on from her BA in psychology. She now lives in the house she inherited from her father in 2011 in the Crenshaw area of LA. Ms Ragland and her daughter are extremely close - Ms Ragland once drove a car with the number plate MEGNME - and Ms Markle has spoken of her pride in her free-spirited mother, with her dreadlocks and nose ring. Ms Ragland travelled with her daughter to her wedding ceremony from their overnight accommodation at Cliveden House Hotel, Berkshire, to St Georges Chapel. She is now preparing to welcome her first grandchild. Meghan's family tree Thomas Markle, Meghan's father Born in Pennsylvania, of Dutch-Irish descent, soon-to-be-grandfather Thomas Markle Snr, 74, made his way to Hollywood where he worked as a lighting director. He worked for many years on the set of the television show 'Married With Children' and his work on long-running series General Hospital earned him nine Daytime Emmy nominations, of which he was twice named the winner. He was also reportedly chosen to oversee the lighting for the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics as well as the 1986 Oscar ceremony. Prior to meeting Doria Ragland, he had been married to Roslyn Loveless, with whom he had two children - Samantha, now 52, and Thomas Jr, now 50. Mr Markle and his daughter were very close, with the young Meghan accompanying him on film sets and being cared for by him while her mother was travelling as an air stewardess. Baby Meghan Markle lies on the chest of her father Thomas Credit: TIM STEWART NEWS LIMITED Mr Markle moved to Mexico after retiring and was declared bankrupt in June 2016. The Duchess has described her father as the "most hardworking father you can imagine". He has reportedly still not met Prince Harry but gave his blessing to the Prince over the phone when asked for Meghan's hand in marriage. Mr Markle intended to travel from Mexico to the UK to meet his future son-in-law (and the rest of his royal family) before walking Ms Markle down the aisle. Meghan Markle pictured as a toddler with her father Thomas Credit: TIM STEWART NEWS LIMITED Following alleged dealings with the paparazzi to take advantage of Meghan's major moment, he said he would avoid the ceremony for fear of embarrassing his daughter. The pictures, which appeared to be staged, showed Mr Markle getting measured for what was thought to be his wedding suit, looking at pictures of his daughter and Harry while in an internet cafe, and reading a picture book about Britain while having a coffee. He then pulled out of the wedding four days before the ceremony, after falling unwell and required heart surgery. He claimed his failure to fly would also force him to cancel appointments with the Queen, Prince Philip, Prince of Wales, Duchess of Cornwall and Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Since the wedding, he has made frequent pleas through the media to speak to Meghan which he claims have been mostly ignored, bar a private letter he released to the public last month. Meghan Markles uncles Michael Markle Of Thomas Markle Seniors two brothers, the eldest, Michael, had a profound impact on Meghan's early life. The 80-year-old is a retired US diplomat and Air Force veteran who lives in Florida. His wife, Toni, died of cancer in 2012. During his State Department career, he reportedly worked in Ottawa, Bucharest, Berlin and Guam, and when Meghan was 20 years old, she planned to follow in his footsteps with a potential career in diplomacy. It was through Michaels connections that Meghan was able to secure a prestigious at the American embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina. After enrolling at Northwestern University in Illinois, Spanish speaker Meghan travelled to Argentina for her senior year in 2003. She completed a double major in Theatre and International Relations. "So I'm 20 years old, in Buenos Aires, in a motorcade, doing that whole thing. I thought for sure I would still have a career in politics, she told Vogue a decade later. In an interview with the Mirror in 2018, Michael spoke of his role in the process. I knew the ambassador, and I asked him if he could help, as her application was a little on the late side, he said. As a result, he was surprised not to be invited to his nieces wedding. I dont understand why she has been so indifferent towards me. Its uncalled for. I helped her out, and I didnt ask for anything in return. This whole invitation thing has not been played out very well. I never did anything to embarrass Meghan. It seems to me they handled the arrangements poorly. Michael has a 60-year-old daughter, Trish Gallup, who runs her own chauffeur business. Frederick Markle Meghans other paternal uncle, Frederick, is a reclusive cleric who also lives in Florida. There, he is the leader and sole minister of the small Eastern Orthodox Catholic Church, reportedly going by the name Bishop Dismas. According to the Daily Mail, Frederick lives in a secluded woodland property and lives like a hermit, shunning technology. He has refused to speak about his nieces marriage, as have his two sons, Nick and David, and ex-wife Theresa. Meghan Markle's siblings Half-brother Thomas Markle Jr The 52-year-old window fitter lives in Grants Pass, Oregon. He said his family was like The Dukes of Hazzard and The Simpsons, versus the Royal family but has spoken fondly of his half-sister, with whom he grew up in Los Angeles. He was married for 11 years to Tracy Dooley, with whom he has two sons Thomas and Tyler. Thomas Markle Jr has spoken fondly of Meghan Markle, his half-sister Credit: AKGS He was arrested in January 2018 for holding a gun to girlfriend Darlene Blounts head in a drunken argument. Mr Markle and Miss Blount are now engaged. Half-sister Samantha Grant Samantha Grant, 54, lives in Florida and is a wheelchair user and suffers from multiple sclerosis. She discussed the allegedly staged images of her father's on Loose Women, saying she was entirely the culprit, convincing her father that it would be to his advantage to show himself in a positive light. It was my suggestion that to benefit him and to benefit the Royal Family and that everyone looked good, and they depict you as you are, she said. Samantha Markle has lashed out at her half-sister, Meghan, in several interviews Credit: Splash News She also caused a stir when she announced she was writing a book entitled The Diary of Princess Pushys Sister. Despite not having spoken to her in nine years, Ms Grant lashed out at Ms Markle in numerous interviews. She since says she was misquoted. The Dooleys Ms Markle's sister-in-law Tracy Dooley, and her sons Tyler and TJ, are among the family members who were not invited to the wedding. Ms Dooley, who was married to the former actress's half-brother, was pictured arriving at Heathrow Airport before the wedding. She has previously told ITV's Good Morning Britain she had not received an invitation to the ceremony at Windsor Castle, admitting she had not seen Ms Markle for 20 years. The Dooleys announced on Facebook they had arrived in the capital. Tyler, 27, who uploaded an image of the Imperial War Museum, as well as a photograph of the inside of a hotel room, is a cannabis farmer who considers himself a 'pioneer' in the legal production of the drug in California. He is reportedly keen to develop a new cannabis strain called 'Markle's Sparkle', in aid of his cousin's position. Meghan Markle's nephew Tyler Dooley is a Cannabis farmer who is planning a new drug called Markle's Sparkle Credit: Mega The family are keen on the burgeoning industry. TJ, 28, reportedly gives marijuana to his dog for pain relief, while Tracy frequently sells advertising space to marijuana dispensaries. On arriving in London for the wedding in May last year,, Ms Dooley posted on her Facebook page called "Royal Wedding with the Dooley Markles" that she hoped Ms Markle's father was "well, healthy and happy". She wrote: "Just glad to have landed safely and hoping for Tom senior to be well, healthy, & happy. I wish the same for Meghan Prince Harry, my children, friends, family and those who need our prayers and love. Peace, love and good works." In April 2018, the page, which appears to be run by Ms Dooley, shared an article headlined "Meghan Markle snubs nephew and his mum with no invite to Royal wedding." It was accompanied with the caption: "Beyond blessed to be any part of this momentous occasion. We'll be front and center at Windsor cheering Meghan and Prince Harry on." Trevor Engelson, Meghan's ex-husband New York-born film and television producer Trevor Engelson, 41, was married to Ms Markle for two years, until 2013. The pair married on the beach in Jamaica in 2011, tying the knot at the Jamaica Inn in Ocho Rios, in front of around 100 guests. They are believed to have been dating for seven years before they married. Meghan Markle and Trevor Engelson in 2006 Credit: Billy Farrell/Patrick McMullan/Getty Their August 2013 divorce cited irreconcilable differences, and their work schedules - he is based in Los Angeles, while she began filming legal drama Suits in Toronto the year they married. Engelson is due to marry nutritionist Tracey Kurland in just over one month- almost exactly a year after Meghan and Prince Harry's own nuptials - on May 11. During his Miami-based bachelor party in March footage emerged of friends toasting (perhaps roasting) the groom, joking: "If it wasn't for Trev I wouldn't believe that I could marry a future princess, so now I gotta...what princess is available right now, I'm coming for you girl." He is working on a show about a man whose wife runs off with a prince. Pho So 8. | Photo: Ting W./Yelp Looking to satisfy your appetite for Chinese fare? Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the best affordable Chinese restaurants around Memphis, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of the best spots to fulfill your urges. 1. Pho Binh Photo: Parker T./Yelp Topping the list is Pho Binh. Located at 1615 Madison Ave. in Midtown, the vegetarian, Vietnamese and Cantonese spot is the highest rated cheap Chinese restaurant in Memphis, boasting 4.5 stars out of 268 reviews on Yelp. This spot was named one of the best lunch spots by the Memphis Flyer in 2017. On the menu, look for stir-fry dishes, rice vermicelli noodles, Vietnamese soups and more. Look for the lemongrass tofu with a specialty sauce. 2. Chang's Bubble Tea Cafe Photo: elayna d./Yelp Next up is Cordova-Appling's Chang's Bubble Tea Cafe, situated at 8095 Macon Road. With four stars out of 97 reviews on Yelp, the Chinese spot has proven to be a local favorite for those looking for an affordable option. The Memphis Commercial Appeal named this spot as one to check out in the city's busy Germantown Parkway. On the menu, look for plates like Hong Kong-style salmon, fried rice, noodles and more. For dessert, look for its selection of bubble tea. 3. Fulin Chinese Restaurant Photo: rachel l./Yelp Cordova-Appling's Fulin Chinese Restaurant, located at 1351 N. Germantown Parkway, is another top choice, with Yelpers giving the inexpensive Chinese spot four stars out of 67 reviews. This traditional Chinese spot was named one of Germantown Parkway's "dining surprises" by the Memphis Commercial Appeal. On the menu, look for a wide selection of chicken, seafood and veggie entrees. There's also chef's specialties like deep-fried oysters and crispy shrimp with walnuts. 4. Pho So 8 Photo: terri w./Yelp Over in Hickory Ridge-South Riverdale, check out Pho So 8, which has earned four stars out of 44 reviews on Yelp. Dig in at the Vietnamese and Chinese spot by heading over to 3588 Ridgeway Road. On the menu, expect main dishes of chicken, seafood and tofu. Look for curry tofu with onions and lemongrass. There's also lighter fare like hot pots, fried rice and noodle soups. This story was created automatically using local business data, then reviewed and augmented by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback. MEXICO CITY, May 7 (Reuters) - Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said on Tuesday he wants the United States to work on a development plan aimed at stemming migration and ditch the Merida Initiative that deploys millions of dollars for security programs. The flow of migrants trekking to the U.S. border through Mexico, mostly from Central America, has aggravated tensions between the United States and its southern neighbor. U.S. President Donald Trump has lashed out at Mexico for not doing more to stop migration, calling for the construction of a border wall and threatening to close some crossing points altogether. The decade-old Merida Initiative has directed some $3 billion to fight organized crime and drug trafficking in Mexico while training security forces and supporting justice programs. "We don't want the so-called Merida Initiative," Lopez Obrador told his regular morning news conference. "The proposal that we're putting forward is for a development plan for the southeast and Central American countries." "We don't want armed helicopters. We want production and work," he said, noting that Mexico would fund its own military. In fiscal year 2019, the U.S. Congress set aside $145 million for Mexico under the initiative, aimed particularly at aiming to block opioids from reaching the United States, according to the U.S. Congressional Research Service. When asked if the United States would accept a shift in strategy, Lopez Obrador said: "They're making progress," noting a recent U.S. pledge to invest in development in the region. In December, U.S. and Mexican officials said Washington was committing $4.8 billion to Mexico through the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, and another $5.8 billion to Central America. (Reporting by Daina Beth Solomon Editing by Susan Thomas) MEXICO CITY (AP) Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador says he doesn't want aid under the United States' so-called Merida Initiative at least in its present form. The aid program launched in 2008 so far distributed $1.6 billion to Mexico, mainly for anti-drug and law-enforcement efforts and border security programs. Lopez Obrador said Tuesday that Mexicans "don't want aid for the use of force, we want aid for development." The president said his administration is negotiating with U.S. officials to reorient the aid toward developing job opportunities in southern Mexico and Central America so people don't have to emigrate. He said Merida aid wouldn't be needed to train members of his new anti-crime force, the National Guard, because the Mexican military has enough resources to handle that job. Editor's Note: On March 14, Microsoft released Teams to general audiences. Read our full review of Microsoft Teams to see if it's right for your company. Microsoft's Skype has long been the gold standard for video conferencing, but when it comes to group chat and collaboration for businesses, Slack and HipChat lead the way, offering persistent chat rooms rather than transitory online conversations. Today, Microsoft is taking the fight straight to its competitors with the introduction of Microsoft Teams, a group communication tool that will be part of its Office 365 suite. image via microsoft "Microsoft teams will bring together chat, meetings, notes, Office, Planner, Power Bi and a host of other ecosystem developed applications to help teams get work done," said Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella. MORE: How to Use Microsoft Word Like a Pro Launching today in preview and ready for general availability as part of Office 365 Business and Office 365 Enterprise in Q1 of 2017, Teams allows you to create threaded chats with every member of your organization while tightly integrating other Microsoft applications such as Excel, OneNote and Planner. Groups and Channels During a brief demo at its New York launch event, Microsoft reps showed how the interface allows you to hold persistent group discussions with your colleagues and create dashboards that display important documents and data. The platform is organized into groups, with channels underneath them. The sales department in your company might be a group and then the administrator of that group can create topical channels that all members of the group have access to. A sales group might have channels for quarterly goals, new pitches and client retention, for example. The left side pane shows the list of groups and channels you have access to. Groups and channels You select each channel to view threaded messages within it or click tabs at the top of the channel screen to find persistent resources such as a list of shared files from Sharepoint or a large OneNote note with important information from the channel. Group administrators can also add tabs for a wide variety of services, both from Microsoft and third parties. Some examples include Excel and Power BI from Office 365 and Zendesk, a popular third-party client management system. Microsoft says that it will have 150 partners creating their own tabs by the time Teams comes out of preview in 2017. Story continues tabs Within the message stream, you'll find several different threads. Messages can be marked as important, which puts a red exclamation point symbol next to them. Unfortunately, there's no way to see all the messages from all the channels in the group on one screen and no way to see all your messages from across multiple groups. If you want to have a simple, but less specific set of discussions, it might be best to stick with the "general" channel which appears by default under every group. An Important message You can also create video meetings within a channel and the video window will appear in the middle of that channel's feed. The meetings use the same functions and engine as Skype, including integrated screen-sharing, but they appear within Teams rather than in the Skype client. A meeting The Fun Box When you're posting in a thread, you can attach files and photos or pick something from the "Fun Box." The Fun Box is a feature which lets you choose from hundreds of ready-made emoticons, animated GIFs from Giphy and Memes. You can even pick from a series of different illustrations of people with dialog bubbles and then create your own memes by typing on top of them. Fun Box Meme Chats If you want to have a private conversation with one or more members of group, you need to use the Chat function to send them direct messages or to initiate a Skype for Business call. The Chat mode is just a click away, located in the left pane of the application. Integrated Bots Teams also supports bots and embedded widgets. During the demo, a rep asked a third-party bot named "Polly" what restaurant to take people to and the bot pulled up a list of 5 choices which appeared as a poll so all the members of the group could vote. Polly Bot The software also comes with two Microsoft bots, T-Bot and Who-Bot. T-Bot is help function for Teams, answering questions such as "How do I create a new group" or "How do I schedule a meeting? Who-Bot queries the Office 365 knowledge graph to tell you information about other people in your organization and what they're doing. You can ask it questions about people on your org chart and view threads, profiles or documents that you have access to. Limitations: Employees Only Unlike Slack and HipChat, which allow you to give accounts to anyone you want, Microsoft Teams only works within an organization. So, if you work with a freelancer or a partner from another company, you can forget about collaborating with them on teams. A Microsoft rep said that adding a "guest" mode is something the company wants to add in the future. There are no plans to build a version of Team that works for home users. Unfortunately, you also cannot designate a meeting (or any other data) within a group as "private." So, if you want to hold a meeting without letting everyone in the group attend, you'll need to use another method such as Skype, which is one click away when you're in the Chat mode. Cross-Platform Like its competitors, Slack and HipChat, Microsoft Teams will run on both the desktop and on your mobile devices. A Microsoft rep told us that there will be dedicated clients for Mac, Windows 10, Windows 10 for Phones, Android and iOS, as well as a web interface. However, the mobile versions don't have as much functionality as their desktop brethren, leaving out the administrative functions -- adding a channel or tab for example -- and the fun box which allows you to send GIFs or Memes. Teams on Android How to Try It If your company is running Office 365 Business Essentials, Business Premium or Enterprise E1, E3 or E5, your IT administrator can make Teams available today by going to Settings > Services & Add Ins > Microsoft Teams in the Office 365 admin center. Teams will automatically be turned on when the preview period ends in Q1 of 2017. Teams will be a standard part of all of all the Office 365 commercial plans so companies won't have to pay extra to use it. WASHINGTON Vice President Mike Pence on Tuesday lauded the release of two Reuters journalists who had been imprisoned for more than 500 days in Myanmar. Great news! Pence wrote on Twitter. @Reuters journalists Wa Lone & Kyaw Soe Oo have been released from prison in Burma where they were jailed for doing their job reporting on atrocities committed against the Rohingya people. Freedom of religion & freedom of the press are essential to a strong democracy! Pence tweeted a video that showed the freed journalists surrounded by fellow reporters and giving a thumbs up and waving to supporters. The two reporters, Wa Lone, 33, and Kyaw Soe Oo, 29, were arrested in December 2017 as they were working on a story about security forces involved in killing Rohingya people and were accused of illegally possessing official documents, a violation of the colonial-era Official Secrets Act. Reuters journalists Wa Lone, left, and Kyaw Soe Oo gesture as they walk to Insein prison gate after being freed in a presidential amnesty in Yangon on May 7, 2019. At their trial, the two contended they were framed because of official displeasure over their work, but they were convicted last September and sentenced to seven years in prison. The case drew global attention not only as a media freedom issue but also as an example of how democratic reforms in Myanmar have stalled under Nobel Peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyis civilian government, which took power in 2016 with high hopes that it would usher in a new, more open era after decades of isolation under military rule. Pence repeatedly pressed Aung San Suu Kyi to pardon the journalists when he met with her in Singapore in November. But Pence hadn't directly weighed in since then, but has been monitoring the situation closely in recent weeks, according to a White House official. Pence has been outspoken about some other press freedom issues, including tweeting last October that "violence against journalists across the globe is a threat to freedom of the press & human rights." Reuters said the journalists were released Tuesday under a presidential amnesty for 6,520 prisoners. Story continues Stephen J. Adler, Reuters' editor-in-chief, welcomed their release. We are enormously pleased that Myanmar has released our courageous reporters, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo," Adler said in a statement. "Since their arrests 511 days ago, they have become symbols of the importance of press freedom around the world. We welcome their return. The reporters were awarded the Pulitzer Prize for international reporting in March for their investigation into the killing of 10 Rohingya men in the village of Inn Dinn. The killings were part of a campaign carried out by Myanmars top military officials in what the United Nations has called the genocide of the Rohingya people, a Muslim ethnic minority whose members had lived in the region for centuries. The military burned Rohingya villages and committed crimes including murder, rape, torture, sexual slavery, persecution and enslavement, according U.N. investigators. More than 700,000 Rohingya people were forced to flee Myanmar in what the U.N.s high commissioner for human rights called a textbook example of ethnic cleansing. Great news! @Reuters journalists Wa Lone & Kyaw Soe Oo have been released from prison in Burma where they were jailed for doing their job reporting on atrocities committed against the Rohingya people. Freedom of religion & freedom of the press are essential to a strong democracy! https://t.co/qc3eD8XeJ6 Vice President Mike Pence (@VP) May 7, 2019 More: Jamal Khashoggi's death highlights need for unity on World Press Freedom Day Like what you're reading?: Download the USA TODAY app for more Contributing: The Associated Press This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mike Pence lauds the release of Reuters journalists freed after 500 days in Myanmar prison Scientists have repeatedly sounded the alarm on global warmings role in elevating sea levels, but in a speech Monday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo pointed to what he felt was a positive: new waterways for trade. During the Arctic Council Ministerial Meeting in Finland, Pompeo emphasized that the Arctic Ocean is rapidly taking on new strategic significance. Steady reductions in sea ice are opening new passageways and new opportunities for trade, he said. This could potentially slash the time it takes to travel between Asia and the West by as much as 20 days. Pompeo added that Arctic sea lanes could become the 21st century Suez and Panama canals. The comments, which were first flagged by Observer, were part of a wide-ranging set of remarks affirming U.S. commitments to the Arctic. Pompeo, who has a history of climate change skepticism, told ABC News on Sunday that he cant rank where the issue falls on the scale of national security threats, even though the Pentagon concluded in January that it is indeed jeopardizing national security. At his Senate confirmation hearing for his former post as CIA director in 2017, Pompeo evaded questions about his positions on the environment, stating he would prefer today not to get into the details of the climate debate and science. Meanwhile, the facts describe a concerning new reality. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrations annual Arctic Report Card released in December revealed that the oldest ice in the region had seen a 95% reduction in the past 30 years. First-year ice now dominates the ice cover, the study said, explaining that it is thinner, more fragile, more mobile and more vulnerable to melting out in the summer. According to the National Snow & Ice Data Center, the melting ice can exacerbate global warming, causing temperatures to rise as oceans heat up, unable to reflect the suns rays back into space without the cover of white. Mike Pompeo, the US secretary of state, has rejected Canadas claims to the Northwest Passage as illegitimate, in a high-profile foreign policy speech that prompted frustration and surprise among experts and government officials. Related: US warns Beijing's Arctic activity risks creating 'new South China Sea' Delegates from Arctic nations Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden and the US had gathered in Finland to discuss balancing climate change with resource development in the region. No one denies Russia has significant Arctic interests, Pompeo told delegates of the Arctic Council on Monday. We recognize that Russia is not the only nation making illegitimate claims: the US has a long contested feud with Canada over sovereign claims through the Northwest Passage. The Arctic route linking the Atlantic and the Pacific offers a potential shortcut between Europe and China. Although the passage remains ice-bound for much of the year, it has become increasingly usable because of global warming and the retreat of Arctic sea ice. While the United States has long maintained that the route, often blocked by sea ice, lies in international waters, Canada has argued the waters pass through sovereign territory. Foreign affairs minister Chrystia Freeland dismissed Pompeos remarks after a meeting with her American counterpart. Canada is very clear about the Northwest Passage being Canadian. There is both a very strong and geographic connection with Canada, Freeland told reporters. Embed Michael Byers, a professor of political science at the University of British Columbia and author of International Law and the Arctic, said Pompeos remarks were consistent with US policy. But he said the belligerent speech contained numerous,factual mistakes and logical inconsistencies. Byers said: He talked about Chinese investments in infrastructure in the Canadian Arctic, [but] there are none. That was a straight-out factual misstatement. Story continues Pompeo also came in for criticism for enthusing about the abundance of resources available for extracting in the Arctic as climate change causing ice to retreat. Steady reductions in sea ice are opening new passageways and new opportunities for trade, that can potentially slashing the time it takes for ships to travel between Asia and the West by as much as 20 days, he said. The council meeting ended without a joint final statement from council members, after the US delegation balked at the inclusion of the phrase climate change.It marked the first time the Arctic Council had failed to produce a declaration since 1996. I actually celebrate the fact that the seven other countries stood up to the Trump administration said Byers. Were talking about about six close allies of the United States four of them Nato partners drawing a line in the snow saying you cannot have a declaration without acknowledging the crisis of climate change. Seoul (AFP) - At least one of the weapons North Korea fired at the weekend had many of the hallmarks of a missile, but that was the one word conspicuously missing from descriptions of the tests by Washington, Seoul, and even Pyongyang. North Korea wanted to express to the United States its frustration over the breakdown of the Hanoi summit, when the two sides clashed over sanctions and the extent of Pyongyang's nuclear concessions, analysts say. South Korea had brokered the now-deadlocked nuclear talks between the US and North Korea, and the White House had described the absence of a missile test for more than a year as a major foreign policy success. So Seoul, Washington and Pyongyang all have an incentive to play down the nature of the weekend drills. "President Trump's biggest North Korea policy achievement has been the suspension of Pyongyang's nuclear and missile tests since late 2017," Hong Min, a senior researcher at the state-run Korea Institute for National Unification, told AFP. "But if we declare the drill involved ballistic missiles at this point, it would all but shatter his self-touted success." North Korea's official KCNA news agency said the Saturday drills involved "long-range multiple rocket launchers" -- which are not targeted by UN sanctions resolutions - and unspecified "tactical guided weapons". But unlike rockets, missiles have guidance systems, and analysts said the images released by state media showed a device similar to Russia's single-stage Iskander missile. It appeared to be one displayed at a North Korean military parade last year, just as the diplomatic rapprochement on the peninsula began. South Korea's military initially said the North had fired "short-range missiles" but within an hour was describing them as "projectiles". They had a range of around 70 to 240 kilometres (45 to 150 miles) and fell into the sea, it said, but further analysis was required on whether they were short-range ballistic missiles. Story continues Similarly, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo avoided calling them missiles, describing them as "short range" in TV interviews, and telling ABC it "didn't present a threat" to the United States, South Korea or Japan. "We hope that we can get back to the table," he added. - 'Ratcheting up tension' - Pyongyang had not launched any missile since November 2017, and last year leader Kim Jong Un declared the development of the North Korean atomic arsenal complete, announcing an end to nuclear and ICBM tests. While a short-range test would not violate that, any ballistic missile firing could inflict "tremendous damage" on the North-US talks process, said Hong. And the respected 38 North website said in a commentary that Saturday's drills did not amount to a policy reversal by Pyongyang, which would "require a major and wrenching strategic line change". "That could still be done but is unlikely to be undertaken only two months after the Hanoi Summit," it added. But many South Korean conservatives -- who take a more hawkish stance on the North than the liberal Moon Jae-in government -- say Pyongyang did fire ballistic missiles and Seoul's reaction was putting national security at risk. "The North's missiles pose a threat to lives and safety of South Koreans," said MP Na Kyung-won of the conservative opposition Liberty Korea party. "But our military and intelligence are only trying to downplay the risk." The Russian Iskander can carry a small nuclear warhead, the conservative JoongAng Ilbo newspaper added in an editorial Tuesday, and a North Korean version could put "two thirds" of the 20 million people living in or near Seoul at risk. "Even though North Korea is ratcheting up tension, its time-honoured strategy, our government barely reacts." Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin sent a letter to House Democrats Monday officially rejecting their request for President Trumps personal and business income tax returns, prompting what will likely become a protracted legal battle. The Supreme Court has held that the Constitution requires that Congressional information demands must reasonably serve a legitimate legislative purpose, he wrote in a one-page letter to House Ways and Means Chairman Richard Neal (D., Mass). I have determined that the Committees request lacks a legitimate legislative purpose, the letter read, adding that the Department is therefore not authorized to disclose the requested returns. The letter comes after the Trump administration ignored two previous deadlines to turn over six years of his business and personal tax returns. Neal can now resort to a subpoena, which will likely go ignored given the administrations refusal to comply with a number of other subpoena-backed document requests, or file a legal challenge to obtain a court order. I will consult with counsel and determine the appropriate response, Neal said in a statement released in response to Mnuchins letter. In the letter, Mnuchin claims he is basing his refusal to comply on the Justice Departments legal opinion, which, he writes, it intends to memorialize its advice in a published legal opinion as soon as practicable. Trump has broken with decades of precedent by refusing to turn over his tax returns while campaigning for the presidency. Democrats claim have they the authority to correct for this aberration under a 1924 law that empowers the head of Congresss tax committees to review any Americans tax returns. Republicans, meanwhile, have argued that the requests represent congressional overreach and give members of Congress the ability to publicly wield personal financial information against their political enemies. More from National Review Delos (Greece) (AFP) - A stone's throw from the Greek island of Mykonos lies Delos, an uninhabited islet a world away from its neighbour's glamorous nightlife. It is there, on an island best known for its archaeological treasures, that British contemporary artist Antony Gormley is showing 29 of his sculptures. Gormley is perhaps best known for his gigantic Angel of the North, a 20-metre high steel work that since 1998 has been an unmissable landmark in its home at Gateshead, northern England. But this new exhibition -- including five works specially created for the event -- sets his contemporary work among the remains of ancient Greece. "It's an extraordinary responsibility," Gormley told AFP at the opening. "It's an amazing privilege to occupy a site that hasn't been occupied by a living artist (for) over two thousand years -- that's a bit of a challenge isn't it?" The archaeological finds on Delos date back as far as the 3rd millennium BC up to the Hellenic era of classical Greece. Its UNESCO World Heritage listing describes it as an "exceptionally extensive and rich" site, reflecting its past as a cosmopolitan port. The exhibition is intended as a dialogue between contemporary civilisation and the past, says Elina Kountouri, who heads up NEON, the non-profit that organised the show along with London's Whitechapel Gallery. A mark of the respect accorded to the site is that none of Gormley's sculptures have been placed inside the ruins of the ancient sanctuaries of the Greek gods Apollo and Artemis. According to Greek myth, Delos is where the two gods -- brother and sister -- were born. - 'A conversation about time' - Gormley's silhouettes in steel have been installed on different parts of the island, which covers only 3.5 square kilometres (1.4 square miles). Some can be seen as you approach the island by boat from Mykonos, such as the figure of man standing at the northern extremity of Delos. Story continues Another stands in the water at the entry to the island's port, a third at the entrance to an ancient site. For Gormley, Delos is "an extraordinary place to think about the human project...". And of his exhibition, he says: "For me this is a conversation about time. I think sculpture deals with time in an era (when) nobody has time. "For me, Delos as an island has this light and atmosphere and feeling that it timeless -- or outside the industrial time we are living." But even if ancient gods are gone, we worship at other altars today, he adds. "I don't live in a world that is commanded or guided by gods...," he says. "I live in a world that seems to be ruled by money and I'm trying both to resist that and recognise it. "It's been for me a real learning curve: how to listen to the marks that are already here -- how to respond to the geology." Gormley's exhibition, "Sight", runs on the island until October 30. Beirut (AFP) - An escalation in attacks on northwest Syria has displaced more than 150,000 people in the past week, the UN said on Tuesday, as the regime and Russia stepped up bombardment. "We are alarmed by ongoing reports of aerial attacks on population centres and civilian infrastructure, resulting in hundreds of civilians dead and injured," said David Swanson of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, or OCHA. "More than 152,000 women, children and men have been displaced in Aleppo and Idlib governorates over the past week alone," he told AFP. The northwestern part of Syria controlled by jihadists is made up a large part of Idlib province, as well as adjacent parts of the Aleppo and Hama provinces. The Idlib region has been protected from a massive regime offensive by a September deal inked by Damascus ally Russia and rebel backer Turkey. But the region of some three million people has come under increasing bombardment since the jihadist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, a former Al-Qaeda affiliate, took full control of it in January. The UN humanitarian agency on Tuesday expressed alarm at health facilities being hit in the bombardment. "Between 29 April and 6 May, at least 12 health facilities were hit by airstrikes in northern Hama and Idlib governorates, damaging health infrastructure that provided essential health services to over 100,000 people," OCHA said in a statement. All 12 were out of service, Swanson said, while three health workers had been killed in the bombardment. "Ongoing reports of attacks on health facilities in the region reflect a worrying trend, depriving thousands women, children and men of life-saving medical assistance," he said. The civil war in Syria has killed more than 370,000 people and displaced millions since it began. By Poppy McPherson YANGON (Reuters) - Convicted of breaking Myanmar's Official Secrets Act, Reuters journalists Wa Lone, 33, and Kyaw Soe Oo, 29, had spent more than 500 days in jail when they were freed on Tuesday. They had been convicted in September and sentenced to seven years in jail, in a case that raised questions about Myanmar's progress toward democracy and sparked an outcry from diplomats and human rights advocates. President Win Myint has pardoned thousands of prisoners in amnesties since last month. It is customary in Myanmar for authorities to free prisoners across the country around the time of the traditional New Year, which began on April 17. Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo were arrested on the evening of Dec. 12, 2017. At the time they were detained, outside a restaurant in Yangon, they were working on an investigation into the massacre of 10 Rohingya Muslim men and boys in the conflict-torn Rakhine State. During months of preliminary hearings and a trial last year, defence lawyers had argued the reporters were jailed in a "pre-planned and staged" attempt to silence their reporting. One prosecution witness, a police officer, testified that police planted documents on the reporters in order to frame them. Another officer told the court, without explanation, that he had burned notes made at the time of the journalists' arrests. Trial Judge Ye Lwin convicted the two journalists in September, determining that "confidential documents" the prosecution said were found on the two would have been useful to "enemies of the state and terrorist organisations". The reporters maintained their innocence throughout the trial and the belief that they would be set free. During the court hearings, U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres and leaders from several Western countries had called for the reporters' release. On the day he and Kyaw Soe Oo were sentenced, a handcuffed Wa Lone told the crowds gathered, some of whom were banging on the police truck carrying the pair away, that he had "no fear". Story continues "I believe in justice, democracy and freedom," he said. An initial appeal was rejected by the Yangon High Court in January. "It was a suitable punishment," High Court Judge Aung Naing said, upholding the verdict. Myanmar's Supreme Court rejected the journalists' final appeal in April. They had petitioned the country's top court, citing evidence of a police set-up and lack of proof of a crime. (Reporting by Poppy McPherson and Simon Lewis; Editing by Alex Richardson) 1625 N. Murray Blvd., #137. | Photos: Zumper East Colorado Springs is somewhat walkable, has some bike infrastructure and has some transit options, according to Walk Score's rating system. So what does the low-end rent on a rental in East Colorado Springs look like these days and what might you get for your money? We took a look at local listings for studios and one-bedroom apartments in East Colorado Springs via rental site Zumper to find out what budget-minded apartment seekers can expect to find in this Colorado Springs neighborhood. Read on for the cheapest listings available right now. (Note: prices and availability are subject to change.) Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in this article may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions. 1330 Potter Drive First, listed at $700/month, this one-bedroom, one-bathroom, located at 1330 Potter Drive, is 6.7 percent less than the $750/month median rent for a one-bedroom in East Colorado Springs. Building amenities include on-site laundry, assigned parking and secured entry. Pet owners, take note: dogs and cats are permitted. The rental doesn't require a leasing fee. (See the complete listing here.) 3802 Half Turn Road This one-bedroom, one-bathroom, situated at 3802 Half Turn Road, is also listed for $700/month for its 460 square feet of space. The unit listing promises air conditioning and a dishwasher. The building boasts a swimming pool, outdoor space and on-site laundry. For those with furry friends in tow, know that cats and dogs are allowed on this property. Future tenants needn't worry about a leasing fee. (See the complete listing here.) 1625 N. Murray Blvd., #137 Finally, here's a one-bedroom, one-bathroom address at 1625 N. Murray Blvd., #137, which, at 680 square feet, is going for $725/month. In the unit, look for stainless steel appliances, a patio and air conditioning. Building amenities include assigned parking, a swimming pool, outdoor space and on-site laundry. Neither cats nor dogs are allowed. There isn't a leasing fee associated with this rental. (See the full listing here.) This story was created automatically using local real estate data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback. When it comes to honoring mothers of all kinds theres no room for half-measures. Still looking for ways to celebrate on May 12? We've got you covered. Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the top mom-approved outings around town, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of Kansas Citys best options. With midday food and drinks galore, there's a reason brunch is a favorite Mother's Day tradition. Here are Kansas City's best breakfast and brunch options by the numbers. 1. Scott's Kitchen Topping the list is Scott's Kitchen. Located at 11920 N. Ambassador Drive in KCI & 2nd Creek, the breakfast and brunch spot, which offers barbecue and more, is the highest rated breakfast and brunch restaurant in Kansas City, boasting five stars out of 228 reviews on Yelp. 2. Jax Fish House Kansas City Photo: jax fish house kansas city/Yelp Next up is West Plaza's Jax Fish House Kansas City, situated at 4814 Roanoke Parkway. With 4.5 stars out of 386 reviews on Yelp, the breakfast and brunch spot, which offers seafood and more, has proven to be a local favorite. 3. Kate's Kitchen Photo: audrey k./Yelp Jefferson Highlands's Kate's Kitchen, located at 8002 N. Oak Trafficway, is another top choice, with Yelpers giving the breakfast and brunch and traditional American spot 4.5 stars out of 355 reviews. After brunch, why not treat mom to a top-rated art gallery or art fair? 1. Art Experience Photo: beth s./Yelp Art Experience, located at 1809 McGee St., is well regarded, with Yelpers giving the art gallery, venues and event space and paint and sip spot five stars out of 18 reviews. To top off a lovely Mother's Day, look no further than the best wine bars in town. Whether it's red, white or rose you're after, these top spots are sure to deliver the goods. 1. Novel Restaurant Photo: heather d./Yelp Topping the list is Novel Restaurant. Located at 1927 McGee St. in Crown Center, the wine bar and New American spot is the highest rated wine bar in Kansas City, boasting 4.5 stars out of 320 reviews on Yelp. Story continues 2. Ragazza Food & Wine Photo: fatman w./Yelp Next up is Southmoreland's Ragazza Food & Wine, situated at 4301 Main St. With 4.5 stars out of 203 reviews on Yelp, the wine bar and Italian spot has proven to be a local favorite. 3. The Capital Grille Photo: the capital grille/Yelp West Plaza's The Capital Grille, located at 4740 Jefferson St., is another top choice, with Yelpers giving the steakhouse and wine bar, which offers seafood and more, 4.5 stars out of 360 reviews. This story was created automatically using local business data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback. Grant Parker was driving his Volvo C30 in Granville Terrace, off Hull Road, York , when part of the road surface collapsed - opening up a hole in the road big enough for him to climb into. (SWNS) A motorist thought "hell had opened up" when his vehicle hit a four foot deep pothole - that was big enough for him to climb inside. Stunned Grant Parker, 46, was driving down a residential road when part of the tarmac suddenly collapsed under the weight of his wheel. The front portion of his Volvo C30 disappeared into the void and Grant couldn't believe his eyes when he got out and saw the four foot deep sinkhole in the road. Pictures taken by a resident on Granville Terrace in York show the motorist inside the hole with his head and shoulders popping out of the top. Grant Parker was driving his Volvo C30 in Granville Terrace, off Hull Road, York , when part of the road surface collapsed - opening up a hole in the road big enough for him to climb into. (SWNS) A City of York Council spokesman said the hole was the result of a sewer collapse, which occurs when escaped water washes away the structure of a road until it gives way. Workers from Yorkshire Water, which is responsible for York's sewage system, have filled the hole in since it appeared on March 25. Grant, who works as a landlord, said: "I was driving down the street and all of a sudden the car just sank down and went into a hole. "It did some damage to the car, and I'm still waiting for the insurance to deal with it. Grant Parker was driving his Volvo C30 in Granville Terrace, off Hull Road, York , when part of the road surface collapsed - opening up a hole in the road big enough for him to climb into. (SWNS) "There was just a little mark in the road, and as I went over it, the whole car dropped at one side. "I got out and thought it was unbelievable. "You could see a tunnel under the road. I thought hell had opened up or something." He added: "I actually got in the hole, it went right down and you could see right under the road. "The hole has been filled in but only recently. "It was cordoned off for a while because they couldn't move any cars because the road was unsafe." Grant Parker was driving his Volvo C30 in Granville Terrace, off Hull Road, York , when part of the road surface collapsed - opening up a hole in the road big enough for him to climb into. (SWNS) Fortunately Grant was able to reverse out and take the car to a garage for repairs. He said he's already spent 200 having work done to his vehicle and is yet to hear whether insurance will cover the costs. A spokeswoman for City of York Council said the authority's highways identified the hole as a sewer collapse. She said: "This is caused by water escaping from somewhere and washing out the structure of the road, over time, until a void is created. Story continues "The road surface will hold up for so long and then the void becomes too large and the tarmac fails." Read more from Yahoo News UK: Ukip candidate questioned over rape comments British soldier killed by elephant on anti-poaching operation Two teens arrested after boy shot in Wolverhampton She confirmed the road had been repaired, adding that "liability will not be with City of York Council". The spokeswoman said an insurance claim had been received but that it would be redirected to officials at Yorkshire Water. A Yorkshire Water spokesman said: "We carried out sewer repair work on Granville Terrace on April 5 and completed it on April 12. We are sorry to hear Mr Parker damaged his vehicle whilst the road surface was damaged and we repaired the road as quickly as possible once we were notified of the issue on April 3. "In circumstances like this it is the insurance companies who resolve any claims." A mum has shared an image of her blue breast milk and people are amazed [Photo: Getty] Experts have long discussed the amazing qualities of breast milk. Not only does it offer babies the perfect blend of nutrition, but breast milk also contains antibodies that can boost your childs immune system. It has also been linked to higher earnings in adulthood and has even been thought to lower a mums risk of developing certain cancers. But theres still some things about breast milk that continue to surprise us, including the fact that it can change colour. Which is probably why an image of its amazing colour-changing propensities is currently going viral. Taking to Facebook, British mother Jody Danielle Fisher shared side-by-side photos of two bottles of breast milk, that had been pumped three days apart. One of the bottles was a regular colour and the other, taken three days later, had a blue tinge. The mum, from Birmingham, attributed the changing colour to the fact that her daughter had been given her injections in between. Nancy had her 1 year injections on Tuesday afternoon, the mum wrote, before explaining that the one on the left, with normal coloured milk was from the day before she had them. On the right, you can clearly see what she describes to be blue-coloured milk, taken just two days after the vaccinations. The reason behind the sudden colour switch, Fisher says, offers yet another example of how amazing breast milk is. Its blue from all the antibodies my body is producing, as it thinks shes sick with what she was vaccinated against! she explained. When she feeds, her saliva sends signals to my body to produce more milk with illness specific antibodies! According to the Daily Mail after her post started gaining attention, the mum edited her caption to say she was in no way shaming women who used formula and isnt anti-vaccinations either. I formula fed my first and combination fed my second and third, she said. I was merely showing what womens bodies can do when their children are poorly and this is one of the reasons Im still breastfeeding at 13 months, as Im often questioned as to why Im still doing so. Story continues So what can cause womens breast milk to change colour? According to experts breast milk can actually change in a number of different ways, for many different reasons. It is well known that breast milk can change colour particularly with changes in mums diet, explains Mr Ian Currie, consultant gynaecologist at BMI The Chiltern Hospital in Buckinghamshire. It also changes with time. The first milk a mum produces can be sticky and yellow, known as colostrum, but then it can change to become thinner and more watery. The colour and consistency of breast milk will change on a daily and even hourly basis depending on many factors, explains Liz Halliday, Deputy Head of Midwifery at Private Midwives. This includes the age of your baby, how long it has been since you least fed or pumped, what point in a feed or pump you are at, whether you or your baby has been exposed to a bacterial or viral infection, and what you have eaten or drunk, she adds. Halliday says carrots, beetroot and spinach tend to tint the milk orange, pink or green respectively. Interestingly the weather can also have an impact on the colour of breast milk. Mothers tend to produce more watery milk in hot weather which helps to keep baby hydrated, Halliday explains. What is important is that the colour or consistency doesnt matter. Your body will simply produce what you baby needs right now and your milk will constantly change based on those needs, she adds. Mr Currie says changing coloured milk isnt usually something to be concerned about but suggest mums look out for a pink tinge in their breast milk, which could be blood. He suggests always seeking expert advice if mums do spot blood in their breast milk. This isnt the first time a mum has taken to social media to reveal that breast milk can change colour. Back in 2017, mum Ashlee Chase shared a picture of two bags of breast milk. The bag at the top of the photo was white, while the other, below it, had a distinct yellow tinge. Since her 7-year-old daughter Peyton had been home sick with a high fever and strep throat, Chase says she originally thought that she was sick, too. But once she called her daughters doctor, she was told that the breast milks yellowish colour meant there was more fat and antibodies in the milk to help her youngest baby fight the infection. And last year a mum went online to share an image of her bright red breast milk to warn other mothers about the early signs of the common breastfeeding condition mastitis. Tanya Knox was expressing milk when she looked down and noticed the milk was not its usual milky white. After investigating, Tanya noticed a blood clot the size of a 10p coin, which had changed the colour of her milk. Though passing the clot did not hurt the Aussie mum she admits to feeling shocked by the sight of it, so she decided to share the pictures to The Milk Megs Facebook page to raise awareness of the causes of bloody breast milk and reassure other mums who might experience something similar. Convicted murderer Lee Junior Walker says he feared he would lose his arm after being set upon by a police dog. (GMP handout) A convicted murderer has told a jury he thought he was going to lose his arm as an "out of control" police officer let his dog continually bite him while on the ground. Lee Junior Walker, 34, is one of five criminals on whom Police Constable Paul Jackson, 36, allegedly set German Shepherd dog Jerry, "to vent his contempt" for them and inflict "gratuitous violence", on various dates between August 2015 and September 2016. Walker, who was subsequently jailed for life after stabbing a man to death, was produced from HMP Garth on Tuesday to give evidence at Preston Crown Court. The Crown say the Greater Manchester Police dog handler was involved in a pursuit of a Vauxhall Vectra in August 2015, in which Walker was a passenger. Walker was bitten by Jerry, a German shepherd. Stock image. (Getty) During the chase the Vectra was abandoned on tram tracks in Wythenshawe, Manchester, and Walker jumped out and ran off, the court was told. Walker said he was "ready to give up" after Jerry caught up with him and attached himself to his left ankle. But, he said, Jackson immediately punched him in the mouth on arrival and then grabbed him by his arms as Jerry carried on biting his leg. The dog then bit different parts of his body as he was pulled by the officer, and he thought he was punched again before he was kicked, Walker continued. Later he said Jackson pulled Jerry off him "five or six times" before freeing him to bite him in the same place on his left arm. The trial at Preston Crown Court continues. (PA) Asked by prosecutor Jonathan Sandiford about the demeanour of the officer, Walker said: "He was grinding his teeth and calling me names, not to mention the punching, the kicking and the dog biting. "I was just begging him 'please get the dog off me'. "It got to the stage where I could feel its teeth in my arm, touching my bone. "I thought 'I am going to lose my arm'. "It was horrendous, the pain was unbearable. "There were tiny bits of flesh, skin and gravel, everything, mixed on the floor." Jurors were told Walker had about 35 convictions since 2002 including for offences of causing grievous bodily harm and robbery. Story continues Read more from Yahoo News UK: Ukip candidate questioned over rape comments Passenger complains he didnt get refund after crash kills 41 Two teens arrested after boy shot in Wolverhampton In January 2018 he was jailed for life after he pleaded guilty to the murder of a man named Shaun Murphy - not known to him - who he stabbed in the chest as he sat in a car. Paul Greaney QC, defending Jackson, said he would be suggesting to Walker that he had told a "series of lies" and had "deliberately exaggerated" his account of the August 2015 incident. Walker denied being the sole occupant and driver of the Vectra and explained to Mr Greaney he had accepted a lift from "a friend of a friend" whose name he did not know. He said he did not recall being in the same vehicle just four minutes before, when it was involved in another police pursuit nearby. Walker denied kicking Jerry, and forcing the dog to defend itself when he was said to have put his arm around its head. He disagreed with Mr Greaney's assertion that Jackson had acted professionally at all times and at no stage had punched or kicked him. Jackson, from Radcliffe, Greater Manchester, denies five counts of wounding with intent. Police Constable Paul Lockett, 37, from Altrincham, Greater Manchester, has pleaded not guilty to misconduct in a public office and aiding and abetting one of his colleague's alleged assaults. The trial continues on Wednesday. YANGON, Myanmar (AP) Two Reuters journalists whose imprisonment for their reporting on the Myanmar military's abuses of Rohingya Muslims drew the world's attention to curbs on freedom of the press were freed in a mass presidential pardon. Wa Lone, 32, and Kyaw Soe Oo, 28, walked out of Yangon's notorious Insein Prison at about 9:40 a.m. Tuesday. As they passed through the front gate, waving to the gathered crowd, they were mobbed like rock stars by fellow reporters who as professionals had covered their plight and as colleagues had pushed for their release. "I want to say that I am very happy today. I want to thank our friends and families who were trying for our freedom and also to those from all over the world who sympathized with us," Wa Lone said. "I am really excited to see my family and colleagues. I can't wait to go to my newsroom." Then they were hustled into a black van and taken to reunite with their families. The two reporters were arrested in December 2017 as they were working on a story about security forces involved in killing Rohingya and were accused of illegally possessing official documents, a violation of the colonial-era Official Secrets Act. At their trial the two contended they were framed because of official displeasure over their work, but they were convicted last September and sentenced to seven years in prison. The case drew global attention not only as a media freedom issue but also as an example of how democratic reforms in Myanmar have stalled under Nobel Peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi's civilian government, which took power in 2016 with high hopes that it would usher in a new, more open era after decades of isolation under military rule. It also came as international condemnation built over the brutal counterinsurgency campaign that Myanmar's military which still maintains unchecked control of key ministries such as those responsible for security launched in the western state of Rakhine, driving more than 700,000 members of the Rohingya minority group to flee to Bangladesh. U.N. officials and others likened the offensive to ethnic cleansing, or even genocide. Story continues Stories based on reporting from Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo were published while they were in prison and the two last month were part of a Reuters team that won the Pulitzer Prize for International Reporting, one of journalism's highest honors. They shared the award with The Associated Press, which won for its reporting on Yemen. Zaw Htay, a spokesman for the office of President Win Myint, told journalists he spoke with in the eastern state of Kayah on Tuesday that the reporters' families had sent letters requesting they be pardoned, and they were included among 6,520 prisoners released to promote peace and national reconciliation. The families of Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, their employer, press freedom groups, and journalist associations around the world had called for their release all along. Prospects looked grim after Myanmar's Supreme Court on April 23 rejected their final appeal of their prison terms, and even grimmer after they were not included in two other recent mass pardons. It wasn't clear what had changed by Tuesday, but the news was welcomed by rights groups and many others. "I think this will reduce the pressures on Myanmar's government by the international community," said Yan Myo Thein, a political analyst. "Releasing them is progress. But it will be better for democracy and the transition of Myanmar if the president will consider releasing (all) those who are in jail for exercising freedom of expression." The U.N. human rights office in Geneva welcomed their release but said they never should have been arrested. "We remain concerned about flaws in the judicial process that led to their conviction in the first place," spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani said. White House press secretary Sarah Sanders also welcomed their release. "We hope that other jailed journalists in Burma will also be allowed their freedom," a statement from her office said, using Myanmar's previous name. Reuters released a video showing Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo reuniting with their families, hugging their wives and young children. At the time of their arrest, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo were working on an investigation of the killings of 10 Rohingya villagers. The government last year said seven soldiers were sentenced to up 10 years in prison with hard labor for the killings. Reporting on the Rohingya is sensitive in Myanmar, where many of the country's majority ethnic Burmans agree with the official government of denying the group citizenship and labeling them as illegal migrants from Bangladesh. The military has said its actions in Rakhine state were a response to attacks by Rohingya guerrillas, and it did not have a policy violating human rights or the laws of war. During their trial, the prosecution claimed the Reuters reporters were found in possession of secret government documents. The defense said the documents were neither secret nor sensitive and had been given to them by police seeking to frame them. That assertion was supported by surprise testimony from a whistleblower in the police department, who told the court that his superior had arranged for two policemen to meet the reporters and hand over documents described as "important secret papers" in order to entrap them. As a result of his testimony, that officer was jailed for a year for violating the Police Disciplinary Act and his family was forced to leave their police housing unit. Even with the reporters' release, serious concerns remain about freedom of expression in Myanmar. The Myanmar group ATHAN, the Freedom of Expression Activist Organization, said last month that 47 journalists have faced trials since Suu Kyi came to power, and 31 have complaints against them pending. Of the 31, 18 were sued by government officials, four by the military and nine by various individuals. The online magazine The Irrawaddy and other media outlets have recently been sued by the army for their coverage of fighting between the government and the Arakan Army ethnic rebel group, which also operates in Rakhine state. ___ Peck reported from Bangkok. Associated Press writer Jamey Keaten in Geneva contributed to this report. YANGON, Myanmar Two Reuters journalists who were imprisoned for breaking Myanmars Official Secrets Act over reporting on security forces abuses of Rohingya Muslims were pardoned and released Tuesday, the prison chief and witnesses said. Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo were freed after President Win Myint issued a blanket pardon for 6,520 prisoners, said Zaw Zaw, chief of Yangons Insein Prison. Myanmars Supreme Court on April 23 rejected the journalists final appeal against their seven-year prison terms. Their convictions were related to reporting on security forces abuses of the Muslim Rohingya minority. The reporters and their supporters had said they were framed because of official displeasure over their reporting. We are enormously pleased that Myanmar has released our courageous reporters, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, said a statement issued by Reuters Editor-in-Chief Stephen Adler. Since their arrests 511 days ago, they have become symbols of the importance of press freedom around the world. We welcome their return. Wa Lone, 32, and Kyaw Soe Oo, 28, last month shared with their Reuters colleagues the Pulitzer Prize for International Reporting, one of journalisms highest honors. Myanmars military launched a brutal counterinsurgency campaign in the western state of Rakhine in 2017, driving more than 700,000 Rohingya to flee to Bangladesh. The Reuters reporters had worked on an investigation of the killings of 10 Rohingya villagers in Inn Din village, for which the government last year said seven soldiers were sentenced to up 10 years in prison with hard labor. The reporters were arrested in December 2017 and sentenced last September after being accused of illegally possessing official documents, a violation of the colonial-era Official Secrets Act. Family members of the two freed men were elated. Chit Su Win, the wife of Kyaw Soe Oo, said she was waiting at home with their child to be reunited with her husband. She said she doesnt know how to express her feelings, but Now the three of us can hug each other and we are so happy for that. Story continues Thura Aung, the brother of Wa Lone said, Were so happy that they got released today. We heard that they would be on the amnesty list. Now it is actually happening, I am so glad for that. The United Nations office in Myanmar said it welcomed the release of Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo. The U.N. in Myanmar considers the release of Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo a step toward improving the freedom of the press and a sign of Governments commitment to Myanmars transition to democracy, it said in an emailed statement. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Myanmar frees 2 Reuters journalists from prison Two Reuters journalists who had been jailed for their reporting on the Rohingya crisis in Myanmar walked out of prison Tuesday, freed in a presidential amnesty. Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo were mobbed by media as they stepped out of Yangon's notorious Insein prison after their lengthy detention. Their December 2017 arrests made them a global cause celebre and a sign of Myanmar's deteriorating press freedoms under civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Wa Lone, 33, thanked people from "around the world" for advocating for their release and vowed he would return to work. "I cant wait to go to my newsroom," he said. "I am a journalist and I am going to continue." Reuters editor-in-chief Stephen Adler said: "We are enormously pleased that Myanmar has released our courageous reporters". "Since their arrests 511 days ago, they have become symbols of the importance of press freedom around the world. We welcome their return." The two men waved and smiled broadly as they walked out of the jail. The pair were convicted on charges of violating the official secrets act and sentenced to seven years each. At the time of their arrest they had been reporting on a September 2017 massacre of 10 Rohingya Muslims in conflict-hit Rakhine state, where the Myanmar army forced some 740,000 of the stateless minority to flee over the border to Bangladesh. The case prompted an outcry around the world and crushed what was left of Suu Kyi's legacy as a rights defender. Reuters has said the two were imprisoned in retaliation for their expose. Last month Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo were awarded the prestigious Pulitzer prize, one of journalism's top honours. They were also featured earlier on the cover of TIME magazine as part of its person of the year coverage which featured journalists targeted for their reporting. The case against them become a byword for the war against press freedom, and attracted support from prominent rights attorney Amal Clooney. Rights groups and legal experts say the case against the reporters was riddled with irregularities. A whistleblowing police officer testified during their trial that his superior had ordered his team to trap the reporters in a sting -- testimony the judge chose to ignore. Two Reuters journalists jailed for their reporting on the Rohingya crisis in Myanmar walked out of prison on Tuesday, freed in a presidential amnesty after a vigorous global campaign -- and backroom diplomacy -- for their release. Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo were mobbed by media as they stepped out of Yangon's notorious Insein prison after more than 16 months in detention. Their December 2017 arrests made them an international cause celebre and a sign of Myanmar's deteriorating press freedoms under Nobel laureate and civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Wa Lone, 33, thanked people from "around the world" for advocating for their release and vowed he would return to work. "I can't wait to go to my newsroom," he said. "I am a journalist and I am going to continue." Reuters editor-in-chief Stephen Adler said: "We are enormously pleased that Myanmar has released our courageous reporters". "Since their arrests 511 days ago, they have become symbols of the importance of press freedom around the world. We welcome their return." They were freed in an amnesty that included more than 6,000 prisoners. A government spokesman told reporters that family members had sent letters to Suu Kyi and the president Win Myint. "Leaders took into consideration the long-term interest of (the) country," Zaw Htay said. Lord Ara Darzi, a British advisor and confidant of Suu Kyi, said it was "fitting" the pair were released a few days after World Press Freedom Day. "The lesson is simple: dialogue works even in the most difficult of circumstances," he told media in Yangon. The United States, which had condemned the journalists' jailing, welcomed their release and called for further action. "We hope to see the release of other imprisoned journalists and greater freedom of expression," Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tweeted. The journalists waved and smiled broadly as they walked out of the jail. Story continues The two men were convicted on charges of violating the official secrets act and sentenced to seven years each. At the time of their arrest, they had been reporting on a September 2017 massacre of 10 Rohingya Muslims in conflict-hit Rakhine state, where the Myanmar army forced some 740,000 of the stateless minority to flee over the border to Bangladesh. The case prompted an outcry around the world and crushed what was left of Suu Kyi's legacy as a rights defender. - 'We are very happy' - Reuters has said the two were imprisoned in retaliation for their expose. The army jailed seven soldiers for the massacre in a rare response to allegations of atrocities. Military spokesman Zaw Min Tun said it had no comment on the release except that the case was "undertaken in line with the law". While inside, the duo missed numerous family milestones, including the birth of Wa Lone's daughter. Their families were overjoyed with the news. "We are very happy," Chit Su Win, who is married to Kyaw Soe Oo, told AFP. A reunion photo of both couples celebrating, smiling and holding each of their daughters was widely shared on Twitter. During their imprisonment, the journalists were showered with numerous awards and honours in response to their work. Last month, they won the prestigious Pulitzer Prize. Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo were also on the cover of TIME magazine as part of its person of the year coverage featuring journalists targeted for their reporting. The case against them became a byword for the war against press freedom and prompted an international campaign that attracted the support of prominent rights lawyer Amal Clooney, who said Tuesday it had been an "honour to represent" her clients. Rights groups and legal experts say the prosecution's case was riddled with irregularities. A whistleblowing police officer testified during their trial that his superior had ordered his team to trap the reporters in a sting -- testimony the judge chose to ignore. The now ex-officer Moe Yan Naing told AFP he was "delighted" the families were back together, and expressed interest in meeting the journalists, if they wanted to. Media advocates, the UN, and rights organisations praised the release but slammed the original arrest and conviction. In downtown Yangon on Tuesday evening, most people AFP asked were happy to hear the news. "It was clear they were reporting the truth about human rights," said 54-year-old Buddhist monk Malar Nanda. Suu Kyi led her National League for Democracy party to victory in historic 2015 polls, ending decades of military-backed rule. But the dreams of a new day for Myanmar were short-lived -- the army launched a campaign against the Rohingya in Rakhine state, which UN investigators have said amounted to genocide. Myanmar has denied the charges and said it was defending itself against Rohingya militants, who attacked and killed police officers in August 2017. burs-rs/sct/dw Media freedom advocates praised the surprise release of Reuters reporters in Myanmar but stressed the pair should never have been jailed in the first place and called for sweeping reforms of paralysing press laws. The Pulitzer Prize-winning reporters walked free from Yangon's Insein prison Tuesday after more than 500 days behind bars as part of a large presidential amnesty following a global campaign calling for their release. Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo were sentenced to seven years in prison under the draconian Official Secrets Act last year after probing a massacre of 10 Rohingya Muslims in Rakhine state. The killings occurred in the conflict-wracked region of Myanmar that has been largely off-limits to journalists since an army crackdown forced some 740,000 members of the stateless Rohingya minority to flee to Bangladesh. But as the world cheered the sudden release Tuesday, media watchdogs cautioned against celebrating the move as a new chapter for Myanmar's tainted press freedom record. Nicholas Bequelin of Amnesty International called the case against the Reuters reporters "a travesty of justice from start to finish". He said there were still "a range of repressive laws used to detain journalists, activists and any perceived critic" in place. "Until these laws are repealed, journalists and activists remain under a permanent threat of detention and arrest." The United Nations on Tuesday echoed Amnesty's fears after welcoming the pair's release. "The situation for freedom of expression (in Myanmar) is dire," the UN human rights office spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani said in Geneva. She added that "no positive progress has been observed" since the rights office issued a set of recommendations last year aimed at improving free speech in Myanmar. Myanmar is ranked 138 out of 180 countries for press freedom by Reporters Without Borders, and critics say it employs colonial-era legislation to target journalists and activists. Story continues That includes a roster of legislation such as the State Secrets Act and laws on unlawful association and incitement. A telecommunications law passed in 2013 has also been used to target reporters and government critics. There are currently almost 130 prisoners behind bars in Myanmar either convicted or awaiting trial for politically motivated reasons, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners in Yangon. - 'Face-saving' release - The Reuters saga is not the first time Myanmar has courted unwanted attention for press freedom issues. On June 2017 three journalists from two independent news outlets -- the Irrawaddy and Democratic Voice of Burma -- were arrested by the military at a checkpoint after reporting from an ethnic armed group-controlled area. They were charged with unlawful association and held for 10 weeks before the military dropped the case. Another journalist Swe Win faces an ongoing case of online defamation that has dragged on for almost two years and which requires him to make frequent trips to another city hours away to attend hearings. Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo's release does little to change Myanmar's "suffocating media environment", said Matthew Bugher of Article 19, a freedom of expression organisation. "If the government was serious about media freedom, it could start by reforming the repressive colonial-era law that was used to charge the two men, as well as a whole host of other laws that stifle independent journalism and free speech," he added. Bugher said the pair's release was a "face-saving response to persistent international pressure and bad publicity". Myanmar's civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi, once considered a democracy icon, faced intense scrutiny for not intervening to secure the reporter's freedom. Her party swept to power in 2015 elections, the first polls in decades, after spending a combined 15 years under house arrest during the military regime. She is currently in an uneasy power-sharing agreement with Myanmar generals, and she has been stripped of several honours internationally over her failure to speak up for the Rohingya. Suu Kyi has also refused to lend her voice in defence of the Reuters pair despite evidence revealed in court that they had been set up in a sting. A government spokesman said Tuesday that the reporters were released for the "long-term interest" of the country. Reuters lawyer U Khin Maung Zaw thanked President Win Myint Tuesday after his clients were freed and called for more protections for the country's journalists. "We really need an effective law that protects the journalists from going to prison when doing their job," he told AFP. YANGON, May 6 (Reuters) - Myanmar will release 6,520 prisoners in an amnesty on Tuesday, the president's office said in a statement. President Win Myint pardoned thousands of prisoners in two mass amnesties last month. It is customary in Myanmar for authorities to free prisoners around the time of the traditional New Year, which began on April 17. It was not clear whether two jailed Reuters reporters were among the prisoners scheduled to be released. The two Reuters reporters, Wa Lone, 33, and Kyaw Soe Oo, 29, were convicted in September of breaking the Official Secrets Act and sentenced to seven years in jail, in a case that raised questions about Myanmar's progress toward democracy and sparked an outcry from diplomats and human rights advocates. (Reporting by Thu Thu Aung and Shoon Naing Editing by Neil Fullick, Robert Birsel) YANGON (Reuters) - Myanmar will release 6,520 prisoners in an amnesty on Tuesday, the president's office said in a statement. President Win Myint pardoned thousands of prisoners in two mass amnesties last month. It is customary in Myanmar for authorities to free prisoners around the time of the traditional New Year, which began on April 17. It was not clear whether two jailed Reuters reporters were among the prisoners scheduled to be released. The two Reuters reporters, Wa Lone, 33, and Kyaw Soe Oo, 29, were convicted in September of breaking the Official Secrets Act and sentenced to seven years in jail, in a case that raised questions about Myanmar's progress toward democracy and sparked an outcry from diplomats and human rights advocates. (Reporting by Thu Thu Aung and Shoon Naing; Editing by Neil Fullick, Robert Birsel) Photo credit: NurPhoto - Getty Images From Esquire (Optional Video Accompaniment To This Post) The House Judiciary Committee, Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) presiding, has inched another inch toward treating the Executive Branch with something resembling the contempt in which the Executive Branch obviously holds the Congress. Unless Attorney General William Barr coughs up the unredacted Mueller report by Wednesday, the committee will hold the attorney general formally in contempt of Congress which, given Barr's appearance in front of the committee last week, seems sadly redundant but there we are anyway. In short, the committee gave him two days to comply, at which point the committee promises to recommend that the full House do likewise. And if the mills of the gods grind slowly, the mills of Congress grind not at all because all the mill jobs went to Mexico years ago. Anyway, over the weekend, in an interview with The New York Times, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi delivered herself of some curious thoughts regarding the current state of things, remarks that indicate that at least part of the Speaker's brain gets it and that another part does not, and that, somewhere in between, something has to be done. If we win by four seats, by a thousand votes each, hes not going to respect the election, said Ms. Pelosi, recalling her thinking in the run-up to the 2018 elections. He would poison the public mind. He would challenge each of the races; he would say you cant seat these people, she added. We had to win. Imagine if we hadnt won - oh, dont even imagine. So, as we go forward, we have to have the same approach. Put aside the absolute certainty that, if Whoever J. Democrat wins in 2020 like LBJ in 1964, El Caudillo del Mar-a-Lago and his 40 percenters would react in exactly the same way. Look just at what Pelosi said. If she's right, and I think she is, then we are in a deadly constitutional crisis right freaking now because a dangerous authoritarian yahoo is in the White House, and because there is nobody in his own party who's willing to do anything about it. Which makes something else Pelosi said even stranger. Story continues Sitting in her office with its panoramic view of the National Mall, Ms. Pelosi - the de facto head of the Democratic Party until a presidential nominee is selected in 2020 - offered Democrats her coldblooded plan for decisively ridding themselves of Mr. Trump: Do not get dragged into a protracted impeachment bid that will ultimately get crushed in the Republican-controlled Senate, and do not risk alienating the moderate voters who flocked to the party in 2018 by drifting too far to the left. Own the center left, own the mainstream, Ms. Pelosi, 79, said. It seems to me that if Pelosi believes that the president* is venal and power-mad enough to discredit, if not defy, the results of a national election, she must realize that the crisis already is upon us. (And, no, this isn't like the wingnut horror stories about how Barack Obama was going to cancel the elections because Jade Helm!, False Flag!, Seth Rich! For one thing, neither Obama nor his allies personally played into those crackpot scenarios.) If that is the case, waiting for 2020 and hoping that cooler heads prevail at the ballot box strikes me as negligent at best. Photo credit: BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI - Getty Images History tells us that the president* will attempt to delegitimize any unflattering poll results, discredit any unflattering news coverage, and do everything he can to make sure that his 40-Percenters stay ginned up and delusional. History also tells us that the Republican Party will follow right along, not just because he's Trump, but because voter suppression and delegitimizing inconvenient election results has been the party's M.O. at least since the Watergate midterms of 1974. They successfully delegitimized hand recounts and the clear provisions of Florida law in 2000, and the Supreme Court chimed in to help them. The architecture for this president* to discredit the 2020 numbers already is in place. It's part and parcel of three decades of Republican conservatives and their attempt to delegitimize the franchise of people who don't vote for them because their policies are perceived to be cruel and stupid. I honestly don't get the people who can't see that the crisis is an immediate one. Congress has its procedures, and I respect that, and the committee vote is a small move forward, for sure. After all, the House and a dwindling number of federal courts are the only avenues of traditional checks and balances still functional against a robotic Republican power elite. But essentially to argue that impeachment should be off the boards not only in the House, but also on the campaign trail, is to rely on guard rails that aren't there any more, and that had been rotting away for years, anyway. Respond to this post on the Esquire Politics Facebook page here. ('You Might Also Like',) Gary Sinise and Joe Mantegna return to host the 30th edition of the National Memorial Day Concert. (Photo: Paul Morigi, Getty Images for Capital Concerts, Inc.) UPDATED MAY 23, 2019: Mary McCormack will be replacing Gary Sinise as the co-host of this years National Memorial Day Concert. In addition, American Idol Season 17 finalist, Alyssa Raghu, has joined the list of performers and will sing the National Anthem. Original story continues below: Its been 75 years since the D-Day Invasion turned the tide of World War II in favor of the Allied forces, so its only appropriate that the memory of that battle will take center stage at the 30th anniversary edition of PBSs National Memorial Day Concert. Broadcast live from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol on May 26 at 8 p.m./ET (7 p.m./CT), the annual tribute to Americas armed forces is set to feature Oscar-nominated actor and certified national treasure Sam Elliott telling the story of how U.S., British and Canadian troops stormed Omaha Beach in Normandy on June 6, 1944. The Big Lebowski scene-stealer was born two months after the invasion, so his account will be based on the memories of 98-year-old combat medic Ray Lambert, who worked to save his fellow soldiers while under fire himself. Elliott is one of many entertainers who will be gracing the stage during the 90-minute anniversary telecast, emceed by regular hosts Joe Mantegna and Gary Sinise. The Criminal Minds star will be joined by one of everyones fictional presidents David Palmer, aka Dennis Haysbert, to reflect on the Vietnam War five decades after 1969 one of the deadliest years of that conflict. Haysbert and Mantegna will assume the voices of two Vietnam veterans who make a point of reuniting each year at the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C. A more recent soldiers story will be shared by Station 19s Jaina Lee Ortiz, who is set to narrate the experiences of Gold Star Widow, Ursula Palmer, whose husband, Collin, sustained ultimately fatal injuries in Afghanistan. And Gen. Colin L. Powell will lend his own military expertise to the evening with a salute to those who have served or are still serving. Story continues Lest you think that this is a purely spoken-word concert, executive producer Michael Colbert who took over the event two years ago following the passing of his father, Jerry Colbert has also assembled a roster of multi-generation and multi-genre musical acts, including soul sensation Patti LaBelle, rocker Gavin DeGraw, bluegrass legend Alison Krauss, gospel group Patrick Lundy and the Ministers of Music and country star Justin Moore. Broadway will be represented by Hamiltons Christopher Jackson, while Glee-turned-West End belter Amber Riley is also scheduled to take a turn at the mic. And, as usual, pops conductor Jack Everly and the National Symphony Orchestra will underscore the evening thereby ensuring that the 30th edition of the National Memorial Day Concert will be a night to remember. The National Memorial Day Concert airs May 26 at 8 p.m./ET (7 p.m./CT) on PBS. Read more from Yahoo Entertainment: Want daily pop culture news delivered to your inbox? Sign up here for Yahoo Entertainment & Lifestyles newsletter. The Washington Nationals reinstated third baseman Anthony Rendon from the 10-day injured list on Tuesday. Rendon suffered a left elbow contusion when he was hit by a pitch in a game against the Miami Marlins on April 20. He attempted to return to the lineup on April 26, but was 0-for-3 against the San Diego Padres and landed on the IL. He'll bat third on Tuesday at the Milwaukee Brewers. Rendon, 28, is batting .356 with 10 doubles, six homers, 18 RBIs and 21 runs scored in 20 games. He had a 17-game hitting streak from March 30-April 19, the longest in the majors this season. The Nationals made three other moves prior to Tuesday night's game at Milwaukee. They recalled right-hander Erick Fedde from Double-A Harrisburg, optioned infielder Carter Kieboom to Triple-A Fresno and placed left-hander Tony Sipp on the 10-day injured list with a strained oblique. --Field Level Media Westminster Magistrates Court (File photo / PA) A project manager who tried to hide from press photographers after he admitted taking a degrading upskirt picture of a young woman has been spared jail telling a judge his life has been turned upside down since the incident. Entrepreneur Neil Abbott, 32, said he had lost his job, suffered mental health problems and was no longer able to afford to get married or buy a house due to his conviction. He was handed a 280-hour community service order, told to pay 1,000 in compensation to the victim, given a rehabilitation activity requirement, and ordered to pay an additional 170 in costs and surcharges after he pleaded guilty to one charge of outraging public decency at Westminster Magistrates Court last month. Sentencing him at the same court on Tuesday, district judge Vanessa Baraitser said: I have no doubt this was a serious, unpleasant and deliberate offence. It was quite clearly degrading to the victim. She was quite clearly distressed and repulsed by your behaviour. The judge said Abbott was only spared jail because of his early guilty plea and his previous good character. The court heard Abbott, of Maxwell Road in Romford, East London, was on a drunken night out with friends last summer when he pushed through a queue and brazenly took a picture up a womans skirt at Liverpool Street Station in London. Prosecutor Simon Maughan said Abbott was spotted jumping the queue at the Mi Casa Burritos shop to take the picture of the victim, who was 20 years old and wearing a short denim skirt. A male witness said: He (Abbott) took his phone from his pocket and proceeded to take a picture underneath her skirt. He wasnt rushing, it was almost like he had done it before. The eyewitness informed the victim, who alerted station staff, and they apprehended the intoxicated defendant. Abbott told police he would delete the pictures in an attempt to close the matter there. More than 30 other upskirting pictures were later found on his phone, images he had downloaded from the internet rather than take himself, the court heard. Story continues In a short police statement, the victim said: I did not give permission for anyone to take the image. I feel repulsed by these actions. Defending, Kerrie Rowan said her client was paying the price for what he described as the dumbest decision of his life. She said: These proceedings have had a significant detriment to his mental health to the point of illness. She said he was supported at court by his girlfriend of nearly three years, and was from a tight-knit family who were involved in the church, sporting clubs and the scouts. He has serious concerns about his ability to secure work in the future, the defence counsel said. His family and friends described it as a relapse of judgment from somebody who otherwise has everything going for him. The court previously heard Loughborough University graduate Abbott who spent eight years working as a project manager in banking and finance before setting up his own business a year ago found upskirting photos attractive and had shown genuine remorse for his actions. Abbott, wearing a blue suit, white shirt and tie, looked down and then nodded as he was handed the sentence. Last month, HM Courts and Tribunals service said it was conducting an investigation after the defendant was able to persuade court security to let him leave the building through the staff exit during his previous appearance last month to avoid press cameras. Watch the latest videos from Yahoo By Martinne Geller and Pei Li LONDON/BEIJING (Reuters) - Nestle plans to launch a new line of baby formula in China this year under an existing brand, targeted at smaller cities, as the world's largest packaged food company tries to lengthen its lead in the world's biggest baby milk market. The new line, discussed exclusively with Reuters, will focus on smaller provincial cities, often in China's western provinces, where greater shipping distances and lower incomes can make some imported brand goods unaffordable, though wealth there is growing. Producers of many consumer staples such as soft drinks and soap had to seek growth in the less-profitable provincial cities years ago, as China's richer eastern markets matured. But the baby milk units of Nestle, France's Danone and Reckitt Benckiser enjoyed years of prosperity mainly just targeting parents in big cities like Shanghai and Beijing, banking on their appetite for ever-pricier premium formulas and foreign brands following a domestic 2008 tainted milk scandal. Slowing growth has now made geographic expansion crucial, and new distribution models have made it easier. The big catch, however, is the intense competition and logistical hurdles they will encounter in China's $25 billion baby formula market as they run up against local players who dominate in the smaller cities - challenges that mirror those faced by Western brands across China's consumer goods sector. Liu Yufeng, a 23-year-old small business owner from Baoding city, in central Hebei province, chooses a brand made by Chinese company Bright Dairy to feed her 2-year-old daughter. She told Reuters she leans toward local brands because she feels they are more affordable and suitable for her baby's make-up. She is not alone. Some 55 percent of respondents in a survey by the User Research Institute of BabyTree, China's leading parenting website operator, said domestic brands better understood Chinese consumers. Story continues "This reflects a broader trend that indicates local brands are gaining traction among consumers in China," said Wang Lei, head of the institute. Chinese retail sales of baby formula grew 9 percent last year, according to Euromonitor International. That is down from nearly 17 percent growth in 2014, the year after China relaxed its one-child policy. Yet the scale of the country, with more than 15 million births last year, and consumers' preoccupation with quality, means it is still by far the world's most important market for baby formula. FOREIGN VS LOCAL When Zhang Yanyan, a 36-year-old civil servant from Zibo city in the central province of Shandong, needs to formula feed her 8-month-old baby, she uses a version of German brand Bebivita. "I buy foreign-made infant formula, but not ones that are original imports. Given that the make-up of Chinese children is different to foreign children, I've chosen to buy foreign-made infant formula aimed at Chinese children," she said. That balance of international brand trust and local tailoring is what Nestle is aiming for with its new line. It will come under the umbrella of one of its three existing Chinese brands - Illuma, S-26 and NAN - but will be marketed differently, Thierry Philardeau, head of its infant nutrition business, said in an interview. He did not give details but noted that adaptations in distribution and marketing would make the "sub-brand" more appropriate for its target audience. Marketers and other businesses unofficially classify China's cities into tiers based on differences in business opportunity, infrastructure, population size, income level and consumer behavior and sophistication. The major metropolises of Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen are traditionally seen as Tier 1 cities, with the following tiers made up of smaller, fast-growing cities that still boast of millions of inhabitants. Such lower-tier cities, accounted for 47 percent of the baby formula market 15 years ago, Nestle's Philardeau said, but 73 percent today. "People have more money to spend there and are catching up with the rest of China," he said. But because of different consumer demographics, he said the tone of the new line's marketing would be simpler, though the product's quality and sophistication would be comparable. "They are ready to pay a high price, but they need a more consumer-friendly communication, slightly less scientific, simpler," he said. Sub-brands are a common tactic used by marketers to take advantage of the cachet of a premium brand while selling something more affordable. In China, they are often used in lower-tier cities or rural areas, along with smaller package sizes, to make products that are more affordable. Nestle's new range, which will include products for babies of various ages, will be made at factories in China, though the company did not say where the milk would come from. Because of consumers' unique concerns around safety and quality, baby formula is much more expensive in China than in Europe. One 800 g (28 ozs) can of baby formula in China tends to cost north of $30, while a similar can costs $13 in Britain. Adam Xu, a partner at OC&C Strategy Consultants in Shanghai, said though willingness to pay high prices for baby formula was universal in China, the growth of quality national players - encouraged by the government - was making life harder for premium Western brands. LOCAL CHAMPIONS Chinese formula makers, which include Feihe International, China Mengniu Dairy and Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group, have grown stronger, amid a host of marketplace shifts including government registration requirements implemented last year that dramatically reduced the number of brands on the market. At the same time, investments by domestic players in premium brands and special formulations are helping to overcome safety concerns, said analysts at Citi Research. They predict Chinese brands could reach 53 percent market share by 2022, up from 40 percent in 2015. That is because in an overall market expected to grow about 7 percent, they see domestic brands growing 11 percent and foreign brands growing only 4 percent. Yili Group, China's largest dairy company and maker of the fifth-largest baby formula brand, told Reuters it was working on various fronts to improve its product offering through more scientific research, as well as its route to market using big data, artificial intelligence and real-time analysis. LETTING OTHERS DRIVE Multinational consumer goods companies have historically employed their own sales forces in China to service retailers, a model that is inefficient for smaller cities, said Derek Deng, a partner at management consultants Bain & Co in Shanghai. "It works fine in Tier 1, 2 cities because the density of sales is high," Deng said. "But when you go into lower-tier cities, you are facing a lot of difficulties." That is why local players tend to use third-party distributors, he said, noting that foreign firms were following suit, forming partnerships with big distributors and online players such as Alibaba and JD.com Inc. Analysts see Nestle as having the best distribution potential of its peers, since its massive scale means it has a range of goods to sell and with which to fill trucks headed for distant locales. The Swiss firm generated 7 billion Swiss francs ($6.87 billion) of sales in greater China last year, nearly 8 percent of its total, selling everything from Nescafe coffee to Yinlu peanut milk. Nonetheless, it needs to adapt. Philardeau said Nestle was also boosting its presence on online platforms such as Alibaba. Partnerships with online players have allowed British rival Reckitt Benckiser to enter 250 new Chinese cities in less than a year, compared with the more than 18 months it might have taken to enter 100 with its traditional feet-on-the-ground model. A deal with JD.com sees the e-commerce giant deliver Reckitt's goods to specialist mom-and-baby stores, where parents can pick them up, within 24 hours. (Reporting by Martinne Geller and Pei Li; Additional reporting by Silke Koltrowitz in ZURICH and Brenda Goh and SHANGHAI Newsroom and Dominique Vidalon in PARIS; Editing by Alex Richardson) By Norihiko Shirouzu BEIJING (Reuters) - Nissan Motor Co's premium division Infiniti is expected to announce a new acting global chief for the brand, the company said, after its current head, Christian Meunier, left to lead the Jeep unit of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. Nissan's chief quality officer Christian Vandenhende will oversee Infiniti's global operations effective immediately, until a new brand chief is named, Infiniti said in the statement on Tuesday. Meunier was named global chief in early January after its previous boss Roland Krueger left the Hong Kong-based brand. Meunier will take over as global president for SUV-focused Jeep effective immediately, Fiat Chrysler said in a separate statement. An Infiniti spokesman said Meunier's resignation was not related to Nissan's internal investigation into its former leader Carlos Ghosn. (Reporting by Norihiko Shirouzu; additional reporting by Uday Sampath in Bengaluru; Editing by Louise Heavens and Arun Koyyur) BELFAST (Reuters) - The leaders of Northern Ireland's main political parties met for talks on Tuesday in their first attempt in more than a year to restore the British region's devolved government, which has been frozen since early 2017. Representatives of Irish nationalists Sinn Fein and the pro-British Democratic Unionists held meetings at the Stormont parliament outside Belfast. After the meeting, Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said her party was "ready and willing to do the business" while DUP leader Arlene Foster said her party would "not be found wanting". But neither side gave any indication of what compromises they might make to break the deadlock. Power-sharing is central to Northern Ireland's 1998 peace agreement, which ended three decades of violence in the region in which some 3,600 people were killed. Attempts to find a compromise have been complicated by poor relations between Sinn Fein and the DUP, by the DUP's role in propping up British Prime Minister Theresa May's minority government in London, and by the impact on the region of the United Kingdom's planned exit from the European Union. The talks collapsed most recently in February 2018. Then Sinn Fein said it had reached an accommodation with the DUP leadership that put an agreement within reach but that the DUP had failed to close the deal and collapsed the talks. The latest push to reach a compromise has been spurred by the fatal shooting last month of 29-year-old investigative journalist Lyra McKee during rioting by militant Irish nationalists. The Irish government, which is co-guarantor of the 1998 Good Friday peace agreement for Northern Ireland, said it hoped to conclude the talks well in advance of mid-July, when annual parades often raise tensions between pro-British Protestants and Irish nationalist Catholics. (Reporting by Amanda Ferguson and Conor Humphries; Editing by Gareth Jones) Edmonton Oilers owner Daryl Katz has been battling a life-threatening sinus infection over the past few years, according to Sportsnets John Shannon. Katz has reportedly endured three surgeries over the past 10 months, and has one more scheduled. The infection has a 50 percent survival rate. There's been a lot made publicly today about how Daryl Katz looks. After asking a few questions, I can tell you he has been struggling with life threatening bacteria-resistant sinus infection over the past few years. 1/2 John Shannon (@JSportsnet) May 7, 2019 In fact, he carried an IV bag 24/7 during the playoff run, 2 seasons ago. The infection has a 50-50 survival rate. He's had 3 surgeries over the past 10 months with 1 more surgery to go. It is the primary reason why he hasnt been around Edmonton and the team. 2/2 John Shannon (@JSportsnet) May 7, 2019 The 57-year-olds illness has kept him away from the team in recent years but he was on hand to introduce Ken Holland as the Oilers new general manager Tuesday. It was Katzs change in appearance that became the focal point, however, as his name quickly became the top Twitter trend in Canada and prompted questions from fans and media alike, which were eventually answered by Shannons report. Katz purchased the Oilers in 2008 and led the charge in developing Edmontons new arena, Rogers Place, which opened its doors in 2016. Edmonton Oilers owner Daryl Katz announces the hiring of Ken Holland. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson) More NHL coverage from Yahoo Sports OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) A former oil company executive in Oklahoma has been sentenced to six years in prison for wire fraud and money laundering. Federal prosecutors say Kevin Wieck of Cromwell was sentenced Monday to 72 months after being convicted in September on 10 counts of wire fraud and five counts of money laundering. Prosecutors had sought a sentence of more than eight years for Wieck, who was owner of Wieck Oil Company. He pleaded not guilty to the charges. Wieck was also ordered to pay more than $358,000 in restitution to eight investors. Want to participate in a short research study? Help shape the future of investing tools and you could win a $250 gift card! Have you been keeping an eye on Admiral Group plc's (LON:ADM) upcoming dividend of UK0.66 per share payable on the 31 May 2019? Then you only have 1 days left before the stock starts trading ex-dividend on the 09 May 2019. Is this future income stream a compelling catalyst for dividend investors to think about the stock as an investment today? Let's take a look at Admiral Group's most recent financial data to examine its dividend characteristics in more detail. View our latest analysis for Admiral Group 5 questions I ask before picking a dividend stock If you are a dividend investor, you should always assess these five key metrics: Is their annual yield among the top 25% of dividend payers? Has it consistently paid a stable dividend without missing a payment or drastically cutting payout? Has it increased its dividend per share amount over the past? Does earnings amply cover its dividend payments? Will it have the ability to keep paying its dividends going forward? LSE:ADM Historical Dividend Yield, May 7th 2019 Does Admiral Group pass our checks? The current trailing twelve-month payout ratio for the stock is 66%, which means that the dividend is covered by earnings. In the near future, analysts are predicting a higher payout ratio of 99% which, assuming the share price stays the same, leads to a dividend yield of 5.9%. However, EPS is forecasted to fall to 1.34 in the upcoming year. Therefore, although payout is expected to increase, the fall in earnings may not equate to higher dividend income. This also brings about uncertainty around the sustainability of the payout ratio. When assessing the forecast sustainability of a dividend it is also worth considering the cash flow of the business. Companies with strong cash flow can sustain a higher payout ratio, while companies with weaker cash flow generally cannot. If there's one type of stock you want to be reliable, it's dividend stocks and their stable income-generating ability. Whilst its per-share payments have increased during the past 10 years, there has been some hiccups. Shareholders would have seen a few years of reduced payments in this time. Story continues Compared to its peers, Admiral Group produces a yield of 6.2%, which is high for Insurance stocks. Next Steps: Taking into account the dividend metrics, Admiral Group ticks most of the boxes as a strong dividend investment, putting it in my list of top dividend payers. Given that this is purely a dividend analysis, you should always research extensively before deciding whether or not a stock is an appropriate investment for you. I always recommend analysing the company's fundamentals and underlying business before making an investment decision. There are three relevant aspects you should further examine: Future Outlook: What are well-informed industry analysts predicting for ADMs future growth? Take a look at our free research report of analyst consensus for ADMs outlook. Valuation: What is ADM worth today? Even if the stock is a cash cow, it's not worth an infinite price. The intrinsic value infographic in our free research report helps visualize whether ADM is currently mispriced by the market. Other Dividend Rockstars: Are there better dividend payers with stronger fundamentals out there? Check out our free list of these great stocks here. We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned. Thank you for reading. Istanbul (AFP) - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday welcomed an order to re-run the recent Istanbul election, a move the opposition has branded an attack on democracy. His ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) lost the mayorship of Turkey's biggest city by a narrow margin and has refused to accept defeat. "We sincerely believe there was organised corruption and irregularities," Erdogan told party members in parliament on Tuesday, saying the re-run was the "best step" for the country. On Monday, Turkey's top election body annulled the results of the March 31 mayoral vote, which was won by Ekrem Imamoglu of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP). The party's leader described the seven members of the election board as "gang members" under Erdogan's control. "Those who take their power from the palace will be brought to account before history one day. We take our power from the people," CHP leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu said in a televised speech. The loss of Istanbul, the country's economic hub, was a shocking defeat for Erdogan's ruling party. The Islamic-conservative AKP and its predecessors have ruled the city for 25 years, and it was especially sensitive for Erdogan who grew up in the metropolis and rose to power after himself serving as mayor. Imamoglu, a softly-spoken former district mayor, gave a rousing speech to thousands of supporters in Istanbul late Monday, vowing they would emerge even stronger after the re-run on June 23. "Maybe you are upset but never lose your hope," he said, while thousands more took to the streets of the chic Kadikoy district to protest against the election board. "This is the collapse of the declining democracy in Turkey. The coming process is condemned to be even worse," said 60-year-old shopkeeper Ali Yamac. - 'Incomprehensible'- The international community has voiced concern. Story continues German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said Tuesday the decision to annul the election was "not transparent, and incomprehensible to us". The European Union called for the election body to produce its reasons "without delay". "Ensuring a free, fair and transparent election process is essential to any democracy and is at the heart of the European Union's relations with Turkey," EU diplomatic chief Federica Mogherini said. Paris also urged the Turkish authorities to justify the move and ensure "respect for democratic principles, pluralism, fairness, transparency and, in particular, the presence of foreign observers" in the new poll. The loss of the mayorship in Istanbul, and a more resounding defeat in the capital Ankara, was a rare setback for Erdogan and his party, reflecting widespread concerns over the deteriorating economy. Analysts say the re-run risks further eroding Turkey's international reputation, but that Istanbul's wealth makes it worth the gamble for Erdogan and his allies. "The municipality controls very large financial resources, which are channelled to AKP supporters. The loss of Istanbul would weaken the party machine," Emre Erdogan, professor of political science at Istanbul's Bilgi University, told AFP. Erdogan's party still won the most seats nationwide, but has been hurt by the first recession in a decade, as well as record-high inflation and a currency that has lost more than 12 percent of its value against the dollar this year alone. His critics say he has eroded rights by cracking down on dissent at home but for his supporters maintains the image of a strong leader who speaks up for Turkey in the international arena. The defeated mayoral candidate, former prime minister Binali Yildirim, a close Erdogan ally, said he hoped the re-run would "be beneficial for our city". The US-based think tank the Soufan Center said the YSK decision brought "serious concerns" for the future of democracy in Turkey. "Given restrictions on freedom of speech and Turkey's increasingly less independent judiciary, the recent election meddling is a clear signal to the Turkish people, and the world, that Erdogan is willing to pursue absolute power at any cost." Istanbul (AFP) - The Turkish opposition candidate stripped of his mayoral post after a controversial order to re-run the Istanbul vote was holding talks with his party leader on Tuesday to discuss strategy. Ekrem Imamoglu, who won the disputed vote in Istanbul by a narrow margin in the March 31 local election, met with Republican People's Party (CHP) Kemal Kilicdaroglu and will later meet Good Party leader Meral Aksener, the CHP said. The talks come a day after Turkey's top election body, the Supreme Electoral Council (YSK), called for a replay of the Istanbul election after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's ruling party complained of "irregularities" and "organised crime". The loss of Istanbul, the country's economic hub and largest city, had been a shocking defeat for the Justice and Development Party (AKP). The party and its predecessors have ruled the city for 25 years. Imamoglu, a softly-spoken former district mayor, gave the opposition new hope after his stunning win in Istanbul. His narrow victory has been especially sensitive for Erdogan, who grew up in the metropolis and rose to power as premier and then president after also serving as mayor of Istanbul. In his speech, Imamoglu however vowed he would not give up but emerge even stronger. "Maybe you are upset but never lose your hope," he told thousands of his supporters in the Beylikduzu district on Istanbul's outskirts, where he was previously mayor. The loss of the mayorship in Istanbul, and a more resounding defeat in the capital Ankara, reflected widespread concern over the deteriorating economy. The defeated mayoral candidate, former prime minister Binali Yildirim, a strong Erdogan ally, said he hoped the re-run would "be beneficial for our city". The European Union said on Monday the justification for the "far-reaching decision" made by the election body "should be made available for public scrutiny without delay". "Ensuring a free, fair and transparent election process is essential to any democracy and is at the heart of the European Union's relations with Turkey," EU diplomatic chief Federica Mogherini said in a statement. By Steve Scherer OTTAWA, May 7 (Reuters) - Canada's opposition leader on Tuesday attacked Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for being too soft on China and said there needs to be a "total reset" on relations with the Asian powerhouse. Conservative Party leader Andrew Scheer spoke amid an escalating diplomatic dispute that has followed Canada's arrest of Huawei Technologies Co Ltd Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou on behalf of the United States in December. After Meng's arrest, China demanded her release and Chinese police later detained two Canadian citizens. Now the country has started to block some imports of Canadian canola and pork. Scheer, 39, said he would file a formal complaint against China at the World Trade Organization and end a C$250 million investment in the Chinese-owned Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank "if their trade blockades persist." "If this government isn't willing to stand up to China when two Canadians are unlawfully imprisoned and billions of dollars in trade is under attack, it never will," Scheer told supporters in Montreal. "I will not allow Chinese state-owned enterprises, solely focused on the political interests of Beijing, unfettered access to the Canadian market," he added. "Canada's relationship with China needs a total reset. Nothing can happen until such time." Scheer spoke just five months ahead of what is shaping up to be a tight election race against his rival, Liberal Prime Minister Trudeau. Trudeau has not filed a WTO complaint or said whether or not Huawei technology can be used for construction of an ultra-fast 5G wireless network. Recently, Canada has been leaning on the United States to do more to help settle the dispute. Liberal lawmaker Pablo Rodriguez said Scheer "would put Canada's economy and our place in the world at risk with his reckless and divisive foreign policy." Scheer's 11-page speech was the first of five that he has said he will deliver in coming weeks on issues including the economy and immigration. Since taking over as leader of the federal Conservatives in 2017, Scheer has struggled to become a household name. Story continues Now he is trying to build on the slim lead that he has on Trudeau in opinion polls. On Tuesday, a Nanos Research poll showed 34.5 percent of Canadians preferred Scheer compared with 31.8 percent for Trudeau. The Meng arrest has sandwiched Canada between the United States and China amid an escalating trade dispute. While the United States is Canada's closest historical ally, Trudeau has had a rocky relationship with President Donald Trump, especially during North American trade talks last year. Scheer, on the other hand, appeared to reach out to Trump in saying he would be willing to join the ballistic missile defense program and "modernize" the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) if elected. "The Canada-United States relationship transcends the personalities of those who occupy each respective office. And its longevity is crucial to our respective peace and prosperity," Scheer said. "It must be strengthened." (Reporting by Steve Scherer) Baywatch actor Pamela Anderson has once again expressed her support for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, referring to him as the worlds most innocent man. The 51-year-old star has been a long-term advocate for Assanges cause and shared her message of support on social media after visiting him at Belmarsh Prison in London. She arrived at the prison wrapped in a grey blanket, emblazoned with words including gagged and free speech. US actress Pamela Anderson speaks to the media outside Belmarsh Prison in south-east London, after visiting WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, Tuesday May 7, 2019. (Gareth Fuller/PA via AP) Read more: Assange jailed for breaching bail Anderson later told her Twitter followers that the 47-year-old activist is treated as the worlds most dangerous man in order to make him a criminal, without him ever having done anything whatever wrong. She added: This is misrule of law in operation - the worlds most famous victim. "People don't even know why they're mad at him. They say he's bad. Justice depends on public opinion." Julian Assange is the worlds most innocent man. pic.twitter.com/wC1NPDjJAG Pamela Anderson (@pamfoundation) May 7, 2019 Assange is currently serving 50 weeks in prison for a bail violation, but faces extradition to the USA, where he would be questioned about his actions surrounding the WikiLeaks release of American state secrets. He had spent almost seven years living in the Ecuadorian embassy in London, after the country granted him asylum in August 2012. Read more: Anderson calls UK Americas b***h over Assange arrest His asylum was withdrawn in April and police were invited into the embassy to arrest Assange, who may also face a reopened investigation into sexual assault allegations in Sweden. Detail of the wording on the shawl worn by US actress Pamela Anderson as she leaves Belmarsh Prison in south-east London after visiting WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. At a preliminary hearing to discuss Assange's possible extradition to the USA, he told Westminster Magistrates Court: "I do not wish to surrender myself for extradition for doing journalism that has won many awards and protected many people." Story continues Anderson was accompanied on her visit to Belmarsh by WikiLeaks editor Kristinn Hrafnsson. She is the first person to visit Assange in prison, other than his legal advisers. This continues a long-term bond between the two that led to Anderson serving as a confidante for Assange during his years holed up in the embassy. Park-Ohio (PKOH) came out with quarterly earnings of $1.01 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.98 per share. This compares to earnings of $0.93 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items. This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of 3.06%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this industrial supply-chain logistics company would post earnings of $0.88 per share when it actually produced earnings of $1.20, delivering a surprise of 36.36%. Over the last four quarters, the company has surpassed consensus EPS estimates four times. Park-Ohio, which belongs to the Zacks Metal Products - Fasteners industry, posted revenues of $420.10 million for the quarter ended March 2019, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.02%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $405.70 million. The company has topped consensus revenue estimates three times over the last four quarters. The sustainability of the stock's immediate price movement based on the recently-released numbers and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's commentary on the earnings call. Park-Ohio shares have added about 20.6% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's gain of 17.5%. What's Next for Park-Ohio? While Park-Ohio has outperformed the market so far this year, the question that comes to investors' minds is: what's next for the stock? There are no easy answers to this key question, but one reliable measure that can help investors address this is the company's earnings outlook. Not only does this include current consensus earnings expectations for the coming quarter(s), but also how these expectations have changed lately. Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions. Investors can track such revisions by themselves or rely on a tried-and-tested rating tool like the Zacks Rank, which has an impressive track record of harnessing the power of earnings estimate revisions. Story continues Ahead of this earnings release, the estimate revisions trend for Park-Ohio was mixed. While the magnitude and direction of estimate revisions could change following the company's just-released earnings report, the current status translates into a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to perform in line with the market in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. It will be interesting to see how estimates for the coming quarters and current fiscal year change in the days ahead. The current consensus EPS estimate is $1.16 on $444.70 million in revenues for the coming quarter and $4.43 on $1.72 billion in revenues for the current fiscal year. Investors should be mindful of the fact that the outlook for the industry can have a material impact on the performance of the stock as well. In terms of the Zacks Industry Rank, Metal Products - Fasteners is currently in the top 40% of the 250 plus Zacks industries. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Park-Ohio Holdings Corp. (PKOH) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Washington (AFP) - The United States and China last year exchanged $737.1 billion in goods and services. Below is a breakdown on trade between the world's top two economies. Major markets China is the third-largest export market for US goods after Canada and Mexico. It is also the third-ranked buyer of US services after Britain and Canada. The United States and Europe together are by far the largest buyers of Chinese goods. US trade deficit In 2018, the United States recorded a trade deficit of $378.7 billion with China -- a 12.8 percent increase from the prior year. Merchandise Last year, Americans exported $120.3 billion in goods to the Asian giant -- a 7.4 percent decline from 2017. At the same time, the US imported $539.5 billion in Chinese-made goods, a 6.7 percent increase, according to the US Commerce Department. Major US exports to China include jet aircraft ($18 billion), machinery ($14 billion), electrical appliances ($13 billion), and medical and optical instruments ($9.8 billion), as well as new and used cars ($9.4 billion). The United States also exported about $3.4 billion in soy beans. The world's largest economy imported a vast array of goods from China, chief among them electrical machinery ($152 billion), appliances ($117 billion), furniture ($35 billion), and toys and sporting items ($27 billion), as well as televisions, mobile telephones, computers, telecommunications equipment and digital accessories. Services The United States actually ran a $40.4 billion surplus in services with China last year, with American businesses charging for the use of trademarks, software and for transportation, among other areas. China exports travel as well as research and development services. Jobs Exports to China support more than 1.1 million American jobs, according to the US-China Chamber of Commerce. Some critics, including White House trade adviser Peter Navarro, argue that offshoring of manufacturing has cost the United States millions of jobs since China became a member of the World Trade Organization in 2001. Story continues But most economists say the relationship between trade and jobs is less clear: the United States is now at or near full employment despite running a record trade deficit with China. The dilemma is that jobs lost tend to be concentrated in particular factories and towns, while jobs gained are spread throughout the US economy. US states that export Most US states have seen their exports to China rise over the last decade, even though the trade war caused sales to drop last year, according to the US-China Chamber of Commerce. For 44 of the 50 US states, China is a top-five export market for goods and services. Tariffs on Chinese goods Washington on Friday plans to more than double tariffs on $200 billion in Chinese imports, including electrical machinery, television equipment, furniture, autos and plastics. * LGBT activist was questioned by police * Catholics angered by posters of Virgin Mary with rainbow * Activists demand full freedom of expression * LGBT rights an issue ahead of EU, Polish elections By Alan Charlish and Anna Wlodarczak-Semczuk WARSAW, May 7 (Reuters) - Hundreds of Polish gay rights activists staged a protest rally on Tuesday evening over the brief detention of a woman who posted images near a church of the Virgin Mary with her halo painted to resemble the rainbow flag of the LGBT community. Elzbieta Podlesna was questioned for almost five hours on Monday after police raided her home in Warsaw, the daily Gazeta Wyborcza reported. She remains free but could face up to two years in prison if charged with offending religious beliefs. The prosecutor in charge of the case has so far said only that Podlesna is a suspect in an ongoing investigation. The case highlights divisions within devoutly Catholic Poland ahead of European and national parliamentary elections in which the conservative ruling Law and Justice Party (PiS) party hopes to make LGBT rights a battleground with the more liberal opposition. "It's important because we see an attack on LGBT people and queer people, but also because it is aimed at activists, they just want to scare us," said one protester, Anna Pietrucha, 26, who held a poster of the Virgin Mary with the rainbow. A police officer on the scene filmed protesters. Asked why he was filming them, he refused to comment and said the question should be addressed to a police spokesman, who could not immediately be reached for comment. "Unfortunately they are doing this at every democratic protest for three years now and that is because they are trying to gather any evidence that could be useful in any way," said Agata Diduszko-Zyglewska, an activist and city councilor. "BRAIN-WASHED IDIOTS" Some passers-by were critical of the protest. "Those people are brain-washed idiots," said George Grunwald, a 60-year-old musician who had been involved in a verbal altercation with some of the protesters. Story continues "Poland has been a Catholic country for many many years," he said, adding that he believed left-wing groups were organizing such protests to create "any kind of chaos in Poland." The posters, which first appeared last month in the city of Plock, have outraged many Catholics, especially as they feature the Black Madonna of Czestochowa -- for Poles, the most revered image of the Virgin Mary. They have been strongly condemned by Poland's Catholic bishops and other religious conservatives. "No stories about freedom and "tolerance" give ANYBODY the right to offend the feelings of believers," PiS interior minister Joachim Brudzinski said on Twitter. Gazeta Wyborcza reported that the church in Plock had previously used a symbolic tomb of Christ -- an Easter tradition in Polish churches -- to convey a message opposing lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights. Barbora Cernusakova of rights group Amnesty International criticized the detention of Podlesna. "Restricting activists from freely expressing their views in the country is unlawful and must stop immediately," she said. LGBT rights have become an electoral issue in Poland after the nationalist PiS condemned a new sex education program for schools in opposition-ruled Warsaw, saying it infringed traditional values. It hopes that focusing on cultural issues will help shore up its core vote in a country where roughly 90 percent of the 38 million population identify as Catholics and some 12 million attend mass every Sunday. PiS is popular in small towns and rural areas of Poland but less so in major urban centers. Gay marriage is illegal in Poland and homosexual partnerships are not legally recognized. (Reporting by Alan Charlish and Anna Wlodarczak-Semczuk, additional reporting by Pawel Florkiewicz, Editing by Catherine Evans and Gareth Jones) Baghdad (AFP) - US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo landed in Baghdad late Tuesday on an unannounced visit, an Iraqi government source told AFP, cancelling a trip to Germany amid escalating US-Iran tensions. The source, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the high security nature of the visit, said Pompeo was set to meet Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi. The visit comes two days after the US announced it was dispatching an aircraft carrier strike group and bomber task force to the Middle East to send a "clear and unmistakeable" message to Iran. National Security Advisor John Bolton said the deployment was in response to a "number of troubling and escalatory indications and warnings," but did not elaborate. "The United States is not seeking war with the Iranian regime, but we are fully prepared to respond to any attack, whether by proxy, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, or regular Iranian forces," he said. Pompeo had been en route to Germany but suddenly cancelled the trip due to "pressing issues," the State Department said, without elaborating where he was heading. But in response to a question about threats from Iran or its proxies on US forces in Iraq, the top US diplomat mentioned both Iraq and Jordan. "As Secretary of State I have a responsibility to keep the officers that work for me safe each and every day all around the world. That includes in Erbil and Baghdad, in our facilities in Amman, all around the Middle East," he said. "And so any time we receive threat reporting, things that raise concerns, we do everything... that we can to make sure that those planned or contemplated attacks don't take place, and to make sure that we've got the right security posture," he said. Pompeo had been traveling from Finland, where he had attended a meeting of the Arctic Council. He was due to meet both Chancellor Angela Merkel and Foreign Minister Heiko Maas later Tuesday in Germany. Baghdad (AFP) - Iraq has promised to guarantee the safety of US interests from Iran, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Tuesday as he paid a surprise trip to Baghdad where he accused Tehran of planning "imminent" attacks. The top US diplomat's unannounced visit marked an effort to stand up Washington's ties with Baghdad as it pushes ahead with its "maximum pressure" against Tehran -- a US arch-rival, but an ally of Iraq. Pompeo abruptly cancelled talks in Germany and made a lengthy detour from a European tour to spend four hours in Iraq, where he met both President Barham Saleh and Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi. "We talked to them about the importance of Iraq ensuring that it's able to adequately protect Americans in their country," Pompeo told reporters after the meetings. "They both provided assurances that they understood that was their responsibility," he said. Pompeo said he made the trip because Iranian forces are "escalating their activity" and said the threat of attacks were "very specific". "These were attacks that were imminent," Pompeo said. He declined to go into further detail on the alleged plot, which has been met with scepticism in numerous quarters, with leading Democratic lawmakers fearing that President Donald Trump's administration is seeking to spark a war with Iran. In the latest US move, the Pentagon said it was sending several massive, nuclear-capable B-52s to the region. The deployment was in response to "recent and clear indications that Iranian and Iranian proxy forces were making preparations to possibly attack US forces," the Pentagon said. On Sunday, Washington announced it was dispatching an aircraft carrier strike group to the Middle East as national security advisor John Bolton warned Iran that Washington would respond with "unrelenting force" to any attack by Tehran, including by its regional allies. Story continues - Pressure on Shiite militias - Iraq's majority Shiite population enjoys religious kinship with Iran, which played a significant role in helping Baghdad to fight the Islamic State extremist movement. President Hassan Rouhani paid an official visit to Iraq in March, where he denounced pressure from the "aggressor" United States, which deposed Iran's arch-enemy Saddam Hussein in a 2003 invasion. Pompeo, whose trip to Iraq is his second this year, said he spoke at length about Iran's influence with Shiite militias. "We've urged the Iraqi government for its own security to get all of those forces under Iraqi central control," Pompeo said. "In each of those meetings, those two leaders promised that that was their objective, too, they were moving towards that goal," he said. In Iraq, a debate has been raging in recent months over the fate of some 5,200 US troops stationed across the country. Their presence angers the Hashed al-Shaabi, a paramilitary force that is dominated by pro-Iran factions which played a key role alongside government forces in the fight against IS. In a press conference a few hours before Pompeo's arrival, Abdel Mahdi said Iraq would not accept any attack on foreign troops on its land. "Iraq really is taking the responsibility to avoid any attack on any of our friends here, coalition forces or any of our friends here," he told reporters. "This is an obligation that Iraq would honour, (and) not accept any attack on anyone -- whether Iraqi, foreigner, whether it's an embassy or a company or a military mission," he said. - Eve of anniversary - The Trump administration has imposed sweeping sanctions on Iran, including trying to stop all exports of its oil, although it has issued a waiver for energy-starved Iraq to keep buying power from its neighbour. Iranian media have said that Rouhani will announce retaliatory measures on Wednesday to mark the anniversary of Trump's pullout from a 2015 nuclear accord under which Tehran drastically scaled back its sensitive work. With the imposition of US sanctions, Iran has grown increasingly frustrated that it has not seen the fruits of the agreement, with which UN inspectors say it is complying. Pompeo had been travelling from Finland, where he had attended a meeting of the Arctic Council, to Germany, where he was due to meet both Chancellor Angela Merkel and Foreign Minister Heiko Maas later Tuesday. Germany has wide disagreements with the Trump administration and along with other European nations still supports the 2015 nuclear deal negotiated under former US president Barack Obama. German parliamentary foreign affairs committee chair Norbert Roettgen said that "even if the reasons for the rejection are unavoidable, it unfortunately fits in with the current climate in the relationship between the two governments". But Pompeo said that Maas was "most gracious" in a telephone call in which he told him he would scrap the visit. Pompeo, who returns to Europe for talks Wednesday in London, said he would try to reschedule his trip "as soon as we possibly could". WASHINGTON, May 7 (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made an unannounced visit to Baghdad on Tuesday and met with the Iraqi prime minister after telling reporters the United States was concerned about Iraqi sovereignty because of increasing Iranian activity. "I wanted to go to Baghdad to speak with the leadership there, to assure them that we stood ready to continue to ensure that Iraq is a sovereign, independent nation," Pompeo told reporters en route to Baghdad to meet with Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi. (Reporting by Eric Beech; Editing by David Alexander) BERLIN (AP) A planned meeting in Germany between U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Chancellor Angela Merkel was canceled at the last minute, according to the U.S. State Department Tuesday. Pompeo was due to meet Merkel and German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas in Berlin but State Department spokesman Morgon Ortagus said the talks needed to be rescheduled due to "pressing issues," without elaborating further. "We look forward to rescheduling this important set of meetings," Ortagus said in a statement. "The secretary looks forward to being in Berlin soon." Merkel's office confirmed the cancellation "by the American side" but referred other questions to the U.S. Embassy, which had no further comment. Maas said he had talked with Pompeo by telephone, and they had agreed to find another time for a meeting soon. Pompeo has been taking part in a meeting of the Arctic Council in Finland. It wasn't immediately clear where he would be heading next. Skopje (Republic of North Macedonia) (AFP) - Pope Francis urged the Balkans to embrace its patchwork of faiths and ethnicities during his visit to North Macedonia on Tuesday, where he delivered prayers and speeches that kept returning to the legacy of an illustrious Skopje native: Mother Teresa. The pontiff was welcomed with yellow billboards and buses bearing pictures of his smiling face during his one-day stop in the mainly Orthodox Christian country. Catholics make up a small sliver -- less than one percent -- of the 2.1 million population, which also includes a large Muslim minority that is ethnic Albanian. Addressing political leaders in the morning, Francis praised the "crucible of cultures and ethnic and religious identities" in "your land, a bridge between East and West". North Macedonia's diversity, which reflects the mix of communities in the wider Western Balkan region, is a "mosaic in which every piece is essential for the uniqueness and beauty of the whole", he added. The pontiff said "unfailing respect for diversity" was key to the entire region's "increased integration with the nations of Europe." All the Western Balkan countries are trying to join the European Union, which if it happens would soften the hard borders drawn between them during Yugoslavia's bloody collapse the 1990s. North Macedonia itself averted the inter-ethnic wars that shattered much of the region along communal lines. But the landlocked country was brought to the brink in 2001 during a brief Albanian insurgency. - 'Great woman' - On Tuesday people of all faiths filled Skopje's main square for the mid-morning mass led by the pope, who had arrived after a visit to Bulgaria, another country where the Orthodox church dominates. Believers from the region, including some from mainly Catholic Croatia, were also among the thousands-strong crowd, waving their country's flags under sunny skies. Story continues "For me this is a historic visit, not only for Catholics but also for us Orthodox, Muslims and all others living in North Macedonia," said 18-year-old Filip Etmisovski, who arrived early for a spot in the square. Bishop Kiro Stojanov of Skopje thanked the Pope for coming to meet "the small Catholic community that lives in the diaspora." In his homily, the Pope urged his audience to follow in the footsteps of Mother Teresa, who loved "the despised, the unloved, the lonely and the forgotten." The celebrated nun was born to an Albanian family in Skopje in 1910, when it was part of the Ottoman empire. Though she spent most of her life devoted to the poorest of the poor in Calcutta, her legacy is visible in her birthplace in the form of statues, memorials and a highway in her name. "You are rightly proud of this great woman," Francis told political leaders. He also delivered a prayer and blessed the poor at a memorial dedicated to the nun whom Francis canonised as a saint in 2016. "She became the prayerful cry of the poor and of all those who hunger and thirst for justice," he told a gathering of leaders from the Catholic, Orthodox, Muslim, Jewish and Methodist faiths. - New name - Prime Minister Zoran Zaev, who is leading his country's push to join the EU, welcomed the pope's call for unity during a time of bitter political divisions. "For me the message from the Pope is that we should continue build bridges for understanding and reconciliation," he said. The pope's visit came shortly Zaev's government changed the country's name from Macedonia to North Macedonia, ending a decades-old row with neighbouring Greece. The move helped clear Skopje's path to join NATO and the EU. But it upset critics who felt they had been robbed of a piece of their national identity. burs-ssm/ach By Philip Pullella ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE, May 7 (Reuters) - Pope Francis said on Tuesday more study was needed on the role of women deacons in the early Christian Church, which eventually could affect decisions on the role of women today. Speaking to reporters on the plane returning from a trip to Bulgaria and North Macedonia, Francis was asked about the results of a commission he set up nearly three years ago on the topic. Deacons, like priests, are ordained ministers, and as in the priesthood, must be men in today's Church. They may not celebrate Mass, but they may preach, teach in the name of the Church, baptize and conduct wake and funeral services. Scholars have debated the precise role of women deacons in the early Church. Some say they ministered only to other women, such as at immersion rites at baptism and to inspect the bodies of women in cases where Christian men were accused of domestic violence and brought before Church tribunals. Others scholars believe women deacons in the early Church were fully ordained and on a par with the male deacons at the time. "All the conclusions were different. They (the commission members) worked together but were in agreement only up to a certain point. Each has their own vision and it is not in accord with that of others," Francis said. "So they stopped working as a commission and they are studying how to move forward (individually)," he said. The commission was made up of six women and six men under a president who is a bishop. Nearly all of the members are theologians and university professors. Of the six women, two are nuns and four are lay women. The Church did have women deacons in the early part of its history but the pope said it still was not clear if they had been sacramentally ordained, as male deacons were. "That's still not clear," he said. "Some say there are doubts, and more study should be done. So far there is nothing (definitive)." Story continues The Church did away with female deacons altogether in later centuries. Francis and his predecessors have ruled out allowing women to become priests. But advocates of women priests say a ruling that women in the early Church were ordained ministers might eventually make it easier for a future pope to study the possibility of women priests. (Reporting by Philip Pullella Editing by Tom Brown ) JOHANNESBURG (AP) Perhaps nowhere in today's South Africa is the country's inequality on more dramatic display than in the neighboring Johannesburg suburbs of Sandton and Alexandra. With its gleaming high-rises and lush estates, Sandton is known as Africa's richest square mile. Alexandra, a onetime home to Nelson Mandela, is a squalid, cramped and crime-infested black township. Many of its residents stream into Sandton every day on a bridge over a highway to work in upscale shops or homes. Angry protests flared in Alexandra last month, stoked in part by campaigning for Wednesday's national election but mostly by the frustration that South Africa should look far different than the country of haves and have-nots that it has become. Many voters believe the ruling African National Congress has lost its way since Mandela won the first post-apartheid presidential election in 1994, and that belief threatens the ANC's absolute majority grip on power. The ANC has been shaken by widespread allegations of corruption that saw former President Jacob Zuma forced out a year ago, and many South Africans feel the party can no longer coast on its legacy of fighting the brutal system of apartheid. Unemployment in the country of 56 million people soars past 25%. There are tire-burning protests almost every day over the lack of basic services like working toilets in mostly black neighborhoods. Whites still hold much of the wealth and private levers of power, while blacks trim their lawns and clean their homes. "We find virtually no whites living below the middle class," Fazila Farouk and Murray Leibbrandt with the Southern Africa Labor and Development Research Unit wrote last year. "Whites have, in fact, comfortably improved their economic status in post-apartheid South Africa because our economy channels such a big share of national income to the top 10%." Half of South Africans are in households with per capita income of 1,149 rand ($90) or less a month, they wrote, with little chance to change their fortunes despite working hard as maids or security guards. Story continues "Put bluntly, they're stuck," Farouk and Leibbrandt concluded. Thembeni Manana, an activist who works with the Greater Alexandra Chamber of Commerce, knows the feeling well, describing the inequality that residents of Alexandra feel when then cross the highway bridge into upscale Sandton. "The air in Sandton is so fresh, you could swear they have air-cons outside," Manana said, referring to the air-conditioned high-rises in the wealthy enclave. "When you come back to Alex, yo! A most disgusting smell! A sewer that's overflowing, rats all over the road." The 28-year-old helped coordinate last month's protests, saying that the challenges in righting the inequality are more than cosmetic, more than huddling through power outages in Alexandra while the Sandton skyline glows, unaffected. "With us, we decided enough is enough. We want to challenge the system," she added. She delivered a rapid-fire list of demands: Schools in Alexandra should have a ratio of 30 children per teacher instead of 70. Street vendors should be allowed to supply grocery store chains, giving them access to the wider economy. Children should be able grow up with both parents in homes that have more than one room, allowing for privacy. The World Bank says South Africa is the most unequal nation on the planet, a fact that former President F.W. de Klerk, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, called "the deepest national shame." It's cutting criticism by someone who oversaw the end of a system that chilled much of the world by segregating its people by the color of their skin. Current President Cyril Ramaphosa, a Mandela protege, doesn't shy away from the critique. "Ours is still a deeply unequal country," he acknowledged last month in marking 25 years since the end of apartheid . South Africa's "disturbing" wealth inequality is even more striking than its income disparity, and it threatens democratic values, according to a committee that explored the idea of a wealth tax. Such a tax might help but likely would not change the social relations that create inequality, said Aroop Chatterjee of the Southern Center for Inequality Studies at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg. As Ramaphosa wages war on corruption within an ANC divided into the allies of Zuma, the former president, and those who want reform, public exasperation grows and populist movements simmer . Grievances like those cited by Manana are not limited to Alexandra but exist in many of South Africa's black townships, and Wednesday's election likely will reflect the weariness of asking again and again for change. While South Africa was famous for its long lines of voters in the first post-apartheid election 25 years ago, the sense of national apathy is an ominous sign for the ANC. "I think people are just tired of voting," Manana said. "They realize the character of the political parties, only out to play during election time," and then disappear until the next balloting five years later, she said. ___ Follow Africa news at https://twitter.com/AP_Africa President Trump, who made regulatory reform a priority early in his term, claims to have reduced federal regulatory burdens by $23 billion in fiscal year 2018. Thats the good news. The bad news is that he has hinted at declaring premature victory and given indications of abandoning the issue altogether. After losing the House in the 2018 elections, congressional Republicans may have blown their best chance in decades at passing significant regulatory-reform legislation. It may be years before they have another opportunity. What can reformers do until then? One patch of fertile ground is addressing what we term regulatory dark matter interpretive rules and policy statements that do not go through the public notice-and-comment requirement that applies to ordinary regulations, yet still carry regulatory weight. There is much that the executive branch can do on its own here. Dark matter can take the form of guidance documents, memoranda, notices, circulars, or even press releases indicating a policy change, such as Labor Department designation of independent contractors. Guidance is not supposed to be legally binding on citizens, or even the issuing agency, yet as the Administrative Conference of the United States has detailed, those who are regulated by agencies have reason to feel obliged to comply with the policy content of such pronouncements. There is a serious lack of transparency and accountability for guidance. The amount of guidance is unknown and defies official attempts to inventory it all. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) recently attempted to confront the guidance issue ironically, by issuing a guidance document. The directive reinforces existing requirements for agencies to report and submit both rules and guidance to Congress and the Government Accountability Office for potential disapproval, as required under the Congressional Review Act a requirement that some agencies have been ignoring. This is an important development to build upon. Further executive actions should extend existing transparency requirements to independent agencies, which are those below cabinet level. These are currently exempt from OMB regulatory review, yet they produce a lot of rules. Story continues Annual regulatory-agency report cards, similar to the ones that we compile in our new report, Ten Thousand Commandments, should be standard procedure, and could be established via executive order. These would contain summary information, such as the amount of both rules and guidance an agency issued during the year (and at what cost), how many of those rules underwent cost-benefit analysis, plans for upcoming rules, and more. The report cards should be in a standardized, easily searchable format and made publicly available in a central location such as OMBs website. Another executive order could implement a regulatory cost budget, which would build on early Trump executive orders implementing a one-in, two-out requirement for new regulations and a zero-net-new-costs policy. Just as the government compiles an annual spending budget, there needs to be greater accountability for rules and the costs they impose. To that end, another executive order should reaffirm the Regulatory Right-to-Know Acts unfulfilled requirement that the federal government prepare an annual aggregate cost estimate. Based on various sources, including available government data, we arrive at a ballpark cost figure of $2 trillion annually as a placeholder for federal regulatory compliance and economic drag. At that level, if the regulatory state were its own country, it would be the worlds ninth-largest economy, ranking behind India and ahead of Canada. Thats a cost of more than $14,000 per U.S. household, more than any other expense except housing. Even with a slowdown in the pace of new rulemaking, agencies still issued 3,368 new regulations in 2018, though this time several hundred were deemed deregulatory in nature. Some 3,534 regulations are currently in various stages of the pipeline. These figures do not include dark matter, which by its nature is more difficult to quantify or outright non-quantifiable. To give an idea of scale, agencies issued 22,025 notices last year. Congress has shown interest in executive-branch transparency in matters concerning Trump himself. It should extend that interest to regulatory agencies over which President Trump wields power. For its part, the administration should pursue regulatory transparency and accountability reform to help economic growth continue. Even if President Trump were to become distracted by higher-profile issues, his early regulatory reforms have contributed to the nations current healthy economic growth. He should expand on that success and encourage Congress to join in after all, theyre incumbents, too. Wayne Crews is the vice president for policy at the Competitive Enterprise Institute and the author of the new 2019 edition of Ten Thousand Commandments: An Annual Snapshot of the Federal Regulatory State. Ryan Young is a senior fellow at CEI. More from National Review By Peter Nicholls WINDSOR, England, May 7 (Reuters) - A day after the birth of their baby boy to a global fanfare, Prince Harry and his wife Meghan on Tuesday were considering names for the newest member of the British royal family and when to show him off to the world. Meghan gave birth in the early hours of Monday morning to the boy, the seventh-in-line to the British throne, leaving his father, Queen Elizabeth's grandson, and royal fans across the world thrilled and enthralled. "I am so incredibly proud of my wife and, as every father and parent would ever say your baby is absolutely amazing, this little thing is absolutely to die for," Harry said. Few details about the birth have been released by Buckingham Palace with the announcement itself a mix of traditional and modernity which many say the baby himself represents, being the first mixed race child to be born into a senior position in British royalty in recent history. The news was relayed on an ceremonial easel outside the palace having already been splashed "It's a Boy!" on the couple's Instagram account, attracting more than 2.6 million "likes." It was not clear whether the birth took place at the couple's home, Frogmore Cottage on the estate of Windsor Castle where they married in a lavish ceremony in May last year, or if Meghan had been rushed to a London hospital as a number of British newspapers reported. So far, Harry and his aides have merely confirmed the boy weighed 7 lbs 3oz (3.26 kg) and that Meghan and the couple's first child were both healthy and well. Celebrities and world leaders were among those to send in messages of congratulations to the couple, a reflection of the star status of Harry, 34, and former U.S. actress Meghan, 37. "Congratulations, Meghan and Harry! Barack and I are so thrilled for both of you and can't wait to meet him," former U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama said on Twitter. Story continues Harry and Meghan decided to eschew the recent royal tradition of posing for photographs with their new baby hours after the birth, leaving the world's media and royal fans waiting for a first glimpse of the boy who is entitled to both British and American citizenship. "We'll be seeing you guys in probably two days time, as planned, as a family to share it with you guys and so everyone can see the baby," Harry told reporters on Monday. "We're still thinking about names," Harry said. "The baby's a little bit overdue so we've had a little bit of time to think about it ... that's the next bit." Bookmakers have James, Alexander, Albert, Philip, and Arthur as the favorite names, although other suggestions include Spencer, which was the surname of Harry's late mother Princess Diana. The baby, the eighth great-grandchild of 93-year-old Elizabeth, the world's longest-reigning monarch, will not automatically be a prince or a princess or be known as "His Royal Highness" unless the queen issues a decree. However, when Elizabeth is succeeded by Harry's father Prince Charles, royal rules mean the boy would then have such titles. "It's been the most amazing experience I could ever possibly imagine," Harry said. "How any woman does what they do is beyond comprehension." ( Writing by Michael Holden; editing by Guy Faulconbridge and Alexandra Hudson) By Peter Nicholls WINDSOR, England (Reuters) - Senior members of the British royal family said on Tuesday they were delighted and thrilled at the birth of Prince Harry and Meghan's baby as the couple considered a name for their son. Meghan gave birth in the early hours of Monday morning to the boy, the seventh-in-line to the British throne, leaving his father, Queen Elizabeth's grandson, and royal fans across the world enthralled. "We couldn't be more delighted at the news and we're looking forward to meeting the baby when we return," Prince Charles, the baby's grandfather and heir-to-the-throne, said to well-wishers while on a trip to Berlin. Harry's elder brother Prince William and his wife Kate said they were absolutely thrilled at the news. "I'm very pleased and glad to welcome my own brother to the sleep deprivation society that is parenting," he said. "I hope the next few days they can settle down and enjoy having a newborn in their family and all the joys that come with that." Kate added: "As William said, we're looking forward to meeting him and find out what his name's going to be so it's really exciting for both of them." So far, Harry and his aides have merely confirmed the boy weighed 7 lb 3oz (3.26 kg) and that Meghan and the couple's first child were both healthy and well. "I am so incredibly proud of my wife and, as every father and parent would ever say your baby is absolutely amazing, this little thing is absolutely to die for," Harry said on Monday. Few details about the birth have been released by Buckingham Palace with the announcement itself a mix of traditional and modernity which many say the baby himself represents, being the first mixed race child to be born into a senior position in British royalty in recent history. The news was relayed on a ceremonial easel outside the palace after "It's a Boy!" was trumpeted on the couple's Instagram account, attracting more than 2.6 million "likes". Story continues It was not clear whether the birth took place at the couple's home, Frogmore Cottage on the estate of Windsor Castle where they married in a lavish ceremony in May last year, or if Meghan had been rushed to a London hospital as a number of British newspapers reported. CONGRATULATIONS FLOOD IN Celebrities and world leaders were among those to send messages, a reflection of the star status of Harry, 34, and former U.S. actress Meghan, 37. "Congratulations, Meghan and Harry! Barack and I are so thrilled for both of you and can't wait to meet him," former U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama said on Twitter. Harry and Meghan decided to eschew the recent royal tradition of posing for photographs with their new baby hours after the birth, leaving the world's media and royal fans waiting for a first glimpse of the boy who is entitled to both British and American citizenship. It is expected that the couple will hold a limited photo call on Wednesday to show off their son. "We're still thinking about names," Harry said. "The baby's a little bit overdue so we've had a little bit of time to think about it ... that's the next bit." Bookmakers have James, Alexander, Albert, Philip, and Arthur as the favourite names, although other suggestions include Spencer, which was the surname of Harry's late mother Princess Diana. The baby, the eighth great-grandchild of 93-year-old Elizabeth, the world's longest-reigning monarch, will not automatically be a prince or a princess or be known as "His Royal Highness" unless the queen issues a decree. However, when Elizabeth is succeeded by Prince Charles, royal rules mean the boy would then have such titles. "It is possible that Harry might want his child not to have the burden of a royal title but I think the rest of the world would like the child to have (one)," said Ingrid Seward, editor of "Majesty" magazine. "Harry always says how much he didn't want to be a prince and he'd rather be almost anything else but when you're in that world it's very difficult to step out of it." (Writing by Michael Holden; editing by Guy Faulconbridge and Alexandra Hudson) LIMA, Peru (AP) Prosecutors in Peru alleged Tuesday that they have gathered overwhelming evidence implicating former President Ollanta Humala in Latin America's biggest graft scandal and will seek a 20-year sentence for the former head of state. Prosecutor German Juarez told a judge that investigators have gathered some 1,500 files backing up their assertion that Humala and his wife received over $3 million from Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht for his presidential campaigns. "We're talking about concrete, punishable acts," he said. Humala and his wife, Nadine Heredia, have been under investigation for their alleged role in the Odebrecht corruption scandal rocking Peru for several years. They were ordered behind bars as a 2017 as a preventative measure but released the next year. The couple is disputing the charges, arguing that evidence presented has been falsified. Odebrecht admitted in a U.S. Justice Department plea agreement to paying $800 million in bribes to high-ranking officials around the region in exchange for lucrative public works contracts. Prosecutors are accusing Humala of taking money from both Odebrecht and illegal mining operators during his 2006 and 2011 campaigns. Humala is a former army coronel who lost the 2006 election but won five years later. The former president and first lady are accused of trying to hide the Odebrecht funds by depositing them in small amounts that went undetected by banks. Prosecutors also accuse the pair of hiding the origin of the illegal donation by making fraudulent invoices charging for services that were never actually provided. Prosecutors are requesting a 26-year sentence for Heredia. The Odebrecht corruption scandal has upended Peru's politics, with nearly every living former president now under investigation. Former President Alan Garcia shot himself in the head in April as authorities arrived at his home to arrest him in connection with the probe. By Shahabuddin Shahab KARACHI, Pakistan, May 7 (Reuters) - In the narrow alleys of a poor neighborhood of the Pakistani city of Karachi, known for drugs, gang wars and low literacy rates, children are learning about peace, love and interfaith tolerance from string puppets. As the curtains open on stage, a narrator tells the story of "Sindbad the Sailor," a hero of Middle Eastern origin and his journeys around the world in which he meets people of different faiths, languages and religions - who often do not have much tolerance for one another. "A man is dying and you guys are talking about castes," the protagonist puppet rebuked a fellow puppet who did not want to save a drowning marionette because it belonged to a lower caste. "You should be ashamed calling yourself human beings. Humans save humanity not caste," Sindbad says. Writer Nouman Mehmood said the story came to mind when his group was conducting an education awareness campaign in some poor neighborhoods in the city. They noticed religious and ethnic antagonism in those neighborhoods and decided to create a show to spread a message of peace, tolerance and harmony. Pakistan, an overwhelmingly Muslim country of more than 200 million people, has seen repeated attacks on churches, Hindu temples and sufi shrines in recent years by hardline religious groups and Islamist militants. Conservative religious schools or madrasas are regularly blamed for radicalisation but they are often the only education available to millions of poor children, making alternative messages especially important. "The basic thing is acceptance. You should have enough room to accept others regardless of whether he is a Christian, without considering he is a Hindu, without considering he is a Sikh," Mehmood said. Organized by Thespianz Theatre, the show plans to travel to other poor Karachi neighborhoods and provinces after its run in the tough Karachi neighborhood of Lyari. Story continues "There is a message that we should not interfere with others' religions. We should help each other," said eighth grade student Adul Rahim Arshad after watching the show. "If one deceives us, we should not deceive him back. Instead we should help him." (Editing by Nick Macfie) Purple Bricks sign in Birmingham. Photo: Mike Kemp/In PIctures via Getty Images Shares in Purplebricks (PURP.L)have dropped 8% this morning after its chief executive quit with immediate effect seven years after co-founding the firm. Michael Bruce is leaving the business as its chairman apologised to shareholders for spending errors and an overly rapid overseas expansion. The company is now set to wind down its Australian operations and review its US business. Replacing Bruce is Vic Darvey, previously the companys chief operating officer. Chairman Paul Pindar said on Tuesday: I would like to place on record our thanks to Michael for the truly remarkable contribution that he has made to the creation and development of Purplebricks. We are very conscious that the groups performance has been disappointing over the last 12 months and we sincerely apologise to shareholders for that. READ MORE: BMW plans cost-cutting drive as profits crash 78% Pindar added: With hindsight, our rate of geographic expansion was too rapid and as a result the quality of execution has suffered. We have also made sub-optimal decisions in allocating capital. We will learn from these errors and will not make them again. The company is backed by fund manager Neil Woodford and German publisher Axel Springer. Last year its share price slumped more than 64% and it has dipped a further 9% this year, according to Reuters. But the firm raised its revenue forecast from 130m to 140m. READ MORE: Dominos stumbles on international growth Watch the latest videos from Yahoo News UK OTTAWA, May 6 (Reuters) - Canada's Green Party pulled off a rare victory on Monday in a special election for a parliamentary seat, provisional results showed, dealing a fresh blow to the ruling Liberals of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The win in the Pacific province of British Columbia was only the second time the Greens, who are a much less important political force than in Europe, have captured a federal seat in their 36-year history. Green candidate Paul Manly won the constituency of Nanaimo-Ladysmith with about 38 percent of the vote. Party leader Elizabeth May holds a seat in the same province. The Liberals, trying to recover from a political scandal just months ahead of an October election, ran a prominent local candidate but trailed in fourth place with about 11 percent. They had come a close second in 2015, winning 23.5 percent. The official opposition Conservatives and left-leaning New Democrats both took about 24 percent each. Trudeau and the Liberals are mired in accusations of interference in a corporate corruption case that triggered the resignations of two cabinet members, the prime minister's top adviser and the head of the federal civil service. Nanaimo-Ladysmith became vacant after the sitting legislator from the opposition New Democrats quit. The New Democrats, who, like the Greens, compete with the Liberals for center-left voters, have struggled under Jagmeet Singh, the first person from an ethnic minority to lead a major political party in Canada. Polls show the Conservatives have a good chance to topple Trudeau in the October election. (Reporting by David Ljunggren; Editing by Clarence Fernandez) Tuukka Rask made 39 saves as the visiting Boston Bruins advanced to the Eastern Conference final for the first time since 2013 with a 3-0 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets in Game 6 on Monday. Boston took the best-of-seven, second-round playoff series four games to two. David Krejci collected a goal and an assist, and Marcus Johansson and David Backes scored 1:41 apart midway into the third period for Boston, which will face Carolina in the next round. The Bruins won two of the three regular-season meetings against the Hurricanes. Sergei Bobrovsky turned aside 26 shots for the Blue Jackets, who hit the post or crossbar on four occasions and went 0-for-4 on the power play before seeing their season come to an end. Boston opened the scoring with 7:47 remaining in the second period, mere moments after a shot from Bruins winger Jake DeBrusk hit the crossbar. The puck caromed around the boards to Krejci, who unleashed a shot from the top of the right circle that sailed over the right pad and under the blocker of Bobrovsky. The Bruins doubled the advantage at 8:58 of the third period, as Johansson weaved toward the middle of the ice before wristing a shot that handcuffed Bobrovsky. The two-time Vezina Trophy recipient was unable to corral the puck as it trickled over the goal line. Boston added to the lead at 10:39 of the third when defenseman Torey Krug's diagonal feed was redirected home at the doorstep by Backes. Columbus forward Josh Anderson exited the contest with 20 seconds remaining in the second period after he was jarred by Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy, who received a two-minute penalty for an illegal check to the head. Anderson returned to start the third period. The Blue Jackets mustered two shots on the unsuccessful power play, and Matt Duchene's point-blank chance on another man-advantage situation was denied by the stick of Rask. Defenseman Zach Werenski's wrist shot from above the left circle rang the iron on the same power-play opportunity. Boston nearly opened the scoring at 8:53 of the first period. Columbus-area native Sean Kuraly put the puck in the net off Chris Wagner's backhanded feed from the left circle following a feverish sequence in front. The Blue Jackets successfully challenged the apparent tally, with officials deeming that fourth-liner Joakim Nordstrom interfered with Bobrovsky prior to Kuraly's shot. --Field Level Media 5617 Martel Ave. | Photos: Zumper Curious just how far your dollar goes in Dallas? We've rounded up the latest rental offerings via rental site Zumper to get a sense of what to expect when it comes to locating an apartment in Dallas if you don't want to spend more than $2,200/month on rent. Take a look at the listings, below. (Note: prices and availability are subject to change.) Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in this article may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions. 5617 Martel Ave. (M Streets) Listed at $2,200/month, this 625-square-foot one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment is located at 5617 Martel Ave. The building boasts assigned parking. In the unit, expect air conditioning and a walk-in closet. Cats and dogs are not allowed. The rental doesn't require a leasing fee. Per Walk Score ratings, the area around this address is very suitable for walking and biking, and offers many nearby public transportation options. (See the complete listing here.) 3362 Forest Lane, #545-1B (Preston Hollow) Next, there's this one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment situated at 3362 Forest Lane, #545-1B. It's listed for $2,199/month for its 538 square feet of space. The unit features air conditioning. The building boasts a community room. Cats and dogs are not permitted. Future tenants needn't worry about a leasing fee. Walk Score indicates that this location is moderately suitable for walking and biking, and offers a few nearby public transportation options. (Take a gander at the complete listing here.) Maple Avenue (Oak Lawn) Next, check out this one-bedroom, one-and-a-half-bathroom townhouse that's located at Maple Avenue. It's listed for $2,115/month. In the unit, you'll get high ceilings, a walk-in closet and balcony. The building features garage parking, swimming pool and fitness center. Good news for animal lovers: both dogs and cats are welcome here. Be prepared for a broker's fee equal to one month's rent. Story continues According to Walk Score, this location is very convenient for walking and biking, and offers good transit options. (Check out the complete listing here.) 2355 Thomas Ave., #1813 (Oak Lawn) Located at 2355 Thomas Ave., #1813, here's an 863-square-foot one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment that's listed for $2,105/month. In the unit, you can expect air conditioning and a balcony. Amenities offered in the building include a fitness center and residents lounge. Cats and dogs are not welcome. There isn't a leasing fee associated with this rental. Per Walk Score ratings, this location is very suitable for walking and biking, and is a haven for transit riders. (See the complete listing here.) This story was created automatically using local real estate data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback. 4390 Tennyson St. | Photos: Zumper Curious just how far your dollar goes in Denver? We've rounded up the latest rental offerings via rental site Zumper to get a sense of what to expect when it comes to hunting down an apartment in Denver if you're on a budget of $1,600/month. Take a look at the listings, below. (Note: prices and availability are subject to change.) Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in this article may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions. 225 S. Harrison St. (Cherry Creek) Here's a 611-square-foot one-bedroom, one-bathroom at 225 S. Harrison St. that's going for $1,599/month. In the unit, you'll get hardwood floors, high ceilings, a walk-in closet, a fireplace and a balcony. The building boasts a swimming pool, a fitness center, a roof deck, storage space and garage parking. When it comes to pets, both meows and barks are allowed. Future tenants needn't worry about a leasing fee. Per Walk Score ratings, the area around this address is very walkable, is quite bikeable and has a few nearby public transportation options. (See the full listing here.) 3222 E. First Ave. (Cherry Creek) Located at 3222 E. First Ave., here's a 609-square-foot studio that's listed for $1,591/month. In the furnished unit, you can anticipate hardwood floors, in-unit laundry and a balcony. The building has a swimming pool, a fitness center, a roof deck and a business center. If you've got a pet, you'll be happy to learn that cats and dogs are permitted. There's no leasing fee associated with this rental. Walk Score indicates that the surrounding area is friendly for those on foot, is quite bikeable and offers many nearby public transportation options. (See the complete listing here.) 1880 Arapahoe St. (Central Business District) Next, listed at $1,585/month, is this 640-square-foot one-bedroom, one-bathroom is located at 1880 Arapahoe St. In the unit, you can anticipate hardwood floors, in-unit laundry and a balcony. When it comes to building amenities, expect on-site management, garage parking, a swimming pool and a fitness center. Luckily for pet owners, both dogs and cats are permitted. There isn't a leasing fee associated with this rental. Story continues Per Walk Score ratings, the area around this address has excellent walkability, is a "biker's paradise" and has excellent transit. (Take a look at the complete listing here.) 2101 Market St. (Five Points) Next, there's this studio located at 2101 Market St. It's also listed for $1,585/month for its 588 square feet of space. The building features garage parking, outdoor space, a fitness center and a swimming pool. In the unit, there is hardwood flooring, in-unit laundry, a walk-in closet, a fireplace and a balcony. For those with furry friends in tow, know that cats and dogs are welcome on this property. The rental doesn't require a leasing fee. Walk Score indicates that the area around this address is extremely walkable, is a "biker's paradise" and is a haven for transit riders. (Take a gander at the complete listing here.) 4390 Tennyson St. (Berkeley) Here's a 610-square-foot one-bathroom apartment at 4390 Tennyson St. that's going for $1,580/month. When it comes to building amenities, anticipate on-site laundry, garage parking, a roof deck and an elevator. In the apartment, there are high ceilings. Good news for animal lovers: both dogs and cats are welcome here. There isn't a leasing fee associated with this rental. Walk Score indicates that the area around this address is quite walkable, is convenient for biking and has a few nearby public transportation options. (Check out the complete listing here.) This story was created automatically using local real estate data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback. 1058 Poplar Ave., #7. | Photos: Zumper Curious just how far your dollar goes in Memphis? We've rounded up the latest rental offerings via rental site Zumper to get a sense of what to expect when it comes to locating an apartment in Memphis if you're on a budget of $500/month. Take a look at the listings, below. (Note: prices and availability are subject to change.) Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in this article may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions. 1058 Poplar Ave., #7 Listed at $499/month, this one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment is located at 1058 Poplar Ave., #7. Cats and dogs are not permitted. According to Walk Score's assessment, the area around this address is moderately walkable and is relatively bikeable. (Check out the complete listing here.) 3551 Dalebranch Drive (White Haven-Coro Lake) Here's a 606-square-foot one-bedroom, one-and-a-half-bathroom multifamily at 3551 Dalebranch Drive that's going for $495/month. In the unit, you'll get hardwood floors, a walk-in closet and air conditioning. Good news for animal lovers: Both dogs and cats are permitted here. Future tenants needn't worry about a leasing fee. According to Walk Score, the surrounding area is somewhat walkable and has some bike infrastructure. (Take a look at the full listing here.) 3645 MacOn Road (Berclair-Highland Heights) Finally, there's this one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment located at 3645 Macon Road. It's listed for $415/month for its 700 square feet of space. The building boasts on-site laundry and on-site management. In the apartment, there are hardwood floors and central heating and air conditioning. Both cats and dogs are allowed. Expect a broker's fee equal to one month's rent. According to Walk Score's assessment, this location is car-dependent and is bikeable. (See the complete listing here.) This story was created automatically using local real estate data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback. 660 N.E. 78th St. | Photos: Zumper Curious just how far your dollar goes in Miami? We've rounded up the latest rental listings via rental site Zumper to get a sense of what to expect when it comes to finding housing in Miami if you've got $1,200/month earmarked for your rent. Read on for the listings. (Note: prices and availability are subject to change.) Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in this article may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions. 2536 N.W. 24th St., #3D (Allapattah) Listed at $1,200/month, this 571-square-foot one-bedroom, one-bathroom condo is located at 2536 N.W. 24th St., #3D. The building offers assigned parking and secured entry. Unit amenities include air conditioning, in-unit laundry and a balcony. Animals are not welcome. Be prepared for a $500 security deposit. According to Walk Score's assessment, the surrounding area is quite walkable, is bikeable and has some transit options. (Check out the complete listing here.) 2160 S.W. 21st Terrace, #2160 (Shenandoah) Next, there's this studio unit situated at 2160 S.W. 21st Terrace, #2160. It's also listed for $1,200/month. Pet owners, inquire elsewhere: this spot doesn't allow cats or dogs. The rental doesn't require a leasing fee. According to Walk Score's assessment, the surrounding area is friendly for those on foot, has some bike infrastructure and has a few nearby public transportation options. (Take a gander at the complete listing here.) 431 N.E. 64th St., #4 Here's a one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment at 431 N.E. 64th St., #4, that's going for $1,200/month. The building boasts a business center. In the unit, look for air conditioning and a ceiling fan. Cats and dogs are not welcome. Future tenants needn't worry about a leasing fee. According to Walk Score's assessment, the surrounding area is quite walkable, is convenient for biking and has good transit options. (See the full listing here.) Story continues 660 N.E. 78th St. Next, check out this one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment that's located at 660 N.E. 78th St. It's listed for $1,200/month. When it comes to building amenities, expect a swimming pool and secured entry. Animals are not welcome. There's no leasing fee required for this rental. According to Walk Score, this location is very walkable, is relatively bikeable and has good transit options. (See the complete listing here.) 53 N.E. 49th St., #7A (Little Haiti) Finally, there's this studio apartment over at 53 N.E. 49th St., #7A. It's listed for $1,200/month. Unit amenities include in-unit laundry, stainless steel appliances and granite countertops. Pet owners, inquire elsewhere: this spot doesn't allow cats or dogs. The rental doesn't require a leasing fee. Walk Score indicates that the area around this address is very walkable, is bikeable and offers many nearby public transportation options. (Take a gander at the complete listing here.) This story was created automatically using local real estate data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback. 2026 Market St., #812. | Photos: Zumper Curious just how far your dollar goes in Philadelphia? We've rounded up the latest rental listings via rental site Zumper to get a sense of what to expect when it comes to finding a rental in Philadelphia if you've got $1,900/month earmarked for your rent. Take a look at the listings, below. (Note: prices and availability are subject to change.) Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in this article may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions. 1709 Bainbridge St., #2 (Graduate Hospital) Listed at $1,900/month, this 700-square-foot one-bedroom, one-bathroom condo is located at 1709 Bainbridge St., #2. In the unit, expect quartz countertops, a breakfast bar and hardwood flooring. The building offers outdoor space and secured entry. Pet owners, inquire elsewhere: this spot doesn't allow cats or dogs. The rental doesn't require a leasing fee. According to Walk Score, the area around this address is a "walker's paradise," is quite bikeable and has excellent transit. (See the complete listing here.) 710 Chestnut St., #505 (Old City) Next, there's this one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment over at 710 Chestnut St., #505. It's also listed for $1,900/month for its 725 square feet of space. In the apartment, there are high ceilings, hardwood flooring and a walk-in closet. When it comes to building amenities, expect outdoor space, a roof deck and secured entry. Cats and dogs are not welcome. According to Walk Score's assessment, the surrounding area is a "walker's paradise," is quite bikeable and is a haven for transit riders. (Check out the complete listing here.) 530 S. Second St., #P808 (Society Hill) Here's a 900-square-foot one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment at 530 S. Second St., #P808 that's going for $1,900/month. In the unit, you'll get hardwood flooring, a dishwasher and a fireplace. Building amenities include assigned parking, a fitness center and a roof deck. Pets are not welcome. Story continues Per Walk Score ratings, the surrounding area has excellent walkability, is convenient for biking and is a haven for transit riders. (Take a look at the full listing here.) 1324 Locust St., #725 (Washington Square) Located at 1324 Locust St., #725, here's a 709-square-foot one-bedroom, one-bathroom condo that's listed for $1,900/month. In the furnished unit, you can expect stainless steel appliances, granite countertops and crown molding. Building amenities include a fitness center and secured entry. Neither cats nor dogs are welcome. Future tenants needn't worry about a leasing fee. Walk Score indicates that this location is a "walker's paradise," is quite bikeable and boasts excellent transit options. (Check out the complete listing here.) 2026 Market St., #812 (Rittenhouse) Here's a 722-square-foot one-bedroom, one-bathroom condo at 2026 Market St., #812 that's going for $1,895/month. Inside, there are stainless steel appliances, granite countertops and hardwood flooring. When it comes to building amenities, anticipate a roof deck, a fitness center and an elevator. Cats and dogs are not welcome. Future tenants needn't worry about a leasing fee. According to Walk Score, the area around this address is a "walker's paradise," is easy to get around on a bicycle and boasts excellent transit options. (Check out the complete listing here.) This story was created automatically using local real estate data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback. 21 Riggs Road NE. | Photos: Zumper Curious just how far your dollar goes in Washington? We've rounded up the latest rental offerings via rental site Zumper to get a sense of what to expect when it comes to scoring a place in Washington if you've got $1,300/month earmarked for your rent. Take a peek at what rentals the city has to offer, below. (Note: prices and availability are subject to change.) Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in this article may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions. 21 Riggs Road NE (Brookland) Listed at $1,300/month, this studio is located at 21 Riggs Road NE. In the unit, you can expect to find hardwood flooring, spacious closets and a ceiling fan. Building amenities include on-site management, secured entry and outdoor space. Pet owners, inquire elsewhere: this spot doesn't allow cats or dogs. According to Walk Score's assessment, this location is quite walkable, is very bikeable and has excellent transit. (Check out the complete listing here.) 400 Douglas St. NE, #303 (Eckington) Next, check out this studio condo that's located at 400 Douglas St. NE, #303. It's listed for $1,295/month. In the apartment, you'll get ample closet space and a ceiling fan. Animals are not allowed. Future tenants needn't worry about a leasing fee. Per Walk Score ratings, the surrounding area is very walkable, is quite bikeable and boasts excellent transit options. (Take a look at the complete listing here.) 2632 Martin Luther King Junior Ave. SE (Anacostia) Located at 2632 Martin Luther King Junior Ave. SE, here's a 670-square-foot one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment that's listed for $1,269/month. Inside, you can expect hardwood flooring, in-unit laundry and a walk-in closet. The building offers assigned parking, an elevator and secured entry. Cats and dogs are not allowed. Future tenants needn't worry about a leasing fee. Walk Score indicates that this location is car-dependent, has minimal bike infrastructure and boasts excellent transit options. Story continues (Check out the complete listing here.) 2321 Altamont Place SE, #204 (Anacostia) Next, there's this one-bedroom, one-bathroom condo situated at 2321 Altamont Place SE, #204. It's listed for $1,253/month for its 619 square feet of space. In the unit, anticipate spacious closets and air conditioning. Cats and dogs are not permitted. Future tenants needn't worry about a leasing fee. According to Walk Score's assessment, the area around this address is quite walkable, has minimal bike infrastructure and has good transit options. (Check out the complete listing here.) 613 Forrester St. SE (Anacostia) Here's a 550-square-foot zero-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment at 613 Forrester St. SE that's going for $1,250/month. Inside, you'll get in-unit laundry, hardwood flooring and a balcony. The building boasts assigned parking, outdoor space and secured entry. Cats and dogs are not permitted. Per Walk Score ratings, this location is moderately walkable, is relatively bikeable and has good transit options. (Take a look at the full listing here.) This story was created automatically using local real estate data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback. South Africa: SA, South Sudan sign oil exploration agreement South Africa and South Sudan have signed an exploration and production sharing agreement (EPSA) to explore oil in Block B2 of the landlocked East-Central African country. The deal which is strategic for South Africa as an energy consumer will see Block B2 operated by state-owned Strategic Fuel Fund (SFF), the Ministry of Petroleum and Nilepet, the national oil company of the Republic of South Sudan, said the Department of Energy on Monday. Under this agreement, which includes a six-year exploration period, the SFF alongside Nilepet will launch a comprehensive aero gravity survey exploration campaign, seismic acquisition as well as drill wells. The B2 area includes productive parts of the Muglad Basin and is part of the 120 000 square kilometer Block B which was split into three in 2012. South Africas SFF will also invest in capacity building initiatives, training of South Sudanese citizens, social and community development projects and ensuring local content and the empowerment of women. The petroleum resources of Block B2 are vast. For South Sudan to reach its target of bringing back production levels of around 350 000 barrels of oil per day and beyond, we need committed new entrants like the SFF, said the South Sudanese Minister of Petroleum Ambassador Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth. South Sudan has great potential, yet our country remains vastly under-explored, and we believe the entry of new players like the SFF will lead to new world-class discoveries very soon given the aggressive exploration program and great petroleum viability of Block B3. This will support South Sudans economic revival and improve trade with other African countries, said Gatkuoth. Last year, South Africas Department of Energy pledged to invest $1 billion into South Sudans petroleum industry, with the aim of securing affordable energy supplies for South Africa. The countries are in talks to set up a 60 000 barrel per day refinery to supply oil products to the local market in South Sudan, as well as to secure exports to Ethiopia and other neighbouring countries. Acting Chief Executive Officer of SFF, Godfrey Moagi, said the SFF is looking forward to making discoveries in Block B2. We believe there are highly significant quantities of oil in Block B2. Our work program and acquisition of new seismic will reveal better information on various structures. We look forward to a few wildcats and appraisal wells in the near future. We are thankful to the Government of South Sudan for this opportunity, said Moagi. - SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2019-05-07. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Story 16 November 2021 Elena never gave up and finally found a job she loves. A story of labour market inclusion of people with disabilities in the Republic of Moldova Disability is an obstacle, a huge one, but the human spirit is resilient, and one has to keep going forward. Read the story of Elena Epuri, a worker with a disability at Steinel Electronics in Chisinau, Moldova. She found a great job she loves because of the new Employment Law and a wage subsidy scheme created an opportunity for her. The ILO provided the technical assistance for these reforms and measures. Elena was born in Chisinau, the capital of the Republic of Moldova. As a child, she was diagnosed with infantile cerebral palsy. Despite long years of medical treatment, her mobility could never be restored in full. Yet Elena was not inclined to sit at home and waste away. She dreamed of becoming educated and finding a job. She went to two professional schools where she specialized in computer and postal operations. Despite these qualifications, Elena had trouble finding work for many years after graduation. Some employers were sceptical about my physical abilities and lack of working experience, recalls Elena, but more often it was a lack of adaptations in the workplace or long commuting distances that prevented me from finding work. After years of searching in vain, despair and disappointment took their toll on her, but she never gave up. When her son Maxim was born, Elena felt blessed and loved. Time passed, and when Maxim was nearly two years old, she felt that it was time to start looking for work again. Elenas mother had passed away long before Maxim was born. Without her mothers support, there was only her father to count on, and she did not want to be a burden on him. She needed a job badly, but no matter how hard she tried, she could not find one. One day Elena was advised to reach out to the National Employment Agency (NEA). The day I knocked at their door was the luckiest day in my life, Elena professed. I was interviewed, I filled out a couple of forms and I left. A few days later, I heard back from the office. I was given the name of a company and told where to go for an interview. Believe it or not, I was hired the same week I first visited Steinel Electronic. Returning home with my first labour contract in hand, I felt like I was in seventh heaven. I had feelings of excitement and hope that were new to me. I never miss a day of work. Each time that I pick up Maxim from kindergarten, I tell him that his mom is back from work to take him home. The Republic of Moldova has the lowest employment rates in the region, hovering around 40 per cent over the last two decades. The employment rate of people with disabilities (PwDs) is much lower, at just 17 per cent in recent years, slightly higher for women. Every third person with disability works in agriculture and is highly exposed to precarious working conditions and low chances for career development. Although economic growth is mostly concentrated in Moldovas urban areas, the unemployment rate of PwDs in cities is double than the rural one. It reached nearly 6 per cent in recent years. While apparently low, the figure can be misleading as it tells little about the many discouraged workers among PwDs, who do not even try to find a job any more. To strengthen Moldovas labour market and improve workers livelihoods, both legislative reforms and practical measures are essential, and Moldova therefore enacted a new Employment Promotion Law in 2019. The ILO was provided technical assistance for the reforms. The new law promotes a portfolio of active labour market measures (ALMMs) designed to address the diverse challenges unemployed people like Elena face -- i.e. lack of skills and/or work experience, low productivity, employer discrimination, etc. The measures are directed to active jobseekers, as well as to the discouraged unemployed and to employers. They include training and retraining, traineeships, wage subsidies, self-employment opportunities, and local employment initiatives. Starting in 2019, the Public Employment Service piloted five ALMMs with ILO financial support, including a wage subsidy scheme for which Steinel Electronic applied. Steinel Electronic opened its doors in Moldova in 2007 with a production factory of the German company, specialised in sensor systems, sensor-switched lighting and heat tools. The factory is located in Chisinau and employs 320 workers. Of these, 27 have various degrees of disability. 14 out of 27 PwDs were employed with the support of NEA through the wage subsidy pilot funded by the ILO, Elena is among them. Ten employees joined the company in 2020, at a time when many other workers in Moldova lost their jobs due to the COVID -19 pandemic. The wage subsidy scheme compensates the employer for the extra costs of hiring PwDs, and the Government subsidizes their wages in the first six months of work. This subsidy is equal to 30 per cent of the average wage in the economy. In return, the employer makes a commitment to maintain the worker in employment for at least 12 months. Elena has been employed for nearly 26 months now, and she is happy. From her first day at Steinel Electronic, she has received training courses on effective assembling processes, occupational safety and health, and environmental protection. During her first month on the job, she also received individual coaching. The company provides daily transportation services to Elena and her colleagues. Her co-workers are always available to offer advice or a helping hand when needed. When her father passed away, they reached out to support her. We first hired workers with disabilities many years ago to reinforce our social responsibly culture, as well as to comply with the requirements of Moldovan law, recalls Clementina Saratean, head of Steinel human resources department. At least 5 per cent of our jobs have to be reserved for PwDs, this is how the Moldovan law reads. Yet, after some time passed, we realized workers with disabilities can be equally skilful, responsive, and, whats very important, they are extremely loyal. The turnover among workers with disabilities is the lowest in our company. Eight per cent of our workers have various types of disabilities. We even hired a sign interpreter on a permanent basis to help the deaf colleagues. We are not going to stop here, more people like Elena will be offered the opportunity to join us. In 2020, Steinel Electronic was awarded the Best Employer of People with Disability. The selection was made by NEA. Employment is about more than just a pay check, according to Elena. It is about achieving and maintaining independence, self-confidence and paying back your family. Things have changed in the last two years. Ive got a job, and Maxim again has a mother full of beautiful dreams. One of my dreams has already been fulfilled with the help of NEA and ILO, and now another, very different one is coming true - Maxim is good at breakdancing. Elenas smile is warm and wide. As I said, there are many different ways we can see our dreams fulfilled. Following is a summary of current health news briefs. Amid U.S. measles outbreak, who needs an additional dose of the vaccine? The United States is in the midst of its largest measles outbreak in 25 years, with the disease mainly hitting people who have failed to receive the recommended two doses of the live measles vaccine. While the vast majority of measles patients are unvaccinated children, up to 10 percent of patients in the current outbreak are adults who received at least one dose of the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine. Denver to vote on decriminalizing 'magic mushrooms' Denver voters will decide on Tuesday whether to decriminalize possession of psilocybin, a hallucinogenic drug that puts the magic in "magic mushrooms," in a vote that would make the Colorado capital the first U.S. city to stop such prosecutions. If passed, the ballot initiative would prohibit the city from imposing criminal penalties on people at least 21 years old who use the drug or have it in their possession. Alphabet's GV leads funding in gene editing company Verve Therapeutics GV, Alphabet Inc's venture capital arm, led a $58.5 million investment to launch Verve Therapeutics, a new biotech focused on developing therapies that edit the human genome to treat heart diseases. Gene editing therapies are seen to have huge scope in treating a range of diseases but none are currently approved. Additionally, concerns about safety and the permanent harmful effects the editing could have on humans persist. Georgia governor to sign heartbeat abortion ban, joining a U.S. movement Georgia's Republican governor on Tuesday is expected to sign a bill outlawing abortion if a doctor can detect a fetal heartbeat, part of a concerted effort to restrict abortion rights in states across the country. Governor Brian Kemp praised the bill when it passed the state legislature in March and has scheduled a signing ceremony at 10 a.m. ET (1400 GMT), which would make him the fourth governor to sign such a law since mid-March. Story continues WHO issues warning as measles infects 34,000 in Europe this year More than 34,000 people across Europe caught measles in the first two months of 2019, with the vast majority of cases in Ukraine, the World Health Organization said on Tuesday as it urged authorities to ensure vulnerable people get vaccinated. The death toll among 34,300 cases reported across 42 countries in the WHO's European region reached 13, with the virus killing people in Ukraine - which is suffering a measles epidemic - as well as in Romania and Albania. The risk is that outbreaks may continue to spread, the WHO warned. Pfizer gets U.S. approval for $225,000 a year heart drug The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Monday approved Pfizer Inc's oral drug, tafamidis, to treat a rare and fatal heart disease called transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy, the U.S drugmaker said. Pfizer, which has touted tafamidis as a potential blockbuster product, set a list price of $225,000 a year for the medicine, which would be sold under the brand name Vyndaqel. It is the first approved medicine for the disease in the United States. U.S. reports 60 new measles cases in worst outbreak since 1994 The most widespread U.S. measles outbreak in a quarter-century has infected 60 new patients in the last week, raising the total number of confirmed cases to 764, federal health officials said on Monday. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported an 8.5 percent increase in the number of measles cases since April 26, also confirming that the worst outbreak of the measles in the United States since 1994 has now reached 23 states. Parents vape around kids, even kids with asthma American adults are more likely to use e-cigarettes when they have children at home, especially when kids have asthma, a U.S. study suggests. Nationwide, 4.4 percent of adults reported current e-cigarette use in 2016 and 2017, the study found. The proportion was higher - 4.9 percent - among adults with kids, and higher still - 5.6 percent - among adults who lived with a child with asthma. 77% of Americans say kids should get measles shot even if parents object: Reuters Poll Three out of four Americans believe children should be vaccinated against measles even if their parents object, a Reuters/Ipsos poll found, showing little sympathy for the anti-vaccination movement that U.S. officials blame for the ongoing outbreak. Some 764 cases of the disease have been confirmed in the United States so far this year, the most seen in 25 years, in an outbreak that public health officials have called "completely avoidable" and largely linked to misinformation campaigns against the vaccines. High levels of sunscreen ingredients end up in the bloodstream: study The active ingredients of commonly-used sunscreens end up in the bloodstream at much higher levels than current U.S. guidelines from health regulators and warrant further safety studies, according to a small study conducted by U.S. Food and Drug Administration researchers and published on Monday. The over-the-counter products originally marketed to prevent sunburn with little regulation are widely used to block radiation from the sun that can cause skin cancer, the most common malignancy in the United States. Following is a summary of current health news briefs. WHO experts recommend ramping up Ebola vaccine after Congo cases surge World Health Organization experts recommended on Tuesday a dramatic expansion of vaccination against Ebola in Congo after a surge in cases showed that the strategy of vaccinating those known to be exposed to the disease was no longer sufficient. Health workers fighting against the second worst Ebola epidemic in history are now implementing a "ring" strategy, vaccinating anyone directly exposed to known cases of Ebola, and a second ring of those exposed to people in the first ring. Denver residents vote on whether to decriminalize 'magic mushrooms' As Denver voters went to the polls on Tuesday for a mayoral election, they were also asked to decide whether to decriminalize possession of psilocybin, the hallucinogenic drug in what is widely known as "magic mushrooms." If passed, the ballot initiative would make Colorado's capital the first U.S. city to end the imposition of criminal penalties for individuals at least 21 years of age for using or possessing the psychedelic drug. Alphabet's GV leads funding in gene editing company Verve Therapeutics GV, Alphabet Inc's venture capital arm, led a $58.5 million investment to launch Verve Therapeutics, a new biotech focused on developing therapies that edit the human genome to treat heart diseases. Gene editing therapies are seen to have huge scope in treating a range of diseases but none are currently approved. Additionally, concerns about safety and the permanent harmful effects the editing could have on humans persist. Georgia governor signs heartbeat abortion ban, joining a U.S. movement Georgia became the fourth U.S. state this year to outlaw abortion after a doctor can detect a fetal heartbeat, when its Republican governor on Tuesday signed a bill that an abortion-rights group vowed to challenge immediately. Opponents called the legislation a virtual ban because fetal heartbeats can be detected as early as six weeks, before a woman may be aware she is pregnant. Story continues Pregnancy-related deaths, mostly preventable, occur up to a year after birth: CDC Some 700 women in the United States die from pregnancy-related complications each year, up to a year after giving birth, and the deaths are usually preventable, according to a study released by U.S. health officials on Tuesday. One-third of pregnancy-related deaths, often from heart disease or strokes, occur from one week up to a year after birth, while a third occurs during pregnancy, and one-third at delivery or in the week after, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found. WHO issues warning as measles infects 34,000 in Europe this year More than 34,000 people across Europe caught measles in the first two months of 2019, with the vast majority of cases in Ukraine, the World Health Organization said on Tuesday as it urged authorities to ensure vulnerable people get vaccinated. The death toll among 34,300 cases reported across 42 countries in the WHO's European region reached 13, with the virus killing people in Ukraine - which is suffering a measles epidemic - as well as in Romania and Albania. The risk is that outbreaks may continue to spread, the WHO warned. J&J agrees to pay about $1 billion to resolve hip implant lawsuits: Bloomberg Johnson & Johnson agreed to pay about $1 billion to resolve the bulk of lawsuits claiming the company sold defective metal-on-metal hip implants that ultimately had to be removed, Bloomberg reported on Tuesday, citing people with knowledge of the matter. The agreement resolves over 95 percent of the 6,000 cases in which surgeons extracted the company's Pinnacle implants because they left patients unable to walk and in pain, according to the report. Vaping companies facing European opposition to higher nicotine level A push by makers of electronic cigarettes to raise nicotine levels in the European Union towards their far higher American levels is running into opposition, a senior executive at U.S. market leader Juul said on Tuesday. But there is little sign in Europe of the kind of regulatory backlash seen in the United States over youth vaping, said Grant Winterton, EMEA president of Juul. Rubber playground surfaces may contain high lead levels Rubber playground surface material may protect kids from some injuries but be harboring a different source of harm, a study in Boston suggests. Researchers tested lead levels in the soil, sand, mulch or rubber surface materials in 28 playgrounds and found the rubber surfaces often averaged two or three times the lead levels of the other materials. Many of the highest lead levels were also found in soil surfaces, making sand and mulch the healthier surface choices for playgrounds, the study team writes in PLoS ONE. 77% of Americans say kids should get measles shot even if parents object: Reuters Poll Three out of four Americans believe children should be vaccinated against measles even if their parents object, a Reuters/Ipsos poll found, showing little sympathy for the anti-vaccination movement that U.S. officials blame for the ongoing outbreak. Some 764 cases of the disease have been confirmed in the United States so far this year, the most seen in 25 years, in an outbreak that public health officials have called "completely avoidable" and largely linked to misinformation campaigns against the vaccines. By Simon Lewis and Shoon Naing YANGON (Reuters) - Two Reuters journalists jailed in Myanmar after they were convicted of breaking the Official Secrets Act walked free from prison on Tuesday after more than 500 days behind bars. Wa Lone, 33, and Kyaw Soe Oo, 29, had been convicted in September and sentenced to seven years in jail in a case that raised questions about Myanmar's progress towards democracy and sparked an outcry from diplomats and human rights advocates. They were released under a presidential amnesty for 6,520 prisoners. President Win Myint has pardoned thousands of other prisoners in mass amnesties since last month. It is customary in Myanmar for authorities to free prisoners across the country around the time of the traditional New Year, which began on April 17. Reuters has said the two men did not commit any crime and had called for their release. Swamped by media and well-wishers as they walked through the gates of Insein Prison, on the outskirts of Yangon, a grinning Wa Lone gave a thumbs up and said he was grateful for the international efforts to secure their freedom. "I'm really happy and excited to see my family and my colleagues. I can't wait to go to my newsroom," he said. Kyaw Soe Oo smiled and waved to reporters. The two were then driven away by Reuters colleagues and reunited with their wives and children. Before their arrest in December 2017, they had been working on an investigation into the killing of 10 Rohingya Muslim men and boys by security forces and Buddhist civilians in western Myanmar's Rakhine State during an army crackdown that began in August 2017. The operation sent more than 730,000 Rohingya fleeing to Bangladesh, according to U.N. estimates. The report the two men authored, featuring testimony from perpetrators, witnesses and families of the victims, was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for international reporting in May, adding to a number of accolades received by the pair for their journalism. Story continues Government spokesman Zaw Htay said the decision to release the two was made after the families wrote to government leader Aung San Suu Kyi. "We took the letters into consideration and released them in the interest of the country," Zaw Htay told reporters. Reuters Editor-in-Chief Stephen J. Adler welcomed the news. "We are enormously pleased that Myanmar has released our courageous reporters, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo. Since their arrests 511 days ago, they have become symbols of the importance of press freedom around the world. We welcome their return, Adler said. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was relieved to learn of the release, a spokesman said. The United Nations in Myanmar said it saw the release as a sign of the government's commitment to the transition to democracy. The U.S. Embassy also welcomed the release and said it was glad the two could return to their families. 'DIALOGUE WORKS' Myanmar's Supreme Court had rejected the journalists' final appeal in April. They had petitioned the top court, citing evidence of a police set-up and lack of proof of a crime, after the Yangon High Court dismissed an earlier appeal in January. The reporters' wives wrote a letter to the government in April pleading for a pardon, not, they said, because their husbands had done anything wrong, but because it would allow them to be released from prison and reunited with their families. The Reuters journalists were released at the prison to representatives of Reuters and to Lord Ara Darzi, a British surgeon and health care expert who has served as a member of an advisory group to Myanmars government on reforms in Rakhine State. "This outcome shows that dialogue works, even in the most difficult of circumstances, Darzi said in a statement. Darzi said discussions about the pardon for Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo had involved the Myanmar government, Reuters, the United Nations and representatives of other governments. He said the government, led by Nobel laureate Suu Kyi, could only consider releasing the pair after the Supreme Court had rejected their final appeal. "I'm very grateful to the president, the state counsellor (Suu Kyi) and also the cabinet, for making that happen." Darzi has been a member of an advisory commission that was formed in 2016 to see through the advice from a panel headed by former U.N. chief Kofi Annan on solving the long-running conflict in Rakhine. (Reporting by Poppy McPherson, Michelle Nichols in NEW YORK; Editing by Alex Richardson, Robert Birsel and Nick Macfie) Following is a summary of current world news briefs. EU should have spoken out against "lies" in Brexit vote: Juncker The European Union was wrong to stay silent in 2016 during the campaign ahead of the British referendum on membership in the bloc because it should have corrected "lies" spread by the "Leave" side, the head of the European Commission said. "It was a mistake not to intervene and not to interfere because we would have been the only ones to destroy the lies which were circulated," Jean-Claude Juncker told a news conference in Brussels on Tuesday. Exclusive: Pence to offer 'carrots' to Venezuela military, warnings to judges U.S. Vice President Mike Pence is set on Tuesday to offer new incentives to Venezuela's military to turn against President Nicolas Maduro, responding to an attempted uprising that fizzled out last week, a senior administration official told Reuters. In a speech to the Americas Society at the State Department, scheduled for 3:25 p.m. (1925 GMT), Pence will also warn that the United States will soon move to sanction 25 additional magistrates on Venezuela's supreme court, the official said on Monday, speaking on condition of anonymity. Erdogan backs re-run of Istanbul vote after 'organized corruption' Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday the decision to re-run Istanbul's mayoral election was an important step toward strengthening democracy, describing the March vote as marred by "organized corruption" and illegality. The High Election Board ruled on Monday for a fresh Istanbul mayoral contest on June 23, scrapping the March 31 vote which was lost by Erdogan's party candidate, in a move that drew opposition accusations of dictatorship. Two Reuters reporters freed in Myanmar after more than 500 days in jail Two Reuters journalists jailed in Myanmar after they were convicted of breaking the Official Secrets Act walked free from a prison on the outskirts of Yangon on Tuesday after spending more than 500 days behind bars. The two reporters, Wa Lone, 33, and Kyaw Soe Oo, 29, had been convicted in September and sentenced to seven years in jail, in a case that raised questions about Myanmar's progress toward democracy and sparked an outcry from diplomats and human rights advocates. Story continues British soldier killed in counter poaching operation in Malawi - UK defense ministry A British soldier has been killed while taking part in counter poaching operations in Malawi, Britain's defense ministry said on Tuesday. Guardsman Mathew Talbot, who served with The 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards, was killed on May 5 while on his first operational deployment, the ministry said. Exclusive: Images show construction on China's third and largest aircraft carrier: analysts Construction of China's first full-sized aircraft carrier is well under way, according to satellite images obtained and analyzed by a U.S. think tank. The images from April, provided to Reuters by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington, reveal considerable recent activity during the last six months on a large vessel at the Jiangnan shipyard outside Shanghai. Pompeo, Russia's Lavrov to hold talks in Sochi on May 14: RIA U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will hold talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in the southern Russian city of Sochi on May 14, the RIA news agency cited a source in Russia's foreign ministry as saying on Tuesday. The two men are expected to discuss Venezuela's political crisis and North Korea's nuclear program. U.S. sending carrier, bombers to Mideast is "psychological warfare": Iran Iran's top security body dismissed as "psychological warfare" a U.S. announcement that a carrier strike group and bombers are being sent to the Middle East as a message to Tehran, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported on Tuesday. U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton said on Sunday the United States was deploying the Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group and a bomber task force to the Middle East. Sri Lanka warns further Islamist militant attacks cannot be ruled out Investigators have dismantled a major part of the network linked to Sri Lanka's Easter Sunday bombings, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said on Tuesday, but warned the chance of further Islamist militant attacks could not be ruled out. Wickremesinghe said the government, which has made major strides in capturing the plotters linked to the April 21 bombings that killed more than 250 people, including 42 foreigners, plans to introduce a new anti-terrorism law. Living in the ruins of Aleppo's old frontline When Hassan Ahmed al-Aoul looks from his balcony in the historic Syrian city of Aleppo, little meets his gaze but ruins - great mounds of rubble where his neighbors' houses used to stand near an old frontline. He fled the area at the start of the fighting in 2012 and returned years later when it ended with a government victory over rebels in the city, finding his house upright though badly damaged. "The Pioneers: The Heroic Story of the Settlers Who Brought the American Ideal West," by David McCullough (Simon and Schuster). When the Revolutionary War was over, and the Treaty of Paris had Great Britain recognize that a new country had been formed, Britain also gave the new government of the United States vast land northwest of the Ohio River, David McCullough notes in "The Pioneers: The Heroic Story of the Settlers Who Brought the American Ideal West." While Congress was working on establishing a Constitution, a Massachusetts minister named Manasseh Cutler visited the area, trying to persuade people to pass a law declaring the area a new territory. The Northwest Ordinance was the first of its kind since the act passed promising freedom of religion, free education and the prohibition of slavery. Soon the first pioneers braved the wilderness and established a permanent home in the area. They settled off the banks of the Ohio River and named the town Marietta after the Queen of France, Marie Antoinette. McCullough is a master of research along with being a wonderful storyteller. He takes the history of the area, and turns what could be dry and somewhat dull into vibrant and compelling tales. The people who risked the vast wilderness fought disease, lack of food, and harsh winters without supplies. Each colonist had different reasons for gambling for a better future for themselves and their families. The region and its occupants truly come alive in the hands of McCullough. It is a history that unfamiliar to most, and brushes with the famous and infamous add to the surprises. He also includes the viewpoint of Native Americans, and does not gloss over the uncomfortable reality that westward expansion had devastating consequences for existing populations. Not everybody who journeyed to Ohio was virtuous, and he includes stories from a diverse cast of characters. The book covers the movement to the area in 1787 up to 1853, when the State of Ohio had over 1.5 million people. Lovers of history told well know that McCullough is one of the best writers of our past, and his latest will only add to his acclaim. The Duke and Duchess are forward-thinking royals and may choose a name that surprises everyone - WireImage The Royal Palace have announced the Duchess of Sussex has had a baby boy in the early hours of Monday morning. In an Instagram post, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's account reads: "Their Royal Highnesses son weighs 7lbs. 3oz. "The Duchess and baby are both healthy and well, and the couple thank members of the public for their shared excitement and support during this very special time in their lives." The baby is understood to be around a week overdue, with royal watchers keenly awaiting the announcement of the name. Speculation is mounting as to what he could be called - and whether the Queen will allow the child to become a Prince. Latest predictions on what the Royal baby will be called The duke and duchess may decide to go with a traditional name like James, Edward or Arthur. However, the pair are forward-thinking royals and may decide to surprise everyone when naming their first child. Canadian-born Autumn Phillips, and husband Peter Phillips, opted for a non-traditional name for their daughter Savannah - the Queen's first great-grandchild - in 2010. Princess Charlotte stands next to Savannah Phillips and Prince George at Trooping The Colour 2018 Credit: Karwai Tang/WireImage The Duchess may also seek inspiration from her friends. Her confidante and stylist Jessica Mulroney has twin boys called Brian and John, who were pageboys at the royal wedding. In the US, the most popular name is Liam for a baby boy. In the UK, the most popular name for a boy is Oliver. Harry and Meghan's child, who will be seventh in line to the throne, is extremely unlikely ever to be king, meaning the couple have more freedom with their choices. In comparison, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge chose to give their children traditional names, picking George for their firstborn, who is likely to one day be king. What are the Royal baby name odds? These odds from Ladrokes were last updated on May 6, 2019. Boys names Albert 1/3 Arthur 11/4 Alexander 8/1 James 10/1 Phillip 12/1 Louis 14/1 Henry 16/1 Frederick 20/1 Thomas 20/1 Edward 20/1 What title will the Royal baby have (and why the baby won't necessarily be a Prince) Story continues The firstborn son of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex is expected to be given the title of the Earl of Dumbarton, unless the Queen makes an unexpected last-minute intervention. The newborn boy, who has been nicknamed Baby Sussex by fans in a moniker later adopted by his parents, will not automatically be a prince or have the style "His Royal Highness". The Queen intervened for Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, the children of a future king, in order for them to inherit the titles in a public announcement published months before George's birth. It is considered unlikely, although not impossible, that the Sussexes son will be styled similarly. He is expected to be known formally as the Earl of Dumbarton, because a first son of a duke is allowed to use one of his father's other lesser titles as a courtesy title. The Scottish title - which refers to Dumbarton on the north bank of the River Clyde, to the west of Glasgow - was given to Prince Harry by the Queen on the morning of his wedding. A daughter would have been Lady [firstname] Mountbatten-Windsor, rather than the Countess of Dumbarton as daughters are not allowed to take on such titles due to the longheld convention of primogeniture in hereditary peerages. As a boy, Baby Sussex will one day inherit the title the Duke of Sussex from his father. The tradition dates back to a 1917 decree made by George V, which specified that the style "HRH" and the title "prince" or "princess" can be borne by children of the sovereign, children of the sovereign's sons, and the eldest son of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales. Of the Queen's grandchildren, Prince William, Prince Harry, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, the children of her two elder sons, have the HRH title, while Peter and Zara Phillips, children of her daughter the Princess Royal, do not. When Prince Edward - the youngest of the Queen's children - married, he was named as an Earl rather than a Duke, and it was made clear that his children would be styled as Earl and Lady without an HRH title. In December 2012, before the sex of the Cambridge's first child was known, the Queen issued a Letters Patent to extend the title to all of Prince William's future offspring to avoid the difficulty of a firstborn girl not being styled as Princess despite being a future queen. A formal announcement in the London Gazette read: "The Queen has been pleased by Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the Realm dated 31 December, 2012 to declare that all the children of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales should have and enjoy the style, title and attribute of Royal Highness with the titular dignity of Prince or Princess prefixed to their Christian names or with such other titles of honour." No such Letters Patent has yet been issued for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's children. The new arrival is seventh in line to the throne and moves Prince Harry's uncle, the Duke of York, down into eighth place in the line of succession. Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie shift into ninth and 10th place, and the Earl of Wessex - the Queen's youngest son - drops out of the top 10 for the first time to 11th in line. When will Meghan and Harry announce their baby's name? The name of the Sussex's son will be announced in the coming days, with Buckingham Palace due to clarify the title at the same time. William and Kate took five days to announce the name of Prince Louis last year, while Prince George and Princess Charlotte's names were announced two days after birth. History behind the favourite baby names George and Charlotte were both favourite names for the young Prince and Princess The Duke and Duchess of Sussex may call him Arthur - a name with a similarly impressive heritage. The most recent royal Arthur was Queen Victoria's son, Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn. Before him, there was Henry VIII's younger brother, Arthur, who tragically died at the age of just 15. The most famous Arthur, of course, is the one we aren't sure existed: romantic hero King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. Edward and James have been popular names for kings in the past, but Philip is more of a rogue contender. The first royal Philip was James VII's brother-in-law Prince Philippe I, Duke of Orleans. Since then, there has not been another royal Philip - until Queen Elizabeth II's husband, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Naming their child Philip may be a way for the Duke of Sussex to pay tribute to his grandfather. Keep up to date with the Royal family by signing up to our weekly newsletter, Your Royal Appointment. Workers remove the Sukhoi Superjet 100, which caught fire during an emergency landing after a lightning strike, from the runway on Monday - TASS / Barcroft Media Investigators are looking into whether the pilots are to blame for the fiery emergency landing of an airliner in Moscow on Sunday that killed 41 of the 78 people on board. Kommersant newspaper reported that the investigative committee and international aviation committee considered pilot error to be the leading explanation for the tragedy after a Russian-made Sukhoi Superjet 100 was struck by lightning. Meanwhile, RBC newspaper quoted sources saying the investigation was examining Aeroflot airline's training programme after allegations that the crew made several mistakes. The investigative committee said on Monday it was considering insufficient skill of the pilots, dispatchers and those who performed the technical inspection of the plane as a possible cause, along with mechanical problems and poor weather. It has opened a criminal case into a fatal violation of the rules of safe movement and exploitation of air transport. Fourteen minutes after the Aeroflot flight to Murmansk took off from Sheremetyevo airport, the commander informed the control tower via backup radio that a lightning strike had knocked out electronics including autopilot. Taking manual control, the crew turned back and made an emergency landing rather than circling to burn off fuel. Video of the incident showed that the plane bounced off the runway, then landed hard on its tail, which immediately burst into flames. Passengers escape from the burning plane on evacuation slides Credit: Russian investigative committee/TASS/Barcroft Passengers began escaping down evacuation slides deployed out of the front doors, but 22-year-old steward Maxim Moiseyev was unable to open the rear doors. He and 36 others seated toward the back of the plane, including two children, never made it to safety. Passenger Oleg Molchanov told the website Meduza that he nearly lost consciousness from the smoke and had to crawl to the front on his hands and knees. At that time the hands of other passengers started to reach out of the smoke. We pulled three people out, he recalled. Story continues The pilots and others were hospitalised with carbon monoxide poisoning. Kommersant said investigators believe the airplane came down too fast with its nose too far down, breaking the landing gear after two bounces and spraying fuel onto the hot engines. It added that the ground crew may not have reacted quickly enough. While a ground crew jeep drove toward the airliner within seconds after it came to a stop, fire engines took longer to arrive. RBC claimed that the pilots had failed to turn off the engines and opened the cockpit window, possibly fanning the flames. I can't tell you exactly why it happened, a man presented as captain Denis Yevdokimov said in a phone recording posted on the Telegram messenger app. The speed was sufficient, we approached the runway while reducing our vertical according to procedure. Mourners laid flowers in memory of the victims in Murmansk, the intended destination of the flight Credit: Lev Fedoseyev/TASS/Barcroft But Roman Gusarov, editor of industry site Avia.ru, told The Telegraph that video suggested the plane landed at excess speed far from the beginning of the runway. He said it was unclear why pilots couldn't continue to fly the Superjet normally on manual control and why first responders were not already waiting by the runway. The plane was operable, there were no preconditions for an accident, he said. Everything was functioning, only radio communications weren't, but planes don't break up because of radio communications. Developed by state-owned Sukhoi in 2011, the Superjet was Russia's attempt to break into world aviation markets. It had not been involved in fatal accidents since a demonstration flight plowed into the side of a mountain in Indonesia in 2012. Sukhoi said that the plane involved in the fire was produced in 2017 and underwent maintenance in April. However, Mexico's Interjet grounded 15 of its 22 Superjets this year, complaining that the engines, which are produced by a joint venture with France's Safran, broke down frequently and took a long time to fix. More than 150,000 have signed an online petition to ban the Superjet started after Sunday's tragedy. Yes, air companies have made complaints about the Superjet, but in this catastrophe there are no technical explanations, it could have landed safely if crew hadn't made mistakes, Mr Gusarov said. Firefighters work near the burned fuselage at Sheremetyevo airport Credit: Russian investigative committee/TASS/Barcroft Russia has suffered several air catastrophes since 2011, when it was ranked the most dangerous country to fly. The government has attempted to reduce the number of small airlines that may not have money or staff to keep planes in top working order. While the climate is harsh, a greater problem may be the lack of experienced pilots in the growing air industry here. The situation has been exacerbated by the departure of many captains to China, where salaries are two to three times higher. Aeroflot's director said in June the company had a deficit of more than 60 senior pilots. MOSCOW (AP) It will be weeks before Russian investigators conclusively identify the cause of Sunday's fiery emergency plane landing in Moscow that killed 41 people, but they already know one thing: Russia has one of the worst aviation safety records in the world. A 2018 report by the Interstate Aviation Committee, a group that oversees air safety standards in countries that make up the former Soviet Union, found that 42 of the region's 58 aviation accidents that year took place in Russia and led to the deaths of 128 people. Across the former Soviet Union, 75% of those events labeled catastrophes or accidents were attributable to human error. Another report reviewing data for 2018, released by the International Air Transport Association, placed the former Soviet Union dead last in a regional ranking of aircraft lost to crashes and other disasters. In 2018, it said the former Soviet region rated 1.19 hull losses per million flights. The next closest competitor was the Latin America/Caribbean region with .76 losses, and then the Asia Pacific with .32 losses. The former Soviet region (CIS) fared slightly better in a review of data from 2013-18, placing just above Africa and just below the Middle East. But at least once a year, Russian travelers are served a bleak reminder of this grim reality. "In Russia, there is reliably one big crash with corpses per year," Mikhail Barabanov, an analyst at the Center for the Analysis of Strategies and Technologies, a Moscow think tank, said in a Facebook post. "According to statistics from international organizations, air traffic safety in the Russian Federation and the CIS in 2018 was the worst in the world worse than Africa." Sunday's disaster was just the latest example of this, as only 37 of the 78 people aboard survived when an Aeroflot SSJ100 plane heading from Moscow to Murmansk quickly turned back and burst into flames as it made an emergency landing. Story continues Investigators quoted in the Russian press said Tuesday that preliminary results on the possible cause of Sunday's plane fire won't be available until next week, with a full report at least another month away. But on Tuesday, discussions about pilot error a common, well-documented theme in Russian aviation disasters dominated the domestic media. Barabanov said he could not think of more than a single Russian plane crash in the past 20 years that could be attributed to a true equipment malfunction. Questions about the technical competence of the SSJ100's design arose, while witness accounts of Sunday's disaster have painted a picture of some technical failures compounded by possible human error. Vladimir Evmenkov, the mayor of Severomorsk, a town on Russia's northern border, says he noticed the pilot took the plane right up through a major thunderhead. He said he witnessed two lightning strikes to the plane's right engine. "There were two very loud blows and two flashes, but the engine did not catch fire," Evmenkov said. "I do not know if it continued working after that, but it didn't catch on fire, that is for sure." The pilot reportedly lost communications and some automated flight controls, forcing him to take manual control of the plane, but it was not clear there was a direct and imminent threat to safety. This is where technical questions about the airworthiness of the SSJ100 come into play. Lightning strikes are common and planes are designed to discharge the energy in electric strikes through their wings or tail section. It is not clear why the Sukhoi-built SSJ100 would have failed to do this. After circling Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport twice, the SSJ100 touched down hard, bouncing on its landing gear. On the second bounce, the landing gear gave way and the engines touched concrete, sending the entire back of the plane up in bright flames and heavy black smoke. Vadim Lukashevich, a former Sukhoi engineer who is one of Russia's most popular aerospace pundits, analyzed the available footage of the crash on his Facebook page. His theory is that the plane simply came down too hard. "A strong vertical blow actually pushes the entire strut into the bottom panel of the fuel caisson," he wrote in a post. This leads to "an abundant leak of fuel directly onto the engine, and as the landing gear collapses, the engine grinds against the concrete, causing a spark." Much Russian media speculation has focused on reports that the plane took off from Sheremetyevo with nearly a full tank but did not burn enough fuel before attempting to make an emergency landing, making it too heavy to survive a hard landing. But Viktor Galenko, an expert on Russia's Interdepartmental Aviation Expert Council, told the state-run RIA Novosti news agency that very few modern commercial airliners have the ability to dump fuel and so are designed to be able to land safely with full tanks. A person close to the Russian SSJ100 aviation investigation told the RBC news outlet Tuesday that interviews with the pilots revealed several errors that contributed to the severity of Sunday's accident, leading investigators to look closely at Aeroflot's pilot training program. Those errors included failing to shut off the engines upon landing and opening their cockpit window, which could have exacerbated the fire. Russian officials and experts have maintained public confidence in the plane and its design. Russia's air transport regulator has rejected calls to ground the aircraft, which previously only crashed once in a 2012 demonstration flight. The design of the SSJ100 is relatively new dating back to 2011 and leans heavily on Western designs and components. Much of the planes' hardware its avionics and landing gear, as well as the entire cabin interior is imported for final assembly by Sukhoi, one of Russia's major aerospace firms. But Russia's commitment to the SSJ100 can also be explained by the significant investment the government has poured into the project, which aims to keep Russia in the global aviation business dominated by Boeing and Airbus. Sukhoi has only produced 138 of the jets since 2011, but needs an annual production rate of 60 planes a year to break even, according to Pavel Luzin, a Russian aerospace industry analyst. That means the state-owned Sukhoi is producing the planes at a loss. Aeroflot also loses money operating the planes, according to Luzin. "Each SSJ100 only spends about 3-4 hours in flight (per day)," Luzin noted, "while a Boeing or Airbus spends about 12 hours in flight per day." Russia is already looking beyond the SSJ100 to a new aviation project known as the MC-21, with 460 billion rubles ($7 billion) promised to fund it over the next seven years. The first test flight of the MC-21, hailed Russia's "aircraft of the future," was conducted in 2017. But no matter how advanced the MC-21 may be, without addressing Russia's known shortcomings in pilot training, there's a very good chance it could also fall victim to Russia's poor air safety record. SEOUL (Reuters) - Samsung Electronics said on Tuesday it cannot confirm the shipping date for its foldable device Galaxy Fold yet and apologized to its pre-order customers in the United States for the delay. The world's top smartphone maker delayed global sales of the splashy $1,980 foldable phone after reviewers discovered problems with its display, dealing a setback to Samsung and its efforts to showcase its innovation. "If we do not hear from you and we have not shipped by May 31st, your order will be canceled automatically," the South Korean tech giant's U.S. subsidiary told Galaxy Fold pre-order customers in an email late on Monday, which was confirmed by a Samsung spokeswoman. As per U.S. regulations, Samsung was required to notify customers that the pre-orders would be canceled in the event the product had not been shipped by May. 31, it said in a separate statement to Reuters. Though the issue does not hurt Samsungs balance sheet, the postponement damages the firms efforts to portray itself as an innovative first-mover, analysts have said. Samsung has said it plans to make at least 1 million Fold handsets in the first year, versus the total 300 million phones it produces annually on average. It closed Galaxy Fold pre-orders earlier due to what it said was high demand. (Reporting by Ju-min Park; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman) Amanda Moore can still smell the room. It was Jan. 26, 2016, and she was standing in a doctors office, listening to an explanation of why Jackson, her smiley toddler, might never walk, talk, or sleep through the night. He had Angelman syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that causes seizures and severe cognitive impairment. There is no treatment. When youre first diagnosed, the dream you had for your child kind of dies, Moore said. But you have to pick yourself back up and start living out the new dream for your child. That dream grew a bit more hopeful last August when Ovid Therapeutics, a small New York biotech company with a presence in Cambridge, Mass., focused on rare neurological disorders, said Angelman patients treated with its investigational drug saw their symptoms improve compared to those on placebo. It was a small trial, enrolling 88 patients, but it hinted at an unprecedented therapy that could change Jacksons life. But where Moore and Ovid saw a promising result, Wall Street saw a litany of red flags. Read more: Deep medicine will help everyone, especially people like me with a rare disease The drug, OV101, had beaten placebo on one metric but failed on a full 16 others, including measures of quality of life and ability to sleep. To investors, the ostensibly positive data looked cherry-picked, a stroke of luck that resulted from throwing scientific spaghetti at the wall. Analysts doubted the Food and Drug Administration would ever go for it, and a share of Ovids stock, which once went for $12, can now be had for $2. That story took another turn over the weekend at the nations largest gathering of neurologists, where a detailed look at the same Ovid data was featured on a dais reserved for only the most groundbreaking research in the field. I was taken aback by the importance of the work youre doing, highlighting the spectrum of developmental disorders that begin in childhood, said Dr. Natalia Rost, a neurologist at Massachusetts General Hospital. Rost, who was not involved in Ovids trial, leads the science committee at the American Academy of Neurology, and she selected OV101 as one of three breakthroughs to highlight at the organizations annual meeting in Philadelphia. Story continues The debate over whether OV101 is a beacon of hope or a scientific nonstarter comes down to the metric Ovid chose to measure its benefits. Its called the clinical global impressions of improvement, or CGI-I, and its a seven-point scale doctors use to score whether patients are generally improving. According to Ovid, that makes it ideal for a disease like Angelman, in which patients symptoms can dramatically vary in both type and severity. One may struggle to sleep but be able to walk; another might be virtually immobile but have some speech skills. Thats also why, according to Ovid, OV101 didnt show a significant benefit on those 16 measures of individual symptoms. CGI-I, in which physicians assess a patient, provides a more holistic look at a complicated disease, the company said. Thats a doctor saying, Overall, my clinical impression is this kid did better, said Dr. Alex Kolevzon, a pediatric psychiatrist at Mount Sinai who has consulted for Ovid. Among the measures [used in the trial], CGI-I was the one that was unique and worth elevating to the primary. Dr. Jeremy Levin, Ovids CEO, concedes that his company could have explained itself better back in August. CGI-I is not a well-known metric in drug development. And Angelman, which affects just a few thousand patients in the U.S., had never been the target of drug development, meaning people on Wall Street had likely never heard of it. Just imagine if a never-before-known disease had a clinical trial, and the poor analysts, who are inundated with gene therapy and immuno-oncology and other things, had to suddenly learn about a new disease and new endpoint, Levin said. Thats very tough for them. And I understand that. Ovids shrinking stock price has not slowed its work on OV101. Since October, the company has met with the FDA and mapped out a second study that will enroll about 60 Angelman patients under the age of 12. Later this month, Ovid expects to the FDA to give its blessing on using CGI-I as the studys primary measure of success, and the company plans to start treating patients before the end of the year. If Ovid sees a similar result to the last trial, Levin believes OV101 should be approved. Our constituency right now is the FDA, the families, and the physicians, Levin said. If we can prove to them we have a drug, we feel strongly that the market will follow eventually. Meanwhile, as Ovid got its AAN ovation in Philadelphia on Sunday, the Moores were in Indianapolis, celebrating Jacksons fourth birthday. In the three years since that day in the doctors office, Amanda Moore has gone from the despair of the diagnosis to becoming the CEO of the Angelman Syndrome Foundation, a group that provides resources to families and issues research grants. Jackson is now in preschool. He does not speak, but he can walk with some assistance. Hes at his happiest in water, and hes been swimming since before he could take a step. The Moores, like many Angelman families, have watched the Ovid story play out with cautious excitement. Even a modest benefit a few more hours of sleep, an easier time using a straw would be a welcome change for their angels, as Angelman parents call their kids. All I can say is that we have hope, Moore said. I know every Word document, PDF, email and text message that's sitting on my assorted computers and mobile devices. The trouble is tracking down exactly where they are. I'll eventually find them, but not before several fruitless searches trying to remember the exact file name of what I'm looking for. Atlas Informatics feels my pain and the agony of anyone who's ever wasted more than a few minutes trying to find an illusive document. The company has developed a product called Atlas Recall that promises to remember every document, message and file that ever appears on any of your devices' screens and retrieve them along with any related material whenever you ask for it. atlas recall header 675403 "If you've ever seen it, you can search for it and share it with anyone," is how Atlas CEO Jordan Ritter describes Atlas Recall's feature set. MORE: Meet macOS Sierra: 8 Best Features Users will now get to see for themselves how effective Atlas Recall is at tracking down those hard-to-find files. Atlas today is kicking off an open beta for its search product, with the Mac version now available to test out. A companion mobile app will let owners of iOS devices use Atlas Recall on their iPhones and iPads. A Windows 10 beta for Atlas Recall will be available soon. Atlas Recall runs in the background of your devices, registering the files, photos and other information you interact with. That information gets stashed in a secure cloud more on that in a moment allowing you to retrieve items by searching for keywords, content types or specific time periods (say all the emails you received about a work project in the last week). "It works the way your memory does," Ritter says, only in this case, Atlas Recall's memory is photographic. In addition to files, photos and documents, Recall can also take note of your social networking activity, messaging clients like Slack and notes that you save in programs such as Evernote. Story continues atlas recall 675403 Ritter showed me Recall in action by trying to find information about an upcoming interview with a job candidate whose name he couldn't quite remember. He launched Recall and typed in the name of the position ("security engineer") into the search field. Several related files popped up resumes, emails and calendar appointments appearing in a spiral view. Ritter could select the file he wanted or even multiple related files in a fraction of the time it would take most of us to meticulously hunt through assorted folders on our machines. Atlas doesn't tout Recall as a replacement for built-in search tools like macOS's Spotlight or Windows's Cortana. Instead, the company sees Recall complementing those tools by extending your ability to search across multiple devices and platforms. The ability to find anything that's ever crossed the screen of your computer or phone sounds impressive and also a little bit foreboding if you fret about privacy. Atlas notes that the information stored in its cloud is encrypted and outlines its privacy policy on its website. (That said, Atlas does note that document metadata may be used to improve its search tools, which may raise a red flag for some users.) atlas recall block 675403 You are able to control what information Atlas Recall does and doesn't see. Should a file turn up in an Atlas search that you'd prefer to keep completely out of view, you can remove it from searches on a permanent basis. A block feature lets you exclude URLs and applications if you'd prefer Recall didn't log activities such as your online banking or bill paying, for example. And the search tool also has a pause feature that temporarily stops Atlas Recall from taking noting of your files and activities until you allow the search tool to resume. From the demo, Atlas Recall looks like a pretty powerful tool for speeding up searches of your files, images and messages, but the true test is going to come during this beta. I'm particularly interested in seeing exactly how good Recall can be at finding something when I only have a vague recollection of a few keywords or a general time frame of when the message or file I'm looking for was created. I'd also like to see just how robust Recall's privacy features are in practice and how seamlessly the block and pause tools fit into my daily workflow. The promise of near-instant access to precisely what I need to find, though, makes me eager to give the beta a try. WASHINGTON Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made an unannounced stop in Iraq Tuesday, meeting with high-level government officials amid increased tensions in the region. Pompeo's stop in Baghdad came as Pentagon rushed additional military muscle, including B-52 bombers, to the Middle East to counter Iranian threats to U.S. troops on the ground and at sea. "Iran is escalating their activity," Pompeo told reporters en route to Baghdad. "I wanted to go to Baghdad to speak with the leadership there, to assure them that we stood ready to continue to ensure that Iraq is a sovereign, independent nation." Pompeo made the stop after abruptly cancelling a trip to Berlin earlier Tuesday, with the State Department citing unspecified "pressing issues." Pompeo had been scheduled to meet with Chancellor Angela Merkel and Germany's foreign minister to discuss Ukraine, Russia, Syria and other thorny issues. Instead, Pompeo met with Iraq's defense and intelligence chiefs, as well as the country's foreign minister and several other officials. They discussed the security situation in Iraq, where the U.S. has more than 5,000 American troops stationed. "We wanted to let them know about the increased threat stream that we had seen (from Iran) and give them a little bit more background on that," Pompeo told reporters after his plane departed Baghdad. "They understood, too, its important for their country. We dont want anyone interfering in their country, certainly not by attacking another nation inside of Iraq and there was complete agreement, he said. Pompeo also pressed the Iraqi leaders on whether they could and would protect U.S. forces in their country. "We talked to them about the importance of Iraq ensuring that its able to adequately protect Americans in their country," Pompeo said. "They understood that was their responsibility." Pompeo was in Finland on Monday to participate in a meeting of the Arctic Council, part of a four-day trip to Europe. The Arctic Council has eight member countries, including the U.S., Canada and Russia. Story continues In his remarks there, Pompeo refused to directly use the words "climate change" or to sign any joint Arctic Council statement acknowledging the impact of global warming on that region. Instead, Pompeo framed the melting sea ice as an opportunity for increased economic activity. Steady reductions in sea ice are opening new naval passageways and new opportunities for trade, potentially slashing the time it takes for ships to travel between Asia and the West by 20 days, the secretary of state said in a speech Monday. His remarks drew fire from scientists and environmental advocates. The Washington Post reported last week that the Trump administration pushed to remove any reference to climate change from a multi-nation statement on Arctic policy. Pompeo also used his stop in Finland to warn Russia and China against aggression in the Arctic region. The region has become an arena of global power and competition and the eight Arctic states must adapt to this new future, Pompeo said in a speech Monday. Contributing: Tom Vanden Brook Secretary of State Mike Pompeo talks to the media on the sidelines of the Arctic Council ministers' working dinner at the Arktikum museum in Rovaniemi, Finland, Monday, May 6, 2019. The U.S. is dispatching an aircraft carrier and other military resources to the Middle East following what it says are indications that Iran and its proxy forces are preparing to possibly attack U.S. forces in the region. (Mandel Ngan/Pool Photo via AP) Read more: Download the USA TODAY app Related coverage: 'Military action is possible' in Venezuela, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says Aircraft carrier, bombers shifted to Middle East to send 'very loud' message to Iran This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Secretary of State Pompeo makes unannounced stop in Iraq amid increased tensions in region Fireworks are coming for the Golden State Warriors this summer, when Kevin Durant is expected to opt out of the final year of his contract and Klay Thompson becomes an unrestricted free agent. What the Warriors don't yet know: Will the party be a celebration or mourning of glory days? Durant has been linked to the New York Knicks, Brooklyn Nets, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers and others, while downplaying that he's given any other destination much thought. His 2019-20 option is worth $31.5 million. ESPN insider Adrian Wojnarowski shed light on the thinking of Thompson, including the likelihood of the sharpshooter jumping to a Los Angeles team if the Warriors don't offer a maximum contract -- $191 million over six years. "If they come with a five-year, $190 million max deal for Klay Thompson, that's done on July 1. He's going into the new building with Steph Curry. If they try to do anything less than that, you can expect Klay Thompson to be out in free agency. Watch not for the Lakers then, but the Clippers," Wojnarowski said. Wojnarowski said the franchise is bracing for "seismic change." Thompson's father, Mychal, followed the report by praising the Clippers via Twitter. In addition to Durant and Thompson, DeMarcus Cousins, Andrew Bogut, Kevon Looney, Quinn Cook and Jordan Bell have no guarantees for 2019-20. Thompson made $18.988 million this season, and the Warriors will have more contract matters to settle after Durant and Thompson choose their future destination. Draymond Green is scheduled to be a free agent after next season, when he's due $18.5 million, as are Andre Iguodala and Shaun Livingston. --Field Level Media South Sudan and South Africa have signed a six-year production-sharing agreement for an untapped exploration block in the war-torn East African nation. The agreement was signed on Monday by South Sudans Minister of Petroleum Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth, and South Africas Minister of Energy, Jeff Radebe. Block B2 was once part of a 120,000-square-kilometre area known as Block B, which was supposed to be rich in hydrocarbons. Radebe said the South Africans had committed $50 million for exploration. South Africa was also interested in building a pipeline, he said, adding that exploration will begin immediately, and is expected to continue for six years. Pretoria and Juba started negotiations in March for a $1 billion refinery in South Sudan. South Sudan has an estimated 3.5 billion barrels of oil with only 30% of it being explored, Petroleum Minister Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth said. South Sudan has the third-largest oil reserves in sub-Saharan Africa, according to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA). The country expects its oil production to increase to 270,000 barrels per day by the end of this year, from 180,000 bpd now. According to the World Bank, South Sudan is the most oil-dependent nation in the world, with oil accounting for around 60 percent of its gross domestic product. Miami (AFP) - The governor of the US state of Georgia on Tuesday signed into law a ban on abortion from the moment a fetal heartbeat is detected -- one of the most restrictive such laws in the country. The signing makes Georgia the sixth US state to enact a law banning abortion after six weeks of gestation, despite adverse court rulings and a welter of legal challenges. "We protect the innocent, we champion the vulnerable, we stand up and speak for those unable to speak for themselves," Governor Brian Kemp said before signing the law. "We will allow precious babies to grow up and realize their full, God-given potential," he said. "Today is just the beginning." The American Civil Liberties Union denounced the law. "This bill has Big Government criminalizing the most intimate decision women and couples make and flies in the face of 50 years of US Supreme Court precedent," said Andrea Young, head of the ACLU's Georgia chapter. Anti-abortion activists hope the state-by-state legal battles will ensure the so-called "heartbeat" ban is brought before the US Supreme Court, where conservative justices hold sway. That could put to the test the top US court's landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, which guarantees the right to abortion. By a 7-2 vote, that more liberal court found that a woman's right to choose an abortion was protected by the privacy rights guaranteed under the 14th amendment of the US Constitution. The challenge to it comes as US President Donald Trump is ramping up for a 2020 re-election campaign with abortion as a hot-button issue. "Heartbeat" laws similar to Georgia's have been passed by Ohio, Mississippi, Kentucky, Iowa and North Dakota. Other states, including electoral powerhouses Florida and Texas, are considering following suit. All the state bans have either been blocked by a judge or are headed for the courts. The unyielding rain and flooding that have overwhelmed parts of the Midwest are taking their toll on the once-vibrant Missouri town of Clarksville. Residents of the Mississippi River community already engulfed in water were bracing for stormy weather that could sweep through the region through Thursday. Flood watches were issued Tuesday across parts of Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Texas. "The severe thunderstorms will be capable of producing large hail, damaging winds and tornadoes," the National Weather Service warned. Heavy rain could produce flash and river flooding, the weather service said. Meteorologist Gregg Gallina said the spring rains were coming on the heels of a fairly historic winter that deepened a snowpack that overwhelmed rivers with its melt. Davenport, Iowa, hit hard by floods as the Mississippi River crested at a record-high 22.7 feet last week, faces the possibility of flash flooding. Cities such as Omaha, Nebraska; Madison, Wisconsin; Kansas City, Missouri; and Chicago and Peoria, Illinois, also could feel the impact of the latest round of storms. Justin Sheppard, a commissioner in Pike County, Missouri, says floodwaters driven by weeks of rain already have chased some Clarksville-area families from their homes. "We have to worry about rain where we are, plus rain and snow melt north of us," Sheppard said. "It's very hard on our communities." Sheppard said flooding has become more prevalent in the past decade or so, slamming through towns along the river once a year or more. Years ago Clarksville was a historic, energetic town that would fill with tourists driving up Route 79 from St. Louis to dabble in antique and woodworking shops. Now almost all those shops have closed, Sheppard said. "People are resilient, but the constant flooding has driven people away," Sheppard said. "It doesn't take much to shut 79 down, and people can't get here." Story continues Thirty miles to the south, the town of Winfield was filling sandbags to protect the Pin Oak levee. Mayor Ryan Ruckel was upbeat. "River levels did not get high enough to overtop the Pin Oak," he said. "Our only concern at this moment is that it holds up and continues to stand strong." AccuWeather warned that severe weather risk will focus mainly on the south-central states for several days this week, while primarily rain plagues areas farther to the north from South Dakota and Nebraska to Michigan. "Rainfall of this magnitude can lead to stream and river flooding where none has occurred thus far this spring or cause a new surge of flooding where it has already occurred," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski warned. Flooding along the Mississippi River could persist into June as rains continue to saturate the Midwest, forecasters say. In Missouri, almost a dozen levees already have been breached or threatened in recent days. Sheppard noted the Mississippi River was slowly going down Tuesday but was forecast to rise again next week. "Two towns in the county, plus some small villages and farm land are already flooded," he said. "We are hoping the rain holds off for now, but we know more water is coming." Contributing: Jorge L. Ortiz This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Soggy Midwest, battered Missouri towns brace for more storms, flooding * President Ramaphosa battling to shore up ANC support * Faces challenge from main opposition DA and leftist EFF * Voters want jobs, land reform, end to corruption * Power crisis dragging on economic growth * For more stories about the election By James Macharia JOHANNESBURG, May 8 (Reuters) - The African National Congress faces its toughest electoral test on Wednesday, seeking to reverse a slide in support from voters frustrated by rampant graft and racial inequalities a generation after it won power in South Africa's first all-race poll. Voting in parliamentary and provincial elections begins at 7 a.m. local time (0500 GMT) and polling stations will close at 9 p.m.. The exact timing of results is uncertain. The national election is the first under President Cyril Ramaphosa, who replaced scandal-plagued Jacob Zuma as head of state in February 2018 after four years as Zuma's deputy. Ramaphosa, who took over from Zuma as ANC leader in December 2017, is trying to restore faith in the governing party once led by Nelson Mandela after its image was tarnished during Zuma's decade-long leadership. The ANC, which has governed South Africa since the end of white minority rule in 1994, won 62 percent of the vote in 2014's parliamentary election -- down from 2009 and far short of its best result, 69 percent in 2004 under President Thabo Mbeki. South African parliamentary and provincial elections take place every five years, with seats allocated according to a proportional representation system. Support for the ANC has dwindled further in recent years, analysts say, especially in major cities, including the financial and political capitals of Johannesburg and Pretoria. That is largely due to corruption allegations against government officials, a slowing economy with one of the highest unemployment rates in the world, around 27 percent, and demands from black citizens for more equitable distribution of land. Ramaphosa has promised to accelerate land redistribution, improve service delivery, create jobs and fight corruption. Story continues Opinion polls predict the ANC will again win a majority of the 400 seats in the National Assembly, but analysts predict its margin of victory will fall. "The belief is that a poor showing for the ANC would embolden Ramaphosa's opponents and risk a potential leadership challenge," Razia Khan, chief Africa economist at Standard Chartered, said in a research report. ONE STEP FORWARD Ramaphosa, who became ANC leader after narrowly defeating a faction allied with Zuma, does not hold full sway within his own party, which has also slowed down his efforts to bring in reforms to kick-start the economy. The ANC adopts an inclusive approach to decision-making on key issues. "While we expect the ANC to do 'OK', given the lack of growth, disastrous levels of inequality and unemployment, we still see the internal fight back against President Ramaphosa to continue regardless after the election," Peter Attard Montalto, head of capital markets research at Intellidex, said in a note. "Reforms will remain at best one-step-forward-one-step-back and so potential growth will not rise." The economy, Africa's most industrialized, grew an estimated 0.8 percent in 2018 after recovering from a recession in the first half of the year when a drought hit farming, although blackouts at power utility Eskom continue to drag on activity. Growth is forecast at 1.5 percent this year. A record 48 parties are running in the parliamentary poll, with many more contesting the elections for nine provincial legislatures. The ANC's biggest challengers are main opposition party the Democratic Alliance (DA) and the leftist Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF). The center-right DA won 22 percent of the parliamentary vote in 2014. It appointed its first black leader Mmusi Maimane in 2015 and made headlines by leading coalition victories in local government elections in Pretoria and Johannesburg a year later. But splits within the party and with allies could see support for the DA wane. The EFF, led by Julius Malema, a fiery orator who formed the party in 2013 after he was expelled from the ANC, won 6 percent of the vote in 2014, making it the third-largest presence in parliament. It wants to nationalize mines and banks, and played a key role in holding Zuma to account for spending state money on non-security upgrades to his private residence. (Writing by James Macharia; Editing by Catherine Evans) Gaborone (Botswana) (AFP) - Leaders from four southern African countries held talks in Botswana on Tuesday to better manage the world's largest concentration of elephants, amid growing concerns over poaching, loss of habitat, and conflict with humans. Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi, whose country has Africa's largest elephant population, told his fellow leaders that it was time the region comes up with a common strategy to manage the huge mammals. "We cannot continue to be spectators while others debate and take decisions about our elephants," Masisi said in opening remarks in the northern town of Kasane. "Conflict between elephants and people is on the rise as the demand for land, for agriculture and settlements is growing," he warned alongside the presidents of Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. It is "indisputable that the abundance of elephants comes with numerous management challenges for our region". Landlocked Botswana has more than 135,000 elephants roaming freely in its unfenced parks and wide open spaces. The government says populations have become unmanageably large in parts -- placing the animals on a collision course with humans. The southern African region is also experiencing drought spells, which Masisi said were "placing even more pressure on our fragile ecosystems". "This in turn requires us to adopt more active measures to manage our wildlife in order to secure the resources that they are dependent on for their continued survival." Around two-thirds of the world's elephant population is found on the continent. Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe are home to some of the largest populations of elephants, with ivory poaching leading to a drastic decline in some countries. Over the past decade, the number of elephants on the continent has fallen by around 111,000 to 415,000, according to figures from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Story continues Ivory from elephant tusks is illegally traded as part of a multi-billion dollar industry that extends from Africa to Asia and beyond. The Botswana government is lobbying to end a strict ban on wildlife hunting which was imposed five years ago to protect wildlife in the country. The controversial proposals, which must be debated by cabinet before becoming law, would overturn a hunting ban that was introduced by former president Ian Khama, who was an ardent conservationist. A special coin has been released to mark 75 years since D-Day. Photo: Royal Mint The Royal Mint has unveiled a series of special 2 coins to mark 75 years since the D-Day landings. The coins pay tribute to those involved in the events on June 6, 1944, which are widely seen as a key turning point in the Second World War. But some of the coins do not come cheap, with a 22-carat gold version on sale for 845. Only 400 of the finest gold range have been issued, and the Royal Mints website said 60% had already been sold at midday on Tuesday. The cheapest coin on sale costs 10. A donation from each purchase will be given to the Imperial War Museums. 6,939 ships and landing craft, 11,590 aircraft, 156,115 landed troops, and 5 Normandy beaches. The largest amphibious assault in military history. Mark the 75th Anniversary of #DDay with the only official UK Commemorative Coin, designed by Stephen Taylor > https://t.co/PVmzpz3RoB pic.twitter.com/Qbo0m17B35 The Royal Mint (@RoyalMintUK) May 7, 2019 READ MORE: The cheapest places to fill up and avoid petrol postcode lottery The story of the landings is etched onto all of the coins, with the code names of the five French beaches on which Allied troops landed etched into the coin. The design, including the font, was inspired by military maps and other historic documents at one of the Imperial War Museums, which helped to create the coins. Nicola Howell, director of the consumer division at the Royal Mint, said: The DDay landings is one of the most significant events in our nations history, and its important that we remember the instrumental impact that the landings had on the outcome of the Second World War. Seventy-five years on, our commemorative 2 coin is a fitting tribute to the significance and scale of the operation, and is an important recognition of the bravery of those that made DDay possible. Starbucks and Microsoft are working on a series of tech solutions, Microsoft announced in a press release following the company's Build 2019 conference. The three main initiatives will be the introduction of predictive "drive-thru" coffee orders, bean-to-cup blockchain tracing, and smart machines - which collect "data points for every shot of espresso pulled; from the type of beans used to the coffees temperature and water quality." Bean-to-cup blockchain is an Azure Blockchain Service that will track the bean's supply chain; from the farms where the coffee beans are harvested to the packaged coffee on Starbucks shelves. In doing so, Starbucks hopes to connect the people who drink their coffee with those who grow it. The technology will allow supply chain participants to trace the journey the coffee beans make, with each change recorded on a blockchain. While high-quality, handcrafted beverages are so important, its the stories, the people, the connections, the humanity behind that coffee that inspires everything we do, said Michelle Burns, Starbucks senior vice president of Global Coffee & Tea. This kind of transparency offers customers the chance to see that the coffee they enjoy from us is the result of many people caring deeply. Starbucks is moving to give consumers more information on its coffee products using a blockchain system that will track beans from farm to cup. For the effort, the coffee chain is working with Microsoft to harness its Azure Blockchain Service in tracking coffee shipments from across the world, bringing digital, real-time traceability to its supply chains, according to an announcement from Microsoft. With the partnership, Microsofts blockchain service will record all changes along the journey of the coffee on a shared ledger, providing participants with a more complete view of the supply chain. Microsoft Releases Ethereum App Development Kit for Azure Cloud Starbucks will use all that information to bring a new feature to its mobile app, giving consumers details on where the coffee was sourced and roasted, as well as on tasting notes. As part of its commitment to ethical sourcing, its also hoping that the blockchain system can help benefit growers too, by providing them with data such as where their beans end up in consumers cups. According to the release, Starbucks sourced beans from over 380,000 coffee farms in 2018. I firmly believe that by empowering farmers with knowledge and data through technology, we can support them in ultimately improving their livelihoods, said Michelle Burns, SVP of Global Coffee & Tea at Starbucks. The app will also inform consumers of how Starbucks is supporting these growers, Microsoft indicated. PepsiCo Blockchain Trial Brings 28% Boost in Supply Chain Efficiency This kind of transparency offers customers the chance to see that the coffee they enjoy from us is the result of many people caring deeply, said Burns. While a date for the launch of the new service has not been revealed, the digital traceability concept was demoed to shareholders at Starbucks annual meeting in March. The firm is currently talking to coffee farmers in Costa Rica, Colombia and Rwanda to find out more about how the project can best benefit them, Burns added. Story continues Starbucks is notably working with the Bakkt digital assets and bitcoin futures platform being developed by Intercontinental Exchange, the parent firm of the New York Stock Exchange. The coffee company was said last August to be working to develop practical, trusted and regulated applications for consumers to convert digital assets into U.S. dollars. Starbucks image via Shutterstock Related Stories A work of art made by a Madeira High School student depicts a pig dressed as a police officer standing in front of a collage of newspaper clippings about police violence. (Photo: Courtesy of Facebook/Kellie Gantzer Williams) A high school students mixed media artwork depicting a police officer as a pig was pulled from public viewing just days before its would-be debut at a Cincinnati art fair on May 5 after some community members complained. The piece which features a drawing of a pig dressed as a police officer in the foreground and a collage of newspaper clippings related to police brutality in the background was on display at the Madeira Municipal Building. There, a local named Kellie Gantzer Williams spotted the portrait, which was done by an unidentified Madeira High School student, and reported it to Madeira Schools superintendent Kenji Matsudo. On Tuesday, she posted an image of the work on Facebook. Ive wrestled with whether or not to post this, Gantzer Williams wrote. I support free speech and pouring your feelings into artwork. But this goes way beyond that, it promotes hatred and divisiveness. I just cant believe this is hanging in a local municipal building. Gantzer Williams included Matsudos written response to her complaint, in which he apologized and confirmed the artwork would be taken down from the Municipal Building and removed from the art fair. Police officers and those in law enforcement deserve and demand our respect as they serve to protect our communities, Matsudo wrote. Ive spent the last several hours looking into the how or why this piece made it into the art show, he continued. For everyones benefit, until those questions are answered, the organizers of the art fair took the artwork down prior to the show this morning I can assure you that it does not represent my views or the overwhelming majority of our student body or staff. The offending artwork was one among dozens of creations by Madeira students of various ages, according to The Enquirer. City manager Tom Moeller expressed that, in light of this controversy, the vetting process for art fair contenders would be amended going forward. In the past, we have never seen a reason, or never came across a reason, to inspect what is being displayed in the municipal building, Moeller told The Enquirer. Thats one thing were going to discuss with the Madeira Schools. When this piece was apparently first noticed, our police department was notified. We, in turn, notified Madeira Schools. They reacted quickly and had it removed before the show actually started. Story continues The work was created in response to an assignment asking student artists to read the news then interpret and visually summarize what theyd learned. I dont know that [the student] intended it to be anything other than this is my assignment. I dont know that he was making any political statement, Matsudo said. He concluded that if the MadeirasSchool board had it to do over again, they would have paused and put up a different piece of art. Representatives from the Madeira Womans Club, which organizes the art fair, were the ones to formally request the work, according to Matsudo. Yahoo Lifestyle has reached out to the Womans Club for further comment. Matsudo said that the decision to remove the piece was ultimately made out of concern after the student himself became the target of demeaning social media posts. The students parents were notified and made to understand the decision and the motive behind it before the artwork was removed. The Madeira Police Department was also made aware of the students piece. Images of this art project began circulating on social media and our office did receive complaints about it, a statement from the police department reads. The members of the Madeira Police Department fully respect and support the students right to free speech, and recognize that this young artist is very talented. However, officers are troubled by the perceived message of the students art project. Another Cincinnati police organization the Fraternal Order of Police, Ohio Valley Lodge 112 wasnt quite as diplomatic. They reportedly sparked a backlash when they revealed the underage students identity in a Facebook post, calling the artwork a piece of trash, according to The Enquirer. Art is meant to evoke feelings and cause reactions, one person wrote on the unions page. Its not meant to pacify. The union later removed the post, and as of Tuesday morning, their Facebook account appears to be offline. Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle: Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. KHARTOUM (Reuters) - The main group spearheading protests in Sudan said on Tuesday that the country's ruling Transitional Military Council (TMC) had responded to its plans for an interim government structure, and it would announce its position once it had studied the reply. Protesters whose months of street demonstrations helped force longtime President Omar al-Bashir from office last month have kept up their demands for change, calling on the military officers who took over to hand over power to civilians. The Declaration of Freedom and Change Forces, an alliance of activists and opposition groups, sent the military council a draft constitutional document on Thursday outlining its vision for the transitional period. Amjad Farid, spokesman for the Sudanese Professionals Association (SPA), which has played the leading role in the protests, said the council had sent a written reply. "We will study the response and will announce our position later," Farid told reporters. The constitutional draft, seen by Reuters, describes the duties of a sovereign transitional council that the opposition groups hope will replace the TMC, but does not specify who would sit on it. It also outlines the responsibilities of the cabinet and a 120-member legislature. Lieutenant General Shams El Din Kabbashi, a spokesman for the military council, said on Sunday the document was "good", adding that while the council agreed on some of its points, it had its reservations on others. The military removed Bashir on April 11 after months of demonstrations against his 30-year rule. (Reporting by Khalid Abdelaziz; Writing by Lena Masri; Editing by Frances Kerry) Pension Savings Accrued 1 Million GEL By Natalia Kochiashvili Partially compulsory pension system has been launched in Georgia and a special pension agency was established on the basis of the same law. The accumulated pension system has been launched on January 1st, 2019. According to the pension agency, pension savings have already been accrued one million GEL. As stated by the fund, 200 million GEL is accumulated at this time.There are 741 000 people and 50 000 companies involved in the pension accumulation, up to date 15,000 of these people have already left the scheme, which is 2% of the participants. Among them are MPs from opposition parties. Lela Keburia, Giga Bokeria, and Zurab Chiaberashvili have just recently left the compulsory accumulated pension system. MP Giga Bokeria believes, that under any government, it is better for people to dispose of their own money. Zurab Tchiaberashvili says that compulsory pension reform is a Georgian Dream trap and notes that unfortunately, 40-year-old citizens do not have the right to leave the system.Involvement in the system is obligatory for citizens under the age of 40. For citizens older than 40 years participation is voluntary. The amount of contributions to the pension fund is distributed between the employer, the employee and the government. The pension system applies to people employed in the formal sector with the following principle - 2% + 2% + 2%.Since April 1, 2019 individuals who became 40 years old after August 1, 2018, can leave the accumulated pension scheme. The number of such people is more than 200 thousand.In addition, the pension agency states that the appeal of citizens is quite high in order to get consultations.For the citizens who have left the pension scheme, however, they want to join, the law allows it. The employer must address the employer's accountant to join the pension scheme again. If the citizen wishes to re-enter the pension system before withdrawing from the scheme, he/she shall apply to the Agency for requesting the cancellation of the leave.Director of the Pension Agency Levan Surguladze made a comment about agencys expectations: In two years we expect to accumulate 1.5 billion GEL in the pension system. He added that the largest investment capital base will be created in Georgia, which will facilitate the development of the capital market. Surguladze says the goal of the reform is to ensure financial support for citizens of retirement age, while the second goal is the development of the capital market. By Nuzulack Dausen DAR ES SALAAM (Reuters) - Tanzania wants to boost tourist numbers by putting a cable car on Mount Kilimanjaro, Africas tallest mountain, and is in talks about the project with a Chinese and a Western company. Around 50,000 tourists climb Kilimanjaro annually. A cable car could increase tourist numbers by 50 percent by providing access to the mountain for those unable to climb it, Constantine Kanyasu, the deputy minister for tourism, said. The country is conducting feasibility studies on possible routes at the moment, Kanyasu told Reuters. "We are still doing a feasibility study to see if this project works," he said. "There are two companies one from China and another from a Western country that have shown interest." "This wont be the first time in the world, cable cars are there in Sweden, Italy, the Himalayas, he said. Kanyasu said the government was looking at business plans, potential investors and profits. The length of the route has not been finalised, with various options under consideration depending on cost and engineering issues, the minister said. An environmental impact assessment would also be carried out, he said. Porter and guide groups who take tourists up the mountain oppose the project because they fear cable cars will reduce the number of climbers. Loishiye Mollel, head of Tanzania Porters' Organization, said visitors normally spend a week climbing the mountain. "One visitor from the U.S. can have a maximum of 15 people behind him, of which 13 are porters, a cook and a guide. All these jobs will be affected by a cable car," he said. "We are of the view that the mountain should be left as it is." There are about 20,000 porters working between Mount Kilimanjaro and Meru, another mountain nearby, he said. Tanzania's earnings from tourism jumped 7.13 percent last year, helped by an increase in arrivals from foreign visitors. Tourism revenues raised $2.43 billion for the year, up from $2.19 billion in 2017. Tourism is the main source of hard currency in Tanzania, known for its beaches, wildlife safaris and Mount Kilimanjaro, which has three volcanic cones and is nearly 5,000 meters high from its base. (Editing by Katharine Houreld and Jane Merriman) Tempur-Pedic is jumping into the bed-in-a-box game. The mattress brand, part of Tempur Sealy International, is introducing its first bed-in-a-box as the mattress industry grapples with the fallout from over-expansion and digital competition. The Tempur-Cloud will range in price from $1,499 for a twin to $2,199 for a king, which is about three to four times more expensive than the cheapest bed-in-a-box options on the market. It's a test for now. The company is launching the 10-inch-tall product in Seattle to hone its marketing and logistics plan, Tempur Sealy North America President Rick Anderson told USA TODAY. "This largely is a play for convenience," Anderson said. "We understand the market well, we understand the potential for it, we understand its size." Like its competitors, the Tempur-Cloud mattress will be compressed into a cardboard box for delivery. When opened, it will gradually unfold into sleeping shape. Anderson said designers placed special emphasis on "pressure relief," "motion transfer" and "temperature control." The product will be sold at TempurCloud.com. It won't be offered for sale in stores, unless something changes, Anderson said. Want news from USA TODAY on WhatsApp? Click this link on your mobile device to get started It's not the first bed-in-a-box product from Tempur Sealy, which sells products like the middle-market Cocoon mattress. But it's the first one to be sold under the Tempur-Pedic brand. "We've been working on this for a couple of years," Tempur Sealy CEO Scott Thompson told investors last week in a conference call. "When (you) see the product and test the product, you will conclude also that this truly is a Tempur bed." Thompson said the product would soon hit more "major cities" in addition to Seattle. The Tempur-Cloud's introduction comes as a furious competition has roiled the traditional mattress industry, leading to mass store closures, discounts, lawsuits and the Chapter 11 bankruptcy of the nation's leading mattress seller, Mattress Firm. Story continues Turmoil again at Mattress Firm?: CEO suddenly exits six months after bankruptcy Digital disruption: There's a fierce battle over your bed: Industry goes to the mattresses Mattress companies are under pressure from digital competition, including surging bed-in-a-box sellers like Casper and Leesa. "The incumbents in this space continue to be distressed," Casper CEO Philip Krim told USA TODAY last month. "They continue to not understand where the consumer landscape is going in this category, and the owners of the respective businesses clearly are starting to see that." The industry has also been grappling from the fallout of over expansion in recent years, particularly involving Mattress Firm, which closed about 700 stores in connection with its 2018 bankruptcy. Anderson estimated that the mattress industry has closed about 1,000 locations in the past 12 to 24 months. But some chains are still expanding, including Tempur Sealy. Tempur-Pedic has about 44 stores and expects to eventually have 100 to 125, Anderson said. Casper has 23 stores open so far and plans to open "dozens" more this year, Krim said. But he predicted that more traditional retailers will close stores. "I think youre going to continue to see a substantial retail shakeout," Krim said. Follow USA TODAY reporter Nathan Bomey on Twitter @NathanBomey. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tempur-Pedic introduces bed-in-a-box mattress: Tempur-Cloud debuts While fishing along the Brazos River in Texas, Scott Fuller spotted a floating piece of history: an 800-year-old human femur bone. Fuller found the bone floating about a foot from the river's shore, local station WFAA reported, and thought it was a clue to a murder mystery. But scientific analysis determined the bone dates to between 1286 and 1398 A.D. "I'm still wrapping my mind around it," Fuller told WFAA. A forensic anthropologist at the Tarrant County Medical Examiners Office realized the bone was ancient, The Weatherford Democrat reported, then took a sample to a lab in Florida. Carbon-14 dating, which estimates the age of carbon-based materials from living organisms, determined the bone's age range with a 95.4% accuracy. Parker County Senior Investigator Bryan Wright and Sheriff Larry Fowler both said they believe the bone belonged to a Native American, the Democrat reported. We believe it was the Caddo Indians that were in this area hundreds of years ago, Fowler told the Democrat. Im the keeper of the bone until its disposed of properly properly. We cant just throw it away and I shall treat the Indian bone with dignity and respect. Water project dig: Ancient skeletons that may have been part of 'human sacrifice' found Levallois cores: Prehistoric 'Swiss Army knife' discovered in China Fowler told WFAA he did not know of any ancient bone discoveries in the county dating that far back. The bone is currently being stored in an anthropological locker at the medical examiner's office, the Democrat reported. A week after Fueller found the femur bone in March, he spotted a human rib bone floating in the same place. But it rained after he called the medical examiner, WFAA reported, and the bone disappeared under the water. Ancestors of the Caddo Nation were farmers whose distinctive culture dates to 900 A.D., according to the Caddo Nation's website. They lived in what is now Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas and Oklahoma. Local reports did not indicate whether Texas officials contacted the Caddo Nation about the discovery. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: A Texas man went fishing on the Brazos River. He caught a prehistoric human bone Does the increase in asylum seekers pose a threat to visa-free travel? By Inga Kakulia When the European Union granted the visa-free travel to the Georgian citizens it was largely regarded as a positive development. Throughout the following months, some troublesome tendencies became more difficult to ignore.While the visa-free travel has generally been beneficial for Georgian and EU citizens and contributed to the increased cooperation between the two, there are quite a few challenges that could potentially damage this dynamic.The comment made recently by the French Ambassador to Georgia sums up the general attitudes that can be observed throughout the European Union. According to Pascal Meunier, The political situation in Georgia does not demand people to seek political asylum and France's priority is to maintain Georgia's visa liberalization."France has supported visa liberalization and our goal was to allow Georgians to move around the EU with as little complications as possible.Our priority is to keep that. The number of Georgian citizens demanding political asylum in France is growing. And It's a bit confusing, it does not comply with the current situation in Georgia. There is no war in Georgia, there is no situation where its citizens should be demanding political asylum. Political refugees are generally demanded by IDPs or people who are suffering from some type of persecution. Consequently, we have the impression that the citizens of Georgia become victims of manipulation from people who may or may not have been misinformed or are giving out false promises of employment in France.Citizens of Georgia take the first place in the number of political asylum seekers in France," said Pascal Meunier.According to the ambassador, this is not acceptable and appropriate measures will be taken against this trend."These people will probably get deported from the country. Our aim is to regulate the situation and, in this regard, the French government is consistently working with the Georgian government. We are also looking forward to the visit of the Minister of Interior Affairs of France to Georgia.By the way, the Parliament of Georgia has recently adopted a law that makes the promotion of such procedures punishable.To summarize, the citizens of Georgia who come to Schengen countries, especially in France to visit their relatives or the businessmen that have all the documents, return tickets, all the necessary papers proving that their stay in France and in the EU countries is legal are not only permitted, but welcome. But the people who come in for political asylum and are not facing the threat of persecution in their home country have to face the appropriate consequences, both from France and Georgia," said Pascal Meunier.France is not the only European Country where the Georgians are seeking asylum at a high rate. In the year 2018, the German also published a report bringing to the attention the increasing rate of asylum seekers in the article published by Germany's Public International broadcaster, Deutsche Welle.Germany has noted a rise in asylum applications from Georgia now that its citizens can enter the EU visa-free. Authorities have warned the Georgian government it must fix the problem or risk losing its travel privileges.According to the same article, from the very start, France and Germany feared that the visa-free rule could lead to unwanted immigration and insisted upon including an "emergency brake" when Brussels negotiated travel liberalization with partner countries: In the event that visa-free travel should lead to an increase in asylum applications in EU countries, the privilege could be revoked.EU member states have repeatedly threatened to invoke the mechanism, most recently after an increase in asylum applications filed by Georgians and Armenians in Germany.So far there is no indication that the EU wants to revoke the visa-free travel, but it is clear that the necessary precautions must be taken immediately to prevent further growth of these trends.Another country increasingly receiving a request for asylum is Sweden. This is an exceptionally interesting case because of the sheer distance between the two countries. Sweden has also experienced an increased number of Georgian criminals who commit small scale crimes that Sweden isnt used to dealing with considering the country general low crime rates in the country. The instances of stolen packages sent to the nonexistent addresses in Georgia is a common practice.While the European Union and the separate member states are always hesitant to point fingers at certain ethnicities or to generalize, its evident that the changes need to be made in a way that doesnt compromise the visa-free travel.When talking about the possibility of revoking the visa-free travel based on these instances the general attitude is that EU does not want to take away the privilege or damage the interests of regular citizen that just want to enjoy visa-free travel and have their documents in check.Visa liberalization for Georgian citizens entered into force on the same day as the revised visa suspension mechanism, allowing the EU to react rapidly to increased irregular migration, including an increase in unfounded asylum requests, or security risk by suspending visa-free travel for any of the visa-free countries, if necessary.Georgia has taken a number of actions to continue to address the challenge of unfounded asylum applications and to increase the operational cooperation with Member States most affected by irregular migration.Recently a step in that direction was taken by the Austrian Officials. In Kutaisi International Airport Austrian Security Officers have appeared. They check the passengers documents extensively and have sent multiple people back and not allowed them to get on the flight. This caused quite a bit of discontent in the Georgian community society although, most of the people cant help but see the necessity of these types of actions. Prime minister Theresa May arrives for a church service near her Maidenhead constituency at the weekend (Picture: PA) Theresa May is to meet the chairman of the Tory partys influential 1922 Committee amid backbenchers calls for her to set a firm resignation date. The prime ministers meeting with Sir Graham Brady comes after the 1922 Committee requested "clarity" about her timetable for standing down and triggering a leadership contest. As talks between the government and Labour over a Brexit deal resume on Tuesday, there is growing Tory pressure for Mrs May to quit. Leading Eurosceptic Sir Bill Cash said: "The time has come for her to resign. "She needs to be given a date. The sooner the better. But it needs to be done in an orderly manner." European Union flags placed by anti-Brexit campaigners outside the Houses of Parliament in London (Picture: PA) The comments came as the Daily Telegraph reported that grassroots Tories will hold a no-confidence vote in Mrs May on June 15. The vote by members at an EGM of the National Conservative Convention would not be binding, but would add pressure on Mrs May to quit if passed. Read more One million species at risk of extinction due to humanitys greed, scientists warn Most Leavers say its important your parents were born in Britain to be truly British Sweden tells citizens to stockpile cash in case electronic payments collapse Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage said: "I'm amazed she is still there." Mrs May has said she will step down if her Withdrawal Agreement is ratified, but - with the deadline for Brexit extended to the end of October - has not made clear how long she intends to stay if no deal is reached. Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, treasurer of the 1922 Committee, put the spotlight on a departure date by insisting Mrs May announce a "road map" for her resignation after the European elections set for May 23. Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn's parties continue talks to find a Brexit deal (Picture: PA) The resumption of government talks with Labour comes amid increased tension between the two sides. Shadow chancellor John McDonnell said he had no trust in Mrs May after reports emerged that she is ready to offer a temporary customs arrangement with the EU to the opposition. Labour accused Mrs May of having "blown the confidentiality" of the talks. Story continues Party leader Jeremy Corbyn said Brexit had a big impact on last week's local election results, which saw huge losses for the Tories and a disappointing showing for Labour. Prime minister Theresa May is under pressure to announce her resignation date (Picture: PA) A number of senior Tory Brexiteers have said they would not vote for a customs union. Referring to talks with Labour, children's minister Nadhim Zahawi said: "Currently, if you look at the Withdrawal Agreement, the customs arrangements, or the alignment with the EU, would go on until December 2021, if Labour believe, actually, that they would rather go to the next general election, which is 2022, for example, then, actually, that's still a temporary customs arrangement. "And then, whoever is leader of the Conservative Party can then lay out their stall as to the next instalment of negotiations." At 6:00 a.m. when most kids are just waking up for school, the doors of Monarch School open so their homeless students can come in for a hot shower and breakfast before classes begin. Nestled on the outskirts of downtown San Diego, Monarch School is the only public K-12 school in the U.S. that exclusively services the homeless youth population. Since most homeless shelters only open their doors to provide a safe place to rest for the night, those who are displaced have no place to go during the day. Its sort of the ignored populations. When folks think about homelessness, they think about veterans or they think about individuals on the street, says Monarch CEO Erin Spiewak who works alongside the school principal and leads fundraising efforts. They dont think about children. They dont think about families. In her 18 years at Monarch School, Spiewak has seen a slew of students come and go, but only 77 have graduated students can be enrolled at the school anywhere from two to three weeks, to several years until the families housing situations have stabilized. For this transient population, the average student is enrolled for about 11 months. Without a permanent address, it was difficult for Athina Reyes, 17, and her siblings to enroll in a school until they found Monarch. I dont like being in shelters, because I get anxiety. I just dont like being around a lot of people. Now a 17-year-old high school senior at Monarch, Reyes has gone from shelters to motels, and friends couches after her father was deported to Mexico. Her mother continues to struggle to make ends meet and secure stable housing in the U.S., and goes back and forth across the border as a U.S. citizen as she tends to her youngest child who is unable to walk. As they await affordable housing lotteries to open up, Reyes and her 15-year-old sister, get up at 4 a.m. to make the two-hour journey to San Diego from Tijuana, Mexico. Together they cross the border in a long pedestrian line, then transfer to a trolley, and finally walk the rest of the way to school. Story continues Once at school, Reyes does whatever she can to stay positive and turns to writing lyrics as a creative outlet. When I hear something that's going to get me sad, I go to writing right away, or I just do whatever to keep my mind off that, she said. Her internship coordinator, Michael Gaulden, has helped Reyes identify her love of writing music. Inside Monarch School in San Diego, CA, the only public K-12 school in the US dedicated to homeless students, internship coordinator Michael Gaulden and high school senior Athina Reyes, discuss possible work opportunities. Because Gaulden has lived through homelessness as a teenager himself, he has an intimate understanding of the emotional, social, and academic impact homelessness has on kids. When youre below the poverty level and have to work your way up to become poor right, its crazy. It's a trap that many people do not escape. It perpetuates, it's generational, Id almost say it's hereditary, Gaulden tells Yahoo Finance. We start with zero, less than zero. So how do you take zero and build upon that? How do you build something from nothing? It's impossible. To give the kids every advantage they can possibly have to break the cycle of homelessness for their families, Gaulden partners with small businesses in San Diego county to coordinate internships for the students at Monarch School who sign up. If you give them some resources while helping them goal set for a brighter future you're handling short-term goals. And each short-term goal will get you to that long-term goal, says Gaulden. The internship program also teaches the kids how to allocate money theyve earned. Reyes, now onto her third internship program, has been able to save $160: I get an advantage because it looks good on my resume and I get more experience. I'm learning about budgeting and putting my money somewhere safe, in a bank. But shes only 1 among 23,000 homeless youth in San Diego. In the U.S., there are one or two million students without a home, according to the National Center for Education Statistics -- and for women, minorities and children, that number is rising. And in 28 states, unaccompanied youth comprise 10% or more of the total population of students identified as experiencing homelessness, per the US Interagency Council on Homelessness. Homeless youth hasnt been the focus of a lot of the homeless outreach efforts. Because of that, the population has continued to grow, Spiewak tells Yahoo Finance. For a lot of our students who are in families who had huge turmoil in the job market, stability and work wasnt something that they had necessarily been exposed to. Focusing specifically on families and children has proven to make an impact: over a quarter of those who have graduated Monarch School are employed, more than half are enrolled in college. And efforts to share this learning for other school districts are ongoing. We can't grow the number of students we serve here, were thinking about and looking at how we can help support those other public schools that are serving homeless youth, says Spiewak. When we discover what works very well with this population, we can share that with others. Jeanie Ahn is a senior reporter and producer at Yahoo Finance, covering personal finance and women in business. Follow her on Twitter @jeanie531. WATCH MORE: The one strategy you need to get hired faster These states have the highest number of open auto recalls 39 million Americans can't afford a summer vacation Why millennials would rather buy lottery tickets than invest in the stock market Washington (AFP) - The United States and China are due to resume negotiations on Thursday in Washington to try to end their trade war but central to the dispute between the world's top economic powers is dominance in future high-tech industries. What are the main sticking points in the talks? - Opening of the Chinese market - US President Donald Trump demands that China further open its market to American products by eliminating barriers to reduce the colossal trade deficit with Beijing: $378.7 billion in 2018, and $419.3 billion for manufactured goods alone. Beijing already committed to buying more US soybeans, which are used to feed pigs, as well as products from the energy sector, but it would take a major increase in imports to reduce the deficit. - Intellectual property - The United States has for years accused Beijing of the rampant theft of American know-how, including through forced technology transfers, and Trump's team has made technology and copyright protection a central element of the negotiations. Beijing has required foreign companies to form joint ventures in order to do business in China, which allows technology and other intellectual property to be acquired by their local partners. China has several times over the years promised to clamp down on IP theft, including taking steps to reorganize the ministries and agencies responsible for protecting intellectual property rights. But Washington said the efforts "fail to make the necessary fundamental changes," according to a recent report by US Trade Representative. - Investments - The protection of intellectual property also relates to Chinese investments in the United States. US authorities have gone after Chinese nationals accused of stealing know-how from their American employers, and the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States has prevented Chinese takeovers of key US firms, claiming they posed national security risks. - Hacking - Story continues Washington also is calling for an end to cyber theft. In December, for example, US authorities accused China of hacking into a database of the Marriott hotel giant containing information on 500 million customers. However, Beijing is reluctant to agree to any wording in a trade deal that acknowledges responsibility for any theft of technology or hacking. - Subsidies - Washington is calling on Beijing to reduce the massive subsidies provided to the country's state-owned enterprises. But that demand clashes with Chinese ambitions. Beijing in 2015 launched is "Made in China 2025" development plan to make the country a world leader in high-tech industries, like aeronautics, robotics, artificial intelligence and clean energy vehicles. Trade experts say Beijing is unlikely to agree to major structural changes. - Currency manipulation - The United States has long insisted that China must not use a weaker currency to make its exports more competitive and US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has said a provision on exchange rates for the yuan (renminbi) will be included in the agreement. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimated in July 2018 that the Chinese currency was "in line with fundamentals," and not undervalued. The US Treasury likewise has repeatedly refrained from declaring that Beijing manipulates its currency. However, the latest of the semi-annual reports to Congress on currency manipulation is overdue. - Enforcement mechanism - Burned by broken promises, the Americans want to put in place mechanisms to ensure China will abide by the terms of any agreement. US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer had proposed monthly, quarterly and semi-annual meetings to review compliance. If US companies report any violations of the deal, Washington could hold consultations with Chinese officials, and if no resolution is found, unilaterally impose punitive tariffs. But whatever the system, it would work both ways, meaning Beijing also would have the option of imposing tariffs as well, a prospect that concerns US businesses. - Tariffs in place - Beijing wants to ensure Washington will remove the tariffs Trump imposed on $250 billion worth of Chinese goods. But US Vice President Mike Pence said the fate of the tariffs will depend on whether China complies with the terms of the agreement. Trade experts say the tariffs likely would be removed in stages. GOMA, Democratic Republic of Congo (Reuters) - Three suspects in the killing of two U.N. investigators in Democratic Republic of Congo escaped from prison overnight, a defense lawyer in the case said on Tuesday. Evariste Ilunga Lumu, Kanowa Tshiaba and Mbayi Amoxi Tshikangu are on trial accused of participating in the killing of American Michael Sharp and Zaida Catalan, a Swede, in March 2017. The U.N. investigators were probing alleged atrocities during fighting in the central Kasai region between government forces and the local Kamuina Nsapu militia, which prosecutors blame for their deaths. Ilunga is the only defendant among more than a dozen on trial to have admitted having participated in the killings. An army colonel and an informant for the national intelligence service, the ANR, have also been arrested in connection with the case. They deny involvement and have not been formally charged over the killings. Tresor Kabangu, the lawyer for Ilunga and Tshiaba in the trial, which began in June 2017, said the three defendants had escaped from prison in the city of Kananga overnight. Timothee Mukuntu, Congo's top military prosecutor, confirmed at a news conference that Ilunga and Tshiaba were among five prisoners who had escaped by climbing over the prison wall during a driving rainstorm. He did not mention Tshikangu. "It is a tough blow for us that Ilunga Lumu escaped," said Mukuntu. "We are going to do everything to find him." Florence Marchal, spokeswoman for the U.N. peacekeeping mission (MONUSCO) said the suspects' escape showed "a dysfunction in the system ... dysfunctions that need to be corrected for justice to be done". Reuters and Radio France Internationale (RFI) revealed in December 2017 that the informant who helped Catalan and Sharp plan their fatal trip the day before they left was working at the time for Congos intelligence agency (ANR). Their findings revived questions about what role state agents may have played in the killing. The United Nations and human rights groups have accused government forces of involvement in atrocities in the conflict that Sharp and Catalan were investigating. The Congolese government has in the past denied any responsibility for mass graves that have been found in the Kasai region, and denied that its troops have systematically used excessive force there. Catalan's mother Maria Morseby tweeted: "I'm so disappointed and sad because with Ilunga important information and testimony disappears." (Reporting by Fiston Mahamba and Aaron Ross; Writing by Aaron Ross; Editing by Sofia Christensen and Gareth Jones) Yangon (AFP) - Reuters journalists Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo were released from prison Tuesday after spending more than 16 months behind bars for investigating atrocities against Rohingya Muslims by Myanmar's army. Their conviction for breaching the Official Secrets Act was condemned around the world as an assault on media freedom and shattered the image of Myanmar's leader Aung San Suu Kyi's as a rights defender. Here is a timeline of key events in the case. The arrest Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo meet police for dinner at a Yangon restaurant on December 12 2017, and are handed a roll of documents. They are arrested straight afterwards and held under the Official Secrets Act for possessing documents regarding a military crackdown in Rakhine state against Rohingya Muslims. Their whereabouts are unknown for two weeks and they later tell the court they were hooded, deprived of sleep and interrogated. The case The pair are charged with possessing documents linked to security operations against Rohingya militants in Rakhine state, and of breaking a state secrets law. Myanmar's military says it found 10 bodies in a grave at Inn Din in northern Rakhine state, epicentre of the crackdown against stateless Rohingya. Reuters had been investigating in the area. In January 2018, Myanmar's army says security forces killed 10 Rohingya men at Inn Din, admitting for the first time extra-judicial killings by its forces against the Rohingya during the 2017 crackdown. Seven soldiers are later charged and convicted for the massacre. But the Reuters pair remain in custody. In February, Reuters publishes its report into the Inn Din massacre and says the journalists were arrested for probing it. The trial The trial begins in July 2018, with prominent rights attorney Amal Clooney on the legal team representing the journalists. Wa Lone, the first to testify, tells the court that he had followed standard reporting procedures and not broken any laws. Story continues During the trial, Myanmar policeman Moe Yan Naing claims a superior ordered a sting to "get" Wa Lone by handing him papers. The prosecution tries to declare him a hostile witness, but the judge later says his testimony can stand. In September, Myanmar court sentences both journalists to seven years jail each for violating the state secrets act. An appeal by the pair is dismissed by a Yangon High Court judge in January 2019, and a further appeal by the Supreme Court is rejected in April. Global outrage The sentence and detention of the two journalists prompts global outrage, including from the United Nations. The pair are later awarded the UN's annual press freedom prize. Suu Kyi is pilloried in September 2018 after breaking her long silence on the case only to defend the court decision. "They were not jailed because they were journalists" but because "the court has decided that they had broken the Official Secrets Act", she says. The one year anniversary of the jailing of the pair is marked by newsrooms across the world with reporters posing for photos flashing the "thumbs up" -- Wa Lone's signature greeting to media at the court. Freedom Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo are released from prison in a presidential amnesty in May 2019. The two are mobbed by media as they step out of the entrance to Yangon's notorious prison after spending more than 500 days inside. Wa Lone thanks everyone from "around the world" for advocating for their release. "I can't wait to go to my newsroom," he says. "I am a journalist and I am going to continue." WASHINGTON Just steps from the U.S. Capitol, dozens of childrens shoes, including red high-top sneakers, lined the path Tuesday to a statue of a woman reaching out to a young boy behind a cage. The silent reminder marked the one-year anniversary of Attorney General Jeff Session's speech on the Trump administration's then-new "zero tolerance" policy, which separated children from parents who had crossed the southern border illegally. A year later, there are still hundreds of families from those original thousands of families that were ripped apart at the border," said Jess Morales Rocketto, co-chair of Families Belong Together, a coalition of 250 groups. Family separation is still happening. Artist Paola Mendoza positions a silver blanket on a statue of a mother reaching out to her son in a cage. Morales Rocketto said the group hopes to raise awareness thats theres still urgency. Its also a message to the families themselves that we havent forgotten them and that we will continue to advocate until every single one of them is reunited," she said. Last year, then-Attorney General Sessions announced that the federal government would adopt a zero tolerance policy to criminally charge all who illegally cross the border a departure from previous administration that treated first-time crossings as a civil infraction. That prompted the Department of Homeland Security to send adult migrants to adult detention centers, and their children to shelters run by the Department of Health and Human Services. More: Trump administration has separated hundreds of children from their migrant families since 2018 In a little over two months, more than 2,800 families were separated. Republicans and Democrats alike called the policy inhumane, leading Trump to sign an executive order in June rescinding the family separation policy. A week later, U.S. District Judge Dana Sabraw in California went a step further, banning separations as a systemic policy and ordering the administration to reunite those families. But Sabraw allowed for separations to continue in rare circumstances, including situations where Border Patrol agents deem a migrant parent a danger to the child. Immigration advocates say Homeland Security is exploiting that opening and continuing to separate hundreds of migrant families. Story continues Artist Paola Mendoza said her work's goal is to remind people about the children still separated from their parents. The statue of a mother is draped by a silver blanket, representing the thermal blanket issued to families in detention. The woman is reaching toward a boy behind a cage covered with white carnations. The tiny shoes represent the children still separated from their parents. Families Belong Together staged a silent protest outside the U.S. Capitol May 7, 2019, to mark the anniversary of the announcement of the Trump administration's "zero tolerance'' policy. Theyre fighting to survive, to live, to grow, Mendoza said. In addition to the statue, members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus launched a Twitter storm Tuesday reminding followers that Tuesday marked the anniversary. Families Belong Together is urging Congress to support legislation, including one reintroduced last week by Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J. and Washington Democratic Reps. Pramila Jayapal and Adam Smith. The Dignity for Detained Migrants Act would, among other things, require that detainees have bond hearings before an immigration judge. The measure has no Republican co-sponsors. Its been 1 year since the Trump admin. announced the zero tolerance immigration policy. Since then 3 children died at the border in US custody, that we know of. Their deaths cannot go unanswered. Where's the accountability? Immigrants deserve dignity too.https://t.co/5TDq0aR7VM Sen. Cory Booker (@SenBooker) May 7, 2019 Our country is still reeling from the horrors of this zero-humanity policy," Jayapal said in a statement Tuesday. Worse, the Trump administration still has no idea exactly how many children they tore from their parents and we continue to uncover new evidence showing that the Trump administration never had any intention of reuniting children with their families. Jess Morales Rocketto, co-chair of Families Belong Together, said some children are still separated from their parents, May 7, 2019. Morales Rocketto acknowledges chances of Congress passing the bill in the Republican-controlled Senate are slim. Still, she said, Youve got to push so when your moment comes youre ready for it. Read even more: Download the USA TODAY app This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tiny shoes, caged children: protesting Trump administration 'zero tolerance' immigration policy SHANGHAI (AP) Patient Number One is a thin man, with a scabby face and bouncy knees. His head, shaved in preparation for surgery, is wrapped in a clean, white cloth. Years of drug use cost him his wife, his money and his self-respect, before landing him in this drab yellow room at a Shanghai hospital, facing the surgeon who in 72 hours will drill two small holes in his skull and feed electrodes deep into his brain. The hope is that technology will extinguish his addiction, quite literally, with the flip of a switch. The treatment deep brain stimulation has long been used for movement disorders like Parkinson's. WASHINGTON (AP) Heightened trade tensions between the United States and China are spooking financial markets and putting a chill on prospects for the global economy. Chinese officials are heading to Washington to try to salvage negotiations aimed at breaking an impasse between the world's two biggest economies over Beijing's aggressive push to challenge American technological dominance. The 11th round of talks is set for Thursday and Friday in Washington. But their arrival is unlikely to stop the United States from going ahead with plans to raise import taxes on $200 billion in Chinese goods at 12:01 a.m. Friday, Eastern time, in a dramatic escalation of a yearlong trade war. BEIJING (AP) Efforts to end a U.S.-China trade war are in shambles after the United States accused China of reneging on its commitments and prepared to raise import taxes on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods. A Chinese delegation is headed to Washington to salvage talks aimed at resolving a dispute over China's aggressive push to challenge American technological dominance. Negotiations are set to resume Thursday. The setback in negotiations caught financial markets by surprise, and the U.S. stocks fell Tuesday for the second straight day. For weeks, Trump administration officials had suggested that negotiators were making steady progress. China confirmed Tuesday its economy czar, Vice Premier Liu He, will lead China's delegation, ending speculation that he'd skip the talks or that the Chinese team would back out altogether. Story continues YANGON, Myanmar (AP) Two Reuters journalists whose imprisonment for their reporting on the Myanmar military's abuses of Rohingya Muslims drew the world's attention to curbs on freedom of the press were freed in a mass presidential pardon. Wa Lone, 32, and Kyaw Soe Oo, 28, walked out of Yangon's notorious Insein Prison at about 9:40 a.m. Tuesday. As they passed through the front gate, waving to the gathered crowd, they were mobbed like rock stars by fellow reporters who as professionals had covered their plight and as colleagues had pushed for their release. "I want to say that I am very happy today. COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) Sri Lanka's president says "99%" of the remaining suspects in the Easter attacks on churches and hotels have been arrested and their explosive materials seized, and it is safe for tourists to return to the Indian Ocean island nation. "The country is in a safe position right now," President Maithripala Sirisena said in an interview with The Associated Press on Tuesday. "Our intelligence divisions have identified how many terrorists are there and 99% of them have been arrested. One or two may have been left and they too will be arrested," he said. Sirisena spoke hours after an interim report was submitted by a committee his office formed to examine why Sri Lankan security forces did not heed Indian intelligence information ahead of the attacks that killed more than 250 people. CANBERRA, Australia (AP) The Chinese diaspora in Australia, long regarded as a politically apathetic ethnic minority, are being wooed like never before by political parties who see them as key to winning crucial seats that could decide a general election next week. China has become one of Australia's largest sources of immigrants. Both Prime Minister Scott Morrison and opposition leader Bill Shorten have opened WeChat accounts to reach large Chinese populations in big cities with political messages. The opposition center-left Labor Party has cried foul over some of that engagement, complaining to WeChat's owner Tencent that China's largest social media platform with 1 billion monthly users is being exploited by opponents who generate fake news. NEW DELHI (AP) With India's general election inching toward the finish line, the battle for one seat in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh is being closely watched to see whether the scion of the country's most important modern political dynasty can retain his seat and revive his party's fortunes. After 15 years in politics, Rahul Gandhi is beginning to articulate a vision for India that some observers say is making him a more credible leader. But it's unclear whether Gandhi, who is president of the opposition Congress party, has rallied enough support in time to defeat Prime Minister Narendra Modi. WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) New Zealand's government on Wednesday introduced an ambitious climate change bill that aims to make the nation mostly carbon neutral by 2050 while giving some leeway to farmers. However, some farming industry groups say the measures remain too onerous and threaten the future of regional communities, while some environmentalists say the bill doesn't go far enough because there are no penalties for noncompliance. The bill represents a campaign promise from the liberal government that was elected 18 months ago. The government has also promised to plant 1 billion trees over 10 years and ensure that the electricity grid runs entirely from renewable energy by 2035. GUJRANWALA, Pakistan (AP) Muqadas Ashraf was just 16 when her parents married her off to a Chinese man who had come to Pakistan looking for a bride. Less than five months later, Muqadas is back in her home country, pregnant and seeking a divorce from a husband she says was abusive. She is one of hundreds of poor Christian girls who have been trafficked to China in a market for brides that has swiftly grown in Pakistan since late last year, activists say. Brokers are aggressively seeking out girls for Chinese men, sometimes even cruising outside churches to ask for potential brides. NEW DELHI (AP) The U.S.peace envoy on Afghanistan on Tuesday met with Indian leaders and discussed peace efforts amid the envoy's ongoing dialogue with the Taliban, an Indian official said. India's External Affairs Ministry spokesman Raveesh Kumar said that India will work with key partners in coming days. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad met with India's External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and other officials in New Delhi. The Taliban said over the weekend that the gap is narrowing in talks with Khalilzad over a timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan. Talks between the U.S. Central Kenya has long been associated with most of Kenyas old money. A good number of ageing billionaires come from the region, with most of them having ventured into Nairobi business life very many decades ago. Within Central province, Muranga is probably the best known for its seemingly large number of wealthy Kenyans. Unlike other billionaires in the country who have made their fortune in politics, a good number of those in Muranga are good old fashioned businessmen, starting their business careers even before independence. The funny thing is that even in Muranga, most of this old money is concentrated in a single village Rwathia in Kangema constituency. Muranga people have had their hands in big money since the 1920s, when residents embraced planting of wattle tree, a cash crop that ruled until the 1950s. It is believed to have been the precursor to the formation of farming cooperative societies in the region. It is this spirit of working together for financial gain that made the first native millionaires. Groups like Kenya Fuel and Bark Supplies Company, owned by (you guessed it) Muranga businessmen, was formed in 1945. It bought Kiburi House which still stands on Kirinyaga road today. It would eventually house KAU offices. Just before independence, when many Nairobi buildings became available for sale following settlers fear of the unknown, Rwathia Group went on a buying and building spree along River road and surrounding areas in Nairobi, as well as other Central Kenya towns like Thika and Muranga. Mzee Gerald Gikonyo Kanyuira, 104, is the last remaining member of the original Rwathia businessmen. He was honored last year by President Uhuru Kenyatta with the Key to the City for his contribution to the growth of business in Nairobi. Rwathia investment group alone has employed over 100,000 Kenyans. The old generation of billionaires has long departed, but Muranga county still has a good share of current billionaires. Some of them trace their wealth from that old money, but some have done quite well by themselves. 6 of them, today, are some of the biggest investors at the Nairobi Securities Exchange. John Kibunga Kimani The fact that his photo is hardly anywhere on the internet tells you just how elusive he is. He reportedly owns 30% of Kakuzi, a stake valued at about Sh1.7 billion. He also owns shares in Nation Media Group valued at over Sh400 million. Other major interests are in Total Kenya and East African Breweries. The most inspiring part of his story is that he was born as a squatter in the Kakuzi Estates. Lucky enough to get a good education, he worked as a professional and would return to his place of birth, buy up shares raising his ownership to the current 30%. John Kibunga Kimanis net worth Its hard to put an absolute figure on it, but his net worth is estimated to be about Sh2.8 million. Chris Kirubi He doesnt need any introduction. He is as controversial as he is rich. His stake in Centum Investment is reportedly around Sh6 billion and this is just one of many things he owns. Centum is behind East Africas largest mall, Two Rivers in Ruaka. It has many more projects in the pipeline, including the proposed Lamu coal plant. Its likely that Kirubis 26% ownership in the company will be worth much more in future. In recent years, Centum has become his main investment vehicle, snapping up several companies like: Vipingo Development K-Rep bank (Now Sidian Bank) Sabis International School (Runda) Nabo Capital General Motors East Africa Almasi Beverages (6 Coca Cola bottling franchises), Nairobi Bottlers King Beverage (Carlsberg distributor) Longhorn Publishers Read: He Looks Much Better Netizens React to Chris Kirubis Latest PHOTO Other than Centum, Kirubi has (or has had) major interest in various NSE listed companies like KCB and Safaricom. And of course there is HACO industries. After selling his shareholding to South Africas Tiger Brands in 2008, the billionaire took back full control in 2017. In 2018, Kirubi earned Sh714 million from the sale of BIC brands East Africa franchise to French conglomerate Societe BIC. HACO industries held the BIC franchise in East Africa. Chris Kirubis net worth Chris Kirubis true net worth could be very well above Sh10 billion. James Mwangi As the man who single-handedly changed banking in Kenya, James Mwangi has done pretty well for himself. In the late 90s, the banks of the day adopted very discriminatory practices. Barclays bank for example, enacted a huge minimum balance policy that left out many un-banked Kenyans. Many who already had accounts with Barclays and others were forced to shut them down as upcountry branches were shut down. Equity Bank, still a building society, walked in and turned the tables, and the rest is history. Today, Equity is the second largest bank in the country by many measures. It is also increasingly looking like the first major Kenyan bank to have a serious Pan-Africa expansion strategy. It might very well be Kenyas first truly international bank. James Mwangi has been the CEO throughout this period of growth. His stake in the bank is worth around Sh5 billion. Not only is he the single largest shareholder in the bank, but also a top shareholder in another large company Britam. Mwangi is a second generation Rwathia group member, and that might have helped. James Mwangis net worth James Mwangi is estimated to have a net worth of over Sh10 billion. This is from his stake in Equity, Britam and many other undeclared assets. By virtue of being one of Kenyas top executives, James Mwangi also has one of the biggest salaries in the country. In 2015, he averaged Sh15.9 million per month, being salary plus bonus. Read: Revealed: The Best Paid CEOs in Kenya Jimnah Mbaru Another Muranga native who is filthy rich. Jimnah Mbaru became a household name well before he declared his ambition to vie for Nairobi governorship. He may not have succeeded in politics, but his business is a different story. Also from Rwathia, it is unclear whether Jimnah inherited the original fortune. Read: Jimnah Mbarus 37 Page CV That Shocked Kenyans His stake in Britam is worth between Sh1 and 2 billion. However, his history in the stock market is long. He has held shares in probably all listed companies, but mostly interested in insurance and banking. He was also one of the founders of Trancentury and Dye & Blair. Jimnah Mbarus net worth As chairman and a major shareholder of one of the countries leading investment bank Dye & Blair, which reportedly has over $300 million in assets under management, Jimnah is obviously a very wealth man. His net worth is believed to be north of Sh3 billion. Benson Wairegi As the group managing director of Britam one of the regions largest insurance firms, Benson Wairegi has made a fortune for himself. His share in the company is also thought to be between Sh1 and 2 billion. Wairegi is also at top individual shareholder at Equity, with a 0.25% stake. His portfolio mirrors that of his home buddies James Mwangi and Peter Munga. Read: Britam To Build a Shopping Mall Along Mombasa Road Benson Wairegis net worth His known direct investments in the stock market would place his net worth at at over Sh3 billion. However, it is expected he has many other assets unknown to the public and could easily place his net worth north of Sh5 billion. Peter Munga This other Muranga native has a Britam stake also north of Sh1 billion. Being the founder of Equity Bank, his shareholding in the bank alone would make him one of the wealthiest Kenyans. Munga has however ventured into many other fields unlike his billionaire buddies. He owns institutions like Pioneer University, Pioneer high school and St. Paul Thomas. He has also ventured into manufacturing, particularly the processing and export of macadamia, peanuts and cashew nuts under the Equatorial brand. Read: Uhuru Warns Billionaire Supporters Against Multi-bets Tells Them To Stop Funding Nasa Too Peter Mungas net worth Peter Munga is most likely the richest of the Muranga billionaires, with his net worth estimated to be more than Sh10 billion. Photo: Teddie Bridget Proctor/Flickr Here's what you need to know about what's happening in Dallas. Bartender faces charges for serving gunman before he went on deadly shooting spree A Texas bartender was busted for serving the gunman who went on a deadly, drunken shooting rampage at a Dallas Cowboys watch party nearly two years ago, officials said. Read the full story on New York Post. Former Dallas Councilman Dwaine Caraway to begin federal prison sentence Tuesday Caraway's actions bankrupted the Dallas County Schools bus agency. Read the full story on WFAA. 3 former Dallas mayors back Eric Johnson over Scott Griggs in runoff election Former Dallas Mayors Ron Kirk and Tom Leppert, are endorsing Democratic State Representative Eric Johnson in the runoff election against veteran Council Member Scott Griggs. Read the full story on CBS DFW. Police searching for man who shot, killed victim in East Dallas The Dallas Police Department is searching for who shot and killed a man Sunday morning in Dallas. Read the full story on CBS DFW. Dallas city council expected to reject Atmos' $10.1 million rate hike request A committee unanimously denied the rate request Monday, saying the public utility should not pay $100 million to shareholders while asking Dallas customers to pay more. Read the full story on WFAA. This story was created automatically using data about news stories on social media from CrowdTangle, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The top Democrat in the U.S. Senate said on Tuesday that Congress should thoroughly investigate the findings of Special Counsel Robert Mueller before deciding whether to move forward with impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump. "I believe that we should have hearings. We should thoroughly investigate the Mueller report. We ought to see every aspect of the Mueller report and then we can make a decision," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer told reporters. U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Tuesday sought to slam the door on further investigations of Trump by declaring "case closed" after a two-year probe of Russia's meddling in the 2016 elections. [nL2N22J0KY} However, battles between the White House and congressional Democrats over documents and testimony related to the Mueller investigation showed no signs of abating. Some Democratic lawmakers continue to call for Trump's impeachment. Senator Elizabeth Warren, a 2020 Democratic presidential candidate and longtime Trump critic, called for his impeachment on the Senate floor after McConnell spoke. She said the Mueller report on Russia's role in the 2016 election that put Trump in the White House made clear the Republican president tried to obstruct justice. "We took an oath not to try to protect Donald Trump. We took an oath to protect and serve the Constitution of the United States of America," she said. "And the way we do that is we begin impeachment proceedings now against this president." (Reporting by Amanda Becker and Makini Brice; Writing by Tim Ahmann; Editing by Doina Chiacu and Andrea Ricci) Photo: Grant Porter/Unsplash Here's the most recent top news you may have missed in Fresno. Alleged victim mentioned possibility of accidental injury in Arambula child abuse case The heart of the misdemeanor child abuse trial against Fresno assembly member Joaquin Arambula is the word of his first child. Read the full story on ABC30 Action News. Fresno mayor uses first veto for office space in response to council power play Fresno, CA Mayor Lee Brand is using his first veto vote in response to a Fresno City Council vote reassigning office space from the city managers office for council use. Read the full story on The Fresno Bee. Police: 20-year-old intentionally hits woman with car during argument Fresno Police are investigating a hit-and-run in Southwest Fresno. It happened around 8:30 a. m. in the area of California Avenue and MLK Avenue. Read the full story on Kevan Ramer - KMPH FOX 26. This story was created automatically using data about news stories on social media from CrowdTangle, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback. The Treasury has taken over the assets of Naivas Supermarkets founder Peter Mukuha Kago, who died on May 6, 2010. The Unclaimed Financial Assets Authority (UFAA) said it was holding Safaricom and Sasini shares and dividends belonging to the late businessman. Mukuhas Safaricom shares were surrendered to the authority in 2014, Business Daily reports. Dividends from 2015 to last year were also taken over as the family of the businessman battled for his wealth in court. Sasini, one of Kenyas major tea and coffee producers, also transferred shares and dividends belonging to the Naivas founder in 2017. The Naivas patriarch joins a growing list of prominent public figures whose shares in companies listed at the Nairobi Stock Exchange have been surrendered to the State. They include Barack Hussein Obama, the father of the former US president, Lena Moi, whom former President Moi divorced in 1974, and Lucy Kibaki, wife of retired President Mwai Kibaki. A source at UFAA reportedly told Business Daily that families of the known public figures are yet to present wills or letters of administration(court permits to administer the estate of someone who has died without making a will). It difficult to reunite assets with families fighting over wealth in cases where there is no will or the will is contested, the anonymous source is quoted. We have reached a point in this country where corruption is no longer shocking news. Its almost impossible to single out a politician who has not stolen public funds or flouted laws. This corruption culture is not just in government, but in the whole society. However, some individuals have been mentioned so many times that many Kenyans now associate them with just that. The Deputy President comes to mind, and also several governors. One of them is Kiambu governor Ferdinand Waititu. Just recently, he was in the news following an altercation between him and his Nairobi counterpart Mike Sonko. The latter had apparently ordered the arrest of Waititus wife, after she was found at an illegal construction site. Needless to say, the building went on to be completed. Read: Waititus Illegal Building in the CBD Now Complete Now, Waititu is being accused again. Nominated senator Isaac Mwaura has spoken of a time when Waititu told him point blank that his plan was to accumulate wealth once he got elected as governor. The encounter happened in the parliamentary gym. Waititus excuse for his planned heist was that Raila also stole. I was part of the campaign of Governor Waititu, but I was shocked one day when we were with him at the parliamentary gym when he told me point blank, Mwaura when we get into (government) we must steal because Raila Odinga stole money under Kazi Kwa Vijana and even the money he was said to have stolen is much more. He stole Ksh3.4 Billion. People are making budgets to steal. I remember point blank, Ferdinand Waititu telling me at the Parliamentary gym"Mwaura, when we get to Parliament, we must steal." #AMLiveNTV @debarlinea pic.twitter.com/x9oxs0SjX2 NTV Kenya (@ntvkenya) May 7, 2019 The senator was speaking on NTVs AM Live. He added that he disagreed with Waititu. Whats more shocking? That Waititu talked of his plans to steal, or that Waititu was in a gym? Mexico City (AFP) - The United States imposed tariffs on Mexican tomatoes on Tuesday, adding to tensions between the two neighbors just as debate deepens over their new -- but not yet ratified -- trade deal with Canada. The 17.5-percent tariffs came into effect after the countries failed to renew an agreement that suspended a US anti-dumping investigation first opened 23 years ago. The US Commerce Department said Tuesday that negotiations to revise the agreement would continue. "We remain optimistic that there will be a negotiated solution," US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said in a statement. The tariffs could ultimately be blocked should an independent body, the US International Trade Commission, find that no US industry has been harmed by Mexico's alleged dumping of tomatoes on the US market. Mexico, which supplies half the fresh tomatoes consumed in the United States, estimated the tariffs would cost its exporters more than $350 million a year. "We expect many small and medium-sized exporters will find it impossible to cope with this heavy cost," the economy ministry said in a statement, expressing its "disappointment and concern." The Mexican tomato growers' association denied dumping. Its vice president, Manuel Antonio Cazares, told AFP the industry would take a "heavy hit" from the tariffs, and predicted US consumers would also pay a price. The United States opened an anti-dumping investigation against Mexico over tomatoes in 1996, but had repeatedly suspended it -- and the tariffs that come with it -- under a series of deals. President Donald Trump's administration said in March the two sides had failed to renew the deal and that the tariffs would come into force. Mexico exported around $2 billion of tomatoes to the United States last year -- its third-largest agricultural export to the United States, after beer and avocados. Trade tension is rising again between the two countries as their legislatures prepare to open debate on ratifying the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), the updated version of the 25-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Story continues Trump, who regularly criticized NAFTA as the worst deal ever signed by the United States, faces a battle with opposition Democrats in the House, who have criticized the deal for not doing enough to protect US jobs by improving labor conditions and wages in Mexico. Mexico, which sends more than 80 percent of its exports to the United States, is for its part unhappy with Trump's tariffs on its steel and aluminum exports, and his threat to impose 25-percent tariffs on its auto exports over what he sees as a "crisis" of illegal immigrants and drugs crossing the border. burs-dg/wd/ft Fossil Group, Inc. FOSL is slated to release first-quarter 2019 results on May 8, after market close. This renowned manufacturer of watches and other accessories has seen its bottom line outperform the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the trailing four quarters. Lets see how the company is positioned ahead of the upcoming quarterly results. Expansion in Wearables & E-commerce Bode Well Fossil is gaining from rapid growth of its connected wearables category that includes smartwatches, hybrid watches and activity trackers. The segment is likely to maintain the upside in the first quarter. Moreover, the companys partnerships, such as with Qualcomm, Google and Citizen, as well as the addition of brands to its smartwatch line-up, are likely to support performance. We note that the e-commerce space is providing much impetus to Fossils wearables sales, alongside other products. It has been making several investments to improve digital marketing and drive online sales. Strength in the e-commerce channel combined with yielding licensing agreements are expected to favorably impact the upcoming quarterly release. Fossil Group, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise Fossil Group, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise | Fossil Group, Inc. Quote Will Soft Traditional Watches Impede Growth? Fossils traditional watch business has been sluggish for a while. Further, sale of leather and jewelry items have persistently been weak over the past few quarters on account of soft demand. Such headwinds are likely persist and be a drag on the top line in the first quarter. Further, management expects unfavorable currency movements, business exits, store closures and supply-chain hurdles for connected products, to pose challenges in 2019. This in turn mars expectations for the quarter under review as well. In fact, for first-quarter, the company expects net sales to decline roughly 6-22%. On the brighter side, the company is on track with its New World Fossil Plan, which is aimed at fueling efficiencies, improving margins and enhancing the overall operating structure of the business. This is likely to provide some cushion to the stock in the quarter under review. How Are Estimates Faring? The Zacks Consensus Estimate is currently pegged at a loss of 53 cents per share, which suggests an improvement of almost 46.5% from the loss of 99 cents in the year-ago quarter. The current estimate has been stable in the past 30 days. However, the consensus mark for revenues is pegged at $454.3 million, calling for a declineof 20.2% from the year-ago quarters tally. What Does the Zacks Model Predict? Our proven model doesnt show that Fossil can beat bottom-line estimates this quarter. For this to happen, a stock needs to have a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold). Although Fossil carries a Zacks Rank #3, its Earnings ESP of 0.00% makes us less confident about an earnings surprise. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before theyre reported with our Earnings ESP Filter. Stocks Poised to Beat Estimates Here are a few companies you may want to consider as our model shows that they have the right combination of elements to beat earnings. Ulta Beauty ULTA has an Earnings ESP of +0.25% and a Zacks Rank #2. Big Lots BIG has an Earnings ESP of +0.71% and a Zacks Rank #2. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. Dollar General DG has an Earnings ESP of +1.51% and a Zacks Rank #3. Radical New Technology Creates $12.3 Trillion Opportunity Imagine buying Microsoft stock in the early days of personal computers or Motorola after it released the worlds first cell phone. These technologies changed our lives and created massive profits for investors. Today, were on the brink of the next quantum leap in technology. 7 innovative companies are leading this 4th Industrial Revolution - and early investors stand to earn the biggest profits. See the 7 breakthrough stocks now>> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Fossil Group, Inc. (FOSL) : Free Stock Analysis Report Dollar General Corporation (DG) : Free Stock Analysis Report Big Lots, Inc. (BIG) : Free Stock Analysis Report Ulta Beauty Inc. (ULTA) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research WASHINGTON, May 7 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump will welcome Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban at the White House on May 13, where they will discuss trade, energy, and national security, the White House said on Tuesday. Orban is a nationalist leader who has often clashed with the European Union over his anti-immigration campaigns and judicial reforms. He clashed with the administration of former U.S. President Barack Obama, a Democrat, over what critics said was an erosion of democratic values by his government. (Reporting by Makini Brice; Editing by Doina Chiacu) Washington (AFP) - US President Donald Trump is to host Hungary's firebrand anti-immigration Prime Minister Viktor Orban at the White House next week, officials said on Tuesday. "President Donald J. Trump will welcome Prime Minister Viktor Orban of Hungary to the White House on May 13, 2019," the administration said in a statement. "Recognizing the longstanding ties between the United States and Hungary, the president and the prime minister will discuss ways to deepen cooperation on a range of issues, including trade, energy, and cyber security." As leaders of NATO countries, the statement said, Trump and Orban will "explore opportunities to meet the many national security responsibilities of their two countries." Orban's anti-immigration campaigns in Europe echo many of the themes of Trump's own drive to build a wall on the US-Mexico border and his attempts to thwart migrants seeking US asylum. With elections to the European Parliament to be held later this month, Orban's hardline -- some say xenophobic -- stance against refugees and "Brussels bureaucrats" has alienated even former conservative allies. His Fidesz party was suspended in March from the EU's biggest and most influential political grouping, the conservative European Peoples Party, after running a controversial billboard campaign accusing European Commission head Jean-Claude Juncker of plotting to flood Europe with migrants. On Monday, Orban withdrew his support for the EPP's lead candidate to replace Juncker, Manfred Weber of Germany, a former ally. Weber said Tuesday that Hungary was going in the "wrong direction" under Orban. President Trump on Monday pardoned a former Army lieutenant who served five years in federal prison after being convicted of killing an Iraqi prisoner during an interrogation. First Lt. Michael Behenna shot Ali Mansur, an Iraqi man believed to be connected to Al Qaeda, while interrogating him about an attack that left two American soldiers dead in 2008. Behenna claimed that he shot Mansur in the chest and head in self-defense after the suspected terrorist threw a piece of concrete at him and reached for his gun. A military court nevertheless found him guilty of unpremeditated murder in a combat zone in 2009 and sentenced him to 25 years in prison. He was released on parole in 2014. The White House cited the support Behenna has received from elected officials in Oklahoma and his record as a prisoner in justifying the pardon. Behenna has attracted broad support from the military, Oklahoma elected officials, and the public, the White House statement read. Further, while serving his sentence Mr. Behenna was a model prisoner. In light of these facts, Mr. Behenna is entirely deserving of this Grant of Executive Clemency, the statement continued. The pardon comes after the Oklahoma attorney general sent three letters asking for leniency on Behennas behalf. Simply put, American troops risking their lives in war to protect us deserve a better legal process than the hand that was dealt to Behenna, one letter states. Behenna, who told fellow soldiers he would do it again, and he did not feel bad about it because he just lost two guys, will now have his right to vote and own firearms restored. Trump has similarly expressed support for Maj. Mathew L. Golsteyn, a Green Beret charged by the Army in connection with the 2010 killing of a Taliban-linked militant. At the request of many, I will be reviewing the case of a U.S. Military hero, Major Matt Golsteyn, who is charged with murder, Trump wrote on Twitter. He could face the death penalty from our own government after he admitted to killing a Terrorist bomb maker while overseas. More from National Review May 6 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump on Monday pardoned former U.S. Army Lieutenant Michael Behenna, who was imprisoned for five years for killing an Iraqi prisoner in 2008. Behenna, a platoon leader in the 101st Airborne Division, was convicted of unpremeditated murder and sentenced to 25 years after killing Ali Mansur Mohamed, a suspected al-Qaeda member. Behenna, who stripped Mansur naked for questioning and then shot him twice, claimed he was acting in self-defense. His sentence was subsequently reduced to 15 years and he was paroled in 2014, five years into his term. "Behennas case has attracted broad support from the military, Oklahoma elected officials, and the public," the White House said in a statement. Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter petitioned the White House for the pardon. Mansur was captured by Behenna's soldiers and questioned by military intelligence in connection with a roadside bomb that killed two members of the platoon on April 21, 2008. Mansur was ordered released due to insufficient evidence to hold him and Behenna was tasked with returning him to his village. During the operation, Behenna stopped the convoy and questioned Mansur on the attack. Behenna said Mansur lunged for his weapon and he shot him in self defense, according to testimony from his 2009 trial. The White House said Behenna was a "model prisoner" and "entirely deserving" of the Grant of Executive Clemency. (Reporting By Andrew Hay; Editing by Kim Coghill) WASHINGTON The American Civil Liberties Union on Tuesday blasted President Donald Trump's decision to pardon a former Army first lieutenant convicted of killing an Iraqi prisoner, saying the move amounted to a "presidential endorsement of a murder." Trump granted the pardon late Monday to Michael Behenna, an Oklahoma man who was sentenced to 15 years in 2009 for killing Ali Mansur Mohamed, a suspected al Qaeda operative who was stripped naked for questioning before being shot. "This pardon is a presidential endorsement of a murder that violated the military's own code of justice," said Hina Shamsi, director of the ACLU's National Security Project. "Trump, as commander-in-chief, and top military leaders should prevent war crimes, not endorse or excuse them." Behenna had long argued he acted in self-defense. Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter had petitioned the White House for the pardon. Mr. Behennas case has attracted broad support from the military, Oklahoma elected officials, and the public, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said in a statement Monday. While serving his sentence, Mr. Behenna was a model prisoner. Behenna was paroled in 2014 after serving less than five years of his sentence. Mansur was questioned in connection with a roadside bomb that killed two soldiers. More: Can Trump really do that? The presidential pardon power, explained Trump has frequently used his clemency power to make political statements, pardoning conservative commentator Dinesh D'Souza, former Arizona sheriff Joe Arpaio, and former Bush White House aide Scooter Libby, among others. That's hardly unprecedented, but previous presidents have tended to grant their most controversial pardons in their final months in office. Trump has done so early in his presidency. Contributing: Gregory Korte Like what you're reading?: Download the USA TODAY app for more This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: ACLU blasts Trump's pardon of soldier Michael Behenna as 'endorsement of a murder' Trade unionist Francis Atwoli says Kenyans are to blame for MPs push for higher salaries. According to the Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General, Kenyans have a bad habit of asking for handouts from their leaders. This, he said, has pushed legislators to demand better pay and even engage in corruption. Addressing a presser on Monday, Atwoli supported the proposal to increase MPs salaries. Kenyans might think that I am crazy, but I am supporting MPs to demand more from you taxpayers due to your behaviour, he said. Adding, If you elect me and you expect hand-outs from me, then I expect you to pay me well. The outspoken Atwoli continued, If today an MP comes to your constituency to attend a funeral and he donates Ksh.3,000 or Ksh.5,000, you will hear people murmuring as if it is a must that he donates. These are some of the things that push people to steal from public coffers in order to become presidents. The COTU boss called for a culture change among Kenyans, urging them to engage in self-sustaining activities such as farming instead of depending on their leaders. Unless Kenyans change their culture of converting honorable MPs into their private banks, then they are justified in their quest to demand more allowances. Kenya, God gave us good climatic condition; we can do other things. We can go to that small acreage of our land, produce potatoes and sell on the market and get something small other than turning our MPs into medical insurance, he stated. We have turned our MPs into pension schemes; we have turned our MPs into saccos; we have turned our MPs into banks; we have turned our MPs into school fees and everything. Atwoli told Kenyans to help in the fight against corruption by letting the legislatures do their work rather than following them around. Washington (AFP) - President Donald Trump has granted a full pardon to a former US Army officer convicted of the 2009 murder of an Iraqi detainee. Michael Behenna, 35, a former lieutenant in the 101st Airborne Division from Oklahoma, was released from prison in 2014 after serving five years in jail. Behenna was convicted in 2009 of unpremeditated murder for the death of Ali Mansur, an Iraqi who was suspected of belonging to Al-Qaeda. Mansur was picked up by US troops following a bomb explosion that killed two members of Behenna's unit but was released. Behenna later conducted his own interrogation of Mansur and claimed at his trial that he killed him in self-defense. In granting the pardon, the White House said Behenna's case had "attracted broad support from the military, Oklahoma elected officials, and the public." Hina Shamsi, director of the National Security Project at the American Civil Liberties Union, condemned the presidential pardon for Behenna. "This pardon is a presidential endorsement of a murder that violated the military's own code of justice," Shamsi said in a statement. "The military appeals court found Behenna disobeyed orders, became the aggressor against his prisoner, and had no justification for killing a naked, unarmed Iraqi man in the desert, away from an actual battlefield. "Trump, as commander-in-chief, and top military leaders should prevent war crimes, not endorse or excuse them," Shamsi said. WASHINGTON, May 7 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump spoke with South Korea's President Moon Jae-in on Tuesday to discuss North Korea's denuclearization, according to the White House. "The two leaders discussed recent developments regarding the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK) and how to achieve the final, fully verified denuclearization," of North Korea, the White House said in a statement. (Reporting by Jeff Mason Writing by Susan Heavey) WASHINGTON, May 7 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump supports South Korea's plan for humanitarian food aid to North Korea, Yonhap reported on Tuesday, citing the Blue House. Trump and South Korean President Moon Jae-in spoke by phone earlier on Tuesday. (Reporting by Makini Brice) For several years, U.S. presidents have tried to bypass the media and communicate directly to the people, Ken Auletta, media critic at The New Yorker, told Yahoo Finances On the Move. Trump has perfected it to an art with Twitter he basically has millions of followers and he just tweets to them, Auletta said. They dont have any press briefings anymore so our news comes from his short tweets and thats not news. We dont have the ability to question it. President Donald Trump just sent the stock market sliding these past two days with tweets threatening to increase tariffs on imported goods from China. The tweets came just days ahead of scheduled meetings in Washington between top negotiators for the U.S. and China. The outburst was the latest example of the president making major announcements on the social media platform. For 10 months, China has been paying Tariffs to the USA of 25% on 50 Billion Dollars of High Tech, and 10% on 200 Billion Dollars of other goods. These payments are partially responsible for our great economic results. The 10% will go up to 25% on Friday. 325 Billions Dollars.... Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 5, 2019 ....of additional goods sent to us by China remain untaxed, but will be shortly, at a rate of 25%. The Tariffs paid to the USA have had little impact on product cost, mostly borne by China. The Trade Deal with China continues, but too slowly, as they attempt to renegotiate. No! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 5, 2019 Trumps White House set a new record for the longest span of time without holding a formal press briefing. The last press briefing the administration held was on April 25 and Press Secretary Sarah Sanders only took questions from kids. The last time Sanders held a briefing for working journalists was almost 60 days ago on March 11. Story continues The presidents rocky relationship with the media has been consistent throughout his time in the White House. In interviews and tweets, he has coined the term fake news and upped his rhetoric to call the media the opposition party and the enemy of the people. Every time he says the press is fake news, look at the poll numbers, a majority of the public doesnt believe whats in the press, Auletta said. Thats inimical to a democracy. Confidence in media institutions dropped in 2018, according to Morning Consult. The share of voters who said they had a lot or some confidence in newspapers dropped to 38%, while confidence in television news dropped to 35%. Its anti-democratic.. unless you believe the press is really an agent of a deep state and is really attempting to undermine the president and our government, I dont believe that and I dont think most sane citizens should believe that, Auletta said. Valentina Caval is a producer for Yahoo Finance On the Move. The Trump administration has been accused of breaking the law after the US treasury secretary refused to provide Congress with the presidents tax returns. In the latest stand-off between the US government and Democrats on Capitol Hill, Steven Mnuchin said on Monday he was turning down the request from the Ways and Means Committee as it lacked a legitimate legislative purpose. Out of respect for the deadlines previously set by the committee, and consistent with our commitment to a prompt response, I am informing you now that the department may not lawfully fulfil the committees request, he wrote in a letter to the panel. A number of experts said Mr Mnuchin was violating the law by ignoring the request by Democratic congressman Richard Neal, chair of the committee in the House of Representatives. The law is clear that the IRS must turn over tax returns requested by the House Ways and Means Committee, which has many legitimate and important reasons to request the presidents returns, said Noah Bookbinder, a former federal prosecutor and chief of government watchdog Citzens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington. He added: There is no wiggle room in this, it is the law. Secretary Mnuchin says he has decided not to turn them over, but that is not a decision that is his to make. Congress cannot accept this. Democrats have long sought to obtain a copy of Donald Trumps tax returns, in the belief it may provide evidence of unethical behaviour in the way he has operated his finances and his businesses both before and after entering the White House. Though there is no law saying presidents must release their tax returns, Mr Trump remains an exception among US leaders in recent history by refusing to do so. Mr Neal requested the document on the basis of a law which says the Inland Revenue Service (IRS) shall furnish the returns of any taxpayer to a handful of senior legislators, among them the chair of the Ways and Means Committee. Story continues The law here is exceptionally clear and says that Mnuchin shall provide the tax returns to the Chair of House Ways and Means, tweeted Joyce Alene, a law professor at the University of Alabama. Theres nothing that permits him to consider the reasons the Chair made the request. Richard Painter, a former White House ethics chief under George W Bush, tweeted: The House should hold Mnuchin in contempt. The expectation now is that the issue will be further spun out by means of a legal tussle. Democrats could seek to subpoena the IRS for the presidents tax returns or to file a lawsuit. Mr Neal has said his committee was looking into the effectiveness of IRS mandatory audits of tax returns of all sitting presidents, a way to justify his claim that the panel had a potential legislative purpose. Democrats are confident in their legal justification and say the president is stalling in an attempt to punt the issue past the 2020 election. ANKARA, May 7 (Reuters) - Turkey's main opposition party CHP will not boycott a re-run of Istanbul local election that will be held on June 23, the party assembly decided on Tuesday, broadcaster NTV reported. The CHP candidate for the city, ousted Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, had won majority of the votes with a narrow margin in March and received mandate to lead the city since last month. (Reporting by Tuvan Gumrukcu and Ali Kucukgocmen Writing by Ezgi Erkoyun) May 7 (Reuters) - Shots were fired on Tuesday at a Denver area school, the local sheriff said, and two people were believed hurt. The shooting took place at a science and technology school in the community of Highlands Ranch, 25 miles (40 km) south of Denver, according to the Douglas County Sheriff's Office on Twitter. (Reporting by Dan Whitcomb; editing by Jonathan Oatis) By Keith Coffman HIGHLANDS RANCH, Colo. (Reuters) - Two students armed with guns burst into a Denver-area science and technology school and opened fire on Tuesday, wounding eight of their schoolmates before being taken into custody, law enforcement officials said. Several victims of the shooting at the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) School in Highlands Ranch, a Denver suburb, were in critical condition at local hospitals and in surgery, Douglas County Sheriff Tony Spurlock said at a briefing. "Two individuals walked into the STEM school, got deep inside the school, and engaged students in two separate locations," Spurlock said. The suspects were identified only as students of the school, which serves students from kindergarten through 12th grade. Sheriff's deputies arrived at the school, located about 25 miles (40 km) south of Denver, within two minutes of the first reports, Spurlock said, and "engaged the suspects." Law enforcement officials declined to comment on a possible motive for the rampage, saying it was too early in the course of the investigation, which was being assisted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The White House said President Donald Trump had been briefed on the shooting. The shooting occurred less than a month after the 20th anniversary of the Columbine High School massacre in nearby Littleton, about five miles (8 km) from the Highlands Ranch school. In 1999, two Columbine students killed 13 people there before committing suicide in what remains one of the deadliest school shootings in U.S. history. A man who identified himself as Fernando Montoya said his 17-year-old son, a junior at STEM, was shot three times, and one of his friends was also wounded. Montoya said his son, who was later released from a hospital, told him that one shooter walked into his classroom and opened fire with a gun. One shooter was already in the classroom, the younger son told his father. "He said a guy pulled a pistol out of a guitar case and started to shoot, Montoya told ABC affiliate Denver 7. As the incident unfolded, medical helicopters landed and took off outside the school, while snipers took up position on nearby roofs. SWAT team officers with rifles secured the area as ambulances and police officers arrived. Stunned kindergartners and weeping high school students could be seen walking down the steps of a building designated as a "reunification center." Most were holding their parents' hands Colorado Governor Jared Polis said he was sending additional state law enforcement officials to the scene. "We are making all of our public safety resources available to assist the Douglas County Sheriff's Department in their effort to secure the site and evacuate the students," Polis wrote on Twitter. The White House offered a message of condolence. Our prayers are with the victims, family members, and all those affected by todays shooting," White House spokesman Judd Deere said. "The White House has been in communication with state and local officials, and the President has been briefed and continues to monitor the ongoing situation. Some of the worst mass shootings in the United States have occurred in Colorado. In addition to Columbine, a man opened fire at a movie theater in Aurora, another Denver suburb, in 2012, killing 12 people and injuring scores more. Tuesday's bloodshed in Colorado came one week to the day after a gunman opened fire on the Charlotte campus of the University of North Carolina, killing two people and wounding four others. A 22-year-old former student of the university has been charged with murder and attempted murder in the case. (Reporting by Keith Coffman in Highlands Ranch, Colo.; Additional reporting by Steve Gorman and Dan Whitcomb in Los Angeles, Andrew Hay in Taos, New Mexico, and Peter Szekely in New York; Writing by Dan Whitcomb; Editing by Frank McGurty, Jonathan Oatis and Leslie Adler) Kiambu Deputy Governor James Nyoro says his boss Ferdinand Waititu is running the county as a one-man show. Nyoro accused the embattled Governor of presiding over a corrupt and an incompetent administration that has allegedly been draining county coffers dry. He told Waititu to stop politicizing an audit report which showed outrageous budgetary allocations amounting to Sh2.5 billion. Nyoro said other issues that need to be probed include the alcoholics rehabilitation programme dubbed Kaa sober, which was gobbling up Sh2 million daily without the approval of the county assembly, an alleged illegal transfer of grants amounting to over Sh1 billion shillings and stalled projects. Lets wait for a special audit to empirically provide evidence for the issues that we are talking about including the stalled projects, Kaa sober and World Bank money. Lets not politicise the issue, Mr Nyoro said in an interview on Citizen TV Monday morning. Last week, Waititu was cornered by the Senate County Public Accounts and Investment Committee over the abnormal expenditures. In his defense, Waititu denied knowledge of the budgetary allocations and blamed his political rival William Kabogo. Waititu Blames Kabogo for State House, South Sudan Budget This was His Budget But Nyoro dismissed Waititus claims, saying that he should have been aware because he had the report for months. There are two theories; either money was spent which was not appropriated and in this case then this is right, or the fact that this was a mis-posting or it was inserted, but whatever the case, you (Waititu) have to take responsibility, said Mr Nyoro. By Jeff Mason and Michael Martina WASHINGTON/BEIJING (Reuters) - China backtracked on substantial commitments it made during trade talks with the United States, prompting President Donald Trump to impose additional tariffs on Chinese goods slated to go into effect on Friday, top U.S. trade officials said on Monday. The swift deterioration in negotiations between the world's two largest economies hit global financial markets as investors faced the prospect of an escalation rather than an end to a 10-month-old trade war. Trump tweeted on Sunday that he would raise tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods to 25 percent from 10 percent by the end of the week, and would "soon" target the remaining Chinese imports with tariffs, sending stocks and oil prices lower on Monday. U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, who has been an advocate for tough structural changes in China, said Beijing had reneged on commitments it had made previously that would have changed the agreement substantially. "Over the course of the last week or so we have seen ... an erosion in commitments by China," Lighthizer told reporters. "That in our view is unacceptable." Chinese Vice Premier Liu He is expected to be in Washington on Thursday and Friday for further talks. "We're not breaking off talks at this point. But for now ... come Friday there will be tariffs in place," Lighthizer said. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, considered to be less hawkish toward China, said China's backtracking became clear with "new information" over the weekend. He declined to give specifics and said the U.S. side had originally hoped to conclude a deal one way or the other this week. "They were trying to go back on language that had been previously negotiated, very clear language, that had the potential of changing the deal dramatically," Mnuchin said. "The entire economic team ... are completely unified and recommended to the president to move forward with tariffs if we are not able to conclude a deal by the end of the week." Story continues A spokesman at the Chinese Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to queries about the U.S. assertions. "We are also in the process of understanding the relevant situation. What I can tell you is that China's team is preparing to go to the United States for the discussions," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said on Monday in Beijing. China has repeatedly said it will make changes to open its economy according to its own timeline, not in response to trade disputes. But recently it has enacted new laws and amended others, moves some see as efforts to address concerns shared by the United States and other foreign investors, including those from China's largest trading partner, the European Union. In March, China fast-tracked the approval of a new Foreign Investment Law, with Premier Li Keqiang pledging that the government would follow through and enforce the legislation giving protection to foreign firms. Last month, the standing committee of China's largely rubber-stamp parliament amended three laws to strengthen trade secrets protections, take further measures to stop forced technology transfers and increase trademark infringement punishments. TRUCE ENDS Trump's announcement on Sunday abruptly ended a five-month truce in a trade war that has cost the two countries billions of dollars, slowed global growth and disrupted manufacturing supply chains and U.S. farm exports. Businesses, while largely supportive of Trump's tough stance on China, want the tariffs to be lifted. Mnuchin said on Monday the stock market reaction was not affecting U.S. decisions on the talks. A person familiar with the negotiations said the latest dispute came after the Chinese sought to deal with policy changes through administrative and regulatory actions, not through changes to Chinese law as previously agreed. "It undermines the core architecture of the deal," the person said, adding that not codifying the concessions would make it difficult to verify and enforce China's compliance. While it is unclear which changes to law the United States has demanded, critics say even though such amendments are welcomed, they do not provide guarantees because Chinese courts are controlled by the ruling Communist Party. U.S. officials have acknowledged this, and insist only tariffs can provide leverage to enforce an agreement. The United States is demanding sweeping changes to China's economic policies, including better protection of U.S. intellectual property, and an end to forced technology transfers from U.S. companies and cyber theft of American trade secrets. Washington also wants more access to China's markets for U.S. businesses, curbs on industrial subsidies and increased purchases of American products. Another source familiar with the situation said Trump had reiterated to advisers in recent days he would walk away from a trade deal with China if it was not strong enough. China's nationalist Global Times tabloid said in an editorial on Tuesday that the foreign ministry's suggestion it would still send a delegation to the United States after Trump's remarks showed that China would remain calm and "focus on the talks rather than engage in public opinion warfare". "Even if the negotiations break down and Washington comprehensively raises tariffs, that does not mean the door to talks is closed," the paper said, adding that the impact on China of such a failure would be "controllable". The United States imported about $539.5 billion in goods from China in 2018 and exported $120.3 billion, for a record trade deficit of $419.2 billion, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Trump lashed out over the trade deficit with China on Monday. "With China we lose 500 Billion Dollars. Sorry, we're not going to be doing that anymore!" he tweeted. The United States currently has 25 percent tariffs on $50 billion of Chinese machinery and technology goods, and 10 percent tariffs on $200 billion of products from computer modems and routers to furniture, lighting and building materials. Negotiations on removing U.S. tariffs have been one of the remaining sticking points. China wants the tariffs to be removed. U.S. officials want to keep some, if not all, as part of any final deal to ensure China lives up to its commitments. (Reporting by Jeff Mason, David Lawder, Alexandra Alper, and Susan Heavey in Washington; and Ben Blanchard, Michael Martina, Shu Zhang, Jing Xu, Cheng Leng and Yawen Chen in Beijing; editing by Rosalba O'Brien and Simon Cameron-Moore) By David Morgan WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Congressional Democrats moved closer on Monday to citing Attorney General William Barr for contempt of Congress over his failure to give them an unredacted version of the Mueller report, escalating a showdown with the White House. The Democratic-led House Judiciary Committee released a report citing Barr, an appointee of President Donald Trump, for contempt of Congress after the expiration of a second deadline to produce the full report. Barr also skipped a hearing before the committee last week. The panel will vote on whether to move ahead with a contempt citation on Wednesday, and if it does so, the full House will vote on the issue. Barr has released a redacted version of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's report https://graphics.reuters.com/USA-TRUMP-RUSSIA/010091HX27V/report.pdf on his investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler subpoenaed the full document and underlying evidence, setting an initial deadline that Barr missed last week. Assistant Attorney General Stephen Boyd said he was disappointed with the committee's contempt move and invited committee staff to the Justice Department to discuss a possible compromise on Wednesday afternoon, after the committee's expected vote. Later, Nadler said in a statement that Justice Department officials had agreed to shift the meeting to Tuesday. The Justice Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Trump administration is stonewalling multiple probes by House committees. A contempt citation could lead to a civil court case against Barr, raising the possibility of fines and even imprisonment for failure to comply. Some Democrats on Nadler's panel say lawmakers could also exercise their own little-used "inherent" authority to act outside the U.S. judicial system to apprehend, fine and even imprison officials who do not comply with congressional subpoenas. 'NO CHOICE' "The attorney general's failure to comply with our subpoena ... leaves us no choice but to initiate contempt proceedings," Nadler said in a statement. But he held out the possibility that Barr could avoid contempt by making a "good faith" offer for access to the material. Republicans reject Nadler's efforts as political theater, which they say is intended to satisfy the Democrats' voters. "Democrats have launched a proxy war smearing the attorney general when their anger actually lies with the president and the special counsel, who found neither conspiracy nor obstruction," Representative Doug Collins, top Republican on the committee, said in a statement. Some Democrats have called on Barr to resign, accusing him of protecting Trump by effectively clearing the president of criminal obstruction of justice and excusing actions viewed by them as evidence of misconduct. Nadler's committee views the full Mueller report as vital to its own corruption and obstruction of justice investigation of Trump. The chairs of five other House committees investigating the president have also called for its release. The Mueller report details extensive contacts between Trump's 2016 campaign and Moscow, but did not find that there was a conspiracy between Moscow and the campaign. The report also describes actions Trump took to try to impede Mueller's investigation. If lawmakers established that Trump obstructed justice by seeking to impede Mueller, Nadler's panel could move to impeachment proceedings against the president. Trump denied any wrongdoing in a tweet on Monday. "Also, there are 'No High Crimes & Misdemeanors,' No Collusion, No Conspiracy, No Obstruction. ALL THE CRIMES ARE ON THE OTHER SIDE, and thats what the Dems should be looking at, but they wont. Nevertheless, the tables are turning!" the president wrote on Twitter. (Reporting by David Morgan; additional reporting by Andy Sullivan; Editing by Kevin Drawbaugh, Alistair Bell and Lisa Shumaker) MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - The United States will impose a 17.5 percent tariff on Mexican tomato imports starting on Tuesday, as the two countries were unable to renew a 2013 agreement that suspended a U.S. anti-dumping investigation, a Mexican official said on Monday. The U.S. Commerce Department said in early February that the United States would resume an anti-dumping investigation into Mexican tomatoes, withdrawing from a so-called suspension agreement that halted the anti-dumping case as long as Mexican producers sold their tomatoes above a pre-determined price. U.S. growers and lawmakers say that deal has failed. At the time, Commerce said it was giving the required 90-day notice before terminating the six-year-old agreement. "As of tomorrow a tariff of 17.5 percent will be applied on the value of the product ... Mexican exporters will be affected, it's going to affect their financial flows but that is going to be directly transferred to U.S. consumers," said Mexican Deputy Economy Minister Luz Maria de la Mora. She added that the U.S. measures will remain in place until a new suspension agreement is reached. "We're very disappointed but the good news is that negotiations continue, looking for a solution. And we hope that in the coming weeks we can in fact reach an agreement," said de la Mora. Mexico exports around $2 billion worth of tomatoes to the United States annually, according to de la Mora. A trade war over tomatoes was averted twice since the 1990s, most recently in the 2013 deal that put a price floor on Mexican tomatoes sold in the United States while barring U.S. growers from pursuing anti-dumping charges against Mexican exporters. Fruit and vegetable growers in the southeastern U.S. had persuaded the Trump administration to seek the ability to impose seasonal anti-dumping duties against Mexican produce in negotiations to update the North American Free Trade Agreement. But this demand was withdrawn in the final talks over the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade deal reached last October. A month later, the Florida Tomato Exchange, which represents growers in the state, had petitioned the Commerce Department to terminate the 2013 tomato pact. It argued that the agreement could not be enforced and contained too many loopholes through which Mexican growers could dump tomatoes in the U.S. market. (Reporting by Lizbeth Diaz and Anthony Esposito; editing by Christian Schmollinger) WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Two U.S. senators on Monday criticized reported plans for a Federal Trade Commission settlement with Facebook Inc for misuse of consumers' personal data, saying that top officials, potentially including founder Mark Zuckerberg, must be held personally responsible. In a letter to the FTC, Senators Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat, and Josh Hawley, a Republican, told the agency that even a $5 billion civil penalty is a "bargain for Facebook." The agency is also reportedly contemplating a settlement that elevates oversight of privacy policies and practices to Facebook's board of directors and requires the social media giant to be more aggressive in policing third-party app developers. But that was inadequate, said Blumenthal and Hawley, who said the FTC should go further. "It should consider setting rules of the road on what Facebook can do with consumers private information, such as requiring the deletion of tracking data, restricting the collection of certain types of information, curbing advertising practices, and imposing a firewall on sharing private data between different products," they said in a letter to FTC Chairman Joe Simons. The FTC has been investigating revelations that Facebook inappropriately shared information belonging to 87 million users with the now-defunct British political consulting firm Cambridge Analytica. The probe has focused on whether the sharing of data and other disputes violated a 2011 agreement with the FTC to safeguard user privacy. The two senators also urged the agency to name any Facebook official who was behind any violation of a consent decree. "Personal responsibility must be recognized from the top of the corporate board down to the product development teams," they wrote. The FTC acknowledged receipt of the letter but declined to comment. Facebook declined to comment. Senator Mike Lee, a Republican and chair of the Judiciary Committee's antitrust panel, said he did not believe the Facebook CEO should be personally liable for future privacy lapses. "I haven't seen a valid basis for it," he said. Others on Capitol Hill agreed with Blumenthal and Hawley. David Cicilline tweeted last month that even a multi-billion dollar fine was a "slap on the wrist." "Facebook is a repeat offender, and it is critical that the commissions response is strong enough to prevent future violations," he said. Senator Ron Wyden pushed the agency to hold Zuckerberg responsible in a letter written in late April. "Mr. Zuckerberg is not merely the CEO of Facebook but he also controls a majority of the voting rights in the company. This control insulates him from accountability for Facebook's board and shareholders," wrote Wyden. Rep. Frank Pallone, chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which has FTC oversight, said he believed the FTC probe of Facebook showed that the agency needed more clout. "Regardless of the outcome of FTCs investigation into Facebooks privacy practices, its abundantly clear the commission needs more enforcement power, rulemaking authority, and resources to effectively safeguard Americans privacy and data security," he said. (Reporting by Diane Bartz; editing by Dan Grebler) By David Shepardson WASHINGTON, May 7 (Reuters) - The U.S. Commerce Department said on Tuesday it will begin imposing a 17.5 percent tariff on imported Mexican tomatoes, but said it is optimistic that a deal can be reached to extend a 2013 agreement that suspended a U.S. anti-dumping investigation. The Department of Commerce remains committed to ensuring that American domestic industries are protected from unfair trading practices, Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross said in a statement. "We remain optimistic that there will be a negotiated solution." The tariff will go into effect in about a week. Mexican Deputy Economy Minister Luz Maria de la Mora said Monday that U.S. consumers will face financial impacts after they could not reach agreement. "We're very disappointed but the good news is that negotiations continue, looking for a solution. And we hope that in the coming weeks we can in fact reach an agreement," de la Mora said. Mexico exports around $2 billion worth of tomatoes to the United States annually, according to de la Mora. Mexican imports account for just over half of the U.S. tomato market, according to the Florida Tomato Exchange. Ross said the United States will refund any tariff deposits if a new deal is reached or if the U.S. International Trade Commission determines there is no injury based on its own independent investigation. Ross said in early February that the United States would resume an anti-dumping investigation into Mexican tomatoes, withdrawing from a so-called suspension agreement that halted the anti-dumping case as long as Mexican producers sold their tomatoes above a pre-determined price. U.S. growers and lawmakers say that deal has failed. A trade war over tomatoes has been averted twice since the 1990s, most recently in the 2013 deal that put a price floor on Mexican tomatoes sold in the United States while barring U.S. growers from pursuing anti-dumping charges against Mexican exporters. Fruit and vegetable growers in the southeastern U.S. had persuaded the Trump administration to seek the ability to impose seasonal anti-dumping duties against Mexican produce in negotiations to update the North American Free Trade Agreement. But the demand was withdrawn in the final talks over the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade deal reached last October. A month later, the Florida Tomato Exchange, which represents growers in the state, petitioned the Commerce Department to terminate the 2013 tomato pact. It argued that the agreement could not be enforced and contained too many loopholes through which Mexican growers could dump tomatoes in the U.S. market. (Reporting by David Shepardson Editing by Leslie Adler) WASHINGTON, May 7 (Reuters) - Vice President Mike Pence said on Tuesday that the United States has lifted sanctions on Venezuelan General Manuel Cristopher Figuera, the former chief of the South American country's intelligence service, who last week turned against President Nicolas Maduro. "We hope this action will encourage others to follow the example of General Cristopher Figuera and other members of the military," Pence said in a speech prepared for a conference at the State Department. (Reporting by Roberta Rampton Editing by Leslie Adler) By Roberta Rampton WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States is lifting economic sanctions on a former Venezuelan general who turned against President Nicolas Maduro in an action it hopes will lead other Maduro military allies to follow suit, Vice President Mike Pence said on Tuesday. An attempted uprising last week led by Juan Guaido, the opposition leader backed by the United States and other Western countries, failed to dislodge Maduro, as have a series of U.S. sanctions against his government. Pence's speech was the first look at how the Trump administration plans to recalibrate its strategy to support Guaido. While U.S. officials have previously dangled what they called "off ramps" for those hit with sanctions who abandon Maduro, this is the first time the Trump administration has made good on its pledge. The Treasury Department said it removed sanctions on Manuel Cristopher, who was the head of the South American country's Sebin intelligence service until Tuesday. Maduro had accused Cristopher, whose whereabouts are unknown, of conspiring to help Guaido's uprising by releasing opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez, who was under a house arrest enforced by Sebin. "We hope the action that our nation is taking today will encourage others to follow the example of General Cristopher Figuera and members of the military who have also stepped forward," Pence said in an address to the Americas Society at the State Department. Arguing that Maduro's 2018 re-election was illegitimate, Guaido invoked Venezuela's constitution in January to declare himself interim president. But Guaido has thus far failed to entice high-level military defections from Maduro, who has said Guaido is a puppet of Washington. Maduro has sought to show that the military remains on his side, but opposition leaders and U.S. officials have said that support is tenuous. The United States has blacklisted more than 150 Venezuelan officials and businesses tied to Maduro. Removing Cristopher from the list will mean he can access any blocked assets and property he has in the United States and do business with U.S. individuals, companies and banks. SHIFT TO CARROTS U.S. President Donald Trump and his top officials have taken a hard line against Maduro and his allies in Cuba, Russia and China, insisting that he must leave and investing significant diplomatic and economic capital in intervening in the crisis. Trump has repeatedly refused to rule out the use of military force, though he has emphasized he wants a peaceful transition even as the Pentagon has prepared contingency options for consideration. Pence offered other carrots in his Venezuela address, announcing that the USNS Comfort military hospital ship will deploy to the Caribbean, Central America and South America in June. The five-month mission will help relieve pressure on countries that have taken in large numbers of people fleeing Venezuela, the Pentagon said. Last year, the hospital ship cared for Venezuelan refugees and others as it stopped in Colombia, Peru, Ecuador and Honduras. Pence also pledged that the United States would work with other nations and lenders on trade finance and credit to create jobs and fight poverty in Venezuela once Maduro departs office. But his speech also pointed at sticks to come, condemning Venezuela's pro-Maduro Supreme Court for becoming "a political tool for a regime that usurps democracy, indicts political prisoners, and promotes authoritarianism." In 2017, the Treasury Department imposed sanctions on the court's president, Maikel Moreno, and the seven principal members of its constitutional chamber. It is now preparing sanctions for the 25 remaining members of the court, a senior U.S. administration official told Reuters on Monday. The court on Tuesday asked Venezuela's Constituent Assembly, a pro-Maduro legislative body, to determine whether to open criminal proceedings against seven opposition lawmakers. The court also would be responsible for signing off on any warrant for an arrest of Guaido - a step that U.S. officials have warned would result in severe consequences. "Let me take this opportunity to be very clear: the safety and security of President Juan Guaido and his family are a priority for the United States of America," Pence said. (Reporting by Roberta Rampton; Addiitonal reporting by Idrees Ali and Phil Stewart in Washington and Brian Ellsworth in Caracas; Editing by Alistair Bell and Rosalba O'Brien) DUBAI, May 7 (Reuters) - Prominent United Arab Emirates (UAE) pro-democracy campaigner Ahmed Mansoor may be suffering treatment amounting to torture, including prolonged solitary confinement, U.N. human rights experts said on Tuesday. UAE citizen Mansoor was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment in 2018 for criticizing the government on social media. Independent U.N. rights experts said they were "gravely concerned" for Mansoor's physical well-being and urged UAE authorities to give him adequate medical care, ensure detention conditions meet minimum U.N. standards and either offer him a retrial or release him. "The poor conditions of his detention in the UAE, including prolonged solitary confinement, may constitute torture," they said in a joint U.N. statement. Campaign organization the Gulf Center for Human Rights (GC4HR), of which Mansoor remains a board member, said this week they had heard from a source that he had ended a hunger strike he began on March 17 to protest against poor detention conditions and how his trial was conducted. GC4HR, based outside the UAE, says his family has not been able to visit regularly to check on his health or strike status. "Mansoor has allegedly been kept isolated in al-Sadr prison in Abu Dhabi with no bed or water in his cell and with no access to a shower. Although visits have been allowed, they are rarely offered," the U.N. experts said. The UAE government did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The United Nations has previously raised concern at Mansoor's detention. An electrical engineer and poet, Mansoor was among five activists convicted of insulting the UAE's rulers in 2011. They were pardoned the same year. He was arrested again in March 2017 at his home in the Emirate of Ajman, on charges of publishing false information and rumors, promoting a sectarian and hate-inciting agenda, and using social media to "harm national unity and social harmony and damage the country's reputation." Story continues In May 2018, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison and handed a fine of 1 million dirhams ($270,000). The UAE was also criticized this week by the U.N. and rights groups for the way in which Alia Abdulnoor, who died of cancer in detention on Saturday, was tried and detained. The United Nations on Tuesday called on UAE authorities to the investigate the circumstances of 42-year-old Abdulnoor's death and "credible allegations of torture and ill-treatment." The UAE denied accusations by rights groups that she was denied adequate medical care and regular contact with relatives. Abdulnoor was sentenced in 2017 to 10 years in prison on charges including financing terrorist groups. Having previously had breast cancer, the disease recurred after her arrest in 2015. Her family denies the charges against her, saying she was raising money for Syrian familes. (Reporting by Lisa Barrington and Stephanie Nebehay in Geneva, Editing by William Maclean) May 7 (Reuters) - Unpopularity in the Middle East is the cause of U.S. safety concerns, not Iran, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Twitter on Tuesday, after Washington said it was sending a carrier strike group and bombers to the region. U.S. National Security Advisor John Bolton said on Sunday the United States was deploying the Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group and a bomber task force to the Middle East to send a message to Iran. "If US and clients don't feel safe, it's because they're despised by the people of the region blaming Iran wont reverse that," Zarif wrote. (Reporting by Dubai newsroom; Editing by Alison Williams) Shalom Community Hospital in Machakos County was on Monday ordered to shut down following the death of seven-month-old baby Ethan Muendo from apparent medical negligence. Machakos Governor Dr Alfred Mutua gave the facility 24 hours to clear the wards and transfer them to government facilities. He revoked the hospitals business permit as the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Board revoked its operational licence. Two nurses and Shalom Hospital Managing Director Dr George Onyango were arrested as police probe circumstances under which baby Ethan died. A prescription report shows that baby Ethan Muendo was injected with a 2ml dose of morphine, a pain medication usually administered to cancer patients. He had been taken to the hospital on Sunday morning after suffering a burn on his left arm on Saturday night. When the boy and his mother, KBC journalist Ms Juliana Mutheu, returned home, the infant developed breathing problems. Ms Mutheu told Nation that she tried to breastfeed the baby in vain. She then called the hospital and was told to take the baby back to the hospital. Baby Ethan died shortly after being admitted to the Emergency Unit. The incident comes barely a month after a woman delivered on the floor of the hospitals branch in Athi River in a case of suspected negligence. Watajua Hawajui Governor Mutua Takes Action against Shalom Hospital Nurses in Distressing Video It has now emerged that the hospitals management has been hiring unqualified staff, who include the nurse who administered the jab that ended Ethans life. Some of the nurses are not registered. The unregistered ones are usually deployed in the wards as registered ones work at the outpatient department, a member of staff at Shalom Hospital in Machakos town told the Nation. Apparently, the hospital management did this to make it difficult for health officials to identify the quacks in case of impromptu inspections. She added that the management hired unqualified staff as a cost-cutting measure in order to pay low salaries. Sometimes when the hospital delays in paying salaries, the director, who also runs a flour mill, gives us two packets of maize flour and this has lowered the morale of staff, the informer added. By Richard Cowan WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Tuesday sought to slam the door on further investigations of President Donald Trump by declaring "case closed" after a two-year probe of Russia's meddling in the 2016 elections, even as House Democrats' war with the White House intensified. McConnell, the top Republican in the U.S. Congress, delivered a stinging rebuke of Democrats seeking additional information on Special Counsel Robert Mueller's report that found no evidence Trump's 2016 campaign colluded with Russia. (Graphic: https://graphics.reuters.com/USA-TRUMP-RUSSIA/010091HX27V/report.pdf) "The special counsel's finding is clear. Case closed," McConnell declared. Meanwhile, battles between the White House and congressional Democrats over documents and testimony related to the Mueller investigation deepened on Tuesday. White House Counsel Pat Cipollone informed the House Judiciary Committee in a letter that ex-White House Counsel Don McGahn does not have the legal right to comply with a House of Representatives subpoena and disclose documents related to Mueller's investigation. White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders, when asked by ABC News whether McGahn would comply with the subpoena, said, "I don't anticipate that that takes place." McConnell accused Democrats of being in an "absolute meltdown" and refusing "to accept the bottom line conclusion" that Mueller's "exhaustive" report found no collusion with Russia. Since the public release of the report last month, House and Senate Republicans have defended the president and called for an end to congressional investigations. Mueller detailed extensive contacts between Trump's campaign and Moscow. His 448-page report also outlined 11 instances in which the president tried to impede the special counsel's investigation, but avoided a conclusion on whether or not Trump obstructed justice. Speaking on the Senate floor after McConnell, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer fired back, calling Trump a "lawless president" and accusing the Senate Republican leader of wanting to bury any congressional investigations. "Of course he wants to move on. He wants to cover up," Schumer said of McConnell. Schumer likened McConnell's move to President Richard Nixon, who was under investigation by Congress before resigning from office in 1974 in the face of impeachment and likely conviction. "It's sort of like Richard Nixon saying let's move on at the height of the investigation of his wrongdoing," Schumer said. While McConnell urged an end to the fight over the Mueller report, he acknowledged that was unlikely. Democrats hold a majority in the House, while Republicans control the Senate. "Would we finally be able to move on from partisan paralysis and breathless conspiracy theorizing? Or would we remain consumed by unhinged partisanship," McConnell said, adding, "Regrettably, the answer is pretty obvious." House Democrats prepared to meet with Justice Department officials on Tuesday over Attorney General William Barr's failure to release the full unredacted Mueller report as they prepared to cite him for contempt. The House Judiciary Committee has scheduled a Wednesday vote on a contempt citation for Barr, who missed a second deadline to give lawmakers the full report and failed to appear at a hearing before the panel last week. The full House would then vote on the rebuke. A contempt citation against McGahn or other administration officials could lead to a civil case, raising the possibility of fines and even imprisonment for failure to comply. The Judiciary Committee is among several House panels investigating Trump and his administration on various matters, including the Russia probe and Trump's personal and business tax returns. The administration is stonewalling congressional investigators while the president, who has denied any wrongdoing, vowed to fight all congressional subpoenas. On Monday, U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin turned down the House Ways and Means Committee's request for Trump's tax returns, teeing up a likely legal battle. Democratic lawmakers want Mueller to testify before Congress, something Trump has balked at although Barr has said he would not object. If lawmakers decide that Trump obstructed justice by seeking to impede Mueller, Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler could move to impeachment proceedings against the president. If the House goes down the impeachment route, at least some Republican support would be needed for a Senate conviction. (Reporting by Richard Cowan; Additional reporting by Susan Heavey, Tim Ahmann and Steve Holland; Editing by Jeffrey Benkoe) DUBAI, May 7 (Reuters) - Iran's security body said a U.S. announcement of sending a carrier strike group and bombers to the Middle East to send a message to Tehran amounted to "psychological warfare," the semi-official Tasnim news agency said on Tuesday. U.S. national security adviser John Bolton said on Sunday the United States was deploying the Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group and a bomber task force to the Middle East to send a message to Iran. "Bolton's statement is a clumsy use of a burnt-out happening for psychological warfare, said Keyvan Khosravi, spokesman for the Supreme National Security Council, according to Tasnim, adding that the carrier had arrived in the Mediterranean weeks ago. (Reporting by Dubai newsroom; Editing by Alison Williams) By Conor Humphries DUBLIN (Reuters) - A push by makers of electronic cigarettes to raise nicotine levels in the European Union towards their far higher American levels is running into opposition, a senior executive at U.S. market leader Juul said on Tuesday. But there is little sign in Europe of the kind of regulatory backlash seen in the United States over youth vaping, said Grant Winterton, EMEA president of Juul. E-cigarettes, which offer a nicotine alternative to cigarettes without the same toxic and cancer-causing chemicals, have seen rapid growth in the United States, prompting Marlboro maker Altria Group to buy a 35 percent stake in Juul for $12.8 billion in December. But the roll-out across European Union countries of Juul, whose devices resemble a USB flash drive and work by vaporizing a nicotine-laced liquid, has been hampered by limits of 20 milligrams of nicotine per millimeter of liquid compared to 59 in the United States. This, the company says, makes it less effective as an alternative to cigarettes for heavy smokers. "We will put forward our position that we think the limit should be increased," Winterton said, looking ahead to a review of the EU's Tobacco Products Directive in 2021. "At the moment I would say there is quite a lot of resistance to that," he added in an interview coinciding with Juul's launch in Ireland, one of a number planned in the European Union this year. While public health bodies in Britain have embraced vaping as a tool to wean smokers off cigarettes, governments in other EU markets, where smoking rates are higher, have been cooler. Most are "neutral to slightly positive" but no significant market is hostile, Winterton said. YOUTH VAPING In recent months e-cigarette makers including Juul have been under fire for the popularity of their products among teens attracted to candy and dessert flavor varieties. In November, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced curbs on sales of flavored e-cigarette products, including Juul's mango and cool cucumber, responding to concerns of underage use reaching epidemic proportion. Story continues "We do not see at this time some of the issues that have been raised in the United States," Winterton said, referring to youth vaping. European regulators have responded "very positively" to measures it has introduced, including voluntary nicotine warnings, marketing targeted only at over-30s and vetting to make sure retailers adhere to age limits. It would be "moral and commercial suicide" to target young non-smokers with nicotine products, he added. Juul is trying to match its success in the United States with a global roll-out with a target of international sales eclipsing U.S. sales within five years. It's U.S. market share increased from 13.6 percent in early 2017 to more than 75 percent by the end of last year, according to a Wells Fargo analysis of Nielsen retail data. Winterton said Juul plans to launch in multiple Asian locations in 2019 and the Middle East and Africa in 2020 and 2021. "There is no one who is not on our radar if you look forward next 4-5 years," he said. London (AFP) - Britain will hold elections to the European Parliament later this month regardless of what happens in ongoing talks with the opposition to pass a Brexit deal, Prime Minister Theresa May's spokesman said on Tuesday. "The prime minister deeply regrets that we haven't left the EU on time... and that a consequence of that is that we will have to take part in the European elections," the spokesman said. "She understands that many members of the public will feel great frustration at this," he said. After twice delaying the date of Brexit, the government had hoped it could get a draft divorce deal through parliament before the deadline so it would not have to go ahead with the elections to the European Parliament, to be held in Britain on May 23. May's ruling Conservatives are expected to fare badly in the elections according to the latest opinion polls, which put the Brexit Party currently in the lead. May's de facto deputy David Lidington said that the government would be "redoubling our efforts and talks with MPs (members of parliament) of all parties to try to make sure that the delay after that is as short as possible. "Ideally we'd like to be in a situation where those MEPs (members of the European Parliament) never actually have to take their seat at the European Parliament, certainly to get this done and dusted by the summer recess," he said. The newly-elected European Parliament is due to meet for the first time on July 2. The British parliament's summer recess is due to start on July 20. "That will mean effort, hard work and compromise from different political parties, people from both the Leave side and the Remain side in the European debate," Lidington said. May's Downing Street office called Tuesday's talks with the Labour Party "constructive and detailed", adding they would meet again on Wednesday. London (AFP) - A British soldier serving in Malawi with an anti-poaching operation has been killed by an elephant, the defence ministry said Tuesday. Mathew Talbot was on patrol Sunday in Liwonde National Park when "he was killed by an elephant," a spokesman told AFP. The Director of Malawi's Department of National Parks and Wildlife Brighton Kumchedwa said that "two British soldiers and three Malawian wildlife rangers were out on a normal patrol where they came across three elephants. "One of the elephants charged and the team tried to run for cover." According to Kumchedwa, the elephant pulled Talbot from a tree he had climbed and trampled on him. "His friends tried to resuscitate him but it was all in vain because he died before they could take him to hospital," he said. Defence Secretary Penny Mordaunt said in a statement that the tragic incident was a "reminder of the danger our military faces as they protect some of the world's most endangered species." The presence of well-equipped British forces in the 530-square-kilometre (250 square mile) Liwonde park has reassured rangers who routinely confront gangs of poachers armed with assault rifles. Prince Harry, who visited the park in 2016, is the public face of the anti-poaching project that began that year. Talbot's commanding officer Ed Launders said he was "determined and big-hearted" and had volunteered for the Malawi mission. "He was hugely proud of his work as a counter-poaching operator and tragically died doing great good," Launders said. Talbot enlisted in 2013 and last year attended a multi-national training exercise in Kenya. Benson Linje, a communications officer at the British High Commission in the capital Lilongwe, told AFP that Talbots body would be repatriated to the United Kingdom by the end of the week. Carl Benjamin, right, discussed raping Jess Phillips, left, in a video post (Pictures: Getty) A Ukip candidate in the European elections is being investigated by police after releasing a video suggesting he might rape Labour MP Jess Phillips. Carl Benjamin, who had previously come under fire for a social media message in which he said he "wouldn't even rape" the Birmingham Yardley MP, posted a video online suggesting that "with enough pressure I might cave". West Midlands Police said they had received a report of a malicious communication and were investigating whether an offence had been committed. Ms Phillips said she broke down in tears after being told of Mr Benjamin's comments. Mr Benjamin released the video on YouTube, where he has a large following under the name Sargon of Akkad. Jess Phillips said she broke down in tears after learning of the comments (Picture: Getty) After announcing a list of spoof Ukip policies, including invading Spain and restoring the British Empire, he said: "There's been an awful lot of talk about whether I would or wouldn't rape Jess Phillips. "I've been in a lot of trouble for my hardline stance of not even raping her. I suppose with enough pressure I might cave. But let's be honest, nobody's got that much beer." A West Midlands Police spokesman said: "Police have received a report of malicious communications relating to MP Jess Phillips. Read more One million species at risk of extinction due to humanitys greed, scientists warn Most Leavers say its important your parents were born in Britain to be truly British Sweden tells citizens to stockpile cash in case electronic payments collapse "Officers have spoken to Ms Phillips and the comments are being investigated to establish if an offence has taken place." Ms Phillips told the BBC's Victoria Derbyshire that she broke down in tears in Birmingham city centre "just because I felt the enormous weight of years and years and years of abuse". I cried in the street in Birmingham city centre - I felt the weight of years and years of abuse @jessphillips. Police are investigating UKIP candidate Carl Benjamin after he saying he might rape the MP. pic.twitter.com/AeAA7elAuD Victoria Derbyshire (@VictoriaLIVE) May 7, 2019 The Labour MP, a frequent target of online trolls, said: "I realised that I did what all women do in these situations - I had been putting a brave face on it and pretending that it was all fine and that I could cope. Story continues "It dawned on me that, for four years essentially, this man had made a career out of harassing me. And I felt harassed. Police are investigating whether Ukip election candidate Carl Benjamin broke the law by suggesting he "might" rape Labour MP Jess Phillips (Picture: PA) "I felt 'How can somebody say that they would rape me if forced, and be a legitimate candidate in an election?'" She said it was "one thing when he was just some idiot off the internet" but now "it's a different thing when he is standing on the same platforms I am standing on, that he will potentially go to a parliament himself as an elected representative". "I cannot believe our system is so weak at the moment that's allowed to happen." Watch the latest videos from Yahoo BERLIN (AP) Britain's Prince Charles and his wife Camilla embarked on a visit to Germany on Tuesday, a four-day charm offensive during which he will stress the two European countries' close ties. Charles' arrival in Berlin came a day after his younger son, Prince Harry, announced that he and his wife Meghan have had their first child, a healthy boy. German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier presented Charles with a teddy bear for his new grandson after the two met for talks. Charles, the 70-year-old heir to the British throne, also met with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and was to attend a party in honor of his 93-year-old mother, Queen Elizabeth II. At the party, Charles was expected to emphasize the bonds between Germany and Britain, which is trying so far unsuccessfully to leave the European Union. The prince, who counts some German royalty among his ancestors, travels to Leipzig on Wednesday and Munich on Thursday. Vienna (AFP) - Wednesday marks a year to the day since US President Donald Trump dramatically withdrew from the 2015 agreement between Tehran and world powers on Iran's nuclear programme. But it is the UN's Vienna-based nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which has had the task of verifying the deal. In each of its quarterly reports on Iran, the IAEA has so far said Tehran is adhering to the terms of the so-called Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action or JCPOA, under which Iran agreed to halt its nuclear programme in exchange for the lifting of biting sanctions. - What role does the IAEA have in Iran? - Set up in 1957, the IAEA has 171 member states and employs some 2,500 experts. Its Board of Governors, comprising 35 states, meets five times a year. The IAEA promotes peaceful uses of atomic energy while at the same time overseeing efforts to detect and prevent possible nuclear weapons proliferation. Because of previous international concern over its nuclear programme, Iran agreed in 2003 to allow snap IAEA inspections of its nuclear facilities. However, cooperation broke down in 2006. The IAEA referred Iran to the UN Security Council, which went on to impose sanctions, and Iran halted enhanced IAEA inspections. A renewed diplomatic push eventually led to the JCPOA in 2015, under which the IAEA is charged with regular inspections of declared facilities in Iran such as uranium mines and centrifuge workshops for up to 25 years. The aim is to ensure that Iran is not holding undeclared stocks of nuclear material and is not enriching uranium past a certain level. The deal also included an "Additional Protocol", which allows inspectors "to conduct complementary access to any location in Iran". In its most recent reports on the JCPOA, the agency has taken to reminding Iran that "timely and proactive co-operation" in providing access to locations it wishes to inspect would "enhance confidence". Story continues - How do IAEA inspections work? - The IAEA insists the inspection regime put in place by the JCPOA is the world's toughest. The agency says that its inspection work has doubled since 2013. IAEA Secretary General Yukiya Amano says the agency's inspectors spend 3,000 calendar days per year on the ground in Iran. He has also highlighted the some 2,000 tamper-proof seals attached to nuclear material and equipment and the "hundreds of thousands of images captured daily by our sophisticated surveillance cameras", the number of which has almost doubled since 2013. Amano has called the JCPOA "a significant gain for verification" and said its failure "would be a great loss for nuclear verification and for multilateralism". - Agency under pressure - In addition to the US withdrawing from the deal, Israel -- Iran's regional arch-foe -- has also been highly critical of the JCPOA. In August 2017, Washington's envoy to the UN Nikki Haley urged the IAEA to widen its inspections, including to military sites. A year later in an address to the UN General Assembly, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed Iran had a "secret atomic warehouse" as part of a clandestine nuclear programme and called on the IAEA to inspect the site immediately. In January, Amano rejected pressure on the agency, saying: "If our credibility is thrown into question, and, in particular, if attempts are made to micro-manage or put pressure on the Agency in nuclear verification, that is counter-productive and extremely harmful." GENEVA, May 7 (Reuters) - The United Nations human rights office called on Malta on Tuesday to drop terrorism charges against three African teenage migrants arrested for hijacking a small commercial tanker that rescued their vessel off the coast of Libya. The three, who have pleaded not guilty, were among 108 Africans rescued by the El Hiblu 1 tanker in late March. They are accused of threatening the crew to try to force the boat to go to Malta and not take them back to Libya. Many of the migrants, including several children, had been dehydrated and exhibiting "clear signs of torture," U.N. human rights spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani said. The three youths - one from Ivory Coast and two from Guinea - are due to appear in court on May 20, she said. "The accused, aged 15, 16 and 19, have been charged under Maltese laws for allegedly hijacking the ship and forcing it to go to Malta. Some of the charges are punishable by life imprisonment," Shamdasani told a news briefing. While the circumstances around the captain's decision to finally steer the ship to Malta are disputed, the U.N. is deeply concerned by the severity of the charges. Even though two are minors, all three of the accused were held in the high-security division of an adult prison, amid reports that they were interrogated without being appointed legal guardians, Shamdasani said. "We have made our concerns clear to the Maltese authorities about the treatment of the three young migrants and what we believe to be exaggerated charges against them, and urged them to reconsider the charges," she said. There was no immediate comment from Maltese authorities. Libya is "not a safe port," Shamdasani said, citing documented killings, torture and arbitrary detention of migrants. Forcibly returning a migrant rescued at sea to Libya violates the core legal principle of "non-refoulement" that prohibits returns to a place where a person would be at risk of serious human rights violations, she said. The European Union (EU) and its member states must ensure sufficient search and rescue resources are deployed in the Mediterranean, she said. (Reporting by Stephanie Nebehay; editing by Emelia Sithoe-Matarise) GENEVA (AP) The U.N. human rights office is praising the release of Reuters journalists Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo from prison in Myanmar, but says a "very dire situation" remains for freedom of expression in the Asian country. Rights office spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani hailed "good news" but insisted that the two Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists "should never have been convicted in the first place." The journalists were pardoned and released on Tuesday. They had been convicted of violating Myanmar's Official Secrets Act over reporting on security forces' abuses of Rohingya Muslims. Shamdasani cited a rights office report in September, after the convictions, that laid out "very constructive recommendations" to Myanmar's government to improve freedom of expression. She said there has been "no positive progress" in relation to those recommendations. The United States announced the deployment of the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, along with a bomber task force, to the U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) region, in response to escalatory indications and warnings by Iran in the area. The United States announced the deployment of the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, along with a bomber task force, to the U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) region, in response to escalatory indications and warnings by Iran in the area. The USS Abraham Lincoln returning to service after its overhaul in 2017 (Picture Source: U.S. Navy) Advisor Ambassador John Bolton recently announced in an official statement that "In response to a number of troubling and escalatory indications and warnings, the United States is deploying the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group and a bomber task force to the U.S. Central Command region to send a clear and unmistakable message to the Iranian regime that any attack on United States interests or on those of our allies will be met with unrelenting force. The United States is not seeking war with the Iranian regime, but we are fully prepared to respond to any attack, whether by proxy, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, or regular Iranian forces." The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group (USCSG 12) consists of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) with embarked Carrier Air Wing Seven (CAW 7), Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55), Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers from Destroyer Squadron Two (DESRON 2) USS Bainbridge (DDG 96), USS Mason (DDG 87) and USS Nitze (DDG 94) and Spanish Navy Alvaro de Bazan-class frigate, ESPS Mendez Nunez (F-104). As for the bomber task force, it consists of squadrons of the Carrier Air Wing (CAW) 7, which includes the Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 25 and the VFA-143 (F/A-18E Super Hornet), the VFA-86 and VFA-103 (F/A-18F Super Hornet twin-seat jets), the Electronic Attack Squadron 140 (EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft), the Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 121 (E-2D Advanced Hawkeye tactical airborne early warning aircraft), the Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 79 (MH-60R Seahawk multi-mission naval helicopters), the Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 5 (MH-60S multi-mission naval helicopters), and the Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 40 (C-2A Greyhound carrier onboard delivery aircraft). By Valentina Za and Silvia Aloisi MILAN (Reuters) - Italy's biggest bank UniCredit on Tuesday launched the sale of a 17 percent stake in online brokerage business FinecoBank as part of efforts to bolster the group's financial strength. UniCredit stands to make a big capital gain on the placing of just under half its holding in Fineco. UniCredit's total stake of 35.35 percent has a market value of 2.4 billion euros ($2.7 billion) and a book value of 981 million euros. UniCredit flagged the possible stake sale early on Tuesday and later said it had begun the process to place the shares with investors, known as an accelerated book build. It said the sale was part of planned asset disposals designed to ensure the bank would meet a target of being at the upper end of a 200-250 basis points core capital buffer it wants to maintain over and above regulatory requirements. In recent months, UniCredit took a hit on its Turkish assets and paid to settle an Iran sanctions case with Washington, ending 2018 with a core capital ratio of 12.07 percent, down from 13.6 percent a year earlier. The bank will also gradually reduce its exposure to Italian government bonds and cut its bad loan portfolio to exceed a 2019 target for a reduction of 14.9 billion euros in soured debts at its so-called non-core unit. High domestic bond holdings have eaten into the capital base of Italian banks over the past year due to a high spread between Italian and German government bonds. Russell Quelch, financials analyst at Redburn, said the plan could revive concerns over capital pressure on the bank. "However, this decision does seem more strategic than forced as UniCredit are currently on course to meet management capital targets" of a 2019 core capital ratio of 12-12.5 percent, he added. To ensure Fineco will not be penalised by the sale, UniCredit will provide a financial guarantee to allow Fineco to gradually eliminate by 2024 an 8.3 billion euro portfolio of UniCredit bonds it currently holds. Story continues Fineco would continue to replace the UniCredit bonds with government bonds as they came to maturity. In the meantime, the guarantee would allow Fineco to continue not having to set aside capital to offset its exposure to UniCredit, even if they were no longer part of the same group. POSITIVE SPLIT UniCredit is under pressure to increase revenues after focusing on cost cuts in recent years. Like other Italian banks, it is suffering from political instability in the euro zone's third-biggest economy, whose populist government is struggling to kick-start growth. Though news of the stake sale weighed on Fineco shares, which lost 7.5 percent on Tuesday to close at 10.25 euros, analysts said a split from UniCredit would be positive in the long run for the business, which currently enjoys limited synergies with the rest of the group. "Fineco is a profitable, well run, successful and low capital intensive business," Citi analysts said. "We believe that a fully independent Fineco can accelerate its organic growth." CEO Jean Pierre Mustier started reducing the bank's stake in Fineco when he arrived at UniCredit in mid-2016 with a mandate to beef up the bank's capital strength and turn it around. Mustier sold a 10 percent stake in Fineco for 328 million euros in July 2016 and a further 20 percent for 552 million euros in October of the same year. The French investment banker, who analysts think has been preparing UniCredit for a merger by selling off bad loans and raising capital, will present a new business plan in December. UniCredit is at the centre of speculation on cross-border mergers as a potential suitor for Commerzbank following the collapse of the German bank's merger talks with Deutsche Bank. (Additional reporting by Helen Reid in London; Editing by Mark Potter and Jane Merriman) The escalation of the trade battle between the U.S. and China has raised the stakes for both sides of the dispute but its too early to gauge the potential fallout, according to Michael Gapen, Barclays US Chief Economist. The wild card is the uncertainty component. How much do equity markets sell off? What does it do for the confidence of households and businesses? Do they invest less and hire less? Those indirect spillover effects, we really wont know until they happen, Gapen told Yahoo Finance on Tuesday. Stocks sold off on Tuesday after U.S Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer indicated higher tariffs on Chinese goods are coming later this week, sending the Dow plunging 473.39 points, its biggest drop since January 3, and the S&P down 1.65%. While the potential collapse of the U.S.-China talks is rattling U.S. investors and would likely send shockwaves throughout the global economy, Gapen told Yahoo Finance that China has more to lose than the U.S. Theyre more leveraged to trade, growth is slowing, and theyre trying to reshape the way their economy is structured, said Gapen. The U.S. is still basically a closed economy. Exports are only about 15% of GDP and we import more from them than they do from us, so relatively speaking, they have more to lose in this game. In terms of the impact on GDP growth, Gapen suggested in the interview that the starting point would be that it would drag down GDP by a few tenths of a percent, but it could easily escalate. FILE - In this Nov. 9, 2017, file photo, U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping participate in a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China. Trump is to meet with Xi at the Group of 20 summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Friday, Nov. 30, and Saturday, Dec. 1. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File) In a recent note, Barclays maintained its base-case view on a trade deal being reached, but acknowledged the increasing likelihood of our worse-case scenario happening. The worst-case scenario includes a breakdown of the trade talks and higher and wider tariffs being imposed. We still think both sides ultimately would like a deal that they can live with. I dont think either side wants a tit for tat escalation in protectionism that will hurt growth and reduce confidence in financial markets and business, but this puts up a roadblock...I think its moved tariffs much closer to the base line and well see what the Chinese bring on Thursday. Chinese Vice Premier Liu He is still set to lead a Chinese delegation in the United States later this week, raising hopes that a trade deal will be reached and prevent the tariffs from being raised. Seana Smith is the anchor of The Ticker. Rovaniemi (Finland) (AFP) - Members of the Arctic Council meeting in Finland's far north on Tuesday failed to issue their traditional final declaration due to a US refusal to mention climate change, delegates said. At the start of the 11th ministerial meeting, chair Finnish Foreign Minister Timo Soini announced a change to the planned agenda, saying the final joint declaration would be replaced by ministerial statements. He provided no explanation. Several sources said it was because member states were unable to reach an agreement, with the United States alone refusing to mention climate change in the final text. This is the first time the Arctic Council, which held its first meeting in 1996, failed to present a final declaration at the end of one of its ministerial meetings, which are held every two years. "The hang up here right now is America making it hard to make a final agreement," Sally Swetzof of the Aleut International Association, one of six organisations representing the Arctic's indigenous peoples, told AFP. The Arctic Council groups Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden, and the United States, and their cooperation is usually frictionless. But in a speech in Rovaniemi on the eve of the council meeting, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo took on China, which holds observer status, and Russia, slamming their "aggressive behaviour" in the Arctic. And notably, he did not mention "climate change" once, even though, according to scientists, global warming is progressing twice as fast in the Arctic as in the rest of the world. The United States has sought to pile further pressure on Nicolas Maduros crisis-hit administration by announcing it has lifted sanctions on the Venezuelan spy chief who joined last weeks abortive rebellion in Caracas. Speaking in Washington, the US vice-president, Mike Pence, said Gen Manuel Cristopher Figuera who fled Venezuela after backing the unsuccessful 30 April uprising was being removed from a sanctions list in recognition of his recent actions in support of democracy and the rule of law. Related: The plot that failed: how Venezuela's 'uprising' fizzled We hope the action that our nation is taking today will encourage others to follow the example of General Cristopher Figuera and members of the military who have also stepped forward and taken a stand for libertad, Pence said. The US treasury department indicated the move was designed to influence Venezuelan officials who take concrete and meaningful actions to restore democratic order. The move is perhaps the clearest sign yet that Washington believes there may still be life in opposition leader Juan Guaidos bid to spark a mutiny against Maduro. Figuera was the only major figure to back Guaido when he tried to launch an insurrection outside an air force base in Caracas last Tuesday. Reports suggest that other top members of Maduros administration may have been involved in the Operation Freedom plot but then failed to follow through for reasons that remain murky. They include Venezuelas defense minister, Vladimir Padrino Lopez, who was sanctioned by the US last year, and the head of its supreme court, Maikel Moreno, who was sanctioned in 2017. Pence also tried to turn up the heat on the supreme courts 25 judges, warning they would be held accountable for their actions if they continued to support what he called the single greatest disrupter of peace and prosperity in the western hemisphere. Nicolas Maduro is a dictator and Nicolas Maduro must go, Pence said. Story continues Related: Hope never dies: Venezuela opposition ponders whats next after failed uprising Maduro loyalists have dismissed the unsuccessful revolt as a botched US-backed coup attempt. The 30th April was a demonstration that the Venezuelan right has no plan for our country beyond handing it over US oil corporations, Pedro Carreno, a top member of Maduros Socialist party, told the Guardian. If the US wants to launch a military action, then we are ready for anything, Carreno added. Additional reporting by Patricia Torres NEW DELHI (AP) The U.S.peace envoy on Afghanistan on Tuesday met with Indian leaders and discussed peace efforts amid the envoy's ongoing dialogue with the Taliban, an Indian official said. India's External Affairs Ministry spokesman Raveesh Kumar said that India will work with key partners in coming days. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad met with India's External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and other officials in New Delhi. The Taliban said over the weekend that the gap is narrowing in talks with Khalilzad over a timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan. Talks between the U.S. and Taliban began last year with the appointment of Khalilzad as the U.S. peace envoy. The two sides are meeting in Qatar, where the insurgent movement maintains a political office. The U.S. Embassy in New Delhi said on Tuesday that Khalilzad discussed with Indian leaders an emerging international consensus for peace efforts. The embassy in a statement said Khalilzad highlighted benefits that peace would bring to the region including the prevention of using Afghanistan as a platform for terror attacks, improved prospects for regional peace and security and increased regional trade. Khalilzad also recognized "the many important contributions India has made to Afghanistan's development," the statement said. India has been training Afghan soldiers and helping war-ravaged Afghanistan build infrastructure. The US refused to sign an agreement on challenges facing the Arctic due to its wording regarding climate change. The refusal puts global cooperation in an effort to stop drastic effects of climate change in jeopardy. Eight nations that border the Arctic, known as the Arctic Council, met in Rovaniemi in Finland on Tuesday in hopes of framing a two-year agenda to balance prevention of further damage by climate change with sustainable development of mineral wealth. In the first cancellation of a declaration by the Arctic Council since its formation in 1996, the US disagreed with wording in the declaration that referred to climate change as a serious threat, according to sources with knowledge of the discussions among diplomats. The official refusal comes just after Secretary of State Mike Pompeo actually praised the effects of climate change on the arctic, citing new opportunities for trade created by steady reductions in sea ice. This referral to one of climate changes most destructive effects, which scientists say will produce more severe weather and drastically raise sea levels, as a positive trade effect was a shocking statement from the Trump Administration, which has constistently stumbled around the presidents long-lasting refusal to commit to the reality of climate change. The Arctic is believed to contain around 13 per cent of the worlds undiscovered reserves of oil and 30 percent of its reserves of natural gas. Its steadily melting ice would make reaching these reserves more feasible. In lieu of the proposed declaration, ministers from the United States, Canada, Russia, Finland, Norway, Denmark, Sweden and Iceland instead issued a statement reaffirming their commitment to sustainable development and to the protection of the Arctic environment. Finnish Foreign Minister Timo Soini told reporters in a separate statement that A majority of us regarded climate change as a fundamental challenge facing the Arctic and acknowledged the urgent need to take mitigation and adaptation actions and to strengthen resilience. I dont want to name and blame anyone, Mr Soini added. Kuala Lumpur (AFP) - Millions of dollars forfeited by the company behind the Leonardo DiCaprio film "Wolf of Wall Street" have been sent to a Malaysian account set up to recover money looted in a massive state fraud, officials said Tuesday. Billions of dollars were stolen from sovereign wealth fund 1MDB, allegedly by ex-prime minister Najib Razak and his cronies in a crime that stretched around the world. The US Department of Justice is in the process of seizing assets it says are linked to the scandal. It has now transferred funds that were handed over by Red Granite Pictures, the Hollywood production company behind the 2013 film about a massive stock market scam that netted its perpetrator millions of dollars. Malaysia's attorney-general Tommy Thomas said the money represented "the first instalment of funds recovered from asset seizures related to 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB)". The funds, totalling $57.04 million, were sent to an account specially set up to receive recovered 1MDB funds, he said in a statement. US prosecutors allege that the film company, co-founded by Najib's step son Riza Aziz, was funded by money stolen from 1MDB. In 2017 Red Granite agreed to settle a US civil lawsuit against it for $60 million. About $3 million was deducted to cover costs before the funds were returned, Thomas said. As well as "The Wolf of Wall Street", Red Granite also produced the Jim Carrey hit "Dumb and Dumber to" and "Daddy's Home", starring Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg. Prosecutors had made claims for profits generated by all three films as part of their case. The DoJ is also in the process of returning a further $139 million of looted funds that came from the sale of a stake in the Park Lane Hotel in New York, Thomas said. It was bought by Malaysian financier Low Taek Jho, who was accused a playing a central role in plundering 1MDB, he said. Low is also believed to have bought a luxury yacht with about $250 million of looted cash. The scandal played a major role in Najib's election loss last year. Malaysia's new government has re-opened probes into 1MDB, and Najib has been arrested. He went on trial last month over the allegations. BAGHDAD (AP) U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made a lightning visit Tuesday to Baghdad aimed at showing support for the Iraqi government as the United States has been picking up intelligence that Iran is threatening American interests in the Middle East. The top American diplomat's unannounced trip to the Iraqi capital began and ended after nightfall under heavy security following the abrupt cancellation of a visit to Germany. Journalists from The Associated Press and other organizations accompanying Pompeo were not told of his new destination until his plane left for Baghdad and were not allowed to report on his whereabouts until after his plane had taken off for London. The secretary told reporters on the flight that his meetings with Iraq's president and prime minister were intended to demonstrate U.S. support for "a sovereign, independent" Iraq, free from the influence of neighboring Iran. Pompeo also said he wanted to underscore Iraq's need to protect Americans in their country. "We wanted to let them know about the increased threat stream that we had seen and give them a little bit more background on that so they could ensure that they were doing all they could to provide protection for our team," he said. "They understood, too, it's important for their country." Pompeo's visit came as the Trump administration intensified its pressure campaign against Iran. The U.S. said this week that it was rushing an aircraft carrier group to the Middle East to deter or respond to any Iranian attack. U.S. officials have said there were indications Iran was planning to retaliate for the Trump administration's stepped-up sanctions on the country, although the threat information remains vague. Pompeo would not be specific about the more recent threat information involving Iran except that they involved "imminent" plans for attacks. "We're taking every action to deter them," he said. "Other than that, I just can't say any more." Story continues Before landing in Baghdad he said that that he would make clear in his meetings that any attack by Iran or its proxies on American forces in Iraq would affect the Iraqi government too. The "campaign to continue to prevent ISIS terror inside of Iraq itself is something that's very central ... to the Iraqi government," Pompeo said. In Washington, an American official said the decision to deploy the carrier group and a group of Air Force bombers to the Middle East was based in part on intelligence indications that Iran had moved short-range ballistic missiles by boat in waters off its shores. Iran, meanwhile, was expected to announced Wednesday that it would partially withdraw from the nuclear deal it struck with world powers in 2015. As tensions rise between Washington and Tehran, Baghdad in some ways is caught in the middle. Iraq has a close relationship with the U.S., which is leading the international coalition in the war against the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria. More than 5,000 U.S. troops are stationed on Iraqi soil. But Iraq is also tightly enmeshed with Iran in trade, security and political matters, and it has been loath to antagonize its larger neighbor. Iran won the ear of many top Iraqi politicians after it stepped in to fill the political vacuum following the 2003 U.S. invasion. It also can count on the loyalty of several powerful Iraqi militias, which have fought previously against U.S. forces in the country and on the side of Iran's allies in Syria in that country's civil war. Responding to a question about whether Iraq could protect U.S. interests from attacks by Iran and its proxy forces, Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi said Tuesday that Iraq takes its responsibilities seriously. "This is an obligation that Iraq honors," he said. The Trump administration has made several recent moves to squeeze Iran. Last month, President Donald Trump announced the U.S. would no longer exempt any countries from U.S. sanctions if they continue to buy Iranian oil. The U.S. also designated Iran's Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist group, the first time it has ever taken such a step for an entire division of another government. Trump withdrew from the Obama administration's landmark nuclear deal with Iran in May 2018 and, in the months that followed, reinstated punishing sanctions, including those targeting Iran's oil, shipping and banking sectors. While Trump has sought to dismantle much of President Barack Obama's policies, he particularly criticized the Iran nuclear deal for failing to address Tehran's ballistic missile program and what he described as its malign influence across the rest of the Mideast. ___ Associated Press writer Philip Issa in Baghdad contributed to this report. John Bolton said the deployment of the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group and a bomber task force was in response to 'troubling and escalatory indications' - AFP The US is sending an aircraft carrier strike group and a fleet of bombers to the Middle East in response to a troubling and escalatory indications of Iranian activity in the region, the White House announced. John Bolton, the White House national security advisor, gave no details of the threats but said the deployment was a clear and unmistakable message to the Iranian regime that any attack on US interests or on those of our allies will be met with unrelenting force. The US is not seeking war with the Iranian regime, but we are fully prepared to respond to any attack, whether by proxy, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, or regular Iranian forces, Mr Bolton said. The US announcement came amid reports that Iran is planning to withdraw from parts of the 2015 nuclear agreement on Wednesday, the one-year anniversary of Donald Trumps order to pull American out of the international deal. Iranian media reported that Tehran was planning a partial withdrawal from the deal rather than fully pulling out. The decision was reportedly made out of Iranian frustration with US sanctions and with European countries for not doing more to stand up to Washingtons efforts to choke off Irans economy. The US is sending the USS Abraham Lincoln, an aircraft carrier, and a group of support ships to the Persian Gulf as part of the deployment. They will be joined by a bomber task force from the US Air Force. The US has repeatedly warned it will not tolerate attacks by Iran or its proxies against US forces in the region or its allies. The White House sees Hizbollah, the Lebanese militant group; the Houthis rebels in Yemen; and Shia militias in Iraq as all potential sources of danger along with Iran's own military forces. The aircraft carrier departed from Virginia on April 1 and several analysts questioned whether the White House was trying to make a routine deployment to the Middle East appear like a dramatic escalation. Story continues The US routinely deploys carriers to the Gulf as a show of force intended to deter Iran, said Becca Wasser, a policy analyst with the Rand corporation. White House message is piggybacking on planned operations to make a point. The announcement came as tensions continued to mount between Iran and the US over the Trump administrations strategy of bringing massive sanctions against the Islamic Republic. The US announced recently that it would sanction any country that bought Iranian oil, escalating from its previous stance of allowing some countries to buy Irans oil in limited circumstances. The UK, France, Germany and the EU, which all support the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, said in a joint statement they were disappointed at the US decision to intensify sanctions. The lifting of nuclear-related sanctions is an essential part of the [nuclear deal] it aims at having a positive impact not only on trade and economic relations with Iran, but most importantly on the lives of the Iranian people, the European powers said. Irans government has repeatedly condemned the US sanctions but also said the EU was not doing enough to make sure that Iran was still able to trade. The Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA), which is close Iranian president Hassan Rouhani, reported Iran was planning to withdraw from certain parts of its commitments under the nuclear deal. Iranian officials have been hinting at a partial withdrawal for several weeks. Irans patience is running thin and our inaction towards the consequences of the US exit for the nuclear deal are not limitless, said Abbas Araghchi, a senior Iranian diplomet. This deal has more of a security nature than an economic one and EU must pay its own costs too. European and Iranian officials are due to meet on Tuesday to discuss the situation. Trump administration officials confirmed Monday that the U.S. will raise tariffs on Chinese goods on Friday following a breakdown of trade negotiations last week. Over the course of the last week or so, weve seen an erosion in commitments by China, I would say retreating from commitments that have already been made, in our judgment, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer told reporters in Washington, D.C. on Monday. The Trump administration will raise tariffs on $200 billion in Chinese goods from 10 percent to 25 percent, effective on Friday. The U.S. also currently has a 25 percent tariff on $50 billion worth of Chinese high-tech products. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin added that negotiations went substantially backward over the weekend after he and Lighthizer visited Beijing last week. However, the officials plan to continue trade talks with a Chinese delegation scheduled to travel to Washington D.C. on Thursday and Friday. Stocks dipped Sunday after President Trump warned about increased tariffs, but were largely recovered by Monday morning. For 10 months, China has been paying Tariffs to the USA of 25% on 50 Billion Dollars of High Tech, and 10% on 200 Billion Dollars of other goods. These payments are partially responsible for our great economic results. The 10% will go up to 25% on Friday. 325 Billions Dollars of additional goods sent to us by China remain untaxed, but will be shortly, at a rate of 25%, Trump said in a pair of tweets Sunday. The Tariffs paid to the USA have had little impact on product cost, mostly borne by China. The Trade Deal with China continues, but too slowly, as they attempt to renegotiate. No! The president continued the pressure campaign on China Monday morning, writing in a tweet that, With China we lose 500 Billion Dollars. Sorry, were not going to be doing that anymore! More from National Review Caracas (AFP) - More than 2,000 people have been arrested in Venezuela for political reasons since the beginning of the year, most of them detained during anti-government protests, an NGO reported Tuesday. "Between January 1 and the month of May 2019, 2,014 persons have been arrested, the majority of them protesters," said Alfredo Romero, head of Venezuela's Foro Penal prisoners' rights NGO. More than 800 are still in detention, Romero told a press conference. Protests have proliferated throughout Venezuela since opposition leader Juan Guaido proclaimed himself acting president on January 23. Tensions increased last week when Guaido called for an uprising by troops loyal to President Nicolas Maduro. Romero said 339 people were arrested after the failed uprising and the demonstrations that followed on April 30 and May 1, adding that 82 were still in jail. On Monday, Venezuela's Attorney General Tarek William Saab said 233 people were arrested in the protests sparked by the failed uprising. Venezuela has suffered five years of recession that has seen more than 2.7 million people flee poverty and insecurity since 2015, according to United Nations figures. Of the 30 million people left behind, the UN says almost a quarter are in desperate need of humanitarian aid. May 7 (Reuters) - As tensions with Venezuela mount, the United States is planning to announce on Tuesday the deployment of a military hospital ship to the region, U.S. officials say, in the latest sign of the Pentagon's limited, and targeted, involvement in the crisis. The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, did not specify which countries in the region the ship would travel to. Last year, the USNS Comfort hospital ship cared for Venezuelan refugees and others as it stopped in Colombia, Peru, Ecuador and Honduras. The U.S. military's Southern Command, which oversees U.S. forces in Latin America, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. (Reporting by Phil Stewart) In just a couple of days we will know if Clark County School District teachers will be going on strike. Members of the teacher union began voting at midnight on May 7 and they will continue to do so until Saturday night. If they get a majority vote, teachers could potentially strike at the beginning of next school year. The union wants $120M in additional funding for CCSD. Just last month, hundreds of teachers rallied at the federal courthouse to ask for additional education funding to reduce class sizes, get the resources necessary for students with special needs, and for higher salaries. By Jonathan Stempel and Jennifer Ablan (Reuters) - Warren Buffett said on Monday that a trade war between the United States and China would be "bad for the whole world." Buffett spoke after U.S. President Donald Trump tweeted on Sunday that he will raise tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese imports to 25 percent from 10 percent beginning on Friday. Trump also said he would soon slap a 25-percent tariff on $325 billion of Chinese goods that have not been taxed. Major stock markets fell worldwide on Monday in response to the tweet, which preceded scheduled trade talks this week, and was a "rational" response, Buffett said on CNBC television. Buffett's conglomerate Berkshire Hathaway Inc owns or invests in many companies that do business in China, including Apple Inc, in which it has a more than $50 billion stake, and Chinese electric car maker BYD Co. "If we actually have a trade war it will be bad for the whole world," Buffett said. A full-scale trade war is unlikely, he said, but "would be bad for everything Berkshire owns." Berkshire Vice Chairman Charlie Munger, also speaking on CNBC, said Trump was not "totally crazy" for wanting higher tariffs on some goods, but that a trade war would be "massively stupid." Despite the concerns, Buffett said it would be "nonsense" for investors to sell stocks based on negative headlines, adding that the United States and China will be the world's superpowers for the next 100 years and will always have tensions. He also said the battle would not affect how Omaha, Nebraska-based Berkshire operates. The company owns more than 90 companies including utilities, makers of industrial parts and chemicals, Geico auto insurance and Dairy Queen ice cream, and ended March with $191.8 billion of equity investments. "We will buy the same stocks today that we were buying last week," and would be "delighted" if a good Chinese business expressed interest in a Berkshire transaction, Buffett said. Story continues HIGHER STAKES FOR CHINA Trump on Monday tweeted that the United States has for many years lost $600 billion to $800 billion annually on trade, and "with China we lose 500 Billion Dollars. Sorry, we're not going to be doing that anymore!" Buffett said tough talk ahead of trade negotiations was understandable, saying that for some people "the best technique is to act half-crazy," but it would be ineffective to "shake your fist first and then shake your finger later on." He added that Trump's planned tariffs raise the stakes for Chinese leader Xi Jinping. "You're talking about two personalities who are very much used to getting their way in politics, and talking about how they will be perceived in their own country in terms of their behavior," Buffett said. "It gets very complicated." Buffett said the trade dispute has already had an effect on Berkshire's BNSF railroad. Meanwhile, Jim Weber, the chief executive officer of Berkshire's Brooks Running unit, said in an interview last week that his company was ending most shoe production in China and moving it to Vietnam because of tariff concerns. Buffett also said the United States should bolster its trade relations with Canada and Mexico. "We've got lots and lots and lots of common interests," he said. "Trade with Mexico and Canada is enormously important. We should treat them as neighbors, and not adversaries." (Reporting by Jonathan Stempel and Jennifer Ablan in New York; Editing by Jeffrey Benkoe and Nick Zieminski) Keegan Theatre. | Photo: Misty K./Yelp If you're looking for live performances, mark your calendars: There's plenty to do in Washington this week, from stage shows to a jazz festival. Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in this article may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions. 'The Oresteia' Ellen McLaughlin's adaptation of "The Oresteia," described as the greatest work by the Greek playwright Aeschylus, explores themes of violence, vengeance and justice. When: Wednesday, May 8, 7:30 p.m. Where: Sidney Harman Hall, 610 F St. NW Price: $35.50 - $46 Click here for more details, and to get your tickets Mary Lou Williams Jazz Festival National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master Dee Dee Bridgewater hosts this year's Mary Lou Williams Jazz Festival, with a tribute to pianist and composer Geri Allen on Friday, the first night of the festival. Performers include saxophonist Ravi Coltrane and tap dancer Maurice Chestnut. When: Friday, May 10, 7 p.m. Where: The Kennedy Center - Terrace Theater, 2700 F St., NW Price: $30 Click here for more details, and to get your tickets Lolita Snipes: 'Head Over Heels' In this comical journey to find love, a beautiful young woman named Zoe falls for a smooth-talking bad boy who sweeps her off her feet, but her newfound love is only pretending to be the perfect mate. As the secrets unfold, her zany family takes matters into its own hands. The play, written by Lolita Snipes, is suitable for the whole family. When: Friday, May 10, 8 p.m. Where: Warner Theatre, 513 13th St., NorthW. Price: $45.99 Click here for more details, and to get your tickets 'The Reluctant Dragon' In this family-friendly production about an unlikely friendship, adapted from the book by Kenneth Grahame, a peace-and-poetry-loving dragon gets blamed for a village's bad luck. When: Saturday, May 11, 11 a.m. Where: Keegan Theatre, 1742 Church St., NW Price: $7.50 Click here for more details, and to get your tickets This story was created automatically using local event data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback. 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. For industrial supply company WESCO International (NYSE: WCC), the first quarter had some superficially weak-looking aspects to it. But behind the headline numbers, there's more positive news. Let's look at an earnings report full of nuance that needs some closer inspection. WESCO International first-quarter earnings: The raw numbers Starting with the headline numbers from the quarter: Reported sales declined 1.6% to $1.96 billion, compared with a guidance range anywhere from a decline of 2% to a gain of 2%. Organic sales increased 1% from the same period last year. Gross margin improved to 19.5% from 19.1% in the year-ago period. Operating profit margin declined to 3.6% from 3.7% in the same quarter last year, against guidance of 3.5% to 3.8%. EPS of $0.93 came in flat compared to the same period last year. In case you are wondering the difference between organic and reported sales growth is down to a reduction in the number of workdays and foreign currency which had a negative impact of 1.6% and 1.3% respectively, while an acquisition positively impacted reported sales by 0.3%. As you can see, sales and margin performance came in toward the low end of guidance. This is superficially disappointing, but it's worth noting that results were somewhat hurt by cold weather. A supply chain warehouse. WESCO is a supplier of supply chain solutions in a range of industries. Image source: Getty Images. Discussing the matter on the earnings call, CFO Dave Schulz said, "We experienced a significant number of branch closures and shipment delays due to winter weather events that impacted our customers' operations." As such, sales were weaker than management expected in January and February but were stronger in March, and "that's extended into April," according to CEO John Engel. Turning to the issue of margins, Schulz noted that it was the third consecutive quarter that WESCO had improved gross margins. It's a sign that the company is gaining traction in passing on supplier price increases -- a previous problem area for WESCO. Story continues Regarding the disappointing operating-margin performance, Schulz said that excluding the impact of an acquisition, WESCO's sales, general, and administrative expenses would have increased by only 1% versus the 2% reported. By my calculations, this means operating margin would have come in closer to 3.7% if you exclude the acquisition impact -- a figure toward the high end of the guidance range. So the headline numbers were hurt by weather and acquisition impacts, which made them look worse than what the underlying progress suggests. Details from the quarter Another factor to consider is that WESCO came up against a difficult comparison from last year, and the same scenario holds for the second quarter. The chart below shows how organic sales growth was 10.9% in the first quarter of 2018 and 9% in the second quarter. As such, management's guidance for 3% to 6% growth for the second quarter of 2019 could be taken positively. Moreover, the full-year guidance for organic sales growth ranging from 3% to 6% and operating margin of 4.3% to 4.7% was left as is -- as previously discussed, management is expecting year-over-year growth to improve in the second half of 2019. WESCO organic sales growth. Data source: WESCO International. Digging into the end-market detail, Schulz said the construction end-market momentum improved in March in North America after a slow start in January and February -- consistent with the weather effects discussed above. The industrial end market is expected to grow in line with expectations, albeit lower than last year, for industrial production. And WESCO expects another "strong year" for utility sales. Looking ahead All told, the underlying results were somewhat better than the headline numbers suggest -- and definitely better than the market was pricing when industrial stocks were aggressively sold off in the last quarter of 2018. There are definitely some parts of the industrial economy that are slowing in 2019, and some like automotive, which are turning negative. But WESCO's results and outlook suggest there are enough pockets of growth to enable many companies to reach satisfactory outcomes this year. Investors will be hoping WESCO can deliver on its guidance, and in particular leverage sales growth into earnings growth through margin expansion. More From The Motley Fool Lee Samaha has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Wesco International. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. A WestJet Boeing 737-800 airplane lands at Vancouver's international airport in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada, February 5, 2019. REUTERS/Ben Nelms Despite uncertainty caused by the grounding of the Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft, WestJet Airlines Ltd. reported a $45.6 million quarterly profit, an increase of 33 per cent from the same time last year. Net earnings increased from $34.2 million in 2018 to $45.6 million, or 40 cents per share, in the three month period ending March 31. Total revenues jumped by 5.5 per cent in the first quarter to $1.26 billion, slightly lower than analyst expectations. WestJets stock was up about 2.3 per cent as of 3 p.m. ET on Tuesday. The earnings gain came in a quarter marred by the worldwide grounding of the Boeing 737 Max 8 and Max 9 aircraft, a move that was prompted after the Ethiopian Airline crash that killed all 157 people onboard. WestJet has 13 Boeing Max aircraft in its fleet, representing about 7 per cent of the airlines total fleet and 10 per cent of its overall seat capacity. Chief executive Ed Sims said Tuesday that while WestJet was able to mitigate much of the controllable costs associated with the grounding of the Max 8 jets, the airlines revenues still took a hit in the first quarter. For the last 18 days of March, our absolute revenue was adversely impacted as we spent considerable effort re-accommodating thousands of disrupted guests, Sims said on a conference call with analysts Tuesday. Still, the airline was able to secure a profit in the quarter, in part due to an increase in baggage fees, as well as more passengers opting to pay to reserve a seat. Ancillary revenues increased by 15.2 per cent when compared to the same time last year, from $109 million in 2018 to $126 million this year. The increase amounted to $20.47 per guest, a boost of more than 10 per cent, due largely to increased baggage fees. WestJets ultra low-cost carrier Swoop, which operates on a model of having low-base fares but charging for things such as carry-on luggage, boasted ancillary revenues of more than $40 per guest. But Swoop is still facing some challenges, due to increased competition in the market and brand awareness. Story continues Swoop saw weaker demand through the winter period, prompting the airline to list the carrier on distribution sites outside of Swoop.com, including Google Flight and SkyScanner. Swoop was weaker than we expected and would have liked, WestJets chief financial officer Harry Taylor said on Tuesdays conference call. The shoulder seasons have proven to be more variable ... Awareness is so low. It hasnt even had its first birthday yet. Since listing Swoop flights on Google Flight and SkyScanner, Taylor said both awareness and flight bookings have gone up. Were not giving up or worried about it, Taylor said. Its doing what it was designed to do and we are bullish on what it can do, particularly as awareness builds. Sign up here Download the Yahoo Finance app, available for Apple and Android. The White House on Tuesday directed former White House counsel Don McGahn to ignore a congressional subpoena seeking documents related to Special Counsel Robert Muellers final report. The White House provided these records to Mr. McGahn in connection with its cooperation with the special counsels investigation and with the clear understanding that the records remain subject to the control of the White House for all purposes, White House Counsel Pat Cipollone wrote to Representative Jerry Nadler (D., N.Y.), the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee. The White House records remain legally protected from disclosure under longstanding constitutional principles, because they implicate significant executive branch confidentiality interests and executive privilege. Nadler subpoenaed McGahn for the documents and his public testimony last month, days after the redacted version of the Mueller report was released. The deadline for McGahn to turn over the requested documents was 10 a.m. Tuesday, and the deadline for him to testify is May 21. McGahns claim, cited in the Mueller report, that President Trump directed him to have the Justice Department fire the special counsel, made headlines when the report was released, and Democrats believe his testimony could be critical to their investigations of the president. Mr. McGahn is a critical witness to many of the alleged instances of obstruction of justice and other misconduct described in the Mueller report, Nadler said in a statement when he issued the subpoena. His testimony will help shed further light on the Presidents attacks on the rule of law, and his attempts to cover up those actions by lying to the American people and requesting others do the same. Mick Mulvaney, the acting White House chief of staff, ordered McGahn not to release the documents to lawmakers, Cipollone wrote in his letter to Nadler. The letter stops short of invoking executive privilege to block lawmakers from receiving the White House documents and McGahns testimony, but the legality of that move should the administration try to take it is in question. Some legal analysts have argued that the White House lost its ability to claim privilege when it allowed McGahn to sit for an interview with Mueller, who published his answers publicly. Story continues Were fighting all the subpoenas, Trump said last month after the Mueller report found no evidence of the Trump campaign colluding with the Kremlin but declined to reach a conclusion on whether the president attempted to obstruct the investigation. More from National Review Want to participate in a short research study? Help shape the future of investing tools and you could win a $250 gift card! Today we are going to look at L&T Technology Services Limited (NSE:LTTS) to see whether it might be an attractive investment prospect. Specifically, we'll consider its Return On Capital Employed (ROCE), since that will give us an insight into how efficiently the business can generate profits from the capital it requires. First, we'll go over how we calculate ROCE. Second, we'll look at its ROCE compared to similar companies. Then we'll determine how its current liabilities are affecting its ROCE. Understanding Return On Capital Employed (ROCE) ROCE is a measure of a company's yearly pre-tax profit (its return), relative to the capital employed in the business. In general, businesses with a higher ROCE are usually better quality. Ultimately, it is a useful but imperfect metric. Author Edwin Whiting says to be careful when comparing the ROCE of different businesses, since 'No two businesses are exactly alike.' So, How Do We Calculate ROCE? Analysts use this formula to calculate return on capital employed: Return on Capital Employed = Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT) (Total Assets - Current Liabilities) Or for L&T Technology Services: 0.32 = 8.1b (34b - 8.6b) (Based on the trailing twelve months to March 2019.) So, L&T Technology Services has an ROCE of 32%. Check out our latest analysis for L&T Technology Services Is L&T Technology Services's ROCE Good? One way to assess ROCE is to compare similar companies. L&T Technology Services's ROCE appears to be substantially greater than the 11% average in the Professional Services industry. We would consider this a positive, as it suggests it is using capital more effectively than other similar companies. Putting aside its position relative to its industry for now, in absolute terms, L&T Technology Services's ROCE is currently very good. Story continues NSEI:LTTS Past Revenue and Net Income, May 6th 2019 Remember that this metric is backwards looking - it shows what has happened in the past, and does not accurately predict the future. Companies in cyclical industries can be difficult to understand using ROCE, as returns typically look high during boom times, and low during busts. ROCE is, after all, simply a snap shot of a single year. What happens in the future is pretty important for investors, so we have prepared a free report on analyst forecasts for L&T Technology Services. L&T Technology Services's Current Liabilities And Their Impact On Its ROCE Liabilities, such as supplier bills and bank overdrafts, are referred to as current liabilities if they need to be paid within 12 months. Due to the way the ROCE equation works, having large bills due in the near term can make it look as though a company has less capital employed, and thus a higher ROCE than usual. To check the impact of this, we calculate if a company has high current liabilities relative to its total assets. L&T Technology Services has total liabilities of 8.6b and total assets of 34b. As a result, its current liabilities are equal to approximately 26% of its total assets. This is quite a low level of current liabilities which would not greatly boost the already high ROCE. What We Can Learn From L&T Technology Services's ROCE This is good to see, and with such a high ROCE, L&T Technology Services may be worth a closer look. L&T Technology Services shapes up well under this analysis, but it is far from the only business delivering excellent numbers . You might also want to check this free collection of companies delivering excellent earnings growth. If you like to buy stocks alongside management, then you might just love this free list of companies. (Hint: insiders have been buying them). We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned. Thank you for reading. The New York Times International Edition recently published an anti-Semitic cartoon of a dachshund with the face of Benjamin Netanyahu. The composite animal was leading a hunched Donald Trump who had on dark sunglasses, as if blind, and a yarmulke. Almost immediately, everyone pointed out that the theme of doglike Jews pulling along their clueless befuddled blinded Aryan masters was a favorite in Hitlers Germany. The theme, style, and imagery of the cartoon might have trumped what was often published in Der Sturmer, the Nazi megaphone of propagandist Julius Streicher. The latter was hanged after the Nuremberg Trials for two decades of fomenting the Jew hatred that helped lead to the Holocaust. Stranger still, at first the New York Times merely explained how the sick cartoon got published in its international edition, but without an apology for its publication. Its subsequent second-try mea culpa was rendered a pathetic joke when, a few days later, the paper published yet another incoherent anti-Semitic cartoon of a Benjamin Netanyahu, this time as some sort of blind Moses with selfie stick in one hand and a stone tablet with the Star of David in the other, as he descends from Mount Sinai. It has been noted that the Times has had a long history of anti-Semitism, dating to before World War II, and, after that, of serial anti-Israel venom. Certainly, if the cartoon had similarly portrayed any other ethnic or religious group (except heterosexual white Christians), the Times would immediately have fired anyone remotely involved in running such trash. Was it any surprise that the Times recently referenced Jesus as a Palestinian rather than Jewish? The Times in general sees bias such as anti-Semitism and racism in terms of political warfare: The hatred is always a cry of the heart of marginalized people, and always directed at the supposedly deserving. Note that not long ago the Times vigorously defended its hiring of Sarah Jeong, the racist blogger who had a long history of anti-male and anti-white hate speech that included such social-media posts as Oh man its kind of sick how much joy I get out of being cruel to old white men and Dumbass f****** white people marking up the internet with their opinions like dogs pissing on fire hydrants and White people have stopped breeding. Youll all go extinct soon. That was my plan all along. In other words, the Times seems to have no innate problem with its progressive employees expressing racist and anti-Semitic tropes, as long as their targets are deemed politically incorrect. Story continues Recently at UC Berkeley, in a now familiar routine, during a student-government meeting, protesters slurred Jewish students with conspiratorial charges that the Israeli military has trained American police how better to kill blacks. Campuses now routinely ignore student anti-Semitic smears; indeed, universities and colleges are becoming the incubators of progressive hatred of Jews. The strange thing about the now predictable anti-Jewish and anti-Israel social-media outbursts of Representative Ilhan Omar (D., Minn.) was not that Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez (D., N.Y.) and Representative Rashida Tlaib (D., Mich.) defended Omars slurs. (Tlaib herself recently demanded cutting off aid to Israel, claiming it did not reflect American values.) Rather, whats striking is that the Democratic party in general could not even muster a vote condemning the anti-Semitic and anti-Israel statements of one of their own House members. The examples of progressive hatred of Jews could be multiplied endlessly, but the key question is: Why in this generation and why on the Democratic left? There, are of course, always white nationalists who voice reactionary anti-Semitism, but most are pathetic fringe groups easily identified and ostracized. For all the invective lodged against Donald Trump, no president has proved more sensitive to Jewish issues and more committed to the survival of Israel. The anti-Semitic extreme alt-right has received no sanction from the Republican party, and it remains a tiny, mostly irrelevant group of losers. In contrast, progressive Jew-hatred is expressed at the nations premier institutions, such as UC Berkeley, the New York Times, and the U.S. Congress. Again, why? The far Left is intertwined with Islamist activists. Both share a hatred of the U.S. and see the Middle East as a postcolonial victim of Western imperialism. Students and urban youth bond with radical Islamists in their shared dislike of the Western countries (such as Israel) in general and the United States in particular. Radical Muslims and the Left disguise their hatred of Jews by claiming that they are only championing downtrodden Palestinians. Few bother to ask them why a tiny democracy in a sea of autocracy is always singled out any time global attention turns to the question of refugees, disputed territories, or treatment of supposed religious minorities. In other words, the hater of Jews always says, I have no problem with the Jewish people, but I do not like the imperialist and colonial policies of the Jewish state of Israel. But if so, why not extend such universal empathy for refugees to the last of the East Prussian Germans, or those who are left of the Volga Russians, or the octogenarians still alive from the nearly 1 million Jews who were ethnically cleansed from their ancestral homes in Jordan, Syria, Egypt, and throughout the Islamic world? Why pick only on tiny Israel? If the rub is disputed land, why not agitate for the northern Cypriot Greeks who suffered (and do suffer) terribly from the occupation of Turkish overseers, or the Tibetans, whose lands were simply expropriated by Chinese Communists? If the youth of today are anxious about the treatment of religious minorities, why not at least confess that 1 million Arab speakers in Israel cherish freedoms found nowhere else in the Middle East? They also are certainly freer and more secure than Muslim minorities in either India or China. So there is no reason to fixate on a tiny constitutional society except that it is a Jewish state. Anti-Semitism, to be frank, is deeply embedded also among the elite black progressive community. Numerous contemporary African-American national leaders Jesse Jackson (Hymietown), Al Sharpton (If the Jews want to get it on, tell them to pin their yarmulkes back and come over to my house), the Reverend Jeremiah Wright (Them Jews arent going to let him [Obama] talk to me.) have at some point trafficked in anti-Semitism. The Jew-hating Louis Farrakhan is no outlier. He has been prominent in the progressive Womens March, has had his picture taken with a then-smiling Senator Barack Obama (the photo was repressed until after Obama left the presidency), and he was once close to former Democratic National Party vice chairman Keith Ellison. Representative Hank Johnson (D., Ga.), like Farrakhan, has compared West Bank Jews to termites another sick metaphor and, like those used in cartoons appearing in the New York Times, one with a disgusting pedigree from the Third Reich. In such old-new binaries, Jews and Israelis are now recast as privileged whites. So their frequent attackers expect immunity from condemnation; they seek refuge as marginalized people for whom charges of bias or privilege do not so readily apply. There is also the insidious suggestion by those on the left who traffic in anti-Semitic language and symbolism that most American Jews are assumed to be loyal Democrats. In passive-aggressive style, the new anti-Semites enjoy poking fellow party members on the left, in the expectation that they can do so without warranting the odium that like-minded Nazis and Klansmen would earn. Like teenagers who rant against their parents on the expectation that, as members of the same family, they are exempt from rebuke, the progressive anti-Semites expect fellow Democrats to contextualize their animus, tolerate it, and even excuse it for the greater good of party and ideological unity. Add in that a new generation of younger Jewish Americans is not inclined to push back against left-wing anti-Semitism. These fourth- and fifth-generation American citizens are often increasingly secular; they dont have much knowledge about or interest in the history and nature of Israel, and theyre keen to avoid conflict with fellow hipster students and urban progressives. Like the former and now largely inert Greek-American lobby, the next generation of Jewish Americans is less interested in traditional Jewish concerns and likely to defer to fellow progressives in matters of woke issues such as the alleged colonialism of Israel. Anti-Semitism is only going to intensify. Both in America and Europe, it is naturally at home among the multicultural Left. The media, popular culture, universities, and left-wing political parties either cannot or will not stop it. Trumps unwavering support for Israel and keen support of Jews also encourages leftists, in Pavlovian fashion, to attack anything that Trump favors. Prominent progressive Jews lack either the ability or the inclination to call out members of their own political persuasion a fact that only encourages even more overt anti-Semitism. So here is the near future: Every time the New York Times runs another anti-Semitic cartoon (and it will), each time a left-wing member of Congress questions the patriotism or morality of American Jews (and one will), and on every occasion Jewish students are harassed on campus (and they will be), we go another mile down the road to the well-known historical disaster that is looming ahead. More from National Review Saudi Ambassador to Rabat made it clear that his country stands with Morocco in the defense of its territorial integrity and sovereignty over the Sahara. Moroccos territorial integrity is a Red Line for Saudi Arabia and support for Moroccos sovereignty over its southern provinces is a principle in Riyadhs foreign policy, Ambassador Abdellah Ben Saad Al Ghariri was quoted in a statement by the Moroccan Lower House as saying. The ambassador made the remarks at a meeting with Lower House Speaker during which the close ties between Rabat and Riyadh were highlighted. Relations between Morocco and Saudi Arabia passed through a temporary crisis after a Saudi news channel broadcasted a documentary that contradicts the official stance of Riyadh on the Sahara issue. A woman was allegedly drugged during Jake Paul's house party on Saturday, according to an investigation by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. Detectives are looking into a "possible single occurrence of unwillful impairment." A guest reported to police that she may have blacked out after "something was put in her drink," a police spokesperson told BuzzFeed. The complaint came the day after Paul hosted a birthday party for the rapper Desiigner. "Detectives are in the beginning stages of information gathering for the incident," the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said in an emailed statement to Mashable. "The Sheriff's Department treats allegations such as these seriously, and will use all known resources to investigate." In addition to the police report, a Los Angeles Fire Department spokesperson confirmed to BuzzFeed that they responded to three separate calls to Paul's Calabasas mansion on Saturday night. Two of the calls were related to two "sick" people who were brought to a nearby hospital between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m. and another was because a guest jumped onto a nearby property and scared an elderly woman. The woman fell and was treated for "moderate injuries" at a local hospital, CBS Los Angeles reports. Paul's older brother Logan Paul was also in attendance and videos from the party were shared on social media. Further speculation was fueled by a post in a closed Facebook group for mothers in the area. The Facebook user claimed her daughter and multiple other young women were drugged and ended up "incoherent" at the local hospital. Story continues In a screenshot obtained by the Daily Dot, the apparent Facebook post also claimed guests had to "sign a disclaimer at the door." The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department did not confirm or deny allegations that multiple women were drugged, but urged anyone who has additional information to contact the Malibu/Lost Hills station at (818) 878-1808, or anonymously alert L.A. Crimestoppers at (800) 222-TIPS. The largest city in the United States could become a factor in what promises to be a dramatic presidential race. For months, the possibility has loomed that the mayor of New York City and the governor of the state might both vie for the 2020 Democratic nomination for the White House. Mayor Bill de Blasio indicated Monday that he is continuing to figure out whether he will seek a presidential run, and Governor Andrew Cuomo, though he has voiced support for frontrunner Joe Biden, has not officially ruled out a campaign. No doubt, this possibility could make for some distractions when it comes to the day-to-day running of New York City or of the state capital in Albany. This is exacerbated by the fact that de Blasio, 57, and Cuomo, 61, share a rivalry almost as intense as that between late Gov. Nelson Rockefeller and late Mayor John Lindsay in the 1970s. Some examples of their differences: When Seattle-based Amazon in February pulled out of its plan to build secondary headquarters in Queens, a jilted de Blasio said the company threw away an opportunity to be a good neighbor with Big Apple residents, while Cuomo tried to cajole Amazon back, blaming progressives for the deals implosion. As the city prepared to shut down a needed subway line for a year for repairs, Cuomo swooped in earlier this year with a proposed plan to keep the train running on modified hours (the train line is partially shutting down). Then, there is the war over the citys troubled public housing. De Blasio and Cuomo for years argued over $450 million in state funds promised to the citys Housing Authority, an agency under fire for crumbling walls, rats and other inhabitable conditions. When asked what could happen if these two brought their disagreements to the national stage, political pundits chuckled. One expert jokingly asked if this piece would include an audio component to record all the sniping. And while the experts predicted both are not likely to be in the same race, neither de Blasios nor Cuomos offices would respond to queries from Fortune about their plans. Story continues Im sure they could not stop themselves from jabbing at one another, predicted professor Daniel DiSalvo, chair of the Department of Political Science at the City College of New York and senior fellow of the Manhattan Institute. But both elected officials would need to hold their animosity at bay. While Cuomo has national name recognition, having been U.S. housing secretary under Bill Clinton from 1997 to 2001, de Blasio would need to play down his New York City activities, the professor said. New York City with many people does not always have the most savory reputation, DiSalvo said. Probably for de Blasio, hes got to connect to voters who are not New Yorkers and show that he knows something about the rest of the country. De Blasio and Cuomo are following a long tradition of tensions between statehouses and city hallsand between Albany and New York City. No matter what the personalities and even the politics of the mayor and the governor, there is often conflict, author and professor Douglas Muzzio of Baruch College said. Rockefeller and Lindsay clashed over education, corrections, and rent control in the late 1960s and 1970s. Lindsay, who visited and conversed with inmates in New York City, criticized Rockefeller for refusing to meet with inmates and ordering state troopers to intercept the deadly prison riot in Attica, N.Y., in 1971. Late governor Mario Cuomo, father to the current governor, and former mayor David Dinkins clashed over frugality and spending. You go back in the states history and its inherent; its structural, added Muzzio, founder of Baruch College Survey Research. Muzzio cited Dillons Rule, an academic concept that stipulates that no matter what, the state capital is in controleven when it comes to one of the most prominent cities in the world. Cities are creatures of the state, the professor said. We cant ban plastic bags without Albany. We cant have speed cameras on our lights without Albany. Professor Joseph Viteritti, chair of the Urban Policy and Planning Department at Hunter College and author of The Pragmatist: Bill de Blasios Quest to Save the Soul of New York, agreed. Mayors in cities like New York tend to be ambitious, tend to have large egos, and very often the state capital is not on board so it creates tensions, and sometimes there are tensions even among like-minded people, he said. Lindsay and Rockefeller, for instance, were both progressive Republicans at one time (until Lindsay transferred to the Democratic party), Viteritti said. Both had ambitions to run for president, he continued. It was real then. Here (with Cuomo and de Blasio), the issues are much more philosophical. One is a moderate and one is more progressive. Both have reputations for having strong personalities and sometimes struggle with likability, according to DiSalvo. De Blasio seems to think of himself as Gods gift to progressive politics, and Governor Cuomo likes to be in charge and likes to think hes pretty smart too, DiSalvo said. He doesnt take lightly criticism from the mayor. In some ways, the disagreements are unusual because both officials have lots in common. Both were born in New York City and share Italian-American roots. As established officials, they worked in the same circles. De Blasio was a regional director for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development when Cuomo was secretary under President Clinton. They both are strong on womens rights, race issues, and LGBTQ rights. In fact, the late governor Mario Cuomo once said de Blasio reminded him of his own son. At one point, they were very close, Viteritti said. But then, they grew apart. Cuomo, a candidate for state attorney general in 2005, did not endorse de Blasio, then a New York City Council member, in de Blasios bid to become council speaker. Cuomo also did not support a candidate in the 2013 Democratic primary for mayor of New York. In 2014, when De Blasio wanted to pay for a pre-kindergarten-for-all program with a tax on residents earning $500,000 or more, Cuomo attacked the idea and steamrolled over it with an agreement over the state budget in 2014 that would designate state funds for the program. There are very clear differences between them and they will tell you that, Viteritti said. Andrew Cuomo is a moderate centrist, very much along the Joe Biden lines, and Bill de Blasio is somebody who identifies with the more progressive wing of the party thats going to focus more on issues like income inequality. While its still not clear what could happen, de Blasio told NY1 television on Monday that he is continuing to decide whether he will run. Whatever the case might be, the mayor appears to be positioning himself as a candidate. De Blasios communications director, Mike Casca, recently left the City Hall staff to work for de Blasios Fairness Political Action Committee, and two other City Hall staffers are taking temporary leaves to work with the PAC too. In January, the mayor introduced a plan to guarantee health insurance for all New Yorkers. In recent months, hes traveled to early primary states. But a successful campaign would be a stretch, Muzzio said. I dont see him as a viable candidate, he said. Theres something about Bills persona that puts people off or doesnt excite them, so even though the policies are there, the connection, the resonance between a candidate and his or her voters, I dont see it there. I dont see hardcore Bill de Blasio support. This is a big one for the New York City mayor to run for president, Viteritti said. Its a big leap, but then we have somebody who is mayor in Indiana running for president, Viteritti added of South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg. Whos to say whats possible and not possible? Hours before Hillary Clintons much-anticipated first debate against Donald Trump during the 2016 presidential election, Santa Nikkels was getting ready for a test of her own. Nikkels, the owner of Santa's Hair Salon in Chappaqua, N.Y., is a trusted member of Clintons glam squad." She knew that every detail about Clinton would be scrutinized that evening. After all, everything from her pantsuits and patterned jackets to her hair evolution to her thick-rimmed eyeglasses have been fodder for dissection in both journalistic and social media circles for as long as she has been in the public eye. Owner Santa Nikkels beside a gallery of photos with the Clintons at Santa's Hair Salon in Chappaqua April 23, 2019. Nikkels, an Ecuadorian immigrant who started the salon in Chappaqua twenty years ago, became the hairdresser of choice for Bill and Hillary Clinton. I was very excited but also extremely nervous because I didnt want to get her in trouble. The entire world would be talking about it the next day, said Nikkels, who has served as a hair stylist to the Clintons for almost 20 years. I am very conservative when it comes to her hair. Indeed, the Sept. 26 showdown at Hofstra University in Hempstead New York, continues to hold the distinction of the most-watched presidential debate in American history. Clinton, who jokingly describes herself as a "hair icon" in her Twitter bio, called Nikkels a friend. Santa is someone Ive relied on for years. When you go into her salon here in Chappaqua, she makes you feel welcome and shes terrific at her job," Clinton said in an email. "She is a proud immigrant small-business owner, and Im proud to call her a friend. Much intrigue surrounded the mysterious Santa Hillary Clinton was referring to in her emails released in 2015 by the State Department during the height of the so-called Emailgate. The name prompted speculation that it could be code for a bigwig donor Clinton and her subordinates wanted to remain anonymous. "I'm seeing Santa at 8:30 so won't take off until closer to 9:30," Clinton emailed aide Huma Abedin. "Is that ok?" In another email, she wrote: "The timing, however, is hard for a visit since I need to see Santa around 7:45 after seeing Lisa." Story continues Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton shakes When the tabloids finally cracked the case, the ever discreet Nikkels would only confirm that she was indeed the Santa from the emails, without offering much in the way of details. Almost two years after Clinton mentioned her by name in her 2017 book "What Happened," Nikkels talked about her near 20-year relationship with the Clintons and her journey as an immigrant to a successful American businesswoman in an exclusive interview with The Journal News/lohud. The very morning of the interview, Nikkels had styled Clintons hair before she spoke at the Time 100 Summit in New York City. The most difficult thing When Nikkels first moved from Quevedo, Ecuador, in 1988 to a friends home in Port Chester, N.Y., she cleaned homes to support herself and her large family back home. Shed also left her 7-year-old daughter behind. Leaving my daughter was the most difficult thing I did, said Nikkels of the two-year separation the mother and daughter endured. For years, Nikkels worked two to three jobs, eventually saving up enough money to attend cosmetology school to pursue her passion for hair styling. After getting her cosmetology license, Nikkels, who was married by then, began working at a salon in Somers, N.Y. During her time at Luke Hair Designs in Somers, Nikkels built a loyal following. Some of them wanted her to start her own business and were willing to loan her seed money. With about seven years of experience under her belt, in 1997, Nikkels decided to open Santas Shear Artistry in Brewster, N.Y. It was a cramped space in a strip mall, but her clients followed her anyway. Julie Gherardi, an administrator in the Somers school district who has been a client of Nikkels from her Somers days, said shes become a friend. I know a lot of people call their hair stylists their therapists. Thats who shes become for me. She offers advice in a very supportive way, Gherardi said. Shes become a part of my life. Shes shared her challenges and successes and Ive done the same with her. Two years later, an advertisement in the local Pennysaver caught her attention. A beauty salon in Chappaqua was up for sale. Because she had a loyal and growing client base, Nikkels said she decided to take the plunge. That was in May 1999. Four months later, the Clintons bought a $1.7 million, 11-room Dutch Colonial home in Chappaqua, where the First Family would move into from the White House in 2001. Hillary Clinton, who by then had created an exploratory committee for a Senate bid in New York, was a frequent visitor to Chappaqua before the family had officially moved in. My clients said, Wouldnt it be great if the Clintons came to you? Nikkels recalled. A gallery of photos of owner Santa Nikkels with the Clintons hangs at Santa's Hair Salon in Chappaqua April 23, 2019. Nikkels, an Ecuadorian immigrant who started the salon in Chappaqua twenty years ago, became the hairdresser of choice for Bill and Hillary Clinton. Her only daughter, Carmen Yellen, then a college student at Drexel University, helped her draft a letter offering her services. To their amazement, the Clintons wrote back. A few months later, Nikkels said she received a call from an aide to Hillary Clinton asking for an appointment at the salon on King Street, located less than mile from the familys new home. My legs were shaking, Nikkels said. I couldnt believe I was going to touch the first ladys hair. Nikkels said she was surprised that instead of summoning her to her new home, Clinton had arrived at the salon without much fanfare. That has stayed true to this day. Except for emergencies, the Clintons almost always make appointments in advance and show up at the salon. She was very pleasant and very kind, said Nikkels. At the end of it, she said she loved the style. Six months later, Bill Clinton showed up for a haircut. He was super friendly, said Nikkels. Chatting with everyone. The duo has remained loyal customers through two decades of Bill Clintons post-presidency years and Hillary Clintons political ascension from first lady to New York senator to secretary of state to the first woman to win a major-party nomination for president. The glam squad In What Happened, Clinton talks about her glam squad and describes Nikkels as a terrific hairdresser who has taken care of her for years. She also notes with amusement the baffled reaction of people on her regular appointments with Santa when the emails were made public. Nikkels said she was shocked by all the attention. "All these TV stations, newspapers and magazines from all over the world kept calling me to see if I would do an interview with them," Nikkels said. "I confirmed that I was 'Santa' to a couple of people but after that I avoided them completely. They wanted to know all sorts of things and I have always been very private about them." Santa Nikkels shows her personalized copy of Hillary Clinton's book at Santa's Hair Salon in Chappaqua April 23, 2019. Nikkels, an Ecuadorian immigrant who started the salon in Chappaqua twenty years ago, became the hairdresser of choice for Bill and Hillary Clinton. When it comes to hair and makeup, Clinton waxes nostalgic about a time when it was a "special treat every once and again," rather than a daily occurrence on the campaign trail. I have never gotten used to how much effort it takes just to be a woman in the public eye, wrote Clinton, adding that shed spent 600 hours or 25 days during the campaign on hair and makeup. Im not jealous of my male colleagues often, but I am when it comes to how they can just shower, shave, put on a suit, and be ready to go. The few times Ive gone out in public without makeup, its made the news, she wrote. For her part, Nikkels said she always watches Clinton on television if shes been styled by her to see if she can improve on anything in the future. I have done a few body waves, and few different styles, Nikkels said. But for the most part, I dont suggest anything drastic. A photo of Santa Nikkels with Hillary Clinton, her daughter and her husband on her wedding day hangs at Santa's Hair Salon in Chappaqua April 23, 2019. Nikkels, an Ecuadorian immigrant who started the salon in Chappaqua twenty years ago, became the hairdresser of choice for Bill and Hillary Clinton. While Nikkels has taken care of the Clintons for years, the couple has supported her when she was going through her share of challenges including a divorce, her mothers illness and financial difficulties with her business. In 2013, Hillary Clinton attended her marriage to Miguel Gonzalez. Theyve become my family, Nikkels said. Theyve also taken a keen interest in her daughter Carmens college and career. They would always remember the last conversation I had with them and ask me for updates, said Carmen Yellen, who is a mechanical engineer. The Great Recession In 2009, the economic crisis had taken a toll on the salon business. She found herself struggling to earn a living, pay her mortgage on her condominium and keep her business," Yellen said about her mother. I remember Bill Clinton getting on the phone personally to speak with her bank to see if they could help her. A signed photo of President Bill Clinton with Santa Nikkels and her husband Miguel Gonzalez hangs at Santa's Hair Salon in Chappaqua April 23, 2019. Nikkels, an Ecuadorian immigrant who started the salon in Chappaqua twenty years ago, became the hairdresser of choice for Bill and Hillary Clinton. Nikkels, who owned a condo in Chappaqua, was in danger of the bank foreclosing on her mortgage. The Clintons reached out to their network and assembled a group of professionals to lend their expertise pro bono, Yellen said. With guidance from the experts, Nikkels sold her condo in a short sale and managed to salvage her business. A souvenir from the Clintons is displayed at Santa's Hair Salon in Chappaqua. Santa Nikkels, an Ecuadorian immigrant who started the salon in Chappaqua twenty years ago, became the hairdresser of choice for Bill and Hillary Clinton. Throughout the salon, there are knickknacks that the Clintons have brought back from trips around the world. I am thankful every day that the Clintons came into my life, said Nikkels, adding that she was still "devastated" by Hillary Clinton's election loss. "She would have been a great president." Jean DiLeo, a client from her first salon in Brewster, said she's one of the best in the business, which is what brings her all the way from Stormville, a 36-mile drive from Dutchess County, she said. She keeps her skills and techniques fresh by taking all these courses and learning continually, said DiLeo. I trust her judgment completely. Owner Santa Nikkels works on longtime client Jean DiLeo of Stormville, N.Y. April 23, 2019 at Santa's Hair Salon in Chappaqua. Nikkels, an Ecuadorian immigrant who started the salon in Chappaqua twenty years ago, became the hairdresser of choice for Bill and Hillary Clinton. Along the way, her journey as an immigrant has inspired her daughter. "I work in the building, construction and facilities operations industry, which is a very male-dominated field," Yellen said. She worked very hard to establish herself in an unfamiliar world to provide a better life for her family. In doing so, she inspired me to be driven, determined, independent and self-sufficient. Santa Nikkels with her daughter Carmen Yellen So what does the future hold? As long as I can stand up and work with my hands, I would like to continue doing this, Nikkels said. I love interacting with people and making them feel and look beautiful. This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: How this New York hairstylist became a member of the Clintons' 'glam squad' ICSE ISC RESULT 2019: CISCE declared ICSE ISC 2019 results online at cisce.org and results.cisce.org New Delhi, Tue, 07 May 2019 Deepak Kumar The Council For the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) just declared the results for 2019 examination on its official portal at cisce.org and results.cisce.org. According to the video press release 98.54% students passed the examination this year. Over 2.5 lakhs students appeared for the examination this year. The wait time for lakhs of students are over now, they can check results online or by sending the SMS to 09248082883. The results are live on the official website of CISE at cisce.org and results.cisce.org. After visiting the website students can enter the asked details to get their results. Here are the steps to check ICSE ISC RESULT 2019: Step 1: Students should open the website at cisce.org or results.cisce.org in their web browser. Step 2: On the home page you will find the form to enter the required details. Step 3: Then press Show Results button. Step 4: In the next screen system will display your results. This year over 2.6 lakhs students appeared in the examinations and 985% passed the examination. Good news is for the students as their wait time is over and they can check results online or by sending SMS to0 9248082883. According to the official video posted on the Youtube 98.5% students passed this examination. For the first time CISCE is going to conduct the compartment examinations which will be held from July 15 to 17. Bombardier plans to sell off its plant in Casablanca, which will go to an airplane manufacturer that will keep jobs as well as production, Minister for industry and investment Moulay Hafid Elalamy said. The new owner will be a sub-contractor that will continue to supply bombardier with jet parts, he said, citing Airbus, British JKN and Spirit as aerospace giants who have shown interest in the deal. Canadian plane and train maker announced last Thursday plans to sell its factories in Morocco and Northern Ireland as part of a strategy to restructure its activities. Bombardier is on the path of Boeing in terms of giving up producing parts to focus on assembly and research and development, said Elalamy. Morocco has identified the aeronautical industry as one of the levers of its industrial strategy along with the automotive industry. Moroccos aeronautical industry is expected to grow by 20% in the next five years with promising prospects as exports rose to $1.43 billion in 2018. Employment in the sector grew to 16,700 jobs in 2018 with international giants tapping into Moroccos air industry potential including Boeing and Airbus. So far, 100% of Boeing cables are made in Morocco where 140 suppliers have set up production plants. The current price action suggests that investors believe that Saudi Arabia and its allies will make up any shortfalls from the expanded sanctions against Iran. U.S. energy firms this week increased the number of oil rigs operating for the first time in three weeks even as crude output decelerates with the rig count dropping five months in a row due to spending cuts. Weekly U.S. oil production ticked up to a new high at 12.3 million barrels per day, according to the EIA. Rising U.S. stockpiles and an easing of supply concerns were two factors that drove U.S. West Texas Intermediate and international-benchmark Brent crude oil futures lower last week. Continuing to underpin prices were the OPEC-led supply cuts and the U.S. sanctions against Venezuela and Iran, but another jump in U.S. production combined with speculation that Saudi Arabia and its allies would increase output to make up any shortfalls from the expanded sanctions against Iran and worries that Russia would end its participation in the plan to trim global supplies, outweighed any potentially bullish news. Last week, June WTI crude oil settled at $61.94, down $1.36 or -2.15% and July Brent crude oil finished at $70.85, down $0.78 or -1.10%. U.S. Energy Information Administration Weekly Inventories On May 1, the Energy Information Administration reported that U.S. crude supplies rose by 9.9 million barrels for the week-ended April 26. That surpassed the rise of 1.4 million barrels expected by analysts. The EIA data also showed that gasoline inventories edged up by 900,000 barrels, while distillate stockpiles fell by 1.3 million barrels last week. Traders were looking for a draw of 1 million barrels for gasoline and 1.2 million barrels for distillates. Total inventories now stand at 470.6 million barrels as imports grew to their highest since January and refining rates dropped below 90 percent of total capacity, the Energy Information Administration said. Weekly U.S. oil production ticked up to a new high at 12.3 million barrels per day, according to the EIA. The weekly reading had been stuck between 12 million bpd and 12.2 million bpd since mid-February, with the U.S. output remaining constrained by pipeline bottlenecks in Texas. The drop in refining activity and the rise in imports is being blamed for the surge in crude inventories. Analysts said the vast majority of the build was on the U.S. Gulf Coast with refinery runs ticking lower and waterborne imports on the rise. Story continues Other News There are reports that production from Saudi Arabia could edge higher in June to meet domestic demand for power generation, though output will remain within its quota in the supply pact, sources familiar with the kingdoms policy said. The worlds top crude exporter is expected to produce about 10 million bpd in May, slightly higher than in April but still below its 10.3 million bpd quota under the OPEC-led deal, industry sources said. Prices were further pressured after Russia began pumping clean oil through the Druzhba pipeline towards western Europe again. Additionally, Poland Hungary and the Czech Republic are offering their domestic refiners about 8 million barrels of oil from strategic reserves to make up any shortfalls. Finally, U.S. energy firms this week increased the number of oil rigs operating for the first time in three weeks even as crude output decelerates with the rig count dropping five months in a row due to spending cuts. Energy Services Firm Baker Hughes reported that companies added two oil rigs in the week to May 3, bringing the total count 807, lower than the 834 rigs active this time last year. Weekly Forecast The current price action suggests that investors believe that Saudi Arabia and its allies will make up any shortfalls from the expanded sanctions against Iran. While President Trump says he demanded the group increase output to make up for the reduced exports from Iran, OPECs defacto leader Saudi Arabia said it had no immediate plan to do so. This doesnt mean they wont, but it probably means theyll approach the situation with caution and make periodic adjustments in output when they deem it necessary. Meanwhile, the biggest concern in my opinion for traders is Russias next move. OPEC meets in June to discuss production policy. At that time, Russia may opt-out of the deal to trim production. Its no secret that they want to pursue market share and take back some of the customers currently being supplied by the United States. Not only will this move kill the OPEC-led deal, but it will also throw more supply into the market. This could collapse prices in the $50 range. The recent price action suggests the professionals are paring long positions to prepare for this move. Furthermore, both WTI and Brent are threatening to cross to the weak side of the 200-day moving average. This should trigger further hedge and commodity fund liquidation. This article was originally posted on FX Empire More From FXEMPIRE: Iran on Monday dismissed as old news a US announcement it is sending a naval strike group to the Middle East in order to deliver the Islamic republic a message, Tasnim news agency reported. US National Security Advisor John Bolton said on Sunday that the United States was deploying the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group and a bomber task force as a "clear and unmistakeable message" that it will retaliate against any attack on its interests or its allies' by Iran. "Bolton's statement is a clumsy use of an out-of-date event for psychological warfare," Iran's supreme national security council spokesman Keyvan Khosravi said, quoted by Tasnim. According to the spokesman, Iranian armed forces had observed the carrier entering the Mediterranean Sea 21 days ago. Bolton "lacks military and security understanding and his remarks are mostly meant to draw attention to himself," Khosravi added. The USS Abraham Lincoln has previously been deployed to the Gulf, including during the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq. The US statement did not specifically state why the deployment was taking place now. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the United States had seen "escalatory actions" from Iranians and that the country would be held "accountable for attacks on American interests". Pompeo did not elaborate on the "escalatory actions" he was referring to. The deployment comes amid heightened tensions as Washington pushes forward with its campaign of "maximum pressure" against Tehran partly through punishing economic sanctions. The United States unilaterally withdrew from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal with world powers a year ago and instead aimed at curbing the regional role of Iran, an arch-rival of US allies Saudi Arabia and Israel. In April, the US also declared Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards a "foreign terrorist organisation". The US aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, on the left, sails in formation in the Mediterranean alongside British, French, Spanish and other US battleships on April 24, 2019 in this image released by the US Navy Hot on the heels of the release of Avengers: Endgame, as well as the trailer for Spiderman: Far From Home, Disney parks have announced that the first phase of their Marvel themed lands will be opening sooner than originally anticipated. As in, next year! As if they weren't busy enough with the upcoming opening of Star Wars Land aka Galaxy's Edge, Disney is already looking ahead to it's next park expansion! At the Disneyland Resort, it will be taking over the old A Bug's Land area in California Adventure, which the back side of conveniently opens/ends at the Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout! ride. (RIP The Tower.) At the Disneyland Paris Resort it will be housed in their Walt Disney Studios park. Construction walls have been up for a while (cleverly emblazoned with the Stark Industries logo to fit the theme) but other than everything being torn down and taken away, not much is visible. Not a ton of details have been released, but we do know that the major attraction for this land will be Spiderman themed. Which speaking of.... (which is fun as hell and I could 300% beat you at it:) "The former its tough to be a bug Theater building [in Disney California Adventure] is being re-purposed for the new Spider-Man attraction where guests are given a web-shooter of their own to use. The ride appears to be mostly screen-based (likely 3-D in nature), so think Toy Story Midway Mania, but with guests shooting webs instead of darts, balls, and rings. The entrance to the building will be rerouted to the opposite side of so it can be accessed from the hub of this new land. The central hub is a large Avengers symbol in the ground that is surrounded by all of the lands offerings. Think of this as The Avengers California Campus." Actually this source came through with even more details about the land!: "Dsney is expanding its story universe by creating a new organization, the Worldwide Engineering Brigade, to be the setting for this experience. Though WEB is grounded in classic characters like Peter Parker, it is an organization that all guests can be a part of one that invites guests to engage with these iconic heroes like never before. Besides WEB, theres also brand-new, cutting-edge interface as part of this fun, interactive attraction. Through a blend of never-before-seen technology and practical effects, guests will get to experience for themselves what it is like to have the abilities of a Super Hero. This adventure will blend seamlessly into the story of the new lands Disney is creating at both Disney California Adventure park and Walt Disney Studios park, where there will be surprises at every turn!" based on a life spent at Disneyland Personal Note: I'm actually kinda surprised. I walk by this area frequently and it doesn't seem like much more than tearing down has been done, but it's pretty hard to see anything there anyways, there isn't anywhere in the parks high enough to get a view behind the walls. It will be interesting to see once the construction shifts from SWL to this! Second Personal Note: I really hope they get Tom to do all of the Spidey voice over stuff for the ride/park! Third Personal Note: For the love of the Gods PLEASE bring back the Asgardian throne room photo op!!! It was so awesome and oppulent! The blue prints for the ride also leaked! These are (technically)for the ride that will be opening at Disneyland Paris but leakers have confirmed that it is the exact same model that will be used for the Disneyland iteration:We also finally got a better ride description! Sounds like it's gonna be very similar to the Toy Story Midway Mania rideThe article's point out that the ride more than likely won't be up and running when the land first opens. That now seems to be how they plan on doing things going forward (the whole "Phase 1, 2, 3, etc" talk) as the case will be similar for Star Wars Land/Galaxy's Edge (at opening only 1 of the 2 attractions will be up and running. The second one will be opening in September.)No exact date has been set yet, but OP's theory () is that it will most likely open roughly for Memorial Weekend as that is the start of the Summer at the parks which would mean it would open almost exactly a year after Star Wars Land. Other options could be July~ish for Disneyland's birthday, or maybe September~ish to tide people over until Christmastime. But who can never be sure! The government of Gabon has launched a call for tenders for the construction of eight solar power plants following a partnership agreement signed in August 2018 with the French company Engie. Through Engies subsidiary Ausar Energy, the government plans to launch the construction of eight dams in the Central African nation. According to the Deposit and Consignment Fund (CDC), the contracting authority of the project, the eight plants will have a combined capacity of 2.8 MW, spread over three provinces of the country. The cost of their implementation is estimated at 6 million. About 100,000 households would benefit from access to electricity thanks to the project, which will also reduce the production costs of the Gabonese Energy and Water Company (SEEG) by 40%. The project is expected to reduce pollution rate by saving nearly one million liters of fuel oil per year. The country plans to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2025, in order to set milestones that will enable it to meet the commitments made in 2015. As a reminder, about 350,000 Gabonese still had no access to electricity. The government has fixed targets of providing electricity for 85% of rural areas by 2025 and achieving universal access to electricity for its population of around 1.7m by 2035. The objectives were set out in the Policy Letter for Universal Access for Basic Services in Rural Areas, which was approved by the Council of Ministers in September 2014. yo that article is wild Reply Thread Link Ummmmm, first question: how did this Sarah Lawrence event happen? Like, no one noticed a middle age dude living in the dorm? Guess I should read the article. Reply Thread Link the parents did complain and Sarah Lawrence stil did nothing Reply Parent Thread Link People complained but the response from SL was that they couldn't stop a parent from visiting their child. Which, lol, is just a mess on so many levels. Reply Parent Thread Link He wasn't visiting he was straight up living there for months. Visiting a kid during normal hours is one thing, maybe staying one night from out of town which itself is weird, but a guy living in a dorm is way over the line Reply Parent Thread Link Its so strange to me since most dorms have a strict limit on the number of nights in their overnight guest policies. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link That's such a lie. Sarah Lawrence's dorms probably don't operate any differently from any other dorms- he was there too many days in a row, which is prohibited by every single place I know. Like someone's college-aged, enrolled SO can't stay in a dorm that isn't theirs for that long. Now I could buy that by the time the college found out about him, he had rights. But for them to not try? WTF Reply Parent Thread Expand Link It's definitely not satisfactorily explained in the story, SLC is just like "uhhh we have no record of him officially living there" and that's kinda it. It's really fucked up. Reply Parent Thread Link https://www.thecut.com/2019/04/larry-ray-sarah-lawrence-students.html#_ga=2.12147644.905436325.1557241193-1161190511.1503583697 You should link the article in the post Reply Thread Link Oop altho a hyperlink in the body couldnt hurt Reply Parent Thread Expand Link holy fuck Reply Parent Thread Link that article is insane, and it really made me wonder how pervasive these cult-like situations/cult personalities are. my friend's ex-roomie was sucked into something similar to this in SF and she kept telling her roommate to stay away cause it was giving off definite CULT!! vibes, but I don't think she listened. Reply Thread Link While I didn't have a sex cult-like situation, I did have my former roommate try to pimp me out to her sugar daddy's friend this semester Stuff like this is really unfortunately common Reply Parent Thread Link My study abroad school in japan had a cult getting members approved as compensated host families to try and recruit new members and they turned a blind eye to that. Reply Parent Thread Link omg. not those apocalyptic cults??? vom Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Damn I've never heard about this but I'm definitely going to read the article later Reply Thread Link Eww! Dude was allowed in Sarah Lawrence and started that sick predatory shit. Omg. Somebody gotta @God, @cosmos etc on why are men? Reply Thread Link w t f Reply Thread Link The article was absolutely insane, but what a shame that Marky Mark is now involved. Reply Thread Link Yeah, it seems so opportunistic of him to buy the rights. Reply Parent Thread Link I'm clouded by how much I dislike Wahlberg, but it says something about him that this story just came out and his reaction was to buy the rights, rather than try to help. He could at least bring more attention or something. Reply Parent Thread Link This article was so depressing to read. I felt bad for all the kids and parents who were hurt by this asshole. And everyone at Sarah Lawrence who turned a blind eye to this should be ashamed of themselves. Reply Thread Link Sarah Lawrence failed these kids and it only cost the kids 60k a year. And the fact the guy still has several of them wrapped up in it... Reply Thread Link i fell down the rabbit hole after reading the nym article yesterday, and the blogs/websites that he has up to this day are so disturbing. one has all of the personal info of one of the girls still involved with him, as well as a video of her clearly drugged and "confessing" to poisoning people. it's insane. Reply Parent Thread Link Also I take back what I said it's 70k a year now. Reply Parent Thread Link we don't need mark wahlberg playing a cult leader and we don't need him making this film. that article was wild tho. Reply Thread Link He is absolutely the wrong person to handle this. Reply Thread Link I don't like Mark Wahlberg. Reply Thread Link lol my first thought also Reply Parent Thread Link isn't it kind of weird to make a movie about this when it's still going on, no charges have been filed, no lawsuits against sarah lawrence, parents are still estranged from their kids ... really no end in sight? like, are they going to fictionalize an "ending"? Reply Thread Link Maybe itll just be a fade to black ending Reply Parent Thread Link It will bring attention to it at least. I had not heard of it before this topic. Reply Parent Thread Link well, this is probably still at least a year away so hopefully the exposure of the article will lead to some kind of light being shed on the case by the time the movie actually goes into production? idk we'll see the SVU version first for sure Reply Parent Thread Link Wtf jesus Reply Parent Thread Link I hope she remains safe/in treatment. This is some L. Ron Hubbard shit. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Omg how is this legal?? Reply Parent Thread Link this is a lot...definitely comes off as amphetamine psychosis Reply Parent Thread Link Oh how fabulous. Getting Marky Mark to take time from his busy pants dropping schedule to plant trees. Josh, why dont you just hire a gardener? Reply Thread Link Lmao only appropriate response to this! Reply Parent Thread Link lol ty Reply Parent Thread Link Why the fuck is the media pushing this "OMG LOOK AT THESE REPUBLICANS WHO WILL VOTE DEM!!!" narrative when they pulled that in 2016 and it didn't mean shit? These #NeverTrump Repubs are just scamming their way to 2024 (or 2021) when they'll hop back on the GOP money train. Reply Thread Link Seriously, especially when we all know the Repubs will likely launch a massive online campaign for Trump in 2020 with Russian backing. Reply Parent Thread Link are there even any never trump people in congress? they all fucking acquiesce like spineless shits, even mitt romney will when the time comes. they only ever speak out when they are about to retire. fuckers. Reply Parent Thread Link Nope, I can't think of even one. The only Republicans who were actively serving and criticized Trump were those who had already announced/planned to announce their retirements within the year. And Mitt Romney doesn't count because he blasted Trump 6 months leading up to the election and then kissed the ring while begging to be Trump's Secretary of State. Plus, I don't for a second believe any of them don't go into the booth and vote Trump anyway. Reply Parent Thread Link my fucking thoughts exactly The nevertrumpers get a lot of media coverage for been a total of 12 people. Why is anyone taking this seriously? Trump has over 90% republican approval. The highest of any republican including Saint Reagan. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link it's bullshit. they'll all just vote for whoever has an R next to their name. we had some idiot running for a nom here last year playing nice to the republicans far more than the democrats thinking it would actually help him. he lost. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link People are dumb enough to eat up their platitudes while ignoring that their voting record and ideology are basically 100% in line with Trump. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Im all here for mental health advocacy but de-stigmatizing mental health needs to include increased funding for mental health services, accessibility, and training otherwise its just lip service. Reply Thread Link YES. If you don't have good health insurance or money to burn you can get no better than an emergent care for a few days in a state facility only if they have beds available and that is far from a guarantee. The institutionalization of mental health to a community based model has been immensely helpful/productive but there are also things that have been harmful like the complete and total lack of care beyond 3 days unless court ordered or, as I stated, if you have good healthinsurance/financing. Reply Parent Thread Link Right? These should be available everywhere, let alone more affordable and accessible. We got billionaires who doesn't do a damn thing about it and never bothered to pay taxes Reply Parent Thread Link And yet guess what they blame when acts of mass violence break out? Because according to them, there's no way it could be guns. *ugh* Reply Parent Thread Expand Link https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2019/05/elizabeth-warren-impeach-trump/ Warren has been crushing it! Warren has been crushing it! Reply Thread Link I saw this, love her! Reply Parent Thread Link Lawd yes yeeeessss Reply Parent Thread Link I don't understand what the delay on impeachment is. It's like he's above the law or something and nothing matters. Reply Thread Link Dems are afraid starting impeachment proceedings will hurt them in 2020. Reply Parent Thread Link Right now they just look weak and are making him look innocent by failing to impeach. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link or had that old Hollywood weirdness I was looking for nobody at the MET gala got John Waters enough for my tastesor had that old Hollywood weirdness I was looking for Reply Thread Link I've stupidly been thinking about this all day and I was thinking how I would show up in FULL Divine Pink Flamingos high glamour. Reply Parent Thread Link Dawn Davenport (Divine) from Female Trouble is my absolute fave Waters character. <3 Reply Parent Thread Expand Link There were some good looks but I agree. I feel like there should have been a beehive hairdo or some John Waters/old hollywood looks Reply Parent Thread Link John should have at least been invited!! I reread his Role Models last night. I just love my John <3 <3 Reply Parent Thread Link Constance Wu poses at the 2019 #MetGala #MetCamp // Actress Anna May Wong, date unknown pic.twitter.com/5uQRG5Y65V TabloidArtHistory (@TabloidArtHist) May 7, 2019 Constance Wu was giving all sorts of old Hollywood camp in her dress and posing last night: Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Yessss. Celebs never nail the theme so I gave up on those expectations. Reply Parent Thread Link this met gala is such a stupid event, like I don't care at all. Reply Thread Link Same Reply Parent Thread Link The Met needs to do a tiara year, I just want to see 200 tiaras Reply Thread Link Yes please!!!!! Reply Parent Thread Link Happy nurses appreciation week to all the ONTD Nurses! Doctors would kill us if it wasn't for you guys! Reply Thread Link thank you and same to you! Reply Parent Thread Link They and their guests can fuck off for pushing Biden as if he has it in the pocket. They barely mentioned Warren, let alone Bernie as a serious opponent and this makes me angry because Biden will be riding on the coattails of a left-ish wave and be called out as a progressive leader, while he did none of the work in the years after the 2016 election Reply Thread Link Its been nearly 2 years since the #EquifaxBreach & Congress still hasnt acted to protect consumers or prevent the next breach. So @MarkWarner @RepCummings, @CongressmanRaja & I are reintroducing a bill to impose massive, mandatory fines when companies expose personal data. pic.twitter.com/3AglWEMWMj Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) May 7, 2019 Make this woman President Reply Thread Link I hope so! Reply Parent Thread Link I'm definitely voting for her, I've made up my mind already, I doubt anyone will come along that can do what she can. Reply Parent Thread Link Meghan McCain rudely berates the audience for clapping for Sunny Hostin: Let me finish! #TheView pic.twitter.com/D5PcyC5j8d Vary (@VaryOppounsh) May 6, 2019 She is obsessed with the audience. If they don't clap for her, she complains and pouts. If they clap for someone else, she seethes. If one person claps for her, she calls them out and praises them. Get a life. Did anyone see MEghan yell at the audience for clapping on Monday's show?She is obsessed with the audience. If they don't clap for her, she complains and pouts. If they clap for someone else, she seethes. If one person claps for her, she calls them out and praises them. Get a life. Reply Thread Link She's so desperate for validation, it's honestly sad. Reply Parent Thread Link It's because her first career choice of Hollywood socialite didn't pan out so she's constantly living for the applause. Her whole life is #artpop at this point. Reply Parent Thread Link I think most of her career in politics and media has been in a conservative vaccum. The View doesn't seem to gather an audience of any specific demographic or affiliation. Hearing the constant applause for "democratic" positions, which if polls are to believed is on par with the democratic/republican %s, is a reminder that her party isn't popular and it is dying. She, like the other Republicans want to believe that they are stronger and greater in numbers than reality is showing them. Reply Parent Thread Link WELP: Michael Cohen says he helped @JerryFalwellJr handle racy photoshttps://t.co/uHx0tuxEiK Aaron Blake (@AaronBlake) May 7, 2019 Apparently the evidence was destroyed. I would've loved for that piece of shit Falwell to be taken down. Reply Thread Link He kept one photo, apparently. Reply Parent Thread Link You are correct. I wonder if he's just bullshitting. He needs to release that shit. edit: I'm getting sick and tired of people claiming they have dirt and not leaking it. I remember Omarosa saying she had more tapes and we have yet to see anything. Wtf are these people waiting for? Same with all the national enquirer cover ups for trump. Edited at 2019-05-07 10:04 pm (UTC) Reply Parent Thread Link There has been another school shooting?!?!?! Reply Thread Link I just saw the news. It's fucking awful. They only mentioned it for like 30 seconds and then moved on. Reply Parent Thread Link It happened in Littleton too. Reply Parent Thread Link Renewable energy deployment stalled out last year, raising alarm bells about the pace of the clean energy transition. In 2018, total deployment of renewable energy stood at about 180 gigawatts (GW), which was the same as the previous year. It was the first time since 2001 that capacity failed to increase year-on-year, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). Adding 180 GW of clean energy is a massive total, but still falls short of what is needed to clean up the electricity sector. It equates to roughly 60 percent of what is needed each year in order to meet long-term climate goals, the IEA said. The agency said that the world needs to add about 300 GW of renewable energy each year through 2030 in order to meet the targets laid out in the Paris Climate Agreement. Worse, last year, CO2 emissions from energy rose 1.7 percent, setting another record high at 33 Gigatonnes. So, while emissions need to decline sharply, they havent even flattened out yet. Renewable energy continues to grow, but so does demand for oil and gas. The world cannot afford to press pause on the expansion of renewables and governments need to act quickly to correct this situation and enable a faster flow of new projects, Fatih Birol, the IEAs Executive Director, said in a statement. Thanks to rapidly declining costs, the competitiveness of renewables is no longer heavily tied to financial incentives. What they mainly need are stable policies supported by a long-term vision but also a focus on integrating renewables into power systems in a cost-effective and optimal way. Stop-and-go policies are particularly harmful to markets and jobs, Birol added. For the last four years, growth of wind had slowed, but the gap was made up by faster growth from solar. The difference in 2018 was that solars exponential growth flattened out. The reason for that lies in China, where the government pared back incentives on solar in order to cut expenditures and cope with grid integration challenges, the IEA said. Still, China added 44 GW of solar last year, the most by far out of any other country and nearly half of the 97 GW global total. But that was down from 53 GW that China installed in 2017. Related: China Set To Defy U.S. Sanctions On Iran Costs continue to fall, making renewable energy the cheapest option in many markets, which should ensure strong growth going forward. In the U.S., wind and solar are now cheaper than operating existing coal plants in much of the country. In fact, in April, renewable energy surpassed coal in terms of electricity generation for the first time, accounting for 24 percent of the total, compared to coals 20 percent market share. But, despite the momentum, the transition is not fast enough. A new UN report finds that the world is facing a mass die-off of biodiversity, with as many as one million plant and animal species at risk of extinction. Also, the world is on track to blow through its carbon budget within 12 years. Because of this urgency, a wave of new policies supporting a faster roll out of electric vehicles and renewable energy is inevitable. At the state level, renewable energy mandates are proliferating. In the Democratic primary for president, candidates are trying to outdo each other in terms of ambition on clean energy and climate change. For instance, what was once considered an extreme position, such as banning oil and gas drilling on public lands, has now become a mainstream position in the Democratic Party, at least for the candidates running for president. Another example of the shifting Overton window came in late April when former Texas Congressman and presidential contender Beto ORourke recently called for $5 trillion in spending over the next 10 years in an effort to cut emissions to zero by 2050. Its ambitious by any measure, but faced some pushback for not going far enough, which says a lot about the growing concern about climate change. In fact, climate change ranked as the top issue for Democratic voters, according to a recent poll. The oil and gas industry has enjoyed a golden era under the Trump administration, but it may only be temporary. By Nick Cunningham of Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: One key foreign policy goal of the current U.S. government is to initiate regime change in Iran by crippling its economy to such a degree that popular unrest removes the current power structures in the country, particularly the near-omnipresent IRGC. To this end, the past few weeks have seen the U.S. end all waivers on importing oil from Iran, designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a foreign terrorist organisation, and sanction 14 individuals and 17 entities linked to Irans shadowy Organization of Defensive Innovation and Research. All of this followed the U.S.s momentous withdrawal last May from the Iran nuclear deal. The IRGC believes that its only chance of avoiding this fate is to widen the existing divisions between the U.S. and the European Union (EU) so that it can generate export revenues from Europe, in addition to those it can rely on from the historically sanctions-busting states of Asia. Consequently, the IRGC has come up with a last-ditch strategy to do achieve this, a senior source who works closely with Irans Petroleum Ministry exclusively told OilPrice.com earlier this week. The catalyst for IRGCs plan will be a detailed announcement in the next few weeks that Iran has awarded production and exploration contracts on five as yet officially undisclosed sub-sections of major oil fields to five Iranian firms connected to the IRGC. One of these, though, the source told OilPrice.com, will be a portion of the supergiant Yadavaran site. Only last week, the National Iranian Oil Company announced that its contract with Chinas Sinopec to develop the second phase of Yadavaran has been halted. This was due to China demanding that the Sinopec contract be changed to make Iran liable to pay for all fines up to half a billion [US] dollars that might be levied on Iran by the US Treasury for any perceived breach of sanctions, the Iran source told OilPrice.com. To the U.S., this would mean that funds would flow directly into IRGC coffers from Iranian oil still being sold to Asia and other destinations, either via Iranian tankers or via Iraqi export sources, as has been the arrangement since the last set of international sanctions was increased in 2012. These funds could then be used to fund the terrorist activities of Irans military proxies, Hezbollah and Hamas, among others, for which the IRGC has just been sanctioned by the US. Related: Analysts Are Wrong About This Under-The-Radar U.S. Producer The IRGC still has extensive links with all major sectors of Irans economy, including oil, gas, petrochemical, banking, automotive, telecommunications, construction, metals and mining. Just before sanctions were removed from Iran in 2016, testimony to a sub-committee of the U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs highlighted that the IRGC had significant ownership shares in 27 companies that were publicly traded on the TSE. In just the first year after the nuclear deal was agreed in principle in 2015, OilPrice.com understands that nearly 110 agreements worth at least US$80 billion were made with companies owned or controlled by IRGC-related entities. As it stands, according to the Iran source, the IRGC has close connections with at least 200 Iranian businesses. Despite this, the EU has always been of the opinion that Iran has never broken the terms of the nuclear deal a view also taken by the CIA, incidentally. At the time of U.S. President Donald Trumps initial criticism of the nuclear deal last January, the EUs foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini, stated: This is not a bilateral agreement,... so it is clearly not in the hands of any president of any country in the world to terminate [it],...The president of the United States has many powers, but not this one. After the U.S. withdrew from the deal last May, the EU invoked the Blocking Statute that effectively bans European companies from following the U.S.s sanctions on Iran. Concomitant with this, Mogherini said that Brussels would not let the nuclear deal with Tehran die, adding that: We are encouraging small and medium enterprises in particular to increase business with and in Iran as part of something that for us is a security priority. Shortly afterwards, the EU under the leadership of Germany moved to solve the problem of how to deal with payments accruing from business between the EU and Iran, without incurring the wrath of the U.S. The upshot was the Instrument for Trade and Exchanges (INSTEX), in which three of the original signatories of the nuclear deal - the UK, Germany, and France - created a special purpose vehicle (SPV) along the lines of a clearing house that cut Iran out of the financial loop completely. It would use an accrued credit and debit system to avoid any currency issues. The major problem with this was that no single country wanted to be the home of the vehicle, given the chance of retribution by the U.S., irrespective of the illegality of the new sanctions. The solution agreed between the originators of the idea was that Iran will be paid in euros deposited in a number of accounts in banks across EU countries for gas, derivatives and petchems that they import, and Iran can withdraw the money in euros, according to the Iran source. In order to keep the EU on the right side of the U.S., two conditions were added. The first was that money could not be withdrawn by any company or individual mentioned in the blacklists held either by the U.S. or the EU in connection with the nuclear deal. Second, there would be EU auditors who monitor the payments, placing an initial total cap of 50 million that Iran could withdraw. Related: BP Bets Big On Gulf Of Mexico While Rivals Chase Shale This could then be raised, depending on whether Iran was abiding by the conditions, to a second phase ceiling of 65 million, and then to the third and final phase of 100 million, but this could be withdrawn multiply up to the total amount in the Iranian accounts. In response, at the end of April, Iran announced the creation of the Special Trade and Finance Institute (STFI), which has been designed in tandem with technical and financial experts from the UK, France, and Germany to dovetail into Europes INSTEX system. In the IRGCs reckoning, then, the EU has the means and the motive to defy the U.S. and only needs the opportunity catalyst to do so. The IRGC believes that this opportunity catalyst for complete EU defiance lies in what will happen when the U.S. is told of which five firms are involved. The IRGC has been tipped off that it is certain that U.S. Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, will expand sanctions on Iran to include its gas and petrochemicals products exports as well, according to the Iran source. These, together with oil, account for around 88 percent of all Irans export revenues. The key point is that the US promised Germany as the de facto leader of the EU that in return for the EU going along with the US sanctions on importing Iranian oil, the US would never sanction Iranian gas, which the EU absolutely needs, the source told OilPrice.com. If the US breaks this promise then Germany will view the deal with the US on all Iran sanctions as finished, meaning that Greece and Italy in the first instance will be given the nod to resume oil imports, regardless of the end to their waivers by the US, he added. Related: Buffetts Big Bet On Energy In either case, he underlined, the IRGC believes it cannot lose. If the EU complies with extended US sanctions then it believes that it will be able to use the economic tumult to tighten its grip over Iran sufficient to take it back to the ideal of the Islamic Republic in 1979. If the EU does not comply then Iran will see increased revenues from oil exports to Europe, in addition to those from gas and petchems. The IRGC does not believe that, at this time, the U.S. will launch military action against Iran, unless it closes off the strategically vital oil chokepoint, the Strait of Hormuz. This is despite the placement earlier this week of the U.S. aircraft carrier battle group in the Persian Gulf region. It is no coincidence that the sowing of such discord between these two power blocs would be in the interests of Russia. The essence of Russias foreign policy under [President Vladimir] Putin is to create chaos amongst vested interests in a country or region into which it can then project itself as an economic and political saviour, said the Iran source. The only thing holding Russia back from fully implementing the agreement last year that would turn Iran into a client state was fear of what the US might do to it but the prize of further destabilising the US-Europe relationship now means it is willing to risk it, he added. This deal involves Russia giving Iran US$50 billion every year for at least five years. In exchange for this, Iran would give Russia preference in the oil and gas sector and increase military co-operation. In addition, Iran would not be able to expel any Russian firm from any oil and gas field development, and Russia would also have complete say over exactly how much oil is produced from each field, when it is sold, to whom it is sold, and for how much it is sold. By Simon Watkins for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oillprice.com: Iraq has been at the center of many a Middle East conflict in the regions contemporary history. The country has endured years of violence since the U.S. led invasion in 2003, which caused hundreds of thousands of casualties and severely damaged its infrastructure. The war against ISIS was the most recent conflict, a conflict that ruined historical cities such as Mosul. However, Iraqs natural wealth in the form of oil provides the necessary income to rebuild the country. Its energy sector is one of the few bright spots, and oil production has increased significantly over the years despite internal divisions between Sunnis, Shias and Kurds. Iraqs oil industry has significantly benefitted from the relative stability in the south where the bulk of its oil is produced. Production reached almost 5 million barrels per day in 2018. Also, Baghdad received quota exemptions from OPEC, while most of the member states had to curb their oil output to increase prices. As as a result, Iraqs influence and position within the oil cartel have improved due to the significant increase in production. When it comes to being influential within OPEC, size matters, and the more a member state can produce, the more influence it has in decision-making procedures. Iraqs production has become large enough to swing markets which gives it a voice in debates. The country has, among others, joined the committee that monitors compliance and has shown an eagerness to increase influence within the organization. According to Riccardo Fabiano, an analyst at Energy Aspects, "increasing capacity means you can renegotiate your production quota within OPEC and Iraq is also trying to gradually position itself as the second-most-influential producer". Saudi Arabia, with a production capacity of almost 12.5 million barrels per day, is the largest and most influential producer within OPEC due to its size and massive spare capacity. Related: Theres Tremendous Room For Growth In Offshore Oil & Gas Therefore, the Kingdom is the de facto leader of OPEC. Saudi Arabias influence was highlighted by its ability to strike a deal with Russia in what has been known as the OPEC+ agreement - am attempt to curb production despite opposition from founding members Iran and Venezuela. Iraqs weakness lies in its dependence on foreign companies which produce almost two-thirds of the country's oil. After years of war, its energy infrastructure has been significantly damaged. Foreign capital was necessary to rebuild much of what was destroyed. Furthermore, without the drilling technology provided by oil majors such as Shell and Exxon and Russian firms such Lukoil and Rosneft, it wouldnt have been possible to increase production to its current level. The countrys ambition to ramp up production doesnt end here. Iraq aims to increase production even further. Most of the oil is already headed towards Asian countries such as India and China, which will be the most significant contributors to global crude demand growth in the coming years. Baghdad has the ambition to increase production from its current level to approximately 8.5 million barrels per day in 2025 after infrastructure has been upgraded. The expansion would include 6.5 million bpd from southern oilfields, and another 1 million bpd from Kirkuk after a new pipeline to Turkey's Ceyhan port on the Mediterranean has been constructed. (Click to enlarge) Next to the Kirkuk-Ceyhan pipeline, the rumor is spreading that policymakers are looking to revive the long-discused pipeline from northern Iraq into Syria and Lebanon, which was shelved after the First Gulf War. Russia, which has an active military and economic presence in Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq, has facilitated talks between the Middle Eastern countries. Although these plans are still at an early stage, it goes to show that Iraq is serious about building out its export infrastructure in order to meet the abovementioned production goals. According to some analysts, it is highly likely that Iraq will not reach its 8.5 million bpd target, but 'merely' grow its production to 6 million bpd. Although Bagdad's plans have been met with some skepticism, the signal is clear: Iraqs importance in the worlds oil market is growing fast. By Vanand Meliksetian for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Exxons upstream liquids production rose by 5 percent annually, driven by a nearly 140-percent jump in Permian unconventional growth. Yet, downstream operations were hit by heavier The Q1 earnings season began with the U.S. supermajors reporting lower profits compared to a year ago, with earnings squeezed by weak refining margins and volatile oil prices and Exxon badly missing on both earnings and revenues. The European majors fared better than the U.S. firms Exxon and Chevron, and it was a European company that topped its rivals and analyst estimates, reporting the smallest yearly drop in profit in Q1, thanks to the liquefied natural gas (LNG) and trading divisionsShell. Big Oils five majorsExxonMobil, Chevron, BP, Total, and Shellreported over the past two weeks a mixed bag of results for Q1. While net earnings at all companies were lower than last years first quarter on the back of lower average Brent Crude prices compared to Q1 2018 and weak refining margins that battered downstream earnings, some supermajors met and even exceeded analyst expectations thanks to strong trading profits and to their natural gas businesses. Volatile crude prices and weak refining margins led to lower earnings at all five oil supermajors in the first quarter of 2019, suggesting that Big Oil shouldnt stay complacent several quarters after the industry emerged from one of the worst downturns in a generation. Volatile crude prices and weak refining margins led to lower earnings at all five oil supermajors in the first quarter of 2019, suggesting that Big Oil shouldnt stay complacent several quarters after the industry emerged from one of the worst downturns in a generation. Big Oils five majorsExxonMobil, Chevron, BP, Total, and Shellreported over the past two weeks a mixed bag of results for Q1. While net earnings at all companies were lower than last years first quarter on the back of lower average Brent Crude prices compared to Q1 2018 and weak refining margins that battered downstream earnings, some supermajors met and even exceeded analyst expectations thanks to strong trading profits and to their natural gas businesses. The European majors fared better than the U.S. firms Exxon and Chevron, and it was a European company that topped its rivals and analyst estimates, reporting the smallest yearly drop in profit in Q1, thanks to the liquefied natural gas (LNG) and trading divisionsShell. The Q1 earnings season began with the U.S. supermajors reporting lower profits compared to a year ago, with earnings squeezed by weak refining margins and volatile oil prices and Exxon badly missing on both earnings and revenues. Exxons upstream liquids production rose by 5 percent annually, driven by a nearly 140-percent jump in Permian unconventional growth. Yet, downstream operations were hit by heavier refinery maintenance and weak industry fuels margins from high gasoline inventory levels and narrowed North American crude differentials, said Exxon, whose global downstream operations swung to a loss of US$256 million from a US$940-million profit in Q1 2018. Related: Nigeria Shuts In More Oil After Protests In Niger Delta According to Bloomberg calculations, Exxon was losing nearly US$3 million a day in the downstream in Q1 2019, which turned out to be the companys worst downstream performance in almost two decades. Chevrons earnings also dropped due to weaker oil prices and weak refining and chemicals margins, but Chevrons profit beatalbeit slightlyanalyst estimates. First quarter earnings declined from a year ago, largely due to lower crude oil prices and weaker downstream and chemicals margins, Chevrons chairman and CEO Michael Wirth said. In Europe, BP reported underlying replacement cost (RC) profitits proxy for net profitof US$2.4 billion, down from US$2.6 billion a year earlier, but slightly beating forecasts, thanks to strong oil and gas trading and to strong production, which grew by 2 percent excluding the contribution of Russias Rosneft, in which hold BP holds 20 percent. Compared to a year ago, the result reflects lower downstream refining margins and North American heavy crude differentials, as well as lower Upstream liquids realizations and the impact of turnaround activity in the Gulf of Mexico. This was partly offset by a strong supply and trading performance in both oil and gas, an increased contribution from Rosneft and an improved fuels marketing result, CFO Brian Gilvary said on the earnings call. Frances Total reported a 4-percent decline in adjusted net income, to US$2.8 billion, just above the average analyst estimate of US$2.7 billion, despite a new record-high production in the quarter of more than 2.95 million bpd, up by 9 percent on the year and 2.4 percent on the quarter. Volatile oil prices were again the main culprit at which executives pointed for the lower earnings. Related: China Set To Defy U.S. Sanctions On Iran Shell was the last supermajor to report Q1 earnings, and it was the one that stood out among the crowd with much better-than-expected results, as its trading and natural gas businesses offset weak oil prices and depressed refining margins that plagued the other majors. Shells profits were hit by lower chemicals and refining margins and lower realized oil prices, but the supermajor trumped the consensus analyst forecast as it reported stronger contributions from its trading division and higher realized LNG and natural gas prices. The downstream businesswhich has saved Big Oils earnings in times of low oil priceswas the majors weakest link in Q1 2019 along with oil prices which, despite rallying, averaged $63 a barrel Brent in the first three months of the year, 6 percent lower than in Q1 2018. The majors with major gas and trading businesses performed better as those segments largely offset the impacts of the oil price volatility and weak refining margins. Overall, the Q1 2019 earnings showed that Big Oil shouldnt be complacent about the capital discipline it imposed during the downturn and that investors need to wait more to see the share prices of the worlds top oil companies move higher. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: The European Union has promised to double its intake of U.S. liquefied natural gas over the next five years with the annual total reaching the equivalent of 8 billion cubic meters in 2023, double the current annual rate of imports, Forbes Dave Keating reported last week, citing an announcement by the European Commission. The news is good for both sides. For U.S. LNG producers, a growing export market is always good news. For the European Union, this pledge to buy more U.S. LNG will defuse a tariff bomb that President Trump threatened to blow up last year: he said he would slap import tariffs on German cars if the EU did not play nice. With few options available, this is exactly what the EU has done. But the increase in U.S. LNG imports is good news for the European Union in more than one way. It will also reduce its reliance on Russian gassomething that has been a thorn in the side of several central European EU members, most notably Poland and the Baltic States. These, by the way, are already the chief buyers of U.S. LNG and builders of import terminals. However, they are small potatoes compared with Germany, the EUs largest energy consumer and gas importer. At a recent meeting in Brussels when the import doubling pledge was made, U.S. Energy Secretary Rick Perry praised the EU for its decision saying U.S. LNG imports were more secure than Russia deliveries. European Energy Commissioner Miguel Arias Canete, however, emphasized the price component in the LNG import dynamics: Given our heavy dependence on imports, U.S. liquefied natural gas, if priced competitively, could play an increasing and strategic role in EU gas supply, he said. Related: Buffetts Big Bet On Energy Indeed, the energy industry is currently working on making U.S. LNG more competitive. The reason for this competitiveness issue is geographical: Novateks Yamal LNG plant is a lot nearer European import terminals and this makes the Russian gas cheaper. Novatek supplied 1.41 million tons to Europe in February, which made it the largest EU LNG supplier for that month. A billion cubic meters of natural gas is equivalent to around 740,000 tons of liquefied gas. Besides price issues, however, there is a bigger one: there is not enough LNG demand in Europe yet, it seems. Poland and the Baltic States are building regasification terminals at an unprecedented pace eager to break their dependence on Russian gas but the demand is simply not there and the capacity of these terminals currently exceeds demand by quite a bit. We need to create the demand in order to justify these logistics and this investment, said Totals president of gas operations, Laurent Vivier. That will come to European policy and setting what role we want gas to play in Europe. Even with these challenges, U.S. LNG exports to Europe have soared by more than 200 percent since last year when EC President Jean-Claude Juncker promised President Trump that the EU would buy more LNG from the United States. And they will continue rising even with the current challenges. For starters, Poland and the Baltic States are prepared to pay more for U.S. LNG. Then, the EU is firmly on a quest to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels, and LNGalong with pipeline gasis called a bridge fuel for a reason. The faster the industry solves the price problem and the sooner EU politicians figure out a way to stimulate demand faster rather than slower, the faster both sides will be able to reap the benefits of increased LNG supply. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Saudi Arabia has increased its official selling prices for all crude oil grades for Asian buyers with delivery in June as a supply crunch resulting from U.S. sanctions on Iran and Venezuela opens an opportunity to boost revenues. Bloomberg reports the price for Arab Light with a June delivery date is now the highest in almost a year, with Arab Medium selling at the highest price since the end of 2013, and Arab Heavy at a six-year high. Heavy grades are in particularly great demand among Asian refiners and supply is falling because of Venezuelas continued production decline and political woes that are aggravating the situation. According to a Reuters update, Saudi Arabias Arab Light for June delivery sells at a premium of US$2.10 per barrel to the Oman/Dubai average, up by US$0.70 per barrel from cargoes for May delivery. Riyadh also raised the price of this most popular among its grades for Europe, by US$0.80 a barrel from the price of shipments for May delivery. The price for oil exports to the United States, however, was reduced. The move by Riyadh is obviously a response to the market tipping into sellers favor after the United States removed Iran sanction waivers granted last November to eight of the countrys largest oil buyers. Saudi Arabia needs higher oil revenues to fund its ambitious economic diversification program and shrink its budget deficit. It is likely to get them, too, at least for a while. Related: What Explains Chinas Thirst For Saudi Oil Last week, Bloomberg quoted sources close to Asian refiners as saying they were ordering additional cargoes of Saudi Arabian crude for delivery in June and July to replace lost barrels from Iran. It was these additional orders that likely motivated Riyadhs decision to raise prices for next month deliveries. However, how long this willingness to pay more for Saudi crude will last remains uncertain. India and China, two of the worlds three largest oil consumers, have already voiced their concern about the end of sanction waivers and while this is unlikely to shake Washingtons resolve to bring Iranian oil exports to zero, it is likely to force India and China, as well as other importers, to seek alternatives to costly Saudi crude, if, of course, prices remain high. Storage is an obvious step, after China, at least, made the best of low oil prices to fill up its tanks. India is in a worse situation because it is a lot more dependent on imported oil than China. Whats more, using inventories, Reuters authors Rania El Gamal and Dahlia Nehme note, will ultimately support higher prices for longer: lower inventories invariably push prices higher. If prices go much higher, however, there is bound to be a reaction from President Trump and then from Indias government. Trump is notorious for his quick Twitter reaction to price spikes, and Indias Petroleum Minister has also been quick to complain about rising prices when they leave Indias comfort zone. What this means is that the higher-for-longer scenario is unlikely to play out, despite sanctions and Saudi Arabias intention to keep production in check for the time being. Sooner rather than later, a cap will be put on prices, whether by Riyadh or another large producer, with market share once again taking priority over temporarily higher revenues. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Canadas federal government is likely to announce in mid-June that it would be proceeding with the controversial expansion of the Trans Mountain oil pipeline designed to double the pipeline flow out of Alberta to the west coast in British Columbia, Bloomberg reported on Tuesday, citing officials familiar with the issue. Justin Trudeaus federal cabinet will meet to discuss the Trans Mountain expansion on June 18 and is expected to take the decision on that day, officials tell Bloomberg, noting that its possible but unlikely that the government extends again the decision deadline in order to allow more time for consultations with stakeholders. While Alberta and its leaders have been advocating for the pipeline expansion, British Columbia has been strongly opposing the project, which is now owned by the federal government of Canada. The fierce opposition in British Columbia has forced Kinder Morgan to reconsider its commitment to expand the Trans Mountain pipeline, and to sell the project to the Canadian government in August 2018. Days later, the Federal Court of Appeal quashed the federal governments approval of the Trans Mountain expansion project, saying that the National Energy Boards (NEB) review of the project was fraught with flaws that made it unsuitable as a basis for the governments approval. The court ruled that the NEB failed to adequately consider how increased tanker traffic off British Columbias coasts would affect the environment and First Nations people in the region. Currently, the federal government is conducting consultations with First Nations regarding the project, in an attempt to address all possible concerns that opponents may have. Should the outcome of the consultations be positive, work on the project could start fairly quickly, the business entity in charge of the expansion said last month. Newly sworn-in Alberta Premier Jason Kenney expects the Canadian government to proceed with the project and told BNN Bloomberg in an interview last week: After all, the federal government owns it now, so theyd better. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: An oil pipeline in the Iranian province of Khuzestan, exploded yesterday, TankerTrackers.com reported citing Irans state news agency IRNA and disclosing satellite images of the blast. According to the governor of the province, there were no casualties, IRNA reported. Still, a nearby village has been evacuated. Later reports from the Associated Press said the fire had also affected a gas pipeline, with five people injured. The cause of the blast was accidental, according to media reports. The 42-inch pipeline was being repaired and what caused the fire was a bulldozer crashing into the pipeline and an oil spill that caught fire. The valves to linked oil and gas pipelines have been shut off to prevent the fire from spreading, but the oil in the Omidieh pipeline needs to burn in full before repairs can be restarted. This is the second serious pipeline blast in Khuzestan, Irans main oil-producing province, in the last two months. In March, a gas pipeline there exploded, killing four and wounding at least five people. The blast was caused by a gas leakage, according to local government officials. However, a deeper cause of such accidents, some believe, is the combination of inadequate safety measures and aging pipeline infrastructure. Related: Middle East Oil Giants Are About To Upend Oil Trading While these factors cause accidental pipeline blasts, sabotage is not unheard of, either, in Khuzestan, which is home to most of Irans Arab minority. Separatism is a long-running theme in the area and protests are not infrequent either. The most recent ones, however, had nothing to do with Arabs versus Persians. They were sparked by massive floods that devastated Khuzestan, with the locals blaming the government for its poor handling of the situation. Some even accused the government of deliberately diverting floodwater away from oil facilities instead of cities. Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh denied the accusations. The floods also caused Iran to reduce production at the fields in the affected parts of Khuzestan, although the reduction was not particularly significant, at 20,000 bpd. The floods killed more than 70 people and costs Iran US$2.5 billion in damaged infrastructure, homes, and farmland. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: The government of Namibia has declared a national state of emergency in view of the drought that has hit several areas in the country. A statement released by the Presidency of the Southern African nation said, the State of Emergency exists on account of the natural disaster of drought in all regions of the Republic of Namibia. The rain season is almost over and we did not receive good rainfall. This means that we are facing the natural disaster of drought and many will be affected by the situation, the statement said. Offices, Ministries and Agencies and all other stakeholders will be mobilized to ensure that the necessary assistance is rolled out to affected communities, the statement added. Namibia has endured recurrent drought conditions since 2013, affecting most parts of the country. The government said it will subsidize farmers who reduce their herds as part of its drought intervention. The deputy executive director in the department of agricultural development, Sophia Kasheeta, said that the ministry will give marketing incentives to farmers who want to sell their livestock to encourage them to reduce the numbers. Other initiatives the ministry is implementing as drought relief measures is providing water tankers for communities with no alternative sources of water in all regions, except Khomas. South Sudan and South Africa have inked an exploration and production sharing deal for oil in a sign that South Sudan is well on its way to put its best foot forward in order to attract additional foreign investments in its oil sector. The deal with South Africa is its second since gaining its hard-fought independence that left While South Sudan has made strides in recovering since its independence, UN peace-keeping head Jean-Pierre Lacroix said near the end of 2018 that this peace isnt yet fully sustainable, with reports that clashes are still popping up from time to time. South Sudan has sub-Saharan Africas third-largest crude reserves, estimated at 5 billion barrels of proved crude oil reserves, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). South Sudans oil flows were reportedly uninterrupted by the conflict in its northern neighbor, Sudan, a couple of weeks ago, after its president was overthrown by Sudans military. Sudan holds all of the cards to South Sudans oil industry, which relies on it completely for moving oil to international markets. South Sudan expects its oil production to increase to 270,000 barrels per day by the end of this year, from 180,000 bpd now. The planned increase for 2019 is still below its pre-civil-war era of 350,000 bpd. South Africa and South Sudan were in negotiations in March for a $1 billion refinery in South Sudan. South Sudan has come under intense scrutiny from the International Monetary Fund in recent months after taking loans from Chinese companies in exchange for oiloil that it has yet to get out of the ground. South Sudan is still on the lookout for additional investments in its petroleum industry across the entire value chain as it continues to struggle for peace. By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Iran is hinting that it could announce as early as on Wednesday reduced compliance under the so-called Iran nuclear deal in counteractions against the maximum pressure campaign of the United States, which ended all waivers for Iranian oil customers and sent a carrier strike group to the Middle East as a warning to Iran. On Sunday, U.S. National Security Advisor Ambassador John Bolton said that In response to a number of troubling and escalatory indications and warnings, the United States is deploying the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group and a bomber task force to the U.S. Central Command region to send a clear and unmistakable message to the Iranian regime that any attack on United States interests or on those of our allies will be met with unrelenting force. The United States is not seeking war with the Iranian regime, but we are fully prepared to respond to any attack, whether by proxy, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, or regular Iranian forces, Bolton said in a statement, days after the U.S. sanction waivers for all Iranian oil buyers expired. On Monday, Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA) reported that Irans President Hassan Rouhani may announce on Wednesday counteractions against US withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Partial and total reduction of some of Irans commitments and resumption of some nuclear activities which were ceased following JCPOA are the first step by Iran responding to US withdrawal from the nuclear deal and the lack commitment from European countries to meet their vows, ISNA reported. Meanwhile, the EU and the three EU countries part of the JCPOA dealFrance, Germany, and the UKsaid over the weekend that they take note with regret and concern of the decision by the United States not to extend waivers with regards to trade in oil with Iran. The EU vowed to work on keeping legitimate trade with Iran, together with third countries interested in supporting the JCPOA, including through the special purpose payment vehicle "INSTEX", which the EU set up earlier this year to keep trade paymentsincluding oil tradewith Iran open. By Tsvetana Paraskova from Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: A U.S. court has granted a stay of 120 days in a legal case that a hedge fund brought against Venezuelas state-owned oil company PDVSA for unpaid debt amount to US$182 million. The court, according to Reuters, cited the political situation in Venezuela as reason for the stay. The stay was granted on two separate lawsuits brought by Red Tree Investments against PDVSA for its alleged default on four separate loans. The political situation the court referred to is becoming increasingly complicated with two governments and two PDVSA boards, the first loyal to Maduro and the second appointed by self-declared interim president Juan Guaido, whom the United States wholly supports in his attempt to overthrow the Maduro government. I expect that this precedent in the NY courts will help to grant a stay in other claims, a Guaido official, special prosecutor Jose Ignacio Hernandez, told Reuters. Guaido appointed Hernandez a representative of Venezuela abroad. The other claims Hernandez mentioned in his comment likely mean the ConocoPhillips court-awarded compensation of US$8.7 billion for the forced nationalization of its Venezuelan operations by the Hugo Chavez government and Crystallexs US$1.2-billion compensation, also awarded by a court. Guaido is contesting both awards, seeking to revoke them. Crystallex, which is no longer in business, has been seeking to seize PDVSAs U.S. assetsrefiner Citgoas compensation for the nationalization of one gold mine in Venezuela. This has proved hard to achieve, but the Canadian mining company did manage to get the US$1.2 billion court award. Its future attempt to seize a majority stake in Citgo may be doomed: Citgo is under the control of a board affiliated to Guaido and supported by the U.S. government and U.S. courts tend to follow the governments lead in such politically sensitive cases, as the latest court decision on hedge fund Red Tree Investments suggests. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: In its biggest provocation yet, Turkey has sent its Fatih drilling ship into Cypriot waters, launching drilling operations that have prompted a response from the U.S. and a Greek Cypriot counter-threat, according to Oilprice.com sources in Istanbul. With the U.S. and the EU chiming in this weekend with their own warnings, today, Turkish Naval Forces on board the Fatih reported threats over their radios of international arrest warrants coming from the Greek Cypriot authorities if the vessel does not vacate Cyprus Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). As of this afternoon, the ships location is still in the EEZ, with Turkey refusing to budge. (Click to enlarge) Much is at stake for Cyprus, which stands to benefit enormouslyboth financially and geopoliticallyif supermajor exploration efforts bear fruit. Exxon has made substantial discoveries in Block 10, which is in the EEZ, whose delimitation Turkey contests. In March this year, Exxon said that it had encountered commercial quantities of hydrocarbons in Block 10s Glafkos 1 well, estimating some 5-8 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. We urge Turkish authorities to halt these operations and encourage all parties to act with restraint, U.S. officials said on Sunday, following a similar warning by the EU made just days prior. Earlier this year, a high-level Turkish government official told us that in a future standoffs over oil drilling in the disputed territory, Turkey could protect its civilian ships with military ship. Turkey is following through on a threat to start drilling in disputed waters that it made most recently in February. On Monday, Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan address a NATO meeting in Ankara, saying that Turkey fully expected the military alliance to support Turkeys rights in the Eastern Mediterranean. A Turkish Foreign Ministry statement on the same day criticized the U.S. warning as being neither constructive nor compatible with international law. It also said that the Greek Cypriot Administrations EEZ delimitation agreements with the countries in the region are not valid for Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots, and one of these agreements violates Turkeys continental shelf rights. Turkey repeated its intention to continue its natural gas and oil drilling in the region, saying that our drilling and seismic vessels will resolutely continue their activities in our continental shelf in the areas where our Government granted the Turkish Petroleum licenses in 2009 and 2012. By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Factional Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, Fouad Oki, on Sunday protested that Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State was unfairly and unjustly treated in the governorship primary election of APC that produced the incoming Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu. Oki on a radio interview with veteran journalist, Jimi Disu, on Sunday, decried that it was unfortunate that Governor Ambode was subjected to such illegality. He admonished Sanwo-Olu to tread cautiously in dealing with issues going forward. Speaking on the process that produced Sanwo-Olu as the APC governorship candidate, Oki said it was clearly jaundiced and fraught with lack of respect for rule of law, warning that such should never be encouraged. ALSO READ: Corruption fight: EFCC accuses bankers of sabotaging efforts Call it whatever you like but truth be told, there is a popular saying in Yoruba kiniun pa omo talika aiye re rin, ti o ba pa omo olowo, ema bu igbe ta (translated to mean the lion killed the child of poor man, people are happy; when it kills the child of a rich man, nobody should complain). Now, you see in a society that tries to be egalitarian, the first rule is to be just; that is the first rule and to respect the rule of law. My position then and my position now is this: you cannot have two set of rules for two set of individuals. Very clearly, the process was jaundiced. If it happens again, I will take the same position. Whether His Excellency Governor Ambode benefits from my position is another issue. My position is very clear that this is not fair, this is illegal, this is immoral and you cannot do this. There is a popular saying in Yoruba which the incoming governor must take note of Atori tan fin na iyale, won to ju e si oke aja fun iyawo; nitori na, ki omo odo na fi ogbon se (translated to mean the cane used to beat the old wife is kept for the new wife and so let the servant tread wisely). So, you might think there is no big deal, its happens, but no that should not happen and nobody will speak against it, and we must know that for a fact, Oki said. Oki, widely referred to as strongman of Lagos politics, chided party stakeholders who, in a bid to justify their actions, used the media to condemn Governor Ambode, observing the office of the Governor of Lagos State should never be desecrated under any guise. The second point is this: we must also understand that the Governor of Lagos State is Lagos institution. What am I saying? Some people went on air to desecrate the office of Governor of Lagos. I am an aborigine; I am bonafide Lagosian, I will continue to fight for that because you dont desecrate that office. It is the institution which symbolizes our collective identity, Oki declared. Oki chastised APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole for failing to properly galvanize the party, especially to mobilize Nigerians on the next level policy of President Muhammadu Buhari, describing him as a coroner that has come to bury APC. I have always repeated that I have no confidence in Adams Oshiomhole. The man was foisted on the party; the man has no agenda. The only agenda is to dance; the only agenda is to use force; he is an enforcer and let me put it very aptly which I have always said that he is the coroner that has come or better still the person that has come to bury the party, he said. Speaking further, Oki said: Next level means so many things to so many people and to me it means Nigeria is a huge construction site and it is an ongoing project. Now, we have moved from the foundation. Next level thing is conceived by PMB in his wisdom looking at his scorecard, looking at his promises and looking at the journey so far. Next level is about consolidation, it is about inclusion, particularly for the vulnerable ones in our society. Unfortunately, this administration has a parent, a father figure that is so irresponsible. How do I mean? See, how many days to the next administration from today May 5, 2019, our party has not deemed it fit to even adopt the next level document as its manifesto for 2019 to 2023. If you ask the average member of our party what next level is, he does not understand it. We are just unfortunately going to repeat 2015 to 2019 because in 2015, our party got elected into government at the federal and the party went to sleep not supporting or assisting government by way of peer review, policy discussions, policy interrogations and what not. As I speak with you, I would have expected our party to have put on stream several committees that would look at the next level document with a view to translating it into ordinary language for every Nigerian to know so they would buy into what this administration intends doing in the next four years. Unfortunately, we have a DNA weakness on top of the party. Post Views: 57 The trial of Senator Dino Melaye at an Abuja Federal High Court was on Monday, April 6, stalled following the absence of the trial judge, Justice Yusuf Halilu. The judge was absent due to his official engagement on election tribunal duty in Ogun State. The senator was arraigned on January 22 by the police on an eight-count charge bordering on alleged conspiracy with an alleged husband killer, Maryam Sanda, resistance to arrest, failure to honour police invitation and intentionally giving false information to the public. He was also accused of conspiring with one Silas Omenka on December 28, 2018, to commit an offence of illegal obstruction to a lawful arrest, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 97 of the Penal Code. Melaye, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against him. ALSO READ: Melaye raises dust over appointment of new NYSC DG Justice Halilu on April 4, ruling on a no-case submission filed by Sanda and her co-defendants: discharged Maryams mother, Maimuna Aliyu; brother, Aliyu Sanda and housemaid, Sadiya Aminu. They were charged with concealment of evidence by cleaning the blood of the late Bilyaminu from the scene of the crime. The Judge further ruled that Maryam Sanda, who was charged with culpable homicide punishable with death for allegedly killing her husband, Bilyaminu Bello, had a case to answer and as such should enter her defence. The court in Sandas case rescheduled trial until June 11, while Melayes case was fixed for June 17. Post Views: 51 Former President of the Senate, retired Brigadier David Mark, has commenced the process of retirement from the National Assembly after 20 years in the Senate. David Mark contested the presidential primary election of the People Democratic Party (PDP) for the partys ticket for the 2019 elections to transit to higher political career but lost to Atiku Abubkar and other aspirants. Paul Mumeh, Media Assistant to Mark, in a statement, indicated that David Mark will commence a Thank you tour to his Benue South Senatorial zone on Tuesday to prepare for his retirement from the legislature. Mumeh explained that the tour is to appreciate his people for the trust and confidence reposed on him for 20 years in the upper legislative chamber. It was highlighted that Senator Mark who was first elected Senator in 1999 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has served five terms of 20 years within which he served as President of the Senate for eight years. Mark schedules to meet the traditional rulers, politicians across party lines and all stakeholders in the nine local government areas of the Benue South Senatorial zone. The Media assistant stated that Senator Mark and his successor Comrade Abba Moro will flag off the tour from Agatu Local Government Area and move to Apa Local Government Council on Tuesday. ALSO READ: US vs Iran: Warship, bombers head for Middle East The team will visit Ado and Okpokwu local governments on Wednesday as well as Oju and Obi local governments on Thursday. It will be Ogbadibo and Ohimini Local Governments turn on Friday while the grand finale will be in Otukpo Local Government on Saturday. The programme will be concluded with a thanksgiving Church service on Sunday, May 12, 2019 at St. Augustine Catholic Church, Otukpo. Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State is expected to be the Special Guest of Honour at the thanksgiving mass. Post Views: 53 Mrs. Taiwo Obasanjo, the wife of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, has alleged that assassins are after her life and that of her son, Olajuwon, because they supported President Muhammadu Buhari during the last presidential election. While speaking with Vanguard on Sunday, Mrs. Obasanjo said reliable information at her disposal disclosed that her husband, Olusegun Obasanjo, paid the assassins who are already on her trail with the aim of killing her and her son Olajuwon. According to her, the assassins plan to make the scene look like that of an armed robbery operation after killing her and her son. She said: Fear Plots To Poison Him In Detention The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) informs the nation that the police today Wednesday, May 6, 2019, arrested and detained our victorious candidate in the Osun Governorship election, Senator Ademola Adeleke, in total disregard for the extant order of the Federal High Court. This is highly provocative, an invitation to anarchy and recipe for a very serious crisis not only in Osun but also in the judiciary and our polity as a nation. The arrest and detention of Senator Adeleke is a direct act of violence against our laws, the institution of the judiciary and the 1999 Constitution (as amended). This is part of the grand plot by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to coerce Senator Adeleke to relinquish the mandate that was freely given to him by the people of Osun state, which was further established by the election petition tribunal. The plot is to drag Senator Adeleke before an ostensibly compromised magistrate court, over the same issues of alleged forged school testimonial that is already before the Federal High Court, with a view to using such corridor to secure a stampeded trial and hurried conviction, and put him out of circulation, over trump-up charges. The heinous calculation by the APC is to ensure that Senator Adeleke is not free to be sworn in as governor of Osun state as they know he will surely obtain justice and retrieve his stolen mandate at the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. The police arrested Senator Ademola on the guise of an invitation despite the direct orders of the Federal High Court, restraining it or its agents from arresting and detaining him on account of statement of result and testimonial duly issued by the Ede Muslim Grammar School, Ede, pending the determination of the originating summons pending in the court. Senator Adeleke, as a law-abiding citizen, honoured an invitation by the police only for him to be arrested and detained in a dingy facility in Maitama, in direct affront to the order of the Federal High Court. The PDP holds that any arraignment of Senator Adeleke in a magistrate court, for a matter that is already being heard by the Federal High Court, is a calculated plot to cause crisis in the judicial system, enmesh the matter in unnecessary controversy as a pathway to truncate the course of justice in his matter. The PDP therefore demands forthwith, the immediate and unconditional release of Senator Adeleke by the police. This demand is predicated on fears already in the public space that there are plots by certain elements to poison him in detention. The PDP therefore cautions those playing the script of the APC with regard to Senator Adeleke to retrace their steps and allow the people of Osun state to move ahead with their preferred governor. Nothing, not even these heinous plots, will subvert this reality. Signed: Kola Ologbondiyan National Publicity Secretary The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Monday in Katsina went tough on smugglers of Textile materials and their accomplices, threatening to blacklist individuals, banks and corporate bodies found to be encouraging the practice in any way. The CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele who made the above declaration Monday during the official flag off of the distribution of seeds and other inputs to cotton farmers in Katsina state for the 2019 planting season, under the auspices of the National Cotton Association of Nigeria, further lamented the countrys annual loss of more than $2.2 billion or over N790 billion to the smuggling of textile goods and called on stakeholders to work at reversing the trend. He described the launch as representing a milestone event being part of the measures bank along with other stakeholders including the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), have embarked upon in order to revive Nigerias Cotton, Textiles and Garments Sector. He said I believed that the Central Bank ought to play a more important role in supporting Nigerias economic development, given the constraints faced by rural farmers, SMES and Manufacturing companies. More importantly, we believe that CBNs intervention which is aimed at import substitution will help in conserving scarce foreign exchange for Nigeria. He maintained that President Muhammadu Buhari placed considerable emphasis on addressing impediments to the growth of Nigerias Agricultural and manufacturing sectors, as both sectors represent over 52% of Nigerias GDP. Emefiele also announced that the Apex bank is gathering data about, and investigating the accounts of individuals and corporate bodies currently involved or encouraging smuggling and dumping of textile materials into the country. He said the investigation would be extended to the 42 other items restricted from FOREX in Nigeria, and that names of individuals and companies found wanting would be publicized, and blacklisted. He added that all the banks in the country would be barred from conducting any banking business with the companies, their owners and top management. The Governor of Katsina State, Aminu Bello Masari, in an address at the occasion noted that the state formerly produced about 65% of the total quantity of cotton produced in the country He said the decline of agricultural produce including cotton over the years in Katsina state has been a source of concern to this administration because the glorious days of cotton production had provided employment to our populace He said the state government will continue to provide the needed incentive to Agriculture including funding infrastructure and farming inputs. British oil giant BP has signed an agreement with Gambias government to explore offshore hydrocarbons potential in the West African nation. The London-listed company now has the legal rights to explore for oil and gas potential in block A1 offshore Gambia, the office of the Gambian president Adama Barrow said in a statement. Block A1 and A4 were previously under an African Petroleum Corporation license, which was annulled by President Adama Barrows government in 2017, after expiry. African Petroleum disputed the annulment and launched arbitration proceedings in October 2017 at the US-based International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes. In a statement, African Petroleum said that it continues to reserve its rights in relation to the A1 license and will continue with its efforts to protect its interest in the A1 license through the ongoing ICSID arbitration process. The two blocks are said to contain up to 3 billion barrels of oil and rests just south of Senegals SNE find. Given Senegals successful exploration campaigns from 2014 to date, Gambia hopes to attract international oil and gas players in its six offshore blocks. According to BP, it could take close to a decade for Gambia to receive revenues, if exploration efforts are successful. Following the detention of Sen. Ademola Adeleke, the PDP has issued a public statement which condemned the action, and called for his immediate and unconditional release. The Governorship Candidate of PDP in Osun, according to the party was arrested by the police in Abuja. The Party National Publicity Secretary, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan, made the call at a press conference on Monday in Abuja. Ologbondiyan added the arrest was part of the plot by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to stall his tribunal case. He described the arrest as total disregard for the extant order of the an Osun State High Court, Ikirun, issued on Monday, restraining the police or its agents from arresting and detaining him. According to him, the court restrained the police from arresting Adeleke on account of statement of result and testimonial duly issued by Ede Muslim Grammar School, Ede, pending the determination of the originating summons pending in the court. He said that the police, however, arrested Adeleke on the guise of an invitation despite the direct orders of the state court. The arrest and detention of Senator Adeleke is a direct act of violence against our laws, the institution of the judiciary and the 1999 Constitution (as amended). This is part of the grand plot by the APC to coerce Adeleke to relinquish the mandate that was freely given to him by the people of Osun state, which was further established by the election petition tribunal. The plot is to drag Adeleke before an ostensibly compromised magistrate court, over the same issues of alleged forged school testimonial that is already before the Federal High Court. This is with a view to using such corridor to secure a stampeded trial and hurried conviction, and put him out of circulation, over trump-up charges. Ologbondiyan said that any arraignment of Adeleke in a magistrate court, for a matter already being heard by the Federal High Court, was a calculated plot to cause crisis in the judicial system, enmesh the matter in unnecessary controversy as a pathway to truncate the course of justice in his matter. The PDP therefore demands forthwith, the immediate and unconditional release of Adeleke by the police. This demand is predicated on fears already in the public space that there are plots by certain elements to poison him in detention. Ologbondiyan urged those behind plot against Adeleke to retrace their steps and allow the people of Osun State to move ahead with their preferred governor. Nothing, not even these heinous plots, will subvert this reality. Adeleke is currently facing trial on seven counts amended charges bordering on examination malpractice before an Abuja Federal High Court. Adeleke was first arraigned by the Federal Government in September 2018 on four counts bordering on examination malpractice, along with his brother, Sikiru Adeleke and three others. The dancing senator is reported to have been arrested by the police in Abuja. The senator was arraigned in a Federal High Court in Abuja where he was granted permission to travel to the United States on health grounds. Local governments financial autonomy is set for a major boost courtesy of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU). The agency yesterday banned banks, governors, financial institutions, public officers and other stakeholders from tampering with the statutory allocations of Local Government Areas from the Federation Account. It also said all erring individuals and companies will face international and local sanctions. Some of the sanctions are: likely blacklist of erring governors and the Chief Executive Officers of the affected banks; shutdown of any erring bank; and watch-list of violators in 160 countries where they cannot transact business or pay bills. The agency has imposed a daily N500, 000 cash transaction limit on all the 774 local governments. But one of the major highlights of the new guidelines, which will become effective from June 1, borders on the restoration of the financial autonomy of local governments. Each local government is now free to spend its funds judiciously without taking directives from governors who have hijacked the monthly allocations of the third tier of government under the guise of State Joint Local Government Accounts. The complete copy of the guidelines has been released to the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and Chief Executive Officers of all banks and other financial institutions. A statement by the Acting Chief Media Analyst of the NFIU, Mr. Ahmed Dikko, explained the steps taken to protect local government allocations. The statement said: The NFIU requests all financial institutions, other relevant stakeholders, public servants and the entire citizenry to ensure full compliance with the provisions of the guidelines already submitted to financial institutions and relevant enforcement agencies, including full enforcement of corresponding sanctions against violations from 1st June, 2019. Having realised through analysis that cash withdrawal and transactions from the State Joint Local Government Accounts (SJLGA), poses biggest corruption, money laundering and security threats at the grassroots levels and to the entire financial system and the country as a whole, decided to uphold the full provisions of Section 162 (6) (8)of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution as amended which designated State Joint Local Government Account into which shall be paid allocations to the local government councils of the state from the federation account and from the government of the state. Read also: Nigeria no longer high risk for money laundering, says NFIU The amount standing to the credit of local government councils of a state shall be distributed among the local government councils of that state and not for other purposes. As far as the NFIU is concerned the responsibility of the account as a collection account is fully reinstated. In addition, taking such measures was necessitated by prompting reasons on the NFIU to respond to threats of isolating the entire Nigerian financial system by other International financial systems due to deficiencies in our anti-money laundering and counter terrorism financing implementation and measures. Therefore, it is no longer possible to allow the entire system to suffer the deliberate and expensive infractions or violations by public officials and/or private business interests. The NFIU vowed to deal with individuals and companies abetting the diversion of local government funds. The agency said such violators will face local and international sanctions. The statement added: Henceforth, all erring individuals and companies will be allowed to face direct international and local targeted sanctions, in order not to allow any negative consequences to fall on the entire country. To be precise, with effect from 1st June any bank that allows any transaction from any local government account without monies first reaching a particular local government account will be sanctioned 100%, both locally and internationally. In addition, a provision is also made to the effect that there shall be no cash withdrawal from any local government account for a cumulative amount exceeding N500, 000:00 per day. Any other transaction must be done through valid cheques or electronic funds transfer. The complete guidelines have been released to the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) and Chief Executive Officers of all Banks and other financial institutions. Any state government that is willing to seek any expert economic advice in the unlikely event of these guidelines constituting an inconvenience to the management of the state can work with the NFIU and /or CBN. The police on Monday said they have arrested a Nigerian senator, Ademola Adeleke, and he will be arraigned in court on Tuesday in Abuja. Police spokesperson Frank Mba did not immediately give reasons for Mr Adelekes detention, but said his legal representatives were carried along during preparation of charges. Mr Mba said the police will accord the Osun governorship contender the best tradition of natural justice and fair hearing. Even though the police have not publicly disclosed the specific charges against Mr Adeleke, his associates have been speculating that they were connected to the allegations of certificate forgery that had assailed the lawmaker for nearly a year. A statement from the senators office on Monday night said the principal and WAEC swore affidavits in defending the governor against forgery or impersonation. The statement also said Mr Adelekes latest arrest was aimed at frustrating his case at the election petitions tribunal. The senator had challenged the outcome of the September 2018 governorship election, saying he was robbed by the APC. The tribunal declared him the winner of the election in March, but the APCs incumbent governor, Gboyega Oyetola, appealed the ruling. The PDP condemned Mr Adelekes latest arrest because the charges police filed against him in 2018 were still pending in court. Mr Adelekes office said he reported at the Force Headquarters in Abuja to honour a police invitation at about 9:00 a.m. Monday. He was, however, allegedly driven to Maitama Area Command Headquarters, where he had been held. Mr Mba declined to speak on where Mr Adeleke is being detained, but strongly denied that he had been in police custody since 9:00 a.m. Muhammad Sanusi II Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, governor of Kano state, has relaunched moves to remove Muhammad Sanusi II as the emir of Kano, TheCable report. On Monday, the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-corruption Commission reopened investigation into the expenditure of the state emirate council under Sanusi II. Also at Mondays plenary of the house of assembly, Kabiru Alhassan Rurum, the speaker, read a letter from one Ibrahim Salisu and others, seeking the creation of new Kano emirates in Karaye, Bichi, Rano and Gaya. The governor is determined to remove the emir, and if this does not succeed, he will break the emirate into pieces to whittle down Sanusis power, an official of the state government, who asked not to be named, told TheCable on Monday evening. Ironically, Ganjudes move to break the emirate into smaller units will mirror what Abiola Ajimobi, the outgoing governor of Oyo state, did to the olubadan of Ibadan, Saliu Adetunji, whose authority Ajimobi sought to decimate by approving 21 beaded kings for Ibadan. Ganduje and Ajimobi are in-laws. FOREIGN TRIPS Sanusi IIs problem with Ganduje is usually traced to his critical comments in 2017 on the award of contracts to Chinese companies by state government and the foreign trips of the governor. Shortly after the comment, the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission alleged the misappropriation of N6billion by the Kano emirate council without the approval of the state government. The probe was halted then but it has now been revived. Sanusi II is believed to have opposed the re-election of Ganjude, who needed a disputed supplementary election to be returned to office in the March 2019 governorship election. In a letter dated May 2, 2019, the state anti-graft commission invited one Isa Bayero to appear before it to shed more light on the payment vouchers from 2013 to 2017 in his name. EMIRATES FUNDS Other officers in the emirate council to be quizzed, according to TheCable sources, include Mohammad Sani Kwaru, the accountant, Mannir Sanusi, the chief of staff, Danburan Mujittafa and Falakin Kano. The letter said the commission was inviting the staff over alleged violation of section 26 of its enabling law in the management of the emirates funds. The letter also stated that the invitation was sequel to the power conferred to it under section 9 and 15 of Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-corruption Commission Law 2008 (as amended). Sanusi II was appointed the 14th emir in 2014 after his suspension from office as governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) by former president Goodluck Jonathan. Ganduje was the deputy governor to Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso when Sanusi II was appointed, but the former governor is no longer on good terms with his successor. Kwankwaso supported his son-in-law, Abba Kabiru Yusuf, to challenge Ganduje, but the incumbent was returned with a score 1,033,695 a mere difference of 8,982. Ganjude lost the Kano municipal heavily, leading to rumours that he would come after the emir after the election. The management of Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU) has sympathised with the family of one of their student, Late Emem Jimmy shot dead by a notorious gang of phone snatchers, Daily Trust reports. It was learnt that the victim, a 200 level undergraduate student of political science department was shot dead at the weekend along Wilson Idiong street, close to the Obio Akpa campus of the University in Oruk Anam local government area of the state. Eyewitness report claim the deceased attempted to resist unknown gunmen from snatching his phone before he was shot dead. According to the Head, Directorate of Information, Public Relations and Protocol of the University, Mr Akaninyene Ibanga, the victim died though he was immediately rushed to the hospital for treatment. In a statement, the Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof Eno Ibanga assured members of the University community of their safety despite the recent security challenges experienced in the campuses. He warned criminal elements to desist from any form of criminality within and outside the University community, adding that the University community was not a safe haven for criminals including cultism and other related social vices. Late Emem was shot between the hours of 8.30 9pm at Wilson Idiong Street, off Ikot Okoro Road, Obioakpa, Oruk Anam Local Government Area in an attempt to resist unknown gunmen from snatching his phone. He was rushed immediately to the hospital for treatment which the University Management took over the hospital bills just to save his life but on Saturday late Emem could not survive the struggle with death, so he finally passed on at about 12.30pm. The Vice-Chancellor hereby condoles with members of the family of the deceased. He also appealed to all members of the University Community to remain calm and continue with their normal businesses/duties while speedy effort is being made by the relevant law enforcement agencies to fetch out the perpetrators of this heinous act, the statement read. A coalition of political parties and civil society groups at a two-day national roundtable review of the 2019 general elections blamed President Muhammadu Buhari on the crisis that bedeviled the 2019 general elections. The stakeholders noted that President Buharis refusal to sign the amended electoral act by the National Assembly into law was a major setback to the electoral processes. Leader of the Opposition, and former Vice President in Sierra Leonie, Sam Samuna, who was the Guest Speaker at the Round Table review, expressed that the absence of a social contract between politicians and the electorate is responsible for the sit-tight syndrome in the continent. National Daily learned that the former Sierra Leonean Vice President, Sam Samuna, admonished Nigerian and African politicians on the consequences of the failure to develop improved leadership styles. While commending the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the successful conduct of the 2019 general elections in Nigeria, Samuna, cautioned for more care in handling future elections. The forum was said to have commended the private media in Nigeria on educating and sensitizing the electorate on INEC regulations and guidelines. Meanwhile, there are several litigation challenging certain result declared by the INEC in the 2019 elections, from the presidential election result to the governorship election, including the state and federal legislature elections. The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, atthe inauguration of the Omoluabi Day at his Palace in Ile-Ife, Osun State, challenged Nigerians to elect leaders who have the capacity to promote national development in all sector and take the country to the Promised Land. His Royal Majesty, Oba Ogunwusi, at the inauguration of the Omoluabi Day, a day devoted to dialogue on the challenges of national development, admonished the youths on the effect of western colonization, which he said has eroded the cultural heritage of the Yoruba nation. ALSO READ: Again, Ooni wades into another ethnic trouble between Bini, Awori National Daily learned that the Royal Father also challenged political leaders in the country to come together and find a lasting solution to the security crises in the country, especially, northern Nigeria. The national president of Yoruba Council of Youths, Oladotun Hassan, was said to have commended his royal majesty for his initiative of the Forum, while admonishing politicians to eschew from making statements capable of promoting tension and conflicts in the country As Kano State government launched a fresh probe into the expenses of the Kano Emirate Council from 2013 to 2019, Emir Mohammed Sanusi, many believe, might, again, be the target. The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission, according to a letter dated May 2, and signed by the commissions head of operations, Suleiman Gusau, initiated the probe. The commission invited certain staff of the council for an alleged violation of section 26 of its law in the management of the emirates funds. Amongst officials expected to honour the invitation are Mohammad Kwaru (accountant of the council); Mannir Sanusi (chief of staff to the emir); Isa Sanusi (former principal private secretary and half-brother to the emir) and Mujittaba Falakin Kano (private secretary to the emir). They will be reckoning for spending from 2013 to 2019. According to the letter, the probe derives its authority form the power conferred on the government under Section 9 and 15 of the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-corruption Commission Law 2008 (as amended). The first attempt at probing the emirate was initiated by the state legislative of the APC stateand that was about the tie Emir Sanusi was hitting the APC-led federal government for its inefficiency in handling the economy. During the forex crisis that greeted the administrations first term, Sanusi, an ex-governor of the CBN, once revealed how many bureau-de-change operators fronting for those in the corridor of power are making billions from forex trading without doing anything. Post Views: 91 The State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Osun, on Monday raised alarm over alleged plot to harm Senator Ademola Adeleke, candidate of the party, and governor-elect in the 2018 governorship election in Osun State. The State Party linked the Police and the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the alleged plot. PDP State Chairman in Osun, Soji Adagunodo, in a statement on Monday alerted Nigerians and the International community to hold the Nigeria Police and the All Progressive Congress responsible if anything tragic happens to the PDP governorship candidate and current Senator, Ademola Adeleke. The State Chairman, Soji Adagunodo, accordingly, protested the arrest of Adeleke on Monday by the Police in Abuja. Adagunodo contested that the arrest of the Osun Governorship candidate who recently won an Election petition and declared as the rightful winner of the September 22, 2018, Governorship election is a clear case of political desperation taken too far by the Police which is obviously executing a script of the APC. The Osun State PDP Chairman maintained that the arrest is fuelling speculation of an attempt to put Senator Adeleke in harmful condition to prevent him from conclusively retrieving the mandate freely given to him by the people of Osun State. The State PDP noted that the Public should recall that Senator Adeleke has an urgent Medical need which made a Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja order that his International passport be released to him to travel abroad for immediate medical attention. The State Chairman noted that the Court also ordered that the Senator should return to Nigeria by the first week of June to answer whatever charges the Police claim that they have against him. The State PDP then wondered why the Police would arrest and frustrate an urgent medical trip of a citizen who has never shunned any Police summon or jumped bail in any of the trumped up charges against him in the courts of the land. ALSO READ: Dancing Senator Adeleke arrested, detained The State Chairman protested: It should interest members of the public to know that the offence for which the Police has again arrested and detained Senator Adeleke are based on the same facts which competent courts of the land are currently handling, including, an ongoing appeal against a judgement of an FCT High Court in Bwari. It is also a matter to be taken serious note of that the citizen in question has been declared the Governor-elect of a State by a competent tribunal and is currently defending that judicial victory at the Court of Appeal. The PDP is by this statement, calling on well meaning Nigerians, Civil Society and Human rights community to intervene in the serial, vicious and clearly unjustifiable oppression of Senator Ademola Adeleke by the powers that have been using the Nigeria Police as a tool. The State Party, therefore, demanded President Muhammadu Buhari to call the Inspector General of Police to order and urge him to refrain from ongoing attempts to frustrate a valid court order which has granted Senator Ademola Adeleke permission to travel abroad for his medicals. The Tindouf camps in Southern Algeria are rocked by growing protests of the sequestered Sahrawis who are rising up against Polisario militias oppression, impunity, injustice, torture and systematic violations of their basic human rights. The separatists started feeling the heat after their Algerian masters were ousted by the popular revolt that is still ongoing. Things get worse for the Polisario with the change of tone of the United Nations and neighboring Mauritania. In its latest resolution on the Sahara, the UN calls for realism and compromise, welcoming, once again, the autonomy plan offered by Morocco for the Sahara, without referring to the self-determination principle, which is obsolete and unworkable in the current times. Mauritanias president Mohammed Ould Abdel Aziz also dealt a hard blow to the Polisario with a recent statement where he said the US, Europe and the West do not want a state placed between Morocco and Mauritania. In the Tindouf camps, the anger, frustration, enslavement, deprivation and repression of the sequestered Sahrawis were building up for years before imploding in the face of the Polisario leaders. The protest movement of the Sahrawis against the Polisario is intensifying and expanding. In front of the Headquarters of the MINURSO, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), or even near the border with Mauritania and the Bir Lahlou buffer zone, a growing number of Sahrawis gather frequently to denounce their ill-treatment by the polisario, their persecution, imprisonment, torture, lamentable living condition, repression and despair. They demand freedom of movement and expression as well as the immediate resolution of their predicament, the departure of the current polisario leaders, the trial of torturers and the embezzlers of international humanitarian assistance. The 2016 Bar Exams passers taking oath MANILA, Philippines The successful 2018 Bar takers are set to take their oaths as new lawyers of the Philippines on June 13, the Supreme Court (SC) announced on Tuesday (May 7). In its website, the SC said the oath-taking will take place at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC). Signing in the Roll of Attorneys will start on June 14. The SC last Friday released the list of law graduates who successfully passed the 2018 Bar exams. READ: SC releases list of 2018 Bar exam passers Sean James Borja of the Ateneo de Manila University topped the Bar, along with the graduates from the University of San Carlos, University of the Philippines and De La Salle University-Manila. The SC said 22.07 percent or 1,800 of the 8,155 examinees passed the 2018 Bar exams. This is slightly lower compared with the 25.55 percent who passed the Bar exams in 2017. In line with the upcoming oathtaking ceremony, the High Court reminded the Bar passers to secure their clearances from the Office of the Bar Confidant (OBC). The Supreme Court today reminded all successful 2018 Bar examinees to promptly secure their clearances from the Office of the Bar Confidant (OBC) in time for their June 13, 2019 oathtaking at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), it said. The SC said the Bar passers only have until June 10 to secure their clearances, the process of which started on Tuesday (May 7). The High Court, through the OBC, said that the successful Bar examinees have only until June 10, 2019, Monday, as the new deadline to secure their clearances from the OBC, the SC said. They are directed to prepare P6,050 (P3,850 for oath fees and P2,200 for Integrated Bar of the Philippines [IBP] dues, including building fund). For clearance, each is advised to bring three (3) valid identification cards (IDs): one for security and the two for presentation to the OBC, it added. The 2018 Bar exams, which was the 117th held in the country, was conducted at the University of Santo Tomas last November. A total of 8,155 law graduates took the 2018 Bar exams, the highest so far in the history of the Bar exams. The post 2018 Bar passers to take oath on June 13 at PICC appeared first on UNTV News. From left, Norwegian Foreign Minister Ine Marie Eriksen Soreide, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Sweden's Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stand for a group photo, during the Arctic Council Ministerial Meeting in Rovaniemi, Finnish Lapland, Tuesday, May 7, 2019. (Vesa Moilanen/Lehtikuva via AP) ROVANIEMI, Finland (AP) -- The Arctic is melting, but don't ask U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to talk about climate change. Nor even to agree on a text that mentions it. For the Trump administration, disappearing sea ice in the world's "high north" appears to be first and foremost an economic opportunity to exploit rather than a crisis to mitigate. That position was made clear by Pompeo over two days of meetings in the northern Finnish Arctic city of Rovaniemi involving the foreign ministers of the eight members of the Arctic Council Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden and the United States. "Steady reductions in sea ice are opening new naval passageways and new opportunities for trade, potentially slashing the time it takes for ships to travel between Asia and the West by 20 days," he said in a speech Monday, which was met with polite but muted applause. "Arctic sea lanes could become the 21st century's Suez and Panama canals." Finnish Foreign Minister Timo Soini, whose country is wrapping up its two-year chairmanship of the council, said Tuesday there was no joint declaration given the inability to get the U.S. to agree on a text that included language about climate change. Instead, a brief joint statement reaffirmed a "commitment to maintain peace, stability and constructive co-operation in the Arctic." Soini told reporters that he didn't want to "name and blame anybody" and called the outcome "good enough" for all parties. Finland's chairmanship of the council had largely focused on climate change concerns. A senior U.S. official, speaking to reporters on condition of anonymity, downplayed the failure to craft a declaration and defended Pompeo's omission of "climate change" from remarks. "Just because you don't have a certain phrase in it, you can't infer that the United States has taken a position that is anti-environment," the official said. Pompeo did acknowledge environmental concerns, and told the meeting Tuesday that "the Trump Administration shares your deep commitment to environmental stewardship." Story continues "The Arctic has always been a fragile ecosystem, and protecting it is indeed our shared responsibility," Pompeo said. Over the summit, Pompeo also defended President Donald Trump's decision to pull the U.S. out of the Paris climate accord in 2017, a day after a U.N. biodiversity report warned that extinction loomed for over 1 million species of plants and animals. "Collective goals, even when well-intentioned, are not always the answer," Pompeo said. "They are rendered meaningless, even counterproductive, as soon as one nation fails to comply." Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said his country is "open to the widest kind of cooperation in the Arctic" and that "there are no reasons for conflicts and for getting military methods involved in solving any issues arising here." Bill Erasmus, the chairman of the Arctic Athabaskan Council, a Canada-based group of indigenous people, expressed disappointment that a joint declaration had not been reached. "We recognize that climate change is real," he said. "Climate change is man-made, and our elders tell us that we are clearly in trouble." Official U.S. statements and documents prepared for the meeting did not refer to "climate change" and their scientific focus was limited to reductions in U.S. carbon emissions that predate the administration. According to statistics Pompeo presented, U.S. energy-related CO2 emissions fell by 14% between 2005 and 2017, while global energy-related CO2 emissions increased more than 20%. In terms of black carbon, which is a particular threat to the Arctic, U.S. emissions were 16% below 2013 levels in 2016 and are projected to nearly halve by 2025, he said. "I'm sure it was a good party," Pompeo said of the negotiations in Paris. "I'm sure it felt good to sign the agreement. But at the end of the day, what matters to human health, what matters to the citizens of the world, is that we actually have an impact on improving health. And our technology, our innovation, the R&D we put in in the United States, that's what will drive better climatic outcomes, that's what will create cleaner air and safer drinking water, and that's what I hope the whole world will focus on." Pompeo again declined the opportunity to mention "climate change" on Tuesday when he met with Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland who pointedly referred to the phenomenon as she played down a dispute with the United States over the sovereignty of the Northwest Passage. "We have a very close, very fruitful collaboration," she said. "And actually, as we see the conditions of the Northwest Passage changing with our changing climate, I think that's actually grounds for closer collaboration with the United States." Pompeo replied by saying the U.S. is more concerned about Russia and China in the Arctic than ownership of the Northwest Passage. "The challenges in the Arctic aren't between the United States and Canada, let me assure you," he said. "There are others that threaten to use it in ways that are not consistent with the rule of law." Canada's Freeland also noted that "unpredictable weather patterns caused by climate change" are causing security threats and navigational issues. Iceland's foreign minister, Gudlaugur Thor Thordarson, was bleak in his assessment. "We can expect due to climate change more drastic changes in the next two decades than we have seen in the last 100 years," he said. ___ Jari Tanner in Helsinki, Finland, Jan M. Olsen in Copenhagen, Denmark, Dorothee Thiesing in Rovaniemi, Finland and David Keyton in Rovaniemi, Finland contributed. MANILA, Philippines The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) on Tuesday belied rumors that Peter Joemel Advincula, the man claiming to be Bikoy in the video series called Ang Totoong Narco List, is under their custody following his press conference at its headquarters in Ortigas. On Monday, Advincula went to IBP to seek legal assistance to file charges against presidential son Paolo Duterte; Lawyer Manases Carpio, the husband of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte; and Christopher Lawrence Bong Go, former aide of President Rodrigo Duterte. READ: Man claiming to be Bikoy asks help from IBP He claimed he was the hooded figure in the video series implicating some members of the Duterte family and their close allies to the narcotics trade. We would like to dispel rumors that Mr. Peter Joemel Advincula is in the custody and care of the IBP. The IBP leadership is unaware of his current whereabouts, the IBP said in a statement released late Tuesday. The IBP issued the statement following speculations that Advincula is under its care. It also maintained that it did not organize Advinculas press briefing, and it has nothing to do with the statement that he read before the media. The presence of media outfits was not upon the invitation nor direction of the IBP, it said. IBP did not craft Mr. Advinculas statement, and/or sworn statement, it added. The IBP also reiterated that Advincula was received at their office on Monday like any other applicant seeking legal assistance from its National Center for Legal Aid. Right now, his application for legal aid is still under the evaluation by the NCLA, the group said. The IBP reiterated it continues to the sentinel of the rule of law in the country, which has a mandate to maintain independence and credibility as the umbrella organization of all lawyers in the Philippines. In response to Advinculas appearance at the IBP and drug allegations against the Duterte family and their close allies, Senator Panfilo Lacson said his committee has invited the former to attend its hearing on Friday. Story continues Lacson said the formal invitation to Advincula will be sent out through the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) since it was the last place where he was seen. READ: Senate to probe Bikoy claims this week Malacanang, meanwhile, expressed doubt on Advinculas credibility, noting that he is currently facing multiple criminal cases. READ: NBI to summon man claiming to be Bikoy The National Bureau of Investigation and the Philippine National Police earlier said they will summon Advincula to answer questions pertaining to his identity and his allegations against the Dutertes. The post IBP: Bikoy not under our custody appeared first on UNTV News. OUR Flores de Mayo (Flowers of May) celebration continues with our second flower of the month: Astragalus mebranaceus (variety mongholicus), or the so-called Mongolian Milkvetch. The plant is an enduring medicinal plant in the Chinese and Japanese pharmacopeia. It can also be found in the Philippines. However, it is best known for the medicinal properties of its roots, which is considered a powerful anti-diabetic, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory. Because of this practice, the Astragalus flowers are often considered as production wastes. Since the medicinal roots are gathered during the plants flower stage, the flowers are discarded as natural fertilizers and never used as a medicinal product. Researchers who braved to follow the counter current of the medicinal tradition later found that the flowers of the Mongolian Milkvetch contain high amounts of flavonoids, tripterpenoid saponins and volatile compounds. A team of eight Chinese researchers from the Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine (Nanjing) and the Ningxia Medical University (Yingchuan) found that the flowers demonstrated strong antioxidant activities, comparable to the antioxidant activity of butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), a synthetic chemical used in food items as preservative. According to WebMD, BHT is currently being used in the treatment of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (Aids) and genital herpes. It is so because BHT can damage the outer protective layer of viruses. In the report published in the journal Molecules, it stated that the Mongolian Milkvetch has 31 known and unknown compounds, including quercetin, isorhamnetin, rhamnocitrin and kaempferol. The predominant compounds, however, were hyperosides, rutins and isorhamnetins. Mongolian Milkvetch for our Blessed Mother! PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) Chief Oscar Albayalde said there is no need to reshuffle officers in Cebu City amid the growing tension between the local police chief and the mayor as the problem lies not with the police, but probably with the mayor. Im always in close coordination with the regional director (RD) there. Wala naman silang problema. Even the PNP wala namang problema baka yung mayor ang may problema. Yun ang sinasabi ng ating RD but with the PNP, wala naming kaming problema (The PNP does not have the problem. It's probably the mayor who has a problem. That was what the RD told me), he told reporters in Manila. He did not mention names, but he was clearly referring to Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmena, who has been engaged in a word war with Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) Director Royina Garma. Albayalde said Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 Director Debold Sinas has not made any recommendation to remove Garma and reshuffle the officers in Cebu. As of this time, walang recommendation ang Regional Director (RD) doon at wala rin siyang nakikita na kailangan tanggalin itong si (the regional director has not made any recommendation to reorganize. He does not also see any reason to remove) Colonel Garma, he said. Albayalde maintained that the PNP remains apolitical and non-partisan. Because, remember, we are apolitical. Our mission is to ensure safe and peaceful elections. Perhaps the mayor should just tell the PNP or the DILG (Department of the Interior and Local Government) whatever issue he has with the police. We have not received reports of meddling from the regional director, he added in Tagalog. Albayalde said they always verify allegations made against their men and, so far, he has not received any derogatory reports against Garma. He said Garma was not the personal choice of Osmena for the said post after he was stripped of police powers following his order to withdraw support for the local police. Accusations are made, especially when the police chief is not the mayor's choice. Let's just be fair, Albayalde said in Tagalog. Story continues The PNP chief also dismissed the statement of former PNP chief now Sen. Panfilo Lacson that Cebu City is a case of the PNP dipping its fingers in partisan politics. I really dont know if they are really dipping their hands in partisan politics. Remember, we have a hard rule there on meddling with politics in the different municipalities or local politics. The PNP has never been allowed to dip its finger in politics, said Albayalde. In fact, We have the CITF (Counter Intelligence Task Force) and the Red teams in different provinces, which determine whether the local police are partial to anybody and if they are doing their duties like conducting checkpoints, he said in Tagalog. Despite this, Osmena last Tuesday, May 7, asked the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Manila to place Cebu under its control during the elections on Monday, May 13 if the PNP cannot solve the harassment problem and other crimes in the city. Speaking before the 888 News Forum at Marco Polo Plaza, Osmena did not say whether the Comelec has responded to his request. He said there was no police harassment in past elections not unlike now when police can beat, arrest, shoot and even enter anyone's house without a search warrant. Osmena said he is the only mayor in the country who is heavily watched because wherever he goes, the police put up a checkpoint. During the Bando Osmena Pundok Kauswagan's (BOPK) miting de avance last Sunday, May 5, the mayor said the PNP tried to discourage his supporters from attending by putting up 15 checkpoints around the venue. He said he was happy that his supporters did not succumb to the pressure and an estimated 20,000 people showed up. I think most of the policemen are okay. Its only Sinas of the PRO 7 and Garma who are responsible for all these crimes against the people, Osmena said. Its not my future that is at stake here, but the future of Cebu. They (Sinas and Garma) want us to be cowed in fear. Thats a big step towards dictatorship, towards a revolutionary government. Osmena said. Some people say this will last only until election. I dont think so. This is a big business for them. They are testing the people of Cebu to see whether you continue to be indifferent. This will go beyond the election. I hope the people can withstand this, he said. Garma is the most influential policewoman in the Philippines. She is very influential. Let me tell you that even the (PNP) generals are taking orders from her. And this puzzles me. And now, Ive heard that she is being groomed as the next chief of PCSO (Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office). To me, if we connect all the dots, we can see whats going on, Osmena said. When asked about about getting caught on camera gambling and that Garma reported the matter to President Rodrigo Duterte, the mayor said he will only answer in a proper forum. Garma, for her part, said she did not report the mayor's criticisms to the President. The police official and the President met last Monday, May 6, in Malacanang. Garma said she introduced to Duterte a female police official who will be the President's new aide-de-camp. Their conversation did not last long as the President was on his way to a Cabinet meeting. "Honestly, it (the meeting) had nothing to do with our mayor... andaming nag-speculate (several persons were speculating)," she said. But had Duterte asked her about the mayor, she would have divulged Osmena's attacks against her and the local police. She promised CCPO will not take sides in local politics, saying their main duty is secure the midterm elections. Osmena accused CCPO of harassing his political allies. But Garma denied this, saying they wouldn't allow themselves to get involved in partisan politics. According to Garma, several police officers reported to her that Osmena used CCPO personnel, including the Special Weapons and Tactics team, to go after his rivals during the 2013 midterm elections. "I will not allow it this time. That's why I should always know all the moves of my personnel," she said. Meanwhile, the CCPO announced it would conduct checkpoints during the miting de avance of Barug PDP-Laban in Barangay San Nicolas on Wednesday, May 8. This is to show CCPO is non-partisan, Garma said. Garma drew flak from Osmena when CCPO conducted checkpoints during the BOPK's political rally last Sunday. Garma said she told a police station chief to check the venue of Barug PDP-Laban's activity. The party's headliners are Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella and former mayor Michael Rama who are running for mayor and vice mayor, respectively, against the reelectionist Osmena and his running mate de los Santos. Osmena had accused CCPO of acting as goons for the opposition, which Garma denied. Comelec does not allow the police to provide close-in security to politicians, but it allows them to conduct checkpoints. Garma said the aim of checkpoints is to prevent criminals from disrupting political events. She said they will put up checkpoints in all the miting de avance's entry and exit points and near the venue. (SunStar Philippines, EOB, AYB of SuperBalita Cebu, KAL) PIQUED by the tons of garbage shipped from Canada to the Philippines, President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered a ban on waste shipments from other countries, Malacanang announced Tuesday, May 7. The President gave the directive during a meeting with his Cabinet at the Malacanan Palace on Monday, May 6, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a statement. Panelo said Duterte maintained his stance that the Philippines is not a dumping site. "The President is firm that we are not garbage collectors, thus he ordered that the Philippines will no longer accept any waste from any country," the Palace official said. The Philippines, through the Basel Convention it ratified in March 1989, allows the importation of hazardous waste provided a prior informed consent is secured from the government. Environmental groups have, however, called on the government to take drastic actions to prevent illegal dumping of other nations' trash anywhere in the country. The call was renewed after Duterte threatened to launch a war against Canada, if it fails to take back heaps of trash sent to the Philippines from 2013 to 2014. A total of 103 container vans containing over 2,450 tons of waste were shipped to the Philippines in several batches. The garbage from Canadian-based firm Chronic Plastics Incorporated was initially labelled as "recyclable plastic materials," but the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) found in 2014 that it contained mixed waste such as adult diapers, non-recyclable plastics, and other household trash. Panelo said Canada, following the President's threat, pledged to pay for the cost of taking back some 69 waste containers. "On the issue of garbage from Canada, the DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources noted that the Canadian government is committed to shoulder all the expenses to ship out all the 69 waste containers," Panelo said. (SunStar Philippines) Hong Kongs security and justice ministers shot down counterproposals to the governments controversial extradition bill on Tuesday, saying they were impracticable and could not help with transferring a suspect wanted for murder in Taiwan. Just hours before they spoke Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor ruled out making changes to the bill, which has stalled in the Legislative Council since being tabled over a month ago amid filibustering by pan-democrats and opposition from the business sector and human rights groups. If passed, the bill will allow the city to conduct the case-by-case transfer of suspects to places it lacks extradition deals with, including Taiwan and mainland China. Officials said the bill had to be passed soon to send a suspect wanted for murder to Taiwan. Legal experts and lawmakers have raised counterproposals to address concerns, such as that Hongkongers could be extradited to the mainland for political reasons. The suggestions included empowering local courts with extraterritorial judicial powers to hear cases committed by residents outside the city instead of sending them to the mainland. But Secretary for Justice Teresa Cheng Yeuk-wah said the alternative proposals would change the tradition that local courts dealt only with crimes committed in Hong Kong. This would bring a fundamental change to Hong Kongs criminal legal system and the principle of territorial jurisdiction, so this suggestion cannot be adopted carelessly, Cheng said. Referring to the idea of trying Hongkongers locally, put forward by legal expert and Basic Law Committee member Albert Chen Hung-yee and two lawmakers, the pro-government Michael Tien Puk-sun and Alvin Yeung of the opposition camp, Cheng said the suggestion would also involve difficulties in gathering evidence from overseas. The justice minister said even if courts were given extraterritorial jurisdiction, the legal changes would not be retroactive, as it would be against the Bill of Rights. Story continues She said the lack of retroactivity meant the extradition bill could not apply to the Taiwan case, which happened last year. Security minister John Lee Ka-chiu stressed the urgency of passing the bill, saying serious crimes affecting Hongkongers could happen overseas at any time. Lee referred to the case involving Hongkonger Chan Tong-kai, 20, who is wanted in Taiwan for his girlfriends murder. Chan was jailed last week for 29 months on related money-laundering charges but could be released as early as October, meaning he could flee Hong Kong and escape extradition. The two ministers sidestepped the question of why officials did not try to address the Taiwan case first, before seeking long-term changes to the citys extradition laws. I have said repeatedly that at the present moment there is no legal basis to offer assistance [to Taiwan] that has been requested That is exactly the reason I have made this proposal, Lee said. The pair dodged the question of whether Hong Kong could turn down an extradition request from Beijing, with Cheng saying only that there were procedural safeguards, as the proposed process involved the courts scrutiny and the chief executive to make a final decision. An extradition decision could also be subject to a judicial review, Cheng said. But lawmakers and proponents of the alternatives were quick to criticise the governments reasoning. Tien said he was surprised, confused and disappointed by the ministers rejection. I totally agree with the secretary for justice on her point on retroactivity, Tien said. Thats why I suggested the government retract its current proposal and table two separate bills, with one to handle Chans case and the other to establish a system for Hong Kong courts to try Hongkongers who committed crimes outside the city. University of Hong Kong law professor Johannes Chan Man-mun said extraterritorial offences had always been part of the Hong Kong and common law system local courts can try cases involving theft, forgery, sexual abuse against minors and bribery overseas. The government seems to have exaggerated the problem, he said. On retroactivity, Chan said the new law could be narrowly construed, for example, by applying it only to murder cases that happened a year before the enactment date. Felix Chung Kwok-pan, leader of the pro-business Liberal Party, said Cheng did not offer enough explanations before shooting down the counterproposals. I am 100 per cent disappointed, Chung said. Only a few days ago the chief executive said they would listen to views from various sectors, and now theyve rejected them all. Pan-democrats slammed officials for not putting on the record whether Hong Kong would refuse extradition requests from Beijing, or to spell out such power in the law. Yeung said extending the courts power to outside Hong Kong did not involve questions about retroactivity, or creating new offences, because murder was always considered a crime. DIFFERENCES OF OPINION Since the governments extradition proposal was published in March, legal experts and politicians have put forward alternatives they claim would be less controversial and able to address public concerns. The government has so far directly addressed two of these proposals, the tried in Hong Kong proposal and one that extends the jurisdiction of Hong Kong courts beyond the citys borders. Tried in Hong Kong Proposed by: Basic Law Committee member Albert Chen Hung-yee, Civic Party leader Alvin Yeung and pro-establishment camp lawmaker Michael Tien Puk-sun. Proposal: Hong Kong residents could be excluded from being extradited to mainland China for crimes committed across the border, and tried locally instead. Rejected: Secretary for Justice Teresa Cheng Yeuk-wah said the plan would bring fundamental change to the citys common law system, which operated on the principle of territorial jurisdiction. Extending Hong Kong courts jurisdiction Proposed by: Bar Association and pan-democrats. Proposal: Hong Kong courts could hear overseas murder cases involving Hong Kong suspects and/or victims, by extending their jurisdiction. Rejected: Cheng said such an amendment could not handle the Taiwan murder case last year. Non-retroactive clause Proposed by: Albert Chen, backed by pro-government lawmaker Michael Tien and the Liberal Party. Proposal: The extradition bill should have no retroactive effect over acts committed before the new law was passed. It would mean the suspect involved in the Taiwan murder case last year could not be extradited. Fair trial clause Proposed by: Philip Dykes, human rights lawyer Proposal: Extradition would only be granted if it could be demonstrated a suspect could get a fair trial in the requesting jurisdiction. Revised fair trial clause Proposed by: Johannes Chan Man-mun, law professor of the University of Hong Kong Proposal: An extradition request would automatically be refused if the place was not a signatory to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and if it could not provide a sufficient guarantee in the criminal justice system. Rejected: Cheng said Singapore and Malaysia, neither of which are party to the ICCPR, did sign formal extradition treaties with Hong Kong. Deal with Taiwan case first Proposed by: Pan-democrats Proposal: To insert a sunset clause to a separate bill that would allow extradition to Taiwan for a limited period of time. The bill would lapse after that. Additional reporting by Su Xinqi More from South China Morning Post: This article Top Hong Kong officials defend controversial extradition bill, saying alternative proposals will fundamentally change legal system first appeared on South China Morning Post For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2019. For years, other U.S. states have been doing away with disenfranchising former felons, a noxious feature of a blatantly racist past that departs from Western international norms. Just three states Iowa, Kentucky and Virginia retain rules automatically imposing a lifetime ban on voting by those with felony convictions, and in Virginia, the effect was largely negated by then-Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D), who restored voting rights to more than 170,000 of them. Basically an ad populum (an appeal to a trend) (an appeal to a trend) An odd accusation of racism / apparent instance of the genetic fallacy Another ad populum / appeal to common practice (it's tres European...) "a noxious feature of a blatantly racist past" "a noxious and blatantly racist feature of our past" I don't particularly have a view on this Other than: if the voters voted it away, then it should go away.The Post editors write:By my count that's:It would have helped to have a sentence or two on the allegedly racist origins of the laws. I've long heard the claim that felon disenfranchisement was frequently part of Jim Crow, but I'd appreciate a little help here.had Jim Crow laws? 'Cause that's news to me. Did the relevant laws inoriginate in Jim Crow? Even if they did, of course, it doesn't necessarily mean that they're bad laws--that's why the genetic fallacy is a fallacy. But there's nothing fallacious about using information about origins as grounds forsomething. Anything with an origin in Jim Crow ought to be scrutinized. Maybe it'll turn out to pass muster, basically by chance. But it ought to provoke skepticism. The WaPo, now fully progressive, simply yells "racism!." That accusation isn't implausible in this case...but the left criesroutinely. It should no longer have the power to make us automatically hop to. Many and perhaps most such accusations now are bogus.This specific accusation of racism is odd, because of the way it's stated:When one would have expected:I mean, the relevant part of our pastblatantly racist...but that's different than this particularof it being blatantly racist. Maybe it's a slip-up...or maybe it's sleight-of-pen. But the latter would mean that the thing in question is racist; the former wouldn't necessarily.Anyway, there a tons of arguments about felon disenfranchisement, and I have only a passing familiarity with a few of them. I'm not qualified to speak on them. And, again: if the voters said to ditch it, FL should ditch it. I'm just complaining about the Post's specific argument. It was the first time the Arctic Council, which held its first meeting in 1996, failed to present a final declaration at the end of a ministerial meeting For the first time in over two decades, member states of the Arctic Council failed to agree on a final declaration at their bi-annual ministerial meeting on Tuesday, due to a US refusal to mention climate change. At the start of the 11th gathering of Arctic foreign ministers, in the Lapland town of Rovaniemi, Finnish Foreign Minister Timo Soini announced a change to the planned agenda, saying the final joint declaration would be replaced by ministerial statements. Several sources said it was because member states were unable to reach an agreement, with the United States alone refusing to mention climate change in the final text. "I don't name and blame anybody," Soini, who chaired the meeting, told reporters. "But of course it is clear that climate issues are different from the different viewpoints and the different capitals," he said. In place of the traditional declaration, the council released a shorter "ministerial statement", which set out future goals for the organisation but conspicuously made no mention of climate change. But Soini also took the unusual step of releasing much of the rejected declarationcomplete with climate goalsas a "chair's statement". "The hang up here right now is America making it hard to make a final agreement," Sally Swetzof of the Aleut International Association, one of six organisations representing indigenous peoples, told AFP. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo assured his Arctic counterparts that "the Trump administration shares your deep commitment to environmental stewardship". The Arctic Council groups Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden, and the United States, and their cooperation is usually frictionless. 'Doing our part' US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo assured his Arctic counterparts that "the Trump administration shares your deep commitment to environmental stewardship." He insisted America was "doing our part" in protecting the climate, and said the US has reduced emissions of black carbon more than any other Arctic Council member state. The US has repeatedly pointed to Russia's failure to submit information about its own emissions as a reason why environmental targets do not work. "Collective goals, even when well intentioned, are not always the answer," Pompeo told the meeting. "They are rendered meaningless, even counterproductive, as soon as one nation fails to comply," he said. In a speech on the eve of the meeting, Pompeo instead pledged to strengthen the US's Arctic presence to keep in check the "aggressive attitude" of China and Russia in the resource-rich region. The Arctic Council groups Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden, and the United States On Tuesday China's foreign ministry hit back at Pompeo's remarks, calling them "a misrepresentation of the facts that has ulterior motives". The Secretary of State's speech also drew strong criticism from some pressure groups. "America's Arctic ambivalence is a far greater threat than the ambitions of Russia and China combined," Victoria Herrmann of the Arctic Institute said in a statement. "With no strong fleet of icebreakers, no Arctic ambassador, and no climate change policy, America is arguably the weakest circumpolar nation, and shows no signs of correcting course," she said. Scientists have warned that global warming is progressing twice as fast in the Arctic as in the rest of the world. Representatives of the indigenous Arctic communities at the meeting called for urgent action against climate change. "The animals, birds and fish that we rely on for cultural survival are increasingly under stress," James Stotts from the Inuit Circumpolar Council said. "It's time to set the record straight. there is climate change and humans are responsible for most of it." Explore further Arctic coastal powers back 'peaceful' dialogue over disputes 2019 AFP A new study in Oxford Economic Papers suggests that developed counties may see significant economic gains from their efforts to combat terrorist threats. Developing counties, in contrast, appear to suffer economically from counterterrorism threats. Major trading countries like the United States or trading blocs like the European Union are targets of terrorist organizations. Typically, these groups, such as al-Qaida or ISIS, locate in developing countries that lack the resources to stop them from operating. During the last two decades, this resource scarcity is often complemented by radical ideologies that can be more easily implanted among disaffected people, thereby supplying terrorist recruits. As a consequence, terrorist hotbeds result in remote and difficult-to-govern areas like Afghanistan, Pakistan, Somalia, Syria, and Yemen. To protect against such attacks, targeted countries deploy defensive counterterrorism measures at home, which deflect attacks abroad. In addition, terrorism disrupts the production of goods and services in an economy. These production considerations affect global supply and demand of goods, thus changing trade patterns and the prices of imports and exports. With their limited means, terrorist organizations target both types of countries. Greater defensive counterterrorism by either country reduces terrorism at home, but potentially increases it in the other country as the terrorist group redirects its attacks. Such defensive measures may take the form of enhanced border security and greater surveillance. Counterterrorism limits the production of manufactured goods through demand for closely related resources. Guns, surveillance cameras, helicopters, police vehicles, communication grids, and other manufactured goods are required for effective defensive counterterrorism efforts. Defensive measures also require labour in terms of guards and police, who must have equipment to protect potential targets and to coordinate defensive operations. This paper investigates the interplay of trade and terrorism under free trade between a developed nation that exports a manufactured good to and imports a primary product from a developing nation. Terrorist organizations target both types of nations and reduce their attacks in response to a nation's defensive counterterrorism efforts. This reality leads the developed nation to raise its counterterrorism efforts, thus compounding its overprovision of these measures. By contrast, developing nations limit their defensive countermeasures due to the falling price of their exports. Researchers here considered a developed (e.g., United States) and a developing country (e.g., Pakistan) with two goodsmanufactured and primary. The developing country imports the manufactured good and exports the primary product. The developed country imports the primary product but exports the manufactured good to developing countries. When deciding which defensive counterterrorism measures to pursue, the developing country must weigh trade loss against its gain from containing terrorism at home. The opposite is true for the developed country, whose independent defensive choice not only augments the country's trade position as manufactured goods, which it produces, become relatively more expensive, but also deflects potential attacks abroad. Thus, the developed country has an incentive to increase its defensive measures. This asymmetry is a novel finding. The prognosis for global welfare thus is better if the developing country is more afflicted by terrorism, so that its initial overprovision is relatively greater than that of the developed country. Next, consider proactive counterterrorism measures which limit terrorist resources and prowess and are usually undersupplied by targeted countries. The developed country is now incentivized to increase its proactive efforts relative to the small-country case. Since it both produces and benefits from manufactured security goods, it will benefit from producing more of them. The developing country, however, is incentivized to decrease its substandard proactive efforts. However, the global welfare implications are now different as the developed country does more to address its underprovision for the sake of both security and economic gains, which can improve global welfare. The longer term impact of these measures cause exported primary goods to get cheaper. This asymmetry between the proactive measures of the targeted countries highlights how trade adds a novel consideration that results in somewhat more optimistic welfare findings. In terms of welfare consequences, the asymmetry between how developing and developed countries prioritize their counterterrorism choice switches, with the developed country improving its efficiency. Since the developed country is generally the main supplier of proactive counterterrorism measures, the trade effect of counterterrorism measures are likely to improve global welfare. "This article shows that counterterrorism must be investigated in a way that accounts for subtle, but important, trade consequences," said one of the paper's authors, Todd Sandler. Explore further US lawmakers: social media answers on extremist content too vague Photo: Zach Gibson/Getty Images Some schoolyard rules still apply to political life: Bullies often win, and if you ask a group of people to stop making fun of you, most likely theyre going to continue to do so. Thus, when Education Secretary Betsy DeVos expressed frustration regarding the use of her name as clickbait, naturally, it made for a promising piece of short, click-inspiring journalism. Speaking on Monday at the Education Writers Association conference in Baltimore, DeVos told the crowd that as much as many in the media use my name as clickbait or try to make it all about me, its not. Speaking voluntarily in front of a room full of people, DeVos said, I dont enjoy the publicity that comes with my position. I dont love being up onstage or on any kind of platform. Im an introvert. DeVos is most likely referring to the March debacle over the Education Departments proposed 2020 budget, which aimed to cut all federal funding for the extremely popular Special Olympics program. (She could also be referring to the January 2018 lawsuit in which she was sued for rolling back campus sexual-assault protections in January, or when Parkland survivors called her visit a publicity stunt in March 2018.) DeVos, who donated a quarter of her salary to the Special Olympics, had to defend the proposed cut to a Democratic House for the first time in her tenure as Education secretary, which led to a bout of public lambasting. I still cant understand why you would go after disabled children in your budget, Representative Barbara Lee told DeVos during a House Appropriations Subcommittee on Education hearing in March. Its appalling. Subcommittee chair Rosa DeLauro asked, How can you support this budget? I mean that genuinely. Soon after the hearing, Trump canceled the potential cut, but not soon enough to save DeVos from waves of public criticism. DeVos also shared her consternation over the critiques of her passion policy: charter schools. Charter schools are public schools, DeVos told the teachers conference in Baltimore. There are many different mechanisms that empower families to choose the education thats right for their children. And they are just that, mechanisms. But some critics claim that the publicly funded, privately managed charters are an unnecessary drain on public-school funding and an unintentional source of school segregation. In 2010, the Civil Rights Project at UCLA called charter schools a civil rights failure, and in 2016, the NAACP called for a moratorium on charters until public funds are not diverted to charter schools at the expense of the public school system. If DeVos doesnt want to face the criticism anymore, she can always set herself adrift on her $40 million yacht one of ten such vessels that she and her family own. Students at Evanston Township High School test BioBits kits, developed at Northwestern University. Credit: Claire Barclay How can high school students learn about a technology as complex and abstract as CRISPR? It's simple: just add water. A Northwestern University-led team has developed BioBits, a suite of hands-on educational kits that enable students to perform a range of biological experiments by adding water and simple reagents to freeze-dried cell-free reactions. The kits link complex biological concepts to visual, fluorescent readouts, so students knowafter a few hours and with a single glancethe results of their experiments. After launching BioBits last summer, the researchers are now expanding the kit to include modules for CRISPR and antibiotic resistance. A small group of Chicago-area teachers and high school students just completed the first pilot study for these new modules, which include interactive experiments and supplementary materials exploring ethics and strategies. "After we unveiled the first kits, we next wanted to tackle current topics that are important for society," said Northwestern's Michael Jewett, principal investigator of the study. "That led us to two areas: antibiotic resistance and gene editing." Called BioBits Health, the new kits and pilot study are detailed in a paper published today (May 7) in the journal ACS Synthetic Biology. Jewett is a professor of chemical and biological engineering in Northwestern's McCormick School of Engineering and co-director of Northwestern's Center for Synthetic Biology. Jessica Stark, a graduate student in Jewett's laboratory, led the study. Test in a tube Instead of using live cells, the BioBits team removed the essential cellular machinery from inside the cells and freeze-dried them for shelf stability. Keeping cells alive and contained for an extended period of time involves several complicated, time-consuming preparation and processing steps as well as expensive equipment. Freeze-dried cell-free reactions bypass those complications and costs. "These are essentially test-tube biological reactions," said Stark, a National Science Foundation graduate research fellow. "We break the cells open and use their guts, which still contain all of the necessary biological machinery to carry out a reaction. We no longer need living cells to demonstrate biology." Students at Evanston Township High School test BioBits kits, developed at Northwestern University. Credit: Claire Barclay This method to harness biological systems without intact, living cells became possible over the last two decades thanks to multiple innovations, including many in cell-free synthetic biology by Jewett's lab. Not only are these experiments doable in the classroom, they also only cost pennies compared to standard high-tech experimental designs. "I'm hopeful that students get excited about engineering biology and want to learn more," Jewett said. Conquering CRISPR One of the biggest scientific breakthroughs of the past decade, CRISPR (pronounced "crisper") stands for Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats. The powerful gene-editing technology uses enzymes to cut DNA in precise locations to turn off or edit targeted genes. It could be used to halt genetic diseases, develop new medicines, make food more nutritious and much more. BioBits Health uses three components required for CRISPR: an enzyme called the Cas9 protein, a target DNA sequence encoding a fluorescent protein and an RNA molecule that targets the fluorescent protein gene. When students add all three componentsand waterto the freeze-dried cell-free system, it creates a reaction that edits, or cuts, the DNA for the fluorescent protein. If the DNA is cut, the system does not glow. If the DNA is not cut, the fluorescent protein is made, and the system glows fluorescent. "We have linked this abstract, really advanced biological concept to the presence or absence of a fluorescent protein," Stark said. "It's something students can see, something they can visually understand." The curriculum also includes activities that challenge students to consider the ethical questions and dilemmas surrounding the use of gene-editing technologies. "There is a lot of excitement about being able to edit genomes with these technologies," Jewett said. "BioBits Health calls attention to a lot of important questionsnot only about how CRISPR technology works but about ethics that society should be thinking about. We hope that this promotes a conversation and dialogue about such technologies." Students at Evanston Township High School test BioBits kits, developed at Northwestern University. Credit: Claire Barclay Reducing resistance Jewett and Stark are both troubled by a prediction that, by the year 2050, drug-resistant bacterial infections could outpace cancer as a leading cause of death. This motivated them to help educate the future generation of scientists about how antibiotic resistance emerges and inspire them to take actions that could help limit the emergence of resistant bacteria. In this module, students run two sets of reactions to produce a glowing fluorescent proteinone set with an antibiotic resistance gene and one set without. Students then add antibiotics. If the experiment glows, the fluorescent protein has been made, and the reaction has become resistant to antibiotics. If the experiment does not glow, then the antibiotic has worked. "Because we're using cell-free systems rather than organisms, we can demonstrate drug resistance in a way that doesn't create drug-resistant bacteria," Stark explained. "We can demonstrate these concepts without the risks." A supporting curriculum piece challenges students to brainstorm and research strategies for slowing the rate of emerging antibiotic resistant strains. Part of something cool After BioBits was launched in summer 2018, 330 schools from around the globe requested prototype kits for their science labs. The research team, which includes members from Northwestern and MIT, has received encouraging feedback from teachers, students and parents. "The students felt like scientists and doctors by touching and using the laboratory materials provided during the demo," one teacher said. "Even the students who didn't seem engaged were secretly paying attention and wanted to take their turn pipetting. They knew they were part of something really cool, so we were able to connect with them in a way that was new to them." "My favorite part was using the equipment," a student said. "It was a fun activity that immerses you into what top scientists are currently doing." More information: Jessica C. Stark et al, BioBits Health: Classroom Activities Exploring Engineering, Biology, and Human Health with Fluorescent Readouts, ACS Synthetic Biology (2019). Journal information: ACS Synthetic Biology Jessica C. Stark et al, BioBits Health: Classroom Activities Exploring Engineering, Biology, and Human Health with Fluorescent Readouts,(2019). DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.8b00381 Credit: University of California - Santa Barbara These are the adventures of the "StarChip Wafersize." UC Santa Barbara students sent up, via balloon, a prototype miniature spacecraft that might eventually become the "wafercraft" that researchers posit could be propelled by lasers to achieve space travel at relativistic speeds to reach nearby star systems and exoplanets. So begins a journey, funded by NASA and several private foundations, that may one day lead to interstellar travel. "It's part of a process of building for the future, and along the way you test each part of the system to refine it," said UC Santa Barbara physics professor and experimental cosmologist Philip Lubin. "It's part of a long-term program to develop miniature spacecraft for interplanetary and eventually for interstellar flight." The prototype wafer scale spacecraft (WSS) is small enough to fit in the palm of one hand. It was launched into the stratosphere above Pennsylvania, to an altitude of 105,000 feet (32 km)three times that of commercial airplanesto gauge its functionality and performance. The launch was conducted in collaboration with the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis on April 12, 201958 years to the day that Russian cosmonaut and pilot Yuri Gagarin became the first human to complete orbital space flight. "It was designed to have many of the functions of much larger spacecraft, such as imaging, data transmission, including laser communications, attitude determination and magnetic field sensing," said Nic Rupert, a development engineer in Lubin's lab. "Due to the rapid advancements in microelectronics we can shrink a spacecraft into a much smaller format than has been done before for specialized applications such as ours." The spacecraft prototype worked flawlessly and collected more than 4000 images of the Earth in what Rupert said was "an excellent first flight and it will evolve dramatically from here." The project's goal, as the device's name suggests, is to build an ultra-lightweight (gram scale) silicon wafer with embedded electronics, capable of being shot into space while relaying data back to Earth. For the distance the researchers want to achieveroughly 25 trillion miles, or 40 trillion kilometers, cruising at a significant fraction of the speed of lightthe technology required is daunting. "Ordinary chemical propulsion, such as that which took us to the moon nearly 50 years ago to the day, would take nearly one hundred thousand years to get to the nearest star system, Alpha Centauri," Lubin said. "And even advanced propulsion such as ion engines would take many thousands of years. There is only one known technology that is able to reach the nearby stars within a human lifetime and that is using light itself as the propulsion system." Known as directed energy propulsion, the technology requires building an extremely large array of lasers to act as the propulsion. This system does not travel with the spacecraft; it remains on Earth. "If you have a large enough laser array, you can actually push the wafers with a laser sail to get to our goal of 20 percent of the speed of light," Rupert said. "Then you'd be at Alpha Centauri in something like 20 years." Part of a NASA-funded endeavor called Starlight, the effort is supported also by the Breakthrough Foundation, where it is known as Starshot. UC Santa Barbara initiated the project in 2009 with modest funding from NASA's Spacegrant program, receiving additional funds in 2015 via NASA Advanced Concepts. The UC Santa Barbara team then approached billionaire tech investor Yuri Milner's Breakthrough Foundation in 2016 to share the implications of the technology. In April of that same year, the foundation announced it would undertake a $100 million effort to back this program. The purpose is to answer one of humanity's biggest existential questions: Are we alone in the universe? And one way to find out, according to the researchers, is to visit nearby exoplanets by sending a multitude of these tiny spacecraft to nearby star systems. These chips would contain nanoscale cameras, navigation equipment, communications technology and other systems to search nearby exoplanets far beyond our solar system for evidence of life. Still another facet of the UC Santa Barbara project involves sending life from Earth into space. The researchers want to to test the idea of transporting life over vast distances using radiation-hardened, cryo sleep-capable, space-hardy tiny animalsspecifically, tardigrades and the nematode c. elegans. But first, the technology has to exist. Thanks to advances in photonics and silicon electronics, seeds of the final products have been planted, say the scientists. Repeated attempts to send the evolving hardware into ever-farther reaches of our atmosphere, and gradually into outer space and beyond, are what they hope will seal the deal. "The point of building these things is to know what we want to include in the next version, in the next chip," said David Mc Carthy, a graduate student in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. "You start with off-the-shelf components because you can iterate quickly and inexpensively." At this stage, he said, the idea is to see how well the hardware works under increasingly harsh conditions, including freezing temperatures, extended exposure to radiation such as cosmic rays and collisions with particles between Earth and the stars (the interstellar medium), and the hard vacuum of space. The momentum is building. An interdisciplinary undergraduate group, consisting of students from physics, engineering, chemistry and biology, are conducting balloon flights to gather data that may eventually inform the development of future versions of the wafercraft. As the technology becomes increasingly sophisticated, the researchers said, they can engage the semiconductor industry to turn out these tiny spacechips in bulk at low cost. Meanwhile, innovations in silicon optics and integrated wafer-scale photonics are making it possible to reduce the costs of the laser array used for launching these spacecraft. Faculty and researchers in UC Santa Barbara's electrical and computer engineering department are playing a critical role. "It's not that unrealistic to think that we can make one-gram pieces of silicon that are going to have everything we want on them," Mc Carthy said. Ultimately shooting for interstellar space, which is still quite a way off, the group is aiming for a suborbital first flight next year. The development of such technology paves the way toward a variety of space missions that would have been considered too costly or impossible with conventional chemical rocket-powered technology. Potential benefits of the core technology? Much shorter trip times to Mars than is currently possible; planetary defense against asteroids and comets; mitigating space debris, boosting Earth-orbiting satellites, or remotely powering distant solar system outposts, among many others, noted Lubin. "It enables a whole class of technological abilities," he said, of directed energy propulsion. "Some of the more interesting, short-term ones would involve interplanetary missions." The UCSB group has published over technical 50 papers on the transformational technology they are developing and the radical implications it has for human exploration. Explore further Team to investigate possibility of using directed energy propulsion for interstellar travel Doctoral student in sociology Robert Manduca has authored a new study examining rising income inequality. Credit: Jon Chase/Harvard file photo There's an old saying about a rising tide lifting all boatsand for more than a century, as the gap between the richest and poorest parts of the U.S. shrank, it seemed as though, in America at least, it might be true. In recent decades, however, the tide has turned. Over the past 40 years, the gap between rich and poor communities has increased dramatically, and Robert Manduca believes a large measure of the change can be chalked up to rising income inequality. A Ph.D. student in the Sociology and Social Policy degree program in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Manduca is the author of a study that shows that in recent decades, the number of people living in communities at the extreme ends of the income scale has increased threefold, and more than half of the change is due to increases in income inequality at the national level. The study is described in a March 25 paper published in Social Forces. "In 1980, only about 12 percent of the population lived in places that were especially rich or especially poor," Manduca said. "By 2013, it was over 30 percent. So what we're seeing is a polarization, where people are increasingly living in places that are either much richer or much poorer than the country overall." While part of that shift is due to what he called "sorting"the notion that high-earning people and high-paying jobs have become more geographically concentratedManduca said the lion's share of the change is the result of rising inequality. Since the 1970s, income growth for the richest people and places has far outpaced the relatively modest increases seen elsewhere, leading to stark divergence between regions of the country. "It's not so much that the spatial distribution of people who are in the richest few percentiles has changed, but that being in those top 1 or 2 percent is now associated with having a much higher income," Manduca said. "So it may be that people at the top end of the income distribution were already living in cities like New York or San Francisco, and now that they're getting a much larger share of the pie, they are dragging their cities along with them." To understand how that shift happened and what contributed to it, Manduca conducted a relatively simple experimentby acting as though it hadn't. "The way I got at this was by doing a series of counterfactual simulations," he said. "You can think of the overall amount of regional divergence as being driven by these two forcesrising inequality and sortingand the experiment basically pretends that only one of those things happened at a time. "If I hold income inequality constant at 1980 levels and allow the sorting to happen, and calculate the amount of divergence that would have occurred, it goes up by about 23 percent of the true amount," he continued. "But if you do the reverse, and allow income inequality to increase while holding sorting constant, you see more than 50 percent of the divergence that actually happened. That means that income inequality is the bigger driver of divergence." Going forward, Manduca said, he hopes to explore whether and how national-level policy changes in the 1970s and 1980s contributed to increases in regional income divergence. "There were all these national economic policy changesfinancial deregulation, weaker antitrust enforcement, a lower federal minimum wagethat we don't typically think of as having a spatial component to them. But they really do. They benefited some parts of the country much more than others." Ultimately, Manduca said, the study suggests that attracting new industries and high-paying jobs to poorer cities, while beneficial, may not be sufficient to counteract the widening income gap. "That's been one of the big takeaways from this paper," Manduca said. "A lot of the work that looked into regional divergence in the past ended up asking questions like, 'Why are people in biotech going to Boston, and how can we get them to go to other locations instead?' And this paper suggests that is maybe not the way we're going to solve this problem." Explore further Study finds that income inequality is driving growing income gap between different regions This story is published courtesy of the Harvard Gazette, Harvard University's official newspaper. For additional university news, visit Harvard.edu. Google's Alexander Hunter gives a demonstration of the Nest Hub Max at the Google I/O conference in Mountain View, Calif., Tuesday, May 7, 2019. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) Google announced new privacy tools Tuesday intended to give people more control over how they're being tracked on the go or in their own home, part of a broader effort by big tech companies to counter increasing scrutiny of their data collection practices. Trouble is, few experts appear ready to celebrate Google's moves. CEO Sundar Pichai kicked off the company's annual developer conference by noting that the company wants to do more to stay ahead of "constantly evolving user expectations" on privacy. That focus echoed throughout the day, with the company demonstrating how many of its artificial intelligence capabilitiesincluding some facial recognition and voice searchesare beginning to be processed on devices, rather than by constantly sending information to company servers. Some critics, however, say Google's privacy updates sidestep more substantial changes that could threaten its ad-driven business model. "They're sort of marginal improvements," said Jeremy Tillman, president of Ghostery, which provides ad-blocking and anti-tracking software. "They are not bad, but they almost seem like they're designed to give the company a better messaging push instead of making wholesale improvements to user privacy." Google also announced updates for its artificially intelligent voice assistant as well as a cheaper Pixel phone and a rebranding of its smart-home products. Google CEO Sundar Pichai speaks during the keynote address of the Google I/O conference in Mountain View, Calif., Tuesday, May 7, 2019. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) Data privacy and security at Google and its Big Tech counterparts have been under the microscope for more than a year now. Facebook dedicated much of its own conference last week to connecting people though more private channels rather than broadly on the social network. Google announced smaller but tangible changes across many of its products. The company makes billions of dollars annually by selling digital ads that are targeted at the interests people reveal through their search requests and data collected by Google apps and services. For instance, the company said it will extend an "incognito mode" feature to its Google Maps and search apps. When activated, the app won't record user searches or movements, analogous to how the same feature works in its Chrome browser and YouTube now. The latest version of Google's Android phone software will also alert users when apps may be exploiting access to phone location data, which Stephanie Cuthbertson, an Android senior director, called "some of your most personal information." Android Q, as the new operating system is currently known, will also let users restrict apps' access to location more generallyfor instance, by only allowing apps currently in use to gather the data. (Some apps record location data continuously in the background.) A group of attendees take photos while waiting in line for the keynote address of the Google I/O conference in Mountain View, Calif., Tuesday, May 7, 2019. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) Location data has been a sore subject for Google. In 2018, an Associated Press investigation found that Google continued storing phone location data even when users turned off a "location history" setting in Android. The company also revealed plans to overhaul Chrome to let users rein in so-called tracking cookies, which are bits of software that follow people around on the web. The move, which could have major repercussions for the digital advertising industry, would require companies to identify cookies used by third-party websites and advertisers to track users. "Unimpressive," declared Princeton computer scientist Jonathan Mayer, who said the scheme would be easy for advertisers to evade. "This is not privacy leadershipthis is privacy theater." In coming months, Google said that change will enable users to clear most of those tracking cookies without disturbing others that keep users logged into sites or that personalize website settings. Chrome currently only allows people to clear all cookies. Developer Jesus Suarez wears Google Glass glasses waits for the keynote address of the Google I/O conference in Mountain View, Calif., Tuesday, May 7, 2019. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) In this Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2017, file photo, Google CEO Sundar Pichai speaks during a news conference in New Delhi. Pichai is expected to showcase much-anticipated updates to the company's hardware lines and artificial intelligence Tuesday, May 7, 2019, during his keynote at the company's annual I/O conference for software developers. (AP Photo/Tsering Topgyal, File) Google CEO Sundar Pichai speaks during the keynote address of the Google I/O conference in Mountain View, Calif., Tuesday, May 7, 2019. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) Google's Sabrina Ellis speaks about features on the Pixel 3a phone during the keynote address of the Google I/O conference in Mountain View, Calif., Tuesday, May 7, 2019. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) Google's Aparna Chennapragada speaks during the keynote address of the Google I/O conference in Mountain View, Calif., Tuesday, May 7, 2019. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) Google's Sabrina Ellis speaks about features on the Pixel 3a phone during the keynote address of the Google I/O conference in Mountain View, Calif., Tuesday, May 7, 2019. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) Google's Stephanie Cuthbertson speaks during the keynote address of the Google I/O conference in Mountain View, Calif., Tuesday, May 7, 2019. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) The audio jack is shown on a Google Pixel 3a XL phone at the Google I/O conference in Mountain View, Calif., Tuesday, May 7, 2019. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) Google Pixel 3a phones are displayed at the Google I/O conference in Mountain View, Calif., Tuesday, May 7, 2019. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) The camera on a Google Pixel 3a XL phone is displayed at the Google I/O conference in Mountain View, Calif., Tuesday, May 7, 2019. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) A Google Pixel 3a phone is shown at the Google I/O conference in Mountain View, Calif., Tuesday, May 7, 2019. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) Google's Kayitta Johnson gives a demonstration of the Nest Hub Max at the Google I/O conference in Mountain View, Calif., Tuesday, May 7, 2019. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) Google's Stephanie Cuthbertson speaks about foldables during the keynote address of the Google I/O conference in Mountain View, Calif., Tuesday, May 7, 2019. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) In this May 8, 2018, file photo, a Waymo logo is displayed on the door of a car at the Google I/O conference in Mountain View, Calif. Google's self-driving car spinoff Waymo is teaming up with Lyft in Arizona to attempt to lure passengers away from ride-hailing market leader Uber. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File) Competing browsers such as Apple's Safari and Mozilla's Firefox already build in privacy tools to block sites from tracking online activity. To Marc Rotenberg, president of the Electronic Privacy Information Center, the privacy measures remain unimpressive. "Unless the Federal Trade Commission is prepared to bring enforcement actions against companies, these promises to protect privacy matter very little," he said. On the AI front, Google said its digital assistant will get a series of updates this year, including one that lets it book rental cars and movie tickets. Google says its assistant will be able to make the bookings using online forms on Android phones later this year. The technology behind this, called Duplex, was announced with much fanfare last year when Google demonstrated it making a call to book a restaurant reservation. Google CEO Sundar Pichai speaks during the keynote address of the Google I/O conference in Mountain View, Calif., Tuesday, May 7, 2019. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) The Google Assistant will get shrunk down so that it can work directly on a phone, eliminating the need to communicate with Google's cloud servers to understand and act on certain commands. The phone-only capability will be available on new Pixel phones later this year. Google also announced a new, cheaper Pixel phone and a larger smart home display called the Nest Hub Max. Both are packed with AI capabilities, including many that take place on-device without sending information to servers. That might give Google slightly less information about its customers, said Gartner analyst Werner Goertz. But Google collects information across its many products, and it might not even greatly miss the data it foregoes, he said. The Nest Hub Max signals the integration of Nest into Google. The $229 display screen is similar to last year's Google Home Hub , now renamed the Nest Hub, although the new product adds a camera made for video calling that can be turned on and off. The hub can also be set to recognize different household members using facial recognitionagain all the device itself, not in the cloud. Explore further Google expected to show off new hardware, AI at annual event 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. From Amazon rainforests to the Arctic Circle, indigenous peoples are under siege. Waiapi people cross the Feliz river by barge in Amapa state, Brazil From Amazon rainforests to the Arctic Circle, indigenous peoples are leveraging ancestral knowhow to protect habitats that have sustained them for hundreds and even thousands of years, according to a landmark UN assessment of biodiversity released Monday. But these "guardians of nature" are under siege, warns the first major UN scientific report to fully consider indigenous knowledge and management practices. Whether it is logging, agribusiness and cattle ranching in the tropics, or climate change warming the poles twice as fast as the global average, an unrelenting economic juggernaut fuelled by coal, oil and gas is ravaging the natural world, the grim report found. A million of Earth's estimated eight million species are at risk of extinction, and an area of tropical forest five times the size of England has been destroyed since 2014. "Indigenous peoples and local communities are facing growing resource extraction, commodity production, along with mining, transport and energy infrastructure," with dire impacts on livelihoods and health, the report concluded. Experts estimate that there are some 300 million indigenous people living in mostly undisturbed natural areas, and another 600 million in "local communities" striding the natural and built worlds. At least a quarter of global lands are traditionally owned, managed or occupied by indigenous groups, the UN Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) found. Map showing forest cover since 2000, in the five most affected countries Pushing the boundaries "Indigenous peoples have truly been guardians of Nature for the rest of society," Eduardo Brondizio, co-chair of the UN report and a professor of Anthropology at Indiana University Bloomington, told AFP. Research has shown, for example, that forests under indigenous management are more effective carbon sinks and are less prone to wildfires than many so-called "protected areas" controlled by business concessions. "We have been guardians of our lands for millennia and have deep interaction with ecosystems where we live," said Lakpa Nuri Sherpa, a Sherpa activist from eastern Nepal. "Our lands are among the most biodiverse on the planet." But nearly three-quarters of regions worldwide under indigenous stewardship have seen a decline in most measure of biodiversity and ecosystem health, the report found. "The pressures on them continue to be enormous," said Brondizio. Schoolchildren play on melting ice at Yupik Eskimo village of Napakiak on the Yukon Delta in Alaska, where climate change threatens entire communities "The global economy keeps pushing the boundaries of resource extraction" deeper into indigenous territory, he said. "Indigenous peoples have been retreating from those economic frontiers for 500 years, but get caught every time." Globally, the pace of deforestation is staggering. Last year, the tropics lost an area almost the size of England, a total of 120,000 square kilometres (46,000 square miles). Almost a third of that area, some 36,000 km2, was pristine primary rainforest. Timber traffickers In Brazilhome to nearly half of the world's plant and animal specieslandowners fell multi-storied trees to make way for soya bean crops, rogue miners pollute rivers, and timber traffickers steal valuable species. Progression of deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon, with total area by state "It is like using the goose that lays golden eggs to make soup," said Brondizio. The livestock industry is a double climate threat: it destroys forests to make way for grazing land and soy crops to feed cattle, and generates huge amounts of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Extraction industries of all kinds have found an ardent backer in far-right President Jair Bolsonaro, who came into office in January. "I am worried," said Brondizio, who is Brazilian, noting the weakening of environmental protections and an increase in the vilification of indigenous peoples. Everywhere in the tropics, local populations that push back against big business and their backers are at risk. More than 200 environmental campaignershalf from indigenous tribes in tropical forestswere murdered in 2017, according to watchdog group Global Witness. "Our global home is under threat, and Nature is in decline, all driven by an economic and political system that favours increasing consumption and growth over living in harmony with Nature," said Aroha Te Pareake Mead, a member of the Ngati Awa and Ngati Porou Maori tribes in New Zealand. 2019 AFP Michigan State University has published a first-of-its-kind study, published in the journal Beverages, that shows the respectable economic impact of burgeoning beer and craft beers' entire value chain on the state of Michigan. Not only does the study accurately quantify Michigan's industry, but it also provides a model for all states to precisely measure their own craft beer industry. Credit: Lauren Ann Davies Need some economic growth? Grab a cold craft beer (industry). Michigan State University has published a first-of-its-kind study, published in the journal Beverages, that shows the respectable economic impact of burgeoning beer and craft beers' entire value chain on the state of Michigan. Not only does the study accurately quantify Michigan's industry, but it also provides a model for all states to precisely measure their own craft beer industry. The industry is a substantial driver in Michigan, too, generating nearly $500 million in gross state product in 2016, contributing nearly $1 billion and 9,738 jobs in total aggregate economic contributions. The impact could change the lens in which craft beer is viewed, said Trey Malone, MSU agricultural economist and the study's lead author. "Our results show that state governments might generate economic growth by creating a business climate that's conducive to the growth of the craft beer value chain," he said. "It's definitely an industry worth fostering." The value chain, which the researchers describe in detail, goes well beyond the brewery from which the pint was purchased. Michigan had three microbreweries in 1993; today there's more than 330and that number is growing. In comparison, Michigan has more than twice as many breweries than the entire U.S. had in 1978. Michigan ranks fourth in the number of breweriesfirst, east of the Mississippi Riverand 11th overall in terms of craft beer production. To feed this growth, hop and barley production have grown exponentially in quantity and quality. "Specifically, hops grown in Michigan have clear attributes that differentiate varieties from those grown in Washington, Idaho and Oregonlarge, hop-producing states," said Steven Miller, study co-author and director of the Center for Economic Analysis and assistant professor of agriculture, food and resource economics. "In fact, there's untapped potential for local hops and barley; the economic impact would be greater if consumers demand local ingredients in Michigan's craft beers." Hop and barley farmers would appreciate that as well. Each pint that's pulled, every can cracked open, trickles down to them. "Every dollar they make comes from someone buying a Michigan beer," said Phil Howard, study co-author and MSU associate professor of community sustainability. "And that's not the case with Budweiser or Coors Light." As the industry grows, so does the variety of value-chain contributors. The number of maltsters, specialty malt producers, has grown to help meet demand. Wheat and rye also are grown in Michigan, providing a nearly complete local agricultural value chain for craft beer productionone of only six states that could achieve this status. Along with brewers, maltsters and farmers, legislators also play a critical role in industry development. States can impede or support the development of local and regional breweries and restrict the entrepreneurial activity at all levels of the value chain. "State laws regulate every step of the value chain, and it's formidable," Malone said. "In Michigan, the legislative approach can be summed up as cautious but progressive." In comparison, states such as Mississippi and Alabama only recently made it legal to brew beer at home. Even Michigan's southern neighbor, Indiana, permitted Sunday beer sales just last year. "Some states focus on attracting new industries to create new jobs, but economists now recognize the value of import substitution as a way to boost regional economies; the 'buy-local' movement, increasing purchases within one's own region, is a key embodiment of this concept," Malone said. "So, regulation without a full understanding of the economic contributions can result in money and opportunities left on the table." And that's a concept worth toasting. Explore further Craft breweries increase residential property values More information: Beverages, www.mdpi.com/2306-5710/5/2/35 'Another time XV', by Antony Gormley, standing at the entrance to the small island of Delos, looking across to Mykonos A stone's throw from the Greek island of Mykonos lies Delos, an uninhabited islet a world away from its neighbour's glamorous nightlife. It is there, on an island best known for its archaeological treasures, that British contemporary artist Antony Gormley is showing 29 of his sculptures. Gormley is perhaps best known for his gigantic Angel of the North, a 20-metre high steel work that since 1998 has been an unmissable landmark in its home at Gateshead, northern England. But this new exhibitionincluding five works specially created for the eventsets his contemporary work among the remains of ancient Greece. "It's an extraordinary responsibility," Gormley told AFP at the opening. "It's an amazing privilege to occupy a site that hasn't been occupied by a living artist (for) over two thousand yearsthat's a bit of a challenge isn't it?" The archaeological finds on Delos date back as far as the 3rd millennium BC up to the Hellenic era of classical Greece. Its UNESCO World Heritage listing describes it as an "exceptionally extensive and rich" site, reflecting its past as a cosmopolitan port. The exhibition is intended as a dialogue between contemporary civilisation and the past, says Elina Kountouri, who heads up NEON, the non-profit that organised the show along with London's Whitechapel Gallery. The UNESCO World Heritage listing for Delos describes it as an 'exceptionally extensive and rich' site A mark of the respect accorded to the site is that none of Gormley's sculptures have been placed inside the ruins of the ancient sanctuaries of the Greek gods Apollo and Artemis. According to Greek myth, Delos is where the two godsbrother and sisterwere born. 'A conversation about time' Gormley's silhouettes in steel have been installed on different parts of the island, which covers only 3.5 square kilometres (1.4 square miles). Some can be seen as you approach the island by boat from Mykonos, such as the figure of man standing at the northern extremity of Delos. Antony Gormley's 'Settlement III', among the ruins on the island of Delos Antony Gormley's steel sculpture 'Shift II' lies among sculptures from ancient Greece dating back more than 2,000 years Another stands in the water at the entry to the island's port, a third at the entrance to an ancient site. For Gormley, Delos is "an extraordinary place to think about the human project...". And of his exhibition, he says: "For me this is a conversation about time. I think sculpture deals with time in an era (when) nobody has time. "For me, Delos as an island has this light and atmosphere and feeling that it timelessor outside the industrial time we are living." But even if ancient gods are gone, we worship at other altars today, he adds. '6 Times Left' Antony Gormley: his works have been scattered around the small island "I don't live in a world that is commanded or guided by gods...," he says. "I live in a world that seems to be ruled by money and I'm trying both to resist that and recognise it. "It's been for me a real learning curve: how to listen to the marks that are already herehow to respond to the geology." Gormley's exhibition, "Sight", runs on the island until October 30. Explore further New book explores meaning of figurines in Delos 2019 AFP Matt Osman, a graduate student in MITs Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, overlooking a frozen Baffin Bay to the west, Nuussuaq Peninsula Ice Cap, west Greenland. Credit: Luke Trusel (Rowan University) Virtually all marine life depends on the productivity of phytoplanktonmicroscopic organisms that work tirelessly at the ocean's surface to absorb the carbon dioxide that gets dissolved into the upper ocean from the atmosphere. Through photosynthesis, these microbes break down carbon dioxide into oxygen, some of which ultimately gets released back to the atmosphere, and organic carbon, which they store until they themselves are consumed. This plankton-derived carbon fuels the rest of the marine food web, from the tiniest shrimp to giant sea turtles and humpback whales. Now, scientists at MIT, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), and elsewhere have found evidence that phytoplankton's productivity is declining steadily in the North Atlantic, one of the world's most productive marine basins. In a paper appearing today in Nature, the researchers report that phytoplankton's productivity in this important region has gone down around 10 percent since the mid-19th century and the start of the Industrial era. This decline coincides with steadily rising surface temperatures over the same period of time. Matthew Osman, the paper's lead author and a graduate student in MIT's Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences and the MIT/WHOI Joint Program in Oceanography, says there are indications that phytoplankton's productivity may decline further as temperatures continue to rise as a result of human-induced climate change. Ice core field camp on a clear spring evening, Disko Island Ice Cap, west Greenland. Credit: Luke Trusel (Rowan University) "It's a significant enough decline that we should be concerned," Osman says. "The amount of productivity in the oceans roughly scales with how much phytoplankton you have. So this translates to 10 percent of the marine food base in this region that's been lost over the industrial era. If we have a growing population but a decreasing food base, at some point we're likely going to feel the effects of that decline." Drilling through "pancakes" of ice Osman and his colleagues looked for trends in phytoplankton's productivity using the molecular compound methanesulfonic acid, or MSA. When phytoplankton expand into large blooms, certain microbes emit dimethylsulfide, or DMS, an aerosol that is lofted into the atmosphere and eventually breaks down as either sulfate aerosol, or MSA, which is then deposited on sea or land surfaces by winds. "Unlike sulfate, which can have many sources in the atmosphere, it was recognized about 30 years ago that MSA had a very unique aspect to it, which is that it's only derived from DMS, which in turn is only derived from these phytoplankton blooms," Osman says. "So any MSA you measure, you can be confident has only one unique sourcephytoplankton." In the North Atlantic, phytoplankton likely produced MSA that was deposited to the north, including across Greenland. The researchers measured MSA in Greenland ice coresin this case using 100- to 200-meter-long columns of snow and ice that represent layers of past snowfall events preserved over hundreds of years. Iceberg in Disko Bay, west Greenland. Credit: Luke Trusel (Rowan University) "They're basically sedimentary layers of ice that have been stacked on top of each other over centuries, like pancakes," Osman says. The team analyzed 12 ice cores in all, each collected from a different location on the Greenland ice sheet by various groups from the 1980s to the present. Osman and his advisor Sarah Das, an associate scientist at WHOI and co-author on the paper, collected one of the cores during an expedition in April 2015. "The conditions can be really harsh," Osman says. "It's minus 30 degrees Celsius, windy, and there are often whiteout conditions in a snowstorm, where it's difficult to differentiate the sky from the ice sheet itself." The team was nevertheless able to extract, meter by meter, a 100-meter-long core, using a giant drill that was delivered to the team's location via a small ski-equipped airplane. They immediately archived each ice core segment in a heavily insulated cold storage box, then flew the boxes on "cold deck flights"aircraft with ambient conditions of around minus 20 degrees Celsius. Once the planes touched down, freezer trucks transported the ice cores to the scientists' ice core laboratories. "The whole process of how one safely transports a 100-meter section of ice from Greenland, kept at minus-20-degree conditions, back to the United States is a massive undertaking," Osman says. Retrieving an ice core section from the drill barrel during a west Greenland snowstorm, west Greenland Ice Sheet. Credit: Sarah Das (WHOI) Cascading effects The team incorporated the expertise of researchers at various labs around the world in analyzing each of the 12 ice cores for MSA. Across all 12 records, they observed a conspicuous decline in MSA concentrations, beginning in the mid-19th century, around the start of the Industrial era when the widescale production of greenhouse gases began. This decline in MSA is directly related to a decline in phytoplankton productivity in the North Atlantic. "This is the first time we've collectively used these ice core MSA records from all across Greenland, and they show this coherent signal. We see a long-term decline that originates around the same time as when we started perturbing the climate system with industrial-scale greenhouse-gas emissions," Osman says. "The North Atlantic is such a productive area, and there's a huge multinational fisheries economy related to this productivity. Any changes at the base of this food chain will have cascading effects that we'll ultimately feel at our dinner tables." The multicentury decline in phytoplankton productivity appears to coincide not only with concurrent long-term warming temperatures; it also shows synchronous variations on decadal time-scales with the large-scale ocean circulation pattern known as the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, or AMOC. This circulation pattern typically acts to mix layers of the deep ocean with the surface, allowing the exchange of much-needed nutrients on which phytoplankton feed. In recent years, scientists have found evidence that AMOC is weakening, a process that is still not well-understood but may be due in part to warming temperatures increasing the melting of Greenland's ice. This ice melt has added an influx of less-dense freshwater to the North Atlantic, which acts to stratify, or separate its layers, much like oil and water, preventing nutrients in the deep from upwelling to the surface. This warming-induced weakening of the ocean circulation could be what is driving phytoplankton's decline. As the atmosphere warms the upper ocean in general, this could also further the ocean's stratification, worsening phytoplankton's productivity. "It's a one-two punch," Osman says. "It's not good news, but the upshot to this is that we can no longer claim ignorance. We have evidence that this is happening, and that's the first step you inherently have to take toward fixing the problem, however we do that." Explore further Arctic sea ice decline driving ocean phytoplankton farther north More information: Industrial-era decline in subarctic Atlantic productivity, Nature (2019). doi.org/10.1038/s41586-019-1181-8 Journal information: Nature Industrial-era decline in subarctic Atlantic productivity,(2019). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-019-1181-8 This story is republished courtesy of MIT News (web.mit.edu/newsoffice/), a popular site that covers news about MIT research, innovation and teaching. Operation of the NIST Ambient Radiation Thermometer, which is approximately 60 cm (24 in. long (1) Infrared (IR) light from a fixed-temperature calibrated source (at right, not shown) enters the thermometer enclosure through this lens, which focuses the radiation onto a field stop, analogous to the f-stop aperture in photography. (2) A circular metal chopper slices the IR beam into a sequence of pulses. (3) The first lens inside the central cylinder converts the light from the field stop to a parallel beam. (4) The light passes through this insulated cylinder about 30 cm (12 in.) long which is temperature-controlled by a feedback system. Stray radiation is blocked by another stop. (5) A second lens focuses the light onto a pyroelectric detector. (6) The detector output is routed to an amplifier that boosts the signal to readily readable levels. Credit: NIST Ordinarily, you won't encounter a radiation thermometer until somebody puts one in your ear at the doctor's office or you point one at your forehead when you're feeling feverish. But more sophisticated and highly calibrated, research-grade "non-contact" thermometers which measure the infrared (heat) radiation given off by objects without touching them are critically important to many endeavors besides healthcare. However, even high-end conventional radiation thermometers have produced readings with worryingly large uncertainties. But now researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have invented a portable, remarkably stable standards-quality radiation thermometer about 60 cm (24 in.) long that is capable of measuring temperatures to a precision of within a few thousandths of a degree Celsius. NIST has a long history of studying radiation thermometers. The new prototype instrument, which builds on that work, can measure temperatures between -50 C (-58 F) to 150 C (302 F). The corresponding infrared wavelengths are from 8 to 14 micrometers (millionths of a meter), which is a sort of thermodynamic sweet spot. "All temperatures are equal, but some are more equal than others," said NIST physicist Howard Yoon, who created the thermometer design and directed the project, described in the journal Optics Express. "That 200-degree span covers nearly all naturally occurring temperatures on Earth. If you make a big impact in measuring objects in that range, it really matters." In addition to clinical medicine, temperatures in that region are of urgent importance in applications where contact is not appropriate or feasible. For example, surgeons need to measure the temperature of organs prior to transplant. Modern farmers need accurate temperatures when handling, storing, and processing food. Satellites require non-contact thermometers for measuring temperatures on land and the surface of the sea. Conventional radiation thermometers often contain little more than a lens for focusing the infrared radiation and a pyroelectric sensor, a device that converts heat energy into an electrical signal. Their measurements can be affected by temperature differences along the thermometer and by temperature outside the instrument. Infrared lamp. Credit: Bernd Marczak from Berlin from Pixabay The NIST design, called the Ambient-Radiation Thermometer (ART) is fitted with a suite of interior thermometers that constantly gauge temperatures at different points in the instrument. Those readings are sent to a feedback loop system which keeps the 30 cm (12 inches) cylinder containing the detector assembly at a constant temperature of 23 C (72 F). It also features other design improvements, including a method for reducing errors from what is called the size-of-source effect, which results when radiation enters the instrument from areas outside its specified field of view. The ART's major advantage is its unprecedented stability. After it has been calibrated against standards-grade contact thermometers, the instrument can remain stable to within a few thousandths of a degree for months under continuous operation. That makes the system very promising for applications that involve remote sensing over long periods. "Imagine being able to take the NIST design out in the field as traveling radiation thermometers for accurately measuring variables such as land- and sea-surface temperatures," Yoon said. "It could serve as a trustworthy method of calibrating satellite IR sensors and validating the huge weather science programs that are used to predict, for example, the paths and strengths of hurricanes." Its lower range of -50 C (-58 F) makes it suitable for monitoring the temperature of ice over polar regions, typically in the range of -40 C (-40 F) to -10 C (14 F). There are several methods of making very high-accuracy temperature measurements, but few are well-suited to field work. Platinum resistance thermometers are fragile and need frequent re-calibration. The standard temperature source for transferring that calibration to the ART involves a heat-source cavity inside about 42 liters (11 gallons) of liquid. "Those are the best sources we have," Yoon said. "But it is impractical to measure water temperature by putting a thermometer in the ocean at intervals, and you don't want to constantly calibrate your radiation thermometer using a calibration source like that onboard a ship." Gerald Fraser, chief of NIST's Sensor Science Division, said that "Yoon's innovation makes non-contact thermometry competitive with the best commercial contact thermometers in accuracy and stability in a temperature range that humans experience daily. This enables many new opportunities in product inspection and quality control and in defense and security where conventional contact methods are impractical or too expensive." Explore further NIST launches new website to educate industry about alternatives to mercury thermometers More information: Howard W. Yoon et al. Improvements in the design of thermal-infrared radiation thermometers and sensors, Optics Express (2019). Journal information: Optics Express Howard W. Yoon et al. Improvements in the design of thermal-infrared radiation thermometers and sensors,(2019). DOI: 10.1364/OE.27.014246 This story is republished courtesy of NIST. Read the original story here. Schematic of a graphene-based two-photon gate. Credit: University of Vienna, created by Thomas Rogelsperger A novel material that consists of a single sheet of carbon atoms could lead to new designs for optical quantum computers. Physicists from the University of Vienna and the Institute of Photonic Sciences in Barcelona have shown that tailored graphene structures enable single photons to interact with each other. The proposed new architecture for quantum computer is published in the recent issue of npj Quantum Information. Photons barely interact with the environment, making them a leading candidate for storing and transmitting quantum information. This same feature makes it especially difficult to manipulate information that is encoded in photons. In order to build a photonic quantum computer, one photon must change the state of a second. Such a device is called a quantum logic gate, and millions of logic gates will be needed to build a quantum computer. One way to achieve this is to use a so-called 'nonlinear material' wherein two photons interact within the material. Unfortunately, standard nonlinear materials are far too inefficient to build a quantum logic gate. It was recently realized that nonlinear interactions can be greatly enhanced by using plasmons. In a plasmon, light is bound to electrons on the surface of the material. These electrons can then help the photons to interact much more strongly. However, plasmons in standard materials decay before the needed quantum effects can take place. In their new work, the team of scientists led by Prof. Philip Walther at the University of Vienna propose to create plasmons in graphene. This 2-D material discovered barely a decade ago consists of a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a honeycomb structure, and, since its discovery, it has not stopped surprising us. For this particular purpose, the peculiar configuration of the electrons in graphene leads to both an extremely strong nonlinear interaction and plasmons that live for an exceptionally long time. Schematic of a graphene-based two-photon gate. Credit: University of Vienna, created by Thomas Rogelsperger In their proposed graphene quantum logic gate, the scientists show that if single plasmons are created in nanoribbons made out of graphene, two plasmons in different nanoribbons can interact through their electric fields. Provided that each plasmon stays in its ribbon multiple gates can be applied to the plasmons which is required for quantum computation. "We have shown that the strong nonlinear interaction in graphene makes it impossible for two plasmons to hop into the same ribbon," says Irati Alonso Calafell, first author of the study. Their proposed scheme makes use of several unique properties of graphene, each of which has been observed individually. The team in Vienna is currently performing experimental measurements on a similar graphene-based system to confirm the feasibility of their gate with current technology. Since the gate is naturally small, and operates at room temperature it should readily lend itself to being scaled up, as is required for many quantum technologies. Explore further Device uses graphene plasmons to convert mid-infrared light to electrical signals More information: I. Alonso Calafell et al, Quantum computing with graphene plasmons. npj Quantum Information (2019). I. Alonso Calafell et al, Quantum computing with graphene plasmons.(2019). DOI: 10.1038/s41534-019-0150-2 This angry man is down on guest workers. Photo: Andrew Harnik/AP/REX/Shutterstock Its not easy to get to the right of the Trump administration on immigration issues, given the presidents iron conviction that a hard-core position on the border and everything related to it is crucial to his reelection and the key to the hearts of MAGA people in particular. Sure, you can go all Steve King and attack Dreamers instead of taking them hostage as Trump has done. But short of that, most immigration ultras have been in lockstep with POTUS. Not anymore: Arkansas senator Tom Cotton, usually a staunch Trump ally on pretty much everything, is angry at an administration decision to use its discretion to extend some additional visas for temporary nonagricultural guest workers for the third straight year. The Washington Examiner explains: The Trump administration announced Monday it will make 30,000 additional visas available for temporary nonagricultural workers available in 2019 through the H-2B visa program. Cotton, an Arkansas Republican senator, called the announcement bad news for hardworking Americans because it would take away jobs for younger people. The administration argues that the statutory cap of 66,000 on H-2B visas a quota that is quickly filled each year should be set at a higher level by Congress if and when it gets around to fixing immigration policy generally. But for the time being, the Department of Homeland Security is quietly (no formal announcement was made of the decision) satisfying the high employer demand for these visas through its own powers. This is sweet relief for some Republican members of Congress: Considering the low unemployment rate, the importance of the program to the local economy in Marylands 1st Congressional District, and the constant oversubscription to the program, I support the Department of Homeland Securitys decision, said Rep. Andy Harris, R-Md. He called the workers a crucial resource for the seafood industry, the tourism industry, and other seasonal employers in his district and across the country. Cotton, who with Georgia senator David Perdue has sponsored Trump-endorsed legislation designed to significantly reduce legal immigration, aint buying it: The 30,000 additional visas are for seasonal summer work. The unemployment rate for teenagers in the U.S. is 13%, and for 20-24 yr olds its 7.8%. These are the Americans who want these jobs, and will be hurt by this new flood of foreign labor. https://t.co/rmB0eQ1eei Tom Cotton (@SenTomCotton) May 6, 2019 That it was the same new flood the administration allowed in 2017 and 2018 doesnt seem to cut much ice with the stern Arkansan. He has a point, though: If the presidents going to depict himself as Americas protector from every foreign scourge, most emphatically people of color from points south, he shouldnt go soft on guest workers, as the Washington Post points out: The H-2B visa allows foreign workers to come to the United States legally and work for several months at companies such as landscapers, amusement parks, or hotels. About 80 percent of these visas went to people from Mexico and Central America last year, government data shows. Trump, of course, might have some sympathy for H-2B consumers, based on this report from 2018: A Vox analysis of hiring records for seasonal workers at three Trump properties in New York and Florida revealed that only one out of 144 jobs went to a US worker from 2016 to the end of 2017. Foreign guest workers with H-2B visas got the rest. This is the sort of thing that probably enrages Cotton and other Trump allies who see the presidents convictions collide with his business interests and quickly surrender. In 2015, an outbreak of bird flu destroyed more than 50 million chickens and turkeys in the United States. Within a matter of months, affected states reeled from the overwhelming damage: in Iowa alone, economic losses were estimated at $1.2 billion, and thousands of jobs were lost. Epidemiologist Gustavo Machado, an assistant professor in NC State's College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM), specializes in preparing for livestock disease outbreaks like avian or swine flu. His new study is based in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil's southernmost state, where the threat of swine viruses looms over the local economy. Machado's goal is to track how swine viruses spread between pig farms, and to identify which farms are at the greatest risk of a new outbreak. Each year, according to Brazilian veterinary authorities, about 26 million pigs are traded within Rio Grande do Sul, contributing to Brazil's ranking as fourth largest pork producer in the world. "New swine viruses like the Seneca Valley virus are emerging more often than before, requiring surveillance systems to be more sensitive and identify potential threats quickly," said Machado. A native of Brazil, Machado studies transboundary animal diseases, which are highly contagious infectious diseases that sweep through countries and across national borders. His research focuses on diseases harmful or fatal to livestock, which can disrupt economies, food security and livelihoods. Stopping the Spread of Disease Many swine viruses threaten the pig production industry, but some, like foot-and-mouth disease, which causes very similar symptoms to the Seneca Valley virus, are the most economically damaging. The viruses cause lesions on the feet, snout and mouth of pigs, and reduce livestock productivity. Although these viruses may travel by air or contaminated animal feed and farming equipment, as many as 60% of swine viral diseases are caused by transporting infected animals to an uninfected farm, said Machado. To stop the spread of viruses between farms, Machado, his co-investigator Cristina Lanzas, CVM associate professor of infectious disease, and their collaborators in Brazil are mapping swine trade routes in Rio Grande do Sul. When a swine virus is detected, these maps hold the potential to help halt the trading of infected animals and contain future disease outbreaks. Researchers will also use the maps to test computer-generated scenarios of Seneca Valley virus outbreaks and different quarantine strategies. "We need to establish accurate analytical methods and a workforce to prepare for virus outbreaks, so that when we identify an outbreak, we have a better idea about which trade routes need to be halted," said Machado. Training a Global Health Workforce Machado and his CVM co-investigators will also host a five-day workshop to train 15 veterinarians from Brazil on the project's analytical approach, which includes network analysis and mapping techniques. To develop the workshop, Machado is working with Andrew Stringer, CVM clinical assistant professor and director of global health education. He is also working with Maria Correa, CVM professor of epidemiology, public health and policy, who has worked extensively in Latin America on disease risk assessment and communication. Machado's work is being supported by a research grant from CVM's global health program the first research grant the program has ever awarded. "This is a great opportunity to combine global health research with specialized training to ensure a country has the independent capacity to protect their own people and economy," said Sid Thakur, director of global health at CVM. Global Work, Local Impacts As the U.S.' s second leading producer of pigs, North Carolina also stands to benefit from Machado's study. The Seneca Valley virus is already circulating throughout the United States, and although many countries around the globe have invested heavily in eradicating foot-and-mouth disease, the disease has never been obliterated completely, and remains a persistent threat. By studying swine viruses in Brazil, Machado said, researchers can gain important information on the same viruses in the United States, and how to approach future outbreaks. "Our work in Rio Grande do Sul could help places like North Carolina, because we're all threatened by the same diseases," says Machado. "We can use similar techniques to create networks of swine trading in regions like North Carolina, and identify which areas are most at risk from future outbreaks." Explore further Researchers create algorithm to predict PEDV outbreaks Maria de la Luz Cadiz Gurrea. Credit: University of Granada An international team of researchers, led by the University of Granada (UGR) in Spain, has successfully isolated a bioactive compound present in cocoa bean extract that has proven effective in combating skeletal diseases such as achondroplasia. This genetic bone dysplasia, the primary cause of dwarfism, is a rare disease that affects one in 25,000 newborns. To date, no effective treatment has been developed. The UGR researchers note that the (mainly phenolic) compounds contained in the fruit of the cacao tree (Theobroma cacao) offer a range health benefits. In recent years, numerous studies have therefore endeavoured to study their composition and bioactivity in relation to different pathologies. In collaboration with other research groups based in Paris, Tunisia, and Almeria, the UGR scientists have focused on purifying the phenolic compounds found in cocoa bean extract and testing their toxicity at the cellular level. The aim is to be able to use them to develop drugs, nutraceuticals and/or functional foods. The main author of a recently-published paper on this study,Maria de la Luz Cadiz Gurrea, of the UGR's Department of Analytical Chemistry and the Technology Centre for Functional Food Research and Development (CIDAF), explains: "To obtain different fractions of compounds of greater or lesser purity, we used different techniques, including solid-phase extraction, separation via micro-, ultra-, and nano-filtration membranes, semi-preparative liquid chromatography, and combinations of some of these." In addition, all the samples obtained were analysed via high-performance liquid chromatography combined with time-of-flight mass spectrometry analysis. A beneficial effect In general terms, the findings showed that the resulting fractions presented no toxicity, except for high concentrations of the purest fractions. This could be due to the major bioactive potential of the individual compounds. These results indicate that the bioactive compounds found in cocoa bean extract could have a beneficial effect at low concentrations, and they can be easily incorporated into different products. More specifically, such compounds could be used for pharmaceutical purposes, acting directly on the skeleton among achondroplasia sufferers. Such a pharmaceutical formulation could be taken from a young age, with no short- or long-term side effects. This project has provided the groundwork for the application of these compounds to rare skeletal pathologies. Explore further Avocado seed extract shows promise as anti-inflammatory compound More information: Bioactive Compounds from Theobroma cacao: Effect of Isolation and Safety Evaluation. Plant Foods for Human Nutrition. Springer Nature. doi.org/10.1007/s11130-018-0694 Bioactive Compounds from Theobroma cacao: Effect of Isolation and Safety Evaluation.Plant Foods for Human Nutrition. Astriagraph - the tool for visualizing resident space objects developed by Moriba Jah At UT Austin's Cockrell School of Engineering. Credit: Cockrell School of Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin The World Economic Forum has announced the introduction of a Space Sustainability Rating (SSR) system to help tackle the problem of space traffic and congestion in the Earth's orbit. The announcement of the SSR and the participating collaborators was made today at the Satellite 2019 conference in Washington, D.C. The program will be led by a global team of experts in the field, including the Cockrell School of Engineering's Moriba Jah, an associate professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics. A leading authority on space debris, Jah created AstriaGraph, an online monitoring system used to track and visualize objects orbiting the Earth. "The near-Earth space is a global commons and is in dire need of environmental protection and measures of sustainability," Jah said. "This is the first major step in establishing those sustainability metrics." Diane Howard, adjunct professor in UT's School of Law, will work alongside Jah to provide expertise in space law and policy. The two already lead the Space Security and Safety program in UT's Robert Strauss Center for International Security and Law. As space becomes more accessible, the number of satellites being launched into orbit has increased substantially with little or no framework in place to regulate what happens to leftover debris or out-of-commission spacecrafts. The Earth's orbit, therefore, has grown increasingly congested. The SSR team will develop rules and processes by which the SSR will operate, including what information should be collected from satellite operators to assess their impact on space sustainability. The rating will be similar to LEED certification used by the construction industry. While we depend upon some of the satellite equipment in orbit for navigation, communications and environmental monitoring, an estimated 20,000 pieces of debris remain floating in space. As the amount of space junk continues to grow, Jah said, the risk of collisions and damage to satellites in use increases, as well as creates potential environmental challenges in the long term. Along with the Space Sustainability Rating, the new program also aims to develop a Space Traffic Footprint, a carbon footprint metric for calculating the burden that any given object in space poses to the safety and sustainability of others. "The Space Traffic Footprint will include data on the size and location of an object, how crowded the orbital area it inhabits already is and if a satellite is maneuverable and trackable," Jah said. The SSR team will also include the Space Enabled research group at the MIT Media Lab, the European Space Agency and Bryce Space and Technology, an analytics and engineering firm. The idea for the SSR system originated from the World Economic Forum's Global Future Council on Space Technologies. Explore further Recognising sustainable behaviour Figure 1: Commelina communis (Cc) and Commelina communis forma ciliata (Ccfc) blooming in the same spot. Credit: Kobe University Scientists have discovered how two closely-related species of Asiatic dayflower can coexist in the wild despite their competitive relationship. Through a combination of field surveys and artificial pollination experiments, the new study shows that while reproductive interference exists between the two species,Commelina communis and Commelina communis forma ciliata, both can counter the negative effects of this interference through self-fertilization. These findings offer a different perspective on theories surrounding co-existence, and suggest a new significance for plants' ability to self-fertilize. The finding was made by Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Research Fellow Koki Katsuhara and Professor Atushi Ushimaru, both part of the Kobe University Graduate School of Human Development and Environment, and it was published on May 2 in Functional Ecology. The ability of plant species to coexist has long fascinated scientists. When species with shared pollinators flower at the same time in the same place, it's thought that the reproductive interference caused by pollinators makes it hard for these plant species to coexist. Reproductive interference occurs when pollen from another species is deposited on the pistil (female reproductive part of the flower), and competition between pollen tubes causes a decrease in seed production. The two species of Asiatic dayflower Commelina communis (Cc) andCommelina communis forma ciliata (Ccfc), commonly found in the fields and roadsides of Japan, produce very similar-looking flowers and attract the same pollinators. First the scientists looked at the two species in the wild. They found that pollinators such as bees and hoverflies visited both species indiscriminately, and both species showed a decrease in seed production as the other species' number of flowers increased. In other words, mutual reproductive interference was occurring. The surveys also suggested thatCcis less affected by this interference than Ccfc. This is consistent with the dominance of Cc in the areas surveyed. Figure 2: Mutual reproductive interference and frequency dependency. Credit: Kobe University By combining fieldwork surveys with artificial pollination experiments, the team discovered that self-pollination helps to reduce the negative impact of reproductive interference. Even when one species was heavily impacted by the large number of flowers produced by the other species, through self-pollination both species managed to produce enough seeds to survive. Cc was able to produce more seeds than Ccfc through self-pollination, which is probably the cause of the asymmetrical production between the species. We would expect Cc to wipe out Ccfc through reproductive interference, but in fact both species can be found growing in the wild. Katsuhara and Ushimaru propose that the distribution of these two species plays an important role in their ability to coexist despite the strong competition between them. While most areas are dominated byCc, in some areas Ccfc out numbers Cc, giving it the advantage (Figure 2: in locations with over 70 percent Ccfc, it is able to leave more seeds than Cc). Even when it is almost totally surrounded by Cc,Ccfc can still leave some seeds through self-pollination (Figure 2: approx. 30 percent). Figure 3: Seed production via self-pollination. Credit: Kobe University Scientists believe that self-pollination developed so that plants can still produce seeds even when pollinators are scarce. This study suggests that the self-pollination can also mitigate the negative effects when pollen from other species hinders seed production. Self-pollination could also be used to explain the coexistence of plants who share pollinators. This finding marks a step forward in shedding light on species coexistence, and gives a new perspective to the evolutionary background of self-pollination. Explore further The buzz about bumble bees isn't good More information: Koki R. Katsuhara et al. Prior selfing can mitigate the negative effects of mutual reproductive interference between coexisting congeners, Functional Ecology (2019). Journal information: Functional Ecology Koki R. Katsuhara et al. Prior selfing can mitigate the negative effects of mutual reproductive interference between coexisting congeners,(2019). DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.13344 Credit: CC0 Public Domain In Jules Verne's famous classic 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, the iconic submarine Nautilus disappears into the Moskenstraumen, a massive whirlpool off the coast of Norway. In space, stars spiral around black holes; on Earth, swirling cyclones, tornadoes and dust devils rip across the land. All these phenomena have a vortex shape, which is commonly found in nature, from galaxies to milk stirred into coffee. In the subatomic world, a stream of elementary particles or energy will spiral around a fixed axis like the tip of a corkscrew. When particles move like this, they form what we call "vortex beams." These beams imply that the particle has a well-defined orbital angular momentum, which describes the rotation of a particle around a fixed point. Thus, vortex beams can give us new ways of interacting with matter, e.g. enhanced sensitivity to magnetic fields in sensors, or generating new absorption channels for the interaction between radiation and tissue in medical treatments (e.g. radiotherapy). But vortex beams also enable new channels in basic interactions among elementary particles, promising new insights into the inner structure of particles such as neutrons, protons or ions. Matter exhibits wave-particle duality. This means that scientists can make massive particles form vortex beams simply by modulating their wave function. This can be done with a device called a "passive phase mask," which can be thought of as a standing obstacle in the sea. When waves at sea crash into it, their "wave-ness" shifts and they form whirlpools. Physicists have been using the passive phase mask method to make vortex beams of electrons and neutrons. A video description of the study. Credit: F. Carbone/EPFL But now, scientists from the lab of Fabrizio Carbone at EPFL have demonstrated that it is possible to use light to dynamically twist an individual electron's wave function. They were able to generate an ultrashort vortex electron beam and actively switch its vorticity on the attosecond (10-18 seconds) timescale. To do this, the team exploited one of the fundamental rules governing the interaction of particles on the nanoscale level: energy and momentum conservation. What this means is that the sum of the energies, masses and velocities of two particles before and after their collision must be the same. This constraint causes an electron to gain orbital angular momentum during its interaction with an ad hoc prepared light field, i.e. a chiral plasmon. In experimental terms, the scientists fired circularly polarized, ultrashort laser pulses through a nano-hole in a metallic film. This induced a strong, localized electromagnetic field (the chiral plasmon), and individual electrons were made to interact with it. The scientists used an ultrafast transmission electron microscope to monitor the resulting phase profiles of the electrons. What they discovered was that during the interaction of the electrons with the field, the wave function of the electrons took on a chiral modulation, a right- or left-handed movement whose "handedness" can be actively controlled by adjusting the polarization of the laser pulses. "There are many practical applications from these experiments," says Fabrizio Carbone. "Ultrafast vortex electron beams can be used to encode and manipulate quantum information; the electrons' orbital angular momentum can be transferred to the spins of magnetic materials to control the topological charge in new devices for data storage. But even more intriguingly, using light to dynamically twist matter waves offers a new perspective in shaping protons or ion beams such as those used in medical therapy, possibly enabling new radiation-matter interaction mechanisms that can be very useful for selective tissue ablation techniques." Explore further New holographic technique opens the way for quantum computation More information: G. M. Vanacore, et al. Ultrafast generation and control of an electron vortex beam via chiral plasmonic near fields. Nature Materials 06 May 2019. Journal information: Nature Materials G. M. Vanacore, et al. Ultrafast generation and control of an electron vortex beam via chiral plasmonic near fields.06 May 2019. DOI: 10.1038/s41563-019-0336-1 A sore loser (and winner). Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images Intelligencer staffers Josh Barro, Benjamin Hart, and Ed Kilgore discuss whether President Trumps possible refusal to accept election results warrants a liberal freakout. Ben: The idea that President Trump might contest the results of the 2020 election is certainly not new. But it gained life over the weekend when Nancy Pelosi told the New York Times that she was concerned he would not respect the results next year if he lost by a slim margin. (Also over the weekend, Trump endorsed Jerry Falwell Jr.s nutty theory that he should have an extra two years tacked on to his presidency as reparations for the Mueller investigation.) It seems to me that Trump is likely to cry foul no matter the election results; as James Poniewozik tweeted, Donald Trump insisted The Apprentice was the number one show on TV when it was 72nd in the ratings. I dont think mathematics can devise a margin wide enough to convince him. Given this probability, how worried should Democrats (who love to worry) be about what happens in such an event? Josh: So I think there are two separate questions here. One is what Pelosi was actually getting at: There are a number of reasons for Democrats to want the mandate associated with a wide victory, and one reason to want it is that the presidents supporters are less likely to buy the idea that the election was stolen from them, which affects how much Republican lawmakers would feel pressure to oppose everything versus to cooperate. Certainly, the sense that Trump stole the 2016 election is a reason Democratic voters have no appetite at all for Democrats to work with him. So I think the dunking on Pelosi over this has been misguided. Democrats have been burned before by trying to build the narrowest possible coalition pursuing the boldest possible policy agenda and missing. Then there is the issue of what Trump will actually do. I think it is ridiculous to worry substantively about the prospect of Trump saying the election was rigged. He, yes, will surely say that anyway. The popular vote was not close in 2016, so he goes on about 3 million illegal votes. It doesnt matter. Ed: Since its part of a consistent Trump pattern of trying to delegitimize adverse election results, which other Republican leaders have been showing a tendency to emulate, its of concern, though where they take it is another matter. Ben: I think Trump stealing the election has little to do with why Democrats oppose him so much; its more because of everything else. Bush was also perceived as having stolen the 2000 election, but Democrats were pretty happy to join forces with him for a while. And yes, Trump did whine in 2016, but he also actually won the election! And he wasnt in the White House at the time, which is obviously a key difference. Trying to extricate someone from power is a lot harder than simply not putting them there in the first place. Josh: The reason the president complains so much about the courts and about Congress (and about laws like on immigration) is that he is actually bound by them. His complaining is a sign of the system working, not of its failing. Ed: Theres a long-term threat to the legitimacy of elections when the president of the United States routinely talks about nonexistent election fraud. As noted above, its one thing that Trump makes these loose allegations; it bothered me more that top House GOP leaders blithely asserted the midterms had been stolen from them. The disease is catching. Josh: You also have Stacey Abrams out there saying she actually won the 2018 Georgia governors race. And you have the Democratic field lining up to agree with her on the point. Which you need an outright majority to win in Georgia. Abrams would have needed an additional 92,000 votes net, which means she would have needed well more than 100,000 votes on a gross basis under whatever different system because other candidates would have gotten additional votes too. More than 5 percent of her vote total. All of which is to say, these have become things people say when they dont like the outcome of an election. Democrats may be more restrained to complaining about elections where they have valid complaints about the voting process, but they dont have to show that the complaints add up enough to make the difference. Ed: First, she made a pretty clear distinction between the election being taken from her and the system taking the election from Georgia voters, but even if you stipulate its the same thing, Stacey Abrams isnt the Republican leader of the U.S. House, as both Paul Ryan and Kevin McCarthy were when they made the charges Im talking about. I dont recall either Abrams or Harris saying the former would have won outright without voter suppression. Ben: I think we can all agree that Trumps delusions are of a different magnitude and severity than anyones on the Democratic side. At least I hope we can. Ed: We can argue both sides do it all day long, but Im concerned that in the highest-stakes presidential election were likely ever to see that a close contest that Trump predictably challenges before, during, and after the fact, most likely could lead to serious civil disturbances. Ben: Lets get back to that scenario: Theres a very close election that Trump clearly loses. He claims it was stolen from him, and Republican voters agree by overwhelming margins. Whos going to actually make sure the election is upheld? The Supreme Court? Will Republican lawmakers who, as Ed said, have been endorsing all this dubious voter fraud and vote-counting stuff, distance themselves from the president on this? Josh: I think its more likely to lead to what happened after Trump claimed there had been 3 million illegal votes, and after Abrams claimed she had won in Georgia, and after Roy Moore said he had won in Alabama, and after various Democrats (though not John Kerry, to his credit) contended that Diebold had thrown Ohio in the 2004 election: very little. Ed: If we get to anything like an 1876 scenario of wild polarization over the results, you have to consider the Bush v. Gore precedent that might enable Republican-controlled legislatures to interfere with the appointment of electors. Am I sure it will be worse than what happened in 2016 or in Georgia in 2018? Of course not. But there has never been a president who so routinely and systematically alleges that the opposing party entirely depends on illegal votes. Ben: Im envisioning a possible situation where Trump literally refuses to leave the White House. Whos gonna remove him? You, Josh? You?? Josh: Hes not going to do that for much the same reason Robert Mueller was never fired. He cant do these things alone. And the apparatus of government has not been there to enable him to do them. I mean, he could physically refuse to leave the building, and that would be embarrassing to everyone. But that wouldnt make him still president. Ben: I hope youre right. Im somewhat less confident in the GOP apparatus holding firm on the rules in the scenario were describing. However, I do think that even if they did go full authoritarian, the prospect of civil unrest and international shunning would probably be enough to get them to fold. Ed: What I publicly suggested back in February is that Republican leaders be called upon to repudiate in advance any scenario where Trump disputes a defeat. If some of them did, Id stop bringing this up. If its as ridiculous a proposition as Josh believes it is, theyd comply. Josh: Why should they start an intraparty fight to help you score a rhetorical point over a thing thats not going to happen? I just think this thing is all so rich from a party that spent the summer and fall of 2016 worrying about what would happen if Trump didnt accept the results of that election and then spent November and December searching for One Weird Trick to stop him from taking office after he actually did win it. And the truth we learned then was its not actually that important for the losing side to be clear in admitting it lost. Ed: I do believe you are making some pretty massive overgeneralizations, Josh. I very specifically wrote at the time that his election was legitimate. Josh: Democrats are very primed to believe that close elections they lost were stolen from them. This is the baseline thesis now: If we lost by just a little, voter suppression made the difference. And yet life goes on. Which shows that voters do implicitly accept the election results even when they say they dont. Its just an act of political expression, like answering every poll question you get in the pro-Trump or anti-Trump direction. Ed: It really doesnt bother you that the president of the United States not some random Stein supporters or unidentified Democrats or even a few identified Democrats routinely alleges that the opposing party never legitimately wins elections? Ben: I think the vast majority of Democrats knew the Stein effort was a farce. I find the Abrams stuff a bit more troubling because its mainstream but still on a very different level than whats happening on the Republican side. Josh: Ed, it bothers me somewhat, yes. Like many other things the president does. I dont think he should do it. Its factually wrong. Its bad for the discourse. What bothers me is the hyperbolic, sky-is-falling reaction to what is just his saying some nonsense, which he does all the time, to much less effect than you would believe from reading stories on the internet. Ed: This particular annoying thing, which happens to bother me more than a lot of the stupid crap Trump says, would end instantly if his party stopped enabling it with their own electoral conspiracy theories. If that means they have to start an intraparty fight that would end in about two days if and when Trump cut it out, so be it. Josh: Yeah, if Mitch McConnell said Trump should stop saying this, Trump would totally admit he was wrong and stop claiming things were rigged against him. Ed: As I thought I made clear at the beginning of this chat, if its just Trump without the support of his party or his followers, I wouldnt care nearly so much. But even if there are no concrete immediate consequences, the extent to which GOP elites and rank and file alike are buying into the voter/election-fraud myth itself a subset of the ancient conspiracy theory in which left-wing elites buy voters from dependent serfs will always bug me. Lundbeck to acquire Abide Therapeutics, adding a unique discovery platform and a lead compound in an exploratory phase IIa program for Tourettes Details Category: Small Molecules Published on Tuesday, 07 May 2019 08:32 Hits: 804 Abides world-class discovery platform is focused on harnessing the therapeutic potential of one of the largest and most diverse enzyme classes the serine hydrolases (SHs) with the potential to deliver unprecedented compounds across a broad range of central nervous system (CNS) indications Abides lead product ABX 1431 is a first-in-class inhibitor of monoacylglycerol lipase (MGLL), modulating the endocannabinoid system. ABX-1431 is in clinical development for Tourettes (exploratory phase IIa) and neuropathic pain (phase I) Lundbeck to acquire Abide for USD 250 million in upfront payment and with additional development and sales milestones VALBY, Denmark; San Diego, CA, USA I 6 May 2019 I H. Lundbeck A/S (Lundbeck) and Abide Therapeutics, Inc. (Abide) today announced signing of a definitive agreement in which Lundbeck LLC has agreed to acquire Abide. Under the terms of the agreement, Lundbeck may pay USD 250 million (approximately DKK 1.65 billion) upfront with a commitment to pay future development and sales milestones to the group of current owners of up to USD 150 million (approximately DKK 1 billion). This acquisition provides Lundbeck a novel discovery platform and a U.S.-based research hub. Dr. Deborah Dunsire, President and CEO of Lundbeck commented The acquisition of Abide provides us with a differentiated chemo-proteomic platform to discover new classes of drugs for a broad spectrum of brain diseases starting with those that harness the therapeutic potential of the endocannabinoid system. Abides innovative R&D platform provides us with a unique opportunity to strengthen our pipeline now and well into the future, putting Lundbeck in position to deliver multiple new and transformative treatments for brain diseases. Developing first-in-class CNS mechanisms requires in depth expertise across the spectrum of drug discovery and development. Lundbecks commitment to brain health convinced us that together this was the best way to attain Abides goal to develop novel therapeutics that make a fundamental difference in the lives of patients with a range of neurological and mood disorders. This together with the support for the La Jolla discovery site means that we can continue to leverage the insights of Ben Cravatts laboratory at Scripps Research and maintain our outstanding discovery team, said Alan Ezekowitz, CEO of Abide. Abide has developed a world class platform to discover potent and selective serine hydrolase inhibitors. Serine hydrolases are one of the largest and most diverse classes of enzymes found in nature, which include lipases, esterases, thioesterases, amidases, peptidases and proteasesi. In mammals, serine hydrolases represent roughly 1% of all proteins and have vital roles in many pathophysiological processes, including blood clotting, digestion, nervous system signaling, inflammation and cancer. The lead molecule ABX-1431 is a potent selective inhibitor of the serine hydrolase monoacylglycerol lipase (MGLL) that potentiates endocannabinoid signaling to restore homeostatic balance in the central nervous system. It has the potential to address multiple indications in psychiatry and neurology and is initially being explored in clinical trials as a first-of-its-kind compound for the treatment of Tourette syndrome (exploratory phase IIa) and for neuropathic pain (phase I). In addition to the clinical and pre-clinical programs targeting MGLL, Abide has a rich pipeline of inhibitors targeting other serine hydrolases that may be pursued as future novel treatments to improve the quality of life for patients living with neurological and/or psychiatric disorders. The chemo-proteomic platform may also be further expanded to characterize other enzyme systems within the serine hydrolase family, leading to the development of additional active agents that modify enzyme function. After closing, Abides laboratory in La Jolla, California will become a U.S. drug discovery hub for Lundbeck. Deal terms Lundbeck may pay USD 250 million upfront to the current investors of Abide Therapeutics, Inc. Furthermore, Lundbeck is required to pay up to USD 150 million in future development and sales milestones. The transaction is expected to be financed by Lundbeck's existing cash reserves. Credit Suisse and BofA Merrill Lynch acted as financial advisors and Goodwin Procter LLP served as legal counsel to Abide. Baker McKenzie served as legal counsel to Lundbeck. The board of directors of Abide has unanimously approved the transaction. The transaction is expected to close during the second quarter of 2019, subject to the receipt of customary regulatory approvals, including expiration or termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act in the U.S. Financial guidance The transaction will not have any impact on Lundbecks 2019 financial guidance range provided in February 2019. The expected operational costs related to Abide will be covered within the current guidance range for 2019. About Abide Therapeutics, Inc. Abide Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing first-in-class drugs for serious diseases with significant unmet medical need. An innovative discovery platform and an extensive library of proprietary small molecules allows Abide to address biological pathways with potential therapeutics that enhance the bodys normal physiological response to disease. The platform enables Abide to efficiently identify, develop, and validate small-molecule inhibitors that target serine hydrolases, a highly relevant but under-explored class of enzymes. Abides lead program focuses on addressing neurological diseases with limited treatment options through the inhibition of the serine hydrolase monoacylglycerol lipase (MGLL). Based outside of San Diego in La Jolla, Abide was founded in 2011 and currently employs around 40 employees. Co-founder Benjamin F. Cravatt of Scripps Research in La Jolla is a world leading scientist who has advanced activity-based protein profiling (ABPP)ii to harness the therapeutic potential of the serine hydrolase enzyme super-family. Cardinal Partners is the Founding initial and sole institutional investor in Abide. Managing General Partner John Clarke served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors. About ABX-1431 ABX-1431 is a first-in-class, investigational oral therapy designed to inhibit monoacylglycerol lipase (MGLL), an enzyme that regulates a key system that serves as a natural brake on excessive brain signaling. Inhibition of MGLL by ABX-1431 may potentiate putting the brakes on overactive neural circuits, which may serve to correct abnormal neurotransmission that is often dysregulated in neurological diseases. ABX-1431 has shown clinically promising data in a phase Ib placebo-controlled trial in patients with Tourettes and Abide is currently testing ABX-1431 in clinical trials for the treatment of both Tourettes and neuropathic pain. The class of compounds also has potential applicability in a range of other neurologic and psychiatric diseases. About H. Lundbeck A/S H. Lundbeck A/S (LUN.CO, LUN DC, HLUYY) is a global pharmaceutical company specialized in brain diseases. For more than 70 years, we have been at the forefront of neuroscience research. We are tirelessly dedicated to restoring brain health, so every person can be their best. An estimated 700 million people worldwide are living with brain diseases and far too many suffer due to inadequate treatment, discrimination, a reduced number of working days, early retirement and other unnecessary consequences. Every day, we strive for improved treatment and a better life for people living with brain diseases we call this Progress in Mind. Read more at www.lundbeck.com/global/about-us/progress-in-mind. Our approximately 5,000 employees in more than 50 countries are engaged in the entire value chain throughout research, development, production, marketing and sales. Our pipeline consists of several late-stage development programs and our products are available in more than 100 countries. Our research center is based in Denmark and our production facilities are located in Denmark, France and Italy. Lundbeck generated revenue of DKK 18,1 billion in 2018 (EUR 2,4 billion; USD 2,8 billion). For additional information, we encourage you to visit our corporate site www.lundbeck.com and connect with us on Twitter at @Lundbeck and via LinkedIn. i The pharmacological landscape and therapeutic potential of serine hydrolase; Daniel A. Bachovchin and Benjamin F. Cravatt, Nature Reviews Drug Discovery, January 2012 (11): 52-68 ii Activity-based Proteomics of Enzyme Superfamilies: Serine Hydrolases as a Case Study; Gabriel M. Simon and Benjamin F. Cravatt, J. Biol. Chem. 2010 Apr. 9; 285(15): 11051-11055. SOURCE: Lundbeck Paratransit vans can be spotted in almost any neighborhood picking up patients whose means, health, or proximity to public transit makes getting to their doctor appointment or medical treatment a hardship. The government-funded vans have done the job for years. But, in a growing number of U.S. counties, the expansion of ride-hailing services has provoked the question: Can the likes of Uber and Lyft do the job better? For some people, the answer is yes, according to an Allegheny County Department of Human Services pilot study that offered ride-hailing to its paratransit population. Although the idea has its limits, it hit a public-service trifecta with the pilot showing it to be a more efficient, more convenient and less expensive option to the traditional van ride for those able to use it. The issue People with Medicaid healthcare coverage are entitled to free, government-funded help getting to and from medical appointments if they need it. In most cases, public transit passes get the job done. But thats not for everyone. Disabilities prevent some from using public transit. Some patients live where access to public transit is poor. Generally, the farther people live from the city, the more sparse their public transit options are. And some of those places hold popular suburban destinations for patients, such as UPMC East and Forbes Regional hospitals in Monroeville. Such patients rely on door-to-door paratransit service. In Allegheny County, thats 4,500 people. And they take about 200,000 paratransit rides costing an average of $28.75 per trip and $5.6 million a year, most of which is paid with Medicaid funds. Its an expensive way to serve patients, such as those with dialysis appointments, whose medical conditions dont require lifts or other special transit considerations. These clients dont necessarily need a paratransit vehicle, but they cant take advantage of the public transportation system so they are using Access vehicles, said Ryan Capra, senior program manager at Travelers Aid of Pittsburgh, a human services nonprofit. And paratransit has its drawbacks, including long wait times and travel times when vans carry several riders on a trip. The idea Could ride-hailing services help? That was the question Allegheny County began exploring two years ago. There were some obvious challenges. Uber and Lyft drivers, for example, arent trained to assist riders with disabilities. But for other paratransit riders, particularly those in public transit deserts, ride hailing could be an option, a Harvard University feasibility study suggested. Allegheny County tried it with about 60 paratransit riders who were under the age of 65 and did not have a disability that required special transportation help. A call center was set up to book rides for clients who volunteered to try ride hailing. Travelers Aid, a human services nonprofit, manned the center, set up accounts with Uber and Lyft and tracked rides and performance. In the second phase, riders were encouraged to hail an Uber of Lyft themselves with a phone app. Nearly 1,250 trips were taken in the pilot, which spanned from September 2017 to January 2018. Outcomes The ride-hailing option proved popular, and for good reason. Travel time improved dramatically, largely because Uber and Lyft trips didnt involve picking up more than one rider. Trips lasted 30 minutes or less 97 percent of the time, ride-hailing customers reported in surveys. Only 54 percent of paratransit riders have trips that short. Wait times plummeted. Some 88 percent of riders reported waiting 15 minutes or less for a ride home from their appointment, while only 27 percent of paratransit riders had such short waits. Patients found scheduling an Uber or Lyft easier than scheduling paratransit, reporting they didnt have to call as far in advance and were put on hold for a shorter time. And ride hailing overall received high approval ratings among those who used it. It also cost the countys Medical Assistance Transportation Program less to shuttle patients to their appointments. The average cost of a trip using an Uber or Lyft was about $5 to $10 less than the average paratransit trip, depending of the trips length and other factors. Challenges included convincing riders accustomed to paratransit to try ride hailing, coaxing ride hailing patients who like the convenience of using the call center to try hailing a ride on their own and helping them set up accounts, which require a bank card and email address. An estimated 1,500 paratransit customers in the county dont have conditions that prevent them from using ride hailing. The number of people choosing an Uber or Lyft over paratransit has risen slowly to about 100 regular users and about 500 trips a month, Capra said. Experiments elsewhere suggest that someday it could even be an option for some patients whose disabilities prevent them from using it today. Part of the limitation in Pittsburgh is that the fleet of ride-hailing vehicles doesnt include a significant number of lift-equipped vehicles, said Edward Jones, a Foster America Fellow with the Allegheny County Department of Human Services. In larger markets, like New York City, were seeing that service emerge and thats something this project could move into once those vehicles become available here. I've gotten behind on posting about my reading, so I'm going to catch up with a three-book post, two of which were busts. First, I read "Four Against the Arctic," written by David Roberts and published in 2003 as part of the tradition of Arctic exploration books, which I love (although I've read only a couple so far.) The problem with "Four Against the Arctic" is the exploration story in question took place in 1743, the explorers were Russians who were probably illiterate and the person to whom they told their story didn't put it down on paper until years after he interviewed them. That 60 or so page book that the interviewer wrote is the only existing primary source or the only one that has been found so as incredible as the story is (the four men were marooned on an Arctic island that was home to polar bears, foxes and reindeer and little else, but they survived for more than six years) little is known about their experience. Roberts tries to overcome the paucity of information I'd estimate he has 30 or 40 good pages' worth of the Russian sailors' ordeal with lots of details about his own efforts to unearth the story. This secondary story actually takes up the bulk of the book. Even that could have worked if Roberts' search for other primary sources and historical evidence had been fruitful, but it wasn't. So what you get is a book about the difficulties of trying to research a long-ago, obscure event that is masquerading as an outstanding story of survival in the Arctic. It's a disappointment. Even more disappointing was "Friends and Lovers," written by Helen MacInnes and published in 1947. I didn't like this book. Conventional is the best word I can use for it. Also, dull. MacInnes was a prolific writer of espionage novels, and I have read two of them. They were also dull and conventional, but at least had the advantage of having plots that involved physical danger, which provided some tension. Why, since I'm not a fan of her style, do I keep reading MacInnes? Good question. I think it's because she's an accomplished writer much better, for example, than popular contemporary authors like Michael Connelly. She creates a believable world, where people do believable things, and she brings it to life. The problem is, these believable characters are very ordinary. Their actions are predictable. Their emotions, which they spell out in detail for the suffering reader, are never anything but exactly what you would expect for a not-very interesting man or woman in the not-very interesting circumstances in which they find themselves. After 150 pages or so, I started skimming the book, curious whether anything at all surprising was going to happen in the next 200 pages. It wasn't. After two busts I needed a sure thing and also something to pick up my spirits, so I grabbed "Laughing Gas" by P.G. Wodehouse, published in 1936. I am among those who disliked "Downton Abbey," because I don't care about the tribulations of a bunch of English snobs. But I love Wodehouse maybe that's why I love Wodehouse because, even though he's writing about the same sorts of people, he doesn't celebrate their rectitude and style, he skewers their dissolute buffoonery. Wodehouse is witty, and frequently his exclamations and name-calling are enough to make me smile. But it is his complex, clever plots that are the real wonders of his novels, as he moves around a menagerie of silly creatures into greater and greater jeopardy of losing life, limb and bank account and being forced to do something really drastic and awful, like get a job. "Laughing Gas" has a body-switch plot (I guess they go way back, decades before "Big" or "Freaky Friday,") and it's set in the United States, specifically in Hollywood, about which Wodehouse has a low opinion. He's very funny parodying the way everyone in Los Angeles is trying to launch an acting career (still true 80 years later), although not entirely successful in capturing the rhythms of American speech. He's so pitch-perfect with British speech particularly that of upper-class Brits that his stabs at the American dialect were bound to fall short. Wodehouse, like Jane Austen and many other top writers, knew the value of a happy ending, and he never fails to supply one. If you haven't ever sampled his comic buffet, "Laughing Gas" is as good a dish as any to start with. Will Doolittle is projects editor at The Post-Star. He may be reached at will@poststar.com and followed on his blog, I think not, and on Twitter at @trafficstatic. 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. QUEENSBURY A Corinth man who was arrested on a felony driving while intoxicated charge earlier this year has been sentenced to 1 to 3 years in state prison. Stanford A. Jones, 52, pleaded guilty to felony DWI in connection with an arrest in Warren County in February. Jones has at least two prior DWI convictions. Warren County Judge John Hall imposed a prison term, and ordered he use an ignition interlock device on any vehicle he drives after his release. Jones also served a state prison term in 2008 for a felony DWI conviction in Saratoga County. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 0 GLENS FALLS A national environmental advocate took a look at air-quality data available in the Glens Falls region, and said of the top three polluters, the Hudson Falls trash-burning plant would be the easiest to shut down. Mike Ewall, executive director of the Energy Justice Network, has a lifelong goal of shutting down all trash incinerators, and he worked to convince an audience of a few dozen Monday night that it should be done. He spoke during a talk held by the Clean Air Action Network, formerly Greater Glens Falls Wants Clean Air, at Crandall Public Library. While the talk was called How Dangerous is Glens Falls Air? Ewall spent the majority of the time talking about the Wheelabrator Technologies plant in Hudson Falls and trash incinerators. Tracy Frisch, organizer of the Clean Air Action Network, read about Ewalls many credentials, including his work on a local law passed in a town in Albany County that would make it difficult for industries to burn any form of waste. He is also working to shut down the Wheelabrator trash plant in Baltimore. Ewalls strategy is to work with grassroots organizations and local lawmakers to draft legislation that makes it difficult for something like a trash plant to operate. Local group wants Coeymans' new air law to be a model for the region A local law that regulates the burning of waste was passed in the town of Coeymans in Albany County last week, bringing mixed reactions from t He has also helped many grassroots organizations keep incinerators from building in their towns over the last two decades. Ewall said his organization turns Not In My Back Yard (often called NIMBY) groups into Not In Anyones Back Yard groups because he targets industries. Looking at state and federally reported air-quality data from 2014, Ewall determined that the top three polluters in the area are Finch Paper, Lehigh Northeast Cement Co. and Wheelabrator. He called them the big three because, according to his data analysis, they produce 90% of the areas industrial pollution. Ewall scoffed, as did some in the audience, that an air-monitoring station in Glens Falls is needed because, he said, data already shows theres a problem. We dont need another study for what is already in our face, Ewall said. How's the air in Glens Falls? It's hard to say The Glens Falls region has had some complicated residents over the years, neighbors that bring business and an economic boost but also polluti He said as far as he knows, no one is campaigning to close down Finch or Lehigh, and argued that the Wheelabrator plant would be the most winnable fight because its not producing commodities like cement and paper that are still needed. The trash plant in Hudson Falls began operating in 1991, and Ewall said he felt that because its an older facility that it could shut down soon anyway. He said gullible community leaders agree to have these facilities built and then become stuck with these antiquated polluting machines. He said he takes issue with the idea that trash incinerators are waste-to-energy facilities, even though Wheelabrator says it generates enough electricity to power 14,540 homes. Ewall said the energy generated does not take into account the amount of energy needed to create the trash being burned, and is overall not a win. I call them trash to toxic ash and toxic air emissions, he said. Youre basically air-filling in your lungs. Ewall focused on mercury and dioxin emissions from trash plants. Both are emitted, though incinerators are permitted to, as are other industrial sources, at certain levels stipulated in state and federal permits. Mercury exposure can cause brain, immune system and other health problems. Dioxins are toxic and can cause cancer. Wheelabrators facility permit with the state Department of Environmental Conservation states that it has scrubbers and other technologies in place to remove pollutants from the steam that comes out of the companys Hudson Falls stack. It also uses a powder-activated carbon system to control its mercury emissions. There was no specific call from the Clean Air Action Network to shut down the Hudson Falls Wheelabrator plant, but Frisch and other committee members collected names and contact information for attendees. They also passed out a newsletter highlighting air pollution concerns in Warren and Washington counties. Hudson Falls Deputy Mayor Bob Cook said Tuesday that hes never heard of the Clean Air Action Network, nor has he heard of Ewall or the Energy Justice Network. He was surprised that a group would discuss the Hudson Falls Wheelabrator plant without inviting elected officials or holding the meeting in the village. Wheelabrator, whos the current owner (of the plant), theyve been good stewards of the property, Cook said. Theyve maintained it well. It certainly generates lots of good-paying jobs. Theyre taxpayers not only for the village, but the town, the county and the school district. Without some hard evidence that somehow what theyre doing is causing some sort of an environmental issue, I certainly wouldnt in any way advocate for its closing. Cook has taken a tour of the plant, too, and said not everything goes through the incinerator. Wheelabrator separates out ferrous metals, for example, that might otherwise go into a landfill. Hudson Falls Mayor John Barton had said in a past email to The Post-Star that he had confidence in the current state and federal regulatory agencies to monitor Wheelabrators air quality. National group looks to close all incinerators, including Hudson Falls' Wheelabrator HUDSON FALLS A national environmental advocacy organization working to shut down all incinerators in the country has its long-term sights se Wheelabrator officials pointed Tuesday to their past comments to The Post-Star. Jim Connolly, vice president of environmental health and safety for Wheelabrator, had said waste-to-energy is globally recognized as a form of environmentally responsible sustainable waste management and clean energy generation. The U.S. EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and similar regulatory bodies and countries across the globe endorse and invest in waste-to-energy and prefer it over landfilling. Michelle Nadeau, a spokesperson for Wheelabrator, had said legislation like what Ewall proposes is arbitrary, unlike federal and state regulations. Our waste-to-energy facilities reduce by 90 percent the volume of solid waste we manage, dramatically reducing the need for landfilling and associated greenhouse gases while simultaneously recycling metals and generating clean, renewable energy for local communities from post-recycled household waste, Nadeau had also said. Reporter Gwendolyn Craig can be reached at (518) 742-3238 or gcraig@poststar.com. Follow her on Twitter @gwendolynnn1. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 2 Sad 0 Angry 1 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Kirsten Gillibrand announces she wouldnt approve federal judges who arent committed to defending Roe v. Wade. Photo: Scott Olson/Getty Images You can call it an attention-seeking gesture by a floundering presidential candidate, or just an inevitable reaction to conservative threats to constitutional rights. But in either event, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand has taken a small but significant step beyond conventional pro-choice politics, as she announced in a Medium post: Im announcing that as president, I will only nominate judges including Supreme Court justices who will commit to upholding Roe v. Wade as settled law and protect womens reproductive rights. I realize that traditionally, presidents and presidential candidates havent drawn lines in the sand on judicial appointments, to preserve the impartiality of our judiciary. That tradition ended when Mitch McConnell obstructed the nomination process and stole a Supreme Court seat, when Donald Trump nominated dozens of ideologically extreme judges hand-picked by far-right think tanks, and when Republicans confirmed a Supreme Court Justice who is credibly accused of sexual misconduct. She might have also cited this very particular precedent for a judicial litmus test on the abortion issue, from 2016: During the beginning of the third presidential debate, Trump came out hard against abortion. He affirmed that, if elected, he would appoint only pro-life justices to the Supreme Court and that Roe v. Wade would be automatically overturned. (Thats not how the Supreme Court works.) He would then leave it up for the states to make a determination on the issue. As president, Trump later walked back this pledge, just as he did an earlier impolitic remark suggesting that women should be punished for illegal abortions in a post-Roe regime (a mistake that Gillibrand did mention in her piece). But by then, a litmus test was largely moot because the SCOTUS vetting and selection process he set up, under the direction of longtime Federalist Society official Leonard Leo, reduced the possibility of a stealth pro-choice justice to near zero. And actually, though it was expressed a bit differently from Gillibrands pledge, its reasonably clear that Hillary Clinton, her predecessor as the junior senator from New York, established an abortion litmus test even before Trump did, as The Hill reported at the time: Speaking at a Democratic presidential forum on Wednesday night, a person in the crowd asked Clinton whether she would impose a litmus test upon potential Supreme Court justices other than on the issue of being pro-abortion. I do have a litmus test, I have a bunch of litmus tests, because the next president could get as many as three appointments, the former First Lady responded. Its one of the many reasons why we cant turn the White House over to the Republicans again After mentioning shed demand judges committed to voting rights and opposed the idea that money is speech, Clinton said: We have to preserve marriage equality We have to go further to end discrimination against the LGBT community, weve got to make sure to preserve Roe v. Wade, not let it be nibbled away or repealed. So Gillibrand isnt breaking entirely new ground. But the explicit way in which she singled out abortion rights as a line in the sand shed defend through appointments is interesting. Unfortunately for her hopes of getting some sustained attention for this stance, its one that will likely be echoed by other candidates sooner rather than later. In reality, nobody thinks anyone in the 2020 Democratic field including former pro-lifers Joe Biden and Tim Ryan would run the risk of placing anyone on the Supreme Court who would countenance a rollback of the federal constitutional right to choose. But pressure to elevate that position to a solemn and explicit pledge reflects the simple fact that after years of false alarms, reproductive rights really are hanging by a thread, which will be severed or strengthened by the results of the 2020 elections. WARRENSBURG A New York City man was charged with a felony Tuesday after he was found to have more than a pound of marijuana during a traffic stop on the Northway, police said. Gary S. Rivera, 20, was heading north near Exit 23 when he was pulled over for an unspecified violation, according to State Police. Troopers smelled marijuana, and a search turned up more than a pound of the greenery, police said. He was charged with second-degree criminal possession of marijuana and the violation of unlawful possession of marijuana, arraigned and released pending prosecution in Queensbury Town Court. Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Powwow, Moreau Town Board talk it out Bravos to the organizers of the Calico Dancers Good Time Pow Wow and the members of the Moreau Town Board for holding frank discussions about the way the powwow has been run and changes that need to be made. The event is held every year in Moreaus Betar Park and is scheduled this year for July 5-7. Organizers told Town Board members last week that about 100 people stay overnight in the park each year, which surprised board members. The board has questioned whether powwow participants are following park rules and whether the event is damaging the park's playing fields and opening the town to liability. Organizers pointed out they've been holding the event here for decades, without much trouble. It appears prior town administrations were not exercising much oversight of the event, which makes it difficult for the current board to insist now on rigid adherence to the rules. But it's a good thing the two sides are talking and working things out, finally, so the event can continue its local tradition but without springing any unpleasant surprises on town officials. State changes tax discount rules Boos to the state of New York for changing the rules for the STAR program, which offers property owners tax discounts, by requiring more paperwork to qualify for the full discount. Previously, people who qualified could have the discount automatically deducted from their tax bill. But a change in this years state budget will require people to collect a reimbursement from the state then pay the full tax bill. This could work well if the state reimbursement check arrives in time to pay your taxes, but not well at all if it's late. How many people will misplace their checks? How many will give up on the program now that the state has complicated the procedure? The state has taken something effective and simple and messed it up for no good reason. This switch should be withdrawn. Let groups run their own raffles Boos to legislators in the state Assembly who are seeking to micromanage the running of raffles by local organizations. A proposal in the state Legislature would ban contests where firearms are a prize. Warren County supervisors have spoken out against the bill, joining various sporting organizations and other county legislatures in opposition. If the 4-H or the regional Friends of the NRA Chapter or any other organization wants to raffle off a legal firearm, following all the rules (a background check for the winner is mandatory, for example), then it should be allowed. If lots of people objected to having a rifle or a shotgun for a prize and said so, then, presumably, the organization would seek a more popular prize. But these decisions should be left to the individual organization. Statewide gun control is a matter for the state Legislature, and New York has some of the strictest gun control laws in the country. We think that's a good thing. But the Legislature has no business telling organizations which objects they can offer as prizes. Fortunately, the Assembly bill did not pass this session. Helping to promote organ donation Bravos to Barb McDermott, a nurse at Glens Falls Hospital, who was recently honored for her work to increase awareness of organ donation at the hospital. McDermott works to encourage organ donation, which happens when families decide to donate the organs of a loved one they just learned will not survive. It's an agonizing time for the family members but deciding to help others through organ donation can give the families a little bit to feel good about in the midst of their grief. What McDermott does is educate nurses and encourage them to call the Center for Donation & Transplant when circumstances arise in which organs could be donated. It's critically important work that can lead to lifesaving acts. Post-Star editorials represent the opinion of The Post-Stars editorial board, which consists of Interim Publisher Brian Corcoran, Editor Ken Tingley, Projects Editor Will Doolittle and citizen representatives Jean Aurilio, Connie Bosse and Barbara Sealy. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Last week, Afghanistan held a loya jirga to discuss possible ways forward in peace and reconciliation efforts. More than 3000 people attended the event, which yielded a 23-point resolution outlining a number of priorities, including a ceasefire. However, many political opponents of Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, who organized the event, refused to attend. The Taliban, which also did not attend, rejected the idea of a ceasefire. The latest episode of the AfPak File, the joint podcast series of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and the Wilson Center, focuses on the significance and implications of the recent jirga, and what could be next in efforts to launch peace and reconciliation efforts. The guests were Haroun Mir, founder of the Center for Research and Policy Studies in Kabul; Dr. Nilofar Sakhi, lecturer at George Mason University; Omid Marzban, Senior Correspondent at Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty's Afghan Service, Radio Azadi, and Michael Kugelman, senior associate for South Asia at the Wilson Center. Muhammad Tahir, media manager at Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, moderated the discussion. About Me Scott Because prophetic scriptures are found throughout the bible, it is obvious that a comprehensive, systematic approach would be useful, if not necessary, for the understanding of prophecy. Past prophecies have been fulfilled in a literal manner, as confirmed by the dating of these writings and historical records of confirmation. These past prophecies also serve as a model of how to interpret future prophecies. A literal view of prophecy clearly indicates a certain sequence of events will occur within a single generation, concluding with the Tribulation and Second Advent and these events will be obvious. The prophetic signs appear to be present in this generation and we believe these signs are revealed in the news from around the world. View my complete profile Just give him a minute to think. Photo: BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images In his six years as mayor of New York, Bill de Blasio has eaten pizza with a knife and fork, refused to relinquish his Boston Red Sox fandom long enough to attend a game at Yankee Stadium, killed a groundhog, overseen the murder of a lost deer, refused to stop driving 11 miles to his favorite gym despite widespread condemnation, shown up late to a memorial for people killed in a plane crash, skipped the funeral of a city dignitary, and feuded with the governor of New York and even his own police force. All of which is to say, the guy does things a little bit differently. And perhaps never has that been more apparent now that the mayor, facing a field of nearly two dozen other Democrats who have been campaigning for the presidency for months, is on the cusp of jumping into the race, despite lukewarm poll numbers back home that show that over three-quarters of New York residents dont want him to run, and without a groundswell of support from his fellow Democrats. Although the Daily News reported on Friday that the mayor was planning to make an announcement this week, de Blasio insisted in local TV interview Monday that no decision had been made. You cant have an announcement before there is a decision, he said. According to people familiar with the mayors thinking, de Blasio remains committed to making a decision before the end of the month. The mayor is still in conversation with his family about the toll a run would take, but people who have spoken with him say he is leaning toward a campaign. A de Blasio presidential campaign would be a lean operation, one centered mostly around the mayor and his immediate family. The brain trust that helped him in his come-from-behind victory when he ran for mayor in 2013 and guided his first couple of years in office has largely vanished, and as of late, the defections from his inner circle at City Hall have increased. Still, should the mayor run, his focus, people close to him said, would be on income inequality, the same issue that propelled de Blasio to a victory in his 2013 campaign for mayor. Heres the truth, brothers and sisters, theres plenty of money in the world. Plenty of money in this city, the mayor said at his State of the City address earlier this year, in a line he has repeated elsewhere and would likely make the centerpiece of a campaign. Its just in the wrong hands! Most of the Democratic field has been campaigning, raising money, and hiring staffers for the past six months. De Blasio will enter the race not only at a standstill, but without a clear lane for his candidacy. Want an unabashed progressive as your nominee? Got a couple of those already running. Want someone with experience running a city? Got three of those too former Denver mayor John Hickenlooper, former Newark mayor Cory Booker, and current South Bend, Indiana, mayor Pete Buttigieg. Want a middle-aged white guy? Well, first of all, what the hell is wrong with you? and secondly, theres no shortage of them either. De Blasios inching toward announcing a run has surprised some of his closest aides and associates who fret that it will take him away from his duties back home, and play further into the narrative that he is uninterested in the job that he was elected to do. They acknowledge that in an awfully crowded field, even the six-foot-five mayor of Americas largest city will have trouble standing out. Yet de Blasio seems determined to make his case. Friends, aides, and people familiar with his thinking say that the mayor has looked on with dismay as others with more slender records have vaulted to the top of the Democratic field. The plan, they say, is to point to the fact that de Blasio has for six years presided over one of the most complex organisms in government, and that he has done so as an unapologetic progressive: instituting universal pre-K and after-school programs, keeping crime down while reforming the NYPD and ending stop-and-frisk, keeping the city a place that attracts business and investment even while his administration has raised wages, strengthened the safety net by mandating paid sick leave and kept rent increases in check. He has a real record of accomplishment, said Rebecca Katz, who served as a top adviser to de Blasio in his first term as mayor. As many kids went through pre-K this year alone as there are people in all of South Bend, Indiana. That, of course, is a reference to Buttigieg, the 37-year-old Indiana mayor who has ridden a wave of good publicity to climb into third place in some early primary polling. It is a boomlet that has galled some de Blasio advisers who see the resident of Gracie Mansion dealing with issues that no other person in the race, let alone a mayor of a midsize city, has to deal with: immigration, terrorism, climate change, a ravenous press corps, and the like. But the mayor will also face questions should he decide to run. He remains under scrutiny for soliciting funds for a nonprofit group from people doing business with the city. Real estate and construction interests have donated heavily to his PAC. The city is facing both homeless and affordability crises. But the rise of Buttigieg, and for that matter, Donald Trump four years ago, shows that American presidential politics have become about as predictable as a game of Chutes and Ladders. The best bet is to take your turn, spin, and see what happens. Although senators like Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren have staked out the left side of the Democratic Party, supporters of de Blasios believe that he has a record of accomplishment more substantive than theirs. Hes going to be able to say I am the progressive that has actually gotten shit done, said one former aide. Its that, and then you just hope lightning strikes. But running for president is also a chance for the mayor to tell the story of his administration in a way he is unable to at home. De Blasio believes that he will never get a fair shake from the New York City press corps who cover him day in and day out. The relationship between the two started out poorly, with the press accusing the mayor of a lack of transparency and a dismissiveness toward the role of the Fourth Estate, and the mayor accusing the media of playing a game of gotcha in pursuit of clicks. Running for president will give de Blasio a new audience, one less tired of his shtick. In the early days at least, the de Blasio for president campaign is likely to be a top-heavy operation. Most of the people he surrounded himself with in City Hall have since moved on. The consultants who powered his mayoral campaigns Katz, Bill Hyers, Nick Baldick, Jonathan Rosen, Anna Greenberg, and John Del Cecato all told Politico last month that they are working with other candidates or sitting out 2020. A top adviser from his 2017 reelection campaign, Phil Walzak, is now working in communications at the NYPD, and his longtime spokesman, Eric Phillips, left for a job in the private sector last month. Mike Casca, a former Bernie Sanders 2016 staffer and a top aide who left City Hall for de Blasios Fairness PAC last month, has since left the PAC. Two other aides, deputy press secretary Olivia Lapeyrolerie and deputy director of executive operations Alexandra Kopel are taking temporary leave to go work on the PAC as well. De Blasio hasnt begun to hire in the early primary states, and will likely struggle to lure top-notch talent, since most of the sought-after staffers have already been snatched up by his rivals, and those that havent are unlikely to sign on with someone who has yet to show that his campaign is viable. But as easy as it is to dismiss de Blasio as someone who must have been power napping in his office the past six months and missed the state of the Democratic primary, once he starts campaigning, the mayors political skills are undeniable. In both his citywide race for public advocate and his first race for mayor, he started way down in the polls, but saw the field take shape and correctly strategized how to create space for himself. Of course, he won both easily. Associates expect the mayor to decamp quickly to New Hampshire, where, as a native of Massachusetts, he can boast of some ties to the first-in-the-nation primary state, and to South Carolina, where the Democratic primary electorate is over 55 percent African-American and is currently seen as up for grabs. De Blasio outperformed Bill Thompson, who was vying to be the citys second black mayor, among black voters in his first race for mayor, in part by relying on his biracial family. De Blasios biggest and earliest test will be reaching the threshold to qualify for the first debate. Candidates have to get at least one percent in three public polls, or receive campaign donations from 65,000 individuals with at least 200 donors apiece in 20 states to get on the stage, and some who have been campaigning for a while, like Booker and New York senator Kirsten Gillibrand, have struggled to meet the donor threshold. A March Monmouth poll gave de Blasio one percent better than Gillibrand or Washington governor Jay Inslee, but he was also the only Democrat who had a negative favorability rating. It is a belief among de Blasios team that he could still mount a viable campaign, even if he were to miss the first debate, which will be crowded with 20 Democrats trying to have their breakout moment. And de Blasio is a skilled debater, having squared off in front of the klieg lights for both of his races for mayor, but if he cant reach the threshold, not only will voters not get a chance to see him, but it would serve as a serious embarrassment. With the debates now only seven weeks away, de Blasio faces an uphill climb to get there, one that could have been avoided if he had just made up his mind and jumped in the race earlier. But for someone who has been determined to operate on his own schedule in City Hall for the past eight years, the waiting game should not have been a surprise. So hes the last person in, said one former aide. I dont know if you have noticed, but timing aint exactly his thing. A preliminary hearing is an early test of the case built against the defendant by the authorities. Prosecutors present an outline of the evidence usually through the testimony of a police officer to a judge who then decides whether there is enough for the case against the defendant to continue. Before the judge makes a ruling, the defense has an opportunity to question the witness. The burden of proof is not considered high, and defendants often waive the hearing, though they maintain the presumption of innocence if they do so. Gregory admitted to his role in the murder when she met with him in prison, Joanna Reynolds said. I dont see how Cory Gregory can think he got too much time when he gave Adrianne the death penalty, she said. And remember: We spoke privately in the jail with Cory, and he told us he held the belt around her neck (during the murder). Reynolds said Gregory has portrayed himself as heroic, because he led police to the teens remains. She doesnt see it that way. They (police) probably would have found some of her remains on the farm (in Mercer County), she said. Id just like to tell Cory Gregory he shouldnt count his chickens before they hatch because I dont think hes going to get any time taken off his sentence. Tony Reynolds says Gregory expects to get credit he doesnt deserve for leading police to the body. When Gregorys attorney pointed out the police may not have found the scattered and hidden remains without Gregorys help, Tony Reynolds said, he lashed out. I said, For real? he recalled Monday. Without Cory Gregory, there wouldnt have been a body to find. Gregory admitted to his role in the murder when she met with him in prison, Joanna Reynolds said. I dont see how Cory Gregory can think he got too much time when he gave Adrianne the death penalty, she said. And remember: We spoke privately in the jail with Cory, and he told us he held the belt around her neck (during the murder). Reynolds said Gregory has portrayed himself as heroic, because he led police to the teens remains. She doesnt see it that way. They (police) probably would have found some of her remains on the farm (in Mercer County), she said. Id just like to tell Cory Gregory he shouldnt count his chickens before they hatch, because I dont think hes going to get any time taken off his sentence. Tony Reynolds said Gregory expects to get credit he doesnt deserve for leading police to the body. When Gregorys attorney pointed out the police may not have found the scattered and hidden remains without Gregorys help, Tony Reynolds said, he lashed out. I said, For real? he recalled Monday. Without Cory Gregory, there wouldnt have been a body to find. Fifteen students attending United Township Area Career Center in East Moline, Illinois have been selected April 2019 Student of the Month. These students are chosen on the basis of classroom tests and performance, as well as attitude, motivation and attendance. These students will be awarded with a certificate indicating their achievement. Students from ten area high schools attend the Area Career Center where they receive a wide variety of training in these programs. WHAT'S NEW: Village president Mike Mielke is still seeking to replace the building after the insurance claims adjuster said they would prefer to repair it. The board had talked of a bigger building with a restroom. Mielke noted that the structure has to be gutted to the bare uprights to determine if it's sound enough for a new roof, and the cost is comparable to replacement once that work is done anyway. Talks are ongoing. Joe Biden and his son Hunter. Photo: Teresa Kroeger/Getty Images Its not often that President Trump is found propping up the work of the New York Times. He did so last week though, when the paper published a lengthy report on Joe Biden, Ukraine, and the efforts by Trump allies to manufacture a scandal that ensnares the former vice-president and 2020 presidential candidate. Like another controversy involving shady dealings in Ukraine, the details of this story can be hard to follow. But it seems pretty clear that its going to come up again and again, as long as Biden is a front-runner in the 2020 presidential campaign. Heres what we know so far. The allegation When he was vice-president, Biden put pressure on Kiev to dump the countrys top prosecutor, Viktor Shokin. In March of 2016, Ukraines Parliament voted to fire Shokin, who was widely thought of as corrupt. At the same time, Bidens son Hunter, a lawyer and lobbyist who was kicked out of the Navy in 2014 after he tested positive for cocaine, was on the board of Burisma Holdings. The Ukrainian energy firm was owned by an oligarch who was in Shokins crosshairs, meaning the prosecutors firing was good news for Hunter Biden. The news got even better when Yuriy Lutsenko came on as Ukraines new prosecutor general. In 2017, he cleared Burisma, and the firms owner, Mykola Zlochevsky, returned to Ukraine after fleeing the country to avoid the investigation. Allies of President Trump, led by lawyer Rudy Giuliani, have been promoting the story in an attempt to cast Biden as corrupt. Last week, Giuliani called for Biden to be investigated quickly and expeditiously. But theres a problem with the suggestion that Biden was trying to help his son. The investigation into Burisma was dead long before Biden started his campaign to oust Shokin, Vitaliy Kasko, a former Ukrainian official who worked under Shokin, told Bloomberg. There was no pressure from anyone from the U.S. to close cases against Zlochevsky, Kasko said in an interview last week. It was shelved by Ukrainian prosecutors in 2014 and through 2015. Kaskos assessment adds a wrinkle to one of the first political intrigues of the 2020 election season. It undercuts the idea that Biden, now a top Democratic presidential candidate, was seeking to sideline a prosecutor who was actively threatening a company tied to his son. Instead, it appears more consistent with Bidens previous statements that he was pressing for the removal of a prosecutor who was failing to tackle rampant corruption. Why this is surfacing now Credit goes to Giuliani and Trump-supporting right-wing blogs that have covered the story with a Benghazi-like zeal. The Times reports that Giuliani has gone as far as meeting with Lutsenko to make the case for pursuing Bidens connections to Burisma. In March, Lutsenko reopened the case against the oil company, two years after clearing Burisma. Mr. Giuliani has discussed the Burisma investigation, and its intersection with the Bidens, with the ousted Ukrainian prosecutor general and the current prosecutor. He met with the current prosecutor multiple times in New York this year. The current prosecutor general later told associates that, during one of the meetings, Mr. Giuliani called Mr. Trump excitedly to brief him on his findings, according to people familiar with the conversations. The Times suggests that Lutsenkos decision to reopen the case could have been an attempt to curry favor from the Trump administration for his boss and ally, the incumbent president, Petro O. Poroshenko. Poroshenko lost his bid for reelection last month. The Bidens response Joe Biden claims that he didnt even know that Hunter was on the Burisma board, which he reportedly joined in April 2014, until he read about it in news reports. Hunter, who left the firms board in April, said in a statement to the Times that he never talked to his dad about the job. At no time have I discussed with my father the companys business, or my board service, including my initial decision to join the board, he said. A spokesperson for Bidens campaign emphasized that the effort to remove Ukraines former prosecutor general was multilateral and had nothing to do with the business interests of his son, a private citizen. All of this is backed up by people who were with Biden at the time he was pushing to remove Shokin. I was in almost every single meeting that Vice President Biden had with President Poroshenko, I was on every trip, and I was on most of the phone calls, and there was never a discussion about his son, or Burisma, former State Department staffer Amos J. Hochstein told the Times. None of these issues ever came up. Because they planned ahead, Rapids City officials had time to receive a grant for a weather warning system before the flood hit. Meir said it is hard for his community to get grants because the median income is too high. Peterson stressed that the villages do not have managers and only small staffs. For example, in Port Byron there are three full-time employees and four part-time employees. That is why more people should come to the village meetings, volunteer for committees, and help with grants, Peterson said. We are not professional municipal managers. We do what we can." All four communities have had problems because of the flood. According to Boone, all residents in Cordova are hooked to village sewer and water services, but sewer issues are under investigation. The Cordova town bridge currently is locked off and awaiting inspection by an engineer. Vershaw said Hampton has $19,000 in sewer damages. Port Byron riverfront homes are having septic issues, and wells have been compromised. We get the same currents as the river on the street, said Betty Werner, Raabes neighbor. Werner recently returned home from a trip to Chicago, where her children live. Some neighbors have stayed elsewhere during the historic flooding, while others like Raabe have stuck it out. We have electricity and water. Were good, Raabe said. Just a few minutes north, Port Byron had left the worst of the flooding as of Tuesday. Water levels had fallen significantly, and major flooding appeared to have ended in the village. In LeClaire, water had receded along the riverfront, allowing low-lying businesses to open as normal this week. According to the National Weather Service, as of Tuesday at 3 p.m. LeClaire remained in major flood stage at 14.3 feet and falling Forecasts predict that the flooding might be downgraded to a moderate flood stage as early as Monday. In Rock Island, forecasts have local flooding in the major flood stage through at least Tuesday. Davenport police have identified the person who was struck and killed last week on Interstate 80 near the Northwest Boulevard exit. Skylor Rowe, 25, of Moline was struck by a Penske rental truck driven by Sarah Peach of West Hollywood, Calif., police said in a news release from the department. Rowe was struck shortly before 3 a.m., May 2, within the traveled portion of the road. Police say the time of day and weather conditions (rain) greatly reduced visibility at the time of the incident. Alcohol also is suspected as a contributing factor for the pedestrian, police said. No charges will be filed in this accident. Quad-City Times Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 0 The EON Virtual and Augmented Reality Academy will host a reverse job fair on Wednesday. Interested employers will have the opportunity to meet graduates from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the Scott Community College Urban Campus Community Room, 101 W. 3rd St., Davenport. Employers are invited to stop by the lab, see graduates' virtual reality projects and explore the future of VR and AR, according to a news release. Some of the graduates' skills include agile development, programming, 3D printing and scanning, project management and more. "We hired a student from the 2018 program, and he has surpassed our expectations," said Jupiter Machine Tool Inc. VP of International Operations, Andrew Heath, in the release. The Davenport academy is one of four in the country, according to the release. Students receive nine months of training, including working directly on real-life projects for customers. Upon completion, students may enter the workforce or continue their education toward an Associate in Applied Sciences degree. For more information, call 563-441-4096. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Weighing into his decision is that Bettendorf school district voters in December soundly defeated a $30 million bond referendum that would have renovated, remodeled, equipped and furnished various schools in the district. A referendum for a combined fitness/community center and pool would have been for about the same amount as what school voters defeated, he said. Ploehn said he is recommending the pool replacement first because the pool needs about $1 million in repairs and replacement parts in the next three years, including circulation pumps, slides, sand filters, heaters for the bath houses, lifeguard stands and painting. In addition, if the city pursues a recreational/community center in the future, it would be constructed where Splash Landing is now. The new pool, which Ploehn said will be about 50 percent bigger than Splash Landing, would be built down the hill from its existing location, to the south and west. If the referendum passes, the pool could be in place for the 2021 season, he said. A firearms company that promised to bring 178 jobs to Eldridge will now have to employ only 50 under an amended development agreement unanimously approved Monday night by the City Council. Lewis Machine and Tool is working to complete a $7.3 million, 75,000 square foot firearms manufacturing center and headquarters in Eldridge. Mayor Marty O'Boyle said the amendment was needed because the company expected fewer jobs in the "near future" than originally estimated. Representatives of the gun company, now based in Milan, told the council in March that the company had become more efficient. Though they intended to bring on fewer workers, the company officials said, those hired would be highly skilled and make better wages. The revised job numbers mark the third time the deal has been amended. Previous amendments, O'Boyle said at the meeting, were to extend the deadline of completion, dated Oct. 24, 2018, and Feb. 25 of this year. The latest amendment revises down the number of jobs required at the facility by 2020 to 50 full-time jobs with a required wage of at least $18.74. "That job level is what's required by the state of Iowa for their tax incentives and job credits," City Administrator John Dowd said. "The Economic Advisory Board met on the 16th of April for strategic planning but also to consider this resolution and this request, and after some discussion it was agreed to amend the developmental agreements." Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 3 An Indianapolis, Indiana man was sentenced Friday to 96 months eight years in federal prison in connection with five pharmacy robberies Davenport, Iowa City and Des Moines. Rontel Nijae Mial, 19, also was ordered by U.S. District Court Chief Judge John A. Jarvey to serve three years of supervised release when he completes his prison sentence and pay a $100 special assessment per count to the Crime Victim's Fund in 2017. There is no parole in the federal system. He pleaded guilty on Sept. 12 to five counts of robbery in U.S. District Court, Davenport. According to court documents, on Dec. 16, 2017, Mial traveled from Indiana to a Walgreens store in Davenport with the intent to rob the pharmacy. Just after midnight, Mial displayed a handgun at the pharmacy counter, and demanded controlled substances, which included oxycontin and oxycodone. He made a getaway in a vehicle driven by David Andrew Nathaniel Madden, 21. A GPS tracker device was included in one of the stolen pill bottles and Davenport police officers were dispatched to the GPS tracker devices location. What I would like to see in this structure is as we restructure. I think performance-based pay should be considered, if were doing evaluations consistently, Director Jule DeSalvo said. If someone is not meeting standards, there should be action, if not monetary, then disciplinary. Gosa and DeSalvo both said they wanted the district to go through the accreditation audit from the state on its own each year or perhaps even more frequently to ensure the district stayed on top of the maintenance of compliance. We could do a self audit every year or every other year. We know what the state is looking for theres a checklist, Associate Superintendent Bill Schneden said. Theyre not surprising. Theyre all spelled out by Iowa Code. Next Steps: The State Board of Education will vote on the Department of Educations recommendations at its meeting Thursday in Des Moines, including any amendments deemed necessary. If the conditional accreditation recommendation is approved, Davenport will have to adhere to deadlines outlined in the report, with some as early as August; others stretch into late 2020. And the disproportionality citation from the prior state report is still looming without a clear deadline, as the problem is systemic. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 2 Want to see more like this? Get our local education coverage delivered directly 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. "We didn't know the rules behind it, so we stayed out of it," Deppe said. "It was a good turnout. There were many people there who travel from auction to auction. There was a lot of interest in the doorknobs; they sold them individually. One guy said he's friends with a bailiff and wanted to give him one." Deppe said he expected to see some of the people who have been outspoken about the courthouse issue at county board meetings at the auction. "I was surprised there weren't any preservationists there; that's what surprised me," Deppe said. "The normal speakers weren't there." The historic Rock Island County Courthouse, built between 1895 and 1897, was vacated in December when construction of the new Justice Center Annex was completed. Court functions were moved to the annex, which is now called the courthouse. On Monday morning, the Illinois State Police had an unmarked officer parked on Interstate 74 in Moline, monitoring passing traffic for speeders. Business as usual except the officer wasnt just unmarked. He was wearing a hardhat, dressed in casual clothing, and sitting in a Walsh Construction truck. The trooper, Master Sgt. Ron Salier, was disguised as a construction worker in order to nab speeders and distracted drivers without tipping off violators an officer was present. Were here to help each other out, Salier said about the kinship of roadside workers. We are enforcing the law but also educating the motoring public. According to Trooper Jason Wilson, safety education officer in ISP District 7, Walsh Construction approached the Illinois State Police about the idea behind "Operation Hard Hat" several weeks ago. The collaboration between Walsh, the ISP and the Illinois Department of Transportation was touted to benefit all roadside workers. Michael Behenna. Photo: Free Michael Behenna via Facebook Eleven years ago, U.S. forces arrested an Iraqi man named Ali Mansur, on the suspicion that he was a member of al-Qaeda who had knowledge of a recent roadside bombing that had killed two American soldiers. Intelligence professionals interrogated Mansur. Then, officials ordered Army First Lieutenant Michael Behenna to drive Mansur home. Instead, Behenna drove the detainee into the desert, stripped him naked, interrogated him at gunpoint, and then shot him in the head and chest. Behenna insists that he shot the naked man he illegally abducted in self-defense. He was convicted of unpremeditated murder. This week, President Trump awarded Behenna a full pardon. The former soldier had already secured some leniency from the Justice Department; Army Clemency and Parole reduced his sentence from 25 years to 15, and paroled him as soon as he was eligible in 2014. Nevertheless, securing a full pardon for Behenna became a popular cause in his home state of Oklahoma, one embraced by its military community and elected officials. Two of Behennas friends died in the roadside bombing that preceded Mansurs arrest. In his sympathizers view, Behenna had only wanted to secure information from Mansur to save other American lives. His actions were rash and insubordinate. But they were the well-intentioned products of trauma and Mansur would still be alive if he hadnt attempted to steal the lieutenants firearm. The White House cited this community support along with Behennas model behavior as prisoner in a statement justifying his pardon. Critics argue that the act of clemency could actually endanger American soldiers overseas, by weakening norms against the inhumane treatment of prisoners of war. During his presidential campaign, Donald Trump defended war crimes in general and the mass murder of Muslim prisoners of war, in particular as highly effective and legitimate tools for advancing U.S. national security. The other thing with the terrorists is you have to take out their families, when you get these terrorists, you have to take out their families, Trump informed Fox & Friends in December 2015. They care about their lives, dont kid yourself. When they say they dont care about their lives, you have to take out their families. Two months later at a rally in South Carolina, he told a false story about how General John Pershing put down an insurgency by the Muslim Moro people in the Philippines (after Americas invasion and occupation of those islands) in the early 20th century. And theres a whole thing with swine, and animals, and pigs, and you know the story, okay? They dont like that. And they were having a tremendous problem with terrorism, Trump explained. He took 50 terrorists, and he took 50 men, and he dipped 50 bullets in pigs blood. You heard that right? He took 50 bullets and he dipped them in pigs blood, and he had his men load up his rifles, and he lined up the 50 people, and they shot 49 of those people and the 50th person, he said, You go back to your people and you tell them what happened. Eight months into his first term as president, Trump reiterated his admiration for this approach to fighting terrorism. Study what General Pershing of the United States did to terrorists when caught. There was no more Radical Islamic Terror for 35 years! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 17, 2017 Trumps other pardons include former Maricopa County sheriff Joe Arpaio, who refused to respect the civil rights of Arizonas Latino residents despite a court order to cease his unconstitutional racial-profiling practices. It remains controversial in the mainstream media to describe Donald Trump as a racist. He said the BUILD grant, in its second year, is through the federal Department of Transportation and typically awards three or four Iowa projects a year with grants ranging between $5 million and $20 million. He said Burlington and Maquoketa received $16 million and $8 million grants, respectively, last year. "President Trump made it more rural friendly," Foley said, adding "LeClaire is a rural city. You have a high chance of getting it." If the city is not awarded the grant, Foley said they would improve the application and apply again. In an interview before the meeting, City Administrator Ed Choate said the Cody Road Phase II project would be an extension to the north of the existing downtown streetscaping completed in 2006 and 2007. The idea for a Marina District master plan, he said, comes "from a long range strategic economic development plan and zoning efforts we've done here over the last year." The consultants would assist city leaders in defining what a marina district is and its boundaries, which could encompass the riverfront and perhaps the downtown commercial area. If weather predictions for the next week come to pass, Davenports public works department may fix the temporary flood wall that broke last week as a way to head off future rising of the Mississippi River. Davenport Public Works Director Nicole Gleason said Monday the river would still have to drop to less than 18 feet before crews and equipment could safely work. If the river rises again, the repairs could prevent another round of downtown flooding. Gleason also said her department is working with others including the Davenport Fire Department as the city prepares to dry out. Were trying to get all those employees scheduled now so that if this forecast continues to hold true were ready to just go, Gleason said. The temporary flood wall, made of barriers by manufacturer HESCO, breached last week in record-setting conditions. At no time in recorded history has the river been as high and at flood stage for so long in the Quad-Cities and some nearby river communities. HESCO has said the downtown Davenport breach was not caused by a structural fault of the barrier. Officials are still unsure if the river rose above the barrier or if the road beneath it collapsed. The Paris Agreement is an international policy framework negotiated and agreed to by 196 countries in 2016. The goal is to enact policies that will limit global temperature rise to well below two degrees Celsius, which scientists agree represents a dangerous threshold for our planet. The United States is the biggest historical contributor to the greenhouse gas emissions driving climate change and the second-largest annual emitter today, after China. China and India are poised to lead the world in renewable energy and leave the U.S. in their dust. In July 2017, President Trump announced his decision to pull the U.S. out of the Paris Agreement, saying he was "elected to represent the citizens of Pittsburgh, not Paris." Pittsburgh Mayor William Peduto immediately responded: "I can assure you that we will follow the guidelines of the Paris Agreement for our people, our economy & future." In fact, more than 1,200 U.S. states, cities, tribal nations, companies, and universities have pledged their support for the Paris Agreement and committed to climate action in the absence of federal leadership. If there is a child care crisis (affordable and available) in SD, has the time come for one parent or the other to stay home and care for thei Tribal President Julian Bear Runner sent a letter to Noem on Thursday declaring that she is not welcome on the reservation until she rescinds support for her own pipeline bill package introduced and passed in March. Bear Runner was joined by all 18 of the tribe's council members, who voted unanimously to ban Noem. On a Tuesday phone conference with media, Noem said she won't go where she is not welcome, but she is "hoping that the president will change his mind and will be willing to work with (her)." She added that though she is not welcome on Pine Ridge, tribal members are welcome to meet with her in Pierre. Noem's Senate Bills 189 and 190 were fiercely opposed by the Oglala Sioux and other South Dakota tribes when they were introduced and passed within the final week of the 2019 legislative session. Tribes and other activists allege that Senate Bill 189, in particular, infringes upon First Amendment rights to free speech and protest. The law and two others are being challenged in an American Civil Liberties Union lawsuit against the state. Noem introduced the bill package after consulting with local officials and representatives of TransCanada, the Calgary-based energy company behind the proposed Keystone XL crude oil pipeline but not tribal leadership. On Tuesday's call, Noem said tribes weren't included in those preliminary discussions because the proposed pipeline route does not go through reservation land. "Tribal leadership had the opportunity to influence the legislation once it was introduced, just like every other South Dakotan," she said. Noem said she thought "every voice was, in fact, heard." "I understand that not everyone, including tribal leadership, is going to agree with the approach that was taken, but thats OK," she said. "Thats the way our system of government works." With local and Federal Emergency Management Agency officials beginning preliminary assessments of flood damage this week, Noem said she does not think the tribe's decision has "hindered any applications for FEMA resources." In addition to the council's decision to ban Noem, the Oglala Sioux tribe has said it will not participate in Noem's proposed state-tribal relations flag ceremony on the state's Capitol grounds in Pierre. The Crow Creek Sioux, Yankton Sioux and Lower Brule Sioux tribes have also said they will not participate. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell with Donald Trump. Photo: Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call,Inc. During the 2016 election, CIA director John Brennan informed congressional leaders that Russian intelligence was interfering in the election in an effort to help Donald Trump win. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell dismissed the conclusion, and depicted it as a frame-up. Youre trying to screw the Republican candidate, he charged, warning that he would refuse to sign a bipartisan statement warning Russia to back off. If blocking Russia meant hindering the Trump campaign, McConnell wasnt interested. This morning, McConnell took to the Senate floor to deliver a coda to this historic act. In a speech that was notably smarmy even by his standards, the Senate Majority Leader declared the Mueller report to be case closed, accused Democrats of refusing to accept the legitimacy of Trumps election, and called for an end to all investigation or inquiries of Muellers findings. They told everyone thered been a conspiracy between Russia and the Trump campaign, he announced. Yet on this central question the special counsels finding is clear: case closed. Case closed. First of all, Muellers report did say it was unable to establish a criminal conspiracy between Trump and Russia. But that is not the same thing as saying case closed. Indeed, on some of the most important avenues of potential conspiracy, Mueller was simply not able to establish conclusive answers. Paul Manafort, Trumps campaign manager, gave 75 pages of detailed polling to Konstantin Kilimnik, a Russian agent, but Mueller concedes he could not assess what Kilimnik (or others he may have given it to) did with it. Nor could Mueller fully nail down all of Roger Stones communications with WikiLeaks. Second, one of the reasons Mueller could not establish a criminal conspiracy is that Trump signaled his willingness to pardon aides who stayed loyal, thus encouraging them to withhold cooperation. Attorney General William Barr has argued that the failure to prove an underlying crime means Trump should not be charged with obstructing justice, but of course, this means obstructing justice is okay as long as the obstruction works. Third, McConnells speech danced around the massive evidence of obstruction of justice committed by Trump in the Mueller report. His speech, incredibly, didnt even mention this topic, which occupies half of the Mueller report. Instead, he addressed it in a backhanded way by defending Barr. The attorney general is a distinguished public servant whose career stretches back almost 50 years, he insisted. Hes widely respected. Nobody claims he has any prior personal allegiance to this president. Thats true, nobody does say Barr has any personal allegiance to Trump. Nor for that matter does McConnell, who has let his personal irritation with Trumps lack of discipline slip into the media on occasion. What both men have instead is a partisan allegiance to Trump, which drives them to protect a figure they understand to be erratic and unfit for office, because doing so advances their interests. McConnell framed his speech as a call for unity, insisting Russias goal was to divide the public. Russia set out to sow discord. To create chaos in American politics and undermine confidence in our democracy, he said. To continue pursuing the massive evidence of corruption and misconduct in the Mueller report would somehow help Putin. If Americans remain consumed by unhinged partisanship, McConnell said, and keep dividing ourselves Putin and his agents need only stand on the sidelines and watch as their job is done for them. Note here that McConnell is again denying the same thing he denied in 2016: that Russia intervened not just to divide Americans but specifically in order to help Trump win. If American political leaders in both parties had closed ranks and rejected Russias intervention, it might have backfired. Instead, McConnell assisted their effort. He continues to assist by using all his powers to prevent Trump from being held accountable for his misconduct. And hes doing it all in the name of supposedly defying Putin. If Putin is learning any lesson from this, it is that his next election-interference operation will once again enjoy the tacit support of McConnell and his party. Editor's note: This is the second story in a five-part series looking at the schools that are proposed to be closed under Rapid City Area Schools $250 million facilities proposal. Kumar Veluswamy remarked last Friday that walking into Robbinsdale Elementary School felt like opening an oven door. That's a result of the old radiators the school relies on for heat, the Rapid City Area Schools facilities manager said. Silt buildup has increased the length of time it takes for them to heat a room, he said, and turning them off altogether is easier said than done when considering temperatures swings common in springtime. Built in 1953, Robbinsdale is one of three elementary schools slated to close over the next three to six years as part of a proposed master plan for school facilities. The other two are Canyon Lake and Horace Mann. School officials have yet to determine if the buildings would be demolished or if the property would be sold. Robbinsdale would be replaced in part by a new $30 million elementary school that the district wants to build near the Parkview area. Property that the schools own there that could be used for new construction outright or traded in a land swap, officials have said. The construction of two other new elementary schools and the reconstruction of South and West middle schools is laid out in that same plan. The infrastructural overhaul would be financed by a $250 million bond issue that would raise property taxes. The school-civilian task force that crafted the plan is expected to make its final recommendations to the schools' board of education which will decide whether to put the bond issue on the ballot for referendum in June. In South Dakota, bond issues need 60 percent approval to pass. Cracks in the wall Besides stuffiness, the first indicators of Robbinsdale's age that school officials point to are the cracks lining the walls of its hallways, classrooms and bathrooms. Veluswamy said the school was built on expansive soils, resulting in foundational shifting that has visibly warped floors and split walls. Gauges mounted on top of the cracks measure the amount that they move over time. Veluswamy said that he checks them every other week. "We are constantly seeing movement in the cracks," Veluswamy said. Another sign of old age is the presence of asbestos in the building. Veluswamy said that the carcinogenic insulation material has been removed or enclosed where necessary but that not all of it has been abated in the tunnels underneath the school. Like Canyon Lake, Robbinsdale is said by school officials to suffer from a lack of space. Principal Beth Keeney said around 500 students attend the school and 67 staff and faculty members work there. School records show that the building has a functional capacity of 509. Keeney said the tight spacing limits the school's ability to implement lab-like open classrooms popular in newer schools. It also leaves little room for employees, who in some cases can be seen working from the hallways or in storage closets. Due to its age, the building was not designed with accessibility for disabled persons in mind. The cafeteria, where the stage used for school assemblies is located, sits downstairs from the main floor, for example. The only presentation space that we have is the stage, Keeney said. Wheelchair lifts have been installed throughout the building, but Veluswamy said installing an elevator would not be possible because of code requirements. The private facilities study that the district commissioned in 2015 and guides the master plan currently on the table scored the condition of each school out of 100. The highest score of 90 went to General Beadle Elementary, which was built in 2008. Robbinsdale was scored at 66.54. Veluswamy said it would cost a little more than $20 million just to bring that score up to 85. Next steps Keeney has been principal of Robbinsdale for only one year but already has the sense that teachers are excited at the prospect of moving to a new school. "But they are also maybe a little skeptical about the chances of getting a big bond like this passed," she said. If Robbinsdale were to close, students could end up transferring to one of several schools depending on how district boundary lines are redrawn, including the one proposed for Parkview. They could also go to either South Park or Grandview Elementary schools. Veluswamy said those boundaries have not yet been drawn and could be affected by input the schools are gathering through surveys and public meetings. "We are in the preliminary stage of this plan," he said. No conceptual drawings of the Parkview school have yet been rendered, but Veluswamy said that it would likely be designed similarly to General Beadle and Valley View elementary schools. He said that such drawings could be ready for presentation in June or July. School officials have said that counseling and other support services will be offered to students to ease them through the transition to a new school. I think that they would be excited about going into a new building that has some maybe new opportunities," Keeney said. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Blaine Cook is retiring from the United States Forest Service after 43 years of service. It's quite an accomplishment. Forest planning would begin in 1980, just four years after Blaine arrived at his first job, fresh from forestry school. Leadership punched his ticket, and he was on his way to a great career in government with a beloved agency. The Vietnam war was ending. People were working to find a new relationship with the government. The Forest Service commanded respect across the West as the premier firefighting agency, a robust timber producer like its neighboring private forest lands, and the seat of a sober and steadfast workforce dedicated to the public good.It was a good fit for an enlightened and dedicated young man who wanted to make a difference. Blaine would rise to become a central figure in timber management and forest policy in the Black Hills for the past 20 years. Blaine Cook was the quintessential forester, a dedicated public servant who worked to understand the past so he could anticipate the future. Behind Blaine's desk in the forest supervisor's office in Custer is a library with well-worn books, publications and photographs of the Black Hills National Forest back to 1891. The pages of each are familiar to Blaine, a sort of forest management Bible memorializing those who went before, a series of benchmarks and beacons about what happened, what worked, and what didn't. Blaine would work with Ken Marchand in geographic information systems to build visual displays so others could have a shared understanding about what past management looked like and what we might do today to either embrace past practices or avoid them. Part historian and part prophet, Blaine worked to foresee outcomes of management and how we might best face an uncertain future while providing renewable resources for the present and future. The mid-70s were the end of an era, the end of horses as our culturally preferred mode of transport, the end of the old hand-cranked telephones for communications, and the end of the dominance of the forester as the principal expert in forest management. When Blaine started working for the Forest Service, the ubiquitous yellow Nomex fire shirts were not in wide use. There were few fire shelters and most firefighters saw shelters as a sign of weakness to be avoided and scorned. The annual wildfire fighting budget was 15 percent of the Agency's total budget. The Forest Service stood at the top of a mountain of timber cutting, a drafty height that would rapidly dwindle from 12 billion board feet per year in 1977 to 2 billion feet in 2018. It was the best of times and the worst of time for natural resources management. Forest officers still enjoyed much discretion in making decisions, but that discretion would come under increasing scrutiny. The American public, long used to letting foresters manage the forests, developed a new and often inconvenient interest in managing natural resources by plebiscite. Blaine's world moved from the quiet surety of professionals getting on with the slow methodical work of growing trees to a new and noisy circus of competing interests, all clamoring for attention from the stewards of an increasingly scarce resource. Blaine did his best to understand, to convince, to persuade, and to lead responsible timber management in the brave new world, and he enjoyed lots of success. We'll remember Blaine's earnest determination to do the right things, to inform himself about the past, to help us understand what went before and what would likely come next. Well done by a good and faithful servant. Have a great retirement. Frank Carroll is a freelance writer and columnist. He can be reached by emailing frankcarrollpfm@gmail.com or visiting blackhillsforestpros.com. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 What's happening with the Yellowstone volcano? How many eruptions is Steamboat geyser up to now? Have any new geothermal areas been discovered recently? Join Mike Poland, USGS scientist-in-charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, at one of the upcoming community meetings to find out. Poland will host two public events to talk about how the YVO team is monitoring the Yellowstone volcano, with recent activity and research updates. Presentations will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will end at 7:30 p.m. The Gardiner meeting will be held on Thursday, May 16, at the Gardiner Community Center, 208 Main St. The West Yellowstone talk will be held on Wednesday, May 22, at the Holiday Inn, 315 Yellowstone Ave. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Contact: Mostly, the Rude Pundit doesn't give a shit what you have to say, but, if you have to say it, you can write to Lee Papa here: rudepundit(at)yahoo(dot)com One of Americas most legendary investors, Warren Buffett, plans to invest heavily in energy, he revealed during the annual shareholders meeting of his principal investment vehicle Berkshire Hathaway. MarketWatch reports that Buffett spoke about future energy investments during the Q-and-A session after the meeting, saying Berkshire Hathaway will in the future generate as much wind power as its Iowa utility customers currently use. The executive in charge of Berkshires non-insurance operations, Gregory Abel, added that the company was currently focused on renewable energy in Iowa, but it would expand beyond this single state slowly but surely. The company will also be phasing out coal power generation capacity. Fox News anchor Liz Claman tweeted during the annual meeting that Abel had pledged zero coal for power generation in Berkshires Nevada utility by 2023, which shareholders applauded. At the same time, Buffett dismissed the need for sustainability reporting that a lot of activist shareholders had insisted on. Berkshire Hathaway, according to him, was successful in part because of its habit of keeping needless reporting and expenses to a minimum. The companys batting average in the sustainability area was pretty good, Buffett went on to say, noting that Berkshire preferred having individual investors as shareholders rather than institutions, which effectively removes the activist shareholder threat. Joining the renewable drive is only natural given the growing prominence alternatives to oil and gas are gaining. Yet Buffett is not putting all his eggs in one basket, of course. Last month, Berkshire Hathaway provided Occidental Petroleum with US$10 billion in financing for its proposed takeover of peer Anadarko. The financing will be released if the ongoing negotiations result in a deal, but analysts have already noted the move is unusual for Buffett who has said he would not partake in hostile takeovers, which Oxys bid for Anadarko certainly looks like. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Safehaven.com: Representative Lucy McBath in 2013. Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images On April 27, longtime National Rifle Association president Oliver North resigned under pressure in the midst of New York Attorney General Letitia Jamess investigation into the organizations tax-exempt status. The new president, Carolyn Meadows, did not take long to embroil the group in a new controversy. On Sunday, the 80-year-old Georgia native told the Marietta Daily-Journal that the reason freshman Representative Lucy McBath defeated Republican Karen Handel was not her appealing gun-control message including legislation requiring background checks for all gun purchases. Well get that seat back, Meadows told the paper. But it is wrong to say like McBath said, that the reason she won was because of her anti-gun stance. That didnt have anything to do with it. It had to do with being a minority female. The quote, already tone-deaf at the very best, is made worse by the reason for McBaths turn to politics. In 2012, McBaths 17-year-old son, Jordan Davis, was murdered at a gas station in Florida following an argument over the volume of music Davis and his friends were playing. The man who shot Davis, and was eventually convicted of first-degree murder, attempted to use the NRA-written Stand Your Ground law as his legal defense. In November, McBath won a tight victory over Karen Handel in Georgias Sixth Congressional District the site of the most expensive congressional race in U.S. history in 2017. On Monday, McBath responded to Meadows in a moving Twitter thread: (1/x) Hi NRA! It's time we clear something up. I won this race because - after my son was senselessly murdered in 2012 - I stood up to do something about it. I knew it was time to fight back. Stand with me https://t.co/qkGhncNm1ghttps://t.co/VwsgSZmQmp Lucy McBath (@lucymcbath) May 6, 2019 Also on Monday, Meadows apologized to McBath for her comments, which she admitted were insensitive and inappropriate. But other recent moments in Meadowss career suggest that she may not absorb the political or racial sensitivity lessons of this teaching moment. On April 30, Meadows said in an interview with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that she promised to endorse whomever the GOP nominated to defeat McBath in 2020. And in 2015, Meadows led an organization that blocked a proposal that would construct a monument to Martin Luther King Jr. on Georgias Stone Mountain where a bas-relief sculpture of Confederate leaders dominates the mountainside and where the second Ku Klux Klan was founded in 1915. Dee Dee Solano was born in Seattle, Washington and moved to Santa Maria when she was two years old. She was inspired to become a nurse after experiencing the interaction and care nurses gave to her grandfather. Now at age 38, Solano has worked for seven months at Mission Hope Cancer Center in Santa Maria where she assists patients with chemotherapy. One of the challenges, Solano said, is managing the fear and helplessness she sees in some patients with cancer, which she said takes an emotional toll. The U.S. Air Force didnt inspire Lannaya Smith to be a nurse, but in many ways it guided her. Originally from Riverside, Smith describes herself as an Air Force brat, who moved with her family from Hawaii to Texas depending on where her father was stationed. Smith came to Lompoc when she was 18. She took nursing school prerequisite courses at Allan Hancock College and volunteered at the Vandenberg Air Force Base hospital. While there, Smith met the mother of a patient who was a nurse and a mentor. A pair of Santa Maria High School seniors both bound for UCLA this fall and Santa Maria Mayor Alice Patino were honored during a Wednesday night reception at the Santa Maria Elks Lodge. Fourteen students including Blanco and Davila qualified for students of the year by being honored as the Elks' students of the month, according to Andrea Licoscos, who heads the selection committee. She said the decision was difficult, given each candidate's record of community service, active involvement in extracurricular activities and strong academic achievement. " " The Cassini spacecraft spent more than a decade orbiting Saturn. It ran out of fuel and ended its mission by plunging into the gas giant on Sept. 15, 2017. NASA/JPL Before meeting its fiery demise in Saturn's atmosphere on Friday, Sept. 15, NASA's groundbreaking Cassini mission to Saturn had spent 13 years redefining our view of the beautiful ringed gas giant but its discoveries went well beyond pure science. Like the long-duration space missions that came before it the Galileo mission to Jupiter, the twin Voyager probes and, more recently, the European Rosetta mission, for example Cassini irrevocably changed our perspectives, become ingrained in the lives of the people who worked with the mission and had tangible impacts on society. Advertisement Scientific Paradigm Shifts Cassini's scientific accolades are nothing short of revolutionary. With the help of the European Huygens lander, it explored the stunningly dynamic atmosphere of Titan, discovering vast lakes of liquid methane and uncovering a vast subsurface ocean of liquid water. Close-up examinations of the planet's rings revealed stunning detail and the intricate relationship with its moons. Cassini tracked changes in Saturn's atmosphere as its seasons progressed a feat that could only be achieved by putting a long-duration probe in orbit about the planet for more than a decade. " " Cassini project scientist Linda Spilker (L), project manager Earl Maize, and NASA's director of planetary science Jim Green (R), addressed a news conference at Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) on Sept. 13, 2017, as NASAs Cassini spacecraft nears the end of its 20-year mission. David McNew/Getty Images And then there's Enceladus, a small icy moon that, until Cassini arrived in 2004, hid a secret. "What Cassini will be remembered for its legacy discovery will be the geysers coming from Enceladus with the ocean with the potential for life. It's a paradigm shift," says Linda J. Spilker, Cassini project scientist who works at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). The paradigm shift is that, to have life, it doesn't look as if you need a planet with liquid water on its surface like Earth. Unlike our world, moons like Enceladus, Titan, possibly Dione, Jupiter's Europa and Neptune's Triton hide their liquid water underneath their surfaces. And these moons are abundant in our solar system, says Spilker. Looking for life at Saturn "wasn't on Cassini's pre-launch list," she adds, but when the spacecraft confirmed Enceladus' salty, water ocean after flying through the moon's enigmatic plumes and taking samples, it became one of the most compelling places beyond Earth to find extraterrestrial biology. Larry Soderblom, an interdisciplinary scientist with the Cassini mission, started working on deep space planetary exploration in 1966 and worked with multiple projects from Mariner, to Voyager, to the Mars Exploration Rovers puts Cassini's discoveries in perspective: "Cassini is the culmination of a 50-year career," he says. "When I started to explore the solar system as a young guy just out of graduate school, our mind's-eye view of the outer solar system was pretty bleak. We expected lifeless, dead, battered moons with no geologic activity." Instead, says Soderblom, these moons are dynamic places. "We've discovered volcanic plumes at Io, a liquid ocean in Europa, seas and rain and rivers and volcanoes like it came out of a geomorphic textbook on the Earth on Titan," he says. "[We've] even discovered geysers coming out of Triton, Neptune's moon." Though these places are extremely cold, and water cannot exist as a liquid, other chemicals with lower freezing points step in to become the "lubricants." " " Data collected by Cassini confirmed the existence of a sub-surface liquid ocean on Enceladus, one of Saturn's enigmatic moons. NASA/JPL "Whenever you move out from the sun, and the temperature drops and the energy drops, you'll always find chemical ingredients, compositions, molecules which become the geological lubricant," adds Soderblom. "In the case of the Earth, it's water and volcanic lavas. In the case of Titan, it's methane and all kinds of hydrocarbons. In the case of Enceladus, it's liquid water heated by tides, all the way out to Neptune, where the lubricant is nitrogen." And from what we've learned about the rich diversity of the planets, dwarf planets and moons in our solar system, we shouldn't underestimate what we might discover in other star systems, says Soderblom. "Exoplanets are not going to be lifeless, dead objects; they'll be rich with everything Mother Nature can muster." Advertisement Beyond the Science Space exploration has a knack for putting our place in the universe into perspective, but this goes beyond the science it has an impact on society. Like the famous "Pale Blue Dot" photograph of a distant Earth captured by the Voyager 1 spacecraft as it was speeding into the unknown frontiers of our solar system, to Cassini's own portrait of Earth during the 2013 "Wave at Saturn" event, space exploration can give the world a sense of "togetherness." "There's more to our world than just the Earth, space is our world," says Kevin Gill, a science data software engineer who also works at NASA JPL processing Cassini's images, primarily for public outreach. "To get more knowledge and insight to what our world is, that includes Saturn," he adds. "To get those images and put the science into the public's eye, it's good for broadening humanity's view of where we live and it boosts our awareness of what's around us." " " On Sept. 15, 2017, Cassini science team members celebrate as the final loss of signal from the Cassini spacecraft is confirmed, indicating Cassini's destruction in Saturn's atmosphere. Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images These images from space also act as a catalyst to give people optimism, says Spilker, "especially in dark times when we're thinking about wars, tragedies and disasters, here we have something that gives people hope." Gill agrees: "There's beauty beyond the strife." Now That's Interesting Long-duration space missions like Cassini also have lifechanging impacts on the scientists and engineers involved, often in surprising ways. "Part of the story, especially for women in science, is that you have to plan when to have a family," says Linda J. Spilker. "When I was working on Voyager, with a number of other Voyager moms, we looked and saw a 5-year window between the 1981 Saturn flyby and 1986 Uranus flyby, so we had a mini baby boom." Stories told to us in childhood can shape our entire lives. Nicholas Meyer credits his father for the book that defined his career. In an interview that is included on Shout Factory's marvelous Blu-ray edition of The Seven-Per-Cent Solution (first released in January 2013 and available here as of this writing), Meyer recounts a story from his own childhood that inspired him, first to investigate Sherlock Holmes further and, years later, to write a book about Arthur Conan Doyle's famous detective. Happily, the pastiche novel, first published in 1974, as well as Herbert Ross' big-screen adaptation, first released in 1976, both stand the test of time as delightful interpretations of well-known characters. Even better for those who have read Meyer's novel, Meyer decided to change the mystery that forms the backdrop for the second half of the tale. Meyer had to fight Ross to make that change because Ross wanted the screenplay to remain staunchly faithful to the novel -- which, of course, Meyer himself had written! Thankfully, the writer won the battle and the film is all the richer for that creative decision (and others). Ross' push for novelistic faithfulness may be better understood in the context of his career. Beginning as a dancer, Ross established himself as a choreographer and director on the stage in the 1960s. He transitioned to film, making his directorial debut on the musical drama/remake Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1969), starring Peter O'Toole and Petula Clark; followed by the stage adaptation The Owl and the Pussycat (1970), starring Barbra Streisand and George Segal -- which I found very very strange as a young man -- scripted by Buck Henry; and the drama T. R. Baskin (1971), scripted by Peter Hyams. Ross then directed another stage adaptation, the fitfully funny Play It Again, Sam (1972), written by and starring Woody Allen; the clever mystery The Last of Sheila (1973), written by Stephen Sondheim and Anthony Perkins; Funny Lady (1975), a sequel to the popular musical, starring Barbra Streisand; and The Sunshine Boys (1975), an adaptation of Neil Simon's play, written by Simon and starring Walter Matthau and George Burns. In retrospect, what strikes me about those films is that they all are drawn from stories told by writers with strong, distinctive voices. This is true about The Seven-Per-Cent Solution too: Meyers' voice shines through on the page and the screen. After graduating from college, Meyers says he wrote a couple of scripts for television, including the memorable The Night That Panicked America (about Orson Welles and War of the Worlds) before he was sidelined by a screenwriters' strike. His companion at the time suggested he finally write a story about Sherlock Holmes and Sigmund Freud, which he had talked about for years. Meyer was surprised when his book sold, and even more surprised when it became a bestseller. Aiming to become a filmmaker himself, he agreed to sell the film rights only if he could write the screenplay. That, in turn, led to his career turning a new corner. In the early 70s, I fell in love with genre stories; science fiction, especially, caught my young literary fancy. Though I read, and liked, mystery stories, they never caught fire in my imagination -- probably because I lacked the ingenuity to dream up my own mysteries -- and thus I never felt compelled to read the classics of that particular genre. So Sherlock Holmes passed me by entirely; I don't recall reading any of Arthur Conan Doyle's stories or novels. All I can remember seeing on television is one of the Hollywood adaptations from the late 30s and 40s -- 14 titles in all -- starring Basil Rathbone as Sherlock Holmes and Nigel Bruce as his companion, a rather buffoonish Doctor John Watson. Screen adaptations continued popping up in various films and television shows, not to mention in other media as well, but as far as Hollywood was concerned, Billy Wilder's The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes (1970) may have prompted extreme caution. Cameron Crowe's book Conversations With Wilder (first published in 1999) includes various mentions about the film and makes it sound like a doomed project. Wilder says he really liked what had been shot, feeling it was the most elegant film he'd ever shot, but thought it was too long. He had final cut; since he had to travel to Europe to start pre-production on another film, he asked a film editor he trusted to do a cut. Without his knowledge, the producers got involved. When he saw it, Wilder thought it was a "disaster," leaving out entire episodes that he wanted to be included. Later the negative somehow ended up "missing" and he walked away from the project. The picture, as it exists today, is a fascinating mixture of good and odd elements. It's not any sort of traditional, straightforward mystery, nor it is easy to identify as a Billy Wilder picture. And though it stars Robert Stevens as a distinguished Sherlock Holmes, Colin Blakely plays Dr. Watson as though it were a character in a Billy Wilder comedy, which, of course, he kinda is ... it's a very confusing film, and didn't get much of a release in 1970. Indeed, Sherlock Holmes' popularity in general may even have waned a bit during the early 70s, which may have been a contributing factor to the instant popularity of Meyer's novel. Reading it for the first time recently, I found it to be a fresh and modern take on venerable characters. Holmes' addiction to cocaine, which is mentioned in the original Doyle stories, is the initial hook (and explains the title), and its severity leads his friend John Watson to maneuver the detective to Vienna, Austria, so he can be treated by Sigmund Freud. In time, another mystery manifests in Austria, which prompts further adventures. Eminently compelling and already screen-friendly, it's entirely understandable that director Ross would want Meyer to simply recreate the story entirely for the screen. In the month or so since I read the novel, I've been reading some of Doyle's original stories, which are captivating on their own merits, and am even more impressed by Meyer's skill in suggesting Doyle's original, somewhat archaic, prose style and structure, while adding his own literary inclinations. As Meyer explains in the 2012 interview, he did not intend either his novel or the film to be 'a Sherlock Holmes mystery.' Rather, he was more fascinated by telling a story "about Sherlock Holmes." In other words: What makes Sherlock tick? And how do you revive a famed detective from a life-threatening addiction? My awareness about cocaine was completely non-existent in the early 70s, even as a Los Angeles resident, though the drug's use was already climbing in the U.S. This too may have contributed to the book's popularity -- ooh, cute idea, Sherlock Holmes on coke? -- even though it emphasizes the very detrimental effects of addiction. In any event, the film's initial narrative weight is carried extremely well by Robert Duvall in a very modest performance as Dr. John Watson. He embodies the character as portrayed in the original stories: a loyal military veteran and respected medical doctor who is fascinated by Holmes' skills as a detective. If anything, he is a bit stilted and, definitely, in no way buffoonish. Alan Arkin can rightly be described as the star; both the character and his performance as Freud steal the show with their straightforward sincerity and strength. (Duvall's Watson is quite rightly defined by his extreme modesty, which feels accurate to Doyle's stories.) Nicol Williamson's always entertaining, stage-honed instincts toward large performances (see The Wilby Conspiracy, for example) serve his character well here. Laurence Olivier (as Moriarty), Vanessa Redgrave, Samantha Eggar and Joel Grey round out the principal cast nicely. In 1977, Eric Clapton's version of J.J. Cale's song "Cocaine" (first recorded in 1976) became a hit, and a year later, I distinctly recall a friend of mine arriving for a night out already high from the drug. Meanwhile, Nicholas Meyer next made the fabulous Time After Time (1979), which remains strong in my memory (but deserves a revisit). Herbert Ross next directed The Turning Point (1977) and The Goodbye Girl (1977) before closing out the decade with California Suite (1978). Arkin would next be seen on TV and then starred in and directed the comedy Fire Sale (1977). Not too long after that, he starred in The In Laws (1979), which sits on my shelf from Criterion, calling out for a revisit almost every day. Duvall appeared in a little movie titled Network (1976), released just about two months later, while Williamson made a great guest appearance on Columbo and then moved on to Neil Simon's The Cheap Detective, while Vanessa Redgrave would next win an Academy Award for her performance as the titular character in Fred Zinnemann's Julia, a Blu-ray that is also sitting on my shelf, waiting for a rewatch. In the 21st century, Sherlock Holmes adaptations have flooded screens, so it's difficult not a version of the consulting detective somewhere. Still, I'm glad I finally watched the very entertaining The Seven-Per-Cent Solution on Blu-ray and look forward to watching it again. In the meantime, I've invested in my own collection of Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories and am enjoying them immensely. As for myself, I never tried cocaine. 70s Rewind allows the writer to safely indulge in his love for all things 70s, especially movies. Experts at security firm Sophos discovered a new strain of ransomware dubbed MegaCortex that is targeting corporate networks. Security experts at Sophos discovered a new piece of ransomware dubbed MegaCortex that is targeting corporate networks. MegaCortex attacks were already reported in the United States, Italy, Canada, France, the Netherlands, and Ireland. A new ransomware that calls itself MegaCortex got a jolt of life on Wednesday as we detected a spike in the number of attacks against Sophos customers around the world, including in Italy, the United States, Canada, the Netherlands, Ireland, and France. The attackers delivering this new malware campaign employed sophisticated techiques in the attempt to infect victims. reads a blog post published by Sophos. The convoluted infection methodology MegaCortex employs leverages both automated and manual components, and appears to involve a high amount of automation to infect a greater number of victims. MegaCortex was first spotted in January when a sample of the ransomware was uploaded on the online scanning service VirusTotal. Experts noticed a spike in the number of attacks last week when detected and halted 47 attacks (Since January the overall number of attack based on MegaCortex is 76). At the time of the report is still unclear the attack chain, anyway, researchers found a correlation between the MegaCortex attacks and the presence in the same network of both Emotet and Qbot (aka Qakbot) malware. Right now, we cant say for certain whether the MegaCortex attacks are being aided and abetted by the Emotet malware, but so far in our investigation (which is still ongoing as this post goes live), there seems to be a correlation between the MegaCortex attacks and the presence on the same network of both Emotet and Qbot (aka Qakbot) malware. continues the report. Some of the victims of the ransomware reported they had the domain controllers compromised, this could be a first step of the attack. Then crooks leverage on Cobalt Strike script that opens a Meterpreter reverse shell into the target network. The access to the compromised domain controller (DC) allows the attackers to issue commands. The Domain Controller uses WMI to push the malware, a copy of PsExec renamed rstwg.exe, and a batch file to the machines on the machine reachable in the same network and then runs the batch file remotely via PsExec. The batch file includes a long list of commands used by the attackers to kill 44 processes, issue stop commands to 189 different services, and switch the Startup Type for 194 different services to Disabled, which prevents them from starting up again. Then the malicious code will execute the main malware file called winnit.exe. This command invokes winnit.exe to drop and execute a DLL payload with an eight-random-alphabetic character filename that performs the hostile encryption. reads the analysis published by Sophos. There are also indications the attackers use other batch files, named with the numbers 1.bat through 6.bat, that are being used to issue commands to distribute the winnit.exe and the trigger batch file around the victims network. The MegaCortex ransomware leaves a ransom note on the root of the victims hard drive. The Megacortex ransomware generates a file with a .tsv file extension and the same eight-random-letter filename as the malicious DLL and leaves it to the hard drive. The victims have to submit this file with their request to pay the ransom to the attackers via two free mail.com email addresses. Experts pointed out that the ransom note doesnt mention a ransom price the crooks are demanding, instead they offer the victims a consultation on how to improve your companies (sic) cyber security and a guarantee that your company will never be inconvenienced by us. The softwares price will include a guarantee that your company will never be inconvenienced by us. You will also receive a consultation on how to improve your companies cyber security. Further technical details, including Indicators of Compromise (IoCs), are reported in the analysis published by Sophos. Pierluigi Paganini (SecurityAffairs Megacortex ransomware, cybercrime) Share this... Linkedin Share this: Twitter Print LinkedIn Facebook More Tumblr Pocket Share On Photo: Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call It looks like major progressive organization wont be scared off by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committees policy of blacklisting political vendors who work with candidates challenging Democratic incumbents. EMILYs List, MoveOn, NARAL Pro-Choice America, Planned Parenthood, and the Progressive Change Campaign Committee have endorsed Marie Newmans primary race against Democratic representative Dan Lipinski, Newmans campaign announced in a press release on Monday. I am proud to have the endorsement of a coalition whose mission is to advocate for women, working families, workers, the middle class and progressive policies, Newman said in the release. Newman, who is pro-choice, is challenging Lipinski, who is anti-abortion, from the left. Its her second primary challenge to Lipinski; in 2018, she came within 2.2 points of defeating him. Illinoiss Third Congressional District is not heavily Republican, and Newman likely stands a good chance of defeating the conservative Lipinski. The organizations in Mondays endorsement announcement had previously endorsed Newman in 2018. But their decision to do so again, at such an early moment in the campaign, has specific resonance now. The DCCC recently formalized a policy that penalizes vendors and consultants who work for insurgent candidates taking on incumbent Democrats. A consultant who signs on to work for Newmans campaign can expect to be blocked from working for the DCCC a significant disincentive. Last month Politico reported that Newmans campaign had already lost four consultants as a result of the blacklist. But Mondays endorsements could tip the odds back in Newmans favor. Planned Parenthood and NARAL Pro-Choice America are major allies for the Democratic Party, and their support may well embolden consultants to defy the blacklist. Speaking by phone to New York Magazine on April 26, Newman sounded undaunted. Of the DCCCs blacklist, she said, Heres the thing on my campaign. I always figure it out. If theres an obstacle, I get up and over it and get beyond it pretty quickly. And thats what were doing. Were moving beyond it. Most importantly, Im in alignment with the district and Dan is not, she added. Thats really kind of number one. Thats why we need a real Democrat that has a real plan, and my plan is to help fight for Medicare for All, to help fight for everybody every day. At the time of her conversation with New York, Newman said that she had conducted 53 meet-and-greets in the district during the last two and a half months, and added, Everybody wants 15 dollars an hour. Everybody wants paid leave. Everybody wants universal child care and we must and this is what Im very focused on bridge the income divide. Newman is likely to garner more progressive endorsements in coming weeks. Our Revolution, which was founded by veterans of Senator Bernie Sanderss first campaign for president to elect left-wing Democrats to office, also endorsed her in 2018. Members of the group recently met with DCCC chair, Representative Cheri Bustos, to ask her to rescind or amend the blacklist policy. New Miss USA is a lawyer who blogs and seeks "reduced sentences for people who were sentenced unjustly" | Main | Prez Trump gets back in clemency business by granting full pardon to US veteran convicted of killing Iraqi prisoner May 6, 2019 Highlighting how judges can now bring needed compassion to compassionate release after FIRST STEP Act In prior posts, I have made much of a key provision of the FIRST STEP Act which allows federal courts to directly reduce sentences under the so-called compassionate release statutory provisions of 18 U.S.C. 3582(C)(1)(A). This recent Reason article discussing the impact of this provision in a notable recent case from Montana. The full title of this article serve as a summary of its contents: "A Terminally Ill, Wheelchair-Bound Inmate Applied for Compassionate Release. The Justice Department Argued He Wasn't Dying Fast Enough To Qualify. The FIRST STEP Act gives dying inmates the opportunity to appeal to a judge for compassionate release. This case shows why." Here are excerpts: On Wednesday a judge ordered the release of federal inmate Steve Brittner, 55, under the new provisions of the FIRST STEP Act, a criminal justice bill passed late last year. The judge ordered the release over the objections of federal prosecutors, who argued that Brittner, who is suffering from a malignant brain tumor, does not meet the "extraordinary and compelling" reasons to qualify for what's known as "compassionate release." Brittner's case illustrates both the impact of the new law and the extraordinary hurdles terminally ill inmates and their families still face when trying to squeeze a small amount of mercy out of the federal government. One provision of the FIRST STEP Act allows federal inmates to take their pleas to a judge if the federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) rejects their petitions for compassionate release a policy that is supposed to afford elderly and terminally ill inmates the opportunity to finish their lives among family and in relative peace.... "This is a very telling case," says FAMM president Kevin Ring. "On one hand, the First Step Act's reforms to compassionate release worked as intended and this family prevailed. On the other hand, it blows my mind that the Justice Department and BOP still fought tooth and nail to keep a low-level drug offender who is dying of brain cancer and bound to a wheelchair away from his family for the final weeks of his life. They'll say they were just doing their jobs, but their job is to do justice." A few prior related posts from before and after FIRST STEP : May 6, 2019 at 11:26 PM | Permalink Comments Yesterday, Judge Varlan in the Eastern District of Tennessee did the same thing for our client Linda Pesterfield. Finally some true compassion tied to a compassionate release Posted by: john Webster | May 7, 2019 8:47:45 AM Great to hear, john. Is there a written order you could share? Posted by: Doug B. | May 7, 2019 12:08:03 PM Yes sir. Traveling today and will send tomorrow. Posted by: John B. WEBSTER | May 12, 2019 10:43:24 AM Yall I just want to know how long it took for the judge to rule on a compassionate release. My husband file July 22nd, and we are still waiting. Posted by: Cayla Corley | Aug 15, 2020 12:19:19 AM Post a comment Pennsylvania Gov grants clemency to three more persons serving life sentences | Main | Highlighting how judges can now bring needed compassion to compassionate release after FIRST STEP Act May 6, 2019 New Miss USA is a lawyer who blogs and seeks "reduced sentences for people who were sentenced unjustly" I was intrigued to learned that I share some traits with the newly-crowed Miss USA, Cheslie Kryst. As detailed on this webpage, Kryst is a lawyer and a blogger and an advocate concerned with excessive sentences: Cheslie graduated with a Juris Doctor degree (JD) and Master of Business Administration degree (MBA) from Wake Forest University. And also earned her Bachelor of Science degree (BS) in Business Administration from the Honors College at the University of South Carolina. Cheslie is practicing complex civil litigation for a private law firm and is licensed to practice law in two states. She also does pro bono (free legal) work to get reduced sentences for people who were sentenced unjustly. Cheslie currently runs her own fashion blog, White Collar Glam, that focuses on workwear fashion for women. She was inspired to begin White Collar Glam after struggling to find appropriate, affordable, and professional clothing. And this new TMZ piece reports that Miss USA is already joining forces with high-profile folks with a track record of getting excessive sentences reduced: Miss USA Cheslie Kryst is hard at work on a project that goes well beyond your typical beauty pageant agenda -- and it has her crossing paths with Kim Kardashian. The new Miss USA was on "TMZ Live" Monday and told us she's working to free an inmate who's serving a life sentence for a low-level drug charge. She's working closely with Brittany K. Barnett -- the lawyer who just secured another prisoner's release ... with Kim's funding. Cheslie, an attorney herself, tells us she and Brittany hope to do the same for someone in her home state of North Carolina by the end of this month. As we reported ... Kim and Brittany just helped free Jeffrey Stringer, who served 22 years of a life sentence in Florida. Kim posted a celebratory shot of his family ahead of Stringer's release. Now, Cheslie's hoping she can accomplish a similar mission close to home. Kim's got a pretty amazing track record when it comes to this sort of thing ... helping Tennessee inmate Cyntoia Brown secure clemency, playing a key role in freeing Matthew Charles and Alice Marie Johnson, and taking her cause to the White House for a meeting with President Trump ... accomplishments Cheslie says should be celebrated. May 6, 2019 at 10:59 PM | Permalink Comments "reduced sentences for people who were sentenced unjustly", what about those that have been sentenced that are innocent and no evidence presented by a bias judicial system? Posted by: LC in Texas | May 7, 2019 1:35:27 PM Post a comment Will New Hampshire legislature this time override veto to finally repeal state's death penalty? | Main | New Miss USA is a lawyer who blogs and seeks "reduced sentences for people who were sentenced unjustly" I am pleased to see that, while Prez Trump and some who want his job have been talking the talk about clemency at the federal level, some notable governors have been walking the walk at the state level. This new local article, headlined "Gov. Tom Wolf releases 8 lifers, more than any other Pa. governor in decades," reports on the record of the chief executive in the Keystone state. Here are excerpts: On Tuesday evening, George Trudel Jr. heretofore known as inmate AS2262 at the State Correctional Institution Phoenix got the news hed been awaiting for 30 years. Gov. Tom Wolf had granted him clemency, bringing to a close what had been a sentence of life in prison without possibility of parole.... Trudel, now 52, is one of more than a thousand lifers convicted for a role in a killing that they did not personally commit or necessarily even anticipate lookouts for botched robberies and burglars who caused elderly victims to have heart attacks.... The reduction of Trudels life sentence, and those of two other men, bring to eight the number of commutations granted by Wolf. Thats more than any other governor in the last 25 years. The politically precarious practice of commuting life sentences began to fall out of favor not long before Trudel was convicted, when Gov. Richard Thornburgh took office in 1979. It all but ceased in 1994 the year a lifer named Reginald McFadden was released and went on a killing spree, flipping the governors race away from Mark Singel, who had approved the commutation, and shifting the odds of clemency from Harvard-acceptance rare to lottery-win rare for the next 2 decades. As a result, Pennsylvania is now home to more than 5,000 people serving live without parole. Today, commutations must be unanimously recommended by the state Board of Pardons before the governor can even consider them. Many applicants are senior citizens who have spent decades in prison. The two other men who received clemency were Adolfo Carrillo, 79, from Philadelphia, and Samuel Barlow, 68, of Pittsburgh. Carrillo shot and killed a neighbor, Santiago Garcia, during an argument in 1976; he told police that Garcia had disrespected his wife, according to news reports. Barlow was initially sentenced to death for serving as the lookout in a 1968 bank robbery in which his co-defendants shot and killed a customer, George Morelock. SINGAPORE (May 7): Property group Chip Eng Seng reported 1Q earnings of $11.3 million or 1.8 cents, 84.6% higher compared to $6.12 million, or 0.99 cents, a year ago due to higher sales. Revenue rose 34.2% y-o-y to $267.3 million as property development segment grew 48.9%, driven by the Grandeur Park Residences and Park Colonial private-home projects here. Hotel contributions also rose by 19.7%, lifted by contributions from the Mercure and Ibis Styles Grosvenor Hotel in Adelaide, which the group acquired in March last year. Growth in these segments offset the 10.3% revenue fall in construction, where the order book fell to $388.8 million, from $425.5 million the previous quarter, as no new contracts were won. In its outlook, Chip Eng Seng said that it will exercise caution when bidding for new projects in Australia and Singapore. And with competition for HDB contracts expected to stay keen, the group said it would tender for other non-housing and civil engineering if the opportunity allows and also plans to grow its education operations both in Singapore and abroad. Chip Eng Seng shares closed 1 cent lower at 77 cents on Monday before the results were released. FILE PHOTO: A Norwegian Air Boeing 737-800 is seen during the presentation of Norwegian Air first low cost transatlantic flight service from Argentina at Ezeiza airport in Buenos Aires, Argentina, March 8, 2018. REUTERS/Marcos Brindicci/File Photo OSLO (Reuters) - Norwegian Air filled more seats on its planes and earned higher revenues per customer in April while dealing with the grounding of its 18 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, it said, sending the company's shares sharply higher in early trade. The company said last month that the global grounding of 737 MAX jets, which followed deadly crashes of airliners in Indonesia and Ethiopia, could scupper Norwegian's plan to return to profitability this year. So far however, the carrier has managed to limit the impact from the grounding of around 11 percent of its fleet by combining flights and offering passengers alternative departures, it said. Norwegian's load factor, the percentage of seats sold, rose to 86.1 percent from 83.0 percent a year earlier, beating an analyst forecast of 85.9 percent. Yield, a measure of revenue per passenger carried and kilometres flown, rose to 0.41 Norwegian crowns ($0.0471) from 0.33 crowns in March, topping the 0.38 crowns expected by analysts in a Reuters poll. While analysts had anticipated an income boost, there had been uncertainty about the impact of the 737 MAX groundings, as well as a strike among pilots at rival SAS. "Overall, the traffic report implies that (earnings) estimates should increase," wrote Pareto Securities, which holds a buy recommendation on the stock with a share price target of 100 crowns. Norwegian's shares rose nine percent in early trade and were up 6.6 percent at 0725 GMT, trading at 41.60 crowns. Norwegian has curbed its rapid growth this year to focus on cutting costs and turning a profit. It also raised 3 billion crowns from shareholders to boost its balance sheet. "I'm very pleased with the positive development in April, as well as the last two months as a whole; both in terms of passenger numbers, revenue and on-time performance," Chief Executive Bjoern Kjos said in a statement. "We will continue to work on returning to profitability and at the same time offer our customers a high-quality product at a low fare," he said. Story continues Norwegian's capacity expansion, as measured by available seat kilometres (ASK), peaked at 51 percent growth year-on-year last June and has since declined, hitting 7 percent in April, lower than the 8.8 percent that analysts forecast on average. ($1 = 8.7100 Norwegian crowns) (Reporting by Terje Solsvik and Izabela Niemiec; editing by Nerijus Adomaitis, Jason Neely and Kirsten Donovan) Australians campaigning to end the former colony's allegiance to the British monarchy "warmly" congratulated Harry and Meghan on Tuesday on the birth of their son. But in a cheeky message, the Australian Republic Movement reminded the royals that their goal remained a nation where any child can aspire "to the top job regardless of their family". Australians voted to keep the British monarch as their head of state in a 1999 referendum, but the opposition Labor party has vowed to hold a new plebiscite on the issue if they win national elections on May 18, as opinion polls predict. Conservative Prime Minister Scott Morrison, a supporter of the monarchy, tweeted "huge congratulations" to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex after their baby son was born overnight. The Republic Movement also said it "warmly congratulates Harry and Meghan on the birth of their son", but added that their sentiment extended to "all Australians who welcomed a child into the world today". The movement noted that the baby is the seventh in line to the British throne, "making him unlikely to ever rule over Australians". "We look forward to when our head of state is chosen by Australians, and on merit, instead of birthright," it said. Public support for Australia breaking its ties with the British monarchy slumped following a visit Down Under by Harry and Meghan shortly after the former American actress announced she was pregnant. An opinion poll found only 40 percent of respondents favoured Australia becoming a republic, the lowest level of support in 25 years and 10 points down from a similar survey conducted before the royal couple's October visit. Former OMB Chairman Edu Manzano MANILA, Philippines The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday canceled the Certificate of Candidacy (CoC) of actor Edu Manzano, who is running for a congressional seat for the lone district of San Juan City. The 15-page Comelec Second Division decision reads that the poll body has granted the petition filed by Sophia Patricia Gil, a San Juan City resident, in November 2018 which claimed that Manzano misrepresented himself by declaring that he is a Filipino citizen when he filed his CoC for the May Midterm elections. Respondent is not a Filipino citizen at the time he filed his COC for a member of the House of Representatives for the lone district of San Juan City, Comelec stated in its decision released on May 6. It added that Manzano committed false material representation of his citizenship, prompting the poll body to cancel his COC. Comelec said Manzano failed to re-acquire his Filipino citizenship at the time that he filed his COC in October last year. Manzano lost his Filipino citizenship when he served as a member of the United States Army from 1973 to 1977, according to Section 1-4 of the Commonwealth Act (CA) No. 63. Comelec explained that the C.A. No. 63 is clear and explicit in stating that by rendering service to, or accepting commission in, the armed forces of a foreign country, a Filipino will lose his Philippine citizenship. Manzano became Makati vice mayor in 1998. He lost, however, when he took a mayoral bid in 2001. He had also run in the vice presidential and senatorial race in 2010 and 2016, respectively. The post Comelec cancels Edu Manzanos bid for Congressional seat appeared first on UNTV News. Sri Lankan authorities have arrested or killed all the jihadists responsible for Easter suicide bombings, but the island still faces the threat of "global terrorism," the prime minister said Tuesday. Ranil Wickremesinghe told parliament that his Buddhist-majority nation was a victim of Islamist extremists and needed international support to deal with the persisting threat. "The danger is not over, we are now a victim of global terrorism," Wickremesinghe said. "Even if we have arrested or killed every terrorist responsible for the Easter Sunday attacks, extremists abroad can still cause trouble for us. We need intelligence sharing with foreign partners to deal with this challenge." His comments came as police chief Chandana Wickramaratne said they have accounted for every individual involved in the April 21 attacks that killed 257 people at three churches and three luxury hotels. "All those who organised and carried out the suicide bomb attack have died or is in our custody," Wickramaratne said. "The two bomb experts of the group have been killed. We have seized the explosives they had stored for future attacks." Wickramaratne, who was named acting police chief last week after President Maithripala Sirisena suspended his predecessor over his failure to act on warnings about the attacks, said public life was slowly returning to normal. - Church opens - The St Anthony's church also partially opened Tuesday for prayers amid tight security even as the military and police guarded the historic place of worship dating back to 1740. Police set up steel barricades outside and frisked people entering to pray before a statue of Saint Anthony. Church authorities said they will allow devotees for a 12-hour period until the church was fully restored. Sri Lanka's navy is leading efforts to rebuild the church which is venerated not only by Catholics but also by many people of other faiths who believe in the miraculous powers of Saint Anthony. The government reopened public schools on Monday, but attendance dropped to below 10 percent in many places with parents still fearing attacks. "We have strengthened security for all schools," the police chief said. "We are also conducting a programme to create awareness about safety and security in all schools." Wickramaratne did not say how many people were in custody over the bombings, but police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekera said Monday that 73 people, including nine women, were being held. The bombings were blamed on a local group, the National Thowheeth Jama'ath (NTJ), but the Islamic State group has also claimed responsibility. Police said religious tensions have eased at Negombo, a town north of Colombo that suffered the highest death toll in the Easter Sunday attacks. A bomb at St Sebastian's church in the town killed more than 100 worshippers. Dozens of Muslim-owned businesses, homes and vehicles in Negombo were damaged in clashes on Sunday night. The Roman Catholic Church appealed for calm and urged Christians not to carry out revenge attacks against Muslims. Police said two arrests were made and more suspects had been identified through CCTV footage. South Korea may have claimed first place in the race for 5G when they launched support for the advanced wireless protocol on their mobile networks in April, but Singapore isnt far behind, with plans to launch the 5th generation mobile network service sometime next year. Now, the government is taking the time to consult with both industry experts and the public on how best to implement their 5G network. The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) released a press release today announcing the launch of a public consultation seeking views from the industry and general public on the appropriate regulatory frameworks and policies for 5G. IMDA said the feedback will not only assist in their 5G rollout but also help identify innovative 5G applications and services for Singapore. So what exactly could we do with super fast 5G service? As IMDA described in their release, Consumers will be able to enjoy an enhanced and immersive user experience, including access to Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality content and live streaming of 4K/8K videos. Businesses will be able to leverage 5G capabilities to develop innovative applications and improve productivity and efficiency in a wide range of sectors including manufacturing, transport, media and healthcare. The regulator said that 5G would also allow for possibilities such as cloud gaming allowing consumers with low-end phones to play high-end games, with the graphics being rendered on a high-powered server and streamed at speeds fast enough to allow for seamless gameplay. Another potential use, they noted, would be autonomous vehicles. That all sounds spiffy, so what does the government want to consult the industry and public about? IMDA said they want to hear views on a few key areas of implementation, including how the frequency spectrum is allocated to mobile network operators and how they can build a broader 5G ecosystem through innovative 5G use-cases. IMDA said it will support those innovations by waiving frequency fees for mobile network operators that are keen to conduct technical and/or commercial 5G trials. Story continues The public consultation will begin today and end on June 19. For more technical details on the planned rollout and information on how you can participate in the consultation, you can check out the IMDA website. This article, More details of Singapore 5G rollout in 2020 revealed, govt wants public and industry input, originally appeared on Coconuts, Asia's leading alternative media company. Want more Coconuts? Sign up for our newsletters! Photo: Stefano Montesi - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images With his political capital effectively played out on the American right, Steve Bannon has taken his cultural-anxiety show to Europe, where he hopes to establish a school for nationalists in a former monastery outside of Rome. But the Catholic Church not to mention the village locals arent thrilled that Bannon has decided to set up reactionary shop in a former abbey built in 1204. According to a letter obtained by Politico, a top cardinal, Renato Maria Martino, rejected Bannons plan for the academy on the monastic site. Martino wrote to Bannon associate Benjamin Harnwell in January, demanding that they not implement any distortions or modifications to their initial plan which was for an apolitical Catholic study and training center, per Politico. Cardinal Martino also threatened to resign as the honorary president of the Dignitatis Humanae Institute, the association overseeing the project. I recommend you to make sure the abbey is really turned into a place for worship and meeting open to everybody, Martino wrote. [The letter has been translated.] I really hope you and DHI succeed in carrying out the project without any distortions or modifications, including in its implementation phase, that will degenerate the purposes you have worked for so hard I therefore ask you, even in the future, to make sure the abbey is a place where the Churchs doctrine is respected. Bannon, a veteran of the alt-right platform Breitbart and the Trump White House, has flirted with establishing a European institutional presence since 2013. His group is paying 100,000 a month for the abbey and is reportedly backed by Ben Harnwell, a former British assistant in the European Parliament. Bannon told The New Yorker that his goal is to build a right-wing answer to George Soross Open Society Foundations, the billionaires grant-making network that distributes funding to NGOs and media. Soros has done an amazing job, Bannon said. To me hes a role model in that regard. Bannon envisions hosting young professionals who want a change in life; they will attend the school for as long as an academic year and then emerge to pursue careers in media or government. But Cardinal Martino isnt the only authority to contest Bannons pivot to create a gladiator school for culture warriors. The Italian culture ministry has reportedly told lawyers to determine if there are grounds to cancel the authorizations given to DHI, namely, possible irregularities in the paperwork. In addition, around 200 people living in the region gathered in the mountainous village in April to protest the proposed school. Nor does Western Europes current batch of far-right politicians particularly care for Bannons presence on the Continent. According to The New Yorker, a spokesman for the right-wing Alternative for Germany party said the party was not interested in working with him because he doesnt understand European politics. Marine Le Pen of Frances far-right National Front said in 2018 that Bannon couldnt be helpful because he isnt from a European country. And a senior official in the Italian right-wing League party told Politico Europe that Bannon is not on the radar, adding that he looks like hes going after money. MANILA, Philippines The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Tuesday said it is now taking measures to validate the identity of Peter Joemel Advincula, the man who claims to be Bikoy in the video series entitled Ang Totoong Narco List uploaded online. NBI cybercrime division chief Vic Lorenzo said they have started investigating Advinculas records to ascertain his identity based on evidence. Lorenzo said their initial investigation have shown that Advincula has been involved in several criminal cases but there was no record linking him to illegal drugs. Vineverify na namin yung nagpakilalang Bikoy. Peter Advincula nga. May mga nakikita kaming records sa kanya, criminal records sa kanya. Walang drugs kaming nakita doon sa records niya, Lorenzo said. Advincula surfaced at the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) on Monday to seek legal assistance to sue presidential son Paolo Duterte, former Special Assistant to the President Bong Go, and lawyer Manases Carpio, the husband of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte. He said the death threats he was receiving pushed him to go public. READ: Man claiming to be Bikoy asks help from IBP In a statement he read before the press on Monday, he admitted to being jailed in 2012 for six years for estafa after VitaPlus, the company he formerly worked for as marketing executive, allegedly made him sign some documents. He was released in 2016 for good behavior. Lorenzo said that aside from estafa, Advincula was also charged for swindling and large-scale recruitment, which makes his drug claims against the Duterte family and their allies highly doubtful. Highly questionable yung integrity niya kasi when you are lying all your life and scamming all your life, walang credibility on your allegations e, Lorenzo said. The NBI official also expressed skepticism on Advinculas claim that he used to personally scan Go and Dutertes alleged back tattoos of a dragon-like figure and alphanumeric codes of their supposed bank accounts for their drug dealings. Story continues May mga sinasabi siya yung mga bar codes ng tattoo na supposedly sa mga personalities, inii-scan nila yun. Ang question is can you really imprint a bar code or QR code to someones skin? Napakahirap yata nun, Lorenzo said. Go and Duterte had repeatedly refuted the allegations. Go even bared his back for the second time on Monday to deny the claims. READ: Bong Go bares his back to deny alleged link to drug syndicate READ: Paolo Duterte denies receiving kickbacks from drug syndicates The NBI earlier said it is planning to summon Advincula for questioning and to shed light on some issues, particularly on his identity and the drug claims he made against the Duterte family members. READ: NBI to summon man claiming to be Bikoy Lorenzo also said that they are now investigating several persons of interest in the Bikoy narco videos based on the forensic examination they conducted on the electronic gadgets obtained from Rodel Jayme. (with details from April Cenedoza) The post NBI to validate identity of man claiming to be Bikoy appeared first on UNTV News. Law Minister K. Shanmugam (Photo: Dhany Osman / Yahoo News Singapore) SINGAPORE An appeal against a ministers decision under the proposed fake news law could be heard in court in as little as six days. Meanwhile, a minister would have up to two days to make a decision after receiving an application by an individual against his or her direction. Speaking during the second reading of the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Bill, Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam said the appeal process for individuals seeking redress would be expedited. Under the draft law, a minister can order or direct an individual to issue a correction alongside content deemed false, or to take down the content. The law will give ministers the power to direct online sites such as Facebook, Google and Twitter to put warnings next to posts that are deemed false. The government has said that the new law will help Singapore guard against malicious actors who knowingly spread harmful falsehoods and act against public interest. But the draft law has triggered widespread concerns including on the sweeping definition of what constitutes a falsehood, the extensive powers to be given to individual ministers to deal with falsehood, and the potentially adverse impact it would have on free speech in Singapore. When a minister determines an individual behind a falsehood and issues an order, the latter has to comply first. The individual can choose to apply to the minister to cancel the order. Shanmugam said a standard form will be provided online for this. The form must be sent to an email address, which will be given in the minister's order or direction. Once the minister has decided on the application, the individual would have up to 14 days to file an appeal with the High Court. And the court would have to hear the appeal within six days after an appeal is filed. And no court fees will be charged for first three days of hearing. Thereafter, the usual court fees will apply, although the courts may waive fees. Shanmugam said the detailed procedure for challenging a ministers decision will be spelled out in subsidiary legislation, which is expected to be filed after the primary legislation is passed. Story continues More Singapore stories: Ghim Moh durian seller who under-declared income to avoid paying tax jailed, fined Corrective Work Orders rose 30% to 2,600 cases in 2018: NEA 7 pollution incidents along Johor river have caused PUB plant's temporary shutdown since 2017: Masagos Hospital doctor fined $7k for forging his own MCs due to depression from break-up 83% of Singaporeans prefer independent body to assess online falsehoods: survey MANILA, Philippines The Philippine National Police (PNP) has leveraged modern communication technology to monitor the actual or real-time situation in various parts of the country on the day of the May 13 elections. On Tuesday (May 7), PNP Chief Police General Oscar Albayalde initiated the launch of the PNP National Election Monitoring Action Center located at the Police Headquarters in Camp Crame. The center will be manned by 60 police personnel and is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment. May video iyan at ise-send nila dito and we will be able to see the situation kung ano (ang) nangyayari on the ground, Albayalde explained. (There will be video [monitors] where the video will be sent and we will be able to see what is happening on the ground.) The entire police force is now on full alert status days before the midterm polls on May 13. Over 140,000 cops have already been deployed to different parts of the country including the new recruits and newly graduate cadets of the PNP Academy. So far, Albayalde said they have not received any report of possible terror plots that might hamper or distract the election process. He assures, however, that the PNP will remain on guard especially in all 946 areas of concern across the country, majority of which are in the Mindanao region. Meanwhile, Albayalde clarified that the PNP only provided security details to personalities that are approved by Comelec. The Police Chief asks political rivals to refrain from any act of violence. Kahit na siguro intense ang rivalry pero huwag lang magsakitan, he appealed. (No matter how intense the rivalry is, there shouldnt be violence.) Likewise, he advised his men in the PNP not to meddle with the election process and let the personnel from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) handle any election-related concerns. Wala pa kaming naging experience na binigyan kami ng authority ng COMELEC para makialam doon sa mga ballot boxes except ang mga naka-assign as EBs, he concluded. (Except for those assigned as EBs [Election Boards], Comelec has never given us authority to intervene with the handling of ballot boxes.) ) (with reports from Rey Pelayo) Marje Pelayo The post PNP launches election monitoring action center appeared first on UNTV News. MANILA, Philippines A Senate panel is set to conduct a hearing this week to probe the allegations of Peter Joemel Advincula, who is claiming to be Bikoy in the video series entitled Ang Totoong Narco list, which linked some members of the Duterte family and their allies to the narcotics trade. Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs chairman Panfilo Ping Lacson on Tuesday said in a text message the hearing will take place on Friday, May 10 at 9:30 a.m. He added that the formal invitation to Advincula will be sent out through the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) since it was the last place where he was seen. The committee is sending out today a formal invitation letter to Advincula thru the IBP since it was the last known link to him and they may have knowledge of how to relay the invitation to him, Lacson said. Advincula on Monday surfaced at the IBP to seek legal assistance to file charges against presidential son Paolo Duterte, former Special Assistant to the President and Senatorial candidate Christopher Lawrence Bong Go, and Lawyer Manases Carpio, the husband of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio. He also cited threats against his life as one of his reasons for surfacing. READ: Man claiming to be Bikoy asks help from IBP The senator also wrote on his Twitter account that his panel will be looking into the issue surrounding the Ang Totoong Narco list since it has become a political issue. However, Lacson said Advincula must personally present a sworn statement and evidence to back his claims in order for the hearing to push through. Like it or not, Bikoy has become a political, if not an election issue. The Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs can schedule a hearing this week on one condition: Bikoy must personally present a sworn statement and his evidence to support his accusations, he said. Like it or not, Bikoy has become a political, if not an election issue. The Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs can schedule a hearing this week on one condition: Bikoy must personally present a sworn statement and his evidence to support his accusations. PING LACSON (@iampinglacson) May 7, 2019 Lacson said the scheduled hearing on Friday will proceed if Bikoy accepts their invitation and presents his sworn statement. Story continues It will push through once Bikoy confirms his attendance with a sworn statement ready. In the meantime, we are doing some background investigation and record check on him, he said. READ: NBI to summon man claiming to be Bikoy READ: PNP to probe Bikoy narco videos The Philippine National Police and the National Bureau of Investigation earlier said a probe has been launched on the people behind the Bikoy narco videos and are now validating if Advincula is the same hooded figure in the clips. (with details from Nel Maribojoc) The post Senate to probe Bikoy claims this week appeared first on UNTV News. FILE PHOTO: U.S. bomber B-52 flies over during the final day of NATO Saber Strike exercises in Orzysz, Poland, June 16, 2017. REUTERS/Ints Kalnins WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. military said on Tuesday that B-52 bombers will be part of additional forces being sent to the Middle East to counter what the Trump administration says are "clear indications" of threats from Iran to U.S. forces there. White House national security adviser John Bolton said on Sunday that the United States was deploying a carrier strike group and a bomber task force to the Middle East. Captain Bill Urban, a spokesman for U.S. Central Command, said that the bomber task force would consist of B-52 bombers. U.S. officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said four B-52s would be deployed, though that number could change. The United States has regularly maintained a bomber presence in the region, and B-1 bombers were there as recently as last month. The B-52 is a long-range, nuclear capable bomber. The military also confirmed that the Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group had already been scheduled to go to the Middle East, but that its movement was "expedited" due to heightened tension with Iran. Iran's top security body dismissed the U.S. plan to send forces to the region as "psychological warfare." Announcing details of the force on Tuesday, the U.S. military did not provide specific details of intelligence it may have about an Iranian threat. U.S. Central Command, which is responsible for U.S. military operations in the Middle East and Afghanistan, requested additional forces following "recent and clear indications" that Iranian and proxy forces were making preparations to possibly attack U.S. forces in the region, Urban said. He said the credibility of those threats was based on sources and methods through which the information was obtained, something the U.S. military was not able to discuss. The military has said the threat to U.S. forces was on land and at sea, but declined to provide further details. "U.S. Central Command continues to track a number of credible threat streams emanating from the regime in Iran throughout the CENTCOM area of responsibility," Urban said. Story continues U.S. officials have told Reuters that the intelligence was based on specific and "credible" threats to U.S. forces in Iraq, Syria and the broader region. One U.S. official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said there were indications that Iran appeared to be moving short-range ballistic missiles on boats in the Middle East. The United States has previously accused Iran of providing parts of such missiles to Houthi rebels in Yemen fighting a Saudi-led coalition backed by the United States. It is unclear how this intelligence was different. (Reporting by Idrees Ali; editing by Alistair Bell and Bill Berkrot) George Clooney (Credit: Getty) The Sultan of Brunei has said that plans to bring in the death penalty for gay sex will not be enforced, after the new legislation was strongly condemned worldwide. But George Clooney, who was among the most vocal opposers of the legislation, has said that he will keep up pressure on the country, which introduced new laws punishing sodomy, adultery and rape with penalties such as death by stoning. The United Nations condemned the move, as well as high profile gay celebrities like Elton John and Ellen DeGeneres. Read more: Elton John backs Brunei hotels boycott Calls were made for people boycott hotels owned by the Sultan, including the Dorchester in London, Le Meurice in Paris and the Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles. In a statement, Clooney called the move a huge step forward after a giant leap backwards. It promises that the citizens of Brunei wont be executed for being gay, he said. It also sends a very crucial message to countries like Indonesia and Malaysia that there is a cost for enacting these laws. And the cost isnt folks boycotting their hotels. The cost is that corporations and big banks wont do business with you. The financial institutions stepping up had a huge impact. Having said that, the law to stone their citizens is still in place. Meaning that as soon as the pressure dies down they could simply start the process of carrying out executions. So in reference to the boycott everyone should do what they feel is correct. Read more: Clooney calls for boycott of Sultan of Bruneis hotels For my family and me we simply cant walk away until this draconian law is no longer on the books. Responding to the international outcry, which saw bodies like the Police Federation of England and Wales and the UK Health and Safety Executive breaking links with the country, the Sultan penned a letter to the European Parliament, saying that a moratorium on the death penalty would be extended. I am aware that there are many questions and misperceptions with regard to the implementation of the [sharia penal code order]. However, we believe that once these have been cleared, the merit of the law will be evident, he said. Photo credit: Shutterstock From Harper's BAZAAR While this year's Met Gala theme "Camp" is really open for interpretation, it's also caused some confusion, but Gigi Hadid really went for it and channeled an ice queen. Photo credit: David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock The model stepped out on the pink carpet in a white, silver and gold streaked catsuit, with a matching headpiece and coat adorned with feathers, all designed by Michael Kors who is also her date for the evening. The designer himself got campy with his look, adding a top hat and oversized sunglasses. Photo credit: Getty Images No detail was left undone for Hadid's look, the model also added crystal hoops and elongated silver eyelashes for a really over-the-top effect. It's no surprise that Gigi Hadid loves a theme party. The supermodel just celebrated her 24th birthday last month at L'Avenue in New York City with a "denim and boots" themed birthday party. {% verbatim %} {% endverbatim %} This is Hadid's sixth time attending the Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Last year, the top model attended with Italian icon Donatella Versace, wearing a custom Versace gown that resembled the stained glass windows of a church for the Catholic-themed gala. Prior to that she worked with Tommy Hilfiger on her Met Gala look and attended alongside then-boyfriend Zayn Malik. Last week, Hadid walked the Prada Resort show in New York City. The supermodel is currently the face of the Italian brand for the Spring/Summer 2019 season and made her runway debut with them in January during the men's shows at Milan Fashion Week. Photo credit: Getty Images ('You Might Also Like',) Since April 26, a suspected Russian spy has been hanging around the Norwegian port city of Hammerfest. The spy also just so happens to be a beluga whale. The beluga first drew the attention of Norwegian fishermen after it kept popping up and following them around in their boats, reported The Washington Post. The fishermen noticed that it was wearing a harness, later found to contain the inscription Equipment St. Petersburg. Even though Norways Police Security Service (PST) assures The Washington Post that the whale is not a suspect in [their] investigation, speculation remains that the animal has been trained by the Russian navy. Whether or not this is true, it appears as if the whale has clearly been trained under the care of humans for a good long time, said Catherine Kinsman, co-founder of the Canadian Whale Stewardship Project. The belugas odd behavior has certainly made it an international superstar. Whereas white belugas are generally shy around people, this particular one is acting out of character for its species. Seeming to completely adore all the attention it's getting, the Hammerfest celebrity is allowing residents to pet, feed, and take selfies with it. That includes Ina Mansika and a group of her friends. According to The Dodo, she wanted to see the beluga for herself, and learned firsthand just how eager-to-please the animal can be. We laid down on the dock to look at it and hopefully get the chance to pat it, Ina Mansika told The Dodo. I had forgotten to close my jacket pocket and my phone fell in the ocean. We assumed it would be gone forever, until the whale dove back down and came back a few moments later with my phone in its mouth! You can see the sweet moment in the video below. Everyone was so surprised. We almost didnt believe what we saw, she continued. I was super happy and thankful that I got my phone back. According to The Dodo, the belugas act of kindness proved pointless: the water damage had ruined her phone by the time she got it back. However, Mansika still expressed her gratitude towards the beluga. I love animals! The whale is so kind. Norwegian officials are currently trying to figure out ways to save the beluga. Jorgen Ree Wiig, an official at the Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries, told The Washington Post that one possible option is to move the beluga to a sanctuary in Iceland since it might not survive in the wild. Joe Biden. Photo: Meg Kinnard/AP/REX/Shutterstock Over the weekend, an argument broke out online about the legacy of Jim Crow, sparked by comments that Joe Biden made in South Carolina about voter-suppression tactics being deployed by Republicans. [Last] year, 24 states introduced or enacted at least 70 bills to curtail the right the vote mostly directed at people of color, the former vice-president and 2020 presidential candidate said. Weve got Jim Crow sneaking back in. Matt Lewis, a Daily Beast reporter and CNN commentator, tweeted in response, Jim Crow? Arent there enough legitimate problems [with] Trump that Joe shouldnt have to engage in such irresponsible hyperbole? Lewis added in a follow-up tweet: This sort of crying wolf is part of the reason I think a lot of working-class white voters are tuning out Democratic politicians and ignoring their (otherwise valid) criticisms of Trump. As no shortage of respondents were quick to point out to Lewis, laws and practices that impede voting rights proliferate across the United States. Intimidation measures used under Jim Crow to keep black people away from the ballot box are echoed today by frivolous voter-fraud prosecutions pursued by local officials, and the varying degrees to which civilians have been empowered to challenge others right to vote. A version of the poll tax a Jim Crowera imposition that endowed the franchise with financial burdens that most black people could not shoulder passed recently in the GOP-controlled Florida legislature, requiring re-enfranchised people with felony convictions to settle court fines and fees before getting their rights back. That these and other such measures affect black would-be voters disproportionately is either the intended goal or a convenient side effect for Republicans, who seem congenitally unable to win the black vote in a fair fight. Still, Lewiss suggestion that we are not witnessing a literal resurgence of Jim Crow is worth engaging, particularly in light of his follow-up claim that Democrats crying wolf is why white working-class voters reject them. The dynamic that he implies can be summarized thusly: Donald Trump is a racist, but rather than rebuke him because of his racism, many white working-class voters are driven into his fold because Democrats exaggerate how bad racism is. It is an odd argument, and not only because white support for Republicans across class lines has historically been driven by GOP appeals to white bigotry, rather than despite them. It is especially odd because it assumes that Trump supporters would be motivated to fight racism or at least not reject political figures who talk about it if the stakes were presented to them in a measured and reasonable manner that accurately assessed the scope of the problem. The reality is that the tone of such discussions has proven largely immaterial. The detonator is bringing up race at all. Writing for the right-leaning Niskanen Center, political scientist Matt Grossman points to a consistent theme in the literature about what motivated support for Trump in 2016. Many people dislike group-based claims of structural disadvantage and the norms obligating their public recognition, he writes. Those voters saw Trump as their champion. To that end, evidence abounds in recent history that merely mentioning race or racism drives many white people, including Trump supporters, to more openly embrace racist platforms and attitudes. White support for welfare plummets when respondents are led to believe that the sociopolitical standing of nonwhites is increasing relative to their own, according to recent research. A 2017 study found that Trump supporters were more likely to oppose a housing-assistance policy when it was advertised using the face of a black man rather than a white man. Broadening the scope, when Trayvon Martin was killed in 2012, cries for justice were largely trans-partisan. Then President Obama said that the slain 17-year-old could have been his son. Suddenly, a conservative smear campaign was underway to cast the teen as a thug who deserved what he got. Neither violent rioting nor peaceful protests have much endeared black people demanding equal rights to most white Americans. From Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to Colin Kaepernick, even the most inoffensive demonstrations have been met with majoritarian rebuke. And that is to say nothing of the Trump supporters who are openly racist. Polling from ReutersIpsos in 2016 indicated that roughly 40 percent of Trump supporters thought black people were lazier than white people, while closer to half thought blacks were more violent and criminal. Between such flagrant bigots, the more pragmatically racist opponents of social services that they believe help black people more than them, and the white voters driven to embrace Trump simply because they dislike hearing about structural disadvantage, it seems unlikely that Democrats comparing modern conditions to Jim Crow is a major problem driving their support for the president. It is of course difficult to attribute white working-class support for Trump to any single cause, in no small part because such voters are not a monolith. Even for the bigots among them, the president has assailed so many different groups that even voters who think Jim Crowesque is a fair characterization of modern Republican policies might support Trump because they agree with his demonization of Mexican and Central American migrants, or his insistence that Muslims are a national security threat. But to the extent that the very real, and often very violent, impact that racism has on black people can be described in a way that accurately conveys its toll, it remains unclear what a Democrat like Biden who, incidentally, has his own checkered history of backing racist policy for self-serving reasons could say that is both honest about the problem and prevents white people from supporting Trump in response. It is fair to argue, as Matt Lewis did, that comparing todays circumstances to the totalizing horror of Jim Crow is an exaggeration. Less clear is whether, for the vast majority of Trump supporters, white working-class or otherwise, it would make a significant difference either way. SIOUX CITY -- Missouri River Historical Development, Inc. (MRHD) will be awarding 31 Spring Grants totaling $353,946 to nonprofit organizations and governmental entities at 2 p.m. May 16, at the Betty Strong Encounter Center, 900 Larsen Park Road. Grants will be awarded in economic development; community improvement and tourism; human services and health services; civic, public, patriotic, charitable and religious; leisure, cultural and historical; and educational. "MRHD is pleased to award grants to 31 nonprofits and governmental agencies, particularly when funding is so difficult to raise," MRHD president Dakin Schultz said. MRHD's grant committee reviewed dozens of grant applications before recommending funding for this year's 31 recipients. The committee's recommendations received approval of MRHD's full board of directors. This year's Spring Grants will bring MRHDs's total contribution to nonprofits and governmental entities to more than $35 million since 1994. An additional $2 million has been pledged to recreational, cultural and fine arts projects. MRHD, a nonprofit organization, has the license to conduct gaming in Woodbury County. Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Sioux City has the license to operate gaming in Woodbury County. The public is invited to attend MRHD's Spring Grant ceremonies. A reception will follow. Copyright 2019 The Sioux City Journal. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. CORRECTIONVILLE, Iowa -- A California man was arrested late Sunday after a Woodbury County Sheriff's K9 unit led to the discovery of more than 5 pounds of cocaine in his car. Jacob Rios, 37, of Fontana, California, is being held in the Woodbury County Jail on a $30,000 bond on charges of possession of cocaine and failure to affix a drug tax stamp. A Woodbury County Sheriff's deputy stopped Rios for speeding on U.S. Highway 20 just east of Correctionville at about 10:45 p.m. Sunday. According to court documents, Rios acted nervous and could not provide the correct name on the car's registration. Rios told the deputy he was going to stay with a friend in Chicago for a week, but did not have a week's luggage in his car. He also had to think of what the friend's name was, court documents said. A K9 unit sniffed the vehicle and indicated the presence of drugs in the car. Two packages of cocaine, one weighing 2.68 pounds, the other 2.78 pounds, were found in the spare tire compartment. Copyright 2019 The Sioux City Journal. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. SIOUX CITY -- A Danbury, Iowa, man was sentenced Tuesday to 20 years in prison for having sexual contact with a 13-year-old girl more than four years ago. Dudley Ladd, 47, pleaded guilty in Woodbury County District Court to two counts of third-degree sexual abuse. Between June 21, 2014, and Sept. 23, 2014, Ladd gave alcohol to the girl, who was staying with his daughter at their Danbury home. After Ladd's daughter went to bed, Ladd had sexual contact with his daughter's friend. The next night, Ladd made the girl touch him. In addition to the prison sentence, Ladd must register with the Iowa Sex Offender Registry for life, and District Judge Julie Schumacher ordered him to serve a lifetime special sex offender sentence in which he will be on parole after completing his prison sentence. If he were to violate terms of the special sentence, he could be sent to prison. Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly referred to Dudley Ladd on second reference. Copyright 2019 The Sioux City Journal. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 7 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. SIOUX CITY -- A third man has pleaded not guilty to the possession of firearms stolen from a Sergeant Bluff home. Anthony Holeyfield, 20, of Sioux City, entered his plea Friday in U.S. District Court in Sioux City to conspiracy to possess a stolen firearm and possession of a stolen firearm. His trial was set for July 1. He and two others are charged with possessing and selling firearms stolen from a Sergeant Bluff residence. Antwon Holeyfield, 22, and Moses Strickland Jr., 21, both of Sioux City, are charged with conspiracy to possess a stolen firearm and possession of a stolen firearm. Strickland also faces a charge of possession of a stolen firearm by a prohibited person. Both have pleaded not guilty and are scheduled to stand trial July 1. According to court documents, the three broke into the house with an axe on Nov. 26 and took 10 firearms -- five shotguns, two rifles and three handguns. Between Nov. 26 and Feb. 16, the three sold some of the guns to people in Iowa, South Dakota and Illinois, court documents said. Copyright 2019 The Sioux City Journal. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. SIOUX CITY -- Roughly six hours after Paiten Sullivan and Felipe Negron Jr. had bled to death from multiple stab wounds, Tran Walker told police investigators he had become upset that Sullivan had told him she no longer loved him and did not want to get back together with him. He told police he wanted his ex-girlfriend to feel what he was feeling and that "her actions led up to this." After initially telling investigators he had no recollection of how Sullivan and Negron had died, he later recounted hearing both of them repeatedly telling him "stop" as they were parked in a PT Cruiser at the corner of South Cecelia Street and Jay Avenue. And he remembered seeing both of them bleeding, he said in a video recording of his interview with Sioux City police investigators. Played Monday during the third day of Walker's trial for the deaths of Sullivan and Negron, the video had poor sound quality, and much of the conversation between Walker and police was inaudible. District Judge Tod Deck and attorneys followed along with a printed transcript, a copy of which was obtained by the Journal. "Why were they bleeding?" Det. John Sanders asked Walker, according to the transcript. "I was, I was stabbing them," Walker said before describing a long silver knife. Walker said he didn't know who he stabbed first, but both were telling him to stop, "and they were covered in blood. And then Felipe got out of the car and then, and then Paiten, she was, I had her down and I was stabbing her." "How many times did you stab her?" Sanders asked. "I don't know," Walker said. "It was just repeatedly. ... I think all over. Her face was bloody and then the front down was bloody. And then I think that's when Felipe pulled me out of the car, and I was stabbing him too. ... I think it was more than once." "Did you want them to die because you feel good inside?" Sanders later asked. "Paiten, not Felipe," Walker said. Walker, 19, of Sioux City, has pleaded not guilty in Woodbury County District Court to two counts of first-degree murder for the Jan. 28, 2018, stabbing deaths of Sullivan, 17, and Negron, 18, both of Sioux City. Negron and Sullivan had picked up Walker earlier that night so he could talk to Sullivan about their relationship. They parked in a Wal-Mart parking lot on Floyd Boulevard and talked before driving to Morningside, where Sullivan was going to be dropped off. Walker said Negron was driving, and Sullivan was sitting in the passenger seat. Walker was in the back seat behind Sullivan when Negron stopped in the parking lot at King Koin Launderette, 3131 Jay Ave. Witnesses last week testified that they saw a disturbance and ran to help. Walker fled the scene and was later apprehended in the restroom at the Hy-Vee store on Gordon Drive, approximately eight blocks away, and taken to UnityPoint Health-St. Luke's hospital for treatment of a severe cut on his right pinky finger. He was then taken to the police department for questioning. After his interview, Walker led police to a house in the 800 block of South Paxton Street, a block east of the stabbing scene. Police found a silver dive knife next to a lawn mower near a garage in the back yard. Brenda Reinhard, an Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation criminalist, testified Monday that blood found on the blade and handle of the knife contained the DNA of both Walker and Sullivan. A knife police found on the front console inside the car contained a mixture of blood from three people, Reinhard said. On the blade, only Sullivan's DNA could be positively identified. Only Negron's blood could be identified on the knife's handle. Sullivan's blood also was found on Walker's jacket. Deputy Iowa state medical examiner Jonathan Thompson, who conducted the autopsies on both victims, said he observed 43 stab wounds on Sullivan and 17 on Negron. Most of the wounds were superficial and caused no damage to organs or major blood vessels, he said, but each body had one significant wound that caused each victim to bleed to death. A 5-inch-deep stab to Sullivan's neck sliced her carotid artery, Thompson said while showing a series of autopsy photos. Negron suffered a stab to the upper left chest that penetrated his heart's right ventricle. After First Assistant Woodbury County Attorney Mark Campbell rested the state's case, public defender Jennifer Solberg rested her case, calling no witnesses and presenting no evidence. She instead made an oral motion for acquittal, saying that Campbell had not proved the state's case. Deck said he would reserve ruling on her motion until he issues his verdict. Walker last month waived his right to a jury trial, choosing to have Deck decide the case. Campbell and Solberg will file their closing briefs over the next four weeks. Deck said he did not know how soon he'd reach his verdict after the briefs have been filed. If found guilty as charged, Walker would face a mandatory sentence of life in prison without parole. Copyright 2019 The Sioux City Journal. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Love 0 Funny 4 Wow 0 Sad 15 Angry 7 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. SIOUX CITY -- The site plans for two cell phone towers were approved by the Sioux City Council on Monday. Additionally, a third tower placement passed a first hurdle for its site plan, but after being criticized by neighbors in the meeting, must be further addressed by council members in a future meeting. The council weighed plans for cell towers at 1400 W. First St., 4200 Green Ave. and 4901 Frelon Drive, as sought by U.S. Cellular, as part of the telecommunications company's expansion into Sioux City. U.S. Cellular in a March statement revealed plans to add about 30 total cell sites in Sioux City and the surrounding area, with five being new tower builds in Sioux City. Sioux City's Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved all three site plans at its April 23 meeting. The plans were aired in three separate agenda items Monday, and the tower sought at 4200 Green Ave, on the city's east side near Western Iowa Tech Community College was the placement that drew criticisms. It got rebukes in the P&Z meeting and also Monday by Doug Hesse, who has lived for 22 years at nearby 404 Cleveland St., and said the tower is "right outside my house." According to city documents, two other cell towers are already located in the area. Pam Hesse, the wife of Doug Hesse, told council members, "I really don't want to look at another tower, two is enough." Plans for the tower at 4200 Green Ave. initially called for a lattice design, but that design didn't meet zoning requirements. U.S. Cellular then changed it to a 190-foot monopole tower. A first reading of that plan passed on a 3-1-1 vote, with Councilman Alex Watters voting no and Councilman Dan Moore abstaining. That meant the measure didn't meet the city meeting threshold, of four affirmative votes, to move along to a second and third reading in one meeting, so it must come back for more action later. The site plans of the other two towers got at least four votes, so they passed first, second and third readings, and are now set for constructing the units. The tower at 1400 W. First St. will be 150 feet tall and have a monopole design with antennas on the outside of the tower system. It would be located in an industrial parking lot. The tower at 4901 Frelon Drive will be a 190-foot lattice designed tower. Mayor Bob Scott said he expects U.S. Cellular will be a good corporate neighbor when constructing the units. A few company officials spoke at the meeting on selected details. In February, the Sioux City Council denied U.S. Cellular's site plan for a 130-foot cell tower at 2015 W. Sixth St. because the site plan failed to meet setback requirements. Several residents expressed opposition to the tower. Also, the telecommunications company withdrew a request for a tower at 3420 22nd St., because that site plan also failed to comply with the setback of 200 feet from the originating property. Copyright 2019 The Sioux City Journal. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 DAKOTA CITY -- The Dakota County Board of Commissioners on Monday passed a measure that could result in borrowing up to $1.5 million to pay for county roads and bridges damaged in March flooding. The commissioners in a meeting approved a resolution that would allow them to borrow up to $1.5 million for infrastructure repairs, although they may not spend that much in the months ahead. County Clerk Joan Spencer explained that governmental entities have up to 60 days after an emergency declaration to set certain details on possible repairs, in order to receive federal funding. Spencer added the county doesn't have a sufficient cash flow to pay for the repairs now without the borrowing. The commissioners said they understand the county will have to fund the repairs now, then wait for reimbursement funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. "If we have a solid estimate, we can begin on the work," Commissioner Janet Gill said. County Highway Superintendent Fred Kellogg gave the $1.5 million estimate for county repairs on bridges and roads. That total was the same as the $1.5 million cost estimate for roads in Woodbury County, which is just across the Missouri River in Iowa. The Siouxland flooding event began on March 13, as rain and snowmelt caused rivers and other waterways to overflow. According to the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency, 81 counties and five tribal areas have had emergency declarations. Kellogg said five Dakota County bridges were impacted by the flooding, and one is still closed just north of Emerson. Numerous roads were impacted, and four sections are still closed. Two of the most substantially damaged road sections are along 260th Street near Emerson and K Avenue north of Nebraska Highway 35 and east of Hubbard. Kellogg said continuing, spotty rains have hampered repairs. "That's why there are still roads closed. Two days of dry weather aren't enough," he said. Kellogg said county residents are generally antsy to get repairs now, but understand officials are working as fast as possible. "Most of the calls we get, they just want to know our scheduling," he said. "I would be very happy to get done by the end of the year." Copyright 2019 The Sioux City Journal. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 0 SIOUX CITY -- U.S. Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, will hold a town hall meeting in Carroll County later this week, when he will reach the one-third mark of his goal to hold such meetings in the state this year. The meeting will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday at the Carroll Chamber of Commerce, 407 W. Fifth St., in Carroll. King is carrying out his stated goal to hold one-hour town hall meetings over the year in each of the 39 counties of the Iowa 4th Congressional District. The Carroll County event will be his 13th in 2019. Beginning in late January, King has held town halls in O'Brien, Lyon, Harrison, Ida, Crawford, Calhoun, Kossuth, Plymouth, Hancock, Hamilton, Pocahontas and Cherokee counties. King, who lives in Kiron, is running for re-election. There are no Democrats in the field, but three fellow Republicans have announced plans to run in 2020. That includes state Sen. Randy Feenstra of Hull, Woodbury County supervisor and former state legislator Jeremy Taylor of Sioux City, and former Irwin Mayor Bret Richards. Copyright 2019 The Sioux City Journal. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Thom Tillis invited a primary challenge via minor and occasional rebellion against POTUS. Photo: J Scott Applewhite/AP/REX/Shutterstock One of the more interesting political phenomena in recent history has been the mass flip-flop of ideological conservatives in the direction of Donald Trump since they overwhelmingly opposed him in the 2016 Republican primaries. Like religious converts, many of them have gone from being outspokenly anti-Trump before his conquest of the GOP to being very outspokenly sometimes sycophantically pro-Trump during his presidency. There are many famous examples of nationally prominent conservatives becoming more-Catholic-than-the-pope toward Trump, including pols who said abusive things about the mogul as his 2016 rivals, such as Lindsey Graham, Ted Cruz, Rand Paul, and Marco Rubio, and others who supported them (e.g., House Freedom Caucus chairman Mark Meadows, a 2016 Cruz supporter). But something a bit stranger than a mere flip-flop is happening in North Carolina GOP circles heading toward 2020: a former anti-Trump Republican stalwart has announced he will offer a primary challenge to Senator Thom Tillis on grounds that the incumbent isnt loyal enough to the president, as the Raleigh News & Observer reports: Tilliss public opposition to the emergency declaration really riled up the MAGA folk, even though at the last minute he caved and voted against the resolution that put Congress on record as disapproving it. (Trump vetoed the measure, and Congress did not even attempt to override it.) But hes hardly a rebel in any way that threatens the president politically. And hes a bit of a valuable resource to Trump and his party as one of the more vulnerable GOP incumbents up for reelection in 2020. But without question, he made himself a target by wavering in his loyalty, as Tucker adviser Carter Wrenn, a legendary right-wing political operative in North Carolina, argued (per The Hill): Wrenn said in a brief phone interview on Monday that Tillis had shown himself to be a typical Washington politician who is willing to vote in whichever way is politically convenient. When he looks at Tillis, Tillis is a Washington politician, who talks a good game, but when you look at how he votes it doesnt match up, Wrenn said, later adding that the first-term Republican senator has his finger to the air and he flip flops on the issues. Wrenn described Tucker, a first-time candidate for public office, as an old-fashioned conservative, who believes in less government, less spending, stronger defense [and] securing the border. What makes Tucker an unlikely vehicle for Trumpist vengeance on Tillis is his own background in 2016, as best described by, well, himself when he finally endorsed his partys nominee in September of that year: As a conservative and a lifelong Republican, I stoutly resisted Trumps nomination. First, I was for Scott Walker, then Marco Rubio, then Ted Cruz and finally John Kasich. Hence, my conscience is clear I am in no way responsible for Trump as the nominee. But, alas, however we got to this point and whatever it means for the future, Im left with the decision of Trump v. Clinton, Tucker wrote in September 2016. Tucker expressed concern, as a Christian, about voting for Trump, whom he described as a twice-divorced, self-acknowledged adulterer who has, in the course of this campaign, uttered some of the most unkind, disgusting comments ever made by any American politician. Now, says Wrenn, Tucker agrees with Trump on the issues and is now convinced of the presidents conservative credentials. That isnt keeping Tilliss campaign from describing the challenger as an anti-Trump activist. So the North Carolina Senate primary is likely to resemble earlier editions in Alabama in 2017 and Arizona and Indiana in 2018, in which loyalty to Trump became the only real issue. Does more recent loyalty to POTUSs imperial wishes matter more than the date on which the knee first bended and the furlock was first tugged? Thats the sort of thing North Carolina Republicans must sort out, along with the underlying question of whether the 45th president now defines conservatism. DES MOINES -- Gov. Kim Reynolds says a new state law that says the states civil rights protections do not require government health care programs to cover gender reassignment surgery is simply a restatement of previous state policy. The policy clarification was included in the states health care budget bill passed last month by the Republican-led Iowa Legislature and signed into law this past week by Reynolds. Democrats and advocates for transgender Iowans decried the policy. It was written after a previous legislative attempt to bar the use of public funds for gender reassignment surgery was struck down by Iowa courts, which ruled the ban was unconstitutional because of the states civil rights act. This has been the states position for decades, through both parties leading this state and both parties leading the Legislature. And its been that way in rules for a long, long time, Reynolds said. The latest law likely will be challenged in court also. This law is an intentional and plain violation of the right to equal protection that is afforded to all Iowans. But we have transgender Iowans backs on this, Mark Stringer, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa, said in a statement. We never forecast litigation plans, but we can say that we will make an announcement soon on next steps. Reynolds said she had to move swiftly on the health care budget because it contained $150 million in supplemental funding for the private health care companies that manage the states $5 billion Medicaid program. She also said contract negotiations with those companies are ongoing. Were working on it every day, she said. Regarding two other significant policy provisions that were placed in budget bills in the final days of the legislative session, Reynolds seemed to indicate she will approve a change to the nomination process for Iowa judges, but declined to indicate whether she will approve restrictions on the state attorney generals ability to join multi-state lawsuits. Reynolds said she supported a proposal to overhaul the citizen panels that nominate Iowans for judicial openings and gave no indication she would reject the stripped-down version that was placed in a catch-all budget bill. The narrowed proposal would remove the state Supreme Court justice from the state judicial nominating commission and replace him or her with another governors nominee. Reynolds declined to weigh in on a policy proposal in the justice department budget bill that would require the state attorney general to receive permission from the governor, executive council or legislature when defending the state in out-of-state lawsuits. The proposal was designed by Republican state lawmakers who are upset with the number of lawsuits against Republican President Donald Trumps administration that Democratic Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller has joined. Well take a look at it. We sit down and take a look at everything, figure out what was the Legislatures intent, what were they thinking about when they did it, Reynolds said. We take a look at a whole host of things when we make a decision, and well take a look at that. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 CHARLES CITY, Iowa -- Almost two years ago Charles City lost a child with promise. On Monday that child's memory was ingrained in history. Logan's Law, named for Logan Luft, 15, who died from an ATV accident in July 2017, was signed by Gov. Kim Reynolds on Monday at the Charles City Middle School Gymnasium. The new law allows for Iowa hunting and fishing licenses to have a spot designated for individuals to register their pledge to be an organ donor. After his death, Logan's tissue and bone donations went to 21 people in over seven states. "He saved lives," said his mother, Wendy Luft. "He didn't save just one life, he saved five. He gave the gift of life to five different people." Reynolds signed the law with Rep. Todd Prichard, D-Charles City, Sen. Waylon Brown, R-St. Ansgar, Logan Luft's family and Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg standing nearby. "This is really a great day for Charles City," Prichard said. "Charles City has survived and really been at its best in dark times." After Logan's death the city came together to honor his memory. "North Iowa and rural Iowa is the greatest place to live, and this is a reason," Brown said. The middle school gymnasium was full of classmates, students and Charles City residents, along with many of the city's officials, including Police Chief Hugh Anderson and Mayor Dean Andrews. After Reynolds signed the law the crowd gave a standing ovation. "This past two years you have loved, uplifted and encouraged us in our journey. Today is Logan Luft day, a day we honor and celebrate a 15-year-old boy from Charles City, Iowa, who has officially changed the world," said Wendy Luft. "We will share the importance of saving a life for the 600-plus Iowans who are currently waiting for an organ today." Alec Staudt, 16, a classmate of Logan's, spoke to the crowd prior to the signing ceremony. "Logan chose to give the gift of life without hesitation," Staudt said. "My dear friends, I ask you to consider being an organ donor by giving the gift of life." Prichard and Brown crossed party lines to push Logan's Law at Iowa's Legislature and saw it pass unanimously in the Iowa House and Senate. "What a way to honor Logan's life," Reynolds said. "It's a testimony that we do things differently here in Iowa. We're able to put Iowans first." Reynolds said she would encourage Iowans to read about Logan's story. "Logan has caused a movement in the state of Iowa increasing the awareness of organ donation," Wendy Luft said. "We have been given the awesome responsibility to educate on organ donation." Logan's Law allows young people a chance to register themselves as donors, said Suzanne Conrad, CEO of the Iowa Donor Network. "It's less likely for a 14-year-old to be in front of a registry bureau, but through a hunting and fishing license you can." The law is expected to come into effect July 1. "This is for you, Logan, and we love and miss you every single day," Wendy Luft said to enormous applause. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Photo: Kena Betancur/Getty Images In the Trump era, American foreign policy has become more unabashedly nationalist, but no less interventionist. The U.S. has ceased to play the role of the worlds policeman, and begun acting as its warlord. Trumps America puts little effort into justifying acts of unilateral aggression with reference to international law or human rights, but it still loves to unilaterally aggress. Uncle Sam has stopped being polite and started demanding tribute. Spreading democracy is out; giant Pentagon budgets, great-powers competition, dropping bombs in the Middle East, starving Iran, and bullying Europe are all very much in. To the governments of many foreign countries, the distinctions between the foreign policy Trump inherited and the one he has pursued likely seem more cosmetic than substantive. But in Brussels, Tehran, and other capitals, Americas turn to me first imperialism has had profound policy consequences. Now foreign diplomats are debating whether Trumpism will prove to be an aberration (a phenomenon driven primarily by the personality defects of a single president) or a new normal (one driven primarily by the increasingly nationalistic mood of a declining great powers electorate). In other words: Is an America first foreign policy what U.S. voters want? A new report on our electorates foreign-policy views suggests the answer is yes and no. Through a series of focus groups and a national survey, the left-leaning Center for American Progress (CAP) has pieced together a portrait of what a majoritarian foreign policy would look like in the United States. And that picture doesnt look much like Trumps governing agenda, or CAPs own liberal internationalism. But it does bear a passing resemblance to the foreign policy Trump campaigned on. For starters, voters appear (understandably) to think that Americas foreign-policy Establishment is nothing more than [a] failed Washington elite looking to hold onto their power. They had a difficult time discerning an overriding logic to the countrys foreign policy in recent decades, and when they did, they largely distrusted it: The qualitative research revealed important gaps in voters basic understanding of U.S. foreign policy objectives and widespread confusion about what the nation is trying to achieve in the world. Voters in focus groups did not see an overarching principle, rationale, or clear set of goals in U.S. foreign policy. Questions emerged along the lines of: Why are we in the Middle East and not dealing with Russia and China? What exactly did we gain from years of war in Iraq and Afghanistan? Why cant we balance our economic dealings with other countries to better benefit U.S. workers and businesses? Several participants wondered why the United States does not have a plan for economic and political success in the world like they perceive China and other competitors do. Likewise, traditional language from foreign policy experts about fighting authoritarianism and dictatorship, promoting democracy, or working with allies and the international community uniformly fell flat with voters in our groups. Some participants questioned the idea that an international community actually exists. Democracy promotion reminded others of the 2003 Iraq War and the failures of the George W. Bush administration. When asked what the phrase maintaining the liberal international order indicated to them, all but one of the participants in our focus groups drew a blank. Voters across educational lines simply did not understand what any of these phrases and ideas meant or implied. These attitudes appear largely representative of the broader electorates. In the reports nationally representative survey, just 9 percent of voters named promoting democracy and democratic values around the world as a top-three priority for U.S. foreign policy in the next five years, while only 43 percent strongly agreed with the statement As the worlds longest-standing democracy, the United States has a special role to play in defending and promoting democratic values and institutions around the world. There was only slightly more enthusiasm for prioritizing fighting global poverty and promoting human rights. Stricter immigration enforcement was one of the most frequently cited priorities here due to the salience that policy has among a sizable minority of the electorate. The other parts of CAPs survey suggest that the enthusiasm for stricter enforcement is intense but not shared by a majority. Photo: Center for American Progress By contrast, a majority of voters strongly agreed with the somewhat Trumpian notions that other countries should pay more for their own security and stop expecting the United States to be the worlds policeman and we should focus more on helping people here at home instead of getting involved in trying to help people in other parts of the world. A majority of respondents also felt that American values like democracy are not universal, and apply to only certain parts of the world and that what happens to regular people in other countries impacts them either a little or not at all. The majorities on these points are all fairly narrow. And there are significant partisan and generational gaps in enthusiasm for promoting human rights both in America and abroad. But when you put together the most commonly voiced views in the survey, you get a distinctly America first consensus: The typical voter seems to want a foreign policy that prioritizes the prevention of terrorist attacks on U.S. soil, the protection of our democracy from foreign interference, and the promotion of good jobs and high wages for U.S. workers. This voter isnt necessarily opposed to the more high-minded objectives of reducing global poverty and the persecution of vulnerable minorities overseas; when CAP did not impose a limit on how many goals respondents could describe as very important priorities, these objectives attracted majority approval. But the typical voter wants Americas domestic well-being to take precedence. Photo: Center for American Progress In fact, the single most popular proposition in CAPs survey was this: In order to remain competitive in the world, the United States must invest more to improve our own infrastructure, education, and health care, not just increase military and defense spending. Some 68 percent of respondents strongly agreed with this sentiment, while just 33 percent strongly agreed with the inverse proposition, The United States must prioritize spending for the military and defense, even if it means making cuts in other areas. In other words, the typical voter wants, above all, a foreign policy that does not require cuts to domestic spending or social services. Photo: Center for American Progress That last position is in tension with Trumps governing agenda; the president has pushed through massive increases in Pentagon spending while proposing sharp cuts in funding for health care and education. But on the campaign trail, he did repeatedly lament that America had wasted trillions of dollars in the Middle East instead of spending that money right here in the United States on schools, hospitals, roads, airports, and everything else that are all falling apart! So far, then, our majoritarian agenda is looking rather Trumpy. And yet, if the typical voter in CAPs study favors a self-interested foreign policy, she does not support a belligerent or unilateralist one. Most strikingly, a large plurality (47 percent) of Americans want their government to adopt a more cautious approach in dealing with China and try to find ways to defuse political tensions and increase economic cooperation, rather than to employ all available measures short of military confrontation to compete with China globally and stop unfair trade practices that hurt workers and our economy. A miniscule 13 percent, meanwhile, say the U.S. should put all options on the table, including military action, to stop Chinese expansion in the South China Sea and to defend U.S. allies. And views on Americas conflicts with Russia are broadly similar: cooperation and defusing tension being the most popular stance while putting military action on the table in defense of Eastern Europe is the least popular. Meanwhile, majorities of respondents strongly agreed that America must cooperate with foreign governments and international organizations to combat the threats of climate change, contagious disease, cyberattacks, and other novel security challenges. Given these views, its not terribly surprising that only 40 percent of those polled approve of Donald Trumps handling of foreign policy. CAPs survey was massive; the think tank asked many different variations on the same basic questions, deploying a range of methodologies. By picking and choosing from various popular responses, one could construct a plurality of contradictory narratives about what the American people want. Whats more, the publics preferences on many policy questions are often contradictory, loosely held, and easily inflected by changes in partisan signaling or media framing. And this malleability is even more common on issues far removed from voters daily experience, as matters of foreign policy tend to be. Nevertheless, judging by CAPs report, it seems fair to say that a foreign policy thats less ambitious, belligerent, and unilateralist than Trumps but more narrowly focused on ordinary Americans physical safety and economic well-being than the geopolitical agendas of his predecessors would have popular appeal in the United States. For progressives, the ostensibly widespread interest in a butter not guns argument prioritizing domestic investment over the maintenance of globe-spanning military commitments is encouraging; the limited solidarity that Americans feel for regular people abroad and the majoritarian belief that ISIS poses a bigger threat to the U.S. than climate change, less so. Still, voters appear less allergic to international solidarity than to the utopian slogans that neoconservatives spouted while selling our forever wars. Ordinary voters may be fine with the global climates coming second so long as they get to come first. Watch as a massive waterspout spun up off the coast of Ostia near Rome, why the new redesign of the Notre Dame is causing controversy in Franc Natures Dangerous Decline Unprecedented; Species Extinction Rates Accelerating Posted on 7 May 2019 by Guest Author This is a media release from ipbes Nature is declining globally at rates unprecedented in human history and the rate of species extinctions is accelerating, with grave impacts on people around the world now likely, warns a landmark new report from the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), the summary of which was approved at the 7th session of the IPBES Plenary, meeting last week (29 April 4 May) in Paris. The overwhelming evidence of the IPBES Global Assessment, from a wide range of different fields of knowledge, presents an ominous picture, said IPBES Chair, Sir Robert Watson. The health of ecosystems on which we and all other species depend is deteriorating more rapidly than ever. We are eroding the very foundations of our economies, livelihoods, food security, health and quality of life worldwide. The Report also tells us that it is not too late to make a difference, but only if we start now at every level from local to global, he said. Through transformative change, nature can still be conserved, restored and used sustainably this is also key to meeting most other global goals. By transformative change, we mean a fundamental, system-wide reorganization across technological, economic and social factors, including paradigms, goals and values. The member States of IPBES Plenary have now acknowledged that, by its very nature, transformative change can expect opposition from those with interests vested in the status quo, but also that such opposition can be overcome for the broader public good, Watson said. The IPBES Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services is the most comprehensive ever completed. It is the first intergovernmental Report of its kind and builds on the landmark Millennium Ecosystem Assessment of 2005, introducing innovative ways of evaluating evidence. Compiled by 145 expert authors from 50 countries over the past three years, with inputs from another 310 contributing authors, the Report assesses changes over the past five decades, providing a comprehensive picture of the relationship between economic development pathways and their impacts on nature. It also offers a range of possible scenarios for the coming decades. Based on the systematic review of about 15,000 scientific and government sources, the Report also draws (for the first time ever at this scale) on indigenous and local knowledge, particularly addressing issues relevant to Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities. Biodiversity and natures contributions to people are our common heritage and humanitys most important life-supporting safety net. But our safety net is stretched almost to breaking point, said Prof. Sandra Diaz (Argentina), who co-chaired the Assessment with Prof. Josef Settele (Germany) and Prof. Eduardo S. Brondizio (Brazil and USA). The diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems, as well as many fundamental contributions we derive from nature, are declining fast, although we still have the means to ensure a sustainable future for people and the planet. The Report finds that around 1 million animal and plant species are now threatened with extinction, many within decades, more than ever before in human history. The average abundance of native species in most major land-based habitats has fallen by at least 20%, mostly since 1900. More than 40% of amphibian species, almost 33% of reefforming corals and more than a third of all marine mammals are threatened. The picture is less clear for insect species, but available evidence supports a tentative estimate of 10% being threatened. At least 680 vertebrate species had been driven to extinction since the 16th century and more than 9% of all domesticated breeds of mammals used for food and agriculture had become extinct by 2016, with at least 1,000 more breeds still threatened. Ecosystems, species, wild populations, local varieties and breeds of domesticated plants and animals are shrinking, deteriorating or vanishing. The essential, interconnected web of life on Earth is getting smaller and increasingly frayed, said Prof. Settele. This loss is a direct result of human activity and constitutes a direct threat to human well-being in all regions of the world. To increase the policy-relevance of the Report, the assessments authors have ranked, for the first time at this scale and based on a thorough analysis of the available evidence, the five direct drivers of change in nature with the largest relative global impacts so far. These culprits are, in descending order: (1) changes in land and sea use; (2) direct exploitation of organisms; (3) climate change; (4) pollution and (5) invasive alien species. The Report notes that, since 1980, greenhouse gas emissions have doubled, raising average global temperatures by at least 0.7 degrees Celsius with climate change already impacting nature from the level of ecosystems to that of genetics impacts expected to increase over the coming decades, in some cases surpassing the impact of land and sea use change and other drivers. Despite progress to conserve nature and implement policies, the Report also finds that global goals for conserving and sustainably using nature and achieving sustainability cannot be met by current trajectories, and goals for 2030 and beyond may only be achieved through transformative changes across economic, social, political and technological factors. With good progress on components of only four of the 20 Aichi Biodiversity Targets, it is likely that most will be missed by the 2020 deadline. Current negative trends in biodiversity and ecosystems will undermine progress towards 80% (35 out of 44) of the assessed targets of the Sustainable Development Goals, related to poverty, hunger, health, water, cities, climate, oceans and land (SDGs 1, 2, 3, 6, 11, 13, 14 and 15). Loss of biodiversity is therefore shown to be not only an environmental issue, but also a developmental, economic, security, social and moral issue as well. To better understand and, more importantly, to address the main causes of damage to biodiversity and natures contributions to people, we need to understand the history and global interconnection of complex demographic and economic indirect drivers of change, as well as the social values that underpin them, said Prof. Brondizio. Key indirect drivers include increased population and per capita consumption; technological innovation, which in some cases has lowered and in other cases increased the damage to nature; and, critically, issues of governance and accountability. A pattern that emerges is one of global interconnectivity and telecoupling with resource extraction and production often occurring in one part of the world to satisfy the needs of distant consumers in other regions. Other notable findings of the Report include[1]: Three-quarters of the land-based environment and about 66% of the marine environment have been significantly altered by human actions. On average these trends have been less severe or avoided in areas held or managed by Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities. More than a third of the worlds land surface and nearly 75% of freshwater resources are now devoted to crop or livestock production. The value of agricultural crop production has increased by about 300% since 1970, raw timber harvest has risen by 45% and approximately 60 billion tons of renewable and nonrenewable resources are now extracted globally every year having nearly doubled since 1980. Land degradation has reduced the productivity of 23% of the global land surface, up to US$577 billion in annual global crops are at risk from pollinator loss and 100-300 million people are at increased risk of floods and hurricanes because of loss of coastal habitats and protection. In 2015, 33% of marine fish stocks were being harvested at unsustainable levels; 60% were maximally sustainably fished, with just 7% harvested at levels lower than what can be sustainably fished. Urban areas have more than doubled since 1992. Plastic pollution has increased tenfold since 1980, 300-400 million tons of heavy metals, solvents, toxic sludge and other wastes from industrial facilities are dumped annually into the worlds waters, and fertilizers entering coastal ecosystems have produced more than 400 ocean dead zones, totalling more than 245,000 km2 (591-595) - a combined area greater than that of the United Kingdom. Negative trends in nature will continue to 2050 and beyond in all of the policy scenarios explored in the Report, except those that include transformative change due to the projected impacts of increasing land-use change, exploitation of organisms and climate change, although with significant differences between regions. The Report also presents a wide range of illustrative actions for sustainability and pathways for achieving them across and between sectors such as agriculture, forestry, marine systems, freshwater systems, urban areas, energy, finance and many others. It highlights the importance of, among others, adopting integrated management and cross-sectoral approaches that take into account the trade-offs of food and energy production, infrastructure, freshwater and coastal management, and biodiversity conservation. Also identified as a key element of more sustainable future policies is the evolution of global financial and economic systems to build a global sustainable economy, steering away from the current limited paradigm of economic growth. IPBES presents the authoritative science, knowledge and the policy options to decisionmakers for their consideration, said IPBES Executive Secretary, Dr. Anne Larigauderie. We thank the hundreds of experts, from around the world, who have volunteered their time and knowledge to help address the loss of species, ecosystems and genetic diversity a truly global and generational threat to human well-being. Thanks to Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, Democrats are going to spend part of the 2020 presidential campaign debating the merits of free college. And already, were starting to hear a familiar refrain from the ideas critics: Eliminating tuition for everybody is a bad idea, because it wouldnt be progressive. Some skeptics, like South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, point out that people who go to college tend to earn more than those who dont, which makes it unfair to give them a free ride if they can afford to pay. As a progressive, I have a hard time getting my head around the idea of a majority who earn less because they didnt go to college subsidizing a minority who earn more because they did, he told reporters last month. Others note that, because poorer students already tend to receive generous financial aid, the big winners would be upper-middle-class and wealthy students who currently pay full freight. Economists Sandy Baum and Sarah Turner, for instance, recently published a back of the envelope calculation showing that 37 percent of the money the government would need to spend to do away with tuition for full-time students would benefit undergrads whose families earn at least $120,000 a year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To make college affordable, should we create a scholarship program that gives the biggest financial rewards to students from rich families? they wrote recently in the Washington Post. Put that way, its hard to imagine such a program becoming politically popular, particularly on the left. Yet some of the free college plans touted by many Democratic presidential contenders would do just that. They generally would provide the largest benefits to those with the greatest capacity to pay. These sorts of arguments arent wrong, exactly. But they tend to overlook something important: The main point of abolishing tuition at all public colleges isnt to directly help the neediest undergrads (though you can certainly design a plan that also does that). Its to rope middle- and upper-middle-class families into a broader social democratic project, one important piece of which is making sure that public colleges stay well-funded for everybody. Advertisement Advertisement In other words, to its supporters on the left, the fact that free college might be a bit regressive isnt really a bug. Before I get into the politics of this issue, though, I want to spend a moment on Baum and Turners big stat, which is a bit misleading. First, their analysis doesnt include part-time collegegoers, who tend to be poorer and make up nearly 40 percent of undergrads. They would benefit from the end of tuition, too. Second, it assumes that, with tuition gone, lower-income students would not get to keep their Pell grants to use on living expenses, even though that is exactly what Warren and Sanders have both called for in their free college plans. If you crunched the numbers on Warren and Sanders actual proposals, the results would probably look a lot different than what Baum and Turner came up with, and less regressive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Baum and Turners broader point, however, is directionally correct. Today, affluent undergrads pay more for college than their poorer peers, someasured in pure dollars and centsthey would benefit disproportionately from zeroing out tuition. Likewise, Buttigieg is mostly just stating the obvious when he points out that people who attend college earn more on average than those who dont. Making college free isnt strictly progressive, in that sense. But its also not supposed to be. The entire policy agenda of the social-Democratic left is based on the idea that simple, universal government programs are generally better than means-tested benefits, because letting everybody enjoy nice things like higher education for free or cheap creates buy-in for a robust welfare state, whereas programs for the poor are easily targeted for cuts. If families that earn six figures can send their 18-year-olds to school without worrying about a tuition bill, theyll be more likely to support properly funded public colleges that also benefit working-class kids and might even feel more warmly about their tax dollars helping to pay for someone elses health care, since theyll know that they too are benefiting from the governments largesse. Its not just about helping the poorest kids afford school. Its about establishing the idea that certain things, like education at every level, are a right, and building support for strong public institutions to provide them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To be clear, there are some public policy experts who absolutely believe that doing away with college tuitionespecially at two-year schoolswould be a boon to low-income students, many of whom have extreme difficulty navigating our maze of a financial aid system or get less help than they really need. There are also many writers, myself included, who think that our entire, voucherized system of higher education finance has been a disaster thats contributed to rising tuition and encouraged the growth of rapacious for-profit colleges and that at this point it simply makes more sense for the government to directly fund colleges and require that they keep their prices low or at zero, rather than give students grants and loans that can get eaten up by price increases. But fundamentally, much of the logic behind free college really does boil down to the idea that it would be an effective political bribe for the upper middle class that could pay long-term dividends for everybody else. Advertisement Advertisement (Some, like Baum and Turner, might be tempted to draw a comparison between tuition-free college and student debt forgiveness. The crucial distinction between them is that tuition-free college is an ongoing program meant to support our public education infrastructure, while forgiving college debt is basically a one-time cash transfer, much of which would benefit people who attended private schools, unless its means-tested.) Advertisement Now, you can certainly argue over the lefts theory about means-testing vs. universal benefits. Its far from clear that the only way to build support for a program is to make sure everybody benefits from it. Medicaid is extremely popular with the broad public, even though it mostly serves the poor, near poor, disabled, and elderly. A solid majority of Americans have opposed food stamp cuts, even though the program exclusively helps low-income families (notably, that hasnt stopped the Trump administration from trying to cut it). But critics of free college need to at least engage with the lefts argument, rather than write the whole notion off because it isnt progressive enough. Progressivity isnt the point. Americans seem to largely agree that President Donald Trump is a criminal. Recent polling supports that claim: 54 percent of American voters say Trump attempted to derail or obstruct the investigation into the Russian interference in the 2016 election, while 72 percent say Robert Mueller conducted a fair investigation. Despite the presidents bluster about how the Russia hoax has stollen two years from his presidency, for which he thinks he ought to seek reparations, most Americans understand that the president threatened his staffers who sought to cooperate with the Mueller probe. They understand that he tasked others with limiting the scope of the probe and with firing Mueller, and that he instructed his legal counsel to falsify documents to clear him of obstruction. None of this is even disputed. The only question is whether he can be charged for it while he remains in office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an astounding letter released Monday, 400 former prosecutors contend that, were he not president, Trump would have been charged with obstruction. Virtually nobody other than Attorney General William Barr accepts Barrs analysis that obstruction was never even on the table. Instead, the public is intuitively reaching a similar conclusion to Muellers: The president committed crimes, but as a sitting president, he cannot be indicted while in office. Which means that, again, the remaining question is what to do about the fact that the president committed crimes. (One can also ask why criminality is the only bar we have set for ourselves, but thats perhaps beside the point.) Donald Trump wont accept a 2020 presidential election loss, whether its by a large margin or a small one, for the same reason he never accepted his 2016 popular vote losshe doesnt like it. On Saturday, the New York Times published an article indicating that Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi doesnt want to seek impeachment because shed rather focus on winning the 2020 elections by huge margins. Somehow, even as she conceded that Trump would not give up power voluntarily if he lost re-election by a slim margin next year, Pelosi placed her confidence in massive margins being the one thing the president would respect. On some level, Pelosi is correct to fear the spectacle of a protracted public impeachment battle, but the notion that Democrats should somehow circumvent a president who evinces no respect for the law by persuading him that this time he lost for realz strikes me as demented. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Donald Trump wont accept a 2020 presidential election loss, whether its by a large margin or a small one, for the same reason he never accepted his 2016 popular vote losshe doesnt like it, and so he wont let it be true. He will convince a third of the country that it wasnt true, because he doesnt like it. Indeed, that Trump lost the popular vote in 2016 is, by means of his perfectly circular reasoning, the very reason he will not countenance the idea of Russian involvement in the theft of the 2016 election. Its also the reason he created a fraudulent voter fraud commission. His psychological fragility on this matter has meant that he has done less than nothing to deter more meddling in the 2020 election. He wouldnt even broach the topic with Russian President Vladimir Putin last week, because if you live in Donald Trumps head, no election loss is legitimate. Its funny to think that a big election loss would make the difference. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement None of this is news to Nancy Pelosi, but unfortunately, putting ones faith in the elections system makes even less sense today than it did in 2016. As Jamelle Bouie observes, we are now in the epicenter of an all-out vote suppression crisis that has become an all-out democracy crisis. Advertisement Advertisement Its easy to forget this, but it bears repeating: The reason former FBI Director James Comey didnt take the Russian threat against the elections system seriously enough in 2016 is because he believed Hillary Clinton would win by large margins. The reason President Barack Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder and others who knew about the threats before we did failed to respond with utmost urgency and seriousness is because they too believed that Hillary Clinton would win. By large margins. Time and time again, people who had access to both information and power opted to take the less draconian path because they believed that there would still be a free and fair election and that Trump would not win it. We know how that turned out. Advertisement Advertisement We make the same mistake of not acting on the ongoing threats to congressional oversight, to free and fair voting, and to foreign cyberattacks because an election might solve it at our peril. An election may well become the problem. Doing less than absolutely everything possible to reinstate the rule of law in America today in the hopes that there will be less election interference next time, or more benign election interference, or less purposive election interference, is insane. Advertisement This isnt a joke. This is a full-fledged crisis of constitutional democracy and the checking function of Congress. Its heartening to think that in a year and a half we can vote our way out of our predicament, but its a bit like suggesting that we have a good long national think about how things are currently going and tend to it all in 2020, when all the systems that were already broken in 2016 are more broken. If Democrats in the House seriously believe that the attorney general has covered up illegal activity and is refusing to accept congressional oversight, they should model seriousness. Which means that they should do something about it, beyond waiting for the problem to be voted away by large margins. Advertisement Advertisement As Jennifer Rubin noted two weeks ago, Democrats have more than one possible response to Donald Trumps illegal conduct at their disposal. There is no reason why they need to take any single one of them off the table, and there is certainly no reason why they should announce the plan to do so to the New York Times. Banking on an elections system that is being warped before our eyes is a recipe for disaster, and its a lesson that should have been learned by now. Advertisement Advertisement The challenge Pelosi faces is the same challenge faced by Mueller, and by Eric Holder. Elections matter, and getting out the vote in 2020 matters. But the Rule of Law still matters, and we shouldnt abandon it because this small problem of Donald Trump might go away in 2020. The fact is that this problem might not go away in 2020, though by then, the argument that obstruction itself is an impeachable offense will have been lost to us. Thats all the more reason to fight for the rule of law today, as if it were sliding away. Because it is sliding away. That isnt something the country should wait to vote on. The country already knows it is true. On Tuesday, Georgia Republican Gov. Brian Kemp signed a fetal heartbeat bill that seeks to outlaw abortion after about six weeks. The measure, HB 481, is the most extreme abortion ban in the countrynot just because it would impose severe limitations on womens reproductive rights, but also because it would subject women who get illegal abortions to life imprisonment and the death penalty. The primary purpose of HB 481 is to prohibit doctors from terminating any pregnancy after they can detect embryonic or fetal cardiac activity, which typically occurs at six weeks gestation. But the bill does far more than that. In one sweeping provision, it declares that unborn children are a class of living, distinct person that deserves full legal recognition. Thus, Georgia law must recognize unborn children as natural personsnot just for the purposes of abortion, but as a legal rule. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This radical revision of Georgia law is quite deliberate: The bill confirms that fetuses shall be included in population based determinations from now on, because they are legally humans, and residents of the state. But it is not clear whether the bills drafters contemplated the more dramatic consequences of granting legal personhood to fetuses. For instance, as Georgia appellate attorney Andrew Fleischman has pointed out, the moment this bill takes effect on Jan. 1, 2020, the state will be illegally holding thousands of citizens in jail without bond. Thats because, under HB 481, pregnant inmates fetuses have independent rightsincluding the right to due process. Can a juvenile attorney represent an inmates fetus and demand its release? If not, why? It is an egregious due process violation to punish one human for the crimes of another. If an inmates fetus is a human, how can Georgia lawfully detain it for a crime it did not commit? Advertisement Advertisement But the most startling effect of HB 481 may be its criminalization of women who seek out unlawful abortions or terminate their own pregnancies. An earlier Georgia law imposing criminal penalties for illegal abortions does not apply to women who self-terminate; the new measure, by contrast, conspicuously lacks such a limitation. It can, and would, be used to prosecute women. Misoprostol, a drug that treats stomach ulcers but also induces abortions, is extremely easy to obtain on the internet, and American women routinely use it to self-terminate. It is highly effective in the first 10 weeks of pregnancy. Anti-abortion advocates generally insist that they do not want to punish women who undergo abortions. But HB 481 does exactly that. Once it takes effect, a woman who self-terminates will have, as a matter of law, killed a humanthereby committing murder. The penalty for that crime in Georgia is life imprisonment or capital punishment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is entirely possible that Georgia prosecutors armed with this new statute will bring charges against women. HB 481 would also have consequences for women who get abortions from doctors or miscarry. A woman who seeks out an illegal abortion from a health care provider would be a party to murder, subject to life in prison. And a woman who miscarries because of her own conductsay, using drugs while pregnantwould be liable for second-degree murder, punishable by 10 to 30 years imprisonment. Prosecutors may interrogate women who miscarry to determine whether they can be held responsible; if they find evidence of culpability, they may charge, detain, and try these women for the death of their fetuses. Even women who seek lawful abortions out of state may not escape punishment. If a Georgia resident plans to travel elsewhere to obtain an abortion, she may be charged with conspiracy to commit murder, punishable by 10 years imprisonment. An individual who helps a woman plan her trip to get an out-of-state abortion, or transports her to the clinic, may also be charged with conspiracy. These individuals, after all, are conspiring to end of the life of a person with full legal recognition under Georgia law. Advertisement Advertisement It is entirely possible that Georgia prosecutors armed with this new statute will bring charges against women who terminate their pregnancies illegally. In 2015, a Georgia prosecutor charged Kenlissia Jones with murder after she self-terminated; he only dropped the charges after concluding that criminal prosecution of a pregnant woman for her own actions against her unborn child does not seem permitted. Starting in 2020, however, Georgia law will permit precisely this kind of prosecution. There is no reason to doubt that history will repeat itself, and more prosecutors will charge women who undergo abortions with murder. For now, Supreme Court precedent protecting womens reproductive rights should bar such prosecutionsand indeed, require the invalidation of HB 481. But the courts conservative majority may be on the verge of dismantling Roe v. Wade. If that happens, Georgia and other conservative states will be free to outlaw abortion, and to imprison women who self-terminate. HB 481 is further proof that once Roe is gone, it wont just be abortion providers who risk legal jeopardy: Women will be punished, too. President Donald Trump has pardoned Michael Behenna, a former Army officer who was convicted of murder for the killing of an Iraqi prisoner in 2008, the White House announced Monday night. Behenna was sentenced to 25 years in prison and was released on parole in 2014 after serving five years. His case has been championed by a number of influential people, including former Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin and more than 30 retired generals and admirals. In 2008, U.S. forces captured Ali Mansur, a suspected al-Qaida member, after a roadside bomb killed two American soldiers in a convoy traveling north of Baghdad, according to the Washington Post. An intelligence report linked Mansur to the attack, but the military couldnt conclusively prove his involvement and was forced to free him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Behenna, an Army Ranger in the 101st Airborne Division and a friend of the two soldiers who had been killed, was tasked with taking Mansur back to his village. But instead, Behenna and his platoon took Mansur to a remote area, cut off his clothes with a knife, bound and blindfolded him, and interrogated him about the attack. A military court filing reports Behenna threatened Mansur: This is your last chance to tell the information or you will die, Behenna said, according to the New York Times. Mansur reportedly agreed to talk, but Behenna shot Mansur in his head and chest. Behenna told the other soldiers that he would do it again, and he did not feel bad about it because he just lost two guys, according to the court filing. Advertisement Advertisement Behenna has claimed he was acting in self-defense and that Mansur had thrown a piece of concrete and reached for Behennas weapon during the interrogation. Behenna tried to overturn his conviction based on the assertion that the prosecution hid evidence that would have helped his case. A judge denied those efforts, but his sentence was reduced to 15 years. Last year, Mike Hunter, the attorney general of OklahomaBehennas home stateasked Trump to pardon Behenna, admitting that some of the former soldiers actions were objectionable but that that does not mean he deserves the label murderer. The White House agreed in a short statement, also noting concerns about Behennas trial and his behavior as a model prisoner. The cast of The Outsiders showcasing a variety of jeans. Photo: courtesy of Zoetrope Studios The quest for perfect jeans first yields a lot of awkward options. Some fit perfect in the thigh but feel like a vice grip around your butt. Some are comfy enough that youll want to wear them all day but a little too distressed to wear to work. And still others have a unique cut that looks great on models but horrendous on your own body. With just a little work up front (and a willingness to take advantage of generous return policies), a great pair of jeans will end up being the best thing in your closet. To that end, we spoke with 23 stylish guys who have gone through the selvedge ringer designers, retailers, podcasters, fashion writers, stylists, and other denim nerds to hear about their favorite pairs. We also combed through our archives for jeans recommendations from other interesting men, like actor Mike Colter and chef Kwame Onwuachi. For ease of navigation, we sorted their selections into six categories: straight-fit, Japanese denim straight-fit, slim-fit, slim-fit for guys with big thighs, skinny, and black jeans. Click through if you know exactly what youre looking for, or scroll to read all the recommendations. Best straight-fit jeans for men Levis Mens 501 Original Fit Jeans From $33 $60 now 45% off From $33 If were going to talk about jeans that every man should have in their closet, a pair of good-old Levis is a must, according to Amy Leverton, the author of Denim Dudes: Street Style, Vintage, Workwear, Obsession. Getting a pair of Levis is almost a rite of passage, she adds, noting that the 501 is still the gold standard. With more men telling us they live in their 501s more than any other pair on this list, that certainly seems to be the case. Jeremy Kirkland, the host of mens style podcast Blamo!, told us he swears by 501s, noting the rise makes them easier to dress up when the occasion calls for it. Ive always been a fan of higher-rise jeans versus the lower-rise pairs because I wear tailoring and sport coats, so it helps to wear something totally high. Theyre a favorite of Chris Black, who says 501s are perfect for every occasion. Drew Westphal, who works in digital marketing, is another fan, telling us theres a reason that most modern-day denim companies use the fit of the 501 to make their own jeans. And Edgar Gonzelaz, who operates a creative studio called andafterthat in the Rio Grande Valley, says that, even in his regions heat, nothing beats the 501s fit. (If you want to get creative, Gonzelaz says he takes the hem right off and does a slight cuff that way, they sit right above a pair of sneakers, boots, or loafers.) From $33 at Amazon Buy $60 at Levi's Buy Atelier & Repairs The Detroit Jean $375 When hes not buying 501s, Kirkland also frequents Atelier & Repairs, designer Maurizio Donadis label for his line of repurposed vintage jeans. For a while, you could just send them your old jeans to be fixed, Kirkland says. Now they sell a lot of repaired 501s, like these Detroit jeans with added denim patches, exposed stitching, and a reversed hem at the break, which Kirkland calls kind of my jam. Theyre admittedly expensive, but Kirkland points out that what youre paying for is the labor it takes to employ someone with a fair salary and health insurance to make your clothes. [Editors note: Sizing is limited for this specific pair of jeans, but Atelier & Repairs has several other repurposed jean styles in stock.] $375 at Atelier & Repairs Buy Alex Mill Vintage Denim Blue Jeans $128 $128 Photo: Arian Camilleri Gene Han, the owner of Hatchet Outdoor Supply (which has stores in Brooklyn and Los Angeles), says he owns many pairs of jeans but that these are the ones I find myself wearing every day. Han adds that Alex Mill scours vintage sources to find perfect pairs of denim jeans, reworks them, and sells them on a limited basis. Because of that, each pair is slightly unique, but Han says they all have that perfect, worn-in feel from day one. $128 at Alex Mill Buy Dickies Mens Professional Painter Pants From $22 Miles Garber, the creative director of design studio DBFiftyThree, told us he is unapologetically Californian, which makes me not fancy with jeans. While his favorite jeans Dickies Painter Pants are not made of denim, Garber told us he has worn them since he was 5 years old and says theyre just as utilitarian. He adds that the pants, which come only in white, are perfect for three reasons: the fit requires no tailoring, the price point is affordable, and you can beat them up without feeling bad. They dont do anything special, he notes, but like Dr. Martens, as soon as youve broken them in, you never want to take them off. I cant say how many pairs Ive owned its hundreds but I have six right now, which range from fresh to almost ruined. From $22 at Amazon Buy $30 at Walmart Buy Best Japanese denim straight-fit jeans for men Sugar Cane 1947 Jean $245 $245 Ask any denim expert where the best denim comes from, and odds are, theyll say Japan. Raw denim hasnt been chemically treated or washed, so its very stiff at first, but over time, it breaks in, softens up, and develops fades and creases unique to the wearer, and selvedge refers to a way of weaving the fabric that is typically associated with high-end denim because its more labor intensive. The entire idea behind these specialty Japanese denim brands is to make jeans with the attention to detail that Levis had in the mid-century, says Drew Romero, a sales associate at Dover Street Market and alumnus of Manhattan denim mecca Self Edge. According to him, the fit of Levis in that period was a straight leg, so while modern Japanese denim brands will make a number of cuts, when people talk about Japanese denim they are referring to reproductions of Levis straight-leg 501s. Romeros favorite jeans are the Sugar Cane 1947s, above, which are modeled after the 1947 Levis 501s. Sugar Cane are serious, Romero says. Theyre even meticulous about which American retailers they allow to stock their brand. $245 at Self Edge Buy APC New Standard Jean, Raw Indigo $175 $175 For a French take on the 501, Leverton recommends the A.P.C. New Standard, which is also made of raw Japanese selvedge denim. Leverton describes the APC New Standard as the go-to pared-back jean of the last 10 years. She says it strikes the right balance of everything one would want in a pair of premium jeans. Its clean and raw but doesnt shout purist. Its classic and authentic without being heritage. $175 at End Clothing Buy Everlane Straight Leg Indigo Jean $88 $88 My friends swear by Everlane denim, says Tim Melidio, the writer behind menswear site Stay Classic. Everlane also uses Japanese denim, but with Everlane, the price is right. The denim is woven with 2 percent elastane to add some stretch. $88 at Everlane Buy Best slim-fit jeans for men Levis 511 Slim Fit Jeans From $50 $70 now 29% off From $50 The Levis 511 is to slim-fit jeans as the 501 is to straight-fit jeans: a standard-bearer. Melideo says Levis 511s are a staple of his wardrobe, and stylist Brandon Garr likes them, too, telling us that Levis is a go-to brand for him because theyre affordable and hold up in the city. I also feel like I can be a little bit more daring in them because I dont have to worry as much about the replacement cost if they get a little roughed up. While cut slimmer, cyclist Robert Evans told us that the 511s are perfect even for guys who have big legs from riding their bikes, like me we dont have to squeeze ourselves into them. He has been wearing 511s for at least a decade, adding that he gets four or five years of use out of each pair. From $50 at Amazon Buy From $50 at Amazon Buy Frame Heritage Slim Jeans, Crater Lake $248 $248 Yale Breslin, a creative producer at Ralph Lauren, says when hes not wearing his vintage pair of Levis 502s, hes in these jeans from Frame, which hes owned for about five years. A lot of my friends are wearing a wider-legged fit, but Im a loyalist to a narrower model, Breslin tells us. But these really arent that slim, he promises, and have the same fit as my beloved Levis. Theyre also a color he describes as that 90s-era faded blue thats wicked. [Editors note: These jeans are sold out in Breslins preferred Crater Lake color, but theyre available in a slightly lighter blue for $139.] $248 at Frame Buy A.P.C. Petit New Standard Slim-Leg Jeans $220 $220 The best pair of blue jeans I own is how Jackson Howard, an assistant editor at publishing house Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, describes these jeans hes been wearing for three years. He admits theyre pricey (Yes, they cost $235) but promises theyre worth it because they wear in like sweatpants, keep their shape, and can be rocked with sandals, sneakers, or a dress shoe, if youre feeling cute. Tellingly, Howard adds he was not happy when his boyfriend borrowed them: It started a big fight. $220 at Bloomingdale's Buy $235 at MatchesFashion Buy Raleigh Denim Jones Thin Fit Jeans, Raw Selvedge $285 $285 Menswear specialist Gary Drinkwater of Drinkwaters in Cambridge, Massachusetts told us hes really excited about Raleigh Denim, which also makes its jeans in America, but with denim from currently operating mills. I think theyre the best of the best in this country right now in terms of denim, he says. He highlights the feel of the denim itself, the quality of the manufacturing, and the attention to detail: Every sewer of each pair of jeans signs the inside of the pair. He plans to start carrying more styles because its been a big hit with customers, but right now, his favorite model is the slimmish-straight Jones fit, which is slimmer than the Levis 501s but not too slim. $285 at Raleigh Denim Buy Paige Lennox Jean in Brushed Nickel $179 $179 Social Distance actor Mike Colters favorite pair of jeans comes from Paige, which is mainly known for its womenswear. I think [that] is what makes the brand great for men, too, he says. Guys look for the same things girls look for: We just want jeans that give us a nice butt and dont look too tight in the crotch. Its a hard thing to find. The Paige Lennox jean checks both those boxes because theyre constructed with what Colter describes as the perfect amount of elastic just a small percentage, enough for them to fit without being too tight. Plus, they come in gray, his preferred jean color. Blue is pretty basic, and black is too strong. Gray goes well with so many colors: purple, red, pink, blue, more gray. The color doesnt get enough attention. $179 at Nordstrom Buy Ciano Farmer 13.5oz Indigo Cone Mills 901 Slim Fit Jeans $210 $210 This sustainably made pair comes recommended by Odin Clack of Texass Odin Leather Goods, who told us that the owner of Ciano Farmer Denim sources all his jeans material from shuttered American mills. He produces an incredible pair of pants they can take a few months to receive depending on what you order, but he makes them all by hand in his small shop. Clack, an independent artisan himself, describes the feel of the jeans as bombproof, adding that the jeans Ciano Farmer Denim produces are just better. $210 at Ciano Farmer Buy Philip Saul, the owner of Bostons Sault New England, told us that a lot of guys come in looking for what he calls the taper fit. Basically, something with a bit more room in the thighs and butt to move and feel comfortable while maintaining the look of a slimmer leg. Its great for guys who dont skip leg day, says Saul, or for anyone looking for a little more comfort without sacrificing style. His favorites in this fit are the Levis 502 and the Raleigh Denim Graham model, both of which have a little added stretch. Acne Studios River Taper Jeans $290 $290 Strategist contributor Kurt Soller wrote about having trouble finding the right jeans for his legs, which are thicker in the thighs and skinnier in the calves. After trying on a few pairs, he says the Acne River pair ended up being perfection a paragon of that Zeitgeist-y tapered style thats loose and slightly baggy above the knee before narrowing to a not-too-tight foot opening. $290 at Acne Studios Buy Best skinny jeans for men Levis 510 Skinny Fit Jeans $70 $70 Photo: retailer Alex Simons, a brand and editorial manager at Netflix, was a self-proclaimed fancy-jeans guy for years. As he explains, I swore my Marc by Marc Jacobs black jeans forever. Then, right before a business trip, they ripped, so I rushed into Levis and found the 510s and have never looked back. Theyre comfortable from the moment you put them on, have the perfect amount of pocket space, are skinny but not skintight, and of course, theyre a great price. Oh, and they stack perfectly on top of my high-top sneakers. $70 at Levi's Buy J Brand Mick Skinny Fit Jeans $198 $198 These are Garrs personal favorite. He buys multiple pairs at a time so he can alternate and wear them a few times throughout the week. They perfectly hug the body without being too tight and keep their shape without getting saggy from wear. He also loves that these keep their color a long time without fading. I like to dress them up with a black Chelsea boot and a blazer or rock them with a pair of converse and a vintage tee. They arent outrageously expensive either, which is really nice. $198 at Theory Outlet Buy Acne Studios Max Slim Fit Jeans, Stay Black $220 $220 Every guy should have some dressy black jeans, says Thomas. If you want a black jean you can dress up, he says its important to make sure the color is a solid black that isnt faded at all. He loves the Acne Max Stay Black because the fit is slim but not super tight, and the fabric is designed to resist fading. This jean came up a lot: Garr loves them too, as does Carlos Rivera-Anaya, the head of marketing at Mr Porter. I own three pairs, he says. On one, I cut the hem fairly high for a super slim leg that looks great with a sharp Chelsea boot and leather jacket. On a second I snipped the hem about 2 inches lower to wear with white tube socks and Vans Old Skools, and for my work-appropriate look, I left them intact, which gives me a straight and narrow leg with some length around the ankle. Total staple jeans. If you style them the right way, Thomas says you could even wear them to a black-tie event. $220 at Acne Studios Buy 3sixteen CT-222x Classic Tapered Lightweight Double Black Jeans $230 $230 Chef Fabian von Hauske (of Contra, Wildair, and Peoples Wine) told us that 3Sixteens founder knows I only wear black jeans and put me on to these ones. He describes them as super-lightweight and super-easy to break in. At the moment, von Hauske says he owns eight pairs, and I run them all down until I cant wear them anymore. Wearing them out, though, has been a challenge, because he says the jeans last forever. According to him, investing in a good pair of jeans may cost more up front but can save you money down the line: Its so important to buy something durable. You can buy two pairs of these, or six pairs of jeans that arent going to last nearly as long. $230 at 3sixteen Buy H&M Slim Mens Jeans $20 $20 These black jeans have been chef Kwame Onwuachis go-to pair for the past ten years. The slim leg and narrow ankle create a tailored look. They go with everything, are slim, and last a long time. They just fit legs really nicely and stop right at the shoe, so they dont bunch or anything. They have just a slight bit of elasticity 2 percent, to be exact which keeps them from being constricting while retaining a tailored fit. And best of all, Onwuachi says, youd never know they only cost $20. [Editors note: These jeans are currently sold out in most sizes, but you can sign up to get emailed when your size is back in stock.] $20 at H&M Buy Uniqlo Men Stretch Selvedge Slim-Fit Jeans $50 $50 When Im not working in an office, these are the only pants I wear, says author Rumaan Alam. They lie somewhere between slim-fit and straight-fit: Theyre not so wide they look baggy but not so slim theyre uncomfortable. The first time Alam tried them on, he realized that he loved the way they fit [and] loved the feel of the denim. Plus, he says, if you get them in black, most people will think youre wearing dress pants. I used to be antiblack jeans for a long time, and then I realized that if you wear black jeans and a black blazer, you look like youre wearing a suit, but you feel more comfortable. $50 at Uniqlo 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. It didnt take long for newly minted National Rifle Association president Carolyn Meadows to roll up her sleeves, assume the mantle of the NRA, and stoke the embers of a culture war that the organization she now leads likes to elide with gun ownership to keep its members frothing, tweeting, and voting. In an interview with the Marietta Daily Journal, Meadows, a Georgia resident, discussed the gun politics of the states 6th Congressional District, which the NRA and other conservative groups are targeting in 2020. Advertisement In the Georgia 6th, Democrat Rep. Lucy McBath managed to upset GOP incumbent Rep. Karen Handel in 2018 in what was former Republican House Speaker Newt Gingrichs old seat in the north Atlanta suburbs. McBath, who is black, ran in the district that is two-thirds white on a gun control platform born out of her own experience with gun violence. McBaths 17-year-old son Jordan Davis was shot and killed in 2012 in a gas station parking lot by a 45-year-old white man who complained about the volume of the rap music coming from his car. [I]t is wrong to say, like McBath said, that the reason she won was because of her anti-gun stance, Meadows explained. That didnt have anything to do with itit had to do with being a minority female. And the Democrats really turned out, and thats the problem we have with conservativeswe dont turn out as well. The Trump administration is laying the groundwork for another travel ban, this time targeting people from many of the places President Donald Trump disturbingly referred to as shithole countries. A recent order from the White House has directed the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security to crack down on countries responsible for a disproportionate share of visa overstays. This effort would be targeted at people who come to the United States legally but stay past their visa expiration date. Specifically, the order contemplates a travel ban against any country with a visitor visa overstay rate of more than 10 percent. Advertisement This faux-objective test yields a list of decidedly non-European countries, the sort that the president dismissed as shitholes. The administration is demonstrating that it has clearly learned from its high-profile travel ban against visitors and immigrants from predominantly Muslim-majority countries, which was initially blocked in the courts for the blatancy of its discrimination. After a Supreme Court victory on the final version of this Trump campaign promise to carry out a Muslim ban, the administration has apparently realized that the key to implementing the presidents discriminatory policies is to use arcane regulatory language you might not notice to enact a backdoor ban. Thats precisely whats going on in this latest case, if you look at the numbers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Based on the latest DHS estimate of overstay rates, the targetedalthough not yet officially namedcountries would be Yemen, Syria, Afghanistan, Bhutan, Georgia, Micronesia, Palau, and 13 countries in Africa, including Nigeria, Liberia, Angola, and Sudan. (Why do we want these people from all these shithole countries here? Trump demanded last year during negotiations over an immigration deal, in a reference to Haiti, El Salvador, and African countries that was widely viewed as being racist. We should have more people from places like Norway.) Its just another attempt to exclude people of color. Four months from now, the secretary of state must provide recommendations to the president, which may include a new proclamation suspending all visitor visas from these mostly African countriesunder the same statutory authority used to justify the existing travel ban on mostly Muslim-majority countries (which already includes Yemen and Syria). Advertisement Advertisement These 20 countries together are responsible for, at most, only 7 percent of visitor visa overstays. Yet in the words of the presidential order, the problem is large numbers of aliens who overstay, thereby placing significant strain on [government] resources, which are currently needed to address the national emergency on our southern border. If that were actually the goal, then it would only be reasonable to target those countries that send the highest numbernot percentageof visitors who overstay. Advertisement The top 20 countries by overstay volume account for a whopping 76 percent of the total, but heres the rub: This list includes large, majority-white nations like Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, and Germany. Sure, the list also includes Haiti, El Salvador, Brazil, Mexico, China, India, Venezuela, and six other South American or Caribbean nations. But its hard to escape the conclusion that the White House has created a discriminatory bench mark that would inflict pain primarily on people from countries in Africa, rather than addressing the alleged problem of massive visa overstays. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Further undermining the administrations collective punishment plan is the fact that overstays arent a major problem to begin with. Based on the governments own data, last year DHS could confirm that 99.24 percent of foreign visitors had either departed the United States on time and in accordance with the terms of their admission or had left within the next six months. Even this low overstay rate is probably too alarmist; according to respected demographic work from the nonpartisan Center for Migration Studies, DHS has overcounted overstays by more than 50 percent by failing to record departures, and thus its estimates do not provide a sound basis for making decisions about immigration policy. Advertisement Advertisement Its probably no accident that this new travel ban effort was kicked off by the White House just a week after a purge of top immigration officials who, in the words of the New York Times, had reportedly pushed back against the implementation of policies that were legally questionable, impractical, unethical or unreasonable. After two years of systematically restricting legal immigration, the Trump administration is leaving no idea off the table. With White House adviser and racial quota fan Stephen Miller now reportedly in full control of immigration policy, we can expect the administration to pursue increasingly draconian approachesjust as we can expect them to use faulty data and poor logic as justification. This time, theyll do a better job of hiding their tracks as they try to ban people from countries with high overstay rates. But its just another attempt to exclude people of color. Backdoor man: Remember when President Donald Trump told senators last year that he didnt want immigrants coming from African nations he disparaged as shithole countries? Hes now set to make that happen, having ordered a crackdown on immigration from countries responsible for immigrants who overstay their visas. Doug Rand looks at the policy that could lead the way to yet another travel ban. Punishment: The state of Georgia just passed the most extreme anti-abortion law in the country, a fetal heartbeat law meant to forbid abortion after six weeks. Those who seek out abortions or attempt to terminate their pregnancies could be punished with life in prison, and thats not the end of it. Mark Joseph Stern explains this ghastly new development in abortion jurisprudence. Advertisement Weve done this already: It looks like House Democrats are on track to brush off the question of impeaching President Donald Trump, leaving it to voters to decide at the 2020 ballot boxes whether they think hes a criminal who isnt fit for office. But, as Dahlia Lithwick argues, were in an urgent constitutional crisis right now, and to waver on this question would be to repeat the mistakes the political classes made in 2016 when it came to Trumps rise. And we know how that turned out. Campout: Last nights Met Gala theme was based on Susan Sontags famous essay Notes on Camp, encouraging the stars of the night to come out and celebrate the spirit of camp. How did they do? Did their dresses and suits accurately count as camp? What really is camp, anyway? Christina Cauterucci assesses the fashion choices of the night. For fun: Euron Greyjoys big, big gun. Run! Nitish Turkeys election authority invalidated the results of Istanbuls recent mayoral race, which had been seen as a jarring rebuke of President Recep Tayyip Erdogans leadership and part of a larger turn away from his party in a number of cities across the country. A new election is now scheduled to take place in late June after the reversal of the March 31st vote, which immediately sparked cries of foul play as Erdogans Justice and Development Party, or AKP, tries to keep its grip on power. The AKP had appealed the results of the Istanbul tally claiming irregularities after the opposition challenger Ekrem Imamoglu narrowly defeated Binali Yildirim, the AKP mayoral candidate. The election board said Monday that some officials overseeing the voting were not civil servants, which is against the law and, it said, enough to justify throwing out the previous vote in favor of a new one. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite benefiting from the election commissions decision, the ruling puts Erdogan and the AKP in a newly precarious position. Division have emerged within the party over whether it was even advisable to push for a revote given the softening of Erdogans support in urban centers. The first race raised the national profile of Imamoglu, the ultimate winner, and a second race is likely to only expand his reach with voters. Its also not clear if the result will be any different the next time around. Analysts said the decision to challenge the results was a high-stakes gamble for Erdoganforcing a replay of a vote that was largely seen as a referendum on his own leadership, the Washington Post reports. Imamoglu and other successful challengers nationwide had benefited from voter dissatisfaction with Turkeys faltering economy, as well as a rare show of unity by the normally fractured political opposition. Whatever political dissatisfaction Istanbul voters were expressing after 18 years of Erdogan at the helm, pushing to invalidate an electoral loss seems unlikely to fix it. Not to mention, the Post reports, the new vote heaps pressure on the AKP because a second loss would confirm and highlight Erdogans fading aura of strongman inevitability. Even if the AKP wins, the thinking goes, it will look like the government cooked the books to get the result it wanted. Either way, Erdogan is entering a new phase where his leadership is more openly being questionedeven within his own party. San Francisco, renowned these days as a hub of technology, is about to be at the forefront of curbing its potential abuses: The city is now on track to be the first municipality in the United States to ban use of facial recognition technology by the city government. On Monday, the Stop Secret Surveillance Ordinance passed a committee vote. It will head to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors for a final vote on May 14. Beyond prohibiting face surveillance, the bill also requires all other types of surveillance technologieslike automatic license plate readers, predictive policing software, and cell phone surveillance towersto only be adopted by city agencies following a public notice and vote by the Board of Supervisors. The bill also requires clear policies for how surveillance technologies will be used by the city government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It may feel like youre visiting the future every time you access your iPhone X by staring at it, but facial recognition is truly everywhere already: The technology is busy at work at Facebook, identifying who youre smiling next to at a party. Its at the entry and exit points in international airports. Its in sport stadiums, studying whether youre having a good time. Facial recognition is even at the mall, deployed to recognize shoplifters. While the federal government has gone all-in on face IDthe FBI has a database with more than 400 million faces in itadvocates and concerned San Franciscans have been pushing back at the city level, citing worries over how surveillance tools could be used to profile communities already at risk of overpolicing. The result of their activism is the bill that advanced on Monday. A similar proposal to ban the use of facial recognition across the bay in Oakland, where public approval of new surveillance tech is already required, will be debated later this month. Advertisement Advertisement Facial recognition is as alluring to law enforcement as it is flawed in its application, especially when it comes to identifying darker-skinned people. An MIT study released earlier this year found that Amazons facial-recognition system, Rekognition, misidentified darker-skinned women as men 31 percent of the time, yet made no mistakes for lighter-skinned men. The potential injustice here is obvious: If police decide to approach someone based on data retrieved from facial recognition software and the software is wrong, the result could be misapplied use of forcenot to mention a case where existing biases in policing are reinforced by biased technology. The databases that are traditionally fed to facial recognition systems in order to match a recent photo to someones identity are commonly linked with mugshot databases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to a letter to the Board of Supervisors from groups supporting the ordinance (including the American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California and the Council on American-Islamic Relations), because mugshot databases reflect historical over-policing of communities of color, facial recognition matching databases are likely disproportionately made up of people of color. Despite these concerns, Amazon recently tested its technology with police departments in Orlando, Florida, and Washington City, Oregon. Its unclear how widespread facial recognition already is among police, since many departments across the country arent required to disclose when they adopt new surveillance technologies. If San Francisco supervisors approve this ordinance next week, though, at least that citys police wont be able to use such software. Advertisement Advertisement There was some pushback from attendees of Mondays meeting. I think were cautiously optimistic that it will pass the final vote, Tracy Rosenberg, the director of Media Alliance, a Bay Area group that works on technology justice issues, told me in an interview. She said a group of about 20 people connected to small businesses showed up to express concerns that they wouldnt be able to give video from their private surveillance camera to be able to catch shoplifters, Rosenberg said. The board members werent persuaded, since, according to Rosenberg, there are many ways that police have been analyzing private camera video for decades, like by finding a cars license plate captured in a video at the scene of a crime, without the help of face-ID databases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Restricting the use of prejudicial policing and surveillance technologies is monumentalthe last thing anyone wants is for racism to be baked into the technologies police use. The San Francisco ordinance could be used as a model for other major American cities to adopt similar policies. It also shows that people can have a say in the technologies that are used by the police to surveil their communities. The local activism to pass proposals like the one now on track to pass in San Francisco should be a sound-off to lawmakers across the country: People care about their privacy and have rightful reservations about giving police carte blanche to use surveillance technology. The new law wont take away the sidewalk-facing cameras that are increasingly tough to miss around San Francisco, but it will make their vision a little cloudier. Camp coordinators consider taking legal steps. One of the games with sexual intent at the Chachaland summer camp. (Source: Chachaland) Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled The Chachaland summer camp, run by an eponymous civic association, has cancelled this year's camp, the Sme daily reported. The decision came after several women, including Katarina Danova, described how camp coordinators had allegedly abused them sexually as children. "In such an atmosphere, it is impossible to organise a children's camp with the motivation and enthusiasm that are inevitable for the volunteers to provide their usual performance at the edge of their physical and mental strength, camp coordinators wrote on their website. Read also: Read also: Chachaland summer camp goes into operation despite child abuse claims Read more However, the organisation denies the child abuse allegations and is considering taking legal steps. The police are already looking into the cases of women who decided to describe their experiences in the media. If the abuse is proven, the court could dissolve Chachaland. However, this may take years, Sme wrote. Games with sexual intent Camp coordinators have also responded to the criticism of some games, which experts and people on social media say have a sexual undertone. For instance, children were licking chocolate from both sides of a plastic foil and sticking sweets to their bodies by using their mouth, reminiscent of kissing in both cases. Chachaland promises to exclude these games in the future. Not because we see something sexual in them, but because we do not need them at all, the organisation wrote, as quoted by Sme. Commenting on their decision to cancel this year's camp, they said it is only a break, not the end. Juraj Novocky is the prosecutor investigating Jan Kuciak's murder. Smer chair Robert Fico used Novocky's official statement when explaining that he did not speak with Vadala on the phone (Source: TASR) Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled The prosecutor of the Special Prosecutor's Office, Juraj Novocky, has been chosen as Slovakia's representative for the newly-created European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO). Novocky, who holds top-secret security clearance, is part of the team looking into the case of the murdered journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiancee, Martina Kusnirova, the Sme daily reported. Read also: Read also: Fico: I did not speak with Vadala on the phone Read more However, his name also appeared in connection with the alleged phone calls between ex-PM and Smer chair Robert Fico along with alleged Italian mafia figure Antonino Vadala. Fico used Novocky's official statement in March to refute the claim that he had been in contact with the Italian. Three candidates required The commission, comprised of the representatives of the General Prosecutor's Office, the Justice Ministry, and the Judicial Council, unanimously voted for Novocky. Apart from him, Katarina Peruzekova and Vladimir Javorsky submitted their applications for the post at EPPO, but did not succeed in the selection procedure, Sme wrote. Slovakia is supposed to propose three candidates to the EPPO. One of them will be part of the College of Prosecutors, while the other two are expected to join the European Delegated Prosecutors (EDPs). Slovakia's Parliament's Speaker will meet his Russian counterpart again. Speaker Andrej Danko with Chairman of Russia's State Duma Vyacheslav Volodin in Moscow in February this year. (Source: FB Andrej Danko - predseda SNS) Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Parliament's Speaker Andrej Danko will mark the anniversary of the end of the World War II in Europe in Russia. Danko will travel to Moscow for bilateral talks with his Russian counterpart, Vyacheslav Volodin, whom he had called his personal friend in the past and took selfies with during their previous meetings. Read also: Read also: Danko acts outside the official foreign policy line Read more This time around, Danko and Volodin are expected to talk about interparliamentary cooperation and a business mission that Danko is preparing for selected Slovak entrepreneurs who are supposed to travel with him to Russia in late June this year, Danko's spokesperson Tomas Kostelnik said. Danko has been criticised for his contact with Volodin, who is featured on the sanctions list, in the past. "It was a very nice surprise to receive the invitation. It is a show of immense respect that simply cannot be refused," Danko reacted, as quoted by Dennik N daily. Danko has informed the Foreign Affairs Ministry about his travel to Russia and his attendance at the military parade that will take place at the Red Square on Thursday, May 9, when Russia celebrates its Victory over Fascism Day. Read also: Read also: Poll suggests few voters favour Danko's pro-Russian foreign policy Read more "He is not violating any directive or political position of the EU," Foreign Minister Miroslav Lajcak told journalists prior to the cabinet session on Tuesday, May 7, as quoted by the SITA newswire. However, he refused to answer whether he would accept such an invitation himself. The European Leadership Awards recognise leaders who contribute to shaping Europe. Zuzana Caputova became the fifth Slovak president. (Source: Michal Svitok, TASR) Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Slovak President-elect Zuzana Caputova has been named the European Personality of the Year. The European Leadership Awards, granted on May 6, 2019 in Brussels, honour leaders across Europe for their exceptional achievements in politics, business, and innovation, the Euronews website reported. The ceremony is organised jointly by the Euronews website and the European Business Summit (EBS). I am humbled and honoured by this award, wrote Caputova on Twitter. This award will serve as encouragement for her work as the Slovak president, after she takes the oath in mid-June, she added. Who else was awarded? Apart from Caputova, Swedish political activist Greta Thunberg and UNICEF ambassador Lilian Thuram from France were nominated for their achievements in the European Personality category. The ceremony took place for the second time, awarding winners in five categories, including the European leader, European entrepreneur, European innovator, and European corporate social initiative. Our coverage of the Sprudge Twenty interviews presented by Pacific Barista Series continues this week on Sprudge. Read more about the Sprudge Twenty and see all of our interviews here. Nora Burkey nominated by Benjamin Myers Nora Burkey is the Executive Director and Founder of The Chain Collaborative, an international organization dedicated to investing in the capacity of Change Leaders in coffee growing regions and accompany them as they drive grassroots, sustainable development in their own communities. Through Chain Collaborative, Burkey and her team have helped develop projects with coffee producers in Ecuador, Nicaragua, Uganda, and other coffee growing regions around the world. They also collaborate with the Coffee Quality Institute (CQI) for The Partnership for Gender Equity, an ongoing research initiative looking at the intersection between coffee and gender for coffee producers worldwide. This interview has been edited and condensed. What issue in coffee do you care about most? True grassroots, community-led, sustainable development. This has been my entire reason for wanting to be a part of the coffee sector from the beginning. I think the specialty coffee sector does a great job in terms of defining what specialty coffee is: there are rules, there are Q graders, there are flavor wheels, there is a science. Of course, people are now starting to ask whether quality coffee means more than just 80+ points, but at the very least, there are some sets of clear rules and a lot of scientific investment behind the term specialty coffee. We know the right ratio of water to coffee. We make it hard for someone to be able to truly assess how much a coffee scores. But its not the same in terms of grassroots, community-led development or sustainability. Thats more like the term gourmet. Everyone can say they are doing it, and there are no rules in the coffee and development sector that defines this. I see really large collective action platforms throwing around these terms, and I see small non-profits doing the same. As a consumer, buyer, or supplier wanting to really do community-led development, how will they know where to turn? What cause or element in coffee drives you? Same as above. Being able to be a part of the conversation about what true community-led development in the coffee sector could look like is the reason I do the work that I do. Unfortunately, I dont think its a very comfortable place to be in, because in order to drive more community-led development, we have to start recognizing that there are a lot of people out there co-opting the term, and no one wants to be criticized in that way. But doing things the right way (or what I think is the right way), being for genuine community-led development, is what drives me. And hopefully, if there is anything valuable in what Im saying, people will start to take notice and do things similarly. In many ways, I think thats more effective than calling people out and telling them they are not doing community-led development in the proper way. For me, its all about shifting power to coffee communities that have traditionally been denied power in a global, buyer-driven supply chain. What issue in coffee do you think is critically overlooked? Power and history. I think there are a lot of the challenges we are facing in coffee today that are a result of the balance of power in our world and in our sector. Consolidation has to do with the power of larger versus smaller companies. The price crisis has a lot to do with coffee as a buyer-driven supply chain. There are historical reasons for why we find ourselves in such a power dynamic and theories for why the world works the way it does. These histories and theories can help explain why we as an industry have not been super successful in changing the status quo for the majority of coffee producers around the world. I dont know that if more people engaged with history and power that wed see a large change in the industry, but I think its not something thats ever been tried before, so its at least worth a shot! What is the quality you like best about coffee? What I like about coffee is that everyone gets to create their own little coffee community, or several little coffee communities, that they can be a part of. For example, there are different groups of women in coffee I feel that I am a part of. As women, we support each other in our careers and in a male-dominated industry. I am also a part of my organizational community. Were a small team, but a committed team that supports each other on our own coffee journeys. I am a part of the communities we as The Chain Collaborative work with, at least in some way. I get to be a part of these various small pieces of the world, a part of communities in Uganda, Ecuador, and Nicaragua, communities that probably only a couple hundred people in the world could call theirs. And there is always an entire new coffee culture to get to know and to belong toand thats what I like best. Did you experience a god shot or life-changing moment of coffee revelation early in your career? I think there are many revelations coming to me later on in my career, and I think what I thought I knew at the beginning of my career isnt what I know now. But I dont know if I could identify one moment. For me, coffee is an ever-developing learning journey. Its constant revelation, constant learning, and constant improvement. Once I lose that, Im probably not doing it right. What is your idea of coffee happiness? I have so many answers to this question. My idea of coffee happiness is where coffee is like wine, based on the cost of production instead of what consumers want to payor have been taught to think coffee should cost. But then I also have to recognize my idea of coffee happiness is where everyone in the world would be able to afford coffee at that price, which wouldnt be everyone as a result of the massive inequality in our times. So, my coffee happiness would have to extend to something akin to world peace. And then, once we achieve world peace, my idea of coffee happiness would probably be sitting someplace beautiful with people I love, enjoying beautiful weather, and sipping a great cup of coffee. Also, climate change wouldnt be a thing. If you could have any job in the coffee industry, what would it be and why? When I founded The Chain Collaborative, I created the job I wanted in the industry. So, I am lucky enough to say I have the job in the industry that I always wanted. But, there are a lot of things that go along with running a non-profit that I do because I have to (file taxes with the IRS, create contracts and employee handbooks, etc) that Id be happy to hand off to someone else. Also, I think if I never had to fundraise for The Chain Collaborative and just got to be the person who gave money out all the time to producer groups, that might be better. It would certainly mean I would avoid so much rejection and a feeling like were not always in this together. So, perhaps at this point, my dream job is doing what Im doing and being able to make money magically appear on behalf of our partners. Who are your coffee heroes? So many! First, Kim Elena Ionescu. She is one of the most supportive individuals that I know in coffee and is, I believe, the embodiment of how people in coffee should treat each other in this industry. When I was first getting started, she let me know she believed in what I was doing. She once pulled me aside at an event and told me to keep trying to be heard. Whenever she has had a different opinion than I do, shell share it with me (kindly). I bring this up because, in the world of social media, not everyone in coffee is so kind to one another. Another coffee hero is Fatima Ismael Espinoza, general manager of the SOPPEXCCA Cooperative in Nicaragua. To make a long story short, the first time I met Fatima, she was locked outside of her house in Jinotega and we shared a hotel room. She was such a figure to me, and I remember my phone alarm going off a million times over at 6 am, and I scrambled to turn it off and not upset this incredible woman. She just turned to me and said, Relax! Happy International Womens Day, which it happened to be. Fatima is one of the most humble, dedicated, and transparent people I know. Its not easy to run a cooperative, run a profitable company where thousands of people are supposed to have a voice. Its not hard to do that when those thousands of people are suffering from inequality and low coffee prices. Its not easy to manage an incredible cooperative and not grow arrogant. A cooperative is just not easy to run with grace. But Fatima does it better than any single person I know. I think she should write a book on how to manage a producer cooperative in a developing country. And I think everyone else in coffee should read it. And finally, Denis Twinamatsiko. He is the man The Chain Collaborative invests in in Uganda. Denis is from a vulnerable community in Southwestern Uganda. He grew up capturing any educational opportunity he could, eventually attending university in Kampala and then working for USAID in Liberia. He returned to his home community several years ago to begin organizing coffee farmers in his region, and since then, has seen his vision come to life. He built a school in his community in order to provide all children with the opportunities to learn that he sought out his whole life. He is building a value chain for coffee producers in his region. He started all this when he was 30 years old. He is just about everything an entrepreneur in coffee should be, and I would love to do a better job sharing his vision, his message, and his coffee project with the world. If you could drink coffee with anyone, living or dead, who would it be and why? Martin Luther King, Jr. A few years ago, on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, I remember a group of women I know (one of my coffee communities!) were passing around a joke email about who our celebrity crushes were. I couldnt think of one, so I said MLK because it was his holiday that day. And since then, I realized there is actually no better answer to that question, and no one else compares. If our favorite famous person is not MLK or someone like him, what is wrong with us? I dont actually have a crush, but just incredible admiration. I think we need a million more MLKs on this earth today, so if he could come back and help us create more people like him, thatd be the greatest. If you didnt get bit by the coffee bug, what do you think youd be doing instead? I would probably be working in the development sector somewhere. Thats what I went to school for. I had always had a passion for coffee, but I didnt realize you could combine the two at first. Once I realized that, it was a no-brainer for me, but had I never figured that out, Id be working in international development elsewhere, likely only womens rights and empowerment. But who knows. At this point, if I left coffee, Id work on the border and on immigration reform, fighting the prison industrial complex, or just plain writing fiction. Do you have any coffee mentors? Matt Slater, Benjamin Myers, and Erika Koss. Ben has been the President of our Board of Directors for a while now, but hes also just been a sounding board. I remember attending my first SCA expo with Ben, and thats why he camejust to support me. We shared an Airbnb, and Ill never forget waking up to him playing a song that went, Krishna is blue, and my guru is too, over and over again, or something like that. He just never forgets to bring everyone down to earth and is always there to bring me through the first baby steps of a big problem. Matt Slater is another person that has been such a support to me. He is also a member of the board but has helped me navigate coffee politics, been there during my most emotional times, and been there just to give a big hug when it was needed. Erika is my truest coffee sister. I met her in Atlanta during Expo when I attended a panel. She went up to the mic to ask a question, and I just loved her question, so I introduced myself to her after the panel. We then sat by a fountain and chatted, and since then, weve turned that fountain talk into a supportive, meaningful friendship that makes each of us better coffee humans. What do you wish someone wouldve told you when you were first starting out in coffee? Oh man. My gut reaction to this question is always to say that I wish someone would have told me how mean people can be. Is that bad to say? I never joined a sorority, but my first experience of hazing was when I worked in a specialty coffee shop. People were not nice to me, and every new person that first started working at this shop experienced the same thing. After I was there for a while, I think I was the only people that newbies liked because I at least acknowledged that they were getting hazed. Its a competitive industry, and even now I feel the pressure, like people want you to know that you dont belong or that youre really a nobody unless you prove yourself. Whenever someone writes to me about what Im doing, I try to respond because I want to recognize their coffee passion and not squash it by acting more important than them. But you have to have thick skin in this industry in order not to feel squashed, and thats just the truth in my view. Honestly, I think that culture in our industry needs to change. Its so important that we nurture peoples interests and help them grow into their potential. The fact that there are many people that do nurture others is what keeps me going. We just need more people like that. Name three coffee apparatuses youd take into space with you. At first I thought, Id like a contraption to heat hot water, a spoon, and something that can brew coffee with only hot water, a spoon, and the thing itself. Or I was thinking a spoon, a moka pot, and a very small, portable stove. These are the kinds of things I do when Im in a really remote area. But then I thought, is there electricity in space to heat hot water? How would you get water hot in space? After briefly looking it up, it appears they have a special hot water brewer that makes espresso, and they use capsules in space. The capsules are probably specially designed for the space espresso machine, and I guess youd have to bring your own water too. So, at this point, Id go with a favorite mug to remind me of home, some capsules with better quality coffee, and some extra bottles of water. Best song to brew coffee to: I was never allowed to pick the songs when I was a barista because I had a really old music collection at the time. At this point, I cant really think of a song, because whenever I brew coffee now Im at home by myself, and barely awake, or trying to brew something between calls really quick. One song I will always associate with coffee is Didos Thank You, the one that was featured in Eminems Stan. When I first moved to Nicaragua, my favorite coffee shop would play that on repeat, just over and over again. No idea why, its somewhat about cold tea anyway. I think they just didnt realize it was playing. Thats my favorite coffee song, because it brings back great memories of where I was when I first started The Chain Collaborative, and one of my best friends shares this (what feels like to me) super weird experience. Look into the crystal ballwhere do you see yourself in 20 years? Oh gosh. Honestly, Im not sure Ill still be in coffee. I may be, but I cant imagine what Id be doing or what role Id play. One day, Id like to hand off The Chain Collaborative to someone else and support a new generation to manage it. 2039 honestly scares me a bit. Who knows what the coffee landscape will look like at that point. Hopefully the earth is not like one giant gaping hole. Im avoiding this question because I dont know where Ill be in five years, so 20 just feels not even worth my time. Whatd you eat for breakfast this morning? Two eggs and a piece of toast. When did you last drink coffee? Two hours ago. What was it? I have no idea. Im helping my mom move houses today and am currently doing some work from her friends house. They just poured me what was in their coffee pot. Honestly, Im really not picky. Thank you. The Sprudge Twenty is presented by Pacific Barista Series. For a complete list of 2019 Sprudge Twenty honorees please visit sprudge.com/twenty Zachary Carlsen is a co-founder and editor at Sprudge Media Network. Read more Zachary Carlsen on Sprudge. 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. The upcoming distribution of a fund of more than $73 million to 'DHB Class Members' with previously recognized claims in In re DHB Industries, Inc. Class Action Litigation has been announced. Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP and Labaton Sucharow LLP made the announcement on Monday, May 6, 2019. The contents of the release appear below. Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP and Labaton Sucharow LLP (Co-Lead Counsel) are pleased to announce the upcoming distribution of a fund of more than $73 million to DHB Class Members with previously recognized claims in In re DHB Industries, Inc. Class Action Litigation. This amount represents more than 89.5 per cent of the $81,540,718.81 in recognized claims in the original class action settlement, approved almost 11 years ago. Co-Lead Counsel estimate that distribution of those funds, which are more than double the original cash settlement benefit, will begin in July, after the funds are transferred by the Government and Class Members with recognized claims have had an opportunity to confirm or update their contact and address information. This case, which is pending in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, originally settled in 2008. That settlement created a cash settlement fund of $34.9 million, less attorneys fees and expenses, plus 3,184,713 shares of DHB common stock for the benefit of the Class. A series of unanticipated events, however, threatened the viability of the original settlement and prevented its implementation. Those events included an appeal in a companion shareholder derivative action, DHBs bankruptcy filing, and the criminal prosecution of company founder David H. Brooks and other senior executives. These events resulted in disagreements among the settling parties and numerous ancillary lawsuits and proceedings that interfered with the original settlement. In the many ensuing years, Co-Lead Counsel, with the assistance of bankruptcy counsel at Lowenstein Sandler LLP, have worked diligently to protect the interests of Class Members and preserve and even improve the original settlement. On August 18, 2015, the Court approved a proposed supplemental settlement agreement (the Supplemental Settlement). The Supplemental Settlement resolved many of the material disputes among key parties to the original settlement and the DHB bankruptcy estate and created a mechanism for sharing any additional future funds that might become available to either the Class or the DHB bankruptcy estate, which was deemed to be a victim of David Brooks fraud. Even then there were major obstacles to the completion of the settlement. Although Brooks was not a party to the Supplemental Settlement, and was serving a 17-year sentence in federal prison for securities fraud and other offenses, he filed an appeal of the order approving the Supplemental Settlement in September 2015. His estate continued to prosecute that appeal after Brooks died in prison in October 2016 and agreed to voluntarily dismiss it only in June 2017. Later that same year, the principal stakeholders with a claim to Brooks assets restrained in connection with the federal criminal proceeding, including Co-Lead Counsel on behalf of the Class, came together in an effort to achieve a global settlement. That effort culminated in a Global Settlement Agreement on October 25, 2018. To be able to receive its share of the funds negotiated and made available through the Global Settlement Agreement, the Class, through Co-Lead Counsel, petitioned the Department of Justice for a remission award from the assets restrained by the Government and ultimately forfeited for the benefit of victims. That remission award was approved in an amount of $73,089,224.23. This amount, less only a cost reserve of $71,581 for the claims administrators estimated costs to distribute the fund (as approved by the Government), will be awarded to Class Members, on a pro rata basis, who submitted valid, recognized claims in the Class Action on or before January 26, 2018. 1 We are pleased to announce this outstanding result for the Class, said Samuel H. Rudman of Robbins Geller. Through hard work and perseverance over the course of more than a decade, we were able get investors a remarkable 90 per cent of their recognized losses. Added Ira A. Schochet of Labaton Sucharow: This result became possible only through the unrelenting efforts of Co-Lead Counsel and bankruptcy counsel on behalf of the Class. Because eligible Class Members have already been found to be entitled to a settlement award, they do not need to take any further action to receive their share, but may wish to update or confirm their contact information on file with the claims administrator, including their mailing address. To do so, they should email the claims administrator at [email protected] no later than Monday, July 8, 2019. When contacting the Claims Administrator, each Class Member should provide as much information as possible, including the members claim number(s) if available, the name and mailing address listed on the members claim(s), and the members current mailing address. If any Class Member is requesting a change of the claimant name originally listed on a claim for payment purposes, the member should also provide supporting documentation for that request. Class Members with questions about the case should contact Robbins Geller at 800-449-4900 or Labaton Sucharow at 888-219-6877 (or [email protected]). Co-Lead Counsel represent lead plaintiffs George Baciu and the NECA-IBEW Pension Fund, as well as the certified Class, in the litigation, which is pending before the Honorable Joanna Seybert. In re DHB Industries, Inc. Class Action Litigation, Inc., No. 2:05-cv-04296-JS (E.D.N.Y.). Robbins Geller Attorneys Samuel H. Rudman Mark T. Millkey Labaton Sucharow Attorneys Ira A. Schochet Nicole M. Zeiss Practice Areas Securities Fraud 1 There are 50 eligible Class Members who have tax or other financial obligations to the Government. After the deduction of those liabilities, the Government will distribute any remaining awards directly to those 50 Class Members. (Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP) Arizona State University - Downtown Phoenix Arizona State University has several MBA programs to choose from. The full-time program takes 21 months to complete, while the part-time one can be completed in 2-4 years. The Executive MBA program is designed for individuals with 10-20 years of management experience. Students can also complete their degree in 2 years via distance learning. Prospective students must submit an online application with a $70 fee, along with a resume, references, official GRE or GMAT scores, and official transcripts. They will also need to complete essay questions. University of Arizona Students enrolled in the University of Arizona's full-time MBA program will earn their degree in 21 months. Those in the evening MBA program will take classes one night per week. The Executive MBA takes 21 months to complete, while the online program can be completed in 14-42 months. The curriculum includes classes on leadership, statistics, and managerial communication. Admissions requirements may vary for the programs; however, students can expect to submit materials like an online application, a resume, official transcripts, recommendation letters, and official GMAT or GRE scores from the last 5 years. Northern Arizona University Northern Arizona University has a 10-month, cohort MBA program that requires 30 credits for graduation. Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA and complete their degree within 6 years. Applicants will need a bachelor's degree with a 3.0 GPA. The admissions process includes an online application, transcripts, GMAT or GRE scores, two references, and a resume. Ottawa University - Phoenix The MBA program at Ottawa offers both distance learning and evening classes. Students at this American Baptist school can select from eight areas of focus including finance, human resources, or strategic innovation. They will take courses in areas like marketing, ethics, and information systems. Potential students will complete an online application with a $75 fee. They will need to provide their official transcripts that demonstrate at least a 3.0 GPA, a personal statement, a resume, and three recommendation letters. University of Phoenix - Arizona Students can complete their 36-credit MBA at the University of Phoenix via distance learning or traditional classes. The program offers five specializations: accounting, human resource management, business and health administration, project management, and marketing. Students will take coursework in corporate finance, business law, and statistics. They will need a bachelor's degree with a 2.5 GPA. The admissions process includes supplying official undergraduate transcripts. Students have a wealth of options when it comes to MBA programs in Arizona. The available programs have flexible scheduling options, with some offering areas of specialization such as strategic innovation. As the US tighten sanction on Iran's oil trade, talk about a possible confrontation rises and Iran looks to circumnavigate the sanctions writes Al-Watan. Once again, America seems to have failed to consider the impact that oil has on a financial level and in terms of economic development for every country who owns the black gold, when subjugating countries opposed to its policies. Media outlets this week published news of the United States canceling the exemptions granted to countries and companies that buy Iranian oil, increasing pressure on Iran with the aim of reaching zero oil exports from Iran. This put global oil markets into a state of confusion and fear, given the impact the American decision could have in creating a severe shortage in global oil markets. Immediately, Saudi Arabia and the Emirates vowed to increase their production in order to plug any gap in the oil markets during the tightening of the American sanctions on Iran. Although China, India and Turkey have refused to submit to the American sanctions against Iran, it appears that these countries have dealt separately with the decision in a way that accords with each states interests. This has given Iran room to circumvent the sanctionsat least partially. Its true that Iran has planned for a long time to reduce its dependence on oil export revenues and to try to encourage industrial, agricultural and technological exports, and internal components that enable them to depend on their own capabilities in order to maintain their decision-making independence and not to bow to the political blackmail of any entity. However, one cannot deny the clear economic pain and impact on Iran. This has pushed Iran to close the Strait of Hormuz, the necessary passage for about 45 percent of the worlds oil, and has opened the door to the possibility of a military conflict that could lead to a global economic disaster. Faced with this situation, some analysts have broadcast that we are approaching a destructive war between Iran on one side and Israel and America on the other. This could be described as disastrous if it actually occurs, given the negative consequencesnot just for Iran but for the entire Gulf region, especially those with American bases on their territory. Here we should look calmly at the possibilities of a war developing or not, especially after it being promoted as inevitable. 1. The worsening economic situation in the United States will make it think twice before funding any military operation, especially given that the results are not guaranteed and that they cannot be contained or limited to a specific area. 2. The possibility of the entire region erupting on different fronts, in addition to the global human and economic losses, which will disable America from bearing the wars consequences, and will force it to search for more effective means and methods, including starving people and putting them against their regimes and stirring chaos instead of bearing the losses of a war whose results are not guaranteed. 3. The American president is not a warmonger. He is a person who is clearly trying to sell military products with the aim of making money and not to spend it on useless wars. If he got Saudi and Emirati support to cover the costs of any American-Israeli attack on Iran, then the support would remain limited given their need to cover the expenses of their unjust war on Yemen. Iran for its part will not initiate the flames of war in the region. This was made clear by the spokesman for the Iranian armed forces. They have factors that enable them to confront and avoid war, at least in the short term. Most importantly: 1. Iran has grown accustomed to American sanctions for 40 continuous years and has recorded notable progress on all fronts, which have not borne fruit for America, meaning that there has been a failure to achieve what is desired from the sanctions imposed on Iran 2. Since the American sanctions were imposed, Iran has been able to circumvent them in various ways and it has been successful in this, and it will be successful again todaya factor that will prevent America from achieving its goals of subjugating Iran. 3. Iran does not want to give America or Israel any excuse to carry out military action, and has made use of all available means, because Irans policy is long-term, and it is still betting on a more effective and positive European role in rebelling against the American sanctions, which accord with the joint interests between Iran and European Union countries. The American Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that America will increase the pace of sanctions imposed on Iran until it comes to the negotiations table. This statement leads us to conclude that Americas aims are to try to hold talks with Iran, but with American conditions that lead to Irans subjugation, not to carry out a war against it. This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author. The returning citizens thanked the Syrian Arab Army for liberating their towns and villages from terrorism reports SANA. Amid celebrations held in the al-Jalaa area in the al-Bokmal countryside, 3,800 citizens returned to their cities and villages that have been liberated from terrorism in Deir ez-Zors southeastern countryside. Deir ez-Zor Governor Abdul-Majid al-Kwakibi, affirmed that: Within the framework of the amnesty decree and with the aim of achieving the return of all citizens who have been displaced from their houses and villages, on Sunday, 3,800 citizens returned to the villages and towns of al-Sayyal, Hasrat, al-Salihyia, al-Ramadi, al-Jalaa, Qitaat al-Bokmal, al-Abbas and al-Tawatiha in the Deir ez-Zor countryside. Kwakibi noted that, All basic services have been provided for those returning and governmental facilities were activated in the villages and towns. They expressed happiness at their return to the homeland, affirming that the victories achieved by the Syrian Arab Army, which eliminated terrorism, have created opportunities for new happy lives for all Syrians. For their part, participants of the celebrations hailed the sacrifices of the Syrian Arab Army, who were able to liberate the province from terrorism, and called upon all youths to join the ranks of the Syrian Arab Army and to participate in the battle against terrorism until security and stability is restored to the homeland. This article was edited by The Syrian Observer. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author. With the upturn in the number of attacks across Idleb and Hama, schools, medical facilities and Civil Defense centers have been subject to artillery, rocket and aerial bombardment reports Smart News. On Monday, the Syrian Network for Human Rights documented the Syrian regime forces and Russia bombarding 12 medical sites over 10 days in the Hama and Idleb provinces in central and northern Syria. The network said on social media that regime forces and Russia had escalated their operations in the de-escalation zone in Idleb and Hama, striking 12 medical sites from Apr. 26 to May 6, 2019, putting most out of service. On Sunday, three hospitals went out of service as a result of rocket bombardments by Russian warplanes, which were al-Maghara in the town of Kafr Zeita in Hama, as well as al-Jurahi in Kafr Nubl and Nabd al-Hayat in the village of Hass in Idleb. On Saturday, a member of Emergency Coordinators said that the regime and Russia had struck five educational facilities and four health facilities and two displaced camps and two Civil Defense centers. Idleb and northern Hama have for days been subject to artillery, rocket and aerial bombardment by Syrian regime and Russian warplanes, which have killed and wounded hundreds of civilians as well as damaging hospitals and public facilities and displacing tens of thousands of people. Idleb and northern Hama are part of the de-escalation zone agreement that the sponsor countries of Turkey, Russia and Iran reached at the Astana conference in December 2017, as well as the demilitarized zone agreement signed between Russia and Turkey on Sept. 17, 2018. This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author. King County health officials sent out an alert late Saturday, warning of a measles risk after a Canadian man traveled to Seattle in late April while infected with the highly contagious disease. During that time, he stayed in downtown Seattle and visited tourist locations. There was one confirmed case of measles in King County this year. More than 70 cases have been reported in Clark County, part of a record national outbreak. Public health officials encourage people who visited these locations to call a health-care provider if they develop a fever or unexplained rash between April 27 and May 19. To avoid possible spread, do not go to a clinic or hospital without calling first to say you might have measles. Risk for infection is low in the Seattle area, officials said, because most people have been vaccinated. The man in his 40s, who has since recovered, was in these Seattle-area locations between April 21 and April 28, according to Public Health Seattle & King County. The virus can remain in the air for up to two hours after the infected person leaves the area, so people in these locations for up to two hours afterward could have been infected: April 21, around 8 p.m., the man was at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. From late evening April 24 until the morning of April 28, he stayed at the Marriott Courtyard Hotel in Pioneer Square. April 25, around 11 a.m., Storyville Coffee near Pioneer Square, at 1001 First Ave. April 26, from around 11 a.m. to noon, Immediate Clinic Capitol Hill; around noon, on the monorail from Westlake Station to Seattle Center; and from roughly 2:30 to 4 p.m., the Space Needle. April 27, in the morning, he was at Slate Coffee Roasters in Pioneer Square; from around 11 a.m. to around 1 p.m., he was at the Museum of Pop Culture; around 1:30 p.m. he was at Market Fresh at 720 Olive Way, and from 9:30 p.m. to around midnight, at The Pink Door. April 28, Slate Coffee Roasters in Pioneer Square again in the morning, and at 10 a.m. he took Kenmore Air Flight M5 340. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Starting in 2020, more Washington residents will be able to attend college for less money. For many, it will be free. About 110,000 low-to median-income students will qualify for help each year, including adults who never got a degree and want to go to school. There will be no more financial-aid wait lists. The changes come from a sweeping higher education bill that passed along with the Legislatures budget last weekend, which will help families who make up to the states median income just under $92,000 for a family of four. It has not yet been signed into law by Gov. Jay Inslee, who called on the Legislature to expand financial aid, but already, experts are calling it nationally significant. Its a unique and brilliant approach, said college-aid expert Sara Goldrick-Rab, a Temple University professor and author of Paying the Price: College Costs, Financial Aid, and the Betrayal of the American Dream. She called the bill pretty much the most progressive state higher ed funding bill Ive seen at the state level in years. The Workforce Education Investment Act is expected to raise nearly $1 billion over four years through a three-tiered hike in the states business-and-occupation tax. It calls for increased tax rates on about 82,000 of the 380,000 taxpayers who pay the B&O tax, or about one-fifth of all businesses. It also sets aside $300 million over two years for public colleges and universities, making targeted investments to boost high-demand fields such as computer science, engineering and health care, and providing what the Legislature calls foundational support to recession-proof the states colleges and universities. UW President Ana Mari Cauce said the legislation is a huge win not only because it eliminates the financial-aid wait list, but because it will allow the university to better weather financial downturns. We talked about the importance of this being the year for higher education, and I think the Legislature did that, she said. States have become laboratories for experiments with free college, said Jenna Sablan, assistant research professor at Georgetown Universitys Center on Education and the Workforce. Programs range from Tennessees free community college promise to New Yorks Excelsior Scholarship, which gives free tuition to the states two- and four-year public college system for families who make $125,000 or less. Sablan said the Washington program seems to most closely resemble the Excelsior Scholarship. But the New York program requires students to go to college full-time, and if they move out of state, the scholarship may be converted into a loan. The Washington program does not have those features. Students whose families make $50,000 or less for a family of four can go to a two- or four-year public college in Washington tuition-free, and students whose families make up to the median income nearly $92,000 for a family of four will also get some aid. With the additional funding, Washington will spend $845 million over the 2019-2021 biennium for financial aid. It may be the most generous-promise financial aid program in the country not just because of the award amounts, but also because of the different ways the money can be used, said Rachelle Sharpe, deputy executive director of the Washington Student Achievement Council, which oversees financial aid. For example: The grant aid can be used by any Washington resident who qualifies, who doesnt already have a bachelors degree, and who wants to earn something less than a full degree (such as a certificate) at a community college. It can be used at 66 schools in Washington (including many of the states private universities) and allows students to go part-time. It also covers apprenticeships. Im not aware of any other state thats done what weve done, said state Rep. Drew Hansen, D-Bainbridge, who sponsored the bill. The act creates a new account, the Workforce Education Investment Account, that may only be used for higher education programs, operations, compensation and state-funded student aid programs. The bill was opposed by the Washington Retail Association and the Independent Business Association of Washington, as well as independent physician clinics. They argued it would lead to increased costs and make it difficult for rural doctors to stay in business. It passed largely along party lines. Although the Department of Revenue cant release information on how much individual businesses will pay, it appears that only two companies, Microsoft and Amazon, fit the description of the highest B&O tax rate category of 2.5 percent (select advanced computing businesses with worldwide revenue that exceeds $100 billion). But the bill also limits their total tax to between $4 million and $7 million per year meaning the two companies will contribute between 2 percent and 3.6 percent of the total $380 million in revenue the tax increase will raise over the first two years. Both companies declined to say exactly how much they would pay, while also pointing out they have contributed to higher education in Washington in other ways. Washingtons 50-year-old State Need Grant has long been one of the nations most generous financial-aid programs. But it also ran out of money every year. This year, about 92,000 students got money and another 18,000 qualified students got none. The new bill replaces the State Need Grant with the more generous Washington College Grant in fall 2020. It is an entitlement, a guarantee that students whose family income meets the threshold will get the full amount to pay for tuition and fees if they plan to attend a state public school, and a portion of tuition if they attend one of the states accredited private colleges or universities. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 Editors note: Todays editorials originally appeared in the Los Angeles Times. Editorial content from other publications and authors is provided to give readers a sampling of regional and national opinion and does not necessarily reflect positions endorsed by the Editorial Board of The Daily News. Facebook is preparing to pay a multi-billion-dollar fine and dealing with ongoing ire from all corners for its user privacy lapses, the viral transmission of lies during elections, and delivery of ads in ways that skew along gender and racial lines. To grapple with these problems (and to get ahead of the bad PR they created), Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg has proposed that governments get together and set some laws and regulations for Facebook to follow. But Zuckerberg should be aiming higher. The question isnt just what rules should a reformed Facebook follow. The bigger question is what all the big tech companies relationships with users should look like. The framework needed cant be created out of whole cloth just by new government regulation; it has to be grounded in professional ethics. Doctors and lawyers, as they became increasingly professionalized in the 19th century, developed formal ethical codes that became the seeds of modern-day professional practice. Tech company professionals should follow their example. An industry-wide code of ethics could guide companies through the big questions of privacy and harmful content. State governments made compliance with such codes mandatory to get a license to practice medicine or law. Lawyers ethics require that they meet obligations _ sometimes called fiduciary duties _ of confidentiality, loyalty and care. Modern-day medical ethics are framed to include autonomy (i.e. respect for individual self-determination), non-maleficence (Hippocrates first, do no harm), beneficence and justice _ concepts that reflect the same kinds of values. Drawing on Yale law professor Jack Balkins concept of information fiduciaries, I have proposed that the tech companies develop an industry-wide code of ethics that they can unite behind in implementing their censorship and privacy policies _ as well as any other information policies that may affect individuals. Just like legal and medical practitioners, tech companies are knowledge specialists, so it makes sense to obligate them to develop standards of good ethical practice for gathering and using data about you. (They can begin by Googling medical and legal ethics codes!) An ethical code also doesnt require legislation or regulation to be put into place; the companies could adopt it on their own. But it would be no surprise if a well-developed ethical code ended up being backed by law and regulation. Thats what ultimately happened with doctors and lawyers. The scope of information fiduciary ethics has to apply to all people, not just a companys customers or subscribers. (Facebook, for example, collects data on non-Facebook users, and to some degree cant help doing so.) Even if companies cant stop gathering user data, they certainly can be obligated to treat users and non-users alike. They should also be duty-bound to treat them with care (dont allow individuals data to be used in ways that harm them; dont serve them content or ads that are false or misleading), loyalty (dont put company interests ahead of the well being of the individuals whose data you hold), and, perhaps most important, confidentiality. That last duty means, at a minimum: Dont share individuals data with companies without their knowing, particular consent. And dont share individuals data with governments unless the governments have sought that information consistent with international rights guarantees and norms of due process. An industry-wide _ and, ideally, society-wide _ recognition of the tech companies duty of confidentiality, care and loyalty has another benefit. It can give the companies legal standing to fight for user interests in the face of government demands for individuals private data. More broadly, it might also give the companies standing to fight censorship of content that individuals have the right to produce, to seek and to read, as allowed by the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international rights instruments. But the companies shouldnt stop with building an ethical framework. They should also convene forums (my preferred model is the U.N.-backed Internet Governance Forum) through which governments, communities, individuals and other stakeholders can raise ethical criticisms and concerns directly with the companies and one another. These forums should be global with low barriers to participation. (It follows that any tech-ethics framework should be open to amendment based on critical feedback from these forums or from elsewhere.) At worst, such a forum allows stakeholders to let off steam; at best, it can enable people who care about the internet and its services to identify emerging problems and solutions quickly. None of this will end criticism of the big internet companies. When they remove content _ abiding by either law or their own content policies _ they invariably will get three reactions: You censored too much! You didnt censor enough! You censored the wrong stuff! Still, its better to allow the companies to try to keep such services from being overrun with informational garbage. If were smart, well recognize that theyll never be perfect, or even perfectly consistent. Its fashionable to suppose that all tech companies are amoral and selfish _ and certainly some have given us good reason to think so. But I think its useful to begin by assuming they want to do good, and that they want to act in good faith. Most of their missteps, I believe, are grounded not in sociopathology or malice but in the arrogance that springs from their own perception that their intentions are beneficent. That arrogance has been shaken by the techlash, which is all to the good. If the newly chastened companies like Facebook are now ready to do whatever it takes to friend us, drafting and adhering to a code of ethics isnt asking too much. Commit to that, and Ill accept the request. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Global payments giant Mastercard plans to invest $1 billion or around Rs 7,000 crore in India over the course of five years. Out of the total capital, Mastercard plans to spend around $350 million on a local payments processing centre, in line with RBI's mandate of storing payments data locally. This processing centre is expected to open in another 18 months, generating employment for 1,000 people. This will be Mastercard's first such processing centre outside of the US and could service markets such as Southeast Asia and APAC. The payments processing centre is most likely to come up in Pune. It is expected to handle multiple tasks such as circuit switching for ATMs, Point of Sale, e-commerce transactions, fraud mitigation, tokenisation and authentication, according to the company. Division president for South Asia, Mastercard, Porush Singh said this global technological node will not only be doing authorisation and processing, it will bring other value-added services as well. As mentioned in a report in The Economic Times, Singh said, "These capabilities will keep evolving over time and we will look at other markets we can service out of here." Mastercard is expected to invest the remaining amount in expanding its team that services its overseas operations and grow locally. Singh did not specify the employment that's likely to be generated in the process and said that it would depend on how digital payments scale up in India. He said that they are investing in both technology and people and already have centres in Gurugram, Vadodara and Pune. "Because of the kind of capabilities we are deploying, this time, a large chunk of that value is going to be in India itself, and that's why we're looking at how we can deploy it across multiple markets in the region," he added. Mastercard has pumped in around Rs 6,500 crore in the past five years, growing its team from 30 to 2,000. India is currently Mastercard's second-largest location in terms of its workforce after the US. Also read: Why Ola's electric leap of faith could be a boon for auto sector Also read: L&T buys shares worth Rs 113 crore of Mindtree via open market Fast charging is all the rage nowadays as people are constantly on the move. The initial rumoured 25W fast charging for the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 may be false as a new rumour hints that the device may come with much faster charging. Twitter leaker, @UniverseIce claims that battery capacity and charging speed will no longer be Samsungs weakness when it comes to their devices. He mentions that the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Pro may feature 50W fast charging. As of right now, Huawei has 55W SuperCharge technology which can charge 0% to 85% in just a mere 30 minutes, OPPOs VOOC 3.0 can charge 0% to 75% in 30 minutes and Xiaomis 100W Super Charge Turbo can go 0% to 50% in just 7 minutes so I am very interested to see how fast Samsung's fast charging can go. Note10 charging is not 25w = less than 25w, perhaps starting from Note10, battery capacity and charging speed will no longer be Samsung's weaknesses, or even advantages. But I don't want to say more because everything has variables. pic.twitter.com/PQR2Q6oUNX Ice universe (@UniverseIce) May 4, 2019 Reports claim that the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Pro may have tech specs that include a 4500mAh battery capacity. If rumours of the 50W fast charging is true, Samsung might just crush the smartphone market. We can expect to see the Samsung Galaxy Note series in late August or early September in different variants of different sizes. In addition, there are rumours of the device sporting a cutout on the top and center of the device which we hope isnt true. While we wait for the official announcement, let's take this info with a bucket of salt. So what do you think? Keep up with the latest Samsung news on TechNave.com. The Undead Archives I have finally salvaged my pre-Blogger TDR archives and added them into Blogger. They are almost totally in the form of one giant post for each month. And the formatting strayed from the originals. Sorry. But historians everywhere can rejoice that this treasure trove of my thoughts is restored to the world. As competition intensifies in India's Rs 28,000 crore snacks market, the market shares of the leading players in the space are in a state of flux. The buzz is that PepsiCo has managed to hang on to its top cat position despite rivals eating into the market shares of its flagship brands, Lay's and Kurkure. The company was the first global brand to begin selling packaged snacks in India in 1995. Citing data from research firm Nielsen, industry sources told The Economic Times that rivals Haldiram's and ITC grabbed a bigger share of the pie during the year ended March 2019 while Lay's and Kurkure shrank by both value and volume. As per the data, PepsiCo's volume share for Lay's potato chips, with overall sales of over a billion dollars, fell to 33% in 2018-19 from 34% a year earlier, while value share declined to 36% from 38%. For Kurkure, PepsiCo's local salty snacks brand, volume share dropped to 27% from 30% in FY18, while value share declined to 28% from 31%. Meanwhile, ITC's share in overall snacks has reportedly gone up to 7.2% from 6.4% by value in the same period. "ITC Foods has emerged a leading player in the snacks category with leadership position in the bridges segment," ITC divisional chief executive (foods) Hemant Malik told the daily. He added that this was due to "increasing consumer traction, anchored on innovative and differentiated variants" as well as advertising. However, PepsiCo claims that the Nielsen data has been under-reported. "We have not subscribed to Nielsen data for the last 18 months," a company spokesperson told the daily, adding that both the flagship brands continue to be market leaders in snacks, posting "strong double-digit growth rate". According to him, "premiumisation and innovation" resulted in gains in both value and volume terms in 2018-19. Nielsen India, on its part, claims that it cannot validate or verify the data. "We cannot validate or verify data owing to client confidentiality policies and sensitivities in place," the spokesperson said. The spokesperson added that the firm does not release any numbers among competing clients. Also read: Pepsi to withdraw case against Gujarat farmers; rights activists hope firm has learnt a lesson Also read: Civil society body warns of dilution of farmers' rights as Gujarat government attempts to settle Pepsi-farmer dispute How Chinese Hackers Grabbed NSA Hacking Tools? "Other less supported scenarios, given the technical evidence available, include Buckeye obtaining the tools by gaining access to an unsecured or poorly secured Equation Group server, or that a rogue Equation group member or associate leaked the tools to Buckeye," Symantec says. In a shocking revelation, it turns out that a hacking group believed to be sponsored by Chinese intelligence had been using some of the zero-day exploits linked to the NSA's Equation Group almost a year before the mysterious Shadow Brokers group leaked them.According to a new report published by cybersecurity firm Symantec, a Chinese-linked group, which it calls, was using the NSA-linked hacking tools as far back as March 2016, while the Shadow Brokers dumped some of the tools on the Internet in April 2017.Active since at least 2009, Buckeyealso known as APT3, Gothic Panda, UPS Team, and TG-0110is responsible for a large number of espionage attacks, mainly against defence and critical organizations in the United States.Although Symantec did not explicitly name China in its report, researchers with a high degree of confidence have previously attributed [ 1 2 ] Buckeye hacking group to an information security company, called Boyusec, who is working on behalf of the Chinese Ministry of State Security.Symantec's latest discovery provides the first evidence that Chinese state-sponsored hackers managed to acquire some of the hacking tools, including EternalRomance EternalSynergy , and DoublePulsar , a year before being dumped by the Shadow Brokers, a mysterious group that's still unidentified.According to the researchers, the Buckeye group used its custom exploit tool, dubbed, to deliver a variant of DoublePulsar backdoor implant to stealthily collect information and run malicious code on the targeted computers.Benstour tool was designed to exploit two then-zero-day vulnerabilities (CVE-2019-0703 and CVE-2017-0143) in Windows to achieve remote kernel code execution on targeted computers.Microsoft addressed the CVE-2017-0143 vulnerability in March 2017 after it was found to have been used by two NSA exploits (EternalRomance and EternalSynergy) that were leaked by the Shadow Brokers group.The previously unknown Windows SMB Server flaw (CVE-2019-0703) was discovered and reported by Symantec to Microsoft in September 2018 and patched by the tech giant just last month.Researchers detected BuckEye's hackers using the combination of the SMB exploit and the DoublePulsar backdoor to target telecommunications companies, as well as scientific research and education institutions in Hong Kong, Luxembourg, Belgium, the Philippines, and Vietnam from March 2016 to August 2017.While Symantec doesn't know how the Chinese hackers got the Equation Group tools before the Shadow Brokers leak, the security firm does state there's a possibility that Buckeye may have captured the code from an NSA attack on their own computers and then reverse-engineered the malware to develop its own version of the tools.Buckeye appeared to cease its operations in mid-2017, and three alleged members of the group were indicted in the United States in November 2017. However, even after that, Bemstour and DoublePulsar tools used by Buckeye continued to be used until late 2018 in conjunction with different malware.Although it is unknown who continued to use the tools, the researchers believe that the Buckeye group may have passed some of its tools to another group or "continued operating longer than supposed."After the Shadow Brokers leak, the NSA-linked exploit tools were then used by North Korean hackers and Russian intelligence , although the Symantec report suggests no apparent connection between the Buckeye acquisition of tools and the Shadow Brokers leak. CARBONDALE Harvey Welch Jr., born June 5, 1932, died Saturday, May 4, 2019, in Carbondale. He was the loving husband of Trish, our dear father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and uncle. He had a distinguished 27 military career in the United States Air Force, rising to the rank of lieutenant colonel. Following his retirement, he returned to his alma mater, Southern Illinois University (SIU), where he was named Dean of Students prior to serving as Vice President and Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs from 1987 to 2000. His life was dedicated in service to others. The funeral service for Harvey Welch Jr. will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 9, 2019, at Epiphany Lutheran Church, 1501 W. Chautauqua St. in Carbondale, with Pastor Paul Waterman presiding. The internment will follow at Oakland Cemetery. Visitation is Wednesday evening, May 8, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Epiphany Lutheran Church. Memorial gifts may be given in Harvey's memory to Lutheran Social Services of Illinois, 1001 E. Touhy Ave., Suite 50, Des Plaines, IL 60018 or to the Harvey and Trish Welch Scholarship Fund at the SIU Foundation, Colyer Hall, 1235 Douglas Drive, Mail Code 6805, Carbondale, IL 62901-4308. Meredith Funeral Home in Carbondale is in charge of arrangements. To share a memory or story of Harvey, visit www.meredithfh.com. SPRINGFIELD Sara Feigenholtz said theres a need to modernize and improve the states Department of Children and Family Services. The Democratic state representative from Chicago spoke Tuesday about a new DCFS Child Welfare Reform Caucus that intends to promote legislation during the last month of the 2019 session. She said she hopes that is done through a bicameral effort. During a news conference at the Capitol, Feigenholtz referenced Senate Bill 193, which came out of the Senate last month with language that children served by DCFS would receive services until age 21 instead of 19. Feigenholtz is now proposing to add new language that would address vertical accountability in the agency. I want to make sure there are other sets of eyes in these cases that are so difficult, Feigenholtz said. The bill would require an internal review of a randomly selected 5 percent of cases and involving children 5 and younger. Cases involving young children have been under scrutiny with the recent death of A.J. Freund, 5, of Crystal Lake, whose body was found in a shallow grave and whose parents allegedly were drug users. DCFS had contact with AJs family dating back to 2012. Also, in February, police arrested Twanka Davis in connection to the death of her daughter Ta'Naja Barnes ,2, who froze to death in Decatur. Barnes had been placed in foster care in 2018 while her mother was investigated for child abuse. Its clear that the state failed AJ, and its clear that we must make changes to fix our child protective care system, state Rep. Anna Moeller (D-Elgin) said Tuesday. Were seeing a pattern that these are the children that are falling victim to this, Feigenholtz said. Moeller talked of her own experience, being exposed to opiates in utero, then being removed by the state from her mother and placed into the care of her grandparents. Sen. Robert Peters (D-Chicago) also spoke about his personal experiences with DCFS. He said he was born to a mother who was addicted to drugs and alcohol before he was adopted by a civil rights attorney. He said reforming DCFS will take time, and he hopes it results in greater access to services that can help families remain together in safe environments. I didnt have to ripped from the hands of my biological mother due to her struggle, due to her drug addiction, Peters said. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) is likely to announce Class 10th and 12th results soon on its official website- pseb.ac.in. Though there has not been any official confirmation by the Board, a report by India Today suggests that PSEB class 10th results are expected to be declared on May 15. However, Class 12th results are likely to be announced earlier by the Punjab Board. The PSEB conducted the Class 10th exams from March 15 to April 2, 2019, while the Class 12th exams were conducted from March 1 to March 29, 2019. Last year, a total of 59.47% of students had passed in Class 10th exam. On the other hand, 65.97% students had passed the 12th standard exams. Here' s how you can check your PSEB Result 2019, once it is announced: Step-1: Visit the official website of the Board. Step-2: On the homepage, click on the link which says 'PSEB Punjab Board Class 10th, Class 12th Result 2019'. Step-3: Enter your details like name and roll number. Step-4: Click on 'Submit'. Step-5: PSEB Result 2019 will be displayed on screen. Step-6: Download the result and take a print out for future references. (Edited by: Nehal Solanki) Also read: ICSE, ISC Results 2019: CISCE to declare Class 10,12 scores today at 3 pm on cisce.org Also read: CBSE Class 10 results: Delhi govt-run schools see improvement in performance Jurors in Chicago have convicted a Bloomington man in the 2012 murder of an informant who cooperated with a federal investigation into a central Illinois drug ring. The Chicago Sun-Times reports Marquelle Palmer was found guilty Friday of murder in the death of Melissa Woods, whose body was found in 2012 in the basement of a boarded-up building in Chicago. Assistant Cook County State's Attorney Marilyn Salas-Wail told jurors during closing arguments Thursday that Woods "should not have died alone and scared and helpless." Woods was to testify in a drug case targeting Palmer, his brother and more than a dozen others accused of trafficking cocaine out of a Bloomington car dealership. Palmer is serving a 14-year sentence on a federal conviction in connection to his role in the drug ring. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg says pharmaceutical companies are overcharging American consumers. What we see happening in many cases is nothing short of price gouging, he said during a campaign stop in Orangeburg. We should let Medicare use its bargaining power to bring drug prices down, he said. Also, he said The biggest thing of all is that we need universal health care coverage. A crowd of over 150 gathered to see Buttigieg in downtown Orangeburg Monday afternoon. The Democratic presidential candidate discussed his campaign and fielded many questions from the audience. Buttigiegs visit to Orangeburg, his first to the county, was a part of a two-day, three-event stop aimed to get a foothold in African-American communities. The first question the mayor was asked was related to Buttigiegs appeal to African-American voters and how he would tackle the issues of the black community. Buttigieg said his campaigns agenda focuses on five issues of importance to African Americans: home ownership, health, entrepreneurship, criminal justice reform and education. He was also asked how he could improve the tone of the country. We have to make sure that in our effort to defeat this president, we do not emulate this president. There is a lot of temptation fueled by his side to try to pull us into his game, he said. Buttigieg also fielded a question about college affordability and student debt. In his answer, Buttigieg detailed how student debt directly affects his home. This is a big one for us, because our household has six-figure student debt largely because my spouse decided to become a teacher, and when he made that choice the debt that it took to get the masters degree to really be qualified to be at the level he wanted has come at a big cost, he said. Thats why we need to get states to carry more of the share, so in-state public school tuition is more affordable. Its why at the federal level we need to dramatically expand Pell grants so that they cover a greater share of what college costs, he stated. Buttigieg was also asked about social media companies. There are a lot of policy things that need to happen because right now these companies are making company policy decisions that are really public policy decisions, but theyre not really equipped to do that, and so its why we need to have a federal set of data policies that establish some of these grounds so that the companies dont have to figure it out themselves, he said. The other thing I would say is like language itself, the language on social media can be as hurtful or as harmful as we let it, and we have a responsibility to make sure, just as we do in our personal speech, that our online speech is lifting people up, he said. Contact the writer: bharris@timesanddemocrat.com or 803-533-5516. 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. An Elloree man was charged Friday with grand larceny and pointing and presenting a firearm in two unrelated incidents. Frederick Gilbert Perry, 51, of 6441 Five Chop Road, is facing the grand larceny charge in connection with an April 16 incident. Perry allegedly met the victim at a Glover Street location to test drive a 1992 Ford F-150 pick-up truck that was for sale, according to an Orangeburg Department of Public Safety arrest warrant and incident report. Perry allegedly drove the truck away and didnt return it to the seller. The vehicle is valued at $2,400. Perry was charged for grand larceny, value more than $2,000 but less than $10,000. His bond on that charge was set at $10,000 cash or surety. The pointing and presenting a firearm charge stems from a May 1 incident at JST Car Wash on Magnolia Street. According to the business owner, Perry came to his business and wanted to ask him questions. When he was asked to leave, Perry allegedly got mad and used profanity. The business owner said he went to get his cell phone to call the police. Perry allegedly ran to a tan Chevy Equinox, got a silver-colored gun and pointed it at the owner. When Perry saw the business owner on his cell phone, he allegedly picked up a traffic cone and threw it at the owner, according to the ODPS incident report. Bond was set on Perry at $5,000 cash or surety on the gun charge. Contact the writer: gzaleski@timesanddemocrat.com or 803-533-5551. Check out Zaleski on Twitter at @ZaleskiTD. Love 0 Funny 2 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Orangeburg residents share many concerns with other people across the country, Pete Buttigieg said Monday. South Bend, Indianas Mayor Pete made two stops in Orangeburg. He hosted a meet and greet in downtown Orangeburg and then traveled to South Carolina State University for a roundtable discussion with students and school officials. I really enjoyed both of those events. The first event was a chance to greet a lot of voters and really hear what was on their minds. I think the questions were really good, searching questions about how we can have not just a growing economy, but a fairer country, Buttigieg said in an interview with The T&D. The meet and greet gave audience members a chance to ask Buttigieg a variety of questions, including his views in social media and data policy, criminal justice reform, education, student debt and health care reform. The thing I took away is a lot of the concerns here in Orangeburg are not very different from some of the concerns in a diverse community like mine, back home in Indiana, he said. Buttigieg also stated that the roundtable was informative, and provided him with ways that he could better engage African American voters, one of the purposes of his visit to the state. The sit-down with the students was fantastic as well. Obviously, a much more intimate setting, so a chance to really have a conversation. I was impressed with how intelligent the students were, Buttigieg said. I also turned to them for advice for how to make sure that were as inclusive and diverse a campaign as possible. I was really impressed with whats going on at SCSU and it reflects just how important the roles of HBCUs can be, he stated. Buttigieg, who has been called the first millennial presidential candidate, detailed how the new generation will tackle issues that have long been the topic of discussion during presidential elections. My generation, I think, takes these issues very personally. Things from gun violence that have affected anyone from my generation on down, he said. Things like climate change that are going to affect how younger generations grow up. Among the new generation, there is a personal sense of urgency around these questions that also leads us to be less inclined to accept the unacceptable, he said. We realize that we cant simply tinker around the edges of a system that has let so many Americans down through Republican and Democratic presidencies for the better part of my life, Buttigieg stated. During the meet and greet, Buttigieg stated that he would have a busy first day as the president. There are a number of things that can be done by executive action, and well be reviewing those to make sure that on day one were doing everything from getting America back on the right track when it comes to climate, to reversing some of the executive actions that have discriminated against people coming to visit our country based on their religion and a lot of things in between that have not gotten much attention, he said. Buttigieg said he would pursue certain legislation right away, such as H.R. 1, a pro-democracy, anti-corruption bill that was passed in the House but wont go anywhere under this president, to beginning to tackle things like climate. In the first day, and the first hundred days, we need to sink our teeth into these things right away, he stated. Buttigieg also answered a question about the makeup of the crowd in attendance, a crowd that consisted of non-millennials, and did not include a large minority representation. First of all, the team that we are building, very soon it will be announced and well have staff on the ground in South Carolina, and how were growing our team more broadly, and its going to be a diverse, capable team that really reflects the diversity of the party and of my generation, he stated. Buttigieg stated that he will engage with faith leaders and other leaders in the black community to seek their help in reaching out as broadly as possible. He said a return trip to the state is on the horizon. One reason youll keep seeing us visit is its very important for me to be competitive here, he stated. We believe that our message can win here, so were going to continue working in this early state to earn as many votes as we can and have a good showing on the day of the primary. Contact the writer: bharris@timesanddemocrat.com or 803-533-5516. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The pundit class is falling all over itself to warn that Democrats in Congress and in the presidential race are trending too progressive and losing touch with Middle America. The Democratic Party is radicalizing, warns an author in The Atlantic. Centrist Democrats Squirm as 20 Rivals Tilt Left, reports the New York Times. Theres a lot of air time for centrist organizations like Third Way, cautioningDemocrats, dont try to win the Twitter primary. Going viral could be lethal at the polls. These expressed concerns at least purportedly are not about the merits of progressive policies, but their political viability. Theres one huge problem with this analysis: Americans not just Democratic voters, all Americans support progressive policies by overwhelming margins. Indeed, theres a strong argument to be made that the policies labeled as progressive should instead just be labeled as popular. Consider not the conventional wisdom of insiders who spend too much time talking to and at each other, but the actual data: The policy most associated with the progressive agenda, Medicare for All, earns 70 percent support among Americans, despite relentless trash talking by serious people. Groups like Third Way try to challenge support for Medicare for All with preposterous questions pitting Medicare for All vs. imaginary alternative health plans capping health care costs and covering everyone a false and profoundly misleading choice, since Medicare for All is demonstrably the best and most affordable way to achieve those goals. Americans are united in demanding aggressive action to slash prescription drug prices. Ninety percent of all Americans and 91% of Republican voters want to empower Medicare to negotiate drug prices (a policy that could easily reduce prices by 40% or more). Nonetheless, House Democrats are split over an aggressive plan to empower Medicare to negotiate and authorize generic competition if drug companies refuse to agree to reasonable prices. Democratic opponents of the bolder measure want to appear reasonable but nine out of 10 Republicans support a more audacious approach! Two-thirds of all Americans favor expanding Social Security not just maintaining it, but expanding it. Republicans favor the concept by a 2-1 margin. A strong majority of Americans favor doubling the minimum wage to a living wage of $15 an hour. Seven out of 10 Republican voters are in favor. Two-thirds of all voters say Wall Street has too much political influence. Three-quarters of voters favor reinstating the Glass-Steagall law that separated commercial banking from more speculative activity like investment banking. Two-thirds of Republican voters favor that approach. Three-quarters of Americans say the tax system favors the rich and has too many loopholes. Three-quarters say that the wealthiest and large corporations should pay more in taxes. More than six in 10 Republicans agree. There are exceptions, but much of the progressive agenda involves restraining corporate power, making health care a right and reducing the severe inequality plaguing the nation. Those measures have shockingly high levels of support. When you get down to actual policies, Americans are not concerned with abstract notions of what constitutes moderate or centrist and the policies that self-described moderates support are far less popular than what is labeled progressive. This is perhaps because regular people react to policy proposals based primarily on what they think is right and wrong, not on the political classs obsession with defining a make-believe middle ground that brings everyone together. Actually, it turns out that everyone can come together around an agenda built on American values of fairness and justice and a healthy distrust of concentrated power. Policy analysts should spend a lot less time arguing about whats popular and more about whats right. But if the pundits are going to obsess about the polls, they should at least read them. Americans favor by overwhelming numbers the core of the progressive agenda. Robert Weissman is the president of Public Citizen, a nonprofit consumer advocacy organization that champions the public interest in the halls of power. He wrote this for InsideSources.com. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Luxembourg's statistics portal Statec released new figures concerning the Grand Duchy's population on Tuesday morning. In the figures published on Tuesday, Statec revealed that 93% of residents are European citizens. Luxembourgers naturally make up the largest European group, comprising 52% of the 613,894 residents (as of 1 January 2019). The largest non-Luxembourgish European population is the Portuguese population, which makes up 15% of the total population. There are more than 95,500 Portuguese citizens living in the Grand Duchy. The Portuguese are followed by the French (7.6%), Italians (3.7%), Belgians (3.3%), and Germans (2.1%). As of 2014, more French citizens have immigrated to Luxembourg, taking over from the Portuguese. Statec released the figures ahead of Europe Day, the upcoming bank holiday on 9 May. Wednesdays Highlights Wednesday support meetings Alcoholics Anonymous: 6:30 a.m., 917 N. Beech; 8:30 a.m., 500 S. Wolcott; 10 a.m., 328 E. A; noon, 500 S. Wolcott; 2 p.m., 917 N. Beech; 5:30 p.m., 1124 Elma, Imitate the Image Church; 5:30 p.m., 328 E. A; 7 p.m., 500 S. Wolcott, closed; 7 p.m., 520 CY; 8 p.m., 328-1/2 E. A; 8 p.m., 328 E. A; 8 p.m., 917 N. Beech. Douglas: 7:30 p.m., 628 E. Richards (upstairs in back). Unless otherwise noted, all meetings are open. Casper info: 266-9578; Douglas info: (307) 351-1688. Al Anon: 7 p.m., 302 E. 2nd St., First Methodist Church. Narcotics Anonymous: Noon, 500 S. Wolcott, 12-24 Club; 7 p.m., 15th and Melrose, at the church. Web site: http://www.urmrna.org. TOPS #162, weight loss support, 8:30 a.m., 1868 S. Poplar. Quilts of Valor meets The Central Wyoming Chapter of Quilts of Valor Crossroads Quilters meet at the Central Wyoming Senior Services Center at 1831 E. 4th Street from 1 to 4 p.m., on Wednesdays. It is a non-profit organization that awards Quilts of Valor to military service members and veterans who have been touched by war regardless of the conflict, declared war or otherwise in which they served. QOVs are lifetime awards, stitched with love, prayers, and healing thoughts. If you have served or know of someone who has served and has not received a QOV or if you have question please contact Linda Tackett at 253-0110 or Jan Whitney at 237-7709. Lemonade kickoff Kids have an opportunity to make their own money this summer and it starts with a pitcher of lemonade. You can get your kids excited about running a business by getting them registered for the 6th annual Lemonade Day in Casper. The 2019 Lemonade Day kickoff event is scheduled from 3 to 5 p.m., at Hilltop Banks main branch at 300 Country Club Road. This is the first opportunity for kids to register for the 2019 Lemonade Day and to pick up their backpacks full of information to guide them through the process of starting their own business. The first 50 kids to register during the kickoff will receive a special prize, and there will be free cookies and lemonade while supplies last. Backpacks will be available at any Hilltop Bank location starting Thursday. Backpacks contain the official guide to starting your own business as well as coupons, special offers and prizes from our sponsors- all aimed at helping kids to run a successful business. Lemonade Day is a free community event, focused on teaching kids how to start and run their own lemonade stand business. Kids are lead through a 14-step process that includes budgeting, marketing, construction, research, developing a recipe, and tabulating business results. Then on June 22, kids all over Casper will open for business as they set up their stands all over town. Kids keep 100 percent of the money that they earn. For more information, visit Facebook or email amy.crawford@townsquaremedia.com. Lemonade Day is presented by Hilltop Bank, and is produced with a partnership between Townsquare Media and the Boys & Girls Club of Central Wyoming with support from the Natrona County School District. Students show mapping projects The Casper College Advanced Geographic Information Systems class will give three poster presentations beginning at 4 p.m. in Room 225 of the Walter H. Nolte Gateway Center. According to Jeff Sun, GIS instructor, the poster presentations will ... showcase the great GIS mapping projects students have worked so hard on this semester. The three awesome projects to be showcased are: How to Create a Story Map, Using Drones to Map the Campus in 3D, and Mapping and Cataloging Septic Systems and Water Wells in the Dempsey Acres Area. The first poster presentation will showcase how to use maps and GIS data to tell a story. In this case, the particular Story Map will outline all of the past and current mapping projects that have been done on the Casper College campus. Using Drones to Map the Campus in 3D will look at the use of drones to collect aerial images of several buildings on the Casper College campus in an effort to build a 3D world of the campus. In addition, the students will showcase the fleet of drones that the college has acquired over the last several years. The final presentation, Mapping and Cataloging Septic Systems and Water Wells in the Dempsey Acres Area will look at a project that students worked on with the Natrona County Health Department and the City of Caspers GIS department to catalog and map all of the septic system permits in the Dempsey Acres area near Casper. The poster presentations are free and open to the public. The Nolte Gateway Center is located on the Casper College campus. Fried chicken at the Elks Wednesday Night Special at the Caspe Elks Lodge is fried chicken with all the fixings. All you can eat for $7, children 5 to 12 are $3, serving from 6 to 7 p.m. or until gone. Also enjoy a dessert for $1. Member, sgnificant other and guest accompanied by a member. For more information, call 234-4839. Free dance lessons at Eagles Free dance lessons at The Eagles Lodge, 306 N. Durbin (use the side door) on Wednesdays. Teens and adults are welcome. Free Line Dance Classes are 6:15 to 7:30 p.m. Learn line dance, country and pop with Machelle. Call 259-2501 for more information. Marine Corps League meets Marine Corps League meets at 7 p.m. in the library of the Casper Elks Lodge. Questions: Gary 237-7864. Archaeologists meet The monthly meeting of the Casper Chapter of the Wyoming Archaeological Society will be held at 7 p.m., at the Agricultural Resource and Learning Center, 2011 Fairgrounds Road. The Agricultural building is on the south side of the Fairgrounds and north of Guadalajaras Restaurant. This is the last meeting before we adjourn for the summer. Following a brief business meeting, Kaci Weinschrott, Casper BLM archaeologist, will speak on: Archaeological Tour of Greece. Visitors and new members are welcome. Please contact Mavis Greer, chapter president, at mavis@greerservices.com if you have any questions. Deadline for Red Dogs tickets The Red Dogs latest production, A Night of Comedy, is completely different from any other show that theyve produced in the past. It is going to be a night filled with laid-back laughter and fun at the Casper Senior Center, 1831 E. Fourth St. Opening night is 5:30 p.m. Friday. The show includes a dinner of BBQ beef sandwiches, pasta salad and coleslaw with decadent desserts included or a vegetarian option by request when buying tickets. Tickets are $15, $12 for seniors 60 or over and $8 for children 12 or younger. Matinee is Saturday with doors open at 12:30 p.m. The show includes sweets, treats and beverages. Tickets are $8, $5 for seniors 60 or older and $5 for children 12 and younger. Tickets may be purchased by 4 p.m. Wednesday at the Casper Senior Center. Call 265-4678 for details. 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. 22,000 village councils election to held in Punjab: Imran Khan Giving details of the Punjab Local Government Act, 2019, Imran Khan said a direct election will be held in 22,000 village councils in Punjab, for equal distribution of revenue and indiscriminate development of the entire province. People need governance, he said, and added that the new concept has been brought to the fore after lengthy deliberations and study of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa local government system and similar systems in vogue internationally. He said it is for the first time that the federal government is handing over its powers to the local bodies. Our cities are like a heap of rubble we want our cities to grow and develop, like those in the rest of the world. We want them to generate their own funds and manage issues on their own, he said. Imran Khan said under the new law passed by Punjab, the mayor of a city, town and tehsil will be elected directly in a first in South Asia. He said under the new system a mayor will be required to get a direct mandate from a large number of voters. Mayor of London Sadiq Khan received one million votes, while Erdogan also received a million votes to become mayor of Istanbul, he said, adding the new mayor will bring in his own team to manage the city affairs and will have to work hard to deliver. The new process will do away with the existing practice of using money in purchasing loyalties for votes. Imran Khan as a comparison mentioned the money generated by Lahore (32 million US dollars) and Karachi (21 million US dollars), which he said need to be compared with the funds generated by Tehran (500 million US dollars), Mumbai (400 million US dollars) and Bangalore (200 million US dollars). He said the previous government in Punjab spent 57 per cent of the development funds of the entire province on Lahore alone. He said an amount of over Rs 90,000 per capita was spent on development funds for Lahore, while a paltry Rs 2400 on the development of Rajanpur. He said under the new law, over Rs 400 billion will be devolved for all local government functions, out of which over 30% (Rs 110 billion) will be allocated for the municipal services. The previous government allocated Rs 50 billion to the local government, however it was mere book transfer and not real devolution. When asked whether he is facing resistance from the parliamentarians who used to get funds for local development, Imran Khan said, Change is always resisted by vested interests but we have to defeat them. Nowhere in the world the MNAs and MPAs are given development funds, Khan said, and pointed that in the past this practice led to duplication and poor management of funds. We have learned from experiences and found out that the village councilor is far more effective and has a better understanding of the local issues. He said all the functions will come under the authority of the mayor with checks by the council. Mayors will collect taxes and spend on their cities, modernizing the property tax regime to realize its full potential Speaking about the union council, Imran Khan described these as an artificial creation. He said every mouza and urban neighborhood of Punjab will have a separate self-governing village council. He said 22,000 village council elections will be held on open-list system and the member scoring highest vote will head it. There will be a direct election of women, peasants, workers and minority. He pointed that the average population size of the now defunct union councils was 22,000, while now the average size of the panchayat will be only around 3,500. He hoped that it will bring governance closer to the people. A small group gathered in a Casper art gallery and began to pluck strings and tune instruments that resemble tiny guitars. A couple of teens joined the group of about 10 ranging from children to senior citizens for the Ukulele 2.0 Intermediate Class May 1 at Art 321. The teacher, Pat Patton, helped a couple people tune and took his place at a stool in the middle with his ukulele. After a warm-up and refresher on the instrument, he showed the class a strumming technique. There are lots of ways to strum the ukulele, he told them. They started with running their thumb down along strings and then tried it with their index finger. When you come back up, your fingers got to come up anyway, he said, so why dont you strum some of the strings. He demonstrated the technique with a rhythm called swinging. One, two, one, two, he counted with an emphasis on the first beat. Soon the class was strumming along. Patton retired six years ago after 36 years as director of choral activities at Casper College and has become a favorite during the Art Walk, singing and playing his guitar or ukulele at Art 321. Someone asked if hed consider teaching a ukulele class at the arts nonprofit, which along with Patton in 2017 received a Wyoming Governors Arts Award. Several in the class wanted to continue, so he started another three-session class. The ukulele is an accessible instrument that sounds good even in the hands of beginners, he said. In fact, 45 minutes after he held up the instrument to the beginning class and said, This is a ukulele, the class was playing a song, he said. And of course, right now, its an extremely popular instrument, Patton said before last weeks class. I mean everybodys really into learning to the play the ukulele. And they should. A powerful instrument The ukulele was the first instrument Patton learned to play as a child from an uncle who visited from Hawaii, he told the class last week. Patton was born in there and grew up in Lingle. His family vacationed often to visit his mothers side of the family in Hawaii, where his parents met. It was a World War II story, he said. Its in question where the ukulele originated, although theres evidence to suggest it came from Portugal before making its way to Hawaii, Patton said in an interview. It was imported there, but its become known as a Hawaiian instrument, he said. But if you get online and see some of these kids play, they play anything and its just a really very, very powerful instrument. So its just a lot of fun to do. The instrument is already tuned to a chord the C6 chord, Patton explained early in last weeks class. So no matter what you do, Patton said, its going to sound halfway decent just playing it just like that. He asked them to pull out their copy of Hes Got the Whole World in His Hands to find out what the new students knew. Several participants sang along with Patton and tapped feet as they played. Patton reminded them to use their wrists more than elbows in a relaxed rocking motion. Keep it simple, he said. He led the class through more strumming patterns, including one where they place their hand over the strings to stop them from ringing. He taught them to read sheet music of rhythm patterns in marked in slash notation so they could read along and know how to strum the line. As they played chords together, Patton told them it was a good sign that they werent stopping as they switched from one chord to another. They all were qualified enough for the class, he told them, and he predicted they all would make advances. As they continued playing, he gave them pointers on how to change chords more easily. The key to playing the ukulele or any strummed instrument like this is, the easier you can make it from change to change, the better it is, he said. Practice makes improvement Some chord changes werent as smooth during last weeks class. The teacher would remind them several times that theyd improve with time and practice. Your B-flat is horrible, he said to laughter from the class at one point. Lets try again. Students watched their hands as they placed their fingers. One woman winced she continued strumming. You know what I admire about everybody in here is, if youre in this class or if youve ever been in music before, you realize that we dont just do things automatically, he said. It doesnt just happen immediately. You have to practice it. Patton explained that they could later use the different strumming patterns theyve learned to make one song sound completely different. He demonstrated by playing Hes Got the Whole World in His Hands in a calypso style. Later, he showed how changing keys can bring out different moods in the same song. He assigned chords for the class to work on so they can begin playing in different keys the following week. The teacher also asked them to bring a song they want to learn to the next class session. One of the students asked if Happy Birthday, would work. Patton gave them a taste of the upcoming class as he playing the tune first in its usual time signature and then in the time signature that some of the class members had guessed it was in when hed asked. They thought it sounded hilarious. The class laughed even harder when he changed the key and sang it in a low, crooning voice. Its a minor key, make it as sad as you possibly could, he said. Its an excellent song. So the great thing about that is, look at all the ways were going to be able to play it. They could easily find a vast array of songs marked with chords, Patton told the class. If they saw a one they didnt know, theyd figure out how to play it, he said. The goal in class is not to be able to have be able to play exquisitely by the time you leave, he told them at one point, but to give you enough tools so that you can go home and play some more. Thats what Tom McGeorge plans to do. He bought his ukulele when he found out about Pattons beginning class at Art 321. Hed wanted to play a string instrument and knew ukulele would be a great one to start with, he said. Its something soothing and restful; it has a lovely tone and sound, he said. And I just enjoy trying to play chords and melodies. Hes never played an instrument before, and the advanced class already gave him a challenge to begin reading and interpreting music, he said. The toughest part was the keeping track of where to place his fingers for the chord changes, he said. But McGeorge didnt mind. In just the first intermediate class, hed progressed his skills farther than he had in the beginning class, he said. Hed practice his new lessons at home too. Thats why he signed up. Just being pushed beyond what Im comfortable doing, he said. Follow reporter Elysia Conner on Twitter @erconner Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Stay up-to-date on what's happening Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Kaycee Cook, the substitute teacher who was dismissed from a Cheyenne middle school by the then principal after reporting racist and anti-gay flyers, has been reinstated at McCormick Junior High. Cook will return to the school effective immediately. She will also return as supervisor of McCormicks Gay Straight Alliance Club. I am happy that the district cleared my name by reinstating me, she said. I think it will be important for the kids to see me be reinstated. The decision comes a day after Cheyennes school district superintendent and board of trustees revealed an action plan for moving forward after the incidents at the junior high. Racist and anti-gay flyers reading its great to be straight its not OK to be gay, black lives only matter because if it werent for them who would pick our cotton, and Join the KKK were found at McCormick on March 27. Cook, who was both a substitute teacher and the faculty co-sponsor of the schools Gay Straight Alliance Club, reported the flyers to Wyoming Equality, an LGBTQ advocacy group that oversees GSA programs throughout the state. After Cook reported the flyers, she received an email from then-principal Jeff Conine informing her she would no longer be welcome as a substitute or club sponsor at the school, and if she wished to visit her husband, a full-time teacher at the school, she would have to do so when no students were present. When news broke that Cook had been dismissed from the school, school district officials clarified, saying Cook had not been fired from the district, though a decision about her position at McCormick would have to wait until a Title IX investigation into the flyers concluded. That investigation has since been completed and the district released a statement about its findings on Friday. The investigation found some bullying, harassment, and confrontation among students has occurred at McCormick and some staff at McCormick has not always followed District policy regarding these types of allegations and actions, according to the statement released by the district. Superintendent Boyd Brown said the actual report will remain confidential because it contains student and personnel information. Brown has also declined to provide a public copy with student and employee information blacked out. He also said he could not comment on what influenced the decision to reinstate Cook, saying it was a personnel matter. Now, more than a month after the flyers were found and just under a month since the official investigation launched, Cook is back at the school. Since Cooks dismissal from the school, Conine McCormicks longtime principal has also left. The district announced Conines departure in an April 26 statement. Brown could not confirm whether Conine resigned or was fired, saying it was a confidential personnel matter. Since the flyers were found, current and former students have reported instances of unresolved bullying and policy violations going back several years at McCormick, often naming Conine in their recollections of the incidents. Cheyennes Bain Elementary Principal Todd Burns has taken over as McCormicks principal for the remainder of the school year. The district is taking new steps to prevent future bullying, according to an action plan released Monday night at a Board of Trustees meeting. One change that will affect a number of non-curricular clubs across the district is a harder enforcement of district policy and federal laws related to school sponsored activities. Currently, several non-curricular clubs have been meeting during the school day, including McCormicks GSA club. Brown said that will have to change. I think we have some problems across the district where were not following that policy, he said. Non-curricular clubs will have faculty supervisors, rather than sponsors, so as to make clear the club is not sponsored by the district, Brown said, and those clubs will have to be student-led and meet before or after school. Other student-centered responses from the action plan include increased supervision of students and hiring an additional counselor trained in cultural competency to be stationed at McCormick but available to students district-wide. The plan also includes more broad responses, like evaluating the districts current procedure for reporting bullying or harassment, and providing district-wide cultural proficiency trainings. As part of the districts efforts to better enforce policy regarding bullying and harassment claims, Brown said they are developing an oversight system that will include periodic reports from building administrators and random audits of schools in the district conducted by district officials, including Brown himself. Brown said it may be a slow process moving forward, but he hopes to rebuild trust with the community. Its not something thats going to get taken care of right away, he said. The only thing I can do is put the plan in place and show people they can trust us. Many of the items listed in the district action plan were suggestions made by community members at the boards April meeting, including holding a community meeting. That meeting is tentatively scheduled for May 23 and will be facilitated by the Department of Justice. Follow city reporter Morgan Hughes on Twitter @morganhwrites. Love 6 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The State Board of Education unanimously approved Wyomings first computer sciences standards late last month, after a review committee reconvened in response to concern that a previous draft overloaded teachers at lower grade levels. The approval on the back of a law passed last year requiring computer science be taught to all Wyoming students marks a first for the state. The basket of goods, which has our content areas, has never been changed since it was created back in the 1990s, state Superintendent Jillian Balow said last week. The basket of goods is education shorthand for the educational areas like math and science that must be provided to all Wyoming kids. Its the first time that a new content area has been added or that the basket of goods has been changed. Its new territory for all of Wyoming. In March, the state board asked the Education Department to reconvene the committee that was drafting the standards. Specifically, there was concern that early elementary teachers were being asked to do too much. The teachers are tasked with some pretty heavy lifts, especially in those early grades because youre getting a huge variety of where those students are, said Ryan Fuhrman, a Sheridan County junior high teacher and member of the state board. Were holding (teachers) accountable as a state to their reading and math scores. When were essentially creating a whole new standard, teachers were rightly like, Were already working to get this reading and math score, its not like we have some extra time in the day where were sitting around. In the slightly reshaped standards approved at the state boards April meeting, the nine required standards for kindergarten through second grade were tiered. Four were kept as priorities, while the other five were tasked as either enhanced or supporting standards. Students are expected to demonstrate mastery by the end of second grade on the priority benchmarks, are expected to be instructed on the supporting standards and are expected to have an opportunity for enrichment with the enhanced-level benchmarks, according to the state boards presentation. The priority standards for students are: to explain authentication factors (like logging in), what their purpose is and use authentication to protect information; to create and follow algorithms to complete tasks; to create programs to accomplish tasks using a program language, robotic device or unplugged activity; and to practice appropriate behavior and responsibilities while participating in an online community. Most of the standards for the lower grade levels are also unplugged, Balow said, meaning students dont necessarily need to use technology to master them. She praised the standard-crafting committee, which she said included business and industry representatives as well as teachers and parents. This was the first time weve brought people from out of state, Balow added. Gov. Mark Gordon must now give permission for the standards to move forward. Once he does, public comment will open. Under the computer science law passed in 2018, the standards must be finished by Jan. 1, 2022, and be ready for the following school year. Balow said she was confident it could be done, though more work was needed. When the law was being debated, some in the education community raised concerns about either training current instructors to teach computer science or bringing qualified teachers to small town Wyoming. Balow said the state has the infrastructure to support it. The focus, she continued, is on teachers and providing them the resources they need. Thats what makes this such a challenge is that most teachers in Wyoming never learned computer science or computational thinking, she said. They never learned how to teach it. Were now asking them to teach it within three years. In order to do that, lots of us have to step forward, not just teachers. Fuhrman echoed that sentiment, calling on the Legislature which has been more interested in cutting than spending in recent years to provide funding to help Wyomings educators. I think you increase your probability of reaching that goal with better support, he said. I do think most teachers, most schools, most districts tackle the problems we get. Thats what we have to do with every student that comes in the door. Well rise to the challenge. I think the concern will be a lot more minimized if teachers knew, or districts knew, where some of the money for new technology and new professional development is coming from, now. Theres some big open questions now. Follow education reporter Seth Klamann on Twitter @SethKlamann Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The way Americans value wildlife has shifted away from hunting and fishing traditions, but wildlife agencies remain one of the most trusted parts of U.S. government. Those findings show up in a new study by Colorado State University, which looked both nationally and state by state at what we think about wildlife and the way we manage it. It also examined the culture within agencies like Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks, where staff game wardens and biologists try to reflect the wishes of the people they serve. Its a changing world, said lead investigator Michael Manfredo, who heads the Human Dimensions and Natural Resources program at CSU. Weve gone from a world where we perceived wildlife as something we had control over and should use the way we wish, to a world where we regard animals as human-like, with a certain amount of rights like humans have. Theres too much at stake here not to deal with it. The study charted trends over the past 15 years showing how people think about wild animals like grizzly bears, trumpeter swans and rainbow trout. First it defined where people stood in relation to wildlife: traditionalists who tend to believe animals should be managed to benefit people, and mutualists who see animals as part of their social network. In between those two sides are pluralists who support both attitudes, such as big-game hunters who dislike lethal control of predators. A fourth group, the distanced, arent interested in wildlife at all. Nationwide, traditionalists make up 28 percent of the population, while mutualists comprise 35 percent. The ranks of traditionalists have fallen about 5.7 percent between 2004 and 2018. Mutualists have grown by 4.7 percent. Thats reflected in the declining numbers of people who hunt and fish, compared to growing numbers who like non-consumptive activities like bird-watching. Montana and its neighboring Rocky Mountain states lean the other way, although they all report their share of traditionalists declining. Montana had one of the highest pluralist populations in the nation at 29 percent, and had more people feeling that way than its neighboring states of Idaho, Wyoming or the Dakotas. It had about the same amount of traditionalists as Idaho (39 percent), but fewer than Wyoming or the Dakotas. Wildlife was definitely on the minds of Rocky Mountain state residents. While almost every other state in the nation had more than 10 percent in the distanced category, Montana, Wyoming and the Dakotas were all in single digits (Montana was 7.7 percent). California and New York each had more than 20 percent in that distanced column. That distanced group worries me, Manfredo said. In some places, thats one-fifth of the public that doesnt give a rip about wildlife. If that grows, thats problematic. Part of his concern was the finding that most Americans fundamentally misunderstand how wildlife management is funded. Only 14 percent correctly assumed that the agencies budgets come primarily from hunting and fishing license sales. More than four out of five respondents thought FWP is funded through a mix of license sales and public general fund dollars, and 4 percent believed the whole agency budget came from the general fund. The birth of fish and wildlife agencies came at a time when market hunting and poaching was a problem, Manfredo said. The amazing success of recovering Americas wildlife populations is largely due to funding from hunters and anglers. But todays problems are much more complex. Wildlife Management Institute western field representative Chris Smith pointed to the studys observation that mutualist attitudes have grown at the same time the nations population has been relocating to big cities. That can have big impacts for decision-making on animals with a national status, such as bison. For example, Smith said many ranchers around Yellowstone National Park see bison as a threat to their economic bottom line and their job of feeding the nation. But people in Chicago or Miami may value the bison as the national mammal, and object to hazing or killing the herds that try to migrate outside the park toward winter pastures covered with cattle ranches. Wildlife managers cant just gather the information and science on the table and let the political process sort it out, Smith said. They have to find a basis for civil discourse, rather than allowing the parties to duke it out. Fish and game agencies may be the best possible place to have those debates, however. The survey found respect and trust for wildlife managers was far greater than other public servants. Nationwide, 70 percent of the surveys respondents trusted wildlife agencies most or all the time, compared to 43 percent who had faith in state government in general. The federal government trust rate was 22 percent. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 PHOENIX The Senate on Monday gave final approval to legislation declaring lemonade to be the official state drink despite objections the action sends the wrong message to teens who want to affect state policy. Proponents of HB 2692 pointed out the measure was crafted by a Gilbert high school student who complained that Arizona lacks an official beverage. So he took his case to House Majority Leader Warren Petersen, R-Gilbert, who agreed to be the bills champion. With that backing plus testimony from Garrett Glover, the Gilbert teen, the measure is now headed to Gov. Doug Ducey. But Sen. Juan Mendez, D-Tempe, said thats precisely why lawmakers should not go along. This is the most ridiculous standard to be used as an example of civic education, he said. Mendez said there was a march last year of about 15,000 high schoolers on the Capitol to advocate for gun safety legislation. Legislation to deal with access to firearms went nowhere. Dozens of sets of human remains believed to belong to migrants have been recovered in the desert near Ajo, including 18 sets of remains Warren said he helped find. The fact that so many people have died near Ajo is unconscionable to me and it requires me to act and to do something, he said. He leaves water and food near places where human remains were recovered, with the goal of preventing more deaths, he said. For migrants who have suffered or died there, Warren said, Their spirit continues to dwell in that place. Many migrants die alone in the desert, often after being separated from their group, injured, or dehydrated, Warren testified. There was nobody there to witness them when they died, he said. By serving as a witness to their death, it provides a spiritual completion for them. When he finds human remains, he performs a ritual. He faces the remains, offers a silent acknowledgment, and then turns away, he testified. I kneel down and pick up two handfuls of dirt or rocks or whatever kind of soil it is, he said. Ill hold that in my hands, mash it together. In my mind, thats the act of holding that ground, holding that place in my hand, holding it tight. I dont see how thats illegal, said Thomas. Finchem said its not that simple. Can a teacher wear a MAGA hat in the classroom? he asked, referring to the Trump campaign slogan Make America Great Again. Thomas rejected that comparison. RedforEd means we can do better for our kids, he said. The only way it could become a partisan statement is if one political party completely abdicates their responsibility to fund public education, Thomas said. Then you might be able to say it was partisan because there would be only one party that would be supporting it. And if a #RedforEd T-shirt is over the line, he asked, what about one for Earth Day? Finchem said school and taxpayer resources cannot be used for political activities. Its that simple, he said. Like my dad used to say, If you have to ask the question you probably already know the answer. The initiative has an exception of sorts: The ban on advocacy would not extend to historical matters. So teachers could opine on elected officials or candidates who have not been in office or on the ballot since at least 1971. Also permitted would be commenting on laws enacted prior to 1971, as well as on political parties that have not existed since then. The lineup of women is truly incredible, said Jacoby, who has been involved with Tu Nudito for 19 years. There are so many brilliant, talented and generous women in our community; every year I am amazed by the women who are honored, she said. Jacoby is equally impressed by the many families she has met through her volunteerism at Tu Nidito. The local nonprofit provides a range of emotional, social and educational programs, along with individual, family and group support and grief intervention to children and families whose lives have been impacted by the diagnosis of a serious illness or the death of a loved one. Just being invited into such a sacred space during the most difficult times anyone could imagine will shift the course of your life, Jacoby said. These people are so open and grateful for the support and work of Tu Nidito and it is incredible to just be around the families and to see the their resilience. Sweitzer understands the impact of Tu Nudito programs and the importance of resilience. She became involved with Tu Nudito when her teenage daughter, Geneva, began volunteering in bereavement support programs after their move to Tucson from Wisconsin five years ago. AfghanTaliban-USA to continue talks during Ramazan Afghan Taliban and the United States have decided to continue talks during the holy month of Ramazan, Taliban political spokesman Suhail Shaheen said on Monday. There was an understanding earlier to wind up the ongoing round of talks before Ramazan. Talks between the IEA (Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan) and US negotiation teams will continue for five hours in Ramazan, from 10:00 am to 3:00pm, Shaheen tweeted. The Taliban spokesman also denied remarks attributed to him by a section of media that talks with the US had been suspended, clarifying that the talks were called off for Monday since it was the first day of Ramazan in Doha. The talks will resume on Tuesday, inshaAllah, he wrote on twitter. The talks were extended as both sides failed to remove differences over what the Taliban call as the core issues complete withdrawal of foreign forces and stopping terrorism from Afghan soil in future. US peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad, however, has called for finding common-ground on four inter-connected issues: troop withdrawal, counter-terrorism assurances, intra-Afghan dialogue and negotiations, and reduction in violence leading to a comprehensive ceasefire. Nothing will be final until we agree on all four issues, he had posted on Twitter at the weekend. Taliban sources in Qatar say they want the US should agree to their longstanding demand to quit Afghanistan and make a public announcement and in return they will guarantee that no one will use Afghan soil against the US and any other country. We all want to not wear masks, to visit family and friends, to go out for a meal. We all want our hospitals to have beds for citizens with inj From December 19th through December 26th we will be granting free access as a gift to our readers presented by Copenhagen Imports Approximately 20,000 Vietnamese and 1,650 international delegates are expected to participate in this years United Nations Day of Vesak in the northern province of Ha Nam later this month. The UN Day of Vesak 2019, themed Buddhist Approach to Global Leadership and Shared Responsibilities for Sustainable Societies, is scheduled to take place at the Tam Chuc Pagoda in Kim Bang District, Ha Nam from May 12 to 14, Most Venerable Thich Duc Thien, General Secretary of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, said during a press conference on Monday. The event will be attended by 20,000 Vietnamese delegates and 1,650 international delegates from 112 countries and territories, the monk stated. The foreign attendants include leaders and representatives of Buddhist sanghas and organizations, as well as professors, researchers, and scholars. Most Venerable Thich Duc Thien, General Secretary of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, speaks at the press conference on May 6, 2019. Photo: Thien Dieu / Tuoi Tre The president of Myanmar, the prime minister of Nepal, the deputy secretary general of the United Nations, and foreign ministers and high-ranking officials will also partake in the Day of Vesak. Vice-President of India Venkaiah Naidu will be the keynote speaker of the event, while Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc will also deliver a speech. The Ministry of Public Security and departments of police in Ha Nam Province, Hanoi, and Ninh Binh Province are in charge of ensuring safety and security. The event will be organized inside a three-story conference hall covering 5,000 square meters within Tam Chuc Pagoda, said Bui Quang Cam, vice-chairman of the Ha Nam Peoples Committee. Bui Quang Cam, vice-chairman of the Ha Nam Peoples Committee. Photo: Thien Dieu / Tuoi Tre A dining hall covering 3,200 square meters will be reserved for the official delegates, while other participants will be given complimentary meals during the three-day event, Cam added. Vesak is the most important holiday in the Buddhist calendar that celebrates three important events, namely the birth, full awakening, and passing away of the Buddha Siddhartha Gautama. The event falls on the full moon day of May. Since 2004, Thailand has hosted the UN Day of Vesak for 12 times, Vietnam three times, including this year, and Sri Lanka one time. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! The first runner-up at the Miss Universe Vietnam 2017 pageant has been selected to represent her country at the upcoming Miss Universe 2019. The selection of Hoang Thuy, a professional model, was announced by the organizers of Miss Universe Vietnam on Monday. Thuy, 27, won the 2011 cycle of Vietnams Next Top Model, a reality TV series in which aspiring models compete for a chance to begin their career in the modeling industry. In 2017, Thuy finished second in the third edition of the Miss Universe Vietnam pageant behind HHen Nie, who went on to make it to the Top 5 of Miss Universe the following year. Before the start of her modeling career, Thuy went to the University of Architecture Ho Chi Minh City. Hoang Thuy plays with a boy during a charity event in this photo posted on her Facebook profile. Hoang Thuy stands out as the most fitting choice to compete at Miss Universe 2019 because she has the beauty, experience, maturity and fearlessness to take over the baton from HHen Nie, the organizers of Miss Universe Vietnam said in a statement. Thuy has always been prepared to represent Vietnam in a global competition, it added. Writing on Facebook after her appointment, Thuy said she does not feel pressured by the achievements of her predecessor HHen Nie. I keep reminding myself that what I have been doing for the past few years were founded on a dream to make Vietnamese models and people known to the world, so this is a golden opportunity that I must seize, Thuy wrote. (From right) Hoang Thuy, HHen Nie, and Mau Thi Thanh Thuy the Top 3 of the Miss Universe Vietnam 2017 pageant are seen in this photo. Photo: Ngoi Sao Xanh The organizers are seeking permission from the Department of Performing Arts to officially qualify Thuy as Vietnams representative at the Miss Universe 2019 pageant. As of May 2019, contestants from 18 countries and territories have confirmed their participation in Miss Universe 2019. The official date and host country for the pageants 68th iteration remains undecided. Hoang Thuy in 2011 (L), when she appeared in Vietnams Next Top Model, and today Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Your browser does not support the audio element. A hundred DIY (Do It Yourself) mini models representing Saigon, the former name of Ho Chi Minh City, in the 1990s were displayed at a two-day exhibition last weekend. The event, titled Co Mot Sai Gon (There Was An Old Saigon), was held on Saturday and Sunday by Sai Gon Xua (Old Saigon), a group of young people creating handmade items to recollect the old but gold things about Ho Chi Minh City. Miniatures made by Sai Gon Xua of hairdressers, tailors and grocery stores, as well as sidewalk stalls, all typical establishments of the southern Vietnamese city in the good old days, were showcased at the exhibition to help young generations imagine how Ho Chi Minh City looked 20 years ago. The exhibits also helped conjure up good memories in the former generations mind, according to the organizers. A visitor takes a photo of the exhibits. Photo: Mai Thuy / Tuoi Tre Visitors were encouraged to bring along items of their childhood to exchange for some of those on display at the exhibition or take part in crafting miniatures of the Saigon in their hearts. The event also featured Vietnamese journalist Trac Thuy Mieu in a talk about Saigon in each generations point of view, through which attendees, young and old, got to know how the city had changed over the last two decades. Saigon is always precious in her peoples hearts and will remain unchanged as time goes by, Mieu said. Vietnamese journalist Trac Thuy Mieu (left) talks about memories of Saigon at the exhibition. Photo: Mai Thuy / Tuoi Tre A miniature depicting an old woman selling hot vit lon, or fetal duck eggs. Photo: Mai Thuy / Tuoi Tre A model depicting a tailors of old Saigon. Photo: Mai Thuy / Tuoi Tre A model of a newsstand. Photo: Mai Thuy / Tuoi Tre A miniature representing the reality of class discrimination between a rich landlord (background) and a poor farmer. Photo: Mai Thuy / Tuoi Tre Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Vietnamese Deputy State President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh and Crown Princess of Sweden Victoria Ingrid Alice Desiree discussed measures to beef up the friendship and cooperation between their two countries during their talks in Hanoi on Monday. The meeting was convened within the framework of the crown princess official visit to Vietnam from May 6 to 8, which is considered an important event in a series of activities marking the 50th anniversary of the two countries diplomatic ties, according to the Vietnam News Agency. Thinh suggested that both nations maintain the exchange of high-level visits to help create a strong driving force for the bilateral cooperation to grow in various fields. She relayed the regards and invitation to visit Vietnam from Party General Secretary and State President Nguyen Phu Trong to the King and Queen of Sweden. Crown Princess Desiree praised Vietnams achievements in socio-economic development and international integration, affirming that Sweden focuses on developing its cooperative ties with the Southeast Asian country. The two sides agreed to work together to help businesses seek more investment and collaboration opportunities, especially in such fields as science and technology, education and training, healthcare, environmental protection, and smart urban construction. The Vietnamese vice-state president asked Sweden to continue backing the settlement of disputes via peaceful means, in accordance with international law, to maintain peace, security, and navigation freedom and safety in the East Vietnam Sea. Vietnam also seeks Swedens support in its run for a non-permanent member seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2020-21 term, Thinh said. She also asked for more favorable conditions for the Vietnamese community in Sweden to live, work, and integrate into the local society, thus contributing to the enhancement of bilateral ties. Following the talks, Deputy State President Thinh hosted a banquet for the crown princess and her spouse on the evening of the same day. During her stay in Vietnam, Crown Princess Desiree was scheduled to make a courtesy visit to Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan. She would also attend a business forum between the two countries. Crown Princess Victoria Ingrid Alice Desiree, born in 1977, is the eldest child of King of Sweden Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia. She used to work at the Swedish Embassy in the U.S. in 1999 and at the United Nations in 2002. Sweden was the first Western country to establish diplomatic ties with Vietnam in 1969. As an important European partner of Vietnam, Sweden has so far provided Vietnam with US$3.4 billion in non-refundable aid, while two-way trade between the two sides topped $1.8 billion last year. A number of well-known Swedish corporations, such as Ericson, Electrolux, IKEA and ABB, have been doing good business in Vietnam. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Here are todays leading news stories: Politics -- Vietnamese Deputy State President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh and Crown Princess of Sweden Victoria Ingrid Alice Desiree discussed measures to step up the friendship and cooperation between two countries during their talks in Hanoi on Monday, as part of the princesss official visit to Vietnam from May 6 to 8. -- Prime Minister of Nepal K P Sharma Oli will pay an official visit to Vietnam from May 9 to 13 at the invitation of Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc. Society -- Vietnam's Ministry of Public Security has decided to launch criminal investigation into the case related to 149 Vietnamese citizens who fled to Taiwan to work illegally under tourist visas, and began legal proceedings against five involved in the case. -- The Peoples Court in the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak on Monday sentenced 35-year-old Chu Ngoc Hai, an ex-official of a local bank, for fraud and embezzlement of property worth VND114 billion (US$4.9 million) from the state budget. -- A man in the south-central province of Binh Thuan has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for assaulting a 15-year-old girl, which caused her to lose her left eye, and attempting to rape her in October 2018. -- A 60-year-old woman in the Mekong Delta province of Vinh Long has sent a letter to local authorities, asking for their help to repatriate her 32-year-old daughter who had been arrested by Malaysian police during her stay in the country. -- Authorities in the central city of Da Nang on Monday imposed fines totaling VND400 million ($17,200) upon a local business owner and a company for discharging untreated wastewater into the sea. Business -- Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc chaired a conference on the development of the southern key economic zone in Bien Hoa, the capital of the southern province of Dong Nai, on Monday. Lifestyle -- About 20,000 Vietnamese and 1,650 international delegates are expected to participate in the UN Day of Vesak 2019, which will be organized from May 12 to 14 in the northern province of Ha Nam. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Kashmir Parliamentary Committee strongly condemned unprovoked firing The Parliamentary Committee on Kashmir on Monday strongly condemned unprovoked firing by the Indian forces during the last three months, particularly on Sunday, when a women and a young boy were killed and another injured badly in Azad Jammu and Kashmir villages of Maal Gujran and Sehra villages in Khuiratta and Hajira subdivisions of Kotli and Poonch districts, respectively. During its maiden formal meeting at the Parliament House under the chairmanship of Syed Fakhar Imam, the committee expressed solidarity with the Kashmiri people and said that coercion, violence and atrocities could never dampen the spirit of Kashmiri people for their right to self- determination. The committee was briefed by Azad Jammu & Kashmir President Sardar Muhammad Masood Khan on the Kashmir dispute with its historical background and suggestion for the future strategy. While introducing the AJK president, the chairman mentioned him as a seasoned diplomat who had an authority on the Kashmir issue. Fakhar Imam briefly shed light on the Kashmir dispute since partition and also said that it was basically an unfinished agenda of the partition plan. The AJK president gave a detailed overview of the Kashmir issue from all dimensions and also urged the committee to play its due role to further highlight the Kashmir issue in the international arena, while effectively using parliamentary diplomacy and the media. The members took a very keen interest in the proceedings, and made several suggestions and recommendations. The committee members also pointed out that the reports of the UN Human Rights Commission, UK Parliamentary Group and European Union Human Rights Committee may be discussed in the next meeting to formulate a comprehensive strategy for a future plan of action. Vietnamese police on Monday launched an criminal investigation into a case related to 149 Vietnamese citizens who fled to Taiwan last year to work illegally on tourist visas, and initiated legal proceedings against five people accused of organizing the migration. A total of 153 Vietnamese nationals arrived in the southern Taiwanese city of Kaohsiung on December 21-23, 2018, all but one of whom went missing after checking in to two hotels in Kaohsiung, according to Taiwan's National Immigration Agency (NIA). The NIA later said it had established contact with one of the previously reported missing people, while three others had apparently left the island days after arrival, according to Taiwans Central News Agency. Taiwanese police say they suspect an organized human trafficking ring is behind the 149 missing tourists, dozens of whom have been located while the rest remain unaccounted for as of May 2019. Tourist visas were issued to the Vietnamese under an initiative launched three years ago to attract more visitors to Taiwan from South and Southeast Asia. Four Vietnamese women who went missing are seen at a police station in Taiwan after being arrested on December 27, 2018. Photo: Now News Initial investigation shows Ho Chi Minh City-based International Holidays Trading Travel Co. Ltd. worked alongside a Taiwanese partner to help the group obtain tourist visas. It has been verified that the 149 Vietnamese citizens in question had migrated to Taiwan to work illegally, the Investigation Police Department under Vietnam's Ministry of Public Security said in a statement on Monday. The department launched legal proceedings against Tran Van Danh, Nguyen Thi Thanh Ha, Nguyen Lam Sy, Nguyen Xuan Hung, and Vu Nhat Tuan for allegedly organizing the illegal migration. Danh, 30, Ha, 35 and Sy, 35 are from Ho Chi Minh City while Hung, 41, and Tuan, 59, are residents of Hanoi. Sy was barred from leaving his place of residence while the other four suspects were placed under arrest on Monday. Search warrants were also issued the same day for all suspects They face charges of arranging for Vietnamese citizens to go overseas illegally," a crime that carries a prison term of up to 15 years according to the countrys Penal Code. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! This initial phase of intelligence collection produced a great volume of intelligence that allowed analysts to identify key personnel and the people they were communicating with overseas. You don't have to have access to intelligence information to understand this. For example, you simply have to ask the question, "how did George Papadopoulos get on the radar." I am confident that a survey of NSA and CIA liaison reporting will show that George Papadopoulos was identified as a possible target by the fall of 2015. Initially, his name was "masked." But we now know that many people on the Trump campaign had their names "unmasked." You cannot unmask someone unless their name is in an intelligence report. One person who needs to be called on the carpet and asked some hard questions is current CIA Director Gina Haspel. She was CIA Chief of Station in London at the time and was a regular attendee at the meeting of the Brit's Joint Intelligence Committee aka the JIC. I suppose it is possible she was cut out of the process, but I believe that is unlikely. The CIA, with the knowledge of the Director of National Intelligence, worked with British counterparts starting in the summer of 2015 to collect intelligence on Republican and at least one Democrat candidate. John Brennan was probably hoping that his proactive steps to help the Hillary Clinton campaign would ensure him taking over as DNI in the new Clinton Administration. Regardless of motives, the CIA enlisted the British intelligence community to start gathering intelligence on most major Republican candidates and on Bernie Sanders. This initial phase of intelligence gathering goes beyond opposition research. The information being gathered identified the key personnel in each campaign and identified the people outside the United States receiving their calls, texts and emails. This information was turned into intelligence reports that then were passed back to the United States intel community as "liaison reporting." This was not put into normal classified channels. This intelligence was put into a SAP, i.e. a Special Access Program. Do not focus on July 2016 as the so-called start of the counter intelligence investigation of Donald Trump. That is a lie. We know, thanks to the work of Judicial Watch, that the FBI had signed up Christopher Steele as a Confidential Human Source (aka CHS) by February of 2016. It is incumbent on Attorney General Barr to examine the contact reports filed by Steele's FBI handler (those reports are known as FD-1023s). He also, as I have noted in a previous post, needs to look at the FD-1023s for Felix Sater and Henry Greenberg. But these will only tell a small part of the story. There is a massive intelligence side to this story. We also know that Felix Sater, a longtime business associate of Donald Trump and an FBI informant since December 1998 (he was signed up by Andrew Weismann), initiated the proposal to do a Trump Tower in Moscow. Don't take my word for it, that's what Robert Mueller reported: In the late summer of 2015, the Trump Organization received a new inquiry about pursuing a Trump Tower project in Moscow. In approximately September 2015, Felix Sater . . . contacted Cohen (i.e., Michael Cohen) on behalf of I.C. Expert Investment Company (I.C. Expert), a Russian real-estate development corporation controlled by Andrei Vladimirovich Rozov. Sater had known Rozov since approximately 2007 and, in 2014, had served as an agent on behalf of Rozov during Rozov's purchase of a building in New York City. Sater later contacted Rozov and proposed that I.C. Expert pursue a Trump Tower Moscow project in which I.C. Expert would license the name and brand from the Trump Organization but construct the building on its own. Sater worked on the deal with Rozov and another employee of I.C. Expert. (see page 69 of the Mueller Report). Sater's communication with Rozov were intercepted by western intelligence agencies--GCHQ and NSA. I do not know which agency put it into an intel report, but it was put into the system. The Sater FD-1023 will tell us whether or not Sater did this at the direction of the FBI or acted on his own initiative. The key point is that the "bait" to do something with the Russians came from a registered FBI informant. By December of 2015, the Hillary Campaign decided to use the Russian angle on Donald Trump. Thanks to Wikileaks we have Campaign Manager John Podesta's email exchange in December 2015 with Democratic operative Brent Budowsky: That's good, sooner it's clarified the better, and the stronger the better, Budowski replies, later adding: Best approach is to slaughter Donald for his bromance with Putin, but not go too far betting on Putin re Syria. The program to slaughter Donald Trump using Russia as the hatchet was already underway. This was more the opposition research. This was the weaponization of law enforcement and intelligence assets to attack political opponents. Hillary had covered the opposition research angle in London by hiring a firm comprised of former MI6 assets--Hakluyt: there was a second, even more powerful and mysterious opposition research and intelligence firm lurking about with significant political and financial links to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and her 2016 campaign for president against Donald Trump. Meet London-based Hakluyt & Co., founded by three former British intelligence operatives in 1995 to provide the kind of otherwise inaccessible research for which select governments and Fortune 500 corporations pay huge sums. . . . Hakluyt is described by the Bureau of Investigative Journalisms Henry Williams as one of the more secretive firms within the corporate investigations world and as a retirement home for ex-MI6 [British foreign intelligence] officers, but it now also recruits from the worlds of management consultancy and banking I do not believe that it is a mere coincidence that Australian diplomat, Alexander Downer, was the one credited by the FBI for launching the investigation into George Papadopolous: It was Downer who told the FBI of Papodopoulos comments, which became one of the driving factors that led the FBI to open an investigation in July 2016 into Russias attempts to disrupt the election and whether any of President Trumps associates conspired, The Times reported. Downer, a long-time Aussie chum of Bill and Hillary Clinton, had been on Hakluyts advisory board since 2008. Officially, he had to resign his Hakluyt role in 2014, but his informal connections continued uninterrupted, the News Corp. Australian Network reported in a January 2016 exclusive: But it can be revealed Mr. Downer has still been attending client conferences and gatherings of the group, including a client cocktail soiree at the Orangery at Kensington Palace a few months ago. His attendance at that event is understood to have come days after he also attended a two-day country retreat at the invitation of the group, which has been involved in a number of corporate spy scandals in recent times. Much remains to be uncovered in this plot. But this much is certain--there is an extensive documentary record, including TOP SECRET intelligence reports (SIGINT and HUMINT) and emails and phone calls that will show there was a concerted covert action operation mounted against Donald Trump and his campaign. Those documents will tell the story. This cannot be allowed to happen again. Australian Eurovision entrant Kate Miller-Heidke has spent time visiting the Arab-Israeli city of Jaljulia ahead of next weeks song contest. Her visit comes at a time when other performers and activists have called on artists to boycott the event, arguing that holding it in Tel Aviv amounts to artwashing whitewashing through arts Israels policies towards Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza. On Instagram she said, Spent time yesterday in the Arab-Israeli city of Jaljulia meeting with locals and learning about their culture and what it means to be Palestinian. Lots to think about. More to come on that later. In the meantime, thankyou to Raed Aburaya of Shared Paths for this illuminating tour of the local mosque which is one of the most beautiful and serene buildings I have ever visited. Miller-Heidke was joined on her tour by some of the SBS Publicity team. Meanwhile Israel has said it will block activists who plan to disrupt the contest from entering the country, as anxiety mounts that the event will become a focus for protests. This is going to be a huge party in which thousands of people will participate but we will remain extremely vigilant in order to make sure that no one comes here in order to disturb and destroy, said a foreign ministry spokesman, Emmanuel Nahshon. We dont want to prohibit the entry to the state of Israel for people. But on the other hand, if we know for certain that we will be facing people who are anti-Israel activists and whose sole purpose is to disturb the event then we will use the legal instruments that we have regarding the entry to Israel. Israel has twice hosted Eurovision before. None none of the 42 acts taking part has pulled out. Source: The Guardian Cookies op Tweakers Tweakers maakt gebruik van cookies Tweakers is onderdeel van DPG Media en maakt gebruik van cookies, JavaScript en vergelijkbare technologie om je onder andere een optimale gebruikerservaring te bieden. Functionele en analytische cookies die door Tweakers zelf geplaatst worden, worden gebruikt om de website goed te laten functioneren, bezoekersstatistieken bij te houden en a/b-testen uit te voeren. Ook kan Tweakers hiermee het gedrag van bezoekers vastleggen en analyseren. Cookies kunnen daarnaast worden gebruikt om op Tweakers advertenties te tonen die aansluiten bij je interesses. Daarbij kan gebruikgemaakt worden van bezoekersprofielen die door derden zijn opgesteld. Ook kunnen derden je internetgedrag volgen, zoals bijvoorbeeld het geval is bij embedded videos van YouTube. Tot slot kunnen cookies worden gebruikt om op sites van derden relevante advertenties te tonen. Content van derde partijen, zoals embedded videos van YouTube, wordt met een trackingvrij abonnement standaard uitgeschakeld. Indien je deze content wilt zien, kun je hier expliciet toestemming voor geven. Wil je meer informatie over cookies en hoe ze worden gebruikt? Bekijk dan ons cookiebeleid. Accepteer cookies ... Om deze pagina op Tweakers te kunnen bekijken, moet je cookies accepteren. Cookies accepteren Heb je al een account? Dan kun je hier inloggen! Greg Clark, the business secretary, has agreed to provide 100m in funding to the UKs second-biggest steel producer after it requested emergency support to make a repayment to an EU-run environment scheme. Sky News has learnt that Mr Clark will announce on Wednesday that the government has stepped in to meet a financial shortfall faced by British Steel ahead of a deadline for the company to pay its latest carbon emissions bill. Sources said that the government funding had been used to acquire carbon credits on behalf of British Steel before surrendering them to regulators, with the company signing a deal with Mr Clark's department to repay the money on commercial terms over the coming months. Mr Clark is expected to make a statement in the House of Commons confirming the government's financial support for British Steel, which owns the giant Scunthorpe steel plant and employs 5,000 people. The disclosure will come just over a fortnight after Sky News revealed British Steel's secret request for a Whitehall loan . Its need for new funding has arisen partly because the impasse over Brexit has left UK-based companies frozen out of the latest version of the EU's carbon emissions trading system (ETS). Ministers had drafted in professional services firm KPMG to advise them on the discussions, which are understood to have concluded that there are no state aid complications because British Steel will be obliged to repay the funding with commercial rates of interest. Nevertheless, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy will face scrutiny of its decision given the sensitivity of effectively handing a publicly funded subsidy to a private company. Lenders to British Steel have also been closely involved in the discussions in the last few weeks. Officials in Brussels are said to have assured the government that the Brexit delay until 31 October will not entail a permanent exclusion for British companies from the ETS. Under the scheme, industrial polluters - which should have been awarded their permits last month - can use their allocation to pay for their previous year's emissions. Story continues The freezing out of British companies from this year's EU ETS allocation covers more than 2bn of emissions allowances, equating to 100m tonnes of carbon credits - with British Steel accounting for roughly 5% of the total. However, British Steel has already utilised last year's permits to fund working capital requirements, leaving it unable to pay for the current round of carbon credits. Owned by private investment firm Greybull Capital, British Steel has been revived from the brink of closure since it was acquired from the Indian giant Tata Steel in 2016. The company broke even in its first year after Greybull's takeover and has reported positive earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation in each of the last three years. Greybull is being advised by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) on its search for new funding, while EY, another of the big four accounting firms, is advising the company's lenders, which include PNC and ABN Amro. In addition to the 5,000 people it employs directly, British Steel's supply chain is responsible for a further 20,000 jobs. The company is the largest supplier of steel rails to Network Rail and its French counterpart, SNCF. It produces 2.8 million tonnes of steel annually, meaning it ranks second in size behind Tata Steel, the owner of the vast Port Talbot steelworks in Wales. The company's turnaround programme under Greybull's ownership has involved cost reductions, more than 150m of investment in plant and machinery and a series of overseas acquisitions. Earlier this month, the company promoted Gerald Reichmann, its chief financial officer, to chief executive. Mr Reichmann said in February that British Steel had "robust plans in place to deal with the various Brexit scenarios including the change in carbon credit regime". British Steel exports much of what it produces to Europe, meaning that Brexit-related issues have posed an increasingly pressing headache for the company and its controlling shareholder. Last month, the BEIS select committee accused ministers of neglecting the steel industry by failing to unveil a sector deal as part of the government's industrial strategy. The funding squeeze at British Steel is the latest problem to affect an embattled manufacturing sector in recent months. Much of the focus has been on the automotive sector, with job cuts at Ford and a decision by Nissan to abandon plans to build its X-Trail SUV in Sunderland. In February, Honda confirmed the closure of its Swindon plant in 2021, putting more than 2000 jobs under threat. Greybull has a history of investing in troubled companies, including the airline Monarch, which collapsed in 2017. A spokesman for British Steel declined to expand on a statement issued earlier this month, which said: "Brexit is presenting a range of challenges to every British company and we are not immune. "We are discussing the impact of Brexit on our business with ministers and officials from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and they have been extremely responsive and supportive to date." Greybull and BEIS declined to comment. The grandparents of two children stranded with their French jihadist mother at a camp in Kurdish-held Syria filed a lawsuit at Europes top rights court Monday over Frances refusal to allow them home, lawyers said. It was the latest challenge to the French governments opposition to returning the children of suspected jihadists in Syria or Iraq.The four-year-old boy and three-year-old girl, who were born in Syria, are among an estimated 500 children of French citizens who joined the Islamic States so-called caliphate before the jihadists last Syrian redoubt was overrun in March.France has said it will consider requests for their return on a case-by-case basis only. Since March it has repatriated just five orphans and a three-year-old girl whose mother was sentenced to life in prison in Iraq.Critics say the policy exposes innocent victims of the war, many of whom have suffered serious trauma during the fighting and coalition bombardments, to inhumane living conditions and long-term psychological risks.The grandparents of the two children, whose mother had joined jihadists in Syria, filed a complaint with the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in Strasbourg, eastern France, their lawyers told AFP.By refusing to repatriate this mother and these two sick children who are wounded and in a state of extreme weakness, France is consciously and deliberately exposing them to inhumane and degrading treatment, they said in a statement.The suit also accuses France of violating the familys right to enter the state where they are citizens the first time such an argument has been invoked in the case of jihadists children, the lawyers said.They declined to name the mother.Some Western women have given birth to children in territory previously controlled by IS, but their children have never been registered with authorities in their home countries.Justice on French soilThe two children and their mother, who is the subject of an arrest warrant by a French anti-terror judge, were wounded in the battle for Baghouz, the last IS stronghold taken by Kurdish-led forces.They are being held at the camp of Al-Hol in northeast Syria, where 73,000 people live according to the United Nations, including 12,000 foreigners.The lawyers for the family said cholera, tuberculosis and dysentery are spreading in the camp, with the children undernourished and the mother suffering from typhoid fever.The mother has confirmed her desire to have her children repatriated... and wants to face justice on French soil, her lawyers said.But France is loath to bring back foreign fighters or their families after suffering a wave of deadly jihadist attacks that have killed more than 250 people since 2015.After considering repatriation at the urging of Kurdish forces in Syria as well as the United States, the government decided against bringing home any men or women who joined the IS fight.Legal attempts beginning last year to force France to allow the return of citizens held in Syria have failed.In April, Frances State Council, which rules on the legality of policies and laws, rejected several requests, saying it was a French diplomatic matter outside the councils jurisdiction.Former president Francois Hollande has agreed to meet with relatives of children in camps on Tuesday, lawyers said.They hope he will hear the distress of those who should not have to pay for their parents choices, a statement issued by Marie Dose and Henri Leclerc added.Hunger and coldRepatriation of citizens who went to fight in Syria and Iraq is a hugely sensitive issue in Western nations.Britain and the United States have even stripped some Islamic State proponents of citizenship.This hardline stance drew criticism in March when 19-year-old Shamima Begum lost her British citizenship after giving interviews in which she begged to return home but showed little remorse for having been an IS propagandist.Her baby Jarrah died of pneumonia less than three weeks after he was born.The burden of treating children is also daunting for Western governments, which have had to set up special services for dealing with deep psychological scars from their years in the battle zones.Many show the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, including vivid nightmares, mutism and a visceral rejection of any attachment to others.These children have known hunger and cold. Some had already been separated from their parents, sometimes to protect them from the war, and they are scared of being abandoned again, said Marie-Rose Moro, a doctor who has treated several returned families.(AFP) The grandparents of two children stranded with their French jihadist mother at a camp in Kurdish-held Syria filed a lawsuit at Europes top rights court Monday over Frances refusal to allow them home, lawyers said. It was the latest challenge to the French governments opposition to returning the children of suspected jihadists in Syria or Iraq. The four-year-old boy and three-year-old girl, who were born in Syria, are among an estimated 500 children of French citizens who joined the Islamic States so-called caliphate before the jihadists last Syrian redoubt was overrun in March. France has said it will consider requests for their return on a case-by-case basis only. Since March it has repatriated just five orphans and a three-year-old girl whose mother was sentenced to life in prison in Iraq. Critics say the policy exposes innocent victims of the war, many of whom have suffered serious trauma during the fighting and coalition bombardments, to inhumane living conditions and long-term psychological risks. The grandparents of the two children, whose mother had joined jihadists in Syria, filed a complaint with the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in Strasbourg, eastern France, their lawyers told AFP. By refusing to repatriate this mother and these two sick children who are wounded and in a state of extreme weakness, France is consciously and deliberately exposing them to inhumane and degrading treatment, they said in a statement. The suit also accuses France of violating the familys right to enter the state where they are citizens the first time such an argument has been invoked in the case of jihadists children, the lawyers said. They declined to name the mother. Some Western women have given birth to children in territory previously controlled by IS, but their children have never been registered with authorities in their home countries. Justice on French soil The two children and their mother, who is the subject of an arrest warrant by a French anti-terror judge, were wounded in the battle for Baghouz, the last IS stronghold taken by Kurdish-led forces. Story continues They are being held at the camp of Al-Hol in northeast Syria, where 73,000 people live according to the United Nations, including 12,000 foreigners. The lawyers for the family said cholera, tuberculosis and dysentery are spreading in the camp, with the children undernourished and the mother suffering from typhoid fever. The mother has confirmed her desire to have her children repatriated... and wants to face justice on French soil, her lawyers said. But France is loath to bring back foreign fighters or their families after suffering a wave of deadly jihadist attacks that have killed more than 250 people since 2015. After considering repatriation at the urging of Kurdish forces in Syria as well as the United States, the government decided against bringing home any men or women who joined the IS fight. Legal attempts beginning last year to force France to allow the return of citizens held in Syria have failed. In April, Frances State Council, which rules on the legality of policies and laws, rejected several requests, saying it was a French diplomatic matter outside the councils jurisdiction. Former president Francois Hollande has agreed to meet with relatives of children in camps on Tuesday, lawyers said. They hope he will hear the distress of those who should not have to pay for their parents choices, a statement issued by Marie Dose and Henri Leclerc added. Hunger and cold Repatriation of citizens who went to fight in Syria and Iraq is a hugely sensitive issue in Western nations. Britain and the United States have even stripped some Islamic State proponents of citizenship. This hardline stance drew criticism in March when 19-year-old Shamima Begum lost her British citizenship after giving interviews in which she begged to return home but showed little remorse for having been an IS propagandist. Her baby Jarrah died of pneumonia less than three weeks after he was born. The burden of treating children is also daunting for Western governments, which have had to set up special services for dealing with deep psychological scars from their years in the battle zones. Many show the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, including vivid nightmares, mutism and a visceral rejection of any attachment to others. These children have known hunger and cold. Some had already been separated from their parents, sometimes to protect them from the war, and they are scared of being abandoned again, said Marie-Rose Moro, a doctor who has treated several returned families. (AFP) By Ivana Sekularac and Philip Pullella SKOPJE (Reuters) - Pope Francis on Tuesday implicitly blessed efforts by North Macedonia and other Balkan countries to join the European Union, saying Skopje could look to its most famous daughter, Mother Teresa, as a stimulus to build a common destiny. After two days in Bulgaria, Francis arrived in the North Macedonian capital for a 10-hour stop, becoming the highest profile international figure to visit since the country changed its name from Macedonia in January. The decision ended a decades-old dispute with neighbouring Greece, whose northernmost province is also called Macedonia, and opened the way for North Macedonia, a former Yugoslav republic, to join the European Union and NATO. Addressing authorities in Skopje's presidential palace, Francis praised what he called the newly named country's "crucible of cultures and ethnic and religious identities" that could serve as an example to others. "These particular features are also highly significant for increased integration with the nations of Europe. It is my hope that this integration will develop in a way that is beneficial for the entire region of the Western Balkans, with unfailing respect for diversity and for fundamental rights," Francis said. Six Western Balkan states - Albania, Bosnia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia - are in various stages of accession process to join the bloc. But in his speech, Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov complained bitterly about delays. "You come at a time when Macedonian society is deeply divided, and the Macedonian (nation) is heavily wounded by broken promises, unfulfilled expectations and faltering trust in the international community," Ivanov said. He said "decades of blockades on our European path" had led to diminished spiritual and political morale. Skopje has aspired to NATO and EU membership since the end of a 2001 uprising by the country's ethnic Albanian minority, but was blocked by Greece, which held that the name Macedonia implied a territorial claim on its own northern province. Story continues Yet even after cutting the name change deal with Greece, North Macedonia has not yet received the date for starting EU accession talks, though it is expected to become NATO's 30th member state next year. Nearly every event on the pope's programme in Skopje revolved around the late Mother Teresa, who was born Anjeze Gonxhe Bojaxhiu to ethnic Albanian parents in 1910 when the country was still part of the Ottoman Empire. Francis praised Mother Teresa for working to unify people and urged Ivanov to take her example. "I encourage you to persevere with confidence along the path you have taken in order to make your country a beacon of peace, acceptance and fruitful integration between cultures, religions and peoples," Francis said. Mother Teresa was known as the "saint of the gutters" for her work among the poor in India. She died in 1997 and was officially made a saint by Pope Francis in 2016. (Reporting by Philip Pullella; Editing by Mark Heinrich) WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump spoke with South Korea's President Moon Jae-in on Tuesday to discuss North Korea's denuclearisation, according to the White House. "The two leaders discussed recent developments regarding the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK) and how to achieve the final, fully verified denuclearisation," of North Korea, the White House said in a statement. (Reporting by Jeff Mason; Writing by Susan Heavey) One security official martyred in North Waziristan At least one security official was martyred on Monday after a vehicle came under attack in North Waziristans Datta Khel area, according to official sources. The driver of the vehicle was martyred, while three security personnel received serious injuries in the attack. The injured officials were shifted to a hospital in Miran Shah for medical treatment, and a search operation was launched in the area. Earlier, a security official was martyred in the same area of North Waziristan after unidentified men opened fire on a security check-post. A British backpacker who was kidnapped and raped by a man in Australia has spoken of her ordeal, which lasted for more than a month. Elisha Greer described how Marcus Martin would beat her and hold a gun to her head. Speaking to Australian broadcaster Channel 7, Ms Greer said she had met Martin at a party in Cairns, Queensland, in January 2017. "He just seemed like a nice guy," she said. Shortly afterwards Martin moved into the then 21-year-old's hotel and began asking her for money. Martin got hold of a gun he said was for "protection" and took her along with him to rob a drug dealer. "I was forced to drive the car with the gun to my head," she said. Later, Martin launched a violent attack on Ms Greer hitting, raping and choking her until she passed out. "He turned around and he just started to hit me, hit me, hit me," she said. Despite apologising after each assault, Martin's controlling behaviour did not stop. Ms Greer described the injuries left by Martin: "He broke my nose, split my eyebrow open, I had various amounts of bite marks all up and down my arms, I had bite marks on my face, he had stabbed me in the neck with the key, I had two black eyes, hand prints all over my body from bruises. So many bruises." The pair embarked on a 1,600 mile (2,575km) road trip south of Cairns during which Martin's abusive behaviour continued. Ms Greer became so desperate to escape she even contemplated killing Martin, but was worried how he would react if she failed. During one stop on their journey she left an unanswered plea for help in a visitor's book. After five days of driving, the pair stopped for petrol at a service station in Mitchell and left without paying. An attendant called the police who inspected the car and found Martin hiding in the back seat. Martin, 24, of Cairns, pleaded guilty to three counts of rape and one count of deprivation of liberty in October last year and is due to be sentenced on 28 May. Kate and William at the Cutty Sark in Greenwich [Photo: Getty] The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are yet to meet the latest addition to the Royal Family, but are absolutely thrilled for Meghan and Harry. William, 36, and Kate, 37, had a joint engagement at the Cutty Sark in Greenwich on Tuesday afternoon to launch The Kings Cup regatta. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex welcomed a baby boy at 05:26 on May 6, 2019. When asked about his new nephew, William said: "Obviously thrilled, absolutely thrilled, and obviously looking forward to seeing them in the next few days when things have quietened down. He joked: "I'm very pleased and glad to welcome my own brother into the sleep deprivation society that is parenting." VIDEO: William & Kate say they look forward to meeting #babysussex. Wills: Were absolutely thrilled & look forward to seeing them in the next few days... Im v pleased to welcome my brother to the sleep deprivation society that is parenting! pic.twitter.com/W6ldWWsUgn Emily Andrews (@byEmilyAndrews) May 7, 2019 When asked if he had any pearls of wisdom for his younger brother as a father of three, William laughed and said: "Plenty of advice, plenty of advice, but no I wish him all the best and I hope the next few days they can settle down and enjoy having a newborn in their family and the joys that come with that." The Duchess of Cambridge added: "It's such a special time, obviously with Louis and Charlotte just having had their birthdays, it's such a great time of year to have a baby, spring is in the air." Kate continued: "As William said, we're looking forward to meeting him and finding out what his name's going to be, so it's really exciting for both of them and we wish them all the best. "These next few weeks are always a bit daunting the first time round so we wish them all the best." Story continues William and Kate are parents to George, five, Charlotte, four, and one-year-old Louis. They are also the uncle and auntie of Kates sister Pippa Middletons first child Arthur in October 2018. The Prince of Wales is also yet to meet his new grandson. He and the Duchess of Cornwall are at the start of their four-day tour of Germany. Speaking in Berlin, Prince Charles said: We couldnt be more delighted at the news and were looking forward to meeting the baby when we return. The Prince of Wales is handed a soft toy for his new grandson by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier during a meeting in Berlin [Photo: PA] The Queen, 93, has also commented about the latest addition to the firm. The Duke of Edinburgh, 97, made a rare appearance with the monarch at a luncheon for members of the Order of Merit on Tuesday afternoon. Prince Philip retired from public duties in summer 2017. In January this year, he was involved in a car accident close to the Queens Sandringham estate in Norfolk. His Landrover collided with a Kia at the junction of the B1439 where it meets the A149. The duke was uninjured, but the driver of the Kia, a 28-year-old woman, suffered cuts to her knee while the passenger, Emma Fairweather, 46, sustained a broken wrist. It was confirmed by Buckingham Palace that Prince Philip had surrendered his driving licence. The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh at the Members of the Order of Merit luncheon at Windsor Castle [Photo: PA] The Queen was quizzed about the latest addition to her family by one guest. "Life is good for Your Majesty?" she was asked. The smiling Queen replied: "Yes, thank you." "Congratulations. Another great grandchild!" the guest added. The Queen replied: "I know." She was then asked how many she had before replying "eight". Proud new father Harry [Photo: PA] A statement announcing the birth on Monday read: The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales, The Duchess of Cornwall, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Lady Jane Fellowes, Lady Sarah McCorquodale and Earl Spencer have been informed and are delighted with the news. The Duchesss mother, Doria Ragland, who is overjoyed by the arrival of her first grandchild, is with Their Royal Highnesses at Frogmore Cottage. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex and their baby son are expected to make their debut as a family of three on Wednesday. Dr. Brett E. Morris has been hired as the associate vice president for enrollment management at the University of North Georgia (UNG), effective July 1, 2019. Dr. James Conneely, vice president of student affairs and enrollment management at UNG, announced the hiring. "Dr. Morris has proven success in taking a student-centered approach to managing enrollment and has worked collaboratively to improve retention and graduation through data-driven recruiting efforts," Conneely said. "With more than 16 years of experience in education, 20-plus years of active duty military service, and Spanish-speaking skills, Dr. Morris is uniquely qualified to support the mission of UNG across our five campuses. I am confident that he will help fulfill UNG's mission to expand opportunities for quality, affordable education throughout our region." Morris, who retired from the U.S. Army in 2005 as a lieutenant colonel, is the executive director for enrollment management at Eastern Kentucky University (EKU), where he is responsible for domestic and international undergraduate recruitment operations and admissions, student financial aid, and transfer student transition. EKU is a regional public institution of approximately 17,000 students located in Richmond, Kentucky. Morris said UNG's reputation for excellence in leadership development and academics and its status as one of six senior military colleges in the country drew him to the university. "As a former Army officer, the reputation of the University of North Georgia is well known and highly respected. It is a high honor to join a family of passionate educators and staff who dedicate themselves to helping students succeed," Morris said. "The friendliness of everyone I met during my recent visit simply reinforced UNG's well-earned status as a great place to work. I look forward to becoming a contributing member of the student affairs and enrollment team." Morris joined EKU in 1999, and spent more than five years as the active-duty professor of military science and leadership. After his military retirement, Morris established and taught the Junior ROTC program at George Rogers Clark High School in Winchester, Kentucky. In 2010, he returned to EKU to serve as the associate director for veterans affairs and launched Operation Veteran Success. In 2011, he was asked to serve as the director of undergraduate admissions and in 2014 to assume his current role as executive director. Morris has authored multiple presentations and articles on higher education, and has taught college courses in leadership, history and higher education management. Morris has a bachelor's degree in advertising from Texas Tech University, a master's degree in national security affairs from the Naval Postgraduate School, and a doctorate in educational leadership and policy studies from EKU. His military education includes the Army Command and General Staff College and a certificate in strategic studies from the Army War College. During his Army tenure he served as a field artillery officer in the 8th Infantry and 101st Airborne Divisions and as a foreign area officer in Bogota, Colombia. Conneely also expressed gratitude to the search committee, led by Dr. John Delaney, associate vice president and dean of students on the Dahlonega Campus. "Through their excellent work and due diligence, we had very talented candidates for this important leadership position within the University of North Georgia and the Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management that will help shape the future of this institution," Conneely said. Almost 1,300 newly minted University of North Georgia (UNG) graduates walked in spring commencement ceremonies held May 3-4 at the Convocation Center on UNG's Dahlonega Campus. In total, UNG granted 1,898 degrees and certificates to 1,850 graduates for the spring 2019 semester. Former Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal; Dr. Charles N. Davis, a UNG alumnus and dean of the University of Georgia's Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication; and Joy Hawkins, executive director of the Governor's Office of Student Achievement, were the keynote speakers. The university also commissioned 60 members of UNG's Corps of Cadets as second lieutenants into the armed forces. UNG is one of only six senior military colleges in the nation and is designated as the Military College of Georgia. The university is on track to graduate and commission 105 military officers for the 2018-2019 academic year. Deal lauded contributions of namesakes of Mike Cottrell College of Business and Lewis F. Rogers Institute for Environmental and Spatial Analysis in his keynote speech May 3 to graduates of those schools and the College of Science and Mathematics. Former Gov. Nathan Deal spoke to graduates of the Mike Cottrell College of Business, College of Science and Mathematics, and Lewis F. Rogers Institute for Environmental and Spatial Analysis at UNG's May 3 commencement ceremony. "Their contributions, both financial and otherwise, have not only provided the resources to make these programs of study possible," Deal said. "But their lives and their work have placed an indelible mark on your courses of study and your degrees, which should enhance your opportunities for future success." Davis addressed the College of Arts and Letters and University College graduates May 4. "You don't have to change the world or find your one true purpose to lead a meaningful life," Davis said. "A good life is a life of goodness, and that's something anybody can aspire to no matter their dreams or circumstances." Hawkins told College of Education and College of Health Sciences & Professions graduates on May 4 to learn stories of the people they work with to understand where theyre coming from. Dorreka Faulkner, one of the first four students to earn the university's new Master of Science degree in human services delivery and administration, began using her skills honed at UNG before commencement. An area director at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Lanier during her graduate school work, Faulkner has launched her own nonprofit Girls Unlimited LLC, which will mentor girls in her hometown of Gainesville, Georgia. Dorreka Faulkner was one of the first four graduates to earn UNG's new Master of Science degree in human services delivery and administration. Dr. Carly Redding, associate professor of sociology and human services at UNG, said Faulkner received plenty of practice through her internships at UNG. The UNG graduate started mentorship programs at multiple agencies in her time at UNG. "She goes in. She sees what the need is," Redding said. "She develops the program herself, and she makes sure it's sustainable after she leaves." In addition to mentorship, Faulkner's nonprofit will provide educational programs for girls on topics such as financial literacy, etiquette, meetings with college representatives and information about financial aid. "I saw a greater need, especially in the Gainesville community," Faulkner said. Faulkner also earned her bachelor's degree in human services delivery and administration from UNG. Redding was impressed with the way Faulkner always actively searched for leadership development opportunities outside of the classroom. "She has looked for mentors within the community that she felt like were working with youth and doing it well," Redding said. "She has reached out to them for leadership and guidance." Redding is glad the human services delivery and administration undergraduate and graduate programs at UNG are helping students find their passion. Faulkner is one of the shining examples. For her part, Faulkner appreciated the chance to have all these doors open to her so close to home. "To have something here like UNG where I could further my education was great for me," Faulkner said. "It was convenient. It was perfect for me and what I wanted to do." Uprooted Palestinians are at the heart of the conflict in the M.E Palestinians uprooted by force of arms. Yet faced immense difficulties have survived, kept alive their history and culture, passed keys of family homes in occupied Palestine from one generation to the next. Exports of fruits have continuously grown, reaching US$3.8 billion in 2018 and aiming at $4.5 billion by 2020. Dragon fruits are prepared to be exported to the US. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), vegetables in general and fruits in particular have a great potential for export because global demand for vegetables and fruits is extremely high. However, import countries have set up several technical barriers about food safety, forcing exporters to comply with. Dong Thap Province in the Mekong Delta which has strength in fruit trees has focused on developing centralized fruit growing area for years hereby establishing mango growing area in Cao Lanh District and Cao Lanh City, mandarin orange growing area in Lai Vung District and longan growing area in Chau Thanh District. The province also organizes production by connecting farmers, cooperatives and firms to meet export demand. The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Dong Thap Province said that the provinces fruit production reaches 300,000 tons annually. Besides domestic consumption, fruits are exported to South Korea, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Russia and China. Recently, the province has exported 8 tons of mangoes to the US. This is the first batch of Vietnamese mangoes that are officially allowed to be exported to this choosy market. According to Mr. Le Quoc Doanh, deputy minister of the MARD, Vietnamese mangoes have been exported to 40 countries in the world, including demanding markets such as Japan, South Korea, the EU, Australia and Canada and now have entered the US market. In order to enter the US market, Vietnamese authorities sent application requesting the US to open door for Vietnamese mangoes in 2009. During the past years, plant quarantine agencies of the two countries had had several technical discussions in order to reach an agreement on conditions for mangoes to be imported and plans to treat mangoes by irradiation before exporting from Vietnam. Mr. Nguyen Quang Hieu, head of the Department of International Cooperation under the Department of Plant Protection, said that in order for fresh mangoes to be exported to the US, provinces and firms have had to meet several strict requirements. As Vietnamese mangoes are accepted in the US market, prospects for export of fruits have become more optimistic. Mr. Nguyen Thanh Hung, vice chairman of Dong Thap Provinces Peoples Committee, said that by entering a choosy market like the US market, mangoes will help to increase profits and economic efficiency for farmers. However, it requires farmers to maintain the quality of the fruit and keep connection with firms in production, harvest, processing and packing in order to continue to export this kind of fruit to the US in the future. They should not be subjective and reckless although they have entered this demanding market. Sharing the same point of view, Mrs. Nguyen Thi Hong Thu, director of Chanh Thu Import-Export Company, the company which exported the first consignment of mangoes to the US, said that it is difficult, time-consuming and costly to open a new export market for fruits. However, once a new export market is opened, it is more difficult to maintain the market. It involves strong determination of firms, farmers, cooperatives and authority to protect and develop the market together because technical barriers of import markets are always sophisticated. The Department of Plant Protection noted that members in the WTO when exporting fresh fruits must comply with regulations on plant quarantine of the SPS Agreement and the International Plant Protection Convention which request fresh fruits to have a plant quarantine certificate granted by authorized agencies. Countries in the EU have built a set of regulations for each kind of products and they have strict control system to check products imported through the border. Violation cases will be warned and depending on extent of violations, imported products will be returned to export countries, destroyed or halted import. China used to be considered as an easy market, now has also set up stricter barriers on plant quarantine. As a result, export via border trade has gradually been reduced. Currently, China has allowed import of eight fresh fruits from Vietnam, including dragon fruit, mango, longan, rambutan, lychee, banana, jack fruit and water melon with requirement that imported fruits must be fully checked. The Plant Protection Department also said that as countries tend to raise plant quarantine barriers about food safety, it will be more difficult to expand export markets for fruits. In addition, Vietnamese firms also lack of researches, thorough and comprehensive forecast about demand and taste of consumers at key export market, especially information about their competitors. These are challenges for export of fruits in long term. Experts said that, demand for fruits in the world is on the increase and Vietnam has potential to boost export of fruits in the near future. The urgent issue is that the country should build a strategy to open suitable export market and concentrate on major markets which are convenient for transport and products of Vietnam, including dragon fruit, rambutan, longan, pomelo and mango, have competitive advantage. The country should project and develop centralized fruit growing areas for export, in which fruits will be grown under VietGAP and GlobalGAP standards and complied with requirements of import countries. At the same time, the country should have policy to invest in technology for plant quarantine, post-harvest preservation and further processing to meet requirements of import countries. In addition, the country should promote the connection between farmers and exporters to aim for a sustainable fruit production and export industry. SGGP Most of the capital influx was poured into the industrial property segment through mergers & acquisitions (M&A) deals. Foreign direct investment (FDI) in Vietnams property market reached US$1.1 billion in the first quarter, up 36% year-on-year, according to Nguyen Manh Khoi, deputy director of the Construction Ministrys Department for Housing and Property Market Management as reported by local media. Most of the capital influx was poured into the industrial property segment through mergers & acquisitions (M&A) deals, Khoi said at the forum discussing Vietnams property and financial market in 2019 held recently. Such trend is growing despite the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV)s tightened grip on credit growth in this sector, Khoi continued. However, he expected new policies as well as improvised legal frameworks to have positive impacts on the real estate market. According to Khoi, the revised drafts of the Investment Law and the Corporate Law are scheduled to be submitted to the National Assembly, aiming to ease investment conditions and expand business lines for enterprises, while the revised Construction Law and Housing Law also create a better environment for investments. Khoi added in the coming time, the Build and Transfer (BT) contract form may be restricted and could be replaced with land rights auction. Meanwhile, there would be new financial models to support the growth of the real estate market, including investment fund, house saving fund, among others. As the SBV moved to limit the concentration of credit on real estate, this would present opportunities for enterprises to revise their strategy and investment resources, he said. At the forum, a representative of the Vietnam Association of Realtors (VARs) said the real estate market in the first quarter showed sign of slowing down, especially the housing supply at two major markets Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. In the January March period, total housing supply in Hanoi reduced by 25% year-on-year, while that of Ho Chi Minh City was down 50%. Slow process of approving new projects and limitation on credit growth were attributed to such decline. As of April, foreign investors committed to pour US$14.59 billion into Vietnam, marking a four-year high and up 81% year-on-year. Disbursement of FDI projects jumped to US$5.7 billion in during the period, representing an increase of 7.5% year-on-year. The data shows that out of 80 countries and territories investing in Vietnam in the four-month period, Hong Kong (China) took the lead with US$4.7 billion, accounting for 32.5% of total investment. The Republic of Korea came second with US$1.98 billion or 13.6% of total investment, while the third place belonged to Singapore with US$1.87 billion or 12.8%. China and Japan claimed the fourth and fifth places with US$1 billion and US$700 million, respectively. Hanoitimes Some airlines in Southeast Asia are looking to fly to secondary airports in Vietnam, which are considered a potential niche market in the country. The inaugural flight from Bangkok lands in Nha Trang City on May 1. Some airlines in Southeast Asia are looking to fly to secondary airports in Vietnam PHOTO: AIRASIA Malaysian budget carrier AirAsia has launched a few direct air routes from Thailand and Malaysia to the cities of Can Tho and Nha Trang. The Can Tho-Kuala Lumpur air service was put into operation at the start of April, while two other air routes from Nha Trang and Can Tho to Bangkok, Thailand, were launched on May 1 and 2, respectively. The Malaysian carrier operates these air services at a frequency of three or four weekly flights. The opening of these air routes was expected as the countrys major airports, such as Hanoi-based Noi Bai International Airport and Tan Son Nhat International Airport in HCMC, are overburdened. Meanwhile, local airports, such as Can Tho International Airport, Nha Trang-based Cam Ranh Airport, Van Don Airport in the northern province of Quang Ninh and Cat Bi International Airport in the northern port city of Haiphong, boast great potential for growth. Of these localities, Nha Trang City is the most attractive tourist destination, with international arrivals rising consistently over the past few years. Statistics from the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam show that Cam Ranh International Airport welcomed three million tourists in 2018. The direct air routes from Thailand and Malaysia to Nha Trang City are aimed at helping tourists fly directly to the city instead of transiting through Hanoi City or HCMC. Besides this, Vietnam has issued a number of price and fee reduction policies at some airports to encourage airlines to launch more direct air routes to secondary airports to ease the overload being faced by airports in Hanoi and HCMC. Given the high potential for tourism, the authorities of Can Tho City and the Mekong Delta provinces are ramping up tourism promotion activities to develop the sector. Apart from this, foreign direct investment (FDI) in the Mekong Delta region from airlines launching routes to Can Tho City is on the rise. Statistics from the Can Tho branch of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry indicate that the FDI capital injected into the region totaled US$1.5 billion in 2018, accounting for 10.6% of the countrys total FDI capital, while the number made up 5% or 6% in previous years. AirAsias decision to launch routes to Can Tho City was made following the success of routes to other secondary airports in Vietnam, including the Nha Trang and Phu Quoc airports. In addition to AirAsia, other airlines in South Asia such as Bangkok Airways have launched direct routes to multiple secondary airports in the country. In the wake of opening the Bangkok-Cam Ranh air route at the beginning of 2019, Bangkok Airways planned to launch more air services from Thailand to Van Don Airport in Quanh Ninh Province and Can Tho Airport. Choosing the niche market in Vietnam is seen as a wise decision since it is less competitive but creates great opportunities for success. SGT Pakistan don't have to impose new taxes: WB Pakistan does not have to impose new taxes or hike tax rates because the existing taxes have the potential to achieve taxation targets, the World Bank said in its paper on Pakistans revenues. The targeted revenues of Rs10 trillion annually could take the countrys tax revenue potential to 26 percent of the GDP if tax compliance was raised to 75 percent, the lender said in its recently published document titled Pakistan Revenue Mobilization Project. The bank has called the 75 percent tax compliance a realistic level of compliance for a lower-middle-income country like Pakistan. The Washington-based lender has revealed that Pakistans revenue gap had widened from Rs 3.3 trillion to Rs 5 trillion, which was 26 percent of the size of its economy. The World Bank prepared the project information document of $1.5 billion to approve a $400 million loan for tax reforms in the country. The document states that Pakistans tax authorities were currently capturing only half of the revenue potential and the gap between actual and potential receipts was 50 percent. As per the last fiscal year, Pakistans tax-to-GDP ratio stood at 13 percent of the GDP. The banks assistance of $400 million for the revenue mobilisation project would be implemented by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), targeting to contribute an increase in the domestic revenue by broadening the tax base and facilitating tax compliance. The $400 million credit for the project would come from the International Development Association (IDA), a World Bank affiliate. The report advises for improvement in tax recovery and promotion of a healthy tax culture. The World Bank believes that the FBRs methodology to assess tax liabilities for some sectors is leading to huge tax losses. The government recently removed the FBR chairman due to poor performance of the tax authority. 2018 was another milestone year of growth for Vietnam, with GDP growth reaching a ten-year high of 7.08 per cent, while FDI disbursement hit an all-time high of over $19 billion. Exports also grew 13 per cent. International Protection Agreements in the FTAs also provide more legal certainty for investors, which can lead to larger investment and projects in key industries. MR. TRENT DAVIES Due to Vietnams proactive approach to trade, investment incentives, and the US - China trade dispute, manufacturing was once again the biggest beneficiary of FDI. Following manufacturing, real estate and retail also benefitted, due to Vietnams growing urbanization and booming middle class, as well as the tourism and services sectors. In February, the US - DPRK Summit was hosted in Hanoi, providing global promotion of the country and a great opportunity for Vietnam to strengthen ties with the US. President Donald Trump declared Vietnam a model for North Korea to emulate and advocated its openness to trade, recent growth, and business environment as an example of success. Strong diplomatic and trade relations with the US coupled with Vietnams proactive approach to FTAs have created a strong foundation for Vietnam internationally. It has become increasingly integrated into the global economy and has positioned itself in such a way that it isnt too reliant on any single partner. I believe foreign investment will continue to perform strongly as a result. Opportunities & challenges Moving forward, Vietnam has outlined that it will prioritize attracting foreign investment into high, advanced, and environmentally-friendly technologies, clean and renewable energy, medical equipment production and high-quality healthcare services, education and training, luxury tourism, financial, logistics, and other modern services, high-tech and smart agricultural production, the development of modern technical infrastructure, and especially new sectors based on Industry 4.0. The composition of imports and exports will begin to change as a result of FTAs being ratified and as the companies who moved from China in 2018 begin operations and production. Foreign investors will see customs duties lowered and in some cases eliminated over a period of time. Lower duties will help lower the cost of importing / exporting goods such as European wine or Vietnamese garments and will increase trade flows. In addition, the FTAs encourage more investment and trade through the reduction of non-tariff barriers and obstacles. For example, Vietnam will need to align with international standards in industries such as motor vehicles and pharmaceuticals. International Protection Agreements in the FTAs also provide more legal certainty for investors, which can lead to larger investment and projects in key industries. For investors, credibility and clarity are important. Vietnam will need to continue to improve its business and investment environment by improving institutions and reforming the legal framework and investment regulations. For example, dispute resolution and the enforcement and protection of intellectual property rights are key concerns for investors in Vietnam. As a low value add manufacturing destination, Vietnam will need to look at building a quality supply chain for components and processes similar to Chinas. It will need to invest more into education to increase workplace productivity, as upskilling workers will be vital to balance increasing labor costs, and investment into technology and research and development (R&D) will enable Vietnam to grow with the evolution of Industry 4.0. Finally, as cost pressures rise in major cities it will be important for Vietnam to continue to invest in infrastructure such as ports, airports, road and rail, as well as industrial land in more regional areas. As a rapidly growing country, Vietnam doesnt have the same level of legal framework and support for companies as more developed countries may have. As such, I always advise foreign investors to do their research and leverage the knowledge and services of experts in markets who have the experience with the many complexities and myriad laws when doing business in Vietnam. TRENT DAVIES/Manager, International Business Advisory, Dezan Shira & Associates Vietnam Economic Times Vietnam was looking for measures to expand rice exports to China after witnessing a fall in export volume to the market since 2018. Workers stack bags of rice (Photo: baodauthau.vn) Do Ha Nam, Deputy Chairman of the Vietnam Food Association, said at a conference about rice trade between Vietnam and China in Ho Chi Minh City on May 6 that Vietnamese exporters were struggling to access the Chinese market despite China's massive demand for rice. Since 2018, Vietnams rice exports to China have dropped to 1.3 million tonnes, down from a record high of 3 million tonnes. Nam attributed the decline to changes in Chinas import policies which required firms to be licensed to export to the market. We need to be regularly updated with market information to have measures to boost rice exports to China, Nam said. He said he hoped that more firms would be licensed to export rice to China in the near future, adding that many firms could now meet Chinas requirements. At the moment, only 22 Vietnamese firms are licensed to sell rice in China. Pham Thai Binh, General Director of Trung An Hi-tech Agriculture Joint Stock Company, said Vietnamese export firms need to be provided with more detailed information about Chinas rice import demand including consumption volume and rice types to craft appropriate production plans. The conference was held within the framework of a four-day exchange programme between Vietnam and China focusing on rice trade, jointly held by the Ministry of Industry and Trade and Chinas food associations as more than a dozen Chinese rice import firms are visiting Vietnam from May 6-10. Tran Quoc Toan, Deputy Director of the Import-Export Department under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, said the programme was a significant opportunity for Vietnamese firms to learn about the Chinese markets demand for rice, network with Chinese importers and reduce intermediary stages in the export process. Vietnams rice exports in the January to April period were estimated at 2.03 million tonnes, worth 866 million USD, down by 7.9 percent in volume and 21.7 percent in value over the same period last year. The average rice export price dropped by 72.7 USD per tonne to 430.1 USD. Vietnams rice exports to China in the period reached only 43,300 tonnes, worth 20.8 million USD, representing drops of 89.5 percent in volume and 90.4 percent in value. Chinese rice importers visit Vietnam A delegation of some 20 Chinese rice importers is visiting Vietnam for trade connection and promotion activities between May 6 and 10. The delegation, led by representatives of the China Food Industry Association (CNFIA), is scheduled to make field trips to a number of rice processing facilities in An Giang, Long An, and Dong Thap provinces in Vietnams rice granary Mekong Delta region. They will attend a trade connection workshop in An Giang on May 9. Their visit, made at the invitation of the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT), is part of a programme co-organised by the MoITs Export-Import Agency and Department of Asian and African Markets; Vietnams trade promotion office in Beijing; the industry and trade departments of the three delta provinces; the Vietnam Food Association; and CNFIA. Previously, the MoIT had invited four similar delegations to make trips to Vietnamese rice hubs. They gathered representatives from Chinese provinces that have high demand for rice imports such as Anhui, Guangdong, Yunnan, and Fujian. These programmes are opportunities to introduce Vietnams facilities, capacity, and trademark in the industry. In 2018, Vietnams total rice exports reached 6.15 million tonnes, with the export turnover of 3.15 billion USD. The industry saw 5.7 percent and 19.6 percent increases in volume and value compared to 2017, respectively. China was the biggest rice importer of Vietnam last year, but was surpassed by the Philippines in the first quarter of 2019. VNA/VNS Vietnamese banks are stepping up plans to expand their markets globally instead of focusing only on the Indochinese region. Vietcombank officially plans to open a branch in Australia this year (Photo: Vietcombank) At a recent annual general shareholders meeting, Chairman of the Commercial Joint Stock Bank for Foreign Trade of Vietnam (Vietcombank) Nghiem Xuan Thanh said the bank planned to open a branch in Australia this year. Vietcombank is also expected to open a representative office in the US in July 2019 after receiving approval from the US Federal Reserve. With the expected launch, Vietcombank will become the first commercial bank in Vietnam to set up a representative office in the US. Vietcombank launched its first overseas bank in Laos in October last year, besides representative offices in Singapore and Hong Kong. The Sai Gon-Hanoi Commercial Joint Stock Bank (SHB) has also submitted a plan to shareholders to set up a wholly-owned bank or contribute capital to a credit institution in the Ivory Coast to enter the African market. SHBs leader said the number of Vietnamese firms investing in the Ivory Coast had increased recently, mainly focusing on building processing factories to serve export and import activities. The demand for capital and international payment activities have also increased quickly, and SHB wanted to seize the opportunity. SHB will also open wholly-owned banks in Laos and Cambodia. The two markets are the top investment destinations chosen by many other Vietnamese banks over the years thanks to significant overseas investment by Vietnamese firms in those markets, such as the Commercial Joint Stock Bank for Industry and Trade of Vietnam (VietinBank), Commercial Joint Stock Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam (BIDV), Sai Gon Thuong Tin Commercial Joint Stock Bank (Sacombank), and Military Commercial Joint Stock Bank (MB). Statistics from the Foreign Investment Agency under the Ministry of Planning and Investment showed that in the first four months of this year, the finance and banking sector ranked second in overseas investment by Vietnamese firms with total registered capital of 36 million USD, accounting for 24.1 percent of the countrys total overseas investment. Experts forecast free trade agreements (FTAs), especially the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership and the EU-Vietnam FTA, would contribute to increasing Vietnams overseas investment significantly. Financial and banking expert Can Van Luc said FTAs were opening significant opportunities for businesses investing abroad, facilitating banks to open branches in foreign countries to provide banking services. Under the banking development strategy to 2025 with a vision to 2030 approved by the Prime Minister, Vietnam aims to have at least two-three banks in Asias top 100 banks by assets and three-five banks listed on foreign stock exchanges.-VNS The draft law on Public-Private Partnership (PPP) is being composed by the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI), and will be submitted to the government in July. Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Duc Trung chairing the meeting on the draft law on PPP The draft law on Public-Private Partnership proposes to establish a fund for PPP projects to manage and operate state capital, as well as providing government guarantee to PPP projects (a contentious topic that drew support from seven out of 14 ministries) or set up a budget using mid-term public investment capital (which is approved by five of 14 ministries and agencies). Explaining the proposal, Nguyen Dang Truong, director general of the MPIs Public Procurement Agency, said that the current regulations are not flexible enough to allocate such a budget due to incongruities between PPP and public investment projects. State capital in PPP projects is mainly allocated from public investment capital, so all procurements must comply with the Law on Public Investment. The draft law on PPP also proposes government guarantees for PPP projects, which is not stipulated in the current regulations on PPP (Decree No.63/2018/ND-CP). Accordingly, the prime minister will decide whether to provide government guarantee for each project on a case-by-case basis. The draft proposed that in case revenue is less than the revenue necessary to break even, the government will guarantee 75 per cent of the break even revenue for the first five years of operation, and 65 per cent in the next five years. In case the revenue is far more than expected, the amount surpassing 125 per cent of the revenue to break even in the first five years of operation, and 135 per cent in the next five years will be collected by the state. However, at the second meeting of the Drafting Committee and the Editorial Team of the Law on PPP on May 4, 2019 at the headquarters of the MPI, representatives were largely divided about the issues of setting up the fund for PPP projects and the government guarantee. The representative of the Ministry of Transport spoke in favour of the fund and the guarantee, proposing changes to the ratios of the guarantee and replacing the government by third-party in the guarantee scheme. Meanwhile, deputy director general of the Department of General Economics of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs proposed balancing the rights, responsibilities, and benefits of both sides (public and private), which would mean the government guarantee for PPP projects would not be necessary, because both benefits and risks should be shared by the two sides. The representative of the State Bank of Vietnam highlighted foreign exchange guarantee, saying that it needs to be considered carefully, according to a representative of the State Bank of Vietnam. The representatives of ministries and agencies provided a great number of comments on the Draft Law on PPP, which includes 12 chapters and 113 articles focusing on the classification of PPP projects, setting up a state-level appraisal council, state budget allocation for PPP projects, government guarantees, BT (build-transfer) contracts, and post-checking, among others. PPP is a very complex legal area, involving numerous legal provisions that the new Law on PPP needs to align with. A lot of PPP projects have been deployed and reported good performance with several achievements, especially in transport, contributing to improving the countrys infrastructure. However, some shortcomings have been detected over the last three years. Related to measures on investment attraction, lessons from the success of some countries like South Korea, India, and the Philippines shows that the government should build a national strategy on specific support policies for PPP projects in addition to the usual tax and land incentive in the early period of PPP projects. Accordingly, these countries have established some mechanisms such as funds for offsetting financial shortages, contingency funds for government guarantees, and guarantees for minimum revenue. VIR The official rice logo of Vietnam was officially announced months ago, but local rice enterprises are still not allowed to use it since there are no guidelines for doing so. The official logo of Vietnamese rice, which was announced to the public in late 2018, has yet be introduced to local rice operators for use Do Ha Nam, vice chairman of the Vietnam Food Administration, told the Saigon Times that the logo had yet to be used due to the absence of official guidelines. It might take a few years for the National Office of Intellectual Property of Vietnam to issue legal guiding documents for the use of the logo, Nam said. Meanwhile, Lam Anh Tuan, director of Thinh Phat Food Company, said that he did not learn about the logo as he was not interested in it, adding that his customers did not require the logo on the companys rice products. Also, Director of Trung An Hi-tech Agricultural JSC Pham Thai Binh told the paper that his firm has exported rice without using Vietnamese rice brand labels. Similar to Tuan, the head of the Trung An firm, confirmed that he did not study the use of the logo and added that local rice firms were not in need of it. Earlier, nearly VND130 billion was proposed to adopt a draft law on managing and developing Vietnamese rice, including developing the national rice brand, adopting brand protection solutions for local rice brands, supporting local rice operators with brand protection registration on the global market and promoting Vietnamese rice brands among companies and consumers at home and abroad. As part of the draft law, the Agro Processing and Market Development Authority, under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, in late 2018 organized a contest where contestants were encouraged to create a logo symbolizing the nations rice brand at a rice festival held in Long An Province. The official logo was announced to the public, marking the first appearance of a Vietnamese rice brand, though the country has ranked among the top rice exporters in the world for decades. The ministry then issued Decision No.1499 in the same year, stipulating regulations on how to use the national certified rice brand. According to the ministrys decision, individuals and organizations are allowed to use the national certified rice brand if they have been granted business licenses or investment registration certificates for rice production, processing and operating activities. SGT Bamboo Airways, which joined the domestic market in late 2018, has had a clash with Vietnam Airlines, the veteran. A document obtained by Bamboo Airways shows that Vietnam Airlines has denounced the new industry player for scrambling to hire pilots. The former has offered to pay high wages to obtain pilots working for Vietnam Airlines and does not have to spend money to train the pilots. Analysts say the establishment of new air carriers is the main reason behind the battle for pilots. Vietnam Airlines has repeatedly complained that its pilots have left for other airlines which offer higher pay. A well known Facebooker stated that he will break off with Bamboo after hearing that Dam Vinh Hung, a pop star, was chosen to become the brand ambassador of the air carrier. The Facebooker said the image of Hung wont be suitable for a civilized business. The establishment of new air carriers is the main reason behind the battle for pilots. Vietnam Airlines has repeatedly complained that its pilots have left for other airlines which offer higher pay. Bamboo has denied this. However, an analyst commented that in marketing, ill repute sometimes is associated with popularity. In this case, the airline might intend to use the image of the influencer, who is also well known for many scandals, to attract the publics attention. He said that in the technology era, there are many ways for Bamboo to catch the publics attention. KFC is an example. The fast food company has said goodbye to old images and built up new images with digital influencers. Bamboo, in order to compete with the big players in the market, needs something special to attract passengers. However, the airline, when showing images of officers, may not follow the same path as Vietjet Air. After the image of Ngoc Trinh and famous female models in bikinis appeared in the Vietjet Air brand on mass media, the air carriers business performance thrived. The private airline quickly got 29 percent of aviation market share, and the figure rose to 40 percent after seven years of operation. Before Vietjet joined the market, Vietnam Airlines controlled the aviation market with 70 percent of market share. However, Vietjet, with creative and daring marketing strategy, Vietjet made a big jump, surpassing Jetstar Pacific, which is an older airline. The marketing strategy is so famous that foreign media now call Vietjet Air the bikini airline which helped it become well known in the world. With the low cost carrier positioning, the airline attracts a high number of young passengers. The strategy followed by Vietjet Air was applied successfully by Virgin Atlantic in the UK, which competed with British Airways. RELATED NEWS Pilots job-hopping causing problems for Vietnamese airlines Is Vietnam Airlines ready for non-stop flights to the US? Mai Lan FDI is expected to see something of a boom this year but the focus needs to remain on quality over quantity. The owner of the AEON retail chain, Japans AEON Financial Service (AFS) Co., plans to expand its investment in Vietnams financial market through mergers and acquisitions. It views Vietnam as a key investment destination in Southeast Asia and also expects to pour some $5 billion into shopping malls around the country, raising the total to 30 from an initial target of just 20. Many other foreign-invested enterprises are following suit by seeking to invest or expanding existing investments in Vietnam. During a meeting with 30 leading global corporations at the Vietnam Economic Dialogue held on the sidelines of WEF Davos 2019 last January, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc expressed a hope that they would contribute to improving the quality of FDI in Vietnam. This includes boosting technology transfer and raising the capacity of domestic industry through joining global supply chains and utilizing opportunities from Industry 4.0. His call was part of a move towards next-generation FDI attraction, as the foreign sector is a key part of the economy and Vietnam hopes it will develop in the long term and be truly beneficial. Investment coming in According to the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI), Vietnam has attracted 26,500 FDI projects from 129 countries and territories in the last 30 years, with total capital standing at $350 billion. Major projects include those invested by Siemens, Novatis, Carlsberg, Mitsubishi, Toyota, LG, GE, and Ford. With disbursed capital at $185 billion, FDI has contributed notably to development and boosted economic growth and local resources. It has accounted for 25 per cent of all social development investment capital in this time and 20 per cent of GDP. In the context of global trade and investment flows fluctuating due to US-China trade tensions, FDI in Vietnam reached $35.46 billion in 2018; virtually unchanged from the record level received in 2017. This is very much a positive sign for the economy, according to local economists. Of all FDI capital last year, $18 billion went to 3,064 new projects and $7.59 billion was in additional capital in 1,169 existing projects. Foreign investors are keen on pouring investment capital into Vietnam, said Dr. Nguyen Mai, Chairman of the Vietnam Association of Foreign Invested Enterprises (VAFIE). This keenness has a foundation: the changes in the countrys business environment. Over the last two years, the government has made significant efforts to improve the business environment and reform and simplify administrative procedures. One attribute of FDI is that it alters the economic structure and accelerates modernization and industrialization in different localities. Twenty years after being re-established, economic growth in southern Binh Duong province has reached about 14.5 per cent, partly thanks to the FDI sector, according to the Chairman of the Provincial Peoples Committee Tran Thanh Liem. The province has attracted more than 3,500 FDI projects in total, with registered capital of over $32.5 billion; the third-highest in the country, according to MPI. In 2018 alone, the FDI sector contributed more than 49.6 per cent of the provinces social investment capital and 20 per cent of its budget revenue. The northern province of Bac Ninh, meanwhile, ranked seventh out of Vietnams 63 cities and provinces in terms of total FDI attraction as at 2018. FDI has become a dynamic economic sector that makes a major contribution to the provinces socioeconomic development, helping to increase its gross regional domestic product (GRDP) and creating 285,000 jobs for local people. The province has also been the most-favored investment destination of Japanese investors such as Canon, Sumitomo, and Acecook in recent years. The FDI sector has generated 72 per cent of total export value to date and created some 3.5 million direct jobs and 5 million indirect jobs, MPI reports. In the last 30 years, a host of foreign investment projects have transferred advanced technology and management experience and had certain spillover effects on domestic industry, contributing to improvements in technology and governance. Obstacles linger Despite its achievements, issues remain for the FDI sector to overcome. Links with and the spillover effects on domestic industry remain low and fall short of expectations. Barriers include a lack of qualified domestic suppliers in terms of innovation capacity and management, an absence of industry-ready skills such as technical, language, soft, and quality management skills, and there being too few integrated local supply chains, which affect the competitiveness of local firms, Mr. Kyle Kelhofer, IFC Country Manager for Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, told a conference on FDI policy held in February in Binh Duong province. Numerous matters relating to policies and its business climate also hinder Vietnam in realizing the potential FDI offers, he went on. While the overall policy framework is clear, implementation remains weak, as evidenced by the recurrence of challenges identified several years ago. Horizontal weaknesses include extensive overlaps between ministries, manifested in a lack of convening power, and extensive fragmentation as a result of poor cooperation and coordination. Vertically, ineffective coordination and synchronization along with potentially wasteful overlaps between national and sub-national levels perpetuate a race to the bottom when it comes to incentives. Vietnam has decided to give top priority to high-quality FDI inflows, in a move to trigger spillover effects in domestic industry. Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung has firmly stated that Vietnam will no longer seek FDI at any cost. Disbursed capital increased last year while registered capital was down, indicating that the government is indeed determined to achieve sustainable economic development and has prioritized high-tech projects and those causing less environmental pollution. It will also seek to lure large projects of transnational corporations that are strong enough to promote the development of the domestic economic sector and of support industries by connecting FDI enterprises with domestic partners, he said, adding that this requires consistent cooperation between relevant authorities and localities. CPTPP in play Anh: Despite the fact that the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) will boost investment flows into Vietnam, there is still a question of how the country takes advantage of the benefits from capital inflows to develop the local business community. We do not want to see a scenario where the country attracts more investment and achieves an increase in exports, but local firms only earn a small share of the profits, said Mr. Nguyen Anh Duong from the Central Institute for Economic Management. Vietnam should select appropriate partners and focus on sectors with potential and advantages. Local economists said a new approach to FDI strategy is needed for the country to be active in promoting and attracting FDI. Investment promotion activities need to be focused, implemented at the national, interdisciplinary, and inter-regional level, and follow product value chains, said a representative from MPIs Foreign Investment Agency. For priority sectors and areas targeted to attract investment from multi-national corporations, investment in specific sites should be promoted to meet investors requirements regarding accurate information, which they use in decision making. Mr. Kelhofer also said that most FDI projects in Vietnam are focused on manufacturing and should be shifted to high added value sectors such as finance and research and development (R&D), among others. In the new context, Vietnams existing advantages in attracting FDI will be gradually diminished, requiring a new approach in next-generation FDI attraction with better corporate governance, highly-skilled workers, and higher quality standards. He also recommended that Vietnam ensure the efficient operation of FDI enterprises and the utilization of free trade agreements. Similarly, Mr. Young-sup Joo, former Minister of Small-and Medium-Sized Enterprises and Startups in South Korea, said Vietnam should focus on attracting FDI in R&D. He expects local enterprises to become partners instead of being contractors for FDI enterprises in various fields. The government must continue to improve business and investment transparency and safeguard intellectual property rights, because investors from developed countries, including the US, often demand a transparent and consistent investment and legal environment, according to Mr. Nguyen Van Toan from VAFIE. It is also necessary to put investment protection regulations into laws, since multinationals with high-tech projects are particularly interested in this, he said. They must be assured that their legitimate rights will be protected. Japanese firms operating in Asia see Vietnam as the most attractive investment destination, thanks to the countrys high economic growth, strengthening position as a production hub, and large consumer market, according to the latest survey from the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) released on March 4. Both newly-founded firms and those established prior to 2010 want to expand operations, which means Vietnam continues to be an important investment destination for Japanese enterprises, Mr. Kitagawa Hironobu, Chief Representative of JETRO Hanoi, told a press conference in Hanoi on the surveys release. The survey revealed that many Japanese enterprises were profitable last year, with the number being in the black rising 0.2 percentage point compared to 2017, and that the result is the fourth-highest among the 20 surveyed countries and regions, preceded by the Philippines, China and Malaysia. Of 630 respondents across East Asia, Southeast Asia, India, and Australia, 35.7 per cent chose Vietnam as the most promising economy for investment - far above the 17.8 per cent that selected second-ranked India. Once firms establish themselves in Vietnam, they believe they can then consider expanding their operations into Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar, the survey found. FDI inflows from Japan are expected to increase, according to local economists, thanks to the CPTPP. As such, along with trade improvements, the markets open to Vietnam are huge, and investment expansion is the way Japan will utilize the opportunities from the agreement. Japanese investors are especially focused on investing in industry, manufacturing, and high-tech, in which the government will facilitate projects based on high technology, source technology, and high added value. VN Economic Times PM calls for upholding Dien Bien Phu victory spirit for development Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has highlighted the historical significance of the Dien Bien Phu victory on May 7, 1954, and outlined four key tasks to accomplish the goals set for national construction and defence 65 years after the world-breaking event. In an article, PM Phuc wrote that the victory is one of the resplendent pinnacles and glorious feats in the history of fighting invaders, deserving to go into the history as Bach Dang, Chi Lang, Dong Da victories in Ho Chi Minh era. It was the victory of the aspiration for peace, independence, freedom; the strong will of self-reliance; the national liberation and peoples democracy movement across the world, he said, adding that this can be taken as a decisive blow to shatter imperialists and colonialists evil invasion ambition, forcing the French government to sign the Geneva Agreement and ending the war in Indochina, opening up a new chapter for Vietnamese revolution. It was an important event signaling the complete collapse of old colonialism all over the world. The Government leader described the victory of the Dien Bien Phuc campaign as one of patriotism, the Partys proper and creative peoples war policy, the power of the great national unity, the loyal combatant solidarity among Vietnamese, Lao and Cambodian armies and peoples, and support from international friends. Amid the challenges in the new context, the PM called on the entire Party, people and army to continue standing united and strive to achieve goals, with four key tasks. The first is to persistently pursue the goal of national independence and socialism, effectively carrying out the Partys comprehensive and concerted reform policy. The second is to continue improving the operation efficiency of the entire political system, upholding the power of the great national unity in the new condition, and inspiring the ambition to grow up by the Vietnamese nation. The building of a solid and modern all-people national defence posture which lays the foundation for safeguarding the nation is the third task, PM Phuc said, adding that the final task is to pay regular attention to building peoples armed forces, with revolutionary, elite and modern peoples army and public security as the core, contributing to successfully fulfilling the national defence task in the new situation. On the occasion of the 65th anniversary of Dien Bien Phu victory, the PM expressed his gratitude to President Ho Chi Minh and predecessors, as well as the army and people nationwide for their dedication and sacrifices in the struggle for national independence and reunification. Chairwoman of the National Assembly (NA) Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan met with Crown Princess of Sweden Victoria Ingrid Alice Desiree, who is on an official visit to Vietnam, in Hanoi on Monday. Chairwoman of the National Assembly (NA) Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan welcomes Crown Princess of Sweden Victoria Ingrid Alice Desiree, who is on an official visit to Vietnam, in Hanoi on Monday.VNA/VNS Photo Trong Duc The host welcomed the Crown Princess, her spouse and the Swedish delegation who are visiting Vietnam to celebrate the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties. She expressed her belief the trip will intensify traditional relations. Vietnam and Sweden boast time-honoured friendship, founded by then President Ho Chi Minh and Prime Minister Olof Palme and nurtured by the two peoples over the past five decades. Sweden was the first western country to establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam, she stressed, adding that Vietnam had not forgotten the image of thousands of Swedish people taking to the streets to protest the American War in Vietnam. Chairwoman Ngan thanked the Swedish Royal Family, government and people for supporting Vietnam, especially via non-refundable aid totalling more than US$3 billion. She also appreciated the European nations assistance in boosting relations with international financial and monetary organisations. Crown Princess Victoria voiced her delight at the development of bilateral connections, noting it was her first visit to Vietnam. The delegation of 50 Swedish firms wishes to discuss not only business partnerships but also sustainable development, she said. Chairwoman Ngan noted that Sweden is an important partner of Vietnam in the EU, with bilateral trade reaching $1.5 billion in 2018. Meanwhile, Sweden now has 67 investment projects worth $364 million in Vietnam. These figures remained modest and had yet to match the full potential of co-operation, she said, noting her hope that the businesses accompanying the Princess would have opportunities to learn about the local investment-business climate. The NA leader said she believed once the EU-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) is signed and ratified, bilateral trade would increase. The host also affirmed that Vietnam was reforming its legal and administrative systems to create a solid legal framework and fair environment for foreign businesses, including Swedish firms, to operate. At the meeting, members of the Swedish delegation noted more than 50,000 tourists from their country came to Vietnam last year, and Swedish companies have created more than 120,000 jobs here. They also said Sweden treasured its co-operation with Vietnam a country with important standing in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Vietnam was ready to serve as a bridge between Sweden and ASEAN, Chairwoman Ngan affirmed, also asking Sweden to assist her country in coping with rising sea levels and other environmental protection issues. Meeting the Vice President On the same day, Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh and the Crown Princess discussed measures to step up co-operation between Vietnam and Sweden during their meeting. Vice President Thinh said the visit was an important event in an array of activities to mark the 50th anniversary of the two countries diplomatic ties (1969-2019). Host and guest reviewed bilateral co-operation and agreed that it has expanded beyond politics-diplomacy and trade-investment to culture-education, bringing benefits to their people. They asserted their determination to develop it. Thinh suggested the two sides continue to maintain the exchange of high-level visits to help drive bilateral co-operation in various fields. She relayed the regards and invitation to visit Vietnam from Party General Secretary, President Nguyen Phu Trong to the King and Queen of Sweden. Crown Princess Victoria spoke highly of Vietnams socio-economic development and international integration achievements, affirming that Sweden places importance on developing its ties with Vietnam. The two sides agreed to work together to help their businesses to seek more investment and business partnerships, especially in the processing and support industries, science-technology, education-training, healthcare, environment, smart urban construction and information-communications. Thinh asked Sweden to continue supporting the settlement of disputes by peaceful means based on international law to maintain peace, security and navigation freedom and safety in the East Sea. She also asked Sweden to back Vietnams run for a non-permanent member seat at the United Nations Security Council for the 2020-21 term. She proposed Sweden continue providing favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community to live, do business and integrate into the host society. Late on the day, Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh and her spouse hosted a banquet for Crown Princess Victoria Ingrid Alice Desiree and her spouse and entourage. VNS Sherry Rehman presented Amendment Bill 2019 Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Parliamentary Leader in Senate Sherry Rehman on Monday presented the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2019 (Substitution of Article 84), in the Senate. The bill aims at substituting Article 84 of the constitution to curtail the practice of expenditures in excess and that of supplementary grants, except in dire need or uncertainty. Speaking on the floor of the House, Sherry said, Parliaments have the authority to pass supplementary budgets under emergency situations and that is exactly what Article 84 is, an emergency clause. But now, it is continuously being exploited. This cannot be the new normal. Entire budgets should be passed after undergoing parliamentary oversight. In the UK as well as in the neighbouring India, supplementary grants pass through the parliament. We have noticed that over the past 10 years, the supplementary grants are dramatically increasing. So much so, that in the last fiscal year, supplementary grants increased by 93% as compared to 2017. This is taxpayers money. How can such a substantial increase in supplementary grants bypass the parliament? Sherry asked. She said the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insafs (PTIs) former finance minister had also acknowledged that in the interests of better governance, supplementary grants should be phased out. However, he was unable to do it and the incoming finance minister has already passed some supplementary grants in the ECC meeting, she said. We have seen in the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) that there is a growing reliance on supplementary grants amongst institutions. Ideally, the National Assembly should be authorising this, but presently it falls on the PAC. The National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee will convene its 34th session in Hanoi from May 8-10, according to the NA Office. Anh: A press release said that during this session, the NA Standing Committee will continue discussing the draft law on amendments and supplements to some articles of the Law on Public Investment, and start debating the draft Labour Code (revised), and Vietnams joining the International Labour Organisations Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention No.98. Member of the committee are expected to review a report on the settlement of voters opinions sent to the legislatures sixth session, and another on voters opinions sent to the seventh session. They will also exchange opinions on the Governments report on adding assessments on the implementation of the 2018 socio-economic development and state budget plan, and assessing the implementation of the socio-economic development and state budget plan in the first months of 2019. Participants will also consider the allocation of funds from the state budget to local budgets for road management and maintenance, and the foreign capital supplement of 2019 state budget estimates for the central province of Ha Tinh. The NA Standing Committee is hoped to approve a list of projects using the reserve middle-term public investment for 2016-2020 from the state budget, as well as the addition of a new list to the middle-term public investment for 2016-2020; while also discussing the use of 10 trillion VND (431.7 million USD) saved from decreases in investments for the nations important projects under the legislatures Resolution No.71/2018/QH14. In addition, the committee will also consider the establishment of several administrative units in the southern province of Dong Nai, including Dau Giay township in Thong Nhat district, Nhon Trach township in Nhon Trach district, and six wards in Bien Hoa city. NA Chairwoman chairs meeting to review law making resolution National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan has asked the steering committee on building a project to review Resolution No.48-NQ/TW to acquire feedback and review the 10-year implementation of the resolution this year. The resolution was adopted by the ninth tenure of the Politburo on May 24, 2005, featuring the strategy to refine Vietnamese law by 2010 with orientations to 2020. During the committees first session in Hanoi on May 6, NA Chairwoman Ngan, who is also its head, agreed to hold more seminars on the field and set aside time for fact-finding trips to various localities. She requested that law making and fine-tuning should be done in line with documents adopted by the 10th, 11th, and 12th Party Congresses; the Party Central Committees resolutions; and the Politburo and Secretariats conclusions. The review of the resolutions implementation aims to improve the efficiency of legal enforcement towards building documents for the 13th National Party Congress. Participants said the review must closely follow the six orientations on further implementation of the Vietnamese law building strategy for the 2016-2020 period and tasks set in the Politburos Conclusion No.01 dated April 4, 2016. Focus should be given to considering and refining socialist-oriented market economy mechanisms, basic reform of law making and enforcement, building a strong and healthy State, the exercise of human rights and citizens rights to freedom and democracy, and ensuring national defence-security and global integration. The committee assigned tasks to its members, as well as presented opinions on reports reviewing the resolution implementation by Party units at the central and grassroots levels. The Prime Minister of Nepal, K P Sharma Oli, and his spouse will pay an official visit to Vietnam and attend the UN Day of Vesak 2019 to be held in the country from May 9 to 13 at the invitation of Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc. Prime Minister of Nepal, K P Sharma Oli (Source: nepal24hours) Vesak 2019, or the 16th UN Day of Vesak, will be celebrated at the Tam Chuc Buddhism Culture Centre in Kim Bang district of northern Ha Nam province from May 12-14. According to the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, around 500 foreign delegations with about 1,650 members from 112 countries and territories will attend the Vesak 2019 celebration, together with 15,000-20,000 domestic Buddhist followers and people. More than 500 speeches by domestic and foreign scholars will be delivered at the events meetings. The Vesak 2019 celebration is themed Buddhist Approach to Global Leadership and Shared Responsibilities for Sustainable Societies. It will be the third time the UNs commemoration of Vesak is held in Vietnam. Previously, it took place in Hanoi in 2008 and the northern province of Ninh Binh in 2014. The UN General Assembly on December 15, 1999 recognised the Day of Vesak to celebrate the thrice-sacred event of the life of the Buddha Gautama and to acknowledge the contributions Buddhism, one of the oldest religions in the world, has made to humanity. The UN Day of Vesak was first celebrated in 2001.-VNA The official visit to Vietnam by Crown Princess of Sweden Victoria Ingrid Alice Desiree and her spouse from May 6-8 is expected to foster the traditional friendship between the two countries. Crown Princess of Sweden Victoria Ingrid Alice Desiree and her spouse (Photo: royalcentral.co.uk) The visit is being made at the invitation of Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh on the occasion of the 50th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two nations (1969-2019), illustrating Vietnams appreciation of the role of the Swedish Royal Family and development of the long-standing friendly relations with the European country. Sweden became the first western country to recognise and establish diplomatic ties with Vietnam on January 11, 1969, at a time when Vietnam was fighting for national independence and reunification. Sweden was also the first western country to launch the strongest and earliest movements supporting Vietnams resistance war against the US from August 1966. In June 1970, Sweden opened its embassy in Hanoi and one month later, Vietnam opened its embassy in Stockholm, marking an important milestone in the bilateral relations, affirming the closeness and solidarity between the governments and people of the two countries. Sweden also took the lead in assisting Vietnam in the reform process right from its very first years in the fields of economic reform, finance, banking, economic management, administrative reform, and law; as well as actively supporting Vietnam to set up relations with international monetary and financial organisations, such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank (WB). In January 2014, the Swedish parliament ratified the Vietnam-EU Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA). In the field of development cooperation, Sweden has been the largest provider of non-refundable aids for Vietnam among north-western European countries (starting from 1967) with a total amount of over 3.5 billion USD, focusing on on healthcare, economic reform, institutional building, administrative reform, laws, human resources development, environment and climate change, anti-corruption, and rule-of-law state building. Over the past five decades, the bilateral traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation have been reinforced and developed across such fields as economy, trade, investment, energy, environment, culture, and education-training. In 2018, two-way trade surpassed 1.4 billion USD. Vietnam mainly exports farm produce, footwear, garment-textiles, timber products, and mobile phones and components to Sweden, while importing machinery and components for the industrial and telecommunication sectors from the European country. The flow of Swedish investment into Vietnam has surged in recent times. Sweden now ranks 34th out of 130 countries and territories investing in Vietnam. The Swedish projects have been being carried out in seven cities and provinces in Vietnam, namely Hanoi, Binh Duong, Ho Chi Minh City, Long An, Vinh Phuc, Da Nang, and Hung Yen. Vietnam and Sweden have signed a number of cooperation agreements in various realms, such as general principles for bilateral cooperation, double taxation avoidance, investment protection and encouragement, culture, science-technology, and aviation transport.VNA The Vice President of India, Venkaiah Naidu will pay an official visit to Vietnam and attend the UN Day of Vesak 2019 to be held in the country from May 9 to 12 at the invitation of Vietnamese Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh. Vice President of India Venkaiah Naidu will pay an official visit to Vietnam and attend the UN Day of Vesak 2019. (Photo: Indian Express) Vesak 2019, or the 16th UN Day of Vesak, will be celebrated at the Tam Chuc Buddhism Culture Centre in Kim Bang district of northern Ha Nam province from May 12-14. According to the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, around 500 foreign delegations with about 1,650 members from 112 countries and territories will attend the Vesak 2019 celebration, together with 15,000-20,000 domestic Buddhist followers and people. More than 500 speeches by domestic and foreign scholars will be delivered at the events meetings. The Vesak 2019 celebration is themed Buddhist Approach to Global Leadership and Shared Responsibilities for Sustainable Societies. It will be the third time the UNs commemoration of Vesak is held in Vietnam. Previously, it took place in Hanoi in 2008 and the northern province of Ninh Binh in 2014. The UN General Assembly on December 15, 1999 recognised the Day of Vesak to celebrate the thrice-sacred event of the life of the Buddha Gautama and to acknowledge the contributions Buddhism, one of the oldest religions in the world, has made to humanity. The UN Day of Vesak was first celebrated in 2001.-VNA The Aviva Community Fund, a corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme of the London-based Aviva insurance group, is set to finance 50 projects in Vietnam in 2019. The fund is going to provide 3 billion VND (129,000 USD) for 50 projects in the fields of environment, education and community health this year. The funding will be given at the levels of 1,500 USD, 3,000 USD, and 5,000 USD. At the event to introduce the plan in Ho Chi Minh City on May 6, General Director of Aviva Vietnam Paul George Nguyen said community-based projects in each locality will have certain effects when they are implemented by people and organisations in that locality. President of the Vietnam Red Cross Society Nguyen Thi Xuan Thu spoke highly of Avivas efforts for the sake of a better community through concrete programmes and actions. As a strategic partner of the Aviva Community Fund, the Red Cross Society hopes it can help realise practical ideas and projects, she noted. Speaking at the event, Consul General of the UK in HCM City Ian Gibbons said the UK and Vietnam have bilateral relations developing sustainably in many areas, including politics, economy and society. Their ties have been enhanced through many exchanges and trade promotion activities between businesses and state agencies. Aside from investment, British companies have always made efforts to practice their CSR in Vietnam, he said, noting that Avivas coordination with a prestigious organisation like the Red Cross Society will create chances to promote community-based projects to benefit local residents.-VNA The Investigation Police Department has decided to prosecute the case related to 149 Vietnamese citizens who fled to Taiwan to work illegally under tourist visas, and began legal proceedings against five involved defendants. The involved defendants (from left) Nguyen Xuan Hung, Nguyen Thi Thanh Ha, Nguyen Lam Sy (Source: vnexpress.net) According to the initial investigation, the Ho Chi Minh City-based International Holidays Trading Travel Co. Ltd worked alongside a Taiwanese partner to help the group obtain tourist visas. The investigation verified that the 149 Vietnamese citizens migrated to Taiwan to work illegally from December 21-23, 2018. The department ordered the prosecution, arrest and house search warrants for Tran Van Danh, 30, and Nguyen Thi Thanh Ha, 35, from Ho Chi Minh City; Nguyen Xuan Hung, 41, and Vu Nhat Tuan, 59, from Hanoi. Nguyen Lam Sy, 35, from Ho Chi Minh City, was also prosecuted. A search warrant for his house was also issued the same day, along with an order banning him from leaving his place of residence. All of the five were prosecuted for arranging for Vietnamese citizens to go overseas illegally, according to Article 349 of the 2015 Criminal Code. VNA As many as 1,650 delegates from 112 countries and territories worldwide have registered to attend the 16th United Nations Day of Vesak scheduled for May 12-14 in the northern province of Ha Nam, according to organisers. At the press conference During a press briefing at Tam Chuc Buddhism Culture Centre on May 6, Vice Chairman and Secretary General of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS)s Executive Council, Venerable Thich Duc Thien, who is also Secretary General of the International Committee for Day of Vesak, said the day will take the theme Buddhisms Approach to Global Leadership and Shared Responsibilities for Sustainable Societies. Nearly 400 speeches in English by foreign scholars and 110 others in Vietnamese will be presented at forums. The forums will focus on responsible leadership for sustainable societies; Buddhisms approach to harmonious families, education and responsible consumption; and Buddhism and the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The Vesak 2019 celebration will include spiritual cultural activities such as traditional Buddha bathing, prayers for national peace and prosperity, a lantern releasing night for world peace and photo exhibitions on pagodas recognised as world heritages in Vietnam. Buddhist followers and visitors to the event will be delivered free lunch boxes. The event will be an important diplomatic event to improve the role of the VBS amid the global integration as well as enhance ties between the VBS and other Buddhist Sanghas in the world. It will also afford Vietnam a chance to introduce its culture, history and people to international friends.-VNA The Peoples Court of Ho Chi Minh City opened on May 7 the first-instance trial on a drug trafficking and production ring, the biggest of its kind in Vietnam when being uncovered in 2017. Ringleader Van Kinh Duong (L) at the trial in HCM City on May 7 Ringleader Van Kinh Duong, born in 1980, was prosecuted for illegally producing and trafficking drugs, swindling to appropriate assets, escaping from prison, and counterfeiting seals and documents of agencies and organisations. His fiancee Vu Hoang Anh Ngoc, his cousin Nguyen Duc Ky Nam and seven other accomplices were also brought to trial. According to the indictment, Duong was sentenced to five years in prison for robbery by the court of Hanois Hoan Kiem district in 2008. While serving the penalty, Duong was found to store drugs on October 11 the same year, so he was given another seven-year prison sentence. While being imprisoned in Thanh Hoa province, he and four inmates managed to escape. In HCM City, under the name of Tran Ngoc Hieu, Duong rented an apartment in a high-end residential area. In June 2016, he got acquainted with a person named Tom at a bar. After that, they discussed and agreed to produce methamphetamine to supply for smugglers. Later, Duong ordered his men to rent a villa and buy chemicals to produce crystal meth. The gang changed their production location constantly to avoid being uncovered, from HCM City to Nha Trang city (Khanh Hoa province) and then Dong Nai province. In 2017, police of HCM City arrested the whole gang following a tip-off. Investigation results showed that Duong and his accomplices extracted 124kg of drugs. About 84kg of the drugs was given to Tom and the rest was used to produce nearly 500,000 ecstasy tablets which weighed 120kg in total and were concealed in coffee bags. Before they were arrested, the ring had sold 18kg of the drugs in Hai Phong city. The remaining was hidden at their living places and given to accomplices to deliver to buyers. The trial is scheduled to last until May 14.-VNA Several airlines are to open additional domestic and international air routes to popular destinations across Asia ahead of the start of the tourism season this summer. As of May 29, budget airline Vietjet Air will begin operating a HCM City-Bali air route with five return flights per week from the Indonesian city with a flight time of four hours. The flights will be scheduled to depart from HCM City at 8:05 and arrive in Bali at 13:05 (local time) while return flights will leave Bali at 14:05 (local time) and land in HCM City at 17:05. The first direct air route from Vietnam to Bali will help passengers save time on transit in Kuala Lumpur or Bangkok. Furthermore, budget carrier Jetstar Pacific will put on flights connecting Da Nang to Phu Quoc and Thanh Hoa on May 24 and 25 respectively with two flights per week. On May 10, Vietnams newest airline Bamboo Airways is set to begin operating three new air routes from Hai Phong to Quy Nhon, HCM City, and Can Tho, with a return flight each day. Between May 2 and May 16 passengers will be able to purchase low-cost tickets at a price of VND200,000, excluding taxes and fees. This offer is applicable to economy class tickets departing between May 10 and May 16. The airline has also offered a discount of between 15 per cent to 39 per cent on business class fares from May 2 to July 31 on several routes such as Hanoi-Phu Quoc, Hanoi-Can Tho, Hanoi-HCM City, and HCM City-Quy Nhon. Bamboo Airways also launched the first flight connecting Hanoi with Incheon in the Republic of Korea on April 25. The airline also started operating flights to Taiwan from several cities in Vietnam such as Da Nang and Hanoi. Carrying on the trend, Air Asia also opened a new direct air route from Can Tho to Bangkok, Thailand, beginning from May 2. The route will have with three flights per day operating on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. With the new service, Can Tho has become the fifth city in Vietnam connected with Bangkok. A one-way ticket on AirAsias direct air service is priced from VND750,000, including taxes and fees. In addition to the Can Tho route, on May 1, the airline also opened a Nha Trang-Bangkok air route with one-way tickets on sale for the promotional price of VND810,000, including taxes and fees, for passengers booking tickets between May 1 and May 5. Ticketing agents in Hanoi are offering low-cost tickets on several routes from Hanoi to Vinh, Hue, and Da Nang in May at a price ranging between VND200,000 and VND700,000, excluding taxes and fees. Tickets to Nha Trang, Da Lat, and Phu Quoc have been booked by many passengers at the price of between VND1.2 million and VND1.6 million, excluding taxes and fees. VOV Uniform criteria for all provinces for FPCCI election The Senate Standing Committee on Commerce and Textile Industry on Monday called for uniform criteria for all provinces in terms of election and representation in the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI). The committee also observed that the tenure of one year for the president of the FPCCI was insufficient, and almost all the time was spent in the next election campaign. The committee members were of the view that the chambers of commerce had to be vibrant and have the primary task of promoting business and trade, and added that the FPCCI was asked to come up with its proposal on the same. The meeting was held under the chairmanship of Senator Mirza Muhammad Afridi at the Parliament House, and was attended among others by Leader of the House Senator Shibli Faraz; senators Nauman Wazir Khattak, Mian Ateeq Shaikh, Dilawar Khan, Ghous Muhammad Niazi and Ahmed Khan; Commerce Secretary Ahmed Sukhera; the FPCCI president; SLIC executive director; the NICL acting CEO and officials from the ministry and bodies concerned. The committee was given a detailed briefing on the role and functions of the FPCCI. The need to have a data and policy analysis wing and a formal mechanism to share recommendations among the FBR, the FPCCI and the Commerce Industry was emphasised. The members asked the FPCCI about the frequency of sharing recommendations and proposals and the percentage of their acceptance. They agreed that before entering into any agreement, thorough engagements and sessions should be held with chambers, associations and all stakeholders to get concrete proposals before finalising the agreement. The meeting was given a briefing on the China-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement Phase-II by the Ministry of Commerce and Textile Industry, and the duty-free access granted by China to Pakistan. The committee was told that extensive sessions with local industries and associations were held and opinion from all stakeholders was taken. The committee was informed that the FTA-II not only granted free access to a huge market but also had provisions for protecting the local industry. Senator Dilawar Khan remarked that an industrial unit in Pakistan had stated producing a self-destructing syringe, which was not available in many countries, and had won the UNO tender. The committee noted that in cases like these, where local industry was producing efficient products, it should be protected and export on similar items should be banned to promote indigenous people and employment. LA CROSSE, Wis. Gundersen Health System and Marshfield Clinic Health System are discussing a merger that could impact care across Wisconsin, Northeast Iowa and southeastern Minnesota. The two organizations will spend the coming months working out details of a possible merger that could create a health system led by more than 2,000 clinicians and with more than 19,000 total employees. Gunderson has health clinics in Fayette, a hospital in West Union, Decorah, Calmar, Lansing and Postville in Northeast Iowa. While Marshfield Clinic Health System and Gundersen Health System already have a similar mission, vision and values, both organizations realize the unique opportunity. The combined strength through a merger could bring together the best pieces of both organizations in todays highly competitive and ever-changing health-care environment, officials said. We realize the success of our journey to provide high-quality, outstanding experience, and affordable care to enrich lives and enhance the health of the communities we serve relies on working with many partners in a variety of ways, says Scott Rathgaber, M.D., chief executive officer, Gundersen Health System. This opportunity to unite promises the potential to magnify our impact and bring our care model to even more communities by leveraging the strengths of two mission-driven systems with more than a century of commitment to rural health care. Gundersen Health System and Marshfield Clinic Health System have spent years improving health care access in rural areas through telehealth services, the enhancement of critical access hospitals and clinics in small communities, recruiting and retaining clinicians to practice in rural areas, and many other initiatives. Over the last few years, we have worked relentlessly to position ourselves for the future and create a better framework for serving our patients and communities, says Susan Turney, MD, chief executive officer, Marshfield Clinic Health System. While at the same time, the disruption in the industry and competitive nature of health care has made it vital we construct a dynamic and strong integrated health system. This merger would give us an opportunity to combine the unique strengths of our systems to become the preeminent rural healthcare organization in the country. If they merge, Gundersen Health System and Marshfield Clinic Health System would have more than 19,000 employees, 13 hospitals and more than 100 clinics, including medical clinics, eye centers, dental centers, urgent care locations and pharmacies. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 2 Sad 0 Angry 0 JIM FREY with Jim Frey Fish Hatchery in West Union was awarded a $9,000 grant from the North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program for the project, Development and Testing of a Drainable Floating Fish Tank for Fish Culture in Deep Water Bodies. This grant was awarded as part of NCR-SAREs Farmer Rancher Grant Program. BRIANNA SCHAEFER and MATT WIEBKE joined PIPAC Health & Life Brokerage in Cedar Falls. Schaefer, a graduate of the University of Northern Iowa, is an executive assistant in the agent relations department. She has multiple years of experience in customer service. Wiebke joined the marketing department as a graphic designer. He has more than six years of experience in design. RYAN SHAW, an investment adviser representative and partner at Financial Resource Advisors, Waterloo, was awarded the accredited investment fiduciary designation from the Center for Fiduciary Studies. Shaw has been providing financial strategies and solutions to the Cedar Valley since 2005. PHILL NIEMAN, a project manager and safety director at Peters Construction, was appointed to the Construction Safety Specialists Inc. Board of Directors. Nieman graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a degree in construction management and has been with Peters Construction for nine years. MONICA BOYER joined the Cedar Falls Schools Foundation as executive director. Boyer, of Cedar Falls, earned a bachelor of fine arts degree from Iowa State University in 2009 and was a marketing specialist at Waverly Health Center for eight years. ANDREA HUNE-MULLER, RN, joined Care Initiatives Hospice-Waterloo as an RN case manager. A Cedar Falls native, Hunemuller received her RN from Hawkeye Community College. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 CEDAR FALLS The Country Good Timers will host a country music jam session from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, with classic country music to dance to and enjoy, at the Cedar Falls Community Center, in the 500 block of Main Street. Everyone is welcome. Quota Club sets volunteer dates WATERLOO Members of the Quota Club will volunteer at the Northeast Iowa Food Bank, 1605 Lafayette St., from 5 to 7 p.m. May 14, June 13 and June 27. Everyone is welcome to participate; ask for Marge. For more information, go to waterlooquota.com. MS Society sets group meeting WATERLOO The Waterloo/Cedar Falls chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society will have a support group meeting from 5:30 to 8 p.m. May 16 at the Highway 63 Diner, 3030 Marnie Ave. Everyone is responsible for the cost of their own meal. RSVPs are needed for this event. Call 235-8946 by May 15. All patients, families, and anyone interested in learning more about multiple sclerosis is encouraged to attend. For more information and to RSVP call Shirl at 235-8946. Humane Society event May 19 WATERLOO The Cedar Bend Humane Society Adoption Center will offer a low-cost, low-income vaccination clinic May 19. Cat vaccinations will run from 9 to 11 a.m., and dog vaccinations will run from 1 to 4 p.m. Microchipping, stool sample for intestinal parasite testing, and heartworm tests will also be offered at a discounted rate. Pets must be 4 months or older to participate. No appointment is necessary. AAUW sale set May 17-18 CEDAR FALLS AAUW Cedar Falls-Waterloo branch will sponsor a plant and garage sale for its May meeting from noon to 6 p.m. May 17 and 8 a.m. to noon May 18 at 3819 S Main St., The sale will benefit the Transition Scholarship, awarded to one or more non-traditional female students attending Hawkeye Community College who will enroll at at the University of Northern Iowa in the fall. For more information about the scholarship, go to http://cedarfalls-ia.aauw.net. Cooking Camp at Hy-Vee WATERLOO A Rainbow Dippers Cooking Camp is planned for 9 a.m. to noon June 25 at the Ansborough Hy-Vee club room. The cooking camp is designed to help school-age children enjoy eating fruits and vegetables. Register and prepay at the customer service desk or call (319) 233-3266. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 WAVERLY A former Wartburg student has pleaded guilty to a series of groping attacks at a campus dorm in 2018. Bryan Patricio Malone, 23, currently of Minneapolis, pleaded guilty to third-degree sexual abuse, assault with intent to commit sexual abuse and fourth-degree theft on Monday in Bremer County District Court in Waverly, according to court officials. Sentencing will be in June. Under the plea arrangement, Malone will be sentenced to 10 years in prison, will be on lifetime parole and will have to register as a sex offender when he is released, according to Bremer County Attorney Kasey Wadding. Burglary charges will be dropped as part of the agreement. Malone had been a student at the college when authorities allege he used his ID card to access Grossman/Lohe Hall in the early morning hours of Feb. 4, 2018. Shortly after 6 a.m., female students began reporting that a man had entered their rooms and stroked their legs as they slept. One of the women told authorities the man groped her groin and buttocks. Another student who wasnt in her room that morning later found $300 in cash missing and a semen stain on her comforter, according to court records. Malone was identified through photos and a DNA match from the comforter. He was suspended and returned to Minnesota until his arrest in January. He has remained in jail since the arrest. Love 0 Funny 2 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 3 UPDATE: The jury came in shortly before 11 a.m and convicted Chad Little of first-degree murder for the beating death of 4-year-old Gracie Buss. -------------------- ORIGINAL STORY: WATERLOO Jurors are scheduled to return to the courthouse today to continue deciding the case of a Waterloo man accused of killing his girlfriends 4-year-old daughter in 2015. Black Hawk County Attorney Brian Williams said Chad Allen Little was known to beat Gracie Buss, and on the morning of May 30, 2015, the girl suffered injuries she didnt survive. A medical examiner determined she died of blunt trauma to the head but couldnt rule if the injury was the result of an accident or homicide. During closing arguments Monday, Williams talked about the shape of a bruise on Gracies head and how it corresponds to a large ring seen on Littles right hand in grainy surveillance video taken the day Gracie died. The injury to the left temple by itself was concerning without a plausible accidental mechanism. It was very fresh. Going back to the ring, not suggesting its the end-all be-all, but its something to look at above everything else, especially when the defendant does this, Williams said rolling video footage from a police station interview room showing Little removing a ring from his right hand before talking with an investigator. Williams said other injuries pointed to abuse a constellation of bruises and marks in different areas and different stages of healing and upwards of 100 retinal hemorrhages inside her eyes. Defense attorney Chris Welch said Little was the one who placed a call for help, something the childs mother, Kristi Buss, didnt do. Welch said police and paramedics described Kristi Buss as unemotional when they arrived. Kristi does not seem to be interested at all about her daughter, Gracie, Welch said. Little, 35, is charged with first-degree murder under the felony murder theory, meaning he is accused of killing the girl while taking part in the crimes of child endangerment or assault. He also charged with child endangerment causing death. Jurors also have the option of finding him guilty on lesser charges of second-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter and child endangerment causing serious or bodily injury. During closing arguments Monday, Williams said Little used another persons name when he phone a hospital help line, saying Gracie had suffered a seizure, fell down stairs and was unconscious. He then fled the Downing Court townhouse with Gracies older brother before authorities arrived. Williams said Little tried to control the narrative, telling others the seizure-and-fall story, but changed his story when questioned by police and said he wasnt at the townhouse. He said he was out riding bikes that night with the brother and then at a friends mobile home nearby. That story eventually evolved to him being at Downing Court while the children were sleeping. Friends and a neighbor testified they saw Little pick Gracie up by the hair once and another time snatch her up by the arm and hit her in the past. Her other brother said he would sometimes get her an ice pack after Little hit her, and their mother would cover the bruises with makeup. The state also showed jurors an undated apology note from Little to Kristi Buss in which he said he was sorry for snapping on Gracie and losing his temper. The defense said Gracies blood was found on the clothing of Kristi Buss and Gracies older brother, but no blood was found on Littles clothing. Jurors began deliberating on Monday afternoon. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 9 Angry 5 CEDAR FALLS Ben Byersdorfer wont audition just any student group to perform in front of his peers at the Iowa Bandmasters Association Conference. It has to be a group that is hungry for a challenge, said Byersdorfer, one of the Peet Junior High School band directors. He suspected that was the case with the 56 students in this years eighth grade concert band. The annual conference in Des Moines calls on concert and jazz bands plus other student ensembles from schools of all sizes to submit audition recordings for performances over three days. Groups can audition in one of nine categories that include elementary, middle and high school levels. Bands are selected by a listening panel through a blind audition process. Auditioning has to be the groups decision, Byersdorfer explained. So he talked to students about the possibility over a couple weeks earlier in the school year. I told them be prepared, because most likely you wont get picked. His students wanted to go for it and, after submitting recordings in early January, they were chosen. The band will perform eight songs during a 1 p.m. Friday concert in the Grand Ballroom of the Downtown Marriott Hotel, 700 Grand Ave., Des Moines. I was thankful to tell them yes and it wasnt a fluke. They absolutely put together a recording that was explosive, said Byersdorfer. This is the top honor that any Iowa band can be offered. Im really excited. Its a great opportunity to showcase what we can do, said student Carter Guse. Its like a huge accomplishment, added classmate Maren Denison. Students said Byersdorfer has pushed them harder since they began preparing for the concert, and they have responded. I feel like we got working more seriously, said student Gavin Alderman. Last week, the band took a field trip to the University of Northern Iowa, where they worked with the wind ensemble. Byersdorfer said the visit had an impact on students. After their practice the next day, he noted, Its a brand new sound. Its a bigger, better sound. He added, I want them to remember the feeling of getting really good at something. They are directly responsible for their success. While this group is performing for the first time at the event, it will be a repeat pun intended for Byersdorfer. In 2015, he took an earlier Peet eighth-grade band to the conference, the same year Cedar Falls High Schools Jazz I band was also chosen to perform. I feel very lucky, theres so much to be said about where were at, the director commented. He referenced support for the students from the schools administration, faculty, parents and the community. I will take partial responsibility for it, said Byersdorfer, of the bands being selected, but just a tiny slice. Other Cedar Valley bands have been given the honor of performing at the conference over the years, as well. Courier files show the Hoover Middle School eighth-grade band was selected in 2014 and a West High School jazz band performed another year. In 2005, bands from Holmes Junior High and Independence Middle School were chosen. In 2002, Holmes eighth-grade band and the former Northern University High School concert band performed. Love 3 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Want to see more like this? Get our local education coverage delivered directly 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. WATERLOO Black Hawk County has settled a Medicaid billing dispute for mentally ill residents it served at the former Country View care center. The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to accept $394,559 from UnitedHealthcare Inc. for services Country View provided to residents with persistent mental illness between April 2016 and July 2017. The county had initially threatened legal action against UnitedHealthcare after the insurer offered only $144,000 in Medicaid reimbursement to cover some $511,000 to $584,000 in claims for residents at the county-run nursing home. Negotiations resulted in the amount both sides felt was fair, said Assistant County Attorney Michael Treinen. Approval of the settlement was delayed several times in recent weeks because UnitedHealthcare wanted the settlement to be confidential. That stipulation was removed because Country View was a government facility covered under the state open records laws. UnitedHealthcare is one of three managed-care organizations overseeing the states privatized Medicaid program. The company announced March 29 it was withdrawing from program, which has come under fire from many service providers and clients. Supervisor Chris Schwartz said he was pleased the Country View claim was resolved, but reiterated his call for the state to end Medicaid privatization. A provider shouldnt have to threaten litigation to get paid, whether theyre big providers like us or small providers like the many in our community that suffer, Schwartz said. This is not working for anybody, he added. Its not even working for United, which is why theyre pulling out of the state. Black Hawk County sold Country View on Jan. 1 to a private nursing home company, which now operates the facility as Pillar of Cedar Valley. County Finance Director Susan Deaton said the county is still finalizing bills from the Country View transaction. But the UnitedHealthcare settlement leaves the county with a little more than $3.2 million in the bank from the sale. Deaton said she expects soon to transfer that money into the countys general fund reserves. The Board of Supervisors have yet to discuss what to do with the Country View windfall, but Deaton has urged the board to designate the funds for a specific use. Legislation approved by the Iowa Legislature this year and awaiting Gov. Kim Reynolds signature would cap the amount of money a county can hold in its undesignated general fund. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 CHARLES CITY A Charles City teen whose death gave life to many was honored Monday with a law that makes it easier for others to follow his example. Logan Luft, 15, died in an ATV accident in July 2017. On Monday, Logans Law was signed by Gov. Kim Reynolds at the Charles City Middle School Gymnasium. The law allows individuals to register as organ donors using hunting and fishing licenses. After his death, Logans organ, tissue and bone donations went to 21 people in seven states. He saved lives, said his mother, Wendy Luft. He didnt save just one life, he saved five. He gave the gift of life to five different people. Logans family looked on as the governor signed the measure into law, along with Rep. Todd Prichard D-Charles City, Sen. Waylon Brown R-St. Ansgar, and Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg. This is really a great day for Charles City, Prichard said. Charles City has survived and really been at its best in dark times. After Logans death the city came together to honor his memory. North Iowa and rural Iowa is the greatest place to live, and this is a reason, Brown said. The gymnasium Monday was again full of classmates, students, residents and city officials, including Police Chief Hugh Anderson and Mayor Dean Andrews. After Reynolds signed the law the crowd gave a standing ovation. This past two years you have loved, uplifted and encouraged us in our journey. Today is Logan Luft Day, a day we honor and celebrate a 15-year-old boy from Charles City, Iowa, who has officially changed the world, said Wendy Luft. We will share the importance of saving a life for the 600-plus Iowans who are currently waiting for an organ today. Alec Staudt, 16, a classmate of Logans, spoke before the signing ceremony. Logan chose to give the gift of life without hesitation, Staudt said. My dear friends, I ask you to consider being an organ donor by giving the gift of life. Prichard and Brown made a bipartisan push for Logans Law in the Legislature and saw it pass unanimously in both the House and Senate. What a way to honor Logans life, Reynolds said. Its a testimony that we do things differently here in Iowa. Were able to put Iowans first. Reynolds said she would encourage Iowans to learn Logans story. Logan has caused a movement in the state of Iowa increasing the awareness of organ donation, Wendy Luft said. We have been given the awesome responsibility to educate on organ donation. Logans Law allows young people a chance to register themselves as donors, said Suzanne Conrad, CEO of the Iowa Donor Network. Its less likely for a 14-year-old to be in front of a registry bureau, but through a hunting and fishing license you can. The law takes effect July 1. This is for you, Logan, and we love and miss you every single day, Wendy Luft said to enormous applause. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 From December 19th through December 26th we will be granting free access as a gift to our readers presented by The State Training School WATERLOO Nearly 100 veterans from three wars on three continents were honored with a flight to the nations Capitol on Tuesday. The 24th Cedar Valley Honor Flight transported 97 veterans and their companions to Washington, D.C., in recognition of their service. A sea of white hats sported by Honor Flight participants filled Waterloo Regional Airport early Tuesday. As the Miami Air jet took flight, World War II veteran Ray Averill, 92, of Cedar Falls, gazed out his window. He was accompanied by his guardian on the flight, Janet Kellum, his next-door neighbor. Averill joined the Navy in 1945, following his father, Merl Averill, who was serving in the Army in Europe. He dropped out of school to enlist. I was a gung-ho kid, Averill said. He never saw combat. He was aboard the destroyer USS Hobby in the middle of the Pacific steaming toward Tokyo Bay when the war ended. His ship turned around and headed back to the states. Averill was one of three World War II veterans on the flight. There are fewer WWII veterans on each trip as the years take their toll. Averill was the youngest of the three World War II veterans at 92. He rarely sat during the trip. Its tiring, but its great, Averill said. The oldest WWII vet was Henry Bast of Cedar Falls. Hes 98 and enlisted in the Iowa National Guard on Feb. 10, 1941, months before the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Bast was accompanied on the Honor Flight by his son, William. Bast joined the Headquarters Company of the 33rd Infantry Regiment in Cedar Falls at age 19. He was training at Camp Claiborne in Louisiana when Pearl Harbor was bombed. He and his fellow soldiers were immediately assigned to protect nearby oil storage depots from sabotage. Basts National Guard unit was one of the first federalized during the war. By the time the war ended, Bast has visited Ireland, Italy and Tunisia in North Africa as a radio operator. I was overseas for three years, Bast said. He was excited to have his son accompany him on the Honor Flight. Bast has been to the nations capitol before and wanted to experience it with his son. Vincent Kenneally, 96, of Strawberry Point, served in the infantry from 1942 to 1947, all but three months of it overseas. He primarily was in the Pacific theater, serving in Hawaii and Guadalcanal. After the war, he taught other soldiers about guerrilla war tactics and booby traps. The veterans and their guardians had the chance to witness the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and view the World War II Memorial, the Korean War Veterans Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial. Rep. Abby Finkenauer greeted veterans at the World War II Memorial, shaking hands, taking photos and speaking with the honorees near the Iowa marker. The majority of veterans on the trip served during the Vietnam era. Gerald Cowger, 78, served in the early 1960s prior to the actual Vietnam War but had friends who died in the conflict. When the buses stopped near the Vietnam Memorial Wall he looked for and found the name of his friend Don McGrane, who died in 1968. McGrane was in the U.S. Navy. McGrane died when his helicopter was shot down during a rescue mission. This is a worthwhile trip, Cowger said. Love 6 Funny 1 Wow 1 Sad 1 Angry 1 Around Midland and around the world, loving and leading all people to deeper life in Jesus Christ. Focusing on the world of wines, beer, and spirits that we experience through our travels at WineCompass.com and theCompass Craft Beverage Finder. Every year at election time, I get on a soapbox. If you dont vote, I warn my young-adult daughter, my employees and colleagues, my fellow Zumba dancers . . . pretty much anyone who will listen . . . You have no right to complain about whoever gets elected. The way I look at it, our foremothers fought too hard and, dont forget, many women in other countries are still fighting for us to disrespect them by forgoing our right to vote. A source of pride for me was when my daughter, then a college freshman, bullied her friends and roommates into registering and then voting in the 2016 general election. The unexpected outcome of that election resulted in an unprecedented number of peoples taking my annual admonishment a significant step further. Across the country, ordinary people many of whom were from groups traditionally underrepresented in Washington challenged incumbents to run for office. Knock Down the House, the absorbing new documentary by Rachel Lears, follows the personal stories and public campaign trails of four of these candidates. One, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, is the familiar congressional freshman whose win (and jacket, and previous work as a bartender, and even earlier college dance routine) launched a thousand tweets. The other threeCori Bush from St. Louis, MO; Paula Jean Swearengin from Coal City, WV; and Amy Vilela from Las Vegas, NVwere less successful in their districts primaries, but are equally inspirational as women, as activists, and as concerned citizens. Bush, who ran to be the Democratic candidate for Missouris 1st Congressional District, was a nurse and a pastor. She became interested in pursuing political office after volunteering during the Ferguson riots following the shooting of unarmed black teen Michael Brown. Understandably, her greatest goal is to make her community safer. Other themes of her progressive agenda included establishing a living wage; salary equity for women and minorities; prison reform; and reducing the cost of public education. Although Knock Down the House spends more of its energy chronicling the lead up to the 2018 Democratic primary, Bush had already served as co-director of The Truth Telling Project and received recognition, including the Woman of Courage award from the Emmett Till Legacy Foundation in 2015. Swearengin, the offspring of a coal-mining family, was moved to run after witnessing the environmental and public health disasters that have haunted her community. In one of Knock Down the Houses earliest scenes, she takes a drive and points out every house in which one of her neighbors has been diagnosed with cancer. Sweeping views of the devastated West Virginian landscape underline Swearengins passion. Like Bush, she had already been a local activist, working with the Keepers of the Mountain Foundation and speaking during the EPA Clean Power Plan hearings. Shes an unlikely candidate; theres nothing slick or urban about her. But her determination is clear despite the worries of her mother that politics is brutal business and shell be in over her head. Vilela was a financial executive when she decided to run, and her backstory is by far the saddest. Her 22-year old daughter was denied care at a hospital because she didnt have insurance and died shortly thereafter from a pulmonary embolism. Universal healthcare, understandably, becomes the base of her platform. Going door-to-door, she explains Medicare for all to her prospective constituents, griping on-camera afterwards, Theyre calling me a Marxist. I dont even know what a Marxist is. When Lears takes us into Vilelas campaign headquarters, the candidate jokes that she has to clean up after her millennial staffers. She falls easily and good-naturedly into the role of mom as well as serious political contender. Of the films four heroines, Bronx native Ocasio Cortez had the most political experience she worked in Ted Kennedys office while a student at Boston University from 2008 to 2009. However, when she decided to challenge ten-term incumbent Joseph Crowley, she was working as a bartender. Running on a progressive agenda, like the other three candidates, Ocasio-Cortez was quick to point out that Crowley had done little for his constituents and didnt even live in New York. Crowley, who was one of Washingtons most powerful Democrats, didnt bother to show up for their first debate, and put obstacles in his opponents way at every stage of the campaign. Leave it to San Franciscans to come up with a workout for screen-addicted techies. That's right, at Black Box VR, the world's first virtual reality gym that opened at Market and Ninth streets this spring, you don't even have to put down your video gamesyou are the video game. Founded by Ryan DeLuca and Preston Lewistwo fitness fanatics and creators of the online supplement site Bodybuilding.comthe all-glass storefront opens to a clinically clean space that offers workouts based on virtual games and very real sweat. But this being a tech-forward gym, you must first download their app, where you'll create an account, schedule your session, and get a virtual sneak peek of what's to come. IRL at the Mid-Market facility, you'll be greeted by cordial receptionist who will ask you to sign a waiver (you know, lest you somehow injure yourself while punching the air) before suiting you up with a pair of battle gloves and a VR headset. Don't freak out if this all seems foreignyour first-timer's hour-long session includes a full tour of the place and a guided introduction before the 30-minute game. And, if you're worried about leaving their flagship with rings around your eyes from the headset, don't worry: Like the soft, spandex-like gloves you'll don for the workout, the well-padded, adjustable headset is plush. At first glance, Black Box VR looks a bit like an Apple store. The 4,000 square-foot interior is modern and futuristic-looking in all white with high ceilings, a cushy waiting lounge, and gender-neutral bathrooms with showers. But once you enter the fully-equipped VR studio, the vibe changes from day to blacked-out night, with your VR headset suspended from the ceiling in a way that will allow you to swivel and move around freely. First-timers will instantly be curious about Black Box VR's Dynamic Resistance Machine, the primary touchpoint for all workouts here. Created by DeLuca and Lewis to perform a myriad of strength training exercises, it allows for minute-to-minute adaptability in order to inch you closer to your fitness goalsautomatically. The machine is "specifically designed to deliver real resistance in a virtual environment...So when you reach out to grab a virtual handle, you are actually grabbing the handle in the real world. You can feel it," said Lewis. Once you become acquainted with this robotic personal trainer of sorts and the motion-sensors on your gloves are activated, your first few minutes of the demo will be spent getting accustomed to virtual realityit's a trippy experience, for sure. But once you get the feel for it, you'll be ready to enter a universe unlike anything you've ever seen this close up before, a world filled with mystical creatures. You're the hero in this otherworldly game that tricks you into testing and pushing your physical limits. The intensity of your strikes against your opponent depend upon the exercises you performchest presses ("fire beams"), overhead presses ("meteor strikes"), rowing motions ("lightning bolts"), squats ("ice shards"), and deadlifts ("cold fusions"). These same exercises also are used to summon more (self-guided) soldiers to your battle team. As you play, you'll also rack up trophies and increased energy reserves to fight off your opponents, be they generated by the computer or by another human playing and working out in a shouldering studio. Black Box VR's algorithm constantly adjusts your resistance levels and repetitions, and allows you to access your stats after you've finished a workout and keep tracking your ongoing progress via the app, which will store everything from your rep count to your average pulled resistance weight. Even if your patience (and stamina) are tested while battling digital demons, the workout's half-hour format makes this sweaty endeavor approachable for anyone, even the Luddites among us. // Free 30-day trial period are available after completing a complimentary demo; Black Box VR, 1390 Market St., Suite #102 (Mid-Market), blackbox-vr.com. En espanol | Getting a hearing aid has never been an easy process. Before consumers can buy one, they generally must see a licensed professional, which requires appointments, tests and fittings. The experience is similar to purchasing prescription eyeglasses, and in the end, patients may end up spending thousands of dollars, an expense not covered by Medicare or most insurance companies. Those are some of the reasons studies show that only 20 to 30 percent of adults who could benefit from a hearing aid ever get one. But things may soon change. Beginning next year, if not sooner, consumers should have access to over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids that are expected to bring down the price and hassles associated with purchasing one. The change comes thanks to a federal law passed in 2017 directing the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ease barriers to buying a hearing aid. The new devices are expected to cost less than traditional hearing aids. There will be so much consumer interest, says David Copithorne, content director at HearingTracker.com, a website that monitors the industry. These products will make a difference. The change also promises to open up the often confusing process of purchasing these expensive products. But these new self-fitted devices wont be for everyone. For one, theyre designed for people with only mild to moderate hearing loss. Treating more severe loss requires careful adjustments and monitoring. Thats because hearing aids are surprisingly sophisticated devices, providing more than mere amplification. They can automatically suppress sounds users dont want to hear, like chatter from across the room. And many are equipped with directional microphones to pick up sounds directly in front of the wearer. After leading Roncalli girls to title, Larson honored as coach of the year The South Dakota Sportswriter Awards were announced, and Roncalli Head Coach Derek Larson, was named at the top prep girls coach in the state. The City of Albuquerque has partnered with Lovelace Medical Group on a campaign to collect diapers, baby wipes and diaper rash cream to distribute to families in need. The drive takes place from Monday through June 2. Diapers and other supplies can be dropped off at any of the citys 22 community centers, the four health and social service centers and Lovelace Womens Hospital, among other locations. The full list is available at www.cabq.gov/family. Bobby Cisneros, the citys planning manager, said the city currently distributes diapers through the Emergency Diaper program run by the Department of Family and Community Services Division of Health and Social Services. But in many cases, the need for such supplies is far greater than the available inventory. A lot of times we have to tell folks to come back later, said Cisneros. Were hoping to collect enough to keep that from happening any time soon. Last year, the Emergency Diaper program provided 3,432 families to approximately 105 families, according to a news release. In a statement, Lovelace Womens Hospital CEO Sheri Milone said the organization is very proud to partner with the City of Albuquerque to support our local community and our mothers. Lovelace is providing several collection locations as well as marketing and advertising support for the drive. Cisneros said diapers are the highest priority items for the campaign this week, though they are also seeking baby wipes and rash cream. He said city is unable to accept baby food donations at this time due to concerns about expiration dates and food safety. Families in need of diapers can find more information at www.cabq.gov/help/diapers. An independent arbitrator has ruled that a former Metropolitan Detention Center corrections officer used excessive force on at least two occasions and that his termination was not arbitrary and should not be set aside. County Attorney Ken Martinez said Monday that former Sgt. Eric Allen, who had been at MDC since 2003, was involved in three excessive force lawsuits that the county settled for $1.1 million. Mr. Allen is no stranger to litigation and attorneys. We think the arbitration is resolved and correctly so, but theres still opportunity for appeal, Martinez said. He noted that Allens legal team currently has a case in federal court alleging that Allens First Amendment free-speech and association rights were violated, and that the county further violated the New Mexico Whistleblower Protection Act. The recent arbitration ruling against Allen was finalized last week. The arbitration focused on two cases, one that occurred on Sept. 15, 2015, involving inmate Susie Chavez, and another on Dec. 18, 2015, involving inmate Joe Ray Barela. According to the arbitration award document, Chavez was classified as having mental health issues and was suicidal. A video of the encounter with Chavez showed that Allen used his Taser on the woman while she was in four-point restraints, cooperative and compliant. He also used pepper spray on her at close range while she was wearing a spit sock over her head. In addition, Allen was heard ordering other officers to put Chavez in a wristlock and twist her arm until she shuts up and stops crying. In the incident with Barela, a man with mental health issues and a violent past history, the document says, Allen again used pepper spray on the man while he was wearing a spit sock. Later, when officers were escorting Barela to the medical unit while in four-point restraints, his legs buckled under him, at which time Allen applied a personal knee strike to Barelas left thigh and then used a key ring to apply pressure to the detainees left lower jaw at the mandibular angle. Throughout the encounter the video shows Barela as quiet, compliant and non-combative. Allen was criminally charged in that case, but a jury found him not guilty of aggravated battery resulting in great bodily harm, but they could not reach a consensus on a petty misdemeanor battery charge. The arbitration was held Sept. 24-28 before arbitrator Glynis F. Gilder, with both sides presenting evidence and testimony, examining and cross-examining sworn/affirmed witnesses, the document says. Gilder reconvened on Jan. 7, 2019, but only representatives from the county and its lawyers were present. Allen, his legal advocates and union representatives did not appear, electing to no longer participate in the proceedings. In the window between Sept. 28 and Jan. 7, Allen and his advocates instead filed the First Amendment and whistleblower lawsuit in state District Court. Because of the First Amendment rights issues, attorneys for the county moved to have the case moved to U.S. District Court. Joseph Trujeque, president of Local 2499 of the Bernalillo County Corrections Officers Association, AFL-CIO, said that a request was made of Gilder to stay the arbitration until the court ruled in the pending litigation. Gilder declined that request and the record was closed on Jan. 7. Given that situation, Trujeque said he believes the decision of the independent arbitrator is not binding. The county has had excessive force issues with Allen going back more than a decade. He was fired in 2008 after an allegation that he punched an inmate twice in the head; an independent arbitrator ordered the county reinstate him, saying it was in line with his training at the time. Allen was officially fired in March 2018, after being on administrative leave since January 2016, during which time he collected more than $90,000 in pay. Trujeque said that Allen currently lives in Roswell and drives trucks for oil companies. SANTA FE Banners depicting a stylized image of Our Lady of Guadalupe intended to help promote the Guadalupe Street business district have the blessing of the nearby parish named after the venerated Marian figure, according to a city official. Liz Camacho, the citys economic development and communications administrator, told the City Councils Public Works Committee on Monday that the Rev. Dennis Garcia was fine with 22 banners being placed on pole structures on Guadalupe street between the south end of Paseo de Peralta and West Alameda streets in the citys downtown area. He didnt find it to be a commercialization of the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, she said. The committee unanimously approved the proposal with little discussion. The banners depict a simple outline of the head and shoulders of the Virgin of Guadalupe, or Our Lady of Guadalupe, a Marian apparition in Mexico that has become an iconic symbol in the Catholic Church. A huge, colorful statue brought from Mexico and installed by the Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic parish a decade ago has become a local landmark. The banner proposal met resistance when heard by the Historic Districts Review Board last month. Among the concerns raised by board members were that the use of a religious image to promote a business district might be inappropriate. The H-Board approved the proposal with the recommended condition that the banners only be displayed for three months and that Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic parish, which is located on Guadalupe Street, be consulted. Some members of the H-Board also said they felt the color red on the banners was too bright and questioned whether St. the abbreviation for Street could be confused for the abbreviation for Saint. According to the resolution approved by the Public Works Committe, the banners would promote the area as a destination for people seeking out local shops and restaurants. The Guadalupe Street Association is spearheading the proposal, saying the banners will call attention to its stores and help compensate for the loss of the Sanbusco Market Center, an anchoring shopping center that was sold a few years ago and is being converted into the new site of the New Mexico School for the Arts. The banners, designed by Alberto Elias Zalma of Zalma Lofton Gallery, which is located on Guadalupe Street, would be installed at the expense of the association using brackets that were installed to hang banners for the citys 400th anniversary in 2010. The proposal will next be heard by the council Finance Committee on May 20. A public hearing and possible action by the City Council is scheduled for May 29. The New Mexico School for the Arts jazz combo earned first place at the New York City Jazz Festival in April. According to a Monday news release, the Santa Fe-based statewide public charter high schools group earned First Place-Most Outstanding Group. Alto saxophonist Adam Griffo, drummer Malachi Roberts, and guitarist Weston Winkler were also honored as Outstanding Soloists. The group performed on April 14 at New Yorks Symphony Space. Jazz studies instructor Orlando Madrid led the ensemble. (The group) played absolutely fantastically and took a lot of risks in their playing, which is something Ive never heard a high school group even attempt under that level of pressure, NMSA Music Department Chair Kurt Isaacson said in the announcement. The New York City Jazz Festival invites instrumental and vocal groups from across the country to perform for, and take clinics from, jazz experts. The students worked with trombone player and composer Ryan Keberle. During the trip, they also met famous trump player Wynton Marsalis, members of the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra and jazz musician Steve Wilson and his band Wilsonians Grain. MINNEAPOLIS A 4-year-old boy is dead after he was left alone for hours in a hot SUV with the window cracked while his father worked an event in downtown St. Paul, according to charges filed Monday. Kristopher A. Taylor, 26, of Apple Valley, was charged in Ramsey County District Court with second-degree manslaughter in connection with the boys death Saturday. Taylor remains jailed in lieu of $25,000 bail ahead of a court appearance Friday. Taylor, working at the Minnesota Monthly 8th Annual Grillfest at CHS Field, parked his SUV at the home ballpark of the St. Paul Saints in a spot that was entirely exposed to the elements, the criminal complaint read. The boys mother left the boy in Taylors care around 2:30 a.m. Friday while she went to work, the complaint noted. Taylors son was identified by a close friend of the family as Riley Taylor, the couples only child. Allison McGill, a friend of Taylors mother for the past 10 years, described Taylor an amazing kid, a straight-A student who works so hard and loved Riley so much. Taylor said he last checked on Riley about 11:30 a.m. Saturday and returned about 5:15 p.m. after work to find the boy stiff and unresponsive, the complaint continued. Taylor then took the boy to Regions Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The temperature over the time period ranged from 70 degrees under partly cloudy skies around noon to 64 and mostly cloudy conditions as of 5 p.m., according to the National Weather Service. The medical examiners office ruled preliminarily that Riley died from hyperthermia. Taylor told police he lowered one window roughly one-quarter to one-half inch for the boy, according to the complaint. He said he gave Riley a handheld video game to occupy himself. He said he didnt think it was too hot to leave the boy in the SUV, and did the same about a year ago with no problems. However, the complaint continued, Taylor said he left one window down entirely in the earlier instance. A longtime national advocacy group said 52 children died inside vehicles from excessive heat in 2018, the deadliest year on record in the United States. KidsAndCars.org has been lobbying for the federal government to require technology in all vehicles that would alert a caretaker about children inadvertently being left in a car. A vehicle acts like a greenhouse, heating up to deadly temperatures within minutes, even on a mild day, the group said in a statement released soon after Taylor was charged. Children have died from heatstroke in cars on days where it was less than 60 degrees outside. Contrary to popular belief, cracking the windows does nothing to decrease the maximum temperature reached inside a vehicle. Additionally, a childs body temperature rises 3 to 5 times faster than an adults. Taylor offered varying versions events to police, with the time Riley was alone in the car changing with each account, the complaint said: At first, he told an off-duty officer at Regions Hospital that the boy was with him during the event, became tired about 2:45 p.m. and wanted to go back to the SUV. Taylor said he returned to the vehicle at 5:15 p.m. to find Riley unresponsive. After being arrested, Taylor initially told police the boy came into CHS Field with him. When work slowed a bit for Taylor at a time not disclosed in the complaint, he returned Riley to the SUV for a nap. Two co-workers told police that Taylor never left during his shift, and that prompted police to question him again. This time he said he had to bring Riley to work because he couldnt find anyone to watch the boy and last checked on him about 11:30 a.m. Taylor said he didnt think it was that hot, the charging document said. Hillary Clinton recently editorialized about the second volume of special counsel Robert Muellers massive report. She concluded that of the reports assorted testimonies and inside White House gossip concerning President Trumps words and actions any other person engaged in those acts would certainly have been indicted. Psychologists might call her claims projection. That is the well-known psychological malady of attributing bad behavior to others as a means of exonerating ones own similar, if not often even worse, sins. After 22 months of investigation and $34 million spent, the Mueller report concluded there was no Trump-Russia collusion the main focus of the investigation even though that unfounded allegation dominated print and televised medias speculative headlines for the last two years. While Muellers report addressed various allegations of Trumps other roguery, the special counsel did not recommend the president be indicted for obstruction of justice in what Mueller had just concluded was not a crime of collusion. What Mueller strangely did do and what most federal prosecutors do not do was cite all the allegedly questionable behavior of a target who has just been de facto exonerated by not being indicted. What Mueller did not do was explain that much of the evidence he found useful was clearly a product of unethical and illegal behavior. In the case of the false charge of collusion, the irony was rich. Russians likely fed salacious but untrue allegations about Trump to ex-British spy Christopher Steele, who was being paid in part by the Hillary Clinton campaign and the Democratic National Committee to find dirt on Trump. The Russians rightly assumed that Steele would lap up their fantasies, seed them among Trump-hating officials in the Barack Obama administration and thereby cause hysteria during the election, the transition and, eventually, the Trump presidency. Russia succeeded in sowing such chaos, thanks ultimately to Clinton, who likely had broken federal laws by using a British national and, by extension, Russian sources to warp an election. Without the fallacious Steele dossier, the entire Russian collusion hoax never would have taken off. Without Steeles skullduggery, there likely would have been no Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act Court-approved surveillance of Trump aide Carter Page. There might have been no FBI plants inserted into the Trump campaign. There might have been no subsequent leaking to the press of classified documents to prompt a Trump collusion investigation. Given the Steele travesty and other past scandals, it is inexplicable that Clinton has not been indicted. Her lawlessness first made headlines 25 years ago, when she admitted that her cattle futures broker had defied odds of one in 31 trillion by investing $1,000 from her trading account and returning a profit of nearly $100,000. Clinton failed to report about $6,500 in profits to the IRS. She initially lied about her investment windfall by claiming she made the wagers herself. She even fantastically alleged that she mastered cattle futures trading by reading financial newspapers. To paraphrase Clinton herself, anyone else would have been indicted for far less. The reason that foreign oligarchs are no longer donating millions of dollars to the Clinton Foundation, and that Bill Clinton is not being offered $500,000 for speaking appearances in Moscow, is simply because Hillary Clinton is not secretary of state. She is no longer in a public position to hector her colleagues into approving pro-Russian commercial deals, such as the one that gave Russian interests access to North American uranium. As secretary of state, Clinton also sidestepped the law by setting up a home-brewed email server. She transmitted classified documents over this insecure route and lied about it. And she destroyed some 30,000 emails that were in effect under subpoena. Anyone else would have been indicted for far less. In truth, Clinton was at the heart of the entire Russian collusion hoax. Even after the election, she kept fueling it to blame Russia-Trump conspiracies for her stunning defeat in 2016. Unable to acknowledge her own culpability as a weak and uninspiring candidate, Clinton formally joined the post-election resistance and began whining about collusion. For much of her professional life, Hillary Clinton had acted above and beyond the law on the assumption that as the wife of a governor, as first lady of the United States, as a senator from New York, as secretary of state and as a two-time candidate for the presidency, she could ignore the law without worry over the consequences. For Clinton now to project that the president should be indicted suggests she is worried about her own potential indictment. And she is rightly concerned that, for the first time in 40 years, neither she nor her husband is serving in government or running for some office, and therefore could be held accountable. Last month, on the final day of the Jewish holiday of Passover, 19-year-old white supremacist John T. Earnest allegedly walked into the Chabad of Poway synagogue in California, raised his AR-style assault rifle and began shooting. He reportedly killed congregant Lori Gilbert Kaye as she stood in front of her rabbi, Yisroel Goldstein, protecting him. Eyewitnesses said Earnest shot Goldstein twice, blowing off part of his finger, and injured two others, then fled. He was arrested a short time later. A manifesto surfaced, which he allegedly wrote and posted online, riddled with anti-Semitic language. In it, he also took credit for an attempted arson of a mosque in nearby Escondido a month earlier. A message left on the mosque parking lot referenced the massacre at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, in which 50 Muslim worshippers were gunned down. In his own manifesto, the New Zealand shooter described President Donald Trump as a symbol of renewed white identity. On April 27, Minnesota Democratic Congressmember Ilhan Omar tweeted: My heart is breaking after todays deadly shooting at Chabad Congregation in San Diego on the last day of Passover and 6 months to the day after the Tree of Life shooting. We as a nation must confront the terrifying rise of religious hate and violence. She ended with Love trumps hate. Since taking office in January, Omar, one of the first two Muslim women ever elected to Congress and the first in Congress to wear a hijab, has been frequently targeted by Trump. Most recently, he tweeted a video alternating between images of Omar and the 9/11 terrorist attacks. She has been targeted for her unabashed criticism of U.S. support of Israels occupation of Palestine. Death threats against her have spiked, and shes been vilified by the right-wing media. Angered by the threats and vitriol, a group of prominent African American women rallied in front of the U.S. Capitol last Tuesday, at a rally they called Black Women in Defense of Ilhan Omar. It is about time that we stepped up to defend those who represent our political vision on the front lines of struggle, legendary activist, author and scholar Angela Davis said at the podium. The attack against Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, while it is clearly directed at her as an individual, is also designed to dissuade all of us from speaking out on issues that are considered controversial the numerous threats of assassination from white nationalists and their supporters are a way of sending messages to other black women, to all who hold radical and progressive political views, that they, too, can be made into targets of vitriolic, violent racism: Be quiet, or you will suffer the fate of Ilhan Omar.' Joining Angela Davis was historian Barbara Ransby, an adviser to the Movement for Black Lives. Princeton professor Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor spoke, as did Alicia Garza, co-founder of #BlackLivesMatter. From R. Kelly to Donald Trump, what we can no longer accept is the silencing of black women!, said Ayanna Pressley, the first African American congresswoman ever elected from Massachusetts. Rashida Tlaib, the only other Muslim congresswoman, also spoke. The crowd rose in a resounding ovation as Congressmember Ilhan Omar arrived. Her 17-minute speech was a damning indictment of Trump, saying he and his allies are doing everything that they can to distance themselves and misinform the public from the monsters that they created, who are terrorizing the Jewish community and the Muslim community, she said. Because when we are talking about anti-Semitism, we must also talk about Islamophobia. Its two sides of the same coin of bigotry. Trump said of Omar in a recent TV interview, She is somebody that doesnt really understand life, real life shes got a way about her thats very, very bad for our country. Whether Trump likes it or not, our country is also Omars country. At the rally, she said: I dont only represent one marginalized voice, because in this country being black is enough of being marginalized. But I also happen to be a woman. Thats a second marginalization. I happen to be a Muslim. And I also happen to be a refugee and an immigrant So, when (Trump) chooses to attack me, we know that that attack isnt for Ilhan. (Its) the continuation of the attacks that hes leveled against women, against people of color, against immigrants, against refugees, and certainly against Muslims. We are collectively saying, Your vile attacks, your demented views are not welcome here. Ilhan Omar fled to the United States as a refugee from war in Somalia. If I survived the militias, she said, standing against the backdrop of the Capitol dome behind her, I certainly can survive these people. Copyright 2019 Albuquerque Journal Its been nearly two semesters of work. Ideas were floated some of them coming to fruition. At the KiMo Theatre on Thursday, graduating seniors in the Interdisciplinary Film & Digital Media program at the University of New Mexico will present their capstone projects. The course is the final project for those pursuing a bachelors degree in interdisciplinary arts, and the topics and focus center on professional practices and critical discourse for interdisciplinary and collaborative artists. Sixteen projects will be screened during the event. There are going to be four animated pieces, a video game, a fashion show and 10 live-action shorts, said Adam Turner, lecturer at UNM Film and Digital Arts. There are more films than there used to be because we changed how we are doing the program. The screenings will mark the last presentation with the Interdisciplinary Film & Digital Media as its own stand-alone program. UNM announced last month that the IFDM program would become part of the Department of Film and Digital Arts. The change allows more areas of study, and UNM officials hope that the program will produce more graduates. According to UNM officials, the changes were needed after Netflix announced in October that it would be purchasing Albuquerque Studios and productions began to increase in the state. Turner and Matthew McDuffie, professor of practice, are the two instructors overseeing the capstone projects. These students are great, and Ive had them for three years, Turner said. Weve been able to put them through a program of storytelling and visual syntax to advanced production. Leticia Chadwick and her crew worked on the production for the film CentralSide. Its the story of a girl who finds herself on the streets and what she endures to survive. A majority of our locations have been outside. Weve featured a lot of local murals Downtown, as well as some Albuquerque icon spots like the rainbow fence, Chadwick said. For producer Logan Nowicki, working on Roughstock has been a journey. Roughstock focuses on the pressures of rodeo, crime, family and struggle in the modern West. It centers on Bo Wills, a former world champion bronc rider, and his predicament of struggling to compete in the rodeo and working outside of the law with his estranged brother. It was filmed in Bernalillo in March and was directed by Cole Brewer. The short film shot over the course of eight days. Nowicki and Brewer also traveled to Casper, Wyo., at the end of April to a collegiate rodeo. We filmed some inserts and B-roll, Nowicki said. They gave us free rein. Were hoping to get the short into some festivals and eventually make this into a feature film. Turner said Rachel Bossert has written and is directing a short animated project called Donut Disaster. The project is entirely in 3-D animation, Turner said. Rachel has been working on this project for well over a year now and has enlisted the help of dozens of 3-D animators to get it done. Its a very impressive effort. The screening will consist of two 75-minute programs separated by a 10-minute intermission. During intermission, the audience will have an opportunity to play a video game created by students on a computer system in the lobby. Established in 2005 under New Mexicos Media Industries Strategy Plan, IFDM was built on existing strengths in the Anderson School of Management, Arts and Sciences, the College of Fine Arts, and the School of Engineering, and focused on film editing, production and marketing. According to UNM, the new program has four objectives integrate filmmaking and digital media, build a native New Mexico Hollywood, train the residents of New Mexico and foster research. The program is designed to offer students a degree that can be customized to meet a variety of interests and needs. Students interested in game design, engineering, filmmaking, animation, visual effects, audio production, graphic design, screenwriting, journalism, multimedia or business will find a path through Film and Digital Arts in one of the four areas of study. Copyright 2019 Albuquerque Journal Spaceport Americas newest tenant is building technology that could literally fling rockets into space. California-based SpinLaunch Inc. has developed a novel centrifuge system that rapidly spins a vehicle around on the ground until it reaches hypersonic speeds. It then releases the rocket like a catapult to hurl to the edge of space. Its a cutting-edge concept that, if successful, could radically change the way small satellites are launched in the near future. It could cut expenses to a fraction of todays costs as the world prepares to place tens of thousands of tiny, shoebox-sized cubesats into low Earth orbit. All the testing will now be done at Spaceport America in southern New Mexico near Upham, about 50 miles north of Las Cruces. The company will break ground today on a $7 million, 10,000-square-foot test facility there, SpinLaunch founder and CEO Jonathan Yaney told the Journal. It will also invest about $1 million in infrastructure, including a new access road, support buildings and an off-grid solar electrical system to power its facilities. Were building a unique, different type of space launch system, Yaney said. The spaceport provides the environment and conditions we need to mature our technology and bring it online. The company has gained a lot of traction since launching in fall 2014. Its raised about $40 million to build its technology, including a $35 million round of venture investment it closed on in June from Airbus Ventures, Kleiner Perkins, and Google Ventures, now called GV. That money allowed SpinLaunch to move from a small incubation space in Silicon Valley to a 140,000-square-foot test and manufacturing facility in Long Beach, Ca., where its now based. It also paved the way to locate its test center at Spaceport America, which Yaney said is ideal for a startup like SpinLaunch. Spaceport America is conducive and inviting to small startup businesses like ours, because they understand that our needs are different from the big companies that have been around for decades, Yaney said. They dont put up all kinds of hurdles. Spaceport administrators, for example, offered a quote for SpinLaunch officials to set up operations within days of talking with them, something that would have taken six months or more at established sites like NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Yaney said. That nimble, business-friendly approach is boosting Spaceport Americas attraction as the nations first purpose-built commercial spaceport, where companies have access to unrestricted airspace from the ground to the stars, plus high altitude and ideal flying weather. We have agreements under discussion now with about 30 different companies that are looking at the spaceport, said Spaceport America CEO Dan Hicks. Some are supply chain companies, others are developing space launch capabilities. Half a dozen firms currently operate at the $220 million facility, which is owned and operated by the state. That includes companies such as UP Aerospace, which regularly flies payloads into suborbit for public and private entities from the spaceports vertical launch area. The state is still waiting on the facilitys anchor tenant, Virgin Galactic, to begin operating at the spaceport, where it will launch the worlds first space tourism business, flying paying passengers to suborbit for $250,000. The company, founded by billionaire Sir Richard Branson, is still testing its six-passenger spaceships at the Mojave Air and Space Port in Southern California. But Branson has said he expects to move operations to New Mexico sometime this year, given Virgin Galactics last two successful flights to space in December and February. The spaceport, meanwhile, continues to build out needed infrastructure in preparation for Virgin Galactic, and to lure more tenants to the facility. Administrators requested $61 million for capital improvements during the legislative session this year to finance five projects, such as building a dedicated hangar for temporary customers to conduct short-term operations at the spaceport, construction of a taxiway for the facilitys 12,000-foot horizontal-launch runway, and road and utility improvements in the vertical launch area. The Legislature, however, approved only $19 million, forcing administrators to prioritize investments once the money starts flowing in July, Hicks said. About 80 percent of the spaceports $10 million annual budget is now covered through leases and service charges paid by the facilitys private operators. The rest is covered through state appropriations and tax revenue. It currently employs 22 people full time, plus on-call fire and medical emergency services. But it needs to staff up to about 30, especially when Virgin Galactic begins operating, Hicks said. Revenue from new companies such as SpinLaunch helps to stabilize finances, while attracting attention from more prospective businesses. It shows were an ideal proving ground for new, innovative technologies that help the commercial space industry build modern capabilities for low Earth orbit and beyond, Hicks said. SpinLaunch expects Spaceport America to become a permanent home for its test center. We want a long-term, ongoing test facility for our kinetic energy launch system, Yaney said. Were investing a substantial amount of money here. The company will begin test flights with nonpowered glide vehicles next year to demonstrate its technology and work all kinks out of the system, Yaney said. The first rocket launches are targeted for 2022. In these early phases, we wont be doing any orbital launches from New Mexico, just suborbital launch testing of our core technology, Yaney said. In 2022, well put rockets into the system to begin satellite launching services. Its unclear where SpinLaunch will establish its full satellite-launch business, but Spaceport America could be considered if it can accommodate those services. Spaceport America is working to support orbital programs, and if it can get that capability, we would definitely be interested, Yaney said. For the current flight testing program, the company expects to employ up to 30 people full time. Copyright 2019 Albuquerque Journal SANTA FE State Treasurer Tim Eichenberg has accused a top executive in one of New Mexicos pension systems of improperly securing pay raises for himself and others an allegation the executive, Wayne Propst, flatly denies. The back-and-forth comes as the Attorney Generals Office acknowledges it is reviewing the allegations after receiving a referral from Eichenberg. As state treasurer, Eichenberg is a member of the board that oversees the Public Employees Retirement Association of New Mexico, where Propst is executive director. In a recent opinion column submitted to news organizations, Eichenberg said Propst has received about $25,000 in raises since 2014 without approval by the full PERA board. He accused Propst of pilfering retirees pensions. Propst, in turn, said Monday that he has never given myself a pay raise, nor could I do so even if I wanted to. Pay increases for himself and PERA staffers, he said, have been handled in compliance with state law, state policy and past practices of the agency that predate his tenure. The Public Employees Retirement Association runs the basic pension system for government employees in New Mexico. Propst draws a salary of about $166,000 a year as executive director, a job he has held since 2012. Thats roughly in line with the pay of his counterpart, Jan Goodwin of the Educational Retirement Board, who is paid $168,000 as executive director of the pension system for educators. The PERA board is expected to meet today to consider the agencys budget proposal for the coming year including a 4% across-the-board pay raise approved by lawmakers for state employees, including Propst and PERA staff. Eichenberg, in his second term as treasurer, said Propst received a 10 percent raise of $14,000 in 2014 approved by the PERA board chairperson, but not directly voted on by the entire board. Propst received two other raises that werent voted on by the full board, Eichenberg said, and other staff members received raises without board approval. State law, the treasurer said, calls for the retirement board to set employees compensation. He said Propst has a fiduciary duty to act in the interest of the pension system and the people who rely on it. It seems that Mr. Propsts law school didnt have an Executive Director 101 class that would teach, When acting as a fiduciary, you dont circumvent or disregard the law for personal gain,' Eichenberg said. Propst, meanwhile, said he welcomes the outside review of the pay increases for PERA staff. I have spent my entire career in public service, Propst said in a written statement. I am a steward of public money, and my actions are subject to complete scrutiny as they should be. I have made all personnel decisions at PERA with only one thing in mind: what is in the best interest of our members and protecting our Trust Fund. It is deeply troubling to have my personal and professional reputation attacked by an elected official for political reasons. Pay raises typically go through the gubernatorial administration, which makes the actual changes to payroll. A year ago, for instance, then-Gov. Susana Martinezs administration said it was blocking pay raises sought for top executives at the Educational Retirement Board. The raises would have averaged 28 percent. A spokesman for Attorney General Hector Balderas confirmed Friday that his office received a referral from Eichenberg and is reviewing the PERA pay increases. The allegations raised within the referral and the impact they have on the integrity and security of our public employees futures and the PERA fund, spokesman David Carl said, are concerning and will be reviewed thoroughly. YANGON, Myanmar Two Reuters journalists whose imprisonment for their reporting on the Myanmar militarys abuses of Rohingya Muslims drew the worlds attention to curbs on freedom of the press were freed in a mass presidential pardon. Wa Lone, 32, and Kyaw Soe Oo, 28, walked out of Yangons notorious Insein Prison at about 9:40 a.m. Tuesday. As they passed through the front gate, waving to the gathered crowd, they were mobbed like rock stars by fellow reporters who as professionals had covered their plight and as colleagues had pushed for their release. I want to say that I am very happy today. I want to thank our friends and families who were trying for our freedom and also to those from all over the world who sympathized with us, Wa Lone said. I am really excited to see my family and colleagues. I cant wait to go to my newsroom. Then they were hustled into a black van and taken to reunite with their families. The two reporters were arrested in December 2017 as they were working on a story about security forces involved in killing Rohingya and were accused of illegally possessing official documents, a violation of the colonial-era Official Secrets Act. At their trial the two contended they were framed because of official displeasure over their work, but they were convicted last September and sentenced to seven years in prison. The case drew global attention not only as a media freedom issue but also as an example of how democratic reforms in Myanmar have stalled under Nobel Peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyis civilian government, which took power in 2016 with high hopes that it would usher in a new, more open era after decades of isolation under military rule. It also came as international condemnation built over the brutal counterinsurgency campaign that Myanmars military which still maintains unchecked control of key ministries such as those responsible for security launched in the western state of Rakhine, driving more than 700,000 members of the Rohingya minority group to flee to Bangladesh. U.N. officials and others likened the offensive to ethnic cleansing, or even genocide. Stories based on reporting from Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo were published while they were in prison and the two last month were part of a Reuters team that won the Pulitzer Prize for International Reporting, one of journalisms highest honors. They shared the award with The Associated Press, which won for its reporting on Yemen. Zaw Htay, a spokesman for the office of President Win Myint, told journalists he spoke with in the eastern state of Kayah on Tuesday that the reporters families had sent letters requesting they be pardoned, and they were included among 6,520 prisoners released to promote peace and national reconciliation. The families of Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, their employer, press freedom groups, and journalist associations around the world had called for their release all along. Prospects looked grim after Myanmars Supreme Court on April 23 rejected their final appeal of their prison terms, and even grimmer after they were not included in two other recent mass pardons. It wasnt clear what had changed by Tuesday, but the news was welcomed by rights groups and many others. I think this will reduce the pressures on Myanmars government by the international community, said Yan Myo Thein, a political analyst. Releasing them is progress. But it will be better for democracy and the transition of Myanmar if the president will consider releasing (all) those who are in jail for exercising freedom of expression. The U.N. human rights office in Geneva welcomed their release but said they never should have been arrested. We remain concerned about flaws in the judicial process that led to their conviction in the first place, spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani said. White House press secretary Sarah Sanders also welcomed their release. We hope that other jailed journalists in Burma will also be allowed their freedom, a statement from her office said, using Myanmars previous name. Reuters released a video showing Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo reuniting with their families, hugging their wives and young children. At the time of their arrest, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo were working on an investigation of the killings of 10 Rohingya villagers. The government last year said seven soldiers were sentenced to up 10 years in prison with hard labor for the killings. Reporting on the Rohingya is sensitive in Myanmar, where many of the countrys majority ethnic Burmans agree with the official government of denying the group citizenship and labeling them as illegal migrants from Bangladesh. The military has said its actions in Rakhine state were a response to attacks by Rohingya guerrillas, and it did not have a policy violating human rights or the laws of war. During their trial, the prosecution claimed the Reuters reporters were found in possession of secret government documents. The defense said the documents were neither secret nor sensitive and had been given to them by police seeking to frame them. That assertion was supported by surprise testimony from a whistleblower in the police department, who told the court that his superior had arranged for two policemen to meet the reporters and hand over documents described as important secret papers in order to entrap them. As a result of his testimony, that officer was jailed for a year for violating the Police Disciplinary Act and his family was forced to leave their police housing unit. Even with the reporters release, serious concerns remain about freedom of expression in Myanmar. The Myanmar group ATHAN, the Freedom of Expression Activist Organization, said last month that 47 journalists have faced trials since Suu Kyi came to power, and 31 have complaints against them pending. Of the 31, 18 were sued by government officials, four by the military and nine by various individuals. The online magazine The Irrawaddy and other media outlets have recently been sued by the army for their coverage of fighting between the government and the Arakan Army ethnic rebel group, which also operates in Rakhine state. ___ Peck reported from Bangkok. Associated Press writer Jamey Keaten in Geneva contributed to this report. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. There will be an open federal judgeship in New Mexico, and it will be up to the states two U.S. senators to recommend to President Donald Trump a short list of qualified candidates for the position. Democratic Sens. Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich are asking individuals interested in the position to apply no later than June 28. U.S. District Judge Judith C. Herrera will retire July 1 after 15 years on the federal bench. Herrera has heard cases that ranged from the sale of counterfeit Native American jewelry to questions about fines owed by the federal government over missed cleanup deadlines at Los Alamos National Laboratory. A graduate of the University of New Mexico, Herrera earned her law degree from Georgetown University Law Center. Copyright 2019 Albuquerque Journal SANTA FE State Auditor Brian Colon on Tuesday slammed the board that oversees a $16 billion pension system for public employees in New Mexico, calling board members behavior unacceptable and a threat to future generations of retirees. Colon said the board failed to submit the agencys budget by a legal deadline conduct thats a potential violation of its fiduciary duties to members of the Public Employees Retirement Association. He also said he could not substantiate allegations leveled by some board members that PERA Executive Director Wayne Propst had improperly orchestrated pay raises for himself and others. Instead, Colon said, the evidence suggests Propst acted reasonably and within his authority in meeting with and obtaining board approval for the proposed raises. Colons comments came in a three-page letter to the PERA board. He didnt single out any particular members of the 12-person board for criticism. But the failure to act on the budget by the May 1 deadline, he said, was reckless or negligent, or both, and coupled with the boards lack of focus on its fiduciary responsibilities puts our retirees and future generations of retirees at risk. The budget proposal was on the boards agenda during a meeting last month, but some members left the meeting before a quorum could act. The boards behavior is unacceptable and harms the funds membership, Colon said. As for allegations that Propst has secured improper pay raises, Colon said there are some conflicts between state law and board procedures about how to handle raises. The board should establish a standard system for reviewing salaries and adopting a budget, he said. Colons review prompted at least in part by complaints about pay increases for PERA staff members isnt likely to be the last word on the issue. State Treasurer Tim Eichenberg, a member of the PERA board, has asked the Attorney Generals Office to investigate the raises. Eichenberg maintains that Propsts pay increases three in the past seven years should have been approved by the entire PERA board, as required by state law. Nonetheless, Eichenberg said, the auditors review is helpful and points to conflicts between state law and PERA practices. I hope we can get past this and move forward, Eichenberg said. Propst, for his part, said the conclusions outlined in the auditors letter shared during a special meeting of the PERA board Tuesday werent a surprise. But he said he and other PERA staffers are ready to help the board craft clear policies. We have tried as a staff to assist the board in revising its policies and procedures for two years, he said during Tuesdays meeting. Youre the only ones who can set your policies and procedures. We cant set them for you. During the meeting, the PERA board approved a $37 million operating budget for the coming year six days after the deadline for submitting it to other state agencies. The board opted to postpone a decision on whether Propst and other top staffers will receive the same 4 percent pay raises that other state employees are scheduled to get this summer as part of the broader state budget approved by lawmakers. The past year has been tumultuous for the PERA board, which voted to reprimand and censure two of its members in 2018. Some of the board members are elected to represent certain constituencies, such as PERA retirees or state employees. Others such as Eichenberg and Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver are automatically members as part of their roles as elected state officials. New Mexico has struggled for years to shore up the finances of its pension system. Pension liabilities, in fact, prompted a national credit rating agency last year to downgrade the states bond rating. In February, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham ordered the creation of a 19-member task force to study possible changes to the pension plans offered by PERA. PHOENIX Lawyers for a black man shown on video being beaten by five Mesa police officers last year have filed a federal lawsuit against the city and three of the policemen. Attorneys for Robert Johnson said Tuesday they are seeking a jury trial for their client and at least $2 million in compensation for the May 2018 incident. The lawsuit filed last Friday in U.S. District Court in Phoenix alleges excessive force, wrongful arrest, negligence, assault, battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. A Mesa spokesman said city officials would not comment on pending litigation. The apartment complex video shows the police officers repeatedly punching the unarmed Johnson as he stood against a wall after he failed to follow their instructions to sit down. A police report states Johnson was verbally defiant and confrontational, but his attorneys say there was no reason for officers to hit him. Johnson, 35, had accompanied a friend who was picking up his belongings from his ex-girlfriends apartment. Someone called 911 and alleged Johnsons friend had tried to force his way into the apartment and police confronted the men outside an elevator at the complex. Lawyers for Johnson said the beating left their client with serious injuries, emotional distress and medical expenses. Last August, Scottsdale police and the Maricopa County Attorneys Office cleared the Mesa officers of any criminal wrongdoing following an investigation. Johnsons attorneys filed a $1.97 million notice of claim a precursor to a lawsuit against Mesa last November. The city had 180 days to respond or settle the case. The Mesa police officers who assaulted Mr. Johnson were not prosecuted criminally, so we have to seek justice in a civil court, attorney Benjamin Taylor said Tuesday. UPDATE 10:22 a.m. Wednesday, May 8, 2019 - The Redding Police Department arrested a 15-year-old boy in connection to a filmed assault on a transient in downtown Redding. The name of the suspect has not been released because of his age. He was arrested at his home in Cottonwood on Tuesday afternoon and booked into Shasta County Juvenile Hall for felony assault. --- UPDATE 4:53 p.m. Tuesday, May 7, 2019 - The Redding Police Department has identified the victim that was attacked in a viral video released on Monday. Authorities confirmed that the victim is a 29-year-old homeless man. Action News Now is choosing to not release the victim's name. Officers found him in downtown Redding on Tuesday. He had bruising on his face, but he is expected to be OK. The victim said he didn't remember a lot about the attack. Officers showed the man the video and he confirmed that the suspect in the video did attack him. Authorities have identified the suspect but have not released his name because he is a juvenile. Stay tuned for updates. --- UPDATE 6:30 p.m. Monday, May 7, 2019 - The Redding Police Department has identified the suspect in the video depicting the assault. They are not releasing his name due to his age. The department is working to learn the identity of the victim in the video. Stay tuned for updates. --- REDDING, Calif. - The Redding Police Department is asking for the public's help in identifying people involved in a viral video. In the video, a man kicks another man while he appears to be sleeping on the ground. The video can be seen above. Anyone with information is asked to call the Redding Police Department at 530-225-4200. UPDATE 11:24 a.m. Tuesday, May 7, 2019 - Officers located a rental car leased to Manning bearing a suicide note on Oct. 6, 2016. While searching for Manning, authorities observed what appeared to be sophisticated counter-surveillance measures, leading them to believe Manning had faked his own death. Manning's body was never found. The search for Manning extended through Chico, Yuba City, Sacramento, San Francisco, Berkeley, Oakland and Alameda. Agents from the Marshals Service continued to develop leads regarding Manning's location. Investigators believed that on multiple occasions they had narrowly missed apprehending Manning. Monroe County Sheriffs Deputies in Key West, Florida, responded to a burglary alarm at a business on the Stock Island Marina on May 3rd, 2019. Deputies located a man living in an unlocked connex storage trailer adjacent to the property. The man identified himself as William Wallace Littlejohn, utilizing a Passport and US Navy ID Card. Littlejohn's identifying documents were determined to be fraudulent, and he was arrested. While in the Monroe County Jail, the suspect underwent fingerprint analysis and was positively identified as Michael Manning. --- STOCK ISLAND, Fla. - A Chico man, who was wanted by California authorities since 2016 for possession of hundreds of child pornography images, was arrested on Friday in the Stock Island, FL. The Monroe County Sheriff's Office said Michael Patrick Manning, 58, will be returned to California to face charges. He is currently in jail under no bail. Chico police charged Manning in 2016 with sexually soliciting a minor under the age of 14, engaging in sexual acts with a minor, and possession of 600 images of child pornography. Monroe County Sheriff's Deputies responded to 6811 Shrimp Road around 1:30 a.m. on May 5, regarding an alarm. A man was found in an unlocked trailer on the side of the property who identified themselves as William Wallace Littlejohn. The man said he didn't have an ID, and deputies did not find any record of that name provided. After finding various items with different identifications on them in the trailer, sheriff's deputies booked him into jail under the name John Doe. Soon after, the sheriff's office identified William Wallace Littlejohn as Manning. According to California authorities, Manning never showed up to his court hearing regarding the previous charges. His vehicle was also found parked on the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, suggesting he may have wanted authorities to believe he had taken his own life. Two nationwide be-on-the-lookout alerts for Manning were issued by federal authorities after, one regarding the warrants and another as a missing person. Manning is charged in Florida with giving law enforcement a false name and identification, but more charges may be pending. The Butte County District Attorney's Office said that Manning is pending sentencing for multiple counts and one open count for failing to appear. This is a developing story. Stay tuned for updates. BUTTE COUNTY, Calif. - A Paradise man pleaded no contest to stealing copper wire from the remains of Paradise Elementary School, which was destroyed in the Camp Fire. Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey said Steven Michael Siwinski, 50, pleaded no contest to a single felony count of second-degree burglary. The case began on Jan. 10, 2019, when an employee of the Paradise Unified School District notified authorities of a suspicious vehicle at the school. Police found Siwinski near the suspicious vehicle wearing a worker's vest and aa hard hat. He had magnets with the phrase "Little Big Minds" on the doors of the vehicles, which police suspected were being used to make the vehicle appear to be a contractor's work vehicle. Witnesses said they saw Siwinski with bolt cutters and other tools, which he later admitted were used to collect copper wire. Authorities also found an electrical panel that appeared to have been taken apart. Ramsey said Siwinski will be sentenced on June 27, 2019, and faces three years in county jail. COLFAX, Calif. - One man was killed when his raft flipped over in Colfax over the weekend. The Placer County Sheriff's Office said a couple's raft flipped in the Mineral Bar Campground area on Saturday. Dive teams found a woman, but could not find the man she was with in the raft. He was identified as David Johnson, 56, of Sacramento. State Parks dive teams found Johnson dead on Sunday around Upper Lake Clementine. With government-led initiatives such as Digital India, along with the rapid adoption of digital media India is poised to become the Next Big Frontier of the digital advertising world. In fact, the digital advertising market is expected to expand to Rs 24,920 crore ($3.52 billion) by 2021. As marketers in India are looking to deliver more customer-centric, relevant and meaningful advertisements, programmatic powered data-driven marketing has risen in prominence. Brands can now leverage data to understand what their customers are interested in, when they are most willing to buy, the likelihood of a purchase decision and the right time and place to deliver an ad. Adoption of programmatic technology is poised to pick up in 2019, with 52 per cent of marketers in India either planning to adopt or currently evaluating whether to adopt programmatic buying. However, such growth does not come without challenges, such as a lack of programmatic-trained marketers and understanding towards how programmatic can fit within the marketing strategy. WPPs Mindshare recently stated that in its tests run in March 2019 in the Asia Pacific showed up to 28 per cent increased efficiency for client PepsiCo in terms of costs for viewable impressions, in running the campaign through smart contracts, versus one without. This was achieved through Mindshare providing seamless end-to- end reconciliation of the programmatic supply chain using blockchain for PepsiCo in partnership with Zilliqa Research, Rubicon Project, MediaMath and Integral Ad Science. Speaking on the development, Erich Wasserman, Co-founder and Head of Strategic Business Development at MediaMath, had said, We look forward to growing the addressable data and media supply chain that that can take full advantage of the powerful optimisation tools that buy-side platforms afford advertisers. MediaMath, a leading programmatic advertising company, has been helping brands and agencies deliver relevant advertisements across multiple platforms. Since 2007, when the company created the first software for real-time media buying, MediaMaths global infrastructure, vast partner network and quantitative approach have delivered transformative results. MediaMath is working to accelerate Indias digital ad spend growth by way of cultivating a healthy programmatic environment that will empower brands to realise the full potential of the technology and industry. MediaMath builds on the leading edge of technology and innovates at scale. It combines an open platform purpose-built for enterprise marketers and powered by machine learning with scaled, privileged inventory, exclusive data and industry-leading training and support. Leading MediaMaths operations in India is Country Manager Pranjal Desai, who came on board in July 2017. She was previously an Associate Director for the ad sales team at Flipkart. Prior to Flipkart, Desai was managing Oomph Australias top key accounts, including Australias largest publishing houses and media agencies. In conversation with Adgully, Pranjal Desai, India Country Manager, MediaMath, speaks about MediaMaths journey and growth in India, the rise of programmatic in the country, the digital landscape and more. Excerpts: How has MediaMaths journey and growth been in India and globally? Globally, MediaMath was the first DSP (Demand Site Platform). We started back in 2007, when our founder wrote the first code of the DSP. We have been the leader in this particular space since then. We are headquartered in New York and have 17 offices across the globe. In India, we have an office in Bangalore, we began operations in the country 5-6 years back. I joined MediaMath in July 2017 and that is when we began India operations from the ground. In the 2 years since I have held the business for MediaMath in India, we have seen a very good growth in this space. We work with a varied range of clients in India and have 2-3 different models. We work with agencies directly as well. MediaMath is a programmatic platform that helps advertisers filter out the users and reach them in the right context, with the right message and at the right time. Our platform sifts through all the impressions at any given point in time and ensures that whatever is the particular target audience and message for the advertiser, it is delivered in the right context. This is the core of what Programmatic means and what our platforms delivers in the market. How are you educating and training people to use these programmatic platforms? Programmatic is a young industry in India. Although the adoption has been quite good, it is in a very select circle primarily comprising the ad agencies and new age brands that are mainly targeting the young audience who are taking up programmatic. The main challenge to the adoption of programmatic is the lack of education or knowledge in the market. MediaMath has globally taken up the mantle to educate brands and agencies. MediaMath has an educational arm called New Marketing Institute (NMI), where we have trainers both on ground and online who train brands on the use of programmatic. We have 15 different courses on programmatic out of which only two are MediaMath related. The courses are broken down to the basic level so that brands can see how programmatic can bring value to their marketing plan, which eventually will give them the business RoI required from marketing. What are the benefits of programmatic? How can brands drive successful campaigns and plan omni-channel marketing strategies? Right now marketers are making their buys in various media in a siloed fashion. In that scenario, you understand how a campaign has performed for a particular publisher. However, from an umbrella perspective on the overall performance of the campaign, you might not be able to get those insights. By omni-channel, we mean that we are connected to all different media channels and tying them together to ensure that you are getting a view of the consumer wherever the consumer is rather than hoping that your consumer is with a particular publisher. I believe programmatic drives this omni-channel view, where you know where all the consumer has gone, where all you have got the impressions of the ad and how the consumer has reacted. Once you have that information with you, then you can picture the whole story. How do you view Indias digital landscape? In the last 3-4 years, Indias digital spends have really gone up. Advertisers understand the importance of digital marketing. The digital advertising market in India is poised to be around $ 3.5 billion by 2021. If you look at it from a brand perspective, 2-3 years back digital was commanding anywhere around 5-10 per cent of a brands total marketing spends. I have now seen that grow up to 20-25 per cent among the traditional brands. If you look at the new age brands, their digital spends are much higher. There a big shift in ad dollars being spent from traditional media to digital. Programmatic accounts for 2-3 per cent of the digital spends, which is very small. However, in the last couple of years I have seen that grow a lot as the ecosystem is evolving in India. Compared to the rate at which the western markets are growing, India is leapfrogging ahead and in a couple of years we may see India reach the same place as the western markets. We have seen a massive uptake and growth in both programmatic and digital. How has the expansion of the digital market in India been? In India, we have seen the OTT market expand a lot. That is coming from the fact that the consumer usage patterns are changing. The younger generations have stopped their Tata Sky subscription and have moved on to OTT platforms such as Netflix, Hotstar and Voot. That strategy has led to brands rethinking their digital strategies, where they are moving their TV budgets to digital, especially OTT players. That is going to give a massive push in terms of pushing the growth numbers. How can programmatic help give Indian users a richer experience? A simple example is that on a webpage you can see 3-4 ads by the same brand. That is a very bad user experience and wastage of ad spends on behalf of the brand. That is where programmatic platforms can help. Another example is where you can achieve a targeted sequencing of ads. Therefore, if a user is interested in a teaser ad, then you can follow up with other ads to keep the consumer interested. With programmatic you no longer need to create several ad units. There are technologies such as dynamic creative optimisation, where you can feed the message, image and TG and the tech spits out different permutations and combinations of the creative that can be used with a programmatic platform. This leads to a huge impact. Programmatic allows you to see everything because of the data available and then make optimised decisions. Indians still like to touch and feel before they buy. Will programmatic help them achieve this experience? There is a massive young population that is okay with not having the touch and buy experience. The e-commerce sites, food delivery start-ups and cab start-ups are all examples that Indians are expanding their horizons and are okay with not to touch, feel and buy. It also depends on which industry you are talking about; for instance, the automobile industry, where consumers would want to physically test drive a vehicle before buying. However, programmatic can still help drive many aspects of the consumer-buying journey. As per a report, 52 per cent of marketers in India are planning to adopt programmatic buying. What are the need gaps for agencies and brands to shift to programmatic? There are three factors keeping brands and agencies from shifting to programmatic. One is the knowledge about what programmatic can do. Secondly, in the industry there is a lack of programmatically trained marketers. A very selective group really knows programmatic. The third is that programmatic as an entire ecosystem goes through many changes globally, but being in India it is still evolving. Our platform, which is a DSP, is connected to a supply site platform, a data provider platform and a brand safety services platform. All of these players have to come together to service brands as a community and we see that it will give a big push to the ecosystem. Kathmandu, Nepal, May 7, 2019: Governments policy and program has been passed with majority of votes amidst the protest from the fringe parties including the main opposition Nepali Congress (NC). A meeting of the House of Representatives passed the policy and programs presented by the government for the fiscal year 2076/77 on May 3. Though the main opposition Nepali Congress party raised their objection over the governments policy and program demanding corrections in some points, the parliament passed with majority votes notwithstanding the concerns raised by the NC. As the NC lawmakers raised some questions expressing their dissatisfaction to the response of the Prime Minister to the parliament, Prime Minister KP Shara Oli denied giving answer. Following the statement of Prime Minister Oli the NC members of parliament stood from their respective seat as the Prime Minister tried to respond to the supplementary questions. Speaker Krishna Bahadur Mahara had made repeated requests to the MPs to take their respective seats. But the NC lawmakers denied doing so. the policy and program was declared to have passed with majority votes. A desert. A plane crash. Two investigative journalists. And a bottle of Thums Up Charged. Ramping up the thrill quotient, Thums Up has released an action-packed summer campaign led by its variant, Thums Up Charged. The new campaign exemplifies the uncompromising attitude and unshakeable self-belief that heroism is an opportunity in any given situation, no matter how challenging it is. For the first time, joining brand ambassadors Ranveer Singh (Hindi film) and Mahesh Babu (Telugu film) in action is model Diva Dhawan. The duo team up as investigative journalists to take charge by unleashing their potential and pushing the boundaries. Directed by renowned filmmaker Abhinay Deo, the enthralling film has been shot in a desert on the border of Namibia and South Africa. Shrenik Dasani, Vice President Sparkling Category, Coca-Cola India and South West Asia said, With Thums Up Charged, our intent is to continue bringing the taste of thunder to consumers taste buds - as we take things a notch higher, in line with what consumers continually expect from Thums Up. This new Thums Up Charged campaign seeks to reinforce the Never Give Up attitude, serve as a salute to the uncompromising attitude of heroes, and in the process, encourage people to challenge themselves and unleash their true potential. We are confident that consumers will find enjoyment and inspiration in this campaign, brought to life by our heroes Ranveer Singh and Mahesh Babu. The film opens with an aerial shot of a plane crashed in the middle of a desert. Two investigative journalists are stranded in the desert along with secret footage secured in a box. Handing over the box to the girl, the male protagonist notices a bottle of Thums Up Charged and charges towards it. As he takes a big gulp from the bottle, his eyes light up and there is a smirk on his face as he comes up with a plan. Running towards the crashed aircraft, he lifts the wing up. The girl ties the parachute to the tail of the plane, setting it in motion. Securing the box, both get on the plane, amidst strong tail wind steering the aeroplane across the desert. The strong forces of the wind push them forward making the plane fall of the cliff. Noticing that the box has slipped away and is about to fall off the cliff, the two take a leap to catch it. The plane comes crashing down with the journalists landing safely with the footage, thereby overcoming challenges and pushing themselves to Never Give Up Ever! Janmenjoy Mohanty, Regional Creative Officer, Lowe Lintas said, Thums Up Charged is all set to #TakeCharge this summer. A distressed situation, secret footage at stake, and two never-say-die protagonists who steel themselves and find a way out. Thats the theme of our new film for Thums Up Charged. While this new story retains all the key ingredients of a Thums Up TV commercial, weve added some new elements to the mix. For one there is an action duo this time - joining Ranveer Singh and Mahesh Babu in the action is Diva Dhawan. Also, the two central people have a character role theyre both investigative journalists. The campaign will be active across multiple consumer touch points like TV, Print, Outdoor and digital & social media. Thums Up Charged is the first ever innovation under brand Thums Up which was launched to celebrate 40 years of Thums Up. The variant is the result of Coca-Cola's steadfast commitment to innovation by offering more beverage choices to its consumers. Continuing with the same Toofani image, Thums Up Charged is packed with more thunder and stronger taste. The innovation takes the iconicity of the brand Thums Up to the next level and helps in accelerating its journey to becoming the first home-grown billion-dollar beverage brand in the Coca-Cola system. Creative Team Agency: Lowe Lintas Agency Creative Team: Arun Iyer, Prateek Bhardwaj, Janmenjoy Mohanty, Manzoor Alam, Aarti Srinivasan Agency Team: Naveen Gaur, Tanul Bhartiya, Dallbir Singh, Pratik Adhikari, Anurag Prasad, Pallavi Mehta Production House: Ramesh Deo Production Post-Production House: Platypus Production Director: Abhinay Deo DOP: Vicci Turpin Music: Mikey McCleary Medlife, www.medlife.com, Indias largest online pharmacy, has recently released new TVCs highlighting its standing as a holistic healthcare provider. Conceptualized by Lowe Lintas, Medlifes new campaign unveils its tagline Health comes Home and showcases the brands various offerings with pithy and humorous messaging. Each TVC underscores the companys commitment to its core brand value of securing better access to health in all forms for consumers. Medlife is a one-stop-shop for everything, giving consumers the benefit of better control, accessibility, and transparency. At the heart of each storyline are users with different healthcare needs. While one couple manages to buy healthcare supplies beyond just medicines with the 25% discount offered by Medlife, another family can save a trip to several stores and buy different medicines on a single platform by scanning the prescription. The TVCs present the true concept behind Medlife, and how it goes beyond being just another online pharmacy to a comprehensive platform offering other services also such as online doctor consultations and at-home lab tests. In each case, Medlife makes the process simpler, faster and more convenient. The TVCs will be aired in languages such as Bengali, Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil, Marathi, and Telugu apart from Hindi. The message conveyed by Medlife in a lighthearted manner through this campaign, centers on the best price, home delivery, and widest range of services. Ms Meera Iyer, Chief Marketing Officer, Medlife.com, said, Medlife has grown very quickly to become a 1,000 Cr GMV company & our ambitions are to more than double it this financial year maintaining our leadership position. The TVCs are relatable, showing how Medlife can solve for every patients needs for medicines and other health care services like lab diagnostics & doctor consultations easily enabled with our technology. Hence, the new positioning of Health Comes Home Medlife not only has the widest range of medicines but also over 2,500 doctors on its platform who can be consulted anytime, anywhere. It currently services over 20,000 deliveries across 29 states and 25,000 pin codes and offers at-home diagnostics. Tier 2 and 3 are the fastest growing segments for Medlife, and metro cities contribute to about 70% of the share. Medlife recently crossed the 1000 crore plus run rate as of March 2019. The company expects to achieve overall sales of 1500 crores with an exit run rate of 2000 crores over the next financial year. Some of the companys USPs include a customer-centric approach, saving of time and money, a transparent inventory-led model, and the steadfast conviction to sell drugs only against a valid doctors prescription. The company is simplifying healthcare, making it comprehensive, affordable and effective in the country. 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. KATHMANDU, May 7: Main opposition Nepali Congress leader Prakashman Singh has described the government new policies and programs as a well-arranged essay. Taking part in the deliberations over the government policies and programs for the upcoming fiscal year 2076-77 BS (2019-20) in a session of the House of Representatives today, he said the document was like an essay assigned to secondary level students to write by incorporating acts need to be undertaken to build the nation. Policies and programs are like of a document filled up by slogans, he claimed, adding that though some issues incorporated in the document were positive, their implementation seemed difficult. Expressing his doubt that a target of double-digit economic growth would be achieved, it advised the government to invest additional Rs 170 billion to materialize the dream. Taking part another leader Bal Krishna Khand took time to accuse the government of performing against the constitutional norms and values, claiming that a bad tradition was attempted to be established while presenting the policies and programs. Devendra Raj Kandel and Uma Regmi from the same party assessed that the new policies and programs had failed to accept the reality while Uma Shankar Aragariya of Federal Socialist Forum thanked the government for prioritizing the issues of agriculture, tourism and hydropower in the policies and programs. https://www.aish.com/jw/id/The-Tragic-Story-of-Dan-Givon-A-Yom-Hazikaron-Remembrance.html A week after receiving his wings in the Israeli air force, Dan fought in The Six Day War. He was killed defending Jerusalem. For years on my way home in Jerusalem I would pass Givat HaMatos (Airplane Hill) and wonder what was the story behind this place and how it got its name. I finally succumbed to intrigue and began to unravel the life of an idealistic Israeli pilot whose plane was shot down, crashing into the mountain ridge I rode past every day. His name was Dan Givon and he died defending the city I am proud to call home. Lt. Dan Givon Dan was born on April 26 1946, two years before the State of Israel was declared. His parents, Ben-Uri and Miriam, were among a group of youth movement members who had moved from Romania and Yugoslavia, founding members of a new kibbutz. Shaar Ha Amakim, meaning Gate of the Valleys. Located in the north of the country, with the beautiful backdrop of the Carmel Mountains, today it is a home to a wide range of successful Israeli farming and enterprise, and a major producer of sunflower seeds. Brother to Shula and Ilan Givon, Dan is remembered with affection by friends from the kibbutz, now in their 70s. He was a handsome young man, says Baruch Birnbaum. He was blessed with many talents. Dan seemed to breeze through school and stood out for his music and artistic capabilities. Together with other children on the kibbutz, he formed a musical group who would perform songs in Hebrew. Dan was the songwriter and among his favorite themes was the beauty of the land of Israel. At 16, Dan left the kibbutz to finish the final year of high school in Tel Aviv, attaining high grades across the board. At the end of his last year of studies, with his military service approaching, he had long made up his mind to take the entrance test for the air force. As the Israeli saying goes, The best go to be pilots. Dan Givon fought in The Six Day War a week after receiving his wings. Yisrael Rom, a friend, recalls, He worked incredibly hard. Many on the kibbutz were surprised when he completed the course. Not everybody did; it was tough mentally and physically, and pilots often flew alone, requiring a vast knowledge of aviation and the mastery of the mechanics of the wide range of planes that comprised Israels air force. Dan was 21 when he graduated the course at the end of May 1967, on the eve of the Six Day War. As he was receiving his wings, massive Egyptian and Syrian forces were mounting on Israels borders while calls for her destruction rang through the airways in Cairo and Damascus. Israeli pilots flying Fouga Magista planes. Israel acted decisively with a pre-emptive strike on the Egyptian forces, destroying over 500 aircraft as they sat parked on the runway. That day, Dan received his first mission, in his Fouga CM.170 Magister plane, providing air support for the IDF ground forces who had become enmeshed in fighting as they attempted to strike the 100,000 Egyptian troops and 3000 tanks, APCs and artillery pieces on the Sinai border. On the second day of the war he was called to defend Jerusalem after Jordan entered the war, sending a barrage of artillery fire towards Jewish neighborhoods on the citys south eastern belt. The Jordanians had dug deep into a large hill across a shallow valley from Kibbutz Ramat Rachel. The site was of high strategic value, giving a view of over half of Jerusalem. Also home to a 6th century monastery, in 1956 it gained the notorious name, The Hill of the Four, after Jordanian snipers gunned down four Israeli archaeologists touring the site. A network of tunnels, barracks and trenches had been dug into the side of the ridge of the hill allowing Jordanian forces to pose a constant threat to Jewish neighborhoods. A strategic site overlooking Jerusalem As part of a four-plane platoon, Danny, the youngest of the pilots, flew low over the hillside attempting to find the right angle to take out the artillery positions. Trying to dodge anti-aircraft fire, he took a direct hit, plummeting out of the sky and crashing down on the adjacent ridge. The place became known as Givat HaMatos, Airplane Hill. I remember the attack, writes Moshe Limey, who was nine years old in 1967. The planes reached southwest of the monastery above the green mountain. There I saw four planes fly past shooting at the mountain hideout. I will never forget, the fourth plane was hit and did not emerge with the others. He added, I will always remember how it curled toward the ground and the strong black smoke that rose into the sky after it hit the ground. Remain of Jordanian base dug into the hillside In the spirit of the IDF not to leave a man behind, efforts were made immediately to rescue Dans body from his aircraft. However in the ensuing attempts to rescue him, three soldiers tripped mines planted by Jordanians, suffering serious leg injuries. After the war, two of these men would name their sons Dan in his memory. The terrible news soon reached Dans parents and his friends in Shaar HaAmakim where friends to this day remember the sadness that engulfed the kibbutz. Baruch Birnbaum, says, I can still recall when they posted the news of his death on the billboard in the dining room. The whole kibbutz was in heavy mourning. He continued, It was just the day after another son of kibbutz members had been killed while on patrol near the Gaza Strip. During Dans funeral at the kibbutz cemetery his father recited some of his poems. For these friends and family, the idealism of this young pilot still lives on. I still remember the songs Danny wrote like it was yesterday, Birnbaum says, They pay testament to a young man who had such sensitivity and love for the colors, landscapes, sounds, sounds and people he grew up with. The Jerusalem municipality erected a monument on Givat HaMatos on the spot where Dan fell. It flanks the Hebron Road, a major artery that leads to the Old City that was also liberated in the Six Day War. A local elementary school has taken responsibility to preserve the site, visiting every year to clear away the weeds, cut back the grass and keep the memory of this story alive. Directly opposite, stands the Mar Elias Monastery and the remains of the Jordanian batteries that can still be seen visibly by passing cars. Monument on Givat HaMatos I have often taken visitors to climb this hill, to take in its incredible panoramic view of history and beauty, old and new. To one side are the foothills and town of Bethlehem, where King David once walked as a shepherd, to another is the Tomb of Rachel, the Matriarch of the Jewish People buried by Jacob almost 4,000 years ago. As you turn, an unbelievable vista of Jerusalem opens up, with over half of the city visible, and just meters away is Givat HaMatos where one of Israels most idealistic young pilots fell protecting the land that he loved. On Yom HaZikaron, let us remember Lt. Danny Givon and all of the soldiers and members of the security forces who have fallen in their defense of Israel. May their memories be for a blessing. TUNIS, Tunisia Over the past 11 weeks, little has slowed the pace of protests across Algeria, as hundreds of thousands of citizens from all walks of life have taken to the street to voice their rejection of the entrenched cliques and clans that have come to define the Algerian political and business elite for decades. Events took a dramatic turn on May 4 with the arrest of Said Bouteflika, the brother of ousted President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, long considered to be the de facto ruler of the country, along with former Intelligence Chief Gens. Bachir Athmane Tartag and Mohamed Mediene (better known as Toufik). All three stand accused of harming the armys authority and plotting against state authority. These latest arrests follow those of five of the countrys leading oligarchs, including Algerias richest man, Issad Rebrab, last week, and the dismissal of the CEO of the state energy company, Abdelmoumen Ould Kaddour, as the relentless pressure for change from the streets chips away at the traditional power structures, the pouvoir, which have overseen the economy as it has mired and stagnated. For decades, Algeria has relied upon its massive hydrocarbon reserves to power its economy, using its exports to underpin a subsidy program unrivalled within the region. However, with that has come large-scale corruption that has dogged economic growth and restricted access into the workplace for many. Currently, around 30% of Algerias population are ages 15 to 29, with 70% of the population under the age of 30. Within that first bracket, employment runs to around one in four. Despite calls for change from international bodies such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, little has been done to diversify Algerias monolithic and state dependent industries, essentially bequeathing a poisoned chalice to whatever government might inherit the present administrations legacy. Growth is as slow as corruption is rife. According to Transparency International, Algeria achieved just 35 points out of a potential 100 in the 2018 Corruption Perceptions Index, significantly below the global average of 43 and notably below the regional average of 39. Few of Algerias protesters have any illusions about the virtue of the infrastructure they are fighting for. Corruption has been literally infecting this country for decades. It's the basis of the system, Algerian author Anys Mezzaour told Al-Monitor. It's everywhere. You can see that properties are crumbling while billions are disappearing through money funneling networks. The tendrils of Algerias corruption extend to every aspect of modern life, Mezzaour said, adding, Entire parts of people's lives are limited by corruption: security, health, education, property access, job access, and so on. Despite numerous and highly vocal commitments to wean the country off its reliance on hydrocarbons and the subsidies they underpin, successive budget deficits have seen Algerias foreign reserves shrink from $178 billion in 2014 to $62 billion today, as the government borrows from its future to subsidize its present. The government's strategy for 20 years was to buy social peace, Mezzaour noted. They made an implicit deal with society: You don't demand your rights and liberties and in exchange we promise to offer you a better life through subsidies. However, the fall in oil prices since 2014 has given the lie to government assurances, according to Mezzaour. This policy was to shut down any political opposition and to divide and conquer [with corruption the only winner]," Mezzaour added. Few of the protest leaders Al-Monitor spoke to believed that the regimes ousting would immediately lead to any cleansing of the administration, or surge in the jobs and future that got the countrys young to protest in the streets. Young people arent demanding jobs, so much as they are demanding dignity. They want a better life, said Raouf Farrah, coordinator for Appel des jeunes engages pour l'Algerie, a youth collective calling for radical change before the beginning of the Hirak popular protests. People know the economic situation is difficult, Farrah told Al-Monitor, outlining some of the social pressures the next few years would undoubtedly bring. Above all else, we need a legitimate government that can make legitimate and strategic choices. People are pragmatic. Ultimately, they are calling for a government that respects them and their willingness to concretize democracy and rule of law. Farrah added, People are aware that it is going to be a long, long journey to achieve democracy. We probably have enough foreign currency to support us for about four years, but a lot can be achieved in four years. Algeria has wasted decades. This is why its so important to act now. However, standing in their way are the remaining strands of the regime, not least the armys Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Ahmed Gaid Salah, and the long month of Ramadan when the protest movement that has relied on its scale will essentially be hampered by the religious rituals of the holy month. The next few weeks will be critical, Farrah noted. Over the last few weeks we have seen two distinct sides emerge: the popular movement and the army. The population is expecting that the army will support its demands. Otherwise the positions will polarize. He added, Right now the army needs guarantees, just as the popular movement needs the armys support, even if thats just them standing aside. To this end, Farrah said, mediation would be vital, with the momentum that has carried Algerias popular movement thus far paramount. However, that momentum now looks imperiled by Ramadan, with many Algerians restructuring their days to reflect the holy months daylight fast. That the nature of the demonstrations would change was almost certain, the spokesperson for one of the countrys protest groups, Farkata, said on condition of anonymity, adding, This Ramadan will push Algerians to find new solutions to maintain the pressure on the system. Eleven weeks of protest have seen the Algerian demonstrators dislodge a president and much of the countrys political and business establishment. However, despite the achievements of the last few months, many still expect the greater challenges to lie ahead. GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip Hamas intends to form a supreme body composed of Palestinian, Arab and Islamic forces to confront the US deal of the century, a step that the Fatah movement deems as a major mistake given that the PLO is the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people. During a seminar April 23 in Gaza City titled Mechanisms to deal with the deal of the century and attended by Al-Monitor, Salah al-Bardawil, member of Hamas political bureau, revealed that his movement is seeking to form a supreme body composed of Palestinian, Arab and Islamic forces to counter the US deal of the century. Bardawil is yet to reveal which forces are to take part. In a speech he delivered during a meeting with leaders of Palestinian factions in Gaza City April 27 and attended by Al-Monitor, Ismail Haniyeh, head of Hamas' political bureau, called for the development of a national vision and strategy and a national code of conduct to foil the deal of the century. According to Jared Kushner, US President Donald Trump's senior adviser, the deal will be announced in June. Haniyeh said, Only unity can help us confront this situation, and we are ready to hold urgent meetings with all of the Palestinian forces, especially Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and the Fatah leadership, either in Gaza or in Egypt. Fatah leader Yahya Rabah told Al-Monitor, Hamas declaration is a big mistake in the presence of the PLO, which is the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people. The PLO committees refuse the deal of the century altogether and are fighting it with all their might. He said, The formation of the body entrenches Palestinian division, which Hamas is committed to. Hamas is trying to provide an alternative to the PLO, but only this organization will thwart the deal of the century. Rabah added, If Hamas wants to foil the deal of the century, it should end division and yield to Abbas so that there are joint efforts to foil this deal. We are working with Arab countries, including Egypt, to end the division. Fatah is constantly holding meetings with the Egyptian leadership to discuss mechanisms capable of implementing reconciliation and pressuring Hamas into implementing the national reconciliation agreement signed in Cairo in 2017." On April 21, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said during a meeting with Abbas that his country is exerting efforts to allow the reconciliation agreement to come to fruition based on an Egyptian strategy that aims at supporting the role of the Palestinian Authority in the Gaza Strip and foiling any attempts aimed at entrenching division. Mariam Abu Daqqa, member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine political bureau, told Al-Monitor, Any party that does not fall within the framework of the PLO is rejected because it entrenches internal division. We shall not tolerate any alternative to the PLO. Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem told Al-Monitor, We are constantly discussing with Palestinian and Arab national factions to foil the US deal of the century, which infringes upon the rights of the Palestinian people. These infringements include the right of return and the US recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. For the deal to be thwarted, division shall come to an end, the Palestinian political system shall be united and a Palestinian national government shall be formed, Qassem added. He pointed out that during meetings with Egyptian officials, most recently on Feb. 5 in Cairo, his movement tackled the risks that the US deal poses to the Palestinians. He said that Egypt affirmed it stands with the Palestinian right that is guaranteed by international law and that it cannot be part of anything that infringes upon the rights of our people. In a final statement following an emergency meeting April 21 in Cairo, Arab foreign ministers reiterated their rejection of any peace deal that does not support the rights of the Palestinian people. Mohamed Ibrahim, a member of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs and of the advisory board of the Egyptian Center for Strategic Studies, wrote in a May 1 study that Arab leaders, led by Egypt and Sisi, are capable of confronting the deal of the century while maintaining Arab national security and the Palestinian tenets. It is a difficult task, but we can do it. We definitely can so long as we rely on rationality, objectivity and Arab unity toward the Palestinian cause, he added. Saleh Raafat, a member of the PLO Executive Committee, said April 25 in a press statement, Hamas formation of a supreme body to confront the deal of the century is part of attempts to form an alternative framework to the PLO. Of note, the body is expected to assume functions that overlap with the functions of the internationally recognized PLO. Raafat added, The deal of the century can be thwarted through adherence to the position of the PLO, which rejects this deal, and through the implementation of the national reconciliation agreement signed in Cairo in 2017. Palestinian political analyst Talal Awkal told Al-Monitor, All Palestinians reject the deal of the century, but the problem is that there is no national strategy to resist the deal. [Hamas] is trying to suggest a formula parallel to the role that should be played by the PLO. He said Hamas desire to form the body is not likely to come to fruition, as Arab countries are forced to deal with the Palestinian legitimacy represented by the PLO. Ibrahim al-Madhoun, a political analyst close to the Hamas movement, told Al-Monitor that the body will not serve as a substitute for the PLO but will fill the void left by the organization, which failed to manage the current Palestinian situation, represent the Palestinian people or solve the problems facing the Palestinian cause. Madhoun said that Hamas, through the body, is trying to block attempts aimed at liquidating the Palestinian cause; it wants to unite the Palestinian efforts. This does not mean that it will serve as an alternative to the PLO, he added. Despite the recent convergence between Hamas and Egypt, Madhoun found it unlikely for Egypt or any other Arab country to take part in a body that the Fatah movement opposes, and said that all Arab countries will be dealing with the PLO. According to Madhoun, Egypt will keep protecting the Palestinian cause and rejecting the deal of the century so long as the Palestinians are opposed to it. On the anniversary of the US administration's pullout from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Iran's President Hassan Rouhani is set to announce a series of countermeasures that have been the subject of much speculation in Iran in the past few days. Rouhani's May 8 televised statement will come against the backdrop of the widespread US "maximum pressure" campaign that targets Iran's oil exports through ending sanctions waivers granted to its leading oil buyers. More specifically and recently, the United States also reduced another set of waivers allowing nuclear cooperation between Iran and the remaining parties to the JCPOA. "Iran to strike match that will set JCPOA on fire," announced ultraconservative Javan on its front page May 7, referencing a famous speech by the country's supreme leader in June 2016, where he responded to US threats of departure from the JCPOA. Ever since then, however, Iran has been exercising what it calls "strategic patience," a policy aimed at keeping the JCPOA alive. To that end, the Islamic Republic has been negotiating with the European signatories on the benefits owed to Iran under the deal. But the hard-line camp has repeatedly maintained that pinning hopes on Europe will bear no fruit. Reflecting the voice of the most uncompromising members of the camp, Kayhan has now advised the government to announce "practical measures" and move beyond political statements by making it clear that Iran has no intention of "keeping the deal at any cost." The paper once again criticized the Rouhani government for depending too much on Europe's "empty promises." Elsewhere, the chairman of the Iranian Parliament's economic commission called on Rouhani to sort things out with the Europeans as soon as possible, describing the European behavior toward Iran as "impudent." And according to conservative pundit Foad Izadi, Iran must send the message that the other side's failure to keep its promises has a price. "One of our problems is that they do not take our officials seriously which is why they keep mounting pressure." Rouhani is expected to announce an end to some of the nuclear commitments with which Iran has been complying under the JCPOA, but a full pullout is not an option for now. Other official voices have stated that the any measures will be allowable within the framework of the JCPOA and that Iran will continue to abide by the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Ultraconservative lawmaker Mojtaba Zolnoor has been a staunch critic of Rouhani's government. The cleric, who also chairs the parliament's nuclear commission, suggested that a complete exit is the only option. He believes that reducing commitments does not make any sense when "there is no nuclear deal left behind," saying, "The JCPOA resembles an abandoned house covered by spider webs, with the [Iranian] government the only one staying inside." However, some inside the Reformist camp oppose not only withdrawal from the JCPOA but also any reactionary measures. "Given the current circumstances, Iran should avoid reciprocal reactions and act with creativity," according to pro-Reform Etemad. "To stay in the JCPOA or leave it is a collective, strategic and extremely sensitive decision that must precisely take into account all calculations without any mistake," Alireza Akbari warned in the editorial. The Iraqi Interior Ministry wants to build fences around the bridges of the capital city of Baghdad in order to reduce the increasing number of suicide attempts. The ministry submitted a proposal in this regard on April 15 with the support of Baghdad Provincial Council president Riyad al-Adadh, who described the project as a viable and feasible idea. The proposal recognizes the increasing suicide rate in Baghdad and other Iraqi cities at a time when the news of suicide makes headlines on an almost daily basis. A security source reported April 29 on the condition of anonymity that a river rescue force rescued a young woman who tried to throw herself from al-Jadriyah Bridge in central Baghdad. A 46-year-old woman immolated herself April 29 in Nasiriyah in the center of Dhi Qar province. A day before, a man had tried to commit suicide by throwing himself from al-Joumhuriya Bridge in central Baghdad. Also on April 28, a young man committed suicide by hanging himself in his tent in a refugee camp east of Kirkuk. A Kurdish judge in the Kurdistan Region, Subhi Abdellay, shot himself live on Facebook. Ali al-Bayati, spokesman for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Baghdad, revealed to Al-Monitor official statistics that his office obtained from government agencies and field surveys. According to these statistics, The first three months of the year 2019 witnessed 135 cases of suicide in different provinces, except for Baghdad, whose statistics they have not obtained yet. Kirkuk [in the north] topped the list of cities that witnessed suicide attempts, followed by the province of Basra [in the south]. In 2017, 840 people committed suicide. With 350 cases, Baghdad topped the list of cities that witnessed suicide operations, followed by Kirkuk. These statistics did not include the Kurdistan Region, where the suicide rate is also remarkable, he added. Bayati said the year 2018 "witnessed about 460 cases, excluding some provinces that were either reluctant to reveal statistics or did not have any. "In 2017 and 2018, the suicide rate in females was remarkably higher than in males, he added. Despite these huge figures, the ministrys intended security fence was widely criticized by social networking activists, social experts, and concerned officials and citizens. Saad al-Matlabi, a member of Baghdads provincial council, told Al-Monitor, The construction of a fence will not limit the number of suicide attempts. The concerned parties should understand the real reasons that are leading individuals to commit suicide. In addition, this phenomenon requires a comprehensive vision and a variety of solutions, not just a fence. The government does not seem to have a vision in this regard. Ahmad al-Thahabi, a researcher in psychology at the University of Baghdad, told Al-Monitor that the real reasons are the social and economic pressures and the violent environment that resulted from the wars and the security chaos that lasted for many years in Iraq. There is also a clear shortage in the necessities of a comfortable life, namely water and electricity. This causes individuals to lose control and commit suicide. Thahabi said that substance abuse creates a state of despair and depression and ultimately leads to suicide. Most of those who attempt suicide are either unemployed, unable to scratch out a living, or have social problems related to honor and tribal revenge. He added, "Social research at the University of Baghdad suggests that suicide is rampant among women, especially girls, as Iraqi society is a patriarchal society where women do not enjoy the same rights as men. They are insulted and beaten at the first mistake or whenever someone is angry at them. There are mothers who commit suicide because they have no breadwinner and cannot provide for their children, let alone themselves. Poverty drives women either to commit suicide or to disappear, Thahabi said. Khulood al-Shammari, a social researcher and member of the civil organization the Tigris and Euphrates Sons Gathering, said, This is only a provisional solution. But there are civil and human rights organizations and social institutions that are working to establish effective and continuous means to treat and prevent this problem. She said there is an advanced step in this direction that was carried out by the Integrity Commission in coordination with civil society organizations, including her organization, and with support of the United Nations Development Programme, in order to train and prepare researchers and psychologists and develop health programs aimed at treating the phenomenon of suicide. Former judge and legal expert Ali al-Tamimi told Al-Monitor, Article 408 of the Penal Code punishes any person who incites a person to commit suicide by a term of imprisonment not exceeding seven years. If the person who commits suicide is under 18 years of age, it is considered an aggravating circumstance. There is no penalty for attempted suicide, he added. Tamimi attributed the main cause of suicide to economic factors and poverty and proposed parliamentary legislation that allocates a share of the oil [revenues] to citizens and increases the items included in the ration card. Parliament member Yusra Rajab, who is a member of the Human Rights Parliamentary Commission, told Al-Monitor that the suicide rate has reached serious levels" and measures needed to address the problem. [There is a need] for research that determines the real causes of suicide. Also, [there is a need] for projects to be established with the Ministries of Health, Interior and Labor, civil society organizations and religious institutions. Fighting this phenomenon has become a priority, Rajab added. Late Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabins doctrine, We must fight terrorism as if there's no peace process and work to achieve peace as if there's no terror, could be twisted to describe the approach of current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: We must pay for terror as if there is no peace, and we must fight peace as if there is no terror. On several occasions, Israel has authorized Qatari transfers of financial aid to Gaza. On May 7, Qatar announced that it would transfer more monetary aid both to Gaza and to the West Bank. Israel has been using Qatar to fund the Hamas regime in Gaza even while the regime is attacking Israeli localities in the south, killing Israeli citizens and openly conspiring against a diplomatic arrangement. The same Israeli government is attacking the Palestinian Authority, whose leaders support a diplomatic arrangement, by withholding taxes paid by the residents of the occupied territories and collected by Israel. In fact, Israel passed a law last year to deduct from the PA tax revenues compensatory payments the PA makes to families of Palestinian assailants. While Israel is engaging in contacts with Hamas, an organization that plans and initiates suicide attacks in the West Bank and Jerusalem, to bring about a cease-fire, the Israeli government is robbing members of the Palestinian security forces, who are preventing terrorist attacks in the center of the country, of their salaries. The state comptrollers report on Operation Protective Edge, released in February 2017, focused on flaws in the political decision-making process. The comptroller complained that the cabinet did not hold a single discussion on strategic targets in the Gaza Strip. When the cabinet did have a discussion about strategy, the comptroller wrote, it examined a very limited range of alternatives, pertaining exclusively to the severity of the military action. It never discussed a diplomatic alternative or the harsh humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, which the security establishment believed would have implications for the State of Israel. In October 2017, Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories Yoav Mordechai presented furious predictions concerning the situation in Gaza and its implications in a public position paper written with his adviser for Palestinian Affairs, Col. Michael Milstein, and organizational psychologist Lt. Col. Yotam Amitai (res.), who was organizational consultant for the Central Command and for the Gaza Region Division. The document, published by the Institute for National Security Studies, warned explicitly that if there is no significant change to the humanitarian situation in Gaza, forces more extreme than Hamas will seize control of the government there. The document went on to describe the needed changes as a project similar to the Marshall Plan to rehabilitate the Gaza Strip that Hamas could not oppose. Those three security officials assessed that the PA would condition its support for the move on its expansion into the West Bank. They emphasized, This is a fundamental question that should be discussed over the diplomatic channel. The problem is that the only existing diplomatic discussion is the one Netanyahu conducts with himself as both prime minister and defense minister. The issue at stake is not the lack of policy or political discretion, as expressed in the comptrollers report, nor any difficulty in understanding the security assessments. Israelis residing near Gaza were targeted and will continue to be targeted because of the specific policy championed by the Netanyahu government, a policy designed around political considerations and despite security assessments. Ignorance of facts or misunderstanding of assessments is no excuse. In fact, even now, after the latest round of violence, the same policy prevails. On May 6, Netanyahu stated, We are prepared to continue. The policy at the root of this evil is a flawed carrot-and-stick approach: Paradoxically, there is a stick for those who support the creation of a Palestinian state alongside Israel (leaders of the PA) and a carrot for those who support the creation of a Palestinian state instead of Israel (Hamas). The practical implementation of this policy is the separation policy intended to divide the West Bank from Gaza. In response to a 2011 petition to the Supreme Court by a Gaza resident who wanted to study at the West Bank Bir Zeit University, the state attorneys office explained its opposition as follows: The common policy today in all matters pertaining to the entry of Gaza residents into the Judea and Samaria region [the West Bank] is a policy of differentiating the two regions. The statement went on, The rationale behind this policy is general security, particularly as pertains to family connections and the ability to transfer information and means to hostile forces. In an April 18 interview with Makor Rishon, the prime ministers personal adviser Yonatan Orich admitted that security issues have been used as a cover for political ploys. The adviser, whom the article described as one of the people closest to the prime minister, defined the separation of Gaza from the West Bank as a central element of the Netanyahu legacy. "Shattering the vision of a Palestinian state in these two regions [and] imposing sovereignty over the settlements is the natural outcome of the status quo and its expansion, he said. Orich did not hide that freezing Palestinian tax revenues over funds destined for the families of prisoners serves the purpose of shattering the vision of a Palestinian state. The rejectionist Hamas and Islamic Jihad's actions that sent hundreds of thousands of Israeli citizens running for their shelters underscores the PA's diplomatic failure . As in the 2005 disengagement from Gaza, violence paid off. While Oslo diplomacy is being crushed, Hamas proves yet again that violence pays. An American plan that would offer almost nothing to the Palestinians, a plan that would leave Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas with just a quarter of what he wanted, could spell the fall of Abbas and subsequently open the way for Hamas to enter the West Bank. A Hamas takeover of the West Bank will bury Netanyahus separation doctrine and his policy of preserving the status quo. Much like the south of Israel near the Gaza Strip, Israeli towns and villages near the West Bank would become danger zones. The flames that ensue will lap at the Kingdom of Jordan, threaten Israel's relationship with Egypt and intensify Israels international isolation. At that point, Qatar will stop its aid, leaving room for Iran to walk in. The European states will take their cue from the US Congress, which has halted economic assistance to the PA, thereby passing the burden to the Israeli taxpayer. US President Donald Trump supports Netanyahus policy, but his support will actually harm the Israeli citizens who will pay a heavy price if the PA collapses. Even before entering the main room of Out, a flag stick with rainbow colors and a unicorn on the reception desk make it clear that this is no run-of the-mill beauty salon. Located on a quiet street near the Church of St. Maroun and the Blue Mosque in downtown Beirut, the Out Beauty Boutique is the first, and so far, only queer beauty salon in town. Lebanon's LGBT community is one of the most vibrant in the Arab world. Yet, as noted by Kim Mouawad, the young entrepreneur who founded Out in December 2017, there are not many establishments aimed at the gay community other than bars and clubs. Out is not a place where LGBT people are merely accepted, Mouawad said, expressing her distaste for the concept of being accepted, as opposed to belonging. This is a place that makes room for things people are not normally exposed to and are taught to hate. Once you step in, you have to adapt to it. Mouawad sits in front of what she calls Out's wall of fame. On display are black-and-white portraits of Bassem Feghali, the first Lebanese comedian to appear in public in drag; RuPaul, the host and creator of the widely popular RuPaul's Drag Race; Apple CEO Tim Cook, the first head of a Fortune 500 company to come out as gay, in 2014; and the fashion designer Marc Jacobs. Mouawad's decision to open Out was driven by personal history. Her brother was gay, but he kept it a secret for the first 24 years of his life, coming out only after he moved to the United States. I was shocked by what he had to endure growing up in Lebanon, and for years I brainstormed ways I could help, Mouawad said. Out is open to everyone, as long as they refrain from staring and expressing judgment about other clients appearance or requests. Same-sex conduct is still technically a crime in Lebanon, but activists have long fought to strike Article 534 of the Penal Code from the books. A colonial leftover from the early 1900s French mandate era, the law punishes any sexual intercourse contrary to the order of nature with up to one year in prison. In 2018, nearly 100 candidates running for in parliamentary elections openly called for decriminalizing homosexuality. This year, for the first time in a Lebanese military court, a judge held that sodomy is not punishable by law, noting that Article 534 does not clearly define by what criteria sex acts can be deemed contrary to nature. The opinion, delivered March 30 and considered a landmark decision, follows similar decisions issued by civil courts over the past two years. A recent survey by Arab Freedom for Equality found that the majority of respondents (65.5%) opposed imprisoning LGBT individuals, but also revealed a majority (72%) against homosexuals having meeting places. Among the LGBT community in Lebanon, it is often transgender individuals who have the hardest time. They are even discriminated against in gay friendly clubs and bars. There are no official statistics, but local activists estimate that at least 7 out of 10 transgender people in Lebanon are unemployed. None of this has stopped Gigi, a young trans woman, from pursuing her career. Currently working as a makeup artist at Out, she is also a loyal customer. Before this place opened, I used to go to other places to get my nails done, and the ladies would give me funny looks and were very transphobic, Gigi told Al-Monitor. Here I finally found a place where I could go and not be judged. To Gigi, makeup is more than just appearance. Rather, it means the right for everyone to feel him or herself at their best. Many of Mouawad's friends told her that they often felt judged or would occasionally be denied certain services. Out offers professional make-up for drag queens and Brazilian wax treatments for men, which according to Mouawad is a complete taboo everywhere else. On a Wednesday afternoon, Andrea, who performs as a drag queen, waits to have his arms waxed and his eyebrows shaped, both essential prep work for his show. I was always a very flamboyant boy growing up, Andrea told Al-Monitor. In other beauty salons where I used to go, often the problems were the clients, rather than the management. Yet, if someone would disrespect you, nobody would defend you. Andrea feels at ease at Out. There are rainbow flags and table display copies of The Little Book of Feminism and Pocket RuPaul Wisdom: Witty Quotes and Wise Words from a Drag Superstar, all signs that this establishment defies gender stereotyping. You can think of a beauty salon as something superficial, but I believe it goes beyond that, Mouawad remarked. A few months after Out opened, she recalled a group of drag queens standing outside the shop smoking, their makeup half done and one of them in high heels. The man working in the parking lot in front of us was staring at them and was really intrigued, Mouawad said. A few months later, the same man was helping one of the drag queens walk to her car, making sure she didn't trip in her high heels. 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). BETHLEHEM, West Bank Located on three acres of land near Bethlehem, the Palestine Museum of Natural History is home to some 260 types of plants, rare butterflies and birds. It is also a place where Israelis and Palestinians work alongside each other to further research, education and conservation. Israeli volunteers, who oppose colonialism, Zionism and Israeli occupation, work with us, Mazin Qumsiyeh, founder and director of the museum and a well-known human rights activist, told Al-Monitor. They are in favor of peaceful coexistence with Palestinians. They work actively with us to conserve the flora and fauna of Palestine. The museum is a dream come true for Qumsiyeh, who had wanted to create such a place since he was a child growing up in the town of Beit Sahour, on the outskirts of Bethlehem. The museums website has a section dedicated to Sana Atallah, Qumsiyehs uncle, Palestines first zoologist and the person who introduced the young Mazin to nature and to the world of museums. Qumsiyehs love of method and his passion for nature eventually led him to a career in medical genetics. He studied natural science at the University of Jordan and then earned a master's degree from the University of Connecticut and a PhD at Texas Tech University. He went on to train in medical genetics in Memphis, Tennessee, and served on the faculties of medicine at the University of Tennessee, Duke University, and Yale University before returning to Palestine in 2008 to research, teach and lecture. Qumsiyeh and his wife, Jessie Chang, personally funded the establishment of the Palestine Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainability in 2012 and the museum in 2014, contributing some $250,000. They obtained additional funding from Bethlehem University, which owns the land on which the institute and the museum are located. Both organizations collaborate with international bodies on research or environmental awareness projects. On April 30, the museum opened an ethnography exhibit as part of the project Building Capacity to Protect Palestinian Land and Heritage through Museology and Ecotourism. Funded by the British Council, the project focuses on innovative ways to protect and preserve the natural history and agriculture of the occupied Palestinian territories. It aims in part to preserve the skills and techniques used in cultivating the region by collecting oral histories and farming equipment and through digital documentation. The institute and museum has a 10-member permanent staff and welcome volunteers. The latter are important not simply for the additional manpower, but also for spreading awareness of Palestinian culture and ecology. The museum's website states, [Volunteering enables] learning new skills, learning about the situation in Bethlehem (under Israeli occupation), interactions with people of various faiths, and chances to expand knowledge of this part of the Fertile Crescent (where agriculture first developed). Mazin Qumsiyeh and Jessie Chang founded the Palestine Museum of Natural History and the Palestine Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainability. Photo from Dec. 19, 2018. Local schoolchildren come to the museum to learn about ecology, while foreign delegations might visit to learn more about the political situation in Palestine and its effect on agriculture and ecology, Qumsiyeh said. Another mission of the museum is to explore Palestine's biodiversity through ecotourism. The Palestine Natural History Museum has more than 260 types of plants, some of which are medicinal, Qumsiyeh said. There are 19 types of butterflies attracted by the plants and flowers and 55 types of birds. Some are migratory birds, and others nest in the museum. Qumsiyeh remarked on biodiversity in Palestine being closely linked to political conditions. Israeli settlements and the separation barrier have had negative impacts on environmental preservation. The settlements in Jerusalem and the West Bank have largely changed the natural landscape in Palestine, Qumsiyeh said. The industrial settlements empty their toxic waste, sewage and solid waste, [and] not only the Palestinians, but the whole environmental cycle suffers from this colonialist attitude. Funding for the work of the institute and the museum is unsurprisingly tinged by the political situation. We do not cooperate with Israeli universities, and we only receive international funding as part of international projects and with the clearly defined aim of supporting Palestinian environmental conservation, Qumsiyeh said. The main funding of the museum is Palestinian, he underlined. Speaking to Al-Monitor, Mohammad Najajreh, an agricultural specialist at the museum, cited the three pillars of the work there: research, education and conservation. Since 2015, the institute has published 35 papers in local and international journals. These include papers on the effects of Israeli Industrial settlements, medicinal plants, biodiversity, ecology and ethnoecology. The first study of the different types of fungi on the West Bank was published in January. Funded by the Darwin Institute and National Geographic, the paper classifies and documents the location of different fungi in the southern West Bank. We have been drafting scientific papers since 2012, but not everybody reads them, Najajreh told Al-Monitor. People who visit the museum find out about the research. This is where the idea for the museum came from. He noted that the museum holds dozens of workshops for schoolchildren and other locals as well has hosting exhibitions and various events based on its research and projects. Mohammad Abusarhan, a researcher, told Al-Monitor, Our work at the Palestine Museum of Natural History deepens our knowledge of the Palestinian ecology and environment. We make field trips to collect samples to study biodiversity in Palestine and publish scientific papers that are the first of their kind in Palestine." RAMALLAH, West Bank On May 2, the Palestinian government paid 60% of the basic salaries of public servants, with a minimum of 2,000 shekels ($554) and a maximum of 10,000 shekels ($2,770). In addition, it paid the fixed transportation allowance for all civil servants. This was only for the month of April, while measures for the month of May will be announced later. The payments come after Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh announced in his speech at the fourth annual security conference in the West Bank city of Jericho on April 23 that his government would start paying 60% of the salaries of public servants for the month of April, on the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan. The Palestinian government only paid 50% of the salaries in February and March following the decision of the Israeli Cabinet on Feb. 17 to deduct 502 million shekels ($138 million) a year from Palestinian clearing funds. The Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation said that under a law passed by the Knesset in July 2018, Israel deducted this amount because it represents the money the Palestinian Authority (PA) had paid in 2018 to prisoners in Israel and to families of people the PA terms martyrs and to people wounded as a result of confrontations with Israel. The Israeli decision prompted Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to announce Feb. 19 that the PA had refused and is still refusing to receive clearing funds from Israel, resulting in a financial crisis that made the PA incapable of paying full salaries. The clearing funds for 2018 amounted to over 8 billion shekels, according to Ministry of Finance figures, with a monthly average of 670 million shekels. Minister of National Economy Khaled al-Osaily told Al-Monitor that the Palestinian government will borrow from banks to make sure it pays the percentage it promised public servants in April. Since the Israeli decision to deduct clearing funds in February, the Palestinian government has suffered an even greater financial crisis than it has before. As a result, it had to borrow about $54 million from banks operating in Palestine to cover the February and March salaries, Deputy Minister of Finance Farid Ghannam told Al-Monitor. He said the Ministry of Finance, in cooperation with the Palestinian Monetary Authority and the banks operating in Palestine, has developed a financial emergency plan through the end of July in order to address the crisis; this included borrowing $350 million from local banks. Under the plan, the PA borrowed $54 million at first, followed by a loan of $50 million to $60 million in order to cover the April salaries. The PA is counting on Israel to withdraw its decision to deduct clearing funds in July, after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu forms his government coalition, in order for this crisis to end although no statements in this regard were made by Netanyahu or any other Israeli official. Palestinian Monetary Authority head Azzam al-Shawa told Voice of Palestine Radio on April 24 that he expects the crisis to come to an end by July. Perhaps the PA is actually counting on Israels fear that this financial crisis could backfire. On April 29, TV7 Israel News, a local Israeli channel, said the Israeli government had transferred hundreds of millions of shekels from the clearing funds to Palestinian banks in secret, without specifying the date of transfer, but the PA asked the banks to return them. TV7 pointed out that Netanyahu discussed with Israeli Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon the possibility of persuading Abbas to accept the funds. The channel added that Kahlon held a meeting with Hussein al-Sheikh, the Palestinian minister of the General Authority for Civil Affairs, April 27, and discussed the deteriorating economic conditions in the West Bank. The director general of The National Bank, Ahmad al-Haj Hassan, told Al-Monitor that according to the emergency plan set by the Ministry of Finance, the Palestinian Monetary Authority and the banks, the government needs between $350 million and $400 million to overcome this crisis. Should this plan fail, more meetings will be held to draft a new one, he said. This figure is not negligible for the Palestinian banking system, but it is still within reach and banks can support the government this way, Haj Hassan said, adding, Each bank has a limit of lending, which should not be exceeded, in order to maintain a cash flow ratio that can meet the needs of customers. Haj Hassan said the banks do not see any risk in lending the government more money, explaining, This is not the first time the government faces a crisis. We have managed to overcome many crises together in the past, through loans from banks. Misyef Misyef, an economic researcher at the Palestinian Economic Policy Research Institute MAS, told Al-Monitor that banks can lend the government $70 million a month until July as per the ministry plan, which, along with local revenues (VAT, income taxes and customs taxes), will cover about 60% of the public servants salaries. He said the crisis in Palestine is political and not truly an economic crisis, saying all previous clearing-funds crises only lasted for about three months. But, he added, if the current one lasts for over four months, it would be a dangerous political indicator with difficult economic consequences. Israel has deducted clearing funds in the past on several occasion. In January 2015, Israel seized about half a billion shekels of Palestinian money in response to the PA decision to join the International Criminal Court. Misyef said he believes the Arab Bank and the Bank of Palestine are lending the government the most, adding that the lending rate of each bank should not exceed 70% of the proportion of deposits. Speaking about the banks' ability to continue to lend to the government after the end of July, Massif said, I believe banks can lend the government for another six months after July. But it would be risky because that means weakening their ability to lend to the private sector or provide credits, affecting their ability to deal with Palestinian trade activity. The escalation of the financial crisis plaguing the PA is of concern to Israel, in terms of this weakening the PA and the possibility that the PA could fall apart and that Hamas could regain control over the West Bank. Meanwhile, the international community seems worried as well. UN envoy to the Middle East Nikolay Mladenov said in a report April 25 that if the necessary steps are not taken to resolve the Palestinian crisis, it could escalate into major violence threatening the stability of the Middle East, the existence of the PA and all efforts to build a Palestinian state. ALEPPO The Syrian regime and the armed opposition recently conducted their third prisoner exchange in six months, swapping nine detainees from each side, as hundreds of thousands are thought to remain imprisoned. The exchange took place April 22 at Abu al-Zandeen crossing, near al-Bab in northern Aleppo province. The crossing separates the opposition areas from the government-held ones. Turkey's state-run media, Anadolu Agency, cited an April 22 statement by the Turkish Foreign Ministry confirming the swap was the third to be carried out under the auspices of a working group formed as part of the Syrian peace talks led by Turkey, Russia and Iran, and with the participation of the United Nations. The group addresses releasing detainees and abductees, recovering bodies and identifying missing persons. On Feb. 12, the Free Syrian Army (FSA) and the Damascus government exchanged 20 prisoners from each side. The first exchange took place in November, when Anadolu Agency reported, The regime forces released 10 prisoners in exchange for the FSA releasing 10 detainees as well. There is great international debate over making the detainees part of the discussions on the Syrian conflict amid demands from many parties to keep them removed from any political compromises. There are no official figures for the number of detainees in Syrian regime prisons. The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR) has documented 117,000 Syrian detainees, though it estimates there are more than 215,000 in government prisons. The regime continues to arrest people daily in areas it controls. The SNHR publishes monthly reports on the number of people arrested and imprisoned by the Syrian regime. For March, it documented at least 357 cases of detention, most of which were made by the regime. In a May 2 report, the SNHR said it recorded at least 459 arbitrary arrests (325 by government forces) in April. Maj. Yousef Hamoud, a spokesman for FSA-affiliated opposition group the Syrian National Army, told Al-Monitor, We are constantly working with our allies in the Turkish government to release more detainees under prisoner exchange deals with the regime. It's true that the number of released prisoners through such swaps are minimal compared to the actual detainees in regime prisons, but it's better than nothing. We need the support of the international community on this issue. Activist Yahya Mayo told Al-Monitor, The majority of those released from prisons have been arrested over the past two years, mostly women and men who have committed any political or criminal offense. They were arrested by regime security forces at checkpoints all around Syrian cities, [and their release] can be negotiated with their families in exchange for money. Meanwhile, some are put on the swap lists for future exchange deals with the opposition. Mayo noted, Some detainees were arrested back in 2011 and put in prison, and the fate of tens of thousands remains unknown they could either still be alive or have died under torture. Mohamed Nour, media director of the FSA-affiliated Sultan Murad Brigade in Aleppo province, told Al-Monitor, The detainees who were released from the regime's prisons during the [April 22] exchange were Salih al-Qadi, Mohammed Kurdi, Khaled al-Tufran, Muhammad al-Hamoud, Mustafa Awainat, Ihsan Taha, Ghayath al-Sheikh, Yusuf Muhammad Ali and Abdul Majid al-Jumuah. They were arrested by the regime during the past few years on various charges, most of which were not clear. Some were detained because they are related to FSA fighters; others were arrested once they entered regime-held areas on their way from FSA-controlled ones. Nour added, Those released from FSA prisons were Musleh Al-Abd, Ahmad al-Jabali, Ahmad al-Abdullah, Rayyan Jizan, Zidan Jassim, Walid al-Mohammad, Ibrahim al-Jumaah, Maher al-Abdullah and Mohammad al-Kamsha. They were all members of the regime forces whom the FSA captured during the battles in Aleppos countryside and detained over the years. For more than a year, inmates at several Alabama penitentiaries committed suicide at the rate of one a month. One leaped from a dormitory. Several hanged themselves from light fixtures and windows. Another died from injuries after attempting to hang himself from a light fixture by a shoestring - an attempt carried out even as a correctional officer was speaking to him. In one case, prison staff waited more than 30 minutes to cut one inmate down. Security logs were falsified, and security and standard mental health checks were never carried out. On Saturday, U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson used the stories of these 15 men in a 210-page ruling that found the states prison system fails to adequately prevent inmate suicides. Thompson ordered the Alabama Department of Corrections to implement specific steps to address what he called severe and systemic inadequacies. Thompsons ruling found unsafe crisis cells, inadequate treatment of prisoners in crisis care, inadequate monitoring of suicidal prisoners, inappropriate release of prisoners from suicide watch and inadequate follow-up care. The court also found that prisoners with serious mental illnesses had a higher risk factor behind bars. And when suicides occurred, the cases sometimes received inadequate security or medical reviews. In his ruling, Thompson made permanent most provisions in an interim suicide prevention agreement between the parties, adopted recommendations from experts for the ADOC and the plaintiffs, and ordered monitoring by the court. Thompson wrote that the ADOC demonstrated a pervasive and substantial noncompliance with the interim agreement and other remedial measures that they agreed to implement. The risk of suicide is so severe and imminent that the court must redress it immediately, Thompson wrote. Here are the individual inmates stories, as set out in the opinion, which illustrate some of the issues the ruling dealt with: Rashaud Morrissette hanged himself on March 8. He used a belt in the shower of the segregation unit at Fountain Correctional Facility near Atmore. Before Morrissette entered segregation, Thompson wrote, officials didnt properly screen him to determine if he had a serious mental illness or was suicidal. Matthew Holmes hanged himself from a light fixture Feb. 14, roughly 12 hours after being transferred from mental health observation to segregation at Limestone Correctional Facility. Despite having twice attempted suicide in 2010, Holmes was not placed on suicide watch. Even though he had a serious mental illness, he was taken to segregation without an assessment. On the day he killed himself, Holmes responded to questions at a screening that he was depressed, had attempted suicide in the past and had recent, serious problems, yet he was still sent to segregation. Daniel Gentry hanged himself at Donaldson Correctional Facility Residential Treatment Center Feb. 6. Though making it clear he wanted to die, Gentry was not placed on suicide watch, even after he stated he was experiencing auditory hallucinations and had asked a correctional officer in January to kill him. After his body was discovered hanging by a bed sheet, correctional officers waited several minutes for medical staff to remove the noose and begin CPR. Doctors testified this case showed officers need first aid training and drills on responding to hanging attempts. Paul Ford hanged himself from his segregation cell door at Kilby on Jan. 16, less than a month after being released from suicide watch. A year earlier, Ford set fire to his cell and attempted to hang himself. He also cut his wrist while in segregation just a month before his suicide. Roderick Abrams hanged himself from a vent cover inside his cell at St. Clair Correctional Facility on Jan. 2, the same day he was placed in segregation. Abrams told staff he was suicidal, had safety concerns over gang-affiliated inmates because of his sexuality, and had been treated for stab wounds. Yet he was not placed on suicide watch, and staffing and space shortages prevented him from receiving complete mental health appointments. While in segregation, Abrams wasnt checked every 30 minutes, as per ADOC policy, but sometimes two hours later. He was discovered more than an hour after the last security check, but officers waited 11 minutes before cutting him down to initiate CPR. Ryan Rust was discovered in his segregation cell on Dec. 21, 2018, sitting on the floor with a belt around his neck and the other end tied to a bar in his cell window. Earlier that month, he attempted to escape. Though he had been on suicide watch in November, there were no follow-up appointments after his release. He received three separate screenings on two days in December, which shows poor communication among nursing staff. Kendall Chatter hanged himself Nov. 25, 2018 in a cell in the temporary holding unit at Staton prison, using a sheet tied to the ceiling. He was intensely yelling and banging on his cell in the immediate lead-up to his suicide, the order stated. The correctional shift supervisor told an officer to allow him to continue until he got tired and stopped. That supervisor was later reprimanded. Earlier that month, Chatter cut his right wrist, possibly after being sexually assaulted. Mark Araujo used a sheet to hang himself in his segregation cell at Limestone prison on Nov. 23, 2018. Though requesting mental health treatment and medication in October, he was not examined for almost a month. John Barker hanged himself from a vent cover in his cell at St. Clair prison Sept. 26, 2018. Barker was housed in segregation for several months prior to his death, despite having been flagged as having a serious mental illness. Again, officers waited six minutes before cutting him down and beginning CPR. Ross Wolfinger hanged himself in his segregation cell at Fountain prison on Aug. 22, 2018. This came less than a month after cutting his wrist and being placed on acute suicide watch. The night of his suicide, the correctional officer assigned to conduct security checks not only failed to do a single check, the order states, but put false information in his duty log indicated he had carried them out. Again, there was no intervention for about eight minutes to cut Wolfinger down and attempt first aid. Jeffrey Borden hanged himself June 3, 2018 in his cell on death row at Holman Correctional Facility. No life-saving measures were attempted after his discovery. Borden had been diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, which can include delusions, hallucinations, disorganized thinking and mania. Timothy Chumney hanged himself using a bed sheet in his segregation cell in Limestone prison on May 12, 2018. This came one day after being released from MHO, a short-term placement without the same protections as suicide watch. Chumney was released to a housing unit where he had expressed concern for his safety from other inmates, and had already been determined to be a moderate suicide risk. Robert Martinez hanged himself March 31, 2018 at St. Clair prison. He had been in segregation for more than a year, and had told mental health staff he was doing real bad and needed to go to the psychiatric ward. Security checks in his unit were not conducted for at least two hours the day he died. Officers waited 30 minutes before cutting him down after his discovery, a delay that experts called inexcusable and inhumane. Billy Thornton died March 2, 2018 of a head injury after attempting to hang himself by a shoestring in segregation at Holman prison on Feb. 26. In late 2017, Thornton said he wanted to kill himself and was hearing auditory hallucinations of kill, kill yourself." However, he was placed in MHO rather than suicide watch. Ben McClure jumped to his death from the top tier of a dormitory at Limestone prison on Dec. 30, 2017. Correctional officers waited for nursing staff to initiate lifesaving measures. The sign out in front of Dr. Joys office on Dauphin Island reads The doctor is in. Sometimes, she forgets to sit it out there, or to put it up at the end of the day. How Mayberry is that? the grandmotherly physician says with a twinkle in her eye. Her practice is very Mayberry. Everyone knows Dr. Joy, the doctor who works part-time but who gives her cell phone and home phone numbers to all her patients and is available to them around-the-clock for phone advice, consults and to make appointments. She wont say how old she turned when she had a birthday recently. She describes herself as old enough to know what to do and young enough to do it. Her quiet, comfortable office is adjacent to MacknDDs Emporium, the gift shop she and her husband, Mack, a retired banker, own. The gift shop and doctors office, with a covered deck in between, are on LeMoyne Drive almost to the three-way stop on the idyllic island about 1,200 people call home. From there, you can either go east, toward the Audubon Bird Sanctuary, Dauphin Island Sea Lab and Fort Gaines; or west, toward the public beach and the rows of houses perched on stilts on the thin strip of barrier island between the Gulf of Mexico and the mainland. Theres not a single traffic light on the island, no fast food. Children ride their bikes to the elementary school, where theres no need to lock them up. Snowbirds flock here from northern climates during the winter. The pace is laid-back, the people friendly. The quaint town won Dr. Joys heart as soon as she set foot on her first visit. Originally from Greenville, shes fond of small towns. As a little girl, Joy Harper Hartley wanted to be a doctor when she grew up, but she was told that boys could be doctors, while girls could be nurses. She remembers performing open-heart surgery on her Raggedy Ann doll, even before Dr. DeBakey, giving her a candy heart. My suturing must have been pretty good because no ants got in there at that candy, she says. By the time she was college-age, shed put aside her dreams of becoming a doctor and studied art at Auburn, where she went mainly to play. She and one of her friends moved to New York City to go to modeling school, and she modeled for a year or so before badly burning her leg on a Princeton students motorbike. Her father insisted she move back to Alabama. When her high school crush, Mack Russell, returned from serving in the U.S. Air Force, his sister set them up. Theyve been inseparable ever since. They married and had three children, then when Mack enrolled at the University of Alabama to earn his degree, Joy decided to enroll, too, and finish hers but this time, she changed her major to biology. At the time, the medical school catalogue said that only under exceptional circumstances will anyone over the age of 30 be admitted, she says. She worked hard to make herself look like a good candidate despite being 33 when she graduated, working as a student teacher in chemistry and biology, joining everything she could and volunteering at the VA hospital and it paid off. She was thrilled to receive the Outstanding Pre-Medical Student Award. After graduating from medical school at UAB and completing her residency, she practiced emergency medicine for more than two decades in Birmingham. In the early 2000s, while attending a cardiology conference in Perdido Beach, she and Mack thought it would be fun to take the ferry from Fort Morgan to Dauphin Island, which shed never seen before. There was a soft sea fog that morning, she remembers, and we drove up and down the island. Two weeks later, we bought a beach house. The island reminded her of Seagrove, Florida, where her family vacationed every summer when she was a child. There were live oaks everywhere, and at that time there was nothing on the Gulf side, she says. I would sketch and draw. This is the closest ambiance to that Ive ever seen. Its so different from Gulf Shores or Panama City. Everybody knows everybody, and what you see is what you get, which is nice. Dr. Joy still loves to take pictures and paint in her spare time. She shot the cover and contributed many of the pictures in the coffee-table book Dauphin Island, Alabama, published in 2014 and sold in MacknDDs, and she creates vintage Christmas ornaments and paints whimsical designs on wooden furniture and accessories, some of which are for sale in the shop, along with her paintings. By 2008, she and Mack moved to Dauphin Island. They kept their beach house they rent it out, reserving it for their own big family gatherings at Thanksgiving, Christmas and the Fourth of July but bought a home on the wooded east end where they live permanently. She started practicing part-time with Providence Family Medicine in Tillmans Corner, and Mack opened MacknDDs (DD is Joys nickname). A beautiful friend In 2017, she opened her own family practice next door to the shop. Inside, theres a waiting room, a lab room, a handicapped-accessible bathroom and an exam room, plus her cozy office where she often sits and chats with patients. They often give her gifts. Draped on a wicker chair is an afghan one of her snowbird patients knitted for her. A purple painted rock adorned with flecks of glitter sits on her desk, a gift from a 3-year-old she treated for an infection. (She was the cutest little thing!) In the hallway is a colorful sign made by a patient that says Dr. Joy. She prefers to make appointments on Tuesdays, Thursdays or Saturday mornings, but if someone has an urgent need to see me on another day, Im just five minutes away, she says. She will also do consultations with her patients by phone and online at a much lower rate than an office visit. And when they come in, they usually stay a while. I can spend as much time as I want to with my patients, she says. As if on cue, on a recent Wednesday her birthday Dr. Joy is behind her desk chatting with a reporter when theres a knock at the door. Come in! she shouts. A patient, Caroline, has ridden her bike up to say hello and give Dr. Joy a report on her new blood pressure medication. Shes the best, Caroline says, adding that she sometimes stays at Dr. Joys office for a couple of hours. While youre here, why dont I check your blood pressure? the doctor asks, securing the cuff on her patients arm. They chat about Carolines husbands sailboat, which, unfortunately, has a broken rudder. And then, the result: 123/73. Dr. Joy lets out a little whoop. We got you in the right place, she says. They chat a little longer, but before Caroline leaves, she gives her doctor a hug and kisses her mostly gray hair. Shes a beautiful friend, a beautiful woman, she says. In addition to the patients like Caroline who are island residents, Dr. Joy also treats snowbirds and other visitors and occasionally tends to an emergency, usually a stingray sting or fishing hook stuck in a hand. She and Mack share one vehicle a van with the license plate WELUVDI so, on the occasion when shes been at home without a car, she has even had patients pick her up, take her with them to the office for treatment and then drop her back off at home. She and Mack really do luv everything about Dauphin Island. She jokes that it about takes a backhoe to get me off this island but when she does return, she loves coming over the bridge across the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (she calls it the happy hump). Your cares just kind of go away, she says. Before we moved here, I felt that way every time. Im not a crier, but I would cry every time we left. It would break my heart to have to leave. Dr. Joy has no plans to retire, ever. When you do what you love, she says, you dont have to stop doing it. I love this place and its people. Looking back on her life, she realizes that shes come full circle. Now Im practicing medicine sort of like I remember it being practiced when I was younger and got inspired. A spring and summer classic is back in season at Birminghams Hot and Hot Fish Club. The restaurants famous Hot and Hot Tomato Salad returned to the menu on May 3, but its arrival this year was not without a little suspense. Hot and Hot Fish Club executive chef Chris Hastings typically gets his early-season tomatoes from growers in Immokalee and Ruskin, Fla., by way of his broker at the Alabama Farmers Market on Finley Avenue West. "There are certain tomato farmers down in that part of the world that allow the tomatoes to vine-ripen a little bit more so that they develop a little more flavor," Hastings says. "And they pack these tomatoes by hand, lay these tomatoes in boxes very carefully, just like little cherubs. "When they arrive on the market, they're red, they're beautiful, they cut beautifully, and they taste just exactly like a good tomato should -- good acid, juicy, not mealy, all those things that you want in a really, really good tomato." But this year, after Hastings discovered his longtime tomato supplier had retired, he had to scramble to find a new supplier for his Florida tomatoes. "It took me a while to finally get it figured out, but the good news is, the tomatoes that we picked up are unbelievable," Hastings says. "And all the other components of the Hot and Hot Tomato Salad are all there, as well -- the beautiful okra, beautiful field peas, and then, of course, all the sweet corn coming out of Florida right now is just unbelievable." The tomato salad has been a seasonal favorite at Hot and Hot Fish Club since Hastings and his wife, Idie, opened their restaurant on Birmingham's Southside in 1995. It is typically available from early May through the end of summer. Featured on the Alabama Tourism Department's list of "100 Dishes to Eat in Alabama Before You Die," the Hot and Hot Tomato Salad features a small stack of sliced tomatoes, tossed in a balsamic vinaigrette, and served with field peas, corn kernels and fried okra and crowned with applewood-smoked bacon. It is available as an appetizer for $16. However, this will be the last season for Hot and Hot Fish Club diners to enjoy the tomato salad in the location where the restaurant and its iconic dish began 24 years ago. On Sept. 30, the Hastingses will close the doors at the restaurants longtime home at 2180 11th Court South to move into a new location at 2901 Second Ave. South in the Pepper Place development. The restaurant should reopen in its new space a couple of weeks after they close the old one, Hastings says. "The tomato salad naturally goes away at the end of September, and we will also turn out a light at the end of the day on Sept. 30th and then begin the move into our new location," Hastings says. "So, it's very serendipitous in that way. And very poignant." Hot and Hot Fish Club is at 2180 11th Court South in Birmingham. Hours are 5 to 10 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. For a full menu and more information, go here. On May 31, 1985, 17-year-old Shari Faye Smith was kidnapped as she stopped at the mailbox outside her house in Lexington, S.C. Two weeks later, 9-year-old Debra May Helmick was grabbed as she played outside her family home located just miles from where the Smiths lived. The girls bodies were found weeks later after a series of phone calls from a man who taunted the families with comments about their fates. In the end, the man Larry Gene Bell was caught after he was linked in a roundabout way to a phone number in Alabama. Larry Gene Bell Bell was born October 30, 1949 in Ralph, Alabama, a small community in Tuscaloosa County. He moved frequently before eventually settling in South Carolina after a troubled life. It was there that Bell kidnapped Smith, whose car was found abandoned by the curb near her home. Shortly after the teenagers disappearance, Smiths family began receiving calls from a person who taunted them with information about their daughter. Among the things the man said was that the Smiths would receive a letter from the teen, something that was eventually retrieved by police. The letter was titled Last Will and Testament and contained the teenagers expressions of love for her family and statements about her faith, as well as the chilling message that she wanted a closed casket at her funeral. Two weeks after Smiths abduction, the man called her family again, this time directing them to the location of their daughters body. Smiths remains were recovered where the man said they would be located but her body was too decomposed to determine the cause of death. While Smiths family was looking for her, another family was searching for their daughter. Helmick was playing with her brother and sister when she was snatched from the front yard of her mobile home. Like in the Smith case, there were phone calls, including one directing the family to the young girls body. Both victims were found with their heads wrapped in plastic sealed with duct tape. Phone number yields a suspect While phone calls to the victims families failed to produce a suspect, police focused in on the yellow paper on which Smiths two-page letter believed to be penned shortly before her death was written. FBI scientists scrutinized the letter, using a special electrostatic device to identify the indentations left on the paper from previous writing. Law enforcement found the indent of an incomplete phone number on the paper and worked to complete the digits. The completed number was traced to Redstone Arsenal in Alabama, and the FBI later determined it had been called from a business and home near where the abductions and murders took place. The business and home were linked to a South Carolina couple, Ellis and Sharon Sheppard, who said the telephone number belonged to their son in Huntsville. They had written the number on a yellow legal pad in case their house sitter- a man they identified as Larry Bell needed to reach them while they were visiting their son out of town. The legal pad with the imprint of the Alabama phone number was the same one used for Smiths heartbreaking letter. Later, the Sheppards identified the voice on a recording of a call to the victims families as that of Bell. Bell became the prime suspect. A later search of Bells home led to the discovery of more evidence linking the 37-year-old to the crime. He was tried, and despite his protestations of mental illness, found guilty. Among the evidence at his crime was the letter and the yellow note pad, now dubbed the Sheppard document. Bell, who is suspected in the disappearance of at least two other women, spent 10 years on death row before his execution on Oct. 4, 1996. His method of execution was unique. Bell, an electrician by trade, opted to die in South Carolinas electric chair as opposed to lethal injection. Bell was the last prisoner in South Carolina executed by electrocution until the 2004 death of James Neil Tucker. A bill to prohibit Alabama employers from paying workers differently based on gender or race advanced in the Legislature today after negotiations between the bills sponsor and an association representing small businesses. Federal law already prohibits pay discrimination. Rep. Adline Clarke, D-Mobile, said its important to have a state law in place to allow employees to file a civil action in state court. Its much easier for employees who have been discriminated against to do that at the state level than by trying to go through federal court, Clarke said. Clarke said Alabama and Mississippi are the only two states without equal pay laws. Her bill says that pay differentials have to be based on factors other than sex or race, including a seniority system, a merit system and a system that measures earnings by quantity or quality of production. Clarke has sponsored the bill for several years but today marked the first time it has cleared a committee. The House Commerce and Small Business Committee approved it, putting it in position for a vote by the full House. Clarke worked with Rosemary Elebash, state director for the National Federation of Independent Business, to resolve the NFIBs concerns about the bill. A key change, Elebash said, was to exempt businesses with fewer than 50 employees from certain record-keeping requirements on wages, job classifications and terms and conditions of employment that larger businesses will be required to keep for three years. What we have learned nationwide, that if a business has 50 or more employees, they have an HR manager on site, Elebash said. And those smaller businesses, theyre doing everything that needs to be done to keep the business running that day. The smaller businesses will still be subject to the federal record-keeping requirements. Clarke said she believes most businesses pay fairly but says she has heard from women with concerns. Id prefer to think that there arent a whole lot of cases out there where people are being paid less than they should for equal work, Clarke said. But there have got to be instances. Alabama and national politics. The Birmingham Election Commission has set Oct. 8 as the date for special elections for three Birmingham City Council seats filled through appointments following vacancies late last year and early January. The elections in Districts 1, 6 and 7 are being held the same day all city residents will head to the polls for a referendum on whether to renew ad valorem taxes for Birmingham City Schools. The taxes, set to expire in September 2021, were last approved in 1991. Local law mandates that special elections for city council be held during the next citywide election. The council appointed Wardine Alexander to the District 7 seat in October 2018 following the resignation of Jay Roberson, who left the council after moving to Alabastr. In early January, Clinton Woods was appointed to the District 1 seat formerly held by current Jefferson County Commissioner Lashunda Scales while Crystal Smitherman was appointed to the District 6 seat previously held by current Jefferson County Commissioner Sheila Tyson. North Alabamians eager for the opening of Dave & Busters in Huntsville won have to wait too much longer. The tentative grand opening date for the new Dave & Busters is Monday, Aug. 19, according to the chains website. The Huntsville location is set to open at the MidCity Huntsville Development on Highway 72. The 26,500 square-foot venue will include a restaurant and video game/midway arcade. Its the second Dave & Busters location in Alabama, the first opening in Hoover in November 2018. The restaurant is now hiring for all positions at its Huntsville location, including managers, servers, hosts, game techs, front desk associates, bartenders, cooks and more. For more information or to apply, click here. Dave & Busters will be part of the sprawling MidCity development that, once completed, will include a total of 350,000 square feet of high-tech office space, dining options, a 100-room hotel and 560 residential units. About 70 percent of the businesses at Mid-City will be new to the area, developers said. Many of them have been in critical condition; some have been unconscious while others have been suffering convulsion fits. A mother of six-year-old kid from the northern province of Hai Duong hospitalized for the disease said that a few days ago, her child had mild fever, headache. Thinking that the kid had flu, she self-medicated him. However, the childs condition didnt abate after three days taking drug but he had high fever and vomited; the family rushed him to the province infirmary for emergency treatment where doctor diagnosed that the kid was suffering Japanese encephalitis; accordingly, the kid was transferred to the National Children Hospital for further treatment. National Children Hospital Deputy Director Dr. Tran Minh Dien said yearly, the hospital admits 300 - 500 cases. At present, the hospital is treating 30 kid patients suffering severe consequences. Worse, most of them were not vaccinated against the disease. Most JEV infections are mild (fever and headache) or without apparent symptoms, but approximately 1 in 250 infections results in severe clinical illness. Severe disease is characterized by rapid onset of high fever, headache, neck stiffness, disorientation, coma, seizures, spastic paralysis and ultimately death. The problem is that at first patients have symptoms like flu symptoms so many of them are hospitalized late. Accordingly, medical experts said parents should take their children to infirmaries for treatment when children have high fever, headache, neck stiffness and vomiting but not self-medication. More importantly, parents should take them to hospitals for vaccination as per schedule. Vietnamese Ministry of Health has permitted Sanofi Pasteur made vaccine Imojev to be circulated in Vietnam. The vaccine is for kids from one to two years old. Currently, the S-shaped country is using two vaccines against Japanese encephalitis. One in the National Expanded Immunization Program is made by Vietnam. Year-round Japanese encephalitis is mainly transmitted by the Culex tritaeniorhynchus mosquito, which is known to breed in rice fields, ponds and irrigation canals. The fatal disease primarily affects children; without timely treatment, children may be at risk of death or suffer serious neurological complications. By MINH KHANG - Translated by UYEN PHUONG Georgias Republican Gov. Brian Kemp signed into law legislation banning abortions at around six weeks of pregnancy, before many women know theyre pregnant. Kemps office said the signing Tuesday morning at the state Capitol in Atlanta was to be attended by lawmakers including state Rep. Ed Setzler, the bills author. The signing ceremony caps weeks of protest and marks the beginning of what could be a costly legal battle. Full coverage of the abortion debate in Alabama ACLU of Georgia legal director Sean Young said the legislationis unconstitutional and that the ACLU plans to challenge it in court. "Every federal court that has heard a challenge to a similar ban has ruled that it's unconstitutional," Young said in a recent interview. Anti-abortion activists and lawmakers across the country have been energized by the new conservative majority on the U.S. Supreme Court. Several GOP-controlled states are pushing abortion bans in an attack on the high court's 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling that legalized abortion nationwide. Similar abortion bans have recently been signed into law in Mississippi, Kentucky and Ohio, and are being considered in a number of other states. Kentucky's law was immediately challenged by the ACLU after it was signed in March, and a federal judge temporarily blocked it. Under current law, women in Georgia can seek an abortion during the first 20 weeks of a pregnancy. If it's not blocked in court, the new ban would take effect on Jan. 1, 2020. The proposed Georgia measure banning abortions once theres a detectable human heartbeat makes exceptions in the case of rape and incest if the woman files a police report first and to save the life of the mother. It also would allow for abortions when a fetus is determined not to be viable because of serious medical issues. A north Alabama man is accused of filming an 11-year-old to produce child pornography, authorities said. Michael Joseph Newell is held in the Lauderdale County jail without bail on 152 counts of production of child pornography and 152 counts of possession of child pornography, court records show. An attempt to reach his attorney for comment wasnt immediately successful. Newell was arrested Monday. An investigation began in December 2017 when an 11-year-old girl reported Newell an acquaintance filmed her in the shower, said Lauderdale County Investigator James DiStefano. Investigators said they got a search warrant to seize Newells electronic devices, which had 152 pornographic images and videos of the girl. This had been going on for several months, DiStefano said. The evidence was presented to a grand jury, which decided prosecutors have probable cause for the 304 charges. A bond hearing is scheduled Wednesday in Lauderdale County Circuit Court. The Alabama mother of a 5-month-old baby with the measles said her post about parents who dont vaccinate their children was borne out of frustration but also out of concern for her childs health. We were really frustrated because our pediatrician told us (her daughter Emma) probably caught (measles) because there are so many people who decide not to vaccinate their kids, Audrey Peine of Pell City told "Today. We dont mean hate towards anybody, she added. "We just want everyone to understand the importance of vaccinating their kids and getting good information about this and not just believing everything you read on the internet." Peine drew backlash online after she posted a Facebook message following a press conference from the Alabama Department of Public Health announcing what they initially said was the first confirmed case of measles in Alabama. The designation was later changed to presumptive case while the Centers for Disease Control conducts additional testing. In her original post, now set to private on Facebook, Peine said her daughter "got sick because of the negligence of other parents who choose not to vaccinate their children. "She got sick because the measles is on the rise due to carelessness of other mothers. Read the statistics. This disease was not something to worry about a few years ago. Now my daughter has it. Like the other mother whos five-month-old was diagnosed in California, I feel like my community failed us, Peine wrote. Even if we only get one more family to vaccinate their children, well be making a difference. Please learn from this. Please let this make you consider doing whats best for your baby. Peine told Today her daughter came down with a fever and runny nose before developing a rash. Her 5-year-old son had recently had the flu so doctors gave Emma Tamiflu as a precaution. After the baby developed a rash, doctors decided to test her for the measles, results that came back positive. Peine said the baby was treated with medicine to keep her fever down and a humidifier to relieve her congestion and is now feeling better. The Pell City case is the first reported incident of measles in Alabama. Nationwide, measles, a highly contagious virus believed to be all but eliminated in 2000s, has resurged among pockets of unvaccinated people, especially in New York and California. As of May 3, there are 764 confirmed cases of measles in 23 states, an increase of 60 cases from the previous week. The Alabama case has not yet been included in the CDC count. The 19-year-old who was the subject of a statewide manhunt in the killing of a Gulf Coast police officer has been charged with capital murder, the citys police chief said Monday afternoon. The manhunt for Darian Tawan Atkinson of Biloxi in the Sunday night shooting death of Biloxi Police Officer Robert McKeithen ended Monday night, according to Biloxi Police Chief John Miller. Its been a long couple of days, Miller said after Atkinsons capture in Wiggins, Mississippi. Earlier in the day, Miller said Atkinson should have been considered armed and dangerous. Miller said authorities were worried that he may try to kill another officer. This guys dangerous, and theres no reason for us to believe that he would just target a policeman, Miller said. The chief added that the department would not rest until Atkinson is brought to justice. Gulfport Police Chieef Leonard Papania said authorities suspect that Atkinson is being helped in evading law enforcement. He is a genuine threat to this community and I can promise you if we find somebody that is assisting him -- we want to bring him to justice and if there is somebody or a group that is causing us not to bee able to do it they will answer for their sins. McKeithen, a 24-year veteran of the department, was killed around 10 p.m. Sunday after being approached in a parking lot and shot multiple times. President Donald Trump has shown little interest in removing the steel and aluminum tariffs he imposed more than a year ago despite growing evidence Americans are paying a hefty price for these tariffs and increasing pressure from Republicans in Congress to remove them. U.S. consumers and businesses are paying more than $900,000 a year for every job saved or created by Trump steel tariffs, according to calculations by experts at the Peterson Institute for International Economics. The cost is more than 13 times the typical salary of a steelworker, according to Labor Department data, and it is similar to other economists' estimates that Trump's tariffs on washing machines are costing consumers $815,000 per job created. "It's very high. It's arresting," said Gary Hufbauer, a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute who did the steel tariff cost calculation. "The reason it's so high is that steel is a very capital intensive industry. There are not many workers." Trump has said repeatedly that the metals tariffs are necessary for national security, for good-paying jobs and for leverage in trade negotiations. There was hope among Republicans and business leaders that Trump would remove the tariffs - at least on Canada and Mexico - once the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement negotiations were done. But the tariffs remain, a warning sign for Chinese leaders who want Trump to remove his tariffs on their country's products as part of the deal the two sides are currently negotiating. Supporters of Trump's tariffs, such as the Alliance for American Manufacturing, counter that more than 12,700 good-paying jobs have been created or saved at steel and aluminum factories since the president put this policy in place in March of 2018. They also point to substantial amounts of investment in U.S. metal mills that should benefit the nation for years to come, including $1 billion that was just announced at a U.S. Steel plant outside Pittsburgh. "Congrats to @U_S_Steel for investing $1+ BILLION in America's most INNOVATIVE steel mill. 232 Tariffs make Pennsylvania and USA more prosperous/secure by bringing Steel and Aluminum industries BACK. Tariffs are working. Pittsburgh is again The Steel City. USA economy is BOOMING!" Trump tweeted last week. Many economists and business leaders point out that jobs in steel-using industries outnumber those in steel production by about 80 to 1, according to experts at Harvard University and the University of California, Davis. Trump has claimed that other countries are paying the tariff bill, but evidence shows the tariffs are taxes paid by Americans. U.S. companies that buy metals are either absorbing higher costs or passing them along to consumers. General Motors and Ford said Trump's tariffs have cost them a billion dollars each. "The consumer pays for this in the end. They just don't always recognize it," said James Knott, Jr., chief executive of Riverdale Mills Corporation in Northbridge, Massachusetts, which makes wire mesh products for everything from fences to commercial fishing nets. "These 232 tariffs protect my foreign competition rather than protecting me." Raw steel prices surged after Trump put 25 percent tariffs on imported steel on some countries in March and then expanded the tariffs to most countries in June, including Canada, Mexico and the European Union. The result is that domestic steel prices have been higher than foreign ones, boosting profits for U.S. steel mills but putting U.S. manufacturers that use steel like Riverdale at a disadvantage to European and Chinese competitors. Riverdale is absorbing the tariff costs for now, but Knott Jr. said it forced him to cut costs elsewhere. He ended up reducing his 200-person workforce by 50 people. He did it via attrition - simply not filling vacancies after people left - but it is hampering him at a time when he says business should be thriving in a strong economy. Republicans in Congress are growing increasingly vocal in their insistence that Trump remove the steel and aluminum tariffs, at least on Canada and Mexico, which are major feeders of metals to the United States. Some GOP senators are threatening not to approve Trump's USMCA agreement until the tariffs on U.S. neighbors are removed. "If these tariffs aren't lifted, USMCA is dead. There is no appetite in Congress to debate USMCA with these tariffs in place." wrote Sen. Chuck. Grassley, R-Iowa, last week in a Wall Street Journal opinion piece. Tom Gibson, president of the American Iron and Steel Institute, said Trump's tariffs are about righting years of foreign nations like China undercutting U.S. steel production. He points out that U.S. steel mills are now running at more than 80 percent capacity, a level not seen in over a decade and that imports have fallen from 29 percent a year ago to 20 percent now. "The steel tariffs implemented by the president last year have enabled steelmakers to begin to recover from the historic import surges that devastated the industry a few years ago," Gibson said. "The tariffs are working, but now is not the time to lift them." But evidence is growing that the metals tariffs are starting to bite. Last year U.S. manufacturing companies went on a hiring spree, adding the most new employees in more than two decades as the good economy caused demand to rise. But since the start of the year, manufacturing job growth has cooled. From February to April, U.S. manufacturers added 12,000 net new manufacturing jobs, the weakest gains in the sector since before Trump took office. Hufbauer and Euijin Jung of the Peterson Institute calculated that every steel job saved is costing U.S. consumers over $900,000 because U.S. companies have been paying about 10 percent more for steel since Trump's tariffs went into effect. The total additional cost to the economy is about $11.5 billion a year. There is debate among economists about how many jobs have truly been created or saved because of Trump's tariffs, but Hufbauer and Jung decided to take the Alliance for American Manufacturing's figure for 12,700, which works out to over $900,000 a job. AAM said about 9,300 of those jobs are steel alone, which means the cost could be more than $1.2 million per steel job. Supporters of tariffs counter that the U.S. Treasury is receiving some revenue from the tariffs and that the longer the tariffs remain in place the more the domestic industry will thrive. A former Hoover police officer investigated after his gun discharged and struck his wife in February was arrested over the weekend on domestic violence charges. Jason Bragg McIntosh, 44, was taken into custody early Sunday, according to Hoover police. He resigned from the Hoover Police Department on March 20 before the conclusion of the shooting investigation. Hoover police responded at 12:31 a.m. Sunday to a home in the 2300 block of Village Center Street on a report of a domestic altercation. After interviewing both parties, it was determined that a verbal argument escalated into a physical confrontation, said Lt. Keith Czeskleba. Authorities said McIntoshs wife, whose name has not been disclosed, sustained scrapes and red marks but refused medical attention. McIntosh was taken into custody and charged with third-degree domestic violence. He was transported to the Hoover City Jail without incident and was released at 1:54 a.m. Monday after posting $1,000 bond. On Feb. 23, an investigation was launched after a shooting inside the couples home. In that case, Hoover police and fire responded at 1:53 a.m. Saturday to a call of a person being shot at a location on Village Center Street. Police found McIntoshs 31-year-old wife with a gunshot wound to her arm. She was transported to UAB Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. McIntosh called 911 following the February incident and said he and his spouse were involved in a domestic incident and were wrestling over a handgun when it fired, according to state investigators. He was placed on leave pending the outcome of that investigation but later resigned. State Bureau of Investigation Lt. Jon Riley on Monday said they presented their findings to the Jefferson County District Attorneys Office in Bessemer which declined to press charges against McIntosh or his wife in the earlier case. A former state prison guard, arrested three months ago on forgery and ethics charges, is under arrest again, this time on felony animal charges. William Henry Shields, 23, was arrested Monday in Montgomery County, according to court records made public Tuesday. He is charged with dog fighting, second-degree animal cruelty and animal cruelty without rabies tags. His bond was initially set at $9,000 but a judge on Tuesday reduced that bond to $4,500. Shields was initially arrested Feb. 25 on charges of use of his position for personal gain, attempted theft of property and possession of a forged incident. In that case, authorities said, Shields possessed and attempted to use fraudulent checks at the Eastern Bypass Wells Fargo Bank. He is accused of making four deposits totaling $7,000 and was wearing his corrections uniform when he did so. Those incidents reportedly happened in September 2018 and Shields later resigned from his Alabama Department of Corrections position. Those cases were turned over to a Montgomery County grand jury for indictment consideration. At the time of his February arrest, investigators with the Alabama Department of Corrections Investigations and Intelligence Division carried out a search warrant on Shields cell phone. Evidence found on the phone, according to an affidavit in the case, indicated that Shields was engaged in the act of breeding dogs to be used for dog fighting. That evidence also indicated Shields was in possession of dogs to be used for fighting. Investigators found five American Pit Bull Terriers at his South Hampton Drive home. They did not have access to water and there was no proof of rabies inoculation for any of them. One of the dogs weighed only 40 pounds and was being kept on a chain that weighed 39 pounds. An East Lake woman has been indicted after police say she fired shots at a Birmingham officer who was trying to arrest a burglary suspect. A Jefferson County grand jury issued the indictments against 29-year-old Zanthia Sirah Amerson May 3, according to court records made public Tuesday. She was indicted on charges of attempted murder, discharging a weapon into an unoccupied home and discharging a firearm in the city limits. Two of the charges against Amerson are felonies, and the other is a misdemeanor. One of the shots went into an unoccupied home. No one was injured by the gunfire. The incident happened Aug. 5, 2018. It was about 10 a.m. that Sunday when the Birmingham officer was trying to take a burglary suspect into custody in the 100 block of 68th Street North. While making the arrest, the officer located the black female shooter later identified as Amerson - who he believed was firing in his direction. He requested backup and as other officers were en route to help him, he was able to take Amerson into custody. In the process, however, the burglary suspect was able to escape but was later recaptured. Authorities did not say why Amerson fired shots, but witnesses said it appeared she knew the burglary suspect. Amerson in social media posts denied shooting at the officer. She was released from the Jefferson County Jail on Aug. 20 after posting $200,000 bond. A trial date has not yet been set. Alabama hospital administrators joined U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne Monday in celebrating a proposed change to Medicare reimbursements that one healthcare leader called an important step in addressing challenges faced by hospitals. Officials taking part in a press conference at Mobile Infirmary were all smiles despite the fact that the occasion didnt celebrate any breaking news (the proposed change was announced nearly two weeks ago), that it wasn't final (implementation is a few months away) and that they had significant differences on another issue (expansion of Medicaid to cover more of the state's population). The event also was tinged somewhat by election-cycle politics, with Byrne praising bipartisan support for the change but seeming somewhat reluctant to name Sen. Doug Jones, whose seat he hopes to take next year, as an example of that bipartisan support. The Medicare Wage Index has been around since the '80s, when it was intended to counterbalance differences in labor costs in various markets around the county. The idea was that Medicare reimbursements should be boosted in states where labor costs were higher and discounted in states (like Alabama) where they tended to be lower. Among its critics is the Alabama Hospital Association, whose president and CEO, Donald Williamson, and executive vice president and chief policy officer, Danne Howard, were on hand. Williamson said the index was a "positive feedback loop" that continuously made rich states richer at the expense of poorer ones, exacerbating the gap. "We pay nurses what California pays cafeteria workers," he said. Glenn Sisk, CEO of Coosa River Medical Center in Sylacauga, said that "in some parts of the country, the richer parts of the country, they may be paid $1.60 or $1.70 where in rural Alabama we may be paid 66 cents. That creates a lot of downstream problems." Byrne maintains that the situation got dramatically worse under President Barack Obama, a point Howard and Williamson disputed. "It got worse, but it wasn't a result of the Obama administration," Howard said. Either way, Byrne said that the issue was at the top of his mind in 2013, but "We needed a willing ear. We just couldnt get one in the Obama administration. We couldn't get to first base." That changed when President Donald Trump took office and appointed Seema Verma to serve as administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), he said. Verma proved extremely receptive, Byrne said, which led to a proposed change that would compress the disparity somewhat, decreasing the range between the highest- and lowest-compensated hospitals. After a comment period that runs into June, the new rule will be implemented. Byrne said he expected the commentary from states at risk of losing money to be "fierce," but that he expected the final rule to be close to the proposal. "Not only have we done our homework," he said of pro-change states, "CMS has done their homework." Byrne said a rough estimate was that the change could mean an extra $46 million annually for Alabama hospitals, a particular boon to small rural hospitals in danger of closing. "It's the difference between those hospitals surviving or not," he said. Owen Bailey, CEO of Mobile-based USA Health and the chair of the Alabama Hospital Association board, called the move an "important step in the process." "We will emphasize that this is a step," he said. "This step could be a very important ingredient in helping address a lot of the challenges we face." In a sign that not everybody in the room was in lock step despite their agreement on Medicare reimbursement, Bailey mentioned that in his view an expansion of Medicaid coverage would be another step. Likewise, Howard noted that the Alabama Hospital Association had been a vocal proponent of Medicaid expansion. Byrne said that was a state decision, but made it clear he didnt favor an expansion. It was dangerous to bank on federal support for that program, he said. You cant count on the federal government to continue support at the level at which the federal government is doing it now There are going to have to be changes made to it," he said. "I cant begin to predict what those changes are going to be. Byrne celebrated broad support from Alabamas congressional delegation for the Medicare Wage Index revision. My co-leader on the letter that we all sent on behalf of all these states on this issue is [Democratic] Congresswoman Terri Sewell from Alabama, Byrne said. People dont know how much bipartisanship is sometimes there sometimes is in Washington, but Terris been a partner on this and I appreciate her. He also praised Sen. Richard Shelbys efforts and Trumps support. "Everybody in the Alabama delegation was on it," Byrne said of the letter, adding that Alabama was part of a broader coalition of states pushing for change. Jones, elected to the Senate in 2018, also has been a proponent of changing the wage index. In a recent statement he celebrated the proposed change, saying it was something health care providers had been crying for. After meeting with Administrator Verma, Senator Shelby, and Congresswoman Sewell last September about this issue, I was very hopeful about the prospects of getting this long-overdue change made," he said in the April 24 statement. "I look forward to continuing to work with CMS to make sure that its final rule reflects what is in the best interests of Alabama, as well as advocating for Alabama to take the next step by finally expanding Medicaid. Byrne, asked about Jones' contribution to the effort, kept his praise for bipartisanship general. I appreciate every member of the delegation being a part of it, Byrne said. Thats important. One of the things that we do well as an Alabama delegation is, when it comes to Alabama-centric issues, we pull together as one group. Were not Democrats, were not Republicans, were not from this part of the state or that part of the state, we pull for the whole state. And I think because we conduct ourselves that way, despite what may be on various issues partisan differences, Alabama has much greater throw weight in Washington. Huntington Ingalls Industries has won a Navy contract that could be worth nearly a billion dollars to oversee work on Littoral Combat Ships -- including those built in Mobile. Asked whether Austal USA had competed for the contract, Austal USA Director of Communications and External Affairs Craig Savage declined comment. Generally, Austal has been expanding its efforts to provide post-delivery service to the ships it builds for the navy, with some success. The contract makes Huntington Ingalls the company responsible for planning yard services for Littoral Combat Ships that are in service. While the initial amount approved in the contract is much lower, options over a period of six years give it a potential total value of $931.7 million. Work will be one in Pascagoula, Miss., and Hampton, Va. The planning yard function doesnt mean that Pascagoula will become the central place where Littoral Combat Ships built by Austal and Lockheed Martin are brought for maintenance and upgrade work. Rather, according to a statement from Huntington Ingalls, it means that the company will be responsible for a wide range of planning, engineering and logistical support work, as well as maintenance scheduling, needed to keep the active LCS fleet shipshape. Per Huntington Ingalls, this will involve designers, engineers, logisticians, planners, program managers and a variety of additional subject matter experts. Ingalls Shipbuilding and the Huntington Ingalls Technical Solutions division will also provide waterfront support in the LCS homeports. Littoral Combat Ships built by Austal in Mobile are based out of San Diego, while Mayport, Fla., is the homeport for the Lockheed Martin variant built by Fincantieri Marinette Marine in Wisconsin. Austal USA President Craig Perciavalle has said his company is doing an increasing amount of work on the West Coast, and in some cases is the prime contractor on LCS drydock work. Austal has offices in San Diego and in Singapore, the base for forward-deployed LCSs. Austal also has won a $16 million contract to do post-delivery work on LCS 20 in Mobile. Perciavalle has described that as a major development because such work previously has been done in San Diego. The planning yard role won by Huntington Ingalls had previously been held by General Dynamics Bath Iron Works in Maine. Industry news site Inside Defense quoted an unidentified Navy spokesman as saying that the Navy had considered three bids on the work. Inside Defense said that a General Dynamics Bath Iron Works spokesman declined comment. A February report in the U.S. Naval Institute News quoted Terry O'Brien, vice president of business development for Austal USA, as saying the company wanted to be involved in the LCS program from "cradle to grave." O'Brien's comments in that report made it clear that Austal had interest in being involved in planning yard work for its own ships in San Diego, but provided no clear confirmation that it was pursuing the planning yard contract for the entire LCS fleet. Ingalls Shipbuilding President Brian Cuccias celebrated his companys win, saying that Ingalls would build on 35 years of planning yard experience and that its team had the resources and program management experience necessary to ensure the post-delivery work on the LCS program meets the requirements and missions of our U.S. Navy customers. Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang's Regular Press Conference on May 7, 2019 2019/05/07 Q: As we understand, China and Japan decided to hold the 11th round of high-level consultations on maritime affairs within this year. Can you provide us with more details of the date, venue and agenda items of the consultations? A: China and Japan decided to hold the 11th round of high-level consultations on maritime affairs from May 10 to 11 in Otaru, Japan, with participation of officials in diplomatic, defense, maritime law enforcement, maritime management and other fields. The high-level consultations are a comprehensive mechanism for bilateral communication and coordination. In this round of consultations, China looks forward to a full exchange of views with the Japanese side on maritime issues of mutual concern to boost mutual understanding and trust. More details of the consultations will be released in due course. Q: On the trade talks issue with the US, the Commerce Ministry has just announced that Vice Premier Liu He will be going to Washington this week. And there were some further criticism from US officials yesterday specifically saying that China has gone back on some of the substantial commitment it had made. Is it true? A: China believes the premise and basis for a deal are mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit. Raising tariffs won't resolve any problem. I also need to clarify that it is natural to have differences in a negotiation, which, by definition, is a process of discussions. The Chinese side will not sidestep differences and has sincerity in continuing consultations. Q: A follow-up on trade. China has previously stated on many occasions that it would not negotiate under threats from the United States. But given that Liu He is visiting after the threats of tariffs, does it mean that China has changed its position or that it doesn't take the threat seriously? A: I took similar questions yesterday. There are many similar precedents to the latest US threat to levy additional tariffs on some Chinese products. Regarding this, China's position and attitude have been clear, which the US is well aware of. Raising tariffs won't resolve any problem. We hope the US can work with China to meet each other halfway, accommodate each other's legitimate concerns and strive for a mutually beneficial agreement on the basis of mutual respect and equality. Q: Some media reported that US Secretary of State Pompeo criticized China's participation in Arctic affairs while speaking at the Ministerial Meeting of the Arctic Council in Finland on the 6th. Does the Chinese side have a comment? A: The criticism and accusation by certain individual in the US against China's participation in Arctic affairs could not be further away from the fact and runs counter to the overriding trend of peace and cooperation in the Arctic. Such deliberate confusion of black and white only reveals their ulterior motives. When participating in Arctic affairs, China pursues open and win-win cooperation. We prioritize scientific research and underscore the importance of environmental protection, rational utilization, law-based governance and international cooperation. We pursue no geopolitical agenda and seek no exclusive clique. Arctic affairs have global implications and international impacts that concern not just Arctic States. China will not overstep the mark to meddle in inter-Arctic States affairs. However, it will not be absent from Arctic affairs of a trans-regional or global nature. We can and stand ready to play a constructive role. We will work with all relevant parties to understand, protect, develop and participate in the governance of the Arctic to contribute to its peace, stability and sustainable development. Q: According to media reports, Panama's Electoral Court announced that Laurentino Cortizo, candidate of the Democratic Revolutionary Party, was the winner of the presidential election. I wonder if you have any comment on that? A: China warmly congratulates Mr. Cortizo for winning Panama's presidential election. We believe that under his leadership, Panama will achieve new progress in its development. Panama is an important country in Central America. In 2017, China and Panama established diplomatic relations on the basis of the one-China principle. In the past 23 months since then, bilateral ties have been growing with fruitful cooperation in various fields. China attaches high importance to its relationship with Panama. Based on the principle of mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit and non-interference in each other's internal affairs, we will work with Panama to deepen mutual trust and cooperation, ensure the sound and steady growth of bilateral ties, and bring more benefits to our two countries and peoples. Q: Given the fact that Vice Premier Liu He will be in the US on Thursday, does that indicate that the US will delay its increase on tariffs set for Friday? A: I'll leave that to the US side. Like I said, raising tariffs won't resolve any problem. Q: I've heard that any trade agreement between China and the US will contain secret clauses, committing China to reduce its imports of oil from Iran. Can you confirm or deny the existence of such an agreement? Second question, how does China view the US sending an aircraft carrier group to Iran? If it works with the US to impose a trade embargo on Iran, Iran may follow the US in dropping out of the 2015 nuclear deal. What's your comment? A: On your second question, we have noted relevant reports. China stands for settling differences through dialogue and consultation on the basis of mutual respect. We hope non-regional major powers will contribute to peace and stability in the Middle East and refrain from actions leading to further escalation of tensions. Regarding the JCPOA, a multilateral agreement endorsed by the UN Security Council, it should be implemented fully and effectively for its vital role in the international non-proliferation regime and peace and stability in the Middle East. China applauds Iran's faithful implementation of the JCPOA so far and hopes relevant sides will, bearing in mind the overall interests and proceeding from a long-term perspective, jointly uphold the agreement, which is in line with the common interests of the international community. On your first question, I have no idea what is your source of information. I have not heard of that. Q: Today Guardian carried a report on the demolition of more than 20 mosques in Xinjiang in recent years as shown by some photos it has obtained. Would you like to make a comment? Will China invite diplomats from the UK and other countries to this region? A: I'm not aware of anything like what you mentioned. Following policies that protect freedom of religious belief, China administers religious affairs according to law. We are resolute in rejecting and fighting religious extremism. Believers' normal religious needs are guaranteed in accordance with law and their customs respected. Today, in more than 35,000 mosques in China, over 20 million Muslims are free to practice their religion in accordance with law. We hope that relevant media will be less enthusiastic about getting information by the grapevine and spreading hearsay. Regarding visits to Xinjiang by people in the UK and other countries that you asked, I would like to say that Xinjiang is an open region. There will be no problem at all as long as the visitors abide by Chinese laws and fulfill relevant procedures beforehand. Q: What's on China's agenda for the trade talks on Thursday? A: I can give a clear answer to that. Our agenda is to work with the US to meet each other halfway, accommodate each other's legitimate concerns and strive for a mutually beneficial agreement on the basis of mutual respect and equality. Q: Today a New York Times report claimed that hackers working for Chinese intelligence agencies acquired US National Security Agency hacking tools and repurposed them to attack institutions and computer networks of other countries, including at least five US allies. Do you have a comment? A: I have not seen the article you mentioned. Every now and then, there are reports and various voices surrounding cyber attacks. However, no solid proof has ever been provided to substantiate criticism or allegation against China. Cyber security is a challenge facing the whole world and needs to be tackled through international cooperation. China and the US have a sound basis for cooperation in cyber security. We hope the US will continue to work with China in this field. It is hardly constructive to constantly level groundless accusations without evidence against a presumed target. Q: A recent report claims that the US has decided to relax implementation of a 2015 cyber security agreement with China as the US is no longer attaching much importance to it. Is the agreement still valid to China? Has new progress been made in implementation of the agreement? A: You may need to ask the US side for its position on the agreement. As to China's position, just like what I said earlier on, we stand ready to work with the US and other relevant parties to deal with challenges to cyber security through dialogue and cooperation to jointly guarantee a safe cyber space. In Chasing Corruption, host Ian Hoppe and the Reckon team travel across the country to meet some of Americas toughest watchdog journalists and the stories of conspiracy, bribery, fraud and more theyve uncovered. The show was nominated for three Southeastern Emmy Awards and returns on May 14. Catch up on all of Season One below. And be sure to follow Reckon on Facebook so you dont miss out on Season Two. Guns, Drugs and a Barbershop: How Small-Town Reporters Exposed a Crooked Sheriff When two young reporters started asking questions about a crooked sheriff in Kentucky, they had to protect themselves to expose his crimes. Posted by Chasing Corruption on Tuesday, September 18, 2018 Episode One: Guns, Drugs and a Barbershop: How Small-Town Reporters Exposed a Crooked Sheriff When two young reporters started asking questions about a crooked sheriff in Kentucky, they had to protect themselves to expose his crimes. How a Rose Emoji Led to the Election of Alabama's First Democratic Senator in 25 Years When an Alabama reporter discovered evidence that the governor was having a relationship with a top staffer, state politics started to unravel. Posted by Chasing Corruption on Tuesday, September 25, 2018 Episode Two: How a Rose Emoji Led to the Election of Alabamas First Democratic Senator in 25 Years When an Alabama reporter discovered evidence that the governor was having a relationship with a top staffer, state politics started to unravel. The Illinois Officials Who Used Public Housing Money to Fund Trips to Vegas While housing conditions deteriorated to unspeakable conditions in Cairo, Illinois, the head of the local housing authority lived large with trips to Vegas and more. Posted by Chasing Corruption on Tuesday, October 2, 2018 Episode Three: The Illinois Officials Who Used Public Housing Money to Fund Trips to Vegas While housing conditions deteriorated to unspeakable conditions in Cairo, Illinois, the head of the local housing authority lived large with trips to Vegas and more. Faking the Grade: How Journalists Uncovered a Cheating Scandal in Atlanta Schools Teachers try to keep cheating out of the classroom, but who is making sure the teachers dont lie? Posted by Chasing Corruption on Tuesday, October 9, 2018 Episode Four: Faking the Grade: How Journalists Uncovered a Cheating Scandal in Atlanta Schools Teachers try to keep cheating out of the classroom, but who is making sure the teachers dont lie? How Jack B. Johnson Got One of the Longest Prison Sentences in the History of Maryland Political Corruption Prince Georges County, Maryland, was one of the fastest growing -- and wealthiest -- majority-black communities in America. But even in the best of times, corruption can flourish. Posted by Chasing Corruption on Thursday, October 11, 2018 Episode Five: How Jack B. Johnson Got One of the Longest Prison Sentences in the History of Maryland Prince Georges County, Maryland, was one of the fastest growing -- and wealthiest -- majority-black communities in America. But even in the best of times, corruption can flourish. Money Laundering, Corrupt Politicians and Black Market Kidneys in New Jersey Dozens of politicians and rabbis arrested on the same day in New Jersey had one thing in common: Encounters with an informant Solomon Dwek -- who had a shady past of his own. Posted by Chasing Corruption on Monday, October 22, 2018 Episode Six: Money Laundering, Corrupt Politicians and Black Market Kidneys in New Jersey Dozens of politicians and rabbis arrested on the same day in New Jersey had one thing in common: Encounters with an informant Solomon Dwek -- who had a shady past of his own. Why the Leaders of This Tiny Town Made so Much Money Bell, California, is a small city in one of the most populous counties in America. Its easy to ignore, which also made it easy to swindle for one local bureaucrat. Posted by Chasing Corruption on Tuesday, October 23, 2018 Episode Seven: Why the Leaders of This Tiny Town Made so Much Money Bell, California, is a small city in one of the most populous counties in America. Its easy to ignore, which also made it easy to swindle for one local bureaucrat. Corruption at the US-Mexico Border U.S. Customs and Border Patrol are responsible for monitoring the border for corruption. But who monitors the agents? One reporter uncovered a web of deceit and neglect in Texas. Posted by Chasing Corruption on Wednesday, October 31, 2018 Episode Eight: Corruption at the US-Mexico Border U.S. Customs and Border Patrol are responsible for monitoring the border for corruption. But who monitors the agents? One reporter uncovered a web of deceit and neglect in Texas. Corrupt Campaign Spending Near New Orleans This prosecutor spun his tough-on-crime reputation into political gold, and then used the money from his campaign accounts for lavish dinners and family gifts. Posted by Chasing Corruption on Tuesday, November 6, 2018 Episode Nine: Corrupt Campaign Spending Near New Orleans This prosecutor spun his tough-on-crime reputation into political gold, and then used the money from his campaign accounts for lavish dinners and family gifts. A Prison System Run on Chaos and Fear in Mississippi Criminals get arrested and go to jail. End of story, right? Not exactly. In Mississippi, some of the worst corruption and lawlessness happens behind bars. Posted by Chasing Corruption on Friday, November 16, 2018 Episode Ten: A Prison System Run on Chaos and Fear in Mississippi Criminals get arrested and go to jail. End of story, right? Not exactly.In Mississippi, some of the worst corruption and lawlessness happens behind bars. For more stories like this -- and to catch Season Two of Chasing Corruption -- follow Reckon on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Or sign up for our weekly newsletter. Can traditional centrist dominance survive at European Parliament given the rise of far-right groups since 2014? London, United Kingdom In September 2016, the president of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, stood before the European Parliament and declared that the European Union was facing an existential crisis in a gloomy address to parliamentarians as they returned to work. Never before have I seen national governments so weakened by the forces of populism, said Juncker, who is the former president of Luxembourg. Earlier that summer, 52 percent of British voters had opted to exit the EU. In Hungary, meanwhile, Prime Minister Viktor Orban is running a propaganda campaign against Brussels. It is not unusual to see posters featuring Juncker and Hungarian American philanthropist George Soros, implying the pair is planning to overrun Hungary with refugees. But Orban and Juncker are part of the same centre-right group of national parties, the European Peoples Party (EPP), currently the largest bloc in the European Parliament. There are eight pan-European political groups that MEPs can choose to join. Alongside the centre-left Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S and D), it has been dominating European politics for decades. That dominance could falter at the European Parliament elections on May 23-26, taking place against the backdrop of a rising far right and the chaos of Brexit. Eurosceptic, mostly far-right, parties, are projected to gain about a third of seats in the new parliament. Orbans party in Hungary, Fidesz, was suspended from the EPP in March over its failure to respect the rule of law. Stopping short of expulsion ensured the Hungarian prime minister is not, for the time being, seeking an immediate alliance with a disparate but growing contingent of far-right and nationalist parties that Italian Interior Minister and co-Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini will attempt to bring under one family the European Alliance of People and Nations, after the elections. Salvini told reporters at the projects launch in Milan in April that he is working towards a new European dream. Other parties who attended the event the anti-Islam Alternative for Germany party (AFD), the Danish Peoples Party and the Finns laid out that dream: a white, Christian Europe which can protect itself against the ideology of multiculturalism. Previous European elections, which happen every five years, have been marked by low turnout. In 2014, 42.6 percent voted. Just 13 percent of eligible voters showed up at polling stations in Slovakia, the lowest turnout across the EU. The European Parliament elections have in the past been seen as second-class polls used by politicians to take the pulse of public opinion, and by citizens to vent their frustrations with national governments. In some countries, however, Mays vote has generated a level of debate normally reserved for the national stage. Italian Interior Minister and co-Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, centre, will attempt to bring far-right and nationalist parties under one family the European Alliance of People and Nations [Michael Probst/The Associated Press] The vote in 2014 was not short on drama either; it paved the way for the rise of the UK Independence Party (UKIP) with Nigel Farage, a chief Brexit backer, at its helm. Farages new Brexit Party, launched last month, has leaped ahead in opinion polls. Britain is expected to take part in the elections after failing to leave the EU by the March 29, 2019 deadline. But while far-right sentiment may be growing, even the staunchest anti-European parties such as Marine Le Pens National Rally party (RN) in France, have recalibrated their message. Instead of calling for an exit from the bloc, they aim to change Europe from within. They want to create a looser Europe rather than exit, which they used to support previously, Daphne Halikiopoulou, an associate professor in Comparative Politics at the University of Reading, told Al Jazeera. And that has a lot to do with how Brexit has unfolded. Nationalist alliance The European Council on Foreign Relations think-tank said if parties loosely identified as right-wing populists were to be successful in forming a united coalition, it would become the largest group in the European Parliament. But it also says that 97 million voters across Europe remain confused and undecided. Far-right and nationalist parties have gained traction all over Europe in the last few years. They are in power in Italy, Poland, Hungary and Austria, and have seen a surge in popularity in France, where Le Pens RN is about neck-and-neck with En Marche!, French President Emmanuel Macrons party. In countries including Germany and Norway, far-right parties are no longer on the fringes. In Spain, newcomer Vox which is anti-feminist and anti-immigration made historic gains at the April general election. The far-right umbrella consists of parties that are ideologically divided, said Halikiopoulou. A lot are unaffiliated because no one wants them in their group, like the Greek Golden Down, a more blatantly nazi organisation. Some will remain unaffiliated, and some that belong to the more moderate conservative groups wont want to join [Salvinis] coalition because they dont want to be branded as far-right, she said. Trying to pursue nationalist goals through a transnational platform is paradoxical. Participants listen to speeches during the opening of the World Congress Against The Death Penalty at the European Parliament in Brussels, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019 [Francisco Seco/The Associated Press] The ECFR study also said migration is not the first concern of European voters, with the exception of Hungary. Europe-wide, they identify Islamic radicalism as voters greatest concern, while the economy and migration follow on an equal footing. [Far-right] parties have been able to capitalise on the various insecurities that drive various voting groups, Halikiopoulou explained. Some people are worried about the economic consequences of immigration, some are worried about the labour market consequences. Some see immigrants as competitors for public services. Some people indeed see them as competitors for the cultural consensus in society, said Halikiopoulou. Where is the left? When Juncker talks about populism threatening the existence of the EU, he makes no distinction between right- and left-wing populism, seeing both as anti-establishment and aimed at wrecking the EU. Some parties such as the Five Star Movement in Italy have built their success on a claim that right and left no longer exist. The movement, founded by comedian Beppe Grillo, is struggling to hold on to its voters as the League, its junior partner in the governing coalition, is now the first party in Italy. So-called left-wing populism is also struggling. Jean-Luc Melechons Unbowed France party has lost support and the Spanish Podemos (We Can) struggled in the recent election. Andrea Mammone, a lecturer in modern European history at Royal Holloway, University of London, warns against labelling all parties that embark on radical critique of the EU as populists. [Some of those left-wing forces] want a more social Europe, more rights for workers, [a union] less centred on banks. The right-wing wants a return to the nation-state, Mammone said. The problem is that everything that is against the mainstream is considered something other. In so doing, we accept there is only one ideology, the neoliberal one, and that it cannot be contested. Meanhwile, although theyre not expected to gain much ground at this stage, two transnational movements have also entered the scene: Volt was launched in 2016 by a group of EU citizens in the UK in the aftermath of the Brexit referendum and Greeces former finance minister Yanis Varoufakis has put together DiEM25, which aims at the radical democratisation of Europe. The party is fielding candidates across Europe, while Varoufakis himself is running in Germany. Mammone argues that the line between pro-European and anti-European forces might be blurrier than presented, and alliances after the vote will be a determining factor. The main issue as I see it today is that within the so-called pro-European forces, you find nationalist and even far-right forces, Mammone said. Between the two wars, centre-right conservatives thought they could keep Mussolini and the rest under control. How Mexicos drug cartels are feeding the US opioid crisis, and putting the countrys poppy farmers out of business. Sinaloa, Mexico Three young men wearing yellow plastic overalls and gas masks huddled around a large pot on an industrial-sized Bunsen burner sitting in a clearing in the woods of the Northern Mexican state of Sinaloa. Punteros (lookouts) were posted nearby. Weve made a deal with them, said the man in charge, referring to local and state police. The three Sinaloa Cartel members first added the poppy-gum residue to the pot, stirring its contents with a large wooden ladle traditionally used by Mexican families to make pozole stew. One of the men then took out a small plastic bag filled with what looked like baking powder. In reality, however, this substance fentanyl is dangerous and potent. The man made the sign of the cross against his chest and shook the powder into the pot while the others continuously stirred. Eventually, the mixtures juices were drained, sifted and refined. The two-day process resulted in chiva sintentical, or synthetic heroin, which would later be smuggled across the Mexican border into the United States. Until about two years ago, drug cartels would have relied on poppy gum mixed with chemicals to make heroin. But now, poppies play a lesser role, if one at all, in making synthetic heroin and other drugs sent to the US. Instead, drug cartels are turning to fentanyl. Fentanyl is added to a pot to make synthetic heroin [John Holman/Al Jazeera] According to the US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, is 50 times more potent than heroin. Opioids were responsible for the majority of the USs 72,000 overdose deaths in 2017. China and Mexico are the two major sources of fentanyl, which US President Donald Trump has called a horror drug. While the US administration put pressure on China to try and stop the drug from entering the states, criminal organisations including the Jalisco Nueva Generacion and the Sinaloa Cartel -south of the border are grabbing hold of a large part of the fentanyl trafficking market, and in turn, pushing traditional poppy farmers out business. The poppy farmers: Growing to survive About 150km north of where the Sinaloa Cartel members were manufacturing synthetic heroin, three poppy farmers headed up into the pine forest to take a look at their crops from above. A luminous carpet of pink, red and purple flowers glinted in the first rays of the morning sun. The plot is hidden, like so many others, within the craggy folds of the Sierra Madre mountains. Poppies have been grown here for more than a century. Theyre cultivated, not for their beauty, but for their gum. 190502102452680 Farmers here have been selling their crop to drug traffickers for generations. Although they admit the crop is illegal, they say they are merely growing it to survive. There isnt enough land to grow quantities of corn [and] tomatoes for profit, one farmer Al Jazeera. If everyone in the community did that, we wouldnt earn enough to buy shoes, clothes [and] school bags for the children. But over the last two years, poppy gum has lost much of its worth, decimating the farmers work and their livelihoods. While residue from their poppies is occasionally used to cut fentanyl, heroin itself is no longer the preferred drug of choice for traffickers here. Our clients in the US now just ask for fentanyl, says an independent drug trafficker in the Sinaloan state capital of Culiacan. They dont want heroin from poppy plants because they say that fentanyl is stronger, more potent. It means they can cut it and earn more when they distribute it in the streets. Poppy residue is seen on a poppy plant in northern Mexico [John Holman/Al Jazeera] As a result, the price per kilo for poppy gum has plummeted to around a third of its former value in Sinaloa, according to farmers and local media. In Guerrero, another poppy hot spot in southern Mexico, it is worse. Farmers get seven percent of what they received 18 months ago, said Romain Le Cour Grandmaison, one of the authors of a year-long study on poppy farming from the Network of Researchers in International Affairs. 190114175117692 If you go to villages in Guerrero, theres kilos of opium paste rotting because no one comes to buy it, he said that farmers have told him. That could mean the death knell for communities dotted across the country. With no demand for their crops, many of the farmers Al Jazeera spoke to are thinking of migrating. Itll be sad to leave because weve always lived in the village and been able to get by, said one farmer. Then to realise from one day to the other that this isnt working anymore, and have go to the other side thats tough, he told Al Jazeera, adding that he is poised to take his wife and two daughters to the US. Not all farmers are considering leaving, though. Others may be tempted to go deeper into organised crime, said Le Cour Grandmaison. Some of them have weapons and are now being offered employment by criminal groups as hitmen or other roles. So you actually have people moving into more dangerous and violent roles, he added. 190322132134756 Thats precisely what the Mexican government wants to avoid. It is already struggling with record levels of violence in the country. Newly unemployed poppy farmers could add to that. But they could also present a golden opportunity for one of the long-stated aims of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador: luring those on the lowest rungs of organised crime into legal employment. Responding to a question about Guerrero poppy farmers who are asking for help, Lopez Obrador recently said in a press conference that he is already moving to offer poppy farmers aid. Many of them are being helped, and will be helped. All of them. Even in the presidential debates, I suggested that where there was poppy farming, we could stimulate the production of corn and pay a better-than-fair price for the corn to compensate for (losing) the poppy, he said. During a February visit to Sinaloa state, Lopez Obrador promised opportunities for young people caught up in organised crime. The farmers Al Jazeera spoke to cautiously welcomed the presidents comments. We do want the government to pay attention to this, one farmer told Al Jazeera. In part, its their job to eradicate poppy fields. But maybe they also have the solution if they look at us in the Sierra and give support to the families here, he said, adding that the government should also invest in projects reforestation and other types of farming to help the communities in the region. Making fentanyl in Mexico? Meanwhile, Mexican drug cartels are facing a potential crisis of their own. Not in what they can sell, but from where they get their fentanyl. 171029102559319 Earlier this month, China from which Mexican cartels import much of their fentanyl banned production of the drug and many of its precursors. Cristobal Castaneda Camarillo, the police chief of Sinaloa, predicts the ban will hinder fentanyl production in Mexico somewhat, but he cautioned, to think that the organised crime groups that are behind this will stay with their arms crossed would be very inadequate. Although local authorities deny that cartels have yet to discover how to make fentanyl in Mexico, the DEAs 2018 Drug Threat Assessment documented the 2016 discovery of at least one fentanyl laboratory where the drug was apparently cooked from scratch. Three members of the Sinaloa Cartel manufacture synthetic heroin [John Holman/Al Jazeera] The cook and traffickers that Al Jazeera talked to said that the groups they work with are trying to make fentanyl from scratch. If that happens, it will mean a substantial advance in technology from the three young men cooking up imported fentanyl with rudimentary equipment in the woods. And if Mexicos powerful criminal groups do get hold of the entire fentanyl supply line, it would be a major setback for both the Mexican government and the Trump administration trying to clamp down on the drugs entry into the US. The independent drug trafficker in Culiacan also believed that it could ultimately spell bad news for narcos in Mexico. I think fentanyl is going to cause a problem because of so many deaths of those that are using it. he said. Therell come a moment when the federal government is putting more and more blocks on this, closing more and more doors/ports and itll be a lot more difficult to do business than now. Despite the concern, he has no intention of ceasing to traffic in fentanyl. In a business free of moral or legal concerns, supply and demand remains the only law, and the biggest demand right now continues to be fentanyl. Editors note: Names of individuals quoted in this piece have been withheld to protect their identities due to safety concerns. One has to admire US President Donald Trumps tenacity. Despite the many fiascos of his Middle East policy, he keeps going down the same path, with the same partners, come what may. Since his first foreign trip landed him in Saudi Arabia and Israel two years ago, the president has been on a roll, trampling all over traditional liberal US policies, defying the United Nations, violating international law and heightening tensions in the Middle East all at the request, or in support, of these special partners. This trend intensified over the past few weeks. The White House overrode Congress to continue assisting the Saudi war effort in Yemen and lent its support to the renegade general, Khalifa Hafter, during his assault on the Libyan capital, Tripoli. It also proclaimed the Syrian Golan Heights part of Israel and gave approval to the Israeli annexation of occupied Palestinian territories. It tightened sanctions on Iran, designated the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corp a foreign terrorist organisation and deployed carrier strike group battleships to the Gulf. As a result of these policies, tensions throughout the region are escalating, yet the Trump administration wont reconsider, let alone reverse any of them. It has only really done that once when it stepped back from its hastily-taken position on the blockade of Qatar by Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt two years ago. But thats the exception that confirms the rule. The White House has given the Israeli, Egyptian and the Saudi regimes and their allies carte blanche to do as they please domestically and regionally, as long as they purchase US weapons, invest in the US economy and support US initiatives in the Middle East, like the soon to be revealed deal of the century. It has doubled down on its partners despite their grave human rights violations and costly wars and embraced their autocratic vision of equating Islamism with instability, and stability with military authoritarianism. But the latest move of the Trump administration to essentially declare war on the Muslim Brotherhood may well be the spark that ignites the powder keg that the Middle East has become. How terrorist is the Muslim Brotherhood? The White House announced it was intending to designate the Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist organisation soon after Trump met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi last month and praised him as a great president despite his dark human rights record. General el-Sisi had led the coup detat against the Muslim Brotherhood the year after their 2012 electoral victory, imprisoned thousands of its members, and outlawed the organisation. Saudi Arabia and the UAE followed suit a few months later. These regimes consider the group a major threat to their rule and an ally to regional nemeses like Turkey and Qatar. 170201090317237 Past US administrations have steered away from such designation despite their aversion to the movement, and almost all US academics and analysts, even those critical of the Muslim Brotherhood, agree it is not a terrorist organisation. They believe designating it as such is imprudent, shortsighted, and counterproductive. Even Trumps former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who in his Senate confirmation speech called the Muslim Brotherhood an agent of radical Islam in the same breath as al-Qaeda, stood against the terror designation. He believed the classification of the Muslim Brotherhood in its entirety as a terror group complicates the security and politics of the Middle East. This is especially the case, because the Brotherhood is a fragmented, polycentric international movement that does not, in principle, embrace violence to reach its goals. The few offshoots that do employ violence to attain their goals, like Hamas, have already been designated terrorist, rightly or not. But the majority of the groups under the movements umbrella have either embraced preaching (dawa) as the way to spread Islam or joined the democratic process whenever possible. Members of the Muslim Brotherhood and its affiliates have been elected to various syndicates and parliaments in countries like Jordan, Morocco and Kuwait all allies of the US. Indeed, some of the USs closest allies in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan were Muslim Brotherhood leaders, like the former Afghan President Burhanuddin Rabbani and Iraqi politician Mohsen Abdul Hamid, who became the head of the Iraqi Governing Council following the 2003 US invasion. Designating all of these and millions of members and supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood throughout the world, including many thousands in the US and Europe, terrorists and banning them from participating openly in the political process in their respected countries is terribly wrong and short-sighted. It would disrupt the ongoing crucial rethink process within the movement after the costly failures it suffered over the past few years. Some Muslim Brotherhood members are abandoning the group to become independent, others abandoning politics altogether in favour of charity and social work, and still, more are rebranding themselves Muslim Democrats, separating their preaching from politics, along the lines of Christian Democracy in Europe. Perhaps the most damaging for regional and indeed global security is equating the Muslim Brotherhood with al-Qaeda and treating them as one, which spells disaster. It would not only push many Brothers underground, but also strengthen violent jihadi groups and vindicate their claim that the West at large sees all Muslims as terrorists and Islam as a threat. As the White House is about to sacrifice real stability and democracy at the altar of someone elses crusade against political Islam, Sudan and Algeria are showing a third way that strays away from the deadly polarisation between generals and jihadis and between autocrats and Islamists one that is led by men and women, religious and secular, old and young, all embracing civilian rule, political reconciliation and economic reform. Well, that is, of course, until Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the UAE begin meddling in North Africa with the blessing of the White House. Repeating the same mistake over and over again All this makes one wonder: why after decades of pursuing security at the expense of democracy, and stability at the expense of human rights in the Middle East and achieving neither are US leaders repeating the same mistake? What is said about those who repeat the same thing over and over again but expect a different result each time? Well, the US is anything but insane. In fact, it has been overly pragmatic to the degree of cynicism. But entrusting Israel and Middle East dictators with US foreign policy and security as the safer choice will prove utterly reckless. The balance sheet from the past two years or even two decades is telling. If US investments in peace and security in the Middle East were listed on the stock market, their stock would have bottomed out long ago. Yet these high-cost low-yield diplomatic and strategic investments continue unabated, running huge deficits to the detriment of the very people they purport to support. Like pyromaniac firemen, US officials are preaching peace and security, but in reality, are firing up conflict and violence to the detriment of the Middle East. If they dont stop and reverse course, the very fires they have fanned may eventually burn them too. An Egyptian hospital and officials at the Yemeni embassy in Cairo were involved in a large-scale organ-trafficking ring from 2014 that included hundreds of patients and brokers from Yemen and Egypt, an Al Jazeera investigation has revealed. Through interviews and documents obtained by Al Jazeera, the investigation exposes officials who have been giving out false papers for personal gain in order to facilitate the organ trafficking. The organ-trafficking ring preyed on poor Yemenis willing to travel to Egypt and sell a kidney in a desperate bid to gain income that would keep them going, at least for a while. One of these Yemenis was Ahmed*, who was told in 2014 by a friend that he could get $5,000 for one of his kidneys. He agreed, and before he knew it, he was on a plane to Cairo. Ahmed* sold his kidney for $5,000 in Egypt in 2014 [Al Jazeera] At the time, Yemen was not yet home to the worlds worst humanitarian crisis and the destructive war that has left 80 percent of its population in need of humanitarian assistance. But it was already the poorest country in the Middle East with half the population living below the poverty line. In Yemen, selling your organs is not illegal. However, it is illegal in Egypt, where three donors Al Jazeera spoke to, and hundreds of others who told their story to a Yemeni NGO, went to sell their organs. Recruited by a broker The trafficking ring found its donors through brokers in Yemen who would find willing individuals and connect them with brokers in Egypt to arrange their travel, accommodation, and surgeries. The brokers get involved for different reasons. One Egyptian broker Al Jazeera spoke to became involved after his brother needed a kidney and bought one from a Yemeni donor. After the operation, [the Yemeni donor] went back home and we stayed in touch he started telling me he could find others willing to donate if I knew of anyone who needed transplants. The Yemeni broker Al Jazeera spoke to was initially recruited to be a donor but was not compatible with any of the rings clients. The Yemeni broker began recruiting others to donate when he found out he was incompatible with the rings clients [Al Jazeera] Instead, he was asked to find others in Yemen who would be willing to sell a kidney and was told he would make a $1,000 commission on every donor he recruited. Nabil al-Fadhil, head of the Yemeni Organization for Combating Human Trafficking, told Al Jazeera that his organisation verified some 1,000 cases of organ sales, but they were certain that there were tens of thousands. Nabil al-Fadhil, head of the Yemeni Organization for Combating Human Trafficking [Al Jazeera] Of the thousand we interviewed, 900 had sold their kidneys then came back to Yemen as brokers looking to find new victims, al-Fadhil said in an interview at the end of 2018. Egyptian hospitals implicated Patients in need of a kidney would get in touch with the network, which maintained a pool of candidates to act as donors. Once a compatible donor was found, the surgery would be performed almost immediately and the donor would be flown back to Yemen with little to no time to recover, increasing the chances of health complications and making it difficult for a donor to return to any sort of labour-intensive work. Several hospitals across Egypt have been accused of operating on these donors, and the government has busted prominent doctors and institutions working in trafficking rings over the past five years. We work with public and private hospitals, the Egyptian broker confirmed to Al Jazeera. In al-Fadhils records from 2014, one hospital kept coming up, one that saw no arrests in spite of his notifying anti-trafficking organisations in Egypt: Wadi El Neel Hospital in Cairo. It is one of 48 hospitals licensed by the Egyptian government to perform transplant procedures and Al Jazeera sources in Egypt say it is referred to as the Mukhabarat (or Intelligence) Hospital by many Egyptians. The Mukhabarat Hospital is used for Yemeni [donors] only, and the receiving patients are Saudis and other foreigners, the Yemeni broker told Al Jazeera. Al Jazeera reached out to the hospital and spoke to an individual who presented himself as a manager there. He denied the accusations, citing Egyptian law: If the patient is Yemeni then the donor must be Yemeni, with a passport accredited by the embassy, and the embassys approval to donate. This law has been in place for years. Everything but that is nonsense. In Egyptian hospitals licensed to perform transplant surgeries, donors are also required to testify that they are donating by choice, either in writing or on camera, which all three of our Yemeni donors did. Yemeni embassys involvement All three donors claim they sold their organs to non-Yemeni nationals. They found a woman from the UAE who needed a kidney, so we did the blood and tissue tests, and found that we were a match. So, I went in for the surgery Afterwards, she asked me how much I got, I said $5,000. She told me that she had paid $50,000, Ahmed* told us. Besides having to be of the same nationality, the donor and recipient of an organ must be related, according to the Yemeni embassy in Cairo. Brokers claim that the Yemeni Embassy in Cairo facilitated the organ trafficking trade by processing false papers [Al Jazeera] Proof of relation is signed off on by the Yemeni Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Justice, but it is the responsibility of the embassy that receives the paperwork and coordinates with the Egyptian Ministry of Health to finalise approval for a transplant. According to the Yemeni broker Al Jazeera spoke to, they were quite accommodating for a price. The embassy announced it was illegal to donate an organ unless it was to a family relation and the relationship would have to be approved by the embassy. There were 15 or 20 people waiting [to donate] but they stopped them. So, the network sent me to Yemen to get the necessary paperwork to prove a relationship. the broker told Al Jazeera. I made a deal with a judge to pay him 80,000 Yemeni rials ($320) per case, and hed get it signed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I had done three when they got in touch and told me to stop because theyd found someone at the embassy who could approve the requests for $500 each, he explained. According to the Egyptian broker, cooperation by Yemeni officials was instrumental to the process. To be honest, our work would be impossible without cooperation with government entities there (in Yemen) that makes bringing Yemenis over to Egypt much easier for us. Al-Fadhil said he had come to suspect the embassys involvement. There were laws in Egypt being broken, and our embassy could have acted, but they just denied it the embassy is still involved to this day because this business makes them a lot of money, he said. After repeated efforts to contact the embassy, Al Jazeera received a response from the media attache, Baleegh al-Mukhlafi, who said: The only thing the embassy does is to address medical authorities after the documents required by the [Egyptian] Ministry of Health and the courts have been completed. The embassy denied any other form of involvement. Yemenis trapped in Egypt There are now many Yemenis already in Egypt who are resorting to selling their organs to make ends meet, says al-Fadhil. They came to Egypt to escape the violence in Yemen and are unable to return because of the worsening situation and because of the closure of Sanaa airport. There was a decrease in overall cases in 2014 and 2015 when the Egyptian government began denying entry to Yemeni citizens, but there are still many Yemeni refugees trapped in Egypt. Yemenis who went to Egypt when the war broke out are now stuck there and have been forced to sell their kidneys out of desperation. Weve recorded more than 200 such cases, al-Fadhil told Al Jazeera. What al-Fadhil and others working to end this trade would like to see is a change in government policies that would end this trade. However, given the state Yemen is in today, it is unlikely that any significant changes will be made. Anti-trafficking organisations, like most other NGOs, are struggling to continue operations in the war-torn country. We still face threats and a lot of pressure. This is probably going to be my last interview because were living in a country where even humanitarian work is prohibited. A few months after our interview in 2018, al-Fadhils organisation was shut down by Houthi forces and he was forced to leave Yemen. Theres no way we can actually work to stop this when were in the middle of war and destruction and poverty and people can barely afford food. Theres no solution except to stop the war, rebuild the country, hire people thats the only solution and its just not possible. *Names have been changed to protect the identities of those featured in this article. The African Union and the United Nations have said they are supporting a civilian-led transitional government in Sudan following last months overthrow of President Omar al-Bashir. AU Commission Chairman Moussa Faki Mahamat told reporters after meeting on Monday with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres there is no question of sustaining the military council that assumed power after al-Bashirs ouster, saying it is not acceptable. But he said military members could be part of a civilian government. The AU initially gave the military 15 days to hand over power but extended the deadline to 60 days. Mahamat said talks are under way. The UN-AU communique welcomes and supports AU-led efforts to facilitate a consensual and civilian-led transition, in close coordination with the UN. Al-Bashir, who had been in power for 30 years, was ousted last month by the military following months of protests. The demonstrations, which have been peaceful, have continued as opposition groups demand that the military, which currently rules through a Transitional Military Council, hand over power to civilians. Meanwhile, on Monday Sudanese forces seized explosives belts, guns including rifles fitted with silencers, devices used to detonate explosives remotely and satellite telephones in a raid on a property in the capital Khartoum, the state news agency reported. A contingent of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), acting on a tip, carried out the raid in the al-Taif district of Khartoum, the agency said. It was not known if the weapons cache was linked in any way to the countrys current political crisis. The news agency did not say if anyone was arrested or who owned the weapons. Al Jazeera Media Network applauds the release of Reuters journalists Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, who were arrested by Myanmar authorities on trumped-up charges. Over the past 500 days, Wa and Kyaw became a signpost in the attacks on press freedom and rallying point for those who work to promote press freedom and protection of journalists. Commenting on the release, Mostefa Souag, acting director general of Al Jazeera Media Network, said: The hard-won freedom of Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo are a cause of celebration for journalists around the world. While we celebrate the release of Reuters colleagues, Al Jazeera appeals to media institutions and other international rights organisations to continue the campaign for the release of every journalist unjustly imprisoned or arbitrarily detained in violation of their rights to freedom of speech, Souag added. There are hundreds of other journalists languishing in prisons for merely carrying out their journalistic profession. 190507024627552 Al Jazeera calls on the Egyptian government to immediately release our journalist Mahmoud Hussein who has been incarcerated in Egyptian prison without charges, trial or conviction, for more than 850 days in violation of both Egyptian and international law, Souag further stated. We arent alone in our struggle for press freedom against repressive regimes, and while the dangers faced by reporters are harrowing, many continue to brave threats and violence to bring accurate, independent and impartial reporting to those who need it most. We must all renew our commitment to the fight for media freedom and work together to counter the forces who would rather keep us in the dark, Souag said. Egg appeared to strike Morrison on the back of the head then bounce off without breaking. Australias Prime Minister Scott Morrison was hit on the head with an egg during a protest ahead of a general election next week. The egg appeared to strike Morrison on the back of the head then bounce off without breaking as he spoke to voters at a hall in the regional town of Albury on Tuesday Security guards grabbed a 25-year-old woman who is accused of throwing the egg and carried her outside. Morrison later suggested the protester was part of a movement that raids farms that it accuses of cruelty to animals. The young woman was reportedly protesting the Morrison governments harsh asylum seeker policy but refused to give any comment on the incident when asked about it by reporters outside the venue. I dont want to give a report, no thank you. Ive got to go to work. No comment, she said, according to the AAP news agency. She denied egg-smashing was violent, saying it was the most harmless thing you can do. The "Egg Boy" is being praised for cracking an egg on this Australian politician's head for his Islamophobic comments. Here's why. pic.twitter.com/1llucsmt9T AJ+ (@ajplus) March 18, 2019 New South Wales police said they had taken a 25-year-old woman into custody following an incident involving the Prime Minister in Albury. It was not yet clear whether she would be charged. Opposition leader Bill Shorten condemned the protest as appalling and disgraceful behaviour. In Australia, we have violence-free elections, Shorten told reporters. People are allowed to protest peacefully, but anything approaching violence is unacceptable. 190319080330519 Morrison was campaigning in an electorate held by his conservative Liberal Party. The party fears that an independent candidate could win the seat at the election on May 18. The incident followed a highly publicised assault of far-right politician Fraser Anning, who had an egg smashed on his head during a press conference. His teen attacker had been protesting comments Anning made blaming the massacre of 51 Muslim worshippers in two Christchurch mosques on immigrants to New Zealand. Australia goes to the polls on May 18. While Morrisons conservative coalition is seeking a third three-year term, he is the third prime minister to lead a divided government in that time, having been in the post since last August. Opinion polls suggest centre-left opposition leader Shorten will become the eighth prime minister since the country plunged into an extraordinary period of political instability in 2007. State-run Bahraini news agency describes the phone call as restricted to Ramadan greetings. Bahrains long-serving prime minister has called Qatars emir to mark the start of the holy month of Ramadan in a rare contact between Doha and the countries boycotting it. Bahrains state-run news agency acknowledged the call between Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa and Qatars Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, in a report early on Tuesday. It described the call as restricted to Ramadan greetings, and according to Bahrains cabinet affairs minister, it does not represent the official position of the Kingdom of Bahrain and will not affect its commitments with Saudi Arabia, UAE and Egypt on the implementation of what Qatar has committed to in 2013 and 2014 and the just demands that had followed. Since June 2017, Bahrain, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia have imposed a diplomatic and commercial embargo on Qatar, accusing the latter of supporting terrorism. Doha, for its part, strenuously denies the claim, describing the ongoing embargo as a violation of international law. On Monday, the UAE released a Qatari naval vessel and four sailors it had seized nearly a week earlier. In its statement on Monday, Qatars Foreign Ministry expressed satisfaction over the vessels release. The ship was conducting a routine drill when it encountered a technical problem and was swept into Emirati waters, where it and its crew were seized by the Emirati authorities, the statement read. Qatar has worked in recent days, through all available diplomatic channels and with mediation by friendly states, to secure the safe return of the vessel and crew, it added. US officials have said China backtracked on substantial commitments it made during trade talks with the United States, prompting President Donald Trump to impose additional tariffs on Chinese goods slated to go into effect on Friday. The swift deterioration in negotiations between the worlds two largest economies hit global financial markets as investors faced the prospect of an escalation rather than an end to a 10-month-old trade war. On Sunday, Trump tweeted he would raise tariffs on $200bn worth of Chinese goods from 10 percent to 25 percent by the end of the week, and would soon target the remaining Chinese imports with tariffs, sending stocks and oil prices lower on Monday. US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, who has been an advocate for tough structural changes in China, said Beijing reneged on commitments it had made previously that would have changed the agreement substantially. Over the course of the last week or so, we have seen an erosion in commitments by China, Lighthizer told reporters. That, in our view, is unacceptable. 190506014734453 Were not breaking off talks at this point. But for now come Friday there will be tariffs in place. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, considered to be less hawkish towards China, said Beijings backtracking became clear with new information over the weekend. He declined to give specifics and said the US side had originally hoped to conclude a deal one way or the other this week. They were trying to go back on language that had been previously negotiated, very clear language, that had the potential of changing the deal dramatically, said Mnuchin. The entire economic team are completely unified and recommended to the president to move forward with tariffs if we are not able to conclude a deal by the end of the week. Chinese Vice Premier Liu He is expected to be in Washington on Thursday and Friday of this week for further talks. A spokesperson at the Chinese embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to queries about the US assertions. We are also in the process of understanding the relevant situation. What I can tell you is that Chinas team is preparing to go to the United States for the discussions, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said in Beijing earlier. We still hope the United States can work hard with China to meet each other halfway, and strive to reach a mutually beneficial, win-win agreement on the basis of mutual respect. Sweeping study warns one million species are at risk of extinction amid rampant consumption, pollution. A landmark UN report has laid bare humanitys devastating impact on the natural world, detailing unprecedented rates of decline in biodiversity and nature on land, in the seas and in the sky. Published on Monday by the UNs Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), the sweeping 1,800-page study drew on the work of 145 scientists and 15,000 source materials. But at its core, IPBES chair Robert Watson said, the report contained one simple message: The health of ecosystems on which we and all other species depend is deteriorating more rapidly than ever. We are eroding the very foundations of our economies, livelihoods, food security, health and quality of life worldwide, he added, with rampant consumption and pollution the primary drivers behind natures decline. Hailed as the most comprehensive assessment of its kind, here are the reports five key findings: Mass extinction Up to one million animal and plant species are at risk of extinction, many within decades. Unless efforts to protect natural habitats are stepped up, the world could lose 40 percent of amphibian species, one-third of marine mammals and one-third of reef-forming corals. Bornean orangutan are among the worlds critically endangered species [File: Wong Maye-E/AP] Nature plays a critical role in providing humans with energy and medicines. More than two billion people rely on wood to meet their primary energy needs, for example, while an estimated four billion people are dependent on natural medicines for their healthcare. 180603102924067 Food sources are at risk too, with more than 75 percent of global food crop types including fruits, vegetables, coffee and cocoa reliant on animal pollination and, therefore, at risk from plummeting insect populations. Watson said that only transformative change in humanitys interaction with nature was capable of halting these trends. Unless we act now to reduce the loss of biodiversity, we will undermine human well-being for current and future generations we need actions, he said. Chopping down our forests, overfishing our seas The report depicted a world ravaged by an insatiable demand for resources, with crop production surging by 300 percent since 1970 and raw timber harvest rising by 45 percent. The changes have contributed to Earth having less than 70 percent of the forest cover it had prior to the Industrial Revolution. Up to $577bn in annual global crop yields are now at risk from pollinator loss, according to the IPBES report [File: Marko Djurica/Reuters] Meanwhile, approximately 60 billion tonnes of renewable and non-renewable resources are now extracted globally every year, nearly double the amount from three decades ago. Surges in demand have had a dramatic effect on the natural world, with three-quarters of the worlds landmass and 66 percent of all marine environments now judged to have been severely altered by human actions. Mark Wright, World Wildlife Foundations director of science, said the findings paint a terrifying picture of a broken world. It shows we are chopping down our forests, overfishing our seas and melting the Arctic and driving the other life we share this planet with to extinction at an unprecedented rate, Wright added. In short, we are destroying our own home. Climate conundrum Climate change cannot be tackled without saving biodiversity and vice versa, since the natural systems that sustain life on earth are intimately interconnected, and hence warming could wreck entire species. If the global temperature rises by two degrees Celsius this century compared with pre-industrial levels, a figure within the targets of the landmark global 2015 Paris climate change agreement, then five percent of Earths species will be at risk of extinction. Earth now has less than 70 percent of the forest cover it had prior to the Industrial Revolution [File: Paulo Whitaker/Reuters] If the current rate of global warming persists, Earth is predicted to heat up by 4.3C against pre-industrial levels by 2100. Were that to happen, as many as one in six of all species could be wiped out. 190419180710245 John Sauven, Greenpeace UKs executive director, said the IPBES study showed scientists had once again hit the emergency button over the state of our planet. Its time political and corporate leaders stopped making empty promises and started acting to prevent us sliding towards another mass extinction of life on Earth, he added. Business as usual destroying the rainforests, emptying the seas of marine life, and polluting our air and water is getting us there at breakneck speed. The reports authors, meanwhile, said many of the most promising responses to climate change, such as protecting and restoring forests and wetlands, sustainable agriculture and respecting indigenous knowledge, also protect biodiversity and human wellbeing. Plastic, toxic sludge, fertilisers As consumption swells, so does the amount of waste being dumped by humans. In the last three decades alone, plastic pollution has sky-rocketed tenfold. Meanwhile, the use of fertilisers, which threaten to poison entire ecosystems and wreck soils carbon-absorption rates, has doubled in the last 13 years. Plastic pollution has increased tenfold since 1980 [File: Mohammad Ponir Hossain/Reuters] Some 300-400 million tonnes of heavy metals, solvents, toxic sludge and other wastes from industrial sources are dumped annually into the worlds waterways, combining with fertiliser runoff to produce more than 400 ocean dead zones. Audrey Azoulay, director-general of the UNs cultural and scientific agency (UNESCO), said the IPBES findings must prompt major changes in human beings interaction with the natural world. This essential report reminds each of us of the obvious truth: the present generations have the responsibility to bequeath to future generations a planet that is not irreversibly damaged by human activity, Azoulay said. Our local, indigenous and scientific knowledge are proving that we have solutions and so no more excuses: we must live on earth differently, she added. We need to change Amid the findings documenting the natural worlds decline, the authors of the study called for people to create transformative change to halt the widespread damage. We need to change the way we think about what a good life is, we need to change the social narrative that puts an emphasis on a good life depending on a high consumption and quick disposal, said Sandra Diaz, one of the reports co-chairs. We need to change the stories in our heads, because they are the ones that are now enacted in decisions all the way from the individual up to government. 190212150700078 As part of this, IPBES said, humanity ought to shift beyond using traditional economic indicators such as gross domestic product (GDP) towards more long-term and holistic considerations concerning economic success and quality of life. The body also called for more internationally consistent taxation and the ending of all subsidies which contribute to incentivising environmental degradation and exploitation of resources. WWFs Wright said there was no time to waste in turning those words into action. We are the first generation to truly understand what we are doing to our world and the last who can do anything about it, he added. Additional reporting by David Child: @DavidChild90 Guardian and Bellingcat investigation shows at least 33 Islamic sites were partly or completely destroyed since 2016. At least 31 mosques and two major Islamic shrines in Chinas Xinjiang have been partly or completely demolished since 2016, according to a new report, as Beijing steps up a clampdown targeting Muslims in the northwestern region. An investigation by the Guardian and Bellingcat, published on Tuesday and based on analysis of satellite imagery, said 15 of the mosques and both shrines appear to have been completely or almost completely razed. The rest of the structures had guesthouses, domes and minarets removed, according to the United Kingdom-based newspaper and the investigative website. The demolition of mosques is but the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Chinas brutal crackdown on the 12 million Uighur Muslims who live in Xinjiang, said CJ Werleman, a journalist and author who has collected testimonies from dozens of Uighur refugees. 190502031404525 Credible and corroborated reports and testimony point to evidence authorities are deploying the whole gamut of repressive measures to carry out what can only be described as cultural genocide, including the establishment of a network of concentration camps; accounts of torture, forced marriage, and adoption and sterilisation programmes, he told Al Jazeera. Among the sites completely destroyed was the Imam Asim shrine, which used to attract thousands of Uighur pilgrims each year. Its mosque and other buildings have been torn down and only the tomb remained, the Guardian reported. Quite shocking Rian Thum, a historian of Islam at the University of Nottingham, called the images of Imam Asim in ruins as quite shocking. 190326065323065 Nothing could say more clearly to the Uighurs that the Chinese state wants to uproot their culture and break their connection to the land than the desecration of their ancestors graves, the sacred shrines that are the landmarks of Uighur history, Thum told the Guardian. The United Nations human rights panel said last year it has received credible reports that China is holding more than one million ethnic Uighurs and other Muslims in mass internment camps. Beijing calls them vocational training centres aimed at stemming the threat of Islamic extremism. Activists say practising Islam is forbidden in some parts of China, with individuals caught praying, fasting, growing a beard or wearing a hijab, a headscarf worn by many Muslim women who feel it is part of their religion, facing the threat of arrest. According to the Human Rights Watch, Beijing keeps a database of DNA samples, fingerprints, iris scans and blood types of all residents between the age of 12 and 16 in Xinjiang. Meanwhile, in January, Beijing passed a new law that seeks to Sinicize Islam. The United States government has weighed sanctions against senior Chinese officials in Xinjiang, a vast region bordering central Asia that is home to millions of Uighurs and other Muslim minority people. China has warned that it would retaliate in proportion against any US sanctions. Michel Bachelet, the UN human rights chief, has asked for access to Xinjiang to investigate the claims of enforced disappearances and arbitrary detentions in the region. Decision by Turkeys high election board to stage repeat of last months local elections slammed by Western critics. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has welcomed a controversial order to rerun the recent Istanbul local elections after complaints of corruption, claiming a new poll was the best step for the country. The opposition has called it a blow to democracy. The countrys high election board said on Monday some ballot box committees were formed illegally by district election board members who would face criminal complaints. Main opposition candidate Ekrem Imamoglu was initially declared Istanbuls new mayor on April 17 after winning the race by a small margin, pending an extraordinary objection for a rerun by Erdogans party. The ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party alleged voting irregularities made the results invalid, and said that they had presented the related evidence to the board. The opposition said the AK Partys claims were baseless and the ruling party was pressuring the election authority. On Monday the election commission ordered that the vote for Istanbuls mayor should be redone. We see this decision as the best step that will strengthen our will to solve problems within the framework of democracy and law, Erdogan said, in a speech to legislators from his AK Party in parliament on Tuesday. Erdogan slammed those criticising the decision to repeat the election now scheduled for June 23, saying they should know their place. He added that Binali Yildirim, a former prime minister, will once again be the AK Partys candidate in the polls. One of the critics was German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, who said the decision to scrap the vote was not transparent and not comprehensible. In a statement, Maas said Turkish voters alone must decide on the mayors office, adding that basic democratic principles and transparent election rules were paramount. Small protests The main opposition Republican Peoples Party (CHP) has also condemned the decision as neither democratic nor legitimate but said it will not boycott the rerun. The CHP said that its candidate Imamoglu will run in the June 23 polls. Following the election boards announcement, opposition supporters took to the streets in some parts of Istanbul to protest the commissions decision. With an estimated 2.9 million people of either Turkish citizenship or recent ancestry, Germany is home to the largest Turkish diaspora community worldwide. But the close links between the two countries are also a source of tension, with German politicians regularly blasting what they see as illiberal moves by Erdogan. 190502090924979 Ege Seckin, an analyst with HIS Country Risk, said the move by the election board casts shadow on the elections in Turkey. He told Al Jazeera from London: This is something we had not seen in Turkey until now. The decision casts shadow on the integrity of the ballot box in the country, which was something relatively safe, as some would claim, from the authoritarian tendencies of the government. It is definitely a bad sign for what may come. And it potentially creates a discouragement for the integrity of future elections. The Republican governor in the US state of Georgia on Tuesday signed legislation banning abortions once a foetal heartbeat can be detected. That can be as early as six weeks, before many women even know they are pregnant. The signing by Governor Brian Kemp caps weeks of tension and protests at the state Capitol in Atlanta, and marks the beginning of what could be a lengthy and costly legal battle over the laws constitutionality. The legal showdown is exactly what supporters are looking for. Anti-abortion rights activists and politicians across the country, energised by the new conservative majority on the US Supreme Court that includes President Donald Trump appointees Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh, are pushing abortion bans in an attack on the high courts 1973 Roe v Wade ruling, which legalised abortion nationwide until a foetus is developed enough to live outside a womans uterus. Sean Young, the legal director for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Georgia, said the group would challenge the states new abortion restriction in court. Under 50 years of Supreme Court precedent, this abortion ban is clearly unconstitutional, Young said in a recent interview. Every federal court that has heard a challenge to a similar ban has ruled that its unconstitutional. 190123154813019 Under current law, women in Georgia can seek an abortion during the first 20 weeks of a pregnancy. If its not blocked in court, the new ban would take effect on January 1, 2020. HB 481 makes exceptions in the case of rape and incest if the woman files a police report first and to save the life of the mother. It also would allow for abortions when a foetus is determined not to be viable because of serious medical issues. The bill also deals with alimony, child support and even income tax deductions for foetuses, declaring that the full value of a child begins at the point when a detectable human heartbeat exists. Its an all-out abortion ban Republican state Representative Ed Setzler, the bills author, said in an interview after the bill passed the state House that its a common-sense measure that seeks to balance the difficult circumstances women find themselves in with the basic right to life of a child. But Democratic state Senator Jen Jordan disagreed that the legislation was balanced. Theres nothing balanced about it, its an all-out abortion ban, Jordan said in a recent interview. Jordan said she is especially worried that the new law will push obstetricians away from practicing in Georgia, worsening healthcare outcomes for women in a state that already has one of the worst maternal mortality rates in the country. Its about the unintended consequences, Jordan said. Theyre making policy choices that are going to end up causing women to die, and theyre preventable deaths. 190321194811137 In the first few months of 2019, heartbeat abortion bans have been signed into law in four states: Mississippi, Kentucky, Ohio, and now Georgia. Politicians in a number of other states including Tennessee, Missouri, South Carolina, Florida, Texas, Louisiana and West Virginia are considering similar proposals. A bill that recently passed the Alabama House would outlaw abortions at any stage of pregnancy, with a few narrow exceptions. Kentuckys law was immediately challenged by the ACLU after it was signed in March, and a federal judge temporarily blocked it. According to the Guttmacher Institute, a research group that supports abortion rights, about 33,000 abortions were provided in Georgia in 2014. Khalifa Haftars Libyan forces released pictures they say are the Portuguese pilot receiving medical treatment. Forces loyal to renegade military commander Khalifa Haftar have shot down a warplane belonging to the internationally-recognised Government of National Accords (GNA), Haftars forces said. Haftars self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA) said in a statement on Tuesday it brought down the aircraft in Tripolis southern al-Hira district, alongside photos of what it said was the pilot receiving medical treatment. The planes pilot, who is of Portuguese origin, has been detained, the statement said without providing any further detail. 190506185152700 Video posted on social media that an LNA source said was authentic showed a bloodied man in a chair being questioned. He gave his name, said he from Portugal. When asked what he was doing in Libya, he replied, I was requested to destroy roads and bridges. He said he was working on a civilian contract for someone named el Hadi or al-Hadi, but said he did not know the first name. A spokesman for forces aligned with the internationally recognised government which is based in Tripoli had no immediate comment on the incident. Explosion as plane was hit In Lisbon, the Portuguese Defence Ministry said they could not confirm the pilots nationality. For now, the only thing we can say is that he is not a Portuguese soldier, a ministry spokeswoman told Reuters. Residents of Gharyan, about 80 km south of Tripoli, said that when the plane was heard overhead, anti-aircraft guns began firing. Witnesses said there was an explosion as it was hit. The jet was shot down in Al-Hira town (10km from Gharyan) and I saw LNA troops capturing the pilot, a Gharyan resident told Reuters News Agency. The eastern-based LNA, led by Haftar, began an offensive against Tripoli in early April but its advance has been blocked by forces loyal to Tripoli on the citys southern outskirts. Late on Sunday, Haftar called on his troops to uproot opposing forces from our beloved country and to inflict on the enemy, with your force and determination, an even harder and bigger lesson than before. The strongmans message came just hours after the United Nations mission in Libya called for an extendable one-week humanitarian truce to mark the beginning of Ramadan. The almost five-week-old battle on the southern outskirts of Tripoli has killed at least 432 people, wounded 2,069 and displaced some 55,000 others, according to the UN. While official annexation would be seen as a dramatic escalation, many Palestinians feel the area is already annexed. Ramallah, occupied West Bank While the international community and media created an uproar when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced his intent to annex the West Bank in a bid to garner votes during last months elections, many Palestinians living in the occupied territory were not fazed by the right-wing leaders words. Its obvious that the West Bank is already de facto annexed, Wael Abdul Raheem, a 35-year-old lawyer residing in Ramallah, told Al Jazeera. He recounted a recent incident when he was handed a traffic fine by an Israeli police officer on Road 60 an Israeli road that cuts through the occupied territory used by both Israelis and Palestinians near his village of Madama in the northern West Bank. 190316225136995 I had to go to Beit El (an illegal Israeli settlement in the West Bank) in order to pay the fine. Israel already treats this area as its own. So, no, I definitely was not shocked by Netanyahus statement, he said. An official annexation of parts or the whole of the West Bank would likely result in a dramatic escalation of policies, which Palestinians say are aimed at eroding basic rights and self-determination. However, Israeli and Palestinian analysts have told Al Jazeera that international concerns over Netanyahus comments were not reflective of reality, which has seen an incremental process of annexation in the occupied territory for decades. One regime Since Israel occupied the West Bank and Gaza Strip in 1967, and particularly following the Oslo Accords in the 1990s that broke up the West Bank into Areas A, B, and C leaving about 60 percent of the land under full Israeli military control Israel has used and treated the entire area as if it was a part of sovereign Israel, Amit Gilutz, spokesperson of Israeli rights group BTselem, said. Unlike the rest of the West Bank, however, East Jerusalem was officially annexed into Israeli territory after Israels military conquest of the area more than a half-century ago. According to Yara Hawari, a fellow at the independent Palestinian policy network al-Shabaka, there was a juncture between the international uproar following Netanyahus statements and the realities on the ground. In reality, there is one regime which controls everything from the river to the sea, and thats the Israeli regime, she said. 190117102800845 In Area C, home to about 300,000 Palestinians, the Israeli army has full control over the management of resources, planning and construction, and strictly limits Palestinian construction or development to less than one percent of the area, most of which is already built up, according to the UN. They [Palestinians] are denied any legal avenue to build homes or develop their communities, so they face the constant fear that their homes might be demolished, and that they [may] be expelled and lose their livelihood, BTselem has noted. At the same time, the Israeli government has continued to expand illegal settlements throughout Area C, with up to 600,000 Israelis living in the occupied territory in violation of international law, while creating an extensive network of roads connecting settlements to each other and to towns and cities across the Green Line which divides the occupied territory from Israel. For Israelis travelling in the West Bank, you might not even feel like it is under occupation because the Green Line has been essentially erased, Gilutz explained. It doesnt exist for settlers, whereas its a very real border for Palestinians. Meanwhile, there are dozens of Israeli police stations established in Area C, which patrol the area and issue Israeli fines to Palestinians who are caught speeding, not wearing their seat belts or committing other violations despite Israeli police not being authorised to operate in the West Bank because it is not part of Israels sovereign territory. Right-wing Israeli politicians have advocated for the official annexation of Area C for years. In addition, there are 165 enclaves of Area A where the Palestinian Authority (PA) has authority and B where there is joint Israeli-PA control, scattered like islands throughout Area C, and home to the majority of Palestinians in the West Bank. 181016111140332 These enclaves are disconnected from one another and the resources they need to develop in any kind of sustainable way, because Area C contains everything that is needed for there to be a viable existence in this region, Gilutz said, adding that Israel utilises the resources in Area C for the benefit of its own citizens, at the expense of Palestinian development. Israel has long focused on creating facts on the ground that would control as much land and resources as possible, with as few Palestinians on that land as possible, Hawari said. All of this is very predictable, Gilutz added. The situation has been moving in this one direction for many decades. From de facto to de jure annexation Despite these Oslo-era land designations, Hawari says Israel continues to control the entire territory, and even in Area A the PA only maintains the population as a policing force, while Israel retains de facto control over the area. While Israel already controls the whole of the West Bank, Hawari says, a legal annexation of the territory would see an increase in Israeli settlement building, while the language of annexation has fuelled the Israeli right-wing, particularly violent settlers. These repressive measures against Palestinians would accelerate if the territory were officially annexed, she explains, but it will still be a slow process of passing various forms of legislation. 190506003458263 Israeli rights group Yesh Din has documented 60 bills proposed during the 20th Knesset (2015-2019) that pertained to the annexation of the West Bank, eight of which were approved and became law. According to the group, this reflects the transition from de facto annexation to de jure annexation of the West Bank, noting that the Israeli parliament regards itself as the legislative authority in the West Bank and the sovereign there, as opposed to the military commander, who is expected to be the acting sovereign in the occupied territory as outlined in international humanitarian law. Gilutz says Israel uses the pretext of security and the temporariness of occupation as a sophisticated strategy to exploit the area for its own needs, use the resources, and engineer the space demographically so that Palestinians are concentrated in enclaves disconnected from one another and from the resources they need to thrive and which Israel wants for itself. However, Israels occupation of the West Bank is clearly not designed to be temporary, but rather to last, he added. In this sense, the situation as it is today could be more beneficial to Israel than a formal annexation of the West Bank, Gilutz noted. The facade of legality of this whole system of control is quite effective in how it allows Israel to portray itself as a democracy, and enjoy all the perks of being a member state in that club. Political rights? Yesh Din has noted that the intensification of annexation signals that Israel is transforming itself into an apartheid state. Despite Israels parliament creating legislation that directly affects millions of Palestinians in the occupied territory, they have no right to vote and lack any ability to influence Israeli policy. Two types of people live under Israels regime and are subject to its control and sovereignty: Israeli citizens who have full rights, and Palestinian residents who lack political rights, as well as other rights, the group has noted. Hawari points out that Palestinians in occupied East Jerusalem are an accurate case study for the potential annexation of the rest of the West Bank. Although Israel formally annexed the territory, Palestinians were not granted citizenship, but instead were issued Jerusalem IDs, which can be revoked for a variety of reasons. Almost 15,000 Palestinians have had their Jerusalem IDs revoked by the Israeli state since 1967, according to Human Rights Watch. Meanwhile, although Palestinians in East Jerusalem are permitted to vote in Jerusalems municipal elections, they are barred from voting in national elections. 190412082348119 However, Gilutz says the question of political rights is just as relevant today as it will be if Israel formally annexes the West Bank, because Palestinians have already been living under Israels control for generations without political rights. He added that perhaps a formal annexation will increase international pressure on Israel to grant Palestinians political rights, but from our perspective, it doesnt actually matter. What matters are the rights and freedoms of people who are already living under direct Israeli rule. In Gilutzs perspective, the main issue is not whether the West Bank is annexed or not. The better question is why the annexation that has already existed has been allowed to develop, deepen and continue in broad daylight without the international community taking more decisive action in order to stop it, he said. Activist says Norwegian authorities put him into protective custody because the Saudis have a crosshairs on me. Seven months after the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, another Arab dissident has been threatened by the government in Riyadh, the activist said. Iyad el-Baghdadi said Norwegian authorities took him to a secure location from his home in Oslo because of a threat against him. The way I understood it was, the Saudis have a crosshairs on me, but there is no idea of what they are going to do, el-Baghdadi told the UKs Guardian newspaper in an interview published on Tuesday. The paper reported that the Norwegian officials received information about the threat from the CIA. El-Baghdadi told Al Jazeera that Norwegian officials asked him not to speak about certain specific details relating to the incident. When they took me to a safe location in Oslo, the nature of the threat was not clear. Did the threat get to the stage where it amounted to a plan to endanger me directly? he said to Al Jazeera on Tuesday. 2. I was not placed under protection for a long time. I was away for 2-3 hours, and the authorities have told me that so long I'm in Oslo I'm reasonably safe. They said I will be provided with police protection soon. Iyad el-Baghdadi | (@iyad_elbaghdadi) May 7, 2019 The vocal pro-democracy activist and strong critic of Saudi Arabias de facto leader, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), said the incident happened on April 25 and that he was in the safe location for 2-3 hours. The authorities have told me that so long Im in Oslo Im reasonably safe, he wrote on Twitter on Tuesday. I had plans to travel elsewhere but they asked that I cancel these, he told Al Jazeera. A big part of my work these past two years was focused on the human rights situation in Saudi Arabia, especially after the murder of my friend Jamal Khashoggi, el-Baghdadi said. Worried for his family He said there are six or seven other topics that I am working on and that Norwegian authorities and I have agreed may have been the reason behind my targeting. He told Al Jazeera he was worried about his family who are in Malaysia. He said he can not travel to see them or get in touch with them directly. El-Baghdadi has been a prominent online presence since the Arab Spring, and his English-language tweets about human rights in the Middle East have found a wide audience. He seemed to take the threat against him in stride. Thanks for your concern, everyone. If they dont want to kill me, then Im not doing my job, he tweeted on Tuesday. Thanks for your concern, everyone. If they don't want to kill me, then I'm not doing my job. Iyad el-Baghdadi | (@iyad_elbaghdadi) May 7, 2019 El-Baghdadi was granted asylum in Norway four years ago after his online activism and criticism prompted his expulsion without charge from the United Arab Emirates, where he was a resident. Hes president and cofounder of the Kawaakibi Foundation, which supports individual rights and democracy through its podcast and The Arab Tyrant Manual platforms. In the immediate wake of the killing of Khashoggi, el-Baghdadi was among a number of activists who worked around the clock to try to figure out what happened to the Saudi writer, by trawling through online and other clues. He warned on Twitter that the danger to dissidents would broaden if Crown Prince Mohammed were not held accountable for Khashoggis disappearance. If they get away with kidnapping the next step will be assassinations in your capitals, and Im not joking even a little bit. Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo were arrested after investigating the killing of 10 Rohingya Muslim men by security forces. Two Reuters journalists, jailed in Myanmar after being convicted of breaking the Official Secrets Act, have been freed after more than 500 days behind bars. The two reporters, Wa Lone, 33, and Kyaw Soe Oo, 29, were convicted in September and sentenced to seven years in jail in a case that raised questions about Myanmars progress towards democracy and sparked an outcry from diplomats and human rights advocates. I am a journalist and I am going to continue, Wa Lone told a crowd of reporters outside the Insein prison in Yangon. I cant wait to go to my newsroom. Earlier on Tuesday, Myanmar said it will release 6,520 prisoners in an amnesty, according to a statement from the presidents office. 190416052621870 President Win Myint pardoned thousands of prisoners in two mass amnesties last month. It is customary in Myanmar for authorities to free prisoners around the time of the traditional New Year, which began on April 17. We are enormously pleased that Myanmar has released our courageous reporters, Reuters editor-in-chief Stephen Adler said in a statement. Since their arrests 511 days ago, they have become symbols of the importance of press freedom around the world. We welcome their return. Reuters has said the two men did not commit any crime and had called for their release. AFP graphic on two Reuters journalists in Myanmar who were jailed for seven years in September 2018 for their reporting on the Rohingya crisis and have just been freed following a presidential amnesty @AFPgraphics pic.twitter.com/GoOL6t0Smi AFP news agency (@AFP) May 7, 2019 Before their arrest in December 2017, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo had been working on an investigation into the killing of 10 Rohingya Muslim men and boys by security forces and Buddhist civilians in western Myanmars Rakhine State during an army crackdown that began in August 2017. The operation sent more than 730,000 Rohingya fleeing to Bangladesh, according to the United Nations estimates. The report the two men authored, featuring testimony from perpetrators, witnesses and families of the victims, was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for international reporting in May, adding to a number of accolades received by the pair for their journalism. https://twitter.com/pearswick/status/1125599269191159809?ref_src=twsrc^tfw Myanmars Supreme Court rejected the journalists final appeal in April. They had petitioned the countrys top court, citing evidence of a police set-up and lack of proof of a crime, after the Yangon High Court dismissed an earlier appeal in January. The Rohingya story has been at the forefront of this country for many years now, Al Jazeeras Wayne Hay, reporting from Bangkok, said. There was a lot of pressure on the effective leader of the country, Aung San Suu Kyi this was someone who once championed democracy, freedom of speech and human rights in the country to really do something. But she failed to act on that story. A series of drone attacks near the Libyan capital last month is being investigated by a UN panel of experts. A series of drone attacks near the Libyan capital last month is being investigated by a United Nations panel of experts. At least six night-time raids were carried out, hitting military camps of forces loyal to the internationally-recognised government. As UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres calls for an end to foreign interference in Libya, Security Council experts believe that the United Arab Emirates is flying Chinese-made drones out of Al Khadim airbase in Eastern Libya. Al Jazeeras Andrew Chappelle reports. Officials say no tsunami threat after quake hit on Tuesday morning about 250km away from the capital Port Moresby. A magnitude 7.2 earthquake has rattled the Pacific island nation of Papua New Guinea, cutting power and knocking items off shelves though there were no immediate reports of serious damage. The quake hit around 7:20am Tuesday (21:20 GMT Monday) 33 kilometres southeast of Bulolo, on the countrys eastern side, at a depth of 127km. It was felt in the capital Port Moresby about 250km away. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said there is no tsunami threat because the earthquake was so deep. We have no reports as yet of serious damage, Inspector Leo Kaikas, Bulolo police station commander, told the AFP news agency. We are still assessing the situation. Staff at Bulolos Pine Lodge hotel said there was very minor damage from objects falling off tables, but nothing more serious. 180226123518971 Residents in Lae, more than 100km away, said the earthquake knocked things off shelves and worktops and cut electricity in some areas. I had just woken up, said Lae resident Christopher Lam. It lasted a little more than 30 seconds. We had household items knocked off their shelves and the power got cut. Things seem to have returned to normal. No structural damage here, though Im not sure about other buildings in the city. There are estimated to be around 110,000 people living within 50km of the epicentre, according to UN data. The Moresby-based National Disaster Management office said while there were no early reports of damage, but news from the quake zone could take time to trickle in. The countrys rugged highlands region was hit by a 7.5-magnitude quake in February last year that buried homes and triggered landslides, killing at least 125 people. The scale of that disaster did not become apparent for days due to PNGs poor communications and infrastructure. There are regular earthquakes in Papua New Guinea, which sits on the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire a hotspot for seismic activity due to friction between tectonic plates. Along the South Solomon trench, an area of the Pacific that includes PNG, there have been 13 quakes of magnitude 7.5 or more recorded since 1900, according to USGS data. Malaysia said the US government returned around $57m recovered from 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) assets in the first instalment of funds to be repatriated under a US kleptocracy asset recovery initiative. The US Department of Justice (DoJ), in the biggest case in its anti-kleptocracy programme, is pursuing billions of dollars it says were misappropriated from 1MDB, a state fund founded by former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak. The $57m repatriated to Malaysia was forfeited from Hollywood film production company Red Granite Pictures, which is linked to Najibs stepson Riza Aziz, according to the Malaysian Attorney-Generals Chambers (AGC). The DoJ is also in the process of remitting another $139m, pending the sale of a Manhattan property linked to fugitive Malaysian financier, Low Taek Jho or Jho Low, the AGC said in a statement. 190403100502136 Meanwhile, former Goldman Sachs Group Inc banker Roger Ng pleaded not guilty to criminal charges linked to the 1MDB scandal in an appearance at the New York federal court on Monday. Last year, the DoJ accused 46-year-old Ng of conspiring to launder money and bribe government officials in Malaysia and Abu Dhabi through bond offerings that Goldman Sachs handled. He was extradited on May 3 to New York from Kuala Lumpur, where he had been jailed since November. US Magistrate Judge Peggy Kuo, of US District Court in Brooklyn, New York, allowed Ng, a Malaysian citizen, to be released in exchange for a $20m bond. He was fitted for an ankle bracelet, and will be staying at an undisclosed location in the New York City area that the court approved. His lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, said he convinced Ng to come to the U.S. and face the music because it was evident that prosecutors were not going to drop the case, and his client had become very ill. Ng, who left Goldman Sachs in 2014, faces up to 30 years in prison if he is convicted of the three charges against him in the US. Prosecutors estimate that high-level 1MDB fund officials and their associates misappropriated $4.5bn between 2009 and 2014, including some of the funds that Goldman Sachs helped raise. Goldman Sachs has consistently denied wrongdoing and said certain members of the former Malaysian government and 1MDB lied to it about how the bond proceeds would be used. The talks are aimed at getting the devolved administration based at Stormont House back up and running. Northern Irelands politicians resume talks on Tuesday aimed at restoring the devolved government that has been on hold since 2017. The sticking points include Irish language rights and same-sex marriage. But the outrage over the killing of 29-year-old journalist Lyra McKee last month has pushed the main parties into trying to reach an agreement. Al Jazeeras Nadim Baba reports. Protesters demand new and impartial probe as panel of judges dismisses sexual harassment complaint against Ranjan Gogoi. Dozens have protested outside Indias Supreme Court, a day after a panel of judges dismissed a sexual harassment complaint against Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi. The protesters carried placards and shouted slogans on Tuesday calling for an impartial investigation into allegations against Gogoi by a former court assistant of having made unwanted sexual advances last year. Transparent and fair due process is a must, read one of the placards, while another read, supreme injustice. The in-house committee found no substance in the allegations contained in the complaint, the Supreme Courts secretary general said in a brief statement on Monday, dismissing the womans complaint. In its Monday statement, the top court said the panels report had been submitted to a senior judge of the court as well as to the chief justice, without elaborating. The report will not be made public, it said. The 35-year-old woman, who worked as a junior court assistant, said in a statement she was not just highly disappointed and dejected but felt gross injustice had been done to her by the dismissal of her complaint. The case involving Indias most powerful judge is the most high-profile in a wave of allegations of sexual harassment that have been made public by women since last year as the #MeToo movement has swept the country. We are being taken to Mandir Marg police station..we were not allowed to protest even for five minutes! First the SC allows a farce process and then cant even accept any criticism! Rule of Law died thousand deaths! #SupremeInjustice @angshukanta Amritananda Chakravorty (@amritananda_c) May 7, 2019 On Tuesday, security was strengthened outside the court, with dozens of paramilitary police and trucks carrying water cannon deployed in the area. Police quickly dispersed the crowd and most protesters were taken away in police vans soon after they gathered. It has been four hours now but we are still in the police station. They are not letting us go, said Vani Subramanian, a womens rights activist and one of the organisers of todays protest. We were not allowed to protest even for five minutes! lawyer Amritananda Chakravorty said in a Twitter post. Journalist Gaurav Sarkar said that he had been chucked into a police van for covering the protest. Police at the site said it was illegal to hold demonstrations at the Supreme Court. Complaint In her complaint to the court last month, the woman accused Gogoi of harassing her when she worked at his residential office last year. He hugged me around the waist, and touched me all over my body with his arms and by pressing his body against mine, and did not let go, she wrote in an affidavit seen by the AFP news agency. He told me hold me, he did not let go of me despite the fact that I froze and tried to get out of his embrace by stiffening and moving my body away, the document said. The woman, whose identity has been withheld, claimed she was dismissed from her job and her family had been harassed after she rebuffed Gogois advances. She also said she was summoned by Gogois wife who asked her to prostrate herself and rub her nose at her feet to seek forgiveness. Last week, the woman withdrew from proceedings of the three-member panel of judges investigating the case, saying she did not expect justice from it. There was no external member in the inquiry committee, Amrita Johri, an activist, told Al Jazeera. Secondly, once the woman withdrew because she wasnt given a lawyer, they should have stopped the proceedings but they went ahead and did an ex-parte report. Now they are unwilling to give the copy of the report to the woman or to make it public, said Johri, who was detained by the police along with dozens of other protesters. Gogoi has called the allegations part of a wider conspiracy to taint Indias judiciary, without elaborating. The chief justice and members of the committee were not available for comment. In a statement on Tuesday, a group of 350 womens rights activists and civil society members called for a fresh inquiry into the accusations. This case has exposed the urgent need for just, transparent and fair procedures to be laid down as soon as possiblewhat is at stake is not just the rights of women, but also the credibility of the Supreme Court, they said. Additional reporting by Bilal Kuchay from New Delhi Funds to be sent to Palestinians in West Bank and Gaza for health, education and humanitarian relief, Qatar announces. Qatar has said it will send $480m to Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and the besieged Gaza Strip after a ceasefire deal ended the deadliest fighting between Israel and Palestinian factions since a 2014 Israeli assault on the enclave. A statement from Qatars Foreign Ministry on Tuesday morning said $300m would support health and education programmes of the Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority (PA), which controls parts of the West Bank. Meanwhile, $180m would go towards urgent humanitarian relief in United Nations programmes and towards electricity. Hamass political chief Ismail Haniya welcomed the move. In a statement, he thanked Qatars Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. I express my thanks and gratitude to Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and to the government and people of Qatar for this honourable move reflecting the generosity of Qatar, Haniya said. The decision, he said, is a continuation of Qatars unwavering support of the Palestinian people. The recent three-day surge of violence in the Gaza Strip and southern Israel has led to the deaths of at least 25 Palestinians and four Israelis. A ceasefire deal was reached early on Monday, and no Israeli air raids on the Palestinian territory have been reported since the deal came into effect. Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem said Egyptian mediators, along with officials from Qatar and the UN, helped reach the ceasefire deal. An Islamic Jihad official, on condition of anonymity, said the truce agreement was based on Israel easing its blockade of the Gaza Strip, which has been under a crippling Israeli-Egyptian siege since 2008. Among the steps, the official said, were the easing of limits on the fishing zone to 12 nautical miles (about 22km) off the coast of Gaza and improvements in Gazas electricity and fuel situation. Some two million Palestinians live in Gaza, the economy of which has suffered years of blockade as well as recent foreign aid cuts and sanctions by the PA rival of Hamas, the group that governs the Strip. Qatar has long been a major donor to the Palestinians. In January, post offices in Gaza distributed financial aid donated by the small, natural gas-rich country to 94,000 families. Last month, Qatar opened a much-needed artificial limb and rehab centre for residents of the enclave. Qatar proposed the hospital in 2012 when then-Emir Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani became the first head of any state to visit Gaza since Hamas seized control of the territory. Young generation born after the end of apartheid in 1994 wants real equality in the country. Johannesburg, South Africa Kabelo Mahlobogwane, 24, is among a generation of young South Africans often referred to as the born frees, those born after the end of apartheid and the transition to democratic rule in 1994. In Mahlobogwanes case, he was born a mere six months after Nelson Mandela was inaugurated as South Africas first democratically-elected president. But like many of his generation, Mhlobogwane feels that the born free moniker has worn thin. When I used to engage with my elders about apartheid, I actually learned that everything corrupt that is happening today is exactly what they were fighting against during apartheid. Every inequality is still here, he said. Mhlobogwane was a prominent student activist in the #FeesMustFall protests that swept across South African university campuses in 2015 and 2016. Primarily driven by calls for free tertiary education, he said the protests also spoke to a wider sense of disenchantment with South Africas democratic project among young black South Africans. We want change and we want real equality, and we have been militant and unapologetic about that, he added. As South Africa heads to the polls in a general election on Wednesday, Mhlobogwane believes that change comes in the shape of the far-left Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party, which is predicted to win more than double the six percent of the vote that it achieved in the 2014 elections, its first year on the ballot. The EFFs calls for radical economic transformation, including the nationalisation of banks and mines, as well as the expropriation of white-owned land without compensation, have found fertile ground with many young black South Africans. Unlike older generations, this demographic also has less of a sense of loyalty to the ruling African National Congress (ANC) party, based on its past liberation history. With the EFF, its not about who was a comrade, who went to exile, who led in the forefront of the struggle, Mhlobogwane said. But more than half of South Africas youth appear to have lost faith in the political system altogether, with as many as six million under-30s not registered on the electoral roll. What is the use of voting? Lesego Sedide, 24, who was born and raised in the sprawling Johannesburg township of Alexandra, is among this number. What is the use of voting? he said. Ive been living here my whole life and I dont see any of the changes that have been promised again and again. People dont have jobs. People dont have houses. Meanwhile, the politicians are living nice lives in the suburbs. Unemployment among the youth in Alexandra, as across much of South Africa, is estimated at more than 50 percent. Every day is like a weekend here. Young people are just sitting around drinking and taking drugs the whole day, said Nhlanhla Ruben, a 23-year-old resident and Uber driver, who also said he would not be voting. 190507134749751 I get why people dont want to vote. When you look at all the chaos attacking the country and you just see everyone competing against each other, its just like, what is my vote going to contribute to any of this? said Sanele Msiza, 23, an honours student in journalism at the University of Witwatersrand. However, Msiza took issue with frequent characterisations of South African youth as apathetic, using the #FeesMustFall protests, which she also took part in, by way of an example. Theres a lot of political engagement on campus here, said Msiza. I think its just that young people still often dont see their views being represented in Parliament, so they find other ways of engaging. A lot of movements around the world that were revolutionary, were started by students, said Tumelo Modiba, a 21-year-old classmate of Msizas. Our generation, not just in Africa but globally, we want change. Were tired of just sitting around and taking things as they were. On Wednesday, while Msiza said that she would be voting for the EFF, Modiba would be casting her ballot for the ANC. But both harboured doubts about their respective choices potential to follow through on their election promises and implement proposed policies. I think theres a lot of lip service, said Msiza. For Mahlobogwane, scepticism towards South Africas political establishment among the youth was an encouraging sign for the future, rather than cause for despondency: If you look at the recent rallies, a lot of young people no longer want to be told about a free ANC t-shirt or food parcel. A lot of young people want to know about policies, he told Al Jazeera. They are engaged in education and they are aware. For me, there is hope. One day we will live in a country where there is peace, there is equality and economic freedom. Land reform has been a key campaign issue, but polls show voters are more concerned about the economy and unemployment. Johannesburg, South Africa In the chronically under-served township of Alexandra, 64-year-old Elizabeth Sebile sits on the couch in a three-bedroom, state-subsidised house that she shares with her seven grandchildren, the walls around her cracked and blackened by damp. Sebile is disabled and unable to work. She was, therefore, eligible to cast a so-called special vote on Monday, two days before the majority of South Africans go to the polls in the countrys general election, against a backdrop of economic woes and widespread anger at a perceived lack of progress after 25 years of democracy. When asked who she voted for, she pointed to a framed picture of Nelson Mandela on the wall beside her. She has backed Mandelas party, the ruling African National Congress (ANC), in every election since it came to power in South Africas first democratic elections in 1994. 190506082850012 Sebile said that although not much has changed since then, she remained loyal to the ANC as they provide the paltry social grant on which she subsists. Better the devil you know than the devil you dont, she added. Rising far left But other Alexandra residents interviewed by Al Jazeera said they had turned their backs on the ruling party due to its failure to adequately provide basic services such as water and sanitation, consistent electricity and government housing. Amid a spiralling housing crisis in Gauteng province that has often manifested in Alexandra in the form of illegal land invasions, as well as forced evictions by both the state and local vigilante groups, many younger locals said they had turned to the far-left Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party. According to pre-election polls, the EFF is set to make considerable gains on Wednesday, jumping from six percent of the vote in 2014, its first election, to between 10 14 percent this time. The party, led by Julius Malema, has actively encouraged occupations of vacant private and state-owned land. It has also drawn more broadly on the symbolic appeal of land expropriation without compensation in a country whose majority-black population has experienced scant redress whether economic, spatial or emotional for centuries of discrimination, dispossession and forced removals by successive colonial regimes. High unemployment But a number of surveys have shown that while land reform has been a major campaign issue across the political spectrum in the run-up to elections, most voters are far more concerned about the stuttering economy and unemployment, as well as spiralling violent crime and the scourge of corruption. A spiralling housing crisis in Gauteng province has often manifested in Alexandra in the form of illegal land invasions, as well as forced evictions [Shaun Swingler/Al Jazeera] The continents most industrialised economy has suffered a sustained period of sluggish growth and its economy has failed to expand by more than two percent a year since 2013. Gross domestic product (GDP) is falling on a per-capita basis as the population grows faster than the economy. Official unemployment is 27 percent and according to the Institute of Race Relations, a think-tank in Johannesburg, the countrys economy needs to grow at five to six percent annually for 20 years to reduce unemployment to about 10 percent. Corruption and rising crime Under the ruinous nine-year tenure of former President Jacob Zuma, corruption and maladministration became endemic within the ANC, ravaging state-owned enterprises and leading to a dramatic increase in politically-motivated assassinations, particularly in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. South Africas crime rates have risen every year since the last elections in 2014, with more than 20,300 murders recorded last year, over 3,000 more than in 2014. The inability of both the ANC and the centrist Democratic Alliance (DA), which currently governs the important cities of Cape Town, Johannesburg and Pretoria, to curtail this rise is illustrated through frequent and often deadly acts of vigilantism by members of under-policed communities against alleged criminals. A lot of the major political parties are not adequately addressing these key issues, says political analyst Asanda Ngoasheng. 190506162348258 The ANC is almost certain to retain its parliamentary majority after Wednesdays vote, according to opinion polls, but President Cyril Ramaphosas efforts to tackle the various crises consuming South Africa since he took over from Jacob Zuma, who resigned after pressure from within his party in February last year, continue to be hampered by deep-set factionalism within the ANC. The size of the expected victory will likely play a significant role in determining the extent to which hell be able to ramp up his reformist policies and root out corrupt members of his own party. The DA has also been affected by infighting, which culminated in the controversial axing of its Cape Town mayor, Patricia de Lille, in May 2018. Polls predict that the DA will get between 20 24 percent of the vote, approximately the same as in its previous showing. Both the ANC and the DA have been accused of stoking xenophobia through what many pundits have called Trump-like anti-immigrant rhetoric. In Alexandra, residents have repeatedly aired grievances that foreign nationals are taking scarce jobs and houses in an increasingly overcrowded area where unemployment is estimated to exceed 50 percent. Young voters disillusioned But a local resident who had helped to register voters in the area and asked to remain anonymous, said that this hadnt swayed many younger residents, who felt disillusioned with politics in general. By his estimation, as many as 80 percent of under 25s in his area did not register to vote. Across South Africa, about six million young people are not registered, a large swath of the population of so-called born frees, who were born after the first democratic elections in 1994. For Sbu Lesego, another Alexandra resident who said that his vote was a secret, all three of the major political parties were too caught up in pointing fingers at each other rather than addressing basic needs of poor people in a country that the World Bank has labelled the most unequal in the world. They must produce results, they must show us that they are worthy of our votes, he added. All this talking, its just becoming annoying. Then after the elections you dont see or hear anything from them for another five years. At least 33 die after fire guts four villages in Western Bahr el Ghazal region, spokesman for the president says. At least 33 people have been killed by a wildfire in South Sudans Western Bahr el Ghazal region, a spokesman for the countrys president has said. Sixty people are also in a critical condition after the fire, which was fanned by gusty winds, gutted four villages on Sunday, Ateny Wek Ateny said. The injured are receiving medication which is not sufficient given the remote state of the area in which the incident has taken place, Ateny said, at the state house on Monday evening. On Tuesday, Mathok Wal, Lol States information minister, said the fire had also destroyed 138 houses in villages in Korok East County and killed 10,000 cattle. South Sudan has been mired in conflict between the government and several rebel groups since December 2013. Sectors such as civil defence forces have little leverage on national budgets to finance firefighters at local levels of government. The conflict has killed tens of thousands and displaced almost 4 million people from their homes, including more than a million refugees who have fled to neighbouring countries. Investigations zero in on how one man might have masterminded the deadliest attack in Sri Lanka since the end of the civil war. In Sri Lanka, thousands of military and police personnel have been deployed to track down those behind the Easter Sunday bombings in the country. The government has banned two groups it says have links with the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL or ISIS). But some people say they had warned about the risk of violence before the attacks, and not enough was done. Al Jazeeras Minelle Fernandez reports from Kattankudy, Eastern Sri Lanka. All those responsible for the Easter suicide bombings that killed 257 people are accounted for, police chief says. Sri Lankas security authorities have either killed or arrested all those responsible for the Easter suicide bombings that left 257 people dead, according to the police chief. Chandana Wickramaratne said in an audio statement on Tuesday that police had accounted for every individual involved in the April 21 attacks on three churches and three luxury hotels. All those who organised and carried out the suicide bomb attack have died or [are] in our custody, he said. The two bomb experts of the group have been killed. We have seized the explosives they had stored for future attacks. Wickramaratne, who was named acting police chief last week after President Maithripala Sirisena suspended his predecessor over his failure to act on warnings about the attacks, said public life was slowly returning to normal with the lifting of curfews imposed after the bombings. Schools reopened The government reopened public schools on Monday, but attendance dropped to below 10 percent in many places with parents still fearing attacks. We have strengthened security for all schools, the police chief said. We are also conducting a programme to create awareness about safety and security in all schools. Wickramaratne did not say how many people were in custody over the bombings, but police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekera said on Monday that 73 people, including nine women, were being held. The bombings were blamed on a local group, the National Thowheed Jamath (NTJ). But the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) armed group has also claimed responsibility. Police said religious tensions have eased at Negombo, a town north of Colombo that suffered the highest death toll in the Easter Sunday attacks. A bomb at St Sebastians Church in the town killed more than 100 worshippers. Dozens of Muslim-owned businesses, homes and vehicles in Negombo were damaged in clashes on Sunday night. The Roman Catholic Church appealed for calm and urged Christians not to carry out revenge attacks against Muslims. Police said two arrests were made and more suspects had been identified through CCTV footage. Khartoum, Sudan It was late evening and the sit-in outside the military headquarters was buzzing with people. Several trade union groups were holding events, while the big screens set-up by the protesters in the area displayed an image of Ayman Mao, a hip-hop artist who was due to play a concert the following day. In the crowd outside the engineers association tent was Roaa Ahmed, who first took part in protests against Sudans longtime ruler Omar al-Bashir in February, when she helped establish a so-called resistance committee in the Street 60 neighbourhood in east Khartoum. The 20-year-old student, who has been attending the ongoing sit-in regularly since it began on April 6, said the committee was planning more activities to pressure Sudans military leaders to hand over power to civilians. The revolution has not succeeded yet. We want to start working again, she said. Ahmed organises one of many such resistance groups informal, grassroots, neighbourhood-wide networks of residents who opposed al-Bashirs rule. They have used non-violent tactics such as peaceful protests, graffiti writing and distributed pamphlets to express their opposition to the government. Call for protests While the ongoing uprising that led to al-Bashirs removal in a military coup on April 11 has been guided by the Sudanese Professionals Association (SPA,) a network of independent trade unions, it lacked representatives on the ground. People received the SPAs messages via Facebook and Twitter and then organised protests and marches themselves via the committees. When the SPA first called for anti-al-Bashir demonstrations in Street 60 in early February, Ahmed decided to join. She went to the meeting point with a friend and waited for a few hours but too few people arrived and a march failed to materialise. 190423134521604 On the same day, I sent a message in a Telegram group of students from my faculty asking them to private message me if they live in Arkweet and Al-Mamoura neighbourhoods, she said. Ahmed received replies from colleagues living in those neighbourhoods, who were all eager to take part in the protests. They decided the first protest would be held on a side street in Arkweet. I was not sure that people would come but they did and each person brought at least two people. For security reasons, I only sent them the meeting point two hours before the protest, she told Al Jazeera. She said the protest attracted just 18 people, but the fact that it took place encouraged others to join. The next time we took to the streets, 32 people showed up from our circle and strangers kept joining them. Ahmed organised protests in the same area throughout the month and the size of the crowds continued to rise. On February 28, the protest was so big that it took over the three-lane road that heads north to Burri. Graffiti was dangerous While several groups like Ahmeds were set-up during the current uprising, the formation of resistance committees in Sudan dates back to 2013, when anti-government demonstrations against cuts to fuel and gas subsidies were brutally put down by security forces. More than 200 protesters were shot dead and hundreds more detained. In the aftermath of the crackdown, activists began forming neighbourhood groups in order to organise people who opposed the government. Each group typically consisted of three to five members who were part of the same social circle. Young Sudanese paint a national flag on a wall in the capital Khartoum [Ashraf Shazly/AFP] From 2013 to 2016, many of these groups joined together in a loose coalition, which later became known as the Sudanese resistance committee, supporting each other to engage in small-scale resistance in their neighbourhoods. But their work on the ground was slow amid fears of a renewed crackdown by the security forces. At the end of 2016, two key events unfolded that inspired those groups to improve their organisation. In November, activists carried out a three-day civil disobedience campaign. Around the same time, doctors and pharmacists went on strike over the deteriorating medical environment and the rising cost of medicine. In 2017, we wanted to activate the work and called for a meeting and formed the Sudanese resistance committees and began building committees at the town and neighbourhood level and began working based on an action plan, said Khalid Fahmy, a former member of the resistance committees leadership council. Today, the Sudanese resistance committee is an organised body with an elected leadership council and branches in many towns across the country. It has a Facebook page with 60,000 likes, while individual towns also have their own pages. The group is one of the signatories of the Declaration of Freedom and Change, which expresses the vision of the SPA, civil society groups and opposition political parties for the country. 190414135158735 The committee began working on the ground in 2017 with a graffiti campaign. It distributed tens of thousands of pamphlets that reflected issues faced by their communities, such as water access and government land seizures. At that time, graffiti was dangerous. The area would be watched for three days and after the graffiti is finished, we would bury the canisters, added Fahmy, who is now a tour guide in Malaysia, over a Whatsapp call. By December 2018, there were over 30 active resistance groups in Khartoum, but as the protests began, dormant groups began to rise and contacted the larger, established committee. Over time, we accumulated paper, tires and spray cans in storage and we began using them and also supporting other groups and bodies with tools we have, stated Fahmy. Omdurman revolts Gafaar Abdullhafeez, 30, and Yasir Ghazi, 29, have been friends since kindergarten. They both live in Wad Nobawi, an old neighbourhood in central Omdurman, a city that sits across the bridge from Khartoum. Its residents participated heavily in the 2013 anti-government protests. In February 2019, when the SPA began calling for neighbourhood-based marches, Abdullhafeez began mobilising inside the neighbourhood and formed a committee with other neighbours. They began assigning tasks and also coordinated with two nearby neighbourhoods, Beit Al-Mall and Abu-Rouf. Their plan was simple. If Wad Nobawi was out on the streets and came under the grip of the police and security, they relied on the committee in the other two neighbourhoods to hit the streets and take the pressure off them. We called Wad Nobawi, Beit Al-Mall and Abu Rouf the terror triangle because we were organised and had each others back, said Abdulhafeez. Gafar Abdulhafeez, left, and Yasir Ghazi, right, left their houses and went into hiding after the protests began in Wad Nobawi [Abdulgadir Bashir/Al Jazeera] The two men are not involved in political parties, but were unhappy with the state of the country and said they related to the SPAs demands. Ghazi quit his sales job during the protests because he wanted to put all his energy in the uprising, while Abdellhafeez only returned to Sudan in December after losing his job in Saudi Arabia. He now runs a business with a friend and organises meetings and tasks around the SPAs protest timetable. I couldve stayed and looked for another opportunity, but I wanted to return home and I came back at the right time, he said. They said their committee did not coordinate with the wider coalition of groups because they feared that the security forces were looking for protest leaders. In the beginning, we were just relying on our circle and making calls, then after the state of emergency was announced, we began organising to protect each other and because trust facilitated our ability to organise, said Abdulhafeez. When the protests intensified in Wad Nobawi, the neighbourhood came under attack. For 14 days in a row, security forces used tear gas in the neighbourhood the men said tear gas was thrown inside residents homes. It was a difficult period and the two men worried about their young and elderly relatives in the area. At the time, the friends went into hiding, using a back-up phone and sleeping at different locations. They feared their own families might pressure them to stop protesting, until the opposite happened. Our families and our larger community was more supportive than ever and told us to continue protesting because if you stop, things would get worse and the regime would become more brutal, said Ghazi. This government took our friends. Our brothers died on boats crossing the Mediterranean and they were shot dead in the 2013 protests. We were out to die like them or bring them justice, he said. ACLU slams the pardon of Michael Behenna as a presidential endorsement of murder. US President Donald Trump has pardoned a former US soldier convicted in 2009 of killing an Iraqi prisoner, the White House announced late on Monday. Trump signed an executive grant of clemency, a full pardon, for former Army 1st Lieutenant Michael Behenna, of Oklahoma, Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said. Behenna was convicted of unpremeditated murder in a combat zone after killing a suspected al-Qaeda fighter in Iraq. He was paroled in 2014 and had been scheduled to remain on parole until 2024. A military court had sentenced Behenna to 25 years in prison. However, the Armys highest appellate court noted concern about how the trial court had handled Behennas claim of self-defence, Sanders said. The Army Clemency and Parole Board also reduced his sentence to 15 years and paroled him as soon as he was eligible. Behennas case attracted broad support from the military, Oklahoma elected officials and the public, Sanders said. She added that Behenna was a model prisoner while serving his sentence, and in light of these facts, Mr Behenna is entirely deserving of the pardon. Oklahomas two Republican senators, James Lankford and Jim Inhofe, hailed the pardon, thanking Trump for giving Behenna a clean slate. Presidential endorsement of murder The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) slammed the pardon, saying that it is a presidential endorsement of murder. Trump, as commander-in-chief, and top military leaders should prevent war crimes, not endorse or excuse them, said Hina Shamsi, the director of the ACLUs National Security Project, in a statement to US media. Behenna acknowledged during his trial that instead of taking the prisoner home as he was ordered, he took the man to a railway culvert, stripped him, and then questioned him at gunpoint about a roadside bombing that had killed two members of Behennas platoon. Behenna, a native of the Oklahoma City suburb of Edmond, said the man moved towards him and he shot him because Behenna thought he would try to take his gun. Oklahomas attorney general first requested a pardon for Behenna in February 2018 and renewed his request last month. Attorney General Mike Hunter said he believed Behennas conviction was unjustified because of erroneous jury instructions and the failure of prosecutors to turn over evidence supporting a self-defence claim. The Supreme Tribunal asks ruling Constituent Assembly to examine the possibility of lifting seven politicians immunity. Venezuelas supreme court, the Supreme Tribunal, has said it asked the countrys Constituent Assembly, a pro-government legislative super body, to determine whether to open criminal proceedings against seven opposition politicians. In a statement on Facebook, the court said on Tuesday that the assembly would determine if proceedings could be opened to investigate crimes including conspiracy, treason, and rebellion, without detailing which actions the politicians had taken that could be considered criminal. The politicians include Henry Ramos Allup, a former National Assembly president. In April, following a similar request from the Supreme Tribunal, the Constituent Assembly approved a measure allowing for a future trial of opposition leader Juan Guaido. 190123205835912 Guaido, head of the opposition-controlled National Assembly, in January, invoked Venezuelas constitution to declare himself interim president, saying President Nicolas Maduros 2018 re-election was illegitimate. The United States and most other Western nations have recognised Guaido as Venezuelas legitimate leader. He has said he does not recognise decisions emanating from the Maduro government, including the Constituent Assembly, which is controlled by the ruling Socialist Party. On April 30, Guaido tried to spark a military uprising to overthrow Maduro, but there were no widespread defections among soldiers and the plan fizzled out. Maduro denounced it as a coup attempt. Ramos, speaking earlier at the National Assembly, said, Whatever action the prosecutors office imposes is null and void because there is no prosecutors office. Pence says US to lift bans on Venezuelan general Meanwhile, on Tuesday the Trump administration decided to lift sanctions on Venezuelas former chief of the Bolivarian Intelligence Service, Manuel Cristopher Figuera who last week supported the opposition. We hope this action will encourage others to follow the example of General Cristopher Figuera and other members of the military, Vice President Mike Pence said in a speech prepared for a conference at the State Department. Pence also warned the 25 Venezuelan supreme court magistrates. If the supreme court of Venezuela does not return to its constitutional mandate to uphold the rule of law, the United States will hold all 25 of its magistrates accountable for their actions, Pence added. Venezuelas opposition-controlled National Assembly also met on Tuesday to discuss a proposal for the countrys return to a regional defence agreement that dates from the Cold War a move that could provide political cover for greater international involvement in the nations crisis. The matter was referred to an assembly committee. In 2012, Venezuela and other left-governed country had pulled out of the US-led defence pact, the Inter-American Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance. 190506082955800 US officials have repeatedly said they are considering military options in the Venezuelan crisis in addition to diplomatic and economic pressure that has been intensifying for months against Maduro. Military police prevented journalists from entering the National Assembly, and some reporters were harassed by government supporters outside the building. Venezuelas state-run internet provider restricted access to YouTube, some Google services and other streaming platforms during the assembly session. The South American country is mired in a deep economic crisis despite its vast oil reserves. Shortages of food and medicine have prompted more than three million Venezuelans to emigrate in recent years. The slump has worsened this year with large areas of territory left in the dark for days at a time by power outages. My mother doesnt have medicine, my economic situation is terrible, my family has had to emigrate. We dont earn enough money. We have no security. But we are hopeful, and I think that this is the beginning of the end of this regime, said Jose Madera, 42, a Venezuelan mechanic. The EU-backed International Contact Group on Venezuela said it was essential to avoid escalating tensions in Venezuela, and that a resolution to the political and economic crisis in the country should be pursued via elections. Washington, DC The White House has instructed former White House Counsel Don McGahn to ignore a congressional subpoena for documents related to Special Counsel Robert Muellers Russia investigation. Acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney directed McGahn to defy the subpoena, according to current White House counsel, Pat Cipollone. The White House records remain legally protected under long-standing constitutional principles, because they implicate significant executive branch confidentiality interests and executive privilege, Cipollone said in a letter to the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday. He added that McGahn, who was a star witness in Muellers Trump-Russia investigation, does not have the legal right to the documents and the panel should, therefore, direct its request to the White House. In a separate letter on Tuesday, William Burck, McGahns lawyer told the committee that as former assistant to the president and the most senior lawyer for the president in his official capacity, [McGahn] continues to owe certain duties and obligations to the president which he is not free to disregard. Jerrold Nadler, the House Judiciary Committee chairman, issued a subpoena to McGahn on April 22, asking him to turn over his notes and information on 30 specific topics by 10am on Tuesday. The Democrat-led committee, which is investigating potential abuse of power and obstruction of justice by President Donald Trump, had asked for any notes or documents McGahn has regarding former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn and his contacts with Russian officials during and after the 2016 presidential campaign. 190426132744336 The committee also sought McGahns information on Trumps firing of former FBI Director James Comey. There was no immediate response from Nadler or the panel regarding the letters. The subpoena also demanded McGahn appear at a public hearing to be held on May 21. Escalating battle Tuesdays refusal was the latest in an escalating fight between Democrats and the Trump administration over investigations looking into Trumps behaviour and finances. 190425185711995 Separately on Tuesday, staff lawyers for the committee were meeting with officials at the Department of Justice in an attempt to negotiate an accommodation with Attorney General William Barr for the full, un-redacted Mueller report and underlying evidence, which would include McGahns testimony. Barr has refused to comply with an April 22 subpoena for the full Mueller report. He also skipped a scheduled hearing before the committee on May 2. The committee has scheduled a meeting for Wednesday to consider a contempt citation for Barr, a step towards litigation in federal court over access to the report. Republicans are seeking to shut down House Democrats attempts to investigate Trump and are calling for Washington to move on to a policy agenda. The special counsels finding is clear. Case closed, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican and key Trump ally in Congress, said in a Senate floor speech Tuesday morning, prompting a response from Democrats. Senator McConnells declaration of case closed is a stunning act of political cynicism and a brazen violation of the oath we all take, Senator Chuck Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in a joint statement. The Special Counsel report laid out eleven instances of the presidents obstruction, and left a raft of unanswered questions about coordination between the presidents campaign and Russia, the top Democrats said. McConnells comments prompted Senator Elizabeth Warren, a leading candidate for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, to read portions of the Mueller report on the Senate floor. Warren, who has called for Trumps impeachment, said she was shaken by Muellers evidence and findings. 190506135247218 Instead of reading the words of the special counsels report, they just want to circle the wagons around this president, she said. If any other human being in this country had done what is documented in the Mueller report, they would be arrested and put in jail. Barr released a redacted version of Muellers 448-page report last month. It did not establish that the Trump campaign conspired with Russian operatives. The investigation did, however, examine multiple acts by the president that were capable of exerting undue influence over law enforcement investigations. Mueller did not conclude that Trump committed obstruction of justice, but did not exonerate him either. Barr and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein subsequently concluded that Trump did not break the law. The Justice Department has made a less redacted version available for House and Senate leaders and some committee heads, but the Democrats have said that is not enough and have so far declined to read it. Fewer than 2 percent of people in Papua New Guinea are vaccinated against the coronavirus as cases mount. I went from almost a judge to being fired within the space of forty-eight hours. Why? Because it came out that I was a conservative. I had read stories about conservatives being blacklisted, fired, having their careers and reputations destroyed because of their political views. Never once did I dream it could happen to me, an insignificant lawyer in an insignificant part of the country. But just this past week the nightmare happened, and I learned firsthand the consequences of running against the leftist hive that dominates our world. I live in Lake County, Indiana -- the Chicago suburbs at the very northwestern tip of the state. It epitomizes the Rust Belt, with the great steel cities of Gary and East Chicago, the oil refinery city of Whiting, and the surrounding blue-collar suburbs. I grew up here and I practice law here. It has been a stronghold of the Democrats since the New Deal, and its political corruption is notorious. It was one of the last great political machines until the Bush Justice Department broke it up in the early 2000s. Even so, its vestiges still remain. I had built a career over ten years as a civil litigator and had developed a reputation as one of the top local appellate litigators. When a vacancy in one of the Superior Courts occurred, several colleagues whom I admired and respected encouraged me to apply. While most counties elect their judges, Lake County does not. It once did, but its judges were so notoriously corrupt and incompetent that the legislature abolished elections and put the county on merit selection. (Except for one judgeship, which the state constitution required to remain elected, but this is a technicality that would take too long to describe.) Under this system, when a vacancy occurs, a local commission of both attorneys and non-attorneys takes applications, conducts interviews, and submits a list of three names to the governor, who then appoints the judge. The judge is then up for a yes-or-no retention vote for six-year terms after that. The system vastly improved the quality of the judiciary in the county. And it was no small secret that it was the legislatures way of getting Republican judges in a county that would otherwise never elect them. As a Republican precinct committeeman with a Republican governor, my chances were good. Or so I thought. You see, I had a deep, dark secret: I was open about my conservative views. In college fifteen years ago I expressed them in a column for the campus newspaper. And until my son was born three years ago I expressed them on social media. I toned things down as I settled down, but my views became more conservative the more I experienced. Then it happened. Someone had printed and saved my social media posts from three years ago and more. There were nine of them, most of them links to publications like the National Review, Breitbart, and the Blaze: two were pro-life, one criticized illegal immigration, others made fun of radical feminism and warned about radical Islam, and several were critical of overreach by federal judges. They were strident, but fairly innocuous for social media. By no stretch of the imagination were they racist, sexist, or bigoted. Whoever printed these mailed them anonymously to three of the nine members of the Judicial Nominating Commission, but the commission would not consider anonymous materials, and my name was among the three submitted to the governor. Identical anonymous mailings went to a local Democratic attorney and the governors staff, but still no controversy materialized. Finally, several mailings went out to the Urban League of Gary, the Indiana Chapter of the NAACP, Mayor Freeman-Wilson of Gary, the local Hispanic Bar Association, and the local black Bar Association. The Urban League complained to the local paper, which took up the story. As a judicial candidate, I was limited as to what I could say, and I tried to play things safe. Let the process work out. How naive I was. Of course the story ran, and of course it ran with glaring inaccuracies and outright misrepresentations. The damage was done. I was branded a racist. The local Republican party, to its great credit, stood by me and conveyed its support to the governor. But the governor caved and appointed a Democrat a Democrat whose boss, the mayor of Hammond, had just called him a felon on the air. But even that was not the end. Two days later, the partners at my firm called me into a meeting. Some corporate clients, they said, complained about my political views and stated that they could no longer do business with the firm if I remained there. It was them or me, and the firm chose them. My bosses were gracious about it. They complimented my work and allowed me time to stay on and find new employment, but I was still fired. I have some prospects, I have the support and commiseration of my friends and colleagues, and in many ways the end of my career marks a new beginning. I have grown tired of private practice, its constant battle, its grueling hours, and its thankless clients. If anything, losing my job has freed me from this drudgery. Better opportunities await, but they all require me to abandon my home. After this experience, I gladly do so. This whole ordeal has taught me three lessons. The first I already knew but had not yet experienced. While Democrats always circle the wagons around their own, Republicans will fall over themselves to throw their own under the bus. I had seen it in national politics, and learned the hard way that it holds true on the local level as well. I also learned that to the Left, its enemies are not human. The anonymity and persistence of the mailings put myself and my family in grave fear for our safety. I cannot describe the sleepless nights, the caution exercised every time we stepped out of the house. I made police reports, but without an actual threat, all they could do was document the mailings. None of that mattered. All that mattered was power politics and stopping me at all costs -- simply for my personal views. If this anonymous mailer wanted to assert that I wrote what was in those mailings and that they should disqualify me from office, what shame was there in doing so openly and publicly? They certainly had nothing to fear from me, my family, or my friends. Keeping the process secret stifled open, civil discourse and left the process beholden to rumor and innuendo. But what is even sadder is that this tactic worked. It set a dangerous precedent for future nominees to the bench. This has shaken my faith in the judicial nomination process, the legal profession itself, and humanity in general. Nor was I human to the business world. Never mind the firms long and productive relationship with its corporate clients. Those clients were willing to kill that relationship over one employees nonconforming political views. And while my bosses were clearly sympathetic, the value of the clients business mattered more than the personal relationship I had developed with them. But perhaps most importantly, it taught me never to hide or be ashamed of my views. I knew the local bar would despise my opinions, so I tried to play it safe. The mailings were anonymous, so I had plausible deniability. I pled ignorance, hoping the storm would blow over, but everything ended up no different than if I had come out and stated openly that I was a conservative and that my views aligned with the President of the United States and those who elected him. Finally, it must be said that all of this did anything but moderate my views. Indeed, it has only confirmed my opinions. The Left is a mindless, heartless, bloodthirsty mob marching in lockstep, out to destroy anyone who doubts its uncompromising and ever-changing orthodoxy. It must be stopped at all costs. The Republican Party is an ineffective means of combatting that juggernaut because its leadership lacks a spine when it counts most. And finally, if being successful requires me to be a leftist, I choose failure every single time. Adam J. Sedia, aside from practicing law, is a prize-winning poet and composes music as a hobby. He lives with his wife and children. During Passover, Jews recount the details of their departure from 430 years of Egyptian captivity and bondage. Many recite a warning lest they got too comfortable with their current situation and forget their history: "In every generation, one shall rise up against us, to destroy us..." With dangerous hostility towards Israel and her Jewish supporters escalating, the potential for lethal violence is ever present. Jews have no choice but to be vigilant. In the past few years a virus-like, anti-Israel malady has been brewing on college campuses across the United States. It has targeted pro-Israel, Jewish students, faculty members and speakers brought on campus to educate anybody willing to listen about Israel realities. In the beginning, the confrontations appeared relatively civil. However, as coverage by press and television crews expanded, the rhetoric appeared to intensify. The hostile exchanges that followed were largely ignored by campus authorities among others. Characterized as "mere" anti-Israel policy actions, angry protestors could be heard spouting recognizable anti-Semitic characterizations, some laced with intimidation and some with violent threats. The demonstrators shouted down any perceived oral challenges to their anti-Zionist platform. This stifled opportunities for rational discussion. The perpetrators became bolder and acted as if the First Amendment gave them an entitlement to intimidate others. Without a clear legal understanding of anti-Semitism from which to draw potential protections, Jewish students became vulnerable to the whims of hostile protestors. Jews were denied the justice offered to other discriminated students under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, because it only prohibited discrimination based on race, color, and national origin, not specifically recognizing organized and repetitive acts of religious discrimination. Representative Ilhan Omar (MN -5D) is a critical part of the Israel/ Jewish equation. Although it was understood that Omar was a supporter of the Palestinian cause, her hostility towards Israel and all it represents is alarming. Without any apparent filters, she unleashed a number of anti-Semitic characterizations which fed the flames of hostility; understandably infuriating her Jewish constituency and others nationwide as well. These attacks had an instant appeal to existing disparagers of Israel and Jews, including the likes of Minister Louis Farrakhan of the Nation of Islam and briefly, David Duke. Omar is a politician and not in the positive sense of the word, if that even exists anymore. After taking her seat in Congress, she declared herself a supporter of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanction (BDS) movement that solely targets Israel. This can pose an existential threat to Israel and her citizens well beyond the Jewish majority. The boycott aspect of BDS was effectively utilized within Nazi Germany in the 1930s, with the intent of gradually delegitimizing Jews, socially, politically. and economically. This ultimately reduced them to poverty, at which point Jews were portrayed as pariahs, enabling their enemies to rise up against them without meaningful objection. Her political campaign allegedly accepted contributions from Hatem Bazian, founder of Students for Justice in Palestine and American Muslims for Palestine, the Council on American-Islamic Relations, the Arab-American Institute, and MoveOn.org, each appearing to one degree or another to possess strong anti-Israel bias, with at least one attempting to stifle anti-BDS legislation and another participating in hostile college campus confrontations. What obligations has Omar accumulated to these entities in light of her appointment to the powerful U.S House Foreign Affairs Committee? This committee oversees U.S. foreign policy, including foreign aid allocations, national security, peacekeeping, and according to Omar, "...war powers." That's a lot of power to give to any person who has demonstrated hostility towards Israel and Jews and resorts to, "...a lot of our Jewish colleagues, a lot of our constituents, a lot of our allies, (think) that everything we say about Israel (is) anti-Semitic because we are Muslim." This makes Omar appear to assume a victim role, and when taken to task draws fellow Democrats and others into the fray to stand up for and defend this media personality. While this may gain her sympathy, it is divisive and polarizing, which in our current environment of violent anti-Semitism can inspire further bias against Israel and Jews. Facing danger from the far right, far left, radical Islam and disgruntled and disenfranchised individuals, Jews must once again be alert for any signs of rising ethnic and religiously based hate. A few weeks ago a long essay appeared in The New Republic by staff writer by Emily Atkin titled "Breaking up Amazon Wont Solve Its Climate Problem: The tech giant changed how Americans buy stuff. It will have to do so again -- whether it wants to or not" that displayed the Green Left's leanings toward totalitarianism. It isn't just Amazon's way of doing business they want to change, but the behavior of its customers, who will also have to change the way they purchase merchandise whether they want to or not. Atkin wants to move beyond "The idea of breaking up Silicon Valleys giants -- Amazon, Facebook, Google, and Apple -- [which] has become conventional wisdom on the left wing of the Democratic Party" because simply dividing up their work will not reduce their work in the aggregate; and it is the work that poses a threat to the planet. "The companys biggest carbon problem has always been AWS data centers, of which there are at least 68 around the world, containing between 50,000 and 80,000 servers that consume an enormous amount of energy and require huge amounts of water to keep them cool." complains Atkin. Even though Amazon now uses renewable energy sources to generate half its power, it is not enough to satisfy the Greens. The problem with alternative energy sources is that they cost more to use than traditional fossil fuels, Yet Atkin does not address whether Amazon has been able to find ways to uses energy more efficiently. Such a questions is irrelevant to her. But it is not irrelevant to its customers who ultimately must pay for the resources Amazon uses to provide them with the goods and services they want. But then Atkin states "its not just Amazon that needs to change. So do its customers -- which is to say, a majority of us." Amazon has just under half of the e-commerce market, but within that stat, just over half of the items sold come from third parties, not Amazon itself. So Amazon provides a service to thousands of sellers as well as millions of consumers. About one-third of these sellers are very small enterprises with five employees or less. Often just one person like the book resellers I see lined up at the head of the line at every library sale. It is not, however, who is engaged in commerce that upsets the New Left, it is that any commerce is going on at all. Under socialism, of course, e-commerce would have never developed. It is a truly entrepreneurial form of capitalism which would not have been allowed to see the light of day. This is the great flaw in socialism; it breeds stagnation. The rise of the Greens, however, takes the Left even further away from solving the problems of humanity; it takes the movement from stagnation to regression. Atkin complains about the huge amount of business Amazon does and the carbon footprint it leaves as it fulfills billions of orders. It now has 50 cargo planes! As we know from the Green New Deal, commercial air service should be abandoned. Even worse are all the trucks used to make deliveries, not only those owned and leased by Amazon, but those used by the postal service, UPS, and FedEx. Again, the customers are to blame for this. "Amazon is also largely responsible for a fundamental shift in American consumerism" complains Atkin. They want more and they want it faster. And they place orders when they want to, not in organized blocks or in bulk to reduce the shipping effort. Atkin thinks Amazon should force customers to combine their orders, not just offer incentives to do so. So here comes the totalitarian message: "Amazon probably wont make such changes unless its customers demand it -- or at least demonstrate a willingness to shop responsibly rather than whimsically. It will require an old-fashioned mentality, in a way: Americans will have to begin thinking of Amazon.com and other e-commerce sites not as on-demand delivery services for every little thing, but stores that require just as much forethought as a trip to the mall did twenty years ago. And that might be too much to ask of the average consumer in the digital age. In which case, the government might have to step in." Noting that Amazon is taking some steps in the Green direction, Atkin proclaims it to be inadequate. "That doesnt mean that Amazon will never go fully green. It just means that they might be forced to do so against their will. Say Democrats win unified control of Washington, as the Republicans did in 2016. Given the partys increasing antipathy toward Big Tech and growing support for the Green New Deal, Amazon and its customers could be in for a reckoning." This would just be the start for turning the clock back on the American standard of living. "The problem is much bigger than Amazon, of course. American consumerism itself -- our throw-away culture -- needs to change if were to have any success in keeping global warming below 2 degrees Celsius", she argues, "As Grist reported in 2016, citing a study published in the Journal of Industrial Ecology, The stuff we consume -- from food to knick-knacks -- is responsible for up to 60 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions and between 50 and 80 percent of total land, material, and water use. So we must all reduce what we consume, including even food. Since the movement emerged from the New Left in the 1970s there are Greens who have included in that reduction the human race itself. The group Negative Population Growth believes "that our nation is already vastly overpopulated in terms of the long-range carrying capacity of its resources and environment. We urgently need, therefore, a National Population Policy with the goal of eventually stabilizing our population size at a sustainable level, far below today's, after an interim period of negative growth." Even the Green New Deal has come under attack for still talking about job creation and "growing" a Green economy. "The biggest problem is infinite growth, not fossil fuels" is the theme of a podcast from Don Fritz, who teaches something called Environmental Psychology at Washington University in St. Louis. Of course, politicians backing the GND can't say on the stump that their platform is meant to make their constituents worse off. So they use the rhetoric of growth even if they must twist its meaning. Rebuilding structures so they are less comfortable and useful is not growth, even if jobs are "created" to carry out the demolitions. If the 2020 election is to be a vote on our economic future it must be conducted on honest terms. When citizens go to the polls, they need to know what they are getting into. William R. Hawkins is a consultant specializing in international economic and national security issues. China will not submit to unilateral American sanctions against importing Iranian oil after reports that its domestic energy production plan has flopped. The Trump administration on April 21 announced that as of May 2, the U.S. would increase financial pressure on Iran by suspending oil purchase waivers issued to its five main customers that include China, India, Turkey, Japan, and South Korea. But Chinese Middle East studies expert and former ambassador to Iran Hua Liming told the state-run Global Times on May 4 that China will not interrupt energy trade ties with Iran, because it is a "key partner of China in economy, politics and security, as well as a key supporter of the China-proposed One Belt, One Road global geopolitical initiative." The comments bolstered previous statements by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang that the Celestial Empire opposes unilateral U.S. sanctions and so-called "long-arm jurisdictions" that do not respect China's "lawful and legitimate" rights. China passed the United States as the world's largest oil-importer in January 2017 and currently imports about 10 million barrels a day (b/d) and rising fast. That compares to about 6.6 million b/d for U.S. imports that continue to plunge due to the shale oil boom. China's energy security plans had focused on huge investments in hydraulic fracking of shale domestic shale deposits through a joint production sharing ventures between China National Petroleum Corporation and international energy giants BP, Shell, Eni, Exxon, and ConocoPhillips to be producing 1.1 trillion cubic feet of shale gas by 2020. But S&P suggests that challenging geology, insufficient infrastructure, and low well productivity will limit China's shale gas production to 470 billion cubic feet in 2020. The 57-percent shortfall has caused China's foreign partners to abandon drilling by April 11. Scrambling to cover its shale gas shortfall, China announced on May 4 that China National Offshore Oil Corporation, China National Oil and Gas Development Company, and China National Petroleum Corporation had made a $4.8-billion pooled investment to buy a 10-percent interest in Russia's massive Arctic LNG 2 project that hopes to begin producing by 2023. The immediate energy security crisis appears to have convinced China's leadership to resist American efforts to deny Iran the energy cash flow that has allowed the rogue state to purchase $13.2 billion in arms a year, just modestly below Israel's $15.9 billion, according to a new report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Oil prices were mostly unchanged on May 6, after President Donald Trump's tweet storm over the weekend threatening to continue the trade war with China by slapping a 25-percent tariff on up to $325 billion of China imports. President Trump angrily warned: "The Trade Deal with China continues, but too slowly, as they attempt to renegotiate. No!" Maybe President Trump ought to use the adjective "failing" in front of CNN instead of the New York Times. In point of fact, Trump-hatred has been good for the Gray Lady, with digital subscriptions up substantially (over $700 million in revenue last year) as the paper became the premier source of anti-Trump fulminations. But with CNN, the story is very different. The network that pioneered cable news long ago lost its dominant position to Fox News, and since Donald Trump became president has bet its future on the Russia Hoax and lost. Big time. From The Hill: CNN's prime-time ratings dropped a whopping 26 percent in April compared to last year, according to Nielsen Media Research. MSNBC's ratings were down 14 percent in April 2019 compared to April 2018, while Fox News's ratings overall were flat. The sharp decrease for CNN marked its lowest-rated month in total viewers since October 2015. Most humiliatingly, CNN now is a distant third place in the ratings among cable news providers: In prime time, Fox News finished first with an average of 2.4 million viewers. In April 2018, the network also averaged 2.4 million viewers, according to Nielsen. MSNBC was second with an average of 1.66 million viewers, down from 1.93 million in April 2018. CNN was third with 767,000 average primetime viewers, down from 1.04 million in April 2018. A plan unveiled yesterday shows that CNN is cutting costs and downsizing its staff. Paula Blyard reports at PJ Media: CNN is planning to cut up to 300 jobs, "many being older employees with years at the network," according to a report on Monday. According to FTVLive, a website that monitors the television industry, "Word is that just under 200 people will be pink slipped and just over 100 will be offered a buyout." Staffers are reportedly calling the cuts a "massive brain drain" because so many veteran employees are being given pink slips. A brain drain is the last thing CNN needs, but older employees tend to be more expensive than the youngsters that Obama's national security adviser Ben Rhodes bragged that he could easily manipulate: "The average reporter we talk to is 27 years old, and their only reporting experience consists of being around political campaigns. That's a sea change. They literally know nothing." So we can expect even more from CNN of the pap that has tanked its ratings. As many companies do, CNN is using a move of its facilities as an opportunity to shed employees: The reported cuts come just as CNN is moving many of its New York operations and studios from the Time Warner Center to Hudson Yards. Aidan McLaughlin, an editor for Mediaite, tweeted that, according to a CNN source, the cable network is not making layoffs, but "more than 100 staffers took part in a voluntary buyout program[.]" A CNN spox tells me there are no layoffs at the network, but more than 100 staffers took part in a voluntary buyout program https://t.co/Z6bie8WPgi Aidan McLaughlin (@aidnmclaughlin) May 6, 2019 And CNN's media correspondent Brian Stelter (formerly of the prospering New York Times) tweets: There's a rumor making the rounds today about big impending layoffs at CNN. A CNN spokeswoman is knocking it down on the record: "No layoffs." There WERE voluntary buyouts throughout the organization, and about 100 people opted for it. Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) May 6, 2019 Most likely, few if any prominent on-camera personalities will be taking buyouts or will get pink slips. It will be more anonymous staffers suffering the damage. While CNN has actively driven away its viewers, the network still has continuing revenue from cable and satellite providers that helps cushion the decline in advertising revenue that will inevitably follow its ratings crash. These are tough times for almost every media outlet, as the near duopoly of online advertising by Google and Facebook starves other outlets (including AT) of ad revenue, even if, as in our case, the audience remains strong and even growing. Hat tip: Gail Kaplan. President Trump has tweeted a nasty problem coming from the Democrats: Puerto Rico has been given more money by Congress for Hurricane Disaster Relief, 91 Billion Dollars, than any State in the history of the U.S. As an example, Florida got $12 Billion & Texas $39 Billion for their monster hurricanes. Now the Democrats are saying NO Relief to...... Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 6, 2019 ....Alabama, Iowa, Nebraska, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and others unless much more money is given to Puerto Rico. The Dems dont want farmers to get any help. Puerto Rico should be very happy and the Dems should stop blocking much needed Disaster Relief! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 6, 2019 The president is referencing news reports showing that pork-loving Democrats are effectively holding Midwestern states awaiting flood relief and Western states awaiting wildfire relief hostage in a bid to secure more pork to Puerto Rico, which still remains un-rebuilt after 2016's Hurricane Maria. Here's the CNN report: It's been more than a month since the Senate failed to advance competing relief proposals one from Republicans and one from Democrats amid a partisan dispute over how much assistance to give to Puerto Rico. In their proposal, Democrats pressed for more aid than Republicans and the President wanted to provide. The President on Monday accused Democrats of "blocking much needed disaster relief" to states over aid to Puerto Rico. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer responded to the President by saying that "Democrats believe in meeting the needs of all disaster survivors." Senate Republicans made a new offer to Democrats last week that included additional aid to Puerto Rico beyond what Republicans had initially proposed, but it's unclear whether that will be able to break the stalemate. The offer includes roughly $300 million for community development block grants for disaster recovery in Puerto Rico, according to a Senate GOP aide. That would come in addition to the $600 million in nutrition assistance for Puerto Rico that was included in the initial Republican proposal that failed to advance in the Senate last month. The 'community development block grants' the Democrats say isn't good enough ought to give anyone the willies, given that it sounds like cash for community organizers, not infrastructure rebuilding funds. I'm no expert on this, but this kind of money fight sounds like the sort of program that is renewable and growable, a cash cow whose coffers can always be refilled. It doesn't sound like hospital reconstruction. For Democrats, it makes sense because the less they rebuild that island, the more money they can keep asking for. As long as Puerto Rico remains unbuilt, it's a useful lever for the securing of pork and the Puerto Rican vote in New York, New Jersey, and Florida. Now it has another add-on: Democrats holding the less politically useful flyover states hostage in a bid to get more money for a place that never seems to ever get rebuilt despite that $91 billion President Trump has cited. After all, Orange Man Bad. Trump's Katrina it's a cottage industry. And they've got the press on their side, carrying water for this 'narrative' instead of the real one that President Trump has been exceptionally generous to Puerto Rico's rebuilding effort and somehow money in the hands of local leftists means nothing gets done except for more requests for aid. The news accounts do say that there are some very tough times for Puerto Rican people awaiting medical care in remote places with damaged hospitals this Washington Post report cites a poor woman trying to get to chemotherapy, for instance, who had to wait 32 hours at the dock to a distant hospital because Puerto Rican officials hadn't got the local hospital rebuilt. Did the Post ask local officials why they couldn't allow this woman to go to the front of the ferry line, something that could have spared her some suffering without any cost whatsoever? Nope. The agenda in the piece was to Blame Trump for the whole thing. Nothing mentioned about the island's existing fiscal crisis pre-hurricane, which left the place run down. No questions about leftist Puerto Rican officials' incompetence and mismanagement, which has seen a smattering of news stories many months earlier. Just blame Trump to support the Democrats. Now Democrats are holding other states hostage. Who says Democrats can't be creative? This is an amazing new way of politicizing aid. And it's incredibly shameful. Calling it a "mistake," Google has reversed its decision not to allow the Claremont Institute to advertise its 40th Anniversary Gala honoring secretary of state Mike Pompeo. Many nonprofits rely on selling tickets to galas honoring important public figures for the bulk of their fundraising, both from tickets and from donations that come from people attracted to attend the gala. In other words, limiting Claremont's ability to attract ticket-buyers and donors to its important event was an attack on its financial survivability. If you do not know the Claremont Institute and do not read its superb Claremont Review of Books, take it from me that you are missing the most intellectually honest and deep conservative thinking available today. And there is nothing racist about it. Claremont explained the effort to censor it in a Twitter thread that Steven Hayward of Powerline unspooled: A thread on Google suppression of free thought: The Claremont Institute has launched a campaign to engage our fellow citizens in discussion and debate about what it means to be an American. (@jeffgiesea @realDonaldTrump@RaheemKassam @DonaldJTrumpJr) As part of that effort, we have begun to point out the increasingly existential danger of identity politics and political correctness to our republic. As if to prove our point, Google has judged our argument as wrongthink that should be forbidden. They are now punishing us for our political thought by refusing to let us advertise to our own readers. We wanted to show adverts for our May 11 40th Anniversary Gala, at which we're honoring Sec. of State Mike Pompeo, to readers of our own online publication, American Mind. But Google refuses to allow us to do so. (If you're interested, buy tickets here: claremont.org/gala Monday is the deadline!) Google had a look at my essay launching our new campaign for a unifying Americanism, "Defend America Defeat Multiculturalism," decided it in violation of their policy on "race and ethnicity in personalized advertising," and shut down our advert efforts to American Mind readers. We weren't "advertising" anything in the essay, of course, but the relevant section of their policy lists as examples of violations: "racially or ethnically oriented publications, racially or ethnically oriented universities, racial or ethnic dating." Somebody must have decided we were offering "racially or ethnically oriented pubs." This is news to us. @ClaremontInst has spent 40 yrs teaching all who are willing to listen that the meaning of the proposition that all humans are created equal is America's central principle. After the censorship attracted major attention and complaints, Google relented. Hank Berrien of the Daily Wire: Google has now acknowledged that it made a mistake when it refused to allow The Claremont Institute to advertise on their own online publication to their readers about the 40th Anniversary Gala at which they are honoring Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Claremont had wanted to advertise on their own online publication, The American Mind. ... After note had been taken of Google's action against Claremont, Google apologized. Williams noted in an update, "Google's Acting Director of Political and Stakeholder Outreach got in touch with the Claremont Institute to notify us that the labeling of The American Mind as a 'racially oriented publication' was a mistake. Our re-marketing ad campaign to americanmind.org readers for our annual dinner is now active once again." So far as I know, Google and Facebook and Twitter always make "mistakes" that censor conservatives. And, for every organization that fights back and gets enough attention to obtain a reversal, there are smaller fry whose voices simply disappear. Good that Google reversed itself on a clearly unjust action. But frightening that it took an outcry to get a reversal. Venezuela is a campaign, not a battle. Keeping momentum for change in Venezuela is critical, as the corrupt failure of socialism with a totalitarian regime ruling at the point of a gun has not yet resulted in collapse. NSC director Bolton, secretary of state Pompeo, and Special Counsel Abrams simply got it wrong when they war-gamed regime change through their previous life experiences. The call for the installation of acting president Juan Guaido by the removal of the rigged strongman President Maduro by instigating very brave street demonstrations along with some type of information war strategy fizzled badly. The problem became readily apparent when they did not have a good "Plan B," that is until President Trump turned a near-term tactical setback into a huge strategic win. America has in President Trump a leader who truly lives "The Art of the Deal" and has just personally engaged with Russia to guide Maduro out and acting president Guaido fully in with a minimum loss of life. In many situations, beyond Venezuela, he is what is known in the military as his own best "action officer" which is the person who gets it done. It appears that the president's team in the early failed aggressive saber-rattling underappreciated that they had a president who just showed them how it can be done peacefully. What his team apparently never grasped is they had a president who is the best information war warrior in the world today, combined with a masterful one-on-one art of the deal negotiator. As the Guaido forces on the streets of Venezuela were losing the tactical battle, a strategic defeat was rapidly approaching, that is until the president made an historic phone call to President Putin. That call accomplished a most important objective: President Trump personally built new strategic maneuvering space, and President Putin agreed: "He (Putin) is not looking at all to get involved in Venezuela other than he'd like to see something positive happen for Venezuela," Trump said in the Oval Office. "And I feel the same way." There are two important takeaways from this current Moscow Times article, which is a public stalking horse for President Putin: Putin Is Ready to Give Up Venezuela for the Right Price Sergei Lavrov and Mike Pompeo will soon meet in Helsinki to discuss Venezuela's future. But, as common in his personal interactions with Putin, Trump quickly lost the initiative, allowing the discussion on Venezuela to drift towards the softer subject of humanitarian aid. Moscow is ready to sell its stake in Maduro, but it is still unclear whether Washington is ready to offer the right price. Taking the latter point first, it is simply the Russian version of "The Art of the Deal" in the opening round of "what can we get." Trump and Putin at Hamburg Summit in 2017 (Kremlin photo). However, the first point about President Trump losing the initiative with the "softer subject of humanitarian aid" actually means that President Trump has won the terms of the engagement. It is simple: both President Trump and President Putin know that Juan Guaido is the current president of Venezuela because his legitimacy was not in question during the phone call. The proof of that reality is that President Putin allowed this quote in his hometown paper to appear in print: Putin expressed Russia's displeasure with U.S interference in Venezuela while convincing Trump that he "was not looking at all to get involved in Venezuela". In "diplo-speak," that means that Maduro's days are numbered simply because both the U.S. and Russia have agreed that humanitarian aid is approved. Focusing on humanitarian aid is actually the key point for a nation literally starving with arguably the richest oil reserves in the world. The Maduro administration bungled the great wealth of Venezuela while also disarming the population. It actually took President Trump to not only build strategic maneuvering space, but also keep the focus on solving the human suffering side of the engagement, and this is now the publicly agreed upon (by Putin!) agenda of the way ahead. Thomas Lifson adds: I am pretty sure Putin wants Trump to agree to concessions on the Baltics, Georgia, and Ukraine, which Putin clearly regards as his sphere of interest as former Soviet republics. This is very tricky geostrategic bargaining. Mass murder in the name of Allah tends to be a young man's game. A never-ending series of slaughters around the world, such as the Easter massacres of hundreds of Christian infidels, is the result of the appeal of serving a purportedly sacred end while acting out on feelings of anger and aggression. The siren song of access to virgins in paradise once the infidels are slaughtered, as the scriptures in the Koran and Hadith endorse, appeals to the raging hormones of adolescent and post-adolescent males in particular, though females and older males also are attracted to the idea of following Allah and achieving paradise though cruelty and murder. So it is not terribly surprising that when Adel Daoud was 18 years old, he was vulnerable to the appeal of violent jihad. And when an undercover FBI agent offered to help him manufacture and detonate a car bomb outside a Chicago bar that could kill and maim a large number of infidels inside, he accepted the offer and even pressed the detonator of what turned out to be a dummy bomb that looked and smelled real but was safe. All of that happened on 2012, and after years of incarceration while the case was prosecuted and he was tried, yesterday Daoud was sentenced to 16 years in federal prison, not the 40 years the prosecution asked for, with the six-plus years he has spent in jail credited against the sentence. In addition, he will concurrently serve (in other words, no extra prison time) for two other crimes: hiring an assassin to kill the informant who turned him in and the attempted murder of an inmate who he thought had insulted the Prophet Mohammed. Both of these crimes indicate a lack of remorse, and indeed a continuing danger of future jihad violence. Adel Daoud (U.S. Marshals Service photo). But Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman, appointed to the federal bench by Barack Obama, seemed to see Daoud as a victim. From the AP's article on the sentencing: Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman alluded to secret FBI recordings of Daoud made during the 2012 FBI sting that ensnared him. Coleman said Daoud was uniquely immature at the time, when he was 18, noting how Daoud is heard giggling almost constantly as he brainstorms attacks to avenge what he saw as the West's war on Muslims. At an impressionable age, the judge said the "awkward young man with few friends" was immediately drawn to the 38-year-old FBI agent who first met with Daoud. Daoud promptly began tossing out ideas to impress the agent posing as a terrorist, once suggesting they mount an attack with "flying cars" packed with explosives. "He continued to do what teenage boys do talk big," Coleman said. The perp seemed to appreciate the judge's words: Daoud didn't react Monday afternoon when the judge announced the sentence, but he smiled and wished Coleman well as the hearing ended. Judge Coleman also noted the following (via the Chicago Sun-Times): Judge Coleman, who noted that the hearing was held at the start of the Muslim holy season of Ramadan, as well as Mental Health Month, seemed to agree with the defense portrait of Daoud as a socially awkward, impressionable teenager at the time he encountered an FBI agent posing as a terrorist. The judge noted Daoud's "high-pitched giggle" in taped conversations with the agent, and the fact the teenager used words like "fudge" and "mothercracker" in place of profanities. Aw, the poor, pious darling. Many mass-murdering jihadis are pious, awkward, angry, and confused. Prosecutors were disappointed in Judge Coleman's sentence. From the Sun-Times: Prosecutors had argued last week for a sentence of 40 years in prison, and U.S. Attorney John Lausch told reporters in the Dirksen Federal Building lobby that he was disappointed with the sentence. Daoud also will serve concurrent sentences for two offenses he committed while jailed: attempting to hire someone to kill the informant who set him up in the bomb case and attacking another inmate with a sharpened toothbrush handle. "This gives him a life. We can't ask for anything more than that. This is a terrific result. This gives him his life back," Daoud's lawyer, Thomas Anthony Durkin said. "If the government had its way he would not have a life." For their part, many media outlets that covered the sentencing seemed to downplay the motivation of jihad. The Chicago Tribune headlined: "Suburban man given 16 years in prison for terrorism plot to blow up crowded downtown Chicago bar." Yes, we have to watch out for those suburban men, who so often become terrorists. The Wall Street Journal headlined: "Illinois Man Sentenced to 16 Years for Chicago Bomb Plot." Yes, Illinois is a dangerous hotbed of terror. Portraying perpetrators of terror as confused and deserving sympathy is a big mistake, in my view. Judge Coleman photo credit: Law360.com. Hat tip: Peter von Buol. A significant number of journalists' articles today actually are opinion pieces posing as news or are Democrat talking points. A good example of this is an article from the Associated Press on Clarence Thomas. In it, the writers use dog-whistle terms for leftists and progressives by saying Thomas was involved in "pretty radical decisions" and that he is on the far right. Those are obviously opinions of the journalists, not facts. They should list his decisions and let the public decide for themselves if they are extreme or radical. Justice Clarence Thomas' moment may finally have arrived Thomas is now the longest-serving member of a court that has recently gotten more conservative, putting him in a unique and potentially powerful position, and he's said he doesn't plan on retiring anytime soon. With President Donald Trump's nominees Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh now on the court, conservatives are firmly in control as the justices take on divisive issues such as abortion, gun control and LGBT rights. Thomas, for the first time, is on a court where there are at least four votes for some "pretty radical" decisions, Thomas is consistently on the court's far right. I do not recall most journalists ever calling decisions by the four liberals on the court, who almost always vote in lockstep, radical decisions or on the far left because they agree with them. Wasn't Roe v. Wade radical and extreme? When Democrats in states and in Congress call to deny health care to babies born in failed attempts to kill them, isn't that radical and extreme? Very few countries in the world allow late-term abortions, so why is it radical and extreme to block them or require parental notification? Federal law does not allow taxpayer money for abortions, so why is it radical or extreme for states to block money to Planned Parenthood when a significant majority of their revenue comes from abortion services? Isn't it radical and extreme for the court to block voter ID laws by states when the government at all levels imposes photo ID laws for so many other things people are required to do? How is it radical and extreme to recognize what the First Amendment says about speech? Isn't it radical and extreme for Congress to continually try to limit what the public can do as it relates to campaigns? How is it extreme and radical to believe that the people have the right to own guns when the Constitution specifically gives them that right? America would not be free if in the Revolutionary War only the loyalists to the British government had the guns. Throughout history, dictators and tyrants have taken guns away from their citizens, and as far as I can tell, that never made it safer for the people. Wasn't it extreme and radical when the majority of the Supreme Court rewrote Obamacare to call the individual mandate penalty a tax when Obama and Democrats specifically said it wasn't? Wasn't it radical and extreme when the Obama Justice Department sued the Little Sisters of the Poor because they wanted to exercise their freedom of religion that the Constitution affirms? Isn't it radical and extreme that sanctuary cities and states say they don't have to enforce the immigration laws Congress passed? Aren't judges who support this lawlessness radical and extreme? Aren't policies and people who support open borders radical and extreme? Congress passed the Defense of Marriage Act almost unanimously, and Bill Clinton signed it in the 1990s. I must have missed where Democrats who supported that law were called far-right extremists. Were Hillary and Obama ever called far-right extremists when they supported marriage only between a man and a woman in 2008 when they were running for president? Here is a poll most people will never read about: the Senate Democrats recently sent out a Twitter poll asking whether people would prefer a judge like the sensible (my word) Kavanaugh or the radical (my word) Ginsburg, and the result was: Kavanaugh 72% Ginsburg 28% Last week, when Facebook was censoring free speech, the Washington Post labeled Louis Farrakhan far right when he is as far left as you can go. Over the year, we have also seen Hitler and Nazis labeled as far right when they were socialists on the far left. Other dog whistles we see frequently in "news" articles: the racist term "white privilege"; articles about Charlottesville where journalists intentionally lie about what Trump said to gin up racial hate and violence; people equating sensible voter ID laws with Jim Crow laws; labeling Trump a racist for seeking to enforce laws that Congress has passed and by saying exactly the same things that Democrats have said in the recent past. The Washington Post is shuddering at the news that President Trump has pardoned a U.S. soldier. Look at the tone of this: President Trump has pardoned Michael Behenna, a former Army lieutenant who served five years in prison for the murder of an Iraqi prisoner in 2008. Behenna, who was an Army Ranger in the 101st Airborne Division, was convicted of unpremeditated murder in a combat zone and sentenced to 25 years after killing Ali Mansur, a detainee and suspected al-Qaeda member. Behenna, who stripped Mansur naked, interrogated him without authorization and then shot him twice, has claimed repeatedly that he was acting in self-defense. In a Monday evening statement, the White House announced Trump's decision to sign an executive grant of clemency, which amounts to a full pardon, citing support from the military community and Oklahoma elected officials, some of whom had recently renewed a public campaign for the president's order. Behenna, the statement said, was "entirely deserving." Iraqi prisoner? No, actually, he was a terrorist, and a full-blown member of al-Qaeda trying to kill us. That little inconvenient-to-the-narrative detail was left out of the Post's report. And the New York Times' report, if anything, was even worse. Instead of al-Qaeda terrorist, the Times says the soldier killed 'an Iraqi man.' Like other Iraqi men? It just goes to show the opacity and devotion to narrative of the blamestream media, which is still looking for any change it can to Get Trump. Now, I'm no expert on the Behenna case. It's possible he did something he shouldn't have done, which would be detrimental to good order in the military. But based on the case described by the Post, there were a lot of people doing things they shouldn't have been doing the Post mentions sleazebaggery from the prosecutors in the case, who repressed exonerating evidence in order to get the soldier a much bigger punishment. It sounds as though they were leftists, given that they showed the exact same ethical practices as Kamala Harris whose prosecutorial career included lots of repression of evidence, too. Bottom line: The Left is clucking its disgust and hollering about Trump's supposed abuse of privilege. But as president, Trump has a perfect right to do it. What we are actually seeing is a compare-and-contrast exercise in values. Trump pardoned not just this soldier, but Kristian Saucier, the hapless Navy sailor who unwittingly took a photo in a classified facility and was sent to prison even as Hillary Clinton got off scot-free for endangering U.S. national security through her illegal private server held in some guy's bathroom. These people were attempting to do their jobs, however imperfectly. President Obama, by contrast, issued pardons, too to people such as Private Bradley (now Chelsea) Manning, who hacked and stole vast troves of U.S. secrets to undermine the U.S. war effort. This was a guy who wasn't doing his job. Values, schmalues. President Trump is on the side of angels here. The pardon extends mercy to men who had been put in difficult predicaments based on the exigencies of war. They're being shown some mercy, not traitors. Yes, he's a bit of a softie, but if Trump is going to show mercy, these might just be the best people to show it to. March 20, 2019 was a sad day for basic decency when Jordan Peterson's fellowship at University of Cambridge's Faculty of Divinity was unexpectedly revoked. The Cambridge University Student Union tweeted its renunciation: We are relieved to hear that Jordan Peterson's request for a visiting fellowship to Cambridge's faculty of divinity has been rescinded following further review. It is a political act to associate the University with an academic's work through offers which legitimise figures such as Peterson. His work and views are not representative of the student body and as such we do not see his visit as a valuable contribution to the University, but one that works in opposition to the principles of the University. Talk about killing a spider with an axe, considering that Peterson's stated goal was simply to discuss matters of a biblical nature with the students. A quick look at Cambridge's website will give you its purported mission statement. The University's core values are "freedom of thought and expression" and "freedom from discrimination." Life proves harsh for the famed conservative-minded intellectual who tirelessly wages war against identity politics' discriminatory rule. Apparently, his heavy focus on the value of individualism and free thought let alone speech has not afforded him admission to Snowflake Land. The deprivation of even the slightest form of expression for Peterson and his adherents has become increasingly, unabashedly worse. After penning a New York Times op-ed in support of Peterson, Cambridge student Rob Henderson admitted in a recent interview to having received hushed messages of allegiance. Fear reigns supreme in the safe space, where everyone looks different but thinks the same. It's important at times like these to remember the key ingredients to all fulminations from the Militant Leftist Thugs. When the rudimentary attack makes no sense, throw in a vague explanation to at least imply behind-the-scenes deliberation: "has been rescinded after a further review." Next, a respectable line of defense: "works in opposition to the principles of the University." Last but never least, a call to unity: "His work and views are not representative of the student body." Never does logical argumentation appear. If Peterson dares to protest, he promptly receives a slew of more insanities thrown his way. Deluded left-wingers, the likes of Pankaj Mishra in one NYR Daily review, have him perfectly pigeonholed: "Nowhere in his published writings does Peterson reckon with the moral fiascos of his gurus and their political ramifications; he seems unbothered by the fact that thinking of human relations in such terms as dominance and hierarchy connects too easily with such nascent viciousness such as misogyny, anti-Semitism, and Islamophobia." Strip this down and you get something like this: I personally have a problem with the way Peterson's unequivocally psychological approach is improving countless lives not to mention his brilliant way of exposing and discrediting the maladies on the Left. So I will equate him with some proto-fascist philosophers and accuse him of "romancing the noble savage." Never mind that thousands of women buy his books and he tearfully begs his listeners to understand what caused the Holocaust, lecturing extensively on ways to prevent genocide. The senselessness surpasses belief. At all costs, the convoluted theory of "how Jordan Peterson's myth renderings are stirring up a new era of bigotry" must be put forth. Enter the complex narrative of the way in which luminaries like "Richard Wagner, along with many German nationalists, became notorious for using myth to regenerate the volk and stoke hatred of the aliens[.]" Then a mystifying explanation of how the exploring of consciousness by Jung, Eliade, and Campbell contributed to a dangerous sort of individualism because the "desperation of meaninglessness widely felt in the late nineteenth century, seemed especially desperate in the years following two world wars and the Holocaust." Indeed, individualism is the utmost danger stirring up fright in the hearts of leftists everywhere. Independent thought left unharnessed? The horror is of inconceivable proportions. This should be a lesson for all the bewildered people out there. In a world filled with meaningless tripe, it's time to read between the lines. Strings of extravagant expositions must never hide the true intent of the one who penned them. Strangling the liberty to move one's lips mustn't be tolerated, no matter how frosty the snowflaked terrain becomes. There's a reason Jordan Peterson's message of individual responsibility and mining for meaning in the chaos has gained the ears of the masses. Listen closely. Image: Gage Skidmore via Flickr. For alcoholics, the first step to recovery is to admit they have a problem. The New York Times is trying to get Democrats to admit they have a problem on the U.S.'s southern border and is now calling for funds to be appropriated for detention beds. It wrote this unusual editorial to that end: President Trump is right: There is a crisis at the southern border. Just not the one he rants about. There is no pressing national security threat no invasion of murderers, drug cartels or terrorists. No matter how often Mr. Trump delivers such warnings, they bear little resemblance to the truth. But as record numbers of Central American families flee violence and poverty in their homelands, they are overwhelming United States border systems, fueling a humanitarian crisis of overcrowding, disease and chaos. The Border Patrol is now averaging 1,200 daily arrests, with many migrants arriving exhausted and sick. Last week, a teenage boy from Guatemala died in government custody, the third death of a minor since December. As resources are strained and the system buckles, the misery grows. Something needs to be done. Soon. Unfortunately, political gamesmanship once again threatens to hold up desperately needed resources. Needs, indeed. After all, about a third of Guatemala would like to come here and are planning accordingly. The paper of record likes to be a little ahead of the news. And what's more, as a de facto partisan arm of the Democratic Party most of the time, it probably sees the proverbial writing on the 2020 wall, given that there's no real wall right now. I'm a bit less willing to praise the paper for the particulars of its stance. The authors are calling for cash for better detention facilities to accommodate all the illegal border-crossers, which sounds like a downwind patch-up solution to the far more effective ones that House Democrats could do without appropriating any money such as by reducing the incentives to emigrate illegally by reforming loopholes in U.S. asylum law. How about: 'If you can't be bothered to apply legally to enter the U.S., then back you go.' Or: 'If you refuse to apply for asylum at a U.S. port of entry because you want instant customer service, then back of the line, pal.' Exceptions can be carved out for nationals seeking asylum from places that do not permit free travel, such as North Korea, the nationals of whom our current asylum laws were written for. The Times' call for more comfortable accommodations for foreigners crossing into the U.S. without authorization sounds like yet another incentive to come here illegally, though it could give border agents some time to sort out who's a professional criminal, or who's renting a kid to get let out of detention early, and who isn't. Even a wall would be a better solution than the weak tea of better detention cells for migrants the Times calls for. And as Laura Ingraham notes here the Times is wrong about the unvetted migration headed to the U.S. containing few or no criminals. Im at border with @CBP agents nowthey just said @nytimes 100 percent wrong that theres There is no pressing natl security threat no invasion of murderers, drug cartels or terrorists. https://t.co/Tr4tD5alQ2 Laura Ingraham (@IngrahamAngle) May 6, 2019 Border Patrol agents say they're seeing the crooks all over criminals, of course, don't do things legally. That said, the Times editorial is still pretty revolutionary. Democrats have been denying for years that there's any crisis at the border, growing ever more shrill and irrational the more the evidence piles up from crime wages by illegal aliens to welfare and other state costs to the specter of illegal immigrants openly ballot-harvesting in California to flip the House to the Democrats and their champions on the Left fighting in courts an innocuous census question about citizenship. Illegals are a source of power for Democrats. They have a political interest in denying a crisis. For them, it's a party, and nobody had better take away that punch bowl... But there really is a crisis and the Times has noticed. And its reporters on the ground probably also notice that the issue could cost Democrats the entire election in 2020. With the Times serving as the Democratic Party's narrative-master, this looks like an intervention. Now maybe the Democratic drunks at the illegals table will be forced to take the first step toward sobriety by admitting a problem. Image credit: AFP via shareable YouTube video screen shot. Juan Guaido and his supporters failed to overthrow the Maduro regime this past week. This was but one of many failed attempts to rally the people and the military to oust Maduro and establish an interim government. As a rule, the longer a political crisis drags on and the worse the economy gets, the less support an incumbent ruler has. So, despite the string of failures, time and inertia are on the side of Guaido and the opposition. So far, the Trump administration has been playing it safe, limiting its involvement to the political and economic arenas. Military intervention (even military aid) might more quickly remove Maduro, but it will have negative political consequences for both the U.S. and the interim government. The U.S. need only be patient and perseverant in its continued support of Guaido. Venezuela's spiraling economy will most likely drag Maduro down with it in due time. The Trump administration has expended vast diplomatic resources to build a coalition of over 50 countries who now support Guaido's government. Humanitarian concerns might be justification enough for this great expense, but there are also good justifications by way of America's strategic interests. A reconstituted Venezuela, removed from under the influence of Russia, China, and Iran, has the potential to dramatically improve the state of global affairs. Challenge Russian Oil The biggest loser in the event of the Maduro government's collapse would be Russia. Russia's economy relies heavily on oil exports, so Putin is playing a cynical game with Venezuela. By keeping Maduro in power and the volume of Venezuelan oil production suppressed through corruption and mismanagement, Putin effectively eliminates a market competitor. This also helps keep the price of oil up, buoying the Russian economy and generating the revenue Putin needs to fund his buildup of the Russian military. Furthermore, Europe relies heavily on Russian oil. While not commanding a monopoly, Russia has a significant market share of the oil imports into Europe (including several NATO countries). This produces a vulnerable pressure point. Just as the Arabs in OPEC weaponized oil exports during the 1970s to hammer Western economies and influence political decisions, Putin can cut off (or merely threaten to cut off) oil exports to Europe. If Venezuela gets its government and infrastructure rebuilt, its vast reserves of oil will begin flooding the market. This would likely lower the price of oil and give Europe a new alternative to Russian imports. These outcomes would weaken Russia's economy and significantly diminish its ability to exert political influence over European leaders by holding their continent's economies hostage. That is why Putin isn't letting Maduro fly off to some villa in Cuba. Secondary Benefits Practically the only reason the Middle East has had any significant geopolitical influence since WWII is because if its dominance in the energy sector. Any American tired of decades of U.S. involvement in the Middle East should be ecstatic about the possibility of bringing Venezuela into the American sphere of influence and its oil production up to par. As more oil is produced outside the Middle East, the less relevant the Middle East becomes. Already, the development of oil reserves in the U.S., Brazil, Canada, and Kazakhstan has dramatically decreased the strategic importance of the Middle East. Venezuela has the potential to be a major player in the energy sector and further accelerate the diversification of the global economy's energy and add an additional layer of protection to soften any blows to the global economy caused by instability in the Middle East. Threats to oil production in the Middle East due to its never-ending ethnic and religious rivalries may no longer be of vital concern to the U.S. Additionally, flipping Venezuela from an adversary to an ally (or even just a neutral state) would be a major diplomatic coup for the U.S. and a significant blow to Russia, China, and Iran by whittling down their short list of allies. It would also devastate Cuba, which relies heavily on subsidized Venezuelan oil imports and which the Trump administration is also currently hammering with economic sanctions. Overly Optimistic? This is all assuming the best-case scenario: that Guaido and his interim government get Venezuela on a solid footing and build a functioning government, economy, and society. This also assumes that Guaido and the future Venezuelan governments will feel at least some level of appreciation for America's assistance and be drawn into a close relationship. There are a million ways events could turn sideways or continue spiraling downward. Putin can be expected to continue doing everything within his power to make sure that Venezuela doesn't get on its feet. However, the Trump administration apparently believes that that there is enough probability of success to warrant its efforts or at least that the vast number of benefits makes even a slim chance of success worth pursuing. A Google device labeled as an Interactive Video Streaming Device has now hit the FCC, possibly pointing to the long-expected follow-up for the Google Home Hub just ahead of todays I/O 2019 Developers Conference. The gadget falls under the appropriate classifications for just such a device and details are conspicuously slim. Regardless, the label on the device, marking it with model number H2A, and several other hints do fit the bill. The biggest clue may be that notes on the testing and certain requirements for accessing FCC labels indicate that there will be no SIM connectivity whatsoever in this device. Instead, it relies solely on WLAN connections. Testing shows support for a variety of both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. The means by which users access the label seems to line up too. Thats found via navigating to the settings within a Quick Settings option before moving to a Regulatory Labels section. Advertisement Mediocre expectations This is not the first time a next-generation Google Home Hub has been rumored or leaked out. Hints in the Google Play Developer Console and other reports have suggested that this wont be a completely new device in every sense but a variant of the original. It will also be launched under a new model intended to bring display-enabled smart home hubs under the Nest branding. Specifically, its expected to be sold as the Google Nest Hub and will be marketed as a means to interact with that other subsidiarys camera-enabled smart home doorbells and other equipment. Advertisement A Google Nest Hub Max is expected to land at some point in the near future as well. As its name would suggest, the Nest Hub Max would be a larger version of the Google Home Hub coming in at a diagonal measurement of 10-inches. The resize and naming convention would allow Google to make several other distinct changes too, including bolstering both the audio and display technology respectively. Audio updates, in particular, could bring the Google Nest Hub Max in line with another Max-branded gadget the company sells, the Google Home Max. No camera hardware is implicated in the FCC listing in question but thats yet another change thats been speculated to arrive in the redesigned smart home hub. The change would ensure the Google-built device ships hardware that can readily compete with its Amazon-built competitors more directly in terms of video calling and similar features. Advertisement Arriving today at I/O? The earliest consumers might expect to hear official word about the Google Nest Hub or Nest Hub Max is sooner than many might expect. Previous leaks have suggested the device might be announced as soon as Google I/O 2019. Thats running from May 7 through May 9. That would make sense with consideration for the timing of the FCC listing. The search giant is additionally expected to launch a couple of more budget-friendly variants of its flagship smartphone at the same event the Google Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL. That would make this among the most hardware-heavy I/O events to be hosted by the company in some time. Android Q and news about other software associated with Google products such as Chrome and Chrome OS are expected to make an appearance as well. Well-known mobile game developer Gameloft is working with Microsoft to bring Xbox Live functionality to a few of its more beloved titles. The functionality will, among other perks, allow players to sign in with their Xbox Live Gamertags and share progress, profiles, and more across devices. The first three games to get equipped with the new functionality will be Asphalt 8: Airborne, Asphalt 9: Legends, and Dragon Mania Legends. Theres no word thus far on exactly when the functionality will go live in these games, suffice it to say that it should be within the next year or so. On the topic of other games that may get the functionality in the future, Gameloft and Microsoft were tight-lipped. Along with progress sharing between platforms, including mobile and PC, gamers will be able to view their Xbox Live friend lists in-game and interact with their buddies, earn achievements, and rank on Xbox Live leaderboards. Naturally, all of this functionality, with the possible inclusion of Xbox Live-powered multiplayer, will be happening synchronously across platforms. This means that an achievement earned on mobile will be in effect for a players PC profile, a player who posts a time for a course on mobile can have their record smoked by a PC player, and so on. This move is reportedly part of an ongoing effort to bring mobile, console, and PC players together. Microsoft has long aimed to drive similar or even identical experiences with apps, games, and more across mobile, PC, and console, so its safe to say that more moves of these types will likely be made. Gameloft claims to be one of the first companies out of the gate with full Xbox Live integration on its games, and will almost certainly be leading the charge at this point. Whether the feature manages to achieve mass adoption, especially among games that may not be multi-platform, only time will tell. Advertisement Speaking on Microsoft and Gamelofts past efforts to unify platforms, there are volumes upon volumes to convey. On Microsofts side, we have the ill-fated ARM system attempts, such as Windows Phone and Windows RT, along with mostly flopped efforts to emulate x86 machine code on ARM devices. Gameloft, meanwhile, has been a bit more successful in giving its customers a consistent experience; many of its top games have seen releases on console and PC that bring the same content as their mobile counterparts, often simply taking advantage of the beefier hardware by allowing gamers higher framerates and a better view than they would get on their phones. Going forward, these currently nebulous unification efforts are probably going to take a less ethereal shape, solidifying into a plan of action that runs the gamut of the mobile gaming sphere. Its quite possible that Microsoft, given its long history of trying to solve cross-platform puzzles, will be willing to help developers of games its interested in to port them to PC and Xbox One. Considering how Sony handles cross-platform affairs, now is looking like a pretty good time to be a Microsoft gamer. The differences between the upcoming OnePlus 7 and OnePlus 7 Pro may be more profound than expected based on newly leaked press renders of the as-yet-unannounced handset. The images show a design in what is presumably Mirror Gray that is eerily close to doubling down on the same used in the companys previous handset, the OnePlus 6T down to the rounded edges, waterdrop notch, textured power button, and screen size. The company has made small adjustments to bezels, display resolution, and other details such as a larger earpiece speaker grill, rather than completely revamping the design. The bigger change to the design might actually be that the LED flash has been moved to within the same raised bezel as the camera sensors. So it seems the larger OnePlus 7 Pro will pack in all of the latest features and changes, skipping past the smaller OnePlus 7. Advertisement Stark differences from big brother Compared to the more ambitious OnePlus 7 Pro and its mechanical slider camera, all-screen front panel, and other features, the OnePlus 7s updates will require buyers to look past the skin-deep aluminum and glass facade. To begin with, the 6.67-inch OnePlus 7 Pro will pack a QHD+ resolution Fluid AMOLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate but the smaller 6.41-inch OnePlus 7 will feature a 2340 x 1080 pixel AMOLED panel. Advertisement While each will be powered by a Snapdragon 855 64-bit octa-core SoC, the less expensive OnePlus 7 will only come in 6GB or 8GB options in terms of memory. The Pro edition is expected to also feature a 12GB option although both will be limited to either 128 or 256 GB storage options. Both of those are confirmed to ship with the latest UFS 3.0 storage variant too, featuring around double the data storage speed. The vertically-aligned triple camera found on the OnePlus 7 Pro isnt present on its more diminutive counterpart either. Instead of an array comprised of 48-megapixel (f/1.6 aperture, OIS), 8-megapixel (f/2.2 aperture, OIS, telephoto), and 16-megapixel (ultrawide-angle lens, PDAF) cameras, the OnePlus 7 only shows two. The primary 48-megapixel snapper remains the same but with a slightly larger f/1.7 aperture but the secondary sensor is a 5-megapixel snapper. An optical fingerprint scanner will likely be present under the display in both gadgets, based on the lack of a reader anywhere else on the pictured device and each is expected to utilize the same forward-facing 16-megapixel camera. Advertisement The color shown is the same as one of the three found on the larger OnePlus 7 Pro but it isnt clear whether Nebula Blue or Almond (Gold) will make their way to the smaller gadget too. Coming soon All signs here point to a handset that will be noticeably different from its larger, more premium counterpart when the two smartphones launch. In theory, that should equate to a much lower cost for the still comparatively high-end OnePlus 7 too. Advertisement That other device will land at up to several hundred dollars more than the OnePlus 6T by many accounts. With only a small number of external changes, it may be that OnePlus is hoping to keep the cost of the newer OnePlus 7 close to the upper limits of its predecessors price point under $600. The launch is set to take place in just over a week on May 14. (WB) The government of Brunei on Sunday announced it has placed a moratorium on the death penalty in the country. The New York Times reported Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah made the announcement against the backdrop of widespread international outrage over a provision of Bruneis new penal code based on Shariah law that would impose the death penalty for anyone found guilty of consensual same-sex sexual relations. The State Department, openly gay U.S. Ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell and U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet are among those who have sharply criticized the penal code. Ellen DeGeneres, George Clooney and other celebrities have called for a boycott of the Beverly Hills Hotel and other properties that Bolkiah owns. U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) last week announced plans to introduce a bill that would sanction Brunei under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, a human rights law former President Obama signed in 2016. These laws are anathema to our values as Americans, and must be condemned in the strongest possible terms wherever they occur, wrote Omar in a letter she wrote to other members of the U.S. House of Representatives on April 29. The new statutes will mark Bruneis LGBT+ community for death simply for being who they are, and loving who they do. Brunei is a small, oil-rich country on the island of Borneo that has a population of less than 500,000 people. The countrys penal code, which also criminalizes apostasy and adultery, began to take effect in 2014. The death penalty provision came into force on April 3. A bisexual man in Bandar Seri Bagawan, the Bruneian capital, on April 5 told the Washington Blade the new penal code is weaponizing religion. A transgender Bruneian woman seeking asylum in Canada with whom the Blade spoke a few days later said her country would still be a repressive and oppressive nation without the penal code. Amnesty International Brunei Researcher Rachel Chhoa-Howard on Monday in a statement described Bolkiahs announcement as a welcome first step. Merely enacting laws with penalties such as stoning and amputation has enabled a hateful and toxic environment, added Chhoa-Howard. The Brunei authorities must follow suit on the promise that Brunei Darussalam will sign up to the U.N. Convention Against Torture. These reckless, indefensible provisions must be repealed immediately. Human Rights Campaign Director of Global Partnerships Jean Freedberg echoed Chhoa-Howard. HRC notes reports that the sultan of Brunei has declared a moratorium on the death penalty, and while this is an important step we continue to call on him to repeal this draconian law in its entirety and uphold all Bruneis commitments under international law, said Freedberg on Sunday in a statement. The world has turned its eyes to Brunei in recent months and we urge the countless advocates, activists and organizations who seized this moment to speak out against these human rights abuses to continue to do so. Freedberg added the Trump-Pence administration has so far been silent and must finally join the chorus of voices calling for repeal. As most of you know by now, Samsung encountered some issues with its first foldable smartphone, which forced the company to delay its release. The Galaxy Fold was supposed to ship to consumers last month, but the company delayed it indefinitely, and it seems like a new release date is still not available. Samsung reached out to consumers who pre-ordered the Galaxy Fold in order to let them know that the company is still working on the Galaxy Fold in order to bring it up to the standard that is expected out of the company. Samsung also said that it will have more info in the coming weeks, but cannot offer a new release date at this point in time. The company did ask those of you who pre-ordered it to let it know if youre still interested in the device, if you dont do that, and the company is unable to ship the device your way until May 31, your pre-order will be automatically canceled, and money will be refunded to you, in full. In fact, you have the option to cancel your pre-order at any time before the device ships, you can do that via Samsung.com. Advertisement For those of you who are not in the loop, Samsung encountered some display issues with the Galaxy Fold. The company shipped out early review units out, and not long after that, issues started popping up. In one instance, white lines popped up on the display, and soon after that, the display stopped working. In a different case, the display started acting weird, as part of it stopped working, until it died completely. Truth be said, some reviewers are actually to blame for their display issues, as they tried to remove the protective plastic layer from the display. They thought that Samsung simply installed a screen protector on top of the display, but that was not the case. So, in some cases, reviewers are to blame, but most of them did not try to remove that layer, so the Galaxy Fold does have an underlying issue that Samsung needs to address, which is something the company already admitted. Samsung started manufacturing Galaxy Fold units before this way discovered, which essentially means that the company will have to alter quite a few Galaxy Fold units, as this issue seems to be hardware-related. Advertisement The Samsung Galaxy Fold was announced back in February, along with the Galaxy S10 series of smartphones. This is the companys very first foldable smartphone, and its actually quite expensive. Those who pre-ordered it had to part with $1,980 in order to get it, so nobody would blame those consumers if they pulled out of the deal right away, following issues that the company is having. Samsung did the right thing and is giving users an option to pull out of the deal, and will even automatically refund them if they dont reach until May 31, and the phone doesnt ship by then. Judging by the way things are going at the moment, its not really realistic to expect that Samsung will sort everything out by May 31 and ship the Galaxy Fold units, but well see. T-Mobile and Sprint have now independently backed up employment expectations from their proposed $26 billion merger bid with the announcement of plans for a New T-Mobile customer care center planned for Henrietta, serving the Greater Rochester area of Upstate New York. Supported by the nonprofit consultancy firm, Center for Governmental Research (CGR), the companies say that Henrietta was chosen as the location where the most positive impact would occur. Analysis of the region showed the new Customer Experience Center, based on T-Mobiles innovative Team of Experts (TEX) service model, would directly employee as many as 1300 people. Thats in addition to 500 to 600 jobs less directly created, potentially making New T-Mobile a top 20 employer in the region. The construction portion of the project alone would result in 200 direct and 30 spillover jobs while the companies say that payroll for center employees would result in $1.5 to $1.8 million in terms of income and sales tax. Compensation and spending, once fully operational, would net a combined $2.6 to $3.2 million in income task from payroll ranging from $22.1 to $26 million. State and local sales tax would equate to $1.7 to $2 million combined. Advertisement The companies say that New T-Mobile would not be requesting or taking advantages of any economic incentives to build out a new customer care center in Henrietta, pending approval of the merger. T-Mobile says that it would be workers that benefit from the new center instead, pointing to multiple national and local workplace awards received over the last year. Not only does the company support diversity in the workplace. The merger and new care center would result in opportunities for employees in the form of stock grants, career development, health coverage, childcare subsidies and paid parental leave, among other things. The independent consultancy firm estimates, based on available data from the area, that as many as 180 Henrietta workers would be able to access more than $385,000 in tuition assistance benefits too. Advertisement Lining up with previous expectations Prior to the announcement, the companies had revealed a new service center in Fresno Countys Kingsburg and in Overland Park, Kansas. Plans are still underway for several further centers if the merger is allowed to go through. In total, the service centers and expansions on existing centers are expected to result in an additional 5,000 jobs by 2021. Previous releases from the company had indicated a figure closer to 5,600 new workers. The total number of workers expected by 2024 is directly addressed in T-Mobile and Sprints most recent press release too. If the merger is approved, the companies claim that the combined entity will be able to employ more than 7,500 more customer care workers than would be possible with the pair remaining separate. That figure hasnt changed since it was last reported. Advertisement Sprint and 5G may need this The backing of an independent analysis firm seems to bolster the argument T-Mobile and Sprint are making with regard to jobs that can plausibly be created following a merger but employment isnt the sole argument the two have made. The combination of network assets would also enable New T-Mobile to build out a nationwide comprehensive 5G network. More succinctly, that would have a backbone that doesnt restrict service to small areas or require an enormous number of radios as a result of limitations of the mmWave bands used by competitors. Advertisement While most of the focus is on T-Mobile, likely owing to the proposed name of the combined entity, the move would arguably be more beneficial to the nations fourth-largest current carrier, Sprint. The Overland Park-headquartered company has slipped substantially over the past several years and has gone so far as to send a 47-page letter to the Secretary of the FCC stating that it will effectively die without the deal going through. Marysville, CA (95901) Today Showers this evening, becoming a steady rain overnight. Low 47F. Winds S at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Higher wind gusts possible.. Tonight Showers this evening, becoming a steady rain overnight. Low 47F. Winds S at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Higher wind gusts possible. In historic first, evangelist Franklin Graham joins son Will Graham for the 'Kaua`i Celebration with Will Graham' Thousands attend three-day outreach at Vidinha Stadium, May 3-5, 2019 News provided by May 6, 2019 KAUA`I, Hawaii, May 6, 2019 / Standard Newswire / -- Evangelist Will Graham visited the island of Kaua`i, Hawaii, this weekend, where 6,495 people heard the Gospel during the three-day Kaua`i Celebration with Will Graham at Lihue's Vidinha Stadium. In an unexpected surprise for those in attendance, Will Graham was joined by his father, Franklin Graham, who spoke at Friday night's opening service. It was a historic moment because it was the first time the two generations have preached from the same stage at a Will Graham Celebration. "Sin is a robber. It steals your joy, your happiness, your fellowship with God," said Franklin on Friday night. "Jesus is here. Will you reach out to Him? Are you willing to call on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ tonight?" Will spoke on Saturday and Sunday nights, and shared the same eternal hope of Christ. "God can change your life tonight. He wants to come into your life and give you a chance to turn around," said Will. "God's chasing after you, not to punish you but to love you. Surrender all of your brokenness, your junk. Hand it over to God. He'll take it and give you a new life." On an island where -- according to local Christian leaders -- roughly 5,000 people attend church on a given weekend, approximately 600 people responded to the invitation to begin a relationship with Jesus at the Kaua`i Celebration. "We're believing God that this Celebration is part of the answer for the lack of hope on this island," said Pastor Nathan Hanohano, who served as the Celebration team leader. "Revival can happen if people will really start crying out to Jesus. We really need to see this darkness broken off this island." In addition to the unique father-son nature of the Kaua`i Celebration, the event also marked one of the rare times that all three generations of Grahams Billy Graham, Franklin and Will have spoken in the same city. Billy Graham preached in Lihue, Kaua`i, in 1965 after a weeklong outreach in Honolulu. Will's next outreach will take place in Albania, the first time that any evangelist with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association will preach in the country. From there he will hold the Big Sky Celebration (a tour of three cities in Montana Helena, Hamilton and Great Falls) and a three-day Celebration of Hope in Belleville, Ontario. For information on the Kaua`i Celebration with Will Graham, visit www.KauaiCelebration.com and www.facebook.com/KauaiCelebration SOURCE Billy Graham Evangelistic Association Related Links BrusselsWhile still a minor, he went on a holiday to Switzerland with his family but couldnt make it past the Belgian border. I was not allowed to leave the country on a stateless passport, says Georges Kamanayo who, now aged 72, recalls how he had to take a train back home all by himself, while the rest of his family went on their holiday. His two brothers werent his parents biological children either, but they had both been legally adopted. Plus they were white. Kamanayo was hardly an orphan who needed a family: he remembered his mother clearly, as well as his grandmother, back in Rwanda. He also knew that his father was a Belgian. He was the fruit of a mix that was too dangerous for a colonial system based on racism. Dangerous enough to have his identity taken away from him and tens of thousands of other children. That sort of thing scars you for life, he says now, as he keeps smiling. He is accompanied by Ray (not his real name), who is now retired but was one of the children that spent time with Kamanayo in a Rwandan orphanage in the 1950s, when Rwanda-Burundi and the Congo were under the Belgian crowns colonial rule. They used to call it an orphanage, but no orphans lived there. They were the children of African mothers and Belgian fathers. They were half-castes. Ray, who prefers not to disclose his real name because he refuses to become a victim, has decided that as a retiree he will now devote all his time and energy to see that justice is done. Thats why he joined Belgiums Association of Mixed-race People, a small organisation that has been lobbying the countrys authorities since 2015 so that Belgium will admit to the kidnapping of about 20,000 mixed-race children in the African territories under the Belgian crowns colonial rule and will address the problems that stem from that. Thanks to pressure by this small group of metis (mixed-race people in French), at the beginning of April Belgian PM Charles Michel formally apologised for expatriating tens of thousands of children after forcing their mothers to give them up to orphanages. The association is chaired by Francois Milliex, himself a metis, who told this newspaper how creating the association has prompted the Belgian government to pledge to look into the personal situation of all those people the exact number remains unknown who were stripped of their identity over half a century ago. They have also persuaded the authorities to issue visas to the mothers and relatives who are still living and, more importantly, to grant them access to documentation (in many cases, of a classified nature) that might allow them to retrace their personal history, as most of them were given a new name. Neither black enough, nor white enough Such was the case of Georges Kamanayo and Ray. Both managed to retrace their steps back to their origins. Ray complains that searching for and finding my parents was very hard, but at least now I know where I come from. Not knowing where you come from is being deprived of your identity and that is a human rights violation: you are brought into this world and they take away your roots. They were neither black enough to be with the blacks, nor white enough to join the colonial community. They were segregated shortly after birth, a discrimination that their mothers were also subjected to. The pressure put on mothers by that racist, colonial society is made apparent in a film, Kazu ngu, le metis (2000) where Kamanayo turned his own personal history into a documentary. Kamanayo was sent to Belgium at age 13 and, after spending time at several institutions, he was taken on by a foster family in Antwerp. He remembered life in Rwanda perfectly well. When he completed his film-making studies, he travelled to Rwanda with the Belgian public tv network where he was employed as a camera operator in order to reconstruct his history. He met his mother, who had become blind following the war and the genocide. He was even able to meet up with his father, a prominent Belgian industrialist who was married when Kamanayo was born and had moved to France. He showed no regret in front of his mixed-race son decades later, but was reluctant to say much. My father was married and had a son, so I was born out of wedlock, born out of two cultures, two colours. I was a thrice forbidden fruit. I was less entitled to exist than the relationship between my parents, he remarks on the documentary film. For his part, Ray arrived in Belgium and ended up with a Flemish family which he describes as racist. His mother was not able to have a second child and Ray is convinced that he was adopted to be like a pet for their firstborn. He believes that is why his foster mother began to hit him when she realised that Ray was a sociable boy who got on well with others and made new friends. Ray ran away at age 16, but was sent back to an orphanage, which he left again as soon as he got a chance to. He knew he wanted to study and went on to complete his degree in engineering with flying colours. Yet the racism he experienced during his career was even harder to bear than in his childhood and teenage years. They explain that Belgium also used to segregate and we were denied entrance into bars and clubs, and we would be patted down in the street systematically. Now Ray is retired and lives in Dakar, but he often travels to Belgium as one of the representatives of the metis association who deals with the authorities to persuade them to probe this hushed-up story in depth. The metis were and remain a taboo in Belgium, the untold story of thousands of people that were discriminated against and were driven into a corner of the system, both in Africa and later in this Western European country. Ray and Kamanayo explain that they had a stateless passport which showed that they were originally from the Congo, but had no nationality. Many had to take the matter to court in Belgium before they were granted Belgian nationality. Taboo and ignorance One of the reporters who travelled to Rwanda with Kamanayo for the first time was Peter Verlinden, a specialist in central Africa and a professor at the University of Leuven. He worked as a communication manager and an advisor to Belgiums Cooperation and Development minister from 1989 to 1991. Verlinden admits that the matter was hushed up after the colonial period and, like many other scandals during European and Belgian colonial rule, the story of the metis was ignored rather than unknown by a segment of the general public, as well as politicians. Ray and Kamanayo both recall how when they began their lobbying efforts their stories were met with sheer astonishment by politicians. And it still happens today. In 1999 Verlinden wrote one of the first books that included colonial testimonies. He admits that there was no information and he never studied that period in history in the course of the two university degrees he completed. In fact, until this year Belgium still had a colonial African museum of King Leopold II that hadnt been reformed to acknowledge and expose all the crimes, pillaging and exploitation committed by the system. We simply werent aware of it, we didnt ask ourselves any questions, he admits. But he is reluctant to criticise the transition to the post-colonial regime and the lack of self-criticism which organisations and institutions still denounce today, like the UNs group of experts who published a report in February warning that racism is still present in Belgiums institutions, and highlighting the need to apologise and rewrite colonial history from a self-critical standpoint. The need to be acknowledged Kamanayo and Ray feel that, until a few years ago, the old colonial class still had plenty of power in Belgium, which prevented its shameful past from being uncovered. Verlinden doesnt quite agree, but he will admit that high-ranking officials from the colonial period were working in the Foreign Affairs ministry in the 1990s. Thats why Michels apology was met with optimism by the association of metis. Its a step in the right direction when the prime minister says mistakes were made, but its not just important for us, but also for white Belgians. They should be asked how they feel when they hear about all this; its their history, too. In contrast, Verlinden believes that it is dangerous to apologise for stuff that was lawful, acceptable and normal in peoples minds [in that time]. Furthermore, he points out that the official reason given back then was that the children were being expatriated for their own safety. The Church, which ran the orphanages and also issued an apology a few years ago (although its actual role hasnt been fully established), claims that the children might have been in danger as a result of the war of independence. Verlinden thinks this is credible: My research shows that they were shunned by the black and the white communities alike. The witnesses interviewed by this newspaper regard that as nonsense. Why would they have to protect us from our own people and families?, Ray cries out while holding his head in his hands. This is why they believe that there is still much to do. Following the upcoming elections in Belgium of May 26 Kamanayo, Ray and Milliex will keep up the pressure to ensure that pledges made during the campaign lead to a global reflection. This is not just a Belgian problem, but a European-wide issue. Mixed-race people are not being discussed about because they are looking to conceal Europes colonial past, as well as that of other countries, such as Canada. Spain, too, should be held to account for its past actions in Latin America, is the plea of this film director who has moved back to Rwanda since getting back his identity. The statement said: On every airplane delivered to our customers, including the MAX, all flight data and information needed to safely operate the aircraft is provided in the flight deck on the primary flight deck displays. This information is provided full-time in the pilots primary field of view, and it always has been. Air speed, attitude, altitude, vertical speed, heading and engine power settings are the primary parameters the flight crews use to safely operate the airplane in normal flight. Stick shaker and the pitch limit indicator are the primary features used for the operation of the airplane at elevated angles of attack. All recommended pilot actions, checklists, and training are based upon these primary indicators. Neither the angle of attack indicator nor the AOA Disagree alert are necessary for the safe operation of the airplane. They provide supplemental information only, and have never been considered safety features on commercial jet transport airplanes. The Boeing design requirements for the 737 MAX included the AOA Disagree alert as a standard, standalone feature, in keeping with Boeings fundamental design philosophy of retaining commonality with the 737NG. In 2017, within several months after beginning 737 MAX deliveries, engineers at Boeing identified that the 737 MAX display system software did not correctly meet the AOA Disagree alert requirements. The software delivered to Boeing linked the AOA Disagree alert to the AOA indicator, which is an optional feature on the MAX and the NG. Accordingly, the software activated the AOA Disagree alert only if an airline opted for the AOA indicator. When the discrepancy between the requirements and the software was identified, Boeing followed its standard process for determining the appropriate resolution of such issues. That review, which involved multiple company subject matter experts, determined that the absence of the AOA Disagree alert did not adversely impact airplane safety or operation. Accordingly, the review concluded, the existing functionality was acceptable until the alert and the indicator could be delinked in the next planned display system software update. Senior company leadership was not involved in the review and first became aware of this issue in the aftermath of the Lion Air accident. Approximately a week after the Lion Air accident, on November 6, 2018, Boeing issued an Operations Manual Bulletin (OMB), which was followed a day later by the FAAs issuance of an Airworthiness Directive (AD). In identifying the AOA Disagree alert as one among a number of indications that could result from erroneous AOA, both the OMB and the AD described the AOA Disagree alert feature as available only if the AOA indicator option is installed. Boeing discussed the status of the AOA Disagree alert with the FAA in the wake of the Lion Air accident. At that time, Boeing informed the FAA that Boeing engineers had identified the software issue in 2017 and had determined per Boeings standard process that the issue did not adversely impact airplane safety or operation. In December 2018, Boeing convened a Safety Review Board (SRB) to consider again whether the absence of the AOA Disagree alert from certain 737 MAX flight displays presented a safety issue. That SRB confirmed Boeings prior conclusion that it did not. Boeing shared this conclusion and the supporting SRB analysis with the FAA. Boeing is issuing a display system software update, to implement the AOA Disagree alert as a standard, standalone feature before the MAX returns to service. When the MAX returns to service, all MAX production aircraft will have an activated and operable AOA Disagree alert and an optional angle of attack indicator. All customers with previously delivered MAX airplanes will have the ability to activate the AOA Disagree alert. The conference brought together more than 100 airport managers from across Oman Airs network. The three-day event, provided a forum to discuss results, plans and projected targets. The theme of the conference: Airport Operations Transformation Journey, A Flight to Success, reflected appropriately the realities of airline business and the need to adapt to the new operating environment and to embrace new technology. Hosted by Saleem Amanulla, senior vice president, ground operations at Oman Air, the conference saw presentations from members of Oman Airs senior management team. Speakers at the conference emphasised the importance of customer service, effective communications and vigilance on security issues, while delegates also heard of plans of Oman Airs exciting fleet and network expansion programme. Speaking on this, Abdulaziz Al Raisi, chief executive officer of Oman Air said: The airport services managers have made major contributions to the achievements of Oman Air over the last year. I would like to thank them for their efforts and commitment, and I am confident that they will continue to make a major contribution to Oman Air in the years to come. This conference has provided the opportunity to recognise the excellent work carried out, to date, listen to the views and suggestions of our front-line managers and plan effectively for the future. I look forward to working with each of our airport services managers to deliver an outstanding passenger experience for every customer. Saleem Amanulla added, Our airport services managers play an essential role in delivering success for Oman Air. The importance of their role will continue to increase along with the need for a coordinated international approach to manage our services. I urge all airport services managers to act as ambassadors for Oman Air and raise the profile of the airline within their own network airports. This was announced by SriLankan Airlines' CEO, Vipula Gunatilleka at the recent Arabian Travel Market (ATM) in Dubai. "The Middle East is among our most significant markets and we consider being at ATM and Dubai very important, which is why participated at full strength, despite the recent attacks in Colombo," said Gunatilleka. "We are determined not to let these setbacks discourage us and we will bounce back in style. Going forward we will announce plans to enhance services to the region and improve our business class offerings as we aim for a bigger slice of the luxury travel market." Given that more than 2.5 million tourists from the Middle East made travel plans to the Emerald Isle in 2018 and with more than 5% originating from the GCC, SriLankan Airlines is currently evaluating how best to build on the 45 weekly flights it has to the region. Future plans include transforming the airline into a major hub-and-spoke network operator with a streamlined and efficient hub in Colombo, servicing its own and alliance partner flights from and to Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Oceania. Already flying daily to Colombo from all the major cities in the GCC, SriLankan Airlines provides hassle-free, seamless connections to onward flights to South Asia, Southeast Asia, East Asia and Oceania on its all-Airbus fleet. The airline envisages an increase in fleet numbers as it boosts services on lucrative routes and launches new routes in line with consumer demands and business opportunities. The airline is also in the process of installing premium economy seating across its widebody fleet and plans to add four new Airbus aircraft over the next five years to enhance passenger and freight carrying capacity, eventually building up to a fleet strength of 34 by 2025. SriLankan Airlines today flies a 27-strong all Airbus fleet, which includes the A330-300 and A320neo aircraft connecting to 100 destinations in 47 countries. The conference was held between 24 - 26 April in Marrakesh, Morocco, and brought together global space leaders from agencies, governments, institutions of higher education and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), with the goal of supporting the space sector in emerging countries. The conference was attended by key representatives from the UAE Space Agency, led by Mohammed Nasser Al Ahbabi, director Ggeneral of the UAE Space Agency, and chair of the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) 2020 Local Organising Committee. During the three-day conference, the Agency highlighted the benefits of space applications and the importance of educating and encouraging youth to study science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM), as expertise in such fields directly contributes to the enhancement of space capabilities within emerging countries. Al Ahbabi participated in two panel discussions during the conference alongside a number of senior space leaders and decision-makers. The panellists extolled the importance of space programs and activities in contributing to sustainable development in emerging countries. Al Ahbabi highlighted the UAE's role in motivating, educating, and training young professionals through launching ambitious space projects that inspire pride, creativity, and innovation, and provide a promising future for youth in the region. His Excellency also highlighted the UAEs collaboration with various space entities from all over the world to exchange knowledge and develop human capacity. Al Ahbabi said: The UAE Space Agencys participation in the Global Conference on Space for Emerging Countries reaffirms our commitment to supporting the growth of the global space sector and engaging with international partners to exchange knowledge and expertise. We are delighted to have had the opportunity to share our experience of developing a national space program with regional and international experts. Recently, we announced the formation of the Arab Space Coordination Group, which aims to promote space research, share expertise, and develop opportunities for increased regional collaboration. We are keen to collaborate with African countries and work with them to unlock the socio-economic benefits of space. Space is an excellent vehicle with which to engage with youth across the region and the world to inspire them to study STEM subjects and consider entering the space sector. We continue to highlight opportunities for young people within the sector and look forward to welcoming the international community to Dubai in 2020 for the 71st International Astronautical Congress, added Al Ahbabi. BDG architecture + design developed a thoughtful design to reinvigorate a 7,130sqm modernist building The Garage, Lisbon for creative transformation company WPP. The former car showroom, located on Lisbons fast regenerating riverfront, now accommodates 14 of the groups companies, that are spread across 8 floors with shared spaces that support the creative activity of WPP. The elegant utilitarianism of The Garage, benefits from vast and stunning views over the wide river Tagus. However, it was left in poor condition and needed attention after a refurbishment which had halted in the crash of 2008 that saw it stripped; a service lift added; a seismic-resistant upgrade and the beginning of construction on an additional floor. Design began in September 2015 with focus on the arrival experience, that sets the creative tone for the rest of the space. Visitors enter the striking reception area on the ground floor with generous floor to ceiling heights which assist the sense of openness. The shared areas accommodate a library and a shared business lounge, spanning three floors. Navigation through the space is eased with clear way-finding graphics, that are visually appealing as well as functional. BDG architecture + design also introduced better connectivity to the building through an eye-catching staircase that connects the ground floor with the mezzanine, taking users up to the next street level. Prior to embarking on the co-location of WPP companies in Lisbon, BDG architecture + design undertook a review of each of the group companies which involved quantitative and qualitative research into how they used their workplaces at the time and what they required for the future. The resultant report provided the data to support the building review process. On its workplace floors, the floor plan is equally spacious as the rest of the building, featuring high ceilings and with an openness and flexibility to the design. Each of the groups own space within the building was designed, within a defined palette, to allow for the personalities of each group company to resonate through in their own area. From reception, the intended service lift has become an express route to the top floor. This new floor houses a set-back conference area and bar, allowing for an expansive terrace. And, as the tallest building among its immediate neighbours, its views give the perception of floating above the city. The roof terrace was designed as an important common space, shared among the WPP companies occupying the building, with sensational views of the surrounding area. The approach to its materiality, furniture selection and overall design was intended to make it both a feature and a comfortable place to relax and socialise. The terrace is not there only for occasional parties and to impress clients touring the space, but as a genuine centre for life among employees. The terrace, equipped with a stunning water-feature, also incorporates temporary shading which is crucial due to the high temperatures that Lisbon can reach in summer. The temporary bespoke design was made to be both aesthetically pleasing, but also easily movable and removable. Unique for BDG architecture + design is that the expressive building was built as anti-seismic, also known as earthquake resistant. In 1755 a monumental earthquake followed by tsunami devastated Lisbon, destroying an estimated 90% of the citys buildings, resulting in Portuguese Pombalino masonry buildings with anti-seismic provisions being constructed. BDG architecture + design worked closely with Portuguese architects Ana Costa Arquitectura E Design on this project. Architect: BDG architecture + design Local Architect: Ana Costa Arquitectura E Design Project Manager: Colliers International Engineer: Ficope Shocking Global Report from Humanitarian Agency Gospel for Asia (GFA) Spotlights 100 Million 'Missing Women' On Mother's Day, experts say up to 100 million women and girls mostly from Africa and Asia who should be alive today 'simply do not exist' Missing Women: A report by Gospel for Asia (www.gfa.org) coinciding with Mother's Day in the U.S. says up to 100 million women and girls who should be alive today, mostly in Asia and Africa, "simply do not exist." NEWS PROVIDED BY Gospel for Asia May 7, 2019 WILLS POINT, Texas, May 7, 2019 /Standard Newswire/ -- As many as 100 million women and girls are "missing and unaccounted for" the victims of sex-selective abortions, female infanticide, sexual slavery and other horrific practices, according to a newly-compiled global report by leading faith-based humanitarian agency Gospel for Asia (GFA, www.gfa.org). The report titled "One Hundred Million Missing Women" (https://www.gfa.org/special-report/) coinciding with this year's Mother's Day in the U.S. says experts using data available up to the 1980s have determined that between 90-100 million women and girls who should be alive today, mostly in Asia and Africa, "simply do not exist." "As we in America celebrate Mother's Day, the devaluation and horrendous treatment and abuse of women and girls is a global crisis," said Dr. K.P. Yohannan, founder of Gospel for Asia. "In the poorest regions of the world, and especially in Asia, women's lives are threatened from the womb to widowhood and millions of these precious girls will not survive to become mothers." Census studies of "sex ratios" in Asia the statistical difference between the number of males and females revealed 106 males to every 100 females. "While this might appear on the surface to be a relatively small difference, it actually tells a terrible story of inequality and neglect leading to the excessive mortality of women," Yohannan said. Female Deaths in Asia: 'Wild Imbalance' Between Ratio of Women to Men Numerous factors contribute to what experts describe as a "wild imbalance" between the ratio of women to men in developing countries in Asia. Factors contributing to this and the premature death of women include: selective abortions of unborn girls; mothers dying in abortions that go wrong; female infanticide; parents deliberately under-feeding girls; rampant violence against women; and the booming sex trade that enslaves an estimated 34 million women and girls around the world, including 16 million in India. "Prostitution is legal in some parts of South Asia so the chances of victimization are drastically increased," said Yohannan. "Many of the poorest families are manipulated into selling their daughters to opportunists who promise a better life for them. But many of these girls some as young as 10 are never heard from or seen again. In this century, more women and girls are enslaved in brothels each year than were shipped to slave plantations at the height of the slave trade in the 18th and 19thcenturies." Meanwhile, many impoverished parents in Asia deliberately starve their daughters in favor of feeding their sons. "In some places, girls will be forced to go hungry while their brothers are well fed," Yohannan said. "Malnourished girls become malnourished women, prone to miscarriages, stillbirths, infant deaths, and multiple pregnancy complications that can result in the mother's death." In India, one in every 70 women dies in childbirth compared with one in every 4,800 women in the U.S. and one in every 46,000 women in Ireland. Rampant violence against women including sexual violence is another major contributor to the global "missing women" crisis, with nearly four out of every 10 murders of women attributed to male intimate partners, the GFA report says. Bridge of Hope More than 600 GFA-supported Bridge of Hope centers across South Asia provide critical support and hope to tens of thousands of girls at risk of abandonment, exploitation in sweatshops, prostitution, sex trafficking, and the threat of vanishing without trace. Abandoned by her parents, Daya was taken to a Bridge of Hope center near her grandmother's home on the edge of a slum. The little girl was so dirty that other parents complained, and the center's staff scrubbed her with soap from head to toe, replacing her ragged dress with clean clothes. Over the course of several years in the Bridge of Hope center, Daya received a quality education, a meal every day and regular medical check ups growing into a healthy young woman with a bright future. But millions of girls are not as fortunate as Daya. According to UNESCO, 17 million girls around the world will never go to school leaving them highly vulnerable to exploitation and premature death. In 2018 alone, GFA-supported projects also provided vocational training for over 11,000 at-risk women, and sewing machines for more than 8,700 women to obtain work as seamstresses. "This Mother's Day, let's pray for women and girls who are fighting to stay alive in a world that is often brutal to them," Yohannan said. "More than ever, we need to take a stand for mothers, women and girls at risk of 'going missing' in a storm of violence, exploitation and horrific abuse." Celebrating its 40thanniversary in 2019, GFA (Gospel for Asia, www.gfa.org) is a leading faith-based humanitarian and mission agency, bringing vital assistance and spiritual hope to millions across Asia, especially to those who have yet to hear the "good news" of Jesus Christ. This has included more than 70,000 sponsored children, free medical camps conducted in more than 1,200 villages and remote communities, over 4,000 wells drilled, over 11,000 water filters installed, income-generating Christmas gifts for more than 200,000 needy families, and spiritual teaching available in 110 languages in 14 nations through radio ministry. SOURCE Gospel for Asia CONTACT: Gregg Wooding, 972-0567-7660, gwooding@inchristcommunications.com Related Links www.gfa.org In an earlier study, Mercom had reported that the solar industry seemed to be progressing at a sluggish pace in the light of the LS elections. The ongoing general elections seem to have taken its toll on the countrys solar sector. Kolkata: The ongoing general elections seem to have taken its toll on the countrys solar sector. In what is seen as a new low in the Indias domestic solar sector, not a single solar auction was conducted in April 2019. This, despite 799 MW of solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity was tendered in the same month. Several engineering procurement construction (EPC) tenders were also announced in April 2019, according to India Solar Tender Tracker from Mercom Capital Group. In an earlier study, Mercom had reported that the solar industry seemed to be progressing at a sluggish pace in the light of the Lok Sabha elections. In contrast, in March, 5.3 GW of solar capacity had been tendered and 750 MW of solar projects were auctioned. Even on a year-on-year basis, the solar tender and auction activity in April this year was significantly lower. In April 2018, which itself was a low month, nearly 1.3 GW of new solar projects had been tendered and over 1.6 GW of solar PV capacity had been re-tendered, and 40 MW of solar had been auctioned, the Mercom report said. Significantly, the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) issued a Request for Selection (RfS) for 500 MW (Phase I) of grid-connected solar PV projects in Tamil Nadu on a Build Own Operate (BOO) basis. The Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Limited (TANGEDCO) will buy power from the above project. SECI will enter into a power purchase agreement with the successful solar project developers for 25 years. It has set the upper ceiling tariff at Rs 2.85 ($0.041)/kWh. The other major tenders announced during this time included the tender by NTPC for the turnkey installation of 3 MW of solar PV power projects at its Kahalgaon unit, located in Bhagalpur district of Bihar and another tender by the Rajasthan Electronics and Instru-ments Ltd to set up 1.7 MW of solar PV projects with battery energy storage system in the Andaman and Nicobar islands. Among the seven states, the highest voter turnout of 74.42 per cent was recorded in seven seats in West Bengal. New Delhi: A grenade attack on a polling booth in Jammu and Kashmirs Pulwama district, violence in West Bengal and EVM glitches were reported during the fifth phase of Lok Sabha polls on Monday across seven states, where the average voting percentage on 51 seats stood at 62.56 per cent. Deputy election commissioner Sandeep Saxena said, In the entire phase five, for corresponding constituencies in 2014 the turnout was 61.75 per cent and for todays poll the turnout is 62.56 per cent, as last reported. Among the seven states, the highest voter turnout of 74.42 per cent was recorded in seven seats in West Bengal. The lowest turnout of 17.07 per cent was reported in J&K. Over 57.33 per cent of 2.47 crore eligible people cast their vote in 14 seats in Uttar Pradesh, where political heavyweights like Congress Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi and Union ministers Rajnath Singh and Smriti Irani were in the fray. Prominent voters in the state capital Lucknow included home minister Rajnath Singh, BSP supremo Mayawati, and deputy chief minister Dinesh Sharma and BSP general secretary S.C. Misra. In Rajasthan, 63.78 per cent polling was recorded in 12 seats, while it was 63.88 per cent in seven constituencies in Madhya Pradesh, 57.86 per cent in five seats in Bihar and 63.72 in four seats in Jharkhand. With Mondays polling in Rajasthan, voting on all 25 Lok Sabha seats has been completed. During the day, violence was reported from West Bengal and Jammu and Kashmir. Arjun Singh, BJP candidate in West Bengals Barrackpore, alleged that he was attacked by Trinamul Congress workers. The BJP sought repolling in Barrackpore from where former railway minister and senior TMC leader Dinesh Trivedi, who is also the sitting MP, is contesting. Bomb explosions were reported from outside a booth at Hingli in Bangaon constituency following a clash between two groups allegedly owing allegiance to the TMC and the BJP. Two persons were injured. There were reports that a CPI(M) agent was beaten up and driven out of a booth in Arambagh constituency. A presiding officer at a booth in Tarakeswar was removed after one person, allegedly belonging to TMC, was seen casting votes on behalf of others there. In Jammu and Kashmir, polling took place in Ladakh Lok Sabha constituency and also in Pulwama and Shopian districts of Anantnag Lok Sabha seat. In Shopian, two polling booths were set on fire. Militants lobbed a grenade towards Rohmoo polling station and set off an explosion at another polling booth in Tral in Pulwama but no one was injured in the two incidents. Barring a few reports of poll boycott and EVM glitches, voting was largely peaceful in Bihar. One person was taken into custody in Saran for damaging an EVM. The voting process was delayed by around 30 minutes in six polling stations of Saran, two in Madhubani, one each in Sitamarhi and Muzaffarpur constituencies due to technical glitches in EVMs, said an official. Meanwhile, in a development which may send worrying signals within the BJP, senior party leader Ram Madhav told a foreign news agency that the party might fall short of simple majority. Speaking to the news agency, Mr Madhav said, If we get 271 seats on our own we will be happy. With NDA we will have a comfortable majority. The party will make up for expected losses in the north Indian states it swept in 2014 with new gains in the northeast, as well as in West Bengal and Odisha, Mr Madhav said. The NDA government will pursue pro-growth policies if it returns to power as it has not shifted from a focus on economic reforms to one based on populist cash handouts, he said. The conservative forecast by Mr Madhav, who is the BJPs national general secretary, is far below what other party leaders, including finance minister Arun Jaitley and party president Amit Shah, have publicly claimed. 'My worst fears have come true, and all hope of justice and redress from committee have been shattered,' woman said. Justice Gogoi had denied the womans allegations and said he was being targeted as he is slated to hear several important cases. (Photo: File) New Delhi: The woman who levelled charges of sexual harassment against the Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi said on Monday that she was highly disappointed and dejected by the clean chit given to him by the three-member in-house panel of the Supreme Court. The former SC employee said she would decide on the next step after consulting her lawyer. The complainant said gross injustice has been done to her as a woman citizen of India. The court notification said that the full report did not need to make public. The woman said she was terrified because the in-house committee, despite having all material placed before them, appears to have given me no justice or protection and said nothing about the absolutely mala fide dismissals and suspensions, indignities and humiliations suffered by me and my family. I and my family remain vulnerable to the ongoing reprisals and attack and are extremely scared and terrified. "I am at the verge of losing faith in the capacity of our system to deliver justice to the weak and vulnerable who are pitted against the powerful within the system itself," read a statement from the woman. Today, my worst fears have come true, and all hope of justice and redress from the committee have been shattered, she said in her statement. After the hearing, the committee said that she would not be provided a copy of the report. The woman said she has no way of comprehending the reasons and basis for the summary dismissal of my complaint of sexual harassment and victimisation. On April 30, the woman walked out of the proceedings and said she had lost faith in it because she was not allowed to be accompanied by her lawyer and the proceedings were not being recorded. The complainant had detailed the alleged wrongful dismissals and indignities in a sworn affidavit sent to 22 judges of the apex court on April 19. Justice Gogoi had denied the womans allegations and said he was being targeted as he is slated to hear several important cases. "There has to be bigger force behind this, they want to deactivate office of Chief Justice" he said, adding the independence of the judiciary is "under threat". Supreme Court stated that the three member in-house committee has found no substance in complaint made by former employee against CJI. New Delhi: A three-judge inquiry panel probing the allegations of sexual harassment against Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi by a former woman employee of the court has found no substance in the allegations and has given Chief Justice Gogoi a clean chit in the matter. The in-house committee, comprising Justices S.A. Bobde, Indira Banerjee and Indu Malhotra, said it did not find any substance in the allegations, which first surfaced on April 19 when the alleged victim wrote letters to all the judges of the Supreme Court. A statement from the Supreme Court secretary-general on Monday said: The in-house committee has submitted its report dated May 5, in accordance with the in-house procedure, to the next senior judge competent to receive the report. A copy has also been sent to CJI Gogoi. The statement said: The in-house committee has found no substance in the allegations made by the former Supreme Court employee in her complaint dated April 19. It said as per the judgment in the case of Indira Jaising vs Supreme Court of India, the report of the committee was not liable to be made public. The complainant said gross injustice had been done to her and she was dejected and disappointed with the outcome. My worst fears have come true and all hope of justice and redress from the highest court of the land have been shattered. I will consult my lawyer and decide on the next steps. Today, I am at the verge of losing faith in the idea of justice, the woman said in a statement. On April 30, the woman who made the allegations opted out of the Supreme Court probe into the allegations against the Chief Justice, alleging that the atmosphere of the inquiry was very frightening. The allegations of the dismissed staffer had appeared in news reports on April 20. The complainant used to work at Justice Gogois home office in New Delhi. At a special sitting held on a Saturday, the CJI had described the allegations as unbelievable and said there was a larger conspiracy against him. He said some bigger force wanted to deactivate the office of the Chief Justice of India. The complainant had said: I was compelled to walk out of the committee proceedings on the third day because the committee seemed not to appreciate the fact that this was not an ordinary complaint but was a complaint of sexual harassment against a sitting CJI, and therefore it was required to adopt a procedure that would ensure fairness and equality in the highly unequal circumstances that I am placed. She said: I had hoped the approach of the committee towards me would be sensitive and not one that would cause me further fear, anxiety and trauma. I have not been informed if the committee has sought any response from the CJI to my complaint and I have been left guessing and anxious on all these matters. She said she joined and participated in the committee proceedings in good faith on April 26 and 29 with the hope that this committee would proceed in a manner that was fair to her and sensitive to her circumstances. Despite the fact that the committee was an in-house committee of sitting judges junior to the CJI, and not an external committee, she joined the proceedings with a lot of hope considering that the committee comprised of such eminent judges. When she requested the committee to inform her about the procedure to be followed by the committee, to follow the requirements of the Vishakha guidelines and the Prevention of Sexual Harassment Against Women at the Workplace Act, she was told it was an informal inquiry and no assistance of a lawyer would be rendered to her. Supporting the victims stand, Justice D.Y. Chandrachud wrote a letter to Justice Bobde on May 2, seeking the inclusion of a retired woman judge as an external member. The letter suggested the names of retired judges Justices Ruma Pal, Sujata Manohar and Ranjana Prasad Desai. Justice Chandrachud also urged the panel to address the grievances raised by the woman complainant such as allowing her legal assistance by a lawyer, and to appoint an amicus curiae to assist her, but the panel did not take this letter into consideration. Madhav expects the BJP to penetrate inside Odisha, West Bengal and the North East holding on to its electoral score in the North. New Delhi: Expecting to garner more seats in the east and the northeast, the general secretary of the Bharatiya Janata Party Ram Madhav is confident of sealing a comfortable victory in the 2019 general election. In an interview to NDTV, Madhav said, "We won't need anyone to form the next government, we are confident." Negating the attempts made by Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao (KCR) of forming a government without the support of the BJP or the Congress, Madhav said, "Many leaders like KCR, Chandrababu Naidu dream of becoming kingmaker. When we have king, where is the need for a kingmaker?" In this election, Madhav expects the BJP to penetrate inside Odisha, West Bengal and the North East holding on to its electoral score in the North. On oppositons charge of nationalism and national security linked to the Pulwama terror attack and Indias retaliation with air strikes in Pakistans Balakot being miused by Modi during his election campaign, Madhav dismissed the same saying, Mr Modi spoke about nationalism, national security for only five minutes during his speeches. The rest of his political speeches were on development projects. Five phases of elections are over with few key constituencies yet to vote. Varanasi, from where PM Modi is contesting, shall vote on May 19. Zero polling was witnessed from the villages of other top militant commanders in south Kashmir. Wani's Shareefabad village in the Tral area decided to give a miss to the elections as no one from the village went to exercise their franchise. (Photo: File) Srinagar: Nobody from the village of Burhan Wani, the poster boy of terror group Hizbul Mujahideen, voted Monday, while just 15 from the native place of Pulwama suicide bomber, who nearly brought India and Pakistan to a war, cast the ballots, officials said. Also, zero polling was witnessed from the villages of other top militant commanders in south Kashmir, the hotbed of militancy in the valley, they said. Wani's Shareefabad village in the Tral area decided to give a miss to the elections as no one from the village went to exercise their franchise. Just 15 votes (of the total 350) were polled In Gundibagh, a village that hit the international headlines on February 14 after one of its residents Adil Dar became a suicide bomber for Jaish-e-Mohammed terror group and triggered a blast in an explosive-laden car near a CRPF convoy killing 40 personnel, the officials said. The incident on February 14 dramatically escalated the tension between India and Pakistan. Also, zero voting was recorded from Noorabad, the village of Zakir Musa, the so-called chief of Ansar-Gazawat-ul-Hind terror group; Beighpora, the village of the incumbent Hizbul Mujahideen commander Riyaz Naikoo; and Sheikhpora, the village of Mudassir Khan, the mastermind of February 14 terror strike, said the officials. Wani's killing in an encounter with security forces in 2016 had triggered a massive unrest in the valley that left nearly 100 people dead and thousand others, including security forces, injured. Elsewhere, deserted roads and the overwhelming presence of security personnel marked elections in the militancy strongholds of Shopian and Pulwama districts, part of the Anantnag Lok Sabha seat, that recorded three per cent voting with over 25 per cent stations not recording any polling at all. Keep yourself updated on Lok Sabha Elections 2019 with our round-the-clock coverage -- breaking news, updates, analyses etc all. Happy reading. The present matters and contempt petition (criminal)... Be listed together on May 10 at 2 pm, the bench said. New Delhi: Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi was left perplexed on Monday as a mysterious mix-up, allegedly by the court staff, prevented the Supreme Court from simultaneously taking up the review petition in Rafale case and the contempt petition against Congress president Rahul Gandhi for attributing his chowkidar ki chor remarks to the top court. Both the matters will now come up for hearing on May 10. We are little perplexed that the two cases are listed on two different dates when the order was that these matters will be heard together, said a visibly upset CJI Gogoi. The bench, also comprising Justices S K Kaul and K M Joseph, said it had made it clear on April 30 that both the matters would be heard together but despite that, the contempt petition was not listed for hearing along with the review pleas on Monday. This is the problem. There was order for listing both the matters together. We had dictated the order in an open court but it says one case on May 6 and other on May 10. How can this be done? said the bench. After a brief hearing, the bench ordered that the review pleas and contempt petition against Mr Gandhi be listed together for hearing on May 10. The present matters and contempt petition (criminal)... Be listed together on May 10 at 2 pm, the bench said. The top court also asked parties in the cases to make an endeavour to complete the hearing on May 10 itself and directed them to file responses to replies of Union of India. At the outset, advocate Prashant Bhushan, who is one of the petitioners in the case along with former Union ministers Yashwant Sinha and Arun Shourie, told the bench that there were three pleas before the court. Mr Bhushan said besides the review plea there were two other applications, one, seeking perjury action against unknown government servants for allegedly misleading the court during the Rafale case hearing earlier and, the other, seeking production of documents. Where is the connected matter of contempt? asked the bench, before expressing displeasure over the mix-up over the dates of the two related matters. Senior advocate Vikas Singh, appearing for one of the petitioner lawyers, Vineet Dhandha, referred to the top courts April 30 order and said the contempt petition was listed for hearing on May 10. Mr Bhushan also informed the top court that the Centre is yet to file reply in a perjury petition filed by Mr Sinha, Mr Shourie and others. Attorney-general K.K. Venugopal submitted that the government is yet to receive notice on that petition. The CJI then pointed out that the government had proceeded to file reply in the petition for producing documents, even without notice. Cannabis could come to the beach cities. This is how Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Mr Modi praised the Odisha governments pre-cyclone and post-cyclone efforts. Bhubaneswar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday made an aerial visit cyclone-hit Puri and Khurda district of Odisha and reviewed the post disaster relief and restoration work under taken by the state government. Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik also accompanied the PM during the visit to the affected pockets. Soon after his return from the affected districts, the PM held a review meeting at Biju Patnaik international airport with the CM Mr Patnaik and senior officials of the state government. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Mr Modi praised the Odisha governments pre-cyclone and post-cyclone efforts. Because of the pro-active efforts of the Naveen Patnaik government, at least 12 lakh people were evacuated to cyclone-shelters. This is not a small feat. Besides, the state government has been able to restore water and power supplies to majority of the affected people. This is quite praiseworthy, said the PM. The PM announced Rs 1000 crore special interim assistance for Odisha and assured to release more funds after submission of the complete cyclone damage report by the state government. He also announced Rs 2 lakh ex-gratia each for the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50 each for the injured persons. As many as 34 persons have officially been killed in Fani while the unofficial sources said nearly 45 people have died. Puri district reported highest number of 21 deaths. During the review meeting, CM Naveen Patnaik submitted a memorandum of the Prime Minister urging him to release Rs 17,000 crore Rs 10 crore for building cyclone-resistant electric infrastructure and Rs 7,000 crore for building five lakh cyclone-resistant pucca houses in coastal districts. The chief minister also urged the Prime Minister to take steps for building of cyclone-resistant telecommunication infrastructure in coastal parts of the state. Odisha faced three major cyclones in recent years - Phailin in 2013, Hudhud in 2014 and Titli in 2018. Besides, it faced a severe drought in 2015. Hence, the Union government should provide central assistance in 90:10 ratio for different Central-sponsored schemes. Besides, the Centre must consider the state governments demand for Special Category State status for Odisha, considering that it always battled natural disasters, the state governments memorandum mentioned. Rao met Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan in Trivandrum on Monday and discussed the Federal Front and sought the support of left parties. Hyderabad: With the 2019 Lok Sabha election drawing to a close, Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) president and chief minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao has stepped up efforts for the formation of the Federal Front in the post poll scenario. On Monday, Mr Rao flew to Kerala on a special flight and will proceed to Tamil Nadu. He also talked to Karnataka chief minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on the phone on Monday. Mr Rao is assuming that neither the BJP nor the Congress will get a majority to form the government at the Centre and thus regional and other national parties will have a role to play if they are united under a Federal Front. Mr Rao met Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan in Trivandrum on Monday and discussed the Federal Front and sought the support of left parties. He will meet Mr Stalin on May 13 in Chennai. The latter two leaders have discussed the formation of a Federal Front earlier too and Mr Stalin welcomed the proposal. In fact, the DMK is a partner in the United Progressive Alliance led by the Congress party and they have tied up for the parliamentary elections in Tamil Nadu. Mr Rao wants the support of the DMK for the federal front in case the Congress is not in a position to form the government. Karnataka chief minister H.D. Kumaraswamy called up Mr Rao on Monday and discussed the latest political situation, according to the chief ministers office (CMO), which stated: Karnataka chief minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on knowing about CM KCRs visit to Kerala and Tamil Nadu had a telephonic talk with KCR. Elections are over in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala, hence Mr Raos visit to these states. The final phase of the elections will be held on May 19. In the weeks gap before the results are announced, Mr Rao is planning to meet Mamata Banerjee, Mayawati, Akhilesh Yadav and other regional party leaders. He may also go to Delhi to meet some national leaders about the formation of the federal front. Former CM holds march to highlight power crisis in Madhya Pradesh. Bhopal: Former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhans lantern march organised in Bhopal on Sunday evening to highlight power crisis in the state, has created flutter in Bihar politics. Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leaders on Monday took the opportunity to attack Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar saying that lantern alone can shine Bihar, as demonstrated by Mr Chouhan. RJD leader and former Bihar deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav tagged a picture of Mr Chouhan holding a lantern during the march in his Twitter account and posted a comment that while Prime Minister Narendra Modi was saying in Bihar the age of lantern was gone, Mr Chouhan was moving around with a lighted lantern. This indicates Mahagathbandhan (grand alliance) in Bihar is winning (2019 Lok Sabha elections) hands down, the Twitter post said. Another RJD leader took to Facebook thanking Mr Chouhan for popularising RJD symbol in Madhya Pradesh, while a party colleague of him wondered if the former MP chief minister and BJP national vice-president has joined the RJD. Madhya Pradesh, which was a power surplus state till six months ago, is currently witnessing unscheduled power cuts in several parts of the state causing inconvenience particularly to farmers in the state. Incidentally, MP chief minister Kamal Nath was forced to cast his vote with the help of light of his cell phone following the power cut in the polling booth during the period on April 29. Mr Chouhan said even Congress candidates have been forced to carry mobile generators while campaigning in their respective constituencies in the ongoing LS polls in the state. The jab came after PM Modi dared Mamata Banerjee to arrest him for the 'Jai Shri Ram' chant. 'You say 'Jai Shri Ram' and force others to say it,' Banerjee said. (Photo: File) Bishnupur: The war of words between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee escalated as the leaders attacked each other over chants of "Jai Shri Ram". After PM Modi dared Mamata Banerjee to arrest him for the chant, the Trinamool Congress chief questioned him as to why he has not built "one Ram Temple" but is busy chanting "Jai Shri Ram". "You BJP babu, you say 'Jai Shri Ram' but have you built even one Ram temple? At the time of elections, Ram Chandra becomes your party agent; you say 'Ram Chandra is my election agent'. You say 'Jai Shri Ram' and force others to say it," Banerjee said at a rally in Bishnupur on Monday. The construction of the Ram Temple has been a priority issue for the BJP and has found its place in the party manifesto. It has talked about an "expeditious construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya". Banerjee's attack comes soon after PM Modi, at a rally in Jhargram, dared her to "throw him in jail". "Didi has thrown people into jail for chanting 'Jai Shri Ram'. I thought of greeting her with the chant so she can throw me behind bars, too. I will then serve the innocent people who are in jail for chanting in praise of Lord Ram," the Prime Minister said. PM Modi was referring to a recent incident where three people were reportedly arrested for allegedly chanting "Jai Shri Ram" when the Chief Minister's convoy was passing by. A video showing Mamata Banerjee fuming at some people in the West Midnapore district for chanting "Jai Shri Ram" had been widely shared on social media. On Monday, while addressing a rally at Jhargram, Ms Banerjee had said, "You cannot force someone to raise slogans - the slogan you want to give to the people. We respect Lord Ram and know how to give him proper respect. I will say Jai Hind, Vande Mataram, Maa-Mati-Manush-er jai, Trinamool Congress-er jai, but never the slogan which the BJP wants people to say." West Bengal is voting in seven phases and two more phases are scheduled for May 12 and 19. Results will be out on May 23. Keep yourself updated on Lok Sabha Elections 2019 with our round-the-clock coverage -- breaking news, updates, analyses etc all. Happy reading. Prince Harry 'over the moon' as Meghan gives birth to a boy. Prince Harry said that both mother and baby were "doing incredibly well" as he gave a short statement to British television news outlets. (Photo: Instagram @kensingtonroyal) Windsor: Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, has given birth to a boy, her "over the moon" husband Prince Harry revealed to the world on Monday in a low-key announcement intended to protect their privacy. Prince Harry said that both mother and baby were "doing incredibly well" as he gave a short statement to British television news outlets, without either in sight, in front of Windsor Castle's horse stables. "I am very excited to announce that Meghan and myself had a little boy early this morning -- a very healthy boy," a beaming Harry said in the video statement. "As every father and parent would ever say, your baby is absolutely amazing. "But this little thing is absolutely to die for. So I am just over the moon." Buckingham Palace said the boy, seventh in line to the throne, was born at 0526 local time (0426 GMT), weighing seven pounds and three ounces (3.26 kilograms). Meghan, who is mixed race, was an actress in the United States before marrying Harry last year at Windsor Castle. The women's rights campaigner has been hailed as a breath of fresh air in a stuffy institution. A royal spokesman did not reveal whether 34-year-old prince and Meghan, 37, opted for a home birth at their new Frogmore Cottage home on the royal family's Windsor Estate, west of London, or went to a nearby hospital. The birth in Windsor breaks with the tradition followed by Harry's brother William and his wife Kate, whose three children were all born at St Mary's Hospital in London. Harry and William were also born in the same hospital. Harry and Meghan wanted to keep the arrival of their first child "private", Buckingham Palace said last month, and the announcement was made some nine hours after the birth. That contrasts with William and Kate, whose three children, Prince George, 5, Princess Charlotte, 4, and Prince Louis, 1, were immediately shown off to the world's media. Prince Harry said Monday he expected to introduce the newborn to the nation, and announce his name "in probably two days time". Meghan's mother overjoyed Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Charles and Prince William were among the royals informed, as were the sisters and brother of Harry's late mother Diana, a royal statement said. Meghan's mother Doria Ragland is with her daughter at Frogmore Cottage and was "overjoyed by the arrival of her first grandchild," it said. Downing Street added to the well-wishes as news of the royal birth broke Monday afternoon in Britain. "Congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex on the arrival of their baby boy," Prime Minister Theresa May said on Twitter. "Wishing you all the best at this happy time." The BT Tower in central London scrolled a message of congratulations, while the London Eye will later turn red, white and blue in honour of the birth. Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury who married the couple last May, also shared his joy on social media. "May God bless the new family with love, health and happiness," he said. Incredibly proud Prince Harry and Meghan revealed they were expecting their first baby in October, at the outset of a 16-day tour of Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga. Commentators believed the baby, the Queen's eighth great-grandchild, was due in late April and Britons have been on tenterhooks when the month ended without news of the birth. There was fevered speculation in recent weeks over everything from the newborn's gender and name -- to whether it will have Harry's ginger hair. The prince said the couple were still thinking about names. "The baby's a little bit overdue so we've had a little bit of time to think about it," he added. Names including Arthur, James and Albert are now hotly tipped by British bookmakers to be chosen by the couple. Prince Harry was present for the birth, describing it as "the most amazing experience I can ever possibly imagine". "How any woman can do what they do is beyond comprehension," he said. "I am so incredibly proud of my wife." Despite the understated nature of Monday's announcement, some royal enthusiasts gathered in Windsor and at Buckingham Palace, where a framed notice of the birth went on display on a ceremonial easel placed on the forecourt. "I'm very excited," Amanda told AFP. "It would have been nice if it wasn't so discreet," she added. The Australian actor wins his defamation case against Sydney newspaper publisher, in spite of testimonies by two female co-actors. Oscar-winning actor Rush won his defamation case against a Sydney newspaper publisher and journalist over reports he had been accused of inappropriate behaviour toward an actress. (Photo: AP) Canberra: Oscar-winning actor Geoffrey Rush won his defamation case on Thursday against a Sydney newspaper publisher and journalist over reports he had been accused of inappropriate behaviour toward an actress. The 67-year-old Australian had sued The Daily Telegraphs publisher and journalist Jonathon Moran over two stories and a poster published in late 2017. Australian Federal Court Justice Michael Wigney ruled that Rush had been defamed. Wigney awarded an initial payment of AUD 850,000 (USD 610,000) in damages, but lawyers will return to court on May 10 when the judge determines damages for economic loss and costs. The reports alleged inappropriate behaviour toward co-star Eryn Jean Norvill by Rush, while he was starring in the Sydney Theatre Companys production of King Lear in 2015 and 2016. Rushs lawyer Bill McClintock told a three-week trial that ended in November that the actor might never work again because of the newspapers reports. Rushs phone may not ring with job offers and he may never regain his confidence and desire to work, his lawyer said. Rush outside court thanked his family for their support during this harrowing time. There are no winners in this case. Its been extremely distressing for everyone involved, he told reporters. He argued that the newspaper, which used a headline King Leer, portrayed him as a pervert and sexual predator. Wigney was scathing of the newspapers reporting. This was, in all the circumstances, a recklessly irresponsible piece of sensationalist journalism of the very worst kind. It was difficult to avoid the conclusion that it was calculated to damage, the judge said. Norvill, who played Lears daughter Cordelia in the production, did not speak to the newspaper before the articles were published, but agreed to testify for the newspaper at the trial. The 34-year-old actress testified that while she was playing dead, Rush stroked his hand across the side of her right breast and on to her hip during a preview performance. Rush denied allegations that he deliberately touched Norvills breast, her lower back under her shirt when they were backstage or making lewd gestures and comments toward her. Wigney said on Thursday he did not find Norvills evidence credible or reliable while he accepted Rushs testimony. Norvill said outside court she stood by her evidence. I never wanted these issues dealt with by a court. This case has caused hurt for everyone, Norvill said. There are no winners, only losers. Sydney Theatre Company had said in a 2017 statement Norvill complained of Rushs inappropriate behaviour after the production ended. At the time the complaint was made, the complainant requested that the matter be dealt with confidentially, and did not want Mr Rush notified or involved in any investigation, the statement said. The company said it complied with the request in the interest of the complainants health and welfare. Norvill said on Thursday she would have been content with an apology and a promise to do better. We need to make genuine, cultural change in our professions and industries, Norvill said. We can do it, but only if we acknowledge and confront with honesty the problems and the complexities of the power imbalances in our workplaces. The Daily Telegraphs editor Ben English said he was reviewing the judgment. We are disappointed with Justice Wigneys findings, in particular his dismissal of Eryn Jean Norvills evidence, English said in a statement. We disagree with his criticisms of her and she has our full support. In an unrelated allegation, Orange Is the New Black actress Yael Stone told The New York Times in December that Rush engaged in sexually inappropriate behaviour when they starred in The Diary of a Madman in 2010. The 33-year-old told the newspaper that Rush danced naked in front of her in their dressing room, used a mirror to watch her while she showered and sent her occasionally erotic texts. In a statement, Rush said the allegations are incorrect and in some instances have been taken completely out of context. Rush won the best actor Oscar in 1996 for his portrayal of pianist David Helfgott in Shine and was nominated for roles in Shakespeare in Love, Quills and The Kings Speech. He is also famed for his portrayal of Captain Barbossa in the Pirates of the Caribbean films. He received his nations highest civilian honour in 2014, the Companion of the Order of Australia, for service to the arts. Canada lists three whale species as threatened. COSEWIC noted that Sowerby's Beaked whales are particularly susceptible to noise pollution as the species uses sound to navigate and hunt. (Photo: AFP) Toronto: Canadian scientists on Monday listed three types of whale that swim its waters, including two of the world's largest species, as threatened. Sei whales were classified as endangered while Fin and Sowerby's Beaked whales were found to be "of special concern" by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). In a statement, the independent panel, whose reports form the basis of Canada's conservation efforts, blamed human activity for the predicament of the marine giants. The cetaceans, it said, get tangled in fishing gear or are killed in collisions with an "ever-increasing" number of large ships navigating Canadian waters. Because they evolved in quieter seas, noise from ships, naval exercises and seismic exploration also "impedes their communication and survival," the panel said. COSEWIC noted that Sowerby's Beaked whales are particularly susceptible to noise pollution as the species uses sound to navigate and hunt. Sightings have recently increased in a marine protected area off Nova Scotia's Atlantic coast that offers whales a respite from the clamour. The panel urged the creation of more refugees, including in international waters, to reverse the whales' decline. "Species don't care about borders," COSEWIC chair John Reynolds said in a statement. "We need to address threats as a global community. No country can save these species on its own." The announcement coincides with Monday's release of a UN report on biodiversity warning that as many as a million species are threatened with extinction due to mankind's destruction of the planet. The PM complained that the CM did not allow her government officials to attend a meeting for assessing the damage. Kolkata: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday charged Trinamul Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee with playing politics to satisfy her ego by ignoring his two phone calls to her on Cyclone Fani relief operations in West Bengal. He complained that the West Bengal chief minister did not even allow her government officials to attend a meeting with him for the assessment of damage in the morning. Mr Modi argued that Ms Banerjee has been silent over Indias success in getting Maulana Masood Azhar designated as a global terrorist by the United Nations to protect her votebank. The PM also dared her to arrest him for shouting Jai Shree Ram slogan which landed three people behind bars recently. Amidst the fifth phase of Lok Sabha election, Mr Modi told a rally at Tamluk in East Midnapore, Speedbreaker Didi of West Bengal tried in every possible way to play in politics over this cyclone even. In the aftermath of the cyclone, I tried to talk to Mamata Didi over phone. However, Didi has so much ego that she didnt have a word with me. I kept waiting assuming that she might ring back to me. But she did not. Still I called her for the second time. The PM alleged, I was worried over the plight of the people in West Bengal. Thats why I wanted to talk to Mamata Didi as she is the chief minister here. But Didi did not talk to me then. Can you imagine how much Didi remains worried about her politics? She is not bothered about people of West Bengal. The country has always suffered loss due to the habit of playing politics over the peoples welfare. A brake has been applied on the development of West Bengal just because of such attitude of Didi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi claimed, Even this morning, I tried to understand the loss due to cyclone by doing an assessment at a meeting with the administration officials here. I wanted to know what kind of help the Government of India can offer. But this Speedbreaker and egoistic Didi didnt allow it too. Keep yourself updated on Lok Sabha Elections 2019 with our round-the-clock coverage -- breaking news, updates, analyses etc all. Happy reading. There were small blisters on the right ring and middle fingers. The indelible ink has caused a partial burn on the fingers of two women polling booth officers who were assigned the task of inking voters when the city went to polls on April 29. Mumbai: The indelible ink has caused a partial burn on the fingers of two women polling booth officers who were assigned the task of inking voters when the city went to polls on April 29. Initially the two of them thought that the swelling on their fingers would reduce in two to three days after election duty however when it did not, they consulted a dermatologist. The dermatologist from Thane civic hospital, who did not wish to be named, said that indelible voters ink typically did not cause any harmful effects and such instances were shocking as patients were complaining of pain, swelling, burning sensation and black staining of the fingertips of both hands. Patients reported to our emergency on the third day, with erythema and swelling on their fingers and the adjacent palm indicating strong allergic reaction. There were small blisters on the right ring and middle fingers. There was extensive staining of the fingers with ink. There was no history of allergy to any drug or known allergens, he said. Professor Dipa Thanekar (46) from a government-aided college told The Asian Age, We were applying ink on the voters fingers and I was placed at the Ghatkopar polling booth. Ive been doing election duty since last eight years but this time, my hand movements were restricted due to pain and swelling. Another polling booth officer, Rajshree Birankar (45), said, At the end of polling day, the tips of most of my fingers were stained with ink. By late evening, I started feeling a burning sensation near my fingertips. The next day, I had swelling, pain and redness on all fingers and a small blister. For long, environmentalists have been asking for a single integrated car depot for both metro 3 and metro 6 lines. Mumbai: The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has sought public consultation for the elevated metro 6 (Lokhandwala-Jogeshwari-Vikhroli-Kanjurmarg) corridor. Activists have been pushing for an underground metro 6 so that the car shed for metro 3 (Colaba-Bandra-Seepz) and metro 6 can be integrated, which would save 33 hectares of green cover in Aarey Colony. According to the public notice published by the MMRDA, the development body has finalised the terms of reference for the preparation of the Enviro-nmental Impact Assessm-ent report, and has undertaken preparation of the Social Impact Assessment report. The MMRDA will hold the public consultation on May 21 between 11:00 am and 1 pm at the New MMRDA office. However, activists have called out the development body for starting the work on the metro 6 line before any public consultation. The work is going on in full swing at the JVLR and Lokhandwala areas. What is the use of holding a public consultation when the alignment has already been finalised? We hope that the MMRDA listens to our objections and suggestions if they are serious about the consultation, said Zoru Bhathena, a Mumbai-based activist. For long, environmentalists have been asking for a single integrated car depot for both metro 3 and metro 6 lines. If metro 6 becomes underground, then the underground metro 3 can easily connect with the former and the car depot for the Colaba-Bandra-Seepz line can go to Kanjurmarg. This will save 3,500 more trees and the flood plain of the Mithi River in Aarey, said Amrita Bhattacharya, a member of the Aarey Conservation Group. Pochettino urges Spurs to make history Mauricio Pochettino has challenged Tottenham to seize their unexpected chance to make history as they try to overturn a 1-0 deficit against Ajax in the Champions League semi-final second leg on Wednesday. Pochettino is convinced Tottenham can still reach the club's maiden Champions League final despite losing the first leg in north London last week. Many pundits and fans claim Tottenham have blown their opportunity after Donny van de Beek's strike gave Ajax a priceless lead to defend in Amsterdam. Tottenham go into their biggest game for decades on a low note after losing 1-0 at Bournemouth on Saturday, a defeat that stopped them wrapping up a place in next season's Champions League via a top-four finish in the Premier League. It was a third successive loss in all competitions for Tottenham, who finished with nine men after red cards for Son Heung-min and Juan Foyth. Fortunately for Tottenham, they are still all but certain to finish at least fourth after Arsenal and Manchester United were both held to draws on Sunday. Tottenham are three points clear of fifth-placed Arsenal heading into their last league game of the season against Everton on Sunday and a draw will be enough to ensure their return to Europe's elite club competition. But before that Tottenham, trying to reach their first European final since the 1984 UEFA Cup, have to focus on the challenge presented by Ajax's vibrant young side. Having already eliminated Real Madrid and Juventus this season, Ajax showed their vast potential against Tottenham in the first leg and should have been further ahead after Van de Beek's opener. Tottenham improved slightly in the second half, but largely looked toothless without the suspended Son and injured top scorer Harry Kane. Crucially, Pochettino will have Son back from his ban for the second leg and the South Korea forward should give his team a far more dynamic look. Pochettino remained upbeat despite the frustration of losing to Nathan Ake's last-minute goal at Bournemouth, and the Tottenham manager hopes his confident attitude transfers to his players against Ajax. "We have ahead two 'finals' against Ajax and Everton and it's in our hands to be in a good position at the end of the season," Pochettino said. Although Tottenham will know they have missed a golden opportunity to reach the final if they don't succeed in the second leg, Pochettino is adamant his players have done more than enough already to make him proud of their efforts this term. Hamstrung by playing most of their home games at Wembley before finally moving to their new stadium and without a signing for the last two transfer windows due to the cost of that o1 billion arena, Pochettino's work this season deserves praise. Pochettino isn't satisfied with merely competing with the big guns and has already called on Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy to give him the funds required to turn them from contenders to champions. But, while the Argentine is yet to win a major trophy in his managerial career, he has steered Tottenham to the brink of major success with his deft handling of a tricky situation. "No-one believed we'd be in this position in the last week of the competition," Pochettino said. "We are in a position where it depends on us to be in the (Champions League) final or not and then it depends on us to finish in the top four. "It's a massive week and that's why we need to move on, try to recover as soon as possible and be ready again but whatever happens I am going to feel proud." Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo were released as part of an amnesty of 6,520 prisoners by President Win Myint. The journalists were awarded the Pulitzer Prize for international reporting last month. (Photo: AFP) Mumbai: After spending more than 500 days in jail, two Reuters journalists who were arrested in 2017, were released on Tuesday. Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo were released as part of an amnesty of 6,520 prisoners by President Win Myint. The journalists were awarded the Pulitzer Prize for international reporting last month. Im really happy and excited to see my family and my colleagues. I cant wait to go to my newsroom," Wa Lone said. At the time of their arrests, they had been working on an investigation into the killing of 10 Rohingya Muslim men and boys in a village in Rakhine state. Their arrest was seen as an assault on press freedom and raised questions about Myanmar's democracy. The timeline of the key events in the case: December 12-13, 2017: Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo are arrested in Yangon after being invited to meet police at a restaurant. They were charged under the Official Secrets Act. For the next two weeks, the duo was held at a secret interrogation camp. December 18, 2017: Myanmar military said that it has discovered mass graves in the village of Inn Din, in western Rakhine state. December 27, 2017: The reporters were produced in the court and were remanded into custody. January 10, 2018: Pre-trial hearings began seeking charges against the journalists under the Official Secrets Act. On the same day, Myanmar military said its soldiers murdered 10 captured Muslims, whose bodies were those discovered by the security forces in the mass gravess. February 1, 2018: A police witness, Major Min Thant said under cross-examination that the information in the documents the reporters were holding during the time of their arrest had already been published in newspapers. The court denied the bail request. February 6, 2018: Police witness Second Lieutenant Tin Htwe Oo, who testified that he was part of the arrest team, said he burned the notes he made at the time, but gave no reason for his act. February 8, 2018: Reuters published the investigation that the reporters had been working on. It described how security forces and local Rakhine Buddhists were involved in the killing of the 10 Rohingya Muslim men and boys buried in the mass graves at Inn Din. February 11, 2018: The government said the action will be taken against the members of its security forces in connection with the killing but it is not related to Reuters report. February 28, 2018: A civilian witness for the prosecution read from notes on his hand when asked about the location of the journalists arrests. When challenged he said he wrote on his hand to jog his memory while testifying because he was forgetful. March 7, 2018: A police officer who took part in a post-arrest search of Wa Lones family home testified that officers were looking for material related to news. March 28, 2018: Lawyers for Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo asked the court to throw out the case as there was insufficient evidence to support charges against the pair. March 29, 2018: Prominent human rights lawyer Amal Clooney joined the legal team representing the two Reuters reporters. Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo are being prosecuted simply because they reported the news, Clooney said in a statement. April 20, 2018: Prosecution witness Police Captain Moe Yan Naing told the court that a police brigadier general had given orders to entrap Wa Lone by giving him secret documents and then arresting him. Prosecutors later argued that Moe Yan Naing should be declared an unreliable witness, however, the judge rejected the request. April 29, 2018: Moe Yan Naing was sentenced to a year in prison for violating Myanmars Police Disciplinary Act by talking to Wa Lone. May 16, 2018: Police Lance Corporal Naing Lin, the officer Moe Yan Naing said was ordered to entrap Wa Lone, told the court he met the reporters, but denied giving them documents. June 11, 2018: A senior police officer denied during cross-examination by defence lawyers that the reporters were held at an interrogation camp, mistreated or asked if they were spies during questioning. Afterwards, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo disputed this account, and said they were handcuffed and questioned every two hours by different officers for about three days during their two-week detention period at the Aung Tha Pyay police special branch interrogation centre. July 2, 2018: Prosecutors and defence lawyers delivered final arguments in the pre-trial phase of the case. July 9, 2018: The court charged Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo with breaching the colonial-era Official Secrets Act. Both journalists pleaded not guilty to the charges, and told the judge they followed journalistic ethics. July 16, 2018: Wa Lone gave the first detailed account to the court of the night he and Kyaw Soe Oo were arrested. He said that Police Lance Corporal Naing Lin had called him at least twice on December 12 and demanded a meeting at which the officer abruptly handed both reporters some papers. He said they were arrested by plainclothes officers almost immediately after Naing Lin gave him the papers, which he did not have, time to look at. July 17, 2018: On the second day of testimony, Wa Lone described how police deprived him and Kyaw Soe Oo of sleep for about three days and placed black hoods over their heads while transporting them to the interrogation centre. Wa Lone said the interrogation focused on their reporting of the Inn Din killings, rather than on the documents they are accused of obtaining. July 24, 2018: Kyaw Soe Oo testified that he was forced to kneel on the floor for hours after police found images of the men killed at Inn Din on his phone. August 4, 2018: US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called for the immediate release of two Reuters reporters at a meeting with Myanmar Foreign Minister Kyaw Tin on the sidelines of a regional conference in Singapore. August 6, 2018: Defence witnesses testified to the integrity of the two journalists, with former teacher Ye Naing Moe, director of Yangon Journalism School, praising both reporters as curious and excellent students who had won multiple awards for stories focusing on the underprivileged and social issues. They were jailed for revealing the truth, he said. August 20, 2018: Yangon district judge Ye Lwin announced he will deliver his verdict on August 27. September 3, 2018: Myanmar court sentenced both journalists to seven years jail each for violating the state secrets act. Sentence prompted global outrage and called for release from US, UK and UN as Reuters denounced the "false charges". September 13, 2018: Suu Kyi pilloried after breaking her long silence on the case only to defend the court decision. "They were not jailed because they were journalists" but because "the court has decided that they had broken the Official Secrets Act", she said. January 11, 2019: Yangon High Court judge dismissed an appeal. The pair could take the case to Supreme Court for consideration or hope for a presidential pardon. May 7, 2019: The duo was released as part of an amnesty of 6,520 prisoners by President Win Myint. The Annual Survey of Education Report 2018 records that one-third of those schooled till Class 8 cannot even read a Class 2 text. Most recently, to deal with widespread elite complaints of voting machines being hacked though no credible evidence was ever available the EC enabled printing out of the vote. A duality of capacity and intent casts a patina over elections in India. At one end, battery-powered, surround-sound hologram discs worn around a party workers neck shock and awe while belting out the BJPs message in remote Himachal Pradesh. At the other end, the less well-endowed Aam Aadmi Party in metropolitan Delhi is falling back on traditional, direct public contact via volunteer foot soldiers, despite the attendant risks of getting physically assaulted by irate discontents in Delhis sweltering heat, as Arvind Kejriwal did. Duality also pervades the functioning of the Election Commission of India while ruling on complaints about breach of the Model Code of Conduct by the Prime Minister. Principled dissent by one commissioner dims the shine from the clean chits given, thus far, by the EC. On process, there is a delicious irony in the EC striving for international standards to protect the vote of large swathes of barely literate voters through state-of-the-art, standalone electronic voting machines, introduced two decades earlier as a manipulation-proof solution to the erstwhile pervasive problem of booth capture and the resultant stuffing of ballot boxes with fraudulent votes. Most recently, to deal with widespread elite complaints of voting machines being hacked though no credible evidence was ever available the EC enabled printing out of the vote. Each voter can now challenge the machine instantly, if an incorrect vote is registered. Never mind that one-third of voters cannot read. A triumph of process over substance. The Annual Survey of Education Report 2018 records that one-third of those schooled till Class 8 cannot even read a Class 2 text. This factoid illustrates the duality of State action deep commitment to protect the periodic political rights of the top two-thirds, while ignoring the basic human development needs, like functional education, of the bottom one-third, particularly women. The recent book by psephologists Prannoy Roy and Dorab Sopariwala, The Verdict, estimates that 21 million women are missing from the electors list. Despite one-fourth of people living away from where they were born, no arrangements exist for domestic work migrants to vote from where they work. But enthusiasm abounds for facilitating NRIs to do so. Duality is also embellished by the tradition of massive, hugely expensive election meetings with thousands of supporters taken in buses to a central point so that star campaigners the ECs nomenclature for top leaders of recognised political parties can jet hop daily to address several events across states. These jamborees achieve little. They dont allow a dialogue between national leaders and local voters. The rhetoric is anodyne and sufficiently generic to be repeatable, with minor variations, across multiple locations. But it becomes incomprehensible to local voters. National leaders often fail to engage the crowd beyond entertaining it via mud-slinging and bragging the more scathingly humorous the better in the earthy manner patented by Lalu Prasad Yadav. The BJP invariably highlights the strong government it has provided as evidenced by standing up to China in the Doklam crisis; launching the cross-border surgical strikes and airstrikes punishing Pakistan for covertly aiding terrorism in India and now its success in getting Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar labelled as a global terrorist by the UN Security Councils sanctions committee an illustration of Indias rising international clout and external stature. The riposte from the Congress remains that the strength or weakness of a nation should be judged by the results its government delivers on the ground income growth, jobs and the well-being of the bottom half and not linked merely to the rising prosperity of a few at the top or their overseas cheerleaders. Both accuse each other of being corrupt and self-serving. The BJP fingers the Congress for being soft on Islamists. The latter accuses the BJP of crony capitalism, being anti-dalit and anti-farmer. Visiting dignitaries launch their broadsides at each other and then scoot. But the reality of national politics lies in local, municipal issues, managed through quiet backroom work by local cadres stitching together alliances based on past affiliations, favours done and received and future promises. It is this ground level patchwork of loyalties which determine how people actually vote. The BJP has better community networks in urban areas courtesy the RSS. The Congress, ironically, is better placed in rural areas, where the sun has been setting for the past three decades, ever since economic liberalisation in 1992. Duality also afflicts the trope that secular governance is at risk if the BJP wins a second term. This narrative is roundly rejected by the BJP, which maintains it only seeks a level playing field especially so for Hindus, by ending the electoral muscle of the minority community pocket boroughs. Its multi-regional alliances are evidence of this. Besides the Shiv Sena, which has a history of Maratha chauvinism, the key allies of the BJP Shiromani Akali Dal in Punjab, Nitish Kumars Janata Dal (United) in Bihar, the AIADMK in Tamil Nadu; as well as half-allies like the Biju Janata Dal in Odisha; potential allies like TRS in Telangana or Jaganmohan Reddys YSR Congress in Andhra Pradesh; do not buy into Hindutva. Is it sheer opportunism which allows these parties to sleep soundly with the BJP even as Akhilesh Yadav of the Samajwadi Party and Mayawati of the Bahujan Samaj Party in Uttar Pradesh; the Left Front in Kerala; Sharad Pawars Nationalist Congress Party; Mamata Banerjees Trinamul Congress and the Congress see aligning with the BJP as abhorrent to their ideals? This begs the question whether the loose Opposition Mahagathbandan merely others the BJP just as the BJP others Muslims? Can it be that the BJPs Hindutva stance is just a periodical, political convenience during elections, rather than a binding, real-time, social objective? What future might Hindutva hold for lay Hindu leaders like Narendra Modi or Amit Shah versus the stoic mystique and spiritual prestige of a religious leader like Yogi Adityanath? Is there a yawning duality within the BJP, between the political convenience of playing the harsh, Hindutva tune just enough to keep the communal pot boiling versus working actively towards handing over real political power to the sants and mahatmas who represent the core of Hindutva? There are more questions than answers here. But these contrary, often conflicting themes are cracks through which the truth slips, thereby retarding an open, mutually rewarding, synergistic relationship between Indias voters and political parties. The US has been clear that ties can only improve once Pakistan is deemed to have delivered adequately in Afghanistan. I have maintained for some time now that the peace effort in Afghanistan will produce a workable outcome. My optimism flows from the fact that the US is serious about getting to one. For years, the US system was divided on the wisdom of a negotiated settlement. No more. President Donald Trump jolted his establishment into pursuing an end to the war in earnest. The US machinery remains in overdrive to make something happen through the ongoing talks. But I wonder now if we are overstating the keenness among other key actors in achieving the same. Indeed, the way the deck is laid out, we require irrational behaviour from brutally self-interested actors to get to a solid deal. At least as the theory of negotiations goes, this is not a good place to be in. There is increasing chatter about Afghan President Ashraf Ghani playing spoiler. He has been coalescing political forces in Afghanistan to raise the costs for the US and others to isolate him. He has constantly signalled that any deal his government hasnt directly negotiated cant be accepted. Troubling, but rational. He is not doing well politically and, by all accounts, will likely lose a fair election unless there is some major development in his favour. Pakistans calculus isnt devoid of perverse incentives either. Even as the US and Pakistan seem to be collaborating closely on the peace process, I pick up sceptical voices reminding decision-makers that Pakistans objective in partnering with the US on Afghanistan isnt only peace on its western border. It is also to revive the presently broken US-Pakistan bilateral ties. There hasnt been any progress on this count. The US has been clear that ties can only improve once Pakistan is deemed to have delivered adequately in Afghanistan. The sceptics, however, have a different view: with Pakistans utility in Afghanistan reduced in a post-settlement Afghanistan, the US will be even less willing to engage Pakistan positively. It is easy to see how one can extend the sceptics logic and argue that Pakistan should condition its support in Afghanistan on tangible concessions from the US on bilateral ties. Next, Iran. Not much to unpack here beyond stating the obvious. Irans global isolation has never aligned with the benefits of a positive Iranian role in Afghanistan (from the US perspective). With the formal designation of Irans Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist entity, the die is cast. Irans resolve to raise US costs in Afghanistan will grow further. Equally little needs to be said about Indias dislike for the shape of the current peace bid in Afghanistan. Any viable peace deal will legitimise the Talibans role in Afghanistan. To add to Indias worries, if the sun begins to set on US troop presence as part of the deal, India would lose the hard security umbrella that enabled it to successfully expand its development footprint in Afghanistan post-9/11. It makes little sense for India to support either. Finally, the Taliban. For the most part, their desperation for political legitimacy and the keen recognition of the impossibility of a military victory makes them a genuinely pro-peace deal player. And yet, one is hard-pressed to point to any meaningful concessions from their side since the Doha talks began. Among the various theories explaining the Talibans intransigence, the one that worries me most is that they have a lingering sense the US president will sooner or later tweet his way to an abrupt pullout. On the other hand, no matter what deal they strike, they must go through a complicated process of convincing their fighters that they havent sold out to the US. If so, would they prefer playing the delaying game rather than sincerely negotiating a compromise deal? Is this what is happening in Doha? If the world is to see a viable negotiated settlement in Afghanistan, these perverse incentives need to be addressed immediately. Else, we may fall short, with detrimental consequences for Afghanistan, its neighbours, and US national security. By arrangement with Dawn In India, the Narendra Modi governments changes in foreign policy are both cosmetic and substantive. It may be useful to analyse the possible impact on Indian foreign policy of the looming May 23 Lok Sabha results. Three possible scenarios are -- a government led by the BJP, perhaps without a majority on its own; or a similar alliance led by the Congress; or an alliance led by a Third Front leader, albeit supported by either the BJP or the Congress. A less likely, but not improbable, scenario could be a BJP-led government under someone other than Narendra Modi. A similar debate has begun in America as a battery of Democrats have lined up to challenge President Donald Trump. In particular, the entry of Joe Biden, vice-president under Barack Obama, has sharpened the debate due to his legacy and experience. But Democrats dont simply want to return to the past or the Obama track. The Economist notes rumbles of revisionism. Broadly there is aconsensus on the need for restraint as an evangelical pursuit to change the world and endless wars have depleted Americas wealth and ill-served intended aims. They also agree foreign and domestic policies must not be in silos as the US, when peddling democratic values abroad, must not ignore corruption and kleptocracy. Finally, they debate whether foreign policymaking needs to be democratised rather than conducted under notional congressional oversight. The recent move to limit the Presidents war-making powers points there. A Democratic administration may return the US to the Paris Accord on climate change, rejoin the nuclear deal with Iran, albeit with suitable tweaking, return to the Nato alliance without ambiguities, and so on. Yet some elements may have been changed by President Trump irreversibly, like the bipartisan consensus on Sino-US relations is trade and investment with China needs new terms of engagement. This has implications for World Trade Organisation (WTO) reform. In India, the Narendra Modi governments changes in foreign policy are both cosmetic and substantive. The first relates more to hugging and protocol aspects that a new incumbent can immediately change, but can be expected to be persisted with by a re-elected Modi government. The second falls under following headings -- Indo-US relations; Sino-Indian relations; Pakistan and the zero terror policy; countering radical Islamic terror and Jammu and Kashmir; Gulf and Iran. It is noteworthy that the consensus on foreign policy, which last broke over the India-US nuclear deal in 2008, largely shattered in the past five years due to the highly personalised, and hyper-nationalistic diplomacy of Mr Modi. Berating the Opposition while abroad, albeit on the pretext of addressing the Indian diaspora, began its collapse. Indias readjustment to the post-Cold War world began with the P.V. Narasimha Rao government in 1991. Between him, the Atal Behari Vajpayee-led BJP government of 1998 and the Manmohan Singh-led UPA-1 in 2004, there was continuity in style and content. The US was wooed while retaining strategic independence, China engaged to incrementally expand areas of convergence, putting disputes on hold, Pakistan unsuccessfully but repeatedly tested to wean it away from terror sponsorship and accept confidence-building measures as a precursor to dispute settlement, J&K handled with a combination of hard and soft approaches, and finally a balance maintained in Indias policy towards the Gulf, Iran, West Asia and Israel. India also had a more active Look East policy, renamed Act East by the Modi government. Essentially, you act only after you look, so it was the 1991 policy continued, to balance China, help craft a new Asian security architecture through building blocks like Asean Regional Forum, East Asia Summit and even the Quad, comprising four democracies straddling the Indo-Pacific -- Australia, India, Japan and the US. A non-BJP government may begin by toning down the excessive bonhomie towards the Trump administration, which has openly backed Mr Modi, ensuring wins before and during the Lok Sabha polls. It is unimaginable that Pakistan would hand back IAF officer Abhinandan Varthaman, while Mr Modi is still threatening Pakistan, unless the US-Saudi-Emirati interlocutors assured the Imran Khan government that this was merely domestic posturing. Mr Modi claimed his threat, apparently nuclear, got Pakistan to comply. If threats worked, why did not India get consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav, detained for espionage, and had to go to the International Court of Justice at The Hague? Similarly, the rushed listing of Masood Azhar, that some reports said China was reluctant to concede during the Indian election, had a US role, about which they reminded India when seeking Irans isolation. Earlier, the UAE had conveniently deported or extradited individuals during the Rajasthan and Lok Sabha polls as these were required to nail the Congress for corruption. Desirable as cooperation is for combating corruption and terrorism, it must be balanced against insulating Indias elections from foreign interference. After all, Russia is similarly accused in America, which President Trump denies but the Robert Mueller report implicitly confirms. A non-BJP government, particularly a Congress-led or supported one, may examine what, if any, were the trade-offs. First, Indian non-retaliation was conspicuous when the US imposed duties on Indian products. Second, the US pressuring India to distance itself from Iran and Russia. Strategic independence, a core value on which our foreign policy rests, appears under pressure, if not compromised. But worse is foreign powers backing their favourites. Pakistan is another case in point. Treating J&K as a pure law and order issue and Pakistan as a lunatic asylum impervious to anything but shock treatment of surgical strikes is brazen use of neighbourhood policy for communal-baiting domestically. It may or may not win elections, but it leaves a poisoned chalice for a successor government, although its unlikely Pakistan policy will return to the romance of the Gujral-Vajpayee-Manmohan period. But no counter-terror policy can work which alienates a minority exposed to jihadi propaganda via the Internet, employment in the Gulf and travel. The Sri Lankan Easter massacre is a warning of what awaits India. ISIS and its caliphate uprooted from Syria-Iraq is mutating and re-planting wherever fertile ground is available. Africa, particularly Sahel, is harbouring fleeing and new adherents, which the April 29 video of its leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi will fuel. Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso have seen escalating attacks. British intelligence is tracking 10,500 jihadists in Sahel. How can India escape when BJP leaders are churning the communal pot for their electoral khichdi? The next government has a Herculean task to return the genie to the bottle, and counter politicisation of the military. Hopefully, Indias voters will reject this dangerous gambit and its creator, Mr Modi, whom The Economist has dubbed Agent Orange. Most important, Indias Muslims need leaders of substance who can guide, lead and advise. The suicide terror bombings in Sri Lanka took that country and the entire world by utter surprise. The Islamic State (ISIS) took its time claiming responsibility, but once it did the puzzle started to fall into place. These attacks came at a time when ISIS was considered defeated in the field and vanquished as an entity; from Fallujah to Mosul and then Idlib in Syria, it lost ground but retained its networked state and ability to direct a rump campaign outside the physical precincts of its presumed caliphate. The expected surge in Somalia and Nigeria, where the surrogate Al Shabab and Boko Haram exist, did not emerge. Neither did the efforts to find space in the Philippines in conjunction with the Abu Sayaf group. The Talibans hold over Afghanistans ungoverned parts is too strong for the ISIS to make successful incursions, as is the hold of disparate radical groups in Pakistan who dont wish to act as surrogates. Mindful of all this, it is likely that ISIS is looking to break fresh ground in order to remain relevant. Its network-based presence remains sufficiently threatening to the world, where the vulnerability of minds continues to exist. ISIS therefore is in search of areas where unexpected emergence may help through a sufficiently clandestine setup and where the intelligence networks may yet be weak. Many believe that India has little potential for an ISIS emergence because even in its heyday four years ago, a very small ratio of Indias 180 million Muslims got radicalised enough to take the plunge to travel to the caliphate territory. The presence of experienced Indian intelligence agencies whose track record, especially after 26/11, has largely been without blemish may also be an input into such an assumption. However, the ISIS wishlist may include a region or nation with democratic and secular principles of existence with a base of Muslim presence. That immediately enhances Indias vulnerability. The starting point from Sri Lanka, where a small minority of Muslims exists, could be commencement from the fringe. The level of penetration into India has somehow always been questioned. That may no longer be entirely valid. While the Tamil Nadu-based Tamil Nadu Thowheed Jamath (TNTJ) may be in strict denial of any linkage to the National Thowheed Jamath, that was allegedly responsible for the Sri Lanka carnage, there can be no denial about the fact that extremist radical ideology of the ISIS type has been spreading around the world through the Internet and by word of mouth influence of unmonitored returnees, not necessarily only from the ISIS badlands. Investigations in Sri Lanka are throwing up undiscovered networks involved with word of mouth influence, although admittedly the ISIS linkage has not fully been established despite the claims made. If ISIS has been scouting for other potential locations to showcase its relevance, there can be enough locations all over India as the spread of Muslims is not restricted to any one state. Merely the presence of Muslims is not an invitation for terrorism to establish root; such belief is just as bad as labelling all Muslims as potential terrorists. Vilifying any one segment of Muslims too is counter-productive. Radicals are those who believe in the right of existence of only their ideology and sanction the use of violence to convert all others to their belief. This is best illustrated by a captured Pakistani suicide bomber, interviewed on Geo TV, who was questioned on why he believed he was doing something for Islam when all the people killed by his potential act were also fellow Muslims. His answer sums it in the best way. He stated that none of the people who would be killed were actually Muslims because true Muslims were only those who thought and followed the faith the way he and his colleagues did. That is an actual hardcore radical of the ISIS variety which the world is battling. There are enough Muslims who are battling them too, but there are also enough confused Muslims around the world who incorrectly think that the ISIS caliphate is a true caliphate, and that they are duty-bound to support it and fight for it. Many think that India has escaped the wrath of ISIS due to the inherent strength of our plurality. While the safeguards due to plurality are in place and Indian intelligence agencies have largely marginalised radical groups set up by transnational crime syndicates and many by Pakistan, India is not out of the woods. Nothing signifies that more than the events in Sri Lanka. Indian Muslims are actually different. They are among the few who have had an opportunity to rub shoulders and share lunches with people of every faith. They participate in different religious festivals. There are cities where Hindus and Muslims sit together to decide the routes and timings of processions on days when their festivals clash; such inter-faith bonhomie can rarely be seen anywhere in the world. Yet with all that, there are maverick elements on both sides who cannot rest in peace or promote the obvious strength of their nation. An organisation such as ISIS thrives on the divisiveness created by both these segments by promoting mutual fears. The politics of divisiveness will always exist in the strongest of societies, especially in open democracies. Morals can never be dictated, they have to be perceived and to expect a hundred per cent of that is utopian. There will always be a threshold dictated by international trends. Strong societies overcome that with hiccups, just as India is currently experiencing. On one hand Pakistans strategy works towards promoting that divisiveness in India and then there is the phenomenon of an organisation such as ISIS. Their interests are quite different, but the methodology may actually be the same. We cannot claim India has firewalled itself against these efforts. There will be elements within who will be influenced by extraneous propaganda, made so much easier today by the existence of the social media. Fake messages and hate messages will continue to rule the ether waves and somewhere they will impact, just as it has happened in Sri Lanka. We have many more returnees from the Gulf than Sri Lanka has. Each one of them cannot be monitored effectively. Thus, sleeper cells do exist to rear their ugly head at opportune moments. We have seen it happen in Bangladesh, and we have now experienced it in Sri Lanka. What is required is not cliched advice but effective monitoring. The intelligence agencies have their job cut out for them. The poll rhetoric has created divisiveness and votebanks are obvious, but this cannot be allowed to convert into threats against Indias internal security. The clergy bears a greater responsibility towards the correct interpretation of the faith and there are enough sane members of it and institutions in India who can play a positive role to offset the mischief that both Pakistan and organisations such as ISIS have in mind. Most important, Indias Muslims need leaders of substance who can guide, lead and advise. The levels of ignorance within the community are extremely high, making it vulnerable to propaganda. Considering the fact that educationally well-qualified people too are seen to be vulnerable, it will need correction from within the community. That can happen only if the absolutely uncalled-for vilification of the community on the basis of unnecessary labelling is also effectively curtailed. The Dragon capsule delivered 5,500 pounds (2,500 kilograms) of equipment and experiments. Canadian astronaut David Saint-Jacques used the stations big robot arm also made in Canada to capture the Dragon approximately 250 miles (400 kilometers) above the North Atlantic Ocean. An external cable that normally comes off during launch dangled from the capsule, but it did not interfere with the grappling. (Photo: AP) A SpaceX shipment arrived at the International Space Station on Monday with a cosmic catch by a pair of Canadians. The Dragon capsule delivered 5,500 pounds (2,500 kilograms) of equipment and experiments. Canadian astronaut David Saint-Jacques used the stations big robot arm also made in Canada to capture the Dragon approximately 250 miles (400 kilometers) above the North Atlantic Ocean. An external cable that normally comes off during launch dangled from the capsule, but it did not interfere with the grappling. Welcome on board, Dragon, Saint-Jacques radioed. He congratulated ground teams for their help, in both English and French. Saint-Jacques later told Canadian schoolchildren it was a big moment of pride to grab the Dragon using the stations 58-foot (18-meter) robot arm Canadas main contribution to the space station. He became the first Canadian to use it to grab a visiting spacecraft a cosmic catch, in the words of the Canadian Space Agency. To be at the controls myself, after all these years of training, it was a very, very special moment and, fortunately, it all went well, Saint-Jacques told the schoolchildren later in the day. Its the second station visit for this recycled Dragon, which was launched by SpaceX on Saturday from Cape Canaveral, Florida. It also flew in 2017. This is SpaceXs 17th delivery to the space station; the first was in 2012. Northrop Grumman is NASAs other shipper; its Cygnus cargo ship arrived just two weeks ago. The Dragon will remain about a month, being filled with science samples for return to Earth. Its the only cargo ship capable of coming back intact. Besides one Canadian, the space station is home to three Americans and two Russians. It would help the company press its sizable advantage over online-advertising rivals. Googles 3 billion users help make it the worlds largest seller of internet ads, capturing nearly a third of all revenue, ahead of rival Facebook Incs 20 percent, according to research firm eMarketer. Alphabet Incs Google is set to roll out a dashboard-like function in its Chrome browser to offer users more control in fending off tracking cookies, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday, citing people familiar with the matter. Cookies are small text files that follow internet users and are used by advertisers to target consumers on the specific interests they have displayed while browsing. While Googles new tools are not expected to significantly curtail its ability to collect data, it would help the company press its sizable advantage over online-advertising rivals, the newspaper said. Googles 3 billion users help make it the worlds largest seller of internet ads, capturing nearly a third of all revenue, ahead of rival Facebook Incs 20 percent, according to research firm eMarketer. Total digital ad spending in the United States will grow 19 percent to nearly $130 billion in 2019, according to eMarketer. Google has been working on the cookies plan for at least six years, in stops and starts, but accelerated the work after news broke last year that personal data of Facebook users was improperly shared with Cambridge Analytica. The company is mostly targeting cookies installed by profit-seeking third parties, separate from the owner of the website a user is actively visiting, the Journal said. Apple Inc in 2017 stopped majority of tracking cookies on its Safari browser by default and Mozilla Corps Firefox did the same a year later. Google did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. The companies will jointly build the Streetmate model. It will have a top speed of 45 kilometers (28 miles) an hour and a range of 60 kilometres. German carmaker Volkswagen will join forces with Chinas NIU to produce battery-powered kick scooters, German newspaper Die Welt reported on Monday without giving sources. The companies will jointly build the Streetmate model, which has a top speed of 45 kilometers (28 miles) an hour and a range of 60 kilometres, the report said. There are multiple cafes and local street food shops in Male and the tourist islands that sell good food for affordable rates. The island life in the Maldives is as dreamy as you can imagine. The untouched groups of Maldivian islands have recently become one of the most popular travel destinations among beach lovers and water adventure enthusiasts. While the locals love tourists from all over the place, there are some very important things you must know before you pack for the Maldives. Right from respecting the local culture to the strict no alcohol policies in local islands, here's a guide for the first time traveller. Keep it clean The official Maldives Tourism board encourages responsible tourism across the 1,190 plus islands in the country to maintain the beauty of the pristine azure waters of the Indian Ocean. According to the latest reports, around 188 islands out of 1,190 are inhabited and tourism contributes to 23 per cent of their economy. To keep the white sandy beaches crystal clear and vivid sea coral vegetation alive, the government puts in a lot of effort and has strict policies on pollution. While the locals are roped in occasional cleaning drives, tourists are also encouraged to join hands keep the oceans clean and protect the natural environs of the islands. A huge emphasis is paid on not using polythene and plastic bottles, so it is advisable to carry sustainable products like jute bags, loose cotton clothes, flip flops and metallic straws that can be reused. Keep a reusable water bottle with you at all times as the sun is quite harsh in the day time and it gets very humid outdoors, so being hydrated is very important. Respect the local culture Much to our surprise, the most commonly practiced religion in the Maldives is Islam and there is a strict no alcohol policy in public places. Carrying alcohol to the country is regarded as an offence, and only resorts and hotels with valid alcohol license can serve any kind of liquor to the tourists. While chilling in the gorgeous sea beaches at local islands, one needs to be mindful of the local sentiments and beliefs. Due to strict religious sentiments, it is preferred to cover the shoulders and legs while moving within the islands and visiting local destinations. However, once you are at the beach, you can wear any kind of swimwear. Avoid carrying leather clothes, shoes and things that can be spoiled and keep waterproof bags and an umbrella handy for any untimely rains. Spend wisely Although there are phenomenal luxury ocean villas and resorts that are popular among couples, one can also look at spending a few days in local islands and experiencing the authentic Maldivian lifestyle. By buying local hand made products and sampling homemade Maldivian cuisine, you can help the local economy and get some pocket-friendly deals. One can try very many aquatic activities like snorkeling, scuba diving, para-sailing, dolphin tours, experience to stay overnight on a liveaboats, romantic dinners on sandbanks and a lot of activities by going through authorized tour operators that also provide local guide and trained professionals for conducting various activities under the water. Do carry comfortable swimwear, kaftans, swimming shorts, and tee shirts along with a good sunscreen to protect your skin from tanning. What to eat There are multiple cafes and local street food shops in Male and the tourist islands that sell good food for affordable rates. Do not forget to try the local delicacies like Mashuni (a mix of coconut and tuna with finely chopped chilli, onion, and some lemon) served with flatbread called Roshi, Rice and Garudhiya (tuna broth), Rihaakuru (tuna paste), fresh ocean fish and desserts made of sago, palm and tropical fruits like screw pine and figs. The currency used in the country is Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR), which can be converted to US dollars (USD) easily at all shops and hotels. A lot of places also accept US dollars directly for buying and selling things, so keep some cash handy when you explore local streets. How to commute The tourist islands are occupied throughout the year, but during monsoon (June and July) the footfall goes down as the sea gets rough and it becomes hard to hop islands or do underwater activities. From this season onward, a special budget flight from Go Air which costs less than Rs 15,000 for a return flight from Delhi and Mumbai to Male has started operating for Indian consumers. Once you land in Male, most local islands are connected by ferries that run on set time tables, so instead of hiring private speed boats or seaplanes that cost a bomb, one can use the public transport and save a lot of money on commuting from one island to another. Also, a very important instruction is to wear life jackets all the time while on the sea commute and keep the curtains down while the speed boats throttle in the middle of the vast ocean, so do not ignore that. Now that you know so much about this gorgeous destination and how to plan it within a budget, what are waiting for? Fly to the paradise islands and enjoy the sunny side of life. India and nations like Germany, Brazil and Japan are 'absolutely needed' as permanent members of a reformed and enlarged UNSC. Francois Delattre underlined that Paris believes the enlargement of the Security Council with the addition of a few key members is "one of our strategic priorities. (Photo:AP) United Nations: India and nations like Germany, Brazil and Japan are "absolutely needed" as permanent members of a reformed and enlarged UN Security Council to better reflect contemporary realities and the addition of these key members to the UN high-table is among France's "strategic" priorities, the French envoy to the UN has said. "In terms of policy, France and Germany have strong policy which is to work together to enlarge the Security Council and to succeed in terms of the negotiations that should lead to the enlargement of the Security Council that we consider absolutely needed to better reflect the world as it is. There is no question about it, France's Permanent Representative to the UN Francois Delattre told reporters here last week. Speaking along side German envoy to the UN Christoph Heusgen at the end of Germany's Presidency of the Council for April, Delattre emphasised that France considers that Germany, Japan, India, Brazil and a fair representation of Africa in particular are absolutely needed at the table to get towards a fairer representation of the Security Council. This is for us a matter of priority." He underlined that Paris believes the enlargement of the Security Council with the addition of a few key members is "one of our strategic priorities." Noting that when France and Germany launched their alliance for multi-materialism, he said it signifies that the two nations strongly believe in the UN as the core of today's global governance and that they strongly believe in "multi-lateralism and means that we are actively working to reform and in some respects to refound, reinvent multi-lateralism so that it is really efficient for the decades to come. India is at the forefront of efforts at the UN to push for the long-pending reform of the Security Council, emphasising that it rightly deserves a place at the UN high table as a permanent member. India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin, speaking at the informal meeting of the Plenary on the Intergovernmental negotiations on the question of equitable representation on and increase in the membership of the Security Council earlier this year, had said that on the issue of Categories of Membership', a total of 113 Member States, out of 122 who submitted their positions in the Framework Document, support expansion in both of the existing categories specified in the Charter. In short, more than 90 per cent of the written submissions in the document are in favour of expansion in both categories of membership specified in the Charter, he had said. Akbaruddin had said that while reform at the UN is a process rather than an event, there is no process known to us here that has traversed winding pathways in the manner as this process of the Reform of the Security Council." In terms of inertia too, it has no peer. While the world is not what it was when we began the process, the objections to moving forward remain the same. While the global challenges of the 21st century have multiplied, we remain divided even about the process to adopt in order to move forward, he had said. France has maintained that if the crises of recent times have confirmed the centrality of the UN, they have also reinforced the need to make the organisation more effective and more representative of the current balances in the world. "That is why France pushes for the expansion of the Security Council by supporting the accession to a permanent seat of Germany, Brazil, India, Japan, as well as a greater presence of African countries," according to the Permanent Mission of France. 2 Reuters reporters freed from Myanmar jail Reuters, Yangon : Two Reuters journalists jailed in Myanmar after they were convicted of breaking the Official Secrets Act walked free from a prison on the outskirts of Yangon on Tuesday after spending more than 500 days behind bars. The two reporters, Wa Lone, 33, and Kyaw Soe Oo, 29, had been convicted in September and sentenced to seven years in jail, in a case that raised questions about Myanmar's progress toward democracy and sparked an outcry from diplomats and human rights advocates. President Win Myint has pardoned thousands of other prisoners in mass amnesties since last month. It is customary in Myanmar for authorities to free prisoners across the country around the time of the traditional New Year, which began on April 17. Reuters has said the two men did not commit any crime and had called for their release. Swamped by media and well-wishers as they walked through the gates of Insein Prison, a grinning Wa Lone gave a thumbs up and said he was grateful for the international efforts to secure their freedom. "I'm really happy and excited to see my family and my colleagues. I can't wait to go to my newsroom," he said. Kyaw Soe Oo smiled and waved to reporters. Before their arrest in December 2017, the two had been working on an investigation into the killing of 10 Rohingya Muslim men and boys by security forces and Buddhist civilians in western Myanmar's Rakhine State during an army crackdown that began in August 2017. The operation sent more than 730,000 Rohingya fleeing to Bangladesh, according to UN estimates. The report the two men authored, featuring testimony from perpetrators, witnesses and families of the victims, was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for international reporting in May, adding to a number of accolades received by the pair for their journalism. Calls to a spokesman for the Myanmar government were not immediately answered. Reuters Editor-in-Chief Stephen J Adler said he was thrilled with the news. "We are enormously pleased that Myanmar has released our courageous reporters, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo. Since their arrests 511 days ago, they have become symbols of the importance of press freedom around the world. We welcome their return, said. Myanmar's Supreme Court had rejected the journalists' final appeal in April. They had petitioned the country's top court, citing evidence of a police set-up and lack of proof of a crime, after the Yangon High Court dismissed an earlier appeal in January. The reporters' wives wrote a letter to the government in April pleading for a pardon, not, they said, because their husbands had done anything wrong, but because it would allow them to be released from prison and reunited with their families. The Reuters journalists were released at the prison to Lord Ara Darzi, a British surgeon and health care expert who has served as a member of an advisory group to Myanmar government on reforms in Rakhine State, and a Reuters representative. "This outcome shows that dialogue works, even in the most difficult of circumstances," Darzi said. In a statement, Darzi said discussions about the pardon for Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo had involved the Myanmar government, Reuters, the United Nations and representatives of other governments but did not provide more details. Darzi had informed Reuters this year of his efforts to secure the release of the two and the company was grateful for his role in making it happen, a Reuters spokesman said. Darzi has been a member of an advisory commission that was formed to see through the advice from a panel headed by former UN chief Kofi Annan on solving the long-running conflict in Myanmar and western region in the state of Rakhine. Rakhine State, on the Bay of Bengal, was the home to most Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar. Hundreds of thousands fled to Bangladesh after a military-led crackdown on the region in 2017. The family was targeted apparently in hate crime because the motorist thought they were Muslims, police said. On April 23, Dhriti Narayan, a grade 7 student, her brother, father and other family members were crossing a road in Sunnyvale when they were struck down by a former soldier, Isaiah Peoples, 34, reportedly to be suffering from Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). (Photo: www.gofundme.com) California: More than USD 600,000 has been raised in just eight days through crowd-funding for the treatment of a 13-year-old Indian-American girl fighting for her life after an Iraq war veteran in California mowed her and her family in a suspected case of hate crime. On April 23, Dhriti Narayan, a grade 7 student, her brother, father and other family members were crossing a road in Sunnyvale when they were struck down by a former soldier, Isaiah Peoples, 34, reportedly to be suffering from Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Peoples, an Iraq war veteran, injured seven others, who were crossing the road, including Dhriti's father and her 9-year-old brother. The family was targeted apparently in a hate crime because the motorist thought they were Muslims, police said. People, who were unharmed in the incident, is facing eight counts of attempted murder and is being detained at Santa Clara County Jail with no bail set. According to a crowdfunding page, GoFundMe, set up to help the family cover her medical costs, Dhriti has suffered life-threatening injuries including severe brain injuries and is currently on life support. Since the fundraising appeal went live on GoFundMe eight days ago, more than 12,400 people have donated money and have raised around USD 605,000. The target was USD 500,000. Reuters has said the two men did not commit any crime and had called for their release. The two reporters, Wa Lone, 33, and Kyaw Soe Oo, 29, had been convicted in September and sentenced to seven years in jail. (Photo: AFP) Yangon: Two Reuters journalists jailed in Myanmar after they were convicted of breaking the Official Secrets Act walked free from a prison on the outskirts of Yangon on Tuesday after spending more than 500 days behind bars, witnesses said. The two reporters, Wa Lone, 33, and Kyaw Soe Oo, 29, had been convicted in September and sentenced to seven years in jail, in a case that raised questions about Myanmar's progress toward democracy and sparked an outcry from diplomats and human rights advocates. President Win Myint has pardoned thousands of other prisoners in mass amnesties since last month. It is customary in Myanmar for authorities to free prisoners across the country around the time of the traditional New Year, which began on April 17. Reuters has said the two men did not commit any crime and had called for their release. Swamped by media and well wishers as they walked through the gates of Insein Prison, on the outskirts of the commercial capital of Yangon, a grinning Wa Lone gave a thumbs up and said he was grateful for the international efforts to secure their freedom. "I'm really happy and excited to see my family and my colleagues. I can't wait to go to my newsroom." Before their arrest in December 2017, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo had been working on an investigation into the killing of 10 Rohingya Muslim men and boys by security forces and Buddhist civilians in western Myanmar's Rakhine State during an army crackdown that began in August 2017. The operation sent more than 730,000 Rohingya fleeing to Bangladesh, according to UN estimates. The report the two men authored, featuring testimony from perpetrators, witnesses and families of the victims, was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for international reporting in May, adding to a number of accolades received by the pair for their journalism. Calls to a spokesman for the Myanmar government were not immediately answered. Myanmar's Supreme Court had rejected the journalists' final appeal in April. They had petitioned the country's top court, citing evidence of a police set-up and lack of proof of a crime, after the Yangon High Court dismissed an earlier appeal in January. The reporters' wives wrote a letter to the government in April pleading for a pardon, not, they said, because their husbands had done anything wrong, but because it would allow them to be released from prison and reunited with their families. "Months of dialogue" The Reuters journalists were released at the prison to Lord Ara Darzi, a British surgeon and health care expert who has served as a member of an advisory group to Myanmar's government, and a Reuters representative. Darzi waited for Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo at the gates of Insein prison on a street where a group of dozens of reporters and photographers expecting a release of prisoners were also waiting. In a statement to Reuters, Darzi, 59, said the release of the two journalists came after "months of dialogue" with the government of Myanmar. "I am delighted that the Reuters reporters, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, have been granted a pardon, released from custody, and are with their loved ones once more. I know that it will come as a huge relief to their families, friends and colleagues," Darzi said in the statement. "This outcome shows that dialogue works, even in the most difficult of circumstances." Darzi said discussions about the pardon for Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo had involved the Myanmar government, Reuters, the United Nations and representatives of other governments but did not provide more detail on those closed-door talks. Reuters had no immediate comment. Darzi has been a member of an advisory commission that was formed to see through the advice from a panel headed by former UN chief Kofi Anan on solving the long-running conflict in Myanmar's western region in the state of Rakhine. Rakhine, on the Bay of Bengal, was the home to most Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar. Hundreds of thousands fled to Bangladesh after a military-led crackdown on the region in 2017. Senior Myanmar government officials, diplomats and some international representatives are meeting in Yangon to discuss Rakhine this week. "The power of dialogue must be turned towards securing a lasting peace in Rakhine State and the return of the hundreds of thousands of refugees, whose desperate plight continues. This is essential if Myanmar is to build on today's progress so that all its citizens can live together in dignity in the hope of a better tomorrow," Darzi said in the statement. Pakistan's ousted PM Nawaz Sharif will return to Kot Lakhpat Jail following the expiry of his six-week bail in a corruption case. The bail expired on Tuesday as the Supreme court rejected his review petition seeking extension in the bail. (Photo:AP) Lahore: Pakistan's ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif will return to Kot Lakhpat Jail in Lahore on Tuesday following the expiry of his six-week bail in a corruption case in which he has been sentenced to seven years imprisonment. The three-time former premier is expected to surrender himself to jail authorities in evening after Iftar and will arrive at the prison in a Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) workers' rally, which will be led by his daughter Maryam Nawaz. Sharif, 69, was granted six-week interim bail by the top court on March 26 in the Al-Azizia Mills corruption case to undergo medical treatment and he filed the petition on April 27 for permanent bail stating that he was suffering from acute anxiety and depression. The bail expired on Tuesday as the Supreme court rejected his review petition seeking extension in the bail granted to him on medical grounds. The court also rejected the former premier's plea to allow him to travel abroad for treatment. "Nawaz Sharif will return to Kot Lakhpat Jial Lahore on Tuesday in a procession of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) workers. A call has been given to the workers to gather at the Jati Umra residence of Sharif to march towards the jail along with him," PML-N spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb told news agency PTI on Monday. She said the PML-N workers are eager to come to roads against Prime Minister Imran Khan's anti-people policies and they are waiting a call from the leadership. Ms Aurangzeb said that Maryam Nawaz will accompany her father, and will be present in his car. The party has decided that she will remain with her father until he is taken into custody by the jail authorities. The Home Department Punjab earlier instructed Sharif to reach Kot Lakhpat Jail by 5 pm on Tuesday, and said his arrival in the form of a rally would be against the law. Protesting against the instructions, PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah told Pakistan-based Geo News that Sharif's bail is valid till the midnight of May 7, and questioned why he should have to reach the jail anytime before that. Sharif, three-time prime minister, has been serving a seven-year prison term at the jail since December 24, 2018 when an accountability court convicted him in one of the three corruption cases filed in the wake of the top court's July 28, 2017 order in Panama Papers case. He was imprisoned in Adiyala Jail and shifted to Kot Lakhpat Jail on his request. 6 Signs You and Your Partner Are Ready for a Pet Is Your Relationship Pet-Proof? First comes love, then comes Mr. Whiskers? As younger adults put off major milestones such as marriage, more and more are adopting animals at 35 percent, millennials now make up the largest segment of pet owners in the U.S. Should you and your partner jump on the fur baby bandwagon? Dr. Diarra Blue, a Houston veterinarian co-starring on season four of Animal Planets The Vet Life, spoke with AskMen and shared six ways to tell if a pet is right for your relationship. RELATED: How Having a Dog Will Make You Better at Dating 1. You Both Actually Want a Pet What could be sweeter than a golden retriever puppy jumping out of gift box? Answer: Having a real conversation about pet ownership first. Surprising each other with animals is cute its very storybook but its not the best idea, Blue says. Because you never know: [Your partner] may be like, Hey, I dont feel like waking up every four hours to take the dog to the bathroom. It wasnt in my morning plan to step out of bed into a pile of poop and pee. You have to have the support of everybody. Everybodys got to be involved in that decision. 2. Your Calendar Game Is on Lock Pets are like cars: To function at their best, they require routine maintenance. Something thats often overlooked is the care that a pet takes, Blue says. A lot of people think, Oh you just give them a rabies shot and thats it. No; there are other vaccines. Theres dental cleaning. Theres neutering. Theres training. If you havent already, create a couples calendar that tracks commitments big and small everything from your baes work trips to the date your Nissan needs an oil change. That way, once you bring home your four-legged pal, you can easily incorporate pet care on your shared master schedule. 3. Youre on the Same Page About Money If you and your significant other tend to bicker over the cable bill, iron out your financial differences before taking in a pet because the costs of an animal are considerable, Blue says. At his practice, for instance, a package for preventive vaccines, screenings and blood work costs up to $285 annually. Foodwise, a midsize dog can easily gobble up $70 a month, and dental cleaning runs about $400 annually. Were talking $1,500 to $2,000 a year and thats for a healthy animal, Blue says. So start by making sure your budget can accommodate Fidos overhead, then hash out a payment system with your partner. For instance, maybe you decide to divvy all costs equally, or maybe one person pays for preventive care while the other covers kibble. 4. You Dont Mind Redecorating A pet-friendly home environment is critical to an animals safety, Blue says and that may require switching up your decor. In addition to pet-proofing measures like tossing toxic houseplants (adios, pothos) and anchoring tippy bookcases to walls, Blue says its important for cat and dog owners to corral stray objects in drawers and cabinets. If you have a dog like mine that likes to eat everything, be aware: I cant tell you how many dogs I get in my hospital that literally have baby binkies in [their digestive tracts]. Dogs that have have womens underwear in them. They have small toys from a childs room, like Nerf bullets. These are things that dogs tend to eat because they learn the world through their mouths. 5. Youre Great at Dividing Duties (or Delegating) Blue and his wife, along with the couples two sons, own a Yorkie-chihuahua mix and a South African mastiff that require tons of attention no matter how hectic everyones schedule gets. I wake up at about five oclock every morning; depending on traffic, I live 45 minutes to an hour away from my hospital, Blue says. So you have to have that conversation: Whos taking care of the dogs in the morning and whos taking care of the dogs at night? Otherwise, if owners drop the ball, pets can suffer. Am I at work for eight hours and not able to come home for lunch breaks? Blue asks rhetorically. Is the dog bored and tearing up the house? Is it developing other bad habits? If you and your partner hit a patch where your time and attention are limited, be sure to enlist a backup person like a sitter or walker who can shower your pet with TLC. RELATED: Best Gifts for Pets 6. Youre Cool With a Bit of Weird Behavior Unless youre adopting a newborn puppy, chances are your pet will come into your home with some built-in behavioral quirks and maybe even some bad habits. These are things that I think [prospective owners] really dont investigate enough because they see this animal sitting in a cage or kennel the animals got the eyes going and people just fall in love, Blue says. As admirable as that is, you have to remember to that this is an animal that you should not be taking for granted. Try to find out as much as you can about the animals personality before signing those adoption papers say, by coming back for an extra visit and asking about the animals behavioral history at the shop or shelter. Then evaluate whether you really have the time and skills to help the animal acclimate to your family. You dont want to adopt a pet for a week and then be like, Oh, it didnt work out, Blue says. That can do more damage to the animal psychologically. I truly think we need to take the time to figure out what kind of pet were really getting. When Youre Ready, Heres What to Do Next If you and your S.O. decide youre ready to take the pet plunge, try searching for adorable animals in need of homes near you by entering your zip code in a database such as Petfinder, which aggregates listings from more than 14,000 organizations nationwide. Then, once you spot a potential match, reach out to the organization directly and ask about adoption requirements. Many shelters and rescue groups ask that prospective pet parents submit personal references, fill out detailed questionnaires about the home environment, and provide documentation such as rental leases and proof of employment. The better your paperwork, the more quickly your cute companion comes home with you. You Might Also Dig: Pitkin County commissioners will vote this week on changes to the intergovernmental agreement regulating the Aspen-Pitkin County Housing Authority, which will vest more power in the APCHA board and reconfigure that boards membership by adding seats for elected officials. AstraZeneca today announced positive results from the Phase III ASCEND trial of Calquence (acalabrutinib) in previously-treated patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). Results showed a statistically-significant and clinically-meaningful improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) with Calquence monotherapy compared to a combination regimen of rituximab plus physicians choice of idelalisib or bendamustine. Importantly, the safety and tolerability of Calquence was consistent with the known profile. Jose Baselga, Executive Vice President, R&D Oncology said: Calquence is the first BTK inhibitor to show benefit in a Phase III trial as a monotherapy compared to current standard-of-care combinations used in relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. We look forward to presenting detailed results at a forthcoming medical meeting. Within AstraZenecas robust development programme for Calquence, ASCEND is the first of two Phase III CLL trials expected to read out in 2019. The second is ELEVATE-TN (ACE-CL-007) in treatment-naive, front-line CLL. Calquence is currently approved for the treatment of adults with relapsed or refractory mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) in the US, Brazil, the UAE, and Qatar, and is being developed for the treatment of CLL and other blood cancers. About ASCEND ASCEND (ACE-CL-309) is a global, randomised, multicentre, open-label Phase III trial evaluating the efficacy of Calquence in previously-treated patients with CLL. In the trial, 310 patients were randomised (1:1) into two groups. Patients in the first group received Calquence monotherapy (100mg twice daily until disease progression). Patients in the second group received rituximab plus physicians choice of idelalisib or bendamustine.1 The primary endpoint is PFS assessed by an independent review committee (IRC), and key secondary endpoints include physician-assessed PFS, IRC- and physician-assessed overall response rate and duration of response, as well as overall survival, patient reported outcomes and time to next treatment (TTNT).1 About Calquence Calquence (acalabrutinib) was granted accelerated approval by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in October 2017 for the treatment of adult patients with MCL who have received at least one prior therapy. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials Calquence is an inhibitor of Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK). Calquence binds covalently to BTK, thereby inhibiting its activity2. In B-cells, BTK signalling results in activation of pathways necessary for B-cell proliferation, trafficking, chemotaxis, and adhesion. As part of an extensive clinical development programme, AstraZeneca and Acerta Pharma are currently evaluating Calquence in 26 clinical trials that are company-sponsored. Calquence is being developed for the treatment of multiple B-cell blood cancers including CLL, MCL, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, Waldenstrom macroglobulinaemia, follicular lymphoma, and multiple myeloma and other haematologic malignancies. Several Phase III clinical trials in CLL are ongoing, including ASCEND, ELEVATE-TN, ELEVATE-RR (ACE-CL-006) evaluating Calquence vs. ibrutinib in previously-treated CLL and ACE-CL-311 evaluating Calquence in combination with venetoclax and obinutuzumab in previously-untreated fit patients with CLL. About chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) CLL is the most common type of leukaemia in adults3. In the US, it accounts for approximately one in four new cases of leukaemia, with the average age at the time of diagnosis being approximately 70 years of age4. In CLL, too many blood stem cells in the bone marrow become abnormal lymphocytes and these abnormal cells have difficulty fighting infections3. As the number of abnormal cells grows there is less room for healthy white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets3. This could result in anaemia, infection and bleeding3. B-cell receptor signalling through BTK is one of the essential growth pathways for CLL. About AstraZeneca in haematology Leveraging its strength in oncology, AstraZeneca has established haematology as one of four key oncology disease areas of focus. The Companys haematology franchise includes two US FDA-approved medicines and a robust global development programme for a broad portfolio of potential blood cancer treatments. Acerta Pharma serves as AstraZenecas haematology research and development arm. AstraZeneca partners with like-minded science-led companies to advance the discovery and development of therapies to address unmet need. In October 2018, AstraZeneca and Innate Pharma announced a global strategic collaboration that included Innate Pharma licensing the US commercial rights of Lumoxiti (moxetumomab pasudotox-tdfk), and with support from AstraZeneca, will continue EU development and commercialisation, pending regulatory submission and approval. About AstraZeneca in oncology AstraZeneca has a deep-rooted heritage in Oncology and offers a quickly-growing portfolio of new medicines that has the potential to transform patients lives and the Companys future. With at least six new medicines to be launched between 2014 and 2020, and a broad pipeline of small molecules and biologics in development, we are committed to advance Oncology as a key growth driver for AstraZeneca focused on lung, ovarian, breast and blood cancers. In addition to our core capabilities, we actively pursue innovative partnerships and investments that accelerate the delivery of our strategy as illustrated by our investment in Acerta Pharma in haematology. By harnessing the power of four scientific platforms Immuno-Oncology, Tumour Drivers and Resistance, DNA Damage Response and Antibody Drug Conjugates and by championing the development of personalised combinations, AstraZeneca has the vision to redefine cancer treatment and one day eliminate cancer as a cause of death. About AstraZeneca Rice export to benefit farmers planned The government is considering an option to export rice to benefit the farmers, Agriculture Minister Abdur Razzaque said Tuesday. "We're in talks with the food and commerce ministries about it. A decision will be taken within 15-20 days after high-level discussions," he told reporters at the Secretariat. Razzaque said that only the surplus rice will be exported. "Rice export won't affect the market. Last year, we produced 1.3 million ton more than our target," he said, replying to a question. "Overall, we have about 2 to 2.5 million tonnes of surplus rice each year." The model, constructed as the direct successor of the 80 series , is currently in its fifth generation and, as it turns 25, it is getting ready to receive a facelift for the current production run later this year, offering upgraded looks, engines and new technologies.Historically, the A4 is Audis best selling model ever. Since the debut of the car decades ago, over 7.5 million cars were produced, 344,000 of them last year alone. According to Audis calculations, the A4 accounts for one in five new cars it sells.And thats not half bad, considering the carmaker currently has 17 models in its portfolio.To handle the high demand for the nameplate, Audi has gradually expanded the number of locations where it is produced. The A4 now comes from the Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm plants in Germany, from Changchun, China, and from Aurangabad, India.To mark the anniversary of the model. top brass and workers alike came together at Audis Ingolstadt facility to celebrate the event. Unfortunately, at least for now, no anniversary A4 was announced.For a quarter of a century now, the Audi A4 has symbolized the Four Rings like no other model. It stands for cuttingedge technology in the premium midrange, as well as for innovative production technologies at the highest level, said in a statement the plants director Albert Mayer.The Audi A4 is a key pillar of the Ingolstadt plant in particular. Our employees tireless commitment and passion for our brand have been and continue to be the driving force behind the impressive success story of the A4. For car lovers, the movie was a hit right from the get-go. In the opening scenes, Rossano Brazzi is driving an orange Lamborghini Miura up and down the roads in the Italian Alps, ending his trip as a total wreck after he hits construction machinery conveniently placed at a tunnel exit by his foes.It is the Miura that captured the imagination of moviegoers, the roar of its engine on the crests, the amazing interior shots showing the winding, climbing road. And for a while, some believed the car was actually destroyed in filming the scene.That was not the case, it seems, as it was soon revealed a second Miura, an already wrecked one, was used for the crash scene. But the car driven by Brazzi somehow was misplaced.For 50 years, says Lamborghini , enthusiasts and collectors from around the world searched and amassed numerous and sometimes conflicting clues, about the cars location, but with no luck.In 2018, Liechtenstein collector Fritz Kaiser bought a Miura P400 that was previously owned by a host of collectors. He decided to send the car to Lamborghini Polo Storico, the carmakers division charged with restoring and certifying Lamborghinis.After checking the cars identification, the carmaker found the P400 wearing chassis number chassis 3586 is exactly the one used to shoot The Italian Job, and the discovery was announced on Monday.Coincidence or not. the Lamborghini Miura P400 was identified exactly 50 years after the movie was released. And even if its unclear what Fritz Kaiser plans to do with it, its clear the cars price went up a notch after this announcement. As the sticker placed on mid-engined Corvette prototypes since the recent New York parading episode let it slip, the new 'Vette is scheduled to make its debut on July 18 this year.And with the engineers now completing the testing, a C8 Corvette caravan was recently spotted doing its thing on the highway.The supercars were spotted Bowling Green, KY, which doesn't come as a surprise, since that's where the Corvette is being brought to the world.So far, we know that the base model will be animated by a naturally aspirated V8 that is an evolution of the LT1 powering the outgoing C7 Stingray. And you can expect the unit to deliver around 500 ponies.On the transmission front, it seems that the Chevrolet supercar will make use of a dual-clutch unit. And while purists are crying for an optional manual, here's to hoping a potential three-pedal setup delivers proper engagement rather than just being there to tick a box.The rumor mill also talks about two other key powertrain factors. The first is a twin-turbo V8 and since fellow GM brand Cadillac already uses such an architecture, the 'Vette might just ditch the traditional power adder (think: supercharger) for the superior efficiency of turbochargers.Then there's the hybridisation rumor, which seems to be here with the aim of helping the C8 Corvette keep up with the current trends. Then again, with a front-mounted electric motor joining that TT V8 for a potential combined output of 1,000 horsepower, the new Chevy halo car might become budget hypercar hunter you can't refuse. Can you imagine a world where we get to see upcoming cars battling each other on the track before they're even revealed? Well, such a realm already exists and it's called The Nurburgring - with more and more prototype testing taking place on the infamous German track, we can enjoy spicy action and we're now here to focus on a chase involving the just-around-the-corner Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 and the Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S. 5 photos According to SpaceX, the Dragon docked with the Harmony module of the ISS, where it will spend its next month. Located at the so-called Node 2, Harmony is the work of Thales Alenia Space Italy and was built in Europe.The module provides crew quarters for 4 members as well as vital functional resources for the operation of the connected elements: the conversion and distribution of the electrical power, heating, cooling and support of data and video exchange with the ground and the rest of the ISS.The American capsule joined another American one, Northrop Grumman's Cygnus, and four Russian spacecraft - Progress 71, Progress 72, the Soyuz MS-11 and Soyuz MS-12 in becoming the sixth currently docked 257 miles above Earth. Thats the maximum the station can support at one time.This weeks launch was the 17th supply mission carried out by Elon Musks company for NASA. It carried 5,500 pounds of supplies and payloads, including experiments for examining the atmospheric carbon cycle, the use of microalgae as air recyclers and even regolith.These are just a few of the hundreds of investigations that will help us learn how to keep astronauts healthy during long-duration space travel and demonstrate technologies for future human and robotic exploration beyond low-Earth orbit to the Moon and Mars, NASA said in a statement.Space station research also provides opportunities for other U.S. government agencies, private industry, and academic and research institutions to conduct microgravity research that leads to new technologies, medical treatments, and products that improve life on Earth.Hovering above Earth since 1998, the ISS is humanitys most important and for the moment only outpost in space. The incident occurred at the weekend, NBC12 reports. Danville Police still dont have a suspect in custody and are asking the public for help in catching the guy.A car packed with teenagers was egging parked vehicles in passing, the police say for the media outlet. One of the vehicles wasnt empty and the person inside, instead of shrugging this off as a kids these days-type of thing, took out a gun and shot at the passing car, after a short pursuit.Officers say one of the targeted vehicles was occupied. That car then sped up and caught up to the teenagers. Officers say someone in that vehicle shot into the car of teenagers, striking the 16-year-old in the lower torso, NBC12 says.The teens then tried to drive the victim to the hospital, before losing control near the north end of Union St. Bridge. That's where first responders found the boy who was shot, adds the same media outlet.Based on the descriptions offered by the teens, police are now looking for a suspect driving a dark gray or black 4-door mid-size car, possibly a Nissan or a Kia. Other details about the shooter have not been made public, as neither has been the current condition of the teen shot.At this point, we might as well say it: egging might be a messy and nasty way of having fun, but shooting at whoever is doing is not the adequate response. Kids and teens tend to do the stupidest things in the name of having fun, but firing a gun at them is the opposite of making things right. Volkswagen Philippines continues to be the preferred fleet vehicle provider for CW Home Depot. From just having four Jettas for its executives to use in 2017, to having four Santanas for its managers the following year, Volkswagen has now turned over nine new Santanas for the company's top sales achievers. This brings the CW Home Depot's Volkswagen fleet to a total of 17 cars. All of the nine Santanas will be given to CW Home Depot's top sales representatives, who tirelessly call clients, and attend sales meetings with architects, builders, contractor, engineers, interior designers, and DIYers. Like all the previous cars that were turned over by the automaker, every vehicle comes with a 3-year / 100,000 km warranty, whichever comes first; 3-year warranty for paint; and another 3-year warranty for corrosion of the main steel body structure. Boeing wants to take lessons learned from the International Space Station (ISS) to meet NASA's ambitious 2024 deadline to get humans back to the moon. Driving the news: The longtime NASA contractor just finished up construction of a full-scale, ground-based model of its prototype for the space agency's lunar gateway. NASA will now start running the prototype through a series of tests. The model located in Huntsville, Alabama includes habitation and airlock modules based on Boeing's work developing the ISS. "We have a lot of cool stuff in there," David Pederson, Boeing's test team lead engineer for the gateway, said during a press briefing last week. The demonstrator includes an exercise area with a window, a galley with working water and science experiment boxes. Details: NASA hopes to launch a lunar gateway as an orbiting base of operations from which astronauts could launch to the lunar surface. Boeing is confident its gateway concept, if selected, would be ready to launch ahead of a 2024 landing. According to Boeing, the modules are designed to launch separately, with the power and propulsion module heading to lunar orbit in 2022. The habitation module would launch one year later. The modules are designed to snap together with little assembly required. But, but, but: Boeing isn't the only company working on a lunar gateway concept. Lockheed Martin has finished its demonstrator. Northrop Grumman, Sierra Nevada Corp. and Bigelow Aerospace are still working toward turning their models over to NASA for testing. As of March, the space agency says it plans to incorporate the best elements of the demonstrators into the final product, rather than going with one design. Be smart: NASA's 2024 deadline is extremely ambitious and will likely take a large influx of funding provided by Congress. However, it's unclear whether the Trump administration has enough support to make that lunar mission a reality. The agency was expected to submit its updated budget proposal in mid-April, but that deadline came and went with no word on how much NASA will need to get the job done. In theory, NASA could still aim for the moon without including a gateway in its plans. Go deeper: All eyes on NASA's commercial crew UN seeks release of migrants held in Yemen Ethiopian migrants, stranded in war-torn Yemen, sit on the ground of a detention site pending repatriation to their home country, in Aden, Yemen. Reuters, Geneva : The International Organization for Migration (IOM) called on Tuesday for the release of more than 3,000 migrants, mainly Ethiopians, who it said remain held in inhumane conditions in two detention centers in southern Yemen. The detentions began two weeks ago in the city of Aden and the neighboring province of Lahj, which are under the control of the internationally-recognized government backed by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The coalition is fighting Iran-aligned Houthi rebels who control Sanaa, the capital, and other major urban centers after more than four years of war. "Some 3,000 migrants continue to be held in two temporary detention sites in Yemen's Aden and Abyan governorates," IOM spokesman Joel Millman told a news briefing in Geneva. They include about 2,500 held in a football stadium in Aden, where aid workers are fighting disease outbreaks, he said. IOM said last week that on April 30, guards fired on migrants detained at Aden sports stadium, two of whom suffered gunshot wounds, leaving a teenage boy likely paralyzed for life. It had no further information on the incident on Tuesday. "IOM remains extremely concerned for the people being held in inhumane conditions in Aden and Abyan," Millman said. The IOM was talking to the authorities to try to get them released, he added. The U.N. migration agency had received reports that in recent days more than 1,400 people detained at a military camp in Lahj were released, he said. At least 14 migrants have died of an outbreak of acute watery diarrhea in Lahj, where IOM is treating some 70 former inmates, he said. IOM is planning to evacuate 237 Ethiopians to Addis Ababa under its voluntary repatriation program, he said. Thousands of migrants arrive in Yemen every year, mostly from the Horn of Africa, driven by drought and unemployment at home and lured by the wages available in the Gulf. "Thousands of migrants are stranded in other locations throughout Yemen," Millman said. China said Tuesday its economy czar, Vice Premier Liu He, is preparing to go to Washington, D.C., this week for crunch trade talks, as tensions between the 2 countries escalates and the U.S. tariffs deadline looms. Why it matters: President Trump has threatened to increase tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese goods from 10% to 25%. His administration has accused China of "reneging" on its trade commitments, per Axios' Jonathan Swan who noted U.S. trade representative Robert Lighthizer planned to put out a Federal Register notice Tuesday saying the tariffs increase would come into effect "the first minute of Friday. Details: Liu will visit D.C. at the invitation of Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Thursday and Friday, according to the Chinese Ministry of Commerce. Asian markets rebounded after the announcement, with the Shanghai Composite index jumping 0.7%, AP reports. Between the lines: Mnuchin has said he found Liu "very helpful to work with" and he'd built a strong relationship with the vice premier, per Swan. What they're saying: Despite the tension, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said the past 10 rounds of talks had recorded positive progress, according to the state-run Xinhua news agency. "What's most pressing at the moment is that, we hope, the U.S. side and the Chinese side will work together to meet each other half way and strive to reach a mutually beneficial and win-win agreement on the basis of mutual respect. This not only serves the Chinese interests, but also the U.S. interests. It also meets the general expectation of the international community." Chipmaker AMD, long in Intel's shadow, will be at the heart of one of the world's most powerful new supercomputers, a new Cray machine being built for the U.S. Department of Energy. Why it matters: Though such large-scale computers represent a tiny fraction of the market, they still power advanced basic research and confer bragging rights on those institutions, companies and, increasingly, nations whose devices top the annual rankings. Details: The contract between the DOE and Cray is valued at $600 million. The system, known as Frontier, is planned to debut in 2021 and is expected to be the worlds most powerful computer, with a performance of greater than 1.5 exaflops. (An exaflop is a quintillion, or a billion billion, calculations per second.) Frontier will be housed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in eastern Tennessee. It will use more than 90 miles of cable and occupy 7,300 square feet. What they're saying: "The biggest battle used to be between vendors, but the new high-performance computing bragging rights are between countries, specifically China versus the U.S." "China came out of nowhere to get to the top of the high-performance rankings, but the U.S. has reacted swiftly with its exascale commitments." Patrick Moorhead, analyst, Moor Insights & Strategy Frontier is also a big deal for both AMD and Oak Ridge. AMD has been seeking to boost its presence in the data center. "This significantly improves AMD's standing," Moorhead says. "This specific supercomputer won't be operational until 2021, so this choice wasnt based on what is in market today, but in 2021." This, he adds, shows that AMD should be competitive in high-end computing for the next couple of years. Meanwhile, Oak Ridge has worked hard to be home to the world's most powerful supercomputers, having done so three times previously since 2005 (with its Jaguar, Titan and Summit machines). The big picture: The other wrinkle in the supercomputer battle is the challenge that the big, pricey computers themselves face as Amazon's AWS, Microsoft's Azure and Google's Cloud offer much of the same performance. In some cases, they even offer some of the security benefits without the upfront cost of building your own supercomputer. "Traditional supercomputers are still very important for reduced latency, but AWS and Azure are starting to offer these capabilities," Moorhead says. Meanwhile, both Amazon and Microsoft have shown a willingness to build government-only data centers if there's enough significant business. Go deeper: TAMPA Tens of thousands of new residents about half of whom arrived from outside the U.S. flocked to Central Florida last year, making Tampa and Orlando two of the fastest-growing cities in the country. Why it matters: That influx of new arrivals is propelling Florida's population growth (second only to Texas), as well as changing the political make-up of the most evenly split part of the country's biggest swing state. Driving the news: Revolution CEO Steve Case's eighth "Rise of the Rest" bus tour swung through Florida and Puerto Rico last week to bring attention to startups and investment in cities outside of traditional tech hubs. Axios tagged along. "To me, the Rise of the Rest has always been about ending the cycle of money flowing to the same kinds of people in the same kinds of places for the same kinds of ideas," said Case. "For investors claiming it difficult to find diverse talent, Florida and Puerto Rico proved to be a geography filled with possibility." Florida, the third-largest state, got 1.3% of U.S. venture capital funding last year, while just three states California, New York and Massachusetts attracted more than 75%. Less than 10% of VC funding went to women, and less than 1% to African Americans. The big picture: The state is harnessing its increasingly diverse population to offset the long-held perception that Florida is a destination only for retirees and vacationers. That's an important pitch for the state. In Tampa alone, deaths outnumbered births by almost 900 people between 2017 and 2018, per CBS Miami's analysis of recent Census Bureau data. That means the city would have shrunk without the migration of newcomers. In Tampa alone, deaths outnumbered births by almost 900 people between 2017 and 2018, per CBS Miami's analysis of recent Census Bureau data. That means the city would have shrunk without the migration of newcomers. Re-branding itself as a place where under-represented groups people of color, immigrants and women can thrive economically is the key to changing Florida's "God's waiting room" reputation. as a place where under-represented groups people of color, immigrants and women can thrive economically is the key to changing Florida's "God's waiting room" reputation. Nationwide, the rate of entrepreneurs among immigrants is substantially higher than among native-born Americans, according to the Kauffman Foundation. The share of Latino and Asian entrepreneurs has also risen substantially since 1996, while the share of white entrepreneurs declined during that period, per Kauffman. In Orlando, two-thirds of the new residents came from outside the U.S. between 2017 and 2018. City officials estimate that 1,500 people will move to the city every week over the next decade. In the area's fastest growing county Osceola 76% of that growth will come from the Hispanic community, per the city's 2030 projections. The city also became home to tens of thousands of Puerto Ricans after the devastation of Hurricane Maria in 2017. The city rallied around its LBGTQ community in the wake of the Pulse nightclub shooting three years ago. "That was a defining moment for our city," said Jennifer Foster, executive director of OneOrlando Alliance, a nonprofit. In Miami, more than half of the population was born outside of the city, and some of the startup ecosystem's most important support organizations, venture funds and startups are led by women. The city's tagline: "An ecosystem built by immigrants, led by women." Miami was a finalist for Amazon's HQ2 (Jeff Bezos went to high school there), and it is also a finalist to be an artificial intelligence hub SoftBank wants to create in the Caribbean-Latin America region, per the Miami Herald. Between the lines: Florida is a perennial battleground state with divisions much like the rest of the country. The fastest-growing metropolitan areas tend to be more liberal and open to outsiders than the large rural areas, where the majority of voters supported Trump in 2016 and helped elect the state's Republican Governor Ron DeSantis, a Trump ally. A large part of Florida relies on lower-wage jobs in hospitality, tourism, agriculture and construction. Out of the 25 most populous U.S. metropolitan regions, Tampa, Miami and Orlando had the lowest median incomes, according to Census Bureau data. Zero income tax is a big draw to the state, but knocks include rising housing prices, inadequate transportation infrastructure and climate change concerns. Higher-wage tech jobs are on the rise, including on the Space Coast. But many of those jobs aren't coming from startups, but rather from big companies (such as SpaceX, Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin) headquartered in other states and opening up satellite operations in Florida. The bottom line: High-growth startups are typically responsible for generating the most jobs more so than established companies. Florida's biggest cities see diversity as the key to attracting entrepreneurs and investors to back them, spurring job growth and keeping younger workers in the state. Japan's aging trend is swelling the number of vacant houses in the country: There were 3.47 million vacant private homes in Japan last year, up 9.1% since 2013. That's 5.5% of the total number of houses, according to Tomohiro Ebuchi and Shohei Nomoto of Nikkei. The context: That's a lot, but the surge of housing vacancies for varying reasons is a global trend. In the U.S.: The number of vacant homes that seemingly nobody wants to rent, sell or move into rose to 5.8 million in 2016, up 56% from 2005, according to a report by Alan Mallach of the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy. The number soared in the financial crash, and is still high. In China: Jakarta is overcrowded, polluted, and sinking faster than any other city on Earth. Still, it was shocking when President Joko Widodo announced that it will no longer be Indonesias capital. What to watch: The final destination is not clear, and the capital may never get there. The Economist breaks it down. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani is expected to announce Wednesday that Tehran may withdraw in whole or in part from the 2015 nuclear deal, potentially by resuming production of high-grade centrifuges for nuclear fuel and limiting inspections of nuclear facilities. Why it matters: If Iran were to withdraw even partially from the deal, it could see its economy plummet further while military tensions with the U.S. ratchet up. Its internal power balance could also tilt more toward hardliners, who oppose any policies seen as accommodating the West. Background: Since the U.S. withdrawal from the deal, Iran has counted on European states to pressure the private sector, especially oil companies, to find ways to circumvent U.S. sanctions and continue doing business in Iran. But few large firms have been willing to risk violating U.S. law and being banned from the international banking system. As a result, Irans economy has taken a hit, with cash reserves depleting as oil exports fall 70%. Between the lines: Iran has few cards left to play in the face of the U.S. "maximum pressure" campaign. If its actions prompt Europeans to re-impose sanctions, the West would have no remaining diplomatic leverage should Iran opt for military escalation, whether directly or through its proxies in Syria and Iraq. Irans ongoing military activities across the Middle East though not the priority of U.S. diplomacy under President Obama present an arguably greater threat to U.S. regional interests than its possible development of a nuclear weapon. Trump and his cohorts, by contrast, have tried to focus on both threats at the same time. What to watch: A shift in Irans compliance with the deal could give Trump ammunition with foreign governments that have argued for trusting Tehran. Should Iran decide to attack U.S. troops in the Middle East or ships in the Gulf, there would be even fewer states willing to come to its defense. Geneive Abdo is a resident scholar at the Arabia Foundation. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made an abrupt trip to Baghdad on Tuesday amid escalating tensions with Iran and reported security threats involving U.S. presence in the region, the Washington Post reports. Details: The State Department reportedly said the unscheduled visit was due to "pressing issues," and according to AP, Pompeo explained that his trip was meant to reaffirm U.S. support for "a sovereign, independent" Iraq, free from the interference of neighboring Tehran. Pompeo also met with Iraqs president and prime minister. The Trump administration claims Iran is planning to retaliate against the United States' stepped-up sanctions, but the AP noted that "threat information remains vague." U.S. national Security adviser John Bolton said on Sunday that the U.S. is deploying an aircraft carrier strike group and bomber task force to the Persian Gulf to send "a clear and unmistakable message." Iranian officials pushed back on U.S. claims that new intelligence shows Iran is planning attacks against the U.S. and its allies in the Gulf. Go deeper: Trump's next moves to tank the Iranian economy Panama's voters decided to stick with known quantities in Sunday's presidential election, choosing Laurentino "Nito" Cortizo to succeed term-limited incumbent Juan Carlos Varela. The big picture: Panama's voters were closely divided between two former cabinet ministers from the traditional political parties, bucking a regional trend toward populist political outsiders who have brought fresh if at times unpredictable leadership to countries as diverse as Brazil, Mexico and El Salvador. Details: Cortizo, a former agriculture minister from the center-left Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD), prevailed by 33% to 31% over former foreign minister and Panama Canal Authority chairman Romulo Roux of the center-right Democratic Change Party (CD). Roux was closely aligned with former President Ricardo Martinelli, who is currently in jail awaiting trial for charges of spying on his political opponents while in office. Where it stands: When he takes office on July 1, Cortizo will reach the apex of a long political career that includes a decade in the National Assembly, a 2-year turn as agriculture minister under President Martin Torrijos, and an unsuccessful presidential run in 2008. Prior to this years campaign, Cortizo spent most of the past decade focusing on his livestock and construction businesses. Known as a fastidious cattle rancher, Cortizo has vowed to fight corruption, improve health services, reform the education system and build a new University of Panama campus. Another top agenda item will be reigniting economic growth, which exceeded 10% earlier in the decade but reached only 3.8% last year. What to watch: Cortizo has pledged to strengthen Panama's relationship with the U.S. while balancing its ties to China. The Varela government officially recognized China instead of Taiwan in June 2017, and President Xi Jinping signed 19 economic cooperation agreements with Panama during a visit last December. The Trump administration views the Panama Canal as a key strategic gateway and has expressed concern about China's growing role in building infrastructure throughout Central America. The bottom line: In a region bedeviled by populist upswells from both the right and the left coupled with unrest in Venezuela, Nicaragua and Haiti Panama's government is unlikely to make waves under Cortizo. Instead, this key U.S. ally and free trade partner will combine a business-friendly outlook with a pragmatic foreign policy to remain a stable partner in a tumultuous neighborhood. Daniel P. Erikson is managing director at Blue Star Strategies and a senior fellow at the Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement. South Africa goes to the polls on Wednesday in the first election since the legendarily corrupt Jacob Zuma was forced out of office in February 2018. Why it matters: Cyril Ramaphosa replaced Zuma both as president and as leader of the African National Congress (ANC) party, which has ruled South Africa since the end of apartheid in 1994. His supporters say he needs a big mandate to make a break from the Zuma era. Most polls show the ANC receiving a majority, a result that would guarantee a new term for Ramaphosa (presidents arent directly elected). Still, the party of Nelson Mandela is far less popular than it once was and deeply divided. Ramaphosa needs a united ANC to achieve his agenda, but he doesnt have that, a veteran ANC politician told Reuters. His enemies are going nowhere. One of the most polarizing issues Ramaphosa faces is land reform, which he has vowed to "accelerate." 25 years after apartheid, land ownership is still tilted heavily toward white South Africans. As Ariel Levy reports in a New Yorker piece published today, many black South Africans are demanding justice, while some white farmers feel under siege. Between the lines: Levy quotes someone who has discussed land reform with Ramaphosa: Cyril doesnt believe in expropriation without compensation. He got stuck with it. For a state President coming into an ailing economy, taking over the reins from a dysfunctional kleptocrat, and then having to go on a world road show to convince investors to come into the country while at the same time saying, Expropriation without compensation? Its a nightmare! U.S. trade representative Robert Lighthizer said in a briefing with reporters Monday he will put out a Federal Register notice tomorrow saying that the Trump administration will raise tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese goods from 10% to 25%, and that importers will begin paying the new tariffs "the first minute of Friday." Why it matters: The business community and markets had been cautiously hopeful that Trump's Sunday tweets were an empty threat to create leverage over China and that he'd ultimately back down. That's still possible, of course, but Lighthizer made clear he didn't think that was going to happen. Driving the news: Lighthizer said he still expects the top Chinese negotiator, Liu He, to come to Washington on Thursday, though he said he hadn't spoken to the vice premier since he and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin left Beijing last week. Mnuchin, who was also in the briefing, said he hadn't spoken to Liu He either since he left China. Mnuchin said he thought until recent days that the Trump administration was on the precipice of a "historic" deal with China one that was hyper-detailed, running to almost 150 pages. He said the past week had brought a "big change in direction for the negotiations" with the Chinese backtracking on specific commitments that they had made in writing. Mnuchin and Lighthizer wouldn't say what, specifically, the Chinese were trying to re-trade. But they both stressed that China's team wasn't squabbling over small stuff. Lighthizer and Mnuchin used words like "substantive" and "substantial" to characterize the attempted Chinese backflip. Between the lines: Mnuchin left slightly more room for another twist this week. He made a point of saying that Liu He had been "very helpful to work with" and he'd built a strong relationship with the vice premier. He said President Trump had been willing to extend the deadline on tariff hikes previously because of the "substantial progress" they'd made. Lighthizer said his interpretation of what happened was that some on the Chinese side found the commitments the negotiating team had already agreed on to be unacceptable. (Translation: The Chinese side has hardliners, too.) "I would use the word reneging on prior commitments," Lighthizer said. Mnuchin, who is less hawkish on China, left slightly more room for a last minute plot twist. He said if the Chinese come to Washington and are willing to go back to their original commitments and negotiate in good faith, then of course he and Lighthizer would take that to President Trump. But as of now, the tariffs are going ahead, he said. What's next? A reporter asked Lighthizer what he would say to American businesses who already have goods on the water headed to U.S. ports, which will face significantly higher costs if the tariffs go into effect. Lighthizer said, "There'll be ways to work out" the situation but he gave no specifics. He said it's been clear for some time that something like this a dramatic tariff increase could happen. U.S. businesses, in other words, should have been prepared for this. Muslim properties were attacked yesterday. The police did not announce any arrests or injuries. Public schools reopened today but were deserted. For Christians, Sunday liturgy was in front of the TV. Some 600 foreigners have been expelled, including 200 Islamic clerics. Colombo (AsiaNews/Agencies) Card Malcolm Ranjith, archbishop of Colombo, is calling on his fellow Sri Lankans to remain calm, this after Christian and Muslim groups clashed yesterday in Negombo. This is the first time that violence breaks out between members of the two religious communities, a sign of the tensions that reign in the country after the Easter Sunday attacks against three churches and three hotels in Colombo that left 257 people dead. "I appeal to all Christians, Buddhists and Muslims to be patient, show restraint and ensure the peace we maintained after the Easter bombings," Card Malcolm Ranjith said on national television this morning. Some videos posted online show Muslim-owned homes damaged in Negombo, windows shattered by stones, cars overturned. The police did not release any information about any arrests or injuries. The town, which is located north of the capital, is home to St Sebastian, one of three churches attacked. As a result of the clashes, the authorities imposed a local curfew until 7am this morning, to avoid further violence. Sri Lanka's main international airport is located in the area, but police said there was no disruption to airport traffic. Elite Special Task Force commandos were deployed to patrol the streets. Meanwhile, the country's public schools reopened today, after being closed as a result of the bombings. Catholic schools will however remain closed for the foreseeable future. Before reopening, the authorities carried out checks in all of the countrys 10,900 schools. Despite reassurances, very few parents took their children to school today. At Royal College, only about 5 per cent of its 6,000 students were back in classes, a school official said. Yesterday, churches stayed closed as well, whilst Card Ranjith celebrated the liturgy live on TV. He had initially announced the resumption of Masses but was forced to change his mind after receiving warnings from "reliable foreign sources". Recently, the archbishop slammed the Sri Lankan government for failing to properly manage the emergency situation. In connection with the investigations, Sri Lankan authorities announced the expulsion of 600 foreigners, including 200 Islamic clerics. Home Affairs Minister Vajira Abeywardena said that the clerics had overstayed their visas. He did not elaborate about their country of origin, but police said many foreigners who overstayed their visas were from Bangladesh, India, Maldives and Pakistan. Ukraine's former deputy prosecutor general has cast doubt on a New York Times story that reported on potential conflicts of interest involving former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden's work for a Ukrainian company, Bloomberg reports. The backdrop: In 2016, Biden threatened to withhold $1 billion in U.S. loan guarantees if the Ukrainian government did not oust prosecutor general Viktor Shokin, who had been accused of turning a blind eye to corruption. NYT reports that at the time, Shokin was investigating Burisma Holdings, a natural gas company with ties to Hunter Biden. Allegations of conflict of interest have been actively promoted by associates of President Trump namely by his attorney Rudy Giuliani, who has met multiple times this year to discuss the matter with Ukraine's current prosecutor general. What's new: Shokin's former deputy Vitaliy Kasko told Bloomberg that the investigation was not active at the time Biden made his threat, and had been "shelved by Ukrainian prosecutors in 2014 and through 2015." A spokeswoman for Ukraine's current prosecutor general said that the investigation into Burisma had not been reopened, contradicting reporting in the Times. A spokeswoman for the Times said in a statement: "We stand by our reporting, which is detailed and well documented." The Times report does note that "[n]o evidence has surfaced that the former vice president intentionally tried to benefit his son." Why it matters: Allegations of Biden using his office to exert improper influence on foreign politics have been championed by Trump allies at a time when Biden is viewed as one of the most viable Democratic threats to Trump's re-election. The pro-government majority in the Armenian parliament said on Tuesday it will avoid for now launching an inquiry that could lead to Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK) leader Gagik Tsarukians expulsion from the National Assembly. A small and reputedly pro-government party demanded last week a criminal investigation into Tsarukians entrepreneurial activities, saying that they may have violated the Armenian constitution which bans lawmakers from doing business. Prosecutor-General Artur Davtian swiftly responded by instructing the Special Investigative Service (SIS) to look into the issue. The party also urged parliament speaker Ararat Mirzoyan to set up an ad hoc ethics commission that would also scrutinize Tsarukians activities and consider asking the Constitutional Court to strip him of his parliament seat. Under Armenian law, such a commission can be formed by the parliamentary faction of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinians My Step bloc, which has a two-thirds majority in the parliament. The faction leader, Lilit Makunts, said that it will not trigger a parliamentary inquiry at least until the release of the SISs findings. At the moment it is important and interesting for us to wait for the conclusion of law-enforcement bodies, Makunts told reporters. A spokeswoman for the SIS, Marina Ohanjanian, said the law-enforcement agency will decide by May 13 whether to launch criminal proceedings against the leader of Armenias largest parliamentary opposition force. Tsarukian, who is also one of the countrys richest men, maintains that he fully complies with the constitutional requirement. He says that he owns but does not manage dozens of businesses. Accordingly, the tycoon made clear on Tuesday that he will not resign from the parliament. I will give up my mandate only when I see a country of my dreams, when the plight of the people improves, when they repay their debts, when they become prosperous and when the country develops, he said. Tsarukians parliament seat was called into question amid mounting tensions between his party and Pashinians bloc. The BHK leader strongly criticized the governments economic policies in early April. His associates did not deny last week media reports saying that all 25 other lawmakers representing the BHK will quit the parliament if their leader dose lose his seat. The United States promised $16 million in fresh assistance to Armenia on Tuesday after senior officials from the two countries held talks in Yerevan described by them as strategic dialogue. The delegations led by U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State George Kent and Armenias Deputy Foreign Minister Grigor Hovannisian discussed a wide range of issues and pledged to strive for closer bilateral ties. The conversation today started with talking about how Armenia can reform its justice system and improve anti-corruption activity, Kent told reporters. By the end we were talking about clean water, protecting the environmentally endangered animals and different possibilities of energy generation. I think it shows how many issues we talked about and the possibilities of the U.S. and Armenia working together based on shared values and shared interests, he said at a joint news conference with Hovannisian. Regional security was also on the agenda of what both sides described as the first session of the U.S.-Armenia strategic dialogue. We had a long discussion about the security in the region, not just the Caucasus but all around Armenia, and the implications when countries look to destabilize, rather than to support security and peace, Kent said in reference to neighboring Iran, with which Armenia is maintaining a cordial rapport despite the renewed U.S. sanctions against Tehran. Kent met with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian on Monday. Pashinian was cited by his press office as telling him that forging closer ties with the United States is of great importance to Armenia. Speaking in the Armenian parliament in March, Pashinian complained about Washingtons zero reaction to democratic change in his country. He seemed unhappy with the fact that there has been no significant increase in U.S. economic assistance to Armenia since last years velvet revolution which brought him to power. The U.S. ambassador in Yerevan, Lynne Tracy, countered last month that in 2018 Washington provided $26.7 million in assistance to Armenia in addition to an ongoing $66 million aid program implemented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). A memorandum of understanding signed as a result of Tuesdays talks calls for further U.S. aid. In a statement, the Armenian Foreign Ministry said the U.S. government will provide up to $16 million to support economic growth and good governance in the South Caucasus nation. In addition, it said, the USAID will allocate $6 million in support of the Armenian governments democratic reform agenda. The delegations reaffirmed the United States and Armenias mutual commitment to deepening cooperation in all areas of bilateral relations, added the statement. By Trend Over the past 24 hours, Armenian armed forces have violated the ceasefire along the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops 24 times, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said on May 7, 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 The Azexport portal contributes to strengthening the position of Azerbaijani non-oil products in foreign markets as well as facilitating trade procedures for both sides. Currently, Azexport is working to introduce new products made in Azerbaijan to the U.S. market, head of the portal Zaur Gardashov has told Trend. He said that Azexport offers access to new markets along with traditional export destinations. As a result of the portals activities, Azerbaijani products have become more common in Arab and Oceania countries. The head of portal also noted that at present, the portal features almost all goods being produced in Azerbaijan. At the moment, interest in the portal is very high. The companies that have been recently founded show high interest, since they are more interested in receiving support for entering new markets, according to Gardashov. He also stressed that to improve the effectiveness of the portal, Azexport expands the list of international electronic portals with which it cooperates. Moreover, international e-commerce experts are regularly invited by the portal management in order to increase the knowledge of local producers in this field. Gardashov also noted that Azexport helps to find new partners abroad, fully covering all export procedures. In his words, at first the portal finds potential buyers for local producers, then gives advice on the conclusion of the export contracts. Afterwards, the portal supports exporters to get certificates on export on the single window principle. Created in 2016, Azexport.az, integrated with the most popular electronic trading platforms, makes products available to potential buyers from anywhere in the world. The portal offers entrepreneurs the opportunity to export goods produced in Azerbaijan to traditional and new markets via international e-trading platforms. The mission of Azexport.az is to provide information about products of Azerbaijani origin and to be a beneficial platform for their sales in foreign and domestic markets. Azerbaijan received export orders for a total of $178.4 million through Azexport.az portal in January-March 2019. In March, the total value of export orders amounted to $32.8 million. Russia (11.5 percent), Turkey (9.9 percent), the U.S. (7 percent), India (6.6 percent) and Georgia (5.3 percent) were the top five countries in terms of export orders in March. The total amount of export orders received by the Azexport.az portal from 126 countries of the world in the period from January 1, 2017, to March 31, 2019, amounted to almost $1.2 billion. --- Leman Mammadova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @leman_888 Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Leman Mammadova In recent years, Azerbaijan has turned from an electricity importing country into a country exporting electricity. Azerbaijan, which has been exporting electricity to neighboring countries for a long time, has already begun exporting energy to European countries. Since May 1, 2019, Azerbaijan has started supplying electricity to Greece, Romania, Bulgaria and Hungary through Georgia and Turkey, Azerenergy OJSC said in a message. Azerenergy was among the winning companies participating in the auction to supply electricity to Greece and Bulgaria. The company also supplies electricity to Iran, Russia, Turkey and Georgia. In the coming months, Azerenergy plans to export electricity to Austria and Italy. In accordance with the Rehabilitation Program, Azerenergy continues to work on the restoration of lost capacity and generating capacity of the countrys power system in order to expand Azerbaijans export capacity, to ensure the reliability of the power system, as well as to meet the growing demand. It is noteworthy that Azerenergy is the main exporter of electric energy in Azerbaijan. There are over 30 power plants on the balance of Azerenergy. The total power generation capacity of these stations exceeds 6,000 megawatts, which allows generating about 24 billion kWh of electricity annually. Total electricity production in Azerbaijan amounted to 25.2 billion kWh in 2018. In 2018, Azerbaijan's electricity exports increased by 165.2 million kWh in comparison with 2017 (1.28 billion kWh), reaching almost 1.5 billion kWh. As many as 1.23 billion kWh of this amount was exported to Georgia, 121.5 million kWh to Russia, 80.3 million kWh to Iran, and 13.45 million kWh to Turkey. Generally, electricity exports from Azerbaijan to Russia, Georgia, Iran and Turkey last year increased by 14.2 percent compared to 2017. In 2018, the cost of electricity exported from Azerbaijan amounted to about $66 million, and the value of exports increased by $16 million compared to 2017. As for January-March 2019, the volume of the electricity Azerbaijan exported amounted to 891.2 million, while the cost of the exported electricity amounted to $38.5 million. Azerenergy produced 6.1 billion kWh of electricity in January-March 2019, which is 153 million kWh or 2.5 percent more than in the same period last year. Exports of electricity also increased compared to the first quarter of last year. They rose by 23 percent (30 million kWh) and reached 161 million kWh in January-March 2019. Azerbaijani government expects the power generation in 2019 at 25.5 billion kWh. This figure is expected to go up by 2 percent annually to 27.1 billion kWh in 2022. Aiming to reduce its dependency on hydrocarbons, Azerbaijan implements a number of measures for further development of alternative energy sector. According to the Market Analysis Azerbaijan 2019, the expansion of renewable electricity generation is estimated at 430 MW in 2018-2020, 840 MW in 2021-2025, and 925 MW in 2026-2030. At the same time, the share of renewables in the total power generation in Azerbaijan is expected to be 15 percent by 2020, 25-30 percent by 2025 and 35-40 percent by 2030. --- Leman Mammadova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @leman_888 Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Mirsaid Ibrahimzade Energy is the key element of cooperation between the EU and Azerbaijan, but there are plenty of fields in which potential cooperation is possible. Transportation sphere promises fruitful results and negotiations in this direction are underway. In order to expand cooperation between Azerbaijan and the EU in the field of transportation, a relevant aviation agreement should be signed in the nearest future, Kestutis Jankauskas, the EU Ambassador to Azerbaijan, told Trend. He said that the aviation agreement is an integral part of the regional transport hub project, which is the next major project of Azerbaijan. This project is equally beneficial for both the EU and Azerbaijan, Jankauskas noted. The ambassador added that a high-level dialogue on transportation with Azerbaijan began this year and it envisages different infrastructure projects. Jankauskas stressed that the parties negotiate on a new agreement on strategic partnership between the EU and Azerbaijan. We had a series of video conferences after the last round of negotiations on trade issues. The work is underway. Everything possible must be done to ensure that the text is signed as soon as possible, the EU ambassador noted. Initiative of European Commission to create a common aviation area aims to open and integrate aviation markets. This will create new opportunities for consumers and operators, and, most importantly, high standards in terms of flight safety as well as air traffic management. In November 2016, the European Council issued a mandate to the European Commission and the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy to conduct negotiations regarding a comprehensive agreement with Azerbaijan on behalf of the EU and its member states. The new agreement should replace the 1996 partnership and cooperation agreement and should better take into account the objectives shared by the EU and Azerbaijan and the challenges facing them today. It will follow the principles endorsed in the 2015 review of the European Neighborhood Policy and offer a renewed basis for political dialogue and mutually beneficial cooperation between the EU and Azerbaijan. Currently, bilateral relations between the EU and Azerbaijan are regulated on the basis of an agreement on partnership and cooperation that was signed in 1996 and entered into force in 1999. The new agreement envisages the compliance of Azerbaijans legislation and policies with the EUs most important international trade norms and standards, which should facilitate access of Azerbaijani goods to the EU markets. -- Mirsaid Ibrahimzade is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @MirsaidIbrahim1 Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Leman Mammadova Azerbaijans Agency for the Development of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) and Kazakhstans Damu Entrepreneurship Development Fund have signed a Memorandum of Understanding and adopted a road map. The memorandum was signed by the head of the Agency Orkhan Mammadov and Chairperson of the Damu Board of Directors Gaukhar Buribayeva on the sidelines of the Ulttyk Onim 2019" National Goods Exhibition in Nur-Sultan. During the meeting, the sides exchanged information on the development of SMEs in two countries and activities of their organizations, discussed issues on development prospects, exchange of experience and organization of visits. Representatives of the Agency for the Development of SMEs held meetings with representatives of a number of public and private structures of Kazakhstan within the framework of the exhibition. During the meeting of Orkhan Mammadov with Ayan Erenov, Chairman of the Chamber of International Commerce of Kazakhstan, the sides exchanged views on the expansion of relations between SMEs in both countries, organization of bilateral export missions and creation of mechanisms to assist business associations. At the meeting with Ruslan Isakov, Chairman of the Board of KazakhExport OJSC, the organization of bilateral business missions was discussed. Azerbaijan is Kazakhstan's key trade-economic partner in the Caucasus region. Located on the route of the Great Silk Road, both countries aim at the further expansion of trade and transport relations. Trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan reached $258.26 million in 2018. Exports from Kazakhstan accounted for $211.9 million of the bilateral trade, while imports from Azerbaijan made $46.3 million. Small and medium-sized businesses play an important role in development of Azerbaijans economy. Development of SMEs leads to the growth of entrepreneurship which is one of the priority directions of Azerbaijans economic policy. The share of SMEs in employment in Azerbaijan was 76 percent last year, and in recent years, comprehensive work has been carried out for the development of SMEs. In particular, inspections of business entities have been suspended and the process of obtaining licenses has been simplified. The share of SMEs in Azerbaijans foreign trade is planned to increase to 40 percent after 2025. The Agency for the Development of SMEs aims to ensure the consistency of reforms, as well as the improvement of the business regulation system and the application of effective coordination, enhancement of the role and competitiveness of small and medium-sized businesses in the country's economy, and the compliance of the management system of this sphere with modern requirements. As a single structure with special powers, the Agency organizes, coordinates, evaluates and regulates the services provided by government agencies and organizations in this area through SME houses. --- Leman Mammadova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @leman_888 Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Mirsaid Ibrahimzade Azerbaijan is one of the 29 countries in the world where the poverty level has been reduced to five percent. Sahil Babayev, Azerbaijani Minister of Labor and Social Protection of the Population, made the remark addressing the conference entitled Heydar Aliyev's Heritage and Social Policy in Baku. The minister said that the Azerbaijani state provides support to the population at its own expense, and not at the expense of loans taken abroad. Despite the existing difficulties, in 19932003, pensions and allowances increased eight times, and average wages rose six times, Babayev stressed. Touching upon the demographic policy of Azerbaijan, he emphasized positive results of it and said that the number of newborns is 2.5 times more than those who died. Further, Babayev pointed out that the minimum pension in the country is above the subsistence minimum and Azerbaijan shares the first two places with Kazakhstan among CIS countries in this regard. This is an indicator of the successful social policy pursued in Azerbaijan, he said. Then, Babayev added that of the 38,000 people who were planned to be provided with jobs this year, 94 percent or 35,730 are already employed. He also noted that in the first quarter of this year, the appointment of a disability dropped by 55 percent compared to the same period last year. The minister also added that the effect of measures for the legalization of labor activity will rise even more by the end of the year. It is noteworthy that the Friend of the Unemployed program made a huge contribution to positive statistics of employment market in Azerbaijan. In general, the program is aimed at stimulating the non-oil sector, increasing the level of employment of the population, and this is ultimately aimed at improving the living standards of the Azerbaijani citizens. The program, which is being successfully implemented in Azerbaijan, yields positive results both in various sectors of the economy and in the social sphere, and the above statistics are evidence of this. It is also noteworthy that in March, the average minimum labor pension in Azerbaijan was raised by 38.5 percent up to 160 manats. The increase covered 233,000 pensioners, including 140,000 persons receiving a disability pension. -- Mirsaid Ibrahimzade is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @MirsaidIbrahim1 Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Leman Mammadova The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is interested in expanding cooperation with Azerbaijan in energy sector, particularly in the development of renewables. Azerbaijani Minister of Energy Parviz Shahbazov has met with the UAE delegation led by Sheikh Ahmed Dalmook Al Maktoum. At the meeting, head of the UAE delegation expressed interest in cooperation in the energy sphere. He also talked about the participation as an investor in renewable energy, reduction of costs and achieving efficiency in electricity production from gas and renewable energy sources, as well as the cooperation prospects with Azerbaijans State Oil Company SOCAR. Shahbazov, in turn, stressed that relations between Azerbaijan and the UAE are at a high level in many spheres and there is a potential for their development in the energy sector. The minister noted that during the OPEC+ ministerial meeting in Baku, talks were held with the UAE and Industry Minister Suhail bin Mohammed Faraj Al Mazroui. "As a result of these negotiations, discussions have been initiated with UAEs Mubadala company, Shahbazov said. The Azerbaijani side also cooperates with UAEs Masdar company in the field of alternative energy. The minister further spoke about the complex measures being taken in the field of alternative energy, favorable conditions created for investors in Azerbaijan, as well as relevant projects. He invited the UAE businessmen to participate in the energy sector of Azerbaijan. The diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and the UAE were established in 1992. The two countries enjoy good opportunities for mutual investments, joint implementation of various projects, including agricultural sector, as well as for the creation of joint ventures, especially in tourism sector. UAE invested $2.1 billion in Azerbaijan, of which $1.3 billion was put in the oil sector, and $806 million - in the non-oil sector of the country. Azerbaijan, in turn, invested $330 million in the UAE. At present, about 300 UAE companies operate in Azerbaijan. Trade turnover between two countries amounted to $54 million in 2018. UAE exported goods worth $32 million to Azerbaijan, while Azerbaijani exports to the UAE reached $22 million. Azerbaijan mainly imports high-tech products, electronics, industrial goods and building materials from the UAE and exports fruits, juices, nuts, metal semi-finished products, etc to the country. Presently, Azerbaijan carries out a number of measures for further development of alternative energy sector, aimed at reduction of its dependency on oil and gas. The favorable geographic location and climatic conditions allow the widespread use of environmentally friendly alternative energy sources in Azerbaijan. At present, 18 percent of electricity production in Azerbaijan accounts for alternative energy sources, of which hydro power plants hold main share. Wind power maintains 59.2 percent (15,000 MW) share in the total potential for renewable energy, followed by solar power - 31.6 percent (8,000 MW), biomass power - 3.5 percent (900 MW), geothermal power - 3.1 percent (800 MW), and hydropower - 2.6 percent (650 MW). There are plans to implement a number of projects totaling $2.3 billion in alternative energy. The projects include construction of a plant for biofuels (pellet fuels) production in the Sabirabad region, construction of wind power plants in the Pirallahi district, an agro-energy residential complex in the Samukh region, etc. Construction of two wind power farms worth $800 million and $408.9 million in the Pirallahi district, as well as a wind power farm worth $377.7 million in the Khizi region are the biggest projects planned for implementation. According to the Market Analysis Azerbaijan 2019, expansion of renewable electricity generation is estimated at 430 MW in 2018-2020, 840 MW in 2021-2025, and 925 MW in 2026-2030. The share of renewables in the total power generation is expected to be 15 percent by 2020, 25-30 percent by 2025 and 35-40 percent by 2030. --- Leman Mammadova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @leman_888 Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Leman Mammadova Azerbaijan and Afghanistan are steadily developing trade and economic cooperation along with the relations in political and humanitarian spheres. The trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Afghanistan increased by 46 percent during the first quarter of 2019, Azerbaijani Minister of Economy Shahin Mustafayev said at a meeting with the Ambassador of Afghanistan to Azerbaijan Khairullah Spelenai. Mustafayev noted that the trade turnover increased by 37 percent throughout 2018. In his words, the increase in trade turnover is an indicator of the high level relations between the two countries. The minister stressed that over 15 documents have been signed between Azerbaijan and Afghanistan in the trade and economic sphere. In addition, 11 Afghan companies operating in the services, industry and transportation sectors are registered in Azerbaijan. Mustafayev also hailed the support shown by Afghanistan to Azerbaijan on international platforms. Mustafayev further noted that it would be beneficial for Afghanistan to use the transit potential of Azerbaijan due to the economic and geographical location of the country situated at the intersection of international transport corridors. He also touched upon the agreement on Lapis Lazuli route, which was signed during the Regional Economic Cooperation Conference on Afghanistan (RECCA) held in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. The minister stressed the utmost importance of this project for expanding trade and transit cooperation. In turn, Khairullah Spelenai noted the interest of Afghanistan in holding meetings of businessmen of both countries as part of economic cooperation. The ambassador also thanked Azerbaijan for the assistance provided to Afghanistan. At the meeting, the sides also discussed the ways to expand cooperation in various sectors of the economy including issues related to the activities of the joint working group. Relations between Azerbaijan and Afghanistan, based on friendship and brotherhood, have strong background. Afghanistan recognized the independence of Azerbaijan on December 21, 1991. The diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in 1994. The trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Afghanistan reached $71.5 million in 2018. Azerbaijan strongly supports Afghanistan on its path towards reaching stability. The contribution of Azerbaijan to the stability and development of Afghanistan is not restricted in the involvement in NATO operations. Azerbaijan also supports the Afghan way of reforms by its assistance in the areas of education, infrastructure and transport development, investments and enhancing the role of women in the society. Meanwhile, Afghanistan supports the fair position of Azerbaijan in the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Afghanistan supports the solution of the conflict on the basis of international law within the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. Relations between Azerbaijan and Afghanistan are developing both in bilateral and multilateral formats. --- Leman Mammadova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @leman_888 Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Abdul Kerimkhanov Azerbaijan pays great attention to the development of national cinematography. Local filmmakers have created dozens of high-quality screen works, telling about the historical past and modern life of Azerbaijani people. Azerbaijani films were presented at the 9th Varesh International Film Festival in Babol (Iran), Azerbaijani Ministry of Culture said in a message on May 6. Honored Art Worker, film director and cameraman Nizami Abbas, Azerbaijani Culture Ministrys cinematography department employee Elshad Aliyev, a young film director Zahra Mir Rza and producer Elshan Aliyev represented Azerbaijan at the festival. In her remarks on the sidelines of the festival, Zahra Mir Rza said that Caspian Sea littoral states enjoy very close cultural commonalities. She added that the festival is vital for bringing together these countries. Her film Winged Miracle competed in the international section of the festival. The film depicts a little girl whose father is in prison and wants to visit her. Zahra Mir Rza said her film has so far been screened at 21 foreign festivals. Along with "Wingless Wonder", the festivals competition program included documentary films "Azerbaijani Carpet", "Azerbaijani Mugham" and "Azerbaijani Cuisine". Along with them, the documentaries "Chovgan", "Trace ... Gala", "Heritage", "Sheki", " Who is he?", "Present", "Baku in the Mirror of Time" and "Colors of Azerbaijani Cuisine" were shown to the audience as part of the festivals "Azerbaijani Cinema Review" program. In addition, there was an event dedicated to the Azerbaijani cinema. --- Abdul Kerimkhanov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @AbdulKerim94 Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Abdul Kerimkhanov The Masalli region of Azerbaijan has hosted the "From Regions to Regions" creativity festival. The Ministry of Culture representatives, heads of regional culture departments, public representatives and artists attended the festival. The event began with a march dedicated to the 96th birth anniversary of the Azerbaijani national leader Heydar Aliyev. The march began with the Flag Square and the Azerbaijani Museum of State Attributes and ended in front of the ASAN Service Center. Exhibition tents were deployed there, in which products of various types of decorative and applied arts were presented, such as copper products, household items, kelaghayis, artistic embroidery, woodwork, etc. The exhibition also presented works of the ABAD Center masters. As at previous festivals, masters with disabilities also exhibited their works. In addition, a book corner dedicated to the Year of Nasimi was presented at the festival. In connection with the 650th anniversary of the great Azerbaijani poet Imadaddin Nasimi, President Ilham Aliyev declared 2019 the Year of Nasimi in Azerbaijan. The festival also featured a concert program with the participation of folk, music and dance groups. Delicious culinary dishes were presented at the event. The main goal of the "From Regions to Regions" project is to promote the cultural heritage of the Azerbaijani people, who have rich traditions of statehood, demonstrate the cultural potential of the regions, strengthen interregional exchange. The festival serves to familiarize with the cultural diversity of all Azerbaijani regions, the heritage of craftsmanship and art, the expansion of cultural exchange between the regions and the emergence of new initiatives. --- Abdul Kerimkhanov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @AbdulKerim94 Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend Today, Azerbaijan and the US have close partnership relations, Hikmet Hajiyev, Head of the Department of Foreign Policy Affairs of the Azerbaijani Presidential Administration, told Trend News Agency in Interview with Sahil Karimli. Commenting on the Azerbaijan-US relations, he said, "High-level mutual visits play a big role in the development of these relations. Speaking about a relatively recent period, Hajiyev first noted US Presidential National Security Adviser John Boltons visit to Azerbaijan. "During the visit, Bolton had broad discussions with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Hajiyev added. Afterwards, these contacts also continued. Telephone conversations were held. The official representatives of the US Department of State visited Azerbaijan. The visits of the representatives of the US Department of Defense and other similar official visits can be stressed." Azerbaijan appreciates the US support rendered during the first years of the state independence, he said. "The US support in the exploration of our hydrocarbon resources and their supply to the international markets contributed to strengthening Azerbaijans sovereignty during that period, he said. Today, bilateral high-level visits and development of a political dialogue have great importance for the Azerbaijan-US relations. We appreciate US President Donald Trumps support for the Southern Gas Corridor project. Thanks to the US support, this project is being implemented in accordance with the planned schedule. Hajiyev stressed that the development of bilateral trade and economic relations with the US is one of Azerbaijans priorities. "A bilateral meeting is planned to be held within the intergovernmental commission soon, he said. Azerbaijani representatives have visited the US, and new visits are being considered." Hajiyev emphasized that in relations between the two countries, cooperation in the field of security is particularly noteworthy. "Our countries closely cooperate in this sphere, he said. Azerbaijan is an important ally and partner of the US in the fight against terrorism. After the September 11 attacks, Azerbaijani great leader Heydar Aliyev made a statement declaring the country's airspace open for operations within the fight against terrorism. Today, US aircraft use Azerbaijans territory for transit purposes. The US appreciates Azerbaijans support." Hajiyev added that the positive dynamics of cooperation can be observed both bilaterally and multilaterally. "There are prospects and opportunities for attracting even bigger US investors to the non-oil sector, he said. Our US colleagues highly praise the fact that Azerbaijan has the biggest civil air fleet in the region. Most of the orders for national civil air fleet are carried out through Boeing company. Tens of thousands of new jobs were created in the US thanks to the orders of Azerbaijan Airlines through this company. The US companies are directly involved in creating satellites for Azerbaijan, he added. Thus, bilateral cooperation is mutually beneficial and serves the interests of both countries." --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend In the framework of the official visit to Azerbaijan, the delegation led by Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus, First Deputy Minister of Defense, Major General Oleg Belokonev visited a military unit, Trend reports referring to the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry. The guests got acquainted with the military infrastructure, its administrative and office buildings, and facilities located on the territory of the military unit, as well as with the soldiers' barracks, mess halls, and military equipment. They were briefly informed about the conditions created for the military personnel to perform combat and official duties. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz A new print edition of the AZERNEWS online newspaper was released on May 7. The new edition includes articles: Nations new tourism brand awarded in Dubai, FAO launches 4-year project in country, Land of Fire expects more tourists from Persian Gulf states, Trade with Mexico increases etc. AZERNEWS is an associate member of the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA). The online newspaper is available at www.azernews.az. Perhaps at no point over the past 30 years, since the recognition of the newly-independent Republic of Armenia by Turkey in 1991, have the circumstances been so auspicious as to begin a lasting and sustainable normalisation of the relations between the two nations. By Leman Mammadova Hungary, like most European countries, supports the implementation of the Southern Gas Corridor project, which is designed to supply Caspian hydrocarbon resources to Europe. Hungary is interested in gas supplies from Azerbaijan to southeastern Europe via the Southern Gas Corridor so that it also reaches Central Europe, said Peter Szijjarto, Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade. He made the remarks during the meeting attended by the foreign ministers of the Visegrad Group, the Eastern Partnership countries and Romania, which holds the European Unions rotating presidency. Were considering multiple scenarios regarding the diversification of gas supplies to Hungary, but unfortunately one solution is taking even longer than the other. Therefore, it is important to keep [the option of importing] Azerbaijani gas among possible scenarios, Szijjarto said. He urged the EU to provide full support for the development of the Southern Gas Corridor. Hungary regards Azerbaijan as a key partner in ensuring Europes energy security. Recently, it was proposed to establish a relevant working group within the Intergovernmental Commission for the development of energy cooperation between Azerbaijan and Hungary. Southern Gas Corridor project (SGC), which envisages transportation of 10 billion cubic meters of natural gas from the Caspian region to Europe, is important for Hungary in terms of diversification of energy sources. Hungary also joined AGRI (Azerbaijan-Georgia-Romania Interconnector) which would help diversify energy supply in the country. AGRI project envisages transportation of Azerbaijani gas to the Black Sea coast of Georgia via gas pipelines. Azerbaijani gas delivered to Georgia's Black Sea coast will be liquefied at a special terminal and subsequently it will be delivered in tankers to a terminal at the Romanian port of Constanta. AGRI may be considered as additional supply route for the BRUA interconnector (which is expected to connect the natural gas transmission systems between Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary and Austria), which is currently under execution. Hungary and other countries, engaged in the BRUA project may take over some of the gas volumes that could be available through the Southern Gas Corridor's infrastructure. The participants of the AGRI project are SOCAR, Georgia's Oil and Gas Corporation, as well as MVM (Hungary) and Romgaz (Romania). The Southern Gas Corridor, $40 billion worth project, envisages the transportation of 10 billion cubic meters of gas to Turkey and Europe through the pipeline, which will be operated within the second stage of the Shah Deniz gas condensate field project in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea. The Southern Gas Corridor consists of four projects: Shah Deniz 2, Expansion of South Caucasus Pipeline (Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum), the Trans Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP) and Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP). On May 29, Baku hosted the launch of the first phase of the Southern Gas Corridor project, and on June 12, the opening ceremony of the TANAP took place in the Turkish province of Eskisehir. The first gas from the Azerbaijani Shah Deniz field has already gone through the first segment of the Southern Gas Corridor - from the Sangachal terminal to the expanded South Caucasus Pipeline. --- Leman Mammadova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @leman_888 Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend Re-contracting of Azerbaijan project vessels helped Topaz Energy and Marine of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to increase Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) margin, Trend reports citing the company. The full deployment of the Tengiz fleet under Solutions, re-contracting of Azerbaijan project vessels and robust focus on efficiencies resulted in the strengthening of our EBITDA margin to 58 percent from 50 percent in the same quarter of the previous year, said the company. The report shows that the companys Q1 2019 revenue increased to $114 million, up 73 percent compared to Q1 2018 ($66 million); EBITDA increased by 100 percent to $66 million in Q1 2019 against Q1 2018 ($33 million). Our market-leading utilisation rates continued at a leading 86%, driven by full deployment in our Solutions business through the Tengiz project, the predicted redeployment of our project vessels in Azerbaijan and the stability of our MENA & subsea fleet. With all 20 Tengiz vessels now earning their full operational day rate, we saw the full impact of the project during the quarter, and all vessels have been safely re-activated from their planned winter hibernation, Rene Kofod-Olsen, Chief Executive Officer, Topaz Energy and Marine said. Topaz Energy and Marine (Topaz), a leading offshore energy logistics company based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) signed contract extensions for 12 of its vessels currently supporting the offshore operations of BP Exploration (Caspian Sea) Limited (BP) in Azerbaijan. Under the terms of the agreement, seven of the offshore support vessels will be under contract until 2025, three until 2023 and two until 2022. The vessels will continue to support BP's work on the Shah Deniz and Azeri-Chirag-Guneshli (ACG) fields in the Azerbaijan sector of the Caspian Sea. Topaz Energy and Marine is a leading international offshore support vessel company providing logistics support and marine solutions to the global energy industry with primary focus on the Caspian Sea, the Middle East, West Africa and global Subsea operations. Headquartered in Dubai, Topaz Energy and Marine operates a fleet of about 120 offshore support vessels with an average age of approximately 8 years. Topaz Energy and Marine is a subsidiary of Renaissance, a publicly traded company listed on the Muscat Securities Market in Oman. In addition, Standard Chartered Private Equity holds a minority position in the company. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Abdul Kerimkhanov Uzbekistan and South Korea build mutually beneficial relationships, starting with economy and investments and ending with global security issues. The South Korean company Hyundai plans to start production of electric vehicles in the Kokand free economic zone, Podrobno.uz reported. The President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev was presented this project during his visit to the Fergana region. Mirziyoyev approved it and noted the need to pay special attention to quality and to meeting the deadlines for its implementation, the presidential press service informed. Earlier, the South Korean company representatives announced plans to build a plant in Namangan region with an annual production capacity of 3,000 trucks and buses. The enterprise will assemble trucks with a carrying capacity from one to 50 tons, as well as intercity, international and tourist buses, and special vehicles. "At the first stage, 8-20 cars per day and 1,000 cars per year will be produced here. Within three years, this figure will be increased to 3,000, that is, 2,000 trucks and 1,000 buses, Hyundai noted. Initially, the spare parts will be imported from South Korea, but then, in accordance with the localization program for three years, the production of components will be gradually mastered in Uzbekistan. Diplomatic relations between Uzbekistan and the Republic of Korea were established on January 29, 1992. Uzbekistan is the main trading partner of South Korea among the countries of Central Asia. Uzbekistan accounts for over half of the trade turnover of South Korea with the states of the region. There are representative offices of more than 70 South Korean companies in Uzbekistan, and over 630 enterprises with South Korean investments. In 2018, more than 150 enterprises with South Korean investments were formed. The main areas of their activity are oil and gas, petrochemicals and chemicals, mining, engineering, electrical engineering, textile, information and communication technologies, transport and logistics, tourism, production of building materials, as well as processing of agricultural products. The volume of trade between the two countries amounted to more than $2 billion in 2018, which is 57 percent more than in 2017. --- Abdul Kerimkhanov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @AbdulKerim94 Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend Vice-President of Asian Development Bank (ADB) Shixin Chen and Uzbekistan Deputy Prime Minister, ADB Governor for Republic of Uzbekistan Elyor Ganiyev signed loan agreements for the Horticulture Value Chain Infrastructure Project and the Second Tashkent Province Water Supply Development Project during ADB Annual Meeting in Fiji, Trend reports with reference to ADB. At the bilateral meeting, VP Chen and Ganiyev also discussed the upcoming country partnership strategy for Uzbekistan, the 2019 assistance pipeline, and regional cooperation projects. As Trend reported earlier, the Asian Development Bank has approved $105.3 million loan to help rehabilitate and expand the regional water supply system in the Yangiyul and Chinaz districts of Tashkent province in Uzbekistan delivering safe potable water to over 220,000 people. Tashkent province, Uzbekistans largest and most economically advanced region generating almost 25 percent of the countrys gross domestic product, suffers from pervasive urban service limitations, particularly in water supply and sanitation (WSS). The Second Tashkent Province Water Supply Development Project will finance the rehabilitation and improvement of the VU-1 regional water supply system in Tashkent Province. This includes the construction of 65 kilometers of transmission mains; 27 km of distribution mains; 540 km of distribution network; 37 water reservoirs; 22 water distribution centers; 5 pressure towers; 2 administration buildings; 2 water quality laboratories; 37,500 metered water supply connections; and 4,000 individual wastewater disposal systems. This is a first project of this kind in Uzbekistan. ADBs assistance covers the initiation of smart technology features including supervisory control and data acquisition, geographic information system, and meters for improved billing and increased revenue. This is on top of a pilot public-private partnership initiative to invite private contractors to carry out operation and maintenance of water supply facilities in some settlements. Total cost of the project is $124.7 million, with the Government of Uzbekistan contributing $19.4 million. The project is expected to be completed by August 2025. ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 member states, and 49 of them are from the region. In 2018, ADB's total commitments reached $35.82 billion, including $14 billion in co-financing. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Milestone reached in development of highly ergonomic and minimally invasive cortical strip electrodes MILAN, Italy, May 07, 2019 / B3C newswire / -- WISE Srl, a medical device company developing next-generation implantable leads for neuromonitoring and neuromodulation, has enrolled its first patient in the pivotal clinical study of its WISE Cortical Strip. The WISE Cortical Strip is a single use medical device for Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring during brain tumour and epilepsy surgeries. It is used for continuous recording of the brains electrical activity and for brain stimulation. The WIN Study (WISE Cortical Strip for Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring study) is a prospective, interventional, multi-center, open-label premarket study, expected to enroll approximately 33 patients. Designed to confirm the safety and performance of the WISE Cortical Strip, the first patient has been enrolled at Universitatsspital Zurich. The study is being carried out at four clinical centres in Germany and Switzerland: Munich University Hospital, Inselspital Bern and Kantonsspital Luzern in addition to the Zurich centre. The WISE Cortical Strip is unique as it is made of pliable platinum electrodes embedded in a soft, thin film of silicone, overcoming the stiffness and rigidity of traditional cortical strips. It is highly ergonomic and conformable even on surfaces as soft and wrinkly as the brain. WISEs proprietary and patented metallization technology enables stretchable and pliable electronic microcircuits to be inserted into biocompatible silicones. This allows much better adhesion to the brain surface, minimal invasion, excellent adaptability and low impedance of the electrical circuit. The study is due to conclude in Q3 2019, with the results to be published shortly afterwards. CEO of WISE, Dr. Luca Ravagnan said: Initiating the pivotal study of our WISE Cortical Strip is a key milestone for us as we work towards CE approval and commercialization. Patient enrollment is on schedule and we look forward to feedback from the surgeons on ease of use and low electrical impedance. PD Dr. med. Neidert from Universitatsspital Zurich said: We have been impressed so far with the ability of the WISE Cortical Strip to tightly adhere to the brain surface without the need of any pressure, allowing it to obtain low impedance contact from all the electrodes of the strip. The electrodes are also easy to position, which is not something you would expect in a very flexible electrode. Prof. Dr. med. A. Szelenyi from Munich University Hospital, coordinating investigator of the WIN Study concluded: The WISE Cortical Strip is an exciting technology and we look forward to seeing the final study results. About WISE Srl WISE is developing a genuinely new generation of Neuromonitoring and Neuromodulation electrodes by means of its proprietary Supersonic Cluster Beam Implantation (SCBI) technology. Neuromonitoring and Neuromodulation require electrodes and leads to be surgically implanted on neural tissues (as for instance the brain and the spinal cord) to apply electrical stimuli or to record the electrical activity. The leads produced using WISEs new SCBI technology consist of stretchable electronic circuits integrated in very thin elastomeric foils. As a result, WISEs electrodes are highly ergonomic, conformable, soft and thin, thus allowing great adhesion, minimal invasiveness and excellent adaptability on neural tissues. In parallel with the clinical trial for its first product for Neuromonitoring, the WISE Cortical Strip (WCS), WISE is developing the first EXpandable PERcuTaneous SCS lead (SCS EXPERT lead) for the treatment of chronic pain by Neuromodulation, a market with large constant growth rates and an unmet medical need. Founded in 2011 by a team of material scientists coming from the University of Milan, WISE has so far received funding from Agite!, Atlante Seed and Atlante Ventures, b-to-v, HTGF, Principia SGR and private investors. Since 2016 the Company has established its Production Plant in Cologno Monzese, Milan, Italy (1000 m2 wide, comprising cleanrooms and production laboratories compliant for the manufacturing of implantable medical devices) and has an office in Berlin, Germany. About Universitatsspital Zurich Universitatsspital Zurich is regarded as one of the top neurosurgical teaching and research hospitals in Switzerland and in Europe. The founding of neurosurgery allowed the Swiss school of neurosurgery to develop and influenced the rise of modern neurosurgery in Europe. Over the decades, it has laid the grounds for important developments in the specialty; in particular, in the areas of vascular, skull base, epilepsy and neuro-oncological surgery. As such, it continues to be among the top teaching institutions not only in Switzerland, but also in Europe, and is visited by many students, postdocs and surgical fellows. About Munich University Hospital Munich University Hospital (LMU) treats around 500,000 outpatients, inpatients and semi-residential patients each year at its Grohadern and City Centre Campuses. Just over 2,000 beds are available to its 29 specialist clinics, eleven institutes and five departments, and its 45 interdisciplinary centres. Of a total of 9,450 employees, around 1,600 are doctors and 3,200 are nursing staff. Munich University Hospital has been a public-law institution since 2006. Together with the Medical Faculty of Ludwig Maximilians University, Munich University Hospital is involved in four special research areas of the German Research Foundation(SFB 684, 914, 1054, 1123), three Transregios (TRR 127, 128, 152) belonging to Clinical Research Group 809, and two Graduate Colleges belonging to the German Research Foundation(GK 1091, 1202). This is in addition to the Center for Integrated Protein Sciences (CIPSM), Munich Center of Advanced Photonics (MAP), Nanosystems Initiative Munich (NIM) and Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy) all institutes of excellence and the Graduate School of Systemic Neurosciences (GSN-LMU), the Graduate School of Quantitative Biosciences Munich (QBM) and the Graduate School Life Science Munich (LSM). Contacts WISE Srl Dr. Luca Ravagnan, CEO +39 02 84962493 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Media inquires Instinctif Partners Rozi Morris/Kiki Zaccagnini +44 20 7457 2844 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Published by B3C newswire and shared through Newronic Bakersfield, CA (93308) Today Cloudy with occasional light rain...mainly this evening. Low 47F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%.. Tonight Cloudy with occasional light rain...mainly this evening. Low 47F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Fresno is in the process of compiling a list of priests credibly accused of sex abuse, but an advocacy group is The best bang for your buck! This option enables you to purchase online 24/7 access and receive the Sunday, Tuesday & Thursday print edition at no additional cost * Print edition only available in our carrier delivery area. Allow up to 72 hours for delivery of your print edition to begin. Print edition not available for Day Pass option. Cannon Beach Event: Did Francis Drake Land on Central Oregon Coast? Published 05/05/2019 at 5:13 AM PDT By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff (Cannon Beach, Oregon) Sir Francis Drake and his ship the Golden Hind made an historic voyage in 1579, in some ways discovering the west coast of the United States - or at least Californias shoreline. But did he make as far as the Oregon coast? Did he perhaps make landfall here? (Above: an historical photo of Whale Cove, Depoe Bay). A talk at the Cannon Beach History Center & Museum takes a look at that idea on Thursday, May 16 at 4 p.m. There are many questions about Sir Francis Drake and how far north he really came. Melissa Darby will endeavor to unravel the mysteries and misinformation surrounding Sir Francis Drake and his famous circumnavigation of the world. Darbys talk will focus on their forced landing in the summer of 1579 and information she has gathered while writing her book, Thunder Go North, The Hunt for Sir Francis Drake Fair and Good Bay. The Golden Hind was leaking, and Sir Francis Drake and his crew were in peril. They searched the coast and found what they called Fair and Good Bay with a protected beach so they could lay the ship completely on her sides to get to the leak. There are some theories this was the central Oregon coast at what is now Whale Cove at Depoe Bay. Darby will share compelling information about why she thinks this bay may indeed have been in Oregon. Darby is an anthropologist and an archaeologist with over thirty years experience in the field. She can speak on the ethnobiology of the people of the Lower Columbia, the theory relating to Sir Francis Drake landing in Oregon, architecture of the Northwest Coast People including Kalapuya, Oregon Coast and Chinookan peoples, and on a skillet possibly from the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Her presentations incorporate old photographs, maps, drawings and splendid animation. Seating and parking for this event is limited and thus the history advises to arrive early. Take advantage of this opportunity to visit the museum and check out their latest exhibits including an engaging exhibit on the shipwrecks of the Oregon coast. Cannon Beach Vacation Rentals has sponsored this event - a locally owned and operated property management company located just a block away from the museum. The Cannon Beach History Center & Museum hosts a series of off-season lectures on various topics from astrophysics to Sir Francis Drake even the occasional concert. The museum is located in mid-town Cannon Beach and is a private non-profit that doesnt receive city, federal or state funding. Admission to the museum is donation based because they believe history should be accessible to all, no matter financial status. The Cannon Beach History Center & Museum is open Wednesday through Monday, from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. The Cannon Beach History Center & Museum also features the history of Cannon Beach and Arch Cape, a longhouse replica, tide pool exhibit, and the cannon that Cannon Beach is named for. For more information visit www.cbhistory.org, on Facebook or call 503-436-9301. More on the museum and Cannon Beach below: Lodging in Cannon Beach - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours Oregon Beach Vacations. Literally over 260 homes available as vacation rentals all quite distinctive and carefully selected to be special. Available in Yachats, Waldport, Newport, Nye Beach, Otter Rock, Depoe Bay, Gleneden Beach, Lincoln Beach, Lincoln City, Neskowin, Pacific City, Tierra Del Mar, Rockaway Beach, Manzanita, Cannon Beach, Seaside, Florence and Astoria. 1-800-723-2383 Cannon Beach Vacation Rentals. About 60 vacation homes to choose from: ocean view, oceanfront and very close to the beach, all in Cannon Beach or in Arch Cape. All are either oceanfront or very close. Homes sleep as many as 12. 164 Sunset. Cannon Beach, Oregon. 503-436-0940. 866-436-0940. www.visitcb.com More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging..... More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining..... Coastal Spotlight LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles Back to Oregon Coast Contact Advertise on BeachConnection.net All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright BeachConnection.net Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted Spoiling Mom with the Beach: Extravagant Mother's Day Packages on Oregon Coast Published 05/05/2019 at 9:13 PM PDT By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff (Oregon Coast) If you're going to spoil anyone with an Oregon coast gift, shouldnt it be Mom? (Above: Inn at Spanish Head). This year, some spots along the shoreline have some stunning packages, the kind of stuff that could make her friends envious. Here are four standouts. Pacific Citys Shorepine Rentals and Inn at Cape Kiwanda host some major fun for Mom. At Shorepine, the package includes one or two nights at one of the vacation rentals, 60 minutes of the spa treatment of her choosing at Tidepools Spa & Wellness, breakfast delivered to her vacation rental and all this (in the form of a gift card) can be specially delivered to her with flowers at her home, wrapped in a beautiful gift box. The best news: its not limited to Mothers Day weekend. The gift card and the package are valid through the end of the year. However, it does exclude some special holidays and major summer travel dates, and not all vacation rentals in their roster are part of the deal. Cost is one night $299 + taxes and fees; two-night stay just $429 + taxes and fees. See the Shorepines site for details. 33105 Cape Kiwanda Dr., Pacific City, Oregon. Book online - www.shorepinerentals.com Call to purchase your Mother's Day Gift: 503-965-5776. Down the street, the oceanfront Inn at Cape Kiwanda features a similar package that involves 60 minutes of spa time, an oceanfront stay, fresh morning pastries and coffee delivered in the morning, and the same deal where the gift certificate gets delivered to her in the mail. Cost is $299. 33105 Cape Kiwanda Dr. Pacific City, Oregon. 888-965-7001 www.InnAtCapeKiwanda.com On the central Oregon coast, Lincoln Citys Inn at Spanish Head has a few specials for mom, included one available for a limited time thats a sweet deal. Gift certificates are an excellent idea, according to the Inns Lowell Maffia-Steen. Treat her to a beach get-away or perhaps a gift certificate for the Inn's Spa Retreat Package or maybe the Beachcomber's Delight or Let's GO Shopping Packages, Steen said. The Inn at Spanish Head is hosting a major special on May 10 and 11, Friday and Saturday. You get oceanfront rooms for the full price on the first night, then the second night half off. Inn at Spanish Head, 4009 SW Highway 101, Lincoln City, Oregon. 800-452-8127. www.spanishhead.com In Cannon Beach, Elements by the Sea is the spa at the Cannon Beach Hallmark Inn. They are offering a Day at the Beach package. It starts with some time in the steam room. Enjoy an invigorating full body salt scrub then melt into our seaweed body wrap, said spa director Tammi Smith. Then off to the hydrotherapy shower to rinse away the sea and complete this package with a full body Swedish massage. Cost: 135 min $235 / couples $470. 1400 South Hemlock Street. Cannon Beach, Oregon. www.Elementsbythesea.com 503-436-0366. More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging..... More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining..... Coastal Spotlight LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles Back to Oregon Coast Contact Advertise on BeachConnection.net All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright BeachConnection.net Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted Belinda Georges bedtime reading program brought national attention to the pajama-wearing principal and her Homer Drive Elementary School. On Tuesday, it sparked a donation of 14,000 childrens books for the 700 students at the Beaumont ISD campus. Wells Fargo approached George about a month ago looking for a way to help her get more students involved in her Tucked-in Tuesday program, in which she reads a bedtime story over Facebook Live as students tune in from their homes. > > MORE: BISD principal reads bedtime stories to students via Facebook On Tuesday afternoon, a group of about 20 people from Wells Fargo came to the school and gave each student a red, draw-string backpack filled with 20 books that George will be reading from in the weeks ahead. George, a first-year principal who began the weekly readings in December and plans to continue them through the summer, said she was grateful to the bank for recognizing education in such a tangible way. This really is the epitome of No Child Left Behind, she said. Believe it or not, the idea to gift nearly 700 students with the books was brought up through social media, said Lynne Walters, the banks senior vice president and head of strategic operations in Charlotte. The Tucked-In Tuesday series, she said, just touched my heart. Wells Fargo partnered with the educational publisher Scholastic Corp. to provide the books, Walters said. After a Beaumont Enterprise story in February, George and Tucked-in Tuesdays have been profiled by media outlets from CNN to the Washington Post. She even appeared on ABCs Good Morning America. Her Facebook Live videos are viewed across the country. On Tuesday, her kindergarten-through-fifth-grade students screamed with excitement as they received their books. George is such a blessing, Beaumont Independent School District Superintendent Shannon Allen said. She has really gone above and beyond and has found creative ways to continue to reach the children even when they arent in the classroom. Walters planned to join George on Facebook Live that evening. The banker and the educator, dressed in matching onesies, were set up to read to the children George refers to as her scholars. She reflected Tuesday on the programs national success. I think maybe its the onesies or my personality, but Im not sure, she said. Its just such a small act of kindness that has brought the nation together. This event is surreal. If I could repay them I would, but there are not enough coins or dollars to repay them with. erica.apodaca@beaumontenterprise.com Voting in Port Arthur and Beaumont isnt over yet, as both cities have a race advancing to a runoff election in June. Port Arthur residents will vote again on June 22, while Beaumont has scheduled its election for June 8 with early voting opportunities. In Port Arthur, incumbent Derrick Freeman and former Jefferson County Pct. 8 Justice of the Peace Thurman Bill Bartie will once again compete for the mayors seat. Freeman won about 35 percent of the vote, while Bartie won about 24.7 percent. The remaining votes were split among William Bae Lewis Jr. with 18.75 percent, Charles Chuck Vincent with 19.61 percent, and Lowra Harrison with 1.8 percent. Bartie was optimistic about the totals despite coming in second, saying the majority of voters showed they wanted a change in city leadership. Lewis said that doesnt mean the other candidates are willing to throw their support behind either man. If I ran against them, they werent qualified, he said. Why would I pick someone whos not qualified? Voting information for Beaumont Ward I runoff Early voting locations and times May 28-June 1, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 3-4, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Jefferson County Courthouse, 1085 Pearl St. Rogers Park Recreation Center, 6540 Gladys Ave. Regular runoff voting locations 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. June 8 BISD Administration Building, 3395 Harrison Ave. Calvary Baptist Church, 3550 Dowlen Road O.C. Mike Taylor Career Center, 2330 North St. Rogers Park Recreation Center, 6540 Gladys Ave. Roy Guess Elementary, 8055 Voth Road Information from Port Arthur was not available Monday See More Collapse He said neither candidate has a platform. Freeman gave a list of accomplishments, some of which Lewis disputed. Bartie in part ran on a desire to unite all government entities with roles in Port Arthur, which Lewis said isnt a promise for things to be done for the city. Lewis said he plans to run for the District 1 seat next May. We may lose a few battles, but were going to win the war, he said. The war is getting special interest out of Port Arthur. Harrison did not return a request for comment. But a Monday post on her Facebook page noted that more than 65 percent of voters voted for change and pledged her support to Bartie. For Beaumont City Council, Ward I incumbent Virginia Jordan and challenger Taylor Neild will face off. Jordan won about 46.8 percent of the vote, while Neild won about 44.3 percent. The third candidate, Taher Quaraishi, won about 9.9 percent. Jordan claimed she won the seat, but it just wasnt a large enough margin to declare a decisive victory. However Neild is confident the third candidates supporters will choose him during the next election and launch him to his first term. He said when determining which candidate to choose, he will be looking for a firm plan to improve city infrastructure, such as roads and sewers. Things need to get taken care of right away because theyve been left for so long, he said. kaitlin.bain@beaumontenterprise.com twitter.com/KaitlinBain Kaitlin Bain is the Government Reporter for the Beaumont Enterprise. Contact her at Kaitlin.Bain@BeaumontEnterprise.com or on Twitter by clicking here. The majority of Southeast Texas voters stayed home during early and regular voting, but voter turnout in three key cities was up this year. In Port Arthur, a mayoral race nearly doubled turnout from the 2017 election and was almost 3 percent higher than that of the 2016 mayoral election. Almost 4,000 of 30,502 voters turned out this year, compared to 3,260 in 2016. Five candidates ran for the mayors seat, and two will face off in a runoff June 22. In Beaumont, every city council seat was up for election with a divisive race in Ward 2, which voter turnout reflected. Just over 19 percent of people, or 13,836 of 72,486, cast ballots, making this the highest voter turnout the citys seen since 2015. City Clerk Tina Broussard previously said she was expecting voter turnout to be higher because of the number of candidates on the ballot this year 19 for the six contested races. Whats unclear is why turnout spiked in the last few days of early voting. Halfway through early voting, only 3,267 of registered voters had turned out, which was lower than the city was anticipating. But by the Saturday of early voting, numbers were trending much closer to what Broussard had expected. In Nederland, 3,973 voters turned out, largely in part due to a $155.6 million school bond. However thats a bit lower than the district saw in 2009, when the first of three bond proposals within the past decade failed. The district did not return a request for historical numbers, but bond advocates said 2009 totals were over 4,000. The bond proposal, which passed by a majority vote, called for a new high school, repair and expand elementary schools and other improvements. Residents also elected a new mayor and a new city council member. Lines on election day stretched outside City Hall for much of the day and vote tabulation had to be delayed more than 45 minutes as several people were still in line when polls closed at 7 p.m. Ryan Soot, a bond supporter, said he thought more people may have been voting because bond campaigners worked to educate voters. More people who truly believed in the issue came out to vote, he said, instead of simply casting another ballot while there for a different issue. kaitlin.bain@beaumontenterprise.com twitter.com/KaitlinBain Kaitlin Bain is the Government Reporter for the Beaumont Enterprise. Contact her at Kaitlin.Bain@BeaumontEnterprise.com or on Twitter by clicking here. LONDON The Duke and Duchess of Sussex better known as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on Monday welcomed their first child, a boy, the first multiracial baby in the British monarchys recent history. The newborn is seventh in line to the British throne, behind Harry. It is not clear whether the child will receive a royal title, like those bestowed on the three children of Prince William, Harrys older brother, and Williams wife, Catherine. Buckingham Palace said in a statement that Meghan gave birth at 5:26 a.m. and that her mother, Doria Ragland, was with the new parents at their home, Frogmore Cottage. The newborn boy weighed 7 pounds, 3 ounces, the royal couple wrote on Instagram. A name had not been chosen yet. This little thing is absolutely to die for, so Im just over the moon, a beaming Harry told reporters outside the couples residence near Windsor Castle. Mother and baby are doing incredibly well. Its been the most amazing experience I can ever possibly imagine. How any woman does what they do is beyond comprehension and were both absolutely thrilled. The baby is sure to be the object of uncommon fascination, adored and criticized as a symbol of the modernization of Britains royal family. Harry, 34, and Meghan, 37, have shaken up the royal family in a number of ways: The duchess is an American and a former actress, and their wedding last May featured a gospel choir, a freestyling African American bishop and a gaggle of Hollywood celebrities. They continued to set aside convention after the wedding, opening their own Instagram account and offering little access to the royal-obsessed British news media. In April, they announced they were canceling the traditional photo opportunity outside the Lindo Wing at St. Marys Hospital in the heart of London, curtailing the ritual hullabaloo that usually surrounds royal births. For many, the new babys importance will be indelibly linked with race. Britain is 87% white, but multiracial children make up its fastest-growing ethnic category and will soon be the countrys largest minority group. The entry of Meghan, the descendant of plantation slaves, into the royal family resonated deeply with many people of African descent, who almost immediately began to anticipate the birth of the couples first child. Its hopeful for people of my kids generation to see a princess of mixed race, said Lise Ragbir, who is black and has written of her own experience raising a lighter-skinned child. Repeatedly, beginning when her daughter was 6 months old, she said, strangers have approached her to ask, Is that your baby? It will be such a recognizable baby that it could shift peoples awareness, said Ragbir, 45, a gallery director in Austin, Texas. When one of the most famous families in the world does not have the same skin tone, people might pause before asking a stranger, Is that your baby? Historians have noted that the duchess herself cannot be definitively described as the first multiracial royal. Some scholars have argued that Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, the wife of King George III, had African ancestry through the Portuguese royal family. If true, it would have been passed on to her own descendant, Queen Victoria. Harry, in particular, has been alert for racism in the discussion of his young family. In 2016, he took the unusual step of condemning British tabloids and social media commentators for the racial undertones and sexism of their coverage of Meghan. Last year, the right-wing U.K. Independence Party ousted its leader after it was reported that his girlfriend had used racist language to deride the future duchess. The duchess, the daughter of a white man and a black woman, grew up in a mostly white neighborhood, where her mother was sometimes mistaken for her nanny. In an essay, she described hesitating, as a schoolgirl, when she was asked to fill out a census form that identified her as either white or black. There I was (my curly hair, my freckled face, my pale skin, my mixed race) looking down at these boxes, not wanting to mess up, but not knowing what to do, she wrote in an essay for Elle Magazine published in 2015. When her teacher told her to check Caucasian because that was how she looked, she refused. I left my identity blank a question mark, an absolute incomplete much like how I felt, she wrote. Her father advised her, If that happens again, you draw your own box. As the duchesss due date approached, some Britons voiced concerns about the conversation around the childs race. Colorism is definitely a huge thing, and I think that links into it, because if the child does come out darker skinned, then you know thats going to make the news and not for a good reason, Tanya Compas, a youth worker, told the BBCs Womans Hour program when the pregnancy was announced. Journalists have bridled at charges that their coverage of the royal family has been tainted by racism, pointing out that British news outlets have always been free to criticize the royals, whose luxurious lifestyle is supported by public funds. Among the sore points this year was the baby shower hosted by celebrity friends of the duchess in New York, a privately financed event that was said to cost 330,000 pounds, or more than $430,000. The clash comes when a free-spending American TV celebrity, the independent Ms. Markle, becomes the British queens granddaughter-in-law and joins soberer ornaments on the cracked marble mantelpiece of ancient royalty, journalist Libby Purves wrote in February in a column for The Times of London. The Sussexes, in short, have become another front in the British culture wars, like the vegan sausage roll or Brexit. The tabloids have pounced: Harry is making a television series on mental health with (gasp) Oprah Winfrey! The duchess keeps hugging members of the public! They may choose an American nanny! Baby Sussex may not attend Eton! Last fall, the couple announced they would move out of Kensington Palace, in central London, and take up residence about 25 miles west of the British capital in newly refurbished quarters: Frogmore Cottage, near Windsor Castle. There have been rumors that the couple could be dispatched in the next few years on an extended tour of Africa, where 19 nations, mostly former colonies, are members of the Commonwealth of Nations. Those moves appeared to hint of a rift between Harry and his brother, William, observers said, but no concrete evidence has surfaced. The duchess hinted of her hopes for her child when speaking on a panel for International Womens Day in March, saying she expects it to be a feminist. Citing a phrase she had seen in a documentary about the embryonic kicking of feminism during pregnancy, she said, I loved that, so boy or girl, whatever it is, we hope that thats the case with our little bump. A coalition of residents is organizing to tell the state to stop allowing industrial plants to leach pollution into Southeast Texas. Several residents have raised concerns specifically about the levels of sulfur dioxide being released by Oxbow Calcining in Port Arthur. Theyre also asking the state to step up lead monitoring in Southeast Texas. The group is planning to submit comments to Texas Commission on Environmental Quality during the annual comment period for input on the agencys air quality monitoring techniques. The document that details the techniques provides information on the Texas network of ambient air quality monitors that were established to meet national ambient air quality standards, according to the agency. The agency is required to make the report available for public comment before its sent to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. TCEQ works for the public. These organizations exist to provide services to the people and work at our behest, local activist and former U.S. Rep. Nick Lampson said. If the citizens arent paying attention, then we deserve what we get. But when we participate and speak out, then I think these agencies have an obligation to fix the problem. Lampson said hes concerned about Oxbow because he believes the company has been allowed to circumvent the pollution-monitoring process. Oxbows Port Arthur calcining plant, on a 112-acre waterfront site near the Sabine Neches Ship Channel, uses petroleum coke, a byproduct from the oil refining process, to create calcined coke, which is then sold to make aluminum, titanium dioxide and other industrial products. The Beaumont Enterprise reported in April that a TCEQ ambient air quality monitor, the location of which was chosen based on Oxbows operations, has not been proven to be adequately monitoring sulfur dioxide emissions from the plant. >> Related: Emissions concerns arise over Port Arthur plant More Information To participate in the comment period: The proposed 2019 plan can be viewed on the TCEQ's website by visiting tceq.texas.gov, clicking air, air quality and monitoring and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality 2019 Annual Monitoring Network Plan under the heading "Studies and Data." Mail comments to Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, P.O. Box 13087, Attention: Holly Landuyt, MC-165, Austin, Texas 78711-3087 Email comments to monops@tceq.texas.gov The comment period ends May 22. See More Collapse Thats because, after the monitors location was chosen, the plant began releasing all emissions at a much higher temperature than original testing took into account. Neil Carman, a former TCEQ investigator who is now the director of the Clean Air Program for the Sierra Clubs Lone Star Chapter, said with the additional heat, the emissions likely are going up and over the monitor and ending up concentrated in a different part of Port Arthur than original testing revealed. Oxbow spokesman Brad Goldstein in April said the company is in full compliance with its operating permits. We are proud of our environmental record and continue to work proactively with TCEQ to operate within all applicable laws and permits, he said in an email. But Port Arthur environmental activist Hilton Kelley said while the company may appear to be in compliance, TCEQ should take a more active role in investigating the issue. That Seventh Street monitor isnt doing a whole lot of good because it appears that a lot of the emissions coming from Oxbow arent hitting the monitor, he said. We have a large number of people with respiratory problems, asthma. I do believe its because of the disproportionate amount of sulfur from places like Oxbow, he added. Kelley said hes also concerned about the amount of lead coming from Oxbow and other plants, information he plans to include in his comments. TCEQ does not have any monitors in the Beaumont-Port Arthur area to pick up lead concentrations on its Ambient Air Monitoring Network Site List. Lampson, Kelley and others are urging residents to join them in sending comments to TCEQ. Im hoping people will understand this is adverse to them and say something, Lampson said. Go out and change our community so our future gets better. The two men acknowledged that not everyone has the time or knowledge to gather extensive data about issues in the area. But that doesnt have to stop residents from making comments, Kelley said. Lampson said residents can write a note saying they agree with other comments being made on an issue. Kelley suggested making comments personal, which sometimes can do more than straight numbers. We already know Port Arthur is a hotbed for cancer. We know theres a large amount of toxins being dumped in the air, Kelley said. They can talk about the impact of the emissions on family and friends. They can talk about the smell in the air. They can talk about how they feel inside their homes. They can talk about the number of times theyve had to stay inside for a chemical release without knowing whats going on. All these things point to the issues were having without needing data. kaitlin.bain@beaumontenterprise.com twitter.com/KaitlinBain Kaitlin Bain is the Government Reporter for the Beaumont Enterprise. Contact her at Kaitlin.Bain@BeaumontEnterprise.com or on Twitter by clicking here. By Azernews Azerbaijans Agency for the Development of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) and Kazakhstans Damu Entrepreneurship Development Fund have signed a Memorandum of Understanding and adopted a road map. The memorandum was signed by the head of the Agency Orkhan Mammadov and Chairperson of the Damu Board of Directors Gaukhar Buribayeva on the sidelines of the Ulttyk Onim 2019" National Goods Exhibition in Nur-Sultan. During the meeting, the sides exchanged information on the development of SMEs in two countries and activities of their organizations, discussed issues on development prospects, exchange of experience and organization of visits. Representatives of the Agency for the Development of SMEs held meetings with representatives of a number of public and private structures of Kazakhstan within the framework of the exhibition. During the meeting of Orkhan Mammadov with Ayan Erenov, Chairman of the Chamber of International Commerce of Kazakhstan, the sides exchanged views on the expansion of relations between SMEs in both countries, organization of bilateral export missions and creation of mechanisms to assist business associations. At the meeting with Ruslan Isakov, Chairman of the Board of KazakhExport OJSC, the organization of bilateral business missions was discussed. Azerbaijan is Kazakhstan's key trade-economic partner in the Caucasus region. Located on the route of the Great Silk Road, both countries aim at the further expansion of trade and transport relations. Trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan reached $258.26 million in 2018. Exports from Kazakhstan accounted for $211.9 million of the bilateral trade, while imports from Azerbaijan made $46.3 million. Small and medium-sized businesses play an important role in development of Azerbaijans economy. Development of SMEs leads to the growth of entrepreneurship which is one of the priority directions of Azerbaijans economic policy. The share of SMEs in employment in Azerbaijan was 76 percent last year, and in recent years, comprehensive work has been carried out for the development of SMEs. In particular, inspections of business entities have been suspended and the process of obtaining licenses has been simplified. The share of SMEs in Azerbaijans foreign trade is planned to increase to 40 percent after 2025. The Agency for the Development of SMEs aims to ensure the consistency of reforms, as well as the improvement of the business regulation system and the application of effective coordination, enhancement of the role and competitiveness of small and medium-sized businesses in the country's economy, and the compliance of the management system of this sphere with modern requirements. As a single structure with special powers, the Agency organizes, coordinates, evaluates and regulates the services provided by government agencies and organizations in this area through SME houses. Six people were arrested in connection with the seizure of approximately $70,000 worth of crystal methamphetamine last week, the Bexar County Sheriff's Office announced Saturday. Narcotics officers from three agencies, as well as K-9 Deputy Rocket, seized approximately 2.2 pounds, one kilogram, of crystal methamphetamine on April 30, BCSO said in a Facebook post. This is as about as close to a no-brainer as any issue in the Texas Legislature this session: Should owners of storm-damaged houses be able to ask their appraisal district to reassess the value of their property, and thus have a lower property-tax bill? Of course they should, and hard to imagine that bills to this effect keep coming up in the Legislature, but never make it to the governors desk. Actually, there is a reason that happens. Local governments know that if properties were reappraised after a hurricane or major flood, valuations would clearly decrease and so would their tax revenues. So some cities, counties and school districts drag their feet on this obvious reform to keep the tax dollars rolling in. Thats simply not fair, and it needs to change in this session. Granted, this would present challenges for some local governments after a disaster. They too might have infrastructure damage that needs repairs and the money to pay for it so they dont want to decrease their revenues. Thats understandable, but secondary to the needs of homeowners. If their $100,000 house has been reduced in value to, say, a $40,000 structure, it will be a struggle for the owners to get back on their feet. The last thing they should have to deal with is a tax bill for a $100,000 home that no longer exists in that form. As state Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, put it, We should not be kicking the taxpayer when they are down and they need help. It might be asking too much for appraisal districts to re-evaluate all properties after a major disaster. Thats a costly and time-consuming process. But the obvious compromise here is to give property owners the legal right to ask for a reappraisal after a disaster. Not all of them will, because some will have little or no damage. But those that have suffered major destruction would be able to get the appropriate adjustment from their appraisal district. After Hurricane Harvey, just a portion of the 200,000 homes in 60 counties damaged by that storm benefited from reappraisals. That lack of governmental response cant happen again, and the Legislature must address that need in this session. Texans know that the Legislature wont meet again in regular session until 2021. Thats far too long to wait for something this basic. A relief bill has passed the Senate and could be voted on by the House this week. Its time to resolve this issue once and for all and move on to other challenges. ASCs can improve quality in three key ways, according to Marta Shultz, vice president of quality for Simplify ASC. Note: Responses have been edited for style and clarity: Question: For ASCs looking to improve quality, where would you recommend they start? Marta Schultz: I like to see people assess their current practices first. If you send satisfaction surveys, are you getting any negative feedback? Can you compare any of the data you collect to national benchmarks to see where you have a slight (or large) deficit? What have been your last 10 incidents reported? I think many times people try to go after whats hitting the news versus knowing or identifying their own areas for improvement. Q: Can you touch on the changing landscape of ASC quality reporting? How did the industry get to this point, and where does it go from here? MS: This is a big one. ASC quality reporting has lagged on the CMS front behind hospital reporting requirements. However, CMS is working to integrate the hospital outpatient standards and ASC reporting standards. Sometimes this is a good fit; sometimes it requires jamming a round peg into an oval hole. The main takeaway? This is not going away. As more extensive and expensive procedures move into ASCs, the focus on quality of procedures for CMS and as a competitive edge is going to increase. Q: What would you say are the financial implications associated with ASC quality measures? MS: There are studies that show the dramatic increase to costs with infections and complications or adverse events. I dont know that anyone has really looked at the cost to reputation and to scheduling when there is an adverse event or infection. In these days of social media, having an adverse event can hit the bottom line quickly without ever having a published verdict. There is also the flip side for facility cost to gather information and report for ASC quality measures. Its so important that data be gathered at point of contact in order to save that time and also be available to manage any adverse events. To participate in future Becker's Q&As, contact Rachel Popa at rpopa@beckershealthcare.com. For a deeper dive into ASC industry trends, attend the Becker's 17th Annual Future of Spine + The Spine, Orthopedic & Pain Management-Driven ASC Conference in Chicago, June 13-15, 2019. Click here to learn more and register. No fire has occurred at the Azerbaijani embassy in Russia, spokesperson for Azerbaijans Foreign Ministry Leyla Abdullayeva told Trend May 6. The reports spread by some media outlets about alleged fire at Azerbaijani embassy in Moscow are false. No fire has occurred in the building of our embassy in Moscow, she said. Pacific Vision Foundation matched a $1.5 million donation supporting its forthcoming ASC. Three notes: 1. PVF plans to open Pacific Vision Surgery Center in San Francisco this winter. 2. Physicians at the ASC will treat low-income patients regardless of their ability to pay. 3. Lions Eye Foundation, a nonprofit company, donated $1.5 million toward the project. Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey signed a new law May 6 that requires state medical providers that are going out of business to give patients access to their medical records, AZ Central reports. If a provider fails to comply with the law, it can face a $10,000 penalty and denial of future licenses for their facility, according to the report. Before closing, medical facilities will be required to either give health records back to patients or transfer the records to another organization, such as Arizona's health information exchange. The new law comes after a dispute reported in February between creditors of two bankrupt hospitals in the state, Florence (Ariz.) Hospital at Anthem and Gilbert (Ariz.) Hospital. More than 300 patients were prevented access to their medical records after the hospitals closed in June 2018. The EHR was deactivated as a result of the bankruptcy dispute, which included the hospitals' EHR vendor Medhost, Somerset Capital Group, which provided computer servers to host the EHRs and Resolute Indigo-DLI Holdings, a New York investment firm and the hospitals' senior creditor. Caitlin Secrist, 21, who has life-threatening pancreatitis, was seeking surgery in February at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore to remove her pancreas, spleen and appendix. However, her surgeon would not move forward with the surgery until he had access to her full medical history to ensure her diagnosis was correct. Ms. Secrist, a former patient of Florence Hospital, was unable to access medical scans from the shuttered hospital, according to the report. With the new law, former patients at Gilbert and Florence hospitals can request their medical records for free until June 23, after which they may be destroyed. Ms. Secrist is currently waiting for the Johns Hopkins Hospital team to finish reviewing her records. Large variations between what teaching hospitals and community hospitals charge for similar services and surprise billing were two topics of conversation among Massachusetts lawmakers in a recent podcast sponsored by online magazine CommonWealth. State Sen. Cindy Friedman, who co-chairs a healthcare finance panel with her state House colleague, Rep. Jennifer Benson, said legislative action should address higher costs charged by large teaching hospitals but also ensure that services offered at smaller community hospitals are efficient. Ms. Benson described price variation as "the most complicated issue that we have facing us," and said that people will sometimes unnecessarily go to Boston teaching hospitals instead of a nearby community hospital, according to CommonWealth. Both lawmakers said they were optimistic that legislation will pass this session to address the issue. The lawmakers also talked about surprise billing, with Ms. Benson citing her own experience with the issue. Ms. Friedman said both lawmakers agree that patients should be kept out of the middle of cost disputes between healthcare providers and insurance companies. Listen to CommonWealth's Codcast here. More articles on healthcare finance: Poor timing? U of Maryland Medical Center requests $75M hike in state funding Tennessee will seek approval to use Medicaid block grant Struggling rural Tennessee hospitals to get restructuring help from state The University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore seeks a $75 million, or nearly 5 percent, rate increase from the state amid a scandal focused on the business dealings of its board members, according to WJZ.com. The medical center reportedly requested the increase before the scandal came to light. In March, it was revealed that Baltimore-based University of Maryland Medical System paid then- Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh $500,000 for 100,000 copies of her Healthy Holly children's books while Ms. Pugh was a member of the health system's board. Ms. Pugh has since resigned as mayor and from her role on the health system's board of directors. Two more health system board members who personally profited from business deals with the medical system while serving on its board also resigned. Robert Chrencik, president and CEO of the health system, resigned, effective April 26. A health system spokesperson told WJZ.com that its requested rate increase "is necessary to provide funding for ongoing investment in operations and mission-driven goals." "Ultimately, this is about UMMC being able to meet the complex needs of our patients while continuing to serve as a safety-net provider for the West Baltimore community," the spokesperson added. But state Sen. Jill Carter, D-Baltimore City, addressed the timing of the request. "Right now, of course, there's going to be a perception that this massive rate increase somehow is a result of the self-dealing," she is quoted as saying in the WJZ.com report. "Maybe they should hold off until some of the investigations are done or the internal or external audits are done." Maryland lawmakers have passed legislation that will replace the medical system's board this summer and generally bans future board members from receiving contracts without competitive bidding, according to The New York Times. Nine board members had business dealings with the medical system that are under review, according to Baltimore NBC affiliate, WBAL. According to WJZ.com, the Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission will review UMMC's request. Ms. Carter said that, overall, the state needs to ensure the health system has adequate resources but is also "spending wisely and fairly." She said, "Whats important here is transparency and that the public is assured that any increases are not directly connected to misdoingmisdeeds." More articles on healthcare finance: Struggling rural Tennessee hospitals to get restructuring help from state Georgia hospital gives OK for South Carolina government to act as debt collector For-profit hospital stock report: Week of April 29-May 3 Tennessee is poised to be the first state to ask the federal government to approve a plan for a Medicaid block grant, according to Politico. State Republican lawmakers on May 2 signed off on a bill requiring the state to submit its plan to President Donald Trump's administration within six months, the Politico report reads. A spokesperson told the publication Gov. Bill Lee will sign the bill. Medicaid, as an open-ended entitlement, has historically not had large restrictions as far as the amount of money states receive from the federal government amid rising costs, Politico notes. But the federal government announced in January that it was working on a plan to allow states to receive fixed block grants for Medicaid spending. In exchange for these grants, the administration has promised states more flexibility with Medicaid programs. It's unclear whether Tennessee's plan which would affect children, pregnant women, impoverished seniors in nursing homes and disabled people would be approved. The federal government reportedly has been studying whether it can legally allow states to use Medicaid block grants, and Democratic lawmakers have indicated they will challenge any approved block grants. Conservatives have suggested a Medicaid block grant program for years, and the issue was discussed in 2017 amid Republican efforts to repeal the ACA. Republicans have argued that block grants would allow states to better manage their Medicaid programs if they received predetermined funding and greater flexibility in setting eligibility and benefit rules, according to Politico. Critics, however, have reportedly argued that Medicaid block grants could result in significant cutbacks in insurance coverage for low-income people. Read Politico's full report here. More articles on healthcare finance: Struggling rural Tennessee hospitals to get restructuring help from state Georgia hospital gives OK for South Carolina government to act as debt collector For-profit hospital stock report: Week of April 29-May 3 A radar system developed by researchers at the University of Waterloo in Canada can wirelessly monitor the breathing and heart rate of sleep apnea patients, according to a recent study published in IEEE Access. The device houses technology that not only collects data about sleeping patients from radar waves but also analyzes that data using complex algorithms. Since it is the size of a smartphone and completely wireless, patients could be monitored from the comfort of their own homes. In the study, more than 50 patients slept under the ceiling-mounted device. The radar unit produced breathing and heart rate data with more than 90 percent accuracy when compared to standard hard-wired equipment. According to researchers, the device could also be used to measure the heart and breathing rates of patients without sleep apnea and the activity levels of elderly patients, and to monitor conditions such as restless leg syndrome and seizures. More articles about health IT: Why Tim Cook says Apple is a not a tech company Mark Zuckerberg's 'move fast and break things' mantra is causing problems for health-tech start-ups Verato asks ONC to standardize patient-matching tools Covington County Hospital in Collins, Miss., and Magee (Miss.) General Hospital entered into an agreement to share their top leader, according to WDAM 7, a dual NBC/ABC-affiliate TV station. Four things to know: 1. Per the agreement that went into effect in April, Gregg Gibbes will serve as administrator and CEO for both hospitals. 2. Mr. Gibbes has served as CEO of Covington County Hospital since 2016, before which he was the hospital's COO, according to the City of Collins website. 3. In August 2018, Magee General Hospital filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy to reorganize its debt. 4. The new agreement to share leadership aims to benefit both hospitals. Mr. Gibbes told WDAM 7 that they are using a new term to describe the partnership: "'coopetition,' where we can compete in certain aspects and we can cooperate in other aspects." More articles on executive moves: 29 recent hospital, health system executive moves Lutheran Health Network Regional President Mike Poore to depart by end of May Washington Hospital Healthcare System CEO to retire, ending 25-year tenure: 6 notes Pamela Daley Whelton was appointed executive vice president of South Shore Health and president of South Shore Hospital, both based in South Weymouth, Mass. Four points: 1. Ms. Whelton, who is the first female president of 97-year-old South Shore Hospital, previously served as its COO. 2. She also has served as the hospital's chief administrative and financial officer. 3. She joined the hospital in 1997 as a financial analyst. 4. Ms. Whelton worked in the utility industry before coming to South Shore Hospital. Physician Compare, a government website that is designed to help patients find physicians, is missing essential information on individual providers, making it almost entirely unhelpful, according to a study in JAMA Internal Medicine and cited by Reuters. Researches analyzed the data from 239,000 physicians, or 23 percent of all providers, who have their information on the website. Physician Compare is a flagship effort by CMS, according to Reuters. Of all the physicians, close to no one had their data tied back to individual performance. Rather, only 21 percent reported some individual or group data related to outcomes from their practice. Nearly all of the data was based at the practice level, which can make it harder for patients to know which providers have the best outcomes, Reuters reports. Around half of the providers who listed performance measures had no more than one or two quality outcomes. For the physicians who did list individual outcomes, they tended to have higher quality scores. Physicians are not required to report data on outcomes for every patient, reports Reuters. Instead, physicians can choose to submit data for cases that had positive outcomes. "Outside of healthcare, there are many ways to assess the quality of things that we purchase, ranging from clothing, to electronics, to professional services," Anupam Jena, MD, PhD, of Boston-based Harvard Medical School, told Reuters. "Even within healthcare, we have a large amount of data on the comparative effectiveness of drugs, since this information is often mandated by the FDA, but we have very little information on how doctors compare to one another." Eight current and former employees of Mount Sinai Health System's global health institute filed a federal lawsuit April 26 against the health system and several officials for alleged sex and age discrimination that led to the demotion or resignation of women in senior leadership, Science magazine reported. The complaint was filed by seven former and current female employees and one former male employee. Defendants include: Mount Sinai Health System (New York City) Prabhjot Singh , MD, PhD, director of the Arnhold Institute for Global Health at Mount Sinai Health System's Icahn School of Medicine , MD, PhD, director of the Arnhold Institute for Global Health at Mount Sinai Health System's Icahn School of Medicine Dennis Charney , MD, dean of the Icahn School of Medicine , MD, dean of the Icahn School of Medicine Bruno Silva , director of design and product development at the Arnhold Institute for Global Health , director of design and product development at the Arnhold Institute for Global Health David Berman, chief of staff at the Arnhold Institute for Global Health The lawsuit centers on Dr. Singh's leadership as director of the global health institute. It alleges he disparaged, discriminated against and demoted employees at the institute, predominantly female employees over age 40, and hired younger male friends and acquaintances. It also alleges he violated research ethics and HIPAA and lied to investors. The lawsuit alleges that under Dr. Singh's leadership, other officials exhibited similar behavior toward women. Mr. Berman "was known for violent screaming at women at AIGH," according to the complaint. Mr. Silva allegedly addressed women, including fellow employees and donors, with sexist slurs. The complaint says Dr. Charney hired Dr. Singh to the role after a female candidate, who was endorsed by a selection committee. The female candidate withdrew her application following an exchange with Dr. Charney, in which he called her "an idiot" in red capital letters via email, according to the lawsuit. The medical school told Science it doesn't comment on pending litigation, but it denies the allegations of discrimination. The school said employee complaints spurred an internal review and "appropriate steps were taken." The lawsuit claims the review and actions were insufficient. Read the full story here. More articles on legal and regulatory issues: Miami plastic surgeon sues former patients for bad Yelp reviews Former healthcare CEO sentenced to 2 years probation over kickback scheme DOJ files formal request to strike down entire ACA: 5 things to know While stock in hospital companies has taken a hit over discussion around Medicare for All proposals, Larry Robbins, founder and CEO of Glenview Capital Management, says investors should still bet on hospitals, according to Barron's. During the Ira Sohn Investment Conference in New York May 6, Mr. Robbins told attendees any threat imposed by Medicare for All proposals is much smaller than recent slides in stock indicate. According to Mr. Robbins, Medicare for All has less than a 1 percent chance of happening. Therefore, owning stock in Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare, Universal Health Services in King of Prussia, Pa., and Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare is a wise decision, Mr. Robbins said. He also added hospital companies tend to improve their financial performance when government is more active in price setting and subsidizing insurance. "Hospitals are not under attack," he said, as quoted by Barron's. "As a hospital investor, you should hope that mandatory Medicare happens." More articles on payers: Judge steps down from UnitedHealth case over 'immoral' denial of cancer treatment House Democrats unveil Medicare expansion plan: 8 things to know Humana posts $566M profit in Q1 Ten workers from the Global Compounding Pharmacy in Alabama, including a nurse practitioner, pharmacist and the pharmacy's owners, were charged in connection to a $200 million prescription drug fraud investigation, according to a WSFA news report. The indictment accuses the defendants of fraudulently billing healthcare insurers and prescription drug administrators more than $200 million for drugs that patients didn't need. In one instance, prosecutors charge that the workers' fraudulent conduct resulted in a prescription administrator paying over $29,000 for a tube of cream to treat general wounds. In another instance, the pharmacy billed insurers for creams used by females that were issued to male patients, according to the charges. "Motivated by greed, the defendants executed a brazen healthcare fraud conspiracy and scheme that cost health insurance plans, including those that protect the elderly, disabled, military members and veterans, millions of dollars," Attorney Jay Town of the U.S. Justice Department said, according to WSFA. "Their scheme deprived health insurance plans of money that could have gone to assist patients with real medical needs." A former pharmacy tech at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, Mo., was sentenced to three years in prison last week for stealing painkillers, according to The Springfield News-Leader. Mar Musil, 37, pleaded guilty in January to tampering with hospital products, after admitting he diluted morphine and fentanyl syringes with a saline solution. He said he kept the extra drugs for himself. Prosecutors said Mr. Musil tampered with drugs meant for cancer patients or burn victims. It is unclear if the diluted syringes were administered to patients. Read the full report here. The wife of a deceased patient filed a lawsuit alleging negligence against State College, Pa.-based University Orthopedics Center orthopedic surgeon Kenneth Cherry, MD, the Centre Daily Times reports. What you should know: 1. Dr. Cherry allegedly wrote 63 prescriptions to a woman he had a personal and sexual relationship with in 2017. He pleaded guilty to three misdemeanor counts of failing to keep records of a controlled substance. A judge sentenced him to 1.5 years of probation, several fines and a single day of community service. 2. Now, Cynthia Greenberg, wife of the late Michael Greenberg, is suing Dr. Cherry alleging negligence. Dr. Cherry performed a total knee replacement and several follow-up procedures on Mr. Greenberg in April 2017. 3. Mr. Greenberg developed an infection after the procedure. He underwent a second surgery in June 2017. The day of that surgery, agents from the state attorney general's office searched Dr. Cherry's office in relation to his drug charges. 4. Dr. Cherry continued with the surgery and allegedly implanted "so much cement in Greenberg's knee that the cement subsequently extruded from the skin causing the wound to dehisce." 5. Mr. Greenberg struggled with infections afterward, which led to amputation in August 2017. As he recovered from the amputation at home, Mr. Greenberg lost his airway and died. The lawsuit alleges he was unable to reach his phone because of the loss of his leg. Twin Cities Orthopedics, an independent specialty practice serving Minnesota's Twin Cities and western Wisconsin, welcomed its first neurosurgeon, Frederick Harris, MD, to its medical staff. Dr. Harris earned his medical degree at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, Ohio, and completed his residency at MetroHealth Medical Center, also in Cleveland. He is a board-certified neurosurgeon with 18 years of experience in treating patients with brain and spine pathologies. His area of expertise includes brain tumors, brain trauma, Chiari malformations and spinal cord tumors. His also performs adult spinal deformity/scoliosis treatment, revision surgery of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine, and minimally invasive spinal surgery for herniated disk and lumbar fusions. Dr. Harris previously worked as an engineer at NASA and the department of defense. Lawrence Lenke, MD, surgeon-in-chief of NewYork-Presbyterian Och Spine Hospital and co-chair of the Safety in Spine Surgery Summit, discusses the culture of patient safety in spine and where the best organizations are headed. Question: What are the biggest challenges for spine surgeons to develop a culture of patient safety in their operating rooms? What do they need to do differently? Dr. Lawrence Lenke: I think the biggest challenge is team engagement. All surgeons want to practice safe spine surgery for their patients, but it is only when the entire OR team embraces this philosophy that true change and improvement can occur. Q: How can surgeons become advocates for patient safety within value-based care models? LL: I believe it will actually be easier for spinal surgeons to embrace a safety culture when value-based medicine is adopted versus the current pay for service model. In value-based care, all components of the patients' continuum from presentation to recovery will be managed with an eye towards safety rather than strictly operative volume. Q: Where do you see the biggest opportunity for surgeons to innovate within patient safety? LL: I think the biggest innovation will occur with the promotion of specialized care teams for spinal surgery patients, especially in the operating rooms. Spinal surgery is a challenging specialty of surgery for the entire OR team including not only the surgeons, but also the surgical technicians, scrub and circulating nurses and other of the ancillary staff. Cardiac surgery founded this model several decades ago, and when you ask those who scrub complex spinal cases, they often state that what is required of their skills and efforts is much greater than those taking care of cardiac patients. The entire spine surgery community needs to spread this word so others, including hospital administrators and those with administrative responsibility in the operating rooms, understand and appreciate this specialized need. Q: What inspires you to make your spine practice better every day? LL: I am inspired to make my patient's experience better each and every day by the patients that I have just treated. Seeing someone go through the spectrum of care from the preoperative, intraoperative, early post-surgery hospitalization and through long term follow-up makes me appreciate how much my, and all of those involved in their care, mean to their health and well-being. It is an awesome and rewarding but also quite serious responsibility. Neurosurgeon Mark Hornyak, MD, has joined The William W. Backus Hospital in Norwich, Conn., and the Hartford HealthCare Ayer Neuroscience Institute, also in Norwich, reports local newspaper The Day. Dr. Hornyak's areas of expertise include primary brain tumors, tumors of the spine, pituitary tumors, degenerative spinal disorders and peripheral nerve disorders. He earned his medical degree from the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore, Md., and completed his internship and residency in neurosurgery at New York Medical College in Valhalla, N.Y. Dr. Hornyak is fellowship-trained in skull base surgery from the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. Tampa, Fla.-based Physician Partners of America welcomed three former Laser Spine Institute surgeons. Stefan Prada, MD, Keith Girton, MD, and Brett Menmuir, MD, all joined Physician Partners of America. The surgeons previously practiced with Laser Spine Institute, a Tampa-based chain of minimally invasive spine surgery-focused ASCs that closed in March after financial struggles. Drs. Prada, Menmuir and Girton will perform spine and pain management procedures in Florida. Physician Partners of America previously brought on Laser Spine Institute surgeon James St. Louis, DO, who has also become the director of Physician Partners of America's minimally invasive spine group. Finally, Physician Partners of America also hired Jennifer Bowser, DC, a former Laser Spine Institute provider, to conduct patient consultations. Alphatec launched a new posterior lumbar interbody fusion procedure that uses its AlphaGRAFT Demineralized Bone Matrix Fiber. Five things to know: 1. The new system, IdentiTi-PS Interbody Implant System began its alpha evaluations in June 2018, and today Alphatec made the second of six implant systems in the IdentiTi family commercially available. The company expects to release four more implant systems in 2019. 2. IdentiTi implants are designed with both PEEK and titanium materials to accommodate for both preferences. "The IdentiTi-PS implant represents the next evolution in porous titanium interbody implants," said David Schwartz, MD, of Indianapolis-based OrthoIndy. "IdentiTi implants have a porosity and stiffness similar to bone propensities conductive to new bone growth with minimal imaging scatter across all radiographic modalities." 3. The implant has stiffness similar to bone and is created through a subtractive manufacturing process for a reproducible interconnected pore size. The low-profile instruments optimize surgeon experience. 4. Alphatec's DBM is made of 100 percent demineralized fibers and delivers osteogenic cells after hydration by the patient's bone marrow aspirate. The DBM has shown the five elements of new bone formation in animal studies. 5. Chairman of Alphatec Pat Miles said the company plans to launch 12 new products this year. The speed with which Belgian newspaper publisher Mediahuis moved to nail down its proposed takeover of Independent News & Media (publisher of this newspaper) took some by surprise. It was all over before breakfast. The company, led by chief executive Gert Ysebaert and chairman Thomas Leysen who were in Dublin last week, has newspaper and online publishing assets in Belgium and the Netherlands, and already looks pretty much over the line having secured the backing of Denis O'Brien and Dermot Desmond, who together held almost 45% of the company. While some shareholders at the AGM were unhappy that INM was being sold too cheaply, the price has to be seen in the context of unknown costs relating to the legacy issues being investigated by Irish High Court inspectors. Big challenges remain, from that ongoing probe, to taking the plunge on a paywall for digital editions of newspaper titles. Mediahuis has the advantage of being a privately-owned company with the experience of successfully making the transition to digital paywalls. It doesn't look like it is in it for a quick buck, but is more likely to be a long-term player. The inspectors' investigation will drag on but for the prospective new owners it is a matter of putting a number on the possible cost and finding a way to balance management's time between this legacy issue and important decisions about the future. The takeover should usher in a new era for the company, but it will also see it disappear from the stock exchange where it floated in 1973. On that front, the last few weeks have seen other imminent departures from the exchange. Last month financial services firm IFG Group said it had agreed a takeover offer from UK private equity firm Epiris. IFG listed in Dublin in 1996. Just a few weeks later, Green Reit surprised the market by saying it was effectively putting up a 'for sale' sign and exploring options for bidders for its assets or the company itself. Either way it is likely to lead to it de-listing from the exchange. The imminent takeover of INM becomes number three in less than two months. And others may well be on the way. Datalex is now attracting the dreaded word 'troubled' before its name appears in newspaper headlines after announcing that its chief executive Aidan Brogan has quit with immediate effect. Its biggest shareholder Dermot Desmond has shored things up by effectively making 10m available to the company through new equity and a loan. But three senior departures in a row are significant. Mr Brogan becomes the third of the top three executives in the firm to leave. Chief financial officer Donal Rooney said in February he would be leaving. Just over a week ago, chairman Paschal Taggart announced his departure from the firm and this was closely followed by Mr Brogan. Deputy chairman Sean Corkery has stepped into an executive role. The hunt may be on for a new chief executive but given the findings of accounting irregularities, and the loss of a CFO, CEO and chairman, it will be a long, hard road to rebuild both the business and investor credibility. - It has been a bad week for the 4,000 or so Northern Ireland employees at aerospace giant Bombardier. The parent company said it plans to sell its Belfast operations. Brexit was hardly the cause, given Bombardier group's wider challenges to cut costs and restructure. However, Brexit uncertainty was probably a factor in the discussions about the future for the operations at four different plants in the Belfast area. The company came out in favour of backing Theresa May's Brexit withdrawal deal (backstop and all) earlier this year. Bombardier's northern operations have a future as an outsourced manufacturer for the Canadian parent group, so jobs are safe. The question is - how many? The business has huge investment and skills built up over a very long time. Shorts has been there since 1936. When it comes to outsourcing, price is the big factor and the pressure to continually cut costs on contracts is very real. Deliver the next contract more cheaply or lose the gig is very real for outsourced manufacturers. Bombardier in the north does work for other companies, outside the parent group, but accounts for the Belfast-based division show this declined sharply in 2017 from $206m (184m) of revenues in 2016 to $146m the following year. Work for Bombardier generated $536m in 2017. The other big issue for staff is pay, pensions and conditions. Bombardier, formerly Shorts in the north, was seen as a model employer. Average pay in 2017 was 51,497 per employee, when the average pension contribution of 12,205 is included. The workforce is almost exclusively on a defined benefit pension scheme. Bombardier has been reducing headcount for a couple of years, with 1,080 redundancies in 2016. Average severance was 41,450. Headcount was reduced by another 375 in 2017, with an average severance cost of 52,757. Uncertain times for a business that accounts for 8% of Northern Ireland GDP and 40% of its manufacturing output. The supplementary election scheduled for June 23rd. The opposition candidate, winner of the March 31st elections, defines the judges' decision as "treason". Thousands of citizens protest demanding "law" and "justice". The credibility of Turkish democracy is in danger for Europe. Istanbul (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The new mayor of the Chp opposition party, Ekrem Imamoglu, has called the electoral commission's decision a betrayal, which decided yesterday to cancel - only for Istanbul, the country's economic and commercial capital - the outcome of the administrative elections of March 31st. On that occasion, the party of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had suffered a defeat not only in the city on the Bosphorus strait, but also in the capital Ankara and in several other centers. After a month of uncertainty, the judges ruled that the vote will take place on June 23rd. "Those who make decisions in this country - emphasized Imamoglu - can be found in a condition [...] of treason. However, we will not give up." Addressing his voters, he invited them to keep "hope alive", because "you will see: we will all win together". His supporters, gathered by the thousands, have called for the resignation of the judges of the Commission, whose sentence is final. The streets reverberated with the words "law" and "justice", mocking the name of the governing party AKP (Adalet ve Kalknma Partisi, of Justice and Development in Turkish). After more than a month of uncertainty, the Commission decided by majority vote to repeat the administrative vote accepting the appeal for alleged fraud. So the Istanbul mayor's chair returns, first assigned to the secular opposition that had defeated a loyal Erdogan (also a mayor in the 1990s), the former premier Binali Yildirim. Imamoglu had won in Istanbul with less than 13 thousand reject votes, against a megalopolis of about 15 million inhabitants. The (controversial) choice for a re-election came with seven votes in favor and four against; an anomaly, given that usually the 11 members decide by absolute majority. Recep Ozel, a member of the AKP, speaks of an invalid vote because some tellers were not public officials and some papers were not signed according to procedure. The decision is intended to fuel accusations of authoritarian drift against Erdogan and the ruling party. The European Parliament is also concerned, according to which the choice of repeating the consultation could put an end to the "credibility" of the democratic electoral process in Turkey. Seef Properties, a leading real estate development company in Bahrain, said its board of directors has re-appointed both Essa Najibi and Dr Mustafa Al Sayed as the new chairman and vice chairman respectively. The board endorsement comes owing to the duo's wealth of industry experience and knowledge-base which has enabled them to play key roles in taking Seef Properties to even greater heights. An industry veteran, Najibi has extensive experience in leadership roles, having led executive positions in the real estate sector. He is currently a board member of the national carrier, Gulf Air, as well as Chairman of Najibi Investment Company and Al Souq Real Estate Company amongst many others. Dr Al Sayed, who has a PhD in Industrial Management from the United Kingdom, boasts over 35 years of experience in executive positions across key institutions in the government and private sector. Currently a Secretary General of the Royal Charity Organization, he is also a board member of Bahrain Health and Safety Society and Nass Corporation BSC to name a few. The other members of the new board for the period 2019-2022 include Abduljalil Mohamed Janahi, Eman Mustafa Al Murbati, Fuad Ali Taqi, Hamed Yousif Mashal, Hesham Abdulrahman Al Rayyes, Mohamed Ebrahim Al Bastaki, Sattam Sulaiman Al Gosaibi and Yusuf Ahmed Al Hammadi. The new board held its first meeting last week at the companys headquarters; during which Najibi and Dr Al Sayed were re-appointed to their respective roles. Seef Properties new board has members with distinguished academic records and established qualifications from leading international institutions with comprehensive experience across a variety of industries, positioning them to further drive the development and growth of the Bahraini developer as a whole, said the statement. They also hold senior positions in various prestigious entities and are appointed in executive positions on a local and regional level, it added. Lauding the new board, Najibi said: "As we continue our journey to be a leading, innovative and diversified real estate company driven by the highest standards, I look forward to working with the newly elected members alongside the dedicated members of our team and wish them luck in their new roles." CEO Ahmed Yusuf said: "Having a group of highly experienced and talented individuals on board will contribute towards elevating the company's position and improving its overall performance." "We will be working closely to achieve the vision of Seef Properties to become a leading company in the real estate sector and build on its current market performance," he added.-TradeArabia News Service The UK Government has announced a 105m economic package for the north west as leaders of Northern Ireland's main political parties prepare to meet for a fresh round of talks at Stormont. Some 50m will be injected into a new city deal for the Derry City and Strabane district, geared at investing in innovation, infrastructure and regeneration. A 55m 'Inclusive Future Fund' will support opportunities for young people and tackle long-term social deprivation. It comes two weeks on from Fr Martin Magill's impassioned homily during the funeral of murdered journalist Lyra McKee, when he called on political leaders to work together to deliver jobs and education to young people in deprived areas, including Londonderry. Secretary of State Karen Bradley said the 55m fund recognises the unique circumstances faced by the north west. It will help create new opportunities for the whole of the community, especially for young people, she said. With a new round of talks set to begin today, the announcement appears to offer a major incentive for the DUP and Sinn Fein to unlock the two-year political stalemate. The Government has said a fully-functioning devolved government will need to be in place to ensure a successfully integrated programme of investment for the north west. It said the Inclusive Future Fund could support young people in the north west through providing jobs and opportunities; help tackle the causes and consequences of long-term social deprivation and support the Ulster Universitys Magee campus, by making the area more accessible and attractive to live, visit, study and invest. The 50m city deal package will help set up a Centre for Industrial Digitisation, Robotics and Automation in Derry, along with funding for a series of smart city programmes. Smart city projects are generally geared toward establishing digital infrastructure in urban areas. This 105m investment package is a major boost to the economic potential of the region and will help strengthen the foundations for greater prosperity and a stronger, more united society, said Ms Bradley. Meanwhile, business leaders in Northern Ireland have urged political leaders to restore the institutions to address outstanding infrastructure projects and economic policies. Aodhan Connolly, of the Northern Ireland Retail Consortium, said: We are already playing catch up on business rates reform where our businesses pay 12p in the pound more than the UK average. The Apprenticeship Levy has become simply another tax and it is simply tragic and unforgivable that we have no Assembly committees to give scrutiny to Brexit proposals and the affect on our economy and communities. Gordon Best, of the Mineral Products Association, said if there is a breakthrough at Stormont and on Brexit, confidence will be restored to the business community. It will also unlock the millions of pounds of delayed investment decisions that have been put on hold as a result of the political vacuum and Brexit, he said. Stephen Kelly, of Manufacturing NI, said political decision making is needed for major roads projects, schools and stadia. He also described Northern Irelands energy policy as outdated and increasingly irrelevant. Of particular concern is a lack of scrutiny for major changes in the energy market at a time where power prices are now back to the second most expensive in Europe, he added. Glyn Roberts, chief executive of Retail NI, said: We need to see real leadership by our local political parties and an end to the blame game. 2019 cannot be yet another year with no government, no political progress and economic stagnation. Catherine will be exhibiting and selling her meringues at next week's Balmoral Show Catherine Finnegan of The Fluffy Meringue with some of her produce Sometimes a business is borne out of necessity and that is the case for The Fluffy Meringue. Established by Catherine Daly Finnegan to supplement the income of the family farm in Co Tyrone, it is now a thriving home bakery that supplies shops around Northern Ireland and the Republic. In addition to stocking retailers, Catherine also caters events such as weddings and attends regular speciality markets, and is currently preparing for this year's Balmoral Show. She will be one of many exhibitors who'll take pride of place at the agricultural extravaganza later this month, including those showcasing their produce at the Food NI Pavilion. The Fluffy Meringue is also one of a number of food firms taking part in the show's first ever food trail. While the final number of meringues she will bake for the event is still undecided, it will run into hundreds and will include a selection of some of her most popular flavoured meringues. It is a far cry from the inception of the business, which started out almost two decades ago in the kitchen of the family home in Tullybroom, outside Clogher. Catherine had always baked at home, but the BSE and foot and mouth outbreaks forced her to turn to a hobby to help support her family. She explains: "The Fluffy Meringue has been going since 2000. "Basically, we are here in the heart of Clogher and historically we have always been beef farmers, but I suppose with BSE and foot and mouth, we had to look at other ways of making a living and realised that, like many farmers, we had to diversify. "I decided I would do a bit of home baking and it really took off from there. "I'm not professionally trained, I would have done bits and pieces at home and the business started off very small but expanded quite quickly and we went from there. "I started out making breads and scones which were sold by local shops." For someone with no marketing and sales experience, Catherine had to take the courageous step of finding retailers willing to stock her produce. She adds: "I remember approaching the owner of one shop and I was very nervous. "I was thinking they would never want to sell anything like my breads and scones. "It was 1998 or 1999 at the time and home baking and artisan baking weren't popular like they are now, but a number of shops agreed to take some of my products and we went from there. "We're obviously a lot bigger now than when we started out, but I still consider myself as an artisan home baker. "Most bakeries will have maybe 50 to 100 lines, but I didn't want to go down that road. "Pavlovas were always my speciality and of course, I do other things when requested, but meringues are definitely the biggest part of my business. "I do think programmes like The Great British Bake Off has made home baking much more popular and people are a lot more interested in what goes into products and how they are created." It is for this reason that Catherine, who has five children aged between 16 and 26, regularly attends a number of farmers markets. Not only does it help her raise the profile of her business, but it also allows customers to talk to her directly and find out more about the items they are buying. "I think that is so important and it's a side that I really enjoy as well," she says. "People are definitely starting to appreciate food more and I do the Causeway Speciality Market once a month and Monaghan Farmers Market every Friday. "They are fantastic, I do breads, scones and cakes for the markets and the customers can meet me. I think they do like that they know a bit more about where the products come from." As the business grew and became increasingly popular, Catherine realised she could no longer operate out of her kitchen. She was able to apply for a diversification grant and in 2006, a purpose-built bakery was constructed on the farm. Not only has this allowed her to increase the volume of produce, it also enables her to meet strict health and safety hygiene standards more easily. In particular, it allows her to ensure all the meringues she creates are gluten-free. "This is something I have done by design. I don't make the meringues gluten-free, they are gluten-free by the very fact of the recipe," she explains. "Basically, I use two ingredients in my meringues, egg whites and sugar, so that means they are gluten-free. "So many people don't have any awareness of allergens, so labelling is a big part of the business and it's important that ingredients are displayed clearly on our products. "The beauty of building a kitchen from scratch is that I have been able to design it so that it meets all the standards that are required of a business that produces food." Working in a kitchen so close to her house, however, has its downfalls. "I can get to the kitchen very quickly, but it also means I am more likely to just run over and spend hours there," she says. Over the years, Catherine has developed a range of flavoured meringues, with salted caramel, chocolate orange, marshmallow chocolate, and pistachio and elderflower among the most popular. The success of the business has also meant that Catherine now works with a distribution company based in Sprucefield. "We've been working with them for about five years," she says. "Up until that point it was my husband Patrick who delivered the products in a van. "It just made financial sense for us to start and use a distribution company." In just over one week, Catherine will return to the Balmoral Show for the first time in four years. So, her attention is currently devoted to making sure she is ready for the thousands of people who will visit her stall. "I have no idea how many meringues I will need," she says. "I'm still trying to work that out and it's a lot of work but events like Balmoral are so important to a business like mine." So, what has Catherine learned over her many years as a home baker? One of the most important lessons has been understanding the value of the produce she creates. "I did find pricing difficult when I started out," she says. "Most people appreciate the price of home bakery produce but it can be a bit of a challenge. "For example, most people know how much a pint of milk costs but they don't think about why it costs what it costs, they don't think about how the farmer milks the cows, how the milk is transported to a processing plant - they just see it as a finished product in the shop. "It's the same with what I do and there are more people who like to bake themselves these days, but they've been busy at work all week and the last thing they want to do when they get home is starting baking. "That's where I come in." However, probably the most important lesson she has learned over the years is the importance of finding your niche. "The night before we started in the new bakery is the time when I definitely felt like I had taken on too much," Catherine says. "But I got over that. "I think what is most important in business is to find out what you're good at and stick to it. "I do get quite a few orders through Facebook to do celebration cakes and people have used me for weddings and things like that. "But, first and foremost, I make meringues and I am good at that." Northern Ireland's main representative in Washington, Norman Houston, is stepping down from the role after 12 years, it has emerged. And now his role as director of the Northern Ireland Bureau in North America in Washington DC is being advertised. The NI Bureau is the diplomatic mission of the NI Executive in the United States and Canada, working to bolster economic, educational, cultural and community links between Northern Ireland and North America. Mr Houston (60) worked as deputy director of the bureau from 1998 until 2002. It's not clear what Mr Houston's plans are for the future. He has worked with US presidents Clinton, Bush, Obama and Trump during his tenure. Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph last summer, the former Larne High School pupil said he left school after his O-levels for financial reasons, applying to the Northern Ireland Civil Service's Foreign Office as a clerk. That was back in 1975 and from then he said he "worked my way up", adding: "But I always wanted to go to university and get a degree, so in the early years of my marriage I studied for six years with the Open University and got a first-class honours in modern history." Discussing his role over the years, Mr Houston said: "I think I've got one of the best jobs in the Civil Service. We have what's really a mini-embassy for Northern Ireland. "We're based in Washington and New York but we do a lot of work in Boston and other major cities. We also work in Canada, especially in Toronto. There are actually quite a lot of Northern Ireland ex-pats living there. "A lot of people we deal with in America are third, fourth-generation Irish/Northern Irish. "But in Toronto many of the people we work with were actually born back at home and have lived in Canada for a number of years." He said at the time that the absence of an Executive made the job more difficult. He added: "It's challenging without the Executive because ministers coming in are our key to access the administration - including the current Trump administration. However, we do manage to keep the access up. We're constantly speaking to the Hill, we're constantly speaking to the Trump administration and to wider Irish America." Mr Houston described the lack of an Executive as "the elephant in the room" during events last year to mark the 20th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. "The anniversary has given us a sort of lifeline in keeping our role up. It would be better, though, if it was a politician or a minister sitting at the other side of the table. But by the same token we're making sure we're not left out," he said. What a difference a month makes. Back in February, Boeing was leading the tributes to its 747 airliner - long dubbed the 'Jumbo Jet' - on the occasion of its 50th anniversary. The world's biggest commercial aircraft manufacturer could proudly boast that it had forever changed the course of aviation. But just four weeks later, Boeing was staring catastrophe in the face. An Ethiopian Airlines flight crashed killing all 157 on board - including Co Clare man Michael Ryan. It was a brand new 737 Max 8 plane and it soon transpired that the same software glitch that had downed another of Boeing's new 737s in Indonesia just months previously, in October, had been responsible for this crash too. The 737 Max was announced in 2011 and was the most successful passenger plane in history when orders are taken into account. Ryanair - the biggest Boeing customer outside of the US - placed an order for 135 of them. The first batch were due to arrive last month. But right now, all 371 737 Max aircraft that were in use have been grounded. In both cases, faulty information from a sensor caused anti-stall automation to kick in when it wasn't needed and push the plane's nose down. Black box recordings showed that pilots had tried to counter the aircraft's actions, but were unable to avoid crashing. "We are making steady progress towards certification," Boeing chief executive Dennis Muilenburg has said, but few doubt the scale of the challenge the manufacturer faces to convince the public that the latest iteration of a plane first introduced in 1967 is safe to fly. President Trump weighed in on the crisis with a tweet: "If I were Boeing, I would fix the Boeing 737 Max, add some additional great features and rebrand the plane with a new name. "No product has suffered like this one." Quite what Mr Muilenburg and other airline chiefs thought of President Trump's contribution is anyone's guess: in the wake of his tweet, it was pointed out that his short-lived airline, Trump Shuttle, had been an abject failure. Travel industry expert Eoghan Corry says Boeing's plight will have significant repercussions for Ireland. "Boeing's biggest customers in Europe are all Irish," he says. "Ryanair relies on Boeing entirely for its fleet and have a large number of orders placed. "And there are significant orders from each of the three big aircraft leasing firms based in Ireland. "And the country is a huge player when it comes to aviation leasing - we account for a third of all the planes in the sky." Mr Corry says Boeing faces a "huge, existential challenge" and one largely of its own making. "The 737 is the workhorse of the sky," he says, "particularly in America. "But it may have been a victim of its own success. When the Boeing 737 went through its 600, 700 and 800 [iterations], they were all hugely successful. "But when it came to updating the 800, they were faced with a quandary - if they made it too complicated, they risked having to add extra terms and conditions to the sale just at a time they were coming under increased pressure from Airbus, and they risked having to say to airlines, 'We need your pilots to go into simulators to retrain' - a really big cost for the airlines." He says Boeing had been under pressure to improve the fuel efficiency of their planes following the success of the rival Airbus 320 Neo. "They had to convince buyers that they were effectively building a better plane, but one that would not require additional training. "And nobody, Ryanair included, wants to have to be retraining all their pilots." Gerry Byrne, an aviation-specialist journalist, says the scale of the problem Boeing faces should not be underestimated. "It's been disastrous for Boeing and what makes it even more of a disaster is it's the second time it's happened in just a few years," he says. "The first time was the Boeing 787, the Dreamliner, which went on fire. Nobody was killed then, but two or three aircraft did go on fire." He says the fact that 346 people lost their lives in two separate crashes caused by the same issue has magnified the challenge for Boeing when it comes to restoring confidence among the general public. "The 737 Max planes were in the planning for quite some time," he says. "They weren't planned and produced any quicker than earlier 737s. "What I would say is that the cosy relationship with the US regulator [Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)] is a major problem. The regulator should be making sure that the aircraft is safe to fly, but delegated this responsibility to Boeing. "It basically told Boeing, 'Look, go ahead - you look after this, we trust you'. And they got it wrong. They really screwed up." Mr Byrne says that cosy relationship has been "going on for years" and his 2002 book Flight 427: Anatomy of an Air Disaster looked forensically at "the damage that relationship between Boeing and the FAA was doing". He believes Boeing will fix the software issue and estimates that the planes that have already been sold will be "in the air within two months", but he believes they may have difficulty in convincing those who have placed orders to follow through on them. Ryanair did not respond to queries by the time of going to press, but Mr Corry believes Europe's largest airline will be well-placed to make demands of Boeing. "Nobody really knows what's going on in Michael O'Leary's head," he says. "But having watched him for many years, I think what they'll do is they'll go back to Boeing and they'll say, 'The 737 Max is toxic and our customers won't fly in it, but we've got an order for 135 of them and that's enough for you to keep the production line of the [predecessor] 737 800 going for a couple more years and we'll buy those aircraft off you instead'. And then they'll look for a 25% discount." Meanwhile, some believe airfares will increase due to the uncertainty around the 737 Max, especially in the US, and some airlines based there have already issued profit warnings. But Goodbody Stockbrokers analyst Mark Simpson believes Ryanair will not suffer any fallout from the 737 Max grounding this year, as it has plenty of aircraft in reserve. "There is no impact this coming year as Ryanair will utilise its reserve capacity over the summer - around 11 planes - and possible delay lease returns," he said last month. "Even if the grounding lasted into the winter, Ryanair then has around 60 planes laid up over the low winter season, so would have plenty of cover." Boeing may have had to combat a lot of negative news, but the company is still bullish about its long-term future. It recently released new details about its forthcoming wide-body, long-distance aircraft, the 777X. The manufacturer is promising sculpted side walls, a cabin that's four inches wider than its predecessor, pressurisation that alleviates jet lag, and with the bonus of every passenger being able to see out the window. But the firm will be under greater pressure than ever to assure customers that the 777X - which will begin flight testing later this year and is expected to be in production in 2020 - is safe. An Armagh man has been remanded in custody after he was accused of stealing vehicles and machinery worth 25,000 while on the run An Armagh man has been remanded in custody after he was accused of stealing vehicles and machinery worth 25,000 while on the run. Ryan Cassidy absconded after twice failing to appear for sentencing for an assault. Cassidy (22) from Drumarg Park, Armagh, had been found guilty last month of the 2018 assault and was awaiting sentencing alongside his father, Joseph Cassidy (49) from Killyfaddy Road, Moy. Following their convictions at Dungannon Magistrates' Court, the case was adjourned for pre-sentence reports - but Cassidy Jnr absconded. He was at large for a month and, following his arrest, it emerged a swathe of charges relates to dates when he was on the run. A police officer said all 24 charges could be connected to the defendant. Cassidy Jnr allegedly stole a Toyota Land Cruiser valued at 10,000 on April 11, then two days later stole a tractor and tools, also valued at 10,000. Over dates between April 11 and 15, he allegedly drove the Land Cruiser while disqualified and without insurance in Armagh. On April 14, Cassidy Jnr allegedly stole a trailer, power-washer, bale lifter, bale spike and sheep hurdles worth 5,000. Separately, he is accused of driving a Jaguar X-Type dangerously at Station Road, Armagh while disqualified and without insurance on April 11. It is further alleged he failed to stop, remain and report after an accident occurred in which injury was caused. A third set of allegations relate to December 7, 2018, when Cassidy Jnr is accused of entering a house in the Banbrook Hill area of Armagh and stealing car keys, then taking the car in question without the owner's consent, and driving it while disqualified and without insurance. All three of these sets of charges were adjourned to Armagh Magistrates' Court for a video-link appearance on May 21. The remaining eight charges relate to Cassidy Jnr's arrest on May 2, after being at large. He is accused of intentionally exposing his genitals to cause alarm or distress, damaging a television aerial and three counts each of assaulting police and resisting arrest. These matters will be mentioned at Dungannon Magistrates' Court by video-link on a date to be fixed later this month. There was no application for bail, leading District Judge John Meehan to order an immediate remand in custody. Charlie Lawsons father helped found the loyalist Ulster Vanguard movement, the Coronation Street actor who plays Jim McDonald said (Niall Carson/PA). Charlie Lawsons father helped found the loyalist Ulster Vanguard movement, the Coronation Street actor who plays Jim McDonald said. It opposed the imposition of direct rule of Northern Ireland from Westminster early in the Troubles and held a series of massive rallies. The organisation called for Ulster to retain control over its own internal security and said the loyalist cause must be taken into the hands of the loyalist people themselves. The Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR) were always round and about making sure everybody was all right and some strange guys from England would appear with no cap badges and mother would make them sandwichesCharlie Lawson Northern Irishman Lawson said: My father was involved in local politics; he was one of the instigators of the Vanguard movement down there with Bill Craig and Harry West and he was a target. We were visited on numerous occasions by strange men in camouflage who would appear on the doorstep ad have sandwiches and they were there to protect us. The Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) were regular visitors. The Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR) were always round and about making sure everybody was all right and some strange guys from England would appear with no cap badges and mother would make them sandwiches. Lawson said Northern Ireland had been swept under the carpet in the rest of the UK. Expand Close Lawson is an ambassador for the Northern Ireland Veterans Association (NIVA) (Niall Carson/PA). PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Lawson is an ambassador for the Northern Ireland Veterans Association (NIVA) (Niall Carson/PA). He was brought up on the shores of Lough Erne in Co Fermanagh in the 1960s and is an ambassador for the Northern Ireland Veterans Association (NIVA). Direct rule from London was introduced by Ted Heaths Conservative government in 1972, taking back power from Stormont following spiralling IRA and loyalist violence. The clawing back of responsibilities by a government viewed with deep suspicion by loyalists sparked trenchant opposition from men like Lawsons father. Members of his family and friends were in the services during various generations. He visited Lisburn near Belfast on Tuesday to launch a veterans event on August 17 commemorating those who died during the Troubles. Organisers predicted large numbers would attend the parade in Lisburn. They issued an open invitation to veterans from the Northern Ireland, Great Britain and Republic of Ireland security forces, their civilian employees and emergency services who served during the deployment of British forces in Northern Ireland in Operation Banner, from 1969-2007. Relatives of those killed were also invited to watch the march, which takes place on the 50th anniversary of the beginning of the Operation Banner, August 1969. The Northern Ireland Veterans Association organised the event in memory of the 1,242 men, women and children it estimates were murdered during the Troubles because they were serving in, or had a connection with the security forces. Lawson said many others remained deeply troubled by what they witnessed. Some exposed to violence suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder, at a time when the condition was not as well recognised as it is today. Lawson said: In Cheshire (where he lives) people have forgotten already what happened, children are not taught. I find it a little annoying that Northern Ireland has been swept conveniently under the carpet and it is only when very unfortunate incidents like in Creggan the other week that people will wake up and realise that they (IRA) maybe have not gone away. Journalist Lyra McKee was shot dead by dissident republicans the New IRA aiming to kill police in Londonderry last month. Lawson expressed hope for powersharing talks beginning at Stormont on Tuesday, but admitted it was difficult to see progress being made. He said: I spend my time defending this wee country in England and it is very difficult when you have issues and people talking about gay issues. People cannot believe what we are arguing about. For Gods sake sit down and get on with it because the problems are not insurmountable, they really are not. It is just a Government thing, they would rather these people disappeared and shut up, that is the impression we get in England from local Government upwardsCharlie Lawson He said Northern Irelands veterans were neglected and prey to suicidal thoughts and alcoholism. They have done it all themselves and it was ever thus, we are stoic people and we will get on with it and do it and that is what they are doing. He added: It is just a government thing, they would rather these people disappeared and shut up, that is the impression we get in England from local government upwards. A Co Down community has been plunged into sadness after a young woman lost her battle with cancer. Siobhan McCann (26), from the village of Clanvaraghan outside Castlewellan, passed away peacefully at her home on Monday evening surrounded by her family. Ms McCann, a keen GAA player, had been diagnosed with colorectal cancer while working as a physiotherapist in Fulham in April 2018. She moved home to be with her family while undergoing treatment. Three months later she was told the cancer had spread to her liver and surgery was no longer an option. The Co Down community rallied round to support Ms McCann, raising more than 110,000 to fund life-prolonging treatment through a series of events. Following her passing, St John's GAC, Drumnaquoile, for whom she played, paid a heartfelt tribute to the Co Down woman on social media. "Often in sad times such as the passing of someone we loved we are alone in our grief and we need to be with others who loved that person as much as we did," they said. Often in sad times such as the passing of someone we loved we are alone in our grief and we need to be with others who... Posted by St Johns GAA on Tuesday, May 7, 2019 "As a mark of the person that Siobhan was and the esteem her and her family are held in, we are already receiving a huge number of messages of support and offers of help." In the wake of her death, friends of Ms McCann took to social media to pay their respects, describing her as a "beautiful girl with an amazing heart". "A wonderful girl taken many, many years too soon. Your wonderful personality and radiant smile will live forever in the hearts and memories of those who knew you," one wrote. "We have all lost a very special one this evening as she touched so many in such a positive way in her short time with us," said another. Chris Hazzard, Sinn Fein MP for South Down, said: "Very sad to hear of the passing of Siobhan McCann this evening - deepest sympathy to the McCann family and everyone at St. Johns GAC who will be devastated at this heartbreaking news." A funeral notice for Siobhan McCann read: "Peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family, Siobhan, dearly beloved daughter of Brendan and Geraldine and devoted sister of Grainne and Ciaran and cherished sister-in-law of Mark Seenan R.I.P. "On her soul sweet Jesus have mercy. Deeply regretted by her sorrowing father, mother, sister, brother, brother-in-law Mark, grandmother Annie Rice, aunts, uncles and entire family circle. Mary Queen of the Gael pray for her." He funeral service will be held at St Mary of The Angels Church in Clanvaraghan at 2pm on Thursday, following by a burial in the adjoining cemetery. Party leaders will learn the talks format at a meeting at Stormont today which will be attended by Karen Bradley and Simon Coveney The Government is to unveil the details of a new talks process today which will involve setting up a series of working groups to address issues such as an Irish Language Act. The format of the new discussions to end the political stalemate at Stormont will be disclosed to the party leaders in a meeting at lunchtime. Read More Writing in today's Belfast Telegraph, Arlene Foster pledged that her party would "engage wholeheartedly" in the fresh round of negotiations. The DUP leader said that last week's council elections result made it clear that people "want their Northern Ireland government back and functioning again". Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald also vowed that her party would engage "energetically and positively" in the dialogue. "Our negotiators are ready for talks. We are up for resolving the issues," she said. Ulster Unionist leader Robin Swann said voters from across the political spectrum had sent a clear message to their politicians to get back to work. SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said the parties must listen to what the electorate was saying. Secretary of State Karen Bradley and Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney are expected to reveal the talks format during the meeting with party leaders at Stormont House. Sources last night told the Belfast Telegraph that working groups will be set up to address cultural issues such as an Irish Language Act; the reform of Stormont's structures such as the petition of concern; and rights issues. These groups are expected to start meeting tomorrow and will involve all of Northern Ireland's parties, not just the DUP and Sinn Fein. Ministers from both governments will also meet in London tomorrow for a full session of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference. On the eve of the talks process, the Government outlined details of a 100m-plus funding package for Londonderry. Mrs Foster said: "Voters in Thursday's local government elections reinforced the case the DUP accepts and has been making: that the people want their Northern Ireland government back and functioning again. "The DUP will not be the obstacle to the return of Stormont. "While some seek to pose as the champions of rights, I will be standing up for the rights of people who want their health reforms, their education reforms and a local devolved government. "The DUP recognises the issue of the Irish language will have to be dealt with but any package must be fair and balanced." Also writing in today's Belfast Telegraph, Ms McDonald said her negotiators are ready for talks. "We are up for resolving the issues. These issues are not complex, complicated or intractable. They can be resolved if the political will exists. Agreement can be found in which the rights of all are respected," she said. "That is how we will create credible and sustainable institutions that are built on equality and respect. "That is how we will deliver on the issues at the heart of the political impasse, including marriage equality, and rights for women, Irish speakers and victims." Ms McDonald said the council election results showed that "a more progressive, inclusive and pluralist society" was emerging. Mr Swann said: "We have a time limit to getting a deal done. The clear message from voters on the doors right across the political spectrum is that they want to see Stormont working again. "The voters value democracy more than some of our politicians but these election results have maybe wakened them up." Mr Eastwood said the politics of "division, deadlock and failure is finished". "It's time for parties to come back together and for politicians to get back to work," he said. "These talks must be short, focused and productive. We know the issues and we know the solutions. All parties must be prepared to compromise to restore government and deal with the crisis in our health service and in our schools." The funding package for Derry is made up of 50m in funding for the Derry and Strabane City Deal and 55m of additional support through a new Inclusive Future Fund aimed at tackling deprivation and employment issues in the city. It comes weeks after the New IRA shot dead journalist Lyra McKee in the city. Many believe dissident republicans are capitalising on the deprivation experienced by young people in parts of the city to bolster their ranks. The Secretary of State said the Derry City and Strabane City Deal would boost innovation and the digital potential of the region and unlock local partner funding. Freddy McKendry who died in a crash in Loughgiel on Friday A brother of a man in his 20s who died in a car crash in Co Antrim has vowed never to forget him, adding that it's "always the best go first". The victim, who has been named locally as Freddy McKendry from Omerbane, Cloughmills, was involved in a collision on the Altnahinch Road, Loughgiel shortly before 11pm on Sunday. Mr McKendry, a past pupil of St Patrick's College, Ballymena, was the driver of an Audi car and police have confirmed there were no other vehicles involved. His wake was held at 9pm last night at the family home, with his sister Caitriona saying on Facebook "everyone welcome". Mr McKendry's brother Cathair also wrote on his social media page "love you loads Freddy" before adding another Facebook post that said: "Freddy man I'll see you soon. "Always the best go first. I'll never forget you." Messages of support poured in from close friends who offered their condolences to Freddy's parents and siblings Amanda, Frankie, Stephen, Catriona, Padraig and Cathair. Bernie Kennedy wrote: "Absolutely heartbreaking news Amanda, thoughts and prayers with you all" while Jason McNeill said: "Sorry for your loss Amanda, thinking of you and your family." SDLP councillor for the area, Margaret Anne McKillop, extended her sympathy to the family of the young man who lost his life so tragically in the road traffic accident. "My deepest sympathy goes to the young man's family and friends," she said. "No one can begin to understand the shock and grief that follows such a tragic event. "All I can do is reassure them that the entire community of Loughgiel and much further afield is with them at this challenging time. We pray that somehow they will get through the difficult days ahead. "Loughgiel is a closely knit community where everyone knows each other and on this occasion they have lost a young man in his 20s who had so much to live for." Police closed the Altnahinch Road overnight but it has since reopened. They have also appealed for information from anyone who may have witnessed the incident last Sunday. A community has been left in fear after three teenage girls were locked in a room of their Co Down home by a gang of armed and masked men who brutally beat their stepfather A community has been left in fear after three teenage girls were locked in a room of their Co Down home by a gang of armed and masked men who brutally beat their stepfather. The shocking paramilitary-style attack took place at a property in Ravara Close in the Scrabo estate, Newtownards, at around 11.15pm on Sunday. The male victim suffered a large cut to the top of his head and puncture wounds to his arm after being hit with a hammer and beaten with a pole containing nails. He was taken to the Ulster Hospital following the attack but it is understood he has since returned to the property in the quiet cul-de-sac where he lives with his partner and stepdaughters. Two of the three girls are believed to be still at school, the other has only recently left. Local residents said the family had only recently moved to the area. "They gave him a bad beating but it must have been awful for those girls - I'm sure they are still in a bad way," one appalled neighbour said. "The poor wee lassies must have screamed in terror." Another neighbour who had allowed her four children to stay up late on Sunday night due to the holiday had to reassure the youngsters that it was safe to go to sleep. They had been startled by the noise of four masked men entering the nearby house. "We heard what I can only describe as a herd of elephants running up the stairs - my daughters knew straight away that something was wrong, but I dismissed it," she said. "I just put them to bed and told them everything was OK. The next thing the police and ambulance arrived. "It was only this morning I found out the extent of what had happened - it's shocking." Detective Constable Rea said everyone caught up in the "serious assault" had been left badly shaken. Strangford MP Jim Shannon condemned the "despicable" attack and appealed to local residents to help unmask the culprits. "It seems that there are people in paramilitaries in this community who think they are the custodians of law and order, but they are not," he said. "This was a brutal and violent act of intimidation for the victim and a despicable act on these girls who were terrorised. "Somebody knows something and I would urge them to come forward and share it with the PSNI." Police have appealed for anyone with information, or who noticed any suspicious activity or vehicles in the area around that time, to contact detectives on 101, quoting reference 1650 of 05/05/19. The Company for Cooperative Insurance (Tawuniya), Saudi Arabia's leading insurance firm, has partnered with global health tech company Vitality Group to develop and launch its first Shared-Value Insurance product in the kingdom. Part of Discovery Group, Vitality operates its Shared-Value Insurance model in 19 countries. The agreement, signed during the Financial Sector Conference held in Riyadh from April 24-25, will allow Tawuniya customers to enjoy the benefits and services of the Vitality health and wellness program and join millions of members worldwide. The signing ceremony was attended by the chief executive officer of Tawuniya, Abdulaziz Hassan Al-Boug; CEO of Vitality Group International, Barry Swartzberg; and the chairman of Tawuniya, Soliman S. Al-Humayyd. Al-Boug expressed his pleasure for signing this agreement. He said: "Tawuniya, as a leading insurance company and an expert in understanding the insurance market and customers needs, realised early on that the business model currently applied in the medical insurance operations needs to be developed to commensurate with the change in the demands of the whole society, coupled with technological development." Vitality enables health improvement for more than 10 million clients in different countries, through their engagement in the programme and the additional rewards that encourage healthy behaviour. These health improvements result in lower risks for illness and premature death among clients, a healthier society and long-term insurance savings for the insurer. The program based on behavioural science and sophisticated digital health technology is independently verified by leading academic institutions around the globe, he noted. Al-Boug pointed out that shifting from the traditional concepts of health insurance to a shared-value insurance model with the Vitality Programme aims at improving the behaviour of individuals. "This programme provides a shared value between the customers and insurance companies, which improves the health level of the insured persons in general. This adds value to the community and thus contributes to reducing the cost of insurance for Tawuniya customers and enhances the control of the amounts of medical claims for the insurance sector," Al-Boug said. Vitality Group CEO Swartzberg also expressed his pleasure regarding the strategic partnership, saying: Vitalitys core purpose is to make people healthier and enhance and protect their lives. We welcome the opportunity to work with Tawuniya to improve the health and wellness of their people." "With millions of members worldwide, Vitality is committed to expanding its shared-value insurance model into new markets, said Swartzberg. - TradeArabia News Service A Co Armagh farmer who failed in a legal bid to withdraw admissions to harassing his estranged wife appears to be a "manipulative, controlling person", the Court of Appeal held today. Sean Murphy claimed he was pressured and bullied by a lawyer into pleading guilty to a campaign which led to his imprisonment. But senior judges in Belfast rejected the 60-year-old's challenge to being denied permission to vacate his plea, describing the case as completely without merit. Lord Chief Justice Sir Declan Morgan said: "Far from being committed to a caring, collaborative approach to his wife, the evidence suggests this applicant is a manipulative, controlling person." In January 2017 Murphy, from Carnally Road in Silverbridge, was handed a seven-and-a-half month sentence at Newry Crown Court. He had been on trial for seven counts of alleged breach of a restraining order and a further charge of harassing his wife on dates between January and March 2016. After she gave evidence Murphy was re-arraigned and pleaded guilty to the harassment allegation alone. The remaining seven counts were left on the books, not to be proceeded with. Later, however, he applied to vacate the plea, claiming he had not understood advice given to him by his legal representatives at the time and put under pressure. Murphy said he was worried about his wife and "in a very bad spot", the court heard. In June 2017 the trial judge dismissed his application after rejecting claims that he was not fully or appropriately advised. Four months later Murphy submitted a notice of appeal against her decision, explaining that the delay in taking the legal step was because he had been in prison. Refusing to extend time for the challenge, The Lord Chief Justice pointed out: "There is no reason why he could not have lodged his appeal while he was in custody." Sir Declan also cited a medical report prepared for Murphy's trial. He said: "Dr Bownes considered that consequent upon the effects of inherent personality-based deficits and deficiencies, particularly a tendency to egocentricity... a need to be liked and admired and perhaps inadequacy feelings, the applicant's capacity to exercise appropriate levels of judgment may have been compromised." Ulster Unionist councillor Jim Rodgers has been made a scapegoat for the party's poor performance in the location government elections, a Belfast councillor who lost his seat has claimed. UUP leader Robin Swann withdrew the whip from Mr Rodgers after he distributed a leaflet saying the Alliance Party had a record of "voting with the Provisional IRA's political wing". The UUP lost 13 seats in the recent election, losing five in Belfast. Read More For a full breakdown visit our Election hub and check out the results from each council: Antrim and Newtownabbey --- Ards and North Down --- Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon --- Belfast --- Causeway Coast and Glens --- Derry and Strabane --- Fermanagh and Omagh --- Lisburn and Castlereagh --- Mid and East Antrim --- Mid Ulster --- Newry, Mourne and Down Former UUP councillor Stephen McCarthy blamed Mr Rodgers for losing him his seat, accusing him of "damaging and misrepresenting" the party. However, David Browne, who was a councillor for more than 25 years, told BBC Radio Ulster's Good Morning Ulster programme that the UUP's treatment of Mr Rodgers was "disgraceful". "There were many reasons why we lost seats," Mr Browne said. "In my particular area, the working class didn't come out and the middle class did come out and that's why I lost my seat." Expand Close David Browne / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp David Browne Mr Browne said as UUP group leader on Belfast City Council he had seen and approved the leaflet. "I think it's disgraceful that Jim Rodgers is being disciplined over this, because anybody who wants to look at the voting record of Alliance in Belfast City Council, they will see how many times the Alliance Party have voted with Sinn Fein." Mr Browne said the leaflet was not mentioned when he was canvassing for votes in the weeks leading up to the election. "I can say with my hand on my heart, not one single person mentioned it to me," he said. "I think Jim's being used as a scapegoat. It's because we didn't get a good vote." Alliance leader Naomi Long said she had talked to Mr Swann at the election count and had accepted an apology. "I respect the fact that Robin has apologised. I'm accepting the apology and moving on," she said. "If at any time Jim wants to apologise I have no doubt whatsoever that that apology would be well received. "But he hasn't, he has defended his position and has said the leaflet was justified." Seamus Close, a former deputy leader of Northern Ireland's Alliance Party has died after a short illness. Mr Close, who had been an MLA in Lagan Valley for nine years, had been suffering from cancer. In June 2001 he resigned as Deputy Leader of the party, citing differences with the leadership of Sean Neeson. He retired from politics in 2006. Alliance leader Naomi Long described him as larger than life and full of fun. He was a straight-talker people didnt always like the message he brought but he gave it to them with both barrels, and hes somebody I had huge affection for, she said. So, genuinely really sad to have heard the news this morning. Its a very, very sad day he will be really missed. Mrs Long told BBC Radio Ulsters Nolan Show that Mr Close, from Lisburn, played a significant role in her partys negotiating team during the Good Friday Agreement. I knew he had been ill and I had phoned last week, but he was sleeping at the time I phoned so we never got to have a final chat, which is a shame because I would love to have just had an opportunity to speak to him, but thats the life way goes, she said. Everyone who knew Seamus will genuinely miss him. Danny Kennedy, of the UUP, said that he was "deeply sorry" to learn of the death. "He was a highly effective representative, widely respected and a man of integrity," said Mr Kennedy. " I extend my sincere sympathy to his family, friends and political colleagues at this sad time." More to follow An artist adds finishing touches to a mural in Belfast dedicated to journalist Lyra McKee An artist adds finishing touches to a mural in Belfast dedicated to journalist Lyra McKee A mural dedicated to Lyra McKee has appeared in central Belfast as part of a major street art festival. The image of the murdered journalist, who was shot by a New IRA gunman in Londonderry on April 18, has been painted outside the Sunflower Pub. Read More The mural - spray-painted by Dublin artist Emma Blake, known as ESTR - is one of a series of street art displays forming the basis of the Hit the North Street Art Festival 2019. This year 22 artists have taken over most of Kent Street with artwork, with people stopping to take pictures of Ms McKee's portrait over the bank holiday weekend. Yesterday as the mural was continuing to take shape, festival curator Adam Turkington told the Belfast Telegraph that Ms Blake wanted to honour the late writer. The image of Ms McKee (29) is painted alongside the words of a powerful letter she wrote to her 14-year-old self. The letter, which has gained worldwide prominence since her death, spoke of her struggles growing up as a gay teenager in Northern Ireland. It contained the touching message: "It won't always be like this. It's going to get better" - words that have gained added resonance since her murder by the terror group. Mr Turkington said: "Emma spoke to Lyra's partner and family to get their blessing beforehand. "One of Lyra's sisters has visited and taken photographs." He revealed the location of the mural had been specially chosen because it faces an existing artwork produced by artist Emic, where Lyra had once posed for a photograph. "That photograph of Lyra went all around the world after her death," Mr Turkington added. The site is also close to St Anne's Cathedral, where the late journalist's funeral was held on April 24, when Fr Martin Magill made a powerful plea for politicians to work together. The festival curator said the public reaction to Lyra's portrait has been positive. He added: "I think it's really important for people. It keeps her legacy going." The street portrait comes as pro-IRA graffiti in Londonderry's Creggan area - where Ms McKee died - was painted over with messages of positivity and inclusiveness in her honour. Within days of her death, friends and supporters of the writer defaced an office belonging to Saoradh, believed to the political wing of the New IRA, by putting handprints on the building's walls in red paint. Addressing this, Mr Turkington said the festival artwork was a natural progression, given how the aftermath of the journalist's death has been expressed on walls. "Street art has its roots in activism and in anti-establishmentism, but also in finding ways to communicate with each other about things that really are hard to talk about," he said. Mr Turkington said street art here is "all about building a shared space" and places where people can co-exist. A man was taken to hospital after being assaulted in north Belfast. Police attended a report of an assault in a property on Alliance Avenue on Monday night. It was reported that at around 8.45pm a male was assaulted by another male in a house in the area. The male was taken to hospital for treatment for a cut to his head. Police appealed for anyone with information to contact officers in Tennent Street Police Station on 101 quoting reference 1175 06/05/19. Information can also be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Mods and former Mods turned up in force yesterday at Belfast City Hall before heading off for their annual May bank holiday ride-out Mods and former Mods turned up in force yesterday at Belfast City Hall before heading off for their annual May bank holiday ride-out Mods and former Mods turned up in force yesterday at Belfast City Hall before heading off for their annual May bank holiday ride-out A volley of Vespas shot off from Belfast City Hall yesterday as scooter fans took part in the annual May bank holiday ride. Hundreds of the vehicles took several minutes to surge off from Donegall Square along Chichester Street, in a spectacular ride-out reminiscent of scenes from the swinging Sixties. May Day has become a traditional celebration for scooter lovers, as fans in cities across the UK emulate treks made by London-based groups to south coast resorts such as Brighton and Hastings since 1964. This year's run in England saw hundreds of bikers heading towards the coast yesterday face delays due to a serious crash in Kent. A motorcyclist thought to be travelling to the rally was seriously injured in a collision on the coastbound A21, with the road closed for several hours. The Arts Council of Northern Ireland has settled a case brought by its Chief Executive Roisin McDonough for 12,000. Ms McDonough brought the case alleging age discrimination and victimisation, with the support of the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland. The council agreed to the payment without admission of liability. She has been Chief Executive since October 2000. In January 2017 she applied for flexible retirement. She wished to reduce her working hours from five days to four days per week from 1 April 2017, having previously indicated that this might be for a limited time as she was considering retirement. Over the next period, no decision was taken on her request and she alleged that she was asked instead, on a number of occasions, about her plans to fully retire and if she had decided on a final retirement date. She became aware of speculation within the workplace about when she would retire and who might apply for the post. Ms McDonough considered this inappropriate and undermining to her position. Due to the failure to progress her request for flexible retirement, Ms McDonough commenced an internal grievance procedure and subsequently lodged proceedings claiming discrimination under the Employment Equality (Age) Regulations (NI) 2006. An internal panel upheld her grievance complaint and recommended that her flexible retirement request be processed immediately. She commenced flexible retirement in September 2017. Ms McDonough said: I want to thank the Equality Commission for supporting me in my case. Its important if people feel their rights at work are not being upheld that they know they can seek independent support and they will be listened to. Public sector workers, at whatever level they are employed in an organisation, are entitled to the same rights as anyone else. I believed my flexible retirement request was in line with the organisations Human Resources policies. I was disappointed that my request was not being progressed and felt under pressure to provide a definite date for retirement. I believed that this was inappropriate and that any decision on my retirement should be mine and mine alone. Anne McKernan, Head of Legal Services, ECNI said: In settling the case, the Arts Council has acknowledged and regrets the hurt and injury to feelings experienced by Roisin McDonough. It has reaffirmed its commitment to the principle of equality of opportunity in employment and will liaise with the Commission and review its policies and procedures concerning age. It will ensure that these policies and procedures relating to age are communicated to all staff and to Board members and that appropriate training is provided. Northern Irelands political leaders have vowed to strive for a deal to restore powersharing as a fresh talks process began at Stormont. The leaders of the five main parties acknowledged mounting public impatience and anger at a stalemate that has left the region without a functioning devolved government for over two years. They held a short round-table meeting at Stormont House on Tuesday afternoon for the first exchanges of a new talks process initiated by the UK and Irish governments. During the meeting, Northern Ireland Secretary Karen Bradley and Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney outlined the format for the latest bid to resolve the impasse. The process will involve agenda-setting and stock-taking meetings between the five leaders and two governments at least once a week, with five working groups set up to focus on the detail of key disputes at the heart of the deadlock. Text from the multiparty talks to restore the Northern Ireland Executive. READ here: https://t.co/WPuNVMdjXW Northern Ireland Office (@NIOgov) May 7, 2019 The tone of Tuesdays preliminary meeting was understood to be more harmonious than the last gathering of the party leaders in the winter. Afterwards, DUP leader Arlene Foster said she would enter the talks with a good heart and with determination to find a solution. We want devolution to work because we are a devolutionist party, she said. From our part I was very clear with all the other parties that we will not be found wanting in getting a deal to get Stormont up and running again. Expand Close Arlene Foster (Cate McCurry/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Arlene Foster (Cate McCurry/PA) We are entering this talks process to find a way forward. It has to, of course, be a balanced way forward and one that everyone in Northern Ireland is comfortable with, whether they are unionist, nationalist or indeed other and I think thats very important. We are not looking at the prospect of failure we want this to work. The last DUP/Sinn Fein-led powersharing coalition imploded in January 2017 when the late Martin McGuinness quit as Sinn Fein deputy first minister amid a row about a botched green energy scheme. The fallout over the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) was soon overtaken by disputes over the Irish language, the regions ban on same-sex marriage and the toxic legacy of the Troubles. Six previous talks initiatives to restore devolution have failed to find consensus. Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald said her party was ready to do the business. People have a right to good government. I believe we can get that. It will take good will and for good faith - @MaryLouMcDonald pic.twitter.com/tPHs2v8yaW Sinn Fein (@sinnfeinireland) May 7, 2019 The current stalemate is not acceptable and not sustainable, there are outstanding issues that need to be resolved, and we believe they can be resolved, she said. If everybody is prepared to show leadership, if everybody is prepared to respect the clear public desire for equality and peoples rights to be recognised and delivered on, we can find our way back to powersharing. After the meeting, Mrs Bradley said: None of us should be under any illusions about this. There are some very significant challenges and this is not going to be easy, and therefore Id ask that we all give the parties time and space to allow them to address these difficult issues and to come to the right conclusion for the people of Northern Ireland, which is the restoration of devolution. She said she would not be making any further public comment on the talks during the process. Expand Close Karen Bradley (Brian Lawless/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Karen Bradley (Brian Lawless/PA) Mr Coveney described the first meeting as constructive and positive. All of the parties and their political leaders were very constructive for the initial meeting today, but clearly weve a lot of work to do, he said. Everybody recognises that there is work to do to accommodate each other but certainly I think today was as constructive and positive a start as we could have hoped for. Doubts have been raised whether parties will be prepared to compromise during the European election campaign. Mr Coveney insisted progress could be made ahead of the election, although he acknowledged a final resolution may not emerge until after the poll. Expand Close Simon Coveney (Brian Lawless/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Simon Coveney (Brian Lawless/PA) Efforts to resurrect the devolved institutions have been injected with fresh urgency following the dissident republican murder of journalist Lyra McKee in Londonderry last month. Politicians are facing mounting public pressure to find consensus amid concerns that violent extremists are exploiting the power vacuum. Last weeks local council elections recorded a surge in support for middle ground parties such as Alliance, with many interpreting the result as a sign of growing disaffection at the polarised Stormont stand-off. While the DUP and Sinn Fein failed to make the gains at council level that some predicted, they remain the regions two pre-eminent political forces and the fate of the Stormont talks is still in their hands. The last talks process broke down in acrimony last February with claim and counter-claim on what had been agreed. Sinn Fein said DUP leader Arlene Foster had agreed a draft deal to re-enter devolved government that included concessions on the Irish language a claim Mrs Foster denied. Many of the disputes are linked to a controversial voting mechanism that enables blocs of unionists and nationalists to veto measures which command overall majority support in the Assembly. A number of the smaller parties are calling for changes to the contentious petition of concern, believing its reform could unlock several logjams at the heart of Stormonts impasse. With the UK Government reluctant to reintroduce direct rule from Westminster, Northern Ireland has operated in a political limbo for the last two years, with senior civil servants being left to run public services. The civil servants are seriously hamstrung, unable to make key policy decisions in the absence of elected ministers. As a consequence, numerous governmental decisions are in abeyance, with many major policy initiatives in cold storage. The wife of former SDLP leader John Hume has said he would be "heartbroken" if he knew about the murder of young journalist Lyra McKee. Pat Hume also pleaded with Northern Ireland's politicians not to let the Irish language become a source of political division ahead of power-sharing talks on Tuesday. Read More Mr Hume lives with dementia. His wife's comments come as new discussions begin at Stormont in a bid to finally end more than two years of political stalemate. Mrs Hume, speaking to BBC Radio Foyle, said she remained hopeful that the talks will be successful. "I think two and a half years, almost, that is far too long for people to be without an Executive," she said. "Without having the help of somebody with power who will be able to attend to those trolleys that our now piling up on hospital corridors, to the numbers on hospital waiting lists, to the schools crying out for funding. Expand Close David Trimble, John Hume and U2s Bono celebrate the 1998 Agreement together / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp David Trimble, John Hume and U2s Bono celebrate the 1998 Agreement together "John Hume was a great man for dialogue and he would be heartbroken if he could follow what was going on at the moment. "I remember in 1993 when the news broke of his talks with Gerry Adams, and he was vilified from one end of Ireland to the other. "But he had the vision and the courage to continue with those talks despite all the vilification, in spite of all the poisoned letters through the post, in spite of all the phone calls and the threats, he had the courage to continue with those talks. "It is not going to be easy for our politicians to make the necessary compromises." One of the main sources of contention between the DUP and Sinn Fein is the introduction of an Irish Language Act. Mrs Hume said: "Please, please, don't let a language which is used for communication, be the source of not talking." "I think a language is for communication." Expand Close Lyra McKee Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Lyra McKee Asked how Mr Hume would feel about the murder of journalist Lyra McKee in Londonderry on April 18, she said: "He would be so, so sad. Obviously I told him about it but it doesn't really register with him now. The sadness of dementia now as well. "He would be absolutely heartbroken if he could really register the fruitlessness of it all." Mrs Hume said that dialogue and compromise was the key to restoring Stormont. "I think the time for self-righteousness and hypocrisy has to end," she said. "Politics is about compromise, about the art of the possible. They have to be more creative, they have to see the big picture. "They have to be reconciled." Turkey-based Otokar, a leading land defence systems manufacturer and a Koc Group company, showcased its new military armoured vehicles and own design turret systems at the recent 14th International Defence Industry Fair (IDEF) 2019 in Turkey. The four-day event opened on April 30, at the Istanbul Tuyap Fair Convention and Congress Centre. It was organised under the patronage of the Turkish Presidency and hosted by the Turkish Ministry of Defence. Otokar debuted the Tulpar Medium Tank; AKREP IIe - the first Turkish electric armoured vehicle; Cobra II Medical Evacuation Vehicle; and Ural SOV (special operations vehicle) among the new vehicles at the fair. Otokar general manager Serdar Gorguc said: As the most competent land systems company in Turkey with 32 years of experience in military vehicles, we strive to offer the best products and services to our clients in more than 50 countries worldwide. We reflect the experiences we gain in Turkey as well as in different climates and geographies around the world to our vehicle development activities. As an industry leader in land systems, we have introduced many firsts in Turkey and now we are taking our aspirations in defence industry to another dimension with our new generation armoured vehicle family and new product types, he said. The armoured vehicles we develop are built against present threats using next generation technologies, and we are expanding our position in Turkey as a vehicle manufacturer. Currently, more than 30,000 of our companys vehicles are being actively used in over 30 countries. During the exhibition, we will not only improve our cooperation with our existing clients but also promote our land systems capabilities to prospective new clients. Our goal is to continue our product innovations, R&D activities and expand technology transfer activities in global markets, he added. Cobra II Medical Evacuation Vehicle: Cobra II mine-protected armoured medical evacuation vehicle is a version of the modular Cobra II platform adaptable for different missions. It is designed to provide high terrain capabilities with mine and ballistic protection, and is intended to carry out all interventions expected from a standard medical evacuation vehicle. AKREP IIe: The new generation addition to the AKREP II 4x4 armoured vehicle family, has been developed by Otokar as an armoured reconnaissance and weapons platform. It is designed with a low silhouette to respond to stealthy reconnaissance and surveillance requirements of armed forces. In addition to mobility on all terrains and superior manoeuvrability and agility, the vehicle also comes with a construction that can be equipped with alternative powerplants (electric, diesel and hybrid). AKREP II integrates power generation and transmission systems, sensors, computers, communication and targeting systems all in one and offers a construction that will facilitate conversion to autonomous vehicles. Ural SOV: Is the new variant of the versatile modular Ural platform, a unique product of the companys innovative approach. It is designed to meet the need for 4x4 armoured or non-armoured tactical vehicles of different users with a versatile and modular solution. With its modular structure and dimensions, the Ural platform can be easily adapted to the equipment, weapon systems and configurations required by different missions and versions customised to client requests are currently used in numerous domestic and foreign missions. Tulpar Medium Tank: The tank stands out with its mobility, firepower and survivability features. Integrated with CMIs Cockerill 3105 type turret; the auto-loader 105 mm gun system is capable of firing all types of 105mm NATO ammunition and 105mm guided anti-tank missile. It offers effective solutions in missions that require high firing and destruction. With superior mobility, the medium tank can serve in all kinds of combat environments from urban, built-up areas and light bridges to woodlands and all terrains especially soft surfaces where main battle tanks are unable to operate due to their heavy weights. TradeArabia News Service Firebrand left-wing politician Eamonn McCann is calling for civil disobedience if a hard border is reintroduced, just days after being elected to Derry and Strabane District Council. McCann - one of two People Before Profit candidates now on the council - said people should actively resist any attempt to introduce a hard border between Londonderry and Donegal. He said that while he isn't convinced a hard border will be reintroduced, he believed it should be met with resistance - which must be peaceful. "We are totally against violent protest, which would be counterproductive," he said. "People are wondering what the British government is going to do, wondering what the Irish government is going to do and wondering what the EU is going to do. But the real question is, what are the people going to do?" Mr McCann said civil disobedience had been used throughout Irish history as a means of protest - including at civil rights demonstrations 50 years ago. "So the question is how do you stop this thing and I put my trust in the ordinary people rather than the negotiators or government representatives," he added. However, East Londonderry DUP MP Gregory Campbell said Mr McCann's call was "reckless and dangerous". He said: "Everyone from Juncker and Varadkar to May have accepted that there will not be any so-called hard border between Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic," he said. "The geography and terrain makes it an utter impossibility for such an outcome to materialise. "A statement as absurd and irresponsible as this about something that isn't going to happen, only serves to exploit genuine fears and inflame tensions." Mr McCann now represents The Moor area, where dissident republican politician Gary Donnelly topped the poll, two weeks after the New IRA murdered journalist Lyra McKee. At the time, Mr Donnelly described Ms McKee's murder as "wrong" and called on those responsible to "desist". Mr McCann said Mr Donnelly's election success had no bearing on the community's abhorrence at Ms McKee death. "I think that Gary Donnelly's vote was reflective of his reputation as a community worker in the Creggan area," he said. "I think his condemnation of the killing was a reflection of what he knew the community would want and it is important to remember the level of support for the killing of Lyra McKee was as near zero as to make no difference. "We shouldn't take the election result as indicating any support whatsoever for the killing of Lyra McKee. "He condemned that immediately and I take him at his word." An artist adds finishing touches to a mural in Belfast dedicated to journalist Lyra McKee The PSNI have conducted searches at the offices of Saoradh in Derry. Credit: BBC Detectives investigating the murder of Lyra McKee have carried out a search at the offices of Saoradh in Londonderry. A number of police vehicles were parked near the entrance of Junior McDaid House at Chamberlain Street in the city, on Tuesday, May 7. Read More A PSNI spokesman said: "Detectives from PSNI Major Investigation Team investigating the murder of Lyra McKee have carried out a number of searches in Chamberlain Street in Derry/Londonderry this morning. "A number of items were seized during the search for further investigation. "No arrests were made. Police enquiries are continuing." Saoradh, which is believed to be the political wing of the New IRA, had been ordered to leave its Londonderry office following the murder of Ms McKee. Expand Close A woman defaces the wall of Saoradhs office in Londonderry PA / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A woman defaces the wall of Saoradhs office in Londonderry The New IRA has accepted responsibility for the murder of Ms McKee, saying she was accidentally shot by one of its "volunteers". Within days of the killing friends of Ms McKee defaced Junior McDaid House by putting handprints on the building's walls in red paint. In a statement Saoradh said: "Once again the National Offices of Saoradh, Junior McDaid House, is being targeted by British Crown Forces in another heavy handed rapid entry raid. Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close The coffin of journalist Lyra McKee is taken out of the church after her funeral at St Anne's Cathedral on April 24, 2019 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Getty Images Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Prime Minister Theresa May pictured at the funeral and service of thanksgiving for the life of journalist Lyra McKee Irish Prime minister Leo Varadkar (R) and Prime Minister Theresa May (C) leave St Anne's Cathedral in Belfast on April 24, 2019, after attending the funeral service of journalist Lyra McKee (Photo by Paul Faith / AFP/Getty Images) AFP/Getty Images Irish President Michael D Higgins consoles Sara Canning, partner of the murdered journalist Lyra McKee as her funeral takes place at St. Anne's Cathedral (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images) Getty Images Funeral and service of thanksgiving for journalist Lyra McKee at St Anne's Cathedral, Donegall Street, Belfast. Lyra McKee was murdered in Creggan in Derry on Thursday 18th April. Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn(centre) and Irish President Michael D Higgins(right) pictured at and at the funeral. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye Mourners and friends pictured at the funeral and service of thanksgiving for the life of journalist Lyra McKee at St Anne's Cathedral, Donegall Street, Belfast. Mourners react as the coffin of journalist Lyra McKee, who was killed by a dissident republican paramilitary in Northern Ireland on April 18, is placed into a hearse following her funeral at St Anne's Cathedral in Belfast on April 24, 2019. - Lyra McKee, 29, who chronicled the troubled history of Northern Ireland, was shot in the head on April 18, 2019, as rioters clashed with police in Londonderry, the second city of the British province. (Photo by Paul Faith / AFP)PAUL FAITH/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Funeral and service of thanksgiving for journalist Lyra McKee at St Anne's Cathedral, Donegall Street, Belfast. Lyra McKee was murdered in Creggan in Derry on Thursday 18th April. Mourners and friends pictured at the funeral. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye DUP leader Arlene Foster at the funeral and service of thanksgiving for the life of journalist Lyra McKee Mourners listen to the funeral service of murdered journalist Lyra McKee outside St Anne's Cathedral in Belfast. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday April 24, 2019. Miss McKee, 29, died as a result of injuries sustained when she was shot on the Creggan estate on April 18. See PA story FUNERAL McKee. Photo credit should read: Liam McBurney/PA Wire PA Mourners gesture as pallbearers carry the coffin of journalist Lyra McKee (29), who was killed by a dissident republican paramilitary in Northern Ireland on April 18, during the funeral service at St Anne's Cathedral in Belfast on April 24, 2019. AFP/Getty Images The funeral of Journalist Lyra McKee takes place at St Anne's Cathedral in Belfast on April 24th 2019 (Photo by Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph) Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph The funeral of Journalist Lyra McKee takes place at St Anne's Cathedral in Belfast on April 24th 2019 (Photo by Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph) Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph Mourners gather outside of St Anne's Cathedral in Belfast on April 24, 2019, during the funeral service of journalist Lyra McKee who was killed by a dissident republican paramilitary in Northern Ireland on April 18. - Lyra McKee, 29, who chronicled the troubled history of Northern Ireland, was shot in the head on April 18, 2019, as rioters clashed with police in Londonderry, the second city of the British province. (Photo by Paul Faith / AFP)PAUL FAITH/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Mourners gesture as pallbearers carry the coffin of journalist Lyra McKee (29), who was killed by a dissident republican paramilitary in Northern Ireland on April 18, during the funeral service at St Anne's Cathedral in Belfast on April 24, 2019. - Lyra McKee, 29, who chronicled the troubled history of Northern Ireland, was shot in the head on April 18, 2019, as rioters clashed with police in Londonderry, the second city of the British province. (Photo by Paul Faith / AFP)PAUL FAITH/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images The coffin is carried into the funeral service of murdered journalist Lyra McKee at St Anne's Cathedral in Belfast. PA The coffin is carried into the funeral service of murdered journalist Lyra McKee at St Anne's Cathedral in Belfast. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday April 24, 2019. Miss McKee, 29, died as a result of injuries sustained when she was shot on the Creggan estate on April 18. See PA story FUNERAL McKee. Photo credit should read: Liam McBurney/PA Wire PA General view of the funeral and service of thanksgiving for the life of journalist Lyra McKee at St AnneOs Cathedral, Donegall Street, Belfast. Lyra McKee was murdered in Creggan in Derry on Thursday 18th April. Picture Matt Mackey / Press Eye. Matt Mackey / Presseye.com Prime Minister Theresa May paying her condolences to the family of Lyra McKee Mourners listen to the funeral service of murdered journalist Lyra McKee outside St Anne's Cathedral in Belfast. PA Taoiseach Leo Varadkar , Prime Mnister Theresa May and President Michael D Higgins before the funeral service for murdered journalist Lyra McKee at St Anne's Cathedral in Belfast. PA Mourners arrive for the funeral service of murdered journalist Lyra McKee at St Anne's Cathedral in Belfast. PA Mourners embrace ahead of the funeral of murdered journalist Lyra McKee at St Anne's Cathedral in Belfast. PA Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Prime Minister Theresa May and Irish President Michael D Higgins pictured at he funeral and service of thanksgiving for the life of journalist Lyra McKee at St AnneAos Cathedral, Donegall Street, Belfast. Lyra McKee was murdered in Creggan in Derry on Thursday 18th April. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye. Prime Minister Theresa May pictured at the funeral and service of thanksgiving for the life of journalist Lyra McKee at St Annes Cathedral, Donegall Street, Belfast. Lyra McKee was murdered in Creggan in Derry on Thursday 18th April. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye. DUP leader Arlene Foster and Sinn Fein leader Mary-Lou McDonald at the funeral and service of thanksgiving for the life of journalist Lyra McKee at St AnneAos Cathedral, Donegall Street, Belfast. President Michael D Higgins before the funeral service for murdered journalist Lyra McKee at St Anne's Cathedral in Belfast. PA A mourner arrives carrying a wreath for the funeral service of murdered journalist Lyra McKee at St Anne's Cathedral in Belfast. PA DUP leader Arlene Foster with Sin Fein's Mary Lou McDonald and Michelle O'Neill before the funeral service for murdered journalist Lyra McKee at St Anne's Cathedral in Belfast. PA PSNI Chief Constable George Hamilton. The funeral of Journalist Lyra McKee takes place at St Anne's Cathedral in Belfast on April 24th 2019 (Photo by Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph) Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald arrives for the funeral service of murdered journalist Lyra McKee at St Anne's Cathedral in Belfast. PA Leo Varadkar arrives for the funeral service of journalist Lyra McKee at St Annes Cathedral on April 24, 2019 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Getty Images BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND - APRIL 24: The congregation arrive for the funeral service of journalist Lyra McKee at St Annes Cathedral on April 24, 2019 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Journalist and campaigner for LGBT rights, Lyra McKee, 29, was shot dead last Thursday while observing the rioting in Londonderry. Her family gave a statement in which they said her "openness and her desire to bring people together made her totally apolitical". The New IRA have admitted responsibility for her killing. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images) Getty Images Press Eye Northern Ireland Wednesday 24th April 2019 Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn and Sinn Fein leader Mary-Lou McDonald pictured at he funeral and service of thanksgiving for the life of journalist Lyra McKee at St AnneAos Cathedral, Donegall Street, Belfast. Lyra McKee was murdered in Creggan in Derry on Thursday 18th April. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye. The hearse carrying the body of murdered journalist Lyra McKee arrives at St Anne's Cathedral in Belfast. PA Sinn Fein leader Michelle and Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn pictured at the funeral and service of thanksgiving for the life of journalist Lyra McKee at St AnneAos Cathedral, Donegall Street, Belfast. Lyra McKee was murdered in Creggan in Derry on Thursday 18th April. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye. Press Eye Northern Ireland Wednesday 24th April 2019 Sinn Fein leader Michelle and Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn pictured at the funeral and service of thanksgiving for the life of journalist Lyra McKee at St AnneAos Cathedral, Donegall Street, Belfast. Lyra McKee was murdered in Creggan in Derry on Thursday 18th April. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye. Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn and Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald before the funeral service for murdered journalist Lyra McKee at St Anne's Cathedral in Belfast. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday April 24, 2019. Miss McKee, 29, died as a result of injuries sustained when she was shot on the Creggan estate on April 18. See PA story FUNERAL McKee. Photo credit should read: Brian Lawless/PA Wire PA President Michael D Higgins before the funeral service for murdered journalist Lyra McKee at St Anne's Cathedral in Belfast. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday April 24, 2019. Miss McKee, 29, died as a result of injuries sustained when she was shot on the Creggan estate on April 18. See PA story FUNERAL McKee. Photo credit should read: Brian Lawless/PA Wire PA Press Eye Northern Ireland Wednesday 24th April 2019 Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar pictured at the funeral and service of thanksgiving for the life of journalist Lyra McKee at St Annes Cathedral, Donegall Street, Belfast. Lyra McKee was murdered in Creggan in Derry on Thursday 18th April. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye. Press Eye Northern Ireland Wednesday 24th April 2019 Simon Coveney TD at the funeral and service of thanksgiving for the life of journalist Lyra McKee at St AnneAos Cathedral, Donegall Street, Belfast. Lyra McKee was murdered in Creggan in Derry on Thursday 18th April. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye. Press Eye Northern Ireland Wednesday 24th April 2019 SDLP leader Colum Eastwood at the funeral and service of thanksgiving for the life of journalist Lyra McKee at St AnneAos Cathedral, Donegall Street, Belfast. Lyra McKee was murdered in Creggan in Derry on Thursday 18th April. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye. Press Eye Northern Ireland Wednesday 24th April 2019 Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn pictured at the funeral and service of thanksgiving for the life of journalist Lyra McKee at St AnneAos Cathedral, Donegall Street, Belfast. Lyra McKee was murdered in Creggan in Derry on Thursday 18th April. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye. Mike Nesbitt pictured at the funeral and service of thanksgiving for the life of journalist Lyra McKee. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye. Michelle O'Neill, Vice President of Sinn Fein arrives for the funeral service of journalist Lyra McKee at St Annes Cathedral on April 24, 2019 in Belfast Getty Images Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald arrives for the funeral service of murdered journalist Lyra McKee at St Anne's Cathedral in Belfast. Liam McBurney/PA Wire PA Naomi Long Alliance Party Leader at the funeral and service of thanksgiving for the life of journalist Lyra McKee. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye. General view of the funeral and service of thanksgiving for the life of journalist Lyra McKee at St AnneAos Cathedral, Donegall Street, Belfast. Lyra McKee was murdered in Creggan in Derry on Thursday 18th April. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye. The funeral of Journalist Lyra McKee takes place at St Anne's Cathedral in Belfast on April 24th 2019 (Photo by Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph) Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph Mourners begin to gather for the funeral of Lyra McKee at St Anne's Cathedral in Belfast on April 24th 2019 (Photo by Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph) Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The coffin of journalist Lyra McKee is taken out of the church after her funeral at St Anne's Cathedral on April 24, 2019 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. "Todays raid comes after a call by pro-establishment parties for British Crown Forces to put in place a tangible plan of action against Republicans. "The criminalisation policy put in place by former Republicans cannot and will not go unchallenged. It is clear from recent actions by Crown Force cheerleaders that these calls for action against Republicans is part of the wider strategy to destroy Republican politics." A fresh bid to restore powersharing in Northern Ireland will get under way later. The UK and Irish governments have convened a new talks process to try to break the logjam that has left the region without a properly functioning government for over two years. Leaders of the five main parties have been invited to Stormont House the UK Governments base on the Stormont estate in Belfast for an opening meeting on Tuesday afternoon. Substantive negotiations are unlikely to take place on Tuesday, with the initial exchanges instead focusing on how the process will run in the days and weeks ahead. Efforts to resurrect the devolved institutions have been injected with fresh urgency following the dissident republican murder of journalist Lyra McKee in Londonderry last month. Expand Close Lyra McKee Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Lyra McKee Politicians are facing mounting public pressure to find consensus amid concern the violent extremists are exploiting the power vacuum. Last weeks local council elections recorded a surge in support for middle ground parties such as Alliance, with many interpreting the result as a sign of growing disaffection at the polarised Stormont stand-off. While the DUP and Sinn Fein failed to make the gains at council level that some predicted, they remain the regions two pre-eminent political forces and the fate of the Stormont talks is still in their hands. The last DUP/Sinn Fein-led powersharing coalition imploded in January 2017 when the late Martin McGuinness quit as Sinn Fein deputy first minister amid a row about a botched green energy scheme. Expand Close Martin McGuinness (Liam McBurney/PA) PA Archive/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Martin McGuinness (Liam McBurney/PA) The fallout over the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) was soon overtaken by disputes over the Irish language, the regions ban on same-sex marriage and the toxic legacy of the Troubles. A number of attempts to find a negotiated deal to restore the institutions have ended in failure. The last process broke down in acrimony last February with claim and counter-claim on what had been agreed. Sinn Fein said DUP leader Arlene Foster had agreed a draft deal to re-enter devolved government that included concessions on the Irish language a claim Mrs Foster denied. Expand Close Arlene Foster (Liam McBurney/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Arlene Foster (Liam McBurney/PA) Many of the disputes are linked to a controversial voting mechanism that enables blocs of unionists and nationalists to veto measures which command overall majority support in the Assembly. A number of the smaller parties are calling for changes to the contentious petition of concern, believing its reform could unlock several logjams at the heart of Stormonts impasse. With the UK Government reluctant to reintroduce direct rule from Westminster, Northern Ireland has operated in a political limbo for the last two years, with senior civil servants being left to run public services. Those civil servants are seriously hamstrung, unable to make key policy decisions in the absence of elected ministers. As a consequence, numerous governmental decisions are in abeyance with many major policy initiatives in cold storage. A US-owned firm has pleaded guilty to health and safety breaches arising out of the death of Northern Ireland father of two Steven McTeague in 2016. A charge accusing Terex GB Ltd of causing the unlawful death of Mr McTeague, 51, on July 14, 2016 through a gross breach of its duty of care, was not proceeded with and "allowed to remain on the books". The Omagh man died in the South West Accute Hospital, Enniskillen, three days after being trapped under machinery at the company's Killyclogher site where he worked. At Dungannon Crown Court defence QC Frank O'Donoghue asked for all but the first charge under the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act of 2007 to be put to director Paul ODonnell. As each of the three remaining charges of failing to ensure the health, safety and welfare at work of all employees; failing to ensure persons not in employment, but affected, were not exposed to health and safety risks, and failed to make suitable and sufficient risk assessments for health and safety of employees, Mr O'Donnell replied: "On behalf of the company guilty". Following the guilty arraignment, prosecution QC Charles MacCreanor said that the pleas having been entered, he would apply to the court for the first count to be "left on the books, on the usual terms". Judge Stephen Fowler said that he would deal with the case next month, hearing both from the prosecution and the defence for the Tyrone based company which manufacturers equipment used in the construction, quarrying and mining industries. Judge Fowler said he would then wish to given the case some consideration before finally proceeding to pass sentence. Ulster Unionist Jim Rodgers has had the party whip removed and faces a party disciplinary committee over an anti-Alliance Party election leaflet. In the run-up to the council election, a controversial UUP leaflet in the Ormiston area of east Belfast alleged that the Alliance Party was "closely aligned" with the "IRA's political wing". Read More The leaflet was widely condemned, with the UUP stating it was not sanctioned by the party. Party leader Robin Swann announced the disciplinary action against Mr Rodgers yesterday evening. "When the leaflet was first brought to my attention I said it was language that we would not use, it's language that I would not use and it didn't help the overall interests of the Ulster Unionist Party," he told BBC Radio Ulster. Mr Swann said he had spoken to Alliance leader Naomi Long on the issue. "I made my feelings clear to her," he said. UUP colleague Stephen McCarthy laid the blame for losing his seat on Antrim and Newtownabbey council on Mr Rodgers, while Jeffrey Dudgeon, who lost his seat in Belfast, said it had proved a hindrance and branded it "just silly". Mr McCarthy also accused the two-time Belfast mayor, one of only two Ulster Unionists to retain their seats on the city council, of "damaging and misrepresenting" the UUP. Meanwhile, Alliance's vote surged. Yesterday, Mr Rodgers denied accusations that he was responsible for the loss of council seats, insisting he would never knowingly do anything to damage the party. In response to Mr McCarthy, Mr Rodgers said had been "a loyal Ulster Unionist for four-and-a-half decades", adding that conflating the results of two different councils was like "comparing apples with oranges". He also "strongly refuted" Mr McCarthy's suggestion that other party members "paid the price for his actions" following a hugely disappointing poll for the UUP, which lost 13 councillors and saw its share of the vote decrease by 2.1%. Mr Rodgers' running mate in Ormiston, Peter Johnston, lost his seat while Mr McCarthy - the party's most high-profile Catholic representative - was ousted by an Alliance candidate. Mr McCarthy said earlier this week: "I believe that Jim Rodgers' leaflet cost me my seat. It came up countless times on the doors. The leaflet certainly isn't the only reason for the losses we suffered, but it did inflict significant damage on the party and our candidates." But Mr Rodgers denied the allegation, saying: "As far as I'm concerned he's saying this because he lost and he's trying to blame other people." He added: "He quite clearly didn't know what goes on at Belfast City Council. What happened in Belfast is entirely different to what took place in Antrim and Newtownabbey and other councils." Referring to the fact that Ms Long had thanked him personally for her party's vote going up, Mr Rodgers said: "That's politics and I'm not surprised at her comments. It didn't cause me any concern. I've been a long time in the political arena. "As far as I'm concerned I can hold my head high. I try and work with everybody, regardless of who they are or what they are." Some unionists have accused Alliance councillors in Belfast of siding with Sinn Fein frequently in City Hall votes. Asked about the leaflet, Mr Rodgers, who has been a councillor for 26 years, said: "To me it's a fact that Sinn Fein's military wing is the Provisional IRA." He added: "We've taken no criticism from the wider community. People have said to me and Peter that they agreed that it's a fact and this cannot be denied. "I've had a large number of party members and friends contact me saying it's an absolute disgrace that people have been trying to blame me and Peter." Mr Rodgers, who is the chairman of the east Belfast Ulster Unionist Association, said it was "nonsense" to suggest the leaflet cost the Ulster Unionist Party seats. "There's just been a tide against the party unfortunately and we were aware of it and unless we take stock and make our minds up about where exactly we're going, we could lose further seats in the future," he said. Firefighters were rushed to the scene of a blaze in west Belfast on Tuesday. The fire broke out in the underground car park of Esther Patterson Court, just off the Shankill road, at around 1.44pm. Residents were evacuated from the building and there are no reports of any injuries. Four fire appliances and an aerial platform were dispatched to the scene. A Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said crews dealt with a car on fire in the car park, caused by an "accidental ignition". Footage from the scene shows clouds of black smoke billowing out of the windows of the building as firefighters work to bring the fire under control. The blaze was dealt with by 2.45pm. Kris Kro, who works at Colour House Tattoo & Piercing, which is directly opposite the flats, said he was first alerted to the fire when he heard a loud bang. "After chatting to numerous witnesses and a fireman that was on scene, I discovered that it was a car on fire, inside the private car park which is directly below the residential block, housing many elderly people," he said. "We can't thank the fire service enough, they responded very quickly, and wasted no time in dealing with what could have been a very serious and even fatal incident. "Thankfully, no one has been reported injured and it was well contained, preventing it spreading to the residents homes above, and even beyond. I do hope it was just an unfortunate accident which can be resolved with some paint brushes." Northern Irelands political leaders have vowed to strive for a deal to restore powersharing as a fresh talks process began at Stormont. The leaders of the five main parties acknowledged mounting public impatience and anger at a stalemate that has left the region without a functioning devolved government for over two years. They held a short round-table meeting at Stormont House on Tuesday afternoon for the first exchanges of a new talks process initiated by the UK and Irish governments. During the meeting, Northern Ireland Secretary Karen Bradley and Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney outlined the format for the latest bid to resolve the impasse. Text from the multiparty talks to restore the Northern Ireland Executive. READ here: https://t.co/WPuNVMdjXW Northern Ireland Office (@NIOgov) May 7, 2019 The process will involve agenda-setting and stock-taking meetings between the five leaders and two governments at least once a week, with five working groups set up to focus on the detail of key disputes at the heart of the deadlock. The tone of Tuesdays preliminary meeting was understood to be more harmonious than the last gathering of the party leaders in the winter. LIVE: DUP Stormont talks update Posted by Belfast Telegraph on Tuesday, May 7, 2019 Afterwards, DUP leader Arlene Foster said she would enter the talks with a good heart and with determination to find a solution. We want devolution to work because we are a devolutionist party, she said. From our part I was very clear with all the other parties that we will not be found wanting in getting a deal to get Stormont up and running again. Expand Close Arlene Foster (Cate McCurry/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Arlene Foster (Cate McCurry/PA) We are entering this talks process to find a way forward. It has to, of course, be a balanced way forward and one that everyone in Northern Ireland is comfortable with, whether they are unionist, nationalist or indeed other and I think thats very important. We are not looking at the prospect of failure we want this to work. The last DUP/Sinn Fein-led powersharing coalition imploded in January 2017 when the late Martin McGuinness quit as Sinn Fein deputy first minister amid a row about a botched green energy scheme. The fallout over the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) was soon overtaken by disputes over the Irish language, the regions ban on same-sex marriage and the toxic legacy of the Troubles. Six previous talks initiatives to restore devolution have failed to find consensus. Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald said her party was ready to do the business. Text from the multiparty talks to restore the Northern Ireland Executive. READ here: https://t.co/WPuNVMdjXW Northern Ireland Office (@NIOgov) May 7, 2019 The current stalemate is not acceptable and not sustainable, there are outstanding issues that need to be resolved, and we believe they can be resolved, she said. If everybody is prepared to show leadership, if everybody is prepared to respect the clear public desire for equality and peoples rights to be recognised and delivered on, we can find our way back to powersharing. After the meeting, Mrs Bradley said: None of us should be under any illusions about this. There are some very significant challenges and this is not going to be easy, and therefore Id ask that we all give the parties time and space to allow them to address these difficult issues and to come to the right conclusion for the people of Northern Ireland, which is the restoration of devolution. She said she would not be making any further public comment on the talks during the process. Expand Close Karen Bradley (Brian Lawless/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Karen Bradley (Brian Lawless/PA) Mr Coveney described the first meeting as constructive and positive. All of the parties and their political leaders were very constructive for the initial meeting today, but clearly weve a lot of work to do, he said. Everybody recognises that there is work to do to accommodate each other but certainly I think today was as constructive and positive a start as we could have hoped for. Doubts have been raised whether parties will be prepared to compromise during the European election campaign. Mr Coveney insisted progress could be made ahead of the election, although he acknowledged a final resolution may not emerge until after the poll. Expand Close Simon Coveney (Brian Lawless/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Simon Coveney (Brian Lawless/PA) Efforts to resurrect the devolved institutions have been injected with fresh urgency following the dissident republican murder of journalist Lyra McKee in Londonderry last month. Politicians are facing mounting public pressure to find consensus amid concerns that violent extremists are exploiting the power vacuum. Last weeks local council elections recorded a surge in support for middle ground parties such as Alliance, with many interpreting the result as a sign of growing disaffection at the polarised Stormont stand-off. While the DUP and Sinn Fein failed to make the gains at council level that some predicted, they remain the regions two pre-eminent political forces and the fate of the Stormont talks is still in their hands. The last talks process broke down in acrimony last February with claim and counter-claim on what had been agreed. Sinn Fein said DUP leader Arlene Foster had agreed a draft deal to re-enter devolved government that included concessions on the Irish language a claim Mrs Foster denied. Many of the disputes are linked to a controversial voting mechanism that enables blocs of unionists and nationalists to veto measures which command overall majority support in the Assembly. A number of the smaller parties are calling for changes to the contentious petition of concern, believing its reform could unlock several logjams at the heart of Stormonts impasse. With the UK Government reluctant to reintroduce direct rule from Westminster, Northern Ireland has operated in a political limbo for the last two years, with senior civil servants being left to run public services. The civil servants are seriously hamstrung, unable to make key policy decisions in the absence of elected ministers. As a consequence, numerous governmental decisions are in abeyance, with many major policy initiatives in cold storage. Opposition parties have accused the Government of engaging in electioneering ahead of the local and European elections. Cabinet approved the National Broadband Plan on Tuesday. The sole remaining bidder in the tender process was announced as the preferred bidder for the 3 billion euro roll-out of broadband to 540,000 homes and businesses across the country. Fianna Fail communications spokesman Timmy Dooley said: This announcement has all the hallmarks of an election stunt and I think people will treat it with an air of scepticism. He also said the plan would deliver broadband to a third less homes, take three times longer to do so, and cost six times the original price. On top of that, the state will not own the network built and paid for by the taxpayer, he added. This announcement has all the hallmarks of an election stunt and I think people will treat it with an air of scepticism - @timmydooley pic.twitter.com/ORt3UQxpqr Fianna Fail (@fiannafailparty) May 7, 2019 Mr Dooley accused the Fine Gael-led Government of completely mismanaging the project from the beginning and wasting taxpayers money. I think its very clear that this process is flawed, he said. The reality is that when there is just one bidder at the table you have to accept their terms and conditions. Labour Party leader Brendan Howlin claimed Fine Gael was putting electoral politics ahead of the public good. Mr Howlin said: Labour wants to see rural broadband delivered, but this plan risks leaving people in rural Ireland totally dependent on a private monopoly, which will ultimately be able to charge what it wants for access to the internet. The timing of this announcement is purely to influence the upcoming local and European elections. A contract hasnt even been signed yet and the Government is simply announcing a preferred bidder in a situation where there only is one bidder. Fine Gaels plan not only flies in the face of official advice that it is poor value for money, but it simply doesnt make sense, he added. People Before Profit TD Brid Smith said the decision was motivated more by election concerns and not with delivering broadband to rural communities. She described the tendering process as a historic fiasco that would make the National Childrens Hospital look like a bargain. It is beyond belief that even after spending 3 billion euro on this, the State will not own the finished infrastructure after 25 years, she said. She called on Government to take full ownership control of whole project. This farce needs to stop and the state needs to take control and ownership of providing broadband by using existing semi-state companies like the ESB to provide it, she added. The Government has given the green light to the National Broadband Plan at a cost of 3 billion euro. A consortium led by Granahan McCourt was announced as the preferred bidder after the project was approved by Cabinet on Tuesday. Granahan McCourt was the only remaining bidder for the contract to deliver high-speed broadband to more than 540,000 homes and businesses. The scheme will bring high-speed broadband to 1.1 million people across the country. Every home, farm, school & business in Ireland will have access to high speed broadband under the National Broadband Plan approved by Govt today. It will ensure that those in rural areas have the same digital opportunities as those in urban areas. #NBP #broadband pic.twitter.com/UFgK2VwccE Leo Varadkar (@LeoVaradkar) May 7, 2019 Speaking at the announcement in Dublin, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said: Broadband will be the biggest investment in rural Ireland ever and perhaps the most significant one since rural electrification. People will be able to set up and run a business anywhere in the country and access international markets from most rural and island locations. Were only really beginning to see how the world is being transformed by digital technologies and we cannot allow any part of our country to be left behind. Mr Varadkar said the scheme would ensure that every home, school, farm and business across the country has access to high-speed broadband. In doing so well be one of the first countries in the world to achieve this, he said. The rollout of the plan will begin at the end of the year. It is expected to take seven years to complete. The Taoiseach said the project was about connecting Ireland to the rest of the world. When it comes to connecting our people to the world we must pay the price of progress now or we risk staying trapped in the past forever, Mr Varadkar said. Its about making sure this time rural Ireland isnt left behind. We have a digital divide between rural and urban Ireland and thats growing. By going ahead with the National Broadband Plan we can end that divide if we dont go ahead well never end it. Minister Richard Bruton This investment will have a transformative effect on rural Ireland, future-proofing communities for generations. Digital technology is revolutionising how we live, learn and work and we want to make sure rural Ireland is not left behind. #Ireland2040 pic.twitter.com/IA0cvYdcz1 MerrionStreet.ie (@merrionstreet) May 7, 2019 Communications Minister Richard Bruton said the investment would have a transformative effect on rural Ireland, future-proofing communities for generations. Digital technology is revolutionising how we live, learn and work and we want to make sure rural Ireland is not left behind, he said. He described the Governments decision to sign off on the plan as momentous. It shows the determination of Government to ensure that we do have an inclusive Ireland, that rural Ireland is as important as urban Ireland, and that we can sustain and support regional development by having a strong broadband network, Mr Bruton said. The National Broadband Plan was first announced in 2012 by then communications minister Pat Rabbitte. Since then it has been mired by delays and setbacks. At the outset there were five bidders. Three were selected as preferred bidders but two pulled out, leaving one consortium in the running. Last October, former communications minister Denis Naughten stepped down amid controversy over the rural broadband plan after it came to light that he held previously undisclosed meetings with the head of the last remaining bidder. An independent review was commissioned by the Taoiseach following concerns about the procurement process, but it found it had not been influenced by Mr Naughten or businessman David McCourt, who is part of Granahan McCourt. The cost of the project was originally estimated at between 355 million and 512 million euro, but last month Mr Varadkar confirmed the cost would end up being closer to 3 billion euro. He maintained that the original cost estimate of 500 million euro was for a very different project. The first edition of the Kuwait Energy Outlook (KEO), the first of its kind in the Gulf region, has put forward recommendations to create a more sustainable, energy-efficient and diversified economy and society in Kuwait. The Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) yesterday (May 5) celebrated the successful conclusion of the publication and subsequent capacity building programme of the first edition of the report, which presents ground-breaking analysis to predict and plan for Kuwaits energy future. The inaugural KEO highlights and analyses three main challenges Kuwait is facing in ensuring prosperity for future generations: the need to diversify the countrys oil-dependent economy, stimulate efficient energy usage, and further develop renewable energy sources. The closure event celebrated the reports major achievements so far, including the successful publication of the first ever KEO, supported by a gender-balanced team working out of a dedicated space; the strengthening of institutional capacity in Kuwait through intensive training programmes supported by the UNDP and partnerships with international bodies including the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI); and the improved collaboration between Kuwaits key energy players, including the establishment of an editorial committee from seven government institutions to oversee the production of future editions. The event welcomed high-level individuals to mark the momentous occasion, including representatives from Kuwaits energy industry, Ministries and Embassies, as well as representatives of KISRs Energy and Building Research Center (EBRC), the General Secretariat of the Supreme Council for Planning and Development (GSSCPD) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), which all contributed to the first edition of the KEO. Dr Samira A S Omar, director general of KISR, said: Our ambition at its founding was to be at the forefront of energy reform in the country, guiding and offering solutions to one of Kuwaits most challenging industries. Going forward, the Kuwait Energy Outlook will play an essential role in increasing collaboration between government entities on energy-related issues and upskilling Kuwaits energy professionals as we work towards creating a more sustainable Kuwait, she said. Dr Khaled Mahdi, secretary general of the Supreme Council for Planning and Development (GSSCPD), said: Kuwait is leading the region in mapping out a sustainable, diversified energy future based on an evidence-based analysis such as KEO. Adhering to the recommendations as set out in the report will further increase Kuwaits global competitiveness, benefiting generations to come. Khaled Shahwan, UNDP deputy resident representative, said: We are supporting Kuwait on its journey to achieve its Sustainable Development Goals. Through the first Energy Outlook in the region, Kuwait has taken a major step forward with regards to its socio-economic and environmental development plans. KISR has established the Kuwait Energy Policy Team, which has been tasked with the creation of future editions of the report that will likely be published every three years going forward. These Energy Outlooks will be presented at dedicated forums that will bring together international and domestic stakeholders to discuss Kuwaits energy future. In addition, special thematic reports will be released periodically that will provide in-depth analyses of specific energy issues, it stated. TradeArabia News Service The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall are travelling to Germany (Chris Jackson/PA) The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall are set to begin a four-day tour of Germany on Tuesday. At the request of the British government, Charles and Camilla will travel to Berlin, Leipzig and Munich to highlight the UK and Germanys shared history and cultural connections. On the first day of their tour, the prince and the duchess will be greeted in Berlin by Her Majestys Ambassador to Germany, Sir Sebastian Wood, and his wife Lady Caroline Wood at Berlin Tegel Airport. To mark their arrival in the capital, there will also be a Guard of Honour from the countrys Federal Defence Forces. Expand Close Chancellor Angela Merkel (Brian Lawless/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Chancellor Angela Merkel (Brian Lawless/PA) The couple will meet with Chancellor Angela Merkel at the Federal Chancellory before attending a meeting her in private study. They will then travel to Schloss Bellevue where they will be welcomed by the President of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier. After a private meeting with the president, Charles and Camilla will visit and walk through Brandenburg Gate with the Mayor of Berlin, Michael Muller. Mr Muller will give the couple a brief history of the gate, as well as explaining its importance to the city. The prince and the duchess will then take the opportunity to meet members of the public outside the famous landmark. For their final engagement of the day, the couple will attend the Queens Birthday Party at the British Ambassadors residence. Charles will deliver a speech at the annual event in which he will emphasise the importance of an enduring relationship between the UK and Germany despite their relations currently being in transition. Police have appealed for help in tracing a drone pilot (John Stillwell/PA) Police are trying to trace a drone operator after a device was spotted by plane crews coming into Edinburgh Airport. The drone was seen near the airports flight path between 7pm and 7.30pm on Monday. Several inbound flights reported seeing the device at various heights, police said. It is believed the drone was somewhere in the Polbeth or East Livingston areas. We're still trying to establish if the drone has entered restricted airspace Inspector David Fyvie Inspector David Fyvie said: At this time we are still trying to establish if the drone has entered restricted airspace and whether any offences have been committed. However, as aircraft spotted this device on their descent, we must conduct a thorough investigation and I would urge anyone who can assist with these inquiries to come forward. Id also like to remind drone pilots of the importance of responsible flying, particularly around airports and the inbound and outbound flight paths. If you have any questions about how and where to fly a drone safely, please contact the Civil Aviation Authority. Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting incident number 3266 of May 6. The Government has accepted it cannot get its Brexit deal through Parliament in time to avoid European elections on May 23. Theresa Mays effective deputy David Lidington confirmed the elections will go ahead, but said the Government was redoubling our efforts to get an EU Withdrawal Agreement ratified by the start of July so the MEPs elected this month never have to take their seats. Mr Lidington was speaking shortly before cross-party Brexit talks with Labour resumed in Whitehall. Pressure on both sides to make progress was heightened by their poor performance in last weeks local elections, which both Conservative and Labour leaderships interpreted as a message from voters to get on with delivering Brexit. Mrs May had been hoping the talks would deliver a compromise deal in time to allow her to call off the European Parliament elections. But, more than a month after the talks began, Mr Lidington acknowledged time is now too tight to get a Withdrawal Agreement Bill through both Houses of Parliament by the date of the poll. Expand Close David Lidington (Andrew Milligan/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp David Lidington (Andrew Milligan/PA) Speaking at the Cabinet Office in Whitehall, he said that, after its Withdrawal Agreement was rejected three times by MPs, the Government was trying to find a way forward that has maximum possible support amongst politicians of all political parties. What this now means, given how little time there is, is that it is regrettably not going to be possible to finish that process before the date that is legally due for European parliamentary elections, he said. Expand Close Shadow business secretary Rebecca Long-Bailey, shadow environment secretary Sue Hayman and shadow chancellor John McDonnell arrive at the Cabinet Office (Stefan Rousseau/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Shadow business secretary Rebecca Long-Bailey, shadow environment secretary Sue Hayman and shadow chancellor John McDonnell arrive at the Cabinet Office (Stefan Rousseau/PA) We very much hoped that we would be able to get our exit sorted and have the treaty concluded so that those elections did not have to take place. But legally they do have to take place unless our withdrawal has been given legal effect, so those will now go ahead. But we will be redoubling our efforts and talks with MPs of all parties to try to make sure that the delay after that is as short as possible. Ideally wed like to be in a situation where those MEPs never actually have to take their seat at European Parliament certainly, to get this done and dusted by the summer recess. The Prime Ministers official spokesman said: On the basis of advice in relation to parliamentary timetables, we will look to complete this ideally by June 30, but if not then, by summer recess. When Britain does finally leave the EU, the European Parliament will reduce from 751 MEPs to 705, with 27 of the UKs 73 seats being distributed among the remaining member states. A young woman kissed her fiance and told him I love you moments before she was struck by a van, the inquest into the London Bridge terror attack has heard. Three women and five men died on June 3 2017 after three men ploughed into crowds in a white van before stabbing revellers with 12in ceramic knives near Borough Market. The victims were Christine Archibald, 30, Xavier Thomas, 45, Alexandre Pigeard, 26, Sara Zelenak, 21, Kirsty Boden, 28, Sebastien Belanger, 36, James McMullan, 32, and Ignacio Echeverria, 39. Expand Close (top row left to right) Canadian Christine Archibald, James McMullan, Alexandre Pigeard, French chef Sebastien Belanger, (bottom row left to right) Australian nurse Kirsty Boden, Australian Sara Zelenak, Xavier Thomas and Spanish banker Ignacio Echeverria (Metropolitan Police/PA) PA Archive/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp (top row left to right) Canadian Christine Archibald, James McMullan, Alexandre Pigeard, French chef Sebastien Belanger, (bottom row left to right) Australian nurse Kirsty Boden, Australian Sara Zelenak, Xavier Thomas and Spanish banker Ignacio Echeverria (Metropolitan Police/PA) All eight victims were killed and 48 more were seriously injured in less than 10 minutes of high and terrible drama, chief coroner Mark Lucraft QC said. The attackers, Khuram Butt, 27, Rachid Redouane, 30, and Youssef Zaghba, 22, who wore fake explosive belts, were shot dead by police. At the start of the victims inquests, families paid tribute to their loved ones in a packed Court One of the Old Bailey. Canadian Ms Archibald was visiting London for the weekend with fiance Tyler Ferguson when she was hit and dragged under the wheels of the attackers van. Expand Close Christine Archibald was struck by a van on London Bridge during the June 2017 attack (Metropolitan Police/PA) Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Christine Archibald was struck by a van on London Bridge during the June 2017 attack (Metropolitan Police/PA) In a statement read to the court, Mr Ferguson said they had been very much looking forward to spending the rest of their lives together and starting a family. On the day of the attack, Ms Archibald, who worked in a shelter, was feeling proud about negotiating the London Underground when they met for dinner. Mr Ferguson said: We decided to walk over London Bridge, at one point Chrissy stopped me out of nowhere, grabbed me close and gave me a passionate kiss after telling me she loved me. I remember it being a warm summers evening and the sun had just gone down. And then the attack took place and Chrissy was killed. No words can express how I felt when this happened, I was absolutely devastated and inconsolable. Chrissys ring was initially lost but during the clean-up of the bridge it was found and returned to me I still wear it on a gold chain around my neck. The van also struck French father-of-two Mr Thomas, who was with his girlfriend Christine Delcros on the bridge. Mr Thomas had been on the phone to his teenage son Nicolas moments before he was catapulted into the River Thames and Ms Delcros was badly injured. Expand Close Xavier Thomas, one of the victims of the London Bridge terrorist attack (Metropolitan Police/PA) Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Xavier Thomas, one of the victims of the London Bridge terrorist attack (Metropolitan Police/PA) The attackers then crashed the van into railings and ran amok around Borough Market, with knives attached to their wrists with duct tape. The area was swarming with revellers enjoying a warm evening on the night of the Champions League final. Nurse Ms Boden was stabbed in the neck after she rushed to help waiter Mr Pigeard, who was chased by the three attackers despite being mortally hurt. Her British partner James Hodder said: To Kirsty, her actions that night would have just been an extension of how she lived her life. We are so unspeakably proud of her and not a day goes by that we are not in awe of her bravery that night. Expand Close Australian nurse Kirsty Boden was killed as she tried to help another victim near Borough Market (Metropolitan Police/PA) Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Australian nurse Kirsty Boden was killed as she tried to help another victim near Borough Market (Metropolitan Police/PA) Mr McMullan was celebrating getting financial backing for his online education company in the Barrowboy and Banker pub on the night he was killed. His sister Melissa said he was excited and giddy when he called his mother to say everything was going to be OK, that he was going to be able to look after her. Electronic music collective member Mr Pigeards tribute took the form of a picture montage. His musician father Philippe Pigeard said he was devastated and inconsolable. He said: Im not just a father, Im all the fathers in the world and all the mothers in the world who have been struck by similar tragedies. Australian au pair Ms Zelenak was on a trip of a lifetime when she was knifed to death while on a night out with a friend, her family said. The mother of chef Mr Belanger, Josiane Belanger, told the court: We miss him so much, his smile, his joie de vivre. I do not forgive what they did to him. They mutilated and killed him. Earlier, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick, the head of UK counter-terrorism policing Neil Basu and the Commissioner of City of London Police Ian Dyson joined the families in standing for a minutes silence inside the historic courtroom. The attack came just three months after Khalid Masood mowed down pedestrians on Westminster Bridge before stabbing a police officer to death. The inquests are expected to examine why there were still no barriers to protect pedestrians on London Bridge by June 3. Families will also want answers to how Butt was able to plan and carry out the attack while he was under investigation by security services. Royal fans are eagerly waiting to see what the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will call their newborn son. Members of the royal family traditionally opt for conventional, regal names with a nod to history, but forward-thinking Harry and Meghan may want to do things their own way and pick something more modern. Diana had been expected to be among the names for a girl in tribute to Harry's late mother Diana, Princess of Wales, but he could decide to honour her by using Spencer - the princess's family name - as one of his son's names. Other options could include Charles, after the Prince of Wales, Philip, after the Duke of Edinburgh, or royal favourites James, Albert, Frederick, Arthur or even Henry - Harry's actual first name. American former actress Meghan, who is the first mixed-race person to marry a senior British royal, may want to pay tribute to her own family heritage. When the former Suits star ran her lifestyle blog The Tig, she wrote that one of her favourite baby names was Grey, which works for a boy or a girl. The most popular name in the US for a boy is Liam, followed by Noah, and in Canada, where Meghan lived for several years, it is Benjamin. In England and Wales, and Australia and New Zealand, it is Oliver. Baby Sussex is only seventh in line to the throne and not a future king, so Harry and Meghan have more freedom over to what to choose. The couple have already been given lots of ideas by friends and family. During a tram ride in Melbourne during their Australia tour, Meghan told pupils from a local school: "We've been given a long list of names from everyone, we're going to sit down and have a look at them." The Prince of Wales joked about Australian inspirations for the baby's name in the early days of Meghan's pregnancy. He told guests at an event at Australia House, central London: "Incidentally, ladies and gentlemen, my son Harry tells me that during their recent tour of Australia he and his wife were offered countless thoughtful suggestions for the naming of their forthcoming baby. "Just between us, I suspect that Kylie and Shane may possibly make the shortlist." The Duke and Duchess of Sussex with New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern (Kirsty Wigglesworth/PA) New Zealands prime minister Jacinda Ardern has congratulated the Duke and Duchess of Sussex on the birth of their son and revealed the countrys gifts for the royal baby. Australian prime minister Scott Morrison also sent his huge congratulations to the couple, while opposition leader Bill Shorten also said he was delighted by the news. Meghans pregnancy was announced as the couple embarked on a tour of Australia and New Zealand last year. Ms Ardern said New Zealand would make a donation to a group which prepares baby boxes for families in need and the Wellington government will buy native trees to be planted in New Zealand. She told TVNZ: A donation will be made to a group called Little Sprouts who prepares baby boxes for families in need on the birth of their babies. And also, well be purchasing 10 trees through the Trees That Count programme, native trees to acknowledge the birth of their baby. So, theyll be planted here in New Zealand as well. So, I hope New Zealanders think those are nice gifts on their behalf. Last year Ms Ardern became only the second elected leader in modern history to give birth while in office. Expand Close Harry and Meghan toured Australia and New Zealand last year (Dominic Lipinski/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Harry and Meghan toured Australia and New Zealand last year (Dominic Lipinski/PA) In Australia Mr Morrison, who climbed the Sydney Harbour Bridge with Harry, said it was great that the wonderful day has come and everybody is well. Huge congratulations to Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, on the birth of their baby boy today, he wrote on Twitter. Becoming a parent is one of the greatest joys of life! Meanwhile Mr Shorten said he and his wife Chloe were delighted for Harry and Meghan on the arrival of their baby boy. They are a lovely couple and will make wonderful parents. The men are currently on the campaign trail ahead of a federal election later this month. With the Queens role as Australias head of state a continual topic of debate Down Under, the arrival of the seventh in line to the throne was an opportunity for critics to voice their dissatisfaction. The Australian Republic Movement said it warmly congratulates Harry and Meghan on the birth of their son, and all Australians who welcomed a child into the world today. Huge congratulations to Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, on the birth of their baby boy today. Becoming a parent is one of the greatest joys of life! #RoyalBaby pic.twitter.com/Cj2I8lzRSN Scott Morrison (@ScottMorrisonMP) May 6, 2019 The group said in a statement: Baby Sussex is the 7th in line for the British throne, behind Prince Harry, Prince Louis, Princess Charlotte, Prince George, Prince William and Prince Charles, making him unlikely to ever rule over Australians. We look forward to when our head of state is chosen by Australians, and on merit, instead of birth right. An Australian republic will mean that each child born today can grow up aspiring to the top job regardless of their family, social status or wealth. Scenes around Windsor Castle following the announcement of the birth Hundreds watched from outside Buckingham Palace's gates as the bulletin announcing the birth of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's son was unveiled. The framed message was placed on the palace forecourt. Brought out just after 4.45pm from the Privy Purse Door, it read: "The Queen and the Royal Family are delighted at the news that Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Sussex was safely delivered of a son at 0526am today. Her Royal Highness and her child are both doing well." In a break with tradition, the notice did not include the signature of any physicians, indicating the couple wished to keep details of their medical staff private. Footmen Stephen Kelly and Sarah Thompson carried out the golden easel, followed by the bulletin in a wooden frame. The palace's Union flag was also taken down and replaced with a bigger one. Alice Scammell, from Barnet, had been waiting outside the gates with her two children hoping to get a glimpse of the royal family. The 26-year-old said: "Someone told us two hours ago that maybe a royal will turn up, we only came out on an outing, but we thought we've got to get down. We're very excited." Jennifer Rice (48) from Tennessee, who was travelling around Europe when she returned to London for the birth, said: "I've never had the desire to come for the birth of the children, but now I know it's part American it's part of us. I hope he's a redhead!" Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, speaks to the media at Windsor Castle in Windsor following the announcement that his wife, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex had given birth to a son An overjoyed Duke of Sussex described how his baby boy "is absolutely to-die-for" as he announced that he and the Duchess of Sussex had welcomed a son. A thrilled Harry, speaking on camera at Windsor Castle's Royal Mews, revealed that Meghan had given birth early yesterday morning and it was the "most amazing experience I could ever have possibly imagined". Read More The seventh in line to the throne baby boy - an eighth great-grandchild for the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh - arrived at 5.26am, weighing 7lb 3oz. Congratulations flooded in from around the world, with Prime Minister Theresa May wishing the couple "all the best at this happy time" and former US first lady Michelle Obama tweeting: "Congratulations, Meghan and Harry! Barack and I are so thrilled for both of you and can't wait to meet him." The as-yet-unnamed baby boy, who was overdue, is believed to have been born in the sanctuary of Frogmore Cottage, the Sussexes' home on the Windsor Estate. Harry added: "I'm very excited to announce that Meghan and myself had a baby boy earlier this morning, a very healthy boy. "Mother and baby are doing incredibly well. It's been the most amazing experience I could ever have possibly imagined. "How any woman does what they do is beyond comprehension but we're both absolutely thrilled and so grateful to all the love and support from everybody out there. "It's been amazing so we just wanted to share this with everybody." Harry was at his wife's side during the birth and was clearly moved by the experience. "It was amazing, absolutely incredible and, as I said, I'm so incredibly proud of my wife," he said. "As every father and parent will ever say, you know, your baby is absolutely amazing, but this little thing is absolutely to-die-for, so I'm just over the moon." The palace confirmed in a statement: "Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Sussex was safely delivered of a son at 05.26hrs. "The baby weighs 7lb 3oz. "The Duke of Sussex was present for the birth." The Queen and Philip, grandfather the Prince of Wales, and the Duchess of Cornwall and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are all said to be delighted with the news. Meghan's mother is with the new family of three at Frogmore Cottage. "The Duchess's mother, Doria Ragland, who is overjoyed by the arrival of her first grandchild, is with their Royal Highnesses at Frogmore Cottage," the palace said. The duke and duchess's Instagram account @SussexRoyal also announced the birth saying: "It's a boy! Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are overjoyed to announce the birth of their child." Last year, genealogists revealed Meghan's Belfast ancestry. The link is on the duchess's father's side, which was discovered in marriage records showing Meghan's great, great, great grandmother was Mary McCue (McHugh), a Belfast woman described as Irish and Catholic in a census, who married English soldier Thomas Bird in Dublin in 1860. Among those who tweeted their congratulations was DUP leader Arlene Foster. She wrote: "Congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex on the birth of their little boy. Such a lovely time for a family. We all wish them well during this happy occasion." UUP leader Robin Swann tweeted: "Congratulations to the Duchess of Sussex & Prince Harry on the birth of their baby son. PS, Robin is a nice name!" There were protests outside Forest Gate Police Station over the death of Edir Frederico Da Costa (Lauren Hurley/PA) A man restrained face down by police who sprayed CS gas died after a plastic bag of drugs became lodged in his airway, a court has heard. Jurors in the inquest of 25-year-old Edir Frederico Da Costa were told on Tuesday they may wish to question whether the actions of the Metropolitan Police officers who arrested him contributed to his death. Mr Da Costa died six days after the car he was travelling in along with Jussara Gomes and Claude Greenaway was pulled over in Beckton, east London, by five plain-clothed police officers at about 10pm on June 15, 2017. Coroner Nadia Persaud told Walthamstow Coroners Court that police deemed it necessary to restrain Mr Da Costa in the face down position shortly after the two men were told to exit the car. Handcuffs were applied and CS spray was discharged, Ms Persaud continued. At some stage before being restrained, Mr Da Costa placed a number of wraps containing drugs into his mouth. This appears to have become trapped during the course of restraint. During the restraint, some wraps fell from his mouth and police noticed Mr Da Costa had become unresponsive, jurors were told. He was placed in the recovery position and medics were called. Paramedics removed a plastic bag containing wraps of drugs from Mr Da Costas airway, the coroner said. He died in Newham University Hospital on June 21, 2017 after a period in intensive care. The coroner told the jury they may wish to consider the restraint used, the use of CS spray and the justification of the police stop. Also among the questions was: Did any unreasonable action by the MPS officers contribute to his death? Before jurors were sworn in, they were asked whether they or close relatives had been employed by police or linked to campaign groups such as Black Lives Matter. The inquest, scheduled to last four weeks, continues on Wednesday. US-based Carlyle Group, a global investment firm, and Schneider Electric, a leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, have announced the enhancement of its partnership to develop new and innovative infrastructure projects. In addition to creating new investment and energy-as-a-service opportunities, this collaboration will apply Schneider Electrics capabilities in advanced connectivity and real-time insights to current and future Carlyle infrastructure and microgrid investments, said a statement. In a market which faced sustained underinvestment in critical infrastructure due to funding constraints, the new partnership will offer innovative and efficient solutions meeting the needs of a rapidly changing energy landscape, it said. The Carlyle Group recently announced several large infrastructure projects, including the JFK Airport Terminal One Redevelopment, and Lone Star Ports Harbor Island Crude Export Terminal, as well as the Munich Airport Joint Venture (Reach Airports) which are expected to benefit from this partnership and Schneiders breadth of technology-enabled products, solutions and services. The JFK Airport Terminal One Redevelopment, the most recently announced project, is expected to leverage Schneider Electrics solutions to improve the sustainability of the terminal and enhance the reliability of the airports energy supply through a state-of-the-art microgrid. The redevelopment is expected to reduce energy use by as much as 30 per cent and contribute to a goal of reaching 100 per cent renewable energy usage within the next decade. The new partnership also entails the formation of a joint venture, named AlphaStruxure to drive from the design and engineering phase the development of smarter infrastructure projects and more reliable distributed energy and microgrid networks. Juan Macias, formerly senior vice president of Energy Automation and Digital Energy Solutions at Schneider Electric, will lead AlphaStruxure as the chief executive officer, drawing on his broad experience in global energy technology and new market endeavours over a nearly 30-year career in the energy and industrial sectors. The $18 trillion US economy relies on a vast network of infrastructure that was built decades ago and plays a major role in the growth of the economy; delayed investment and rising maintenance costs are however limiting the economic growth potential of these critical infrastructure. Innovative private sector partnerships, such as this one, can bring new solutions to upgrade critical infrastructure within airports, seaports, water treatment and delivery, institutions, communities and the private sector to optimise energy consumption, deliver cost savings and improve productivity and reliability. Andrew Marino, managing director and co-head of Carlyles global infrastructure team, said: People everywhere rely daily on infrastructure that does not meet the demands of a 21st century economy. AlphaStruxure delivers a powerful combination of cutting-edge automation and energy management technology and expertise, and financing solutions to turn this important global issue on its head. Together, we will identify new investment opportunities, modernise core infrastructure to keep people and goods moving, and open new value and revenue streams for both public and private entities. We look forward to a prominent role in shaping the future of infrastructure around the world, he added. Jean-Pascal Tricoire, chairman and CEO, Schneider Electric, said: Strong and resilient critical infrastructure is fundamental to powering and maintaining our digital economy. We are just scratching the surface of the investment needed to create more modern airports, water systems, transportation systems and others that will support future demand and connect society, he said. While infrastructure is a global issue, it can only be addressed at a local level. We believe our partnership leverages the best of our organisations abilities: Carlyles ability to get deals done with local stakeholders support and our global technology expertise and footprint to optimise projects that will provide immediate, tangible impact for economies globally, he added. AlphaStruxure builds on Schneider Electric and The Carlyle Groups strategic alliance to deliver an energy-as-a-service model that empowers customers to stabilize long-term energy costs and upgrade critical energy infrastructure. By providing energy-as-a-service, customers have a platform to own and operate microgrids without capital outlay, as well as a simpler solution to meet operational efficiency and clean energy goals, it stated. TradeArabia News Service Theresa May is expected to have discussions with the chairman of the powerful 1922 Committee of Tory backbenchers as calls increase for her to set a firm resignation date. Tuesdays meeting with Sir Graham Brady comes after the 1922 Committee requested clarity about the Prime Ministers timetable for standing down and triggering a leadership contest. As talks between the Government and Labour over a Brexit deal resume on Tuesday, there is growing Tory pressure for Mrs May to quit. Leading Eurosceptic Sir Bill Cash told the Press Association: The time has come for her to resign. She needs to be given a date. The sooner the better. But it needs to be done in an orderly manner. Expand Close Sir Graham Brady (Victoria Jones/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Sir Graham Brady (Victoria Jones/PA) The comments came as the Daily Telegraph reported that grassroots Tories will hold a no-confidence vote in Mrs May on June 15. The vote by members at an EGM of the National Conservative Convention would not be binding, but would add pressure on Mrs May to quit if passed. Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage told the Press Association: Im amazed she is still there. Expand Close Sir Bill Cash (Jonathan Brady/PA) PA Archive/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Sir Bill Cash (Jonathan Brady/PA) Mrs May has said she will step down if her Withdrawal Agreement is ratified, but with the deadline for Brexit extended to the end of October has not made clear how long she intends to stay if no deal is reached. Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, treasurer of the 1922 Committee, put the spotlight on a departure date by insisting Mrs May announce a road map for her resignation after the European elections set for May 23. The resumption of Government talks with Labour comes amid increased tension between the two sides. Shadow chancellor John McDonnell said he had no trust in Mrs May after reports emerged that she is ready to offer a temporary customs arrangement with the EU to the opposition. Expand Close John McDonnell (Stefan Rousseau/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp John McDonnell (Stefan Rousseau/PA) Labour accused Mrs May of having blown the confidentiality of the talks. Party leader Jeremy Corbyn said Brexit had a big impact on last weeks local election results, which saw huge losses for the Tories and a disappointing showing for Labour. A number of senior Tory Brexiteers have said they would not vote for a customs union. Referring to talks with Labour, childrens minister Nadhim Zahawi said: Currently, if you look at the Withdrawal Agreement, the customs arrangements, or the alignment with the EU, would go on until December 2021, if Labour believe, actually, that they would rather go to the next general election, which is 2022, for example, then, actually, thats still a temporary customs arrangement. And then, whoever is leader of the Conservative Party can then lay out their stall as to the next instalment of negotiations. Prime Minister Theresa May arrives with her husband Philip to attend a church service near her Maidenhead constituency (PA/Andrew Matthews) The push to topple Theresa May ahead of party conference appears to be gathering strength. Graham Brady, the chairman of the powerful 1922 Committee of Tory backbenchers, remained silent following a meeting with the Prime Minister about setting a firm resignation date. Mr Brady will update committee members on Wednesday following angry calls for clarity on Mrs Mays timetable for standing down and triggering a leadership contest. The treasurer of the 1922 Committee, Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, told the Press Association he would back a grass roots bid to force Mrs May out with a no-confidence vote next month if she did not go of her own volition. It would be much easier and I think the European elections would be much easier if she did set out her own timetable to goSir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown The Tory MP for the Cotswolds said it was the Prime Ministers decision on when she should go but he would absolutely support grass roots moves to try to topple her in June if her departure date was not imminent. When asked what should happen if Mrs May failed to set out her own timetable for departure, he said: It begins to get much more messy. It would be much easier and I think the European elections would be much easier if she did set out her own timetable to go but it is up to her. I think its quite possible they (grass roots members) might vote for no-confidence in June. Senior Tory activists will consider the question of Mrs Mays leadership at an emergency meeting of association chairmen set for Saturday May 15. Tory MPs are powerless to remove Mrs May following a failed bid to boot her out as leader in December last year but the grass roots are calling for a rule change. The vote by members at an EGM of the National Conservative Convention would not be binding but would add pressure on Mrs May to quit if passed. In a message to members of the convention, reported by the Conservative Home website, chairman Andrew Sharpe said they would be asked to vote on a motion stating we no longer feel that Mrs May is the right person to continue as Prime Minister to lead us forward in the negotiations and therefore with great reluctance ask that she considers her position and resigns. Expand Close (PA Graphics) Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp (PA Graphics) Anger within the Tory ranks at Mrs May has been fuelled by the potential for a softer Brexit deal with Labour. Leading Eurosceptic Sir Bill Cash told the Press Association: The time has come for her to resign. She needs to be given a date. The sooner the better. But it needs to be done in an orderly manner. Expand Close Sir Bill Cash said the sooner the better for Mrs Mays departure (Jonathan Brady/PA) PA Archive/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Sir Bill Cash said the sooner the better for Mrs Mays departure (Jonathan Brady/PA) Mrs May has said she will step down if her Withdrawal Agreement is ratified but with the deadline for Brexit extended to the end of October has not made clear how long she intends to stay if no deal is reached. Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage told the Press Association: Im amazed she is still there. Expand Close (PA Graphics) Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp (PA Graphics) The resumption of Government talks with Labour comes amid increased tension between the two sides. Shadow chancellor John McDonnell said he had no trust in Mrs May after reports emerged she is ready to offer a temporary customs arrangement with the EU to the Opposition. Expand Close John McDonnell says he has no trust in the Prime Minister (Stefan Rousseau/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp John McDonnell says he has no trust in the Prime Minister (Stefan Rousseau/PA) Labour accused Mrs May of having blown the confidentiality of the talks. But Downing Street rejected the claim, with Mrs Mays official spokesman saying: I dont believe that is the case. We have preserved the confidentiality of the talks. Cabinet discussed the Brexit talks for around an hour on Tuesday morning, the spokesman said. The Prime Minister said that while an agreement with the Opposition had not been reached, the public had sent a clear message in the local elections that they want both of the main parties to get on with delivering Brexit, he said. She said it was right to continue with the talks process. The spokesman said at Cabinet there was a broad understanding that there is a need to get on with this. Last weeks local elections, which had disastrous results for the Conservatives and disappointing losses for Labour, have increased pressure on both sides for a breakthrough in the cross-party talks, which have run on for over a month without producing agreement. No formal deadline has been set for the conclusion of talks. But it is thought likely that if no progress is made this week, the Government may move towards a process of indicative votes on Brexit options in the Commons. Mrs May has made clear she would like both the Government and Labour to commit to respecting the outcome of any such votes. The Prime Ministers spokesman said: What is absolutely vital is that we find a way forward which can command a stable majority in the House of Commons. Thats what the Prime Minister is working to achieve. Mrs Mays effective deputy David Lidington was leading the Government side in Tuesdays Brexit talks at the Cabinet Office, with Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay, chief whip Julian Smith, Environment Secretary Michael Gove and Number 10 chief of staff Gavin Barwell also expected to be in attendance. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge leave after launching the Kings Cup Regatta trophy (Ben Stansall/PA) The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge took part in an on-screen sailing race as William cheekily urged his crew member to tip his wife out of the boat. The couples competitive spirits were stoked as they sat in rival simulator boats and attempted to beat each other to the start line of a race. But William displayed some rather underhand tactics, telling his helmsman to ram the vessel carrying his wife. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will host the inaugural regatta The Kings Cup this summer to raise awareness and funds for eight of Their Royal Highnesses patronages. pic.twitter.com/rcdRPCr8BA The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@KensingtonRoyal) May 7, 2019 Pointing at the screen showing the boats progress, he said to seven-year-old Ethan, a pupil at Drapers Mills primary school in Margate, Kent: Ram them, ram them! Aim for them. Tip them out. He later shouted over to Kate: Are you sinking yet? Ten-year-old Sam, from the same school, was paired with Kate, and said: It was tense, very tense, its the duke and duchess! The pressure builds who wins, who loses. In just a few months time William, and Kate will go head to head in the Kings Cup Regatta to raise awareness and funds for eight of their patronages. Expand Close The Duke of Cambridge uses a sailing dinghy simulator at the launch the Kings Cup Regatta (Ben Stansall/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The Duke of Cambridge uses a sailing dinghy simulator at the launch the Kings Cup Regatta (Ben Stansall/PA) The regatta will be hosted by William and Kate on August 9 on the Isle of Wight, and will see the couple compete as the skippers of rival boats, part of an eight-strong field. The couple launched the event at the Cutty Sark on Tuesday, the famous tea clipper ship in Greenwich, south-east London, and were joined by children and young people from eight charities which will be represented by the fleet. Before the launch, they took the opportunity to congratulate the Duke and Duchess of Sussex on the birth of their son, with a thrilled William joking that he was happy to welcome his brother to the sleep deprivation society. After struggling to cross the start line on time, and conceding a draw, the pair then met the heads of the charities of which they are patrons. Expand Close The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge unveil the trophy (Ben Stansall/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge unveil the trophy (Ben Stansall/PA) William spoke with CEOs of Tusk, the London Air Ambulance Charity, Child Bereavement UK and Centrepoint. The duchess met representatives from Place2Be, Action on Addiction, the Anna Freud National Centre for children and families and the Royal Foundation. They later unveiled the Kings Cup which will be given to the winner of this years regatta a historic trophy first presented by King George V at Cowes Royal Yacht Squadron in 1920. Expand Close The Duchess of Cambridge meets well-wishers as she leaves after launching the Kings Cup Regatta trophy (Ben Stansall/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The Duchess of Cambridge meets well-wishers as she leaves after launching the Kings Cup Regatta trophy (Ben Stansall/PA) Sir Keith Mills, chairman of the Royal Foundation, joked to the room as he invited the couple on stage: I think they are both going to sneak in some practice between now and August. After leaving the Cutty Sark, the couple took time to say hello and shake the hands of some of the crowd of well-wishers gathered outside. William and Kate hope the Kings Cup will become an annual event, bringing greater awareness to the wider benefits of sport, while also raising support and funds for their causes. The duke trounced his wife when they competed in a dragon boat race in Canada in 2011, but Kate got her revenge three years later when she won a sailing event in Auckland during their tour of New Zealand. William took the honours again during a visit to the German city of Heidelberg in 2017, when he was victorious in a riverboat race against his wife. Proud father the Duke of Sussex has been welcomed to the sleep deprivation society that is parenting by his older brother the Duke of Cambridge. William celebrated the latest addition to the royal family with the quip, and also said he was absolutely thrilled about the birth of Harry and Meghans first child. Speaking outside the Cutty Sark in Greenwich, south-east London, ahead of an engagement on Tuesday afternoon, William was asked how he felt and replied: Obviously thrilled, absolutely thrilled, and obviously looking forward to seeing them in the next few days when things have quietened down. Im very pleased and glad to welcome my own brother into the sleep deprivation society that is parenting. Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Sussex was safely delivered of a son at 0526hrs. The baby weighs 7lbs 3oz and The Duke of Sussex was present for the birth. Read the full announcement here: https://t.co/RCUFjQG8pe The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) May 6, 2019 Baby Sussex, who has yet to be named, arrived at 5.26am on Monday, weighing 7lb 3oz, and is thought to have been born at the couples Frogmore Cottage home near Windsor Castle. But there are some reports claiming the baby was delivered in a London hospital. Asked if he had any pearls of wisdom for his younger brother, as a father of three, William laughed and said: Plenty of advice, plenty of advice, but no, I wish him all the best and I hope the next few days they can settle down and enjoy having a newborn in their family and the joys that come with that. The Duchess of Cambridge added: Its such a special time, obviously with Louis and Charlotte just having had their birthdays its such a great time of year to have a baby, spring is in the air. Expand Close Kate and William at the Cutty Sark (Kirsty OConnor/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Kate and William at the Cutty Sark (Kirsty OConnor/PA) Kate went on to reveal they have not had the chance to see Harry and Meghans newborn yet and had no clues about his name. She said: As William said, were looking forward to meeting him and finding out what his names going to be so its really exciting for both of them and we wish them all the best. These next few weeks are always a bit daunting the first time round so we wish them all the best. Harry was at his wifes side during the birth on Monday and he later confessed he had only had a few hours sleep, suggesting Meghan had spent much of the night in labour. We couldnt be more delighted at the news and were looking forward to meeting the baby when we return. The Prince of Wales on the birth of his new grandson, speaking to well-wishers today in Berlin. #RoyalVisitGermany pic.twitter.com/Liyq1nJ97B The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall (@ClarenceHouse) May 7, 2019 The Prince of Wales has also spoken publicly for the first time about the birth, saying he was delighted at arrival of his latest grandchild. During an official visit to Germany with the Duchess of Cornwall, Charles said: We couldnt be more delighted at the news and were looking forward to meeting the baby when we return. His grandmother the Queen accepted the congratulations of a Windsor Castle guest who asked life is good for your Majesty? following the birth of her latest great-grandchild. The Queen, who was joined by the Duke of Edinburgh, was hosting a lunch for members of the Order of Merit and smiling said in reply yes, thank you. Congratulations another great-grandchild, the guest added. She was then asked: How many of them have you got now? The Queen replied: Eight. The infant is believed to be the first mixed-race child born to a senior member of the royal family in centuries and is a reflection of modern Britain with its culturally diverse population. Alexander and Spencer are the new favourite names for the infant with many of the bookies after the long-term pick Arthur was dethroned in a flurry of betting. The birth of a royal baby proved to be the major talking point on Twitter on Bank Holiday Monday. The Duchess of Sussex gave birth at 5.26 on Monday morning to an as yet unnamed boy weighing 7lb 3oz. The news was confirmed by Prince Harry in the afternoon, although the alerts on their phones gave some people a moment or two of confusion. Harry revealed he had not had much sleep and some viewers thought it might be catching up with him as he appeared to thank the horses in the stables behind him after speaking to reporters. Still laughing at how Harry thanked the horses after the interview RoyallyKate- (@RoyallyKate) May 6, 2019 Harry and Meghans baby was born into one great British institution in the Royal Family, and another Paddington Bear was on hand to celebrate. How exciting. Mrs Bird has said we're going to have an extra special afternoon tea to celebrate with marmalade sandwiches, iced cake and a few cups of her lovely hot cocoa with cream. #RoyalBaby Paddington (@paddingtonbear) May 6, 2019 There was an irreverent take from talk show host Ellen DeGeneres from across the pond. The #royalbaby is here! Congratulations, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry. The baby is 7th in line for the throne, which is crazy, because right now Im 7th in line for the key-making kiosk at my grocery store. @RoyalFamily Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) May 6, 2019 And fellow American TV star Ryan Seacrest was among many social media users taking the opportunity to make a Game Of Thrones reference. Its a boy! Congrats to Meghan Markle and Prince Harry. The royal baby is 7th in line to the British throne...and the latest entry in the race for the iron throne. Ryan Seacrest (@RyanSeacrest) May 6, 2019 To many people, the thing that stuck out from the day was Harrys expression of admiration for his wife and for women in general. I swear I think Prince Harry is a feminist the way he honored his wife and his abiding respect for what women go through was so sweet, just have to say NYN is a SERF in a CORRUPT FEUDAL SYSTEM (@Kris_Sacrebleu) May 6, 2019 For others, it was simply the creation of one fantastically wealthy baby. When you realise the #RoyalBaby is less than 24 hours old but is already richer and more successful than youll ever be pic.twitter.com/L4hcp5MnKf NoStackMan (@no_stack) May 6, 2019 And some just really wanted to avoid spoilers. Reuters journalists Wa Lone, left, and Kyaw She Oo wave as they walk out from Insein Prison (Thein Zaw/AP) Two Reuters journalists who were imprisoned for breaking Burmas Official Secrets Act over reporting on security forces abuses of Rohingya Muslims have been pardoned and released. The convictions of Wa Lone, 32, and Kyaw Soe Oo, 28, in Burma also known as Myanmar had drawn condemnation from rights groups, Western governments and press associations, and the two journalists had garnered several awards. In April, they shared with their Reuters colleagues the Pulitzer Prize for international reporting, one of journalisms highest honours. The two were freed after President Win Myint issued a blanket pardon for 6,520 prisoners, said Zaw Zaw, chief of Insein Prison in the countrys largest city Yangon. On April 23, Burmas Supreme Court had rejected the journalists final appeal against their seven-year prison terms. Their convictions were related to reporting on security forces abuses of the Muslim Rohingya minority. The reporters contended they were framed because of official displeasure over their reporting. I want to say that I am very happy today, Wa Lone said to reporters who had gathered in front of the prison. I want to thank our friends and families who were trying for our freedom and also to those from all over the world who sympathised with us. He added: I am really excited to see my family and colleagues. I cant wait to go to my newsroom. Expand Close Reuters reporter Wa Lone reacts as he is freed from Insein Prison (Ann Wang/AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Reuters reporter Wa Lone reacts as he is freed from Insein Prison (Ann Wang/AP) Burmas military launched a brutal counterinsurgency campaign in the western state of Rakhine in 2017, driving more than 700,000 Rohingya to flee to Bangladesh. UN officials and others claim the campaign amounted to ethnic cleansing, and even genocide. The military has said its actions in Rakhine state were a response to attacks by Rohingya guerrillas, and it did not have a policy violating human rights or the laws of war. The Reuters reporters had worked on an investigation into the killings of 10 Rohingya villagers in Inn Din village, for which the government last year said seven soldiers were sentenced to up to 10 years in prison with hard labour. The two reporters were arrested in December 2017 and sentenced last September after being accused of illegally possessing official documents, a violation of the colonial-era Official Secrets Act. Since their arrests 511 days ago, they have become symbols of the importance of press freedom around the worldStephen Adler, Reuters editor-in-chief We are enormously pleased that Myanmar has released our courageous reporters, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, said a statement issued by Reuters editor-in-chief Stephen Adler. Since their arrests 511 days ago, they have become symbols of the importance of press freedom around the world. We welcome their return. The case drew attention not only as a media freedom issue but also as an example of how democratic reforms in long-isolated Burma have stalled under Nobel Peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyis civilian government, which took power in 2016. The military maintains control of key ministries including those handling security, but Ms Suu Kyi wields executive power and her stance on the Rohingya crisis has disappointed many admirers and dampened hopes for greater democracy in the country. The United Nations office in Burma said it welcomed the journalists release. The UN in Myanmar considers the release of Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo a step toward improving the freedom of the press and a sign of Governments commitment to Myanmars transition to democracy, it said in a statement. Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director of New York-based Human Rights Watch, also applauded the release, but noted Burma is prosecuting other bloggers and journalists for their reporting on the military and the government. Myanmars faltering respect for media freedom indicates the dire situation facing human rights and democracy as the country moves toward national elections in 2020, he said in a statement. Family members of the two reporters were elated. Chit Su Win, the wife of Kyaw Soe Oo, said just before their reunion that she does not know how to express her feelings, but now the three of us can hug each other and we are so happy for that. Maung Saung Kha, director of Athan Freedom of Expression Movement from Burma said he still has concerns about freedom of expression in Burma, because there are still trials of journalists. The online magazine The Irrawaddy and other media outlets have been sued by the army for their coverage of recent fighting between the government and the Arakan army ethnic rebel group, which also operates in Rakhine state. A lion looks out of a cage at Tirana zoo, Albania (Hektor Pustina/AP) Three lions rescued from a private zoo in Albania are travelling to their new home in the Netherlands. The lions, who were being held at Tirana Zoo, were sedated ahead of their journey to the Felida Big Cat Centre. Ioana Dungler, the project leader from international animal welfare group Four Paws, said experts put the lions in specially equipped vehicles and were driving the animals named Lenci, Bobby and Zhaku to the Netherlands. They are safe to travel, said vet Marc Goelkel. Expand Close People from animal welfare group Four Paws place a sedated lion into a transfer cage (Hektor Pustina/AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp People from animal welfare group Four Paws place a sedated lion into a transfer cage (Hektor Pustina/AP) The lions and eight other animals were removed from a private zoo in western Albania last October due to fears they were malnourished. They had remained in cages at the public Tirana Zoo, which Four Paws also considered unfit, while authorities were in a legal dispute with their former owners. A Four Paws team has taken care of them during this time. Ms Dungler said the lions were allowed to leave after other nations and animal groups put pressure on Albanian authorities. She also thanked Tirana Zoo for offering a temporary solution. She said otherwise, the whole rescue operation would not have been possible, but said they could not stay there permanently. If you see the conditions here, I dont think you need to be an expert to understand that this is not the way to keep wild animals, said Ms Dungler, noting that Tirana Zoo has small, cement-floor cages. The sun, the good care of Felida and the grass will make a difference for them. Albanias environment ministry, which has been overseeing the matter, said it had no comment on the transfer. Albania has other wild animals that are being kept privately in unfit places and need a completely different zoo profile to live in, said Ms Dungler, urging Albanian authorities to cooperate on future animal transfers. We just need their commitment and the proper legislation, she said. Four Paws is also assisting Albanian authorities in a feasibility study for an animal sanctuary near Tirana. The politicians gathering at Stormont today for a new round of talks will all make upbeat statements about the chances of progress. Last week's council election results indicate that any foot-dragging or negativity could be punished by voters in the EU poll in a fortnight. There is a mood on the streets to get a deal done. The problem is that both communities are as divided as ever over the precise details of what that deal should entail. Almost everybody wants Stormont back up and running, but on their terms. So, despite the spin and soundbites that we will hear this afternoon, no progress on restoring devolution is likely before Northern Ireland goes to the polls again on May 23. or a full breakdown visit our Election hub and check out the results from each council: Antrim and Newtownabbey --- Ards and North Down --- Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon --- Belfast --- Causeway Coast and Glens --- Derry and Strabane --- Fermanagh and Omagh --- Lisburn and Castlereagh --- Mid and East Antrim --- Mid Ulster --- Newry, Mourne and Down Just imagine the DUP entering a European election having conceded a standalone Irish Language Act, or Sinn Fein facing the electorate without one? Either option would be electoral suicide for our two biggest parties. London and Dublin are trying to make this process appear all-inclusive. The smaller parties were shut out of the last one as the big two tried to hammer out a deal in endless bilateral meetings. This time, working groups involving all the parties will be set up to address the controversial issues. Despite the window-dressing, let's not kid ourselves. The only imprimatur that matters on any deal is that of Sinn Fein and the DUP. The working groups will get down to business tomorrow. As well as an Irish Language Act, they will focus on issues such as reforming Stormont's structures, including the petition of concern; a programme for government; and a Bill of Rights. If a fully-fledged deal isn't a runner before the EU election, is behind-the-scenes progress more likely? Not really. Neither the DUP nor Sinn Fein trust each other given how disastrously the last talks ended on Valentine's Day 2018. Both sides understandably fear that any compromise they'd privately make would be leaked and damage them. Despite the election of the DUP's first openly gay councillor, Alison Bennington, the party isn't on course to agree to finally legalise same-sex marriage. Its position will remain that it doesn't have the numbers to successfully use the petition of concern to block the move at Stormont, anyway. The DUP has long been keener than Sinn Fein to get back into government. Disappointing election results in Belfast and Derry will increase Sinn Fein's enthusiasm. But don't expect a deal any time soon. Today is for the optics only. Dubai flag carrier Emirates has signed an agreement with Smart Dubai, the government body responsible for facilitating citywide smart transformation, under which its employees will get special discounts on the airline's flights tickets. Under this deal, Emirates will also support Smart Dubai with its travel requirements to help them participate in international events and conferences, as well as with the events that it organises on a yearly basis in Dubai, including the Future Blockchain Summit and Smart Dubai Blockchain Challenge, said a statement. The agreement was signed by Sheikh Majid Al Mualla, divisional senior vice president of commercial operations centre at Emirates, and Dr Aisha Bint Butti Bin Bishr, general director of Smart Dubai. Sheikh Majid said: We are proud to partner with Smart Dubai to provide their teams with special travel benefits and to support their many activities and initiatives. Emirates is fully aligned with their vision to deliver world-class smart services and infrastructure through embracing technology and innovation, in order to ultimately make Dubai the worlds smartest and happiest city. Smart Dubai has a total of 304 employees who will all now benefit from the agreement which covers all destinations on the Emirates network, originating from Dubai. The offer can be availed upon booking at Emirates offices, as well as select travel agents, it stated. On the special offer, Dr Aisha said: "On behalf of Smart Dubai, it is an honour to be tasked with spearheading Dubai to become the happiest and smartest city in the world. We continue to invest in innovative technologies and network with skilled industry experts, entrepreneurs and organisations that have launched exceptional start-ups." "Our aim is to continue raising awareness around the world and with the support of our new partner, Emirates, we look forward to accomplishing our goals and transforming Dubai into a leading, global smart city," she stated. Emirates now joins our list of esteemed partners who span the government and the private sector. This reflects the direction of our leadership to have an all-hands-on-deck approach, ensuring entities collaborate together and establish the UAE as the regions leading hub in smart technology, said Dr Aisha. The Dubai carrier will be hosting travel clinics at the Smart Dubai offices over the next few months to provide their employees with information on the special benefits and privileges they will receive when travelling with the airline.-TradeArabia News Service Counter-terrorism officials have arrested a Saudi-born Bangladeshi man on charges of violating anti-terror laws after he allegedly tried to join a local militant group upon his return from Syria, where he was believed to have fought for the Islamic State, police said Tuesday. Motaj Abdul Majid Kafiluddin Bepari, 33, was arrested in Dhaka on Sunday while meeting with members of the banned IS-linked group Neo-JMB, police said. Motaj was arrested under the anti-terrorism act. He is now in four-day remand, Masudur Rahman, deputy commissioner for media and public relations of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police, told BenarNews. The arrest took place about two months after Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal told BenarNews that Bangladesh would bar any citizens who joined IS overseas from coming home. If any suspect in some way manages to arrive, we will arrest them and try them in accordance with the law. We will not allow any terrorists to come to Bangladesh, he said. Dhaka authorities have not determined exactly how many Bangladeshis left the country to join the militants who rampaged across Syria and Iraq and seized territory in 2014. But Khan said suspected IS fighters or supporters would be taken into custody if they landed at any airport in Bangladesh. According to the United Nations, more than 40,000 foreign fighters from 110 countries might have travelled to join terror groups in Syria and Iraq. That figure includes 40 Bangladeshis, according to a July 2018 report from the International Center for the Study of Radicalization (ICSR) in London. Motaj, who grew up in Saudi Arabia, entered Bangladesh in February. During his arrest, police seized his Bangladeshi passport, a Saudi drivers license and literature related to radicalization, a police report said. Authorities took him to the chief metropolitan magistrates court on Monday and the judge ruled that the police could keep him under custody for interrogation for four days. Investigators said Motajs deceased father was Bangladeshi and his mother came from Pakistan. According to the police report, seen by BenarNews, Motaj had established contact with the Neo-JMB and was planning to establish a caliphate in Bangladesh after uprooting the government. Security analyst Mohamad Ali Sikder, a retired army major general, told BenarNews on Tuesday that law-enforcement officials should seriously consider the security risks posed by nationals returning from Syria or Iraq, as they might have connections with other militant groups. After returning home, those militants may try to organize groups and recruit people, he said, or they may make a coalition with local militant groups, implement their plan and operations. IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, who claimed to be the successor to the Islamic caliphs who ruled the region in past centuries, declared the establishment of an Islamic caliphate in Mosul in 2014 and persuaded thousands of Muslims around the world to travel to the region and fight. IS once controlled 88,000 sq-km (34,000 sq-miles) of territory stretching from western Syria to eastern Iraq. A US-backed alliance of Syrian fighters announced in March that IS has lost the last pocket of its territory in Syria, bringing a formal end to the "caliphate" it proclaimed five years ago. Members of the Indonesian police counterterrorism unit Densus 88 escort radical cleric Aman Abdurrahman to his trial at a district court in Jakarta, May 25, 2018. Indonesian police arrested five suspected Islamic State-linked militants who allegedly were planning an attack on a large crowd later this month, and killed another in separate weekend raids on hideouts in Central and West Java, a spokesman said Monday. The suspects were plotting suicide attacks that included targeting mass gatherings as Indonesians await official results of the April 17 presidential and legislative elections that are due out on May 22, according to national police spokesman Dedi Prasetyo. They are linked to the JAD (Jamaah Anshaarut Tauhid) group founded by Aman Abdurrahman, Dedi said. During the raids, we found bomb-making materials which were being prepared. Aman, a militant ideologue who pledged allegiance to Islamic State (IS) leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, was sentenced to death by a Jakarta court last year for his role in a series of terror attacks in Indonesia in recent years. They will take advantage of any chaos resulting from the mass mobilization of people by carrying out suicide attacks, Dedi said, adding that the suspects caught in the weekend raids were also plotting to attack a police station in Bekasis Jati Asih area. Police raided houses in Bekasi, a West Java city east of Jakarta, and Tegal regency in Central Java on Saturday and Sunday, arresting five people. One of the suspects was identified as Solikin (alias Abu Faisa), 34. Police released only the initials of the four others. Another suspect, identified as T.P., threw a home-made bomb at the police, forcing officers to shoot and kill him, Dedi said. Solikin, was the leader and the other suspects are members of a JAD branch in Lampung on Sumatra island and had been monitored since 2014, according to Dedi. He said they were radicalized through social media and learned bomb-making skills from other JAD members. In 2015, Solikin took part in a JAD meeting in East Java when plans to carry out an attack on Jakartas central business district were discussed, Dedi said. A bomb and gun attack in Jakarta in January 2016 killed four bystanders and four militants. National police spokesman Dedi Prasetyo (right) speaks to reporters in Jakarta, May 6, 2019. [Rina Chadijah/BenarNews] Targeting election-related protests Dedi said the group was believed to be planning a suicide attack in Jakarta when supporters of opposition candidate Prabowo Subianto are expected to hold a rally to protest election results later this month. Preliminary counts showed incumbent President Joko Jokowi Widodo with a lead of about 10 percentage points over Prabowo, the man he defeated in 2014 for the nations top office. This group wanted to use the election momentum, particularly in Jakarta, and planned to launch attacks during protest rallies that lead to anarchic actions, Dedi said, according to the South China Morning Post. They were planning suicide bombings and other bomb attacks to trigger other terrorist groups to do the same. Prabowo, whose supporters include hardline Islamic groups, has claimed that the election was rigged. Muhammad Rizieq Shihab, a hardline cleric who has thrown his support behind Prabowo, has demanded that Jokowi be disqualified. Meanwhile, Amien Rais, a former national assembly speaker and a figure who played a key role in the downfall of President Suharto in 1998, threatened to mobilize people power in response to alleged electoral fraud. Amien is the chief patron of the National Mandate Party, a member of the coalition that backs Prabowo. On Monday, Security Affairs Minister Wiranto said forces would not hesitate to take firm action against anyone who breaks the law with the aim to delegitimize election organizers. For those who continue with efforts to sow disunity, delegitimize government institutions, spread slander and hate speech, please stop your activities, Wiranto told reporters. Theres a figure who lives overseas who instigates people every day. That cannot be justified, Wiranto said, in an apparent reference to Rizieq, who is on self-imposed exile in Saudi Arabia to escape a police attempt to question him in a pornography case. Wiranto warned that the government had the power to take down social media accounts with provocative content. If we need to shut them down, we will do it. Its justified for national security, he said. Doubts from analyst Dedi said police were prepared for potential attacks. Therefore, the anti-terror unit Densus 88 continues to keep tabs on the movement of these groups. We are also keeping an eye on sleeper cells that may carry out acts of terrorism, he said. Zaki Mubarak, a political analyst, at Syarif Hidayatullah State Jakarta Islamic University, cast doubt on police claims that JAD was planning an attack. If they had wanted to, they could have carried out a suicide bombing during anti-Ahok rallies. But it did not happen, he said. Zaki was referring to protests by conservative Muslims against then-Jakarta Gov. Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama, a member of the Chinese Christian minority, in late 2016 and early 2017. They were demanding his prosecution over remarks referring to the Quran that were deemed as offensive to Islam. Zaki cautioned against using the pretext of fighting terrorism to muzzle criticism over alleged electoral fraud. People rejecting election results is another matter. It is the job of the police to provide security so that any demonstration can take place peacefully, he said. Malaysian Attorney General Tommy Thomas speaks to reporters outside his office in Putrajaya, the nations administrative capital, June 6, 2018. The United States has started returning to Malaysia almost U.S. $200 million recovered from forfeitures and seizures of assets linked to scandal-plagued state fund 1MDB, the Malaysian governments chief lawyer said Tuesday. Attorney General Tommy Thomas said U.S. officials so far had deposited $57 million forfeited from Red Granite Pictures, a Hollywood film production company founded by former Prime Minister Najib Razaks stepson, Riza Aziz, who is facing allegations that he used embezzled 1MDB funds to finance blockbuster films. The Government of the United States of America has returned, and will be returning, substantial monies to Malaysia, Thomas said in a statement. Malaysia has recovered U.S. $322 million (some 1.3 billion ringgit) worth of 1MDB assets since investigation into 1MDB effectively began (in May 2018), he said, referring to the state fund formally known as 1Malaysia Development Berhad. Singapore has returned U.S. $11 million that had been traced to 1MDB, Thomas said, adding that an additional U.S. $25.7 million will be credited shortly to the recovery account. 1MDB asset recovery efforts across the globe are still ongoing, he said, and Malaysia is optimistic of recovering further monies in the coming months. The Malaysian governments announcement came a day after U.S. authorities placed ex-Goldman Sachs banker Roger Ng under house arrest following his extradition from Kuala Lumpur to face charges related to the alleged theft of billions of dollars from 1MDB. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has accused Ng of conspiring to launder money after he led the sale of bonds through Goldman Sachs in 2012 and 2013. Ng, a Malaysian national, was charged with crimes he allegedly committed while employed as a managing director at the New York-based Goldman Sachs, which arranged three bond sales that raised more than U.S. $6 billion for 1MDB, according to indictment documents unsealed last year. Peggy Kuo, a magistrate judge at the U.S. District Court in Brooklyn, New York, allowed Ngs release after he posted a $1 million cash bail out of a U.S. $20 million bond. Ng was also ordered to wear an ankle bracelet, which would allow authorities to constantly monitor his movements within the state, officials told BenarNews. Najib founded 1MDB in 2009 ostensibly to boost Malaysias economy through strategic investments. But, according to U.S. prosecutors, 1MDB officials and their associates instead embezzled U.S. $4.5 billion from the sovereign wealth fund during a five-year period starting in 2009, diverting the money into private bank accounts and buying U.S. real estate, artwork, a yacht and a private jet, among other luxury items. Najib is facing 42 criminal charges related to the 1MDB looting. He has pleaded not guilty. Thomas said the U.S. DOJ was also in the process of remitting $139 million, after the sale of a Manhattan property linked to fugitive Malaysian financier Jho Low. All costs incurred by the DOJ and the FBI in investigating and securing settlements would be deducted from the amount, he said. Low has been described by investigators as a central figure in the 1MDB scandal. He has denied wrongdoing in statements distributed through his public relations agents. His whereabouts are unknown. A soldier stands guard and troops inspect a motorcycle at a checkpoint in Salvador, a town in the southern Philippines, May 5, 2019. A joint army and police team intercepted two pickup trucks and arrested 19 people armed with automatic rifles and pistols in southern Pagadian city, Philippine authorities said Tuesday, amid a nationwide gun ban issued ahead of midterm elections next week. According to the authorities, the Commission on Elections supervised the arrests and has named the entire Philippine south as an election hot spot where violence could occur on May 13. Next Monday, an estimated 61 million voters across the country are expected to choose 18,000 officials, including half of the 24-member Senate and all 297 members of the House of Representatives. The arrests came after concerned citizens notified authorities about spotting the armed group on the outskirts of Pagadian, the capital of Zamboanga province. The 19 did not resist, but police said they could not determine if they were affiliated with a political group. The government troops immediately responded in the area and were able to flag down the two vehicles and immediately apprehended the personalities on board possessing firearms, local army spokesman Capt. Clint Antipala said. The soldiers and police seized five M16 rifles, as well as several different caliber pistols and ammunition, according to Antipala. The military, meanwhile, has deployed more than 40,000 troops nationwide in preparation for the midterm polls. They will help assist about 160,000 national police force members guarding polling precincts, including critical areas in the south where warring political warlords are a concern, according to officials. They will be deployed in areas where extra security is needed like areas of conflict or insurgency, said military spokesman Col. Noel Detoyato, adding that the election commission had tapped troops to transport poll materials. As of April 30, the national police had recorded 22 incidents of election-related violence, with at least 10 people killed and 11 others wounded, Philippine National Police spokesman Col. Bernard Banac said. Since the electoral season started at the beginning of the year, more than 4,600 individuals had been arrested and about 4,068 guns confiscated, he said. Police were particularly concerned about an estimated 37 gun for hire groups scattered across the country that could strike on election day, on top of rebel groups known to be operating in the south, according to Banac. As we look forward to the 2019 midterm elections, we assure the public that our focused police operations will be intensified, he said Friday during a briefing with poll officials. He said this would entail intensified checkpoint operations and other patrol responses. We assure the public that the whole PNP will remain apolitical, neutral and impartial, Banac said, adding that the together with the military, the police force was on full high alert status days ahead of the polls. Man arrested, deputies said he was trying to entice high school students An arrhythmia is an abnormal heart rhythm that can lead to symptoms such as the feeling that the heart is racing, dizziness, shortness of breath or fainting Abbott has announced the launch of a new, smarter heart monitor for better arrhythmia detectionpositive news for people at risk for irregular heartbeats. Now with CE Mark in Europe and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance, the next-generation Confirm Rx insertable cardiac monitor (ICM), a paperclip-sized implantable device, combines smartphone connectivity and continuous, remote monitoring to track unpredictable heart rhythm problems for fast and accurate diagnosis. An arrhythmia is an abnormal heart rhythm that can lead to symptoms such as the feeling that the heart is racing, dizziness, shortness of breath or fainting. Living with an irregular heartbeat can lead to constant questions for people battling symptoms. For the 33.5 million people living with atrial fibrillation (AFib)the most common arrhythmiamany do not even know they have the condition. Abbott's Confirm Rx ICM is helping advance how physicians remotely monitor arrhythmias in people most at risk. Inserted just under the skin in the chest above the heart during a quick, minimally invasive outpatient procedure, the Confirm Rx ICM device is the only ICM on the market that syncs to a smartphone via Bluetooth and transmits information to the physician to help identify irregular heartbeats quickly. Abbott's mobile app eliminates the need for an additional transmitter and is user-friendly health technology translated in nearly 40 languages. Avi Fischer, M.D., medical director of Abbott's Cardiac Rhythm Management therapies said, "Through new advances like Abbott's next generation of Confirm Rx ICM, physicians can act more proactively and efficiently in their treatment approach, and patients can stay engaged and connected. Wearables used to track cardiac arrhythmias have limitations when it comes to making a clinical diagnosis. Many require recharging at night, which can lead to missing irregular heartbeats that may occur sporadically and infrequently. Others require some level of interaction by the person to record symptoms, which may not be top of mind when feeling light headed, dizzy or experiencing a rapid heart rate. Sean Beinart, M.D., a cardiologist with Adventist Healthcare in Rockville, Md said, "The rise in health monitoring has undoubtedly increased awareness of arrhythmias such as AFib, but many of these devices still aren't leading to an improved diagnosis or solving the key clinical challenges for people at risk. Like a guardian for heart health, Confirm Rx ICM can relay important data about a person's heart rhythm through their smartphone and alert their care team to a potentially dangerous heart event. With Abbott's new technology, I can better identify riskmaking it actionable for me and life-changing for my patient." Unlike other monitoring technology that can lead to gaps in arrhythmia detection, Confirm Rx ICM provides continuous 24/7 monitoring. The new detection technology in Confirm Rx ICM reduces false detection by 97 percent and avoids alerting physicians of irregular heartbeats that may not actually signal a cardiac arrhythmia. The next-generation version of Abbott's Confirm Rx ICM incorporates new SharpSense technology, which was designed with physician feedback and insights from the people who have benefited from the Confirm Rx ICM since it was first commercialized in 2017. One of the biggest challenges for South Africans is showcasing it's extraordinary cultural, past and present to the world. The recent unveiling of mural art at Africa's Travel Indaba at the Durban International Convention centre (Durban ICC) is a step forward in this regard. Image(s) via South African Tourism Cultural roots are also one of the five pillars of tourism. The giant mural, which was unveiled by the South African Minister of Tourism, Derek Hanekom, was created by four artists and represents Durban as well as broader South African society.A member of the South African Tourism (SA Tourism) Board, Michelle Constant explains that the intention of the mural is for visitors to stand in front of it and take a selfie and place it on social media, to show the world that we have an extraordinary culture."We need the world to acknowledge our extraordinary culture. The opportunity to showcase this through this mural and at this event is part of SA Tourism driving culture and creativity. It also allows us to demonstrate and show something different. Cultural roots are also one of the five pillars of tourism."Kev Seven a graffiti artist of 12 to 15 years who worked on the project sees it as a big step forward. "It is the first mural in street art in the Durban ICC.""It is mural that welcomes the world and opens its arms to everyone," says Sphephelo Mnguni who also worked on the project. "I hope people will look at the mural and experience a sense of unity, peace, love and positive vibes."Samora Chapman, another artist who collaborated on the project says the mural is based on the most inclusive part of Durban. "It also extends beyond Durban into the broader South African society. I hope people will find it uplifting and fun and will photograph it and share it."The mural, while planned over a long period of time, took 10 days to complete and contains scenes of South Africa life, some of which is symbolic such as a robot in the mural that symbolises industry.Art contributes about 1.9% to South Africas GDP. Most of the countrys creatives are below the age of 30, and 95% black, split equally among female and male.Constant emphasises that the arts are key to opening the door to science and technology. "We are seeing STEM - Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths becoming STEAM, with art added in." How the media is faring in Ethiopia During a trip to Addis Ababa in January, it was impossible to miss the signs that Ethiopian media are enjoying unprecedented freedom. A flurry of new publications were on the streets. At a public forum that CPJ attended, journalists spoke about positive reforms, but also openly criticised their lack of access to the government. About the author Muthoki Mumo is CPJ's CPJ Sub-Saharan Africa representative. She writes for Nation Media Group publications in Nairobi, Kenya, and has a master's in journalism and globalisation from the University of Hamburg. Sanef expresses sadness over Sefako Nyaka's passing The South African National Editors' Forum (Sanef) has expressed its sadness over the recent passing of former South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) TV current affairs editor Sefako Nyaka. Nyaka passed away this weekend in what is believed to have been a cardiac arrest. He was a veteran journalist and worked at the SABC and other media houses for a number of years. He joined the public service in 1994 and served as a government communicator. The holy month of fasting will end on June 4 with the feast of Eid al-Fitr. Public offices and companies reduce working hours. Saudi newspaper praises the acts of charity of "Muslims and Christians". After years of war, in Syria the markets are again crowded. In Iran there are fears of the announcement of new US sanctions. Beirut (AsiaNews) - More than a billion Muslims today celebrate the beginning of Ramadan, the sacred month that Islam dedicates to fasting and prayer, which varies from a few hours between different nations across the world depending on the first sighting of the crescent moon. The Saudi Supreme Court has affirmed that "today, May 6, is the first day of Ramadan of the year 1440", with the star sighted - the procedure can vary according to the atmospheric conditions and the distance between sun and moon on the horizon - in different cities and rural areas of the kingdom. Together with the Saudis, also the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Syria, Egypt, Australia, Turkey, Indonesia and Morocco - to name a few - celebrate the beginning of the holy month for Islam today. It is the first day of fasting and prayer also for Muslims in the United States and Europe. The beginning is instead postponed for a few hours in other countries including India, Pakistan and Iran, the cradle of Shiite Islam. For almost a month, Muslims refrain from eating and drinking from sunrise to sunset; smoking and sexual relations are also prohibited. The ifa, which breaks the fast, is the main meal within 24 hours and is consumed in the evening. According to tradition this month, God revealed the Koran to the prophet Muhammad. Ramadan will end on the evening of June 4th with the great feast of Eid al-Fitr, marked by celebrations and banquets, which will last until the evening of the following day. The period of fasting and prayer opens with the sighting of the first glimpse of the new moon, which can vary from country to country. It is one of the five pillars (duties) of Islam together with the pilgrimage to Mecca, canonical prayer, the witness of faith and almsgiving. Its institution dates back to the second year from the "egira" (622 AD), in correspondence with the escape of Muhammad from Mecca to the oasis of Medina. Tradition has it that daily fasting begins when a white thread can be distinguished from a black thread. Every person who has passed puberty and is healthy of mind and body must follow the precept. Those with psychological problems are exempt, children under the age of puberty, the elderly, the sick, travelers and pregnant, nursing, or just entering the menstrual cycle. Whoever does not fast, however, must pray and carry out an act of charity towards the poor every day. Many parents make children fast (half a day). In Muslim-majority countries, companies and offices reduce working hours and many restaurants close during the day. People greet each other using traditional formulas such as "Ramadan Mubarak" and "Ramadan Kareem", wishing the recipient a "blessed" and "generous" month. At the same time, the sacred month in recent years has highlighted elements that have little to do with faith, but rather with commerce and business, with advertising pushes to purchases and spend evenings in luxurious hotels. Presenting the beginning of Ramadan, the Saudi Arabian newspaper Arab News points out that in this period there is greater "unity and closeness" and that "Muslims and Christians promote acts of charity, including meals [for the poorest] all 'outside of the mosques'. In Egypt children light small lanterns (fanoos) and sing traditional songs, while parents decorate streets and squares, as well as prepare traditional foods. In Indonesia, the most populous Muslim nation in the world, children wear traditional clothes, participate in processions and songs on the day of the beginning of the fasting month. Despite the war, markets in Syria have been crowded by families buying traditional food or drinks, such as tea. Among the other traditions there is the hakawati, which derives from the word "history" and consists in telling stories, myths, fables and passages from the Koran. In neighboring Lebanon, although 40% of the population is Christian, the month of Ramadan involves the entire population, with NGOs and activists promoting common charity initiatives, such as the distribution of food outside mosques and churches. In Iraq, after years of evening curfews the streets (decorated) are once again being crowded with people; people prepare traditional meals, take part in games that characterize the past and enjoy drinks and food inside the premises. In Iran, on the other hand, the consequences of American sanctions are being increasingly felt and are affecting the population, impoverishing it. Furthermore, according to rumors from Washington, President Donald Trump is ready to announce new sanctions against the Islamic Republic in conjunction with the festival, as happened on other occasions in the past. A timing that is convincing more and more Iranians of the US governments "blatant hostility" towards them. A Monk Abused Women By Touching Their Privates Life oi-Syeda Farah Noor Honesty in today's world is very rare and if you tend to believe that the religious monks have solutions to all your problems, then you might be the biggest fool! Well, though the above words seem to be quite harsh, this is the case of a young girl and her mother who were molested by a famous monk in Hong Kong. Check out the entire story. The Incident Happened In Hong Kong The man named Yuen Ming-Kuen, is a 57-year-old who is a self-proclaimed monk. He was famous for handling spiritual healing sessions and this is why a distressed mum and her teenage daughter approached him to get some relief. The Monk Told Them That They Were Possessed The monk told the women that he possessed special healing powers and as a result this will enable him to negotiate with the evil spirits and purge them through religious rituals. He Had A Different Technique To Get In Touch With the Evil Spirits The self-proclaimed monk revealed the mother-daughter duo that he had a unique way of getting rid of the spirits. He claimed that he had to fondle the breasts and genitals as a part of the process. His Technique Was Claimed To Be... The monk claimed that this bizarre method of getting rid of the evil spirit was learnt from an arhat.' An arhat is a person who has reached nirvana in his dreams. He believed that the girl's breasts and her vagina were harbouring spirits and the harmful beads which he claims were produced by the spirits "raping" her. He Was Found Guilty Apparently, the man had been abusing the women for over 7 months and he made sure that he got a reason to abuse them physically since they believed him. When the judge heard his reasoning, he found it to be ridiculous and he was convicted of six counts of indecent assault and one count of assault occasioning. But do you think this was enough? Share your thoughts about this case in the comment section below. GET THE BEST BOLDSKY STORIES! Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, May 6, 2019, 16:57 [IST] 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 Azerbaijan Tourism Board has introduced a marketing campaign, entitled Take another look. As part of its strategy to present a new portrait of the country, enhance its destination value and double the current in-bound tourism by 2023, the national promotion body launched the campaign in UAE to garner interest from tourists across the Middle East region. Breaking travel news reports in its article Azerbaijan Tourism Board targets Middle Eastern guests with new campaign that the brand positioning and identity is an invitation to attract travellers to consider Azerbaijan from a unique point of view and discover its untold stories and secrets. Situated at the crossroads of eastern Europe and western Asia, Azerbaijan has nine of the worlds eleven climate zones, offering travellers a European experience at affordable prices all year round. The Caucasus country is currently on the cusp of a tourism boom as it welcomed a record number of in-bound visitors spending more than US$2 billion in 2018, making it one of the fastest growing tourist destinations in the world. Azerbaijans recent investments in tourism and country promotion including the newly launched city-wide official pass, Baku Card are testimony to the fact that the country is poised to become a popular tourist destination. In 2018, Azerbaijan welcomed over 200,000 GCC tourists which is a 30 per cent increase from the year before. To meet the growing demand in the region, airlines have increased the frequency of direct flights from the Middle East to Azerbaijan. Local carriers like flydubai, Azerbaijan Airlines, Air Arabia, Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, Gulf Air, Jazeera Airways, Flynas are providing tourists with convenient flight routes to facilitate travel. Moreover, UAE residents are eligible for visa on arrival to Azerbaijan with a possibility of a one-month extension. Saudi Arabia and Qatar residents can apply for an E-Visa online which is processed within 3 hours through the new simplified electronic visa procedure. Azerbaijan has authentic and unique stories that are yet to be unravelled. Our campaign reveals Azerbaijans distinctive culture, delectable cuisine, phenomenal shopping experiences and indulgent health and wellness retreats. Guests will want to dig deeper into the countrys history and rich cultural heritage as they discover pleasant surprises and hidden gems throughout the year, said Florian Sengstschmid, chief executive of the Azerbaijan Tourism Board. The rest of 2019 will witness testing moments for all the critical components of Turkey-EU relations and it is in the best interest of both sides to renew the search for realistic paths for constructive cooperation in the ongoing standstill, wrote Marc Pierini, visiting scholar at Carnegie Europe, a Brussels-based independent policy research centre. Ahval News reports in its article Remainder of 2019 to determine course of Turkey-EU relations that there is large consensus in Europe that Turkey, whose accession into the 28-member bloc formally began in 2005, has failed to comply with any of the required criteria pertaining to the EU candidacy. However, the EU has so far shied away from formally suspending negotiations. In a non-binding vote on March 13, 2019, the European Parliament called for the suspension of EU accession talks with Turkey, citing violations of human rights and the rule of law. Despite growing divergences between Turkey and its traditional Western allies, Pierini wrote, neither side can afford relations to deteriorate beyond a certain point, noting that is particularly true of the EU-Turkey economic relationship, where trade, foreign direct investment, and technology transfers play important roles both ways. Turkeys economics, domestic politics, foreign policy, defence policy, and the rule of law. together paint a challenging picture that leaves Europe and Turkey with limited options for how to respond, he underlined. It was the countrys economic slowdown which undermined support for the government in the local elections, the article said, noting that the outcome of the polls is set to embolden the opposition, which now controls cities that represent 65 percent of Turkeys GDP . Meanwhile, the countrys defence policy debates continue to dominated by the S-400 dilemma , which translates to the West that Turkeys defence policy is of a growing divergence from the countrys commitments to NATO, he added. Unless Ankara changes its planned purchase of the S-400 system, he wrote, the outcome would be another Turkey-U.S. escalation and a major blow to the North Atlantic Alliance. Apart from politics on the EU side, it remains clear that the 23-year-old customs union has allowed a massive transformation of Turkeys manufacturing industry, the article noted, adding that the EU remains an indispensable partner for Turkey in the fields of trade, foreign direct investment, and technology transfers. Turkey also has a customs union agreement with the EU which came into effect in January 1996 and the bilateral trade between two sides has increased to $150 billion from $37 billion over the 23 years since. The interdependence between the EU and Turkey works both ways, Pierini wrote, stressing that Turkeys refusal to improve its questionable rule-of-law for the sake of revamping the EU-Turkey Customs Union may become reason for the blocs political circles to prolong the ongoing standstill over the countrys EU bid. The modernisation of the EU-Turkey Customs Union must be prioritised, according to the analyst, including new technologies and vast increases in trade in services. This move more important for its indirect impact on Turkeys governance than for its direct commercial effects, he added. Another factor to consider in the relations is the EUs political landscape, which has resulted in greater Euroskeptic and Turcoskeptic forces, posing a serious challenge for rapid improvement in the EU-Turkey relationship. Should there cease to be a positive dynamic on accession, the EU-Turkey relationship will become purely transactional, as evident in the 2016 refugee package , which sees that the EU provides Syrian refugees and their host communities in Turkey with 6 billion ($6.8 billion) of aid, or foreign policy dialogue, he underlined. The challenge ahead will be whether Ankara and Brussels can still nurture some rules-based order, in the areas of the customs union, counterterrorism, visa liberalisation, and economic and political dialogue, the article noted. A complete standstill in the EU-Turkey relationship should not be underestimated, Pierini opined, noting that mutual long-term interests of Turkey and the EU should take precedence over short-term political gains for both sides. OTTAWA - The Green Party of Canada's newest MP says the spring floods in eastern Canada contributed to his win in Monday's byelection on Vancouver Island. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 7/5/2019 (962 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Green Party's Paul Manly celebrates with his family from (left to right), his mother Eva and father Jim, wife Samantha and daughter Aven after results come in for the Nanaimo-Ladysmith byelection at the Cavallotti Lodge in Nanaimo, B.C., on Monday, May 6, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito OTTAWA - The Green Party of Canada's newest MP says the spring floods in eastern Canada contributed to his win in Monday's byelection on Vancouver Island. The connection: concerns about climate change are becoming a bigger and bigger influence at the ballot box, Paul Manly said in an interview the day after. Manly blew away the traditional parties in the race to fill the seat in Nanaimo-Ladysmith, finishing 5,000 votes ahead of the Conservative. The NDP, who won the riding in 2015, finished a distant third and the governing Liberals placed fourth. Manly said while voters raised affordable housing, health care, and small-business woes with him, climate change was a thread woven through most of his interactions on the doorstep. His win, he said, is a victory for the environment. "It sends a strong signal to the other parties that people are serious about climate change and it's time to stop subsidizing the fossil-fuel industry and move forward with a clean-energy economy," Manly told The Canadian Press in an interview. Last summer, voters in his riding spent most of August indoors or breathing smoky air as their province suffered through its worst forest-fire season on record, with the number of fires exceeding the tally British Columbia had set just the year before. Residents are already being forced to conserve water, with rivers in the region running at 40 per cent of their normal levels. And during the vote, they watched from afar as parts of Central and Atlantic Canada tried to beat back the second once-a-century flood in less than three years. Politicians of all stripes were tripping over each other to link the floods to climate change. "People see this and they're very, very concerned," said Manly. Manly is only the second Green candidate to ever get elected and will join leader Elizabeth May in the House of Commons when he is sworn in later this month. Abacus Data, in a new poll released Tuesday, found what it called "a marked rise" in the number of Canadians who would consider voting Green, giving the party more hope for the fall election. But the Greens in the past have not been able to convert interest from voters between elections to support on voting days. Manly acknowledges that voting for him in a byelection isn't the same as a general election, when the direction of the whole government is on the line. But he thinks he will be safe come the fall general election because he now has incumbency status. The Liberals and NDP are clearly looking over their shoulders at the Greens, who have had a number of successes at the provincial level in the last year, culminating in Prince Edward Island's decision to elect them to official opposition last month. Greens have been elected to legislatures in New Brunswick and Ontario and three Greens have held the balance of power in B.C.'s minority government since 2017. NDP leader Jagmeet Singh, whose party held Nanaimo-Ladysmith until MP Sheila Malcolmson resigned in January to run provincially, said he thinks the byelection shows people are encouraged about actions on the environment. But he admitted there are some lessons to be learned. "We'll learn from ways we can improve our communications, our contacting our voters and making sure they come out to vote," he said. Despite the plunge in Liberal support in the byelection they'd run second in Nanaimo-Ladysmith in 2015 Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Manly's win is a sign Canadians are "preoccupied" by climate change. He says that tells him his party's strategy to promote its climate-change plan, versus what he calls the inaction of the Conservatives, is the way to go. "That's certainly the point we are going to be making throughout the fall," he said. Fourteen of Canada's most prominent environment advocacy groups stepped up Tuesday to try to take advantage of Canadians' growing concern about the environment, to ask the parties to weigh in on their positions on 20 environment policies. The groups want bigger cuts to greenhouse-gas emissions, a national law banning single-use plastics and stronger laws to bar toxic chemicals and pesticides. They also want parties to commit to an independent review of whether the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion would be economically beneficial. The Liberals' support for the pipeline project is a sticking point for some environment activists, who privately admit they fear voting Green or NDP could split the vote and help elect a Conservative government which they see as less committed to climate-change action. But at the same time they wonder whether they can swallow a Liberal party that supports a major oil pipeline. Both the NDP and the Conservatives say they'll release their climate plans later this spring. Keith Brooks, program director at Environmental Defence, said Tuesday that polls show climate change and the environment are top-of-mind for a majority of Canadians. Brooks said as a registered charity, his group can't endorse any party, but he is warning the consequences of what voters do could be immense. "There is a significant risk that we might elect a party who doesn't take climate change seriously, who doesn't have a credible plan to deal with the environment and that would set us back quite significantly," he said. With files from Kristy Kirkup VICTORIA - Premier John Horgan has asked the British Columbia Utilities Commission to investigate why gasoline in Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Island is so much more expensive than the rest of the country. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 7/5/2019 (962 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. A gas station is pictured in Vancouver, B.C., Wednesday, Apr 17, 2019. Premier John Horgan has asked the British Columbia Utilities Commission to investigate why gasoline in Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Island is so much more expensive than the rest of the country.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward VICTORIA - Premier John Horgan has asked the British Columbia Utilities Commission to investigate why gasoline in Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Island is so much more expensive than the rest of the country. A statement from the premier's office says Horgan spoke with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday and brought up his concerns, making it clear that gas hovering around $1.70 a litre is of national importance. Horgan's request to the utilities commission on Tuesday asks that it explore why prices have shot up by 40 cents a litre in the last few months. "Across the province, but particular in Metro Vancouver and on Vancouver Island, people are alarmed at the rapid increase in the price at the pumps," his letter says. Horgan's letter to utility commission chairman David Morton says that, historically, wholesale prices have been between 2 1/2 and four cents a litre more in Vancouver than in Edmonton, but that gap has widened over the last four years to almost 24 cents a litre. "In March 2019, refining margins for Vancouver were more than double the Canadian average and higher than any other major city in North America," he says. "This suggests that the producers are realizing a significant additional profit margin for fuel sold in Metro Vancouver compared with other jurisdictions." Horgan says B.C. residents can't accept a situation where the price of gasoline correcting for differences in tax rates is increasingly out of line with prices in the rest of Canada. Metro Vancouver residents pay more than 50 cents a litre in taxes to the federal and provincial governments and for carbon, transit and other taxes. Horgan's letter says Morton is a trusted and respected regulator and has the ability to conduct detailed hearings that will provide residents with necessary evidence and recommendations for the best path forward. The commission regulates electricity and natural gas prices in the province. Last week, the left-leaning research institute the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives suggested that gasoline should also be regulated, similar to policies in the Maritimes. Horgan was cool to the idea. He said he didn't believe that B.C. would have more success with regulation. He has said part of the problem comes from a low supply and high demand. OTTAWA - Canada has used a major World Trade Organization gathering to demand China deliver evidence that Canadian canola is contaminated. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 7/5/2019 (962 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. OTTAWA - Canada has used a major World Trade Organization gathering to demand China deliver evidence that Canadian canola is contaminated. Stephen de Boer, the Canadian ambassador to the world's leading trade body in Geneva, told the WTO's general council on Tuesday that Canada wants to meet in China in good faith to hear its science-based concerns that recent Canadian canola shipments were, in fact, tainted. Minister of Rural Economic Development Bernadette Jordan rises during Question Period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Friday, April 5, 2019. A Nova Scotia cabinet minister says the federal government would welcome any help the United States could offer in helping Canada in its ongoing dispute with China.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang China banned shipments from two Canadian canola companies last month. This week, the government announced China had similarly banned pork from two Canadian companies. "Open and predictable rules-based international trade is the only way global commerce can succeed. Co-operation between WTO members and willingness to engage on issues is equally important," de Boer said. "Canada therefore concludes by asking again for China to provide the scientific evidence that supports its findings. This is a specific case, but I raise it in this setting because it's an important example of the broader concerns and the trend of increasing trade-restrictive measures." De Boer's intervention at one of the WTO's most senior decision-making bodies is an attempt to push China, which has stonewalled requests for Canadian experts to travel to the People's Republic to examine Chinese evidence on the canola. The government says two separate inspections by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency have turned up nothing, while several cabinet ministers have said China's complaint about the quality of the canola shipments is not science-based. This Dec. 5, 2017, photo shows flags of Canada and China prior to a meeting of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing. A Nova Scotia cabinet minister says the federal government would welcome any help the United States could offer in helping Canada in its ongoing dispute with China.THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Fred Dufour, Pool Photo China's rejection of Canadian food products is part of the escalating tensions following the RCMP's December arrest in Vancouver of Huawei Technologies executive Meng Wanzhou. Canadian authorities detained her on a U.S. warrant alleging she committed fraud on American banks in an effort to get Huawei around sanctions against Iran. Meng's arrest infuriated China. Nine days later, China imprisoned two Canadians ex-diplomat Michael Kovrig and entrepreneur Michael Spavor and accused them of violating China's national security. Both are still in custody. While de Boer's statement is not the formal complaint that Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer has urged the government to launch, it represents the first formal opportunity to draw attention to the issue in front of a major meeting of the WTO, said a senior Canadian government official, who was not authorized to speak on the record because of the sensitivity of the situation. China places great importance on being a member in good standing of the WTO, the world's trade referee, especially as it tries to displace the United States as a global trade leader. De Boer told the WTO council that Canada wants to be a good trading partner and if another country sees a problem with a Canadian export, Canada wants to find a solution. Canada has been working hard to resolve this issue with China, using every available means on the ground in both countries, said de Boer. While Canada was pressing its case at the WTO, a Nova Scotia cabinet minister said the federal government would welcome American influence to resolve the ongoing dispute with China. "I would say that it would be helpful, for sure," Rural Economic Development Minister Bernadette Jordan said in an interview. "It's different times now in the world than we've faced even four years ago. We see challenges all around the world. And we will continue, as a government, to stand up for our Canadian products." Conservative MP Randy Hoback recently told the House of Commons agriculture committee he's concerned China might decide to single out Canadian maple syrup or seafood next. Jordan said her constituency is the largest lobster-producing riding in the country, and hardly a day goes by without her talking to a fisher. In 2017, Canada exported 10 million kilograms of live lobster to China. Canada's efforts to diversify its markets for seafood continue apace with the ratification of free-trade deals with the European Union and the 10 Pacific Rim countries in the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership, she said. "Yes, China accounts for a significant portion of our lobster sales our seafood, it's not just lobsters. But I think with the ability for us to open up Europe, our ability to open up other Asian markets, there is that potential to make sure that those challenges are mitigated." Jordan stressed there has been "absolutely no indication" of any movement by China to take trade action against Canadian seafood. While she offered few details of what contingency plans the government may have if China does hit the seafood sector, Jordan suggested the government would come to its aid if necessary. "We've worked with the canola farmers specifically on a package for them. I'm sure that when the time comes, if there's a need, we will be there for our fishers as well." Last week, the government helped canola farmers by changing a special agricultural program that advances money against later crop sales. The change raises loan limits to $1 million from $400,000. The interest-free portion of that program is also rising to $500,000 from $100,000. Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau told The Canadian Press the government wants to ensure producers "have the support they need" and officials are "dealing with issues that arise on a case-by-case basis." Note to readers: ADDS quotes from Canada envoy to WTO OTTAWA - A Nova Scotia cabinet minister says the federal government would welcome any help the United States could offer in helping Canada in its ongoing dispute with China. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 7/5/2019 (962 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. This Dec. 5, 2017, photo shows flags of Canada and China prior to a meeting of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing. A Nova Scotia cabinet minister says the federal government would welcome any help the United States could offer in helping Canada in its ongoing dispute with China.THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Fred Dufour, Pool Photo OTTAWA - A Nova Scotia cabinet minister says the federal government would welcome any help the United States could offer in helping Canada in its ongoing dispute with China. "I would say that it would be helpful, for sure," Rural Economic Development Minister Bernadette Jordan said in an interview. "It's different times now in the world than we've faced even four years ago. We see challenges all around the world. And we will continue, as a government, to stand up for our Canadian products." China has suspended Canadian imports of pork and canola from two Canadian companies in each industry as part of escalating tensions following the December arrest of Huawei Technologies executive Meng Wanzhou on a U.S. warrant alleging fraud. Meng's arrest infuriated China. Nine days after her arrest, China imprisoned two Canadians ex-diplomat Michael Kovrig and entrepreneur Michael Spavor and accused them of violating China's national security. A senior Canadian official, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly on the issue, said Canada is working with all allies including the U.S. to pressure China, which has always been the case. "It's not a shift," said the source. "For sure, we're continuing to raise the issue with our American friends." The halting of canola and pork imports has also raised the possibility that China could expand what is widely seen as economic retaliation into other areas. Conservative MP Randy Hoback recently told the House of Commons agriculture committee he's concerned China might decide to single out Canadian maple syrup or seafood. Jordan said her Nova Scotia constituency is the largest lobster producing riding in the country, and not a day goes by without her talking to a fisher. In 2017, Canada exported 10-million kilograms of live lobster to China. Canada's efforts to diversify its markets for seafood continue apace with the ratification of free trade deals with the European Union and the 10 Pacific Rim countries in the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership, she said. "Yes, China accounts for a significant portion of our lobster sales our seafood, it's not just lobsters. But I think with the ability for us to open up Europe, our ability to open up other Asian markets, there is that potential to make sure that those challenges are mitigated." Jordan stressed there has been "absolutely no indication" of any movement by China to take trade action against Canadian seafood. While she offered few details of what contingency plans the government may have if the seafood sectors is hit by China, Jordan suggested the government would come to their aid if necessary. "We've worked with the canola farmers specifically on a package for them. I'm sure that when the time comes, if there's a need, we will be there for our fishers as well." Last week, the government came to the aid of canola farmers by changing a special agricultural program that will raise loan limits to $1 million from $400,000. The interest-free portion of that program is also rising to $500,000 from $100,000. Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau said in a statement that the government wants to ensure producers "have the support they need" and officials are "dealing with issues that arise on a case-by-case basis." MONTREAL - A Quebec high school French exam question that asked students about adapting to climate change has drawn a torrent of online criticism, as teens used memes and videos to denounce what they see as government inaction on climate issues. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 7/5/2019 (962 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. People hold up signs demanding action on climate change during a demonstration in Montreal, Saturday, December 8, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes MONTREAL - A Quebec high school French exam question that asked students about adapting to climate change has drawn a torrent of online criticism, as teens used memes and videos to denounce what they see as government inaction on climate issues. The question on last week's ministry exam for Grade 11 students asked: "Can we adapt to climate change?" It quickly drew the ire of students like 17-year-old Francis Claude, who feels the way the question was phrased suggests the government has accepted climate change. "It's like they want to abandon the fight against climate change, and just make do and adapt," said Claude, whose Facebook group dedicated to the exam has exploded to almost 37,000 members in recent days. Claude said the members of his generation are committed to fighting environmental destruction, not adapting to it. "What's the point of studying for a future we're not going to have?" said Claude, who attends Mont-Ste-Anne School in Beaupre, 40 kilometres northeast of Quebec City. Claude said he started the Facebook group so students could exchange study tips and share jokes and memes about the exam process. But it has now morphed into a sort of environmental forum, where students direct their anger at the government and its perceived inaction. He said many students find it ironic that the Quebec government is testing them on climate change at all. "I couldn't believe that they'd dare to give us that question when we are the ones who are most concerned with climate change," he said. Education Minister Jean-Francois Roberge reacted on Twitter last week, saying it would have been better had the exam asked students how to fight climate change, rather than how to adapt to it. "On the other hand, I'm proud that the youth are so sensitized and mobilized on this issue," he wrote. Olivia Ralston, another student at Mont-Ste-Anne school, said some students found the question confusing since it didn't really match up to the study materials. She also questioned the use of the word "adapt." "We are living in this world, and we're not going to live anywhere else, so why shouldn't we try to change it?" she said. Ralston said some students put a green dot on their exam to signify climate change, and others have since started wearing the symbol as a call for action. Seventeen-year-old Montreal student Kiaira Morand-Tremblay says many young people are frustrated that older generations don't seem to feel the same sense of urgency. "We're able to raise, I don't know how much money to rebuild the (Notre Dame) Paris cathedral, but for the climate, it's like they do nothing," she said. The controversy comes as tens of thousands of students across Canada have been staging demonstrations and school strikes as part of a global youth-led movement to demand action on environmental issues. Claude said many of the students commenting on the exam are planning further action, including another major protest in Montreal and Quebec City on May 17. Organizers' demands include a government commitment to cap global warming at 1.5 degrees Celsius and to partner with environmentalists to establish an education program to sensitize the public to the climate crisis, he said. MONTREAL - Canada is disappointed the United States has blocked the Arctic Council from issuing a unanimous declaration acknowledging climate change but has no choice but to keep working with a key ally, says Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 7/5/2019 (962 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, left, takes part in a bilateral meeting with Canada's Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland at the Lappi Areena in Rovaniemi, Finland Tuesday, May 7, 2019. (Mandel Ngan/Pool Photo via AP) MONTREAL - Canada is disappointed the United States has blocked the Arctic Council from issuing a unanimous declaration acknowledging climate change but has no choice but to keep working with a key ally, says Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo declined to utter the words "climate change" throughout the eight-country summit of Arctic nations that wrapped Tuesday in Finland, including in a meeting with Freeland. Foreign Minister Timo Soini of Finland, which ended its two-year chairmanship of the council on Tuesday, said no joint declaration was possible because the U.S. would not agree to language about climate change. "I think Canada feels, as do many members of the Arctic Council, that it's a disappointment we weren't able to reach a shared communique that we all agreed with," Freeland told reporters Tuesday from Latvia, where she was transiting to Ukraine as part of a whirlwind European trip. "We were certainly not prepared to have an agreed communique that didn't forthrightly and clearly speak about climate change." The failure to agree on a shared statement also drew condemnation from the Inuit Circumpolar Council, which represents people in Canada, Greenland, Alaska and Russia. "While the U.S. government concerns itself with semantics, playing games with words, our people are witnessing the adverse impacts of climate change. What about us and our reality?" said the group's international chair, Dalee Sambo Dorough, an Inuk from Alaska. Freeland said Canada recognizes "with sadness" that the U.S. has decided to withdraw from the Paris climate-change accord. "We continue to express our disappointment with that decision. Having said that, we have to move on ... with all the other countries of the world that want to co-operate with us on climate change and of course we need to move on with our relationship with the United States, our neighbour and our ally." The American opposition to acting on climate change was not total, though, because the Trump administration views melting Arctic ice to be an economic opportunity. Pompeo says it will open new sea lanes and trade routes, slashing ships' travel time between Europe and Asia. In a speech in Finland on Monday, Pompeo called Canada's claim over the Northwest Passage "illegitimate," language that was criticized as not reflecting the 1988 Arctic Co-operation Agreement that allows Canada and the U.S. to continue to agree to disagree on the issue. The agreement allows the U.S. to designate the passage as an international waterway while allowing Canada to say that it is a part of Canadian sovereign territory. Freeland tried to strike a conciliatory note on the issue while not giving an inch on Canada's position. "Canada is very clear about the Northwest Passage being Canadian. There is both a very strong historic and geographic connection with Canada. Having said that, we collaborate closely with all of the members of the Arctic Council." The U.S. is more concerned about Russia and China in the Arctic than ownership of the Northwest Passage, said Pompeo. "The challenges in the Arctic aren't between the United States and Canada, let me assure you," he said. "There are others that threaten to use it in ways that are not consistent with the rule of law." Pompeo's views on the economic benefits of climate change met with a muted response during his Monday speech in the northern Finnish Arctic city of Rovaniemi. "Steady reductions in sea ice are opening new naval passageways and new opportunities for trade, potentially slashing the time it takes for ships to travel between Asia and the West by 20 days," Pompeo said, as Freeland and the foreign ministers of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia and Sweden looked on. "Arctic sea lanes could become the 21st century's Suez and Panama canals." The summit wrapped with a brief joint statement that reaffirmed the council's "commitment to maintain peace, stability and constructive co-operation in the Arctic." With files from the Associated Press OTTAWA - Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen is defending new measures aimed at cracking down on unscrupulous immigration consultants, rejecting an all-party committee's call that they be brought under government regulation. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 6/5/2019 (963 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Ahmed Hussen arrives on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Monday, May 6, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick OTTAWA - Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen is defending new measures aimed at cracking down on unscrupulous immigration consultants, rejecting an all-party committee's call that they be brought under government regulation. He says he believes a new regulatory body that will oversee consultants should be self-regulated. But Hussen is getting pointed questions from MPs on the House of Commons immigration committee on a proposal to create a new college of immigration and citizenship consultants one of several changes to immigration law tucked into an omnibus budget bill last month. The proposed college doesn't follow the recommendation of the committee, which studied the issue in 2017 after a flood of concerns from newcomers about falling prey to unscrupulous immigration consultants who victimize vulnerable immigrants by charging exorbitant fees for fraudulent services. The committee called on government to create a regulatory body to oversee and govern immigration consultants, but specified this body should be government-regulated. Hussen says the government seriously considered the recommendation but ultimately rejected it. "We looked at it very seriously, we considered it, we studied it. There were a number of issues with it," Hussen told the committee Monday. An official from his office later told the committee that bringing the college under government control would create enhanced liability risks for the government, which could be costly. It could also create possible conflicts-of-interest, with the department deciding immigration applications while also regulating the industry. As part of its recommendation for a government-regulated college, the committee did suggest it should be overseen by a different minister to avoid any conflict-of-interest concerns. NDP immigration critic Jenny Kwan wasn't buying the explanation for ignoring the committee's recommendation. "Every member of this committee expressed very clearly that they did not feel the industry could be trusted to be self-regulated any more. That's why it was a unanimous recommendation for it to be government-regulated," she said. She noted the current regulatory council that oversees immigration consultants had received over 1,700 complaints lodged against its 3,600 members at the time the committee studied the issue in 2017. The number of consultants has since grown to over 4,200. "I would just flag that in terms of the significance of the issues before us. And when you hear the stories of the people who have been cheated by these bad actors in the system and the lack of remedy for them, it's breathtaking," Kwan said. Conservative immigration critic Michelle Rempel said the Liberals' proposed self-governing body will do little to fix the systemic problems raised by many experts who provided feedback to the committee. Hussen pointed to a number of fresh measures being brought in that will give more teeth to the new regulating college, including new powers to launch investigations, search offices, compel evidence and new powers of subpoena. Fines for those who break the law will be doubled and new administrative penalties will also be created for consultants who may not meet the high bar for criminal prosecution, but who still violate the spirit of the law. The Liberals are pledging $52 million toward these efforts, including money for the Canada Border Services Agency to pursue more investigations and criminal penalties. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 7/5/2019 (962 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. A flare stack lights the sky from the Imperial Oil refinery in Edmonton Alta, on Friday December 28, 2018. A UN report that concludes a million species are threatened with extinction and that "fundamental, structural change" is required to halt a steep decline in the natural environment has lessons for Canada, says one of its authors. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson Five stories in the news for Tuesday, May 7 UN REPORT HAS MESSAGE FOR CANADA: CO-AUTHOR A UN report that concludes a million species are threatened with extinction and that "fundamental, structural change" is required to halt a steep decline in the natural environment has lessons for Canada, says one of its authors. Kai Chan, a University of British Columbia professor, says the current fight that Canada is having between provinces and the feds around oilsands, pipelines, climate change and local environmental impacts "is not actually a fight that we should be having." Chan helped write the report from the International Panel on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services. That report was released Monday after a three-year effort by hundreds of scientists from 50 countries. CLIMATE CHANGE EXAM QUESTION ANGERS STUDENTS A Quebec high school French exam question that asked students about adapting to climate change has drawn a torrent of online criticism, as teens used memes and videos to denounce what they see as government inaction on climate issues. The question on last week's ministry exam for Grade 11 students asked: "Can we adapt to climate change?" It quickly drew the ire of students like 17-year-old Francis Claude, who feels the way the question was phrased suggests the government has accepted climate change. HUMAN SOUND NOTED AS THREAT TO WHALE SPECIES Canadian scientists say human-made sounds in the ocean are a key factor contributing to the threatened status of three types of whales off the east coast. The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada has released its findings on the sei whale, fin whale and Sowerby's beaked whale following a gathering of 43 scientists in St. John's, N.L., over the weekend. Researchers who study marine mammal populations say that the continuing low numbers of the sei whale in the aftermath of decades of whaling led them to ask for an endangered designation. They also found that the fin whales and the Sowerby's beaked whales should continue to be designated as species "of special concern." CANADA WELCOMES U.S. HELP ON CHINA: MINISTER A Nova Scotia cabinet minister says the federal government would welcome any help the United States could offer in helping Canada in its ongoing dispute with China. Rural Economic Development Minister Bernadette Jordan tells The Canadian Press that American influence could make a difference as tensions between the countries escalate. China has suspended Canadian imports of pork and canola from two Canadian companies each, following the December arrest of Huawei Technologies executive Meng Wanzhou on a U.S. warrant alleging she committed fraud. A senior Canadian official, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly on the issue, said Canada is working with all allies, including the U.S., to pressure China. QUESTIONS ABOUND WITH BIRTH OF ROYAL BABY The much-anticipated child of Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, has arrived, igniting a flurry of baby fever and speculation on all manner of royal gossip. Questions abound for crown watchers and celebrity friends: When will we see pictures of the baby? Who will his godparents be? What country will the new family visit first? Will Meghan ever get to enjoy Mother's Day with her son's birthday so close to her special day? Does England even celebrate Mother's Day? For some of these and other pressing matters, The Canadian Press turned to monarchy experts to weigh in. ALSO IN THE NEWS: International Trade Minister Jim Carr discusses Canada's global trade agenda and World Trade Organization reform at the 49th Washington Conference on the Americas hosted by the Council of the Americas. Five cabinet ministers -- Joyce Murray, Jean-Yves Duclos, Ahmed Hussen, Ralph Goodale, and Diane Lebouthillier -- respond to various chapters of the auditor general spring reports and answer questions from the media. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attends the National Holocaust Remembrance Day Ceremony and delivers remarks. Environment and Climate Change Canada research scientist Chris Derksen presents highlights from the recently released Canadas Changing Climate Report, and answers questions from the media. PARIS - Jean Vanier, whose charity work helped improve conditions for the developmentally disabled in Canada and multiple other countries over the past half-century, has died at 90. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 7/5/2019 (962 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. FILE - In this March 11, 2015 file photo, Jean Vanier, the founder of L'ARCHE, an international network of communities where people with and without intellectual disabilities live and work together, laughs during a news conference, in central London. Vanier, a Canadian religious figure whose charity work helped improve conditions for the developmentally disabled in multiple countries over the past half-century, has died Tuesday May 7, 2019 in Paris after suffering from thyroid cancer at 90. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis, File) PARIS - Jean Vanier, whose charity work helped improve conditions for the developmentally disabled in Canada and multiple other countries over the past half-century, has died at 90. A charity he founded, L'Arche, said Vanier died Tuesday in Paris after suffering from thyroid cancer. Vanier, son of former governor general Georges P. Vanier, worked as a Canadian navy officer and professor before turning to Catholic-inspired charity work. Pope Francis was informed of Vanier's death and is praying for him and the community, according to Vatican spokesman Alessandro Gisotti. A visit to a psychiatric hospital prompted him to found L'Arche in 1964 as an alternative living environment where those with developmental disabilities could be full-fledged participants in the community instead of patients. The first Canadian community, L'Arche Daybreak, was founded in Richmond Hill, Ont., and 29 communities are spread across Canada from Comox Valley, B.C., to Cape Breton, N.S. Worldwide, there are 154 residential communities in 38 countries on five continents. Trish Glennon, L'Arche Daybreak's community leader, remembers Vanier as a man of tremendous presence, despite his deep humility. "He was a tall man, but there was something about his presence and ability when you met him, you felt like you were really connected," she told The Canadian Press. "He wanted to know you, he wanted to know about you, and there was an energy about him, and you felt it." She said his greatest legacy is in inspiring people to reach out and connect with those who are different from themselves. In doing so, he contributed to our understanding of what it means to be human, she said. "He often talked about the world as being a really broken place with lots of division," she said. "But the experience of L'Arche is about that experience of bringing differences together to find a way to build community, to be together, to find belonging in the world." Canadian political leaders as well as the Toronto archdiocese also paid tribute to Vanier on Tuesday for his work on behalf of some of society's most vulnerable citizens. "He made our world a better, more inclusive place through (L'Arche), and his legacy will continue to inspire us all," Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wrote on Twitter. Pierre Jacquand, who leads L'Arche's facilities in France, said Vanier felt a calling to defend the most marginalized. "He gave them a voice," Jacquand said, adding that over time, his work helped inspire broader change in how France addresses the needs of those with developmental disorders including Down syndrome and autism spectrum disorders. He also travelled the world to encourage dialogue across religions, and was awarded the 2015 Templeton Prize for spiritual work, as well as being named to the Order of Canada and France's Legion of Honour. He was the subject of a documentary shown at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival called "Jean Vanier, the Sacrament of Tenderness." "Before being Christians or Jews or Muslims, before being Americans or Russians or Africans, before being generals or priests, rabbis or imams, before having visible or invisible disabilities, we are all human beings with hearts capable of loving," Vanier said in remarks prepared for the Templeton Prize announcement in London, England. Vanier handed over leadership of L'Arche decades ago but continued to live in the first community centre he founded north of Paris. He had no direct descendants but left a legacy in many countries, and "his family is everywhere now," Jacquand said. Vanier was born in Geneva, Switzerland, the fourth of five children. He received a broad education in English and French, earning a doctorate in philosophy, and living in England, France and Canada. Vanier retained his connection to Canada and to L'Arche in later years, although his visits became less frequent as he became less inclined to travel. In 2017, he joined up with Cardus, a Christian think tank, to appear in a series of videos to mark Canada's 150th birthday. In that message, Vanier urged viewers to reach out to those around them, regardless of culture, religion or nationality, and to see them "as a brother or sister in the same, mysterious human family." In a 2006 talk at Concordia University in Montreal, Vanier argued that the Western culture of individualism which values beauty, money and success, also creates a gap between the healthy and the disabled. ''We have a fear of accompanying people who are weak .... They are seen as a financial and social liability,'' he said. ''We see the leprosy but not the person .... We want to cure, but are we prepared to care?'' He argued that the greatest threat to peace is a widening gap between rich and poor, between strong and weak. But rather than urging people to open their wallets to the less fortunate, Vanier asked them to open their hearts. ''It's not a question of doing something, but of recognizing that each person has a gift to give.'' Vanier said the responsibility for peace lies squarely with people, not with governments. Conflict, he told the Concordia audience, is a product of the walls we erect to protect ourselves. ''We want money, power, to walk up the ladder of privilege,'' Vanier said. ''But where are we prepared to meet those with no power, money or privilege?'' A private memorial service is expected next week. With files from Morgan Lowrie Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 7/5/2019 (962 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. OTTAWA - Canadian parliamentarians love to quote Albert Einstein's definition of insanity. No one more so than Liberal Sean Casey, who's cited the famous quotation purportedly from the acclaimed physicist at least five times in the House of Commons or in parliamentary committees since he was first elected in 2011. This June, 1954 file photo shows renowned physicist Albert Einstein in Princeton, N.J. Canadian parliamentarians love to quote Einstein's definition of insanity.No one more so than Liberal Sean Casey, who's cited the famous quotation purportedly from the acclaimed physicist at least five times in the House of Commons or in parliamentary committees since he was first elected in 2011. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, File "Albert Einstein once said, 'Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result,'" the Prince Edward Island MP told the Commons during a 2014 debate on the previous Conservative government's bill to stiffen criminal penalties for child predators. "No one in the House would accuse the minister of justice of being Einstein, but the government's behaviour on this issue gives rise to the suspicion that they are playing politics with a very serious issue." But it seems no one can accuse Einstein of being Einstein either at least not when it comes to the insanity quotation. "There is no evidence to suggest that Einstein ever said this," says a report by micro-learning platform Blinkist. "It only began to be attributed to him long after his death ... The exact origin of the quote is unknown, but the general consensus is that it emerged during the 1980s." Casey is far from alone in mistakenly attributing the insanity definition to Einstein. A quick search of Commons and committee transcripts turns up at least 13 references to the supposed Einstein maxim by Liberal, Conservative and New Democrat MPs just since 2015. According to Blinkist, which analyzed 25 years of publicly accessible records from Canadian, American and British legislative transcripts, it is the most frequently misattributed quotation cited by Canadian parliamentarians with former Reform MP Mike Scott appearing to be the first to use it during parliamentary debate in 1999. "It's human nature to try and find the perfect quote from famous figures we admire in order to support our point of view," says Blinkist CEO and co-founder Holger Seim. "However, when taken out of context, quotes can lose their meaning or, as we've seen in the age of social media, could be completely wrong in the first place." Here are the nine runners-up for the top misattributed quotes cited in Canada's Parliament: "Let them eat cake." Attributed to Queen of France Marie Antoinette on learning that starving peasants had no bread. According to Blinkist, the phrase was first attributed to an unnamed princess in philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau's 1770 work, "Confessions." At the time, Marie Antoinette was a child, so it is unlikely she was the princess to whom Rousseau referred. "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." Attributed to 18th-century historian and philosopher Voltaire. According to Blinkist, "Voltaire never used this expression. It was actually written by Evelyn Beatrice Hall in her book, 'The Friends of Voltaire,' in 1906." "An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind." Attributed to Mahatma Gandhi, leader of the independence movement against British colonial rule in India. Blinkist says there is no evidence Gandhi ever said this, although it does fit with his non-violent philosophy. "Be the change you wish to see in the world." Also attributed to Gandhi. According to Blinkist, what he actually said was, "If we could change ourselves, the tendencies in the world would also change. As a man changes his own nature, so does the attitude of the world change towards him." "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." Attributed to American poet and civil rights activist Maya Angelou. Blinkist says this was actually said by Carl W. Buehner, former Republican party candidate for governor of Utah. "You make a living by what you get; you make a life by what you give." Attributed to former British prime minister Winston Churchill. According to the International Churchill Society, "It's a nice quote, but definitely not Winston Churchill." "An army marches on its stomach." Attributed to Napoleon Bonaparte. Blinkist says there's no evidence he ever said this. "There are only two certainties in life: death and taxes." Falsely attributed to various people, including Mark Twain and Benjamin Franklin. According to Blinkist, it was first uttered by English actor Christopher Bullock in 1716. "The death of one man is a tragedy. The death of millions is a statistic." Attributed to one-time Soviet strongman Josef Stalin. Blinkist says this was "actually a satirical point made in an essay by Kurt Tucholsky about French diplomacy in 1925." Irans national security body has dismissed the deployment of an American carrier strike group to the Middle East as psychological warfare as tensions between Washington and Tehran continue to escalate. Newsweek in the article IRAN DISMISSES U.S. AIRCRAFT CARRIER DEPLOYMENT AS CLUMSY PSYCHOLOGICAL WARFARE writes with a reference to Irans semi-official Tasnim news agency, that Keyvan Khosravia spokesperson for the Supreme National Security Councilissued a statement on the deployment of the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier group and a bomber task force, announced by National Security Adviser John Bolton on Sunday. Boltons statement is a clumsy use of an out-of-date event for psychological warfare, said Khosravi, according to Al Jazeera. He also suggested that Iranian forces had been tracking the carrier group since it arrived in the Mediterranean Sea 21 days ago. On Sunday, Bolton said the ships and bombers were being sent to the Middle East in response to troubling and escalatory indications and warnings from Iran. A prominent hawk who has called for military action against Tehran, Bolton did not specify what troubling indications prompted the deployment. But for Khosravi, Boltons motivation is simple. He said President Donald Trumps adviser lacks military and security understanding, and his remarks are mostly meant to draw attention to himself. In his announcement, Bolton said U.S. forces were deployed to send a clear and unmistakable message to the Iranian regime that any attack on United States interests or on those of our allies will be met with unrelenting force. The United States is not seeking war with the Iranian regime, he added. But, we are fully prepared to respond to any attack, whether by proxy, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, or regular Iranian forces. On Monday, Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan said the forces had been repositioned based on indications of a credible threat by Iranian regime forces, though he did not elaborate. We call on the Iranian regime to cease all provocation. We will hold the Iranian regime accountable for any attack on U.S. forces or our interests, Shanahan said. Last week, Iran warned that a B-team around Trumpincluding Bolton and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahuwere pushing for conflict with Tehran. The B Team is pushing U.S. policy toward a disaster, warned Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif. The plot is to push Iran into taking action. And then use that, he claimed. An Iranian lawmaker responded to the deployment by threatening military action. Alaeddin Boroujerdi, a member of the Iranian parliament who previously served as the countrys deputy foreign minister, said carrier strike group would definitely be drowned by our precision-guided missiles if it made a mistake. War with Iran is playing with fire, and it will burn all, and not just Iran, Boroujerdi added. HALIFAX - Nova Scotia's Justice Department is trying to muzzle the inquiry into the death of an Afghan war veteran who killed his family and himself more than two years ago, a senior lawyer says. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 7/5/2019 (962 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Lionel Desmond (front row, far right) was part of the 2nd battalion, of the Royal Canadian Regiment, based at CFB Gagetown and shown in this 2007 handout photo taken in Panjwai district in between patrol base Wilson and Masum Ghar in Afghanistan. Nova Scotia's Justice Department is trying to muzzle an inquiry investigating the death of an Afghan war veteran who killed his family and himself more than two years ago, a senior lawyer says. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Facebook-Trev Bungay MANDATORY CREDIT HALIFAX - Nova Scotia's Justice Department is trying to muzzle the inquiry into the death of an Afghan war veteran who killed his family and himself more than two years ago, a senior lawyer says. Adam Rodgers, who represents the family of former soldier Lionel Desmond and his estate, says the department has imposed unrealistic restrictions on legal fees and preparation time. "Unfairly stifling access to justice by imposing limited preparation time at junior counsel rates ... is tantamount to impeding access to justice," Rodgers says in a legal brief presented to the commissioner of the pending fatality inquiry, provincial court Judge Warren Zimmer. Rodgers says he wants assurances from Zimmer the inquiry will have enough judicial independence to ensure its investigation "is not bureaucratically or financially constrained by those who may be in a conflict of interest." The provincial government promised an inquiry in December 2017, almost a year after Desmond fatally shot his mother Brenda, wife Shanna and 10-year-old daughter Aaliyah, before turning the gun on himself in the family's rural home in Upper Big Tracadie, N.S. The 33-year-old former soldier was diagnosed with PTSD after two harrowing tours in Afghanistan in 2007, which transformed him into a broken shell of who he used to be, his family says. Desmond's twin sisters, Cassandra and Chantel, spent more than a year pressing the government for answers and demanding a judicial fatality inquiry. They say the former infantryman did not get the help he needed to deal with his mental illness and a post-concussion disorder after he was medically released from the military in 2015. That allegation will be at the centre of the inquiry, which is supposed to start in September more than 18 months after the province promised it. "Given the province's sustained reticence to convene this inquiry, and the degree of silence since (Zimmer's) appointment, the Desmond family has grown increasingly concerned about the assignment of resources to support (the) inquiry," Rodgers says in his legal brief. "They are increasingly concerned that the original public momentum for accountability that led to the creation of (the) public inquiry is dissipating with the passage of time." More importantly, Rodgers has asked Zimmer to protect his clients from Justice Department restrictions that Rodgers says "attempt to muzzle and constrain the effectiveness of our legal services." In February, the department said legal counsel appearing before the inquiry would be limited to eight hours per day for preparation time at a rate of $175 per hour, for a maximum of 100 hours. Rodgers said those limits represented a poorly camouflaged attempt "to stifle the legal voice and representation to which our clients are entitled." The department increased the limits in April and again last week, settling on nine hours per day at $220 per hour, for a maximum of 150 hours of preparation time. The Nova Scotia Justice Department issued a statement Tuesday, saying the funding limit represents a $70-per-hour increase over the eight-hour daily rate used in 2010, when the province held its most recent fatality inquiry. "We believe the terms of funding are both fair and reasonable," department spokeswoman Heather Fairbairn said in an email. In a letter dated May 1, provincial lawyer Glenn Anderson argued the limits were in line with inquiry rules in Ontario and Manitoba. As well, he pointed to another fatality inquiry in 2005, which specifically stated that Nova Scotia taxpayers "have the right to expect a principled approach to the spending of their money." However, Rodgers argued the 2005 inquiry also determined that lawyers representing the deceased were entitled to full compensation for their legal costs at prevailing hourly rates for experienced counsel hired by the province. In his application to the commissioner, Rodgers has asked Zimmer to increase the limits to 10 hours a day at $250 an hour, with no restriction on total preparation time. In his regular practice in New Glasgow, N.S., Rodgers typically earns $350 an hour. His application to the commissioner will be heard May 23. Rodgers has been working with Desmond family since March 2017. He said he has devoted 80 hours to the case this year. The inquiry requires enough resources to look beyond the deaths of one former soldier and his family, he said. "If this public inquiry is to fulfil the mandate the public demanded, it must be far-reaching," his legal brief says. "It is the mandate and responsibility of (this) inquiry to understand what happened to Lionel Desmond and others like him and to recommend what can be done to reduce the chances of history repeating itself." TORONTO - Tensions between Ontario's premier and Toronto's mayor escalated Monday as the two sparred over the province's recent cuts to public health services and child care funding. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 6/5/2019 (963 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. TORONTO - Tensions between Ontario's premier and Toronto's mayor escalated Monday as the two sparred over the province's recent cuts to public health services and child care funding. Mayor John Tory questioned why the government was trying to reduce spending in those areas while also contemplating breaking a contract with big brewers and taking on stiff financial penalties to expand where beer and wine could be sold in the province. In a speech challenging the government's priorities, Tory described the cuts as damaging and said they will affect services like children's breakfast programs, vaccination programs, and water quality testing. Premier Doug Ford responded with a statement telling Tory a former Ontario Progressive Conservative leader that he should not wade into provincial issues he is "neither involved in or understands." Ontario recently notified municipal public health units that it will reduce its cost-sharing levels from 100 per cent or 75 per cent in some cases, to 60 to 70 per cent for some municipalities, and 50-50 for Toronto. The city also said last week that provincial child care cuts could mean a loss of more than 6,000 childcare spots in Toronto. That comes as the government negotiates with brewers who own the Beer Store and have a 10-year contract with the province that limits the number of places were beer and wine can be sold. The government has not said how much it could cost to break the contract and expand booze sales to more locations. Tory took issue with the province's pursuit of increased alcohol sales in a speech to the Scarborough Business Association in Toronto's east end, where Ford has been popular with voters. "Cutting public health programs and daycare programs to find the extra money to pay the Beer Store to change their contract?" Tory said. "What does that say about priorities cutting public health and child care but funding alcohol in corner stores?" The mayor appealed to the audience to help him fight the province's cuts and said the city has always been willing to find budget efficiencies but not at the expense of vital programs. Tory said he will be meeting with government legislators in the coming days to press them to change course. "I will be reminding government MPPs that they did not seek or receive a mandate to cut public health or child care," he said. Meanwhile Ford said the province is attempting to address a deficit left behind by the previous Liberal government, which currently stands at $11.7 billion. "Instead of irresponsibly wading into provincial issues he is neither involved in or understands, perhaps Mayor Tory should find time to sit down with his Auditor General and find some value for taxpayer's dollars," Ford said in a statement. The premier also said the government will continue to meet its financial commitments to public health and asked the city to do the same. "Instead of taking shots in the media, our government has invited the City of Toronto to participate in technical working groups as we advance our health modernization plan," Ford said. Tourism Ireland is doubling its investment in China to 1m. It is in a bid to increase the number of Chinese tourists to this country to 200,000 by 2025. The move aims to build on a rise of 11% in these visitors last year through the Global Ireland initiative. Our review of emerging tourism markets confirmed China as a market of considerable opportunity for us," Tourism Ireland Chief Executive Niall Gibbons. "China is the largest outbound travel market in the world and one that Tourism Ireland is committed to growing over the coming years. "Last year, we welcomed an estimated 100,000 Chinese visitors to the island of Ireland; the introduction of direct flights to Dublin has been a major game-changer and offers a real opportunity for us. Our aim now is to capitalise on the changing travel patterns in China to grow Chinese visitor numbers to 200,000 by 2025 and, in particular, to grow the number of high end individual Chinese travellers to the island of Ireland, he added. An appeal by an Irish couple facing deportation from Australia because their son has Cystic Fibrosis has been rejected. Anthony and Christine Hydes application for permanent residency was refused because the Australian government deemed three-year-old Darraghs illness to be a burden on taxpayers. The couple appealed their case to the Administrative Review Tribunal who formally rejected their plea at a hearing today in Melbourne. But the Tribunal has recommended their case be referred to the Department of Immigration who will decide if the Minister should intervene in their case. The couple will now make a last-ditch appeal to Immigration Minister David Coleman and beg him to let them stay in Australia. Speaking after the hearing, Christine Hyde said it was a positive result for the family who wanted to get their case in front of the Minister. Christine said: Today the visa was refused as expected but our case has been referred to the Minister which was the result we were looking for. "We still have a big battle on our hands but we feel we are on the right track. Im confident that our case will be successful if we can get the Ministers attention. With todays ruling, the couple technically have 28 days to leave the country but they will be applying for bridging visas so they can remain and fight their case. The familys plight has made headlines across Australia and was the subject of a special report on Channel 10s The Project on Sunday night. Over 65,000 people have signed a petition calling for the Hydes to be allowed to remain in Australia. Christine works as an assistant principal at a local primary school and Anthony is a part-time bus driver. The couple applied for permanent residency in 2015 before Darragh was born. Shortly after his birth, the toddler was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis and their application was rejected on the basis that Darragh would be a burden on the state. The family argued that Darraghs condition is mild and have doctors reports to back that up. They also argued that Darragh is Australian-born and therefore should not be deported. Darragh is Australian he was born in Australia and has never set foot out of Australia. "Hes never been to Ireland. Its really unfair, explained Christine. Initially, their application was rejected on the basis that Darragh would require a costly lung transplant but this was struck out after his doctors argued this was extremely unlikely given how mild his condition is. However, the state then deemed the cost of the CF drug Kalydeco which Darragh takes and would cost AUD$300,000 (188,000) per year without state subsidy is a burden on taxpayers. Darragh is currently taking part in trials for Cystic Fibrosis and Christine hopes this significant contribution back to society may help to swing their case. With Australian elections taking place on May 18, there could be a change in government with a new Minister deciding the Hydes fate. Christine is remaining upbeat adding: it might work in our favour. Weve got lots of support from the Labour candidate in our area. One of the two boys who denies murdering schoolgirl Anastasia Kriegel told a garda he believed that injuries the other accused said he suffered in an assault by older boys were actually inflicted by Ana. On a day of wide-ranging evidence, the parents of one of the two boys said their son was "shook" and "rattled" and told them he had been beaten up on the evening the 14-year-old girl went missing. The court also heard that the same boy told a garda who was taking DNA swabs from him that Ana had put her hand across his shoulder and chest and told the garda: "This may be helpful." The accused, who are both 14, cannot be named because they are minors. They have each pleaded not guilty to murdering Anastasia at Glenwood House, Laraghcon, Clonee Road, Lucan on 14th May last year. Boy A is further charged with the 14-year-olds aggravated sexual assault in a manner that involved serious violence to her. He has also pleaded not guilty to that count. Detective Garda Marcus Roantree of Ronanstown Garda Station told prosecution counsel Brendan Grehan SC he met with Boy B and his mother On May 17, 2018. The boy told him he was nervous because he was one of the last people to be seen with Ana and he knew she was now missing. He explained that he met Ana that Monday, May 14, because Ana wanted to go out with Boy A but Boy A did not want to go out with her. Boy A asked him, he said, to get Ana so he could "break the news to her". Boy B said he wasn't that friendly with Ana but agreed to do it. He called to her house at about 5pm and they walked to a spot in the local park. Boy B said Ana showed him a picture of herself wearing a white hoodie and sitting on a chair, tied up and blindfolded. She said her ex-boyfriend had taken the photo. He left her with Boy A at about 5.21pm. He was, Det. Gda Roantree noted, "quite specific" about the times which the garda found "unusual". He saw Ana again a short time later and she was upset. He asked her how she was but she didn't respond so he walked away. When he looked back there was no sign of her, he said. Boy B also told Det. Gda Roantree that Boy A called to his house on May 15, the day after Ana went missing. That was when, he said, he found out that Boy A had been assaulted on the Monday and he said Boy A also spoke about the alleged assault the following day in school. Boy B told Det. Gda Roantree that he thought if Boy A was beaten up by two big guys he would have more marks on his face and he believed "Ana had done this to him". Boy A's mother told Mr Grehan that on May 14, 2018, the day Ana was last seen alive, her son arrived home from school at about 4.30pm. He came in, said hello, had a cup of tea, got changed, pottered around the house for 10 or 15 minutes and asked if he could go out. He told her he had no homework so she let him go. He didn't say where he was going and she couldn't remember if he said he was meeting a friend. It was about 4.45pm when he left, wearing grey tracksuit bottoms and a hoodie. He returned at about 6pm and called his mother to his bedroom. The boy's father also went and they found the boy "very, very pale and shaking. He looked rattled." They gave him sweet tea to calm him. His mother said he had a small spot of blood on his white t-shirt, a tiny bit of blood on the inside of his lip and a patch of blood on his left knee which had a cut underneath. He was limping due to an injury to his right knee. Some weeks earlier he had fallen and injured his wrist leaving him needing a brace that covered his arm from his fingers to halfway up his forearm. He could use the elbow, she said, but not his hand. The injury had been aggravated and was sore. She wanted to know exactly what happened and he told her he had left Boy B just a few minutes earlier and was walking through the park when he was grabbed from behind, brought to the ground and beaten by two youths. He managed to knock one of them to the ground with a kick, leaving his attacker bloody in the face. "From what I remember he said they ran away," she told the court. He didn't recognise his attackers and said they didn't speak. Boy A's mother said her son had taken Jiu Jitsu lessons since he was about 10 years old. They discussed what had happened for about 30 minutes and then decided to report the assault to gardai. Boy A's mother later travelled with her son to Garda Headquarters in Dublin's Phoenix Park to do an EvoFit or picture identify of his attackers. She also confirmed that she washed her son's clothes the following day to get the blood out and soaked his t-shirt overnight. Apart from the blood stains, the clothes were "scruffy and dirty looking", she said. Scuffs across the middle of the hoodie, she said, were consistent with him having been beaten up on the ground. They were gravelly marks rather than grass stains. The following day she heard about Ana Kriegel being missing but had never heard of her before. She called to Boy B's house before lunchtime and spoke to his mother. She had never heard of Ana Kriegel either. Boy A returned to school on the Wednesday and was there until just after 12 o'clock. The boy's father told Mr Grehan that he noticed his son was "shook" when he came home on the Monday evening. He was shaking, had blood on his lips, a patch of blood on the left side of his shirt and scruffy dust on his tracksuit bottoms. He was limping and his hands were dirty. The boy told his father he had been "hopped on" in the park by two older youths but he didn't mention any names. They decided to report it, the boy's father said, adding: "Not that it would make any difference to apprehend his attackers but it's a local park, we wanted to report it so it wouldn't happen again." He tried to call the local garda station but there was no answer so he decided to drive around with his son to try to locate and identify the attackers. His son pointed out a wooded area where he said he was attacked. When asked, he said he had been with Boy B. He did not mention Ana Kriegel. For the rest of the evening Boy A was "very upset and rattled", his father said, and on the Tuesday he went with gardai to show them where he had been assaulted. Boy A also went to a garda station where his injuries were photographed and he provided a DNA sample. Det. Gda Roantree told Mr Grehan that he took the DNA swabs from Boy A on May 16, 2018. He said he explained how DNA evidence works and Boy A told him that Ana had "put her hand across his shoulder and chest and this might be helpful." Ana was still a missing person at this time, Det. Gda Roantree said. Detective Garda Mairead Crowley told Mr Grehan that she met Boy A at Garda Headquarters where he used the EvoFit system to create images of his two alleged attackers. He gave good descriptions, she said, describing them as aged 17 to 20. One was six feet one inch with a narrow face, the other five feet nine inches and had a "rugby-type" build. The stockier of the two had an earring, brown hair short on the sides with a fringe, thick brown eyebrows, flat bridge of the nose and a protruding lower lip. The other was taller, with a long skinny face and an unhealthily skinny build. He was pale, had a moustache and "looked like an inner-city fella". He later described him as a "knacker-type of person." Two pictures were developed of the alleged attackers and these were shown to the jury. Garda Seamus Timmins told Gerardine Small BL for the prosecution that he looked at CCTV footage in the park around the time of the alleged attack. He had the EvoFit image and description given by Boy A but saw nobody matching the description. The trial continues in front of Justice Eileen Creedon and a jury of six men and six women. Bloodstock sales firm Goffs has claimed before the High Court it is being allegedly defamed by the part owner of a horse, which was sold in 2011. Goffs has brought proceedings against Mr James Carney, who it claims has defamed it in posts on various social media platforms and in representations he has allegedly made to bodies, including Horseracing Ireland and the Racing Post Newspapers. Goffs claims the allegations are untrue, defamatory and damaging to its reputation. As a result, Goffs seeks damages, to include aggravated damages, for defamation against Mr Carney of Main Street, Arklow, Co. Wicklow. At the High Court today Robert J. Goff and Co, Goffs Bloodstock Sales Ltd, Goffs UK Ltd, and the three firm's CEO Mr Henry Beeby secured permission to serve short notice of its proceedings against Mr Carney. Permission was granted on an ex parte basis, where only one side was represented in court, by Ms Justice Leonie Reynolds. The case will come back before the court on Thursday. The judge also made an order under Section 33 of the 2009 Defamation Act prohibiting the publication of the alleged defamation until further order of the court. Goffs, represented in court by Gary Compton Bl, claims the defamatory allegations relate to the sale of a horse called Sensational Sema in 2011 which, it is claimed, Mr Carney had an interest in. The sale was conducted by a UK-based firm, which is part of the Goffs group, on behalf of the trainer of the horse, who it is claimed was owed money for unpaid training fees. Goffs say there was nothing wrong with the sale. However, Mr Carney, who was one of several persons with shares in Sensational Sema, was unhappy with what happened. Goffs claim Mr Carney was the only shareholder of the horse to dispute the sale. The court heard that Goffs had asked Mr Carney to desist from his campaign against the company, which it is claimed is extremely damaging to the various firms and Mr Beeby. However the defendant has failed to cease posting the alleged defamatory material, and counsel said it has decided to take proceedings against the defendant. The book titled 'Dialogue of cultures and challenges of the modern era', published with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation in Russia under general editorship of director of the ANAS Institute of Philosophy Ilham Mammadzade and the head of Philosophy Department at Financial Academy under the Government of Russia, First Vice-President of the Russian Philosophical Society, PhD, professor Alexander Chumakov, was presented in Moscow yesterday. The book was prepared on the basis of several joint conferences of Russian and Azerbaijani philosophers, mainly the Baku Forum dedicated to the memory of Heydar Aliyev. The first international conference titled 'Dialogue of cultures in the context of globalization: the Baku Forum', dedicated to the memory of the national leader, was held in 2010. It was organized by the Institute of Philosophy of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the Philosophy, Sociology and Law Institute of Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, the Russian Philosophical Society and the Heydar Aliyev Foundation's Representative Office in Russia. Since then, such forums have discussed the problems of unity and diversity of cultures, the role of east and west in the world cultural process, the development of sustainable development culture and other topics related to deepening the dialogue between the scientific communities of Russia and Azerbaijan. At the presentation of the book, Alexander Chumakov expressed the opinion that Heydar Aliyev played an important role during a challenging for the Soviet Union period as the first deputy chairman of the Council of Ministers of the USSR, supervising engineering, light industry and transport; as well as cultural and educational spheres. "After the Soviet Union collapsed, Azerbaijan was at the center of very complex events. Resuming his leadership in Azerbaijan in a difficult period for the country, Heydar Aliyev managed to save the republic from chaos and promptly establish relations with other countries, primarily Russia, laying the foundation of modern Russia-Azerbaijan relations. He was a real man and a truly historical figure." Speaking of 'Dialogue of cultures and the challenges of the modern era', Chumakov said that it's already the fourth such book: By the end of the 1990s, there was an acute need for reuniting the torn space where we all ended up after 1991. There was an urgent need for cultural interaction in the former Soviet republics. And Azerbaijan, Azerbaijani philosophers were on the forefront of these relations, thanks to publications and participation in conferences. Our meetings resulted in release of serious papers. Of course, we cannot cope with this task ourselves, it requires some support. In this regard, we must pay tribute to the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, which supported us from the very beginning. This was a good example for other republics and a base for a further cooperation in the humanitarian and cultural spheres." A man who attacked his then-girlfriend in their home over her being poked on Facebook by another man has been jailed for two years. Joseph Dillon (aged 32) of Shangan Court, Ballymun, Dublin, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assault causing harm at his home on February 9, 2018. Judge Elma Sheahan sentenced Dillon to two-and-a-half years' imprisonment, but suspended the final six months of the sentence on strict conditions. She backdated the sentence to November 27, last, the date he first went into custody on this matter. The court heard that the injured party was his girlfriend at the time of the offence and was living in his home. On the date in question, she was poked on Facebook by a man she had never spoken to before. Dillon told her to delete the man on Facebook and threatened her. He began to hit her, knocking her to the ground and kicking her in the face and ribs while she was on the floor When she said she was leaving, he told her she was not going anywhere and continued to punch her in the face and body. At one point during the assault, he spat at her and called her a tramp. The court heard that Dillon had hit her once before which prompted her to leave him for a day. He apologised and she went back to him as she believed he would not do it again. In a victim impact statement which she read out in court, the woman said she suffered fractured ribs, soft tissue damage to her right eye and bruises all over her body as a result of the assault. She said the assault went on for hours and she had never been so afraid in her life. She said that she thought she was going to die during the assault. Dillon has no previous convictions. The court heard he has sole custody of his son and that the child's mother died in 2009. Rebecca Smith BL, defending, said the child currently resides with his aunt. She said her client admitted to being jealous and offered an apology to the injured party in this case. Judge Sheahan said the aggravating factors in the case were the seriousness of the offence and that it took place in the home where the injured party was residing. She said the mitigating factors were Dillon's guilty plea, his previous good character and his having sole custody of his son. A man who agreed to hold a semi-automatic pistol, cannabis and two stolen motorbikes in order to pay off a gambling debt has been placed on a 12-month probation bond. Dylan Mooney, 23, became addicted to gambling during long stays in hospital while being treated for cystic fibrosis. He continued to gamble once he was discharged playing online and going to bookmakers. He ran up a debt of 15,000 and agreed to hold the gun, ammunition, a total of 20,600 worth of cannabis and two motorbikes to pay off the debt. Mooney of Sheephill Avenue, Blanchardstown, Dublin pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of cannabis resin, cannabis herb, a semi-automatic pistol and two charges of handling stolen property at his home on September 19, 2017. He has no previous convictions and has not come to garda attention since his arrest. Judge Melanie Greally had adjourned the case in January having heard evidence to allow for the preparation of a probation report. She said she also wanted to ascertain if Mooney's medical condition could be properly treated in a prison regime. Today, she noted that the reports before the court indicated that a custodial environment presents a higher risk of infection than would ordinarily exist. Judge Greally said normally such a crime would attract a prison sentence but said that Mooney's well being should be preserved and the risk of infection for CF sufferers is a major concern. She placed Mooney on a 12-month probation bond during which time he must engage with both the Probation Service and gambling addiction services. Mooney was remanded on continuing bail and the case was adjourned to May 7, 2020. A man in his 20s arrested in connection with the suspected endangerment and abduction of a 14-year-old youth in Finglas yesterday has been charged with Road Traffic Offences. He is due to appear in Blanchardstown District Court this morning, according to a statement from the Garda Press Office. A file will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions in relation to further offences. Gardai say the motive for the suspected abduction was a small debt he owed. The teenager was discovered in the boot of a car in Finglas yesterday evening. Earlier: Parents 'living in fear' after Dublin abduction A 14-year-old boy has been rescued from the boot of a car in Dublin after a suspected abduction last night. A man has been arrested following the incident in Finglas. At around 7:30 yesterday evening, gardai on patrol in Finglas noticed a car being driven erratically. They tried to stop the vehicle - but it drove off. Gardai followed the car to Kippure Park where it was abandoned and the occupants fled. They were pursued on foot and Gardai managed to arrest one of them - a man in his 20s. He's being held at Finglas Garda Station. When officers searched the car, they found a 14 year old boy in the boot. Investigations are ongoing. Residents who contacted me about this incident, most of whom are parents or grandparents of young children, are in shock that its come to this with many of them telling me that they're living in fear for the safety of local children," said local election candidate Sean Tyrrell. "Its no secret that crime is on the rise in the area and its probably the number one issue on the doors. Ive previously written to the Minister for Justice asking for additional resources for the area because of it. Some people are too quick to say the gardai are not doing enough, however, Im in regular touch with them about various issues in the area and they do amazing work with limited resources, thankfully they were on hand to rescue the young lad in question, the Fine Gael candidate added. Gardai in the Killarney District have arrested 16 people in relation to dangerous driving and drug driving incidents over the May Bank Holiday weekend. A dozen of those were arrested for dangerous driving whilst attending the Rally of the Lakes event. The majority of these incidents were observed by plainclothes gardai who were deployed as part of the policing plan for the event, according to the Garda Press Office. Checkpoints were carried out by the Kerry Divisional Roads Policing Unit throughout the weekend and four drivers were also arrested on suspicion of drink/drug driving. "We want to thank the many thousands of people who came to Killarney over the Bank Holiday Weekend and who listened to our message. 99% of people arrived in Killarney to enjoy themselves in a safe and respectful manner but unfortunately, others arrived with a different agenda, said Roads Policing Inspector Tony Sugrue. Eleven people are due to appear before Killarney District Court this morning, in relation to dangerous driving incidents with one other being charged to appear before the courts later this month. A file will be prepared in relation to the four drivers arrested on suspicion of drink/drug driving. A local councillor in the Finglas area has claimed that vulnerable young people are being preyed upon by drug gangs who want to get them into their world. Fianna Fail Cllr Paul McAuliffe was responding to the abduction of a 14-year-old in Finglas on Monday night. The teenager was rescued from the boot of a car after armed gardai in the area pursued the vehicle, which was being driven erratically, and was abandoned when it entered Kippure Park, in a cul-de-sac, the Garda said in a statement. The incident happened at about 7.30pm. It is understood the teenager was allegedly abducted from Hazelcroft Road in Finglas by four men and bundled into the boot of the car a short time before gardai came upon the vehicle. Gardai pursued the men, who abandoned the car and fled on foot. One man was apprehended after a chase on foot. Gardai then discovered the teenager locked in the boot of the car. Cllr McAuliffe told RTE Radios Today with Sean ORourke show that he had heard stories of young people being offered a tray of curried chips to transport drugs. Once they are enticed to become involved they are then offered shoes and tracksuits. As teenagers we all make mistakes, but not ones that define the rest of our life. He said that Monday nights incident was the abuse of a child. He pointed out that the driver was an adult. It was wrong, it shouldnt have happened. It would not be enough to charge the driver with a motoring offence. This was far more serious, he said. Cllr McAuliffe said that there has been an increased in garda activity in the area, which was welcome. The Finglas Safety Forum, which is a joint project between the local authority and the gardai was working well, he said. But the gardai cant be everywhere. He warned that it was important not to judge a community by this one event, he acknowledged that it was unfortunate there were more and more incidents happening in relation to drugs. The problem was two-fold, he said young people are being used by criminals and there was also an increase in crimes involving stolen cars. The term joy riding is being used again for the first time in years, he added. It is worrying that these two factors are becoming a common occurrence. A man has been charged in connection with a fatal stabbing in Co. Wicklow yesterday morning. A man in his 30s died following a stabbing at a house at Meadowvale, Arklow at around 12.30am on Monday morning. Another mesmerizing collection of the latest in clothing fashion was showcased at Azerbaijan Fashion Week held in Baku from May 1-3. Caspian News reports in its article Caspian Styles Showcased On The Catwalk At Azerbaijan Fashion Week that now in its ninth edition, the event drew local and foreign designers and fashion-lovers to the capitals Stone Chronicle Museum to showcase the latest in clothing designs for this years autumn and winter seasons. Designers from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkey and Georgia helped demonstrate talent from the region. Two young Azerbaijani designers, Medina Zalova and Anar Iskander, were featured on the first day. In an interview with Caspian News, Sayad Dossybayev, Azerbaijan Fashion Weeks art director, commended on Iskanders collection. "Every year we bring together new volunteers mostly from art schools, and Skandar was once one of those students who worked as a volunteer before, and now, in the 9th season, he has already matured enough to represent his own collection," said Dossybayev. "He is a very interesting and promising designer who has own vision of fashion." The opening day also included collections by Kazakhstani designer Alex Chzhen, who dazzled the audience with feminine and sophisticated looks. Nomad Homme, another brand from Kazakhstan, showcased masculinity with its unique styles for men. Ukrainian designer Alyona Pristupko presented a new collection of her brand called Mayumi, which translates from Japanese as "perfect beauty" and consisted of soft dresses with floral prints and flounces. Chekhmechi footwear from Azerbaijan made its way down the runway when capoeiristas Brazilian-styled dancers who were performing on the catwalk together with strutting models, the brand invited a bunch of celebrities to walk the runway as models. "I would like to express my gratitude to Azerbaijan Fashion Week for the organization of the event at such a high level," said Fara Azim from Tajikistan, whose collection was exhibited on the final day. I saw Azerbaijan from the European side as a very developed and beautiful country. I am sure that in the future Azerbaijan Fashion Week will develop more and reach the level of Paris, she told Caspian News. Looking towards the future of the fashion industry in Azerbaijan, Sayad Dossybayev, said there is room for growth, and that fashion week plays an important role. "I think that in a country like Azerbaijan, a modern country that hosted Eurovision and is hosting the Formula 1 race, there should be a fashion week," Dossybayev told Caspian News. "Fashion for countries is like a mirror that shows that there is a creative intelligentsia in the country." Azerbaijan Fashion Week is supported by the Ministry of Culture, which works to promote Azerbaijans fashion industry and create favorable conditions for its designers. Dossybayev expects that increased support for the event by the government will help propel the industry domestically and help designers establish a presence abroad. "Azerbaijan Fashion Week could be supported within the promotion of the Made in Azerbaijan brand," said Dossybayev. "I want the local public to see even more foreign designers at the Azerbaijan Fashion Week, and Azerbaijani designers become more competitive looking at them." "A country is judged by cultural events, such as theaters, music, cinema, including fashion. After all, we all try to dress up more beautiful, and so, it turns out that fashion is one of the segments of the economy," he added. The latest fashion week was held at the Stone Chronicle Museum, which showcases the prehistoric life in the region. It was chosen as the venue for the three-day fashion event for the second year in a row. The widow of a 70-year-old man who died two months after he fell down steps at a Co Kerry beach has settled her High Court action. John Williams from Upper Kilmacud Road in Dundrum, Dublin 14, died at the Mater Hospital on October 1, 2013 just over two months after he fell at Clogher beach on the Dingle peninsula. In the High Court today, Mr Justice Kevin Cross was told that Mr William's wife Marian has settled her High Court action against Kerry County Council over the accident six years ago. John and his wife of 45 years Marian Williams were holidaying in Ballyferriter, Co Kerry, when they drove to Clogher at 11am on July 24, 2013. Mrs Williams previously told Dublin Coroners Court it was a beautiful day and her husband went for a walk while she went back to the car. At around midday, she became concerned and went searching for him. She headed toward the steps down to the beach, and saw her husband lying face down on a bank of rocks. She initially thought he was dead. Mrs Williams screamed for help and an ambulance was called but it had to travel from Tralee, a distance of 30 kilometres. Mr Williams was later diagnosed with a traumatic cervical spinal injury on transfer to the Mater Hospital. His condition continued to deteriorate and he died on October 1, 2013. Coroner Dr Brian Farrell gave a verdict of misadventure in the case. Marian Williams, Upper Kilmacud Road, Dundrum, Dublin had sued Kerry County Council in the High Court as a result of the accident at Clogher Beach. It was claimed there was an alleged failure to provide any or any proper handrail for use at the steps at Clogher Beach at the time and an alleged failure to remove rocks and stones from the end of the steps which it was claimed posed a danger or hazard. There was also it was claimed an alleged failure to properly or adequately maintain and or repair the access and egress to the public area. Mr Williams, it said, suffered fatal injuries and died from multi-organ failure secondary to fractures and dislocation of the cervical spine. The claims were denied and it was contended there was contributory negligence on the part of Mr Williams who it was claimed had allegedly failed to negotiate the steps to the beach in a careful manner. Approving the settlement, Mr Justice Kevin Cross extended his sympathy to Mrs Williams and her family. A 46-year-old woman on trial, charged with murdering her flatmate, told gardai that voices in her head made her stab him. Mercy Peters has gone on trial at the Central Criminal Court, having pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to murdering the 42-year-old in their South Dublin home. The Sierra Leone native stabbed Tyrone McKenna to death on July 17, 2014, at the house they had shared in Marley Court, Rathfarnham. She entered her plea yesterday, and a jury of eight men and two women was sworn in to hear the two-day trial. Sergeant David Bunn testified that both the accused and deceased had a history of mental health problems and were living with Mr McKennas father, Tom McKenna, at the time. Sgt Bunn told Paul Burns SC, prosecuting, that Tom McKenna had gone out for a walk that Thursday afternoon. He had returned home to find his son lying on his back at the bottom of the stairs. He appeared motionless. He said that Mr McKenna had gone to the kitchen, where the accused appeared unfazed and unconcerned. He rang for an ambulance and, while waiting, noticed blood in different locations, particularly upstairs. The deceased had no pulse when the ambulance crew arrived, and he was pronounced dead at the scene. A post-mortem exam later gave the cause of death as a stab wound to the trunk, which injured the left lung and left kidney. A stab wound to the left forearm was a contributory factor. This might have been a so-called defensive injury, and several bruises and abrasions may have been caused by a scuffle. Sgt Bunn explained that, while the ambulance crew was in the house, the accused had said that she was going to the shops. However, the crew asked her to stay until the gardai arrived. Gardai found her sitting on a sofa, listening to music on headphones. There appeared to be blood-staining on a tobacco pouch on the coffee table in front of her. She told them that shed heard a thud but hadnt gone to find out what it was. She was taken to Dundrum Garda Station to provide a witness statement. As her home was now a crime scene, the gardai organised food and a hotel room for her. However, she didnt want to go and requested to stay in the station overnight. Another garda noticed her talking to herself and counting on her fingers the following morning. When asked, she said she was talking to her spirits. Sgt Bunn also spoke to her that morning, when she again declined the offer of accommodation before telling him that she wanted to leave. I want to see Mary Lou McDonald, she said. I want to change my statement. "I stabbed Tyrone McKenna and the voices in my head made me do it. She later said that she needed to get her stuff. I have a knife in my bag that I used to stab him. My fingerprints will be on it, she said. Im off my medication. Thats why I stabbed Tyrone. Sgt Bunn agreed that she had been behaving quite strangely and was erratic in her earlier interviews. Mr Burns then read out the memo of her final interview, in which she explained that she had met the deceased in a psychiatric ward in 2010. The sergeant agreed that she was difficult to follow at times. She made references to being monitored, and to the deceased "being put up to it by politicians and monarchs". Most nights, they would make use of spiritual guides, she said. She said that stabbing him was "self-defence" from all the "hassle he brought from monarchs from Africa and Ireland". When brought to court to be charged with murder, she had shouted: I stabbed that man with full knowledge of what I was doing, and No psychiatric assessment. He said that she was so agitated that she had to be carried out of the courtroom. Gardai searched the house and found a black-handled knife inside a handbag. The sergeant identified the knife in court and said that the DNA profile in the blood on both the knife and tobacco pouch matched that of the deceased. Professor Aiden Corvin, a consultant psychiatrist attached to St James Hospital, then testified on behalf of the defence. He told Michael OHiggins SC that he had known Ms Peters as a patient since 2010. She had been diagnosed with schizophrenia, which he described as a "severe, enduring mental disorder". He said that she had delusional beliefs about the Government, the CIA and MI5 and had believed that she was being tracked by satellites and bugs. He said that at the time of the alleged offence, she was having an acute, severe episode, did not know the nature and quality of the act and wouldnt have known right from wrong. He said that she had heard the voice of her dead mother compelling her to commit this act. It would have been irresistible at this time, he said, confirming that she met the criteria required for the special verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity. Dr Sally Linehan, Consultant forensic psychiatrist at the Central Mental Hospital, testified on behalf of the State. She told Mr Burns that Ms Peters symptoms were most consistent with schizoaffective disorder, the core features of which were psychotic episodes with delusions. She was also satisfied that she was suffering from a mental disorder at the time of the alleged offence and didnt understand that what she was doing was wrong. She said that it had occurred in the context of a severe episode, when she was hearing the voices of her mother and sister. She would have felt that her actions were justified and would not truly have understood that they were wrong, she said. Her judgement was so impaired that she was unable to refrain from committing the act. She said that she, therefore, fulfilled the criteria for a verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity. Mr Burns had earlier told the jury that there was no dispute but that Ms Peters had killed Mr McKenna. The real question for you is whether shes entitled to the special verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity, he said. He explained that, although the experts for both sides were in agreement, the law required such a verdict to be returned by way of a jury. The trial continues before Mr Justice Michael White. A journalist has told the Special Criminal Court he had the "most bizarre conversation" of his life with murder accused John Gilligan, a month after the murder of Veronica Guerin. Paul Williams, crime correspondent with the Sunday World, told the court how he rang Gilligan's wife Geraldine on June 28th 1996 and was given a mobile number to ring. Nine-time Irish flat champion jockey Pat Smullen has retired from racing on medical advice. The Offaly man, who counts both the Epsom and Irish Derbies among his 12 Classic victories, has recently completed treatment for pancreatic cancer. Smullen says the decision is "a sad one" but it is a case of putting his health and family first. The 41-year-old has been out of action since March 2018 following the discovery of a tumour. Writing in his weekly column for Thoroghbred Daily News, the jockey said that his doctors advised that he "should not compromise his immune system in any way". On this advice, Smullen made the difficult decision. "I dont want to make a huge deal of it but its been a tough year and it has taken its toll on my body," Smullen said. "I had two surgeries and when I recovered from that I had to then face another round of chemotherapy treatment. "It was tough going but it has all been worthwhile and thankfully it has gone very well." He said that race riding had been "everything to me through my life" and although he had hoped to return he had promised himself that if he could not get back to the level he had been at before his illness then he wouldn't return. "Whatever has gone in the past in my career, and I like to think I achieved a little bit, this was the biggest achievement of all, getting through this, and I definitely now see life from a different perspective," said Smullen. I can never be thankful enough to the medical people who have given me a second chance at life. Smullen will not be retiring from horses entirely as he said that he is determined that he will still work within the industry. He also said that he is not prepared to stop riding horses and hopes to be able to ride out in the mornings. He thanked his family and friends saying of his wife, Frances: "You cant ask for more from one person than what she has given me." Although the decision has been "sad and difficult" for Smullen, he said that he is content with his choice. "While nothing will replace race riding for me, its time to move on. Its the right thing for me, its the right thing for my family and, most importantly, its the right thing for my health. "Ive been very fortunate, Im content with the decision and Im looking forward to being able to contribute and give something back to the industry in some shape or form." Australia's prime minister has been hit on the head with an egg and a 70-year-old woman was knocked off her feet during a protest ahead of a general election next week. The egg appeared to strike Prime Minister Scott Morrison on the back of the head and then bounce off without breaking as he spoke to a rural women's conference in the town of Albury. Bystander Margaret Baxter was knocked to the floor as security guards grabbed the 24-year-old woman accused of throwing the egg, Amber Holt, and carried her outside. The moment a protester tries to egg the PM during a Country Womens Association luncheon at Albury-Wodonga. Scott Morrison says his concern was for an older lady who was knocked off her feet during the incident. Details @7NewsCanberra #7NEWS #ausvotes2019 #auspol pic.twitter.com/4tw7OcEyKk Andrea Nicolas (@AndreaLNicolas) May 7, 2019 Mr Morrison helped Ms Baxter to her feet. It was unclear what Holt was protesting about. Outside the hall, she told reporters she did not mean to knock anyone down. She described throwing the egg as "the most harmless thing you can do". Police said Holt was charged with common assault and possession of a prohibited drug, cannabis. She was released on bail and is to appear at Albury Local Court on May 27. Mr Morrison called for more civility in the election campaign. We will stand up to thuggery whether its these cowardly activists who have no respect for anyone, or militant unionists standing over small businesses and their employees on work sites. Scott Morrison (@ScottMorrisonMP) May 7, 2019 "Pardon the pun, but I don't want to over-egg this thing. At the same time, what my concern was for Margaret and the disregard the individual seemed to have for those others who were in the room," Mr Morrison told reporters. "We've just got to disagree better about these things. Just because you have a difference of view to someone doesn't mean you have to engage in these sorts of ugly types of protests," he added. Ms Baxter later said she had been knocked over by a cameraman. She said she landed on her hip but was not injured. "The prime minister helped me get up off the floor and I was very grateful for his assistance," Ms Baxter said. I recently had surgery on my stomach so my main concern was holding my stomach to make sure it didn't get hit or somebody land on it. If re-elected on May 18, Mr Morrison has promised to change laws to prevent vegan activist organisation Aussie Farms from publishing the addresses of farms it accuses of animal cruelty and encouraging the public to harass the farmers. Mr Morrison had tweeted earlier: "Our farmers have to put up with these same idiots who are invading their farms and their homes." He conceded that Holt was unlikely to be a vegan since she threw an egg. Opposition leader Bill Shorten condemned the protest as "appalling and disgraceful behaviour". "In Australia, we have violence-free elections," Mr Shorten told reporters. "People are allowed to protest peacefully, but anything approaching violence is unacceptable." PA Morgan Stanley is planning to send a formal notice to the Russian central bank in the first quarter of 2019 that it will close down its banking operations in the country in the first quarter of 2020, its Russian unit said in its annual report. Morgan Stanley announced last December that it was planning a voluntary shutdown of its banking business in Russia. The Wall Street bank's Russian subsidiary said in the report that U.S. and European Union sanctions imposed since 2014 had made it hard for Russian businesses to access international capital markets. "(The) impact of changes in the economy on the future results of the bank's business and its financial condition may turn out to be significant," Reuters cited the report as saying. According to the report, Morgan Stanley will keep a consulting business in Russia, which would not require a licence. The advisor on macroeconomics to the CEO of the 'Opening-Broker' brokerage house, economist Sergey Hestanov, speaking to Vestnik Kavkaza, noted that Morgan Stanleys withdrawal from the Russian banking sector is a manifestation of a more general trend. "In the future, we will see more event like this. Investment banks join the country's market based on the assessment of prospects, and they leave if they expect some deterioration in market conditions. On the one hand, we should not dramatize this decision, but we shouldn't ignore it either. Most likely, the remaining financial and credit institutions will focus on working with the domestic investor rather than with the international one. For these purposes, the presence of large international investment banks is not particularly required, which is why they decided to leave," he explained. The expert described the risks faced by Western financial institutions in Russia. These are legislative risks, as we quite often have laws changing and not always in a favorable way. The project is planned on the basis of one law, but later it has to be implemented under another one. This causes great damage to the business. A bright example is the failure to implement the promised reforms in the electric power industry, expected by serious Western investors like Siemens. There are also risks of corruption and ambiguous law enforcement. There are many risks. While the growth rates of the Russian economy were quite high, these risks they were motivated by the possibility of making a profit; but now, according to Morgan Stanley, they have become less justified," Sergey Hestanov said. The professor at the department of the stock market and investments at the Higher School of Economics, Alexander Abramov, agreed with Hestanov. Morgan Stanley's withdrawal is an unpleasant development, to some extent indicative of a deteriorating investment climate. Nevertheless, one should not overestimate it, because the main segments where Morgan Stanley works are mergers, acquisitions, floating of bonds and equities. The decision to withdraw business means that there are increasingly less large transactions in Russia. Morgan Stanley's share in total volume of trading did not exceed 2%," he said. According to the economist, Morgan Stanley's withdrawal is hardly associated with the expectation of tough U.S. sanctions against the Russian financial sector. "I think that certain risks from sanctions and other restrictive measures have had only a secondary impact on the company. Taking such decisions is a long and balanced process. Most likely, it is connected with Morgan Stanleys view of its investment bank's future in Russia in the coming years," Alexander Abramov concluded. Morgan Stanley is an American multinational investment bank and financial services company headquartered in New York City. Morgan Stanley is a financial services corporation that advises, originates, trades, manages and distributes capital for governments, institutions and individuals. The company operates in three business segments: Institutional Securities, Wealth Management, and Investment Management. Morgan Stanley Group's Russian subsidiary Morgan Stanley Bank was opened in June 2005. It provides brokerage service, investment banking services, engaged in the money, currency and debt market operations. One of Australia's largest manufacturers of poker machines, Ainsworth Game Technology, has cut expected profits, blaming "intense" market pressure and delays in securing approvals of new pokies products. The listed gaming company told investors on Tuesday its profits for the second half of the 2019 financial year would be $4 million more than $3 million less than what it had previously said. Ainsworth Game Technology was founded by billionaire pokies king Len Ainsworth. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer The news sent Ainsworth's stock price tumbling 9 per cent in early trading to 76, before rebounding to end the day just 1.19 per cent lower at 83 after the company issued a clarification saying it had incorrectly stated its net debt was higher than what it actually was. Earlier this week, Wilsons analyst Mark Bryan said Ainsworth had been in "perennial forecast downgrade mode" for the past five years, and "this trend is continuing". US investors are betting that the threat of higher and extended tariffs on Chinas exports to the US is just a Donald Trump bluff in a high-stakes poker game with the Chinese leadership. Asian markets appear to have come to the same conclusion. After tumbling early as investors digested the threatening Trump tweets, the US sharemarket recovered most of the losses before the end of trading. Chinas equity markets, which plunged nearly 6 per cent on Monday in their initial reaction to the tweets, opened slightly up in early Tuesday trading. A large Chinese delegation will fly to Washington to meet the Trump administration. Credit:AP The US markets were closed when US trade representative Robert Lighthizer said the country would follow through on Trumps threat and raise the rate of tariffs on $US200 billion ($286 billion) of Chinas exports from 10 per cent to 25 per cent at 12.01am on Friday and expand coverage of the tariffs to a further $US325 billion of goods in the near future. Asian markets, however, didnt react to Lighthizers comments, suggesting they have come to the same conclusion as those in the US: the threatened extra tariffs, even if implemented, are just an unsubtle negotiating ploy. The major political parties have hinted at a post-election review of early voting as rolling ballot updates signal the millionth vote is likely to be cast on Tuesday, with at least another 4 million people expected to cast their votes before the official polling day on May 18. The Australian Electoral Commission has promised the record number of pre-poll votes will be counted on election night and will not lead to a delay in people knowing the outcome of the election. There has been "remarkable growth" in pre-poll voting, according to the Australian Electoral Commission. Credit:Kate Geraghty While Prime Minister Scott Morrison played down concerns with early voting, saying: "I don't really see it as an issue" and touting the convenience of a longer polling period, figures from both major parties suggested there will be a review of the process after the federal election. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg on Tuesday said the 2019 election's three-week pre-poll period "does feel a bit long. That's an issue that will probably be revisited by both sides of politics after this election". "It's a real concern for any business that is a heavy energy user, that obviously includes an alumina refinery, but also fertiliser factories, aluminium smelters, abattoirs and a range of other energy-intensive businesses," he said. "They are all facing steep hikes in energy prices as a result of these policies. Energy Minister Angus Taylor and Canning MP Andrew Hastie at Alcoa's Alumina refinery south of Perth. "When you want to gouge around half the emissions out of the economy in 10 years, of course you're going to have to shut things, there's no other way." Mr Hastie said voters in his region were worried. "We don't want our jobs going offshore," he said. "We already know that Alcoa is sending bauxite direct to China and if the cost of energy continues to rise, we make alumina refining uneconomic in this part of the world, so it will go elsewhere and those jobs will go to places like China and the Philippines and elsewhere." Mr Hastie said he was concerned emissions would go overseas to less regulated jurisdictions. "But the bottom line is that we still use coal and gas to drive energy and the resources sector, that underwrites all our jobs, so a 45 per cent emissions reduction target under Bill Shorten must have consequences for the energy mix," he said. "And they're yet to demonstrate how businesses will remain profitable with a sudden shift to wind. "We've seen the Carnegie wave project fall over, in South Australia the Port Augusta solar farm couldn't get private investment so at this stage coal and gas is still the way forward." Environment just as important, according to state MP State Labor MP Robyn Clarke says Alcoa workers are also thinking about the environment. Credit:Tex Reeks Workers at Alcoa have been waging a pitched battle against the company in enterprise bargaining negotiations that look like dragging on for years and culminated in 2018 with a 52-day strike. Mr Hastie, in a rare move for a Liberal politician, addressed a protest of striking workers last year to lend his support to his cause. He even wrote to the company urging it to settle the matter. But the dispute has created a lingering uncertainty in Canning's local economy, which also relies on workers who fly-in and fly-out of mining and resources jobs in the north-west of the state. State Labor MP Robyn Clarke, who has close ties to Alcoa's workforce, said locals were concerned about the impact of climate change as well as the security of jobs at the alumina refining operations. "One of the many reasons people move to the Peel region is because of the beautiful environment, and the majority of constituents I speak to have concerns of the potential impact that climate change may have on the area," she said. "Economic concerns are often raised with me as well, however the focus on these is generally on diversifying the local economy through increasing tourism and other industries. "In areas such as Dwellingup in particular, efforts are being made to increase tourism to the area, and local residents know that protecting the environment is an important factor in increasing local tourism." Ms Clarke, who won her seat from the Liberals at the 2017 state election, said Alcoa workers did not believe a change in government put their jobs at risk. "Both government and the local community agree that diversifying the local economy will bring a number of benefits to the region and that we need to support new and emerging industries that want to enter the area and create ongoing local employment," she said. "Although the region is fortunate to have a large employer like Alcoa providing jobs for the area, we cannot assume that it will always be in a position to provide the majority of the regions employment, particularly with Murrays ageing population and projected future population growth." Company still wants to compete in a global market A spokeswoman for Alcoa said it was vital climate change policy didn't damage the competitiveness of Australian businesses and industries that compete in global markets. She said both sides of politics had historically acknowledged the challenges faced by energy intensive industries. "Our refining operations in Western Australia use natural gas which produces significantly less emissions than coal," she said. "In regards to Labor's 45 per cent emissions reduction policy, more crucial details are required in order to understand how it may impact our business. Alcoa has not seen data to substantiate the gas price increase that has been speculated." WA Premier backs Shorten on emissions target On Monday Premier Mark McGowan said he was backing Mr Shorten's ambitious 45 per cent reduction in carbon emissions. "I'm totally supportive of what Bill is doing," he said. "And I think most Australians want to see this country take some action, most West Australians want to see some action. "We can't leave a world to our children and grandchildren in which we haven't started the process of dealing with this issues." But Mr McGowan was more circumspect about emissions when he overruled an Environmental Protection Agency policy which would have required major projects in Western Australia to produce net zero carbon emissions. "I want action on climate change, I want Western Australia to be part of the solution, but what I don't want is us to do things to our industry that then other states don't have happen and we have a perverse situation whereby cleaner fuel is penalised versus a higher emitting fuel in China or in Japan," he told Gareth Parker on Perth radio station 6PR. "That doesn't make any sense. "That's why the federal government needs to get off its hands and actually do something about a national, consistent policy that applies clearly to everybody." Loading He said reducing emissions to zero in WA would help the climate "to a small degree", but if that meant coal would be burnt instead of natural gas, then "all that would do is increase emissions". South West is still about the fossil fuels Serious changes to WA's energy mix will be required to meet a stricter emissions reduction target under Labor. The Liberal Party is promising to reduce emissions by 28 per cent by 2030 as opposed to Labor's 45 per cent. According to the Australian Energy Market Operator, 46 per cent of the south west's power was generated by burning coal and 43 per cent from gas over the past 12 months. Only 9.7 per cent came from wind generation. But Mr Shorten is also promising 50 percent of the nation's electricity will come from renewable energy sources by 2030 and said the south west will become a "renewable energy zone". The means projects in the the region could access "potential support from Labors $5 billion Energy Security and Modernisation fund". No matter which way these massive numbers are dissected, they will mean revolutionary change for WA's economy would be likely under a Shorten Labor Government. Its difficult to imagine, in these days of relative indifference to the mouthings of Scott Morrison and Bill Shorten, that there was a time when the approach of a political leaders debate sparked something approaching war between the big TV networks. In 1990, the Nine legend Laurie Oakes became enraged to discover the ABC had painted its logo on the floor of its studio as prime minister Bob Hawke and opposition leader Andrew Peacock prepared to do verbal battle. John Howard and Kevin Rudd shake hands ahead of the 2007 debate. Credit:AFP/Pool Oakes set about trying to scuff the offending logo out of existence, grinding away at it with the soles of his shoes and threatening a walk-out, just half an hour or so before the debate was to begin. The ABC, he stormed, had promised a "clean set", and it was being dishonest by trying to sneak its brand into the sight of viewers. A truce was eventually declared and the show went on. The Victorian government is considering legislating to protect ride-share drivers, food delivery riders and thousands of other workers in the growing gig economy, despite industrial relations laws falling under federal jurisdiction. Loading The states inquiry into the sector has received nearly 100 submissions, raising concerns about the conduct of such platforms as Deliveroo, Uber Eats and Uber, with one worker complaining that trying to engage with the online platforms was like "dealing with a ghost". The Transport Workers Union says its research indicates three-quarters of gig economy workers are being paid less than the minimum rate for casual workers. State Treasurer and Industrial Relations Minister Tim Pallas say the government is worried by the initial responses to the inquiry. Brisbane City Council will spend up to $20 million each year, raised from its "future fund", to buy bushland and create new parks, lord mayor Adrian Schrinner announced on Tuesday morning. The council's City of Brisbane Investment Corporation was established in 2008 with $135 million in assets. Lord mayor Cr Adrian Schrinner plans new blue gums at Brisbane's Koala bushlands at Burbank. Credit:Tony Moore The CBICs asset base had expanded to $273 million the decade since and provided dividends $20 million in dividends to the council in 2017. It has generated dividends of $110.7 million since 2008. The Baku Academy of Music will hold a Jazz Festival and a scientific and creative conference on May 7 dedicated to the International Jazz Day. Acclaimed jazz musicians Isfar Sarabski (piano), Ruslan Huseynov (bass guitar), Elvin Bashirov (drums) will delight the audience with their performances, Trend reported. Every year the world community celebrates the International Jazz Day on April 30. The UNESCO-organized annual event features the historical, cultural, and educational contribution of this popular genre of music. The day aims to spread international awareness about this unique musical style and to promote the cultural and social values that jazz stands for. Brisbane's opposition councillors have questioned whether new lord mayor Adrian Schrinner's former ward of Chandler is being deliberately kept vacant as a fallback for federal MP Ross Vasta should he lose his seat at the May 18 election. Mr Vasta is the federal member for Bonner in Brisbane's south-east, retaining the seat in the 2016 election with a 46.44 per cent first-preference vote. Opposition leader Peter Cumming questioned the delay on finding a new councillor for Adrian Schrinner's former ward. Credit:Glenn Hunt This year he is facing a confident challenge from Labor candidate, qualified psychologist and parent advocate Jo Briskey. Three other wards that had resignations in recent months Walter Taylor, McDowall and Coorparoo all had new councillors announced almost immediately, and Walter Taylor councillor James Mackay expected to be confirmed by the council on Tuesday. The exorbitant cost of rockmelons in the bush is just one example of why people living in remote parts of Australia should receive more tax breaks, a Queensland federal MP has argued. Tax breaks to compensate people for living in an "uncongenial climate" were introduced in 1945 at the end of World War II, to help those in remote areas deal with isolation and high costs of living. A single rockmelon can cost $8.50 in some remote Queensland towns, highlighting the purported need for concessions for people living in the bush. Credit:Shutterstock The zone tax offset and remote area tax concessions are available across about three-quarters of Australia, including parts of Western Australia, South Australia, the Northern Territory and Queensland. But the areas covered have remained largely unchanged since 1945 and the value of the concession hasn't increased since 1993, despite demographic and infrastructure changes, sparking the federal government to order a review. A woman whose hand was caught in workplace machinery at the Gold Coast has been rushed to hospital. Emergency services were called just before 7.30am on Wednesday to Production Avenue at Molendinar after the woman, believed to be in her 50s, was injured. "She was taken to the Gold Coast University Hospital under lights and sirens because there was great concern for her hand," a Queensland Ambulance Service spokesman said. When asked whether there were fears of she could lose her hand, the spokesman said he could not speculate. The patient was in a serious but stable condition with High Acuity Response Unit on board. Five Falls Festival attendees injured in a crowd crush at the 2016 music event will see their claims for up to hundreds of thousands of dollars in compensation head to trial next month. Seventy six people are part of a class action led by Maddens Lawyers, but only five have received medical reviews that deem their injuries "significant", allowing them to pursue their compensation claims. But Maddens says medical reviews for half of the remaining 71 applicants are yet to be finalised, meaning further trials could be sought at a later date. Hundreds of people were caught in a crowd crush at the Falls Festival in Lorne on December 30, 2016, as they rushed from one stage area to another about 9.50pm. Twenty-nine people were taken to hospital at the time, while Ambulance Victoria assessed 80 people at the festival. Stressful VCE exams could be making depression and anxiety worse for children already suffering with mental health issues, a leading youth psychologist has warned as he calls for a review of the student assessment. Associate Professor Chris Davey from Orygen, the National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, says the timing of final exams coincides with when teenagers are at their most vulnerable and often struggling with their mental health for the first time. He has called on Victorias curriculum authority to consult more closely with mental health professionals in setting VCE with the aim of improving the wellbeing of students. "We know two very important things. One is that this age is the peak onset period for mood and anxiety disorders and we also have robust evidence that shows the prevalence of depression is increasing in younger people," he said. Uber is on a collision course with the Victorian government as the state flags intervention in the gig economy to protect ride-share drivers, food delivery riders and other workers in the booming sector. The ride-share behemoth has warned Victoria against going it alone on reforms to the largely unregulated on-demand economy, with Uber insisting that any legislative changes should be Australia-wide. The working conditions of riders and drivers in the gig economy are being examined by a Victorian parliamentary inquiry. Credit:Jason South Victoria's inquiry into the on-demand workforce has received nearly 100 submissions, raising concerns about the conduct of operators including Deliveroo, Uber Eats and Uber, with one worker complaining that trying to engage with their online platform was like "dealing with a ghost". But digital ridesharing and food delivery companies are vigorously resisting the prospect of riders and drivers being classed as employees. Those workers are mostly considered independent contractors. Unlike most other Stone Age rock carvings around the world, these images are not drawn on walls or standing rocks, but cut into the exposed stone of flat hilltops along what is called the Konkan coastal plateau. Their style is realistic for the animals, and more stylised for humans. Most of the animals, including elephants, are life-size and one site with multiple carvings is the largest in south Asia, Garge said. He believes it should be a national monument. The discovery so far has not received a great deal of academic attention, but Jean Clottes, an expert on cave art and the editor of the International Newsletter on Rock Art, said in an email that the collection of images "is an important discovery, no doubt". He said well-preserved carvings on the ground have been found elsewhere, but are unusual. Meenakshi Dubey-Pathak, a freelance researcher and artist who has published extensively on Indian rock art said the carvings share imagery with other Indian rock art and rock art worldwide. "These were hunter gatherers," she said and the carvings were not art for art's sake. "They had meaning and purpose," she said. Indian tourists have been visiting the sites since published reports of the epic journey of discovery by Risbud and Marathe first appeared last fall. But the sites are not easy to locate. You can find images on the tourism website for Ratnagiri, but there are no directions to or GPS locations for the various sites. To find the carvings, a tourist needs to ask local town and village residents; Garge, Risbud and Marathe would like to keep it that way. Most of the carvings are on private land, and it would be costly to buy all the sites to preserve them. Garge hopes to make the sites a source of income to local residents. He described an encounter with a tea seller who had a small stall at a crossroads near one of the sites. The state had considered putting up signs with directions, Garge said, but the tea seller asked him not to do so. Small stones tools, called microliths from the Mesolithic era, found at excavation sites. Credit:Atul Loke/The New York Times People stop, they have at least a cup of tea and they ask directions, the tea seller told him. And his income has climbed as word of the carvings has gotten out. Now, Garge's department is working on pilot projects for 15 sites to provide a comfortable viewing area with an elevated platform, a concession stand and a way for a village to sell tickets. Some of the carvings were known to locals before Risbud and Marathe began their investigation. And researchers had done a study on one site in 1980. Amateur historians and some academics had written a bit about the few that had been identified. But it was only after the two engineers began to explore systematically and recruit other searchers, that the number and richness of the carvings became clear. Indian newspapers and the BBC reported on the extent of their finds last year. The two friends are both avid naturalists. Marathe has published a guide to birds of the Konkan plateau. They met while participating in a bird survey. Both had recollections of seeing the drawings when they were younger and a general interest in everything about the Konkan plateau. So the search began. It wasn't easy at the beginning, Marathe said. For the first two years, he said, "we had no luck." But then one day they encountered an old shepherd who told them about a newly discovered carving. They began to seek out herders who bring cattle or sheep onto the plateaus after the monsoon season when the sparse vegetation of the hot months gives way to a burst of lush grass and flowers. The herders and their families pointed them to other sites, often adding mythological stories of how the carvings came to be. Amateur archaeologist Dhananjay Marathe near a petroglyph made prominent when sand is used to fill the deep grooves of the carving. Credit:Atul Loke/The New York Times For instance, Marathe pointed to one depression in the rock that could be taken to be an impression left by someone lying down. According to villagers the impression was left by Sita, Lord Rama's wife, who was stolen away by the demon king Ravana in the epic poem the Ramayana. This was where Ravana, while on the run, lay with Sita. From December 2012 until now, Marathe, Risbud and other friends have not only sought out new carvings, they have pursued government support at all levels for the recognition and preservation of the carvings. "They have tremendous passion," Garge said. "They could extract this information from locals and they could find all this, so we are really grateful." Garge, whose specialty is historical archaeology, met the men after coming to Maharashtra in 2017. He visited some of the sites and appointed a member of his staff, Rhutvij Apte, to oversee research. Dating rock carvings is not easy, but there are clues, Garge said. One is that once agriculture appears, people carve images of bulls. There are no such images in the drawings from Maharashtra, he said, which feature every variety of wild animal, suggesting that these carvings were made by people who hunted and foraged for wild plants. If the carvings were made before the development of agriculture, that would date them to at least 10,000 years ago. Another clue is that the carvings include images of rhinoceroses and hippopotamuses. That suggests that the drawings date even farther back, to 20,000 or 30,000 years ago, because fossil evidence indicates that's when those animals lived in this region. The realistic details in drawings, like the shape and placement of horns suggest personal knowledge of the animals, not creation from hearsay. Finally, there are stone tools. When Apte started co-ordinating research he found microliths, small stone tools, characteristic of the Mesolithic period, which stretches as far back as 40,000 years ago. Without definitive dates, Garge puts the range at 10,000 to 40,000 years. The next steps in research, he said, are to document each figure with drone photography, photographic mapping, and, if the budget permits, three-dimensional laser scans, so that if the carvings were lost to erosion or construction or mining of the laterite stone for brick, they could be recreated not only in outline, but in-depth, which can give an indication of carving technique. Garge's department will also be looking for evidence of the people who made the carvings. The figures are found only on windswept hills that are flooded during monsoons, places where there would have been no shelter. The carvers would have had to come to these places on purpose to make the drawings. This year researchers began excavating a cave about 30 kilometres away and found microliths like those on the hilltops, as well as other, larger stone tools. "We are hoping to find more shelter sites in closer proximity to the petroglyphs," Garge said. For now, the carvings are mysterious and pose interesting questions about the people who lived during that time period. "Do you think society was advanced enough that they would pay for artistic work" in the form of food sharing, for example, Garge wondered, or were they freeing a group member from hunting or gathering to sit and dig into stone? And he noted that worldwide, rock carvings come from a time when humans were beginning to grapple with the meaning of the forces that affected their lives, perhaps when the first religious ideas were forming. Many of the animals featured in the drawings could have been objects of fear, he said, "elephants, rhinos, sting ray, shark," not to mention tigers. Samarco's Fundao tailings dam failed on November 5, 2015, burying farmhouses and entire villages. Credit:Steve Yolen Goodhead said the claimants also included 130 members of the indigenous Krenak community whose "entire way of life has been utterly devastated". According to the 125-page statement of claim, obtained by The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, the Krenak believe the 43.7 million cubic metres of toxic sludge that poured from the collapsed dam has killed their God the river they called Uatu. A car and two dogs are seen on the roof of destroyed houses in the small town of Bento Rodrigues after the Samarco dam collapse. Credit:AP They performed a funeral ritual, chanting and singing on the banks of the Rio Doce to mark the death of the river, the document says. The Krenaks consider the divine protection afforded to them has weakened. They no longer perform rituals that involve the river, including the Krenak baptism. Loading They no longer speak their troubles to the Uatu, because they understand it to be dead. In a statement to the ASX BHP said it "intends to defend the claim". Shares in BHP eased just 12 cents on Wednesday, to close at $37.18. The UK court action is an expansion of a case launched last year. Originally the action was just against BHP's London-listed company, but it now also includes the Australian-listed company. The action, which now also includes new claimants, is one of three class actions against BHP relating to the Samarco dam disaster on foot currently. A fourth class action against BHP has been settled. The UK action effectively replicates various court actions in Brazil over the Samarco dam failure. The dam was operated by Samarco, a joint-venture between BHP Billiton Brasil and Vale. A map showing the main districts affected by the 2015 dam collapse. Credit:SPG Law The claimants accuse the company of being woefully negligent, having known the iron ore tailings dam was deteriorating for years prior to its collapse. The resulting mudslide killed 19 people including two children five community members and 14 dam workers - flooded three villages and destroyed buildings, bridges and roads. It killed animals, stripped the land of vegetation and left riverbeds poisoned by heavy metals including arsenic and mercury above historic and legal limits. The river is used by more than 13 million people for irrigation and drinking. It sent a plume of waste 600 kilometres downriver into the Atlantic, contaminating 170 kilometres of beaches. Goodhead said his team had established a large number of individuals from BHP senior management had been aware of the risks, with engineers reports warning of the lack of safety in the dam communicated upwards all the way to the companys chief executive. The repeated warnings and recommendations of dam safety experts were acted upon too slowly, or sidestepped entirely, he said. Loading BHP was the real and effective decision maker in a move to expand production at the mine, putting extra pressure on the dam, the claim document said. This occured despite concerns about stability of the dam which had been discussed at meetings of the Samarco Board at which senior representatives of BHP were present. In last years annual report BHP said it was committed to doing the right thing for the people and the environment in the Rio Doce region and pointed to a private foundation it had established to work to restore the environment and rebuild devastated communities. In 2018 the foundations budget was 2.19 billion Brazilian reais ($800 million). The company was still working to negotiate a 155-billion Brazilian real claim from federal prosecutors in Brazil for social, environmental and economic damage. But Goodhead said his clients were getting pennies on the dollar for what they were owed, with the foundation not recognising large categories of loss. He confirmed the baby had been a little overdue and said "everyone can see the baby" on Wednesday, London time, and in the meantime mum and baby were doing "incredibly well". He also praised his wife, saying the birth had been "the most amazing experience I could ever have possibly imagined". A notice placed on an easel in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace to formally announce the birth of a baby boy to Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, in London. Credit:AP "How any woman does what they do is beyond comprehension but we're both absolutely thrilled," he said. And with nothing much more to go on than that, the kingdom's tabloid papers cleared their pages to make room: "23 pages of unrivalled pictures and reports" in the Daily Mails "souvenir edition", a "Royal Baby Special" on pages 2,3,4,5,6 and 7 in The Sun and (not to be red-topped) 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10 and 11 in the Daily Mirror. The Sun reported it was a home birth at the couple's Frogmore Cottage on the grounds of the Windsor Estate, the first senior royal born at home for 55 years. The Queen's doctors had been on standby but were not required, nor was the nearby Frimley Park Hospital which had been "put on standby", the paper claimed. An unofficial Town Crier announces the birth of Baby Sussex outside Windsor Castle. Credit:AP However the Mail claimed that the couple had planned a home birth but instead went to an "exclusive London hospital" thought to be the Portland on Sunday afternoon, before labour had begun. It did not explain why, apart from the fact that Meghan, at 37, was more likely to need medical intervention than younger mothers. Loading It noted, as did others, that a minor tradition had been broken: the easel placed in Buckingham Palace forecourt announcing the birth had not mentioned the medical team. As for names, Harry said they were still deciding. Its surname was expected to be Sussex. The official announcement on Instagram. Credit:@sussexroyal The Mail reported that Alexander was most likely, followed by Arthur, Albert or James. The Mirror had Albert as favourite. For the time being the baby, seventh in line to the throne and highly unlikely ever to sit on it, is "Master Mountbatten-Windsor", but it is likely to be given the honorary title of Earl of Dumbarton, currently one of Harrys lesser titles. It is up to the Queen whether the boy will be made a prince. It would be an exception to the rules if she was to make him "his royal highness", which is usually reserved for children of the sons of the sovereign but she has bent this rule before. Meghans mother Doria Ragland was said by the palace to be "overjoyed". The Mail reported she had been training to be a "supergran", even taking grandparenting lessons in Los Angeles. She flew to the UK three weeks ago to support her daughter during the birth. Loading Her father Thomas Markle reportedly learnt of the birth from a friend who heard it on the TV, but he gave a dignified statement saying he was delighted and proud, congratulating "my lovely daughter Duchess Meghan and Prince Harry, and God save the Queen". Congratulations poured in from around the world. Michelle Obama was one of the first, tweeting "Barack and I are so thrilled for both of you and can't wait to meet him". Bishop Michael Curry, of the memorable wedding sermon, said "congratulations and prayers of blessings for them and their baby", and British Prime Minister Theresa May said "congratulations, wishing you all the best at this happy time". In Australia, Prime Minister Scott Morrison tweeted "huge congratulations becoming a parent is one of the greatest joys of life!" and Labor leader Bill Shorten said "Chloe and I are delighted they are a lovely couple and will make wonderful parents". New York: Meghan Markle's estranged father has said he hopes his grandson will "serve with dignity", as he sent his best wishes to his daughter. Thomas Markle is a regular on British breakfast television. Thomas Markle, 74, congratulated his daughter with a statement issued from his coastal retirement bungalow near the Mexican city of Tijuana. He was not named on the official list of those informed of the birth by the Royal couple. He learnt of the Duchess of Sussex's pregnancy via a radio report while he was stuck in a traffic jam. "I am proud that my new grandson is born into the British Royal family and I am sure that he will grow up to serve the Crown and the people of Britain with grace, dignity, and honour," said Markle yesterday. President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker said that trade tensions between China and the U.S. would negatively affect the investment climate around the world. "If investors don't have the feeling that this problem can be solved soon, then the appetite for investments on both sides of the Atlantic and throughout the world is weakening", Reuters cited Juncker as saying. According to him, a significant portion of global challenges should be seen in the context of the clashes between the two countries. Juncker also noted that the European Commission is in nearly daily contact with the U.S. administration. The statement comes amid an ongoing tariff war between Washington and Beijing, as U.S. President Donald Trump has previously warned that he would increase tariffs on $325 billion worth of Chinese goods from 10% to 25% starting on Friday. Istanbul: Syrian government and allied Russian warplanes have intensified a week-long bombardment of Syria's Idlib province, targeting hospitals and other civilian infrastructure as tens of thousands of residents fled toward the border with Turkey, activists and monitors in the rebel-held region said. The aerial campaign has killed about 100 civilians and put at least 10 hospitals out of service. It has raised fears that Syrian government forces, supported by Russia and Iranian-backed fighters, are preparing an all-out offensive in Idlib - the last area in the country controlled by rebels opposed to President Bashar al-Assad. Smoke rises after Syrian government and Russian airstrikes hit the Syrian town of al-Habeet in southern Idlib on Friday. Credit:White Helmets/AP The airstrikes represent the latest and fiercest challenge to a pact brokered by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in September that was designed to avert all-out conflict in the north-western province. On Monday, local time, government helicopters dropped 13 barrel bombs in southern areas of Idlib and northern pockets of neighbouring Hama province while Russian jets carried out at least 33 air strikes in the region, according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Baghdad: US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has made an unannounced trip to Iraq as Washington warns Iran against any action against American interests in the Middle East. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, centre, poses with security officers of the Finnish police as he prepares to leave Rovaniemi, Finland, after attending the 11th Ministerial Meeting of the Arctic Council. Credit:AP Pompeo was in Baghdad briefly on Tuesday night before flying out. Pompeo says his visit was meant to show US support for "a sovereign, independent" Iraq, free from the influence of neighbouring Iran. He met with Iraq's president and prime minister. Pompeo's visit comes amid increasing tensions between Washington and Tehran. The US is rushing an aircraft carrier strike group to the Middle East to deter or respond to any Iranian attack. US officials have said there are indications Iran is planning to retaliate for the Trump administration's stepped-up sanctions on the country, although the threat information remains vague. A numbers game is underway in Papua New Guinea with rival camps of MPs jostling for dominance ahead of an expected vote of no confidence in Prime Minister Peter O'Neill. The government says it's confident it has the numbers to beat any moves to oust the Prime Minister but the opposing camp claims it has the support of 57 members, PNG's Post-Courier newspaper reported. Under pressure: Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister Peter O'Neill. Credit:AP That number would give them a majority in the 111-member Parliament. The camps are meeting in different hotels in Port Moresby, with at least one report of an opposition MP leaving its camp to join the government at the other. Latest News MoneyMe to acquire SocietyOne Deal brings together two of the fastest-growing brands in the non-bank space Resimac makes key broker channel hires Two new GMs to bolster broker support A leading SME lender has been brought onto the panel at Smartline Mortgage Advisers. A new partnership with Prospa will allow Smartline to help small business owners access a wider range of products from a lender that understands the diverse finance requirements of the sector. Smartline CEO Sam Boer said, Small business owners are finding it increasingly difficult to access the capital they need, and we know theyre looking for alternative funding options. Smartlines new relationship with Prospa will provide our brokers with a broader range of finance solutions to support their clients ventures and help them get ahead. Prospa is an industry leader who appreciates that small business owners sometimes need a different approach to finance we are thrilled to welcome them to our panel, he added. Prospa has provided over $1bn in loans to customers across Australia and New Zealand with products that cater to growth through providing flexible solutions, with fast turnaround times and reduced security requirements. Brokers are an important part of our business model, said Prospa GM of sales and business development, Matt Bauld. Small business owners need the assistance of brokers to understand their borrowing options. We support our partners with the tools and resources they need to develop and strengthen relationships with their clients, helping them make it fast and easy to apply for business finance, he concluded. Sign up for our amNY Sports email newsletter to get insights and game coverage for your favorite teams Cops are hunting the bully who broke a 25-year-old mans jaw aboard a 4 train in Crown Heights on Tuesday. The fiend told the hapless straphanger Im bigger than you and I can beat you up within the New Lots Avenue-bound train at the Utica Avenue station at 1 a.m. on May 7, before cracking him twice in the face and then fleeing, cops said. Paramedics rushed the victim to Kings County Hospital following the assault, where he was treated for a broken jaw and discharged, according to police. Investigators released surveillance images of the victims suspected attacker, who they described as 30 to 35 years old, 6 feet 1 inch tall, and approximately 200 pounds. Anyone who provides police with information leading to an arrest can expect a $2,500 reward through the NYPDs Crime Stoppers program. The public can phone tips in at (800) 577-8477, log into the Crime Stoppers website at www.nypdc rimes toppe rs.com , tweet @NYPDTips, or text tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577. All calls are strictly confidential. Sign up for our amNY Sports email newsletter to get insights and game coverage for your favorite teams The principal of a Park Slope elementary school is asking for parent volunteers to protect kids on their way to gym class at the Eight Avenue Armory YMCA, where a homeless woman allegedly spit on children and a teacher last month. In light of the incident that occurred near the Armory on Thursday, April 18, Im writing to ask for your help, wrote PS 107 Principal Eve Litwack in an April 29th email sent to parents. A group of PS 107 students were walking the block from their Eight Avenue school to gym class at the YMCA between 14th and 15th streets at around noon on April 18, when a resident of the homeless shelter also located within the historic armory building became irate, and spit on a teacher and some kids, according to another email Litwack sent parents shortly after the assault One of the residents of the womens shelter, which is also housed at the Armory, approached a teacher, made lewd comments about her (that some of the children overheard), then spat several times on and near her, Litwack wrote. Some of the children who were nearest to her were also hit by her spittle, either directly or indirectly. A police report was not filed regarding the assault on the elementary-aged children, according to a spokeswoman for the police department, who would not say whether police are investigating the incident, of if any arrests have been made, referring all further questions to the Department of Education. Police officers did visit PS 107 last weekend more than two weeks after the spitting attack occurred where they discussed additional safety measures that could be implemented at the Eighth Avenue school, according to Department of Education spokeswoman Miranda Barbot, who could not immediately comment regarding NYPD claims that no report had been filed. In her April 29 email, Litwack asked parent PE volunteers to meet kids inside the schools lobby not at the armory as they did previously before escorting them to the YMCA for gym class. The womens shelter has also posted guards at 14th Street and Eighth Avenue during hours when kids are taking gym class at the Y, according to Litwacks email. News of the assault comes just days after city officials met with residents to address concerns regarding two new shelters the city plans on opening on Fourth Avenue later this year, which will house families split between 253 units. Sign up for our amNY Sports email newsletter to get insights and game coverage for your favorite teams Cops are hunting the knife-wielding whacko who robbed a teenage boy inside the 25th-Street subway station in Sunset Park on May 5. The victim told police he was waiting on a Manhattan-bound R train at the station off Fourth Avenue at noon, when the crook pulled a knife on him and demanded his stuff. The kid handed over his wallet, which the knife man used to fuel a $90 spending spree over multiple transactions, cops said. The department released surveillance images of a possible suspect, who they described as having dreadlocks, and being around 18 years old. Anyone who provides police with information leading to an arrest can expect a $2,500 reward through the NYPDs Crime Stoppers program. The public can phone tips in at (800) 577-8477, log into the Crime Stoppers website at www.nypdc rimes toppe rs.com , tweet @NYPDTips, or text tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577. South Africa: Mhlathuze Water issues ultimatum to striking workers Mhlathuze Water has issued an ultimatum to its employees who embarked on an illegal strike to immediately return to work or face consequences. According to Mhlathuze Water spokesperson, Siyabonga Maphumulo, employees contracted to work on plants supplying water to the City of Mhlathuze Local Municipality on the north-east coast of KwaZulu-Natal, had submitted a letter to Mhlathuze Water demanding a meeting with management on Monday to address labour relations matters. However, when the senior management of Mhlathuze Water and the City of Mhlathuze convened a meeting with representatives of the striking employees affiliated to the South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu), the workers reneged on its request and declined to honour the meeting. Maphumulo has reassured the public and all its stakeholders that contingency measures have been put in place to minimise disruptions to the provision of water due to the strike. We reiterate that the strike is illegal and unprotected and, therefore, the no work, no pay principle will be strictly applied to all those participating in the wildcat strike. Mhlathuze Water has also approached the High Court to seek an interdict restraining these essential services employees from participating in the strike, Maphumulo said. Maphumulo added that the entity has in the past, through various engagements with union representatives, addressed the concerns raised by workers and even has documentary evidence signed by worker representatives in this regard. In the latest instance, Maphumulo said no fresh grievances have been brought forward by the workers and they are merely harping on issues that are either in the process of being resolved or had been long resolved. He said that while Mhlathuze Water remains committed to meaningful engagement with unions on all matters related to employee welfare, it remains equally obligated to upholding the constitutionally enshrined right of all citizens of access to potable water. Mhlathuze Water emphasises that no employee embarking on the illegal strike will be allowed to conduct themselves in a manner that is unbecoming, encumbers the business processes of Mhlathuze Water or results in the destruction of property. Strict security measures have been put in place at all Mhlathuze Water plants to ensure the safety of equipment and the welfare of those workers not embarking on the illegal strike, Maphumulo said. The entity has apologised to all communities and stakeholders that have been inconvenienced by the illegal strike action and assured that its working around the clock to speedily resolve this temporary setback. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2019-05-07. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. The two religious leaders sign a joint declaration of solidarity with the victims in Sri Lanka. Those who sow death are "the incarnation of the most heinous forces on the earth." This is why it is our duty [. . .] to banish them". New Delhi (AsiaNews) The head of the Catholic Church of India and the leader of one of India's most important Islamic groups signed a joint declaration this morning in Mumbai, expressing their solidarity with the victims of the Sri Lanka bombings and condemned the bloodshed in three churches and three hotels in Colombo on Easter Sunday. For Card Oswald Gracias, archbishop of Mumbai and president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI), and Mawlana Mahmood A. Madani, general secretary of Jamiat Ulama-I-Hind, "The persons and the groups responsible for the serials blasts are anti-human, anti-civilization and anti-God. According to the two religious leaders, those who killed at least 257 people "are the incarnation of the most heinous forces on the earth. To associate them with any faith would be most sacrilegious to the faith itself. Therefore, the people of all faiths must disown and condemn such barbarous individuals and groups. It is our duty to expose them and banish them from civilized society. In their statement, the cardinal and the mawlana list five points in which they lay out their rejection of violence perpetrated in the name of religion and call for the elimination of terrorism. The points are: 1) The terrorist attacks become all the more gruesome if launched under the garb of religion and holy mission. Besides causing great loss of innocent lives, peace and harmony is destroyed. It is the prime duty of all faith leaders to stand up and use all our resources and to cleanse society of this evil. (2) Attacks on religious places and during religious festivals such as Easter are perpetrated with a design to cause a divide between people of various faiths and communities. Therefore, we feel it all the more necessary that we stand together with our Christian brothers everywhere and assure them that we share their sorrows and pains and express our solidarity with them. (3) We appeal to the government and law-enforcement agencies all over the world to be more vigilant and take effective precautionary measures making it impossible for any terrorist groups to play havoc with the life and property of civil society anywhere. (4) Sri Lanka being our closest neighbour, we are ready with an offer of help to enable the victims to get over the unprecedented crisis in their lives. We propose to depute a high-level delegation of various faiths to Sri Lanka to explore the possibilities of cooperation and also to offer our sincere condolence to the bereaved families. (5) We sincerely hope that media and peace-loving citizens of this country will extend their fullest cooperation for our endeavour against terrorism. We express our resolve to continue our struggle against terrorism and for global peace. We appeal to everyone irrespective of their religion, caste and creed to come forward to save humanity and to maintain social harmony and peace. Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova confirmed that Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo will meet in the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi on May 14. "The visit and the negotiations will be officially announced on the website of the Russian Foreign Ministry. Please use the official information as referencem" TASS cited her as saying. Earlier, a source in the Russian Foreign Ministry said that the talks between Lavrov and Pompeo are scheduled to take place in Sochi on May 14. The source added that "the parties made the agreement at their meeting in Finland." The market was not able to come to terms with the changes, given that the top management of the US-based information technology (IT) services firm had painted a rosy picture on its growth prospects just a quarter back. Explaining the rationale behind such a drastic shift, industry experts said the change in the business model, with focus on margins after activist hedge fund Elliott came on board, ... 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 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 Washington understands that there can be no military solution to the Venezuela issue because the consequences of such a scenario would be devastating, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said following a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo on Monday in Finland. "Judging by my contacts with my American and other colleagues, including those from Europe and Latin America, I dont see anyone who would call for a reckless military solution. I hope everyone understands that as far as practical politics is concerned, there can be no military solution because it would mean catastrophe," Lavrov noted. When asked whether U.S. diplomats understood it, he answered in the affirmative. "We strongly oppose military actions in breach of international law, anywhere," TASS cited him as saying. "Only the United Nations Security Council can authorize the use of force. Besides, it [force] can be used in response to an aggression against a sovereign state. No options concerning Venezuela imply any such thing," the Russian top diplomat said. Lavrov said following Sundays talks with Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza that U.S. President Donald Trump had not announced intentions to launch a military intervention in Venezuela during the May 3 telephone conversation with Russian leader Vladimir Putin. Three senior officials of the NSE resumed work at the same position Tuesday, after being getting an interim relief from the Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT) after being barred by the regulator Sebi in the co-location case last week. The Sebi had barred the three NSE officials from holding any office in any stock exchange for colluding with brokerages which were found guilty of gaining an unfair advantage over others by placing their servers in close proximity the main servers of the exchange. "The three have resumed work in the same positions as they were holding ... The State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater invites you to enjoy a ballet dedicated to one of the greatest Azerbaijani poets Imadaddin Nasimi on May 25. The team of the Opera and Ballet Theater has prepared the ballet 'Nasimi' to the music of an outstanding Azerbaijani composer, People's Artist of the USSR, Professor Fikrat Amirov. The ballet tells about the fate of the great poet and thinker who left a deep imprint on the centuries-old artistic and philosophical thought of the Azerbaijani people, as well as on the world treasure of humanity, AzerTAc reported. The choreographer is the national artist, artistic director of the theater's ballet troupe Kamilla Huseynova. The author of the libretto is Ajdar Ulduz, the musical director and conductor of the ballet is the People's artist of Azerbaijan Yalchin Adigozalov, the production director - honored artist Nusrat Hajiyev, the costume designer - People's Artist Rafiz Ismayilov. The leading soloists of the ballet troupe are the honored artists Nigar Ibrahimova, Samir Samadov, Islam Mamedov, Anar Mikayilov and Dinara Shirinova. One school of economic thought argues that bilateral agreements are better than multilateral ones. When it comes to trade with China, it often seems that President Donald Trump is his own worst enemy. Unilaterally raising tariffs, as Trump is threatening, is akin to punishing US consumers for Chinas misbehavior. Most economists view lower tariffs as a win for the US economy, even if China doesnt reciprocate. Of course, they say, the world economy would be even stronger if tariffs were lowered across the board. There are a handful of economists, however, who disagree ... Hemanth Kappanna might seem like just another victim of corporate restructuring, a foreign worker whose skills were no longer needed, a middle-aged man with dashed American dreams. But Mr. Kappanna, an engineer born in India who was laid off by General Motors in February, changed automotive history. In 2013, he was part of a small team of engineering students in West Virginia whose research helped expose Volkswagens decade-long conspiracy to lie about its diesel cars emissions. The German carmaker has paid $23 billion so far to resolve criminal charges and lawsuits in ... The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have announced the birth of their first child, a baby boy. While the world has waited anxiously for news of this British royal birth, there has been intense speculation about where Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, would deliver her baby. Reports that she wished to deliver her baby at home for reasons of privacy and comfort have renewed debates about the safety of home birth. While some media reports were positive about the idea, others warned about the risks of childbirth in general and, in ... Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said that he plans to leave for vacation, "to be cut off from everything for two days", in the first days of June. If we count from March 31 [2018], [I] couldnt cut off from real work situation from that time until now, he said during his visit to the Public Radio of Armenia. Perhaps the New Year holidays were an exception," News.am cited Pashinyan as saying. The PM added that he will spend his holidays in the country. Authorities said that seven or eight students were injured in a shooting at a school in suburban Denver on Tuesday. The Douglas County (DC) Sheriff's Office said that two suspected shooters are in custody and a SWAT team is searching the school's premises. "7 possibly 8 students have been injured. Two shooters in custody. SWAT still clearing school. Students being bused to Northridge Rec Center. Parents please have patience with reunification process," read a tweet by DC Sheriff's Office. The shooting took place at STEM School in Highlands Ranch in Colorado state, which has over 1,800 students. The area around the school has been cordoned off as authorities responded to an active shooter situation just before 2 pm (local time). Douglas County Undersheriff Holly Nicholson-Kluth confirmed that two suspects are in custody and there is "tentatively" a third suspect in the shooting, according to CNN. Further details are awaited. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The opposition parties on Tuesday urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) to expand the ambit of voter-verified paper audit trail (VVPAT) verification after the Supreme Court rejected their plea to match 50 per cent electronic voting machines (EVMs) with VVPAT slips. "We have demanded from the ECI to cross-check 50 per cent EVMs with VVPAT slips for the sake of the credibility of voting and the people's confidence in the poll body. We have also clarified that the Supreme Court has not restricted the poll body to take any decision in this regard," senior Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi told reporters. A delegation of leaders from 21 opposition parties visited the poll body headquarters here with their demands pertaining to VVPAT verification. The opposition leaders, however, did not specify the percentage of EMVs they want to be crosschecked with VVPATs and said that they have left the decision to be taken by the EC. Earlier in the day, the apex court turned down the review plea filed by 21 opposition parties seeking a direction to the ECI to increase VVPAT verification from five to at least 50 per cent of EVMs during the counting of Lok Sabha votes, scheduled for May 23. The opposition parties have also demanded from the EC to promulgate a law to check any discrepancy in the ballot cross-checking. Singhvi said: "There is a big gap in the EC rulebook. There is no clarity as to what will happen if there is any discrepancy in VVPAT sample checks in five segments in an Assembly constituency." "If any discrepancy is found, there should be a high-level inquiry and the probe report should be made public," the Congress leader added. The delegation also suggested the Election Commissioner to engage more manpower to speed up the vote counting process. Singhvi said: "There is no argument to authorise only Returning Officers (ROs) and observers to inspect the cross-checking of VVPAT. We have demanded to increase the manpower." The delegation consisted of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah, CPI leader D Raja and others. Talking to media persons, Raja accused the BJP of undermining constitutional institutions including the EC. "It is a matter of concern that the BJP is undermining the constitutional institutions including the Election Commission of our country," he said. So far, five phases of Lok Sabha elections have been conducted, while the remaining two phases of polling are scheduled for May 12 and 19. The counting of votes will take place on May 23. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Actor Arjun Kapoor released the song 'Akela' from his upcoming film 'India's Most Wanted' on Tuesday. Taking to his Twitter handle, Kapoor shared the song and wrote, "You're never alone when you're doing something for your motherland. Akela out now." The almost two-minute song starts with Arjun talking over the phone. The video proceeds with melodious music and features Arjun Kapoor standing alone at an exotic location. 'Akela' is an inspirational track that talks about the power one hold within. The song is penned by Amitabh Bhattacharya and sung by Abhijeet Srivastava. The music is given by Amit Trivedi. 'India' Most Wanted' is based on true events and is about five men who saved the lives of a billion people by hunting down a terrorist, which the makers have named 'India's Osama'. The film is being helmed by Rajkumar Gupta and produced by Rajkumar Gupta, Myra Karn and Fox Star Studios. It is slated to hit the screens on May 24. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) With the start of the holy month of Ramzan, devout Muslims prepare to observe intense dawn to dusk fasts. Preparations are in full bloom and grocery markets are overcrowded with women buying date-palms, dry fruits, vermicelli, sharbat and other food items consumed during Iftar, the after sunset feasts through which people break their fasting. Razia Sultan, a devout Muslim woman says, "The preparations regarding the same began a fortnight ago. This is the month of prayer and Allah is very merciful. We are buying all sorts of things that are required to break the fast. Children are very excited about it." Yasmin, another Muslim woman who visits a grocery shop in her nearby locality in Surat says, "During Ramzan Allah is very merciful. The food lies in front of us but we do not eat it unless we hear Azan, such is the fear of Allah in our minds and heart." "We have started procuring date and dry-fruits almost two months ahead of the Ramzan. The demand for these things and especially sharbat increases several-folds during the holy month and in order to cater to the requirement, we have to start our preparations much earlier. People usually avoid coming to the market in the afternoon due to soaring temperature and heat they come for shopping in the late afternoon," said a shop owner. At Jama-Masjid in Delhi, young Faraz Khan said that he is observing fast since he was 12-year-old. "I have been observing Roza since I was 12-year-old. This month is the month to pray to Allah and get the blessings. Allah is very merciful," said Faraz. While Fahimuddin, who also is observing fast said: "During the entire month we have to observe fast and do our work also. Allah gives us the strength for that." "Today is first Roza, for the entire month, we have to read holy Quran and observe fast. We also have to keep our-self away from any sort of sin," said another Muslim man. Similarly, in Mumbai, Aurangabad, Bhopal and rest of India Muslims are celebrating Ramzan with enthusiasm, devotion and zeal. The crescent moon has been sighted in various parts of India, thus marking the beginning of the holy month of Ramzan. Ramzan, is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting to commemorate the first revelation of the Quran to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), according to Islamic belief. During this month, the devout observe rigorous fasting for about 30 days and do not consume food or water from dawn to dusk. They eat Sehri (a pre-dawn meal) and break their day-long fast with 'Iftar' in the evening. Eid ul-Fitr marks the end of the fasting month of Ramzan. The festival is celebrated on the first day of Shawwal, the 10th month of the Islamic lunar calendar. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday paid homage to poet-philosopher Basaveshwara on the occasion of his birth anniversary. Taking to Twitter, Modi hailed the 12th-century poet, also known as Basavanna, as an 'iconic thinker' and a 'pioneering social reformer' who has a great impact on society even in the present day. "Paying homage to the venerable Bhagwan Basaveshwara on his Jayanti. An iconic thinker and pioneering social reformer, Bhagwan Basaveshwara worked throughout his life to make our society more inclusive. His emphasis on education and serving the poor continues to motivate millions," the Prime Minister tweeted. Karnataka Home Minister M B Patil also greeted followers of Basavanna in the state, adding that the poet had introduced the first parliament in the world and was a true champion of equality. "I wish all of Lord Basaveshwara's followers on his anniversary. He was a great reformer in the 12th century, who formed the world's first parliament. It had all the people both men and women, belonging to various caste groups especially the oppressed. A nation with equality and a casteless society was his dream, a great thinker indeed," Patil said after attending an event in the honour of the 12th-century saint in Bengaluru. Considered to be one of the most revered saints by the Lingayat sect, Basavanna was a 12th-century philosopher, statesman and a Kannada poet in the Shiva-focused Bhakti movement. He is also considered to be a great social reformer who stood for the rights of the underprivileged classes and women. Basavanna spread social awareness through his poetry, popularly known as Vachanaas. He rejected gender and social discrimination, superstitions, and rituals and introduced Ishtalinga necklace, with an image of the Shiva Linga to every person. Known as the champion of equality, Basavanna introduced the concept of Anubhava Mantapa (hall of spiritual experience), where men and women from all socio-economic backgrounds were allowed to discuss spiritual and mundane questions of life without restraint. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) "I know KCR has an ambition of becoming the kingmaker. This is what his party workers and his son tell the people of Telangana. I want to tell him we already have a king with us and we don't need kingmakers," he told ANI in an interview. His statement came hours after Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan asserted that his meeting with Rao on Monday was highly significant as regional parties will play a major role in the formation of a government after the Lok Sabha elections. Madhav claimed that BJP would get a comfortable majority in the elections. "Based on ground reports that we get from our caders, we are confident BJP will be able to do as good as 2014 if not better. With the help of NDA, we will have good seats to run another a stable government." "On our own, we are confident of securing the required numbers, may be more than what we have in the ongoing parliament. We already have a pre-poll alliance with more than two dozen parties. Together the NDA alliance will have absolute comfortable majorities," added Madhav. On the controversy over the remarks made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi against late Rajiv Gandhi, Madhav said, "Everybody should ask Congress whether they have moral right to ask questions to other leaders. The kind of language they use for the current Prime Minister, they have to answer the people. When we talk about Congress party then we have to talk from corruption scandals right from 1950s' jeep scandal to Bofors, which is a black spot on Congress's history. We talk all this for Congress history." Last week, the Prime Minister, while addressing a rally in Uttar Pradesh, had said, "Your (Rahul Gandhi) father (Rajiv Gandhi) was termed 'Mr Clean' by his courtiers, but his life ended as 'Bhrashtachari No 1." Madhav also asserted that talking about past leaders during election campaigns is not a new thing. "We talk about leaders who are there and aren't there anymore. When we talk about Emergency we talk about Indira Gandhi. So we talk about ex-leaders. It is natural we have to talk about leaders when we talk about the history of partisan governments," said Madhav. He also criticised West Bengal Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee for making statements against Modi and said, "For Mamata Banerjee everything is There is no civility in her. In her state, there is "jungle raaj" and dictatorship. There is extreme violence so much so that Election Commission has to deploy central forces in almost 100 per cent polling booths to ensure smooth elections. People of West Bengal will teach Mamata Banerjee a lesson in these elections." On Monday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had said that she doesn't consider Narendra Modi as a prime minister, adding that she will speak to the "next prime minister" of the country. Madhav also lambasted Banerjee on her alleged refusal to speak to Prime Minister in the wake of severe cyclonic storm Fan. "The CM of West Bengal was so rude to PM that she didn't take the call of Prime Minister or returned it. He is prime minister of 130 Crore people which includes Bengali people. Prime Minister wanted to help people of Bengal and wanted to go to the state but the chief minister had said that he is not welcome. This is very unfortunate." Prime Minister Modi, who flew down to Bhubaneswar on Monday to visit the areas hit by Fani and take stock of the situation, wanted to do the same for West Bengal. The state government, however, refused to hold the review meeting stating that officials were busy with elections. On opposition's apprehensions about the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), Madhav said, "When they win, EVMs are fine. Chandra Babu Naidu has himself fought and won many elections using these same EVM's. Supreme Court has taken the right decision by dismissing their petition." The Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected a review plea filed by 21 Opposition parties seeking a direction to increase Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) verification from five to at least 50 per cent of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) during the counting of votes at the end of the ongoing elections. On Shashi Tharoor's tweet about Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, Madhav said, "Sashi Tharoor's love for neighbours and hate for our own leaders is very well known. He uses choicest abuses for our leaders and he has a great love for people across the border. He has to think of what he is doing. People know what kind of theses congress leader practice." On Tuesday, Tharoor had praised Imran Khan recalling Tipu Sultan on his death anniversary. "One thing I personally know about Imran Khan is that his interest in the shared history of the Indian subcontinent is genuine and far-reaching. He reads; he cares. It is disappointing, though, that it took a Pakistani leader to remember a great Indian hero on his punyathithi", said Tharoor in a tweet. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The BJP needs to learn from the fate of Duryodhana of Mahabharata that this country has never forgiven the arrogant, said Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra here on Tuesday. "BJP doesn't raise practical issues. It tries to take benefit of soldiers' bravery. It attacks the martyrs from my family who died for the country. This country has never forgiven the arrogant. In Mahabharata, we know how Duryodhana even tried to capture Lord Krishna, who had only correct things to say. BJP should learn from this instance and never forget the fact that people have the highest power in a democracy," she said. Priyanka, who was addressing an election rally in support of former Union Minister and Congress candidate Kumari Selja, said that job creation for youths, farmers' progress and safety of women were among the key challenges India is facing today. "The biggest challenge the country is facing today is the creation of jobs for the youths, development of farmers, safety and security of women. When the government of BJP was formed in 2014 at the Centre, tall promises were made including the creation of more than two crore jobs, but because of demonetization, 5 lakh jobs were lost," she said. "MNREGA, which was a programme for rural employment, was diluted. Demonetisation was cited as an example of patriotism. People were assured that black money would be recovered from offshore accounts. But nothing was done in this regard. Only poor people suffered. During the BJP regime, 24 lakh government jobs were left lying vacant," she said. Priyanka also attacked BJP for allegedly following an anti-farmer agenda. "BJP promised to double farmers' income in five years. But farmers are facing immense difficulties as they don't get sufficient returns for their investments. Thousands of farmers are distressed in the country. PM Modi can't even spare five minutes for the problems of farmers," she said. Talking about the election manifesto of Congress party, she said: "Our manifesto has the voice of the people from across the country. The biggest plan under our manifesto is -- NYAY (Nyuntam Aay Yojana). Under this scheme, the poorest families of the country will get Rs 72,000 yearly if the Congress comes to power at the Centre." "The Congress party has also promised that 24 lakh vacant government jobs will be filled by March 2020. Women will get 33 per cent reservation in Parliament. People will get free treatment at government hospitals. Children will get free education up to Class XII in government schools. Small traders will get a simplified GST policy," she said. Haryana, where 10 Lok Sabha seats are at stake, will go to polls in a single phase on May 12. In 2014 Lok Sabha election, the BJP had won seven seats in the state - Ambala, Kurukshetra, Karnal, Bhiwani-Mahendragarh, Sonipat, Faridabad, and Gurgaon. The Congress had won Rohtak seat, while Hisar and Sirsa seats had gone to the Indian Lok Dal (INLD). So far, five phases of seven-phased Lok Sabha elections have been held, while the remaining two phases will be held on May 12 and 19. The counting of votes will take place on May 23. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he had good conversation with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Monday at the meeting in Finland. The U.S. official aid a wide range of issues were covered in his good conversation with Lavrov. Pompeo recognized that Russia and the U.S. have definitely different interests, but at the meeting "there was a desire to begin to try and find paths" where they can make real progress on places where Moscow and Washington have overlapping interests, as narrow as they may be. "Hope we can achieve that, Reuters cited the Secretary of State as saying. Maharashtra's Chief Minister's Office (CMO) on Tuesday said that the Central government has provided an additional Rs 2160 crore for drought relief. "Till now, Centre has provided a total of Rs 4248.59 crore towards drought relief in Maharashtra," CMO said. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the additional help provided by the Central government. This comes after Election Commission of India, acting on an appeal from CM Devendra Fadnavis gave relaxation in Model Code of Conduct to carry out drought relief measures in Maharashtra. On April 30, Fadnavis had written a letter to EC stating that since polling for all constituencies of Maharashtra has concluded, therefore, the apex poll body should ease some norms to allow drought relief work to be carried out in the state. "Extreme summer: There are a number of infrastructure works such as drilling of bore wells, repairs to drinking water schemes, irrigation canal maintenance works, etc. which need to be taken up during the extreme summer," Fadnavis wrote in the letter. "The Government of Maharashtra declared 151 talukas as drought affected and the Government of India has extended the assistance of Rs 4,714 crore in this regard. Separately, I am proposing the Cabinet Meeting on this issue at the earliest," the Chief Minister added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A two-day interaction was organised by the Commerce Ministry and Indian High Commissions and embassies of eleven African countries to strengthen the India-Africa trade ties. The interaction was arranged over Digital Video Conference (DVC) over two days, on May 3rd and May 6th with the Indian business community in Africa. In order to build an effective engagement with the Indian Diaspora in Africa, the interactions with Indian Diaspora were held in Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Zambia, and Mauritius, Nigeria, Mozambique, Ghana, South Africa, Botswana, and Madagascar. The DVC was attended by over 400 members of the Indian business community in 11 African countries. This initiative of the Commerce Ministry emphasizes on the need for a multipronged strategy for further enhancing trade and investment ties between the two regions. During the interaction the Indian Business Community of these 11 countries also highlighted several issues including improving the line of the credit system and developing a facility for affordable and competitive funding and setting up of Indian banks and financial institutions in Africa. Reviewing and liberalizing visa policies from both sides and need for direct flights between India and African countries was also highlighted during the interaction. Department of Commerce assured the community that these suggestions will be shared with relevant stakeholders and departments in order to incorporate the suggestions in the India-Africa strategy for trade promotion. As per the ministry of commerce, India's total trade with the African region during 2017-18 was USD 62.69 billion which stands at 8.15 per cent of India's total trade with the World. "Today, African countries present immense opportunities for India with the world's largest land mass, 54 countries, a population growing to be almost equivalent to that of India, huge mineral resources, oil wealth, a youthful population, falling poverty levels and increasing consumption patterns", read a statement by the commerce ministry. The Indian community in Africa is playing a vital role in all fields like politics, business and education. As per the latest available estimates the current strength of the Indian Diaspora in the African countries stands at 2.8 million out of those 2.5 million are PIOs and rest 220967 are NRIs. Senior officers from the Department of Commerce and Ministry of External Affairs remained present during the interactions. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) BJP president Amit Shah on Tuesday said if his party gets 23 Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal and forms the government once again in the Centre then they will kick out every infiltrator from the country. "Do you want to get rid of infiltrators or not? BJP government is going to give citizenship to Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, Buddhists and Christians. Give us 23 seats in Bengal and we will kick out every infiltrator," Shah said during an election rally in Belda. "The Modi government will first give citizenship to refugees under the Citizen Amendment Bill. Later, infiltrators will be kicked out from Calcutta to Kutch and from Kashmir to Kanyakumari," he added. The BJP president also alleged that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has stopped people to cast their votes in the elections. "In Bengal, Mamata didi has throttled the democracy. More than 60 BJP workers were killed in Panchayat elections. She stopped people from casting their vote," he said. "The Central government has sent Rs 4,24,000 crore for Bengal's development. This money was not used as goons of Mamata didi kept it in their pockets," Shah said. Addressing another poll rally in Bishnupur, Shah said, "During Rajiv Gandhi's time, the scam was committed in Bofors and many other corruption cases. Our jawans were killed in Sri Lanka under the Peace Agreement. Were these corruptions committed during Rajiv Gandhi's time or not?" "This makes Congress people annoyed. They say you insulted the country's former prime minister. They have abused Modi ji 51 times. They do not see how they are insulting the country's present prime minister. Rajiv Gandhi helped the convict in Bhopal gas tragedy to flee the country," he added. Shah promised that those who involved in chit fund scams in the state will be put behind bars. "In chit fund scam, they usurped money of poor people worth Rs 10,000 crore. When Narendra Modi government comes to power again, those who committed chit fund scam will be put behind the bars within 90 days," he said. "Those who are carrying out bomb blasts in Bengal will also be sent to prison," he added. The BJP president also hit out at Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra for her 'Duryodhan' remark. "Priyanka Vadra has said that Modi ji is Duryodhan. Priyanka ji, this is a democracy, nobody becomes 'Duryodhana' just because you called them. On May 23, the results will tell who is Duryodhan and who is Arjun," he said. Earlier in the day, Priyanka had said, "This country has never forgiven arrogance. Even 'Duryodhan' had such arrogance. When Lord Krishna tried to make him realise his behaviour then he tried to take him as a hostage." The BJP president also alleged that Mamata has denied permission to the rallies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi scheduled on Thursday. West Bengal has a total of 42 Lok Sabha seats of which election for 17 seats are yet to be held in the sixth and seventh phases of the Lok Sabha elections on May 12 and 19. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Delhi Police has arrested four persons for allegedly cheating unemployed youth on the pretext of providing government jobs. "Acting on the complaint filed by Surendra Kumar, the police arrested four people who were running the syndicate of cheating unemployed youth on the pretext of providing government jobs," police said on Tuesday. Police also confiscated printing material, laptop, mobile phones, SIM cards, and other forged documents related to government plans from the accused. "On April 14, the complainant saw an advertisement published in the Hindi Daily Newspaper 'Dainik Jagran' regarding open recruitment under 'Ayushman Bharat Yojna'. He was later asked to deposit Rs. 12,500 into a bank account," added police. "On further enquiry from the office of the Ayushman Bharat Yojna, he got to know that the men were trying to cheat him," police said. Police have registered a case in the matter and further investigation in the case is underway. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A notorious gangster, wanted in several criminal cases, was injured in an encounter in West Delhi in the wee hours of Tuesday, police said. The encounter broke out between a team of NR Special Cell and the gangster Paramjeet Dalal near Sector 37 Rohini. Dalal, who has sustained bullet injury during the gun-battle, is currently receiving treatment at a hospital. More details in this regard are awaited. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress leader and former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh on Tuesday performed a 'havan' in the presence of Namdas Tyagi also known as Computer Baba and other sadhus at a Maha Yagna organised in Bhopal on Tuesday. Tyagi said that the Yagna was a form of 'Hath Yoga' to ensure Digvijaya's win in the Lok Sabha elections and added that BJP had "fooled" the community of seers by using the Ram Mandir issue as a political tool. "BJP has fooled not just the public but the community of seers as well. All sadhus who are with me unanimously say that without a Ram Mandir there will not be a Modi government again, we are holding the Yagna to ensure Digvijay Singh's win," Tyagi said here. Namdas Tyagi or 'Computer Baba' was appointed the Minister of State (MoS) position under the Shivraj Singh Chouhan government. However, he had openly rebelled against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after being denied the party ticket for the state assembly elections held in Madhya Pradesh. At the 'pooja' Digvijaya is seen dressed in white kurta pyjama seated on the ground while others surround him in a semi circle. Digvijay Singh will be up against BJP's MP candidate and firebrand leader Sadhvi Pragya in the Lok Sabha elections. Bhopal is going to polls in the sixth phase of parliamentary elections on May 12. The counting of votes will begin on May 23. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Election Commission has given a clean chit to Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his Pulwama remark in Chitradurga, Karnataka, on April 9, where he reportedly asked voters to vote for the heroes of the Balakot air strike, sources said. The Prime Minister has also has been given a clean chit by the electoral body for his "roadshow" in Ahmedabad held on April 23, sources added. On April 23, Lok Sabha elections were held in Gujarat. Prime Minister Modi took a ride in an open SUV in Ahmedabad as he made his way to cast his vote in the third phase of the elections. The seven-phase Lok Sabha elections started on April 11 and will go on till May 19. The result will be announced on May 23. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday seized assets worth Rs 1.46 crore under section 37A of Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) of 1999 belonging to Harish Gahlot, brother of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) minister Kailash Gahlot. The ED has seized his flat in Vasant Kunj and a piece of land at Chauma Village in Haryana for holding foreign assets equivalent to the same value in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Harish Gahlot is the brother of Kailash Gahlot, who is a cabinet minister in Delhi government. Last year in October, the Income Tax (IT) department had recovered Rs 35 lakh and a dossier of Benami properties during the raids carried out at 16 locations belonging to Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot. The I-T sleuths had carried out raids at the Aam Aadmi Party leader's properties in Delhi and Gurugram. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Assam police have taken adequate security measures ahead of the publication of the additional draft of the Register of Citizens (NRC), DGP Kuladhar Sakia said on Tuesday. The additional draft of NRC is slated to be published on June 15. "Full proof security will be provided and it is already in place. We are providing such security measures ever since the NRC process began. If required, we will reinforce it," DGP said. "All the safety and security measures are there and it will be reinforced if required. We will not allow any untoward situation to happen. Nobody will be allowed to take law in their hand. We are ready for any challenge," he added. The Supreme Court has directed the State Coordinator, NRC of Assam and the Union Home Ministry to publish the final updated NRC by July 31, this year. The NRC updating process is going on in Assam under the monitoring of the Supreme Court to detect the illegal foreigners residing in the state. The complete draft of NRC, containing names of 28,983,677 people out of 32,991,384 applicants was published on July 30, last year. The hearing of claims and objections are underway across the state. However, some people claimed that the names of some of their family members appeared in the complete draft of the NRC while the names of other members of the family were not included. 77-year-old Arati Dasgupta, resident of Lalganesh area in Guwahati said that her name was not there in the complete draft of the NRC even though her husband had worked as an employee in Indian Railways. "What will I say? I once again visited here (NRC Seva Kendra) after their calling and submitted all the documents related to my husband. I don't know if my name will appear in the upcoming list or not," Arati Dasgupta said. Not only, Arati Dasgupta, but even her son Mainak Dasgupta and daughter-in-law's names did not appear in the complete draft of the NRC. The process has not been free from controversies with Assam Jamiat Ulama alleging that Muslims have been targeted during the NRC process. "Some elements of Assam have targeted Muslims during the NRC process and they harassed the original Indian citizens," Assam Jamiat Ulama general secretary Fasdul Karim Qasimi said acknowledging that there are illegal Bangladeshis in Assam. "The Assam Jamiat Ulama wants to deport all the illegal foreigners from the state," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has urged the Taliban to accept the demand of a Ramadan ceasefire offered by the government in an effort to fast track the peace and reconciliation process in the war-torn country. He said that the ceasefire was on behalf of the grand council, the 'Grand Consultative Jirga for Peace' comprising over 3,200 delegates, adding that Ramadan is a month of peace and reconciliation. "I once again call on the Taliban to respect this holy month and address the demand of Afghans for peace and reconciliation which was reflected at the Grand Consultative Jirga for Peace," Ghani was quoted by TOLOnews as saying. "I want to assure the people that the resolution of the peace Jirga will make a big part of the peace policy of the government," he added. Last week, the Taliban rejected a similar ceasefire agreement proposed by Ghani and US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad. The militant group said they will not stop "jihad" as it will have more "benefits" during the Ramadan month. In response, Khalilzad had lashed out at the Taliban for rejecting his call for laying down their arms and stopping the violence as a part of efforts to move forward the ongoing peace process. "All sides laying down arms is the outcome of any peace process. All sides agreeing to reduce violence is a necessary step toward achieving that outcome and the morally responsible choice to make. We stand ready," he had tweeted. Khalilzad's remarks came after Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said that Khalilzad should "forget about the idea of putting down our arms." "Instead of such fantasies, he should ponder upon how to "end the use of force and incurring further human and financial losses for the Kabul administration," TOLOnews had quoted Mujahid as saying. Last year, the Taliban had announced a surprise three-day ceasefire with the Afghan government for the duration of Eid al-Fitr, the religious holiday that marks the end of Ramadan. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The governor of Istanbul Ali Yerlikaya became the temporary head of the city's municipality, according to the Turkish Interior Ministry. The Supreme Electoral Council of Turkey has recently reported that the new municipal elections will be held in Istanbul on June 23, the Turkish media reported. On April 17, YSK officially announced the results of the municipal election in Istanbul. According to YSK, the candidate for the position of the head of the Istanbul municipality from the opposition Republican Peoples Party Ekrem Imamoglu received 4.169 million votes, while the candidate from the Justice and Development Party Binali Yildirim received 4.156 million votes. Turkey's Supreme Electoral Council issued a mandate to Ekrem Imamoglu for the position of the Head of the Istanbul municipality, while AKP recently officially appealed to YSK to hold the repeat elections in Istanbul. Six people were convicted by a civil court in the case where five girls of an NGO were raped in Kochang, Khunti last year. Sushil Jaiswal, Public Prosecutor in the case on Tuesday said, "Father Alfonso Aind and 5 others have been convicted. Alfonso Aind was identified as the conspirator in the case." On June 19 last year, five women, associated with an NGO, were gang-raped at gunpoint in Jharkhand's Khunti district after they were abducted while performing a street-play in a nearby village. On June 22, the Commission of Women (NCW) wrote a letter to Jharkhand Director General of Police (DGP) directing him to apprise the commission about the action taken in Khunti gang-rape case. The NCW also informed that the commission has constituted a three-member inquiry team to investigate the case and submit recommendations on the matter. In its report submitted on June 28, The Commission for Women (NCW) stated the Khunti gang-rape incident seemed to be "planned" and "executed in a professional manner". It also expressed doubt over the conduct of Father Alfonso Aiend, the manager of RC Mission School, who the NCW team suspected to have been a part of the conspiracy. On June 23, Jharkhand Police arrested two of the accused. The five women were associated with an NGO which worked towards raising awareness on issues like human trafficking. On one such campaign, the women had gone to the nearby village of Kochang to perform a street-play. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has denied a request from Democrats to make public personal tax returns of President Donald Trump. "I am informing you now that the Department may not lawfully fulfil the Committee's request," Mnuchin wrote in his one-page letter on Monday. The letter came after Mnuchin missed two deadlines in the last month to divulge taxes details. Mnuchin has said that the request by the Democrats is "unprecedented" arguing that it raises "serious constitutional questions" that could have "dire consequences" for taxpayer privacy. After becoming a presidential candidate, Trump has refused to release any details of his tax returns. Democrats suspect the tax information could reveal evidence of wrongdoings by Trump. Democrats have made the tax information one of their top priorities after taking control of the House in January. Representative Richard E. Neal on April 3 formally requested the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to hand over six years of President Donald Trump's personal and business tax returns by April 10. Neal wrote to Internal Revenue Service Commissioner Charles P. Rettig, saying "Under the Internal Revenue Manual, individual income tax returns of a President are subject to mandatory examination, but this practice is IRS policy and not codified in the Federal tax laws." Neal has now indicated that he will continue to demand to tax details of Trump. "Today, Secretary Mnuchin notified me that the IRS will not provide the documents I requested under Section 6103 of the Internal Revenue Code," Neal said. "I will consult with counsel and determine the appropriate response." Mnuchin earlier said in April that he would deliver a response by April 6. However, in a letter, he postponed the date to April 23, which he also missed. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) South Korea President Moon Jae-in is likely to place a call to US President Donald Trump on Tuesday to discuss the rise in tension in the Korean peninsula region after the recent weapon tests by North Korea. The leaders are expected to talk over the phone during Tuesday night (Seoul's time), reported Yonhap News Agency. On May 4, North Korea launched several short-range projectiles off its east coast in the wake of stalled de-nuclearisation talks with the United States. Following this, North Korea's state media reported that military drills had taken place in the country for "assessing (the military's) ability to handle large-calibre long-range artillery and tactical guided weapons, as well as the accuracy of fire missions and the combat capability of defence units." Despite the launches, US President Donald Trump reaffirmed his support to Kim, tweeting that the North Korean leader would not "break his promise." The reclusive state's leader had vowed to completely denuclearise during the first US-North Korea summit held in Singapore last year. The process has since been largely stalled, as the two states reportedly failed to resolve their differences on sanctions waivers. The reported disagreement also led to the abrupt ending of the second US-North Korea summit in Hanoi this year. While Pyongyang has asked for relief in sanctions in exchange for the steps it has taken towards denuclearisation, the United States has remained cemented in its resolve to only grant sanction waivers once North Korea has completely denuclearised. The recent weapon launches by North Korea are being largely seen as a sign of Pyongyang's frustration. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Actor Anupam Kher held a public rally in support of his wife and sitting BJP MP Kirron Kher here on Tuesday. Responding to the newspaper reports of his rally getting cancelled due to a poor crowd on Monday, the veteran actor said: "I have done 515 films and all were not hits." He further said that he hoped that the same newspapers would show the pictures of his rally on Tuesday. "I hope the newspapers, which published the cancellation of my rally due to the poor crowd, carry the pictures of this rally today. Then, I will acknowledge their neutrality," he said. Kher also said that he had learnt to speak the truth from none other than Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Chandigarh is going to polls in the 7th phase of the Lok Sabha polls on May 19. The Lok Sabha elections in the country, which are being held in seven phases starting from April 11, will conclude on May 19. The counting of votes will take place on May 23. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The 2nd edition of the book titled "Surfactants, Disinfectants, Cleaners, Toiletries, Personal Care Products Manufacturing and Formulations (Phenyl, Naphthalene Ball, Mosquito Coil, Floor Cleaner, Glass Cleaner, Toilet Cleaner, Utensil Cleaning Bar, Liquid Detergent, Detergent Powder, Detergent Soap, Liquid Soap, Handwash, Hand Sanitizer, Herbal Shampoo, Henna Based Hair Dye, Herbal Cream, Shaving Cream, Air Freshener, Shoe Polish, Tooth Paste) (2nd Revised Edition)" was released by Niir Project Consultancy Services (NPCS). The book provides comprehensive information on surfactants, disinfectants, cleaners, toiletries, personal care product manufacturing industry. The main contents of the book are formulation and production of phenyl, floor cleaner, glass cleaner, toilet cleaner, mosquito coils, liquid detergent, detergent powder, detergent soap, naphthalene balls, air freshener, shoe polish, toothpaste, shaving cream, liquid soaps, hand washes, herbal shampoo, henna-based hair dye, herbal creams, utensil cleaning bar, hand sanitizer etc. and addresses of raw material suppliers, photographs of plant and machinery with supplier's contact details, sample plant layout and process flow sheets. Industry Outlook The largest end-use market for surfactants is as household cleaning detergents. Rising demand for personal care products on account of rapid urbanization is boosting the demand for surfactants in the personal care industry. Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) products manufacturing is a profitable opportunity. These businesses, if tapped to its full potential, can guarantee huge profit margins. Demand for cleaning products continues to grow due to consumer awareness concerning the importance of hygiene and the spread of infectious diseases. One of the major attractions of these products for today's consumer is the convenience, with time-strapped consumers having less and less time for household chores but eager to maintain high standards of hygiene and cleanliness. The demand for the personal care products market is expected to increase owing to the rising aging population and growing consciousness to maintain youthful skin and a good appearance. Reasons to start a new in the FMCG sector (Surfactants, disinfectants, cleaners, toiletries, and personal care products) -FMCG sector is the 4th largest sector in the Indian economy with household and personal care accounting for 50 per cent of FMCG sales in India. -The retail market in India is estimated to reach USD 1.1 trillion by 2020 from USD 840 billion in 2017. -The rural FMCG market in India is expected to grow to USD 220 billion by 2025 from USD 23.6 billion in FY18. -The market size of personal care products in India is forecasted to reach about 25 billion U.S. dollars in 2020. -The global surfactants market was valued at USD 43,655 million in 2017 and is projected to reach USD 64,408 million by 2025, registering a CAGR of 5.4 per cent from 2018 to 2025. -The global household cleaners market is predicted to be valued at USD 39,400.9 mn by 2024 from USD 27,468.6 mn in 2015 at a CAGR of 4.1 per cent therein. -The global personal care products market size is anticipated to reach USD 716.6 billion by 2025. This book is the one-stop guide to one of the fastest growing sectors of the surfactants, disinfectants, cleaners, toiletries, and Personal Care Products, where opportunities abound for manufacturers, startups and entrepreneurs. The total guide to manufacturing and entrepreneurial success in one of today's most lucrative manufacturing sector. This is the only complete handbook on the commercial formulation and production. It serves up a feast of how-to information, from concept to purchasing equipment. This story is provided by BusinessWire India. 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.) SDA Bocconi Asia Centre, formerly named MISB Bocconi, hosted the Convocation ceremony of their 6th Batch of the Post-Graduate Program in The ceremony was conducted in the presence of Dean David Bardolet, MD Alessandro Giuliani, Prof Anjana Grewal, Prof Seema Khanvilkar and the Chief Guest Ramakrishnan, Chief Executive of Polycab Ltd. Dean Prof David Bardolet exhorted students to transfer the model of hard work, creativity and passion that they had established during the program to their future corporate positions. He stated that just like their initiatives and ideas had left a legacy in the school, so too those could make a significant cultural change in their companies. "As a growing institution in India, we are aware of the particularly large impact that each one of you can have in making people in this country aware of what SDA Bocconi stands for and what we do. You are truly our biggest brand ambassadors and we feel very comfortable putting that role in your hands", he added. Alessandro Giuliani told the students that no dream is too big especially if it involves the heart and passion. It is just by dreaming that one can achieve great things. And it is always, only, about people and how they are motivated. "You are young, you have time and you are allowed to make mistakes. Go out there and make a difference", he suggested. Program Director Prof Maurizio Poli shared a video message from Milan on how proud he was of the various achievement of this class and appealed to the class to be the change you want to see in the world. R. Ramakrishnan shared the mantra of what it takes to succeed in the world outside. He told the students to have passion, leadership, empathy, focus, timing and finally Character. He quoted Dr APJ Abdul Kalam and asked the students, "What would you like to be remembered for? You have to evolve and shape your life. You should write it on a page. That page may be a very important page in the book of human history. And you will be remembered for creating that one page in the history of the nation." He further asked the students to spend 5% of their time in wiping away a few tears and bringing a few smiles to people who are less fortunate than them and to getting involved in nation building. On behalf of the class, Shruthi Sharma expressed her gratitude towards the school and the families acknowledging the great transformation the students have gone through. She encouraged her batch mates to support each other as always and give back to the school as proud alumni. The current batch of 84 students has had immense international exposure during the program. Firstly, during the 3-month merger in the first year with the Essec-Bocconi Double degree students and secondly, through the compulsory 4-month specialization semester at Bocconi Milan in the Second module. The graduating students are placed in various industries with an average of 11.17L approx so far. This story is provided by BusinessWire India. 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.) Citing scheduling reasons, US Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo abruptly cancelled a visit to Germany, where he was scheduled to meet Chancellor Angela Merkel. "Unfortunately, we must reschedule the Berlin meetings due to pressing issues," US state department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said. "We look forward to rescheduling this important set of meetings. The Secretary looks forward to being in Berlin soon," she added. The secretary, who was in the midst of an overseas trip, was due to meet Merkel and German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas about "issues of mutual concern," including Russia, China and Syria, reported CNN. Meanwhile, Pompeo is likely to hold talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on May 14 in the Southern Russian city of Sochi, reported TASS news agency. Pompeo could be received by Russian President Vladimir Putin after the talks. This will be the second meeting between the two top diplomats this month. The two met in Finland on Monday where they held discussions on Venezuelan standoff. The development holds prominence as Russia and the US have taken diametrically opposed stands in the Venezuelan political crisis. The two countries have traded warnings against each other's interference in the country's affairs. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A group of women activists and lawyers on Tuesday protested outside the Supreme Court against the procedure adopted to deal with the sexual harassment case against Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi. Section 144 under Cr Procedure Code prohibiting gathering of four of more persons was imposed outside the apex court following the protest. Talking to ANI, a lawyer Rakhi Sehgal said, "I feel that there was no proper procedure followed. The complainant made it clear why she was forced to withdraw from this process where they did not tell her what the procedure of the committee will be in the first place," lawyer Rakhi Sehgal told ANI. "They did not allow her to bring either a friend or a lawyer. They did not give her deposition copy," she added. Segal raised several questions, "What kind of due process is this? What message the Supreme Court judges are giving? Are judges above the law of the land?" "No one is above the law of the land including the CJI. He must submit himself to due process," she added. Another lawyer said, "We are protesting because we feel that the principles of natural justice and due process has not been followed by the internal complaints committee. The girl, who is a harassed person in the case, has not been allowed to give a proper defence for herself." "She was appearing before the three honourable judges of the Supreme Court. The victim is hard of hearing. So she is entitled to some assistance, especially if she is appearing before three judges. She is personally affected so it is difficult to defend herself all by herself," the lawyer added. The lawyer further said, "She was given time but her press statement said, she was not allowed to read her statement that she had recorded." "Many times there are mistakes when you record a statement. So a person is allowed to read and have a copy of your statement recorded," the lawyer added. Another lawyer Himanjali Gautam, however, differed from the rest saying, "There are people who want to malign the top court. However, there are incidents of sexual harassment in higher places. In this case, a proper mechanism should be there and there should be transparent enquiry. She should be given a fair trial and be heard." She said, "When this committee was formed then the lady was against Justice Ramana, whom she alleged had friendly relations with Justice Gogoi." "Now when the committee had given a clean chit to Gogoi then we should not question this highest temple of justice. The decorum and respect of this institution should be maintained," she added. On Monday, a three-judge in-house Committee of the Supreme Court gave a clean chit to the CJI in the sexual harassment complaint allegation levelled against him by a former court staffer. The in-house committee had found no substance in the allegations contained in the complaint dated 19.04.2019 of a former employee of the apex court. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Union Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj has slammed Congress chief Rahul Gandhi by saying that his act of trashing the ordinance in 2013 was the height of "arrogance". In a tweet on Tuesday, Swaraj reminded Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi that her brother Rahul Gandhi had "insulted" the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh by tearing apart the ordinance issued by the President. "Priyanka ji, today you talked about arrogance. Let me remind you that when Rahul insulted his own Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh by tearing apart the ordinance issued by the President, it was the height of arrogance," Swaraj tweeted. "What are you talking about? (kaun kisko suna raha hai)," Swaraj asked. Her tweets came in response to Priyanka's statement at a rally in Ambala. Earlier in the day, while speaking at a rally in Ambala, Haryana, Priyanka Gandhi had said, "The BJP needs to learn from the fate of Duryodhana from Mahabharata that this country has never forgiven the arrogant." The Union Minister also took pot-shots at West Bengal CM and TMC leader Mamta Banerjee for her refusal to talk to PM Modi to assess the impacts of cyclone "Fani". She invoked a couplet written by Bashir Badr to hit out at Mamta Banerjee. "Mamta ji, today you have crossed all limits. You are the Chief Minister of the state and Modi ji is the Prime Minister of the country. Tomorrow, you will have to talk to him," Swaraj said in another tweet. "I am reminding you of a couplet by Bashir Badr."Dushmani jam kar karo lekin ye gunjaish rahe, jab kabhi hum dost ho jayein to sharminda na hon"," added Swaraj. TMC leader while addressing an election rally in West Bengal had said that PM Modi needs a "slap of democracy. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Indian Overseas Congress chief Sam Pitroda on Tuesday lauded the signature campaign of around 200 teachers who came out to condemn Prime Minister Narendra Modi's controversial statement against former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi. "I salute the 200 teachers from Delhi University and other places who are concerned about our education and future. They set the tone for values, character and courage. I am delighted that they all came together and signed a paper which condemns what PM Narendra Modi is saying about former PM Rajiv Gandhi," he said. "I appreciate their support and I want other people to come out and speak. Freedom of expression has been curtailed in India. Democracy has been hijacked. It's a shame that PM Modi would use late PM Rajiv Gandhi as an instrument for votes. He also used Rahul Gandhi's nationality for the same purpose," he added. Speaking to ANI, Pitroda slammed the BJP and said, "They are looking for 'jumlas'. They are looking to divert the attention of the people from real issues - jobs, smart cities etc. But they have nothing to show and that's why they want to hide behind fake allegations." Last week, the Prime Minister, while addressing a rally in Uttar Pradesh, had said, "Your (Rahul Gandhi) father (Rajiv Gandhi) was termed 'Mr Clean' by his courtiers, but his life ended as 'Bhrashtachari No 1." Following Prime Minister's remark, Congress president on Sunday hit back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying, "Modi Ji, the battle is over. Your Karma awaits you. Projecting your inner beliefs about yourself onto my father won't protect you. All my love and a huge hug," Rahul tweeted in response to Modi's remark that "Rajiv Gandhi's life ended as 'Bhrashtachari No 1.'" Prime Minister had on Monday tossed an open debate challenge to the Congress and asked it to fight the remaining phases of Lok Sabha elections on the issue of self-respect of the 'Bofors accused' Prime Minister's name. "If you have guts, let's fight the elections in Bhopal where thousands of people in gas leakage in his name. What did the then Prime Minister do will come in front of everyone," he asked. Five phases of elections are now over with two phases remaining on May 12 and 19. The counting of votes would take place on May 23. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Turkeys Supreme Election Council (YSK) announced that a do-over election in Istanbul will be held on June 23. The council members accepted the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party's objection to the local election results in Istanbul with seven votes in favor and four against. According to the YSK, the decision was taken as some presiding officers and polling staffs, who are supposed to be civil servants as per Turkish law, served during the elections. The YSK has decided to file a criminal complaint against the chairman and members of the district election council, election managers and other persons responsible for appointing polling staffs unlawfully. The mayoral certificate of the main opposition Republican Peoples Party's (CHP) Ekrem Imamoglu has also been cancelled by the council. With this decision, our demand for re-election has been vindicated,'' AK Party's YSK representative Recep Ozel said. The YSK has also rejected objections to election results in Istanbul's Maltepe and Buyukcekmece districts., Anadolu Agency reported. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is currently chairing his partys Central Executive Boards (MYK) extraordinary meeting at the partys headquarters. The main opposition Republican Peoples Party (CHP) will hold extraordinary assembly meeting today under the chairmanship of the party leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu. Millions of Turkish voters cast their votes nationwide on March 31 in local elections to choose mayors, city council members, and other officials for the next five years. The Supreme Court on Tuesday allowed Karti Chidambaram, son of former Union Minister P Chidambaram, to travel to the United States, Spain and Germany in May and June. Providing the relief, the bench headed by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi directed Karti to deposit a security of Rs 10 crore. Karti has been questioned on several occasions in the INX media case in which both the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) are probing how Karti managed to obtain clearance to the tune of Rs 305 crore from the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) in 2007 when his father was the finance minister. The ED had registered a PMLA (Prevention of Money Laundering Act) case based on FIR by the CBI and alleged that irregularities took place in the FIPB clearance to INX Media for receiving overseas funds to the tune of Rs 305 crore in 2007 when Chidambaram was the Union Finance Minister. Both the investigating agencies were also probing how Chidambaram's son Karti managed to obtain the FIPB clearance. Karti Chidambaram was arrested on February 28, 2018. He was later granted bail. The ED probe so far showed that for the FIPB approval, INX Media directors Peter and Indrani Mukerjea met P Chidambaram so that there was no delay in their application. The ED has attached properties worth Rs 54 crore belonging to Karti Chidambaram and a firm in connection with the case. It has also attached properties belonging to the Mukherjea's in connection with the same case. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected a review plea filed by twenty-one Opposition parties seeking a direction to increase Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) verification from five to at least 50 per cent of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) during the counting of votes at the end of the ongoing elections. A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi said it was not inclined to modify its order where it had directed the Election Commission to increase VVPAT verification from the system of one EVM to five EVMs randomly selected in each Assembly constituency or Assembly segment in a parliamentary seat. Senior Congress leader and advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing on behalf of the opposition parties, told the bench that VVPAT verification should be increased to at least 25 per cent of EVMs. "We had earlier filed a petition, and today a review petition by 21 parties of India regarding increasing the VVPAT counting sample. The court has dismissed our plea today. We respect the court but we just want to make the electorate aware of the issue at hand," Singhvi told reporters here. The Congress leader also raised a few contentions on the top court's order. "The first point is that the court gave us a five-time increase in the VVPAT count in our first petition. The second point is that the court order of April 8 notes that it is important to undertake confidence-building measures which translate to a viable number being achieved in auto sample check," he contended. "The principal point in our review petition today was that having accepted our principle, the court has increased the number in a manner which has no real-life or practical application. All we are saying is that although we want an increase to 50 per cent, you may increase to at least 25 per cent," he added. "We beseech the court to increase the VVPAT count by a substantial margin. Through our senior leaders, we want to inform the electorate about the matter," he submitted. The EC had earlier submitted in an affidavit to the top court, based on a study by the Indian Statistical Institute, that the confidence level would not vary by a substantial margin if the number of VVPAT count is increased from the current level. The confidence level for the current scenario lies around 99 per cent and thus the EC contends that the current system is good enough. Five phases of elections now stand completed, while two phases of polls are scheduled for May 12 and 19. Results will be declared on May 23. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pickiing on Prime Minister Narendar Modi's criticism of the UPA government's MNREGA scheme, Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to show respect while talking about the poor. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi, you have insulted MNREGA. You said in Parliament that Congress made people dig holes while the scheme provided employment to lakhs and crore of people. You should pay respect while you talk about poor and don't disrespect them," he said addressing an election rally here. He was referring to Mahatma Gandhi Rural Employment Guarantee (MNREGA) scheme, the flagship programme of UPA which he alleged was 'ignored' by the NDA government at the centre. He alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given 5 lakh 55 thousand crores to 15 influential persons which he 'looted' from people pocket by 'imposing demonetization'. "Put your hand in your pockets, take out your wallet and you will come to know that Narendra Modi has taken your money. Tribal brothers and sisters, see your 'jungle', 'Jal' and ''Zameen', Narendra Modi has given your 'jungle', 'Jal' and ''Zameen' to Anil Ambani," Gandhi told the people. He also alleged that none of the BJP government has ever returned land procured by the industrialist from the tribals even after the industry was not set up. On the contrary, Gandhi said the Congress government in Chhattisgarh had returned the land to the tribals that was acquired by the Tata when BJP was in power in the state. "In Chhattisgarh, Tata acquired the land of Tribal, it was given to the BJP. In 5 years they failed to establish any factory or industry there. Congress Chief Minister decided to return the land and returned it back to the Tribal of Bastar," said Rahul Gandhi. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) All the terrorists involved in the Easter Sunday bombings that left 257 people dead have been either arrested or killed, the Sri Lankan police claimed while assuring that the country could now go back to normalcy. Addressing a press conference here on Monday night, Sri Lanka's acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) CD Wickremarante said that among those killed were two bomb experts, reported Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka). The acting IGP also claimed that the police and security forces have seized all explosives possessed by terrorist groups. Police spokesperson Ruwan Gunasekera had earlier said the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) seized assets worth more than 7 billion rupees belonging to the local terror outfit National Thorheed Jamath (NTJ), reported Colombo Page. Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan government has lifted the ban on social media platforms, which was imposed as a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of false information following the act of communal violence between ethnic Sinhalese group and minority Muslims. On April 21, eight coordinated explosions jolted Sri Lankan cities of Colombo, Negombo, Kochchikede, and Batticaloa as the Christian community celebrated Easter. The attacks left 257 people dead and several hundred others injured. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US President Donald Trump is trying to provoke the Democrats to impeach him as he wants to "solidify" his base ahead of the 2020 election, said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Tuesday. "Trump is goading us to impeach him. That's what he's doing. Every single day, he's just like, taunting, taunting and taunting, just because he knows that it would be very divisive in the country. But he doesn't really care. He just wants to solidify his base," The Hill quoted Pelosi as saying while speaking in an event. Pelosi made the comments after Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin had turned down a request by the House Democrats' to make Trump's personal tax returns public. "I am informing you now that the Department may not lawfully fulfil the Committee's request," Mnuchin wrote in his one-page letter on Monday. The letter came after Mnuchin missed two deadlines in the last month to divulge taxes details. Mnuchin had said that the request by the Democrats is "unprecedented" arguing that it raises "serious constitutional questions" that could have "dire consequences" for taxpayer privacy. After becoming a presidential candidate in 2016, Trump has refused to release any details of his tax returns. This prompted the Democrats to knock the doors of Treasury Department, demanding it to divulge Trump's tax information, suspecting that there could be some evidence of possible wrongdoings by the 72-year-old leader. Meanwhile, Trump contradicted Attorney General William Barr's statement last week that Special Counsel Robert Mueller "should not testify" on his investigation into alleged Russian collusion in 2016 presidential polls. While Mueller found no Russian collusion in Trump's campaign for 2016 presidential elections during his 22-month long investigation, he fell short of completely exonerating the incumbent US President when it came to obstruction of justice, Barr had said while releasing the redacted report last month. US House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler has scheduled a vote for Wednesday (May 8) to hold Barr in contempt of Congress after the latter failed to adhere to a deadline to furnish Mueller's full and unredacted report on alleged Russian collusion in 2016 presidential election. The contempt vote is scheduled to be held at 10 am (local time). (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Two Reuters journalists, who were convicted and jailed in Myanmar for breaking the Official Secrets Act, were freed on Tuesday after spending more than 500 days behind bars. Wa Lone, 33, and Kyaw Soe Oo,29, were convicted in September and sentenced to seven years imprisonment, Al Jazeera reported. "I am a journalist and I am going to continue. I can't wait to go to my newsroom," said Wa. "We are enormously pleased that Myanmar has released our courageous reporters," Reuters editor-in-chief Stephen Adler said in a statement. "Since their arrests 511 days ago, they have become symbols of the importance of press freedom around the We welcome their return," he said. The duo was among the 6,250 prisoners who were pardoned under a presidential amnesty by Myanmar President Win Myint. It is customary of the Myanmar authorities to free prisoners during their traditional New Year, which began on April 17. The two journalists were taken into custody in December 2017 while they were working on a story into the killing of 10 Rohingya Muslim men and boys by security forces and Buddhist civilians in western Myanmar's Rakhine State during an army crackdown that began in August 2017. They were jailed by a Yangon court for the breach of the official secrets law. However, the accused journalists maintained that neither of them had done anything wrong. The report the two men authored, featuring testimony from perpetrators, witnesses and families of the victims, was awarded this year's Pulitzer Prize for international reporting. Their conviction sparked an outcry from diplomats and human rights advocates and raised questions over Myanmar's progress toward democracy. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Ambassador Intra Holdings announced that the Board has accepted the resignation of Loonia Associates, Chartered Accountants, Ahmedabad, Statutory Auditor of the Company, who had resigned vide letter dated 01 May 2019 from the Post of a Statutory Auditor of the Company with immediate effect. The Board of Directors in their meeting has appointed Jaymin D. Shah & Co., Chartered Accountants as a Statutory Auditor of the Company with effect from 07th May 2019 for the FY 2018-19 and onwards. 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 Apollo Tyres Ltd is quoting at Rs 196.9, down 0.08% on the day as on 13:24 IST on the NSE. The stock tumbled 31.89% in last one year as compared to a 8.27% rally in NIFTY and a 27.68% fall in the Nifty Auto index. Apollo Tyres Ltd fell for a fifth straight session today. The stock is quoting at Rs 196.9, down 0.08% on the day as on 13:24 IST on the NSE. The benchmark NIFTY is up around 0.05% on the day, quoting at 11604.3. The Sensex is at 38648.61, up 0.13%.Apollo Tyres Ltd has eased around 10.54% in last one month.Meanwhile, Nifty Auto index of which Apollo Tyres Ltd is a constituent, has eased around 2.99% in last one month and is currently quoting at 8268.45, up 0.04% on the day. The volume in the stock stood at 7.01 lakh shares today, compared to the daily average of 23 lakh shares in last one month. The benchmark May futures contract for the stock is quoting at Rs 197.75, down 0.45% on the day. Apollo Tyres Ltd tumbled 31.89% in last one year as compared to a 8.27% rally in NIFTY and a 27.68% fall in the Nifty Auto index. The PE of the stock is 14.4 based on TTM earnings ending December 18. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Australian share market closed slight higher on Tuesday, 07 May 2019, as investors chased for bottom fishing following heavy losses in recent sessions and on hopes that the US and China could still strike a trade deal. However, market gave up some of early gains after the Reserve Bank's decision to keep rates on hold for a record 33rd month. Most of ASX sectors inclined, with materials and resources particularly iron ore miners being notable gainers after a court ordered a halt in operations at a Vale mine in Brazil. At closing bell, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index stumbled 52.07 points, or 0.82%, at 6,283.73 points, while the broader All Ordinaries dropped 57.35 points, or 0.89%, at 6,369.85. Local market fell into a sea of red on Monday on renewed US-China trade war fears. Early Sunday, President Trump tweeted that he would raise tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods to 25% from the current 10%. Materials shares gained, with iron ore miners being notable gainers after a court ordered a halt in operations at a Vale mine in Brazil. Brazilian miner Vale SA said that a court had ordered it to halt operations at its Brucutu iron ore mining complex, reversing a lower court decision that had allowed the mines activities to resume. Shares of major iron ore miners BHP Group, Rio Tinto and Fortescue Metals advanced 1.5%, 2.7% and 5.9%, respectively. Bellamy's (BAL) rebounded 2% after slumping by 7% on Monday as competitor Bubs Australia (BUB) announced a key partnership and a new product range which it expects to hit shelves in three months. Graincorp (GNC) was down 6.4% after a A$2.38bn takeover offer for the grain handler launched late last year has been withdrawn by Long-Term Asset Partners. ECONOMIC NEWS: Seasonally adjusted retail spending rose 0.3% to $27.37 billion in March 2019, following a rise of 0.9% in February, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics data released on Tuesday. CURRENCY: The Australian dollar was up against the U. S. dollar on Tuesday, after the RBA held the cash rate at 1.5% on Tuesday but hinted a cut was possible if unemployment did not fall at a faster rate. The Australian dollar was quoted at 70.36 US cents, from 69.91 US cents on Monday. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Turkish top election body's decision for a do-over election in Istanbul is an "important step in strengthening Turkey's democracy, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said. "We see this decision of the Turkish Supreme Election Council (YSK), which will remove the shadow over Istanbul elections, an important step in strengthening Turkey's democracy," the Turkish leader said during his address to lawmakers of his ruling AKP at a parliamentary group meeting. There is no such thing that AK Party does not accept the result that comes out from the ballot box," Anadolu Agency cited him as saying. "We sincerely believe organized corruption, utter lawlessness and irregularity occurred in the Istanbul elections," Erdogan added. The Turkish Supreme Election Council's decision to re-run elections in Istanbul gave rise to mixed reactions in the world. Brussels said that it goes against the core aim of a democratic electoral process, according to the statement from EU High Representative Federica Mogherini and European Commissioner Johannes Hahn. They underlined that ensuring a free, fair and transparent election process is essential to any democracy and is at the heart of the European Unions relations with Turkey. In the statement it was stressed that it is important that the Istanbul election boards can carry out their work in an independent, open and transparent manner, and in compliance with international election norms and standards to guarantee the full credibility of the election process. The diplomats stressed that the Turkish authorities undermine the electoral process to which the Turkish people have shown their commitment by casting their votes in very large number as well as Turkeys commitments as member of the Council of Europe. In addition, Mogherini and Hahn expressed hope that Ankara will extend their invitation to international observers to observe the re-run elections. German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said that the decision to scrap the result of a vote for Istanbuls mayor is neither transparent nor comprehensible, stressing that Turkish voters alone must decide on the mayors office. "Basic democratic principles and transparent election rules are paramount," the German diplomat said. The Turkish Foreign Ministry called on to respect the decision to cancel the Istanbul polls that was made in accordance with the law. "We do not accept politically-motivated criticism by some of our foreign interlocutors regarding this decision and the Supreme Election Council. Turkey has proven its democratic maturity. The decision of the independent Supreme Election Council aims at ensuring the manifestation of the will of the electorate without any doubt, the ministry stressed. Ekrem Imamoglu, the opposition candidate who narrowly won the March 31 election, announced on Tuesday that he would run again, and rallied his supporters by retweeting a message from his partys Twitter account that said, We will win again. Turkeys Supreme Election Council announced yesterday that a do-over election in Istanbul will be held on June 23. AK Party's YSK representative Recep Ozel said that the decision was taken as some presiding officers and polling staffs, who are supposed to be civil servants as per Turkish law, served during the elections. The mayoral certificate of the main opposition Republican Peoples Party's (CHP) Ekrem Imamoglu has also been cancelled by the council./ The head of the political research of the Center for Modern Turkish Studies, Yuri Mavashev, speaking with the correspondent of Vestnik Kavkaza, noted that the revision of the Istanbul elections and their cancellation by the CEC was a purely political decision. "The results of this step are very doubtful. It can be explained why Erdogan, despite his understanding of the unpopularity of such a decision, allowed a review of the election. Pressure was exerted on him from his main political ally, leader of the Nationalist Movement Party Devlet Bahceli, the president took an uncompromising stance after consulting with him. The MHP role is confirmed by the attack of radical supporters of the pro-presidential alliance against leader of the Republican People's Party Kemal Klcdaroglu in Cubuk district," he said. There are funds recruiting young supporters to the Justice and Development Party in Istanbul, the most famous of which is Ensar. These funds did not want to lose financial privileges after Imamoglus intention to stop financing them from the city budget appeared in the media, since it is simply illegal (according to some data, the Istanbul city administration spent about $57 million to support them in 2017-2018). And they also put pressure on Erdogan. I am convinced that it wasn't just the personal desire of the president, because then he would have taken a strong stand from the very beginning," Yuri Mavashev stressed. As a result, Erdogan as a politician demonstrated the weakness and dependence by taking this decision. The AKP and Erdogan always insisted on respecting the results of the elections in the country, but now they refused their own words. Now it will lead to rallying the oppositions ranks. I dont think that he himself is delighted with this decision, being a far-sighted politician, the president understands how dangerous it is. But, apparently, his allies did not leave him a choice," the political scientist concluded. HDFC Bank said that its board will consider stock split on 22 May 2019. The board will mull a proposal to split one equity share of face value of Rs 2 each into two equity shares of face value of Re 1 each. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 6 May 2019. On a consolidated basis, Bharti Airtel's net profit rose 29.31% to Rs 107.20 crore on 6.23% increase in net sales to Rs 20,602.20 crore in Q4 March 2019 over Q4 March 2018. The result was announced after market hours yesterday, 6 May 2019. ICICI Bank's net profit fell 4.99% to Rs 969.06 crore on 4.87% increase in total income to Rs 20,913.82 crore in Q4 March 2019 over Q4 March 2018. The result was announced after market hours yesterday, 6 May 2019. On a consolidated basis, Marico's net profit rose 121.31% to Rs 405 crore on 8.72% increase in net sales to Rs 1,609 crore in Q4 March 2019 over Q4 March 2018. The result was announced after market hours yesterday, 6 May 2019. Astec Lifesciences said that its board reviewed the proposed amalgamation of the company with Godrej Agrovet. The board has decided not to pursue the scheme of amalgamation further at this time, on the basis of its interaction with multiple stakeholders across the company and Godrej Agrovet. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 6 May 2019. Lemon Tree Hotels announced opening a hotel under brand name 'Red Fox Hotel' at Alwar, Rajasthan. This is the company's second managed hotel in the region. The hotel has 49 rooms with a conference facility, multi cuisine coffee shop, bar, fitness center etc. With this, the firm operates 56 hotels, including managed properties across 33 cities in India. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 6 May 2019. PNC Infratech announced execution of a share purchase agreement (SPA) for sale of 35% stake held by the company along with its wholly owned subsidiary - PNC Infra Holdings - in Ghaziabad Aligarh Expressway, the concessionaire (SPV) for 'four laning of Ghaziabad-Aligarh Section of NH-91 BOT (toll) project in Uttar Pradesh along with the other partners of SPV, with Cube Highways and Infrastructure on 4 May 2019. Total enterprise value (EV) of the sale is Rs 1834 crore subject to adjustments of debt and other capital and operational costs at the closing date. The company's share of 35% equity translates to sale consideration of Rs 270 crore. In addition to this the company would be able to recover its outstanding EPC receivables from SPV along with certain closing adjustments, which would likely to result into total cash inflow of over Rs 300 crore for the company. The cash flows that would be released upon the proposed disinvestment are expected augment financial resources of the company for funding its present and future projects. The proposed divestment would also reduce the company's overall debt by Rs 1070 crore as of 31 December 2018. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 6 May 2019. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Hong Kong share market closed slight higher on Tuesday, 07 May 2019, tracking gains on the Mainland A-Share market after reports that Beijing trade negotiators were preparing to go to Washington despite President Donald Trump's threat to escalate their tariff war and U. S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said talks would start Thursday. At closing bell, the Hang Seng Index added 0.52%, or 153.20 points, to 29,363.02. The Hang Seng China Enterprises Index rose 0.24%, or 27.39 points, to 11,261.05. An official confirmation that Chinese Vice-Premier Liu He will visit the US this week for a fresh round of trade talks soothes jittery sentiment. Investors waited to see how Beijing would respond to fresh tariffs threats from U. S. President Donald Trump, which have thrown trade talks between the two sides into doubt. The world's two largest economies are expected to continue talks on Thursday and Friday in Washington for negotiations aimed at ending the tit-for-tat tariff war, U. S. media reported. Markets are watching closely to see if China will still send top negotiator Vice Premier Liu He to Washington this week for further discussions, after Trump unexpectedly announced he will hike U. S. tariffs on Chinese goods from Friday and impose new levies soon. US President Donald Trump dramatically increased pressure on China to reach a trade deal on Sunday by announcing he will hike tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods this week and target hundreds of billions more soon. The announcement via Twitter marks a major shift in tone from Trump, who has cited good progress in the talks and praised his relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The tweets upended the previously calm market mood that had benefited from signs of improving economic growth in China and the United States, and from comments from Trump and other senior U. S. officials that trade talks were going well. Blue chips were mixed. HSBC (00005) edged up 0.9% to HK$68.7. HKEX (00388) softened 0.3% to HK$265.2. Tencent (00700) jumped 1.4% to HK$380.8. China Mobile (00941) dipped 0.6% to HK$73.45. AIA (01299) gained 1.7% to HK$81.8. Shares of energy companies advanced after crude oil prices rebounded on rising tension between the US and Iran. CNOOC (00883) added 3.1% to HK$13.9. PetroChina (00857) slipped 0.4% to HK$4.77. Sinopec (00386) shed 0.2% to HK$5.87. Shares of consumer staples were mixed, with Want Want China rising 1.6% to HK$6.33. Uni-President China (00220) gained 2.7% to HK$7.2. COFCO Meat (01610) dipped 3.4% to HK$3.09. China Yurun Food (01068) slipped 2.2% to HK$1.32. Shares of pharmaceutical counters saw buying support after yesterday's slump. Shanghai Pharmaceuticals (02607) jumped 1.7% to HK$16. Sino Biopharmaceutical (01177) rose 0.7% to HK$7.38. Genscript Biotech (01548) shot up 2.9% to HK$19.7. Sinopharm Group (01099) put on 1.6% to HK$31. 3SBio Inc (01530) soared 2.9% to HK$14.34. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Key indices trimmed gains in morning trade after an initial upmove. At 10:26 IST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, was up 83.93 points or 0.22% at 38,684.27. The Nifty 50 index was up 10.55 points or 0.09% at 11,608.80. Key benchmark indices edged higher in early trade on buying demand in index pivotals. The S&P BSE Mid-Cap index was up 0.38%. The S&P BSE Small-Cap index was up 0.32%. The market breadth, indicating the overall health of the market, was positive. On the BSE, 1041 shares rose and 749 shares fell. A total of 103 shares were unchanged. Vedanta (up 1.65%), Hindustan Unilever (up 1.39%), Power Grid Corporation of India (up 1.37%), Infosys (up 1.15%) and Hero MotoCorp (up 1.03%) edged higher from the Sensex pack. Reliance Industries (down 1.09%), IndusInd Bank (down 0.87%), ICICI Bank (down 0.73%), HCL Technologies (down 0.55%) and ITC (down 0.44%) edged lower from the Sensex pack. Astec Lifesciences lost 4.04%. Astec Lifesciences said that its board reviewed the proposed amalgamation of the company with Godrej Agrovet. The board has decided not to pursue the scheme of amalgamation further at this time, on the basis of its interaction with multiple stakeholders across the company and Godrej Agrovet. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 6 May 2019. Overseas, Asian stocks were mixed Tuesday amid renewed tensions between the U.S. and China after Washington said tariffs on Chinese goods will rise on Friday. US stocks closed on Monday with tepid losses in the three major indexes, with much of their striking slumps earlier gradually eroded throughout the day. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) On 07 May 2019 Piramal Enterprises announced that the Company signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB), a Canadian pension fund, to co-sponsor a renewable energy focused Infrastructure Investment Trust (InvIT). With an initial corpus of US$ 600 million, and the option to scale further, the InvIT would seek to acquire up to 1.5-2GW of stable and cash generating renewables assets on a hold-to-maturity basis, with a firm focus on diversification of both asset type as well as off-taker profile. Both PEL and CPPIB will act as Co-Sponsors of the proposed InvIT and hold up to 75% of the units (with CPPIB committing US$360m and holding up to 60%; PEL committing US$90m and holding 15% ) and seek to raise capital from other like-minded investors for the remaining 25%. I Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The much-awaited network trial for 5G services in the country is slated to start from June, with a Telecom Ministry panel recommending spectrum for the test run to the incumbent telcos for a three-month period. The panel which deliberated on the quantum and duration of the spectrum trial has recommended 5G spectrum to Airtel, Vodafone Idea and Reliance Jio initially for three months, which can be scaled up to one year in case they need more time for network stabilisation. The three equipment vendors who have got the green signal from the panel are Samsung, Nokia and Ericsson, sources said. The allocation will take place in the next 15 days and telcos could start intial 5G run in June itself. The network trial licenses will be issued in a few days' time. As of now, Jio is likely to partner with Samsung, Nokia with Airtel and VIL with Ericsson for the trial. The Department of Telecom so far has not taken any call on Chinese company Huawei if it will be part of the trial for any telecom services company. After 5G trial takes place, the spectrum auction comes up in October where telcos will be in better position to judge the network requirements and shortcomings. By the time the telcos start the trial, it may be July-August, they said. If this is the tentative timeline of 5G trial, then spectrum auction may take place September onwards, the sources added. --IANS ana/sn/nir (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) As the BJP gears up for a public rally by Narendra Modi here on Wednesday, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Tuesday threw five questions at the Prime Minister and "hoped" he will answer the public. AAP leader and Delhi convenor Gopal Rai said Modi should tell the people of the national capital what his central government and the seven Lok Sabha MPs elected in 2014 had done for Delhi during the last five years. Rai said being the ruling party at the Centre for five years, the BJP should have presented its report card to the people of Delhi. Instead, "the BJP could not even come out with its Delhi manifesto or a vision document". Listing the questions, Rai said Modi promised to give full statehood to Delhi from the same Ramlila Maidan in the Lok Sabha elections in 2014. "Five years have passed. Why have you not fulfilled your promise? Will you apologize to the people of Delhi for not fulfilling the promise?" He also said the people of Delhi were giving Rs 1.5 lakh crore as tax to the central government but in return "the Central government only gives Rs 325 crore for the development of Delhi... Is it not unfair to the people of Delhi?" Putting the third question, Rai said the people of Delhi reposed full faith in the BJP by electing all its candidates in the 2014 Lok Sabha election. "Then why did you and your government indulge in such step-motherly treatment towards Delhi?" He added that traders and businesses in the national capital were ruined due to sealing. "Being the Prime Minister of the country, why did you remain silent and did not speak a word on sealing?" Finally, Rai said the BJP had come out with a Delhi specific manifesto in 2014 in which it promised full statehood for Delhi. "Why has your party shied away from bringing any manifesto for Delhi?" Rai asked. --IANS nks/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe wants to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-un without conditions to resolve mutual mistrust and sort out ongoing bilateral issues, a government spokesperson said on Tuesday. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told reporters that Abe has discussed the possibility of meeting Kim "unconditionally", which showed the Prime Minister's "clear determination" to hold a summit to resolve issues of primary interest for Japan. Abe had earlier signalled the shift in Japan's position in an interview with local newspaper Sankei, published on May 2. Suga explained the reason behind Abe changing his stand as the Prime Minister had so far rejected the possibility of a dialogue with the North Korean leader. The official said the only way to "break the current mutual distrust" was for Abe to hold unconditional talks with Kim, Efe news reported. The Japanese Prime Minister specifically intended to discuss with Kim of Pyongyang's nuclear and missile programmes and above all the kidnappings of Japanese citizens carried by North Korea decades ago. At least 17 Japanese citizens were kidnapped by North Korea between 1977 and 1987, according to Tokyo. Five of them have already returned to Japan while one more was located in Pyongyang. But there have been no signs of the others, according to North Korea's official position. Clarification over the kidnappings and the possible return of victims is one of the main political agendas of Abe, and has been part of the discussions held between Japanese representatives and leaders of other countries in order to maintain international pressure on North Korea, the report said. Since Kim and US President Donald Trump held their first meeting in Singapore in June 2018, Abe has expressed the wish to meet Kim many times, but has not received any response from Pyongyang until now. The dialogue process between Washington and Pyongyang regarding the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula has been stuck since the second bilateral summit in February ended abruptly, leaving behind a delicate situation even as North Korea tested new short-range missiles on Saturday. --IANS soni/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Armenia-U.S. strategic dialogue meeting is underway at the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Armenian delegation is led by Deputy Foreign Minister Grigor Hovhannisyan, and the U.S. delegation - by the Deputy Assistant Secretary in the European and Eurasian Bureau at the U.S. Department of State, George Kent. The meeting will be followed by summing up its results, a ceremony of signing documents and a briefing, News.am reported. Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Tuesday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his remarks on his predecessor, the late Rajiv Gandhi. "The Prime Minister has absolutely no decency in him as he has not spared even a man who was no more and who could no longer defend himself, which was completely against India's traditional values and ethics," he said at an election meeting here. Instead of indulging in self-praise, Modi and his BJP should think about the problems which people, especially farmers and youth, were facing, he added. Terming as "arrogant" Akali Dal President Sukhbir Badal and his wife and Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur, Amarinder Singh made a scathing attack, in their own constituencies, on the couple who "needed to be taught a lesson in these elections for their attempts to divide the state on communal lines". Addressing elections rallies in Sukhbir Badal's Ferozepur and Harsimat Kaur's Bathinda constituencies for Congress candidates, Shamsher Singh Ghubaya and Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, respectively, he asked the people to defeat such leaders who used Punjab and their power for promoting their own vested interests and not for the state's welfare. Accusing the Badals of making hotels and acquiring properties at the cost of people during their tenure, Amarinder Singh said that even now, he had heard that Akali leaders were threatening people not to vote for the Congress and asked the crowd for the names of the trouble-makers. "I know how to set them right, I know how to put the Badals in their place," he said amidst loud cheers. "If they (Badals) and other Akali leaders like Bikram Singh Majithia think they can go around scaring people into voting for the Akali Dal, they are mistaken," said Amarinder Singh, adding that muscle power and arm-twisting does not work in a democracy. They will all be taught a lesson in these elections, he said. Punjab has been through bad times, which the Badals tried to further aggravate with their divisive agenda and attempts to create hatred through by allowing acts of sacrilege, he added. While the Badals had resorted to sacrilege to try and divide Punjab, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was striving to rip apart the nation's secular fabric, the Chief Minister said, adding the BJP and their allies were out to divide India on religious lines. Punjab will vote for the 13 Lok Sabha seats on May 19 in the last phase of the elections. --IANS vg/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) BJP President Amit Shah on Tuesday flayed Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra for comparing Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Duryodhan, the evil prince from Mahabharata, and said the Lok Sabha poll results on May 23 will determine whether Modi is Duryodhan or Arjun (the protagonist of Mahabharata). "Priyanka Gandhi has compared Modi ji with Duryodhan. People of the country will decide who is Duryadhan and who is Arjun on May 23. Priyanka ji, do not worry, people will tell you whether Modi ji is Duryodan or Arjun," Shah said at an election rally in Bengal's Midnapore. While addressing a rally in Ambala in Haryana earlier in the day, Vadra used the Mahabharata analogy to hit back at Prime Minister Modi over his "Bhrashtachari (corrupt) No. 1" jibe at her father Rajiv Gandhi and said: "Modi is as arrogant as Duryodhan". Taking a swipe at the parties in the opposition Grand Alliance, Shah said here that its leaders have abused and insulted Modi more than 51 times in the run-up to the 2019 elections. "The alliance partners have abused Modi ji more than 51 times so far," he said. "Congress leaders like Pawan Khera compared Modi ji with Osama Bin Laden, Vijayashanthi termed him a terrorist, Mallikarjuna Kharge called him Hitlar, while Sanjay Nirupam ridiculed him as a village dweller. Are these not insults to a Prime Minister?" "If a former Prime Minister is insulted, the Congress leaders get shaken but when the present Prime Minister is insulted they do not utter a word of protest," he added. Shah also backed Modi's comments about former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, saying referring to true incidents cannot be termed as insults towards someone and asked Congress President Rahul Gandhi to clarify why incidents like the Bofors defence deal case or the Bhopal gas tragedy happened when his father was in the Prime Minister's seat. "Rahul Gandhi is saying that his father has been insulted. Tell me, can reminding someone about the truth be termed as an insult?" Shah asked the audience at the rally. "Modi ji said that the Bofors scandal happened during the tenure of Rajiv Gandhi. Did he say anything wrong? Rahul Gandhi should tell the people whether the Bofors scam, Bhopal gas tragedy, the Shanti Sena blunder and the genocide of Kashmiri pandits took place during the time when his father was the Prime Minister or not," he added. --IANS mgr/bc (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The convoy of two prominent BJP leaders - Assam Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and party's West Bengal President Dilip Ghosh - was attacked by alleged Trinamool Congress-backed goons in East Midnapore district on Tuesday but both were unhurt. The incident happened when Ghosh was going to Khejuri with the convoy after doing a roadshow in Nandigram. According to Bharatiya Janata Party leaders, the convoy was attacked soon after it crossed the Tekhali bridge and reached Tentultala in Khejuri. Some bikes in the convoy were damaged and some BJP workers beaten up by the assailants. "Two cars have been completed broken down. TMC goons surrounded the convoy from all sides," a BJP source said. Neither Ghosh, nor Sarma were injured in the attack and a large police contingent rushed to the area and controlled the situation. Eyewitnesses said the trouble first sparked off during the roadshow at Kunjapur in Kanthi, when some BJP activists were beaten up. But local Trinamool leaders alleged that BJP supporters had attacked the vehicle of its local lawmaker Ranjit Mondal. Condemning the attack on her party leaders, Union Mnister Nirmala Sitharaman alleged they were not given any police protection. "Dilip Ghosh is our state president. Himanta Biswa Sarma is a minister of Assam. But still, they did not get any police help. "TMC criminals, syndicates, attacked our leaders. This is against the law, and an example of the dictatorship in the state," said Sitharaman, who is in the state for campaigning. On the other hand, veteran Trinamool leader and former Union Minister Sisir Adhikari accused the BJP of trying to foment trouble through provocation. "They are provoking us. I don't know whether they had any party programme. Now they have fled," Adhikari, who is contesting the Kanthi Lok Sabha seat, said. The attack on the two BJP leaders came a day after two BJP candidates were attacked during the fifth phase of Lok Sabha elections in the state. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from Barrackpore, Arjun Singh, suffered injuries on his face after being allegedly attacked by Trinamool supporters, while the car of the party's nominee from Hooghly, Locket Chatterjee, was vandalised by Trinamool workers. --IANS ssp/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday lodged a complaint with the Election Commission (EC) alleging that the West Bengal government is planning to scuttle the public rallies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A BJP team led by Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Bhupender Yadav and Satya Pal Singh submitted the complaint to the EC here. Talking to the media, Yadav said the state government is pressurising the district administration to scuttle the rallies of Prime Minister in Purulia and Bankura on Thursday. Yadav said the EC has taken note of the complaint and assured that it would look into the matter seriously. The BJP leader said that they have also lodged a complaint regarding violation of the model code of conduct (MCC) by Congress President Rahul Gandhi between March 13 and April 27. Accusing the EC of not taking up the complaints lodged by the BJP, Yadav said out of 11 complaints, notice has been issued in only one, and added that Rahul Gandhi has repeatedly violated the MCC. On the Opposition meeting the Election Commission over electronic voting machine (EVM) Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said the opposition approaching the EC with EVM issue only shows that the opposition has already accepted defeat, even before the results. Naqvi said that the opposition going to the Supreme Court and demanding return of paper ballet was like going back from tube light to the era of lanterns. An opposition team led by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu also met the EC on the EVM-VVPAT issue. --IANS rin/nir (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) China has rejected US accusations of operating "concentration camps" in its Xinjiang region, with a government spokesman telling Washington to "stop interfering in Chinese domestic affairs". Speaking at his daily press briefing on Monday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said claims of concentration camps in Xinjiang were "simply not true" and claimed the mass camps were set up to "combat terrorism", reports CNN. "We urge the relevant US individual to respect the fact, abandon bias, exercise prudence in words and deeds, stop interfering in China's domestic affairs and earnestly contribute to mutual trust and cooperation between us," he said. China's response comes after US Assistant Secretary of Defence Randall Schriver on May 3 said that as many as three million Muslim-majority Uyghur ethnic community may be held inside the massive Chinese government camps. "The Communist Party is using the security forces for mass imprisonment of Chinese Muslims in concentration camps," Schriver said. In recent years, the Chinese government has detained large numbers of Uyghurs in what former detainees describe as re-education centres with prison-like conditions, aimed at eradicating Uyghur cultural and religious practices and instilling Communist Party propaganda, CNN reported. However, Beijing has repeatedly denied the Uyghur citizens are being held in such large numbers and against their will, calling the camps instead "vocational education training centres". China has been under increasing pressure in the past six months to shut down its mass camps in Xinjiang. Even China's diplomatic partner Turkey labelled the camps a "great shame for humanity" in February. --IANS ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) China on Tuesday said it will send its top trade negotiator Li Hu to the US for talks despite Washington's breaking the truce amid the ongoing trade war by deciding to increase tariffs on the Chinese imports worth $200 billion. The Chinese Commerce Ministry said Liu will be in Washington on Thursday and Friday as scheduled to hold talks with US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. The Chinese Foreign Ministry said slapping tariffs on each other was no solution to the on-going trade spat. "China hopes that the US will work with Beijing to resolve each other's concerns," Ministry's spokesperson Geng Shuang said at a press briefing. China was said to be having second thoughts on its scheduled talks with the US this week after Trump announced that his administration would hike the tariffs from 10 per cent to 25 per cent on Chinese imports worth $200 billion. The move is being described as a blow to the ongoing parleys between the two largest economies to end their trade war. Beijing and Washington have been locked in a bruising trade war since July last year after Trump slapped an additional 25 per cent on an initial $50 billion of Chinese goods. Trump followed it through with another 10 per cent on an additional $200 billion in products in September. It is the levies imposed in September last year that Trump has now threatened to increase to 25 per cent from Friday. This may scuttle the progress both sides have claimed to make in preventing the spat to worsen, a scenario that could impede the world's economic recovery. --IANS gsh/soni/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The US' Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has warned Norway that a prominent Arab activist who is living in the country under asylum protection is facing a potential threat from Saudi Arabia, the media reported on Tuesday. Pro-democracy activist Iyad el-Baghdadi is a vocal critic of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and is a Palestinian-born writer who is active on Twitter. He gained prominence during the Arab spring when he began tweeting about the Egyptian uprising. His English translations of Arabic tweets and sarcastic takedowns of autocratic leaders gained him tens of thousands of Twitter followers. He was granted political asylum in Norway in 2015, after his arrest and expulsion from the United Arab Emirates, which forced him to leave without any formal charges or trial. Since then, the Saudi Crown Prince has been a frequent subject of criticism for the writer. The revelation comes less than a year after the murder of Saudi journalist and columnist for the Washington Post Jamal Khashoggi, who was killed inside the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul in October 2018. The murder caused international outrage and provoked condemnation of the 33-year-old crown prince who is said to be behind the killing. According to the Guardian, El-Baghdadi was alerted to the threat on April 25 , when Norwegian authorities arrived at his doorstep, took him to a secure location and warned him he was in possible danger from an unspecified threat emanating from the kingdom. The activist was told the threat had been passed on to Norwegian authorities by a foreign intelligence agency, which the Guardian said was the CIA. "The way I understood it was, the Saudis have a crosshairs on me, but there is no idea of what they are going to do," El-Baghdadi told the daily over the phone. "They assured me that they are taking it very seriously. They came prepared," he said, noting that authorities had arrived with two squads: one to whisk him away and another to ensure they were not being followed. Last year, after the murder of Khashoggi, El-Baghdadi warned on Twitter that Prince Mohammed would become more dangerous if he was not held to account by western allies. "If they get away with kidnapping the next step will be assassinations in your capitals, and I'm not joking even a little bit," El-Baghdadi had tweeted. He said the apparent threat meant he was effective: "If they don't want to kill me than I am not doing my job." The move by the CIA to alert Norwegian counterparts does not necessarily mean El-Baghdadi is in imminent and definite danger, the report said. The CIA declined to comment on the issue and so did the Norwegian police security service. --IANS soni/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Congress on Tuesday handed over the list of 21 lakh farmers whose loans the ruling party says it has waived off to former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Under the leadership of senior Congress leader and former Union Minister Suresh Pachauri, a large number of party workers reached Chouhan's residence in open jeeps where they gave him the list. Pachauri said the Congress had promised to waive off farmers' debt of upto Rs 2 lakh and the process was initiated soon after the party formed the government under the leadership of Kamal Nath. So far, 21 lakh farmers have benefitted under the Jai Jawan Jay Kisan Debt Waiver scheme before the model code of conduct came into force on March 10, he said. The Congress said that under the scheme, a total of 55 lakh farmers were eligible to avail its benefit. --IANS hindi-pg/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has seized properties worth Rs 1.46 crore including an apartment here and land in Haryana belonging to Delhi Minister Kailash Gahlot's brother Harish, an official said on Tuesday. The action was taken on charges of Harish Gahlot holding assets in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) equivalent to the amount of the seized properties in contravention of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). The agency initiated an investigation into the case under FEMA based on information received from the Income Tax Department about the transfer of Rs 1 crore from India to Dubai through the "hawala" channel last September for making advance payment towards the purchase of two flats there. According to the ED, Harish Gahlot had given Rs 1 crore in cash to his younger son Nitesh Gahlot, who is an NRI and is studying in Dubai, for sending the money through the unauthorised "hawala" channel. Nitesh Gahlot through his contact approached Inderpal Wadhawan, a Delhi-based "hawala" dealer for sending the money. "The 'hawala' dealer kept Rs 4 lakh with him as commission and illegally delivered Dirhams equivalent to Rs 96 lakhs in Dubai which was collected by a friend of Nitesh Gahlot and deposited into Nitesh's Dubai bank account. "Out of these funds, Nitesh Gahlot had made the payment to the Dubai-based developers for the booking of two flats in his name, his father Harish Gahlot, his mother and his elder brother," the ED said. Investigations also revealed that Harish Gahlot on September 26, 2018, had also sent Rs 50 lakh from his bank in India to Nitesh's account maintained in Dubai under the "Liberalized Remittance Scheme" for the purpose code "S0305 - Travel for Education Including Fees Hostel Expenses". However, the ED said, the amount was not used for the intended purpose but for the booking of two flats. --IANS rak/ksk/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Egypt's highest appeals court on Tuesday upheld the death sentence awarded to 13 people on charges of terrorist attacks. The appeals of 39 people were rejected by the Court of Cassation, official news agency MENA reported. The court also confirmed life sentences, an equivalent of 25 years in prison in Egypt, against 17 people. Other verdicts varied from 15 years to five years in prison. The defendants were found guilty of targeting security check points and police stations as well as planting explosive devices outside a university campus in December 2014 and the presidential palace the following month, Xinhua news agency reported. The case dates back to 2013, just after the Army-led ouster of former Islamist President Mohamed Morsi. The prosecutor said these people established a group named Egypt Soldiers which called for killing the ruler, assaulting police and armed forces institutions, murdering Christians and destroying churches. Their attacks on the security checkpoint at Cairo University killed a police officer, three soldiers and wounded several policemen, according to the prosecution. Hundreds of Morsi's loyalists and members of his outlawed Muslim Brotherhood have been subject to trials over charges of murder, espionage and terror. --IANS soni/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili will hold a meeting with Polish President Andrzej Duda in the framework of her official visit to Poland. The parties will discuss the strengthening of bilateral relations and cooperation in the framework of Georgia's European integration. Following the talks, a joint press conference of the two presidents is scheduled. In addition, the President of Georgia will take part in the 'Dialogue of Leaders: 10th Anniversary of the Eastern Partnership' conference. Zurabishvili will also meet with Georgian students and representatives of the Georgian diaspora in Poland, "Georgia Online reported. Gulf airline Emirates on Tuesday said it will serve one million dates at 'iftar' and 'suhoor' on board and on ground to passengers travelling from India to Dubai during the month-long Ramadan fasting. "Passengers travelling to Dubai from India during this period can enjoy our specially prepared iftar meals on board and on the ground in Dubai to mark the auspicious Ramadan fasting," said Emirates in a statement here. The holy month of Ramadan began in India on early Tuesday with pre-dawn meals (suhoor) and a day-long fasting which is broken at sunset with a sip of water and dates for a feast (iftar) in the company of family and friends. Passengers breaking fast on board will be offered iftar boxes with a nutritional meal. Each box consists of couscous salad and grilled chicken or moudardara and roasted chicken, sandwiches, spinach fatayer or tomato and onion fatayer, assorted sweets, dates, laban and water. "Over 150,000 iftar boxes will be served during the holy month, ensuring passengers are well catered for in addition to the usual meal services on board. The iftar box menus will be refreshed mid-Ramadan," said the airline. The special meals will be offered to fliers across cabin classes on flights that coincide with iftar times and those catering to Umrah groups travelling to Jeddah and Medina in Saudi Arabia during the Ramadan. Dates and water will also be offered at the boarding gates of select flights. To mark the end of Ramadan, fliers will be served sweets for Eid from June 4-6 on select flights. --IANS fb/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Essar Steel's majority shareholder Essar Steel Asia Holdings (ESAHL) on Tuesday moved the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) seeking the rejection of ArcelorMittal's bid to buy out the company. "Lakshmi Mittal and Arcelor Mittal India Ltd (AM) had conspired to suppress vital facts and misled the Committee of Creditors, the Supreme Court and the appellate tribunal into believing that Lakshmi Mittal and Arcellor Mittal had ceased to have any business association with his brothers Pramod Mittal and Vinod Mittal and their companies," Essar Steel said in a statement. The Prashant Ruia-led ESAHL, in its application, cited a sworn affidavit filed by Arcellor Mittal on October 17, 2018, which said that there had been no business association between Lakshmi Mittal and his brothers and their companies for more than 20 years, and that Lakshmi Mittal or Arcelor has no shareholding in any of the companies where his brothers are promoters, including GPI Textiles, Balasore Alloys and Gontermann Piepers. ESAHL, which holds 72 per cent stake in Essar Steel, presented documents which show that as late as September 30, 2018, Lakshmi Mittal was a co-promoter of one Navoday Consultants along with his brothers Pramod and Vinod Mittal, and Navoday was in turn a promoter of GPI Textiles, Balasore Alloys and Gontermann Piepers. ESAHL said: "These facts make it clear that Arcellor Mittal has suppressed and concealed from the CoC and all Courts that its promoter Lakshmi Mittal continued to have business relations with his brothers Pramod Mittal and Vinod Mittal, and accordingly AM was ineligible to submit a resolution plan under Section 29A of the IBC." The statement noted that Gontermann Peipers and GPI Textiles are classified as non-performing assets (NPAs or bad loans) and owing to the association of Lakshmi Mittal with these companies, AM would be a related party of these companies, making it ineligible to bid under the provisions of the Insolvency and Bakruptcy Code (IBC). ESAHL had offered Rs 54,389 crore to the lenders of the company. This proposal was rejected by the Committee of Creditors (CoC). The Delhi-based appellate tribunal had approved Arcellor's bid of Rs 42,000 crore on March 18, dismissing the Essar promoters Ruias' plea against the approval to the bid given by the NCLT's Ahmedabad bench. The long-drawn resolution process hit another roadblock with the Supreme Court last month stopping ArcelorMittal from making payment to lenders to buy the insolvent steel entity, stretching, thereby, the billionaire Lakshmi Mittal's wait to have a foothold in his home country. --IANS rrb/sn/bc (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Tony Abbott bet me $100 that the climate will not change in 10 years, says an Australian writer and author of "Here Where We Live". Cassie Flanagan Willanski says the former Australian Prime Minister is so confident "climate change is nothing to worry about" that he put his money on it. Abbott has bet me $100 that in ten years' time, the climate will not have changed, Willanski told the Guardian. "He (Abbott) was going to prove he disagreed with climate science, with the majority of Australian voters and with the mother of a six-year-old who had just literally begged him to take the climate emergency seriously, with a jocular bet. No doubt he expected me to laugh and back down," the author said. "When I found myself in a Manly coffee shop last week being offered the bet, I was incredulous. Abbott was smiling, charmingly dismissive," the writer, a white Australian herself, who took a brave and honest look at the relationship between white Australians and Indigenous Australians in her book, said. "This person with the power to help steer the world away from anthropogenic disaster wasn't having a bar of my concerns about climate change," Willanski was stunned. She related: "He wasn't going to help; he was going to wield his status and wealth to show how confident he was in his position of not doing anything." Willanski told the Guardian: "Maybe I should have (backed down), amazed and insulted beyond belief. Maybe I should have said instead (as my husband suggested when I got home) "I'm not going to bet $100. "Bet me something substantial, like your electorate, or all your power, so that you'll actually be motivated to work to save the climate." "But all I could think of at the time was that Abbott was eager to go on record as -- a) completely ignorant of climate science and b) completely dismissive of a parent and her concerns for her child's future. I agreed to the bet," Willanski said. The bet had come about when Willanski went to meet her Sydney cousin at a coffee shop where she discovered that Abbott had chosen the same place to have lunch. Children striking for climate action, inspired by sixteen-year-old Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, were wrapping up a protest outside his office round the corner, she told the Guardian. --IANS in (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) 'Dreamgirl' Hema Malini is a star in her own right, but she brought along her husband Dharmendra, once famous as Bollywood's 'He-Man', for campaigning to boost her prospects in the Lok Sabha elections. Last month, veteran actor Dharmendra brought his filmy side alive and enthralled the crowd in Mathura with his famous dialogues from the Hindi blockbuster "Sholay" as he campaigned for Hema, who has been loved by film audiences over decades. Dharmendra used his charisma to appeal to voters to ensure the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate's victory. Dharmendra also tweeted his support to son Sunny Deol, who has been fielded by the BJP-Akali Dal combine from Gurdaspur, the seat represented four times by yesteryear actor Vinod Khanna, who died in April 2017 due to cancer. "We are asking for your support. If you support us, the victory will be yours. The victory will be of my brother and sisters of Punjab and the beautiful Gurdaspur," Dharmendra had tweeted when Sunny had filed his nomination. Sunny's younger brother Bobby also stood by him in a show of support as he accompanied him on a road show. They are not the only examples of film celebrities in the fray for the Lok Sabha elections who are using the star power of their celebrity family members. For the past three days, actor Anupam Kher has been actively campaigning for his wife and BJP MP Kirron Kher in Chandigarh, where she is seeking re-election. She is pitted against Congress' Pawan Kumar Bansal, a former Union Minister, and BJP rebel and AAP candidate Harmohan Dhawan. Anupam has been addressing huge crowds at rallies and road shows. He found the atmosphere "euphoric and electrifying". "People are sure who they want to vote for. These elections are about honesty versus dishonesty," he tweeted. The "Saaransh" actor is also ensuring personal interaction with people in the city. "On my morning walk poll campaign for Kirron Kher in Chandigarh, (I) met up with a lot of people. I spoke to a few of them (not the volunteers). Basically, 'Modi Hai To Mumkin Hai') chorus is echoing louder. And it is mostly based on the development agenda of Narendra Modi and his government," he wrote. Just last week, Sonakshi made a trip to Lucknow to support her mother Poonam Sinha, who is contesting the city's Lok Sabha seat as a Samajwadi Party candidate. Sonakshi was accompanied by her brother Kushh Sinha as they campaigned for their mother. "I was very happy to be in Lucknow with my mother and was overwhelmed with the turnout and support that we saw at our rally. I wasn't there as a celebrity but in the capacity of a daughter to support her mother," the "Dabangg" actress said in a statement. In West Bengal's Asansol, Trinamool Congress (TMC) candidate Moon Moon Sen had her actress daughters Raima Sen and Riya Sen campaign for her, as she competes head on with BJP candidate Babul Supriyo. --IANS rb/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A local first-time voter belonging to Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian district has written an open letter to Kashmiri separatists questioning their right to prevent people from voting in the recently held Lok Sabha elections. Sajjad Ahmed, a youth from Shopian district, said in the letter that he had moved out of the Kashmir Valley to pursue studies in Karnataka. The youth said he was forced by his father to move out of the Valley against his wishes because he (youth) believed there was no place for a Kashmiri Muslim beyond the Jawahar Tunnel. He had heard that Kashmiri Muslims were hounded outside the Valley and they could not even offer the daily prayers in places like Bengaluru. Giving a detailed account about how all his misplaced belief proved wrong, the youth said he finally returned to Shopian to vote in the Lok Sabha elections. In a moving description about how he felt when he heard that an old man had been killed by militants because he was associated with the BJP, the youth said: "Little away from my village is this place called Verinag. Last night, a man called Ghulam Gul Mohammad Mir was brutally killed, just because he was associated with the BJP. "He was telling people to vote... In Anantnag, I am certain the BJP cannot win the elections; in spite of this the terrorists killed Ghulam Mir. He was sixty years old. I am compelled to think how a sixty-year-old man can be a threat for anybody in Kashmir. "He was only supporting democracy but was silenced. "The people from Jamaat are forcing women to wear burqa, those who go to Sufi Dargah are targeted although this is a centuries old tradition in Kashmir. Even our FaceBook is kept under check. If we write anything that is Pro-India or pro-democracy, or if we do not write in favour of the separatists, the next day I get a call from home, and I am compelled to remove that post. "Last vacation, when I came back home, some of my relatives even called me an Indian agent. "All through the election campaign, Mehbooba Mufti and Omar Abdullah kept shouting that Kashmir has special status and that cannot be taken away. I keep wondering, what kind of special status is this where my parents and I cannot even step out of our home to vote! "There was a time when (Syed Ali) Geelani and Yasin Malik were my role models, but today they are getting exposed. Attacking Geelani over article 35A of the Constitution, he said: "One day Geelani says India has occupied Kashmir, and next day he is swearing by the constitutional provision of India." --IANS sq/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Delhi Police on Tuesday arrested gangster Paramjeet Dalal, one of the top ten criminals of Delhi who was carrying a reward of Rs 1 lakh on his head, a police officer said. The team of Special Cell arrested Dalal during an encounter at around 5.15 a.m. in Sector 37, Rohini after getting a tip off. During cross firing, Dalal suffered a bullet injury in his left leg when he tried to escape from the spot, the official said. "He was later overpowered and shifted to Ambedkar Hospital under police custody." A resident of Haryana's Bahadurgarh, Dalal was involved in over dozen of criminal cases in Delhi and Haryana. He was evading his arrest from the last few years, said the officer. --IANS sp/pg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Union Minister Giriraj Singh on Tuesday surrendered in a Bihar court in Begusarai district in connection with violation of model code of conduct and granted bail. According to the police Singh surrendered in the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate Thakur Aman Kumar. Singh, who is the BJP candidate from the Begusarai Lok Sabha seat, had made communal remarks on April 24 during an election meeting, where BJP President Amit Shah was also present. Singh had said in Hindi: "Those who cannot say Vande Mataram or cannot respect the motherland, the nation will never forgive them. My ancestors died at the Simaria ghat and did not need a grave, but you will need..." Begusarai voted in the fourth phase on April 29. The poll panel which had issued a show-cause notice to Singh last month. Taking suo motu cognizance, the Begusarai district administration in had on April 25 booked Singh for code violation and under the Representation of the People Act for making controversial remarks against Muslims --IANS ik/in (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Jet Airways' ex-Chairman Naresh Goyal has penned another emotional letter to employees, reigniting hopes of reviving the now defunct airline. According to the letter accessed by IANS, Goyal has claimed to have made all possible sacrifices to keep the airline afloat. The former Chairman said he hopes the bank-led resolution plan will succeed and that a successful bidder will emerge by May 10. "Neeta and I are anxiously hoping that there will be a positive outcome on the 10th of May 2019 as per the BLRP deadline...It is our dearest wish, like yours, to witness the blazing sun reappear from behind the dark clouds of the past weeks, on a canvas of never ending blue," read the ex-Chairman's message to Jet employees. The letter was sent across to the airline staff by Goyal's son, Nivaan Goyal. The Jet Airways founder noted that he made Rs 250 crore available to the banks from a group company besides pledging his shareholding in the airline to ensure the airline survived. At the same time, he said, that the sacrifices made by the employees was nobler and bigger. He felt pained for employees not being paid their hard-earned salaries for a couple of months. Reminiscing on the past, Goyal said: "Each year since the past 25 years, the 5th day of May has held a special place in the hearts of each of us." "But yesterday, our 26th anniversary was the saddest of all days, with no flights, added to which the sad coincidence that on 18th April 1993 we received our first aircraft in Mumbai, while in the early hours of the morning of 18th April 2019 we operated our last service from Amritsar to Mumbai." Running out of funds and lenders and denied any further lifeline, Jet Airways grounded its operations on April 17. Lenders of the airline led by state-run State Bank of India (SBI) are currently in the process of selling the airline to recover their dues of over Rs 8,400 crore. Private equity firm TPG Capital, Indigo Partners, National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) and Etihad Airways are in the race to buy a stake in the grounded Jet Airways. While these have submitted their expression of interest, industry sources claim that these bidders are yet to sign non-disclosure agreements. --IANS nk-rv/sn/bc (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Delhi High Court has asked University Grants Commission (UGC) and TERI School of Advanced Studies to respond to a plea of a student who was denied the Master's degree. Justice C. Hari Shankar, who issued the notice, listed the matter for July 24. The court was hearing a plea filed by Momisha challenging an impugned marksheet dated July 28, 2018 issued by the Deemed University TERI School of Advanced Studies in Vasant Kunj in south Delhi, alleging she was arbitrarily denied the Master's Degree in spite of the earnest work successfully put up by her. The plea was filed though advocates Nishant Kumar Srivastava and Rajnish Kumar Jha who told the court that that TERI School of Advanced Studies has unfairly denied the petitioner any chance to re-appear in any of her papers or to get her major project re-evaluated. The advocates said the university refused to explain the basis on which the major projects as submitted by Momisha was graded as it was, despite the great feedback that was received at the time of presentation as well as viva voce. The only relief given by the university was to re-register for the entire course in order to get her degree, even though the students who have obtained lower grades than her have been awarded the degree, the petitioner's advocate said. "The arbitrary and prejudicial conduct of the deemed university and its agents have jeopardised the career of the petitioner (Momisha) and wasted much of the petitioner's precious time," the plea said. Momisha has requested the court to issue direction to re-evaluate the impugned marksheet issued by the Deemed University which shows that she has not obtained minimum marks required for acquiring her degree. The petitioner has also sought direction to declare impugned postgraduate marksheet in violation of the fundamental and statutory rights. --IANS ak/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Iran's Supreme National Security Council has described the US military deployment in the Middle East as "psychological warfare" by Washington against Tehran. US National Security Adviser John Bolton announced on Monday the deployment of an aircraft carrier and a special group of bombers in the region to "send a clear and unequivocal message to the Iranian regime that any attack on US interests or its allies will face an implacable force". He added that "the US is not seeking a war against the Iranian regime", but is prepared to "respond to any attack". In response to the move, Iranian National Security Council's spokesman Keyvan Khosravi called Bolton's statement a "bluff" and "an awkward resource for the purposes of psychological warfare", state TV reported. "Bolton does not understand military and security issues, his comments are meant to draw attention." Khosravi said that "it is unlikely that US Army commanders will choose to test the capabilities of the Iranian Armed Forces", Efe news reported. Iranian Defence Minister Amir Hatami said that Tehran "will defeat the psychological warfare of enemies". Tensions have increased in the Persian Gulf since Washington announced in April the end of the exemptions it had granted to India, China, Italy, Greece, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Turkey, in buying Iranian oil. Tehran responded by saying that if the US blocks its oil exports it could close the strategic Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important marine trade routes. Last month, the US designated the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist group, to which Tehran responded by putting American troops deployed in the Middle East on its list of extremist groups. --IANS soni/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The ceremony began at 10.09, an auspicious time. The rituals of purification and anointing turned the man into a Buddhist deity. The king ascended to the throne in 2016, following the death of the late monarch Bhumibol. Bangkok (AsiaNews/Agencies) - This morning King Maha Vajiralongkorn was crowned king of Thailand, at the start of three days of ceremonies. Dressed in the golden robe required for the occasion, the 66-year-old monarch placed the 7.3 kilo Great Crown of Victory on his head before issuing his first royal command: "I shall reign in righteousness for the benefits of the kingdom and the people forever. The coronation began at 10:09 (03:09 GMT), an auspicious time, with the purification and anointment ceremonies using sacred water collected from more than 100 locations around the country. The king received the five Royal Regalia - the symbols of kingship - which include the Great Crown of Victory, the Royal Slippers, the Royal Fan and Fly Whisk, the Royal Sword of Victory and the Royal Sceptre. The celebrations will last until Monday and represent the kings transformation from human into a divine figure. Today, in addition to the coronation and gifts, Rama X will visit the Emerald Buddha temple (Wat Phra Kaew), where he will proclaim himself Royal Patron of Buddhism. Afterwards, he will symbolically move into the official Royal Residence with a housewarming ceremony. Tomorrow he will ride the Royal Palanquin allowing people to pay homage to him. On Monday, he will grant a public audience on a balcony in the Grand Palace. Born on 28 July 1952, King Vajiralongkorn is the second child (only male) of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit. He has an older sister, Ubolratana Rajakanya who recently put herself forward as a candidate in an election, only to be forced to withdraw because traditionally the royal family remains above politics and two younger siblings, Sirindhorn and Chulabhorn Walailak. He studied abroad, in Great Britain and Australia, and was proclaimed heir to the throne on 28 December 1972. King Vajiralongkorn, who will be known from now on simply as Rama X, is the tenth monarch of the Chakri dynasty, which has reigned since in 1782. He ascended the throne in 2016 following the death of his beloved father, but had to wait until after a long mourning period before he could be crowned. Two days ago, in a surprise move, he married Queen Suthida Tidjai, his former bodyguard. The "Immortal Regiment" march, dedicated to the Victory Day, was held at the Heybeliada island on May 5, 2019. The event has been held in Istanbul for ten years in a row. Members of many national diasporas of countries that participated in the war against fascism attended this event. Two Reuters journalists, who were jailed after reporting a massacre carried out by Myanmar's military forces against the Rohingya Muslim minority, were freed on Tuesday after more than 500 days in prison. Wa Lone, 33, and Kyaw Soe Oo, 29, were found guilty in September 2018 of violating the colonial-era Official Secrets Act over their reporting of the massacre in the village of Inn Dinn in Rakhine state. They were sentenced to seven years in prison. Locked up since 2017, the journalists, who received this year's Pulitzer Prize for International Reporting, were freed on Tuesday morning after they received a presidential pardon earlier this week, CNN reported. As he left the prison, Wa Lone thanked supporters for calling for his and his colleague's release. "Inside in the prison and also around the world people were wishing to release us so I'd like to say thank you very much for everything," he said, adding he was "really happy -- excited -- to see my family and colleagues. And I can't wait to go to my newsroom". In January, the High Court in Yangon threw out their appeals, and on April 23, the country's Supreme Court rejected their last attempt to get their convictions overturned. After that final defeat, the journalists' lawyer said they had to hope for a presidential pardon, which they finally received this week after years of international pressure. Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, their lawyers, and the news agency have all maintained that the pair never committed any crime. The reporters said they were entrapped, a claim backed by the testimony of police captain Moe Yan Naing, who testified last month that a senior officer had ordered him and other subordinates to offer secret documents to Wa Lone as bait, reports Efe news. The Inn Dinn massacre being investigated by the journalists came during a brutal campaign by the military against the Muslim Rohingya minority in August 2017 after a series of attacks by an insurgent group of the same ethnicity against around 30 security posts. The investigation led to seven soldiers being sentenced to 10 years in prison, the only case of abuse acknowledged by Myanmar authorities. More than 720,000 Rohingya are estimated to have been forced to flee into Bangladesh as a result of the ensuing violence. --IANS ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Two Reuters journalists, who were imprisoned for their reporting of a massacre carried out by Myanmar's military forces against the Rohingya Muslim minority, were pardoned and freed from prison on Tuesday after spending over 500 days behind bars. Wa Lone, 33, and Kyaw Soe Oo, 29, were arrested in December 2017 and were found guilty in September 2018 of violating the colonial-era Official Secrets Act over their reporting of the massacre in the village of Inn Dinn in Rakhine state. They were sentenced to seven years in prison. Their case was widely seen as a test of press freedom in Myanmar and the country's de facto leader Aung San Su Kyi was criticized for defending the jailing of both the men. Locked up in Yangon's Insein jail since 2017, the journalists, who received this year's Pulitzer Prize for International Reporting, were freed in the morning as part of an amnesty of 6,520 prisoners by Myanmar President Win Myint. As he left the prison, Wa Lone thanked supporters for calling for his and his colleague's release, the BBC reported. "Inside in the prison and also around the world people were wishing to release us, so I'd like to say thank you very much," he said, adding he was "really happy -- excited -- to see my family and colleagues. And I can't wait to go to my newsroom". Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo had an emotional reunion with their wives and children hours after being released. Wa Lone's first child, Thet Htar Angel, was born while he was behind bars so this was the first time he was able to embrace his daughter as a free man, the Guardian reported. Kyaw Soe Oo was seen holding his daughter, three-year-old Moe Thin Wai Zan. "During the trial she would steal brief embraces with her father outside the courtroom before he was bundled back to jail... Now the three of us can hug each other and we are so happy for that," his wife Chit Su Win told the daily. Reuters' Editor-in-Chief Stephen J. Adler said the reporters had become "symbols" of press freedom. "We are enormously pleased Myanmar has released our courageous reporters," he said in a statement. Amal Clooney, who joined the legal team working on their case a year ago, paid tribute to the "incredible determination" of Reuters "in their pursuit of justice for their brave reporters". UK's Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said that he had personally raised the case with Suu Kyi in September. "I am extremely grateful she has listened to me and many others... In a world where media freedom is under attack this is a rare glimmer of hope," tweeted Hunt. Human Rights Watch's Deputy Director for Asia Phil Robertson said: "We congratulate Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo on walking free from unjust imprisonment and applaud they have now been reunited with their families." The UN in Myanmar called the move "a step towards improving the freedom of the press and a sign of government's commitment to Myanmar's transition to democracy". In January, the High Court in Yangon threw out Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo's appeals, and on April 23, the country's Supreme Court rejected their last attempt to get their convictions overturned. After that final defeat, the journalists' lawyer said they had to hope for a presidential pardon, which they finally received this week after years of international pressure. Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, their lawyers, and the news agency have maintained that the pair never committed any crime. --IANS soni/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Amid of the allegation of rape and extortion against the television actor Karan Oberoi, one of his best friends Pooja Bedi along with the band members of his music band 'Band Of Boys' urges on Tuesday that the law that are exciting to protect the voice of rape victim, should be used in responsible manner by the women. In response to the question of IANS on inequality exist in the law at the press meet, Pooja said: "Taking the history of our country in consideration and the patriarchal society that we are living in, there is a situation where a rape victim goes to the police station and her complaint does not get registered, which is wrong. So we need laws against rape and such violence; but at the same time, if a severe number of women are misusing the law if they are not respecting the law that are meant to protect them rather taking advantage of it, we need to think about how to protect the right of a man as well!" She added: "It is unfortunate to see such a kind man being subjected to something like this, the reputation damage, the family trauma is unacceptable to me. There are a number of cases where women are not using the law, they are misusing the law." A complaint was lodged with the Oshiwara Police late on Sunday and charges under the Indian Penal Code Sections 376 (rape) and 384 (extortion) were slapped against him. He was produced before a magistrate's court which has remanded him to police custody till May 9, his lawyer said. As per the First Information Report lodged by the victim, the accused raped her on the promise of marriage, filmed the act and tried to extort money from her under the threat of making the video public. Karan lawyer advocate Dinesh Tiwari, who was also present there, told IANS: "Though it will be little tougher for first few days but considering the fact that we have all the evidence to prove that my client is innocent, we should get him bailed". All the band members who were present at the press meet emphasised on the contradictory situation that proves the allegation false. According to Tiwari, since the charges are strong, in those cases, police does not need an arrest warrant to arrest the person. However, it is the loophole in the a system where the police do not analyse all the given information from both the parties before dragging one person and put behind the bar. He said: "In one statement, she said that she was sexually assaulted and then she mentioned that she was ready to marry my client (Karan). How could you get ready to marry someone whom later you call a rapist?" Mentioning one of the messages that the victim has sent to Karan, Pooja reads out, "Karan, I am being open and upfront. Can we have sex, without thinking about future, emotions and anything else just for now, as my body needs it. And I do not feel comfortable to indulge with anyone else, so let me know what do you think about it." Then Pooja question, "Isn't it clear that the relationship was one-sided and Karan was approached many times with such messages?" According to the lawyer, they have submitted a series of text message that was sent to Karan by the woman (victim) as evidence to prove his innocence. --IANS aru/rs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will meet on May 14 in the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi, the country's Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday. "The talks between Lavrov and Pompeo are scheduled for May 14 in Sochi," an official from the Ministry told Russian news agency RIA Novosti. The official said the agreement was reached during talks on Monday between Lavrov and Pompeo in Rovaniemi, Finland, in what was the top diplomats' first face-to-face meeting for around a year. Before that they had met in July 2018 during the Russia-US summit, where the Presidents of both countries -- Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin -- also met. Lavrov called his Monday's meeting with Pompeo "good and constructive" and said it was a "step forward". The ongoing Venezuela crisis was at the centre of the discussions, Efe news reported. Moscow supports the government of Nicolas Maduro while the US leads international support for Juan Guaido, who proclaimed himself interim President in January. At the end of the meeting, which lasted less than an hour, Lavrov reiterated to the press that Russia is totally opposed to military intervention in Venezuela and warned that an operation of this nature would be "catastrophic and unjustified". He said that the US was also opposed to "a reckless military solution", based on recent discussions he has had with US authorities. --IANS soni/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has denied a request from House Democrats for access to six years of President Donald Trump's personal tax returns. "I am informing you now that the Department may not lawfully fulfil the Committee's request," Mnuchin said in his one-page letter on Monday, written in consultation with lawyers from the Department of Justice. He added that the Department of Justice would issue a formal legal opinion, CNN reported. Last month, Mnuchin said that he would deliver a response by May 6. The denial comes after two missed deadlines by the Treasury Secretary, who again in his letter said the request by House Ways and Means Chairman Richard Neal under an obscure statute of tax law is "unprecedented", arguing it raises "serious constitutional questions" that could have dire consequences for taxpayer privacy. Trump has refused to release his tax information, first as a candidate and now as President, breaking a precedent. In response to Mnuchin's letter, Neal said in a statement later on Monday that he was still determining next steps. "Today, Secretary Mnuchin notified me that the IRS (Internal Revenue Service) will not provide the documents I requested under Section 6103 of the Internal Revenue Code," Neal said. "I will consult with counsel and determine the appropriate response." The committee chairman could issue a subpoena on top of his request, or Democrats could move to hold the Treasury Secretary or IRS Commissioner for whom the original request was addressed to in contempt of Congress. --IANS ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are not serious about the Ayodhya Ram temple but are using it to "exploit emotions" of the people during every election, senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal has said. Sibal, a prominent lawyer who appeared in the case for the Sunni Wakf Board till December 2017, rejected the allegations of the Prime Minister that Congress lawyers were stalling the resolution of the case that had been going on for over two decades. "They are not interested. They are again fooling the people. This is yet another 'jumla' (gimmick). (They are) exploiting emotions of the people," he told IANS while targeting Modi and the BJP over the politically and religiously sensitive issue which is now under the Supreme Court's consideration. "For Modi, it (temple issue) is not a matter of faith, because if it were a matter of faith, they would have raised it much earlier, Modi in 2014 (when he became the Prime Minister) and others much earlier," he added. "In fact, he (Modi) was never serious. They are not serious about Ram mandir. They are not at all serious about Ram mandir," he said. "If they were serious, why did they not raise it in 2014 or 2015 on 2016 or 2017?" The Congress leader said the BJP "forgot" about Ram temple "all these years and just before elections, they wanted to raise it. Why? Because they want to use it always. This promise they have made to the country for the last 30 years. But they have never been able to fulfil this". Asking why the BJP has not been fulfiling its promise of building a grand Ram temple in Ayodhya, he said: "Because they are not serious about it. They want to keep this matter alive to use it every time for elections. They are not serious about this, forget about everyone else." On March 8, a five-judge bench of the Supreme Court ordered a court-monitored mediation in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid land dispute case to arrive at a "permanent solution" to the issue. It appointed a committee of three mediators, headed by retired Justice F.M. Kallifulla, to undertake mediation in Faizabad. Sibal was asked to comment on the Prime Minister's contention that the "Congress lawyers" were stalling the resolution of the Ayodhya issue in the Supreme Court. "How?... He may say (it) but there must be some basis," he shot back. He said the Congress was never a party in those proceedings. "I last appeared in this case in December 2017. We are now in 2019. Who stopped the court from deciding the matter? Congress party or a Congress lawyer? In fact, Congress lawyers appeared for the Ram mandir. Mr (Mohan) Parasaran. Who is he? The Congressman... He appeared for whom? For the Ram mandir. "See there are not parties there, these are individuals. Congress lawyer appeared for Ram mandir also. Parasaran is not a Congress lawyer? At least, I did not appear after December 2017. He continued to appear," Sibal added. He went on to add: "So this (PM's allegation) again is false, factually false, because since 2017, 15 hearings took place. Who stopped?" Targeting the BJP, Sibal said: "What is their discourse - that if court decides against, we will not accept. We will accept only if the court decides in our favour. On the one hand, they say, their lawyer says, it is a title suit, on the other hand, they say it is a matter of faith. Both can't go together." --IANS akk/ksk/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Ranchi, May 7 IANS) Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of giving away money raised after demonetization to 15 industrialists of the country. 'The Modi government brought demonetization and took away money of the tribal, poor people and others in the society and gave it to 15 people. You put your hand in your pocket and you will find the wallet is empty. In the last five years money is being stolen from your wallet,' Gandhi told an election rally at Chaibsasa in Jharkhand. Gandhi addressed the rally in favour of Congress candidate Geeta Koda. 'Modi claimed to have become the Chowkidar five years ago. People elected him as Prime Minister. In last five years, he left Chowkidari and started Chori. Poor people do not need Chowkidar,' he said. 'The Modi government tried to steal land by trying to amend the Land Acquisition Act thrice in Parliament. The Congress and its allies prevented this... The land rights of tribals and poor people cannot be snatched as long as the Congress exists in Parliament. 'In Chhattisgarh, the Congress government took back land from Tata as it was not used for five years. The land taken back from Tata was returned to tribal people. No one can take away the land if tribals and poor people do not wish to part with it.' Gandhi also spoke about the benefits the Congress' Nyay scheme. 'Nyay scheme is a surgical strike on poverty.' --IANS ns/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In an attempt to pull off a feat so far seen only in science fiction films, NASA is planning to launch a spacecraft aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket that will hit a small moonlet in the binary asteroid system Didymos in September 2022. The Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) -- NASA's first mission to demonstrate a planetary defence technique -- is scheduled to be launched in mid-2021, the US space agency said on Monday. By using solar electric propulsion, DART will intercept the target when the asteroid will be within 11 million km of Earth. The asteroid poses no threat to Earth and is an ideal test target, NASA said. To navigate the DART spacecraft to its intended target -- a binary asteroid that consists of a small moon (Didymos B) orbiting a larger body (Didymos A) -- scientists need to understand how the system behaves. Scientists have been making efforts to observe Didymos from Earth since 2015, and now, an international campaign coordinated by Northern Arizona University's Cristina Thomas is making critical observations using powerful telescopes worldwide to understand the state of the asteroid system before DART reaches it. Current observations will help researchers to better understand the extent of the impact made when DART slams into its target -- Didymos B -- in September 2022, NASA said. "The Didymos system is too small and too far to be seen as anything more than a point of light, but we can get the data we need by measuring the brightness of that point of light, which changes as Didymos A rotates and Didymos B orbits," said Andy Rivkin, a co-lead of the investigation team. The investigation team will observe Didymos again from late 2020 into the spring of 2021. Final ground-based observations will occur as the spacecraft travels toward the asteroid, as well as after impact occurs. The total cost for NASA to launch DART is approximately $69 million, which includes the launch service and other mission related costs. --IANS gb/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pakistan's former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will return to jail later on Tuesday following the expiry of his six-week bail in a corruption case. Sharif is expected to surrender to the jail authorities after Iftar, Geo News reported. The Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) leader has been serving a seven-year prison term at Lahore's Kot Lakhpat Jail since December 24, 2018 when an accountability court convicted him in the Al Azizia Steel Mills corruption reference. The case was filed in the wake of the Supreme Court's July 28, 2017 order in the Panama Papers case. The apex court on Friday had rejected a petition by Sharif for an extension of the bail granted to him on March 26 for six weeks on medical grounds. According to Geo News, Sharif will arrive at the prison in a rally led by his daughter and PML-N leader Maryam Nawaz. She will lead the "solidarity march" of party workers from the Sharif's residence in Jati Umra to the jail, party spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb said. The Home Department Punjab earlier instructed the three-time Prime Minister to reach the jail by 5 p.m. on Tuesday and said his arrival in a procession would be against the law. Protesting against the instructions, PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah said that Sharif's bail is valid till the midnight of May 7. --IANS soni/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Finance Ministry has asked the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to re-examine the revival proposals for the telecom firms BSNL and MTNL and submit these to the new government that will take office after the ongoing general elections, a senior official source said on Tuesday. This implies, according to the source, that there is no immediate move, in the next few months till a new govenrment settles down, to revive both central public sector enterprises (CPSEs). Last month, the DoT had floated a draft cabinet note for consultation among ministries on the revival of BSNL and MTNL. In response, the Finance Ministry has now asked the DoT to rework the proposals, indicating both the steps and the financial outgo involved and submit these to the new government. The two key issues in the revival proposal are the voluntary retirement scheme (VRS) and allocation of 4G spectrum. According to the source, both Finance Ministry and DoT are of the view that there may not be any need to consider financial support to the companies for VRS since the employees of these telcos are covered by the government pension rules relevant for CPSEs carved out of ministries. Both BSNL and MTNL have been carved out of DoT. The issue of allocation of 4G spectrum has also been left for consideration of the next government at the Centre, the source added. Another key component of the revival proposal concerns the monetisation of the assets of BSNL and MTNL. According to the source, it is to yet to be decided as to who, between the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) and the DoT, will carry out the mutation process involved in monetising assets. Mutation is the recording of a transfer of title of a property from one person to another in the revenue records. The documentation procedure to be followed and the fee payable in mutation varies from state to state. DIPAM has a asset monetisation framework which lays down the procedures for the administrative ministries to follow in selling off CPSE assets. The titles to the lands and buildings of BSNL and MTNL are still with the DoT. Both companies have sought spectrum for 4G services through equity infusion from the government. 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. The total cost of the spectrum will be Rs 14,000 crore Both firms have asked for a VRS for employees similar to the Gujarat model. The VRS scheme for BSNL and MTNL will have a respective revenue impact of Rs 6,365 crore and Rs 2,120 crore. --IANS ana/sn/bc (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan (R) meets with Crown Princess of Sweden Victoria Ingrid Alice Desiree in Hanoi on May 6__Photo: VNA , , , Chairwoman of the National Assembly (NA) Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan met with Crown Princess of Sweden Victoria Ingrid Alice Desiree, who is on an official visit to Vietnam, in Hanoi on May 6.The host welcomed the Crown Princess, her spouse, and the Swedish delegation who are visiting Vietnam on the occasion of the 50th founding anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties. She expressed her belief that the trip will help intensify the traditional bilateral friendship and cooperation.Vietnam and Sweden boast time-honored friendship and multi-faceted cooperation, founded by then President Ho Chi Minh and Prime Minister Olof Palme and nurtured by the two peoples over the last five decades.Sweden was the first western country to establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam, she stressed, adding that Vietnam has not forgotten the image of thousands of Swedish people streaming down the streets to protest against the war in Vietnam.Chairwoman Ngan thanked the Swedish Royal Family, government, and people for giving precious support to Vietnam, especially in non-refundable aid totaling over 3 billion USD. She also appreciated the European nations assistance to the Southeast Asian country in boosting relations with international financial and monetary organizations in the past, and steps towards global integration at present.Crown Princess Victoria voiced her delight at the sound development of bilateral connections, noting that it is her first visit to Vietnam. The delegation of 50 Swedish firms wish to discuss not only business partnerships but also sustainable development an issue of shared concern.Chairwoman Ngan highlighted that Sweden is an important and trustworthy partner of Vietnam in the European Union, with bilateral trade reaching 1.5 billion USD in 2018. Meanwhile, Sweden now has 67 investment projects worth 364 million USD in Vietnam.These figures remain modest and have yet to match the full potential of cooperation, she said, noting her hope that the businesses accompanying the Princess during this visit will have opportunities to learn about the local investment-business climate.The NA leader said she believes once the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) is signed and ratified, bilateral trade will increase even more.The host also affirmed that Vietnam is reforming its legal and administrative systems so as to create a solid legal framework and fair environment for foreign businesses, including Swedish firms, to operate.At the meeting, members of the Swedish delegation noted more than 50,000 tourists from their country came to Vietnam last year, and Swedish companies have created more than 120,000 jobs here. They also said Sweden treasures its cooperation with Vietnam a country with important standing in ASEAN.Vietnam is ready to serve as a bridge between Sweden and ASEAN, Chairwoman Ngan affirmed, also asking Sweden, with its experience, to assist her country in coping with rising sea levels and other environmental protection issues. The Jammu and Kashmir government on Tuesday decided to lift restrictions on civilian traffic on the Udhampur-Srinagar National Highway on Wednesdays from May 13 onwards. "The restriction on civilian movement between Srinagar and Udhampur on NH-44 will be lifted on Wednesdays with effect from May 13. The prohibition on civilian traffic in this stretch would now be only on Sunday," an official statement said. It said the government has been reviewing the restrictions on civilian movement on National Highway (NH-44) connecting Jammu to Srinagar with a view to balancing the security needs of security force convoys with the need for minimizing public inconvenience. In order to ensure safe movement of these convoys, the government had prohibited civilian traffic on NH-44, between Baramulla and Udhampur, every Sunday and Wednesday, from 4 a.m. to 5 p.m. "These restrictions became necessary following the large movement of security forces on an unprecedented scale after the Pulwama terror attack. These forces were required both for anti-militancy operations and for conducting general elections peacefully," it said. However, "elaborate arrangements" were made by the local administration to facilitate movement of public during the period, the statement said. Noting the restriction on civilian movement between Srinagar and Baramulla on NH-44 was reduced only to Sunday after April 22 and completely lifted on May 2, it said that the government "is alive to the needs of citizens and has once again reviewed the requirement of security forces" to relax the restrictions. --IANS sq/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Colombo district organizer of the proscribed National Thowheed Jamath (NTJ) Islamist group Mohamed Farouk Mohamed Fawaz was on Tuesday remanded further till May 21 by a court here, the media reported. Fawaz was arrested earlier in May over the Easter Sunday bombings which killed over 250 people and injured hundreds and was blamed by the government on the Sri Lankan extremist group. The NTJ is believed to have links with the Islamic State which claimed the killings. The police produced Fawaz before the Colombo Chief Magistrate Court in relation to a search carried out in a shoe shop in Gampola, the Daily Mirror reported. The police told the court that during the raid they discovered a hard disk in which a photograph of Fawaz posing with two suicide bombers -- who hailed from Gampola -- was found. They also seized 67 stickers of the NTJ, pen drives and mobile phones. Fawaz was earlier grilled by the police for 72 hours under the emergency regulations, the report said. Officials said that Fawaz has been a resident of Keselwatta for nine years. The police said on Monday that the NTJ had been found possessing over 140 million Sri Lankan rupees in cash and other assets worth over 7 billion Sri Lankan rupees. Police media spokesman Ruwan Gunasekera said steps were being taken to seize all the assets and that there were 54 suspects related to the bombings in the custody of the Criminal Investigations Department. Among them seven were women. --IANS soni/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Rajasthan Director General of Police Kapil Garg on Tuesday said that one of the five accused in the gang rape in Alwar on April 26 has been arrested. A woman was allegedly gang raped by five persons in front of her husband near Thanagaazi police station in Alwar. However, the complaint was lodged on May 2. The accused had reportedly filmed the crime and uploaded the video online which went viral on Monday. Questions were raised on the working of the police and people took to the streets in Alwar demanding justice for the victim. The DGP in a press conference informed that Indraaz Gurjar, 22, was arrested from Kotputli. Police have formed 14 teams to nab the other four accused namely Chhotalal, Ashok, Mahesh Gurjar and Hansraj, Garg said. The victim alleged that while she and her husband were going to Talvriksh from Lalwaadi village, five miscreants stopped their motorbike, dragged them to some nearby sand dunes, gang raped her and filmed the incident. She alleged that the accused were blackmailing the couple with the threat of making the video go viral and had demanded money. The victim said she and her husband paid the money once but went to the police when the miscreants asked for money again. --IANS arc/pg/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Opposition leaders on Tuesday asserted that they would approach the Election Commission and will go public over the matter after the Supreme Court rejected their demand to increase the count for VVPAT slips with EVMs. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and Telugu Desam Party President N. Chandrababu Naidu said that the petition was aimed at bringing "transparency" in democracy. "What we are asking is a genuine demand. We are fighting for this on behalf of the nation. We will continue our fight," he told reporters here after the court's decision. Naidu said the opposition parties would approach the Election Commission (EC) again. A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi declined to increase the count for the verification of voter-verified paper audit trail (VVPAT) slips with electronic voting machines (EVM) in the ongoing Lok Sabha polls. Earlier, it had increased VVPAT from one EVM per Assembly segment to five randomly selected EVMs to ensure the greatest degree of accuracy and satisfaction in the election process. The court on Friday had agreed to hear a review petition by 21 opposition parties seeking verification of 50 per cent EVMs using VVPAT slips. Commenting on the court's decision on Tuesday, former Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister and National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah said the elections should be fair for every political party and the EVM issue will be taken to the people now. "We respect the order of the court. But we have to take this to the people of the country and put this before them because they are supreme." Congress leader and senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for the opposition leaders, argued before the court that the demand of the leaders was viable, reasonable and meaningful. Later, speaking to reporters, he said that the options of going public on the issue and approaching the Election Commission were still open. "The court has closed the matter as far as this stage is concerned. Obviously, messaging of the issue to electorate at large politically is open, and whatever is available with the Election Commission will be done," he said. --IANS spk/pg/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pakistan's Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Tuesday detained seven people, including three Chinese men, on suspicion of being involved in human trafficking, a day after arresting 10 Chinese nationals on similar charges. Authorities accuse these men of allegedly arranging fake marriages with Pakistani girls before forcing them into prostitution in China. The men are also accused of using the young girls for organ removal. Seven people including three Chinese were arrested by FIA Rawalpindi on Tuesday. The gang was led by a Chinese national Song Chuaoyang, Geo News reported. FIA busted a similar racket of 10 Chinese nationals on Monday. A senior official at the FIA in Lahore, said its anti-human trafficking cell also rounded up four Pakistani partners in the prostitution ring. FIA Lahore Deputy Director Jamil Ahmad Khan Mayo said the authorities, as part of a crackdown against foreigners involved in illegal activities in the country, arrested eight Chinese nationals on Monday from Lahore Airport and other areas on the charges of trafficking young women to China after marrying them. Mayo said the detained foreigners, with the help of local facilitators, were primarily trapping women from poverty-stricken families of the minority Christian community in phoney marriages between Chinese men and Pakistani women. The FIA officer said a female Chinese national and a fake Pakistani priest were also among the detainees. The Chinese Embassy in Islamabad said it was cooperating with the Pakistani authorities to curb the illegal activity. The Chinese media reported that authorities also recently arrested some members of the network in China. Zhao Lijian, the Deputy Chief of the diplomatic mission, said: "And not only Chinese, there are also Pakistanis involved in this business." --IANS soni/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Sub-Inspector of Delhi Police allegedly committed suicide on Tuesday by shooting himself with his service weapon. The officer was identified as Sanjeev Kumar. He was posted with the Police Control Room. His colleagues heard a gun shot and found his service pistol and blood oozing from his chest, said Deputy Commissioner of Police Devender Arya. --IANS rag/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A five-year-old girl was reportedly injured when miscreants hurled bombs at a house in Duttapukur of North 24 Parganas district as sporadic incidences of violence related to the ongoing polls rocked various parts of West Bengal, police said on Tuesday. In Babpur village under Barasat Lok Sabha constituency, a small bomb was hurled outside a house damaging the wooden window panes, an officer of Duttapukur police station said. According to sources, a little girl who was resting on the bed got minor injuries and her eyes were saved luckily. However, the police said that the family did not mention anything related to the injury. The police officer confirmed that most of the people in the area are Forward Bloc supporters but it is unclear if the house was attacked due to any political turmoil. In Barrackpore Lok Sabha constituency's Selampore village, a case of crude bomb hurling was reported. The election for this seat got over on May 6. "On Tuesday morning I visited the area and recovered a crude bomb but no formal complaint has been lodged. There is no report of any injury," an officer of Titagarh police station said. According to sources in the area, the violence followed the fifth-phase voting on May 6. In West Midnapore's Mohanpur area, the BJP workers allegedly torched a thatched house of a Trinamool Panchayat member. Later the fire was doused by the villagers. "Most of us were attending Suvendu Adhikari's meeting when some BJP men burnt our flags and a disturbance broke out. Later they torched my old house," Kholin Mullick, the Trinamool member said. Denying the allegations, a local BJP member said: "The house was burnt by their (Trinamool) workers. It is a ploy to file fake cases against us..." Elections for Medinipur seat will be held on May 12. Barasat parliamentary constituency will go to polls in the seventh phase on May 19. --IANS bnd/nir (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Tuesday abruptly cancelled a scheduled trip to Germany "due to pressing issues," his department said on Tuesday. No specific reason was given for the cancellation. The press pool travelling with Pompeo were not told where they were going next and were warned that they may not be able to report from the country they were going to until after their departure, CNN reported. "Unfortunately, we must reschedule the Berlin meetings due to pressing issues. We look forward to rescheduling this important set of meetings. The Secretary looks forward to being in Berlin soon," State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus said, according to the press pool travelling with Pompeo. The top US diplomat was scheduled to meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Minister of Foreign Affairs Heiko Maas, whose office announced the suspension of the talks shortly before the announcement of the cancellation. Neither the Federal Chancellery nor the Ministry gave a specific reason for the cancellation. The sudden schedule change comes two days after the Pentagon deployed a carrier and a bomber task force to the Middle East, in response to "specific and credible" intelligence that suggested Iranian forces and proxies were planning to target US forces in Syria, Iraq and at sea. The carrier group had been ordered to the Strait of Hormuz in order to send a deterrent message to Iran, US officials said on Sunday. The move is likely to heighten tensions as Tehran warned the US in April against any moves to block or interfere with the Strait. --IANS soni/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Christian priest and three others were convicted on Tuesday for the gang-rape of five girls in Jharkhand's Khuti district. "Four people including Father Alphanso have been convicted by the Additional District Judge. The quantum of sentence will be delivered on May 15," Sushil Jaiswal, Public Prosecutor of Khuti district, told reporters. Five girls were gang-rapped in June 19, 2018 in Arki in Khuti district. Based on the statement of the victims, police arrested four people including the Father. The five girls had gone to Arki to perform a drama to create awareness regarding government schemes. They were abducted and raped. --IANS ns/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) On Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally commended Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for the evacuation and relief measures undertaken by his government for Cyclone Fani. In many other ways, it appeared the BJP was reaching out to the long-serving Biju Janata Dal strongman. Contrast that with the Prime Minister's election campaign in Odisha on April 23 when he derided Patnaik, telling him that his exit was imminent and a few officers were not enough to save him. After the fifth phase of polling ended on Monday, IANS did a dipstick survey of the post-poll scenario based on feedback from the nation's top 'satta' markets. The numbers showed that the NDA could fall short of the half way mark by a bit. That would mean the regional satraps, who are now outside the NDA umbrella, could become very important after May 23. Punters have suggested that the NDA could get around 240 seats (plus or minus 10) and the UPA around 145 (plus or minus 10). Among the regional satraps, the Uttar Pradesh 'mahagathbandhan', the DMK, the Trinamool Congress, YSR Congress and the Telangana Rashtra Samiti are likely to do very well. The satta markets located in Hapur, Delhi, Phalodi (Rajasthan), Indore, Kolkata, Agra, Bhavnagar, Mumbai and Nagpur are still betting on the NDA led by Narendra Modi to emerge as the largest pre-poll alliance, and stay well ahead of the UPA, but the earlier enthusiasm among punters of a runaway NDA victory is no longer evident. The big losses are likely to come in Uttar Pradesh, where the NDA cornered 73 seats in 2014. The punters believe that this time, while the NDA will stave off the challenge from the Bahujan Samaj Party-Samajwadi Party 'mahagathbandhan' to the extent that it will get more seats, it will still be a pared down performance with the NDA likely to get about 40 seats as against around 34 seats of the BSP-SP combine. Punters says there will be losses in Bihar too, which had supported the NDA in 2014, and the BJP-led alliance could get around 25 seats this time as against 15 of the Congress-Rashtriya Janata Dal alliance. The sequence of likely pared down electoral performances could continue in Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh while there Gujarat might not see a BJP sweep. The satta markets believe these losses could be offset partly by impressive gains -- compared to the earlier low base -- in West Bengal (punters say the BJP could bag 10 seats here, even though BJP president Amit Shah says the party was set to win 22-23 seats) and Odisha (again about 10 seats). However, barring Karnataka, the south is unlikely to be very supportive of the NDA and this is going to cause the BJP much worry. --IANS am/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Actor Samir Soni feels he has been pigeonholed into the role of an NRI in showbiz. He wants to ditch that image. The actor has featured in "China Gate", "Baghban", "Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin", "Vivah", "Fashion" and "I Hate Luv Storys". "Earlier, there were not many character roles and they were not given much importance. Over the years, that has changed. When I came into films, I was an NRI and so I was offered those kinds of roles or rather some negative characters as I played in 'Fashion'," Samir said in a statement. "As the format changed, character roles were given more importance. Now, I am trying to get rid of the NRI image," he said. The actor added: "I want to get rid of the NRI image that initially I had since I moved to India from the US. I am looking out for roles which stand out in a project, like I played the one in 'Puncch Beat' -- a bit of negative, strong and angry." He will next be seen in "Student of the Year 2", sequel to the widely popular "Student Of The Year". Directed by Punit Malhotra, it also features Tiger Shroff and newcomers Tara Sutaria and Ananya Panday. Talking about the project, Samir said: "I worked with Punit in 'I Hate Luv Storys'. He is a great person to work with. An actor is a director's puppet which he should be but with Punit, the style of working is different. "He asks for opinions and if a particular scene or idea feels right, he is open to adopting it. He takes suggestions from his actors. When I came to know he is going to be directing 'Student of The Year 2', I told him I had to be in the film no matter what role it was, even if it meant a small character role. "He is a straightforward person and I would definitely love to work with him in the future too." --IANS sug/rb/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Supreme Court on Tuesday allowed Congress leader Karti Chidambaram to travel to the UK and the US between May 9 and 21 and to Germany and Spain in June. The Enforcement Directorate is investigating Karti Chidambaram in criminal cases. A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and comprising Justices Deepak Gupta and Sanjiv Khanna said the present order was "subject to compliance of conditions imposed earlier". The court also asked Karti Chidambaram to pay Rs 10 cr surety. Senior advocate K.V. Vishwanathan, appearing for him, sought exemption from paying the surety and told the court that Rs 10 cr was paid last time when he had gone abroad. The CJI told the the counsel: "Your client has the capacity to pay. Let him pay." In January, the court granted Karti Chidambaram, son of senior Congress leader and former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram, permission to travel abroad, after he deposited Rs 10 crore with the Secretary General of the court. The court also asked him to come on record that he would eventually return and cooperate in the investigation. The CBI and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) are probing how Karti Chidambaram got clearance from the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) for the Aircel-Maxis deal in 2006 when his father was the Union Finance Minister. The ED on October 25, 2018 had filed a chargesheet naming him and a few others in the case. Last July, the CBI filed another chargesheet against 18 persons. One of the cases include Foreign Investment Promotion Board clearance to INX Media for Rs 305 core of foreign funds, when his father was the Finance Minister. --IANS ss/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In a set back to the Opposition, the Supreme Court on Tuesday declined to increase the count for the verification of voter-verified paper audit trail (VVPAT) slips with Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) in the ongoing Lok Sabha polls. A bench headed by the Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi said "we are not willing to modify our order". Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for the Opposition leaders, argued that the demand of the leaders was viable, as it was reasonable and meaningful. Singhvi told the court that it was "being misled". The court declined to consider Singhvi's argument, saying: "We are not inclined to modify our earlier order." Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh , Communist Party of India MP D. Raja and National Conference chairman Farooq Abdullah, attended Tuesday's proceedings in the apex court. On April 8, the top court had directed the Election Commission to increase the VVPAT slips with EVMs from one to five polling booths in each Assembly segment of the Parliamentary constituency. Last week, it agreed to hear a review plea by the 21 Opposition leaders seeking to increase the verification of VVPAT slips with EVMs in the ongoing polls. The court will hear the matter next week. The Opposition leaders led by Naidu told the court that "increase from one to five is not a reasonable number and does not lead to satisfaction desired by this court", and that it should review the order. The court's earlier order was seen as a major setback for the Opposition parties as it has merely increased the quantum of EVM verification using paper trail by 1.99 per cent, that is, out of total 10.35 lakh EVMs, only 20,625 will be used in counting to verify results. The Supreme Court had increased voter-verified paper audit trail (VVPAT) from one EVM per Assembly segment to five randomly selected Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). Earlier, increasing the poll booths for verification, the court said this was being done to ensure the greatest degree of accuracy and satisfaction in the election process. As per apex court's direction, the VVPAT slips of five EVMs in every place will be subjected to physical counting. It noted that increasing the VVPAT would neither require additional manpower nor delay the results of the Lok Sabha elections. --IANS ss/ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Over 166,900 tourists arrived in Sri Lanka last month, which was a 7.5 per cent decline compared to the same period last year due to large cancellations following the Easter Sunday bombings, according to official statistics on Tuesday. The April 21 attacks at three churches, three luxury hotels and two other locations claimed over 250 lives and injured hundreds. The top five markets for Sri Lankan tourism were Britain, India, Germany, China and Australia, said the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA). Overall, over 900,000 tourists have visited Sri Lanka till April this year which is a 2.2 per cent increase compared to the first four months of last year, Xinhua news agency reported citing the figures. Sri Lankan tourism industry is one of the worst affected since the carnage. Hotels have faced 90 per cent cancellations since the attacks. SLTDA Chairman Kishu Gomes said on Monday that the Tourism Ministry would launch a massive global promotional campaign in the coming months to advertise Sri Lanka as a safe destination and the industry hopes to bounce back within two to 13 months. --IANS soni/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Uncertainty prevails on the proposed meeting between Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao and DMK President M.K. Stalin on May 13 as the latter is yet to confirm the former's request, say DMK officials. Rao is trying to form a non-Congress, non-BJP grouping of political parties. The initial response of the DMK to Rao's proposal is lukewarm. Stalin is also busy with the campaign for the upcoming May 19 by-elections for four Tamil Nadu Assembly constituencies. According to DMK officials, no confirmation has been communicated to Rao for the May 13 meeting proposed by him. "It was Stalin who had proposed Congress President Rahul Gandhi's name for the Prime Minister's post and continues to stick to that. On the other hand, Rao is trying to promote a non-BJP, non-Congress front," a DMK leader told IANS. Perhaps, as a mark of courtesy, Stalin may meet Rao. According to the DMK leader, the stability of the government at the Centre may be an issue in the case of a third front as the previous experiences were not good. Last year, Rao met Stalin here and discussed issues related to state autonomy, finances and the political situation. Rao called on Stalin after meeting then DMK President M. Karunanidhi. Stalin said KCR was in talks with other political parties and he would himself talk about various issues with other like-minded parties in Tamil Nadu and at different levels within the DMK. KCR, the founder of Telangana's ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi, says India needs honest federalism and it should continue to remain a secular country. --IANS vj/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In a major breakthrough, the Pune Police (Rural) has recovered a golden dome which was stolen from the revered Ekvira Devi Temple near Karla in Lonavala on October 3, 2017, a top official said on Tuesday. The theft of the dome had created a huge embarrassment for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as goddess Ekvira Devi is the 'Kul-Devi' of the Thackeray family. In fact, on March 27, Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray, wife Rashmi, son Aditya and other leaders had first offered prayers at the famed hilltop temple before launching the party's election campaign. Superintendent of Police (Pune Rural) Sandip Patil told the media that the two accused, Rahul B. Gawande and Somnath A. Gawande, both hailing from Dhamangaon village in neighbouring Ahmednagar, have been arrested. "We have recovered the stolen golden dome from them which was kept hidden in the forests behind the temple. They accused had come here on a pilgrimage at that time (October 2017) when they committed the crime," Patil said. The theft had caused an uproar among devotees who throng from all over Maharashtra to worship the goddess. The dome was made of 'panch-dhatu' (five metals), donated by a devotee and was worth around Rs 150,000. As per the CCTV footage, the theft took place around 3 a.m. that day, leading to protests and a strike the next morning. Despite all efforts by the Pune police, the thieves managed to remain beyond their reach for nearly 18 months. Sena spokesperson Neelam Gorhe had raised the issue with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and demanded that security should be beefed up at the temple in view of the theft. The temple was targeted at least twice earlier in 2011 but a theft attempt was foiled. But in 2016 a gang managed to steal some ornaments from the temple, followed by the dome theft in 2017. The hilltop temple is situated in sylvan green surroundings around eight km on the outskirts of the hill station of Lonavala and can be accessed by climbing a steep hillock with 500 steps. --IANS qn/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based HR solutions provider Talocity would provide Yes Bank its AI-supported "touchless" technology for the bank's hiring process and human resource (HR) operations, Talocity said on Tuesday. "Talocity, which provides 'touchless hiring' with unbiased HR outcomes to its clients, on-boarded Yes Bank as a client recently. Talocity's blend of automation enables Yes Bank to further enhance their hiring process and HR operations, to attain high quality talent," read a company statement. According to the statement, the candidates are interviewed by an AI bot on a one-way video platform and Talocity's machine learning and AI capabilities create personality reports, for each job applicant, which tells Yes Bank about the applicant's relevance to the job. Speaking on the development, Deodutta Kurane, Senior Group President for Human Capital Management at Yes Bank, said: "Our partnership with Talocity allows us to employ AI, robotics and use of a flexible platform to reach out to candidates anywhere, at any time. The AI platform makes the first level evaluation much more convenient and effective without human bias, especially in large volume hiring." Talocity CEO Ketan Dewan said: "The benefits of 'touchless' in hiring means that most of the recruitment related translations load will now be undertaken by Artificial Intelligence-powered bots." --IANS rrb/nir (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday accused Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Congress General Secretary for Uttar Pradesh (East), of teaching abuses to the youth of Amethi. Referring to her as Princess, Yogi went on to advise Vadra to go to Italy and teach abuses in her maternal country if she wants to. "I saw what Princes of Congress was doing... I can't believe that they can stoop so low that she will start teaching children of Amethi how to abuse," Yogi said referring to a video that went viral, in which some youths are seen abusing the Prime Minister in front of her. "Priyanka Ji, don't teach Indian youths how to abuse...if you want to teach abusing then go to Italy and teach the youth of your maternal country," Yogi added to the attack. The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister was adderssing an election rally in East Delhi's Mandawali area, seeking votes for Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Gautam Gambhir. Yogi, who reached the venue about five hours late, appreciated Central government's steps to improve security in India. He also claimed that the Congress has been making fake promises since Independence and does not deserve to be back in power. --IANS rag/nir (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India's deep state is well versed in the art of intelligence warfare. Its human intelligence-led inputs to the Sri Lankan establishment, though unutilised, showed that they were on top of their game. India has been tracking the National Thowheed Jamaat (NTJ) for sometime now. New Delhi moved with great alacrity passing on direct actionable intelligence in the weeks and days leading up to the Easter Sunday bombings. And this happened from material accessed during interrogations of an ISIS suspect arrested in India. The Sri Lankan government even had a warning that Catholic churches were among the possible targets. The suspect gave Indian investigators the name of a man - Zahran Hashmi - he had trained, who is associated with a Sri Lankan extremist group implicated in the bombings. The shadowy man, Zahran Hashim, was identified in a video of the purported attackers released by ISIS, which claimed responsibility for the Easter Sunday macabre massacre. IANS met several top intelligence functionaries to piece together the emergence of Sri Lanka as the new terror central. While doing so, it unearthed a gargantuan and deep-seated Lashkar plot which goes back at least 14 years showing how LeT had invested for years in Lanka, Bangladesh, Maldives and even Malaysia as part of a larger encirclement strategy of India. Indian intelligence has been alive to this and has used all its skill sets and ground-level inputs to mitigate the terror threat emanating from the island and other neighbouring countries. It needs to be established here that ISI C Wing and LeT are two sides of the same coin as far as jihad is concerned. ISI has been using Idara Khidmat-e-Khalq (IKK) as a proxy to radicalise unemployed Muslim youth in Sri Lanka and coax them to join the NTJ. In parallel, India has bolstered its security apparatus in Tamil Nadu and Kerala due to the strong presence of NTJ members in these states. The rise of IS and its vile and noxious thought process of establishing a Caliphate has found takers in Lanka, Bangladesh and the Maldives. At least 200-250 Maldivians have reportedly fought for the IS in trouble spots like Syria and these are mules who make the trek to Yemen where they are further indoctrinated and trained, then sent on wars sometimes to Mali and Chad for fighting or to the combat zone in Iraq and Syria to fight under the IS flag. A Tokyo-based online magazine 'The Diplomat' validated this saying a December 2015 report by the Soufan Group, a private intelligence agency run by former FBI agent-turned contractor Ali Soufan, put out a count of foreign fighters who'd volunteered to fight for the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq. Four South Asian countries featured in that list - Malaysia, Pakistan, India, and the Maldives - sending an estimated 393 fighters among them. It was the island nation in the Indian Ocean that sent analysts and headlines into a tizzy with the rise of radical Islam with its bent towards Salafist tendencies. It had by far the highest per capita fighters in the sandbox. The Indian deep state has been following Islamic militancy in Sri Lanka, a fertile breeding ground since 2004. The tipping point in the rise of Islamic fundamentalism in the emerald isle has Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT)'s hand prints all over it. A special group headed by LeT's Muzzamil Bhat from Sialkot and his lackeys made forays into Bangladesh, the Maldives and Sri Lanka between 2005 and 2007, knowing fully well that these areas could be used to further their agenda and to encircle India. Muzzamil Bhat is one of the planners of 26/11 and is reported to be the architect of the Chittisinghpora massacre. The entire construct of this plan to use these countries as a launchpad to train terrorists was part of his larger architecture. The FBI in its 26/11 chargesheet named Bhat as D, a key LeT military commander, who was involved in the Chittisinghpora massacre in Jammu and Kashmir on the eve of President Bill Clinton's visit to India in March 2000. In its second chargesheet, filed in a Chicago court, the FBI named an ISI officer, Major Iqbal, and four LeT operatives - Sajid Majeed, Abu Qahafa, Abu Alqama and the unknown Lashkar member 'D'. About 'D' the chargesheet states that after the arrest of Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi in Pakistan in connection with the 26/11 attacks, he became the overall operational commander of LeT. According to FBI, 'D', who is yet to be arrested by Pakistan, was a handler of David Coleman Headley. Headley told Indian investigators that Muzzamil was involved in the Chittisinghpora massacre. In turn, Headley also said Muzzamil was most trustworthy lieutenant of Lakhvi and apart from Chittisinghpora killings of Sikhs, he planned the Akshardham temple attack in September 2002. According to Indian security establishment sources, Muzzamil is a Kashmiri born in 1976. He is married and his family lives in the Gujranwala town of Pakistani Punjab. Bhat, on the other hand, is a planner and his understanding was that with Indian intelligence and security forces keeping a close vigil on southern India in those years, he reckoned that taking the training camps offshore would be a better idea. SIMI was already active in southern India, they had set up a southern chapter across the four states, while Bhatkal had become a new centrifuge. Terror central was moving from Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra to the southern part of India. Hence Muzzamil arrived in Sri Lanka to test the waters and quickly realised that there was traction amongst Tamil Muslims after the Tsunami, ditto in Bangladesh among the Rohingyas between 2004-2008. But RAW which was extremely active in both Bangladesh and Sri Lanka did not allow Bhat or his henchmen to stabilise their operations. In 2011, ably abetted and assisted by ISI officer Amir Zubair Siddiqui (Counselor in the Pakistan High Commission in Colombo), a new name popped up on the radar - Zakir Hussain - who began to actively consort with and recruit Tamil Muslims on the island. The plan was to recruit them and unleash hell on diplomatic missions in Chennai and Bangalore, but RAW once again found the scent and pursued them to cut off their feed stock of financing, explosives and weapons. India engaged with Colombo and brought it up to speed on Siddiqui's shenanigans who was then packed off from Sri Lanka. The diplomat Amir Zubair Siddiqui's plot was to attack the US Consulate in Chennai, Israeli Consulate in Bengaluru, Eastern Naval Command HQ in Visakhapatnam and ports across the country. Once RAW had blown his cover, NIA moved in to chargesheet Siddiqui who was then visa counselor at the Pakistan High Commission in Colombo. Siddiqui was arrested for allegedly conspiring to attack vital establishments in India and was quietly withdrawn even before the NIA's request under Mutual Assistance Legal Treaty (MLAT) reached Colombo. The terror plot was uncovered after the NIA police personnel arrested an ISI agent Mohammed Zakir Hussain (37) through the 'Q' Branch of the Tamil Nadu police in 2013. The reason was that he was gathering details about vital installations in Tamil Nadu and sent photographs to Siddiqui. Hussain used his counterparts Sivabalan and Mohammad Salim to circulate fake currency in the state. During questioning, Hussain also confessed that he had also used Rafeeque (29) to pump in fake Indian currency in the state. A much larger network of Maldivians, Sri Lankan Muslims and Malaysian Tamils was discovered through this overarching probe. The hunters caught up with the quarry - Zakir Hussain - and another lynchpin was caught in Malaysia and the cartel was busted. Muzzamil Bhat was the spider who spun the web across the three countries and began the process of indoctrination in Sri Lanka. His tireless efforts paid dividends for he planted the seeds as far back as the mid 2000s. He was the first to connect the dots between Thowheed Jamaat which proselytises (mainly among the Tamil community), fights for "pure Islam" and actively promotes construction of mosques in Tamil Nadu and Sri Lankan Tamil Muslim areas. (To be continued) --IANS sb/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Terming West Bengal's ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) as "Tushtikaran (appeasement) Mafia Congress", Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday accused Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of carrying out " of appeasement" and mafia rule in the state. "Mamata didi, you are the leader of TMC which is 'Tushtikaran Mafia Congress' and you do not understand the value of the sacrifice made by the BJP and Bharatiya Jana Sangh's founder Shyamaprasad Mookerjee who was from this place. "His last rites were performed at Keoratala ghat situated here. He worked for the unity of the country. Despite living, you do of appeasement and run a mafia raj," she said here at an election rally in South Kolkata. The senior BJP leader slammed the Trinamool supremo for forging an opposition alliance with leaders like National Conference leader Omar Abdullah, who recently advocated a separate Premier for Jammu and Kashmir. "You have association with those who believe there should be two heads of the country. Will S.P. Mookerjee's sacrifice be a waste? Will you support them? I ask whether the country should have one executive head, one constitution, one national flag or not. I want to ask you whether you remember his sacrifice," she asked. Taunting Banerjee's campaigning, Sitharaman asked: "What prompted you to chant 'Sarva Mangala Mangalye' when you are doing of appeasement? You will not stop anyone from uttering 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai'." Banerjee is often seen chanting Sanskrit mantras almost in all her public meetings. Sitharam also alleged Banerjee was "indulging in violence in the state instead of protecting people in the state as the Chief Minister" and has been "copying what the Communist government used to do" as regards violence. Taking a dig at the Trinamool supremo for getting angry at a group of purported BJP supporters shouting "Jai Shree Ram" in front of her convoy in West Midnapore district's Chandrakona, she said: "You have the responsibility to protect people and listen to their demand. But you are threatening them." Asked whether it is a matter of concern as the poll violence continues in West Bengal, the Union Minister said: "Hundred per cent, it is a matter of concern. In spite of central forces coming in and assuring the voters that their presence will make a difference, Didi's syndicate morcha people are all over the place." "Central forces can be very close to the polling booths and can assure voters that they can come and peacefully cast their votes and go," Sitharaman said, adding that if the "streets are full of syndicate morchas and Didi's forces, people would be scared to come to the polling booths". "Violence perpetrated by TMC workers is a cause for concern. Mamata Banerjee, at the end of the day, screams for democracy but she is the one who is violating democracy." Ridiculing Banerjee's reluctance to talk with Prime Minister Narendra Modi over phone regarding cyclone Fani and also her claim that she does not consider him the Prime Minister, Sitharaman said: "She claimed she would talk to new PM. But, listen, new PM will be Narendra Modi." --IANS bdc/ssp/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The massive rally of Congress President Rahul Gandhi here held on May 4 could turn the table in favour of party candidate Captain Ajay Singh Yadav. There is a buzz among voters in Gurugram that BJP's Rao Inderjeet Singh has failed to invite Prime Minister Narendra Modi or BJP President Amit Shah to counter Gandhi. Rao has said that Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will address a rally in favour of him but this is not clear. As per a statement from the office of Rao Inderjeet Singh, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh will address a rally on May 8 at Bhondsi village and Haryana Chief Minister M.L. Khattar in Gurugram. Such a scenario for Rao is important to decide his fate with the election campaign entering the last phase, with only three days remaining. "This is in comparison to 2014 when then BJP Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi started his campaign in Rao's home district Rewari. Till then, Rao was in the Congress. Being a politician, he sensed the wave and jumped from the Congress ship to join the BJP," said Sameer Chaudhary, a professor of political science in a private college. "The situation is different in 2019 for Rao with none of the firebrand leaders of BJP coming here. Rajnath Singh is not so vocal compared to Modi, Amit Shah or Yogi," said Purusottam Pahwa, a lawyer in the Gurugram civil court. Rao is already facing the heat due to the 5.3 lakh voters of Muslim-dominated Nuh district. As a result, he is focusing only on traditional Ahirwal voters of Rewari and Gurugram. Gurugram parliamentary constituency is spread in three districts: Gurugram, Rewari and Nuh with 1,082,870, 646,239 and 53,109 voters. --IANS str/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) UK Prime Minister Theresa May will meet Graham Brady, the chairman of an influential committee of backbench Tory MPs, amid calls for her to set a resignation date, the media reported on Tuesday. It follows a request from the 1922 committee -- an elected body of MPs which represents backbenchers and also oversees leadership contests -- for "clarity" on the issue, according to the BBC. No 10 insists the meeting is routine but reports say that Brady is likely to press May for a timetable for her departure. On Monday, Treasurer of the 1922 committee Geoffrey Clifton-Brown told the BBC that the Prime Minister should announce a "road map" for her resignation after the European elections set for May 23. Meanwhile, cross-party talks to break the Brexit deadlock are due to resume. In March, May pledged to quit if and when Parliament ratified her Brexit withdrawal agreement with the EU -- but she has not made it clear how long she intends to stay if no deal is reached. The UK had been due to leave the EU on March 29, but the deadline was pushed to October 31 after Parliament was unable to agree a way forward. Leading Eurosceptic Bill Cash also told the Press Association "the time has come" for her to resign. "She needs to be given a date. The sooner the better. But it needs to be done in an orderly manner," he said. May's Conservative Party and the opposition Labour Party suffered disappointing results in last week's local elections -- with the Conservatives losing 1,334 councillors and Labour failing to make expected gains, instead losing 82 seats. The Prime Minister has blamed the Brexit impasse for the losses and called on both sides to compromise to agree a deal. However, tensions remain as talks between the government and Labour resume. Labour's Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell has said he does not trust May, after details from cross-party talks were leaked to the press, and accused her of having "blown the confidentiality" of the talks. Reports emerged at the weekend that the Prime Minister was ready to offer a temporary customs arrangement with the EU that would last until the next general election. --IANS soni/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A US federal judge has issued a stay order against President Donald Trump's administration's rule to make it easier to deport students for even innocent mistakes in following visa regulations and prevent them from returning for as long 10 years by making subtle changes in the regulation. Judge Loretta C. Biggs stopped the US Customs and Immigration Service (USCIS) from temporarily enforcing the rule issued last August that allowed the deportation and penalising of students who overstayed their visa for 180 days by changing the way in which the period was calculated. She also ordered that the case against the rule to be heard expeditiously. Immigration expert Doug Rand told IANS on Monday: "It is very positive for international students, a very large proportion of whom are Indians. It means that the policy that the USCIS issued last year is suspended for the foreseeable future, and may be forever depending on how this litigation comes out." Barring them from returning for three to 10 years "was a very harsh punishment and this was the Trump administration's way of trying to crack down on what they say is visa abuse, which would just create immense uncertainty for hundreds of thousands of students, the vast majority of whom have no intention of violating the visa (conditions), and if they do violate the visa (rules) it was an innocent mistake", he said. Biggs issued the stay order on Friday at the federal court in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, on a case filed by two students of Chinese descent, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), three colleges and the Guilford College International Club. She said in her ruling that the plaintiffs have "demonstrated a likelihood of success" in their case against the rule change and they would "suffer irreparable harm" without the stay, which she said would be applied nationwide. Explaining the litigation and the stay, Rand said that if someone on a student visa made a mistake - even if it was an innocent one - the USCIS would start applying the 180-day rule on "unlawful presence", or overstaying the visa, from the day they found the mistake. But the UCIS changes the rule so that the "unlawful presence" began on "the day you actually messed up even if that was years ago", Rand said. "And the reason that matters is because once you have accrued 180 days of 'unlawful presence', you are in big trouble because not only you have to leave the country to sort out your status, you are also barred from coming back to the US for any reason for three to 10 years." The length of time a person is barred from returning depends on how long the person overstayed the visa. The ruling -- and the eventual decision on the appeal against the rule, it if is favourable -- may protect students who were victims of fraud or were caught up in the sting operations like the one set up by federal authorities who created a fake institution, Farmington University, to catch visa brokers. Farmington students may now be able claim they have six months from the day the fraud was exposed in January to either leave the country during this period with the possibility of returning or switch to a legitimate institution. Under the rule that has been stayed the 180-day period would have expired from the day they enrolled more than a year ago in some cases. "You can add this to the long list of Trump immigration proposals are frozen due to court action", said Rand, who is the president of Boundless Immigration, a technology company helping people navigate the immigration process. Biggs was appointed by former President Barack Obama in 2016. Among the many immigration-related rulings by several judges against the Trump administration policies are the separation of illegal immigrant children from their parents in custody; ending the programme that gave some who came to the country as children work permits and protection from deportation; sending Central American asylum seekers to wait in Mexico while their appeal is pending; denying asylum to illegal border crossers; and ending temporary stay for people from some countries that have suffered natural calamities or widespread violence. (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.) US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said that the administration will be moving forward on President Donald Trump's latest threat to escalate tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese goods effective from Friday. As of Friday, penalties on $200 billion of Chinese goods will be lifted to 25 per cent from 10 per cent, as Trump said in a tweet on Sunday, reports CNN. The President has already imposed tariffs on $250 billion worth of Chinese goods. Speaking to the media here on Monday, Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said China reneged on previous agreements over the weekend, derailing months of progress toward a detailed trade agreement between the world's two largest economies. "We felt like we were on track to get somewhere," Lighthizer said. "We tried to accommodate changes in the text, but these are substantial and substantive changes." He described the changes as "reneging on prior commitments". Mnuchin told the media: "It did become particularly clear with some new information they were trying to go back on very clear language that had the potential to change the deal dramatically. "This is a big change in direction for the negotiation." Lighthizer and Mnuchin however, said the move to press ahead with tariffs was not a signal of a breakdown of talks. The Treasury Secretary declined to speculate on whether the two countries would be able to close the gap before the end of the week. The news comes ahead of the arrival of a Chinese delegation, led by Vice Premier Liu, in Washington on Thursday for the 11th round of trade talks. After repeatedly promising that the US-China talks were in their final stages, Trump threw the negotiations into question over the weekend with a series of tweets threatening new tariffs. US markets recovered on Monday after an initial slide as the equity markets in Asia tumbled and US futures slid. Trump continued his warnings on Monday, saying in a tweet: "The United States has been losing, for many years, $600 to 800 billion a year on Trade. With China we lose $500 billion... Sorry, we're not going to be doing that anymore!" Despite the threat, a Chinese government spokesman said on Monday that they were still planning to move forward with the talks. China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told the media in a press briefing on Monday that the US has threatened China with tariffs "numerous" times in the past, but that positive developments have been made in the 10 rounds of trade talks between the two countries. The US understands China's position "very clearly", Geng added. --IANS ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Why Congress President Rahul Gandhi never made it to Amethi on polling day? This question was repeatedly asked by Union Minister Smriti Irani, the BJP candidate from Amethi. She claimed in the afternoon that Rahul Gandhi had landed at the Fursatganj airstrip and was prompting booth capturing. Her claim was found to be baseless because no aircraft had landed in Fursatganj with the Congress President. Irani then claimed that 'Rahul bhaag gaye'. Congress spokesman Surendra Rajput told IANS: "Rahul Gandhi is now the national president of the Congress and he was busy campaigning in Haryana. Congress workers had been assigned the duty of poll management. Smriti Irani has been levelling baseless allegations, including one of booth capturing which has been turned down by the Election Commission too." Former Congress MP Pramod Tiwari, meanwhile, said: "Smriti Irani wanted to create confusion which she did in Amethi because she had realized that she was fighting a losing battle. All she could do was to send the media in a spin. "The people of Amethi have voted for the Congress President who is going to win with a bigger margin than in 2014." Pramod Tiwari said that Irani had even accused Rahul Gandhi of being responsible for the death of a man who was not admitted to the Sanjay Gandhi Hospital. "Can anything be more ridiculous than this?" he asked. --IANS amita/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Actor-turned-politician and BJP candidate from Punjab's Gurdaspur Lok Sabha seat Sunny Deol on Tuesday promised that he would solve all problems of the constituency effectively after winning the elections. Addressing election meetings, he said the way people of Gurdaspur have instilled confidence in him and given him affection, he was sure of winning. When Sunny Deol stepped into Gharota, the village of yesteryear superstar Dev Anand, he was welcomed heartily by villagers. Village elder Kishan Chand said the village has had long association with Bollywood and with Sunny Deol coming, the bond had grown stronger. The actor said he would effectively implement schemes meant for youngsters, elderly and women. Recalling his all-time famous cinematic dialogue, Deol said "Dhai Kilo Ka Haath" had been possible only due to affection from people across the country. Amid blistering heat, a sea of people thronged actor-turned-politician Deol's roadshows vying for a selfie with their favourite candidate. True to star gesture, the "Gadar" star is also not missing an opportunity to get off from his vehicle to them. During his day-long visit, he visited religious places. The BJP-Akali Dal has fielded the 62-year-old from Gurdaspur, the seat represented four times by yesteryear actor Vinod Khanna, who died in April 2017 due to cancer. Khanna, a native of Punjab, was a sitting MP at that time of his death. Son of veteran actor Dharmendra, Deol, who does not have any direct connection with Gurdaspur city, though his father hails from Sahnewal town near Punjab's industrial town Ludhiana, has a strong Punjabi appeal. He is a Jat Sikh. Gurdaspur lies in the north of Punjab, sharing an international border with Pakistan and the troubled state of Jammu and Kashmir. The area is not as developed as other areas in Punjab. Deol is pitted against Congress state unit President Sunil Jakhar, who won the October 2017 by-election with a margin of 1.92 lakh votes. The BJP in the state has an alliance with the Shiromani Akali Dal in Punjab. It is contesting three Lok Sabha seats (Amritsar, Gurdaspur and Hoshiarpur) while the Akali Dal is contesting the remaining 10 seats. Punjab will vote on May 19. --IANS vg/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A woman on Tuesday threw an egg at Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison during a campaign event for the general elections slated to be held on May 18. Television images showed the woman throw the egg at Morrison's head which bounced off without breaking during the event of the Country Women's Association in Albury, reports Efe news. The woman, who was arrested, told the media that she threw the egg in protest at the ruling coalition's policy against asylum seekers. An elderly woman was knocked off her feet during the incident. In March, a teenager cracked an egg on the back of the head of the controversial Australian senator Fraser Anning after he blamed immigration policies for the white supremacist attacks against two mosques in New Zealand that left 51 people dead. --IANS ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) From raag Malkauns to Guernica, from the splendor of moon-landing to the first gush of water in Aswan dam all have been constructed to evoke a sense of uniqueness, unusual human achievement, and beauty that heighten our inner sensibilities. Organisations are somewhat like that lifeblood for many, saviour for others, but above all termed beautiful or ugly based on how they conduct themselves and evoke the inner sensibilities of employees, customers and shareholders. As a former independent director of Mindtree, the value of the beauty of its organisational culture, which ... At least nine pieces of gold biscuits weighing 1.4 kg, worth over Rs 50 lakh in the international market, were recovered from the rectum of a passenger at the airport here by CISF personnel on Tuesday, an officer said. The security personnel became suspicious as the 65- year-old passenger tried to avoid the metal detector door frame to go to the security hold area, the CISF officer said. The gold biscuits were detected during security check when the passenger was allegedly trying to smuggle them in his rectum, the officer said. The man was caught at the security hold area while on his way to board a flight to Delhi via Kolkata, the airline's Manager, Hemant Roy here told PTI. The man was handed over to the Customs department, the officer added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Pakistan Maritime Security Agency has arrested 34 Indian fishermen for allegedly straying into the country's territorial waters, officials said. A maritime security spokesman said the arrests were made on Tuesday, during which six boats were also seized. The fishermen have been handed over to the local dock police, the spokesman said. "They will appear before a judicial magistrate, who will decide on their judicial remand," he said. This is the first time since January that the maritime security agency has arrested Indian fishermen. In January, five Gujarati boatsmen were arrested and jailed. Last month, the Pakistan government had released more than 250 Indian fishermen from the Landhi and Malir jails in Karachi. The fishermen were released in three phases. The Pakistan Foreign Ministry had earlier announced 360 Indian fishermen would be released in four separate batches in April as a goodwill gesture. Indian and Pakistani fishermen often get arrested in foreign waters due to lack of technology and indistinct maritime boundaries. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Four people were arrested for allegedly duping youths on the pretext of getting them employment in various government projects, police said Tuesday. The accused have been identified as Gyan Prakash (30), Ram Narayan (28), Rishi Kant (27) and Praveen Kumar (22), they said. Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) Madhur Verma said that Prakash, hailing from Gurgaon, used to place advertisements in newspapers seeking applications for jobs in various government schemes such as the Ayushman Bharat Yojana and would cheat applicants by collecting money after offering fake appointment letters. In a statement, the National Health Authority (NHA), the apex body implementing the health insurance scheme, said it was vigilant and constantly monitoring to avert any kind of fraud in the scheme and had informed Delhi Police about fake letters promising jobs. Indu Bhushan, CEO of the National Health Authority, said, "Pradhan Mantri - Jan Arogya Yojana Ayushman Bharat is a free healthcare scheme and will never ask any individual to deposit money either for a job opportunity or insurance e-card registration, etc. Such fraudulent activities go against the entire National Health Authority's system as well as our efforts. "Hence, we request our colleagues in the media to verify the source of information before publishing an advertisement related to the PM-JAY Ayushman Bharat Scheme in their esteemed publications. In a complaint with the police, Surender Kumar alleged that on April 14, he saw an advertisement published in a national Hindi daily regarding recruitment under the Ayushman Bharat Yojana. Kumar said he sent his resume to a specified mobile number following which he received a "joining letter" through speed post on April 25, according to the police officer. When Kumar visited the specified office of the 'Ayushman Bharat Yojana' in Jeevan Bharti Building at Connaught Place, he came to know that the joining letter he had received was fake, the police officer said. A case was registered at Connaught Place and later several victims approached police in this regard, he said. Accused Gyan Prakash was arrested on May 3 after police got a tip-off that he would visit Sector 14 market of Faridabad, he added. During interrogation, Gyan Prakash said that he had huge debt to pay and his friend convinced him to earn huge money through an easy way of cheating people on the pretext of providing jobs in leading projects, the DCP said. His friend introduced him with people involved in such syndicate, including Rishi Kant and two others. Prakash later started his own setup, with help from Kant, Ram Narayan and Praveen Kumar. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Four persons, including a woman and her two daughters, were killed when roof of their dilapidated house collapsed in the northwest Pakistan on Tuesday, police said. The victims were asleep in their house when its roof collapsed in the wee hours of Tuesday, killing four persons in Charsadda district. However, one child sustained injuries. Rescue teams reached the spot and retrieved four bodies from the rubble. Police said that owner of the house was a labourer and residing in Saudi Arabia. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Customs officials Tuesday nabbed three persons and seized gold worth Rs 25 lakh from two of them at the Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport here, an official said. The duo had landed at Nagpur from Sharjah by Air Arabia and were planning to go to Mumbai further using a domestic flight, he said. One of the persons, hailing from Thane near Mumbai, had hidden the gold inside his body and revealed the name of the receiver after getting caught, the official said. "The receiver waiting outside the airport was nabbed who gave us further information that a third person was also inside the airport premises carrying gold illegally," he said. He too was held just as he was about to take a flight to Mumbai, the official said, adding that a total of 830 grams of gold was seized from both of them. The Nagpur International Airport receives a flight each from Sharjah and Qatar daily. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) AAP North West Delhi candidate Gugan Singh released his manifesto which focuses on rural areas and affordable education in the constituency. Singh told reporters that there are several severe issues plaguing the North West constituency. Full statehood for Delhi will give most benefits to this constituency and the manifesto has been made keeping that in mind," he said. Singh said he would work in the education sector that is affordable and helps children studying in rural areas be at par with the rest of the country. He said he would also use the Swaminathan report in formulating policies in the region. Delhi goes to polls on May 12 and the results would be announced on May 23. The North West Delhi constituency is a reserved seat. Singh is locked in a contest with BJP candidate Hans Raj Hans and Congress candidate Rajesh Lilothia. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Newcomer Ananya Pandey says she hopes to grow into a versatile artiste like her idol, Alia Bhatt some day. The 20-year-old actor is set to make her big Bollywood debut this Friday with "Student of the Year 2", a sequel to the 2012 film that launched Alia's career. "I look up to Alia so much. She has always been my idol. When she came in with 'Student...' she was raw and fresh and people saw her grow. I've been inspired by her growth," she told PTI in an interview here. Ananya, the daughter of actor Chunky Pandey, plays Shreya in the Punit Malhotra directorial. The film also stars Tiger Shroff and another debutante Tara Sutaria. Ananya says her character in the film is similar to her real-life self. "She is very much like how I am as a person. She's passionate, loud and expressive. She is a fighter and doesn't take no for an answer. She is someone young girls can look up to and relate with." The actor said she has played the role with utmost honesty and hopes the audience watches her evolve into a better performer. "I was extremely honest in playing this role and I hope people see that. As Shreya is very close to the person that I am, it just amplified because in a Dharma Productions film, everything is larger-than-life. I have not been trained formally any way before. "So all of these experiences were my first. Everything I did was impulsive. I was making mistakes and you would see that. I would like the audience to watch me grow. I don't want to be perfect from the start. I don't want to know everything, that's so boring. I want people to see me make mistakes and learn from them," she said. Even before the release of her first film, Ananya has already booked her second gig, the remake of 1978 comedy "Pati Patni Aur Woh". It also stars Kartik Aaryan and Bhumi Pednekar. The actor is looking forward to working in the film, which is a modern take on the original, that featured Sanjeev Kumar, Vidya Sinha and Ranjeeta Kaur. "I'm excited about it. After having seen my dad do so much in comedy, I know I have a legacy to live up to. Also, it's a fresh casting. At a young age, I'm playing a slightly older character which will be interesting for me," she said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Tuesday condemned the incident of gang rape in Alwar district and directed officials to take stern action against the accused. "The state government is committed for women safety. Nearly a dozen police teams have been formed to arrest the accused and one arrest has been made. The victim and her family are given protection," Gehlot said in a statement. The chief minister said action would also be taken against the police officials if any lapses were found. The woman was allegedly raped by five men in front of her husband in Thanagazi area. She was going with her husband on a motorcycle when the accused stopped them and committed the crime. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) : In a major boost to its ongoing research in Landslide Early Warning Systems (LEWS), multi-hazards, geo-hazards and community resilience, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham (Amrita) has signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with two UK based institutions. The MoUs with King's College London and the British Geological Survey will give Amrita the much need fillip in its research and unravel many collaborative academic and research opportunities between India and the UK, a press release from Amrita said Tuesday. The ongoing research collaborations between Amrita Centre for Wireless Networks and Applications (Amrita WNA) and the Department of Geography, KCL, has led to this initiative between the two universities. King's College, London, is ranked as the eighth best university in the world and a MoU with them would allow Amrita to further explore and pursue deep collaborations like twinning arrangements and student/faculty exchanges in any of the academic disciplines available at both universities. Another MoU was signed between Amrita and BGS to develop robust practices in the fields of earth sciences, mineral prospecting and disaster management, the release said. BGS is a world-leading geological survey and UK's premier provider of objective and authoritative geoscientific data, information and knowledge. Through this initiative, Amrita has become the first Indian University to have signed a MoU with the prestigious research institution, the release said. Dr Maneesha V Ramesh, Dean, International Programs, AmritaVishwa Vidyapeetham, said such networking and cooperation opportunities are extremely valuable for sharing information on new approaches and resources but also acquiring specialized and new expertise. Amrita's Vice Chancellor Dr Venkat Rangan aid these initiatives would pave the way for good quality collaborative research between the institutions. Amrita got its recognition as the World Centre of Excellence for Landslide disaster reduction in the year 2017. The Centre had received funding from the UK Natural Environment Research Council,Department for International Development, Science for Humanitarian Emergencies & Resilience programme for a landslide-research project called "Landslip" in collaboration with British Geological Survey, the UK Met Office and King's College, among other partners from India and the UK. The main aim is to develop regional thresholds for landslide warning from the real-time data of Amrita's field deployments in the Himalayas and the Western Ghats, the release said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Army officer Lt Col Bharat Pannu has appealed to the public to help him with funds to compete in the greulling "Race Across America" (RAAM) bicycle event starting on June 11. Only two Indians, Srinivas Gokulnath and Amit Samarth, have completed the 4,800-km cycle race, touted as the world's toughest, that involves peddling from the west coast to the east coast of America. Two city-based doctor brothers -- Mahendra and Hitendra Mahajan - successfully finishedthe race in 2015 as a team. Participants have all of 12 days to finish the distance and have to be assisted by a support team, which travels in cars, making it an expensive affair. Lt Col Pannu, currently posted here in North Maharashtra, said he will use the race to spread the message of saving the environment. The event, which will start in California, spans 4,800 km, climbs 1,75,000 feet, crosses 12 US states before finishing at Maryland, according to its website. Talking to reporters here Monday evening, the Army officer urged people to come forward to help him with funds considering the high expenses involved in participating in the competition. He said it costs around Rs 45 lakh to take part in the race. "I am myself spending Rs 25 lakh and the remaining Rs 20 lakh is being raised through sponsors and donations from members of the public," the officer said. Lt Col Pannu, an aeronautical engineer, joined the Army in 2005. He is looking after maintenance of the Army's helicopters at Devlali camp near here since 2016. He said Army officials from various countries take part in RAAM. "There is a separate group of these participants, who complete the race in less time. I am trying to win the cup in this category," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Four days after extremely severe cyclone Fani hammered Odisha and damaged its infrastructure, authorities on Tuesday struggled to restore essential services like water supply, electricity and telecommunication due to an acute shortage of skilled manpower. The state government needs to replace 1.5 lakh electric poles uprooted by high-velocity wind of about 200kmph in coastal districts, officials said. "Everything is dependent on power supply. If there is no electricity, the filling stations cannot operate even though they have enough stock of petrol and diesel," said Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan, who is visiting the cyclone-ravaged areas of Puri district to assess the damage. The cyclone that made landfall near Puri on Friday has claimed at least 35 lives in Odisha. On Tuesday, the state government started relief distribution in Bhubaneswar and Puri even as people cried for drinking water. High humidity level, above 90 per cent in coastal districts, has compounded their miseries. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Tuesday asked his administration officials to expedite relief and restoration activities in other districts such as Jagatsinghpur and Kendrapara districts, as well. "Relief, rehabilitation and restoration work is in progress on a war footing. We are trying our best to bring normalcy at the earliest," said Sangram Mohapatra, the spokesperson of the special relief commissioner. In a letter written to Union Minister of Human Resource Development Prakash Javadekar, Patnaik has urged the Centre to extend the registration date for the JEE (advanced) for admission in IITs. Students have to register themselves online between May 3 to May 9 and with the telecommunication lines severed it's become difficult for them to do that. "As you are aware, the extremely severe cyclone FANI has hit Odisha on May 3, 2019, which disrupted mobile and data connectivity in many districts. Due to non-availability of internet at many locations in Odisha after Fani, the brilliant Odia students have not been able to register their names online for the examination. IIT, Roorke is the organizing Institute for the JEE (Advanced) Examination this year," Patnaik wrote to Javadekar. It is necessary to extend the registration date by at least 10 days. The all-India NEET examination has also been postponed for Odisha students, Patnaik said in the letter. The administration requires 10,000 manpower to restore normalcy in Puri in a week's time. "But, we have so far got 4,000 people for Puri," said Energy Secretary Hemant Sharma. In absence of essential services, many people, mostly students and elderly persons, have started leaving the state capital for other districts. "There is rush at the bus stand as people return to their villages," said Odisha Private Bus Owners Association secretary Tusharkant Acharya. He said 400 buses are plying in the state, but more are required to meet the spurt in demand after the cyclone. Bus services have resumed on 80 per cent routes as national highways and state highways. Though train services resumed from the state capital Bhubaneswar on Sunday, the East Coast Railways Tuesday announced it has cancelled seven trains, including Haridwar-Puri Kalinga Express, Chennai-Santragachi Suvidha Express, Neelachal Express and Puri-Shalimar Express. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In the pocket borough of the Badal family here, their 'bahu' and Union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal is facing an electoral challenge from two sitting MLAs and an AAP rebel as she seeks to retain the Bathinda parliamentary constituency for the third time. Traditionally, Bathinda seat, which is also known as Punjab's cotton belt, has been considered as the stronghold of the Akali Dal as its candidates have won from here on eight occasions. The Shiromani Akali Dal has reposed confidence in Harsimrat Kaur Badal, the daughter-in-law of Akali stalwart Parkash Singh Badal, from Bathinda despite earlier speculations that she could be fielded from Ferozepur seat. The SAD patron and five-time chief minister Parkash Singh Badal has been campaigning for his daughter-in-law. The ruling Congress has given ticket to sitting MLA from Gidderbaha Amrinder Singh Raja Warring while the Aam Aadmi Party has fielded Talwandi Sabo legislator Baljinder Kaur. Rebel AAP leader and Punjabi Ekta Party chief Sukhpal Singh Khaira is also in the fray. He had last month resigned as MLA for contesting the parliamentary elections. As the poll campaign picks up in Bathinda, the candidates are targeting each other with Harsimrat Kaur Badal calling her opponents as "fugitives" and Warring attacking the Badal family for the 2015 sacrilege and police firing incidents. "Three fugitives have been fielded against me. One belongs to ruling party and two others are in opposition, said Harsimrat Kaur Badal while addressing public meeting in her constituency. Wife of the SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal, Harsimrt Kaur Badal had first contested fromBathinda in 2009 but lost to Raninder Singh, son of chief minister Amarinder Singh by 1.20 lakh votes. In 2014 Lok Sabha polls during Modi wave, the winning margin of Harsimrat Kaur Badal was just over 19,000 votes as she defeated Manpreet Badal, the estranged cousin of Sukhbir Badal. Bathinda parliamentary constituency has nine assembly segments of which five seats are represented by the AAP and two each by the Congress and the Akali Dal. It has a total 15.89 lakh voters. To win over support of the voters for the third time, Harsimrat Kaur Badal, also called 'Biba ji', is banking on the "unprecedented" development in the constituency and at the same time, she is hitting out at her political opponents by raising the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, operation Bluestar and unkept poll promises by the Congress government. "The Congress party is one of the biggest liars as it made false poll promises (during 2017 assembly polls). Is there any single farmer whose debt has been completely waived off? Rather 1,500 farmers have committed suicides (in last two years)," she had said at the rally. She also reminded people of the development projects carried out during the 10-year rule of the SAD-BJP regime and launched an offensive against the Congress government for stalling development in the state. "I seek your support for third time to take the development works forward. There is no doubt that the Modi government is going to repeat again at the Centre," she said. She termed Warring a 'dramebaaz' for spending a night at a Dalit's house, who resided near the residence of the Badal family. Lashing out at Harsimrat, the Punjab chief minister said voters would punish her for her "arrogance" and the sacrilege incidents under the previous SAD-BJP rule. Amarinder Singh was also of the view that Harsimrat as Union minister failed to support Punjab on various issues with the Centre. Warring dubbed his electoral battle as fight between "commoner and rich" and lambasted the Badal family for allegedly looting Punjab for 10 years. In his public address, he also attacked Badals for the 2015 sacrilege and police firing incidents and asked voters to oust Harsimrat Kaur Badal from Bathinda seat. Warring is also being supported by his better half Amrita Warring who has been aggressively campaigning in the constituency. "If Harsimrat, who has food processing ministry, had wanted she could have created 15,000 to 20,000 jobs here," Amrita Warring said. PEP nominee and AAP rebel Sukhpal Singh Khaira criticised both the Congress and the Akali Dal for "destroying" Punjab. "I hold the Congress and the Akali Dal responsible for destroying Punjab. In Bathinda, the government schools, dispensaries are in pathetic condition," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Actors Benedict Cumberbatch and Elisabeth Moss are set to star in Jane Campion's new film "The Power of the Dog". The film is an adaptation of Thomas Savage's novel of the same name, reported Variety. Campion, who won the Academy Award for screenplay for "The Piano", will direct from a script she has adapted. "'The Power of the Dog' is a sublime novel that deserves a life on the big screen. I couldn't stop thinking about the story, it really haunted me. The themes of masculinity, nostalgia and betrayal are an intoxicating mix. "It's also rare to find a story where the themes, the plot and the characters build tension as they reveal each other and even the end is satisfying and unexpected. It will be the first time I've worked with a male lead, which is exciting. Phil is a charismatic and complex character who declares war on his brother's new wife and her teenage son," Campion said. The novel revolves around rich Montana brothers Phil (Cumberbatch) and George Burbank. "Phil is brilliant and cruel, while George is fastidious and gentle. Together, they are joint owners of the biggest ranch in their Montana valley. When George secretly marries local widow Rose (Moss), an angry Phil wages a relentless war to destroy her by using her son Peter as a pawn," the plot synopsis read. The film will go into pre-production at the end of the year. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Alleging that police adopted a discriminatory attitude against its leaders during a recent clash between two groups here, the BJP Tuesday demanded that action be taken against AIMIM MLA Ahmed Pasha Quadri and his party workers for "attempting to orchestrate a communal problem." The party also sought an apology from police commissioner for his alleged rude behaviour towards its MLA Raja Singh. The issue is related to a clash between two communities over setting up of a shed on a land where a place of worship was demolished, according to police. Tension prevailed in the Amberpet area Sunday night after members of the two communities pelted stones at each other following arguments over the "disputed" land where the place of worship was demolished by the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) for road widening Wednesday last. "The discriminatory nature of the police is amply evident. It is in this context the BJP seeks your intervention in initiating action against the AIMIM workers including the MLA, for their overt attempt to orchestrate communal problem in Amberpet," BJP said in a memorandum submitted to Telangana Home Minister Mohd Mahmood Ali. "We also request you to initiate appropriate action against the police officials for their high-handedness on the local people of Amberpet and on Raja Singh (BJP MLA)," it said. Police on May 5 behaved as though their primary and ultimate duty was to protect AIMIM people, it alleged. BJPs demands include registering a case against MLA Pasha Quadri and other AIMIM leaders. The Commissioner of Police needs to apologise for his "rude and unruly behavior" towards Raja Singh, it added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) BSP supremo Mayawati and SP chief Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday said that their alliance will "shake the very roots" of the BJP and dislodge the "chowkidar of capitalists" from the prime minister's chair. Addressing election rallies in favour of Mahagathbandhan candidates in Machchlishahr and Jaunpur seats, they also targeted the Congress, alleging that it is "anti-dalit" like the BJP and wants the people to remain poor. "BJP's guru and chela are all set to be out of power at the Centre," Mayawati said at a rally in Bhadohi, attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah. "This alliance is so strong that in the 2022 Assembly elections in UP, it will send Yogi baba back in his mutt," Mayawati said, referring to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The BSP supremo alleged that the BJP tried to break their alliance, but she "exposed" it in the media and gave a "befitting reply" to the saffron party. "The BJP is going out of power in these elections... it has failed to fulfil the promises made to the poor and the middle classes in 2014 elections ...despite all this the Prime Minister is seeking votes again," she said in Jaunpur. Mayawati said, "Terror attacks are taking place and the government is busy in taking mileage of the army's valour." Terming Prime Minister Narendra Modi as 'chowkidar of capitalists", she alleged that he helped the rich become richer. She also alleged that the GST and note ban were a "source of corruption". Hitting out at the Congress, Mayawati alleged "both BJP and Congress are anti-dalits". Referring to the Congress' Nyaya scheme, she said the party which is claiming to provideRs. 6,000 every month to poor families "only wants people to remain poor and helpless.... There is a need to remain vigilant from them." On Uttar Pradesh, she said farmers in the state were facing immense hardships because of stray cattle and blamed the Aditynath government for it. She also promised permanent jobs if the SP-BSP alliance is votedto power at the centre. In his address, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadavechoed Mayawati's view that both "BJP and Congress are the same". "Had the Congress worked earnestly since Independence, there would not have been the need for formation of SP and BSP ...no one thought SP and BSP would form an alliance. All efforts to somehow break the alliance have failed. After five phases of polling, the BJP's morale has also come down. Its leaders and workers are worried," he said. "These BJP people talk about security of the country but could not reply to questions of 'roti and daal' raised by a BSF jawan," he said referring to dismissed BSF jawan Tej Bahadur Yadav whose nomination papers from Varanasi were rejected. "BJP is standing on a foundation of lies and our alliance will shake its very roots...perhaps the BJP is not aware that this alliance is a storm. This time round, people will snatch the chair of thechaiwala-turned-chowkidar .... He said the alliance "will uproot the BJP which is standing on the foundation of lies and hatred. There is a wind of change which is blowing... how can theprime minister, who got scared of a jawan in Varanasi, face terrorism and naxalism." "Not only the public but animals also are unhappy with this government," he quipped. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A senior functionary of the Jammu and Kashmir unit of BJP Tuesday surrendered his security here as a mark of protest against the withdrawal of security to the party activists by the government and the killing of party' leader by terrorists on Saturday. BJP's state general secretary (organization) Ashok Kaul surrendered his security and a vehicle provided by the Security Wing of Jammu and Kashmir Police after a protest at Press Enclave here against the killing of party's district vice-president for Anantnag, Gul Mohammad Mir, on Saturday and the failure of the administration to provide security to political activists in the valley. Kaul said he was surrendering his security as a mark of protest till all political activists in the state were not given security. Condemning Mir's killing, the BJP state general secretary said the party leader's killing was a failure of the state administration. "He (Mir) was given security in June 2018 after we requested the government. A constable and a SPO were provided to him. But unfortunately, the constable was withdrawn in December 2018. After that, his house was attacked, but he fought and saved not only himself but the SPO as well. "I had written to SSP Anantnag on 13 January 2019 for providing him security once again. I was told that he had no threat and should return home as he was putting up at party office at Jawahar Nagar (in Srinagar). Afterwards, the SPO was also withdrawn. The (government's) grievance cell also wrote to the police last month to provide him security, but it was not. This is the failure of the administration," he said. Kaul asked why was security provided to Mir in 2018 if he had no threat and held the state administration responsible for his killing. "If he (Mir) had no threat, then why were the two guards provided to him in the first place. I hold this administration responsible for doing this (withdrawal of security) and having him martyred," the BJP leader said. Kaul said he had sent Mir home from Srinagar after about two months as the police gave him an assurance that Mir's life was not in danger. "So, I also hold myself guilty and hence surrender my security and will not take it back till security is given to all political activists. When my workers are not secure, then why should I take the security? I am surrendering my security as a mark of protest," he said. Kaul demanded the arrest of Mir's killers and asked the government to provide security to all political activists in the Kashmir valley. The BJP' state general secretary later took an auto rickshaw from the Press Colony and left behind the vehicle and the security personnel assigned to him there. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The BJP wants "deaf and dumb" dalits, alleged Udit Raj, who recently quit the saffron party after he was denied a ticket to contest the Lok Sabha polls. Terming Narendra Modi government as "anti-dalit" and "anti-backward class", Raj said the BJP wants dalits who are "deaf and dumb" but it does not want a dalit leader who can raise his voice. Raj, who had joined the Congress after quitting the BJP, told reporters at the Congress party office here that "If dalits want to lead a respectful and dignified life, then they should vote for Congress, RJD and allies. "If any dalit votes for BJP, then he/she will be jeopardizing lives of their future generations," he alleged. Raj is the sitting MP from north west Delhi constituency. He claimed that Ram Nath Kovind was nominated by the BJP to the President's post as he did not raise his voice in the party but he (Udit) spoke against the government even in Parliament. He also alleged that Nitish Kumar government in Bihar is as much "anti-dalit" as the Modi government at the Centre. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former BJP leader Ajay Agarwal, who contested against Sonia Gandhi from Rae Bareli Lok Sabha seat in 2014 polls on BJP ticket Tuesday condemned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks against Rajiv Gandhi. Agarwal, a senior lawyer, said that no charge was ever proven in any court of the country against former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in the Bofors case and he was given a "clean chit". He claimed that he was representing the Bofors case as a petitioner in person in the Supreme Court against Hinduja brothers for the last 14 years and knows the minutest details of the case. Agarwal, who held a press conference along with Congress candidate Ajay Rai in Varanasi said he was camping in the temple town to campaign against Modi. He condemned Modi's challenge to the Congress to contest the remaining two rounds of the ongoing general elections in the name of Rajiv Gandhi and went on to accuse the prime minister of provoking Pakistan to start a war to reap electoral benefits. Agarwal also presented an alleged audio clipping of former Congress leader Satya Pal Malik-- now a BJP leader and Governor of Jammu and Kashmir-- in which Malik is purportedly heard saying that Rajiv Gandhi was not a corrupt or a greedy person. Agarwal allegedly talked to Malik when he was the Governor of Bihar in 2017. Malik joined the Congress in 1984 and became its Rajya Sabha MP but resigned three years later in the backdrop of the Bofors scam. Slamming the BJP candidate from Rae Bareli Lok Sabha seat, Agarwal said: "I had received over 1.73 lakh votes in 2014 poll... I had improved BJP's performance in the bastion of Gandhi family. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Dutch Finance Minister Wopke Hoekstra warned Tuesday that the EU faces "the smouldering threat of implosion" as Britain and other key countries reject it. "The bitter reality is that we have a Union in which part of the population, mainly in northwestern Europe, wants to leave," he said in a Berlin speech. Hoekstra pointed out that Norway and Switzerland "aren't interested in joining" the bloc while Denmark and Sweden had rejected the euro common currency. On Britain, he said that "now, in one of the most tragic chapters of the EU, the second most important economic power and single most important geopolitical power in Europe wants to leave the Union". He warned those on the continent who look forward to "a future without the difficult British", saying that this view "shows a complete misunderstanding of who the winner is". "This is not a victory for London, or for Berlin or Paris, let alone The Hague. This is a victory for Moscow and for Beijing." He added that if the EU can't "inspire the best and brightest" and looks set to lose "a force for good like the United Kingdom, then our Union has a fundamental problem". Delivering his German-language address at Humboldt University, Hoekstra urged greater EU efforts in common defence and security, climate policy and economic innovation in artificial intelligence, nanotechnology and biotech. "Geopolitically speaking, too, our continent is unable to present a united front," he said. Europe had failed to reach a common position on the Syrian war and proved unable to respond to "the divide-and-conquer strategy being used against Europe by others, be it Beijing or Moscow". As the world's largest trade bloc, "Europe must be able to engage in power politics," Hoekstra said, warning that "we are witnessing the emergence of a new world order". "The EU has a crucial role to play. But it's one we must actively seize," he said. "We can't just sit around arguing among ourselves while others make off with the prize. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An Indian-origin woman, whose daughter committed suicide after suffering physical and emotional abuse at the hands of an ex-boyfriend, is working on a book to chronicle the tragedy and raise awareness around the issue of domestic abuse among Britain's South Asian communities. Daksha Dalal, who has been campaigning ever since her daughter Meera was found dead at their family home in Syston, Leicestershire, in February 2016, has now teamed up with the UK-based author and domestic abuse campaigner Saurav Dutt to work on 'Fall In Light: A Mother's Story', set for release next month. "A loss of a child is an intense grief that you will never, ever be able to overcome," Dalal said. "Sometimes I go to sleep and I don't want to wake up. But I have to raise awareness of this kind of abuse, especially in the South Asian community, so that not one more single person feels so defeated and weakened that they have to take their own life," she said. Meera Dalal, a 25-year-old professional employed with the UK's National Health Service (NHS), had sought help from doctors and referred to occasional suicidal thoughts before she died. An inquest into her death in May last year heard that she took her own life as a result of domestic violence. A 27-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assisting suicide on the day Meera Dalal died but was released with no further action. Daksha Dalal has pursued a "Justice for Meera" campaign ever since her daughter took her own life, pushing for greater awareness around police procedural methods on domestic violence awareness. She runs a Facebook tribute site that aims to connect survivors of domestic abuse and vulnerable people with charities and outfits that can help. She said: "If I could help one girl, one child or somebody's daughter, that would make me happy. I know that there is help out there, but you have to be brave enough to take it. "I have to turn this unbearable pain into something positive to help those out there who are being abused and who want to move away from that dark place and move ahead with their lives." With the new book, which will be released in June to mark what would have been Meera's 30th birthday, Dalald has ear-marked sale proceeds for charities such as the Samaritans. Saurav Dutt, whose debut novel The Butterfly Room' chronicled the accounts of over 200 domestic abuse survivors, is collaborating on the project to highlight that Britain's South Asian community has a particular challenge of overcoming taboos associated with the subject of domestic abuse. "We wanted to understand why a vibrant, happy, 25-year-old young lady would be driven to a point where she decided she did not want to remain in this world any longer," said Dutt. "How does domestic violence change one's mind set and approach to life? What can young people do to spot the signs and seek help? Can they move past these dark, often ugly, chapters in their life-and if they can't, what are the reasons? We hope this book helps us answer some of these questions as well as to speak to every parent who has lost a child to such an ugly crime and to provide them with a means to understand the incredible pain of loss, he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Border Roads Organisation (BRO), the leading road construction agency under the defence ministry, Tuesday celebrated its 59th Raising Day and said it was fully geared up to meet the challenges that lie ahead. BRO executes road construction and maintenance works along the northern and western frontiers primarily to meet the strategic requirements of the army and is responsible for over 53,000 km of roads, the ministry said in a statement. "In line with the overall thrust of the government to enhance overall strategic connectivity along our borders, the BRO is fully geared up to meet the challenges that lie ahead and has accordingly undertaken an exercise for organizational restructuring and simplification of procedures with adequate delegation of financial powers to executives," it said. The BRO has also constructed roads in friendly foreign countries such as Bhutan, Myanmar, Afghanistan, thus contributing towards our strategic objectives in the region. "The organisation is now executing works with a combination of departmental, contractual and EPC (Engineering, Procurement and Construction) mode, thus enhancing our capabilities manifold. "Necessary coordination between BRO and Army units or formations at all levels is also being ensured to plan and execute creation, up-gradation and maintenance of infrastructure along our borders to meet our overall tactical and strategic goals," the statement said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The BSP and the SP Tuesday termed Prime Minister Narendra Modi "chowkidar (watchman) of capitalists" and asserted the two alliance partners will "shake the roots" of the ruling party. Addressing an election rally in favour of alliance candidates of Jaunpur and Machhlishahr seats, the alliance termed the Congress "anti-dalit"and alleged that the grand old party wants people to stay poor. "Both the BJP and Congress are anti-dalits... the Congress, which is claiming to provide Rs 6,000 (under its proposed 'Nyay' scheme) only wants people to remain poor and helpless," BSP chief Mayawati told the gathering. Terming Modi the "chowkidar (watchman) of capitalists", she alleged that he helped the rich become richer. "BJP is going out of power in these elections... it has failed to fulfil the promises made in 2014 to the poor and middle class... despite all this, how can the prime minister seek votes again," Mayawati said and termed GST and demonetisation the cause of corruption. "Terror attacks are taking place and the government is busy taking mileage out of the Army's valour," she claimed. She alleged that farmers in Uttar Pradesh are facing immense hardship because of stray cattle and blamed the Yogi Adityanath government for it. In his address, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav said, "The BJP is standing on a foundation of lies and our alliance will shake its very roots... perhaps the BJP is not aware of the alliance storm." "This time, people will snatch the chair of the chaiwala-turned-chowkidar," he said, and asked, "How can the prime minister, who got scared of a jawan in Varanasi, face terrorism and naxalism. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Chhattisgarh police for the first time has inducted women commandos in the District Reserve Guard, its frontline anti-Naxal force. A senior official said these women commandos were part of the security forces' "short action teams" that eliminated three Naxal "commanders" in the past one month. The specially-raised squad, christened 'Danteshwari Ladake', or fighters of Goddess Danteshwari, was inducted in the state's Naxal-hit Dantewada district, around 400 kilometres from here. Comprising 30 women led by Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Dineshwari Nand, officials said they have received extensive training in jungle combat. "A first-of-its-kind platoon of women DRG commandos has been raised. Of the 30 recruits, 10 are surrendered women Naxals, while 10 others are assistant constables who were part of the erstwhile Salwa Judum (anti-Naxal militia) movement," Dantewada Superintendent of Police Abhishek Pallava told PTI. With the induction of the women commando contingent, the number of platoons of the DRG in Dantewada now stands at six, he said. Personnel of the DRG are recruited from local youth and it also has surrendered Naxals in its ranks and has of late gained a fearsome reputation for taking the fight into the enemy camp and conducting successful strikes in Maoist strongholds, officials said. "Although the state police and paramilitary forces in Bastar have deployed women personnel but they have limited work. It is for the first time that an exclusive team of women commandos has been set up to carry out counter insurgency operations shoulder to shoulder with male DRG members in the area," said Pallava, who is credited with introducing this platoon. "These women commandos have been given three-months advanced in-house training in jungle warfare tactics. They are trained for motorcycle patrolling in the dense forests, map reading, understanding Naxal profiles and counter ambush strategy," he said. "The important factor is all of them are local residents, including surrendered Naxals, and therefore are well acquainted with the forested terrain and the local language. All these are key elements in the fight against Naxals," he said. The SP added that being able to melt into the local crowd wearing civil attire like sarees and still move around with concealed weapons gave the women commandos the "surprise element" to get the better of the Maoist ultras. "In the past one month, this women platoon was part of the security forces' short action teams that gunned down three Naxal commanders," he said. He said the women commandos could motivate others to join the forces and also curb chances of fake allegations of human rights violations. A member of the platoon, Gange, a surrendered "deputy commander" with the outlawed CPI (Maoist), said, "We are feeling relieved after quitting the Naxal movement. We wanted to marry which was not allowed in the Naxal outfit. We are now living a life with dignity and purpose as police personnel. "We want to take part in anti-Naxal operations and free Bastar of the Maoist menace," she added. The DRG was first set up in Kanker (north Bastar) and Narayanpur (comprising Abhujmad) districts of the state in 2008 to fight the menace of Left Wing Extremism and after a gap of five years, the force was raised in Bijapur and Bastar districts in 2013. Subsequently, it was expanded in Sukma and Kondagaon districts in 2014, while it started operations in Dantewada in 2015. Dantewada has witnessed major Naxal attacks in the recent past. Dantewada BJP MLA Bhima Mandavi and four police personnel were killed Kuwakonda area of the district on April 9 ahead of the first phase of Lok Sabha election. In October last year during assembly poll, three policemen and a Doordarshan cameraman were killed in a Maoist attack in Nilawaya area of Dantewada. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The CBI has booked three Customs and GST officials based in Bengaluru for allegedly helping smugglers bring gold from Dubai in the form of paste, officials said Tuesday. The agency had received information that DRI officials had intercepted six international passengers who were handing over smuggled gold to some receivers. During investigation, it was found that the gold was being smuggled in the form of paste, which was hidden in the waist belt by the couriers, the agency said. The CBI alleged that on October 14, 2018, six carriers brought 11 kilogram gold costing Rs 3.67 crore which was seized by the DRI officials. "It is learnt that the smugglers convert gold into powdered form and thereafter mix the gold with some substances and make it into a compound which physically will be in the form of a paste. The paste is hidden in the waist belt worn by the carriers," the agency alleged. It is alleged that Rajnish Kumar Saroh, Superintendent of Central Taxes, GST; Sudarshan Kumar, the then Inspector of Customs at Kempegowda International Airport Ltd., Bengaluru; and Shiv Kumar Meena, Inspector Customs, Air Intelligence Unit at the airport were hand in gloves with the people involved in the smuggling allowing them to go scott free. Saroh entered into criminal conspiracy with the smugglers based in west asia to let passengers bringing gold come out of the Customs checking zone without any trouble, the agency alleged. The officials were working in collusion with N T Jamsheer, who is the owner of Best Way Super Market in Bengaluru and was in contact with various smugglers and investors located in Dubai, the agency alleged. Saroh used to receive Rs 75,000 from Jamsheer while Rs 15,000 was being paid to Sudarshan Kumar and Meena for each courier, the agency alleged. The smugglers selected passengers who were not in the suspect list and their details were sent in advance to Jamsheer who passed them on to Saroh, it said. Saroh allegedly checked customs database and intimated Jamsheer if selected couriers were in the list of suspects or not, the CBI alleged. He also used services of Sudarshan Kumar posted at KIAL from August, 2017 to August, 2018 and thereafter that of Shiv Kumar Meena in the conspiracy, CBI FIR has alleged. Once clearance about couriers was received from Saroh, the smugglers sent them with illicit gold which was let go at the airport by the accused officials, the agency alleged. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Kalpavriksh, the PE fund of Centrum Group, Tuesday said it has invested Rs 15 crore in two companies - The Ayurveda Experience and Dunzo. Kalpavriksh has invested Rs 10 crore in Delhi-based The Ayurveda Experience (TAE), which is engaged in manufacture, sales and distribution of Ayurvedic products in India and globally through its brands - iYURA and Ajara. "TAE company is looking to scale up its research and development facility to further strengthen its product portfolio and increase its geographic reach. As part of the agreement, Giri Krishnaswamy, CIO Kalpavriksh Fund will join the company's board," Kalpavriksh said in a statement. The PE firm has also invested Rs 5 crore in Dunzo, an app-based concierge services provider from Bengaluru. Dunzo's platform allows delivery partners to perform tasks like local grocery shopping, food delivery, arranging medical supplies, etc and deliver them to a consumer's residence for a fee. Dunzo plans to use the funds to expand operations in Pune, Chennai, Hyderabad, Delhi and Gurugram and work towards being profitable in these micro markets. Kalpavriksh Fund's earlier investments include The HEAL Institute, The Label Life and Littlemore Innovation Labs Pte Ltd. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) China is going back on its commitment on trade and related issues, the Trump administration has alleged while asserting that the US is going ahead with its plans to impose stiff tariffs on import of Chinese products worth over USD 200 billion beginning Friday. US President Donald Trump, in a series of tweets on Sunday, said the US has been losing USD 500 billion per year on trade with China and he will no longer allow that to happen any more. "The 10 per cent will go up to 25 per cent on Friday. 325 billions dollars of additional goods sent to us by China remain untaxed, but will be shortly, at a rate of 25 per cent," he said, adding the tariffs paid to the US have had little impact on product cost, mostly borne by China. Trump's remarks came as the two countries locked in a longstanding trade war seemed near to striking a trade deal. A high-level Chinese delegation led by Vice Premier Liu was scheduled to be in Washington this week to resume talks aimed at resolving the trade war that has cast gloom over the world economy. The bottom line is that we felt like we were on track to get somewhere, but over the course of the last week or so, we've seen an erosion in commitments by China, I would say retreating from commitments that have already been made, in our judgment, US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer told reporters on Monday. His comments came as a follow up to President Trump's tweets about imposing new tariffs on import of Chinese products. Lighthizer reiterated that tariffs on USD 200 billion in Chinese imports would rise to 25 percent from existing 10 per cent. "We can speculate as to why that happened. My own view is that these were serious, real commitments that were enforceable and that some people in China objected to that," Lighthizer said in a joint media appearance with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. Speaking about the developments, Mnuchin alleged that it became clear over the weekend that Beijing's negotiators were trying to walk back the language that had been negotiated word-by-word. We are not willing to go back on documents that have been negotiated, Mnuchin said, blaming China for the collapse of the trade talks. We were in the process of planning for a summit with President Trump and President Xi Jinping at the conclusion of this agreement, he said, adding that it would be unfortunate if the US and China couldn't reach an agreement. The Wall Street Journal reported Sunday that "China is considering cancelling trade talks that are to resume in Washington." Reacting to the development, Indian American economist Eswar Prasad said that it would lead to a trade war. The level of brinkmanship on both sides and their obvious mutual distrust has made the path to even a temporary cease-fire a lot murkier than just a few days ago, Prasad, professor of trade policy at Cornell University, told The Wall Street Journal. It is likely a cooling-off period will be needed to get the talks back on track, but the imposition of additional tariffs by the US later this week could keep the talks derailed for a while to come, he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) China Tuesday hit back at US criticism of its Arctic presence, saying Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had misrepresented facts about its intentions in the resource-rich region. Pompeo said ahead of a meeting of the eight members of the Arctic Council in Finland on Monday that the US planned to beef up its presence in the region to keep Russia and China's "aggressive behaviour" there in check. Pompeo's remarks were "a misrepresentation of the facts that has ulterior motives", Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said at a regular press briefing. "We have no geopolitical calculations, and seek no exclusionary blocs," he said. Pompeo warned against scenarios whereby nations become ensnared by debt and corruption, of low-quality investments, militarisation and uncontrolled exploitation of natural resources, all of which he said were potential effects of allowing rising Chinese influence. Geng said China has participated in Arctic affairs with "an open, cooperative and win-win attitude". China will "not intervene" in matters between Arctic countries, but it will also "not be absent" from global issues on the Arctic, he said. While the US and Russia are members of the Arctic Council, China holds only observer status in the cooperation body and Washington has been wary of Beijing's attempts to style itself as a "near Arctic state". Shuang said "the Arctic issue is not only related to Arctic countries, but is also of global significance and international influence". He said China is willing to work with others to "protect the Arctic, to exploit the Arctic and to participate in the governance of the Arctic". Beijing has invested massively in the region -- almost USD 90 billion between 2012 and 2017, according to Pompeo -- and intends to fully benefit from the advantages of the Northern Sea Route. The shipping channel, which drastically cuts sailing times between the Pacific and Atlantic by passing north of Russia, is increasingly usable as the ice melts. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) China is using its government power through the Belt and Road Initiative to achieve its national security objective, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo alleged Monday, asserting that the Trump administration is leading global efforts to inform countries about the "predatory" Chinese economics. The Trump administration has been extremely critical of President Xi Jinping's trillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and is of the view that China's "predatory financing" is leaving smaller counties under huge debt endangering their sovereignt. The Chinese effort to the Belt and Road activities are about using government power to achieve national security objectives, Pompeo told reporters travelling with him in Finland. Noting that the US has said all along that it has a huge economic interest in China's success and vice versa, Pompeo said the BRI needs to be transparent. It's got to be on a free and open basis. It can't be with the idea that you're going to loan a country money and then foreclose on that facility so that you can then build yourself a port or take that land and real estate. That's not appropriate. We have discouraged that. We have educated other countries around the world on that set of issues, he said. Where there are elements of the BRI that are truly building a bridge and it is a commercial transaction, the US welcomes China participating in those, he said. But where we see China behaving in ways that are truly not commercial but rather designed to further gain them either access entree for national security purposes, we don't think that's what those countries are really buying, Pompeo said. The BRI was launched by President Xi when he came to power in 2013. It aims to link Southeast Asia, Central Asia, the Gulf region, Africa and Europe with a network of land and sea routes China is doling out huge sums of money for infrastructure projects in countries from Asia to Africa and Europe, enhancing its global influence. Concerns over BRI financing became vocal after China acquired Sri Lanka's strategic Hambantota port on a 99-year lease as a debt swap in 2017 Earlier addressing the opening session of the Arctic Council in Finland, Pompeo slammed China for its BRI, which he said, tends to eat into the sovereignty of nations. China has observer status in the Arctic Council, but that status is contingent upon its respect for the sovereign rights of Arctic states. The US wants China to meet that condition and contribute responsibly in the region. But China's words and actions raise doubts about its intentions, he said. Citing Sri Lanka and Malaysia, he warned Arctic nations to be aware of the real Chinese intentions. Let's just ask ourselves: Do we want Arctic nations broadly or indigenous communities specifically, to go the way of former government in Sri Lanka or Malaysia, ensnared by debt and corruption? Do we want crucial Arctic infrastructure to end up like Chinese-constructed roads in Ethiopia, crumbling and dangerous after only a few years? he asked. Do we want the Arctic Ocean to transform into a new South China Sea, fraught with militarisation and competing territorial claims? Do we want the fragile Arctic exposed to the same ecological devastation caused by China's fishing fleet in the seas off its coast, or unregulated industrial activity in its own country? I think the answers are pretty clear, the top American diplomat said. Noting that Beijing claims to be a Near-Arctic State", he said yet the shortest distance between China and the Arctic is 900 miles. "There are only Arctic States and Non-Arctic States. No third category exists, and claiming otherwise entitles China to exactly nothing," he asserted. "That's not to say Chinese investment is unwelcome indeed, quite the opposite," he said. The US and Arctic nations welcome transparent Chinese investments that reflect economic interest and national security ambitions. Between 2012 and 2017, China invested in the Arctic nearly USD 90 billion. It's planning to build infrastructure from Canada, to the Northwest Territories, to Siberia. Just last month, Russia announced plans to connect the Northern Sea Route with China's Maritime Silk Road, which would develop a new shipping channel from Asia to northern Europe. Meanwhile, China is already developing shipping lanes in the Arctic Ocean, he added. This is part of a very familiar pattern. Beijing attempts to develop critical infrastructure using Chinese money, Chinese companies, and Chinese workers in some cases, to establish a permanent Chinese security presence, Pompeo alleged. A Pentagon report last week, he said, warned that China could use its civilian research presence in the Arctic to strengthen its military presence, including deployment of submarines including deployment of submarines to the region as a deterrent against nuclear attack. We need to examine these activities closely, and we need and we keep the experience we have learned of other nations in mind. China's pattern of aggressive behavior elsewhere in the excuse me aggressive behaviour elsewhere should inform what we do and how it might treat the Arctic, Pompeo said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Arctic is melting, but don't ask US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to mention climate change. Nor to agree a text that mentions it. For the Trump administration, disappearing sea ice in the world's "high north" is first and foremost an opportunity to exploit rather than a crisis to mitigate. That position was made clear by Pompeo over two days as the foreign ministers of the eight members of the Arctic Council met in Finland, which is wrapping up its two-year chairmanship of the Arctic Council. Finnish Foreign Ministry Timo Soini said Tuesday there will be no joint declaration at the after the summit couldn't get the United States to agree on a text that includes language about climate change. Instead, he said there would be statements from ministers and Finland which currently holds the chair of the Arctic Council. Bill Erasmus, the chairman of the Arctic Athabaskan Council, a Canada-based group of indigenous people, expressed disappointment that a joint declaration had not been reached. "We have some real concerns," he said. "We recognize that climate change is real. Climate change is man-made, and our elders tell us that we are clearly in trouble." Official U.S. statements and documents prepared for the meeting did not refer to "climate change" and their scientific focus was limited to reductions in U.S. carbon emissions that predate the administration and research. In a roughly 20-minute speech outlining the Trump administration's Arctic policy on Monday, Pompeo acknowledged melting ice but didn't use the phrase "climate change." In fact, his address was largely an admonition against increasing Russian and Chinese activity in the Arctic. Nor did he indicate that the administration places any priority on easing the melting that scientists say is already causing oceans to rise. "Steady reductions in sea ice are opening new naval passageways and new opportunities for trade, potentially slashing the time it takes for ships to travel between Asia and the West by 20 days," he said in the speech, which was met with polite but muted applause. "Arctic sea lanes could become the 21st century's Suez and Panama Canals." Asked directly about climate change and the Arctic in an interview with a Finnish newspaper, Pompeo declined the opportunity to mention the phrase and downplayed the importance of the Paris climate accord from which President Donald Trump. "My view on this and President Trump's view on this is what we should put all our emphasis on I outcomes," he said. "We can call it whatever we like, but I shared some of the data in the speech. The United States is kicking it when it comes to getting its CO2 down. I mean, compare it to China, compare it to Russia, compare it, frankly, to many European nations, each of whom signed the Paris agreement." According to the statistics he presented, U.S. energy-related CO2 emissions fell by 14% between 2005 and 2017, while global energy-related CO2 emissions increased more than 20%. In terms of black carbon, which is a particular threat to the Arctic, U.S. emissions were 16% below 2013 levels in 2016 and are projected to nearly halve by 2025, he said. "I'm sure it was a good party," Pompeo said of the negotiations in Paris. "I'm sure it felt good to sign the agreement. But at the end of the day, what matters to human health, what matters to the citizens of the world, is that we actually have an impact on improving health. And our technology, our innovation, the R&D we put in in the United States, that's what will drive better climatic outcomes, that's what will create cleaner air and safer drinking water, and that's what I hope the whole world will focus on." Pompeo again declined the opportunity to mention "climate change" on Tuesday when he met with Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland who pointedly referred to the phenomenon as she played down a dispute with the United States over the sovereignty of the Northwest Passage. "We have a very close, very fruitful collaboration," she said. "And actually, as we see the conditions of the Northwest Passage changing with our changing climate, I think that's actually grounds for closer collaboration with the United States." Pompeo replied by saying the U.S. is more concerned about Russia and China in the Arctic than ownership of the Northwest Passage. "The challenges in the Arctic aren't between the United States and Canada, let me assure you," he said. "There are others that threaten to use it in ways that are not consistent with the rule of law." Canada's Freeland said recent scientific studies that indicate temperatures could increase in Canada's Arctic by 11 degrees Celsius (52 degrees Fahrenheit) are "terrifying" and that "we have a responsibility to be part of a collective solution." She also noted that "unpredictable weather patterns caused by climate change" are causing security threats and navigational issues. Soini, the Finnish foreign minister, said his country had sought to use its position to highlight and ease "the rapid change of the Arctic climate and its impact on nature and people." His Icelandic counterpart, Gudlaugur Thor Thordarson, was bleak in his assessment. "We can expect due to climate change more drastic changes in the next two decades than we have seen in the last 100 years," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Hundreds of sadhus Tuesday trooped to the Madhya Pradesh capital to seek votes for the Congress Lok Sabha candidate Digvijaya Singh and campaign against BJP nominee Pragya Singh Thakur. Led by Namdev Tyagi alias Computer Baba, they will camp in Bhopal for three days. They undertook Hath Yoga Tuesday, followed by a road show. Hath Yoga involves 'asanas' (positions) that help in relaxing and breathing control. Computer Baba was bestowed minister of state status by the then BJP-led government in Madhya Pradesh and appointed on a panel to clean the Narmada. "BJP sarkaar 5 saal mein Ram Mandir bhi nahi bana paayi. Ab Ram Mandir nahi toh Modi nahi." (BJP remained in power for five years but it failed to construct Ram Temple, so when there is no Ram Mandir then there should be no Narendra Modi too.)," the Baba said. The self-styled godman, who was recently appointed chairman of a river trust by the Congress government in the state, extended his support to Digvijaya Singh, the Congress' Bhopal Lok Sabha seat candidate. "They (BJP) have fooled people. They have not even spared the saint community. They talked of Ram temple, they have not constructed it in five years and have come back with the same issue. The public won't be fooled now. No temple, no Modi," he told reporters here. Asked if the ritual was to pray for Singh's victory, he said, "The saints prayed to God that the person who is treading on the path of religion, the one who served the river Narmada and saints is Digvijaya Singh, and should win by lakhs of votes." Asked about Pragya Singh Thakur, an accused in the Malegaon blast case, he said one cannot become a sadhvi (saint) merely by wearing a robe. At the ritual, Digvijaya Singh was seen dressed in a white kurta pyjama and seated on the ground, while the sadhus formed a semi-circle near him. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Senior Congress leader Suresh Pachouri on Tuesday dumped loads of documents at former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's residence as a 'proof' that his party has waived loans of 21 lakh farmers after coming to power in the state in December last year. However, Chouhan refuted the Congress' claims, dubbing it as a "bundle of lies". Former Union minister Pachouri along with state minister P C Sharma and other Congress leaders brought cartons of documents in two vehicles near Chouhan's residence. They then put the cartons on their heads and walked to the former chief minister's official residence where they dumped the documents. The Congress claimed that these documents proved the Kamal Nath government has acted on the party's pre-poll promise of waiving farm loans. Chouhan was, however, not convinced with the Congress' claim. Talking to reporters at his residence after the Congress leaders left, he rejected the documentary evidence, terming it a "bundle of lies". The Congress government is supposed to pay a whopping Rs 48,000 crore to farmers, but out of it, it has paid only Rs 13,000 crore to them so far, the senior BJP leader claimed. "Before the Assembly polls last year, they promised to waive the farm loans in just 10 days after coming to power. The Congress has betrayed the poor farmers," he alleged. MP Congress spokesman Bhupendra Gupta said his party was waiving farmers' loans in right earnest and that the work to write off debts was put on hold due to the model code of conduct in force for the ongoing Lok Sabha polls. Chouhan has been accusing the ruling Congress in the state of going back on it promise of waiving farm loans. It is widely perceived by political observers that the Congress' pre-poll promise of farm loan waiver helped it to come to power in the state after a gap of 15 years. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Police are searching lodges and other places and tightened vigil in the city Tuesday after a man gave the slip to security personnel at the Metro Railway Station here on being questioned after a metal detector sounded. Metro Rail officials said the man, dressed in kurta-pyjama and sporting a skull cap and a scarf around his neck, tried to enter the station on Monday evening. As soon as he did so, the metal detector at the gate beeped. The private security personnel deployed by the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited stopped him and a checking device made a loud noise when it was scanned around his waist,officials said. As they were questioning him, other passengers started walking in and demanded that the checking be expedited. In the melee, the man, said to be in his 50s or early 60s, fled, officials said. Security personnel claimed he tried to enter through another gate and even offered a bribe to a house keeping staff to take his bag inside but the woman refused. BMRCL officials refused to comment on the second incident, saying police were investigating the case. BMRCL chief public relations officer B L Chavan told PTI that the metal detector at the gate beeped when the man tried to enter. There were also other passengers. The metal detector showed something around his hip and he was asked to reveal that, Chavan said. "By the time other people walked in. They wanted to go without being frisked. So our security people stopped them and scanned them. By the time (others were frisked), this man had walked out," he said. Deputy commissioner of police Ravi D Channanavar said searches were going on at lodges, hotels and other places such as railway station and bus-stands. The police officer asked people not to pay heed to rumours. He also appealed to the people to immediately call police whenever they come across anybody or anything suspicious. Channanavar said the police took up the case following a complaint from the private security company whose personnel are deployed at the station. Police are maintaining tigil vigil in the state following the blasts in Sri Lanka that killed over 250 people on Easter Sunday. The Sri Lankan Army chief had revealed in a recent interview that some of the suicide bombers who carried out the country's worst terror attack visited various parts of India, including Bengaluru, Kashmir and Kerala for "some sort of training" or to "make some more links" with other foreign outfits. Nine suicide bombers, including a woman, carried out a series of devastating blasts that tore through three churches and three luxury hotels in Lanka on April 21, killing over 250 people and injuring more than 500 others. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A retired senior Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation official was arrested in connection with the collapse of a bridge near CSMT railway terminus on March 14 which killed seven persons and injured over 30, police said Tuesday. Shitalaprasad Kori (58), who was chief engineer (bridges) of the civic body when the incident happened, was arrested by Azad Maidan police and produced in court on Tuesday which remanded him in police custody till May 10, an official said. Earlier, the police had arrested BMC assistant engineer S F Kakulte and structural auditor Neeraj Desai in the case. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Supreme Court Tuesday transferred a case related to alleged custodial death of an accused in gang-rape and murder of a minor school girl in Himachal Pradesh's Kotkhai in 2017, from Shimla to Chandigarh. A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi transferred the case to Chandigarh after the CBI and the accused said they have no objection if the case was transferred from Shimla. "We order transfer of the case to a competent CBI court in Chandigarh," the bench, which also comprised Justices Deepak Gupta and Sanjiv Khanna, said. The counsel appearing for the CBI informed the bench that charge sheet has been filed in the case against several police officials ranging from constable to former Inspector General of Police (IGP). The apex court had last month granted bail to former Himachal Pradesh IGP Zahur Haider Zaidi, an accused in the case, and said that it would later deal with the aspect of transferring the trial from a court in Himachal Pradesh. The top court had in November last year sought responses from Zaidi, Deputy Superintendent of Police (Theog) Manoj Joshi and six other Himachal Pradesh policemen as to why the trial against them be not transferred from Shimla. The CBI had earlier told the court that though the charge sheet has been filed, the trial in the case "has not seen the light of the day" and hence the matter be transferred to other court for expeditious disposal. Zaidi and seven others were arrested in the custodial death case of Suraj, who was found dead at the Kotkhai police station on July 18, 2017. A 16-year-old girl had gone missing in Kotkhai on July 4, 2017 and her body was found from the Halaila forests two days later on July 6. The post-mortem report had confirmed rape and murder and a case was registered. Amid a huge public outcry in the state, a SIT headed by Zaidi was constituted by the then Virbhadra Singh-led Congress government. The SIT arrested six persons, and after the custodial death of one of the accused Suraj, the high court had handed over the investigations of both the cases to the CBI. The CBI had arrested Zaidi, DCP Joshi and other policemen in connection with the custodial death. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Odisha government Tuesday sought the Centre's help in restoration power and telecom services in Puri and Khurda districts, worst hit by cyclone 'Fani', due to shortage of skilled manpower, an official said. The state has to install as many as 1.56 lakh electric poles. According to an official, the toll in the cyclone, which hit the state Friday, rose to 37 on Tuesday with two more death reported in Cuttack district as the struggle to restore power, drinking water and telecom infrastructure continued. While 21 people had perished in Puri district, Cuttack reported five deaths followed by four cases each from Jajpur and Mayurbhanj districts. Kendrapara district reported three deaths, Special relief commissioner (SRC) B P Sethi said. "We have sought the Centre's help in providing skilled manpower to assist Odisha in restoration of electricity supply in the worst cyclone-hit districts of Puri and Khurda," Chief Secretary A P Padhi told reporters after meeting with Union Cabinet Secretary P K Sinha via video conference. He said though the state government has been able to restore water supply in Puri and Bhubaneswar by using diesel generators, it has been an uphill task to provide electricity to people in view of massive destruction of power infrastructure. Padhi said Odisha has requested the Centre to send 5,000 skilled manpower from neighbouring West Bengal, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. These people will be deployed in erecting electric poles and draw wire on them which would facilitate the state to restore power supply in a time-bound manner, he said. However, the Odisha chief secretary did not give any timeline for restoration of electricity service. "I am not certain when exactly all areas will be provided electricity supply. We have already started the process of providing power to the consumers in a phased manner. In view of the massive destruction, one cannot give a timeline," Padhi said. During a review meeting, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik admitted that telecommunication network has completely collapsed in Puri and said the state has urged the Centre to make Mobile Tower on Wheels available in the district to facilitate relief and restoration works. He said lack of telecommunication has adversely affected relief and restoration works. Relief distribution work was launched in Bhubaneswar Tuesday and the same will start in parts of Khurda district from Wednesday, Patnaik said. In absence of drinking water and electricity during the mid-May summer, life in the coastal districts remained derailed even four days after the calamity. The miseries of the people were compounded with high levels of humidity which soared above 90 per cent in coastal districts. "Everything is dependent on power supply. If there is no electricity, the filling stations cannot operate even though they have enough stock of petrol and diesel," Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said. With acute shortage of drinking water, lack of power supply and ATMs becoming defunct, many people, mostly students and elderly persons, have started leaving the state capital for their native places. "There is rush at the bus stand as people move to their villages," Odisha Private Bus Owners Association secretary Tusharkant Acharya said. He said though 400 buses are now plying in the state, more are required to meet the passenger demands after the cyclone. Bus service has started in 80 per cent of routes as the national highways and state highways have been cleared of blockades. Though train service from Bhubaneswar resumed on Sunday, East Coast Railways Tuesday announced cancellation of seven trains including Haridwar-Puri Kalinga Express, Chennai-Santragachi Suvidha Express, Neelachal Express, Puri-Shalimar Express. Meanwhile, the Centre Tuesday extended the last date of registration for students of Odisha to enroll in the JEE (advanced) exam. The eligible students were to resister their names online between May 3 and 9. "I am happy to announce that students from Odisha appearing JEE (Advance) 2019 will get an extension of 5 days till May 14 for their registration. A decision to this effect was taken following the request of Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik," Union HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar tweeted. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu extended a helping hand to cyclone-ravaged Odisha and tweeted, "A team of 2055 workers, shift operators and staff from energy department will be deputed for rectification work so that service can be restored at a faster pace." He also announced an assistance of Rs 15 crore for the cyclone victims of Odisha. Former prime minister HD Devegowda and Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy spoke to Patnaik on Tuesday and expressed their solidarity with the people of Odisha. Financial assistance poured in from many quarters with industrialist Gautam Adani contributing Rs 25 crore and ICICI Bank Rs 10 crore to the Chief Minister's Relief Fund. Indian Metals and Ferro Alloys (IMFA) also contributed Rs 75 lakh for the cyclone victims. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Cyprus's new police chief issued the force's first apology on Tuesday for its handling of the killings of seven foreign women and girls, acknowledging officers had failed to protect them. The murders -- dubbed the Mediterranean island's first serial killings -- have sparked anger against the police over its failure to act on missing person reports that allowed the killer to carry on undetected for nearly three years. New chief Kypros Michaelides issued the apology as he was sworn in to replace Zacharias Chrysostomou. Chrysostomou was sacked by President Nicos Anastasiades on Friday over what he called police "negligence and incompetence", a day after Justice Minister Ionas Nicolaou resigned. "The recent painful developments and the loss of defenceless innocent women and children who had come to our country in search of a better future have greatly damaged the prestige, honour and reputation of the Cyprus police, highlighting weaknesses, gaps and omissions," Michaelides said. "That is why, as representative of the police force, I want... to convey a big apology because we did not manage to protect these innocent and defenceless souls who died in a tragic and disgraceful way." In his dismissal letter to Michaelides' predecessor, the president decried "the apparent negligence and dereliction of duty of the police in investigating reports of missing persons". "Some of the horrific crimes that shocked Cyprus could have been prevented," he wrote. There has been a series of angry protests outside the presidential palace in Nicosia, with demonstrators accusing police officers of routinely disregarding missing persons reports involving foreigners. The killings came to light in mid-April when unusually heavy rains brought the body of 38-year-old Filipina Mary Rose Tiburcio to the surface of the disused mine shaft where it had been hidden. That triggered a murder investigation which led to the arrest of Greek Cypriot National Guard captain Nicos Metaxas on April 18. Metaxas, 35, who has not yet been formally charged over the murders, appeared in court on Sunday and was remanded in custody for a further eight days. The suspect, who has allegedly signed written confessions to the seven murders, although not to separate allegations of rape, has been helping police to find the bodies of other victims. Police have so far recovered two from a disused mineshaft, one from a well near an army firing range outside the capital Nicosia, and two from suitcases dumped in an acidic manmade lake. Investigators were continuing to search the lake near the village of Mitsero on Tuesday for a third suitcase, using a robotic camera brought in from the United States. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Delhi Chief Secretary Vijay Kumar Dev has removed three government officers from service for alleged "serious misconduct", according to an official statement issued Tuesday. They were removed as part of a drive against "corruption", it said. These officers belonged to the revenue department and held positions of sub-registrar-II Punjabi Bagh-Nangloi, and tehsildars Preet Vihar and Mehrauli. The statement stated that as part of a "sustained drive against corrupt practices, Vjay Kumar Dev, Chief Secretary, has removed three senior officers of the Delhi government from government service for committing serious misconduct." The then sub-registrar of Punjabi Bagh-Nangloi was removed on charges of registering sale deed of agricultural land of Tikri Kanan village in 2013 without obtaining the no-objection certificate from the additional district magistrate, according to the statement. It stated that the officer registered the sale deed despite the land being under draft notification and proposed to be acquired for public purpose. "He violated provisions of the Delhi Land Revenue Act, 1954, and the Delhi Lands (Restriction on Transfer) Act, 1972, as well as the departmental instructions issued there under," the statement stated. The then Preet Vihar tehsildar was compulsorily retired on charges of submitting false and incorrect status report during 2011-12 in respect to a government land and gram sabha land to the sub-registrar for sale and purchase, it stated. The statement said another officer was also compulsorily retired on charges of not transferring an over 27 bigha acquired land in the name of the government in 2013-14 despite the possession of the land being handed over to the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) on December 31, 2013. He continued to show the land in the name of private parties in records. The chief secretary has repeatedly emphasised that there will be zero tolerance policy towards corruption and misconduct, it added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) China on Tuesday said its top trade negotiator will take part in talks in Washington this week, removing the uncertainty over the fate of crucial negotiations on tariffs after US President Donald Trump's threat to impose stiff duties on imported Chinese products worth over USD 200 billion. China's Ministry of Commerce announced here that Vice-Premier Liu He will visit the US on May 9-10 for the 11th round of trade talks at the invitation of US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. Liu is also a member of the Politburo of the ruling Communist Party of China Central Committee and chief of the Chinese side of the China-US comprehensive economic dialogue. Media reports earlier speculated that China may not send Liu for the talks that were initially scheduled to be held on Wednesday after Trump in a series of tweets on Sunday said the US has been losing USD 500 billion per year on trade with China and he will no longer allow that to happen. "The 10 per cent will go up to 25 per cent on Friday. 325 billions dollars of additional goods sent to us by China remain untaxed, but will be shortly, at a rate of 25 per cent," he said, adding the tariffs paid to the US have had little impact on product cost, mostly borne by China. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang on Tuesday refuted US criticism that China has gone back on commitments made in the previous rounds of talks. Mutual respect and mutual benefit is the precondition for us to reach a treaty. Raising tariffs cannot resolve any problem. I have to clarify that negotiation itself is a process of discussion," he said. "It is natural for the two sides to have differences. We will not sidestep contradictions but we are sincere about continuing the consultations, Geng said. Reacting to criticism that China is changing its position on the negotiations in view of Trumps' threats to impose tariffs, he said, we have seen that many times before. China's position is clear cut and the US also knows that well. Hope the US will join efforts with China to meet each other half way on the basis of mutual trust to resolve each other's concerns to reach a mutually beneficial treaty, he said. Asked whether this meant that China is not taking Trump's threat seriously, he said, I believe you are very clear about China's position and the US government also know that very well. He declined to comment whether China would retaliate if Trump goes ahead with his threat to raise tariffs. We have so many precedents before, our position is very clear. I believe the US side knows very well, he said. Meanwhile, the Chinese media reacted sharply to US' threat of imposing stiff tariffs on imports of Chinese products which is seen as a step taken after Beijing vetoed America's demand of additional concessions. A commentary published by the Communist Party's official newspaper the People's Daily on Tuesday warned the US to not even think about concessions. Things that are unfavourable to us, no matter how you ask, we will not take any step back. Do not even think about it, it said. On Monday, the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported that Chinese President Xi Jinping had vetoed a proposal to grant additional concessions to US which prompted Trump to issue the threat. Trump's threat of additional sanctions on Chinese imports revealed his impatience due to a lack of sufficient concessions from China as Xi vetoed additional concessions proposed by his negotiators, the Post quoted sources as saying. "Xi told them (officials) 'I'll be responsible for all possible consequences," The Post quoted sources as saying. Lu Xiang, an expert on China-US relations from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said Trump was pursuing a strategy of putting maximum pressure on China. "If China cancels the trip, Trump would blame China for the failure of the trade negotiations," he told the Post. Trump is demanding China to reduce the USD 375 billion trade deficit. He also called for verifiable measures for protection of intellectual property rights (IPR), technology transfer and more access to American goods to Chinese markets. He has already increased the tariffs on over USD 250 billion Chinese exports to US and threatened to extend tariffs on USD 200 billion Chinese imports to 25 per cent. China too slapped reciprocal tariffs on some US exports to the country. Trump recently hinted that Xi could visit the US in June setting off speculation that both countries could work out a trade deal by next month. Media reports suggest that the two sides are still discussing key issues on structural issues, such as the US accusation of unfair subsidies in China, a mechanism to verify compliance and what to do with the tariffs the two have already imposed on hundreds of billions of dollars' worth of each other's goods. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Thousands of devotees from various parts of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Chhattisgarh thronged the Varaha Lakhsmi Narasimha Swamy hill shrine here to offer prayers Tuesday. The Chandanotsavam or the Nijaroopa Darshanam Day is an annual ritual conducted at the temple and it is only on this day thatdevotees would have a chance to see the actual shape of the Lord (Nirjaroopam). On normal days, the deity is covered with a layer of 'Chandanam' (Sandalwood paste). It is on Chandanotsavam day that the sandalwood paste is removed and the deity is covered with a fresh layer of sandalwood paste brought from Andhra Pradesh, Chennai and other places. Devotees visit the shrine to have darshan of the Lord in his true form. After 'suprabhatam' early Tuesday, temple priests removed the sandalwood paste using small gold and silver spades. 'Abhishekam' wasperformed with water from Gangadhara (water from a natural stream that flows down the Simhachala hills 24 x7 throughout the year). Family members of the temple hereditary trustee P Ashok Gajapathi Rajuhad darshan in the early hours. Later, temple administration officialspresented silk clothes to the deity on behalf of the state government. Police had made elaborate arrangements to maintain law and order during the festival. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Novak Djokovic needed just 65 minutes to make a winning start at the Madrid Open on Tuesday, hammering Taylor Fritz 6-4, 6-2 to reach the third round. The top seed and world number one broke three times as he schooled the American. Djokovic won the Madrid title in 2011 and 2016. He will be chasing a fourth straight Grand Slam trophy at Roland Garros next month. Third seed Roger Federer was making his clay return after two full seasons off the surface when he faced Frenchman Richard Gasquet later in the second round after a bye. Unseeded treble Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka started his Madrid campaign with a 6-2, 6-3 win over Pierre-Hugues Herbert to move into the second round. "It was a great first match. I've been good on the practice court, feeling really good, so it was important to start well today," Wawrinka said. "I hope my game is going to click soon. I'm patient enough to know that sometimes it takes time," said the Swiss player, who underwent two knee surgeries in August 2017. "I'm playing well and feeling well on the court. I still have some big results inside me so hopefully they can come sooner than later. "I'm ready to keep working the right way to get back in a better place and to win more matches and hopefully get later in the tournament." Wawrinka will next play Argentine Guido Pella, who put out Barcelona finalist Daniil Medvedev 6-2, 1-6, 6-3. In the women's WTA draw, third seed and two-time champion Simona Halep of Romania ended the hopes of Johanna Konta 7-5, 6-1 in the second round. The Briton had made a dash to Madrid on Sunday evening after playing the Rabat clay final. Konta won her opening match against Alison Riske but could not match Halep, the defending French Open champion. "I feel good every time when I come to Madrid and I'm happy to be back and winning matches," Halep said. "It was a good match. Both of us played very well and, in the end, I was a bit stronger mentally and I found a rhythm." Fourth seed Angelique Kerber withdrew before her second-round match. The defending Wimbledon champion is suffering from a right ankle injury. Kerber was to have played in the evening session against Croatian Petra Martic. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar Tuesday said the dynasty of the Nehru-Gandhi family, which the country witnessed after independence, has hampered its progress. Addressing a poll rally at Surajpur here, which is part of Ambala Lok Sabha constituency from where sitting MP Rattan Lal Kataria is the BJP candidate, Khattar slammed opposition INLD and the JJP accusing them of only considering their own well being. "Japan and India gained independence around the same time but the dynasts derailed India's progress. The Nehru-Gandhi family due to its dynastic rule derailed the progress of the country," Khattar said. "The dynastic rule of this family did not allow any deserving person to come forward," he said, citing it as the main reason why India lags behind Japan. Besides the Congress, the chief minister attacked the Indian National Lok Dal and the Jannayak Janata Party. "They filled their homes and worked for the welfare of their relatives," he said, adding that only the sons and grandsons of leaders of the two parties were flourishing. On the Chautala family feud, he said, "Parties facing internal bickering can never develop the state, time has come to eliminate dynastic rule and family rule." Khattar appealed to the people to re-elect Kataria who is pitted against Congress' Kumari Selja among others. He further said that the country has got a "strong and decisive" leader in Narendra Modi and urged the gathering to vote for the BJP to strengthen the hands of the prime minister, who is "committed" to take the country on the path of progress. Polling for the 10 Lok Sabha seats in Haryana will be held in the sixth phase on May 12. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Poll authorities in Delhi Tuesday issued a show-cause notice to AAP leader and Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia over an alleged violation of model code of conduct in connection with his recent tweet, and asked him to give a response by Wednesday evening. The notice has been issued by East Delhi Returning Officer K Mahesh on the basis of a complaint lodged on April 28 by the BJP Delhi unit. On April 27, Sisodia had tweeted in support of AAP East Delhi candidate Atishi and hit out at her detractors who had raised controversy over her last name and religion. In a tweet in Hindi, the deputy chief minister had alleged that both the BJP and the Congress were "spreading lies" about her religion. "... Her full name is Atishi Singh. She is a Rajputani. A full-fledged Chhatrani. A Jhansi ki Rani. Beware. She will win and script history," Sisodia had tweeted. The tweet "appears to be in violation of Point (I) Annexure-I of the Manual on Mode Code of Conduct..," the notice read. "Now, therefore, you are directed to furnish your comments on the above matter before the undersigned by 5 PM on May 8, 2019 otherwise it will be presumed that you have nothing to say," it stated. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A delegation of 22 opposition parties, led by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, on Tuesday approached the Election Commission requesting for verification of all Voter-Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPATs) in an assembly segment if discrepancy is found in counting of VVPAT slips of five random machines. The delegation met the EC immediately after the Supreme Court dismissed a plea by opposition parties to review its judgment rejecting 50 per cent random physical verification of EVMs using VVPATs. The delegation also demanded that the EC "suo motu" increase the physical counting of VVPAT slips with Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) vote count in order to restore voters' confidence, credibility, transparency and robustness of institutional mechanism of counting process. The Supreme Court has directed the EC to count VVPAT slips of five random EVMs in each assembly segment. Senior Congress leaders Ahmed Patel and Abhishek M Singhvi as well as National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah, CPI parliamentarian D Raja and AAP MP Sanjay Singh were among other leaders present in the meeting. "After the SC dismissed our petition, we came to the EC and requested it clearly that if any discrepancy is found in five VVPATs then what action it should take. Some of the booths are manipulated. Our demand is clear that all VVPATs in the entire assembly segment should be verified," Naidu told reporters after the meeting. Naidu said the delegation told the EC that it is possible to count 50 per cent of VVPAT slips easily. "There are 14 tables in every counting hall for an assembly constituency. Therefore the amount of time and energy in which slips from one VVPAT machine can be supervised by returning officer and observer is same for 14 VVPAT machines. "Therefore slips from at least 70 VVPAT machines can be counted in the same time. If they are counting 5 VVPATs, then they can count 70 VVPATs at a time," he said. The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief said that the EC has been requested to honour the demand of a candidate for recounting. The delegation not only urged the EC to come out with revised guidelines in this regard at the earliest, but also asked it to investigate and publish on its website all cases of discrepancies found during the counting process. "Want to ask the BJP if our demands are unreasonable? You want to manipulate and bulldoze. Why you are siding with this type of malpractice? We are asking for transparency. You want to go for non-transparency and get away, that is not possible," Naidu said. Elaborating more on the demand to increase the physical counting of VVPAT slips, Singhvi said: "The EC has powers to increase the Supreme Court's order of five per cent. The EC has agreed on this issue." He said, "There is no connection between the SC dismissal and our demands today. First of all, the SC dismissal does not prevent the EC to suo motu to increase the percentage of counting. We have very strongly asked the EC to increase it to either 10 per cent or 15 per cent or 25 per cent." The EC has assured that it will look into each of its demands and into the nitty-gritty of how the VVPATs can be made more bigger confidence building measure, he said. CPI leader D Raja said the EC in the meeting has assured that it will abide by the procedure even if it delays announcement of the election results. "All political parties have asked the EC not to restrict its powers. If it can address the issue with open mind, it can decide on verification of VVPATs instead of 5 per cent it can go up to 15 per cent," he added. The Lok Sabha election is being held in seven phases. So far, voting for five phases is over. The counting of votes will be on May 23. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The ED has seized a flat in posh Vasant Kunj area of and a land in worth Rs 1.48 crore in connection with a FEMA and hawala case against Harish Gahlot, brother of minister The agency said it issued a seizure order under section 37A of FEMA freezing the flat and a land in Chauba village in in lieu of alleged illegal assets held abroad. "Investigation was initiated under FEMA (Foreign Exchange Management Act) based on the information received from the informing about transfer of money to the tune of Rs. 1 crore from to through hawala channel by Harish Gahlot through a Delhi-based hawala dealer for making advance payments toward purchase of two flats in in September, 2018," the ED alleged in a statement. Premises linked to the family and associates of Kailash Gahlot, (AAP) MLA and Transport minister, were raided by the in October last year. The properties of his brother Harish Gahlot were also searched during this action. The tax department searches were conducted as part of a tax evasion probe against two firms -- Brisk Infrastructure and Developers Pvt Ltd and Corporate International Financial Services Limited -- that are reportedly operated and owned by the family members of had denied any wrongdoing and the AAP had called the action "political vendetta." The (ED) said its probe revealed that in September, 2018 Harish Gahlot had given Rs 1 crore cash to his younger son Nitesh Gahlot, who is an NRI and studying in Dubai, for sending this money to allegedly through unauthorised hawala channel, that denotes skirting legal banking route to transfer money. "Nitesh Gahlot, through his contact, approached Inderpal Wadhawan, a Delhi-based hawala dealer for transferring the amount. Wadhawan kept Rs 4 lakh with him as commission and illegally delivered Dirhams equivalent to Rs 96 lakh in Dubai which was collected by the friend of Nitesh Gahlot and deposited the said amount in the Dubai account of Nitesh Gahlot," the agency charged. Out of these funds, the ED said, Nitesh Gahlot made payment to Dubai-based developers for booking of two flats in the name of himself, his father Harish Gahlot, his mother and his elder brother. "Investigation also revealed that on September 26, 2018 Harish Gahlot had sent Rs 50 lakh from his in to the account of his son Nitesh Gahlot maintained in Dubai under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) for the purpose code S0305 Travel for Education Including Fees Hostel Expenses etc, the ED said. However, the agency said, the said amount was "not used for intended purpose but actually used for booking of said two flats in Dubai. An Egyptian court Tuesday upheld the death sentences of 13 Islamic militants for attacks against security forces, a judicial official said. The defendants were charged with forming a militant group, Ajnad Misr (Soldiers of Egypt), that has claimed responsibility for lethal attacks on security forces in and around the capital Cairo. Egypt's Cassation Court rejected an appeal against initial rulings passed by a Giza criminal tribunal in December 2017. The accused were found guilty of "making and possessing explosive materials, bombs and firearms, and of receiving training outside the country". They were also convicted of "terrorist acts against police forces and public facilities from late 2013 to May 2015". Apart from the 13 death sentences, 17 defendants were handed life prison terms, and nine to between five and 15 years in jail, while five were acquitted. Ajnad Misr claimed several deadly attacks against security forces and bombings outside key buildings such as the supreme court and the cabinet offices. In 2015, the group's leader Hammam Mohamed Attiyah was shot dead in a Cairo gunfight with police. Police said Attiyah belonged to Ansar Beit al-Maqdis, the Egyptian branch of the Islamic State group, before he broke away in 2013 to found Ajnad Misr. Egypt has been battling an insurgency affiliated with IS in the restive North Sinai region since former Islamist president Mohamed Morsi was ousted in 2013. The government in February 2018 launched a large-scale military operation against IS in the Sinai Peninsula of eastern Egypt. Around 600 suspected militants and 40 soldiers have been killed so far, according to official figures. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The police Tuesday claimed to have cracked the case of spire stolen from the Ekvira temple more than one-and-a-half years ago with the arrest of two persons from the adjoining Ahmednagar district in Maharashtra. The gold-coated spire of the Ekvira temple located near Karla caves in Lonavala, a hill station about 65km from Pune city, was stolen on October 3, 2017. The Ekvira goddess is the family deity of the Shiv Sena's Thackeray family and after the spire was stolen,the issue was raised in the state assembly also. The state government had asked the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to probe the case. While the CID was investigating the case, the Pune rural police continued their own investigation and arrested two persons from Ahmednagar district Tuesday. Rahul Gawande and Somnath Gawade, both aged 23, were apprehended from Dhamangaon village under Akole tehsil of Ahmednagar district, the police said. According to the police, the duo had come to take part in the annual gathering of the temple when they stole the spire. Sandip Patil, Superintendent of Police (Pune Rural), said, "During the annual gathering, the duo heard a devotional song describing the gold spire at the Ekvira goddess's temple which brought their attention towards it. On the same night, they decided to steal the spire." Renovation work was going at the temple during the annual gathering for which some ladders and ropes were installed around the hilltop shrine, he said. "The duo used these ropes and ladders to reach the top of the temple and managed to steal the spire. "They gave a statement that while they were stealing the spire, a devotee spotted them and shouted at them. Therefore, they ran towards the forest area near the temple and hid the spire there," Patil said. According to the police, the duo later tried to sell the spire, but realised it was not made of gold but had only coating of the yellow metal. Patil said during the probe the local Crime Branch received a tip-off about the duo, who had hidden the spire in forest to avoid detection by the police. "Based on the information, our team managed to nab the duo, who not only confessed to the crime but also showed the place where the spire was hidden," Patil said. The SP announced a cash reward of Rs 35,000 for the investigating team for cracking the case. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Sri Lanka's former police chief, Pujith Jayasundera, who was sent on compulsory leave after the Easter Sunday terror attack, will approach the Supreme Court against the President's action, a media report said Tuesday. Amidst the criticism over the massive intelligence failure to avert the country's worst suicide attack that killed over 250 people, President Maithripala Sirisena sought the resignation of Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando and the Inspector General of Police Jayasundara. While Fernando resigned, claiming that he was quitting to "protect" his political bosses, Jayasundara initially defied pressure on him to resign. Sri Lankan media reported that constitutionally the President does not have the authority to dismiss the police chief. Jayasundara is currently consulting lawyers and is preparing to hand over his petition to the Supreme Court within the next two weeks, Sri Lanka Mirror reported. The report said Jayasundera has decided to file a fundamental rights case before the Supreme Court against sending him on compulsory leave without informing him any justifiable reasons. It is also reported that Jayasundera is intending to state before the Supreme Court that he has been removed from the position without taking any steps that should be taken to remove an IGP under the 19th Amendment. It is also said that he is prepared to disclose official information about the measures taken by him on the Easter Sunday attack. Sri Lankan government has admitted a "major intelligence lapse" before the April 21 bomb attacks which killed 257 people and wounded more than 500. An Indian intelligence warning from the beginning of the month about planned attacks was not properly shared by the authorities, Parliament heard last week. Jayasundera plans to stay at the IGP's official residence until the Supreme Court judgment is known, the report said. His motorcycle security and several police guards of him have also been removed after Jayasundera was sent on compulsory leave, it said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Fabindia, the country's leading lifestyle retail chain, has set its eyes on tier-II cities for expansion of its Fabindia Experience Centres, a top official of the company said. It all looks at expanding omni-channel model to all its stores to push e-commerce sales, Fabindia managing director Viney Singh said at the sidelines of the inauguration of Kolkata's first Fabindia experience centre. The measures constitute the company's aggressive retail expansion plan entailing an estimated investment of Rs 90-100 crore in the current fiscal, he told PTI. Fabindia Experience Center is a relatively new format, which are large stores to showcase maximum products categories under a single roof. Besides apparels, Fabindia has home furnishings, furniture, gifts, jewellery, organic food and personal care products. "We want to raise the number of the experience centres to 40 by this fiscal from 13 now. We have covered all metros and tier I cities. Now, we will open these in tier II cities," Singh said. A Fabindia Experience Centre has opened in Chandigarh and more are lined up for cities like Amritsar, Jaipur, Coimbatore and Thiruvananthapuram, he said adding another 50 regular stores would be added in the current fiscal but through a franchisee route. The brand has a total of 301 stores spread across the country, of which 230 are owned by the company. Singh said the size of an experience centres is between 9,000-10,000 sq ft and the investment is between Rs 3000-3500 per square feet. Based on this, the company's estimated investment would be Rs 90 crore to Rs 100 crore. Fabindia is emphasising on e-commerce and will expand its omni-channel capability to all its stores from just 100 now. Online sales accounts for less than 5 per cent of its total sales, whose figures the company declined to share. Fabindia said it is not using the Khadi Tag anymore. Singh said Khadi account for meagre business of the company but declined to discuss further on the subject as the matter is sub-judice. Ethnic fashion is a major segment in the total fashion sales of Fabindia, he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) At least 10 Chinese nationals, including a woman, have been arrested in Pakistan for allegedly luring young Pakistani girls into fake marriages then forcing them into prostitution in China, the country's premier probe agency has said. The Federal Investigating Agency (FIA) arrested eight Chinese nationals, including a woman, on Monday and last week, two Chinese nationals were arrested when a marriage ceremony was being performed in Fasialabad, about 150 kms from Lahore. "On Monday, we have arrested seven Chinese men and a Chinese woman for their alleged involvement in trafficking of Pakistani girls to China for the purpose of prostitution," FIA Punjab Director Tariq Rustam told PTI. The FIA swung into action following reports of Chinese nationals being involved in organ trade and forced prostitution of Pakistani girls, mostly from the minority Christian community, after marrying them and taking them back to China. Rustam said that their leader, indentified as 'Candice', was among those arrested. He has been living near the Lahore airport for the last one year. "The girls were moved to the rented houses acquired by the Chinese in Lahore where they were taught Chinese language before they leaving for China after completion of their marriage related documents," he said, adding the girls were forced into prostitution in China. "We are collecting the data of the girls trafficked to China during the last couple of years. Their number may run into hundreds," he said, adding that we are interrogating the arrested Chinese nationals and hopefully arrest all those involved in the crime. The Government recently ordered the FIA to take action against the gangs involved in smuggling of Pakistani girls to China on the pretext of contracting marriage. According to the local media reports, poor Christians girls are lured with money and promises of a 'good life' by the illegal matchmaking centres to marry Chinese men who are either visiting or working in Pakistan. These centres produce fake documents of Chinese men showing them either as Christians or Muslims. Most of the girls reportedly became victims of human trafficking and forced into prostitution, the report said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A total of 17 people, including 13 Chinese nationals, have been arrested in Pakistan for their alleged involvement in smuggling young Pakistani girls to China after luring them into fake marriages and then into forced prostitution. The Federal Investigating Agency (FIA) arrested seven people, including three Chinese nationals, on Tuesday who were part of a human trafficking gang. The FIA Rawalpindi arrested the gang led by Chinese national Song Chuaoyang who was also arrested, Geo reported. Deputy Director FIA Kamran Ali said the Chinese nationals were involved in fake marriages with Pakistani girls and later used them for prostitution and organ removal. On Monday, at least 10 Chinese nationals, including a woman, were arrested in Pakistan for allegedly luring young Pakistani girls into fake marriages then forcing them into prostitution in China. The FIA arrested eight Chinese nationals, including a woman, on Monday, after two other Chinese nationals were arrested during a marriage ceremony in Fasialabad, about 150 kilometres from Lahore, last week. "On Monday, we arrested seven Chinese men and a Chinese woman for their alleged involvement in trafficking of Pakistani girls to China for the purpose of prostitution," FIA Punjab Director Tariq Rustam told PTI. The FIA swung into action following reports of Chinese nationals' involvement in organ trade and forced prostitution of Pakistani girls, mostly from the minority Christian community, after marrying them and taking them to China. Their leader, indentified as 'Candice', was among those arrested, Rustam said, adding he has been living near the Lahore airport for the last one year. "The girls were moved to the rented houses acquired by the Chinese in Lahore where they were taught the Chinese language before they left for China after completion of their marriage related documents," he said, adding the girls were forced into prostitution in China. "We are collecting the data of the girls trafficked to China during the last couple of years. Their number may run into hundreds," Rustam said. "We are interrogating the arrested Chinese nationals and will hopefully arrest all those involved in the crime," he added. The government recently ordered the FIA to take action against the gangs involved in smuggling of Pakistani girls to China on the pretext of contracting marriage. According to the local media reports, poor Christian girls are lured with money and promises of a 'good life' by the illegal matchmaking centres to marry Chinese men who are either visiting or working in Pakistan. These centres produce fake documents of Chinese men showing them either as Christians or Muslims. Most of the girls reportedly became victims of human trafficking and were forced into prostitution, the report said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) French police arrested a 16-year-old in the eastern city of Strasbourg on Tuesday as part of an investigation into a suspected plot to attack security forces and possibly the presidential Elysee Palace, a judicial source told AFP. His arrest comes after three adults and another teenager were arrested on April 26 over plans to carry out what Interior Minister Christophe Castaner said would have been an "extremely violent terror attack". The attack was allegedly planned to coincide with the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which began in France on Monday, with officials saying the suspects had scouted out areas near the Elysee and a police station in the Parisian suburb of Aulnay-sous-Bois. France's TF1 television said the fifth suspect was a high school student of Chechen origin who was arrested at his parents' home. "Intelligence services suspect he was supposed to publish a video claiming allegiance to Daesh on the group's behalf," TF1 reported, using an Arabic acronym for the Islamic State group, a claim confirmed by the judicial source. "Several projects were envisioned, all against security forces," including those stationed outside the Elysee, the source said. Of the four arrested initially, one is a 17-year-old who served a year in prison after being convicted of trying to join jihadist fighters in Syria in 2017. The three others, aged 26, 38 and 39, were previously known to police only for petty crimes. France remains on high alert since a wave of domestic jihadist attacks since 2015 which have killed more than 250 people. At the end of March, two men were indicted in Paris on suspicion of planning an attack on a school or a police officer. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Clashes between Syrian government forces and jihadists Monday killed 43 fighters in the country's northwest, where the regime and its Russian ally have stepped up bombardment in the past few days, a monitor said. Jihadists also fired rockets at a Russian air base in the region but were repelled with the attack causing no casualties or damage, the Russian defence ministry said in a statement. Twenty-two pro-government fighters were among those killed in fierce fighting in the northern countryside of Hama province, said the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Twenty-one jihadists, including members of Al-Qaeda's former Syrian branch, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), and its ally the Turkistan Islamic Party, were also killed, the war monitor said. The fighting came as regime forces advanced on two villages and a strategic hilltop in the region, it said. State agency SANA said Syrian troops launched "intensive operations," targeting supply lines and areas where armed groups operate in northern Hama and neighbouring Idlib. The region held by HTS has faced intensifying bombardment in the past month, prompting a new wave of displacement. Earlier Monday, five civilians were killed in shelling and air strikes on Idlib and neighbouring areas by Syrian government forces and their Russian allies, said the Observatory. An AFP photographer in Idlib saw several houses completely destroyed by recent attacks. One man who lost his wife, his daughter-in-law, and his two grandchildren during shelling overnight prepared a pickup truck to relocate surviving members of his family. "I don't know where I'm going," he told AFP. More than 1,40,000 civilians have been forced to flee attacks since February, Refugees International said on Monday. "It is difficult to overstate the urgency of this looming humanitarian disaster if nothing is done to protect these people," the non-governmental organisation said in a statement. Escalated attacks have hit schools and medical facilities, according to the UN. Since 28 April, at least seven healthcare facilities have reportedly been struck, including four in Hama and three in Idlib, said David Swanson of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Russia and rebel-backer Turkey in September inked a buffer zone deal to prevent a massive regime offensive on the Idlib region, near the Turkish border. But the region of some three million people has come under increasing bombardment since HTS took full control of it in January. A statement by the Russian defence ministry said that the Hmeimim airbase in Latakia province neighbouring Idlib was the target Monday of rocket fire. "Altogether there were 36 rockets fired," during two separate attacks which were "repelled by air defence systems," it said. The civil war in Syria has killed more than 370,000 people and displaced millions since it began with the bloody repression of anti-government protests in 2011. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Docs Friends, the organization responsible for restoring, maintaining and operating the Boeing B-29 Superfortress known as Doc has recently announced that the vintage WWII heavy bomber will be operating out of Appleton, Wisconsin during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2019. On July 24th and 25th, 2019, Docs Friends plans to offer two opportunities each day for members of the public to buy flights aboard the historic aircraft. Appleton is just a short distance away from Oshkosh, and the site will be easier to operate from than the hectic airspace around Oshkosh itself. Tickets for these events can be bought ahead of time via the following links Appleton/Oshkosh, WI: July 24 Click here to purchase tickets for the 9:30 a.m. flight Click here to purchase tickets for the 11:30 a.m. flight Appleton/Oshkosh, WI: July 25 Click here to purchase tickets for the 9:30 a.m. flight Click here to purchase tickets for the 11:30 a.m. flight According to Docs Friends Each B-29 Doc Flight Experience will last approximately 90 minutes and include a 30-minute ride. Prior to takeoff, passengers will experience a crew briefing and learn more about the history of the B-29 and role it played in U.S. history. Passengers will also get to hear and see the sights and sounds of engine starts and run-ups prior to takeoff. If you cant make AirVenture to experience a ride, or see Doc fly, then there are a few other opportunities at different locations on offer as you can see below Upcoming Ride Dates and Locations Wichita: April 27 & 28 SOLD OUT Wichita: May 18 Click here to purchase tickets for the 9:30 a.m. flight Click here to purchase tickets for the 11:30 a.m. flight Wichita: May 19 Click here to purchase tickets for the 9:30 a.m. flight Click here to purchase tickets for the 11:30 a.m. flight Tulsa, OK: May 25 Click here to purchase tickets for the 9:30 a.m. flight Click here to purchase tickets for the 11:30 a.m. flight Tulsa, OK: May 26 Click here to purchase tickets for the 9:30 a.m. flight Click here to purchase tickets for the 11:30 a.m. flight Springfield, MO: June 14 Click here to purchase tickets for the 9:30 a.m. flight Click here to purchase tickets for the 11:30 a.m. flight Heavy Bombers Weekend in Madison, WI: July 19-21 Click here to see the full schedule and purchase tickets The United States is planning another space mission to the moon, Vice President Mike Pence said Monday asserting that the first woman to land on Earth's natural satellite will be an American. "At President (Donald) Trump's direction, the United States will return to the moon within the next five years, and the first woman and the next man on the moon will be Americans," Pence said, in his address to the Satellite 2019 Conference here. The Trump administration is incredibly proud that before the year ends, we will once again launch American astronauts on American rockets from American soil into the vast expanse of space, he said. To fully unlock the mysteries of space, President Donald Trump recognises the US has to look beyond the halls of the government, beyond NASA, for input and guidance. "That's why we assembled this Users' Advisories Group in the National Space Council, which, I'm proud to say has brought together some of the brightest minds and biggest talents in the country to help accelerate innovation across the space enterprise," he said. More than 15,000 scientists and industry representatives from 105 countries, including India, are attending the four-day mega event beginning May 6 in Washington DC. It is touted to be the largest commercial satellite industry event. It has featured headline keynote appearances from Amazon and Blue Origin founder and CEO Jeff Bezos, SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk, One Web founder Greg Wyler, among many other. Noting that other nations are joining the space race, Pence said while their capabilities increase, the truth of the matter is that there's no guarantee nations around the world share same values, ideals, or the US commitment to freedom and the rule of law and peace. "And that's what makes our leadership in space so important," he said. "The truth is, nations from Russia and China to North Korea and Iran have pursued weapons to jam, blind, and disable our navigation and communications satellites via electronic attacks from the ground," Pence said. "Recently, we've even seen nations working on bringing new weapons of war into space itself. From anti-satellite weapons and airborne lasers, to highly threatening, on-orbit activities and evasive hypersonic missiles, our competitors and our adversaries have been aggressively developing and deploying technologies that put our technology and put our prosperity and our security at risk," said the vice president. "Today, we recognise space a war-fighting domain, just like the land [and] air and sea," Pence quoted Trump as saying. And America is going to be as dominant for its security in space, as it is here on Earth, he asserted. "To meet the emerging threats, President Trump has taken decisive action to strengthen American power. "From the first days of this administration, we've been rebuilding our military, restoring the arsenal of democracy. And last year, President Trump signed the largest investment in our national defense since the days of Ronald Reagan, including renewed resources to enhance the resilience of our space defense systems," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A gangster carrying a reward of Rs 1 lakh on him was arrested following an encounter with Delhi police's special cell sleuths in the national capital's Rohini area in the early hours of Tuesday, officials said. The accused, Paramjeet Dalal (31), a resident of Jhajjar in Haryana, had been absconding since 2016, they said. According to police, the accused used to threaten property dealers, businessmen, illegal satta operators and others in Rohini and outer Delhi to extort money. In 2009, Dalal with his associates killed one Satish in Mianwali area of Delhi. He was arrested and later released in 2016 on interim bail for three weeks but jumped bail, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Sanjeev Kumar Yadav, said. He along with his associates Pradeep Rana, Mohit Chhabra and Pradeep kidnapped a property dealer-cum-financier in 2016 and initially extorted Rs 25 lakh from him. They again demanded Rs 90 lakh for his release, he said. All the three associates were arrested in this case but Dalal was still at large, the DCP said. Following a tip off that Dalal would visit Delhi on Tuesday to meet his associate, his car was intercepted by two special cell teams near Barwala turn on Heliport Road at 5.15 am, the officer said. After a brief chase, Dalal drew his pistol and fired at the police personnel, who fired back in retaliation injuring injuring the accused on his leg, the DCP said. He was taken to Baba Saheb Ambedkar Hospital. One pistol, four live cartridges and the car has been seized, the police officer said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An alleged gangster carrying a reward of Rs 1 lakh was arrested following an encounter with the special cell of Delhi police in outer Delhi's Rohini area in the early hours Tuesday. Paramjeet Dalal, 31, is a resident of Bahadurgarh in Haryana, a senior police official said. The encounter took place on the main heliport road opposite Rohini's Sector-37 at 5.15 am, the officer said. "During the confrontation, Dalal received a bullet injury in his left leg. He was rushed to Baba Saheb Ambedkar Hospital," he said. Legal action was being taken against the accused, police said, adding, further details were awaited. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Union minister Giriraj Singh on Tuesday surrendered before a local court in a model code of conduct violation case for making controversial remarks against the Muslim community at an election rally in the state. The firebrand BJP leader surrendered before the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate Thakur Aman Kumar here. The CJM granted bail to Singh in the case lodged under relevant sections of the Representation of People's Act and the Indian Penal Code. "Those who cannot say 'Vande Mataram' or cannot respect the motherland, the nation will never forgive them. My ancestors died at the Simaria Ghat and did not need a grave but you need three handspans of space," he had said in Hindi for making the remarks at a poll meeting in Begusarai on April 24. Besides BJP president Amit Shah, the election meeting was attended by a number of other party leaders, including Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi. The court also asked Singh to furnish two bail bonds of Rs 5,000 each. The Election Commission had also issued a show-cause notice to the minister for his remarks. The EC said, prima facie, Singh has violated provisions of the model code and directions of the Supreme Court, which had observed that religion cannot be used while making statements during campaigning. The veteran BJP leader is locked in a three-cornered contest with CPI candidate Kanhaiya Kumar and RJD's Tanveer Hasan in the Begusarai Lok Sabha constituency, where voting took place on April 29 in the fourth phase. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) / -- Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd., a research-led global integrated pharmaceutical company, today announced that it has appointed Dr. Yasir Rawjee as the Chief Executive Officer of Glenmark Life Sciences Ltd., its subsidiary for the API (Active Pharmaceuticals Ingredients) business. (Logo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/451507/PRNE_Glenmark_Logo.jpg ) Yasir joins Glenmark Life Sciences from Mylan Inc., where most recently, he was the Head of Global API Operations. He has held positions of increasing responsibility at Mylan including Senior Vice President of API Technical Operations and Senior Vice President and Head for Sales and Marketing for the API Business. Yasir started his career with SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals based in the USA and has been associated with GlaxoSmithKline and Matrix Laboratories Ltd. previously. He has over 25 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry. He has a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Texas A&M University, USA and holds a degree in B.Sc.(Tech.) from UDCT Mumbai, India. Glenmark's API business has witnessed robust growth rate of 15% CAGR over the last 5 years while maintaining its leadership position globally across several molecules. To provide a strategic focus to this business, Glenmark had earlier this year transferred the API business to a wholly-owned subsidiary Glenmark Life Sciences. "We see significant growth potential in our API business given the increasing demand for good quality and sustained supply of APIs globally. With this view, we housed our API business into a separate subsidiary, which will be run independently. We are happy that Dr. Yasir Rawjee will now spearhead the API unit and take it to greater heights with his rich experience both in the technical and marketing aspects of the business," said Glenn Saldanha, Chairman and Managing Director, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals. "Glenmark Life Sciences has built strong partnerships across the globe and has a very focused approach to further expand the API business. I am pleased to join the organization at a time when I believe I am getting an opportunity to contribute meaningfully in scaling up and shaping the next leg of growth for the API unit," said Dr. Yasir Rawjee. About Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (GPL) is a research-driven, global, integrated pharmaceutical organization. It is ranked among the top 75 Pharma & Biotech companies of the world in terms of revenue (SCRIP 100 Rankings published in the year 2018). Glenmark is a leading player in the discovery of new molecules both NCEs (new chemical entity) and NBEs (new biological entity). Glenmark has several molecules in various stages of clinical development and is focused in the areas of oncology, dermatology and respiratory. The company has a significant presence in the branded generics markets across emerging economies including India. Glenmark has 16 manufacturing facilities across five countries and has six R&D centers. The Generics business of Glenmark services the requirements of the US and Western European markets. The API business sells its products in over 80 countries, including the US, various countries in the EU, South America and India. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Tuesday announced the appointed of Yasir Rawjee as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Glenmark Life Sciences, its subsidiary for the active pharmaceuticals ingredients (API) business. Rawjee joins Glenmark Life Sciences from Mylan, where most recently he was the Head of Global API Operations, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals said in a BSE filing. "Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, a research-led global integrated pharmaceutical company, announces that it has appointed Yasir Rawjee as the Chief Executive Officer of Glenmark Life Sciences, its subsidiary for the API business," it said. Rawjee, a PhD in Chemistry from Texas A&M University, USA, and B Sc (Tech.) from UDCT Mumbai, has over 25 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, it said. "We are happy that Rawjee will now spearhead the API unit and take it to greater heights with his rich experience both in the technical and marketing aspects of the business," said Glenn Saldanha, Chairman and Managing Director, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals. Glenmark's API business has witnessed robust growth rate of 15 per cent CAGR over the last five years while maintaining its leadership position globally across several molecules, the company said. To provide a strategic focus to this business, Glenmark had earlier this year transferred the API business to a wholly-owned subsidiary Glenmark Life Sciences, it said. "We see significant growth potential in our API business given the increasing demand for good quality and sustained supply of APIs globally. With this view, we housed our API business into a separate subsidiary, which will be run independently," Saldanha said. Glenmark Life Sciences has built strong partnerships across the globe and has a very focused approach to further expand the API business, said Rawjee. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The mayor of Panaji Tuesday hit out at its civic commissioner for issuing notices to bulk waste generators to set up garbage processing plants in their premises within fifteen days. CCP Commissioner Shashank Mani Tripathy's notice, issued to 44 such bulk waste generators, warns that if they do not set processing units for composting or bio-methanisation in 15 days, the civic body will not collect any further bio- degradable waste generated by them. Addressing a press conference here, Corporation of City of Panaji Mayor Uday Madkaikar accused the commissioner of harassing citizens under the garb of implementing three- year-old guidelines of Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. He also accused Tripathy of implementing the diktat without taking the CCP's council into confidence. "When we collect tax from people on garbage, then it is our responsibility to accept and treat the waste generated by them. We can't shirk our responsibility by pointing out to some old rules," Madkaikar said. He added that the move had caused panic among tax- payers. Tripathy's circular quotes the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change's April 8, 2016 notification which states that "all bulk waste generators are mandated to treat and process bio-degradable waste within their own premises". Madkaikar also assured the people of Panaji that the CCP would set up such units for them at its own cost. The CCP covers Panaji and peripheral villages like Ribandar and Taleigao. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Nepal's Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli on Tuesday said his government was ready to hold talks with the parties demanding constitutional amendment as he feels that the Constitution is not any document which cannot be amended. Madheis parties, including Rastriya Janata Party Nepal and the leaders of newly formed outfit Samajwadi Party-Nepal, have been demanding a constitutional amendment to demarcate the provinces. The adoption of a new Constitution in 2015 that divided Nepal into seven provincial units and reportedly marginalised Madhesis, who are largely of Indian-origin and inhabitants of the Terai, triggered a six-month-long agitation during Oli's first tenure in which more than 50 people were killed. The agitation also hit India-Nepal bilateral ties. The Samajwadi Party-Nepal was formed on Monday following the merger of the Madhes-based Federal Socialist Forum-Nepal and the Naya Shakti Party Nepal of former prime minister Baburam Bhattarai. He also asked the parties not raise the demand again and again without specifying what amendments they want. "There has been concerns about amendment to the Constitution and its acceptability," Oli said at a meeting of the House of Representatives on Tuesday. "I agree, the constitution is not any document that cannot be amended. But, some political parties are talking about amendment like a song that you can sing anytime," he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The government is learnt to have returned to the collegium names of two high court chief justices recommended for elevation as judges of the Supreme Court, sources aware of the development said Tuesday. On April 12, the collegium had recommended the names of Jharkhand High Court Aniruddha Bose, and Gauhati HC A S Bopanna for elevation to the top court. Seniority and representation of regions have been cited as reasons behind the government's decision, the sources said. While Justice Bose whose parent high court is Calcutta, is at number 12 in all- seniority of judges, Justice Bopanna, whose parent high court is Karnataka, stands at number 36. Last year, the government had returned Justice Bose's name to the collegium when he was recommended to head the Delhi high court. "While recommending the names of Mr Justices Aniruddha Bose and A S Bopanna, the collegium has taken into consideration, apart from their merit and integrity, combined seniority on all- basis of chief justices and senior puisne judges of high "The collegium has also kept in mind the desirability of giving due representation on the bench of the Supreme Court, as far as possible, to all the high courts," the collegium resolution had read. The High Court is represented in the by Justice Indira Banerjee. Justices S M Mallikarjnagouda and S Abdul Nazeer represent the HC. At present, the has a working strength of 27. Its sanctioned strength is 31 judges, including the Union minister Vijay Goel and former Chhattisgarh chief minister Raman Singh along with some members of the Valmiki community Tuesday staged a protest here over allegations levelled by AAP against BJP's North West Delhi candidate Hans Raj Hans, the minister's office said. Goel said AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal had "falsely accused" Hans of "converting to Islam" and AAP leader Rajendra Pal Gautam had also alleged on social media that Hans is not a Valmiki but a Muslim. "The AAP leaders have reduced political discourse to the lowest possible level," Goel claimed in a statement issued by his office. Goel said he would "file a complaint" with the SC/ST Commission. "This is a big insult to Valmikis as someone who has been a Valmiki since his birth, who had been chairman of Valmiki Safai Karmchari Union and vice-chairman of Valmiki Amritsar Trust, is being called a Muslim by Kejriwal for his vote bank politics," the union minister was quoted as saying in the statement. Goel and Singh staged a dharna along with hundreds of Valmikis at Maharishi Valmiki Mandir, Panchkuian Road in protest, and he claimed that there was a "resentment" among Valmikis against the AAP because of this allegation. The Delhi CEO office had issued a notice to Kejriwal after a complaint filed by Hans and senior BJP leader Vijender Gupta over the issue, however, the AAP supremo in his reply had claimed that there was "no violation" of any model code of conduct from his side. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In his meeting with the Catholic community in the church of St. Michael the Archangel in Rakovsky, Pope Francis urges them to live as builders of hope. "He who loves does not waste time crying on himself, but he always sees something concrete that he can do". To love others without paying attention to the "adjectives", but to the "nouns": "this is a person, in the image of God". Find ways to "translate the love God has for us in a concrete and understandable way". Rakovsky (AsiaNews) - To help "see with eyes of faith and love" and "try to translate God's love in every moment of history": these are the two poles that Pope Francis offered to strengthen the faith of Bulgarian Catholics during his meeting with the Catholic community, which took place in the church of San Michele Arcangelo in Rakovsky. This is a predominantly Catholic town, but throughout the country this community does not exceed 70 thousand faithful, being the third religious community in Bulgaria after the Orthodox and Muslims. The Pope spoke of the great love for this land and the Orthodox brothers expressed by John XXIII, when he was apostolic delegate in Bulgaria (1925-1934), and recalled the great tradition of Cyril and Methodius, who knew how to "translate" the Gospel into the local language . At the entrance of the church, the pontiff was greeted by some members of the community. He then stopped in silence before a relic and a bas-relief of the "good pope". A small choir of young people sang the hymns of the World Youth Days. There was also a group of boys and girls who performed some traditional dances. After a brief greeting from the bishop of Sofia and Plovdiv, Msgr. Gheorghi Ivanov Jovcev, the Pope listened to some testimonies: from a Sister of the Eucharist, Sister Maria Evrozia Gudzerova; from a married couple with their child, Mikto Mihaylovi and Miroslava Mihaylovi and Bilyana; from a priest, Don Boris Stoykov. Sister Maria Evrozia, spoke of how she is one of five vocations who entered the convent after a break of more than 20 years, welcomed by the elderly nuns "survivors of the atheist regime". The priest spoke of his joy in living his vocation and concluded with a prayer: "Lord, make that even today many young people discover this treasure of vocation, because "the harvest is great, but the workers are few! ". The Mihaylovi couple spoke about daily life made up of love and mutual forgiveness, supported by the testimony of other families in their parish. Taking the floor, Francis asked all of them to be people who let themselves be "guided by the power of the resurrection", who while acknowledging that there are "there will always be painful times and unjust situations, yet they do not wring their hands, shrink back in fear or, even worse, create a climate of scepticism, discomfort or disruption, since this does nothing but harm the soul, causing hope to flag and hindering every possible solution". "He who loves - he adds - does not waste time crying on himself, but always sees something concrete that he can do". And he remembered his experience at the Vrazhedebna refugee camp earlier in the morning, where the Caritas volunteers dedicate themselves to the people present there attentive not to the "adjectives", but to the "nouns": "this is a person, in image of God". Then the Pope emphasized the value of the parish, "a home in the midst of all the homes ... It manages to make the Lord present there, where every family, every person tries to earn their daily bread." The community is united: "Never separated, but united, where everyone learns to be a sign and blessing of God for others. The priest without identity loses his identity and the people can fragment without their pastors ". In a long interlude, Francis underlines the value of the Church as a mother, as an open community, always ready to welcome, making its own "nodes" from the existence of its children. Finally, "following in the footsteps of Cyril and Methodius," Francis asked the faithful to find ways to "translate the love God has for us in a concrete and understandable way to young people". The young, he explained, "Our young people, when they feel called to express all the potential they possess, often give up half-way because of the frustrations or disappointments they experience, since they have no roots to rely on as they look to the future (cf. ibid. 179-186). How much more so, when they are forced to leave behind their homes, their country and their family.. This is why it is important to bring together young and old, the two groups of people who suffer most in our society and "the elderly are the roots". Young people "can reach for the future" only if they "have the roots of the old". He concluded: "Never tire of being a Church that continues to give birth, amid the contradictions, sorrows and also much poverty, the Church-who-is-a-mother that continually has children, that gives life to the sons and daughters that this land needs today, at the start of this twenty-first century. Always listen with one ear to the Gospel and the other to the heart of your people. The Madras High Court has transferred to the CBI a financial fraud case registered against officials of the National Bulk Handling Corporation Private Ltd, an agricultural commodity and collateral management services firm, for cheating Lakshmi Vilas Bank Ltd with fake documents. The NBHC approached the court's Madurai bench for quashing the case pending before the Virudhunagar District Crime Bench. According to the prosecution, the NBHC and its officials, including directors, conspired together with clients and created bogus documents to commit fraud on the bank, thus causing huge loss to it. The case had been wrongly referred to the state police, though as per RBI guidelines, it should be referred to the CBI,the prosecution said. Counsel for the CBI submitted that similar cases were being investigated by the agency and it had no objection to investigate the case. Justice M Dhandapani ordered the case to be transferred to the CBI from Tamil Nadu police. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Hong Kong was contemplating to open a country representative office in India to boost bilateral ties, an official said Tuesday. "Hong Kong does not have any direct government office in India. There is a plan to open one in Mumbai which could be similar to a consulate," Invest Hong Kong director general Stephen Phillips said on the sidelines of an interactive session with The Bengal Chamber. He, however, did not divulge anything about a timeline for the proposal. At present only, an investment promotion office "Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK)" is operational in Mumbai, one of the 30 such offices located globally, he said. Hong Kong is now governed by China under the principle of "one country, two systems", where the city would enjoy "a high degree of autonomy, except in foreign and defence affairs." A double taxation avoidance agreement between India and Hong Kong has come into effect recently which would stimulate more the two-way flow of investments and trade. "It will boost bilateral trade and investments but it is hard to quantify now," he said. Phillips is on a six day India visit to promote Hong Kong as a business attraction. Speaking about ongoing tariff war between US and China, he said, if it continues then trade rebalancing may take place. He, however, also pointed that trade relation with India will get traction as many Chinese companies are setting up their base in India. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The head of the International Monetary Fund said Tuesday that fresh trade tensions between the United States and China were the main threat to the world economy. "Clearly the tensions between the United States and China are the threat for the world economy," Christine Lagarde told journalists at a conference in Paris, adding that recent "rumours and tweets" made an agreement between the countries less likely. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pope Francis called on the Western Balkans to embrace its patchwork of faiths and ethnicities during a visit to North Macedonia on Tuesday, saying "respect for diversity" is key to the region's efforts to integrate with Europe. The pontiff was welcomed with yellow billboards and buses bearing his smiling face after he touched down in the tiny Balkan state, which is mainly Orthodox Christian but was delighted to welcome him. Catholics make up only a small sliver -- less than one percent -- of the country of 2.1 million, which is also home to a large ethnic Albanian Muslim minority. In an address before President Gjorge Ivanov and Prime Minister Zoran Zaev, Francis praised the "crucible of cultures and ethnic and religious identities" in "your land, a bridge between East and West". North Macedonia's diversity, which reflects the broader Western Balkan region, forms a "mosaic in which every piece is essential for the uniqueness and beauty of the whole." A "peaceful and enduring coexistence" is essential for "increased integration with the nations of Europe," he continued. "It is my hope that this integration will develop in a way that is beneficial for the entire region of the Western Balkans, with unfailing respect for diversity and for fundamental rights." On Tuesday, people of all faiths were filling up Skopje's main square for the pope's late morning mass, which will form the final leg of his three-day Balkan tour that began in Bulgaria. "For me this is a historic visit, not only for Catholics but also for us Orthodox, Muslims and all others living in North Macedonia," said 18-year-old Filip Etmisovski. Dragi Bojadziski, a 46-year-old Catholic from the south, also celebrated the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. "This is a historic moment that will not be repeated for a very long time, for another 100 or 200 years. It means a lot to us, the Catholic faithful here," he told AFP as the square was filling up. Before delivering his homily, Francis will meet with the poor and religious leaders at a memorial dedicated to Mother Teresa -- Skopje's most famous Catholic native. The revered nun was born to an Albanian family in Skopje in 1910, when the city was part of the Ottoman empire. In his address, Francis praised Mother Teresa, whom he canonised as a saint in 2016, for making "love of neighbour the supreme law of her life". "You are rightly proud of this great woman," he said. Though the nun spent most of her life devoted to the poorest of the poor in Calcutta, her legacy is visible in her birthplace in the form of statues, memorials and a highway in her name. North Macedonia avoided the inter-ethnic conflicts that tore through most of former Yugoslavia as it collapsed in the 1990s and shattered along communal lines. But the land-locked country was brought to the brink in 2001 when Albanian militants launched an insurgency in the northwest. The conflict was eventually ended with a peace deal promising more rights and representation to the Albanian community. The country has since kept the -- sometimes uneasy -- peace. A centre-left government is now focused on trying to move forward with dreams of joining the European Union. The pope's message of unity comes after the government recently changed the country's name from Macedonia to North Macedonia to end a decades-old row with neighbouring Greece. The move helped clear Skopje's path to join NATO and the EU. But it upset critics who felt a piece of their national identity had been unjustly robbed. Ahead of Francis' arrival, pro-European Prime Minister Zaev, a devout Orthodox believer, said the pope was "coming to the hometown of Holy Mother Teresa... who carries a special symbol of reconciliation and solidarity". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The US on Tuesday said its Special Representative for Afghan peace Zalmay Khalilzad has recognised the many important contributions India has made to Afghanistan's development in his talks with top Indian government officials during his two-day visit here. Khalilzad held consultations with Indian government officials and other stakeholders on the Afghan peace process during his May 6-7 visit here, the US Embassy said. Ambassador Khalilzad met External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale, and India's Ambassador to Afghanistan Vinay Kumar, among others. "During his meetings, Ambassador Khalilzad welcomed expressions of support for the Afghan peace process, which strengthens an emerging international consensus for peace efforts. He also recognized the many important contributions India has made to Afghanistan's development," the embassy said in a statement. It said Khalilzad and his counterparts discussed the many important benefits that peace would bring, which include preventing international terrorists use of Afghanistan as a platform for attacks, improving prospects for regional peace and security and increasing regional connectivity and trade. "Ambassador Khalilzad and his counterparts also discussed that Afghanistan's political future is for Afghans to decide through an inclusive and legitimate process," the embassy said. "They also agreed that Afghan gains of the last 18 years must be preserved and built upon. Ambassador Khalilzad will continue to consult with Indian counterparts as the peace process moves forward," it added. Khalilzad has been holding talks with the Taliban in Qatari capital Doha to hammer out a deal to bring lasting peace and stability to war-ravaged Afghanistan. Last week, the US officials held their sixth round of talks with the Taliban to end the over 17-year-old conflict in Afghanistan. In March, India conveyed to the US that it should not withdraw its troops from Afghanistan without putting in place an elected "political structure" to govern the country. Major powers such as the US, Russia and Iran have been reaching out to the Taliban as part of efforts to push the stalled Afghan peace process. India has been a key stakeholder in the peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan. In a significant move, India had sent two former diplomats in "non official" capacity to a conference on Afghan peace process in Moscow in November last year which was attended by a high-level Taliban delegation. The conference organised by Russia was attended by representatives of Afghanistan as well as from several other countries, including the US, Pakistan and China. India has been maintaining a policy of not engaging with the Taliban and pressing for an Afghan-owned and Afghan-led peace initiative to bring peace and stability in the war-ravaged country. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Indian businesses in Africa have suggested the government here to take steps such as improving line of credit system, setting up of banks and liberalise visa policies to increase trade and investment with Africa, the commerce ministry said Tuesday. These issues were highlighted by Indian business community in Africa during an interaction organised by the ministry and Indian High Commissions and embassies of eleven African countries over Digital Video Conference (DVC) on May 3 and 6. It was attended by over 400 members of Indian business community in 11 African countries -- Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Zambia, Mauritius, Nigeria, Mozambique, Ghana, South Africa, Botswana, and Madagascar. The other issues raised by them include starting direct flights between the India and African countries; exploring possibility of rupee trade to address the issue of shortage of dollars; creation of common database of buyer-suppliers; development of a robust trade dispute settlement mechanism; and establishment of country chapters of Ficci or CII in Africa. "Department of Commerce welcomed the suggestions and assured them that these suggestions will be shared with relevant stakeholders /Departments in order to incorporate the suggestions in the India-Africa strategy for trade promotion," it said in a statement. Senior officers from the Department of Commerce and Ministry of External Affairs were present during the interactions. India's total trade with the African region during 2017-18 was USD 62.69 billion. "Today, African countries present immense opportunities for India with the world's largest land mass, 54 countries, a population growing to be almost equivalent to that of India, huge mineral resources, oil wealth, a youthful population, falling poverty levels and increasing consumption patterns," the ministry said. As per the latest available estimates, the current strength of the Indian Diaspora in the African countries is 2.8 million and out of those 2.5 million are PIOs and rest 2,20,967 are NRIs, it added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The ex-wife of an Indian-origin neurologist in Singapore has been granted Singapore dollars 25 million in assets, child support and spousal support by a British Columbia court, in one of the biggest divorce payouts abroad. Gobinathan Devathasan, 69, whose behaviour was described as "reprehensible" during the litigation, was ordered on April 29 to pay his ex-wife Christie Devathasan Canadian dollars 5,498,344 in spousal support, with another Canadian dollars 612,084 for child support. During the course of the litigation, Devathasan had handled funds in his Singapore bank account despite an asset freezing order, failed to disclose properties, deliberately embarrassed his daughter and suggested that a judge had "spread her legs wide" to the claimant's counsel, the court was told. The doctor ran a private clinic at Mount Elizabeth Hospital, and had married Devathasan in 1997. She filed for divorce in 2016, Channel Asia reported. The couple was described in the court judgment as being "uncommonly wealthy", and had owned expensive cars, jewellery, artwork and homes, with investment properties in Canada, the US, Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia. Devathasan divorced her first husband in 1996, while Devathasan divorced his first wife, with whom he had two children with, in 1997. Shortly after, the couple got married in Singapore in August 1997. The couple's relationship deteriorated in 2015 and early 2016, according to the court papers. Devathasan commenced divorce proceedings in July 2016. Devathasan obtained an asset freezing order and a protection order, and these orders were served to Devathasan in August 2016. The doctor claimed that they were not binding as he was in Singapore and took steps to deal with his assets. Devathasan's past conduct was also taken into account in deciding ongoing and future child support. He has to pay Canadian dollars 33,084 for past child support and a lump sum of Canadian dollars 579,000 for child support for the period through to June 2022. "For a long time he was utterly unwilling to acknowledge or fulfill his parental and spousal responsibilities or acknowledge this court's role in adjudicating those responsibilities," Justice Gomery said in his judgment. In an affidavit sworn on May 22, 2017, he stated: "I will not pay a dollar for alimony now or till death or whatever any one decrees, no matter what". The judge ordered Devathasan to pay ex-wife Devathasan Canadian dollars 2,351,000 in connection with the allocation of family property and debt. He will also have to pay a total of Canadian dollars 612,084 in child support, and Canadian dollars 5,498,344 in total for spousal support. The Canadian dollars 16.4 million in assets granted to Devathasan include a house in West Vancouver worth Canadian dollars 6.2 million, an apartment in Vancouver worth Canadian dollars 2.35 million and an apartment in Florida worth Canadian dollars 2.48 million. The doctor was granted Canadian dollars 21.4 million after the proceedings. The judge described Devathasan as a "hardworking man all his life", adding that the doctor worked Monday to Friday and Saturday mornings throughout his career in private practices. "He has loyal patients," the judge was quoted as saying in the report. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) and the University of Technology Sydney's (UTS') Faculty of Engineering and IT have extended research cooperation by establishing a new joint research cluster (JRC). "The cluster's focus areas will include artificial intelligence (AI), character and video recognition, document analysis and biometrics," a statement said Tuesday. UTS already conducts extensive research in these areas in Centre for Artificial Intelligence and School of Software. ISI has built strong expertise via research undertaken in Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition Unit. * * * magicpin strengthens leadership team* Offline retail discovery platform magicpin has strengthened leadership team with the appointment of six executive across roles including finance and business operations. The company has appointed Nitin Gupta as head (Finance) and Rajeshwar Wadhera as VP (Merchant Growth), a statement said. It has also roped in Ankit Mittal and Hitanshu Gandhi as vice presidents for retail merchants and manufacturing brands businesses, respectively. magicpin has also appointed two head of cities - Mahendra Rathod (Bengaluru) and Ritvik Shekhar (NCR). "The new leadership hiring is in line with magicpin's rapid expansion across new and existing cities and business lines. This further bolsters the existing strong leadership at magicpin and deepens its extensive operational, financial and strategic capabilities," the statement said. * * * * Wizikey secures Rs 2.5 cr funding from IAN * Indian Angel Network (IAN) has invested Rs 2.5 crore in Wizikey, a tech-driven PR solutions start-up. "IAN's investment in Wizikey marks a significant step towards transforming the Indian PR and social media industry, which is estimated to be valued at Rs 4,500 crore," a statement said Tuesday. The funding round was led by IAN investors including Alok Mittal, Ambarish Raghuvanshi, and Saumya Meattle (Investor Director). Other angels participating in the round include former Nasscom Chairan Raman Roy, Ajai Chowdhry (HCL co-founder) and Arun Duggal (ICRA Chairman). The capital infusion will be used by Wizikey to further develop its product offerings and scaling it to cover multiple vernacular languages. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In a freak accident, an Indian aviation technician with Kuwait Airways was killed while towing an aircraft at the company's base airport, according to a media report on Tuesday. The technical staff member, a native of Thiruvananthapuram, was towing the Boeing 777 aircraft when the tow bar broke, killing him on the spot on Monday. The technical staff member was killed during a towing accident at the company's base airport on May 6, the Khaleej Times reported, quoting airline's tweet. The report, however, did not identify the deceased technician. No crew members or passengers were on board the aircraft when the incident happened, it said. Necessary investigations are being carried out on the incident by the concerned authorities to determine the cause of death. Kuwait Airways has expressed their regret at the tragic incident, the report said. Towing involves moving of large aircraft from the runway to the terminal or hangar. The victim is survived by his wife and daughter. According to media reports, his body was moved to the mortuary following inquest and will be flown to Kerala. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) From Amazon rainforests to the Arctic Circle, indigenous peoples are leveraging ancestral knowhow to protect habitats that have sustained them for hundreds and even thousands of years, according to a landmark UN assessment of biodiversity released Monday. But these "guardians of nature" are under siege, warns the first major UN scientific report to fully consider indigenous knowledge and management practices. Whether it is logging, agribusiness and cattle ranching in the tropics, or climate change warming the poles twice as fast as the global average, an unrelenting economic juggernaut fuelled by coal, oil and gas is ravaging the natural world, the grim report found. A million of Earth's estimated eight million species are at risk of extinction, and an area of tropical forest five times the size of England has been destroyed since 2014. "Indigenous peoples and local communities are facing growing resource extraction, commodity production, along with mining, transport and energy infrastructure," with dire impacts on livelihoods and health, the report concluded. Experts estimate that there are some 300 million indigenous people living in mostly undisturbed natural areas, and another 600 million in "local communities" striding the natural and built worlds. At least a quarter of global lands are traditionally owned, managed or occupied by indigenous groups, the UN Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) found. "Indigenous peoples have truly been guardians of Nature for the rest of society," Eduardo Brondizio, co-chair of the UN report and a professor of Anthropology at Indiana University Bloomington, told AFP. Research has shown, for example, that forests under indigenous management are more effective carbon sinks and are less prone to wildfires than many so-called "protected areas" controlled by business concessions. "We have been guardians of our lands for millennia and have deep interaction with ecosystems where we live," said Lakpa Nuri Sherpa, a Sherpa activist from eastern Nepal. "Our lands are among the most biodiverse on the planet." But nearly three-quarters of regions worldwide under indigenous stewardship have seen a decline in most measure of biodiversity and ecosystem health, the report found. "The pressures on them continue to be enormous," said Brondizio. "The global economy keeps pushing the boundaries of resource extraction" deeper into indigenous territory, he said. "Indigenous peoples have been retreating from those economic frontiers for 500 years, but get caught every time." Globally, the pace of deforestation is staggering. Last year, the tropics lost an area almost the size of England, a total of 120,000 square kilometres (46,000 square miles). Almost a third of that area, some 36,000 km2, was pristine primary rainforest. In Brazil -- home to nearly half of the world's plant and animal species -- landowners fell multi-storied trees to make way for soya bean crops, rogue miners pollute rivers, and timber traffickers steal valuable species. "It is like using the goose that lays golden eggs to make soup," said Brondizio. The livestock industry is a double climate threat: it destroys forests to make way for grazing land and soy crops to feed cattle, and generates huge amounts of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Extraction industries of all kinds have found an ardent backer in far-right President Jair Bolsonaro, who came into office in January. "I am worried," said Brondizio, who is Brazilian, noting the weakening of environmental protections and an increase in the vilification of indigenous peoples. Everywhere in the tropics, local populations that push back against big business and their backers are at risk. More than 200 environmental campaigners -- half from indigenous tribes in tropical forests -- were murdered in 2017, according to watchdog group Global Witness. "Our global home is under threat, and Nature is in decline, all driven by an economic and political system that favours increasing consumption and growth over living in harmony with Nature," said Aroha Te Pareake Mead, a member of the Ngati Awa and Ngati Porou Maori tribes in New Zealand. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Mizoram government has informed the Centre about an estimated crop loss of Rs 20 crore caused by an outbreak of the 'Fall Army Worm' (FAW) in the state, a minister said on Tuesday. The outbreak caused by Spodoptera Frugiperda, an insect, has affected maize cultivation in 1,747.9 hectares in 122 villages, state Agriculture minister C Lalrinsanga said. The state government has constituted a Rapid Response Team to monitor the outbreak and take measures to mitigate the loss of crops, he said. Meanwhile, state Agriculture Department Director Rohmingthanga Colney said that chemical pesticides and organic ones were being used to kill the worm in maize fields. "Concerted efforts are being made to contain the outbreak which was first detected in Lunglei district on March 8," Colney said. After receiving warning from the Centre, the state Agriculture department had sent warnings to all the District Agriculture Officers on February 27 last on the possibility of incidence of FAW in the state. The FAW outbreak was reported in neighbouring Bangladesh and Myanmar early this year. Agriculture experts said that the FAW is a lepidopteran pest feeding on multiple plants (polyphagous). Being a nocturnal pest, the FAW hides under maize leaves at day time and is difficult to detect. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) BJP leaders in Telangana Tuesday called on family members of students who allegedly committed suicide ever since the results were declared on April 18, upset over the marks they got. The alleged goof-up in the declaration of results by Board of Intermediate led to protests by students, parents, students' organisations and political parties in the state. State BJP president K Laxman and party MP Bandaru Dattatreya separately met family members of students who allegedly committed suicide. While Laxman met some in Hyderabad, Dattatreya visited a family in Warangal. "This is not a suicide. We feel this is a murder by the government," Laxman told reporters, after meeting the family members of a girl student Tuesday. The objective in meeting family members is to console them and extend moral support. The BJP would also make efforts to get ex-gratia from the government to the kin of the deceased, Laxman had said on Monday. He claimed that about 25 students have ended their lives since April 18, when the intermediate results were announced. Laxman had launched an indefinite fast last, demanding justice for students, and had called off the fast after five days following an appeal made by BJP president Amit Shah. BJP's demads include sacking minister G Jagadeesh Reddy, suspension of Board of Intermediate (BIE) secretary, judicial inquiry into the whole episode and paying compensation to families of students who allegedly committed suicide, upset with the result. Laxman had announced that a delegation of state BJP leaders would meet Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and also President Ram Nath Kovind in Delhi this week. The saffron party had called for a state-wide bandh on the issue Thursday last. About 9.74 lakh students had appeared for the Intermediate exam in March this year and 3.28 lakh of them had failed, according to official sources. Errors like not displaying practical exam marks in the memos of certain geography students and bubbling error in some OMR sheets by examiners, along with mistakes of other nature, have come to the fore since the announcement of results. A three-member committee, appointed by the state government to look into the issue, has pointed out certain shortcomings and suggested remedial measures. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) / -- The first edition of ITOTY 2019 was held by Tractor Junction in Delhi. It was a successful format to recognize Indian manufacturers of Tractors and Farm Implements, giving a complete overview of the Indian manufacturing and farming practices during the panel discussion whereas CRISIL has presented pre- and post-harvest through marketing and consumption trends. In India, agriculture and its allied sectors are the primary source of livelihood for a large chunk of domestic population. In 2019, the Gross Value Added (GVA) in these industries across the country was around INR 23,566 billion. Being a part of mechanisation in farming, tractors have a big role to play in increasing the country's agricultural output. The tractor market is also among the biggest segments in the category of farm equipment in the country, with annual sales of 785,409 units. Nearly all the major tractor-makers reported record growth, which ensured that the pecking order among them, in terms of market share, remained more or less intact. With current tractor population of ~5 million in India, penetration in India is only 1.5 hp/ha which is much below the 8-10 hp/ha penetration of developed countries, leaving much scope for growth. Keeping that as a benchmark, nearly 13 million farm tractors are required to till India's arable area of 159.2 million hectares, indicating a sustained growth potential (excluding commercial tractors) until fiscal 2027. The concept of sustainability brings several aspects such as comfort, safety, efficiency and connectivity. In general terms, how new and future technologies will help farmers in their everyday job. Intelligence of Things, Internet of Things, Big data analysis together with new types of engines such as electric, hybrid, and gas engine, how the new technologies will make future tractors less polluting, more comfortable, more safe and more efficient. Tractors are characteristically created with controlling engines to collide with rough lands and pull tremendously heavy masses, making them operative in hard-hitting and undeveloped landscapes. Modern tractors are also becoming cheaper by the day, coming with additional features such as cast-iron front axles, reaper-harvesters, etc. According to T.R. Kesavan, President of Tractor and Mechanisation Association (TMA) of India, the importance of tractors is only set to improve. Tractor producers have recorded their highest ever sales in 2018-2019. Selling 7.85 lakh units, a number expressively higher than the 7 lac mark in 2017-2018, the 10.4% increase in tractor sales definitely indicates that farmers are opening up to the idea of investing in multi-purpose tractors. India is one of the world's largest tractor producers and market leaders in the world. In order to make Indian agriculture a great success, it is necessary to encourage the creative minds working behind the scenes. Taking this step forward, Tractor Junction organized a dedicated award ceremony, ITOTY, on 3rd May 2019, in Delhi for the Indian tractor industry covering tractors and farm equipment. The concept of ITOTY was just a two months old baby, which was deriving from the online voting contest to award the best tractor. Team Tractor Junction took this initiative a step forward and organized a successful evening of award function. Most of the industry players have appreciated the idea as nominations started entering the contest. They have received active participations from 12 Key players of Tractor and farm Implement Manufacturers. ITOTY has 21 award categories, including 'Tractor of the Year 2019', 'New Launch of the Year 2019', 'Best CSR Initiative for Farmers', 'Best Design Tractor' etc. are included. Highly experienced jury members and valuable customers were voted for the participants, so that they can win. The entire voting process in this was transparent and unbiased. Many important factors related to tractors and agricultural equipment has been contributed to the voting in accordance with the ground circumstances of Indian farming practices, with jury and consumers, such as fuel-efficiency, technological advancement, operating comfort, style, safety and performance, value for money, innovation, power & fuel efficiency and suitability. Every year domestic and international companies offer new agricultural equipment and technology that require inspiration to continue their unique piece of art and functionality. 'ITOTY 2019' organized by Tractor Junction will serve as the main source for their contribution. Apart from Award Function, this function included panel discussions, online competition for guests and many other activities. In this ceremony, more than 12 tractors and agricultural equipment manufacturers participated. The process of choosing the winners were quite transparent, it was based on 60% weightage of Jury Members and 40% of Public Voting. The designated jury has total experience of more than 200 years in the tractors and farm implement domain. Jury has given their marks to the nominated participants based on the criteria like price, fuel efficiency, comfort, safety, innovation, value for money and compatibility as per the Indian farming conditions. Out of the 9 respected Jury members, 4 are from the product and marketing background, 3 from the testing background working in CFM TTI Budni and CIAE Bhopal. Rest were YouTubers, who have 0.7M subscribers on their YouTube channels. "As we all know, India's farm mechanization is always booming and thus, we at Tractor Junction, are constantly trying to explore more and creating a unique ecosystem together at the intersection of technology and functionality. Our aim is to bridge the gap between manufactures/dealers and customers," says Rajat Gupta, Founder of Tractor Junction. The winners of the first 'Indian Tractor of the Year' 2019 are below: Sr. No. Award Categories Winners1 Tractor of the yearPowertrac Euro 502 Best CSR InitiativeSonalika Stubble Burning Issue3 Best CSR InitiativeNew Holland Digital Classroom4 Best CSR InitiativeForce Motors 100 Vehicle Distribution5 Best Tractor for AgricultureSONALIKA DI 50 SIKANDAR6 Orchard Tractor of the yearCAPTAIN 250 DI-4WD7 Best Tractor for CommercialPOWERTRAC ALT 40008 Best Tractor above 60 HPDEUTZ FAHR AGROLUX 80 PROFILINE9 Best Tractor between 51-60 HPSONALIKA WORLDTRAC 60 RX10 Best Tractor between 46-50 HPNEW HOLLAND 3600-2 TX11 Best Tractor between 41-45 HPSONALIKA 42 DI 4WD SIKANDER12 Best Tractor between 31-40 HPNEW HOLLAND 3037 TX13 Best Tractor between 21-30 HPFORCE ORCHARD DELUXE14 Best Tractor Under 20 HPVST Mitsubishi Shakti MT 180 D15 Tractor Manufacturer of the yearEscorts Limited16 Best 4WD Tractor of the yearDEUTZ FAHR AGROLUX 5517 Launch of the YearFARMTRAC ATOM 2618 Best Design TractorSolis 501519 Implement Manufacturer of the year LEMKEN INDIA20 Implement of the yearMASCHIO GASPARDO VIRAT ROTAVATOR21 Power tiller of the yearVST SHAKTI 135 DI ULTRA22 Reversible Plough of the YearLEMKEN OPAL 090 E23 Rotavator of the yearMASCHIO GASPARDO VIRAT ROTAVATORAbout Tractor JunctionTractor Junction is India's no.1 website for Tractors and Farm Implements. Launched in April 2016, Tractor junction.com provides information to farmers and acts as a product and price discovery platform for tractors and farm machinery. We are focused on providing information on tractors, agro-implements, farmers, and also help them buy the best products to suit their requirements. We provide all details of major tractor manufacturers including Mahindra, Eicher, Sonalika, New Holland, John Deere, Escorts, and Tafe etc. Tractor Junction website has 3.5 lac visitors and 12 lac page views per month. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A high-level panel looking into appropriate capital reserves the RBI should maintain will hold at least two more meetings before finalising the report, former Reserve Bank governor Bimal Jalan, who is heading the committee, said. The six-member Jalan panel was appointed on December 26, 2018, to review the Economic Capital Framework for the RBI. The committee was supposed to submit its report in 90 days from the first day of its meeting, which held on January 8. "At the moment, it is in the process ... We will have at least two more meetings," he said when asked whether the committee has finalised its report. The other key members of the committee include Rakesh Mohan, former deputy governor of RBI as vice-chairman, finance secretary Subhash Chandra Garg, RBI deputy governor NS Vishwanathan, and two RBI central board members, Bharat Doshi and Sudhir Mankad. The panel has been entrusted with the task of reviewing the best practices followed by central banks worldwide in making assessment and provisions for risks, which a central bank balance sheets are subject to. The panel will propose a suitable profit distribution policy, taking into account all the likely situations of the RBI, including the situation of holding more provisions than required. The government and the RBI under previous governor Urjit Patel had been at loggerheads over the Rs 9.6 lakh crore surplus capital with the central bank. The finance ministry was of the view that the buffer of 28 per cent of gross assets maintained by the RBI is well above the global norm of around 14 per cent. Following this, the RBI board in its meeting on November 19, 2018, decided to constitute a panel to examine Economic Capital Framework. In the past, the issue of the ideal size of reserves of the Reserve Bank of India was examined by three committees -- V Subrahmanyam in 1997, Usha Thorat in 2004 and YH Malegam as late as in 2013. While the Subrahmanyam panel recommended for building a 12 per cent contingency reserve, the Thorat panel suggested it should be maintained at a higher 18 per cent of the total assets of the central bank. The RBI board did not accept the recommendation of the Thorat committee and decided to continue with the recommendation of the Subrahmanyam committee. The Malegam panel said the RBI should transfer an adequate amount of its profit to the contingency reserves annually but did not ascribe any particular number. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A local court Tuesday convicted a missionary school head and five others in connection with the gang-rape of five tribal women last year. Additional District Judge Rajesh Kumar found the six them guilty and will pronounce the quantum of sentence on May 15, Public Prosecutor Sushil Kumar Jaiswal said. Father Alfonso Aind, who was on bail from March 14, was taken into custody immediately after the court convicted him, he said. Aind was arrested after the gang-rape on June 19 last year as the police had registered an FIR against him for aiding and abetting the crime. He was charged with not stopping the guilty and not informing the police. A separate FIR was filed against the other five persons in connection with the rape and they were arrested. The victims were part of a troupe that visited a school in Kochang in Khunti district to enact a play on anti-human trafficking and migration when the five persons took them forcibly to a nearby forest and raped them at gunpoint. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan Tuesday came out in support of Chief Electoral Officer Teeka Ram Meena, who has been under fire from the CPI(M) for his report on bogus voting, and said the CEO was functioning within his legal framework. Vijayan, in a press meet, said there are mechanisms in a democracy to counter the malpractices like bogus voting. "Our democratic system is very secure. If there is any wrongdoing, there are mechanisms in our democracy to initiate action against such incidents," he said. The CEO had on April 29 said that three women, including a panchayat member, had cast bogus votes in Kasargod constituency. Rejecting the charge, CPI(M) state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan had criticised the CEO and alleged that Meena was acting in accordance with UDF's ploy. "The Chief Electoral Officer has to take a stand as per his post and authority. Why should we be worried about his actions? The political parties might have various opinions on various issues. The CEO has rules and framework to discharge his duties. He normally functions within that framework," Vijayan said. The CPI(M) has rejected the charge, maintaining that the three women were present in the booth only to perform "open voting", which involves assisting voters who are unable to cast their votes independently. It has welcomed a probe into the allegations. However, Meena had said that he was hearing the term "open voting" for the first time. "As per our law, there is no open vote. When I asked the Collector about this, he told me the term may be the colloquial parlance for assisted or companion voting. Maybe there is a local reference like that, but even in the case of a companion vote, the voter must be present inside the booth. They could have brought the voter in a wheelchair," he had told media earlier. The CEO had also confirmed that three Congress led UDF workers had cast bogus votes as alleged by the ruling CPI(M)-headed Left Democratic Front in Kasaragod constituency in the April 23 Lok Sabha polls. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Slamming the Centre for allegedly halting the land acquisition process for national highways in Kerala, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan Tuesday said the BJP-led NDA government and the Sangh Parivar has got only one agenda and that was to destroy all the development the state has gained over the years. He said if there was one organisation that had not contributed anything for the growth of the state, "it is the Sangh Parivar." Vijayan also alleged that the BJP has become a political party which stands against the interest of people. The National Highways Authority of India had recently allegedly suspended four/six-lane work and land acquisition in all districts in Kerala, except Kasaragod, resulting in stalling of the development of 1,078 km of NH and State Highways (SH) under the Bharatmala Pariyojana in the state. Two days ago, State Finance Minister Thomas Isaac posted in his Facebook account a screenshot of a letter sent by BJP state president P S Sreedharan Pillai to the Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on September 14 last year. The letter purportedly seeks staying land acquisition proceedings for NH 66 which passes through the Edappally-Moothakunnam route in Ernakulam district. Vijayan said it was "shocking" to know that the BJP state president had written to Gadkari requesting that the NH development in the state be stopped. "Behind this letter, there is a kind of sadistic attitude to watch the people here continue facing traffic snarls forever," Vijayan said. "There were earlier attempts to stall the NH development in the state. This was due to the vested interests of certain people. Now the BJP, which rules the Centre, has been supporting such interests and the state leadership was trying to protect these vested interests and halt road development," Vijayan said. The Chief Minister said if the land acquisition process face further delay, the land value would increase over the year and make it difficult for the government to pay compensation. "The BJP-led NDA government and the Sangh Parivar has got only one agenda and that is to destroy all the development the state has gained over the years," Vijayan said. Meanwhile, Congress Leader Ramesh Chennithala sought an apology from Pillai "for taking steps against the development of national highways in the state." "Development of national highways are a necessary for the overall development of the state. Decision halting the development of the highways has dampened the dreams of the people of Kerala. Pillai, who had written the letter seeking to halt the work must apologise to the people of Kerala," Chennithala said. However, Pillai Tuesday said he was being hounded from many quarters over a letter in which he claims to have sought relief for victims of cyclone Ockhi in 2017 and those ravaged by unprecedented rains in August last year. Continuing his attack on the NDA government, Vijayan said the the state readied a package of Rs 7,340 crore for Ockhi victims but got only Rs 133 crore. "We sought a package of Rs 5,616.75 crore for flood relief. We also sought an additional special package of Rs 5,000 crore. All we got from the Centre was Rs 2,904 crore. Out of this, we may have to pay minimum support price for the rice and kerosene we bought during the flood season.This come up to Rs 265.74 crore," Vijayan said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will commence a four-nation tour of Europe with a visit to the Netherlands from May 8-12, at the invitation of the Dutch government to explore possibilities of cooperation in water management, flood prevention and agriculture. The Netherlands, with 26 per cent of the country below sea levels is a world leader in the field of water management and flood control. It is also the world's second largest exporter of agriculture products. Kerala witnessed the biggest floods in 100 years in August 2018. "During the visit, the Kerala Chief Minister will meet Minister Cora van Nieuwenhuizen, Dutch minister for infrastructure and water management and Jan Kees Goet, secretary general of the ministry of agriculture," a statement issued Tuesday by the Indian Embassy here said. He will interact with representatives of business community in a meeting organized by Hans De Boer, president VNO-NCW (Dutch employers' federation), it said. The chief minister will visit the port of Rotterdam to discuss inland water management and also see first hand measures taken for flood control and water management by the Dutch government, the statement said. "He will meet agricultural experts of the University of Wageningen to understand latest agricultural techniques in horticulture and floriculture," it said. Other items in the chief minister's programme include paying a visit to the National Archives of the Netherlands to view items in their collection pertaining to the Dutch presence in Kerala in the 17th century and holding discussions on digitizing Dutch records in the possession of Kerala state archives, the statement said. He will also meet and interact with the Indian community during the visit, it said. Following the floods in Kerala, two Dutch water experts were part of the United Nations/Asian Development Bank/World Bank/European Union Mission to Kerala. Subsequently, the Dutch government sent in March 2019 a four-member disaster risk reduction mission which has submitted a report to the Kerala government on Kuttanad, the region in the state below sea level, it said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) : In a freak mishap, a Keralite working as a technical staff of Kuwait Airways was killed after he was caught under the wheels of an empty Boeing 777 while it was being towed at an airport there on Monday. Anand Ramachandran (36) was standing close to the aircraft and inspecting the towing process when the mishap occurred, Biju Nair, his close relative, told PTI. His mortal remains would be brought here by 4 AM Wednesday morning, he said. "All formalities are over and his mortal remains will reach thiruvananthapuram by 4 AM tomorrow", he said. Confirming the incident, Kuwait Airways said on Twitter that the tragic accident occurred on Monday at 3.10 PM (local time) when the technical staff was engaged in towing the aircraft from the airport yard to Terminal 4. There were no passengers and crew in the aircraft. Necessary investigations were being carried out on the matter by the official authorities concerned to determine the cause of the accident, it said expressing regret at the accident. Anand has been working with Kuwait Airways since 2008-09 and leaves behind his father, brother, wife and a four-year-old daughter, family sources said. The funeral is expected to be held tomorrow at their ancestral house. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) All the Islamic extremists involved in the Easter suicide bombings are either killed or arrested, Sri Lankan police and military chiefs have claimed, assuring that the country is now safe and can get back to normalcy. The tri-forces commanders and the police chief, addressing a press conference on Monday night, said the security of the country following the April 21 bombings that left 257 people dead has been ensured with adequate measures and steps have been taken to implement a special security plan. Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chandana Wickremaratne said that all those directly linked to the attacks on three churches and three luxury hotels have been arrested or were killed. He also said that all the explosives believed to be linked to local Islamist outfit National Thowheeth Jama'ath (NTJ), blamed for the attacks, have been found. "All explosives possessed by the terrorist group has been seized. Almost everyone identified with the group have been arrested. Two of their bomb experts have died in the clashes. The police can happily announce that everyone with direct links have been either arrested or killed by now," Wickremaratne said. Wickramaratne did not say how many people have been arrested over the bombings, but police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekera on Monday said that 73 people, including nine women, were arrested and being questioned by the CID and the Terrorist Investigation Department (TID). The police spokesman also said the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) identified more than Rs 140 million cash and other assets worth over Rs 7 billion belonging to the NTJ. The Islamic State terror group claimed the attacks, the island nation's worst, but the government blamed ISIS linked local Islamist extremist group NTJ. Wickramaratne, who was named acting police chief last week after President Maithripala Sirisena suspended his predecessor over his failure to act on intellegence warnings about the attacks, said the country can now get back to normalcy with the lifting of curfews imposed after the attacks. Wickramaratne urged the public not to be misled by unverified reports. The government reopened schools on Monday, but attendance dropped to below 10 per cent in many places with parents still fearing attacks. Wickremeratne said a joint security operation with schools authorities are underway. He pointed to unverified security fears spread through social media as the cause for unfounded security concerns. Army chief Lt Gen Mahesh Senanayake said the military has taken steps to ensure national security under the emergency regulations. He said that over the past two weeks normalcy was returning to the country and the public must not be misled by false claims. All security measures to ensure safety in the country has been taken. The security forces were empowered by the emergency regulations since the attacks," Lt Gen Senanayake said. The Army chief urged the public to return to their day to day activities. The tourism industry leaders have urged the government to make strong measures to enable the industry to revive following the Easter Sunday attacks on three leading hotels. The suicide bombers attacked breakfast rooms of the Shangri La, The Cinnamon Grand and the Kingsbury Hotels. The attacks in which 44 foreigners including 11 Indians were killed prompted adverse travel advisories. At the moment most bookings are cancelled, with less than 10 per cent of occupancy we are in trouble," Hoteliers Association president Sanath Ukawatta said. The government has already decided on a package of concessions to the tourism industry which contributes 5 per cent of the island's GDP. The Tourism Authority said the total number of tourist arrivals during April was 166,975. This is an year on year decline of 7.5 per cent as the arrivals were 180,429 in April 2018. Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena Tuesday appealed to the international community, including India, to lift travel the warnings issued after the Easter Sunday terror attacks, as the country's tourist arrivals dipped 7.5 per cent last month. The terror attacks on three luxury hotels and three churches on April 21 killed 257 people, including over 40 foreigners. Ten Indians were among the dead. President Sirisena urged the diplomatic community in Sri Lanka to lift the travel warnings since security in the country has been strengthened, Colombo Gazette reported. The US, China, the UK, India and Australia were among the countries which issued travel warnings on Sri Lanka. Tourism accounts for about five per cent of Sri Lanka's economy, with India, Britain and China being the main markets. The country earned about USD 4.4 billion in 2018 from the tourism sector. Following Sri Lanka's worst terror attack, India issued an advisory for its nationals in the country. India is the largest source market for Sri Lanka, which received 2.3 million tourists from around the world in 2018. Around 450,000 Indian tourists visited Sri Lanka last year and the island nation was expecting the total Indian tourist arrivals to cross one million in 2019. Meanwhile, according to official tourism arrival figures released on Tuesday, the first monthly report since the terror attacks, showed that Sri Lanka's tourist arrivals declined 7.5 per cent in April 2019 compared to the same period last year. The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority said April recorded 166,975 foreign tourists in the country compared to 180,429 in April 2018, a 7.5 per cent dip in arrival of tourists from abroad. As on April 30, a total of 907,575 tourists visited Sri Lanka this year. It was 2.2 per cent growth over last year when 888,353 tourists had visited the country during the same period. The largest source market for tourists in April was the United Kingdom, followed by the India and Germany, Colombo Page reported. United Kingdom, India, Germany, China and Australia were Sri Lanka's top five international tourist generating markets in the month of April this year. United Kingdom was the largest source of tourist traffic to Sri Lanka with 15 per cent of the total traffic received last month. India accounted for 14 per cent of the total traffic while Germany, China and Australia accounted for 10 per cent, 8 per cent and 6 per cent respectively. Arrivals from North America fell 37.4 per cent to 8,900 in April and the arrivals from US declined 44.6 per cent to 4,810 during the month while arrivals from Canada declined 24.8 per cent. Tourist arrivals from India fell by 21.5 per cent with 29,860 visitors arriving while arrivals from China decreased by 18.3 per cent to record 17,462 arrivals. Sri Lankan Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera recently told reporters that tourism will be the worst affected. "We expect a 30 per cent drop in arrivals and that means a loss of about USD 1.5 billion in foreign exchange," Samaraweera said, adding that the country could take up to two years to fully recover from the deadly bombings which shattered a decade of peace in the country. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Naxals have killed 224 security forces' personnel in Maharashtra since 1980, a senior state government official said Tuesday. The latest incident was on May 1 when 15 Quick Response Team personnel and their driver were killed in Jambhurkheda in the district's Kurkheda tehsil after their vehicle was blown up with an improvised explosive device (IED). Apart from security forces, Naxals have also killed 571 civilians since 1980 while the Maoist ultras have seen 246 cadre gunned down in the same period, he said. "Calendar year 2018 was special as the police did not lose a single personnel while they managed to gun down 50 Naxals," he said. "It is to be noted that of the 246 Naxals killed so far, 98 have been shot dead after 2014. The police force lost 19 personnel since 2014," he said. Gadchiroli, Chandrapur and Gondia have been declared Naxal-affected districts in Maharashtra by the Ministry of Home Affairs. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Maharashtra State Commission for Women (MSCW) has directed Ahmednagar police chief to act strictly against persons accused of setting ablaze a couple, leading to the death of the woman. The MSCW issued notice to the Superintendent of Police, Ahmednagar on Monday and asked him to send a action- taken report. A woman and her husband were set ablaze allegedly by her father and relatives on May 1 in Maharashtra's Ahmednagar district as they were opposed to the couple's marriage. While the woman died of burn injuries at a Pune hospital on Sunday, the man is battling for life with over 40 per cent burns. Terming it an honour killing, Inspector Vijaykumar Botre of Parner tehsil said Mangesh Chandrakant Ranasing (23) and his wife Rukmini Rama Bharathiya (23) were set ablaze as they married despite being from different castes. The incident happened on May 1 in Nighoj village, he added. "Ranasingh, a construction worker and Rukmini got married in November last year against the wishes of her parents. On April 28, she came to Nighoj village to meet her parents. On May 1, Mangesh came to take her to their marital home," Botre said. However, her father Rama Bharathiya, her uncle Surendrakumar and maternal uncle Ghanshyam Ranej locked the couple in a room and set them ablaze, the official said. Neighbours who heard the couple's screams managed to rescue them and alert the police, he said, adding that all the accused managed to escape. "We rushed them to Sassoon Hospital in Pune where Rukmini died on Sunday while undergoing treatment. In her dying declaration, she has named the accused. We have arrested Surendrakumar and Ghanshyam. Accused Rama Bharathiya is absconding and efforts are on to nab him," Botre said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The state-level spend on roads in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh is expected to grow at an annual rate of 22 per cent to Rs 1.43 lakh crore by 2020- 2021, rating agency ICRA said Tuesday. Capital expenditure by states on their roads is expected to witness robust growth over next three years supported by several expressway projects launched/announced by Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, it said in a statement. "ICRA estimates the state-level spend on roads to increase at a CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 22 per cent from current level of Rs 96,000 crore in FY 2019 to Rs 1.43 lakh crore by FY 2021," the statement said. In Maharashtra, the estimated spend in case of Nagpur-Mumbai expressway alone is Rs 35,000 crore over next three years in addition to proposed road improvement programme through hybrid annuity mode, it said. Similarly, in UP, for Purvanchal and Ganga expressways together, the estimated spend over next three years is around Rs 20,000 crore, it added. "Historically, the cumulative spend by the state governments on roads was much higher than the central government spend on national highways. "Most of it went unnoticed because of low proportion of public private partnership projects, wide dispersion across various geographies/ authorities and most of these contracts were smaller in terms of value which were lapped up by the local EPC contractors," Shubham Jain, VP & Group Head, Corporate Ratings, ICRA said. This had witnessed a trend reversal in 2017-18 when the Centre approved the new highway development programme (including Bharatmala Pariyojana Phase-I) in October 2017 which involves national highway development of around 83,000 km by 2021-22. After National Highways Development Project (NHDP), Bharatmala Pariyojana is the largest road development programme to be undertaken by the central government. The estimated fund requirement for development of NHs under the new programme is about Rs 6.92 lakh crore, up to 2021-22. The rating agency said in terms of capital allocation for road sector by states, the top five states are Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Odisha. Together, they accounted for 53 per cent of the aggregate spend in the sector, across all states. On average, these states have deployed around 27 per cent of the development capital outlay towards roads and bridges. Among non-special category states, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand are the two top states in terms of proportion of development outlay deployed towards road asset creation while Telangana and Andhra Pradesh are the laggards with less than 10 per cent of development capital allocation, the statement said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A man was arrested allegedly with 105 gram heroin, worth Rs 1.5 crore in grey market, on the Indo-Nepal border in Maharajganj district, an official said Tuesday. The Sashstra Seema Bal (SSB) personnel arrested the accused Bihari Lodhi at Sonauli check post here on Monday, SSB Company Commander Amit Kumar said. Lodhi is a resident of the district's Pharenda area, he said. A case has been registered against the accused under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS), the officer added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Meteorological Department (Met) has issued a fresh yellow weather warning for thunderstorm in Himachal Pradesh on May 10 and 11, an official said Tuesday. The Met centre in Shimla issued the warning of thunderstorm accompanied with hailstorm and gusty winds in the plains, low and the mid hills on Friday and Saturday. The weatherman has also forecast rainfall from May 10 to 13, the official said. The Met office issues colour-coded warnings to alert the public ahead of severe or hazardous weather which has the potential to cause "damage, widespread disruption and/or danger to life." Yellow is the least dangerous out of the weather warnings. It indicates the possibility of severe weather over the next few days that could affect the public. On Tuesday, the highest temperature in the state was recorded in Una at 40.8 degrees Celsius, while the lowest was registered in tribal district Lahaul-Spiti's administrative centre Keylong at 3.2 degrees Celsius. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Congress on Tuesday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of changing goal-posts this Lok Sabha election and misusing the valour and sacrifice of the armed forces, saying he will go down in history as a "mere stuntman" and not as a statesman. Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said the prime minister is not answering questions on joblessness, on black money, on economy, and on distress in the MSME sector. Instead, he is talking about "irrelevant issues" as he did not deliver on the mandate given to him in 2014, Singhvi said. He also accused the prime minister of lowering the dignity of the office he holds by using abusive language against political rivals and of insulting the memory of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi, who was assassinated in a suicide bombing. The Congress leader alleged that Modi is changing goal-posts only to avoid real issues. "It is really interesting to watch how PM Modi is shifting issues and running from one to another. That is not surprising, when all that one has done is advertising, propaganda and serving the cronies. How else would one hide his failure other than attacking those who aren't around to defend themselves," Singhvi said. "It is bizarre to even hear that the PM wants to contest the next two phases on late Rajiv Gandhi and not on issues of his own making namely joblessness, black money, destruction of economy, killing of MSMEs and unprecedented rural distress," he said. Targeting Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, Modi had said, "Your father was termed 'Mr Clean' by his courtiers, but his life ended as 'bhrastachari number 1'." He has also challenged the opposition party to contest the last two phases of this general election in the name of Rajiv Gandhi. Singhvi said Modi fought the last Lok Sabha election on the promise of creating two crore jobs per annum, depositing Rs 15 lakh in every bank account, building 100 smart cities, and making available cheaper petrol and diesel. "We will like to fight the next two phases on these very issues, so that the people are able to see through your diversionary games and assess you for yourself. You were given a historical opportunity by the people of this country. However, you will go down in history as a mere stuntman rather than a statesman," the Congress leader said. At a press conference, he said a number of veteran soldiers and ex-servicemen have slammed the "brazen politicisation" of the armed forces by the BJP and have come on record to say that surgical strikes did take place under previous governments. The BJP has been canvassing on national pride as a major poll plank this election and is also referring to the air strike in Balakot in Pakistan after the Pulwama attack to woo voters. "The BJP and Modiji tried very hard to hide behind the bravery of our armed forces and fight these elections. Instead of answering the nation on Pulwama intelligence failure and later Gadchiroli failure, they propped our brave jawans in BJP advertisements and insulted them by making them 'political pamphlets' for a vote garnering exercise. PM Modi shamelessly called previous surgical strikes as 'on paper' and a 'video game'," Singhvi said. "This is like insulting the armed forces," he alleged. "Call it surgical strikes, call it cross border operations, they have been carried out in the past by the Army," he quoted Lt Gen (retd) D S Hooda, who headed the Northern Command and supervised the 2016 surgical strike on terrorist launchpads across LoC, as saying. Singhvi said the Congress did not politicise the armed forces. "For us, their bravery is not a means to seek votes." He also criticised the PM for his suggestion at a rally that the Congress and the Samajwadi Party had a tacit understanding and were playing politics behind BSP chief Mayawati's back. "PM Modi's spurious charge that opposition to him is 'mahamilawati' and his sinister ploy to take jibes on the Congress party as also Akhilesh Yadav and Mayawati fell flat," he said. He alleged that BJP's alliances are based on "rank political opportunism". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Delhi Chief Minister and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal Tuesday launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging that his nationalism was fake. Speaking at a poll rally in favour of his ally Jannayak Janata Party's Dushyant Chautala here, Kejriwal projected JJP-AAP as a viable alternative. Hitting out at the prime minister, Kejriwal said Modi was seeking votes from people for the Balakot air strikes carried out in February. "Modi has not done any work in these years. He has nothing to show for development. Modi is saying only one thing that they killed terrorists by carrying out air strikes," he alleged. "A few days ago, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan gave a statement saying he wants Modi to continue as India's Prime Minister. Imran Khan is seeking votes for him. There has never been an example of a Pakistani prime minister batting for our PM in the last 70 years," the AAP supremo said. Continuing his tirade against the prime minister, he said everyone knows that Pakistan sent terrorists from across the border to carry out an attack on the Pathankot Air Force base in Punjab, but strangely the Modi government had allowed a Pakistani investigation team to probe. "In January 2016, Pakistan sent its terrorists to carry out attack on air force station in Pathankot, but Modi ji allows Pakistanis to probe the incident," he said. "Modi's nationalism is fake, he is dangerous for the country, he has done setting with the Pakistanis and he needs to be exposed," Kejriwal alleged. He claimed that the traders were still struggling with the after-effects of demonetisation. "Modi said demonetisation will help end terrorism, end corruption. Did it achieve desired results? But instead people lost jobs and traders were destroyed," he said. Invoking his Haryana roots, Kejriwal appealed to people to vote for AAP-JJP candidates on all the 10 Lok Sabha seats, which go to polls in the sixth phase on May 12. "We want to serve the country, we want to serve people, this is why we are asking you to strengthen our hands. Dushyant has been serving you people as an MP during the past five years. We are not here to seek votes in any one individual's name but on the basis of our work," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) German high-end carmaker BMW on Tuesday reported a plunge in profits in the first quarter as it booked a 1.4-billion-euro ($1.6 billion) charge related to an EU cartel probe. Net profits at the group nosedived 74.2 per cent year-on-year, to 588 million euros, the group said in a statement. Brussels' allegation that BMW colluded with Daimler and Volkswagen to avoid competing on emission control technology means "it is probable that the EU Commission will issue a significant fine," the Munich-based manufacturer said. BMW already warned investors when details of the probe were published last month that it would have to set aside at least a billion euros. But the firm said competition authorities are trying "to equate the permissible coordination of industry positions regarding the regulatory framework with unlawful cartel agreements". "If necessary (BMW) will contest the EU Commission's allegations with all the legal means at its disposal," it added. On top of the provision, the group said growing research and development costs and investments had also sapped earnings, while revenue fell 0.9 per cent to 22.5 billion euros. Nevertheless "in operational terms, we remain firmly on course," chief executive Harald Krueger said, adding that a wave of new models arriving in the second half of the year should lift business. Excluding the effect of the provision, BMW achieved an operating margin of 5.6 percent, lower than in 2018's first three months. The group confirmed its targets for the remainder of the year, aiming for a "slight increase" in unit sales but pointing to continuing cost increases and protectionist threats undermining earnings. Pre-tax profit is "expected to be well below the previous year's level," BMW said, following up an 8.1-per cent fall in 2018. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A four-year-girl kidnapped from a slum in Indore was Monday evening found dead in a well, an official said. The girl was kidnapped on Sunday night from a slum cluster here when her parents were asleep, he said. "She was raped and killed and her body disposed of in a deep well here. We believe it was done by someone known to the family. The slum cluster has 36 homes and we are questioning people from the locality," Senior Superintendent of Police RV Mishra said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Hello, Years ago we published a cartoon about Vinni Puh. (Russian version of Winnie the Pooh) During the past, we discussed how its difficult to translate Vinni Puh in English. We translated some expressions from the cartoon and now we tried to translate the Vinni Puh song. (not exact translation more transition of the mood ;)): In the 1st video, Vinni Puh sang this song: (Link) If I scratch my head Its OK. I have sawdust there And that is great! In my head I have sawdust! But; I can compose: My happy-songs, my noisy-songs, my puff-puff-songs, want-wishing-songs. Vinni Puh lives so good in the woods. Thats because he compose his funny songs. Does not matter what hes doing, if he does not loose his weight, and he never loose his weight if he has his snack in time. This time we can have rest because we found a version with English subtitles. I think the guys, Artem, Lesha & Co have done very good job! They translated just the second part but are going to translate all three. Ive read in one forum that they appreciate any help with translation their e-mail in subtitles. So now we will watch and enjoy. Would you want Vinny to visit you? Best wishes, Svet and Kyle A court here Tuesday sentenced a 25-year-old man to 10 years in jail for raping a deaf and mute minor girl, who was found to be one and half months pregnant when the matter came to light. Special judge M H More pronounced the accused guilty under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The 17-year-old girl was taken to hospital in August 2013 after she had fever and started vomiting, according to the prosecution. During treatment, a sonography revealed that she was one and half months pregnant, following which doctors brought the matter to the notice of the Govandi police. In her deposition, the victim's mother told the court that she used talk to her in sign language. When she asked about the sexual assault, the girl gestured towards the house of the accused and later also identified him by pointing her finger in his direction. The accused was the girl's neighbour. The prosecution said the victim's statement was recorded with the help of teacher of a school for the deaf and mute. The victim narrated that the accused used to call her by throwing stones towards her. He would then take the girl to his house and indulge in forceful intercourse with her. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Mumbai's Juhi Rupesh Kajaria and Punjab's Manhar Bansal topped the ISCE Class 10 examination by scoring 498 out of 500. Results for the exam were announced by the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) on Tuesday. "I am elated with the marks. I will be honest, I had done well but I did not imagine to score this well,"Kajaria, who had Gujarati as an elective subject, told PTI. However, Bansal was confident of his performance in the exam. "I had done the calculation of how much I will be scoring and it was nearly correct. So in a way, I was expecting this," said Bansal, a resident of Muktsar who had taken Punjabi as a subject. The second rank was shared by 10 students with 497 marks while the third rank was bagged by 24 students with 496 marks. The exam was cleared by 98.54 per cent of the total candidates. While the pass percentage of girls is 99.05 per cent, that of boys is 98.12 per cent. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif returned to jail on late Tuesday night after the expiry of his six-week bail. Sharif is serving a seven-year sentence in the Al-Azizia Mills corruption case. Hundreds of Pakistan Muslim League supporters gathered outside Sharif's Jati Umra residence and accompanied him to jail. The procession took four hours to reach the Kot Lakhpat jail, which is otherwhise just 30 minutes away. Sharif was granted bail for six weeks by the Supreme Court "for treatment of his choice" for "a complicated heart and kidney disease". The bail expired on Tuesday midnight (May 7) with the apex court rejecting his review petition, seeking permission to go London for further treatment. After reaching jail, the three-time prime minister thanked his party workers for turning up in large numbers. "I do not have words to thank the workers who turned up in thousands to express solidarity. It is midnight but the workers are still here with me. It is an amazing scene," he said in a message. Massive support for the PML-N leader was seen as large number of party workers, from different parts of Punjab province, turned up for the rally en-route to the jail. Sharif's daughter Maryam Nawaz accompanied her father in his car and posted images online of the reception their entourage got form the public. Maryam Nawaz tweeted, "The roads to the jail from Jati Umra were jampacked. Only heads and long queues of motorists." Amidst sloganeering in support of Sharif, party workers were seen showering rose petals at his car. "The people know why I am being punished. What sin I have committed... they know. But I am optimistic that soon the black night of this oppression will end and I will get released from jail," Sharif said. Though Sharif was to reach jail before midnight, he reported half-an-hour late. The Punjab Home Department directed the jail authorities to receive Sharif and shift him to the barrack, officials said. An accountability court on December 24 last year handed a seven-year jail term to the former prime minister and a Rs 1.5 billion fine in the Al-Azizia corruption case. He was imprisoned in Adiyala Jail and shifted to Kot Lakhpat Jail on request. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Fugitive diamond merchant Nirav Modi will file a third bail plea Wednesday before a UK court, which has already rejected his bail twice before as he fights his extradition case in the Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud and money laundering case amounting to up to USD 2 billion. Chief Magistrate Emma Arbuthnot is scheduled to hear the third bail application at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London. It remains unconfirmed whether Modi will appear in person or via videolink from Wandsworth prison in south-west London, where the 48-year-old has been lodged since his arrest in March. His barrister, Clare Montgomery, will seek to convince the judge of a change of circumstances in order to seek bail for a third time at the same court. "He has had his two bail applications in the lower court. He can only make a third application if he can persuade the court that there has been a change in circumstances. He is arguing a change of circumstances based on new evidence," said a spokesperson for the UK's Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), which represents the Indian government in the extradition proceedings. "He will have to seek to persuade the Judge that this constitutes a change of circumstances and that he should be permitted to make another bail application," the spokesperson said. Modi's legal team, led by solicitor Anand Doobay, have previously offered 1 million pounds as security alongside an offer to meet stringent electronic tag restrictions on their client's movements, "akin to house arrest". It remains to be seen how they plan to bolster the application for a third attempt before the same court. "This is a case of substantial fraud, with loss to a bank in India of between USD 1-2 billion. I am not persuaded that the conditional bail sought will meet the concerns of the government of India in this case," Judge Arbuthnot had said, when rejecting the previous bail application. She also noted that "very unusually in a fraud case", Modi had made death threats to witnesses and also attempted to destroy evidence in the case. The diamond dealer's "lack of community ties" in the UK and an attempt to acquire the citizenship of Vanuatu - a remote island in the South Pacific Ocean - in late 2017 went against him, as the judge said it seemed like he was trying to "move away from India at an important time". The CPS team, represented by barrister Nick Hearn from Furnival Chambers, is expected to oppose the latest bail application on similar grounds. At the last hearing in the extradition case on April 26, when Modi had appeared before Judge Arbuthnot via videolink from prison, no application had been made for bail and he was further remanded in judicial custody until May 24. The court was also told that May 30 had been tentatively ear-marked as the first case management hearing ahead of an extradition trial, but it now remains to be seen how the case will progress after the latest bail application. Earlier, the CPS had confirmed that Modi intends to appeal against his bail rejection in the UK's High Court. However, the bail hearing this week will take place at the same lower court on the basis of "change of circumstances". Modi was arrested by uniformed Scotland Yard officers in central London on March 19. During subsequent hearings, Westminster Magistrates' Court was told that Modi was the "principal beneficiary" of the fraudulent issuance of letters of undertaking (LoUs) as part of a conspiracy to defraud PNB and then laundering the proceeds of crime. Meanwhile, the diamond merchant remains behind bars at one of England's most overcrowded prisons Her Majesty's Prison (HMP) Wandsworth, where he can hold sessions with his legal team to deliberate on the course of his extradition proceedings. His lawyers had urged the judge to allow them more time with their client than the few hours a week permitted by the jail. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bollywood actor and BJP's Lok Sabha candidate, Sunny Deol says he is focused on the task ahead and is not affected by his opponents dubbing him an "outsider". The BJP has pitted the 62-year-old actor against sitting MP and Punjab Congress president Sunil Jakhar from Gurdaspur. "People keep asking me this question (on rivals dubbing him an outsider) and I say, I am not here to reply to what all is being said. "I have come here to work and serve the people, I have come here to do my job.My job is to understand my people, my constituency, Deol said during his campaign trail here. The son of veteran actor and former MP Dharmendra, Deol has been accused by the opposition of having no understanding about Punjab, and has been termed an "outsider" and a "parachute" candidate. Waving at crowds from the sunroof of a Range Rover or from atop a mini-truck, Deol has been attracting a large number of people at his roadshows. He is being accompanied by leaders of the BJP and its ally Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD). He said, if elected, he will never let the people down, and "never betray their trust. The love they have shown towards me is just overwhelming. I am that kind of person who likes to take peoples' sorrows and make them happy, this is my nature, said Deol, who is famous for his hit films like 'Border', 'Gadar: Ek Prem Katha', 'Ghayal' and 'Damini'. I am a newcomer, but I am 'Ziddi' (stubborn) and I will go on to achieve what I set out for, said the actor.'Ziddi' was one of his popular movies. I speak dialogues in films when I play a character in films, that is what I have been doing. In real life, I am what every person should be, which is truthful, hardworking and sincere in what one is doing. Rest, it is up to 'Waheguru', Deol said. Congress candidate Jakhar has accused Deol of having no understating of Punjab's issues and asked him to share his vision for the Gurdaspur constituency, telling him that "politics is a serious business and not a time pass activity". I am from Punjab and belong here, Deol said, adding that opponents may keep saying what they feel like but that does not affect him. There are many issues in Gurdaspur, mostly related to farmers and youth, he said and assured "I will look for solutions to these issues. When asked why he chose the BJP, Deol said: I chose this party because I like Narendra Modi quite a lot, he has taken the nation forward during the past five years, our country has progressed." "India's global prestige has increased under this government. We need a strong leader, he said. My father had connected with (the then prime minister, late Atal Bihari) Vajpayee ji and now, I got an opportunity to connect with Modi ji," Deol said. The 13 Lok Sabha seats in Punjab, including Gurdaspur, will go to polls in the seventh and final phase of polling on May 19. Jakhar won the seat in the 2017 bypoll, which was necessitated after the death of actor-turned-politician Vinod Khanna of the BJP in April that year. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The BJP Tuesday likened the opposition's stand over the functioning of electronic voting machines (EVM) to an army's surrender during battle, saying it is looking for a scapegoat for its likely defeat in the Lok Sabha elections. Union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi's swipe at the opposition came after the Supreme Court rejected the plea of 21 opposition leaders to review its earlier order and that VVPAT slips should be matched with at least 25 per cent of EVMs. Some opposition leaders, who have cast doubts over the use of EVM, said they will continue with their fight. "The EVM gang has surrendered as they know their fate. They are looking to blame EVMs for their loss when votes are counted on May 23," Naqvi told reporters outside the Election Commission (EC) here. The opposition's stand is like an army which has surrendered during a war, he said. A BJP delegation, which included its general secretary Bhupendra Yadav besides Naqvi, also submitted a memorandum to the EC. The BJP has complained against Congress president Rahul Gandhi 11 times over a number of issues, including his terming BJP chief Amit Shah a "murder accused" and calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi a "chor" (thief), but the election watchdog has not taken any action against him, Naqvi said. It is unfortunate that the EC has not acted against Gandhi, he said. Naqvi said the BJP also complained against the West Bengal government's attempts to hamper Modi's public rallies in the state. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Over USD 600,000 has been raised in just eight days through crowd-funding for the treatment of a 13-year-old Indian-American girl fighting for her life after an Iraq war veteran in California mowed her and her family in a suspected case of hate crime. On April 23, Dhriti Narayan, a grade 7 student, her brother, father and other family members were crossing a road in Sunnyvale when they were struck down by a former soldier, Isaiah Peoples, 34, reportedly to be suffering from Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Peoples, an Iraq war veteran, injured seven others, who were crossing the road, including Dhriti's father and her 9-year-old brother. The family was targeted apparently in hate crime because the motorist thought they were Muslims, police said. Peoples, who was unharmed in the incident, is facing eight counts of attempted murder and is being detained at Santa Clara County Jail with no bail set. According to a crowdfunding page, GoFundMe, set up to help the family cover her medical costs, Dhriti has suffered life threatening injuries including severe brain injuries and is currently on life support. Since the fundraising appeal went live on GoFundMe eight days ago, more than 12,400 people have donated money and have raised around USD 605,000. The target was USD 500,000. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) After a day of abstaining from food and drink, Sudanese protesters Monday broke their fast on the first day of Ramadan with chicken soup and vowed to press their campaign for a civilian rule. As the call for the sunset prayer rang out, crowds gathered outside army headquarters in Khartoum for an iftar meal with many saying they were determined not to let the sweltering heat or fasting sap their energy. "We will be able to survive Ramadan and the heat," Hassan Bushra told AFP at the sprawling sit-in site. "What made us survive the bullets and bombs of (ousted president Omar al-) Bashir will make us survive the scorching heat. We are Sudanese. We are used to that," he said. Temperatures soared to 45 degrees Celsius (113 Fahrenheit) on Monday as the Sudanese like other Muslims around the world began observing Ramadan, during which the faithful fast from dawn to dusk. As the sun began setting protesters thronged the sit-in site to perform the Maghreb (dusk) prayer, and an iftar meal organised by the Alliance for Freedom and Change, the group leading the protests. Volunteers prepared pots full of chicken soup, beans and lentils, which they distributed along with water, dates and bread. Others sprinkled water on protesters to offer them relief from the heat. Sudan has been rocked by months of nationwide protests that initially erupted after the price of bread tripled, before targeting Bashir's 30-year rule. On April 6, demonstrators set up camp outside army headquarters and urged the military to oust the veteran leader. The military deposed him five days later. But a 10-member council of generals that then took power has resisted calls by the protesters to hand control to a civilian administration. Since then thousands of protesters have remained camped round-the-clock in the sprawling army complex to press for their demands. "We are fighting for a cause, we are fighting for a civilian administration and fighting to uproot the entire regime and remove its remnants from the miliary council," said protester Abdelgadir Mohamed. Sudan's new military rulers and leaders of the protest movement have held several rounds of talks on the composition of a new ruling council, but they have failed to make headway as each side has a different view. On Monday, the first day of Ramadan, protesters said they would not give in to pressure and were determined to stay put until their demands are met. "We will stay here two, three or four months until the entire regime falls," one of them said as he ate some chicken soup. Another protester, Hossam Aldin Othman, said he would stay even until Ramadan 2020. "We are eating, sleeping and praying here throughout Ramadan, we are staying put and we can even stay until Ramadan next year, until our demands are met," he said. Anwar Mahmoud, a cook at the protest site, agreed. He said protest supporters had donated money and food for the crowds, specially the needy who could not afford an iftar meal. "We will continue to do this everyday until the end of Ramadan," he said, as he carried a large pot of chicken soup. Some people arrived Monday with food they had brought from home to break the fast with the protesters. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Leading healthcare network Oxxy plans to set up the country's largest hospital chain and expand its presence in key cities. In a statement, it said 'ByGod Hospitals' has aggregated over 20 hospitals in the national capital region and plans to expand into Mumbai and Bengaluru. The company's founder Pankaj Gupta said, "The vision is to become India's largest hospital chain by end of this year." Hospitals linked by the network have 50-500 beds with multi-specialty and range of qualified doctors. According to co-founder Sheetal Kapoor, a patient will always find certain standardisation at ByGod Hospitals such as a personal guide, clean toilets, and bedsheets, transparency of rates and free parking. ByGod Hospitals are different as they give patients accessibility to search across different medical streams and look for doctors with the right qualification and experience. Patients, she said, can make an appointment online and can access records from anywhere in the country. To make the journey of the patients interesting, they would get free wi-fi connection for the entire duration at the hospital. "Our mission is to build the largest transparent hospital chain which is affordable for patients of every status. We aim in providing an accessible and convenient process flow for all the patients to book appointments and financially plan their tests/ treatment or surgery in advance," she said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Muqadas Ashraf was just 16 when her parents married her off to a Chinese man who had come to Pakistan looking for a bride. Less than five months later, Muqadas is back in her home country, pregnant and seeking a divorce from a husband she says was abusive. She is one of hundreds of poor Christian girls who have been trafficked to China in a market for brides that has swiftly grown in Pakistan since late last year, activists say. Brokers are aggressively seeking out girls for Chinese men, sometimes even cruising outside churches to ask for potential brides. They are being helped by Christian clerics paid to target impoverished parents in their congregation with promises of wealth in exchange for their daughters. Parents receive several thousand dollars and are told that their new sons-in-law are wealthy Christian converts. The grooms turn out to be neither, according to several brides, their parents, an activist, pastors and government officials, all of whom spoke to The Associated Press. Once in China, the girls - most often married against their will - can find themselves isolated in remote rural regions, vulnerable to abuse, unable to communicate and reliant on a translation app even for a glass of water. "This is human smuggling," said Ijaz Alam Augustine, the human rights and minorities minister in Pakistan's Punjab province, in an interview with the AP. "Greed is really responsible for these marriages ... I have met with some of these girls and they are very poor." Augustine accused the Chinese government and its embassy in Pakistan of turning a blind eye to the practice by unquestioningly issuing visas and documents. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs denied that, saying China has zero tolerance for illegal transnational marriage agencies. Human Rights Watch called on China and Pakistan to take action to end bride trafficking, warning in an April 26 statement of "increasing evidence that Pakistani women and girls are at risk of sexual slavery in China." On Monday, Pakistan's Federal Investigation Agency arrested eight Chinese nationals and four Pakistanis in raids in Punjab province in connection with trafficking, Geo TV reported. It said the raids followed an undercover operation that included attending an arranged marriage. The Chinese embassy said last month that China is cooperating with Pakistan to crack down on unlawful matchmaking centers, saying "both Chinese and Pakistani youths are victims of these illegal agents." The Associated Press interviewed more than a dozen Christian Pakistani brides and would-be brides who fled before exchanging vows. All had similar accounts of a process involving brokers and members of the clergy, including describing houses where they were taken to see potential husbands and spend their wedding nights in Islamabad, the country's capital, and Lahore, the capital of Punjab province. "It is all fraud and cheating. All the promises they make are fake," said Muqadas. In China, demand for foreign brides has mounted, a legacy of the one-child policy that skewed the country's gender balance toward males. Brides initially came largely from Vietnam, Laos and North Korea. Now men are looking further afield, said Mimi Vu, director of advocacy at Pacific Links, which helps trafficked Vietnamese women. "It's purely supply and demand," she said. "It used to be, 'Is she light-skinned?' Now it's like, 'Is she female?'" Pakistan seems to have come onto marriage brokers' radar late last year. Saleem Iqbal, a Christian activist, said he first began to see significant numbers of marriage to Chinese men in October. Since then, an estimated 750 to 1,000 girls have been married off, he said. Pakistan's small Christian community, centered in Punjab province, makes a vulnerable target. Numbering some 2.5 million in the country's overwhelmingly Muslim population of 200 million, Christians are among Pakistan's most deeply impoverished. They also have little political or social support. Among all faiths in Pakistan, parents often decide a daughter's marriage partner. The deeply patriarchal society sees girls as less desirable than boys and as a burden because the bride's family must pay a dowry and the cost of the wedding when they marry. A new bride is often mistreated by her husband and in-laws if her dowry is considered inadequate. By contrast, potential Chinese grooms offer parents money and pay all wedding expenses. Some of the grooms are from among the tens of thousands of Chinese in Pakistan working on infrastructure projects under Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative, a project that has further boosted ties between the two countries in recent years. Other grooms search directly from China through networks. They present themselves as Christian converts, but pastors complicit in the deals don't ask for any documentation. They pay on average USD 3,500 to USD 5,000, including payments to parents, pastors and a broker, said Iqbal, who is also a journalist with a small Christian station, Isaac TV. Iqbal has gone to court to stop marriages and sheltered runaway brides, some as young as 13. Muqadas' mother Nasreen said she was promised about $5,000, which included the cost of the wedding and her daughter's wedding dress. "But I have not seen anything yet," she said. "I really believed I was giving her a chance at a better life and also a better life for us," Nasreen said. Dozens of priests are paid by brokers to find brides for Chinese men, said Augustine, the provincial minorities minister, who is Christian. Many are from the small evangelical churches that have proliferated in Pakistan. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former "Baywatch" star and now animal rights campaigner Pamela Anderson spoke emotionally after meeting WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange in a London prison on Tuesday, warning that his life was in danger. "It's been very difficult to see Julian here and to make our way through the prison to get to him was quite shocking," said Anderson, who visited Assange several times when he lived as a fugitive inside Ecuador's embassy. "He's a good man, he's an incredible person. I love him. I can't imagine what he has been going through," the US actress and former Playboy model said outside Belmarsh prison, wearing a large cape with slogans calling for the defence of free speech. "We need to save his life. That's how serious it is," she said, adding: "We just have to keep fighting because it's unfair. He's sacrificed so much to bring the truth out". Anderson, who lives in France, starred in the hit US series "Baywatch" and is now a prominent animal rights activist. British police arrested Assange at the embassy last month after Ecuador withdrew his asylum after seven years. He had sought refuge there to escape extradition to Sweden where he had been accused of rape and sexual assault. Assange is now serving out a 50-week sentence for jumping bail and is contesting an extradition request from the United States where he is wanted for hacking. WikiLeaks published hundreds of thousands of classified documents exposing US military wrongdoing in the Iraq war and diplomatic secrets about scores of countries. WikiLeaks editor-in-chief Kristinn Hrafnsson, who visited the prison with Anderson, said: "Julian Assange is bent but not broken. He's an extremely resilient person. "I want you to think about the fact that such resilience usually comes from the fact that he knows that he is innocent," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) / -- Held by CCPIT, Shanghai Sub-council and Shanghai Photographers' Association, organized by Shanghai International Exhibition Company, PHOTO & IMAGING SHANGHAI 2019 ("P&I SHANGHAI") will be held from July 10-13, 2019 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai). It is expected to gather 250 exhibitors from home and abroad with an exhibition scale of 25,000 square meters, and to attract 50,000 trade buyers and visitors around the world. As the leading imaging expo in China and even in the Asia-pacific, under the theme of "image witness better life" in 2018, P&I SHANGHAI has grown into a one-stop platform displaying "professional video equipment, consumer photography equipment, photography accessories, image output, post-production, and art framing" with its multifunctional roles of "product releasing, exhibition displaying, visitor experiencing, procurement and trade, cooperation and communication". "Smartness + New Image Future", Top brands to co-lead imaging future In 2019, under the theme "Smartness + New Image Future", we will integrate "Smartness +" to product innovation, industry upgrading while focusing on new technology and multiple imaging and video carriers such as mobile Internet - instant photography services, cloud storage for photography, as well as distribution and copyright trends. We will always be devoted to open the new vision of the industry and spot new potential of development. We are always committed to building a whole chain platform for the world-class "professional image input and output" industry. Meanwhile, we are keen on providing a multi-level and comprehensive exhibition experience for our visitors including trade buyers, photographers, photo studios and photography enthusiasts. Plenty of concurrent events will be held to meet the various needs of visitors, to name a few, "Photography Display", "Photography Competition", "Photography Technique Lecture", "Trade Fair". Concurrently, China Wedding Expo will be held in NECC (Shanghai) with its four sub-exhibitions, Shanghai Wedding Theme Photography & Trip-shot Expo, Shanghai International Wedding Industry Trade Fair, Shanghai International Wedding Dress Makeup & Fashion Accessories Expo and Shanghai Wedding Photo Album, Frame & Consumable Material Expo. Another concurrent exhibition Shanghai International Baby Photo Expo 2019 and its many activities will be held in NECC (SHANGHAI). Basic information: Time: July 10-13, 2019 Exhibition Venue: National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) Address: No.333 Songze Avenue, Qingpu District, Shanghai (North Entrance)No. 1888 Zhuguang Rd, Qingpu District, Shanghai (West Entrance) Metro: Take Line 2 to East Xujing Station, Exit 4, 5, 6, (Near West Entrance)Take Line 17 to East Zhuguang Road Station (Near North Entrance)Website: www.interphoto.com. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pilots of grounded Jet Airways moved the Supreme Court Tuesday seeking direction to SBI to provide the assured interim finance for restarting operations, suspension of which has affected the livelihood of around 22,000 employees. The petition filed by National Aviators Guild has sought a direction to the Centre and the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to disallow slots of Jet Airways to other airlines on permanent basis. The plea, filed by advocate Gaurav Agrawal, has sought that the airline should not get deregistered. The distressed airlines, which had 115 aircraft, started suffering losses and could not pay the employees from last December. The Board of Directors of the company had approved a plan on March 25 which envisaged infusing of Rs 1,500 crore over a period of time by SBI so that the company could be sold as a going concern but the promised funds were not disbursed, the plea said. It said that SBI's decision not to infuse money was responsible for the operations of the airlines coming to stop and its substantial devaluation. "The respondents have deliberately, or otherwise brought down the value of Jet Airways and as of now there are no bidders who have submitted the bid to SBI. Consequently the employees of Jet Airwyas have not been paid for last four months and have lost all hope of the revival of the airlines," the plea said. It said the Centre, DGCA, Airports Authority of India and others have failed to appreciate the value of company which lies in the flight slots and the seats available in the international sector through various bilateral agreements. "Despite the fact that an expression of interest has been invited and bid to process to find a new purchaser is underway, the Centre and DGCA have already started allotting slots of Jet Airways in various airports to other airlines which has seriously undermined the value of the company," the plea said. The petition said that such acts of the Centre and DGCA were highly prejudicial to employees of the company who have been waiting to get paid for last five months and have been looking forward to the resolution in bid process. "If the value of the company is deliberately undermined, the future of the employees would be at stake as there would be hardly any bidder who would be willing to take up share in the company," the plea said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former Himachal Pradesh chief minister and veteran BJP leader Shanta Kumar on Tuesday expressed concern over the language of in the country at present. "The language of leaders nowadays does not remain respectful," Kumar told reporters here, without naming anyone. "There is a need to maintain the status of for strengthening democracy. Every politician should also take care of his language." Besides, the former Union minister rued, a number of politicians had also switched their loyalties by joining other parties during the ongoing Lok Sabha election. The former chief minister claimed that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would get more seats this time as compared to the 2014 general election, saying there was "no opposition". "Narendra Modi will again become the PM as he had done several remarkable work during his five-year tenure," he said. Kumar said the level of in the state had always remained high. "When I became an MLA for the first time in 1972, (Yashwant Singh) Parmar was the CM at that time and I learnt a lot from him," he said. Asked about the BJP's policy of not allocating ticket to any leader above 75 years of age, the 84-year-old said he had decided by himself to not contest the election as he wanted to concentrate on the Vivekananda Trust. "I did not want to contest even the 2014 election. The then BJP chief, Rajnath Singh, asked me to provide a list of three probable candidates, but later he called me to Delhi and said none of these three will win as per our survey and asked me to contest," he said. Kumar said the party decides the candidates considering all aspects. "Moreover, the young leadership should also be given a change to grow," he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo abruptly cancelled a visit to Germany on Tuesday hours before he was due to arrive in Berlin, with his spokeswoman citing "pressing issues". "Unfortunately, we must reschedule the Berlin meetings due to pressing issues," State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said. "We look forward to rescheduling this important set of meetings. The Secretary looks forward to being in Berlin soon. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo plans to visit Russia for talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov next week, Moscow said Tuesday, a day after the two met in Finland. The meeting will take place in the southern Russian city of Sochi on May 14, Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova confirmed to AFP. The Kremlin said it was not ruling out a meeting between Pompeo and President Vladimir Putin, but spokesman Dmitry Peskov did not offer any further details. Pompeo's visit follows talks on Monday between Lavrov and the Secretary of State on the sidelines of an Arctic Council meeting in northern Finland. Pompeo at the weekend slammed Russia for "aggressive behaviour" in the Arctic and also said that "Russians must get out" of crisis-wracked Venezuela. Lavrov, speaking after Monday's talks, refused to comment on "political statements that are made publicly to create a certain effect." "We concentrated on real business," he said, calling the discussion "very good and constructive." The US Secretary of State was due to travel on to Berlin from Finland but abruptly cancelled the visit due to "pressing issues", his spokeswoman said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Actors Gul Panag and Prakash Raj campaigned for Aam Aadmi Party's South Delhi candidate, Raghav Chadha, on Tuesday, urging the people to vote for their constituency's representative and not for the prime ministerial candidate. "People need to realise that their vote is not for the prime minister, but for the candidate," Raj said. "People need to know whether the candidate knows about your problems, whether he will solve them or not. You are not electing the prime minister, you are electing your local representative." The actor-turned-politician, who is contesting as an Independent candidate from Bengaluru Central, supported AAP chief and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's demand of full statehood for Delhi. "Delhi needs and deserves full statehood. The AAP has done so much in just four years in both health and education. It is now their turn to take this governance model to the floor of the Parliament," the 54-year-old actor said. Raj urged the voters to vote on the basis of the work done in the past five years and not on infrequent, isolated incidents. Panag, meanwhile, wondered why drinking water was still a matter of discussion even in the 21st century. "There are many questions that need to be answered, but one will only get answers if your representative is accountable, approachable and is answerable towards you," she said. The actor urged the people to vote for the constituency candidate and not for the prime minister face. "We need many more MPs like Raghav for this country to progress. Raghav is young, handsome, educated, upright and honest, and we need such people in our Parliament," she added. Chadha is contesting against sitting Bharatiya Janata Party MP Ramesh Bidhuri and boxer Vijender Singh of the Congress. Delhi goes to polls next Monday. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In a veiled attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra Tuesday said the Mahabharata character Duryodhana too had such arrogance. Addressing a public meeting here, she also criticised Modi for calling her late father and former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi Bhrashtachari Number 1 (the most corrupt). She dared Modi to fight the Lok Sabha elections on issues like development rather than divert the people's attention. This country has never forgiven ego and arrogance. History is witness to this, the Mahabharata is witness to this, she said at the meeting in support of Kumari Selja, the Congress candidate from Ambala. Duryodhana also had such arrogance. When Lord Krishna went to make him understand, he tried to take him captive, the Congress general secretary in charge of eastern Uttar Pradesh said. She read out by Hindi poet Ramdhari Singh Dinkar, saying wisdom is the first casualty before someone's downfall: Jab naash manush par chhata hai, pehle vivek mar jata hai... She said if the prime minister has courage he should fight the Lok Sabha elections on issues related to development, employment, farmers and women. He should face the people and tell them what he has done for them over the past five years and what he plans to do in the future, she said. You are the PM, you are a big leader of the BJP, you should understand this. Otherwise the people will teach you a lesson, she said. This election is about achievements of the BJP-led Central government. But to hide their failures, they try to divert the attention of people of country, she said. Priyanka Gandhi said the people of the country are wise. "You cannot mislead the people. The people of this country make every leader answerable and they will make you answerable as well, she said. She attacked Modi for recently saying that Rajiv Gandhi's life ended as 'Bhrashtachari Number 1'. When BJP leaders go out to campaign, they do not talk about issues. They do not say why they have not fulfilled the promises they made, she said. They raise other issues. Sometimes they say the elephant was sleeping for 70 years, sometimes they seek votes in the name of martyrs, and at other times they insult those from my family who sacrificed their lives, she added. "But they do not talk about your needs, your problems that need to be resolved, she said. These polls are not about one family, this election is about crores of families whose hopes and aspirations have been completely broken by this government and the prime minister, she said. Former Union minister Selja is taking on the sitting BJP MP R L Kataria in Ambala. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Bombay High Court directed the Pune Police on Tuesday to ensure safety of a 19-year-old law student and look into her allegations of facing threat to life due to her relationship with a man belonging to another caste. The petitioner, Priyanka Shete, approached the high court last week through her counsel Nitin Satpute. A vacation bench of Justices M S Karnik and R I Chagla directed the Talegaon MIDC police in Pune to look into Shete's complaint and take appropriate steps to ensure her safety. Shete, a second year law student, said in her petition that while she belonged to the Maratha community, she was in love with her coursemate Viraj Aghwade, who hailed from the Matang community, considered a "lower caste" in the state. As per Shete's plea, the man was from a "poor family" and her parents were against the inter-caste relationship and were threatening her that if she continued meeting Awghade, they will "kill both of them". Shete alleged that her parents had been "torturing her" and in February this year, tired of such torture, she attempted suicide by consuming some medicines. She was later admitted to Pavna hospital in Pune where, after necessary treatment, doctors referred the matter as a medico-legal case to the Talegaon police which did not take any action, her counsel told the court. In March this year, Shete's paternal uncle also threatened her by pointing a country-made pistol at her, Satpute alleged. He urged the court to direct the police to ensure Shete's safety. The state government, however, told the bench that Shete must be directed to make a specific complaint at the police station concerned. At this, the bench directed a Talegaon MIDC police station officer, who was present in the high court, to look into Shete's allegations and ensure her safety. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress president Rahul Gandhi Tuesday held a road show in the coal town of Dhanbad in Jharkhand in support of party candidate Kirti Azad. This was the first time a national president of any political party held a road show in Dhanbad. Braving the scorching summer heat, thousands of people, including women, stood on both sides of the 1.5 km stretch between Matkuriya check post to Bank More Birsa Munda Chowk from 3 pm for a glimpse of the Congress leader. Though the road show programme was scheduled from 3.50 pm Gandhi arrived an hour late for the much-awaited programme. He rode an open vehicle and waived at the people, who greeted him with slogans. Gandhi was accompanied Azad and Jharkhand state Congress Committee president Ajoy Kumar. He, however, could not address the public at Birsa Chowk as scheduled due to paucity of time. Azad is contesting from Dhanbad on a Congress ticket as per the seat sharing arrangement among the Mahagathbandhan (opposition) allies. He was a BJP MP from Darbhanga Lok Sabha seat in Bihar. Executive president of Dhanbad district Congress committee Ravindra Verma said Gandhi's road show was a success. A party worker Prasant Kumar Dubey said Gandhi's programme has not only united all faction-ridden leaders but also enthused the Congress workers. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Jacob Kallupura at his church in West Tampa. In the average week, Jacob Kallupura commutes 2,700 miles back and forth to work but that isnt reflected on the odometers on his two cars.Thats because Kallupura, 60, is an unusual type of commuter. He spends his weekdays working two jobs in Tampa but goes home to the Boston area for the weekends. Hes been making the trek for over six years, generally flying from Tampa to Boston on Friday afternoons and flying back to Tampa on Sunday evenings.It can be tiresome at times, Kallupura says. But Im very blessed to have a wonderful wife and two wonderful daughters. This is what works out best for all of us.When Kallupura was offered the chance to move to Tampa to become President and CEO of Gold Cross Medical Labs, LLC inLutz and work as a Compliance and Quality Control consultant at Aspire Financial Services in West Tampa, it was immediately obvious commuting was his only option. The opportunities were too good to pass up.But there wasnt much discussion of uprooting the family and taking everyone to Tampa. His wife has worked for TJ Maxxs distribution center in Framingham, Mass. for over 30 years and is deeply rooted in the community. Both his daughters were born and raised in the Boston area. At the time of his decision to take the Tampa offers, one daughter was in college in Boston and the other was about to start college.I didnt want to mess up their lives, Kallupura says.Kallupura, who was born and raised in India, but came to the United States to attend law school at Boston University, also has deep ties in Massachusetts and wanted it to remain a big part of his life. So getting an apartment near Raymond James Stadium and commuting to the family home in Framingham was the only real option.Kallupura pays for the airline tickets out of his own pocket because it was his decision to commute. He doesnt mind because he says that allows him the best of both worlds. He makes the trip almost every week, except for a few occasions a year when business obligations force him to spend the weekend in Tampa.When Kallupura is in Framingham, he drives a 2005 Ford Freestar van that one of his daughters uses around the Boston area during the week. The van currently has about 100,000 miles on it. In Tampa, Kallupura has a 2005 Mercedes Benz that has about 130,000 miles on it. Kallupura said he drives the Mercedes only about an average of 10 miles a day when hes in Florida.The arrangement is fine with Kallupura and his family.Weve always had an excellent marriage, says Kallupuras wife, Annie. Its as strong as ever. Really, it hasnt been that big a difference because, even when he lived here fulltime, he traveled a lot. When hes in Tampa, we talk on the phone every night and text each other several times a day. When he comes home, we have plenty of quality time together.Like anyone who flies frequently, Kallupura has plenty of stories about flights being delayed. He also has plenty of tales about flights being canceled, especially when winter weather hits Boston. But he shrugs them off because he knows that comes with the territory. Constant travel may take a physical toll on some, but not Kallupura.Im up at 6 every morning to do yoga and exercise, Kallupura says. I have plenty of energy.Thats a good thing because Kallupuras life involves much more than work, sitting in airports and flying. He also serves as legal advisor and is a board member for Justice For All, a New York-based human rights organization and a board member of the International Yoga Institute, a New York-based non-profit. Previously, Kallupura served as vice president of the Indian Catholic Federation of North America for many years.Although retirement age is getting closer for Jacob and Annie, they havent decided what their living arrangement will be when the time comes.I have really come to love Tampa and I have many friends here, Jacob says. But, at the same time, I dont ever see myself completely leaving Boston.When I start thinking about retirement, it sometimes makes me wonder why I should stay in the cold, Annie says. But Boston means so much to me.Both say they eventually may spend part of their time in Tampa and part in Massachusetts, but the difference will be that they can be together all the time. For now, though, Jacobs commuting will continue and thats fine with his wife.When hes in Tampa, only his body is there, Annie says. But his soul is always here with me.Previous commuter stories in 83 Degrees include:Tell us your commuter story? Email my commuter story to pitch an idea for consideration. Pushed into global notoriety seven years ago, the residents of Ravidas Camp, known to many as the home of four men convicted in the December 16 gangrape case, want nothing more than to move out of the shadows of that dark past. With its narrow lanes and dingy tenements packed tightly together, the slum cluster in south Delhi's R K Puram area could be like any other shouting out for urgent governmental intervention. But the residents of Ravidas Camp carry an extra cross their address. The 600 voters, mostly auto-rickshaw drivers, street vendors and domestic workers, want better sewage facilities and cleaner community toilets. But they are also making a fervent appeal to change the name of the colony, which falls in the South Delhi constituency. Ravidas Camp's association with the Nirbhaya case has diminished any possibility of them bettering their lives, said the residents, some who can't disclose where they live for fear of losing their jobs. "Elections come and go but for us life remains the same. Everybody treats us as untouchables and nobody talks of development of this area," said Kamla Devi, who has been staying at the camp for over a decade and works as a contractual sanitation worker. On December 16, 2012, a 23-year-old physiotherapy student, who came to be known as Nirbhaya, the fearless one, was raped by five men and a juvenile on board a moving bus. She died of her grievous wounds in a Singapore hospital 13 days later. The case shocked the nation and the world, triggering a movement that led to a change in India's rape laws. Of the six, gym instructor Vinay Sharma, fruit seller Pawan Gupta and brothers Ram Singh, who was driving the bus, and Mukesh Singh, the bus cleaner, lived in Ravidas Camp. Ram Singh, Pawan Gupta and Vinay Sharma were arrested from the locality. Ram Singh allegedly committed suicide in Tihar jail while the other three were among the four found guilty and sentenced to death. It's almost as if nothing has been the same for the other residents since. "There is a cleanliness campaign across the country but here the sewers are always open with mosquitoes breeding in them. It doesn't attract the attention of any politician because for everybody we are untouchables now," said Kavita. The camp's resident welfare association, headed by Bihari Lal, approached the district administration with a request for a name change two years ago. But nothing has happened so far. "The case became part of our history. Those responsible for the heinous crime are behind bars and should be punished but why punish the entire society? Why should everybody in the camp face the humiliation of residing here?" Lal asked. The slum has few community toilets, which are always clogged and dirty, according to the residents. "We use community toilets because the slum is too cluttered and there is no scope of attached toilets in all the houses... The number of community toilets is also less and they are always clogged and dirty. The entire country is getting toilets but not Ravidas Camp," said Bhanumati. She said she works as a domestic help in R K Puram, which has mostly government houses. "But they do not know that I come from Ravidas Camp. No one will let us work in their houses if they know we live here," she added. Young residents of the camp believe their demands are not too much. "We are not demanding a college or a school in our camp. We are just demanding very basic things. There are massive campaigns running for toilets and cleanliness but we remain neglected. "And why is a name change for the camp such a big issue? asked 21-year-old Praveen Jhakar who works at a garment factory. He added that nobody tried to shield the culprits when police came to nab them. We have all been cooperative with the police. But to live with this stigma is very difficult," he added. BJP's Ramesh Bidhuri, who is the sitting MP from the constituency, is seeking re-election from South Delhi. Bidhuri is pitted against AAP's Raghav Chaddha and boxer Vijender Singh, who has been fielded by the Congress. The national capital will vote on May 12. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In a relief to AAP MLA Somnath Bharti, the Delhi High Court Tuesday quashed an FIR which accused him of domestic violence, after his wife expressed no objection to it. Justice Chander Shekhar allowed Bharti's plea to quash the criminal case after noting that Bharti and his wife Lipika Mitra are living happily together. The court noted that the woman has no objection if the FIR is quashed. Bharti and his wife earlier informed the court that they have settled the matrimonial dispute between them through mediation and that they wanted to live together peacefully along with their children. The court had allowed Mitra to withdraw her plea seeking cancellation of the bail granted to him in the domestic violence case in view of the settlement of their marital dispute. Mitra had on June 10, 2015 filed a complaint against him with the Delhi Commission for Women and an FIR was lodged by the police on September 9, 2015 for allegedly subjecting her to domestic violence and trying to kill her. On April 23, a trial court had framed charges against Bharti for the alleged offences, including harassment, cheating, criminal intimidation under the IPC. It however discharged him of the offences of attempt to murder under the IPC. The Delhi Police had on April 5, 2016 filed a charge sheet before the trial court in the case. The MLA from Malviya Nagar assembly, who was granted bail in October 2015 after being in jail for eight days, had denied the allegations levelled against him. He was arrested in the wee hours of September 29, 2015 after the Supreme Court had ordered him to surrender. The trial court had granted bail to Bharti observing that he was no longer required for investigation and since he was a member of Delhi Assembly, there was no ground of apprehension that he may flee. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Restrictions on the movement of civilian traffic on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway were further relaxed on Tuesday, with the authorities partially lifting the ban on public vehicles on the Srinagar-Udhampur stretch. The restrictions on civilian traffic in the Srinagar-Udhampur section of the national highway-44 will be lifted on Wednesdays with effect from May 23, according to an official statement. "The prohibition on civilian traffic in this stretch would now be only on Sunday(s)," it said. The authorities had earlier relaxed the ban on the Srinagar-Baramula stretch. The restrictions on civilian traffic two days a week were enforced after a Jaish-e-Mohammed suicide attacker rammed his explosive-laden vehicle into a bus in a CRPF convoy, killing 40 jawans on February 14. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the ruling BJP of 'politicising' the work of the armed forces, former Air Force veteran from Gujarat, Anil Kumar Kaushik, joined the Congress here on Tuesday. Kaushik served in the IAF for 17 years as a flight engineer before retiring in the 1990s at the rank of sergeant. Kaushik, who joined the Congress in the presence of Gujarat unit chief Amit Chavda, claimed he is upset the way PM Modi and other BJP leaders were seeking votes in the names of the armed forces. "The Congress never took credit for several important army operations, such as liberation of Goa and East Pakistan (that went on to become modern day Bangladesh). Surgical strikes also took place in the past. But, the party (Congress) never used such army operations to get political mileage," Kaushik told reporters. "However, today's BJP government is politicising the Army's work. Instead of talking about real issues, BJP leaders are seeking votes in the name of armed forces. Narendra Modi should not forget that he is the PM of entire country, not just of a party," Kaushik said. Welcoming Kaushik in the party, Gujarat Congress president Amit Chavda alleged Modi was trying to build his "political career" by repeatedly invoking armed forces' operations. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Actor Riz Ahmed on Tuesday shared an account highlighting the racism his brother faced on a recent trip to Australia. The Pakistani-British actor took to Twitter to give an insight into the "everyday racism" his brother, Kamran Ahmed, a psychiatrist, encountered at airport security. Riz retweeted Kamran's post which read, "Man behind me: Hurry up! We can't wait all day. Me (going fast as others): I can't go faster, learn some manners. "Man: I'm an English gentleman, we invented manners. Me: I'm English too, that's got... Man (sarcastic): Really? #racism rears its ugly head again." "The Night Of" star captioned the tweet, saying "My brother is a psychiatrist writing on mental health, music, racism... landed in Australia and this is what happens to him. Just another example of #everydayracism. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will meet his Iranian counterpart Javad Zarif in Moscow on Wednesday, the Russian foreign ministry said Tuesday. The two diplomats, longtime allies on a number of issues including the Syrian conflict, will discuss "key issues of the international and regional agenda" as well as bilateral cooperation, the ministry said in a statement. "Cooperation with Iran is an important condition of ensuring our country's national interests" and stability in the South Caucasus and the Middle East, it said. Moscow has backed Iran since helping orchestrate the multi-country nuclear deal in 2015 under which Tehran agreed to halt its nuclear programme in exchange for the lifting of sanctions. While Washington has pulled out from the nuclear deal, Russia argues that Tehran "remains a responsible participant", the ministry said. The United States on Monday warned it would deploy an aircraft carrier strike group to the vicinity of Iran in response to "indications of a credible threat by Iranian regime forces." Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Zarif would not be meeting President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The BJP on Tuesday hit out at the opposition for its "silence" over the content of a video clip in which Tej Bahadur Yadav, whose candidature from Varanasi Lok Saba seat was rejected, is purportedly talking about assassinating Prime Minister Narendra Modi. At a press conference, the BJP played the video clip in which Yadav, a sacked BSF soldier who was pitted by Samajwadi Party as its candidate against the Prime Minister, is purportedly talking about assassinating Modi and that he knew terrorists of Hizbul Mujahideen and LeT. "It's a very serious matter. It is about the prime minister's safety. It is about conspiracy to assassinate an elected prime minister. Why is the opposition silent?" BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said. Does the opposition agree with what Tej Bahadur Yadav said, he asked. He questioned if SP president Akhilesh Yadav and BSP supremo Mayawati will apologise for projecting him as their alliance's candidate against Modi in Varanasi. The "sponsored attack" on Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal echoes for days but the opposition is silent at this threat to Modi, he said. The prime minister is being attacked even though what he said about former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi was a "statement of fact",Patra claimed. To a question about the Supreme Court rejecting the opposition's review plea on VVPAT,he said their attack on electronic voting machines is an attempt to get an "anticipatory bail" for their impending loss in the general election. The BJP is going to win more than 300 seats in the 543-member House, Patra claimed. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Shiromani Akali Dal leaders Tuesday urged the people of Punjab to vote for the NDA candidates as the Narendra Modi government at the Centre provided justice to the families of 1984 anti-Sikh riot victims. SAD Member Parliament Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, former MP Tarlochan Singh and the Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee (DSGMC) President Manjinder Singh Sirsa, in a statement here hailed the prime minister for constituting an SIT to deliver justice to the victims of the anti-Sikh pogrom. "Modi government has given much needed relief to the Sikhs by constituting Special Investigation Team (SIT) for the 1984 Sikh massacre due to which Sajjan Kumar and others are nowbehind bars," the statement said. For the last 33 years, the Sikhs were waiting for justice in the worst ever genocide and the National Democratic Alliance government led by Narendra Modi did the job, they added. "It is right time to pay back to the NDA by voting for it. If NDA again forms the government at the Centre it is the Punjab and Punjabis which will gain the most," they said further. Interestingly, the statement included the name of Dhindsa who had last year resigned from the SAD's core committee and as its secretary general citing health reasons. Ever since he quit the posts,Dhindsa had been staying away from party activities. Dhindsa had even reportedly asked his son Parminder Singh, who is SAD nominee for Sangrur seat, not to contest the Lok Sabha polls and announced that he would not campaign for him if he decided to fight elections. Meanwhile, the SAD leadership also stated that the Centre's decision to build Kartarpur Sahib corridor, to enable devotees to visit the historic Gurdwara in Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan, has won the hearts of the Sikh community. The SAD leaders said that the Centre's decision to waive the Goods and Services Tax on 'Langar' (community kitchen) is also a "historic" decision taken by the NDA government. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Securities Appellate Tribunal has granted interim stay on the Sebi's order against stock brokers OPG Securities and GKN Securities in the NSE co-location case. However, OPG and GKN have been directed to deposit Rs 7.5 crore and Rs 2.5 crore, respectively, to the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) on or before May 20. If the amount is not deposited within the stipulated period, the interim order will stand vacated automatically, the tribunal said. It said that investigations have been going on since 2015 and stopping the business activities of the brokers with immediate effect by impugned order, prima-facie appears to be unjustified. "The matter would be listed for admission and final disposal on July 22," the tribunal said in an order on Monday. Last week, the Sebi had barred OPG Securities and its three directors from markets for five years and asked them to disgorge illegal gains of Rs 15.57 crore with interest, while GKN Securities was asked to disgorge Rs 4.9 along with interest. Besides, GKN was asked not to undertake any trade on any stock exchange on proprietary account for two years. The Sebi's ruling came after it found that the brokers were guilty of misconduct in the NSE's co-location case and made unlawful gains by having unfair faster access to market data compared to other brokers. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Supreme Court Tuesday allowed Karti Chidambaram, who is facing criminal cases being probed by the ED and CBI, to travel to the US, Germany and Spain this month. A bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices Deepak Gupta and Sanjiv Khanna said the permission to travel abroad was subject to compliance of conditions imposed earlier. The apex court had in January granted Karti, son of Congress leader P Chidambaram, permission to travel abroad after depositing Rs 10 crore with the secretary general of the Supreme Court. The court, on the request of ED, had earlier asked Karti to file an undertaking that he would return to India and cooperate with the investigation. The court had said that it would "come down heavily" on Karti if he did not cooperate. The probe agency had earlier opposed the plea of Karti seeking permission to travel abroad, and said he has been evasive, non-cooperative and caused delay in completing the investigations. Karti was abroad for 51 days in the last 6 months, the probe agency had said. On September 18 last year it had allowed Karti to travel to the UK from September 20-30. The ED has said that Karti, who is also facing proceedings in cases like Aircel-Maxis and money laundering matters, has been "blatantly misusing" the liberty granted by court in allowing him to travel abroad and has been using the same to protract the investigation in the case. Karti is facing several criminal cases being investigated by the ED and CBI including one which relates to the Foreign Investment Promotion Board clearance to INX Media for receiving foreign funds of Rs 305 crore when his father was the finance minister. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Floridas population and economy are surging and so is the Sunshine States thirst for energy.Currently, ranked as the third most populous state in the nation at 21 million residents, Florida is projected to add another 6 million residents by 2030. Nearly 1.7 million people are predicted to move to Hillsborough County, with almost 939,000 preferring Pinellas County.A parade of new residents is marching to Tampa and St. Petersburg, where millennials and down-sizing baby boomers are moving into re-invented, revitalized cities. New businesses and new jobs are keeping pace with the residential spurt.The challenge for the states utilities, including Tampa Electric Co., Duke Energy, and Florida Power & Light, is finding the right mix of safe, reliable and affordable energy sources.In west-central Florida, TECO Energy serves about 750,000 customers.The companys goal is to provide an energy flow that is affordable while also shifting to cleaner and renewable sources, according to Thomas Hernandez, TECOs senior vice president for the division of distributed energy and renewables. He recently spoke at a Cafe con Tampa breakfast.Weve got to worry about keeping the lights on, Hernandez says. I have to have capacity.But, he says, We are transitioning away from fossil fuels. Thats the balancing act problem. Thats a dilemma. Its a tough nut to crack.That dilemma is sparking passionate battles between utility officials and environmental activists, around climate change policy and fracking, a controversial method of extracting oil and natural gas.In the Tampa Bay Area, a proposal by TECO to convert a coal burner into a natural gas burner at its Big Bend Power Station in Apollo Beach is under review by state agencies. The national, nonprofit Sierra Club is challenging the project.According to company officials, the $853-million project would reduce TECOs carbon footprint and serve as an adjunct to longer-range plans to increase solar, and other renewable energy sources.However, environmental activists are critical of a proposal that they say doesnt address the urgency of climate change threats, and swaps one fossil fuel for another. The natural gas delivered to Big Bend could come from out-of-state suppliers that use fracking, which activists say is environmentally destructive.Fracking is a drilling technique that blasts chemically treated, high-pressure water through the rock to extract oil and natural gas. Wastewater is then injected into deep wells.A further concern is Big Bends vulnerability to rising sea levels and more extreme weather episodes, including more intense hurricanes.TECO defends its project as a reasonable step toward meeting federal anti-pollution requirements by replacing coal with a cleaner fuel. Engineering plans for Big Bend also would improve sea wall protections, providing greater safety at the site against water intrusions.In April TECO, as well as Duke and FLP, filed 10-year plans (2019 to 2028) with the Florida Public Service Commission that show decreases in coal and a boost to solar but also a majority reliance on natural gas.Utilities see natural gas as a bridge fuel to more renewable and cleaner energy sources.Opponents criticize this strategy as market-driven based on the relatively cheap costs of natural gas, at least, for now.They would like to see more proposals like FPLs recent announcement of its 30 by 30 plan to install 30 million solar panels by 2030.TECOs solar future includes 10 solar projects in the next decade, which would add 6 million solar panels and power about 100,000 homes. By 2023, TECO officials estimate the company will be the states largest solar producer, with solar at about 7 percent of its total energy production.Coal use would drop from about 24 percent to 12 percent of total production.The coal data is misleading and reflects percentage change, not actual coal usage, according to Kent Bailey, group chairperson of the Sierra Club of Tampa Bay s executive committee.According to TECOs 10-year plan, coal usage drops significantly by 2023. But Bailey notes that the same plan shows coal tonnage levels in 2027 will rise to about the same levels as 2019.About 100 people packed a public hearing on TECOs proposal in March. An administrative law judge took testimony from supporters and opponents.Jessica Harrington, an Odessa resident and former State House candidate, spoke up to say she believes TECOs project is outdated.Thirty, 40, 50 years ago, maybe that (natural gas) would have been a nice transition but its too late, she says. Scientists predict that unless something changes in 12 years there will be a climate change catastrophe. This is the moon shot of our time, Harrington says.Others found TECOs proposal reasonable, and pragmatic.Apollo Beach resident Tom Settle believes TECO is helping the environment by eliminating the coal burner.Ash comes out of those (coal) stacks every day, Settle says. Its a really toxic hazard. Im for natural gas as a transition but I dont think you can do it overnight.Bob Rohrlack, President and CEO of the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, filed a letter of support, writing that the project is a win for the environment and a win for customers.The conversion to natural gas would save customers approximately $750 million over the life of the gas-burning unit, he states.Other representatives of utility and business associations, and local chambers of commerce, also support TECO.TECOs greater reliance on solar drew praise from Hillsborough County Commissioner Mariella Smith.But Smith criticized TECO for setting goals lower than those achieved by other companies under the umbrella of TECOs Canadian-owned parent company, Emera, Inc.Emeras website notes that a Nova Scotia power company provides 28 percent of its energy from solar.I would like to challenge TECO. I would like to think that youwould want to be at least the best in their own company. Its achievable. Id like to ask our state to do that. Id like TECO to be the best in the country. Our state should be a leader in the country.We need to use the sunshine in our Sunshine state, Smith says.At the Cafe con Tampa breakfast, Hernandez addressed similar challenges to TECOs commitment to solar.The challenge is finding enough land thats affordable to minimize costs of connecting to the grid, he says.TECO has about 4,200 acres of solar panels but company officials scouted about 115,000 acres before purchasing acreage for its solar farms.A solar farm began operations at Big Bend in 2017.A 500-acre site in northeastern Pasco County is one of TECOs newest proposals for a solar farm. However, the project stirred opposition from some area residents who say the solar panels would destroy the scenic views in a historically rural neighborhood.There is insufficient space at Apollo Beach for more solar, Hernandez says. He added that there also is the problem of building storage facilities as a backup for days when there is too little sunshine available for capture by the solar panels.Were in the Sunshine State but the problem is the sun doesnt always shine, says Hernandez. Technology and storage space to compensate for cloudy conditions come at a high cost that must be factored in, he says.The source of natural gas also is a dividing point.At the Cafe con Tampa breakfast, Hernandez notes that most of TECOs natural gas supply would be shipped from Gulf states, such as Louisiana and Alabama, that dont frack. However, he adds, We cant guarantee its non-fracked gas.A recommendation on TECOs Big Bend proposal is expected from the administrative law judge in July. However, the final decision is up to Gov. Ron DeSantis and his Cabinet. That isnt expected until August.Florida lawmakers ended their 2019 session without taking a vote on a bill to ban two methods of hydraulic fracking. House and Senate bills on the matter died in committee.Supporters of fracking, including the Florida Petroleum Council, say natural gas is a cleaner, cheaper source of fuel than coal, and extraction through fracking has fewer safety issues. Opponents say the practice is environmentally harmful, leading to water contamination, public health risks, and sinkholes.Anti-fracking supporters had hoped that a push from DeSantis would give their cause a boost. Unlike his predecessor, Gov. Rick Scott, DeSantis announced his opposition to hydraulic fracking soon after taking office.But environmentalists also wanted a ban on matrix acidizing, often used in conjunction with hydraulic fracking. DeSantis took no position on this matter.Acid dissolves rather than cracks through rock formations as a means of oil and gas extraction. Environmentalists warn that this technique would put the Floridan aquifer at ever greater risk.With no resolution on fracking, both sides will continue the battle into the 2020 legislative session and the next election cycle. The Supreme Court Tuesday directed the Centre to review within a week the threat perception and consider granting adequate security to a person, whose unequivocal testimony in the sensational Nitish Katara murder case had led to the conviction of three accused. A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi took note of the submission of one Ajay Katara that either he be granted "round the clock" security or be relocated to a "safer place" by the security agencies considering the threat to his life. He was the key witness in the murder case of Nitish Katara who was kidnapped and killed by Vikas Yadav, son of controversial Uttar Pradesh politician D P Yadav, Vishal Yadav and Sukhdev Pehalwan in 2002. It was Ajay who had testified that he had last seen the victim along with the accused before his murder and this had nailed the case leading to the conviction of the three accused. The convicts are serving varying jail terms in the case. The witness, who has already been provided four Personal Security Officers (PSOs), has now moved the apex court for enhanced security. "A N S Nadkarni, Additional Solicitor General appearing for Delhi Police and the Ministry of Home Affairs, submits that the security requirement of the petitioner has already been taken care of by providing with four Personal Security Officers (PSOs) and any further requirement of additional security will be reviewed within a period of one week from today. "On such review, if the competent authority is of the view that the security of the petitioner needs to be enhanced, the same shall be done. We direct the concerned authority in the Delhi Police and Ministry of Home Affairs to act accordingly forthwith and, in any case, within a period of seven days from today," the apex court ordered. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Benchmark indices fell for the fifth session in a row on Tuesday, with the Sensex plunging 324 points and the Nifty diving over 100 points as investors continued to weigh US-China trade tiff and lukewarm corporate results. Indian bourses after starting the session on a high came under heavy selling pressure as domestic investors' sentiment took a beating after IMF chief Christine Lagarde said US-China tensions were a 'threat' to world economy. The Sensex was mainly dragged by Tata Motors, ICICI Bank, Bharti Airtel and Reliance Industries -- shedding as much as 4.60 per cent. The quarterly results of ICICI Bank and Bharti Airtel failed to attract investors and both the companies saw constant sell-offs during the session. The 30-share index ended 323.71 points, or 0.84 per cent, lower at 38,276.63. The BSE index hit an intra-day low of 38,236.18 and a high of 8,835.54. Similarly, the NSE Nifty dropped 100.35 points to settle below the 11,500 level at 11,497.90. During the day, the bourse hit a low of 11,484.45 and a high of 11,657.05. In the Sensex pack, HUL, L&T, PowerGrid, Infosys, ONGC and Bajaj Auto ended up to 1.37 per cent higher. "Indian market has been on a shaky ground for the past couple of days driven by ambiguity associated with the US-China trade negotiations and less-than-inspiring ongoing corporate earnings season," said Jagannadham Thunuguntla, Senior VP and Head of Research (Wealth), Centrum Broking. Global markets have been rattled by the concerns over the health of the world economy ever since US President Donald Trump on Sunday threatened to hike tariffs on USD 200 billion worth of Chinese goods. Meanwhile, the head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said fresh trade tensions between the US and China were the main threat to the world economy, adding that recent "rumours and tweets" made an agreement between the countries less likely. Chinese bourses, however, recovered with Shanghai Composite Index ending in the green. Equities in Japan and Korea closed in the red. European stocks were also trading lower in early trade. The Indian rupee was trading flat at 69.39 against the US dollar intra-day. Global benchmark Brent crude was trading 0.74 per cent lower at USD 70.71 per barrel. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Soni was going to deliver lunch around 1 pm to her husband who was working as a labourer in northwest Delhi, but she was in for a rude shock. "When I reached the location, I could not find anyone there," Soni, the wife of Sher Singh (30), said. "When I looked into the septic tank, I saw that all the five persons were lying there. I started shouting, but nobody came to rescue." Two contractual workers died after apparently inhaling toxic gas when they entered the septic tank of a semi-built plot in Bhagya Vihar area of Prem Nagar in Rohini on Tuesday. Soni's husband was among three persons who are hospitalised. Soni said her sister's husband came there and entered the tank after tying a rope around his west, and pulled the persons out of the tank. They called the ambulance and took them to a hospital, the mother of four said, adding that Sher Singh is the sole breadwinner. Soni said among the injured persons, Rambir is her brother-in-law, who is unmarried and used to live in the same locality. "After getting the information regarding the incident at around 1.15 pm, I rushed the spot and cried for help but no one came forward," Jaya Vardha, the sister of Sher Singh and Rambir, said. "We somehow managed to call the police and ambulance, and immediately rushed them to the hospital," the 59-year-old said. "My brothers were doing this work for the past 20 years and nothing like this happened before." Vardha, who is a daily labourer, is living in Delhi for the past 25 years and her native place is Haryana. "We got to know that all the victims were wearing masks. Ganesh and Deepak entered the tank first. When they did not come out, Sher Singh, Babloo and Rambir also entered the tank. Soni was the one who first saw them lying inside the tank and called nearby persons for help," Vardha said. Babloo's 30-year-old wife, Nutan, said she is a daily worker and was at the steel factory when the incident happened. "I have five kids and my 13-year-old daughter informed me about the incident at around 1.30 pm and I rushed to the hospital," she said. Nutan said her husband had done this work first time. Manish (25), the nephew of Babloo, said: "I received a call from the family and they asked me to come. I reached the hospital where I got to know that my uncle is undergoing treatment". Babloo is living at Bhagya Vihar area since 1998. His native place is in Bhagalpur district in Bihar, Manish added. Ganesh and Deepak, who died in the incident, were also used to live in the same area. Ganesh survived by his wife and five kids while Deepak was married. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pakistan's ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif will return to Kot Lakhpat Jail here on Tuesday following the expiry of his six-week bail in a corruption case in which he has been sentenced to seven years imprisonment. The three-time former premier is expected to surrender himself to jail authorities in evening after Iftar and will arrive at the prison in a PML(N) workers' rally, which will be led by his daughter Maryam Nawaz. Sharif, 69, was granted six-week interim bail by the top court on March 26 in the Al-Azizia Mills corruption case to undergo medical treatment and he filed the petition on April 27 for permanent bail stating that he was suffering from acute anxiety and depression. The bail expired Tuesday as the Supreme court rejected his review petition seeking extension in the bail granted to him on medical grounds. The court also rejected the former premier's plea to allow him to travel abroad for treatment. "Nawaz Sharif will return to Kot Lakhpat Jial Lahore on Tuesday in a procession of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) workers. A call has been given to the workers to gather at the Jati Umra residence of Sharif to march towards the jail along with him," PML-N spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb told PTI on Monday. She said the PML-N workers are eager to come to roads against Prime Minister Imran Khan's anti-people policies and they are waiting a call from the leadership. Aurangzeb said that Maryam will accompany her father, and will be present in his car. The party has decided that she will remain with her father until he is taken into custody by the jail authorities. The Home Department Punjab earlier instructed Sharif to reach Kot Lakhpat Jail by 5 pm on Tuesday, and said his arrival in the form of a rally would be against the law. Protesting against the instructions, PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah told Geo that Sharif's bail is valid till the midnight of May 7, and questioned why he should have to reach the jail anytime before that. Sharif, three-time prime minister, has been serving a seven-year prison term at the jail since December 24, 2018 when an accountability court convicted him in one of the three corruption cases filed in the wake of the apex court's July 28, 2017 order in Panama Papers case. He was imprisoned in Adiyala Jail and shifted to Kot Lakhpat Jail on his request. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Shiv Sena Tuesday came out in support of the Goa health departments project providing free hearse van service at the government-run Goa Medical College and Hospital and slammed the Congress MLA who opposed it. Sena vice-president Rakhi Prabhudesai Naik, in a statement here, congratulated Health Minister Vishwajit Rane for launching the project and termed it as a "pro-poor" step. She said only Goan staff should operate this free service. The introduction of free hearse van service at the GMCH at Bambolim near here had invited criticism from Congress MLA Francis Silveira, who backed private operators of ambulance service at the state-run medical facility. Silveira had opposed the free service, claiming it would eat into the business of existing private ambulance operators at the hospital. Naik criticised the Congress legislator for opposing the project and dubbed him "anti-poor". She said Silveira is playing vote-bank "The Shiv Senacondemns Silveiras vote-bank by resorting tounwarranted agitation against governments action of introducing the free hearse can service at the GMCH," Naik said. She said the free service would go a long way in helping relatives of the deceased persons, who were forced to shell out thousands of rupees to get the body and transport it back home from the GMCH. "It is high time politicians like Silveira stopped working against the interest of Goa and the poor people living in the state. "The Congress, during its rule, could not do anything to improve the standard of living of people. Now they should at least stop creating hurdles in schemes that provide solace to the economically-weaker sections," she added. "We appeal to the government to ensure that only Goans are give employment on this free hearse van service," Naik added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Alleging that received "step motherly" treatment under the Modi government, senior Congress leader said the south will play a key role in voting out the ruling dispensation and "overwhelmingly" side with the Congress. Emphasising that all sections of the country are equally important to the Congress and have been equally sought after, he said party president Rahul Gandhi's decision to contest from Kerala's Wayanad sent a message that under Congress rule, the concerns and aspirations of southern states will not be ignored at the Centre. "I think the south will definitely play an instrumental role in deciding the political fate of the country, particularly in the context of voting out the present ruling dispensation, under whose tenure, the south has an understandable case of step-motherly treatment under the Centre," Tharoor told PTI in an interview. He alleged that in the last five years of rule, there has been a "widespread assault" on the spirit of cooperative federalism which has held the country together since Independence. "This is partly on account of cultural factors such as the beef ban and the drive to impose Hindi as a national language, but also because of larger issues such as the uproar regarding the terms of reference of the 15th Finance Commission which has implications on the financial and political security of the southern states," he said. The Congress, particularly with Rahul Gandhi's decision to contest from the south, has made a very effective outreach towards the southern states, the former Union minister said. The Congress chief contesting from Wayanad has sent a clear message that under Congress rule, the concerns and aspirations of these states will not be ignored at the Centre, least of all under a potential prime ministerial candidate who will be elected from the south, Tharoor said. "As my own experiences in tell me, this message has been widely and popularly received and it is clear that the south will overwhelmingly side with the Congress as the most credible alternative to the present ruling dispensation," the 63-year-old leader said. Tharoor, who is seeking a third straight Lok Sabha term from Thiruvanathapuram, which went to polls on April 23, also asserted that there will be a coalition government at the Centre after the elections and that the coalition is more likely to be UPA-3 rather than an NDA-3. "The fundamental fact that the performance of the in 2014, where they secured 282 seats, is based on simple mathematics, a performance that is impossible for them to repeat, even if they had been highly successful in government, which they were lamentably not," he said. "Given how poorly they performed in government, the scale of the frustration and disappointment with their performance is immense and is likely to result in a significant reduction in their seats," he claimed. Tharoor contended that the will be forced to turn to regional parties for support to form a government, but most of those potential partners would be unwilling to offer their support, given how their concerns and voices were "diminished and marginalised" under the Modi-Shah regime of the last 5 years. "Many of those who had joined the NDA got their fingers burned -- many subsequently left their erstwhile alliance with the BJP or openly bickered with them. This sends a clear signal that allying with the BJP comes at a heavy price," he claimed. In contrast, the Congress has presented a compelling and credible narrative across the country and has implemented an effective and energetic campaign during the current elections, he said. This, along with the rising anti-BJP wave and the Congress's historic record and capability of working with regional partners makes it clear that when the coalition government is formed, it will most definitely be the return of the UPA, Tharoor asserted. On whether Rahul Gandhi could be the front-runner for being the opposition's prime ministerial choice, he said Gandhi is the party chief and if the Congress gets a majority, he will be PM. "If the government is a coalition, obviously this is a decision that will jointly be taken by leadership of the parties that constitute the coalition and will take place through established processes and conventions," he said. This is only likely be discussed once the results of the election become clear, he added. However, Tharoor said Gandhi has all the right qualities to make an excellent Prime Minister for the country. Congress MP Sushmita Dev on Tuesday claimed before the Supreme Court that the Election Commission has failed to appreciate that the alleged "hate speeches" by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP Chief Amit Shah are "corrupt practices" and promote the feeling of enmity on religious grounds. In an affidavit, Dev, who placed before the apex court various orders of the poll panel on complaints of model code violation against Modi and Shah, said that the Election Commission has passed orders in a "cryptic manner without mentioning any reason whatsoever, in stark violation of the law laid down by this court" while disposing of some complaints. The Congress party has on May 6 lodged a fresh complaint before the poll panel against Modi for his remarks which "maligned and tarnished the image" of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, Dev said in the affidavit filed in the court The apex court had on Monday asked the Congress MP to bring on record EC's orders giving clean chit to Modi and Shah, after she accused the poll panel of inaction on complaints against the two BJP leaders for allegedly violating the model code of conduct (MCC) with "hate speeches" and using armed forces for "political propaganda" Alleging discrimination and arbitrariness on part of the EC, Dev said that the poll panel has initiated action for violation of model code of conduct against Union minister Maneka Gandhi, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, BSP Supremo Mayawati and BJP leader Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur for statements which were similar in "tone, tenor, meaning, purport and intention" to Modi and Shah's statements. "The Respondent-ECI failed to appreciate that the hate speeches delivered by the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and Amit Shah are 'corrupt practices' under Section 123A of the Representation of People Act, 1951 which ex-facie promote feelings of enmity and hatred between different classes of the citizens of India on grounds of religion," Dev's affidavit said. She said that speeches given by Modi and Shah are also punishable under section 153A of the Indian Penal Code as they "blatantly promote disharmony and feelings of enmity on the grounds of religion and such acts are also likely to prejudice the maintenance of public harmony and tranquility between religious communities". Referring to some of the orders passed by EC on complaints against Modi and Shah, Dev, a Lok Sabha MP from Silchar in Assam and also the President of All India Mahila Congress, said, "The Respondent-ECI has passed the above orders in a cryptic manner without any reasons whatsoever, in stark violation of the law laid down by this court". Dev said that the dissent reported and given by one of the Election Commissioners is not provided along with the order. "This demonstrates a complete lack of transparency and arbitrariness of the Respondent's (ECI) decision-making process on complaints against Shri Modi and Shri Amit Shah," the affidavit said. "The Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in act unbecoming of the high office he holds, made unprecedented obscene/ derogatory remarks, in a speech...by referring to present Congress President Rahul Gandhi's late father and former Prime Minster of India Rajiv Gandhi, in Pratapgarh, Uttar Pradesh," Dev said in her affidavit. It said, "That in light of the aforesaid unfortunate and unbecoming statements made by the Prime Minister to malign and tarnish the former Prime Minister's image, the Congress Party was constrained to submit another complaint dated 06.05.2019 against Prime Minister, Narendra Modi for aforestated obscene/derogatory remarks". The top court had listed Dev's plea for hearing on May 8. Senior advocate A M Singhvi, appearing for Dev, had contended that the poll panel has passed "unreasoned" orders while dismissing complaints of MCC violations against Modi and Shah and moreover, there have been reports of dissent by one of the Election Commissioners in passing some of the decisions. The apex court should consider framing guidelines to deal with violations of MCC in a time-bound manner as the delay denies the level-playing field to all political parties which is part of basic structure of the Constitution, Singhvi said. Dev, in her plea, has alleged inaction by EC in deciding complaints against Modi and Shah and has said that it was "a sign of invidious discrimination" and also "arbitrary, capricious and impermissible" as it was destructive of the integrity of electoral process. Earlier, the apex court had directed the poll panel to decide by May 6, the nine complaints of the Congress party alleging violations of MCC by the Prime Minister and Shah. The poll panel had said that by May 8, it was likely to consider all the representations of the Congress party and its leader. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena Tuesday appealed to the Colombo-based top foreign diplomats for their assistance to repatriate 1,600 refugees, mostly Pakistanis and Afghans, currently accommodated in the island nation. "I want your help to send them back. We can no longer care for them. Some of them have got involved in illegal activities too," Sirisena said while addressing the foreign envoys. In the aftermath of the deadly Easter suicide attacks, refugees and asylum seekers were displaced after landlords came under local pressure to evict them. Hundreds of refugees have taken shelter in mosques and a police station in Negombo, the western coastal town where one of the church bombings took place, after facing intimidation following the blasts. At least on four occasions since the attacks, dozens of frightened migrants, including many children, older people, and others with special needs, travelling to safer areas had to return to the overcrowded Negombo police station. Sirisena's remarks came as the New York-based rights group Human Rights Watch said that Sri Lankan authorities not only have a responsibility to apprehend those responsible for the heinous Easter Sunday attacks, but also to protect all those now at heightened fears. Most of the refugees are primarily Pakistani and Afghan migrants who are Muslim. There are Pakistani Christians. Many, like the Ahmadis, fled to Sri Lanka due to persecution they faced in their own countries. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Sri Lanka's St. Anthony's church partially opened for worship Tuesday even as security forces were rebuilding a shrine inside following the Easter suicide bombing. The faithful were allowed into a section of the church to pray before a statue of Saint Anthony, said Father Edmond Tilakaratne, spokesman for the Archbishop of Colombo, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith. "The church was partially opened today under very tight security," Tilakaratne told AFP. "Renovations are already under way." He said pilgrims will be allowed into the special area of the church for a 12-hour period. Three policemen and three women frisked pilgrims lined up to enter the shrine while heavily armed navy personnel and police kept watch outside. The 1740 church shares a boundary wall with the port of Colombo. New steel barricades were established Tuesday to prevent vehicle access to the church building. St. Anthony's was among the three churches attacked by jihadi suicide bombers in coordinated attacks that also targeted three luxury hotels in Colombo on April 21. A total of 257 people were killed and nearly 500 wounded. At least 44 foreigners were among the dead. Nearly 50 of the victims were young children. The St. Anthony's is venerated not only by Catholics, but also by followers of other religions in this majority Buddhist nation. Christians make up 7.5 percent of the 21 million population of the majority Buddhist Sri Lanka. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Tuesday said that authorities have arrested or killed all the militants responsible for the deadly Easter blasts, but warned that the country still faces the threat of ISIS terror attacks. Speaking in Parliament during a debate on the current security situation in the country, Wickremesinghe said all those directly linked to the Easter Sunday attacks were either killed or are in custody. Nine suicide bombers carried out a series of devastating blasts that tore through three churches and three luxury hotels on the Easter Sunday. The Islamic State claimed the attacks, but the government blamed local Islamist extremist group National Thawheed Jammath (NTJ) for the bombings that killed more than 250 people. Wickremesinghe said investigations had revealed the bombers had direct or indirect links with Islamic State and the island nation needed sophisticated technology to deal with the threat posed by such terror networks. "The danger is not over, we are now a victim of global terrorism," he said. He said that Sri Lanka must work with the international community to face the global threat from terrorism. "Some assume working with the international community means bringing down foreign troops. That will not happen," he said. His comments came as Sri Lankan police and military chiefs assured that the country is now safe and can get back to normalcy. Addressing a press conference on Monday night, the tri-forces commanders and the police chief said the security of the country following the April 21 bombings has been ensured with adequate measures and steps have been taken to implement a special security plan. Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chandana Wickremaratne said that all those directly linked to the attacks on three churches and three luxury hotels have been arrested or were killed. He also said that all the explosives believed to be linked to local Islamist outfit National Thowheeth Jama'ath (NTJ), blamed for the attacks, have been found. "All explosives possessed by the terrorist group has been seized. Almost everyone identified with the group have been arrested. Two of their bomb experts have died in the clashes. The police can happily announce that everyone with direct links have been either arrested or killed by now," he said. Wickramaratne did not say how many people have been arrested over the bombings, but police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekera has said that 73 people, including nine women, were arrested and being questioned by the CID and the Terrorist Investigation Department (TID). The spokesman also said the Criminal Investigation Department identified more than Rs 140 million cash and other assets worth over Rs 7 billion belonging to the NTJ. Wickramaratne, who was named acting police chief last week after President Maithripala Sirisena suspended his predecessor over his failure to act on intelligence warnings about the attacks, said the country can now get back to normalcy with the lifting of curfews imposed after the attacks. He urged the public not to be misled by unverified reports. The government reopened schools on Monday, but attendance dropped to below 10 per cent in many places with parents still fearing attacks. Wickremeratne said a joint security operation with schools authorities are underway. He pointed to unverified security fears spread through social media as the cause for unfounded security concerns. Army chief Lt Gen Mahesh Senanayake said the military has taken steps to ensure national security under the emergency regulations. He said that over the past two weeks normalcy was returning to the country and the public must not be misled by false claims. "All security measures to ensure safety in the country has been taken. The security forces were empowered by the emergency regulations since the attacks," Senanayake said. The tourism industry leaders have urged the government to make strong measures to enable the industry to revive following the Easter Sunday attacks on three leading hotels. The suicide bombers attacked breakfast rooms of the Shangri La, The Cinnamon Grand and the Kingsbury Hotels. The attacks in which 44 foreigners including 11 Indians were killed prompted adverse travel advisories. At the moment most bookings are cancelled, with less than 10 per cent of occupancy we are in trouble," Hoteliers Association president Sanath Ukawatta said. The government has already decided on a package of concessions to the tourism industry which contributes 5 per cent of the island's GDP. The Tourism Authority said the total number of tourist arrivals during April was 166,975. This is an year on year decline of 7.5 per cent as the arrivals were 180,429 in April 2018. Meanwhile, the St. Anthony's church partially opened for worship Tuesday. Devotees will be able to visit the St. Anthony's Shrine in Kotahena from 7 am to 7 pm. Services will not be held at the Shrine. At present, the Navy is currently carrying out restoration activities at the Church. Security measures have been tightened around Churches in order to ensure the safety of devotees who visit the shrine. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) $3 Million Non-Renounceable Entitlement Offer and Completion of $1.68M Placement Non-Renounceable Rights Issue and Completion of Placement Sydney, May 7, 2019 AEST (ABN Newswire) - As announced on 30 April 2019, the BetMakers Holdings Limited ( ASX:TBH ) ( OTCMKTS:TPBTF ) ("TBH") is pleased to announce a non-renounceable entitlement offer. Eligible shareholders will be entitled to one (1) new fully paid ordinary share ("New Shares") for every 2.8 existing shares held in the Company at 7:00pm AEST on Monday, 13 May 2019 ("Record Date"), at the offer price of 3 cents ($0.03) per New Share to raise approximately $3million (before costs of the offer) ("Offer").The Company has received firm commitments and underwriting for the total $3,000,000 of the Offer. This is made up of more than $1,000,000 in firm commitments from existing shareholders in addition to the Offer being underwritten by Spenceley Management Pty Ltd ACN 127 151 437 < Spenceley Family Trust > and Ryder Capital Limited ACN 606 695 854 (together the "Underwriters") for up to $2,000,000 in aggregate. In relation to their services as underwriter for the Offer, each Underwriter will be paid a fee of $15,000. The Underwriters' obligations will not arise until after exhaustion of the shortfall facility.The funds raised from this Offer and the Placement (see below for details) will be used to pay outstanding amounts due to DynamicOdds Pty Ltd, C.D.K Software Limited and Global Betting Services Pty Ltd, repayment of debts and ongoing working capital.Please note that Option Holders will not be eligible to participate in the Offer (with respect to any Shares that underlie their Options) unless they first exercise some or all of their Options in accordance with the Option terms. In order to take up the Offer, Option Holders will be required to complete the exercise of their options before the Record Date.Any Option Holder who wishes to exercise some or all of their Options (provided the Options are eligible to be exercised on their terms) should contact the Company by Friday, 10 May 2019.The Offer is only being made available to those shareholders who have a registered address in Australia, New Zealand or the United States (to the extent that the shareholder is a US Institutional Accredited Investor).As this is a non-renounceable offer, the entitlement will not be tradeable on ASX. Eligible shareholders who do not wish to take up their entitlement will not receive any benefit from those entitlements.A prospectus relating to the Offer ("Prospectus") will be released to the ASX today and will be mailed to the eligible shareholders on Wednesday, 15 May 2019. Eligible shareholders will also receive a personalised entitlement and acceptance form.Proposed TimetableThe current proposed timetable of the Offer is as follows:Event: Lodgement of Prospectus with ASICLodgement of Prospectus and Appendix 3B with ASXDate: 7 May 2019Event: Letter to ShareholdersDate: 9 May 2019Event: Existing Shares quoted on "ex" basisDate: 10 May 2019Event: Record date to determine entitlements under the Prospectus (Record Date)Date: 13 May 2019Event: Prospectus and Entitlement and Acceptance Form dispatched to eligible shareholders (Opening Date)Date: 15 May 2019Event: Final date and time for receipt of acceptance and payment in full (Closing Date)*Date: 27 May 2019Event: New Shares quoted on a deferred settlement basisDate: 28 May 2019Event: Company to notify ASX of under subscriptionsDate: 30 May 2019Event: Allotment of New Shares (Issue Date)Date: 3 June 2019Event: Deferred settlement trading endsDate: 3 June 2019Event: Dispatch of transaction confirmation statements (holding statements)Date: 4 June 2019Event: Date of quotation of New Shares issued under the OfferDate: 4 June 2019Event: Issue of New Shares under Underwriting AgreementsDate: No later than 17 June 2019* Subject to the ASX Listing Rules, the directors of TBH retain the right to extend the closing date of the Offer at their discretion. Any extension of the Closing Date will have consequential effect on the anticipated date for issue of the Shares.The dates and times listed above are indicative only and subject to change. TBH reserves the right to amend the above timetable without notice subject to the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) ("Corporations Act"), the ASX Listing Rules and other applicable laws.Effect of the Offer on ControlTBH does not expect the issue of New Shares under the Offer to have a material effect or consequence on the control of TBH, but this is dependent on whether eligible shareholders will be taking up their entitlement to New Shares.The potential effect that the issue of New Shares under the Offer will have on TBH is as follows:(a) if all eligible shareholders take up their entitlements under the Offer, the issue of New Shares under the Offer will have no material effect on the control of TBH and shareholders will retain the same percentage interest in TBH, subject only to minimal changes resulting from ineligible shareholders being unable to participate in the Offer; or(b) if a shareholder does not take up their full entitlement, their interest will be diluted relative to those eligible shareholders who do take up their entitlements and relative to those who apply for, and are issued, New Shares under the shortfall facility or under an Underwriter agreement. Acceptance of entitlements or the placement of any New Shares under the shortfall facility or an Underwriter agreement may also result in existing shareholders significantly increasing their interest in the Company or obtaining a substantial interest in the Company.Therefore, it is not possible to predict the effect of the Offer on the control of TBH.$1.68million investment completedFurther to the announcement on 30 April 2019, the Board of TBH is also pleased to announce that the investment by Las Vegas-based international wagering and gaming industry investment firm, Tekkorp Holdings LLC ("Tekkorp") has completed. The Company notes that its announcement on 30 April 2019 incorrectly referred to Tekkorp Holdings LLC as 'Tekkorp Capital LLC'. References to 'Tekkorp Capital LLC' in the announcement dated 30 April 2019 should be read as Tekkorp Holdings LLC.The Company has today allotted 55,991,335 fully paid ordinary shares ("Shares") to Tekkorp to raise approximately $1.68 million (before costs).The Shares have been issued without disclosure under the Company's placement capacity under ASX Listing Rules 7.1 and 7.1A in conjunction with the Prospectus issued today pursuant to section 708A(11) of the Corporations Act.The Company advises that Tekkorp has provided a firm commitment to subscribe for its full entitlement under the Offer.To view the release, please visit:To view the Prospectus, please visit:To view the Letter to Option holders, please visit:About Betmakers Technology Group Ltd Betmakers Technology Group Ltd (ASX:BET) (OTCMKTS:TPBTF) is an ASX-listed holding company and a global provider of online wagering products and services to both wholesale and retail markets through its various wholly owned subsidiaries. The Company operates a retail wagering business, offering consumers wagering, fantasy tournament and content products and services. The DMK Tuesday indicated its party chief MK Stalin may not meet K Chandrasekar Rao on May 13, as announced by the Telangana Chief Minister's Office earlier. Sources close to the DMK President only said Stalin was 'busy' with his campaign schedule for the May 19 by-polls to four constituencies in the state and declined to divulge more details. Earlier, a statement from the Telangana Chief Minister's Office (CMO) had said that Rao would meet the DMK chief at his residence here on May 13. He had met his Kerala counterpart Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday, even as Karnataka chief minister H D Kumaraswamy also rang up Rao after learning about his visits to Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Rao, who had floated the idea of a non-Congress, non-BJP front some time ago, had met Stalin in April last as part of his outreach to regional parties, with the DMK leader hosting lunch for the visiting TRS supremo and his party colleagues. However, the Dravidian party later entered into a poll pact with Congress and faced the April 18 Lok Sabha polls in the state in alliance with the national party as part of a mega coalition that also includes the Left. The DMK's move is perceived as a signal to the Telangana veteran that it was keen to carry on its alliance with the Congress even after the results of the seven-phase polling are out on May 23. Incidentally, it was Stalin who had declared Congress President Rahul Gandhi as the Opposition's Prime Ministerial candidate at a party meeting here, though the idea did not find favour with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav. While by-polls to 18 assembly seats were held on April 18 along with the Lok Sabha elections, four others are going to polls on May 19. The outcome of the by-polls is crucial for Tamil Nadu as it would determine the continuance of the ruling AIADMK in power. Therefore, all parties including arch rivals AIADMK and DMK are leaving no stone unturned to ensure that they won maximum seats even as Stalin has been claiming that the ruling party will lose the elections and pave the way for a new government headed by the DMK. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Some bike-borne men hurled stones on Tuesday at a statue of BR Ambedkar outside a village in Greater Noida, leading to resentment among locals, police said. The incident took place around 1 pm outside Sidipur village, under the Jarcha police station limits, officials said. "According to eye witnesses, four to five men, who seemed to be in an inebriated condition, arrived on motorcycles and started hurling stones at the statue of Ambedkar, which was placed on the top of the concrete entry gate to the village. The condition of the statue is fine. No damage was done to it," a police official told PTI. The suspects, who were likely from nearby Kiyawali village, were being tracked down, the official said, adding that security has been beefed up in the village. "The law and order situation is normal. We are here as a cautionary measure while the suspects are being tracked down," the official said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A group of students in Maharashtra has threatened to launch an agitation over the Bombay High Court's ruling that the 16 per cent quota offered to Marathas will not be applicable on admissions to post-graduate medical courses this year. Around 250 students have been affected by the ruling given by the Nagpur bench of the Bombay last week, Suyash Patil, who recently took admission in a Pune-based medical college, claimed on Tuesday. The state has filed a petition against the HC ruling in the Supreme Court, which is likely to hear the matter on Friday, a government official said. A representative of the students affected by the HC ruling said if the state government failed to resolve the matter, they would launch an agitation. The state government on March 8 wrote a letter to the Directorate of Medical Education and Research to incorporate the quota under the Socially and Economically Backward Classes (SEBC) category from the 2019 academic session in the PG medical courses. The Nagpur bench of the HC last week said the March 8 notification shall not be applicable to the admission process, which had started earlier. In view of the HC's order, some of the Maratha community students who could not get admission to the post- graduate medical courses approached the state government which subsequently moved the "We have decided to wait for the Supreme Court's ruling. If the state fails to come up with an amicable solution, we will organise a state-wide agitation," a representative of the affected students said. Since the Maratha students got admissions this year under the SEBC category, they did not think of applying for seats elsewhere or outside the state, Suyash Patil said. "But with this HC ruling, our admissions are likely to be cancelled and the time limit to seek admissions in other colleges is also over. We fear losing an entire year if the backs the HC ruling," he said. A group of affected students also met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday, requesting him to take steps to resolve the issue. On November 30, 2018, the Maharashtra legislature passed a bill proposing 16 per cent reservation for Marathas in government jobs and education under the SEBC category. A Delhi Police sub-inspector allegedly committed suicide on Tuesday by shooting himself with a service pistol in South West Delhi, police said. The deceased has been identified as SI Sanjeev Kumar, they said. Vasant Vihar police station was informed at 3.28 am regarding admission of Kumar at AIIMS Trauma Centre. "On reaching the hospital, the investigating officer found that the injured has sustained bullet injury. He succumbed during treatment," Deputy Commissioner of Police (southwest) Devender Arya said. Investigations revealed that the injured policeman of a specific location was present at his base and was sitting outside the PCR van on a chair, while other police personnel heard a gun shot, they checked and found his service pistol hanging with a cord and blood oozing out from his chest, the DCP said. His neck was down and he was found lying still on the chair. They informed the control room following which Kumar was taken to the hospital, where he succumbed during treatment, the officer added. A crime team was called at the spot and no foul play is suspected till now, the DCP said. Kumar was posted with the police control unit since last three-four years, police said. In another incident, a Delhi Police head constable allegedly committed suicide by shooting himself with his service pistol at the staff quarters in west Delhi's Hari Nagar area on Sunday night. The man, Satish Kumar, 50, was posted at the Vikaspuri police station. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Suppression of the In-House Inquiry Committee report giving clean chit to Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi on allegations of sexual harassment has dented the "prestige, credibility and integrity" of the judicial system, noted jurist Rakesh Dwivedi said on Tuesday. The senior lawyer, who had earlier advocated "impartial enquiry" into the allegations, made scathing observations on the inquiry proceedings and non-disclosure of the report saying "scrutiny by people is the hall mark of Justice". The CJI Monday got a clean chit from a three-member Inquiry Committee headed by Justice S A Bobde which found "no substance" in the allegations of a former woman employee of the apex court and further ruled that the report was not "liable to be made public". "It has been the trait of Monarchy, Imperialism, Dictatorships and Authoritarian Empires to shut out information and knowledge about what may supposedly impact them adversely so as to avoid scrutiny," Dwivedi told PTI. "Why has our Highest Judiciary relapsed into this Monarchical and Dictatorial Scheme of dispensing justice by seeking refuge behind the smokescreen of informal in house enquiry at a time when the credibility of the Institution is at stake," he said. The apex court should undergo 'Agni-Pariksha' and share the report with the public for larger interest of the judiciary, the noted jurist said. The CJI, the person complained against, would get to see the report but not the complainant, nor the nation, he quipped. "Please do not shirk collective responsibility. Judicial power vests there (full court). We look up for a responsible and democratic Judiciary. Please for God sake remove the blindfold from our eyes. Trust the people. People need Judiciary. They want its independence. They trust their judges. Do not betray their trust. You stand at the brink. Don't run away from the Agni-Pariksha. Disclose the report to the people," he said. He was critical of the argument that as the inquiry was "informal and in-house", the common public was "persona non grata" (unwelcome person). An attempt has been made since beginning to "shut out the inquiry," Dwivedi said. "Lets recall the Saturday emergent sitting of three judges with the CJI presiding to clear himself. Protests led to a panel of enquiry ratified by full court... The lady was denied lawyers assistance despite heavy atmosphere of deposing before three judges against their own senior most. This was difficult to understand...," he said. Citing example, he said Judge Kavanaugh was examined by the US Senate in the process of appointment and the process "instilled confidence in the judicial System" and institutional integrity and credibility was preserved. "Contrarily, panel enquiry and suppression of report from 'us the people' has dented the prestige, credibility and integrity of the Judicial system. Justice has become cloistered, emasculated and we have been blindfolded. Monarchical Justice this is," Dwivedi said. "Don't carve out norms and procedures which stultify the course of justice and scrutiny. Scrutiny is intrinsic to democracy. By shutting out fair participatory enquiry you are pushing people who yet not believe the charge against the CJI to entertain a doubt if their disbelief was incorrect," he said. He said that of the full court must give a close look to the report of the panel "in the absence of the CJI". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A suspected member of the banned Islamist extremist group National Thawheed Jamath (NTJ) was on Tuesday remanded further till May 21 by a Sri Lankan court, according to a media report. The Western Province Intelligence Division of the police had arrested the suspect, identified as Mohamed Farook Mohamed Fawaz, at Keselwatte on suspicion of having links with the NTJ, which is blamed for the deadly Easter suicide attacks that killed more than 250 people, the Daily Mirror reported. Fawaz was produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate Court in relation to a search carried out in a shoe shop in Gampola. The police told the court that during the raid they discovered a hard disk in which a photograph of Fawaz posing with two suicide bombers - who hailed from Gampola - was found. They also seized 67 stickers of the NTJ, pen drives and mobile phones. Following the arrest of the suspect, the police had recovered the device suspecting it to be one used in the bomb blasts carried out island wide. The court remanded him further till May 21. The suspect has been a resident of Keselwatte for nine years. Nine suicide bombers carried out a series of devastating blasts that tore through three churches and three luxury hotels on the Easter Sunday. The ISIS claimed the attacks, but the government blamed local Islamist extremist group NTJ for the bombings. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 15-year-old boy allegedly died due to sunstroke here Tuesday while playing, police said. The boy, hailing from Pollachi, had come to his grandfather's house at Chettipalayam for vacation. The boy, who was playing in front of the house, suddenly swooned and fell down. His grandfather and neighhbours immediately rushed him to the government hospital, where he was declared brought dead, police said. Investigations are on to ascertain the reason for the death, they added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh Tuesday said terrorism in the country is now limited only to Kashmir due to strong actions taken by the Narendra Modi government. The international community also recognised India under the Modi government as a "super-power" after the air strike at Balakot in Pakistan, Singh said in an election rally in Dhanbad. "The Narendra Modi government has taken some strong actions due to which terrorism has now been limited only to Kashmir. Earlier, it used to prevail across the country," the senior BJP leader asserted. The central government is ready to resolve the problem from Kashmir also, Singh said. "The world has recognized India as a super power after the air strike following (the) Pulwama (incident)," the minister said. He was referring to the air strike at Balakot in Pakistan on February 26 after the Pulwama terror attack in Kashmir that left over 40 CRPF jawans dead on February 14. Price rise used to be the main election issue till 2014 but it is not an agenda now, he said adding that the Modi government has been able to keep price hike under check. In another election meeting earlier at Godda, Singh said India will become the third largest economy in the world in the next five years. The Union minister claimed that the central government has provided pucca dwellings to 1.3 crore people in the country in the last four years. The BJP government has elevated 7.5 crore families from below poverty line during its tenure and in the next five to seven years, there would not be a single BPL family, Singh said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) By threatening to raise taxes on Chinese imports, President Donald Trump is throwing down a challenge to Beijing: Agree to sweeping changes in China's government-dominated economic model or suffer the consequences. The unexpected ultimatum, delivered via tweets on Sunday and Monday, shook up financial markets that had expected the world's two biggest economies to resolve a year-long standoff over trade, perhaps by the end of the week. "It's a significant change in the president's tone," said Timothy Keeler, a partner at the law firm Mayer Brown and former chief of staff for the US Trade Representative. "It certainly increases the possibility that you'll have no deal." For weeks, Trump administration officials had been suggesting that the US and Chinese negotiators were making steady progress. A Chinese delegation is due to resume talks Wednesday in Washington. Suddenly on Sunday, Trump said he had lost patience: "The Trade Deal with China continues, but too slowly, as they attempt to renegotiate. No!" he tweeted. For 10 months, China has been paying Tariffs to the USA of 25% on 50 Billion Dollars of High Tech, and 10% on 200 Billion Dollars of other goods. These payments are partially responsible for our great economic results. The 10% will go up to 25% on Friday. 325 Billions Dollars.... Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 5, 2019 The president vowed to raise tariffs on $200 billion in Chinese imports from 10 per cent to 25 per cent on Friday. And he said he planned "shortly" to slap 25 per cent tariffs on another $325 billion in Chinese products, covering everything China ships to the United States. Michael Pillsbury, director of the Hudson Institute's Center on Chinese Strategy and an adviser to the Trump White House, said the president's tweets suggest frustration that Chinese leaders "are trying to take back concessions they already made." The United States has been losing, for many years, 600 to 800 Billion Dollars a year on Trade. With China we lose 500 Billion Dollars. Sorry, were not going to be doing that anymore! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 6, 2019 The two countries are engaged in high-stakes commercial combat over China's aggressive push to establish Chinese companies as world leaders in cutting-edge fields such as robotics and electric vehicles. The United States accuses Beijing of predatory practices, including hacking into US companies' computers to steal trade secrets, forcing foreign firms to hand over technology in exchange for access to the Chinese market and unfairly subsidising Chinese firms at the expense of foreign competitors. The Trump administration has imposed 10 per cent tariffs on $200 billion in Chinese imports and 25 per cent tariffs on another $50 billion. The Chinese have retaliated by targeting $110 billion in US imports. Global stock markets sank Monday on Trump's tweetstorm. But shares in the United States regained some of the lost ground on news that Chinese officials were planning to go ahead with this week's meetings in Washington. Still, the Chinese government did not provide details on exactly when talks would resume and who would be on China's negotiating team. The lack of details suggested that Beijing is wrestling with an internal conflict: It is eager to end a trade fight that has battered Chinese exporters, but it doesn't want to look like it's bowing to the Trump administration's demands for far-reaching concessions. ALSO READ: When Trump shattered calm in global markets with tariff tweets Trump's threat makes going ahead with talks "very difficult politically" for President Xi Jinping's government, said Jake Parker, vice president of the US-China Business Council. He said the Chinese public might "view this as a capitulation" if Beijing reached an agreement before Trump's Friday deadline. The conflict is testing how far Beijing is willing to go in changing a state-led economic model it sees as the path to prosperity and global influence and how much power Washington will have to enforce any agreement. Beijing is willing to change industrial plans that provoke foreign opposition but wants to preserve the ruling Communist Party's dominant role in directing economic development, said Willy Lam, a politics specialist at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Chinese officials have said they are willing to let foreign companies participate in plans that call for government-led creation of global competitors in robotics and other technologies. For 10 months, China has been paying Tariffs to the USA of 25% on 50 Billion Dollars of High Tech, and 10% on 200 Billion Dollars of other goods. These payments are partially responsible for our great economic results. The 10% will go up to 25% on Friday. 325 Billions Dollars.... Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 5, 2019 But they have yet to release details, and it is unclear whether the concessions will satisfy Trump. Xi is "adamant about party-state control over major sectors of the economy," Lam said. "If they give this up, then China in effect ceases to be a socialist country." Beijing agreed early on to narrow its trade surplus with the United States a staggering $379 billion last year by purchasing more American soybeans, natural gas and other exports. At the same time, Xi's government has announced a steady drumbeat of promises to open markets in businesses that include auto manufacturing and banking. But none of the moves directly addresses American complaints. The negotiators are also looking for a way to hold Beijing to any commitments it makes. The Trump administration wants to keep tariffs on Chinese imports to maintain leverage over Beijing. "Trump wants a certain amount of tariffs to remain in place just in case the Chinese don't honour their promises," Lam said. The Chinese are also skittish about allowing Washington to dictate changes to industrial policy and subsidies, said Raoul Leering, a trade specialist for Dutch bank ING. They see that as "having another country decide your economic policy." Trump also seems to be calculating that Xi needs a deal more than he does. The Chinese is decelerating. "Trump believes he can bully the Chinese," Lam said. "Trump realises the Chinese is facing a rough patch, and Xi Jinping is under pressure from his own people." But Trump also has an incentive to reach a deal. The is creating uncertainty for businesses trying to decide where to buy supplies, locate factories and make investments. And it's been weighing on a strong US stock market, which the president likes to tout as evidence that his economic policies are working. Replying to a notice sent by the Delhi poll panel, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia Tuesday said he had no hesitation in accepting that he was trying to convince people to vote for education and health instead of Mandir-Masjid ( of religion). Sisodia was issued a notice by the Delhi chief electoral officer following a complaint by the BJP which alleged that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) used public funds for issuing letters seeking votes by highlighting achievements of the government. "However, as far as the complaint of Bharatiya Janata Party leader is concerned, I would like to say that this is nothing but expression of their frustration. The letters have been written by me to individuals in my personal capacity. No public fund has been used in sending the letters," he said in his reply. The minister also urged the BJP not to indulge in "petty politics" and try to seek votes on the basis of work "if they have done any". He said the Election Commission should "also encourage political parties to seek votes on the issues like education, health, water, electricity, jobs, etc. and discourage parties who are seeking votes in the name of hate". Citing that the pass percentage of Delhi government schools in class 12 has increased and crossed 94 per cent, which is a record in the history of national capital, Sisodia said not only education but the infrastructure of schools and several other things have undergone drastic change. "It's a matter of pride for me to be the Education Minister of Delhi and I have no hesitation to accept that I am trying to convince people of Delhi to vote on the issues of education, health, etc. instead of issues of Mandir-Masjid and other fictitious issues being raised by BJP and its leader Sh. Narender Modiji," he said in the reply. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday welcomed a controversial order to re-run the recent Istanbul election after complaints of corruption as the "best step" for the country. "We see this decision as the best step that will strengthen our will to solve problems within the framework of democracy and law," Erdogan told a meeting of his party members in parliament. Erdogan's comments come a day after the top election body cancelled the March 31 vote that handed opposition candidate Ekrem Imamoglu a narrow lead over Erdogan's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). The AKP has refused to accept defeat, citing "irregularities and corruption" in the vote. Erdogan on Tuesday talked of "organised crime" and "serious corruption" during the vote. "The documents we have presented are quite solid and based on concrete evidence which cannot be disputed," he said. "We sincerely believe there was organised corruption and irregularities." He said that if his government did not bring to account the "thieves" who stole the "national will" at the ballot box, "our people will demand an explanation from us". With 16 million residents, Istanbul is Turkey's economic engine and controls a major chunk of public spending. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An Indian police officer deployed to the UN mission in Congo and a consultant with the UN development programme killed in the Ethiopian Airlines plane crash are among 115 UN peacekeepers and staff honoured by the global organisation for their sacrifice in the line of duty. Police Officer Jitender Kumar serving in the UN Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) and Shikha Garg, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) consultant attached with India's Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, along with 113 UN personnel and staff, lost their lives in the service of peace between January 2018 and March 2019. Garg was among four Indians who died when the Nairobi-bound Ethiopian Airlines plane crashed after taking off from Addis Ababa in March this year. She was on her way to attend a United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) meeting in Nairobi. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, President of the General Assembly Maria Fernanda Espinosa, President of the Security Council, Indonesian Ambassador to the UN Dian Triansyah Djani and Under-Secretary-General for Operational Support Atul Khare along with top UN officials and Peacekeeping personnel paid tribute to those who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty at the solemn ceremony Monday. Names of all the 115 UN personnel and staff members, 103 of them African peacekeepers, were read out during the service, which was attended by diplomats and family members of the fallen. Guterres said that it was a "sad reminder of the often-perilous nature of our work" but also "testament to the commitment of the thousands of women and men from around the globe who are prepared to risk all to promote peace and provide assistance to some of the world's most vulnerable and needy people. The UN chief lit a candle in honour of the 115 colleagues from 43 different nations. Espinosa expressed her profound respect and admiration for their dedication, passion and commitment to humanity. She said that their ultimate sacrifice will never be forgotten. Guterres noted that most of the fallen came from the UN peacekeeping family, "which faces increasingly complex and deadly challenges," and the vast majority hailed from African nations, who have donned the 'blue helmet' to service in some of the most dangerous environments in the world. The commitment and sacrifice of African peacekeepers is "a stark testament to the commitment and sacrifices of our African partners to our joint endeavours toward global peace and security," he said. He also noted the tragic loss of 21 colleagues who died in the Ethiopian air crash in March, and 19 civilians from agencies, funds and programmes. Our deepest condolences go to all their families and loved ones, many of whom are present here today with us. People from 35 countries were on board flight ET 302 when the Boeing 737 max plane crashed into a field 60 kilometres southeast of Addis Ababa. After a moment of silence, Guterres said the UN was working hard to mitigate the risks that colleagues face and promoting "better individual preparedness for crises" and providing "enhanced medical and psychological support." "We are working to speedily settle claims and we are providing more comprehensive counselling, care and assistance to survivors and families," he said. "But I am aware that there is always more we can do, and I am committed to ensuring our Organization reviews and constantly improves our practices related to the safety and care of staff." The UN chief said he was particularly outraged when our humanitarian and peacekeeping colleagues are directly targeted, adding that it was essential that we demand justice and accountability for what, in many instances, constitute war crimes. He called on the world organisation to honour the memory of the fallen, by rededicating ourselves to the noble cause of promoting peace, prosperity and opportunity for every woman, man and child on the planet. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Two men suspected of involvement in the murder of two UN experts investigating mass killings in the Democratic Republic of Congo escaped from prison overnight, a defence lawyer said Tuesday. The pair, Evariste Ilunga Lumu and Tshiaba Kanowa, fled the central prison in Kananga, in central DRC, Lumu's lawyer Tresor Kabangu told AFP. He was informed of their disappearance by the military prosecutor's office. At dawn on Tuesday, heavy gunfire could be heard from the vicinity of the prison in Kasai-Central province. An AFP correspondent reported that by morning, the situation at the prison was tense with inmates in the yard threatening to attack anyone who ventures inside. Military and police officials were at the scene, awaiting reinforcements to enter the prison and do a headcount to determine how many have escaped. The experts -- Zaida Catalan, a 36-year-old Swedish-Chilean national, and American Michael Sharp, 34 -- were in Kasai on behalf of the UN Security Council to investigate mass graves associated with a rebellion. They were abducted and killed on March 12, 2017. Kinshasa initially blamed the murders on members of the Kamwina Nsapu (Black Ant) militia, who embarked upon a campaign of armed violence after troops killed their leader in August 2016. In 2017, a UN panel concluded that the pair was likely killed during a random ambush by members of a militia group, while refusing to rule out involvement of the authorities. But an investigation by Radio France Internationale (RFI) and Reuters the same year implicated three state agents in the organisation of the attack. Fourteen people, including Lumu and Kanowa, are being investigated. Last Thursday, the military tribunal handling the trial set a May 16 date for the next hearing. Lumu had admitted in court to participating in the killing and said he had mutilated one of the victims. Four of the Kasai region's five provinces were the scenes of deadly unrest between September 2016 and October 2017 as government forces clashed with the Kamwina Nsapu tribal militia. The fighting cost 3,000 lives, according to UN estimates. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An Indian owner of a Malayalam television station in the UAE and its finance head allegedly fled the country without paying the staff their dues, after they struggled to keep the venture afloat amid mounting losses, according to a media report on Tuesday. Channel D was launched about two years ago and it operated from its boutique studio in Jumeirah in the UAE. The channel also had a unit in Kochi, Kerala. The owner and the finance head fled the UAE without paying several months of outstanding salary, the Gulf reported. "We had not been paid for months but in the hope of a turnaround the dozen odd staffers lumbered on. Nobody expected the end to come so soon," an unnamed senior staff of the channel was quoted as saying by the Gulf The TV station's office in Jumeirah remains shut but the channel is still on air. "They are running repeats of old shows. But even that is likely to stop when their contract with Etisalat expires this month end," he said. A cameraman, who claims the company owes him seven months salary in arrears, said he was repeatedly assured that their dues would be settled. "We were told that a new investor has come on board and that he will take care of all our liabilities. We believed them. But now it appears that the company never had any intention to pay us," he said. Another staffer said that the employees' fingerprint door access control was deactivated in March while telephone lines were disconnected a month earlier. "These were obvious red flags but we didn't suspect anything amiss because we trusted the owner," said another staffer. The Channel has shut its Kochi unit also, the report said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The US has indicated that it may take final decision on withdrawal of incentives to Indian exporters under its Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) programme only after formation of the new government here, sources said. In March, the US Trade Representative's Office has said that removing India from the GSP programme would not take effect for at least 60 days after notifications to Congress and the Indian government, and it will be enacted by a presidential proclamation. The sources said in a meeting, the US has signalled that they would like to wait on the GSP issue till the new government assumes office in India. Although India has stated that withdrawal of these duty benefits under GSP will not impact its exports to the US, small exporters have asked for continuation of the programme. A group of 25 influential American lawmakers has urged the US Trade Representative not to terminate the GSP programme with India after the expiry of the 60-day notice, saying the country's companies seeking to expand their exports to India could be affected. The seven-phase general elections in India will complete on may 19 and the counting of votes will take place on May 23. India has said that the GSP benefits were only about USD 190 million annually. The country exported goods worth USD 5.6 billion under GSP last year. The GSP benefits are envisaged as non-reciprocal and non-discriminatory to be extended by developed countries to developing economies. US President Donald Trump has said he intends to end the preferential trade status granted to India and Turkey, asserting that New Delhi has failed to assure America of "equitable and reasonable" access to its markets, an announcement that could be seen as a major setback to bilateral trade ties. In April 2018, the US initiated a review of the GSP benefits on account of representations by dairy and medical industries. As many as 3,700 products get GSP benefits but India exports only 1,900 items such as chemicals and engineering under that concession, which was introduced in 1976 by the US. During a meeting between visiting US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and Commerce Minister Suresh Prabhu Monday, both the countries discussed various issues, including India's draft e-commerce policy, data localisation, tight visa regime in the US, high import duties imposed by America on steel and aluminium. The other matters which were discussed between the leaders include US concerns on medical devices, personal data protection bill of India, RBI's public credit registry, data localisation for payment companies, visa issue, airport ground handling operations by US Airlines, IPR and airline passenger safety system/data. In this meeting, Indian side has agreed to look into the issues of medical devices sector. Further, the US companies have raised concerns over India's draft e-commerce policy and issues related with mandatory data localisation requirements. Bilateral trade in goods and services has registered a 12.6 per cent rise to USD 142 billion in 2018, compared to USD 126 billion in 2017. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The United States Monday said it supports British sovereignty over the strategically important islands in the Indian Ocean, including Diego Garcia, and supported bilateral resolution of the dispute between United Kingdom and Mauritius. In a statement, the US State Department said it opposed a resolution of the dispute through the Court of Justice as it would set a wrong precedent. The United States supports the United Kingdom's continued sovereignty over the British Territory (BIOT) and the April 30 statement of the UK government, State Department Spokesperson Morgan Ortagus said. "The joint US-UK military base on Diego Garcia plays a critical role in the maintenance of regional and global peace and security," she said. Ortagus said the United States views the BIOT issue as a purely bilateral dispute between the UK and Mauritius, which can and should be addressed through efforts by both parties. The United States remains concerned about the precedent the Court of Justice (ICJ) could set for all UN member states. UN General Assembly advisory opinion requests should not be used to litigate bilateral disputes, particularly when a state directly involved has not consented to the jurisdiction of the ICJ, she said. The is proposing a hike in the application fee to increase funding for the expansion of an apprentice programme, which trains American youths in related activities, Labour Secretary Alexander Acosta told US lawmakers. Testifying before a Congressional committee on annual budget of the Department of Labour for the fiscal year 2020 beginning October 1, 2019, Acosta, however, did not give details of the proposed increase in H-1B filing fee and as to which categories of applicants it would be enforced on. But given past experience, the Indian IT companies, which account for a large number of H-1B applications, are likely to face the additional financial burden because of this proposed increase in H-1B filing fees. The is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. The companies depend on it to hire tens of thousands of employees each year from countries like and China Arguing that foreigners hurt American workers by competing for jobs and driving down wages, the has tighten the noose around the programme. The Seattle Times on Monday reported that last year immigration officials denied nearly one out of every four requests for new visas for skilled foreign workers. In FY 2020, the Department's budget includes $160 million to continue our expansion of apprenticeship programmes, along with a proposal to increase H-1B fee revenues to fund additional apprenticeship activities, Acosta said in his testimony on May 2 before the Senate Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Labour, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies. Acosta told lawmakers that last year the Department of Labour had launched the first-ever sector-based apprenticeship grant funding opportunity to invest USD 150 million to expand apprenticeships in those in-demand industry sectors most often filled by individuals on H-1B visas, such as information technology, health care and advanced This grant funding opportunity introduced an innovative approach: a 35 percent private-sector match requirement. This brings the total investment to USD 202.5 million, USD 57.7 million coming from the private sector, he said. "As a result of this private sector match requirement, educators have a greater incentive to join with industry to ensure curricula address the needs of our ever-changing workplace, investing in the latest technologies and techniques, and providing more in-demand opportunities for Americans, Acosta said. On July 18 last year, the Department of Labour had announced USD 150 million in H-1B funds to support sector-based approaches to expanding apprenticeships on a national scale in key industry sectors. The focus is on industries reliant on H-1B visas. It aims at expanding apprenticeships and increase the level of apprenticeship activity among a range of new employers within these industries, particularly small- and medium-sized businesses. Acosta also told lawmakers that the Labour Department has also made changes to the H-1B application forms to ensure greater transparency and better protect American workers from employers seeking to misuse the programme. In fiscal 2018, the Department concluded 649 non-immigrant visa programme cases and found violations in 553 of those cases. In a story, Breitbart said that every year, more than 100,000 foreign workers are brought to the US on the H-1B visa and are allowed to stay for up to six years. There are about 650,000 H-1B visa foreign workers in the US at any given moment, it added. "Let's put our citizens first and protect US workers and wages. Hard-working and highly-skilled American men and women share their stories about H-1B visa fraud and abuse, Congressman Paul Gosar said. (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 US plans to hike the H-1B visa application fee to increase funding for the expansion of an apprentice programme, Labour Secretary Alexander Acosta has told American lawmakers, a move that would impose additional financial burden on Indian IT companies. Testifying before a Congressional committee on the annual budget of the Department of for the fiscal year 2020 beginning October 1, 2019, he said that the Labour Department has also made changes to the H-1B application forms to ensure greater transparency and better protect American workers from employers seeking to misuse the programme. Acosta, however, did not give details of the proposed increase in the H-1B filing fee and the categories of applicants it would be enforced on. But given past experience, the Indian IT companies, which account for a large number of H-1B applications, are likely to face the additional financial burden because of this proposed increase in H-1B filing fees. The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. The technology companies depend on it to hire tens of thousands of employees each year from countries like India and China. Arguing that foreigners hurt American workers by competing for jobs and driving down wages, the Trump administration has tightened the noose around the H-1B visa programme. In his testimony on May 2, Acosta said, "In FY 2020, the Department's budget includes USD 160 million to continue our expansion of apprenticeship programmes, along with a proposal to increase H-1B fee revenues to fund additional apprenticeship activities." The apprentice programme trains American youths in technology related activities. Acosta told lawmakers that last year the Department of Labour had launched the first-ever sector-based apprenticeship grant funding opportunity to invest USD 150 million to expand apprenticeships in those in-demand industry sectors most often filled by individuals on H-1B visas, such as information technology, health care and advanced manufacturing. This grant funding opportunity introduced an innovative approach: a 35 per cent private-sector match requirement. This brings the total investment to USD 202.5 million, USD 57.7 million coming from the private sector, he said. "As a result of this private sector match requirement, educators have a greater incentive to join with industry to ensure curricula address the needs of our ever-changing workplace, investing in the latest technologies and techniques, and providing more in-demand opportunities for Americans, Acosta said. On July 18 last year, the Department of Labour announced USD 150 million in H-1B funds to support sector-based approaches to expanding apprenticeships on a national scale in key industry sectors. The focus is on industries reliant on H-1B visas. It aims at expanding apprenticeships and increase the level of apprenticeship activity among a range of new employers within these industries, particularly small- and medium-sized businesses. The Seattle Times on Monday reported that last year immigration officials denied nearly one out of every four requests for new visas for skilled foreign workers. In fiscal 2018, the Department of Labour concluded 649 non-immigrant visa programme cases and found violations in 553 of those cases. In a story, Breitbart News, a far-right website, said that every year, more than 100,000 foreign workers are brought to the US on the H-1B visa and are allowed to stay for up to six years. There are about 650,000 H-1B visa foreign workers in the US at any given moment, it added. "Let's put our citizens first and protect US workers and wages. Hard-working and highly-skilled American men and women share their stories about H-1B visa fraud and abuse," Republican Congressman from Arizona Paul Gosar said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Metals and mining giant Vedanta Ltd Tuesday reported a 33.8 per cent decline in consolidated net profit to Rs 2,615 crore for the March 2018 quarter, on the back of lower income. It had posted a consolidated net profit of Rs 3,956 crore in the corresponding quarter of FY'18, the company said in a filing to the BSE. The net profit is "after taxes, non-controlling interests and share in profit of jointly-controlled entities and associates but before exceptional items." The company's consolidated income declined by 12 per cent to Rs 25,096 crore in the quarter, over Rs 28,547 crore in the year-ago period. "The figures of the last quarter are the balancing figures between audited figures for the full financial year and unaudited year-to-date figures up to the third quarter of the respective financial year," the company said. The company's consolidated total expenses declined to Rs 20,992 crore, from Rs 22,824 crore a year ago. Vedanta Ltd Chairman Navin Agarwal said, "FY2019 was a year of production ramp-up alongside robust financials and delivering repeated and industry leading returns to our shareholders." He said the acquisition of Electrosteel Steels Ltd as well as its successful turnaround, and the commencement of the long-awaited Gamsberg project represent significant additions to the company's operating business portfolio. Vedanta Chief Executive Officer Srinivasan Venkatakrishnan said, "We continue to consolidate our position as one of the largest diversified natural resource businesses in the world by having excellent talent operate our long-life, high-growth, low-cost assets with a hunger for technology and modernisation." He said the current financial year will be an exciting year of growth in the company's key businesses - zinc-lead-silver, oil and gas and aluminium. Talking about the operational highlights of 2018-19, Vedanta Ltd said that at Zinc India, the mined metal production from underground mines was up 29 per cent Y-o-Y. The "record aluminium production at ...2 MT, up 17 per cent y-o-y," it said. There was a continued engagement with the government for resumption of Goa mining operations, the company said. The production of saleable ore in Karnataka was 4.1 million tonne (MT), up 89 per cent y-o-y. The company's gross debt was Rs 66,225 crore on March 31, 2019, an increase of Rs 8,066 crore y-o-y. This, it said, was mainly due to the acquisition of ESL and temporary borrowing at Zinc India. "Net debt was at Rs 26,956 crore on 31st March 2019, higher by Rs 4,998 crore y-o-y, primarily due acquisition of ESL, it said. Vedanta Ltd, a subsidiary of Vedanta Resources Ltd, is one of the world's leading diversified natural resource companies with business operations in India, South Africa, Namibia and Australia. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Editors Guild has condemned several incidents of physical attack on journalists in West Bengal during the fifth phase of polling and urged the Election Commission to take action against those who indulged in such acts. Physical attacks against journalists are always reprehensible, but particularly so during elections as they undermine fair media scrutiny of an election, the Guild said in a statement. The Editors Guild said it condemns several incidents of physical attack on journalists in West Bengal on May 6, during the fifth phase of polling. Journalists belonging to different media organisations including NewsX, ABP Ananda and Zee were attacked, allegedly by workers of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), the statement said. The Guild urges the EC to initiate necessary action against those who indulged in physical violence against journalists and asks the TMC-led West Bengal government to ensure law and order in the state so that journalists are not attacked by political parties and they can perform their professional duties safely, it said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Delhi University professors got into a war of words over Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks about late Rajiv Gandhi, with one section condemning the comments and another supporting him. As many as 207 DU teachers issued a statement on Monday night against Modi for making "derogatory and untrue" remarks about former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi. It was followed a statement by 121 teachers on Tuesday in favour of Modi and accusing Gandhi of "corruption". The statements from the two sections came after Modi had targeted Congress president Rahul Gandhi on the Rafale issue in a rally on Saturday, where he said: "Your father was termed 'Mr Clean' by his courtiers, but his life ended as corrupt number 1." "Narendra Modi has lowered the dignity of the office of the prime minister by making derogatory and untrue remarks about the late Rajivji, who made the supreme sacrifice in the service of the nation," the signed statement read. No prime minister has ever "stooped" to this level through such actions as has Modi. The nation acknowledges the achievements of the former prime minister, they said. The statement had references to the role of the Bofors gun in the 1999 Kargil conflict and the telecom revolution. "When India beat back the invaders from Kargil, our soldiers shouted slogans praising Rajiv Gandhi for the Bofors gun even though Rajivji had been martyred a decade ago," the statement read. "If our IT companies earn each year billions of dollars in foreign revenue, it is because of the farsighted wisdom of Rajivji. If India is connected as a nation through the advances in the telecom sector it is because of the policies and actions of Rajivji," it said. According to the statement, if train travel is so much more convenient today, it is because of Rajiv Gandhi's acumen in computerising rail reservation. "History records the deeds of the good and the noble, but rarely does it pay attention to the carping of lesser individuals," it added. The statement was also signed by former Delhi University Teachers' Association (DUTA) president Aditya Narayan Misra, two DU executive council members, three academic council members, the DUTA vice-president and joint secretary, and a member of the varsity's finance committee. A media report claimed that two teachers did not sign the letter, but they did not respond to messages and calls. Another section of the teachers fully supported Modi "for bringing into public attention the regime of corruption in big defence deals started during Rajiv Gandhi's tenure". "(The) Bofors deal became a symbol of official corruption; it initiated a trend which had consistently been followed by Congress-led governments. Scandals like 2G, Coalgate, CWG, and now Scorpene Submarine scandal directly involving Rahul Gandhi are all the natural corollaries of Bofors tradition," the statement read. "The subsequent remote-controlled Manmohan Singh's UPA government even defroze the accounts of Gandhi's family friend swindler Ottavio Quattrocchi," they said. They accused Rajiv Gandhi of beginning his term as prime minister "by justifying wanton murder of thousands of Sikhs in 1984 -- an officially sponsored pogrom". "Rajiv Gandhi as PM was responsible for letting Warren Anderson Chairman of Union Carbide escape justice in the Bhopal Tragedy episode. "His company was responsible for the death of thousands of poor Bhopal residents -- most died instantaneously and thousands later owing cancer and other diseases caused by poisonous gas leaks. PM Modi has rightly pointed the darker side of Rajiv Gandhi. He can't escape historical critique," they said. The statement by some DU teachers wants everyone not to point out any finger at Rajiv Gandhi, whereas they refer to the Modi in the most foul language on a daily basis, it read "The fact that Sh. Rajiv Gandhi was awarded a Bharat Ratna- Jawaharlal Nehru and all his PM progenies had been so awarded- cannot prevent future analysts to critique his contribution to organised corruption and Congress supported genocide of Sikhs in 1984," the statement added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The convoy of West Bengal BJP chief and Assam Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma was attacked in East Midnapore district's Khejuri Tuesday evening, police said. While the BJP held the Trinamool Congress responsible for the incident, the ruling party in West Bengal rubbished the allegation claiming the attack could have been perpetrated by "CPI(M)-sheltered anti-socials". Superintendent of Police V Solomon Nesakumar told PTI that neither Ghosh nor Sarma was injured but two vehicles were damaged because of stones thrown at the convoy. No official complaint was lodged but four people were detained in connection with the incident, he said. The incident occurred around 6.30 pm when the two BJP leaders were on their way to Khejuri under Kanthi Lok Sabha constituency to canvass for party candidate Debasish Samanta. "Ghosh was in Nandigram. He and Sarma were on their way to Khejuri when the attack happened. We have detained four people and investigating the incident," Solomon said. After the incident, the BJP West Bengal chief said, "The attack on us shows clearly that there is no law and order and democracy in the state." Sarma tweeted, "TMC goons have blocked the roads on both sides, even as West Bengal Police personnel standing like mute spectator. I am appalled at such brazen abuse of power by Mamata Banerjee whose people have thrown all democratic norms to gutter. Is this the new India that we dream of?" When contacted, West Bengal Minister and Trinamool Congress leader Firhad Hakim rubbished the allegation. "Our party workers are quite disciplined and they have no role in this... It could be by anti-socials given shelter by the CPI(M)," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh Tuesday said he would make everyone including former chief minister Parkash Singh Badal pay for their "crimes", alleging that desecration of religious scriptures during SAD-BJP regime were "deliberately triggered to divide votes on communal lines". The chief minister said IG Kunwar Vijay Pratap was transferred by the Election Commission "under pressure" of the Badals, exerted through the Union government, would be brought back in the Special Investigation Team. The Punjab government had formed the SIT to probe the 2015 sacrilege and police firing incidents at Kotkapura and Behbal Kalan. "If Parkash Singh Badal is found guilty, he will go behind bars," said the CM at an election rally at Dana Mandi here in support of Congress candidate Jasbir Singh Dimpa. "How long do you think you can save yourself from the consequences of your actions," he asked the Akali supremo. He also pointed out that there had not been a single case of sacrilege under the Congress government. Amarinder Singh sought votes for the Congress to protect the nation from the divisive BJP and their allies such as SAD, and also to safeguard India from the security threats at the border. Citing the "total devastation" of Punjab during the SAD-BJP rule, he called on the people to strengthen the Congress and let the Badals know where Sikhs and Punjab stands today. The whole of Punjab wants to get rid of the Badals and the only way to do it in a democracy is to vote them out, he said, adding that he would personally go to Ferozepur and Bathinda to turn the tide against Sukhbir and Harsimrat Badal. Lashing out at the "misuse" of SGPC and Akal Takht (highest temporal seat of Sikhs) by the Badals for "political gains", Amarinder Singh stressed on the need to send all 13 Congress MPs to Parliament to ensure that the SGPC elections, now due, are conducted without delay. He reiterated that he would support anyone who can help take SGPC out of the control of the Akalis. Attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "divisive politics", Amarinder warned that he would ruin the country completely if allowed to get a second term as the prime minister. India is facing threats from all sides, but Modi can only think in terms of "my fauj" (army), Amarinder Singh said, adding that the armed forces did not belong to the PM but were India's pride. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prosecutors say a Connecticut woman who was imprisoned for mailing cookies laced with rat poison to Supreme Court justices and others has pleaded guilty to escaping from federal custody. Seventy-three-year-old Barbara March signed out of a halfway house in Washington, D.C., where she was completing her sentence in April 2018 and did not return as scheduled. She was arrested in Bridgeport in October. In October 2006 she was sentenced to 15 years in prison for sending the poisoned baked goods to judges, FBI officials and military leaders. Prosecutors say March pleaded guilty Friday to escaping from federal custody in federal court in Bridgeport. She faces a maximum prison term of five years. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Fifty-five protesters, mostly women lawyers and activists, were detained outside the Supreme Court here while they were agitating against the procedure adopted to deal with a sexual harassment case against Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi. Gogoi on Monday got a clean chit from the apex court's In-House Inquiry Committee which "has found no substance" in the allegations of sexual harassment levelled against him by a former woman employee of the Supreme Court. Carrying banners which read - "No clean chit", "Supremacy of Rule of law must be maintained", "Be you ever so high, the law is above you", several women lawyers and activists staged a protest outside the Supreme Court raising objection to the clean chit given to Gogoi. Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) Madhur Verma said, "There was heavy deployment of police around the area. Three men, including, fifty-two women protesters, were detained and taken to Mandir Marg police station," a senior police official said. The three-member committee, which completed its task in 14 days, proceeded ex-parte as the woman had opted out of the inquiry on April 30 after participating for three days. The complainant had on Monday said "gross injustice" has been done to her as a woman citizen of India and "worst fears" have come true, and all hope of justice and redress from the highest court of the land have been shattered. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Tuesday alleged that the writ of extortion syndicates having allegiance to the ruling Trinamool Congress run in every sphere of life in West Bengal and asserted that the BJP can only usher in a better life for its people. She said that the syndicates in West Bengal have gone to such extent that they tried to "extort money" from the family of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, from someone who is an MP of Banerjee's Trinamool Congress. Sitharaman said that members of a syndicate had demanded money from Jadavpur MP Sugata Bose when he was repairing his ancestral home in Bhowanipore area in south Kolkata, where Netaji had lived. "Seeing such situation, Sugata Bose decided to give up here and to go back to USA," she said. While announcing the name of Bengali film actress Mimi as TMC candidate from Jadavpur, the TMC supremo had said that Bose did not get permission to contest from Harvard University where he teaches. Sitharaman claimed that the syndicates have the last word in the state and they do not even care whether it is Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose or a member of Parliament from their own party. "There is no respect for anybody in the state and the writ of syndicates run in every sphere of life," she said, claiming that from construction of village roads to highways, everywhere the presence of extortionists is felt. She claimed that the Narendra Modi government at the Centre is providing several welfare schemes, but the people of the state have been deprived of these benefits by Mamata Banerjee. Sitharaman said that the Prime Minister has rushed to help victims of cyclone Fani in Odisha as he did during the Kerala floods "as it is his duty." She said that the West Bengal Chief Minister had refused to answer the Prime Minister's telephone call twice and that is why he had called state Governor K N Tripathi. Sitharaman said that Banerjee has asserted that she will speak to the new prime minister after the elections, but she should know that the next PM of the country will also be Narendra Modi. She claimed that the people of Bengal were deprived of assistance from the Centre, asking "whether Banerjee is the chief minister to serve the people of the state or to show her vanity." Claiming that 55,408 were killed in violence in West Bengal during the 34-year Communist rule from 1977 to 2011, Sitharaman said "Mamata didi is copying the violent rule of the communists."She claimed that neither TMC, nor the Communists have any place in West Bengal. Asserting that Modi is the only hope for giving the people of the state a better future, Sitharaman said that instead of ushering in parivartan (change) in the state, Banerjee is copying the communists. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Web Smiths recent experience at his local Apple store in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio, has been an exercise in frustration. There was the time he visited the Easton Town Center location to buy a laptop for his 11-year-old daughter and spent almost 20 minutes getting an employee to accept his credit card. In January, Smith was buying a monitor and kept asking store workers to check him out, but they couldnt because they were Apple Geniuses handling tech support and not sales. It took me forever to get someone to sell me the product, says ... Telecom major Bharti Airtel and Hughes Communications India Ltd (HCIL) on Tuesday announced the merger of their VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal) satellite communications operations in India. The companies, however, did not disclose the financial details of the transaction, which is subject to approvals by relevant authorities. According to the agreement, Hughes will have majority ownership in the combined entity and Sunil Mittal-led Airtel will have a significant shareholding. HCIL, a subsidiary of Hughes Network Systems, is one of the leading broadband satellite service operator in India. It provides a wide range of broadband networking technologies, solutions, and services for businesses and governments. "The combined entity will benefit from enhanced scale, improved operational efficiencies and wider market reach. It will be well positioned to leverage the demand for secure connectivity in a rapidly growing digital economy," Bharti Airtel said in a filing to the Bombay Stock Exchange. A very small aperture terminal (VSAT) is a satellite communications system which is used to provide telecom and internet access to individuals and enterprise users. It is widely used by banks and ATMs. The combined entity will introduce new VSAT and related technologies to deliver a wide range of quality products and service, while it will continue to serve its existing customers, Bharti Airtel said in the exchange filing. Also Read: Reliance Jio effect: Bharti Airtel FY19 profit halves to Rs 168.75 crore Commenting on the development, Ajay Chitkara, Director and CEO, Airtel Business said: "We are pleased to combine our VSAT operations with Hughes to serve the connectivity needs of Digital India. The partnership will bring amazing synergies to the forefront and combine the proven capabilities of both the companies. Customers can look forward to highly secure and reliable connectivity solutions across the length and breadth of India." "We are very excited about the synergies that this partnership will bring to the Indian ecosystem. These are exciting times for satellite broadband service providers as VSAT becomes more mainstream, driven by growing demand from both, enterprise and government segments", said Partho Banerjee, President and Managing Director, Hughes Communications India Ltd. The Bharti Airtel's board on Monday approved the composite scheme of arrangement between Bharti Airtel Services, a subsidiary of Bharti Airtel, and HCIL for transfer of the VSAT business by way of a slump sale. Meanwhile, Bharti Airtel share price were trading 3.10 per cent lower at Rs 323.05 apiece on the BSE after the telecom major reported 62.7 per cent year-on-year decline in its consolidated net profit at Rs 409.50 crore for the financial year 2018-19, dented by a continuing tariff war with Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Jio. Edited by Chitranjan Kumar Also Read: Coming soon: Big-ticket M&A in online grocery In a meeting on peace with Orthodox, Jewish, Protestant, Armenians, and Muslim clerics, Francis called for cooperation to achieve the human right of peace. Religious, political and cultural leaders must work together to this end in their own domain. Sofia (AsiaNews) Pope Francis took part in an open-air meeting on peace with Orthodox, Jewish, Protestant, Armenian, Muslim and Catholic representatives in central Sofia, at the site of the old Roman settlement of Serdika. In his address under a light rain, he said that making peace is a human right for which people, whatever their religion, political view or culture, must work together. Like in the meetings in Assisi, the pontiff and the representatives of other religions and traditions stood on a platform in the middle of which stood a candle with the papal log, an olive plant as the symbol of peace, and roses, symbol of Bulgaria. After reading the Canticle of the Creatures of Saint Francis and the recitation of Psalm 122, a candle and six torches were lit to symbolise the religious confessions present. After the prayers of each religious leader, the prayer of St Francis was recited, at the end of which Francis spoke of the common commitment to prayer. We have prayed for peace in words inspired by Saint Francis of Assisi, who was so greatly in love with God the Creator and Father of all. A love that he showed with similar passion and deep respect for the beauty of creation and for all those whom he encountered on his pilgrim way. That love also led Saint Francis to become a true peacemaker. Each of us is called to follow in his footsteps by becoming a peacemaker, an artisan of peace. Peace is both a gift and a task; it must be implored and worked for, received as a blessing and constantly sought as we strive daily to build a culture in which peace is respected as a fundamental right. An active peace, fortified against all those forms of selfishness and indifference that make us put the petty interests of a few before the inviolable dignity of each person. Peace requires and demands that we adopt dialogue as our path, mutual understanding as our code of conduct, and reciprocal understanding as our method and standard (cf. Document on Human Fraternity, Abu Dhabi, 4 February 2019). In this way, we can focus on what unites us, show mutual respect for our differences, and encourage one another to look to a future of opportunity and dignity, especially for future generations. This evening, we have gathered to pray before these lamps brought by our children. They symbolize the fire of love that burns within us and that is meant to become a beacon of mercy, love and peace wherever we find ourselves. A beacon that can cast light upon our entire world. With the fire of love, we can melt the icy chill of war and conflict. Our celebration of peace takes place on the ruins of ancient Serdika, here in Sofia, the heart of Bulgaria. From here, we can see the places of worship of the different Churches and religious Confessions: Saint Nedelya of our Orthodox brothers and sisters, Saint Joseph of us Catholics, the synagogue of our older brothers, the Jews, the mosque of our Muslim brothers and sisters and, closer to us, the Armenian church. For many centuries, the Bulgarians of Sofia belonging to different cultural and religious groups gathered in this place for meetings and discussions. May this symbolic place become a witness to peace. Tonight, our voices blend in expressing our ardent desire for peace. Let there be peace on earth: in our families, in our hearts, and above all in those places where so many voices have been silenced by war, stifled by indifference and ignored due to the powerful complicity of interest groups. May all work together to make this dream come true: religious, political and cultural leaders. May each of us, wherever we may be, in all that we do, be able to say: Make me an instrument of your peace. It is a plea that the dream of Pope Saint John XXIII will come true: the dream of an earth where peace is always at home. Let us share in that aspiration and, by the witness of our lives, let us say: Pacem in terris! Let there be peace on earth to all those whom the Lord loves. Piramal Enterprises Ltd on Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Canada's biggest public pension fund, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB), to co-sponsor a $600 million (Rs 4,163 crore) renewable energy-focused Infrastructure Investment Trust (InvIT). Ajay Piramal, Chairman of Piramal Group, in a public statement said: "We are pleased to partner with CPPIB on the launch of the first ever InvIT in India, focused on renewables." The InvIT would acquire up to 1.5-2GW of stable and cash generating renewables assets, the statement added. The Indian conglomerate said that initially CPPIB will provide $360 million and Piramal will contribute $90 million to the fund. The remaining amount will be raised from other investors. Both Piramal and CPPIB will hold up to 75% of the units. The Mumbai-based firm will own a 15 per cent stake in the trust, while Canada's pension fund will hold up to 60 per cent. Additionally, Piramal Enterprises would also act as the sole Project Manager and Investment Manager for the proposed InvIT. (Edited by Vivek Dubey) Also read: US to propose hike in H-1B application fee: Labour Secretary Also read: US-China trade tensions 'threat' to world economy, says IMF chief Christine Lagarde The enforcement agency for checking indirect tax evasion has asked Tata Sons to clear a goods and services tax (GST) bill of Rs 1,524 crore, reports said. The demand has been raised against the payment made to Japanese firm NTT DoCoMo in 2017. The Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI) has Tata Sons, the holding company of Tata Group, to pay 18 per cent GST on $1.17 billion paid to NTT Docomo in 2018, CNBC TV18 reported. Tata Sons had paid the amount to NTT Docomo in a three-year dispute which allowed the Japanese telecom major to exit its 26.5 per cent stake in the India telecom operator Tata Teleservices. The Mumbai unit of DGGI had booked a case in February 2019 following detailed inspection. The agency is in talks with Tata Sons over the matter. However, the report suggests that Tata Sons intend to contend the tax demand, and the agency will send a show cause notice in due time. ALSO READ: Ratan Tata invests an undisclosed amount in Ola Electric At the end of last month, the Directorate General of Anti Profiteering (DGAP) has found Tata Starbucks guilty of profiteering to the tune of Rs 4.51 crore by not reducing prices of coffee despite a cut in the rate. The agency revealed that Tata Starbucks, the equal joint venture between the Tata and global coffee chain Starbucks, had hiked the base price of one of its coffee variants after the GST Council slashed tax rates on restaurants from 18 per cent to 5 per cent with effect from November 15, 2017. This kept the retail sale price of the product post GST rate reduction intact same as before. This case will be now heard by the National Anti-Profiteering Authority (NAA), which will pass the final order about the quantum of profiteering. ALSO READ: GST investigation arm finds Tata Starbucks guilty of profiteering Rs 4.51 crore by not reducing coffee prices The Indian Army will induct additional 464 Russian-origin upgraded T-90 'Bhishma' main battle-tanks at a cost of Rs 13,448 crore. The acquisition will be done in the time period of 2022-2026 to support the tank's "shock and awe" capabilities on the western front. This comes at a time when Pakistan is also discussing a deal with Russia for acquiring nearly 360 such tanks. The order to produce the 464 T-90 tanks will soon be given to Avadi Heavy Vehicle Factory (HVF) which works under the Ordnance Factory Board. This comes after the cabinet committee on security cleared the license acquisition from Russia over a month ago, The Times of India quoted Defence Ministry sources as saying. The Indian Army already has 1,070 T-90 tanks as well as 124 'Arjun' and 2,400 older T-72 tanks in its 67 armoured regiments. After the first 657 T-90 tanks were imported from Russia for Rs 8,525 crore from 2001 onwards, additional 1,000 are being progressively licensed and produced by HVF using Russian kits. "There has been some delay in the indent for the remaining 464 tanks, which will also have night-fighting capabilities. Once it is done, the first 64 tanks should be delivered in 30-41 months", the report quoted a source as saying. This move comes at a time when the Army is reformatting its entire war-fighting machinery and the "Cold start" or "Pro-Active Strategy" which envisages fast mobilisation to strike hard across the border with multiple offensive thrusts, the report added. India has already procured additional laser-guided Invar missiles and 125mm APFSDS (armourpiercing fin-stabilised discarding sabot) ammunition for the T-90 tanks. However, the Army's "future ready combat vehicle (FRCV)" project is yet to take off. "The Army had planned their induction from 2027-2028 onwards...it's keeping its fingers crossed", the source added. (Edited by: Nehal Solanki) Also read: BSF officer among 3 injured in ceasefire violation by Pak along LoC in J-K's Poonch Also read: Pak army shells forward posts, hamlets along LoC in J-K's Poonch, 2 civilians injured The Supreme Court has allowed Karti Chidambaram to travel to the US, Germany and Spain in the month of May. A bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices Deepak Gupta and Sanjiv Khanna said that this approval to go abroad is subject to compliance of conditions imposed earlier.He has been asked not to alienate any property or close any bank account during the course. In January, the apex court had granted Karti Chidambaram permission to travel abroad after depositing Rs 10 crore with the Secretary General of the Supreme Court. The top court asked him to file an undertaking that he would return and cooperate with the investigation. Karti is facing criminal charges and is being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the CBI. One of the cases relates to the Foreign Investment Promotion Board clearance to INX Media for receiving foreign funds of Rs 305 crore when his father was the finance minister. Karti Chidambaram is the son of former Finance Minister and Congress leader P Chidambaram. Earlier this year, Karti Chidambaram was summoned to record his statement under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The former Finance Minister P Chidambaram said that this entire case is a political vendetta by the ruling government. Also read: Jaypee insolvency: NCLT to hear IDBI's deadline extension plea on May 21 Also read: Akshaya Tritiya 2019: Should you invest in gold or real estate? Phase 5 of the Lok Sabha Elections 2019 wrapped up yesterday. More than 62 per cent voters cast their votes in 51 constituencies. Deputy Election Commissioner Sandeep Saxena said, "The overall polling percentage was 62.56 per cent in 2019 compared to 61.75 per cent in 2014." West Bengal recorded a polling percentage of 73.97 per cent, while it was 57.33 per cent in Uttar Pradesh. In Bihar, Jharkhand, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, the polling percentage was 57.86 per cent, 63.72 per cent, 63.74 per cent and 62.60 per cent respectively. While in Ladakh constituency the voter turnout was 63.76 per cent, it was 8.76 per cent in Anantnag. In other developments, Congress President Rahul Gandhi criticised the BJP government and alleged that PM Modo colluded with big companies. He said that PM Modi took away the money in the wallet from the people of Chhattisgarh and gave away their land to Anil Ambani. Follow Lok Sabha Elections 2019 Live updates on the BusinessToday.In blog: 6:23pm: Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Congress candidate from Rohtak, Haryana, hold a road show in tthe constituency. Visuals from the procession. Haryana: Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Congress Rohtak candidate Deepender Singh Hooda hold a roadshow in the constituency. #LokSabhaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/IlWcLPXo8I ANI (@ANI) May 7, 2019 6:15pm: 22 political parties signed and submitted a memorandum to the Election Commission of India on objections to EVMs and VVPATs. The memrandum seeks mandatory verification of VVPAT paper slips and redressal. 5:50pm: "Money doesn't matter to me.That is why when Narendra Modi came to Bengal and accused my party of being Tolabaaz (Toll collector), I wanted to give him a tight slap of democracy," Mamata Banerjee said during a rally in Purulia. #WATCH West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee in Purulia: Money doesn't matter to me.That is why when Narendra Modi came to Bengal and accused my party of being Tolabaaz (Toll collector), I wanted to give him a tight slap of democracy pic.twitter.com/JnE5xywWJI ANI (@ANI) May 7, 2019 5:25pm: "The corrupt industrialists of the country are not jailed for defaulting on loans, but farmers are thrown in jail. We will repeal this law. Also, we will bring a different budget for farmers," said Rahul Gandhi. 5:17pm: "TMC-supported UPA government gave only 1.32 lakh crore to West Bengal in 10 years. But the Modi government gave 4.24 lakh crore to the state in only five years," said Amit Shah. 4:55pm: Visuals from roadshow in held by Congress president Rahul Gandhi and party candidate Kirti Azad in Dhanbad. Jharkhand: Congress President Rahul Gandhi and Dhanbad Congress candidate Kirti Azad hold a roadshow in the constituency #LokSabhaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/jGJLsC3c91 ANI (@ANI) May 7, 2019 4:37pm: Congress MP Sushmita Dev has filed an additional affidavit before the Supreme Court stating that "the respondent Election Commission of India failed to appreciate that the hate speeches delivered by Narendra Modi and Amit Shah are 'corrupt practices' under Section 123A of the Representation of People Act, 1951". ANI 4:06pm: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has seized assets worth Rs. 1.46 crore of Harish Gahlot, brother of AAP Minister Kailash Gahlot. According to ED, the seizure has been made under section 37 A of Foreign Exchange Management Act. 4:05pm: "Wherever the chowkidar goes, he spreads hatred," said Rahul Gandhi. 4:04pm: Rahul Gandhi said at a rally, "For 5 years Narendra Modi has been acting as a chowkidar (watchman). A chowkidar not for farmers, youth or the poor, but for Anil Ambani." 4:02pm: Priyanka Gandhi said at a rally in Ambala, "History is proof that this country has never forgiven arrogance. Such arrogance was in Duryodhan also. When Lord Krishna went to talk to Duryodhan, he was held captive". 3:59pm: Shashi Tharoor said, "I think the South will definitely play an instrumental role in deciding the political fate of the country, particularly in the context of voting out the present ruling dispensation, under whose tenure, the South has an understandable case of step-motherly treatment under the Centre." 3:48pm: BJP chief Amit Shah addresses public meeting in West Bengal's Bishnupur. 3:41pm: UP CM Yogi Adityanath at a rally in Mandawali, Delhi, said, "Congress has completely failed, Shehzada also failed so they brought in their Shehzadi. She was teaching abuses to innocent children of Amethi, please and go teach these abuses in Italy." 3:37pm: Priyanka Gandhi said at a rally in Ambala, "Be aware of your issues and concerns. If the Prime Minister has courage then he should fight on the grounds of national issues. Let them fight on issues such as development, issues of the public, farmers' needs, employment for the youth, and women's issues." 3:31pm: East Delhi Returning Officer issued a notice to Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia over violation of MCC regarding a tweet on religion of AAP's East Delhi Candidate Atishi. East Delhi Returning Officer issued notice to Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia over violation of Model Code of Conduct regarding a tweet on religion of AAP's East Delhi Candidate Atishi. He has been asked to furnish his comments on the matter by 5 pm tomorrow. (File pics) pic.twitter.com/dUaW0htqAL ANI (@ANI) May 7, 2019 3:27pm: Priyanka Gandhi said at a rally in Ambala, "GST and demonetisation-affected traders will receive a simple GST from Congress." 3:22pm: Priyanka Gandhi said at a rally in Ambala, "The BJP leaders do not talk about the real issues in their campaigns. They ask for votes in the name of martyrs and then they insult the martyrs. But your will never find them talking about their own issues." 3:19pm: "They (BJP) spoke about doubling farmers' income. The truth is that only debt has been doubled. Twelve thousand farmers committed suicide," said Priyanka Gandhi at a rally in Ambala. 3:15pm: "Youth were not given government jobs. Under the BJP government, 24 lakh government jobs remained vacant," said Priyanka Gandhi at a rally in Ambala. 3:05pm: Rahul Gandhi addresses a public gathering in West Bengal's Purulia. 2:55pm: "In spite of central forces coming and assuring the voters that their presence will make a difference Didi's syndicate morcha people are all over the place.Mamata Banerjee screams about democracy,she is the one who is violating democracy," said Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Kolkata:In spite of central forces coming&assuring the voters that their presence will make a difference Didi's syndicate morcha people are all over the place.Mamata Banerjee screams about democracy,she is the one who is violating democracy. pic.twitter.com/MAU2KXD4Ur ANI (@ANI) May 7, 2019 2:30pm: "Mamata Didi has strangled democracy in (West) Bengal. More than 60 BJP workers were murdered during Panchayat elections. The public of Bengal was not allowed to vote. She does not allow the people to vote even during the Lok Sabha election," Amit Shah said during his Belda public meeting. 2:27pm: "Congress leaders verbally abuse Modi ji. They start to mourn when old prime ministers are disrespected. But they do not say anything when the incumbent prime minister is disrespected," Amit Shah said during his speech at Belda. 2:20pm: "During election campaign, BJP leaders don't say whether they have fulfilled the promises they made, or not. Sometimes they canvass votes in the name of martyrs, and sometimes they disrespect my martyred family members," Priyanka Gandhi said during her Ambala rally. 2:15pm: Amit Shah addresses a rally in Belda, West Bengal. 2:09pm: Priyanka Gandhi addresses a rally in Haryana's Ambala. Kerala CM P Vijayan: Yesterday's meeting with KC Rao was significant. We discussed the national political scenario. According to KC Rao, both the fronts may not get a majority. So, the regional parties will play a prominent role. There were no discussions about the PM candidate. pic.twitter.com/EIbmGfyJQP ANI (@ANI) May 7, 2019 2:04pm: "For the first time BJP gave away land to the Tatas but nothing was made in 5 years in that land. Congress CM took away the land from Tata and gave it back to the people of Bastar," said Rahul Gandhi in Chaibasa. 1:50pm: Rahul Gandhi said at a rally in Chaibasa, Chhattisgarh, "Open your wallet and you will see that Modi ji took away the money from your wallet. My adivasi friends, look at your forests, water and land, you will realise that Modi ji gave away your land to Anil Ambani." 1:46pm: "Mamata Didi said that she doesn't consider Modi ji as Prime Minister. According to the Constitution, whosoever people of the country elect is the PM. It does not matter whether you consider or not. Get ready to consider him as the Prime Minister for the next 5 years," said Amit Shah in Paschim Medinipur. 1:45pm: "Once Bengal gets real 'Parivartan' when BJP forms the government here, those who fired upon innocent children who protested at being forced to study in Urdu will be sent behind bars," said Amit Shah in Paschim Medinipur. 1:40pm: Amit Shah said at a rally in Paschim Medinipur, "We will first bring CAB to give Indian citizenship to the Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain and Christian refugees from the neighbouring countries and then will ensure that every infiltrator is identified and deported out of India." 1:35pm: "I have visited more than 290 Lok Sabha constituencies so far. There is a lot of diversity in various parts of the country but one uniting factor that does not change with regions is the love for PM Modi that is palpable in the slogan of 'Modi-Modi'," said Amit Shah in Paschim Medinipur. 1:30pm: At a rally in Paschim Medinipur, BJP chief Amit Shah said, "Mamata Didi, why do you want to stop us from chanting 'Jai Shri Ram' in India? Shri Ram is the idol of every Indian, he exists in the culture and ethos of India. No one can stop us from worshipping him." 1:20pm: A polling officer died while 24 others, including security personnel, were injured when their vehicle overturned in the district, officials said Tuesday. The accident took place when they were on way to deposit EVM machines after polling on Monday. The deceased has been identified as Om Prakash (40) assistant district information officer SD Yadav said. 1:10pm: A Delhi Court quashes the FIR against AAP MLA Somnath Bharti in a domestic violence case filed against him by his wife Lipika Mitra: ANI. 12:58pm: Kerala CM P Vijayan: Yesterday's meeting with KC Rao was significant. We discussed the national political scenario. 12:40pm: AAP's East Delhi candidate Atishi says people might want to see stars but want their representatives to be available to them in their everyday lives and predicts that opponent Gautam Gambhir's celebrity status will go against him. "His nomination form was not filed correctly. He has two voter ID cards. People have this mindset - now that Gambhir has two voter ID cards he will anyway get disqualified so why waste our vote on him," said Atishi. 12:30pm: A look at Modi's twitter in ten years. 12:15pm: DMK unlikely to have a meeting with Telangana CM KCR. Highly placed sources says DMK does not want to send a wrong signal as they have a prepoll alliance with Congress. MK Stalin is busy with election campaigning for by-elections to 4 constituencies during May 13. While there is no official communication from DMK on meeting with KCR senior leaders say meeting is very unlikely. 12:00pm: Congress urges everyone to participate in the Cyclone Fani relief work. Our hearts and sympathies go out to the people of Odisha. #CycloneFani has caused grave destruction & we urge everyone to support them in their relief work and contribute to rebuild the beautiful state. Do share and spread the word. https://t.co/mMjm0rOt0z Congress (@INCIndia) May 7, 2019 11:40am: Congress leader Digvijaya Singh performs 'puja' in the presence of Computer Baba. Bhopal: Congress leader Digvijaya Singh performs 'pooja' in the presence of Computer Baba, at the venue where he is camping along with thousands of sadhus to undertake Hat Yog. pic.twitter.com/8LfhAedzaW ANI (@ANI) May 7, 2019 11:10am: "BJP sarkaar 5 saal mein Ram Mandir bhi nahi bana paayi. Ab Ram Mandir nahi toh Modi nahi," (BJP government could make the Ram Temple in five years. Now there will be no BJP government if there is no Ram Temple) said Computer Baba. 11:08am: "We are not inclined to modify our order," said SC while dismissing review plea on random matching of VVPAT slips. 11:00am: Supreme Court rejects review plea filed by twenty-one Opposition parties seeking a direction to increase VVPAT verification from five to at least 50% of EVMs during counting of votes in the general elections 2019. 10:55am: Union minister Giriraj Singh who was booked for violating MCC by making controversial statement against the Muslim community surrendered in a court on Tuesday. He has been granted bail. 10:45am: Shivraj Singh Chouhan said, "Sadhvi Pragya Thakur was made the party's candidate after a lot of deliberation," adding that in 2008 a word was coined 'bhagwa aatanki' (saffron terror). "Congress coined this word and they made her scapegoat and Digvijaya Singh was the medium," he said. 10:30am: Congress paid tribute to Rabindranath Tagore and said, "His contributions have enriched Indian literature, music and art and every Indian will forever be grateful." We remember Nobel laureate Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, on his birth anniversary. His contributions have enriched Indian literature, music & art and every Indian will forever be grateful. pic.twitter.com/Dwez56PIX6 Congress (@INCIndia) May 7, 2019 10:20am: The EC has given another clean chit to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his roadshow in Ahmedabad on April 23 as well as for his speech in Chitradurga on April 9. 10:09am: "Shopian district recorded a turnout of 2.88 per cent, while Pulwama registered a turnout of 2.14 per cent. The average for the two districts was 2.81 per cent," said Chief Electoral Officer Shailendra Kumar. 10:01am: Rajiv Pratap Rudy, BJP candidate from Saran, Bihar, said, "I have information that RJD candidate is himself indulging in booth capturing at polling stations. This clearly shows that the opposition is fearing a massive defeat from the seat." The RJD candidate from Saran is Chandrika Rai. 9:57am: "A Hindu can never be a terrorist," said 28-year-old Tejasvi Surya, BJP's candidate for South Bengaluru while campaigning for BJP's 'Saaton Seetein Modi Ko' Abhiyan in the National Capital along with actor Vivek Oberoi and Kapil Mishra. While speaking exclusively to India today on why unnecessarily link religion to terrorism, he said, "In our Hindu scriptures, there is no sentence which justifies violence. It was a fake bogey that was created by Congress to tarnish a great civilization like ours." He added, "If the inspiration for violence is scriptural or religious, and the perpetrator of the violence states or writes a note that the reason for his violent act is inspired by religious text then it is possible that there's a link between religion and violent act. And Hindu history shows no such trace." 9:53am: Congress said it promises to bring petrol and diesel under the ambit of GST. Bhopal: A Congress delegation led by former Union Minister and Congress leader Suresh Pachouri reaches former Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan residence with documents containing details of farmers whose loans have been waived off by the present state government. pic.twitter.com/m33w1VbAVa ANI (@ANI) May 7, 2019 9:49am: Congress leader Shashi Tharoor praised Pakistan PM Imran Khan for his interest in the shared history of the Indian subcontinent. Andhra Pradesh N Chandrababu Naidu has written to the Election Commission of India demanding to verify 50% of the EVMs using the VVPAT slips. (file pic) #LokSabhaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/PereW7dIJH ANI (@ANI) May 7, 2019 9:45am: A Congress delegation led by former Union Minister and Congress leader Suresh Pachouri reaches former Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan residence with documents containing details of farmers whose loans have been waived off by the present state government. One thing i personally know about @imranKhanPTI is that his interest in the shared history of the Indian subcontinent is genuine & far-reaching. He read; he cares. It is disappointing, though, that it took a Pakistani leader to remember a great Indian hero on his punyathithi. https://t.co/kWIySEQcJM Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) May 6, 2019 9:43am: Congress leader Digvijaya Singh said at a rally in Rajgarh yesterday, "He (Shivraj Singh Chouhan) says that if he takes Digvijaya Singh's name, he will have to take a shower but he doesn't take a shower after campaigning for Pragya (BJP's Pragya Thakur)." 9:37am: EVMs and VVPAT were found from a hotel in Muzaffarpur on Sunday. Alok Ranjan Ghosh, DM says,"Sector officer was given some reserved machines so that it could be replaced with faulty ones. After replacing EVMs he was left with 2 balloting unit,1 control unit and 2 VVPAT in his car." Ghossh said, "He shouldn't have unloaded the machines in the hotel which is against rules. Since he has violated an departmental investigation will be done." 9:33am: Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu has written to the Election Commission of India demanding to verify 50% of the EVMs using VVPAT slips: ANI. 9:30am: At a rallly in Bishnupur on Monday, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee took a jibe at PM Modi and said, "You BJP babu, you say 'Jai Shri Ram' but have you built even one Ram temple? At the time of elections, Ram Chandra becomes your party agent, you say 'Ram Chandra is my election agent'. You say 'Jai Shri Ram' and force others to say it." 07 May 2019, 12:55 PM Jaypee insolvency: NCLT to hear IDBI's deadline extension plea on May 21 Debt-ridden Jaypee Infratech's insolvency proceedings will continue for now as the Allahabad bench of NCLT has posted the matter for hearing on May 21 after lead lender IDBI sought extension of bankruptcy process beyond the deadline that expired on Monday. Mastercard plans to invest Rs 7,000 crore in India in the next 5 years Global payments giant Mastercard plans to invest $1 billion or around Rs 7,000 crore in India over the course of five years. Out of the total capital, Mastercard plans to spend around $350 million on a local payments processing centre, in line with RBI's mandate of storing payments data locally. This processing centre is expected to open in another 18 months, generating employment for 1,000 people Why Ola's electric leap of faith could be a boon for auto sector Ride-hailing major Ola on Monday announced that its electric subsidiary - Ola Electric Mobility Pvt Ltd (Ola Electric) - has received an undisclosed sum of funding from none other than Ratan Tata in his personal capacity. The company said that his investment in Ola Electric would bring his deep experience and mentorship to the company's ambitions to make electric mobility viable at scale Indo-US meet: No mention of GSP; e-comm policy, data localisation discussed Issues like India's draft e-commerce policy, data localisation, high import duties imposed by America on steel and aluminium figured during the meeting between visiting US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and Commerce Minister Suresh Prabhu on Monday. The US companies have raised concerns over India's draft e-commerce policy and issues related with mandatory data localisation requirements. Hero MotoCorp launches buyback scheme for scooters The country's largest two-wheeler maker Hero MotoCorp has launched a buyback scheme for scooters with plans to cover top-10 markets of India going forward. Under the scheme, every customer buying new Hero Scooter will receive a guaranteed buyback certificate by used two-wheeler brand CREDR with fixed buyback value matrix in interval of six months over next five years. Modi flies over cyclone-ravaged Odisha, promises millions to rebuild Prime Minister Narendra Modi saw for himself the damage caused by powerful cyclone Fani on Monday, pledging an extra 10 billion rupees ($144 million) to the hardest-hit state of Odisha. Cyclone Fani killed at least 34 people in India, destroying houses, ripping off roofs and knocking down electricity poles. Early warnings from meteorologists helped authorities evacuate more than a million people who are now slowly returning from shelters. Modi said his officials would work closely with the state government to rebuild infrastructure. Slowdown Blues: CMIE paints not-so-happy picture for economy; urban consumption, credit growth to remain bleak The Indian economy is slowing down, according to the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE). In FY20, the CMIE expects Indian economy to grow at 7 per cent amid increase in headline inflation and reduced availability of bank credit. Private consumption in rural India could get a boost from better agricultural prospects, but the consumption in urban India is likely to remain weak due to sluggishness in employment generation, according to the think-tank. French energy regulator CRE and its Irish counterpart CRU said on Monday they are backing a bid by the Celtic Interconnector undersea power cable project to get at least 60% of its 930 million euros investment from European Union grants. The 700 megawatts high-voltage power cable project, led by French power grid operator RTE and Ireland's EirGrid, will be the first interconnector linking Ireland to France. The regulators said that in the context of Britain's exit from the European Union, the project will establish a direct power link betweenIreland and the European internal energy market. It would also improve Ireland's security of supply. The Celtic Interconnector, set to run from the southern Irish coast to Brittany in France from 2026, was declared a common interest project by the European Union's executive arm, making it eligible for grants from the bloc. The regulators said they have agreed that 65% of the project's estimated investment costs will be allocated to Ireland and 35% to France. (Reuters) Source: www.businessworld.ie The slow-moving reform of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) has gained new momentum. Recently, the State Council, Chinas cabinet, issued a plan on the reform of state-owned capital management in an effort to clarify the role of the government or its state capital representatives and reduce administrative interference in SOEs. Despite years of reform, there are still problems in SOEs. For example, there is no distinction between government and capital, or between government and SOEs; there are no clear boundaries between the power and responsibilities of government and SOEs. There are problems of overstepping, oversight, and erroneous judgment in supervision of state-owned assets. The State Councils plan can be regarded as a remedy for these ills. If it can be implemented, SOE reform is expected to enter a new phase. Reform of the authorized management system of state-owned capital is an important step to clarify the relationship between state-owned capital regulatory agencies and state-owned enterprises. The state-owned capital regulatory authorities are changing from mainly managing enterprises to mainly managing capital. This and mixed ownership constitute the two main lines for the current round of SOE reform. The third plenum of the 18th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China in November 2013 clearly stipulated that the management system of state-owned assets should be improved, the supervision of state-owned assets should be strengthened, and the authorized management system of state-owned capital should be reformed. The 19th Party Congress echoed that. The Guiding Opinions of Deepening the Reform of State-owned Enterprises released by the CPC Central Committee and the State Council in 2015, along with Several Opinions on Reforming and Perfecting the System for State-owned Assets Management released by the State Council, all reflected the direction of SOE reform. In 2018, the State Council issued a circular to promote pilot reform of state capital investment and management companies. Now, with the promulgation of the latest plan, reforms to the authorized management system of state-owned capital are expected to take a substantive step. The plan lays out the goal that by 2022, the boundaries of power and responsibility between government and state-funded enterprises will be clearly defined. It also vows to have an effective authorization mechanism, and the supervision of state-owned assets will be complete and standardized. Full authorization or letting go of government power in SOE operations is the focus of the plan and is also the main difficulty. It will determine this documents quality and will also affect the success or failure of the new round of SOE reform. Letting go of power is by no means an easy task. It touches upon many interests, and the existing problems have been persistent over the years. If we want to decentralize the power, we must really give out the power, so that the companies can operate well and healthily in accordance with market rules and the law, Weng Jieming, vice chairman of SASAC, said at a press conference on April 29. While this concept is easy to know, it is difficult to do. Of course, one of the problems associated with letting go is whether or not enterprises can hold steady the newly authorized power, though this is secondary. To really pass business operation power to the SOEs, the SASAC, Ministry of Finance and other state capital representatives should change the way they do their supervisory jobs. The State Councils latest plan has a solution: a list will be drafted to clarify powers and duties of government and the companies, and things outside the list will be decided by the companies themselves. According to SASAC, a list of 30 measures has already been drafted. The quality of the list is yet to be known. Its urgent for state capital representatives to hand over their public administration functions. In the meantime, it will be a new test for the state asset managing agencies to play a pure supervisory role. Can a government body that has been used to give orders to the SOEs really fulfil its new role of capital manager? The State Council plan says the effect of power authorization will be assessed on a regular basis, and dynamically adjusted or even withdrawn. It's reasonable to, in the words of the great Chinese reformer Deng Xiaoping, "wade through a river while feeling the stones, as there is no guidebook to follow. But observers may also worry that the reform may repeat previous troubles again, in which the market froze up whenever regulations were tightened, but messed up whenever it was loosened. Actually, the roots of earlier troubles at the era of planned economy lie in the endless back and forth of giving out power and withdrawing power. There should be a change now, as todays market economy environment has been substantially different from the past. Without real changes to the state capital management system and the way SOEs operate, this regular policy loosening and tightening may continue. Managing capital is a reform of the system, and the core is the state capital representatives must do their job according to market rules and the rules that govern modern companies. The ongoing reform of mixed-ownership among SOEs should come along. Otherwise, the SOE reforms wont be complete. Creating state capital investment and management companies will be the key part of the latest reform of state capital. State capital investment companies will aim at long-term investment in industries with strategic importance. State capital management companies are like private equity firms that seek returns through investing in a range of assets. As a buffer zone between state capital representatives and the SOEs, the question now is whether the state capital investment and management companies will be simply a mouthpiece for the government, or if they can operate within the scope of their authority. Companies have been promised the power to draft their strategic plans, pick their people and decide on salaries. But these promises must be faithfully kept, or the state capital investment and management companies will merely be existing SOEs by a different name. The SASAC has said the State Council plan wont set a timetable. But people are concerned that the SOE reform has been slow, and the absence of a deadline may possibly become an excuse for some government agencies to not push forward the reform with an urgency. The 18th CPC Central Committees third plenum built up great public expectations of SOE reform. Six years have passed; the reform does not seem to be going smoothly, while one document after another has been released. The latest State Council plan is a shot to spur SOE reform to accelerate. The representatives of state capital need to relinquish their power over the business operations of SOEs. Translated by Qiu Yuren and Wu Gang Over the last three years, the price wars in the bond underwriting business have grown increasingly serious and their negative impact on the market has grown. Several industry players say that many securities firms have been offering extremely low prices or even free services partially in order to acquire clients for other, more profitable parts of their business. Large firms are the main culprits, especially when it comes to bidding on high-quality, low-risk projects. Now, regulatory bodies are seeking to crack down on excessively low prices. The China Securities Regulatory Commissions (CSRC) local branch in the southern province of Guangdong on April 19 issued a public warning (link in Chinese) to GF Securities Co. Ltd., a large brokerage, for pricing its bond underwriting services below cost, disrupting fair competition and violating 2015 rules on issuing corporate bonds. The CSRC-backed Securities Association of China (SAC) also stepped in. Last month, the association sought advice from securities firms on a new draft of rules on securities firms participation in the bond businesses, including underwriting, Caixin has learned from industry insiders. According to a document seen by Caixin, the new draft regulations do not contain a section from a previous draft of the rules, issued in 2017, which linked access to the license that allows a firm to be lead underwriter on a bond issuance to the size of a firms underwriting business based on the overall value of the bonds they underwrite, not their own revenue. While the 2017 draft has never come into effect, companies concern that this rule could be enacted has contributed to fierce competition as firms have rushed to inflate the value of their underwriting business. On the market level, the homogenization of bond underwriting services and the increasing number of methods companies can use to issue bonds have also helped depress underwriting fees. Additionally, large securities firms can afford to charge high-quality clients a low price for underwriting bonds, as they profit from offering them other services such as refinancing, equity investment and asset management. Excessive price competition has lowered the quality of bond underwriting practices, and contributed to a wave of bond defaults since last year. Compared with the 2017 version, the new draft places greater emphasis on compliance and the quality of internal control, an investment banker told Caixin. The draft of the new rules will evaluate bond underwriters on a points scale, taking into account their ability to comply with rules and control risk. However, others in the securities business worry that the new scoring system will merely solidify the status quo that allows the strong to get stronger and make it even harder for weaker firms to effectively compete. Cutthroat competition The Guangdong CSRC branch did not disclose the price of the bid placed by GF Securities, but bidding below cost is common among securities firms, especially among large brokers competing for underwriting bonds issued by large, well-established firms that are perceived as low-risk. A number of bond investment bankers told Caixin that competition to underwrite high-quality projects is fierce. For example, underwriting fees for a 10 billion yuan ($1.48 billion) project may amount to just 10,000 yuan not enough to even cover the underwriting teams travel expenses. One small brokerage set its underwriting fees so low that all of its bond underwriting projects excluding those involving real estate bonds reported losses, an investment banker said. As this price war which an investment banker at a large securities firm told Caixin began in 2016 continues, underwriting fees have also continued to shrink. Before this trend, a securities firm could set its underwriting fees at up to 1% of the total fund raised through a bond issuance. Now, amid fierce competition, fees can be as low as 0.1% of the cash raised. In June 2018, the SAC issued a notice that analyzed bond underwriting fees between October 2017 and March 2018. The notice reviewed 697 deals conducted during that time and showed that the average fee came to just 0.44% of the cash raised. Of the deals analyzed, underwriters on 62 corporate bond projects charged companies 0.1% or less of the fundraising amount, including 21 projects where the fee was 0.01% or less. A total of 52 projects saw no fee at all. According to financial data provider Wind, the underwriting fees charged so far this year by Chinas three biggest brokerages by the value of bonds they have underwritten China Securities Co. Ltd., Citic Securities Co. Ltd. and Guotai Junan Securities Co. Ltd. amounts around 174 billion yuan, accounting for 30% of the industrys total. Among them, China Securities has helped companies raise more than 90 billion yuan through bond issuances, or 15% of the market. It has underwritten 140 bonds, more than Citic Securities and Guotai Junan combined. Contact reporter Ren Qiuyu (qiuyuren@caixin.com) A Cosco Shipping cargo ship gets loaded with containers on Jan. 10 at the port of Qingdao in East Chinas Shandong province. Photo: IC Photo The shipping container business of state-owned logistics leviathan China Cosco Shipping Co. Ltd. is set to gobble up five Chinese units of a Singaporean rival as the global container market becomes increasingly consolidated. Like much of the shipping industry, Singamas Container Holdings Ltd. has faced turbulent waters in recent years as depressed market demand linked to a sluggish global economy, and rising prices for corrosion-resistant steel prices taking their toll on the companys bottom line. Sailing was smoother in 2018, however, when its annual report showed the container businesses netted $72 million for their parent. It is nonetheless withdrawing from its main container businesses in China. The company has agreed to sell five of its Chinese shipping container business units for approximately $565 million in a bid to get things shipshape, according to a filing with the Hong Kong stock exchange this week. The Cosco unit, which was not named in the filing, will take 100% stakes in the five container units, namely Qidong Singamas, Qingdao Pacific, Ningbo Pacific, Singamas Container (Shanghai) and Qidong Pacific. The parent Singamas will use the proceeds to focus on researching and developing specialized containers, rather than the general use dry freight containers mainly used by the shipping industry, the filing said. The move further consolidates the already airtight container market. Singamas already had a 20% share of the global container market, ahead of Cosco subsidiary Shanghai Universal Logistics Equipment Co. Ltd. with around 5%. While China International Marine Containers Co. Ltd. dominates the Chinese industry with roughly half of market share, Cosco has a 22.72% stake in the country, the second largest after China Merchants Groups 24.58% stake, according to Cosco 2018 annual report. Parent Cosco Shipping continues to be a major investor in global port infrastructure, agreeing to acquire a $225 million, 60% stake in the port of Chancay in Peru in January, and agreeing to spend $738 million on a new port in Abu Dhabi in 2016. However, earlier this month another of the companys units said it will sell its stake in Californias Long Beach Container Terminal for $1.78 billion to address U.S. security concerns. Contact reporter David Kirton (davidkirton@caixin.com) Air India Limited, through its subsidiary Airline Allied Services Limited (AASL), has called for applications in a prescribed proforma from qualified candidates for filling 10 vacancies to the post of Co-Pilots through direct selection on contract for a period of five years ot be posted in the regions comprising Delhi, Kolkata, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Chennai, Vishakhapatnam and Jaipur. The offline application process towards the same starts from November 21, 2019 and closes on November 30, 2019 CRITERIA DETAILS Name Of The Posts Co-Pilots Organisation Air India Limited Educational Qualification 10+2/HSC or its equivalent Experience Desirable Skills Required Medical and Physical Fitness as per DGCA norms Job Location Delhi, Kolkata, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Chennai, Visakhapatnam, Jaipur Salary Scale Rs. 2,11,000 per month Industry Aviation Application Start Date November 21, 2019 Application End Date November 30, 2019 Age Criteria And Fees Candidates interested in applying for Co-Pilots post through Air India Recruitment 2019 must not be more than 45 years of age, with relaxation (upper age limit) up to 48 years for OBC categories and 50 years for SC/ST candidates as specified in the notification. Candidates must pay a specified amount of Rs. 3000 (Gen/OBC) as application processing fee in the from of a Demand Draft (DD) favoring Airline Allied Services Limited payable at Delhi. SC/ST candidates exempted from paying application fee. AIATSL Recruitment 2019 For 109 Duty Managers And Customer Agents Through 'Walk-In' Selection Educational And Technical Eligibility Desirous candidates applying for the post of Co-Pilots through Air India Recruitment 2019 must have passed 10+2/HSC or its equivalent with Mathematics and Physics from a recognized Board/University. Candidates must be holding a valid CPL issued DGCA (India) from an approved institute. For more details, refer to the official notification here http://www.airindia.in/writereaddata/Portal/career/651_1_Co-Pilot_ATR_72-600_Advertisment_2018.pdf Selection And Pay Scale The selection of candidates as Co-Pilots through Air India Recruitment 2019 will be done through Shortlisting, Simulator Proficiency Assessment Check (SPAC) Test and Personal Interview Candidates selected as Co-Pilots will be paid an emolument of Rs. 2,11,000 per month NFL Recruitment 2019 For Consultants. Earn Up To 90,000 Per Month; Apply Offline Before May 20 How To Apply Candidates applying for the post of Co-Pilots through Air India Recruitment 2019 must must fill the application form in a prescribed format attached with advertisement, and send the same along with copies of relevant supporting documents, recent passport photograph and DD to the, "Alliance Air Personnel Department (Alliance Bhawan) Domestic Terminal -1, I.G.I Airport, New Delhi -110037," on or before November 30, 2019 by Post/Speed post/Courier The envelope containing Application Form and other documents must be superscribed as, "Application for the Post of ATR Rated Co-Pilot.". Download Application Form and read the detailed notification about Air India Recruitment for Co-Pilots here http://www.airindia.in/writereaddata/Portal/career/651_1_Co-Pilot_ATR_72-600_Advertisment_2018.pdf Local Ireland, the representative association for Irelands leading local news publishers, both print and online, has launched a campaign to highlight the urgent need for the reform of Irelands defamation laws. Irelands defamation laws are among the most restrictive in Europe and throughout the English-speaking world. They result in having a chilling effect on the medias role as the publics watchdog and its ability to reveal matters of important public interest. Reform is long overdue. The current Defamation Act 2009 was due for review by the Department of Justice in 2014. However, the review didnt commence until November 2016. The "compo culture" which is threatening the existence of many businesses today due to soaring insurance costs is mirrored in the exploitation of our defamation laws by claimants who - unlike in the UK - do not have to prove serious harm to their reputation, yet pursue monetary claims in preference to engaging with the offices of the Press Ombudsman and the Press Council. Good defamation policy is categorically not about giving journalists a free rein to write what they like. It is about setting the right balance in order to protect peoples reputations and the need to defend and promote freedom of expression and the medias ability to freely report on matters in the public interest. What can be done to bring Irelands Defamation Law into line with the rest of Europe? As a first step, the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform must complete and publish the findings of the review of the Defamation Act 2009. The new Defamation Act should include a serious harm test. This test, already successfully in operation in the UK, discourages trivial claims that can chill free expression and inundate Irish courts with lengthy and costly court cases. Claimants who do not meet the test have the option to take their case to the Office of Press Ombudsman. Cap on damages. Damages in Ireland are much higher often multiples of the equivalent awards in Europe. The Act should set a cap on court awards as is the practice in personal injuries actions. Abolition of juries. Defamation is virtually the only civil action that continues to be decided by juries. The use of juries considerably lengthens the duration of the trial, thus increasing legal costs, and can result in unpredictable levels of awards. The above recommendations will provide a more balanced and fairer process for the resolution of defamation claims. They will ensure freedom of expression and, crucially, that reputations can be protected in a manner available to everyone, not just the rich and powerful. A mother and baby in a village in Niger participate in a study analyzing the long-term effects of mass administration of the antibiotic drug azithromycin. MORDOR data manager Diallo Beidi sorts through folders documenting the deaths of hundreds of small children in Niger, which has a tragically high child mortality rate. Nurse Mariama Tiemogo, 32, uses her medical and interpersonal skills to investigate the deaths of children in her native Niger as part of a multinational study called MORDOR. Above she takes swab samples to monitor childrens health over time. (All photos: Gates Archive/Dominique Catton) In a small, dimly lit office in Birni N'Gaoure, a town in the Dosso region of southern Niger, are a desk, a laptop computer, a lamp, and a ceiling fan. Occupying one wall are square cubbyholes brimming with colorful binders. It looks like something one might see in a kindergarten classroom. Those cheerful binders belie the tragic lessons they hold. Each one contains multiple verbal autopsies of Nigerien babies and young children who have died within the time frame of a two-year international health study. There are hundreds on this wall, more yet on another wall, and still more stacked on a hutch in the hallway. These reports are part of a three-country replication study that corroborates a strong link between mass drug administration (MDA) of the broad-spectrum antibiotic azithromycin, which The Carter Center and other organizations routinely give out to treat the eye disease trachoma, and a subsequent sharp decline in mortality among children under 5 years old. University of California San Franciscos Francis I. Proctor Foundation coordinated the study, referred to by its French acronym MORDOR, partnering with The Carter Center in Niger. It takes a special kind of person to gather the information about a childs death from bereaved parents. Mariama Tiemogo is one such person. Tiemogo, 32, is a professional nurse from Nigers capital, Niamey. She works on the MORDOR field team, taking swab samples to monitor babies and childrens health over time in an area of the country that up until implementation of the study had not received azithromycin MDA due to the areas low prevalence of trachoma. In addition, she has the awful duty of tactfully interviewing the heartbroken families of children who have died, in order to help researchers understand what children are dying from and what fatal illnesses the antibiotic may be preventing. Its not an easy task. Its sometimes quite painful to see the familys sadness, but as a nurse I have a job to do, Tiemogo said, her face framed by a long scarf. Tiemogo said she usually starts the conversation by respectfully acknowledging the familys loss and offering the traditional Muslim condolence, "To Allah we belong and to Him we return." (Niger is about 90 percent Muslim.) She then gently inquires what the parents think caused the death. Using her nurse training to seek diagnostic information, she asks whether the child had shown symptoms such as fever, diarrhea, or rash, and for how long. Frequently, Tiemogo finds herself playing the role of grief counselor. Bereaved mothers will often wail at the very mention of the childs name, she said. She recalled interviewing a woman who was unable to bear children but had been given one to care for. When the child got sick and died, the womans grief was compounded by her fear of being judged: Now no one else will ever entrust a child to me, Tiemogo remembered the woman sobbing. Tiemogo is understanding and empathetic, but she also is focused on her task. You just have to be patient, let them express their grief, comfort them, and get the answers you need, she said, wiping sand from her eyes. In Nigers male-dominated culture, Tiemogo is aware that little girls have their eyes on her and perhaps are dreaming of careers for themselves. Its a good feeling to be a woman doing important work, she said, adding that grown women pay attention too. Women say, The work you are doing, even the men cannot do it! Tiemogo and everyone else involved in MORDOR hope they can prevent too many more of those colorful folders from piling up in that dimly lit office. We in this program are very happy to know we are helping reduce child mortality, she said. Uzbekistan proposes to cancel import benefits 07 May 2019 The Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade of Uzbekistan has proposed to abolish cement import benefits, which were introduced in January 2018. The government suggested that the abolition of the benefits will lead to more efficient production of building materials, create a competitive market and increase domestic production, according to Esmerk CIS News. Uzbekistans leading supplier of imported cement is Kazakhstan, which in November supplied 1500t of cement. As of April 2019, cement plans were under construction in Angren and Samarkand - with the latter project representing a US$420m Chinese investment. Start of production is scheduled for mid-2020. Published under Pakistan cement producers challenge SA import duties ICR Newsroom By 07 May 2019 Pakistani cement producers are putting pressure on their government to convince SA to overturn the existing anti-dumping duty on imported cement from that country. In 2018 cement imports into South Africa surged 85 per cent and has exacerbated the effect of weak economic growth, a challenging construction market, domestic overcapacity and increasing competition. South Africas International Trade Administration Commission (ITAC) imposed antidumping duties on Portland cement from Pakistan with effect from May 2015. The duties range from 14.29 to 77.15 per cent. Mohammad Rafiq Memon, chairman of the Pakistan-South Africa Business Forum, has called for the intervention of the Pakistan authorities. Before the antidumping duty, annual cement exports to South Africa were worth US$700m, but has subsequently dropped to IS$100m, he says. South Africa should revisit the decision to impose the anti-dumping duties in the interest of fair trade, according to Mr Memon. This affects the bilateral relations between South Africa and Pakistan. There must be a balance. South Africa exports goods to Pakistan. Both countries should be happy with the trade relations. He added that Pakistans Ministry of Commerce should send a delegation to South Africa to negotiate the reversal of the duty. Published under The Law Day Luncheon will be held Wednesday, June 5, with keynote speaker Jerry Mitchell. It will be held at the Read House in the Silver Ballroom at 11:45 p.m. Mr. Mitchell of Jackson, Ms. is an American investigative reporter, McArthur Fellow, and Pulitzer Prize nominee. The 2019 Law Day themeFree Speech, Free Press, Free Societyfocuses on these cornerstones of representative government and calls on us to understand and protect these rights to ensure, as the U.S. Constitution proposes, the blessings of liberty for ourselves and our posterity. About Jerry Mitchell: Jerry Mitchell was an investigative reporter with the Jackson, Ms. Clarion-Ledger whose courageous efforts have ensured that unpunished murders from the Civil Rights era are finally prosecuted. In 1989, Mr. Mitchell began his immersion in decades-old stories of thwarted justice and undertook a meticulous review of the 1963 assassination of NAACP leader Medgar Evers. Ku Klux Klan member Byron de la Beckwith had been tried twice for this crime in 1964, and each trial ended in hung juries. By analyzing hundreds of documents and interviewing scores of witnesses, Mr. Mitchell laid the groundwork for a new trial. The case was reopened and culminated in the conviction and life sentence of Beckwith in 1994. Mr. Mitchell has since uncovered largely unknown details about many other long-dormant murder cases. His reporting has played a key role in the convictions of Klan Imperial Wizard Sam Bowers for ordering the fatal firebombing of NAACP leader Vernon Dahmer in 1966, of Bobby Cherry for the 1963 bombing of a Birmingham church that killed four girls, and of Edgar Ray Killen for helping to orchestrate the 1964 deaths of three civil rights workers in Neshoba County, Ms. His investment of time and painstakingly detailed research has also produced a broad range of reports on such subjects as racial reconciliation in the South and judicial bribes and chicanery in Mississippi, as well as a series on his own familys battle against a rare genetic ailment. In an era when long-term investigative reporting is more the exception than the rule, Mr. Mitchells life and work serve as an example of how a journalist willing to take risks and unsettle waters can make a difference in the pursuit of justice. Mr. Mitchell received a B.A. (1982) from Harding University and an M.A. (1997) from Ohio State University. He joined the Jackson, Ms., Clarion-Ledger in 1986 as a bureau reporter, before turning to investigative reporting in 1989. Mr. Mitchell continues to serve as investigator reporter at the Jackson, Ms., Clarion-Ledger. Eight days after his 2014 story showed problems with the conviction of Michelle Byrom, the Mississippi Supreme Court ordered her off death row. His 2014 stories also revealed deep corruption inside the Mississippi corrections system, including guards opening locks to let gangs carry out killings and prisons receiving perfect scores, despite horrid conditions, from an organization headed by Mississippi corrections commissioner Chris Epps (Epps now faces corruption charges). In 2015, the nations oldest prosecution of a serial killer suspect will take place due to Mr. Mitchells articles. Mr. Mitchell is currently completing a memoir, Race Against Time, on his investigations into civil rights cold cases. To register email LHood@chattanoogabar.org or pay online at http://www.chattanoogabar.org I want you to take a walk with me within the city limits of Chattanooga to prove a fallacy and, in its place, recognize the most dramatic and most aching need in the Chattanooga Police Department right now. You pick any neighborhood and well talk to anybody you choose. At tonights City Council meeting, there will be the discussion of a Police Advisory and Review Committee and, to the overwhelming majority of those law-abiding citizens in our community, anyone we may meet will tell you such a ruse is universally embarrassing. The proposed committee is a thinly-guised farce to review cases of police misconduct when, in fact, it is a racially-driven bunch of nonsense. The hundreds of thousands of citizens its members will tell you they represent, they most assuredly do not. People who obey the laws and use turn signals see such a committee in reality -- as a flimsy defense mechanism for those who dont obey the law, and are looking for a loophole or financial remuneration. Accuse me of any lie you wish, but I will confess to this: I am totally guilty in my prejudice of black blood on our streets. I would feel the same way if it were white blood but, strangely, I believe I well may be angrier that every bullet kills more of our future. How do we snap generational poverty, and enable the thousands of promising young blacks in our schools, when two classrooms down is a certified gang member with a .40-caliber Glock in his backpack? The very ones who pretend our shootings are beyond their mention would rather invent some imaginary windmill to further conflict the police departments proven ability to investigate its own? Please! The whole notion is totally absurd, especially when I know in my heart-of-hearts our entire City Council has wept each moved to actual and very real tears -- over the senseless killings we are forced to accept week after week. The biggest smear on our city right now is indeed about race. You darn right it is. While the Chattanooga Police Department sees a mundane citizen review as a laugher, not a soul laughs anywhere in our community about how the gang-bangers steal lives, wreck the minds of loved ones, and horribly influence our elementary children. Really. There is the thought that what our youngest see and hear is what they bring to school the next day. A police oversight committee is a sham compared to the urgent truth that the overwhelming number of citizens, be they ambulance crews, members of any Baptist church, all law enforcement officers or any jury panel insist we stop black-on-black shootings. Many of our proudest citizens feel we are just single-digits away from becoming A Sanctuary City thats right, for Shooters. Whats more, there are FBI statistics to back up the news we are one of the most violent cities, per capita, in the United States and, until some of our City Council members recognize brothers are killing brothers, neighbors are shooting neighbors, and every taxpayer is financing the carnage, any oversight effort will fall flat within its first 30 days. It is claimed a case involving a 37-year-old male, who was arrested in March of 2018, illustrated the need to allow the citizens of the City of Chattanooga to assume a greater role in guiding the Chattanooga Police Department in matters of public concern, including the examination of citizen complaints and complaint review procedures in other cities. I know nothing about the surrounding circumstances of the 37-year-old male in question but no matter how valid the claims, how heinous the incident, it can in no way compare with the killings and shootings that plague the very blacks we are duty bound to love and protect. Dont even mention a police oversight committee until you install a shooting oversight committee whose members will go sit with some grandmother as she grieves over a life she has adored since birth. Where is our Black Blood Committee who will lash out at the same black community who sees no evil, hears no evil, nor is willing to say a word after witnessing a shooting? Where is the Sanctuary Shooters Committee of church members who will canvass neighborhoods, carrying the same baskets they brought flowers to church, and extend a no-questions guarantee if only each house will give up any guns? Where is the Black Lives Matter group who mourns not police shooting blacks but the far greater number of blacks shooting blacks? These lives really matter. Finally, where are those whose hatred of black blood on our city streets actually pray that our outrage will last longer than the rains that carry away the last traces of someone who we have loved to the gutter? Our City Council is hereby assured our Chattanooga Police Department would cherish such oversight. royexum@aol.com The Tennessee State Review Board will meet to examine proposed nominations to the National Register of Historic Places on Wednesday, May 22, at 9 a.m. at Clover Bottom Mansion, 2941 Lebanon Pike, Nashville. The Board will vote on four nominations: Hardwick Farms, Bradley County Charles L. Lawhon Cottage, Knox County Ripley Fire Tower, Lauderdale County Ebenezer Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Marion County The Board will also look at removing a property from the National Register because it has lost the qualities for which it was listed: John E. Patton House, Grundy County Officials said the Patton House is now "gone." Those nominations that are found to meet the criteria will be sent for final approval to the National Register of Historic Places in the Department of the Interior. There will also be a presentation on the status of the States historic preservation plan revisions, which will be completed at the end of the year. As part of our planning process, we are having an open house the rest of the day. The public is welcome to attend and comment on the plan. The Tennessee State Review Board is composed of 13 members with backgrounds in American history, architecture, archaeology, or related fields. It also includes members representing the public. The National Register program was authorized under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. The public is invited to attend the meeting. For additional information on the meeting, please contact Claudette Stager at (615) 770-1089 or at Claudette.stager@tn.gov. It was written earlier of the John E. Patton house: The John E. Patton House is located on hill that sits above Highway 56 on the outskirts of Coalmont. The one-and-a-half story Craftsman style house was built circa 1904 with round logs and concrete chinking. The house has variety of dormer and gable peaks that contains both straight edged and random cut shingles. On the main or east facade of the house is simple screened-in shed roof porch with rectangular posts. circular turret with conical shaped roof is located on the northeast corner of the porch. The house contains variety of windows including 1/1 sash, 20/1 sash, and small multipaned sash in the dormers. A small rear porch has turned porch posts. The interior of the house has been altered with the addition of 4' 8' panel boards. However, all of the original wood trim has been retained around the doorways, fireplaces, and staircase. The door surrounds are pilaster trim with bullseye cornerblocks. The stairway is partially enclosed with beaded wainscot siding. The upper portion of the enclosing wall is composed of ball and spindle frieze. Original fireplaces with variety of glazed tile surrounds remain in all the downstairs rooms. All fireplaces with the exception of the living room fireplace have wooden mantels with Ionic columns and applied decorative trim. The dining room fireplace is larger than the bedroom fireplaces and contains built-in mirror above the mantle shelf. The living room fireplace is of brick and stone. The brick ascends from the egg and dart mantel shelf in stepped pryamidal pattern with second egg and dart molding about halfway up the chimney. There are two non-contributing outbuildings on the property, concrete block heating plant on the north side of the house and small frame shed at the rear of the house. The John E. Patton House is nominated under criteria and for its significance in architecture and industry in Grundy County. The Craftsman Style house is good example of the vernacular adaption of revival log cabin. The house is also significant because of its association with John E. Patton, prominent person in the development of Coalmont. Coalmont was founded in 1903 as an open company town by the Sewanee Coal, Coke and Land Company. John E. Patton was the first postmaster of the town In 1908 the Sewanee Coal, Coke and Land Company was reorganized as the Sewanee Fuel and Iron Company with Patton as president In 1939 the coal company was once again reorganized with Patton as'president of the new company, the Coalmont Coal and Coke Company. In addition to his association with the coal companies, Patton was also director of the Coalmont Bank. The John E. Patton House is important in both architecture and industry in Grundy County. The house is good representative example of the Craftsman style of architecture in Grundy County and is important for its association with prominent official of a coal company, the major industry in the county. Chattanooga attorney David Barrow is about to realize a longtime dream by soon sailing away to a "bow tie-less" existence in the Florida Keys. The lawyer well known for his multiple bow ties said he has been planning some great adventure since a divorce some 17 years ago. Attorney Barrow said, "I thought about sailing around the world or settling in the Caribbean. I ended up with a plan to settle on Stock Island next to Key West." He said he stayed around Chattanooga until his daughter, Olivia, graduated from high school. That happens May 18. He said she plans to take a "gap year," then may wind up in college in Florida, perhaps in Orlando. He has learned how to make wooden boats, and the 50-year-old Barrow said that will be his avocation instead of lawyering. Attorney Barrow said he picked up his love for the water when his parents would take him to the lake as a child. He said, "They would watch the powerboats and I would watch the sailboats." He said, "I have enjoyed my career as an attorney and the people I have met, but I won't miss the responsibility of it all." Currently, he is winding down his law practice with plans to begin sailing down the Tennessee River and finally the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway en route to his new home. He plans to leave in around four weeks. He said he started wearing bow ties after Kramer of Seinfeld fame appeared in a movie as the "Bow Tie Killer." Attorney Barrow said, "After a while, people started giving me bow ties. I probably have not bought one in 16 years." He said he thinks he has accumulated 50 or 60 bow ties. Just before his trip, he plans to bequeath them to a fellow bow tie lover, Nathaniel Garth, who works in the Criminal Court Clerk's Office. Vince Dean, who serves as Criminal Court Clerk, said he will be sorry to see David Barrow go, though he said, "We disagree about 80 percent philosophically and theologically." He said, "David is a brilliant attorney who will be sorely missed. He's in the building every day working for his clients, and you don't have any trouble finding him. If we had more attorneys like David Barrow, the courts would run much more efficiently." The Letter Carriers Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive is the largest, single-day food drive in the nation. The food drive is held annually on the second Saturday in May in 10,000 cities and towns in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Guam. Residents in Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia are encouraged to leave donations of non-perishable food items in non-glass containers, including canned soup, canned vegetables, canned meats and fish, pasta, rice or cereal, next to their mailboxes before mail delivery on Saturday. Letter carriers will collect donations along their postal routes on May 11 in Hamilton, Bradley, Marion, Sequatchie, Meigs, Dade, Catoosa, Walker, Whitfield, Murray, Gilmer, Gordon, and Fannin counties. Donations help to provide meals to the one in five children and one in eight individuals experiencing hunger by supporting local hunger relief organizations including the Chattanooga Area Food Bank. Letter carriers said they see the need to end hunger in the communities they serve, and believe it is important to do what they can to help. This is a labor of love for letter carriers, and we are proud to see how it has grown in impact over the years," NALC President Fredric Rolando said. "It's an honor to be able to help people in need all across the countryand to do so in a way that brings out the best in so many Americans." The support of the National Association of Letter Carriers makes a significant impact on our food collection efforts said Mark Hilling, chief operating officer at the Chattanooga Area Food Bank. The Food Bank works year-round organizing food drives to help collect the product needed to serve our 20 county service area. Having the ability to bring in over 100,000 pounds of food in a single day helps us to eliminate hunger in our region. The Food Bank has seen a decrease in food donations following the holiday season. Last year, The Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive collected 119,683 pounds of food for the Chattanooga Area Food Bank and its partner agencies. Several national partners are assisting NALC in the food drive: the U.S. Postal Service, the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, the National Rural Letter Carriers' Association, United Way Worldwide, the AFL-CIO, Valpak and Valassis. There are also two new national partners this year: the Kellogg Co. and CVS. Visit stampouthungerfooddrive.us to learn more. Those who would like to make a monetary donation, sign up to volunteer, host a food drive, or find food assistance visit chattfoodbank.org. With a rainbow arching across the sky, local members of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution lined up convertibles to honor selected World War II veterans for the 70th Annual Armed Forces Day Parade on Friday. Each of the five Daughters of the American Revolution chapters and the Chattanooga Area Regents Council, NSDAR, had an individual car. These cars held a WWII veteran and a chapter representative. The cars processed by order of the date the chapter was formed. Representing Cherokee District and the Chattanooga Regents Council, Teresa Webb Rimer, director of the District, and Lee Parham, chairman of the Regents Council, waved flags to show their patriotic pride as they lead the DAR procession in the parade. The Chickamauga Chapter, organized in October 1894, is the oldest DAR chapter in the region and Joye Duke serves as regent. She was accompanied by Susan Harris, Chapter chair, DAR Service to Veterans and other members included Anne Swafford, Lee Parham, and Sue Threadgill. The Chickamauga Chapters honored guest was World War II veteran Sam Stansell of Ooltewah. Mr. Stansell was a senior at Red Bank High when Pearl Harbor was attacked. He dropped out of school, joined the U. S. Navy and served in the Pacific Theater in the engine room of the USS Saratoga. He saw action at Guadalcanal, the Solomon, Gilberts and Marshalls Islands and the Battle of Iwo Jima. One of his happiest moments occurred last year when Red Bank High School awarded him his high school diploma. In the third car, The Nancy Ward Chapter, named for the Beloved Woman of the Cherokee Nation, was organized in March 1915 and Natalie Blackwell serves as regent. Captain Cate Mueller, USN (Ret) and Chapter National Defense chairman drove the car for the Nancy Ward Chapter. Also, from Nancy Ward and riding in back were Nancy Newsome Henderson and Mary Aleta Word. This vehicle held their honored World War II veteran, Ralph Painter. Mr. Painter, originally from Polk County, was assigned to the Armored Artillery and was in the first tank to roll off a landing craft and onto Utah Beach on June 6, 1944. He would continue in combat for 335 straight days at St. Lo, the Ardennes Forest, across France and finally rolling into Berlin. So many friends died during that fight across Europe, but we kept going," said Mr. Painter. "We had to defeat the Germans. Mr. Painter proudly wore his Bronze Star and the French Legion of Honor Award. In the fourth car, the Judge David Campbell Chapter was organized in the fall of 1915 and Stacy Kehoe serves as regent. Since Ms. Kehoe is a member of the Armed Forces Day Committee, Lt. Colonel Susan Lindsey, USAF (Ret) and first vice regent and her veteran husband Michael drove this vehicle. Joining them was their World War II veteran, George Whisner. Mr. Whisner served in the US Army Air Forces as an aircraft mechanic and crash truck driver at Natal, Brazil. Natal was one of the bases used by the Allies to ferry aircraft across the Atlantic to Europe as aerial refuelers did not exist in those days. Mr. Whisner is happy to report he never lost a man while on duty. In his off-duty time, Mr. Whisner helped the local missionaries and was a source of help in times of trouble for his fellow GIs. For 60 years, Mr. Whisner served as a missionary to villages across Brazil. Accompanying Mr. Whisner was his daughter Martha Hostetter. Chief John Ross Regent was the fourth chapter organized in Chattanooga in December 1922. Jessica Dumitru drove their WWII veteran, Howard Vernon. Mr. Vernon is the father and grandfather of Chief John Ross members, Sheri Conlon and Laura Dahlke, and served his nation as a member of the 304 Signal Battalion, 8th Army in the Pacific, culminating in service during postwar in Yokohama, Japan. The final car was the Moccasin Bend Chapter, the youngest DAR chapter in Chattanooga. It was organized in November 1953. Its members have been serving the community for over 60 years. Regent Pamela Randolph held the DAR banner and walked the parade while Tina Staton, second vice regent, drove the vehicle accompanying their honored World War II veteran, Jay Mcfalls. While Mr. Mcfalls served in the U. S. Army during World War II, he often credits the women during World War II as the real heroes, saying, They took care of everything while we were gone. He is speaking specifically about his beloved wife, Vivian, who passed in 2014. In the years since, Mr. Mcfalls visits her every day at her Chattanooga National Cemetery gravesite and can be found every Friday, playing his guitar and singing to the veterans at the Chattanooga VA clinic. The Tennessee Supreme Court today rejected the petition for reinstatement filed by a Chattanooga attorney whose law license has been suspended since 1998. In 1997, attorney Nathan E. Brooks faced serious discipline for complaints filed against him by multiple clients. In 1998, he agreed to a two-year suspension of his law license, to pay restitution on 12 complaints filed against him, and to pay the costs of the disciplinary proceedings. In 2002, Mr. Brooks sought reinstatement of his law license. His request for reinstatement was denied because he had never paid the costs and restitution he agreed to pay as part of the settlement of his disciplinary charges. Mr. Brooks appealed to the Tennessee Supreme Court, arguing that he was indigent and could not afford to pay the restitution and costs he had agreed to pay, and that requiring him to pay them violated his constitutional right to due process. In 2004, the Tennessee Supreme Court rejected his appeal. Some 13 years later, Mr. Brooks filed another petition to reinstate his law license. Tennessee rules require any attorney seeking reinstatement of his law license to make an advance deposit for the costs of the reinstatement proceedings. Mr. Brooks did not pay the advance deposit, so his petition was denied. Mr. Brooks again appealed to the Tennessee Supreme Court, arguing that he was indigent and unable to pay the advance cost deposit. He again argued that not allowing him to have his law license reinstated without paying the advance cost deposit was a denial of his right to due process. The Tennessee Supreme Court again rejected Mr. Brooks appeal. As to his due process argument, the Court explained that Mr. Brooks has no right to practice law; in Tennessee, the practice of law is a privilege and not a right. The Court noted that all Tennessee lawyers pay a significant annual fee to cover the cost of investigating and prosecuting disciplinary charges against lawyers. Here, faced with possible disbarment, Mr. Brooks negotiated a conditional guilty plea to multiple serious charges. Requiring him to payin advancea deposit on costs associated with his request for reinstatement reflects the Courts reasoned decision to place the financial burden of Mr. Brooks reinstatement proceedings where it belongs, on him. The Court held that Mr. Brooks was not denied due process by requiring him to pay the cost of reinstatement proceedings his misconduct necessitated. Justice Sharon G. Lee filed a separate opinion concurring in part and not joining in part. Justice Lee concurred in the Courts decision that Mr. Brooks petition should be dismissed for failure to pay the advance cost deposit and that there was no merit to Mr. Brooks due process claim. Justice Lee did not join in the Courts procedural due process analysis, finding that because Mr. Brooks had not adequately raised a procedural due process claim, the Courts discussion of that claim was unnecessary. To read the majority opinion in Nathan E. Brooks v. Board of Professional Responsibility, authored by Justice Holly Kirby, and the separate opinion authored by Justice Sharon G. Lee, go to the opinions section of TNCourts.gov. Celeste Ward, a Chattanooga native and current Chattanooga Stake Relief Society president for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has been named Bridge Refugee Volunteer of the Year. Bridge Refugees provides opportunities for refugees to rebuild their lives based on three pillars of refugee integration including learning English, employment and community engagement. It is an organization about dignity, hope and opportunity. Mrs. Ward began researching how she could get involved after a March 2016 letter to the worldwide membership of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints encouraged members to assist refugees in their own communities and remember that one of the fundamental principles of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ is to impart of your substance to the poor, every man according to that which he hath, administering to their relief, both spiritually and temporally. Taking that counsel to heart, Mrs. Ward began her journey. Honestly, my first thought was that there wouldnt be any refugees in Chattanooga. Little did I realize the enormous needs right in my own backyard, she said. Three years later, after helping dozens of refugees from Africa, the Middle East, and South America, she was recently named the Bridge Refugee Volunteer of the Year. The journey has been both transformational and unexpected. When I first got connected to Bridge Refugee Services and understood what was expected of volunteers, I thought Id just drive some refugees to various appointments or help them get settled in some small way. However, Ive found lifelong friendships and a deeper love for Christ-like service. Our entire family has been blessed as a result, said Mrs. Ward. Despite being a busy mother to five children (and new grandmother), Mrs. Ward made this a priority in her life. She has spent countless hours driving refugees to governmental agencies, doctors appointments, job interviews, grocery shopping, setting up apartments, registering the children for school, and anything else an individual or family might need. But her service is unique due to the personal interest shes taken to help many of the refugees far beyond what is expected of a volunteer. One of the first families Mrs. Ward helped were refugees from war torn Iraq. They came to America with literally nothing. The father had trained as a doctor in Iraq but had to suspend his residency due to the ongoing war. His wife was an Arabic schoolteacher in Iraq and dreamed of one day becoming a pharmacist. After receiving death threats for assisting the U.S. military, the family made the difficult decision to flee Iraq. Out of concern for others still in Iraq, the family requests that their last name not be used. After helping the family with short-term needs, Mrs. Ward turned her attention to their long-term needs their educational pursuits so they could build a future in America. That began a very long and tedious process of acquiring university transcripts from Iraq, communicating with embassy officials, and filling out countless forms. It was a tremendous amount of work, but they had no one to help them. With the language barrier and little resources, it would have been impossible for them to open the doors to education and better employment by themselves, Mrs. Ward said. Today, as a result of Mrs. Wards efforts and the determination of the family, the wife is taking prerequisite courses for Pharmacy school and the father is preparing to take his medical equivalency tests that will allow him to continue his medical residency program. In fact, just a few months ago the wife excitedly called Mrs. Ward to share the fact that shed earned straight As in her first semester of classes. When asked about Mrs. Ward and the impact shes had on his family, the Iraqi father said, Celeste has become my sister. Celeste has changed our lives forever. She is the first American to help us accept a new life and overcome the trauma of leaving our family in Iraq. Celeste really tried to communicate with us, to understand our culture, and just spend time with us. She has touched our hearts and we love her entire family. President Spencer W. Kimball, 12th president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints captured what Mrs. Ward and so many others have experienced by giving Christ-like service. He said, When we are engaged in the service of our fellowmen, not only do our deeds assist them, but we put our own problems in a fresher perspective. When we concern ourselves more with others, there is less time to be concerned with ourselves! In the midst of the miracle of serving, there is the promise of Jesus that by losing ourselves, we find ourselves. We become more substantive as we serve othersindeed, it is easier to find ourselves because there is so much more of us to find. Life Care Centers of America named Jennifer Solomon as vice president of its Eastern Division. In this role, Ms. Solomon will oversee operations at the companys 39 skilled nursing and rehabilitation facilities in Georgia, Kentucky, the Carolinas, Tennessee and Virginia. That includes the Chattanooga-area centers. I am humbled and blessed to work with the compassionate associates in the Eastern Division, said Ms. Solomon. I love Life Cares passion and perseverance to provide quality care to our residents and patients. It has been our culture from the very beginning, and it can be seen every day through the kindness and dedication of our front-line associates. Ms. Solomon most recently served for more than eight years as vice president of the Appalachian Region within Life Cares Eastern Division. Before that, she was executive director at Life Care Center of Greeneville, Tn., for five years. She has been with Life Care for 22 years. Jennifer Solomon is the embodiment of the servant-leader concept espoused by Jesus, said Beecher Hunter, Life Care president. She is uniquely gifted with professional skills to serve others, and she is driven by a heart of love and compassion for all people she encounters including, in particular, residents and patients with care needs, their families and the associates she leads. From the first day she joined Life Care as a social services assistant at Life Care Center of Greeneville in 1997, it was instantly obvious that she had a bright future in health care. Our Eastern Division is in good hands with her at the helm. Cathy Murray, Life Cares chief operating officer, said, Jennifer is an experienced and caring leader who has her priorities in the right place. Residents come first, and her teams look up to her and respect her. We are pleased to have her leading the Eastern Division. Originally from Greeneville, Ms. Solomon has a masters degree in counseling and a bachelors degree in psychology. She and her husband, Lance, have a 16-year-old daughter, Kaytelyn. They reside in Greeneville. Sequoyah High School in Soddy Daisy coordinated a classroom visit with Chapter 942 of the Vietnam Veterans of America. With the assistance of JROTC instructor Lt. Col. Scott Glass, the veterans visited the United States History classes of teacher Katrina McCampbell. The students conducted interviews with the veterans to hear firsthand accounts of their military service while in the Army, Navy or the Air Force. The teenagers were able to sit in small groups with a veteran to facilitate a conversation. The veterans who participated included Robert Cothran, Gordon Denmark, Ric Dutton, Dexter Judd, Wayne Maillard, David Newell, Jim Penny, Don Phillips, Barbara Rossi, Donald Vice and Stephen White. They were asked about their service, including experiences in basic training, as well as their thoughts about the benefits of military service. The students said they enjoyed their conversations and especially loved hearing the stories the veterans had to tell. The veterans enjoyed their time as well, stating how they appreciated being given the opportunity to share their piece of history, and they reminded the students to Never Forget. Eryn Fish, a senior, said, I loved it. It was really interesting and I would have liked to talk to all of the veterans to hear all of their stories. Bailey Brock, a junior, said, It was important to meet them and have this experience because it give us a better idea of what military service in Vietnam was really like. I will never forget talking to Mr. White. Jacob Olvey, a junior, said, It was really cool to touch base with someone from that era. It gave me a mental picture of what he went through and that was a great experience for me. Stephen White, a veteran of the Navy said, I was not only surprised at how interested the students were but that they were also knowledgeable. I thought Vietnam wasnt taught in school anymore and they seemed to know a lot. Barbara Rossi, a veteran of the Army said, Every student I talked to enjoyed and I enjoyed it too. Young people need to hear from the people who have been there and done that. The military gets a lot of negative [press] and there is so much more positive about the military and they need to know that. Mrs. McCampbell and Lt. Col. Glass hope to continue this in the school years to come. They said it was a great experience for all involved. Mrs. McCampbell said, The best way to learn about history is to experience it, and these veterans are sources to the students beyond what any book or documentary can provide. Lt. Col. Glass said, This was a special time for all. These veterans are looking into the sunset and they will not be here forever. Relating their stories, some I am sure for the first time, keeps those memories alive for another generation. We need to hear and read these stories because that is who we are as a community and as a nation. Zavier Chavez, a senior at the Chattanooga High School Center for Creative Arts (CCA), was announced as one of 161 high school seniors in the 55th class of U.S. Presidential Scholars. U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos made the announcement on Tuesday. The seniors earned the recognition for their accomplishments in academics, the arts and career, and technical education. Mr. Chavez was one of only two selected from Tennessee. Mr. Chavez demonstrated excellence in academics to earn his spot in the 2019 class of U.S. Presidential Scholars. He is no stranger to recognition, as he is valedictorian of his graduating class and senior class president at CCA. He is an active participant on the Center for Creative Arts campus. He is active in the arts, studies Jazz music, and is the drummer in the schools Jazz band. Mr. Chavez has been accepted to Harvard University in the fall and plans to study to become a lawyer. The White House Commission on Presidential Scholars selects scholars annually based on their academic success, artistic and technical excellence, essays, school evaluations, and transcripts, as well as evidence of community service, leadership and demonstrated commitment to high ideals. Of the 3.6 million students expected to graduate from high school this year, more than 5,200 candidates qualified for the 2019 awards determined by outstanding performance on the College Board SAT and ACT exams or through nominations made by Chief State School Officers, other partner recognition organizations and the National YoungArts Foundation's nationwide YoungArts competition. As directed by Presidential Executive Order, the 2019 U.S. Presidential Scholars are comprised of one young man and one young woman from each state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, and U.S. families living abroad, as well as 15 chosen at-large, 20 Scholars in the Arts and 20 Scholars in Career and Technical Education. Created in 1964, the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program has honored over 7,500 of the nation's top-performing students with an annual ceremony in Washington, D.C. The program was expanded in 1979 to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional talent in the visual, literary and performing arts. In 2015, the program was again extended to recognize students who demonstrate ability and accomplishment in career and technical education fields. Each honoree will receive a Presidential Scholar Medallion at the 2019 ceremony scheduled for June 23. Nothing says American summer like a road trip. And the best way to pass time in the car is by visiting fun spots along the way. Here are the strangest roadside attractions in the U.S. You may find you have as much fun uncovering Americas oddities as you have at your destination! 1. Alabama: Unclaimed Baggage Center Women holding things from the Unclaimed Baggage Center. | Jeffrey Greenberg/UIG via Getty Images Ever wonder what happens to all the stuff people leave behind when they lose their luggage? Apparently it goes to Alabama. Airlines try to find the owners of unclaimed bags for three months. After that, the Unclaimed Baggage Center buys the luggage from them. It gets shipped to the facility where the items are sorted, laundered, and sold to more than 1 million annual visitors. You can buy everything from shoes to fine jewelry; over 7,000 items are added daily. Next: The truth is out there in Colorado. 2. Colorado: UFO Watchtower Colorados UFO Watchtower in the San Luis Valley | Julien Solomita via Instagram After watching her favorite show, The X-Files, for years, Judy Messoline realized her Hooper, Colorado ranch sits in the middle of what UFO believers consider a galactic hub in the San Luis Valley. You can camp on her ranch for $15, or you can drive in and look at the sky through the UFO watchtower for $5 per car. So far, there have been 90 sightings. Next: Are you a dog person? 3. Idaho: Worlds Biggest Beagle The Dog Bark Park Inn will host you for an overnight stay. | Victoria Penrose via Instagram If your next road trip includes Idaho, you must visit Dog Bark Park Inn, AKA the worlds biggest beagle. The inn only sleeps four and is open from April through October, so book your stay ahead of time. Youll enjoy a private deck, complimentary breakfast, and superb views. If you cant stay the night, then stretch your legs and visit the artists studio where the owners feature their chainsaw artwork. Next: Its like Egypt, but in Illinois 4. Illinois: Gold Pyramid House Sphinx line the Pyramid House in Illinois. | Raymond Boyd/Getty Images If you cant visit Egypt, the gold pyramid house in Wadsworth, Illinois may be the next best thing. Built in 1977 as a private residence, this 17,000-square-foot house is six stories tall and surrounded by a moat. House tours include a personal story of growing up there and a lesson on ancient Egypt. Make sure to take a picture with the tallest Rameses structure in the world. Next: A less scary version of Jurassic Park 5. Kentucky: Dinosaur World One of many dinosaurs at this roadside attraction | Ali Majdfar/Getty Images The Dinosaur World in Cave City, Kentucky features hundreds of life-size models of prehistoric dinosaurs, plus interactive outdoor exhibits. The park is dog-friendly, and you can bring your own food and drinks in coolers. Dinosaur World is open daily except for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Next: Relive a scary but fascinating time in history. 6. Massachusetts: The Witch House of Salem The Witch House on Essex Street | Mark Wilson/The Boston Globe via Getty Images We all know the Salem witch trials were horrible, but that doesnt make them any less interesting. If youre driving by Salem, Massachusetts, youll want to stop at the Witch House of Salem, the last standing structure with direct ties to the witch trials of 1692. The houses owner, Judge Jonathan Corwin, served on the court that which sent 19 women to their deaths after they refused to admit to practicing witchcraft. Next: See the gas station structure nobody asked for. 7. North Carolina: The Last Shell Oil Clam A surprising sight in North Carolina | Sarah Hemm via Instagram Revisit a time when gas was cheap and sold in clamshells? Clearly, the idea didnt last for long; the last Shell oil clam in the U.S. closed in the 1950s. It housed a mower repair business until the 80s. Now, its empty, but travelers still visit this clam located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Next: Stretch your legs and get wild in Washington. 8. Washington: Wild Horses Monument Washingtons Wild Horses Monument | cmon.lets.explore via Instagram If youre near Vantage, Washington and want to hike, then consider a trek to see Wild Horses Monument, officially called Grandfather Cuts Loose the Ponies. This monument features 15 life-size galloping horses. You can get a good look at it from a distance, but if you decide to hike to see the horses up close, youll also get spectacular views of the Columbia River. Next: The perfect stop for water, ice cream, or literally anything. 9. South Dakota: Wall Drug Wall Drugs ice cream counter | Melanie Stetson Freeman/The Christian Science Monitor via Getty Images If you seek a bonafide tourist trap, look no further than Wall Drug in South Dakota. What began as a little drugstore in the middle of nowhere it attracted drivers with free water in the 30s now sees up to 20,000 visitors a day. The city of Wall is a gateway to Badlands National Park. So Wall Drug is the perfect place to grab a snack before you visit the park. Next: Is it a rock or a house? 10. Utah: Hole N the Rock Hole N The Rock tourist attraction in southern Utah | Ted Soqui/Corbis via Getty Images If you road-trip through Southwest Utah, look for Hole N the Rock. (You cant miss the giant sign). Open year-round, this manmade marvel is a 5,000-square-foot home thats nearly a century old. It also features a zoo of exotic animals, including bison, camels, and zebra. The museum houses antique tools and mining equipment. Next: A good backup plan if you cant visit Stonehenge 11. Virginia: Foamhenge Travelers head up the hill to visit Foamhenge. | Michael Williamson/The Washington Post/Getty Images If you squint, you may think youre at Stonehenge when you visit Foamhenge. Originally built in 2004 in Natural Bridge, Virginia, the monument was moved in 2017 to its permanent location at Cox Farms. It sits on private property, so hours are limited. During the spring and summer, you can visit Foamhenge from 122 pm on Saturdays. Next: Where ice cream flavors go to die 12. Vermont: Ben and Jerrys Flavor Graveyard An employee of Ben & Jerrys scoops ice cream. | Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images Ever wonder what happens to ice-cream flavors when they get pulled off shelves? Ben and Jerrys flavor graveyard in Waterbury, Vermont is where the company honors their dearly de-pinted flavors. Heres a fun twist: Ben and Jerrys occasionally resurrects failed flavors. You can vote for the one you want to bring back online. (Make sure to get tickets for the ice-cream factory tour, too.) Next: Proof that Bigfoot is out there? 13. Maine: International Cryptozoology Museum Loren Coleman of the International Cryptozoology Museum | Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Portland Press Herald via Getty Images) Whether youre a Bigfoot believer or not, youll enjoy the International Cryptozoology Museum in Portland, Maine. This nonprofit is the only cryptozoology museum in the world. (Cryptozoology is the study of hidden animals.) Exhibits feature evidence of the existence of creatures like Bigfoot and the Loch Ness Monster, along with hundreds of strange items. Next: Youve never seen a talking cow quite this large. 14. Wisconsin: Chatty Belle, the Worlds Largest Talking Cow The worlds largest talking cow resides in Neillsville, Wisconsin. | Chatty Belle via Instagram Youll see a lot of cows on your road trip, but have you seen the worlds largest talking cow, Chatty Belle? If not, its time to plan a trip through Neillsville, Wisconsin. Chatty Belle has held the title since her debut in 1967. She stands a whopping 16 feet tall and is 20 feet long. Visitors can put a quarter in the speaker box next to hear Chattys pro-dairy speech. Next: A house made out of real bones maybe. 15. Wyoming: Fossil Cabin A cabin built entirely out of fossils | adriftatlast via Instagram The sign next to Fossil Cabin at Como Bluff says believe it or not, so well choose to believe this cabin really is made of dinosaur fossils. Its also the oldest building in Wyoming. Builder Thomas Boylan used 5,796 fossilized dinosaur bones he found in the area to make the 102,166-pound cabin in the 1930s. The building served as a gas station and museum until the 70s. Now its for sale, so its future is uncertain. Azan Tefou and Nicole Nafziger have had a stormy relationship ever since they were first featured on 90 Day Fiance. Over the course of their time on the show, there has been a variety of concerns over their relationship. Despite all of that, Nafziger has been making motions at marriage recently. But the main question is can Tefou get his visa? Last year, Tefou was denied his visa for residency in the U.S., throwing a massive wrench into whatever plans Nafziger might have had for a U.S. wedding. Heres what went wrong. Ghosts of girlfriends past Azan and Nicole in Morocco | TLC Tefou claimed that, when he went to get his visa hearing, he went in prepared and well-organized. You know that I did everything right with the papers and stuff, said Tefou. However, that wasnt all there is to it. After more prodding, Tefou finally said that there was a past relationship involved. That guy kept like asking me a lot of about my last relationship, he explained. Azan went on to say that, in the past, he had dated a woman in Belarus. Apparently at the time he had gone to Belarus to visit his then-girlfriend. I used to date this girl from Belarus and I went there before I knew Nicole. I think that the guy from [the] Embassy like, he keep asking about my trip to Belarus because he didnt believe the relationship between me and Nicole. He thought if Im just like, trying to leave Morocco and go to Belarus and do the same thing like just to leave Morocco and go to America. So, could it be that his visa is getting denied due to doubts about his sincerity? Tefous tell-all confessional gave us some additional insight. Tefous previous violations come to light Recent allegations against Tefou have lead to a lot of questions regarding his character and the true reason for his visa denial. YouTuber Keith Brooks released a now-deleted 45-minute video in which he interviewed a woman who claimed to be one of Tefous many girlfriends. This woman asked that her identity be kept private, but she claims to be a 23-year-old from Spain. She says shes learned that Tefou has girlfriends in a variety of countries. According to her, his goal is to find a girlfriend in a country with easier access to the U.S. than Morocco. To this end, she claims hes had girlfriends in South Korea, Japan, England, and Russia. The whole relationship is really a joke, said the informant. He plans on going over and marrying Nicole, as soon as he can he wants to just divorce her and then bring in his girlfriend from Morocco, bring her over to the states and marry her. Everything about it is just really shady. At some point in the past, Tefou overstayed his welcome on a visa in a different country. Could this have been on one of his jaunts to visit one of his other women? Either way, the point is moot having overstayed a visa in the past eliminates Tefou from the running when it comes to consideration for a K-1 visa which spells difficulty and possible disaster for his future goals with Nafziger. The proof is in the pudding It could also just be that Tefou and Nafzigers relationship itself is cause for concern when it comes to visa approval. Acquiring a K visa involves a serious vetting process. Part of this process is aimed at determining how serious, genuine, and healthy a relationship is. In Touch Weekly interviewed an insider source, who said that there are some definite red flags when it comes to vetting their relationship. Her hitting him on camera. Single mother supporting her child and her fiance. Lack of affection. Differences in religion. If the immigrant has a history on social media, say, of possibly being unfaithful, listed the source. Nafziger has floated some other plans for marrying Tefou and getting him over to the U.S., but only time will tell if these plans will pan out and if theyre a wise idea in the first place. News that Jana Duggar incorporated a business in her home state had fans abuzz about the possibilities. Now, however, it looks like something hinky might be going on in Duggarland. Duggar Family News: Life is not all Pickles and Hairspray, a Facebook group dedicated to Duggar rumors, has uncovered incorporation paperwork for Anna Duggar, too. Anna Duggar incorporates a business According to the Facebook group, Anna went ahead and incorporated an LLC this week. The company, named Soli Deo Gloria appears in a listing of recently incorporated companies in Arkansas. While Anna has filed the paperwork, she currently doesnt have a physical office. Eagle-eyed fans have traced the address used in the paperwork back to a virtual office. Anna has not shared her plans for the business, or if shes even in the process of opening one. Fans are curious about what she could be up to, especially considering the religious undertones of the company name. Soli Deo Gloria is a Latin phrase that means Glory to God. Does the business have something to do with the family selling their home? Joshua Duggar was forced to leave Washington D..C in 2015. The fallen golden boy of the family not only lost his cushy political gig, but his career was pretty much destroyed in the process. Back in Arkansas, after a stint in faith-based rehab, Joshua has reverted to selling used cars. An insider alleges he isnt doing particularly well at it, either. Anna Duggar and Josh Duggar | Photo by Kris Connor/Getty Images The family, now expecting their 6th child, have recently put their house on the market, and some fans are wondering if Annas business is just an attempt to protect some of the familys assets. The fact that the company is solely in Annas name gives some credence to the theory. After all, the Duggar family mainly believes women should only work in the home, and that the man should handle the finances. A business in Annas name is a pretty severe break from family culture. Are the Duggars playing with their money? Fans have long suspected that the Duggar family opens businesses to avoid luxury taxes. Reddit fans questioned the familys motivation for building out a fleet of airplanes, all of which were registered under an LLC. As it stands, the Duggar family only offers flying services to close friends and family, leading fans to believe that the Duggar family aviation business is not a business, at all. , Jim Bob Duggar | Photo by FOX News Channel via Getty Images The Duggar family currently has several businesses registered in the state of Arkansas. Jim Bob Duggar has a successful commercial real estate business, according to In Touch. The firm, which existed long before TLC came knocking on the familys door, deals in renting out large commercial properties. Jim Bob once explained he rented property he owned to a cell phone provider so they could put up a tower. Josh Duggar is hoping to avoid yet another scandal. The troubled reality star was just hit with a real estate lawsuit after allegedly purchasing some land that was already owned by a separate party. Josh, who has been a part of some massive scandals over the years, reportedly begged a judge to dismiss the case and remove his name from the lawsuit entirely. Josh Duggar | Photo by Kris Connor/Getty Images Inside Duggars latest scandal The drama started in 2016 after Joshs real estate company, ALB Investments, LLC, bought five acres of land in Arkansas for $1,000. The only problem is that a man named Carl Echols claims he purchased the property in 2006. According to Radar Online, Echols says he originally paid $17,500 for the acreage and has been paying taxes on the land for the past decade. He also lives in a home on the property. Echols bought the land from his cousin, Edward L. Lewis, who was also mentioned in the lawsuit. Echols is suing Lewis for breach of contract and ALB Investments for the title. In early May, Joshs attorneys argued that ALB Investments is in good standing and should not have been linked in the lawsuit. Josh then asked the judge, who has yet to rule on the matter, to remove his name from the lawsuit. Josh Duggar starts new life outside of reality TV After several scandals got him booted from TLC, Josh has been quietly earning a living for himself outside of reality television. Aside from his real estate ventures, Josh works in the used car business and is estimated to be worth around $200,000. While that would be considered successful by most peoples standards, Joshs income pales in comparison to his parents, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, who are worth several millions. What Does Anna's Family Really Think of Josh Duggar? The Cheat Sheet https://t.co/9gN5lCnTb7 pic.twitter.com/QwAWHERlNs Amber Mason (@ambermason36) May 4, 2019 Josh, of course, would be making a lot more if he was allowed to appear in front of the Counting On cameras, but his history of scandals have made that virtually impossible. Fortunately, Josh is making enough money to support his growing family. In fact, Josh and his wife, Anna, just announced that they are expecting another baby, which makes a grand total of six. The couple confirmed the exciting news on social media and said they are thrilled to bring another child into the world. Josh is no stranger to scandals During his time on 19 Kids and Counting, the world learned that Josh Duggar had sexually molested five girls when he was a teenager. Even more disturbing is the fact that a few of the victims were his own sisters and the family kept it a buried for years. When Jim Bob and Michelle discovered what Josh had done, they forced him to undergo counseling at a Christian center and notified police. The police filed an official report on what happened but did not press any charges. Duggar Watch: Anna and Josh Drop Price on Their Farmhouse by $10K: Anna and Josh Duggar have dropped the price of their home by $10,000after just a month on the market. Its now available for $289,000. The post Duggar Watch: Anna and Josh Drop Price https://t.co/YLldklOIvE House Solution Egypt (@HouseSolutionEG) May 2, 2019 Over a decade later, the original report was leaked to the press. The ensuing scandal resulted in the cancelation of 19 Kids and Counting and prompted the Duggar family to release a statement on the situation. Josh apologized to fans for his actions and admitted that he has deep regret over what happened. After massive backlash from fans, TLC decided to pull the plug on the show and remove Josh from the network. TLC later agreed to move forward with a spin-off, Counting On, though Joshs scandals did not end there. Josh admits to cheating on wife A few months after TLC canceled 19 Kids and Counting, Joshs name was linked in the data breach of Ashley Madison, a website that encouraged adultery. After the leak, Josh came clean about his cheating ways and admitted that he is a sex addict. The disgraced reality star revealed that he has been addicted to pornography and that his sexual deviance ultimately led him to cheat on Anna. Anna Duggar due date: When is Josh Duggars pregnant wife likely to be expecting their sixth child? https://t.co/Fawx2yn7rJ pic.twitter.com/zTVqfVhhN8 Shake IT News Digest (@days7) April 29, 2019 Following the two sex scandals, Josh withdrew from the spotlight and seems content living outside of the public eye. Josh has, however, slowly been making his way on the Duggar familys Instagram account, sparking speculation that he is considering a comeback. Josh Duggar has not officially commented on his latest real estate scandal. His famous family returns with new episodes of Counting On later this year on TLC. Actors Katie Holmes and Jamie Foxx are one of Hollywoods most private couples. As such, many details surrounding their relationship arent available, but what we do know is ahead. Katie Holmes and Jamie Foxx have been dating for (maybe) five years Foxx and Holmes began dating in 2013, maybe 2014. Because theyre such a secret couple, we dont know exactly when they began dating but in August 2013 rumors started circulating that they were together, according to Marie Claire. Katie Holmes, Tom Cruise, and Jamie Foxx on the sidelines before a Redskins-Vikings game. | The Washington Post / Contributor Holmes had been divorced from Tom Cruise for about a year. Rumors starting flying after Foxx and Holmes were seen dancing arm-in-arm at a benefit held at the Apollo Theater. They dated in secret for years Not until March 2015 did photos published in UsWeekly show the couple holding hands. At the time, a source brushed off any major romance. This is not some intense romance, the source told UsWeekly. Jamie and Katie are friends and have been for a long time. They are two adults who are attractive and single, and so apparently conclusions will be drawnBut contrary to those conclusions, theyre not about to run off and make some serious commitment, they added. Nine months later, Holmes reportedly attended Foxxs birthday party which took place in New York City. Other attendees included Jennifer Hudson and Alicia Keys and more. Both were seen wearing what appeared to be wedding bands Foxx and Holmes had the world thinking they were married in March 2016 after they were both seen sporting rings on their wedding fingers. A spokesperson for Foxx dismissed the rumors marking the first time either of their people had publicly acknowledged their relationship. Claudia Jordan revealed Foxx and Holmes were dating Fast-forward to 2016 when the couple may have already been dating for two-and-a-half or three years. Katie Holmes and Jamie Foxx attend the Clive Davis and Recording Academy Pre-GRAMMY Gala and GRAMMY Salute to Industry Icons Honoring Jay-Z on January 27, 2018, in New York City. | Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for NARAS Actress and TV/radio personality, Claudia Jordan, who is a friend of Foxxs, confirmed that he and Holmes were dating as rumors had been suggesting years earlier. He is very happy with her. I like that he seems very happy, Jordan said on the podcast, Allegedly. Foxx and Holmes go public In 2017, photographs surfaced of the couple taking a romantic walk on the beach holding hands. Holmes and Foxx still hadnt discussed their relationship in public with sources saying they wanted to protect their families. They keep it private and protect it for the most part because they dont want to disrupt either of their families, a source told UsWeekly. Jamie rarely has her over his house and they mostly hang out separately from their kids. Foxx walked off set during an interview with ESPN in Feb. 2019 after the interviewer asked him about his relationship with Holmes showing just how serious they are about keeping their relationship private. Katie Holmes and Jamie Foxx attend The 2019 Met Gala Celebrating Camp: Notes on Fashion at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 06, 2019, in New York City. | Kevin Tachman/MG19/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue Red carpet debutBoth Foxx and Holmes have attended the same events but never been photographed together. That all changed last night at the 2019 Met Gala. The two didnt walk the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art together but they did pose for pictures once inside. When Trevor Noah found out he was going to be Jon Stewarts replacement on The Daily Show, his entire life changed. Eventually, he went from being on The Daily Show as a part-time foreign correspondent to being the host of the show. He beat out other comedians and actors that wanted the job, mainly because Jon Stewart had been a longtime fan of Noah. Another reason Comedy Central offered him the job, was due to his unique voice and take on the controversial subject matter. His background and nationality gives him a better understanding and appreciation for race and politics. Trevor Noahs life had a rough start Trevor Noah had a rough start to his life. In his New York Times best-selling book, Born A Crime, he talks about his upbringing. This is the story of his childhood and how it all started with a crime, his birth. You see, Trevor Noah was never supposed to be born, because his mother is black Xhosa, and his father is a white man of German-Swiss descent. He was born in apartheid South Africa and interracial relationships were illegal. In fact, there were several times he recalled his mother going missing as a child. She would often get caught sneaking out to see his father and getting arrested for a few days or up to a few weeks according to NPR. When Trevor Noah would go stay with his grandmother, she would often have to hide him. Because he was half black and half white, he could be taken away from his family. Most of his early years were spent hiding from the police and hoping neighbors didnt snitch on his family. When apartheid came to an end in South Africa, Noah could finally come out of hiding. He still had to deal with an abusive stepfather who reportedly tried to kill him and his mother, but it was no longer against the law for him to exist. His career has taken off His career was already going places in South Africa. In fact, he was one of the biggest comedians and celebrities in the country before Americans had ever heard of him. He would tour around the country and world to sold-out shows. Not bad considering his rough start. He even created and hosted his own talk show called Tonight with Trevor Noah. It was shortly after this that he landed the part-time correspondence gig on The Daily Show, with Jon Stewart. His comedic style and timing was a perfect fit for the show. Not only was he able to joke around about some pretty heavy subjects, but he was able to use the show as a platform. This is ultimately what made him a candidate to succeed Stewart after 16 years of hosting. How old is Trevor Noah? Trevor Noah | Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for FCancer It is amazing to think about the road that Trevor Noah had to take to get to where he is today. The actor, author, host, and comedian has found great success in life. Not many people can claim that. To make his success story more impressive he is still young. At only 35 years old he has already been through so much. Noah often talks about his birthday being special because he shares it with Rihanna. They were both born on February, 20th. His Comedy Central contract has him continuing to host his show until 2022. If he is anything like Jon Stewart he will likely write more books and become even more popular. Unless you live on a deserted island with zero access to wifi, then youve no doubt heard by now that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle welcomed a son on Monday, May 6. Prince Harry made an appearance outside Frogmore Cottage and excitedly updated reporters on the birth, his happiness, and the strength of all women, inspiring a chorus of Awwwws! from the audience. One thing he didnt mention? The place where the birth took place. Considering the new dad wouldnt want to leave his wifes side, the location of the announcement led royal fans to question if Meghan Markle did experience a home birth like she wanted. But Buckingham Palace just confirmed that in truth, the Duchess of Sussex snuck away to give birth in a hospital and even the top royal officials didnt know about it. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle | Neil Mockford/GC Images Baby Sussex was probably overdue Meghan Markles actual due date is still a mystery to most people, but since people believe she was expecting to give birth in late April or early May, they think the baby arrived late. If thats true, theres a possibility she was induced. While many doctors will allow pregnant women to remain pregnant two weeks past their due dates, Meghan Markles age probably played a factor in how late she could be. Its likely that she was closely monitored for the entire pregnancy. Any indication of distress for the baby would result in induction to preserve the health of the unborn child. Meghan Markle | Jeff Spicer/BFC/Getty Images No one knew Meghan Markle was being taken to the hospital Daily Mail correspondent Rebecca English explained that even senior royals werent made aware that Meghan Markle was heading to the hospital sometime Sunday evening. While we still dont know which hospital baby boy Sussex was born in, royal insiders are betting its nearby Portland Hospital, which is also where Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie were delivered. Prince Harry and Doria Ragland, Meghan Markles mom, went with her to the hospital. But other than those close family members, no one knew about the secret hospital visit until after the Duchess of Sussex was already there. The Duchess of Sussex skipped the post-birth photos It came as no surprise that Prince Harry announced the babys birth solo since the couple already explained that theyd be skipping the iconic post-birth photo call on the hospital steps. Prince William and Kate Middleton take a different route, appearing for photos on the steps of the Lindo Wing mere hours after the birth for each of their children. Princess Diana did the same for both her sons. But Prince Harry and Meghan Markle already explained that they werent planning to follow this tradition and would instead take time to celebrate privately as a family before releasing photos. Royal fans were nervous that they wouldnt know about the birth at all, however that turned out to be inaccurate. Now everyone is patiently awaiting the pictures of the newborn royal baby plus an announcement on the name. We cant wait to see his precious little face! Last night Kim Kardashian and her husband, Kanye West, attended the Met Gala. Fashions biggest night of the year saw guests give their best interpretation of the theme, Camp: Notes on Fashion. Camp as in over the top, not grab a sleeping bag. Since walking the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Kardashians been hit with a lot of criticism for her look. Kardashian wore a Mugler dress Kardashian shared images of herself walking the steps of the Met on Instagram. She captioned the post, Mugler Drip Straight out of the ocean, tagging the designer and noting that he, Manfred Thierry Mugler, hadnt designed a new creation in 20 years. Kim Kardashian West attends the 2019 Met Gala celebrating Camp: Notes on Fashion at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 6, 2019, in New York City. | Taylor Hill/FilmMagic Kardashian looked almost dripping wet in her dress that had what appeared to be diamonds or crystal beads hanging off the fabric. Kardashian also spoke with E! News at the Met Gala about her look. He [Mugler] just envisioned me this California girl stepping out of the ocean, on the red carpet, wet, dripping, that is the vibe tonight. Sophia Loren on the set of Boy on a Dolphin, directed by Jean Negulesco. |Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation/Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images She also shared the inspiration for Muglers design on her Instagram story, posting pictures of actress Sophia Loren in Boy on a Dolphin. Criticisms of Kardashians Met Gala look People on social media, namely Twitter, were quick to criticize Kardashians Met Gala look, that, as she explained, involved a very cinched waist made possible by a corset. Many people were quick to criticize Kardashians look, which involved a lot of body shaming. Most of the comments were about Kardashians curves. One Twitter user wrote, #KimKardashian is beautiful. I just wish she was shaped like a human. #metgala. #KimKardashians waist is crazy in that corset, I want to breathe for her! #METGala, another person tweeted about Kardashians look. Kim Kardashian West is seen arriving to the 2019 Met Gala Celebrating Camp: Notes on Fashion at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 6, 2019, in New York City. | Gilbert Carrasquillo/GC Images Another person tweeted, Where did Kim Kardashians internal organs spend the night at Met Gala? Because I cant figure out how anatomically possible it would be to fit them all inside that tiny waist. I wish @KimKardashian would use her platform to speak on things like body positivity but she keeps making her waist unrealistically narrow and her *ss unrealistically big. Its disgusting and gross and why would you even? The sh*t people with money do, another person tweeted. Kardashians personal trainer came to her defense Kardashians personal trainer, Melissa Alcantara, took to Instagram to defend her client, according to Cosmopolitan. To make things clear, Alcantara wrote on Instagram, 1. This dress is corseted BUT 2. Kim trains her *ss off 6 days a f*ck*ng week, she wakes up early AF and is dedicated. 3. I paved the road for her but SHE did the work! MOST IMPORTANTLY I dont give a sh*t about your opinions on her body, if you think [its] fake or not! I see her every morning, I see her train and I see her sweat and I see all the work she does outside the gym and THAT is commendable! Alcantara is often featured on Kardashians Instagram in workout videos. Its common to see Kardashian joke about hating her personal trainer because she makes her wear a resistance band or ankle weights while on a stair-stepper. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are the proud new parents of a beautiful son, born yesterday, May 6, 2019, at 5:26 A.M. BST. And, following the royal babys arrival, the Duke of Sussex made an appearance to share the news, confirm that mother and baby are doing incredibly well, and announce that, despite having a little extra time to decide (the duchess was overdue!), they still dont have a name picked out for the newest member of the royal family. Luckily, they have some help as just about every royal family fan, members of the media, and gamblers placing bets on royal baby names have an opinion on what Prince Harry and Meghan Markle should call their firstborn. Names like Arthur, Albert, and Charles are of course on the list. However, Philip is a top contender, too and one that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are likely considering. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle | Dominic Lipinski WPA Pool/Getty Images Will Prince Harry and Meghan Markle name their son after Prince Philip? Prince Harry is notoriously close with his grandfather, Prince Philip. The royal familys patriarch has supported his grandson throughout all stages of his life and was a big reason why Prince Harry and Meghan Markle wanted to get married so quickly after their engagement. After all, he is just one month shy of his 98th birthday (and was weeks away from his 97th birthday on the day of their royal wedding). But, thats not the only reason why Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will probably name Baby Sussex after Prince Philip. In addition to the Duke of Sussexs relationship with his grandfather, Prince William and Kate Middleton chose to not name their two sons after the Duke of Edinburgh. Prince Georges full name is George Alexander Louis and Prince Louiss full name is Louis Arthur Charles, which means that Baby Sussex could finally be the one to honor his great-grandpa through his first or middle name. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle baby boy names The Duke and Duchess of Sussex dont just have the difficult task of choosing one first name and one middle name for their new bundle of joy. In the royal family, its common for most members to have at least two middle names (sometimes three or four!), which means that even if they choose to incorporate Philip into their babys name, they have a couple of other names to pick, too. Here are the top contenders for royal baby boy names, including a super sweet one that pays homage to the late Princess Diana and Prince Harrys more commoner roots. Arthur: This iconic name honors the legendary King Arthur. Also part of Prince Georges full-name, Arthur represents leadership and dignity and leaves a good first impression which is important to royal family members. Right now, the name is at the top of the list with 5/1 odds, according to Ladbrokes, a British-based gambling and betting company. Albert: In honor of Queen Elizabeths father, King George VI, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle might name their son Albert, which was the late kings birth name. When he ascended the throne, Prince Albert changed his name to one of his middle names, George. Charles: Charles is another popular pick for royal baby names. However, gamblers arent so sure that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will name their child after the future king. Ladbrokes says this royal baby boy name has 16/1 odds. Spencer: Some members of the media and royal family fans are rallying behind Spencer, as a way to honor Princess Diana. Inspired by her maiden name, Spencer not only represents Prince Harrys mother, but also his connection to commoners and normalcy, which is something he wants for his son. Check out The Cheat Sheet on Facebook! Royal baby mania has begun as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have welcomed their first child together. Now, many fans are questioning where their baby boy falls in the line of succession to the British throne and where his place is in relation to his father as well as his older cousins Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. Heres the answer to that and how baby Sussex altered the line for some other royals. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Dominic Lipinski WPA Pool/Getty Images The new babys place in the line of succession The royal baby does not change the line for all royals. Those before him have stayed the same and they include Prince Charles, who is heir apparent and will take over the throne after his mother, Queen Elizabeth II. Following Charles is his oldest son and Harrys brother, Prince William. The Duke of Cambridges first child, Prince George, is third. His little sister, Charlotte, is fourth in line thanks to the Succession to the Crown Act which amended the system so that males no longer take precedence over their older sisters. That rule change makes her younger brother, Prince Louis, fifth. After the birth of each of Williams children, Harrys place in the line was bumped down. The Duke of Sussex now sits at sixth in line and his son becomes seventh. If Markle and the prince have any more children they will fall in line behind their older sibling. Who baby Sussex bumped down in line? Prince Andrew | Eamonn McCormack/Getty Images) The baby does change the place of some royals in the line succession as he bumped his great uncle Prince Andrew down the line. Following baby Sussexs birth, the Duke of York fell to eighth. With Andrew now in the eighth position, everyone else behind him is bumped down as well. The dukes daughters, Beatrice and Eugenie, are ninth an 10th respectively. Then comes Prince Charles youngest brother, Prince Edward, who becomes 11th. Followed by the Earl of Wessexs son, James Viscount Severn, at 12th and then Edwards daughter, Lady Louise, at 13th. Charles sister, Princess Anne, is now 14th and her son, Peter, is 15th. Peters daughters, Savannah and Isla, are 16th and 17th. And Annes daughter, Zara, moves to 18th while her two children, Mia and Lena, move down the line to 19th and 20th. Prince Andrew congratulates Harry and Markle after babys birth Of course, there were no hard feelings on Andrews part about being bumped and he was one of the first family members to congratulate Markle and his nephew on the arrival of their little one. Congratulations to The Duke and Duchess of Sussex on the safe delivery of your baby boy! Andrew wrote on social media. Many other royals also sent congratulatory messages and the palace released the following statement after baby Sussex came into the world: The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales, The Duchess of Cornwall, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Lady Jane Fellowes, Lady Sarah McCorquodale, and Earl Spencer have been informed and are delighted with the news. The Duchesss mother, Doria Ragland, who is overjoyed by the arrival of her first grandchild, is with Their Royal Highnesses at Frogmore Cottage. Her Royal Highness and the baby are both doing well. Read more: When Will the Public Get To See the First Photos of Prince Harry and Meghan Markles Baby Boy? Check out The Cheat Sheet on Facebook! Every year, The Met Gala brings together the top celebrities and most influential individuals in the fashion industry in a star-studded affair. Fans anxiously wait to see their favorite stars dazzle in their own clothing renditions of the years theme and look forward to seeing photos of each celebrity ascending the covenant steps as the enter the event. Jennifer Lopez, Kim Kardashian West, Kanye West, and Alex Rodriguez attend The 2019 Met Gala on May 6, 2019 | Photo by Kevin Tachman/MG19/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue Though there are a ton of photographers capturing photos of each celebrity as the enter the Met Gala, no one really knows what goes on past the pink carpet. For the past few years, the no selfie rule has been enforced inside the Met Gala, but why is social media of all things, not permitted inside fashions biggest event? Anna Wintour instated the rule in 2015 For the past four years, the use of social media and taking selfies has been banned inside of The Met Gala. Anna Wintour, who is the editor-in-chief of Vogue and the chair of the Met Ball, hasnt said why she put forth the social media ban but enforces it heavily. In 2015, the magazine editor put out a memo, warning guests about the use of phones within the exclusive event. The use of phones for photography and social media will not be permitted inside the gala, it read. Though Wintour has not said why she put a social media ban on the event, many publications speculate that Vogue wanted more control over the editorial photos. Many also theorized that the ban was put forth to increase the exclusivity of the event and if guests shared photos of the Met Gala on social media, it wouldnt be as exclusive as it is. Some publications have said that Anna Wintour wants guests to enjoy themselves and not be buried in their phones all night. Anna is sort of an old-school traditionalist. She likes a dinner party where people are actually speaking to each other, The New York Posts Sylvana Durrett said in 2016. We arent sitting over peoples shoulders, but if its an obvious thing we might gently remind them. Celebrities have a hard time following the rules Though Anna Wintour and Met Gala officials are strict when it comes to guests taking photos and videos with their phone, celebrities still end up breaking the rules. During the 2017 Met Gala, Kylie Jenner got away with taking an iconic bathroom selfie with fellow celebrities such as A$AP Rocky, Slick Woods, Brie Larson, Diddy, Lily Aldridge, Frank Ocean, Paris Jackson, and many more crowded together. Jenner captioned the photo, annual bathroom selfie, and it has gone down in history as one of the best celebrity group selfies to date. At the 2019 Met Gala, Alex Rodriguez couldnt help but document his night with his fiancee Jennifer Lopez, as well as Kim Kardashian and Kanye West. The two couples were caught posing for a selfie despite Wintours no phones rule at the event. One of the most anticipated royal births ever has finally happened as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have welcomed a healthy baby boy. Now, that their little one has arrived theres been a ton of speculation about everything from what his name will be to if he will have a royal title. Many royal fans also have questions about the familys future, and what the pair could be planning to do for their son has shocked a lot of people. Prince Harry And Meghan Markle | Ben Birchall WPA Pool/Getty Images Heres more what the childs name could be, whether hell have a title, and the reason why the Duke and Duchess of Sussex may retire from royal life for baby Sussex. What they might name their son U.K. bookies Ladbrokes and Sportsbet have been taking bets on what the baby boys name will be and so far the frontrunner is Arthur. The name is popular within the British royal family as the childs grandfather Prince Charles full name is Charles Philip Arthur George. Its also the middle name of Prince William and Kate Middletons youngest son, Louis Arthur Charles. After Arthur, the other top picks are James and Albert. If the latter is chosen he would share a name with his father as Prince Harrys full name is Henry Charles Albert David. Will the baby get a royal title? Even though we dont the childs name yet, many have also speculated about if he will get a regal title like his parents and so many of his other family members. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Dominic Lipinski WPA Pool/Getty Images The new baby is seventh in the line of succession to the throne but that doesnt mean hell get a prince title. In fact, he may not have a title at all. It really depends on what Markle and Harry want to do. The child is not going to be the king very doubtful. They may not even have a royal role going forward, royal correspondent Robert Jobson told Yahoos The Royal Box. I know they are looking at the titles now they may decide not to have a princely title. If the duke and duchess decide they dont want a title for their child, they wouldnt be the first royals to go that route. When Queen Elizabeths daughter, Princess Anne, had her children Her Majesty offered to give them courtesy titles since they were not entitled to royal status by birth. However, the Princess Royal declined that offer and their non-royal status actually allowed them to pursue other career opportunities. Why Markle and Harry might retire from royal life for their child? Prince Harry and Meghan Markle | Jack Taylor/Getty Images Jobson said that he believes Markle and the prince will also reject any title and retire from royal life so their son can forge his own career path as well. Meghan and Harry in 10 years time, when the focus will be on the Cambridge children and the Cambridges, may decide they want to settle in the West Coast and not be part of all this, he said, adding that Harry had previously discussed plans to leave his royal life behind. He found a degree of freedom when he was in the military but the truth of it is, he was looking for things hed rather be doing, Jobson explained. I personally think hes a free spirit, Harry, and Im sure thats probably what he wants for his children. Royal fans will just have to wait and see what the Sussexs decide to do. Read more: When Will the Public Get To See the First Photos of Prince Harry and Meghan Markles Baby Boy? Check out The Cheat Sheet on Facebook! Nicole Nafziger and Azan Tefou are one of the most dramatic and tumultuous couples on 90 Day Fiance. Its been several years and Tefou has still failed to secure a visa, and the couple has yet to fully marry. Amongst allegations of cheating on both sides, and many fans fear that Tefou is scamming Nafziger, its getting to the point where viewers are wondering if theyll ever tie the knot. They are engaged, and they made plans to get married twice in the past. However, it seems they fell through. That might not be the end of it. Could wedding bells still be on the horizon? Wedding plans put on hold Nafziger and Tefou have been engaged for a while now, and have already had to postpone wedding plans twice. The first wedding was called off when Nafziger failed to acquire the proper wedding documentation. And now, the second attempt has been postponed as well. Obviously, this isnt a great sign. Nafziger held a Q&A on Instagram to help clear the air for fans. One fan asked her, Why didnt you guys actually get married when you were supposed to? In her response, Nafziger wrote, Too much pressure not enough time or money. You cant rush this kind of stuff. Do it in the right moment and it wasnt the right moment yet. That seems like a reasonable answer on its face, but at the same time, it doesnt really delve into many details. Its a bit vague. After two postponements, youd expect an answer with a little more depth to it. So is the third time the charm for these two? Opening a beauty store After postponing their wedding for financial reasons, Nafziger announced that she and Tefou had plans to instead open up a beauty shop in Morocco. Nafzigers family was immediately suspicious. While Nafziger herself contributed $6,000, Tefou only contributed $500 to the entire project. Joe Farouker, Nafzigers step-father, had the following to say about Tefou, Hes living off of her, Joe Fouraker claimed to Radar. She sends him money. He was going to start a business. My wife was there for a week for the wedding. He would never allow anybody to see his place of business. He went on to add, He doesnt have one! He wasnt intending to set one up. Hes milking her for all he can. Nafzigers mother had similar misgivings. I am surprised the purchasing of the store takes precedence over the wedding, Nafzigers mom said. That looks suspicious. Maybe this whole store thing is Azans get-rich-quick scheme. Azan claimed all photos of the store were deleted, and that he didnt want to show it to anyone until it was complete. A destination wedding? Reports of Nafziger and Tefous possible upcoming nuptials have been circling for some time now. Some have theorized that Nafziger will be tying the knot with Tefou in his home country of Morocco, rather than marrying him in the U.S. Due to Tefous issues acquiring a K-1 visa, this could be an opportunity to bring Tefou into the U.S. In Touch Weekly reports that the wedding could happen as soon as this summer. A source familiar with Nicole told Radar Online that, [Nicole]s sticking around for her sisters wedding in June then going back to Morocco. Her intentions are to get married while shes over there. This will be the first time in a year that Nafziger has seen Tefou in person, though they do keep in touch via texting and Skype calls. Perhaps well see the two would-be lovebirds in domestic bliss after all. Now that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are the parents of a baby boy everyone has so many questions about their little one. Royal fans want to know when we will see the first photos of him, what his name will be, and could he be possibly be king one day? Heres where baby Sussex falls in the line of succession and what that means for any future as the monarch. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle | Facundo Arrizabalaga Pool/Getty Images How the line of succession works The line of succession to the British throne is the order in which members of the royal family come to the throne when the reigning king or queen passes away. That line changes for certain royals with every birth of a new baby and some of the rules have been tweaked over the past few years so that males no longer take precedence over their older sisters. According to the royal familys website, The Succession to the Crown Act (2013) amended the provisions of the Bill of Rights and the Act of Settlement to end the system of male primogeniture, under which a younger son can displace an elder daughter in the line of succession. The Act applies to those born after 28 October 2011. Where are Prince Harry and his son in line? The Duke of Sussex is sixth in the line of succession and his son comes behind him at seventh, a spot that was previously occupied by Harrys uncle Prince Andrew. Following baby Sussexs birth, the Duke of York was bumped to eighth. Andrew was actually second in line when he was born. Prince Harry | Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images If Markle and Harry have any more children they will be behind their older sibling in the line and push Prince Andrew down again. Will baby Sussex ever be king? Its very unlikely that Harry or his son will ever be king because of how many other royals are above them in the line. Prince Charlesis the heir apparent and will take over the throne after his mother, Queen Elizabeth II. Following Charles is his oldest son and Harrys brother, Prince William. The Duke of Cambridges first child, Prince George, is third. His little sister, Charlotte, is fourth thanks to the Succession to the Crown Act, and her younger brother, Prince Louis, is fifth in line. Image via sussexroyal Instagram Not only that but just like Prince Andrew, Harry and his son will get bumped down even further in the line once the Cambridge children start having kids of their own. This actually works out well for Prince Harry who has admitted in the past that he does not want to be king. We are not doing this for ourselves but for the greater good of the people, the told Newsweek. Is there any one of the royal family who wants to be king or queen? I dont think so, but we will carry out our duties at the right time. 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Researchers at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and the University of Toronto have proposed a method enabling air conditioning and ventilation systems to produce synthetic fuels from carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) and water from the ambient air. Compact plants are to separate CO2 from the ambient air directly in buildings and produce synthetic hydrocarbons which can then be used as renewable synthetic oil. To prevent the disastrous effects of global climate change, man-made greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced to zero over the next three decades. This is clear from the current special report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The necessary transformation poses a huge challenge to the global community: entire sectors such as power generation, mobility, or building management must be redesigned. In a future climate-friendly energy system, synthetic energy sources could represent an essential building block: If we use renewable wind and solar power as well as carbon dioxide directly from the ambient air to produce fuels, large amounts of greenhouse gas emissions can be avoided," says Professor Roland Dittmeyer from the Institute for Micro Process Engineering (IMVT) at KIT. Due to the low CO2 concentration in the ambient air today, the proportion is 0.038 percent - large quantities of air have to be treated in large filter systems in order to produce significant quantities of synthetic energy sources. A research team led by Dittmeyer and Professor Geoffrey Ozin from the University of Toronto (UoT) in Canada now proposes to decentralize the production of synthetic energy sources in the future and to link them to existing ventilation and air conditioning systems in buildings. According to Professor Dittmeyer, the necessary technologies are essentially available, and the thermal and material integration of the individual process stages is expected to enable a high level of carbon utilization and a high energy efficiency. "We want to use the synergies between ventilation and air-conditioning technology on the one hand and energy and heating technology on the other to reduce the costs and energy losses in synthesis. In addition, 'crowd oil' could mobilize many new actors for the energy transition. Private photovoltaic systems have shown how well this can work." However, the conversion of CO2 would require large amounts of electrical power to produce hydrogen or synthesis gas. This electricity must be CO2-free, i.e. it must not come from fossil sources. An accelerated expansion of renewable power generation, including through building-integrated photovoltaics, is therefore necessary, says Dittmeyer. In a joint publication in the journal Nature Communications, the scientists led by Roland Dittmeyer from KIT and Geoffrey Ozin from UoT use quantitative analyses of office buildings, supermarkets and energy-saving houses to demonstrate the CO2 saving potential of their vision of decentralized conversion plants coupled to building infrastructure. They reckon that a significant proportion of the fossil fuels used for mobility in Germany could be replaced by "crowd oil". According to the team's calculations, for example, the amount of CO2 that could potentially be captured in the ventilation systems of the approximately 25,000 supermarkets of Germany's three largest food retailers alone would be sufficient to cover about 30 percent of Germany's kerosene demand or about eight percent of its diesel demand. In addition, the energy sources produced could be used in the chemical industry as universal synthesis building blocks. The team can rely on preliminary investigations of the individual process steps and process simulations, among others from the Kopernikus project P2X of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research. On this basis, the scientists expect an energy efficiency - i.e. the proportion of electrical energy used that can be converted into chemical energy - of around 50 to 60 percent. In addition, they expect carbon efficiency - i.e. the proportion of spent carbon atoms found in the fuel produced - to range from around 90 to almost 100 percent. In order to confirm these simulation results, IMVT researchers and project partners are currently building up the fully integrated process at KIT, with a planned CO2 turnover of 1.25 kilograms per hour. At the same time, however, the scientists have found that the proposed concept - even if it were introduced all over Germany - would not be able to fully meet today's demand for crude oil products. Reducing the demand for liquid fuels, for example through new mobility concepts and the expansion of local public transport, remains a necessity. Although the components of the proposed technology, such as the plants for CO2 capture and the synthesis of energy sources, are already commercially available in some cases, the researchers believe that major research and development efforts and an adaptation of the legal and social framework conditions are still required in order to put this vision into practice. Vice President Mike Pence visited Louisiana on Friday to show his support to the members of the three historically black churches that were set ablaze by an arsonist in late March and early April. Pence announced his visit to the Bayou State on May 2, during the National Day of Prayer service at the White House. There he noted that attacks on houses of worship are becoming all too frequent. According to the Associated Press, while speaking to the congregants at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church one of the three churches authorities believe was set on fire by Holden Matthews, the son of a local sheriff's deputy the Vice President lamented the attacks on the Louisiana churches as well as the recent shootings in synagogues in Pennsylvania and California and the mass shooting at a mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand. Pence said, Sadly we live in a time when attacks on communities of faith have become all too frequent. He continued, "No one should ever fear for their safety in a house of worship, anywhere in this country, anywhere in the world. Attacks on communities of faith must stop." Parishioners around him affirmed his statement as many of them said "amen." The Vice President then spoke directly of the arson attacks calling the church burnings evil. He said, "What happened here at Mt. Pleasant, at Greater Union, at St. Mary's was evil, but these communities of faith have overcome evil with good. As Christian Headlines previously reported, three churches were set on fire starting with St. Mary Baptist Church in Port Barre, LA on March 26. A few days later, the Greater Union Baptists Church in Opelousas, LA and the Mount Pleasant Baptist Church were also set ablaze, one on April 2 and the other on April 4, respectively. Holden Matthews, 21, has been arrested in connection with the crimes and has been charged with three counts of arson and three counts of violating Louisianas hate crime law. Matthews is maintaining his innocence. A GoFundMe page was started in April to help the three churches raise funds for rebuilding and some 39 thousand donors gave more than $2.5 million for the construction of new church buildings. Photo courtesy: Getty Images/Ethan Miller/Staff JOS, Nigeria, May 6, 2019 (Morning Star News) Suspected Muslim Fulani herdsmen ambushed and killed a 26-year-old Catholic on Thursday (May 2) in north-central Nigeria and two other Christians in the same manner on April 27, sources said. After a herdsmen assault in March 2018 that left 27 Christians dead in the predominantly Christian community of Dong village north of Jos, assailants on Thursday (May 2) killed David Musa, 26, at 5:25 p.m., said Nuhu Ako, 42-year-old Christian youth leader at the areas St. Monicas Catholic Church. We heard the sound of gunshots around the stream west of Dong village, where youre now talking to us, Ako told Morning Star News. We rushed there to find out what happened and found again the killing of a member of our community. As Muslim Fulani herdsmen have been attacking Dong and Nzehrivoh villages for two years, Ako and other Christians suspect they are behind the slaying of Musa and the April 27 killing of Sunday Adi, 45, and Jonathan Joseph, 29, at 7:25 p.m. on that Saturday. We were returning to Dong village after the days work at Nzerivoh village, our former village where we were displaced last year, and we heard gunshots, he said. We decided not to proceed with our movement and remained where we were. A few moments afterwards, two people riding on a motorbike came to where we were and told us that they saw two corpses not far from the spot where were standing. The Christians went to the site and found the two bodies, he said. We immediately phoned soldiers of the Special Task Force (STF) and informed them about our findings, he told Morning Star News. They told us to wait for them at the spot. We waited for them and they never showed up. We left the spot and returned to our homes at Dong, until the following morning, which was Sunday, 28 April, before the soldiers came to the spot and left without picking the two corpses. Adi, member of a Catholic church, was buried in the now desolate Nzehrivoh village. Joseph, a member of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), was buried in Dong village, Ako said. He said armed Fulani herdsmen have been attacking Christian residents of Dong and Nzehrivoh villages for the past two years for no reason. We are farmers and have not been able to continue with our vocation because of these attacks, he said. We and our elders and church leaders have met several times with these herdsmen to understand what is prompting them to attack us without finding any real reason for such acts against us. Herdsmen leaders have often assured villagers that they would impress it on their people to end such attacks on us, but it appears they only do this in order to perfect their plans to attack us the more, he said. The herdsmen have destroyed Nzehrivoh village, west of Dong, Ako said. The destruction of our houses was carried out right in the presence of soldiers who were brought to the village to protect us, he said. Instead, we have been forced to escape to Dong community, and here, too, the herdsmen are now attacking this community. We do not know where to run to since the whole of this area is under attack. On April 29 soldiers stationed in Nzehrivoh were evacuated, and the following morning, herdsmen went to the village and burned down the few houses remaining there, he said. Kadzai Prince Peter, a Catholic catechist of St. Augustines church in Jos, said Christians have tried to forestall attacks by welcoming the Fulani herdsmen. We have tried to embrace all these Fulani people, to live with them, Peter told Morning Star News. Weve been kind to them; we gave them our land to stay on and to graze their cattle. Unfortunately, theyve been killing our members. His parish in Nzehrivoh has been destroyed and parishioners displaced by the herdsmen, he said.p The way they attack us is terribly bad, he said. We tried to make peace with them, but this has not worked as they keep attacking us. They still kill our members. So, we dont know what else to do. We as Christians see the herdsmen as our brothers and cannot send them away; but, unfortunately, these Fulani herdsmen do not appreciate our hospitality and are killing us and forcing us out of our lands. We just buried one of our members killed by the herdsmen a moment ago. Thanking God Silas Jacob, a 42-year-old Catholic catchiest whose parish was in Nzehrivoh before the village was destroyed, said attacks on the community began on Oct. 13, 2017, killing some and displacing others. The Fulani herdsmen attacked us at about 9 pm and killed many of my members, he said. Those of us who survived the attack took refuge here at Dong village. After soldiers were brought to Nzehrivoh, we returned there, but in March 2018, again the herdsmen attacked us; this is even with the presence of soldiers in Nzehrivoh village. His parishioner returned to Dong, Jacob said. Then last Saturday [April 27], the herdsmen ambushed two of our people and killed them, he said. And just while we were still mourning the two, one of us was again killed yesterday [May 2] in an ambush again by the herdsmen. This is very disheartening. These attacks on us are being carried out in the presence of soldiers, and yet the Nigerian government has not done anything to end these unprovoked attacks on us. Church members have not ceased praying and thanking God for His mercies and protection, Jacob added. We use this opportunity to covet prayers of other Christians and also call for support from those who are led by the Holy Spirit to do so, he said. We have parishioners who have no places to sleep, food to eat, and even medical supplies for health needs. Truly, those of us who have survived these attacks are suffering. The government needs to take urgent steps toward finding a lasting, peaceful solution, Jacob said. We want a peaceful coexistence in this country, because it is only in doing this that development can take place, he said. The Fulani have deliberately been grazing their cattle on farms of Christians, and when these Christian farmers complain about such behavior, they are attacked by the herdsmen. This is not proper. The Catholic leaders said the attacks on Nzherivo village in 2017 and 2018 displaced entire congregations from six churches: ECWA Church, St. Patricks Catholic Church, Church of Christ in Nigeria (COCIN), Assembly of God Church, Anglican Church and a Seventh-day Adventist Church. The church leaders pleaded for assistance to enable the them rebuild even one worship hall that would give them a place to pray and worship irrespective of denominational differences. Nigeria ranked 12th on Open Doors 2019 World Watch List of countries where Christians suffer the most persecution. If you would like to help persecuted Christians, visit http://morningstarnews. org/resources/aid-agencies/ fo r a list of organizations that can orient you on how to get involved. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp defied threats of a Hollywood boycott and pressure from pro-choice groups to sign a bill Tuesday banning abortion after a heartbeat is detected. The Writers Guild of America had said Kemps signing the law would force talent in our industry to leave the state or decide not to bring productions there. Actress Alyssa Milano had released a letter of 50 actors threatening a boycott if Kemp signed it. Georgia has a thriving film and television industry. But Kemp, during a ceremony with supporters, said the law is needed because Georgia is a state that values life. The bill, HB 481, is known as the Living Infants Fairness and Equality (LIFE) Act. We protect the innocent, we champion, the vulnerable. We stand up and speak for those unable to speak for themselves, Kemp said. ... I realize that some may challenge it in the court of law, but our job is to do what is right not what is easy. Through the Life Act, we will allow precious babies to grow up and realize their full God-given potential. The new law states that no abortion is authorized or shall be performed if an unborn child has been determined to have a detectable human heartbeat. It makes exceptions for rape, incest, medical emergencies and if a doctor determines a pregnancy is medically futile. A heartbeat can be detected as early as six weeks gestation, according to the bills text. Standing behind Kemp were state senators and representatives who supported the bill. Sen. Renee Unterman, a Republican, was the bills Senate sponsor. She is a former nurse and social worker two careers she said also involved saving lives. She called the bill the culmination of her political career. I've spent that whole time as a legislator waiting to get to today, she said. ... I believe in life and that's what's given me the courage to persevere. Catherine Davis, founder and president of the Restoration Project, said Kemp had the courage to do what other governors did not do. This governor, Davis said, is standing [and] restoring protection for a class of people who had the protection stripped from them in Roe v. Wade just like Plessy v. Ferguson stripped away protection from a class of people, just like [the] Dred Scott decision stripped away protection from a class of people so did Roe v. Wade, and [it] began to define a class of people as objects to be gotten rid of. Related: Stacy Abrams Calls Georgia Heartbeat Bill 'Evil' and Says it's 'Bad for Business' Alyssa Milano Says She Loves God then Misuses the Bible to Defend Abortion Writers Guild of America Threatens to Boycott Georgia over Fetal Heartbeat Bill Michael Foust is a freelance writer. Visit his blog, MichaelFoust.com. Photo courtesy: Getty Images/Kevin C. Cox/Staff Jean Vanier, who died Tuesday morning at age 90, lived much of his life beside death. Over the last forty-two years weve had many deaths, and weve spent a lot of time celebrating death. Its very fundamental to our community, he wrote, referencing his experience in LArche community of Trosly-Breuil, Francewhere Vanier began the first of an international network of communities for people with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities to live together in faith and friendship. As he recounted in his book Living Gently in a Violent World, To celebrate death is to gather around and talk about the personabout Janine, for example, who died recently. We gathered to say how beautiful she was, how much she had brought to us. Her sisters came, and we wept and laughed at the same time. We wept because she was gone, but we laughed because she did so many beautiful things. Likewise, those of us who have been formed and inspired by Jean Vanier have hearts heavy with both grief and gratitude as we celebrate the beautiful things we learned from a leader who helped us all to become more human. We dont often find people born into privilege and status, and highly educated, who then follow the downward path of Jesus. But as founder of LArche International, Vanier spent decades in community with people with and without intellectual disabilities and embraced the joys, complications, and demands that go along with such a life. The fourth of five children, Vanier was born into a deeply Catholic family with prestige and prominence in Canadian society. He served in the Navy for a number of years but was continually drawn to community life and spiritual practices. After a 30-day Ignatian prayer retreat, he resigned from the service. It makes sense that for a person whose life was marked by recognizing the impact of relationships of listening and presence, it would be a new friendshipVaniers connection with priest and mystic Father Thomas Phillippethat would transform his life and ministry. After earning his doctorate in philosophy in Paris and teaching ethics in Canada, Vanier visited Father Phillippe in Val Fleuri, a small institution in France made up of men with intellectual disabilities. Though this was an institutional space marked by foul odors and a lack of human nurture, Vanier recognized that Jesus was there in a special way and eventually felt compelled to invite a few men out of the institution to live with him. So in August 1964, three of them moved to his home in Trosly-Breuil, France. One, Dany, came and went quickly, desiring to return to a familiar environment. But two others, Raphael Simi and Philippe Seux, decided to stay. With this small household, the LArche movementFrench for The Arkbegan. The Catholic theologian understood early on that LArche would not be a place of one-sided service, and his emphasis on true mutuality in relationships has become one of his most enduring legacies for the church. In community, Vanier discovered how human weakness and vulnerability enables us to forge real connections. His fellow community members with intellectual disabilities instructed him with their consistent openness with themselves: their needs, joys, loves, and pain. Vanier came to emphasize our common humanity: the desire to love and be loved and to develop and share our gifts. He recognized that people who are vulnerable, who experience their anguish and pain openly, are at the core of communities. In their vulnerability, they call everyone together. Over time, we all come to discover our own brokenness and fragility, realizing that they are also us. Article continues below While many ministries involving people with intellectual disabilities began with a clear separation between those being helped and those doing the helping, slowly the paradigm has shifted toward Vaniers approach at LArche, where all are called to share their gifts as members of one body of Christ, doing the work of the gospel together. Our differences show us that we need each other; they can enrich us instead of dividing us. It is in large part due to the heartful theology of Vanier and LArche that those of us who work at intersections of faith and disability have brought this sense of mutual giftedness into churches, social ministries, and the academy. His theological influence extended across Christian traditions and denominations, including intentional communities like Shane Claibornes The Simple Way and Jonathan Wilson-Hartgroves Rutba House. Wilson-Hartgrove counts Vanier and the work of LArche as an enduring inspiration, referencing teachings from Vanier such as People come to community because they want to help the poor. They stay in community because they realize they are the poor. Just as Vaniers ministry drew people who seemed different together in community, his message likewise had broad appeal, capturing the hearts and imaginations both of people with intellectual disabilities and of scholars and intellectuals. Vanier compellingly described and so naturally lived into the integration of our whole selvesincluding our bodies and our hearts. For people with intellectual disabilities who are drawn to Vanier, at least as my friends who live in LArche tell it, they appreciate him as a gentle and kind friend. They also enjoy living in a community like LArche, which strives to be a place where people seek to know and love each other as they are. Being a community that honors the embodied and emotional aspects of being human is part of what makes this a place to live thatwhile imperfectbecomes a school of love even in its difficulty. As Vanier points out, even Jesus first disciples squabbled with each other, yet they were called to be together. For scholars and intellectuals, or really anyone who can be over-focused on the rational life of the mind, Vanier calls us to pause and find healing as we also attend to our bodies, our anguish, our heartsand to the bodies, anguish, and hearts of others. Life in LArche is less about thinking theology and more about doing theology in community. As Catholic priest and spiritual teacher Henri Nouwen pointed out, LArche is built upon the body, not the word. Words are secondary. Its about a spirituality of love through small things, everyday actions like holding the hand of someone as they cry, making space for someone to exercise their gifts, saying I forgive you for annoying me and I will also work on my own patience when someone we live with is annoying us. These are not lofty, idealized notions of community or Christian love, they are grounded in reality and require the integration of our bodies and our hearts. I discovered Vanier through Nouwen, having watched a documentary (again and again) where Vanier delivers the eulogy at Nouwens funeral. He pays tribute to Nouwens charisma and giftedness but also acknowledges the anguish and yearning that marked his life and sometimes their friendship. Vanier said with great compassion, But Henri was always Henri. That small phrase, said with truth and tenderness, touched me and invited me into the embodied, heartful theology of Jean Vanier. Article continues below Across ministry settings, people come to know Vaniers philosophical and theological ideas through his many books, like Becoming Human and Community and Growth among dozens of others, but also through personal encounters as he traveled to LArche communities around the world and his speaking on the areas of faith, community, and the possibility of peace in diversity. For decades he traveled the globe, connecting with Mother Teresa, Pope John Paul II, and Pope Francis over shared love for the way of Jesus and the people societies have marginalized. His voice for peace and love on a global scale, rooted in awareness and compassion toward his own vulnerability and to the vulnerability present in all of humanity, resulted in dozens of international awards and honors, like the 2015 Templeton Prize. Father Greg Boyle, who founded Homeboy Industries, the largest job-training program for formerly gang-involved and previously incarcerated people, describes being deeply influenced by Vanier and the spirituality of LArche, in particular, living out the understanding that tenderness is the highest form of spiritual maturity. Vaniers embodied message speaks to the deepest parts of the human heart and resonates across continents and contexts. In the final years of his life, as a faithful Catholic theologian leading an international ministry, Vanier was repeatedly asked the question of what he would think of being made a saint. He always dismissed the idea. He explains that he really just wanted to be a friend of Jesus, someone who exemplifies a beautiful life of love and humility and not the pursuit of accolades and worldly success. He also said that anyone who would call for him to be a saint must not know him very well. As soon as you say people are saintly, youre putting them on a pedestal and saying you cant do it, he said in one interview. But we are all called to work together and love each other and we dont have to be saints to do that. Through his words and his life, Vanier proclaimed that were all the same, fragile and wounded, and that it is exactly there where we are beautiful and capable of connection to others. We may not be saints, but we are humans, and as it turns out, that perfectly equips us to be friends of Jesus and to follow the way of the heart. Bethany McKinney Fox (PhD, Christian ethics, Fuller Theological Seminary) is the founding pastor of Beloved Everybody Church, a Jesus-centered community in the spirit of LArche where people with and without intellectual disabilities participate and lead all together. Her new book, Disability and the Way of Jesus: Holistic Healing in the Gospels and the Church (IVP Academic), comes out in May 2019. National Day of Prayer: Americans called to 'love one another' or risk destruction as divided nation Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Christian leaders, lawmakers and distinguished guests packed into the U.S. Capitol for the 68th National Day of Prayer observance Thursday night, calling on Americans of all political stripes to love one another or run the risk letting a divided kingdom fall. In the midst of a split Congress and a politically divided America, believers gathered at the Statuary Hall for a night of worship and intercessory prayer, fervently asking God to use His divine power to heal the ideological divisions plaguing the nation. We are deeply honored, every one of us, to live in the greatest country in the history of the world but we also are keenly aware that we are a country experiencing problems and difficulties: things like racism, things like hatred, things like violent crime and a host of other things, Georgia Republican Congressman Jody Hice said during the event. All of these things are an indication of the true problem, which is a spiritual problem of the heart. The reality is that this spiritual problem cannot be changed by another law or another piece of legislation. The only solution for the problem, Hice, a graduate of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Texas, said, is for God to bring about a spiritual awakening that transforms the hearts of Americans so they can once again love Him and love one another and therein our nation is healed. Ronnie Floyd, a Southern Baptist pastor and author who serves as president of the National Day of Prayer, explained that Jesus made clear in John 13:34 that His followers are to love one another just as I have loved you. John 13:35 goes on and says, everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another, Floyd said, adding that unconditional love is the only action that gives a person away as a follower of Jesus Christ. You are not known by your creeds, by your songs, by your doctrine, by your knowledge, by your achievements, by your dress, or by your appearance. Jesus says you are only known by your love. Floyd pointed out that the word love is used 12 times in John 1 through John 12 and 44 times in John 13 through John 21. The love is the key theme in Jesus farewell to His disciples, added Floyd, who was recently elected as the new head of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee. Jesus prayer for unity in John 17 for His disciples and the Church is driven by His burden of love for us. Just think what would happen if love one another [happened] across American life. How many marriages would be saved and healed? How businesses would experience more prosperity? How many churches would thrive, grow and explode with Gospel advance? Floyd asked. How much more great things could get done in city governments, state governments and in the United States government? How much safer would our schools and our public venues become? How much more poverty and homelessness would be eliminated if we learned to love one another? How much more exciting would life be every day if it was permeated by the power of love? In todays culture, people are quick to ridicule each other publicly through the media or social media platforms in a quest to get more likes or followers. President Donald Trump has also received quite a bit of heat for his brashness on social media. However, Floyd warns that such behavior is not Christian. Treating other people like trash may be vogue in the culture, but it is not Christian, Floyd said, not mentioning the president by name but just speaking generally about the social media culture today. Demeaning the value of someone publicly might light up social media world or become breaking news in the United States, but it is not Christian and it is just not right. The Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, head of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference and a California Assemblies of God pastor, said that people of God should be united by Jesus love. That means that when we have this love, the donkey and the elephant cannot divide us, the spirit of God unites us, the 49-year-old Rodriguez said. If we love one another, we see the image of God in each other. If we love another, we elevate the truth that every life in and out of the womb carries, God gave it value. When we love one another, the giants of bigotry, discord and strife is brought down by the stone of charity, he added. It means that when they cursed us, we blessed them. When they condemn us, we forgive them. It is time to reclaim the love mantle. Rodriguez, pastor of New Season Church in Sacramento, stressed that the most loving institution on the planet must be the church of Jesus Christ. Because you cant find this love in a Google search. Siri cant provide it and Amazon Prime will not deliver it, Rodriguez explained. This love comes with a viable legitimate encounter with Gods precious Holy Spirit. Floyd added that the government also cannot deliver an adequate fix to the problems the nation faces and politics cannot heal. We are not the answer. Christ is the answer and Jesus reminds us of these words: every kingdom divided against itself is headed for destruction, Floyd said, quoting Matthew 12:25. No city or house divided against itself will stand. Your family is not an exception to this. And your church is not an exception to this. And the United States of America is not an exception to this. Floyd added that forgiveness is not an option for believers as Jesus calls His followers in Matthew 5:44 to love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. We must release. We must forget, Floyd, 63, said. Yet, we must seek the one who offends us and love him or her in a better way. You see, when you belong to Jesus, you belong to love. Love is the better way. Love is Gods way. The Rev. Anthony Thompson, who lost his wife, Myra, when white supremacist Dylann Roof killed nine people inside Emmanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina, in 2015, told those in attendance Thursday that he never truly experienced the peace of God until he forgave Roof for taking his wife away from him. The day came two days after his wife was killed and Thompson faced Roof in court during a bond hearing. Thompson said that he told Roof that he was forgiven and called on him to repent and seek forgiveness in Christ. I am going to tell you, Gods peace is real because after I forgave Dylann, I experienced Gods love and I experienced Gods peace, Thompson said. For the first time, I knew and understood exactly what it meant and felt like to experience the peace of God that passes all understanding. It was in my heart, it was in my soul, it was in my body. He just freed me. He freed my heart. He freed my soul and body on the verge of bitterness, rage, anger and malice. He healed me from the inside out. I am here to say that He took away all of my burdens and granted me peace, peace that you could have tonight. Kie Bowman, the senior pastor of Hyde Park Baptist and The Quarries Church in Texas, followed Thompson and issued a call to repentance. If Rev. Thompson can forgive a man who took the life of his wife, who are you to hold any unforgiveness in your heart? Bowman asked. At the conclusion of the two-hour ceremony filled with music and prayer for the nations civil, judicial and military leaders. Floyd read aloud the 2019 National Prayer that he composed. Child sex trafficking victims, ex-drug addicts find healing in Duck Dynasty star's jewelry line Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Driven by her belief that God is a God of grace, forgiveness, and redemption, Missy Robertson is giving hurting and broken women a second chance at life through her new jewelry line. The former Duck Dynasty star told The Christian Post she created Laminin by Missy Robertson back in 2016 to provide jobs for women in the West Monroe, Louisiana, area coming out of the sex industry, addiction, and poverty, among other life issues. When women come to apply for a job, they dont fear checking that box that says have you ever been convicted of a felony? That doesnt scare us, and it doesnt stop us from hiring you, Robertson told CP. I strongly believe in second chances, and Laminin is about second chances. But that wasnt always the goal. Robertson, a mother of three, admitted that when he first conceived of Laminin not without the help of her mother-in-law, Miss Kay, she said it was with the intention of helping women like herself. I pictured women who had married early and didnt have a college degree but were working and at the same time trying to be involved in their children's lives, she said. But Gods will is different from ours, and it takes a while to see it. The women who applied were nothing like me, she continued. Theyd had tumultuous backgrounds and many of them were basically the result of being on drugs, whether their choice or their parents choice. Many of them were trying to stay out of trouble and had lost everything they had because they had been in prison. Robertson recounted the story of Brandy, a former Laminin staff member who has overcome a life of drugs, crime, and unimaginable abuses. She shared how Brandy was born with drugs in her system and at the age of 9, was sold by her own mother into prostitution. Her own mother took her to men at truck stops to fuel her drug habit, Robertson said. She would be tied to a bed and given drugs so that these men could do what they wanted to her. Addicted to drugs and desperate to make ends meet, Brandy ended up prostituting herself and eventually ended up in prison on a slew of charges. While in prison, Brandy found Christ and decided to turn her life around. While working with Robertson at Laminin, Brandy went on to finish school and earned her degree in counseling. Now married, she has a daughter of her own and works to help save other women from the life that nearly destroyed her. I would just say one word, and thats God, Robertson said. Its truly amazing how He works. The former A&E star shared another story of a Laminin employee who was previously involved in the mafia: One day, she was put into a vehicle, blindfolded, Robertson said. They took her to this area where a man was tied to a tree. They said, This man was caught talking, and heres what happens to people who talk. They shot him, right in front of her. These things happened right in my hometown, she continued. This is a huge problem, and what were trying to do is provide them a safe environment to come to and give them the skill to create something thats useful and beautiful. It gives them purpose and value. This month, the Laminin website was re-launched. Each piece of jewelry available is handcrafted and consists of natural stones and beads with mixed metals, deer horns, Druzy stones, leather, rosary beads, and more. Robertson emphasized that Laminin is a business not a charity. Thats something I feel strongly about, Robertson said. If this was a charity, these women would have their hands out. Theyve learned how to manipulate the world around them to get what they can to survive. If this business grows and thrives, its because of their commitment to it. Every time I walk in with another success story, whether its a new account or business, they get so excited and thrilled because they feel that what theyve done is valuable. She explained that Laminin is a molecular protein that holds everything in our bodies together. If seen through a microscope, laminin is in the exact shape of the cross. The organizations mission verse Colossians 1:17: He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. This year alone, weve had three women come to Christ at Laminin, Robertson shared. God has His hand all over this ministry. When women come to work for Laminin, not only do they get a second chance at life, they learn about the greatest gift there is and thats a relationship with the Lord. Yes, its a business, but its a ministry, too, she added. What greater way to grow the kingdom of God. After missionary plane crashed in Bering Sea off Alaska, God brought rescue Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment They called it the Miracle on the Hudson when Captain Sully Sullenberger landed his US Airways flight on a placidly flowing Hudson River in 2009 and all 155 people aboard were rescued by nearby boats. But an even more dramatic and miraculous rescue took place in the frigid waters off Nome, Alaska, as seven missionaries were plucked from the Bering Sea following a plane crash in 1993. The seven had just completed an impactful mission in Russias Far East, bringing three thousand pounds of food, a thousand pounds of medicine and 500 Bibles to the town of Laverntija, which had no existing church. I baptized the former head of the communist party, recalls Dave Anderson. She gave her life to the Lord and the next day we flew back. Dave and his wife Barb founded Fellowship Ministries in 1975 and later, the Shepherds Canyon Retreat center, where they minister to Christian leaders in need of renewal and refreshing. He recounted his story to God Reports; other details for this story were found in a documentary about the rescue made by Terry Burge. On the teams return flight to Nome, Barb happened to glance at the instrument panel and noticed the gas tanks were not full. When Chief Pilot Dave Cochran refueled the plane, he thought he had enough for at least two hours of flying time. They needed one hour and 30 minutes to make it to Nome. After they left Russia, they refueled with American fuel because the Russian aviation fuel is so poor it damages engines. As a result, they were ferrying empty gas cans back to the U.S. to have them refilled and sent back. Those empty gas cans turned out to be one of the important details in Gods plan to save their lives. Before their plane departed from Russia, a guard came up to their group and said, Good luck. They would need more than luck in the next few hours. The planes initial climb was turbulent. I was praying, Lord, could you just clear the skies for us and give us a smooth flight? Barb recalls. We rose and rose and rose what for me seemed an eternity. It seemed like we were going higher and higher and all of a sudden we broke into the most clear, sunny blue skies. It was beautiful and the sun was so bright and I said, Thank you Jesus. Im grateful for this. But Barb kept looking at the gas gauges and they were getting perilously low. She turned to another woman on their team and said, Look at the gas gauges. Dave had fallen asleep and was blissfully ignorant of the impending danger. Pam Swedburg woke up to the sound of a chug-chug. The first of two tanks for their twin-engine plane had run out of fuel. All of a sudden there was a side to side motion, unlike anything I had ever felt before in a plane, Barb recalls. Its an eerie feeling and it frightened me. Dave woke up abruptly and looked around. Everyones eyes were suddenly very wide as the reality of the situation began to hit them. The pilot realized he had about five minutes left on the remaining engine. He radioed air traffic control and declared an emergency. After the second engine quit, I tried to keep it at 130 miles per hour glide speed, Pilot Cochran says. I could see we werent going to make it to land. The team members began to pray in earnest. It took a minute to fall about 3500 feet, during which time we were having an informal prayer meeting, Dave says. Plane crash Barb heard their pilot shout May Day! May Day! into the radio and then Brace for impact! The plane hit the water at 90 miles per hour. The water slammed into the windshield and flew up the sides of the plane ferociously. Everyone was still conscious and miraculously, there were no casualties from the impact. The plane was mostly intact, but water was gushing in and it would sink within minutes. Surprisingly, no life vests were on board. Everybody out! Hang on to one of those gas cans, Captain Cochran yelled out. Thats our flotation gear. Out the plane we went and a minute later the plane sank and we found ourselves in three to five foot swells, Dave recounts. He tried to stay close to Barb, but the swells began to separate them. The water temperature was 41 degrees Fahrenheit. At that temperature, someone struggling in the water can become disoriented within five minutes and lose consciousness in 30 minutes. MORE After 40 years, 'megachurch' pastor slams Christianity and quits, deacon claims he had affair Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Dave Gass, a former pastor who most recently led Grace Family Fellowship in Pleasant Hill, Missouri, has renounced his Christian faith as a system rife with abuse that caused him mental and emotional breaks. A representative from his former church, however, has accused him of being an unrepentant adulterer. Gass reportedly first made his announcement in a series of now protected tweets but not before they were copied and shared across multiple social media platforms. After 40 years of being a devout follower, 20 of those being an evangelical pastor, I am walking away from faith. Even though this has been a massive bomb drop in my life, it has been decades in the making, he began in the thread before moving on to compare Scripture to Greek mythology. When I was in 8th grade and I was reading Greek mythology, it dawned on me how much of the supernatural interactions between the deity of the bible and mankind sounded like ancient mythology. That seed of doubt never went away, he said. He explained how he was raised in a hyper-fundamentalist Christian home where Christianity didnt work. The promises were empty. The answers were lies. Even so, he grew up to be a devout Christian who rarely missed church or failed to study Scripture. I was fully devoted to studying the scriptures. I think I missed maybe 12 Sundays in 40 years. I had completely memorized 18 books of the bible and was reading through the bible for the 24th time when I walked away, he wrote. None of it, however, helped his marriage. As an adult my marriage was a sham and a constant source of pain for me. I did everything I was supposed to - marriage workshops, counseling, bible reading together, date nights every week, marriage books - but my marriage never became what I was promised it would be, he said. He went on to discuss how miserable his life eventually became as his expectations, including experiencing the supernatural failed to match up with the reality he was experiencing. An inescapable reality that I came to was that the people who benefited the most from organized religion were the fringe attenders who didnt take it too seriously. The people who were devout were the most miserable, but just kept trying harder, he said. The entire system is rife with abuse. And not just from the top down, sure there are abusive church leaders, but church leaders are abused by their congregants as well. Church people are just sh*tty to each other, he continued. I spent my entire life serving, loving, and trying to help people in my congregations. And the lies, betrayal, and slander I have received at the hands of church people left wounds that may never heal. He said he struggled so much with his church experience it began to affect his mental and ultimately physical health. This massive cognitive dissonance - my beliefs not matching with reality - created a separation between my head and my heart. I was gas lighting myself to stay in the faith. Eventually I could not maintain the facade anymore, I started to have mental and emotional breaks. My internal stress started to show in physical symptoms. Being a pastor - a professional Christian - was killing me, Gass revealed. To save himself, he said, he chose to walk away from the church. Eventually I pulled the lever and dropped the bomb. Career, marriage, family, social standing, network, reputation, all gone in an instant. And honestly I didnt intend to fully walk away, but the way the church turned on me forced me to leave permanently, he said. He apologized to his former followers and said he still loves those who choose to dismiss him as an apostate. For those of you who want to yell at me, thats fine. I know that many will call me an apostate, say I was never really saved, that I was a wolf in sheeps clothing, and that a hotter hell awaits me. And to you I say I love you. My heart is tender toward you, he said. To those who have been in my congregations or under my teaching/preaching I sincerely apologize. I thought I was right. I thought I was doing the right thing. I thought I could fake it until I made it. I was wrong. Im sorry. I love you, he added. Justin Thuttle, a deacon at Grace Family Fellowship Church, claimed on Twitter that Gass was not entirely forthcoming about his faith journey and branded him an unrepentant sinner. Yes, he was my pastor when he walked away. He actually just slept with a married women (sic) in the church and got caught. He never repented and they still live together, he wrote in a tweet last Thursday. Last year all the information came to light. The affair happened for almost a year before it was uncovered. So the whole, I did everything right in my marriage part was kinda funny until I saw how many people liked his story, he said. The Christian Post reached out to the church for further comment Tuesday and a representative who asked to speak anonymously said Thuttle's response is accurate. "Justins input is accurate. I would only add that, to our knowledge, none of the churches where Gass was on staff were megachurches. And after he resigned, he cut off all communications with anyone from Grace Family Fellowship," the representative said. Evangelical-supported charity looking to secure every vulnerable synagogue in the world Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment An evangelical-backed philanthropic organization has announced an effort to help every vulnerable synagogue in the world protect themselves as extremist attacks against synagogues and other places of worship are becoming all too frequent. The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews is behind the effort to secure synagogues across the globe and is expanding its efforts in response to the shooting at the Chabad of Poway synagogue in California on Passover that killed one woman and injured others. The initiative was launched prior to the outbreak of violence this past weekend between Israel Defense Forces and Palestinian militants (Hamas and Islamic Jihad) that saw over 700 rockets launched into Southern Israel from the Gaza Strip and hundreds of rockets that struck in the Strip. The Fellowship, the largest philanthropic organization in Israel, is no stranger to helping overseas synagogues as its efforts have already bolstered security at hundreds of synagogues throughout 40 countries in Europe, Asia and Latin America. But now the organization is looking to extend its existing program to cover all of the worlds vulnerable synagoguges. As part of the expanded effort, The Fellowship will immediately hone in on synagogues in eights countries in order to provide them with added security measures. We have realized now with the attacks specifically in America, both with the Tree of Life attack [last year in Pittsburgh], where 11 Jewish people were killed in their house of worship and with the recent San Diego attack, we see that it is getting worse, Yael Eckstein, the organizations president, told The Christian Post. Once it gets to America, we know that we have a problem. So if America is vulnerable, just think about how vulnerable the Jewish people in a place like France are or in places where the government doesnt stand for freedom and the government doesnt like Jews. If it can happen in America, just think how much it could happen in locations that are more vulnerable than American Jews. The Fellowship has already planned to provide additional security measures for synagogues in Mexico, Georgia, Germany, Norway, India, Finland, France, Mexico and Thailand. There are eight countries where we know Jewish institutions are being targeted, Eckstein stressed in a phone interview. We are looking at around 40 locations for the immediate [future] within the next month or two. Then we want to extend this to another 350 locations we are praying that we will be able to get to. For some synagogues, they will need to implement basic security measures, Eckstein said, such as installing locks, a special security door, a panic button, window protector or a security camera system. For other synagogues in more vulnerable situations, they will need a bit more intensive security measures, such as installing a compound inspection gate, an entrance security door and the shielding of all windows to protect against bullets. In Thailand, for example, the organization has already provided basic security measures for all the synagogues in the country. Now the organization is working through its partners to employ a national security officer to oversee the threats against Jews for the entire country and establish a global command center to protect all the synagogues. There are so many Jewish people who are traveling and living now in Thailand, Eckstein explained. They are in specific locations making them a real target. God forbid, a terrorist attack could happen there. So we want to have more intensive measures. Another place that is in need of more advanced security measures is a synagogue in Oslo, Norway, she explained. We know that there are a lot of threats against this specific location and the Jewish community is very vulnerable, she said. There had been peace deals that had been signed in Oslo, where a lot of diplomats go. It is just a very high-profile location in regards to Israel. Any high-profile location, there is a significantly higher threat. With The Fellowship already active in helping synagogues in many countries throughout Europe, Eckstein warned of rising antisemitism across the continent. The location that is most urgent and most at risk is France. In France, there is a terrifying rise in antisemitism, she explained. Jews cant walk around looking Jewish. Even the spiritual leaders, the rabbis, are not to wear a traditional skullcap or not to wear any star of David necklaces or wear anything that would identify them as a Jew in public. Eckstein also raised alarm about Germany. The German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier congratulated Irans terrorist regime on the 40th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution. That is Germany, who killed 6 million Jews. They are now congratulating a regime that is trying to wipe Israel off the map. Even in the U.S., the trends are troubling. In America, you have one-third of American millennials that dont believe 6 million Jews were killed in the Holocaust, she said. You have 66 percent of millennials in America who never heard of Auschwitz. A lot of people are saying that the times are reminiscent of the early 1930s before the Holocaust. If you dont remember, then you will get to the same place. She also criticized the blatantly antisemitic cartoon featured in the international edition of The New York Times, which the newspaper apologized for after much criticism. Eckstein said, however, that there are key differences between today and the early 1930s. Among those is the fact that the Jewish people now have the state of Israel to protect them. Additionally, she said, Jews in Israel now have allies in Christians throughout the world thanks to the work her father, Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, who helped bridge Jewish and Christian communities in the U.S. to support Israel. When Yechiel Eckstein launched The Fellowship in the 1980s, he was ostracized by the Jewish and Christian communities for his efforts to bridge the two communities. But today, Jews in Israel appreciate the effort, she said. Thanks to the financial backing of Christians primarily in the U.S., Eckstein said The Fellowship has built over 5,500 bomb shelters throughout Israel. Over the weekend, hundreds of rockets were launched into Southern Israel from the Gaza Strip. The escalation of violence between IDF and Palestinian militants is reported to be the worst escalation since the 2014 Gaza War. As they are running in their bomb shelters and they are scared and they feel broken, they go into the shelter donated with love from Christians in America who are praying for them, Eckstein said. They realize that they are not alone and that provides so much encouragement and hope that the times have changed. Although a ceasefire has been issued, Eckstein said that the Israeli people are fed up with the cycle of violence followed by ceasefires that are violated. We pray for peace. But this ceasefire agreement, unfortunately, isnt the peace that we have been praying for." Along with its work to secure synagogues, The Fellowship, which is funded largely by evangelical donors, has also worked to provide added security to Christian churches in Egypt. Churches in Egypt have been targeted in the past, resulting in a number of church bombings. For the past two years, The Fellowship has been working to support about 3,000 Christian refugees from Iraq and Syria now living in Jordan with food, medical care and housing. We are raising our voice to get them situated in a permanent situation somewhere in the Western Countries, that America and Europe should give priority to providing refugee status to these Christians who are persecuted before any other populations, Eckstein said. The Fellowship also engages with as many as 6,600 American churches, representing 500,000 people. Iranian intelligence minister concerned with growth of Christianity; converts summoned Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Irans intelligence minister, Mahmoud Mahmoud Alavi, openly expressed concern last weekend about the spread of Christianity in the Islamic republic and said that some converts to Christianity were summoned to explain why they have converted. The 65-year-old Alavi gave a speech before Shia clerics on Saturday, the day before the beginning of Ramadan. According to the International Shia News Association, Alavi blamed evangelical propaganda as being complicit to the increase in Iranian Muslims converting to Christianity in certain areas of the country. Despite Christianity being criminalized in a country where the government is entangled with hardline Islam, the nation is experiencing one of the fastest evolving underground church movements in the world. According to Radio Farda, Alavi told the clerics that the Intelligence Ministry and Qom Seminary, the countrys largest Islamic seminary, have dispatched individuals and institutions that are active in "countering the advocates of Christianity" to areas where Muslims are being converted. "People tend to become Christians who are ordinary people of the community, for example, their sandwich shops and the like, and they became a Christian family, he was quoted as saying. Alavi also said that in a city like Hamadan province in northwestern Iran, the government was given no choice but to summon Muslim converts to Christianity to ask why they have embraced the religion over Islam. Some of them said that we were seeking a religion that would calm us and establish ourselves with us and brotherhood, Alavi was quoted as saying. We told them that Islam is a religion of brotherhood. They said that we see that the scholars of Islam and those who talk behind the podium talk continuously against each other, if Islam is a religion of [peace], then first of all, one must create [peace] between his scholars. The intelligence minister reportedly said that although the agency is not responsible for finding the root cause of the mass religious conversion to Christianity in Iran, it is happening right before our eyes. Radio Farda, the Iranian affiliate of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, surmises that the converts who spoke with the intelligence ministry must have been referring to ongoing disputes between Irans ruling clerics. Underground house churches continue to spring up across Iran, although they must do so in secrecy because they risk torture and imprisonment in the Islamic republic. Believers can be arrested for preaching the Gospel or having a copy of the Bible translated into Farsi. Although it's hard to get an accurate read on how many Christians are in Iran, estimates have ranged from 800,000 to over 1 million. Open Doors USA, an organization that operates in dozens of countries to help the persecuted church, reports that converts to Christianity bear the brunt of the Christian persecution in Iran by the government or their own family members. The government sees them as an attempt by Western countries to undermine Islam and the Islamic regime of Iran, an Open Doors fact sheet reads. Many Christians (especially converts) have been prosecuted and sentenced to long terms in jail. Others are still awaiting trial. During this time, their families face public humiliation. Open Doors notes that several house churches were razed during the 2019 World Watch List reporting period, including instances in which entire congregations have been arrested. Most are no longer functioning as house churches, Open Doors explains. Iran is designated by the U.S. State Department as a country of particular concern for systematic, ongoing, [and] egregious violations of religious freedom. Open Doors ranks Iran as the 9th worst country in the world when it comes to the persecution of Christians on its 2019 World Watch List. The murder took place on the morning of 17 October 2011. The defendants are the two alleged killers, a tribal leader and three militants, and the member of a paramilitary group. Charges against the former mayor of Arakan and two army officers previously investigated have been dropped. The four key witnesses are under the protection of the authorities. Manila (AsiaNews) A court in Kidapawan City, North Cotabato, has remanded seven people for trial in connection with the unsolved murder of Fr Fausto "Pops" Tentorio (picture 1), a priest with the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions (PIME), this according to Fr Pietro Geremia, also a missionary with the Milan-based Institute in Mindanao. Fr Tentorio was killed on the morning of 17 October 2011, at the parish of Our Lady of Perpetual Aid in Arakan, North Cotabato (Mindanao). He had been in the Philippines for more than 32 years Because of his work in favour of Manobo tribes threatened by mining, the missionary was not liked by the Filipino military. In December 2017, the case took a new turn when new suspects came into the picture. Now a court has now decided to try the new suspects: Jimmy and Robert Ato (the suspected killers); Jan Corbala, commander of a group of tribal militants called Bagani, and three members of his unit; and Nene Durado, a member of the Ilaga movement, a group of fanatic Christian settlers who have been fighting against Muslims and tribals since the 1970s and who still continue to steal land from them. It should be noted that the charges against some people who had previously been investigated were dismissed. These are the former mayor of Arakan, Romulo Tagpos, and two businessmen from the city; the Lieutenant Colonel Joven Gonzales and last Major Mark Espiritu, officers in command of the 57th Army Battalion and Special Forces units at the time of the killing of Fr Fausto. In the brief filed on 1st April by Assistant State Prosecutor Rodan G. Parrocha (picture 2), the circumstances of the missionarys murder are summarised: "That on or about 7:20 oclock in the morning of October 17, 2011, at the compound of Our Mother of Perpetual Help parish, Arakan, North Cotabato, Philippines, and within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, the above-named accused, conspiring, confederating and mutually aiding one another, with the aim of accomplishing a common design, did then and there willfully, unlawfully, and feloniously kill FATHER FAUSTO POPS TENTORIO. The indictment goes on to say that the accused, with treachery, taking advantage of superior strength, with the aid of armed men, and with evident premeditation, as shown by evidence that such killing was previously planned on October 20, 2011 at Sitio Kamanagan, Brgy. Ganatan shot and hit said harmless victim FATHER FAUSTO POPS TENTORIO, several times using 9mm caliber firearm with frangible bullets, hitting him several times on his head, trunk and the different parts of his body, which caused his instantaneous death. As preparations for the trial get underway, "The four key witnesses and their families are kept in a safe house under the Witness Protection Program (WPP), Fr Geremia noted. There are also new witnesses preparing to testify. "The trial can identify the perpetrators and the motive for the killing. It can obtain at least partial justice for Fr Fausto and other similar Extra Judicial Victims (EJK). The trial can provide more security to the witnesses so that they can return to their homes and their jobs. "It can also provide more security for those who continue the programs of Fr Fausto and all those who serve the Tribals all over the country, and it can even inspire more volunteers to serve the poor. Finally, "It can bring some comfort to the Tentorio family and to the PIME family and to all the communities who shared Fr Faustos activities. In particular, it can contribute to the peace process in Arakan and Mindanao. James MacDonald to get no severance, money from tithes, church says; Naples church hires new pastor Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Harvest Bible Chapel in Chicago said no tithes or severance will go to James MacDonald, its longtime pastor who was ousted in February, nor will any of its affiliated entities benefit him financially. An update from the HBC elders was posted to the church website on April 30 to explain that a meeting occurred earlier that month to start a biblical reconciliation process and "make efforts to address complex legal issues and lingering disagreements still open since [MacDonald's] termination. The megachurch saidFriday: We want to assure you that none of your tithes and offerings have gone to James since his termination, and he did not receive severance because his termination was with cause." In recent weeks, questions have mounted as to whether or not the longtime pastor would receive any income from other sources linked with the church such as Walk in the Word, MacDonald's teaching ministry that is heard on radio broadcasts nationwide. To be clear, none of Harvest Bible Chapels or Walk in the Words donations or assets have gone to James, and we will not be giving him anything in the future, the church said Friday. The church signed a separation agreement with MacDonald on April 12 that was contingent on their mortgage lenders approval. The mortgage lender stated Friday that they "do not consent to the release of any assets including cash, physical property, and/or intellectual property." As a result of that decision, the separation agreement is null and void. MacDonald was fired in February after local radio host Mancow Muller played audio on the air of MacDonald making profane comments on a hot mic, amid controversy about MacDonald's and the church's use of finances and other factors. The church is reportedly deeply in debt and monthly donations have dropped significantly. The most recent statement follows months of controversy that engulfed the church after journalist and former Moody radio host published an investigative report in World magazine called "Hard Times at Harvest." Prior to publication, the church sued her and two other bloggers, along with their wives, who had been writing critically of MacDonald and the church for several years, a lawsuit the church ultimately dropped after a judge denied it two motions earlier this year. Last week, the outgoing elder board issued a public apology to those they sued for filing the lawsuit they now consider an ungodly move. "While at the time we thought we were acting in the best interests of the church, we now realize this lawsuit, while lawful, was a sinful violation of 1 Corinthians 6 and biblically should not have been pursued," the apology read. "This action put you through undue stress, took significant time, energy and resources, and left you to defend your reputations. We are sorry; please forgive us." A new elder board is now in place and is vowing to press ahead amid ongoing challenges. "[W]e know the Lord is able to lead Harvest Bible Chapel through our gifts and through our weaknesses, the church said. We ask for your grace and understanding as we dig into the challenges alongside our pastors and staff as we chart a new path forward. Harvest Bible Chapel was founded in 1988 in Rolling Meadows, Illinois, and has several locations across the Chicago region and one in Naples, Florida. The Naples location announced Sunday that it had hired Jeff Donaldson, a close friend of MacDonald's, as its new lead pastor. Donaldson is a former pastor at Harvest Bible Chapel's Elgin location and a former member of the HBC executive leadership team. Donaldson will be formally installed on June 9. Jean Vanier, Christian advocate for the intellectually disabled, dies at age 90 Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Jean Vanier, the Catholic founder of two community organizations for those with intellectual disabilities, has passed away in Paris, France. He was 90 years old. L'Arche Internationale, one of the two networks Vanier helped found to benefit those with special needs, announced his death early Tuesday morning on their Facebook page. We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Jean Vanier. He passed away peacefully today Tuesday, May 7 at 2:10 am in Paris surrounded by some relatives, noted the organization. In a statement, L'Arche noted that days before his death, Vanier reported that he was deeply peaceful and trustful. Im not sure what the future will be but God is good and whatever happens it will be the best. I am happy and give thanks for everything. My deepest love to each one of you, said Vanier in his last message to supporters. Born in Geneva, Switzerland in 1928, Vanier was the son of a Canadian diplomat. In his youth, he served in both the British and Canadian Royal navies until 1950. Vanier studied philosophy and taught the subject in Toronto. He seriously considered becoming a Catholic priest, though eventually decided not to. In the early 1960s, when visiting a Dominican chaplain in France, Vanier witnessed the poor conditions for the intellectually disabled in the asylums. In 1964, Vanier invited two disabled men, Raphael Simi and Philippe Seux, to live with him in in Trosly-Breuil, France rather than remain in a French institution. There, in that small home in Trosly-Breuil, Vaniers initial urge to do something for Raphael and Philippe grew to become a commitment to being with and friend to these two men, noted LArche USA. With that shift in heart and consciousness, a core belief of LArche emerged: that strength is revealed through weakness and human vulnerability, which given room to grow in trust, creates community. Taking its name from Noahs Ark, LArche grew to include 154 communities in 38 different countries. Faith and Light, another community-based support network for the disabled that Vanier founded, has 1,450 chapters in more than 80 countries. The secret of LArche is relationship, explained Vanier, meeting people, not through the filters of certitudes, ideologies, idealism or judgments, but heart to heart; listening to people with their pain, their joy, their hope, their history, listening to their heart beats. In 2015, Vanier won the Templeton Prize, an award given to those who have made an important contribution to the spiritual dimension of life through various works. Other Templeton Prize winners include King Abdullah II of Jordan, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the Dalai Lama, Charles Colson, and the Rev. Billy Graham. When those ingrained in a culture of winning and of individual success really meet them, and enter into friendship with them, something amazing and wonderful happens, stated Vanier at a news conference regarding the Prize, as reported by the Washington Post. They too are opened up to love and even to God. They are changed at a very deep level. They are transformed and become more fundamentally human. Other honors bestowed upon Vanier include the French Legion of Honor, the Rabbi Gunther Plaut Humanitarian Award, and the Blessed are the Peacemakers Award from the Chicago Catholic Theological Union. Vanier authored many books, including the popular Becoming Human, which was republished on its 10th anniversary in 2008. 'Pastors' in Pakistan helping Chinese men target poor girls for marriage Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Hundreds of Christian girls in Pakistan have been trafficked to China as part of a massive operation in which pastors are paid to target impoverished communities to find brides for Chinese men. A disturbing new report from the Associated Press found that in Pakistan, where Christians make up just 2.6 percent of the population, sex traffickers offer desperately poor parents thousands of dollars to give girls in marriage to Chinese men. The brokers are assisted by Christian pastors paid to preach to their congregations with promises of wealth in exchange for their daughters, notes the report. After surrendering their daughters, parents receive $3,500 to $5,000 dollars and are told that their new sons-in-law are wealthy Christian converts. Pastor Munch Morris, who leads an evangelical church in Gujranwala, a city north of Lahore, told the AP that he knows a group of local pastors who work with a private Chinese marriage broker. Among them, he said, is a fellow pastor at his church who tells his flock, "God is happy because these Chinese boys convert to Christianity. They are helping the poor Christian girls." Rizwan Rashid, a parishioner at the city's Roman Catholic St. John's Church, said that two weeks earlier, a car pulled up to him outside the church gates. Two Pakistani men and a Chinese woman inside asked him if he knew of any girls who want to marry a Chinese man. "They told me her life would be great," he said. They were willing to pay him to help, but he said he refused because the church's priest often warns his congregation against such marriages. The Associated Press interviewed more than a dozen Christian Pakistani women who either fled before exchanging vows with their would-be Chinese husbands or returned to Pakistan shortly after marrying. All had similar accounts of a process involving traffickers and various clergy members. Once the brides arrive in China, they are vulnerable to abuse, many of them forced to live in rural, isolated towns. With no way to communicate, they are reliant on a translation app even for a glass of water. Since October, an estimated 750 to 1,000 girls have been married off, some as young as 13 years old. Muqadas Ashraf, who was 16 when her parents married her off to a Chinese man last year, returned to Pakistan less than five months later, pregnant and seeking a divorce. "It is all fraud and cheating. All the promises they make are fake," she said. In April, Human Rights Watch called on China and Pakistan to take action to end bride trafficking, pointing to "increasing evidence that Pakistani women and girls are at risk of sexual slavery in China." The cases in Pakistan highlight what the organization called a disturbingly similar pattern of underprivileged women being trafficked to China for marriages from at least five other Asian countries, including Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, North Korea, and Vietnam. Responding to the report, the Chinese embassy in Pakistan issued a statement acknowledging some unlawful matchmaking centers made illegal profits from brokering cross-national marriages and claimed China is cooperating with Pakistani law enforcement agencies to crack down on illegal matchmaking centers. On Monday, Pakistani authorities arrested 12 suspected members of a prostitution ring taking young Pakistani women to China, including eight Chinese nationals and four Pakistanis, according to the South China Morning Post. But in a press release last year, the human rights group Women's Rights Without Frontierswarned that sex slavery of girls in China is a problem that will go on for decades due to the severe gender imbalance the country's one-child policy brought about. "Now, China has an estimated 30-40 million 'bare branches' men who will never find wives and will be unable to reproduce and carry on the family line. This alarming gender imbalance is the driving force behind sexual slavery in China," the group warned. "This will be true for decades to come. Even if China were to eliminate all coercive birth limitations now, even if cultural son preference were magically to disappear and gender ratios at birth were to normalize going forward, the effects of these changes would not be felt for decades," it added. The group blamed China's continued population control measures for the "hundreds of millions Chinese women" who have been "forcibly aborted," adding that "tens of millions of girls have been selectively aborted, and women from within China and throughout the world are being sucked into sexual slavery." "China's One Child Policy has caused more violence against women and girls than any other official policy on earth and any other policy in human history. This is the true war against women," it stated. Pastors Pastor Warren Wiersbe, prolific Bible commentator and teacher, dies at 89 Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Warren W. Wiersbe, a prolific author and Bible commentator who is credited with influencing thousands of pastors with his work, passed away on May 2 at age 89. Wiersbes death was announced by his grandson Dan Jacobsen last Thursday, with Jacobson referring to his grandfather as a bridge builder. When he said it, he meant that he had a knack for filling leadership roles as the interim between giants, wrote Jacobsen. The bridges Ive seen him build are far more impressive. His preferred tools were words, his blueprints were the Scriptures, and his workspace was a self-assembled library. Grandpa built bridges from the world of the Bible to the world of today so that we could get to the other side of glory in Jesus. Many prominent evangelical leaders have expressed their condolences, with Jerry Vines, a former Southern Baptist Convention president who was friends with Wiersbe. I first heard Dr. Wiersbe at a Bible conference [in the early 1960s], stated Vines, as reported by the Baptist Press. What I heard him do with Scripture that day changed my preaching forever. He changed me from a topical preacher to a text-driven preacher. Erwin W. Lutzer, former senior pastor of The Moody Church of Chicago, Illinois, which Wiersbe once led, said that Wiersbe was a master at connecting with people. He would walk down a half hour before the service began to shake hands, ask questions, and find out what the needs of the congregation were, recalled Lutzer in a tribute posted to Moodys website. As our paths crossed in subsequent years, Warren always assured me that he and Betty regularly prayed for me and the continuing ministry of The Moody Church. Daniel Darling of the SBC Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission took to social media to express that he was saddened by the news of Wiersbes passing. Wiersbe had a formative influence on me as a writer and pastor. A long full life of service to the church, stated Darling on Twitter. A native of East Chicago, Indiana, Wiersbe was born in 1929, becoming a born again Christian in 1945 after hearing a sermon by the Rev. Billy Graham. He was ordained in 1951 and served as pastor for Central Baptist Church of East Chicago, Calvary Baptist Church of Covington, Kentucky and Moody Church, as well as leadership roles for Youth for Christ International and the Slavic Gospel Association. A prolific author, Wiersbe wrote approximately 150 books, among them being the BE series of expositional commentaries on Bible books. Entries included Be Basic for Genesis chapters 1-11 and Be Courageous for Luke chapters 14-24. Wiersbe was active in radio, with sermons of his broadcast on Moodys Songs in the Night national radio program and later served many years at Back to the Bible Radio Ministries as a Bible teacher. His commentaries, radio programs, and books heavily influenced large numbers of preachers, leading many to refer to him as the pastors pastor. When you learn the joy and the privilege of Bible study, you dont have to be paid to do it. You dont have to be pushed at doing it, and scolded. No, no, no. Its a privilege. Its a marvelous, glorious privilege, said Wiersbe, as reported by The Gospel Coalition. You may not see it, you may not know it. But others will know that youre walking in the light. Blessed is the man that God blesses from the Word, because that is going to last forever. Cory Booker faces pushback for speaking at 'anti-LGBT' Willow Creek Church in 2011 Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment After declining to speak at a Christian conservative gathering this week, Democrat presidential candidate Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., is facing pushback for previously speaking at an Illinois megachurch known for its biblical stance on sexuality and marriage. The senator released last week 10 years' worth of tax returns, which showed that he made about $1.7 million in speaking engagements over the course of five years from 2009 to 2013. During this time, Booker served as the mayor of Newark. As Huff Post noted Friday, Booker spoke at the Global Leadership Summit hosted by the evangelical Willow Creek Community Church in the suburb of Chicago on Aug. 11, 2011. Although Booker did many speaking engagements, its his participation in the event at Willow Creek that has drawn the ire of at least one LGBT activist even though he also spoke out in favor of legalizing same-sex marriage in 2011. Willow Creek, which has eight campuses, has held the belief that Scripture makes clear marriage is designed to be a union between only one man and one woman. Willow Creek had also partnered for years with the ex-gay ministry Exodus International until about 2009 when it halted its affiliation with the organization. At the time, some accused Willow Creek of caving to LGBT activists. Spokeswoman Sabrina Sing told Huff Post that Booker was not aware of the hosts anti-LGBTQ sentiments and never would have agreed to doing the speech had he known. An unnamed LGBT activist told the outlet that the positions of Willow Creek were well-known. Theres no excuse for Booker or anyone to be going there, even then, the activist argued. Matthew Vines, an activist who advocates for churches to become LGBT affirming, told the left-leaning outlet that Willow Creek is not as vocal as other ministries about its views on sexuality and marriage. However, he said that it does have restrictions on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity when it comes to marriage, hiring and leadership roles. Vines noted that some gay couples even attend Willow Creek and like it. You could find plenty of people at the church who are themselves affirming, Vines was quoted as saying. But if you think youre going to go and be treated no differently than anybody else would be, youll find a number of barriers to that the more that you try to get involved and engaged in the community. Sing contended that Booker has a long history of advocating for LGBT rights, including his refusal to officiate wedding ceremonies as mayor of Newark in protest of a same-sex marriage ban. Booker is also co-sponsor of the Equality Act in the U.S. Senate, which would create discrimination protections on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. Booker, 50, has also questioned conservative Trump nominees during confirmation hearings about whether they believe same-sex relationships are a "sin" or a "perversion." Earlier this week, Booker explained why he declined to speak at a Christian conservative summit held by the Iowa Family Leader, which is headed by prominent social conservative activist Bob Vander Plaats. Booker was among seven Democratic candidates invited to the event. I welcome any opportunity to talk about how faith guides me, but I cannot in good conscience attend an event put on by an organization that preaches bigotry and sows hate against the LGBTQ community, Booker claimed in a tweet. That's why I am declining an invitation to the Family Leader's July 12 summit. Vander Plaats defended the invite to Booker and the other Democrats. Several of these national leaders have expressed a desire to see a more united America and are seeking to represent the American people, Bob Vander Plaats said, according to Caffeinated Thoughts. But that will be hard to do in todays divided political climate. So The FAMiLY LEADER is offering an opportunity to restore civility to the national dialogue. Our goal is to discuss faith and the role it plays in presidential leadership, regardless of political affiliation. Last year, Willow Creek saw the resignation of its founding pastor, Bill Hybels, and entire elder board in response to sex abuse allegations against Hybels. 4 Trends in Full-time Vocational Christian Ministry By Paul Pettit (ThM 96, DMin 07), Director of Career Services at Dallas Theological Seminary. By Gods grace and our reputation, Dallas Theological Seminary has successfully placed 80 percent of ministerial candidates within nine months of graduation. Candidates who desire to be placed and are flexible use our placement services to find opportunities to serve in vocational Christian ministry throughout the country. In my role as Director of Placement, Ive observed recent trends develop in the hiring processes of evangelical churches of various shapes, sizes, and denominations. Obviously, prayer, character-development, and giftedness are at the top of the list for candidates looking to serve full-time in a vocational Christian ministry. Ive employed the acronym S.T.A.R. to describe four recent developments. S Specialization A generation ago there were just a handful of slots to fill in local church ministry staffs. A senior pastor, worship pastor, youth pastor, and maybe a pastor of adult education completed a staff. After these positions were filled, volunteers manned positions on missions committees or in the church nursery. Today, in addition to the positions mentioned above, it is not unusual to see outreach ministers with titles such as: Grow Pastor, Pastor of Assimilation, Pastor of Outreach, Connect Pastor, or Local Missional Pastor on church staffs. Ive had candidates tell me they could settle for a position as childrens pastor. This really upsets my long-time colleague Dr. Jerry Lawrence, an expert in training those who labor in this field. She often mentions that ministers who work with children and teens today must be able to spot signs of physical or sexual abuse, work with blended families, help parents discuss adoption and foster children, recognize learning differences, and be well-versed on issues such as police background checks even international issues surrounding child labor laws and sex trafficking. Specialization and customized training is becoming the norm in todays seminaries and Christian graduate schools. It is normal today to see titles such as Pastor of Spiritual Formation, Minister of Divorce Care, Teaching Pastor, Campus Pastor, Pastor of Recovery, and myriad others. T Technology Growing churches currently struggle with whether to birth a daughter church, add an off-site campus, or continue to add buildings while offering additional services. Due to these trends, the need for excellence in technological areas has arisen. Today, a church may post an opening for an online pastor to meet their digital needs. Volunteers are asked to serve on the social media team. Ministers are needed who know how to run 64-channel sound boards, complicated lighting systems, and professional video cameras. It is not unusual today to have curriculum posted online, which volunteer teachers can download anywhereanytime. Many churches have their own phone apps. Pastors and staffs can now Skype or FaceTime with missionaries they support around the world. Technology also allows some ministers to work part-time at churches. Our placement office is hearing from bi-vocational candidates who plan on working part-time in the marketplace and part-time at a church or para-church ministry. A Accreditation A dental school sits just down the street from the seminary. I often ask our students if they would visit a dentist who had completed training at an unaccredited school. Would it matter to them whether their dentist passed required state exams and underwent all requisite training? At a minimum, many churches desire candidates who are licensed or ordained. It is no longer enough to hire someone who is a pretty good small group leader, or a person who seems to be good with kids. Just like those in the IT industry look for educational degrees from accredited institutions and additional certification training from Microsoft or Oracle, churches and parachurch ministries seek credentialed ministry training from seminaries and Christian graduate schools with strong reputations. R Residencies Increasingly churches are seeking ministerial candidates who hold a masters degree from an accredited institution, plus additional time spent on site serving in a church ministry under qualified supervision in an internship or residency. Search committees ask candidates, Have you ever performed a wedding? Have you ever conducted a funeral? Have you ever baptized someone? The interview may not end well if the answer to all of these questions is no. The additional training offered from time spent in healthy leadership development or strategic gap-year programs can be invaluable. Larger churches, much like hospitals and businesses, are opening up one- and two-year residencies and then offering full-time positions to those who best match the values and goals of the church. The world is indeed changing in many ways, and here at DTS we have a saying we employ when discussing these trends: our message does not change but our methods must change! DTS works in all four of these areas to help prepare the next generation of full-time vocational Christian ministers. To learn more about studying at Dallas Theological Seminary, please fill out the request information form! Rachel Held Evans, progressive Christian writer, dies at age 37 Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Rachel Held Evans, a New York Times best-selling progressive Christian writer, has died at age 37. Evans died Saturday morning at a hospital in Nashville, Tennessee, after she had been in a medically induced coma for several weeks. It is with a broken heart that we share with you that Rachel Held Evans died early this morning. She took a serious turn on Thursday morning and deteriorated quickly. Rachel died in the very early morning hours of May 4, 2019. She was surrounded by her family and her close friends we sang and we prayed and we held her always. We are grateful for your prayers and for all the ways you have supported not only her but her family especially Dan and the kids, wrote Sarah Bessey, a feminist Christian author and friend of Evans in an update on the official GoFundMe page for the family. In a public statement on the crowdfunding page, Evans' husband, Dan, wrote: "Rachel was slowly weaned from the coma medication. Her seizures returned but at a reduced rate. There were periods of time where she didnt have seizures at all. Rachel did not return to an alert state during this process. The hospital team worked to diagnose the primary cause of her seizures and proactively treated for some known possible causes for which diagnostics were not immediately available due to physical limitations. "Early Thursday morning, May 2, Rachel experienced sudden and extreme changes in her vitals. The team at the hospital discovered extensive swelling of her brain and took emergency action to stabilize her. The team worked until Friday afternoon to the best of their ability to save her. This swelling event caused severe damage and ultimately was not survivable. "Rachel died early Saturday morning, May 4, 2019. "This entire experience is surreal. I keep hoping its a nightmare from which Ill awake. I feel like Im telling someone elses story. I cannot express how much the support means to me and our kids. To everyone who has prayed, called, texted, driven, flown, given of themselves physically and financially to help ease this burden: Thank you. We are privileged. Rachels presence in this world was a gift to us all and her work will long survive her." In an email to Ruth Graham of Slate on Saturday, Dan Evans added: She put others before herself. She shared her platform. She always remembered how others had helped her. She enjoyed seeing other people in contexts where they thrived. She didnt hold grudges, would forget as well as forgive. She had little time for pettiness and a big heart for people. And these are all things I wish I had told her more while I still had the privilege to keep her company. Evans announced on April 14 that she was in the hospital to treat the flu and a urinary tract infection and had a severe allergic reaction to antibiotics. She then began experiencing symptoms that caused her to have constant seizures and was admitted to an intensive care unit. Jeff Chu, a reporter and friend of Evans, wrote on Twitter Saturday: She gave me some of the best advice I ever received. She loved me so, so, so welland I know I'm not alone in that, because she gave so much of herself to others. Last night, a few of us gathered to say goodbye to her. I got to hold her hand and thank her for being who she was. Pray for Dan and their two beautiful children. And I love you, Rachel, and I miss you so much already, he added on Twitter. Chu and Bessey are co-curators with Evans for the Evolving Faith Conference. They, along with Jim Chaffee, started the GoFundMe page that has raised over $122,000 to help pay for the cost of Evans medical care. Christian writer Jen Hatmaker, who made headlines in 2015 for voicing support for the legality of same-sex marriage, also shared her reaction on Twitter Saturday: Eshet chayil, beloved Woman of Valor. You ran a beautiful, faithful race. We are crushed. Well done, good and faithful servant." Evans was a former evangelical who joined an Episcopal church and operated a blog that is popular among progressive Christians. She wrote the book, A Year of Biblical Womanhood, a New York Times best-selling e-book in 2012. She also authored other titles such as Searching for Sunday, Faith Unraveled and Inspired. Russell Moore, president of the Southern Baptist Conventions Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, continued to call for an outpouring of support from believers across the political and theological spectrum for Evans' family. On Saturday, Moore extended his public condolences in a post on Twitter: "I am shocked and broken-hearted to hear of the death of @rachelheldevans. Please stop right now and pray for this young family." He also encouraged believers to continue to donate to Evans' family to help pay for expenses incurred for treatment at the hospital: ".@rachelheldevans leaves behind a husband and two small children, one 3 and one less than one year old. As many as can, lets please help this grieving young family with the overwhelming medical bills." Man who burned historic black church with 'vote Trump' spray-painted on wall sentenced to prison Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment A Mississippi man who set fire to a historic black church he attended has been sentenced to 10 years in prison. Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church in Greenville was burned down one week before the 2016 presidential election and was spray-painted with Vote Trump on the outside of the building. At the time, investigators said the arson was being investigated as a hate crime. Andrew McClinton, 47, who was a member of the African American church, pleaded guilty to arson on March 28 but did not confess to spray-painting the church. Washington County District Attorney Dewayne Richardson told The Associated Press on Thursday that McClinton was involved in illicit activities at the church and set the fire to prevent fellow congregants from meeting the next day to discuss the activities. "He was trying to hide that information from being disclosed," Richardson said. Richardson added that police believe McClinton acted alone, and the investigation is closed. McClinton has previous felony convictions for attempted armed robbery in 1997 and armed robbery in 2004, both in Mississippi, and was sentenced as a habitual offender, the AP added. He will not be eligible for early release. Circuit Judge Margaret Carey-McCray also gave McClinton a 10-year suspended sentence, with some of that suspended sentence under state supervision, according to the AP. After the fire, Greenville Fire Chief Ruben Brown Sr. said at a news conference at the time that investigators had determined the fire was "intentionally set," Reuters reported. "Samples and evidence have been collected from inside the church and are being analyzed to determine the accelerant or ignition source," Brown said. No one was injured at the church but it sustained extensive damage. Greenville Police Chief Delando Wilson said at the time that the spray-painted message Vote Trump on one of the churchs exterior walls was intimidating to the community. "It tries to push your beliefs on someone else, Wilson said at the time, and this is a predominantly black church and no one has a right to try to influence the way someone votes in this election." Greenville is located 120 miles northwest of Jackson, and a majority of its some 33,000 residents are African American. Pastor Carolyn Hudson said back in 2016 that the arson that destroyed the church founded over 111 years ago "left our hearts broken," Reuters reported. The congregation of about 200 members subsequently worshiped in the chapel at First Baptist Church of Greenville, whose congregation is predominantly white. A new church has since been built and some of the walls that survived the fire have been incorporate into the new church building. Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Remember that 1980s cough syrup commercial when Chris Robinson said, Im not a doctor, but I play one on TV? I wanted to paraphrase these immortal words when I read what actor Joaquin Phoenix of Gladiator fame said about his role as Jesus in the movie, Mary Magdalene. Phoenix is not the Son of Man, but he plays him on the big screen. His is a very different Jesus than the one we meet in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Judging by the trailer and the press roll-out, the movie drew heavily on a second-century Gnostic text known as the Gospel of Mary. In a recent interview with Newsweek, Phoenix slammed early Christianity for not canonizing this and other apocryphal writings about Jesus, saying: Why was Marys book not included in the Bible? The stench of blatant sexism, he says, is inescapable. Phoenix went even further in another interview: Somebody made that decision to exclude [Mary Magdalenes] observations and feelings about the life of Christ and her experience. There seems to have been an overt intention to exclude women from that process. The truth is, no one excluded Mary Magdalenes experiences. Scholars universally agree that she didnt write this so-called gospel. Along with other texts like the Apocryphon of John, and the Sophia of Jesus Christ, the Gospel of Mary was never recognized by the Church as part of the New Testament. The reason is that it is an obvious forgery. The Gospel of Mary is a work of fan-fiction by members of a false religion who attempted to co-opt Jesus for their own purposes. True to the pattern of other Gnostic texts, the Gospel of Mary claims that Jesus delivered a private revelation to its namesake that radically contradicts the canonical gospels. Even more, the Mary Magdalene revealed in the Bible is the best response we have to the accusation that early Christianity was sexist. Recall that she is reported as the first witness of the risen Lord a claim that would have scandalized first-century Jewish readers. In that culture, the testimony of a woman was considered worthless, yet she and several other women were entrusted to take the message of Christs resurrection back to His disciples, and those disciples were hesitant to believe them. If the four gospels were written to make Jesus male followers look good at the expense of the women, they did a lousy job. Authors like Alvin J. Schmidt and Rodney Stark have documented that Christianity far from oppressing women radically elevated their status in the ancient world. Its hard for us in 2019 to grasp just how revolutionary the Apostle Pauls words were that there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And speaking of important background material, Joaquin Phoenix grew up in a pseudo-Christian cult that seems to have soured him toward religion. While we should be sensitive to that experience, we have to admit hes no expert. Even so, his unfounded statements and the false story this movie tells will strike many as convincing, in the same way Dan Browns The Da Vinci Code did a few years back. The good news is, we live in what I like to call the golden age of good arguments. There is a wealth of apologetic resources available that ably debunks the idea that the Gnostic gospels were unfairly suppressed or that they offer any new information about the life of Jesus. Well link you to just a few of those resources at BreakPoint.org. The problem isnt that the answers arent available. The problem is that the answers rarely reach as many people as the falsehoods do from the publishing industry, the media, or Hollywoodwhich, like the Gnostics of oldnever tire of producing false Christianities and false Jesuses. Our job is to learn the answers, to engage in conversations, to dialogue about those answers, and to do our best to set the record straight. Resources The Rise of Christianity, Rodney Stark | HarperOne | 1997 Evidence That Demands a Verdict: Life-Changing Truth for a Skeptical World, Josh McDowell, Sean McDowell | Thomas Nelson | 2017 Why Shouldnt We Trust the Non-Canonical Gospel of Mary? J. Warner Wallace | November 1, 2017 Why Shouldnt We Trust the Non-Canonical Gospels? J. Warner Wallace | April 18, 2018 Originally posted at Breakpoint. North Korean defector details decade of abuse, forced labor at orphanage Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment WASHINGTON A North Korean defector recounted Thursday the hell she experienced during a decade full of abuse, starvation and enslavement as an orphan in the rogue nation, a fate that too many children are still experiencing today under the Kim regime. As part of a weeklong advocacy effort in support of human rights reform in North Korea, Park Ji-Hye told attendees at an event held at the Family Research Council headquarters that she spent time in two different orphanages after her father died of starvation during a famine in the 1990s. With her mom having been trafficked to China, Park said she knows too well the desperate situation facing North Korean orphans today, as they have no social protections guaranteed by the government and are treated as property in the country that has been ruled by the repressive Kim dynasty over the past 70 years. It was just like going through hell for me to live in an orphanage, then running around by myself and being trafficked to China, Park said through a translator during a 45-minute recounting of her life. It was a long journey of suffering. I know for sure even now there are people going through the same thing, whether it's in an orphanage or in China. While much attention has been paid in the last several years to the fact that thousands of Koreans are worked to death in labor camps, not as much focus has been paid to the human rights abuses being committed in North Korean orphanages, said Suzanne Schulte, head of the North Korea Freedom Coalition and a key organizer behind North Korea Freedom Week. I can tell you when we brought the first survivors of the political prison camp to testify [before Congress] in the late 1990s, people did not believe the stories because there were only a few witnesses, Schulte said. Now, there have been hundreds of folks that have been able to escape and testify about the horrible political prison camps that are really death camps for innocent men, women and children. Today, we're facing that same issue except now it is the orphans. Schulte, who has been involved in North Korea human rights advocacy for over 20 years, said that many people dont know what is happening to orphans in North Korea because there are very few survivors. Thursdays North Korea Freedom Week event at FRC was the first time Park has shared her story on the international stage, according to an event organizer. Life in two orphanages Park was born into a family of four children. She has a younger sister, an older sister, and a younger brother and her mother left home on a quest to run a business in hopes of supporting her family. However, Parks mom ended up being trafficked into neighboring China. In the 1990s famine spread throughout North Korea. It's been estimated that between 330,000 up to 3 million people died as a result of starvation. One of those people was Parks father, who worked as a miner. While her younger sister was adopted and her older sister was allowed to live at her grandmothers house (before defecting at the age of 13), Park and her younger brother were not as fortunate. The first orphanage they went to, she said, was a state-run orphanage where countless children were being housed in a three-story building. The facility was awful and they didnt provide any food to children, she explained. So many children tried to escape and jumped out of the building. Park and her younger brother eventually escaped and fled to their grandmothers house. During that time, her brother became ill and they both stayed at their grandmothers house until he recovered before being sent to a second orphanage where they were held for about 10 years. She said it was a private orphanage run by a married couple. The couple themselves were honored as heroes by the Kim regime, she recalled. According to Park, there were 170 children at the orphanage. Each bedroom housed as many as 30 children, she added. The family that ran the orphanage also ran a farm at the same time. Park said that a typical day for the orphans started at 4 a.m. as they were forced to work for two hours on the farm. At 6 a.m., she added, the children would then be forced to march in the streets to wake people up. Following that, they would head back to the orphanage for breakfast. After breakfast, the school-aged children would go to school while the rest of the children would go back to work in the field. At school, Park said, the facilities were awful and only one textbook was provided for the whole class. Also, the students were not provided with lunch at the school. After school, the orphans returned and were forced to go into the mountain to fetch firewood. According to Park, each orphan had a quota to meet. If the orphan didnt meet his or her quota, they would not be given dinner. This meant that Park, whose younger brother was only 6 at the time and too weak to carry his weight, had to work doubly hard to ensure that both she and her brother would eat each day. At night, the children would be called into self-criticism sessions, park added. Not only did we have to confess what we did wrong that day, we also had to criticize others for what they did wrong, she remembers. Since we lived together, we basically took a turn to say, I would criticize you today and you can criticize me tomorrow. Those who made mistakes, they were scolded and punished, she continued. Following the self-criticism session came the recreation session, when the children were made to sing and dance. But even if the children cried, they had to smile and pretend they were having a good time during singing and dancing, she said. It wouldnt be until about 10 p.m. that children would be allowed to go to bed on most nights, Park explained. That is how I lived for about 10 years of my life, she contended. The three sons Park said that manual labor was only part of the problem with the orphanage. The worst part of the orphanage, she recalled, was the three sons of the couple that owned the orphanage. Although the sons were all married, they considered the girls in the orphanage as their possession or slave they could use. Whenever they liked, they designated one person. There was no choice for the girls that were designated and anyone who did not fulfill their needs or request, then all the children were summoned. In the morning, we found out the first thing, they would share who was called and who got pregnant by the three sons. Park said that the mother who ran the orphanage tried hard to cover up what her sons were doing. Most of the time the pregnant girls had an abortion, Park explained. Park detailed that one of the sons tried to abuse her. However, the mother prevented Park from getting abused by the son because Park has family on the outside. She said that children with family on the outside of the orphanage were largely protected from such abuses. However, Park wasnt completely shielded from abuse. She recalled a time in which the mother of the orphanage allowed her to borrow a bicycle and go to the market to buy something. But when she returned, she said that one of the sons summoned all the children because he was furious that the bike was taken without his permission. Park told the son that his mother had allowed her to take the bike. As punishment, the son forced all the children to stand outside barefoot for 30 minutes in the winter cold. During this time, Park said the son started beating the orphans with his belt. He started to beat me also with the belt but the female owner came in and screamed at her son, she said. For the next month, the female owner allowed Park to stay in a special room with just her and her husband to recuperate from the scars all over her body. After the husband tried to abuse Park, she asked to move back into the room with all the other children. Eventually, the female owner got Park out of the orphanage by sending her to work and live at a restaurant. But during her three months at the restaurant, Park said she was treated like a slave. The husband of the owner of the restaurant was disabled. After long hours of work at the restaurant, I would go back to the house and take care of the husband, she recounted. After three months, I got ill because of the hard work in the restaurant. She was then forced to move back to the orphanage. She stayed there for about another year before she finally escaped at age 19. I decided to escape from the orphanage and live my own life, she said. Living her own life Park said she immediately went back to her grandmothers house but was scolded for fleeing from the orphanage. So Park asked one of her grandmothers neighbors if she could stay at their house, which she was allowed to do. Eventually, the orphanage released her younger brother at the age of 16 because he was on the verge of death from starvation. Park said they released her brother so that he wouldnt die in the orphanage. The orphanage, she said, was more worried about keeping its reputation intact than helping her brother. He came back to my grandmother's house and stayed there to recover. My grandfather decided to let both of us go because he couldnt take care of us anymore, she said. We started wandering around in the street. In order to support my younger brother, I started my business in the market. Park said she was inspired to go into the market because her sister who was adopted did. Eventually, Park rented a room in a small house that she and her brother could stay in. Park also borrowed money on high interest in order to start her business and pay for her brothers expensive medication. She was eventually beaten because she was not able to pay back the lender. Trafficked to China After being beaten, Park decided to flee to China. But without money to flee, she decided that the best route was to get trafficked to China. I stayed there about a year-and-a-half in China and I married a Chinese man and gave birth to a son, she explained, adding that her child was stateless because he couldnt be registered to a government. In China, Park reunited with her two sisters and as a family they fled to South Korea. When they arrived in South Korea, Park said the sisters discovered that their mother, who had been trafficked to China when they were children, had also resettled in China. All four members in my family reunited and having a great life in South Korea now, she said. Whats happening now? Although Parks horrifying past is behind her, she recognizes that there are still helpless children in the same shoes that she was in. I am a mother with two children now. I have my own family, she said. Whenever I see orphans, I feel the same pain that they might be going through. I really urge that the international community will get together to solve this North Korean human rights issue. Kim Yong-Hwa, a former military officer who escaped North Korea in 1988 and founded the North Korean Refugees Human Rights Association, told the audience that the Kim regime has put up propaganda-type orphanages that foreign delegations are sent to in order to get the idea that orphans in North Korea are well cared for. These are orphanages set up to show the outside world, Kim said. This is for Kim Jong-Un, he wants to promote that he loves children, which is show and nonsense. This show and a lot of people are believing in the nonsense that he has set up for the outside world. At the private orphanage that Park was at, she explained that it received humanitarian support from humanitarian associations from other countries because it was famous for being run by so-called heroes. As soon as officials from the humanitarian associations left, two of the North Korean officials arrived and took half of the aid we got from them, she explained. After that, the family of the founders took most of the leftovers which left us almost nothing. Children in the orphanage were starving. After listening to Parks experience, Kim vouched by saying that orphanages in North Korea are like a slavery facility. When you hear the word orphanage, you think of a place where kids can be safe and be adopted, that is not what orphanages are like in North Korea, Schulte added. In addition to the orphans in North Korea, Kim said there are as many as 40,000 North Korea orphans who have crossed the border into China. Recently, we have seen even the boys are being sold and trafficked. They are being sold to coal mines as workers or as hard laborers in mountains and woods. Even if they die, there is no compensation. There is nothing. Even if the employees dont get money, there is nothing to complain about with the Chinese government [which repatriates defectors back to North Korea]. There is really no way to improve the circumstances for them. As they have lived as slaves in North Korea, even in [China], they are also living as de-facto slaves. Christians beaten during prayer meeting in India Christians were beaten and threatened with death as they held a prayer meeting at a church in India last week. The Christians were praying together at the Praise the Lord Church in Tamil Nadu on Friday when Hindu nationalists distrupted their meeting, Christian Solidarity Worldwide reports. Eye witnesses said six men ranging from their early twenties to late thirties broke into the meeting and threatened the pastor, Philip Rangasamy. The Christians were told that they would be killed if they did not stop praying. They were then physically assaulted by the men, who have been identified as belonging to Hindu Munani, a Hindu nationalist group. One churchgoer's hand was fractured during the attack, while an elderly woman sustained head injuries. The perpetrators also destroyed Bibles and song books. A report was filed with the police and the suspects have since been arrested. Pastor Rangasamy said this was the second time that the church has been targeted in recent months. He said that on February 10, the same suspects threatened to hurt him if he did not obtain permission to hold church services, even though the church has been conducting them for the last 13 years. Nehemiah Christie, Director of Legislation and Regulations of the Synod of Pentecostal Churches in Tamil Nadu, said the government had "ignored" repeated calls from human rights activists about growing religious intolerance in the state. "We had highlighted the impunity surrounding non-state actors on this church since the first incident took place on 10 February," he said. "We even shared the video footage of the intrusion then with the police and sought the help of officers to take action against the perpetrators but nothing was done. "The apathy and neglect by the police has now resulted in more people being hurt with risks of more attacks taking place. "This is becoming a routine feature all across the state of Tamil Nadu. I call on the government to take stern action those police officers for their disregard to protect and preserve the rule of law." CSW's Chief Executive Mervyn Thomas said: "We urge the state and central governments to prosecute those who incite hatred and perpetrate violence against religious minorities. "The freedom to assemble and pray is a fundamental right of every Indian citizen, which is enshrined in the Indian constitution. "We urge the police to uphold rule of law and take seriously the concerns that have been raised by local human rights defenders." Exorcists share experiences of fighting evil and demonic possession When exorcists met in Rome, they held a major summit on how to treat demonic possession and respond effectively to the growth of Satanism and secularism. The 14th "Course on Exorcism and Prayer of Liberation" brought together over 240 priests from 40 countries. It took place at the Pontifical University of Regina Apostolorum in Rome but was not limited to Catholics, with participants also coming from the Lutheran, Pentecostal and Greek Orthodox traditions, reports Crux Now. The priests spent the week studying their different approaches to exorcism and examining how the church can push back effectively against the forces of darkness. "Some believe that this return to exorcism and prayer of liberation is derived from a distancing from God," theologian Father Pedro Barrajon Munoz told reporters. He said the theme of exorcism "always garners attention", partly because the nature of evil is not clearly understood by many. "At the bottom there is the mysteriousness of evil as not just an event, but also a person," he said. "That evil may not just be caused by the sins of men but by a being, who is both perverse and perverting as Pope Paul VI said, and can provoke great evil that does not depend on our free will." Italian Professor Giuseppe Ferrari, founder and secretary of the "Social and Religious Research and Information Group", told delegates at the closed-door meeting that the occult was particularly attractive to young people. "Many young people display a certain attraction and interest toward themes tied to esotericism, magic, the occult, Satanism, witchcraft, vampirism and contact with a presumed supernatural world," he said. "Some end up accepting as spiritual leaders these characters who, while proposing a flawed liberty and false freedom, only aim at taking hold of their existence," he added. The profile of Satanism has grown rapidly across the US in recent years where supporters have been actively campaigning against Ten Commandment monuments at statehouses. Iran summons Christians to explain why they converted from Islam Iran's intelligence minister, Mahmoud Mahmoud Alavi, openly expressed concern last weekend about the spread of Christianity in the Islamic republic and said that some converts to Christianity were "summoned" to explain why they have converted. The 65-year-old Alavi gave a speech before Shia clerics on Saturday, the day before the beginning of Ramadan. According to the International Shia News Association, Alavi blamed "evangelical propaganda" for the increase in Iranian Muslims converting to Christianity in certain areas of the country. Despite Christianity being criminalized in a country where the government is entangled with hardline Islam, the nation is experiencing one of the fastest evolving underground church movements in the world. According to Radio Farda, Alavi told the clerics that the Intelligence Ministry and Qom Seminary, the country's largest Islamic seminary, have dispatched individuals and institutions that are active in "countering the advocates of Christianity" to areas where Muslims are being converted. "People tend to become Christians who are ordinary people of the community, for example, their sandwich shops and the like, and they became a Christian family," he was quoted as saying. Alavi also said that in a city like Hamadan province in northwestern Iran, the government was given no choice but to summon Muslim converts to Christianity to ask why they have embraced the religion over Islam. "Some of them said that 'we were seeking a religion that would calm us and establish ourselves with us and brotherhood,'" Alavi was quoted as saying. "We told them that 'Islam is a religion of brotherhood.' They said that 'we see that the scholars of Islam and those who talk behind the podium talk continuously against each other, if Islam is a religion of [peace], then first of all, one must create [peace] between his scholars.'" The intelligence minister reportedly said that although the agency is not responsible for finding the root cause of the mass religious conversion to Christianity in Iran, it is "happening right before our eyes." Radio Farda, the Iranian affiliate of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, surmises that the converts who spoke with the intelligence ministry must have been referring to ongoing disputes between Iran's ruling clerics. Underground house churches continue to spring up across Iran, although they must do so in secrecy because they risk torture and imprisonment in the Islamic republic. Believers can be arrested for preaching the Gospel or having a copy of the Bible translated into Farsi. Although it's hard to get an accurate read on how many Christians are in Iran, estimates have ranged from 800,000 to over 1 million. Open Doors USA, an organization that operates in dozens of countries to help the persecuted church, reports that converts to Christianity "bear the brunt" of the Christian persecution in Iran by the government or their own family members. "The government sees them as an attempt by Western countries to undermine Islam and the Islamic regime of Iran," an Open Doors fact sheet reads. "Many Christians (especially converts) have been prosecuted and sentenced to long terms in jail. Others are still awaiting trial. During this time, their families face public humiliation." Open Doors notes that several house churches were razed during the 2019 World Watch List reporting period, including instances in which entire congregations have been arrested. "Most are no longer functioning as house churches," Open Doors explains. Iran is designated by the U.S. State Department as a "country of particular concern" for "systematic, ongoing, [and] egregious violations of religious freedom." Open Doors ranks Iran as the 9th worst country in the world when it comes to the persecution of Christians on its 2019 World Watch List. Courtesy of The Christian Post Universities urged to increase funding for chaplains after report finds positive impact A major new report has recommended increased funding for university chaplains after finding that they have a significant impact on the welfare of students. The report, Chaplains on Campus, is based on a study carried out jointly by academics at Coventry, Durham and Canterbury Christ Church Universities. They conducted interviews with over 400 university chaplains, managers and religion or belief organisations, and nearly 200 students. The researchers found that chaplains play a vital role in supporting students "to integrate, progress with their university studies, develop their identities and practice their religion". While the researchers commended the contribution of volunteer chaplains, they said that chaplains who were paid to be on campus full-time could better support universities and their student bodies. "Chaplains provide a huge amount of voluntary labour to universities," they said. "Volunteer chaplains play a vital role, but full-time and paid chaplains are better equipped for chaplaincy work and more embedded within their university structures." The academics said universities should step in to fill the funding gap because many religious institutions are struggling to resource their own university chaplains. "As student pastoral needs grow, universities increasingly depend on chaplains to supplement other student support services," the report reads. "As religion and belief groups are becoming unable to sustain their current levels of funding for chaplaincy, universities need to increase budgets for chaplaincy across the sector. Universities should, in particular, commit to providing funds for chaplains' salaries." Report co-author and Professor of Sociology of Religion at Coventry University, Dr Kristin Aune, said a lack of funding was holding chaplains back from meeting their full potential on campus. "Our research has found that chaplains are doing a great job supporting students pastorally and responding to an increasingly multi-faith environment," she said. "What is letting them down though, is how under-resourced they are, so one of our 15 recommendations is that universities increase their funding for chaplaincy to continue this vital service." The study found that three-quarters of chaplains believed their presence had made an impact on individual students in the last 12 months, while two-thirds said there had been a change in atmosphere or sense of community on campus. Students were also positive about the presence of chaplains on their university campus. Over a third of students who had visited the chaplaincy said they had done so to seek guidance or advice about their spiritual development, a personal problem, ethical concerns, or "life in general". One student said chaplaincy had been "central to my university experience" while a student services manager at another university said that chaplaincy was making a "significance difference" to the campus experience and lives of individual students, "particularly students who may be vulnerable, or be looking for some support." The Bishop of Winchester and Church of England lead bishop on higher education, Tim Dakin, welcomed the findings. "This ground-breaking research provides churches and other religious bodies with a hugely important resource for supporting chaplains and chaplaincy in their ministry," he said. "Chaplains are on the frontier of our engagement with young people and with universities as leading social institutions." Why Christians were right to challenge a nuclear deterrent service at Westminster Abbey Last week Westminster Abbey hosted "A Service to Recognise Fifty Years Of Continuous At Sea Deterrent"; that is 50 years of continuous patrolling submarines armed with nuclear weapons. The Abbey website states that it was, "A service to recognise the commitment of the Royal Navy to effective peacekeeping through the deterrent over the past fifty years and to pray for peace throughout the world." Praying for peace is laudable, even essential, and recognising the commitment and effort of the Royal Navy to safeguarding peace for both British citizens at home, and the wider world, is to be welcomed. But the key three words are, "through the deterrent." It is not the skill and commitment of sailors that is being recognised, nor is this an outpouring of thanks that, despite the fallen, broken nature of humanity and all the evil in the world, we have not yet succeeded in wiping ourselves out with ingenious weapons of our own devising. What was being celebrated was rather that for 50 years we have retained the capacity to use those same weapons, and been constantly ready to use them. That seems a very different moral category and a peculiar fit for a Christian ceremony. Having to confront the reality that various nations are at constant readiness to start a nuclear war ought really to fill us with existential dread, rather than thankfulness. Last year's General Synod stated that, "nuclear weapons, through their indiscriminate and destructive potential, present a distinct category of weaponry that requires Christians to work tirelessly for their elimination across the world." Other churches have been even clearer in their condemnation. The Catechism of the Catholic Church, for example, teaches that, "Every act of war directed to the indiscriminate destruction of whole cities or vast areas with their inhabitants is a crime against God and man, which merits firm and unequivocal condemnation. A danger of modern warfare is that it provides the opportunity to those who possess modern scientific weapons especially atomic, biological, or chemical weapons to commit such crimes... This method of deterrence gives rise to strong moral reservations. The arms race does not ensure peace." This is the crux of the matter; can a church recognise the moral good of the nuclear deterrent? Can the ability to sit on a form of mechanized death capable of indiscriminately wiping out vast numbers of noncombatants, even in the event of allout war, to destroy all life on earth, possibly be considered acceptable by Christians? The answer, it seems to me, must be no. A deterrent is only a deterrent if both you and your enemy believe that you really will push the button. Our deterrent is our advertisement that we would be prepared under some circumstances to perpetuate mass murder on a scale impossible to contemplate. Words like "last resort" are meaningless. You are either prepared to accept that you would use these weapons, or you are not. If you are not then it is no deterrent, just an accident waiting to happen, and a weapon you pass to someone who may be less scrupulous in the future. Since I am able to write this, and you are able to read it, and neither of us is a cinder blown about in the aftermath of a nuclear winter, we can be immeasurably thankful that no one has used their nuclear weapons (other than the Americans, twice, in what ought by any reasonable assessment of things to be considered a war crime). We can be thankful for that, in the same sense that I suppose I should be thankful that I have made it through any given day without being stabbed, assaulted or otherwise abused through no fault of my own. That is not the same thing as being thankful for my country having the ability to commit abuses on others. I can appreciate the difficulty this all presents for an Established Church which does not want to be at odds with the Royal Navy, or indeed the government since the Minister of Defence is expected to be present. Equally, it seems to me there is little point in being an Established Church if you can't stand your ground on matters of essential faith and morality. If you can't even tell the state that you won't celebrate nuclear weapons, what chance is there to be an authentic moral voice elsewhere? Ben Ryan is head of research at Theos where you can read the original article Your phone rings once, and the caller leaves no message. Thinking you missed a call, you call the number back. Someone answers or maybe you get a recording. You stay on the phone listening to the person or trying to decipher what the recording is saying. Unknown to you, though, you have been connected to a line with high interconnect fees, similar to calling a 900 number, and a bloated phone bill is on its way. The Federal Communications Commission warned consumers about this one ring scheme in an alert last week. Its also known as a wangiri scam Japanese for one ring and cut. These calls are likely trying to prompt consumers to call the number back, often resulting in per-minute toll charges, the FCC said. Consumers should not call these numbers back. 45 VICTIMS: Houston man sentenced for scamming homebuyers out of $10 million The commission said the calls were relying on the 222 country code of the West African nation of Mauritania, and were reported to be widespread in New York state and Arizona. In April, Americans received 4.9 billion robocalls, or 163 million calls per day, according to YouMail, a robocall blocking service. Its no wonder: Robocallers have become more advanced in how they hide their numbers and spoof or imitate numbers from other places. Defenses against robocalls have also expanded, with the development of apps to block them and phone companies investing in technology allowing customers to identify such calls. But what happens when the calls purpose is to bilk consumers? International revenue share fraud is when fraudsters intentionally drive phone calls to premium rate phone numbers, said Tim Prugar, vice president of operations at Next Caller, a real-time verification technology company. These fraudsters get a kickback from the call. IN SPRING: Fire department warns residents of telephone scam The potential cost of one of these calls to a consumer varies widely based on the location of the number and the amount of time spent on the phone, he said. Although the calls are being trafficked from overseas, the phone number that is spoofed the one seen on a caller ID takes the format of a phone number from the United States. Advances in technology allow massive amounts of calls to be made cheaply and easily, the FCC said. In addition, spoofing tools make it easy for scammers to mask their identity. The agency recommended not calling back unrecognized numbers, especially those that appear to be from overseas. It also suggested blocking international calls and checking phone bills for unidentifiable charges. They put 100 million calls out, and they know 1% converts into sales, Prugar said, referring to those behind the robocalls. Just by sending those phone calls, they are going to get 1 million people, at least. This article originally appeared in The New York Times. LGI Homes, a builder of entry-level housing based in The Woodlands, is now putting upgraded finishes in all of its homes, including granite countertops, ceiling fans, nicer appliances, USB plugs and garage door openers. The initiative, called the "complete home," aims to make LGI's homes more consistent on a national basis, Eric Lipar, its chairman and chief executive, said Tuesday on a conference call to discuss first-quarter earnings. The finishes will become standard. The company's strategy to value engineer homes, making them as affordable as possible, resulted in communities with homes containing a range of finishes. Some had Formica countertops, some had granite. "That didn't make sense to us," Lipar said. For buyers, the new finishes will mean a cost increase of roughly $3,000 -- or somewhere between $20 and $25 extra in their monthly payments. RELATED: New apartments planned in Oak Forest and Spring Branch The company said it expects a 30 percent margin increase on the improvements. Since the company began selling the upgraded homes in select communities, sales have been robust, Lipar said. Sales have been turning up in recent months also as a result of lower mortgage rates. Orders during the quarter were up 8 percent over last year. In March and April, year-over-year orders were up more than 30 percent each month. LGI reported first-quarter net income of $18.3 million (73 cents per share), down 32.8 percent, from $27.3 million ($1.23), a year ago. The company attributed the decrease lower margins, increased advertising and additional costs from new personnel associated with a higher community count, which was up about 10 percent. The company's average sales price during the quarter was up 4.4 percent to $234,197. Revenue from home sales was up 3.1 percent to $287.6 million. RELATED: David Weekley planning project near Acres Homes Closings fell slightly, to 1,228 from 1,244 a year earlier, primarily due to closing out communities in northwest and Florida divisions, the company said. LGI builds entry-level homes in 17 states across. At the end of the quarter, the company owned 50,700 lots. The company expects to be selling in as many as 115 communities nationwide by the end of the year. The average sales price is expected to increase to as much as $245,000. Alamo City avocado fiends showed the many ways they enjoy their favorite fruit on Saturday at the San Antonio Avocado Fest. Chefs prepared tasty dishes featuring avocados that included guacamole, quesadillas, avocado melts, nachos and various types of desserts. 3 1 of 3 Courtesy by City of Bellaire Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Courtesy by City of Bellaire Show More Show Less 3 of 3 Bellaires city council took time to recognize city employees, law enforcement and older Americans and also adopted two new ordinances at a brief meeting on Monday, May 6. Mayor Andrew Friedberg proclaimed May 5-11 as Public Service Recognition Week to recognize the hard work of the citys workers. Then, he proclaimed May 12-18 as Police Week to appreciate the efforts of law enforcement officers as well as those who have lost their lives in the line of duty. Finally, May was named Older Americans Month in Bellaire, as Friedberg recognized how older adults benefit the city. Surge flooding poses the greatest threat to Houston's economic security, according to a new research paper by Jim Blackburn, an environmental lawyer and professor of civil engineering at Rice University. And he's calling for quick action to address the risk. "The problems facing Houston and the United States are serious and must be addressed effectively," Blackburn said in his report. "We cannot afford to build solutions that are obsolete upon arrival. We cannot afford to ignore issues because they are uncomfortable, and we cannot continue business as usual and expect to solve the incredible problems associated with hurricane-surge flooding." At HoustonChronicle.com: Ike Dike concept raises more questions than it answers for environmentalists and Rice University In his report, Blackburn discusses how surge flooding would disrupt key suppliers of the nation's refined oil products and plastics that are located along the Houston Ship Channel, the Texas City refining complex and the Bayport Industrial District. He also found that tools used to evaluate severe storm situations are deficient. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, for instance, looks at past storms to develop proposals for mitigating future storm damage -- not addressing climate change and a future with more intense storms. "The tools were not developed to address today's problems," he said in the report. Residents approved Cy-Fair ISDs $1.76 billion bond, but voters in northwest Harris County also decided on bonds and three director positions within several northwest Harris County municipal utility districts during the May 4 election. Harris County Ballot Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District, Bond Election Prop. A: The issuance of $1,762,000,000 of bonds for the construction, acquisition, renovation, and equipment of school buildings in the district, including safety and security infrastructure, for the purchase of the necessary sites for school buildings, and for the purchase of new school buses and levying of the tax in payment thereof. Voting result: Voters approved the CFISD bond with 69.79% in favor 10,499 votes for and 4,544 against. Explanation: CFISD will receive $1.76 billion in bond funds for school improvements into 2025, including new schools, a performing arts center, a new instructional support system and an improved bus system. The bond was formed by the Long-Range Planning Committee, a group of students, faculty and community members who designated where funds would be used. For more information on the bond, visit the CFISD website. Related: See whats being considered for Cy-Fair ISDs potential bond program Bridgestone Municipal Utility District, Bond Election Prop. A: The issuance of $75,000,000 bonds and levy of taxes adequate to provide for payment of principal and interest on the bonds for the construction, repair and replacement of water, sanitary sewer and drainage facilities and the refunding of up to $75,000,000 of any outstanding bonds. Voting result: Voters approved the Bridgestone MUD bond with 57.63% in favor 34 votes for and 25 against. Explanation: Bridgestone MUD serves neighborhoods in the Klein/Spring area. According to the authorization summary of costs, the Bridgestone MUD will use $7,534,000 of the funds on water plants, $10,283,000 for wastewater treatment plants and $5,000,000 for reimbursing developers. For more information, visit the Bridgestone MUD website. Faulkey Gully Municipal Utility District, Directors Election Position 1 candidates: Michelle Missy Steadman, Ken Kana Voting result: Michelle Missy Steadman won with 72.51% 240 votes. Position 3 candidates: Lee W Evey, Mark H Szyman Voting result: Mark H. Szyman won with 69.51% 228 votes. Position 5 candidate: Bill F Cheves Voting result: Bill F. Cheves rain unopposed. Explanation: Faulkey Gully MUD serves subdivisions in the southern Tomball and northeast Cy-Fair areas. For more information, visit the Faulkey Gully MUD website. Harris County Municipal Utility District No. 44, Bond Election Prop. A: The issuance of $10,000,000 in general bonds and the issuance of $10,000,000 in refunding bonds and the levy of ad valorem taxes in payment of the bonds (water, sanitary sewer, drainage, and storm sewer; organization; and administration). Voting result: Voters approved the MUD 44 bond with 61.90% in favor 13 votes for and 8 against. Explanation: Harris County MUD 44 is located in the Champions/Klein area. For more information, visit the MUD website. Harris County Municipal Utility District No. 5, bond elections Prop A: The issuance of $44,000,000 bonds for water, sanitary sewer, drainage and storm sewer systems and the levy of taxes, without limit as to rate or amount, in payment of the bonds. Voting result: Voters approved the MUD 5 Proposition A with 55.56% in favor 10 votes for and 8 against. Prop B: The issuance of $7,500,000 park and recreational facilities bonds and the levy of taxes, without limit as to rate or amount, in payment of the bonds. Voting result: The MUD 5 Proposition B resulted in a tie vote 9 votes for and 9 against. According to Election Advisory No. 2019-05 on the Texas Secretary of State website, A tie vote in an election on a measure (i.e., a proposition election with for-against votes) means the measure failed, because there were not more votes For than Against. There is no automatic recount procedure, since Chapter 216 of the Texas Election Code, which regulates automatic recounts, only applies to candidate elections. Explanation: Harris County MUD 5 serves subdivisions in the southern Spring area. Cypress Klein Utility District, Bond Election Prop. A: The issuance of $7,000,000 in general bonds and the issuance of $7,000,000 in refunding bonds and the levy of ad valorem taxes in payment of the bonds (water, sanitary sewer, drainage, and storm sewer, organization and administration). Voting result: Voters approved the Cypress Klein UD Proposition A with 55.56% in favor 15 votes for and 12 against. Explanation: The Cypress-Klein Utility District is located at the southeast corner of Louetta Road and Stuebner Airline in the Champions/Klein area. According to the official bond election fact sheet, the Cypress Klein MUD will use funds for renovation of their service facilities over several years. For more information, visit the MUD website. Encanto Real Utility District, Bond Election Prop. A: The issuance of $75,000,000 bonds for water, sanitary sewer, drainage, and storm sewer systems and the levy of taxes, without limit as to rate or amount, in payment of the bonds. Voting result: Voters rejected the Encanto Real UD Proposition A with 66.67% in opposition to the measure 6 votes for and 12 against. Explanation: Encanto Real Utility District serves the Fox Hollow and Rothwood areas around the Spring Klein Softball Park and Grand Parkway in Spring. For more information, visit the MUD website. Separate Ballots Jersey Village General Municipal Election Mayoral candidates: Andrew Mitcham Voting results: Andrew Mitcham ran unopposed. Councilmember, Place 2 candidates: Greg Holden, Merrilee Rosene Beazley Voting results: Greg Holden won with 538 votes. Merrilee Rosene Beazley received 240. Councilmember, Place 3 candidates: Bobby Warren Voting results: Bobby Warren ran unopposed. Harris County Emergency Services District No. 13 Prop. A: "Local sales and use tax. The adoption of a local sales and use tax in Harris County Emergency Services District No. 13 at the rate of one percent." Voting result: Voters passed the sales tax increase with a vote of 565 to 295. Explanation: Voters decided on a 1% sales tax increase for sections within the Cypress Creek Fire Department service area that do not already implement an 8.25 percent sales tax. These areas will see the sales tax increase from 7.25 to 8.25 percent, and no higher. The extra 1 percent sales tax revenue will go to CCFD/HCESD 13. Voting results for the May 4 elections remain unofficial until canvassed. chevall.pryce@chron.com Following Andrew Mitchams election as mayor of Jersey Village, Drew Wasson was chosen to fill Mitchams previous role as a council member on May 6 during a special meeting. Wasson won with three votes from the council. Candidates Judy Tidwell and Simon Hughes received one vote each. Wasson and six other candidates gave speeches to attendees of a meeting at Jersey Village City Hall, expressing their priorities for Jersey Village as a potential council member and describing their qualifications. Wasson will take council member position one, which was left vacant following the election of Mayor Mitcham Council member Bobby Warren said in a press release that the current council wanted to give all candidates a chance to speak before the council voted. I learned this morning that former Council member Sheri Sheppard has withdrawn her name from consideration for the appointment, Warren said. Based on the overwhelming feedback for two candidates, I wanted to provide citizens with an opportunity to provide feedback regarding a potential decision between Simon Hughes and Drew Wasson. Wasson is a 15-year resident, and was on the board in charge of a tax increment reinvestment zone in Jersey Village, TIRZ No. 2, for the 43-acre mixed-use development coming to Jersey Village in the next 36 months. I understand how to ask the right questions, he said. I agree with the growth-oriented posture that city leadership has established over the past few years and I want to see it continue. I want to help Jersey Village become the most desired place to live, to do business, to shop. Greg Holden and Warren were reelected to city council and Mitcham ran unopposed for mayor in the May 4 election. Rapper Yo Gotti has announced a free Houston show as part of a Tidal competition. He'll perform May 16 at an undisclosed location. Houston was selected as part of the TIDAL X: Yo Gotti "Only The Streets Know" Fan Appreciation Tour contest. Fans voted for their cities, and five were selected, including Houston, Nashville, Atlanta, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. Giant Leap Coffee in Houstons East End is getting a new address, and also opening a second locale. The space-themed coffee shop is set to move from its current location at 3302 Canal St. to a spot in the same neighborhood at The Plant at Harrisburg, a redevelopment project at 3401 Harrisburg, in summer 2020, according to co-owner Lauren Ferrante. A 25-year-old former Katy ISD employee accused of sending sexually explicit photos and videos of herself to a student using Snapchat is being allowed to return home where three minors reside after a Harris County judge amended the conditions of her bond, officials said Tuesday. Kelsie Rochelle Koepke of Katy appeared in court Tuesday for her arraignment on charges of improper relationship with a student and online solicitation of a minor. While her arraignment was reset to June, the judge amended her bond conditions after she requested that she be allowed to move back in with her daughter, mother, stepfather and 13-year-old twin stepbrothers, court records show. However, Koepke is still not allowed to be around other children, said Steve Walsh, an assistant district attorney whos prosecuting the case. She had been living with other family members since her initial court appearance on March 20. Her defense attorney Ned Barnett argued in a motion to the court that Koepke who has not had any violations while out on bond and who has always lived at the residence with her daughter and two stepbrothers be supervised by an adult when her two 13-year-old stepbrothers are in the home, records show. RELATED: Katy ISD staff member accused of sending nude photos to student In March, a judge ordered Koepke to not have any contact with anyone under the age of 17 after detectives said they discovered she had been having an improper relationship with a Katy ISD student. Koepke, who was released on a $15,000 bond, allegedly sent nude photos of herself to a 15-year-old male student at Paetow High School using Snapchat with the username of Momma K. Paetow High School administrators told Katy ISD police about the alleged affair, records show. Koepke is accused of sending nude images of her breasts and two videos of herself masturbating, records show. Detectives learned that Koepke had met the student a few weeks before a Homecoming event, where she told the student to not save any of their Snapchat conversations, records show. She later apologized to the student but continued to send photos, court documents show. NEWS WHEN YOU NEED IT: Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text message | Sign up for breaking news alerts delivered to your email here. Koepke told investigators she thought she was sending the nude photos to someone else and not the student. When she found out she was sending the photos to a student, she didnt delete him because she wanted keep the peace, records show. Paetow High School Principal Mindy Dickerson sent a letter out to parents advising them of the situation. But please be assured that the district takes this allegation very seriously and is fully cooperating with law enforcement, she said. She was fired from her job at Katy ISD. As part of the conditions of her bond, Koepke is not allowed to contact the high school student whom she is alleged to have had a relationship with, use computer equipment, including a cellphone, access pornography, use alcohol or narcotics and she is not allowed within 1,000 feet of children, records show. Any violation could cost her $500, six months in jail or revocation of her bond. Koepke is expected back in court on June 20. michelle.iracheta@chron.com Melanie Royo is among more than 80 people who attended the April 30 Texas Department of Transportation open house on proposed plans to widen FM 529 between the Grand Parkway and FM 362. Something has to be done, she said about the traffic. The former Houston and Katy resident moved about a year ago to the nearby Elyson subdivision. Gilberto Royo said widening the road to six lanes would cause an adverse impact on development on either side. That led him to wonder aloud if developers were aware of the states plans to widen the road. The state plan calls for widening the two-lane FM 529 to six lanes with an 18-foot raised median between Texas 99 and Katy Hockley Cut Off Road. Between Katy Hockley Cut Off Road and FM 362, the road would be widened from its current two lanes to four. The project includes 12-foot outside shoulders, sidewalks on both sides of the road between Texas 99 and FM 362 with turn lanes at intersections and median openings at specified locations. People have until May 15 to comment on the project to be a part of the official meeting record. People can email hou-piowebmail@txdot.gov to comment. Comments also may be mailed to TxDOT Houston District, Director of Project Development, Texas Department of Transportation, P.O. Box 1386, Houston, Texas 77251-1386. People who attended the hearing at the Paetow High School Ninth-Grade cafeteria, received a handout that answered why the 12-mile, $120 million project is proposed. There are two main reasons given: An evaluation of crash rates on FM 529 indicated that these rates from years 2014 to 2017 were higher than the statewide annual averages, indicating potentially unsafe travel conditions. The existing capacity is inadequate to meet future year (2045) traffic volumes, resulting in increased congestion and reduced mobility. Prior to the meeting, Emily Black, a TxDOT public information officer, said Widening from two to four lanes between SH 99 and Katy Hockley Cut Off Road would not be adequate to accommodate the projected traffic volumes for the year 2038 and 2045. The projected Average Daily Traffic(ADT) for the year 2038 is 52,450 and projected ADT for the year 2045 is 59,800. Black said the state started studying the road-widening project in July 2018. The project timeline includes reviewing and considering public comments this spring. Another public hearing could be held in the fall of 2020 after proposed alternatives are recommended and an environmental analysis is finalized. Construction timing is dependent upon financing, said Black, and right now the project is unfunded. karen.zurawski@chron.com The Texas Department of Transportation has scheduled a Tuesday, May 21, hearing on the proposed addition of southbound frontage roads to Texas 99. The meeting will be from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Cinco Ranch Junior High School, 23420 Cinco Ranch Blvd. and will focus on the proposed frontage roads from Cinco Ranch Boulevard to Westheimer Parkway and from Fry Road to FM 1093. The projects also will involve ramp modifications. No formal presentation will be made. With the open-house format,the public may come and go at its convenience, and staff will be available to answer questions. Comments must be received on or before June 5, 2019, to be a part of the official meeting record. Written comments may also be submitted either in person or by mail to the TxDOT District Office, Director of Project Development, P.O. Box 1386, Houston, TX 77251; or submitted electronically at HOU-PIOWebMail@txdot.gov or at the project website at https://tinyurl.com/beu6uz6. TxDOT plans to seek bids later this year for the projects. The current project estimate is $22.5 million, said Deidrea George, TxDOT public information officer. The travel lanes could be 12- or 14-feet-wide, partly within existing TxDOT right of way. The project also includes minor adjustments at the interchanges, without ramp reversals. Fort Bend County Precinct 3 Commissioner Andy Meyers said the county hired engineering firms to design the frontage roads to state standards. While the frontage roads are funded 100 percent by Fort Bend County, TxDOT is seeking bids for the work. Initially, the frontage roads were scheduled to be let in March 2019. George said the let date has been pushed back to December. The additional southbound frontage roads will provide traffic congestion relief for SH 99 as well as for Fry Road, Westheimer Parkway and Cinco Ranch Boulevard, according to Meyers. The environmental review, consultation, and other actions required by applicable federal environmental laws for this project are being, or have been, carried-out by TxDOT pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 327 and a Memorandum of Understanding dated Dec. 16, 2014, and executed by FHWA and TxDOT, according to the legal notice. karen.zurawski@chron.com Travis Scott was roasted on Twitter for the military-inspired look he wore to Monday's 2019 Met Gala, themed "Camp: Notes on Fashion." Many in the Twitterverse felt Scott's outfit by Dior, including a brown suit with leather forearm sleeves and black gloves, was a big fashion miss. The Harris County Chapter of the Texas German Society will meet at 6:45 p.m. Thursday, May 9, at the Trini Mendenhall Sosa Community Center, 1414 Wirt Road. The program will be presented by Lyn Zuberer, local coordinator of SHARE! High School Exchange Program. She will discuss the wonders of hosting exchange students. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers met Katy-area residents April 30 to collect feedback on a federal study to reduce the flooding risks along the Buffalo Bayou and its tributaries. Were listening and will take your comments into consideration, said Edmond J. Russo Jr., USACE deputy district engineer, programs and project management. The USACE project manager for the Buffalo Bayou & Tributaries Resiliency Study is Andrew Weber, who has worked as a civil engineer since 2009 and whose other projects include the Addicks and Barker Dams Safety Modification Project and the Coastal Texas Study. The $6 million Buffalo Bayou study started in October 2018 and is scheduled to last three years until October 2021, he said. The Harris County Flood Control District is a study partner. As he presented slides and updated the study for an audience of approximately 150 people at Kingsland Baptist Church, Weber said, Were still very early in the process and everything you see is subject to your comments. Weber said three primary problem areas have been identified so far for the study: flooding upstream and downstream of the reservoirs and performance and risk issues related to flow around and over uncontrolled spillways. The project goal is to improve the effectiveness of the Barker and Addicks reservoirs and to reduce upstream and downstream flood risks. Some alternatives could increase storage capacity. Others could improve the efficiency of the stormwater flow, he said. Nothing is set in stone, according to Weber, who said next will be a transition to the evaluation and analysis phase where alternatives will be evaluated and compared. A tentatively selected plan is to be ready by next summer for further public review and comment. The plan that maximizes the benefits becomes the benchmark for federal funding, said Weber. The final plan is due by October 2021. Its up to Congress to authorize the project and appropriate funds, he said. Visit https://www.swg.usace.army.mil/Missions/Projects/Buffalo-Bayou-and-Tributaries-Resiliency-Study/ to see what options are being discussed. This link also lists remaining dates and sites for Corps scheduled meetings to collect public comment throughout the Houston area. Please consider is there anything the Corps has missed, Weber said. In your knowledge is there anything the Corps needs to take under consideration? Is there anything you know that can improve how we develop these plans and, maybe, even is there something the Corps has right? Comments will be accepted for a 30-day period that started April 29. Comments can be emailed to BBTRS@usace.army.mil or mailed to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Attn: RPEC, Environmental Branch, P.O.Box 1229 Galveston, Texas 77553-1229. Mail must be postmarked by May 31, 2019, said Russo. Katy resident Clet Landry of Pine Forest subdivision, which experienced flooding after Hurricane Harvey, was among those attending the April 30 meeting. He said he had distributed information about that nights meeting to other residents and saw many of his neighbors there, too. His goal is to further share the Corps information and get the word out about the study. Residents of Cinco Ranch and Fairways at Kelliwood also were among attendees. The Fairways at Kelliwood resident said, I think what theyre saying seems pretty vague. It seems theyre just getting started and theres not a lot to look at. Hurricane Harvey left 18 inches of water in his house. Fifty-four inches in four days theres not an answer for everything, he said. The Cinco Ranch resident, who said he had 19 to 20 inches in his house after Harvey, raised a concern about the studys duration and that a final report wouldnt be available until 2021. But Lt. Col. Mark T.Williford, USACE chief of public affairs, noted that it was Harvey that brought the different levels of government agencies as well as community groups together to work to reduce flooding risks. Said Weber, Flood-risk management is a shared effort across all levels of government. karen.zurawski@chron.com A visitor originally from far away was spotted by a passerby and deputies from Precinct 5 Constable Ted Heaps Office helped rescue the diminutive creature from the side of a busy Houston road. According to a news release from Heaps Office, deputies were alerted about an unusual animal on the side of the Grand Parkway near West Road in northwest Harris County. The animal turned out to a Patagonian mara also known as a Dillaby which had been lost from a Katy-area home. The pet had been missing for two days. Houston firefighters facing layoffs amid the implementation of Prop B can grab a free meal with their family at any Houston area Gringo's Mexican Kitchen or Jimmy Changas location. Gringo's President Russel Ybarra announced the offer May 2 via Facebook, asking any Houston area firefighter facing a layoff to take advantage of the offer. "In light of all the layoffs and demotions, any Houston firefighter facing a layoff can bring in their family to dine with us," said Heather McKeon, chief marketing officer for Gringos. "If you are facing financial needs then one of the first things to go is the luxury of going out to eat. So why not say 'Hey it's on us this time?'" Nearly two weeks ago, Houston City Council voted to lay off 220 firefighters to help offset raises mandated by the implementation of Prop B, which would require the city to pay firefighters the same as police of corresponding rank, the Chronicle reported. MAYOR TURNER: Mediator declares negotiations over Prop B raises at impasse Hundreds of firefighters received layoff notices and demotion notices last week, the Chronicle reported. Upwards of 450 Houston Fire Department personnel are expected to be demoted. McKeon said the restaurant chains will cover the firefighter and their family's food. She added any first responders and veterans already receive a 50% discount at the chains if they show a badge or are in uniform. "We are here to support the people that support us and dine at our restaurants," McKeon said. "We are going to give back in the same way they appreciate our business." As of the May 2 announcement, only 11 families have reached out to the chains. McKeon said when the chains made a similar offer to families affected by the government shutdown last year, more than 1,500 families were served. RELATED: Houston firefighters get layoff notices, demotion letters under Prop B implementation, union says McKeon said the offer has no expiration date - as long as a firefighter reaches out, the chains will honor the invitation. Those interested are asked to send a name, email address and contact number to community relations coordinator Lindi Vineyard at lindi@gringostexmex.com to receive a free meal. McKeon said Ybarra's other restaurants, Bullritos La Porte, The Lunch Box and Burger Libre, will also honor the offer if a firefighter requests one of those La Porte area restaurants. See Houston area Gringo's Mexican Kitchen locations here and Houston area Jimmy Changas locations here. Rebecca Hennes covers community news. Read her on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and on our subscriber site, houstonchronicle.com. | rebecca.hennes@chron.com | Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text message Registration is now open for The Health Museums summer Discovery Camps for children. La Tanya Miles, M.Ed. director of education and public programming at The Health Museum, said that the museum is dedicated toward looking at camps that provide a STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) background, with an integration of art. The camps meet weekly from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m in June, July and August. Before and after care is also available for an extra fee from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. and from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Camps are age appropriate and are available for age groups 5-7, 8-10 and 11-13. We want to create an initial foundation early on for critical thinking fields, exploring career fields in health and medical science and developing a level of career readiness. Creating a diverse work force is essential to solving problems of tomorrow, Miles said. John Arcidiacono, president and Chief Executive Officer of The Health Museum, notes that the camps have been going on for at least the last 20 years. Kids have come to these camps and gone on to do something in those STEM fields. They are learning things that a lot of other summer camps dont provide. We make sure our programing is aligned with health and wellness, Arcidiacono said. Each camp focuses on a different topic. Some of these topics include chemistry, veterinarian science, technology and culinary science. The campers will get to experience a variety of activities. An example of an activity is suturing, where the student gets a silicone pad with a incision, and they learn how to sew it back up. These are middle schoolers who are able to do what the doctor is doing, Arcidiacono said. According to Miles, the campers go on field trips as as they relate to the different topics. In the mini medicine camp, they see a medical simulation at Texas Womens University. The nursing students perform as actors. They simulate different experiences and the campers react in real time. The vet science camps go to the Houston Zoo, Miles said. Miles continued, We try to make it as rich and robust as possible. The campers will also learn about public health issues such as heart disease and diabetes. We have had a lot of positive feedback. We had one lady who brought her children from Chicago. The whole family spent the week here in Houston. That is indicative of the fact that they think it is valuable, but also engaging and fun. We have students that come back multiple times, Arcidiacono said. Arcidiacono and Miles both said that the camps also are a great opportunity for students to combat summer learning loss. The campers also have full access to the current exhibit displays at The Health Museum. Camps are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Wait lists are available. Registration can be completed on site at the museum or online at www.thehealthmuseum.org/camps. Some of the camps have different prices, but Miles notes that the average price is $300 for the week. The Health Museum also offers camps during winter and spring breaks. rebecca.hazen@chron.com Four months into their first terms, Justices of the Peace Matt Beasley and Jason Dunn are settling into their roles, implementing new approaches along the way. Sworn in on Jan. 1, both Beasley of Precinct 3 and Dunn of Precinct 4 took over from long-serving predecessors. As they complete the first quarter of their first year in office, the two said they are looking to continue easing court operations to better serve their constituent needs through the end of the year. Beasley expands court As the former Precinct 3 Commissioners Office chief of staff, Beasley took the bench from Edie Connelly, who served 32 years before her retirement last year. Beasley has been quick to expand some of the services his court offers. He is most satisfied with adding the countys only night court. Meeting every other month, Beasley said the courts evening hours help with scheduling issues for many facing charges in court. They are on the night courts docket by choice, he added. I got a lot of positive feedback from the people that came, Beasley said about the first night court held in March that attracted about 50-plus people. Im real proud of that. The rate by which cases are disposed of has increased under Beasleys stewardship. Through a standing order, he has limited the number of case reset for all litigation parties. Were doing really well. Were moving the (criminal and civil) cases through the court, he said. This past month, Beasley said, the collection rate stood at 116 percent, meaning collection on assessed dues owed to the court are being met, along with collection from previous months. This is a bump from what the collection rate stood at before he took office, which was around 90 to 95 percent, he explained. Looking ahead, Beasley wants to see if the Montgomery County District Attorneys Office can add another prosecutor, which he said would ease the courts caseload. Sometimes we have 200 people, 250 people on a docket, he said in March, noting since Jan. 1 more than 2,600 people have been on the docket. Beasleys first four months have not been without a hiccup, however. He was arrested April 6 at the Montgomery County Fair and Rodeo on a public intoxication charge. Beasley declined commenting on how it affects his role as a justice of the peace officer, citing the incident as an ongoing legal matter. Dunn eases services A former Houston Police investigator and Splendora ISD board member, Dunn said he has dedicated much of his first four months providing Precinct 4 employees with new tools to complete tasks. For some, he explained, the approach was a departure from how things were done under James Metts, who served as justice of the peace for 16 years before Dunn and who is now a Precinct 4 County Commissioner. He did a great job, but he and I are two different people and I was looking to put more technology in place to try and make things more efficient for everyone. There was a little learning curve with some of the staff members, Dunn said. As part of the effort, Dunn has replaced paperwork with electronic filings, transitioning data storage from cabinets to computers. The courts website now provides more services to help avoid trips to the courthouse, he said. I have noticed an increase in electronic filings, Dunn said. Anything we could think of that could make it easier for the citizens, really. In addition, the arraignment process is now explained through a PowerPoint at the courthouse. He is working to address school truancy issues in east Montgomery County, having recruited the help of Precinct 4 Constable Rowdy Haydens deputies who are personally handing parents with court summons versus the notice being mailed as had been the course of action. Were trying all to work together, come up with what works best to help keep those kids in school, Dunn said. The numbers of parents appearing on their court date has gone up from 60 percent to around 99 percent, Dunn said. Not unlike Beasley, Dunn has seen case resets slow down the process and he is aiming to reduce their number. Dunn is focusing on expediting small claims to help alleviate the docket and shorten the window of cases out to 90 days. Im hoping by the middle of the summer well be caught up, he said. Were trying to push the cases along. Developing inroads In 2018, there were 1,908 death inquests in Montgomery County, according to Beasley. All of them were done by a justice of the peace, he said. He has done around 167 since taking office. He said the amount of time he has to dedicate to this part of his duties has taken him aback. You just dont know until you have to do the job to really appreciate how much time and energy is required to do that, Beasley said. Its all times during the day, its at night, early morning. Its a constant thing. I think its more like two or three a day were doing and thats seven days a week. To push down on the number of death inquests, starting May 1, Beasley and Dunn have deferred hospital deaths to two investigators with the Montgomery County Forensics Services center. The majority of death inquests at hospitals were coming from their precincts. Thats going to help us tremendously, Dunn said. Right now it seems to be working really smooth with the investigators handling the hospitals and we handle everything else. The two are looking to start up a so-called teen court, where juvenile offenders will face a court officiated by teens who decide sentencing based on the circumstances surrounding a minor offense. In turn, the juvenile offender will have the offense expunged. Its a really good way to get teens involved in our court system, Beasley said. The teen court may be available in Dunns court as soon as during back-to-school, he said. Im looking forward to that, Dunn said. Sentencing by their peers would stick more in that kids mind than if I did it. Thats the goal on that. While the two consolidate their positions in their respective precincts, they do so conscious of who they serve and work with. Beasley expressed humility in his responsibilities to the court. This court really does touch a lot of people in the community and thats why its really important to me to do a really good job, Beasley said. People want their day in court and I make it a priority to give them that. And as much change as he may have introduced to the court, Dunn hesitates to assert ownership over it. I dont look at it as my office. I look at it as the employees I have make the office. Im just the person sitting in the seat for the time being, Dunn said. People sat there before me and theyll sit there after me. jose.gonzalez@chron.com twitter.com/jrgzztx A stronger-than-predicted swath of storms stranded motorists and school children for hours Tuesday as floodwaters filled streets and homes in the Houston area from Sugar Land to Kingwood, according to officials. Officials warned that another round storms with the potential for heavy rainfall this week could exacerbate already damp conditions. "With the ground saturated, anytime between now and Saturday it's not going to take much to cause high water situations," said Francisco Sanchez, spokesman for the Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management. "This is just a preview of what we might see next weekend. The forecast was wrong and we hope we don't have a repeat of this." Around 8 p.m., the Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management declared a level three alert. "This is not in any way a Harvey-level event," Sanchez assured. "This was a storm system that came through that was under forecasted." The storm dumped a whopping eight to 10 inches of rain in Kingwood, just days after deadly winds swept through the area. During a patrol in the Houston suburb, police Chief Art Acevedo spotted dozens of stuck cars in waist-deep water and urged drivers to stay off the roads as high-water rescue crews were dispatched to the area. Residents were evacuated from flooding homes in the Elm Grove subdivision in the 5500 and 5600 blocks of Village Springs Drive, he said in a phone call, and young children were rescued from a preschool that began filling with water. That subdivision didnt even flood during Harvey, Mayor Sylvester Turner said. The Houston Fire Department received about 240 high-water rescue calls in the Kingwood area and responded to about 40, a spokesperson said. A command center was set up along Kingwood Parkway to help a line of trapped motorists on the flooded roadways. There were no known reports of injuries. Students at Kingwood High School were forced to shelter in place until around 9 p.m. because of the storm, police said. Flood warnings were also issued for Fort Bend County, particularly in Sugar Land, where all major roadways were deemed "impassible" because of the rain. Since the worst of the storm began, city spokesman Doug Adolph said they had eight inches of precipitation and were expecting more. "This is worse than what we experienced in Harvey," Sugar Land spokesman Doug Adolph said. "Our storm drains have been unable to handle the rain in the short amount of time." Firefighters in Sugar Land were also dispatched to at least six structure fires caused by the storm's lightning, Adolph said. A flood watch was also ordered for Missouri City, Rosenberg, Stafford and Richmond. TRACK THE STORMS: See where the rain is falling Fort Bend County Judge KP George waived tolls on the Fort Bend Parkway, Westpark Toll Road and Grand Parkway in an attempt to keep motorists away from flooded roads. Residents in southwest Houston, from Meyerland to Westbury to NRG Park and areas around Brays Bayou, were urged to monitor flood conditions. As the storms tracked east, residents from Pearland to Baytown were placed under a flash flood warning. Harris County was under a flash flood watch until 2 a.m. Wednesday. In isolated areas of southwest Houston, as of press time, the Harris County Flood Control District had recorded more than four inches of precipitation. Nearby, there were reports of high-water rescues in Chinatown and Brays Oaks, and police were warning of rising water in the Meyerland area. The brunt of the rain along with its flurry of lightning began around 3 p.m. and continued through much of the evening. In downtown Houston, a loud thunder clap interrupted Harris County Flood Control District meteorologist Jeff Lindner and brought a chuckle to a federal courtroom as he testified about extreme weather in a Harvey-related case. Jay R. Jordan, Gabrielle Banks and J.R. Gonzales contributed to this report. BREAKING NEWS | ALERTS Get breaking news sent directly to your inbox. See More Collapse Got pictures of flooding around Houston? Send them to photos@chron.com. Flooding is a possibility in Fort Bend County and the countys Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management is keeping a staunch eye on the situation. According to a news release, the Fort Bend OHSEM activated the Emergency Operations Center and moved to Readiness Level III (Increased readiness). HS&EM staff are monitoring the river conditions and the weather forecast in close partnership with the Fort Bend County Drainage District, Fort Bend County Road & Bridge, the US National Weather Service Houston-Galveston Texas, our Levee Improvement Districts, our jurisdictions, and our elected officials. 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. Rivers and reservoirs have been performing as expected but are continuing to rise. The latest expectation is that Brazos River at Richmond will reach its minor flood stage early Thursday morning. However, with rain falling on the area it is possible flooding may continue to be a danger. The Fort Bend OHSEM reported that the river rose almost three feet (Monday) at our gauge of reference, the Richmond gauge. At this time we're still expecting river levels similar to January of this year, and are mainly watching the rainfall forecasts as rain that falls has limited drainage potential with the river being so high, the OHSEM reports. For more information, go to http://fbcoem.org. rkent@hcnonline.com To Muslim residents of The Woodlands, Monday, May 6, marks one of the most important time periods of the Islamic faith: the holy month of Ramadan, when Islamic worshippers fast from sunrise to sundown each day. Local Imam Rihabi Mohamed Rihabi, who is the imam at The Woodlands Al-Ansar Islamic Center and a professor at the Lone Star College System, joined a local Islamic family to host an informational dinner where Rihabi explained the background, traditions of the holy month. Ramadan, Rihabi said, is the fourth pillar of Islam and is celebrated in the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. During the month, adults and children who have passed puberty will engage in daily fasting from sunrise to sunset during which time they refrain from not only eating and drinking. (Ramadan) is not a new thing in Islam, it is what people used to do. It is an act of deep personal worship. The goal is to be a righteous person, Rihabi said. We believe if (a person) follows (the guidelines), he will become after Ramadan a more righteous personyou will be like an angel living on this Earth. There are exceptions to whom must participate in Ramadan, he noted, including exceptions for pregnant women who may not be strong enough to fast, mothers who are breastfeeding, children who have not reached puberty yet, and anyone who may be sick or hospitalized, or who may be traveling. Allah said, all of the deeds of man are for himself, except fasting, which is for me. And I shall reward it myself, Rihabi said. (During Ramadan) we build control of ourselves there is a huge reward for fasting. It is a month of training, practicing and fighting evil desires. The process of Ramadan is considered a healthy activity, too, Rihabi added, because the fasting often times leads to weight loss, lower blood pressure and helps by improving digestion. It is good for our body, it renews the blood. When then body refrains from food and drink for 15 hours, the body will use the fat (for energy), he said. A lot of people lose weight during Ramadan. It helps build the character of human beings not to show you are pious, but to be pious because we are fulfilling the rules of the almighty. It is for our own benefit. One of the main tenets of Ramadan and the fasting that is done is the element of self control from bad urges, Rihabi explained. He described the giving up of food, drink and sexual actions as training for the next 11 months, because the goal of Ramadan is to build character and self control under the guidelines of the Quran. About Ramadan God says in the Quran: "O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqun (the pious). (Fasting) for a fixed number of days, but if any of you is ill or on a journey, the same number (should be made up) from other days. And as for those who can fast with difficulty, (i.e. an old man, etc.), they have (a choice either to fast or) to feed a poor person (for every day). But whoever does good of his own accord, it is better for him. And that you fast, it is better for you if only you know." (2:183-84). God says in the Quran: "The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Quran, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadan), he must fast that month, and whoever is ill or on a journey, the same number (of days which one did not fast must be made up) from other days. Allah intends for you ease, and He does not want to make things difficult for you. (He wants that you) must complete the same number (of days), and that you must magnify Allah for having guided you so that you may be grateful to Him" (2:185). Prophet Muhammad: "Whoever fasts during Ramadan with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven. Whoever prays during the nights in Ramadan with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven. And he who passes Lailat al-Qadr in prayer with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven." Source: Imam Dr. Rihabi Mohamed Rihabi, Lone Star College. See More Collapse Rihabi said the month of fasting is a way to spiritually X-ray a persons life. Ramadan is a good time to introspect whether or not your life is being led according to the Quran and Sunnah. It is an exercise in improving the self and setting goals for the present and the future, he said. This month should make us reflect on the endless bounties that God has bestowed on us and thank Him profusely for the same. It is also time for Tawbah (repentance with a pledge not to repeat) for the past sins. Each day of Ramadan is broken down into segments, with pre-sunrise meals called suhoor and then after sunset, iftar which is the breaking of the daily fast, Rihabi added. Prophet Muhammad recommended to eat suhoor. This is a meal we take early in the morning preparation for fasting because God doesnt like us to suffer. He gives us tools and tips to performing fasting in a safe and easy way, Rihabi said. Iftar is breaking the fast at sunset. When sunset is done, we have to break our fast. Muslims are required to pray five times a day, and during Ramadan, there is an extra sixth prayer called tarawih, Rihabi said. During the month, it is also highly recommended that all Muslims read and recite the entire Quran, which consists of 114 chapters, 30 parts and an average of 600 to 700 pages, depending on how the Quran was printed some include text in both English and Arabic. After Ramadan ends, there is a festival called Eid that is a celebration of the previous month of fasting and includes large meals, prayers and congregational activities. The spiritual aspect of Ramadan is the most critical element of the month, Rihabi said. He also invited anyone who is interested in learning about Ramadan, Islam or other aspects of Muslim beliefs and culture to visit the center. Interested parties can email Rihabi at Woodlandsimam@gmail.com. Allah commanded us to share peace and love among all people. Ramadan is a good time for all Muslims to understand the message of Allah, Rihabi said. A message of peace and love. Mercy for all mankind is a message of the Quran. jeff.forward@chron.com COLONIE There were a lot of very good dogs at the Desmond Hotel over the past few days. Police dog teams from dozens of police departments across the country came to the hotel for the United States Police Canine Associations 2019 National Detector Dog Trials. This was the first time the event was held in New York, Albany County Sheriffs Senior Investigator Kayla Apple said. Apple, who supervises the departments K-9 units, said Albany beat out larger departments, such as New York City and Boston, for the right to host the competition. The USPCAs K-9 certification is the toughest in the country. Apple said she hopes to encourage more local departments to get their dogs certified at that level. The Albany County Sheriffs K-9 units are typically used around 150 times a month, often assisting other departments. Its difficult, its not easy, she said. It shows we want to take the steps to make our dogs better and our community safer. Apple credited the USPCAs new president, NYPD Detective Wayne Rothschild, the former regional president, with helping Albany land the event which runs from Saturday until Wednesday. On Monday and Tuesday, the teams ran through a battery of tests in and around the hotel property, including narcotics and explosives searches. The dogs and their handlers were judged on a number of objectives, including accuracy, speed and how the officer handled the dog. Most dogs were traditional police dog breeds, German shepherds or Malinois, but the event also included Labradors and shorthaired pointers Orange County Sheriff Deputy Mike Muller and his two-year-old dog Maverick, a Malinois/German shepherd mix, were outside the hotel preparing to run through a narcotics test search early Tuesday morning. Muller said he joined the departments K-9 unit, one of the most sought after assignments, just 18 months ago. He asked to participate in the trials after receiving a perfect score at a regional competition. We scored a 100 on everything, it just came down to time, he said as Maverick paced in circles around his legs. Its fun. Joseph Merrick, a Victorian-era celebrity who became known as the Elephant Man, led a difficult life because of his physical deformities, whose cause remains a mystery to this day. But now, thanks to research by one author, we know he may have found some semblance of rest. Merrick died on April 11, 1890, at age 27. But his story of struggle and perseverance has made him an iconic figure in British history. He has been portrayed on screen and stage by the likes of John Hurt, Mark Hamill, Bradley Cooper and no less an icon than David Bowie. Merrick's skeleton is kept at Queen Mary University of London, where students and medical faculty members can request to view it. But Joanne Vigor-Mungovin, who in 2016 published "Joseph: The Life, Times, and Places of the Elephant Man," believes she has located the plot at the City of London Cemetery and Crematorium where his soft-tissue remains were buried. Though she told The Washington Post that she could not "be 100 percent sure" the grave she found belonged to Merrick, she said "everything pinpoints towards Joseph." She said she worked with the cemetery's leadership to search burial records that matched his name, as well as the time frame and circumstances of his death. Born in 1862 in Leicester, England, Merrick initially appeared to be a healthy child but developed deformities at a young age. His head and right hand grew to immense proportions, his skeleton became contorted, and he had difficulty speaking and walking. He faced lifelong discrimination for his appearance, but it also brought him fame and a place in history. After a challenging childhood, Merrick found employment at a workhouse in Leicester for several years but eventually decided he could attempt to make a living by exhibiting himself to audiences. He contacted a local comedian, who put him on tour before he eventually found his way to London in 1884. He began working for a man named Tom Norman, who specialized in displaying "freaks and novelties," according to "The True History of the Elephant Man" by Michael Howell and Peter Ford. Norman rented a shop in Whitechapel to exhibit Merrick and hung a garish banner outside advertising his deformities. It was there he was discovered by a young doctor at London Hospital named Frederick Treves, who became a key figure in Merrick's life. Treves brought him to the hospital to examine him, where he wrote that Merrick was "shy, confused, not a little frightened and evidently much cowed," according to Howell and Ford. Treves took measurements of Merrick's features and later exhibited him to fellow medical professionals. After Merrick allowed Treves to conduct initial studies, the two parted ways, and Merrick went on a disastrous European tour, where he faced ridicule and assault because of his features. He eventually returned to England, distraught and in worse condition than ever. Treves found him in a police station "so huddled up and so helpless looking," he wrote in his 1923 memoir, "The Elephant Man and Other Reminiscences." Treves provided him with a room at London Hospital, where medical staff looked after him, and the two grew close. It was during this time that his fame increased; celebrities raised money for his care, he was visited by members of British society, and at one point he met Alexandra, Princess of Wales. His death in 1890 was officially ruled to have been caused by asphyxia, which occurred when he attempted to lie down to sleep. Treves conducted an autopsy and preserved the skeleton. But it was not clear what happened to Merrick's soft-tissue remains. Mungovin, 47, hails from Merrick's hometown, Leicester, and works at its namesake cathedral. Her research on the Elephant Man was spurred by her fascination with her city's history, and she said she felt that searching for his remains was "something I had to do." "Knowing that he had a Christian burial and it was on consecrated ground, it made you feel better," she said. "I did this because I want him to rest in peace." She is not the only one who has hoped for such a conclusion for Merrick; campaigners have asked for his skeleton to receive a Christian burial in Leicester. At an April event for the Whitechapel Society, a London historical organization dedicated to studying the murders of 11 women who are believed to have been slain by Jack the Ripper, someone in attendance asked her to guess where Merrick's other remains were located. Knowing that the killings took place just two years before his demise, she offhandedly guessed that he would have been buried in the same location as some of the murdered women. Mungovin said that hunch led her to search the City of London Cemetery's website for death records. And there was his name: Joseph Merrick. Mungovin worked with Gary Burks, the superintendent and registrar of the cemetery, who pulled additional records that bolstered the conclusion that the person buried at the cemetery was very likely Merrick. The burial took place on April 24, 1890, just a few days after he died, on the 11th. His residence was listed as London Hospital, where he lived. On Friday, Mungovin finally went to visit Merrick's newly discovered grave. "It was poignant," Mungovin said. "I said a little prayer and laid some flowers" ALBANY A panel tasked with preparing New York for next year's census count was left with new questions following a presentation Tuesday by federal officials in Albany. It was the eighth hearing convened by the 16-member Complete Count Commission, which is soliciting input from advocates and census experts to shape recommendations on how the state should marshal its resources and spend $20 million to ensure an accurate count of New Yorkers. If the state's population is not fully accounted for in the 2020 census, New York will lose two seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and billions in federal funding. This year's count presents new challenges due to a potential census question about citizenship, which might deter immigrant communities from participating; and an emphasis on completing a digital questionnaire, which could be a stumbling block for the 20 percent of New Yorkers without internet access. The commission's concerns about an undercount were exacerbated by the U.S. Census Bureau's report on its lone practice count, which produced a response rate about 20 percentage points below the national average of 73 percent in 2010. And the low response rate was without the citizenship question, as its fate is still unclear. "It raised more questions and concerns today," commission Co-Chair Jim Malatras said. "They showed a lot of red flags, and we have a lot of those red flags across New York." The Rockefeller Institute of Government identified eight potentially hard-to-count communities in the Capital Region, including five in Albany, two in Schenectady and one north of the Green Island bridge. The analysis revealed that a Washington Square neighborhood in Albany was tied for the 26th most difficult to count area in New York because it scored in the top 20 percent of the state for limited internet access, young children, high poverty and population of renters. Other factors that were measured included race, single-parent homes, country of origin and limited English speakers. Rockefeller Institute project coordinator Nicholas Simons said the data highlights the different challenges each community faces. "We want to give the communities the tools to make their own decisions," Simons said. Another challenge identified on Tuesday is the Census Bureau's plan to only provide a physical copy of the questionnaire to about 20 percent of households when they're notified about the count next year. The remaining households that want to mail in their response will need to request the paperwork, which might deter some New Yorkers from participating. Malatras said this process could "stoke more confusion" due to the extra steps, and said the state might have to help educate people about the process. While the commission is expected to meet again this summer, Malatras said they hope to make recommendations in "short order" on how New York should prepare for the census. Its recommendations were due in January. David.Lombardo@timesunion.com - 518.454.5427 - @poozer87 Texas Childrens is consistently recognized as one of the best childrens hospitals in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, and the nursing team plays an integral role in that achievement. Families travel from all over Houston, across the state of Texas, the nation and even the world to seek out the specialized care provided by the expert team at Texas Childrens. Successfully caring for and treating the most complex patient cases is not something that happens by accident. It takes years of careful planning, thoughtful research, and a deep commitment to excellence through quality, safety, outcomes and family-centered care. Most importantly, it takes people. Hiring and retaining the best and brightest talent is something Texas Childrens is known for. With a nursing staff of more than 3,500 RNs who average more than 13 years of professional experience, Texas Childrens prides itself on providing a strong and supportive culture to empower its nurses. There is no better example of nursing excellence than what our team does day in and day out, and the impact our nurses have each and every day in the lives of our patients, said Mary Jo Andre, chief nursing officer at Texas Childrens Hospital. This is because at Texas Childrens we invest heavily in our nurses through various professional advancement opportunities and truly value them as a critical member of the care team. This deep commitment to nursing is evidenced by the more than 15 years Texas Childrens has been recognized as a Magnet-designated hospital, the highest and most respected recognition provided by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Obtaining and maintaining this honor is critical to providing the best possible patient care by enhancing the ability to attract and retain top talent, as well as allowing for improved patient outcomes, safety and satisfaction, among other benefits. Nurses are also what helped elevate Texas Childrens Heart Center and Pulmonary Medicine programs to their preeminent status, both ranking No. 1 nationally by U.S. News in pediatric cardiology and heart surgery, and pediatric pulmonology and lung surgery, respectively. This impeccable nursing care exists beyond the walls of the hospitals main campus in the Texas Medical Center as well. Patient and family-centered care is the foundation of nursing practice across Texas Childrens, and the system is always looking for ways to expand access to those in need. Our nurses provide exemplary, evidence-based, pediatric, maternal and fetal health care through a relentless focus on the development of nursing expertise, collaborative relationships and supportive and strong leadership at all levels, Andre added. With care sites across Texas, including multiple sites in Austin, Texas Childrens is expanding access to its world-renowned care. With that comes the deep-rooted, positive culture and caring spirit of the elite nursing staff who are helping Texas Childrens deliver the right care, in the right place, at the right time. WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump for months has griped, complained and tweeted about what he says is the unfair Russia "witch hunt" investigation that has consumed nearly half of his presidency. Now, the president has floated a possible solution: two bonus years. Trump over the weekend shared a tweet by Jerry Falwell Jr., president of Liberty University, in which Falwell complimented Trump for "no obstruction, no collusion" and a soaring economy, before adding, "Trump should have 2 yrs added to his 1st term as pay back for time stolen by this corrupt failed coup." White House officials and others close to the president said he was joking and is not serious about trying to increase his four-year term by 50% - an extension that would violate the Constitution and has no historical precedent. But Trump's suggestion came as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., also raised concerns about the president potentially refusing to accept the legitimacy of a Democratic victory in the 2020 presidential election - saying it was important that Democrats win "big" to protect the country from such an outcome. "We have to inoculate against that, we have to guard against that," Pelosi told The New York Times. The remarks underscore real anxiety within factions of the country that Trump - who repeatedly complained about a "rigged" election before the 2016 vote - may decide to contest the legitimacy of the election in 2020 if he is defeated or otherwise argue for an extended time in office. "Everything that he says is a trial balloon, even his, quote, jokes are trial balloons," said Ruth Ben-Ghiat, a New York University professor who studies authoritarian rulers. "But if you look at what he jokes about, it's always things like this - it's the extension of his rights, it's the infringement of liberties. And authoritarians are continually testing the boundaries to see what they can get away with, and everything he does is challenge Democrats to mount some response against him." Trump's defenders say the president is merely being provocative, expressing his real anger over the extent to which special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia probe has consumed his presidency. White House aides and other friends say they have not heard Trump privately discuss the possibility of an extended term. Asked about Trump's suggestion that he receive two more years in office, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., chuckled and said, "I think y'all people are crazy." "When it comes to Trump, people need to dial it back a little bit," said Graham, who added that when he once jokingly suggested that Trump receive a third term, "people went nuts." Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, suggested that the tweet should be viewed as an example of Trump's understated wit and that it reflects a president deeply exasperated by how the Russian investigation has clouded his presidency. "The president has sort of a dry sense of humor," Cornyn said. "He obviously understands that's not possible, but I take his point that there's been two years of distractions based on claims that proved not to be substantiated. So again I understand his frustration." Falwell himself said in an interview Monday that he and Trump had never discussed the topic before and did not speak after the president shared his tweet. He said he believes there needs to be a "day of reckoning" for those responsible for the special counsel investigation, but understands Trump is not going to extend his current term by two years. "I know there's no constitutional mechanism to add a couple years to his term, but he definitely deserves to be compensated, so it was a little bit tongue in cheek," Falwell said. More broadly, the idea that the special counsel investigation resulted in two "stolen" years of Trump's presidency has already become a reelection argument for Trump and his allies. On Sunday, Trump tweeted about his "tremendous success" in office, despite the fact that "they have stolen two years of my (our) Presidency (Collusion Delusion) that we will never be able to get back." And in a statement Monday, Trump campaign spokesman Tim Murtaugh wrote that Trump "has been hounded mercilessly for two solid years and still has racked up tremendous wins on behalf of the American people." "That he has succeeded in the face of unprecedented partisan attacks is absolutely an argument for his reelection," Murtaugh said. White House spokesman Hogan Gidley also responded, saying, "How hilariously ironic that it's the Democrats who refuse to accept the results of a free and fair presidential election in 2016, refuse to accept the clear results of a nearly 400-page report that showed no collusion and no obstruction, but now, they have the audacity to question the president 'accepting results?' - give me a break." During the 2016 campaign, Trump frequently denounced the election as "rigged" without providing any evidence, and on multiple occasions refused to commit to accepting the results if Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton were to prevail. During the final debate in Las Vegas, for instance, when asked whether he would accept the results on Election Day, Trump twice demurred, concluding, "I will tell you at the time. I'll keep you in suspense." Clinton called his response "horrifying" and accused him of "talking down our democracy." Even on Election Day, Trump remained noncommittal, hinting in a pair of radio interviews that he might contest the election results if they were too close. At the time, Trump's rhetoric prompted some of his supporters to speak of revolution, calling for a "coup" and "bloodshed," and saying if she won, Clinton should be removed from office "by any means necessary." Speaking to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform in February, Michael Cohen - Trump's former personal attorney who reported to prison Monday for campaign finance violations and tax evasion - expressed concern that Trump might yet again toy with not accepting unfavorable election results. "Indeed, 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, and this is why I agreed to appear before you today," Cohen told the committee. The president - who won the electoral vote but lost the popular vote to Clinton - also asserted multiple times, without evidence, that "millions of people" voted illegally in 2016, costing him the popular vote. "In addition to winning the Electoral College in a landslide, I won the popular vote if you deduct the millions of people who voted illegally," the then-president-elect wrote in a Nov. 2016 tweet. He made a similar claim in 2018, falsely stating that "millions and millions of people" illegally voted "many times." Trump was so incensed by the fact that he had not won the popular vote that he tasked Vice President Mike Pence with heading a Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity to investigate what he claimed was massive voter fraud. The commission ultimately disbanded amid legal challenges and infighting, having produced no evidence of widespread fraud. But in a statement announcing the group's dissolution, Trump nonetheless cited "substantial evidence of voter fraud." In other instances, Trump has more clearly adopted a lighthearted tone. During a closed-door fundraiser at his private Mar-a-Lago Club in Florida in March 2018, Trump addressed Chinese President Xi Jinping's recent consolidation of power, noting with envy that Xi was now "president for life." "I think it's great," Trump said. "Maybe we'll have to give it a shot some day." Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., said he was not amused, calling it "extremely offensive for the president of the United States to make those types of statements even if they are intended to be in jest." "When you look at people who have used authoritarian practices that have brought down democracies, they have used excuses to stay in power," Cardin added when asked why he felt such remarks were dangerous. "It may be in jest, but you still don't do that in jest." Falwell, the man whose tweet started Monday's drama, said he was not worried about Trump trying to upend the nation's electoral system. He said he recalled concern among conservatives that former President Barack Obama would not vacate the White House after two terms, but that worry was unfounded. "I always knew the Constitution would prevail and we're still a country of laws," he said. "I think people on both extremes, on the left and the right, tend to get a little bit hysterical when somebody is in office that they don't think, and I think that's all we're seeing." - - - The Washington Post's Seung Min Kim contributed to this report. 5 1 of 5 Courtesy of the Parker County Sheriff's Office Show More Show Less 2 of 5 Courtesy of the Parker County Sheriff's Office Show More Show Less 3 of 5 4 of 5 Courtesy of the Parker County Sheriff's Office Show More Show Less 5 of 5 The human femur bone perplexed a Parker County sheriff's deputy as it sat on the tailgate of Scott Fuller's truck. According to the deputy's incident report, Fuller had gone fishing March 22 behind his Parker County home along the Brazos River when he made the discovery in the water. He called police the next day, after his mother-in-law suggested the bone appeared to come from a human, the report said. The search for Maleah Davis continues Tuesday, four days after she went missing near Humble. Houston police investigators, volunteer search groups and Davis' family members have all been looking for the 4-year-old, who has undergone several brain surgeries in the last two months and needs medical care. Authorities believe she may have been abducted Friday night near Interstate 69 and Greens Road. Davis' stepfather, Darion Vence, told police that Davis was taken Friday night by a group of three men who attacked them on their way to pick up her mother from George Bush Intercontinental Airport. He was with his toddler son and Davis at the time. He said he pulled over near Humble for what he thought was a flat tire, and the three men drove up behind him in a Chevrolet pickup. READ ON HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM: Texas EquuSearch joins HPD search for girl, 4, reported kidnapped One of the men told him that Davis "looks very nice, looks very sweet," Vence told investigators. Vence said the men knocked him unconscious, and he couldn't remember anything from 9 p.m. Friday to 6 p.m. the next day. Police said he came to on Saturday, when the suspects dropped him and his son off near Highway 6 in Sugar Land. Police are still working to find out what Vence was doing in that nearly 24 hour window. Investigators said they did not consider him a suspect as of Monday evening. Meanwhile, Child Protective Services officials said the agency investigated the child and her family because of a head injury that prompted the surgeries, according to previous reports in the Houston Chronicle. The girl and her two siblings were taken into custody in August after a report that the injury was from "possible physical abuse," CPS spokeswoman Tiffani Butler told the Chronicle. The children were placed under a relative's care until a judge ordered in February that they be returned and monitored by CPS caseworkers. Butler said CPS still has custody and caseworkers are visiting the home once a month. Houston police investigators said Sunday that the cause of her head injury was "not something violent." On Monday evening, Davis' mother, Brittany Bowens, pleaded the public to help find her child. She broke down into tears outside Sugar Land City Hall while sharing missing person fliers. 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. Visitors come to Mason, Texas, for two reasons, longtime resident Nonie Stringer said. One is to see Fort Mason, which played an important role in the settlement of the area about a decade before the Civil War, according to the Texas State Historical Commission. The other reason, she said, is to tour the Seaquist House, a Victorian mansion built in 1887 that evolved into a historic attraction in the Texas Hill Country. The home is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and it previously made a list of the most endangered places in Texas. "Vacant and vulnerable, water, vagrants and mother nature threaten the long-term stability of this important Texas house," the nonprofit Preservation Texas wrote in 2014. FINDING HISTORY: 22 historic sites in Texas that will fill you with Lone Star pride The nonprofit has since declared the home "saved" as the Seaquist House Foundation purchased the home and started the restoration process. Stringer, the current president of the foundation, said the group's goal is to eventually host community events in the space. Additional outdoor venues are expected to be built by the end of the summer. "We want to get the house back to its original beauty as much as we can," Stringer said, adding, "I've got granddaughters that might want to get married there some day." A wedding venue is just one possible use for the property, said tour director Janell Appleby. She said once the restoration process is complete, the home could be used for events like art shows and small musicals. It could also be used for showers and general meetings, she said. Appleby noted that the website's donate feature doesn't work, but people can still send donations to the Seaquist House Foundation at P.O. Box 1496, Mason, Texas, 76856. She said the website does not include updated event dates, but you can still read more about the families who owned it seaquist.org. Julian Gill is a digital reporter in Houston. Read him on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and on our subscriber site, houstonchronicle.com. | julian.gill@chron.com | NEWS WHEN YOU NEED IT: Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text message | Sign up for breaking news alerts delivered to your email here. A man who fired shots toward a Heights business reportedly shot himself, witnesses say. Police officers rushed to the 1800 block of Yale shortly after 10 a.m. to reports of a shooting in progress and found a man with a gunshot wound. That person was rushed to an area hospital in an unknown condition. Witnesses tell Chron.com that the man fired two shots into a business before turning the gun on himself. No one else was injured. STAY INFORMED: Text CHRON to 77453 to get breaking news alerts by text | Sign up to receive breaking news alerts delivered to your email here. A man was arrested Tuesday morning after fleeing from police on a dirt bike in northeast Houston, according to Metro Video. The unidentified man was caught speeding on a dirt bike with no headlight around 12:30 a.m. on North Wayside near Snowden, Metro Video reported. When police tried to pull him over, the man refused to stop and led them on a chase through neighborhood streets, Metro Video reported. by Ornella Antar Before the 1975 war, Christians represented about 45 per cent of the population. Now they are no more than 5 per cent. The main reason for their migration is economic, especially the lack of jobs. Yet, their presence is not only felt in religious matters, but also in cultural, social and political life. Courtesy of LOrient-Le Jour. Beirut (AsiaNews) In some villages, even those with a Christian majority, the faithful sometimes struggle to find enough churches to make the pilgrimage of the seven churches on Holy Thursday. In some cities, the pilgrimage is sometimes done by car since the churches are too far from each other to do it on foot. But in Tripoli, capital of northern Lebanon, Christians are spoiled by the number of choices. In the heart of the city, eight churches are on the same street which, unsurprisingly, is called Church Street. In an hour, Tripoli Christians can make their pilgrimage, walking and reciting brief prayers inside each church. They can go to St Marouns Church, to the Latin church, then the Protestant church, whilst passing by the Maronite Cathedral of St Michael, St Georges Church, St Nicolas Orthodox Church, and St Josephs Syriac Catholic Church. The pious can also gather at the church of the Catholic archdiocese, thus making a pilgrimage of eight churches instead of seven. Five per cent of city residents Every Sunday, new faces appear at St Marouns Church or among the faithful who come before the priests for the communion. "We meet familiar faces, as well as strangers from Zgharta, Koura or Akkar, who come to celebrate Sunday Mass in Tripoli," said Fr Joseph Farah, pastor at St Marouns in Tripoli and administrative director of the Mejdlaya-Zgharta campus of the Universite Antonine (northern Lebanon), who is quick to note that before the civil war, a good number of people from Zgharta lived in Tripoli, and always feel great nostalgia for and attachment to this parish. According to Father Farah, every year on Holy Friday, the St Marouns Church, home to the largest Maronite parish in Tripoli, is teeming with people, so that the faithful gathered in the church square are twice the number of those who found a seat inside the church. "Talking big numbers would be an overstatement at a time when the number of Christians in Tripoli, all denominations included, is no more than five per cent of the citys population," said the Maronite priest. Before the 1975 civil war, Christians made up nearly 45 per cent of the population of the capital of northern Lebanon, he explained. "In Tripoli, we firmly believe that the Christian presence is a one of quality. We do not say this because the number of Christians in the city is small. We have always had this conviction, with the same firmness, even when they constituted half of the population of the northern capital." For Father Farah, "Not only are we attached to the Christian presence in Tripoli, but Muslims residents, political leaders and religious authorities say as much and even more. For the Maronite clergyman, Muslims value this presence because it guarantees diversity and openness, and creates and maintains bridges between the city and abroad. Rami Hosni, an engineer from el-Mina and an active member of the Orthodox Youth Movement, agrees. "The presence of Christians in the city is not only felt in the practice of religion, but also in its cultural, social and political life. " Highlighting the vibrancy created by the Orthodox Youth Movement across Tripoli, but especially in el-Mina, where there is the largest number of Greek Orthodox, he goes on to say that "The members of this movement are very active and very involved in the city. They organise religious and other events, launch initiatives. Indeed, "It is in this group that most young people get to know each other, where friendships are made and where the community feels like one." "This community is far from being inward-looking," Hosni noted. On the contrary, the Orthodox Youth Movement is very open and enjoys very good relations with Muslim groups and other associations in the city. The example he gives is the annual initiative by the movement and a Muslim association to help Muslim children during the month of Ramadan. Father Farah admits, not without some humour, that Tripolis Greek Orthodox have always had better relations with their Muslim neighbours than Maronites. "This probably goes back to the fact that Greek Orthodox and Sunni Muslims have lived in cities and the coast, and share by tradition a common temperament and habits." But the Maronites are not far behind. "Muslim neighbours of St Marouns first called me, said Fr Farah, on a Sunday when we could not ring the church bells to announce the beginning of Mass because they had malfunctioned." Christians, guarantors of diversity According to Hosni, twenty-five Greek Orthodox families left el-Mina last year to settle in neighbouring areas such as Zgharta and Koura. Over the past decade, the number of Greek Orthodox families in el-Mina has dropped to 975 from almost 1,500. If people really cared about the Christian presence in the city, why does does the number of residents continue to decline? "Before the 1975 war, the number of Christians in the city was very high. The Christian presence in Tripoli dates back to the time of the Apostles, since the Apostle Peter passed through the port of Tripoli. And the Franciscans, to cite only their example, will soon celebrate 1,500 years of presence, Father Farah said. But for the Maronite priest, as for Mr Hosni, the main reason for the migration of Christians is economic and affects all Tripoli residents, of all faiths. "Because of the lack of job opportunities in Tripoli, young people leave the city for the capital, or leave Lebanon in search of a job," Fr Farah explained. According to Mr Hosni, the fighting of recent years between two rival neighbourhoods, Jabal Mohsen and Bab el-Tebbaneh, was, for many young people, one more reason to settle outside Tripoli, in neighbouring areas. Is the steady decline in the number of Christians in Tripoli a reason for the faithful to feel more attached to their parishes? Father Farah and Mr. Hosni think so. "The Maronite Archdiocese of Tripoli has recently decided to appoint relatively young and dynamic priests, since these parishes, especially the most active among them, attract worshippers from all areas and age groups," Father Farah noted. Maronites in Tripoli are divided into five parishes: St Marouns Church, the largest and most active; followed in descending order, el-Mina, Zahriye, Kobbe and Bab el-Tebbaneh, the latter mostly symbolic. The Greek Orthodox, who are more numerous than the Maronites, are grouped in two parishes with four churches: the Cathedral of St George and St Nicholas Church in Tripoli, and another Cathedral of St George and St Elias Church in El-Mina. According to Mr Hosni, the Cathedral of St George in El-Mina is practically the only one church in Lebanon that to offer daily morning and evening services, Matins and Vespers, in the Byzantine rite. For Fr Farah, "Without Christians, Tripoli would turn inward, towards extremism and lose forever what is left of the richness and diversity that characterised it before the civil war." (ANSA) - Brussels, May 7 - Italy's forecast 0.1% growth is "very sluggish" and will weigh on public accounts, European Economic Affairs Commissioner Pierre Moscovici said Tuesday. The Commission will assess compliance with the stability pact in its June package, he said. Moscovici said the EC had "initiated talks with the government, and in particular the economy minister (Giovanni Tria), because it is important, before having an evaluation, to have a common vision". (ANSA) - Rome, may 7 - There is a risk of digital totalitarianism in China, privacy watchdog Anonello Soro said Tuesday. "The 'points lifestyle' of the Chinese semes to indicate the risk of a new digital totalitarianism," he said in his annual report. This, he said, was "founded on the use of technology for a ubiquitous control of the citizen and on a fully fledged capitalism of surveillance," he said. Soro said that, in Italy, there was a "cybersecurity alarm" in the health sector. He also said that privacy must be guaranteed in internal voting inside political parties. Soro also said "reflection" was needed on controlling employees, and that there were "critical points" in the surveillance of nursery schools. Is John Bolton about to get the Iran war he's always wanted, or is he on the verge of losing his job? Over the past several days, President Trump's national security adviser has made comments and issued statements about Iran and Venezuela that are usually reserved for the run-up to military campaigns. Yet Bolton's boss doesn't seem to be playing along. On Sunday, the White House released a statement, attributed to Bolton, that the United States is deploying the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group to the Persian Gulf. The aim: "to send a clear and unmistakable message to the Iranian regime that any attack on United States interests or on those of our allies will be met with unrelenting force." The message added: "The United States is not seeking war with the Iranian regime, but we are fully prepared to respond to any attack, whether by proxy, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, or regular Iranian forces." A U.S. official said the deployment was in response to "clear indications" of a "possible attack" by Iran or its proxies. Although Tehran announced on Monday that it would restart some of its suspended nuclear activities to mark the year anniversary of the U.S. departure from its commitments, for its part, the Iranian regime isn't taking Bolton's bait yet. Last month, the United States designated the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization; Tehran predictably responded by branding all U.S. forces in the Middle East as terrorists in turn. Aside from their rhetoric, however, the Iranians have made no other visible moves to ratchet up tensions between the two countries. Meanwhile, in recent weeks Iran's foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, has been signaling his government's desire to negotiate a new nuclear deal with Washington. It's worth recalling that this is precisely what Trump said his goal was when he pulled the United States out of the nuclear agreement one year ago this week. Bolton's statement is the sort of tough warning that has two possible aims. One is to push an adversary into moderating its behavior. The other - more likely in this case, given Bolton's long history of seeking regime change in Tehran - is to provoke Iran into a hot-headed response. I see little reason why Tehran would choose the latter path. According to the U.S. intelligence community, Tehran is still adhering to the nuclear deal it struck with world powers in 2015 and is reeling from the new sanctions levied on its economy. So what gives, Bolton? It looks as though the administration's national security chief is concerned that he's losing the attention of his boss, who has the pesky habit of validating the sorts of authoritarian leaders Bolton has made a career of bashing. Although Trump has always had tough words for the Iranian regime, the president did tweet last September that he was sure that Iran's president, Hassan Rouhani, was an "absolutely lovely man." For his part, Rouhani claims that Trump sought meetings with him on eight occasions. Doesn't mean much? Don't forget Trump's belittling comments about North Korean leader Kim Jong Un that preceded their meetings in Singapore and Vietnam. On Saturday, Trump put out two more tweets that must have unnerved Bolton. In the first, regarding Kim, Trump tweeted that he "knows that I am with him & does not want to break his promise to me. Deal will happen!" That was followed by Trump gushing about his "very good call" with Russian President Vladimir Putin about what the president called the, "Tremendous potential for a good/great relationship with Russia, despite what you read and see in the Fake News Media." For a Cold War relic like Bolton, such proclamations must be maddening, which is probably why he is clinging to his long-desired war with Iran. The State Department's "maximum pressure" Iran policy is increasing already high tensions with Tehran. Add U.S. warships to the Persian Gulf and the likelihood of a miscalculation only increases. But given Trump's aversion to new conflicts and his propensity for making nice with dictators, Bolton knows the moment could be fleeting. Just as Trump has signaled his willingness to continue negotiations with Kim - the depraved leader of the vilest regime on earth - Bolton must fear a similar opening with Iran. Does Trump want regime change in Iran? Or is he trying to strike a new deal with the mullahs? Or is he open to the idea of a completely avoidable war in the Persian Gulf? We need answers. And it's not only John Bolton's future that depends on them. _ _ _ Rezaian is a writer for The Washington Post's Global Opinions. He served as The Post's correspondent in Tehran from 2012 to 2016. He spent 544 days unjustly imprisoned by Iranian authorities until his release in January 2016. If you see something, say something. Thats good advice in this era when airports, train stations, schools and even churches have become settings for terrorist acts. Its a good slogan for neighborhoods trying to work with police to reduce crime. Its also what you should do at work, especially if its at a job site where dangerous chemicals and materials are stored or handled. If you see something, say something before a tragedy occurs. Its no longer safe, if it ever was, to count on companies to spot and respond to safety risks on their own, or to just assume Texas overly lenient regulators will do their jobs. Speaking up and insisting on a response might have prevented the deadly fire last month at the KMCO plant in Crosby. Three contract workers who say they were injured have filed a lawsuit accusing company officials of knowing about a leaky valve before the explosion that the defective device may have caused. If its true that managers knew of the leaky valve beforehand and ignored it, then its possible that plant worker James Earl Mangum, 27, of Daisetta might still be alive had they addressed it. Ignoring employees safety concerns risks tragic incidents such as the fire at KMCO, but it also increases the risk of future incidents, too. Too often, plant workers wont report a problem to a supervisor because past allegations have fallen on deaf ears. And workers who might report concerns to outside authorities have to weigh both the risks to their jobs and the likelihood that officials will act. That may have been a problem at both the KMCO plant and the March 17 fire at the Intercontinental Terminals Co. chemical storage facility in Deer Park. Both facilities have been cited numerous times over the years for violating air and water pollution regulations. Thats evidence that the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality isnt doing its job. A recent report says a chemical fire or explosion occurs almost every six weeks in the Houston region. Elena Craft of the Environmental Defense Fund says thats because the state agency responsible for ensuring chemical plant safety is missing in action. If Texans cant trust the TCEQ to protect them, theyll stop reporting violations. That only ups the risks for all of us. So, it was good to see Harris County Commissioners Court approve the hiring of four new prosecutors to investigate environmental crimes. The two prosecutors currently assigned to that duty handle 400 to 500 cases a year, but most involve smaller companies or individuals accused of illegal dumping and water pollution. With more lawyers in that division, District Attorney Kim Ogg can look at bigger targets. Her office has already charged ITC with five misdemeanor counts for releasing chemicals into the Tucker Bayou during the fire. Ogg took a similarly aggressive stance by charging Arkema with failing to properly store highly combustible chemicals that ignited and polluted the air during Hurricane Harvey. That same aggressiveness should lead the county to invest more in the Pollution Control Services Department. In February, it received a 28 percent budget increase, about $1.2 million, but the Deer Park and KMCO fires occurring within three weeks of each other stretched its resources to monitor air and water quality. County leaders have been smart to make other improvements, too. The pollution department didnt have a website to give the public real-time air quality data during the ITC fire, so Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo got an ad hoc group of county employees to design one. They did it in eight hours. Hidalgo also directed the county health department to hire 11 private contractors at a cost of $375,000 to help monitor the air and bill ITC for the expense. In all, the county planned to bill ITC nearly $2 million for expenses, including costs incurred by emergency and law enforcement agencies. Making environmental rules breakers pay for their crimes is crucial. That can happen only if agencies at every level of government charged with monitoring chemical and other dangerous facilities do their jobs. They cant put job creation above environmental protection. Voters should show the door to politicians who urge officials to join their club of corporate sycophants. Meanwhile, more workers need to find their voice and remember: when you see something, say something. Dont be afraid to tell a supervisor that you noticed a leaky valve or improperly stored materials or inadequate safety procedures. Then say if he or she doesnt report the problem to the appropriate regulatory agency, you will. Say you would rather be fired than become a fatality. Some workplace incidents are unavoidable. Others never would have occurred if someone who saw something, said something. Anyone can do that. Just open your mouth and speak to whoever will listen. Dont let your silence seal your fate. Collateral damage is not important to China as it demonstrates its insatiable thirst for advancement and economic domination. Chinas leverage of its year over year 10% economic growth has made its technological R&D arsenal in 5G, AI, mobile devices, lasers and space weaponry formidable. Chinas Huawei, the worlds number one telecommunications company whose founder Ren Zhengfei was once a member of the Peoples Liberation Army, holds second place for most International 5G Patents. ZTE, another Chinese telecom company, is said to hold third with Samsung from South Korea first. In 2018, Apple took a back seat to Huawei as the second largest smartphone supplier. China launched their New Generation Artificial Intelligence Development Plan (AI) in 2017, with focus on facial recognition for surveillance. Even scarier, Chinas electromagnetic laser and microwave weaponry deployed to attack war ships and military facilities and as anti-satellite (ASAT) next generation Star Wars space weapons. Huawei has long been suspected of the theft of US intellectual property and spying through implants of malware digital chips. US defense agencies state that Chinese espionage and national security laws require Chinese companies to supply network data to Beijing if requested. The arrest of Huaweis chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou, and the daughter of Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei, for violating US sanctions on Iran, began the US ban Huawei campaign. Chinas ZTE is also suspected of spying on the US, stealing intellectual property and violating US sanctions on Iran and North Korea paid a $1 billion fine and an additional $400 million in escrow for current and possible future violations respectively thus avoiding a US ban. Commandeering the South China Sea Chinas recent cyber phishing attacks on Vietnam along with Chinas military buildup in the South China Sea, has caused Vietnam Brunei, Malaysia and the Philippines to raise the alarm. China has long claimed sovereignty over nearly all the South China Sea and its estimated $3 trillion in yearly international trade. Currently, The Philippines, along with over 170 countries and 46 of the worlds largest telecom companies purchase equipment and mobile devices from Huawei and ZTE. The CIA, FBI, NSA and other US defense agencies warned that if Chinas smartphones and 5G equipment where deployed it could threaten most of worlds safety and security for the next 30 years. Due to US global pressure, Huawei is no longer being considered by many nations as the wireless company of choice for 5G expansion. Many of Americas strongest allies including the UKs British Telecom, Japan, Australia and New Zealand are on board with the US. Some are in the process of removing Huawei 4G equipment and banning Huawei from consideration for 5G expansion. Ironically, despite US warnings and the China Sea threat, the Philippines is not one of them. President Rodrigo Duterte says, We need proof of espionage. Electromagnetic weapons operational very soon Many believe that Chinas technical weaponry arsenal sophistication should be feared as much as Irans and North Koreas nuclear buildup. China recently launched an anti-satellite (ASAT) satellite with the express purpose to destroy other satellites whether they are offensive or defensive; China flexing its muscles recently blasting down its own satellite. Chinas high-power electromagnetic weapons like the Chinese ASATs are designed with low-orbit capabilities of jamming an enemys communications ground tacking, missile destruction and as a directed energy weapon (DEW) to cripple or destroy other satellites and military targets. The Star Wars space conflict is closer to becoming a reality; leaping from the movie screen and taking center stage around 2023. For over 15 years, Chinas military has invested heavily in advancement of microwave weapons, space satellite lasers and electromagnetic railguns. Chinas 2017-2023 Railgun pilot was mounted on Chinas war ships to test its crippling capabilities. In 2018, Cuban and Chinese US Embassy personnel suffered permanent brain trauma consisting of dizziness, headaches, tinnitus, cognitive issues, and difficulty sleeping after exposure to strange aural sensations believed to have been an electromagnetic (microwave) attack from Russia and China respectively. As DEW weapons, laser attack systems possess significant advantages comprising of fast response speeds, robust counter-interference performance and a high target destruction rate. Chinas Electromagnetic Railgun is capable of firing rounds of energy projectiles striking a target 124 miles away at speeds of up to 1.6 miles per second according to a US Intelligence Report. Although many countries like Russia and India are also focused on peaceful applications, Chinas Railgun experiments have been military. The US Railgun tests have shown speeds as fast as 9,100 km/h and more than 7 times faster than the speed of sound covering more than 400 kilometers. A 2023 ASAT and Railgun operational projection for China has the US scampering to catch up. For defense, the US is developing sensors to detect hypersonic wave energy capable of sending alerts in a split second and developing dramatically altered airframes for inceptors to increase velocity and range. Take heart. Telecom companies AT&T, Verizon, Qualcomm, Nokia and Cisco are investing fortunes in 5G. Partnerships through mergers or acquisitions like a possible AT&T and Time Warner merger could help propel USs 5G progress forward with lightning speed. With US global allys cooperation, funding of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and collaboration between Corporations, Scientists and Universities, Chinas unfettered advancement has slowed. The worlds countries have woken up. China is now facing the Trump administrations tariffs on $250 billion of Chinese goods that economist say will help Chinas slowdown. The US is suited up, is passionate and focused on charging forward both defensively and offensively poised to keep peace or win any Star Wars-style battle. The state of digital banking in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is as diverse as each of the countries comprising the bloc. Whereas in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand (the fastest growing economies in the region and so-called ASEAN-5), as well as Brunei, the finance industry is well consolidated, banking in the rest of the members of the association is still developing. In such a heterogeneous landscape, digital banking is evolving to meet two very different markets. On one hand, ASEAN-5 and Brunei banks are focusing on the millennial population to attract a digital-savvy and young market who doesnt do their banking in branch as previous generations did. On the other hand, digital banking and fintech startups are presenting a realm of possibilities to the unbanked and underbanked population of Southeast Asias developing countries. A bank for the millennial generation ASEAN is home to over 630 million inhabitants, around half of which is under 30 years of age. This factor, combined with a high internet penetration rate one of the highest globally and a growing middle class, is driving the adoption of digital banking services across the ASEAN markets. A report by McKinsey found that the proportion of people using digital banking through personal computers or smartphones doubled from 2011 to 2014, with Indonesia and Vietnam showing about sevenfold growth. Despite the socioeconomic differences, the whole of ASEAN has seen a dramatic increase of internet banking use through mobile devices. Singapore is leading the race with 94% of the McKinsey survey respondents accessing their accounts over the internet. Digital banking penetration in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam reached about 40%. Although in the Philippines and Thailand penetration was below 20% percent, it showed an increase from previous years levels. However, in these countries affluent customers are approximately twice as likely to use digital banking as the national average. At the same time, customers in their 20s in most of ASEAN are at least 50% more likely to use digital banking than those in their 40s. This change in consumer habits, led predominantly by a young population who is digital-first, is setting the agendas of mainstream banks and fintech startups alike. In February, Singapores United Overseas Bank (UOB) launched the first mobile-only bank targets ASEAN millennials who prefer to bank on their mobile phones, anywhere and at any time. TMRW (pronounced tomorrow), as the digital bank is called, rolled out in Thailand and aims to build a customer base of three to five million in the next five years across Southeast Asia. Other well-established banks are following suit and are investing heavily on digital banking platforms. Thats the case of Malaysias CIMB Bank, which in January launched an all-digital mobile-first bank in the Philippines. Using the OCTO mobile app, customers can open a bank account in just 10 minutes. Working with partners across the country, such as the convenience chain 7-Eleven, clients CIMB Bank clients can cash-in to their accounts from these outlets without the need of going to a bank branch. They can also cash-out from over 20,000 ATMs nationwide. Funds can be transferred online. Voranuch Dejakaisaya, Chief Information and Operations Officer of Thailands Bank of Ayudhya (popularly known as Krungsri), is also focusing on digital banking to attract the millennial market. Today we are focusing more in the new generations, she told CIO ASEAN at the time. [] we will also like to attract the millennial market, and for that we want to move our bank into the digital sphere, from branch to the app, similarly to many other banks. In this mileu, fintech startups are thriving in the region. At last years Singapore FinTech Festival, participating investors paid close interest to this kind of ventures and growth stage enterprises. In 2017 alone, Singapore received US$229.1 million of fintech funding and two of the Asias biggest deals took place there in Q4. Venture capitalist firms are also taking note of the fruitful startup landscape, with investments up 60% on the previous year. The city-state is now home to more than 490 fintech startups. Digital banking for the unbanked Parallel to the millennial and affluent populations of the most developed regions in ASEAN is a completely different profile of user who doesnt have access to financial products the so-called unbanked. Although Southeast Asia has a mobile connectivity rate of 133% (which means that some users own more than one SIM card or mobile phone), only 27% of the population have a bank account. For example, according to a 2017 Asian Development Bank (ADB) report, Cambodia has the highest mobile connectivity in Southeast Asia (173%) but only 13% of the population has access to banking (KPMG puts the percentage even lower at 5%). The World Bank estimates that around 80% of people in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam, and 30% in Malaysia and Thailand, are unbanked. Myanmar has one of the lowest levels of financial inclusion in Southeast Asia with only 23% of the adult population holding a bank account. This is exacerbated in rural areas, where connectivity is lower and theres a poor or lacking finance industry presence. In April 2016, ASEAN Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors expressed their commitment to financial inclusion in the region by adopting an ASEAN Financial Inclusion Framework. Among other objectives, the framework aims to promote innovative financial inclusion via digital platforms. The ADB anticipates that digital financial solutions can have a significant impact on financial inclusion in five key areas: Enabling fast, low-cost, and convenient customer identification and verification processes; Improving supply-side economics with last mile distribution and servicing enabled by mobile phones and point-of-sale devices; Supporting supply-side business cases with initial push in government-to-person payments and remittance flows; Enhancing access to alternative sources of data to improve customer profiling, credit risk assessment, and fraud detection; Mobilising micro-saving through lower cost digital origination and servicing channels. Despite the many and difficult challenges that financial inclusion in Southeast Asia poses, there are also many opportunities and the possibility of bypassing obstacles faced by traditional banks, such as branch operations or cash supply. Startups in ASEAN are envisioning opportunities in the challenge of banking rural populations and the unbanked. Thats the case of LaLaWorld, a startup using blockchain to introduce the unbanked into the financial system. By bridging the gap between cash and the digital world, LaLa Worlds ecosystem wants to support the inclusion of the unbanked, undocumented, micro-entrepreneurs, students and all those who are usually excluded from the finance world. The startups product is a one-stop wallet based on Ethereum and hyperledger blockchains which allow investors to capitalise on the rise of blockchain as well as introduce the underbanked into the financial system. With a LaLa ID, the global wallet for everyone lets users transfer money domestically and across borders, buy products and pay bills in 180 countries. Another case comes from Vietnam, where fintech startup Momo is providing both a mobile wallet and payments app and branchless service banking for individuals without a traditional bank account. The startup received US$28 million in a funding round. Libya: Conte calls for dialogue in talks with Serraj Libyan PM urges 'bigger effort' on hesitant countries (ANSAmed) - ROME, MAY 7 - Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte on Tuesday stressed ''the strong engagement of the Italian government to revitalize an effective and sustainable political process'' during a meeting with the head of the UN-backed Libyan government Fayez al-Serraj, according to a statement released by Conte's office after the talks. The Italian premier ''confirmed the need to avoid a further spiral of violence in order to start dialogue between the sides under the UN's sponsorship and with the joint support of the international community to benefit the Libyan people, the country's stability and the entire region''. Sarraj called on Conte to use Italy's clout to build international pressure for a ceasefire, his press office said on Facebook. The Libyan premier ''appealed to our Italian friends to make a bigger effort, given Italy's international weight and position, to produce a positive change in the hesitant positions of some European States and States in the region in order to stop this attack immediately'', the statement said. Italian efforts on countries with ''hesitant'' positions, the statement added, should also contribute to ''make forces return to the bases from which they left to avoid further bloodshed in Libya''. ''At the start of talks'', al-Sarraj ''welcomed Italy's position that has been clear in condemning the aggression against Tripoli'' by the forces of General Khalifa Haftar, according to the Facebook statement. The Libyan premier, his press office added, ''has highlighted the special and privileged relations between Libya and Italy that have materialized on different occasions''. The premier ''welcomed Italy's humanitarian contribution during the war carried out by the (national) unity government against terrorism in Sirte and in different other cities''.(ANSAmed). Cookie Preferences Cookie List Cookie List A cookie is a small piece of data (text file) that a website when visited by a user asks your browser to store on your device in order to remember information about you, such as your language preference or login information. Those cookies are set by us and called first-party cookies. We also use third-party cookies which are cookies from a domain different than the domain of the website you are visiting for our advertising and marketing efforts. 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Those all-important Midwestern voters may despise coastal elites, but that isnt stopping a slew of New Yorkers from running for president. In a field that includes a main list of 24 high-profile, major party candidates, five are at least partly from the Empire State, including both Republicans. A sixth is expected to announce a run for the Democratic nomination within the week. Another is exploring an independent run, while an eighth is seeking the Green Party nod. This comes on the heels of a 2016 election, in which both major party candidates made their homes in New York. Here are the seven major candidates with significant ties to New York who are probably running for president, and one honorable mention. President Donald Trump Although his state overwhelmingly voted against him and the city he still calls home largely hates him, Trump is a lifelong New Yorker. Raised in swanky Jamaica Estates in Queens, the son of a major developer of outer-borough housing, Trump and his family were mainstays in the New York City tabloids long before he became a conservative, a Republican or political candidate. Even if his influence on local real estate has been overstated, he was a local celebrity before he went national and he still owns many properties in the city and its northern suburbs some of which have become a source of political embarrassment and scandal. Speaking of embarrassment and scandal, Trump has brought a whole cadre of cronies from New York to the national spotlight, including his former personal attorney Michael Cohen, son Don, Jr and son-in-law Jared Kushner and brought back former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani for a turn as his attorney. Despite all those connections, Trump still has pursued policies, including his tax bill and his refusal to fund the Gateway tunnel, that have been unfavorable to his hometown. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio Of the New Yorkers running for president this cycle (he technically hasnt announced yet but will reportedly do so this week), de Blasio is arguably the New Yorky-ist. After all, hes the mayor of New York City. Its not the states capital, but to most of the rest of the country, it might as well be. De Blasio has lived in the city nearly his whole adult life, sent both his kids to public school and served on his local school board before becoming a councilman, then public advocate and eventually mayor. But despite being born in the city and moving back for college at NYU, de Blasio was raised in Massachusetts. He still roots for the Red Sox and has never attended a Yankees game as mayor. And he eats pizza with a fork. Of course, the New Yorker currently in the White House did the same thing when he took Sarah Palin to a Familglia in Times Square about the least authentically New York pizza experience imaginable. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand Gillibrand, unlike de Blasio, actually grew up in New York state. She was born and raised in Albany, the actual state capital. Her grandmother, Dorothea Polly Noonan was a shrewd Albany political operator in her day. After completing law school, Gillibrand spent over a decade at different Manhattan law firms, before returning to her upstate roots to run for Congress. She may not sound like a downstate New Yorker, the way Trump does, but shes as native to the state as anyone. Andrew Yang This longshot entrepreneur running for the Democratic nomination he represents both New Yorks: he was born and raised in the upstate city of Schenectady, but later moved to Manhattan, where he lives now with his family. Sen. Bernie Sanders Although he hightailed it out of New York for good in 1968, in favor of Vermont, where he has lived and made his political career ever since, Sanders still carries with him that undeniable Brooklyn accent and blunt-spoken New York City sensibility. He has even remains loyal to the Dodgers, who moved out of the borough to Los Angeles when Sanders was just a boy, because of the impact the team had on him and Brooklyn as a whole. With his Brooklyn, Jewish, working-class, immigrant roots, there are those who argue that Sanders is the true New York candidate in the wide field. Howard Schultz Despite relocating to Seattle, the homebase of his Starbucks coffee empire, Schultz likes to wax nostalgic during interviews about a possible third-party run about his childhood growing up in a housing project in Canarsie, Brooklyn. (His childhood friends and neighbors tend to disagree with his characterization of the community as rough and poor, most considering it generally middle-class.) Former Massachusetts Gov. Bill Weld Weld, the only major Republican challenging Trump, brings some Long Island pride into the mix of New York presidential candidates, having been born in Smithtown. Welds family line goes all the way back to the Mayflower and the original British colonists in Plymouth. He grew up in a luxurious estate in Smithtown. But he attended high school at a boarding school in Massachusetts, and thats where he made his career in law and politics after Harvard Law School. After his tenure as governor of Massachusetts, Weld moved back to Long Island and ran an unsuccessful campaign for the Republican gubernatorial nomination in New York in 2006. He has since returned to Massachusetts. Honorable mention: Howie Hawkins The perennial Green Party candidate may have been born in California, but he chose New York to try to make his environmentally conscious political mark. He has long lived Syracuse, where he has become a familiar face. He has reportedly run for office in New York 24 times over 26 years, including for senator, governor and Syracuse mayor. Hawkins has never won. But now hes considering adding presidential candidate to that list. A.O. PRIMARIA MEA este in cautare de o companie IT sau de un intreprinzator individual pentru crearea si dezvoltarea unei pagini web a organizatiei No sooner had newsrooms shaken their election night astonishment and called the 2016 election for Donald Trump than a journalistic consensus crystallized on where campaign coverage had gone wrong: a collective failure of prophecy. In the run-up, after all, everyone had agreed that the race was Hillary Clintons to lose. The polls said so loud, clear, and rather consistently, so it was egg on our faces. Since polls are the assurance rituals of campaign coverage, filling in the potholes of human judgment, when the results defy the odds, mortification follows. And so, during the awkward post-election hours and days, consensus quickly settled on the mortification story. Evidently that consensus persists. In their considerable reluctance to treat this thwarted tyrant as presidentialdespite occasional backslidingthey have withstood myriad Trump lies and exposed myriad depredations. Their refusal to crumple in the face of bullying and fraudtheir willingness to serve truth, decency, and the Constitution against a president with zero knowledge or respect for any of the aboveoverrode memory of how they failed to rise to the challenge of covering Trump in the first place. Relief that some light still shines on this broken democracy retroactively pretties up a negligent past. Still, when more than 200 political journalists convened in Chicago April 11 and 12 at the invitation of David Axelrod, veteran democratic strategist, and Harvards Nieman Foundation, New York Times correspondent Michael M. Grynbaum described their purpose as talk[ing] about how to cover the presidential race in a way that wont leave anybody dumbfounded on election night. As if campaign coverage were like event planning: make sure the bride doesnt trip on her gown; make sure the divorced parents arent seated next to each other. The prevailing takeaway from the Chicago confab, according to Grynbaum, was: Travel the country. Talk to people. Assume nothing. Dwell less on polls (Amy Walter of the Cook Political Report) and Twitter (CNNs Sam Feist). Steer clear of prognostication(CNNs Jeff Zeleny). When you knock on doors, listen for nuance. Dont jump to conclusions about what voters think. What ailed the profession in 2016, in Grynbaums view, was the inability of the media class to imagine the success of Donald J. Trump and its underappreciation of the grievances that drove his supporters. So, presumably, in 2020, once every last diner in every last Rust Belt town has been canvassed, reporters will be properly prepared for that democratic moment when the people (or at least the electoral college) weigh in on the nations destiny, right? During one presidential campaign, I met an NBC News producer and started itemizingOK, ranting abouteverything wrong with campaign news coverage: the horse-race obsession, the sound-bite fetishes, the gotchas that pass for tough reporting, the ephemera, the shallow excuses for news conferences, the shortage of background reporting on the candidates. My theme was a collective obsession with what is trivial and evanescent in the treatment of what is, after all, the most important act the republic regularly undertakes. Sign up for CJR 's daily email The producer nodded. He freely granted that NBC had overplayed the state of the horse race. We talk about it all the time, he said. But we cant figure out how to do anything better. That conversation took place in June of 1980ten presidential campaigns ago. During the primaries that year, two-thirds of all CBSs stories concerned the state of the horse race: who was ahead, who was gaining, what candidate X thought of candidate Ys momentum. One-sixth concerned issuesa euphemism for what the candidates propose to do should they take command of the White House. And even those stories were flawed: many times, reporting on issues amounted to checking off a list of positions rather than exploring their themes, looking at why the candidates think what they think and how they address contrary arguments and evidence. As longtime ABC reporter Sam Donaldson long heralded for his fortitude and gravitasopined off-camera in 1980, the issues are caca. Where do we stand ten presidential campaigns later? During the general election campaign of 2016, according to the political scientist Thomas E. Patterson, policy issues ranked even lower, accounting for 10 percent of the news coverageless than a fourth the space given to the horse race. (Pattersons sample, collected by the Media Tenor organization, included the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, and USA Today, along with the evening newscasts of ABC, CBS, CNN, Fox, and NBC.) In the sheer mass of email coverage, Hillary Clinton was made to look like corruption incarnate. Duncan J. Watts and David M. Rothschild, in CJRs deep dive into the Timess front-page coverage, found the same 10 percent devoted to policymost of them failing to compare Clinton proposals with Trumps. Watts and Rothschild added: the various Clinton-related email scandalsher use of a private email server while secretary of state, as well as the DNC and John Podesta hacksaccounted for more sentences than all of Trumps scandals combined (65,000 vs. 40,000) and more than twice as many as were devoted to all of her policy positions. Patterson found, in his research, that Clintons controversiesfrom her time as First Lady, Secretary of State, and as a candidategot more attention than Trumps (19 percent versus 15 percent). Her coverage was more negative (62 percent to 38 percent) than Trumps (56 to 44). During the last week of the campaign, scandal allegations against Clinton accounted for 37 percent of the total coverage she received. Editors were enthralled by the WikiLeaks dump of Podesta and Democratic National Committee emails, and colluded with Julian Assange (who was likely colluding with Russian intelligence) in releasing them in neat weekly installmentsa load every week going forward, as Roger Stone exultantly emailed Steve Bannonbeginning just in time to distract from Trumps pussy-grabbing video. Nice of the papers to keep to WikiLeakss timeline. Meanwhile, many New York City reporters knew that Trump was a career dissembler, a money launderer, and a borderline racketeer; that he routinely stiffed creditors, workers, and bankers, and bludgeoned naysayers into court. As early as July 10, 2015, the Pulitzer Prizewinning reporter David Cay Johnston, who covered Trump for more than two decades, published on the nationalmemo.com website a list of 21 questions for Donald Trump. These questions concerned not only false claims but his decision to build Trump Tower (and subsequent buildings) using mafia-controlled concrete rather than steel girders; his skirting of New Jersey law in the course of acquiring a casino license; and his tax evasions. Only the latter out of David Cay Johnstons 21 items inspired interest among campaign reporters. The Washington Posts David Farenthold did expose the flagrant deceptions of that black hole of self-dealing, the Trump Foundation, later shut down by New York State attorney general Barbara Underwood for functioning as little more than a checkbook to serve Mr. Trumps business and political interests. But dubious equivalencies were all the rage. Overall, during the campaign, Americas journalists found Trumps business depredations no more significant than flimsy allegations against the Clinton Foundation. As for the Clinton Foundation, according to Justin Peters in Slate, the New York Times ran at least seven hard news pieces, in which possible improprieties loomed large. The Times front-paged a cloud of insinuation that Russia-connected oligarchs had donated huge sums to the Clinton Foundation in exchange for Secretary of State Clintons approval of a deal to tender American uranium rights to a Russian company. FBI investigations never supplied enough evidence to prosecute such a case. Much of this has been noted since the election, but its easy to forget how skewed the coverage washow journalists bent over backwards to show they werent unfair to Trump. Nicholas Confessore and Karen Yourish, two of Michael M. Grynbaums Times colleagues, noted on March 15, 2016, that through February alone, Trump had already earned close to $2 billion worth of media attentionfree, because he attracted eyeballs and news organizations, particular television, love eyeballs more than they love robust, citizenly debate. Grynbaum himself, on May 30, reported on Trumps ability to shape coverage, noting that the cable networks had failed to cover Clinton rallies while lavishing attention on Trumps, even when his stage was empty. The Times has been rightly and roundly excoriated for its October 31, 2016, headline, Investigating Donald Trump, FBI Sees No Clear Link to Russia. As the Times itself noted two years later, the news that the FBI had opened a broad investigation into possible links between the Russian government and the Trump campaign was buried in the tenth paragraph. (The headline was off, Times Executive Editor Dean Baquet later conceded.) In no small part thanks to two years of Congressional hearings beginning in 2014, the charges against Clinton were focused: Benghazi! Emails! Clinton fell afoul of the old saw: If youre explaining, youre losing. Many of Trumps offenses against truth, law, and common decency had been described in solidly researched books by Wayne Barrett, Gwenda Blair, and Timothy OBrien. They and other reporters had amply established that Trumps repute as a businessman was a fabricated performance, promoted in no small part by the mystique of his reality show, The Apprentice. The con man had his confederates in the upper reaches of journalism, who confused data dumping with whistle-blowing. Were the allegations surrounding Clinton of the same order of magnitude as those surrounding Trump? Patterson asked at the time. Its a question that journalists made no serious effort to answer during the 2016 campaign. I would say they answered the question thumpinglyin the affirmative. It behooves journalists everywhere to ask why it wasnt until after the election that the Times investigators David Barstow, Susanne Craig, and Russ Buettner went to work, eventually establishing in lurid detail, after 18 months of work, that Trumps story of his business prowess was a protracted lieTrump Engaged in Suspect Tax Schemes as He Reaped Riches From His Father, in the words of the headline on the story that won the Pulitzer Prize in 2019. This 15,000-word piece goes long and deep. It goes to the magnitude of a long-running fraud that may well rise to the legal description of racketeering. It should have come sooner. Learning trivial lessons will not do for 2020. The dishonor and depredations of the Trump presidency expose every single one of the institutions that enabled his rise from tabloid celebrity to apprentice celebrity to full-blown commander of recklessness and untruthjournalism included. Journalists cannot be faulted for the idiocy of the electoral college, but they have not swallowed hard enough and stared long enough at the ruins. Will they be ready to deal with the con mans next tricks? Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today Todd Gitlin , who chairs the interdisciplinary Ph.D program in Communication based at the Columbia Journalism School, is the author of 17 books, of which the next is a novel, The Opposition. Watching television news, and reading immigration news on my computer, one journalistic fact is as obvious as it is devastating: the wall has completely obliterated immigration coverage. Studies show that the words wall, border, and borders have increasingly replaced the words immigration and immigrants in global news coverage of immigration. We no longer hear about the DREAMers, immigrant youth whose activism won the nations hearts and minds just a couple of years ago. Neither do we hear the stories of Temporary Protected Status holders, migrant women fleeing rape and violence, and other, non-Caravan-riding migrants. Instead, what passes for immigration reporting are recent reports about the punitive, racist, Stephen Miller-esque immigration policy approach symbolized and centered by Trumps wall; reports of Trump visiting the border; reports of Trump ordering thousands more troops to the Mexican border; and the systematic, ad nauseam repetition of Trumps immigration rhetoric. ICYMI: One way to improve coverage of the US-Mexico border? Move there. This is part of Trumps strategy: to separate immigration reporting from the larger, domestic and foreign policy components that define immigration. And it appears to be working: nearly every news story about immigration from Central and South America mentions the wall as a focal point. The wall is a colossal political theater streamed, beamed, and reported so as to distract us from one of the truly colossal failures of the global economic system happening within and beyond this theater: the unprecedented mass global migration whose participants, some experts believe, may number anywhere from 200 million to 1 billion by 2050. When we fixate on a physical wall, we also introduce a wall in our thinking. Reporting that simplifies the issue of immigration by literally framing it as one that begins and ends at the US-Mexico border excludes crucial information. Trumps wall has blocked off the biggest borderless immigration story of our lifetimes: climate migration. With some exceptions, the reporting on immigration leaves out experts predicting that the unprecedented global migration will largely be due to the flooding, drought, freezing, desertification, and other climate change-driven uprooting of large swaths of humanity. Research I did following visits to El Salvador and Central America, the Syrian border with Turkey, and Juarez, Mexico, in times of intense violence all pointed to climate change as a major contributor to the violence that is pushing migration. At the root of our immigration reporting problem is the inability or unwillingness of many journalists to consider that borders are entirely fictional. Of course, the southern border exists as a boundary between US and Mexican jurisdiction. But the border only really exists when we want it to; it exists to keep people out, but doesnt exist for the wealthy, or for the flow of goods and cash. In the words of border scholar and political theorist Wendy Brown, the growing transnational flows of capital, people, ideas, goods, violence, and political and religious fealty. . . . both tear at the borders they cross and crystallize as powers within them. Sign up for CJR 's daily email As a journalist reporting on immigration in the early 2000s, I was initially taken aback to discover that former national security strategist Samuel Huntington, a democrat, was the ideological architect of the postCold War anti-immigrant and anti-Latino consensus. Huntingtons Clash of Civilizations approach to Latinos and immigration provided a foundation for the anti-immigrant policies advanced by both right-wing politicians like Trump and liberal democrats like Clinton and Obama. Along the way, I realized that the often isolated issue of immigration in the US was a product of globalization meeting race and racism in the US. Following the work of Dale Maharidge, journalist and author of the groundbreaking 1996 book, The Coming White Minority, I started reporting in 2003 on what I called White Fear: Latinos have crossed a modern-day Rubicon into hostility and war in the eyes of some whites, I wrote at the time. We Latinos are now living in the vast and varied terrain of white fear. Shortly after, I traveled across the southwest, to southern California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas to report on militia groups such as the Minutemen. Chris Simcox, its leader at the time, bragged and showed me pictures of him capturing and hog-tying large numbers of migrants at gunpoint in in southern Arizona, near the town where locals re-enact the halcyon days of the gunfight at Tombstone. As early as 2005, it was obvious that immigration was as much a white thing as it was a brown thing, that the primary political objectives of the Minutemen have more to do with protecting the borders of white privilege and notions of citizenship being transcended by the global economicand politicalcapital. Fifteen years later, as I read and watch reporting that portrays white, anti-immigrant vigilantism as if it is something new, I see clearly how, with some important exceptions, the way that we cover immigration is inadequate to the current era. Take the reporting that followed the April 16 release of videos showing armed, racist militias arresting and detaining hundreds of immigrants at gunpoint in New Mexico. Several reports of the incidentin which armed members of a group calling itself United Constitutional Patriots broke the law by kidnapping about 300 immigrants, including women and childrenneglected to use the terms racist, or white nationalist, terms which wouldve surely accompanied the story had the victims not been Central American and Mexican migrants. ICYMI: The immigration syllabus: 10 essential stories As with the reporting that, until recently, has largely failed to call violent white men perpetrating the largest mass killings in US history terrorists, much of the reporting on armed white racists kidnapping and attacking immigrants suffers from a lack of context to understand. This example illustrates the larger problem of how too much of immigration reporting fails to factor in the declining fortunes of white people in the United States, as exploited by Trump. The assumption that white fear is normal makes the immigration problem entirely about immigrants. By contrast, an excellent on-the-ground report by The New Yorkers Jonathan Blitzer earlier this month brought readers to hamlets and towns located in Guatemalas western border highlands to make the connections between hunger, poverty, family separation and other bad policies, and climate change. Blitzer mentions Trump, but only to contrast the complexities reported with the simplistic national security rhetoric and policies of the administration: citing a national-security crisis on our southern border, Donald Trump declared a state of emergency, a measure that even members of Congress from his own party rejected. Three months earlier, with much less fanfare, thirteen federal agencies issued a landmark report about the damage wrought by climate change. Blitzers approach differs markedly from the immigration reporting thats out there, in that it frames the issue in neither partisan nor electoral terms. Immigration is detached, in Blitzers reporting, from Trumps approval rating. How we fix the workings of media reporting hijacked by the president and the infotainment media politics of the wall is the stuff of conferences and doctoral dissertations that must be realized. We are ill-equipped to see the critical deeper truths that define not just immigration and climate change, but all of our lives. One additional note: We mustnt be afraid to say the word capitalism in our immigration reporting. Capitalism has unleashed global forces that force migration and supersede nations; capitalism has humiliated and conquered the citizenship of white and non-white alike. Given the national and geopolitical great games that shape our immigration reporting, journalists must remind ourselves: walls dont work. ICYMI: Journalists harassed, documented by border officials Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today Roberto Lovato is a writer working out the San Francisco Writers Grotto and has either worked or reported on Central American refugee issues for almost 30 years. His work on these issues has appeared in numerous publications, including The Boston Globe, the Pulitzer Center, and The Nation magazine. When a president speaks, what he says is, by journalistic norms, inherently newsworthy. But when a president lieson social media, at press conferences, and in speechesnews organizations have to reconsider old rules that instruct us to print (or tweet, or air) everything that he says. A new study from Media Matters for America found what many have long suspected anecdotally: news outlets too often fail to debunk Donald Trumps false statements in the body of tweets about press conferences, speeches, or press gaggles headlined by the president. Media Matters found that, in a three-week period, news outlets tweeted false or misleading statements by Trump without clearly correcting them in the body of the tweet 65 percent of the time. Authored by Matt Gertz and Rob Savillo, the study examined more than 2,000 tweets posted between January 26 and February 15 from the Twitter accounts of major American print, online, and broadcast news outlets. RELATED: Do journalists pay too much attention to Twitter? There is a lot of discussion of how journalists are passing on the presidents misinformation in headlines and tweets and we wanted to put some data to the phenomenon, says Gertz, a senior fellow at Media Matters. I was not expecting to have results that were as extreme as what we got. The authors chose Twitter accounts run by 32 major American news outlets and wires, including The New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, NBC, ABC, CBS, Axios, Politico, the Associated Press, Reuters, USA Today, and others. They focus specifically on tweets that referred to comments made by Trump. We went through all of the tweets and compared the comments they highlighted to The Washington Posts database, Gertz tells CJR. If the database said the comment was false or misleading, we then looked at the tweet holistically and if there was any indication whatsoever [that the outlet had attempted to fact-check the claim], we were inclined to say this is the outlet disputing it. Sign up for CJR 's daily email Thirty percent of the tweets sent during that time period referred to false or misleading statements made by Trump, as defined by The Washington Posts ongoing database. Nearly two-thirds of the timean average of 19 times per daythe Twitter accounts managed by the selected news outlets did not label the statements as false in the body of the tweet. This is a problem, the authors write, because of research that says headlines embedded in social media posts are often as far as readers get, resulting in the passive spread of misinformation on the part of new organizations. We have been covering this phenomenon for more than a decade, Gertz says. I think the general way journalists construct articles doesnt work given what we know about how people process information. The Trump phenomenon has made this a more pressing concern because its so clear that Trump says things that arent true over and over, yet journalists have not incorporated that into their general practice. The study further examined the settings in which news outlets were most likely to tweet false statements made by Trump without marking them as such. Ninety-two percent of the tweets that repeated Trump claims without disputing them were posted after press gaggles and pool sprays. During formal speeches given by the president, the news outlets performed better, leaving claims undisputed just 49 percent of the time. One notable exception was this years State of The Union address. In the 24 hours after the speech, outlets disputed 53 percent of false claims made by Trump that they tweeted about compared to 27 percent throughout the rest of the study; February 4, the day before the speech, and February 5, the day of the speech, were the only days in the three week period in which the number of tweets disputing false claims made by Trump exceeded those that did not. In an earlier study published in March, Gertz and Savillo praised outlets like the Times, NPR, the Post, the Los Angeles Times, and Politico for their use of graphics on Twitter that clearly debunked claims Trump made during the speech, in real time. Gertz attributes the difference in performance to the prominence of the event and benefits like embargoed copies of the speech that help outlets prepare ahead of time. Some of the same outlets that did well during the State of The Union address, the authors say in their new report, failed to use the same successful fact checking methods consistently. The New York Timess main Twitter feed and politics feed disputed every misleading Trump comment they tweeted about during the 24 hours following the State of the Union, Gertz and Savillo write, but they did so only 38 percent of the time over the rest of the period. Politico disputed more than four of every five misleading Trump claims they tweeted about during the State of the Union, but did so a measly 8 percent of the time otherwise. Some news outlets performed markedly betterand worsethan others. The Hill, which has 3.25 million Twitter followers, was responsible for more than 40 percent of the tweets that failed to fact-check false statements made by Trump in its tweets. Gertz says the numbers are so high because part of their social media strategy, it seems, includes publishing the same tweets in regular intervals. The outlet also tweeted about Trump at higher rates than the others. The Hill disputes Media Matterss characterization, saying it is a non-partisan media outlet that reports on many things, including reporting accurately what newsmakers say. Four Twitter accounts managed by ABC News neglected to dispute claims in tweets 71 percent of the time. CBSs accounts (three were included) performed poorly, passing along the presidents falsehoods without disputing them 87 percent of the time according to the report. On the other end of the spectrum, NPRs main Twitter account published just 20 tweets about Trump comments in the entire three week period. Four of the tweets referenced false claims made by Trump, and the outlet disputed them 100 percent of the time. NBCs Meet the Press account rarely tweeted about Trump commentsjust 9 percent of their tweets about the president referred to comments he had made. (They failed to dispute the false claims 83 percent of the time, however.) The Posts main account tweeted about false or misleading Trump comments a total of 37 times and disputed the misinformation 33 times. Fox News did not tweet at all in the three weeks during which the study was conducted. How can outlets improve their coverage? One facet would be to slow down and take your time. A lot of mistakes are happening with various outlets tweeting clips from the presidents various appearances in real time and Im not sure what the rush is, says Gertz. It shouldnt be the practice of the news media to help the president mislead the public. RELATED: Which one of these three types of journalists are you? Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today Alexandria Neason was CJRs staff writer and Senior Delacorte Fellow. Recently, she became an editor and producer at WNYCs Radiolab. Pact Italy-Spain-Portugal on digital bureaucracy Youths in Naples launch idea for public administration (ANSAmed) - NAPLES, MAY 7 - Italy, Spain and Portugal are joining forces in the field of digitalization, in particular in the public administration sector, investing in youths and their creative ideas. This is the project launched in Naples during the symposium of COTEC Italia, the foundation that works to improve Italian technological competitiveness and cooperates with the Spanish Fundacion COTEC and Portugal's Associacao COTEC to represent in the European Union national and Mediterranean interests on actions to support innovation. The symposium has registered the presence of President Sergio Mattarella, King of Spain Felipe VI with father Juan Carlos, the former king, and Portugal's President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and follows events dedicated to technological innovation in Naples with over 200 young international talents who competed in the largest hackathon on public administration. The challenge lasted 48 hours and prizes were worth 37,500 euros. The focus is on the transformation of the public administration that needs to be up to speed with the digital revolution to better meet the needs of citizens and businesses. The theme concerns the use of new digital applications as well as the ''training of personnel with an average age of 52 in Italy'', stressed the Public Administration Minister Giulia Bongiorno, who visited on Monday the Apple Academy in Naples where students from all over Italy receive training on new technologies. The university Federico II of San Giovanni was selected by the European Commission as having one of the best practices for digital investments. As part of the symposium COTEC called ''PA 4.0: Rethinking the Public Administration for a Digital World'', meetings were held on Tuesday with the participation of business and institutional leaders from Italy, Spain and Portugal, COTEC Italia said. The leaders discussed joint actions on innovation policies and specific collaborations. The event was key to relaunch the theme of innovation in the public administration at a time of great industrial and technological changes, organizers said. There is an increasing need to enable citizens to manage relations with the public administration and access public services online, participants said. Italy is at the bottom of a ranking - together with Bulgaria, Greece and Romania - for the overall level of digitalization of the economy and society among European countries, with an index of 44 out of 100, compared to Denmark's 72, which is at the top of the tanking.(ANSAmed). This morning, in Myanmar, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, two Reuters reporters jailed because of their journalism, walked out of a prison in Yangon after 511 days inside. Reporters and photographers formed a scrum around the pair. Wa Lone thanked peopleboth inside the prison and around the worldwho had wished for their release. Im really happy and excited to see my family and my colleagues, Wa Lone said. Shortly afterward, both he and Kyaw Soe Oo were reunited with their partners and young children. Reuters captured the moment on video. The moment when @Reuters reporters Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo walked free outside Myanmar's Insein prison after receiving a presidential pardon. More here: https://t.co/0VMLYTaz9n pic.twitter.com/agPYwhIlCp Reuters Top News (@Reuters) May 7, 2019 Two weeks ago, none of this seemed very likely. Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oowho had been reporting on state complicity in the massacre of Rohingya Muslims in Rakhine statewere arrested in December 2017 and charged with violating the Official Secrets Act, for possessing documents that a police officer had just handed to them. During their trial, the reporters said they hadnt had time to read the documents before their arrest; a prosecution witness, meanwhile, conceded the documents werent secret at all. Nonetheless, in September, a court convicted Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo and sentenced them to seven years in prison. Their first appeal was rejected in January. On April 23, Myanmars Supreme Court also turned them down. The verdict appeared decisive, but the reporters families, and Reuterss legal team, made clear they would not be giving up. Today, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo were freed, alongside 6,518 other prisoners, after Win Myint, Myanmars president, ordered a mass amnestythe latest in a wave of pardons that has become customary during Myanmars New Year period. ICYMI: The palace, the press, and a very public birth Reuters deserves enormous credit for its tireless advocacy on behalf of its reporters. We are enormously pleased that Myanmar has released our courageous reporters, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, Stephen J. Adler, Reuters editor in chief, said. (Adler chairs CJRs Board of Overseers.) Since their arrests 511 days ago, they have become symbols of the importance of press freedom around the world. We welcome their return. Ara Darzi, a British surgeon who also worked to secure the journalists release, said Reuters had been involved in discussions around the presidential pardon, alongside representatives of other governments and the United Nations. Earlier today, the UN described the pardon as a sign that Myanmars government is committed to continuing the countrys flagging transition to democracy. Sign up for CJR 's daily email As Richard Horsey, a political analyst based in Myanmar, told Australias ABC, the pardon is a good-news data point on press freedom in the country; the official mood music, he said, had suggested it was not likely to be granted. Nonetheless, there are many other worrying indications about press freedom in Myanmar, Horsey says. The situation is much, much better than it was 10 years ago, but from a high-water mark there are signs that press freedoms are being eroded. According to Human Rights Watch, at least 43 journalists have been arrested in Myanmar since a pro-democracy party entered government in 2016. Phil Robertson, HRWs deputy Asia director, tweeted earlier that literally dozens of them still face baseless criminal charges. Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo should never have required a pardon because they never did anything wrong. We should keep their disgraceful treatment front of mind, and take it as fresh impetus to shine a light on Myanmars recent authoritarian maneuvers; the deeply disappointing conduct of Aung San Suu Kyi, the previously legendary pro-democracy campaigner, in facilitating them; and the continued plight of the countrys persecuted Rohingya minority. Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, along with colleagues Simon Lewis and Antoni Slodkowski, were first to report admissions of culpability from security-service insiders over their treatment of the Rohingyawork for which they were recently awarded a Pulitzer Prize. It is a great thing for journalism that the two reporters can now return to the beat. I cant wait to go to my newsroom now, Wa Lone told assembled media outside the prison today. I am a journalist. I am going to continue. Below, more on Myanmar and press freedom: The world must not turn away: Last month, three senior UN officials visited a refugee camp in Bangladesh thats home to more than 630,000 displaced Rohingya. With monsoon season approaching, the officials appealed to the world to remember the Rohingya. Writing in Foreign Policy, however, Azeem Ibrahim, a senior fellow at the Center for Global Policy in Washington, accused the UN of trying to wash its hands of the refugees by supporting Bangladeshs plans to resettle some of them on a doomed island. Meanwhile, in Myanmar, The Guardians Francesca Morano visited the camps where the government is holding members of the Rohingya. Authorities have pledged to close the camps, but Morano reports that the Rohingya will not be allowed to go home. Last month, three senior UN officials visited a refugee camp in Bangladesh thats home to more than 630,000 displaced Rohingya. With monsoon season approaching, the officials appealed to the world to remember the Rohingya. Writing in Foreign Policy, however, Azeem Ibrahim, a senior fellow at the Center for Global Policy in Washington, accused the UN of trying to wash its hands of the refugees by supporting Bangladeshs plans to resettle some of them on a doomed island. Meanwhile, in Myanmar, The Guardians Francesca Morano visited the camps where the government is holding members of the Rohingya. Authorities have pledged to close the camps, but Morano reports that the Rohingya will not be allowed to go home. Picking sides: In September, shortly after Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo were convicted, Jacob Goldberg reported for CJR on Myanmar journalists efforts to protect themselves against similar retribution. Other reporters in the country, however, took the governments side over that of the Rohingya. Last March, Joshua Carroll tracked that phenomenon for CJR. In September, shortly after Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo were convicted, Jacob Goldberg reported for CJR on Myanmar journalists efforts to protect themselves against similar retribution. Other reporters in the country, however, took the governments side over that of the Rohingya. Last March, Joshua Carroll tracked that phenomenon for CJR. Also going free: Some rare good journalism news from Turkey, too. Yesterday, a court overturned a prison sentence handed to Pelin Unker, whose reporting on ICIJs Paradise Papers investigation led to a defamation conviction. (The court did uphold a fine, however.) Turkey remains the worlds foremost jailer of journalists. The Committee to Protect Journalists has a full database of imprisoned reporters here. Other notable stories: ICYMI: How to use the terms karat and carat correctly Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today Jon Allsop is a freelance journalist whose work has appeared in the New York Review of Books, Foreign Policy, and The Nation, among other outlets. He writes CJRs newsletter The Media Today. Find him on Twitter @Jon_Allsop. Last summer, the Shambhala Buddhist community was stunned to learn that its leader, Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche, had sexually assaulted numerous female students. The story was not broken by any of the several Buddhist news outlets, but instead by Andrea Winn, a former Shambhala member and survivor of sexual abuse who conducted her own investigation. Winn, the creator of Buddhist Project Sunshine, does not consider herself a journalist. But she was able to get many other survivors to tell their stories, ultimately shining light on decades of abuse by faith leaders throughout the community. When reporters descended upon the storyrequesting additional proof, corroboration, and on-the-record interviewseverything changed. Many survivors were wary, exhausted by their trauma and unwilling to put their names out for public scrutiny. The ensuing struggle between the goals of journalism and the needs of survivors underscores both the benefits and limitations of reporting on sexual abuse. Journalists often say they do not decide the consequences of the news they report. Perhaps Buddhist Project Sunshine points to another way. NEW: Borders are imaginary. News coverage should treat them that way. A BRANCH OF TIBETAN BUDDHISM, Shambhala is a community founded by Chogyam Trungpa and now led by his son, Osel Rangdrol Mukpo, also known as Mipham J. Mukpo or Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche. Shambhala International, the communitys governing organization, is headquartered in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and runs about 200 meditation centers around the world. Sign up for CJR 's daily email The roots of Winns project date back to her childhood in the Shambhala community, when, on several occasions, she was sexually abused by other members and one Shambhala leader. Winn didnt speak about that abuse for years, but she saw it happening to other women, and knew the problem was widespread. When she raised concerns around 2000, she says, she was forced out of the community. (Winn still practices Shambhala on her own.) In 2016, Winn suddenly felt like she had broken a Buddhist vow by giving up on the community. From the beginning, I was trying to be a good Buddhist, Winn says. I constantly tried to come from a place of peace. In February 2017, she began organizing a year-long initiative, which she called Buddhist Project Sunshine, to help Shambhala heal from years of sexual violence. She hoped to gather female Shambhala leaders together for collective discussions. When that didnt pan out, she thought she might collect anonymous statements from survivors and submit them for publication at the Shambhala Times, an online community magazine. But no one came forward. With her self-imposed project deadline approaching, Winn began writing a report about her efforts, even though she felt they had failed. Mid-January 2018, as the #MeToo movement gathered steam, something changed. All of a sudden, people just started to come out of the woodwork, wanting to write anonymous impact statements, she says. Winn scrambled to include some of the statements in her report, which she published on her personal website on February 15, 2018. The report included statements from five anonymous survivors, detailing sexual abuse by teachers in the community and Shambhalas lack of institutional response. The report made a big splash, particularly in Shambhala groups on Facebook. Winn received a flurry of messages and emails from critics as well as survivors, some of whom had new stories to tell. Winn also heard from Carol Merchasin, a retired employment law partner at the law firm Morgan Lewis. Merchasin, who had experience investigating workplaces, hoped to lend credibility to Winns project. I said, You need to have more detail if you really want to have people believe you, Merchasin tells CJR. She joined Buddhist Project Sunshine as a volunteer, producing two investigative write-ups for the projects Phase 2 and Phase 3 reports, published in June and August of last year, respectively. Before they published the Phase 2 report, Winn and several other Buddhist Project Sunshine volunteers watched the movie Spotlight, which tells the story of Boston Globe reporters uncovering decades of sexual abuse and cover-up in the Catholic church. It was kind of like, we were the ones doing this, Winn says. Unlike the journalists in Spotlight, however, Winn insisted that survivor statements remain anonymized in the reports. It was not about addressing specific situations, she explains. It was not about getting justice about specific situations. It was about raising awareness. BUDDHIST PROJECT SUNSHINES FINDINGS began to attract attention from journalists after the first report. But it was the second report, which implicated Shambhalas leader, Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche, that brought a flood of coverage by mainstream outlets including The Canadian Press and The New York Times. Throughout the process, Winn acted as a gatekeeper, protective of the survivors who had shared their stories for her reports. She says she felt betrayed by some journalists who she believed didnt put survivors needs first in their reporting. Jerry West, a producer at CBC Radio, declined to run a story about the Phase 2 report without an interview from one of the survivors. Winn says she wasnt able to provide him with such an interview. He didnt get the fact that these women had been sexually abused and spiritually abused by their guru, and had been shunned from the community, Winn says. His expectations were outlandish. West says he had already interviewed Andrea for a story about the Phase 1 report, and he needed new sources willing to go on the record to move the story along after Phase 2. I cant just read a report into the record, he says. We need a live person to talk. West says he still wants to run another story about the sexual abuse in Shambhala, but hasnt yet found another source willing to go on the air. Wendy Joan Biddlecombe Agsar, a reporter at the Buddhist magazine Tricycle, asked Winn if she might speak to a specific survivor mentioned in the Phase 2 report. Winn asked the survivor if she felt comfortable speaking to a reporter, but the woman, referred to as Ann, said she wasnt up to it before the Phase 2 report came out. Agsar ultimately published her story on the report with a note that Ann declined to speak with Tricycle about her accusations. It simply isnt ethical for me as a journalist to not attempt to reach out to anonymous accusers in a story about widespread abuseand to omit the fact that I attempted to reach out, Agsar tells CJR. Im reporting a story, not just relaying the information that Winn wants me to tell our readers. Winn, who was outraged by that sentence, has a different take on journalists showing all of their work in finished stories. The last thing [the survivors] needed was Tricycle saying that Ann declined to make a statement, she says. When I hear that on the news, I think, Well, what do they have to hide? Were reporters, we have to corroborate things, we have to keep a level of independence. But its not a process thats designed around helping people heal. FOR MANY SURVIVORS, the recent deluge of sexual abuse journalism has brought welcome and overdue recognition of the pervasiveness of sexual abuse. But the relentless press coverage has also created a new kind of trauma. Headline after headline has thrust alleged abusers into the spotlight, all the while commodifying the pain of survivors. Journalists covering sexual abuse are encouraged to use extra care and follow certain best practices, but there are still limits to how journalistic institutions, which are themselves centers of power, can confront the full scope of sexual abuse and its effects. While the Phase 2 and Phase 3 reports were being published, Buddhist Project Sunshine also established a support network for survivors and other members of the community to process the news. It was always supposed to be about more than just exposing abuse, volunteer Katie Hayman, a trained spiritual care practitioner who helped to lead moderated discussions among community members on Slack, says. Before new reports were published, moderators received extra preparation and training to help the community receive the news. They considered questions such as, How do you respond to the aftershock and care for the people who are reading that news and are going to be devastated? Hayman believes Buddhist Project Sunshines survivor-centered approach enabled many women to come forward. It was a different way of doing things that didnt just take their stories and forget about them, she says. You would give your story and they would continue to care. I honest-to-God wish we had something like this in our community, Hayman, a practicing Roman Catholic, adds. Because I saw the way that people were heard if just given the space. JOSH EATON, an investigative journalist at ThinkProgress, was one of the first reporters to write about the allegations raised in the first Buddhist Project Sunshine report. I really feel like Josh Eaton getting involved made all the difference, Alex Rodriguez, a former Shambhala member and a volunteer with BPS who coordinated press relations, says. But Josh Eaton got involved because Andrea took the first step. Eaton, who also has a masters in divinity from Harvard with a focus on Buddhist Studies, treated the stories with care, according to Rodriguez. Nevertheless, Eaton says his goals were always journalistic. Were reporters, we have to corroborate things, we have to keep a level of independence, he says. But its not a process thats designed around helping people heal. Winn says she would have welcomed the work of a journalist earlier on in the process, someone to bring all of the wrongdoing to light in the first place. I took a lot of responsibility in this, she says. It would have been really nice for me to have somebody else taking the lead, like to have a true partner or someone to be the knight in shining armor for me, or for us. But its unclear whether the story would have been the same. The fact that a survivor from the Shambhala community led the original investigation made all the difference, according to Rodriguez. [Winn] never pretended to be providing objective information. She came into this from a place of believing that by speaking her truth she could contribute to community healing, Rodriguez says. Had a journalist been catalyzing it, I dont think you would have gotten the same impact. ICYMI: Wa Lone and Ka Soe Oo are free Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today Stephanie Russell-Kraft is a Brooklyn-based freelance reporter covering the intersections of religion, culture, law, and gender. She has written for the New Republic, The Atlantic, Religion & Politics, and Religion Dispatches and is a regular contributing reporter for Bloomberg Law. Follow her on Twitter: @srussellkraft. ST. PAUL, Minn. A Minnesota man accused of faking his own death eight years ago in Eastern Europe to collect a $2 million life insurance policy has pleaded guilty. The St. Paul Pioneer Press reports that 54-year-old Igor Vorotinov, formerly of Maple Grove, is to be sentenced for mail fraud on July 29 in U.S. District Court. Authorities alleged Vorotinov in 2011 arranged for a corpse to be dressed in his clothes and planted his identification on the body before placing it along a road in the former Soviet republic of Moldova. An insurance company sent his ex-wife a $2 million check in 2012. The couple divorced in 2010, a few months after Vorotinov took out a life insurance policy and designated his then-wife as the primary beneficiary. Irina Vorotinov in 2011 identified a corpse in Moldova as her husbands, then returned to the U.S. with a death certificate and cremated remains and received the life insurance payment from Mutual of Omaha. Money was then transferred to her son and to accounts in Switzerland and Moldova, authorities said. The scheme also included a 2011 funeral service at a Minneapolis cemetery, where an urn was placed in a niche. Tests later determined the remains were not Vorotinovs. Its not clear whose they were. Irina Vorotinov pleaded guilty in 2016 to fraud charges and was sentenced to about three years in prison. Son Alkon Vorotinov was sentenced in 2015 to three years of probation for his involvement. Igor Vorotinov was indicted in 2015. He was arrested in November 2018 and returned to the U.S. after an unidentified tipster contacted the FBI. He had been living in Transnistria, a small Russian-controlled region of Moldova, under a new name, Nikoly Patoka. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Purdue Pharma LPs former chief executive officer appeared to blame victims of opioid abuse for their suffering in a 2001 email to an acquaintance, a court filing shows. Abusers arent victims; they are the victimizers, Richard Sackler said in the email, according to previously undisclosed messages added to a lawsuit by Connecticut Attorney General William Tong. Excerpts of exchanges between Sackler and an unidentified friend were included in an amended complaint filed Monday against Purdue and the billionaire Sackler family by Tong, a Democrat who took office in January. The attorneys general from New York and Massachusetts have filed similar complaints accusing Purdue and the Sacklers of triggering a U.S. addiction epidemic with their allegedly excessive marketing of the highly addictive Oxycontin painkiller. The cases have created a potentially massive legal liability that has led Purdue to threaten to file for bankruptcy protection. Richard Sacklers outrageous comments show an utter disregard for human life, Tong said Tuesday in a statement about his new complaint. These emails are far more than a momentary lapse in judgment between friends they encapsulate the depraved indifference to human suffering that infected Purdues entire business model. Representatives for the Sackler family didnt immediately respond to email messages seeking comment. Purdue and the Sacklers have repeatedly denied wrongdoing and called such lawsuits misguided attempts to place blame for a national crisis. According to Tongs complaint, Sacklers comment about addicts being victimizers was made in response to his acquaintance claiming that opioid abusers made the choice to die. Abusers die, well that is the choice they made, I doubt a single one didnt know of the risks, the acquaintance said, according to the complaint. Also in 2001, Sacklers friend lamented that the general ignorant public was looking for a scapegoat. According to the suit, Sackler responds by saying hes not allowed to make such a claim without triggering a liberal backlash. Unfortunately, when Im ambushed by 60 Minutes, I cant easily get this concept across, Sackler said in response, according to the complaint. Calling drug addicts scum of the earth will guarantee that I become the poster child for liberals who want to do just want [sic] to distribute the blame to someone else, as you say. The case is State of Connecticut v. Purdue Pharma LP, X07 HHD-CV-19-6105325-S, Connecticut Superior Court (Hartford). Johnson & Johnson agreed to pay about $1 billion to resolve most lawsuits claiming it sold defective metal-on-metal hips that ultimately had to be removed, according to people with knowledge of the matter. With the agreement, J&J has now resolved more than 95 percent of the 6,000 cases in which surgeons extracted the Pinnacle implants because of defects that left patients unable to walk and in pain, according to two people familiar with the settlements. They spoke on the condition of anonymity because they arent authorized to talk publicly about the accords. The roughly $1 billion total includes an earlier settlement for more than $400 million. Still pending are about 4,500 suits by patients with artificial hips that arent made totally of metal or havent been surgically removed, the people said. Its unclear how many, if any, of those cases will be settled, they said. Rather than set up a global settlement program, attorneys for J&J and its DePuy unit, maker of the Pinnacle hip replacements, cut separate deals with plaintiffs lawyers to resolve their clients cases, the people said. Its unclear when all the hip suits will be disposed of, they said. Mindy Tinsley, a J&J spokeswoman, said Tuesday in a statement that settlement negotiations for the Pinnacle cases are continuing and that the worlds largest maker of health care products had set aside funds for the litigation. The hip settlements came after Texas juries over the last three years ordered J&J to pay more than $1.5 billion to Pinnacle hip patients who accused the company of misleading them about the devices health risks and durability. Some of those awards were cut while others were thrown out on appeal. Mark Lanier, one of the plaintiffs lawyers leading the litigation, originally announced the latest settlement deal in February, as J&J prepared to face claims in federal court in Dallas by five Pinnacle hip patients who blamed the devices for their injuries, including metal poisoning. At the time, Lanier declined to reveal the settlements financial details. Lanier didnt return calls Tuesday seeking comment on the total amount of the settlements. The February announcement came a month after J&J agreed to pay $120 million to settle 46 state attorneys generals claims that the company had made deceptive marketing claims about the hips durability. The company said 99.2 percent of the metal-on-metal hips held up for three years. European health regulators put the rate at around 7 percent. The Lawyers Although J&J, of New Brunswick, New Jersey, has agreed to resolve the cases involving surgical removal, it isnt paying to settle cases brought by patients worried they might need hip surgery in the future, the people said. They said J&J is resolving individual lawyers Pinnacle-case inventories for a set amount and then allowing the lawyers to divvy up the recovery among their clients, so the more seriously injured patients get higher recoveries. In an earlier settlement, J&J agreed to pay more than $400 million to resolve 20 law firms inventories of Pinnacle cases, people familiar with that deal said at the time. That may have resolved more than 3,000 cases, they said. Those are among the 6,000 cases in which surgeons extracted the implants because of defects. In a February report to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, before the settlements, J&J officials noted the company still faced a total of 10,500 Pinnacle suits. The company didnt specify how much it had set aside to deal with settlements and litigation costs. $1 Billion Verdict J&J pulled Pinnacles metal-on-metal version of the hip off the market in 2013 after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration toughened regulations covering such devices. Pinnacle hips made out of different materials continue to be sold in the U.S. The suits are consolidated before U.S. District Judge Ed Kinkeade in Dallas for pre-trial information exchanges and test trials. J&J won the first case and lost the next two, including a $1 billion verdict. Pinnacle Ultamet devices werent covered by J&Js 2013 settlement of suits targeting its ASR line of artificial hips. In 2010, J&J recalled 93,000 of those implants worldwide, saying 12 percent failed within five years. With legal fees, the cost of that settlement to J&J climbed to more than $4 billion. J&J is settling similar cases in India. The Pinnacle case is In Re DePuy Orthopaedics Inc. Pinnacle Hip Implant Products Liability Litigation, 11-md-2244, U.S District Court, Northern District of Texas (Dallas). Copyright 2021 Bloomberg. CLEVELAND, Ohio The Cleveland Foundation announced a $2 million grant to Karamu House, making it the biggest contributor to a $10 million, multiyear capital campaign aimed at rejuvenating the nations oldest black theater organization. I am ecstatic and humbled, said Karamu President and CEO Tony Sias. This level of endorsement for this 104-year old institution means a lot. The grant, which the foundation planned to highlight at its annual meeting today, will bolster Karamus role as a cultural, social and educational anchor in Fairfax, a low-income, majority black neighborhood south of the Cleveland Clinic, Sias said. Of the $2 million, $1.6 million will help pay for the third phase of a nearly $6 million renovation designed by Cleveland architect Sandra Madison. The upcoming work includes revamped lobbies, an audience lounge, an art gallery, a neighborhood bistro, and an outdoor plaza on Quincy Avenue. Work is scheduled for completion in the summer of 2020. Other improvements include renovation of Karamus 100-seat Arena Theater. A renovation of the 195-seat Jelliffe Theatre, Karamus biggest stage, was completed last year. The foundation said $400,000 of its grant will support educational and community engagement projects. Sias said he hopes new investments in Karamu can help Fairfax become the first black neighborhood in Cleveland to enjoy an art-based rebirth like those launched by theaters, galleries and other attractions in Detroit-Shoreway, Collinwood, Tremont and Little Italy. This really will make Fairfax one of those premier communities that families will want to come to because you have a destination cultural venue right in the heart of the community, Sias said. Located at East 89th Street and Quincy Avenue, Karamu House is poised to benefit from higher visibility and new regional prominence because of its proximity to the new Opportunity Corridor boulevard, Sias said. The three-mile, 35 mph road, scheduled for completion in 2021, will link I-490 to East 105th Street, traversing economically challenged portions of the Slavic Village, Kinsman, Fairfax and Buckeye neighborhoods. The road will directly link the interstate highway system to the Cleveland Clinic and University Circle. The former director of arts education for the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, Sias, 54, joined Karamu House in 2015 to lead a recovery after weaknesses sparked by the 2008-09 recession, which led to layoffs and a temporary loss of the institutions nonprofit status. Karamu achieved a $300,000 surplus in 2018 and expects to finish in the black on a $2.2 million operating budget when its fiscal year ends June 30, Sias said. Attendance has grown from 7,200 in 2018 to more than 12,000, year to date. Audiences are growing more diverse, with white patrons coming in larger numbers. Sias is directing Karamus next production, Elton John & Tim Rices Aida, scheduled for May 23-June 16. Karamus 75,000-square-foot complex occupies a midcentury modern theater and administrative wings built respectively in 1949 and 1959. The improvements funded by the Cleveland Foundation and other donors including the Gund Foundation focus on the theater wing. Future renovations will address the administrative wing and a separate former day-care building, now closed and used for storage. Karamu has also had discussions with the Cleveland Metropolitan School District about creating new programs in collaboration with a proposed new Bolton Elementary School that could be built at Quincy Avenue and East 90th Street. For now, Sias believes Karamu can be a refuge from polarization and division in American society. Theater, like sports, brings people of diverse walks together for a shared experience, he said. Our theater is a vehicle for social awareness. CLEVELAND, OHIO City Council voted Monday to pay for a comprehensive study of the use of tax abatement and other incentives used to coax developers to build in Cleveland. The results will be used to determine how to use the incentives in the future, targeting them to stimulate growth while protecting current homeowners from being forced out if property values spiral upward. Housing is complicated, Councilman Matt Zone said during a meeting of councils Finance Committee Monday afternoon. This study is going to give us good factual data. Zone started a study group about a year ago to look at how tax abatement is used in Cleveland. He is one of a handful of members who have suggested it might be time to reconsider its use in some parts of the city. That could include limiting or even eliminating property tax breaks for development projects in prosperous neighborhoods such as University Circle and Ohio City, while targeting the incentives for growth in struggling neighborhoods. This initiative is not about doing away with tax abatement, Zone said. Its about doing it in an equitable fashion. The tax abatement program, enacted in the 1990s, forgives increases in real estate taxes for up to 15 years that occur as a result to property improvements. The abatements can be applied to both new construction and housing rehabilitation. The abatements apply to improvements, but taxes are collected on increases in the land value. Just in the last month several projects eligible for the abatements and other incentives have hit City Councils agenda. Among them: Those projects would not be affected by any change in the program. But while the abatements have enjoyed support for years, some members of council and Mayor Frank Jacksons administration now wonder whether the tax breaks should continue to be applied in a one-size fits all fashion. The study is being done now so that any changes can be settled on before 2022, when the program will need to be reauthorized. We know how valuable this tool is, Cleveland Community Development Director Tania Menesse told the Finance Committee. Our neighborhoods are so varied and thats the point of all of this. Its not about all or nothing. Two East Side council members, Ward 6s Blaine Griffin and Ward 9s Kevin Conwell, urged that care be taken though if changes are made to the program. Both represent wards that have some struggling neighborhoods with little growth. As Griffin said, the city shouldnt eliminate tools from areas where they are still needed. Lets make sure we dont have any unintentional consequences, Griffin said. Get insider texts about Cleveland City Hall on your phone from Robert Higgs: Cut through the clutter of social media and communicate directly with cleveland.coms City Hall reporter, just like you would with your friends. Its just $3.99 a month, which works out to about 13 cents a day. Learn more and sign up for a free trial here. CLEVELAND, Ohio A typically united City Council divided Monday night over a non-binding resolution calling for the city to recognize the second Monday in October as Indigenous Peoples Day rather than Columbus Day. Councilman Basheer Jones proposed the resolution, saying he wished to recognize that a culture already existed in North America when Italian explorer Christopher Columbus arrived in Oct. 12, 1492. Council approves most proposed resolutions with little or no comment, but Jones proposal struck a nerve with colleagues Matt Zone, a second-generation Italian American, and Mike Polensek, who also is of Italian descent. Zone spoke for several minutes in opposition to the resolution. He said that he grew up celebrating Columbus Day as a proud symbol of immigration to the United States. And it was a day important to Italian Americans who themselves had to endure bigotry in this country. It now is a universal theme with all people who come into this country, Zone said. One of the highest honors I ever had was in 2015 when I was the grand marshal in the Columbus Day parade. Zone said he had no problem doing something to honor indigenous people, but not at the expense of Columbus Day. Polensek said Columbus Day is a celebration of a culture and contributions and achievements in American life that shouldnt be taken away. This is one day that Italian Americans can celebrate their heritage, Polensek said. In his remarks about the resolution, Jones, who invited some native Americans to be in attendance, said he sought to rename Columbus Day in Cleveland as a way of raising awareness of native American culture and the injustices indigenous people have faced over centuries. Columbus did not discover America, he said. Rather, he arrived in this part of the world and discovered that it was already inhabited. The resolution says the change would reaffirm the citys commitment to promote the well-being and growth of Clevelands native American and indigenous community. The resolution, which doesnt carry the same force of a city ordinance, now goes to council committees for hearings and debate. Following the meeting, Jones, clearly surprised by the reaction his proposal generated, said he meant no offense. If I talk about the truths of anyones history, how is that disrespecting another culture? he said. I dont like to make it about color and culture, but this really broke my heart. Get insider texts about Cleveland City Hall on your phone from Robert Higgs: Cut through the clutter of social media and communicate directly with cleveland.coms City Hall reporter, just like you would with your friends. Its just $3.99 a month, which works out to about 13 cents a day. Learn more and sign up for a free trial here. ROCKY RIVER, Ohio -- The Rocky River Board of Education is seeking candidates who are interested in serving on the Rocky River Public Library Board of Trustees. The school board has the duty to appoint the library trustees. There is one vacancy for the seven-year term that begins July 1 and ends on June 30, 2026. Interested Rocky River residents should send a letter of qualification and a resume by the close of business on May 31 to Kathleen Goepfert, school board member, at the Board of Education offices, 11001 Morewood Parkway, Rocky River, Ohio 44116. Interviews will be scheduled and will take place at the school board offices. Local history: Lee Hall, fossil preparatory and vertebrate paleontology lab manager at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, will be the featured speaker for the May 16 Bay Village Historical Society potluck dinner program at the Bay Village Community House. The event begins with a social hour at 6 p.m., followed by dinner at 6:30 and the program at 7. Those attending should RSVP to Beth Conroy at 440-821-4427 or email beth2335@yahoo.com by May 13. Admission is free for Bay Village Historical Society members. A donation of $5 is requested from non-members. Membership in the society is encouraged; the annual fee is $10 for students, $25 for individuals and $35 for families. The historical society will provide the dinner entree. Attendees whose last names begin with A-L are asked to bring an appetizer or dessert for 10 to share. Attendees whose last names begin with M-Z are asked to bring a side dish for 10 to share. All attendees are asked to bring their own place setting. The program will focus on when Northeast Ohio was flooded by a shallow tropical sea. When Interstate 71 was under construction, giant armored fish skulls and mummified sharks buried for 360 million years were uncovered. Hall will share the history behind this discovery. Lunch and learn: Huntington Woods Care and Rehabilitation Center will offer a free lunch program on high blood pressure with guest speaker Tom Strong on May 22 at the center, 27705 Westchester Parkway, Westlake. A complimentary lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m., with the program at noon. Space is limited and reservations are required. RSVP to 440-835-5661. Strong, a medical lecturer, will discuss the causes of irregular heartbeats and effective treatments. Fair trade rugs: One World Shop in Rocky River will host its first fair trade rug event May 15-19. During the five-day event, more than 300 hand-knotted Bunyaad rugs of various sizes will be on display and available for purchase. The rugs range from intricate florals to hand-spun, natural-dye, wool tribals. Each rug was designed and hand-knotted by highly skilled and fairly paid adults. The rugs can last for generations, according to Yousaf Chaman, Bunyaad director. Bunyaad works with more than 850 families throughout 100 villages in Pakistan. A From Loom to Living Room seminar will be offered at 6:30 p.m. May 16 at the store, 19321 Detroit Road, Rocky River. The one-hour seminar is aimed at those considering a fair trade rug purchase or who would like to learn more about the art of making hand-knotted rugs, rug care and even room design. Refreshments will be served and admission is free. Reservations are encouraged. To make a reservation or for more information about the One World Shop Rug Event, call Laura Potter-Sadowski at 440-333-7709 or visit rugs.tenthousandvillages.com/event. The mission of the One World Shop, which was founded in 1979, is to educate and engage the community on fair trade and related global social justice issues by providing a variety of educational outreach programs and a vibrant marketplace for artisan handmade goods. Cafe truck returns to Crocker Park: Stop by and check out the Hello Kitty Cafe Truck from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. May 11 on Union Street next to the Regal Cinemas at Crocker Park in Westlake. Shoppers can pick up treats and merchandise while supplies last. The food and drink menu includes bow-bottled water, a four-piece mini-cake set, a five-piece macaron set, a three-piece cookie set, a Hello Kitty pocket pie two-piece set and a Hello Kitty Cafe giant chef cookie. Those making a food purchase of $25 or more will receive a Hello Kitty Cafe mini tote bag -- while supplies last. Among the merchandise available for purchase will be sprinkles T-shirts, cafe chef plush, bow-handled mugs, Hello Kitty Cafe cupcake cushions, acrylic keychains (hkc cup), Hello Kitty Cafe cookie cushions, chubby bunny bows, Hello Kitty Cafe donut cushions, 32-ounce or 18-ounce stainless steel thermal bottles, and a cafe lunchbox with confetti popcorn. For more information, visit sanrio.com . Presidential politics: With nearly two dozen (so far) Democratic presidential candidates for the 2020 election, voters probably are having trouble keeping them all straight. In an effort to help sort things out, the Westside Democrats Club will present Who the Heck is This? A Look at the 21-plus Democratic Presidential Candidates at 7 p.m. May 14 at the Western Cuyahoga Lodge FOP Hall 25, 26145 Center Ridge Road, Westlake. Parking and entrance are at the rear of the building. Those attending can bring snacks to share. Genealogy search: The Cuyahoga West Chapter, Ohio Genealogical Society will hear from OGS trustee Mary Milne Jamba on "DNA Testing and How to Use Your Results to Find Relatives at 6:30 p.m. May 15 in the Porter Room at Westlake Porter Public Library, 27333 Center Ridge Road, Westlake. The free event begins with a social, followed by the program at 7. All are invited. For more information, visit sites.rootsweb.com/~ohcwogs/index.htm or email cuyahogawest@gmail.com. Information, please: Readers are invited to share information about themselves, their families and friends, organizations, church events, etc. from Bay Village, Rocky River and Westlake for the West Shore Chatter column, which I write on a freelance basis. Awards, honors, milestone birthdays or anniversaries and other items are welcome. Submit information at least 10 days before the requested publication date to carolkovach@hotmail.com. Read more news from the West Shore Sun here. LYNDHURST, Ohio -- In delivering Lyndhursts first-ever state-of-the-city address Monday (May 6), Mayor Patrick Ward spoke of a city in which services are delivered efficiently and effectively, and of one that doesnt often make the news, thanks to those traits. A resident recently commented to me that I dont get to read much about Lyndhurst in the news, Ward said at the start of his speech. And my reply was, Maybe the media thinks were boring. Our council meetings get to the point, our council tries not to bicker and the business of the city gets done. That being said, it doesnt mean everything is slam dunk, or that we see eye to eye on every issue. As examples of that efficiency, Ward said the city has been long-term debt free since 2012, and that it has borrowed $1 million each year in recent times to pay off that years road programs while maintaining an excellent credit rating. We budget tightly, spend wisely and look for every opportunity to save your tax dollars, he said. Ward spoke before a large audience in the citys community center rather than in council chambers at City Hall. The different, larger venue was needed, as more than 100 people attended the special meeting, which also included the ceremonial swearing in of new Lyndhurst Police Chief Patrick Rhode. The audience was in apparent agreement with Wards comments on how well the city is run, as after a question-and-answer session following his address, a resident stood up and thanked Ward for the good job he has done since becoming mayor in December 2015. The mans comment was met with hearty applause from those in attendance. One complaint Ward said he has heard is about the amount of taxes residents pay. It is a very true statement, Ward said of those taxes. What many dont understand, however, is how those property tax dollars are distributed. The bulk of our property tax dollars go to our local schools and to the county. And the City of Lyndhurst receives only 12 cents for every dollar we pay. Mayor Patrick Ward administered the ceremonial oath of office to new Lyndhurst Police Chief Patrick Rhode on Monday. Rhode, 42, who grew up in South Euclid, takes over from former chief Rick Porrello, who retired. (Jeff Piorkowski, special to cleveland.com) Ward said that 12 cents from every dollar will pay for the entirety of the upcoming fire station expansion and renovation project which, to the penny, will cost the city $4,413,976.29. That figure was cemented Monday when City Council passed a resolution that allowed for the hiring of a construction manager at-risk. The managers job is to ensure that the project comes in at the guaranteed amount. It is a project, Ward said, that has been considered for 25 years, but kept being put on the back burner as other projects -- such as building the community center -- came along and took precedence. Active planning for the project -- which will include adding to the existing structure a second floor with firefighter living quarters and offices, an extra bay and more -- began five years ago under former mayor Joseph Cicero. Ive long said it is my administrations and your councils mission to give you $1.25 of value for every one of those 12 cents we receive, and we will continue to do so," Ward said. Ward, first elected to a council seat in 1989, spoke during his 28-minute speech about the professionalism of the citys directors and of the council members volunteer participation in such activities as the citys Home Days, Dads Club and involvements that directly benefit us all. Over the past 30 years of service to Lyndhurst, Ward said: Ive seen it all in the workings of our city firsthand. Ive seen the political, salacious, the agreeable and the pretentious in my 30-plus years. I think right now, at this moment, our organization is at its best. Its at its most responsive, and there is much more to come. After his address, Ward answered questions from the audience. In one of those questions, a man asked about the citys plans to control the deer population. Ward and other city officials received protests and criticism in 2016 when the city implemented a trap-and-bolt method of deer culling, in which deer were trapped in a cage and a bolt was put through their skulls. The method was continued in 2018, but not during the recent winter. Ward said, at the time, that he also had received many thanks for the program from residents tired of deer roaming their property. It is a large and growing problem, Ward said of the deer population. The mayor said that during the next deer season, Lyndhurst will be employing sharpshooters. Since 2008, theres been allowed hunting at Mayfield Country Club (off Sheridan Road), that is, with permission of the club and a permit from the city, and the Acacia Reservation Metropark also does wildlife management on its property three times a year. So, we do recognize the problem," he said. Ward said the city has a state permit to conduct the culling in the months of November through March. He said he believes the goal will be to reduce the deer population in Lyndhurst to seven per square mile, which would mean 30 for the entire city. Citing the number of deer now in Lyndhurst, Ward admitted, Thats (30) unobtainable. Another resident asked about the progress of the Progressive Quality Care nursing facility being built on Rae Road. Ward said the project was initially supposed to be completed in June, but that it has been delayed by about four months. Read more news from the Sun Messenger here. NORTH ROYALTON, Ohio -- The city will borrow $2.9 million for an energy conservation project that will include replacing every traffic light and streetlight in town and upgrading municipal buildings and properties. Energy savings realized through the project will be used to repay the debt over 15 years. After 20 years, the citys energy savings are projected to reach more than $260,000 annually, creating a total cash flow of more than $1.5 million. On April 16, City Council approved borrowing the money. Council next must pass an agreement with a contractor to perform the work. Tom Jordan, North Royaltons director of community development, said at least two dozen Cuyahoga County municipalities and school districts have concluded or are starting energy conservation projects, as provided for under Ohio House Bill 420. According to Leopardo Cos. Inc. -- a Chicago construction firm that has estimated costs and savings for the North Royalton energy conservation project -- HB 420 guarantees energy savings for governmental entities undergoing such projects. The project cost is also guaranteed, which means no change orders. Jordan said energy savings are monitored annually. If the city sees less energy savings than projected by the contractor, the contractor must pay the difference. Savings stats Under Leopardos initial estimates -- which may change -- the energy conservation project would cost the city $2.7 million. The contractor would install energy-efficient LED lighting in North Royaltons animal-control, parks-maintenance and cemetery-maintenance buildings, City Hall, two fire stations, a park next to Fire Station 1, police station and service center. The contractor would also replace all streetlights and traffic lights in North Royalton and replace roofing on the cemetery- and parks-maintenance buildings and the service center. Jordan said Leopardo also called for new, energy-efficient heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems in some city buildings. During the first year of the project, while upgrades are ongoing, the city would save $119,197 in energy costs stemming from utilities, traffic signal maintenance and repair, telephone and information technology service, and building operations. After all upgrades are installed, annual energy savings would jump to $238,395. The city would use the total savings over two years -- $357,592 -- to make its first debt payment of $234,785. The annual debt payment would remain the same for 15 years, but the citys total annual energy savings would grow by $1,000 or so each year. Cash flow from the annual energy savings would increase more dramatically, according to Leopardo projections. Read more news from the Sun Star Courier here. INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- Warrant arrest, Interstate 21: Police stopped a pedestrian at 5:43 p.m. April 12 who matched the description of a man with an active warrant out of the Parma Police Department. The man was positively identified, taken into custody and turned over to Parma police. Warrant arrest, Rockside Road: A driver was pulled over at 12:46 a.m. April 13 for improper display of license plates. Officers found that the man had a suspended license and a warrant out of the Northfield Police Department. He was arrested and turned over to Northfield police. Theft, Kingscote Park: A resident called police at 5:46 p.m. April 9 to report that his $20,000 Rolex Submariner watch had been stolen sometime after March 1. There were no suspects at the time of the report. Found property, Brecksville Road: A Subway restaurant manager turned in a credit card to police at 9:30 a.m. April 4 after the card was found inside the store. The manager said that no one had come to claim the card in the past 24 hours. The card was taken to a Huntington Bank branch, where it was destroyed after the owner was contacted, per bank policy. If you would like to discuss the police blotter, please visit our crime and courts comments page. Read more news from the Parma Sun Post here. PARMA HEIGHTS, Ohio -- After nearly two years of fundraising and planning, the Valley Forge High School History Club is set to unveil its Vietnam Veterans Memorial at a special dedication ceremony at 6:30 p.m. Friday (May 10) in front of the Independence Boulevard school. Social studies teacher Amy Byrne said the memorial began as a class project with her honors U.S. history students. We always try to teach a little bit about our own community and our own school when studying the Vietnam War, so its a little bit more relevant for the kids, said Byrne, who is also the History Club adviser. We talk about the 15 alumni from Valley Forge that were killed during Vietnam. Thats a significantly high number and very disproportionate compared to other, wealthier communities. While the classroom assignment asks students to come up with a way to memorialize the fallen soldiers, Byrne said a class two years ago wanted to see their schoolwork become a reality with a dedicated memorial. After raising roughly $11,000 through donations, candy sales and fundraising events, the History Clubs efforts are about to come to fruition, with the dedication ceremony expected to bring together community leaders and families of the fallen for a special evening. Almost every one of the people whose names are on the memorial have some family coming, Byrne said. Most of them are siblings. We also have one Gold Star mother, who is 98 years old, attending. We have active duty military that are going to be there that night to provide pins to Vietnam War veterans. Also, the Valley Forge High School band and choir will be performing, along with a bagpiper. Speaking at the ceremony will be Steele Nowlin, a 1967 Valley Forge High School graduate and former principal (1999 to 2007), who knew many of the people whose names are listed on the memorial. We always had a remembrance hall with a plaque of the fallen, Nowlin said. As principal, I would often find myself reading the names of my classmates, wondering what their lives could have been. I was grieving and missing them, though I wasnt close to any of them, not as friends. We were just kids together at Valley Forge, and that is still a bond. Valley Forge was and is a family, and we all miss our lost brothers. Byrne said the new memorial, located by the flagpole, will serve as a reminder for future students. "This project taught me the importance of remembering, because sometimes thats the only thing you can do, said junior History Club member Adriana Contiu. It made me realize that the Vietnam War still has an impact on people today -- not just for those who lived it, but for our generation, as well. Byrne added that its also a message for Vietnam War veterans. Its really important for the living Vietnam veterans to know that history hasnt been forgotten, Byrne said. As part of the project, students learned about all of the negativity veterans experienced when they came home. Another large part of the project is to make sure they know this current generation really does appreciate their service and wants to thank them for their service. Nowlin agreed. While remembering and honoring our fallen, I see this memorial as way this generation helps to make up for the disrespect shown to our returning Vietnam veterans. Part of the program explicitly honors those in attendance that served in Vietnam. And its for all of these reasons that Im honored and humbled to be asked to be part of the program. Also appearing at the ceremony will be Parma Heights Mayor Michael P. Byrne, who is not related to the Valley Forge High School teacher. Ill be speaking about the impact these men, who gave their lives for their country, had on the community, Mayor Byrne said. Read more news from the Parma Sun Post here. STOW, Ohio -- A Stow police officer and a driver who struck his cruiser were hospitalized Monday night after a crash on Ohio 8 northbound in Stow. Sgt. Theodore Bell was in the left lane with his cruiser lights activated around 10:15 p.m. Monday while he assisted an overnight construction crew on Ohio 8 near Steels Corners Road, Stow police Capt. Bryan Snavely said in a news release. Stephen E. Eibel, 57, of Massillon drove his 2016 Ford Fusion into Bells cruiser, according to State Highway Patrol Lt. Antonio Matos. Paramedics brought Bell and Eibel to Cleveland Clinic Akron General for treatment. State Highway Patrol troopers are investigating the crash. This is the 25th crash for which Stow police have responded in the citys section of a six-mile construction zone on Ohio 8, Snavely said. The three-year, $58-million pavement reconstruction project began in March with repaving of the median section of Ohio 8 from Graham Road, in Cuyahoga Falls and Stow, to Ohio 303 in Hudson. We would like to remind everyone that drivers are required by law to slow down and move over for stopped emergency vehicles with flashing lights, Snavely said, adding that drivers should slow down, remove distractions and pay attention to the road. To comment on this story, visit Tuesdays crime and courts comment section. Want more Akron news? Sign up for cleveland.coms Rubber City Daily, an email newsletter delivered at 5:30 a.m. Monday through Friday. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, announced the birth of their first child, a boy. Reportedly, the infant will be a dual citizen of the United States, birthplace of his mother. Unofficially, American baby King for Life, Donald Trump, also has dual citizenship, with the U.S.A. and the U.S.P. Union of Soviet Putinpublics. King Donald recently announced he had spoken to his authoritarian father figure, Prince of Darkness Vladimir Putin about the Mueller Report. Trump, who initiated the call, said he and Putin talked about the Russian Hoax only briefly, and being the great visionary that he is, he could see Putin smiling over the phone like Sarah Palin could see Russia from her Wassilla, Alaska window. (Putin) sort of smiled when he said something to the effect that it started up as a mountain and ended up as a mouse. But he knew that because he knew that there was no collusion. Pretty much thats what it was," Trump told reporters from the Oval Office. What Putin really knows is that Trump is his pet mouse. And what Mueller knows and anyone who read his report, or excerpts of it, knows, is that the Russians made extensive attempts to meddle in the 2016 election and interact with the Trump campaign. [T]he investigation established that the Russian government perceived it would benefit from a Trump presidency and worked to secure that outcome, and that the campaign expected it would benefit electorally from information stolen and released through Russian efforts, reads the Mueller Report. The Mueller Report was able to uncover numerous meetings between Trump campaign officials and Russians. What it couldnt uncover, is a formal agreement between the two to conspire together on Trumps election effort, which would have been needed to meet the legal threshold for indictment. But Mueller did bring numerous indictments against Russians for election hacking. Nearly 400 DOJ prosecutors say Trump could have been indicted on obstruction charges. While Mueller couldnt prove conspiracy, close to 400 former Department of Justice prosecutors agreed with his assessment Trump could not be exonerated of obstruction. The Republican and Democrat group of prosecutors signed a letter arguing Trump would have been indicted on multiple counts of obstruction had he not been protected by the office of the presidency, based on their reading of the Mueller Report. "Each of us believes that the conduct of President Trump described in Special Counsel Robert Muellers report would, in the case of any other person not covered by the Office of Legal Counsel policy against indicting a sitting President, result in multiple felony charges for obstruction of justice. The Mueller report describes several acts that satisfy all of the elements for an obstruction charge: conduct that obstructed or attempted to obstruct the truth-finding process, as to which the evidence of corrupt intent and connection to pending proceedings is overwhelming." Among those signing the letter was Donald Ayer, Deputy Attorney General during the Reagan and George H.W. Bush administrations. Current Attorney General William Barr succeeded Ayer in one of his positions. Trump said that in his hour and half conversation with Putin he didnt discuss Russian meddling in the 2016 election and attempted meddling in the 2020 election. Trump said he could see Putin smiling over the phone. Could he also see Putin sitting in front of a hacked computer screen showing Trump as the declared winner of the 2020 election over a yet to be named Democrat? At the same time Trump continues to call the Mueller investigation a Witch Hunt into the Russian Hoax he now wants Mueller blocked from testifying before Congressional oversight committees. If Trump was totally cleared, as he claims, why is he afraid of Mueller testifying? Constitutional lawyer Laurence Tribe tweeted about the travesty of Trump talking about the Mueller Report with Russian meddler Putin. " Can you believe the world isnt screaming about the fact that Trump talked to Putin about Mueller but refused to talk to Mueller about Putin? Which country is 45 loyal to? What oath did 45 take?" The world might not be screaming, but Michael Cohens likely screaming over Trump not sitting in the jail cell he entered yesterday for up to three years. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Relaxer, a prog-rock band from Akron, will travel over 6,000 miles away on its next tour in support of Boris, a Japanese underground metal band. The two bands -- along with Japanese rock band Crypt City and Ohio musician Lisa Bella Donna -- will tour Japan from May 26 to May 30. The tour is sponsored by Akrons Earthquaker Devices effects pedal company. (Earthquaker Devices is owned by Relaxer guitarist Jamie Stillman.) Relaxer is currently at work on a split record with Boris, which they will release soon. In the past, Relaxer released the album Unreal/Cities in 2016, and its debut LP Lasers in 2014. Relaxer also put out a split record with Cloud Nothings in 2013. The upcoming Earthquaker Devices Tour will bring the four bands to Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka, Hiroshima and Fukuoka. You can find more information about the bands trip at its Facebook page. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Hollywood actor Dax Shepard is the latest podcaster to bring their show to Cleveland. Armchair Expert, hosted by Shepard and Monica Padman, will take the stage at Playhouse Squares KeyBank State Theatre on Sunday, June 23. Tickets for the 7:30 p.m. show, ranging from $45-$99, go on sale this Friday, May 10 online at playhousesquare.org or by phone at (216) 241-6000. I love talking to people, Shepard said in a release describing the show. I am endlessly fascinated by the messiness of being human, and I find people who are vulnerable and honest about their struggles and shortcomings to be incredibly sexy. As in each episode, Shepard and Padman will interview a special guest during the live show, though the identity of that guest is not yet known. Shepards wife, The Good Place star Kristen Bell has appeared frequently on the podcast. Shepard, perhaps best known for his TV roles in Punkd, Parenthood and Bless This Mess, launched Armchair Expert early last year. The show was the most popular new podcast on iTunes in 2018. Cleveland has become a frequent stop for podcast road shows of late, having hosted The Last Podcast on the Left and And Thats Why We Drink already this year. CLEVELAND, Ohio One of raps big stars has weighed in on the highly publicized beef between Machine Gun Kelly and Eminem that took place last year. Per platinum-selling rapper Young Thug, MGK murdered Eminem in that battle. Now, before you go thinking something tragic has happened to Eminem, Young Thug is speaking in rap terms. By saying MGK murdered Eminem, Young Thug is suggesting the formers diss record Rap Devil was an effective takedown of Marshall Mathers. Its worth pointing out that Young Thug made these comments while standing behind MGK at a party the Cleveland rapper was apparently DJing at. So, theres that. Libya: Sarraj forces' jet downed, media Pilot, 'Portuguese' national, allegedly captured alive (ANSAmed) - CAIRO, MAY 7 - A jet of the forces defending Tripoli has been downed in the area of Hira by General Khalifa Haftar's forces, Al-Marsad reported on Tuesday. The pilot has allegedly been captured alive and is ''Portuguese'', according to the report. Haftar's air forces carried out ''raids against positions and gathering places of militias at the border of the city of Tripoli'', according to the Facebook page ''War information division'' of the Libyan national army of which Haftar is general commander. The raids, alongside ''infantry operations'' were ''precise'' and ''inflicted great losses: destruction of several vehicles and deposits belonging to such groups'', according to the text, referring to the forces of the government of Premier Fayez al-Sarraj. The post warned ''citizens living in these areas not to get close to the positions, deposits of munitions and armored vehicles of the enemy''.(ANSAmed). The front-page story, Redrawn congressional maps could shift power, in The Plain Dealer on May 5 reminded me that we should all be afraid. I fear that our right to a fair vote, for all elected things in our great country, has been and is being stolen from us. Manipulating electoral boundaries; misleading us; changing voting locations; and not protecting the voting process come to mind. Each and every official should take action to insure that our votes are secure; particularly, that nothing can affect our votes in any way -- nothing added, changed, prevented or removed. Clearly, we need more than just a digital or ballot-only voting system. Even using both together results in the problem of deciding which is correct if they dont agree. Media, worthy of our respect, should objectively track, tabulate, and report on officials actions. We the people must judge our elected officials, above all else, by what they accomplish in protecting our rights. Only accomplishments count -- not meetings, plans, promises, speeches, or other bunk. No accomplishments in protecting our vote, or, if in doubt? Throw them out. Each of us deserves the benefits of this great country only if we demand the rights and fulfill the responsibilities of it. Gerald A. Dissauer, Novelty BERLIN TOWNSHIP, Ohio A 66-year-old Huron man was killed Monday when his car drove off a bridge and landed in a creek, according to the State Highway Patrol. Troopers with the patrols Sandusky post say Gerald Schofield was driving a 2010 Chevrolet HHR east on U.S. 6 at about 10:49 a.m. when he went off the left side of the road and hit a bridge barrier. The car went through the barrier and passed over an occupied boat before landing in Cranberry Creek and submerging, according to troopers. Schofield was pronounced dead at the scene. There were no reports other injuries. The crash remains under investigation. To comment on this story, visit Mondays crime and courts comment section. AKRON, Ohio Three people were wounded while in their vehicles in separate shootings, according to police. At about 10 p.m. Friday, police were called to the 500 block of Grifton Avenue, which is near the Goodyear Heights neighborhood, after shots were fired at two men in a 2019 Volkswagen Jetta. The two victims, both 26 years old, say they were sitting in their vehicle when an unknown male fired several shots at the car. Both were wounded, one shot in the right leg and the other shot in the knee and grazed in the chest, police say. They were taken to Akron City Hospital and their injuries are not life-threatening. No suspect description was given. Around 5 a.m. Monday, a 20-year-old man and a female passenger were in a 2006 Pontiac Vibe near Copley and Diagonal roads when they heard a single shot fired, police say. The driver realized he had been wounded in the arm and drove to Cleveland Clinic Akron General Hospital for treatment. Officers say they found a gunshot in the drivers-side door of the car. The passenger was not injured. Police did not receive descriptions of suspects in either shooting. Anyone with information can call the Akron detectives at 330-375-2490 or 330-375-2TIP, or the Summit County Crimestoppers Inc. at 330-434-COPS. Individuals also can text TIPSCO with tips to 274637 (Crimes). Callers can remain anonymous. To comment on this story, visit Mondays crime and courts comment section. HAINES CITY, Florida A man, driving a riding lawnmower while drunk, getting arrested after crashing into a police car in a parking lot. Of course it involves a Florida man. The latest to add to the growing list of odd exploits in the Sunshine State: Gary Wayne Anderson, 68. According to WFLA Channel 17, a police officer was in a convenience store Saturday evening when he heard a loud noise in the parking lot. He walked outside to find Anderson on a riding lawnmower towing a black trailer with a cooler inside, the Tampa Bay Times reports. He had just crashed into the police cruiser. The crash only caused minor damage to a bumper, but police say Anderson, after initially laughing, became aggressive toward the officer. He was arrested and taken to the police department, where he then claimed he had been poisoned by officers. He was taken to a hospital, where blood tests found his alcohol level at 0.241, nearly three times above the legal limit, and also cocaine in his system, the Times reports. ABC Action News reports Andersons drivers license has been suspended since 1978. He also has two prior DUI convictions. According to the Times, Anderson was being held in the Polk County Jail Monday on charges of DUI and refusing to submit to a DUI test with a suspended license. To comment on this story, visit Mondays crime and courts comment section. ST. LOUIS, Missouri The five-year effort to merge the City of St. Louis with neighboring St. Louis County abruptly collapsed this week in part because proponents failed to win over the African-American community. Thirty five black leaders publicly denounced the proposal just two weeks ago, after learning that the president of the local NAACP was on the payroll of Better Together, the nonprofit that drafted the merger plan. So, late Monday, Better Together officials have acknowledged defeat and withdrawn a related ballot initiative they had envisioned just days earlier taking before Missouri voters in November 2020. I think there was a trust factor that still needs to be overcome, Arindam Kar, who served on the task force that made the merger recommendations, told cleveland.com on Tuesday. Today, as part of Cleveland 2030, A Way Forward, cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer looks at what Better Together did - and did not - do to address the concerns of African Americans about diluting black political influence and subjecting their fate to a statewide vote. Cleveland 2030 is part of Cleveland Connects, a series of civic dialogues sponsored by PNC Bank since 2012. Such a merger would have required amending the Missouri Constitution, and approval would have had to come from a majority of voters in the state rather than just a majority of voters in the City of St. Louis and St. Louis County. If approved, the City of St. Louis and St. Louis County would have been transformed into a Metro St. Louis, forming one of the 10 largest cities in the nation. The other 88 cities, towns and villages within the county would have been converted into municipal districts. While the suburban governments would have remained semi-autonomous, the Metro St. Louis government would have taken over economic development efforts for the entire region and combined 55 police departments into one metro police force. Better Together succeeded in enlisting the support of several high-profile African Americans, who cited the potential economic benefits of a united region and saw a unified police force as possibly being better trained and more racially sensitive. But proponents never convincingly addressed concerns by other African Americans within the City of St. Louis, where the population is 48 percent black, that they would have a significant say in a metro government that would be only 30 percent black. Voters in the newly created Metro St. Louis would have elected a mayor and a 33-member metro council. Each council member would have represented a district of about 39,000 residents, or slightly more people than are in Missouris legislative districts. Merger proponents said they proposed a large council to allow for the region to be divided into districts that reflected the regions demographic diversity and ensured African-American representation. But they never drew proposed districts to show African Americans what the new political landscape might look like. Having 33 metro council members also would have increased the chances of caucuses forming around issues of interest to African Americans, said Marius Johnson-Malone, deputy director of community-based studies for Better Together. The plan also called for the mayor to appoint at least four deputies, who would have overseen specific departments such as community engagement and equity, economic development and innovation, public health and safety and community development and housing. Merger proponents envisioned those deputy positions in Metro St. Louis as affording African Americans another opportunity to participate at the highest levels of the new government. Much of the consternation over dilution of power among African Americans was coming from the City of St. Louis, Johnson-Malone said several weeks ago. Of the 28 aldermen elected from individual wards, 11 are black. So is the board president, who is elected citywide. Eight other administrative officers are elected citywide and six of those are African Americans. But the race of a particular politician wont matter much if adequate resources arent available to run the city, a situation that the City of St. Louis now faces, argued Johnson-Malone. Therefore we need to reconsider how we are structured and how resources are allocated in this region to ensure we can address the problems that we have, he said. That viewpoint, however, did not seem to gain much traction. Two St. Louis aldermen, Brandon Bosley and John Collins-Muhammad, said they wanted to recall St. Louis Mayor L:yda Krewson because she supported the Better Together plan, according to the Post-Dispatch. Bosley and Collins-Muhammad believed the plan would result in a sharp reduction in African-American political influence and representation and thus jeopardize advances made for black residents of St. Louis over the years, the Post-Dispatch reported. The two aldermen also were among the 35 black leaders who denounced the plan two weeks ago. In doing so, they also called for John Gaskin III, head of the local NAACP chapter, to resign after he had endorsed Better Togethers plan without revealing that he had previously been hired by the group, according to the Post-Dispatch. Better Together also failed to overcome objections voiced by African Americans and others in the region giving the final say to statewide voters, a majority of whom are white and know little or nothing about the politics or needs of St. Louis. Lewis Reed, the black president of the City of St. Louis Board of Aldermen, told cleveland.com several weeks ago that his opposition to the merger plan dealt less with the possible loss of African-American influence than on other reasons, including the statewide vote. Even some of the mergers highest profile supporters, including St. Louiss mayor, began seeing that as a concern, according to Post-Dispatch. Still another issue arose just last week, when St. Louis Executive Steve Stenger, who was to become the first mayor of the Metro St. Louis government, pleaded guilty to federal bribery charges and removed himself from the merger campaign. Baptist minister Phillip Duvall, an African-American who has been deeply involved in St. Louis civil rights issues over the years, told cleveland.com in March that he understood the concerns about dilution of African-American political power. But absent a better plan, he said, the merger should go forward because the status quo is unacceptable. The regions legacy of racial polarization should not be an excuse for scuttling a possible solution for making things better. Contacted Tuesday morning, the day after the merger proposal was dropped, Duvall stood by his comments from March and regretted that the potential benefits of a merger outweighed by an unwillingness among blacks and whites to agree on meaningful change. The issues with Stenger, Gaskin and the requirement for a statewide vote became convenient reasons for those against merger to express their disapproval, Duvall said. Were stuck, he said. Were not a progressive city. Kar said it became clear in reaching out to the African-American community that a great deal of distrust existed over political representation in the municipalities and whether promised investment would actually make its way to impoverished communities. Pressure mounted to get on the ballot in November of 2020, he said, and Better Together needed to do more to engage the community and to modify the proposal to gain consensus. Ultimately, Kar believes reason exists to be optimistic that some of the core tenets of the merger proposal police and court reform and more equitable economic development can be achieved because the status quo is unsustainable. But proponents need to do a better selling job. You do always want it to be community-based, he said. Read more from Cleveland 2030, A Way Forward https://www.cleveland.com/news/2019/05/will-st-louis-help-cleveland-see-a-way-forward.html https://www.cleveland.com/news/2019/05/combine-police-departments-to-help-fight-crime-st-louis-merger-advocates-say-cleveland-2030-a-way-forward.html https://expo.cleveland.com/news/g66l-2019/05/2bc54825cf42/cleveland-and-st-louis-two-rust-belt-cities-with-a-lot-in-common-cleveland-2030-a-way-forward.html https://www.cleveland.com/news/2019/05/failed-st-louis-merger-proposal-offers-lessons-to-greater-cleveland-partnership-cleveland-2030-a-way-forward.html https://www.cleveland.com/news/2019/05/what-a-merged-st-louis-would-have-looked-like-and-why-cleveland-2030-a-way-forward.html . CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Credit card fraud was the most common type of identity theft reported to the Federal Trade Commission in the United States for 2018, according to a recent report. Reports of new accounts opened with stolen credit card information went up 24 percent, though reports to do with existing accounts went down 6 percent. In Ohio, 32 percent of identity theft reports had to do with credit card fraud. Read the full report from the FTC here. It seems like everybody knows someone who has gotten an alert that theyve made a purchase when they havent -- or even worse, finds out when thousands of dollars are stolen. At cleveland.com, we want to hear your story. Please fill out our form below and share whether youve had your credit card information stolen, what happened and how you protect yourself now. You can also reach out to reporter Emily Bamforth at ebamforth@cleveland.com. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Lake Erie could break its all-time record high water mark in June, according to the latest U.S. Army Corps of Engineers forecast. The lake is expected to tie its record for average May level, which like the all-time high was set in 1986. The latest daily reading is 574.2 feet over sea level --about 27 inches higher than the May average and 1.5 inches higher than the record May average. Every Great Lake is higher than it was last year, said Keith Kompoltowicz, chief of the Corps watershed and hydrology branch in Detroit. Superior and Ontario could also break records, if lots of rain keeps falling. That means lots of flooding, especially when winds are right. "The last couple weeks weve seen significant amount of rain fall across great lakes, including Lake Erie, Kompoltowicz said. So the latest forecast are much higher than February predictions. What do high lake levels mean? Boaters may think the high water levels are great, since they dont have to worry about hitting rocks in shallow areas or having to deal with marinas being dredged. But there can be problems when docks are too low or breakwalls are hidden under waves. High water causes land to flood or erode from waves. Beaches can disappear under water. What about wind? Wind creates a natural effect called a seiche, a change in water level. The lake level basically tilts, creating a 10-foot difference between Toledo and Buffalo. And when the lake is already high, that may mean ferries to the islands cant run because they cant safely load cars or passengers. Michigan counties on the west coast of Lake Erie are expecting flooding over the next two days because of easterly winds, Kompoltowicz said. What do lake levels depend on? Lake levels generally depend on the amount of precipitation in each watershed, minus the amount of evaporation of water off the lake. Lake Erie levels are also affected by the amount of precipitation in the upper Great Lakes: Superior, Michigan and Huron. This has been a very wet spring," said Scudder Mackey, chief of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Coastal Management office. About 92 percent of the water in Lake Erie comes from the upper lakes, through Lake St. Clair and the Detroit River, into Lake Erie. Lake Erie then flows into the Niagara River, into Lake Ontario. The International Joint Commission can control outflow in the Great Lakes only from Superior and Ontario. But the impact is very small. Theres no magic plug," Mackey said. When will lake levels recede? June is the natural high point, before evaporation starts lowering levels this year. Long-term, lake levels are generally cyclical, Mackey said. Great Lakes had high water in 1973-1974 and in 1997-1998. In 1999, the water level dropped dramatically, about 3 feet. It stayed relatively steady until about 2007, when It gradually began to build. What can property owners do? Many property owners installed sea walls, groins, concrete modules and other kinds of shoreline protection the last time the lake was high, 30-40 years ago, Mackey said. Those projects are coming to the end of their useful life. So while property owners figure out long-term solutions, they can apply with the state for a Temporary Shore Structure permit with an emergency project. The Coastal Resources office can also offer technical assistance. Since last year, the office has received 98 temporary permit applications. Well do what we can to help, Mackey said. Want more Lake Erie news? Follow RocktheLake on Facebook. CLEVELAND, Ohio Few music debates feel more personal than ones centered on Bruce Springsteen. The Boss has a loyal fan base and the kind of discography thats worth examining over and over again. Theres a good chance youve spent time arguing which is better, Born to Run or Darkness on the Edge of Town before someone arrives with a logical case for The Wild, the Innocent & the E Street Shuffle. Our rankings of the 80 Greatest Albums of the 1980s by Rock and Roll Hall of Famers presented another challenge: Figuring out what his best album of the 1980s? Its such an interesting debate because Springsteen released four great, if not masterful, albums during the decade. The River (1980) Springsteen kicked off the 1980s with his most ambitious work. The River is a weighty double album; an undertaking thats both exhausting and rewarding. Based on the amount of material, its no surprise that The River is Springsteens most diverse album, ranging from old-school rock to pop friendly songs to gloomy, yet powerful slow burners like Independence Day and Drive All Night. The emotional highs and lows are riveting. The River lacks the cohesiveness of Darkness on the Edge of Town. But theres something here for every kind of Springsteen fan. Nebraska (1982) Springsteen was no stranger to taking us down the dark road of characters struggling to reach the American dream. But 1982s Nebraska came with a lot of despair, both in terms of subject matter (small town criminals) and sound. The albums material is a set of demos Springsteen initially intended to send to the E Street Band. Yet, he kept the originals intact. The result is a folk album that may be the greatest example of heartland rock music ever released. The songs lure you in unlike anything Springsteen did before (or since). But its not without a sense of hope that rounds out the story of the characters Springsteen presents to us. Nebraska is raw and totally engrossing. Born in the U.S.A. (1984) In many ways, Born in the U.S.A. is the monster album the music industry had been waiting for from Bruce Springsteen. His examination of America and its citizens working towards the American dream remain in-tact. Only theres an upbeat nature to Born in the U.S.A. completely lacking from Nebraska. For some fans, thats a turn off. But the masses couldnt get enough of it. Born in the U.S.A. is Springsteen proving he could make a hit album. Seven songs were released as singles. And while you can roll your eyes at cheesy hooks on Glory Days or Dancing in the Dark, but the material is always inspirational. Tunnel of Love (1987) Tunnel of Love is many fans favorite Springsteen album because its the one that brings us closest to him. We were used to hearing about the struggle of the characters in Springsteen songs. But Tunnel of Love finds Springsteen unleashing his own heartache with songs fueled by his marriage falling apart. Sonically, this is Springsteens most 80s album, embracing synth sounds and drum machines. But Tunnel of Love is more Nebraska than Born in the U.S.A. The songs here focus on loneliness, pain and anguish. Songs like Tougher Than the Rest and All That Heaven Will Allow are devastating in their self reflection. Sure, Tunnel of Love feels like a let down from Born in the U.S.A." But that was the point to some extent. Springsteen creatively went from an album meant to please the masses with his most personal effort to date. See our pick for Springsteens best 1980s album and the rankings of albums from Prince, Madonna, Michael Jackson and more HERE. COLUMBUS, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said Monday that nuclear energy needs to play a role in the states energy policy significant comments given state lawmakers ongoing debate over whether to impose an extra fee on all Ohio electricity customers to financially rescue two financially troubled nuclear plants. Asked on Monday about the proposed clean air bill sponsored by Rep. Jamie Callender and backed by Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder, DeWine made a point to say he wasnt commenting on the specifics of the proposal. The bill would raise $300 million, half of which would subsidize the Davis-Besse nuclear plant, near Toledo, and the Perry nuclear plant, near Cleveland, by tacking a $2.50 fee onto all residential electricity customers in Ohio with higher amounts for businesses to pay for clean energy. The new fees would be offset by eliminating another fee that pays for renewable energy generation. But, speaking with reporters following an event marking Earth Day at the headquarters for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources in Columbus, DeWine said that generally, the states energy policy objectives should be to ensure a reliable electrical grid at a reasonable cost while limiting carbon emissions into the atmosphere. And at least in the immediate future, you cannot dramatically reduce carbon, or keep those numbers down, without using nuclear, DeWine said. The nuclear bailout bill is backed by FirstEnergy Solutions, which owns the two Ohio plants and has spent millions on lobbying state lawmakers to subsidize them. FirstEnergy Solutions former parent company, FirstEnergy, is one of Ohios biggest political donors, and helped Householder get elected recently as speaker by backing his slate of Republican state legislative candidates during the hotly contested May 2018 GOP primary over those favored by a different Republican house speaker candidate, who doesnt support subsidizing the plants. The plants together have around 1,400 full-time employees are financially troubled, particularly since the emergence of natural gas as a cheaper electricity source. FirstEnergy Solutions currently is going through bankruptcy proceedings tied to its separation from FirstEnergy. Public committee hearings on the energy bill, titled House Bill 6, are ongoing, with more scheduled this week in Columbus. Ohios congressional map is so politically gerrymandered that a new map must be put in place before the next congressional election in 2020, three federal judges hearing a lawsuit involving the map ruled unanimously on Friday. Here are some key points about the ruling and the potential fallout: The state must enact a new, and legal, map for Ohios 16 congressional districts by June 14, or face the possibility that the court will do so itself. A new map likely would place in jeopardy the Republicans stronghold on Ohios congressional delegation. The current map approved in 2011 has worked exactly as planned, with the GOP winning the same 12 of Ohios 16 congressional races in each election, despite overall receiving just over half of the votes cast for either Republicans or Democrats. Two of the three federal judges making the ruling were appointed by Democratic presidents - Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. The other judge was appointed by Republican George W. Bush. Ohios Republican Attorney General Dave Yost said he will appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, where decisions are expected soon for gerrymandering cases out of Maryland (brought by Republicans) and North Carolina (brought by Democrats). Read more at this link about the judges ruling, why the map was ruled unconstitutional, and rulings in other states to toss gerrymandered maps. The ill effects of gerrymandering, and the need for change, was the focus of a months-long cleveland.com series - Out of Line: Impact 2017 and Beyond. Reform had support from both Republicans and Democrats. Democrat Marcy Kapturs 9th congressional district stretches from Cleveland to Toledo. The fastest route end-to-end a 116-mile, two-hour drive mostly on the Ohio Turnpike means leaving Kapturs district south of Cleveland and driving through areas represented by Jim Renacci (16th), Bob Gibbs (7th), Jim Jordan (4th) and Bob Latta (5th) before returning to Kapturs district for the final leg of the trip. Democrat Marcia Fudge has won with at least 79 percent of the vote each time since this 11th Congressional District was approved in 2011. By packing so many Democrats into this district, other districts became less Democrat and less competitive for the party. NAPLES - Italy, Spain and Portugal are joining forces in the field of digitalization, in particular in the public administration sector, investing in youths and their creative ideas. This is the project launched in Naples during the symposium of COTEC Italia, the foundation that works to improve Italian technological competitiveness and cooperates with the Spanish Fundacion COTEC and Portugal's Associacao COTEC to represent in the European Union national and Mediterranean interests on actions to support innovation. The symposium has registered the presence of President Sergio Mattarella, King of Spain Felipe VI with father Juan Carlos, the former king, and Portugal's President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and follows events dedicated to technological innovation in Naples with over 200 young international talents who competed in the largest hackathon on public administration. The challenge lasted 48 hours and prizes were worth 37,500 euros. The focus is on the transformation of the public administration that needs to be up to speed with the digital revolution to better meet the needs of citizens and businesses. The theme concerns the use of new digital applications as well as the ''training of personnel with an average age of 52 in Italy'', stressed the Public Administration Minister Giulia Bongiorno, who visited on Monday the Apple Academy in Naples where students from all over Italy receive training on new technologies. The university Federico II of San Giovanni was selected by the European Commission as having one of the best practices for digital investments. As part of the symposium COTEC called ''PA 4.0: Rethinking the Public Administration for a Digital World'', meetings were held on Tuesday with the participation of business and institutional leaders from Italy, Spain and Portugal, COTEC Italia said. The leaders discussed joint actions on innovation policies and specific collaborations. The event was key to relaunch the theme of innovation in the public administration at a time of great industrial and technological changes, organizers said. There is an increasing need to enable citizens to manage relations with the public administration and access public services online, participants said. Italy is at the bottom of a ranking - together with Bulgaria, Greece and Romania - for the overall level of digitalization of the economy and society among European countries, with an index of 44 out of 100, compared to Denmark's 72, which is at the top of the tanking. CLEVELAND, Ohio The former U.S. attorney in Cleveland joined hundreds of former Justice Department employees who signed a letter declaring that President Donald Trump would face criminal charges based on Special Counsel Robert Muellers report if he wasnt in office. Steve Dettelbach is one of several people with Ohio ties to sign the letter published Monday on Medium. Also among those who signed on is Ann Rowland, a former federal prosecutor who worked on a corruption probe into Cuyahoga County government that lasted years. The pair joined more than 730 former Justice Department employees who had signed the letter as of Wednesday evening. It reads as a rebuttal to statements made by Attorney General William Barr, who said there was not sufficient evidence to establish that Trump committed a crime. Each of us believes that the conduct of President Trump described in Special Counsel Robert Muellers report would, in the case of any other person not covered by the Office of Legal Counsel policy against indicting a sitting President, result in multiple felony charges for obstruction of justice, the letter says. Of the Ohio attorneys who signed on, Dettelbach is perhaps the most high profile. He served as U.S. attorney between 2009 and 2016 and was appointed by Barack Obama. Prior to his appointment, he worked as a prosecutor on white-collar and corruption cases, most notably securing convictions against former Cleveland mayoral confidant Nate Gray and East Cleveland Mayor Emmanuel Onunwor. The former U.S. attorney, a Democrat, ran for Ohio attorney general in 2018 and lost to Republican Dave Yost. Dettelbach is now a partner at the BakerHostetler law firm. Rowland was an assistant U.S. attorney in Cleveland for 37 years. She worked on corruption cases for decades and was a lead prosecutor in the county corruption probe that led to convictions against former Commissioner Jimmy Dimora, Auditor Frank Russo and dozens of other government employees and contractors. Other former federal prosecutors with Ohio ties who signed the letter include: - Nathaniel Jones, who was an assistant U.S. attorney in Cleveland under Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson. He later worked as general counsel for the NAACP and served as a judge on the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for more than two decades. He is now of counsel at the Blank Rome law firm in Cincinnati. - James Moroney, who was in U.S. Attorneys Office in Cleveland for 30 years. During his time in the office, he did a stint as section chief of the national security unit. He now does some defense work. - Subodh Chandra, who worked as a federal prosecutor from 1999 to 2002. He now runs The Chandra Law Firm in Cleveland, which has taken on several high-profile civil rights and criminal matters in recent years. - Linda Barr, a federal prosecutor in Northeast Ohio who retired last year. - Ann Marie Tracey, who worked as an assistant U.S. attorney in the Southern District of Ohio. She later served as a judge in Hamilton County Common Pleas Court and was on Xavier Universitys faculty. - Kathleen Brinkman, who worked as a federal prosecutor in the Southern District of Ohio for 24 years. She is now of counsel at the Porter Wright Morris & Arthur law firm in Cincinnati. COLUMBUS, Ohio - It wont exactly be a Hollywood script, but expect lots of action scenes in the coming weeks as lawmakers fight over whether to cut Ohios $40 million yearly film tax credit from the state budget. The 10-year-old tax credit has big fans in Northeast Ohio which has aggressively pursued productions of movies, films, television shows and commercials including among many of the areas lawmakers. But Republican leadership in the Ohio House last week axed the incentive in its budget proposal, freeing up cash to help pay for a proposal to cut income taxes. Lawmakers who support the credit plan to fight for it. Were not doing this so we can see Kevin Costner or Madonna -- although its nice and a lot of people like to go to the sets and watch how a movie is made but its all about jobs," said Rep. Tom Patton, a Strongsville Republican, who was involved in the tax credits creation in 2009. "Its all about our future. This is workforce development right here. A 2015 Cleveland State University study found that for every dollar Ohio spends on the credit, filmmakers and others involved in productions spent $2.01 in Ohio. That money is spent at bars and restaurants, on rental cars, hotel rooms, set construction materials, office supplies, clothing, props and other expenses, said Ivan Schwartz, president and CEO of the Greater Cleveland Film Commission. Over 5,000 full-time jobs have been created, thanks to the credit, Schwartz said. Positions range from people working in hair and makeup, as production assistants and in a movies art department to workers providing transportation, medical services on set and set construction -- including many union jobs. Without that mechanism, nothing would come and film here," Schwartz said. Usually they choose the states with the best incentive and best workforce. Our incentive may not be the highest, but it is structured in a way that is pleasing to the industry. Because of that, weve been able to create a workforce that is desirable to the industry. This incentive creates shovel-ready productions. A movie comes and theyre ready to go. Theyre ready to spend their money. The Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit offers a 30 percent refund on production cast and crew wages, plus other eligible in-state spending. Not everyone thinks it is worth preserving -- especially when the state faces so many other needs, from better educating students to cleaning up Lake Erie. The premise is if you put a tax credit for the movies in place, it will attract and build a motion film picture industry," said Wendy Patton, a senior project director at left-leaning Policy Matters Ohio. "There are a few states that dominate the motion picture industry. And then theres all the other states. The investment youd have to do to move the needle is astronomical. Patton, who is not related to Rep. Tom Patton, points out that in that same 2015 Cleveland State University study, out of $22.1 million in tax revenue generated from filming in Ohio, most of it went to the federal government. Just $6.7 million was state and local revenue. The return on state taxpayer money is extremely low, she said. The operating budget bill has many steps before it lands on Gov. Mike DeWines desk -- which will likely be toward the end of June. On Wednesday, the bill could get amended again. Patton, the lawmaker, would like the tax credit restored and increased to $100 million a year. If he cant make that happen in the House, there is always a chance to revive it in the Senate, where the bill will go after the House passes it. In the Senate, the bill will first be vetted by the Finance Committee, chaired by Sen. Matt Dolan, a Chagrin Falls Republican. Dolan said he was disappointed when the credit was removed in the House, but that theres a lot of support for it among Senate Republicans. He noted that Cleveland State University created a school of film, television and interactive media two years ago to help students obtain jobs in the industry. When you create unpredictability and instability by removing something thats working, thats a wet blanket over economic growth and investment," he said. COLUMBUS, Ohio--State rules to prevent significantly excessive profits by FirstEnergy and other Ohio utilities would be loosened by language slipped into Ohios massive two-year budget bill. If passed, the Akron-based utility would stand to make more money from ratepayers, rather than having to issue refunds to more than a million customers in northeast and north-central Ohio. The amendment, one of dozens added by lawmakers last week, would change the states calculation of what constitutes significantly excessive profits in a way that allows the utilitys subsidiaries -- Ohio Edison, Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company and Toledo Edison -- to artificially dilute the profits they report, said Jeff Jacobson of the Ohio Consumers Counsel, during legislative testimony Tuesday. Currently, the three subsidiaries are each restricted from making significantly excessive profits (a term that isnt specifically defined in Ohio law, though two recent Public Utilities Commission of Ohio rulings indicate the profit limit is about 17 percent per year). Under the amendment, the PUCO would consider the profits made by all three subsidiaries averaged together. This would allow Ohio Edison to make a windfall, Jacobson said, as its higher profits would be grouped with the lower profit margins of Toledo Edison and Cleveland Electric Illuminating companies. FirstEnergy reported an overall profit of $981 million in 2018. Mark Durbin, external communications manager for FirstEnergy, noted in a statement that Ohio Edison, Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company and Toledo Edison have all consistently passed the states Significantly Excessive Earnings Test, or SEET. Because our three utilities operate under a single PUCO-approved rate plan, we believe it is appropriate to apply a single SEET to our three Ohio utility companies, Durbin stated. This change to a single, or aggregate SEET would provide FirstEnergys Ohio utilities more flexibility to allocate investments across their entire footprint, which benefits our customers. Durbin didnt immediately reply to an email Tuesday afternoon asking whether FirstEnergy had a role in crafting the amendment, as well as how much the company stood to make if the measure becomes law. On Tuesday, Jacobson (a Republican former state lawmaker) and the Ohio Manufacturers Association urged state lawmakers to remove the budget item, saying it would allow price-gouging. Jacobson said the current profit regulations, passed in 2008, are already woefully inadequate. Under the budget bill, Ohio Edison customers would have the unfortunate distinction of losing even that minimal protection, Jacobson said. It wasnt immediately clear which lawmaker offered the amendment to the states multi-billion-dollar budget plan. CLEVELAND, Ohio - By Pennsylvania standards, Ohio lawmakers have plenty of time to draw a new congressional district map and get it back to federal court to approval. The three-judge federal panel that ruled Ohios map unconstitutional on Friday gave the state until June 14 to enact a legal map - 43 days - and another week to get the map to the court with details. When the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that states congressional map illegal on Jan. 22, 2018, it gave Pennsylvania lawmakers only until Feb. 15 - just 24 days. The Republican-led Pennsylvania legislature did come up with some alternatives in that timeframe, but failed to reach agreement with the Democratic governor; so the court imposed a new map on Feb. 19, less than a month after the courts ruling and less than three months before the 2018 primaries. The problem wasnt the timing; it was the lack of an agreement - an issue that could be streamlined if there is a will in Ohio, where both the legislature and the governors office are controlled by the Republican Party. I do believe the three weeks were adequate to get something together," Jill Greene, executive director of the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania, told cleveland.com in a telephone interview Monday. We have high school kids using the draw-your-lines software, and they can do maps quickly." Ohio Republican leaders have a decision to make while awaiting a ruling on an appeal made by the state attorney general: get to work soon on a new map or wait and see if the appeal is successful. Banking on an appeal, without working on a new map at the same time, increases the chances of the court, and not elected officials, deciding on the new map Under the old map, Republicans dominated the Pennsylvania congressional delegation, 13-5 - despite that fact that the state usually leans Democratic and went just narrowly (48.2% to 47.5%) for Donald Trump in 2016. Under the new map last year, party control was split - with nine wins for Republicans and nine wins for Democrats. Districts were so much more competitive than they had been, Greene said. And the results, she added, were much more representative of the votes that were cast. In Ohio, there has been little or no competition under the current map now ruled unconstitutional - with Republicans winning the same 12 seats out of 16 in each of four elections despite getting a little more than half of the votes overall. The ruling in Pennsylvanias state court was appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, which refused to overrule the state court. The Ohio case is different in that the ruling came from a lawsuit filed in federal court - not state court - by the Ohio League of Women Voters and others. Ohios Republican Attorney General Dave Yost filed notice of an appeal Monday to the U.S. Supreme Court. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has yet to rule on two gerrymandering cases - one out of Maryland brought by Republicans and one of of North Carolina brought by Democrats. Oral arguments were heard in March. A ruling, which could potentially affect Ohios case, is expected by the end of June. Rich Exner, data analysis editor for cleveland.com, writes about numbers on a variety of topics. Follow on Twitter @RichExner. Find gerrymandering-related stories at this link at on cleveland.com. ROME - Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte on Tuesday stressed ''the strong engagement of the Italian government to revitalize an effective and sustainable political process'' during a meeting with the head of the UN-backed Libyan government Fayez al-Serraj, according to a statement released by Conte's office after the talks. The Italian premier ''confirmed the need to avoid a further spiral of violence in order to start dialogue between the sides under the UN's sponsorship and with the joint support of the international community to benefit the Libyan people, the country's stability and the entire region''. Sarraj called on Conte to use Italy's clout to build international pressure for a ceasefire, his press office said on Facebook. The Libyan premier ''appealed to our Italian friends to make a bigger effort, given Italy's international weight and position, to produce a positive change in the hesitant positions of some European States and States in the region in order to stop this attack immediately'', the statement said. Italian efforts on countries with ''hesitant'' positions, the statement added, should also contribute to ''make forces return to the bases from which they left to avoid further bloodshed in Libya''. ''At the start of talks'', al-Sarraj ''welcomed Italy's position that has been clear in condemning the aggression against Tripoli'' by the forces of General Khalifa Haftar, according to the Facebook statement. The Libyan premier, his press office added, ''has highlighted the special and privileged relations between Libya and Italy that have materialized on different occasions''. The premier ''welcomed Italy's humanitarian contribution during the war carried out by the (national) unity government against terrorism in Sirte and in different other cities''. PRATICA DI MARE - Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte on Tuesday said he met with ''President Al Sarraj today. There are no great movements on the ground''. Conte said that Italy has rejected the military option ''since the start''. ''There is a situation of stalemate but the scenario is critical and can evolve in an even more critical way in a moment'', he added, at the end of a drill in Pratica di Mare, on the ''Double systemic use: innovative deployment of the armed forces at the country's service''. ''I trust that I will soon meet General Haftar. I am continuing to insist that the military option does not bring any stable solution in all my talks'', added Conte. Anadarko Petroleum's board of directors said on Monday that Occidental Petroleum's buyout offer is superior to its agreement to sell its business to Chevron, putting the deal with the oil giant in jeopardy. The reversal marks the latest twist in a rare bidding war in the oil and gas sector. Chevron now has four days to counter Occidental's latest bid for Anadarko, an oil and gas driller with prized assets in the U.S. Permian Basin, the Gulf of Mexico and Africa. Shares of Occidental Petroleum were down slightly in after hours trading, while Chevron's stock price ticked higher. Anadarko's shares were roughly flat after jumping 3.8% on Monday. Chevron reached an agreement last month to buy Anadarko for $33 billion, or $65 a share. Shortly after, Occidental offered $38 billion, or $76 a share. Occidental on Sunday sweetened its bid by offering to pay mostly cash for Anadarko, after earlier structuring the transaction as a 50-50 cash-and-stock deal. Anadarko's board of directors on Monday unanimously decided that the revised offer is a "Superior Proposal" under the terms of its agreement with Chevron. The board intends to cancel the deal with Chevron and enter into a definitive agreement to sell its business to Occidental. "We have long been convinced that a strategic combination with Anadarko represents a compelling opportunity for the shareholders of both Occidental and Anadarko, and we are pleased that Anadarko's Board has determined that our May 5, 2019 offer is a 'Superior Proposal,'" Occidental said in a statement. According to that agreement, Chevron has the right to put another offer on the table through Friday. Chevron's merger agreement with Anadarko is structured as 75% stock and 25% cash. If Chevron does not make a counter offer, or if its revised proposal is rejected, Anadarko must pay Chevron a $1 billion breakup fee. Many analysts previously said Chevron likely didn't have to match Occidental's higher bid or at least come close because it is the favorite to take over Anadarko. Chevron's global operations better dovetail with Anadarko's portfolio, and with a far larger balance sheet than Occidental boasts, the oil major can more easily digest an acquisition of this size. However, some analysts believe Chevron will now have to match Occidental's bid after the company secured financing for the transaction and removed obstacles to closing the deal. Mideast: 480 mn dollars from Qatar to Palestinians - media To finance education, healthcare in West Bank, Gaza (ANSAmed) - TEL AVIV, MAY 7 - Qatar has announced it has pledged 480 million dollars to Palestinians living in the West Bank and Gaza, Israeli media reported on Tuesday, one day after a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas was announced. The ceasefire is believed to be based, among other things, on Qatar's aid to Gaza. According to local media, 300 million dollars (in part loans) will go to the Palestinian National Authority to fund healthcare and education. An additional 180 million dollars will go for ''emergency humanitarian aid''. Qatar has also pledged to support UN programs for refugees, including boosting electrical energy production. (ANSAmed) WHEN: Interview Aired Today, Monday, May 6, 2019 WHERE: Clips Aired on CNBC's "Squawk Box" Taped at the Berkshire Hathaway annual shareholder conference The following is the unofficial transcript of a CNBC interview with Apple CEO Tim Cook and CNBC's Becky Quick, which aired in part on CNBC's "Squawk Box" (M-F 6AM 9AM) today, Monday, May 6th. The interview took place following the Berkshire Hathaway annual shareholder conference this weekend. The following is a link to video of the full interview on CNBC.com: https://www.cnbc.com/video/2019/05/06/watch-cnbcs-full-interview-with-apple-ceo-tim-cook.html. All references must be sourced to CNBC. BECKY QUICK: Tim, thank you very much for taking the time to sit down with us. TIM COOK: Great to be here. BECKY QUICK: It's great to see you. Let's talk about being here. TIM COOK: Yeah. BECKY QUICK: This is your first time at Berkshire Hathaway. TIM COOK: Very first time. I'm lucky BECKY QUICK: What do you think of the annual meeting so far? TIM COOK: I think it's incredible. I've never been to an internal meeting like this before. You know, I thought ours was lively. But there's 40,000+ people here. And I love the fact that Warren and Charlie take every question. And of course, through all of it, not just the wisdom that they exude, but you can feel the integrity and the humility coming out. And I think it's a great learning experience for me and for everybody in the audience, I'm sure. BECKY QUICK: Yeah, it's definitely unique. Let's talk a little bit about how you first found out that Warren Buffett was investing in your company. TIM COOK: Yeah. BECKY QUICK: What happened? Because I don't know this story. TIM COOK: Well, I found out probably like you did. Which is the 13F gets filed and somebody tells me about it. And I went, 'Wow. This is really cool. Warren Buffett is investing in Apple.' You know, we welcome all shareholders but we run the company for the long-term. And so the fact that we've got the ultimate long-term investor in the stock is incredible, because our interests are aligned. And then but I knew Warren before then, but we had no idea they were looking at the company. They did all of that, obviously, secretly, and have their own method of doing that. And it's been a privilege. And I'm super happy they've been accumulating. BECKY QUICK: What happened when you found out? Was there talk around the office? Were there any high-fives? Or was there a 'Ooh, boy, now what?' TIM COOK: It seemed like it seemed like recognition, in a way. In a -- like an honor and a privilege. And I don't mean that in a light-hearted kind of way. I mean, wow, it's Warren Buffett is investing the company. And yeah and so, it felt great. And I think for the whole company. And because we knew that he didn't he's been very clear he didn't invest in technology companies and companies he didn't understand. He's been totally clear with that. And so he obviously views Apple as a consumer company, and in a different kind of way. I think that's really special. BECKY QUICK: Well, I wanted to talk to you about that, too. And Warren, since he bought the stock and a lot of other people since then have also said the same thing, that it's a consumer company, not a technology company. How do you feel about that? Because I still think of you as a tech company, too. TIM COOK: We're in the tech industry. But we work at that intersection of technology and the liberal arts and the humanities. And so, we make products for people and so the consumer is at the center of what we do. And so I love the fact that he looks at us like that because want consumers to looks at us like that. We think technology should be in the background, not the foreground. And that technology should empower people to do things and help them do things they couldn't do otherwise. And but, if things appear as technology, they're not used very much. You know, they are for other people, not for all of us. And, so, I love the fact that he looks at it like that. BECKY QUICK: How do you think of the company, just in terms of what your mission is, how you kind of go about doing things? We hear from different companies. Amazon is always going on about how it's for the customer. What is your kind of modus operandi? TIM COOK: Our mission is to make the best products in the world in those areas which we choose to participate that enrich people's lives. And so, if we can't make the best product, we don't go in. If we can make a great product but it doesn't help anybody, it doesn't enrich their life, then we're not going to go into that either. And so that's a pretty narrow funnel then because you're working on a few things. And we know in order to do them at the quality level we want to do them, we can only do a few. And you know, we can do more than we used to do because we're a bit larger now. But still, in the scheme of things, relative to the size of Apple, we do very few things. BECKY QUICK: How does that work, just in terms of processing? Are there dozens or even hundreds of projects that are taking place that eventually funnel there way to where you make that decision about which one is going to be the one you jump on? TIM COOK: It's not nearly as formal as that. Apple is, in some ways it's like a big startup, in that it has an informality about it. And the company tends to run itself horizontally. And so we're functionally organized but teams work together on projects. And these teams are empowered to come up with new things. And people are coming up with new things that are not in those teams as well. And so there's-- there's a nice, heavy debate culture in Apple where people, where the best ideas are debated. And then we choose from the best of the best to decide what to spend our time on. BECKY QUICK: I think Apple's probably always had a culture of debate. Is it a culture of nicer debate these days? How TIM COOK: Is it nicer? Oh-- some people think I'm nice, and some people think I'm not. And I don't, you know, I'll let other people conclude that. What I believe in, I think collaboration is very key for us. You can't run a structure where you want all the products in the company to work together well, if the company isn't working together well. You know, or otherwise, that shows up at-- at the-- at the customer. And so, I think collaboration is key, but debate is also key. And to have a healthy tension and debate is fundamental to coming up with great ideas. And so, I suspect if some people were to-- could be invisible and step into some of our meetings, they would think, 'Oh, these folks don't like each other.' But really and truly, people at Apple, it's like a big family in a way. But big families argue and debate things as well, and we do that too. BECKY QUICK: What's a topic of debate at headquarters these days? TIM COOK: There's always a debate on what will happen, what categories we should go in, what categories we should not go in. We debate about features. We debate about trends. We debate about new technologies, because choosing which technology to bet on many years before, that technology-- makes itself to a customer and makes a difference. It's really key, because these things are very long-term investments. We debate about where to put our emphasis in geographies. We debate everything and, but in a good way. Yeah. BECKY QUICK: I won't ask you to tell me about a debate that's taking place specifically right now, because obviously that's proprietary. But tell me about a hotly debated subject that we might already know the answer to. Just give me a story about how something like that works. One that you remember saying, 'Oh, this was a big debate.' TIM COOK: Well, there was a healthy debate about-- going into the-- the watch space. Right. A very healthy debate. And about what it could eventually do for people. And how much emphasis to place on the health and fitness side of that. You know, where to put the the relative balance. You could imagine, there's an incredible set of features in the watch just to do things like curate when you're interrupted, and people are now taking calls on them. And sort of the-- the things that you would think is part and parcel to the iPhone, but in a curated manner. And-- or you could, to put the emphasis on fitness and health, and so forth. And we've elected to do some of this, in a great way. But we put an enormous amount of energy in the health and fitness and and wellness side as well. And-- that was a new area for us, right. And so a healthy debate should have-- happened, and it did. BECKY QUICK: Obviously, you were on the side of really embracing that in the end, because nothing's gonna get made without you signing off on it. Were you always on that side, or did you come around in the debate? TIM COOK: You know, I've always thought that-- if you're gonna enrich somebody's life, one of the most important things, or certainly in the top two or three is their wellbeing. And I think, you know, because of a number of factors in society and so forth, people have sort of outsourced a bit of the way they feel to their doctor. And we've always been about empowering the person and democratizing things. And-- now all of a sudden, you can do an E.C.G. on your wrist. Now all of a sudden, this thing will alert you if it believes you have A-Fib. And it doesn't replace the doctor, obviously. But people don't wake up one day and say, 'Oh, let me get an E.C.G. today,' right? It's, maybe you have one or two or three in a lifetime. And maybe you only have them if you have a really serious thing that's happened a number of times. Now, you can do it anytime. And I'm getting so many notes from people that have found out they do have A-Fib, and they've told me that their doctor has told them that, if they would not have reached out, they would have had a very serious -- very, very serious health issue. And, you know, but, and so, things like this are, these are profound things. The notes I get from people that have lost a ton of weight, because this thing gets you in a mode where you want to close these rings. And it is-- it's sort of-- a true North. BECKY QUICK: In terms of counting how many steps or counting how much activity you've done TIM COOK: Exactly. Exactly. Because we-- we can all kid ourselves. "Oh, I think I've done a lot today." But, you know, this thing tells you the truth. A- and so I-- I just see all of these tentacles for people. I've seen where people-- went off. They didn't have their phone with them. They got into an extraordinary issue. Maybe they had-- like, one guy turned over in a car. He sent me a note saying, "My phone went out the window when the car rolled over. I was on this country road, nobody within a distance. I would have been left for dead, if I wouldn't have been able to contact emergency services." I've had both young people and older people tell me that the fall detection on here has gotten them out of a huge jam because they had a problem and they fell. And not in a way that they could get back up, right? And, so I look at these things, and I see the kind of things we're doing with health records. I see the kind of things we're doing with the V.A. And I just think we're on the cusp of a very long path to helping people. And if you can help people, you can build a big business out of that. BECKY QUICK: Yeah. Let's talk about a debate that you've been front and center on, in the public sphere, and that's privacy. TIM COOK: Yes. BECKY QUICK: You have been very outspoken about this. TIM COOK: Yeah. BECKY QUICK: When did, or did Apple make that decision to say, we are not going to sell our customers' data, we're gonna protect it, we think that's an important one? TIM COOK: It's sort of foundational to the way we think, because-- we work for the consumer. And so we-- if we can convince you to buy an iPhone, we'll make a little bit of money. But we don't want to use you as our product. And we just have a fundamental issue with doing that. And we've always thought that the building of a detailed profile about your life could resort-- could result in tragic things. Whether it's a breach of your own privacy or something where the the data itself could be used in a nefarious way. And so, we've never thought it was right to do it, and we've always thought that you owned it. That it's not-- I don't own your data, you do. And we've sort of-- got ourselves that we feel a level of responsibility, that we know that more about you is on your phone than anywhere else in your life. I mean, your phone knows your thoughts. Your phone knows your friends, your kids, maybe where they are. It knows your financials. It knows your health data. It has all of this information, far beyond anything else in your life. If a burglar broke into a house and went through every drawer in your home, they would know a lot less than if they opened your phone. And so, we think with that comes a great responsibility on us to help you, because everybody can't be a computer scientist and figure out how to do all of these things. BECKY QUICK: Facebook and others have taken a different tack. A different business model. And I think some of what's happened from that may be part of the reason that Washington and other regulators are really looking to crack down on big technology. They've lumped you in with the bunch-- that they'd like to kinda break up potentially. Do you get frustrated by that? TIM COOK: I'm frustrated that tech is painted as monolithic. Tech is not monolithic. That would be like saying, "All restaurants are the same," or "All TV networks are the same." You know, they all have their own personality and characteristics and so forth. And so, if you look at Apple, we are-- we're large, and we're geographically in the same location as a lot of tech companies. And that is about the extent of the commonality. The market cap may be another one perhaps. But put those aside. I don't think anybody would call us a monopoly, or anybody that has-- has a very deep, antitrust kind of-- mindset. Because you look at our share. We have 15% share in the world on smart phones and eight or nine on personal computers, and so on and so forth. And so the share is clearly not a dominant kinda company, our dominant market. That's different depending upon which of these companies you look at, right? The the privacy thing is a huge difference. We don't traffic in your data. We very much are on your side. We also curate our platform. We've always viewed that there-- that there's a web, and we support a free and open web. And we support net neutrality. But we've never viewed that our platform should just be a replication of this. We think it should be-- sort-- unique and curated, and we think our customers want that. That they want the safety, security, and privacy that goes along with that. And so we've always curated. We haven't had-- we don't get wrapped up in a pretzel about saying, "No, that doesn't go on our platform. No, that app doesn't work, and therefore it's not going in the App Store." I know that that has opened us for criticism. But it's a part of being a shop owner or whatever. You know, if you're-- if you own the shop on the corner, you decide what goes in your store. And so I think a lot of these kind of things make sound bites and-- and-- and maybe play in politics with elections and these sorta things. But I don't view them as having deep substance in them, and I believe that they are at the root, as you point out, that tech is being painted with a big roller. And it needs to be painted with a fine-tipped brush. BECKY QUICK: When Steve Jobs was running Apple, and Bill Gates was running Microsoft, they were kind of each other's nemesis. They had a frenemies type of relationship, where they respected each other, but they definitely competed pretty harshly. Who's your nemesis? TIM COOK: I don't view that I have one. I'm sure there's a lot of people who don't like me. But-- and I hope there's a lotta people that do. But, I mean, for us, we compete with a whole bunch of people. It's a fierce market. We compete on the operating system side with with Google and Microsoft. We compete in the hardware space with Samsung and and Huawei and many other prominent Chinese companies, in particular. We compete in the P.C. space with Dell to H.P. to Lenovo. And so each one of these markets we're in has a significant number of competitors. And-- but I don't-- I don't fixate on the personalities or the company. We focus on the customer, and always ask ourselves, "What more can we do for the customer?" You know, and so that's how we look at it. BECKY QUICK: Finally, I just want to ask you about the share buybacks. TIM COOK: Yeah. BECKY QUICK: Another $75 billion that's been authorized for repurchases. TIM COOK: Yeah. BECKY QUICK: Warren Buffett's been talking about that today. He's a huge fan of it. Have you spoken with him at all about that, or? TIM COOK: You know, it's-- this is a funny story a bit, is back in 2012, I had been in the CEO spot maybe a year or so. We had a growing amount of cash. I think we had crossed the $100 billion kinda mark, if my memory is correct. And I was getting lots of input from a lot of different people, as you can guess. And I-- when I don't have experience in something, I always make a list of the people that I think are the smartest people that I can contact to talk to them and get advice. And Warren was on the top of the list, as you can imagine. I'd never met Warren before. And so I get his number. I call out in to Omaha. And I'm thin-- I-- I wasn't sure he'd take the call. You know, I'm just sorta calling outta the blue. He doesn't know me from Adam. And-- but he took the call, and I had a great conversation with him. And that was the first time that I'd met Warren. And he was very clear to me. I still remember it. He said, he goes, 'Let me just cut through it. If you believe your stock is undervalued, you should buy your stock.' And I thought that was just the simplest way of looking at it. So here's what we do, is we first and foremost-- take care of our people, and we take care of the company and the future of the company. And we've been investing a ton in both this country and some others. We're gonna spend $350 billion in the United States in building new sites. And we've just announced a new expansion in Austin and so forth. So all of that is number one, right? And then if we have money leftover, we look to see what else we do. We acquire everything that we need that can fit and has a strategic purpose to it. And so we acquire a company on average, every two to three weeks. BECKY QUICK: Small companies. TIM COOK: They're-- they're small companies. We don't announce them. We are primarily looking for talent and intellectual property. BECKY QUICK: Every two to three weeks, you're buying a company? TIM COOK: Every two to three weeks. We-- BECKY QUICK: I had no idea TIM COOK: --we've bought probably 20 to 25 companies in the last six months or so. And then, we look at, what do we have leftover? And if we've got something leftover, we look at where we can place it. And the top value that we believe we can place it is investing in ourselves and investing in Apple. And so, we do that. We're we're fortunate in that, when we buy our stock, we think that almost 50% of U.S. households own Apple stock, either directly or indirectly through indexes and mutual funds and so forth. And so, it helps everybody. Or helps a large number of people. BECKY QUICK: That's great. Tim, I want to thank you so much for your time. TIM COOK: Yeah, great. BECKY QUICK: I really appreciate. TIM COOK: Really great. Thank you so much for having me on. BECKY QUICK: Thank you. For more information contact: Jennifer Dauble CNBC t: 201.735.4721 m: 201.615.2787 e: jennifer.dauble@nbcuni.com Emma Martin CNBC t: 201.735.4713 m: 551.275.6221 e: emma.martin@nbcuni.com Amazon is finally bringing its cashier-less convenience store to New York. And it will also mark the first time this type of store, called Amazon Go, accepts cash. The e-commerce company announced Tuesday that Amazon Go is opening to the public this week at Brookfield Place in downtown New York, on the second level of the enclosed shopping mall. The roughly 1,300-square-foot store makes this the twelfth Amazon Go location to open in the U.S. It is, however, the first one to make it to New York, with most of the others blanketing the West Coast, including in Seattle and San Francisco. Amazon, having faced backlash from people who say its cashier-free stores are discriminatory toward the unbanked, is also now starting to accept cash in this New York location. While there still won't be cash registers in the store, shoppers will have the option to use paper money or coins by having a store employee come to them with a mobile device to help them check out and pay, the company said. Otherwise, Amazon Go shoppers are able to simply walk in and out of the store's turnstiles, scanning the Amazon app, to purchase items. As catering to those people who don't have credit cards or bank accounts has become a bigger topic for debate, Philadelphia was the first city to ban cashless stores earlier this year. New Jersey then passed a state-wide ban. And similar laws are still being looked at for New York and San Francisco. The new store in New York, like the other Amazon Go locations, will offer grab-and-go food options for meals throughout the day, Amazon said, catering to people in a hurry. It also will sell Amazon's own meal kits. Brookfield Place in New York is notably surrounded by office space, sitting right next to the World Trade Center in Manhattan. It tends to draw in a huge lunch crowd for its high-end food hall that includes a French-inspired grocery store. There's also an Equinox gym, and a slew of online retailers including Untuckit, Rhone and b&ta have opened up stores there. The Saks Fifth Avenue women's shop recently closed at Brookfield Place, to be replaced by a co-working complex. It's been reported that Amazon is considering opening up as many as 3,000 of its cashier-free stores by 2021. Amazon did not comment on when its other locations already open will start accepting cash, if at all. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), one of several Democrats running for the party's nomination in the 2020 presidential race, has outlined details progressive policy ideas on workplace issues including government financial support to working parents to cover child-care costs. Democratic candidates for president may have some common ground with America's largest corporations as they propose some progressive and family-oriented policies on the campaign trail. In the latest CNBC Global CFO Council poll, U.S. CFOs were asked to choose which of a number of progressive policy proposals would have the most positive and most negative impact on their businesses. The poll found the most support for family-friendly policies like increased funding for child care and mandatory paid maternity leave. Medicare for all and universal basic-income proposals were seen as most likely to have a negative impact on the large corporations the CFO council members represent. The CNBC Global CFO Council represents some of the largest public and private companies in the world, collectively managing nearly $5 trillion in market value across a wide variety of sectors. The second-quarter 2019 survey was conducted from April 23-30, 2019, among 45 members of the council. The question about progressive policies was asked only to the 20 U.S.-based CFOs who completed the survey. Among U.S. CFOs, 25% said increased government funding for child care would have the "most positive" impact on their businesses if it became law, while 20% say "mandatory paid maternity leave." On the downside, 40% said "Medicare for all" would have the most negative impact on their businesses, while 25% said universal basic income would. Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg speaks at the DLD conference in Munich on January 20, 2019. Facebook Digital ad revenue just keeps on growing. A new report says internet advertising revenues in the U.S. totaled $107.5 billion for full-year 2018 the first time that figure has topped $100 billion. The report, commissioned by the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) and conducted by PwC, said revenue in 2018 was 21.8% higher than full-year 2017 revenue of $88.3 billion. That double-digit growth in internet advertising comes as TV advertising increased 1.4% and radio grew 1% from 2017 to 2018, according to the report. Meanwhile, newspaper advertising decreased 6.9% and magazine advertising fell 2.1% in 2018 year over year. The momentum in digital comes as advertisers continue to seek the massive audiences and targeting of tech giants like Google and Facebook. But the prospect of regulation may introduce hurdles for that growth. Meanwhile, social media ad growth is slowing, which could be why companies like Facebook are exploring new ways to make money, like shopping ads on Instagram. The IAB report said 75% of internet advertising revenues in Q4 2018 were concentrated with the top 10 ad-selling companies, but the report doesn't break out those companies. As of February, Google was expected to hold 37.2% of net digital ad revenue share in the U.S. and Facebook was expected to hold 22.1% by the end of 2019, according to eMarketer. The organization said in March that Amazon, Facebook and Google are expected to take in nearly 70% of digital spending in the U.S. by 2021. The IAB report said mobile and video are leading digital marketing's growth, with mobile reaching $69.9 billion, up 40% from the previous year. Ad revenue from digital video increased from $11.9 billion in 2017 to $16.3 billion in 2018. Social growth slowdown Social media advertising revenue grew 30.6% in 2018 to $28.9 billion, but the report notes that expansion has been slowing and is "well below" the 46.6% compound annual growth rate of social from 2012 to 2018. PwC U.S. partner David Silverman said social's slowing growth may have to do with the "law of large numbers." "The total number of dollars flowing into social has gotten to be relatively significant at 27% of the overall pie, up from 8% [in 2012]," he said. "A lot of the growth in the industry has been driven by social media." DTC boon The report calls out digital ad revenue stemming from e-commerce and the emergence of the direct-to-consumer economy as a key driver of some recent growth. Companies are using consumer data including purchasing and browsing history to let advertisers reach audiences programmatically "in more effective ways," it said. Elements like shoppable ads or more sophisticated search capabilities in e-commerce platforms "are turning clicks into veritable conversions," it said. "There's growth being driven by the direct-to-consumer market in that the types of companies doing direct-to-consumer lean on the types of advertising available through digital advertising much more heavily than perhaps traditional advertising," Silverman said. He said those companies are looking for return on investment, ability to track their advertising, look at consumer behavior and be able to target certain people where they're making purchase decisions. How regulation will affect growth European stocks closed sharply lower on Tuesday as investors monitored trade developments between the U.S and China. The pan-European STOXX Europe 600 was 1.5% lower at the closing bell, with most sectors and major bourses seeing heavy losses. Europe's banking stocks showed the most substantial slide, dropping 2.6% with Barclays, HSBC and Standard Chartered all down by around 3%. Italy's FinecoBank led the sector's losses, with shares down 7% after lender UniCredit said it may reduce its stake in the online banking unit. On Wall Street, stocks fell on Tuesday after a top U.S. trade official indicated that higher tariffs on Chinese goods are coming later this week. U.S. President Donald Trump has vowed to ramp up tariffs on China, casting doubt on trade talks between the two sides. However, China's Commerce Ministry said early Tuesday that Vice Premier Liu He will still visit the United States on May 9 and May 10. Back in Europe, shares of BMW fell by around 4% after the German carmaker reported a 78% drop in first-quarter profits, hit by legal provisions and expenses. Thomas Cook shares climbed 6% after Lufthansa confirmed it will make a non-binding offer for the British group's Condor, with an option to acquire its remaining airlines. It's been nearly seven months since Hurricane Michael swept through Greg Mims' farm in southwestern Georgia and all but wiped out his cotton harvest. Since then, Mims has had to rebuild the farm irrigation system. He bought new seed to spread across his fields. Eventually, he wants to fix the equipment shelters that were destroyed in the storm, along with his farm shop. But federal aid is stalled in Washington, so progress has been painfully slow. "Agriculture is the only thing that is really going on in our little rural community," Mims said. "It would help tremendously if we could get some type of financial aid." Lawmakers in both parties typically work together to send help quickly following a natural disaster. But this time, aid for farmers like Mims has gotten tangled up inside a massive $17 billion disaster relief bill that has languished for months on Capitol Hill. The House is slated to tackle the legislation again this week, but Republicans and Democrats remained deadlocked over how much aid should go to Puerto Rico. Democrats are seeking more food assistance for the island, full coverage for the cost of services from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and expanded funding for Medicaid for residents. But President Donald Trump has opposed additional money for Puerto Rico, accusing officials there of mismanaging funds. Senate Republicans offered a compromise last week that would provide $600 million in nutrition assistance along with $300 million to Puerto Rico through community development block grants. But Democrats fear that will not be enough to cover the years of rebuilding facing the island. Many foreign companies find it tough to succeed in India. One reason, according to Flipkart co-founder Binny Bansal, is their inability to deal with India's unique environment, as well as the frequent policy changes by the government. Bansal, one of the co-founders of the Indian e-commerce giant, told CNBC that India is "definitely a very different market than Western markets." Speaking to CNBC's Christine Tan at the Credit Suisse Global Supertrends Conference in Singapore in April, he said: "For Flipkart, we had to start our logistics arm on our own, which is something you don't see happening globally. So you have to do things in a different way because of how the market is structured." That ability to learn to "do things on your own" and scale up "becomes an advantage for Indian startups, (which) can compete better," said Bansal. That's not the "strength of a lot of foreign companies," he added. Things take a lot of time and capital to really develop and mature, and if policies keep changing, then every second or third year, it becomes very hard for everyone. Binny Bansal co-founder of Flipkart Flipkart's logistics arm, called eKart, was founded in 2010. Its Western competitor, Amazon, started calling itself a transportation service provider for the first time in 2016. It was only in recent years that Amazon significantly expanded its logistics footprint, leasing dozens of aircraft and thousands of trucks to handle some of its massive shipments. New e-commerce rules Recent developments have made it difficult for foreign companies to compete in Asia's third-largest economy. Last December, the Indian government effectively banned Amazon and Flipkart, which is owned by Walmart, from selling products of companies in which they have an equity stake. The government announced that e-commerce firms could no longer form exclusive selling arrangements with sellers or offer steep discounts to consumers based on those deals. Foreign direct investments would only be allowed into e-commerce companies that provide marketplaces for buyers and sellers, according to the new rules. The new rules took effect in February, and followed complaints from local Indian retailers and traders about anti-competitive practices from the likes of Amazon and Flipkart. That same month, the Indian government again outlined more regulations for the sector, focusing on data measures and improved privacy safeguards. That followed a move by the central bank in 2018 that forced payments providers such as Mastercard and Visa to store Indian users' data locally. Those changes in policies have made the environment even tougher to navigate, said Bansal. "Things take a lot of time and capital to really develop and mature, and if policies keep changing, then every second or third year, it becomes very hard for everyone. For large companies it becomes hard to navigate, for small companies it just becomes hard to start and survive," he said, at the conference. "When we started, there were very few policies. But in 2018, 19, if you want to start an e-commerce company, you have to really go through what can you do, what can you not do," Bansal continued. Uncertainty looms Amazon's Chief Financial Officer Brian Olsavsky said in a call with analysts in January that there is "much uncertainty" regarding the impact of the rule changes on India's e-commerce sector. "Our main issue and our main concern is trying to minimize the impact to our customers and sellers in India," he had said. But one expert told CNBC that some sectors are more vulnerable than others, especially those that are "driven by politics." "Generally, retail is politicized because it has a number of small businesses that can make money only if the pricing remains firm (less competition)," said Nitin Pangarkar, an associate professor at the National University of Singapore Business School. "Retail also employs lots of people. That is why politicians will protect local retailers whose profits (and possibly existence) may be challenged by multinationals," he added. "Many other sectors may not face as much scrutiny or regulation." The increase would be from 10 to 25% for 200 billion of goods imported from China. The meeting of 8 May between delegations is in doubt. In the morning session, the Shanghai stock market fell 5% and the Shenzhen one fell 6.5%. Doubts about how to implement and verify non- transfer of technology. Washington (AsiaNews / Agencies) - US President Donald Trump has announced that by 10 May he will raise taxes on some 200 billion Chinese imports from 10% to 25%. In a tweet released last night, he criticized the fact that the trade negotiations between the two countries are advancing "too slowly". Trump's decision follows what had already been decided during the one-year duty war. This increase - from 10 to 25% - was to be implemented on March 1, but was then delayed after a meeting between Trump and Xi Jinping in Argentina for the G20. The dialogue between the two parties seemed to work. Last week the US delegation called them "productive" and expected a positive conclusion in a meeting this week, on May 8, in Washington. Chinese personalities cited by Bloomberg question the possibility of a meeting this week. Meanwhile, in the morning session, the Shanghai stock market fell by 5% and the Shenzhen one fell by 6.5%. Unconfirmed rumors state that Trump's sudden hardening is due to a step backwards by China on guarantees of non- transfer of technology and verification methods. In fact, US requests focus on a greater opening of the Chinese market to American products, and above all on the end of the forced transfer of technologies, as well as on the defense of intellectual property and the end of state subsidies to state enterprises. ROME - The Mare Jonio ship operated by NGO Mediterranea Saving Human has left the port of Lampedusa for the area in front of Libya despite a warning from the coast guard against ''carrying out rescue operations in a stable and organized way'' because not adequately equipped. ''As of tonight, we will patrol the SAR (search and rescue area) zone 30 miles off Libya's coast north of Zhuara for a sea of rights and not death'', the NGO tweeted. (ANSAmed) Parents in Germany who choose not to vaccinate their children against the measles could face a $2,800 fine. Health Minister Jens Spahn submitted a bill to Chancellor Angela Merkel this week that would require vaccinations in an effort to combat the rising rates of the disease. "In a free country I have to be able to rely on the fact that my counterpart does not endanger me unnecessarily. That, too, is a condition of freedom," Spahn said in an interview with German newspaper Bild am Sonntag. "No child in Germany would have to die from this disease." Parents of eligible school-age children will be fined for not getting their children vaccinated, and unvaccinated children under 6 will not be allowed to participate in preschool programs. Educators and people coming into close contact with children at schools also need to be vaccinated, Spahn said. "We want to protect all children from getting infected with measles," he said. Measles is highly contagious but preventable with the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine. Germany currently has reported some of the highest measles cases in the European Union, with 651 reported incidents from last March to February 2019, according to data from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. There were nearly 12,000 reported cases overall in the EU. Worldwide, rates of the measles are rising. In the first two months of 2019, more than 34,000 people in Europe were infected with measles, according to the World Health Organization. Last year, 72 people across Europe died from measles, according to the WHO. Germany's isn't the first government to use monetary fines as a way to encourage vaccinations. New York Mayor Bill de Blasio announced April 9 that residents of the borough of Brooklyn had 48 hours to get the MMR vaccine or face $1,000 in fines. The city health department said Tuesday it's so far threatened to fine 84 people for failing to comply with the order. A woman gets in a self-driving Chevy Bolt EV car during a media event by Cruise, GMs autonomous car unit, in San Francisco, California, November 28, 2017. General Motors' self-driving car division, Cruise, said Tuesday it received a $1.15 billion investment, raising the unit's value to $19 billion. The money comes from existing investors GM, SoftBank Vision Fund and Honda as well as funds and accounts advised by T. Rowe Price Associates and other institutional investors. GM said the boost brings investments in Cruise over the past year to $7.25 billion, including money funneled in from the parent company. "Developing and deploying self-driving vehicles at massive scale is the engineering challenge of our generation," said Cruise CEO Dan Ammann. "Having deep resources to draw on as we pursue our mission is a critical competitive advantage." Cruise raised $2.25 billion from Japanese tech investment firm SoftBank and $2.75 billion from Honda last year. The company also announced plans to expand to Seattle in November and said it will hire up to 200 engineers there by the end of 2019. The $19 billion valuation comprises over one-third of GM's market value of roughly $54 billion. GM stock is up 25% this year, and company shares were up over 1% in morning trading Tuesday. Gold prices edged higher on Tuesday as investors moved away from riskier assets after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to raise tariffs on Chinese imports, heightening trade tensions and lifting demand for the safe-haven metal. Spot gold was up 0.1 percent at $1,281.04 an ounce. U.S. gold futures settled $4.20 lower at $1,287.40. "Donald Trump tweets over the weekend and reactions out of China has sent shockwaves. European equities are further down this morning and this is a situation where gold is seen as a safe-haven," said Quantitative Commodity Research analyst Peter Fertig. "There has been uncertainty in the market since yesterday, which has given gold a push higher." U.S. President Donald Trump said that tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods would increase to 25 percent from 10 percent on Friday, reversing a decision he made in February to keep them at 10 percent as the two sides made progress on trade talks. Trump's tariff threat weighed across equity markets around the world, in turn supporting gold, which is used by investors to hedge against economic and political instability. "There are significant catalysts for gold with the escalations on the trade-war front yesterday, but it is surprising we have not seen a significant follow through," said Stephen Innes, head of trading and market strategy at SPI Asset Management. Adding to the sentiment, Trump's national security adviser John Bolton on Sunday said that the United States was deploying a carrier strike group and a bomber task force to the Middle East to send a clear message to Iran. "Some are also focusing on the tensions in the Middle East and the two catalysts are sufficient to hold prices but there is a general reluctance to push prices higher over $1,285," Innes added. A faction of the market still expects the United States and China to find common ground and believes that Trump's tariff threat is likely to be a negotiation tactic. China's commerce ministry confirmed on Tuesday that Vice Premier Liu He will visit the United States over May 9-10 for bilateral trade talks at the invitation of senior U.S. officials. Meanwhile, holdings of SPDR Gold Trust, the world's largest gold-backed exchange-traded fund, continued a dismal run as it fell by 0.16 percent to 739.64 tonnes on Monday, its lowest since Oct. 11. Among other metals, silver was down 0.4 percent at $14.84 an ounce, platinum was little changed at $872.44 and palladium gained 0.2 percent to $1,339.32. Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google, speaks to the media before the opening of the Berlin representation of Google Germany in Berlin on January 22, 2019. Google CEO Sundar Pichai addressed the privacy concerns surrounding his company on Tuesday, and told developers what they can expect in upcoming products. "Our work on privacy and security is never done, and we want to do more to stay ahead of constantly evolving user expectations," Pichai said in his keynote address at Google I/O, the company's annual developer conference. "We've been working on a significant set of enhancements." Those include an auto-delete feature triggered by tapping on your profile picture which lets users choose how long they want their data to be saved. They can choose a time between three and 18 months, or manually delete their data immediately. Google is also launch incognito mode to Google Maps later this year, allowing users to keep Google from saving data after they search for locations or use the service for navigation. It's been a tumultuous couple years for Google, as criticism about the way the company tracks users has made its way to lawmakers and regulators. Last year, the company acknowledged to a U.S. Senate committee that it had "made mistakes in the past" on privacy matters. Separately, Google was sued for allegedly storing the location data of users even when they turn off the location history setting. Facebook, Google's biggest rival in online ads, is facing a fine of up to $5 billion from the Federal Trade Commission related to its alleged failure to gain explicit consent to share user data. Using the Google Pixel 3a XL. Megan Graham | CNBC People aren't buying smartphones like they used to, primarily because they've gotten so expensive that consumers are hanging on to them for three or four years. Apple's iPhone sales have plateaued. IDC said 2018 was the worst year ever for smartphone shipments. Alphabet-owned Google knows this too. In its most recent earnings it said Pixel sales, included in its "other category of revenues" were falling. "Hardware results reflect lower year-on-year sales of Pixel, reflecting, in part, heavy promotional activity industry wide, given some of the recent pressures in the premium smartphone market," Alphabet CFO Ruth Porat said during the most recent earnings call. The Pixel 3 might not have sold well because it's exclusive to Verizon (unless you buy it unlocked), and it's expensive, starting at $799. That leaves far too many people out of the market right from the start. So, instead of building a phone with more bells and whistles, Google is stripping out a lot of the expensive stuff and building a phone called the Pixel 3a that starts at $399. And, instead of being exclusive to Verizon, Google's Pixel phones are launching on T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, and U.S. Cellular for the first time. Google Pixel 3a XL Todd Haselton | CNBC "The market has slowed down. People are holding on to devices longer," Mario Queiroz, the head of Pixel and vice president of product management at Google, told CNBC in an interview. "They are good but also expensive. That's not a good thing for consumers and the industry. So, we made a decision to develop a product from ground up to be a premium smartphone experience at an accessible price point." Lots of companies are tying to sell new phones at lower prices, too. Apple's iPhone XR starts at $799, and Samsung's Galaxy S10e starts at $749. But Google is going even lower with the $399 Pixel 3a and larger $479 Pixel 3a XL. And it's trying to do so without sacrificing the things people rely on a phone for: Good software and a great camera. I've been testing the Google Pixel 3a XL for the last week or so. Here's what you need to know about it. What's good Google Pixel 3a XL Todd Haselton | CNBC The Pixel 3a looks similar to the more expensive and more powerful Pixel 3 that launched in November, so most people won't even know you're holding a handset that costs a few hundred bucks less. It does feel cheaper, though, with a plastic body instead of glass. But I do love the neon green power button that gives the white body a little pop. Most people tell me the camera is the most important part of their phone, and Google seems to know that too. It kept great cameras on the Pixel 3a. It cut some stuff, like a front-facing depth sensor for better portrait mode shots, but I found it was still very good. And the back camera was also impressive in my tests, featuring some of Google's behind-the-scenes software tweaks to improve clarity in zoom and in portrait mode. Plus, portrait mode works on anything, not just people, unlike the camera on the $799 iPhone XR. A night mode, which made its debut on the original Pixel 3, brightens scenes so much that dark shots almost look like they were snapped in the day. A sample portrait mode picture of a flower in my yard. Todd Haselton | CNBC Google keeps its Android team separate from the Pixel team, Queiroz said, so the group is basically competing on the same level as any other phone maker. To stand out, Queiroz said he wants Pixels to offer the best Google software experience you can get. And I found that to be true. Despite a slower Qualcomm processor than what you'd find in the Pixel 3, the Pixel 3a XL is still quick compared with experiences from Samsung or Huawei, which can feel bogged down with features. You get things such as Google call screening, which allows the voice assistant to answer a call for you and speak to an unknown caller to see if the call is just spam or not. It's a feature I love to use, and allowed me to ignore pretty much every number I didn't know. Google will continue to launch exclusive experiences like this for its Pixel phones in the coming months. Google Pixel 3a XL Todd Haselton | CNBC Google avoided cutting corners in areas that matter most. There's a headphone jack, which the Pixel 3 doesn't even have, but Google doesn't include headphones in the box. The phone has stereo speakers that sound good, if not a little foggy at higher volumes, which is a feature you don't normally get at this price point. The OLED screen is sharp and bright even in sunlight. There's a fingerprint reader on the back that's nice and fast. Google Pixel 3a XL Todd Haselton | CNBC Also the battery life was really good. I charged the phone every night and never ran out of battery during the day, and light users might be able to use it into a second day. But, I think most people only need a phone that gets them until bedtime, and this does that. There's a headphone jack on the Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL. Todd Haselton | CNBC The point here is that Google focused on what matters: Clean, fast software, good battery life and solid camera. Sure, you can get better ones at higher price points, but you'd be hard pressed to find this balance in another phone that costs $399. What's bad Google Pixel 3a XL Todd Haselton | CNBC Google had to cut costs down in a few areas, and some of them are disappointing. The Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL are resistant to splashes of water but aren't as water resistant as the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL are, so you can't drop them in the pool. Also, the Pixel 3a phones don't support wireless charging, like many other phones do. I love wireless charging and keep a charging pad both on my desk and by my bedside, so it was kind of a bummer to plug the Pixel 3a in. But, Google includes an 18-watt charger which juices it up really quickly. Fifteen minutes at the plug should last about 7 hours. That's a win for consumers, since iPhones still ship with a super-slow 5-watt charger and users need to pay more for a faster one. Google Pixel 3a XL Todd Haselton | CNBC You only get 64GB of storage with the entry-level Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL. Casual phone users who don't download a ton of movies or games won't need to worry about this. Google throws in free unlimited storage of photos and videos through Google Photos in the cloud, so they won't hog up space on the phone, at least. Should you buy it? Google Pixel 3a XL Todd Haselton | CNBC Here are the biggest analyst calls of the day: Boeing, Beyond Meat, Lululemon, Roku & more Published Tue, May 7 2019 8:08 AM EDT Updated Tue, May 7 2019 8:08 AM EDT Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden takes photos with people in the crowd at a campaign event at the Hyatt Park community center on May 4, 2019 in Columbia, South Carolina. Sean Rayford | Getty Images In September 2017, with many political analysts still preoccupied by President Donald Trump's blue-collar base, David Wasserman identified something else: the Democrats' burgeoning white-collar base. The Cook Political Report elections expert envisioned the looming 2018 campaign as the "Year of the Angry White College Graduate." And that's precisely what the midterm elections became, handing Democrats control of the House of Representatives. Now Wasserman is challenging two broadly accepted understandings of the 2020 presidential race: that Joe Biden's moderation muddies his chance to lead a left-leaning Democratic Party, while his broad acceptability and blue-collar appeal makes him the strongest Democrat against Trump. Both notions, he argues, have it backwards: the former Vice President holds a strong position for the nomination race, but less so for a general election. The Democrats best equipped to beat Trump, he adds, include a young gay man and a young black woman who make party traditionalists nervous. Biden's early polling surge has dented skepticism that he can win the Democratic nomination on his third try over three decades. But only slightly. The case against his chances begins with his 1988 and 2008 campaigns. Neither gained traction. It continues with his half-century in public life, encompassing various domestic and foreign policy stances at odds with the views of young Democrats today. On trade, the Iraq War, and policy toward the financial industry, Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders have moved to exploit those vulnerabilities. The case extends to his age, currently 76, which would make him the oldest president to take the oath of office if he wins. Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, gently drawing an age contrast with Biden, calls herself "a candidate for our times." But Wasserman notes that the divided Democratic field helps Biden in two ways. Biden's strong advantage Though young liberal activists have gained influence, and visibility on social media, most Democratic voters are over 45 and more moderate. Biden holds a strong initial advantage among them, especially African-Americans, after his eight-year partnership with President Barack Obama. His advantage is so strong, and the sprawling field so splintered, that Democratic delegate selection rules could give him an additional boost. Candidates must win 15% of the vote to claim delegates from a primary or caucus, which in some cases could shut competitors out. It's the general election, Wasserman maintains, that presents more daunting problems. There, the Trump campaign's aggressive social media operation could use Biden's past to depress enthusiasm among key constituencies as Trump and Russian intelligence agents did against Hillary Clinton in 2016. Six in 10 Americans tell NBC News/Wall Street Journal pollsters they feel uneasy about a candidate of 75. That complicates Biden's ability to arouse intense support from young and nonwhite voters, which has become essential to Democratic mobilization. "Are young, casual Democratic voters going to bring three friends to the polls to vote for Joe Biden as they did for Barack Obama? The answer is probably not," Wasserman reasons, "In reality, I don't think he's one of the more electable Democrats in the race." Who is? Ideally, Wasserman reasons, a young mainstream liberal from outside Washington who doesn't bear the taint of coastal elitism. Even better, someone whose election would shatter a barrier the way Obama's did. Historical element needed BTIG's Julian Emanuel believes the market is vulnerable to a pullback, but his outlook isn't all doom and gloom. Rather, Emanuel sees it as the next big buying opportunity even though Wall Street may not embrace it. According to Emanuel, there's "too much complacency" among investors right now, and that could make the next retreat feel worse than it really is. "As investors, we were probably taking things a bit too much for granted," the firm's head of equity and derivatives strategy told CNBC's "Trading Nation" on Monday. "You literally had a straight run higher without interruption, 25%-plus off of the lows that we made last December. ... For the most part, people haven't been hedged to the downside." That appeared to be evident when the major indexes sold off early Monday on renewed jitters that a resolution to the U.S.-China trade war was in jeopardy. However, the market staged a strong comeback and were well off the lows by the market close. "Injecting a little bit more uncertainty back into the market refocuses investors on risk and reward," said Emanuel, who has a 3,000 year-end price target, within 100 points of the current level. It's more than strong market and economic fundamentals making him optimistic that the bull market is intact. The Federal Reserve has a critical role in Emanuel's bullish forecast, too. ROME, ITALY - NOVEMBER 29: The Vice President of the Council and Minister of the Interior Matteo Salvini attends the television show 'L'aria che tira'. Simona Granati - Corbis | Corbis News | Getty Images New EU projections on Italy's finances could spark yet another war of words between Brussels and the anti-establishment government in Rome. The European Commission the EU's executive arm forecasts an Italian budget deficit of 2.5% of its GDP (gross domestic product) this year, rising to 3.5% for 2020. This is due to a weak labor market and higher public spending. The Italian 2019 deficit was the subject of heated discussions between Rome and Brussels at the end of last year. Rome had told Brussels that it would lower some of its spending plans for 2019, so its deficit would not go beyond a target of 2.04%. But initially it wanted to increase spending to 2.4% of GDP for 2019. However, that threshold was lowered after the Commission raised concerns about the country's debt levels and hinted at disciplinary action for Italy. The 2020 estimate on Tuesday suggests that Italy will breach the EU's rules next year, as member states are not supposed to have a deficit above 3% of its GDP. Pierre Moscovici, European commissioner for economic and financial affairs, addressed concerns that Italy was being unfairly singled out, when France too had a budget deficit that was close to 3% of its GDP. "Italy is a bit different because this country has a very high level of debt," he told CNBC Tuesday. He said France was unlikely to see repercussions as breaching the threshold would be down to temporary measures and be a one-off. He said the issue of Italy's finances could be looked at again after EU elections later this month and expressed confidence that any successor to his role would keep to the same interpretation of the EU's fiscal rules. The EU also said Tuesday that its 2020 deficit projection for Italy does not include a VAT increase that is due to be implemented. This is because the anti-establishment government in Rome has previously said it does not want to go ahead with the measure. As a result, there is a budget hole of about 23 billion euros ($25.8 billion) that needs to be filled in the Italian 2020 budget plan. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell speaks during a discussion at the Economic Club of Washington on January 10, 2019, in Washington, DC. Saul Loeb | AFP | Getty Images The Federal Reserve is taking steps to prepare the American financial system for the effects of climate change, according to Chairman Jerome Powell. But Powell noted that climate-related risks do not fit squarely within the central bank's existing framework for assessing financial stability. "As I have commented previously, although addressing climate change is a responsibility that Congress has entrusted to other agencies, the Federal Reserve does use its authorities and tools to prepare financial institutions for severe weather events," Powell wrote in an April 18 letter to Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii. Schatz asked Powell in a January letter signed by 19 other senators about the risks that climate change posed to American financial institutions, and how the central bank was assessing that risk. In response, Powell wrote that the Federal Reserve viewed climate risks through the lens of potential "shocks to the system" in the form of severe weather events, rather than as a systemic vulnerability. Powell had previously compared climate change to the risks posed by the potential failure of information technology. "Some potential risks are difficult to quantify and especially if they materialize over such a long horizon that methods beyond near-term analysis and monitoring are appropriate," he wrote. "Accordingly, we rely on ongoing research by academics, our staff, and other experts to improve our understanding and measurement of such longer-run or difficult to quantify risks." Researchers and central banks around the world are increasingly pushing for greater consideration of climate risks in the supervision of financial institutions and the formulation of monetary policy. A group of more than 30 central banks from around the world, including the European Central Bank and the People's Bank of China, have joined the Network for Greening the Financial System, which launched in 2017 during the One Planet Summit in Paris. In March, Glenn Rudebusch, a senior policy advisor for the San Francisco Fed, wrote that the "even long-term risks can have near-term consequences as investors reprice assets for a low-carbon future." Rudebusch wrote that financial firms with limited carbon emissions could still face substantial credit risk exposure "through loans to affected businesses or mortgages on coastal real estate." "If such exposures were broadly correlated across regions or industries, the resulting climate-based risk could threaten the stability of the financial system as a whole and be of macroprudential concern," he wrote. The London Metal Exchange is targeting Asian retail investors amid interest in the region, its CEO, Matthew Chamberlain, told CNBC on Tuesday. The Hong Kong Futures Exchange (HKEX), which bought the LME in 2012, will be launching dollar-denominated mini contracts for six base metals in the coming months. The standardized monthly futures contracts will reference LME prices. "We actually see pretty good volumes on our main contract in Asian trading hours, but ... if you're an Asian investor, you have to really work hard to get your business to London, to get your business to our main market in those Asian trading hours," Chamberlain said on CNBC's "Squawk Box." "It's really the guys who truly care about metal that are trading there. What we want to do (is that) we want to provide an easier way for a broader set of Asian investors to participate in that liquidity," he added. The LME's major contracts are copper, aluminium, zinc, lead, nickel and tin. The mini contracts are smaller than the contracts at the London exchange: with copper, aluminium, zinc and lead in five metric ton lots and tin and nickel in one metric ton lots. HKEX already has mini contracts traded in China's yuan currency. As one of the main metal markets in the world, the exchange facilitates the risk management of investing in metals, through highly liquid and standardized exchange-traded futures contracts. The new offerings come five years after a similar product did not take off on the Singapore Exchange and as mini metals contracts tradable in London saw no volumes last year. SGX launched mini metals contracts in 2011, but wound them down in 2014 after they failed to gain traction. Chamberlain, however, said he was confident there was ample liquidity already available from Asian investors on the LME to support the new mini contracts in Hong Kong. Reuters contributed to this report. The U.S. government has begun returning to Malaysia some $200 million recovered from asset seizures linked to state fund 1MDB, with about a quarter of the amount already repatriated, the two countries said on Tuesday. Malaysian and U.S. authorities say about $4.5 billion were allegedly siphoned from 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), a state fund founded in 2009 by then Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak. Since losing a general election last year, Najib has been charged with more than 40 criminal offences linked to losses at 1MDB and other state entities. He has pleaded not guilty. Since 2016, the U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ), in the biggest ever case in its anti-kleptocracy programme, has filed civil lawsuits seeking to seize about $1.7 billion in assets allegedly bought with stolen 1MDB funds, including a private jet, luxury real estate, artwork, and jewelry. The United States will return to Malaysia about $196 million in the first installment of funds recovered from the asset seizures, U.S. ambassador to Malaysia, Kamala Shirin Lahkdhir, said in a statement. "We are extremely pleased that this first tranche of assets from this Justice Department investigation is being transferred back to Malaysia, demonstrating the U.S. commitment to return these assets for the benefit of the people of Malaysia," she said. So far, $57 million has been returned to Malaysia following a settlement reached with Hollywood film production company Red Granite Pictures, which is linked to Najib's stepson Riza Aziz, Malaysia's Attorney General Tommy Thomas said in a statement. U.S. Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, speaks at a news conference while U.S. President Donald Trump looks on following his second summit meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on February 28, 2019 in Hanoi, Vietnam. Tuan Mark | Getty Images Since becoming secretary of State, Mike Pompeo has embraced President Donald Trump's protectionist trade stances, particularly when it comes to China. Yet while he is pushing the president's agenda, Pompeo is risking his long-standing alliance with free-trade groups like the Koch network, which backed him during his political rise as a Republican former congressman from Kansas. That could put a dent in any plans Pompeo might make to run for office after his days in the Trump administration. "Pompeo is traditionally a Koch-backed free trader. Since joining the administration, [Pompeo] has layered 'America First' on top of that to assist Trump's efforts to level the playing field with China," said Dan Eberhart, a leading Republican donor who has attended Koch seminars. "The Kochs have a litmus test so this might foreclose the door on them helping him." Bill Riggs, a spokesman for the Koch network, said "our focus is really on policy," when asked about Pompeo's role in supporting the trade war, which the group opposes. "We support the administration's stated and ultimate goal of zero tariffs and zero barriers, but more tariffs are the wrong way to get there." Pompeo's support for Trump's tariffs could be treacherous in the secretary of State's home state of the traditionally GOP-friendly Kansas, where the trade war has weighed on the economy. While Pompeo has said the administration's policies would benefit Kansas' workers in the longer term, the state's farmers, especially those who grow soybeans, haven taken a hit. Wichita, which is located in the congressional district Pompeo used to represent, suffered more from the trade fight than any other U.S. city, according to a Brookings Institution study last summer. Wichita also happens to be the headquarters of Koch Industries, the Koch brothers' multinational chemical and energy company. Republicans had mixed success in typically GOP-friendly Kansas during last year's midterms. Kris Kobach, a staunch Trump supporter, lost the governor's race to Democrat Laura Kelly. In Pompeo's old 4th District, Republican Ron Estes kept the seat in GOP hands. The Koch Industries PAC contributed $15,000 to Estes' campaign, but the broader Koch political network did not get involved with the race, according to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics. It's not yet clear what Pompeo intends to do after his tenure in Trump's Cabinet. He recently ruled out running for Kansas GOP Sen. Pat Roberts' seat next year after a nudge from Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. A State Department spokeswoman referred CNBC to Pompeo's recent interviews on CBS and Fox News, where he touted Trump's trade policies while ripping Democratic presidential contender Joe Biden's claim that China is not a competitor with the United States. "Maybe when he ran for president the first time, this was the situation, but it's certainly not today," Pompeo said on Fox News Sunday, referring to Biden. "China poses an enormous challenge to the United States of America. I agree with him; ultimately, America will prevail. I'm confident of that." A White House spokesman referred CNBC back to the State Department. During his three terms in Congress before becoming Trump's CIA director in 2017, Pompeo voted in support of various pieces of free-trade legislation, including the Free Trade Agreement with Korea and the Trade Promotion Agreement with Colombia and Panama. He has received routine financial support from the Kochs, their political organization and their conglomerate, Koch Industries. The company and the Koch-backed political action committee donated a combined $400,000 to Pompeo's campaigns while he was running in the 4th Congressional District, according to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics. Charles Koch, a financier of the network, regularly contributed personally to Pompeo's campaign. In 2014, the Koch-backed Americans for Prosperity spent at least $413,000 in support of Pompeo's successful reelection campaign. The Koch political operation has vocally opposed the president's trade war with China. "I've heard his [Trump's] advisors say, 'Well it [tariffs] gives them leverage in these trade discussions over other countries,'" said Tim Phillips, head of Americans for Prosperity. "Well it's important to note that it's leverage on the backs of American consumers and on the backs of American businesses that have to pay for these things." The network has followed through with its criticism on Trump's tariffs on Chinese goods with television, digital and radio campaigns. The president, however, has shrugged off any opposition to his protectionist strategy. On Sunday, he threatened to raise tariffs on $200 billion on Chinese goods to 25 percent from 10 percent, despite administration officials repeatedly saying that talks between the two countries were going well. One of Pompeo's corporate supporters, General Mills, has likely taken a hit from the trade war. The company's PAC spent $10,000 on Pompeo's 2016 reelection campaign. Food companies have boosted prices to offset higher production costs stemming from tariffs. In March, General Mills announced it was raising prices on some of its cereals and snacks, citing more expensive ingredients and higher shipping costs. President Donald Trump is "goading" Democrats to try to impeach him because he believes it would help "solidify his base" of supporters, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Tuesday. Pelosi has not been shy about publicly criticizing the president and his administration. But she has shown clear resistance toward the politically fraught prospect of impeaching Trump, even amid growing pressure from her progressive Democratic colleagues to support the drastic move. "Don't tell anybody I told you this," Pelosi said, prompting laughter from a small crowd at an "Inside Congress" event sponsored by Cornell University's Institute of Politics and Global Affairs. "Trump I use his name Trump is goading us to impeach him," she said. "That's what he's doing. Every single day, he's just like taunting, taunting, taunting." Pelosi said Trump was dropping that bait because "he knows that it would be very divisive in the country, but he doesn't really care. He just wants to solidify his base." The White House did not immediately respond to Pelosi's remarks on Trump's alleged impeachment strategy. Some Democrats, including Reps. Al Green of Texas and Maxine Waters of California, have long called for Trump's impeachment. But the debate over whether to impeach the president has moved closer to the mainstream in the wake of special counsel Robert Mueller's report on Russian election meddling. The special counsel's team did not find sufficient evidence to show that Trump's 2016 presidential campaign had coordinated with the Kremlin, and Attorney General William Barr and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein concluded from the report that there wasn't enough evidence to support an obstruction of justice offense against Trump. But Democrats have pointed to the details in the 448-page report, including 10 instances of potential obstruction cited by Mueller, as evidence of wrongdoing by Trump. Trump, too, has increasingly railed against the political hot-button topic of impeachment, tweeting about it at least five times in April. "How do you impeach a Republican President for a crime that was committed by the Democrats?" Trump tweeted April 21. Trump TWEET 1 "If the partisan Dems ever tried to Impeach, I would first head to the U.S. Supreme Court," Trump wrote three days later. Trump TWEET 2 Despite Trump's show of apoplexy at the prospect of impeachment, there's ample evidence to suggest that if the Democratic-controlled House were to actually launch impeachment proceedings against him, they would backfire, and ultimately benefit the president's reelection campaign. With polls showing consistently that more than half of American voters oppose impeaching Trump, impeachment is one of a relatively small number of issues on which most Americans say they agree with Trump. This includes independent voters, a crucial voting bloc in any election, but a particularly important one for Trump, whose path to victory in 2020 is narrower than those of his predecessors. Democrats, however, are equally aware of the polling numbers on impeachment. Prior to discussing the politics of impeachment, Pelosi laid out her vision to "unify" the country, in part by focusing on winning America's political center and championing issues with broad appeal. "In terms of owning the center ground, I think the center ground can be owned by the left," Pelosi said, listing issues such as raising the minimum wage, protecting the environment and preventing "taking babies out of the arms of their parents," an apparent reference to the Trump administration's immigration policy. The subtext was clear, however: Impeachment is not one of the issues that will help Democrats "own the center ground." For Trump's core supporters, impeachment proceedings would reinforce a narrative Trump and his campaign have been promoting since the start of the special counsel probe two years ago: That he is a president under siege. This is particularly evident in the Trump campaign's fundraising emails, which in recent months have painted the president as a victim who needs to be defended against an impeachment that, in reality, does not yet exist. Just this week, the Trump campaign sent out a fundraising email titled, "They want to impeach YOUR President." It read in part, "Every day, President Trump is facing UNPRECEDENTED obstruction and harassment from the Liberal Mob and their Fake News allies.Please sign your name IMMEDIATELY to stand with President Trump against the baseless impeachment LIES." Pelosi described impeachment as a difficult political situation for Democrats, in which the party risks alienating one bloc of supporters on the left if they refuse to impeach Trump, and another bloc of potential supporters in the middle if they proceed with impeachment. As Pelosi described it, the party "can't impeach him for political reasons" but can't refuse to impeach him for political reasons, either. "We have to see where the facts take us," she said. A nurse demonstrates how a measles vaccine is administered at the Orange County Health Department on May 6, 2019 in Orlando, Florida. New York City cited 84 people for refusing to vaccinate themselves or their children as the city's ongoing measles outbreak worsens, the city's health department said Tuesday. The city's health department last month declared a state of emergency and ordered residents of Brooklyn's Williamsburg neighborhood to get the measles, mumps and rubella, or MMR, vaccine or face a $1,000 fine. The city hasn't fined anyone yet, but it's summoned 84 people to appear in court for failing to comply with the order. They face up to $2,000 in fines if they fail to show, the city said. Since the outbreak started, in October, city officials have confirmed 466 cases, the majority of which have occurred in Williamsburg. There have been 34 hospitalizations and nine admissions to the intensive care unit due to complications of the measles. For more on investing in health-care innovation, click here to join CNBC at our Healthy Returns Summit in New York City on May 21. "This is the time to act," Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, the health department's deputy commissioner for disease control, said in a statement. "Measles is a highly contagious disease." The ongoing outbreak in New York City is driving up the total number of measles cases nationwide. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Monday said the 2019 total is now at 764 the highest in 25 years. It's also a record number of cases since the disease was declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000. Of the 60 new cases across the U.S. confirmed last week, 52 were reported in New York, where two large outbreaks are occurring. Measles is highly contagious, yet preventable with the MMR vaccine. More parents are refusing to vaccinate their children, sometimes based on false information that vaccines cause autism. Measles spreads quickly and easily among people who aren't immunized. "Defendant Honig and the Commission staff reached an agreement in principle to settle the Commission's claims for liability," the April motion said. The SEC filed for an extension of time on April 26 for a planned settlement. The Securities and Exchange Commission brought charges for what it called "classic pump-and-dump schemes" in September. A settlement in principle for Florida businessman Barry Honig now appears to be off the table, according to a filing on Tuesday in the case that was signed by all parties. Barry Honig, a venture capitalist and micro-cap investor, was once one of the largest investors in Riot Blockchain. "The parties do not believe there is a possibility of prompt settlement of this case, although the Commission has noted its willingness to discuss settlement with any Defendant," the Tuesday filing said. Two attorneys for Honig declined to comment. His other three attorneys were not immediately available. No details about the potential settlement were released. The SEC declined to comment. "Honig was the primary strategist, calling upon other Defendants to, among other things, acquire or sell stock, arrange for the issuance of shares, negotiate transactions, and/or engage in promotional activity" in the $27 million schemes, according to the SEC's amended complaint, filed in March. The SEC charged 19 others along with Honig. The SEC already settled in full or in part with nine defendants, including Miami biotech billionaire Phillip Frost, according to the April extension filing. Honig was once the largest shareholder of Riot Blockchain, the cryptocurrency company whose stock skyrocketed after it changed its name from Bioptix. He was charged by the SEC along with John O'Rourke, the former CEO of Riot Blockchain, who left Riot in the wake of the charges. O'Rourke remains a defendant in the case. The SEC case is unrelated to Riot Blockchain. A CNBC investigation in February 2018 found a number of red flags at Riot Blockchain, including annual meetings that were postponed at the last minute, sales of stock by company insiders soon after the company's name change, dilutive share issuances on favorable terms to large investors, confusing SEC filings and evidence that a major shareholder was selling shares while everyone else was buying. "We have made significant inroads in building a diversified portfolio of investments and to begin securing digital assets," O'Rourke said in a letter to shareholders the day the CNBC investigation aired. As bitcoin's price hit record highs in late December 2017, Riot was making news on a daily basis. The company's stock shot from $8 a share to more than $40 as investors chased the craze of all things crypto. Polaris has continued to pursue an exemption from the U.S. government on China tariffs and Wine said he remains hopeful that will still happen. "At 25% it's downright catastrophic in terms of impact on the company and employees," Wine told CNBC's Morgan Brennan. In a phone call with CNBC Tuesday, Polaris CEO and Chairman Scott Wine flagged major implications of the White House's plan to up tariffs on Chinese goods to 25%, effective Friday night if the U.S. and China aren't able to strike a trade deal. The CEO of manufacturing company Polaris Industries is calling an impending tariff increase a catastrophe for his business. The maker of snowmobiles, ATVs and motorcycles has already seen effects from earlier rounds of tariffs levied between the world's two largest economies, and with Europe. Polaris is factoring in roughly $90 million in additional tariff costs this year, thanks to the current 10% levy on some Chinese imports, as well as retaliatory tariffs on motorcycles imported from the U.S. into Europe in response to steel and aluminum tariffs. If new tariffs are introduced on Friday, it's expecting to take a hit of between $195 million and $200 million, Wine said. The CEO also said the increased tariffs could erase a third of the company's net income. The company has an employee stock ownership plan, and in this case employees own 5% of the company. Wine underscored the effect it could have on Polaris's stock, and therefore employees. "When we are hit with tariffs, that's what I mean by impact to employees," he said. "Through no fault of our own, one-third of our net income could go away." Sunday evening, President Trump tweeted he would raise the current 10% tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese goods to 25%, effective Friday. He also threatened to add another 25% levy on another $325 billion of Chinese goods "shortly." Shares of Polaris dropped sharply on Monday after the Trump tweet. The stock is up roughly 21% this year. In the last 12 months, Polaris shares are down roughly 15%. Many traders had shaken off the president's weekend threat as a negotiation tactic. But on Tuesday, stocks saw their biggest decline since early January after U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer told reporters that the U.S. will increase levies on Chinese imports on Friday. Polaris competes largely with Canadian and Japanese companies. The CEO cited an unfair advantage since its global competitors don't manufacture within the U.S. "What's most ironic is I invested $150 million to build new plant in Huntsville at the same time our competitor built one in Mexico," he said. "They don't pay the tariffs, and we do." It's not just China. Retaliatory tariffs in Europe are costing the company almost $20 million to ship Indian motorcycles into Europe, Wine said. The company raised prices earlier this year to account for the higher tariffs. Wine said Polaris also moved $10 million worth of supply chain manufacturing out of China because of tariff costs. But it still relies on highly technical suppliers in the country, and in most cases, he said it would take over a year to get another option up to speed. The company has a facility in Monterrey, Mexico, which it may lean on in the case of another increase. "Ultimately if this was not resolved, we would have no choice but to move production to Mexico" Wine said. "This would essentially be forcing me to push jobs outside the U.S." WATCH: Trade tensions are sinking stocks Here's what investors should watch Prosecutors in the southern city of Stuttgart on Tuesday said that the company's development department had neglected its legal obligations, which ultimately led to the sale of diesel cars that spewed excessive pollution levels. German prosecutors imposed a 535 million euro ($598 million) fine on German luxury carmaker Porsche AG, a unit of Volkswagen , as punishment for lapses in supervisory duties which allowed the company to cheat diesel emissions tests. In a 2005 file photo, logos of German carmakers Porsche and Volkswagen at a car centre in Wilhelmshaven, Germany. The fine against Porsche follows a 1 billion euro penalty for management lapses imposed against Volkswagen by prosecutors in Braunschweig, and a fine of 800 million euros against Audi by prosecutors in Munich, Germany last year. U.S. authorities disclosed Volkswagen's systematic emissions cheating on Sept. 18, 2015, sparking the biggest business scandal in the company's history which has cost Volkswagen Group 30 billion euros in penalties and fines. VW, Porsche and Audi all sold diesel engine cars which failed to conform to clean air rules and cheated emissions tests. German prosecutors have pursued individual engineers and took action against the companies for lack of oversight because managers failed to prevent heavily polluting cars from hitting European roads. Prosecutors said Porsche had not appealed the findings by the prosecutor. Porsche confirmed the fine and said that prosecutors' proceedings against the company had come to an end. The fine does not hinder ongoing proceedings against individual people in relation to Porsche's diesel manipulations, the prosecutors added. People working on an assembly line at Huajian shoe factory in Dukem, Ethiopia, on April 19, 2012. Ethiopian garment factory workers are now, on average, the lowest paid in any major garment-producing company worldwide, a new report says. The report by the New York University Stern Center for Business and Human Rights comes as Ethiopia, one of Africa's fastest-growing economies, pursues a bold economic experiment by inviting the global garment industry to set up shop in its mushrooming industrial parks. "The government's eagerness to attract foreign investment led it to promote the lowest base wage in any garment-producing country now set at the equivalent of $26 a month," according to the authors of the report, Paul M. Barrett and Dorothee Baumann-Pauly. In comparison, Chinese garment workers earn $340 a month, those in Kenya earn $207 and those in Bangladesh earn $95. Drawn by the newly built industrial parks and a range of financial incentives, manufacturers for some of the world's best-known brands among them H&M, Gap, and PVH employ tens of thousands of Ethiopian workers in a sector the government predicts will one day have billions of dollars in sales. The new report is based on a visit earlier this year to the flagship Hawassa Industrial Park that opened in June 2017 in southern Ethiopia and currently employs 25,000 people. Ethiopian leaders often show off the industrial park, 140 miles (225 kilometers) south of Addis Ababa, to visiting foreign dignitaries. When America agreed to stop underground testing of nuclear weapons, supercomputers from the U.S. Department of Energy provided the precise and sophisticated simulations necessary to ensure the arsenal's ongoing effectiveness. When scientists sought to model the universe's evolution, they brought their data to the experts and supercomputers at DOE. When studying cancer, interpreting mammograms, and improving vaccination campaigns and diagnoses for Americans from children to veterans, DOE computers have been crucial to success of researchers seeking to deliver precision care to patients. The quiet contributions of these incredible machines have solved some of the world's toughest problems and kept the U.S. at the forefront of high-performance computing for decades. They are developed and operated by some of the most gifted scientists in the world. These computers will also fuel America's efforts to maintain the Nation's global leadership in artificial intelligence. While the United States leads the world in AI capabilities today, China is gaining ground. The government in Beijing has invested in and backed AI efforts in China with one goal in mind: to overtake the United States and dominate the AI world. Thankfully, we have a president who is committed to ensuring that doesn't happen. That is why he recently issued an executive order creating the government-wide American AI Initiative. The president wants to ensure this innovation occurs in the United States. The executive order calls for increased access to federal data, models and high performance computing resources for America's AI researchers. I am proud that some of those resources and computers live at our DOE National Labs, where we currently possess five of the 10 fastest supercomputers in the world, including the top two fastest and the world's top AI supercomputer. Through this executive order, the president has given DOE and other agencies a mandate to further utilize our world-class high performance computing infrastructure to build upon and accelerate America's existing AI research. We are ready for the challenge. DOE computing capabilities will be critical to securing America's dominance in artificial intelligence. That is why we must take these already high-performance capabilities to the next level. I am excited to announce today that along with Cray and AMD, DOE will be building Frontier, a new exascale system at Oak Ridge National Lab, or ORNL. Exascale systems are capable of at least a billion-billion calculations per second, which means they are at least 10 to 20 times faster than today's fastest supercomputers, and 50 to 100 times more powerful the equivalent of going from a flip phone to a smart phone or from a dialup to a 4G internet connection. DOE has committed to building not just one, but three exascale machines at its National Labs: Frontier at Oak Ridge in Tennessee, Aurora at Argonne in Illinois, and El Capitan at Lawrence Livermore in California, all of which we expect to deploy around 2021-22. With exascale capability, researchers will be able to look deeper and see further than they ever have before. They will develop better answers to more complex questions and meet more complex challenges with greater precision and speed. Expected applications include identifying next-generation materials like exotic alloys for the defense, aerospace and energy sectors; determining optimal cancer treatments based on a patient's unique genetics; refining earth system models to more reliably assess water cycles and agricultural impacts; deciphering high-energy physics data; and accelerating industrial product design. DOE-fueled AI work is already being used to optimize grid security and increase energy efficiency among a host of other energy-related applications. It is also being used to reduce traffic jams, strengthen cybersecurity, predict extreme weather, improve emergency response and even develop better treatments for cancer and traumatic brain injury. DOE's systems have used machine learning to search through a billion combinations of drugs to find those predicted to maximally inhibit a given tumor, to search through a billion hypothetical compounds to identify those with potential as new drug development candidates, to design new materials, to develop new algorithms to manage electric grid operations. We must use our supercomputing capabilities to fully develop the potential of AI. That's why we are coordinating those efforts across our National Labs, and have stood up an AI program at DOE. Those are the stakes in AI and exascale computing. The competition from China is great, but America is the world's leader, and has never shied away from a challenge and it always thrived when exploring new frontiers. Rick Perry is the secretary of Energy and a former governor of Texas. NEW YORK, NY - MAY 2: Beyond Meat CEO Ethan Brown (C) celebrates with guests after ringing the opening bell at Nasdaq MarketSite, May 2, 2019 in New York City. Check out the companies making headlines midday Tuesday: Beyond Meat Beyond Meat shares surged 12% after Bernstein initiated them with an overweight rating and a price target of $81 per share, implying an upside of 8.3% from its Monday close. Bernstein said the alternative meat company will soon experience rapid sales growth and added it could be worth $40.5 billion in the next decade. Boeing Boeing shares fell 3% in midday trading after Barclays downgraded the aircraft manufacturing company to equal weight from overweight. Barclays said that it believes fliers will most likely avoid the Boeing 737 Max even when it's back in service, according to a survey of airline passengers that was conducted. Anheuser-Busch InBev Shares of the Budweiser beer maker fell 2.1% after reporting weaker-than-forecast earnings. The company reported first-quarter earnings per share of $1.27, while analysts polled by StreetAccount expected a profit of $1.34. The company's revenue also disappointed investors. Mylan The pharmaceutical company's stock plummeted nearly 18% on the back of mixed quarterly results. Mylan reported earnings per share that beat expectations, but its revenue fell short. Mylan posted revenue of $2.496 billion, while analysts polled by Refnitiv expected sales to come in at $2.691 billion. The drugmaker said it was hurt by restructuring at its West Virginia plant and a stronger dollar. Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Shares of Regeneron Pharmaceuticals dropped 5.82% after the biotechnology company reported disappointing first-quarter results. Regeneron reported earnings of $4.45, missing a Refinitiv estimate by $1.01, and revenues of which missed by $49 million. The company cited a surge in expenses for the miss. Cohu Shares of Cohu surged 27% after the back-end semiconductor equipment maker reported first-quarter revenue that topped analyst expectations. Cohu reports sales of $147.8 million for the previous quarter, while analysts polled by Refinitiv had forecast sales of $145 million. The company also issued better-than-expected sales guidance for the second quarter. Allergan Allergan fell more than 3% despite posting results that topped analyst expectations. The pharmaceutical company posted adjusted earnings per share of $3.79 on revenue of $3.597 billion. Analysts polled by Refinitv expected a profit of $3.55 per share on revenue of $3.54 billion. Roku Roku shares rose as much as 4.1% before giving up those gains amid a broader selloff. An analyst at Stephens initiated them with an overweight rating and an $84 price target. "We like ROKU's LT industry position as an independent, branded, embedded and capital-light player at the nexus between smart TVs and an increasingly fragmented streaming video landscape," the analyst said. The stock later gave back those gains, however, trading 1.6% lower. CNBC's Jessica Bursztynsky, Nadine El-Bawab and Isabel Soisson contributed to this report. Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange as Fed Chairman Jerome Powell holds a news conference on December 19, 2018. Spencer Platt | Getty Images Investors are worried the U.S. and China may not find enough common ground to head off a new round of tariffs later this week that could bite into global growth, squeeze profit margins and drive down stock prices. Trade negotiators are scheduled to meet this week in Washington, but recent tensions make it less likely a deal will be agreed to before the Trump administration unleashes a new round of tariffs. Analysts say a deal is still possible, but the risks have risen that there will be more tariffs before a deal can be agreed, and it could then take a lot longer than expected for an agreement to be hammered out. Stocks plunged and bonds rose in a safety trade Tuesday, after the Trump administration set the clock ticking on a 12:01 a.m. ET Friday deadline for raising tariffs to 25% on $200 billion in Chinese goods. Trump administration officials said they still expect to meet with a Chinese trade delegation this week, but at a media briefing late Monday they said their Chinese counterparts reneged on some key areas of agreement in trade talks. The Dow fell more than 473 points to 25,965, and the was off 48 points at 2,884. "It all depends on what happens Friday. Traders were not expecting this. The market is trying to discount it in case tariffs get reinstated," said Scott Redler, partner with T3live.com. "This is a curve ball, unexpected scenario." With the threat of tariffs, analysts say many of Wall Street's assumption for profits and growth would have to be tossed suggesting that stocks could be too richly priced near recent highs. The forward price-to-earnings ratio on the S&P 500 was at 17 times earnings expectations. "That has to come down because growth has to come down...A good part of what went on in this market was predicated on a deal getting done in the first place. If that's not the case, we have to start taking [earnings] estimates down," said Art Hogan, National Securities chief market strategist. Keith Parker, chief U.S. equities strategist at UBS, said the hit to S&P 500 earnings would be 2% or greater, if the 10% tariffs on $200 billion in Chinese goods are raised to 25%. Parker said earnings would be hit by 7% if there was a full blown trade war, while the S&P 500 could trade in a range of 600 points on different scenarios of escalation of trade wars to de-escalation. The S&P is now near the top of the range, he said. "We think the most likely path is the deal. But escalation risks have risen and the growth backdrop is bit better so [investors should be] selectively staying involved in cyclicals and look for ways to hedge," said Parker. "The S&P is probably trading much more in line with a status quo or some form of a deal. I would say it's not pricing that trade war scenario." The seeming divide between Chinese officials and the Trump administration added to concerns, after weeks of positive commentary from both sides. Hogan said China's comments are problematic and could indicate the two sides are far apart. "They're not going to back down from the parts of the deal they want. They don't want to have a full account of the deal made public," he said. But at the same time, leaders in Washington and Beijing may feel like they have more leverage in the negotiations. China's recent data has shown its economy is stabilizing after months of fiscal and monetary stimulus. The Trump administration too must be feeling upbeat after a strong U.S. jobs report and higher stock prices. Analysts said the threat of new tariffs puts assumptions about the market at risk, including the expectations for 3% earnings growth this year. Earnings in the first quarter grew at 1.2%, much better than earlier estimates for a decline, and second quarter S&P 500 earnings growth is expected at 1.5%, according to Refinitiv. On Tuesday, stocks reversed the pattern of Monday, where the worst losses were in the early morning as markets reacted to President Donald Trump's Sunday afternoon tweets threatening more tariffs. As the day went on, stocks shook off losses as traders took the president's threats as more a bargaining ploy by the president. Global equity markets could also take a hit, as global growth would expected to slowdown on another round of tariffs. "If we have the increase from 10% to 25%, that would lower Chinese growth by a half a percentage point, and global growth by 0.2 of a percentage point," said Cesar Rojas, global economist at Citigroup. The impact on U.S. growth would be less than a tenth of a percentage point. "I think that we will get a deal," said Rojas. "I'm still hopeful there will be an announcement that tariffs will not increase, and that they will come to an agreement...If that's not the case, and there is a tariff increase on Friday , I will change my base case to having an escalation of trade tensions." Rojas said if that's the case, then a deal might be a much longer way off. China might not come back to the table in a serious way, until after it felt the pain of tariffs. The U.S. would also be hit by Chinese tariffs, and that would also come as U.S. growth was already slowing down from last year's level. The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note , which moves inversely to price, fell to 2.444%, the lowest level since April 1, while the yield on the 30-year Treasury bond was also lower at around 2.87%. U.S. government debt prices rose on Tuesday, as investors remain concerned about President Donald Trump's threat to hike tariffs on Chinese goods as soon as Friday. Traders are closely following trade relations between the U.S. and China. U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer told reporters that the U.S. will increase levies on Chinese imports on Friday. Lighthizer's comment came after President Donald Trump announced Sunday an increase in current tariffs of 10% on $200 billion of Chinese goods to 25% on Friday. In a Twitter post, he also threatened to impose an extra 25% levies on an additional $325 billion of Chinese goods "shortly". Chinese Vice Premier Liu He is expected to join a delegation in the United States this week, raising hopes of a trade agreement despite the latest round of duties. "While China's Liu He is apparently planning to attend trade talks in the US on Thursday/Friday, the prospects for a compromise anytime soon have been materially lowered," Ian Lyngen, head of U.S. rates at BMO Capital Markets, said in a note on Tuesday. The developments on trades "have reinforced the bullish underpinnings so evident this week," he said. On the data front, there is job openings and labor turnover survey (JOLTS) due at 10 a.m. ET; and consumer credit numbers due at 3 p.m. ET. In terms of auctions, there will be a sale of $38 billion in 3-year notes. 5G logo is seen on an android mobile phone with Huawei logo on the background. Omar Marques | LightRocket | Getty Images The U.S. and China want to be world leaders in technologies like 5G and artificial intelligence and that could be a key hurdle in resolving trade frictions between the two, experts have told CNBC. President Donald Trump on Sunday tweeted that the U.S. would raise tariffs on $200 billion in Chinese goods to 25% from the current 10% rate by Friday, and was planning to hit another $325 billion in imports with 25% duties "shortly." Nevertheless, experts are still hopeful a trade agreement between the two sides will be reached. That's on the back of China confirming that Vice Premier Liu He and other officials will still visit Washington for another round of trade talks, despite reports that Beijing was considering backing out of the scheduled trip. "A deal of some sort is still likely," William Hobbs, chief investment officer at Barclays Investment Solutions, told CNBC's "Squawk Box Europe" Tuesday. It may be the case that Trump who once called himself a "Tariff Man" felt emboldened to put pressure on China given recent positive U.S. economic indicators, Hobbs said. But the big issue looking ahead, one analyst says, is the two countries' race toward new technologies. The battle to dominate 5G, for instance, has seen Huawei face intense political pressure from the U.S. amid fears its equipment could be used by the Chinese government for spying. "Tariffs, trade, goods, this is only a sideshow," Geoffrey Yu, head of the U.K. investment office at UBS Wealth Management, said. "The big sign of U.S. contention is going to be on technology, on 5G and those issues. This is going to be a multi-decade process." Tech could be the crucial issue to solve in finding a complete resolution to Washington and Beijing's dispute. An end to so-called forced technology transfers, for instance, is a key part of Trump's demands that is, the claim that U.S. companies are made to hand over their technological know-how in return for access to the Chinese market. But beyond that, the world's two largest economies are in a fierce race to harness the potential of nascent technologies, including 5G, artificial intelligence and robotics, in a bid to be the world leader in those fields. "I think we're now in a very different era, where both the Chinese and the Americans and perhaps other parts of the West are really trying to take advantage of new forms of technology," Edward Tse, CEO of Gao Feng Advisory, said. "Everyone is trying to leverage on this new form of technology to come up with new ideas, new business models and new innovations. The race is very different now compared to perhaps a decade ago." One area China might have an edge in, Tse noted, is in machine learning, because of the vast amounts of personal data companies in the country have access to. One reason for that is that the country has a different approach to major Western nations when it comes to things like data privacy. Meanwhile, Trump has made it clear that he wants the U.S. to be a leader in 5G. The president has gone as far as to say that he wants 5G, "and even 6G," to arrive in the U.S. "as soon as possible." U.S. Vice President Mike Pence is set on Tuesday to offer new incentives to Venezuela's military to turn against President Nicolas Maduro, responding to an attempted uprising that fizzled out last week, a senior administration official told Reuters. In a speech to the Americas Society at the State Department, scheduled for 3:25 p.m. (1925 GMT), Pence will also warn that the United States will soon move to sanction 25 additional magistrates on Venezuela's supreme court, the official said on Monday, speaking on condition of anonymity. Pence will also offer assistance for refugees who have fled the country, and an economic aid package contingent on a political transition, according to the official. Pence's speech will lay out the administration's initial strategy following massive street protests last week led by Juan Guaido, the opposition leader backed by the United States and most other Western countries. Guaido had described the protests as the start of his "final phase" to oust Maduro, but mass military defections failed to come to fruition. Guaido, the president of the country's national assembly, invoked Venezuela's constitution in January to declare himself interim president of the country, arguing that Maduro's 2018 re-election was illegitimate. Maduro who has said Guaido is a puppet of Washington has sought to show that the military remains on his side, but opposition leaders and U.S. officials have said that support is tenuous. Pence will offer new "carrots" to the Venezuelan military, the senior official told Reuters, declining to provide details of the incentives ahead of the speech. "He'll be showing where the opportunities lay if people do the right thing moving forward," the official said. Pence is also set to outline new assistance for Venezuelans who have fled the oil-rich country, which has been plagued by shortages of food, water, power and medicine and a "Day One" economic assistance plan for Venezuela contingent on Maduro's departure, the official added. The vice president in addition will deliver a "warning shot" to magistrates on Venezuela's supreme court. The Treasury Department sanctioned the court's president, Maikel Moreno, in 2017 and the seven principal members of its constitutional chamber and is now preparing to sanction the 25 remaining members of the court, the official said. "We feel like that's where the pressure needs to be," according to the official. "All 32 magistrates in the TSJ are going to sink or swim together," the official said, using the acronym for Tribunal US NewsSupremo de Justicia. American pork producers are using feed from China for their pigs, raising concerns about bringing a contagious disease to the U.S. At least 129 cases of the African swine fever in China have been reported since August, and the incurable viral disease has spread to other parts of Asia, including Vietnam and Mongolia. The fear is it could reach the U.S., where it could devastate the more than $20 billion pork industry. "Feedstuffs can carry it, and one of our concerns is we bring in vitamins and trace minerals for our pork industry from manufacturers in China," said Steve Meyer, an industry expert with Kerns & Associates in Iowa. "If you get the virus in those things, they can survive for a while." For example, Meyer said the so-called organic soybean meal known for its high protein content is shipped from China and typically fed to organic livestock, including to hogs. So far, the U.S. and Canada haven't banned imports of plant-based food from China, but some experts have recommended a quarantine on imported feed of at least 20 before using it. "They are still bringing it in, but it can be done in a responsible manner," said Meyer. "We're still concerned that somebody won't be responsible, and I'd [be a] whole lot happier if we had regulations and stuff that allowed all that to happen on our shores." China accounted for about 12% of all soybean meal the U.S. imported from abroad in 2018 although India was another significant source of the animal meal, according to WISERTrade, a Massachusetts-based trade research organization. "Animal feed ingredients and fomites have the potential to be pathways associated with a moderate likelihood of [African swine fever virus] entry, but there is high uncertainty because of the lack of data on transmission from these sources," a recently published report from the the U.S. Department of Agriculture assessing the likelihood of swine fever entry to the U.S. A meeting was held in Ottawa last week where U.S., Canadian and Mexican pork industry and government officials met to coordinate efforts to prevent the spread of the highly contagious swine fever into North America. "We've never had this disease here in the United States, we don't ever want to have this disease," said Dr. Dave Pyburn, a veterinarian and vice president of science and technology at the industry trade group National Pork Board. "If we were to get it, it would be devastating for our pigs." The U.S. currently exports just under 30% of its pork, which could be at risk if the swine fever reached the domestic market, Pyburn said. He said the disease only affects pigs and not people. Along with infected feed, experts say the swine disease can be spread by pigs' bodily fluids and their meat as well as feral hogs and the animals eating uncooked garbage. Blood-sucking ticks also can carry the virus and spread it to swine, which is believed to be primary way it initially spread in Africa. "If the ticks were to come here and be infected, they could spread it to here," said Pyburn. "The good thing is we've got Customs and Border Patrol that not only are dealing with insects as shipments come in from other countries, but you have them making sure we don't bring in pork from these countries that have the virus." In March, customs agents in New Jersey seized about 1 million pounds of illegal pork products coming into the U.S. from China. Also, Japanese officials last month announced they detected the virus in sausage brought in by visitors coming from China. The U.S. government recently announced increased measures to prevent the disease from entering the domestic livestock supply, including a renewed focus on "strict on-farm biosecurity" measures and other steps. That includes new teams of specially trained detector dogs to sniff out illegal feedstuffs being brought in to airports and seaports. Beijing hasn't divulged the exact number of hogs lost to swine fever, but Rabobank estimates up to 200 million animals could be affected and production could decline by 30%. That compares with about 75 million hogs and pigs in the total U.S. inventory. No effective vaccine is available for the swine fever although research is underway. Among the companies conducting research are New Jersey-based Zoetis and a European company, Huvepharma. "We are easily several years away, if not longer than that, from having an effective vaccine," said Pyburn. "This is an extremely large and complex virus, and so it's been very difficult for vaccines to be put together that are effective against it." U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue was not available for comment. Perdue is a former governor of Georgia and agribusinessman. However, the UGA report dated April 22 said Mexico has ramped up production of fresh produce in recent years and now "their imports compete directly with Georgia fruits and vegetables. Georgia's natural seasonal advantage has been diminished by Mexican imports arriving during Georgia's selling season at prices well below Georgia's production costs." According to the report, Georgia's blueberries usually have a market presence in Northern states ahead of local producers due to climate advantage. Similarly, it said Georgia's climate is ideal to grow fall vegetables such as tomatoes, peppers, squash, cucumbers, and eggplant. The report projected annual economic losses to Georgia's small fruit and vegetable industry under USMCA could be $340 million to nearly $900 million. It also said there could be job losses of about 3,300 to more than 8,600 under the proposed replacement to the 25-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement. "While the deal may be an overall positive for the United States, it exposes U.S. fruit and vegetable growers to a high risk of substantial harm through unfair competition from Mexican imports," the report said. Unless the proposed U.S. Mexico Canada Agreement (USMCA) is changed, it could "cause extensive economic damage to Georgia" and its fresh produce industry, according to economists at the University of Georgia. But he recently defended the Trump administration deal. "Not only does USMCA expand market access for commodities and crops, but also the agreement specifically addresses agricultural biotechnology, including new technologies such as gene editing, to support innovation and reduce trade-distorting policies," Perdue wrote in a guest column this week in the Gazette paper in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Added Perdue, "USMCA ensures a level playing field for American agriculture. If we are to keep our economy booming and continue to feed and clothe the world, Congress must pass USMCA." Some agricultural producers want changes to the deal first. They claim Mexico is "dumping" seasonal produce on the U.S. market with the help of government subsidies. Last month, a group of U.S. lawmakers from Florida and Georgia wrote a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer expressing concern about the lack of trade protections for seasonal and perishable produce in the proposed USMCA. Florida tomato growers and a group of U.S. lawmakers have previously accused Mexico of unfair trade practices. Southeast growers argued that an anti-dumping clause in a new trade deal would give U.S. farmers more leverage to hold Mexico accountable for not playing by the rules. But producer groups in California and other U.S. Western states cautioned against including anti-dumping provisions in a NAFTA replacement. They warned it could be used by Canada or Mexico to make a "dumping" case against U.S.-grown seasonal crops such as apples. The U.S. Trade Representative's Office referred inquiries to the Commerce Department, which didn't respond to a request for comment. The UGA study also criticized Mexico's government subsidies to its agriculture industry and added that Mexico's labor costs can be about one-tenth of U.S. labor costs. The report claimed, "the costs of the Mexican imports is often less than one half the price American growers were receiving before the Mexican imports arrived." The UGA report said there's potential for "catastrophic damage" when it comes to tomatoes. In February, the Trump administration indicated it planned to reopen an anti-dumping investigation into Mexican tomatoes and exit a 2013 agreement that has been criticized by U.S. growers. The 2013 agreement was described on a Commerce website as a commitment by Mexican producers and exporters to sell tomatoes "at or above the reference price, which will eliminate completely the injurious effects of exports of fresh tomatoes to the United States." On Tuesday, Reuters reported the U.S. plans to impose a 17.5% tariff on Mexican tomatoes this week, coming after the two countries failed to renew the 2013 agreement. It cited Mexican officials as the source for report. "As of tomorrow, a tariff of 17.5% will be applied on the value of the product ... Mexican exporters will be affected, it's going to affect their financial flows but that is going to be directly transferred to U.S. consumers," Mexican Deputy Economy Minister Luz Maria de la Mora was quoted as saying. She added, "We're very disappointed but the good news is that negotiations continue, looking for a solution. And we hope that in the coming weeks we can, in fact, reach an agreement." Don McGahn, White House counsel Andrew Harrer | Bloomberg | Getty Images The White House on Tuesday ordered former counsel Donald McGahn not to hand over documents related to special counsel Robert Mueller's probe that House Democrats are demanding to examine. The House Judiciary Committee last month issued a subpoena for the documents that set Tuesday as the deadline. In a letter to Judiciary Committee Chairman Rep. Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., White House counsel Pat Cipollone wrote that Mick Mulvaney, the acting chief of staff, had directed McGahn not to produce the records. Cipollone wrote that the documents "remain legally protected from disclosure under longstanding constitutional principles, because they implicate significant Executive Branch confidentiality interests and executive privilege." McGahn's own lawyer confirmed to Nadler that McGahn will not comply with the committee's subpoena. The attorney, William Burck, wrote in a letter to Nadler that "the appropriate response for Mr. McGahn is to maintain the status quo unless and until" Congress can reach an agreement with the executive branch. The order is the latest clash in a power battle between President Donald Trump and Democrats in the House over the limits of congressional oversight. Trump and his attorneys have vowed to mount an aggressive legal defense against Democratic efforts, reinvigorated following the conclusion of Mueller's inquiry, to secure documents and testimony from Trump officials. "We're fighting all the subpoenas," Trump told reporters last month. REDONDO BEACH, CA - MARCH 25: Driver and strike organizer Nicole Moore speaks during a one-day strike against Uber and Lyft on Monday, Mar 25, 2019. MediaNews Group/Torrance Daily Breeze via Getty Images | MediaNews Group | Getty Images As Uber prepares to go public later this week, there is a wild card that could affect its pricing and stock trading when it debuts. The factor goes to the heart of the company's business model: the use of contract rideshare drivers. Uber and its rival Lyft build their businesses on the backs of contract workers who are planning to strike and rally again ahead of Uber's anticipated IPO on Friday. On that day, drivers in a growing number of cities will log off of Uber, Lyft, and Juno's platforms between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. local time or throughout the day, and they're urging riders to do the same. The New York Taxi Workers Alliance (NYTWA) is calling on U.S.-based drivers to stand in solidarity with drivers in London and log off from both Uber and Lyft between 7am and 9am. Protests at major transportation hubs and company offices also are scheduled in New York and other cities, such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago and London. The group Rideshare Drivers UnitedLos Angeles has helped organize the strike across time zones. Drivers intend to send a message to Uber that is slated to begin trading as a public company Friday morning. The movement could spark unease among potential investors. The workers want higher wages and livable incomes, job security and regulated fares, according to sources at the NYTWA, which represents 21,000 professional drivers including those that work for Uber and Lyft. So far, New York City is the first and only market to have implemented a minimum wage law for ride-hail drivers that went into effect Feb. 1. They are to earn $17.22 an hour. According to industry sources, drivers are dissatisfied and feel the company is profiting by exploiting them. In stark contrast, many Uber executives will become instant millionaires once the IPO hits the Street and starts trading on Friday. The company plans to offer 180 million shares at $44 to $50 a piece putting its valuation at a whopping $91.5 billion. Although Uber plans to give some of its drivers cash bonuses, it is viewed as a workaround since SEC rules prevent giving private stock shares to freelancers. In a statement an Uber spokesman said "the company is continuing to work to improve the experience for drivers, on and off the road," told CNBC in an email. "Whether it's more consistent earnings, stronger insurance protections or fully-funded four-year degrees for drivers or their families, we'll continue working to improve the experience for drivers." The spokesperson said the company could not comment on any questions related to its IPO. The gig conundrum Worker classification has become a hot-button issue on the state and federal level as the number of gig workers rises in the U.S. to approximately 57 million people. Fortunately for Uber and Lyft, the courts have largely agreed that their drivers don't count as full-time employees. And last Monday, in a case involving an unnamed company, the Department of Labor issued an opinion that gig workers are to be classified as independent contractors, not entitled to health insurance and other benefits that would force companies to follow federal minimum-wage laws. That key decision was a blow to independent contractors looking for support from the federal government, and now there is movement among some blue states, such as California, toward more restrictive worker-classification laws that would make it harder for employers to treat their workers like independent contractors. This simmering issue has blown up for Uber and other companies that use gig workers already. A recent example is the $20 million Uber agreed to pay in March to settle a class-action lawsuit over worker misclassification, initially brought by independent contractors who drove for the platform in California and Massachusetts. In a May 2 court decision in California, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the "ABC Test" which in 2018 established a strict test for whether workers could be considered contractors applies retroactively in the state. The California Supreme Court put in place the three-part test in a decision in April 2018 in the case Dynamex Operations West v. Superior Court, which was brought by janitorial workers with a claim against Jan-Pro International Franchising. "This may cause some implications for Uber and other gig-economy services," says Alexandrea J. Ravenelle, an assistant professor of sociology at Mercer College, who recently published "Hustle and Gig: Struggling and Surviving in the Sharing Economy," a book investigating the situation of gig workers. "It could lead to more lawsuits." The test says that an employer who wants to classify someone as a contractor must prove three things: (1) that the worker is free from the control and direction of the hiring entity in performing the service; (2) the worker performs work outside of the usual course of the employer's business or [except in some states including California or Massachusetts] outside the employer's place of business; and (3) the worker is customarily engaged in an independent trade, occupation or business that is the same kind being performed for the employer. The most difficult part of test determining if the work is outside of the usual course of business is typically determined by courts based on the services the employer advertises, says attorney Mark Zisholtz, a partner at BakerHostetler, in Atlanta who has consulted with platforms that utilize drivers to implement their business model. In addition to California, the ABC test has currently been adopted by Connecticut, Indiana, Massachusetts and New Jersey when it comes to determining who is eligible for overtime, and there is a bill pending on whether to adopt it in the state of Washington. When it comes to unemployment compensation, about half of the states in the U.S. use the ABC test to determine eligibility. "It hasn't yet been applied to ride share drivers," says Steve King, partner at Emergent Research in Lafayette, Calif., which studies independent workers. "If it is, it would definitely find them misclassified." But not all states see the issue the same way and some red states, such as Texas, have adopted laws codifying that the drivers are independent contractors. "It's being decided on a state-by-state basis," says Sophie Wade, workforce innovation specialist at Flexcel Networks, a firm that advises companies on how to prepare for the future of work, and author of Embracing Progress. "We are in a messy period where we haven't yet worked all of the kinks out." A Pandora's box Nonetheless, a lot would have to change for Uber to classify its drivers as employees and change its business model. The only thing that would likely lead Uber to classify workers differently would be litigation threats, says Zisholtz. "It would have to be enough to move the needle on the bottom line for Uber," he says. Shareholders who buy stock after the IPO would have little incentive to push Uber to classify its workers as W-2 employees, according to Micah Rowland, COO, of Fountain, a hiring platform that serves the on-demand economy and other industries. "It would have a significant cost implication if they were to reclassify their drivers as employees," says Rowland. "I think that would have adverse impacts on their business's growth and profitability. It would make them more unprofitable to classify them as W-2 employees, not contractors. I don't think there would be shareholders pushing for such a thing." Ravenelle, however, believes it is possible that shareholders could put pressure on Uber in the future to classify its drivers as W-2s. "There could be some movement to change what Uber is doing when there are shareholders involved and there is more attention," she says. Classifying the drivers as employees would likely affect full-time drivers positively, but could hurt the many who are part-timers, according to Yevgeniy Feyman, who drove for Uber part-time to make extra money while working as a policy researcher at Harvard University in 2016 and 2017. "For people who are driving 60 hours a week being classified as employees would be very, very useful," says Feyman. "Unless they are in a two-income household and have health coverage through their spouse, they are probably not getting health coverage from anyone else and have to buy it on the exchanges." But it might hurt drivers who work part-time for the service, he says. "They would probably see their earnings shrink quite a bit," says Feyman. "Ultimately, Uber might try to figure out a way to cut some people who don't drive a lot and try to encourage those who do drive a lot to drive more. The cost of having part-timers that are classified as employees probably isn't worth it, relative to someone who is putting in a lot of hours." New worker classification 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. The Missourians Opinion section is a public forum for the discussion of ideas. The views presented in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Missourian or the University of Missouri. If you would like to contribute to the Opinion page with a response or an original topic of your own, visit our submission form King of Jordan to visit Singapore in June for International Conference on Cohesive Societies Singapore will be hosting the International Conference on Cohesive Societies (ICCS) from June 19-21, 2019. The conference will draw on the diverse expertise of about 700 international delegates across academia, government, religious groups, and civil society to help shape the future of cohesive societies. Photo courtesy: unsplash His Majesty King Abdullah II ibn Al-Hussein of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan will be addressing the ICCS, drawing from his experience as a global leader in promoting interfaith understanding and dialogue across religious communities. His Majesty King Abdullah II ibn Al-Hussein of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Photo courtesy: Wiki Under the theme Many Communities, One Shared Future, the ICCS will serve as a platform for dialogue on the complex challenges widening divides within societies and encourage collective action to bridge these gaps. Organised by the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), with the support of the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, the ICCS will be held at Singapores Raffles City Convention Centre. His Majesty has led a number of important international initiatives aimed at promoting tolerance and peaceful coexistence. Among these critical interventions are the Amman Message, the UN World Interfaith Harmony Week, and the Common Word Initiative. His Majesty King Abdullah will be received by Madam Halimah Yacob, President of the Republic of Singapore, at the three-day conference. Both heads of state will be addressing the conference, which has been convened at an especially urgent time for dialogue, understanding and collaboration. Mdm Halimah Yacob, President of Singapore. Photo courtesy: Mdm Halimah Yacob's FB Stressing the importance of interfaith efforts, His Majesty King Abdullah II said, A dialogue of respect is the rock-bed of all societies. The future lies in unity and respect, not division and stereotypes. Ms Grace Fu, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, added, Building social cohesion is a shared responsibility, and all of us must do our part. This is a continual effort through the conference, we hope to learn how others bridged social divides, even as we share Singapores experience. President Halimah said, We live in a world increasingly fraught with conflict and danger. The social fabric of many communities is stressed by extremism, exclusivism and polarisation. It is therefore important for us to grow trust across communities. I thank His Majesty King Abdullah II ibn Al-Hussein of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan for accepting my invitation to deliver the keynote address at the ICCS. Leadership 1) Any concessions from May to Labour on the Customs Union and she will be gone very quickly The Prime Minister wants to sign off an agreement with Jeremy Corbyn on Tuesday in order to avoid having to send new MEPs to the European Parliament, but there is little appetite for a cross-party deal among her own backbenchers. Rivals in the race to succeed Mrs May are on a state of high alert in case a compromise deal with Labour becomes the trigger for a leadership election. Senior sources within the Conservative Party said on Monday that Mrs May will be gone very quickly if she moves towards Labours demands for a post-Brexit customs union with the EU. Daily Telegraph These talks are a fraud Tim Stanley, Daily Telegraph Leadership 2) Brady to meet the Prime Minister today to press for resignation date Theresa May is to meet the chairman of an influential committee of backbench Tory MPs, Sir Graham Brady, amid calls for her to set a firm resignation date. It follows a request from the 1922 committee for clarity on the issue. No 10 insists the meeting is routine but BBC political correspondent Iain Watson said Sir Graham is likely to press the prime minister for a timetable for her departure. Meanwhile, cross-party talks to break the Brexit deadlock are due to resume. In March, Mrs May pledged to stand down if and when Parliament ratified her Brexit withdrawal agreement with the EU but she has not made it clear how long she intends to stay if no deal is reached. BBC Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown wants a timetable for her departure announced before the European elections The Times It is time for new leadership before Labour Government becomes inevitable Leader, The Sun >Yesterday: Stephen Lynch on Comment: The Tories need a leader with emotional intelligence Leadership 3) Party activists to hold no-confidence vote Prime Minister Theresa May has been given a new warning that Tories are turning against her with members of the party plotting a confidence vote in her next month. Mrs May could be ousted from her post as Andrew Sharpe, the chairman of grassroots National Conservative Convention, will announce that an Extraordinary General Meeting will be held on June 15.The result of the vote will not be binding, but it will mount pressure on Mrs May to quit. The Sun >Today: MPsETC: We no longer feel that Mrs May is the right person to continue as Prime Minister. The emergency national convention motion. Full text. Leadership 4) Rival candidates differ on the case for an early general election Boris Johnsons Brexit stance in the upcoming contest will be to go back to Brussels and renegotiate the backstop, according to his supporters, something he believes a change in political will can deliver despite opposition in Brussels. And while not advocating an election, those close to him think he is well placed to beat LabourFriends of Dominic Raab also said he would seek an early exit from the backstop and would not want an early election, and would only seek one if it became a necessity. Home secretary Sajid Javid, is one of the few candidates for whom the prospect of a general election is key to his appeal. His campaign team has circulated polling showing that his ratings among the general public are much less negative than those of Mr Johnson or Mr Raab. Sebastian Payne, Financial Times Leadership 5) Phillips: A return to Burkean principles is crucial Brexit 1) Ministers spend an extra 160 million on consultants Whats desperately needed now is a statesman who will tell the nation, as Burke observed during that earlier revolutionary cataclysm, that his party will not begin by despising everything that belonged to you. Instead it should conserve the inheritance of wise ancestors as the surest basis for national improvement, making the cause of liberty venerable in the eyes of every worthy mind in every nation and thus having shamed despotism from the earth. Now that would be a party worth voting for. Where is the leader who will create it? Melanie Phillips, The Times The government has signed a round of new Brexit contracts with outside consultants worth almost 160m. Many of them are due to run until April 2020, six months after the UKs new scheduled departure date from the European Union. Since the EU referendum, Whitehall has hired companies to carry out consultancy work to prepare for Brexit. The government said it would continue to draw on the expert advice of a range of specialists. In February, an analysis for the BBC found the government had agreed contracts worth 104m for outside help on Brexit. BBC EU leaders snub May Daily Express >Today: Bim Afolami on Comment: Why I am joining the Commission seeking Alternative Arrangements for the Northern Ireland border Brexit 2) The Prince of Wales to urge that close ties to Germany continue Germanys push for an EU Army causes a split Financial Times Brexit 3) Wallace: Tory activists have gone on strike for the Euro Elections The Prince of Wales is to make a heartfelt plea for Britain to retain close links with Germany after Brexit. He says in a speech to be given today that the two nations are friends and natural partners and that the bonds they share must endure. Although his words may be interpreted by some as voicing Remain sympathies, a Clarence House source said that it was not about Brexit but how the countries related to each other whatever the result of the negotiations. The prince would give a deeply personal speech that reflected his strong feelings about Britains cultural ties with Germany, an issue which he feels passionately about, the source added. All speeches by the prince on official overseas tours are cleared by Downing Street. The Times This activist strike is growing. Before the locals, Derbyshire County Councillors voted not to campaign in the European elections, as did Redditch Conservative AssociationBeyond the formal party structures, many individual members have independently resolved to simply stay at homeIf Tory members are so annoyed that they refuse to campaign and in many cases intend to vote for the Brexit Party, its easy to imagine the mood among the voter base, many of whom already feel their loyalty has been tried beyond its breaking point. People dislike broken promises, and, as 2017 showed, they hate being forced to vote unnecessarily. These absurd European elections combine both offences against the electorate. Mark Wallace, The i Cost of Euro Elections rockets by 50 million Daily Telegraph UKIP leader may stand down Daily Telegraph Farage accused to pushing conspiracy theories The Guardian >Today: ToryDiary: ConHomes survey. Our panel and the European elections. Three in five Tory members will still vote for the Brexit Party. Brexit 4) Sylvester: A second referendum could still happen Spectre of a general election looms large Sebastian Payne, Financial Times Im a Labour MP, and a second referendum was a difficult sell on the doorstep Andrew Gwynne, The Guardian The EU Elections will be like a referendum Daily Express Mrs May could still agree to a confirmatory referendum to get her withdrawal agreement passed. Some of her allies believe it was a mistake not to reach over the heads of parliament to the people when she lost the second meaningful voteUltimately the next prime minister will need a mandate of their own. The whole thing potentially ends with a new leader promising a tougher Brexit but getting into office, realising they cant deliver it and then having to make the choice between a general election and referendum, one cabinet minister says. In that case, inevitably, they will choose a referendum because who would want to roll the dice on their own premiership so soon after they got to power? Rachel Sylvester, The Times Hinds calls for fewer pupils to be excluded from school Fewer pupils should be excluded from school, according to the education secretary, who said that a fall in the numbers would be the measure of success of a reformed system. Damian Hinds said that he would begin implementing the 30 recommendations made by Edward Timpson in his report into school exclusions, published in full today. They include measures to make sure that schools take into their academic rankings the exam results of pupils they exclude. Mr Timpson, a former education minister, also said that schools must take on responsibility for finding a good place for their excluded pupils to go to and be a part of the commissioning process for alternative provision where many end up. The Times Gove demands an end to the scandal of food waste Political leaders offer congratulations following birth of Royal baby Michael Gove has urged chefs, restaurateurs and hoteliers to help the Government end the moral, economic, and environmental scandal of throwing away food. The Environment Secretary will host a summit next week when he will call on 300 organisations and prominent individuals to pledge to significantly reduce their food waste. The pledge includes a commitment to checking the fridge before going shopping and always using a shopping list to better plan mealsMr Gove will host the food symposium in London alongside the Governments Food Surplus and Waste Champion Ben Elliot. Daily Telegraph Prime Minister Theresa May, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and Scotlands First Minister Nicola Sturgeon were among the politicians to offer their congratulations to the royal couple on Twitter. Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, who married the couple in May last year, said: May God bless the new family with love, health and happiness. BBC Michelle Obama joins the tributes The Times Why the first ever mixed race royal can make us all proud Trevor Phillips, Daily Mail Khan attacked for green hypocrisy Sturgeon told to scrap air tax cut to tackle climate emergency The Scotsman Fewer people giving to charity due to scandals Sadiq Khan has been branded a hypocrite for campaigning on green issues while he and his team have racked up enough air miles to reach the Moon since he became Mayor of London. Mr Khan and his senior staff have travelled 280,000 miles around the world despite his warnings of a climate emergency threatening the planet. Their globetrotting has produced 180 tons of carbon dioxide so much that it would reportedly take two-and-a-half acres of trees 34 years to cleanse it from the atmosphere. Daily Mail Fewer people are giving to charity, in what researchers say is a worrying trend at a time when trust in charities appears to be falling. The proportion of the UK public who gave money direct to charity in 2018 dropped to 57%, compared with 60% the previous year and 61% in 2016. Numbers giving money or sponsoring someone fell to 65%, compared with 67% in 2017 and 69% the year before. The Charities Aid Foundation (CAF), which produces the estimates based on online surveys, said there had been a clear downward trend over the three years, a period during which the charity sector was rocked by scandals. The Guardian Trump escalates trade war with China Is the deal over? BBC Global markets in tailspin City AM Allowing Huawei to build 5G in UK will be unforgivable if it damages our relationship with allies Dominic Grieve, Daily Telegraph Le Pen edges ahead of Macron Senior US officials accused China of backtracking on its pledges in talks to end the trade war between the worlds largest economies, raising the risk of a collapse in the negotiations between Washington and Beijing. In a briefing on Monday, Robert Lighthizer, the US trade representative, and Steven Mnuchin, the US Treasury secretary, said the Trump administration was prepared to move ahead with higher tariffs on $200bn of Chinese imports as early as Friday morning, in response to the impasse in the talks..Last week, Mr Lighthizer and Mr Mnuchin left Beijing touting productive conversations with Liu He, Chinas vice-premier, that were widely expected to set the stage for a final session and possibly an agreement by the end of this week. On Sunday, however, Donald Trump, the US president, fired off a pair of tweets denouncing the slow pace of the negotiations and vowing to impose higher tariffs on a wide range of Chinese goods to put pressure on Beijing. Financial Times President Macron has warned his ministers that they are at risk of losing their jobs if his centrist party does not win this months European elections. The threat was designed to push members of his government on to the campaign trail after his La Republique En Marche (LREM) movement fell behind Marine Le Pens far-right National Rally in an opinion poll. Defeat by Ms Le Pen, 50, would represent a setback to Mr Macrons plan to lead what he calls the renaissance of the EU. The vote this month is his first national test since he became president two years ago with a promise to revolutionise French and European politics. The Times Saatchi: Thatcher would agree we need to share Americas self-confidence News in brief Its capitalism, not socialism, that will beat climate change Benedict McAleenan, The Spectator What Thatcher got right Oliver Wiseman, Cap X Why Change UK/TIG is failing to make an impact Dominique Samuels, Brexit Central Whatever happened to tolerance? Will Jones, The Conservative Woman The future of Mrs May John Redwood To disarm its enemies and defeat its rivals, it only has to focus its intellectual energy and vast economic resources on policies that would help the world follow its lead; to find the language to protect its founding ideology beyond its own shores, and to remind the world of its ultimate belief in self-determination, individuality, independence and democracy as a means to that great end. American intellectual self-confidence has been the heartbeat of Western civilisation. As Mrs Thatcher knew, Britain is a better country when it shares in that self-confidence; when it rejects conformity and complacency, and works with its greatest ally to build a better and more prosperous world for all with a shared idea of liberty as its founding stone. Maurice Saatchi, Daily Telegraph We no longer feel that Mrs May is the right person to continue as Prime Minister. The special National Convention motion. Full text. Here is Andrew Sharpes letter to National Convention members about the proposed emergency meeting. Dear National Convention Member, Schedule 3, articles 13 and 14 of the Conservative Party Constitution state that Upon a petition signed by not less than sixty-five Chairmen to the Secretary of the National Convention, the Chairman of the National Convention shall call an Extraordinary General Meeting of the National Convention. The Secretary of the National Convention shall give not less than 28 clear days notice of the Extraordinary General Meeting in writing to all members of the National Convention, together with an agenda for the meeting. This email serves as notice that Stephen Phillips, Secretary of the National Convention, and I have received petition signed by more than sixty-five Association Chairman. The petition reads: We, members of the National Convention recognise the difficult task our Prime Minister has had in trying to extricate the UK from the EU after over 40 years of membership and we honour her work and commitment in that endeavour. It has, however been almost 3 years since we voted to leave and after 2 extensions to the original departure date, we no longer feel that Mrs May is the right person to continue as Prime Minister to lead us forward in the negotiations. We therefore with great reluctance ask that she considers her position and resigns, to allow the Conservative Party to choose another leader, and the Country to move forward and negotiate our exit from the EU. We call on the National Convention Officers to call an EGM to consider this motion. The Extraordinary General Meeting to debate this will be held on Saturday June 15th at a Central London location. This will be the only agenda item. In order for those travelling longer distances to be able to attend the meeting will start at midday at the earliest. The venue will be formally notified in due course. Yours sincerely Andrew Sharpe OBE Chairman of the National Conservative Convention. Bim Afolami is MP for Hitchin and Harpenden. I voted Remain. I represent a fairly strong Remain seat in Hertfordshire. I voted for the Prime Ministers deal three times, and implored my colleagues to do the same. I dont believe that the backstop is as bad a problem as many have pointed out. So why am I joining the Prosperity UK Alternative Arrangements Commission, to try and work through the problem of how to ensure that whatever the Brexit outcome there is no physical infrastructure at the Irish border? Three words: responsibility, responsibility, responsibility. As a person privileged enough to be a Member of Parliament, I have a responsibility to do everything I can to fix the chaos, and find a practical solution to our problems. Any MP with a pulse knows that the public is more than fed up with the collective indecision and incompetence that Parliament has shown over Brexit. However, in the midst of chaos and calamity, the paths out of this mess are easily discernible. Parliament has made it clear that it will not countenance a No Deal outcome because it regards it to be a damaging outcome that would weaken Britains negotiating position with the EU rather than strengthening it. Lest I provoke any howls of rage here by saying this, I state it as a piece of objective political reality. Face facts. Parliament has shown that it will do practically anything to stop that outcome. This means that there remain only two ways of resolving the impasse, unless we want to repeat the humiliating spectacle of the Prime Minister visiting Brussels, like a modern day Pope Gregory on his knees at Canossa, begging for another long extension. The first is a second referendum. I do not want to rehearse the arguments for or against such a course, as they are well known. Personally, although such a course would resolve the impasse temporarily, I believe it would be injurious to the body politic as a whole. The second way to resolve the impasse is to get the Withdrawal Agreement passed. How can the agreement be passed, seeing as it was rejected a third time by 58 votes (with 34 Conservative MPs voting against)? The EU will not reopen the Withdrawal Agreement. Would you? From their perspective, they have agreed a treaty with a sovereign government, and re-opening it to amend or change the backstop would allow the 27 other EU countries to lobby to change different sections of the agreement (such as fishing or Gibraltar) that they are not wholly comfortable with. This is the only way out of the EU, warts and all. The key to passing the Withdrawal Agreement lies in trying to ensure that the Alternative Arrangements in other words, working technical and administrative solutions are shown to be practically achievable to such a robust degree that the EU accepts them. If the EU accepts these Alternative Arrangements, then the backstop will become defunct as it will never come into force. This is what the Commission, chaired by the highly capable and effective Greg Hands and Nicky Morgan, is trying to achieve. Remember, the only positive motion that has passed the House of Commons on Brexit is the Brady amendment which called for the Northern Ireland backstop to be replaced with alternative arrangements to avoid a hard border. The Commission will include representatives from across the political spectrum. It has engaged a technical panel comprising border and customs experts, practitioners and lawyers with detailed knowledge of Ireland as well as the EU, UK and international trade regulations in order to create draft processes and procedures to fulfil these goals. In addition, the Commission will engage with established technology providers in order to develop a comprehensive set of solutions and timelines for review. Members of the technical panel include: Lars Karlsson, former Director for Capacity Building of the World Customs Organization (WCO) and international customs expert; Hans Maessen, international customs expert; Shanker Singham, international trade expert; and representatives from the UK Association for International Trade (ACITA), CLECAT, the association of European customs brokers and many corporates that are users of Customs and need borders to work properly. For any readers who are sceptical about the chances of the EU accepting these Alternative Arrangements, I understand. I was sceptical, too. But I have come to this conclusion: Over the medium/long term, if we want to have an independent trade policy (which we should) at the same time as maintaining an invisible border in Ireland (as we must), the only way to do so is to agree a set of Alternative Arrangements with the EU. We have to engage with them, and the Irish government, properly. They are going to remain our trading partners. We have to show them, in concrete terms, how an invisible border can be maintained without need for the backstop. Such a course does not prejudge our eventual trading relationship. Over the next couple of years we will still continue to have fascinating arguments about the merits and demerits of a Canada-style relationship versus a Norway model, and everything in between. But if we want the option of an independent trading policy, which must surely be the aim for the fifth biggest economy in the world with a place on the UN Security Council, we are going to have to finalise alternative arrangements with the EU. On the domestic politics of this, the DUP and the 28 members of the ERG who still refuse to back the deal have the backstop as their biggest concern about the Withdrawal Agreement. Coming to a developed and robust sense of how Alternative Arrangements will work, and to have them accepted as a potential way through by the UK Government and the European Commission will help them come behind the agreement and allow the Withdrawal Bill to pass through the Commons. The Alternative Arrangements Commission might just be a key part in helping the Government and Parliament come to a solution. If there is a chance we can find a path through this, we have to try. Today sees the publication of the Timpson Review on School Exclusion. It was undertaken by Edward Timpson, a former Conservative MP and Education Minister. The upshot is that it wants schools to be penalised for excluding disruptive pupils for instance by changing the funding arrangements and being marked down in their Ofsted reports. It is written in a predictably tortuous style. It proposes changes that will recognise those who use exclusion appropriately by recognising schools in supporting all children, including those with additional needs, to remain positively engaged in mainstream in the context of a well-managed school. The Times this morning reports: Fewer pupils should be excluded from school, according to the education secretary, who said that a fall in the numbers would be the measure of success of a reformed system. Damian Hinds said that he would begin implementing the 30 recommendations made by Edward Timpson in his report into school exclusions, published in full today. They include measures to make sure that schools take into their academic rankings the exam results of pupils they exclude. There has been cross party pressure to discourage exclusions. Last month, Jeremy Corbyn gave a speech to the National Education Union and complained that the increase in exclusions is being driven in part by austerity. Robert Halfon, the Conservative MP and Chairman of the Education Select Committee, has written for this site, criticising schools for excluding pupils too readily. According to the Timpson Review, there were 7,700 pupils expelled from schools in England in 2016-17. That is an average of 40 a day. We are meant to regard that as a high number but there are over eight million pupils in Britain. So that is below 0.1 per cent. We read that over 17,000 mainstream schools (85 per cent of all mainstream schools in England) issued no permanent exclusions in 2016/17. There is an implication that they are to be commended. This seems to me a rather loaded way of looking at it. Did all those schools really manage effectively without any exclusions? The number of exclusions is up 40 per cent on three years ago although it is lower than ten years ago. But why is is assumed that more pupils than necessary are being excluded now, rather than that some who should have been excluded three years ago were wrongly left in mainstream education? One criteria that Ofsted seems to be pushing is that exclusion is wrong as it is primarily in the interests of the school rather than in the best interests of the pupil. How many angels can dance on the head of a pin? If a pupil is persistently disruptive then it is in nobody interests for the situation to continue. Im not sure whether it makes sense to argue about whether its primarily helping the disruptive pupil to be taken out of school to be given specialist help, or the rest of the class who then have a chance to learn something. John Bald has written on this site: The point, though, is that the perpetrators of school violence and disruption inflict even more harm on the education of other pupils, and to the morale of teachers, than they do on themselves. School staff, from headteachers to assistants, have the right to work in safety, and children have the right to go to school, work and learn, without having their education disrupted more often, wrecked by other pupils. A return to progressive and inclusive education would mean a collapse in discipline and make schools frightening places where the bullies are in control. That is the system that Michael Gove moved away from when he gave head teachers much greater authority including far greater power to exclude pupils. It is applying the Conservative principle to trust the people. There is accountability. If a school fails then it has a forced takeover as a sponsored academy with a new head and governing body. But it is only fair that heads should be given the power to succeed. I visited a school in Shepherds Bush called Burlington Danes which had been in a terrible state but was rapidly turned round by a new head called Sally Coates. On her first day she held an Inset day and went through with the teachers her approach. On her second day as head, the first day of term came the shock and awe of a mass exclusion of 70 children those with the worst behaviour based on their records. She told an assembly for each year group how they were expected to behave in future and told those being excluded to stay behind. She gave each of them a letter and said they werent to come back to school until she had had an appointment with their parents. Often the parents had been unaware of what had been happening and these meetings were often long and difficult but practically all the children were quickly allowed back by half term. This is not to say that everything is fine at present. Timpson covers the practice of off rolling. This is an arrangement whereby a school gets rid of a pupil, not through exclusion, but by asking the childs parents to move him or her to another school, in order to avoid exclusion. Of course this just means that the disruption is switched from a classroom in one school to a classroom in another. The problem isnt solved. The causes of the bad behaviour are not properly investigated or addressed. But is it not blindingly obvious that punishing schools for undertaking exclusions will make off-rolling more likely? A school can virtuously claim to have zero exclusions which will officially be true as it has relied on this dodge instead. Another huge challenge at present is when pupils are excluded. They are put into Pupil Referral Units or Alternative Provision schools. But then often, after a couple of terms, they are put back in a mainstream school (which has to accept them and is different from the one that excluded them). Often the same problems occur and the pupil is excluded again. Sometimes these Units fail to provide proper specialist help those pupils with quite different problems are put in together. There might be those who have had some breakdown after experiencing bullying, mixed in with those excluded for bullying. It is not as if the money is not being spent. Class sizes are low. But greater innovation is needed. Greater priority should be given in the free schools programme to those offering excellence in alternative provision. Under David Cameron, the Conservatives brought in bold and successful social reforms. The transformation of our schools stands out. Under Theresa May, radicalism has vanished, but at least the achievements have not been generally been lost. What is particularly dispiriting about the announcement from Hinds is that he is threatening the hard won improvement in educational standards. Head teachers who wish to maintain order are to be undermined. Instead they are to be told to once again put progressive ideology first. We will wait to find out what approach the next Prime Minister takes 80% Website dytagrosir.com uses latest and advanced technologies like: JQuery. It supports HTTPS. The main html page has a size of 62471 bytes (61.01 kb uncompressed). This CoolSocial report was updated on 2019-09-19, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want. 100% Website fastrupee.com uses latest and advanced technologies like: JQuery. It supports HTTPS and GZIP compression. The main html page has a size of 51755 bytes (50.54 kb uncompressed) and 11390 bytes (11.12 kb compressed). This CoolSocial report was updated on 2021-12-09, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want. A strong seasonal fall foliage market, Canada/New England will be another cruise region posting a record year when it comes to cruise ships and passenger capacity, with traffic projected to be up over 8 percent, according to the 2019 Cruise Industry News Annual Report. Its the fifth straight year of passenger growth for the market, led in a large part by more seasonal capacity from Royal Caribbean International, Princess Cruises and Holland America Line, as well as Norwegian Cruise Line. Royal Caribbean remains the biggest brand in the region, with 23.9 percent of the market by passenger capacity, followed by Princess, which posts a strong uptick in capacity year-over-year. Making a comeback to the region in 2019 will be MSC Cruises, with a seasonal program aboard the MSC Meraviglia out of New York. Disney Cruise Line is another operator that has enjoyed a strong seasonal presence in the market, with the Disney Magic sailing from New York in the fall. Other European cruise lines with short but notable Canada/New England deployments include AIDA, TUI, P&O and Phoenix Reisen, as well as Plantours, Cruise and Maritime Voyages and Saga Cruises. 2020 is expected to continue the trend in traffic for the region, which is served by key homeports in New York, New Jersey, Boston and Baltimore, as well as Montreal and Quebec. Among the headlines going into next year will be the arrival of the first Oasis-class ship in the region as the Oasis of the Seas is set to homeport in Bayonne, New Jersey for her debut out of the Northeast. The megaship will sail two cruises in 2020, including a four-day sailing to Halifax, and a six-day sailing with calls in Portland, Halifax and Saint John. About the Annual Report: The Cruise Industry News Annual Report is the only book of its kind, presenting the worldwide cruise industry through 2027 in 400 pages. Statistics are independently researched. See a preview by clicking here. The report covers everything from new ships on order to supply-and-demand scenarios from 1987 through 2027+. Plus there is a future outlook, complete growth projections for each cruise line, regional market reports, and detailed ship deployment by region and market, covering all the cruise lines. Order the 2019 edition today. Windstar Cruises today revealed six new cruises being added to the James Beard Foundation (JBF) Culinary Cruise Collection for 2020. Windstar is the Official Cruise Line of the James Beard Foundation All sailings are led by James Beard Foundation-recognized guest chefs, sommeliers and beverage experts with a passion for their destination, the company said. Our exclusive partnership with the James Beard Foundation has allowed us to enrich our culinary experiences giving our guests unparalleled access to the most cutting edge and accomplished culinarians in the industry. Every evening, on every single sailing, our cruise guests enjoy destination-inspired JBF dishes created especially for Windstar by the James Beard guest chefs who have sailed with us. We have proudly hosted nearly three dozen chefs, sommeliers and beverage experts and counting. What is unique is that each one has a special connection to the places they are sailing, whether through food or family heritage, this creates powerful and inspiring personal experiences that our guests will never forget, said Windstar President John Delaney. Coinciding with this announcement, and as part of the unique travel-culinary alliance, Windstar sponsors the James Beard Foundation Awards, the pinnacle of recognition in the culinary world, happening today at the Lyric Opera in Chicago, IL. James Beard Foundation President Clare Reichenbach commented, We are so pleased to have Windstars support of our mantra good food for good, which commits the James Beard Foundation to giving culinary professionals the tools they need to make the world more sustainable, equitable, and delicious for everyone. The JBF Culinary Cruise Collection shines a light on these chefs and wine experts and highlights the important role that food plays in the culture and economies of each of the ports where Windstar sails, the world round. A number of Windstar alumni guest chefs are attending the JBF Awards Gala including Chef Danielle Leoni of Breadfruit in Phoenix, AZ. who led guests on a Caribbean cruise adventure in January, and is a James Beard Foundation 2018 Fellow for the Women's Entrepreneurial Leadership program; also attending is acclaimed Chef Hugh Acheson of Empire State South, Five & Ten, and The National in Atlanta, GA. who headlined a 2017 European JBF Culinary Cruise and is nominated for Outstanding Restaurateur. Windstars Corporate Executive Chef Graeme Cockburn joined an exclusive club of chefs that have been invited to prepare a signature bite for the 1,000 plus guests attending the famed JBF Awards Gala. Chef Cockburn sails aboard each JBF cruise overseeing the culinary operations, and the dishes specially developed by the James Beard guest chefs are featured in Windstars restaurants each evening and enjoyed on every sailing. For the JBF Awards Gala, Chef Cockburn has developed a recipe inspired by Windstars forays into the alpine areas and glaciers of Alaska and will be serving up Seared Venison Loin & Alaskan Pine Spruce Salad with Nasturtium Pesto and Goat Buttermilk Dressing at the epicurean extravaganza. Below are the dates and itineraries for the six newly announced 2020 additions to the JBF Culinary Cruise Collection: January 25, 2020 James Beard Foundation: The Spanish Main: Rise of the New World Colon to San Juan, 7 days aboard Star Pride May 5, 2020 James Beard Foundation: West Coast Epicurean Extravaganza San Diego to Vancouver, 10 days aboard Star Breeze June 8, 2020 James Beard Foundation: Alaskan Splendors Vancouver to Seward (Anchorage), 11 days aboard Star Breeze September 19, 2020 James Beard Foundation: Autumn on the Atlantic Coast London to Lisbon, 10 days aboard Star Legend October 16, 2020 James Beard Foundation: Quintessential Croatia Venice to Venice, 8 days aboard Wind Surf November 2, 2020 James Beard Foundation: Windstar Crew Hometowns: Philippines & Indonesia Hong Kong to Bali, 14 days cruise aboard Star Breeze In addition, following is line-up of award-winning chefs and celebrated sommeliers who will headline the three remaining 2019 JBF Culinary Cruise Collection sailings: June 22, 2019 James Beard Foundation: Yachtsmans Harbors of the Rivieras 8 days aboard Wind Surf Chef & Restaurateur Jamie Leeds, JL Restaurant Group & Hanks Oyster Bar in Washington, D.C. Sommelier Jeff Strine, JL Restaurant Group & Hanks Oyster Bar, and more) in Washington, D.C. September 24, 2019 James Beard Foundation: West Coast Epicurean Extravaganza 10 days aboard Star Legend Chef Duskie Estes of Zazu Kitchen + Farm, Bovolo, and Black Pig Meat Co. in Sonoma County Beverage Expert Michael Metzger of Distinguished Vineyards and Wine Partners October 14, 2019 James Beard Foundation: Classic Italy & Dalmatian Coast 8 days aboard Wind Surf Chef Chris Pandel of Swift & Sons, Cold Storage, and Dutch & Docs in Chicago Beverage Expert Marcello Cancelli of the Boka Group in Chicago Six more lawsuits have been filed against food packaging giant Conagra Brands Inc. alleging the companys cooking spray products were prone to explode. Bridgeport-based law firm Koskoff Koskoff and Bieder filed the suits Tuesday on behalf of eight people who are claiming that they were harmed when aerosol cans manufactured by the Chicago-based company exploded in their kitchens leaving them with serious burns and disfigurements. We want to get our clients paid back and compensated, said attorney Craig Smith, who is represented the plaintiffs. These are outstanding medical bills and horrific injuries. We also want to make sure that no one else gets burned, if possible. At issue is a 2011 redesign of some versions of the familiar Pam cooking spray can, which, the lawsuits say, creates a hazard even though the new design was supposed to reduce the risk of explosions. The new design incorporated vents at the bottom of the can that would open if the can heats up to relieve pressure and prevent explosions. But when the vents opened, Smith said, the cans would spray flammable contents causing flash fires and explosions. Smith argued that the decision to redesign the cans was to cut costs at the expense of safety. It is beyond irresponsible that, to increase profits, Conagra Brands made and sold cans of household cooking spray that are susceptible to explosion, choosing not to use the safer designs as it had for the last 60 years, and failed to warn consumers about the very serious risks, Smith said in a press release. A Conagra spokesman did not immediately return a call for comment. More Business Dan Haar: Lawsuits test Pam cooking spray safety claims Plaintiffs in the new lawsuits are: Maria Mariani, who claimed a canister exploded in April 2019 at her mothers Staten Island, N.Y., apartment while she was boiling water, resulting in burns on 30 percent of her skin. Raveen Sugantheraj, a medical student who suffered severe burns to his face, neck, arms and hands when a cooking spray can explode while he was preparing dinner in his Indianapolis apartment in March. Paytene Pivonka and Jacob Dalton, a Utah couple who sustained third-degree burns on Nov. 6, 2018, after a can of Pam exploded on a shelf above their gas stove while they were cooking. Andrea Bearden and Brandon Banks sustained serious burns while cooking at a relatives home after a can of Pam exploded in May 2018 after falling onto the stove in Mount Carmel, Ill. Reveriano Duran was seriously burned and disfigured on July 16, 2017 while working his shift as a cook at Berryhill Baja Grill in Houston. The lawsuit said Duran had placed a can of Pam cooking spray on a shelf in front of a grill; the can exploded and started a full-scale kitchen fire that was captured on video. On July 15, 2017, YTesia Taylor sustained serious burns throughout her body after a cannister of Pam exploded while she was cooking in Greenville, Texas. The lawsuit claims that Taylor had set the can on a cart away from the stove before the incident which left her with potentially permanent injuries. Its occurring all over, Smith said. Its the same scenario in each one of those cases, and because weve been litigating these, we are experienced in that. Koskoff, Koskoff and Bieder previously filed at least two lawsuits against Conagra making the same claims. One involved a West Haven mother who suffered severe burns after a can exploded while she was cooking for her family in 2014. In the other, two Yale students operating a catering business were injured. The lawsuit involving the Yale students is ongoing, according to Smith, who said its pending in Connecticut Federal Court in Bridgeport. He was unable to comment on the status of the other case involving the West Haven mother. One year ago, in response to those cases, a spokesman for Conagra, previously known as ConAgra Foods Inc., issued the following statement: In response to the 2015 lawsuit involving the West Haven woman Conagra said in a filing, Conagra expressly denies that the Pam aerosol canister was in a defective condition due to any act of omission, design or practice of Conagra. Pam Cooking Sprays have been used safely by millions of Americans for more than 50 years for baking, grilling and cooking. This stands as a testament to both the effectiveness of the product and its safety with proper use. Conagra is sympathetic to the claims being made in the litigation, but Pam Cooking Spray is a product that has stood the test of time. We feel that it is being wrongly accused. Contributions made by Dan Haar Jordan.grice@hearstmediact.com ANSONIA The city/town clerk was arrested over the weekend on a disorderly conduct charge following what police said were a number of loud domestic disputes at her Prospect Street home. Police said they arrested Janet Vitarius Waugh around 3:40 a.m. Sunday after being called to the home four times Saturday. Waugh was released on $1,000 bond and appeared in Derby Superior Court Monday. A message was left Tuesday seeking comment from her. Waugh is serving her second term as an elected official. Acting Chief Andrew Cota said Waugh wanted someone evicted from the home and was told legal steps to follow. However, when police were called a fourth time she was arrested, Cota said. these are serious charges involving a public official whose conduct and actions should comport with her position, Mayor David Cassetti said in a statement released by his office. Although I have limited authority as it pertains to elected officials, he continued I believe it is in the best interest of Ms. Vitarius Waugh and the residents of this city that she strongly consider resigning from her office so that her personal issues do not continue to detract from her public duties. Waugh has not been in her office since Friday. Shes next expected in court on June 13. BRIDGEPORT The city is not taking no for an answer. Bridgeports Office of Emergency Management is appealing a ruling that it didnt quality for funds to fix flood damage from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The mere thought that the state has determined the city or region had not met the criteria based on destroyed or major damages should result in more training as it relates to the Public Assistance Program and Policy, along with a better understanding of the municipalities demographics, social issues and income challenges, the agencys rebuttal report said. OEM put together a Preliminary Damage Assessment after something between 5.5 and 7 inches fell on the city in less than three hours on Sept. 25. Six residences were deemed uninhabitable and more than $3 million in damages was recorded citywide. The city sent its damage assessment to FEMA asking for relief. The city and FEMA exchanged emails over several weeks, and on Nov. 14, the state Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security sent the Bridgeport OEM an email saying Bridgeport did not have sufficient uninsured damage to request a formal Joint Preliminary Damage Assessment with FEMA. On Nov. 21, Mayor Joe Ganim sent a letter to the Bridgeport Legislative Delegation that said FEMA has determined that we are not eligible for such assistance under this program. But the city didnt accept that denial. Scott Appleby, director of the Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, has drafted a report rebutting the findings that the Sept. 25 flooding did not qualify for federal funding. The 16-page report, provided to Hearst Connecticut Media on Wednesday, said the citys Emergency Operations Center recorded an estimated $3,726,537 of uninsured or under-insured damages caused by the flooding on Sept. 25. There were 150 locations that reported damages in Bridgeport, affecting close to 1,000 individuals or more, the report said. Damages recorded by the city included flooded basements and vehicles, damages to boilers and electrical systems, water damage to personal belongings and furniture, property damage, damages to business equipment, collapsed walls near brooks and appliances damaged. At a flooding forum in Bridgeport back in October, Appleby said Fairfield County needed to file at least $3.3 million in damages and the state had to file at least $5 million in damages to meet the threshold set by FEMA. In the report, which includes language urging the state to reconsider, the city said all factors about the storm and about the residents affected need to be looked at again before a definitive decision is made. It wasnt just Bridgeport that got denied; no counties in the state that applied met the thresholds set by FEMA. Still, the state was able to pursue a Joint Preliminary Damage Assessment for public assistance in Middlesex and New London counties, the report said. A news release sent out by Gov. Dannel P. Malloys office on Wednesday said the public assistance will include coverage for the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan tribes. Todays announcement means that state agencies and municipalities in those counties will receive financial assistance from the federal government to help pay for eligible costs incurred as a result of the severe rain and flooding, the news release said. It was unclear if a joint filing could be an option for Fairfield County, but Bridgeport will keep fighting, officials said. Bridgeport Director of Communications Rowena White said, This issue of the flash floods remains a priority for the mayor as he and our administration continue to fight for residents who received damages due to the flood. 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. WASHINGTON After the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School, a group of 26 bicyclists created a tradition of riding from Newtown to Washington D.C. each spring to promote gun control. But not this year. This year Newtowns Team 26 has a different destination the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pa., where about six months ago, 11 people died and seven were wounded as they worshiped. We rode to Washington six years in a row and during that period of time, Congress has remained paralyzed and has not done anything to make our communities safer, said Monte Frank, an attorney who organized the Team 26 rides. The teams focus now is to ride through communities to promote activism with the expectation that Washington will follow as the culture changes and people are calling for safe communities, said Frank, who ran unsuccessfully as an independent for lieutenant governor last year. He said Team 26, named after the 26 victims of the Newtown shooting, is modeling its campaign after the civil rights and LGTB movements, which pressured politicians to move to outlaw discrimination. As the riders approached Philadelphia Saturday, they learned of another shooting - at the Chabad of Poway synagogue in San Diego, Calif., that resulted in the death of one woman the wounding of a rabbi and two others. It rocked us to the core, Frank said. He said his mother is a Holocaust victim and he had always heard the phrase never again. Unfortunately, thats becoming yet again, Frank said. Shortly after the cyclists arrived in Baltimore, the journeys halfway point, eight people were shot, one fatally, in a neighborhood in the western part of the city. On Monday, Team 26 held a press conference with Baltimores acting mayor, Jack Young and members of the city council to denounce the violence. We are with you 100 percent, said Baltimore City Council Vice President Sharon Green Middleton. The Newtown shooting on Dec. 14, 2012 , which claimed the lives of 20 first graders and six educators, opened a new chapter in the battle over gun control, spawning a number of new organizations ready to do battle with the National Rifle Association and other militant gun rights groups. Sandy Hook Promise was among the first. But unlike organizations born of the Newtown massacre, including the Newtown Action Alliance and Moms Demand Action, which push for changes in gun laws, Sandy Hook Promise has become more focused on developing school safety programs and training students to recognize and report warning signs among classmates. Team 26, seeks to promote cultural change, riding through Peekskill, N.Y, Morristown and Trenton, N.J., and Philadelphia, Pa., as well as Delaware and Baltimore since Friday. Still ahead are 300 more miles through the Allegheny Mountains to Gettysburg and many small towns on the way to Pittsburgh, which the team hopes to reach on Thursday. Everywhere we stop, we are embraced, Frank said. States taking the lead While the Newtown bicyclists are ignoring Washington D.C. this year, the House of Representative, in Democratic hands since last years midterm elections, has approved several gun measures for the first time in decades. One would lengthen the time the FBI has to conduct a background check of potential gun buyers. Another would expand those background checks to sales at gun shows and between individuals on the internet. As part of its reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, the U.S. House also voted to lower the criminal threshold to bar someone from buying a gun to include misdemeanor convictions of domestic abuse or stalking charges. Current law applies to felony convictions. But the U.S. Senate, still under GOP control, is not expected to approve any of these House-passed measures. So, the focus of many gun control groups has been on state capitols, where they have scored a number of successes. States enacted more than three times as many gun control laws in 2018 as in 2017. But the NRA, which is in the midst of a leadership struggle and beset by accusations of self-dealing and poor management, is far from toothless. And when Team 26 reaches Pittsburgh this week, it will be embroiled in a legal struggle with the NRA. Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto mayor signed legislation earlier this month restricting the use of assault-style weapons in the city. But supporters of the legislation are facing tough resistance from gun rights advocates who say the city doesnt have the authority to issue such a ban and the NRA has filed a lawsuit on behalf of some Pittsburgh residents. We are behind the mayor of Pittsburgh, and against attempts to preempt the new gun law, Frank said. Team 26 riders were buffeted by cold rains and strong headwinds on their trip south to Baltimore. Frank said that the hard ride is symbolic of the struggle for gun control. As far as a return to Washington D.C. by Team 26, Monte said thats always possible. When Congress acts, well come down and have a nice celebration, he said. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service wants to increase the size of the states natural coastal flood protection system in hopes of preventing a repeat of Superstorm Sandys devastation. A proposal by the service seeks to add 4,800 acres of wetlands, islands, shoals and parkland in New Haven and Fairfield counties to existing storm surge barriers. Those barriers include regions in Branford, Milford, Bridgeport, Norwalk and Greenwich. Another 3,189 acres would be added between Stonington and Branford. We strongly support the expanded protection to tens of thousands of acres of natural dunes, marshes and tidal flats all around Long Island Sound, said Curt Johnson, president of the Connecticut Fund for the Environment and Save the Sound. If approved by Congress, the mostly vacant areas would forever remain free of development. The process of expanding the existing Coastal Barrier Resources System has been ongoing for years. The federal Fish and Wildlife Service is also removing some property that should not have been included due to inaccurate mapping and other errors. A similar effort is underway on Long Island, where some 23,000 acres is being added to the flood protection system and other tracks are being rearranged or removed to reflect updated maps. Protection zones are being expanded in Maryland, Rhode Island and Virginia as well. Massive damage Property within the flood protection system is effectively barred from development because federal flood insurance cannot be purchased within the region. Existing buildings and manmade structures are grandfathered and allowed to remain. More than half of the structures proposed for addition are on public lands or parks; the remainder are on private land, the Fish and Wildlife Service said in a news release. Nationally, the CBRS contains 862 geographic units that encompass 3.5 million acres of relatively undeveloped areas along the Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, Great Lakes, U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico coasts, the service said. The protective effort began after Hurricane Sandy devastated the East Coast in October 2012 and Superstorm Sandy caused more than $360 million in damage in Connecticut. Some 600,000 electric customers lost power throughout the state and coastal towns were hit with high winds and flood surges, which downed trees and blocked roads for days. Greenwich, Westport, New Canaan, Fairfield, Milford, East Haven and New London were among the hardest hit. As for storm damage, the Danbury area wasnt hit as hard as the communities along the coast. Downed trees were the biggest challenge, blocking roads, crushing homes and knocking down power lines. Ridgefield was completely without power. Ninety-nine percent of Redding and 97 percent of Newtown were left in the dark at the worst part of the storm. It took days to restore power, causing Redding and Ridgefield to cancel school for the rest of the week and delaying many Halloween events. Eversource eventually undertook an aggressive tree-trimming campaign to prevent trees from falling on power lines and causing outages in future storms. Added protection Here are the proposed additions to the Coastal Barrier Resources System in New Haven and Fairfield counties: Madison: Portions of Hammonasset Sate Park, Fence Creek and wetland areas Branford: Portion of Lindsey Cove and related wetlands West Haven: Portion of Sandy Point Bridgeport: Parts of Lewis Gut, Pleasure Beach, Long Beach, Great Meadows, Black Rock Harbor and Seaside Park Greenwich: Shell Island, Bowers Island and Calf Island Milford: Portions of beach and wetlands at Smith-Hubbell Wildlife Refuge and Bird Sanctuary and the Coastal Center Norwalk: Grassy Island, Chimon Island, shoals northwest of Cockenoe Island, portions of Cockenoe Harbor, portions of the Norwalk Islands. Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service See More Collapse Fairfields damage stood out. More than 1,000 trees were knocked down, 1,000 homes were flooded and some 5,000 residents had to be evacuated. Six Fairfield homes were washed out to sea by the storms repeated tidal surges. Valuable acreage Johnson said the protective shoals, wetlands and islands included in the flood barrier zone both protect the shoreline and offer enormous economic value for the state. He pegged the value of that protection at $76 million a year and between $288 million and $1.9 billion annually in ecological services, including water pollution filtration and absorption of greenhouse gases. They save taxpayers and property owners by reducing flood impacts to our neighborhoods during our regions increasingly frequent coastal storms, Johnson said. These natural areas on Connecticut and Long Islands shoreline provide a refuge for fish, wildlife and people to enjoy 365 days a year, Johnson said. The barriers also serve as natures filters, providing hundreds of millions of dollars in value by acting as water pollution sponges, Johnson said. Lets give these areas the protection they deserve, for our families and future generations, he noted. The Fish and Wildlife Service said the proposed additions would add about 141,072 acres to the system nationally, including 5,057 acres of land above mean high tide and 136,015 acres of wetlands and open water. Undeveloped coastal barriers and wetlands are critical in protecting inland areas from destructive weather forces, providing a buffer against high winds, waves and storm surges, the service said. They protect public safety and the substantial investments along mainland coastal communities, the service said, adding a recent study found that wetlands alone avoided $625 million in direct flood damages during Hurricane Sandy. The service said while new construction on protected land would not qualify for federal flood insurance, a grandfathering provision allows already built structures to maintain flood insurance. bcummings@ctpost.com One 18-year-old male student was killed and multiple people were injured Tuesday afternoon after gunshots were fired at a school in Colorado. Douglas County Sheriff Tony Spurlock said the pair walked into the STEM School Highlands Ranch and began shooting students in two classrooms. Within minutes, deputies at a nearby sheriff's department substation entered the school and arrested the two suspects after a struggle. Three hospitals reported treating eight people in connection with the attack, including two who were listed in serious condition. At least four others were released by Tuesday night. The youngest of the victims is 15 years old, local media reported, citing law enforcement officials. Two male suspects are in custody, authorities said. One suspect is a juvenile. The incident happened just before 2 p.m. in the Denver suburb of Highlands Ranch. Authorities said the two male suspects went deep inside the school before attacking. Authorities identified one of the suspects late Tuesday as 18-year-old Devon Erickson. Spurlock said the second suspect is a juvenile and that both attended the school. They were not previously known to authorities, he said. "I have to believe that the quick response of the officers that got inside that school helped save lives," Spurlock said. Fernando Montoya said his son, a 17-year-old junior, was shot three times. "A guy pulled a pistol, Im not sure, out of a guitar case and started to shoot, Montoya told KMGH-TV. One of his son's friends also was shot. I wasnt myself when I hadnt talked to him yet. When I talked to him, I became myself because I was so in shock. "Even though he got shot, hell be OK. Were so lucky. The public charter school campus serves more than 1,850 students in kindergarten through 12th grade, according to its website. Students across campus evacuated while others sheltered in place. "I tried to run with my life," Christian, a fifth grade student, said in an interview with KMGH-TV. The student said he was in study hall at the time "and I see a bunch of kids running out and saying, School shooter, school shooter and Im like, what? Is this real or fake?" Christian's mom, whose name was not immediately available, told KMGH she received a text from a friend who was in the building when the shooting occurred. "She said Guns, shooting, oh, my God, the mom said in the interview. Thats how I knew. The woman told the television station she wasn't sure where a second child, a third grader in the school, was. Later, a principal at the school called the mother to tell her the child was safe. Roseanne Tracy, the school's after-school coordinator, said she was arriving to work just before 2 p.m. "I was pulling into the parking lot while all of the police were coming and entering the building with guns drawn," she said in an interview with KMGH. "I went across the street and called my boss and said, What is going on? This is a breaking news story. Refresh for updates. In Skopje, Francis praised North Macedonias openness to migrants, backing its quest for membership in the European Union. The Mass was dedicated to the hunger for God. For him, We have become accustomed to eating the stale bread of disinformation and ending up as prisoners of dishonour, labels and ignominy. Skopje (AsiaNews) Pope Francis today visited Skopje, the capital of Northern Macedonia, the birthplace of Mother Teresa, who was remembered in each of the three events held this morning, which were centred on the values of fraternity, integration, and care of the poor. The pontiff was welcomed with great enthusiasm by thousands of people present at the late morning Mass (pictured) in a city where Catholics are less than 1 per cent. In his address during his meeting with North Macedonias president and other authorities, Francis praised the countrys openness to migrants who knock on its doors. He also expressed support for its desire to join the European Union. During the liturgy, he spoke of the worlds hunger for God today. We have become accustomed to eating the stale bread of disinformation and ending up as prisoners of dishonour, labels and ignominy. We thought that conformism would satisfy our thirst, yet we ended up drinking only indifference and insensitivity. We fed ourselves on dreams of splendour and grandeur, and ended up consuming distraction, insularity and solitude. We gorged ourselves on networking, and lost the taste of fraternity. We looked for quick and safe results, only to find ourselves overwhelmed by impatience and anxiety. Prisoners of a virtual reality, we lost the taste and flavour of the truly real. Responding to the greetings by North Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov, Francis described the country as a bridge between East and West and a meeting-point for numerous cultural currents, praising its capacity for integration and coexistence. For the Holy Father, North Macedonias precious patrimony is its multiethnic and multi-religious countenance. He described the country as a crucible of cultures and ethnic and religious identities [that] has resulted in a peaceful and enduring coexistence in which those individual identities have found expression and developed without rejecting, dominating or discriminating against others. [. . .] Here, in fact, the different religious identities of Orthodox, Catholics, other Christians, Muslims and Jews, and the ethnic differences between Macedonians, Albanians, Serbs, Croats, and persons of other backgrounds, have created a mosaic in which every piece is essential for the uniqueness and beauty of the whole. Francis went on to stress the generous efforts made by your Republic [. . .] to welcome and provide assistance to the great number of migrants and refugees coming from different Middle Eastern countries. [. . .] The ready solidarity offered to those in such great need people who had left behind so many of their dear ones, to say nothing of their homes, their work and their homeland does you honour. It says something about the soul of this people that, having itself experienced great privations, you recognize in solidarity and in the sharing of goods the route to all authentic development. It is my hope that you will cherish the chain of solidarity that emerged from that emergency, and thus support all volunteer efforts to meet the many different forms of hardship and need. I wish likewise to pay homage in a very special way to one of your illustrious fellow-citizens, who, moved by the love of God, made love of neighbour the supreme law of her life. She won the admiration of the whole world and pioneered a specific and radical way of devoting ones life to the service of the abandoned, the discarded, and the poorest of the poor. I am naturally referring to the woman universally known as Mother Teresa of Calcutta. The last event of the morning was the Mass celebrated in Macedonia Square, in the centre of which stands a statue dedicated to Alexander the Great. After the welcoming ceremony, Pope Francis went to the Memorial House of Mother Teresa greeted by an enthusiastic crowd. In his homily, Francis spoke of the hunger for God citing the Gospel: "Whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst" (Jn 6:35). Let us not be afraid to say it clearly: Lord, we are hungry. We are hungry, Lord, for the bread of your word, which can open up our insularity and our solitude. We are hungry, Lord, for an experience of fraternity in which indifference, dishonour and ignominy will not fill our tables or take pride of place in our homes. We are hungry, Lord, for encounters where your word can raise hope, awaken tenderness and sensitize the heart by opening paths of transformation and conversion. We are hungry, Lord, to experience, like that crowd, the multiplication of your mercy, which can break down our stereotypes and communicate the Fathers compassion for each person, especially those for whom no one cares: the forgotten or despised. Let us not be afraid to say it clearly: we are hungry for bread, Lord: the bread of your word, the bread of fraternity. Hunger for bread, hunger for fraternity, hunger for God. How well Mother Teresa knew all this, and desired to build her life on the twin pillars of Jesus incarnate in the Eucharist and Jesus incarnate in the poor! Love received and love given. Two inseparable pillars that marked her journey and kept her moving, eager also to quench her own hunger and thirst. She went to the Lord exactly as she went to the despised, the unloved, the lonely and the forgotten. In drawing near to her brothers and sisters, she found the face of the Lord, for she knew that love of God and love of neighbour become one: in the least of the brethren we find Jesus himself, and in Jesus we find God (Deus Caritas Est, 15). And that love alone was capable of satisfying her hunger. After 511 days in prison, they were released on a New Years presidential pardon. Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo had collected evidence on the murder of 10 people. The investigation was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in May. Even the United Nations involved in the negotiations for their release. Naypyidaw (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Sentenced to seven years in prison for breaking the Law on State Secrets, two Reuters (photos) Burmese journalists returned to freedom this morning after 511 days in prison thanks to a presidential pardon. Last September, the North District Court of Yangon found Wa Lone, 33, and Kyaw Soe Oo, 29, guilty of having "collected and obtained confidential documents" concerning the massacre of some Rohingya Muslims in Rakhine State. The case raised questions about Myanmar's progress towards democracy and provoked protests by diplomats and human rights activists. Through a mass amnesty that began last month, Burmese President Win Myint has forgiven thousands of other prisoners. It is customary in the country for the authorities to release prisoners throughout the country on the occasion of the traditional Burmese New Year, which opened on April 17th. Before their arrest in December 2017, the two reporters investigated the killing of 10 Rohingya men and boys by army soldiers and Buddhist civilians in western Myanmar. The investigation, prepared with testimonies of the guilty, witnesses and families of the victims, was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in May, which was added to a series of awards received by the couple for their work. Last April, the Myanmar Supreme Court rejected journalists' final appeal. Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo had filed a petition with the highest Burmese legal authority, citing evidence of a police set-up and the absence of a crime. In January, the Yangon High Court had rejected a previous appeal. Today journalists were released from Insein prison and handed over to Lord Ara Darzi, a British surgeon and health care expert who was a member of a government advisory commission for reforms in Rakhine State. Darzi said that the pardon negotiations with Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo involved the government of Myanmar, Reuters, the United Nations and representatives of other governments, but gave no further details. NEW HAVEN A former news producer at WTNH-TV is suing the stations parent company, alleging it wrongly fired him after three women complained to management about his alleged sexual misconduct, the Connecticut Law Tribune reported. The station is an ABC affiliate. Plaintiff Micah Bailey claims in his federal lawsuit against Nexstar Broadcasting Inc. that management automatically sided with two women, a reporter and editor who he said he kissedbut with their consent, the Law Tribune reported. The women complained Bailey had inappropriate physical contact with them, but he claimed in his lawsuit that both women were flirtatious with him and that their physical contact was consensual. A third woman, a former producer, came forward at a later date and also accused Bailey of inappropriate conduct. But Bailey asserts he had very little contact with that woman, other than an innocuous message on social media. Bailey claims the was singled out because he is a man, and claims gender discrimination, the Law Tribune reports. In his profile on Linkedin, Bailey says he is a Versatile and fearless Multimedia Producer talented at creating, leading and executing a wide range of television news, digital and independent productions. Effective at transforming projects from concept to reality. Brings strong work ethic and leadership to creative environments. Advanced writing ability, vision and experience has provided business growth and boosted ratings. He is a graduate of Quinnipiac University, the profile notes. The Law Tribune reported that Elizabeth Ryder, Nexstars general counsel, did not respond to its request for comment Monday. An interfaith meeting with young people and a meeting with priests ended Francis' day in Skopje. Think of Mother Teresa, he said. [W]hen she lived here, she could not have imagined where her life would have ended up. Yet she kept dreaming and tried to see the face of her great love, Jesus, and to discover it in all those people on the sides of the road. Skopje (AsiaNews) Pope Francis met young people from different religious backgrounds as well as Catholic men and women religious in his last two events in North Macedonia. In speaking to them, he said that they should not be afraid of dreaming big, whilst not underestimate the problems they face. As he did at this mornings events, the pontiff cited the example of Mother Teresa. He told young people not to stop dreaming. Likewise, he also priests concerned by their limited ranks and heavy workload, that history is written by those unafraid to offer their lives for love. The meeting with the young was ecumenical and interreligious. Francis answered questions from a young Muslim woman, a young Greek Catholic woman and a mixed couple (Catholic husband and Orthodox wife), who spoke about fear and hope, concerned about dreams that might be too bold. Let me tell you that one can never dream too much. One of the big problems people have today, including so many young people, is that they have lost their ability to dream. They dont dream, either much or little. When someone does not dream, when a young person does not dream, that empty space gets filled with complaints and a sense of hopelessness or sadness. We can leave that to those who worship the goddess of lament She is a false goddess: she makes you take the wrong road. In this country, you have a fine tradition of stone carving, practised by artisans skilled at cutting stone and working it. We need to become like those craftsmen, to become expert carvers of our own dreams. We need to work at our dreams. A stone carver takes a stone in his hands and slowly begins to shape and transform it with concentration and effort, and especially with a great desire to see how that stone, which no one thought was worth anything, can become a work of art. Our best dreams are only attained through hope, patience and commitment, and not in haste, like these artisans. At the same time, we should not be hesitant, afraid to take chances or make mistakes. No, do not be afraid. Rather, we should fear experiencing the paralysis of the living dead, who have no life because they are afraid to take risks. And young people who do not take risks are dead. Some dont want to take risks because they dont want to persevere in their commitments or they fear making mistakes. Even if you make mistakes, you can always get up and start over, for no one has the right to rob you of hope (cf. Christus Vivit, 142). Dont allow yourselves to be robbed of hope. Dear young people, dont be afraid to become artisans of dreams and of hope! Agreed? Think of Mother Teresa: when she lived here, she could not have imagined where her life would have ended up. Yet she kept dreaming and tried to see the face of her great love, Jesus, and to discover it in all those people on the sides of the road. She dreamed in a big way, and this is why she also loved in a big way. She had her feet firmly planted here, in her native land, but she didnt stand still. She wanted to be a pencil in the hands of God. This was the dream she crafted. She offered it to God, she believed in it, she suffered for it, and she never gave it up. And God began to write new and amazing pages of history with that pencil; a woman from your land, who dreamed, who wrote great things. It is God who wrote them but she dreamed and allowed herself to be guided by God. Finally, he advised listening to the elderly who are our "roots" and paying attention to the danger of "cultural colonization" engendered by todays economy. The pontiff also spoke about Mother Teresa when he met with priests accompanied by their families and men and women religious, in the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. In more than a few situations, he said, we feel the need to take stock and see where things stand. We can begin by looking at our numbers we are few; the means at our disposal and they are not many. Then we look at the number of houses and apostolates we have to support they are too many. We could go on to list all those many situations in which we experience how precarious are the resources we have for carrying out the missionary mandate with which we have been entrusted. Whenever we do this, it can seem that our bottom line is in the red. True, the Lord told us: if you want to build a tower, calculate the costs, and take stock of things is always necessary, when it can help us to understand and draw near to all those persons who daily struggle to make ends meet. Families that fail to grow, the elderly and abandoned, the sick and bedridden, young people frustrated and without a future, and the poor who remind us what we truly are: a Church of beggars in need of the Lords Mercy. It is legitimate to take stock of things, only if it enables us once more to become fraternal and attentive to others, to show understanding and concern as we draw near to the frustrations and the uncertainties felt by so many of our brothers and sisters who yearn for an anointing that can lift them up and heal their hope. I need only say that this land was able to give to the world and to the Church in Mother Teresa just that kind of concrete sign of how one small person, anointed by the Lord, could permeate everything, once the fragrance of the Beatitudes was spread over the weary feet of our humanity. How many people were put at ease by the tenderness of her glance, comforted by her caress, sustained by her hope and nourished by the courage of her faith, which could make even the most forgotten in our midst realize that they are not forgotten by God! History is written by people like this, people unafraid to offer their lives for love: whenever you did this to the least of my brothers and sisters, you did it to me (cf. Mt 25:40). After meeting priests and men and women religious, the Pope blessed the first stone of the Shrine of St Paul. He then travelled to Skopje airport for his departure from Northern Macedonia. He is scheduled to arrive in Rome 8.30pm (local time). This year has already seen huge innovations in how financial institutions interact with their communities and members. Staying ahead of trends, technology advancements and best practices is no small feat, and doing it alone leaves us missing out on fresh perspectives. By presenting marketing professionals with the opportunity to learn and grow in an exciting environment, CUNA Digital Marketing School and CUNA Marketing & Business Development Certification Schools offer an unmatched opportunity to network, ask questions and return to your credit union with cutting-edge insights. If you still arent convinced, here are five reasons to consider attending one of these exciting events this year. 1. Influential Teachers and Doers At CUNA Digital Marketing School and CUNA Marketing & Business Development Certification Schools, you wont just hear from people who have knowledge on a subject. Speakers at these schools have diverse backgrounds and track records of innovating and evolving to successfully spark change within their organizations and the credit union industry. Events like these bring together industry experts and current credit union practitioners, ensuring that the content and topics youre learning about are both relevant and applicable to your own line of work. 2. Relevant Insights The digital space is constantly evolving. Trends come and go; best practices can quickly be stomped out and replaced; new technology is introduced daily. Its vital to the success of a credit union that employees remain ahead of the curve. These events are organized and developed to capitalize on important industry advancements. By attending CUNA Digital Marketing School, you set yourself and your credit union up for success in the coming months and years. Youll leave with an elevated and up-to-date knowledge of the digital marketing space and the skillset to capitalize on trends. 3. Networking Opportunities Meeting and reconnecting with other credit union employees and marketing experts is an incomparable resource. By weaving a network of like-minded industry professionals, the amount of resources and references available to you skyrockets. Fostering relationships while engaging in networks and communities including the Marketing & Business Development Council provides you with the opportunity to bounce ideas around, gain insights and share success stories with like-minded professionals. CUNA Marketing & Business Development Certification School provides attendees with the opportunity to learn in groups of professionals who are all at similar stages in their career journey. Dont miss out on the chance to expand your invaluable network. 4. Something for Every Credit Union Whether your credit union is big or small, ahead of the curve or still getting ready to step up to the plate, CUNA Marketing & Business Development Certification Schools and CUNA Digital Marketing School feature a diverse schedule of sessions, covering a wide range of topics to learn from. You can confidently return to your credit union with applicable knowledge and skills. Every credit union can walk away with something to help them grow and learn more about reaching their members, says Paul Bullington, attendee of 2018 CUNA Digital Marketing School. 5. Advance Professionally CUNA Digital Marketing School and CUNA Marketing & Business Development Certification Schools offer attendees the opportunity to take big steps in their careers. If youve ever considered earning your Credit Union Business Development Professional (CUBDP) Designation or Credit Union Certified Marketing Executive (CUCME) Designation, these schools enable you to put this consideration into action. These designations help you send a powerful message to members that you are an expert in your field and dedicated to your craft. By attending all three years of CUNA Marketing & Business Development Certification Schools and passing the corresponding exams, you can earn your CUCME designation. The CUBDP designation can be earned by attending the Business Development track of this school and passing the corresponding exam. If youre already a designee, one way to recertify either of these designations is to attend CUNA Digital Marketing School. CUNA Schools & Conferences offer hands-on experiences to help you grow and succeed as a credit union professional. By attending a CUNA event, you interact and engage with the resources and tools you need to continue developing your credit union and your skillset. One of the endearing things about being part of the global credit union system is that when bad things happen, it is always local credit unions that first step in with relief on the ground. It is soon followed by contributions of resources and volunteer efforts from credit unions everywhere to help rebuild and reposition the affected credit unions. It is with that spirit Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions will return to Puerto Rico August 1-6, after the World Credit Union Conference (WCUC) July 28-31 in The Bahamas. During WCUC, the Worldwide Foundation will launch Project Stormbreakthe establishment of a forward-prepared fund to respond immediately when a natural disaster happens. Puerto Rico participants, including our co-hosts, the Global Womens Leadership Network (GWLN), will be exchanging best practices and lessons learned in credit union response and resilience to natural disasters. Theyll also learn how the credit union system in Puerto Rico provided post-disaster solutions in response to 2017s Hurricane Maria. Our colleagues from Texas, Florida, North Carolina and California will share their own experiences related to disaster recovery. Our participants will arrive on Thursday, August 1 and learn about the history and economic relationship of Puerto Rico and the United States mainland. Beyond the classroom, there will be visits to credit unions in the field to observe how they respond to their communities. The field visits also will include an opportunity to study local credit union community service programs. Puerto Rico is part of the U.S. credit union system. We will hear from Puerto Rican credit unions and their partners about how they have found solutions for their communities from within the credit union system to obtain Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) status, working with INCLUSIV, and to acquire loan participations with mainland credit unions, working with World Council. We ask credit union professionals interested in participating to pay their own airfare and hotel costs, and to pay their share of group costsincluding translation, ground transportation, group lunches, dinners and cultural-history educational tours. For more information, please contact Laura Mihm at lmihm@woccu.org Tapping to pay is the future of fast, simple and secure payments at the point of sale as consumers around the world continue to adopt contactless. For example, in just five years, contactless payments grew from seven percent to represent more than 90 percent of all in-person Visa transactions in Australia. In the U.K. and Canada, contactless payments represent more than half of all in-person transactions. Now, U.S. consumers are seeing more places feature the contactless symbol at checkout and more banks delivering contactless cards. Contactless payments are also one of the most secure ways to pay, using the same dynamic security as contact EMV Chip cards. In this video, Visas North America Risk Officer Margaret Reid explains the security behind contactless payments. Francis in Skopje, the birthplace of the Saint, blessed the first stone of the sanctuary dedicated to her. "From here we pray to you: intercede with Jesus / so that we also obtain the grace / to be vigilant and attentive to the cry of the poor, / of those who are deprived of their rights, / of the sick, the marginalized, the last". Skopje (AsiaNews) - It is linked above all to Mother Teresa, defined today as "the praying voice of the poor / and of all those who are hungry and thirsty for justice", Francis's visit to northern Macedonia, the second country on this Papal trip. Skopje is in fact the city where the saint of the poor was born on 26 August 1910 and here today Francis blessed the first stone of the future Shrine dedicated to her. Having arrived in Skopje shortly after 8 and after the welcome ceremony, Francis went to the Mother Teresa Memorial, where he was welcomed by Sister Mary Prema Pierick, general superior of the Missionaries of Charity. With her he went to the statue of Saint Teresa of Calcutta and laid flowers (in the photo) He then went to the chapel inside which were the leaders of the religious communities present in the country and two relatives of Mother Teresa. A relic of the Saint was placed on the altar, some personal items and five candles to represent religious confessions. After a moment of silent prayer before the relic, the Pope went out into the courtyard where there were a hundred poor assisted by the Sisters of Charity. Francis stopped to greet them, blessed the first stone of the sanctuary building and recited the prayer that we publish in full: " God, Father of mercy and all goodness, we thank you for giving us the life and the charism of Saint Mother Teresa. In your boundless providence, you called her to bear witness to your love among the poorest of the poor in India and throughout the world. She was able to do much good to those in greatest need, for she saw in every man and woman the face of your Son. Docile to your Spirit, she became the prayerful cry of the poor and of all those who hunger and thirst for justice. Taking up the words uttered by Jesus on the cross: I thirst (Jn 19:28), Mother Teresa sated the thirst of the crucified Lord by accomplishing works of merciful love. Saint Mother Teresa, mother of the poor, we ask for your special intercession and help, here in this city where you were born, where you had your home. Here you received the gift of rebirth in the sacraments of Christian initiation. Here you heard the first words of faith in your family and in the community of the faithful. Here you began to see and meet people in need, the poor and the helpless. Here you learned from your parents to love those in greatest need and to help them. Here, in the silence of the church, you heard the call of Jesus to follow him as a religious in the missions. Here in this place, we ask you to intercede with Jesus, that we too may obtain the grace to be watchful and attentive to the cry of the poor, those deprived of their rights, the sick, the outcast and the least of our brothers and sisters. May he grant us the grace to see him in the eyes of all who look to us in their need. May he grant us a heart capable of loving God present in every man and woman, a heart capable of recognizing him in those who experience suffering and injustice. May he grant us the grace to become signs of love and hope in our own day, when so many are poor, abandoned, marginalized and migrants. May he grant that our love not only be on our lips, but that it be effective and genuine, so that we may bear credible witness to the Church whose duty it is to proclaim the Good News to the poor, freedom to prisoners, joy to the afflicted and the grace of salvation to all. Saint Mother Teresa, pray for this city, for this people, for its Church and for all those who wish to follow Christ, the Good Shepherd, as his disciples, by carrying out works of justice, love, mercy, peace and service. To follow him, who came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life for many: Christ our Lord. Amen". STORY LINK Pound Sterling Canadian Dollar (GBP/CAD) Exchange Rate Muted as US-China Tensions Spark Global Growth Concerns Pound Canadian Dollar (GBP/CAD) Exchange Rate Flat as Oil Prices Slide Risk-Sensitive Canadian Dollar (CAD) Muted despite Trumps Tariff Threats Sterling (GBP) Flat as PM Pressured to Resign Pound Canadian Dollar Outlook: Will the GBP/CAD Exchange Rate Rise on Better than Expected UK Retail Sales? Like this piece? Please share with your friends and colleagues: The Pound Sterling Canadian Dollar (GBP/CAD) exchange rate remained muted and the pairing is currently trading at an inter-bank rate of CA$1.7597.The Canadian Ivey Purchasing Managers Index rose to a higher-than-forecast 55.9 in April compared to 54.3 in March.This was the highest the index has been since December 2018.However, this did little for the Loonie as oil prices slipped as tension between the US and China sparked concerns over global growth.Commenting on this, Head of Analytics at Interfax Energy, Abhishek Kumar said:An escalation in the US-China trade war has brought oil prices under renewed pressure.The spat has reinvigorated demand-side concerns, given that the conflict has been adversely impacting prospects for global economic growth.On Sunday, US President Donald Trump said that he would raise tariffs by 25% on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods by the end of the week.He also stated that he would shortly impose tariffs on $325 billion worth of imports that are currently free of duties.US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer has accused China of backtracking on commitments made during discussions.Speaking to reporters, Lighthizer said:Over the course of the last week or so we have seen an erosion in commitments by China. That in our view is unacceptable.Were not breaking off talks at this point. But for now [] come Friday there will be tariffs in place.This likely dampened sentiment in the risk-sensitive Loonie as the Canadian currency weakened to a 10-day low against the US Dollar.However, Lighthizer has insisted a deal on tariffs is still possible as Chinese Vice-Premier Liu He will still travel to Washington for further discussions this week.On Tuesday, reports emerged that Prime Minister Theresa May is due to meet Chairman of the 1922 Committee.It has been insisted by Downing Street that Mays meeting with Sir Graham Brady is routine.However it has been suggested that following a request from the Committee, the Prime Minister will be pressed for a timetable outlining her resignation.Meanwhile, further reports have suggested that May has also been warned that MPs will begin moves to remove her if she agrees to a Brexit deal with Labour.This likely created a fresh wave of Brexit pessimism and uncertainty, dampening sentiment in Sterling.Looking ahead to Wednesday, the Pound (GBP) could rise against the Canadian Dollar (CAD) following the release of the UK like-for-like retail sales.If retail sales edge up higher than forecast in April, Sterling could receive an upswing of support.Later in the day, the Loonie could claw back some losses following the release of the Canadian housing starts data.If data reveals that the number of new single-family homes that were constructed rises higher than forecast, the Pound Canadian Dollar (GBP/CAD) exchange rate could fall. International Money Transfer? Ask our resident FX expert a money transfer question or try John's new, free, no-obligation personal service! ,where he helps every step of the way, ensuring you get the best exchange rates on your currency requirements. TAGS: Pound Canadian Dollar Forecasts Our own Bruce Siwy and Eric Kieta talk about their true-crime cases in Return To View: The Roundtable The White House is sending the USS Abraham Lincoln and bombers to the Mideast. Bolton sees troubling indications and warnings, notes the US would use unrelenting force. Trump is ready for new sanctions against Iran. Iranian President Rouhani is expected to announce the reduction of some "minor and general" commitments under the nuclear deal. Tehran (AsiaNews) The winds of war are blowing across the Middle East as Iran and the United States are set to face off. The Trump administration is deploying an aircraft carrier group to the region led by the USS Abraham Lincoln, as well as bombers, whilst Iran has announced its intention to resume nuclear activities. Although the United States is not expecting any imminent Iranian attack, it decided to boost its military presence in the region. A US official said in fact the naval deployment was ordered as a deterrent against possible threats by Iranian forces and its proxies. For US National Security Adviser John Bolton, one of the four Bs, there are troubling indications and warnings from Iran and the United States will retaliate with unrelenting force to any attack. Bolton who has spearheaded an increasingly hawkish US policy on Iran said the decision, which could exacerbate problems between the two countries, was meant to send a clear and unmistakable message of US resolve to Tehran. For some analysts and experts, this follows Irans warning that it would block the Strait of Hormuz if it was barred from using the strategic waterway. US sanctions have been particularly hard on Irans oil industry. In May 2018, US President Donald Trump pulled out of the nuclear deal (JCPOA) agreed by his predecessor Barack Obama, and imposed the toughest sanctions on Iran in history. As noted by the International Monetary Fund, this decision has negatively impacted Irans economy, especially its oil exports, which was the goal of the second wave of sanctions that came into effect on 4 November 2018. Despite Washingtons hardline stance, the Islamic Republic continues to honour its commitments under the nuclear agreement, as certified by the IAEA experts. A year after pulling out of the deal, the White House is set to announce new sanctions against Iran tomorrow, targeting an unspecified sector of the Iranian economy, this according to Axios, the news and information website that first reported the story. For its part, Tehran said that it is ready to resume at least in part its nuclear programme without abandoning the 2015 agreement still in force with Russia, China, France, Great Britain and Germany. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani is expected to announce a reduction to some of its minor and general commitments under the deal in reaction to the exit of America from the nuclear deal and the bad promises of European countries in carrying out their obligations, an Iranian government source is quoted as saying in state-run IRIB news agency. Similarly, the semi-official Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA) reported that Iran on Wednesday will announce reciprocal actions to the US withdrawal from the nuclear deal, quoting knowledgeable sources. Some European Union leaders have been unofficially told of Irans decision, the agency said. About 500 keepers took part the ceremony in a show of loyalty to the monarch. Animals and handlers prostrated themselves for 19 seconds in front of a portrait of the king. For Thais, elephants have a special historical and cultural significance. Bangkok (AsiaNews/Agencies) A day after coronation ceremonies ended, a majestic parade of 11 elephants painted in white paid tribute to King Maha Vajiralongkorn in the heart of Bangkok. Outside the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the elephants prostrated themselves before a portrait of the king, as a show of loyalty and best wishes to the monarch. The animals came from the ancient capital of Ayutthaya, which is now the capital of the homonymous province. About 500 elephant keepers from the Ayutthaya Elephant Palace in Ayutthaya province and elsewhere joined the ceremony before the king to show their loyalty. They paraded with the beautifully dressed elephants on Sanam Chai Road from the Territorial Defence Command to the Sawasdisopa Gate of the Grand Palace close to the Temple of the Emerald Buddha where the animals prostrated themselves for 19 seconds. The event started at 9.09am and took about an hour to finish. Crowds thronged the area to watch. Elephants have great historical and cultural value in Thailand symbolising the monarch, battles, as well as peace and serenity. A non-toxic, water-based paint mixed with powder was used to create the appearance of a white elephant without harming the animals. Australian Disruptor Goes Into On-Farm Meat Processing A meat disruptor, Provenir Pty Ltd is bringing butchering back to the farm and providing an Uber-like service for meat delivery. The company provides an alternative solution for some beef farmers. The company has developed a mobile slaughtering unit for usage on farms, the meat is brought back to a hub butchery for further processing. The company announced that its crowdfunding campaign, which was launched just two weeks ago, has exceeded its initial target of $33,000 with more than 160 supporters now pledging to secure the pre-sale of Provenirs on-farm processed Meat Packs. Having received such an enthusiastic response from supporters, Provenirs crowdfunding goal will now be set at the stretch target of $120,000, allowing Provenir to offer additional pre-sale of the Companys highest welfare beef with delivery of the pre-sale Meat Packs expected by the end of July 2019. Crowdfunding campaign target of $33,000 launched on 23 April has been reached! Stretch target of $120,000 set to fulfil goal of changing the red meat industry for the better More than 160 supporters have pledged over $36,800 to secure pre-purchase Meat Packs New target of $120,000 will mean over 360 households will receive Provenirs Meat Packs Additional funds will be used to begin financing Provenirs next MPU Campaign has 21 days remaining The new crowdfunding target will also allow the Company to begin the financing of a new mobile processing unit (MPU) and work towards its ultimate goal of having multiple units in operation to supply on-farm processed red meat across Australia. With multiple MPUs supplying highest welfare meat Australia-wide, Provenir will have the ability to change the red meat industry and be a true ag-tech disruptor by transforming every part of the value chain, from farm to fork. In commenting on the crowdfunding campaign, Jayne Newgreen, CMO and co-founder of Provenir, said: We want to thank our supporters who have not only been vocal and numerous during development stages of our business but have actively thrown their support behind our crowdfunding campaign by becoming customers and pre-purchasing our Meat Packs. Provenirs crowdfunding campaign is not a marketing gimmick, rather its a really important part of our business plan ensures the viability of the consumer driven demand for Provenirs products. We understand that for todays consumer, knowing the provenance of their food, how it was produced, and whether it meets their personal values, is imperative to their purchasing decision. This has been clearly demonstrated in the interest and support that our crowdfunding campaign has received and we thank all our early supporters who have pledged their support in return for being one of the first to try Provenir beef. Currently every cut of Australian beef is processed in a static abattoir. The consolidation of abattoirs in recent times has required livestock to be transported, often over long distances to the processors. The effect of live transport can reduce yield, increase animal stress and consequently have a negative effect on meat quality. Accordingly, Provenir believes that eliminating the stress associated with live transport to a large fixed abattoir will improve meat quality for the consumer. Provenirs high welfare meat supporters will receive products that have full traceability and true provenance. By processing on-farm and utilising the latest in digital traceability technology, Provenir is able to provide full transparency and guaranteed provenance that is validated by the customer themselves. To ensure full traceability, Provenir is vertically integrated, with full control of the entire value chain, from on-farm processing in the commercially licensed mobile abattoir, through to artisan butchering, and sales and distribution of the packaged Provenir-branded meat product. WEST CHESTER A former executive at an area healthcare technology corporation went on trial in Chester County Court Monday on charges that he kept a large trove of child pornography at his East Vincent home. James Franklin Holmes is described by law enforcement authorities with knowledge of his case as a longtime sexual predator of children who devoted hours each day either looking at child pornography or attempting to find new outlets that could satisfy his need for the illegal material. I dont know how he got any work done, said one person aware of the alleged habits of the former senior manager at Siemens Medical Solutions in Great Valley. Holmes spent several hours a day looking for new sexual outlets involving children and teenagers. Holmes, 65, is charged with 650 counts of possession of children pornography, a felony. The evidence confiscated from his home consist of hundreds of recordings and images of young children engaged in illegal sex acts, authorities said. His trial before Common Pleas Court Judge Jeffrey Sommer is expected to last until at least Wednesday. A jury of seven men and five women was chosen to hear the case after being assured by Sommer that they would not see any of the images or recordings that he is accused of possessing, but that they would hear descriptions of what was found in the home Holmes shared in Kimberton with his wife. In his opening statement, Assistant District Attorney Ryan Borchik acknowledged the squeamishness, if not downright disgust, that the jurors would have been forgiven for having if they were faced to view the pornography. Reading the sexually graphic titles of two of the videos that police seized, he noted the uneasy reaction of the jurors. Your reactions are why this type of content is illegal, he said. You cant even think about it. This is the darkest underbelly of society. Borchik, who is prosecuting the case with First Assistant District Attorney Michael Noone, said the prosecution would be able to tie Holmes to the material not only because it was in his house, but because his wife would testify that she saw him use it, and even watched it herself with him present. But Holmes attorney, Joshua Camson of Collegeville, urged the jury not to accept the prosecutions case unflinchingly. He suggested that although the material was illegal pornography and had been found in Holmes residence, the word of his wife that it was his could not be trusted. She is saving herself a possible sentence of over 2,300 years by testifying against her husband, he said, since she had also been charged with crimes involving the pornography. She could have picked up the phone, called police and left, when she realized what it was, but did not. She never did anything about it. Holmes, a native of Indiana County, is currently serving a 13-to-27 year sentence in state prison for a case that grew out of a sting operation by state police in Lycoming County looking for child sexual predators. He was convicted in 2017 of, among other crimes, solicitation to commit involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, trafficking in minors, and solicitation to commit sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of children. In that case, state police worked with a woman who said she had met a man online and at a swing party who had molested children in the past and wanted to do so again. The man, who identified himself as Craig Jones offered to pay the woman if she would bring her 1-year-old daughter to his home in the Philadelphia suburbs so that he could begin molesting her. Their communications were at some point taken over by state police, who posed as the woman and convinced Holmes that she wanted to come meet him. He offered to pay for her bus ticket to Reading. According to authorities, his plan was to see how the woman liked the situation and possibly allow her to become his second wife. Based on Holmes fixation with child pornography and his sexual fantasies involving children as revealed in his text messages on multiple smartphones that were confiscated and examined later, it was suspected that the infant daughter would grow up in that household being sexually abused by him, the person who knew of the case but who was not authorized to speak publicly about the investigation, said. State police from Montoursville, including Cpl. Jeffrey Vilello, who testified Monday about that case, were eventually able to track down and identify Craig Jones as Holmes. In a criminal complaint filed the Chester County case in May 2016, state Trooper Cpl. Lori Edgar Kistle said that when police raided Holmes home on Leonard Lane in East Vincent in December 2015 after arresting him in the child trafficking case, they seized a dozen DVDs and two computer hard drives containing hundreds of images of child pornography. The material, including digital videos, were found, she wrote, in Holmes downstairs office and his master bedroom. The images and recordings typically involved young girls and adult men, but also involved young boys, according to the troopers complaint. In total, the forensic analysis of the seized items revealed that there were approximately 477 videos depicting children under the age of 13 engaged in indecent contact with other children or adults, and approximately 174 images of children under the age of 13 engaged in sexually prohibited acts, Kistle wrote. Holmes wife Ashley Morgan Holmes, who lived at the house with their son, was interviewed by police four days after the search of their home. She said that she began watching his child pornography shortly after meeting Holmes when she was a teenager. She said the two of them would watch the material while engaged in sexual intercourse. Ashley Holmes, 32, was arrested at the same time as her husband and charged with hundreds of counts of watching child pornography. But her attorney at the time, James Freeman of Phoenixville, argued that she had been forced to do so by Holmes, and that she told police that she tried to keep her eyes closed as often as she could. In December 2017, she entered a plea agreement to one count of recklessly endangering another person or allowing her son to live in a house where she knew there was child pornography present. She was sentenced to two years probation. Homes is being held in Chester County Prison during the trial He has appealed his convicted and sentence in Lycoming County. Mitani Announces Additional $1.22 Million Investment To Further Expand Manufacturing Facility Mitani Group will further expand its food manufacturing facility with an additional $1.22 million investment, as the company grows into new areas of production and packaging. It follows completion of a first-stage $2.25 million expansion and brings the amount invested by the company in its Salisbury facility to $3.47 million over two years. Mitani recently launched its state-of-the-art liquid emulsions processing plant, the first of its kind in Australia, to increase capacity and streamline the production of mayonnaises, salad dressings, sauces and marinades. It has been launched alongside a new $250,000 liquid sachet packaging line. The additional investment will create a new Frozen Extruded Products line (for flavoured stuffings and butters), automated bottling line and a further expansion of the liquid sachet packaging line. This second stage is due for completion in January 2020. While best-known for its Chicken Salt, the Mitani Group operations have been built around being the secret ingredient for some of Australias biggest food and beverage companies including Inghams, Coopers, Coles, Woolworths, Hungry Jacks and Sunfresh Salads. Mitani develops and produces a range of food products for these companies including bulk mayonnaises, salad dressings and sauces, poultry and meat stuffings, flavored butters and seasonings. A key part of the Mitani Groups success has been the establishment of the Mitani Development Centre, where new products are developed, tested and refined, before being scaled up for mass production. The Centre employs a dedicated team of development chefs and food scientists. Mitani Group Managing Director Tas Mitani said the investments significantly increase our capacity to allow us to compete with the large multinationals. Were a specialist producer with a focus on research and development and personalised customer service, but now we can develop new products and meet demand for larger production volumes, said Tas Mitani. Convenience remains a key driver of food production in Australia and around the world with a rapidly growing ready-to-eat market. Thats why weve invested further in product packaging to not only be able to manufacture in large quantities but deliver in a portion-controlled, convenient form. Ready-to-eat consumers are also taking a greater interest in health and nutrition which has led us to invest more into product development and explore new production methods. The investments have already been key to us securing multiple, new national supply contracts over the past 12 months. Its not just on the factory floor where the Mitani Group is investing. The company has been working with local and international software companies to develop and adopt the Mitani digital workplace to support their continuous improvement culture and lean manufacturing transformation. Mitani has also invested in expanding and refurbishing office space, created a new food laboratory and built staff amenities. The next priority is staff development. Mitani Group aims to convert a larger percentage of its 70 strong workforce into full-time employees, with support from a South Australian Government Future Jobs Fund grant. The Mitani workforce development plan will provide longer-term job security for employees, help retain and attract highly-skilled people and achieve greater operational continuity. 2019 is a milestone year for the Mitani Group. In November, the company will celebrate its 40th year of operations in commercial food production, having started life in food retailing with a small delicatessen in Adelaides northern suburbs. It was the now famous Mitani Chicken Salt that took the business from retail to commercial production, but today the companys operations are much broader. This year, the Mitani Group is on track to produce enough chicken salt for 45 million serves of chips, dressings and mayonnaise for 40 million salads and enough stuffing for 40 million chickens. CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa From the Mississippi River in the east to the Missouri in the west, Iowas soybean farmers are in the field right now, planting their next crop in some of the most fertile soil in the country. But those are not the only seeds being placed in the states rich ground. Throughout the state that holds the first test of the 2020 presidential campaign, young organizers the invisible shock troops of American politics, operating beyond the sight of television cameras and out-of-state political correspondents also are in the field right now, planting seeds of their own. Near the big quilts of Iowas agricultural bounty corn, then oats, then wheat, then alfalfa, all ready for harvest well before the autumn chill deepens these organizers are stitching together political forces that wont be harvested until a cold Monday night next February. Living in small apartments and group houses or bunking in with Iowa families, some 200 political organizers already have decamped in this state, some 275 days before Iowans retreat to their town libraries, fraternal halls and church basements to make their quadrennial presidential selections. Before the summer is out, that number will grow to 800 and soon thereafter will multiply again. In a state that pioneered mechanized agriculture and where corn planted in early April is spiking around now these organizers work remains personal, slow and labor-intensive. There are relative certainties in Iowa agriculture: Barring unusual circumstances, corn seedlings emerge in about three weeks if the soil temperature is 51 degrees Fahrenheit. Scores of presidential contenders can testify that there are no parallel assurances in the Iowa caucuses, which is why the harder these organizers work, the more Iowans they contact, the more porches they mount, the more people they assure get to their designated corners on Feb. 3, the better their chances are to survive to go on to the next test, in New Hampshire eight days later. Organization is critically important, said Democratic presidential candidate Rep. Eric Swalwell of California, born and reared in Iowa, whose 30 days campaigning in the state is the most so far of any contender currently holding office. A top political organization is especially critical in a place like Iowa, where you need people to go porch to porch. Iowas highways and rural byways are littered with the carrion of candidates who believed otherwise. Advisers to John H. Glenn, a former astronaut whose 1984 campaign coincided with the The Right Stuff film about the Mercury astronauts in their silvery space suits, thought they could rely on media coverage and slick ads rather than on organization. Sen. Glenn was the principal rival to former Vice President Walter Mondale, who constructed a massive organizational architecture here and won Iowa with 49%. Glenn finished sixth, with less than 4% of caucus-goers. The digital age may have made most elements of life less personal, but working in-person in Iowa may be more important than ever. The goal, said one organizer here, is to have neighbors talking to neighbors. Dayton Duncan, born in Indianola, Iowa, in one political hotbed and now living in Walpole, New Hampshire, in another, was a Mondale aide in that 1984 contest and four years later wrote a book about campaign organizers in New Hampshires Cheshire County. Its a totally different world today, but the odd thing is that grassroots organizing is more effective now than it was back then, he said. Campaign messages get delivered in different ways today but getting messages out personally is more important than ever. Thats why this campaigns crop of organizers is seeking out what one veteran organizer calls the people everyone knows, asking whom we should meet, where we should go, trying to connect our ideals with the public. Its not glamorous work, and the life is anything but cushy. The pay is about $3,000 a month campaigns in trouble almost always reduce that or eliminate it entirely plus health care and, usually, a $50 gasoline card. These organizers soon discover that Caseys General Store, a gas station chain, accepts the cards for pizza. Such are the lessons of the road. These organization efforts are constructed like start-ups, with the energy, and the risks, of a start-up. One Des Moines apartment building is home to organizers for Elizabeth Warren, Kirsten Gillibrand and Cory Booker, but they wont be there long. In this nomadic trade, organizers for a successful candidate go on to the next states; those affiliated with a losing candidate likely join one of the more successful ones. These organizers know little things that, for example, the University of Iowa College Democrats are the only group that can reserve function rooms on campus. And they learn big things, like the importance of a candidates views on the topics of peculiar interest here in Iowa, such as tariffs on agricultural products and the economic prospects for ethanol, the motor fuel produced from local corn that is a campaign perennial here but is never discussed once the campaign moves past the Iowa caucuses. That is the lesson of Barack Obamas stunning 2008 caucus victory in a state whose population is less than 3 percent black. Obamas victory in this white state was the triumph of organization and idealism, said former GOP Rep. Jim Leach, who ran George H.W. Bushs successful 1980 caucus effort against Ronald Reagan, a onetime radio broadcaster in Iowa. Obamas organizers realized this and got his people out. Candidates should save their television money, go on campus and hire students to work on the ground. Once they do, they can employ some of the political organizing software such as MobilizeAmerica, created by a duo of millennials, that allows campaigns to create events, offer them on their website, share them to their lists and gather sign-ups. Today more than half of the 2020 candidates use this tool, which permitted some 400,000 people to volunteer about 800,000 times in the 2018 midterm congressional elections. This is the way to get people organized to knock on doors or to get people to go town halls and house parties in Iowa and New Hampshire, said Alfred Johnson, a Stanford MBA who was one of the activists who developed the tool. The result is many more people at events from many different spheres. It may be Organization 2.0, but it is still political organization, the oxygen of Iowa politics. (David M. Shribman is the former executive editor of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Follow him on Twitter at ShribmanPG.) In the post-Cold War era, one would think that tensions between Americans and Russians have eased. However, with a recent focus on Trumps relationship with the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, the discussion of Americas involvement with Russia has resurfaced. Should the U.S engage with Russia and develop more of a partnership with the large eastern country or should the U.S isolate them in an attempt to force Russian governmental reform? President Trump has shown a desire to partner with Russia: As Americans, what should we think about this? As political scientists Brandice Canes-Wrone, William Howell, and David Lewis argue, presidents have a number of advantages in dealing with foreign policy. Presidents are at the center of a massive bureaucracy that can provide him/her with a vast informational advantage over anyone else inside or outside the government. Presidents can also act quickly in the form of unilateral action by issuing executive agreements, moving troops, or making executive proclamations. Finally, presidents have electoral incentives to act in the best interest of the nation in terms of our relations with foreign countries. If a policy does not turn out well, the president that enacted that policy will be punished by voters in the next election. Russian engagement is a question that must be thought of in terms of pros and cons. On one hand, Russia is a country that refuses to play by the rules of international relationships. Vladimir Putin has changed the constitution and held questionably competitive elections in order to maintain power. The Russian government has seized control of many businesses so that a large majority of profits lead to a very small group of elite level politicians, many of whom only received their roles because of friendly relationships with Putin. This money is often laundered using the western banking system. Russia has played a large role in international proxy wars, fueling anti-democratic regimes and boosting their number of allies. On paper, Russia is a country that is very different from the U.S and seems to threaten western democratic ideals so why would we not isolate them? The answer is simple: isolation proposes more dangerous outcomes for western society than engagement. While Putin is not a leader that plays by the democratic rules, he is still enormously popular among many Russians. During Putins regime Russia has risen from the depths of the collapse of the USSR and the economic troubles that plagued Yeltsins presidency to be a much sturdier economy that was under the leadership of Putin. People associate Russian success with Putins presidency and they show their support in very high approval ratings as you can see in Chart 1. President Putin receives much higher approval ratings than any U.S President experiences throughout the entirety of their term. There are several problems with Russia that America and the west as a whole need to address: * Spreading vast amounts of misinformation in the news in order to influence elections, policies, etc. * Elite politicians laundering money in the western banking system * Promoting violence and aiding rise to authoritarian leaders Putin has shown aggressive strategies in foreign policy, such as the annexation of Crimea in 2014, however, these strategies have largely been reactionary to EU and NATO policies of expansion towards the Russian border. This Russian response seems very aggressive, and in many aspects, it was, but it is not uncommon for any country to react to adversary nations encroaching on their borders by responding back with their own policy. The problems that need to be addressed cannot and will not be solved by isolating Russia and cutting all correspondence and involvement. By engaging with them and providing incentives for good behavior we can perhaps successfully regulate their spread of misinformation. By continuing economic sanctions on the nation, without destroying their economy, we could have a healthy partnership in which we help them establish a more stable market system and promote policies that will prevent Putin and his friends from laundering money in the western banking system. Finally, taking a neutral stance in countries like Ukraine will alleviate Russian anxiety that the west is encroaching on their borders. If we can successfully do these things, Russia could be a useful international partner that we could influence to change for the better. President Trump has made many mistakes and has even managed to push his own supporters in the other direction. However, it is possible that his influence in foreign policy is still strong. As Canes-Wrone wrote, with the informational advantage he has and the incentive of the looming election, it is more than possible that President Trump is doing right by the American people in his choice to engage with Russia. Kyle Anderson Downingtown Designer Diane von Furstenberg used her Met Gala ensemble to honor her late mother on what is the 75th anniversary of the day that she was arrested and sent to Auschwitz. The 72-year-old fashion icon revealed hours before the glittering event that she would be arriving on the red carpet dressed as the Statue of Liberty, holding high the torch of freedom in a touching tribute to her beloved mother Liliane Nahmias. 'Today May 6, 1944, my mother was arrested and sent to Auschwitz...' Diane wrote on Instagram, while sharing an image of herself wearing the Statue of Liberty's iconic crown. '75 years later, I am going to the Met Ball as her torch of Freedom!' Tribute: Diane von Furstenberg paid tribute to her late mother with a Statue of Liberty-themed outfit at the Met Gala on Monday night Poignant: The 72-year-old designer revealed on Instagram that the Met Gala was held on the 75th anniversary of the day her mother, Liliane Nahmias, was sent to Auschwitz Passing the torch: Diane attended the Met Gala alongside her granddaughter Talita, 20 Once at the event, Diane was pictured wearing the same Lady Liberty-style crown atop her head, while holding a fake flaming torch in her hand - a sign of the freedom that her mother fought so hard for. Diane's mother, who was known as Lily, was of Greek-Jewish descent and was arrested and sent to Auschwitz in 1994, where she was held for 13 months, before being liberated - and becoming one of just 1,244 out of the 25,631 Belgian Jews who were deported. Soon after gaining her freedom, Lily returned home, and married Leon Halfin; just months later, she learned she was pregnant with Diane and chose to keep her baby, despite being told by doctors that she was not healthy enough to carry a child. According to Diane, who shared intimate details about her mother's life in her 2014 memoir, The Woman I Wanted To Be, pregnancy gave Lily the motivation that she needed to fight for her life - with Diane revealing in her book that she believes her mother would have killed herself had she not been expecting a child. The strength that her mother showed, Diane wrote, served as an essential life lesson for the fashion legend, who said that she learned as a very young girl that 'fear was not an option'. Diane was, she believed, her mother's torch of freedom, and it was that poignant idea which served as the basis for her ensemble on Monday night, which saw Diane walking the carpet in a dress that was covered with a huge portrait of her own face. Beyond the touching tribute to her mother, Diane's outfit bore another significance - although it may not have been quite as conscious a message as the heartwarming remembrance of Lily. Memory: The designer, pictured with Lily, who died in 2000, has previously spoken out about how she saw herself as her mother's 'torch of freedom' Family first: Grandmother and granddaughter made an incredibly chic appearance on the red carpet, which came just weeks after Talita released her first TVF collection for DVF A perfect pair: The two women happily posed for photos together ahead of the event, which took place in New York on Monday night But while Diane held her torch high, she was also - at least in part - passing it on to her beloved granddaughter Talita, 20, who walked the red carpet alongside her grandmother, just weeks after unveiling her first eponymous collection for Diane's much-loved line. Wearing a beautiful floral pink dress and a corresponding headband, Talita - whose line is called TVF after he initials - looked every inch the budding fashion icon, and could not have seemed to be more at home on the red carpet. However to those that know her best, Talita's confidence on the red carpet will likely come as no surprise, particularly as these kinds of glittering fashion events have played a major role in her life since she was a young girl. In fact, while debuting her TVF collection for the first time, the 20-year-old revealed that the line was something she had been begging her grandmother for since the age of six. 'Even since I was literally six years old, I've been asking my grandma if I could design TVF for DVF,' she told Vogue. 'I've just always wanted to do it.' She's done the work, too, learning at her grandmother's side from a very young age. 'When I was nine, I went to Florence with my grandma for a special resort runway collection she was doing,' she told Teen Vogue. 'She told me I could only come if I really worked so there I was, mini-me helping cast the models and style the looks. 'Obviously I wasn't actually doing anything since I was so young, but I felt so involved and instrumental in the success of the project. After that trip I realized that fashion was 100 per cent. what I loved and wanted to pursue.' Pose it up: Diane and Talita have always been known to have a very close friendship Future fashion star: The designer proudly shared images of her granddaughter's stunning ensemble on Instagram Youngster: Talita, 20, wore a beautiful pink dress that was covered in floral embellishments Since she moved from Los Angeles to the East Coast for college she attends Georgetown University, where she is majoring in Justice and Peace she says she has taken on a bigger, more official role in the company. She also insists that she was 'involved in every decision,' unlike some celebrity vanity collaborations in which a celebrity signs off on the final product and slaps her name on it. 'It was definitely a learning process, but one which truly ignited my love and passion to not only launch my first-ever capsule but continue to grow in the realm of design for the future,' she said. 'I thankfully had an amazing team who were easy to work and communicate with,' she went on. 'The process of creating one garment goes through many phases; it can easily end up looking very different than the piece was intended to be in the beginning, so constantly following up and having transparency is necessary.' But while she worked with a lot of people, one person she didn't run things by was her grandmother, who first launched the label in 1974. 'I didnt want her to influence my decisions since I value her opinion so much,' she explained to Vogue. 'I really would have changed everything based on what she said. 'She actually didnt see the clothes until they were produced. She had some criticisms, so we made some adjustments. She likes to get me stressed out,' she added. Big debut! Talita (pictured front) released her first TVF line just a few weeks ago It's finally here! She revealed that the line is something she has wanted to do since she was six years old Buy it now: Everything in the 23-piece collection is priced under $300 'I thankfully had an amazing team who were easy to work and communicate with,' she said The final collection, which is priced from $128 to $298, is inspired by flowers and the sea. There are florals and pastels, crop tops and swishy skirts, youthfully short minis and boho maxis. What there aren't, yet, are her grandma's signature wrap dresses. 'I wanted to bring a younger, more millennial audience to the brand through Instagram, through younger clothing, and through a less-expensive price point,' she said. 'DVF definitely represents the working woman. TVF is not at the same place in her life where she has a 9-to-5 job. She doesnt need, specifically, work clothes. 'Shes still the effortless, easy, on-the-go woman that DVF is, just at a different point in her life, dressing for different types of events. Eventually, the TVF customer can become the DVF customer as we both grow.' Talita and Daine, 72, first announced the partnership in an interview for Town & Countrys March 2019 issue. 'I look at it this way,' Talita, who proclaimed she was 'born to do fashion,' said at the time. 'Your mom wore DVF, and maybe your grandmother wore DVF, but now I can bring something a little more fresh and youthful.' Previously, Talita modeled clothes for the brand's Fall 2018 lookbook, with DVF calling the teen her new 'muse' Crown Princess Victoria and her husband Prince Daniel arrived for the first day of their official tour in Vietnam on Monday. The three-day visit, which started in Hanoi and will end in Ho Chi Minh City, is to mark 50 years of diplomatic relations between Sweden and Vietnam. The mother-of-two, 41, wasted no time showing off her stylish wardrobe, as she made three outfit changes on day one. During the day of busy engagements, the heir apparent to the Swedish throne, was delighted to hear the news regarding Baby Sussex. When told that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex had a son, Crown Princess Victoria said to Swedish news magazine Svenskdam: 'No, they have? Oh, how fun!' The royal couple appeared to share a joke as they walked the streets of Vietnam on the first day of their official tour in Vietnam on Monday. Princess Victoria opted for a lemon dress as her husband donned beige trousers and a pale blue shirt Crown Princess Victoria, 41, wore a white netted dress during the reception at the presidential palace, which fell just below her knees The stylish royal donned a striking multi-coloured dress as she attended the official dinner in Hanoi alongside her husband, who could be seen wearing a smart, navy suit The royal couple, who are parents to Estelle, six, and Oscar, two, embarked on a guided tour of Hotel Metropole and attended an official lunch with the Vice President of Vietnam Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh, during their first day in Asia. They also visited the upper secondary school Thuc Nghiem, where Victoria was handed a beautiful bouquet of yellow flowers, and attended an evening welcome dinner hosted by the Vietnamese government. And with that came several outfit changes. Crown Princess Victoria first opted for a white dress complete with pastel pink butterfly detail during the reception at the presidential palace. Throughout the day she was also pictured wearing a lemon dress complete with floral pattern as she shared a joke with her husband as they walked along the streets of the Vietnamese capital. Vice president Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh (right) greeted Crown Princess Victoria during her royal visit to Vietnam. Pictured, the reception at the presidential palace in Hanoi The stylish royal accessorised her outfit with a pastel pink clutch bank, pearl earrings and a pair of chic white stiletto heels Crown Princess Victoria looked delighted as she received a stunning bouquet of yellow flowers as she visited the Thuc Nghiem school in Hanoi The royal could be seen wearing a pretty white dress complete with pastel-coloured butterflies on arrival Clutching a tan bag, Crown Princess Victoria looked intrigued as she glanced at the street shops in the Vietnamese capital, as her husband followed closed behind The mother-of-two looked lovely in a lemon dress complete with floral pattern as she shared a joke with her husband as they walked along the streets of Hanoi The stylish royal looked in high spirits as she held a glass of red wine at the official dinner in Hanoi And the final outfit swap of the day was a bold, sunset-inspired dress, which she paired with white wedges for the official dinner. Prince Daniel opted for a dark navy suit and the pair were all smiles as they made their way across the red carpet and into the venue. During their stay, the royal couple will attend the Sweden-Vietnam business summit and highlight the UN's sustainability goals within Agenda 2030. In recent years, Vietnam has been attractive for Swedish companies because of its role in the consumer market. The relationship between the two countries is historic, as Sweden became the first Western country in 1969 that has established diplomatic relations with Vietnam. While the link between the two concentrated on development at first, it has since changed to commercial. Sweden exports a huge amount of products to Vietnam, among others medical and engineering goods - and there is further potential for this to grow. During a press conference held in Hanoi on 11th January, Swedish ambassador to Vietnam, Pereric Hogberg, suggested that various events in 2019 would improve relations between the two countries. The official visit of the Crown Princess Couple will further aid this. Crown Princess Victoria was all smiles as she and husband Prince Daniel were welcomed on their official three-day visit to Vietnam Vice president Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh, Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel during their royal visit to Vietnam. Pictured at the reception at the presidential palace in Hanoi An ex-investment banker proved its never too late to live your dreams by retraining to become a midwife at the age of 61. Claire Slater, from Redditch, Worcestershire, thrived in the fast-paced world of high finance in London, where she earned up to 80k a year. But she has achieved a life-long ambition by trading power meetings in Canary Wharf for a neonatal ward in an NHS hospital, earning 22k-a-year for gruelling 13-hour shifts. 'Growing up in the 60s, ever since I was 10-years-old, Id dreamt of being a midwife, but life just got in the way - until now,' said Claire. It feels like the best job in the world. Claire Slater (pictured), from Redditch, abandoned her high-flying, 80K-a-year career in finance to achieve a life-long dream of becoming a midwife at the age of 61 The former banker now earns 22k for gruelling 13-hour shifts on a neonatal ward but said it feels like the best job in the world' Claire explained how her varied career began in primary education after her parents encouraged her to do a teaching degree. She married husband Mark in 1977 and stepped away from teaching to raise the couples five children. When I was growing up, you didnt need a degree to become a midwife and my parents were keen for me to get a university education,' she explained. After getting my degree I worked as a primary school teacher, and when we had the children I started working as an auxiliary nurse in the evenings. Claire graduated in September last year at the age of 61 and started work on the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Worcester Royal. Pictured on her graduation day with husband Mark Claire (far right), with colleagues at Worcester Royal Hospital's neonatal ward. She has delivered 50 babies to date After stints on a surgical ward and in A&E at the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch, Claire worked as a radiography technician before returning to teaching at the age of 30. By 1996 her children were in school and she was headhunted to work in the banking sector. She joined Barclays Wealth in Canary Wharf before working for Lloyds and - finally - moving to Standard Life as a Regional Director. In 2012, at 55-years-old, I felt like a change, Clare explained. I couldnt stop thinking about how Id never pursued my passion of becoming a midwife.' I discussed it with Mark and he was fully supportive. I did wonder if I was capable of managing a degree at my age, but after months of going back and forth with the idea, I decided to go for it. Claire joined a midwifery course at the University of Worcester in September 2013, at the age of 56. I was a bundle of nerves on my first day, she said. I looked around the classroom and I was the oldest person there. Someone even asked why I was considering a career change when I could be thinking about retiring.' Speaking of the course at university, Claire said: It was hard work. There were times when, after a long shift, Id get home and still have studying to do. Mark would worry Id taken on too much - but I was loving every second' Claire celebrated her 40th wedding anniversary with husband Mark (pictured) - who she has praised for being 'fully supportive' I told them exactly what I was doing there - taking a risk, pursuing a life-long dream. Claire says half the course was spent on training placements at Worcestershire Royal Hospital. It was hard work, she explained. There were times when, after a long shift, Id get home and still have studying to do. Mark would worry Id taken on too much - but I was loving every second. She graduated in September last year at the age of 61 and started work on the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Worcester Royal, coincidentally on the same day Mark retired. In her fulfilling new role, she has delivered over 50 babies to date. Delivering my first as a midwife felt amazing, explained the midwife. Im not just in this for the short-term. Id like to carry on working for as long as Im able. I love it here. Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel are on their second day of their official tour of Vietnam today. The heir apparent to the Swedish throne, 41, visited a village in Hanoi where local crafts are made, before tucking into a popular Vietnamese dish for lunch. The mother-of-two, who was seen without her husband, added a flash of colour to an otherwise rainy day in her stylish floral print dress and braved the wet weather in open-toe sandals. She completed her look with a skinny white waist-belt, some chic earrings and a leather watch on her right hand - before adding a hand-made ring that she was gifted by a local. Crown Princess Victoria, 41, couldn't hide her delight as she visited a village in Hanoi where local crafts are made on day two of her Vietnam tour The mother-of-two, who sported a bright pink manicure, was keen to show off her new piece of jewellery that she was gifted during her visit At lunch time, the heir apparent to the Swedish throne tucked into 'Bun bo Nam bo' - a Vietnamese popular dish at a street food restaurant The three-day visit, which started in Hanoi on Monday, will end in Ho Chi Minh City tomorrow and is to mark 50 years of diplomatic relations between Sweden and Vietnam. Crown Princess Victoria looked delighted as she watched a craftsman at work, before being handed a plaited white ring which she showed off alongside her pretty pink manicure. The Swedish royal is likely to have had plenty of practice with arts and crafts seeing as she has two children Estelle, six, and Oscar, two, with husband, Prince Daniel. Come lunch time, the royal was seen squeezing a lime as she tried 'Bun bo Nam bo' - a Vietnamese popular dish - at a street food restaurant, in Hanoi. To add an extra kick to her meal, she reached for the bottle of chilli sauce. Keen to add an extra kick to her dish, Crown Princess Victoria was pictured holding a bottle of chilli sauce Following her visit to the local crafts village, the Swedish royal sat down and was seen enjoying a cup of tea Despite the wet weather conditions, the stylish royal opted for a summery floral print dress which she coordinated with open-toe sandals and a white waist-belt During her day of busy engagements, Crown Princess Victoria visited the UN office. She is due to attend the Sweden-Vietnam business summit and highlight the UN's sustainability goals within Agenda 2030. Yesterday, the royal, along with Prince Daniel, embarked on a guided tour of Hotel Metropole and attended an official lunch with the Vice President of Vietnam Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh. They also visited the upper secondary school Thuc Nghiem, where Victoria was handed a beautiful bouquet of yellow flowers, and attended an evening welcome dinner hosted by the Vietnamese government. And with the eventful day came several outfit changes, as the royal was pictured wearing a white dress featuring pink butterflies, before changing into a lemon flora dress and a multi-coloured number. Sweden's Crown Princess Victoria squeezed a lime as she tucked into a 'Bun bo Nam bo' - a Vietnamese popular dish for lunch at a restaurant in Hanoi The mother-of-two looked intrigued as she watched on during a visit to a village where local crafts are made Crown Princess Victoria visited the UN office in Hanoi today. She is due to attend the Sweden-Vietnam business summit and highlight the UN's sustainability goals within Agenda 2030 A young vet who swapped a life of clubbing and partying in the UK to set up a charity to help dying street dogs in Sri Lanka says she's worried she'll never find love. Janey Lowes, 30, originally from Barnard Castle, County Durham, visited the country while on holiday aged 26 and was shocked by how many hounds were abandoned on the island. The vet, who is dubbed the embodiment of 'Dr. Dolittle' in tonight's Ben Fogle: New Lives in the Wild, decided to leave her life in Britain behind and move to Sri Lanka. But despite seemingly living in paradise and running a successful charity, Janey says she feels 'isolated' in the country. Janey, 30, from County Durham, appears on tonight's episode of Ben Fogle: New Lives in the Wild. The presenter dubs the girl a modern day 'Doctor Dolittle' The former party girl has transformed her life by moving to Sri Lanka and setting up her own veterinary charity to treat some of the country's millions of stray dogs The stunning woman admits she's single and doesn't think anyone 'could hack' being in a relationship with her. She says: 'Everyone loves the idea of an independent girl going off and doing her own thing. Guys say they find it attractive, but actually the reality of it sucks.' She adds: 'I don't wanna be a crazy dog lady left on the shelf. It's definitely a specific taste people are going to have to have.' Janey had dreamed of being a vet from a young age, and after graduating from university, she worked for two-and-a-half years but found she didn't feel she was doing enough to help animals. The stunning 30-year-old admits she's single, as she spends almost all of her time at work, and says that she doesn't feel men 'can hack' her lifestyle Janey set up the charity, which now has 17 staff, in Sri Lanka, after visiting while backpacking around the world She admits in the programme, which airs tonight on Channel 5 at 9pm, that she used to be quite 'self-obsessed' and buy a new outfit to go out on the town every weekend. While travelling for a year, she fell in love with Sri Lanka and their millions of street dogs. Janey moved to the country and set up a charity, WECare Worldwide, buying a building on the outskirts of the town Talalla and converting it into a veterinary practice. She admits the country has a chronic problem with their stray dogs, with an estimated one to three million animals roaming the streets She admits that the country has a chronic problem with their stray dogs, with an estimated one to three million animals roaming the streets. Janey revealed that street dogs often have a food source, but aren't necessarily owned by anyone. She is so dedicated to the work that she's available pretty much 24/7 to the centre, admitting: 'It's just that here there's not really another option. We have to be available all the time.' The 30-year-old admitted she has loved animals from a young age, and had always dreamed of becoming a vet Janey grew up in County Durham, but moved to Sri Lanka two years after graduating from university to set up her charity Her charity now has 17 members of staff, including five vets, three nurses and several trainees. While on the job she allows herself to be bitten by terrified dogs and has even contracted mange from the stray dogs she treats. Ben is stunned by the infrastructure she has in place, given how remote Sri Lanka can feel. He tells the camera: 'What's amazing is she was willing to give up everything in the UK to set this up from scratch. She's clearly very ambitious.' Ben is shocked by the diverse range of injuries that Janey treats, including this puppy who had been bitten by a snake Janey moved to Sri Lanka and brought this property on the outskirts of the coastal town Talalla, in the south of the country. She converted it into a veterinary practice The presenter joins Janey at work and is shocked by several of the cases she encounters, which he deems worse than anything he's ever seen in the UK - including one where Janey removes more than 100 maggots from a dog's ear. In one scene, a puppy is brought into the veterinary clinic after being bitten by a snake. Luckily Janey is able to identify what breed the reptile was - a hump-nosed pit viper, whose venom could be fatal to the young pup. Janey is able to save the tiny puppy from the snake bite, and it's not long before it's looking more lively again Ben is stunned by the young woman's attitude to the animals, and dubs her a modern day 'Dr. Dolittle' The wounded dog requires several injections of pain relief as well as a course of antibiotics. Janey admits she also finds the financial aspect of the business 'a massive headache'. Keen for the centre to live up to the rigorous standards of the UK, she reveals: 'We haemorrhage money. It's tough at times. The vet also called the financial aspect of her business 'a massive headache' and said they can 'haemorrhage' money at times Janey says she's keen to expand her charity across other countries in Asia in an effort to help more animals 'It's really expensive to do things not only properly, but in a country where everyone assumes things are cheap when they're not.' She continues by saying she's keen to expand her charity into other countries to help more animals across Asia. And despite her worries, she describes the country as 'home', admitting: 'I feel like the luckiest girl in the world.' Advertisement The Duke of Cambridge revealed he is 'absolutely thrilled' for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex following the birth of their son yesterday. William, 36, shared his excitement on his nephew's arrival as he joined Kate, 37, to launch the inaugural King's Cup Regatta at the Cutty Sark, in south-east London today. The proud uncle told well-wishers he is 'looking forward' to meeting his nephew 'in the next few days' once 'things have quietened down'. He added jokingly: 'I'm very pleased and glad to welcome my own brother into the sleep deprivation society that is parenting.' Kate, who looked chic in a nautical-inspired outfit for the outing, shared her husband's delight, saying: 'It's such a special time, obviously with Louis and Charlotte just having had their birthdays, it's such a great time of year to have a baby. Spring is in the air.' The couple also revealed they do not yet know the baby's name. Baby Sussex arrived at 5.26am on Monday, weighing 7lb 3oz. It is expected he will be seen for the first time tomorrow after Harry and Meghan decided to eschew the tradition of a photo call in the hours after the birth. However Prince Harry did make a short media appearance to share his excitement and reveal that Meghan and the baby were doing well. Scroll down for more videos The Duke of Cambridge said he was 'absolutely thrilled' about the birth of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's son, adding he was 'looking forward to seeing them in the next few days when things have quietened down' The Duchess of Cambridge, elegant in a Breton stripe top and 150 LK Bennett trousers, said it is 'such a special time' for Harry and Meghan as new parents. William and Kate revealed they do not know Baby Sussex's name The Duchess of Cambridge received a posy of flowers on her arrival at the Cutty Sark, where she and William launched the inaugural King's Cup regatta. The couple will go head-to-head in the sailing race off the Isle of Wight this summer The Duchess of Cambridge, pictured today, said it is a 'great time of year' to have a baby following Baby Sussex's arrival Asked how he was feeling, the Duke of Cambridge, pictured with the Duchess of Cambridge at the event, said said: 'I'm very pleased and glad to welcome my own brother into the sleep deprivation society that is parenting.' Speaking today, the Duchess of Cambridge said it is 'daunting' becoming a parent but is thrilled for Harry and Meghan. The engagement, pictured, is the first time William and Kate have been seen since the birth of Baby Sussex yesterday Well-wishers turned out to greet the couple as they arrived at the Cutty Sark in south London today. William and Kate launched a new charity regatta, which they hope will become an annual event to benefit causes close to their hearts The Duke of Cambridge joins a boy in a sailing dinghy simulator as the royals launch a new sailing regatta. The event will see The Duke and Duchess as skippers of individual sailing boats in a race to benefit eight charities of which they are patron The Duke and Duchess of Sussex welcomed a baby at 5.26am on Monday, weighing 7lb 3oz. The Duke of Sussex later appeared on camera (right) to share his joy and thank well-wishers for their support Uncle William shares his joy on his nephew's arrival The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge shared their delight at Baby Sussex's arrival while speaking to well-wishers during a walkabout in south-east London today. William said he was 'obviously thrilled' at the news his brother Harry and sister-in-law Meghan had welcomed a son yesterday morning. Speaking to a crowd at the Cutty Sark, William said he was 'looking forward' to seeing the new arrival in the coming days. He added cheekily: 'I'm very pleased and glad to welcome my own brother into the sleep deprivation society that is parenting.' The Duchess of Cambridge was also visibly thrilled by the news, admitting to one royal supporter that it is 'such a special time' for Harry, Meghan and the family. She also noted that her own children Louis and Charlotte have recently celebrated their first and fourth birthdays, respectively. Kate continued: 'It's such a great time of year to have a baby, spring is in the air. 'As William said, we're looking forward to meeting him and finding out what his name's going to be so so it's really exciting for both of them and we wish them all the best,' she said. Speaking from experience as a mother of three, Kate added: 'These next few weeks are always a bit daunting the first time round so we wish them all the best.' Advertisement William and Kate spoke about Baby Sussex as they arrived to launch the charity King's Cup regatta, which will see the couple go head-to-head in the race off the Isle of Wight in August. Shortly after stepping out of the car, William and Kate were quizzed over their nephew's arrival. Asked if he had any pearls of wisdom for his younger brother, William said: 'Plenty of advice, plenty of advice. But no, I wish him all the best and I hope the next few days they can settle down and enjoy having a newborn in their family and the joys that come with that.' The Duchess of Cambridge, dressed in a Breton top and 150 LK Bennett trousers, added: 'As William said, we're looking forward to meeting him and finding out what his name's going to be so so it's really exciting for both of them and we wish them all the best. These next few weeks are always a bit daunting the first time round so we wish them all the best.' The Prince of Wales has also spoken publicly for the first time about the birth, saying he was 'delighted' at arrival of his latest grandchild. During an official visit to Germany with the Duchess of Cornwall, Charles said: 'We couldn't be more delighted at the news and we're looking forward to meeting the baby when we return.' Meanwhile the Queen and Prince Philip stepped out for a second engagement, during which Her Majesty shared her joy at becoming a great-grandmother for the eighth time. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge laughed as they spoke to members of the public during the outing this afternoon The Duchess of Cambridge looked chic in her flattering nautical ensemble, adding a touch of colour with a red clutch bag Kate smiled as she waved to the crowds that waited patiently for a glimpse of the royal couple at the event in south London The Duchess of Cambridge, who is a mother of three, said it is 'such a special time' for Harry, Meghan and the family Well-wishers reached out to take hold of Kate's hand as she spent time greeting members of the public today Royal supporters were keen to snap photos of William and Kate as they made their first appearance since Baby Sussex's birth The Duchess of Cambridge was happy to speak about her new nephew's arrival after he was born yesterday morning The Duchess of Cambridge, a keen sportswoman, joined a boy for a turn on the sailing dinghy simulator at the launch event The Duchess of Cambridge spent time speaking to a group of children as she arrived at the event in London this afternoon The Queen was asked by one guest: 'Life is good for Your Majesty?', to which the Queen replied: 'Yes, thank you.' 'Congratulations. Another great-grandchild!' the guest said to her. The Queen replied happily: 'Yes, I know.' She was then asked 'How many of them have you got now?' before replying 'Eight'. Buckingham Palace said on Monday that the Queen and the Duke were 'delighted' at the news of the birth of Harry and Meghan's baby son. The engagement marked the first time the Duke of Edinburgh has been seen in public since his Land Rover crashed near the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk in January. The Duchess of Cambridge burst into laughter as she shared a playful moment with husband William at the regatta launch The Duke and Duchess of Sussex admired the Cutty Sark, which was built in 1869 for the Jock Willis Shipping Line Kate gestured to something on the ship while William gazed up at the towering structure in Greenwich on Tuesday The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge appeared in good spirits as they learned more about the Cutty Sark The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge launched the charity regatta, which will benefit eight charities supported by the couple The royal couple beamed as they officially unveiled the King's Cup, which was first presented by King George V in 1920 The historic trophy, unveiled by William and Kate today, was first presented by King George V at Cowes' Royal Yacht Squadron Prince Philip is seen with the Queen for first time since his car accident as she tells of delight at birth of eighth great-grandchild following Baby Sussex's arrival The Queen has been seen with Prince Philip for the first time since his car accident in a rare public appearance. The Duke of Edinburgh, 97, joined the Queen, 93, at a lunch for members of the Order of Merit at Windsor Castle today. The royal couple, who have just become great-grandparents for the eighth time following the arrival of Baby Sussex, posed for a group photograph before the Queen was quizzed on the newest addition to the family by one of the guests. It is the first time Philip has been seen in public since his Land Rover crashed near the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk in January. The Duke of Edinburgh joined the Queen at a lunch for members of the Order of Merit at Windsor Castle today (pictured) The royal couple, who have just become great-grandparents for the eighth time following the arrival of Baby Sussex, posed for a group photograph before the Queen was quizzed on the new arrival by one of the guests The Queen was asked by one guest: 'Life is good for Your Majesty?', to which the Queen replied: 'Yes, thank you.' 'Congratulations. Another great-grandchild!' the guest said to her. The Queen replied happily: 'Yes, I know.' She was then asked 'How many of them have you got now?' before replying 'Eight'. Buckingham Palace said on Monday that the Queen and the Duke were 'delighted' at the news of the birth of Harry and Meghan's baby son. The Queen and Philip gathered with Sir David Attenborough, artist David Hockney, former Commons Speaker Baroness Boothroyd, and inventor of the World Wide Web Sir Timothy Berners-Lee, among others, for a group shot inside the castle. The Order of Merit was created in 1902 by Edward VII to honour leaders in the arts, sciences, culture and military, and is limited to just 24 living members. Philip, 97, was made a member of the Order in 1968. Advertisement The King's Cup regatta will be hosted by William and Kate on August 9 on the Isle of Wight, and will see the couple compete as the skippers of rival boats, part of an eight-strong field. The winning team will be awarded the King's Cup, a historic trophy first presented by King George V at Cowes' Royal Yacht Squadron in 1920. William and Kate hope the King's Cup will become an annual event, bringing greater awareness to the wider benefits of sport, while also raising support and funds for their causes. The duke trounced his wife when they competed in a dragon boat race in Canada in 2011, but Kate got her revenge three years later when she won a sailing event in Auckland during their tour of New Zealand. William took the honours again during a visit to the German city of Heidelberg in 2017, when he was victorious in a riverboat race against his wife. The eight boats taking part in the King's Cup will each represent one of the charities that are being supported this year by the royal couple. The Duchess of Cambridge looked chic in her blue, white and red ensemble as she arrived at the Cutty Sark in London Kate appeared delighted as William spoke of his joy about becoming an uncle to Harry and Meghan's baby boy Kate, 37, donned a nautical-inspired outfit as she joined William, 36, to launch the inaugural regatta The King's Cup regatta, which will see the couple go head-to-head in a charity sailing race off the Isle of Wight summer Smiling and laughing, William and Kate shared a light-hearted moment as they arrived at the Cutty Sark on Tuesday afternoon The Duchess of Cambridge appeared in a particularly good mood following the arrival of the Sussexes' baby boy yesterday The Duchess of Cambridge received a beautiful bouquet of blue, purple and pale pink flowers as she arrived at the event These include Child Bereavement UK, Centrepoint, the London Air Ambulance Charity 30th Anniversary Campaign, and Tusk - four causes which the duke supports as patron. The duchess will support four of her patronages: Action on Addiction, Place2Be, the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families, and The Royal Foundation in connection with her work on the early years development of children. Members of the public can watch the race from the SailGP Race Village along the Cowes foreshore, which is free to access and will include an 800-seater grandstand. Footage from the race will play on screens across the town and there will be a number of family-friendly activities and exhibits to promote sailing around the event, including initiatives and programmes for children and young people. She never puts a fashion foot wrong and is known for mixing bespoke designer pieces with high street steals. And Queen Letizia of Spain, 46, continued to show off her eye for affordable fashion as she attended the commemorative act to World Red Cross Day in Zaragoza on Tuesday. The royal opted for an elegant blush ASOS dress costing an affordable 75, which she previously wore during an engagement in Madrid in November. Scroll down for video Queen Letizia of Spain, 46, continued to show off her eye for affordable fashion as she attended the commemorative act to World Red Cross Day in Zaragoza on Tuesday The mother-of-two looked stunning in the pale pink dress, which was embellished with colourful birds and a floral pattern. Letizia teamed it with a matching blush-coloured clutch bag and nude shoes, accessorising with a statement drop earrings and a gold ring. Wearing her brunette hair in a sleek side parting, the former journalist completed the look with minimal make-up. Letizia was seen posing with charity workers before making a speech on stage and handing out an award. The royal opted for an elegant blush ASOS dress costing an affordable 75, which she previously wore during an engagement in Madrid in November Queen Letizia is mother to Princesses Leonor, 13, and Sofia, 12, with husband King Felipe, 50, who ascended to the Spanish throne in 2014. Letizia married King Felipe ten years ago at Cathedral Santa Maria la Real de la Almudena in Madrid. The relationship began in November 2002 and in 2003, just months after she had been promoted to the position of anchor on the national news channel, she quit her job and days later the royal engagement was announced. Letizia was seen posing with charity workers before making a speech on stage and handing out an award The mother-of-two looked stunning in the pale pink dress, which was embellished with colourful birds and a floral pattern Letizia is the eldest daughter of Jesus Jose Ortiz Alvarez, a journalist, and Maria de la Paloma Rocasolano Rodriguez, a nurse and hospital union representative. She attended public high school and did a degree at the Complutense University of Madrid. She later gained an MA in Audiovisual Journalism at the Institute for Studies in Audiovisual Journalism. King Juan Carlos abdicated in 2014 in favour of his son, now King Felipe VI. Letizia teamed it with a matching blush-coloured clutch bag and nude shoes, accessorising with a statement drop earrings and a gold ring Wearing her brunette hair in a sleek side parting, the former journalist completed the look with minimal make-up By Charlie Lankston for DailyMail.com Ashley Graham The supermodel had one of the stand-out beauty looks of the evening, thanks in large part to her incredible embellished hairstyle which came courtesy of TRESemme Global Stylist Justine Marjan. Celebrity hairstylist Justine revealed that she and Ashley 'were inspired by the 70s and wanted something that felt masculine in the front to go with her androgynous suit but that felt over the top on the back'. So, they opted for a slicked-back, lengthy ponytail that was filled with an array of over-the-top accessories, including bedazzled Gucci barrettes, Jennifer Behr clips, and several glittering designs from Justine's own collaboration with Kitsch. But while the 'do was intended to be outrageous and fun at the back, it was also means to be sleek and slick at the front - so Justine used the TRESemme Keratin Smooth Shine Serum to prep the locks, before blow drying them with the GHD Air Festival Collection Hair Dyer, and smoothing the roots with the brand's Platinum+ Styler. That slicked-back section was then held firmly in place with the TRESemme TRES Two Extra Hold Gel, before the ponytail was smoothed down with the brand's new Anti-Frizz Sheets. Last but not least, the hair was given a liberal helping of the TRESemme TRES Two Extra Hold Hair Spray to lock it - and its very many accessories - in place. Et voila! When it came to her makeup look, Ashley's skin was first prepped to perfection with a host of products from Rodial, including the brand's incredibly popular Pink Diamond Lifting Sheet Mask and the Soft Focus Glow Drops, which helped to leave the model's complexion with just a hint of shimmer. Speaking of glow, makeup artist Kate Synnott also used St. Tropez One Night Only Finishing Gloss to give Ashley's decolletage a subtle bronzed highlight that perfectly complemented the plunging Gucci blazer she wore on the carpet. Revlon spokesmodel Ashley also rocked a full makeup look by the brand on the pink carpet, with Kate using the PhotoReady Candid Natural Finish Anti-Pollution Foundation as a glowy base, before giving her a killer green eye look to match her Gucci blazer using the Revlon ColorStay Eyeliner in Jade. Finally, Ashley's lips were given the perfect hint of sheen with the brand's Ultra HD Metallic Matte Liquid Lipcolor in HD Gleam. Sophie Turner Game of Thrones star and newlywed Sophie quite literally dazzled at the Met Gala while modeling a beautiful blue eye look created by British makeup artist Georgie Eisdell using Rodial, and a sparkling glittery hairdo that was put together by celebrity stylist Christian Wood. 'As soon as I saw the amazing Louis Vuitton jumpsuit, I thought a wet, glitter look would work perfectly for the theme, and pull the entire look together,' Christian said of Sophie's 'do for the evening. 'I wanted it to have a futuristic fashion feel, while still being young and fresh. To me, glitter is the ultimate element when envisioning the camp theme.' To achieve that, he used the Wella EIMI Extra Volume Volumizing Mousse on wet hair, which was then blow dried with the GHD Air Festival Collection Hair Dryer, before a loose wave was added with the brand's Curve Soft Curl Iron. The wet look was created using Wella Professionals Light Luminous Reflective Oil, and Christian then mixed up the Wella EIMI Sculpt Force with silver and clear glitter to create a paste, which was then painted onto the hair using a small makeup brush. Finally, the gleaming style was set with the Wella EIMI Stay Firm Hairspray. Josephine Skriver The Victoria's Secret favorite looked like a piece of art worthy of the museum itself thanks to her stunning multicolored headdress and whimsical pink-themed makeup, which was dreamed up by beauty pro Grace Lee for Maybelline. 'We drew inspiration for the look from the rich colors of the applique flowers on Josephines gown,' Grace explained. 'With the theme, we knew we could push the boundaries without distracting from the dress.' Josephine's beauty look was focused primarily on her lips and eyes - with a beautiful complexion (which was accentuated with the Maybelline 24H Super Stay Full Coverage Foundation and the Instant Age Rewind Concealer) serving almost as a canvas for the vibrant colors that Grace then played with. And color wasn't the only thing that Grace used the push the boundaries - she also broke the traditional beauty rules by working with a reverse contour, which involved applying the Maybelline Fit Me Blush in Berry Pop up towards the eyes, then adding the City Mini Eyeshadow Palette in Blushed Avenue towards the temples, 'as if applying a highlighter'. The look was finished off with a sweep of bronzer around the hairline and jawline, then a pop of highlighter to tie everything together. Grace also worked with a brand new product - the Maybelline SuperStay Ink Crayon - which was used not only on the model's cheekbones and eyes, but on her lips too for 'added dimension'. Kim Kardashian Reality star Kim was without a doubt one of the show-stoppers of the night - both at the event itself, and during her appearance at the Met Gala after parties. The inspiration behind her look was the image of a California girl stepping out of the ocean and straight onto the pink carpet at the glittering soiree, with crystal water droplets glistening on her dress - and sexily tousled 'just out of the water' locks. That salty style came courtesy of Kim's long-time hairstylist, Color Wow Creative Director Chris Appleton, who first prepped the locks with Color Wow Dream Coat Anti-Humidity Hair Treatment before drying the hair with the Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer Professional Edition. Hair extensions were then added to give extra length and volume to the look, before the Color Wow Pop & Lock Gloss Treatment and Cult Favorite Firm + Flexible Hairspray were distributed evenly throughout the locks to serve as a textured base for the 'S' wave. Last but not least, set the hair with the Dyson hair dryer, and top it off with the Color Wow Favorite Firm + Flexible Hairspray for extra hold and the One Minute Transformation Anti-Frizz Styling Cream to truly enhance that wet look. To maintain that overall out-of-the-ocean illusion, Kim's makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic used products from her eponymous KKW Beauty line in order to create a fresh and dewy look - but not before prepping her skin with products from Tatcha, including the Classic Rice Polish Foaming Enzyme Powder - a favorite of new mother Meghan Markle. For the eyes, Mario used his own KKW Beauty palette to create a look that would 'mimic the reflection of light glistening off a body of water', layering shimmering shades onto the lid, before adding the Ultra Lightbeams in Iridescent for added shine. Kim's dewy complexion was further enhanced with the Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream and The Silk Canvas Primer, before KKW Beauty Concealer helped to cover any imperfections of blemishes. Lady Gaga There was never any doubt that Lady Gaga was going to cause a stir at the Met Gala - but there were likely few who could have predicted just how big an impact the singer would make upon her arrival. From the numerous pink carpet costume changes to the wacky pink wagon being wheeled behind her, everything about the look was camp to the max - particularly her beauty look. The Marc Jacobs Beauty spokesmodel worked with the brand's Global Artistry Ambassador Sarah Tanno for the evening, with the beauty pro creating a look that lived up to the outrageous nature of Gaga's ensemble. She first prepped the singer's skin with Marc Jacobs Beauty's first ever skincare product: Youthquake Hydra-Full Retexturizing Gel Creme, which 'retexturizes and moisturizes at the same time', leaving skin with the perfect makeup-ready base. Sarah then opted to go without concealer, and instead use the brand's new dream team: the Accomplice Concealer & Touch-up Stick, and the Accomplice Instant Blurring Beauty Powder, which - when combined - resulted in a beautiful 'soft focus, flawless glow'. That amazing pop of pink on the lips was created using a mix of Le Marc Liquid Lip Crayon in Flaming-oh! and the Enamored Hydrating Lip Gloss Stick in Sweet Escape, which helped to add extra shine. Throw in some very over-the-top false eyelashes and a gleaming pink manicure courtesy of nail artist Naomi Yasuda and OPI's Big Apple Red, and that's how you create a winning makeup look. However for Gaga, the fun didn't stop there - in fact it continued all the way up to the top of her head, where celebrity stylist Frederic Aspiras transformed the singer's hair into tiny bows, that were styled using the GHD Air Festival Collection Hair Dryer and Platinum+ Styler, and then locked in place with products by Joico. Billy Porter Broadway star Billy was one of the first to arrive at this year's Met Gala - and boy did he kick things off with a bang, not least because he made his debut on the pink carpet while being carried high by several burly young men. But even after he had stepped down onto the carpet to join us mere mortals, he continued to wow, showing off an amazing winged ensemble, a sky-high headpiece, and a ferocious beauty look that may well have been one of the most ornate the Met Gala has ever seen. Created by makeup artist Le Sonya Gunter for Pat McGrath Labs, the beauty concept stayed true to Billy's gold ensemble, while maintaining the regal persona that he cultivated for himself on the carpet. First, his eyes were covered in the brand's EYEdols Eye Shadow in Gold Standard - of course - before being defined with the Perma Precision Liquid Eyeliner and the FetishEYES Mascara. Billy's skin was given an added luminosity with the SKIN FETISH: Highlighter + Balm Duo, before focus turned to his lips - using the Perma Gel Ultra Lip Pencil in Deep Void to define, the MatteTrance Lipstick in Deep Void to fill in, and then the same EYEdols shadow to add that stand-out metallic pop. Lily Collins As a Lancome ambassadress, Lily is known for modeling only the fiercest beauty looks, and the 2019 Met Gala was no exception. The actress worked with celebrity makeup artist Fiona Stiles for the event, with the beauty pro explaining: 'For the Met Gala "camp" theme this year, we drew inspiration from Lily's dress and hair. 'The hair had a very Priscilla Presley/Sharon Tate vibe, so I played off that with the makeup. I wanted it to feel retro but also elevated, beautiful and chic. A flat, matte pastel lilac on the eyes with wickedly dramatic liquid liner was a great backdrop for layer after layer of false lashes.' The lilac eye product that Fiona used was created using a mix of shades from the Color Design 5 Pan Eyeshadow Palette in Lavender Grace, while the liquid liner of choice was the brand's Grandiose Liner in Matte Noir. Lily's complexion was touched up with the Teint Idole Ultra Foundation Sticks, and then given a pop of color in the form of the Blush Subtil in 371 Shimmer Pink Fling. Meanwhile the hair that so inspired Fiona's makeup was expertly coiffed by Gregory Russell, who worked with Marc Anthony True Professional products while putting together the 'whimsical creation'. Much like Fiona, Gregory took inspiration from Lily's dress for the evening, explaining that he 'thought the exaggerated proportions and adornments' that he added to the 'do really played into the theme of the evening. To generate that much volume, the hairstylist used a hefty dose of the Marc Anthony True Professional Dream Big Volume Thickening 7-in-1 Foam, which was applied throughout the hair, and then used the brand's Dream Big Volume Perfectly Full Thickening Cream for added oomph. More products from the Dream Big Volume line were then brought in to help up the ante, including the Thick & Full Hairspray and the Volumizing Super Powder, which Gregory added to the roots to create plenty of lift. Finally, the whole thing was sprayed with more of the Thick & Full Hairspray, before Lily's tresses were adorned with vintage millinery flowers for that final special touch. Gigi Hadid The Met Gala may herald the arrival of the summer months, but Gigi paid that no mind, instead choosing to channel an arctic angel on the pink carpet at the event, both through her icicle-esque ensemble and her frosty beauty look. 'The inspiration behind Gigis look was an ethereal ice queen glow, equipped with white feathers, gold and silver sequins and a matching cap,' makeup artist Erin Parsons revealed. 'Gigis look was complete with tinsel-inspired white lashes extending outward for a dramatic finish.' While the lengthy white lashes certainly served as the focal point of the model's beauty look for the evening, Erin created a stunning base, accentuating Gigi's complexion with Maybelline SuperStay Full Coverage Foundation, before lightening the under eye area with the brand's popular Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles Treatment Concealer. Erin added further dimension to the face with the City Bronzer Bronzing Powder, which also served as the backdrop for the lashes, with Erin using the product on Gigi's eyelids 'to subtly contrast the bold white eyelashes'. To ensure all focus was on the eyes, the beauty pro then gave the fashion star a subtle nude lip with a light SuperStay Matte Ink Un-Nude Liquid Lipstick, and brrr she was ready to go. Cara Delevingne British model Cara has never been one to follow the crowd, but on Monday night she proved more than ever that she is always the bright and colorful life of the party, arriving on the Met Gala carpet in a rainbow ensemble - with a funky, bold beauty look to match. In keeping with the multi-colored Dior jumpsuit she rocked so brilliantly, makeup artist Molly Stern painted an orange line across the model's face, while her lips were accentuated with a punch of yellow at each corner. But it was Cara's elaborate headdress that really stole the focus, sitting atop a sleek ponytail that was created by celebrity hairstylist Mara Roszak for TRESemme. 'We really tried to embrace the camp theme for this look super playful, elevated, and theatrical,' Mara said of the inspiration behind Cara's glam for the evening, while revealing that she just three products to prep the model's beautifully wavy pony. First, the TRESemme Thermal Creations Blow Dry Balm, which was applied to wet hair, then the brand's Compressed Micro Mist Hold Level 2: Smooth Hair Spray, which was actually applied onto a hair brush that was then used to smooth down any flyaways. Finally, the TRESemme Keratin Smooth Shine Serum was applied to the ends of the ponytail to keep it sleek and shiny, before the incredible headpiece was put on as the crowning jewel of the entire look. Julia Garner Much like Cara's look for the evening, Ozark star Julia's ensemble for the evening was given a crowning finish in the form of a golden headpiece that sat atop a stunning head of curls. The 'do was created by celebrity hairstylist Bobby Eliot for OGX, who kicked off by prepping the hair with the brand's Replenishing + Water Drops 8-in-1 Mist 'to soften and hydrate Julias strands'. 'I then used a combination of the OGX Locking + Coconut Curls Finishing Mist and a few pumps of the OGX Locking + Coconut Curls Decadent Creamy Mousse in my fingers to gently run through Julias hair to add volume, he continued, explaining that he used a blow dryer with a diffuser attachment to further enhance that natural curl and text for a 'tight, messy' look. Having used a curling iron to create a wave throughout the locks, he then brushed them out to give some more natural, rough texture - which he then emphasized by applying a few drops of the OGX Fade-Defying + Orchid Oil Color Protect Oil 'followed by the OGX Smoothing + Liquid Pearl Luminescent Serum to add shine'. The OGX Smoothing + Shea Sleek Humidity Blocking Hair Spray was then used to lock the style into place, before the beautiful gold headdress was placed atop her shiny 'do. For makeup, Julia had the benefit of not one, but two, experts in the form of celebrity beauty pro Charlotte Tilbury - and her niece Sofia, who was on hand to help with the old Hollywood-inspired glam. Julia's naturally fair skin was first prepped with Charlotte's Magic Cream, before her complexion was given a boost with the Hollywood Flawless Filter, which was buffed into the skin for a 'flawless, glowing finish'. Further glow was added courtesy of the Beauty Light Wand and Charlotte's newly-launched Glowgasm Palette in Lightgasm. The Light Wonder foundation and the Magic Away Concealer were applied to any areas that needed extra coverage, before the skin was set with the Airbrush Flawless Filter, with focus on the forehead, nose, and chin. Julia's eyes were also made to gleam and glow, with Charlotte and Sofia using the Eyes to Mesmerise in Marie Antoinette on the lids, which 'shimmered and played with the light beautifully' as she posed for pictures. Extra definition was created using the Pop shade from the Luxury Palette in Exaggereyes, before the lashes were coated with Charlottes Full Fat Lashes Mascara 'for a full Met Gala red-carpet flutter'. Finally, the bold red lip, which was created using a mix of two Hot Lips Lipstick shade: Super Cindy and Tell Laura, which resulted in a 'bold, superstar pout'. Ciara Big hair, absolutely do care. At least when it comes to Ciara's Met Gala 'do which fit perfect with her fierce green goddess-style gown. That beautiful emerald color also served as the focus of her makeup look for the evening, which was created by makeup artist Yolonda Frederick for Pat McGrath Labs. Ciara's enviable cheekbones were further accentuated with a gleaming highlight courtesy of the Fetish: Sublime Skin Highlighting Trio in Bronze Nectar, while her pillowy pout was made to look all the more plump with a stunning combination of three products: the PermaGel Ultra Lip Pencil in Ground Control, the LuxeTrance Lipstick in Lust Angeles, and the Lust: Gloss in Nude Negligee. But it was the eyes that really stole the show, with Yolanda using a variety of glowing green shades from two Pat McGrath Labs palettes: Blitz Emerald from the Mothership II: Sublime Palette and Gigabyte from the Mothership III: Subversive Palette. Definition was then added with the PermaGel Ultra Glide Eye Pencil in Xtreme Black, while lashes were lengthened and volumized with the FetishEyes Mascara for the final glam touch. Lupita Nyong'o Oscar winner Lupita's rainbow tulle gown was arguably one of the most show-stopping ensembles on the pink carpet at the Met Gala, so it was only right that the actress had a scene-stealing beauty look to match. From her incredible Afro - which was coiffed to perfection by hairstylist Vernon Francois - to her sensational glittery makeup - courtesy of Lancome makeup artist Nick Barose - there was nothing low-key or lame about Lupita's look. As a Lancome ambassadress, it should come as no surprise that Lupita went all out on the makeup front, with Nick using a slew of the brand's most beloved products to put the drag queen-inspired look together. 'For the Met Gala Camp theme this year, we drew inspiration from the makeup that drag-queen Divine wore in the iconic camp films of John Waters like, Female Trouble, Pink Flamingos, and Hairspray,' Nick explained. 'The eyes and eyebrows are accentuated with a cartoon-vibe, making the look more than just a cat eye with something fun and over-the-top. Im not doing it for fashion tonight - Im doing it for Divine (and John Waters!).' Having prepped Lupita's skin with Lancome products - the Absolue Revitalizing & Brightening Soft Cream and the Advanced Genifique Eye Light Pearl - the beauty pro then moved on to perfecting her complexion with the Prep & Matte Primer followed by the Teint Idole Ultra 24H Long Wear Foundation, which he used in two shades in order to create a natural contour to the face. Any areas that needed additional coverage were then touched up with the Teint Idole Ultra Wear Camouflage Concealer and the Dual Finish Foundation, before a dramatic pop of color was applied to the cheeks in the form of the Le Monochromatique in Haute Couture. To create that over-the-top glittery eye look, Nick began by prepping Lupita's lids with the Prime It Boost It, as well as the Long Time No Shine Loose Setting Powder, before starting to add some serious shimmer with the Ombre Hynose Stylo Shadow Stick in 32 Onyx, used at the outer corners of the eyes and in the crease. The Ombre Hynose Stylo Shadow Stick in 27 Bronze was then used all over the lids and brow bone, before the same product in 34 Monogold was applied to the center of the lids and the inner corners, as well as on the browbone for additional highlight. To make Lupita's eyes look bigger, even with all that glitter, Nick lined the upper and lower lash lines with the Drama Liqui-Pencil in Noir Intense, winging both lines out to the side, but keeping a space between the lines at the bottom that was then filled in with white liner to help widen the eyes even more. 'For an extra dramatic effect, paint matching glitter in three different shades to hold dimension over the colors on lids,' Nick added, before explaining that he used the Artliner in Noir to intensify the lines that had already been drawn. Finally, he layered a few coats of the Hypnose Doll Lashes Mascara on, and filled in any remaining space with the Drama Liqui-Pencil in French Lace. Last but not least came the lips, with another three products - the Absolue Precious Cells Nourishing Lip Balm, the Drama Liqui-Pencil in Aubergine, and the L'Absolu Lacquer Gloss in 490 Not Afraid - used to define her pout. Next up - and we mean up - the hair. Vernon used a range of his own products, starting with the Mist~Nourishing Water, which helps to support strong, healthy growth, according to the beauty pro. The hair was dried with the incredibly-popular Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer Professional Edition, before Vernon applied his own Braid and Locs Scalp Nourish-Ment Spray to moisturize the scalp - without causing any greasiness. Finally, had used the Got2Be Glued Holding Spray, and which helped to hold the entire 'do in place, while heat was applied using the Dyson dryer. Cardi B The rapper had us seeing red for all the right reasons at the Met Gala, showing off a fierce and fiery beauty look created by makeup artist Erika La Pearl for Pat McGrath Labs. Echoing the beautiful deep red of her dress, Erika used a host of ruby-inspired shades from the brand's Mothership V: Bronze Seduction Palette - Rose Gold, Astral Luna and Blitz Flame - all of which were combined to create a stunning wash of rouge on the lids. Cardi's lashes were given a serious boost with the FetishEyes Mascara, while definition was added with the PermaGel Ultra Glide Eye Pencil. Her lips were also given a bold red boost courtesy of a custom blended lip color created by Erika and Pat McGrath herself using the MatteTrance Lipstick in both Guinevered and Vendetta. That extra special shade was then applied over the Lip Fetish: Lip Balm in Clear and the PermaGel Ultra Glide Lip Pencil in Manhattan. Even Cardi's talons got their fair dose of regal red, with her long-time nail artist Jenny Bui using crystals from Swarovski to create a truly dazzling manicure worthy of such a fabulous frock. A teenager who grew up in care from the age of five and ended up spending two years in prison claims his stint inside was 'not a punishment' because it provided him with a new 'stable' way of life. Jamal, 19, from Manchester, is one of the young people featured on a new Channel 5 News documentary report called Duty of Care. The programme, which airs on Tuesday 7 May, follows five young adults who have recently left the care system and are coping with newfound independence, universal credit and mental health. Presenter Tessa Chapman follows Kelly Robinson, the director of Independent Together - a company responsible for helping care leavers have somewhere to live and the life skills needed to look after themselves. Jamal, 19, from Manchester, is one of the young people featured on a new Channel 5 News documentary report called Duty of Care One of her cases is Jamal, who was sent to prison when he was 16 for his violent behaviour. He said he 'benefitted' from the two year sentence, calling it his 'longest placement' since he was five years old. Jamal explained: 'They call it jail, it's not a punishment, it's just a new way of life, and it was good because they said, "wake up at this time, go to sleep at this time", eating meals. 'Before I went to jail I was living by my own rules because I was sick of the care rules, I was running away from every home I went to.' Speaking about the traumatic moment he was whisked away from his childhood home due to domestic violence in the household, Jamal said his lasting memory is hearing his mother screaming. Jamal grew up in care from the age of five and ended up spending two years in prison. He claims his stint inside was 'not a punishment' because it provided him with a new 'stable' way of life 'Mum was in the shower, and they took me and my (three) sisters, and they were all crying and that, bawling, screaming, and I was just quiet,' he said. 'Then I just heard [Mum] screaming and then they drove us away and that was it. 'I'm the only boy, but being young and not being able to protect my family, that's probably why I was so violent. You just bury it, that's what people expect you to do because it's in your childhood.' Jamal said he had anger issues when he was a child because he struggled to articulate what had happened to him and how he felt. Speaking to Kelly Robinson, the director of Independent Together (centre) , and presenter Tessa Chapman (right) about the traumatic moment he was whisked away from his childhood home due to domestic violence in the household, Jamal said his lasting memory is hearing his mother screaming 'People in the playground, the kids, they were scared of me, the teachers saw me as an angry kid so I got kicked out, I got arrested all the time,' he recalled. 'You can't do that as an adult, you have to bury it.' Speaking about his traumatic past had a visible effect on Jamal, who broke down while talking about his mother. He exclaimed: 'They just tried treating me like I'm some f*****g tramp - I weren't raised by no tramp. My mum raised us proper.' Giving him a supportive hug, Kelly said: 'He's got all the opportunities to be successful, and what he's been through in life, it's just so not fair.' Last year 11,080 young people left the care system - a rise of 31 per cent in a decade. At 18 they are expected to become adults overnight, with Universal Credit now their main form of financial support. Jamal said he had anger issues when he was a child because he struggled to articulate what had happened to him and how he felt. Kelly is now helping him get back on his feet by finding a flat Last year a report by MPs found this group of young people are being 'let down by the system, with often devastating consequences'. One of those people who feels let down is 21-year-old Callum, who also appears on the programme to share his story. From the age of seven, Callum was regularly beaten at home before being taken in by his grandmother. From there was moved between emergency care homes, foster placements and hostels. He has since been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and admitted he can't even go to the supermarket on his own for fear of suffering a panic attack. 'Even going over to Tesco, I don't like it because there's too many people in there,' he explained. From the age of seven, Callum was regularly beaten at home before being taken in by his grandmother. From there was moved between emergency care homes, foster placements and hostels 'I literally have to sit here, wait until I see about one or two people in there, if that, before I can leave my door and go in. 'If by the time I get to that door any more people have gone in, I'm turning around and I'm going back home. I physically can't do it. I start to panic, and if I start to panic and have a panic attack, what on earth am I going to do if I'm on my own?' As a result Callum missed an appointment at the job centre which resulted in him being sanctioned, meaning his high rate universal credit payment was cut by 50 per cent - the highest level - from 580 to 290. Research by The Children's Society published in August 2017 revealed care leavers are five times more likely to be sanctioned that other benefit claimants. Callum has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and admitted he can't even go to the supermarket on his own for fear of suffering a panic attack Last year a report by MPs recommended care leavers under 25 only ever lose a maximum of 20 per cent of their benefits, but the Department for Work and Pensions rejected the idea, saying sanctions help motivate care leavers to prepare for and move into work. They will consider what changes could be made to lower the rate, but won't report back until the end of the year. The rising number of care leavers in the UK is contributing to pressure on council funding. Also featuring on the programme is 18-year-old new mother Jade, who gave birth to son Harrison just over a week ago. Also featuring on the programme is 18-year-old new mother Jade, who gave birth to son Harrison just over a week ago. Pictured with Kelly, left, and Tessa, right Like her father, Jade spent her childhood moving around the care system and can count up to 20 placements. Now she and boyfriend Anthony are determined to give their son a stable family life out of care. Jade has mild bi-polar and has coped with mental health problems throughout her teens. She has been on Universal Credit - but was given and advance payment so she had money from the day she turned 18. She now pays back 30 a month so gets 220 a every four weeks instead of 250. Jade told Tessa how she spent her childhood moving around the care system and can count up to 20 placements Jade has put in claims for child benefit and child tax credit but needs to wait for that to come through. When she was given her maternity grant, she bought two months' worth of milk for the baby. 'I know he won't go short if I can't afford it,' she said. 'It was alright when it was just me, but he can't not eat, so I stocked up - nappies, wipes, so when I do get paid this month I can still manage without having to struggle too much.' Duty of Care: A 5 News Tonight Special airs at 6:30pm on Tuesday 7 May on Channel 5. A group of high school students were left shocked when a stranger offered to pay their bill at a restaurant where they were having a meal before heading to their prom. Eleven 17 and 18-year-old students from Clarksburg High School, in Maryland, were eating a meal together ahead of their prom in Ted's Bulletin, in Gaithersburg, on Friday, April 26. Dressed up in their fanciest dresses and suits, the group sat down to enjoy their dinner, but were left shocked when the waiter informed them that their meal had already been taken care of by a woman in the restaurant. Amazing! A group of 11 students from Clarksburg High School, Maryland, were treated to dinner before their prom by a stranger (center) who paid for their meal Kind! One of the students, Therese De Leon, took to Twitter to reveal that a woman kindly paid for the group's meal when they were eating at a restaurant ahead of their prom night last Friday Special: The students (seen later that evening before their prom) said the woman's random kind act of generosity made their prom night even more special One of the group, 12th grade student Therese de Leon, said she and her friends were surprised by the kind gesture. Writing about the generous incident on Twitter, Therese said: 'Never thought this would happen to me. Happy: Therese (pictured) said the woman's gesture was 'something that we'll never forget' 'We walk in late for our reservation and after we get our drinks and get seated, the waiter came back and told us this amazing lady said we all looked stunning and paid for our dinner...all 11 of us,' she added. The high school student also shared a photo of the group with the generous unnamed woman. Since the tweet was posted, it has been shared over 70 times, and has received over 500 likes. Therese told ABC7 WJLA that she and her friends were sitting at the table looking over the menu when their waiter told them the good news. Therese said: 'We were like... 'What? You have to be kidding!' The waiter said the group's meal was paid for by a woman who was sitting on the opposite side of the room to them. Therese explained: 'The waiter, he was like, "I already sent some appetizers to the kitchen. Order whatever you want, she has it covered."' She admitted that she and her friends were shocked at the act of pure generosity, which saw the staff bringing over a variety of different meals for them to enjoy. Local: The group had been dining in Ted's Bulletin, in Gaithersburg, on Friday, April 26, when their waiter told them a woman in the restaurant had paid for their meal Grateful: One student (L) said having the stranger pay for the meal is 'something that you'll never forget' and another (R) said the meal probably cost around $250 As their meal came to an end, they headed over to the unnamed woman to thank her for the nice gesture. Therese said: 'She started smiling and laughing and was like, "Oh of course! It's no problem. I just wanted to treat you guys". 'What we all remember most are the kind words she left us with. 'She told us to always love ourselves, and that we're beautiful inside and out, and to never forget that,' she added. The student added that she and her fellow schoolmates would like to thank the woman for her generosity, as she said the woman made the night 'that much more memorable'. 'It was something that we'll never forget,' she added. Speaking to the publication, 11th grader Christian Oven said: 'You could sense the generosity and genuineness of what she was really doing, and how happy she really was to kind of be doing this selfless act. 'Having our whole dinner paid by a stranger is just something that you'll never forget,' he added. 'She just had that loving feeling on her and she just spread it onto us,' another 12th grader named Gabby Gee said. Another student said she predicted the meal cost approximately $250, as she said: 'It was just a bunch of food'. Anna Wintour revealed that her glamorous Met Gala ensemble was one of the last that Karl Lagerdeld made before he died earlier this year. The 69-year-old Vogue editor-in-chief hosted the fashionable fete in New York City on Monday, walking the red carpet in a beaded floral gown and feathered pink cape by Chanel. According to USA Today, Wintour said that Lagerfeld made it for her before he passed on February 19, with Chanel's new creative director finishing it ahead of the event. Sentimental: Anna Wintour revealed that her glamorous Met Gala ensemble was one of the last that Karl Lagerdeld made before he died earlier this year Epic: Wintour said that Lagerfeld made it for her before he passed on February 19, with Chanel's new creative director Virginie Viard finishing it ahead of the event Wintour's outfit had been in the works for some time, and she hinted ahead of the gala that it was to have 'millions of feathers' a reference to a line from Susan Sontag's 1964 essay Notes on 'Camp.' She certainly stunned as she stepped out onto the carpet, but it turns out that the look had sentimental value none could have guessed just from looking at it. 'Karl made (it) for me, and Virginie finished,' she is seen saying in video. Virginie is Virginie Viard, who collaborated with Lagerfeld and took over as Chanel creative director after his death. Viard debuted her first solo Chanel collection since Lagerfeld's death last week. Wintour and Lagerfeld had been good friends for many years. Days after his passing, the Vogue boss paid tribute to him on Vogue's website. Presence: The 69-year-old Vogue editor-in-chief hosted the fashionable fete in New York City on Monday, walking the red carpet in a beaded floral gown and feathered pink cape by Chanel Dazzling: Wintour's outfit had been in the works for some time, and she hinted ahead of the gala that it was to have 'millions of feathers' Devoted: Wintour has worn the Chanel to the Met Gala nearly every single year 'Its doubly painful to have lost him because he never fell out of love with his work or with the world, and his death marks the end of the era of craftspeople who could do it all,' she wrote. 'Ive joked that Karl was a one-man superbrand, as distinctive as the Chanel suit he imbued with a second life. To me, however, he was something more. Through decades of adventures and misadventures, he was a true and loyal friend.' She revealed that the pair kept a 'standing dinner date' on the first Sunday of Paris Fashion Week each season 'He was witty and winsome, and seemed to have an endless supply of risque jokesin other words, the worlds best dinner companion. The hours I spent with him at the table make me feel luckier than any stroke of fortune Ive had at my editing desk,' she said. She also spoke about wearing Chanel for the most important moments of her life, including her wedding. She's worn Chanel to nearly every Met Gala, too. 'I was always thrilled to celebrate Karls incredible creativity in Vogue, yet its as a person, not as a designer, that I will miss him most. My colorful compatriot. My brilliant friend,' she said. Mother-daughter duo: She walked the red carpet with her daughter Bee Shaffer, 31, at the Met Gala on Monday evening Look of love: Shaffer was joined by her husband Francesco Carrozzini, the son of the late Italian Vogue editor Franca Sozzani Not your basic black: Shaffer modeled a sleek black suit adorned with a large red satin rose Make room: The suit also featured a lengthy red satin train that added an element of drama Helping hand: Shaffer had someone carry her train while she walked up the steps at the Metropolitan Museum of Art It was a celebration to wear one of his last designs on the red carpet, as she walked with her 31-year-old daughter Bee Shaffer and Bee's Italian husband Francesco Carrozzini, the son of Wintour's longtime friend Franca Sozzani. Both showed off their more understated interpretations of this year's Met Gala theme, 'Camp: Notes on Fashion.' In Sontag's essay on the subject, the writer explained that 'the essence of Camp is its love of the unnatural: of artifice and exaggeration.' Wintour's version of 'camp' was undoubtedly sophisticated, and her feathered cape was what added some edge to her otherwise elegant outfit. Shaffer alternated between posing for photos with her mother per tradition and her husband, the son of the late Italian Vogue editor Franca Sozzani. Mixed prints: Wintour showed off her edgier side on Monday afternoon when she stepped out of The Mark Hotel in New York City ahead of the gala Carrozzini, 36, looked dapper in a gray double-breasted suit featuring black lapels, which he paired with a black bowtie. Earlier in the day, Wintour opted to wear funky mixed prints to preview the Metropolitan Museum of Arts new Costume Institute exhibition on Monday ahead of the star-studded gala. The editor, who has chaired the black-tie fundraiser since 1995, was joined by one of her co-chairs, Gucci creative director Alessandro Michele, while touring the 'Camp: Notes on Fashion' exhibit. The annual event, which has been dubbed the 'Oscars of Fashion,' corresponds with the opening of the museum's new spring fashion exhibit. Fittingly, the dress code always pays homage to the exhibition, which often leads to unforgettable red carpet looks. Man in charge: The exhibition was curated by Andrew Bolton (pictured), the head curator of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute A lot to see: The exhibit features more than 250 outfits, accessories, and objects dating from the 17th century to the present Hard to miss: The word 'camp' is splashed across a pink wall at the exhibition The exhibition, which opens to the public on Thursday, May 9, was curated by Andrew Bolton and features more than 250 outfits, accessories, and objects dating from the 17th century to the present. With Sontag's essay serving as a framework, the exhibit explores how 'camp' elements such as humor, artifice, and theatricality are expressed in fashion. The exhibit includes the Bjork's unforgettable swan dress Bjork from the 2001 Academy Awards and the 'Venus' crinoline sheath gown from Thierry Mugler's Fall 1995 couture collection, which Cardi B wore to Grammys earlier this year. 'We are going through an extreme camp moment, and it felt very relevant to the cultural conversation to look at what is often dismissed as empty frivolity but can be actually a very sophisticated and powerful political tool, especially for marginalized cultures,' Bolton said of the theme in an interview with The New York Times. Inspiration: With Sontag's essay serving as a framework, the exhibit explores how 'camp' elements such as humor, artifice, and theatricality are expressed in fashion Definition: In Sontag's essay, the writer explains 'the essence of Camp is its love of the unnatural: of artifice and exaggeration' Iconic: The 'Venus' crinoline sheath gown from Thierry Mugler's Fall 1995 couture collection (right) is one of the many designer looks featured in the exhibit In real life: Cardi B wore Thierry Mugler's 'Venus' dress to the Grammys earlier this year Unforgettable: One person as the press preview couldn't' resist taking a photo of the famous swan dress worn by Bjork (inset) Red carpet moment: Bjork wore the funky dress to the 2001 Academy Awards 'Whether its pop camp, queer camp, high camp, or political camp Trump is a very camp figure I think its very timely.' The Met Gala began in 1946 as a way to raise money for the Costume Institute, but over the years, Wintour has turned the fundraiser into the hottest ticket in town. In honor of her hard work and dedication, the institute was renamed the Anna Wintour Costume Center in 2014. Last year's gala raised over $12 million for the museum, and tickets are notoriously expensive. A single chair costs a whopping $35,000, while many major designers are known to purchase entire tables for $200,000 to $300,000. Anyone's guess: Wintour recently admitted that she has 'no idea' what people will be wearing to keep with the event's theme Fitting: In a recent interview, Bolton said that 'we are going through an extreme camp moment' in today's culture Tribute: The exhibition paid homage to Frederick Park and Ernest Boulton, aka Fanny and Stella, who were arrested for crossdressing in the 19th century Good time: Members of the press were seen taking photos while touring the exhibit Defined: Bolton said he has heard that 'camp is gender without genitals,' a sentiment he put on display in the exhibit Unique: A head piece designed by Stephen Jones is in a display case at the museum James Middleton has shared the first ever picture of his girlfriend to his Instagram account. James, 32, who has been dating French financial expert Alizee Thevenet, 30, for almost a year, took to his Instagram account on Tuesday to post a sweet snap of the duo sailing together. Kate Middleton's besotted younger brother captioned the shot: 'Sail away with me'. James, who unveiled his Instagram account in January - quickly racking up 126,000 followers - even wore a cap with her initial on it, and the pair wore matching orange ribbed sweaters for their romantic excursion. Scroll down for video James Middleton, 32, who has been dating French financial expert Alizee Thevenet, 30, for almost a year, took to his Instagram account on Tuesday to post a sweet snap of the duo sailing together Kate Middleton's besotted younger brother captioned the shot: 'Sail away with me' And the rare personal post quickly racked up thousands of likes within minutes, with fans praising the 'good looking couple'. 'You look happy and you are a beautiful couple . Love is all we need', one follower wrote. Another added: 'Awwww, adorable! This girl is a natural beauty!', while one wrote: 'Cute couple!'. 'I hope this girl fully understands that she landed herself a hot man who sails and is a dog person and is willing to wear matching sweaters. I mean wtf', another commented. Meanwhile others compared him to his nephew, the Duchess of Cambridge's youngest child. 'Louis grown up', one wrote, while another added: 'You remind me of a young George V'. James made his Instagram account public in January, but usually shares pictures of his nature walk and beloved dogs. James made his Instagram account public in January, but usually shares pictures of his nature walk and beloved dogs James, who runs personalised greeting card company Boomf, was first spotted with Alizee during a Middleton family holiday in St. Bart's over Christmas. According to her father, Jean-Gabriel Thevenet, she was won over by James' British charm and is 'deliriously happy' with the businessman - and the pair are said to be 'serious' about each other. Alizee, who met James in a bar, speaks three languages and has been living and working in London for around six years, her father added. My daughter Alizee is very happy with James, they are very much in love, Mr Thevenet told MailOnline last month. The rare personal post quickly racked up thousands of likes within minutes, with fans praising the 'good looking couple' Another added: 'Awwww, adorable! This girl is a natural beauty!', while one wrote: 'Cute couple!' 'Louis grown up', one wrote, while another added: 'You remind me of a young George V' Alizee holds a masters degree in investment and finance from Queen Mary, University of London, and did her undergraduate degree in accounting and finance in Brussels. It emerged last year that, as well as running his company Boomf, James had taken a job as a guide at a Scottish hotel owned by his sister Pippa's father-in law. The youngest Middleton took a job as a host at Glen Affric Lodge near Loch Ness which is owned by David Matthews, father of Pippa's hedge fund manager husband. In September it emerged the youngest Middleton is working as a host at Glen Affric Lodge near Loch Ness, owned by David Matthews, father of Pippa's hedge fund manager husband, James. Affric Lodge comes with ample opportunities for outdoor activities, along with personal gamekeepers, world-class cuisine from personal French chefs and a butler service. Other pictures on his Instagram show James owns nine dogs, Golden Retriever Mabel, a black Labrador, two Cocker Spaniels, and five black Spaniels called Rafa, Ella, Zulu, Inka and Luna. He is seen taking them on a private plane James's account contains a fascinating glimpse at the life of the Duchess of Cambridge's sibling- he is seen with one of his nine dogs enjoying a splash in a pool in an unknown location James at a charity sporting event with Pippa in 2014, raising money for Spencer Matthews's brother Michael's foundation, the Michael Matthews foundation James is seen going for a swim in the Scottish mountains in 2015, and frequently posts pictures as he enjoys the great outdoors The move north could be permanent as he recently said in a magazine interview, 'the countryside is where I'm happiest and I'll be taking my dogs to Glen Affric with me. The Matthews family also own the Oetker Collection-managed Eden-Rock St Barths resort, where James was recently pictured with his new girlfriend. Eden Rock is one of the most exclusive hotels in the world, where everyone from Beyonce to Elton John, Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio has stayed, and demands 25,000 a night for its most expensive suite. In January it was revealed that James had been seeing French financial expert Alizee Thevenet, 29, for six months. The pair were pictured holidaying in St Barts with Pippa Middleton, her husband James Matthews, brother-in-law Spencer Matthews, and his wife Vogue Williams. A Utah woman is raising awareness for the marriage laws in Colorado after her polygamist family pushed her to cross state lines and marry her first cousin when she was just 18 years old. Shanell DeRieux, now 29, and her two half-sisters left their home near Salt Lake City and traveled to Grand Junction, Colorado, with their cousins and parents in a 15-passenger van to get legally married at Mesa County Courthouse on July 3, 2008. DeRieux was born and raised as a member of the Davis County Cooperative Society, a polygamist sect also known as the Kingston Group or The Order. She told KDVR that her father John Daniel Kingston was the one who signed as a witness to the weddings. Scroll down for video Pressure: Shanell DeRieux, now 29, was just 18 years old when she traveled to Grand Junction, Colorado, with her family to marry her first cousin Married: DeRieux (pictured with her then-husband) was joined by her parents and 16-year-old half-sisters, who also married their cousins at the Mesa County Courthouse on July 3, 2008 'Oh my gosh, I couldn't even tell you how many of my cousins have married cousins,' she said of the troubling practice. While it's illegal to marry a cousin in Utah unless both parties are 55 years of age or older and unable to reproduce, it is legal in Colorado. Kingston was joined by three of his wives, who were mothers to the brides. DeRieux's sisters were only 16 at the time, but they were given their parents' consent to marry their adult cousins, who were both 22. Colorado doesn't require an officiant or a ceremony to marry, and DeRieux said it was relatively easy for her and her cousin to tie the knot. 'We walked into the courthouse, filled out the paperwork, and basically walked out with our marriage licenses,' she recalled. Parental consent: Her father John Daniel Kingston (front and center) signed as a witness to the weddings DeRieux said her wedding day marked the beginning of abuse and her marriage certificate made it even more difficult for her to leave. 'I didnt choose to get married, I was pushed...I personally dont think first cousins should be married,' she told FOX31 last month. After leaving the Kingston Group, DeRieux and her half-sisters Andrea Brewer and Jessica Christensen now star on the Lifetime reality series Escaping Polygamy. On the show, they help people leave their own polygamist groups and adjust to their new lives away from their families. DeRieux opened up about her own experience in the Kingston Group during an interview with The Salt Lake Tribune last August. She said she was still in high school when her father told her she needed to start praying about whom to marry so she could help 'build The Order' with her offspring. Laws: While it's illegal to marry a cousin in Utah unless both parties are 55 years of age or older and unable to reproduce, it is legal in Colorado (Mesa County Courthouse pictured) Hard times: DeRieux said her wedding day marked the beginning of abuse and her marriage certificate made it even more difficult for her to leave Against it: 'I didnt choose to get married, I was pushed...I personally dont think first cousins should be married,' she said 'Most of the time, the girls only choice is to have babies because thats how we build The Order by population,' she explained. DeRieux said the pressure was so intense that she eventually agreed to marry a man in his early 20s when she was just 17. 'I knew I wasn't supposed to marry him,' she said, 'but I almost did to get everyone to shut up and leave me alone about marriage.' However, the marriage never took place because her mother didn't believe it was God's plan for her to marry the man. DeRieux married her 19-year-old cousin a year later, but she said they were not allowed to live together or consummate their marriage until they had a religious ceremony a month after they wed in Colorado. She split from her husband in June 2010 after moved to Billings, Montana, to work for a coal mine. Moving on: DeRieux's divorce was finalized in 2011, and she went on to remarry a man who is not a part of the Kingston Group at age 21 Helping others: DeRieux and her half-sisters Andrea Brewer and Jessica Christensen now star on the Lifetime reality series Escaping Polygamy The Salt Lake Tribune reported that Montana court documents state they had an argument in their apartment when her then-husband threw her down a flight of stairs and then pinned her on a bed. He later pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor and served one day in jail, according to the publication. DeRieux's divorce was finalized in 2011, and she went on to remarry a man who is not a part of the Kingston Group at age 21. Kent Johnson, a spokesman for the Davis County Cooperative Society, shared an email statement about teen marriages within in the sect with The Salt Lake Tribune last year. 'The DCCS reaffirms that each individual has their free agency to choose whom and when they will marry,' the statement said. 'They should refrain from this decision until they can be well-informed to make a mature and thoughtful decision before entering into marriage.' Starbucks customers are going absolutely wild over the chain's new reusable cups, which come in five cheerful hues and change color when they're filled with cold drinks. This month, the chain began selling packs of five 24-ounce reusable cups in select stores in the US and Canada, and they quickly began flying off the shelves. Now social media users are sharing their excitement over snagging the coveted coffee cups and extreme disappointment when they can't find them. On sale: Starbucks recently began selling sets of five colorful reusable cups in stores Limited access: They are available in both the US and Canada Freeze 'em: The cups change color when ice or cold liquid is added Each package includes five cups with matching lids and usable straws. They change from pink to red, yellow to green, light to dark blue,light to dark orange, and turquoise to magenta. According to the label, adding ice to the cup will change the color, making them ideal for cold coffee drinks. As photos of the cups started popping up online, they quickly earned more and more attention and became more and more scarce in stores. 'Not to be dramatic, but if I cant find a set of @Starbucks color changing cups, I might die,' wrote one Twitter user. Must-have! The pretty cups have captured the attention of customers So pretty! They come in sets of five and have matching lids and straws Going, going, gone! The cups are quickly selling out in stores Oh no! Shoppers who haven't been able to get their hands on them are freaking out 'Democracy may be ending but can someone figure out the true crisis of the summer? How do I order in the app and still use the cute color changing cups?' asked another. Dozens have taken to Twitter to share the great lengths they've gone to in order to get their hands on one. 'Some b*** es are really calling like 8 different starbucks to ask for the color changing cups. its me. im b****es,' one jokes. 'My dad found the color changing Starbucks cups for me!!!!! Yaaasssssss!! He had to go to 5 different locations, but it was worth it,' said a grateful daughter. 'I just called 13 different Starbucks to find these color changing cups and now Im driving 45 minutes away cause I finally found a store that had them,' tweeted another person. Ring ring! Several have admitted to calling up several different stores in search of the cups Over it: At least one Starbucks employee is getting right to the point when she answers the phone What a good dad! This lucky lady's dad tracked one down after going to five stores Rude! Some people are taking advantage and reselling them for a profit on eBay Going the distance: Some people are traveling far away to get the special cups More to buy: There also appears to be a hot version of the cups Woohoo! Those who have managed to get them are celebrating on social media Wait for it: Starbucks tweeted that stores selling the cups will be 'restocking very limited quantities soon' It seems that even baristas are feeling the heat, and are preemptively warning people when they've sold out. 'So I called Starbucks to see if they had the color changing cups and she answered the phone with Hello this is Starbucks on North Main we are out of the color changing cups how can I help you?"' wrote one. The pack of cups, which sells for $16.95, has even started popping up on eBay for up to $100 each. And that's not just sellers with high hopes, either: Bids have reached more than $75 on several listings. Starbucks tweeted that stores selling the cups will be 'restocking very limited quantities soon'. Men with prostate cancer are three times more likely to die from it if they have a particular genetic mutation. Up to one in five patients may have a genetic quirk which worsens their chances of survival and makes them more likely to relapse. Most men with prostate cancer do not die from it, but scientists sought to find those with advanced cancer who were at greatest risk. In a study of 429 men at this stage of cancer, they found those with a mutated gene called RB1 in their tumour were 3.3 times more likely to die. Up to one in five patients may have a genetic quirk which worsens their chances of survival and makes them more likely to relapse (stock photo) The genetic study is the largest ever carried out for advanced prostate cancer and could help doctors identify men with very aggressive cancer and target them with different treatment. Co-author Professor Johann de Bono of the Institute of Cancer Research in London said: Our study really got under the bonnet of prostate cancer to understand the engine driving tumour growth and explore how a range of genes affect the disease and its response to treatment. We identified one particular genetic mutation that seems to indicate that tumours are going to be very aggressive, and that the affected men need the most intensive treatment we have available. Prostate cancer has gained attention lately from actor Stephen Fry and presenter Bill Turnbull talking about their experiences with the disease, while the Daily Mail has long campaigned for improved treatments and diagnosis. Only one in 41 men with prostate cancer die from it, raising the question of whether patients odds of survival are determined by the genes in their tumour. Researchers from Europe and the US examined 444 tumour samples from men with advanced prostate cancer, finding RB1 affected survival. RB1, or the retinoblastoma gene, is so-named because mutations in it cause a rare eye cancer in children called retinoblastoma. But it can also keep tumour cells in check so they cant grow and spread too aggressively or mutate to resist treatment. Men with a mutation in the gene are thought to miss out on that protection. Tracking the patients whose tumours they analysed, researchers found those with an RB1 mutation were 6.6 times more likely to relapse after going into remission with prostate cancer. They were 3.3 times more likely to die than men without a mutation receiving the same standard treatment of the drugs abiraterone and enzalutamide. It is thought that 10 to 20 per cent of men with prostate cancer have an RB1 mutation. The study, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, found mutations in two further genes linked to a risk of relapse. They found that men with a genetic mutation which makes them respond well to immunotherapy treatment also tended to have mutations in the genes CDK4 and CCND1. These genes respond to a breast cancer drug called palbociclib, so this may lead to a better treatment for this group of patients. Shanghai (Gasgoo)- BAIC Motor Corporation Limited (BAIC Motor) said on April 30 that its operating income for the first quarter totaled RMB46.752 billion, growing 17.45% compared with RMB39.806 billion a year earlier. The Q1 net profit dropped 12.73% year on year to RMB3.552 billion, among which the net profit attributable to owners of the parent amounted to RMB1.232 billion with a double-digit decline of 22.77%. Besides, total operating costs by the end of March this year jumped 17.83% to RMB40.236 billion. To be specific, the quarterly operating costs (RMB33.649 billion), selling expense (RMB4.451 billion) and R&D costs (RMB98.433 million) surged 23.36%, 41.44% and 29.69% respectively from the year-ago period. For the first three months, the automakers self-owned brands gained an impressive year-on-year increase of RMB33.3% with 44,527 vehicles sold in total, of which the sales of the BAIC EU5 reached nearly 20,000 units. Joint ventures brand maintained a blooming sales momentum. Bejing Benz saw its Q1 sales rise 14.3% to 145,000 units, while Beijing Hyundai had a quarterly wholesale volume of 132,000 units and a delivery volume of 191,000 units. At the Auto Shanghai 2019, BAIC Motor brought the all-new SUV model Zhida, which is equipped with the AI interactive system, high-definition dual display, iFlyteks voice control system and other intelligent systems. To seize the opportunity under the fast development of new-generation information technologies, such as big data, cloud computing and AI, the automaker has formed a wide partner circle embracing Baidu, Xiaomi, Bosch, iFlytek, Autohome as well as CRNeT. Ambulance services have seen an 80 per cent leap in staff leaving the workforce. More than 33,000 workers in England have left their jobs since 2010, raising concerns that patients may have to wait longer in blue-light emergencies. Ambulance crews are on the frontline of the NHS, with a third having been victims of violence in the past year. More than 33,000 workers in England have left their jobs since 2010, raising concerns that patients may have to wait longer in blue-light emergencies There has been a recent recruitment crisis, leaving a workforce shortage of almost 1,000 staff last year. New figures now show the number of people leaving NHS ambulance trusts hit 4,875 in 2017-18. That is a rise of 80 per cent from the 2,704 who left in 2010-11, although the figure is not just for paramedics and takes into account retirements and people transferring between ambulance trusts. The statistics were sourced by the Labour party, and shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth said it was evidence of a 'retention and recruitment crisis afflicting our NHS'. HOW ARE EMERGENCIES CATEGORISED WHEN YOU CALL FOR AN AMBULANCE? Category 1: People with life-threatening injuries and illnesses, such as a cardiac arrest or serious allergic reactions. On average, an ambulance arrives within seven minutes. Category 2: Emergency conditions such as burns, epilepsy or stroke. An ambulance should arrive within 18 minutes. Category 3: 'Urgent calls' like late-stages of labour, non-severe burns and diabetes. Patients may be treated by ambulance staff at home. If the patient requires hospital treatment, at least nine times out of ten an ambulance will arrive within two hours. Category 4: 'Less urgent calls' such as diarrhoea, vomiting and urine infections. Patients may be given advice over the phone, or referred to another service such as a GP or pharmacist. If hospital treatment is required, at least nine times out of ten an ambulance will arrive within three hours. Source: NHS England Advertisement He added: 'Workforce shortages place huge pressures on ambulance services and its patients who too often are left stranded waiting longer and longer for an ambulance to arrive.' Earlier this year it emerged cut-price ambulance staff with only a few weeks of training are being sent on thousands of 999 calls, including to people suffering heart attacks and cardiac arrests. Seven out of 10 overstretched ambulance services send 'emergency care assistants' to call-outs after a four to 12-week training course, unaccompanied by more qualified paramedics who do a three-year degree. The latest figures show the rate of people leaving ambulance services has steadily grown from 2010-11, reaching a record of 5,002 staff in 2016-17. That number fell slightly in 2017-18, but in total 33,141 ambulance workers have left their jobs since 2010. The London Ambulance Service has had to fill the most vacancies, with more than 4,000 people jumping ship in less than a decade. The figures include managers, qualified ambulance staff and support staff. Last year it was reported that one patient had waited 62 hours for an ambulance in Wales, while the East of England, South East Coast and South Central ambulance services all recorded waits of more than 24 hours in the year to June 2018. More than 200,000 nurses have quit the NHS since 2010, according to damning figures reported in March, with poor work-life balance and rising demand feared to be pushing staff out of the NHS. Repeatedly zapping the legs with tiny electric currents could help ease heavy snoring Repeatedly zapping the legs with tiny electric currents could help ease heavy snoring. The unlikely remedy involves stimulating the calf muscles with electricity for a couple of hours before bedtime, making muscles in the lower leg contract, even when sitting still. This reduces the amount of fluid that accumulates in the legs when we sit or stand, and which travels up to the neck area when we lie down in bed. Once there, the fluid can worsen snoring. Figures show that 41 per cent of UK adults regularly snore. The characteristic rasping sound is caused by tissues in the throat vibrating as we breathe in and out while we sleep. As we fall asleep, the muscles in the roof of the mouth, tongue and throat relax, narrowing the space for air to pass through as we breathe. For many people, this does not present a problem. But in some, especially those who have large fat deposits around the neck, the throat can narrow so much that the tissues in it vibrate. Drinking alcohol, sleeping on the back and having a cold can all further narrow the airway. Rostral shift or gathering of fluid in the neck is a significant factor in snoring, as it adds to the pressure on the upper airways during sleep. During the day, fluid can accumulate in the blood vessels in the legs, as well as the spaces around cells (this is called interstitial fluid). When we lie down, the force of gravity means this fluid spreads around the body, accumulating in places like the neck, causing airways to narrow. Rostral shift is a particular problem in patients with heart failure, as they often have a build-up of fluid due to the hearts poor pumping capacity, but it can affect healthy adults, too. Scientists at the University of Toronto wanted to see if stimulating the calf muscles with a mild current could reduce this fluid shift and ease snoring. Figures show that 41 per cent of UK adults regularly snore. The characteristic rasping sound is caused by tissues in the throat vibrating as we breathe in and out while we sleep The idea is that the more these muscles contract, the more fluid is dispersed and the lower the chances of it draining into the neck area at night. Sixteen men with sleep apnoea either had just over two hours of stimulation, where electrodes were stuck to the calf muscles, or a sham treatment, where they wore the electrodes, but no current was used. Researchers checked fluid levels in the legs and around the neck before the treatment. The men were then told to lie flat for an hour, after which fluid levels were checked again, before spending a whole night sleeping. The results, in the journal Sleep Medicine, showed zapping the muscles which feels like a mild tingling reduced fluid accumulation in the legs by 46 per cent, and by 31 per cent in the neck when lying down. The men showed an average 15 per cent reduction in snoring severity. DO THIS... Do housework to stave off brain ageing. Researchers analysed data from a study of more than 2,000 people. Every additional hour spent in light physical activity was associated with larger brain volume, similar to 1.1 years less brain ageing, reports the journal JAMA Network Open. Advertisement The results were based on one session of stimulation. The researchers said repeat sessions could have much greater effects. They hope to carry out larger studies in the next year or two. Dr Neil Stanley, an independent sleep expert and a member of the British Sleep Society, said the technique could be a new way to treat snoring if larger studies confirm that it works. Its plausible but we need better studies before it can be used as a treatment, he added. He said the results showed little or no effect on sleep apnoea a serious condition in which the walls of the throat narrow so much that breathing is interrupted through the night, causing sufferers to wake momentarily every few minutes. Women snore as loudly as men, say researchers at Soroka University in Israel, in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine. They studied 1,900 men and women by placing digital sound meters by the bed and found no difference in volume between the sexes. A third of women who said they did not snore were in fact heavy snorers, compared with just 11 per cent of men. Researchers say female snoring problems are under-reported and under-treated. Drinking water contaminated with arsenic could change the structure of the heart, a new study says. Past studies have found that the public water supply in California and bottled water from Whole Foods and Dr Pepper contain the toxic element. Now researchers say that private water wells, particularly on Native American reservations, main contain it as well. The study found that arsenic-laced water increased the risk of the heart's main pumping chamber being thickened by nearly 50 percent. This put sufferers at risk of several cardiovascular disease risk factors such as hypertension, high blood pressure heart attack and strokes. The team, led by Hietzing Hospital in Vienna, Austria, is calling on the regulation of private water wells to prevent arsenic exposure in the first place. A new study from Hietzing Hospital in Austria found that a two-fold increase in arsenic levels in urine was associated with a nearly 50% increased risk in the heart's main pumping chamber thickening (file image) Arsenic is a naturally occurring element in the Earth's crust and can be found in air, food, soil and water. In its inorganic form and in high levels, arsenic can be highly toxic, and even deadly. A 2017 study estimated that roughly 2.1 million people in the US drink water from private wells that have high concentrations of arsenic. According to the World Health Organization, people who drink contaminated water can suffer from acute arsenic poisoning, which causes vomiting, stomach pain and diarrhea. Long-term exposure, however, has been linked to cancers of the bladder, lungs and skin as well as developmental effects, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. 'Before this study, several high-quality prospective cohort studies had shown that arsenic exposure was associated with increased risk of clinical cardiovascular outcomes,' lead author Dr Gernot Pichler of the Department of Cardiology at Hospital Hietzing, told DailyMail.com. 'We conducted this study because despite the evidence on arsenic and clinical disease, the underlying mechanisms are unknown.' For the new study, published in the journal Circulation: Cardiovascular Imaging, the team looked at data from the Strong Heart Family Study. The SHS, run by the University of Oklahoma is a study of cardiovascular disease and its risk factors among American Indians. Researchers measured arsenic exposure in urine samples from more than 1,300 adults and performed electrocardiograms of the size, shape and function of their hearts. None of the participants had diabetes or heart disease at the start of the five-year study period. The team found that a two-fold increase in arsenic levels in urine increased the risk of the heart's main pumping chamber, the left ventricle, thickening by 47 percent. In participants with high blood pressure, the increase in arsenic levels raised the risk of thickening by nearly 60 percent. When the left ventricle thickens, it caused the pumping chamber to work harder, meaning it may not be able to pump blood effectively, increasing the risk of a heart attack and stroke. 'It was surprising to see that arsenic is directly related to cardiotoxicity,' Dr Pichler said. 'Arsenic seems to be toxic for the cardiovascular system via more pathways than expected.' For future research, Dr Pichler said he wants to investigate whether the changes are reversible if exposure to arsenic-laced water is reduced. He also is calling on private wells to be tested so that exposure can be prevented in the first place. 'Potential sources of exposure need to be considered, in particular for people drinking water from private wells,' said Dr Pichler. 'Private wells are currently not regulated and people using private wells, including children and young adults, are not protected. Testing of those wells is a critical first step in other to take action and prevent arsenic exposure.' In a linked editorial, Dr Rajiv Chowdhury and Dr Kim Daalen of the University of Cambridge in the UK say the study has limitations, such as measuring arsenic exposure via urine tests. This only detects recent exposure while other tests, such as testing the toenails, can measure long-term exposure. However, 'the studies are important since cardiovascular disease remains the single leading cause of adult premature death worldwide and millions of individuals globally are exposed to arsenic and other metal contaminants,' they wrote. Working two or more night shifts in a week has been linked to a raised risk of miscarriage. A Danish study published in the journal Occupational & Environmental Medicine linked payroll data on 22,744 pregnant women with data on births and admissions to hospital for miscarriage. After week eight of pregnancy, women who had worked two or more night shifts the previous week had a 32 per cent higher risk of miscarriage. As an observational study, it cant establish cause, but a theory is that light at night disrupts the body clock and the release of melatonin, a hormone important in maintaining pregnancy. Working two or more night shifts in a week has been linked to a raised risk of miscarriage Gout drug could lower risk of type 2 diabetes A gout drug might reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes provoked by metabolic syndrome a combination of high body fat, blood pressure and blood sugar. In a study at the National Institutes of Health in the U.S., participants were given anti-inflammatory gout drug colchicine twice a day for three months, or a placebo. The colchicine group had lower inflammation and improved insulin resistance (how well insulin works in the body to clear sugar from the blood). Inflammation caused by obesity plays a role in type 2 diabetes. Writing in the journal Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, the authors called for more studies on colchicine as a preventative measure. Inflammation caused by obesity plays a role in type 2 diabetes. Writing in the journal Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, the authors called for more studies on colchicine as a preventative measure Falling for scams may be a sign of dementia. Scientists monitored 700 elderly people for six years. Those who had low awareness such as reacting with excitement to a message saying they had won a prize were more likely to develop dementia. In the Annals of Internal Medicine, the study author called for more research. Doctors have released shocking photographs of the foot of an Indian man who was born with two severely enlarged toes. The 25-year-old has macrodystrophia lipomatosa, a birth defect which caused the bone, tissue and nerves in two of his digits to expand. The unnamed patient spent his childhood hiding his abnormal foot in socks and a customised shoe to avoid cruel bullying. He even turned down surgery to reduce the deformity over 'apprehensions' that it would come back worse than ever. But by the time he turned 20, the swelling had become a 'cosmetic issue' and left him struggling to walk. Doctors have released photographs of a man's foot after he was born with two enlarged toes (pictured). The 25-year-old, who has not been named, has macrodystrophia lipomatosa X-ray A shows the elongated and abnormally broad bones in the first and second toes of the man's right foot. B and C show the accumulation of fat in his toes, which infiltrate into his soft tissue. This causes the bones, fat, skeletal muscle and nerves to expand The man has finally agreed to 'debulking surgery', despite the risk the deformity will return. The patient's bizarre deformity was obvious at birth, with the first and second toe of his right foot being significantly enlarged. He sought help from doctors at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi when his condition became progressively worse. Dr Chandan Das, of the organisation's department of radiodiagnosis, was the lead author of the BMJ Case Report. Speaking of his deformity, the patient said: 'I used to hide it by wearing socks as I was afraid my peers would tease me. 'I had difficulty wearing shoes and my father used to get a customised shoe made for me. 'I was told surgery could reduce the size of the deformity but the chances of recurrence were high. I was apprehensive and hence I refused the surgery. 'Finally when I was 20 years old, the swelling started to increase and it became a significant cosmetic problem, as well as matter of discomfort while walking. The patient added: 'I consulted the surgeon again and have consented for surgery.' Medics noticed the patient was suffering from 'gigantism' on two of his toes, which caused the largest one to become upturned. The rest of his right foot, and all of his left one, are normal. X-rays revealed the bones of the man's affected toes are elongated and abnormally broad, while his soft tissue has also overgrown. The doctors then confirmed his diagnosis of macrodystrophia lipomatosa. He spent his life hiding his foot (pictured) in socks and a customised shoe to avoid bullying. But by the time he turned 20, the swelling had become a 'cosmetic issue' and left him struggling to walk. He has therefore accepted surgery despite the risk his deformity will come back Macrodystrophia lipomatosa typically affects the lower limbs, particularly the area around the plantar nerve, which covers the sole of the foot. Affected digits often show degenerative changes due to 'altered biomechanics in the weight-bearing regions'. Macrodystrophia lipomatosa tends to occur randomly, rather than running in families. It is often misdiagnosed as neural fibrolipomatous hamartoma, which is defined as slow-growing, benign tumours of the peripheral nerve. Many doctors also confuse macrodystrophia lipomatosa for the genetic condition neurofibromatosis type 1, which is characterised as the growth of benign tumours along the nerves of the skin and brain. The defect may also be misdiagnosed as vascular malformations, which is defined as abnormalities in blood vessels that look like a blemish or mass. More than 34,000 people across Europe caught measles in the first two months of 2019. Almost three quarters of cases were in Ukraine, the World Health Organization said today as it urged countries to make sure vulnerable people get vaccinated. So far 13 people have died from the 34,300 cases reported across 42 countries in the WHO's Europe region, which includes Russia and some Middle Eastern nations. People in Ukraine which is suffering a measles epidemic died of the infection as well as patients in Romania and Albania. Outbreaks may continue to spread, the WHO warned, and the figures suggest there will be more cases this year than last, reflecting a worldwide increase. More than 34,000 people across Europe caught measles in the first two months of 2019. Almost three quarters of cases were in Ukraine (pictured, the nine countries in Europe with the most cases in January and February this year) 'If outbreak response is not timely and comprehensive, the virus will find its way into more pockets of vulnerable individuals and potentially spread to additional countries within and beyond the region,' the WHO said in a statement. 'Every opportunity should be used to vaccinate susceptible children, adolescents and adults.' Measles is a highly contagious disease which can kill and cause blindness, deafness or brain damage. It can be prevented with two doses of an effective vaccine, but is currently spreading in outbreaks in many parts of the world including in the United States, the Philippines and Thailand. In Ukraine, where the majority of Europe's cases have been this year, more than 25,000 people were infected in January and February. In the entire of 2018 there were 83,540 cases recorded in the European region this year the numbers were almost halfway there already in April. There is no specific treatment for measles and vaccination is the only way to prevent it, the WHO said. Most cases are in unvaccinated or under-vaccinated people. CLAIM VACCINES AREN'T SAFE IS 'ABSOLUTELY WRONG' The UK's chief medical officer the top advisor to the Government last year criticised people spreading lies about vaccines being unsafe. Dame Sally Davies, speaking on the 30th anniversary of the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) jab, said people spreading the 'myths' were 'absolutely wrong'. She said in November: 'Over 30 years, we have vaccinated millions of children. It is a safe vaccination, we know that, and we've saved millions of lives across the world. 'People who spread these myths, when children die they will not be there to pick up the pieces or the blame.' One myth is based on research done by Andrew Wakefield in the 1990s which claimed MMR led to autism, but his results were later found to be fake, and the work was called 'fatally flawed', 'fraudulent' and 'dishonest' by experts in the field. Others claim the vaccine doesn't work but after the introduction of MMR in 1963, global measles deaths dropped, on average, from 2.6million to around 100,000, according to the WHO. The vaccine was introduced by the NHS in 1988, a year in which there were 86,001 cases of measles in England within 10 years, in 1998, this had dropped to just 3,728 reported. The figure has fluctuated since, believed to be partly due to the Wakefield scare in the mid-90s, but in 2017 there were reports of only 1,693 measles cases in England. (Note: Figures quoted are cases reported to Public Health England and not lab-confirmed numbers) Advertisement The UN body added that even though the region had its highest ever estimated coverage for the second dose of measles vaccination in 2017 around 90 per cent some countries have had problems. In some areas vaccination rates are falling or stagnating, some marginalised groups have low coverage certain religions, for example and there are immunity gaps in older populations. The WHO urged health authorities across the continent to make sure vaccines are available to everyone. 'The impact on public health will persist until the ongoing outbreaks are controlled,' it said. And it added governments should 'identify who has been missed in the past and reach them with the vaccines they need.' The number of measles cases around the world has shot up by 300 per cent in the past year, the WHO warned last month. Four times as many cases were reported between January and March 2019 than in the same period in 2018. In January, February and March, 112,163 measles cases were reported across 170 countries the majority of them were in Africa, followed by Europe. During the same period last year, only 28,124 cases were reported, and South-East Asia was the worst affected. A report by children's organisation UNICEF last month found that more than 20million children per year missed out on measles vaccines across the world in the past eight years, laying the ground for dangerous outbreaks. Around 527,000 children in the UK did not receive the potentially life-saving jab between 2010 and 2017, with 'fake news' spread on social media partly to blame. The UK comes third in a global ranking showing the number of unvaccinated children in high-income countries. The US topped the charts, with 2,593,000 youngsters not receiving their first measles dose over the eight-year-period. Simon Stevens, the head of the NHS in England, said: 'With measles cases almost quadrupling in England in just one year, it is grossly irresponsible for anybody to spread scare stories about vaccines. 'And social media firms should have a zero tolerance approach towards this dangerous content.' An 18-year-old with an extreme cases of Tourette's has undergone ground-breaking treatment to help him combat his tics. Trevor Smith, from Iowa, was diagnosed with the condition when he was just eight years old, with mild tics in his hands, neck and around his eyes. Doctors said he had one of the worst cases of Tourette's they had ever seen, as his tics caused uncontrollable twists and jerks in his body. No available treatments worked, and Mr Smith was only able to find brief respite when music playing, which was thought to distract his brain. His only hope was deep brain stimulation, a procedure which involves implanting electrodes in the brain and sending signals through the body. Finally, after having the surgery paid for by the Mayo Clinic, Mr Smith has seen his symptoms ease and noticed an improvement in his condition. Mr Smith, who is studying to become an engineer, is one of very few to be granted the surgery that is usually performed on people living with Parkinson's. Trevor Smith, 17, from Iowa, pictured recently, has one of the worst cases of Tourette's in the world according to his doctors. But with the help of ground-breaking treatment, his constant tics are beginning to ease Mr Smith was diagnosed when he was just eight years old, with doctors identifying mild tics in his hands, neck and around his eyes (pictured as a young child) Mr Smith said: 'I've noticed the tics have been reduced a little and that gives me a lot of hope that we've got the right spot. 'It's always taken a big chunk of time and energy just having this condition. It's something that's always on my mind.' In terms of medical treatment up to now, Mr Smith has struggled to get any benefit. He said he has tried 'all the available medications and other non-invasive therapies for Tourette Syndrome, including alternative treatments'. Over the last few years, playing video games, guitar and piano have helped to occupy Mr Smith's mind and decrease his tics slightly. Mr Smith was approved to receive deep brain stimulation (DBS) by the entire Board of Neurology and Neuromodulation at the Mayo Clinic in December of 2016. WHAT IS DEEP BRAIN STIMULATION? Deep brain stimulation (DBS) helps to control movement problems and is the main type of surgery used to treat Parkinson's. It involves implanting very fine wires with electrodes at their tips into the brain. These are connected to extensions under the skin behind the ear and down the neck, which then connect to a pulse generator. When the device is turned on, electrodes deliver high-frequency stimulation to the targeted area, which changes signals in the brain that cause Parkinson's symptoms. The brain is not destroyed in the process. DBS is usually reversible. It does not stop Parkinson's progressing and is not a cure. Source: Parkinson's UK Advertisement But insurance companies in the US refused to cover the $200,000 (152,800) cost of the ground-breaking surgery - which is not FDA approved for Tourette's - that was offered. But the Mayo Clinic decided to cover the cost, meaning the $175,000 (134,000) he fundraised over the past two years can be put towards minor surgery every two years or so to replace the batteries in the device. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) involves implanting very fine wires with electrodes at their tips into the brain. These are connected to extensions under the skin behind the ear and down the neck, which then connect to a pulse generator. This allows electrical impulses to be sent to the brain, regulating abnormal communications that are seen in people with Tourette's. The NHS in the UK does not routinely offer the surgery, as watchdogs state there is not enough evidence currently to support its success. Mr Smith, who is already seeing improvements from his device, said: 'It's definitely interesting and something different, having something put inside your brain. 'I have a remote to control the device in my brain. So the next step from now is to wait and make sure I get used to the voltage and slowly I can begin to up this until it gets to the point where I think it's good. 'Looking to the future, I'm just going to go with the flow. I try not to plan a month ahead. 'But with this surgery, maybe I can start to do that.' Treatments were unable to control Mr Smith's tics. Pictured as a child with his mother, Melissa Smith Mr Smith, pictured as a child at home with his two sisters, Chloe and Savannah, said at any given time he would rate his tics as a seven or eight on a scale of one to ten Mr Smith was only able to find brief respite when he plays guitar and piano, with the distraction helping to reduce his tics. Pictured recently at home Mr Smith's tics began to progress quickly after his first diagnosis, to the point where he would have multiple parts of his body jerking at the same time. Melissa Smith, Trevor's mother, was also diagnosed with Tourette's as a young girl, but lives with a milder version as her tics started to go away when she was in her teenage years. She said: 'Every single doctor that we have seen has said Mr Smith has the most severe case they've ever seen.' According to TV station KIMT, Mr Smith was told by the Mayo Clinic he has one of the worst cases of Tourette's they have ever seen. He said: 'On a scale of one to ten, I think its about a seven or eight at any given time.' In addition to his violent tics, Mr Smith was having to overcome the bullying in school. He said: 'Tourette's presents a lot of challenges, but I try to overcome them as they come along. It's hard and it takes a toll on you. 'There are a lot of negative things associated with Tourette's. A lot of people steer clear of me because of my tics. They see it and think it's not normal. 'I will say I haven't had many friends in my life. I was the most bullied person.' Mrs Smith added: 'The bullying for Trevor actually evolved over the years. 'In the beginning, it was a lot of staring. We then put him in school and the bullying and teasing started to get more sophisticated with people ganging up on him.' Through his teenage years (pictured), Mr Smith's tics developed in uncontrollable twists and jerks in his body, leading to doctor's telling him they hadn't seen a case like it Mr Smith's mother said the bullying against him in school gradually grew from staring to children ganging up on him. Pictured as an older child Mr Smith's family - his parents Mr and Mrs Smith and sisters Chloe and Savannah Smith - have always tried to protect him from the bullies and judgmental people Thanks to the Mayo Clinic who helped to cover the majority of the cost, Mr Smith was able to have the operation which involves implanting an electrode into his brain Mr Smith's father, Christopher Smith, said: 'It hit us pretty hard. We realised what the rest of the world saw.' Mr Smith has always had a close family to offer support at the most difficult of times, with his 15-year-old sister, Olivia Smith, always trying to protect her brother. She said: 'I find it frustrating to see people staring at him. You see people look at him and then talk to their friends and you know they are talking about him. 'I think it's because, mainly, people don't understand. They are very judgmental and it's always hard to watch. 'We have developed a look for when people stare now. We don't ever say anything, but we give them the death stare.' Fortunately, Mr Smith has found it much easier making friends in his college life at North Iowa Area Community College where he studies chemistry. He said: 'I'm currently a freshman in college which is going great. I am hoping to become an engineer. I am definitely thinking mechanical. 'It's been fun going to college I've got to say. It's a lot of work, but it's fun.' He has also started a non-profit to advocate for Tourette's sufferers and to educate organisations to be Tourette's aware. For more information on Mr Smith's progress, visit his Facebook page. Norway's health minister Sylvi Listhaug (pictured) has stoked controversy after saying people should be allowed to eat, smoke and drink 'as much as they want' Norway's newly-appointed health minister has stoked controversy after saying people should be allowed to eat, smoke and drink 'as much as they want'. Sylvi Listhaug, who was also elected first vice-chair of the right-wing Progress Party, claims she does not want to take up the role of the 'moral police' and refuses to tell people 'how to live their lives'. The 41-year-old, who admits to enjoying the odd cigarette, added smokers are made to 'hide away' when they should have 'the right to decide for themselves' whether or not they quit. Critics have hit back at Mrs Listhaug's comments, calling her policies 'scary' and accusing her of setting Norway's health back 'many decades'. Mrs Listhaug told the Norwegian broadcasting company NRK: 'People should be allowed to smoke, drink and eat as much red meat they just want. People know pretty much what is healthy and what is not. 'I do not plan to be a moral police and will not tell people how to live their lives, but I intend to help people get information that forms the basis for making choices.' Mrs Listhaug went on to say smokers are made to feel like 'pariahs' who have to 'hide away'. Although she admitted smoking is 'harmful', the mother-of-three added the habit should be a personal choice and we should 'respect' those who choose not to quit. Mrs Listhaug also rebuked a suggestion to expand Norway's smoking ban to certain outdoor places, such as bus stops. 'Where do we end up sending these smokers?', she said. 'Should they have to walk in the woods, on top of a mountain or down the quay?' Mrs Listhaug's comments have been met with outrage, with some even claiming her unorthodox approach to public health could harm Norway's progress. Critics have hit back at Mrs Listhaug's comments, calling her policies 'scary' and accusing her of setting Norway's health back 'many decades' Anne Lise Ryel, secretary general of Norway's Cancer Society, told NRK: 'It seems she has little understanding of what public health really is and what her task as minister in that area is. 'Many will adhere to what she says. That is to say, public health is set many decades back.' And personal trainer Anki Eie, who works at a gym in Drammen, called Mrs Listhaug's comments 'scary', adding they will 'break down our health' in another interview with NRK. Mrs Listhaug is, however, planning to introduce a 'tobacco strategy' that targets young people who are thinking of taking up smoking. She went on to say she quit the habit in 2007 and only lights up 'occasionally' at parties. Mrs Listhaug then added such social gatherings are few and far between as she juggles her family and work commitments. The Norwegian Government has appointed Mrs Listhaug to be its Minister of Elderly and Public Health. She will oversee the policies behind care services; public health; the promotion and prevention of both mental and physical health; social inequality in health, nutrition and food safety; alcohol, drug and tobacco prevention; and disease control. Mrs Listhaug served as Norway's first Minister of Immigration and Integration from 2015-to-2018 in a specially created position during the European migrant crisis. She stepped down from the role in March last year after causing an uproar when she accused the opposition Labour Party of putting 'terrorists' rights' before national security. Mrs Listhaug made the comments when Labour and the Christian Democrats helped defeat a bill that would have given the state the right to strip individuals of Norwegian citizenship if they were suspected of terrorism or joining foreign militant groups. Johannes Bergh, head of the Norwegian national election studies program at the Institute of Social Research in Oslo, called Mrs Listhaug 'polarising' and 'a more right-wing populist than other Norwegian politicians'. Speaking of Europe's migration crisis, Mrs Listhaug has been quoted as saying 'the tyranny of kindness is blowing over Norwegian society like a nightmare'. She also announced plans in 2016 to jail migrants in Norway with 'obviously groundless' asylum claims for up to 72 hours to stop them escaping into the criminal underworld while their cases are being processed. Mrs Listhaug even claimed terror attacks in Brussels and Paris in recent years took place because France and Belgium allowed 'ghettos' of immigrants. She argued Norway needs a 'tight immigration policy' in order to avoid the same fate. The dawn of the internet promised a new age where finding a sexual partner was just the click of a mouse away. But rather than improving our romantic lives, new technology has left Britons having less sex than ever before. A major study found there has been a steep decline in rates of intimacy since 2001, with fewer than half of Britons now having sex once a week. Scientists said that 'life in the digital age' was partly to blame - with couples now too distracted by Netflix, social media or their phones to focus on each other. In the survey from 2001, 9.2 per cent of women who were married or living together said they had no sex in the last month, rising to 15.1 per cent in the final survey. Among men the figure went from 9.1 per cent to 12.8 per cent The number of men who were married or living with their partner who said they had sex at least 10 times in the last month also fell, from 24.1 per cent in 2001 to 15.5 per cent in 2012. For women, the number dropped from 22.7 per cent to 13 per cent A major study found there has been a steep decline in rates of intimacy since 2001, with fewer than half of Britons now having sex once a week Researchers from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine analysed data from 34,000 men and women aged 16 to 44 who completed a survey about their sex lives in 1991, 2001 and 2012. It revealed that rates of sexual activity plummeted in Britain between 2001 and 2012, with the steepest declines among the over-25s and those who were married or living together. The study, published in the British Medical Journal, said the decline was due to 'the sheer pace of modern life' and that middle-aged couples juggling childcare and work were the worst affected. It added that rising gender equality had 'extended to the sexual sphere', meaning women 'feel less obliged to meet their partner's sexual needs irrespective of their own'. Lead researcher Professor Kaye Wellings told The Sun: 'There is a great deal of competition that a sexual relationship has to face. 'In the digital age, there are more diversionary stimuli that can take up your spare time... smartphones, Netflix and social media are all likely distractions that may prevent intimacy.' Half of all women and almost two-thirds of men said they would like to have more sex. Scientists said rising levels of sexual frustration 'merits concern', adding that regular sexual activity is key to improving health and wellbeing. In 2012 one in three people said they had not had sex in the past month, compared to less than one in four a decade earlier. And the average number of times that 35 to 44-year-olds reported having sex fell from four times a month to two among women and from four to three among men. The researchers found that couples are increasingly trapped in sexless marriages, with 15 per cent of women who were married or living with their partner reporting they had not had sex in the last month. WHAT IS LOSS OF LIBIDO? Loss of libido is a reduced sex drive. Past research suggests it affects nearly half of all women at some point in their lives. It is often linked to relationship issues, stress or tiredness, but could also indicate an underlying health problem. Sex drives vary person-to-person with no libido being 'normal', however, if it is affecting your relationship, it may be worth seeking help from a GP or psychosexual therapist. Common causes: Relationship problems - such as becoming overly familiar with your partner, poor communication or trust issues - such as becoming overly familiar with your partner, poor communication or trust issues Sexual problems - including erectile dysfunction or vaginal dryness - including erectile dysfunction or vaginal dryness Stress, anxiety or depression Age - sex hormones fall during the menopause. Low libido can also occur due to the side effects of medication or mobility problems - sex hormones fall during the menopause. Low libido can also occur due to the side effects of medication or mobility problems Pregnancy and breastfeeding - can cause changes in hormone levels, exhaustion or altered priorities as people focus on their child - can cause changes in hormone levels, exhaustion or altered priorities as people focus on their child Underlying health issues - such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes - such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes Medication - including antidepressants and drugs for high blood pressure - including antidepressants and drugs for high blood pressure Alcohol and drugs Source: NHS Choices Advertisement Meanwhile, the number of cohabiting couples who had sex 10 or more times in the past month halved between 2001 and 2012. Professor Wellings added: 'Most compelling among the explanations relates to the stress and "busyness" of modern life, such that work, family life, and leisure are constantly juggled. 'Life in the digital age is considerably more complex than in previous eras, the boundary between the private space of home and the public world outside is blurred, and the internet offers considerable scope for diversion.' Professor Wellings added: 'It is interesting that those most affected are in mid-life, the group often referred to as the "u-bend" or "sandwich" generation. 'These are the cohorts of men and women who, having started their families at older ages than previous generations, are often juggling childcare, work and responsibilities to parents who are getting older. 'Most people believe that others have more regular sex than they do themselves. Many people are likely to find it reassuring that they are not out of line.' Researchers found that although everyone apart from 16-24-year-old men are having less sex than before, single people fare better overall, as do those who earn more money. The study concluded: 'It is perhaps the wider implications of the decline in sexual frequency that may be more worrying. 'Should frequency of sexual contact serve as a barometer for more general human connectedness then the decline might be seen as signalling a disquieting trend.' In a linked editorial, Dr Peter Leusink, a GP and sexologist from Radboud University Medical Centre in the Netherlands, said: 'Personal needs are not being fully met, as a substantial proportion of both men and women indicated that they were not satisfied with the frequency of sexual activity. 'As the results show, these figures conceal problems such as depression, poor physical health, and relationship problems, which have all increased since the 1990s.' A Netflix spokesperson said: 'We take pride in being part of the cultural zeitgeist, but getting credit for a decades long decline in sex is beyond even our programming abilities.' A woman who was born without a uterus is pregnant two years after she underwent a uterine transplant. Kayla Edwards, 27, always dreamed of being a mother, but never believed it would happen. At 16 years old, she was diagnosed with a rare disorder that meant she was born without a reproductive system and, therefore, couldn't carry children, reported WFAA. In 2017, she underwent a rare medical procedure and received a new uterus from a donor at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, Texas. Doctors tried three times to transport embryos to her new uterus, but were unsuccessful. With her fourth and final embryo transplant in January, Edwards finally became pregnant. Kayla Edwards, 27, was born without a uterus due to a congenital malformation. After learning about uterine transplants at Baylor University Medical Center, she and her husband, Lance, moved from Vancouver, Washington, to Dallas, Texas. Pictured, left and right: Edwards with her husband In November 2017, a woman at Baylor became the first in the US to give birth after receiving a donated uterus. Pictured: Edwards's ultrasound According to Baylor, two women, so far, have given birth to children after undergoing uterine transplants. Five women, including Edwards, are pregnant following the transplant. Edwards was born with a rare congenital malformation known as Rokitansky Syndrome, or MRKH (Mayer Rokitansky Kuster Hauser). This is a condition in which the vagina and uterus are either underdeveloped or completely absent. Women suffering from MRKH will have normally functioning ovaries and will experience the normal signs of puberty - but will not have periods or be able to conceive. HOW IS A UTERINE TRANSPLANT PERFORMED? 1. In Vitro Fertilization: The patient is given fertility drugs so her eggs can be harvested. The eggs are fertilized and the resulting embryos are frozen. 2. Transplantation: The womb and cervix are removed from the donor and transplanted into the patient. 3. Recovery: The patient is given immunosuppressants to reduce the chance of the organs being rejected. 4. Implantation: After the transplant, the patient will have one of her embryos implanted. 5. Pregnancy: Should the implant be successful, the patient will become pregnant and helpfully carry her baby to term. Source: Baylor University Medical Center Advertisement It is said to affect one in 4,500 female births worldwide. Edwards learned about the clinical trials for uterine transplants occurring at Baylor University Medical Center. In November 2017, a woman at Baylor became the first in the US to give birth after receiving a donated uterus. The technique has also been carried out in Sweden - where the technique was pioneered - China, Germany and Turkey. According to Bologna Today, which reported on the birth of a baby boy to a woman who received a uterus transplant from her twin sister, the transplant and IVF procedure cost around 50,000 euros, or almost $58,000. Convinced that this might be her only chance at becoming pregnant, Edwards and her husband, Lance, move from Vancouver, Washington, to Dallas. 'It was really hard because all of our family [is] back there,' she told WFAA. 'We have no one in Texas. [But] when this came, we just knew we couldn't pass up the chance to at least try.' She told KATU that her donor fell through shortly after she arrived in Dallas. It took another year to find a new donor and Edwards underwent the operation in 2017. Edwards had her first embryo transferred three months after the transplant, but it was unsuccessful. Doctors tried two more times, but each one fell through. Finally, with her fourth and final embryo transplanted in January 2019, Edwards became pregnant. She and her husband are expecting a baby girl in October. Edwards underwent the uterine transplant in 2017. Doctors tried three time to transfer frozen embryos to her new uterus, but were unsuccessful. Pictured: Edwards, left, and Edwards with her husband, right Finally, with her fourth and final embryo transplanted in January 2019, Edwards became pregnant. She and her husband are expecting a baby girl in October. 'We lay in bed and dream about her face and what she's going to look like and talk about her,' Edwards told WFAA. 'It's just really exciting. It's like a dream still.' She said she hopes her story can give hope to other women who have MRKH or other genetic conditions that leave them unable to have children. 'The reason I'm doing this is to make it available for other people that are scared to talk about it,' Edwards told the station. 'Infertility is already a taboo subject that a lot of women don't like to talk about. They can look at me and have hope, which I didn't have when I was 16 and was told I was never going to have kids.' Hopes are riding on light therapy as a possible cure for Alzheimer's disease - and a new study suggests there is merit to the radical idea. In 2015, a neuroscientist in Boston found flickering light shone into the eyes of dementia-suffering mice for one hour a day stopped cell death in their brains by breaking down protein clumps. Though the findings were robust, there was widespread skepticism that it could work. But now, as human trials get under way, the team at MIT has published new research showing how the light therapy works, by targeting the chemical that creates protein clumps, suggesting it may be even more powerful than previously thought. 'I haven't seen anything like that. It is very shocking,' senior author Dr Li-Huei Tsai, director of the Picower Institute for Learning and Memory at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, said. The therapy by MIT scientists improved cognitive skills such as spatial memory in both mice with dementia and in older, healthy peers. The team says it should work for humans, too Previously, Dr Tsai had found that flashes of LED light, shone into the eyes of dementia-suffering mice, destroy the rogue proteins that cause cell death. However, it wasn't clear why and how that was happening, leading other experts in the field to question whether this was all just a shot in the dark. In the new paper, Dr Tsai's team attempts to parse out why this is worth our attention. As the protein clumps broke down, the team recorded improvements in many parts of the brain - strengthening neurons, boosting immune cells, breaking down clumps of protein, and reducing inflammation. We still don't fully understand how dementia takes hold of the brain, and how to curtail it. Millions of dollars have been poured into drug trials trying to stop the disease in its tracks by targeting tau proteins (which cause clumps in the brain) and various types of brain cells that seem to be where the disease begins - to no avail. Dr Tsai concedes that 'to be honest, we really don't know' where to focus our attention. But in this latest study, her team showed that light hampered two types of proteins (tau P301S and CK-p25), and as a result curbed the disease. The light therapy started shortly before degeneration would have been expected to begin. After three weeks, the tau P301S mice were stable, while those untreated had lost up to 20 percent of their neurons. The CK-p25 mice that saw the light were kept stable for six weeks, while their peers deteriorated. The therapy improved cognitive skills such as spatial memory in both mice with dementia - and, intriguingly, in older, healthy peers. Looking at the brains in autopsy afterwards, they found the disease had been stopped in its track for every mouse that saw the light. 'It seems neurodegeneration is largely prevented,' Dr Tsai said. This would offer hope preventing the disease in people at risk of developing it. Prof Tsai said: 'I have been working with p25 protein for over 20 years, and I know this is a very neurotoxic protein. 'We found the p25 transgene expression levels are exactly the same in treated and untreated mice, but there is no neurodegeneration in the treated mice.' The researchers also found that the treated mice performed better in remembering their way around a water maze. Dr Tsai's original study on the effects of flickering light showed that visual stimulation at a frequency of 40 hertz (cycles per second) induces brain waves known as gamma oscillations in the visual cortex. These are believed to contribute to normal brain functions such as attention and memory, and previous studies have suggested they are impaired in Alzheimer's patients. The researchers later found combining the flickering light with sound stimuli - 40-hertz tones - reduced plaques even more and also had further-reaching effects, extending to the hippocampus and parts of the prefrontal cortex. They have also found cognitive benefits from both the light- and sound-induced gamma oscillations. Dr Tsai said: 'After all, oscillations are initiated by neurons, and I still like to think they are the master regulators. 'I think the oscillation itself must trigger some intracellular events, right inside neurons, and somehow they are protected.' The researchers also plan to test the treatment in mice with more advanced symptoms, to see if neuronal degeneration can be reversed after it begins. Preliminary studies using light and sound stimulation in a small number of patients are underway. Britons are drinking less alcohol than they did ten years ago - despite rising rates across the world. Adults consumed 6.5litres of pure alcohol globally in 2017, on average. This is up from the 5.9litres recorded back in 1990. In real terms, this is the equivalent of an extra 30ml of beer per day per adult, from 330ml or one can three decades ago to 360ml now. But a drop has been recorded in many European countries including the UK, with the rate going from 12.5 litres in 1990 and 12.3litres in 2010 to 11.4litres in 2017. At country-level, Moldova had the highest alcohol intake (15litres per adult per year), and Kuwait had the lowest (0.005litres per person per year). Experts believe this is being driven by young people, the 'millennial' generation, who tend to be far more restrained in their drinking habits than older groups. The findings come amid figures showing young Britons are increasingly shunning alcohol, with one in three 16-24 year olds now admitting to 'never drinking'. The US saw a slight increase in alcohol consumption, from 9.3litres to 9.8litres. The researchers did not explain why it recorded a small jump. Researchers say the overall spike is being driven by countries such as India, with strict regulations discouraging drinking in many Western nations. Scientists analysed the alcohol consumption of 189 nations between 1990 and 2017, and used the trends to estimate the intake for 2030. The findings, published in a prestigious medical journal, reveal the Seychelles saw the biggest spike, recording a jump of around 90 per cent. Data showed adults living on the archipelago consumed 12litres of pure alcohol in 2017, on average. In comparison, the amount was 6.3litres in 2010. Vietnam (89 per cent), Lao People's Democratic Republic (51 per cent), Swaziland (50 per cent) and Trinidad and Tobago (31 per cent) all also saw major spikes. The biggest drop was in the Eastern European nation of Belarus, where consumption plummeted 38 per cent from 17.5litres to 10.9litres. Lead author Jakob Manthey, of Technische Universitat Dresden, said: 'Our study provides a comprehensive overview of the changing landscape in global alcohol exposure. 'Before 1990, most alcohol was consumed in high-income countries, with the highest use levels recorded in Europe However, this pattern has changed substantially.' Alcohol is causally linked to over 200 diseases, including many types of cancer, liver disease and heart disease HOW MUCH ALCOHOL SHOULD YOU DRINK? The NHS advises men and women not to drink more than 14 units a week on a regular basis - such as weekly - to avoid health risks. For example, a large glass of wine contains around three units, while a bottle is closer to the 10 mark. A pint of beer is around 2.3. More than 16,000 now die every year in Britain from liver disease, which is most often caused by excessive drinking. This is twice the number who died from it in 1991. Regular drinking also increases calorie consumption and can contribute towards obesity and cause type 2 diabetes, which affects millions across the world. And alcohol is now the sixth most common cause of disability among people in their 50s and 60s, up from 16th in 1990, Public Health England data shows. Around 88,000 deaths each year in the US are thought to be caused by excessive alcohol consumption. Advertisement He added that large reductions have been seen across Eastern Europe and vast increases in several low and middle-income countries such as China, India, and Vietnam. Mr Manthey said: 'This trend is forecast to continue up to 2030 when Europe is no longer predicted to have the highest level of alcohol use. 'Based on our data, the WHO's aim of reducing the harmful use of alcohol by 10 per cent by 2025 will not be reached globally. 'Instead, alcohol use will remain one of the leading risk factors for the burden of disease for the foreseeable future, and its impact will probably increase relative to other risk factors. 'Implementation of effective alcohol policies is warranted, especially in rapidly developing countries with growing rates of alcohol use.' Alcohol is causally linked to over 200 diseases, including many types of cancer, liver disease and heart disease. The research, published in The Lancet, used data from the Global Burden of Disease study considered to be the most comprehensive global dataset. The estimates for 2030 took into account GDP projections of each country and their religious composition. Islam and Buddhism both discourage alcohol. The NHS recommends that adults drink no more than 14 units each week that's 14 single shots of spirit or six pints of beer or a bottle and a half of wine ARE BRITISH TEENS TURNING THEIR BACK ON ALCOHOL? Britain was once notorious for being a nation of young binge-drinkers. But a change in trend has been noticed in the past few years. Young British people are increasingly shunning alcohol, data suggests, amid suggestions that being fit and healthy is more important. University College London researchers last year published an analysis of data from almost 10,000 people who were aged between 16 to 24. They found the proportion of young adults who don't drink alcohol raised from 18 per cent in 2005 to around 29 per cent in 2015. A report by the think tank Demos in 2015 found 42 per cent of youngsters say they spend too much time on social media to drink alcohol. Advertisement Some 35.7billion litres of alcohol was consumed in 2017, up from the 21billion in 1990. Population growth accounts for a large percentage. In 2017, the lowest alcohol intakes were in North African and Middle Eastern countries - typically less than one litre per adult per year. While the highest intakes were in Central and Eastern European countries, which, in some cases, recorded more than 12litres per adult per year. At country-level, Moldova had the highest alcohol intake (15litres per adult per year), and Kuwait had the lowest (0.005litres per person per year). Over the same time period, the researchers also measured the proportion of people who did not drink or were binge-drinkers. The prevalence of lifetime abstinence dropped from 46 per cent to 43 per cent between the start and the end of the study. In comparison, the rates of current drinkers jumped two per cent to 47 per cent and the proportion of binge drinkers went from 18.5 to 20 per cent. The researchers estimate that, if current trends continue, almost a quarter (23 per cent) will binge drink once a month by 2030. And, if nothing changes, adults across the world will drink 7.6litres of pure alcohol each day the equivalent of 410ml of beer per day. However, the team said that their projections are based on surveys, where individuals often lie and say they drink less than what is true. A spokesperson from the Alcohol Information Partnership said: 'Drinking levels in the UK have been falling for more than a decade with more people now drinking responsibly than harmfully. 'This fall reflects our changing relationship with alcohol with the old negative stereotypes increasingly a thing of the past.' DO YOU DRINK TOO MUCH ALCOHOL? THE 10 QUESTIONS THAT REVEAL YOUR RISK One screening tool used widely by medical professionals is the AUDIT (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Tests). Developed in collaboration with the World Health Organisation, the 10-question test is considered to be the gold standard in helping to determine if someone has alcohol abuse problems. The test has been reproduced here with permission from the WHO. To complete it, answer each question and note down the corresponding score. YOUR SCORE: 0-7: You are within the sensible drinking range and have a low risk of alcohol-related problems. Over 8: Indicate harmful or hazardous drinking. 8-15: Medium level of risk. Drinking at your current level puts you at risk of developing problems with your health and life in general, such as work and relationships. Consider cutting down (see below for tips). 16-19: Higher risk of complications from alcohol. Cutting back on your own may be difficult at this level, as you may be dependent, so you may need professional help from your GP and/or a counsellor. 20 and over: Possible dependence. Your drinking is already causing you problems, and you could very well be dependent. You should definitely consider stopping gradually or at least reduce your drinking. You should seek professional help to ascertain the level of your dependence and the safest way to withdraw from alcohol. Severe dependence may need medically assisted withdrawal, or detox, in a hospital or a specialist clinic. This is due to the likelihood of severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms in the first 48 hours needing specialist treatment. Advertisement Georgia's Republican governor on Tuesday signed legislation outlawing abortion if a doctor can detect a fetal heartbeat, part of a concerted effort to restrict abortion rights in states across the country. Under the ban, introduced in 15 states in recent months, doctors will be prosecuted for flouting the rules. Abortion-rights supporters see the heartbeat bills as virtual bans because fetal heartbeats can be detected as early as six weeks, when women may not be aware they are pregnant. Governor Brian Kemp received the applause of supporters in a signing ceremony, becoming the fourth governor to sign such a law since mid-March. Georgia's Living Infants Fairness and Equality (LIFE) Act permits later abortions in medical emergencies. In cases of rape or incest, the woman would be required to file an official police report 'Our job is to do what is right, not what is easy,' Kemp said, recognizing the strong opposition to the bill and the likelihood the law will be challenged in court. Anti-abortion campaigners have intensified their efforts since Donald Trump was elected president and appointed two conservative justices to the US Supreme Court, hopeful they can convince the right-leaning court to re-examine the landmark case, Roe v. Wade, that established a woman's right to an abortion in 1973. Kentucky, Mississippi and Ohio have enacted heartbeat laws recently, and Iowa passed one last year. Courts have blocked the Iowa and Kentucky laws, and the others face legal challenges. The American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia has vowed to sue to stop this law. Even so, anti-abortion advocates have seized the political and judicial opening in their favor, introducing measures in 15 states to ban abortion as early as six weeks into a pregnancy, according to Rewire.News, a site specializing in the issue. That has raised concerns among abortion-rights advocates about expanding 'abortion deserts,' described as major cities that are at least 100 miles (160 km) from an abortion provider. Between Georgia and Mississippi is Alabama, where the state's House has passed a bill that would ban all abortions unless the mother's life is threatened. The state's Senate is likely to vote on it this week, raising the prospect of a extensive abortion desert in the Southeast. Ushma Upadhyay, professor of reproductive health at the University of California, San Francisco, said she was concerned for low-income women who lack the means to travel. 'This is basic health that should be available to all women regardless of where they live, how much money they make or how many children they have,' Upadhyay said. Georgia's Living Infants Fairness and Equality (LIFE) Act permits later abortions in medical emergencies. In cases of rape or incest, the woman would be required to file an official police report. A brother and a sister have been given a second chance at life after receiving kidney transplants from the same donor. Ava, 14, and John Ben, 18, were both born with a rare genetic disorder that causes an amino acid to build up in the body and damages organs. The siblings were both on dialysis but, as their conditions deteriorated, doctors said they could die unless they received kidney transplants, reported the San Antonio Express-News. Last week, doctors at University Hospital in San Antonio, Texas, called their mother and said there was match for Ava. When the mother asked about her son, the hospital did some quick testing and discovered both siblings were a match. Ava Shepperd 14, and her brother John Ben, 18, were both diagnosed with a rare, genetic disorder called cystinosis. Pictured, left to right: Ava, mother Kim Azar Shepperd, John Ben and father John Shepperd after the siblings' transplants Cystinosis is characterized by the buildup of an amino acid called cystine throughout the body that damages organs. Both siblings underwent dialysis and had been put on transplant lists. Pictured: John Ben and Ava, left, and the sibling with their mother, right 'For the first fifteen months, John Ben was completely normal,' John Shepperd, the siblings' father told KENS 5. 'He just started falling off.' Not long after, John Ben was diagnosed with cystinosis, a rare genetic disorder that is characterized by the buildup of an amino acid called cystine throughout the body. When Ava was a baby, her parents were told she had the condition as well. Cystinosis is caused by a mutation of the CTNS gene, which holds instructions for producing a protein called cystinosin that carries cystine out of the part of the cell that breaks down materials. Cystine then crystallizes in cells in the body and damages organs in the process, with the kidneys being the most affected. The disorder occurs in one in every 100,000 to 200,000 people worldwide, according to the National Organization for Rare Disorders. Cystinosis is accountable for about five percent of childhood kidney failure. Treatment generally involves drugs such as Cystagon and Procysbi, which lower cystine levels in the cells. However, if kidney damage is too far along, dialysis may be necessary and, if need be, a kidney transplant. Their mother received a call last week from University Hospital in San Antonio, Texas, that a match was found for Ava. Pictured: Ava hugging her father, John When the siblings' mother, Kim Azar Shepherd, received a call last week from University Hospital, John Ben had been on the transplant list for a year and Ava for just a month. 'We actually joked about this,' Azar Shepperd told KENS 5. 'We'd say to each other playfully: "It'd be so cool if you could both get a donor from the same person at the same time" and that's exactly what ended up happening.' She was told there was a donor for her daughter and she asked if there was one for her son as well. It turned out both were matches with the donor. Ava, who lives with her mother in Alpine, and John Ben, who with his father in Austin, drove to San Antonio with their respective parents immediately. The teens underwent transplants on Friday, with their surgeries overlapping by an hour, reported the Express-News. 'The longest and shortest hour ever,' John Shepperd told the paper. 'Obviously, we never thought it would happen on the same day, from the same wonderful donor. We truly feel blessed.' For Ava and John Ben, who have spent much of their lives in and out of hospitals, the news of a transplant was a relief. 'I remember hooking up to my dialysis unit and thinking: "This is the last time I'm going to have to attach this dumb tube to my stomach",' John Ben, who will graduate this month from Austin High School, told the Express-News. 'It just felt really good to know that this is the last time I was going to be doing this.' The siblings' mother asked hospital staff if there was a donor for John Ben and the hospital determined that he was also a match for the same donor. Pictured, left to right: Dr Elizabeth Thomas, father John Shepperd, Ava, mother Kim Azar Shepperd, and John Ben Ava and John Ben underwent their respective operations. on Friday and are now recovering. They will still need to manage their cystinosis, but if will not affect their new kidneys. Pictured: John Ben and Ava with their mother The siblings will have to take immunosuppressant drugs to lessen the possibility of organ rejection and they will still need to manage their cystinosis. However, the disease will not affect the new kidneys. Doctors at University Hospital said they'd never seen anything like this before and discussed the impact the donor had on patients' lives. 'One donor who's willing to give, that has good organs, can potentially save eight lives,' Dr Elizabeth Thomas, a transplant surgeon for University Hospital, told KENS 5. 'An incredible donor saved many, many lives. At our center alone, four lives were saved.' Arizona has declared pornography a public health risk - a year after Florida did the same. The move, voted 16-13 in the state Senate on Monday, is nothing more than a gesture, with no concrete ramifications. But Republican Senator Sylvia Allen insists it is a powerful move 'because it's the first time we're making a statement... about the epidemic of pornography.' Blaming porn for the rise of syphilis, HIV, unplanned pregnancies and underage sex, Sen. Allen said: 'Billions of dollars worldwide are being made upon this industry that is poisoning the minds of our citizens.' She said it was 'the root problem for many of the other problems that we're experiencing,' and it has 'morphed into something...horrible.' The move, voted 16-13 in the state Senate on Monday, is nothing more than a gesture, with no concrete ramifications. But Rep. Sen. Sylvia Allen insists it is a powerful against 'an epidemic' Opponents on the other side of the aisle said the measure was a waste of time amid other health crises, like the rising rate of women dying in childbirth, and the nationwide measles outbreak. 'I think we really need to focus on those types of things that are life-threatening and fatal, and could spread so quickly to anybody,' Minority Whip Sen. Jamescita Peshlakai, a Democrat, told the Arizona Republic. Last year, Florida passed an identical resolution, spearheaded by Republican Representative Ross Spano who claimed that research has found links between pornography and 'mental and physical illnesses,' among a host of other societal and individual ills. The resolution passed by 18 to one in the House, where the sole dissenter, Democrat Dr Cary Pigman, was also the only medical doctor on the committee. Bill sponsor Spano initially wanted to have have pornography dubbed a state public health crisis - a status held by the opioid epidemic - in Florida, but the resolution passed by deeming adult material a 'risk' instead. The resolution stated that pornography is a public health risk from which Florida needs to 'protect the citizens of [the] state' through 'education, prevention, research and policy change.' Spano's concern over porn stemmed in part from his worry over his own son, local news station WFSU reported. 'I asked my child, 'Well when did you first?' He said, 'I was probably ten.' And I said, 'Well how did you..?' And he said, 'An older kid showed me. An older kid in the neighborhood,'' Spano told the station. In the resolution, he cited research finding that 27 percent of young adults 'report that they first viewed pornography before the onset of puberty.' The resolution says that porn has ties to a wide-ranging slew of adverse health effects, including low self-esteem, eating disorders, normalizing violence and abuse of women and children, marital problems and that it is 'potentially biologically addictive, resulting in the user consuming increasingly more shocking material to satisfy the addiction.' In fact, psychologists and psychiatrists have considered adding porn to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), but it was once again excluded from the book's fifth edition. In a recent interview, New York psychologist Dr Ari Tuckman told Daily Mail Online that 'porn can be easy to blame as the cause, but it's really part of the problem' when it comes to relationships. Research has shown that watching pornography earlier tends to be linked to having sex younger, and small studies suggest that exposure at a young age may affect men's attitudes toward women. Ultimately, most experts say that research on porn is inconclusive at best, and often suffers from poor methodology. But whether porn falls into the 'good' or 'bad' category, Dr Pigman asserted that, either way, it doesn't fall into the 'biggest' category. 'I keep thinking about the other things that are public health hazards which involve a far larger number of people,' he told WFSU. 'I am a practicing physician. We have problems with hypertension, with obesity, with diabetes, with Zika,' Dr Pigman said. He also noted that other sexual health issues, like the transmission of HIV and STDs have been on the rise. Of porn, Dr Pigman said: 'I'm not sure that we need to spend legislative time enunciating a particular complaint when we have others that are far more pressing.' Millions of Americans may be drinking water contaminated with toxic chemicals linked to behavioral problems, birth defects, cancer, high cholesterol levels and infertility, a new report finds. Researchers from the Environmental Working Group and Northeastern University found 610 sources in 43 states that contained unsafe levels of man-made chemicals in water known as PFAS chemicals. These locations include public water systems, military bases, airports and even firefighter training sites and affect as many as 19 million Americans. Numerous studies have linked these chemicals to severe disorders, defects and conditions. A new report as found that 610 locations in 43 US states (map, above) contain unsafe levels of PFAS chemicals, which have been linked to birth defects and cancer PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are man-made chemicals that have been used in several industries around the world since the 1940s. They are ubiquitous, appearing in everything from cosmetics to water-repellent clothing to products that scrub away grease and oil, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For the study, researchers at the Environmental Working Group (EWG) and the Social Science Environmental Health Research Institute at Northeastern University in Boston analyzed data from the Pentagon and water utility reports. The report included any place where the chemicals were detected, even if levels were below the Environmental Protection Agency's health advisory threshold of 70 parts per trillion. 'We, along with many states and academic scientists, regard that number as far too high,' EWG Vice President Bill Walker told McClatchy. The group says that a threshold says that even as low as one part per trillion could have result in ill health effects. An interactive map published along with the report showed that Michigan had the most contaminated sites with 192. The Great Lake State has been battling a water contamination crisis in Flint since 2014 after the drinking water source was changed from Lake Huron and the Detroit River to the Flint River, which contained high levels of lead. But PFAS has also been a burden. Residents of two communities in Kalamazoo County were given bottled water last year after tests showed high levels of the chemicals in drinking water, reported Think Progress. Rounding out the top three were California with 47 and New Jersey with 43 sites. The map also showed that roughly 20 percent of the sites with unsafe levels were military bases. 'This should be frightening to all Americans in many ways,' David Andrews, a senior scientist for the EWG, told CBS News. 'These chemicals...don't break down in our body and they don't break down in our environment and they actually stick to our blood. So levels tend to increase over time.' The report comes less than a week after the EWG released a study that found California's public water supply was contaminated with several chemicals that could be responsible for up to 15,000 cancer cases. And, just today, a study from Austria found that arsenic levels in private water wells in the US could change the structure of the heart and increase the risk of stroke and heart attacks. Another 43 kids have contracted measles in New York City, bringing the total caseload to 466. Two of the newly-infected children, who had skipped their vaccines on religious grounds, are not part of the Orthodox Jewish community, which accounts for the vast majority of cases. City officials believe they were infected while visiting or passing through the neighborhood, which traverses four ZIP codes in Brooklyn. They say the kids, who attend public school, did not go to school while infected. Thirty-four New Yorkers have been hospitalized with measles, and nine admitted to the ICU The new data from April 29, released on Tuesday, confirm April was the worst month since the outbreak began in October. Despite Mayor Bill de Blasio's attempts to impose mandatory vaccinations ahead of Passover - when officials expected a lot of movement between neighborhoods - the rate of infections rocketed, to a total of 151 infections in one month alone. Thirty-four people have been hospitalized, and nine admitted to the intensive care unit. 'Right now, we still see a highly localized outbreak in the Williamsburg community, even though there have been sporadic infections outside of the neighborhood,' said Health Commissioner Dr Oxiris Barbot. 'One reason we have not seen secondary infections outside this community is because so many people are vaccinated, underscoring the importance of vaccination. 'We want to urge people to remain calm. 'The best way to protect yourself as well as family, friends, neighbors and fellow New Yorkers is to make sure that you are immune from the measles if you have not already done so.' Deputy Commissioner Dr Demetre Daskalakis said: 'We are confident there is no increased risk of exposure at New York City public schools both because the recently diagnosed children from Sunset Park were not in school while infectious and because of the high vaccination rates of students in these and all NYC public schools. 'This is the time to act. Measles is a highly contagious disease. If you are spending time in Williamsburg, Borough Park or other areas with measles activity in or around NYC confirm that you are immune to measles by looking at your vaccination history or by consulting with your healthcare provider. 'If you don't know if you have been vaccinated and you live, work, study, or play in areas with measles activity, get vaccinated. It is safe and effective.' Coca-Cola has a contract allowing the company to 'quash' findings from health research it funds at universities in North America, a new study reveals. Through more than 87,000 documents obtained through Freedom of Information requests, researchers at the University of Cambridge identified several clauses in legal documents that provide such a loop hole. It gives the company early access to scientists' findings and the right to 'terminate [research] without reason' - with the power to seize the data to prevent further study. The firm has pledged transparent and 'unrestricted' support for science, funding studies that often have great influence in the fields of nutrition, energy and exercise. But the researchers say the legal clauses they have found mean that Coca-Cola could suppress 'critical health information' - and may have already done so - but there is no way of knowing if so, what, when, to what extent. Coca-Cola has pledged transparent and 'unrestricted' support for science, but University of Cambridge researchers found legal clauses that allow the firm to pull work before it's over UNIVERSITIES WITH 'RIGHT TO TERMINATE' CONTRACTS WITH COCA COLA The research team found five research agreements made with four universities: Louisiana State University University of South Carolina University of Toronto University of Washington Their work covers research on 'energy flux and balance' and beverage intake during exercise. Advertisement They say scientists should be forced to declare the full details of their agreements with firms like Coca-Cola so the public can understand the framework of the research. 'It is certainly true that the contracts we have found allow for unfavorable developments or findings to be quashed prior to publication,' said lead author Dr Sarah Steele, a policy researcher from Cambridge's Department of Politics and International Studies. 'Coca-Cola have declared themselves at the forefront of transparency when it comes to food and beverage giants funding health research. In fact, our study suggests that important research might never see the light of day and we would never know about it. 'We are already hearing accusations from experts in nutrition that the food industry is copying tactics from big tobacco's playbook. Corporate social responsibility has to be more than just shiny websites stating progressive policies that get ignored.' US Right to Know, a non-profit consumer and public health research group, submitted 129 FOI requests between 2015 and 2018 relating to academics at North American institutions who received Coca-Cola funding. They found four universities conduct research funded by Coca-Cola that includes 'right to terminate' clauses in their contracts. According to Coca-Cola's website, the company do not have control over research, scientists control the intellectual property of their work, and the company cannot prevent research from being published. The company can, however, be privy to the findings as the research is unfolding, and comment on or cut it off before it's concluded. They do not need a reason for termination, the documents say. The FOI documents, now available on the US Right to Know website, do not provide evidence of any studies being terminated, though they do record push-back from scientists. In one email chain, a scientist says he does not understand why his work was terminated, and that he is concerned about who owns his intellectual property, saying, '...they have not communicated with us in several months'. Another argues that his contract is 'very restrictive for an 'unrestricted grant''. 'These contracts suggest that Coke wanted the power to bury research it funded that might detract from its image or profits,' said Gary Ruskin, co-director of US Right to Know. 'With the power to trumpet positive findings and bury negative ones, Coke-funded science seems more like an exercise in public relations.' While the findings do not expose cover-ups, the researchers say it exposes restrictions on the general public to understand the food chain from funder to scientist to publication. They say 'self-reported' conflicts of interest are not enough, and call for more rigorous rules. 'Journals should require authors of funded research to upload the research agreements for studies as appendices to any peer-reviewed publication,' said Steele. 'The lack of robust information on input by industry and on studies terminated before results are published, makes it impossible to know how much of the research entering the public domain reflects industry positions.' A Coca-Cola spokesperson said: 'Since 2016, The Coca-Cola Company has not independently funded research on issues related to health and wellbeing in keeping with research guiding principles that have been posted publicly on our website since that time. 'We adopted these guidelines to address questions that can arise when we are the sole funder of this type of research. Additionally, a list of health and wellbeing research funded by The Coca-Cola Company dating back to 2010 has been disclosed on our transparency website for nearly four years. 'Research funded by The Coca-Cola Company and disclosed on our site is expected to be conducted in accordance with our publicly stated approach to funding scientific research, including the fact that we do not have the right to prevent the publication of research results nor do we provide funding conditioned on the outcome of the research.' Remember the iconic opening scene from the 1969 film The Italian Job? You know the one - with thief Roger Beckermann (actor Rossano Brazzi) driving the Great St Bernard Pass, between Switzerland and Italy, in a stunning Lamborghini Miura before crashing into a digger and being shunted down the side of the mountain by the Mafia. The car used for those glorious driving shots has been found having gone missing for five decades. Lamborghini themselves have certified it as the Miura driven in the film, effectively doubling its value. Found: This is the Lamborghini Miura P400 used in 1968 to film the incredible driving scene at the start of the classic film The Italian Job The footage shows thief Roger Beckermann (actor Rossano Brazzi) driving the Great St Bernard Pass in Switzerland, before he and the car meet a grizzly end Lamborghini's Polo Storico heritage department has ratified the Miura P400 - chassis number 3586 0 - as the original car used in the Paramount Pictures film. Those who have watched the film (shame on you if you haven't) will notice that this car is orange - or 'Arancio Miura', according to the Lamborghini spec sheet - rather than red - the colour of the vehicle seen tumbling down the mountain side. However, that's because Paramount used two different models for the footage - one brand new version loaned by the Italian supercar-maker for the in-car driving shots and another wrecked one that it gave to the production company to roll off the edge of a cliff. This is - fortunately - the one used in the driving shots and, having been missing for five decades, remains in incredible, and original, condition. Not that it was actually lost. At the end of filming in 1968, the Miura in question was returned to the factory to be prepared for delivery to its first owner, an Italian from Rome. However, it was then passed through private collections rather than public auctions, driven rarely and never showcased at major events. That resulted in Lamborghini itself struggling to identify the owner of the genuine vehicle for almost 50 years. The Italian factory announced on Monday that this is the one they've been looking for. Currently part of The Kaiser Collection of Vaduz (Liechtenstein), the owner decided to consult Lamborghini Polo Storico, where it was certified as the genuine article by experts. The car was loaned to Paramount Pictures by Lamborghini for three days in order to film the opening scene The car is driven along the winding route as the credits roll, before the iconic scene when Beckermann enters the tunnel on the mountain pass The car was returned to Lamborghini shortly after filming in 1968 and prepared for sale to a customer in Rome. The Italian brand has struggled to track its whereabouts since then One of the individuals who identified the Miura as the one used in The Italian Job is former employee Enzo Moruzzi, who not only delivered the car to the set but also drove it in all the shots for the film. He said: 'There was a Miura P400 almost ready on the production line, in the right color, left-hand drive and with white leather interior. 'It was aesthetically identical to the damaged one and we decided to use it for the film. 'The only thing worrying us was the elegant white leather seats, given that car had to get back to Sant'Agata in perfect condition. So, I asked for them to be taken out, replacing them with a set of black leather seats that we used for testing.' Slide me The Miura is the original supercar. The 2-door coupe uses a 4.0-litre V12 engine packing 370bhp The car that's been found isn't the wrecked version used in the film. That was the other model The car used for the tunnel crash footage is a Miura that had been written off by its owner in the past and given to Paramount for filming The Mafia famously shove the Miura and Beckerman down the side of the mountain and into a free-flowing river This led to one of the telltale signs of the vehicle's famed background. 'The giveaway was the headrests, which on the Miura are attached to the dividing glass between the driver compartment and the engine compartment, which couldn't be replaced in time,' Moruzzi explained. 'In the film, you can see the original white headrests.' The Lamborghini Miura was the first vehicle coined as a 'supercar'. Today's values are fairly staggering, with good examples being offered at vintage car auctions for prices in the region of 2million. Given that this is the genuine car from The Italian Job, expect it to be worth quite a bit more than that if it was to be offered for sale - not that the owner has expressed any intention of making it available. Lamborghini's heritage department investigated if this was the original car and verified it as the model used for the driving scenes The Miura was identified by former Lamborghini employee Enzo Moruzzi, who not only delivered the car to the set but also drove in all the shots for the film The revolutionary move to start enrolling millions of workers automatically into a pension seven years ago was long overdue. Indeed, since the launch of the 'auto-enrolment' scheme in 2012, more than ten million people now pay into a workplace pension. Over the years, the minimum amount you must pay in has crept up. As of last month workers must pay in at least 5 per cent of their salary, topped up by a further 3 per cent from their employer (although you can opt out of the scheme). Auto enrolment: Since the launch of the scheme in 2012, more than ten million people now pay into a workplace pension But now, as we reveal today, experts warn that this still isn't enough. They say the mandated minimums are a brilliant start but are insufficient for a comfortable retirement. Yet for those of us whose purses are pinched by mortgages, household bills, student loan debt and life's other unexpected expenses, the idea that we should be saving even more is simply unrealistic. I do understand how hard it can be to prioritise your pension when you are decades from giving up work. No one is going to forgo holidays for 30 years so they can ramp up their monthly contributions. But if you get a pay rise at some point, you may find you can more easily afford to give your pension a bump without hitting your take-home pay after all, you are less likely to miss what you never had. Similarly, if you come into some cash or receive an inheritance, consider putting some of it into a pension. Never forget the undisputed advantages of tax relief. Where else can you save 40 and get back 50 the equivalent of 25 per cent interest (or more if you're a higher earner)? The key is to think of auto-enrolment pension saving as the foundation of your retirement planning and save extra whenever you get the opportunity. Every little will help in the long run, so don't be discouraged. Loyalty rip-off May means one thing in my financial calendar it's time to renew my breakdown cover. A reminder letter promptly arrived last month to say that the cost of covering my little blue Ford Fiesta would be rising by more than a fifth (!) from 80.64 to 103.04 a year. A quick two-minute check on Green Flag's website showed that a new customer buying exactly the same policy online would pay just 78.40. I jumped on the phone, ready to go to war... only for the woman on the line to agree immediately to match the cheaper price. Two minutes and 44 seconds that's all it took. A pleasing record for the Bischoff v Insurer scorecard but also so disappointing. The so-called loyalty rip-off is currently being investigated by the Financial Conduct Authority. I had hoped insurers would move to clean up their act before the regulator forced them to, but it's clear some firms are intent on cashing in while they can. Not so smart Finally, a question about smart meters from Money Mail reader Albert Hickson, who asks: 'How on earth can a smart meter save anyone any money? Boiling a pint of water, running a dishwasher cycle, watching the television or listening to the radio all cost the same with or without a smart meter. I don't need a smart meter to tell me I've left a light on.' He adds: 'I saw in one smart meter advertisement that Great British Bake Off chef Ian Cumming has discovered that an oven uses a lot of energy and is looking for alternative ways of cooking. 'Good luck with that, Ian! A microwave may cook a jacket potato in four minutes, but it's not the same as an oven-baked potato. Also, you can cook several items in an oven at the same time.' I'd be interested to hear from anyone who thinks their smart meter has saved them money. Or perhaps you think your new gadget has actually pushed up your bills? Write to me at v.bischoff@dailymail.co.uk or Money Mail, Northcliffe House, 2 Derry Street, London, W8 5TT. Passengers who missed their outbound flight could be stranded at the airport on their return home due to a tiny clause buried in many airline terms and conditions. The little-known 'no-show' rule means your return ticket can be void and sold on without warning if you do not board your outbound flight. So, by getting stuck in traffic and missing your original flight out, or by changing your travel plans for the first leg of your outward journey so you only need to use the return ticket, could cause you to unwittingly lose the whole booking. Fare penalty: Jay Stepien (pictured with wife Carol) only found out about BA's policy when he arrived at Warsaw Airport and was forced to pay for an expensive last-minute ticket Consumer campaigners have called on airlines to at least warn travellers their return ticket could be cancelled. Just last year, the Spanish Supreme Court forced Iberia airlines to abandon its no-show policy, as 'the clause was deemed to contravene the good faith requirement'. Money Mail has contacted more than a dozen major airlines and found that many still employ the no-show cancellation policy. British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Flybe, Emirates, Singapore Airlines and American Airlines will all cancel your ticket home if you fail to turn up to your outbound first flight. Meanwhile, Dutch airline KLM and Air France will impose fines of up to 2,568 on customers who miss any flights which are part of their booking. Thomas Cook and Guernsey airline Aurigny previously employed a no-show cancellation policy, but axed it after consumer magazine Which? raised the issue last year. Tips to save your trip Call the airline as soon as you miss your outbound flight and stress you do not want further tickets to be cancelled. Also, send an email so you have proof. Check booking T&Cs as you may be able to make changes at no extra cost. The airline may require you to justify your reason for missing a flight, so keep any documents and paperwork as evidence. If you are unable to prevent further bookings being cancelled, check your travel insurance policy to see if you are covered. Some airlines use the clause to stop 'tariff abuse', when passengers buy return tickets as they are cheaper than a single flight. Others say if they axed the policy it would be more difficult to predict how many customers would turn up to the flight, leading to overbooking. Jay Stepien, 58, only found out about BA's policy when he arrived at Warsaw Airport in Poland for his flight home and was forced to pay for an expensive last-minute ticket. Jay, who works in engineering, had booked BA return flights for himself and his wife, Carol, 64, so they could attend his daughter's wedding. The couple, who live in Brighton, paid 515.60 for the tickets, flying out from Heathrow on August 30. But a week before they were due to fly, Jay's 85-year-old mother, who lives in Poland, broke her wrist. Jay bought a single ticket with Wizz Air, so he could be with her, and then travelled to Warsaw to meet Carol and attend the family wedding. But when Jay tried to check-in online for their flight home, there was no trace of his booking. At the airport, they were told it had been cancelled and the flight was fully booked. Fortunately, Jay managed to book a ticket with Polish airline LOT that day, but the fare set him back around 750. Rory Boland, travel expert at consumer group Which?, says: 'It's simply not acceptable for an airline to cancel a passenger's return flight without a refund because they've missed the first leg of their journey. 'Airlines should start treating passengers fairly by scrapping no-show clauses immediately, as these rip-off terms could be breaking consumer law.' Consumer campaigners have called on airlines to at least warn travellers their return ticket could be cancelled Travel expert Frank Brehany says: 'It's perfectly possible for passengers who miss a flight to be sent a text informing them that further bookings have been cancelled,' he says. It is understood the industry watchdog, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), does not have any regulation relating to no-shows and flight cancellations. When family law barrister James Dove missed his flight to Spain, and Iberia cancelled his return booking, he took the airline to court and won. The 35-year-old had booked 300 return flights from London to Madrid for a wedding in June 2016, but he missed check-in by a few minutes when he was kept late in court. He duly bought a one-way ticket to Spain on another airline carrier. Aware that many airlines cancel a passenger's entire itinerary if they fail to check in on time for the first flight, James, who lives in London, called Iberia from Gatwick Airport to discuss whether he could have his return ticket kept open. But he was told it had been cancelled, and the only way he could ensure a seat on the flight he had booked home was to make another return booking. But, determined to recoup his fare, James took Iberia to the small claims court in 2017, representing himself at the hearing. He used the Consumer Rights Act 2015, a European Directive, to argue that the airline was wrong to keep the money he had paid for his return fare. The deputy district judge ruled in his favour, and Iberia was asked to pay him 178.53 the cost of the Madrid to London flight along with court costs and loss of earnings. Iberia wouldn't comment on Mr Dove's case, but says return flights are not currently cancelled if a passenger doesn't show for their first leg. Emirates and Flybe say they will protect return flights if passengers contact them after missing a flight. As will BA, 'if a customer has a genuine reason'. Virgin says it will honour return journeys for reasons beyond a passenger's control, if they contact them, and Singapore Airlines says it will try and rebook passengers on the next available flights if they do the same. American Airlines says non-refundable ticket holders who contact them to say they've missed a flight would still need to pay a change fee. Air France and KLM say customers will still be charged a fee, even if they call up, in line with their conditions. f.parker@dailymail.co.uk Purplebricks founder and chief executive Michael Bruce has exited the online estate agent as it revealed it is axing its Australia business and putting its US operation under review. The triple whammy of major changes has knocked investor confidence in the company, with shares falling nearly 6 per cent to 127p on Tuesday morning. Bruce has stepped away from Purplebricks with immediate effect, just months after shares in the firm tumbled when it cut revenue guidance and announced the departure of the bosses of its UK and US units. Founder and chief executive Michael Bruce has exited Purplebricks The company's chief operating officer Vic Darvey is stepping up to replace Bruce. The 'increasingly challenging' conditions in Australia combined with 'execution errors', have meant returns being generated by the company down under are 'not sufficient to justify continued investment'. It will now commence an 'orderly run down' culminating in full closure. There are mounting concerns over the housing market in Australia, with fears it is in a bubble about to pop holding back activity. In the US, Purplebricks is not throwing in the towel but has put its operations under review after disappointing performance. The firm said: 'Whilst good progress has been made in launching our brand across the US, the board has materially cut investment in marketing and other overheads to reduce expenditure to sustainable levels and begun a strategic review.' The company added that there has been a 'slower-than-expected response' to its marketing initiative and it does not expect US revenue to meet expectations. To compound matters, last month analysts downgraded the online estate agent and said it would have to raise fresh cash. A housing development in Australian city Sydney, a market Purplebricks is getting out of Purplebricks confirmed that it expects revenue to be between 130million and 140million as guided in February, and its cash balance will be no lower than 62million. Chairman Paul Pindar took the opportunity to acknowledge the firm has made mistakes. 'We are very conscious that the group's performance has been disappointing over the last 12 months and we sincerely apologise to shareholders for that,' he said. 'With hindsight, our rate of geographic expansion was too rapid and as a result the quality of execution has suffered.' 'We have also made sub-optimal decisions in allocating capital. We will learn from these errors and will not make them again.' Millions of workers who save in line with the minimum contribution rate provided by the Government will retire with little over 300 a month on top of their state pension. Exclusive research for Money Mail reveals how workers who save the suggested minimum portion of their salary towards retirement during their working lives will fall woefully short of the amount they need. The ground-breaking auto-enrolment initiative, which collects pension contributions from workers' salaries and their employers, has been credited with kick-starting widespread saving for retirement. Pension pitrfall: Workers who save the suggested minimum portion of their salary towards retirement during their working lives will fall woefully short of the amount they need But experts fear households who follow the Government's new guidelines and pay 5 per cent of salary into a workplace scheme, topped up by a further 3 per cent from their employer, could mistakenly believe they are saving enough. In order to retire on an income that comes even close to their current salary, they would need to put aside hundreds of pounds more a month. Insurer Royal London's analysis, based on income received from an annuity, shows just how little people who save the minimum contribution of 8 per cent will have to live on. A 25-year-old with a starting salary of 23,500 that grows by 2.5 per cent a year will build a fund of 104,800 by the age of 65. This would pay out 3,800 a year or 316 a month. Combined with your state pension of around 730 a month you would have 1,046 a month to live on. A 45-year old earning 35,000, growing at the same rate, would build up a fund of 65,600 if they retire at 65. The fund would pay out 2,400 a year or 200 a month. While an annuity provides a guaranteed payment until you die, you may be able to take a larger income from your pot through a drawdown pension. Helen Morrissey, pension expert at Royal London, says: 'It is brilliant we are saving more but the Government's latest increase to the minimum workplace pension contributions could make people feel they are already saving for a comfortable retirement. There is a real danger of a generation of workers sleepwalking into retirement poverty.' More than ten million workers pay in to an auto-enrolment pension scheme, a Government initiative launched in 2012 to encourage people to save for their retirement, according to Royal London. The scheme has been more successful than expected, with only around 9 per cent of workers choosing to opt out. The amount you and your employer contribute to your workplace pension increased on April 6. Employees' contributions rose from 3 per cent to 5 per cent while your employer now has to chip in 3 per cent, up from 2 per cent. You must earn 10,000 or more to qualify for auto-enrolment. A 25-year-old with a starting salary of 23,500 that grows by 2.5 per cent a year will build a fund of 104,800 by the age of 65. This would pay out 3,800 a year or 316 a month But not all your salary is taken into account. The first 6,032 you earn does not qualify. So on 20,000, only 13,698 is used to calculate your pension contributions. And any earnings over 46,350 are also discounted from the scheme. Former Pensions Minister Baroness Altmann says: 'It is hugely worrying that people are not putting enough money aside now for their retirement, only to regret it later. The minimum recommended contribution is exactly that, a minimum 'It is concerning that people think they are being advised by the Government that this is enough to retire on. 'Auto-enrolment is just there to kick start people's retirement savings.' If you want to retire on 25,000 a year, you should receive 8,767 in state pension to start with. You will then need to build up a pension pot of 441,900 to provide the remaining 16,233. To do this, a 25-year old would need to save 660 a month. While someone aged 45 would need to save 1,570 a month. In reality, many households will no longer be repaying a mortgage, saving for retirement or paying to travel to work, so could retire on two thirds of their pre-retirement salary without seeing a drop in their living standards. But as the proportion of people renting is now neck and neck with those who are homeowners, a growing number of people will be still be paying towards the cost of their housing in retirement. According to Royal London, people should aim to save around 14 per cent of their salary towards a pension. Ms Morrissey advises workers to find out the maximum their employer will contribute. 'Some companies will match your contributions if you increase them which is a great incentive to save more,' she says. Another way to increase savings without feeling the pinch is to wait until you receive a pay rise. By putting the increase in your pension you will not miss what you never had. A DWP spokesman says: 'Current contribution rates are designed to balance bringing people into saving with affordability for both savers and employers, and the recent increase to the minimum contribution rate will help people to save more.' The Government will keep minimum contribution rates under review. s.partington@dailymail.co.uk Every year, Muslims across the world observe the holy month of Ramadan, where they fast for 30 days. Muslims spend the day fasting from sunrise to sunset, when they are allowed to tuck into their first meal, Iftar. Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam and is considered a mandatory act to all Muslims. The five pillars of Islam are mandatory to Muslims as it is a way to live a good and responsible life in Islam. Here, Daily Mail Australia explains the ins-and-outs of Ramadan, everything from food, sex and how women's menstruation changes the holy month. Every year for a month, Muslims across the world observe the holy month of Ramadan, where they fast for 30 days (pictured at Eid-Al-Fitr prayers) One of the five pillars of Islam is fasting during Ramadan. Prayer is another pillar of Islam which should be observed during the holy month When does Ramadan begin and how long does it go for? Muslims count on the crescent moon sighting to determine the beginning of the holy month. Each year Ramadan begins and ends on a different day. This year it started on May 6th. Ramadan is observed for 30 days each year. Why does Ramadan fall in different seasons around the world? Due to the northern and southern hemisphere, Muslims around the world fast either in winter or summer. Australian's have been fasting during the winter months for the past few years. Fasting is also shorter. However, those in the northern hempishere have been fasting during the summer time which means longer fasting hours. In addition to that, because Ramadan falls on a different day each year based on the Islamic calendar, eventually, those in the northern hemisphere will eventually observe Ramadan in winter and vice versa. Muslims count on the crescent moon sighting to determine the beginning of the holy month What are the five pillars of Islam? 1. Shahadah - which is your procalmation that there is No God but Allah and Muhammad is his messenger. 2. Salat - which is to pray five times a day. 3. Zakat - Muslims are encouraged to help the poor by paying a charity tax. 4. Sawm, which is the fasting during Ramadan. 5. Hajj - the pilgrimage to Mecca Advertisement What do Muslims do during Ramadan? Muslims are required to fast from dawn to sunset. They are allowed to eat a meal before dawn which is known as suhoor. Throughout the day, Muslims are to obstain from food, drinks, backbiting, swearing, and sexual activities. As soon as the sunsets, Muslims observing prayer break their fast (iftar). Following the actions of the Prophet, Muslims are encouraged to break their fast on dates. What is prohibited by a fasting individual in Ramadan? Everything a fasting individual performs is allowed only during the non-fasting hours. Sex for example is prohibited when fasting. Once the fast is broken, sex is allowed to be performed. As soon as the sunsets, Muslims observing prayer break their fast (iftar). When Muslims break their fast they are encouraged to start off with dates (pictured) just like Prophet Muhammad What is the most common question fasting Muslims are asked? 'Not even water?' 'Yes. Not even water.' What is Laylat al-Qadr (night of decree)? Laylat al-Qadr is considered to be the holiest night of the Islamic year and occurs during Ramadan. The night of decree falls in the last 10 days of Ramadan. It is the night where Muslims commemorate the first revelation of the holy Quran was sent down to Prophet Muhammad. Who is able to fast? Fasting becomes compulsory for Muslims when they reach puberty. However, some individuals are unable to fast due to disabilities, illness, old age, or pregnancy. Women who are menstruating are not allowed to fast because it is seen as making the woman impure for ritual purposes. What is Eid? Eid-Al-Fitr marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan. Muslims gather with family and friends to celebrate the three day event with a large feast (or two). Older relatives gift children with money or new clothing. Laylat al-Qadr is the night where Muslims commemorate the first revelation of the holy Quran was sent down to Prophet Muhammad Roger Ng, who was arrested in Malaysia in November, appeared in federal court in Brooklyn on Monday after his extradition to the United States A former Goldman Sachs executive accused in the alleged multibillion-dollar ransacking of a Malaysian state investment fund was extradited to the U.S. and had his initial court appearance Monday in New York City. Roger Ng, who was arrested in Malaysia in November, pleaded not guilty and was released on $1million cash bail. The court ordered him placed on home detention and electronic monitoring while he awaits trial on money laundering and other charges. Ng's defense attorney, Marc Agnifilo, said outside the federal courthouse in Brooklyn that Ng intends to 'fight the case.' 'I'm happy he's here. I'm happy he's safe,' Agnifilo said. 'I'm happy he's no longer in the jail that he was in in Malaysia.' Malaysian and U.S. prosecutors allege that bond sales organized by Goldman Sachs for the 1MDB investment fund provided a way for associates of Malaysian ex-leader Najib Razak to steal and launder billions over several years. Najib set up 1MDB when he took power in 2009, ostensibly to accelerate Malaysia's economic development, but the fund amassed billions in debts and is being investigated in the U.S. and several other countries for alleged cross-border embezzlement and money laundering. Ng, a former executive with investment giant Goldman Sachs, is seen left with his attorney, Marc Agnifilo, outside Brooklyn federal court on Monday Embezzlement from the fund became a political scandal in Malaysia, with money spent on jewels, art and other luxury items, and to finance the 2013 Leonardo DiCaprio film The Wolf of Wall Street and other Hollywood productions. Ng has been charged in both countries. His former supervisor at Goldman Sachs, Tim Leissner, pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy and conspiring to violate foreign bribery laws. Malaysian financier Low Taek Jho, identified by the U.S. as a mastermind of the 1MDB fraud, has also been charged but remains at large. Malaysia's attorney general, Tommy Thomas, said in a statement that following negotiations, Malaysia agreed to surrender Ng to the U.S. on May 3 for 10 months so that the U.S. prosecution can proceed first. U.S. and Malaysian authorities suspect Najib Razak, the former prime minister of Malaysia, used an investment fund to steal and launder billions of dollars Thomas said Ng will be returned to Malaysia to face charges as soon as the U.S. proceedings are over. 'The period of temporary surrender may be extended upon mutual agreement by Malaysia and the U.S.,' Thomas added. The scandal helped precipitate Najib's ouster in a historic election defeat last May. Najib himself is facing corruption charges linked to 1MDB but denies any wrongdoing. Malaysia's current government has also filed criminal charges against Goldman Sachs, Ng and another former executive, Tim Leissner, and is seeking $7.5billion in compensation from the bank. The Connecticut medical examiner says the woman who authorities say was stuffed into a suitcase and left for dead by her illegal immigrant ex-boyfriend along a road in February had suffocated. The office confirmed Monday that homicidal asphyxia was the cause of death of 24-year-old Valerie Reyes, of New Rochelle, New York. The office did not say whether she died before she was in the suitcase. Her body was found by Greenwich town employees February 5. She had been reported missing by her family six days prior. Her ex-boyfriend, Javier Da Silva Rojas, of New York City, is being held on a federal charge of kidnapping resulting in death. Police found the body of Valerie Reyes, 24, of New Rochelle, New York, stuffed in a suitcase that was dumped on the side of a Connecticut road in February Javier Enrique Da Silva Rojas (left), Reyes' (right) ex-boyfriend, has been charged with kidnapping resulting in death If convicted, he could face the death penalty. His attorneys haven't commented, but he told police after his arrest that Reyes died when she hit her head and fell while the couple was having sex. Rojas allegedly admitted to binding her hands and feet, putting packing tape over her mouth, forcing her body into a case and abandoning it on the side of a road in Greenwich, Connecticut. US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials revealed earlier this year that Rojas is a citizen of Portugal who has been in the U.S. illegally for more than a year. He reportedly entered the U.S. on May 8, 2017, through the Visa Waiver Program and was required to leave by August 5, 2017. In February, ICE filed a detainer for Rojas, meaning he will be deported immediately after his criminal case is complete and any sentence is served. The Visa Waiver Program allows citizens from 38 countries to travel to the U.S. for tourism or business for up to 90 days without a visa. Of the nearly 22.5 million people who entered the U.S. under the program and were supposed to leave in the 2017 fiscal year, about 131,000 remained in the country illegally, according to the Department of Homeland Security. Rojas allegedly admitted to binding her hands and feet, putting packing tape over her mouth, forcing her body into a case and abandoning it on the side of a road in Greenwich, Connecticut Rojas, who was staying in Queens, was taken into custody on February 11 after police say he tried to use Reyes' bank card to withdraw $1,000 from an ATM. The arrest followed the police investigation of multiple crime scenes, reviewing hundreds of hours of surveillance footage, and interviews multiple potential witnesses. 'New Rochelle Police Detectives accompanied by Greenwich Police Detectives, arrested a suspect in New York who had fraudulently used the ATM card of homicide victim Valerie Reyes,' the statement said. 'The arrested individual is also believed to be involved in the death of Valerie. 'We are confident that the pursuit of justice for Valerie will be successful and we continue to work with the family to provide closure to this tragedy.' Reyes was reported missing on January 30 when she failed to turn up for work, before her body was found on February 5. Her body had reportedly been dumped by Rojas a week before she went missing, though her mother told police that the pair hadn't been seeing each other for a year. She is believed to have been killed at her home. The victim predicted her murder, telling her mother, Norma Sanchez, on the phone that she feared she'd be killed on January 28, a day before she disappeared. Reyes' friends and family gathered at her funeral in Rye, New York on February 13 'She was very scared, very frightened,' Sanchez told The Journal News. 'She didn't mention anything or no one specific. She just said, 'I'm scared. I'm paranoid, mommy. I'm getting anxiety attacks, She was having a hard time talking.' Sanchez says she desperately tried to pry for more information, but her daughter refused to specify why she felt that way. Reyes, a Barnes & Noble store clerk, had broken up with her boyfriend five days earlier, according to Sanchez. 'I asked her why do you feel this way? Was there someone at your house?' Reyes' mother said. She asked about her daughter's ex-boyfriend but still Reyes told her mother 'no, it wasn't him'. Reyes did however reveal that she didn't feel safe alone in her apartment, and expressed her concern at the murders of young women in the state. 'I'm worried someone is going to murder me,' Reyes then allegedly blurted out. Her body was discovered six days later in a red suitcase on the side of a road in a wooded area of wealthy neighborhood Greenwich, Connecticut. It's 10 miles away from the New York border of her Westchester County home. A special prosecutor in Virginia said Monday that he's presented two indictments of election fraud against someone who worked on a failed re-election campaign for a Republican congressman last year. Lauren Creekmore Peabody, a former aide to Republican ex-Congressman Scott Taylor, was indicted on Monday for allegedly taking part in a scheme to forge voter signatures to place a third-party 'spoiler' candidate on November' ballot. Special prosecutor Donald Caldwell said his investigation into Taylor's 2018 campaign in Virginia's 2nd Congressional District is still ongoing. Caldwell released a lengthy statement that offered fresh details on a months-old ballot-fraud scandal that clouded, if not doomed, Taylor's bid for a second term in the district along Virginia's coast. The scandal started after some of Taylor's campaign staffers were accused last summer of forging voter signatures to place a third-party 'spoiler candidate' on November's ballot. A staffer who worked for former Congressman Scott Taylor (seen above) has been indicted for election fraud, a special prosecutor in Virginia said The strategy was widely viewed as an effort to draw votes away from Taylor's Democratic opponent, now a congresswoman, who had the backing of national Democrats. Taylor was a rising political star with a seat on the House Appropriations Committee. The freshman congressman was also a former Navy SEAL in a district with the world's largest Navy base and a heavy population of veterans. Taylor was being challenged by Elaine Luria, a former Navy commander who also had some momentum from the so-called blue wave against President Donald Trump. The third-party candidate was Shaun Brown, a former Democrat who had lost to Taylor during his first run in 2016. A judge ultimately removed Brown from the ballot after Democrats sued. The judge overseeing the lawsuit said there was evidence of 'out-and-out' fraud by Taylor's staffers. Caldwell, the Commonwealth's Attorney for the city of Roanoke, was appointed to be special counsel for a criminal investigation. The statement he released Monday did not name the person who was indicted. But Virginia Beach Circuit Court Clerk Tina Sinnen told The Virginian-Pilot newspaper that a grand jury indicted Peabody on two counts of false statements and election fraud. Sinnen said she didn't know if an arrest warrant for Peabody had been served. It's unclear if she has an attorney. Taylor has maintained that he was aware of the effort to get Brown on the ballot by his campaign staffers. But he said he knew nothing of any wrongdoing and fired campaign staff tied to the scandal. Caldwell's statement does not implicate Taylor of any wrongdoing. '(T)here does not appear to have been a directive or an expectation that these petitions would be circulated in violation of Virginia law,' Caldwell wrote. But Caldwell added: 'What actually happened within the campaign headquarters is still a subject of investigation due primarily to the lack of cooperation of key individuals with the (Virginia State Police) investigator.' Taylor released a statement that said Caldwell's news release 'makes it concretely clear, as I have maintained all along, I knew nothing about any illegal actions that transpired.' Taylor also lashed out at Democrats, saying they falsely claimed he was under investigation during the campaign. Luria won the race by a little more than 2 percentage points. 'Today serves as a complete repudiation of the smears and lies leveled against me in the campaign last year,' Taylor said. Caldwell wrote that the indictments against the campaign staffer for election fraud 'are supported by proof beyond a reasonable doubt.' But he said: 'Whether a judge or jury agrees with my assessment will be answered in the future.' Police say a man just identified as the killer of an Indiana State University student whose body was found bound and gagged in the trunk of her car in 1972 was killed in a shootout with police six years later. Terre Haute police chief Shawn Keen said Monday that a DNA sample from a son of Jeffrey Lynn Hand was used to connect him to the killing of 19-year-old Pamela Milam. Milam's body was found in the trunk of her car on Sept. 1, 1972. She had been bound and gagged. An autopsy determined she died of strangulation. Pamela Milam, 19, was found dead in the trunk of her car in September 1972 Milam was a sophomore at Indiana State University when she was killed. Her car is seen above Keen says Hand, then 23, didn't live in the Terre Haute area but made deliveries for a record company and likely cruised the Indiana State University campus when work brought him to the city. Keen says Hand died in 1978 in a shootout with police during an attempted abduction elsewhere in Indiana. Seven weeks after the murder, police arrested Robert Wayne Austin, who was suspected of a number of abductions and attempted abductions of women on campus, according to WTHR-TV. Austin allegedly abducted female students, sexually assaulted them, and then returned them to campus. Even though he was convicted for other abductions, Austin denied any involvement in the Milam case. In 2001, Indiana State Police ran tests of a stain found on Milam's blouse. But the tests did not connect Austin, nor did they turn up a match. Police also found a fingerprint on Milam's glasses, but that also did not match Austin. Police said a DNA sample from a son of Jeffrey Lynn Hand (above) was used to connect him to Milam's killing In 2017, Indiana State Police labs were able to use advanced DNA testing which found that the suspect had brown hair, brown eyes and medium complexion. Police then used the information to create a composite sketch. The DNA was then submitted to genealogy companies, who were able to narrow down potential matches to two families. Investigators then combed over the family trees and identified the most likely suspect, Hand. The image above shows the blouse Milam was wearing at the time of her death. A stain on the blouse was tested for DNA Police learned that Hand had lived in Terre Haute in 1970 and 1971. The next year, he went to work for the record company in Illinois and made deliveries to the area - the same year that Milam was killed. In 1973, Hand was arrested for picking up a hitchhiking couple and the killing the husband. He was found not guilty by reason of insanity. In 1978, a police office in Kokomo, Indiana witnessed Hand trying to abduct a woman. The officer then engaged Hand, who shot him. Another officer nearby then shot and killed Hand. 'I never thought we would get to this day,' said Charleen Sanford, Pamela's older sister. 'Pamela was taken from us by one of the cruelest methods possible. 'The pain of losing a child, a beloved sister, a friend never goes away.' Muslims suffer more violent abuse than any other faith in Australia, a four-year study has found. Professor Anna Hickey-Moody, from RMIT University, said she was disturbed to learn of the violent incidents Muslim Australians encountered during her research on religious communities in Australia. 'The mosque [where] I spent most of the week in Adelaide has had young men, white men, driving around the mosque in a car with the windows rolled down pretending to shoot it. I mean, that's terrifying,' she told the ABC. 'No other religion has [had its adherents] experience acts of violence on an individual basis but this has been consistent in Australia with the Muslim research participants.' Muslims suffer from more individual experiences of abuse than any other faith in Australia The Interfaith Childhoods Project is a four-year study examining six cities across Australia and the UK. The project began in 2016 and 340 people from communities in Sydney, Adelaide, Canberra, Melbourne, London and Manchester have already been interviewed. Professor Hickey-Moody said she was in 'disbelief' speaking to a Muslim mother who recalled the moment someone drove past and pretended to shoot her with their fingers presented like a gun. The woman explained she was experiencing complications as a mother, torn between raising her daughter to have a religious life but fearful that life could lead to vulnerability. Another participant, from Adelaide, told Professor Hickey-Moody she was in town in Adelaide with her sister when they noticed an elderly lady struggling to cross a road with her walking frame. The two sisters went to help the woman but were met with verbal abuse. Professor Hickey-Moody said she was in 'disbelief' speaking to a Muslim mother who recalled the moment someone drove past and pretended to shoot her with their fingers presented like a gun The elderly woman told them to get their hands away before telling them to 'get back where you came from'. The researchers found the experiences of violence towards Muslims was the most distressing in Adelaide. 'It has a less multicultural community, it's a less international community, and I think there's not the kind of cosmopolitan consciousness that requires understanding social difference,' Professor Hickey-Moody said. One female participant in Adelaide began to cry in her interview as she remembered the moment someone screamed in her face 'get out of here'. The research project brings together children and their parents to understand their experiences living in Australia. The children are told to create art (pictured) while their parents are questioned in an in-depth interview Another said her son was on the bus as it drove past a mosque and two male passengers said 'let's slay them all'. The research project brings together children and their parents to understand their community experiences living in Australia. The children are told to create art while their parents are questioned in an in-depth interview. The project, which was funded by the Australian Research Council, will be completed in 2020 and is the first study in Australia and the UK to create a large-scale public art program designed to discuss social values in different faiths. A teacher has denied allegations she punched, kicked and spat on students at a school, and claims a boy told her 'we don't like people who aren't Arabic'. The 58-year-old appeared in Liverpool Local Court on Monday and denied assaulting four students in April and May 2018 at a primary school in south-west Sydney, the Daily Telegraph reported. The woman, who can't be named for legal reasons, simply responded 'no' every time she was asked if she had punched, pushed, scratched or spat on the students. The 58-year-old teacher appeared in Liverpool Local Court (pictured) on Monday and denied punching, kicking and spitting on students in April and May 2018 at a primary school in south-west Sydney The alleged assaults occurred in a composite year three/four class during her four-week stint at the school. The woman told the court that on her first day at the school a boy asked her if she was Arabic. 'I remember thinking "what do I say?" And I said "no I'm not", and he said "we don't like people that aren't Arabic" and then he made a comment that I looked like Donald Trump,' she told the court. However, under cross-examination the teacher denied she felt the boy was being racist when he said she looked like Donald Trump and asked her if she was Arabic. Police prosecutor Sergeant Paul Bush suggested she wasn't prepared to uphold discipline in the classroom, which she denied. 'You were out of your depth and you got angry with those kids you couldn't control?,' he said. She went on to claim that students would throw balls at other children in the class, and that one girl fled the room. The teacher told the court that on her first day at the school a boy asked her if she was Arabic and said she looked like Donald Trump (stock image) Four students have given evidence, with one boy comparing the teacher to the strict headmistress Miss Trunchbull from the Roald Dahl book and subsequent movie Matilda, who swung kids by their hair. He also told the court that the teacher pushed him hard into a wall and whispered profanities in his ear. An eight-year-old girl had previously told the hearing the woman punched her in the shoulder, and she's also accused of scratching a boy's back and spitting on another student. Australian taxpayers may have to fork out millions to buy the land where the Sari Club once stood after the owners demanded compensation for lost income. The site in Kuta has remained vacant for most of the 17 years since a car bomb destroyed the Sari Club in October 2002, minutes after another bomb exploded at the nearby Paddy's Bar, with 202 people killed in total. Plans to redevelop the site with a five-storey restaurant complex were shelved in favour of a memorial 'Peace Park' last week after PM Scott Morrison intervened. Mr Morrison met with members of the Bali Peace Park Association to put a stop to redevelopment, and he and Bill Shorten promised to help finance a memorial. A tourist walks in front of the former Sari Club, the 2002 Bali bombing blast site in Kuta, Bali, Indonesia, 26 April 2019 Plans to redevelop the site with a five-storey restaurant complex were shelved in favour of a memorial 'Peace Park' (pictured) last week after PM Scott Morrison intervened But a new demand for millions of extra dollars from the site's owner, Sukamto Tjia, may jeopardise the project, The Sydney Morning Herald reported. Bali Peace Park Association chairman David Napoli met with a representative for the owners on Monday, where they finally agreed on a sale price of about $4.9million. However, Mr Napoli said the owners have now demanded between five and ten million in compensation for the income they will lose if the restaurant isn't built. 'I am very reluctant to even entertain their claims for compensation for the potential of lost income,' Mr Napoli said. When Mr Napoli met with Mr Morrison last week, he said the PM indicated to him the Australian government was prepared to cover the shortfall to buy the land. The association has raised close to as million dollars since it was established, and the federal and state governments have promised close to another million dollars. Members of the Australian forensic team investigate the site of Saturday's nightclub bombing in Kuta, Bali, on October 16, 2002. The owners' offer to sell the land, rather than go ahead with a restaurant development, was made after a meeting in Bali with members of the Bali Peace Park Association. The land owners say they want compensation for loss of future business on top of the sale of the site. Demands for more money could mean the Australian government may have to spend several millions more - before factoring in compensation claims - to build the memorial. A Bali Peace Park Association spokesperson said he was disappointed and 'not optimistic'. The Australia-based association represents survivors of the bombings. Bali Governor Wayan Koster had offered the land owners an alternative site about 1.5km away in exchange for the Sari Club plot, allowing it to be turned into a long-planned memorial park. The wreckage of the Sari night club and surrounding buildings are seen in this aerial view Scott Morrison slammed plans to redevelop the Sari club site, where a bomb killed 88 Australians in 2002 The governor's offer was to Mr Tjia, who has owned the site in Kuta since 1997. He said he had been open to selling the land to the Bali Peace Park Association but years of talks went nowhere and he had decided to develop the site. Mr Morrison has criticised the decision by Indonesian authorities to approve the five-storey development, describing it as 'deeply distressing'. He said the Australian government had provided support and funding to establish a peace park on the site. 'The Australian Government will continue to work with the Indonesian authorities to seek to resolve this issue and ensure the memories and families of all those who were murdered in that shocking terrorist attack are properly respected,' Mr Morrison tweeted. Billionaire pub baron Justin Hemmes hosted senior Liberal Party figures at his Sydney mansion on Monday night in a fundraiser for their election campaign. The 45-year-old held a cocktail party at his sprawling residence known as The Hermitage in the exclusive eastern Sydney suburb of Vaucluse. Wealthy attendees reportedly forked out $3,300 each to be there - and a select few paid $13,750 to have dinner with Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who arrived at 6pm. Sydney pub baron Justin Hemmes (pictured with former partner Kate Fowler) hosted senior Liberal Party figures at his Sydney mansion on Monday night in a fundraiser for their election campaign The 45-year-old held a cocktail party at his sprawling residence (pictured) known as The Hermitage in Vaucluse, Sydney Accompanying their leader were several senior Liberals including party president Nick Greiner, Communications Minister Mitch Fifield and Small Business Minister Michaelia Cash. Social Services Minister Paul Fletcher and Trade Minister Simon Birmingham also made an appearance, according to the Sydney Morning Herald. Prominent Liberal Party supporters who attended included Seven West executive Bruce McWilliam and PremierState lobbyist Michael Photios. Also chipping in to the Liberal Party coffers were SCG Trust and Western Sydney Giants chairman Tony Shepherd and members of construction tycoon Tony Sukkar's family. Pub and hotel owner Mr Hemmes has hosted fundraisers for the Liberal Party several times before. He is the chief executive of his family's hospitality firm Merivale, which owns several pubs and hotels in Sydney, including The Ivy, Coogee Pavilion and Newport Arms. Accompanying their leader were several senior Liberals including party president Nick Greiner (pictured with his partner Carolyn Fletcher) Minister for Small Business Michaelia Cash (pictured in the Senate) was also at the function Social Services Minister Paul Fletcher and Trade Minister Simon Birmingham (pictured) also made an appearance Mr Hemmes has been in charge of the group since 1997 and is assisted by his sister Bettina, who is part owner of the empire started by his father, John Hemmes. John named the company after his wife. Mr Hemmes' fortune reached $1.05billion earlier this year. He came close to making the billionaire's list last year but his fortune fell short at an estimated $951million in May. His net worth four years ago was estimated at $200million. Mr Hemmes has been dubbed one of Australia's most eligible bachelors after the businessman split from the mother of his two children, Kate Fowler, last year. Earlier this month, he denied reports he was seeing model Montana Cox. A woman was sexually assaulted by two robbers at her home in Queens as seven other women were held hostage in a bedroom by a third accomplice. Video shows one of the suspects bursting into a home wielding a black handgun just as the 34-year-old victim was on her way out on Saturday around 9.30pm. The robbers forced the seven other women, including the victim's 54-year-old mother, a child and a nanny, into a bedroom. Two of the suspects, one who was wearing a black mask, then assaulted the woman separately and forced her to go around the apartment retrieving any cash stored there. Police are searching for three armed robbers caught on video breaking into a woman's home in Queens, New York, on Saturday night. Two of the robbers allegedly sexually assaulted the 34-year-old victim while a third suspect held seven other women hostage in a bedroom Authorities are now searching for the assailants, who are believed to be strangers. Two of them are seen entering the apartment in video released by the NYPD The three men ultimately fled the scene with more than $8,000. They were driving two cars: a light-colored four-door sedan and a light-colored Mercedes Benz E-Class. The victim was taken to a hospital and is said to be in stable condition. Investigators believe the assailants were strangers and have not released any additional descriptions of them. Police are offering a $2,500 award for information leading to an arrest, which can be called in to 1-800-577-TIPS. Police say the robbers pocketed some $8,000 and fled the scene in two separate vehicles, one of which was the light-colored four-door sedan seen above Game of Thrones has dominated conversations ever since it returned to our television screens, yet on Sunday it was a stray coffee cup that got everyone talking. But HBO has been taking the rogue Starbucks container in its stride, joking that Emilia Clarke's character Daenerys Targaryen had gotten thirsty. 'The latte that appeared in the episode was a mistake,' the company said in a statement on Monday. 'Daenerys had ordered an herbal tea.' Game of Thrones has dominated conversations ever since it returned to our television screens, but on Sunday it was a stray coffee cup that got everyone talking But HBO has been taking the rogue Starbucks cup in stride, joking that Emilia Clarke's character Daenerys Targaryen had gotten thirsty and 'ordered an herbal tea' The stray coffee cup was spotted by eagle-eyed fans at the beginning of Sunday's episode on one of the long trestle-tables in Winterfell's Great Hall. While HBO joked that Daenerys was to blame for the stray cup, Game of Thrones superfans actually had a different suspect in mind. The internet sleuths stumbled across an Instagram photo of actresses Bella Ramsey and Sophie Turner on the set of the hit show. Both are dressed in costume for their characters Lyanna Mormont and Sansa Stark, but Turner is also clutching a Starbucks coffee cup. A Game of Thrones fan posted the photo to Reddit on Monday and claimed they had cracked the case of the rogue Starbucks cup. But Game of Thrones fans had a different culprit in mind after they spotted Sophie Turner holding a Starbucks up in a photo from the set of the show with actress Bella Ramsey They joked that Turner's character Sansa, a rival of Daenerys on the show, had placed the cup on the table for revenge. 'Starbucks cup mystery solved. Sansa is petty, the north remembers,' one person posted on Reddit alongside the photo. 'TFW you purposely leave your coffee cup in front of Dany knowing she'll get all the blame.' While the Starbucks cup has dominated conversation surrounding Sunday's episode, Game of Thrones art director Hauke Richter said he doesn't believe it was a big deal. They joked that Turner's character Sansa, a rival of Daenerys on the show, had placed the cup on the table for revenge 'Things can get forgotten on set,' he told Variety on Monday. '[The coffee cup has been] so blown out of proportion [because] it has not happened with Thrones so far.' But executive producer Bernadette Caulfield apologized for the gaffe and admitted she was shocked when she saw the cup. 'I can't believe it,' she told WYNC. 'Our on-set prop people and decorators are so on it one thousand percent. I just honestly can't, I'm like, is that really?' 'Because nowadays you can't believe what you see because people can put things into a photo that really doesn't exist. But I guess maybe it was there, I'm not sure. But, yeah. We're sorry!' The stray coffee cup was spotted by eagle-eyed fans at the start of Sunday's episode on one of the long trestle-tables in Winterfell's Great Hall 'Westeros was the first place to actually to have Starbucks, it's a little known fact,' she then quipped. Twitter users had a field day with the Starbucks gaffe, quickly taking to social media to both express their dismay and share hilarious memes making fun of it. 'So this is where we're at now! A Starbucks cup!' one fan exclaimed. 'If that's Dany's Starbucks coffee I feel bad for the barista who has to write her name on the cup...hand must be cramping,' another joked. Twitter users had a field day with the Starbucks gaffe after they spotted the cup on Sunday They filled social media with hilarious memes as they both expressed their dismay and poked fun at the mistake 'I missed the story arc where Dany discovers pumpkin spice lattes,' one user quipped. The blunder comes as season eight gears up for a dramatic climax at Kings Landing over the course of its final two episodes. With the dust settling on episode three's epic battle of Winterfell, during which a number of key characters were killed off, fans were left reeling by the brutal deaths of dragon Rhaegal and Daenerys' loyal servant Missandei on Sunday evening. The show concludes on May 19. A Russian Instagram model took her 270,000 Lamborghini covered in two million Swarovski crystals to a charity event in Bedford, parking on a yellow line. Daria Radionova arrived at the Sharnbrook hotel in the encrusted super car to the amazement of the locals. And the Instagram model clearly knows her Highway Code well as she confidently came to a stop on a yellow line outside the hotel. Daria Radionava parked her 270,000 Lamborghini Aventador on a yellow line outside a charity fundraiser The Russian Instagram model was attending a fundraiser for Rays of Sunshine which helps children with serious illnesses Radionova knowingly took full advantage of the Bank Holiday exemptions from the single yellow line parking restrictions. Crowds flocked to see the model stepping out of her dazzling Lamborghini Aventador at the charity event. The black super car, which before its modifications had a top speed of 217mph, was modified by a London company, Cars in Cloaks. Radionova boasts 144,000 followers on Instagram where she regularly updates her profile with photos of her glamorous lifestyle Her modified super car is bejewelled with two million Swarovski crystals which apparently took a team 700 hours to stick to the car A company spokesperson previously said: 'If Bruce Wayne was a girl this would be his car.' Radionova boasts 144,000 followers on Instagram where she regularly updates her profile with photos of her glamorous lifestyle. The Russian beauty was at a fundraiser for Rays of Sunshine today, a charity which helps children with serious or life-limiting illnesses. The parents of a teenage apprentice who was killed in a construction site accident are calling for tough new work safety laws, which they hope to name after their son. Patrizia and Rob Cassaniti lost their 18-year-old child Christopher after a 15-metre high tower of scaffolding fell on top of him at Macquarie Park, Sydney on April 1. Five weeks on, and the pair say they will push for changes to workplace safety in NSW in the name of their son. 'We have to continue our legacy for him, and try to bring in some kind of law, that everyone that goes to work, doesn't matter if it's white collar, blue collar, they should be feeling safe going to work,' Mrs Cassaniti told 7 News. 'We would like to call it Christopher's law.' The parents of a teenage apprentice who was killed in a construction site accident are calling for tough new work safety laws, which they hope to name after their son (pictured, Patrizia and Rob Cassaniti) Patrizia and Rob Cassaniti lost their 18-year-old child Christopher (pictured) after a 15-metre high tower of scaffolding fell on top of him at Macquarie Park, Sydney on April 1 The pair hope to bring in stringent industrial manslaughter laws, which could usher in tougher penalties such as jail time for employers. A similar law is practised in Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory, though not in NSW and Victoria. 'Everybody has the right to return home from work, we need to change the culture of the industry, of all industries,' Mr Cassaniti said. Labor has promised to push for uniform industrial manslaughter laws across the country in a bid to shore up workplace safety. In the meantime, Mr Cassaniti and his wife will meet with state-level and federal politicians over the coming weeks in an attempt to see the changes come through. Only at the start of the month, Mrs Cassaniti led a Union Day March in Sydney calling for changes to the workplace. 'I'm taking a stand for Christopher and I'm here to help change the rules and I promise you, to continue until it's done.' She spoke of her heartache of having her son taken away from her, who had only turned 18 days before he was killed. At the time, she had been serving coffee from a van close by the site. Only at the start of the month, Mrs Cassaniti led a Union Day March in Sydney calling for changes to the workplace Industrial manslaughter laws An employer who is proven to be negligent and to have caused a workplace death could face tough penalties. On top of 20 years imprisonment, they could also be slapped with a $10 million fine. Under existing laws in Queensland and the ACT, an employer can be found to be negligent if they: breach their duty of care or they knew of a breach, which would lead to a significant risk of harm to their employee. Advertisement Frantic tradesmen tried to rescue the 18-year-old and another trapped colleague from the pile of twisted metal, but only managed to save his 39-year-old co-worker. Mr Cassaniti was declared dead at the scene and his colleague is still recovering after sustaining injuries to his lower body. Construction company Ganellen released a statement last month saying it was rocked by the turn of events. Speculation has mounted as to what caused the collapse. Daily Mail Australia does not suggest that either Ganellen or Synergy Scaffolding were negligent or in breach of their duty of care. Ganellen along with Synergy Scaffolding and witnesses at the scene have given statements to police and Safework as an investigation into the accident continues. Mr Cassaniti was declared dead at the scene and his colleague is still recovering after sustaining injuries to his lower body (pictured, Christopher Cassaniti celebrated his milestone birthday with proud parents Patrizia and Rob) An Antarctic cold front is set to bring an icy chill right across Australia - with temperatures up to 10C lower than average. Two cold fronts will make their way across New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania this week, and their effects are expected to linger well into the weekend. Rain, storms, hail and even snow in some places are expected as winter begins to settle in - with Canberra tipped to dip below freezing on the weekend. The first cold front will bring strong winds, rain, and storms to South Australia early on Tuesday before hitting Victoria in the evening. The second, stronger cold front will move from Antarctica towards Tasmania and then Victoria and South Australia on Thursday, slowly making its way north. An Antarctic cold front is set to bring an icy chill right across Australia - with temperatures as much as 10C lower than average (stock image) Two cold fronts will make their way across New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania this week (stock image) Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Sarah Scully said the chill is expected to blanket most of the continent. 'Very cold air mass is moving from the Antarctic right over the country,' Ms Scully said. 'Temperatures will be 8 to 10C lower than the average, even in the Northern Territory and Queensland. 'It's a cold snap affecting the whole country, it's a big one. The effects will be felt right into the weekend.' The stronger cold front will bring snow to Victoria at elevations above 800m. Up to 20cm of snow is expected to fall at ski resorts in the alps on the border of NSW and Victoria. Up to 20cm of snow is expected to fall at ski resorts in the alps on the border of NSW and Victoria (stock image) Sydney will have a high of 23C on Tuesday with clear skies before temperatures steadily drop throughout the week, with a low of 9C expected on Sunday. Melbourne will reach 19C with showers later in the evening on Tuesday. Temperatures will fall to a low of 8C on Friday and Saturday. Brisbane has an expected high of 26C on Tuesday and will also fall to a low of 9C on the weekend. Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Sarah Scully said the chill (in blue) is expected to blanket most of the continent Perth will reach 22C with clear skies and light winds on Tuesday. The city has an expected low of 6C on Thursday. Adelaide has a high chance of rain and thunderstorms on Tuesday afternoon, with winds of up to 45km/h. In Canberra, a high of 17C on Tuesday will be followed by increasingly chillier temperatures, with a low of 1C expected on Thursday and -1C on Saturday and Sunday. They were airlifted to hospital but are no longer in a life-threatening condition he trio - two aged 19 and one 18 - tried to get into event in Porthleven, Cornwall Three teenage boys who fell 70ft while trying to climb into a clifftop music festival are no longer in a life-threatening condition, police said yesterday. The trio - two aged 19 and one 18 - sustained multiple serious injuries and had to be airlifted to hospital after trying to scale the cliffs near the Cornish fishing village of Porthleven to get into the Masked Ball event. Their injuries were initially thought to be life-threatening but police said yesterday that this was no longer the case. The trio - two aged 19 and one 18 - sustained multiple serious injuries and had to be airlifted to hospital after trying to scale the cliffs. It is believed they were trying to get into the Masked Ball event Tara Trethowan, a friend of one of the teenagers, said they were all in a really bad way. She described one of the young men as a lovely kind lad with a loving family who are beside themselves with worry about his injuries. The three men were not wearing festival wristbands, and a source from the event said it was understood they had been attempting to sneak in without paying the 60 entrance fee. Theres no way they had been inside the festival then left and fell, they said. We think they were trying to sneak in, perhaps under the fences. Wed done everything we could to make this as safe as possible. Im really glad theyre no longer critical - its a really steep drop and very rocky. Police are pictured at the scene after three men were injured falling down the cliff face. The event, in its 11th year, is held in the quintessentially Cornish fishing village and features top flight dance talent music across three days We were not sold out so they could have easily just bought tickets and come through the front. Its a really stupid thing to do, but we all tried stupid things when we were that age. One of the young men was able to phone for help after the fall, shortly after midnight on Sunday morning, and all three were airlifted to Derriford Hospital in Plymouth. Inspector Matt Setchell, based in St Austell, asked for witnesses to come forward, adding: Initial inquiries suggest that the men have fallen around 70ft from the cliffs into the cove below. We are continuing to carry out enquires to establish how they came to be on the cliff and the circumstances surrounding incident. All three males were airlifted to hospital where they remain in a serious condition. Our thoughts are with the three men, and their families and friends at this difficult time. The three-day Masked Ball takes place on a clifftop looking out onto the Celtic Sea and is described as an immersive, multi-level party kingdom. The event, in its 11th year, is held in the quintessentially Cornish fishing village and features top flight dance talent music across three days. A spokesman from Masked Ball said: The Masked Ball is aware of an incident that took place last night around midnight near the site involving three casualties. Our thoughts are with those people and we are determining further details surrounding the incident with the relevant authorities. Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, who worked on President Donald Trump's inaugural committee and served as an adviser to first lady Melania Trump, on Monday slammed reports she was fired from her White House position. Winston Wolkoff, who previously helped organize the Met Gala, also was revealed to be speaking to federal prosecutors about donations to the president's inauguration. She snapped back at the allegations from more than a year ago that she was forced out of the Trump White House because she profited from her role on Trump's inaugural committee. Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, a former adviser to Melania Trump, slammed reports she was fired from the White House more than a year after it happened Federal prosecutors are examining donations to President Donald Trump's inauguration committee 'Was I fired? No,' Winston Wolkoff said in a statement to The New York Times. 'Did I personally receive $26 million or $1.6 million? No. Was I thrown under the bus? Yes.' Winston Wolkoff served as an informal, unpaid adviser to Melania Trump in the East Wing of the White House until February 2018 when she left the position amid controversy. She was in the news at the time after reports showed that her firm, WIS Media Partners, received a $26 million payment for its work on the inaugural. The firm in turn spent $24 million on subcontractors, a person familiar with the inaugural planning told DailyMail.com at the time. The source said Winston Wolkoff provided 'the whole look and feel the creative vision' for 18 or 20 inaugural events. Her personal take from Trump's inaugural committee was reported to be $1.62 million although later reports showed she received about $500,000 personally while the rest went to other producers working on the event. According to the committee's tax filings, Wolkoff's WIS Media Partners was formed 45 days before the inauguration and got paid the most of any vendor for its work. In the meantime, Winston Wolkoff's lawyer told inaugural committee officials that she has been cooperating with federal prosecutors in Manhattan since last fall, The Times reported. The Southern District of Manhattan is investigating the inaugural committee's spending and fundraising. Winston Wolkoff told The Times she could not discuss inaugural spending because of a non-disclosure she had signed with the committee. If the committee 'were to release me from this obligation, I would be able to speak freely without the fear of legal or financial repercussions,' she said. 'Otherwise, I am regrettably unable to provide any substantive comment.' When Winston Wolkoff left the administration last year, officials said she was ousted because the first couple were angry over the spending for the January 2017 ceremony that swore Trump into office. But in a private communication with Winston Wolkoff on Feb. 20, 2018, The Times reported, deputy White House counsel Stefan Passantino told her that the administration was terminating all types of 'gratuitous service agreements' - such as the one she had with the administration - amid a controversy over security clearances involving other officials. She was assured by Passantino that 'you didn't do anything wrong, and there's nothing wrong with this kind of contract, and I don't want you to think that this has anything to do with' the inaugural spending, she recalled to the newspaper. 'So this is not personal.' And a letter from Melania Trump to Winston Wolkoff noted that the decision affected 'all' such contracts, was 'not personal' and was made on a 'professional level by White House counsel.' Winston Wolkoff told The Times first lady's spokeswoman, Stephanie Grisham, gave a 'misleading statement about these events.' Grisham, she said, 'said that because she had been 'inundated' with questions following press reports about the' inaugural committee, 'a decision was made to state publicly that I had been 'severed.' That was not fair or accurate.' Trump's inauguration cost $107 million - more than twice what President Obama's first inaugural cost Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, Melania Trump, and Rachel Roy at a dinner in Washington D.C. in January 2017 for President Trump's inauguration Wolkoff worked on the committee that organized inaugural events She claimed Grisham 'informed me that she had consulted with others within the White House and it was decided that 'this messaging is the best way to go in order to minimize the negative press stories of today and protect' Melania Trump and the administration. Grisham responded to The Times: 'The White House ended Mrs. Wolkoff's contract, period. I'm not going to waste my time arguing the semantics of what the word 'severed' means simply because someone decided to run to the media with hurt feelings and a bruised ego. As stated more than a year ago, I wish Mrs. Wolkoff well.' By going public with a long interview to The Times, Winston Wolkoff becomes the latest former aide to break with the White House, a growing list of officials who are speaking out about being mistreated by the administration and offering documentation to back up their complaints. Winston Wolkoff was Melania Trump's first hire. Before she took over her inaugural event planning role, she worked as a special events planner for Vogue, helped stage the Met Gala, and was a fashion director for Lincoln Center. She is a longtime friend of Melania's. In December, it was revealed federal prosecutors in New York were investigating whether President Trump's 2017 inaugural committee misspent some of the $107 million it raised. The investigation came partly out of materials seized in the federal probe of Trump's former personal attorney Michael Cohen's business dealings. In April raids of Cohen's home, office and hotel room, federal agents obtained a recorded conversation between Cohen and Winston Wolkoff. Wolkoff, in their conversation, expressed concern about how the inaugural committee was spending its money. It's unknown when the conversation between Wolkoff and Cohen took place or why it was recorded. Prosecutors started to probe inauguration donations after a raid on Michael Cohen's office revealed a taped conversation about the spending between him and Winston Wolkoff Investigators are looking into whether some of the top donors to Trump's crowning event gave money in exchange for access to his administration David Wolkoff, Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, Melania Trump and Donald Trump attend GUCCI and MADONNA host A NIGHT TO BENEFIT RAISING MALAWI AND UNICEF in New York City in February 2008 Trump's inaugural committee raised more than double what former President Barack Obama's first inaugural committee did. Supporters said the event was so costly because no one expected him to win so all the planning was done at the last minute. But investigators are looking into whether some of the top donors to Trump's crowning event gave money in exchange for access to his administration, policy concessions or to influence the administration. Money in exchange for political favors could violate federal corruption laws. There could also be a violation of federal law if funds were diverted from the inaugural committee, which was registered as a nonprofit. 'That doesn't have anything to do with the president or the first lady,' White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said in December when the probe was first revealed. 'The biggest thing the president did in his engagement for the inauguration was to come here and raise his hand and take the oath of office. The president was focused on the transition during that time and not on any of the planning.' The knife crime epidemic has been directly fuelled by drastic cuts in youth services, according to MPs' research published today. It found that police forces covering areas with the biggest youth services cuts such as West Midlands, the Metropolitan, Cambridgeshire and Thames Valley have also seen some of the highest increases in knife offences. Figures obtained under the Freedom of Information Act show that Wolverhampton and Westminster were the worst hit in England, with youth services slashed by 91 per cent over three years in both areas. The number of youth centres supported by local authorities have halved since 2011 and there has been a 42 per cent drop in youth service staff. A stock image is used for illustrative purposes above [File photo] Cambridgeshire county council and Wokingham borough council also made cuts of 88 per cent and 81 per cent respectively between 2014/15 and 2017/18, according to the figures obtained by the all-party parliamentary group on knife crime. Separate police data shows that knife crime soared in those areas. Since 2014 there has been an 87 per cent increase in knife crime offences for West Midlands Police, a 95 per cent increase for Cambridgeshire Police, and in Thames Valley there was a 99 per cent increase over the three years. The Met also saw knife offences leap by 47 per cent between 2014 and 2018. The number of youth centres supported by local authorities have halved since 2011 and there has been a 42 per cent drop in youth service staff. Figures from forces show 97,796 crimes and 431,060 incidents were flagged as involving mental health concerns in the year to June 2017, but inspectors said this was just the tip of the iceberg [File photo] Knife crime reached a record level last year in England and Wales with 40,829 offences involving knives or sharp objects recorded by police. Labour MP Sarah Jones, chairman of the parliamentary group, said: 'We cannot hope to turn around the knife crime epidemic if we don't invest in our young people... they need more positive activities, safe spaces to spend time with friends and programmes to help them grow and develop. 'Our figures show how in areas where support for young people has been cut most, they are more at risk of violence. Youth services cannot be a 'nice [thing] to have'. Our children's safety must be our number one priority.' A Government spokesman said: 'We are determined to tackle the root causes to end this cycle of violence. There are a range of factors driving increases in this complex crime, including changes to the drugs market.' A boy of 18 was chased and stabbed to death on the anniversary of the fatal shooting of a friend in south London. Junior McCauley was knifed by a hooded man in Southwark at 9.30pm on Sunday. He was reportedly on his way to meet friends paying tribute to Rhyhiem Barton, 17, who was killed in Kennington last May. Angry survivors and grieving families from Grenfell Tower accused the public inquiry into the tragedy of failing to deliver yesterday. Lawyers said families had lost faith in the multi-million pound inquiry after a series of delays, and felt it had shown a total lack of respect for the 72 people killed in the tragedy. Chairman Sir Martin Moore-Bick was expected to deliver his interim report on the first phase of the inquiry this Spring, but has yet to announce when the report will be ready. The Grenfell Tower fire (pictured) claimed 72 lives, but some have used the tragedy to claim money meant for victims The second phase of the inquiry is not expected to resume until next year, and police have said criminal charges are unlikely to be brought until late 2021, after the inquirys final report is published. Lawyers representing survivors and the bereaved have written to Sir Martin to voice concerns about the delays and a lack of information given to families. They urged the former High Court judge to make immediate fire safety recommendations which could help to prevent a future tragedy. The group of lawyers from 11 firms, representing around 90 people, said families felt they had been left out in the cold because of a lack of communication from the inquiry. Lawyer Isabel Bathurst, of Slater and Gordon, one of the firms behind the letter, said: The families have lost faith in the inquiry and believe the process shows no humanity or fundamental interest in what they are fighting for. They collectively feel it is failing to deliver on its intended purpose and those in charge do not comprehend the extent of the trauma the victims and the victims families are still suffering every day. They deserve answers and to simply move the goal posts of when these will be provided is not acceptable. It is of their view that this inquiry has complete disregard for their voices and a total lack of respect for their loved ones who lost their lives, and therefore, their ability to fight for justice themselves. Maria Chiejina, whose brother Vincent Chiejina, 60, died on the 17th floor of the tower, said the inquiry had not delivered, and that the process needs to be human. Families initially threatened to boycott the public inquiry when Sir Martin was appointed, as they said a retired High Court judge could not understand the experiences of living in a tower block or relying on social housing. They asked for him to sit with a panel of advisers to reflect the diversity of people living in the tower, and to ensure families were allowed access to all the evidence seen by the inquiry. Lawyers said less than a quarter of the 200,000 documents gathered for phase two had been disclosed to the families legal teams. Campaign group Grenfell United, which represents survivors and the bereaved, said delays had left families frustrated and anxious as they prepared to mark the second anniversary on June 14. Chairman Sir Martin Moore-Bick (pictured) was expected to deliver his interim report on the first phase of the inquiry this Spring, but has yet to announce when the report will be ready A spokesman said: As we get closer to the second anniversary with no useful information people are increasingly frustrated and anxious. They need to put survivors and bereaved back at the heart of this process. Deborah Coles, the executive director of Inquest, which has been supporting families, said: A lack of transparency and clear timeframes from the inquiry is causing unnecessary anxiety and anguish among bereaved families and survivors. An inquiry spokesman said teams were in regular contact with families. She said: We recognise that publication of the phase one report is important for the bereaved, survivors and residents and all core participants. The drafting of the report is a very substantial exercise in which accuracy and thoroughness is key. The inquiry will update all core participants on the timing of publication of the phase 1 report in due course. A mother has watched on in horror as a train left with her baby on board after she moved the pram into the carriage before failing to get on herself. The pair were separated on Friday evening at Southern Cross Station in central Melbourne, but reunited one stop later at Flagstaff. Metro Trains is reviewing CCTV footage to work out exactly how the mother and child got separated. The pair were separated on Friday evening at Southern Cross Station (pictured), but reunited one stop later at Flagstaff A Metro spokesman said when fellow passengers discovered what was happening, they used the on board intercom to alert the driver. But by the time the driver was aware the mother had been left behind on the platform, it was too late for the train to stop and it had to go through to Flagstaff station. The train driver radioed through to Flagstaff station, where staff met the train and collected the baby. The mum met with the Southern Cross station master who accompanied her to Flagstaff and the two were reunited. The mother and father of Thomas and Stuart Kelly have spoken candidly about the warning signs that their youngest son was contemplating taking his own life - as they urge parents to 'listen to your children. And then listen harder'. In a new book, Ralph and Kathy Kelly reflect on the tragic circumstances that led to Stuart Kelly's suicide in 2016, four years after his brother Thomas died from a cowardly assault. Warning signs included Stuart shutting himself in his room for weeks, wanting to 'get the hell out of Australia', a cavalier attitude toward money and tearing down his social media accounts the weekend before he died. And there was little doubt 'if Thomas hadn't been killed, Stuart would be alive today', Mr and Mrs Kelly wrote. Stuart Kelly with his mother and father. Stuart took his own life in 2016. He was 18-years-old Stuart lost his beloved older brother, 18, in 2012 when he was brutally punched in the head on his first night out in Sydney's Kings Cross party district. The family were thrown into the spotlight and campaigned in favour of the city's lockout laws. But the changes and their advocacy led Stuart and his family to suffer from a 'tidal wave of hatred'. In their new autobiography Too Soon, Too Late, Mr and Mrs Kelly said they would have done none of their campaigning work 'if it saved Stuart's life'. They said their son had said he wanted to get away from Sydney in the wake of his brother's death. But he truly took a turn for the worst after attending his first day at St Paul's College at Sydney University. Something happened that night, and he pulled out of the college, having 'radically changed in 19 hours'. He never fully told his parents what had happened, but they are in no doubt it had a terrible impact on Stuart. The Kellys wrote: 'We believe without a doubt that his experiences at St Paul's were responsible for the sudden downturn in our son's life ... 'The online bullying, the campaign against the lock-out laws - that was targeted at Ralph, not Stuart - all may have played a part. 'However, it was that night at St Paul's where Stuart felt something personal and awful was directed at him.' What followed next were changes of behaviour that Lifeline expert Rachel Bowers said are common signs of someone contemplating suicide. Stuart was never the same after an incident at St Paul's College and kept to himself for weeks Stuart kept to his room for 'weeks' - as many as ten - and refused his worried parents' help. While he seemed to get better, and picked up part-time jobs, he had a nonchalant attitude to how much money he had, and missed rugby practice, which his parents said was 'really unusual'. The weekend before he died, he stopped going to the gym, shut down his social media pages and deleted his posts. His parents didn't see it: 'If we'd known that, we would certainly have been more alert to the tsunami that was coming,' they wrote. Thomas Kelly died as a result of an unprovoked assault in Kings Cross Warning signs someone is 'in crisis' are not always obvious, Ms Bowers said, as some people are very good at concealing their emotions. 'There are definitely are warning signs for suicide,' she said. 'Some are subtle and not so obvious'. Things to watch out for include changes in behaviour - including sleep, social media and other physical patterns; and discussing worries that weren't there previously. Young men, like Stuart, tragically have higher rates of suicide than women. 'Youth suicide is something tragically on the rise - it's shocking,' Ms Bowers told Daily Mail Australia. As for Mr and Mrs Kelly, they have said they will not let up investigating Stuart's death. They have called for a coronial inquest to examine the circumstances leading up to Stuart's tragic death. Their foundation will launch 'Stay Kind' month, in their sons' honour, in July. For confidential support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, any time of the day or night. Sir Humphrey Appleby, played brilliantly by the late Nigel Hawthorne in Antony Jay and Jonathan Lynns superb BBC series Yes, Minister, is everyones idea of the archetypal senior civil servant. He would use a mixture of guile, flattery and low cunning to bend politicians to his will. Whitehall insiders agreed it was an accurate portrayal of the modus operandi employed by permanent secretaries. When the wildly successful series and its sequel, Yes, Prime Minister, were first broadcast, civil servants began to model themselves on Sir Humphrey, adopting his mannerisms and vocabulary. No such restraint appears to apply to Sir Humphreys real-life modern incarnation, Sir Mark Sedwill Yet while Appleby pulled the strings, he was careful always to maintain the pretence that the politicians were in charge. No such restraint appears to apply to Sir Humphreys real-life modern incarnation, Sir Mark Sedwill. Judging by recent photographs, Sedwill actually looks a bit like Appleby. But there the similarities end. According to a source quoted in a newspaper profile: He cant cope with the fact that he is not Prime Minister. Sedwill is not a man given to false modesty, or respecting the opinions of democratically elected ministers. He treats Cabinet members with undisguised contempt and takes decisions without consulting them. Effectively, he runs a government within the Government, formulating policies and presenting them to the PM as a fait accompli. Woe betide anyone who crosses him. One cant imagine Sir Humphrey ever accosting a minister in a dark corridor and warning him: Dont underestimate how vindictive I can be. That is what Sedwill is reported to have done to former Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson, who was sacked last week after being accused of leaking details of Theresa Mays decision to involve the Chinese in building Britains 5G mobile phone network, despite security concerns. This column holds no brief for Williamson, aka Private Pike, who appears to be overly ambitious, over-promoted and overly pleased with himself Sedwills threat was made in January, after the two men crossed swords over the defence budget. Williamson, who denies responsibility for the leak, believes his dismissal was payback for crossing Sedwill, who decided he was guilty before the inquiry began. This column holds no brief for Williamson, aka Private Pike, who appears to be overly ambitious, over-promoted and overly pleased with himself. But his account certainly seems to have the ring of truth about it. Sedwill has a reputation, in which he revels, for bullying ministers. His overbearing behaviour is apparent at No 10s morning meetings, where he is said to push people aside to secure the seat next to Mrs May. His overbearing behaviour is apparent at No 10s morning meetings, where he is said to push people aside to secure the seat next to Mrs May More fool ministers if they allow themselves to be intimidated by Sedwill. But he is only able to get away with it because he is indulged by May. Sedwill has ruthlessly exploited the intellectual inadequacy of the Prime Minister and her mistrust of other politicians to become the most powerful civil servant in history. He is now Cabinet Secretary, Head of the Civil Service and National Security Adviser the first man to hold all three posts simultaneously. It cant be healthy for such power to be concentrated in a single civil servant, especially one with apparent contemptuous disregard for elected politicians. Sedwill first spotted Mays vacuity when she was Home Secretary and set about filling it. Talk to anyone who attended a meeting at the Home Office in those days and they will tell you she contributed next to nothing and always deferred to Sedwill. Sedwill is now Cabinet Secretary, Head of the Civil Service and National Security Adviser the first man to hold all three posts simultaneously May was little more than his glove puppet. From what I can gather, the same now applies in Downing Street. May takes more notice of her civil servants than her Cabinet colleagues. Thats how the ultra-Remainers in Whitehall have managed with ease to hijack the Brexit talks. Sedwill may resent the fact that he isnt the Prime Minister, but that doesnt stop him acting like one. He arbitrarily ordered preparation for a No-Deal Brexit to be scrapped, without consulting ministers or Parliament, thus stripping away our most potent bargaining chip. The fact that Remainer MPs agreed with him is beside the point. As one of the architects of Project Fear, he wrote a memo (conveniently leaked) warning of a 10 per cent rise in food prices and civil unrest in Northern Ireland unless Mays dismal, defeatist deal was passed. So much for the civil services much-proclaimed neutrality. It would explain his, and Mother Theresas, enthusiasm for giving Huawei part of the contract to build the 5G network, in the teeth of opposition from ministers, the security services and our closest allies Hed maintain he was only doing his job, acting in the public interest. But why should a mere civil servant have the right to determine whats in the public interest and what isnt? Mind you, a mere civil servant isnt exactly how Sedwill sees himself. Ministers accuse him of behaving like an emperor. Certainly he appears to have imperial designs of his own. This week he is due to lead a delegation of 15 senior Whitehall officials to Beijing, in what is described as a vainglorious Mandarin mission for mandarins aimed at bypassing ministers and establishing himself as the main point of contact between the British Government and the Chinese. Again, sounds about right. It would explain his, and Mother Theresas, enthusiasm for giving Huawei part of the contract to build the 5G network, in the teeth of opposition from ministers, the security services and our closest allies. It would also explain his determination to persuade May to sack Williamson, who refused to send any official from the MoD on the trip. By his own alleged admission: Dont underestimate how vindictive I can be. Sedwill seems regularly to overstep the mark, to wield vast power without responsibility or accountability, largely because of the limpet-like dependency of the outgoing Prime Minister However rotten our politicians, at least we have an opportunity to remove them at the ballot box every few years. One of the main reasons 17.4 million voted Leave is that we dont want to be governed by unelected foreign bureaucrats we can never get rid of. Yet the same applies to our own civil service. Most of the time they behave properly with due diligence. But, occasionally, especially over Brexit, they work deliberately to undermine the democratically expressed will of the people. Sedwill seems regularly to overstep the mark, to wield vast power without responsibility or accountability, largely because of the limpet-like dependency of the outgoing Prime Minister. He is the very embodiment of the Deep State. The good news is that, when May is eventually dragged screaming and kicking from No 10, Sedwill is likely to be out on his ear, too. Two of the leading candidates to replace her have promised to show him the door. Not before time, either. This particular Sir Humphrey needs to be cut down to size. In Mandolin Wind, Rod Stewart sang about the coldest winter in almost 14 years. Now, thanks to climate change, he might have to rewrite the lyrics. Instead of buffaloes dying in the frozen fields, therell be polar bears dying on the melting ice caps. Mind you, weve just had the coldest May bank holiday in over 40 years. Thatll be the global warming, then. And there was me worrying about developing skin cancer in my deckchair over the weekend. Not that the alarmists will ever admit that the threat of the Earth catching fire next week may be somewhat exaggerated. Whatever the evidence, theyll dismiss it as a blip. But, honestly, frost, snow and minus four degrees in May? Thats what I call a climate emergency. Marks & Sparks is under fire for flogging an LGBT sandwich in a rainbow packet, and donating thousands to gay charities. Sounds harmless enough. Apparently the G stands for guacamole. And presumably, the T is for added trans-fats, as a sop to the trans community. That should be enough to get it labelled junk food and banned from being advertised on the London Underground. All in the line of duty for Arthur While millions of Line Of Duty fans were anxiously waiting to discover the identity of H, I had a more pressing mystery to solve. While millions of Line Of Duty fans were anxiously waiting to discover the identity of H, I had a more pressing mystery to solve. Where had I seen D.I. Michelle Brandyce before? She was the non-binary detective given a memorable dressing down by Kate Fleming. Then it dawned on me. Brandyce is the spitting image of P.C. Danny Sparks, in Juliet Bravo the actor Mark Botham who went on to play northern numpty Darrell, who was getting married to Arthur Daleys niece Trina in Minder. Curiously, that episode, Another Bride, Another Groom, also featured the late, great Warren Clarke as a bent copper. Hang on. You dont think he could be H, do you? Advertisement Neighbours of a drug den crawling with meth addicts breathed a sigh of relief when the property was sold on Saturday. The three-bedroom house on a quaint street in Epping, north-west Sydney, fetched $1.73 million - $400,000 more than the reserve price. The previous owner apparently let criminals who'd been released on parole live in the home, which was raided by police in November due to complaints about drugs. The three-bedroom house (pictured) on a quaint street in Epping, north-west Sydney, fetched $1.73 million - $400,000 more than the reserve price The previous owner apparently let convicts who'd released on parole live in the home (pictured), which was raided by police in November due to complaints about drugs Neighbours reported fights, noise and a rise in petty crime in the area. They were so desperate for the house to be sold that one even put in a bid to make sure it was bought Locals reported fights, noise and a rise in petty crime in the area and said they wanted their 'neighbourhood back'. They were so desperate for the house to be sold that one even put in a bid to make sure it was bought. Before it was sold, the house was tidied up for two days by cleaners who found hundreds of needles on the floors. 'It was an excruciating clean-up,' cleaning company boss David Seehusen told News Corp. 'The needles were just everywhere. We had to be so careful.' On Saturday police were present at the house in case any of the former residents tried to disrupt the auction, which went ahead without any problems. Some 42 people were registered to bid after more than 500 groups looked around the house over the past two weeks. The home was bought by a couple named Karen and Peter Delis who plan to renovate. They said the fact it was used as a drug den did not matter to them. 'We just saw it as an interesting story. It never bothered us,' they said. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Labor leader Bill Shorten have congratulated the Duke and Duchess of Sussex on the birth of their son. The baby, who is the seventh in line to the throne, was born in the early hours of Monday UK time weighing 3.26kg. 'Huge congratulations to Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, on the birth of their baby boy today,' Mr Morrison tweeted on Tuesday. Meghan is pictured at King's College, London in March (left) and with Harry at at Buckingham Palace in the same month (right) Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Labor leader Bill Shorten have congratulated the Duke and Duchess of Sussex on the birth of their son 'Becoming a parent is one of the greatest joys of life!' Mr Shorten, Australia's Opposition Leader, also tweeted his congratulations. 'Chloe and I are delighted for Harry and Meghan on the arrival of their baby boy. They are a lovely couple and will make wonderful parents,' he posted. Prince Harry and Meghan announced they were expecting a baby on the first day of their visit to Australia in October. Mr Morrison and his wife Jenny spent time with the royal couple during their trip down under. 'They had just announced the fact they were going to have a baby and they were really excited. I felt really excited too,' the prime minister told Triple M. Speaking from Windsor, a visibly excited Prince Harry (pictured) shared his immense pride as he joked of getting just two hours' sleep, calling the birth 'the most amazing experience I could ever have possibly imagined' 'It's great that the wonderful day has come and everybody is well.' He said a baby's birth, whether royal or otherwise, was a fantastic moment for any family. Prince Harry earlier revealed his delight at the royal baby's arrival during a TV statement on Monday in which he heaped praise on his 'incredible' wife. The Duke of Sussex announced that Meghan had given birth at 5.26am to a boy weighing 7lbs 3oz, having been more than a week overdue. Prince Harry gushed that the 'little thing is absolutely to-die-for' as he announced the news on Monday after Meghan went into labour in the early hours of this morning. Speaking from Windsor, a visibly excited Prince Harry shared his immense pride as he joked of getting just two hours' sleep last night, before calling the birth 'the most amazing experience I could ever have possibly imagined'. In a statement shortly after the birth was announced, Buckingham Palace said Meghan and her baby were 'both doing well', and that the Queen and other members of the royal family were 'delighted' with the news. A 69-year-old pensioner who admitted to committing a string of bank robberies in the 1970s has been hit with a new charge. Ross Oliver McCarty, of Edgecliff in Sydney's east, has been accused of robbing another bank in Sydney's central business district in May 1977, police allege. McCarty was arrested in December after he was alleged to have stolen cash from eight different banks between 1977 and 1978. The court had heard he made off with a total of more than $11,000 in his heists. McCarty is currently on conditional bail and is scheduled to appear at Central Local Court on Tuesday. Ross Oliver McCarty (pictured), 69, has been accused of robbing a ninth bank in Sydney's central business district in May 1977, police allege McCarty was arrested at the home he shares with his wife of 47 years in New South Head Road, Edgecliff, in Sydney's eastern suburbs last December Waverley Local Court previously heard McCarty committed the robberies while he was a 'full-blown alcoholic' and that most of the crimes occurred in the afternoon following lunchtime drinking binges. McCarty's wife of 47 years and her sister, who attended the court hearing at the time, were in deep shock, Legal Aid solicitor Mark Klees said. 'They obviously had no idea about these matters,' he said. 'This is a very unusual matter. It's a very old matter.' Police alleged McCarty, who was in his late 20s at the time of the robberies, handed tellers notes that warned he had a gun and demanded they hand over money in small denominations. McCarty was only caught after his fingerprints were taken when he was charged with fraud in 2010 and later matched to the archived notes found at the crime scenes. His alleged crimes occurred so long ago that only one of the banks he is accused of robbing still exists. In applying for bail for his client Mr Klees said McCarty had given up alcohol 30 years ago and had worked as a self-taught bookkeeper. Waverley Local Court previously heard Ross Oliver McCarty had made 'full admissions' to the robberies Police allege McCarty, who was in his late 20s at the time of the robberies, handed tellers notes that warned he had a gun and demanded they hand over money in small denominations He suffered from depression and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and had undergone kidney surgery. 'He realises there is a high probability of a custodial sentence,' Mr Klees said. 'He's willing to do that and pay his dues for these serious offences.' THE BANK ROBBERIES June 3, 1977: $1,300 from the Commercial Banking Company at Ultimo June 14, 1977: $850 from the Rural Bank in Sydney July 13, 1977: $1,943 from the Commercial Banking Company at Haymarket July 25, 1977: $2,000 from the ANZ in Sydney October 11, 1977: $1,400 from the Commercial Bank of Australia at Chatswood February 20, 1978: $1,400 from the Bank of NSW in Sydney March 7, 1978: $450 from the Bank of NSW in Sydney March 9, 1978: $2,000 from the National Bank of Australasia in Sydney Advertisement Magistrate Michael Barko was unmoved by the defence submissions or McCarty's diagnosis of depression. 'Makes me think how the eight bank tellers felt in the years following when they were threatened with a gun or the presence of a gun,' Mr Barko said. 'Some of them were told their heads would be blown off.' McCarty is accused of robbing branches of the Commercial Banking Company, Commercial Bank of Australia, National Bank of Australasia, Rural Bank, Bank of New South Wales and ANZ. His hauls ranged from $450 to $2,000 and totaled $11,343. In refusing bail, Mr Barko said the case against McCarty was strong and it was certain he would be jailed if convicted. 'One cannot escape the consequences of one's actions simply by the passage of time,' he said. Police said when they knocked on his door, McCarty was surprised his past had caught up with him. Ross McCarty's wife declined to speak to reporters when she left court 'A strike force was set up to look into some old cases and working with the forensic department, we have been able to lay charges relating to eight bank robberies,' the commander of Robbery and Serious Crimes, Detective Superintendent Daniel Doherty said. 'The message today is clear - it doesn't matter if it takes 40 years, 40 days or 40 minutes, we will track you down and you will have to answer for your crimes.' 'The long arm of the law will stretch back in time.' Bank tellers who were working at the branches when they were robbed had provided 'clear and vivid' statements to police. 'It's like they were recounting something that only happened to them yesterday,' Detective Superintendent Doherty said. The latest charge relates to the alleged robbery of another bank on the corner of George and Liverpool Streets on May 12, 1977. President Donald Trump has pardoned a former U.S. soldier convicted in 2009 of killing an Iraqi prisoner. On Monday, press secretary Sarah Sanders revealed that the Commander-in-chief signed an executive grant of clemency for former Army 1st Lt. Michael Behenna, 35, of Oklahoma. In 2009, Behenna was initially sentenced to 25 years in prison after being convicted of murdering a suspected al-Qaeda terrorist in Iraq. However, his sentence was later reduced to 15 years, and he was paroled in 2014, after serving less than five years behind bars. He was scheduled to remain on parole until 2024, before Trump granted the full pardon. President Trump has granted former Army 1st Lt. Michael Behenna a full pardon for his charge of unpremeditated murder in a combat zone. Behanna is pictured in Iraq in 2008, shortly before he killed a suspected al-Qaeda terrorist Behanna's pardon is the eighth that President Trump has issued during his two years in office During his trial, Behenna acknowledged that he took the Iraqi prisoner to a railroad culvert, stripped him naked, and then questioned him at gunpoint about a roadside bombing that had killed two members of his platoon. Behenna said he only shot the man in self-defense as he had moved toward him and was trying to grab his gun. He was charged with unpremeditated murder in a combat zone. A pardon for Behana attracted broad support from the military, Oklahoma elected officials and the public. Speaking on Monday, Sanders added that Behenna was a model prisoner while serving his sentence, saying that 'in light of these facts, Behenna is entirely deserving' of the pardon. Behenna is pictured embracing his brother and his then-girlfriend after leaving prison on parole in 2014 Behena (far left) is pictured with family members in a recent photo Oklahoma's attorney general first requested a pardon for Behenna in February 2018 and renewed his request last month. Meanwhile, Oklahoma's Republican senators, James Lankford and James M. Inhofe, praised Trumps decision on Monday. It's the eighth Presidential pardon Trump has issued in his first two years in Office. It comes just weeks after the President injected himself into another high-profile military murder case. On March 30, the Commander-in-chief tweeted that Navy Seal Chief Edward Gallagher - who has been accused of war crimes - should 'be moved to less restrictive confinement while he awaits his day in court' because of 'his past service to our Country'. Gallagher is accused of murdering an unarmed and incapacitated teenage ISIS detainee in Iraq in 2017. He is further alleged to have gunned down innocent civilians with a sniper rifle. His court-martial trial is scheduled to begin on May 28. Comedian John Oliver has compared Clive Palmer to Donald Trump for his 'make Australia great' billboards, 'yelling' on the Today show and wearing a red tie. The British political commentator drew parallels between the US president and the 'most eye-catching' Australian politician, Mr Palmer, during his show Last Week Tonight on Sunday. 'He's a brash businessman who's pushing a populist anti-establishment platform and if that's already reminding you of someone just wait until you hear him yelling at a news anchor,' Mr Oliver begins. Comedian John Oliver has compared Clive Palmer to Donald Trump for his 'make Australia great' billboards and wearing a red tie Mr Oliver then showed a video of Mr Palmer referring to 'fake news' on the Today show before yelling and pointing a finger at the reporter in a live cross. 'Wow, that's all pretty Trumpy right there. Arrogance, check, red tie, check,' Mr Oliver said after the video. 'He even has billboards with his campaign slogan "make Australia great" which notably doesn't say make Australia great again.' Mr Oliver then begins to impersonate Mr Palmer with an Australian accent and says the nation is looking to go 'up' from being a 'baking rock full of impossibly huge spiders'. 'Make Australia great for the first time,' he says, before adding that Mr Palmer was elected in 2013 but became known as a 'joke' for being the politician with the most absences from parliament for two years in a row. Mr Oliver showed a video of Mr Palmer referring to 'fake news' on the Today show (pictured) before yelling and pointing a finger at the reporter in a live cross 'Wow, that's all pretty Trumpy right there. Arrogance, check, red tie, check,' Mr Oliver said after the video (pictured: Mr Trump at a campaign rally in 2016) He also mentioned the time Mr Palmer fell asleep in parliament and suggested he 'played possum' until the next election cycle. Mr Trump used the 'make America great again' slogan throughout his 2016 presidential election campaign and was often seen wearing red caps with the text emblazoned on the front. Mr Palmer has reportedly spent more than $27million on newspaper ads, television ads and billboards around the country. Widespread fears over the harmful effects on teenagers of spending hours on social media could be misplaced, according to a major British study. It claims online activity only has a trivial effect on their happiness, flying in the face of research and the prevailing opinion of many parents. The survey of 12,000 teenagers in this country suggests that less than 1 per cent of adolescent unhappiness can be blamed on the use of sites such as Facebook. Lead co-author Professor Andrew Przybylski, of the University of Oxford, said: Time shouldnt be the thing parents are worrying about. He added society should retire the notion of focusing on the amount of time which young users spend online. Widespread fears over the harmful effects on teenagers of spending hours on social media could be misplaced, according to a major British study. Stock image Instead, research should examine if particular aspects of online behaviour have negative impacts on mental health, such as looking at potentially harmful pages or posts. The study said leading social media companies have data which could shed light on the problem but were reluctant to share it with scientists. The researchers added: We show that social media effects are not a one-way street. They are nuanced, reciprocal, possibly contingent on gender, and arguably trivial in size. Professor Przybylski said the debate over internet usage often focused on tragedies but added: Tragedies are a poor form of evidence. The study followed teen social media use from 2009 to 2016 as part of a long-term survey of UK households. It concluded that lower life satisfaction led to an increase in activity while social media use led to lower life satisfaction but the trends were only modest. Co-lead author Amy Orben said: What this shows us is we need to stop looking at social media as a whole and to think about the nuances. She added statistical analysis concluded that 99.75 per cent of a young persons life satisfaction for a given year has nothing to do with how they use social media. This indicated that such websites account for less than 1 per cent of a teenagers life satisfaction. Miss Orben went on: If we find that a specific activity is more harmful than the rest, that would be an opportunity to think about what we can do instead of decrying that everything is bad. In the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the professor said concerns over screen time are reminiscent of those in the early 1980s about the arcade game Space Invaders. Dr Max Davie, from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, said: This paper suggests that social media has a limited effect on teenage life satisfaction. However, there are still issues around screen time more generally and a risk that screen time may interfere with other important activities like sleep, exercise and spending time with family or friends. We recommend families follow our guidance published this year and avoid screen use for one hour before bed. Former AFL Footy Show host Garry Lyon has slammed the revamped version of the show, saying Channel Nine would be justified in cancelling it. The embattled show has struggled for ratings since it was given a new look for the 2019 season. Lyon was let go as host and the panel line-up changed to Neroli Meadows, Anthony Lehmann, Brendan Fevola, Dylan Alcott and Shane Crawford. The program - which has been running since 1994 - had a measly 53,000 viewers in Melbourne last week, far behind Channel Seven's rival AFL show The Front Bar's 278,000. Former AFL Footy Show host Garry Lyon (pictured with girlfriend Nicky Brownless) has slammed his former show, saying Channel Nine would be justified in cancelling it Lyon was let go as host and replaced by a new set of presenters. Clockwise from left: Brendan Fevola, Anthony Lehmann, Shane Crawford, Neroli Meadows, Dylan Alcott 'I think those numbers would be cause for very serious consideration on whether the show goes on,' Lyon said during his SEN Breakfast radio show. Lyon recommended Channel Nine screen a series of 'best of' episodes of the old lineup to remind viewers what the show used to be like as a way of boosting ratings. 'You know what it's like when you go back, it may only be sustainable for three or four weeks. I think that would be the appeal for all the people to go ''that's what it used to be like'',' he said. Lyon hosted the Logie award-winning AFL Footy Show on Nine for a decade from 2006, being joined by best mate Billy Brownless in 2009. Poll Should the AFL Footy Show be axed? Yes No Should the AFL Footy Show be axed? Yes 100 votes No 11 votes Now share your opinion Lyon left the show after his affair with Brownless' wife Nicky became public in 2016. In March 2016, Mr Brownless opened up about the toll the affair has had on his family, saying 'a good mate wouldn't do that' and believed the secret relationship could have been going on for up to four years. 'I couldn't believe it. I found out three or four months ago. I asked Garry and Nicky earlier on what is going on and they said they were just good friends. That's what hurts the most,' Brownless said. 'By law it's legal. Morally it's wrong. We all know our rights and wrong. You don't touch a man's wallet, you don't touch his wife.' Lyon had previously criticised the revamped Footy Show for keeping the same name. 'It's a very different line-up to what the Footy Show has been historically and traditionally,' Lyon said. 'They weren't the names I would've been expecting. I would've thought they'd come up with something different for it. Come up with a fresh name for it. It's not The Footy Show.' Jacaria Stringer, whose father has spent the last 22 years behind bars for nonviolent drug offenses, will finally be able to meet him outside the confines of a Florida prison thanks to help from Kim Kardashian A woman whose father has spent the last 22 years behind bars for nonviolent drug offenses will finally be able to meet him outside the confines of a Florida prison thanks to help from Kim Kardashian. 'I never even thought I'd get to see him out of prison, so it feels good,' Jacaria Stringer told NBC News on Friday after a judge ruled that her father, 47-year-old Jeffrey Stringer, should be released from prison. Jeffrey was arrested and charged with manufacturing and intent to distribute cocaine in West Palm Beach in the late 1990s. He was sentenced to life in prison because he had two prior convictions on his record. The case gained national attention as the convict was highlighted as an example of a nonviolent drug offender who faced an unfairly strict sentence based on rigid federal guidelines. Now Jeffrey and many other convicts are getting relief under new guidelines signed into law last year by President Donald Trump. The First Step Act allows some nonviolent offenders to earn credits for good behavior and thus an early release. Jeffrey Stringer was arrested and charged with manufacturing and intent to distribute cocaine in West Palm Beach in the late 1990s. He was sentenced to life in prison because he had two prior convictions on his record. The now-47-year-old is seen in an old photo with his daughter 'I never even thought I'd get to see him out of prison, so it feels good,' Jacaria said after a judge ruled that her father should be released from prison under the First Step Act signed by President Donald Trump last year. She and are father are seen with family in the photo above Kim Kardashian West, a passionate advocate for criminal justice reform, helped fund Jeffrey's case so he could go home to his family. She called the overjoyed family on FaceTime to congratulate them after the ruling was issued. 'We did it again! Had the best call with this lovely family and my attorney @msbkb, who just won the release for their loved one Jeffrey in Miami,' she wrote on Twitter, tagging Dallas-based attorney Brittany K Barnett. 'He served 22 years of life sentence for low level drug case. He served too much time but it gives me so much joy to fund this life saving work.' Barnett retweeted Kim's post, calling it 'such an amazing day'. 'Jeffrey should never have been sentenced to life in this case. Period,' she continued. 'America's addiction to incarceration devastates entire families.' 'So happy Jeffrey will be reunited with his family after 22 years! His life was saved today!' Officials are still working out a release date based on Jeffrey's good behavior credits. Barnett said her office's calculations indicate that he should get out late Monday or early Tuesday, while the Bureau of Prisons has said that he will be released on June 30. 'It's complicated,' Barnett told NBC News on Monday. 'Essentially, when you have a life sentence, it's life, you don't accrue good time credit. Now that the life is off, the prison is calculating good time. It's a complex process. We are working on it now.' Kim Kardashian West helped fund Jeffrey's case and congratulated him on Friday after a judge ruled in his favor Jeffrey's attorney Brittany K Barnett retweeted Kim's post, calling it 'such an amazing day' Kim said she spoke with Jeffrey's family (above) via FaceTime on Friday Kim (left) is an advocate of prison reform. Barnett (right) is the co-founder of the Buried Alive Project, which works to end life without parole sentences issued under federal drug laws The news comes just a month after it was revealed that Kim had offered to pay the rent of Matthew Charles, a former inmate who was released from prison after serving 20 years of his 35-year sentence for non-violent drug and weapon charges. Kim privately reached out to Charles after she heard he was struggling to find housing because his background prompted all his applications to be denied. She offered to pay his rent for the next five years. 'I just received the most wonderful news tonight that I just had to share with everyone. Kim Kardashian-West heard about my situation. Was moved and has decided to help me,' Charles posted on his Facebook in March. 'Kim did not do this for attention or publicity, but I had to share it, because it's too good not to, and my heart is about to burst with happiness, that I wish you to rejoice in this news with me.' 'God is good! What the devil meant for bad, god reversed again, for my good. Now that I'm free, my heart is enlarged.' Charles was first sentenced to 35 years in prison in 1996 for drug trafficking before he was briefly released in 2016 due to the Fair Sentencing Act. However, Charles was forced to return to prison last year after an appeals court overturned a judge's initial ruling. He was released on January 3 as a part of President Donald Trump's First Step Act. Kim is clearly passionate about criminal justice and made headlines after her campaign to free Alice Marie Johnson, 63, proved successful in June last year. The reality star successfully campaigned for Johnson to be pardoned by Trump after the Tennessee grandmother spent 21 years in prison for a non-violent drug offense. It was Johnson's case that sparked Kim's fascination with the law and helped her decide to become a lawyer, a career path that has shocked many. Kim is clearly passionate about criminal justice and made headlines after her campaign to free Alice Marie Johnson, 63, (above together) proved successful in June last year The news comes just a month after it was revealed that Kim had offered to pay the rent of Matthew Charles, a former inmate who was released from prison after serving 20 years of his 35 sentence for non-violent drug and weapon charges. He is pictured here with Trump in April 'I had to think long and hard about this,' she told Vogue for its May issue. 'I just felt like I wanted to be able to fight for people who have paid their dues to society. I just felt like the system could be so different, and I wanted to fight to fix it, and if I knew more, I could do more.' Johnson was sentenced to life in prison in 1997 for committing a first-time nonviolent drug crime in Memphis. Kim first heard about her story from Twitter, and she knew something had to change. Kim met with President Donald Trump at the White House in May to discuss the case. The following month, he pardoned Johnson. The Keeping Up With The Kardashians star has since registered with the California State Bar to study law. Kim met with President Donald Trump at the White House in May to discuss Johnson's case. The following month, he pardoned the Tennessee grandmother Kim is currently working with CNN's Van Jones and #Cut50 co-founder and lawyer Jessica Jackson (pictured middle) in the last year to gain her law license She must spend the next four years studying for a minimum of 18 hours a week, with monthly written and multiple choice tests. Kim must also complete 60 college credits and then work as an apprentice at a law firm in San Francisco with the intention to take the Bar Exam in 2022. 'I want people to understand that there is nothing that should limit your pursuit of your dreams, and the accomplishment of new goals,' Kim said. 'You can create your own lanes, just as I am. The state bar doesn't care who you are.' Sober drivers can still be busted for driving under the influence of marijuana even if they have only inhaled second-hand smoke. Under strict new driving laws, drivers in New South Wales can immediately lose their licence if they test positive for the drug regardless of when and how it was consumed. Amanda Mead, a lawyer for Everyday Legal in Lismore, has issued a warning ahead of the new policy, saying drivers should steer clear of driving until they are sure there are no traces of any substances in their body. Depending on the drug, this could mean waiting weeks, or even a full month, before the substance can no longer be detected. She said people could still test positive for marijuana if they have inhaled second-hand smoke from people smoking around them. Cate Faehrmann, NSW Greens MP and spokeswoman on drug law, is calling for an end to the testing which she claims has nothing to do with improving road safety (stock) 'Drivers are being convicted despite no evidence of impairment or threat to road safety,' Ms Faehrmann said (stock) 'There has been situations where people in court have said they haven't been smoking but they had been around other people who have been smoking, and they were inhaling other people's smoke', she told the Courier Mail. 'If they are put in a position when they are around other people who are smoking, they need to be aware that they must come up as a positive'. Ms Mead said many people busted for driving under the influence of marijuana usually hadn't smoked in a few weeks but weren't aware the drugs would still be in their system. She warned recreational users of the drug should abstain from driving for weeks to avoid legal trouble. Drivers can lose their licence for at least three months if they are caught driving with the traces of the drug in their system. The stark warning came after a recent crackdown on drunk and drug drivers in NSW, where Roads Minister Andrew Constance announced a 'zero-tolerance' approach. From May 20, low-range drink-drivers will be slapped with an on-the-spot suspension of their licence for three months and a fine of $561 - even if it's their first time. 'This means anyone caught drink-driving in NSW, at any level, including low-range, can now lose their licence immediately,' the minister said in a statement on Monday. The penalties have been strengthened as part of the Road Safety Plan 2021, which aims to deter drink driving and reduce alcohol-related trauma on NSW roads. Similar changes are being implemented for drivers who get caught with an illegal drug in their system, which is typically detected through Mobile Drug Testing (MBT). Anyone caught drink-driving in NSW will lose their licence immediately under a tough new penalty regime that will also see offenders fined almost $600 The regime in NSW has nothing to do with improving road safety and is simply an extension of the failed war on drugs,' Ms Faehrmann said Prior to the crackdown, all drivers had to appear in court and there were no on-the-spot fines, a NSW Police spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia. 'High-range drink drivers were given an automatic suspension, while mid range were at the discretion of police, and low-range weren't at all. 'But now everyone will have their licence automatically suspended on the spot. THE DRUGS TESTED FOR AND HOW LONG ARE THEY IN YOUR SYSTEM Cannabis - Marijuana can be detected in urine for as long as 30 days after usage if the person being tested is a frequent user. For sporadic use, marijuana can still be detected about three days after usage. Ecstasy - Ecstasy or MDMA can be detected up to three days after first use. Methylamphetamine (speed/ice) - Depending on the amount ingested, ice can be detected as long as five days after use. Cocaine - Cocaine can return a positive result in urine tests up to two weeks after usage if the person being tested is a chronic user. For a less frequent user, cocaine can register in urine for two days after use. Source: The Mayo Clinic Advertisement 'They are trying to free up the courts a little bit, in terms of low-range PCAs, by saying everyone will now have their licence suspended,' the spokeswoman said. There were 68 people killed in alcohol-related crashes on NSW roads last year. Drug-driving resulted in a similar number of deaths. But the roadside drug testing had been met with backlash from residents who claimed thousands of Australians were being penalised even when sober. NSW Greens MP and spokeswoman Cate Faehrmann slammed the practice as 'arbitrary and unreliable.' 'The regime in NSW has nothing to do with improving road safety and is simply an extension of the failed war on drugs,' she said. The Greens were calling for an evidence-based program that actually tested for impairment. Cocaine can be detected in a persons urine for up to 14 days, while MDMA, or ecstasy, passes from the system after three days. Marijuana, however, can still be detected in a user's body 30 days after it's been smoked. From July 2015 to June 2016 nearly 10,000 people were charged with drug driving offences in NSW. Of that number, 98.3 per cent were found guilty. Testing positive for cocaine or morphine or other 'illicit drugs' carries a maximum fine of $1,100 in NSW and is an automatic disqualification of up to six months. 'We know that drugs like marijuana will stay in people's system for days, or even weeks, after consumption. This means drivers are being convicted despite no evidence of impairment or threat to road safety,' Ms Faehrmann said. 'Imagine losing your licence for driving after having a beer a couple of days ago. It sounds ridiculous, but this is exactly what is happening to people who might smoke a joint and drive a few days later.' A man who shot his neighbor four times in the head after seeing him beating his dog has been convicted of murder. Michael Sadeghi got into an argument with Dustin Schmidt over how he disciplined his pet in Thornton, Colorado. A German shepherd mix belonging to Schmidt's girlfriend jumped a back fence into Sadeghi's yard in March last year, prosecutors said. Bruno the dog was hanging by his leash when Schmidt pulled the animal back over the around five-foot fence into his yard. Sadeghi then saw Schmidt spanking the animal on the behind and an argument ensued, which saw the defendant shoot his neighbor four times. Michael Sadeghi (left) was convicted of first-degree murder of his neighbor Dustin Schmidt after his dog Bruno (right) jumped into his yard Schmidt's fiancee Vicki Branaghan said the shooting was sparked when Sadeghi became angry and accused them of abusing their German-shepherd mix dog, Bruno The 33-year-old was charged with first-degree murder and found guilty by a jury at Adams County District Court after two hours of deliberation, according to the Denver Post. Talking to the Denver Post in the wake of the killing, Schmidt's girlfriend Vicki Branaghan told the newspaper Sadeghi 'walked back to his house as though nothing happened' just after shooting her partner dead. She added that she did not know what to do in the aftermath of the sudden shooting. Branaghan told CBS4: 'He [Sadeghi] yelled, ''Dustin, don't ever hit that dog again''. 'He just started firing. He fired and Dustin fell. I just sat there and held him [Schmidt], because I didn't know what to do. He was bleeding and I knew he was gone.' Schmidt was blasted four times in the head after his dog jumped into his neighbor's back yard Sadeghi shouted at his neighbor, 'Dustin, don't ever hit that dog again', before shooting him four times in the head when his dog jumped the fence into his yard Branaghan said she never thought Sadeghi was capable of murder and that she used to walk her dogs with the defendant, adding, 'I thought he was the best neighbor'. She also Sadeghi reached over the fence and shot her fiancee as he walked away. Branaghan said the couple had put up electric wire to stop the dog from jumping but he managed to make it over the fence. Thornton police spokesman Matt Barnes said at the time: 'All indications are that these people - up until last night - got along. We're still trying to figure out why one neighbor shot another.' Sadeghi is scheduled to be sentenced over the death of 42-year-old on June 24. An Italian migrant who became an 'untouchable' Sydney drug lord has died of cancer. Henry Charles 'Danny' Landini, 74, was a lifelong criminal who was charged at least 60 times with drug and other offences beginning in 1960. He moved to Sydney from Italy as a young boy with his mother and grew up at Woolloomooloo in the inner-city, after a period in Melbourne. Landini was a prominent figure in the Sydney gangland of the 1980s. Many of his friends and associates were shot dead during that tumultuous time. He drank in inner-city pubs with notorious crime figures including Arthur 'Neddy' Smith and was close to most of the well-known east coast drug dealers of the 1970s and 1980s. Smith, a convicted armed robber, drug dealer and murderer, is serving life in jail. Henry 'Danny' Charles Landini (right in police surveillance footage), 74, was described as having an 'extensive criminal history', being charged 60 times with drug and other offences beginning in 1960 Criminal friends described Landini as 'staunch', 'loyal' and 'old school', while police considered him a menace to society. 'There was nothing ambiguous about him,' one former detective said. Landini was a regular at salubrious eastern suburbs bars and restaurants in his prime. In later life he was dubbed one of the 'untouchables' - a group of elderly drug lords who masterminded a narcotics network across Sydney in 2010. He was arrested after a series of raids across Sydney, the NSW Central Coast and Mudgee. Landini was convicted of supplying 1.345kg of amphetamine between June and September, and sentenced to four and a half years in prison. During sentencing, Judge Peter Berman commented on Landini - then aged 68 - and his offending. 'Most offenders appearing for sentence in these courts are young men, some of whom commit crimes regularly, until, perhaps because they reach a level of maturity, perhaps because they are tired of the way they are wasting their lives in jail or perhaps for other reasons they finally give up their lives of crime,' Judge Berman said. 'The two offenders for sentence in this case are not in that category.' Two years earlier, Landini had been awarded $230,000 in damages after it was proved crooked cop Trevor Haken had planted heroin on him in the 1980s. Friends told Daily Mail Australia after a subsequent appeal and legal costs Landini was left with about $40,000. Landini's funeral will be held at Rockwood Cemetery (pictured) in western Sydney on Monday Landini had been charged in 1971, 1977, 1980, 1982, 1991 and in 1998 in relation to the possession and supply of heroin and cocaine. He was released from prison in 2015 and had been living in Sutherland, in Sydney's south. A onetime member of the State Drug Crime Commission who worked on Landini in his criminal heyday described him as an 'old-fashioned crook'. 'If you were gong to go into a conversation with him, you'd have to be pretty upfront because he would sort you out within 20 seconds,' the former detective said. 'I'll give one thing to Danny Landini, by and large he was very discreet about what he did. He wasn't Neddy Smith running around throwing his money around and big-noting. 'Danny was a pretty savvy wheeler and dealer and the fact he lived to be in his mid-70s is an indication he was pretty quick on his feet. 'I wouldn't say I respected the guy because that's not what it was. 'Opposing armies have got to respect each other and that's about it. I respected him on the basis that he was the opposing army.' Landini is survived by his widow, Carmen, two sons and a daughter. His funeral will be held at Rockwood Cemetery in western Sydney on Monday. Dirty activists have dumped a hollowed-out book filled with excrement outside Tony Abbott's Sydney electorate office. The faeces was hidden inside a book that had the word 'Unpopular' written on the cover and left on the doorstep of Mr Abbott's Manly office on Tuesday morning. Police officers collected the poo and detectives are now investigating the bizarre protest. Dirty activists have dumped a hollowed-out book filled with excrement (left) outside Tony Abbott's (right) Sydney electorate office 'Police attended and the item has been collected,' a police spokesman told AAP. The former prime minister's office has been contacted for comment. It's unclear whether the excrement was from a human or an animal. Police also appealed for information late last week after posters featuring Mr Abbott appeared in his Warringah electorate with expletives written across his forehead. Other posters had 'Pell' written across them - an apparent reference to the Liberal MP's friend and convicted pedophile Cardinal George Pell. Two Reuters journalists jailed in Myanmar after they were convicted of breaking the Official Secrets Act walked free from a prison on the outskirts of Yangon on Tuesday after spending more than 500 days behind bars. The two reporters, Wa Lone, 33, and Kyaw Soe Oo, 29, had been convicted in September and sentenced to seven years in jail, in a case that raised questions about Myanmar's progress toward democracy and sparked an outcry from diplomats and human rights advocates. They were released under a presidential amnesty for 6,520 prisoners on Tuesday. President Win Myint has pardoned thousands of other prisoners in mass amnesties since last month. Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo were mobbed by media as they stepped out of Yangon's notorious Insein prison after their lengthy detention Human rights lawyer Amal Clooney said it had been an 'honour to represent' the two journalists amid international outcry It is customary in Myanmar for authorities to free prisoners across the country around the time of the traditional New Year, which began on April 17. Reuters has said the two men did not commit any crime and had called for their release. Swamped by media and well-wishers as they walked through the gates of Insein Prison, a grinning Wa Lone gave a thumbs up and said he was grateful for the international efforts to secure their freedom. 'I'm really happy and excited to see my family and my colleagues. I can't wait to go to my newsroom,' he said. Kyaw Soe Oo smiled and waved to reporters. The two were then driven away by Reuters colleagues and reunited with their wives and children. Reuters reporter Wa Lone (centre) poses with wife Pan Ei Mon (second right) and their daughter, along with reporter Kyaw Soe Oo (left) carrying his daughter next to wife Chit Su Win (second right), after being freed from prison in Yangon, Myanmar journalist Kyaw Soe Oo celebrates with his wife Chit Su Win and his daughter after being freed from prison in a presidential amnesty Wa Lone (center) and Kyaw Soe Oo (second left) celebrate with their family members after being freed from prison Before their arrest in December 2017, they had been working on an investigation into the killing of 10 Rohingya Muslim men and boys by security forces and Buddhist civilians in western Myanmar's Rakhine State during an army crackdown that began in August 2017. The operation sent more than 730,000 Rohingya fleeing to Bangladesh, according to U.N. estimates. The report the two men authored, featuring testimony from perpetrators, witnesses and families of the victims, was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for international reporting in May, adding to a number of accolades received by the pair for their journalism. Calls to a spokesman for the Myanmar government were not immediately answered. Reuters Editor-in-Chief Stephen J. Adler welcomed the news. 'We are enormously pleased that Myanmar has released our courageous reporters, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo. 'Since their arrests 511 days ago, they have become symbols of the importance of press freedom around the world. We welcome their return,' Adler said. The two reporters were covering the deaths of 10 Rohingya Muslims in a remote village, amid a nationwide backlash against the group, when they were jailed Kyaw Soe Oo celebrates with his wife Chit Su Win and their daughter at a hotel in Yangon after being freed from jail U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was he was relieved to learn of the release, a spokesman said. The United Nations in Myanmar said it saw the release as a sign of the government's commitment to the transition to democracy. The U.S. embassy also welcomed the release and said it was glad the two could return to their families. Myanmar's Supreme Court had rejected the journalists' final appeal in April. They had petitioned the country's top court, citing evidence of a police set-up and lack of proof of a crime, after the Yangon High Court dismissed an earlier appeal in January. The reporters' wives wrote a letter to the government in April pleading for a pardon, not, they said, because their husbands had done anything wrong, but because it would allow them to be released from prison and reunited with their families. The Reuters journalists were released at the prison to representatives of Reuters and to Lord Ara Darzi, a British surgeon and health care expert who has served as a member of an advisory group to Myanmars government on reforms in Rakhine State. 'This outcome shows that dialogue works, even in the most difficult of circumstances,' Darzi said in a statement. Wa Lone (left) and Kyaw Soe Oo (right) were arrested in December 2017 for covering the Rohingya massacre and jailed for seven years, before being freed Wa Lone vowed to return to work after being released from jail on Tuesday Kyaw Soe Oo smiled broadly as he left Insein prison, more than 500 days after being arrested Darzi said discussions about the pardon for Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo had involved the Myanmar government, Reuters, the United Nations and representatives of other governments. He did not elaborate. A Reuters spokesman said Darzi had made the company aware earlier this year of his efforts to secure the journalists' release. Darzi has been a member of an advisory commission that was formed in 2016 to see through the advice from a panel headed by former U.N. chief Kofi Annan on solving the long-running conflict in western Myanmars Rakhine State. The state was the home to most Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar. Hundreds of thousands fled to Bangladesh after a military-led crackdown on the region in 2017. (Reporting by Poppy McPherson, Michelle Nichols in NEW YORK Editing by Alex Richardson, Robert Birsel) A driver has pleaded guilty over a road rage attack after a student paramedic was allegedly beaten with a deodorant can. Woolworths worker Joshua Burke, 21, fronted Melbourne Magistrates Court on Thursday and could face up to five years imprisonment. The victim, Erin, who doesn't want her surname made public, was 23 at the time of the attack in south-east Melbourne on November 1 last year. She told court the terrifying ordeal left her physically and emotionally scarred, derailed her studies and affected her job prospects. Joshua Burke, 21 (pictured), fronted Melbourne Magistrates Court on Thursday and could face up to five years imprisonment The court was told Burke yelled at and intimidated Erin (pictured) before punching her in the face, fracturing her eye socket in two places The court was told Burke yelled at and intimidated Erin before punching her in the face, fracturing her eye socket in two places. 'I'm not afraid to hit a girl,' he told the victim before the assault. Erin told reporters Burke gripped a deodorant can whilst punching her. She was driving from work placement and wearing her paramedic's uniform at the time. The incident began when both parties were travelling south on the Western Port Highway at about 7pm. Police said Burke was driving erratically and cut off Erin, leading to a 'driving altercation'. Burke began repeatedly accelerating and braking, keeping the victim in a position where she could not get around him. At a bend in the road with a 100 km/h speed limit, he forced her to a complete stop. She got around Burke by driving on the wrong side of the road - while another vehicle approached. 'I thought we were both going to die,' she said. Burke then tailgated Erin for about 10km, pursuing her as she drove as fast as she could to get away. She stopped in Somerville when she saw a friend. Burke arrived and tried to smash Erin's window with his hand. He then started kicking her windows before assaulting her. She was taken to Frankston Hospital where she was treated overnight for head trauma. Burke reported the incident to police. Officers searched his vehicle where they found four box cutters and three bags of cannabis weighing about five grams. He faces nine charges including intentionally causing injury, damaging property and possession of cannabis. Burke is on bail and will be sentenced on June 26. Four Australian forest animals are on the list of 20 birds and mammals most likely to become extinct in the next 20 years, as a result of the country's logging laws. The Wilderness Society's 'Australia's forest wildlife in crisis' report, released in March, revealed which unique animals are facing a dire future in the coming years. The report stressed the failure of the Regional Forest Agreements (RFAs) in balancing ecological sustainability with supplying resources to the industry. The Regent Honeyeater, known for its striking yellow and black feathers, is ranked number seven on the Threatened Species Recovery Hubs' 20 Australian bird species most at risk of extinction in 20 years The Western Ringtail Possum, from Western Australia, has jumped from 'vulnerable' to 'endangered' to 'critically endangered' since the WA RFA was signed 'Under current Federal laws and intergovernmental agreements these species are being pushed relentlessly and knowingly beyond declining population and shrinking distribution towards extinction,' the report said. The Regent Honeyeater, known for its striking yellow and black feathers, is ranked number seven on the Threatened Species Recovery Hubs' 20 Australian bird species most at risk of extinction in 20 years and is listed critically endangered. The bird, found in NSW, is understood to be threatened by the degradation of its habitat, with woodlands increasingly being cleared for agriculture and development, the report says. The Western Ringtail Possum, from Western Australia, has jumped from 'vulnerable' to 'endangered' to 'critically endangered' since the WA RFA was signed. The mammal, characterised with brown fur and a cream stomach, is ranked number 11 on the the 20 Australian mammal species. The report found logging was to blame for the decline in numbers as the possum was more frequently found in unlogged forest or areas where logging had been less intense. Number 13 on the list of bird species at risk is the Swift Parrot, which is found in NSW and Tasmania Forestry operations and land clearing have led to the loss of breeding over the past 30 years Number 13 on the list of bird species at risk is the Swift Parrot, which is found in NSW and Tasmania. Forestry operations and land clearing have led to the loss of breeding over the past 30 years. The Leadbeater's Possum, which are so tiny they can fit into the palm of your hand, are ranked number seven on the mammal's list. Most people have never seen the nocturnal animal in the wild and in the past three decades their ecosystem has been pushed into further destruction. They live in the Mountain Ash forests of the Central Highlands, Victoria, which continues to be harvested. The Leadbeater's Possum, which are so tiny they can fit into the palm of your hand, are ranked number seven on the mammal's list Among the list of Australian species, the Barred Galaxias (Vic) and Giant Freshwater Crayfish (Tas) are listed as vulnerable and endangered while the Koala (NSW/Vic) Forest Red-tailed Black Cockatoo (WA) are vulnerable. Ahead of the Federal Election on May 18, the Wilderness Society called on politicians to outline their policies in relation to animal extinction. Suzanne Milthorpe, Wilderness Society National Nature Campaign Manager, said it was clear Australia was in an extinction crisis. 'We're number two in the world for species loss, and if we keep turning a blind eye to major threats to wildlife like deforestation, even iconic animals like the koala will go.' Ms Milthorpe called for strong national environmental laws to stop the threats to the wildlife. 'With Australia losing three unique species in the last decade, and scientists expecting that number to skyrocket to 17 over the next 20 years, a key test for the next government will be turning around Australia's grim extinction record,' she said. Among the list of Australian species, the Barred Galaxias (Vic) and Giant Freshwater Crayfish (Tas) are listed as vulnerable and endangered while the Koala (NSW/Vic) Forest Red-tailed Black Cockatoo (WA) are vulnerable Suzanne Milthorpe, Wilderness Society National Nature Campaign Manager, said it was clear Australia was in an extinction crisis 'Laws will not be enoughwe need a new approach to protecting our environment.' 'Following six years of chaotic Coalition environment policy, Australia needs the leadership of a national Environment Commission to drive a national approach and ensure that Australia has world best-practice policy that supports our wildlife and natural places.' Amid Australia's extinction crisis, the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) revealed the nature's dangerous decline was 'unprecedented'. The new report, released this week, warns the rate of species extinctions is accelerating and will have large implications for society. 'The overwhelming evidence of the IPBES Global Assessment, from a wide range of different fields of knowledge, presents an ominous picture,' said IPBES Chair, Sir Robert Watson. Amid Australia's extinction crisis, the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) revealed the nature's dangerous decline was 'unprecedented' (pictured: Forest Red-tailed Black Cockatoo) 'The health of ecosystems on which we and all other species depend is deteriorating more rapidly than ever. We are eroding the very foundations of our economies, livelihoods, food security, health and quality of life worldwide.' Compiled by 145 expert authors from 50 countries over the past three years, the IPBES Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services is the most comprehensive ever completed. The report found that about 1million animal and plant species are now threatened with extinction, many of them within the coming decades. Since 1900, the average abundance of native species in most major land-based habitats has fallen by at least 20 per cent. The report determines the drivers are changes in land and sea use, the direct exploitation of organisms, climate change, pollution and invasive alien species. The 20 Australian birds most at risk and mean likelihood of extinction within 20 years King Island brown thornbill - 94 per cent Orange-bellied parrot - 87 per cent King island scrubtit - 83 per cent Western ground parrot - 75 per cent Houtman Abrolhos painted button-quail - 71 per cent Plains-wanderer - 64 per cent Regent honeyeater - 57 per cent Grey-range thick-billed grasswren - 53 per cent Herald petrel - 52 per cent Black-eared miner - 47 per cent Northern eastern bristlebird - 39 per cent Mallee emu-wren - 34 per cent Swift parrot - 31 per cent Norfolk Island boobook - 27 per cent Mount Lofty Ranges chestnut-rumped - 24 per cent Fleurieu Peninsula southern emu-wren - 17 per cent Helmeted honeyeater - 17 per cent Cocos buff-banded rail - 17 per cent Western bristlebird - 16 per cent Alligator Rivers yellow chat - 15 per cent Advertisement A brewery has been slammed over a new advertisement for a zero-alcohol beer, which shows people drinking it in the workplace. Carlton & United Breweries last September launched its first non-alcoholic beer, Carlton Zero, in an attempt to cater to Australians with fit and active lifestyles. But when the brewery revealed its new promotional video on Monday, which aims to show the beer as a healthy substitute to soft drink, it was met with criticism. As one of the men pours himself a soft drink into a glass, white sugar pours out, before the ad says Carlton Zero has '10 times less sugar than a regular soft drink' The video, which is set to air during NRL and AFL broadcasts, shows two office workmates sitting down for lunch and comparing their meals. As one of the men pours himself a soft drink into a glass, white sugar pours out, before the ad says Carlton Zero has '10 times less sugar than a regular soft drink'. Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education chief executive Michael Thorn told the Herald Sun the advert is a 'veiled push to market alcohol brands to kids'. 'Pushing this beer brand into the health consumer market is deliberately deceptive, and is completely unacceptable and irresponsible,' Mr Thorn said. He said the appearance of the zero-alcohol beer is 'virtually indistinguishable' from the full-strength version, including the logo, branding and packaging. 'Alcohol is an addictive, carcinogenic drug and is the major contributor to teenage deaths through intentional injury, homicide and suicide,' Mr Thorn said. Despite the backlash, Carlton & United Breweries has defended the product by reiterating Carlton Zero is a non-alcoholic beverage. A Carlton & United Breweries spokesman told Daily Mail Australia the beer was launched so people can enjoy beer while encouraging moderation. The new promotional video for Carlton Zero (pictured), which aims to show the beer as a healthy substitute to soft drink, has been met with criticism Carlton & United Breweries CEO Peter Filipovic said the ad campaign highlights Cartlon Zero has 10 times less sugar than regular soft drink 'We think having a non-alcoholic beer is actually the model of responsibility. 'We don't accept that it's irresponsible to promote a beverage which provides more opportunities for people to moderate their drinking,' the spokesman said. Carlton & United Breweries CEO Peter Filipovic said Carlton Zero was launched because beer lovers said they wanted more opportunities to enjoy beer responsibly. 'Adults want alternatives to sugary soft drink and this campaign highlights that Cartlon Zero has 10 times less sugar than regular soft drink. 'It's giving people the freedom to enjoy their favourite drink in places where beer is not usually consumed.' Mr Filipovic said. The spokesperson said the brewery is delighted by the continuing expansion of non-alcoholic beer, which is a great thing for moderation. He also said Zero is available for sale in bottle shops, convenience stores, restaurants and supermarkets, where it sits alongside other non-alcoholic beverages. 'Despite being non-alcoholic, it is marketed to adults in strict accordance with the Alcohol Beverages Code. 'This is not a product that appeals to children, either in Australia or overseas where non-alcoholic beer is big,' he said. Senator Fraser Anning expressed his sympathy toward Prime Minister Scott Morrison after he was egged by a female protester at a Liberal Party election campaign event. The right wing politician stood in solidarity with Mr Morrison and compared the woman's actions to those of 17-year-old Will Connolly. The teenager egged Senator Anning in March at a rally in Melbourne in protest of his comments on Islamic immigration after the Christchurch terror attacks. The boy became a social media sensation known as 'Egg Boy'. Senator Anning said the overwhelmingly positive response to Egg Boy's actions has 'created a situation where grubs think this behaviour is acceptable.' Senate candidate Fraser Anning, who was in March egged by a young protester at a rally in Melbourne, said Mr Morrison's assailant was encouraged by the way the public responded the boy who attacked him On Tuesday, Mr Morrison was mingling with a group of older women at the Country Women's Association in Albury, NSW, when 25-year-old Amber Paige targeted him. The egg missed but the assailant's hand slammed into Mr Morrison's head, knocking him forward before his bodyguards grabbed her and wrestled her out of the venue. 'This is politically motivated violence and is never acceptable,' Senator Anning said after the incident. 'Despite the PM's over zealous reaction to an almost identical incident, I wholeheartedly condemn any such acts and hope Scott Morrison is okay.' Will Connolly, 17, was whacked in the face by Senator Anning when he slapped an egg on the politician's head Ms Paige arrived at the event wearing a red beanie and a T-shirt reading feminist, and her social media accounts were later revealed to be filled with posts slamming Mr Morrison. On International Women's Day in March, she criticised the PM for saying 'we don't want to see women rise only on the basis of others doing worse.' Ms Paige posted: 'Be mad. Be mad as hell. Don't let his bigoted views bring you down.' Opposition Leader Bill Shorten also said he felt sorry for the PM and criticised the protester. Speaking in Waurn Ponds, Victoria, he said: 'The Prime Minister has my complete sympathy, as does the lady who was knocked over. 'This is not what we do in this country. This is not what we do in Australia. It doesn't matter if you're on the hard-left or the hard-right, it's disgraceful and appalling.' This is the young woman who threw the egg at the Prime Minister in Albury on Tuesday Mr Morrison was mingling with and talking to a group of older women when an egg was thrown from behind him and seemed to skim his head Mr Morrison condemned the attack as 'thuggery' in a tweet after the event. He wrote: 'My concern about today's incident in Albury was for the older lady who was knocked off her feet. 'I helped her up and gave her a hug. Our farmers have to put up with these same idiots who are invading their farms and their homes.' In a second tweet he compared the protest to the actions of unions. He added: 'We will stand up to thuggery whether it's these cowardly activists who have no respect for anyone, or militant unionists standing over small businesses and their employees on work sites.' Buffy The Vampire Slayer star Nicholas Brendon pictured following his 2017 arrest Nicholas Brendon is facing four years behind bars after being charged over an alleged domestic violence incident. In October 2017, the actor - who played Xander Harris on the hit 90's series Buffy The Vampire Slayer - was arrested in Palm Springs, California after police alleged he 'drunkenly attacked his girlfriend' at a hotel bar. According to TMZ, the star, 48, is accused of 'pulling his girlfriend's hair and yanking her arm' when she tried to leave the table at which they were sitting. The alleged victim was never named in the press. Now, more than 18 months on, police have formally booked Brendon with one count of felony corporal injury to a spouse. It's not the first time the actor has been arrested and charged over alcohol-fueled incidents. In 2010, Brendon was tasered by Los Angeles police after they responded to a call regarding drunken behavior. Brendon shot to fame with a starring role on the iconic 1990s series Buffy The Vampire Slayer Brendon has appeared on Dr Phil, speaking candidly about his battles with alcoholism and depression. He is pictured in June 2017 He was later charged with one count of resisting arrest, two counts of battery against a police officer, and one count of vandalism. The star pleaded no contest to the charges and received a one-year suspended jail sentence after checking into a Malibu treatment center. However, Brendon's legal troubles kicked off again in 2014 when he was arrested for allegedly trashing a hotel room in Idaho. In 2015, he was again arrested for trashing a hotel room, this time in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Later that year, he was charged for attacking a woman in an upstate New York hotel room. He was charged with felony third-degree robbery, criminal mischief and obstruction of breathing, according to NBC News. Brendon was arrested twice in 2015. His mugshots are pictured Brendon has since appeared on Dr Phil, speaking candidly about his battles with alcoholism and depression. He is famous for having played Xander Harris in all 145 episodes of Buffy from 1997 until 2003. The actor last had a recurring role on the hit MTV sitcom Faking It, which wrapped in 2016. Sri Lanka has either killed or arrested all the jihadists responsible for the Easter Sunday suicide bombings that left 257 people dead, police have said. Officers have accounted for every individual involved in the April 21 attacks on three churches and three luxury hotels, police chief Chandana Wickramaratne said. 'The two bomb experts of the group have been killed. We have seized the explosives they had stored for future attacks,' he added. Sri Lankan police say they have arrested or killed everyone involved in the Easter Sunday terror attack which targeted churches and hotels All the bombers died during their attacks while police say they killed two bomb-makers and seized additional explosives to be used in future attacks In total 257 people died in attacks which targeted Christians, in what Sri Lankan authorities said was revenge for the Christchurch mosque attacks Wickramaratne, who was named acting police chief last week after President Maithripala Sirisena suspended his predecessor over his failure to act on warnings about the attacks, said public life was slowly returning to normal. Curfews imposed after the bombs are now being lifted, with public schools reopening on Monday. But attendance dropped to below 10 per cent in many places with parents still fearing attacks. 'We have strengthened security for all schools,' the police chief said. 'We are also conducting a programme to create awareness about safety and security in all schools.' Wickramaratne did not say how many people were in custody over the bombings, but police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekera said Monday that 73 people, including nine women, were being held. Police had previously said they were seeking 140 suspected jihadists. The bombings have been blamed on a local group, the national Thowheeth Jama'ath (NTJ), but ISIS has also claimed responsibility. Security services have previously indicated that the bombers splintered off from NTJ as their views became more extreme. Police said life was now 'getting back to normal' despite revenge attacks being carried out against Muslim properties in Negombo, where most people died Sri Lanka security forces took to the street in Negombo to protect Muslims businesses after revenge attacks for the Easter Sunday bombings They filmed themselves swearing allegiance to ISIS before the attacks, though it is not known if the group was directly involved in the planning. Authorities have said the group received help from overseas, without elaborating. Police said religious tensions have eased at Negombo, a town north of Colombo that suffered the highest death toll in the Easter Sunday attacks. A bomb at St Sebastian's church in the town killed more than 100 worshippers. Dozens of Muslim-owned businesses, homes and vehicles in Negombo were damaged in clashes on Sunday night. The Roman Catholic Church appealed for calm and urged Christians not to carry out revenge attacks against Muslims. Police said two arrests were made and more suspects had been identified through CCTV footage. A murdered father-of-three was killed execution-style in the same park where he would often meet up with women for sex, an inquest has heard. A coronial inquest heard Momtaz Kabbout's body was found face down at Shortland Brush Lookout in Lansdowne, in Sydney's southwest in July 2012, 'immediately' after having sex. Lidcombe Coroner's Court heard an autopsy showed the 46-year-old was on his knees when he was shot five times in his head and back, the ABC reported. Momtaz Kabbout's body was found face down at Shortland Brush Lookout in Sydney's southwest in 2012, with an autopsy finding he was on his knees when he was shot five times in his head and back Two mobile phones and $400 cash were found in his pockets, ruling out robbery as the motive. The inquest heard a tissue containing his semen and someone else's DNA was found in his pockets, as well as five unused condoms and a condom wrapper. Counsel assisting the coroner Ben Hart told the court that Kabbout and his wife - who he lived with in Fairfield - were both having affairs, and he was sleeping with several other women. 'Witnesses have described Kabbout telling them he had a problem and pointed out Shortland Brush Reserve as a place where he would go to sleep with women.' 'Although portrayed as a loving family man, it became obvious throughout the police investigation that Momtaz and his wife Bouchar were each involved in a number of extra-marital affairs,' Mr Hart said, MSN reported. 'As a result, important details about the movements of certain people on and around 2 July 2012 and what their relationships to Momtaz and others were, were concealed from police.' Initially, some of the women - many of whom were married - denied sleeping with Kabbout, which didn't help the police investigation into his murder. Several women said their sexual relationships with Kabbout were still ongoing at the time he was murdered. A coronial inquest heard that Kabbout told people Shortland Brush Reserve (pictured) where he was found dead, was a place where he would go to sleep with women Police are trying to piece together whether his murder was connected to the affairs, and haven't ruled out that one or more of those relationships led to his murder. In a further twist, Kabbout worked as a driving instructor, but was also involved with finding fake drivers' licences for his customers. However, police have ruled out this as a factor in his murder. Detectives believe some of the 'married and unmarried' women Kabbout slept with were his students he was teaching to drive,' The Sydney Morning Herald reported. Kabbout's brother Fawaz left Australia on a fake airline ticket the night he was murdered, but died later in Lebanon during surgery. 'Fawaz ... hindered the investigation. It must be considered suspicious Fawaz left the country on the same night Momtaz was murdered,' Mr Hart said. Nobody has been charged with his death and the case was referred back to the New South Wales Police Unsolved Homicides unit. Advertisement Incredible photographs developed using old-fashioned techniques have revealed what people would look like without their distinctive facial tattoos. New Zealand photographer Michael Bradley used the wet plate collodion developing process made popular in the 1800s on photos of Maori people with 'ta moko' facial markings. Mr Bradley said he had been experimenting with the wet plate method when he noticed certain tattoos appeared to fade away in the images. Incredible photographs developed using old-fashioned techniques have revealed what people would look like without their distinctive facial tattoos New Zealand photographer Michael Bradley uses the wet plate collodion developing process made popular in the 1800s on photos of Maori people with 'ta moko' facial markings, which disappear in the resulting images Mr Bradley said he had been experimenting with the wet plate method when he noticed certain tattoos appeared to fade away in images 'I noticed that the green, blue shades looked like they were most likely to disappear, especially on someone with slightly darker skin, and this sparked the idea,' he said 'I noticed that the green, blue shades looked like they were most likely to disappear, especially on someone with slightly darker skin, and this sparked the idea,' he told PetaPixel. He also noticed that photos of people with ta moko taken in the 1800s using the wet plate technique barely showed their tattoos. Mr Bradley took a series of photographs of Maori men and women for his portrait project called Puaki. Puaki is a Maori word meaning 'to come forth, show itself, open out, emerge'. Mr Bradley also noticed that photos of people with ta moko taken in the 1800s using the wet plate technique barely showed their tattoos Mr Bradley took a series of photographs of Maori men and women for his portrait project called Puaki Puaki is a Maori word meaning 'to come forth, show itself, open out, emerge' He took photos of 48 people with ta moko using a digital camera and then took others on an 85-year-old wooden camera What is wet plate collodion photography? The wet plate collodion technique is a 'slow and laborious process', Mr Bradley said. Wet plate collodion photography requires photos to be coated, sensitised, exposed and developed within 15 minutes, and is done in a dark room. Collodion is a syrupy solution of pyroxylin in ether or alcohol. Collodion is spread on glass or tin plates, dipped in silver nitrate and exposed to ultraviolet light. Used on clear glass, the process produces a negative image that can be used to make prints. Black backing is added to make a positive image. Advertisement He took photos of 48 people with ta moko using a digital camera and then took others on an 85-year-old wooden camera, developed using the wet plate method. The photographs displayed side by side reveal what the subjects would look like without their facial tattoos. Mr Bradley said he hopes to tell the story of ta moko and the practice's connection to Maori culture through his project. 'The problem is, when photographs of ta moko were originally taken in the 1850s, the tattoos barely showed up at all,' he said. 'The wet plate photographic method used by European settlers served to erase this cultural marker - and as the years went by, this proved true in real life, too. 'The ancient art of ta moko was increasingly suppressed as Maori were assimilated into the colonial world.' The wet plate collodion technique is a 'slow and laborious process', Mr Bradley said. 'It involves the pouring of collodion onto a glass plate, before it is bathed in silver nitrate, loaded into a wooden camera, the photograph taken and developed in another potent mix of chemicals,' he said. 'This photographic technique was in use during the time New Zealand was first colonised, from the 1850s until around the 1870s.' Michael Bradley's Puaki exhibition was shown at Waitangi Museum in New Zealand in 2018 and will be shown at various galleries and museums both in New Zealand and overseas. The photographs displayed side by side reveal what the subjects would look like without their facial tattoos Mr Bradley said he hopes to tell the story of ta moko and the practice's connection to Maori culture through his project The wet plate collodion technique is a 'slow and laborious process', Mr Bradley said The ta moko facial tattoos indicate social status, role, and expressions of identity though genealogy Michael Bradley's (pictured) Puaki exhibition was shown at Waitangi Museum in New Zealand in 2018 and will be shown at various galleries and museums both in New Zealand and overseas An anti-abortion preacher who screamed at Australians sitting on a packed train has continued his crusade in London and drawn the attention of police. Phillip Blair, of Torch of Christ Ministries in America, took to the streets of the capital city in England last week, urging pedestrians to repent or face damnation. Mr Blair drew backlash in Australia after condemning abortion on a packed Sydney train last month, and putting down a wheelchair user at Martin Place. At the time, he said the man was 'too bitter' to be healed. The controversial evangelist seems to have taken his preaching overseas, urging the public outside of St Paul's Cathedral in London to repent. Phillip Blair (pictured), of Torch of Christ Ministries in America, took to the streets of the capital city in England last week, urging pedestrians to repent or face damnation An angry passerby (pictured) walks past the preacher before he turns on his heels and tells the man to 'shut the f**k up' In a video, Mr Blair is seen wearing a boom box over his shoulder as he spouts his religious views. 'God is in control of every moment of every day for the rest of your life. Despair gone, anxiety broken, fear driven out, because God is in control. 'This is what we need to cry out for. Jesus take my life, God take control, forgive my sins, heal me, take this heart of mine and give me a new one.' Only minutes into the video, a police officer walks up to the preacher, saying he has received complaints. He asks Mr Blair's video crew to stop filming, though the crew manage to persuade the offficer to keep the camera switched on. 'We're just filming for our protection man,' Mr Blair tells the officer. The police man goes on to explain he has received complaints from the public, and asks Mr Blair to explain what he is preaching about. Though after he asks Mr Blair to hand over identification, that's when the preacher turns the conversation around and starts asking the officer questions. 'Are you a Christian brother?' he says. 'Are your parents?' After the officer responds that he is not religious, the preacher continues to give him his backstory and his history of struggles 'I saw so many horrible things when I was a kid, as I grew older I was very angry. I was scared of emotional and physical abandonment.' Eventually the preacher explains he found God, and that the divine encounter saved him. 'And then God began to help me learn to love, then I was able to receive love. The officer tries to squeeze in words between the preacher's rant, but fails to get in a full sentence. Eventually he is called away and leaves the man with a verbal warning. Though others in the city weren't so kind. Another video shows the man continue to preach along London Bridge, where he once again urges the public to repent for their sins. The controversial preacher urges the public outside of St Paul's Cathedral in London to repent Only minutes into the video, a police officer walks up to the preacher, saying he has received complaints Though after he asks Mr Blair to hand over identification, that's when the preacher turns the conversation around and starts asking the officer questions 'God will be faithful if you cry out to him. He is the friend that sticks closer than a brother,' he says. An angry passerby walks past the preacher before he turns on his heels and tells the man to 'shut the f**k up.' 'Shut the f**k up. I said shut the f**k up!' he yells. Mr Blair remains calm and composed. 'Why are you so angry?' The upset passerby turns to walk away from the preacher, who calls out after him. 'God loves you brother.' Though he isn't the only who seems to rub the public the wrong way, with his colleagues drawing anger during the commute on the London subway. A fellow preacher begins to rant on the carriage, before a passenger gets up from her seat and rushes to the camera. She places her palm over the lens to block the view before urging the preachers to stop filming. 'This is illegal, this is illegal. People should not be filmed.' The person off-camera argues the woman has no right to touch the camera as it's his personal property. 'I'm stopping people from being filmed,' the passenger responds. A fellow preacher begins to rant on the train carriage, before a passenger gets up from her seat and rushes to the camera The parents of a three-week-old baby who died while his mother carried him in a baby sling have described their heartache after 'his little heart just stopped beating'. Tattika Dunn walked her newborn son Harvey to the Long Jetty Community Health Centre on the NSW Central Coast for his postnatal check up on April 8. She didn't notice anything out of the ordinary until she unwrapped him from the fabric baby sling she had carried him in and handed him over to the neonatal nurse. Only then did they realise little Harvey had stopped breathing. Tattika Dunn walked her newborn son Harvey (pictured) to the Long Jetty Community Health Centre for his postnatal check up on April 8 Ms Dunn (pictured with Harvey) said she made the short trip from her home to the medical centre and spoke with nurses for eight to 10 minutes before unwrapping him from the sling Nurses performed CPR, but he could not be resuscitated. Police were initially investigating whether the baby sling had anything to do with his death, but are now also considering whether he died from a case of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), The Daily Telegraph reported. Ms Dunn said she made the short trip from her home to the medical centre and spoke with nurses for eight to 10 minutes before unwrapping him from the sling. The 36-year-old and her husband Bill said they 'will never stop loving, missing, and grieving for the loss of their son'. The parents said their other sons, twin four-year-olds Seth and Bailey (pictured together with Harvey) will now grow up without their baby brother They also said their other sons, twin four-year-olds Seth and Bailey will now grow up without their baby brother. She shared a post to Facebook days after Harvey's death discussing the fragility of life. 'Life is precious,' she wrote. 'Cherish every moment and hold your loved ones close.' 'It's still very raw to me, but recently I lost my three-week-old baby for 'no known reason'.' 'I am experiencing so much grief and not coping, but I had a community of people who I would now call family stand and take over for me,' she said. A GoFundMe page was established on the family's behalf to help ease the financial burden in the coming months. She didn't notice anything out of the ordinary until she unwrapped him from the fabric baby sling she had carried him in and handed him over to the neonatal nurse The community has set up a GoFundMe page to help ease the financial pressures on the family 'This family will soon face bills and the hardships that follow laying a child to rest,' the page reads. 'Your donation will help give them the financial help and support they need to have time to process, grieve, and attempt to heal after experiencing the worst event that could ever happen to a parent. 'It's unimaginable to most of us to even comprehend what they must be going through. There is nothing that can be done to ease the pain that comes with such an unexpected tragedy. Harvey's body was sent to a Newcastle morgue. A post mortem report will be presented to the Coroner and an inquest into his death is expected to be held. Ms Dunn's labour was induced and the medical team were required to perform a forceps delivery, but Harvey was not believed to have any underlying conditions. Harvey's father, Bill, has been described as an upstanding member of the community who often patrols the beach While police are now investigating other potential causes for Harvey's death, the chief midwife at Red Nose Australia, Jane Wiggill, said regulations surrounding fabric slings are currently quite lax in Australia. She said there are currently no regulations or standards in Australia relating to their use. 'Using baby slings is a suffocation risk, especially if a baby is placed incorrectly in a sling,' she said. 'This is because babies do not have the physical ability to move out of dangerous positions that can block their airways. This includes lying in a sling with a curved back, with their chin to chest; or lying with their face pressed against the fabric of the sling or the wearer's body as it makes it difficult to turn their head when pressed against the fabric. She said the slings pose a greater risk to babies under four months of age, those who were born premature or those who already have breathing difficulties. Police were initially investigating whether the baby sling had anything to do with his death, but are now also considering whether he died from a case of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) (stock image of a sling) As Democrats and Republicans wrestle over Robert Mueller's report on alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 elections, the special counsel decided to take some time to dine out in the nation's capital. Mueller, the former FBI director, was seen walking out of a Georgetown eatery on Monday evening. The special counsel wore a stoic expression as he was crossing the street. Mueller was seen walking away from Martin's Tavern and heading toward the intersection of Wisconsin Avenue and N Street. Special Counsel Robert Mueller (right) leaves Martin's Tavern in the Georgetown section of Washington, DC, on Monday evening The special counsel wore a stoic expression as he was crossing the street The talk of Washington, DC continues to be the fallout of Mueller's report and the manner in which it was presented to the public Martin's Tavern is considered a landmark of sorts in Washington, DC. According to its website, it is the place where then-Senator John F. Kennedy proposed marriage to Jacqueline Lee Bouvier in June 1953. The talk of Washington, DC continues to be the fallout of his report and the manner in which it was presented to the public. While Republicans say Mueller's findings clear President Trump of colluding with Russia, Democrats are angry over the manner in which Attorney General William Barr has characterized the special counsel's work. The reaction has been so fierce that Democrats in the House of Representatives say they are eager to hear from Mueller himself. President Trump blasted Democrats, accusing them of 'looking for a redo' of the Mueller investigation after it found the Trump campaign did not collude with Russia Trump's position is that Mueller's report speaks for itself and grilling him in public would be a 'redo' for Democrats who had hoped the Mueller report would end his presidency Trump said Sunday that Mueller 'should not testify' in a planned May 15 congressional hearing about his 22-month-long Russia probe. 'After spending more than $35,000,000 over a two year period, interviewing 500 people, using 18 Trump Hating Angry Democrats & 49 FBI Agents - all culminating in a more than 400 page Report showing NO COLLUSION - why would the Democrats in Congress now need Robert Mueller to testify,' he tweeted. 'Are they looking for a redo because they hated seeing the strong NO COLLUSION conclusion? There was no crime, except on the other side (incredibly not covered in the Report), and NO OBSTRUCTION. Bob Mueller should not testify. No redos for the Dems!' A Democratic member of the House Judiciary Committee had said hours earlier that he was hopeful Mueller would appear before the panel, citing a 'tentative date' for his testimony. Trump has the constitutional power to stop Mueller from testifying, as long as he remains a Justice Department employee. Barr testified last week, however, that he has no problems with Mueller appearing before the House. 'I've already said publicly I have no objection to him testifying,' Barr told the Senate Judiciary Committee last week. Rhode Island Rep. David Cicilline said on 'Fox News Sunday' that 'we hope the special counsel will appear' on May 15 and that 'we think the American people have a right to hear directly from him.' The committee chairman, Democratic Rep. Jerrold Nadler of New York, said last week the committee was 'firming up the date' for Mueller's testimony and hoping it would be May 15. Cicilline says that 'obviously until the date comes, we never have an absolute guarantee.' Democrats are seeking more information about Mueller's report on his Russia investigation. Spokespeople for the Justice Department and Mueller didn't immediately return messages Sunday. House Judiciary Committee Chair Jerrold Nadler said last week that he wanted a May 15 date, and on Sunday a committee member said in a TV interview that it was a 'tentative' date for Mueller's testimony Rhode Island Rep. David Cicilline said on 'Fox News Sunday' that he's hopeful Mueller will show up in Congress on May 15 Mueller's report, delivered to the Justice Department on March 24, found no evidence for Democrats' long-held contention that the Trump campaign colluded with Russians to influence the election, But the president is still facing allegations he obstructed justice by firing FBI Director James Comey and trying to impede the special counsel probe. Mueller has said no one from the White House tried to get in his way, and the president did not assert executive privilege to stop the special counsel team from questining any of his aides. Cicilline said Sunday that the Trump administration has shown no sign that its pattern of transparency will end where Mueller's work begins. 'The White House has so far indicated they would not interfere with Mr. Mueller's attempts to testify, we hope that won't change,' he said. Mueller has testified before Congress before, including this 2013 hearing when he was the FBI director Mueller sent this lstter to Attorney General William Barr on March 27, complaining about the pace of the Justice Department's release of his report on Russia's 2016 election meddling The House Judiciary Committee has subpoenaed an unredacted copy of Mueller's report, something Barr is unwilling to hand over. He has cited a federal law that bars him from disclosing secret grand jury proceedings, even to Congress. Nadler has given the DOJ until 9:00 a.m. on Monday to comply, threatning a contempt of Congress proceeding against Barr if that deadline comes and goes. Cicilline said there has not been "compliance yet" from the attorney general. 'We obviously have to wait until the morning to see if the attorney general will comply,' Cicilline cautioned. 'The chairman has been very patient, trying to accommodate the attorney general in every way,' Cicilline claimed. 'But the members of our committee need to see the full report and the supporting documents so we can continue to do our work.' Mueller's testimony will be the most hotly anticipated Capitol Hill must-see TV since last week's Senate hearing with Barr. Barr fielded questions from the Republican-dominated panel but refused to repeat his performance before Nadler's committee a day later because he was expected to submit to a grilling from attorneys in addition to the elected lawmakers. Angus Taylor's campaign nightmare has continued, with the Energy Minister now under fire for taking up a disabled parking space with his campaign signs and staff. Last week, the Liberal MP for Hume was ridiculed for congratulating himself from his own ministerial Facebook account. A picture showing his campaign signs and some of his supporters taking up a parking space outside a pre-polling booth in Goulburn, about two-and-a-half hours south-west of Sydney was uploaded on Facebook on April 29. 'Angus Taylor showing how little he cares about disabled people in our community, instructing his staff to set up shop across several car parks including the disabled car park at the pre-polling place, ' someone wrote under the picture. Scroll down for video Mr Taylor's supporters were pictured campaigning in a disabled parking space in Goulburn The user, who uploaded the image on April 29, claims staff at the adjacent Pet Barn store had asked the campaigners to move their signs out of the disabled parking bay but the request was ignored. 'I hope the local police issued him with a fine with a infringement notice because I am sick of having to park some distance away from where I need to go ...' one user wrote. 'Report it to the AEC [Australian Electoral Commission],' another wrote. Just days earlier the Energy Minister was caught congratulating himself from his own Facebook account over his announcement of an extra 1000 car parks for rail commuters in Hume. Among the excited posts responding to the announcement was one from the MP's official account, which said: 'Fantastic. Great Move. Well done Angus'. Among the excited posts was one from Mr Taylor's official account, which said: 'Fantastic. Great Move. Well done Angus' It is believed the comment was meant to be posted from a fake Facebook account instead of the official one in a bid to fabricate positive reactions. The post was quickly deleted but not before people on social media caught wind of the gaffe. Multiple people took to social media to mock Mr Taylor over the Facebook fumble, with many repeating his post. 'What a great tweet Angus, Sincerely, Angus,' one person joked. 'You know PR isn't going well when you have to congratulate yourself,' another person said. However, others jumped to his defence. 'Who says it's from the wrong account? May have done it on purpose?' one person asked. A spokesman for Mr Taylor told Yahoo News Australia no vehicles were 'prevented from using the disabled parking space adjacent to where the volunteers were set up'. Campaigners later moved to a space closer to the pre-polling centre. Daily Mail Australia sought comment from Mr Taylor's office. A Dallas housewife on death row for stabbing her two sons to death has undergone a shocking transformation revealed in an upcoming documentary. Darlie Routier laid bare her first person account of the horrific 1996 murders in a two-hour program by ABC's 20/20 airing on Friday. Routier has spent the past two decades protesting her innocence, maintaining that an intruder entered the family's home and attacked her sons, five and six, while they were asleep in front of the TV. Prosecutors managed to convince a jury that the mother had fabricated the account. She was convicted of murdering the younger son, Damon, when she was 27 years old in 1997. She was never tried for the murder of her eldest son Devon, as prosecutors wanted the option to pursue a second indictment should the first fail in court. Routier's appearance has changed dramatically over her time behind bars, as she transitioned from a lithe blonde into a heavy-set brunette. Dallas housewife Darlie Routier has undergone a shocking transformation over her the past 20 decades she's spent on death row for killing her two young sons. The now-48-year-old shares her own account and maintains her innocence in a 20/20 documentary airing this week But in an interview from prison she still insists she is innocent, saying: 'I cannot actually believe they're doing this to me when I didn't do this. I didn't kill Devon and Damon.' Along with Routier's account, the documentary includes a video shown by prosecutors during the trial of the mother having a party at her childrens gravesite and other evidence presented by the state that points to her as the killer. It also shows the defense questioning the state's theory of motive and the characterization of Routier, her current defense team's alternative theories that the jury may not have fully considered and an interview with Darin Routier, the defendant's ex-husband. Darin Routier talks about the events leading up to her arrest, including the night of the murders, and lays out why he still believes she is innocent. Prosecutors contended that Routier was angry over money problems and the burdens of motherhood (pictured with her two eldest sons) Darlie, a native of Altoona, Pennsylvania, met her future husband, Darin Routier, in Lubbock, Texas, when she was a teenager and he was the assistant manager of a restaurant. The couple dated for several years before marrying in 1988. They settled in the Dallas area, where Darin Routier's business testing circuit boards took off a few years later. The couple spent their newfound wealth - as much as $500,000 a year - on a Jaguar, cabin-cruiser, vacations and an upscale home replete with a fountain in the front yard and hot tub in back. But with the new purchases came hefty bills, and by May 1996 the Routiers owed $10,000 in back taxes, $12,000 on credit cards and two months of mortgage payments. During the trial, prosecutors contended that Routier was angry over money problems and the burdens of motherhood, and that she slashed herself to cover the crime. The prosecution repeatedly showed the court video of Routier giggling and spraying Silly String on her sons' graves on what would have been Devon's seventh birthday. She was arrested just days after the graveside celebration, which her mother, Darlie Kee, said was the family's way of dealing with their loss, as Dallas News reported. Routier shows severe bruising on her right arm after the stabbing, which she blamed on an intruder It took the jury 10 hours spread over two days to convict Routier of capital murder. Despite being found guilty and condemned to die, Routier' mother, ex-husband, family and friends have stood by her over the years, insisting that she was innocent. Routier's supporters often point to a bloody sock that was found in the alley about 75 yards from the family's home, with bloodspatters from the two children, as well as a bloody fingerprint that was found on a table near the body of one of the children. Cooper, Routier's lawyer, said when the fingerprint, known in the case as 85-J, was tested, no DNA could be extracted from it because it has degraded over time. Routier's case was featured on the multi-part docuseries The Last Defense exploring the failures of the American justice system, which aired on ABC over the summer. Her sole surviving son, Drake, now in his early 20s, was diagnosed with leukemia two years ago, but the disease is said to be in remission. For now, Routier, aged 48, remains on death row in Gatesville Prison, Texas, and is one of six women sentenced to death in the state. No date has been set for her execution as the case continues to go through the state's appellate court system. The last woman to be put to death in Texas was Lisa Coleman, 38, who was given a lethal injection in 2014 for the starvation death of her girlfriend's son. Amber Holt tried to create a viral moment by slapping an egg into the back of the Prime Minister's head, just as 'Egg Boy' did to Fraser Anning. But throwing an egg at Scott Morrison during a Country Women's Association meeting on Tuesday is unlikely to end the way it was cracked up to be for 'Egg Girl'. Commentators doubt the 24-year-old will be honoured with murals and showered with Instagram fame like Will Connolly, 17, was in March. There's a big difference in the circumstances of the two eggings, pundit Peter Ford said. Amber Holt - or 'Egg Girl' - may find viral fame is not all it's cracked to be, commentators said 'Egg Boy got a level of forgiveness as he was young and because Anning is so easy to dislike,' Mr Ford told Daily Mail Australia. Connolly's attack on Mr Anning came after the senator was widely condemned for a media release blaming the Christchurch massacre on Muslim immigration. 'Egg Boy' Will Connolly after egging Fraser Anning The teen became a sympathetic figure. Mr Anning punched Connolly right back in the face and the boy was wrestled to the ground by the senator's supporters. But Holt's alleged attack on the nation's leader in Albury was a relative failure in the public relations stakes. Video shows Holt - dressed in a red beanie and 'feminist' T-shirt - allegedly throwing the egg, sparking a melee that toppled an elderly woman over before Mr Morrison helped her to her feet. ABC radio's Matt Bevan who was at the scene said 'the egging has led to lovely vision of the Prime Minister compassionately helping an old lady up from the ground' which could only help his campaign rather than harm it. Holt's egging was also done in an apparent political protest at Australia's offshore processing system for illegal migrants. That may be controversial, but it is supported by both major parties. For Holt's sake, she said the egging 'speaks for itself', and asked reporters: 'Have you seen his video to Manus Island?' Scott Morrison helped the woman knocked over in the melee to her feet There's little doubt the woman's (alleged) actions were motivated by the viral fame handed to Egg Boy, Mr Ford said. 'He (Egg Boy) should never have been applauded or encouraged as it's given entree to what we saw today and the result was an innocent woman on the ground,' Mr Ford said. The teenager was offered lifetime free tickets to music events and had his face emblazoned on T-shirts after the stunt. Mr Ford said: 'We all know an egg isn't going to kill anyone but the frenzy an assault like that can cause means innocent people become collateral damage in what ensues.' 'If an old woman isn't safe serving scones in the CWA, where is she?' T-shirts were printed in his honour and protesters held signs pledging to marry him (above) Egg Boy was honoured with enormous murals in both Sydney (above) and Melbourne No one was hurt today. Holt was ejected from the event by the Prime Minister's bodyguards and handed herself in at Albury police station. She was then charged with common assault. She was also charged with possessing a prohibited drug after police allegedly found cannabis on her. Holt's bail conditions stipulated that she must not approach Mr Morrison, or assault, stalk or intimidate him. But they do say she will be able to harm Mr Morrison in another, legal way - by exercising her democratic right to vote at the May 18 federal election. A Queensland mother has been left outraged by suggestive and other inappropriate comments made by a restaurant waiter toward her two young children. Jessica Black said she was 'shocked' and 'disgusted' by the waiter, who called her five-year-old daughter 'sexy' and joked about trafficking her two-year-old son, at an Ipswich restaurant last week. 'He referred to my (five-year-old) daughter using terms like "sexy", insinuating he would like to introduce her to his young son, and went on to pick up my (two-year-old) son and make comments saying how he could make upwards of $250,000 on the Chinese black market if he sold him,' Ms Black wrote in a Facebook post. 'This man not only ruined our night with the comments, but subjected my children to some horrible topics. 'Thankfully, this happened before we had ordered/paid and we were able to leave'. Jessica Black said she was 'shocked' and 'disgusted' by the server, who called her five-year-old daughter 'sexy' and joked about trafficking her two-year-old son, at an Ipswich restaurant last week (Pictured: Stock photo of a restaurant) Ms Black said she later returned to the restaurant to confront the man, who reportedly seemed unfazed by her complaint and said, 'it's okay' and resumed working, the Queensland Times reported. She also filed a report with Policelink as a preventative measure stating 'you can never know in this world.' 'Whether or not this was an attempt at sick humor, or some underlying issues, I'm not sure', she said. Ms Black acknowledged reporting the incident to police may have been 'over the top' but said it was not worth potentially putting 'someone in danger' by ignoring it. After sharing her experience, customers who previously dined at the restaurant revealed the waiter is apparently known for his quirky and awkward approach with guests. 'I have to laugh/cringe nearly every time I go there,' Laura Hurd said, according to the publication. 'He is trying to be funny. I don't think he means any harm but it does come across pretty weird sometimes'. Ms. Hurd revealed she has previously heard the waiter use those 'exact comments' to others which she referred to as 'one of his standard lines.' Police confirmed to the Queensland Times that they received a report, but did not say if they were investigating. Officers got more than they bargained for when they pulled over a pick-up truck during a routine traffic stop in Florida Monday and a woman pulled an alligator out of her yoga pants. Michael Clemons, 22, and Ariel Machan-Le Quire, 25, were stopped in Punta Gorda and told officers they had been out hunting for snakes and frogs under an overpass. Police then inspected the vehicle and found Machen-Le Quire's black backpack stuffed with 41 small turtles. Things then got even more bizarre when she proceeded to pull a one-foot baby alligator out of her pants. A routine traffic stop took a very bizarre turn in Florida Monday morning, when a woman inside a blue pick-up truck brandished a baby alligator (pictured) from the inside of her pants The one-foot reptile was placed onto the tray of the pick-up truck by the female passenger According to an official report from the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office, Machan-Le Quire then took the one-foot reptile and placed it in the tray of the truck. It has not been confirmed whether the pair have been charged over the incident, The Miami Herald reports. However, officers clearly saw the funny side of the strange situation, sharing a hilarious post to Facebook on Monday. 'Not to be outdone by the #FloridaMan, a #FloridaWoman pulled this alligator out of her pants Monday morning during a traffic stop after being asked the standard, 'Do you have anything else?'' they hilariously wrote. Charlotte Country Sheriff's office saw the funny side of the strange situation, sharing a hilarious post to Facebook. Above the turtles recovered from the backpack are seen A 22-year-old Adelaide man was killed with a single punch to his head, so hard it likely knocked him unconscious before he hit the ground, a court has heard. Reece Watherston is on trial in the Supreme Court after pleading not guilty to the manslaughter of Jack Hanley during a brawl in 2017. Opening the Crown case on Tuesday, prosecutor Mark Norman SC said Mr Hanley died at the scene from catastrophic head injuries caused when he fell backwards fracturing his skull on the concrete pavement. 'The accused hit him as hard as he possibly could,' Mr Norman told Justice Anne Bampton, who is conducting the judge-alone trial. 'The prosecution alleges the punch was an unlawful and dangerous act.' Jack Hanley (right) died in 2017 after a one-punch attack in Adelaide, South Australia Reece Watherston is on trial in the Supreme Court after pleading not guilty to the manslaughter of Jack Hanley during a brawl in 2017 The court heard the accused had engaged in a drunken, early hours brawl that initially involved two groups of people. But Mr Norman said the victim posed no threat to Watherston at the time of the fatal blow. He said the punch was captured on a mobile phone by someone who was passing by in a car. 'The prosecution suggests it clearly shows the accused attacking the deceased,' the prosecutor said. 'It equally clearly shows the deceased trying to avoid the accused's attack by physically turning away from him.' Mr Norman said it was at that point that Watherston pursued Mr Hanley and landed the 'extremely powerful punch'. 'Indeed so powerful it very likely knocked Mr Hanley unconscious before he hit the ground,' he said. The prosecution alleges Mr Hanley (right) was hit so hard he was unconscious before he could hit the ground The court heard that Watherston immediately walked from the scene and got into a taxi some distance away. It was also told that both Mr Hanley and Watherston had the drugs MDMA and cannabis in their systems. A post-mortem examination found Mr Hanley died from blunt head trauma which caused a severe brain injury. The trial is continuing with Justice Bampton to visit the site of the fight on Hindley Street on Wednesday. A suspected 'moped mugger' who was knocked down by a police officer had no licence and no insurance, a misconduct hearing heard today. The 17-year-old is said to have sped up at PC Edwin Sutton who now faces the sack from the Met Police for knocking the teenager off his bike in a 'hard stop'. The teenager was suspected of snatching a handbag in north London and PC Sutton now faces losing his job if he is found to have breached professional standards by using a 'dangerous' method. The officer moved his marked car into the path of the 17-year-old's moped. He stopped the boy - named only as 'Mr G' - in May 2017 to stop him speeding off. But Mr G was driving at a 'considerable speed' and fell off his moped when he ploughed into the police car, the hearing was told. Pictured: A Metropolitan Police vehicle after performing a 'hard stop' on a moped to try and tackle spiralling crime in the capital He suffered 'serious' injuries when he was thrown from the moped in north London, but no further details were revealed. The hearing was told that PC Sutton, who has taken part in several specialist police driving courses and was aware of guidance for stopping mopeds, did not realise how fast he was going - and it took 1.6 seconds for the patrol car's acceleration to impact. He faced a disciplinary hearing today and could be sacked over the incident, despite the force hailing the tactic for reducing moped-enabled crime last year. The hearing was also told that after the accident the officer realised that the moped had no number plate, a tactic often used by criminals to avoid detection. PC Sutton is accused of using an 'unauthorised and/or dangerous method' of stopping the moped. What is police guidance on 'tactical contact'? Police said guidance on the use of vehicles in stopping mopeds is similar to that surrounding the use of force by officers on foot. Officers are told they can only use force when it is 'absolutely necessary, reasonable and proportionate'. Police car drivers have to keep this in mind when deciding whether to crash into a fleeing moped mugger. Whereas police may have been more reluctant to chase robbers without helmets in previous years, a spike in moped crime concentrated the minds of Scotland Yard chiefs. More training for 'scorpion' drivers and the increasingly dangerous tactics used by muggers has led to the method being more widely used. Advertisement Since the incident, as part of a crackdown on soaring moped-enabled crime, 'tactical contact' - or 'hard stops' - allow officers to ram into criminals on mopeds to stop them. Previously officers feared being jailed or sacked if moped riders were injured during high-speed chases and to make matters worse the suspects would take off their helmets to stop the pursuit. Moped-enabled crime plummeted after the tactics were introduced. Operation Venice recorded a 36 per cent drop across London in 2018 compared to the previous year. Police say from January to October in 2017 there were 19,455 moped-enabled offences across London, but from January to October last year that number plummeted to 12,419 offences. The stops are carried out by uniformed 'Scorpion' officers - the highly trained drivers are allowed to physically hit a rider on a moped to knock him from the vehicle during a pursuit. Now, despite the recorded success of the tactic, PC Sutton could be sacked because of his actions on the road. Charles Apthorp, representing the Met Police, told the hearing: 'The officer was on duty on May 21. 'He was driving a marked police car on the North Circular Road at about 5pm in the evening and he was involved in a road traffic accident. 'There was heavy traffic and the police car was being driven between one and six mph.' The hearing was told that there had been reports of incidents involving mopeds earlier that day and PC Sutton had wanted to 'box' the rider in. Mr Apthorp said several mopeds were spotted driving on the road about 25 to 30mph faster than the cars, but the exact speed would be 'conjecture'. He said: 'They were being driven at such a speed that the collision caused the rider, Mr G, to come off the moped and the moped to be considerably damaged. Mr G goes through the air and hits another stationary vehicle.' Mr Apthorp said such a manoeuvre carried out by PC Sutton should only be used when 'necessary'. He said: 'We would only use force to the extent that it is necessary, reasonable and appropriate in the circumstances. 'The use of force was not necessary, it was wholly disproportionate and it wasn't reasonable in the circumstances. The police released this video last year, showing specially trained drivers pursuing fleeing crooks on their bikes to warn muggers of the new tactic 'When moving a vehicle at very short notice the probability of harm is extremely high and knowing that you're effectively causing a collision with a youth on a moped the risk of serious hard is also high.' Mr Apthorp said PC Sutton's action 'bore no resemblance' to the national decision model, which accesses risk in the situation. He said: 'Mr G shouldn't be blamed for what happened here. No-one could anticipate that a police car would be driven in this manner. 'If you hit someone with a car, it's well within people's knowledge that because you're not protected by the frame work of a vehicle you are at high risk of injury. 'Using a police car to stop other vehicles on highways is a high risk activity and officers are only authorised to carry out the manoeuvre when they are given direction. 'The officer is to identify with the control room what steps need to be taken and obtain authorisation for the tactic to stop a moped and none of that was done.' PC Sutton, an officer with nearly 30 years experience, told the disciplinary hearing he spotted a handbag on the front of the youth's moped and thought he may have stolen it. Pictured: A moped mugging gang in the capital, where the police advocated crashing into people to knock thieves off their vehicles He said he believed the teenager was driving at a slower speed than he was when he decided to move into his path. PC Sutton, part of the primary response team for police pursuits all over London, said: 'It was what's called a pre-emptive stop - the idea is to try and stop a pursuit from happening at a slow speed.' The hearing was told that the tactic PC Sutton carried out - blocking a vehicle in slow moving traffic - is not covered by police procedure and is a 'grey area'. He said: 'It's not covered in the manual, it doesn't say it can't be done. The pre-emptive stop in these circumstances is hard to mirror in real life..' PC Sutton said he had done the manoeuvre before and 'successfully' stopped a bike. He added: 'If the situation is developing too quickly, or if there's inherent risk, you can self deploy the tactic. 'If something is developing quickly and there is no time to get through on the radio you can self deploy.' The hearing was told that there had been various reports of moped incidents earlier that day and riders had been 'doing wheelies down the wrong side' of the motorway. PC Sutton said: 'There were two or three bikes riding against the flow of traffic in the west bound carriage riding east at speed pulling wheelies. They were pulling wheelies and waving at a policeman.' Just before the incident PC Sutton was waiting in traffic on the North Circular Road when he spotted four riders and mopeds stationary and chatting to each other about eight cars back. He said: 'They were stationary when I looked in the rear view mirror. The front two were turning behind them as if they were having a conversation with the back two. 'They then split into groups of two - it was the third bike that went down between lanes two and three that had a handbag on the handlebar. It didn't look normal. My honest thought was that it could have been stolen property. 'The idea was to try and restrict the gap between lanes two and three for me to get out of the police car in time to get him to stop. 'I wanted to be able to stop the rider on the bike and find out what was in the back and possibly arrest him.' But PC Sutton said Mr G 'came through too quickly'. He said: 'I believed the personal risk to the rider was low and the risk of injury had he been driving at the correct speed would have been very low.' Cross-examining PC Sutton, Mr Apthorp accused the officer of not making a 'carefully considered' decision. He claimed PC Sutton had experienced a state of 'red midst', saying: 'Red mist is the state of mind of drivers that are so determined to do something that they can't think rationally - that is what we say happened here. 'Drivers experiencing red mist tend to ignore risk factors - the risk factor here being the high probability that taking the manoeuvre would cause a collision.' PC Sutton replied: 'It was a split decision - often that's what happens in policing. My assessment for risk was he was travelling at a slower speed than he was.' He added: 'I didn't want a pursuit scenario to develop because it would be a risk to the public and the rider.' Alisa Williamson, representing PC Sutton, said use of force was only applicable if it was done 'deliberately'. She told the hearing: 'Use of force requires a deliberate action or intention on behalf of the officer; here it's not a deliberate action by PC Sutton to use force. 'If he had driven his police vehicle at the moped in a deliberate attempt to knock him from the moped that could have amounted to use of force, but there is no breach of professional standard in relation to use of force here. 'He decided to perform a partial blocking manoeuvre to close the gap between the traffic to make it difficult for him that to move through the traffic. 'He accepts with hindsight that it was a poor judgement because a terrible accident occurred, but that doesn't mean that this manoeuvre was unauthorised or that it was dangerous or that he wasn't performing his duties in a diligent way.' Ms Williamson said it was 'clear' that the moped was being driven in a dangerous way. She said: 'One witness said when the police car moved over to block the green bike it sped up and hit the officer's car - he was driving at about 25 to 30 mph and was trying to get past the police vehicle. 'Another witness said the bike was going very fast and hit the police car. 'It is my submission you have overwhelming evidence that there has been dangerous driving at high speed the moped that afternoon.' She said character references from his colleagues describe PC Sutton as someone who 'displays professionalism, courage and integrity' and questioned the 'weight' that should be given the Mr G's evidence, who did not attend the hearing. She said Mr G's evidence was 'limited' in advance of possible criminal proceedings, adding 'he had no licence or insurance'. Ms Williamson said: 'His witness statement states that he is deliberately limiting his account to what he describes as the immediate events prior to the collision. 'He had no licence to drive and no insurance.' She added: 'I believe you do not have sufficient evidence to show this amounts to a breach of professional standards.' The panel is due to give its verdict tomorrow afternoon. A drug offender has been on the run for five days after removing his ankle monitor and failing to return to jail. Brett Burns, 32, removed his ankle monitor and did not return to Parklea Correctional Centre in north-western suburbs of Sydney in the morning on Friday, May 3. He was living at the Compulsory Drug Treatment Correctional Centre after being sentenced by the Drug Court, according to a NSW Corrective Services spokeswoman. Burns has outstanding warrants and police have urged the public not to approach him. Brett Burns (pictured), 32, removed his ankle monitor and did not return to Parklea Correctional Centre in north-western suburbs of Sydney in the morning on Friday, May 3 He was last seen leaving the minimum-security facility on Friday morning and police became aware he had not returned at 7.30pm later that day. The man may be in Wyong, Rooty Hill, Willmot or Lethbridge Park, according to police. Burns is white, 165cm-170cm tall and thin with a shaved head and tattoos on his left leg and right arm. He was last seen wearing black Canterbury shorts with an orange CCC on the left leg, a white short sleeve Lacoste shirt and white Nike TNs with a fluoro yellow sole. Those who see Burns or have information should contact Quakers Hill police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or their website. A Kurdish-Australian man who admitted to knowingly being a member of a government-listed terrorist organisation 'has given more to the world of ideas than the prospects of violence', a Sydney judge says. Renas Lelikan, 40, previously pleaded guilty to membership of the Kurdistan Workers' Party or PKK while in Turkey, Iraq and elsewhere between April 2011 and August 2013. Justice Lucy McCallum in the NSW Supreme Court on Tuesday said it was clear Lelikan 'was not a militant', convicting him and imposing a three-year community correction order including 500 hours of community service work. Renas Lelikan, 40, previously pleaded guilty to membership of the Kurdistan Workers' Party The agreed facts state Lelikan spent a significant amount of his time in the mountains of northern Iraq and Turkey with the military arm of the PKK, wearing the uniform and carrying firearms, ammunition and grenades. But the judge described the task of assessing his role as 'complex and highly contextual' and characterised his behaviour as 'towards the lowest order of seriousness'. 'Mr Lelikan spent much of his time writing, taking photographs, searching for the body of his dead brother and living among displaced Kurds,' the judge said. 'His writings were philosophical and almost poetic. They did not seek to incite ... extremist ideology.' One of Lelikan's brothers had been killed by Turkish militia while fighting in the mountains as a PKK guerilla. Justice McCallum said Lelikan was not a leader within the group and required permission to travel with them. 'His role was that of a passive, sympathetic observer who sought to chronicle their struggle,' she said. Lelikan was also previously accused of travelling to the Turkey-Iraq border area to fight for the PKK, but a jury was discharged after more than four weeks of deliberations at his 2018 trial. The birth of Prince Harry and Meghan's baby boy has signalled the first time that a person has had the right to become both the British monarch and the US President. Baby Sussex is automatically a British citizen based on the Duke of Sussex's citizenship status and also due to being born in the UK. But assuming Meghan did not voluntarily give up her own US citizenship when she married Harry, which she was no required to do by law, the baby will also be granted American citizenship himself. The implication of being naturally-born citizen of the United States means Baby Sussex could one day run for office as US President. However the US constitution states that any runner for the job must also have lived in the US for at least 14 years, as well as be over the age of 35. Scroll down for video Meghan is pictured at King's College, London in March (left) and with Harry at at Buckingham Palace in the same month (right) Speaking from Windsor yesterday, a visibly-excited Prince Harry (pictured) called the birth 'the most amazing experience I could ever have possibly imagined' The implication of being naturally-born citizen of the United States means Baby Sussex could one day run for office as US President (shown is current President Donald Trump) In order for a child who was born abroad to a US citizen parent who is married to a non-US citizen, the citizen, who would be Meghan in this case, must have lived in the United States for at least five years, and two of those years must have been after the age of 14. The birth of Baby Sussex must then be officially reported to an American consulate in order for him to obtain US citizenship. US law does not officially recognize dual citizenship, but it doesn't prohibit it either. Baby Sussex's British citizenship would not be affected if the Duke and Duchess of Sussex choose to obtain US citizenship for their child. However, US tax implications could prevent the couple from seeking American citizenship for their new bundle of joy. All US citizens are required by law to report income from all sources within and outside of the US, meaning Baby Sussex could face a tax bill in the States. Americans and Brits poked fun at the suggestion that Baby Sussex could one day run for the presidency of the US Despite now living at Frogmore Cottage in the grounds of Britain's Windsor Palace, Meghan is still expected to file tax returns to the US due to her citizenship. Should Baby Sussex decide he wants to renounce his US citizenship, he would not be able to do so until he reaches the age of 16. The royal baby is also now in the succession line to the British throne, despite six others sitting in front of him. While Baby Sussex is not expected to ever become monarch, it is not unheard of for children of second-born royal sons to become king or queen. The Queen was, like Baby Sussex, the child of a second-born royal son - George VI - and Princess Elizabeth was not thought likely to be a sovereign when she was born. When Edward VIII abdicated, his younger brother the Duke of York became king as George VI, eventually paving the way for the princess to reign as Elizabeth II. Queen Anne was also the second daughter, and fourth child, of a second son - James II - who was a brother of Charles II. But monarchy expert Dr Jonathan Spangler said Harry and Meghan's son, who will be seventh in line, will not wear the crown unless there is a 'twist of dynastic fate'. This is unlikely, given that the Duke of Cambridge has three children - future king Prince George, and two spares Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. The first six places remain unchanged - the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Cambridge, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis and then Harry. But the youngest member of the Windsor family has now bumped Harry's uncle, the Duke of York, from seventh place down into eighth. Locals and tourists at a popular New Zealand lookout allege they were intimidated by an outlaw motorcycle gang into leaving the area. It is alleged the Mongrel Mob Outlaw Motorcycle gang had taken over the popular Ta Mata peak lookout outside Hastings, on New Zealand's north island on Saturday afternoon for a 'patching ceremony.' A number of people contacted local Hastings District Councillor Damon Harvey to express their concern. 'I was contacted by a concerned resident last night, who had been speaking to some visitors to Hawke's Bay that had felt intimidated and told to turn back around and not go to the top of the Peak,' he told Newshub. Locals and tourists at a popular New Zealand lookout allege they were intimidated by an outlaw motorcycle gang into leaving the area 'The tourists were shocked that this could happen in public and felt intimidated. If they were holding a patching ceremony, then that's totally unacceptable.' Mr Harvey said the area and the road too it were public and as a result the OLMC shouldn't be preventing others from using the area. Community groups are allowed to use the area but need approval from council if they wanted to use either the road to the lookout or the summit for an event. 'It seems none of the protocols of holding an event were followed and at the end of the day, I don't think this is the type of activity we want in such a high-profile public space,' Mr Harvey said. It is alleged the Mongrel Mob OLMC had taken over the popular Ta Mata peak lookout outside Hastings, on New Zealand's north island He said that police, gang leaders, and the council need to meet and resolve this issue so that it does not happen again. The outlaw motorcycle gang is notorious throughout the country, having been established in the 1960s. A majority of the members are from Maori backgrounds with some members of European and Polynesian heritage. A patching ceremony formally includes former prospects as new members in the gang hierarchy. 'Patched members' are those who are considered loyal enough to be welcomed into the gang. 'Prospects' are those who must complete 'missions' for the gang to prove their loyalty. A teenager has been charged with the murder of 15-year-old aspiring musician who was stabbed to death in a London park. Romaine Williams-Reid, 18, is set to appear in court this morning over the death of Tashaun Aird who died in east London last week. Williams-Reid has also been charged with grievous bodily harm with intent in relation to a second victim, the Met Police confirmed. Another teenager, 16, was riding a bicycle when he was stabbed and chased, before he sought refuge in a convenience store. The family of aspiring musician Tashaun Aird, 15, have paid tribute to him after he was stabbed to death in east London on Wednesday evening Williams-Reid will appear at Barkingside Magistrates' Court on Tuesday. Tashaun, who was described as a 'loving, caring boy' by his family, was fatally stabbed in Somerford Grove, Hackney, on May 1. Detectives believe aspiring musician Tashaun Aird was killed after a 'fracas' with a group of young people in a park in Hackney on Wednesday evening. His family went to the scene of his death in Somerford Grove, Hackney, with one woman heard screaming: 'It's my son. It's my son.' He was described by friends as a 'good guy' and produced Afrobeat and drill music. In a statement released by Scotland Yard on Friday, they said: 'Tashaun was family orientated, he loved his family and we loved him dearly. He was passionate about his music and he loved drawing. He was a loving, caring boy with an infectious laugh. 'There are no words to avoid this empty void we now have, a huge part of us is now missing. He was a talented young boy and worked hard in his studies, particularly with his English. Tashaun Jones, 15, was described by friends as a 'good guy' who produced drill music 'We are deeply shocked and saddened by our loss; we have lost a dear son, a brother, a nephew, a grandson and an uncle in Tashaun.' The other teenager remains in hospital after he was found with stab injuries in nearby Shacklewell Road, but police said his injuries were not life-threatening. There have been no arrests and police are appealing for information. Detective Chief Inspector Helen Rance said: 'Tashaun's family have been left devastated by the sudden loss of their son and we are continuing to do everything we can to find those responsible. 'We believe both victims were attacked following a fracas with another group of youths in a park near Somerford Grove before both fled. 'Although we are following a number of leads we are urging anyone who has any information that may help our investigation to get in touch with us or Crimestoppers anonymously.' Members of the victim's family were seen today at the estate in Hackney, East London, carrying flowers. One woman was heard to scream: 'It's my son. It's my son' Police in Hackney, East London, after the 15-year-old was stabbed to death A blue tent was erected in Hackney as police continue to investigate The killing, which is the 43rd homicide in the capital this year and the 27th fatal stabbing, happened in Somerford Grove on Wednesday night. Despite efforts of medics to save him, he was pronounced dead at 9.49pm. He is the eighth teenager to die violently so far this year. A post-mortem examination gave his provisional cause of death as a stab wound to the lung. A friend who visited the scene of the boy's death said: 'It's sad. It came to us as a surprise because he was a good guy. 'We did music together. He didn't only produce afrobeats, he made drill music as well. He also sold some beats to some big artists. 'I never thought that any of my friends would be murdered. I'm shocked.' Another friend added: 'I'm so done. It doesn't feel safe anymore.' Family members leave flowers at the scene in Hackney on Thursday following the stabbing Police officers investigate the scene in Hackney after the boy was stabbed to death There have been 43 murders in London so far this year, and another on a London-bound train Members of Tashaun's family were seen at the estate, carrying flowers. One woman was heard to scream: 'It's my son. It's my son.' Mayor of London Sadiq Khan tweeted: 'I am deeply saddened by the fatal stabbing of a 15-year-old boy in Hackney. My thoughts are with his family and loved ones. 'This horrific violence has absolutely no place on our streets. To anyone with information - please contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously.' The Metropolitan Police put a Section 60 order in place for Hackney, which allows officers to stop and search anyone in the area. Freezing techno ravers were treated for hypothermia at a secret French music festival after unexpected snowfall blanketed the outdoor event. The Red Cross rushed to the Teknival 2019 in the central Creuse region at the weekend as temperatures plummeted to -3C which covered the hill-top site in several inches of snow. Medical teams tended to 30 festival revellers whose body temperatures had plunged to dangerously low levels, while two were taken to hospital and 500 more wrapped themselves in survival blankets. Photographs from France's Teknival show festival goers wearing coats and hoods and huddling around a small fire to keep warm Local officials warned that the thick snow had turned the camping experience into an endurance test Medical teams tended to 30 festival revellers whose body temperatures had plunged to dangerously low levels Photographs show festival goers wearing coats and hoods and huddling around a small fire to keep warm. Event organisers erected a heated tent for the 10,000 ravers to take shelter as local officials warned that the thick snow had turned the camping experience into an endurance test. Teknival is an unauthorised electronic music festival that is held annually at a secret location which is only revealed at the last minute. Teknival is an unauthorised electronic music festival that is held annually at a secret location which is only revealed at the last minute Event organisers erected a heated tent for the 10,000 festival goers to take shelter, but many decided to carry on raving French authorities had attempted to prevent this year's edition and police succeeded in stopping several trucks carrying sound systems from arriving. Last year, to mark its 25th year, the festival was held at a military base in northern France. The event was also mired in accusations from local conservation groups who alleged that organisers were disturbing a nearby nature zone and unsettling the local birdlife. What is hypothermia and what are the symptoms? Hypothermia is a dangerous drop in body temperature below 35C (95F). Normal body temperature is around 37C (98.6F). Early signs of hypothermia include: shivering cold and pale skin slurred speech fast breathing tiredness confusion These are symptoms of mild hypothermia, where someone's body temperature is between 32C and 35C. If their temperature drops to 32C or lower, they'll usually stop shivering completely and may pass out. This is a sign that their condition is getting worse and emergency medical help is needed. Source: NHS Advertisement Tearful former Baywatch star Pamela Anderson said she loved 'innocent' Wikileaks founder Julian Assange after she visited him in Belmarsh high-security jail today. The Canadian-American actress, 51, visited Assange at the imposing jail in Woolwich, south east London today after he was jailed last month for breaching bail conditions. Ms Anderson, wearing high heels and a shawl - with a politically worded pattern draped over her, met Assange with WikiLeaks editor Kristinn Hrafnsson. The wording on the cape was not explained but 'free speech', 'no man should have to be on his own' and 'Cromwell' could be seen printed on it. After seeing the imprisoned 47-year-old, she said: 'He does not deserve to be in a supermax prison. He has never committed a violent act. He is an innocent person,' she told reporters after visiting Assange. She revealed that he has no access to information, is 'really cut off from everybody' and has not been able to speak to his children. US actress Pamela Anderson leaves Belmarsh Prison in south-east London, accompanied by WikiLeaks editor Kristinn Hrafnsson after she visited WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange Wikileaks co-founder Julian Assange was sentenced to 50 week in prison for breaching his bail conditions. He is also fighting extradition to the United States where he is wanted for questioning over the activities of Wikileaks US actress Pamela Anderson speaks to the media as she leaves Belmarsh Prison in south-east London, after she visited WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange 'He is a good man, he is an incredible person. I love him, I can't imagine what he has been going through,' Anderson added. 'It was great to see him, but this is just misrule of law in operation. It is absolute shock that he has not been able to get out of his cell. Baywatch star's quotes in full The 51-year-old said: 'Obviously it's been very difficult to see Julian here and to make our way through the prison to get to him was quite shocking and difficult. 'He does not deserve to be in a super-max prison. He has never committed a violent act. 'He's an innocent person. He hasn't (got) access to a library, a computer, any information. 'He's really cut off from everybody. He hasn't been able to speak to his children. 'Public support is very important. Fundraising is very important. 'He needs all the support he can get. Justice will depend on public support and he's a good man, he's an incredible person. 'I love him. I can't imagine what he's been going through, and it was good to see him - great to see him - but this is just misrule of law in operation. 'It is absolute shock that he has not been able to get out of his cell. It's been one month. 'It's going to be a long fight, and he deserves our support. He needs our support. 'So whatever anybody can do - maybe write to him, encourage him - he's appreciative of any support that he's received. 'He hasn't received too much yet in the way of letters, but I know people have been writing and it's a process for him to have any kind of communication. 'It's very difficult, and we just have to keep fighting, because it's unfair. 'He's sacrificed so much to bring the truth out and we deserve the truth, and that's all I can say. 'I'm sorry, I feel sick. I feel nauseous.' Advertisement 'It is going to be a long fight and he deserves our support. He needs our support, so whatever anyone can do - maybe write to him, encourage him,' Anderson added. 'We just have to keep fighting, because it is unfair. He has sacrificed so much to bring the truth out and we deserve the truth.' Revealing she felt sick and nauseous, Anderson, who was draped in a shawl with writing scrawled across it, appeared to wipe her eyes and turn away from the press. Asked about the lengthy prison sentence Assange could face if he is extradited to the US, Anderson said: 'We need to save his life. That's how serious it is.' Standing by her side, WikiLeaks editor Kristinn Hrafnsson added: 'It is a question of life and death - that's how serious it is.' After what he called their 'first social visit', Mr Hrafnsson said they were 'both quite emotional', adding that it was shocking to see his friend, a journalist and an intellectual, 'sitting in a high-security prison'. 'This is not justice. This is an abomination. Someone said that you could judge the civilisation of a society by visiting its prisons,' he added. 'Frankly, I have to say from my heart that this visit did not reflect well on the society here. This must end, this will be a fight.' Assange, 47, was sentenced to 50 weeks' jail for breaching bail when he failed to surrender to police in 2012. The Wikileaks founder was convicted of the bail breach after entering the Ecuadorian embassy and claiming political asylum while wanted over allegations of sexual offences in Sweden, which he denies. Baywatch star Anderson has previously spoken out in support of Assange and met him on several occasions when he lived at the Ecuadorean embassy in London. Assange is also fighting extradition to the United States where he is wanted for questioning over the activities of WikiLeaks. Mr Hrafnsson said Assange is in 'general' solitary confinement because he mostly spends 23 hours a day in his cell, adding that the situation was 'unacceptable'. Speaking after a court hearing last week, he said: 'We are worried about Julian Assange. We are hearing that the situation in Belmarsh Prison is appalling because of austerity and cutbacks. 'For the last weeks since he was arrested, he has spent 23 out of 24 hours a day in his cell most of the time. 'That is what we call in general terms solitary confinement. That's unacceptable. That applies to most of the prisoners in that appalling facility. It is unacceptable that a publisher is spending time in that prison.' Pamela Anderson delivers a Pret lunch to Julian Assange at Embassy of Ecuador on October 15, 2016. The Baywatch star visited Assange in Belmarsh today United Nations rights experts have voiced concern about the 'disproportionate' sentence given to the WikiLeaks founder as well as his detention in a high-security prison. The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention said in a statement on Friday it was 'deeply concerned' about the 'disproportionate' sentence imposed on Assange. 'The Working Group is of the view that violating bail is a minor violation that, in the United Kingdom, carries a maximum sentence of 12 months in prison. 'It is worth recalling that the detention and the subsequent bail of Mr Assange in the UK were connected to preliminary investigations initiated in 2010 by a prosecutor in Sweden. 'It is equally worth noting that that prosecutor did not press any charges against Mr Assange and that in 2017, after interviewing him in the Ecuadorian embassy in London, she discontinued investigations and brought an end to the case. 'The Working Group is further concerned that Mr Assange has been detained since 11 April 2019 in Belmarsh prison, a high-security prison, as if he were convicted for a serious criminal offence. 'This treatment appears to contravene the principles of necessity and proportionality envisaged by the human rights standards.' The Working Group has previously stated that Assange was arbitrarily detained in the Ecuadorean embassy and should have had his liberty restored. Dutch tourism bosses will try to limit the number of foreign visitors as the land of tulips, windmills and cheap stag tours complains of overcrowding. Arguing that 'more is not always better', the Netherlands will stop promoting tourism and switch its strategy to 'destination management'. Some 18million people visited the Netherlands in 2017 - more than the country's population - and the number is set to grow to 29million by 2030. Overcrowding in tourist hotspots, especially Amsterdam, could reduce the quality of life for local residents and turn them against foreign visitors, officials have warned. Calling for 'quality tourists' who 'add value and don't cause a nuisance', the tourist board has urged a policy of 'develop and discourage' to stop attracting undesirable groups. Hotspot: Dutch tourism bosses have warned that overcrowding by foreign visitors - especially in Amsterdam (pictured) could lower quality of life for local residents Among the measures under consideration is a tourist tax similar to that in some destinations in Spain and Italy. Local authorities are also urged to consider closing certain attractions which are popular with undesirable tourists. 'Too often, the interests of the local population have been considered of lesser importance in developing tourism,' the tourist board said. 'In order for Holland to be developed in a future-proof way, we must opt for activities that contribute to the shared interests of these groups. 'Particularly in cities and iconic locations, excessive pressure may impact livability, whereas other places in Holland still benefit insufficiently from the opportunities and economic impulse that tourism may provide. 'To control visitor flow and leverage the opportunities that tourism brings with it, we must act now. 'Instead of destination promotion, it is now time for destination management.' Picturesque: The typical architecture of old Amsterdam houses is seen next to a canal. The Netherlands will now switch from promoting tourism to 'destination management' In its 2018 forecast the tourist board said German, Belgian and British visitors would make up the largest group of visitors. American, French and Italian tourists were the next three largest groups. In recent years more than a third of incoming tourists stayed in the 'hotspot' of Amsterdam, long popular for its nightlife, museums and liberal drugs laws. 'We want to draw different visitors to different places in Holland, where possible at different times,' tourist officials have said. 'To achieve this, we need to improve the current offering and develop a new offering, as well as put the spotlight on unknown areas. 'By distributing future visitors more evenly across Holland, more regions and locals will benefit from the value of visits.' A bride-to-be kissed her fiance and told him 'I love you' seconds before she was mowed down and killed during the London Bridge terror attack, an inquest has heard. Christine Archibald, 30, was one of eight people killed when terrorists ploughed into crowds in a rental van before stabbing revellers with 12in knives in June 2017. During an emotional hearing at the Old Bailey in London, the court heard from each of the victims' families, many of whom had travelled from across the world to attend. Some left the court shortly before graphic CCTV stills taken that night were shown, including one in which a pool of blood outside the Boro Bistro restaurant can be seen. Chief Coroner Mark Lucraft said three of the victims died when the terrorist's rental van mounted the pavement on London Bridge and drove straight into pedestrians. Christine Archibald's fiance Tyler Ferguson (pictured together) revealed how the pair had been on a date during which they discussed their future wedding when the terrorists struck In a written statement, Mr Ferguson said that he was 'still in love' with Ms Archibald, pictured together, adding that he now wore her engagement ring around his neck on a gold chain Christine Delcros, the girlfriend of Xavier Thomas, arrives at court with a walking stick. She was struck by the van while walking along London Bridge but survived the attack Pictured: the battered Renault van used by terrorists during the attack on London Bridge in 2017, leaving it with its bumper hanging off Ms Archibald's fiance Tyler Ferguson revealed how the pair had been on a date in London during which they discussed their future wedding when the terrorists struck. In a written statement, Mr Ferguson said that he was 'still in love' with Ms Archibald, adding that he now wore her engagement ring around his neck on a gold chain. Stills from chilling CCTV footage shown in court Chilling CCTV footage captured the moments the terrorists ploughed into pedestrians at up to 34mph on London Bridge. Some family members left court before the graphic stills were shown. They included images of the battered Renault van with its front bumper hanging off after the attack. A pool of blood outside Boro Bistro restaurant - where several victims were stabbed - was seen in another shot. The terrorists stabbed Mr Pigeard in the neck and set upon Ms Boden as she tried to help him. A fragment of Butt's blade was found in her chest after the brave nurse was killed. CCTV filmed her collapsing in an alleyway in Green Dragon Court after she was fatally wounded. One relative sobbed and left court after hearing how the terrorists slashed several victims' necks during the killing spree. Advertisement He said how the ring had been lost in the chaos of the attack but it was later recovered during a clean-up operation. Recounting the events of that day, Mr Ferguson added: 'We decided to walk over London Bridge. At one point Chrissy stopped me out of nowhere, gave me a passionate kiss and told me she loved me. Then the attack happened and Chrissy was killed. 'No words can express how I felt. I was absolutely devastated and inconsolable.' He also revealed how he has hung on to a note from 'Chrissy', which read: 'You're the sexiest man I have ever seen in my entire life. 'Luckily for me you're also the only man I have ever loved. Let's get married and have beautiful babies I love you, your future wife.' Chrissy, who helped the homeless, had come to London for a short trip with Mr Ferguson and was due to leave the UK for the Netherlands a day after the atrocity. She had quit her job and moved to the Netherlands in February 2017 to be with Mr Ferguson. Mr Ferguson told the Old Bailey: 'I love and still love Chrissy more than life itself. She was my angel. I can still feel her presence in the moon and know that she is always watching over me.' Ms Archibald's engagement ring was lost in the aftermath of the atrocity, but later recovered from the bridge. Mr Ferguson said they were 'very much looking forward to spending the rest of our lives together and starting a family'. Ms Archibald's father Greg told the inquest that social work was his daughter's 'calling'. She studied for a degree in social work before taking a job at a centre for drug addicts in Vancouver for three years, and then moved to the Netherlands. The terrorists tied 12-inch knives (pictured) to their wrists with tape before they launched their attack Au pair Sara Zelenak was on a night out with friends when she was brutally stabbed to death near Borough Market Mark and Julie Wallace, the parents of Sara Zelenak, one of the victims of the London Bridge terror attack, arrive at the Old Bailey He told the Old Bailey: 'Chrissy believed from the bottom of her soul that each and every person is worthy of respect. 'The world has many sunshine people in it. Their smiles warm us. Sara Zelenak's parents Mark and Julie Wallace speak out during the inquest During an interview with Sky News today, Sara Zelenak's parents Mark and Julie Wallace said they hoped the inquest would result in some changes. They said: 'If they can bring some changes, so other people dont suffer the way we have that would be great.' Mr and Mrs Wallace also said their daughter 'loved life' and 'had so much unconditional love in her heart'. They added: 'She was very active, athletic, she loved life. She smiled with her yes. She only ever saw the good in everyone. She was a lot nicer than me. 'She was amazing. She just had so much unconditional love in her heart.' Advertisement 'Chrissy was not the sunshine, Chrissy was the moon. You might not notice the moon on a sunny day but you need the moon when it is dark to find your way.' The keen runner, who was a twin, was also an animal lover and was close to her family. Her father said: 'She was shy and polite, gentle but determined, tall and beautiful.' Ms Archibald was killed by multiple, severe blunt crush injuries. After ploughing into pedestrians, the attackers then began stabbing people indiscriminately in Borough Market, resulting in dozens of injuries. Australian nurse Kirsty Boden ran out from a restaurant to help treat victims when she was stabbed in the chest, earning her the nickname of 'the Angel of London Bridge'. Her boyfriend James Hodder recalled how she 'completely floored me with her smile and kindness' when they first met. The couple moved to Hampstead, in north London, and Mr Hodder said: 'We had a beautiful life there. 'I very quickly fell in love with her,' he added. 'I'm still head over heels in love with Kirsty. Her actions that night don't surprise anyone who knew her. 'To Kirsty, it would not have seemed brave, she loved people and lived her life helping others. 'To Kirsty, her actions that night would just have been an extension of how she lived her life. We are so proud of her.' (Top row left to right) Christine Archibald, James McMullan, Alexandre Pigeard, Sebastien Belanger; (bottom row left to right) Kirsty Boden, Sara Zelenak, Xavier Thomas and Ignacio Echeverria Sebastien Belanger (left) was knifed to death after watching the Champions League final with friends in a Borough Market pub, while Christine Archibald was killed by multiple, severe blunt crush injuries A map of the London Bridge area shows where each of the victims were injured Mr Hodder said it sometimes 'seems impossible to go on' after the attack. 'Our wounds will never fully heal,' he said. The attackers, Khuram Butt, 27, Rachid Redouane, 30, and Youssef Zaghba, 22, injured 48 others before they were shot dead in a hail of 46 bullets by police. Fought killers with skateboard Spaniard Ignacio Echeverria was stabbed to death as he tried to fight off the terrorists with his skateboard. The 39-year-old, who had been in the UK for just over a year, was working as a financial crime analyst at HSBC. Mr Echeverria joined unarmed police constables Wayne Marques and Charlie Guenigault in fighting off the three terrorists as they attacked Marie Bondeville who survived. He hit at least one of them with his skateboard. His courageous efforts were to seek to stop the attack, chief coroner Mark Lucraft said. Last year, Mr Echeverrias parents accepted a civilian medal on his behalf. At a ceremony held in Buckingham Palace in October, his father Joaquin Echeverria Alonso said it was a special moment but very emotional for his family. He said the award helped recognise the courage of my son, adding: There has been pain and love and I have reflected on the meaning of duty and commitment. Advertisement An eight-week inquest into the victims' deaths began at the Old Bailey today, with a separate hearing for the inquests of their killers due to take place later this year. Xavier Thomas' grieving family also spoke at the hearing, describing the three terrorists as 'barbarians who can in no way be described as human'. The Frenchman, 45, and his girlfriend Christine Delcros were also struck by the van as they walked across the River Thames. Mr Thomas was flung into the River Thames while Christine, who arrived at court today aided by a walking stick, was left seriously injured on the bridge. The father-of-two's body was found in the water by police a three days after the attack. Described as 'an exceptional man' who 'did everything for his children', the American Express worker was visiting the capital at the time of the attack. His grieving family revealed they have been left in 'inconsolable despair' after the attack. In a moving statement, they said: 'He would have loved to see his children grow up, he would have spoiled them. 'We have been totally devastated by the way he was taken from us in this horrible and tragic way. 'We all feel lost. His children have lost everything on which their lives were based and it's very difficult to recover from that.' Au pair Sara Zelenak was on a night out with friends when she was brutally stabbed to death near Borough Market. Judge Mark Lucraft (shown arriving at the Old Bailey today, left) will preside over the inquest into the killing of eight people during the terror attack in 2017 (right) Her mother Jullie Wallace recalled the cruel twists of fate that led to her daughter coming face to face with the terrorists. The 21-year-old, from Brisbane in Australia, had worked as a crane operator for her stepfather Mark Wallace to save up the money to move to the UK. She had been due to babysit on the night of the attack but went out with friends when the child's grandmother stepped in. Sara, nicknamed 'Sarz', then planned to go to Soho but decided to go to Borough Market instead so she could meet up with more friends later. Mrs Wallace said: 'She was the happiest she had ever been - working, travelling, meeting new people, doing all the things 21-year-olds should do. 'That was until 3 June 2017 when our lives changed forever. She walked into a terrorist attack and was stabbed to death. Her parents Mark and Julie Wallace said outside the Old Bailey: 'She was very active, athletic, she loved life. She smiled with her eyes. 'She only ever saw the good in everyone. She was a lot nicer than me. She was amazing. She just had so much unconditional love in her heart.' The couple were complimented by the coroner on the foundation they have set up to help others suffering grief in their native Australia and the UK. Ignacio Echeverria Miralles De Imperial, 39, was stabbed to death as he bravely fought the terrorists with his skateboard. Dubbed 'The Skateboard Hero', he used the improvised weapon to save a French woman from being stabbed to death. The three terrorists strapped fake explosive belts made from water bottles on to their torsos in a bid to strike fear into the hearts of officers attempting to stop them Xavier Thomas' grieving family also spoke at the hearing, describing the three terrorists as 'barbarians who can in no way be described as human'. Pictured: Mr Thomas Several bystanders fled to safety as the Spaniard, from La Coruna, swung his board at one of the terrorists. He was stabbed in the back and killed by the other two attackers. Ignacio was cycling to Whitechapel, east London, with the board on his back when he saw the atrocity unfold. He worked as a money laundering prevention analyst at HSBC bank in London. Colleagues also nicknamed him 'The Spin Doctor' because he could pull off a triple backflip. Last-minute night out that led to tragedy Australian au pair Sara Zelenak was on the trip of a lifetime when she was stabbed to death while on a night out with one of her friends. Miss Zelenaks mother Julie Wallace said every sliding door put her daughter in harms way. She was meant to be working and at the last minute she got the night off, Mrs Wallace said. At 10pm, Saras phone rang and her friend said Ive finished at the rugby and so she left her safe haven and walked out into a terrorist attack and was stabbed to death. Before leaving for the UK in March 2017, Miss Zelenak who was nicknamed Sarz worked with her stepfather Mark as a crane truck operator in Brisbane to save up for her trip. Her parents have since set up Sarz Sanctuary to help other families to cope with grief. Advertisement The victim was awarded a posthumous George Medal for bravery by the Queen as well as a High Commendation by the Met, British Transport Police and City of London Police. He was also awarded two Grand Cross medals, a Silver Medal and a Medal of Honour by the monarchy and police in Spain. Former Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy praised his 'heroic and exemplary act'. His family did not attend court and were not represented but Jonathan Hough QC, counsel for the inquest, read out a statement on their behalf. 'The day he died he had spent full day skateboarding with friends in London, moving from one skateboarding hot spot to the following with a group of friends,' it said. 'He had planned to go for dinner to his sister's place but decided to delay his visit to later in the evening because he was really having a good time. 'Ignacio and two other friends had rented bikes to go for dinner - some minutes later they crossed the terrorists who killed him.' The inquest heard Mr Echeverria joined unarmed PC Wayne Marques and an off-duty PC Charlie Guenigault in fighting off the three attackers as they set upon Marie Bondeville, hitting at least one terrorist with his skateboard. 'His courageous efforts were to seek to stop the attack,' Chief Coroner Mark Lucraft said. Australian nurse Kirsty Boden, pictured, ran out from a restaurant to help treat victims when she was stabbed in the chest, earning her the nickname of 'the Angel of London Bridge' 'In the course of doing what he did, he was fatally stabbed outside the Lobos restaurant.' The angel who died trying to save others Nurse Kirsty Boden was killed as she tried to tend to the wounded and the dying. Miss Boden, 28, moved to London in 2013 from the small town of Loxton in South Australia. She was a senior staff nurse at Guys and St Thomas Hospital and lived with her British boyfriend James Hodder in Hampstead. Mr Hodder said: Her actions on that night didnt surprise anyone who knew her. To Kirsty it would not have seemed brave. She loved people and loved her life helping others. To Kirsty, her actions that night would have been an extension of how she lived her life. We are so unspeakably proud of her and not a day goes by that we are not in awe of her bravery that night. Miss Bodens father Ken paid tribute to his daughter who was given the name the Angel of London Bridge saying she was always willing to lend a hand. He said the family miss Kirsty every second of every day, adding: Theres a hole in our heart that will never heal. Mr Boden said he and his wife Tina had regular video chats with their daughter on Sundays, adding: Sunday nights will never be the same for us. Kirsty meant the world to us and we are so proud of our beautiful, independent, adventurous, brave, kind daughter, sister and partner. Kirsty, we will love you for ever. Advertisement His family added: 'For all his life he also enjoyed the company of his family, not only his parents and siblings but also cousins, uncles and aunts. 'Even if sometimes the relationships with his siblings were troubled he always loved them, being close to them and choosing to spend a major part of his spare time with his family. 'He enjoyed being close to his nephews and nieces and was a real playmate to them - Ignacio would play as a child with them, making him very special for them all.' Mr Echeverria's sister Isabel said at the time: 'My brother Ignacio tried to stop the terrorists and lost his life trying to save others'. Sebastien Belanger, 36, was knifed to death after watching the Champions League final with friends in a Borough Market pub. The French chef worked at the Coq d'Argent near Bank. His mother Josiane and brother Julien Belanger said in statements: 'We miss him so much; his smile, his joie de vivre. 'I don't forgive what they did to him, they mutilated and stabbed him. His eyes were full of dreams, the dream of presenting his own gourmet dish in a restaurant in France.' Coroner Mr Lucraft told a packed court that he hopes the inquest will answer the 'obvious and understandable questions' of the relatives of those who died and give the bereaved families some comfort. He said many revellers had been watching Real Madrid beat Juventus in the Champions League final in bars and pubs minutes before the attack. He added: 'The lives of many people were torn apart by what took place in less than 10 minutes of high and terrible drama. 'I hope these inquests provide answers to the obvious and understandable questions that the families have. 'On June 3, 2017, a white Renault van containing three men was driven south across London Bridge. 'As the van drove across the bridge it repeatedly mounted the pavement and struck many people. James McMullan, pictured, was stabbed to death in the chaos at London Bridge two years ago Khuram Butt, 27, Rachid Redouane, 30, and Youssef Zaghba, 22, were shot dead by police at the scene Simon and Mila McMullan (centre), the parents of James McMullan, arrive at today's inquest 'Sebastien Belanger, Xavier Thomas and Christine Archibald were killed as a result. A number of others were seriously injured. 'The van then crashed into the railings outside the Barrowboy and Banker pub. The three attackers then left the van, each was armed with a large knife. 'It would appear the knives were 12 inches. They were tied to their wrists with tape. 'Each had items strapped to their bodies which looked like they were improvised explosive devices. They then indiscriminately stabbed people.' James McMullan, Alexandre Pigeard, Kirsty Boden, Sara Zelenak and Ignacio Echeverria were stabbed to death in the chaos. Musician Alexandre Pigeard was at the height of his youth and happy living in London when he was murdered, his father has said. The 26-year-old Frenchman moved to the English capital to work in a restaurant but also because it was central to the electronic dance music that he loved, the Old Bailey heard. A video montage was played to the inquest into his death, including pictures of him smiling on a sunny London street hours before he was killed. On the night he died, he video-called his father during a break from work at the Boro Bistro. Philippe Pigeard said his son was 'at the height of his youth, of his energy, of his enthusiasm' and was 'obviously happy'. The dance music fan was part of a group called Club 808, and the tribute included photographs of him performing in DJ booths at various gigs. He had planned to return to France in autumn 2017 to help open a restaurant in Nantes and to record an EP with his musician father. Alexandre's friends nicknamed him 'King of the Night', and to them he was 'a big brother, a confidant, an accomplice, his joy of life was contagious'. The tribute described him as a 'sweet and serene' baby who spent a happy childhood with his mother in Caen, where she ran a tea room, and in Paris with his father, who was in a band. He was the first son and grandson in his family, but by the age of 17 he was the eldest of three brothers and two sisters. His family described him as 'an ideal big brother' who was always ready to play. The keen swimmer and watersports fan loved the beach, partly because both his parents had grown up by the sea. When he was offered the chance to work in London, the family said: 'We all encouraged him to embark on this adventure, if only to perfect his English.' Armed police pictured on the scene at London Bridge following the terror attack on June 3, 2017 Colleagues at the Boro Bistro praised his humour and energy, and his family said his consistent good mood and personality made him an efficient and reliable waiter. His father read a statement in French to the court, translated into English by an intepreter. He said he had spent the 703 days since his son's death living as 'a ghost', and described the 'horror and barbarism of the assassins who jumped on him'. 'This stay in London represented a lot for him. He loved England, he loved London. It was the heart of the music that he loved to listen to. But today London has become traumatic,' he told the court. Coming to the inquest had been an ordeal, but 'not coming was not an option', he added. Mr Pigeard went on: 'I'm present here as a devastated father who has lost a child in such circumstances. An inconsolable father. 'I'm not just a father, I'm all the fathers in the world and all the mothers in the world who have been struck by similar tragedies. 'This attack has resulted in eight deaths and 48 people injured. Shouldn't we add the number of people who have also been devastated by the loss or the trauma of a person close to them?' Alexandre died from stab wounds to his neck and chest. He was found in Montague Close, in the shadow of Southwark Cathedral. Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick, the head of UK counter-terrorism policing Neil Basu and the Commissioner of City of London Police Ian Dyson were in court as the inquests opened. The attack came just three months after 52-year-old Khalid Masood mowed down pedestrians on Westminster Bridge in a hired car before stabbing a police officer to death. The inquest is expected to examine why there were still no barriers to protect pedestrians on London Bridge by June 3. Families will also want answers to the question of how Butt was able to plan and carry out the attack while he was under investigation by security services. Another issue likely to be raised by lawyers acting for the relatives of the victims is the lack of security checks required to hire rental vehicles after cars and lorries were used as weapons in Nice, Berlin and Westminster Bridge. In the coming weeks, the court will hear from witnesses, the family and friends of the attackers, and a senior MI5 officer. Other evidence is expected to include CCTV footage of the attacks and the terrorists' movements, body-worn video from police officers and footage from members of the public caught up in the carnage. The court will not sit on the second anniversary of the atrocity next month. The tragic circumstances surrounding the death of John McCain's beloved dog Burma, who stayed at his side as the late Arizona senator battled a brain tumor, have been revealed. The Chesapeake Bar Retriever drowned after becoming stuck in a pipe on the McCain's estate in Hidden Valley ranch in Arizona last month - having developed 'weird' behavior following the death of her owner John McCain eight months ago. Speaking to The Arizona Republic yesterday Cindy McCain, 63, the widow of John McCain, said: 'It's weird she had never done this before she ran into a pipe.' Family and workers on the ranch tried to free the much-loved dog from the pipe linking a series of ponds on the property, but were unable to free her from the debris until her body washed out from the other end. John McCain's pet Chesapeake Bay retriever Burma has passed away on the family's Hidden Valley ranch in Arizona, Cindy McCain announced on Monday Mrs McCain added: You know, we have a series of ponds on our property ... and she ran into the pipe and she got stuck. 'She drowned, and eventually, her body came out the other end of the pipe.' The five-year-old dog was a birthday gift to war veteran in 2014 as a puppy and remained loyal until the end as McCain battled brain cancer. In an interview with NBC Nightly News in April Mrs McCain described the tragic and gruesome circumstances of Burma's death. Meghan McCain lamented the pup's passing saying she was a birthday president to the former Arizona senator in 2014 and was 'absolutely and truly devoted to him' She said: 'The pipe had debris in it evidently, and we couldn't get her out, or the people that take care of the place tried at both ends, risked their own lives, to try to get her out, and they couldn't do it.' 'I told my friends it was a bit like losing him [her husband] all over again, she was what I had left of him.' McCain and his wife often posted pictures and videos playing around with Burma on their ranch. His daughter Meghan McCain shared a picture of former senator McCain posing with Burma in his lap on Instagram Monday saying the hound was 'absolutely and truly devoted to him'. 'She would never leave his side, followed him around every single step when he would walk around our ranch, slept by his side every night and we always said Chesapeake bay retrievers were the most affectionate breed of dogs,' she wrote in her tribute to the pup. 'The love this dog gave him was equal to a family member. I love you Burma and hope you're in heaven jumping into creeks, chasing sticks and fish with Dad,' she added. Cindy McCain explained that Burma died in a 'tragic accident' but didn't provide details adding, 'She is now frolicking with the one she loved most in heaven now' On John McCain's social media he often shared videos and pictures of Burma, pictured above at his feet at his daughter Meghan's wedding in November 2017 'She would never leave his side, followed him around every single step when he would walk around our ranch, slept by his side every night,' Meghan McCain said on the devoted dog pictured above at John McCain's grave marker at the family ranch 'You brought us all so much love and joy,' she added. The View co-host even shared a picture of the beloved Burma at her wedding in 2017, but later deleted the post. In the pictures Burma sat right at John's feet as they posed with the McCain clan. She also shared a sweet video her father posted back in 2017 of the dog playing fetch in a river with the caption 'Burma at her best!' Mrs McCain made the announcement of the dog's death in April 8 posting an Instagram post of the pooch with the caption: 'To all who loved our dear Burma. She died today in a tragic accident at our beloved Hidden Valley. She is now frolicking with the one she loved most in heaven now.' Burma, who was a gift to the former senator John McCain, pictured above as a pup Best friends: In most pictured Burma is seen loyally at McCain's side or feet Burma passed away eight months after former senator McCain died in his battle with stage four brain cancer at the age of 81 on August 25, 2018. On Sunday Meghan shared a sweet photo of her father with the caption, 'I miss you the most on Sunday'. She previously said that she and her father had weekly phone calls on that day. After McCain announced his diagnosis in July 2017, Megan posted a picture hiking with her father and Burma writing, 'Amazing hike with Dad this morning'. A month later the former senator shared a video of Burma playing fetch and running through a creek. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos rubbed shoulders with the Kardashian clan on Monday night as he attended the Met Gala in New York. The world's richest man posed for photographs with Kim Kardashian, Kendall and Kylie Jenner, and Jared Leto. He was also spotted swapping a few words with Kim before making his way inside the fundraising event, chaired by Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour. Bezos attended the event alone, despite being spotted in New York just the night before alongside girlfriend Lauren Sanchez. Jeff Bezos was spotted on the Met Gala red carpet on Monday night alongside Kim Kardashian, sisters Kendall and Kylie Jenner, and Jared Leto The Amazon founder was spotted swapping words with Kim while husband Kanye (right) accompanied her into the fundraiser Bezos also found time for a brief chat with Kanye as the pair appeared to crack a joke together The pair - who dressed in sombre black outfits for the gala - then posed for the cameras The pair went for a date at West Village eatery Emily where they ate pizza and burgers with Sanchez's sister, Page Six reported. He is in the process of divorcing wife Mackenzie after his affair with Sanchez was exposed, and is reportedly avoiding the limelight with his new partner until the process has been completed. The pair announced they had finalized the terms of their divorce on April 4, with Bezos retaining 75 per cent of his stock in Amazon and voting control over the shares she's retaining. She also agreed to relinquish all her interests in The Washington Post and space exploration firm Blue Origin. Even so, the remaining 25 per cent of stock would give her a fortune of $35.7billion, making her the world's fourth richest woman. The gala - which is officially thrown on behalf of the museum's Costume Institute - usually prompts bold and ostentatious outfit choices from the guests. Bezos, however, did not seem keen to participate - opting for a classic tuxedo and bow-tie with black leather shoes. He stood in stark contrast to his fellow attendees - especially Leto, who wore a floor-length red silk gown while carrying a creepy model of his own head. While the gala is known as the 'Oscars of fashion' for its often outlandish outfits, Bezos did not seem keen to participate - arriving in a black tuxedo The Kardashian clan posed alongside Bezos, who seemed to be attending the event alone, five weeks after finalizing a divorce from his wife Meanwhile Kendall Jenner wore a bright orange over-the-top feathered gown by Versace which showed off her statuesque figure. Sister Kylie turned up wearing a purple Versace look that seemed inspired by the rapper Lil' Kim. The 21-year-old billionaire, who was joined on the carpet by her boyfriend Travis Scott, donned a lavender wig that matched her feathered designer frock. Meanwhile Kim arrived in a caramel corset designed by Thierry Mugler alongside husband Kanye West, who wore an all-black ensemble. Wintour has chaired the black-tie fundraiser for the museum's Costume Institute since 1995 and is meticulous in her planning of the event, where a single ticket costs a whopping $35,000. Despite the hefty price tag, she expects her A-list Met Gala guests to follow a strict set of guidelines while attending the exclusive bash. Bezos attended the gala alone despite girlfriend Lauren Sanchez being in New York where she was spotted dining with him on Sunday night The couple - who are said to be avoiding the spotlight until their divorces are over - dined on pizzas and burgers at West Village eatery Emily, sources said Bezos and Leto inside the event, chaired by Anna Wintor, where a seat typically costs $35,000 The annual event, which has been dubbed the 'Oscars of Fashion,' corresponds with the opening of the museum's new spring fashion exhibit. The dress code always pays homage to the exhibition, which often leads to unforgettable red carpet looks. This year's theme is 'Camp: Notes on Fashion,' a nod to Susan Sontag's 1964 essay 'Notes on "Camp."' In the essay, the writer explains 'the essence of Camp is its love of the unnatural: of artifice and exaggeration.' Wintour signs off on every single guest, including those invited by designers who buy tables. She approves every detail including the seating charts and has been known to ban certain celebrities. A church warden accused of murdering a novelist and trying to kill a retired teacher to inherit their life-savings told his co-defendant: 'I think I will get away with most of it', a court heart today. Benjamin Field, 28, had a 'project' to befriend vulnerable people and 'make sure they died', Oxford Crown Court heard. Field admits fraud and reducing Anne Moore-Martin, 83, to a 'lovestruck teenager' after seducing her with his 'hypnotic charm' and pretending to be in a relationship with her. But he denies conspiring to murder her and her neighbour Peter Farquhar, 69, with his magician friend and fellow University of Buckingham alumni Martyn Smith, 32. Prosecutors claim Field suffocated Mr Farquhar to death after a sustained 'gaslighting' campaign where he led him to believe he had gone insane at his home in the village of Maids Moreton in Buckinghamshire. Their trial heard today that Field told Smyth he was 'not worried' about the murder and conspiracy to murder charges against him while the pair were driven to High Wycombe Magistrates Court in a prison van on January 17 last year. Prosecutors claim he said: 'I think I will get away with most of it. The two major charges I'm not worried about even slightly. 'They don't have any evidence. Also, if I'm wrong and they have evidence, I'm going to beat that and I am going to distance myself.' Retired teacher Anne-Moore Martin, 83, was like a 'lovestruck teenager' around Benjamin Field, 28, who seduced her and planned to kill her to inherit her money, Oxford Crown Court heard Field, 28, conspired with Martyn Smith, 32, to murder Peter Farquhar, 69, (pictured) in a bid to feature in his will, Oxford Crown Court was told Prosecuting, Oliver Saxby QC told the jury today: 'It is not the language of an innocent, incredulous person, but it is instead the language of an arrogant guilty person.' Earlier the Mr Saxby alleged Field and Smith murdered Mr Farquhar, who died in October 2015, and conspired to murder Miss Moore-Martin - who lived three doors away and died from natural causes in May 2017. Mr Saxby said: 'The motive was financial gain - laced, as far as Benjamin Field is concerned, with a profound fascination in controlling and manipulating and humiliating and killing.' He said the church warden devised what he called 'exit strategies' to use drugs and alcohol to make the deaths look accidental. 'If he was to inherit their houses, they had to die. And if he was to enjoy his inheritance, he had to get away with it,' he said. Peter Farquhar had been a guest lecturer at the University of Buckingham, had taught at Stowe private school and Manchester Grammar School. He had also written a number of books, the court was told. Mr Saxby said he had been the victim of a sustained campaign of so-called 'gaslighting' - being made to believe he was losing his sanity. Accused: Benjamin Field, 28, denies murder, conspiracy to murder, possessing an article for the use in fraud and an alternative charge of attempted murder He suffered night terrors and hallucinations and recorded this in a handwritten journal. It was alleged his drinks were topped up with bioethanol and poteen, a high strength Irish alcohol, and his food was laced with drugs. 'Peter Farquhar underwent various humiliations culminating in a doctor advising that all alcohol should be removed from his house and that he should abstain from drinking,' the court heard. 'Peter Farquhar was not an alcoholic. Nor was he suffering from dementia, nor did he have any other form of disease of the mind.' Mr Saxby alleged that after Mr Farquhar changed his will three times in two years to benefit Field and Mr Smith, he 'had to die'. The jury was told a few months after the death of Mr Farquhar, Field began a sexual relationship with Ann Moore-Martin, who was 57 years older than him. Jurors were told Benjamin Field bought her a sex toy and took a picture of a sex act between them. He and Smith plotted to make the church-going pensioner's death look like an accident, such as dying during sex, falling down the stairs or choking on her dentures, the court heard. Mr Saxby told the jury that Field suffocated Mr Farquhar and tried to kill Miss Moore-Martin 'by a manner of means'. His magician friend Martyn Smith, 32, of Redruth, Cornwall, denies murder, conspiracy to murder, two charges of fraud and one of burglary The prosecutor alleged Field killed Mr Farquhar 'almost certainly by suffocating him'. He added: 'Peter Farquhar was killed by Ben Field with Martyn Smith's assistance, encouragement and support. It matters not that Martyn Smith was not present for the killing.' He said Field 'tried to kill' Miss Moore-Martin but his plan 'was cut short' when her niece became involved. Mr Saxby said Smith assisted Field in his plan because 'he was greedy'. The court heard Field's brother, Tom, defrauded Miss Moore-Martin by 'deceiving her' into giving his sibling 27,000, which she believed was for a dialysis machine he needed to survive. Mr Saxby said Tom Field 'pretended to be extremely ill' when he met Miss Moore-Martin. Benjamin Field's brother Tom, 24, of Olney, Buckinghamshire, denies a single charge of fraud Today the jury heard Benjamin Field also visited Jonathan Elliman, a man in his eighties who was a friend of Peter Farquhar and lived in Treefields in Buckingham. He stole three antique rifles belonging to Mr Elliman, whom he had nicknamed The Jelliman. The prosecutor said there was also a plan to deceive 101-year-old Liz Zettl, who lived in Buckingham, Buckinghamshire. Smith was one of her lodgers in her annex and sent a copy of her will to himself from her computer. But Mr Saxby added: 'She was not much of a target. She had released the equity in her house and had no realisable assets. 'Not that Ben Field knew that when he listed her as one of his clients.' Field, of Olney, Buckinghamshire, denies murder, conspiracy to murder, possessing an article for the use in fraud and an alternative charge of attempted murder. The jury has been told he has admitted four charges of fraud and two of burglary. Smith, of Redruth, Cornwall, denies murder, conspiracy to murder, two charges of fraud and one of burglary. Benjamin Field's brother Tom Field, also of Olney, Buckinghamshire, denies a single charge of fraud. The trial continues. Theresa May is facing another election humiliation - this time at the hands of Nigel Farage's Brexit Party - after it was confirmed the UK cannot avoid holding costly Euro elections later this month. Cabinet Office Minister David Lidington, the de facto deputy prime minister, said that despite weeks of gruelling cross-party talks with Labour ministers there was now not enough time to get Brexit done and dusted before they take place on May 23. Mr Farage's party has soared into a nine-point poll lead as the Tories and Labour both falter and seems certain to steal seats from the Prime Minister's party during the 150million election. The Tories lost more than 1,300 council seats in last week's local elections as it was deserted by voters over its handling of Brexit. The main way to prevent another electoral bloody nose was to get Brexit done so the election did not take place. But speaking ahead of the cross-party talks on Brexit, Mr Lidington said that all efforts to get a deal through the Commons had so far failed, resulting in the meetings with Mr Corbyn's party in recent weeks. 'But what this now means, given how little time there is, is that it is regrettably not going to be possible to finish that process before the date that is legally due for European Parliamentary elections', he said. 'We very much hoped that we would be able to get our exit sorted and have the treaty concluded so that those elections did not have to take place. 'But legally, they do have to take place - unless our withdrawal has been given legal effect - so those will now go ahead.' But Mr Lidington said that he hoped British MEPs would not have to take their seats, because the UK would have left the EU before the first parliamentary session starts on July 2. In order to do this Brexit will have to take place on or before June 30. The PM is being by her own MPs that doing a deal with Labour would hasten her own departure Mrs May's de-facto deputy David Lidington is expected to offer Labour a temporary customs union in the hope it will break the Brexit deadlock at Westminster. But Mr Corbyn (pictured today) is expected to have a day to accept it While parties have been gearing up to fight the election on May 23 for weeks, Theresa May's administration has until now still been insisting publicly that Brexit could happen in time to avoid sending voters to the polls. What happens now that the UK takes part in Euro elections? Confirmation that the Euro elections will take place in a few weeks time means that the UK could vote to send MEPs to Brussels but never see them take their seats. The election takes place on May 23 but any candidates who become Euro MPs will have to wait until the first parliamentary session on July 2 to take their seats. The Government, which has been privately resigned to fighting the election for weeks, has instead been gearing its efforts towards leaving on or before June 30. This is the original Brexit extension deadline sought by Mrs May from EU leaders last month. It is also the last working day before the European Parliament sits, and leaving then would allow the UK to pull its MEPs out with less fuss than if we stay in longer and they take part in the legislative process. If we end up staying in the EU into July and onwards they will be able to claim their 7,599 monthly salary, but concerns have been raised at them being able to vote on important issues while temporarily remaining. Elections to the European Parliament take place every five years. The last election in 2014 cost 108 million to hold and it had been expected it would cost a similar amount to the taxpayer this time around if we take part But the figure is said to have increased to 156million, including staffing costs of 96million and another 50million on polling cards and information, the Daily Telegraph reported. This would be paid out in the case that parties have to be reimbursed for the cost of fielding candidates who never get to take their seats in the European Parliament, it said. A further 4.5m is said to have been set aside for 'contingency costs' in case the election does not go ahead as parties would have their deposits returned if the election is cancelled. The remainder will cover the cost of the elections in Northern Ireland, which includes the cost of security at some polling stations. The UK currently returns 73 MEPs from 12 electoral regions to a parliament with 751 members that sits alternately in Brussels and Strasbourg. The system used to pick MEPs is different from that used for Westminster elections, where you vote for one candidate who represents a specific constituency'. Instead several forms of proportional representation are used, so between three and 10 MEPs are picked in each of the 12 UK regions and represent every one of the people in them. At the moment the UK's 73 MEPs consist of 19 Labour, 18 Tory, ten independents, seven Ukip, seven Brexit Party, three Greens, two SNP and one each for the Lib Dems, Ulster Unionists, Democratic Unionist Party, Sinn Fein, Plaid Cymru and the Social Democratic Party. There is also one vacant seat. When Britain does finally leave the EU, the European Parliament will reduce from 751 MEPs to 705, with 27 of the UK's 73 seats being distributed among the remaining member states. Advertisement Tories have pointed out online that election leaflets have already been sent out saying that the elections can be avoided if a Brexit deal was passed beforehand. The last election in 2014 cost 108 million to hold and it had been expected it would cost a similar amount to the taxpayer this time around if we take part But the figure is said to have increased to 156million, including staffing costs of 96million and another 50million on polling cards and information. Mrs May was today warned not to do a permanent customs union deal with Labour in a bid to break the Brexit logjam as furious backbench Tories plotted their latest attempt to depose her. The Prime Minister was expected to offer a compromise to Labour and put Brexit in Jeremy Corbyn's hands when cross-party talks resumed at 4pm - but was warned by Tory MPs that it will cost her her job. The Prime Minister wants Mr Corbyn to sign up within the next 24 hours after both parties were mauled by local election voters last week over Britain's failure to leave the EU. Going into the latest negotiations at the Cabinet Office, shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer said talks had reached 'crunch point'. He said: 'Talks have been going on for some time as we know, but I think the time has now come to a crunch time where the Government has to decide whether it's serious about significant changes capable of actually carrying a majority in the House of Commons.' Environment Secretary Michael Gove followed shortly after the Labour team giving waiting journalists a smile as he went into the Cabinet Office and saying he was "optimistic" about today's negotiations. Mr Lidington is expected to offer Labour a temporary customs union in the hope it will break the Brexit deadlock at Westminster. But there are still doubts about the deal going ahead with many of Mr Corbyn's MPs still demanding a permanent customs union with the EU plus a second referendum on any final deal. Mr Lidington said the Government would be 'redoubling our efforts' and speaking to MPs in all parties to try to make sure that the delay after May 23 'is as short as possible'. 'Ideally we'd like to be in a situation where those MEPs never actually have to take their seat at European Parliament, certainly to get this done and dusted by the summer recess,' he said. 'That will mean effort, hard work and compromise from different political parties, people from both the Leave side and the Remain side in the European debate. 'But I think that is what is in the national interest - deal with the outcome, respect the outcome of the referendum of 2016 and leave the European Union with a deal that protects jobs, investment and living standards in this country.' Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt told the BBC today: 'I think this is a time when we have to be willing to make compromises on all sides because the message of last week was that voters for both main parties are very, very angry about the fact that Brexit hasn't been delivered. 'I personally think that any kind of permanent customs union wouldn't work in the long run because our economy is too big, but let's see what the parties come up with.' Sir Graham Brady, the 1922 chairman, is to meet Mrs May today to discuss her exit plan. It has been suggested that he will demand a timetable for her departure. But if she refuses to set a date there will be a 1922 meeting this week where a plan to oust her is expected to be discussed. She cannot face another Tory confidence vote until December but grassroots Tories will hold there own in Mrs May on June 15. It is not binding but if she loses it will be difficult for her to stay in power. Cabinet Office Minister David Lidington, Theresa May's de facto deputy, made the announcement ahead of the latest round of cross-party talks with Labour A serious Theresa May arrives back at Downing Street today after a long weekend in her Maidenhead constituency as it appears she is ready to offer Labour a Brexit compromise to get her deal through Parliament Jeremy Hunt arriving for the weekly cabinet meeting in Downing Street today. He earlier said 'I personally think that any kind of permanent customs union wouldn't work in the long run' Chancellor Philip Hammond today warned Tory MPs that the UK needed a deal that interfered with UK/EU trade as little as possible. Farage targeting angry Tory donors to fill Brexit Party coffers Nigel Farage says his Brexit Party is planning to run candidates in any snap General Election and is targeting disaffected and frustrated Tory donors to help finance the campaign. The former Ukip leader said his fledgling party was looking past the European elections on May 23 towards any national poll called if politicians fail to deliver Brexit. At an election event in London today he aid the party was looking for '650 men and women ... with real-world experience, people who either in civic life or business life have got some achievements under their belt'. Tory donors frustrated at Theresa May's leadership are being targeted by Nigel Farage as he seeks to build an election war chest for his Brexit Party. Mr Farage said the party had already raised 'well over' 2million to fight the European contests, with 90 per cent of it from some 88,000 registered supporters paying 25 each, although a 100,000 donation had also been received. But he said 'much bigger donors, traditionally donors to the Conservative Party' were now in conversations with the Brexit Party 'because they understand and realise that to fight a general election seriously we are going to need big bucks'. He also suggested that if his party does well in the Europ elections it should be involved in Brexit talks, saying: 'In terms of legitimacy, if the Brexit Party wins this election arguing for a WTO Brexit, and we get significant support and we win, I think we will have democratic legitimacy to have a say in how we proceed from here. 'The new date we have is 31 October. We absolutely believe that the UK must, must, must leave on that date. And if we were part of that discussion, I think we could offer them a very sensible way forward.' Advertisement Speaking in Paris, where he was attending for a meeting of finance ministers, said: 'The most important thing is that we put in place arrangements which allow us to have as low-friction trade as possible between the UK and the European Union after we have left the EU. 'Of course we should talk to the Labour Party about how to do that.' MPs would swing behind any Brexit plan agreed by Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn, two former Cabinet ministers claimed yesterday. Nicky Morgan, a Tory former education secretary, and Caroline Flint, a Labour former communities secretary, told their leaders a compromise would succeed. Negotiators for both parties are this afternoon expected to meet to discuss the Prime Minister's proposal for Britain to remain temporarily in a customs union with the EU. Hardline Tory Eurosceptics and Labour Party Remainers have warned of the dangers of a cross-party deal. But in an article for Conservative Home, Mrs Morgan said: 'If Conservative MPs don't want the Prime Minister to have to rely on Labour votes to get those things over the line then they know what they have to do vote for the current draft agreement, or vote for a second reading of the Bill as it is presented to us. 'If my colleagues won't do that, then what choice does the Prime Minister have but to come to an agreement with the Labour Party? And I believe when it comes to it, the majority of the Conservative parliamentary party will back her if she does.' Mrs Flint called on fellow Opposition MPs to drop their calls for a second referendum and get behind Mrs May. She told the BBC: 'If a deal is struck in which Labour achieves many of its goals in that deal, that it takes us up to a general election in which all parties will be able to then set out their stall, that is a deal worth pursuing. 'And if Labour signs up to a deal that includes those goals I think a majority of Labour MPs will support that.' Mrs Flint insisted there was not a majority among MPs for a second referendum. Referring to last week's local elections south of the Border, she said: 'Across the North and the Midlands Labour took a hammering ... those people voted in the referendum, many Labour voters, and others beside, for Leave. 'We need to show we respect their vote otherwise they will not listen to us again.' Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd arrives to attend a weekly Cabinet meeting at 10 Downing Street and was followed in by Chief Secretary to the Treasury Liz Truss International Trade Secretary Liam Fox arrives at No 10 as Brexit hangs in the balance again today Britain's Home Secretary Sajid Javid is seen outside Downing Street, as uncertainty over Brexit continues. He was followed in to No 10 by Transport Secretary Chris Grayling Leader of the House of Commons Andrea Leadsom struggled with her shoes ahead of cabinet But Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable told Labour to 'get off the fence' today. Theresa's dilemma... whatever she does CUSTOMS UNION Theresa May is mulling the offer of staying in a customs union with the EU, at least until the next election. This could stop Britain striking its own trade deals, risking a backlash that might cost the votes of more Conservative MPs than she gains from Labour. The offer may be voted down, splitting the Tory party. SECOND REFERENDUM Labour backbenchers have put forward a plan that involves pledging to support the Prime Minister's deal if she agrees to put it to a public vote. However almost all Tory MPs and some in Labour's ranks oppose this idea. There would also be a dispute over the options on the ballot paper. GO TO THE POLLS If Mrs May continues to find no way to solve the parliamentary arithmetic, she could try to force an early election. But many Tories want her to quit before another national poll and there is no guarantee she would gain the support of the two thirds of MPs needed to call one. In any case, another hung parliament is likely. NO DEAL Without a majority for any Brexit plan, Mrs May could decide it is time for No Deal. This would delight some Tory MPs but there is a majority in Parliament against leaving the EU without an agreement. Backbenchers led by Yvette Cooper and Sir Oliver Letwin would probably bring back legislation to stop her. STAND ASIDE Disaster at the European Parliament elections later this month could persuade Mrs May to make way for another leader. However, a new prime minister would face the same options and parliamentary arithmetic. Brussels also insists it will not change the withdrawal agreement. Advertisement 'This attempt to try and negotiate a last minute stitch up with the Government is completely wrong and completely against the views and instincts of the mass majority of their MPs, their supporters and their members,' he said. 'Naturally, that will mean the Liberal Democrats will take up the natural home of the many people who are now thoroughly disillusioned and disaffected with the Labour leadership. 'I think, after last week, I am confident to say that we are in a very good place. We are clearly the lead Remain party and we expect to do well in these elections, especially in London where there is a lot of Remain support and with this excellent team we are going on to great things.' Mr Corbyn told the Usdaw union conference yesterday that Brexit had had a big impact at the polls. 'The Conservatives had an absolutely dreadful showing, their worst since 1995,' he said. 'Our results were mixed, it's fair to say. No doubt Brexit had a big impact on the results. When our national conversation is dominated by baffling procedures in Parliament and nothing seems to change, I understand why people get frustrated.' The new International Development Secretary Rory Stewart has said it would be worth splitting the Tory party to deliver Brexit. He claimed: 'To get Brexit done, and to move this country on is worth an enormous amount, and we may have to take some short-term pain to do that.' A senior Tory demanded last night that Mrs May must set out a 'roadmap' for her departure after the European Parliament elections later this month. Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, treasurer of the powerful 1922 Committee of Tory MPs, said the Prime Minister had to go - regardless of whether she can negotiate a Brexit deal. Sir Geoffrey yesterday BBC Radio 4's Today porgramme: 'We are now having to face the prospect of European elections which none of us wanted to face. They are going to happen. 'And, I would have thought that fairly soon after that would be time for her to think about setting a schedule to find her successor. 'That is regardless of whether there is a deal on offer or not. 'We should move on as Conservatives.' Meanwhile, Tory MP Sir John Redwood warned Mrs May that her current Brexit strategy will cost her her job. He said she would be ultimately be ousted as PM if she kept presenting her Brexit withdrawal agreement to MPs 'with new threats attached to it' to try and get it through. Mrs May has said she will step down if her Withdrawal Agreement is ratified, but - with the deadline for Brexit extended to the end of October - has not made clear how long she intends to stay if no deal is reached. Reports that Mrs May is poised to propose a temporary customs arrangement with the EU as part of the talks with Labour also drew criticism from Sir Geoffrey. He said: 'It is unlikely that I will vote for a deal containing a customs union.' Conservatives were warned they will have to 'suck up concessions' after Mrs May (pictured) acknowledged there was 'no sign' of her MPs uniting behind her deal Brexit timeline: What happens this week? Today Tory talks with Labour enter week 6 and Theresa May is expected to offer her compromise deal - but will expect Jeremy Corbyn to agree it within 24 hours. She will not attend the talks, and will meet Sir Graham Brady, the chairman of the 1922 Committee, who will demand a timetable for her exit. Tomorrow PMQs where her backbenchers are expected to give her a battering over her compromise with Labour. Thursday Labour will be expected to make a decision on Mrs May's deal. If talks fail there could be a series of new indicative votes on Brexit, with Mrs May's own deal expected to be included for the first time. Advertisement Mrs May's opponents have threatened that if she fails to name the date she will go, they will revive their attempt to re-write party rules so they can remove her. After the botched leadership challenge last December, Mrs May is immune to removal for 12 months. A group of Tory MPs, led by 1922 committee secretary Nigel Evans, want to change the rules so they can trigger another confidence vote in Mrs May immediately. Mr Evans on Sunday told BBC Radio 5 Live's Pienaar's Politics: 'I'm sure that the conversation will continue if we've not been given a clear lead by the Prime Minister through Sir Graham as to the timetable for her departure.' An online survey by political blog Conservative Home at the weekend found that 82 per cent of their party member panel respondents want Mrs May to stand down as party leader and to call a leadership election. The number of those who think she should leave is a record for the Conservative Home poll, and is up from last month, when 71 per cent of respondents wanted Mrs May to announce her resignation. Later in April, that figure hit 79 per cent, itself another record number. The snap survey was held in the wake of some of the worst Conservative local election results in more than 20 years, which saw the party lose more than 1,300 councillors. 'It was a mistake not to interfere': Juncker says the EU should have got involved in the 2016 Brexit referendum campaign 'to destroy the lies' spread by Leavers and blames David Cameron for telling him to stay out of it Top EU bureaucrat Jean-Claude Juncker claimed today that he EU should have interfered in the 2016 Brexit referendum campaign to counter 'lies' told by the Leave campaign. In remarks likely to infuriate Brexiteers and worry Remainers seeking a new vote the European Commission president said Brussels' decision to remain outside the process in Britain had been an error. Juncker, who will step down in the autumn after completing his five-year term, said he made a mistake by listening to British leader David Cameron when he told him to stay out of the campaign before the June 2016 vote. The former Luxembourg prime minister told a press conference in Brussels: 'It was a mistake not to intervene and not to interfere, because we would have been the only ones to destroy the lies that were circulated round.' 'I was wrong to be silent at an important moment.' The former Luxembourg prime minister told a press conference in Brussels: 'It was a mistake not to intervene and not to interfere, because we would have been the only ones to destroy the lies that were circulated round Mr Juncker, who has repeatedly clashed with Theresa May and other senior UK ministers and officials during the Brexit process, said it was one of two 'major mistakes' he made during his mandate Mr Juncker, who has repeatedly clashed with Theresa May and other senior UK ministers and officials during the Brexit process, said it was one of two 'major mistakes' he made during his mandate - the other being his slow response to the LuxLeaks financial scandal at the start of his term. The official has said that he kept out of that British debate, partly because Mr Cameron told him it would be counter-productive. Many EU leaders were irritated, however, that Cameron's campaign made little mention of the special deal they had given him beforehand. However, the day before the June 23, 2016 referendum Mt Juncker did get involved with the campaign. He publicly warned there was no chance of a second renegotiation with the EU if the UK backed Brexit. In a Brussels press conference he said: 'The British policy makers and British voters have to know that there will not be any kind of renegotiation. Out is out.' He added: 'We have concluded a deal with the prime minister. He got the maximum he could receive and we gave the maximum we could give. 'So there will be no renegotiation, not on the agreement we found in February, nor as far as any kind of treaty negotiations are concerned.' Asked today if he now believed Britain might stay on, possibly as an awkward member, Mr Juncker made light of the uncertainty, saying he had given up trying to guess British intentions. Echoing a remark that he had made earlier in his presentation that 'nobody understands England but everybody understands English', Juncker repeated a recent comment likening the British parliament to the enigmatic Sphinx of ancient Egypt. 'Either they will stay or they will leave,' Juncker said. 'If they stay they stay; if they leave they leave.' Tourists visiting Capri will face fines of up to 500 if they are caught using plastic bags, plates or cutlery as the Italian island introduces new draconian laws. The ban, which started this month, has outlawed traditional plastics in a bid to protect the surrounding coastline near Naples. Mayor Giovanni De Martino and local head of the green group Legambiente have welcomed the decision. Tourists visiting Capri (pictured) will face fines of up to 500 if they are caught using traditional plastics The idyllic island (pictured) near Naples is trying to protect its marine environment after seeing increasing numbers of tourists Mr De Martino told the Times. 'It's a big change, but if we are saving the environment I don't think anyone will complain.' And activist Nabil Pulita added: 'They are a real killer of our seas.' Mr De Martino last year said Capri, a popular resort since the days of the Roman Republic, 'could explode' after warning millions of visitors a year 'is a bit too much'. The island's new law comes after Tremiti, in the Adriatic Sea, started fining people 50 under similar legislation last summer - with the island's mayor Antonio Fentini pledging to fine repeat offenders up to 500. Mineral water sold in small plastic bottles will still be allowed but are also expected to be phased out. Mr Fentini said: 'This summer we will be handing out free water flasks to discourage the use of throwaway bottles, and next year we plan to ban them. 'We are not going to save the world single-handedly we see the bags and the polystyrene coming in on the current from elsewhere, but tourists are happy to join the effort, and what we started is spreading.' The environmental thinking is not limited to the islands surrounding Italy, with the mainland region of Puglia also introducing a ban. The southern region of Puglia, which is home to the port city of Bari, has seen a rise in tourism from Britain in recent years and will stop sales of single-use plastic plates, straws and cups on its beaches in the summer. But in Rome plastic bags are still allowed. Rome still allows plastic bags but there has been a crackdown on those caught misbehaving in the city Yet Mayor Virginia Raggi has ordered fines for those caught swimming in fountains or vandalising the architecture. She has written to ambassadors in a bid to permanently expel anyone from the city caught in wrongdoing. Florence has gone a step further than and banned eating on the narrow streets of the city centre due to tourists clogging them up. Last year, the historical city announced people could eat while walking in public but if they stop they will be fined 500. Mayor Dario Nardella, who oversaw the law, previously got church steps to be hosed regularly to prevent tourists from eating on them. The northwest region of Liguria has also seen a bizarre new law brought in. Ramblers who have to be rescued after trying to climb mountain paths in flip flops in the picturesque Cinque Terre villages could be fined a staggering 2,500 if they ignore warning signs. Venice has been battling increasing numbers of tourists each year and has upped police numbers to deal with problems such as those diving from the Rialto Bridge into the Grand Canal. The lagoon city - which hosted 25million visitors last year - will also charge an entry fee of around 3 to be applied from September to fund repairs. A child killer who strangled a little boy to death before running over his dead body multiple times could walk free in weeks. Phillip Wayne Lett, 58, kidnapped six-year-old Damien Noyes, murdered him and dumped his body in a Penrith car park in western Sydney on Christmas Eve in 1992. Lett had lured Damien into his car and used his shorts and underpants to suffocate him. He was sentenced to 26 years jail in March 1994 with a non-parole period of nearly 20 years but will be back on the streets in 47 days, 9News reported. Scroll down for video Phillip Wayne Lett (pictured), was sentenced to 26 years in jail for the murder of six-year-old Damien Noyes Damien Noyes (pictured) was strangled to death with Lett's shorts and underpants on Christmas Eve in 1992 Before he was sentenced, Lett argued he was mentally ill, a claim the court did not accept. Justice Morris Ireland, who sentenced Lett, told the court at the time: 'Society took the gravest view of those who prey upon defenceless children and subject them to sexual interference, and, as in this case, to violent death.' The judge added that Lett had been sexually abused as a child and was still in need of rehabilitation. Damien's mother Bridget Coen had read out a written statement at the time of Lett's sentencing. 'Twenty-six years in jail is a long time to reflect on what he has done,' she said. 'As far as I'm concerned, he can cop it everyday and it's still not enough.' Damien's body was found dumped in a Penrith car park (pictured) in western Sydney The State of New South Wales has applied for a five-year extended supervision order which would mean Lett would be closely monitored in the community. New South Wales' State barrister Danielle New said he should be released under the supervision order because he had been institutionalised in prison. 'He has not been on parole and the world is a very different place from the 24th of December 1992,' she said. Ms New said that Lett still suffered post traumatic stress disorder despite receiving support in prison. Lett's barrister Anton Hughes said his client had done everything asked of him. Justice Helen Wilson said that Lett showed 'genuine remorse' for his heinous crime. Two people were facing assault charges yesterday after dousing a butcher and his stand with red liquid at a market in Paris over the weekend, prosecutors said. The butcher, who specialises in organically-raised meat, was at his stall in the covered Saint-Quentin market in the north of the capital when it was targeted on Saturday. 'I was preparing a client's order. I felt liquid hit me, I touched my head and the liquid was quite red,' the butcher told BFM television. Two people were facing assault charges yesterday after dousing a butcher and his stand with red liquid at a market in Paris over the weekend, prosecutors said (stock image) The butcher, who specialises in organically-raised meat, was at his stall in the covered Saint-Quentin market (stock image) in the north of the capital when it was targeted on Saturday 'I looked up and there were 15 or 20 people in front of the stand with the slogans "Freedom and defence for animals".' The two suspects were to be brought before a judge to face potential charges. A series of French butcher shops have been vandalised in recent months by 'anti-speciesism' activists who say eating meat is an immoral violation of the rights of other living things. Last month a court in northern France handed jail terms to two vegan activists for a string of attacks on butchers, shops and restaurants selling meat. Advertisement Prince Charles joked that he is 'collecting a rather large number of grandchildren' as he arrived in Berlin with the Duchess of Cornwall for a four day trip to 'ensure Britain's bond with Germany endure'. The heir to the throne and Camilla arrived at Berlin Tegel Airport where they were greeted by Her Majesty's Ambassador to Germany, Sir Sebastian Wood. While visiting the Brandenburg Gate, Charles replied to one comment of 'Congratulations on the new grandchild', by quipping: 'Thank you, I'm collecting a rather large number of them'. Asked if he had seen the baby yet, Charles said: 'Not yet. How many grandchildren have you got? None yet? Just you wait.' Charles later told an audience in Berlin ties between Britain and Germany will remain close in the future, in a clear reference to ongoing uncertainty over Britain's looming departure from the European Union. 'Whatever the shape of our future relationship, and whatever is negotiated and agreed between governments and institutions, it is more clear for me than it has ever been that the bonds between us will and must endure,' the heir to the British throne said on Tuesday. Charles appears to share a joke with Angela Merkel as they met the German chancellor this afternoon after arriving in Berlin Prince Charles and Camilla were taken from the airport to meet Angela Merkel this afternoon on the first day of the four day trip In the speech, in which he alternated between English and German, Charles did not mention Brexit by name, but dwelt on his family's own roots in the German aristocracy. 'We are friends and natural partners, bound by common experiences, interests and values, and our futures are deeply entwined.' The duchess meanwhile was given a onesie decorated with German art as well as a balloon with the words 'It's a boy' written on it. Camilla said: 'As soon as we return I will deliver it to them, direct from Germany. I'm sure they will be thrilled.' Charles and Camilla ended their afternoon engagements with a visit to the Brandenburg Gate, where hundreds gathered to pass on their congratulations. To mark their arrival in the capital, there was a Guard of Honour from the country's Federal Defence Forces. They were later greeted by Chancellor Angela Merkel outside the Federal Chancellery, and the three of them shared a joke as they posed for photographs before they entered the building for a private meeting. This afternoon they have also met German president Frank-Walter Steinmeier and at just after 3pm they arrived at the Berlin Airlift Memorial with the Mayor of Berlin, Mike Mueller. They then travelled to the Brandenburg Gate where they were greeted by hundreds of well-wishers. After meeting Ms Merkel, the royal couple made their way into the chancellery as members of the public watched on from behind the gates. The heir to the throne and Camilla arrived at Berlin Tegel Airport where they were greeted by a Guard of Honour Britain's Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornall stand in front of the Brandenburg Gate where they were met by hundreds of wellwishers Prince Charles and Camilla are escorted by Berlin's Mayor Michael Mueller and his wife Claudia Mueller during a visit to the Brandenburg Gate They were then greeted by hundreds of wellwishers at the Brandenburg Gate. One woman from Belgium said to the prince: 'Congratulations on the new baby' One man shouted 'Congratulations, grandfather' as Charles made his way inside, while the prince said he and his wife were 'delighted' at the new arrival. He said: 'We couldn't be more delighted at the news and we're looking forward to meeting the baby when we return.' Later today Charles will give a speech in what may be seen as a push for a softer Brexit, by pointing out that the two nations have transcended years of conflict to become friends and partners. After a private meeting with Mrs Merkel, the couple will then make their way to visit the President of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier. Prince Charles and Camilla shake hands with Angela Merkel this afternoon on the first day of the four day trip German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Charles, Prince of Wales are seen on the balcony at the Chancellery in Berlin this afternoon The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall meet with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin, on the first day of his tour of Germany Prince Charles and Camilla inspect the Guard of Honour from the country's Federal Defence Forces just after they touched down in Berlin German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier greets Britain's Prince Charles when he arrived at the presidential Bellevue Palace this afternoon The two men chatted as they walked around in the sunshine outside Bellevue Palace before the royal signed the guestbook The German president and Charles make their way inside the presidential Bellevue Palace this afternoon As Charles spoke with the German president Camilla visited the Charite clinic where she was presented with a balloon and a onesie for the new royal baby Mr Steinmeier gave the Prince of Wales a teddy bear wearing blue clothes, saying: 'First of all, let me congratulate you' after he became a grandfather for the fourth time At just after 3pm today the couple arrived at the Berlin Airlift Memorial with the Mayor of Berlin, Mike Mueller, where Charles laid a wreath Charles was greeted by Mr Steinmeier when he arrived at the Schloss Bellevue. The royal signed the guestbook before making his way with Mr Steinmeier into the gardens. While walking around in the sunshine, Charles said: 'I remember last year, it was awfully hot here.' Before holding a private meeting, the German president presented Charles with a gift for the new royal baby. Mr Steinmeier gave the Prince of Wales a teddy bear wearing blue clothes, saying: 'First of all, let me congratulate you.' Earlier the heir to the throne and Camilla arrived at Berlin Tegel Airport where they were greeted by Her Majesty's Ambassador to Germany, Sir Sebastian Wood (right) Charles and Camilla depart the RAF jet and are greeted by the UK ambassador Sir Sebastian Wood (in the black glasses) and his wife Sirinat Wood At the same time as Charles' meeting with the president, the Duchess of Cornwall visited an outpatient clinic for victims of domestic violence. Speaking to staff at the clinic, Camilla said: 'You give them (the victims) a voice. 'I know you're doing a wonderful job here... they've been silent for too long.' She was also presented with a gift for the new royal baby - a onesie with German art on it as well as a balloon with the words 'It's a boy.' She said Prince Harry and Meghan would be 'thrilled' with the present. At just after 3pm today the couple arrived at the Berlin Airlift Memorial with the Mayor of Berlin, Mike Mueller. Charles and Camilla's trip was supposed to come in the wake of Britain's departure from the EU on March 29. It was decided the visit should go ahead despite Brexit being delayed Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall depart the Royal Air Force jet as they touch down at Berlin's Tegel airport this afternoon Prince Charles and Camilla look down on the Guard of Honour as they arrive at the Berlin airport for the start of their four day trip Sirinat Wood (second left) wife of British Ambassador to Germany, Sebastian Wood (left), shakes hands with Prince Charles at the Tegel airport in Berlin, Germany The prince stepped forward to observe a wreath which had been placed in front of the memorial. The couple then met with Defence Attaches representing the nations involved in the Berlin Airlift - including the USA, Australia, Canada, France, South Africa and New Zealand. They were then greeted by hundreds of wellwishers at the Brandenburg Gate. One woman from Belgium said to the prince: 'Congratulations on the new baby.' 'You're all very kind,' he replied. Asked if he had seen the baby yet, Charles said: 'Not yet. How many grandchildren have you got? None yet. Just you wait.' The prince (arriving in Berlin today with Camilla) is to speak in Berlin at an event to celebrate the Queen's birthday following a meeting with Chancellor Angela Merkel The heir to the throne and Camilla, accompanied by Her Majesty's Ambassador to Germany, Sir Sebastian Wood (seccond right, with blue tie) as they arrived at Berlin Tegel Airport A German flag (L) and the Royal Standard (R) are seen at the cockpit window of a Royal Air Force jet with Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales, and Camilla, the Dutchess of Cornwall, onboard The Royal Air Force plane carrying Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall sits on the tarmac at the airport in Berlin this afternoon Meeting members of the public in Berlin, the Prince of Wales was given many congratulatory messages about his new grandson. Replying to one comment of 'Congratulations on the new grandchild', Charles said: 'Thank you, I'm collecting a rather large number of them.' One man then went to offer the prince a material crown, and said: 'Here, have the German Crown.' The couple were shown around the neo-classical Brandenburg Gate, Berlin's only surviving city gate and its most famous landmark. It was built in the late 1700s on the orders of King Frederick William II of Prussia. The gate consists of six columns on each side, forming five passageways. In 1793, the Quadriga sculpture, a chariot drawn by four horses, was added to the top. The prince is to speak later at an event in the German capital later to celebrate the Queen's birthday. He will say he hopes any future relationship stays strong for the sake of young people today and generations to come. Prince Charles' speech tonight in which he will ask politicians to protect Britain's historic bond with Germany Prince Charles will today speak in Berlin at an event to celebrate the Queen's birthday. He will say: 'It is a relationship in transition. 'But whatever the shape of our future relationship, and whatever is negotiated and agreed between governments and institutions, it is more clear to me than it has ever been, that the bonds between us will, and must, endure and that our young people, and future generations, will have as much cause to cherish those bonds as our generation has had. 'Our countries and our people have been through so much together. As we look towards the future, I can only hope that we can also pledge to redouble our commitment to each other and to the ties between us. 'In so doing, we can ensure that our continent will never again see the division and conflict of the past; that together, we will continue to be an indispensable force for good in our world; and that the friendships and partnerships that bind us together will continue to create opportunity for us all.' He will add: 'For some of us, of course, these connections are particularly personal. For me there are so many family connections and associations with Germany, as indeed with so many parts of Europe, going back for generations. 'This year, for instance, we celebrate the bicentenaries of my great, great, great grandparents, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, who were both born in 1819. 'Prinz Albert von Sachsen-Coburg und Gotha was the most remarkable man who, in his all-too-short life, had such far-reaching influence on the arts, science, trade and industry in Britain. 'To my family, he brought not just familial ties to what is now Germany, which we still cherish, but an affinity with German culture, and tradition, and a wish to share it across national borders. 'Today, we are so much more than simply neighbours: we are friends and natural partners, bound together by our common experience, mutual interests and shared values. 'These past decades have seen extraordinary change across Europe and Berlin is a proud statement of just how far we have come and of the enduring hope of past, present and future generations. 'We must take nothing for granted, and of how today, as for centuries, the fortunes of all of us who share this small continent are so tightly interwoven by the myriad connections between us.' Advertisement He will acknowledge the Brexit crisis, saying of Anglo-German ties: 'It is a relationship in transition. 'But whatever the shape of our future relationship, and whatever is negotiated and agreed between governments and institutions, it is more clear to me than it has ever been, that the bonds between us will, and must, endure and that our young people, and future generations, will have as much cause to cherish those bonds as our generation has had. 'Our countries and our people have been through so much together. As we look towards the future, I can only hope that we can also pledge to redouble our commitment to each other and to the ties between us. 'In so doing, we can ensure that our continent will never again see the division and conflict of the past; that together, we will continue to be an indispensable force for good in our world; and that the friendships and partnerships that bind us together will continue to create opportunity for us all.' Charles's speech comes at the start of the four-day trip to Germany, undertaken at the request of the British Government. It aims to highlight the depth of the bilateral relationship and its 'enduring importance to both countries'. The visit comes 102 years after the House of Windsor was created, replacing the family name of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha and erasing the German-style of titles in 1917 as the catastrophic effects of the First World War were felt. Charles and Camilla's trip was supposed to come in the wake of Britain's departure from the EU on March 29. It was decided the visit should go ahead despite Brexit being delayed. Since the Queen no longer travels abroad, any visit by Charles is akin to a state visit and viewed by the Government as a weapon in its diplomatic armoury. Senior royals are seen to have the ability to open doors that politicians cannot. Prince Charles has visited Germany more than 30 times in a public and private capacity. His most recent visit came in 2009, when he made an official visit with Camilla to Berlin. In 2015, the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh made a State Visit to Germany, and in 2017 the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited with Prince George and Princess Charlotte. The speech will also highlight the family's German ancestry an interesting move given that his ancestors spent many years playing this down. George V changed the family name from Saxe-Coburg and Gotha to Windsor because of anti-German sentiment in the First World War. After a private meeting with the president, Charles and Camilla will visit and walk through Brandenburg Gate with the Mayor of Berlin, Michael Muller. Mr Muller will give the couple a brief history of the gate, as well as explaining its importance to the city. The prince and the duchess will then take the opportunity to meet members of the public outside the famous landmark. For their final engagement of the day, the couple will attend the Queen's Birthday Party at the British Ambassador's residence, where he will give his speech. Tomorrow they will travel to Leipzig and then to Munich, where Camilla will highlight projects working with victims of domestic violence. The Queen was also seen as having entered the Brexit fray, telling her local Women's Institute in Sandringham, Norfolk, of the need for common ground and 'never losing sight of the bigger picture'. It echoed her Christmas address when she said that treating others with respect was 'always a good first step towards greater understanding.' And the Duke of Cambridge has also urged people to 'come together in times of trouble and work for the common good'. A 16-year-old boy was shot in the head and is in critical condition, a man in his 30s was stabbed to death, and a third man was killed with a crossbow in a shocking 24 hours of armed violence on the streets of England. In Wolverhampton the teenager is in critical condition after being shot and two teenagers aged 15 and 17 have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, West Midlands Police said. In Colchester, Essex, at around 1am this morning, a man in his 30s died of stab wounds in the arms of paramedics. Police are searching for another man believed to have been injured in the incident. And police have now revealed that Lee Gerrard Atkins, 38, who died at 2am on Monday morning in Merseyside was shot and killed with a crossbow. Wolverhampton shooting: Police forensics at the scene on Graiseley Street in Wolverhampton where a 16-year-old boy was shot in the head around 8pm Monday evening Wolverhampton shooting: The boy was taken to hospital where he remains today in a serious condition. Weekend death toll 'would have been higher' without police Two more people would have died from stabbing wounds this weekend if police had not provided emergency medical treatment, an officer has said. Greater Manchester Police officers attended five stabbings this weekend, including the murder of Hamze Ismail, 21, for which Mohamed Khashkush has been arrested and charged, and the stabbing of a 16-year-old girl for which a 17-year-old boy has been arrested and charged with attempted murder. Assistant Chief Constable Rob Potts said today officers had saved the lives of two other stabbing victims. He said a woman had been arrested after a domestic-related stabbing in Wythenshawe and this incident, along with one involving a 31-year-old in Blackley, 'would have been fatal' without medical treatment provided by officers at the scenes. Asked about the surge in knife crime, ACC Potts said there were a number of factors at play including the loss of officers from the street and also 'youth services being cut under austerity.' He said the problem of knife crime was beginning as early as 'year nine' schools, saying: 'Young people are telling us they don't feel safe without a knife, when that is the opposite of the message we want them to take.' Advertisement Officers were called to Graiseley Street in the Pennfields area of Wolverhampton just before 8pm on Monday, where they found the teenager with a gunshot wound to his head. A 20-year-old man has also been arrested on suspicion of assault. The victim was taken to hospital where he remains in a serious condition. Inspector Ade George, from the force's CID team, said: 'I am appealing directly to anyone who was in the area and saw what happened to contact us if they have not already done so. No matter how insignificant you feel the information may be, it could really help with our investigation as we continue to follow forensic and CCTV enquiries.' A local resident, Abbey James said on Facebook 'This is right at the top of my street. I heard two loud bangs then constant armed police, helicopter and ambulance sirens'. The victim was taken by ambulance to The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham. In Essex emergency services were called to Buffett Way shortly before 1.10am today, where a man who had been stabbed died despite efforts by paramedics. A second man is believed to have been injured but left the scene before emergency services arrived. He has been identified as Robert Brown, 44, of no fixed address. He has links to Braintree and Colchester. Detective Superintendent Stephen Jennings, of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said: 'It's really important that we find Robert Brown as he may be seriously injured and we and his family are very concerned for his welfare. 'We ask Robert or anyone who knows where he is to please get in touch so that we can make sure he is okay and he received any medical treatment he might need. 'We are continuing our enquiries into the circumstances surrounding the incident, and we'd like to speak to anyone who was in the Buffett Way area in the early hours of this morning and saw what happened or anything suspicious.' Wolverhampton shooting: Police have erected a forensic tent at the site where a 16-year-old boy was shot in the head Wolverhampton shooting: The location, near Graiseley Street, in Wolverhampton has been sealed off by police Wolverhampton shooting: Residents described hearing a loud bang followed by the sound of sirens as emergency services arrived The West Midlands area, like London, has seen an increase in violent crime including murder Colchester stabbing: A murder inquiry has been launched after a man in his 30s was stabbed and died at the scene in Buffett Way, Colchester Colchester stabbing: This morning police and forensics specialists combed the area for evidence in Essex (left) while colleagues said they wanted to speak to Robert Brown, right, who may have been injured in the altercation Colchester stabbing: The whole street was cordoned off as police conducted interviews and gathered evidence And a man who died after being found injured in the street in Bootle was shot with a crossbow, Merseyside police have said. Police were called to Monfa Road shortly before 2am on Bank Holiday Monday and found Lee Gerrard Atkins, 38, with life-threatening injuries following reports of an altercation. He was pronounced dead in hospital a short time later. A Police spokesman said a post-mortem examination showed the cause of death was abdominal bleeding due to a deep penetrating wound consistent with a crossbow discharge. The crossbow has been recovered, police said. A 49-year-old man from Bootle was arrested on suspicion of murder on Monday night and a 41-year-old man from Bootle who was arrested earlier remains in custody. Merseyside crossbow killing: More than 24 hours after a man was shot dead with a crossbow on Merseyside a forensics tent is still in place in Bootle Merseyside crossbow killing: Specialists officers are combing the area for evidence and two men have been arrested Detectives believe all the parties knew each other. The victim has not yet been formally identified. A large swathe of Monfa Road remains cordoned off, more than 24 hours after the man was found with injuries that proved to be fatal. A blue and white forensics tent remained outside the front of a Monfa Road home on Tuesday morning. Appealing for information on Monday, Detective Chief Inspector Gayle Rooney said: 'We're currently in the very early stages of the investigation into this incident and it is vital that anyone with information that could assist our enquiries gets in touch. 'This is a truly shocking crime which has occurred in a residential area, and a man has tragically lost his life in an appalling act of violence.' The luxury private hospital where Meghan is believed to have given birth offers new parents a 'celebration meal' complete with champagne, lobster and foie gras. The Duchess of Sussex, 37, was reported to have wanted a home birth after rejecting a stay at the Lindo Wing where the Duchess of Cambridge famously posed with her three newborns. But more than a week overdue, The Mail was told she was forced to have Baby Sussex in hospital - most likely at The Portland in central London. The Portland's childbirth packages start from 15,000 and can cost up to 20,000. Other famous mothers who have had their babies there include Victoria Beckham, Liz Hurley and Jools Oliver. Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York also gave birth to Princess Eugenie and Beatrice there. Meghan originally wanted a home birth, but being more than a week overdue she was forced to give birth in hospital - most likely The Portland in central London (exclusive suite pictured) Parents: Harry announced the birth of his and Meghan's son outside Frogmore in Windsor yesterday Staff offer 24-hour room service in their lavish labour suites, which come complete with Molton Brown toiletries and four-poster cots. New parents are offered a meal to celebrate the safe delivery of their child, with a menu that boasts lobster, oysters, foie gras, champagne and afternoon tea options - all served on silver platters. Extended stays The Portland can rack up bills of 1,800 a night, a far cry from Frimley Park NHS Hospital in Surrey where Meghan and Harry were rumoured to have gone if her hopes of a home birth were dashed. While Frimley Park was rated good, with some outstanding aspects, by the Care Quality Commission, it can't compete with the luxury 'goodie bags' new mothers are handed when they leave The Portland. These include an invitation to a professional mother and baby photoshoot, more champagne and luxury toys, according to The Sun. New parents are offered a meal to celebrate the safe delivery of their child, with a menu that boasts lobster, oysters, foie gras, champagne and afternoon tea options (pictured) - all served on silver platters The Portland's childbirth packages start from 15,000 and can cost up to 20,000 There are reported to be 50 full-time midwives and nursery nurses on duty at all times, happy to change nappies and 'check in' on newborns while their exhausted parents try to get some sleep. Babies are treated to 3,500 Moses baskets designed by luxury furniture brand Dragons of Walton Street, as well as 14,000 four-poster Little Duchess cot. It is not known whether Meghan was induced but sources say she remained there overnight before her baby was born at 5.26am on Monday morning, with an elated Prince Harry at her side. Buckingham Palace declined to comment but sources confirmed to the Mail that a hospital delivery had taken place. It is understood Meghan's mother Doria went with Harry and her daughter to the hospital overnight. Within hours of becoming new parents the three returned to the couple's new home at Frogmore Cottage in Windsor. Extended stays The Portland can rack up bills of 1,800 a night, a far cry from Frimley Park NHS Hospital in Surrey where Meghan was rumoured to have gone if her hopes of a home birth were dashed. Meghan was previously rumoured to have her eye on Frimley Park Hospital in Surrey (pictured) if her hopes of a home birth were dashed. The NHS hospital was rated good in its last inspection Prince Harry, 34, then announced the birth yesterday afternoon in a beaming address in Windsor. He said: 'I'm very excited to announce that Meghan and myself had a baby boy earlier this morning, a very healthy boy. Mother and baby are doing incredibly well. It's been the most amazing experience I could ever have possibly imagined. 'How any woman does what they do is beyond comprehension, but we're both absolutely thrilled and so grateful to all the love and support from everybody out there. It's been amazing, so we just wanted to share this with everybody.' Asked if they had any names yet, he said: 'Still thinking about names. The baby is a little bit overdue, so we've had a little bit of time to think about it. Meghan was supported in the delivery room by her husband Prince Harry and her mother Doria Ragland (far left) Meghan is pictured at King's College London on March 8 before she gave birth on Monday 'That's the next bit, but for us I think we will be seeing you guys in probably two days' time as planned as a family to be able to share it with you guys and so everyone can see the baby.' Asked what it was like to be present for the birth, he laughed and said: 'I haven't been at many births. This is definitely my first birth. It was amazing, absolutely incredible, and, as I said, I'm so incredibly proud of my wife. 'As every father and parent will ever say, you know, your baby is absolutely amazing, but this little thing is absolutely to-die-for, so I'm just over the moon.' Dramatic new footage from the Moscow air disaster has revealed how the co-pilot climbed back into the burning plane via the escape slide to 'rescue the captain'. Maxm Kuznetsov, 36, is seen fleeing the cockpit moments after the Aeroflot Sukhoi SuperJet made an emergency landing and burst into flames on Sunday. Yet after climbing down a rope to safety, the co-pilot fights off rescuers in hi-viz jackets to rush back up the emergency slide at the Sheremetyevo airport. Pilot Denis Evdokimov, 42, said yesterday: The second pilot was the first to leave the cockpit, then I did. But he did not explain further how he exited the plane. The stricken plane had crash-landed on the runway with its tank full of unburned jet fuel after it was forced to turn back to Moscow when a lightning strike knocked out the plane's communications. Russian investigators are today probing why the lightning strike - described by experts as a fairly common occurrence - led to a disastrous crash-landing, which killed 41 people. Dramatic new footage from the Moscow air disaster has revealed how the co-pilot climbs back into the burning plane via the escape slide to 'rescue the captain' Maxm Kuznetsov, 36, is seen fleeing the cockpit moments after the Aeroflot Sukhoi SuperJet made an emergency landing and burst into flames on Sunday The co-pilot climbs down a rope before repeatedly fighting off rescuers in hi-viz jackets to climb back up the emergency slide used by passengers to escape Some of those who escaped were carrying luggage, raising concerns that grabbing their bags may have delayed an evacuation in which every second was critical. 'I do not know what to say about people who ran out with bags. God is their judge,' survivor Mikhail Savchenko wrote on Facebook. Upon eventually reaching the cockpit, co-pilot Kuznetsov saved a passenger as well as crucial flight documents, Moscow-based newspaper Moskovsky Komsomolets claims. Elsewhere, REN TV reported that Kuznetsov had rescued the pilot, citing the captains father Alexander Evdokimov, yet no details have been confirmed. Evdokimov has insisted he followed the correct procedures for landing with excess weight and one aviation expert has hailed his handling of the plane. One commentator, Vadim Lukashevich, said the emergency landing was carried out 'expertly' but said a lightning strike should not have caused the plane to crash, The Times reported. However, sources in the investigation have spoken of possible pilot errors including flying into a thunderstorm and not dumping fuel. Upon eventually reaching the cockpit, Kuznetsov saved a passenger as well as crucial flight documents, Moscow-based newspaper Moskovsky Komsomolets claims Footage shows the plane in flames as fire services shoot water cannons at the aircraft in a bid to control the fire, while the co-pilot is pulled back as he tries to climb the slide Elsewhere, REN TV reported that Kuznetsov had rescued the pilot, citing the captains father Alexander Evdokimov, yet no details have been confirmed It comes as footage showed how cabin crew watched the blaze in horror after escaping the burning plane, knowing there were passengers still inside. Two stewardesses in red Aeroflot uniforms are seen staring in disbelief on the tarmac as smoke and flames pour from the Superjet plane. One of them appears to be Tatiana Kasatkina, the flight attendant hailed as a hero for kicking open a door and throwing passengers out to safety. The two women try to comfort struggling passengers - who are seen collapsing amid the smoke - but are forced to abandon those still trapped inside the inferno. Various sources told the business daily RBK the pilots opened a cockpit window, potentially fanning the flames, and failed to turn off engines immediately after landing. Reports in Russia suggest the flight crew may have kept the fuel on board because it was too dangerous to dump the tanks over the capital city. The plane also circled around Moscow twice before it came in to land but it is unclear if this was an attempt to lose fuel. As it approached the runway at Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport it bounced off the tarmac before crashing and bursting into flame. A lightning strike 'does not lead to any catastrophic consequences' for modern planes, Lukashevich said, suggesting mechanical failure may have been to blame. Wreckage: The burned-out remains of the aircraft at the Moscow airport yesterday after a crash landing which one aviation commentator said had been handled 'expertly' The Flightradar24 tracking service showed that the stricken made two circles around Moscow in what may have been a last-ditch attempt to lose fuel A U.S. Federal Aviation Administration spokesman said airline planes get hit about once a year on average. The pilot said the plane had lost radio communications because of a lightning strike, but it was not clear if that precipitated the emergency landing. Four of the five flight crew including the pilot survived the crash. A flight attendant said there was a sharp flash soon after the Aeroflot flight took off, bound for the northern city of Murmansk. 'We took off, got into a cloud, there was strong hail, and at that moment there was a pop and some kind of flash, like electricity,' flight attendant Tatiana Kasatnika said in a video posted on YouTube. The plane ignited when 'the chassis pierced the fuel tank' during a hard blow against the runway, causing a 'heavy leak,' he said. One passenger, Petr Egorov said: 'We had just taken off and the aircraft was hit by lightning.... The landing was rough, I almost passed out from fear.' 'The plane sent out a distress signal after takeoff,' a source told Interfax news agency. Disaster: A huge fireball erupts from the Superjet plane after it crash landed in Moscow 'It attempted an emergency landing but did not succeed the first time, and on the second time the landing gear hit (the ground), then the nose did, and it caught fire,' the source added. Investigators have found the two flight recorders as they probe three theories: insufficient pilot qualifications, equipment failure and weather. One survivor, Oleg Molchanov - who took the video from the tarmac - said: 'I did not really expect a plane to burn like plastic glass. 'The safety illuminators showing the nearest emergency exit at my row melted even before the plane stopped.' The 35-year-old, whose wife Yulia also escaped alive, said: 'In terms of who survived, it was just pure luck and not about panic. 'One breath of that black toxic smoke and a person would not stand up from his seat. 'And in the situation of zero visibility nobody would save him, he is simply not seen. 'It was impossible to breathe He revealed: 'I was the last to get out, no-one from behind where I was sitting. 'I don't quite understand why almost all behind the 12th row are dead.' Meanwhile thousands of people have signed a petition in Russia calling on the plane involved in the crash to be grounded. Recovery: Emergency workers at the scene of the crash yesterday after passengers scrambled to evacuate the jet following its emergency landing in Moscow on Sunday Investigators are now looking into the cause of the crash, which happened shortly after the plane took off from Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport headed for Murmansk The SSJ100, also known as the Superjet, was heralded when it went into service in 2011 as a new phase for Russia's civil aviation industry. It was introduced as a replacement for outdated Soviet-era planes but has been dogged by problems. The SSJ100, also known as the Superjet, was heralded when it went into service in 2011 as a new phase for Russia's civil aviation industry. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the decision was not within President Vladimir Putin's power. In 2012, a Superjet performing at an Indonesian air show slammed into a volcano, killing all 45 people on board. Indonesia blamed the crash on pilot error. Survivors described how people panicked as the plane came in to land trailing thick smoke and flames, rushing to the escape exits at the front of the aircraft Relatives and friends of victims are seen gathered awaiting information at Sheremetyevo airport in Moscow following the crash on Sunday. The plane was a Sukhoi Superjet headed from Russia's capital to Murmansk Technical problems with the plane have been reported in recent years and Russia has struggled to convince foreign carriers to purchase it. The government offered subsidies to encourage Russian airlines to buy the Superjet and Aeroflot has became its main operator. In 2018, it announced a record order of 100 Superjet-100s. Russian regional airline Yamal said Monday it had cancelled an order for 10 of the jets but said this was to do with servicing costs rather than the crash. The Murmansk region - where many of those killed or injured are believed to be from - went into a three-day period of mourning from Monday. When the plane came to a halt, some of the people aboard plunged down inflatable slides deployed from the forward part of the plane. One survivor sparked fury after he walked from the airport with a backpack he had rescued from the burning plane. Dmitry Khlebushkin demanded a refund and complained about his treatment by Aeroflot staff as he left Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport on Sunday. The 'overweight' Russian has become a focal point of anger after several passengers were seen retrieving luggage while others tried to flee. Tatyana Kasatkina, 34, a stewardess on board the Aeroflot plane that crashed and exploded in Moscow, has told how she kicked open the door and pushed passengers out by grabbing their collars in order to speed up the evacuation Fireball: The Russian plane trails a huge cloud of smoke on the tarmac at the Moscow airport The SSJ-100 aircraft of Aeroflot Airlines jet on fire during an emergency landing in Sheremetyevo airport in Moscow, Russia According to reports in Russia, only three passengers behind Khlebushkin - who was sitting in seat 10C - survived the inferno. As the fire raged, hero stewardess Tatyana Kasatkina, 34, had kicked open an exit door and grabbed passengers by their collars to push them to safety. However another flight attendant, Maxim Moissev, died in the flames as he tried desperately to open a door at the rear of the plane. Terrifying new footage emerged on Monday showing the stricken Russian plane bouncing down the runway before bursting into flames. The security footage shows the Superjet plane flicking off the tarmac, collapsing to the ground and fireball careering along the runway with a huge cloud of smoke trailing behind it. Russian officials are still probing the cause of the tragedy, suggesting three theories: insufficient pilot qualifications, equipment failure, and weather. A teen who was brutally stabbed to death by 14 machete wielding thugs on CCTV in New York pleaded for water in his last breaths, a trial heard. Lesandro 'Junior' Guzman-Feliz, 15, is believed to have been murdered by members of the New York Trinitarios gang, who dragged him out of a New York convenience store and stabbed him to death in the street, in June 2018. The gang are said to have thought the boy was a member of a rival gang in a case of mistaken identity. Lesandro 'Junior' Guzman-Feliz (above) was murdered in June last year by a knife and machete-wielding gang outside a New York bodega Detail of how the innocent teen said the word 'water' with his dying breath was revealed in an opening statement at at his alleged killers' trial on Monday, reports The New York Daily News and NBC New York. Of the 14 believed to have been involved in the killing five have are charged with the murder and are standing trial - the gang members will face life in prison if convicted. Antonio Rodriguez, Hernandez Santiago, Elvin Garcia, Jonaiki Martinez Estrella, Jose Muniz and Manuel Rivera were charged with the murder and face additional charges of manslaughter, conspiracy, gang assault and criminal possession of a weapon. Evin Garcia. accused of murder of 15-year-old Lesandro Guzman-Feliz on June 20, 2018 Prosecutors say it's Alvarez who can be seen dragging Feliz from the bodega door (as seen above) The five alleged killers began their murder trial this week as the first witness came to the stand and provided a statement. Witness Tamika Jones, saw the murder take place outside her apartment window and described the moments after the attackers 'drove off' from the scene - as reported by The New York Daily News She said: 'That's when he basically looked up at us and was basically signalling as us, 'Call 911. They cut my throat. Lisandro Guzman and Leandra Feliz, father and mother of murdered teen Leandro 'Junior' Guzman-Feliz arrive at the opening statements for the Leandro 'Junior' Guzman-Feliz murder case at Bronx Supreme Court in the Bronx on Monday, May 6, 2019 Feliz's mother attending the courtroom shortly after her son's death, escorted in and out of the premises by a police escort and two members of New York's famous Guardian Angels vigilante group. Pictured: Leandra Feliz (center) 'By the time we got downstairs, he was already in front of the hospital collapsed.' Adding: 'He had blood all over his body. 'He was trying to stay alive, holding his wound himself. His last word was 'water'. The teen, nicknamed Junior, had run to a nearby hospital before collapsing. CCTV footage captured the frenzied attack that took place outside Zesarina Grocery located on East 183rd Street, in the Belmont section of The Bronx on June 20, 2018. Officers said with his dying breath, the 15-year-old asked for some water. He had aspirations to become a police officer, family say Prosecutors alleged at a hearing in March that it was Kevin Alvarez, 19, who can be seen dragging Feliz from the bodega door, as another gang member can be seen slashing at the defenceless teen with a machete. Jonaiki Martinez Estrella is alleged to have delivered the fatal wound, with the other four defendants lawyers appearing to use this as an argument against the life imprisonment of their clients. Martin Goldberg, lawyer for accused Jose Muniz argued that his client had pretended to inflict injury by using the blunt side of his machete, The New York Daily News reported. Mr Goldberg said: 'Jose was careful never to let the sharp side of the blade come into contact with Junior. 'You know how hard it is, folks, not to cause a serious physical injury with a machete?' Police say the alleged killers are members of the Trinitarios subset 'Los Sures' and they believed Lesandro to be a member of rival gang 'Sunset'. 'They allegedly drove to the territory of the Sunset group, came upon Junior and chased him into a bodega in the Belmont section, where he tried to hide,' Bronx DA Darcel Clark said last year. The footage shows the pack of men forcibly dragging Guzman-Feliz by the hood of his jacket out of the bodega and frantically stabbing and slashing him with a machete before fleeing on foot. Investigators said Junior had told his mother he was going to the bodega a block away from his house to either repay a debt, or lend $5 to a friend. He never made it home that night. Feliz was a member of the NYPD Explorers' Program, a group for children interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement. Alvarez and all other suspects have pleaded not guilty to Feliz's murder. Advertisement Vladimir Putin's new 120,000 armoured limousine has been unveiled at the country's Victory Day parade rehearsals which saw the convertible roll through Moscow as Russia showcased its military might. Weighing six tons and powered by a roaring 4.4 lite V-8 engine, this Aurus cabriolet is an upgrade to the previous model used by the Kremlin strongman over the past year. The body of the Aurus - which gets its name from a blend of aurum, meaning gold, and Russia - has been described by Autoweek magazine as 'unapologetically Rolls Royce'. The limo will go on sale to the public later this year. Victory Day celebration rehearsals were underway this morning ahead of Thursday's parade which will see thousands of servicemen and women troop through Red Square as Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu salutes the soldiers from the new model Aurus. The Russian holiday dates back to the Soviet Union's declaration of victory in the Second World War as the Nazis surrendered to the allied forces. However, the procession will be widely interpreted as further efforts by Putin, whose recent acts of aggression have frayed relationships with the West, to lay bare the nation's military strength. Vladimir Putin's new 120,000 armoured limo (carrying Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu this morning) has been unveiled at the country's Victory Day parade rehearsals which saw the impressive convertible roll through Moscow as Russia showcased its military might Victory Day celebration rehearsals were underway this morning ahead of Thursday's parade which will see thousands of servicemen and women troop through Red Square Russian airborne troops march in preparations for the procession which dates back to the Soviet Union's declaration of victory in the Second World War as the Nazis surrendered to allied forces To the beat of drums, the troops are also seen marching through the streets and are joined by smiling servicewomen who goose-step through the city But eyes will also be trained on the 22ft upgraded armoured limo with many eager to see the vehicle which will drive the Russian Premier in future ceremonies. This new model reportedly has a 'parade mode' which, when travelling at speeds lower than 12mph, provides a smoother ride, according to the Times. Some 5,000 models are projected to be manufactured annually by 2021 and it has already peaked the interest of Saudi Arabian politician Khalid al-Falih, who said 'I am ready to buy one of these cars if I can afford it,' during a visit to St Petersburg last week. Putin's security detail, the Federal Protective Service, will reportedly continue to use Mercedes Benz cars in the Presidential motorcade. The Aurus cabriolets carrying Sergei Shoigu and Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Forces General Oleg Salyukov salute the troops Sukhoi Su-24M front-line bombers fly in formation in the skies of Moscow over the procession below as Russia steps up its Victory Day parade preparations MSTA-S self-propelled howitzers rumble through Red Square while their drivers salute the Defence Secretary this morning Fighter jets zoom overhead in Moscow this morning, spraying out red, blue and white smoke - the colours on the Russian flag Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu salutes the soldiers from the new model Aurus, which weighs six tons and is powered by a roaring 4.4 lite V-8 engine Putin's 120,000 Aurus cabriolet convertible The limo, which has been described as a rip-off of British-manufactured Rolls Royce, will go on sale to the public later this year. Here are the need-to-know facts about Vladimir Putin's new ride: Weight: Six tons Length: 22 feet Engine: 598 horsepower, 4.4-litre V-8 0-60mph: Nine seconds Advertisement Dramatic scenes from Moscow show tanks and large military vehicles rumble past the Kremlin as fighter jets zoom overhead, spraying out red, blue and white - the colours on the Russian flag. Mr Shoigu is also seen saluting the ranks who stand rigidly to attention armed with rifles and wearing green military dress. To the beat of drums, the troops are also seen marching through the streets and are joined by smiling servicewomen who goose-step through the procession. The display of military hardware comes amid a period of heightened tensions between Russia and Western nations. In March 2018 former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were poisoned on the streets of Salisbury in a chemical attack. They were targeted with Novichok a deadly nerve agent manufactured in Russia's lab rooms at the height of the Cold War. Theresa May has blamed the Russian state for the attack, but the Kremlin denied this and hit back with a disinformation campaign questioning whether the UK's security services can be trusted and suggested Britain carried out the poisoning itself. Mil Mi-8 combat helicopters fly over Moscow during the dress rehearsal of a Victory Day air show marking the 74th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany The choppers swoop over the iconic St Basil Cathedral which stands in the centre of Red Square beside the Kremlin, the fortified home of Russia's government Mr Shoigu is also seen saluting the ranks (pictured) who stand rigidly to attention armed with rifles and wearing green military dress The procession will be widely interpreted as further efforts by Mr Putin, whose recent acts of aggression have frayed relationships with the West, to lay bare the nation's military strength The display of military might comes amid a period of heightened tensions between Russia and Western nations A large Beriev A-50 airborne early warning and control training aircraft flies over Moscow during this morning's Victory Day parade rehearsal This is the terrifying moment a pet cat clawed at its owners face in a frenzied attack when she tried to hide in a suitcase. Anna Colarusso, 21, from Lagrangeville, New York, was left with bloody gashes on her face after cat Sam sliced her face with his claws. The seven-year-old feline pounced on the kennel worker after being startled when she popped out of the case. Anna Colarusso, 21, from Lagrangeville, New York, was left with bloody gashes on her face (left) and ripped leggings after her pet cat sliced her face with his claws He stalked her around the living room for nearly a full minute, hissing and clawing at her as she screamed and tried to defend herself. Ms Colarusso said she tried to get in the case to prove to her boyfriend she could fit inside. She said: 'I was in the suitcase because I'm 5ft-tall so my boyfriend wanted to see if I could fit in. Sam then got startled by me popping out of the suitcase. 'I think he was scared as hell and felt threatened, which is understandable, he had never ever attacked me like this.' The seven-year-old feline, named Sam, walked into the living room when the kennel worker was hiding in the case (left). He pounced on her after being startled when she popped out (right) The pet cat launches himself at his owner and claws at her leggings while trying to sink its teeth into her legs The cat then stalked his owner around the room for nearly a full minute, hissing and clawing at her as she screamed for help Ms Colarusso (left, before the attack) believes her pet was scared and felt threatened, and revealed he'd never attacked her before Ms Colarusso posted the video on Twitter, where it attracted more than 150,000 views. She added: 'I was shook and so was my mom and brother, but the cat calmed down and slept with me on that same night.' The growing rise of a fish-free alternative on supermarket shelves has been described as a slap in the face for the Australian seafood industry. The industry is up in arms over a plant-based tuna substitute marketed at vegans and vegetarians, which has been slammed by critics as false and misleading advertising. Produced by Atlantic Natural Foods, Tuno is sold in cans similar to regular tinned tuna and instead of fish, is made from water, soy flour, yeast extract, maltodextrin and salt. On the company's website, Tuno is described as a delicious plant-based seafood alternative that tastes just like premium seafood with up to 20 per cent less sodium than comparable fish products. A fish-free alternative called Tuno targeted at vegans and vegetarians looks just like tuna Seafood Industry Australia chief executive Jane Lovell has called on the Australian Consumer and Competition Commission to investigate the product marketing further. 'Whether there is an intent to mislead or not, is irrelevant, if the overall branding creates a misleading impression than the behaviour is likely to breach the law,' she told the ABC. 'If people want to be vegans that's up to them. I don't think we have high moral ground on that point, but I think this is verging on false and misleading.' There are calls from the seafood industry for the ACCC to investigate the marketing of Tuno Seafood Industry Australia's concerns were echoed by Vegans Australia, which called for more honesty and clearer labelling on 'alternative' food products . 'Consumers should be aware of what the product is that they're buying, and how much suffering went into it,' director Greg McFarlane said. An Atlantic Natural Foods spokesman told the ABC the packaged states the product is a 'plant-based protein' in more than one location and was created for consumers wanting an alternative. Daily Mail Australia has contacted Seafood Industry Australia and Atlantic Natural Foods for further comment. Pauline Hanson showed off her glamorous side on Tuesday, sporting a silver and black jacket to an official engagement. The One Nation leader wore plain black trousers and red lipstick with the zip-down top as the 57th NSW Parliament opened. Her unusual choice of outfit came as celebrities arrived at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York for the Met Gala. Pauline Hanson (pictured) revealed a plunging neckline with her zipped-down jacket as the 57th NSW Parliament was declared open on Tuesday 'That's up to them, how they decide to actually want to represent the state ... I don't tell Mark what to do,' Senator Hanson told reporters Ms Hanson and her controversial advisor, James Ashby, arrived at parliament along with her party's two new NSW MPs as protesters rallied outside. The federal leader said she wouldn't tell Mr Latham how to run the NSW party. 'That's up to them, how they decide to actually want to represent the state ... I don't tell Mark what to do,' Senator Hanson told reporters. 'I'm very proud of him, I think he's doing an excellent job, he's raised some issues about development in the state, he's talking about educational issues, he's talking gender identity, safe schools.' Ceremonial welcomes for the government and elected MPs carried on around the One Nation sideshow with Liberal MP Jonathan O'Dea elected as the new Legislative Assembly Speaker. Mr O'Dea warned MPs to carry themselves appropriately in the chamber, describing some of their previous conduct as 'truly embarrassing'. Senator Hanson and her controversial advisor, James Ashby (left), arrived at parliament along with her party's two new NSW MPs as protesters rallied outside 'We all need to speak less and listen more,' he said on Tuesday. Controversial upper house Christian Democrat Fred Nile lost his position of Assistant President in the Legislative Council to Labor's Shaoquett Moselmane by 20 votes to 19. Despite winning majority government in the lower house, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian will have to navigate a rabble of cross benchers in the upper house to get legislation passed. The One Nation leader said she wouldn't tell state leader Mark Latham how to run the party in NSW after he was elected into the upper house for One Nation in March Along with the two One Nation MPs, there'll be two Animal Justice members in the upper house, three Greens, two Shooters, Fishers and Farmers, as well as independent Justin Field. Ms Berejiklian has promised to focus on education and social inequality this term after years of government spending on roads, railways and stadiums. The premier said the new parliament would put 'people at the heart of everything it does'. The near-two-century-old NSW parliament needs to better reflect the modern state it represents, Ms Berejiklian said. She's asked two committees to look at how standards inside Australia's oldest parliament can be modernised with more of a focus on outcomes rather than processes. Along with the two One Nation MPs, there'll be two Animal Justice members in the upper house, three Greens, two Shooters, Fishers and Farmers, as well as independent Justin Field 'Of course, tradition is important, but we need to work harder to ensure that the parliament better reflects, and responds to, the community it serves,' Ms Berejiklian said. Labor has returned to parliament without a permanent leader after Michael Daley stepped down following the election loss. Upper house MP Penny Sharpe is Labor's interim leader with the leadership ballot process expected to begin after the May 18 federal election. Kogarah MP Chris Minns is the favourite for the top job. Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Hideaki Tanaka, former President of Changan Mazda, has left the company after 3-year tenure. His post is succeeded by Toru Nakajima, according to an announcement from the Sino-Japanese joint venture. (Photo source: official website of Changan Mazda) Under Mr. Tanakas leadership, Changan Mazda has successively introduced several new models such as the new Mazda3 Axela, the second-generation CX-5, the CX-3 imported SUV and the CX-8 7-seater SUV, further improving its brand image and setting foot in more vehicle segments. Before being dispatched to Changan Mazda, Mr. Tanaka worked as Deputy General Manager of China Business Divison for Mazda, according to the formal record from the Japanese automaker. Toru Nakajima joined Mazda Motor Corporation in 1987 and was named General Manager of Product Marketing Department in 2007, according to his job career posted on LinkedIn, a business social platform. From April, 2011 to March, 2019, he held posts of Vice President/Chief of Staff, Vehicle Operations at Mazda North American Operations and General Manager of Global Sales & Marketing Division at Mazda Motor Corporation. Changan Mazda said Mr. Nakajimas participation will further energize the company with his global marketing vision and abundant sales experience. For the first quarter of the year, the joint venture sold a total of 32,784 vehicles, facing a year-on-year decline of 28.43%. Its sales in March also shrank 21.43% compared with the same period a year ago to 10,449 units. Kim Kardashian has reportedly helped free as many as 17 inmates by secretly funding a criminal justice campaign. The reality TV star began her social justice bids by petitioning President Donald Trump over the release of Tennessee grandmother Alice Marie Johnson in June last year. Since the 63-year-old was pardoned by Trump after meeting Kim at the White House, she has joined campaigns to get other prisoners released. Kim joined attorney Brittany K Barnett and has secretly funded the Buried Alive Project, which has helped free 17 inmates who were handed huge jail sentences for low-level drug offences as part of its 90 Days of Freedom project. Some of Kim's campaigns have been well-publicized, such as former sex slave Cyntoia Brown, Jeffrey Stringer and Johnson, who spent 21 years in prison for a non-violent drug offense. Jamelle Carraway from Illinois served 11 years of a life sentence for cocaine possession Eric Balcom was sentenced to life without parole over a drugs charge when he was 29 Kim Kardashian with Alice Marie Johnson, who was pardoned by President Trump after he met with the reality star at the White House last June The Buried Alive Project claimed to have helped free 17 inmates during its campaign against draconian sentences for low-level drug offences But now the amount of inmates on the list is longer than first thought, it has been revealed. Last week Kim helped get Stringer from Miami out of prison after he was locked up for more than two decades for a low-level drug case. The reality star tweeted on Friday that she helped fund his case after he had been sentenced to life in prison. Kim also joined celebrities such as Cara Delevigne and Rihanna in calling for Brown, who served 12 years in prison for killing a man who paid her for sex when she was just 16, to be released. The Buried Alive Project has tweeted updates of those it has helped and claimed to have aided 17 prisoners, including Terrence Byrd, Jamelle Carraway of Illinois and Eric Balcom from Florida. And Kim has been secretly funding the project over the last few months, according to TMZ. Byrd served 25 years in a federal prison for drug possession charges, Balcom was sentenced to life without parole over a drugs charge when he was 29 and Carraway served 11 years of a life sentence for cocaine possession. Terrance Byrd spent half his life in jail after he served 25 years in a federal prison for drug possession charges The law project tweeted its support of Terrence Byrd when he was finally released from prison Jeffrey Stringer with he daughter Jacaria before he was locked up for more than two decades for a low-level drug case Kim met with President Donald Trump at the White House last May to discuss Johnson's case and the following month he pardoned Alice Johnson Since her successful campaign to get Johnson out of jail, Kim has become interested in criminal justice. The Keeping Up With The Kardashians star has since registered with the California State Bar to study law to become a fully-fledged lawyer. Kim must also complete 60 college credits and then work as an apprentice at a law firm in San Francisco with the intention to take the Bar Exam in 2022. Johnson was sentenced to life in prison in 1997 for committing a first-time nonviolent drug crime in Memphis. Kim met with President Donald Trump at the White House in May to discuss the case after reading about her story on Twitter. The following month, Trump pardoned Johnson. Jeffrey was arrested and charged with manufacturing and intent to distribute cocaine in West Palm Beach in the late 1990s. He was sentenced to life in prison because he had two prior convictions on his record. Kim (left) is an advocate of prison reform. Attorney Brittany K Barnett (right) is the co-founder of the Buried Alive Project, which works to end life without parole sentences issued under federal drug laws Kim is currently working with CNN's Van Jones and #Cut50 co-founder and lawyer Jessica Jackson (middle) to gain her law license The case gained national attention as the convict was highlighted as an example of a nonviolent drug offender who faced an unfairly strict sentence based on rigid federal guidelines. He and many other convicts are now getting relief under new guidelines signed into law last year by President Trump. The First Step Act allows some nonviolent offenders to earn credits for good behavior and thus an early release. Attorney Brittany K Barnett tweeted on Friday: 'We did it again! Had the best call with this lovely family and my attorney @msbkb, who just won the release for their loved one Jeffrey in Miami.' 'He served 22 years of life sentence for low level drug case. He served too much time but it gives me so much joy to fund this life saving work,' she added. The news came just a month after it was revealed that Kim had also offered to pay the rent of Matthew Charles, a former inmate who was released from prison after serving 20 years of his 35-year sentence for non-violent drug and weapon charges. Kim also offered to pay the rent of Matthew Charles (pictured with Trump last April), a former inmate who was released from prison after serving 20 years of his 35 sentence for non-violent drug and weapon charges Kevin Cooper and his legal team believe he was wrongly convicted and evidence was planted to incriminate him. Kim has pleaded for DNA evidence against him to be rexamined Kim privately contacted Charles after she heard he was struggling to find housing because his background prompted all his applications to be denied. She offered to pay his rent for the next five years. Charles was first sentenced to 35 years in prison in 1996 for drug trafficking before he was briefly released in 2016 due to the Fair Sentencing Act. However, Charles was forced to return to prison last year after an appeals court overturned a judge's initial ruling. He was released on January 3 as a part of President Donald Trump's First Step Act. Kim has also visited the notorious San Quentin prison where a convicted murderer she is trying to free is being held. Kevin Cooper has been on death row for 33 years and will face the lethal injection for the murders of four people, including two ten-year-old children. It has been claimed an advanced DNA test could exonerate him with suggestions he might have been framed for the heinous crime. Cooper is currently in San Quentin though it remains unclear if Kim met him during her visit last November. Mr Farage told reporters today: 'I have never been a conspiracy theorist' Nigel Farage has denied being a conspiracy theorist today after appearing on a far-right news website whose founder was last week banned from Facebook. The former Ukip leader, who quit over its political lurch to the right under current chief Gerard Batten and now leads the Brexit Party, has repeatedly been interviewed by Infowars host Alex Jones. He has appeared on the controversial host's show six times in the last decade, the Guardian reported. Jones was among a slew of right-wing figures removed from Facebook last week, with a spokesman for the firm saying: 'We've always banned individuals or organizations that promote or engage in violence and hate, regardless of ideology.' Speaking at a Brexit Party press conference today Mr Farage told reporters: 'As far as Infowars is concerned, I have done it very infrequently, perhaps once every couple of years.' 'if you appear on programmes, it doesn't mean that you support the editorial line necessarily. 'I know Jones is accused of conspiracy theories and I wonder if there is, without doubt, some truth in that. I have never been a conspiracy theorist at all.' The Guardian reported that during his appearances Mr Farage discussed 'globalists' and the 'new world order', which led to a condemnation from the Board of Deputies of British Jews. A spokesman for the organisation said: 'It is vital that our politicians distance themselves from conspiracy theories and conspiracy theorists, including those who trade in antisemitic tropes. 'We would call on Nigel Farage to repudiate these ideas and to commit not to dignify odd-ball nasties like Alex Jones with his presence again.' Jones was among a slew of right-wing figures removed from Facebook last week A Muslim Council of Britain spokesman told the Guardian that the Brexit Party leader's appearances 'demonstrates a serious lack of judgment by Mr Farage and a willingness to tolerate Islamophobia'. Facebook removed a string of figures last week, saying their accounts violated its policies against dangerous individuals and organizations. As well as Mr Jones those banned from the social media platform and its sister site Instagram were Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan and Paul Nehlen, a US white nationalist who ran for Congress in 2018. They are banned from creating accounts, but users will still be able to publish posts supporting their viewpoints, though some links to videos, articles and other content by these figures will be taken down. The crackdown comes as the social media giant has been criticized for its failure to curb the spread of misinformation, as well as hateful and extremist content on the site. Puppy breeders including a former Crufts judge have been ordered to repay more than 5million in lost taxes in a crackdown on traders selling dogs on the black market. HM Revenue and Customs recovered the huge sum in unpaid taxes from 257 separate cases in a four year operation targeting dogs being sold illegally across the UK. Among those HMRC said were targeted by its special taskforce were a former Crufts judge breeding puppies in the Midlands, who was found to owe 185,000 in unpaid tax. HMRC is also involved in Operation Delphin a multi-agency collaboration across the UK and Ireland, designed to tackle illegal puppy smuggling. Among those targeted in the tax crackdown included a breeder in Swansea, ordered to pay back 110,000, and unconnected puppy breeders in the West of Scotland who were handed tax bills of 425,000 and 337,000. HMRC is involved in Operation Delphin a multi-agency collaboration across the UK and Ireland, designed to tackle illegal puppy smuggling. Pictured: Puppies found in the boot of a car Others included a dealer in Northern Ireland, told to pay 185,000 in tax while a Somerset breeder was given a 114,000 bill. HMRC launched the investigation in 2015, after animal welfare groups expressed concerns puppies were being reared on a mass scale and sold illicitly in the UK. Several arrests have been made during the operation, and a total of 5,393,035 in lost taxes. Durham kennel owner, Kevin Knox, pleaded guilty to the fraudulent evasion of tax and VAT in March 2018. Financial Secretary to the Treasury, Mel Stride MP, said: 'It is utterly appalling that anyone would want to treat puppies in such an inhumane way and on such a scale. HM Revenue and Customs recovered the huge sum in unpaid taxes from 257 separate cases in a four year operation targeting dogs being sold illegally across the UK. Pictured: Dogs recovered during Operation Delphin HMRC launched the investigation in 2015, after animal welfare groups expressed concerns puppies were being reared on a mass scale and sold illicitly in the UK 'Its also deeply unfair to all of the legitimate businesses who do pay the right tax, and the total recovered by the taskforce is equivalent to the annual salaries for more than 200 newly qualified teachers.' Operation Delphin is led by the Scottish SPCA and includes partners such as the RSPCA, Ulster SPCA, Dublin SPCA, Irish SPCA, HMRC, Border Force, and the police. The head of the Scottish SPCAs Special Investigations Unit, who cannot be named due to his undercover operations, said: 'Unfortunately, the puppy trade is big business with thousands of dogs being brought into the country each year, particularly from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. As part of Operation Delphin's activities, the SSPCA said it had seized 27 puppies smuggled from Ireland at Cairnryan Port in Dumfries and Galloway. Pictured: Some of the puppies rescued in the operation 'It is a multi-million pound industry and many of these poor dogs are bred on large scale puppy farms with little to no regard for their welfare. 'We have seized 27 puppies smuggled from Ireland at Cairnryan Port in Dumfries and Galloway as part of Operation Delphin, which is dedicated to ending the illegal puppy dealing industry and bringing those who prioritise profits over animal welfare to justice. 'Its a barbaric trade which commands huge profit from selling puppies. Often these puppies are kept in appalling conditions and this leads to injuries, health issues and behavioural problems. 'Some are so far gone that they pass away from complications due to the way they are bred and kept. 'The efforts of all involved in the taskforce have helped us to make inroads in to this brutal trade but it is a growing problem.' Samia (pictured) claims she was kidnapped by Islamic State and held against her will after being duped into thinking that she would be helping children The family of a woman who joined Islamic State say that she was tricked into thinking she'd be helping refugees and left mutilated by a drone strike. Samia Hussein from Southall, West London, lost her left arm and half her breast in what is thought to have been a British or American attack on a town under the terrorists' control. The former student was discovered alongside other UK citizens when the jihadists' last-remaining stronghold of Baghouz fell in March. She is believed to be at the al-Hol camp, which is run by Kurdish forces in northern Syria, and while there called her family to tell her jihadists had kidnapped her. A close relative says that the family are worried about her health, telling The Telegraph she fears that she'll never be let back into the UK. 'We need the Government to help her,' she said. 'She's British, she was born here and has a British passport and we want her to come back to this country.' The camp also holds Shamima Begum, who left Bethnal Green in East London to join Islamic State when she was 15. The family of Miss Hussein, who is now 25, say she was duped to stop studying and go to a camp in 2015 while living in Kenya. Five years ago, she left the UK to study A-Levels in Nairobi and hoped to head to the capital's United States International University - Africa to complete a degree. Pictured: The camp where Samia is thought to be living now alongside Shamima Begum from Bethnal Green, East London Her family says that she was groomed and 'brainwashed' into believing she'd be helping 'children in need' but found herself trapped in the Caliphate. A relative told the paper that somebody influenced her in Nairobi, telling her that she'd be carrying out aid work. She disappeared in autumn 2015 and one week later sent a text to her mother, Luul Hussein Tarambi, saying she was being held against her will and needed to get out. In her text she told them that she 'had been brainwashed and said she needed help', the relative said. ISIS bride Shamima Begum (pictured at a refugee camp in Syria earlier this year) had her British nationality revoked after pleading unsuccessfully to be allowed to return to the UK Three-and-a-half years later Miss Hussein's family received a phone call from her while she was in the refugee camp. Her relative claims that she told them over a borrowed phone that Islamic State had kidnapped her and held her hostage. The relative says that Miss Hussein is 'not loyal' to the terror group and 'wants nothing to do with them at all'. It was during that call on an apparently borrowed phone that she revealed her injuries from the air strike. She did not offer too many details about her situation for fear that the call was being monitored, the relative said, adding that Miss Hussein was scared of people in the camp who are still loyal to the terrorists. One of her sisters, Asha Hussein, described her sibling as a 'bright girl' who was 'really happy'. She said that her sister wanted to become a journalist and that there was no sign of Samia being radicalised before she disappeared. The family has appealed for help from the Foreign Office, which says that it will nor comment on individual cases. The Foreign Office does not have a consular presence in Syria, meaning it may not be able to offer assistance. Kenyan authorities say there has been a trend in university students being recruited through Islamic State's social media. The European Institute of Peace last year said that people had been recruited in Kenya. They were sent from the country to war-torn regions in Libya, Somalia, Syria and Yemen. Terrified hotel guests were sent running from a luxury hotel after a man allegedly opened every fire hydrant in the building. Hundreds of guests were forced to evacuate the Experience Bella Hotel Apartments in Southbank, Melbourne's inner-city as 432,000 litres of water gushed through the building on May 27 last year. Bradley Vogt, 28, was believed to be high on ice when he allegedly walked through the buildings emergency stairwell and opened 18 fire hydrants. Hundreds of guests were forced to evacuate the Experience Bella Hotel Apartments in Southbank, Melbourne's inner-city as 432,000 litres of water gushed through the building on May 27 last year Vogt was a paying guest at the 33-storey building, checking in four days prior to the incident with plans to stay for a week. However, on May 27 about 9pm he went into the fire escape and opened all fire escapes between level one and 18. Police allege the Traralgon man consumed a 'large combination' of illicit substances before heading into the fire escape, prosecutor Craig McConaghy said on Tuesday. Vogt allegedly opened all the fire hydrants between levels one and 18, causing water to pour out. Within 10 minutes of ground floor guests notifying concierge water was ankle deep and pouring out the front door. Firefighter Tim Erikson said he had serious safety concerns about the stairwell door because of the sheer volume of water pressing behind it. His concerns proved right. An electrical flash was seen through a small window before the door snapped in half and a rush of water flooded into the lobby. Bradley Vogt (pictured), 28, was believed to be high on ice when he walked through the buildings emergency stairwell and allegedly opened 18 fire hydrants Police are seen assisting with residents after the incident unfolded in the Melbourne CBD Mr Erikson and other firefighters found the hydrants 'wedged' open, some needing tools to close. Vogt attempted to clean the mess up with a single mop before he was found by firefighters attempting to re-open another hydrant. He was then seen lying on the ground as water gushed over him, clutching onto the mop before barricading inside the manager's office. He lashed at police when they found him in the office and tried to arrest him, resulting in multiple officers forcing him to the ground and sedating him, Nine News reported. Man allegedly lashed at police when they found him in the office and tried to arrest him, resulting in multiple officers forcing him to the ground and sedating him The commotion saw 300 people evacuated from the building as water leaked through the floors and began shorting electricity. Guests upstairs were oblivious to the chaos for quite some time, before opening lifts and finding themselves stuck in gushing water. A bag containing 1.4g of methamphetamine and an ice pipe were found in the manager's office after Vogt was removed, and another gram was later found in his underwear, it's alleged. Vogt is facing a Melbourne Magistrates Court committal hearing on seven charges, including intentionally damaging property, resisting emergency workers, interfering with a hydrant and trafficking ice. He is also expected to pay the cleanup bill of at least $1.6million. The hearing is set to continue on Wednesday, before magistrate Peter Reardon decides whether Vogt will stand trial. Albert Ballard, 63, was fatally shot in the chest at his Michigan home as he tried to protect his wife from five burglars Four men who tried to burgle a 63-year-old retiree's home then shot him dead as he fought back have been jailed. Albert Ballard, a former GM worker, was killed in July 2017 after Jordan Alexander, Zicary Carpenter, Tyler Pagel, Joshua Eubanks and Dre Jones broke into his Michigan home where he was asleep with his wife and demanded his money. Alexander, 20, was given a whole-life term on Monday after a court heard how he pulled the trigger on Ballard, while 22-year-old Carpenter got 45 years minimum. Pagel, 19, will serve at least 36 years behind bars while Eubanks, 22, was told to serve at least 23 years after being found guilty last month. Jones, 20, was earlier given 27 years after agreeing to plead guilty and testify against his co-conspirators, Michigan Live reported. The tragedy unfolded in the early hours of July 11, 2017, as Ballard slept on the downstairs sofa of his two-story home in Flint. Making their way in through an unlocked door, the five burglars woke Ballard up and began demanding his money. Jordan Alexander, 20, was handed a whole-life term after a jury found him guilty of pulling the trigger on Ballard in July 2017 Zicary Carpenter, 22, who held Ballard at gunpoint while the robbery took place, was given a minimum of 45 years behind bars Carpenter held the retiree at gunpoint while three others went upstairs to wake his wife, Jan, before hitting her in the face with a gun and demanding cash. A fifth person busied himself by carrying Ballard's TV outside. At some point, Ballard managed to slip away from Carpenter and into the kitchen where he picked up a .45 calibre handgun he stashed in a cupboard. Ballard then shot one of the suspects in the chest, causing him to flee the scene in a car along with the man carrying the TV. Joshua Eubanks, 22, received the shortest sentence - at least 23 years for two counts of first-degree home invasion Tyler Pagel, the youngest of the defendants at just 19 years old, was told to serve at least 36 years in jail for two counts of home invasion and armed robbery The pair crashed a short distance away and the gunshot victim was taken to hospital where he was treated. Meanwhile, in the house, Ballard rushed upstairs to protect his wife and grappled with one of the burglars. During an exchange of gunfire he was shot in the arm by a bullet which traveled into his chest, killing him. Police arrived at the property around 5am, where Ballard was pronounced dead. In court, daughter April Bigelow revealed the devastating impact her father's death had on the family - saying mother Jan had been unable to go back to the house where she had previously lived for 40 years. A relative of one of the accused breaks down in court as the sentences were read out Monday Judge Elizabeth A. Kelly said she went above the usual sentencing guidelines for the four men after hearing about the impact Ballard's death had on his family and community Sentencing the men, Judge Elizabeth Kelly said she had gone above the guidelines after hearing how the death had affected Ballard's family and community. Trained as a pipefitter, Ballard spent a career working at GM before retiring and training as a mass transit bus driver. He also taught himself how to play the violin in his 50s and joined the Lapeer Symphony Orchestra. His seat was left empty but covered with flowers at a concert after his death. Balding Peter Ferguson (pictured) took photos of a stranger from Facebook to create the fake persona and then tricked his way into her home A mother has told how a married council worker posed as a British Airways pilot and a masseuse on dating app Bumble before he sexually assaulted her. Balding Peter Ferguson, of Great Horkesley, near Colchester, Essex, took photos of a stranger from Facebook to create the fake persona and then tricked his way into her home. The 43-year-old pretended to be a BA captain called Matt, and after meeting on Bumble, they communicated using WhatsApp over a period of two weeks - but he said he couldn't meet because of a hectic work schedule. Ferguson then posed as a masseuse sent by the pilot to her home to give her a massage after she had told the captain that she had aching muscles following a gym session. He asked the 35-year-old to strip off naked at her home in Colchester, and there he sexually assaulted her twice. Ferguson is now facing jail after he was convicted by a jury of sexual assault by penetration and sexual assault after a trial at Chelmsford Crown Court. As he awaits sentence in June, the victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, told how his con was 'clever and calculated.' She said: 'I want other women to know how dangerous online dating can be. She said: He claimed to be flying BA passenger jets all over the world, but really he was working for the local council. Ferguson pretended to be a BA captain called Matt, and after meeting on Bumble, they communicated using WhatsApp (left) over a period of two weeks. Pictured right: A message from Ferguson, claiming to be 'Steve' the masseuse arranging to visit her house He blamed his flight schedule (for not meeting in person). Hed tell me he was en-route to Heathrow, or on a lay-over in Bangladesh. He seemed totally genuine and I was keen to meet, but he never seemed to have the time. The duo were chatting by phone when the woman told Ferguson - posing as Matt - how a tough gym session had left her with aching muscles. She said: He said he had a friend who was a masseuse and offered to pay for him to come to my house, as a treat. I didnt want to appear ungrateful so I accepted, and not long after I had a text from someone called Steve confirming the booking. The WhatsApp conversation continued after the attack (pictured) Steve turned up at her home one afternoon when her son was at school. She said: He didnt have a massage table or much in the way of equipment - just a couple of towels and some baby oil. He said he used clients beds and - as Id never had a massage before - I went along with it. I stripped naked, and had a towel covering my lower half. He started massaging my back, but he didnt really seem to know what he was doing. He wasnt getting to any of the knots in my shoulders, it felt like he was just rubbing baby oil in. Steve asked the woman to turn on to her back and massaged her breasts and legs. He then sexually assaulted her. She said: I didnt feel at all comfortable with it and told him so. But then he did it again. I jumped up, pulled a towel around me, and told him to stop. Alarm bells were ringing because he had a deep and husky voice just like Matt, and even used similar phrases. He brushed it off saying they must have similar accents. Soon after Steve left her home, the woman voiced her concerns to Matt, who said he had booked her a full body massage. She confided in pals who advised her she had been sexually assaulted. I was in shock, she said. But I Googled the number from Steves text and it came up with a result for a Colchester Borough Council webpage. The number belonged to a team leader called Peter Ferguson who was responsible for things like fly-tipping and littering. And I recognised Peters photo instantly - it was the guy whod visited my house as Steve the masseuse. The woman contacted police and Ferguson was arrested the same day. Chelmsford Crown Court heard during his trial that he had secretly joined hook-up site Fab Swingers after difficulties in his family life. He had used a photo of himself - but no one was interested. He invented 'Matt the pilot' and lifted photos of a handsome stranger from Facebook for his fake Bumble profile, then used his work phone to pretend to be Steve. Colchester Borough Council said in a statement: Peter Ferguson is no longer employed by us. A homophobic donor withdrew her $7,600 donation destined to deliver life saving treatment to a 18-month-old with cancer after learning that her parents are two women. Tiffany and Albree Shaffer, 26, were in the hospital waiting for yet more results of little Callie's treatment when they received a hateful Facebook message informing them of the donor's change of heart earlier this month. The couple were devastated learn the would-be donor had backed out of giving them $7,600 to cover the 18-month-old's medical bills after discovering they were in a same sex relationship. 18-month-old Callie Shaffer (centre) with her family; brother Tyler, seven, and parents Tiffany and Albree (left) Shaffer, 26. A $7,600 donation towards the care of Callie was removed after the donor found her parents were a same sex couple However in a heart-warming twist, another benefactor named Aaron Jackson, 37, offered to match the required sum after being dismayed at the blatant homophobia. Charity worker Aaron felt compelled to step in after claiming to have had a donor refuse to back his charity when they discovered they advocated LGBT rights. Now Albree, from Cincinnati, Ohio, US, who quit her childcare business to care for Callie, says the generous donation will mean they have the time to focus on battling their daughter's neuroblastoma. The message sent to Callie's parents as they had their hopes of funding her treatment dashed by a homophobic donor Callie Shaffer receives treatment for stage four cancer in hospital. Callie was diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma, on January 8 and is deemed high risk because the advanced and aggressive cancer has metastasized to her bones Now Albree, who quit her childcare business to care for Callie, says the generous donation will mean they have the time to focus on battling their daughter's neuroblastoma. 'Sorry. I'll still pray for her though but maybe it's God's way of getting your attention that she need's a mommy and a daddy, not 2 mommy's.' However upon hearing about it, Aaron contacted them and said: 'I heard that you lost 7,600 because you two are lesbians. 'Well, I'm giving you $7,600 because you are wonderful parents that are fighting for your child.' Albree said: 'We were already scared and stressed out and then we received that disgusting message. Callie only began showing symptoms of illness back in December last year when the toddler stopped eating, drinking and wanted to be held all the time Callie Shaffer with brother Tyler (left) and parents Tiffany and Albree (right). Albree quit her childcare business to care for Callie Aaron Jackson, 37, was the kind donor who stepped in to help the family and fund the tot's cancer treatment after being appalled by the homophobic donor 'First we were shocked then disgusted. 'How can someone write something like that when we're already so down? 'We didn't reply and haven't heard from her since, but we've heard from others that she's since deleted her page. 'We're still shocked [that Aaron said he would donate so much]. I cried when I found out.' 'It was confusing because we weren't sure it was legit but he said 'we deserved it'. 'We do believe that maybe that woman [who withdrew her donation] should have an education class, because people can be afraid of what they don't have the knowledge of. It doesn't matter who cares for the child. 'I would say thank you to that woman now, because she's [inadvertently] brought so much awareness for Callie's story.' Callie playing with her doll while in hospital. The adorable girl wears a bow hair band as she receives treatment in hospital Aaron, who is president of non-profit humanitarian organisation Planting Peace and routinely helps at orphanages and crises across the globe, said experiencing something similar from a donor prompted him to step in. Aaron, Destin, Florida, said: 'When I heard Callie's story, it really struck home for me on many levels. 'A donor pulled their support of our orphanage when Planting Peace started advocating LGBT rights. 'It's truly unbelievable to think about the similarities between the two situations. 'You have children going through horrific situations, they are vulnerable and need love and support. 'How anyone could put their issues with the LGBT community ahead of a child's life is heartbreaking. 'Not five minutes after learning that Callie lost the donation, I gave the full amount. 'Soon after, Planting Peace launched a fundraiser and now we have $10,000 for little Callie. 'My goal was to raise money to replace what she took away, but also to make sure that Callie knows there are many more people who love her in this world than those who feel the way that this one person felt.' After an x-ray showed a very large mass in Callie's abdomen biopsies were ordered. They got the devastating results that the cancer had spread the following day, coinciding with the day the couple went to court to finalize their legal adoption of Callie Callie was diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma, on January 8 and is deemed high risk because the advanced and aggressive cancer has metastasized to her bones. However she only began showing symptoms of illness back in December last year. Albree said: 'She wasn't eating or drinking that much. She wasn't playing that much. 'We'd put her in her playroom but she would just lie there. She just wanted to be constantly held and would cry unless we were holding her. 'She was very lethargic and just wanted to be cuddled all the time. 'This went on for about two weeks where it got to the point she wasn't drinking or eating at all. 'We took her to the doctors who said she wasn't worried because she wasn't dehydrated and she sent us home.' Tiffany, 36, and Albree took her for a second opinion where she was sent home with a ten-day course of antibiotics for an upper respiratory infection and the start of an ear infection. After no sign of improvement they reached out to a nursing friend and were advised to take her to the Emergency Room. Albree said: 'So on January 1 we took her in and that's about the time we started to realise she was starting to become very bloated, which was odd. Aaron Jackson helping at an orphanage. Mr Jackson is president of non-profit humanitarian organisation Planting Peace and routinely helps at orphanages and crises across the globe, said experiencing something similar from a donor prompted him to step in The couple saved up to harvest an ovary so that Callie has more chance of being fertile following her treatment 'Normally that's how we could tell she had been eating but, because she hadn't, that's when the doctors become very concerned, especially when we told them about her other symptoms. 'After checking her breathing she was sent her for an x-ray. That's when they sat us down and told us this wasn't good. 'It showed a very large mass in her abdomen and he told us he was pretty sure it was neuroblastoma. 'We didn't know what that was and he didn't really want to say too much to us, without a biopsy, and being sure, so we Googled it and did our own research.' The family were rushed to Cincinnati Children's Hospital and were kept there for several days. Following a series of scans, Callie finally had a biopsy done on January 7. They got the results the following day, coinciding with the day the couple went to court to finalise their legal adoption of Callie. When they returned to the hospital they were told the devastating results of the biopsy. Callie Shaffer sticks her tongue out with mother Albree in cute pose. Albree says her daughter is too young to know what is going on but missed her brother while in hospital Albree said: 'They said it had spread, more than the size of the tumour. It showed that she had 12 spots, or 12 lesions in her bones. 'She had to start chemotherapy straight away and then were told that this would mean that Callie would have little chance of being fertile. 'We were rushed into making the decision to harvest an ovary and insurance didn't cover this cost but this was a little something that we definitely wanted to do for her. 'We wanted to give her a little power back and a choice to be a parent when she's older. 'The support and money that we have had from everyone gives us more time and more attention to be able to focus on Callie and getting her better.' Callie is on her sixth session of chemotherapy treatment. The different cycles vary in length and they use different types of medication Albree gave up work to be able to support Callie full-time while she receives treatment. Tiffany still works at a day care facility for adults with development delays and disabilities and the pair have another son, Tyler, 7. Albree said: 'Tyler misses his sister and we miss her just running around at home. 'She's too young to be really aware of what's going on but she loves and missed her brother.' 'Callie is on her sixth session of chemotherapy treatment. The different cycles vary in length and they use different types of medication. Little Callie before being diagnosed with the stage four cancer. Her parents thank all those who have donated towards her treatment 'Cycle one was five days and she was pretty ok with that one but cycle three was three days and that one was really rough. She had a lot of vomiting, got really sick. 'She's 14 days into this one now but we don't know what going to happen. 'We're waiting for Callie to have stem cell taken from her bone marrow and be put back into her body. 'We're just waiting. We just know nothing now. 'We were told to take it one day at a time and that's what I focus on. In order to stay positive, I stay in the moment on what we've got to do right now. 'Tiffany's sister had shared what was going on with Callie online, and particularly because of how she came about she is just so special to our friends and family. 'Everyone was so upset and distraught that they just started sharing the story of them and we got a lot of support from people that we didn't even know. 'We've never had any other abuse [outside of the homophobic would-be donor]; we've just had great, great support. 'And to those people who have helped and donated and supported us, I just can't find enough words to express our gratitude, and say how thankful we really are.' A leopard has killed a 45-year-old man while he was relieving himself in India in the latest of a string of big cat attacks. Ram Swaroop Meena was pounced upon by the animal in Rajasthan's Alwar district when he was outside on Saturday night. But Mr Meena's body was only found in the Kishori village of Thanagazi Tehsil on Sunday. A leopard killed 45-year-old Ram Swaroop Meena when he was relieving himself outside in Rajasthan's Alwar district on Saturday night (file image) A postmortem followed and the case was registered by police as an investigation into an unnatural death. It was quickly realised Mr Meena was killed by a leopard after recognisable paw marks were found near his body. A trap has been set to try to catch the big cat. It comes after a leopard decapitated a nine-month-old baby after snatching him from his cot while he was sleeping next to his mother last month. Dhaval Rathwa was attacked while sleeping at his house in Zari at around 4am on April 16. This leopard is believed to have decapitated a nine-month-old baby after snatching him from his cot in Zari, India The eight-year-old leopard clamped its jaws around Dhaval before dragging him away as his mother slept. His mutilated body was found later that day. Rangers from the Gujarat State Forest Department caught the big cat in the early hours a day later by using cages stuffed with bait. Rangers from the Gujarat State Forest Department caught the big cat in the early hours a day later by using cages with bait inside them (file photo) A five-year-old girl was also killed after being snatched by a leopard while harvesting maize with her grandmother on March 26. Shrutika Thit and her grandmother Kusum Kaduskar went into the fields in Sakori village in the west-central state of Maharashtra at around 5pm. The leopard had been lying in wait nearby and seized the young girl, who was from another part of the state and had been visiting her grandmother's village with her mother Swati. A leopard was caught after villagers installed a cage following the death of Shrutika Thit Village spokesperson Vinod Modhave said the girl's cries alerted her grandmother, who in turn raised the alarm with local residents. 'The leopard had caught hold of her neck and was dragging her away,' he told the Times Of India. 'The villagers in nearby fields hurled stones at the leopard. It abandoned the child and fled.' Shrutika was taken to hospital in Manchar, but declared dead on arrival. A leopard was caught two days later in a cage installed after the attack. Official estimates suggest there are between 12,000 and 14,000 leopards in India. There are no figures on the number of humans killed by leopards, but experts say there are hundreds of deaths each year. A jilted mistress who met her hedge fund manager lover on Illicit Encounters and bombarded his wife with a barrage of abuse when their affair ended has been spared jail. Simin Doyich, 45, found her lover, 55, on the extra-marital dating website and met up with him for sex at his home and on business trips to Paris and Zurich at five-star hotels. He also had her visit his office, pretending she was a 'sexy' secretary coming for a job interview, her trial heard. Simin Doyich, 45 (pictured outside a court hearing in London last September), was convicted of stalking her ex-lover's wife at Inner London Crown Court But after their affair ended and she claimed she was pregnant with his child, she began a campaign of abuse against his wife, which she described as 'emotional GBH'. Bombarding her with Twitter messages, the woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was left in a 'state of trauma' and 'fearing the internet'. Doyich, of West Hampstead, London, admitted one count of stalking the woman causing serious alarm or distress and was sentenced to 18 months in prison - suspended for two years at Inner London Crown Court. She denied a second charge relating to her husband, but that charge was ordered to lie on file. Doyich originally stood trial for stalking both parties last September but the trial was halted when she fell ill. Paul Casey, prosecuting, said: 'In 2017 the couple had been married for 19 years and together for much longer and had two sons. 'He met the defendant through a website and began an affair for two to three months. 'He did not intend to leave his wife and he made this very clear from the beginning. 'Ms Doyich knew his phone number and office address but she did not know the name of his wife as he had not divulged it to her.' Doyich found her lover, 55, who cannot be named, on the extra-marital dating website Illicit Encounters and met up with him for sex at his home and on business trips to Paris and Zurich at five-star hotels, Inner London Crown Court (pictured) heard When Doyich allegedly fell pregnant the cheating hedge fund manager offered to pay for a private termination, but said he would fulfil his financial obligations if she kept the child. The man then told his wife about the affair and the pair sought legal advice. Mr Casey said: 'On 7 March (2017) he asked if she would stop contacting him where she accused him of abusing his wife. 'There were a number of phone calls made to his wife and she began to employ the social media site Twitter in order to stalk her.' Doyich tweeted their intimate WhatsApp messages as well as pixelated photos of them together on the account and an alleged ultrasound of her unborn child. Mr Casey said: 'The prosecution say this was clearly with the intention of identifying the woman and her husband to any friends on those accounts. 'Anyone who knew the couple reading those messages would be in no doubt about who they referred to.' It was intended to harm them and cause them distress.' Using her Twitter account Doyich called the woman 'ugly,' her family 'trashy'. Mock ups of abusive tweets sent by Doyich to her ex-lover's wife are pictured She also sent links to articles about 'couples trapped in a sexless marriage' and emojis of faeces and pig faces. Doyich tweeted: 'He has been sexually assaulted physically and emotionally.' She also wrote, 'People never change, like X - he has no balls at all, born miserable and dying miserable, sad man.' In another tweet she said: 'You cannot keep him with force #HeWillLeaveOneDayJustWaitingForXXToGrowUp *baby emoji* Your bed has shared with me too.' The woman targeted by Doyich told the court about the impact of the stalking, describing it as 'emotional GBH'. She said: 'I did not know about stalking and the impact it would on me. It was an absolute disgrace. 'I was subjected to a total barrage of abuse, I had Twitter tentacles in every part of my life. 'She hoped I would be so upset following my husband's midlife existential crisis I would leave my marriage. 'I withdrew from social life. There was not one day I did not worry. I have experienced some of the most awful parts of my life. 'This was the start of my stalking nightmare. I was in a state of extreme trauma, I developed a fear of using the internet. The woman said she was worried her children see the messages posted by Doyich. She said: 'This was perhaps the most awful thing I have had to contemplate. This was the tipping point. 'It was as if I had walked onto the set of the film Fatal Attraction. I sincerely hope the defendant will never be able to stalk anyone else again.' Doyich sat in the dock staring at the floor through most of the hearing, but began to cry at times as the victim spoke in court, shaking her head at points. Peter Caldwell, defending Doyich, said: 'There is a risk that so much is placed at the defendant for her fault which she at least shared in part with others. 'She invested a great deal of emotional hope into that relationship. She had been whisked off to Paris, Zurich, his flat in London. 'She was perhaps carried away with the thought of what this might mean for her.' Mr Caldwell highlighted the upset the affair had caused her, which he argued prompted some of her behaviour. He said: 'This was not the cessation of a fling, that is a reflection on the impact this had on her. 'She was a person who had hoped for so much and had it dashed. The response from the man was very cruel. 'This was not a sophisticated offence, it is all too easy to cause harm on Twitter. 'This is someone who has a lot of thinking to do and an acknowledgement of what she has done.' Judge Benedict Kelleher told Doyich: 'This case is so serious that a custodial sentence can only be just. 'You had become consumed with jealousy. When you discovered she knew of the affair, the harassment began. 'He had not given you her number, you used the Twitter account to post numerous tweets attacking her. 'You also made threats to appear at events she would be attending, though you did not follow through. 'It was only after your arrest that the harassment stopped. Your conduct was born from genuine thoughts of a relationship, but I do not find this a mitigating factor. 'There was a degree of sophistication to it. You planned interactions to cause significant distress. You have demonstrated no remorse.' Doyich was sentenced to 18 months in prison, suspended for two years, ordered to complete a 30 day rehabilitation activity requirement and to pay costs of 750. A prominent critic of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has been forced into hiding in Norway, because the CIA warned he has been targeted for assassination by mystery figures in Saudi Arabia. It comes months after journalist Jamal Khashoggi was assassinated and dismembered by Bin Salman's security operatives in the country's embassy in Istanbul. That assassination last October prompted global outrage, forcing Riyadh to purge the agents responsible and climb-down from its stance targeting critics of the regime. However the kingdom faced fresh outrage last month when it executed 37 alleged terrorists and put their bodies on public display. Now Iyad El-Baghdadi has been forced into hiding in Norway - where he has lived under asylum since 2015 - after the warning from the CIA. Norwegian security forces came the house of El-Baghdadi and warned the vocal critic of Bin Salman he faces an unspecific threat from elements inside the kingdom, according to the Guardian. Iyad El-Baghdadi was reportedly taken to a secret location after the Norwegian authorities received details of a threat emanating from elements within the Saudi regime El-Baghdadi has been a vocal critic of the de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman El-Baghdadi tweeted about the threat he received two weeks ago and reassured his social media followers He was reportedly taken to a secure location after two squads visited him on April 25 to make sure they were not followed to the new hideout. El-Baghdadi tweeted today: 'Something crazy - concerning my personal safety - happened two weeks ago which I haven't been at liberty to speak about, but is breaking today. The last two weeks have been very stressful, but I hope I've managed well given the pressure.' He added in response to concern for his safety: 'This seems to be a long-term problem. If they don't want to kill me, then I'm not doing my job.' El-Baghdadi has become a high-profile critic of the Saudi regime, often tweeting jokes and sarcastic references about the de facto leader of the kingdom. The writer's remarks about the Saudi crown prince has included a warning that a lack of action from the West over the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi would embolden the regime. He said Saudi Arabia would move from kidnappings to assassinations if their crackdown on activists remained unchecked. Iyad El-Baghdadi was whisked away by Norwegian security services after they received a warning from the CIA Saudi journalist and regime critic Jamal Khashoggi was murdered and dismembered after visiting the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul last October Saudi government's links to death of Jamal Khashoggi The Washington Post writer Jamal Khashoggi disappeared after visiting the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2 last year. Before his death he was critical of the kingdom's policies and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's crackdown on activists. He was in self-imposed exile in the U.S. and only went to the consulate to pick up divorce papers so he could finalize his marriage to his Turkish fiancee. Turkish officials said a 15-men team tortured, killed and dismembered the writer, while Saudi Arabian officials claimed he died in a 'fistfight'. Leaked surveillance footage showed Khashoggi and the alleged Saudi squad that killed him entering the consulate. A body double with beard and glasses was also seen leaving the building and boarding a plane for Riyadh. Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan claimed the order to kill Khashoggi came from the highest levels of the Saudi government. Advertisement Saudi activists, including a number of women have been tortured and sexually harassed in jail since their incarceration last May. US intelligence agencies are legally obliged to warn anyone if 'credible and specific information' relating to a impending threat of intentional killing, serious bodily injury, or kidnapping' is discovered. El-Baghdadi said the Norwegian authorities were taking the threat 'very seriously'. He told the Guardian: 'The way I understood it was, the Saudis have a crosshairs on me, but there is no idea of what they are going to do. 'They assured me that they are taking it very seriously. They came prepared.' Last month Ryanair has been forced to apologize to El-Baghdadi after refusing to let him board a flight to Ireland. A UAE 'spy' held by Turkey on suspicion of spying for the United Arab Emirates committed suicide by hanging himself in prison last month. He reportedly investigated over possible links to Saudi murder of Jamal Khashoggi, who was killed by a 15-strong hit squad. The children of the murdered journalist reportedly received multimillion-dollar homes and were being paid thousands of dollars a month in 'blood money' by Saudi Arabia. His four children - two sons and two daughters - have each been given houses in Jeddah worth up to $4million each, it has been claimed last month. They are also being given payments of at least $10,000 per month with an additional payment totaling tens of millions of dollars each to be made once the trial of Khashoggi's alleged killers is completed. Saudi prosecutors claim deputy intelligence chief Ahmed al-Assiri oversaw the columnist's killing in the Istanbul consulate, along with 11 other suspects facing a trial behind closed doors. A zoo in central China has successfully cheered up a lonely male wolf by introducing him to a female dog. The wolf had been separated from the rest of his pack at the Wuhan Jiufeng Forest Zoo in Hubei province as he wouldn't stop fighting with them, according to the park. However, after spending several years in isolation, the wolf grew sad and 'almost depressed', prompting keepers to place a female puppy in the enclosure to keep the wolf company. The cream-coloured Chinese field dog was introduced to the male wolf in 2017, and according to their caretakers at the Wuhan Jiufeng Forest Zoo, it was 'love at first sight' for the pair The wolf wouldn't stop fighting with the others and would injure himself every time The cream-coloured Chinese field dog was introduced to the male wolf in 2017, and according to their caretakers, it was 'love at first sight' for the pair. Footage released by video news site Pear shows the wolf and the dog running around and playing together in the enclosure. Another clip also shows the pair in 2017, when the dog was still a puppy. The wolf wouldn't stop fighting with the others and would injure himself every time, keeper Yu Jie told Chutian Metropolis Daily. The pair have been living in harmony together since, and gained internet fame over the weekend after a video of them was posted and shared on social media To cheer up the animal, the zoo added two puppies to the enclosure in October 2017. The wolf instantly bonded with one of them (above) After living alone for three years, the lone wolf grew depressed and would hardly eat or drink One particular fight for the title of Alpha in the pack in 2014 left the male wolf with an injured leg and staff removed him from the pack for his safety. However, after living alone for three years, the lone wolf grew depressed and would hardly eat or drink, posing a risk to his health. Wolves are highly social animals that live in packs. To cheer up the animal, the zoo added two puppies to the enclosure in October 2017. The wolf instantly bonded with one of them while showing aggression towards the other. The pair have been living in harmony together since, and gained internet fame over the weekend after a video of them was posted and shared on social media. Footage released by video news site Pear shows the wolf and the dog running around and playing together in their enclosure in the Hubei park The wolf would also 'spoil his girlfriend' and always let her eat first during feeding time, manager Li li said, adding keepers would have to bring more food for the wolf separately Another clip also shows the pair in 2017, when the dog was still a puppy The visitor who filmed the pair accused the zoo of deceiving its customers when the enclosure's sign clearly stated it housed wolves. A manager at the zoo explained that the dog and the wolf have a 'very loving relationship'. The wolf would also 'spoil his girlfriend' and always let her eat first during feeding time, manager Li li said, adding sometimes keepers would have to bring more food for the wolf separately. 'I think it's adorable. As long as they're happy and healthy, there is nothing wrong with them living together,' one person commented on Weibo. 'Humans need companions and so do animals,' another comment read. Hundreds of clerics from different Christian denominations have gathered in Rome to exchange tips and to attend classes on exorcism for the first time. As many as 250 members of the clergy are expected in the Italian capital this week for the conference that comes at the end of a week's training. Those who believe in exorcisms say a priest tries to draw out an evil spirit that has taken over a person's body - which can take hours or even years to work. It is expected up to 250 members of the clergy will be in Rome this week for the conference on exorcisms (stock) The event, which started yesterday at Ateneo Pontificio Regina Apostolorum - a Vatican-linked university, has classes such as 'Angels and Demons in the Sacred Scripture, The Historical Origins of the Rite of Exorcism' and 'The Symbology of Occult and Satanic Rituals'. The Catholic Church is most commonly associated with exorcism and believes the power of the devil is growing due to the reduced importance of religion in people's lives. Despite this, the meeting has united clerics from Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, Greek Orthodox and Pentecostal Churches. The meeting has united clerics from Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, Greek Orthodox and Pentecostal Churches (stock) Father Pedro Barrajon, 61, who is one of the organisers, told the Daily Telegraph: 'This is the first time that different denominations have come together to compare their experiences on exorcisms. 'The idea is to help each other, to establish best practices if you will. The Catholic Church is most associated with exorcisms because of films like The Exorcist and The Rite, but we are not the only church that performs them. 'Expelling the devil goes back to the earliest origins of the Christian Church. 'The Catholic rite is very structured, whereas some of the other churches are more creative, they don't use a precise format.' Benjamin McEntire, a Protestant priest from Alaska, who is attending the conference, added: 'I'm here to understand the Catholic perspective. We are fighting the same enemy in the name of the Lord, even if there are some parts of the Anglican Church that have lost belief in Satan.' The conference in Rome has been held annually for the last 14 years and those who attend believe in the presence of the devil in people. The Catholic Church does admit most of those who claim they are possessed are actually mentally ill but said some cases are genuine. The conference in Rome has been held annually for the last 14 years as the Catholic Church fears the devil's power is growing due to people being less religious Pope Francis, who took over from Benedict XVI in 2013, has made frequent references to the existence of the devil. In 2017, he said Satan was a real person but with dark powers - rather than just a metaphor. Organiser of the course Giuseppe Ferrari said: 'Young people are increasingly attracted to black magic, Satanism, vampirism and sorcery.' Italians in particular appear to have an interest in the devil, with a statue of Satan with an erect penis unveiled in Vergato, Bologna. A woman who was conned out of $200,000 by an Israeli playboy calling himself the 'Prince of Diamonds' after matching with him on Tinder has spoken out about the 'life ruining' ordeal. Cecilie Fjellhoy, 29, from Lillestrom in Norway, had been swept off her feet by the 'diamond dealer' who organised a private plane to take them to Bulgaria from London on the first date. The conman first asked Miss Fjellhoy, a graduate student, to take out a line of credit for him in her name just four weeks into their relationship, claiming that it was a security measure due to threats against him. Shimon Hayut, 28, is said to have snared multiple Scandinavian women with the same 'confidence fraud' - claiming he was Simon Leviev, the son of Jewish billionaire diamond merchant Lev Leviev. 'Simon Leviev' won the affection of Miss Fjellhoy before using her feelings for him to manipulate her financially, she told ABC News. Cecilie Fjellhoy, 29, was left heartbroken and suicidal after Shimon Hayut, 28, allegedly stole $200k from the Graduate student after they met in London and started a relationship Cecilie Fjellhoy, 29, said she loved 'Simon Leviev' and that was the hardest part of the 'evil' ordeal. Shimon Hayut, 28, allegedly posed as Simon Leviev - the 'Prince of Diamonds' - son of the Jewish billionaire diamond mine owner Lev Leviev He previously spent three years in Finnish prison for defrauding several women in the same way. Speaking out in in an interview with ABC News Miss Fjellhoy revealed how the betrayal led her to be admitted to a psychiatric hospital. Breaking down during the interview she said: 'I hate him, he's so horrible, I am just tired of crying about this you know? 'It's just so painful. I just hate myself that I did this. 'I had to be put into a hospital. Psychiatric ward. Because of suicidal thoughts because I thought my life was over, like I didn't see a way out. 'You've lost your boyfriend but he didn't just dump you, he never existed, he was never your boyfriend.' 'He didn't just dump you, he never existed' said Cecilie Fjellhoy as she broke down on abc nightline Miss Fjellhoy filled out documents for an American Express platinum card as per his instructions and he told her to file an income of $200,000. The conman assured her no one was going to check it. Ms Fjellhoy said she took the handsome young Israeli at his word just four weeks into their romance. She took out huge loans for the card and said the Tinder-swindler was soon maxing out the plastic. Hayut spent two million Norwegian krone ($200, 671) in just 54 days and was racking up bills on paying for his two assistants, his bodyguard and flights across the world, according to the Norwegian. Miss Fjellhoy filled out documents for an American Express platinum card as per his instructions and he told her to file an income of 200,000 Hayut is reportedly wanted in Israel on fraud charges and has been reported for fraud in England, Sweden and Norway She told VG her money was being spent on Louboutins in Bangkok, on Gucci in Barcelona, at the Ritz Carlton in Berlin and the Conservatory in Amsterdam. She said from March 2 to March 25 last year, he spent more than $75,000 on the AMEX. Hayut was using Ms Fjellhoy's cash to capture other women in the process, she told the Norwegian paper. He used her funds to allegedly convince a Swedish woman called Pernilla Sjoholm that he was the son of a billionaire. Ms Sjoholm told the Norwegian paper she wired Hayut more than $35,000. Ms Fjellhoy recounted that in one weekend Hayut splurged over $10,000 on taking a new darling to the opera in a limousine. Cecilie Fjellhoy, 29, from Lillestrom in Norway says she was conned by Hayut after they met through Tinder in London Ms Fjellhoy described how the sums sickened her today, but at the time she was bowled over by his charms and believed Hayut was a CEO who would reimburse her. She believed his affections for him were real, but while he texted her each morning asking 'Good morning, dear, Did you sleep well?' he was chatting to other women. Miss Fjellhoy said the experience had changed her as a person, now struggling to trust people. She said: 'I see a difference in myself when I talk to people, [I am] much less naive.' Miss Fjellhoy said the moment she finally realized Hayut had stolen her money was 'such a shock'. She said: 'I almost wanted to throw up, it was the first time in my life that I had gotten such a shock that my body physically was telling me that, 'OK your life is ruined,' everything came crashing down around me.' Hayut has been wanted on charges of theft, forgery and fraud in Israel since 2011, the Times of Israel reported. He is wanted in Israel and has been reported for fraud in England, Norway and Sweden, VG reported. Pete Buttigieg said in an interview broadcast Tuesday that he and his husband Chasten want to be fathers one day but 'maybe' he'll have to finish his historic run for president first. And he told a 'Today' show audience that he plans to keep emphasizing his religious faith in the face of hecklers who berate him for being a gay Christian. The 37-year-old Democrat takes the almighty seriously, and claimed that while God isn't likely a partisan, he would never be a Republican in the mold of Donald Trump. He said it's 'important that we stop seeing religion used as a kind of cudgel, as if God belonged to a political party.' 'And if he did, I can't imagine it would be the one that sent the current president into the White House.' South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg says God would never be a Republican, but Americans should stop making religion a partisan political issue Buttigieg and his husband Chasten want to be parents, he revealed in an interview broadcast Tuesday Buttigieg says no one can beat President Donald Trump at his own game, so he'll take a softer approach to campaigning; Trump is pictured on Monday listening to head coach Jeff Monken during the presentation of the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy to the US Military Academy (Army) football team in the Rose Garden at the White House Buttigieg, the mayor of South Bend, Indiana, rules the roost in a college town that owes its place on the map to the University of Notre Dame. Donald trump campaigned there in May 2016, seeing an opening among conservative Catholics. But Buttigieg and his Rhodes Scholar, Army veteran soft-spoken Democratic Party brand are well-loved there. And he is comfortable enough in his own skin to talk openly about breaking a Catholic taboo against gay parenthood. 'I don't know exactly when and how we're going to pull that off, but Chasten is made to be a dad,' he said of his husband, 29. 'And I'm looking forward to it too, as soon as we can figure it out.' Figuring it out will also mean navigating the politics of his in-laws, a familiar family dynamic with an unusual twist in his case. Chasten's brother, a pastor, says he can't 'support the gay lifestyle.' The Buttiiegs visited with former President Jimmy Carter on Sunday, sitting in on the Sunday school class he has taught for decades. 'Mayor Pete,' as he's known in Indiana, praised the man he married last June. The sit-down with 'Today' revealed that the pair are willing to side-step a Catholic taboo on gay parenthood in a town whose centerpiece is the University of Notre Dame The Buttigiegs visited with former President Jimmy Carter on Sunday, sitting in on the Sunday school class he has taught for decades. 'He's just an example of somebody who will make a great dad one day. He's a great husband and he'll make a great first spouse for this country too,' he said. 'He cares about other people. He's a teacher. He cares about education, cares about kids. And he's somebody who I think is really alive to the ways that being in public office can allow you to help other people.' But will he have to get through the presidential campaign cycle before thinking about adding a child to his family? 'Yeah, maybe,' he allowed. Buttigieg said he's 'as surprised as anybody' that his unconventional candidacy has catapulted him into the top ranks of Democratic White House hopefuls, trailing only former Vice President Joe Biden and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders in some polls. 'I think our party is certainly ready to lift up leaders from a new generation,' he said, with a hat tip to the elder statesmen who are roughly twice his age. 'The exciting thing is I think this race will create a fair playing field, where people who've been in the public sphere for longer than I've been alive and people like me get to compete on the basis of our ideas.' Buttigieg, 37, says he's as surprised as anyone that his dark-horse campaign for the White House has taken off so fast DailyMail.com interviewed Rev. Al Sharpton on Sunday; he said Buttigieg was more impressive than he had expected Democrats won't pick their 2020 nominee for more than a year, but Buttigieg is already thinking about how to beat Trump and what strategies will lead to dead-ends. 'If you're playing his game, you're losing,' he said Tuesday, reflecting on Trump's high-decibel, take-no-prisoners style. 'Nobody's going to play his game better than he does, and so we've got to do something completely different. The good news is Americans as a rule tend to go for the opposite of whatever they just had in a presidential election.' Asked if he's worried about the president branding him 'low energy,' a nickname that stuck to former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush in 2015, he gave a boyish shrug. 'Eh, that's fine,' said Buttigieg. A Boeing 737 jet carrying more than 100 people slid off a runway as it landed during a snowstorm in Russia. The NordStar plane with 101 passengers and six crew members on board slipped off course in the city of Norilsk yesterday. The airline said no-one had been hurt and that passengers had been able to leave the plane by themselves. It comes just days after a similar incident involving the same model of jet in Florida in which the jet skidded off the runway and ended up in a river, injuring 22. A Boeing 737 jet carrying more than 100 people slid off a runway as it landed during a snowstorm in Russia yesterday (pictured, the plane in the remote city of Norilsk) A worker in a high-visibility jacket stands underneath the nose of the plane in Norilsk after the Boeing plane slid off the runway In the Russian incident, the plane was not damaged, NordStar said, as they blamed the accident on the poor weather conditions. The crew were hindered by 60mph winds and a snowstorm which reduced visibility, the airline said. The plane had reportedly circled Norilsk for two hours before attempting the landing at the remote city's Alykel airport which led to the incident. According to Russian news agency TASS the plane was on its way from Krasnoyarsk to Norilsk, both cities in Siberia. An airline source said the plane had 'slightly skidded off the runway into a security zone'. The alarming incident in Norilsk was unrelated to the air disaster in Moscow on Sunday in which 41 people died. It is the second such incident involving a Boeing 737-800 in a matter of days. On Friday a jetliner slid off a runway into a river at a Florida military base, injuring 22 people. Workers under one of the planes' wings in the remote Siberian city where more than 100 passengers were on board the plane In hot water: A Boeing 737 lies in the St Johns River in Florida after slipping off the runway on Friday, in the first of two such incidents within days It landed during a thunderstorm at Naval Air Station Jacksonville and was arriving from Naval Station Guantanamo Bay in Cuba with 136 passengers and seven crew. The plane slid off the end of the runway into shallow water and sank up to its wings, forcing passengers to walk along the wings to safety. U.S. federal investigators on Saturday began investigating the reason for the incident. Boeing has been under huge pressure in recent months after two of its Max 8 jets crashed in Indonesia and Ethiopia, killing a combined 346 people. Some 189 people died when the Lion Air flight crashed into the Java Sea shortly after taking off from Jakarta on October 29. Boeing has faced severe pressure after the deadly Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines crashes. Pictured: the very Boeing 737 Max 8 jet which crashed in Ethiopia on March 10 In the Ethiopian Airlines disaster, 157 people died six minutes after the plane took off from Addis Ababa on March 10. In both cases, the pilots lost control soon after take-off and fought a losing battle to stop their jets plunging down. Last week the company's CEO Dennis Muilenburg defended the planemaking giant's safety record. Mr Muilenburg denied that the Max was rushed to market and said Boeing followed the same design and certification process it has always used. 'As in most accidents, there are a chain of events that occurred,' he said, referring to the two crashes. 'It's not correct to attribute that to any single item.' Australian woman Julie Wallace has told an inquest in the UK how 'every sliding door slid' for her daughter Sara Zelenak to be murdered in the London Bridge terror attacks two years ago. The 21-year-old, fellow Australian Kirsty Boden and six others died when Khuram Butt, Rachid Redouane and Youssef Zaghba used a van to run down people on the bridge before stabbing others with kitchen knives in nearby Borough Market on the night of June 3, 2017. Ms Wallace told an inquest at the Old Bailey in London on Tuesday that Ms Zelenak had been looking forward to meeting her and her stepfather Mark Wallace in Paris before she was killed. 'Every phone call would end with "meet you in Paris, can't wait to see you guys, miss you so much",' she said. But there was to be no Paris rendezvous as a chain of events led to her daughter's stabbing death. 'On that fatal night, every sliding door slid for Sara to be in harm's way,' Ms Wallace said. Australian Sara Zelenak was rushing towards a crashed van on London Bridge in 2017, unaware a terrorist attack was unfolding She said her daughter was meant to be working that night but when she wasn't needed she and a friend decided to go to a rooftop bar but couldn't find it. They then decided to go to Soho but at the last minute went to The Borough Market instead because it was close to where they were meeting friends after a televised rugby match. 'At 10pm Sara's phone rang and her friend said "I've finished at the rugby" and so she left her safe haven at the Grind hotel and walked out into a terrorist attack and was stabbed to death,' Ms Wallace said. England and Wales Chief Coroner Mark Lucraft QC described how Ms Zelenak, a live-in au pair, had been walking down a nearby street with her friend when they heard the sound of the crash. Unknown to her the three men had already got out and started stabbing bystanders with 20cm ceramic kitchen knives. 'She was with a friend and the two of the them walked a little way back to see what had happened,' the coroner said in his opening remarks on Tuesday. 'She was stabbed multiple times.' Ms Wallace was in disbelief after hearing her daughter had been slain. 'Everyone that knew Sara or lived in our town in the Redlands, Queensland, Australia has been affected. No one has ever died from a terrorist attack in the Redlands. 'That only happens on TV in another country,' Ms Wallace said. 'It couldn't be real, I thought. Well unfortunately it does happen and it's a world problem.' Kristy Boden from South Australia also heard the commotion and was rushing to help when she was attacked Kristy Boden, a South Australian nurse, heard the van crash while having dinner with two friends at the nearby Borough Bistro. Just like her compatriot she immediately went towards the crash, with the coroner explaining that she told her dinner companions she was going to see if anyone was hurt. But Ms Boden encountered Redouane and Zaghba running in the other direction and was stabbed to death, Mr Lucraft said. Redouane then ran off but Zaghba continued to stab Ms Boden. Canadian Christine Archibald, 30, Briton James McMullan, 32, Frenchmen Xavier Thomas, 45, Alexandre Pigeard, 26, and Sebastien Belanger, 36, and 39-year-old Spaniard Ignacio Echeverria also died in the attack. Emergency services at the scene on the night of the attack in central London in 2017 Mr Thomas and Ms Archibold were hit by the van and the others were stabbed to death. The coroner said another 48 people were seriously injured, while all three attackers were shot dead by police at the scene. 'The lives of many people were torn apart in what took place in less than 10 minutes of high and terrible drama,' Mr Lucraft said. He said the inquest was not intended to attribute criminal or civil liability but to investigate who died, when they died, where they died and how they died. 'I hope this inquest will provide answers to questions that the families of those who died have,' he added. He said he also hoped it would bring 'some comfort' to the families. A teenage boy has appeared in court today charged with the murder of 17-year-old A level student. The 17-year-old youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared via videolink at Salisbury Magistrates' Court this morning. He is charged with murdering aspiring showjumper and A level student Ellie Gould, who was found stabbed to death at her parents' home in Wiltshire last Friday. Aspiring showjumper and A level student Ellie Gould, who was found dead at her home He was accompanied by his solicitor at Melksham Police Station and spoke only to confirm his name, address, date of birth and nationality. The boy is charged with murdering Ellie, whose full name Eleanor Rose Gould was given in court, in Calne on May 3. District Judge Peter Greenfield told the boy: 'I am going to send your case for trial by jury at Bristol Crown Court. 'I am going to remand you in custody to appear before a judge in Bristol on May 9 at 10am.' Keith Ballinger appeared for the prosecution, while Jonathon Lewis represented the defendant during the short hearing. The 17-year-old was charged with Ellie's murder by Wiltshire Police on Monday evening. Ellie was pronounced dead after emergency services were called to a house at 3.15pm on Friday. Police at the scene in Calne, Wiltshire last Friday, after Ellie's body was found The boy is charged with murdering Ellie, whose full name Eleanor Rose Gould was given in court, in Calne on May 3 Ellie's parents, who also have a 19-year-old son, own a kitchen fitting business together. On Sunday, Wiltshire Police released a picture of the teenager that had been chosen by her family, who have asked for privacy. In a statement, Hardenhuish School said it was 'shocked and saddened' by her death. 'Ellie was a talented, popular and much-loved member of our school community who will be dearly missed,' the school said. 'Our thoughts and condolences are with Ellie's family at this devastating time.' Kier Pritchard, the chief constable of Wiltshire Police, joined the school's senior team there on Sunday afternoon. He said that student, parents and teachers had been able to come together following the 'awful news'. 'Any loss of any life is traumatic but when a young person with their whole life ahead is taken so suddenly it is desperately sad for all family, friends and those who supported her in life,' he tweeted. 'There are professional on hand to guide people through this.' Lynton Bryan, 34, from Oldham, terrorised crew and passengers by following them around the plane, making aggressive gestures and shouting loudly during the flight to Turkey A drunken abusive passenger who tried to open a plane door mid-flight has been jailed for 18 months. As the delayed flight from Manchester to Turkey was due to take off, Lynton Bryan, 34, from Oldham, got out of his seat and opened the overhead locker, telling cabin crew he was getting a sweet for a child. Despite being warned numerous times, he continued to leave his seat before the flight was airborne. During the four hour flight Bryan's behaviour became increasingly volatile, terrorising crew and passengers by following them around the plane, making aggressive gestures and shouting loudly. Throughout the entirety of the flight, he accused staff of being racist and forcefully banged on the flight deck door, where the captain and first officer of the plane sit, before pulling at the assistance handle on the exit door frantically. His aggression then turned back towards a member of cabin crew who he had been harassing for the duration of the flight, spewing violent threats towards her before claiming he is 'a bad boy from Manchester, I will hunt you down and when I do, I will hurt you.' When the plane was due to land in Antalya Airport, Bryan was again told to take his seat but remained standing for the duration of the landing, putting not only himself but everyone else on the plane in danger. Police said today he was jailed for 18 months. Lynton Bryan, 34, from Oldham, terrorised crew and passengers by following them around the plane, making aggressive gestures and shouting loudly during the flight from Manchester (pictured) to Turkey Detective Constable Brad Howarth of GMP's Manchester Airport Team, said: 'Bryan frightened not only the cabin crew who were simply doing their job and there to keep the rest of the passengers safe, but also frightened the holiday goers who should have been excited at the start of their trip. 'With the amount of witness accounts we were able to put to him in interview, he had little room to deny his vicious and repulsive actions. 'In a job like ours, you come across people who behave like Bryan on the street all too often but the way the crew dealt with him in the air and in the confines of a plane, while avoiding any physical harm coming to themselves or their passengers is truly commendable. 'However oblivious he seemed to be to the fright and alarm he was causing people on that flight, he now has time to think about that and nothing else as he remains firmly grounded for the next 22 months.' Authorities in Curacao say 318 people aboard a Church of Scientology ship docked in Curacao will remain quarantined at least until Wednesday, while they determine how many might be infected with measles. Dr Izzy Gerstenbluth said a team of health officials had taken 277 blood samples from passengers in the Dutch Caribbean island and sent them to the Netherlands. He said he expects results on Tuesday or Wednesday, adding that the atmosphere on the boat is good and everyone is co-operating. The Freewinds cruise ship is docked in the port of Willemstad, Curacao early on Saturday. Around 318 people onboard will remain quarantined until at least Wednesday A 440-foot ship owned and operated by the Church of Scientology, SMV Freewinds, is docked under quarantine from a measles outbreak in port in Willemstad, Curacao on Saturday Dr Gerstenbluth said 31 crew members and 10 passengers provided a vaccination certificate, and the remainder were vaccinated. 'But that is for the future, it will not help them now,' he added. The 440ft Freewinds ship had previously been quarantined in St Lucia after a crew member was diagnosed with measles. Authorities said she arrived in Curacao on April 17 and visited a doctor on April 22 for cold symptoms. A blood sample was taken and sent to nearby Aruba, where officials confirmed it was measles on April 29, a day after the ship had departed for St Lucia. Curacao health officials then alerted authorities in St Lucia. The former cruise ship returned to its home port of Curacao early on Saturday. Dr Gerstenbluth said the decision to release passengers and crew members will be made after consulting health officials in the Netherlands and the Pan American Health Organisation. A passenger is seen on the deck of the Freewinds as the ship docks under quarantine Measles has affected more than 700 people in 22 US states this year, with federal officials saying the resurgence is driven by misinformation about vaccines. Symptoms include a runny nose, fever and a red-spotted rash. Most people recover but measles can lead to pneumonia, brain swelling and even death in some cases. Church officials have not returned calls for comment. According to the church's website, the ship is the home of 'a religious retreat ministering the most advanced level of spiritual counselling'. It says religious conventions and seminars are also held aboard. Gerstenbluth is worried that complications from measles are more severe in poorer countries where people have a lower level of resistance. Authorities worry people aboard the ship might have been exposed after a female crew member was diagnosed with measles after coming back from Europe. Gerstenbluth said she arrived on the Dutch Caribbean island of Curacao on April 17 and visited a doctor April 22 for cold symptoms. A blood sample was taken and sent to nearby Aruba, where officials confirmed it was measles on April 29, a day after the ship had departed for St. Lucia. Curacao health officials then alerted authorities in St. Lucia. The Freewinds was under quarantine in St. Lucia since last Tuesday before it returned to its home port of Curacao early Saturday. Gerstenbluth said it would be easy to spread the disease given that it's a small ship. Measles cases are at their highest numbers in the US since 1994 'This is what happens when we don't vaccinate,' he said. Church officials have not returned calls for comment. According to the church's website, the ship is the home of 'a religious retreat ministering the most advanced level of spiritual counseling.' It says religious conventions and seminars also are held aboard. Though Scientology takes a well-known stance in opposition to psychiatric medication, the church does not oppose standard medical treatment for physical illness and injury. The Church of Scientology has previously said that it takes 'no position' on the question of vaccinations. Diagnoses of measles in the U.S. are at their highest levels since 1994, when 963 cases were reported. The CDC says this year's count includes 44 people who caught the disease while traveling in another country. Some of them triggered US outbreaks, mostly among non-vaccinated people. That includes the largest outbreaks in Orthodox Jewish communities in and around New York City. Three-quarters of those who caught the disease are children or teenagers. The Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland got swept up in baby fever yesterday as it played a celebratory tune in honour of the newest member of the Queen's family. The Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland celebrated the arrival of a new Royal baby in Windsor by playing 'Congratulations'. Band members played the Cliff Richard classic during the ceremony of Changing the Windsor Castle Guard at the Castle in the morning. Band members played the Cliff Richard classic during the ceremony of Changing the Windsor Castle Guard Balaklava Company, the 5th Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, were on duty as news of the birth broke Balaklava Company, the 5th Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, were on duty as news of the birth broke, before handing over duties to The Welsh Guards. On Facebook, they later wrote: 'It was a pleasure to be changing the guard at Windsor Castle on such a special day. Congratulations to the Earl and Countess of Dumbarton on the birth of their baby boy.' The babys title is expected to be Earl of Dumbarton as the son of a duke, he is entitled to use one of Harrys lesser titles as a courtesy title. Harry was made Earl of Dumbarton by the Queen on the morning of his wedding, as well as being given a dukedom. The Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland made their way through Windsor The Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland celebrated the arrival of a new Royal baby in Windsor by playing 'Congratulations' Elsewhere in Windsor, huge crowds gathered along the streets and outside the castle and to celebrate the birth of the royal baby. Members of the public were pictured popping the corks on bottles of champagne and cheering outside the royal palaces as they gathered to celebrate on Monday evening. Owen Gregory Dean, 44, from Murphy (pictured above) was arrested on May 2 after police discovered blasting caps at his home A North Carolina man is due in court after he was arrested for possessing what police have described as a 'weapon of mass destruction.' Owen Gregory Dean, 44, from Murphy was arrested on May 2 after police discovered blasting caps at his home, in the Ranger Community of Cherokee County, North Carolina, as reported by by WLOS-TV. Blasting caps are small primary explosive devices used to detonate larger more powerful secondary explosives like TNT, plastic explosives or dynamite. They can come in a variety of forms including electric and non-electric. The sheriffs office said officials were acting on a tip, but did not disclose who had reported Dean. Multiple agencies were involved in searching Dean's home. Cherokee County Sheriff's Office said it was assisted by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, North Carolina Department of Public Safety Adult Corrections and the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms. Bomb technicians safely removed the blasting caps from the property. 'This had a huge potential for disaster. Explosives must always be properly handled and stored. We appreciate all the assistance of the SBI, ATF and DPS in helping us to bring this to a safe conclusion,' Sheriff Derrick Palmer said. Dean was on probation in the state of North Carolina at the time of his arrest. He was charged with possession of a weapon of mass destruction and booked into the Cherokee County Detention Center where he was placed under a $15,000 secure bond. He's due in court on May 9. A ten-year-old boy has found his mother and apparent stepfather shot to death in a Georgia apartment complex on Friday morning. The son of Shameeka Dion Carroll, 43, discovered his fashion, travel and beauty blogger mom dead inside a residence in the Buckhead neighborhood of Atlanta on Friday. It is believed she was murdered by her 43-year-old estranged husband Randy Colbert who then turned the gun on himself. The suspected murder-suicide came just two days after Carroll filed for a divorce. The couple were married for less than seven months, Fulton County Probate Court confirmed to DailyMail.com. The relationship between the child and Colbert is not known for certain at this time. The son of Shameeka Dion Carroll, 43 (left), found his fashion, travel and beauty blogger mom and her estranged husband, Randy Colbert, also 43 (right), dead inside a residence in the Buckhead neighborhood of Atlanta on Friday Carroll, who went by S. Dion on her social media accounts and her blog, had a substantial following of over 63,000 followers on Instagram for her fashion brand TheFabSDion.com. She set herself apart by focusing her writing on fashion week and finding designer clothing for women who wear up to size 18, she told Voyage ATL in an interview published on March 12. Sadly, her growing empire was brought to a grinding halt on Friday, when her son found her dead early in the morning. Authorities did not reveal who has been caring for the boy, following the loss of his mother. Carroll is pictured with her son Authorities believe Colbert (right) first shot and killed Carroll (left), who had filed for divorce from Colbert on April 29, before turning the gun on himself. The two were married October 16 Police were called by Carroll's son to the Berkshire Howell Mill apartment building located at 1950 Howell Mill Road shortly before 7am Eastern on Friday, Atlanta police spokesperson Officer Jarius Daugherty told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. 'A firearm was recovered from the scene and at this time, it appears the male may have shot and killed the female victim before killing himself,' Daugherty said in a statement. Both Caroll and Colbert were found with one gunshot wound to each of their heads, AJC.com reported. A loaded Ruger SP101 .357 Magnum revolver was found by police near Colbert, along with two spent cartridges. Police believe Colbert pulled the trigger, killing Carroll, and then killed himself. Carroll, who went by S. Dion on her social media accounts and her blog, had a substantial following of over 63,000 accounts on Instagram for her fashion brand, with content at TheFabSDion.com . She set herself apart by focusing her writing on fashion week and finding designer clothing for women who wear up to size 18 Colbert (pictured) was a high school graduate who worked at the Butler Lexus car dealership Authorities did not reveal who has been caring for the boy, following the loss of his mother. DailyMail.com has reached out to the Atlanta Police Department seeking additional information, if available. Carroll earned a degree in Public Policy from Georgia Tech in 2005, and launched her blog in 2016. Colbert was a high school graduate who worked at the Butler Lexus car dealership, according to his Facebook page. Colbert and Carroll were married on October 16. For confidential support in the US, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or click here. For confidential support on suicide matters in the UK, call the Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90, visit a local Samaritans branch or click here. For confidential support in Australia, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or click here. A British soldier has been killed by an elephant during an anti-poaching mission in Malawi. Mathew Talbot of the 1st Battalion, Coldstream Guards, was attacked along with an Army colleague and African park rangers. The group spotted an elephant and quickly backed off, only for a second to loom up behind them. It charged, trampling Guardsman Talbot under its feet. The rangers fired shots and lit bangers to scare off the elephants but it was too late to save the soldier, who died of his wounds shortly afterwards. It was his first operational deployment. Guardsman Mathew Talbot (pictured) died on Sunday, Britain's Ministry of Defence confirmed An Army source said last night: At this time of year the grass is really long and it makes it quite difficult to see great distances. 'Elephants are remarkably quiet creatures. Although they are noisy while they are eating they are really quiet when they are moving so it is quite easy for them to startle humans. Prince William, a fierce critic of poaching, is believed to have written to Guardsman Talbots family to offer his condolences. It is understood the group was patrolling in Liwonde National Park in the south of Malawi. Prince Harry visited Liwonde in 2016 and took part in an operation moving elephants 200 miles to another reserve. He also observed anti-poaching projects there, spending almost three weeks working on the initiative. He described being around elephants as a unique experience. A defence source said: You go to Malawi expecting it to be a safe deployment, its heart-breaking that this has happened. Mr Talbot was helping anti-poaching efforts in Malawi when he was attacked and killed by an elephant in tall grass Mr Talbot had volunteered for the mission in Malawi, where the MoD said he made an effort to befriend locals and learn their language Lieutenant Colonel Ed Launders, Guardsman Talbots commanding officer, said the soldier was a determined and big-hearted man, who devoted his life to serving his country. He added: It was typical of his character to volunteer for an important and challenging role in Malawi. 'He was hugely proud of his work as a counter-poaching operator, and tragically died doing great good. Mathew was loved by his brothers in arms in the Coldstream Guards. We will sorely miss his humour, selflessness and unbeatable spirit. British soldiers in the fight against poachers UK troops have been deployed to tackle illegal poaching in Africa for years in an effort to bring down criminal networks making billions off the trade in illegal animal parts. The mission in Malawi began last year following a successful pilot scheme in 2017, and focuses on training Malawi's rangers in tracking, bushcraft, infantry skills and information analysis. At least 120 rangers have been mentored by British soldiers so far. Former members of the UK intelligence community are also being used to provide intelligence-gathering training, using skills from Northern Ireland, Afghanistan and Iraq to help track and break up poaching networks. Last year more than 2,000lbs (1,000kg) of ivory was seized and 114 arrests made, a ten-fold increase in compared with 2015. The UK government has pledged 26 million up to 2020 to help fight the illegal wildlife trade. Smuggling animal parts is thought to be the fourth largest illegal market in the world, after people, drugs, and weapons. Malawi's elephant population is estimated to have halved from 4,000 in the 1980s to 2,000 in 2015. Advertisement The mission to protect endangered African Elephants (file picture) was Mr Talbot's first foreign deployment for the Coldstream Guards 'My deepest condolences go to his parents, family and loved ones. My thoughts and prayers are with them at this desperately sad time. Defence Secretary Penny Mordaunt said Guardsman Talbot had served with great courage and professionalism and was carrying out vital work. She said it was a reminder of the danger our military faces as they protect some of the worlds most endangered species from those who seek to profit from the criminal slaughter of wildlife. A Ministry of Defence spokesman praised Guardsman Talbot for having befriended locals in Malawi and starting to learn the language. A fan of photography and Frank Sinatra, he was also said to be an avid reader of military history. His company commander, Major Richard Wright, said: Guardsman Talbot bravely lost his life whilst ensuring that endangered species will be around for future generations to learn from and enjoy. Major Wright said the loss would be felt throughout the battalion, adding that he leaves behind his father Steven, mother Michelle, sisters Aimee and Isabel, and girlfriend Olivia. Guardsman Mathew Talbot, of The 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards, died on Sunday on his first operational deployment. Soldiers from the Coldstream Guards are pictured in Malawi in April Coldstream Guards are pictured releasing a snare from an animal trapped in woodland in Malawi in April Prince Harry works in Malawi in 2016. He says of this picture: 'A few of us trying to 'tip an elephant'. This young male was fighting the sedative drug and was heading towards the trees, which would have made it very difficult for us to get him on the truck' Guardsman Talbot was described by colleagues in the ranks as a proud Brummie, who worked hard and was always laughing and cracking jokes. His death is the first on a military operation since SAS soldier Sergeant Matt Tonroe was killed in action in Syria in April last year. Operation Corded, the name given to the Armys counter-poaching deployment in Malawi, assists in the training of rangers in a bid to help them crack down on the illegal wildlife trade. They are taught skills such as tracking, partnered patrolling, communications, surveillance, and intelligence-sharing. The first deployment took place in August 2017. More than 30 British troops are based in Malawi. Defence minister Tobias Ellwood said: This may not have been a battlefield but it shows you that theres danger inherent right across what our armed forces do. Its truly sad to learn of his untimely death and our thoughts and prayers are very much with his friends and family at this moment. He was doing an important job and I know thats something that he loved as well. Tourists visiting Bali could be taxed to visit the island as the local government considers a 'contribution fee'. Bali Governor I Wayan Koster said tourists should help conserve the island at a Bali Provincial Government meeting in Denpasar on Monday night. The tax is likely to be $10 US ($14 AUD) and could generate over $57 million per year for the government, according to a report by The Jakarta Post. Bali Governor I Wayan Koster said tourists should help conserve the island at a Bali Provincial Government meeting in Denpasar on Monday night (stock image) 'It is appropriate for tourists visiting Bali to contribute to safeguarding the nature and culture of Bali,' Governor Koster said, Antara News reports. 'Bali must be the first and can be an example in the application of this regulation, which inevitably will be beneficial for tourists and the region in general.' Bali Tourism representative Gede Yuniartha pointed out that other countries have tourist contributions. 'In Europe, it has also been applied for a long time and the cost of our tourism in Bali has been calculated to be very cheap for visitors who come,' he said. The tax is likely to be $10 US ($14 AUD) and could generate over $57 million per year for the government, according to a report by The Jakarta Post (stock image) Germany has has a 'culture tax' or 'bed tax', which is 5 ($8 AUD) per person or per night on average at their accommodation. Travelers pay a 1,000 yen ($13 AUD) departure tax in Japan to fund tourism infrastructure. Bali welcomed 5.7 million tourists in 2017 and more are expected for 2019. An Argentinian man who ran an international extortion scheme that victimized lovelorn believers of magic and witchcraft, has been jailed in California. Ariel Boiteux, a computer expert who once described himself as a 'sorcerer,' was sentenced to serve two years in prison on Monday in San Diego federal court. Authorities say Boiteux and his associates, working out of Paraguay, placed online ads offering to perform magic spells to help people find love. Clients were told to record themselves performing sexual acts and send the recordings to Boiteux to complete the spells. Argentinian man, Ariel Boiteux (pictured in a wheelchair in court last year), who ran an international extortion scheme that victimized lovelorn believers in witchcraft has been jailed for two years in California The self-described sorcerer (pictured) and his associates, working out of Paraguay, placed online ads offering to perform magic spells to help people find love. Clients were told to record themselves performing sexual acts and send the recordings to Boiteux to complete the spells The clients were told to drink alcohol, recite sexual statements and perform sexual acts. All of those things had to be recorded and sent to Boiteux for the 'ritual'. Instead, authorities say victims were threatened with having their recordings posted online unless they paid up. One public figure, who is the only one Boiteux admitted to in the plea agreement, reportedly received demands for $250,000. Authorities have not released that individual's name. Authorities say more than 200 people worldwide were conned, including in the US, Mexico, Peru, Switzerland and Spain, according to the Los Angeles Times. The first report came from the US. Boiteux was arrested in Paraguay in 2017 and extradited to the United States. He was one of four people arrested in connection to the witchcraft services offered by Amarres Inmediatos. His guilty plea came in December 2018, a few weeks after he was found to be mentally competent to move forward with prosecution. Just before Boiteux was transferred to San Diego, he tied his mouth shut with wire (pictured) as part of a hunger strike Boiteux pleaded guilty in December 2018 to foreign transmission of an extortionate threat. His guilty plea came a few weeks after he was found to be mentally competent to move forward with prosecution, according to the Times. Just before Boiteux was transferred to San Diego, he tied his mouth shut with wire as part of a hunger strike. Last year, he made his first appearance in court in a wheelchair, according to the Times. When a judge asked him to confirm his identity, he spoke about angels. Mr Farage said the Brexit Party had already raised 'well over' 2million to fight the European contests Nigel Farage says his Brexit Party is planning to run candidates in any snap General Election and is targeting disaffected and frustrated Tory donors to help finance the campaign. The former Ukip leader said his fledgling party was looking past the European elections on May 23 towards any national poll called if politicians fail to deliver Brexit. At an election event in London today he aid the party was looking for '650 men and women ... with real-world experience, people who either in civic life or business life have got some achievements under their belt'. Tory donors frustrated at Theresa May's leadership are being targeted by Nigel Farage as he seeks to build an election war chest for his Brexit Party. And he said former Tory donors were in conversations about providing the 'big bucks' needed to fight a general election campaign - in which he was likely to stand. Mr Farage said the party had already raised 'well over' 2million to fight the European contests, with 90 per cent of it from some 88,000 registered supporters paying 25 each, although a 100,000 donation had also been received. But he said 'much bigger donors, traditionally donors to the Conservative Party' were now in conversations with the Brexit Party 'because they understand and realise that to fight a general election seriously we are going to need big bucks'. He also suggested that if his party does well in the Europ elections it should be involved in Brexit talks, saying: 'In terms of legitimacy, if the Brexit Party wins this election arguing for a WTO Brexit, and we get significant support and we win, I think we will have democratic legitimacy to have a say in how we proceed from here. 'The new date we have is 31 October. We absolutely believe that the UK must, must, must leave on that date. And if we were part of that discussion, I think we could offer them a very sensible way forward.' At a press conference in London, Mr Farage said 'if there was a general election that took place any time from September onwards we would be ready to fight it' Mr Farage claimed the talks between Mrs May's Government and Jeremy Corbyn's Labour to strike a Brexit compromise meant they were forming a 'coalition against the people' Previously loyal Tory donors were 'asking themselves the question 'what is the Conservative Party for, what purpose does it actually serve?''. He claimed the talks between Mrs May's Government and Jeremy Corbyn's Labour to strike a Brexit compromise meant they were forming a 'coalition against the people'. At a press conference in London, he said: 'For us, these European elections on May 23 are but a first step. We intend, as the slogan says, to change politics for good.' He promised that 'if there was a general election that took place any time from September onwards we would be ready to fight it'. Warning the Tories and Labour 'don't underestimate us', he said that 'if a clean break Brexit is not delivered' then his new party would get more votes than the almost four million secured by Ukip under his leadership in 2015. He said the Brexit Party's door would be open for talks with Eurosceptics from other parties about possible local pacts in constituencies to avoid splitting the vote. But highlighting the decision by Boris Johnson and Dominic Raab to back Mrs May's Brexit deal at the third time of asking, Mr Farage said it was 'very difficult to work out in the final analysis who, in that case, you could really trust' and so the party's priority was to fight a full national campaign. Labour's Jo Stevens MP, a supporter of the People's Vote campaign, said: 'Over the course of a 20-year career in Brussels, Nigel Farage has proved himself adroit at publicity and raking in the cash for himself. But he always ducks responsibility for his statements and actions. 'Instead, he is still being allowed to propagate myths about what people voted for in the last referendum unchallenged by all those in thrall to his stockbroker-as-man-of-the-people act.' Lauren Palmer, 35, (pictured outside Fleetwood House in London) lost her parents Stephen and Barbara within eight days of each other in 1993 after her father was given infected blood products for his severe haemophilia and passed HIV and hepatitis to her mother A woman who lost both her parents to the contaminated blood scandal has told an inquiry she was left 'shattered' and just left to 'muddle on'. Lauren Palmer, 35, lost her parents Stephen and Barbara within eight days of each other in 1993 after her father was given infected blood products for his severe haemophilia and passed HIV and hepatitis to her mother. The Infected Blood Inquiry in London heard Stephen was diagnosed with HIV in 1985, then later diagnosed with hepatitis B and hepatitis C, while Barbara was diagnosed with HIV and hepatitis C in 1991. Ms Palmer told the inquiry on Tuesday the deaths 'shattered' their family and the lack of financial support held her back. When asked if the children of the infected had been neglected, she said 'yes'. Ms Palmer, a freelance make-up artist from Bristol, added: 'I lost both my parents at nine years old at no fault of my own and subsequently my life has been awful, and having some kind of financial support would not make things better - it would never bring my parents back - but it would make my life easier. 'Having that security of some financial support would be a great burden off of my shoulders knowing that I can live a life that has been mapped out in front of me. 'I don't have that financial support, I don't have a family. 'It has probably held me back a lot and it is not our fault and we deserve - my parents lost their lives, had their lives cut short - we deserve, being their children, to have a good life. It's the least we could have or want.' Ms Palmer was giving evidence during the second week of the Infected Blood Inquiry at Fleetbank House in central London. The contaminated blood scandal has been labelled the worst disaster in the history of the NHS. Thousands of patients were infected with HIV and hepatitis C after being given contaminated blood products in the 1970s and 1980s. Two previous inquiries have been branded a whitewash by campaigners. The Infected Blood Inquiry in London heard Stephen was diagnosed with HIV in 1985, then later diagnosed with hepatitis B and hepatitis C, while Barbara (pictured with Lauren as a newborn) was diagnosed with HIV and hepatitis C in 1991 Lauren Palmer and her parents Stephen and Barbara. The inquiry is chaired by former High Court judge Sir Brian Langstaff, who has promised to put people at the heart of the probe The inquiry is chaired by former High Court judge Sir Brian Langstaff, who has promised to put people at the heart of the probe. Ms Palmer told the inquiry when her parents died it was 'shattering' because she was sent off to live with relatives and separated from her two half-brothers. She added: 'It was shattering. Up until that point I always knew them as my brothers regardless if they were from a previous marriage. 'We were a family unit and we should have been together and should have remained together growing up. Lauren aged nine. Ms Palmer said she had been told not to tell anyone how her parents had died because of the stigma 'It was the hardest thing to deal with being separated from them, not only did I lose my parents, I lost my brothers who were the next closest thing to me and it would rip me apart every time I would go and visit them and have to come back. 'I would be grief-stricken for weeks after visiting them.' Ms Palmer said she had been told not to tell anyone how her parents had died because of the stigma. She said she never felt she 'belonged' at her new home and left in her late teens, working in retail and on cruise ships before landing her 'dream job' working for make-up company MAC Cosmetics. A letter written by Lauren's local MP David Rendel reveals him apologising for 'taking so long' Ms Palmer added: 'It affected the entire family. No-one was really given any support. 'We were all just left to muddle through. We were almost all just sort off - I don't know, just bouncing around one another. 'We weren't able to openly speak about it within the family. It was very much all brushed under the carpet. 'No-one dared say anything and suppressing all those feelings - it was not a healthy environment to be in for any of us and it took its toll and everyone struggled immensely.' After the inquiry hears from victims in central London, there will be similar testimonies take place over the coming months in Belfast, Leeds, Edinburgh and Cardiff. The United States has refused to sign an agreement on challenges in the Arctic due to discrepancies over climate change wording, diplomats said on Tuesday, jeopardizing cooperation in the polar region at the sharp edge of global warming. With Arctic temperatures rising at twice the rate of the rest of the globe, the melting ice is creating potential new shipping lanes and has opened much of the world's last untapped reserves of oil and gas to commercial exploitation . A meeting of eight nations bordering the Arctic in Rovaniemi in Finland on Tuesday was supposed to frame a two-year agenda to balance the challenge of global warming with sustainable development of mineral wealth. No agreement: Ministers at the Arctic Council meeting posed for a 'family picture' but failed to conclude with a full-scale agreement on climate change and development. They are: Front row from left, Norway's foreign minister Ine Eriksen Soreide, Russia's foreign minister Sergey Lavrov, Sweden's foreign minister Margot Wallstrom, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Finland's foreign minister Timo Soini, Canada's foreign minister Chrystia Freeland, Denmarks's foreign minister Anders Samuelsen and Iceland's foreign minister Gudlaugur Thor Thordarson. Back row: Representatives of indigenous peoples No deal: The Trump administration balked at signing a final declaration as it disagreed with wording that climate change was a serious threat to the Arctic But sources with knowledge of the discussions said the United States balked at signing a final declaration as it disagreed with wording that climate change was a serious threat to the Arctic. It was the first time a declaration had been cancelled since the Arctic Council was formed in 1996. Instead, in a brief statement, ministers from the United States, Canada, Russia, Finland, Norway, Denmark, Sweden and Iceland repeated their commitment to sustainable development and the protection of the Arctic environment. Except for the United States, other nations had wanted to go further, participants said. 'A majority of us regarded climate change as a fundamental challenge facing the Arctic and acknowledged the urgent need to take mitigation and adaptation actions and to strengthen resilience,' talks chair and Finnish Foreign Minister Timo Soini said in a statement. 'I don't want to name and blame anyone,' he told reporters. A senior U.S. State Department official denied Washington had again dragged its heels over global environmental action. 'There were several different versions of the declaration going around. The U.S. was ready to sign,' said the official, who spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity. The idea for 'a simpler, positive, unified, collective message' had come from Russia and Canada, he added. Scientists believe the Arctic contains around 13 percent of the world's undiscovered reserves of oil and 30 percent of its reserves of natural gas as well as huge deposits of minerals such as zinc, iron and rare earth metals. Harvesting them remains expensive, but melting ice is making that more feasible, as well as affecting the world's weather, and the Arctic's wildlife and indigenous residents. Reminder: The hall at the ministerial meeting of the Arctic Council in Rovaniemi features pictures from the Arctic, including a whale breaching Delegation: Representatives of indigenous peoples were present for the family photograph at the end of the ministerial meeting - as well as Russia's foreign minister Sergey Lavrov, and Norway's foreign minister Ine Eriksen Soreide It's over: Mike Pompeo boards his Air Force plane to leave Rovaniemi, Finland, after taking part in the 11th Ministerial Meeting of the Arctic Council Addressing the Council, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said President Donald Trump's administration 'shares your deep commitment to environmental stewardship' in the Arctic. But he said collective goals were not always the answer. Agreements between countries in the Arctic Council are non-binding, and Pompeo accused Russia and China of not playing by the rules as they look to assert rights over resources and trade routes. 'Collective goals ... are rendered meaningless, even counter-productive as soon as one nation fails to comply,' Pompeo told the Council. President Trump has frequently expressed skepticism about whether global warming is a result of human activity and has stood by his 2017 decision to withdraw from the Paris climate accord signed by almost 200 governments in 2015. That has put him at odds with campaigners and many other countries. 'A climate crisis in the Arctic is not a future scenario, it is happening as we speak,' Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom said in her address to the Council. The Paris accord agreed to limit a rise in average global temperatures to 'well below' 2C (3.6F) above pre-industrial times by 2100. Worldwide, temperatures are up about 1C (1.8F). Kellyanne Conway refused to say Tuesday whether President Trump would prevent Special Counsel Robert Mueller from testifying to Congress. Conway declined to provide a direct answer twice on Fox News and several times in a gaggle with reporters on the White House drive after her interview with the news channel. 'Well the president said he should not testify. I know a lot of people read the word block in there, which I didn't see. He should not testify. His point is very simple,' she said on 'Fox & Friends.' Kellyanne Conway refused to say Tuesday whether President Trump would prevent Special Counsel Robert Mueller from testifying to Congress Trump may not be able to keep Mueller from talking to lawmakers once he's no longer special counsel The president said Sunday that Mueller 'should not' testify but hasn't directed him to not to Asked a second time if Trump was trying to 'block' the special counsel from speaking to lawmakers under oath, she dodged again. 'Well he is saying Bob Mueller has already spoken,' she told Brian Kilmeade. Reporters attempted to pin her down after the interview, before she went back inside the White House. She dodged three more times, saying that it's a waste of time and taxpayer dollars. 'He hasn't said that,' she said after a journalist asked her a third time that morning if Trump is trying to 'prevent' Mueller from testifying. She noted that Trump has said he 'should not' testify but refrained from saying he 'will not' testify at a congressional hearing. 'If people just want to drag this on, ad infinitum then they are just showing Americans who they really are,' she said. 'That's their choice.' Conway acknowledged that lawmakers have a legitimate role to play in overseeing government activities. 'Sure they do. But oversight and overreach under the law are very different,' she said. 'Read the rules. You can't just- harassment or embarrassment, eating friend chicken, acting like fools is not part of the oversight function, last time I looked. So we need to have serious people, acting seriously, in a serious body of government to work with us on the issues of the day.' Rep. Steve Cohen hands out Kentucky Fried Chicken during a House Judiciary Committee hearing after Attorney General William Barr refused to appear. Conway said that Democrats are not 'serious' about getting the to truth, pointing to the stunt Special Counsel Robert Mueller (right) leaves Martin's Tavern in the Georgetown section of Washington, DC, on Monday evening She said the demand for Mueller to testify suggests that Democrats are 'too lazy' to read the special counsel's three volume-report. 'I guess people are too lazy to read the entire Mueller report. They want Mueller to testify, because it's easier than reading. Who are these people? they can read the report. It's all in there,' she claimed. The counselor to Trump said, 'The president's position is very clear. He has said that there's no reason to testify, for somebody who has already issued a 448-page report that's public. 'Is Mr. Mueller going to go to Capitol Hill and say, "Oh, you know what, I forgot. Milk, butter, eggs, indictment, crime." He's not going to say that. there is no criminal referral. There is no indictment,' she said. Trump said in a Sunday tweet that Mueller 'should not testify' but did not order him not to. It was unclear on Tuesday whether Trump has the power to stop him, if he wanted to, as he would have no authority to keep a private citizen from speaking to Congress. Spokespersons for DOJ and the special counsel did not respond to requests for clarification from DailyMail.com on the status of Mueller's employment, now that he's turned in his final report. On Fox, Conway said the president believes that the Mueller report and investigation were 'definitive and conclusive' and it's 'case closed' on collusion and obstruction of justice. 'Putin and Russians see us still arguing about Russian interference in election that did not exist. Sure interference existed right but read the whole Mueller report,' she said, referring to the report's conclusion that no one in the Trump campaign was part of Kremlin-led election tampering. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell later gave the Trump administration glowing reviews for confronting Russian aggression in a Tuesday speech on the Senate floor that used similar language. He said Democrats are having a 'meltdown' over the Mueller report and its conclusion that Trump wasn't part of election meddling. McConnell said that two years of investigations 'did nothing to establish the fanciful' belief of Democrats that there was Trump campaign collusion with Russia. 'Case closed. Case closed,' he said. 'This ought to be good news for everyone, but my Democratic colleagues seem to be publicly working through the five stages of grief.' He said denial came first. They worked through their anger next. 'Welcome to Washington in recent days. The Democrats are angry. Angry that the facts disappointed them. Angry that our legal system will not undo the 2016 election for them.' They are firing all their cannons at William Barr, he claimed. He said they are 'undermining' the institution of the attorney general, instead of the real culprit, Vladimir Putin. 'I'm afraid the Russians hardly need to lift a finger. Hardly need to lift a finger,' he said of the potential for future election interference. McConnell encouraged the other party to move to the final stage of the grief process: acceptance. Speaking directly after him, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said he understands why McConnell believes it's 'case closed' on investigating the president. 'It's sort of like Richard Nixon saying "Let's move on," at the height of the investigation into his wrongdoing,' he said. 'He doesn't want to move on. He wants to run away.' Schumer accused Trump of being 'lawless' and McConnell of helping him to 'push it under the rug' the protect his party leader. 'It is not done. This is very serious stuff,' he warned Republicans. George Clooney gushed over his nearly two-year-old twins on Tuesday, claiming that they can already say their 'ABCs in Italian and English'. Clooney was speaking to Today host Savannah Guthrie with his Catch 22 co-stars Kyle Chandler and Christopher Abbott when he was asked about twins Alexander and Ella. The pair will be two next month but have already mastered the alphabet in two languages, Clooney said proudly. 'They're good kids, they're happy kids. They laugh a lot. They do pranks already, put like peanut butter on their shoes so it looks like poo poo on their shoes so they think that's funny. Scroll down for video George Clooney gushed about his family on Tuesday as he revealed that his 'smart and funny' twins, Ella and Alexander, could say the alphabet in two languages Watch George Clooney, Kyle Chandler and Christopher Abbotts full interview with @savannahguthrie about their @hulu show #Catch22, family, Georges twins and more. pic.twitter.com/kXC15O3Z3k TODAY (@TODAYshow) May 7, 2019 Clooney and his wife Amal, shown with Ella and Alexander last year, welcomed their twins in June 2017. They will be two next month 'You can see it because they're twins, they really come out with the personalities that they're born with, 'My daughter will be like, "Sit down!" and he'll sit down. 'They're just completely different personalities and they're fun and smart. 'They already can do all their ABCs in Italian and in English. I can't even do that in English!' he said. He also gushed over his 'incredible' human rights lawyer wife Amal and how she balances her career with home life. 'She's taking ISIS to court for the first time anybody's taken ISIS to court, she's defending the Yazidis for the genocide they experienced, she's working on trying to get the Reuters journalists out of Myanmar, she's doing all that and she's also an incredible mom, like an incredible mom and a pretty great wife too so I feel like I hit the jackpot,' he said. The actor was joined by his Catch 22 co-stars Kyle Chandler and Christopher Abbott for the interview Clooney plays Lieutenant Scheisskop in the Hulu mini-series which will be released later this month The pair have been married since 2014 and welcomed their twins in 2017. Clooney has been fiercely protective of their privacy ever since but has spoken openly about his pride for the pair. He took part in the interview to promote his new Hulu mini-series, Catch 22, in which he plays Lieutenant Scheisskopf. He said playfully that it was his 'return to TV' after years of filming only movies. Elsewhere in the interview he recalled meeting Paul Newman on the Warner Bros studio while he was filming ER and how Newman advised him not to let fame deter him from leading a normal life. 'He goes, "Just dpn't let them keep you inside. Your tendency is to try to hold on to your privacy, so much because it is taken away, your tendency is to pull back and not to do things and he was like, "Get out, don't let that happen."' He praised Abbott's performance in the series and said he was eager to sign on to the project because of the 'really good' scripts. Clooney also produces and directs some of the episodes in the series. Footage has emerged of intoxicated girls stumbling around a street during a pub crawl in Ohio. Video was taken of two groups of young female students falling after a drinking session during Ohio State University's 'senior crawl' on May 1, 2018. The footage, which was uploaded on ViralHog recently, shows two girls trying to hold up their friends as they lean backwards and forwards on a public road. Footage has emerged of intoxicated girls, (pictured), stumbling around a street during a pub crawl in Ohio Onlookers can he heard laughing at them and saying 'Oh my god' as dance music plays furiously in the background. At one point, one of the girls falls over repeatedly and her friend then falls as she tries but fails to help her stand upright. The women appear to be wearing white branded 'Ohio State crawl' t-shirts and can be seen sitting on the street for several moments before the less intoxicated friend tries to help her up again. One of the girls leans back and forth, (right), as her friend tries to help her at the event for University of Ohio Students. She then falls over as her friend can't hold her up, (right) The woman can't stand upright and has to be assisted by friends as she stumbles on the street Towards the end of the footage, one woman is seen bending over backwards in a horizontal angle and cannot stand straight after a day of drinking. Dozens of bars around the campus of Ohio State University in Columbus participated in the event. However students are encouraged to 'know their alcohol limit' as they celebrate after completing their finals. Another woman across the street also had to be assisted by her friend during the Ohio Senior pub crawl on April 30. Students in a bar watch and laugh at the intoxicated girl The woman in white, (left), is seen stumbling around as her friend grabs hold of her hands to help her. She is later seen clutching on to her friend as she tries to bring her home, (right) Students who took part tagged their pictures on various social media channels linked to the University. Over the years, it has become less of a senior only event and has transitioned into a party where everyone celebrates the graduating seniors. Another description for the event states: 'We know the passion, the long nights, and the hard work youve put in. 'The stress, the mistakes and the triumphs. The fun, my goodness the fun youve had. The lifetime memories youve made and the friends youll have for life. Congratulations on your admission into one of the most prestigious clubs in the world: Alumni of The Ohio State University. Soak this in today, youve earned it.' Top EU bureaucrat Jean-Claude Juncker claimed today that the EU should have interfered in the 2016 Brexit referendum campaign to counter 'lies' told by the Leave campaign. In remarks likely to infuriate Brexiteers and worry Remainers seeking a new vote the European Commission president said Brussels' decision to remain outside the process in Britain had been an error. Juncker, who will step down in the autumn after completing his five-year term, said he made a mistake by listening to British leader David Cameron when he told him to stay out of the campaign before the June 2016 vote. The former Luxembourg prime minister told a press conference in Brussels: 'The then prime minister asked me not to interfere, not to intervene in the referendum campaign. 'It was a mistake not to intervene and not to interfere, because we would have been the only ones to destroy the lies that were circulated round. 'I was wrong to be silent at an important moment.' The former Luxembourg prime minister told a press conference in Brussels: 'It was a mistake not to intervene and not to interfere, because we would have been the only ones to destroy the lies that were circulated round Mr Juncker, who has repeatedly clashed with Theresa May and other senior UK ministers and officials during the Brexit process, said it was one of two 'major mistakes' he made during his mandate What DID Jean-Claude Juncker say before the Brexit vote? Jean-Claude Juncker said today he regretted not interfering in the Brexit campaign. But he was far from silent in the run up to the June 23, 2016 referendum. The day beforehand he publicly warned there was no chance of a second renegotiation with the EU if the UK backed Brexit. In a Brussels press conference he said: 'The British policy makers and British voters have to know that there will not be any kind of renegotiation. Out is out.' He added: 'We have concluded a deal with the prime minister. He got the maximum he could receive and we gave the maximum we could give. 'So there will be no renegotiation, not on the agreement we found in February, nor as far as any kind of treaty negotiations are concerned.' Advertisement Mr Juncker, who has repeatedly clashed with Theresa May and other senior UK ministers and officials during the Brexit process, said it was one of two 'major mistakes' he made during his mandate - the other being his slow response to the LuxLeaks financial scandal at the start of his term. The official has said that he kept out of that British debate, partly because Mr Cameron told him it would be counter-productive. Many EU leaders were irritated, however, that Cameron's campaign made little mention of the special deal they had given him beforehand. Asked today if he now believed Britain might stay on, possibly as an awkward member, Mr Juncker made light of the uncertainty, saying he had given up trying to guess British intentions. Echoing a remark that he had made earlier in his presentation that 'nobody understands England but everybody understands English', Juncker repeated a recent comment likening the British parliament to the enigmatic Sphinx of ancient Egypt. 'Either they will stay or they will leave,' Juncker said. 'If they stay they stay; if they leave they leave.' His comments came as the Government has dashed hopes of the UK leaving the European Union in May by admitting it cannot avoid taking part in Euro elections later this month at a cost of more than 150million. Cabinet Office Minister David Lidington, Theresa May's de facto deputy, said that despite weeks of gruelling cross-party talks with Labour ministers there was now not enough time to get Brexit done and dusted before they take place on May 23. His comments will fuel suggestions that the talks - which had resumed this afternoon - are still some way from forming any sort of cross-party deal to achieve a Brexit deal that can be passed by MPs. It follows a calamitous display for Theresa May's party in last week's local elections in which it lost 1,300 council seats. And it looks certain to boost the confidence of Nigel Farage and his Brexit party, which has surged into a commanding lead in the polls ahead of the Euro elections, the first in which it is due to take part. Speaking ahead of the cross-party talks on Brexit, Mr Lidington said that all efforts to get a deal through the Commons had so far failed, resulting in the meetings with Mr Corbyn's party in recent weeks. 'But what this now means, given how little time there is, is that it is regrettably not going to be possible to finish that process before the date that is legally due for European Parliamentary elections', he said. 'We very much hoped that we would be able to get our exit sorted and have the treaty concluded so that those elections did not have to take place. 'But legally, they do have to take place - unless our withdrawal has been given legal effect - so those will now go ahead.' But Mr Lidington said that he hoped British MEPs would not have to take their seats, because the UK would have left the EU before the first parliamentary session starts on July 2. A woman survived a close encounter with a rhino when she climbed into a zoo enclosure to retrieve her dropped cellphone on Sunday. After picking up her phone, the woman struggled to climb back up the cobblestone wall with the huge mammal just a few feet behind her. The moment was recorded by a shocked worker at the Pastora Ecological Park in Guadalupe, Nuevo Laredo, Mexico. A woman (right) survived her brush with a rhino (left) when she went into the pit at a zoo in northeaster Mexico on Sunday to retrieve her cellphone A rhino (left) stands to the side while a woman (right) climbs to the top of a cobblestone wall at the Pastora Ecological Park in Guadalupe, Nuevo Laredo Fortunately, the beast never took a step toward the lucky visitor, who eventually clambered to safety and suffered no injuries, according to Mexican outlet Radio Formula. Authorities have not identified the woman, whom the said violated the zoo's security protocols and will be banned from the park. Last year, a rhino at a safari park in the Mexican state of Puebla attacked a family in an SUV. The animal drove its horn into the vehicle and tried to lift it up. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in that incident. Byron Whynn (pictured), 53, has pleaded guilty to strangling his wife of 15 years two days after they signed divorce papers A Georgia man has pleaded guilty to strangling his wife of 15 years two days after they signed divorce papers. Byron Whynn, 53, had been accused of killing his wife, 41-year-old Sheryl Murdock in November 2016. The killing occurred a day after Thanksgiving following an argument over their divorce proceedings. On April 29, Whynn entered a guilty plea to murder and received a life sentence in prison. The couple shared a home along Georgia Drive and had a teenage daughter, authorities said. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Whynn initially claimed that he choked his wife in self-defense after she pulled a knife on him. But he later admitted to killing her following the argument. District Attorney Ryan Leonard, who prosecuted the case, said Murdock was the bread winner of the household and Whynn was upset about having to leave their home once the divorce was finalized. 'Over time, they had kind of grown apart,' Leonard told AJC.com. 'Sheryl had been discussing a divorce for five or six months and he was hesitant to sign the divorce papers. He didn't want to sign them,' he added. Leonard said Whynn 'saw that his life would be drastically different' with the divorce. Authorities believe the murder was premeditated because Whynn sent his daughter, now 16, to sleep over at a friend's house before the murder, according to AJC. Murdock had 'extensive hemorrhaging' in her neck, an autopsy shows. The killing occurred a day after Thanksgiving following an argument over their divorce proceedings. Last month, Whynn entered a guilty plea to murder and received a life sentence. The couple shared a home along Georgia Drive (file image) and had a teenage daughter And investigators observed what they believe were defensive scratches on Whynn's arm. According to AJC, Whynn also planned to cover up the murder until his daughter called home asking for her mother. Police said Whynn moved both cars from their driveway and vacuumed around his wife's body. Leonard said: 'Hopefully his daughter and the rest of her family can achieve some closure from this plea and continue to heal from their loss.' Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell delivered a Senate floor speech Tuesday where he declared the Mueller report 'case closed' prompting Democratic leaders to issue a blistering response and Sen. Elizabeth Warren to read the report aloud. McConnell, who gave assurances throughout the probe that President Trump would not fire Special Counsel Robert Mueller, wants the country to move on to the 'real challenges before us' as Democrats demand to receive the full un-redacted report and seek to call Mueller to testify about his multi-million dollar probe. 'This investigation went on for two years. It's finally over. Many Americans were waiting to see how their elected officials would respond,' McConnell said. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (l) said of the Mueller investigation: 'It's finally over' 'With an exhaustive investigation complete, would the country finally unify to confront the real challenges before us? Would we finally be able to move on from partisan paralysis and breathless conspiracy theorizing?' he asked. 'Or would we remain consumed by unhinged partisanship, and keep dividing ourselves to the point that Putin and his agents need only stand on the sidelines and watch as their job is done for them? Regrettably, I think the answer is pretty obvious,' he said. ' 'How we can finally end this Groundhog Day spectacle? Stop endlessly re-litigating a two and a half year old election result and move forward for the American people,' said McConnell. McConnell's speech set off a furious Democratic response. Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts read directly from the report, including a detailed section on Trump's efforts to get his White House counsel Don McGahn to tell the deputy attorney general to push out Mueller. 'He triumphantly declared case closed. Case closed. Wishing won't make it so,' said Warren. 'No one here is pitching a fit that Democrats didn't win the election,' she said. Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts read directly from the report and its section on potential obstruction of justice by President Trump following McConnell's speech Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said Congress 'would be delinquent' if it failed carry out its constitutional oversight responsibilities Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., right, and former U.S. Congressman Steve Israel, left, director for the Institute of Politics and Global Affairs at Cornell University, laugh before the speaker's address to a bi-partisan group at the institute, Tuesday May 7, 2019, in New York Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer blasted McConnell, who they accused of having a 'dark connection' with President Trump Then she read from section after section of the report, including where 'The president called McGahn and told him to have the special counsel removed.' She then read the part of the report where McGahn said the asserted conflicts of interest for Mueller were 'silly' and 'not real.' She then recounted McGahn telling investigators that Trump called him and said: 'something like: You gotta do this. You gotta call Rod' Rosenstein. Warren, a presidential candidate, repeated her call for Trump's impeachment, this time stating it on the Senate floor. 'This is not about politics. This is about the Constitution,' Warren said. 'We took an oath not to try to protect Donald Trump, we took an oath to protect the Constitution. And the way we do that is we begin impeachment proceedings now against this president.' House Speaker Nancy Pelosi countered McConnell by saying that the case is 'not closed.' 'That's just not a fact. The case is not closed,' she said at Cornell University's Institute of Politics and Global Affairs in New York City Tuesday. She said Congress 'would be delinquent' if it failed carry out its constitutional oversight responsibilities. Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer blasted McConnell, who they accused of having a 'dark connection' with President Trump. 'Senator McConnell's declaration of 'case closed' is a stunning act of political cynicism and a brazen violation of the oath we all take,' they wrote. 'The Special Counsel report laid out eleven instances of the President's obstruction, and left a raft of unanswered questions about coordination between the President's campaign and Russia.' 'These are not trivial or political questions they go to the wellspring of our democracy,' they continued. 'When a President is allowed to violate the law with impunity, and when a foreign power is allowed to interfere in our elections, it gnaws at the roots of the great oak that is our democracy, and could very well topple it.' 'On every issue that matters in people's lives, the Administration and a complicit Republican Senate are waging an unprecedented, unwarranted, unconstitutional and utterly dangerous campaign of stonewalling ... There is a dark connection in Washington between Senator McConnell, Attorney General Barr and President Trump: each preventing progress for the people, acting as handmaidens to a special interest agenda that is anti-government, anti-science and against meeting the needs of hard-working families.' Schumer said on the Senate floor: 'So our leader says let's move on. It's sort of like Richard Nixon saying let's move on at the height of the investigation of his wrongdoing. Of course he wants to move on. He wants to cover up, he wants to silence on one of the most serious issues we face,' Schumer added. McConnell's effort to put a period at the end of the Mueller investigation comes as House Democrats are in a stand-off with the administration over information. House Judiciary Chairman Jerold Nadler has subpoenaed the full un-redacted Mueller report, but the Justice Department has failed to provide it. He has scheduled a Wednesday vote to hold Attorney General Bill Barr in contempt. McConnell called for Democrats to move on from the Mueller report Special counsel Robert Mueller walks past the White House after attending St. John's Episcopal Church for morning services on April 21, 2019. (Cliff Owen/Minneapolis Star Tribune/TNS) President Trump said Sunday that Mueller 'should not testify' in a planned May 15 congressional hearing about his 22-month-long Russia probe. Mueller has not spoken publicly since delivering his 448-page report. Trump tweeted: 'After spending more than $35,000,000 over a two year period, interviewing 500 people, using 18 Trump Hating Angry Democrats & 49 FBI Agents - all culminating in a more than 400 page Report showing NO COLLUSION - why would the Democrats in Congress now need Robert Mueller to testify.' 'Are they looking for a redo because they hated seeing the strong NO COLLUSION conclusion? There was no crime, except on the other side (incredibly not covered in the Report), and NO OBSTRUCTION. Bob Mueller should not testify. No redos for the Dems!' Last week, Senate Judiciary Chairman Lindsey Graham said at a hearing with Barr on the Mueller report that for him 'it's over,' although he also revealed he hadn't read the entire report. Attorney General Bill Barr has defied a Judiciary Committee subpoena, saying it would be illegal for him to turn over grand jury materials to Congress McConnell's wife, Elaine Chao, is Trump's Transportation Secretary. McConnell said of Democrats and pundits: 'They told everyone there had been a conspiracy between Russia and the Trump campaign. Yet on this central question the special counsel's finding is clear. Case closed. Case closed.' He described Democrats as going through the 'five stages of grief,' and belittled complaints that Barr hadn't properly summarized the report. 'The Democrats are angry. Angry that the facts disappointed them,' he mocked. 'They've opted to channel all of their partisan anger onto the attorney general.' Former Obama chief of staff Dennis McDonough said after the election that McConnell pushed to water down a response to reports of Russian election hacking. He called out 'laughable threats of impeachment.' 'They're grieving. They're grieving,' McConnell mocked, covering his chest with his hand for emphasis. That the national crisis they spent two years wishing for did not materialize. But for the rest of this country, this is good news.' What I know is that the intelligence community approached the, the entire leadership of the Congress in early August 2016. Several members of that group did not take the briefing until early September 2016. Indication number one of a lack of urgency,' McDonough told NBC's 'Meet the Press' in 2018. 'Number two, the president asked the four leaders in a bipartisan meeting in the Oval Office to join him in asking the states to work with us on this question. It took over three weeks to get that statement worked out. It was dramatically watered down.' McCain claimed there was an 'outrage industrial complex' and urged Democrats to 'gain their composure and come back to reality.' McConnell's blistering speech came as Democrats struggle to respond to the Mueller report's completion. Party leaders are cautioning not to jump into an impeachment effort that would likely die in McConnell's Senate. Forcing Barr to appear or hand over information could require lengthy court fights. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has turned down a request by the Democratic chair of the House Ways and Means Committee for Trump's tax return information. On Monday, more than 400 prosecutors signed on to a letter arguing that if he were an ordinary citizen, President Trump would be facing 'multiple felony charges' of obstruction of justice. 'Each of us believes that the conduct of President Trump described in Special Counsel Robert Mueller's report would, in the case of any other person not covered by the Office of Legal Counsel policy against indicting a sitting President, result in multiple felony charges for obstruction of justice,' the prosecutors wrote, in a letter posted on Medium. They cited information in the Mueller report, including Trump's efforts to push out Mueller, witness intimidation, and efforts to limit the probe while it was ongoing. Also on Monday, Trump's longtime lawyer Michael Cohen reported to prison in Otisville, New York, after pleading guilty to a campaign finance violation and lying to Congress about a Trump Moscow tower deal. Virginia authorities are investigating the shooting deaths of three active duty service members in what appears to be a triple murder and suicide. Shianne Soles, 19, of Veradale, Washington, and Meaghan Burns, 23, of Massachusetts, were found fatally shot in their torsos at a 7-Eleven in Portsmouth, Virginia, Saturday at about 11.30pm. Authorities also found Donovan Moora, 22, of New York, with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his upper body inside a car at a nearby Dollar General store. The relationship between the trio has not been disclosed. Shianne Soles, 19, (left) and Meaghan Burns, 23, of Massachusetts, were found fatally shot in Virginia, Saturday, while Donovan Moora, 22, (right) of New York, was found with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his upper body inside a car at a nearby Dollar General store All three service members were declared dead on the scene. Police believe that Moora shot Soles and Burns before turning the gun on himself, according to the Virginian-Pilot. Soles and Burns were stationed at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, while Moora was stationed at Field Medical Training Battalion East in Jacksonville, North Carolina. The relationship between the three service members is unclear. At least one witness said he saw the entire incident as it happened. Robert Joyner, who lives across the street from the 7-Eleven, told 10 On Your Side that he first thought someone was banging on the screen door, so he ran downstairs to see what was happening. Moora was said to have been found in his car, fatally wounded, at a nearby Dollar General store Soles recently graduated from high school and turned 19 in April, her family said A witness said that he saw the two women, later identified as Soles (right) and Burns (not pictured), inside a car with 'a bunch of bullet holes in the windows' The witness said he saw a man, later identified as Moora, running from the women's car before getting into his own car, at which point the witness 'heard a bunch more rounds' The 'next thing you know you look across the street and the dude is freaking out, screaming, running to his car,' Joyner told the news station. 'I went running across the street and looked in the car and there was two females laid over both dead in the car and a bunch of bullet holes in the windows,' he added. Joyner said that after the man ran from the women's car and got into his own car, he 'heard a bunch more rounds.' 'It's terrifying cause this is supposed to be a neighborhood, you're not supposed to wake up one night after sitting in your room and you find two people laid over dead in the car right in front of the busiest convenience store on the whole block,' Joyner said of the incident. Authorities believe that Donovan Moora, 22, shot Shianne Soles, 19, and Meaghan Burns, 23, at this Virginia 7-Eleven, before turning the gun on himself Saturday night. All three active duty service members were declared dead after the shootings Soles, who turned 19 in April, was said to have enlisted in the Navy in July 2018. She was a recent graduate of Central Valley High School in Spokane Valley, Washington, where she ran track and was a cheerleader, her family told KHQ. Burns enlisted in the Navy in September 2015, while Moora enlisted in November 2017. Detectives with the Portsmouth Police Department Major Crimes Unit and the Navy's NCIS are said to be investigating the incident, WTKR reported. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP (1-888-562-5887). A GoFundMe was created Monday to help pay for the cost of Soles' funeral. The husband of a Brazilian model who died after being swept overboard in a tragic boating accident during a gale has been charged with her manslaughter. Jorge Sestini, 37, is accused of ignoring two warnings to not set sail amid rough weather forecasts, which is alleged to have led to the death of wife Caroline Bittencourt. The mother-of-one, also 37, was pulled from the water on April 29 near Cigarras Beach - 14 miles away from the Sao Paulo coast where she had gone over the side of their 16ft catamaran. Scroll down for video Jorge Sestini, 37, is accused of ignoring two warnings to not set sail amid rough weather forecasts, which is alleged to have led to the death of wife Caroline Bittencourt The mother-of-one, also 37, was pulled dead from the water on April 29 near Cigarras Beach She was found 14 miles away from the Sao Paulo coast where she had gone over the side of the 16ft catamaran (underside pictured) Police have now accused Sestini, who was also rescued two hours after jumping in to save his wife, of negligence and risking Ms Bittencourt's life. It comes after the owner of the the marina which the couple had departed claimed that he warned Sestini of the dangerously strong winds. Detective Vanderley Pagliarini, of Sao Sebastiao Civil Police, said: 'We believe Jorge risked the life of Caroline and himself when he apparently ignored warnings about the impending bad weather. 'Following a testimony by Leonardo Oliveira, the owner of the Le-Mar Garagem Nautica, the marina where the boat departed from, we have decided to indict Jorge for negligence and unintentionally causing the death of his wife. 'It appears Leonardo warned Jorge on two separate occasions about the conditions at sea and about tempestuous winds in the channel through which he would have had to navigate on his return journey.' He added: 'Knowing that bad weather was raging at that moment in the region, especially for those who were on board small boats and (apparently) expressly ignoring the warnings in this regard and deciding to launch into the sea, suggests indisputable negligence. Police have now accused Sestini, who also rescued two hours after jumping in to save his wife, of negligence and risking Ms Bittencourt's (pictured) life 'Lorenzo claimed he attempted (but failed) to contact the couple even after he sent that (audio message) to warn them not to try crossing the canal but to leave it until the next day because it was dangerous for them to try to navigate through the storm.' As the weather worsened, the marine owner apparently sent a second alert to Mr Sestini around 3:44pm on Sunday 28 April, by a WhatsApp audio message. This was the last contact with the model's husband, who allegedly responded around 4:30pm thanking and informing Mr Oliveira that he was already on the channel between Sao Sebastiao and and Ilhabela and expected to return to the marina at Pontal da Cruz on the mainland by 5:30pm. It has also been alleged that Ms Bittencourt was not wearing her compulsory lifejacket when she went overboard. Four vests were found in a closed compartment, secured by a latch, at the bow of the boat. The had glamorous model had spent the weekend at Sestini's secluded house on Ilhabela, a picturesque archipelago located off the coast of Sao Paulo Sailor Roberto Tenorio, 46, who rescued Sestina from the sea, has also given evidence to detectives. Mr Tenorio said it was fortunate that he happened to be passing through the area and heard the husband's cries for help. The decision by police to indict the businessman follows a backpedaling from Ms Bittencourt's family surrounding the victim's death Local media had claimed that Ms Bittencourt jumped into the sea to rescue her two puppies - a black spitz, called Cookie, and a white one, named Canjica. But Orley Bittencourt, her father, had told a radio station that the animals were not with her on the boat. However, in an Instagram message the family now say that the dogs were with the victim at the time of her death. They did not explain why her father, Orley, had argued in a radio interview with Band News TV, a day after the tragedy, that the claims were 'untrue'. The model's agent, Andreia Boneti, has always insisted that the animals always travelled with her client. The social media statement signed by family members, including the model's father, her 17-year-old daughter, Isabelle, and widowed husband, said: '(Caroline) and Jorge were making a boat crossing between Ilhabela and Sao Sebastiao, towards the city of Sao Paulo. 'Approximately halfway through, they were surprised by very strong winds (bursts that went up to 125km/h (77.5mph) according to official records). Sailor Roberto Tenorio, 46, who rescued Sestina from the sea, has also given evidence to detectives 'These winds, which were super turbulent with very bad visibility, hurled Caroline and her two dogs into the sea and her husband immediately jumped into the sea to rescue her! 'Both were adrift and despite every possible effort to reach each other, Caroline unfortunately could not stay afloat and (could not) keep on swimming and sadly drowned. 'Jorge, after swimming for about three hours, was rescued late at night, by a boat that was passing by.' The glamourous and popular newly-weds, who married in January this year, had spent the weekend at Sestini's secluded house on Ilhabela, a picturesque archipelago located off the coast of Sao Paulo. Captain of Sao Sebastiao Port Authority Wagner Goulart de Souza, speaking some hours after the incident, said: 'Jorge said he was with his wife in Ilhabela at around 16h:30 and decided to sail towards Sao Sebastiao when they were surprised by strong gale force winds that hit the coast. 'It appears that due to the force of the winds and the high seas, Caroline was thrown into the sea. 'Jorge said he immediately leapt into the water in an attempt to rescue his wife but he was unable to do so. He was found around 7pm.' At the time, Captain Souza said he had been 'informed only two people were on the boat,' and given no 'indication that Caroline jumped off the boat to rescue one of her dogs after it allegedly fell into the water.' In an interview the day after the incident with TV Band News, Caroline's father accused online trolls of making up misleading stories about his daughter's death. At the time he said: 'It was nothing more than an accident caused by the storm itself, which hit the coast of Sao Paulo on Sunday. The claims are untrue and inaccurate, and I would ask people to listen to the facts. 'Jorge told me a wave hit the side of the boat and the strength of that and strong winds unbalanced Carol and she fell into the water. Jorge jumped in to help her. He wasn't able to throw a float or anything towards her because the distance between them was great because the currents took her quickly. Caroline's body was located the next day in the vicinity of Cigarras Beach, also in Sao Sebastiao, some 13.5 miles from where she disappeared 'He could see Carol and she tried to swim to the boat. He begged her to remain calm because he was coming to get her. But he could see her disappearing under the water and he couldn't reach her as the storm separated them. He searched for my daughter for more than three hours and lost sight of the boat.' Caroline's body was located the next day in the vicinity of Cigarras Beach, also in Sao Sebastiao, some 13.5m (22km) from where she disappeared. Detectives said they are waiting to formally question Mr Sestini but are giving him time to mourn his loss. 'We are waiting for Jorge to present himself at the police station. He will then be charged,' the investigating officer said. Attempts to contact Mr Sistini's lawyer were unsuccessful and the family refused to make any further comments on the incident. If convicted the accused could be sentenced to up to three years in prison. Investigators are also awaiting the results of forensic reports into the shipwreck and examinations to confirm whether the cause of death was by drowning. The navy is also checking the circumstances surrounding the accident. A mentally ill British man has admitted to killing his mother in Portugal by battering her, slitting her throat, defiling her body and dousing it in acid. Louis Yates, 31, confessed in a Portuguese courtroom today to killing his mother Christine, 68, at their 1.7m home in the Algarve in August last year. While high on drugs he had thought of himself as Jesus, saw his mother as the devil and believed the CIA had ordered him to hit her 'as hard as he could'. Yates, who suffers from paranoia and schizophrenia, is likely to be confined in a high-security hospital as prosecutors accept he cannot be held criminally responsible. Louis Yates, 31, confessed in a Portuguese courtroom today to killing his mother Christine, 68, at their 1.7million home in the Algarve in August last year. Pictured his father Roger and brother Anthony Crime scene: The 1.7million home in Caramujeira, near Lagoa in Portugal, where Louis Yates killed his 68-year-old mother Christine Yates Cheltenham-born Yates was led into the Portimao courtroom in handcuffs today for the start of his murder trial. Accepting his mother was not the devil, he voiced regret for the killing and said: 'It's terrible. For many years she was my best friend.' Prosecutors say he battered his mother at the home in Caramujeira, near Lagoa, on August 4, 2018, before taking a saw and a kitchen knife to cut her throat. He then defiled her and poured acid over her body, it is claimed. The court heard he stamped on her head and upper body and dragging her from her bedroom where he attacked her to an outside patio where he left her. Portuguese police officer Paulo Ferreira told the court Mrs Yates, who was born in Merseyside, had so many injuries it was difficult to tell which one had killed her. Prosecutors had said in their pre-trial indictment that Mrs Yates - who had an estate worth more than a million euros, had bled to death from her neck wounds. Police also revealed that a small oven in the bathroom of her bedroom suite appeared to indicate she took refuge in confined areas of the house for long periods of time. Mrs Yates had called police to the house hours before she was attacked and told them her son had assaulted her and she feared for her life. The gated entrance to the home in the Algarve where Mrs Yates was left with so many injuries after her son attacked her that it was difficult to tell which one had killed her However officers left after she told them she did not want to go to hospital because she was worried Yates would burn their expat house down. A neighbour dialled 999 after going to the villa later the same day to check on the pair and seeing Christine's body laying on the ground under the porch. Yates has accused his father Roger of causing his psychosis by poisoning him with LSD he alleged he put into the water tank of their Algarve home. The killer's older brother Anthony, a 51-year-old London-based economist, told the court he had suffered from repeated anxiety attacks since his mother's death. 'It's difficult to put the impact of what happened into words,' he said in an emotional statement. 'It has also been difficult learning the exact details of what happened to my mum and trying to get to a point where I don't think about it anymore. 'I have two young children aged 11 and eight and I worry a lot about them finding out what happened sooner than would be good for them.' He spoke after his long-haired brother, who wore off-white linen trousers and a white sweatshirt, was taken out of court at his request. 'I don't bear my brother ill-will but I am frightened of him,' he said. The gate outside the Portuguese villa where Louis Yates attacked his mother. A neighbour dialled 999 after going to the villa later the same day to check on the pair Mr Yates is seeking just over 50,000 compensation from his sibling over their mother's death. He said Mrs Yates' estate included the home on the Algarve, a one-bed London flat and 'one million euros' in a bank account. Her initial will made her Louis her sole benefactor unless he was dead at the time of her death, but she is said to have decided to amend it before being killed so Anthony would have money to look after his brother. Yates' treatment in Portugal for long-term mental health problems is understood to have been interrupted when his Portimao Hospital doctor moved to another centre. He told the court his behaviour changed after he took drugs, and he had consumed what he believed to be cannabis on the day of the murder, when he thought he was 'instructed by the CIA to hit his mum as hard as he could' His father Roger split from Mrs Yates in 2003 but had been caring for her in the run-up to her death as she suffered from depression and loss of appetite and depression. Robert Geary, a British solicitor who handled the arrangements for Mrs Yates' estate, told the court she left an inheritance worth 2.6 million which included the Delaware firm that owned the Algarve villa where she was killed. The coastline of the city of Portimao in southern Portugal where Louis Yates today confessed to murdering his mother Louis' father Roger, 70, also said he would feel more comfortable if his son was removed from court while he answered questions before saying: 'His presence frightens me. I'm intimidated.' The retired Brit, who split from his wife in 2001 and divorced her around seven years later, said his youngest child had head-butted him while he lived with him in the UK following a previous violent incident in Portugal. He told the court his son's problems began when he was around 18 and were down to a combination of 'excessive alcohol and powerful skunk cannabis' but he had a 'loving relationship' with his mother when he was free of drugs. He also revealed he had been sectioned at least six times in Portugal since his late teens. Revealing how he had spent a year and a half living with his ex-wife and youngest son at the murder villa until June of last year after his relationship with Christine improved, he said: 'I left because Louis began to get aggressive with me and started to have psychosis and paranoia that I was trying to do something bad to him. 'Christine advised me to leave. She thought it wasn't safe for me to stay in the house but I left on good terms. 'Before I went I had started to lock the bedroom door at night and block it, barricade it just in case.' Describing his mother's self-confessed killer as someone who was incapable of handling his own life and finances, he added: 'Louis went to live for a few weeks on his own in Portimao. 'He had inherited some money from his grandmother and had savings of about 16,000 pounds. 'After eight weeks he called and said 'Dad, my bank card is not working' and we discovered he had spent the 16,000 euros. 'He bought a powerful motorbike and spent around 8,000 euros on clothes and a few weeks later he sold the bike for just 1,000 euros.' Despite the confession, the case will continue tomorrow. The three judges will then retire to consider the defendant's fate and are expected to confirm he should continue at a high-security prison hospital in Lisbon. A hermit who gouged a man's eyes after stabbing him 29 times has been jailed for murder in Russia. Artur Khanukayev, 36, killed the man and used a knife to cut out his victim's eyeballs. When police searched the 'hovel' where he lived, they found a pile of magazines in which the eyes of pictured celebrities had been carefully cut out. Artur Khanukayev (pictured), a 36-year-old hermit, killed a man and used a knife to cut out his victim's eyes Khanukayev lived as a recluse in a hut he made himself in Yuntolovsky nature reserve in St Petersburg (pictured) The 'maniac' (pictured) was convicted of killing a 40-year-old man named only Bobrov following a fight Khanukayev was sentenced to serve eight years in a strict regime prison colony. The recluse lived in a hut he made himself in Yuntolovsky nature reserve in St Petersburg, a court heard. He was convicted of killing a 40-year-old man named only Bobrov following a fight in the reserve. Khanukayev first beat the man with a wooden stick before he stabbed the victim 29 times in the head, neck, chest, abdomen and on the right wrist and forearm, according to evidence in his trial. He was arrested after he was caught wearing the dead man's jacket. When police searched the 'hovel' where he lived, they found a pile of magazines with the eyes of celebrities cut out The eyes of the victim were gouged out with a knife, the judge was told. The victim was tattooed with the words: 'So few roads have been walked, so many mistakes were made.' An identikit of a suspect was issued based on testimony of homeless men who had been drinking with the victim. Khanukayev was detained after he was found to be wearing the jacket of the man he killed. Khanukayev was convicted of murder and sentenced to serve eight years in a strict regime prison colony Khanukayev denied extracting the eyes of his victim but police found a pile of magazines with the eyes of pictured celebrities had been painstakingly cut out. The identities of the celebrities in magazines whose eyes were cut out was not disclosed, nor was it clear if they were Russian or Western or both. No pictures of the magazines were released. Police are running checks for similar unsolved crimes in other regions. A man in south-east China was investigated by police for letting his young passengers stick their bodies out of the sunroof of his car. The driver, surnamed Hua, admitted to letting the children stand up in the car to get some fresh air on the hot day in Xinyu, Jiangxi province. In a shocking video, the three young children - two boys and a girl - can be seen with their upper bodies out of the sunroof as the black Volkswagen travels on a busy road. In a shocking video, the three young children - two boys and a girl - can be seen with their upper bodies out of the sunroof as the black Volkswagen travels on a busy road in Xinyu The driver, surnamed Hua, admitted to letting the children stand up in the car to get some fresh air on the hot day in Xinyu, Jiangxi province The driver and the children appear oblivious of the potential danger of the stunt, the clip shows. It is unclear whether the driver is their father. The video was shot by a passenger in another car. The driver tried to alert the vehicle by honking at it, according to Guangxi Television. But the driver of the black saloon ignored the warning, prompting the passenger to hand over the clip to local police. The video was shot by a passenger in another car, who tried to alert the driver of the saloon by honking at it, according to Guangxi Television. A large truck is seen driving past the car But the driver of the black saloon ignored the warning, prompting the passenger to hand over the clip to local police Officers tracked down the driver on April 30 and he confirmed the incident. 'Did you realise that the children had their bodies sticking out of the sunroof?' an officer asked Hua. 'Yes. We were on a road trip to Fairy Lake in Xinyu city and it was a hot day,' the driver replied. 'So they stood up to get some fresh air.' 'For the children's safety, we must always remind them to sit properly and not stick their bodies or heads out windows or sunroofs,' the officer said. The driver expressed regret over this actions and promised not to make the same mistake. He was let off with a warning due to his 'good attitude', the report added. But the driver of the black saloon ignored the warning, prompting the passenger to hand over the clip to local police Officers tracked down the driver on April 30 and he confirmed the incident The driver (pictured right) expressed regret over this actions and promised not to make the same mistake. He was let off with a warning due to his 'good attitude', the report added The incident occurred in the same city where a 13-year-old boy was killed after sticking his body out of a car's sunroof in October. The boy had hit a height clearance bar on a motorway in Xinyu and died at the scene, according to previous reports. 'If it's too hot, turn on the air-conditioning!' one user commented on Chinese micro-blogging site Weibo. 'I've seen this everywhere, even on highways,' another user said. 'Isn't the bloody lesson enough to teach parents not to make the same mistake?' one person said, referring to the tragic accident in October. Freshman Congresswoman Ilhan Omar said she's clearly President Donald Trump's 'biggest nemesis' because she claims he continues to attack her 'identity.' 'This is a president who has come to power because he was very much willing to vilify and demonize immigrants and refugees. He so proudly said we should halt Muslims from entering our country. He clearly has a disdain for black women who see themselves as equal to him. And so, for many people, it's not a surprise that he finds his biggest nemesis in me,' Omar told the Huffington Post in an interview published Monday. 'Clearly, I am a nightmare because he can't stop really thinking about ways that he can continue to use my identity to marginalize our communities,' she continued. The Minnesota representative is a Somali-American Muslim refugee who constantly criticizes Trump and has been the center of controversy for her anti-Semitic comments. Omar was accused of pushing anti-Semitic tropes when she claimed, and later retracted, that moneyed Jews buy the support of U.S. lawmakers. She tweeted, 'It's all about the Benjamins baby,' in reference to House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy criticism of her support of an Israeli boycott movement. Freshman representative from Minnesota Ilhan Omar said she's President Donald Trump's 'biggest nemesis' Omar also said she's the president's 'nightmare' because she's a Somali refugee, hijab-wearing Muslim and black The criticism came up again when a 2012 tweet resurfaced where Omar said, 'Israel has hypnotized the world.' Jewish organizations in her progressive home district condemned her comments, especially regarding the 'Benjamins' tweet, and said they were 'insulting' and 'reprehensible.' She later apologized for the tweet. Last month, Trump shared footage on Twitter that had circulated where Omar appeared to downplay 9/11 terrorist attacks. She said 'some people did something,' in reference to the attackers who were associated with Islamic terrorist group al-Qaeda. Even before the comments, Omar received threats. Since being sworn into office in January, two people have been arrested for making threatening calls regarding the congresswoman, and a third call is being investigated where someone threatened to bomb a hotel where Omar was spotted. 'I'll put a bullet in her f***ing skull,' one of the callers said. After her anti-Semitic comments, threats against the progressive representative increased. '@IlhanMN needs to be hung. She's a traitor and a threat to the west,' a Twitter user wrote. President Donald Trump circulated video where Omar appeared to downplay the 9/11 attacks when she said 'some people did something,' in reference to the al-Qaeda-linked terrorists Omar said her constituents in the progressive district in Minnesota have not asked her to 'say things differently' and have yet to express concerns over her representation of them in Washington Despite rising concerns from Republican circles and even from those within her own party Omar says her constituents have not express concerns over her time representing the district so far. 'People who were actually willing to cast their ballot for me have not ever called or asked, 'Why can't you say things differently?' Omar told the Huffington Post in her interview with the outlet last week. A Rabbi in Minneapolis, Minnesota said he felt she was getting an unreasonable amount of backlash for her anti-Semitic comments just because she wears a hijab and is a Muslim refugee. 'Let's be clear: Were her comments harmful and hurtful? Yes. Is she getting a ridiculous amount of ink spilled and press because she is a black hijabi-wearing Muslim refugee? Yes,' Rabbi Michael Adam Latz said. 'It's pretty grotesque, the disparity, and I think we all need to take responsibility for how disproportionate the attention is here on her.' A former Florida police officer has been arrested for getting into a car crash while allegedly driving drunk on Sunday. Former Ormond Beach officer Brenton Hodge, 55, was arrested on Sunday afternoon after deputies found him with bloodshot eyes, reeking of alcohol, and beer cans littered on his car floor. When cops tried to arrest him, he tried to sneak a bag of marijuana down his pants right in front of the officers trying to escort him away. He now faces charges of driving under the influence and possession of marijuana, according to jail records. Hodge had served as an officer in Ormond Beach from 1997 to 2016. He retired after 19 years on the force in lieu of termination for a violation of agency policy, according to WESH2. Former Ormond Beach officer Brenton Hodge, 55, was arrested on Sunday afternoon getting into a drunk driving crash Cops found him reeking of alcohol, his eyes bloodshot, and emptying a cooler of beer cans onto the floor of his car As he was questioned Hodge said he was a retired cop and flashed his badge Crash took place at the intersection of U.S. 1 South and Seminole Woods Boulevard in Palm Coast. His beat up black vehicle pictured above on police bodycam footage His black car was severely bashed in the rear and side and the drivers seat air bag had deployed. Video of the incident from a deputys body cam shows Hodge in the front seat under a dangling air bag. Hodge claimed he was hit as he was trying to make a U-turn at the intersection of US 1 South and Seminole Woods Boulevard in Palm Coast. He's seen in the beginning of the clip dumping out a cloth cooler leaving beer cans on the floor. 'Where were you drinking at? This car reeks of booze man,' the deputy on duty says to Hodge. Hodge explains he had drank at lunch and the car smelled of alcohol because he had just taken his trash out. 'I appreciate your service but you were just in a bad crash and you reek of alcohol,' a deputy responding to the crash told Hodge as he pointed the blame to the other vehicle involved When he was told to exit the car he tried to sneak a bag of marijuana in his pants Cops caught up and wrenched the bag out of his hands The cops were shocked with his not-so-sneaky attempt to grab the weed saying, 'Retired cop, huh? Real great buddy, thanks for your service' The deputy continues to fire questions at him, and Hodge responds, 'I know where you're going. I'm a retired cop' as he flashes his badge and wallet. 'I appreciate your service but you were just in a bad crash and you reek of alcohol,' the officer said. Then he says 'But I wasnt moving! I was stopped!' Firefighters and cops then have him exit the car, but before he fully gets out he tries to sneakily grab a plastic bag of marijuana from under the driver's seat. Cops catch him in the act shouting, 'Woah, woah, woah are you kidding me? Youre trying to shove weed down your pants, are you kidding me?' 'Retired cop, huh? Real great buddy, thanks for your service,' the cop adds. 'As a former law enforcement officer, he should be well aware of the dangers of drinking and driving,' Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly said in a statement. 'It is disappointing that he thought he could manipulate the situation by showing our deputies his retired badge and trying to stuff his drugs down his pants. None of his tactics worked,' Staly added. The other driver involved in the accident was hospitalized for his injuries. Hodge is being held at the Flagler County Jail in lieu of $3,500 bail, according to Liveleak. A schoolboy who died after taking suspected 'Donkey Kong' pills was today buried in front of crowds of loved ones. Hundreds of mourners lined the streets to say a final farewell to 13-year-old Carson Price, who family members described as a 'cheeky little boy'. The music-loving youngster's ghetto blaster coffin was painted grey with red speakers and a sound deck in the middle. Carson was found 'pale and shaking' in a park on April 12 before he was pronounced dead in hospital. His heartbroken family said it was 'the hardest day of our lives' at the youngster's funeral today. Mourners are pictured wearing light blue in memory of Carson Price, 13, whose funeral took place at Gelligaer Church near Caerphilly, Wales today The coffin of Carson Price, decorated like a ghetto blaster, is taken out of the churchyard followed by a procession of loved ones at his funeral near Caerphilly, South Wales today Carson (pictured) was found 'pale and shaking' in a park on April 12 before he was pronounced dead in hospital In a statement, the family said: 'Today is the hardest day of our lives. 'On Friday 12th April, our lives changed forever when our little boy was taken away from us. Since then, we have been living an unimaginable nightmare. 'Carson was loved by so many and the amount of people that have come along today is a testament to this. 'From the bottom of our hearts, we'd like to thank all those that have supported us through this awful time. 'Today, we say goodbye to our beautiful boy, Carson, following his short life with us. 'This should never have happened. We want to keep reminding people to talk about the devastating consequences that drugs can have and how they destroy lives to help prevent another family going through the same heartbreak that we have faced. 'Our lives will never be the same. You will remain in our hearts and will never be forgotten.' This afternoon, his heartbroken family and schoolmates attended the youngster's funeral at Gelligaer Church near Caerphilly, South Wales. A red Ferrari joined the funeral procession as crowds of mourners packed out the churchyard and pavements. Red roses were handed out to the grieving schoolmates of Carson. His mother Tatum Price, 39, spoke of her devastation following the youngster's death after it is suspected he took the ecstasy-like tablets on sale for just 2. Carson's heartbroken family paid tribute to the youngster who 'will be missed by so many' during today's funeral near Caerphilly, Wales A red Ferrari joined the funeral procession as crowds of mourners packed out the churchyard and pavements near Caerphilly, Wales Carson Price was described by his father Brian and mother Tatum (pictured) as their 'cheeky little boy' Speaking after his death, Tatum said: 'For me now my life will never be the same. I've lost my first child, my son, through something so silly. 'I read the quote 'every day I breathe, I'll grieve'. I think that's true for me now because I think I'm going to grieve every day until I'm in my grave.' Carson is believed to have taken the 'Donkey Kong' tablets while at a gathering with friends in Ystrad Mynach near Caerphilly. An inquest opening into his death his condition 'rapidly deteriorated' in hospital and he passed away. Gwent Police issued a picture of the Donkey Kong tablets to warn people of their dangers. A schoolboy, 14, was arrested and held for two days on suspicion of supplying Class A drugs before being released on bail. FBI Director Chris Wray said Tuesday that he does not consider court-approved FBI surveillance to be 'spying' and said he has no evidence the FBI illegally monitored President Donald Trump's campaign during the 2016 election. His stance put him at odds with Attorney General Barr, who used that exact term during testimony in recent weeks. Asked by Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, a New Hampshire Democrat, if he would say the FBI is 'spying' when it investigates suspected terrorists and mobsters, Wray replied, 'Well, that's not the term I would use.' His comments at a Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing broke from Barr, who said last month that he believed the Trump campaign had been spied on during an investigation into potential collusion with Russia. Trump seized on that comment as part of his allegation that the investigation was tainted by law enforcement bias. Last month, Barr testified last week that 'spying did occur' on Trump's presidential campaign, setting off a storm of criticism that he was using the terminology the president uses to rail against the Mueller probe. 'I think spying on a political campaign is a big deal,' Barr said. FBI Director Christopher Wray testifies during a hearing of the Appropriations Subcommittee for Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies, on Capitol Hill, Tuesday, May 7, 2019 in Washington Scroll down for video But he later backtracked to add: 'I am not saying that improper surveillance occurred. I am saying that I am concerned about it and I'm looking into it.' Wray added: 'I believe that the FBI is engaged in investigative activity, and part of investigative activity includes surveillance activity of different shapes and sizes. And to me, the key question is making sure that's done by the book, consistent with our lawful authorities. That's the key question. Different people use different colloquial phrases.' Wray declined to discuss in detail the FBI's investigation into the Trump campaign because of an ongoing Justice Department inspector general investigation into the origins of the Russia probe. Barr has said he expects the watchdog report to be done in May or June, But asked whether he was aware of evidence that the FBI had illegally spied on the Trump campaign, Wray said, 'I don't think I personally have any evidence of that sort.' Subcommittee ranking member Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., listens to FBI Director Christopher Wray as he testifies during a hearing for an Appropriations subcommittee Wray said spying is not a term he would use for authorized surveillance The FBI got a court-approved surveillance warrant against Trump advisor Carter Page during the campaign Trump foreign policy advisor George Papadopoulos has described his encounters with an FBI informant in London during the campaign. The contact happened during the early phases of the government's Russia probe Last month Attorney General Bill Barr said spying had occurred on the Trump campaign Democratic Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island pressed Barr on his use of the term 'spying' during a May 1 hearing. Barr stood his ground. 'I'm not going to abjure the use of the word "spying." I think, you know, my first job was in CIA and I don't think the word spying has any pejorative convert connotation at all,' Barr said. 'To me the question is always whether or not it's authorized and adequately predicated, spying. I think spying is a good English word that in fact doesn't have synonyms because it is the broadest word incorporating really all forms of covert intelligence collections.' Barr is investigating whether there was a proper basis for the FBI to open a counterintelligence investigation into ties between the Trump campaign and Russia. 'We're working to help him get that understanding,' Wray said. 'I think that's part of his job and part of mine.' Troops loyal to Libyan warlord Khalifa Haftar claimed to have shot down a fighter jet being flown by a Portuguese mercenary near the capital Tripoli. The Mirage F1, which they said belonged to the rival Unity Government, was downed in Al-Hira region, 50 miles (70km) south of the capital, Haftar's self-styled Libyan National Army said on its Facebook page Tuesday. The Libyan National Army paraded the pilot for the cameras and took a video in which he identifies himself as Jimmy Reis and says he is 29 years old. Troops of the Libyan National Army, loyal to warlord Khalifa Haftar, claimed to have shot down a fighter jet belonging to the rival Unity Government and captured its Portuguese pilot Video showed the pilot looking groggy and wearing a blood-soaked T-shirt and khaki jacket, being questioned in English. Asked what he was doing in Libya, he said: 'I was requested to destroy roads and bridges'. Asked who sent him, he said it was a civilian contract with someone called Hadi but he did not know his full name. In Lisbon, the Portuguese Defence Ministry said they could not confirm the pilot's nationality. 'For now the only thing we can say is that he is not a Portuguese soldier,' a ministry spokeswoman told Reuters. One image circulating online showed a bloodied man in combat fatigues sitting in a chair surrounded by soldiers with a wound on his head. Another showed him sitting shirtless in a chair with a tattoo on his chest. An LNA commander, Abdulsalam al-Hassi, was seen standing behind him in a third picture. In a second video the man is asked in English by an LNA fighter in the back of a pickup truck whether he was a soldier. 'No, I am a civilian,' he says. It was not immediately clear how the pilot came to be in Libya and who he was flying for when he was shot down. One LNA spokesman told Turkey's Anadolu news agency that the pilot was a mercenary flying for the Government of National Accord, the UN-recognised force which is fighting the LNA. But another spokesman told Saudi Arabia's Al Arabiya that the pilot was working for the EU's Operation Sofia, tackling people smuggling in the Mediterranean. The spokesman said the jet had been shot down 'by mistake' and promised to 'deliver the pilot to his country immediately after the treatment of his wounds.' Portugal's National Defence and Foreign Affairs ministry said it was aware of the case and investigating, but gave no more information. The GNA had not given a statement at the time of publication, nor had EUNAVFOR MED, which orchestrates EU operations in the Mediterranean. The plane came down on Tuesday around 50 miles south of the capital, which has seen sporadic fighting over the last month since Haftar launched an offensive to capture it Portuguese paper Diario de Noticias quoted a spokesman for the General Staff of the Armed Forces saying that it was 'impossible' the pilot was from the EU. 'At this time there are no Air Force maritime surveillance aircraft on a mission in the Mediterranean,' commander Coleho Dias said. If the pilot does turn out to be a mercenary, it would not be the first time a Portuguese pilot has been killed fighting for the GNA. In June 2016, a Portuguese mercenary flying the air force's only Mirage jet crashed near the city of Sirte after suffering mechanical problems. The man ejected, but died of his injuries. Khalifa Haftar leads the Libyan National Army, formed of members of the country's former army and air force which back a government in the eastern city of Damascus. In April, Haftar launched an offensive on Tripoli in an attempt to take control of the whole of the country, which has been riven with sectarian violence since Muammar Gaddafi was killed in 2011. The almost five-week-old battle on the southern outskirts of Tripoli has killed at least 432 people, wounded 2,069 and displaced some 55,000 others, according to the UN. After initial advances for the LNA, its rivals have launched a counter-offensive, leading to a stalemate on the ground. The two sides often accuse each of resorting to the use of foreign mercenaries and outside military assistance. Libya has been mired in chaos since the ouster and killing of Moamer Kadhafi in 2011, with Haftar supporting a rival administration in the east of the country. Oliwia Kopanczyk, 30, (pictured outside the Old Bailey today) allegedly 'flipped out' and assaulted Nigel Simper on a Great Western Railway train from Cheltenham to London Paddington, on June 2 last year A jealous woman hurled a beer bottle at her boyfriend in a first-class train carriage for speaking to his ex on his phone, a court heard today. Oliwia Kopanczyk, 30, allegedly 'flipped out' and assaulted Nigel Simper on a Great Western Railway train from Cheltenham to London Paddington, on June 2 last year. Mr Simper was left with blood pouring from his forehead after the alleged attack, the Old Bailey heard. Jurors were told furious Mr Simper told Kopanczyk: 'What have you done? You bottled me. You will do time for this.' Kathryn Hovington, prosecuting, said: 'Shortly after the train departed, they were observed to be having an argument by the train manager who approached and asked if everything was okay, and was told by the complainant that it was. 'Later in the journey, what was observed, was that the complainant in this case had received a two-inch laceration to his forehead, that was observed because he started shouting, jumping up, and was visibly bleeding.' British Transport Police officers detained and interviewed Kopanczyk the same day. She admitted throwing the bottle but claimed it was in self-defence. Ms Hovington said: 'She accepted that she threw a bottle that she had been drinking from at the complainant. 'What she says about that action is that she flipped out - that she could not take anymore. 'She particularly pointed to the fact that he had spoken to his ex-girlfriend on the phone loudly and that he was being disrespectful. 'She will describe him being rude, and she will suggest that he was on drugs at the time and being aggressive and in fact she describes in that interview, that he had hit her three times and he had kicked her. 'It is the prosecution case that she acted out of anger and retaliation and not self-defence. 'She had plenty of opportunities to take help, to leave the situation, if she felt in threat of further danger and she did not take any of those options.' Mr Simper was left with blood pouring from his forehead after the alleged attack by Kopanczyk, pictured outside the Old Bailey today Mr Simper was covered in blood and used a paper towel to stem the flow, the court heard. Railway employee Edward Mathieson told police: 'I got him another tissue as the one he had was sodden with blood. He was saying I want her arrested. He seemed obsessed she was going to leg it. 'As soon as I boarded the carriage, I was aware of the couple. The female was upset, she was lying across the seats and crying. 'It was clear they were splitting up. I began to watch headphones to watch things on YouTube, but I could still hear them. 'Between Acton and Old Oak, I heard a bang. I could see that the male passenger was pacing up and down. 'The male got down on his knees on another seat to let the blood drip down onto her.' Kopanczyk told the court she was defending herself from her violent boyfriend when she threw the bottle of Desperados beer at him. Wearing a black jacket and white blouse, with her hair tied back, she told jurors she came to the United Kingdom eight years ago from Poland. In her interview with police she said: 'I was crying as well, when they put me in a cell. I had never been in a police cell. My dad is a policeman- imagine if my mum found out. She had been with Mr Simper for two years and had been living together for two months when the fight happened. She explained: 'We travelled out of London to stay with friends. He was using cocaine and accusing me of cheating on him. He was paranoid and accusing everyone of lying. It was just absolutely crazy.' The case is being heard at London's Old Bailey (pictured) Jurors heard the argument continued on the train they took on 6 June back to London. 'He was on the phone with his ex-girlfriend, the mother of his child. I just politely asked him to put the phone down. 'He was disrespecting me on the phone with her. He was laughing at my face - telling her that I am stupid. 'Not very nice things basically. He was just laughing and tried to grab the phone from him and he punched me in the face. 'He punched me using the heel of his hand. I said: "Stop it. Don't do it", then he kicked me. When he kicked me I was trying to stand up. I was scared he might kick me of push me again.' After throwing the bottle at his head and hitting him she said she felt bad at the sight of his blood. Adding: 'He was running around with a tissue on his head screaming: "You are going to pay for this!".' 'I was angry, secondly I was in pain, and thirdly I thought he was going to kick me again and punch me. I was shouting stop it, please don't do it.' Jurors heard in April 2012, Mr Simper was convicted of battery against his former partner and mother of his child. Kopanczyk, from Streatham, denies assault occasioning actual bodily harm. The trial continues. Advertisement A portrait of a teenage Maori girl is among the colourised pictures of New Zealand at the turn of the 20th century These stunning pictures reveal the beauty and majesty of New Zealand's landscape a century ago. The Southern Hemisphere nation is often regarded as one of the most beautiful countries in the world - a reputation cemented by its portrayal of Tolkien's Middle Earth on the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit film sets. These remarkable colour photocroms from the turn of the 20th century show the unspoiled beauty of the country's lakes, fjords and mountains. Among the natural landmarks seen in the images are the 36-foot Huka Falls, and Milford Sound on the west coast of the South Island, once named the 'eighth wonder of the world' by Rudyard Kipling. The images also include the Otira Gorge near Arthur's Pass, now traversed by road in a remarkable feat of engineering. They also show the much-changed skyline of Auckland, the former capital and still the largest urban area in the country. The influence of the country's native Maori culture is also seen in a portrait of an indigenous girl and a group of Maori people stand before their ornately carved house, wearing traditional outfits. The striking images were reproduced from black and white negatives using the early photochrom technique pioneered in the 1880s by the Swiss chemist Hans Jakob Schmid. Slide to the right in the images below to reveal what the locations look like now. Slide me Huka Falls, near Taupo, in New Zealand's North Island, now the most visited natural attraction in the country. At the waterfall some 7,800 cubic litres of water barrel over the 36-foot drop every second; a footbridge at the top of the falls gives visitors a spectacular view over the landscape. The waterfall is formed when the Waikato River enters a shallow ravine of hard volcanic rock - an effect described as 'nature's large-scale equivalent of a fire hose feeding into a very fine nozzle' Slide me The Otira Gorge on New Zealand's South Island. It is situated near Arthur's Pass, which was historically known to Maori hunting parties as a route between east and west, and today features wide, shingle-filled riverbeds and vast beech forests. Today the gorge and pass are traversed by a road bridge in what has been described as a 'spectacular piece of extreme civil engineering involving viaducts, bridges, rock shelters and waterfalls redirected into chutes' Slide me Largs Peak looms over Lake Te Anau, a vast glacial lake spanning some 133 square miles near the southern tip of the country on New Zealand's South Island. The lake belongs to an area of national park land called Te Wahipounamu, meaning 'place of greenstone' in Maori, which was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1990. The lake also borders three fjords on the west side - North Fiord, Middle Fiord and South Fiord Slide me A view over the city of Auckland at the turn of the 19th century. The city, known in the native language as Tamaki Makau Rau, meaning 'isthmus of one thousand lovers', was originally a Maori settlement. For a time in the 19th century it was the capital of New Zealand, until Wellington was chosen as its replacement in 1965. The city's name comes from George Eden, 1st Earl of Auckland, who was First Lord of the Admiralty during the 19th century A chilly cabin dweller surveys New Zealand's snow-laden peaks in this picture from the turn of the 19th century. According to the country's tourist board, the Southern Hemisphere winter from June to October 'transforms New Zealand's alpine landscapes into winter wonderlands'. The South Island includes Mount Cook, the highest mountain in the country at 12,218 ft - also higher than any summit in nearby Australia Indigenous Maori stand before their ornately carved house, wearing traditional outfits. The Maori people arrived in the country more than 1,000 years ago. Today they make up around 14 per cent of the country's population and exert a significant influence on its culture. One notable example is the Haka, the ceremonial dance performed by the New Zealand rugby team before every match. In addition, the country's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern incorporated the Maori language into her child's name - calling it Neve Te Aroha Ardern Gayford, with Te Aroha meaning 'love' in the indigenous language Milford Sound on the west coast of the South Island, once described as the 'eighth wonder of the world' by Rudyard Kipling. Similar to one of the famous Norwegian fjords, the site features cliffs and mountain peaks as well as waterfalls dropping as far as 3,300 feet. The area's heavy rainfall also boosts the power of the waterfalls. The natural splendour of the landscape draws thousands of visitors every day, resulting in close to one million visitors in a year Mangapapa Falls on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island. This waterfall is situated in Hawke's Bay - a name first given to the area by Captain James Cook, the first person known to have circumnavigated New Zealand. The area is known as a wine-growing region, enjoying fertile soils and a warm, temperate climate and particularly suitable for red wines including cabernet sauvignon, merlot and shiraz Slide me Vistors wearing typical turn-of-the-century clothing - with all the men and women wearing hats - enjoy the thermal baths in Rotorua. There is an abundance of geothermal activity in New Zealand, creating enough energy to serve around 13 per cent of the country's overall needs. Rotorua on the North Island is known for bubbling mud pools, shooting geysers and natural hot springs; it is also a city of some 73,000 people, making it the country's 10th-largest urban area Slide me A man drinks in the stunning landscape of the Cleddau Valley, a craggy gorge in New Zealand near Milford Sound. The Cleddau river - which shares its name with a river in Pembrokeshire, Wales - flows into Milford Sound and is connected to nearby valleys by the 1930s Homer Tunnel Slide me People take a morning bath in Whakarewarewa. The thermal villages in the area are home to the Tuhourangi/Ngati Wahiao people. Nearby is the 136,000-acre Whakarewarewa Forest, which attracts visitors for mountain biking, running or hiking Slide me A view of Russell in the Bay of Islands around 1900. The tropical island chain sits at the very top of the North Island of New Zealand. A three-hour drive or 3- minute flight north of Auckland, the Bay of Islands encompasses 144 islands between Cape Brett and the Purerua Peninsula, according to the country's tourism website. The locality of Russell was the first permanent European settlement and seaport in New Zealand Slide me A boat ride during sunset over Lake Manapouri on the South Island of New Zealand, with snow-capped mountains behind the shimmering lake. It is part of the country's Fjordland and was formed by glacial action in the most recent ice age - around 20,000 years ago. The lake is framed by the spectacular Cathedral Mountains and has four arms - North, South, West and Hope Slide me Moonlight dappled on Lake Waikaremoana, in what is described as the largest area of native forest in the North Island. This region is the ancestral home of the Maori tribe Ngai Tuhoe - the 'Children of the Mist', according to New Zealand tourism officials. The area is popular as a walking track which leads hikers through pristine rainforest, regenerating shrubland areas of wetland, rush and herbfield and a magical 'goblin forest' A Connecticut police officer who fatally shot a man during an attempted traffic stop last month had been told his conduct was unacceptable by several former supervisors. Wethersfield Officer Layau Eulizier, 26, was involved in several incidents in which he lost his composure with the public, and made tactical mistakes when he was with Manchester police from 2015 to 2018, the records show. 'It is my opinion that Off. Eulizier needs immediate attention,' Manchester Sgt. Jamie Taylor wrote in a report in 2016. 'I worry that if he does not vastly improve his work performance under stress he is going to hurt himself or someone else.' Police said Eulizier, an Air Force veteran who joined Wethersfield police in August, shot and killed 18-year-old Anthony Jose Vega Cruz in Wethersfield on April 20 when Vega Cruz drove his car at the officer while trying to flee a traffic stop. A passenger, Vega Cruz's 18-year-old girlfriend, was not injured. Eulizier's attorney Elliot Spector said on Tuesday that his client's use of deadly force against Vega Cruz was justified. Spector also said Eulizier was unfairly portrayed in disciplinary documents released on Monday by Manchester police, where the officer worked before Wethersfield. Scroll down for video Connecticut police officer Layau Eulizier, 26 (right), who fatally shot Anthony Jose Vega Cruz, 18 (left), during an attempted traffic stop last month had been told his conduct was unacceptable by supervisors, including some who raised concerns about his difficulty handling stressful situations The shooting of Vega Cruz, which was recorded on police dashboard camera and local surveillance video, has sparked several protests since that footage was released to the public. Demonstrators argued the use of deadly force was unnecessary. Protesters marched down Silas Deane Highway in Wethersfield on Thursday, according to New England Public Radio, as well to the home of Wethersfield Mayor Amy Morrin Bello on Friday, Connecticut Public Radio reported. Wethersfield Police Chief James Cetran and lawyers for Vega Cruz's family said they could not immediately comment on Monday night. Cetran said he was at a town meeting where protesters had gathered again. The shooting of Vega Cruz, which was recorded on police dashboard camera and local surveillance video that has been released to the public, sparked several protests where demonstrators said the use of deadly force was unnecessary. Kittrell Lauray, 18 (center), a family friend of Vega Cruz, holds up a banner reading 'Justice for Chulo' Wethersfield Police Chief James Cetran and lawyers for Vega Cruz's family said they could not immediately comment on Monday night. Cetran said he was at a town meeting where protesters had gathered again. Maleek Foster is shown marching with dozens of protesters to the home of Wethersfield Mayor Amy Morrin Bello on Friday Community organizer Kerry Ellington (center) leads a chant during a march to the Wethersfield mayor's house on Friday following the release of videos showing a police officer shooting an 18-year-old after a traffic stop According to documents provided to the AP by Manchester police under a public records request, Eulizer exhibited several worrying behaviors during training. During a 2015 training exercise, he had opened fire to provide 'cover' for other officers when he was not supposed to, surprising the instructors. During a traffic stop, also in 2015, Eulizier lost his composure and screamed at the driver while using 'poor physical control tactics,' the records show. While with the Manchester police, Eulizier and a state trooper were involved in another fatal 2015 shooting that was ruled justified. The trooper fatally shot a man who threatened the officers with a box cutter. Eulizier also opened fire but missed. In 2016, when another officer was being dragged by a car during a traffic stop, Eulizier screamed the wrong code in the police radio multiple times and unsafely drove his cruiser at nearly 100 mph on local streets trying to locate the car, the records show. Vega Cruz, who was fatally shot by Eulizier, is pictured sitting in a the driver seat of a car In January 2018, then-Manchester Police Chief Marc Montminy reprimanded Eulizier for 'conduct unbecoming' for improperly approaching a car and trying to open the driver's door with his gun drawn, creating the danger of the driver grabbing the gun or the weapon accidentally firing. Manchester police officials sent Eulizier to several remedial trainings to try to improve his performance. 'This department has made several attempts to help you correct these performance issues through remedial training, but we are still observing deficiencies,' Montminy wrote in the letter of reprimand to Eulizier. In August 2016, Montminy had extended Eulizier's probationary period for six months, after police supervisors reported several incidents of poor performance. He successfully completed the probation in January 2018, one day before he was reprimanded, records show. Eulizier also received several 'acceptable' job performance reviews during his probationary period, including one that commended him for being one of the department's top performers in terms of traffic stops and call responses. A lawyer for Vega Cruz's family, Ben Crump, has previously said last month's shooting was reckless. He is planning to hold a news conference with Vega Cruz's relatives in Wethersfield on Wednesday. Videos released on Friday show Wethersfield Officer Eulizier opening fire on unarmed Vega Cruz who drove at him after an attempted traffic stop and chase Eulizier yells, 'show me your hands' several times and fires two shots through the windshield when Anthony Jose Vega Cruz, 18, drives at him Vega Cruz (left) died two days later at a hospital, while his girlfriend (right) who was in the passenger seat was not injured Videos released on Friday show last month's fatal shooting, after Vega Cruz drove at Eulizier after an attempted traffic stop and chase. Eulizier was seen on police dashcam and business surveillance videos running in front of a car while it stopped briefly during the April 20 chase. Eulizier yelled, 'show me your hands' several times and fired two shots through the windshield when the teenager drove at him. Spector said Eulizier was forced to run in front of the car to get a look at the driver through the windshield because of the car's darkly tinted door windows. Vega Cruz died two days later at a hospital, while his girlfriend who was in the passenger seat was not injured. Eulizier and another officer were trying to pull over Vega Cruz, whose nickname was Chulo, because the license plates on the car were not registered to that vehicle, officials said. The videos show 'the dangers that our police are involved with every day,' Wethersfield Mayor Amy Morrin Bello said. 'We've had a lot of public outcry for the video, and I think it is important for people to be able to see it themselves,' she told WTIC-TV. 'Otherwise there is a lot of misinformation that gets out there.' Lawyers for Vega Cruz's family, Crump and Michael Jefferson, said the videos show Eulizier 'acted recklessly' when he shot at the unarmed couple. 'We are devastated, enraged, and continue to demand justice for their son and brother,' the lawyers said in a statement. 'The officer must pay for his actions. We urge the State's Attorney to bring swift justice for this hurting family and criminally charge the officer who killed Chulo.' David McGuire, executive director of the ACLU of Connecticut, said there was no reason why a problem over license plates should have escalated into a fatal shooting that endangered motorists on the busy, four-lane Silas Deane Highway. He urged state lawmakers to pass legislation to reduce and better track violence by police. Eulizier was placed on paid leave pending the investigation, under normal police protocols. Vega Cruz then drives off and crashes the car into a curb nearby Hartford State's Attorney Gail Hardy and Wethersfield officials said they released the videos in the interest of transparency while Hardy determines whether the shooting was justified. Vega Cruz is pictured A GoFundMe account was set up to help raise money for Vega Cruz's funeral. The account has raised more than $600 of its $2,000 goal. It was the second time in two weeks that Connecticut officials have taken the unusual step of releasing video of a police shooting so soon. They traditionally have waited until after an investigation is completed, as law enforcement officials in many other states do. Last week, officials released police body camera and surveillance video of two police officers opening fire on an unarmed couple in a car in New Haven on April 16, while responding to a reported attempted armed robbery. A 22-year-old woman was wounded but survived. Both police shootings sparked several days of protests by families, clerics, Black Lives Matter activists and others. All three officers who fired their guns in the two shootings are black. Bill Shorten has been caught out for omitting one vital fact from his sob story on Q&A about his late mother's dream to be a lawyer. The Labor leader delivered a powerful spiel about his beloved mother Ann, who died aged 79 five years ago, during the final minutes of the ABC show on Monday night. Mr Shorten told how his mother came from a working-class background and was the first in her family to go to university. She had dreams of being a lawyer but became a teacher instead so she could care for her siblings. Federal Opposition Leader Bill Shorten (pictured right while national secretary of the Australian Workers Union) still regards his late mother Ann (left) as his biggest inspiration 'She was the eldest in the family so needed to take the teacher scholarship to look after the rest of the kids,' the Labor leader told the audience. 'My mum was a brilliant woman, she wasn't bitter. She worked here (Monash University) for 35 years. 'But I also know that if she had other opportunities, she could have done anything. I can't make it right for my mum. And she wouldn't want me to. 'What motivates me, if you really want to know who Bill Shorten is, I can't make it right for my mum but I can make it right for everyone else.' The aspiring prime minister's address was hailed as an election-winning moment but he has since come under fire for leaving out an important detail. Bill Shorten told how his mother had dreams of being a lawyer but became a teacher instead Bill Shorten (left), pictured with his late mum Ann and twin brother Robert, came under a fire because he omitted one vital fact Mrs Shorten actually did follow her dreams and became a barrister later in life when she was in her late 50s. She graduated with a law degree from Monash University in 1985 with first-class honours, and practised at the Victorian Bar for six years. She was also the founder of the Australian & New Zealand Education Law Association in 1991. Mrs Shorten also paid to send her twin boys to Melbournes exclusive Xavier College. Mr Shorten responded to criticism of his story with a scathing and lengthy post on Twitter late Tuesday night, describing the report as a new low and a political attack on him and his mother's memory. 'I've told her story a lot in recent years. I told it two weeks ago when I launched Labor's women's policy. I told it again last night on Q&A,' Mr Shorten wrote. Dr Ann Shorten (pictured) became a barrister later in life when she was in her late 50s Bill Shorten hit back on Twitter after a newspaper pointed out that his mother did finally follow her dreams to become a lawyer later in life He set the record straight about his late mother by publishing his speech from two weeks ago of how she finally followed her dreams and studied law at Monash University when she was in her 50s. 'When I was in my first year of law school, she was in her final year. She was her brilliant self and won the Supreme Court prize,' Mr Shorten posted. 'She had a remarkable life and she felt very fortunate. But because of her financial circumstances, she didn't get all of the opportunities she deserved. 'I can't change what happened to my Mum. But I can change things for other people. And that's why I'm in politics.' Mr Shorten's tweet drew overwhelming support from voters. 'Thanks for sharing that, Bill,' one person commented on Twitter. 'We all think youll do your mum proud as Australias next Prime Minister.' Another person commented: 'Thanks for sharing Bill - your mum obviously influenced your attitude towards and respect for intelligent women - Im looking forward to a Labor government.' Mr Shorten's tweet drew overwhelming support from voters A four-year-old girl whose stepfather says she was abducted from his car was removed from her family home last year over allegations of physical abuse. Maleah Davis has been missing since Saturday when her stepfather, Derion Vence, claimed they were attacked in his car along with his one-year-old son by 'Hispanic' assailants in Houston, Texas. Vence says he passed out for 24 hours and when he woke up on the side of the road, was left with just his one-year-old son. Maleah Davis has been missing since Saturday when her stepfather, Derion Vence, claimed they were attacked in his car Maleah's mother, Brittany Bowens, is shown campaigning for information about her whereabouts. Maleah was removed from her home last year after allegations of domestic abuse. She went back to live with her in February this year He says he was driving to the airport to pick up her mother on Friday at 6pm when a sudden noise made him pull over. Three Hispanic men then approached the vehicle, he claims, remarked that Maleah 'looked very nice', then clubbed him over the head. He has no memory of the next 24 hours other than waking up, groggily, and being in the back of a pick-up truck with Maleah and his son, he says. Vence says he finally came to on Sunday on the side of the road with his son but there was no sign of Maleah. He walked to a hospital to receive treatment and reported her missing. An amber alert has been issued but there has so far been no sightings. Last year, she was removed from her family home along with her two brothers over allegations that she had been abused, according to CNN. Maleah had suffered a head injury and was sent to live with a relative for six months but in February this year, was allowed to return home to her mother but she was back in the hospital for brain surgery in March. Derion Vence, the girl's stepfather, said he was driving on Saturday night when he heard a noise and stopped. Three Hispanic men then appeared and hit him over the head. For the next 24 hours, he says he slipped in and out of consciousness while the men drove him, Maleah and his one-year-old son around. He says he finally came to on Sunday by the side of the road but Maleah was gone Police said they were able to look at the license plate of the vehicle (pictured) that Vence was driving. Police said the car was seen on a traffic camera near Highway 59 & State Highway 6 in Sugar Land around 3pm on Saturday - three hours before he said he was attacked Police say it was to treat a healing injury and that they cannot share more information. Child services were meant to check up on the family once a month afterwards. It is unclear if that was done. Her mother, Brittany Bowens, insisted on Monday that she hurt her head by falling. She says she had been on a trip to Massachusetts when her child disappeared, though it remains unclear what the journey was for. The mother arrived back in Houston and was waiting for the family to pick her up from the airport but they never showed up. Police have not confirmed yet whether she contacted them to say they were missing and it is unclear how she got home from the airport. Police say Maleah needs extra care because of the brain injury she suffered and required surgery for earlier this year Bowens made a tearful appeal for information about her daughter's whereabouts on Monday at a press conference. 'My spirit is so broken, I feel so lost. I can't concentrate, I can't focus. 'It's so overwhelming for me. It doesn't seem real,' she said. Police said earlier this week that there will still 'lots' of unanswered questions. 'I realize there's a lot blanks in the story, but we are hoping the public can help fill in the blanks,' Sgt Mark Holbrook of the Houston Police Department's Homicide Division said. Anyone with information on Maleah Davis' whereabouts is urged to contact HPD at 713-308-3600 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS. Pompeo's cancellation comes two days after the U.S. sent an aircraft carrier group to the Middle East ahead and warned that Iran and its proxy forces are showing indications of a possible attack on American forces The U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has cancelled his visit to Germany in an abrupt decision - with the U.S. administration first citing 'scheduling' issues and then later 'international security issues' as the reason. Pompeo had been due to meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Foreign Minister Heiko Maas in Berlin later on Tuesday. Merkel's office confirmed the cancellation 'by the American side' but referred other questions to the U.S. Embassy, which had no further comment. However Pompeo's meeting with Prime Minister Theresa May and Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt in London on Wednesday will still go ahead - where Pompeo is scheduled to deliver a speech on the US and UK special relationship. The cancellation comes two days after the U.S. sent an aircraft carrier group to the Middle East ahead of schedule and warning that Iran and its proxy forces are showing indications of a possible attack on American forces in the region. National security adviser John Bolton blamed 'a number of troubling and escalatory indications and warnings,' without elaborating. Exactly what prompted the action was unclear, but it marked a further step in sharply rising tensions between the Trump administration and the Islamic Republic. Exactly what prompted Pompeo's cancellation was unclear, but it marked a further step in sharply rising tensions between the Trump administration and the Islamic Republic. National security adviser John Bolton blamed 'a number of troubling and escalatory indications and warnings,' without elaborating. Exactly what prompted the action was unclear, but it marked a further step in sharply rising tensions between the Trump administration and the Islamic Republic. The Trump abruptly announced in December that it was pulling out of Syria but maintains 2,000 U.S. troops in the northern part of the war-torn country. Officials suggest they serve as a check on Iranian ambitions and help ensure that Islamic State fighters do not regroup. No significant U.S. forces have so far withdrawn from Syria. Trump has also said he has no plans to withdraw the 5,200 troops stationed in Iraq as part of a security agreement to advise, assist and support the country's troops in the fight against IS. Earlier this year, Trump angered Iraqi politicians and Iranian-backed factions by saying troops should stay there to keep an eye on neighboring Iran. Bolton said Sunday night the U.S. was deploying the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group and a bomber task force to the Middle East, intending to send a message that 'unrelenting force' will meet any attack on American forces or allies. With its pressure campaign, the U.S. administration is trying to get Iran to halt activities such as supporting militant activities that destabilize the Middle East and threaten U.S. allies, including Israel, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said. 'Our objective is to get the Islamic Republic of Iran to behave like a normal nation,' Pompeo told reporters during a visit to Finland. 'When they do that, we will welcome them back.' Speaking to reporters while flying to Europe, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the actions undertaken by the U.S. had been in the works for a little while. 'It is absolutely the case that we have seen escalatory actions from the Iranians and it is equally the case that we will hold the Iranians accountable for attacks on American interests,' Pompeo said. 'If these actions take place, if they do by some third-party proxy, a militia group, Hezbollah, we will hold the Iranian leadership directly accountable for that.' Asked about 'escalatory actions,' Pompeo replied, 'I don't want to talk about what underlays it, but make no mistake, we have good reason to want to communicate clearly about how the Iranians should understand how we will respond to actions they may take.' Ministers from the United States, Canada, Russia, Finland, Norway, Denmark, Sweden and Iceland repeated their commitment to sustainable development and the protection of the Arctic environment at the meeting in Rovaniemi, Finland Asked if the Iranian action were related to the deadly events in Gaza and Israel - militants fired rockets into Israel on Sunday and Israel responded with airstrikes - Pompeo said, 'It is separate from that.' Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said Monday that the carrier move sends an important message to Iran but the administration needs to give Congress more information. 'I worry that it could be misinterpreted,' Blumenthal said. 'I'm trusting that it isn't meant as a provocative act, but I need to know what the thought process and justifications are.' Asked if the Iranian action was related to the deadly events in Gaza and Israel - militants fired rockets into Israel on Sunday and Israel responded with airstrikes - Pompeo said, 'It is separate from that.' The Trump administration has been intensifying its pressure campaign against Iran. Last month, President Donald Trump announced the U.S. would no longer exempt any countries from U.S. sanctions if they continue to buy Iranian oil, a decision that primarily affects the five remaining major importers: China and India and U.S. treaty allies Japan, South Korea and Turkey. The U.S. also recently designated Iran's Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist group, the first ever for an entire division of another government. Trump withdrew from the Obama administration's landmark nuclear deal with Iran in May 2018 and, in the months that followed, reimposed punishing sanctions including those targeting Iran's oil, shipping and banking sectors. Pompeo's mysterious cancellation comes hours after the United States refused to sign an agreement on challenges in the Arctic due to discrepancies over climate change wording, diplomats said on Tuesday. The U.S.'s refusal to sign an agreement on challenges in the Arctic could jeopardize cooperation in the polar region at the sharp edge of global warming. With Arctic temperatures rising at twice the rate of the rest of the globe, the melting ice is creating potential new shipping lanes and has opened much of the world's last untapped reserves of oil and gas to commercial exploitation . The meeting of eight nations bordering the Arctic in Rovaniemi in Finland on Tuesday was supposed to frame a two-year agenda to balance the challenge of global warming with sustainable development of mineral wealth. But sources with knowledge of the discussions said the United States balked at signing a final declaration as it disagreed with wording that climate change was a serious threat to the Arctic. It was the first time a declaration had been cancelled since the Arctic Council was formed in 1996. Finland's Foreign Minister Timo Soini welcomes participants attending the 11th Arctic Council Ministerial Meeting in Rovaniemi, Finnish Lapland, Tuesday, May 7, 2019 Instead, in a brief statement, ministers from the United States, Canada, Russia, Finland, Norway, Denmark, Sweden and Iceland repeated their commitment to sustainable development and the protection of the Arctic environment. Except for the United States, other nations had wanted to go further, participants said. 'A majority of us regarded climate change as a fundamental challenge facing the Arctic and acknowledged the urgent need to take mitigation and adaptation actions and to strengthen resilience,' talks chair and Finnish Foreign Minister Timo Soini said in a statement. 'I don't want to name and blame anyone,' he told reporters. Arctic Oil A senior U.S. State Department official denied Washington had again dragged its heels over global environmental action. 'There were several different versions of the declaration going around. The U.S. was ready to sign,' said the official, who spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity. The idea for 'a simpler, positive, unified, collective message' had come from Russia and Canada, he added. Scientists believe the Arctic contains around 13 percent of the world's undiscovered reserves of oil and 30 percent of its reserves of natural gas as well as huge deposits of minerals such as zinc, iron and rare earth metals. Harvesting them remains expensive, but melting ice is making that more feasible, as well as affecting the world's weather, and the Arctic's wildlife and indigenous residents. Addressing the Council, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said President Donald Trump's administration 'shares your deep commitment to environmental stewardship' in the Arctic. But he said collective goals were not always the answer. Agreements between countries in the Arctic Council are non-binding, and Pompeo accused Russia and China of not playing by the rules as they look to assert rights over resources and trade routes. 'Collective goals ... are rendered meaningless, even counter-productive as soon as one nation fails to comply,' Pompeo told the Council. President Trump has frequently expressed skepticism about whether global warming is a result of human activity and has stood by his 2017 decision to withdraw from the Paris climate accord signed by almost 200 governments in 2015. That has put him at odds with campaigners and many other countries. 'A climate crisis in the Arctic is not a future scenario, it is happening as we speak,' Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom said in her address to the Council. The Paris accord agreed to limit a rise in average global temperatures to 'well below' 2C (3.6F) above pre-industrial times by 2100. Worldwide, temperatures are up about 1C (1.8F). A 95-year-old World War II veteran died aboard the 'Honor Flight' on his way back from visiting Washington, DC, war memorials with other Greatest Generation veterans. Frank Manchel, 95, had traveled to Washington, DC, on Friday on an all-expenses-paid weekend arranged by Honor Flight San Diego. He was among 82 other veterans, family members and volunteers who toured key WWII memorials in the capital city before boarding the flight home on Sunday. The WWII Army technical sergeant collapsed after standing up about an hour before the chartered American Airlines jet was due to land in San Diego Sunday, The San Diego Union-Tribune reported. WWII veteran Frank Manchel, 95, passed away during his flight home from a trip to Washington, DC, to visit key World War II memorials on Sunday Frank (left) collapsed about an hour before the flight to San Diego landed. His doctor son, Bruce Manchel (right), and another physician aboard the flight weren't able to revive him Two physicians including his own son, Dr. Bruce Manchel, were unable to revive him during more than 12 minutes of CPR. 'It was almost instantaneous,' said Dave Smith, founder of Honor Flight San Diego. 'He was laughing, chatting, having a good time - and then he collapsed.' 'The fella who caught my dad came up to me and said, "Listen, your dad, within 5 seconds of having him in my arms was gone,"' Bruce told Fox 5 San Diego. Chaplains prayed over the body and it was covered with an American flag. As the plane was descending to its destination, former San Diego Police Chief Shelley Zimmerman, the daughter of a World War II veteran, asked Bruce if he was up for honoring his father with the song 'God Bless America.' He agreed, and the plane was filled with song, the newspaper reported. Fellow veterans saluted as they passed by Frank's body while exiting the plane. Medical personnel, firefighters and law enforcement officers also saluted as the body was taken from the plane. Frank was among 82 other veterans who'd had an all-expenses-paid weekend arranged by Honor Flight San Diego to visit key WWII memorials in the capital city beginning Friday Frank (in white), originally of Michigan, was a WWII Army technical sergeant. He and the other veterans were flown to Washington, DC, by Honor Flight San Diego Fellow veterans saluted as they passed by Frank's body while exiting the plane in San Diego Frank (in green) had a mini family reunion during the trip. Aside from his son Bruce (far left), Frank's brother, nephew and other son all traveled to DC to meet up with the veteran 'My father's passing was the ending to the most amazing weekend, surrounded by his newest best friends,' Bruce said in a statement Monday. 'We thank all of you - Honor Flight San Diego, American Airlines, San Diego International Airport, friends, and supporters for your concern and for allowing the weekend to be so special for all of us to share together. Zimmerman said the elder Manchel was in an upbeat mood when she chatted with his family on Saturday. 'He was 100 percent engaged, proud, humble - as these veterans are,' Zimmerman said. 'You could just tell how proud they all were of him. It was just wonderful, a loving, loving family.' Frank had had a family reunion of sorts during the trip. His 93-year-old brother, Jerome, and his nephew, David, had traveled to DC from their home in Michigan. Another of Frank's sons, Howard, had also traveled from Atlanta to meet up with his father. American Airlines offered to take the veteran's remains and relatives to Frank's Michigan hometown, where services and burial are planned. Six other deaths have happened on Honor Flights originating from other cities. 'We know this is a potential situation,' said Smith. 'We want to honor these veterans, but this is one of our worst fears that this might happen. We do everything we can to make sure these veterans are safe.' The non-profit Honor Flight Network was founded to enable aging veterans to visit the National World War II Memorial, which was completed in 2004. The organization plans to eventually focus on Korean War veterans and then those who served in Vietnam. This is the moment elephants and their handlers paid homage to Thailand's new king today. Elephants dressed in yellow silk shawls and saffron flower garlands performed a 10-step jig to symbolise the 10th reign of the Chakri dynasty in Bangkok. Footage filmed in the city's historic old quarter captured eleven elephants walking to the beat of a drum in a dramatic parade to celebrate the coronation of King Maha Vajiralongkorn. Elephants dressed in yellow silk shawls and saffron flower garlands perform a ten-step jig to symbolise the 10th reign of the Chakri dynasty in Bangkok today A day after the monarch's three-day coronation ceremony the white-painted elephants were brought to the city by their trainers - known as mahouts. One of the women seated on the elephants even had her baby with her - proving how safe and well trained the animals are. The ritual-laden coronation ended on Monday with the newly crowned 66-year-old king granting Thais a public audience from a balcony of the Grand Palace. The animals were covered in non-toxic, water-based white paint to give them a paler hue. The animals bow down to show reverence for their new king. The elephants deemed worthy had received special 'royal training' for Tuesday's performance, he said A day after the monarch's three-day coronation ceremony the white painted elephants are brought to the city by their trainers - known as mahouts Mahouts train the elephants to raise their trunks and lift one foot off the ground during the jig Mahout Reangthongbaht Meepon of Ayutthaya Elephant Palace, said: 'The elephants knelt down to bow and roared, as if to say "long live the King" in the elephant language.' The elephants deemed worthy had received special 'royal training' for Tuesday's performance, he said. 'We got the training methods from the royal palace to train elephants according to ancient traditions,' he added. Many among the crowd of enthusiastic onlookers hold portraits of the new king Many among the crowd of enthusiastic onlookers held portraits of the king. 'I'm delighted because I've never seen this before in my 70 years,' said motorcycle taxi driver Boonsueb Unnimit. Elephants hold special significance in Thai history and culture. 'The elephant is a symbol of the monarch, a symbol of battles, as well as a symbol of peace and serenity,' said Bangkok resident Panarat Panchuer, 61. The three-day coronation ceremony, rich with pageantry, was the first in Thailand in 69 years, coming after the death of Vajiralongkorn's beloved father in October 2016. Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida wave to well-wishers from the balcony of Suddhaisavarya Prasad Hall of the Grand Palace as they grant a public audience on the final day of his royal coronation It started on Saturday, after a long period of official mourning. The tradition began by anointing the king with sacred waters before he donned a tiered golden headpiece weighing more than seven kilograms (16 pounds). The second day of ceremonies saw the king carried on a gilded palanquin for several hours under a searing sun, before capping the coronation on day three with his public address. Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn being carried on a palanquin through the streets outside the Grand Palace yesterday A public school boy has reportedly been killed in a motorcycle crash in Zambia during the Easter holidays. The sixth form student died shortly before he was due to come home from the east African country, according to Eric Woods, the vicar of Sherborne in Somerset. The boy was a pupil at the all-boys Sherborne School, but the exact date of his death is not yet known. The boy was a pupil at the all-boys Sherborne School (pictured), but the exact date of his death is not yet known Canon Eric Woods wrote the news in his weekly Western Gazette column which was published on Thursday, May 2. The passage read: 'News came through today of the tragic death in a motorcycle accident of a sixth former at one of our schools just before he was due to fly home from Zambia for the start of the new term.' Dr Dominic Luckett, the headmaster at Sherborne School, confirmed the death, saying: 'All of us at Sherborne School are deeply saddened by the death of one of our Sixth Form pupils who was tragically killed in a motorcycle accident in Zambia during the Easter holidays. 'Everyone in our school is shocked and devastated by the loss of this wonderfully kind and talented young man. 'His family and friends have been, and will remain, in our thoughts and prayers at this awful time.' The Foreign and Commonwealth Office was unable to confirm whether a pupil from Sherborne School had recently died in Zambia, but did confirm there was a recent British national death. A spokesman said: 'We are in touch with the local authorities following the death of a British national in Zambia, and stand ready to provide assistance to the family if required.' Cambridge University has shuttered off a historic bell amid claims it 'most likely came from a slave plantation'. The bell, which has now been removed from view, was gifted to St Catharines College in 1960 and placed in one of its accommodation blocks in 1994. It comes as Cambridge University is to carry out a two-year inquiry into its links with the slave trade. In a move branded 'bizarre' by equal rights campaigner Trevor Philips, a white professor who specialises in Roman archaeology has been chosen to oversee the study. The bell, which has now been removed from view, was gifted to St Catharines College (pictured) in 1960 and placed in one of its accommodation blocks in 1994 St Catharines College has set about investigating the bell's origins, according to an email sent to students on Monday, as reported by Varsity. Professor Sir Mark Welland, master of the College, and Dr Miranda Griffin, the senior tutor, wrote that there is a 'significant possibility' that it was used on a slave plantation. 'While we make more detailed enquiries into the bells provenance, the decision has been taken to shutter the bell off to remove it from view, ' it read. 'Consultation is taking place across the college community about the appropriate and proportionate course of action in relation to the bell'. Colonial legacy triggers campus rows The inquiry follows a number of rows over the colonial legacy at universities. Two years ago, a bronze cockerel was removed from Jesus College, Cambridge, following a student outcry because it had been looted from Africa in the 19th century. The university agreed to hold discussions on the future of the Benin bronze, including possible repatriation to Nigeria. Oxford students ran a campaign in 2015 to tear down a statue of the 19th century imperialist Cecil Rhodes. They claimed the statue, at Oriel College, was offensive to ethnic minority students, but the university resisted their demands. At Manchester University last year, students painted over a mural featuring the Rudyard Kipling poem If, over claims the writer was racist. They said that because another of his poems, The White Man's Burden, was offensive by today's standards, all his other work should be 'no-platformed'. Advertisement A decision about the bell is expected to be reached by next weekend. A spokesman for the College said: As part of the ongoing reflection taking place about the links between universities and slavery, we are aware that a bell currently located at the College most likely came from a slave plantation. A more detailed investigation is under way into the bells provenance as part of a wider project researching the Colleges historical links to the slave trade.' Senior Tutor Dr Miranda Griffin said: It is important that the College, along with the rest of the collegiate university, acknowledges historical links to slavery and the slave trade. 'As an academic community, we will continue to conduct rigorous research into all aspects of our past and to reflect on our commitment to diversity, inclusion and asking challenging questions. It comes after the launch last week of a two-year inquiry into the University's links with the slave trade. The university will investigate how it benefited from the Atlantic trade in Africans in the 18th century, and how its scholars contributed to 'repugnant' views on race. Professor Martin Millett will head the project in what the university described as a bid 'to acknowledge its role during that dark phase of human history'. Yet the decision was slammed by Trevor Philips, the former chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, who said it was 'bizarre' the university had not given the job to a black academic. Trevor Philips, the former chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, said it was 'bizarre' the university had not given the job to a black academic. Pictured in 2014 He added that Cambridge would be making a more useful contribution by commissioning research into modern-day problems faced by people from ethnic minorities, such as discrimination resulting from the use of artificial intelligence. Commenting on the inquiry, Mr Phillips told the Mail: I have a feeling this is just another response to super-woke [politically correct] whining by students who are having a great time guilt-tripping the university before going off to work for Goldman Sachs. This is virtue-signalling on steroids. He added that the university should focus on changing the future rather than rewriting the past for example, by promoting more black academics. Mr Philips told BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Friday: 'It is bizarre that, if they are trying to send a signal about what they are like, they couldn't find a black academic to lead this. 'That would have sent a great signal to the world that Cambridge understands that black folks are not just great entertainers or sportspeople, but that we can also be brainy.' Announcing the study earlier this week, Cambridge vice-chancellor Prof Stephen Toope said: 'There is growing public and academic interest in the links between the older British universities and the slave trade, and it is only right that Cambridge should look into its own exposure to the profits of coerced labour during the colonial period. 'We cannot change the past, but nor should we seek to hide from it. I hope this process will help the University understand and acknowledge its role during that dark phase of human history.' The White House invoked executive privilege on Tuesday to block former White House Counsel Don McGahn from complying with Democrats' subpoena for him to turn over documents related to the Russia investigation. White House Counsel Pat Cipollone says the man who formerly held his position does not have the legal rights to the documents Democrats in Congress are demanding he produce. McGahn's attorney sent a letter to House Judiciary Chairman Jerry Nadler, outlining that acting Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney directed McGahn not to hand over the documents the committee subpoenaed. 'The White House records remain legally protected from disclosure under long-standing constitutional principles, because they implicate significant executive branch confidentiality interests and executive privilege,' Cipollone said in a letter to McGahn's attorney, William Burck. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler has subpoenaed documents from former White House Counsel Don McGahn The White House is barring McGahn from producing the documents and has invoked executive privilege. His attorney said in his letter to Nadler that McGahn still owes certain duties and obligations to the president and White House as the former most senior attorney to President Trump McGahn served as White House counsel from January 2017 to October 2018. He was a character involved in the Russia investigation over reports Trump directed him to fire the special counsel Burck said that his client still owes some obligations to Trump and White House from his time as the most senior attorney for the president, and said Congress and the White House are making contradictory demands of his client. McGhan served as White House counsel from the time Trump was inaugurated to October 2018. 'Where co-equal branches of government are making contradictory demands on Mr. McGahn concerning the same set of documents, the appropriate response for Mr. McGahn is to maintain the status quo unless and until the Committee and the Executive Branch can reach an accommodation,' Burck wrote in his Tuesday letter to Nadler. White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said Tuesday that the Russia investigation is 'case closed.' 'I don't anticipate that that takes place,' Sanders told ABC News' 'The Investigation' podcast Tuesday, when asked whether the White House will allow McGahn to comply with Democrats' request. Trump told reporters last month, after Democrats subpoenaed McGahn to testify further on the Russia report, that he would now allow McGahn to testify in Congress White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said Tuesday that the Russia report was 'case closed' and she didn't see McGahn complying with Democrats request to turn over documents related to the special counsel investigation 'We consider this to be a case closed and we're moving forward to do the work of the American people,' Sanders said. 'This is nothing more than a big dog-and-pony show.' Trump also asserted that he never ordered McGahn to fire special counsel Robert Mueller, which was focused on in the Russia report. Last month, after Democrats subpoenaed the former White House attorney for additional testimony on the directive, the president told Dailymail.com and other reports outside the White House that he would not allow McGahn to testify. 'With all of this transparency, we finish, no collusion, no obstruction. And then I get out and the first thing is, 'Let's do it again.' And I said, 'That's enough, we have to run a country,' Trump said before departing for Indianapolis, Indiana to speak at a National Rifle Association conference on April 26. 'And frankly, when I go through it with the House and the Senate and we have no collusion, no collusion, no obstruction, no obstruction. Then, again we have to go through it?' Trump lamented. 'This is a political witch hunt. We did nothing wrong, and the only thing I did is make our country stronger If I'm guilty of anything, it's that I've been a great president.' Id just posted a snarky Trying, but currently failing, to muster up a semblance of enthusiasm for this royal baby tweet yesterday afternoon when I received an urgent text message from my mother. Think back to how you felt when your little lot were born, she wrote. You dont want people ruining it. Of course, she was right, as mothers usually are. It was needlessly churlish of me to express such public disinterest in the birth of Meghan and Harrys son. I may not be a great personal fan of my former friend the Duchess of Sussex, for reasons Ive discussed too many times now, but the birth of any baby should always be a time for celebration. It certainly was for me. The births of my four children were all moments of quite wondrous excitement. There really is nothing more earth-shatteringly powerful than the arrival of a newborn child, blinking and shrieking its innocent, vulnerable way into the big, bad world. Prince Harry looked delighted as he announced the birth of his son yesterday, above left. The baby and Meghan (pictured in late pregnancy with Harry above right) have not yet been seen in public since the birth - breaking with royal tradition No wonder Prince Harry sounded so ecstatic, proud and slightly dazed. Its an experience, particularly with your first baby when you have no real idea what to expect, that frankly dwarfs anything else life has to offer. So I found Harrys impromptu speech outside Frogmore Cottage home very touching. Amazing! he gushed, absolutely incredibleIm thrilled Im just over the moon! The sheer unadulterated joy written all over his face said it all. I remember that feeling. You never forget it. Babies bring out the best in people reminding us all that what really matters in life is family, friends and good health. They also offer a chance for reflection, for taking a few beats to contemplate where your life has taken you so far and where you want it to take you next. This royal birth has come after a highly turbulent year for Harry and his American bride; one thats been dominated by a lot of surging fame and fun, but also by a lot of feuding. First, Harrys bitter long-time battle with the press. The headstrong Prince has made no secret of his disdain for the media, and especially newspapers, still holding them responsible for his mothers death in a Paris road chase with paparazzi. Prince Harry has a longstanding disdain for the media which is borne from the blame put upon the paparazzi in the death of his mother, Princess Diana (above) I get why he feels so antagonistic towards the fourth estate, but I urge him now to let it drop before it makes him look ridiculous and hypocritical. The birth of this baby, the first mixed race child born to the British royals, should be a moment for national, and indeed global, celebration. But Harry and Meghan declared they wanted the birth plans to remain private. Entirely their right! screamed their supporters. But is it? Part of the deal of being a Prince is that you share your happy family stuff with the public. Its what you do in return for all the palaces, servants and endless luxuries that go with the title much of which is paid for by the taxpayer. As a result of this rather petulant act of defiance, yesterday became a guessing-game farce. It was a home birth! shouted some headlines. It was a hospital birth! shouted others. It was kept very private as to whether the royal baby was born at home in Frogmore Cottage, as the Duchess had wanted (top right), or in a private hospital like the Portland in London (top left). Not even the official announcement outside Buckingham Palace (top) revealed the birthplace of the little boy The Palace didnt say either way, mindful of Harry and Meghans demand for privacy. In fact, in transpired that Harry and his royal security team had conducted a late-night cloak-and-dagger operation to squirrel his wife out of their home to a private hospital in London, evading the camped-out press and fans. Even senior royals were left in the dark. The bizarre subterfuge continued when we were officially told shed gone into labour eight hours after shed actually given birth. And when it was finally confirmed the baby had indeed arrived, details of the medical team that delivered the little boy, which are usually included in royal birth announcements, were curiously omitted. So the public were left uninformed of basic harmless facts and the media left to speculate in the very way Harry claims to find so annoying. The couple also refused to do the normal post-birth royal baby photo-op either. I suspect that Meghan, a Hollywood actress by trade, didnt want to risk looking anything but as perfect as possible before they finally do a picture tomorrow. But this exclusionary treatment of the media is ultimately self-defeating: without media attention, interest in the royals would quickly die. They shun us at their peril. Meghan knew the deal when she married Harry, and voluntarily signed up for public life. Harry knows the deal too, but chooses to ignore it and use the media only when it suits him. That, Im afraid, is not how it works. Its time he made peace with the press, even if its through gritted teeth. The second feud is between Harry and William, and, as a consequence, between their wives too. There have been persistent rumors about the tension that exists between the two royal couples (picture together above at an official engagement) Im told on good authority theres been genuine tension between the two brothers, much of it originating from Williams understandable elder sibling concern that young Harry was rushing into marriage with a 36-year-old American divorcee. As a result of their arguments, Harry has deliberately ploughed an increasingly unconventional royal route with Meghan positioning themselves as the new international royal rock stars, unrestricted by the sense of duty Duke and Duchess of Cambridge must observe as Britains future King and Queen. This, in turn, has annoyed William and Kate who are being made to look like boring irrelevances by comparison. Harry and Meghan need to cool their celebrity jets and understand their place in the structure of the Monarchy. William and Kate MUST be the biggest stars, just as the Queen and Prince Philip have been for over 60 years, and Prince Charles and his wife Camilla will be when he accedes to the throne. Harrys son is already just 7th in line to the throne, and like his father will slip ever lower as he gets older. In the general scheme of royal succession, Harry and Meghan are unimportant. But their thirst for global celebrity threatens to diminish the brand of the future Monarch, and that cant be allowed to happen. So this silly on-going feud between the Fab Four must stop, for their sakes and the sake of the Royal Family. Finally, Meghan needs to make peace with her father Thomas. Their ugly falling-out has blighted the royal fairy-tale ever since the wedding. Meghan has been estranged from her father Thomas Markle, pictured together with his daughter top and bottom left, and alone near his home in Mexico bottom right, since before her wedding to Harry Yesterday, Thomas made a very gracious statement saying, I am proud that my new grandson is born into the British royal family and I am sure that he will grow up to serve the crown and the people of Britain with grace, dignity and honour. God bless the child and I wish him health and happiness, and my congratulations to my lovely daughter Duchess Meghan and Prince Harry, and God save the Queen. These words sounded like a carefully honed olive branch to me, and it is one Meghan should not be too stubborn to seize. When I interviewed Thomas last November, he said he hoped the baby would bring him and his daughter closer again. Im certainly hoping that Ill get to see a little Meghan or a little Harry, that would be very nice, he said. I think shell make a great mum and I think that maybe things will soften a little bit and maybe we can connect again. Thomas has brought much of Meghans wrath onto himself, and I say that as someone who also feels a lot of sympathy for the way he was blown into turmoil by the royal maelstrom that disrupted his quiet retirement. But he remains her Dad, and the man about whom, until she met Harry three years ago, she regularly professed her undying love and gratitude for on social media. Im sorry, but Harry cant endlessly bang on about mental health, and the urgent need to reach out to people suffering from loneliness or ill health, but still refuse to even meet his father-in-law, knowing the torment the estrangement is putting Thomas through. Nor can Meghan persuade me, after the loving way she talked about her father when we met in my local pub, that the split between them makes her anything but miserable. They should take their son to meet his grandfather as soon as possible and heel the heart-breaking rift before its too late. Babies are wonderful things. Let this one be the catalyst not just for radical change in the cultural identity of the British Royal Family but also for an end to the feuds currently putting a large cloud over his parents sunshine. As my mother would say: You dont want people ruining it. Hillary Clinton's closest aide was shocked to learn that hackers were trying to penetrate the then-secretary of state's private email server in 2011, according to an email the FBI recently declassified and quietly released online. 'omg,' Huma Abedin wrote Clinton IT aide Justin Cooper on January 9, 2011, after he told her that he was forced to temporarily pull the server's plug because of a breach attempt. The document is part of a 277-page file that also includes detailed notes from an FBI agent's interview with Cooper, who admitted that doors to the 'secure' rooms installed in the Clintons' homes in Chappaqua, New York and Washington, D.C. were sometimes left open along with safes inside. The file reveals that the FBI this year lost its notes of a 2015 meeting with the Intelligence Community Inspector General on an unspecified Clinton-linked topic, and that Clinton's aides at one point 'lost most of' the emails related to her private server as she transitioned out of the State Department. Cooper, who set up the server, admitted in the same interview that as Clinton was transitioning out of the State Department to private life in 2013, her staff 'lost most of' the emails related to the 'clintonemail.com' domain where her messages had been stored. The 'omg' episode came after Cooper notified Abedin on a Sunday night that the domain's server would be offline until the following day. 'I had to shut down the server,' he wrote. 'Someone was trying to hack us and while they did not get in i didn't want to let them have the chance to.' Huma Abedin, a longtime confidant of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, reacted with horror in 2011 at news that the Clinton family's private email server was the subject of hacking attempts; she's pictured last year in New York City Clinton's unsecured server, where government email messages from her Blackberry were stored for four years, was regularly the target of foreign hackers and contained hundreds of classified documents Abedin sent an 'omg' message to Clinton IT guru Justin Cooper in January 2011 after he told her that he had to 'shut down the server' because it was under attack The next morning Abedin alerted top State Department deputies Jake Sullivan and Cheryl Mills: 'Don't email HRC [Hillary Rodham Clinton] anything sensitive. I can explain more in person.' That suggests Clinton's staff was in the habit of sending sensitive materials to her, outside of the government systems that protect officials from prying spies. Abedin was Clinton's longtime personal aide, a deputy chief of staff at the State Department and later deputy campaign director for her ill-fated 2016 White House run. Like Clinton, she had a 'clintonemail.com' address. The pair also shared marital troubles in common: Bill Clinton's legendary extramarital conquests, and the criminal teen sexting saga involving Abedin's ex-husband Anthony Weiner. The hacking attempt, one of many during the years Clinton kept both her government and personal correspondence on an unsecured email server including hundreds of classified documents was described publicly in 2016. But Abedin's horror at the news has gone unreported. It's recorded in a single email, one of 277 pages of materials that turned up on the FBI's Freedom of Information Act file server in the past 72 hours. An FBI agent's hand-written notes from a March 2, 2016 interview of Justin Cooper shows the Clinton IT expert said the 'Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities' (SCIFs) in both of the Clintons' houses sometimes had 'open door[s],' even when Clinton wasn't there; he also said the SCIFs had safes, but he had 'no understanding' of when they would be open or closed The same agent noted later in the interview with Cooper that he said there was a door with a 'metal key code' on the SCIF at the Clintons' D.C. home, but it was 'not always locked' The FBI's 'vault' web page, where it distributes FOIA materials that attract wide public interest, listed parts '1 of 32' through '31 of 32' of its publicly releasable documents on Tuesday morning. It's unclear why part 32 has been hidden, but it lives on the same file server where the thousands of other pages reside. The newly released PDF file includes an agent's hand-written notes from interviewing Cooper, who described Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities (SCIFs) installed at the Clintons' two homes. At the D.C. house, the notes relate, Cooper said the SCIF was a 'small office converted by the DoS [Department of State],' and that he had removed its door to replace it with a 'temp door w/ [a] metal key code.' The agent wrote next that the door was 'not always locked.' The agent noted earlier in the March 2, 2016 interview that the SCIF at the Chappaqua home shared the same problem. 'Open door not always secured, sometimes when HRC not @ residence was not closed,' he wrote, adding '(both resid[ences].' He also noted that Cooper told him there were 'safes in SCIF' but that he had 'no understanding of when [they were] open/closed.' The agent's notes about the SCIFs' open safes never made it into his dictated report on the Cooper interview, which the FBI transcribed five weeks later. The lax security at the Chappaqua home could be problematic because Bill Clinton was in the habit of entertaining guests while his wife was in Washington. Secret Service agents gave one, socialite Julie Tauber McMahon, a free pass to come and go as she pleased. They nicknamed her the 'Energizer' for her frequent rendezvous with the former president, a reference to the indefatiguable mechanical bunny in TV ads from the 1980s. The Clinton email saga gripped the nation's attention for most of the presidential general election season, until the FBI's then director James Comey closed the file in July 2016 without charging her with mishandling classified information. Although foreign intelligence services tried to gain access to the Clinton server, it's not clear whether they ever succeeed. Far more damaging was a successful hack on her campaign chairman John Podesta's Gmail account, a move that put thousands of pages of embarrassing material on display via a release by WikiLeaks. The newly available documents from the FBI describe an episode from 2013, when Clinton was transitioning out of her job as America's top diplomat. These declassified pages show an episode three months ago where the FBI was unable to find notes from a meeting with the Intelligence Community Inspector General about an unspecified topic that was related to Clinton The data from her server was at the same time being moved to Platte River Networks, a small IT firm in Colorado. In order to 'formalize [a] new office' for Clinton and 'set up staff accounts,' Cooper said, he needed a new email domain. That, he said, meant the 'clintonemail.com' domain was 'going away.' In the shuffle of moving, he told the FBI agent, someone 'lost most of clintonemails.' The State Department, the agent wrote, 'didn't have [a] system for archiving' messages. Cooper and other IT experts 'don't know if [the] admin[istration] did [a] backup.' When news of the private email server was first published, the State Department, then led by John Kerry, demanded its contents in order to be able to comply with future FOIA requests. Clinton and her lawyers have said they deleted tens of thousands of those messages because they concerned 'personal' matters, not government work. It's unclear whether the 'lost' emails from Clinton's State Department tenure were restored, whether they represent the ones Clinton said she deleted, or if there's a different explanation. At the time, Cooper told the agent, former President Bill Clinton wanted Platte River Networks to archive the emails because they were 'good w/ tech stuff.' The firm was later exposed as a tiny operation with little experience that kept its computer servers in a bathroom closet. Clintonworld's inept data handling made news in 2015 when the Senate Homeland Security Committee found evidence of hack attempts on Clinton's server in 2013 and 2014. Chairman Ron Johnson, a Wisconsin Republican, revealed his correspondence with a Florida-based computer security firm that first flagged the attacks. Internal Clinton emails cited in one letter suggested that the now-infamous server went at least three months without any kind of threat-detection system before the Clintons hired the company. President Donald Trump made the server's lack of data security a major issue in 2015 and 2016, mocking how Clinton commingled classified material with ordinary emails, demanding to know where her deleted messages were, and sparking chants of 'Lock Her Up!' after the FBI declined to prosecute. The political chronicle gave birth to hundreds of FOIA requests, including one for which the FBI sought notes of a 2015 meeting with the Intelligence Community Inspector General. Three pages from Tuesday's release describe the FBI declaring the notes 'missing' and an agent noting that the event concerned the 'MYE,' or 'Mid-Year Review,' the Bureau's unofficial nickname for the Clinton probe. MIRANDA WILLIAMS (University of Bristol) - October 13, 2016 The 19-year-old philosophy student from Chichester had struggled with anxiety and depression, and took her own life with a drug overdose. She was only in her first term at the university, and was praised by her mother as 'an amazing young woman' with a 'wonderful circle of friends'. A coroner concluded Miranda's death was suicide. Philosophy student Miranda Williams, 19, had struggled with anxiety and depressio DANIEL GREEN (University of Bristol) - October 21, 2016 The 18-year-old history fresher, who lost his mother aged two to cancer, was found hanging in his room at university. An inquest was told he had started talking about starting counselling services, but had been in 'good spirits' just two days before his death. In a narrative verdict the coroner concluded Daniel had taken his own life KIM LONG (University of Bristol) - November 10, 2016 The 18-year-old law student was just starting his first term at the university but was found dead in his halls of residence after leaving a note for his parents. Mr Long was described as a 'highly intelligent' young man with 'a sense of humour' by his parents, and had not shown any signs of depression. The coroner concluded Kim's death was suicide. Law student Kim Long (left), 18, and James Thomson (right), 20, were both found dead LARA NOSIRU (University of Bristol) - January 30, 2017 The 23-year-old student from Essex took a large number of sleeping tablets and some LSD before jumping off Clifton Suspension Bridge in the city. Lara had suffered from depression for several years and tried to kill herself on several previous occasions. In a narrative verdict the coroner concluded Lara took her own life. ELSA SCABURRI (University of Bristol) - March 20, 2017 Miss Scaburri, a 21-year-old student, had been suffering with depression when she was found hanged in a barn after leaving a note on her bed. The modern languages student was said to have gone 'downhill' quickly during a year abroad in Italy and came back to Britain to be with her mother. The coroner concluded Elsa's death was suicide. Elsa Scaburri (left), 21, and Lara Nosiru (right), 23, are also Bristol students who died RAVEN HUNT (University of West England) - April 13, 2017 The 21-year-old sociology student, who had a history of anxiety, hanged herself in woods near the city. Her family later spoke of their devastation. Her mother Emmy Hunt, who has three other children, said she is now on anti-depressants and gets panic attacks following the death. SAM SYMONDS (University of West England) - May 1, 2017 The 19-year-old student, who was described as 'so lovely', was found dead after his friends raised the alarm when he had not been seen. His girlfriend and flatmate came home from work to find police at the flat, who told her that he had killed himself. A post mortem found he died from hanging. In a narrative verdict the coroner concluded Sam took his own life. Sam Symonds (left), 19, and Raven Hunt (right), 21, were both students in Bristol JAMES THOMSON (University of Bristol) - October 25, 2017 The 20-year-old maths student had been battling depression for about 18 months before his body was found by a friend in his bedroom. During an inquest, his parents questioned why the university did not do more to get in touch with them when they found he was suffering from depression The coroner concluded James's death was suicide. JUSTIN CHENG (University of Bristol) - January 12, 2018 The law student from Canada, who was in the third year of his degree, is believed by police to have taken his own life. The university said the news was 'immensely distressing', adding that their 'thoughts and sympathies are with his family and friends'. The coroner concluded Justin's death was suicide. ALEX ELSMORE (University of Bristol) - April 21, 2018 The 23-year-old electrical and engineering student from Liverpool took his own life by jumping from Clifton Suspension Bridge. The undergraduate, whose father is Guy, 52, the Archdeacon of Buckingham in the Diocese of Oxford, was originally from Liverpool and had four siblings. The coroner concluded Alex's death was suicide Natasha Abrahart, left, and Ben Murray, right, both killed themselves last year NATASHA ABRAHART (University of Bristol) - April 30, 2018 Second-year physics student Natasha Abrahart was only 20-years-old when she was found dead in her flat having taken her own life. In February she wrote to tutors to tell them she had had suicidal thoughts, and later that month tried to kill herself. An inquest is scheduled for May BEN MURRAY (University of Bristol) - May 5, 2018 First-year student Ben Murray took his own life in May. His father has since appealed for universities to do more to share information about at-risk students. An inquest has been opened into his death. Four women were freed 'safe and sound' on Tuesday after being held hostage for five hours by an armed teenager at a bar on the outskirts of the southern French city of Toulouse, officials said. The 17-year-old hostage-taker remained holed up alone in the establishment in the northwest Blagnac suburb of the city for a couple of hours afterwards before finally being arrested following protracted negotiations, Interior Minister Christophe Castaner said on Twitter. The teen, 'who is nearly 18, has a police record for incidents of violence, notably against police officers, for robbery, and also for participating in December in a "yellow vest" (anti-government) protest during which he was arrested,' Toulouse chief prosecutor Dominique Alzeari earlier told a news conference. Four women hostages were 'safe and sound' on Tuesday night after being freed following a five-hour standoff between police and a 17-year-old Yellow Vest gunman The siege started when the gunman fired shots inside a bar in Toulouse, then threatened to shoot at police when they tried to approach After the women were freed the teenager spent another two hours negotiating with police before eventually giving himself up Officers said the boy, who is almost 18, has been in trouble with the law before but was not considered dangerous before this incident He was not 'someone who was classed as dangerous' previously, he said. The gunman, who was not identified publicly, burst into the bar in the afternoon, firing two shots and allegedly warning he would fire on police if they approached, Alzeari said. He left a letter at his home 'in which he seemed fairly depressive, or at least worried about his state of health, and he made mention of the 'yellow vest' movement but stating that the act he was about to commit would not go beyond what turned out to be not so impressive,' he said. The mayor's office in Blagnac said earlier there was 'no suspicion of a terrorist motive' in the incident, an evaluation shared by police. The gunman released the female owner of the bar first, then a short time later the three other women who some witnesses said included bar staff. A delivery man who said he knew the father of the gunman told media outside the police cordon at the scene that the teen, named 'Yanis', was a local resident from a nearby downmarket neighbourhood. He said police had brought the mother to the scene, apparently to help with negotiations. The hostage taker reportedly threatened to shoot at police before French RAID (Search Assistance Intervention Deterrence) police officers arrived at the scene President Trump envisions a 'big door' that immigrants with skill sets the U.S. wants will be able to walk through, a White House official said Tuesday of a new push within the administration to overhaul existing laws. Under such a system it wouldn't be necessary for Trump to send illegal immigrants to sanctuary cities, the person said, touching on an interim proposal the president claims he's developing. 'I think that if this plan gets enacted, then the amount of illegal immigrants coming into this country should plummet,' the senior official told DailyMail.com, 'because you'll have the secure border and you'll have the ability to detain, adjudicate - with due process - and then remove people who coming in illegally.' The person added, 'And then we'll have a big door, which is the people who are coming in legally will be able to come in in a much simpler, expedited fashion, and that's what we, I think, should expect, and aim for as a country.' President Donald Trump says he'll resort to 'harsh measures' to address problems in the immigration system, if Democrats continue to stand in the way of his overhaul President Trump threatened on Tuesday morning to resort to 'harsh measures' to address problems in the immigration system, if Democrats continue to stand in the way of his overhaul. The Republican president tweeted before a meeting with GOP senators to say, 'Democrats in Congress must vote to close the terrible loopholes at the Southern Border. If not, harsh measures will have to be taken!' He did not elaborate on the threat or an immigration proposal his White House is preparing to present to lawmakers. Fresh off his criminal justice reform success, Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner is leading the effort. He said last month that he was days away from submitting his plan to Trump, but the White House has yet to say what's in it. An official revealed Tuesday evening that Trump would focus in securing the border, protecting American wages and recruiting the best and brightest migrants, however. Family reunification and the preservation of humanitarian values were also said to be important but were not at the top of the White House's list of considerations. The senior official who spoke to a group of reporters said Trump will reveal a more detailed plan when he's ready, and the meeting with senators was merely a first step in putting together a coalition. 'I think he was very happy with the meeting today. I think we got a very positive reaction from people whose opinions he wanted to seek, and I think that was a good step forward to validate a lot of his instincts on what he wanted to produce and the work that he has subsequently done,' the official stated. White House press secretary Sarah Sanders told DailyMail.com and other reporters before the briefing that the afternoon meeting with senators was meant to be a 'sounding board' for options rather than a directive on how to proceed. She stressed that the immigration plan is the president's, not Kushner's, even though the senior White House official was the one who developed it. 'It's the president's plan, it would be weird for him not to sign off on it,' she said. Later, a senior official, who requested not to be named, reinforced the White House's point of view. 'This is President Trump's immigration plan,' the person said during a readout of the meeting with senators. 'We had a good opportunity to share with them the outline that we've been working on, and then get some of their feedback, so it was a very constructive meeting. We'll work on further refining it based on some of the things we heard today,' the Trump aide stated. Trump is trying to avoid the mistakes Republicans made the first time they attempted to secure enough votes for an immigration overhaul after he assumed office, the White House official intimated. 'People are always too quick to try and rush in to make deals,' the person explained. 'Once we have finalized what we believe is the right position, we'll try to unify as many of the Republicans around that as possible, and then we'll see.' The person suggested that Democrats could come on board without much wrangling if the White House goes about rolling out its plan correctly. 'Maybe the Democrats will like it. a lot of them say they're for border security, a lot of Democrats say they're for a merit-based system and so I think that we're taking the first step of putting together these ideas in a very detailed format, and hopefully, that starts a very positive discussion,' the Trump aide said. White House Social Media Director Dan Scavino, left, Eric Trump, center, and White House senior adviser Jared Kushner are seen at the White House on Monday. Kushner is leading the White House push for an immigration overhaul Kellyanne Conway, counselor to the president, suggested to DailyMail.com and other reporters Tuesday morning that the new plan would be similar to one Trump sent to Congress his first year in office Kellyanne Conway, counselor to the president, suggested to DailyMail.com and other reporters Tuesday morning that the new plan would be similar to one Trump sent to Congress his first year in office. 'This president submitted to Congress, in October of 2017, a 70-point immigration plan, that has never been acted on,' she noted. Conway said Trump prioritizes securing the border, ending chain migration and the visa lottery and moving to a merit-based immigration system. 'This president has shown in the past a serious willingness to solve our Dreamers and DACA challenges, as well,' she said. 'So Jared Kushner and others have been talking about for awhile a big immigration plan, and we're happy that the senators are coming over to be briefed on that.' She declined to say, in response to a question from DailyMail.com, what is different about the new plan that Trump will be selling to senators. The senior White House official suggested that the political climate could make immigration reform easier the second crack of the bat. 'That the Democrats actually come to the table and their serious about it, because this will be our second attempt. Where's their plan? What is their idea?' she said. Specific details of the plan are still under wraps, however. 'I'll let them reveal it later,' she said when pressed. 'The president could not be more clear, all through the campaign, through the transition.' The White House said last week that it would reveal its immigration overhaul in the 'next couple of weeks' and it was 'still in the process of figuring out all the details' of a related sanctuary cities proposal. Kushner said last month that he would turn his immigration reform draft into Trump by last week. It was expected to focus on the legal immigration and the president's desire to move to a merit-based system. Sanders subsequently told Fox News, 'We're still working through that process. I expect that to be over the next couple of weeks that plan will be rolled out. In the meantime we're still calling on Congress to help us fix some of the immediate things that could be done.' The official who talked to reporters on Tuesday night explained that Sen. Lindsey Graham was leading the short-term effort, which focuses on a immediate relief at the border. Trump did not elaborate on the threat or an immigration proposal his White House is preparing to present to lawmakers in a Tuesday morning tweet Trump said that he'd be relying on Graham, who wasn't at the White House on Tuesday, to help pass his grand immigration reform plan, also. He also did not say what's in a potential deal but said it would prioritize merit-based workers. 'They have skills, they have talent. We have people coming in under these crazy laws that I mean under these crazy laws that I mean if they if they need welfare or if they need hand outs in the next 50 years, they theyre almost incentivized,' he said. 'Those are the people that were supposed to be taking and we take as few as possible of them, Ill tell you.' Kushner previewed the plan at a Time 100 summit in April. He said he'd submit it to Trump by the end of the month. He said he solicited senior White House adviser and immigration hawk Stephen Miller's input, as well as Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers Kevin Hassett's. 'And I say that If that if I can get Stephen Miller and Kevin Hassett to agree on an immigration plan, then Middle East peace will be easy by comparison,' he joked, making reference to another big issue he's working on for the president. He said the first issue he looked at as he put it together was border security, including a wall or a barrier. Kushner said he'd spent a lot of time with border security professionals, learning what option would be most effective. 'We want to protect our country's humanitarian values. We want to make sure we're reunifying families, and we want to do this in a way that allows our country to be competitive long term,' he said. 'And my hope is we can really do something that unifies people around what we're for on immigration.' Authorities in east China have now banned 'vulgar and violent' hazing rituals at weddings. Pranks such as tying grooms to trees or telephone poles, pouring beer and sauce on them or throwing eggs at them are now forbidden, according to the new directive issued by the government of Shen county in Shandong province on May 1. Wedding hazing is an ancient Chinese tradition aimed at expelling evil spirits on couples' big days, but the practice has been spiraling out of control in recent years with a number of violent incidents reported. Pranks such as tying grooms to trees or telephone poles, pouring beer and sauce on them or throwing eggs at them are now forbidden, according to the new directive issued by the government of Shen county in Shandong province on May 1 A bridegroom in China is forced to wear women's underwear during a hazing ritual Besides grooms, parents, brides and bridesmaids can all fall victim to practical jokes, sexual innuendo and humiliation. Such detestable practice could cause psychological harm to the victims and even life-threatening injuries, the notice said. 'The ancient rituals have lost meaning,' it said. 'Anyone who engage in such vulgar behaviour should be punished.' Other unacceptable behaviour include asking the bride and groom to perform embarrassing stunts and offenders would be punished for disturbing social order, the notice added. Besides grooms, parents, brides (right) and bridesmaids can all fall victim to practical jokes, sexual innuendo and humiliation during such wedding pranks In November, a 24-year-old man's big day in Guizhou province ended in tragedy when he was hit by a car while trying to escape pranksters who had stripped him down to his underpants The warning has been extended to local officials who were asked to set a good example. In December last year, the Ministry of Civil Affairs condemned wedding hazing practices and called for it to be reformed. Ceremonies should integrate Xi Jinping Thought, the Chinese president's political ideology, and traditional culture to combat negative social trends and wrong values, the ministry previously announced. Officials will be urged to provide personalised, sacred marriage registration ceremonies to draw people away from holding lavish celebrations. Last month, a bridegroom in Tanshan, Hebei province was forced to wear women's underwear and stockings, then tied to a tree by his friends in a prank. In October 2017, a groom in central China's Zhengzhou city nearly died on his wedding day last year after guests strapped him to a tree and emptied half a dozen fire extinguishers in his face during the stunt In November, a 24-year-old man's big day in Guizhou province ended in tragedy when he was hit by a car while trying to escape pranksters who had stripped him down to his underpants and beaten him. His friends had thrown eggs at him, covered him in beer and ink, tied him to an electricity pole and thrashed him with bamboo sticks, prompting him to flee the ritual. In October 2017, a groom in central Zhengzhou city nearly died on his wedding day last year after guests strapped him to a tree and emptied half a dozen fire extinguishers in his face during the stunt. In the same month, a best man in Dongying, Shandong province has been knocked into a coma after being hoisted in a chair above a crowd and swung up and down till he fell. Lyft driver Alexander Sowa, 34, is charged with the sexual assault and kidnapping of a passenger in Illinois A Lyft driver in Illinois is accused of sexually assaulting a passenger he picked up on Thursday morning, taking her to two different locations to carry out his attacks. Alexander Sowa, 34, picked up the woman around 6.45am in the Chicago suburb of Elk Grove. Police said she had been drinking. According to the police complaint Sowa took the woman to a parking lot near Busse Road and Oakton Avenue in Elk Grove Village and sexually assault her. The report states Sowa later drove to a parking garage on the first block of a South Emerson Street adjacent to the Mount Prospect Village Hall and library where he assaulted her again. Eventually the woman was able to escape and located a person who called 911. But she was in the car for hours and the call was made around 9.55am. A regular car journey from her pick-up to where she had requested to be dropped off in Des Moines might have only taken 15 minutes. Detectives from both areas in which the alleged attacks took place are investigating. Data recorded on the ride-hailing app supports her account. To help with safety measures Lyft provides real-time ride tracking and digital receipts. She requested to go to Des Moines at 6.45am but claims the Lyft driver drove to a parking lot near Busse Road and Oakton Avenue in Elk Grove Village and sexually assault her Sowa then drove to parking garage nearby Mount Prospect Village Hall and library and assaulted her again, according to complaint. Victim escaped and found someone to call 911 Sowa, of the nearby Wheeling area, was arrested Thursday. His bond was set at $10,000 during a court hearing this Saturday after he was charged with sexual assault and kidnapping. Sowa who in 2013 pleaded guilty to a drug charge and was fined - is charged in two separate districts for the alleged assaults and in the Elk Grove district for kidnapping. He was released from Cook County Jail after posting bail and was due to appear in a Rolling Meadows court Tuesday. Lyft told DailyMail.com they carry out professionally administered criminal background checks and continuous criminal monitoring. The ride-hailing company said Sowa was barred from working for or using the app as soon as they learned about the alleged incident. Sowa pleaded guilty to a drug charge in 2013 (pictured at the time) and was fined 'Immediately upon becoming aware of the allegations we permanently banned the driver from the Lyft community and reached out to the passenger to express our support,' Lyft told DailyMail.com in a statement. 'We have been in touch with law enforcement to offer our assistance with their investigation.' The company maintains there is absolutely no place in their community for harassment or violence of any kind and notes it has worked hard to design policies and features that protect those using the app. They also have a dedicated Trust & Safety team available through a 24/7 Critical Response Line to report any safety concerns. Lyft added in the statement: 'Safety is our top priority. The behavior described is deeply disturbing and absolutely unacceptable.' More generally they remind users that they provide license plate numbers in the app for riders to match with the vehicle, as well as photos of the driver and vehicle. Lyft also urges passengers to check the details of the vehicles make, model and color. Georgia city mayor Theresa Kenerly was photographed leaving a city council meeting amid calls for her and a council member to resign following racially charged comments. Kenerly and council member Jim Cleveland serve in the mostly white north Georgia city of Hoschton (pronounced HOOSH-ton), where Kenerly is accused of refusing to consider a black candidate for a position based on his race. In documents released by the city and obtained by the The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Council member Hope Weeks wrote that the mayor told her Keith Henry was a good candidate for city administrator 'but he was black and we don't have a big black population and she just didn't think Hoschton was ready for that.' Kenerly said she doesn't recall saying that. At a tense city council meeting on Monday, Councilmember Susan Powers called for resignations of the mayor and her fellow Councilmember Cleveland. Cleveland earlier told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that he abhors interracial marriage because he's a Christian. Hoschton, Georgia Mayor Theresa Kenerly (pictured at right) was photographed being escorted out of a city council meeting on Monday amid calls for her to resign following racially charged comments Hoschton is an overwhelmingly white suburban community of fewer than 1,500 people located 50 miles northeast of Atlanta. The mayor said in a statement that she doesn't recall making a comment about Henry's suitability for city administrator based on his skin color. Weeks said Henry, who lives in Texas and was one of four people vying for the job, was a finalist for the position before withdrawing to accept another position. Kenerly, 62, allegedly said that Keith Henry, who was vying for the job of city administrator, was a good candidate 'but he was black and we don't have a big black population' Kenerly (left) said in a statement that she doesn't recall making such a comment about Henry. Council member Jim Cleveland (right) defended the alleged comments, however Cleveland (right), who also had to be escorted out of the meeting on Monday, added, 'When you see blacks and whites together, it makes my blood boil because thats just not the way a Christian is supposed to live' Council members are calling for both Kenerly (pictured in pink) and Cleveland to resign Speaking to Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Henry said he was not surprised by the revelation about Kenerly's alleged bias. 'It comes with the territory,' he told the paper. 'If you live in America as a minority you cant be naive that it is the reality that you face.' Kenerly, who was elected the mayor of Hoschton in 2013 after previously serving on the city council for six years, allegedly made the comment concerning Henry's race in a whisper to a member of the city council during a closed-door council session on March 4. Kenerly, who was elected the mayor of Hoschton in 2013 after previously serving on the city council for six years, allegedly made the comment concerning Henry's race in a whisper to a member of the city council during a closed-door council session on March 4 Kenerly, pictured above posing with former Republican presidential hopeful Herman Cain, allegedly claimed that Hoschton was not ready for a black city official In the wake of the scandal, Kenerly will no longer be playing an active part in interviewing candidates for the city administrator job. In the wake of the scandal, Kenerly will no longer be playing an active part in interviewing candidates for the city administrator job. 'Since she corrupted this entire process by trying to shield the application of Mr. Henry from Council members and then making the comment to the effect that while he is qualified he should not be considered because he is black and the city is not ready for this, she should not be a part of this hiring process,' Councilmember Powers wrote in an email to other city officials. Cleveland, however, defended the mayor, suggesting that she was 'looking out for' Henry because their city is 'not Atlanta' and does not have a large minority population. 'Since she corrupted this entire process by trying to shield the application of Mr. Henry from Council members and then making the comment to the effect that while he is qualified he should not be considered because he is black and the city is not ready for this, she should not be a part of this hiring process,' Councilmember Susan Powers (pictured) wrote in an email to other city officials Cleveland (left) defended the mayor (right), suggesting that she was 'looking out for' Henry because their city is 'not Atlanta'H Hoschton City Council members called for both Kenerly and Cleveland to resign over their comments at a meeting on Monday, where protesters (pictured) showed outrage over the statements According to the most recent US Census data, more than 93 percent of the city's population is white and just over 4 percent is black. 'I dont know how they would take it if we selected a black administrator. She might have been right,' he said, before launching into a tirade against interracial marriage. 'I have black friends, I hired black people,' he noted. 'But when it comes to all this stuff you see on TV, when you see blacks and whites together, it makes my blood boil because thats just not the way a Christian is supposed to live.' Kenerly grew up in Hoschton and has two children and five grandchildren. Besides serving as a mayor, the 62-year-old works as a real estate agent. Both Weeks and Powers, who are also white, told The Jackson Herald they think Hoschton and Cleveland should resign over their statements on race. Immigration officers were filmed clashing with protesters during a raid on a 130million construction site today. The video, taken in Kingswood Street, Brighton, shows a woman standing in front of a Home Office van and blocking its path before falling to the ground - as officers armed with batons attempt to remove her. Since 10am immigration authorities have been conducting searches on the Circus Street Development site, and a handful of protesters chanting open borders slogans had appeared at the scene. Pictured: An officer clasps his baton during the encounter on Kingswood Street in Brighton A woman was filmed standing in front of a Home Office van before collapsing to the ground Roughly 100 workers had left the site and were watching the incident unfold, the Argus reported. In the footage, officers are seen dealing with the woman in the street, and one can be heard saying 'back off' as he pushes back a member of the public who rushes over. At one point an officer was seen clasping his baton, and demonstrators - including the woman on the floor - chant 'no borders, no nations, stop deportations!' Officers are seen speaking to the woman as she lies in the street, and a small crowd watch the situation unfold - with several onlookers filming the incident on their mobile phones. Immigration officers and protesters were seen clashing near the Circus Street Development site in Brighton The Home Office van is then seen reversing away from the scene. Jacob Berkson from Brighton Migrant Solidarity - the group demonstrating against the police action - had said the protest was about 'preventing immigration snatching people from our community and putting them indefinitely in detention'. He told the Argus: 'We are a peaceful resistance to a hostile environment. 'We're here to support these people so [immigration officers] will think twice before coming back to our town.' One witness, Adrian Hart, had said officers and dogs were going into the site, and a large number of workers were 'expelled' from the site and were 'sitting around in the sun'. A meeting between residents, developers U&I and building company Henry Construction is due to take place this evening, according to reports. A spokeswoman for U&I had said they are committed to ethical practice and that the company was aware that Home Office officials had visited the site. A Roma gipsy has been convicted of kidnapping a British bar worker and stripping her naked before stabbing her and hacking off her hair in a 'ritual shaming'. Eliana Isabel Almeida Carvalho, 24, was sentenced to six and a half years in jail in the Algarve in Portugal, where she was tried for abducting and assaulting Leighanne Rumney, 22, from South Shields. The attack on Ms Rumney took place in a Portuguese forest in May 2015 after Carvalho wrongly believed that the bar worker was having an affair with her partner. Ms Rumney was stabbed and had her long blonde hair chopped off before fleeing with blood pouring from gashes in her back. She crawled onto the road as she flitted in-and-out of consciousness and was able to flag down a car. Leighanne Rumney, 22, from South Shields was the victim of the horrific attack in a Portuguese forest in May 2015. She was left with cuts all over her back (right) After she was convicted of the horrific attack, Carvalho screamed abuse at the female judge, shouting 'You are a wh***, a little wh***' in Portuguese. Her mother, Rute Isabel Fernandes Almeida, 40, and a third Roma gipsy tried over the attack were acquitted. Despite her conviction for aggravated kidnap and her verbal attack on the sentencing judge, Carvalho was allowed to walk free from court pending an appeal. Ms Rumney was not in court for the sentencing. A furious Eliana Isabel Almeida Carvalho, 24, leaving court after she was convicted of the attacked and sentenced to six and a half years The judge, one of three who tried the Roma gypsy trio, told the Brit's attacker: 'It was an aggravated kidnapping because it was accompanied by torture and it was cruel, degrading and inhuman treatment. 'In deciding on the penalty, we considered the lack of regret and the fact that the violence used was excessive, gratuitous and senseless.' She added: 'The victim was left in fear of her life and she was forced to leave the country.' Ms Rumney was working as a waitress at The Hot Shot Bar in the party resort of Albufeira when she caught the eye of a local gypsy regular. She said she spurned his advances but his family became convinced they were having an affair and lured her into a trap to exact ritual revenge. Prosecutors told the court two female attackers including Carvalho had turned up at the bar Ms Rumney was working at, persuaded her to get into a car driven by a third suspect, and took her to a remote spot where she was 'abandoned to her fate in a wild, isolated and unfamiliar place, naked and seriously wounded and bleeding to death' after being kicked and stabbed. Ms Rumney was taken to a forest where she was stripped naked and stabbed in a 'ritual shaming' She also had her long blonde hair chopped off before fleeing with blood pouring from gashes in her back She lost two litres of blood and needed emergency surgery after staggering into the road to flag down a passing car. Her attackers stabbed her and hacked her hair off with scissors before stripping her clothes off. Her sister Kayleigh Ann shared an online appeal for financial help after the traumatic attack. She wrote: 'My sister moved to Portugal for a new exciting adventure only to be violently attacked by three people who punched and kicked her as well as attacking her with knifes and a pair of scissors. 'She survived the ordeal with seven stab wounds, various marks and a 30cm cut on her head and she also lost two litres of blood. 'They cut her hair off as a sick jealousy ritual. She lost two litres of blood and needed emergency surgery after staggering into the road to flag down a passing car Ms Rumney was working as a waitress at The Hot Shot Bar in the party resort of Albufeira when she caught the eye of a local gypsy regular, allegedly Carvalho's husband 'I would like to raise as much money so we can fly out to see her as well as buy her a wig to replace her beautiful long blonde hair. 'She is such a strong person and she escaped with her life. This could have been a lot worse. Please help me raise enough money to restore her confidence and get our family over there to see her and help her get justice.' Ms Rumney, who is now back in the UK, revealed before the trial started that she no longer takes showers because she is haunted by the feeling of blood pouring down her back. Speaking of the gipsy regular who she was accused of having an affair with, she said: 'I noticed this man was taking an interest in me when I was working behind the bar but I didn't fancy him and never dated him. She is now back in the UK and revealed before the trial started that she no longer takes showers because she is haunted by the feeling of blood pouring down her back 'But his family seemed to think we were having an affair and wouldn't listen to me when I tried to explain nothing was going on. 'I was very naive and made the mistake of accepting a lift home from them and realised straight away I was in trouble. 'They drove me 45 minutes away from where I lived to a remote spot then opened a bag which I saw contained a knife and scissors. 'I was convinced they were going to kill me and was so scared I didn't move or speak as the two women stripped me naked and started stabbing me in the back. 'They finally took the scissors and chopped off all my hair - it was some kind of a ritual to shame me - then left me with blood pouring from my wounds. 'I thought I was going to bleed to death.' The trio tried at Portimao court come from Porches near Albufeira. Judge Patricia Avila, revealing why she was acquitting Eliana's mother and alleged driver Tiago Filipe Loures Soutenho, 22, said: 'This court finds it has been proven the guilty woman acted with the help of two other people, a male and a female, whose identities have not been able to be established. 'There's no conclusive evidence Tiago Soutenho perpetrated the crimes he was accused of and the Portuguese consulate in Dusseldorf has submitted evidence to show the other defendant was there at the time so couldn't have been involved.' Meghan Markle's half-sister Samantha has told DailyMailTV that she is delighted to be an aunt again and hopes to meet her new nephew one day. Samantha, 54, of Virginia Beach, Virginia, said she wants Meghan to know that she has a whole family in the US who are thrilled for her and said she thinks the newest addition to the royal family will grow up 'to be an exceptional man'. But she also reiterated her calls for Meghan to connect with their father Thomas Markle Sr, 74, and said 'life is too short' for them to remain estranged. Speaking in an exclusive interview with DailyMailTV, she he said: 'Well I love it! I'm already an aunt and am lucky enough to have Thomas and Tyler as my nephews. Meghan Markle's half-sister Samantha Markle tell DailyMail TV she is delighted to become an aunt again after the Duchess of Sussex gave birth to a baby boy Monday She reiterated her calls for Meghan to connect with their father Thomas Markle Sr, 74, and said 'life is too short' for them to remain estranged Samantha hopes this new addition will bring Meghan back together with the family, saying: 'We've extended the olive branch and now it is Meghan's turn' 'I spent a lot of time with them when they were babies and I love them. Family is family. 'What I think is incredible is that it's a great moment historically and although the adults have a lot of water under the bridge, I would really like to see everyone reach out. 'We've extended the olive branch and now it is Meghan's turn.' The Duchess of Sussex gave birth to her first child in the early hours of Monday morning with her mother Doria Ragland and husband Prince Harry by her side. The baby boy, who arrived more than a week overdue, was born in hospital, and weighed in at 7lbs 30oz. A clearly delighted Prince Harry appeared on TV the same day to give an update on mother and son and said both were doing well. He added: 'We're both absolutely thrilled and so grateful to the love and support from everybody out there. 'It's been amazing so we just wanted to share this with everybody.' In a statement released by Buckingham Palace, Los Angeles-based Doria, 62, said she was 'overjoyed' by the arrival of her first grandchild. Meghan's estranged father Thomas Markle Sr released a statement congratulating Harry and Meghan but it remains unclear if he will ever meet his sixth grandchild Samantha said she would love for their father 'to be part of the baby's life,' and said 'Meg is his baby too' Prince Harry was clearly delighted to be a new father as he discussed the news in an impromptu press conference at Windsor Castle Royal staff confirmed the news with a traditional message on an easel outside Buckingham Palace. The notice pointedly failed to name the physicians who helped with the birth, as is tradition Markle Sr, who has spent the run-up to the birth alone at home in Mexico, also spoke out about the arrival of his new grandchild his sixth and said he wished the baby health and happiness. He added: 'My congratulations to my lovely daughter Duchess Meghan and Prince Harry and GOD save the Queen.' Yesterday, he did not respond to messages asking for further comment and did not answer the door at his modest Baja California home. Eldest daughter Samantha said she discovered she had become an aunt for the third time shortly after the birth, and was given the news by a friend in LA. Despite having not spoken to her sister since 2008, she told DailyMailTV she hopes to be a part of her new nephew's life and pointed out that the little boy is as much a Markle as he is a Windsor. 'We're all welcoming the baby Markles, Raglands, Sussexes, Windsors. In terms of the gene pool, we've all made a contribution to this wonderful little boy who will probably grow up to be an exceptional man and we'd like to treat this as if we're all a big family. 'It would be nice not to react to what we've heard in the news but to personally meet him and let him judge us for himself. Meghan has distanced herself from her half siblings Samantha Markle and Thomas Markle Jr (pictured) but the family hope the birth of the child will inspire the Duchess of Sussex to make amends Samantha's daughter Noelle, 21, is one of Thomas Markle Sr's five grandchildren. Samantha has two other children Ashleigh, 33, and Chris, 31, who both live in Virginia. Thomas Dooley Markle (left) and Tyler Dooley Markle (right) are the son of Thomas Markle Jr and Tracy Anne Dooley (center). They are Meghan's nephews 'I want him to know he's got a big family and he's part of an amazing historical time and we're all excited for him. 'We're excited for Meg and Harry - I am really excited for her. I love her, she's my baby sister and it doesn't matter what we've all said back and forth but she's got to do the right thing. 'I just want to say Meg, you've got a world here and a family here [in the US] that's excited for you.' Mother-of-three Samantha also said she hoped the new arrival would help heal the rift between Markle Sr and youngest daughter Meghan, telling DailyMailTV she wants her father to meet his new grandchild his sixth. She said: 'I would really love him to be a part of the baby's life. But more than that, Meg is his baby too. 'I want Meg to be part of his life, I want Meg to be able to share this beautiful time with him in whatever way she can. I think it's important for her too. 'I hope something sticks with her that she decides to do the right thing for my dad. Life is short and we're family. I hope she decides to do the right thing this time.' Ashley Ann Smith, 30, is facing 30 charges in connection with sending images of 'explicit and private' photos of vulnerable elderly patients to her boyfriend A Pennsylvania nurse who took multiple 'explicit and private' photos of vulnerable elderly patients is facing 30 charges including invasion of privacy and abuse of care. Ashley Ann Smith, 30, of Dravosburg, sent around 20 photos of at least 17 patients, some of them nude, to her boyfriend between May 2017 and August 2018, according to Allegheny County police. Smith is alleged to have taken the photos at at Kane McKeesport Community Living Center, an Allegheny County nursing home. Smith is accused in the criminal complaint of sending the images to her boyfriend and father of her child, Ron Whittaker, 36. Whittaker previously worked at the facility and reported Smith to the hospital's administration on April 5, and the center's administrator immediately alerted police, as reported by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Whittaker, who was living with Smith, until they separated late last year hasn't been criminally charged in connection with the photos. Whittaker was arrested in October for allegedly assaulting Smith, the case against him is pending. The images show elderly patients in the care home 'in need of immediate care and private situations,' the complaint states. A video on Smith's phone also showed a nude patient allegedly undergoing a medical procedure. Smith is alleged to have taken the photos at at Kane McKeesport Community Living Center, an Allegheny County nursing home (pictured above) Some of the images 'have the sole purpose to humiliate the patients,' according to the complaint. Smith was suspended without pay after the photos were discovered and was fired on Wednesday. She handed herself in to authorities on Friday. Smith's attorney, Frank Walker declined to comment on the specific allegations against his client. 'Right now, the Constitution affords her the presumption of innocence, and she stands firmly on that,' Walker told the Post-Gazette. Smith is also facing child pornography charges after two pornographic photos of a two-year-old girl were found on her phone, according to the criminal complaint. Lori Rushe told the newspaper Kane Community Living Centers had notified the patients involved, where appropriate and their families. Rushe's 90-year-old father who has dementia was allegedly one of Smith's victims, police said. 'I think it's pretty heinous,' Lori Rushe told the newspaper. 'That is total elder abuse.' 'You're taking advantage of people who don't know their name, where they're at or anything. That is so disturbing,' Rushe added. Advertisement British war hero Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery hung portraits of Nazi generals - including a signed photo of his nemesis Erwin Rommel - on the walls of his caravan in order to get to know his enemy. The Allied commander, affectionately known as Monty, went on to defeat 'Desert Fox' Rommel's Afrikakorps in a battle widely hailed as one of the turning points in the Second World War in October 1942. Three of his caravans, including one in which Winston Churchill stayed in while visiting north Africa, are kept at the Imperial War Museum in Duxford, Cambridgeshire, but they are not open to visitors and kept in low light to protect their interiors, reports the Times. Two of the three were captured by the Allies - the first, from Annibale Bergonzoli in February 1941 in Libya, and the second from another Italian general in May 1943 - while the third was custom built in Manchester. British war hero Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery hung portraits of Nazi generals - including a signed photo of his nemesis Erwin Rommel - on the walls of his caravan in order to get to know his enemy The Allied commander (pictured here in 1946), affectionately known as Monty, went on to defeat 'Desert Fox' Rommel's Afrikakorps in a battle widely hailed as one of the turning points in the Second World War in October 1942 Two of the three caravans, pictured, were captured by the Allies - the first, from Annibale Bergonzoli in February 1941 in Libya, and the second from another Italian general in May 1943 - while the third was custom built in Manchester Winston Churchill, who became friends with Monty and even invited him to holiday with him in the south of France after the war, said of the battle: 'Before Alamein we never had a victory. After Alamein we never had a defeat.' Pictured: Field Marshal Sir Alan Brooke, Churchill, and Monty in Normandy in 1944 The Battle of El Alamein: Turning point in WWII More than 4,000 Allied servicemen lost their lives and almost 9,000 were wounded in the combat that saw General Sir Bernard Montgomery's troops defeat German general Erwin Rommel's Afrika Korps. Under the command of Montgomery, nearly 200,000 British, Australian, New Zealand, South African, British Indian, Free French and Greek forces defeated the Axis powers. At the time of the battle, which began on October 23, 1942 and ended on November 4, the Allies were fighting to keep their vital supply lines open from the Mediterranean to the East. Rommel had inflicted heavy defeats on Allied forces in Africa, forcing them back to the village of El Alamein, about 60 miles west of Alexandria. Finally, on October 23 General Montgomery ordered a counter-attack with almost 900 guns levelled at the German positions to be discharged at once. While previously the Suez Canal was threatened, and with it Allied access to the rich oilfields of the Middle East, now the Allies were able to press their advantage and eventually push the Germans and Italians out of Africa. Advertisement The museum is planning to take a number of 360-degree photos inside the well-preserved vehicles to give the public a glimpse into Monty's life as 'the Spartan general' as the 75th anniversary of D-Day approaches. Inside, there are portraits of German generals, and even a Nazi eagle which curators at the museum believe he kept to serve as a reminder of the enemy. He also kept a small statue of St George and the Dragon. John Delaney, head of Second World War collections at the museum, told the Times: 'He saw himself, perhaps, in that mould. He was fairly egotistical.' Monty, who died aged 88 in 1976, fought in both the first and second World Wars, reaching the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel in 1917. In 1942, the famous general took command of the British Eighth Army in North Africa, leading more than 200,000 at the Battle of El Alamein. The counter attack he lead eventually saw the Allies pushing the Germans and Italians out of Africa. Winston Churchill, who became friends with Monty and even invited him to holiday with him in the south of France after the war, said of the battle: 'Before Alamein we never had a victory. After Alamein we never had a defeat.' The Imperial War Museum in Duxford, Cambridgeshire, is planning to take a number of 360-degree photos inside the well-preserved vehicles to give the public a glimpse into Monty's life as 'the Spartan general' as the 75th anniversary of D-Day approaches Inside, there are portraits of German generals, and even a Nazi eagle which curators at the museum believe he kept to serve as a reminder of the enemy. Pictured: Montgomery inside one of the caravans during the Second World War Monty kept a small statue of St George and the Dragon on his desk (pictured). John Delaney, head of Second World War collections at the museum, told the Times: 'He saw himself, perhaps, in that mould. He was fairly egotistical' Monty, who died aged 88 in 1976, fought in both the first and second World Wars, reaching the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel in 1917. In 1942, the famous general took command of the British Eighth Army in North Africa, leading more than 200,000 at the Battle of El Alamein. Pictured: Monty in 1946 (left) and on his 80th birthday (right). A former high school yearbook adviser is suing amid claims she was scapegoated by New Jersey school officials after references to President Trump were removed from students' photographs - sparking public outcry in 2017. Teacher Susan Parsons, 64, says Wall Township High School officials requested the changes but then set her up to 'take the blame' when the act emerged. The lawsuit stems from the scrubbing of Trump slogans from the clothing of several students; one who wore a sweater vest with Trump's name on it, and another who wore a T-shirt carrying the words 'Trump Make America Great Again'. The lawsuit stems from the scrubbing of Trump slogans from the clothing of several students; one who wore a sweater vest with Trump's name on it, and another who wore a T-shirt carrying the words 'Trump Make America Great Again' Parsons was subsequently suspended and, upon returning to work for the 2017-18 school year was, 'disrespected and ridiculed by students and other persons who believe she was responsible for editing the Trump T-shirt in the 2017 yearbook,' according to the complaint. Parsons also claims the district created a hostile work environment that led to harassment and death threats against her and violated her rights by barring her from speaking to the media. The teacher is seeking damages and asking that the district's policy that prevented her from telling her story to the media is struck down as unconstitutional. Wyatt, a junior, wore a sweater vest with a Trump logo to picture day, but when he got his yearbook, the small logo had been cropped out. 'What happened to her is really just egregious,' said her attorney, Christopher Eibeler. In her suit, Parsons claims the district routinely forced her to edit yearbook photos to alter anything that could be controversial, including words on T-shirts, hand gestures and students not wearing shirts on a school trip. A school secretary, who had final say over the pages as a proxy for the principal, told her to edit the T-shirt photo, she claims. The complaint states that each page of every yearbook was' 'closely reviewed and examined by several members of the administration,' including the principal and vice principals, who signed off on the yearbook after requesting various edits. 'During these conversations, (Parsons) and the administration often disagreed about the direct edits and what (Parsons) believed to be improper censorship to the yearbook,' the complaint states. 'Directed edits included requests to Photoshop, crop and delete photos or content in the drafts of the yearbook pages.' When the editing emerged in 2017, the school faced fierce criticism from Trump supporters. Montana Dobrovich-Fago, the then-freshman class president, had submitted a Donald Trump quote to go beneath her picture. But when she got her yearbook, the quote wasn't there, even though the other class presidents were included, even the senior class president's quote by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. She told WABC her submitted quote was: 'I like thinking big, if you're going to be thinking anything, you might as well think big. By Donald Trump.' In her suit, Parsons claims the district routinely forced her to edit yearbook photos to alter anything that could be controversial, including words on T-shirts, hand gestures and students not wearing shirts on a school trip Montana says she submitted the quote on time, but it still didn't show up. Her brother Wyatt, a junior, wore a sweater vest with a Trump logo to picture day, but when he got his yearbook, the small logo had been cropped out. At first he thought it wasn't anything to worry about, but when he found out his sister's quote hadn't been included, he told WABC he thought: 'That's kind of crazy, two things against Trump in a way.' Another junior, Grant Berardo wore a navy blue Make America Great Again t-shirt with a much larger logo to picture day. When he got his yearbook, the logo had been completely blacked out, even though plenty of other students' logos were not. Grant's father, Joseph Berardo, said they made sure there were no dress code restrictions before the junior wore his shirt. 'It was the first election he took an interest in, and it was an interesting way to memorialize it,' Berardo told the New York Post. 'I thought it was pretty cool that this guy was running for president,' Grant told NJ.com, speaking about Trump. Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro was filmed dancing to rap music during a deadly uprising aimed at removing him from power. Protests have proliferated throughout the country since opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself acting president on January 23, and tensions increased last week when Guaido called for an uprising by troops loyal to Maduro. The attempted uprising set off two days of violent clashes between security forces and protesters that left five people dead, dozens injured and more than 233 arrested. But last Thursday Maduro was seen dancing on stage to rap music in footage uploaded to his Twitter account where he declared he had shared an 'extraordinary encounter' with the young people of his country. Nicolas Maduro, pictured left, was seen dancing to a live music act as his country faced a revolt More than 2,000 people have been arrested in the country for political reasons since the beginning of the year, most of them detained during anti-government protests, an NGO has reported. 'Between January 1 and the month of May 2019, 2,014 persons have been arrested, the majority of them protesters,' said Alfredo Romero, head of Venezuela's Foro Penal prisoners' rights NGO. More than 800 are still in detention, Romero told a press conference. He said 339 people were arrested after the failed uprising and the demonstrations that followed on April 30 and May 1, adding that 82 were still in jail. On Monday, Venezuela's Attorney General Tarek William Saab had said the number of people arrested in the protests sparked by the failed uprising was 233. Venezuela has suffered five years of recession that has seen more than 2.7 million people flee poverty and insecurity since 2015, according to United Nations figures. Protests have proliferated throughout the country since opposition leader Juan Guaido (pictured) declared himself acting president on January 23 Venezuela has suffered five years of recession that has seen more than 2.7 million people flee poverty and insecurity since 2015, according to United Nations figures Of the 30 million people left behind, the UN says almost a quarter are in desperate need of humanitarian aid. The United States and some 50 countries recognise Guaido as the legitimate head of state - while China and Russia have backed Maduro. Guaido, the president of the country's national assembly, invoked Venezuela's constitution in January to declare himself interim president of the country, arguing that Maduro's 2018 re-election was illegitimate. Maduro - who has said Guaido is a puppet of Washington - has sought to show that the military remains on his side, but opposition leaders and US officials have said that support is tenuous. Guaido has tried to keep up the pressure with massive street protests, but his latest call for demonstrations on Saturday drew only several hundred people. He rejected suggestions that his opposition movement was flatlining, however. 'On Saturday, I think the protest was fulfilled. A key goal for us was to redirect it toward non-violence,' he said. A neighborhood mystery has been solved after residents were left baffled when their garage door openers and car key fobs stopped working for several weeks. City Councilman Chris Glassburn announced on Saturday that he had cracked the case that had blighted residents of several streets in North Olmsted, Ohio, since the middle of April. For several blocks surrounding Virginia Avenue, residents began to notice that their wireless car keys and garage door openers had stopped working. Resident Cory Branchick thought at first that her key fob had stopped working because of a dead battery. For several blocks surrounding Virginia Avenue (above) in North Olmsted, Ohio, residents began to notice that their wireless car keys and garage door openers had stopped working 'So, I got a battery and that didn't work,' she told WKYC-TV. 'It only happens when I'm in the driveway ... Anywhere else, when I got to work or when I go to the grocery store, the key fob works.' Slowly, Branchick began to hear similar stories from neighbors, discovering about 10 residents on her Virginia Avenue cul-de-sac who had similar issues with their car keys. Posts on social media attracted comments from residents on neighboring blocks - they too were having problems with their car keys or garage openers. But cellphones and WiFi seemed unaffected. Even more strangely, not all cars seemed to be hit by the issue. City officials and utility companies got involved as complaints continued to mount. Electric utility First Energy sent workers to the neighborhood and temporarily shut down power service, but the problem persisted. After neighbors shared stories of car key fobs that stopped working only when they were at home, conspiracy theories began to spread blaming a nearby NASA research facility A local news station even hired a retired engineer to survey the neighborhood with a $15,000 spectrum analyzer. The search seemed to lead to a utility pole, but the engineer couldn't be certain. Conspiracy theories began to circulate. Some residents believed that the issue was caused by experiments at a NASA facility a few miles away. Others pointed the finger at the nearby Cleveland airport. Then on Saturday, Councilman Glassburn went on his own research mission with Bill Hertzel, a retired communications worker. Hertzel used a de-amplifier to find the source of the jamming signal after muting it. Glassburn says the signal was so powerful, it threw off other detection devices until the de-amplifier was employed. The device led them directly to a home, where they found the homemade device after the resident invited them inside. City Councilman Chris Glassburn (above with wife) discovered the true cause on Saturday, a homemade alarm system built by an amateur inventor that was generating jamming signals Glassburn did not want to identify the homeowner, who he said has special needs. He said that the device generating the signal was built to inform the homeowner when there was movement in the house while he was tinkering in the basement, by turning off a basement light. Glassburn said the device had no malicious intent, and the inventor who built it was unaware of the havoc it was wreaking in the neighborhood. 'The device, which ran on a battery backup, was identified and disabled,' Glassburn wrote in a statement to Cleveland.com. 'There will be no further interference and the resident has agreed to not make such devices in the future. There are no implications for the future or other communities in this matter,' he said. This is the moment a determined cat, born with rare brain condition known as 'wobbly cat syndrome', decides to tackle a flight of stairs. The footage, captured by owner Maria Skold, 27, from Connecticut, shows the two-year-old black moggy Thorin, who was born with the neurological condition cerebellar hypoplasia, stumble multiple times as he tries to climb up the stairs. Refusing to be deterred, the cat, named after the dwarf in The Hobbit, succeeds in finally reaching the top. Two-year-old black moggy Thorin, who was born the neurological condition cerebellar hypoplasia, stumbles as he tries to climb up a flight of stairs in Connecticut The determined cat tumbles on multiple occasions but still continues to walk on ahead Despite the difficult climb, Thorin, who lives with owner Maria Skold, manages to reach the top of the stairs Ms Skold, who looks after the cat with her wife, insists that the feline leads a happy life and thinks he is 'the most normal cat in the world'. She said: 'We were aware of his condition before we adopted him. 'It present us with some unique situations for his comfort. 'My wife was in vet school when we got him, she is now a trained and certified veterinarian which is awesome because it means he gets top notch care. 'After having done some research on the condition we understand it does not cause him pain, it doesn't increase the likelihood of other diseases or conditions, and it does not decrease his lifespan. 'We also can tell from our own experiences that he is happy. 'As for other people's reaction to him, if you were to see him try to walk it is very obvious that something is different. 'People most often feel bad for him, however, if you spend enough time around him you start to realise he doesn't think he is different at all. Maria Skold insists that the feline leads a happy life and does not feel as though he is different The persistent cat, named after the dwarf in The Hobbit, sways from side to side as he tries to climb up the stairs Following its challenging climb to the top, the cat finally manages to conquer the flight of stairs 'He thinks he is the most normal thing in the world and that he is awesome - he's very much a cat in that way. 'He's very friendly and most people really do come around to seeing how happy he is once they spend some time with him.' The couple first came into contact with Thorin, full name Thorin Oakenshield, when he was being fostered by a fellow student. After falling in love with Thorin the second time they looked after him they decided to take him into their home. Ms Skold added: 'There are some things we have to do differently for him. 'We have litter boxes that are super big because he lays down when he uses them, and if the sides are too low he may go over the side. 'We do have stairs in our current residence and they are carpeted so he can go up and down them - very awkwardly, I might add. 'We have to accept that any furniture we have will get claw marks on it because he can climb up them but he uses his claws he can't just jump up. 'We have also made him some ramps to get onto a shelf that's next to a window that he likes to look out of. 'The other big thing is the backpack we carry him in. 'Since he doesn't walk very well we put him in a backpack when we go out with him.' Police have identified the second woman whose body was found in a freezer in a flat in east London last month. Hungarian national Henriett Szucs, 34, has been named as the second victim found at the ground-floor flat in Canning Town on April 27. Officers broke the news to the family of the woman, who is believed to have last been heard from in the summer of 2016, over the weekend. Ms Szucs moved to the UK from Miskolc in Hungary in September 2014, but lost all her money and her passport after being robbed in north London. After the attack, she moved in with her boyfriend, but when that relationship ended, she found herself homeless, reports the Ilford Recorder. She spoke to a reporter visiting The Welcome Centre, a charity helping the homeless which is run by Healthy Living Projects, about her experiences in March 2015. On Friday, mother-of-three Mihrican Mustafa, 38, also known as MJ, was confirmed as the first victim. She had been missing since last May. Hungarian national Henriett Szucs, 34, has been named as the second body found at the ground-floor flat in Canning Town on April 27 Police believe Ms Szucs, pictured, was last heard from in the summer of 2016 when she spoke to somebody she knew in Hungary on the phone Pictured: Forensics officers leaving the flat in Canning Town, east London, where she was found while investigating last month A post-mortem examination has been carried out which showed both victims suffered 'multiple injuries', but no formal cause of death has been established. Zarhid Younis, 34, who lived in the flat, appeared in court last week charged with two counts of preventing a lawful burial. According to Facebook, Ms Szucs, who was from Miskolc, moved to Ilford in east London in May 2015. Police have said she had been in the UK for several years but had no fixed address. The defendant was not at home when police went to check up on him after concerns were raised for his welfare, Wimbledon Magistrates Court heard. Prosecuting, Jessica Gill said electricity at the property had failed and the freezer had therefore started to defrost. Officers subsequently found two partially decomposed female bodies in a chest freezer. A 50-year-old man arrested nearby on suspicion of murder has been released under investigation. Mihrican Mustafa, pictured, was confirmed as the first victim on Friday At a press conference last week, Detective Chief Inspector Simon Harding said the crime scene is 'one of the most challenging and complex' he has seen in 28 years. He told reporters: 'It's such an unusual scene. I haven't really seen something like this where the nature of the two bodies being frozen as they are. 'They are clothed, which I can say, and that's also causing a complexity to it as we wait to start a post-mortem.' Mr Harding said there were no signs of any injuries on the women who had been fused together in the freezer. Today Mr Haring said: 'Now we know Henrietts identity, we would appeal for anyone with information about her and in particular her association with the address in Vandome Close where she was found to come forward. 'We understand she was last heard from in the summer of 2016 when she spoke to somebody she knew in Hungary on the phone; we need to establish if that was the last known contact with Henriett and I would ask anyone who heard from her after that time to contact my team. 'We also continue to also ask for help to piece together the last movements of MJs life. We need to build up a full picture of both of these womens lives, whether they knew each other, who they associated with and what they were doing in and around Vandome Close and the Canning Town area. 'The way in which they died is truly shocking and our heart goes out to these womens friends and families.' Before Ms Mustafa, who lived in Canning Town, was officially identified, her older sister Mel Mustafa, 47, said: 'I wish the police would have listened to us earlier. Ms Mustafa, a mother-of-three, had been missing since May 2018. Zarhid Younis, 34, who lived in the flat, appeared in court last week charged with two counts of preventing a lawful burial Police on scene outside the building in Canning Town where two bodies were found 'They failed and I'm not scared to admit it anymore.' Flanked by a cousin, she told MailOnline last week: 'It's my baby sister... I can't believe she is dead.' 'She was the most kind-hearted person you could meet. Detective Chief Inspector Simon Harding said: 'The way in which they died is truly shocking and our heart goes out to these womens friends and families.' Pictured: Ms Szucs 'The police have been keeping me updated but I've not had any confirmation. I now have to hope that she's still alive.' Police said the apartment had been used by 'transient members of the community' and had been linked to drugs. Mr Harding appealed for anyone who has visited the flat in the past year, or knows anyone who has, to come forward. He said: 'I would appeal to anyone who has visited this address over the last year, or has information about people who frequented the property, to come forward and speak to my team. 'I am aware that casts a wide net in terms of my appeal but we do need to build up an accurate picture of life at that flat and what occurred there.' The Metropolitan Police said it had referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct in accordance with agreed protocols for the deaths of missing people. Penny Mordaunt appeared to be settling into her new role as the first female Defence secretary today as she attended a meeting at Number 10 with the head of Britain's Armed Forces. The 46-year-old, who was appointed last week to replace Gavin Williamson, went to Downing Street with General Sir Nick Carter, the Chief of the Defence Staff and her principal military adviser in her new role. Unlike her recent predecessors Ms Mordaunt comes from a military background, serving as a Royal Navy reservist. Earlier on Tuesday she had been in Downing Street to attend her first Cabinet meeting in her new job. Penny Mordaunt with General Sir Nick Carter in Downing Street today Ms Mordaunt in Downing Street today (left) and (right) leaving Westminster Abbey on Friday after a service for the 50th anniversary of the UK's nuclear deterrent She has vowed to 'channel her inner Nelson' in her new role, putting up a picture of Britain's greatest naval hero in her office in the MoD as one of her first acts in charge. The former International development Secretary - a prominent Brexiteer - was installed last Wednesday after Gavin Williamson was dramatically booted out of the Government over a leak involving Chinese media giant Huawei. Her first official engagement was on Friday, when she joined the Duke of Cambridge at Westminster Abbey to commemorate Britain's nuclear submariners, just hours after being promoted to replace sacked Gavin Williamson. The service, attended by 2,000 naval representatives and their families, was in recognition of the Royal Navy's commitment in maintaining Operation Relentless the longest sustained military operation ever undertaken by the UK. Ms Mordaunt said: 'We pay tribute to those incredible crews, their supportive families, the Royal Navy and the thousands of industry experts who will continue to sustain this truly national endeavour for many years to come.' While at the event she wore an honorary submariners' badge. The silver dolphin pin is awarded to submariners when they complete the final part of their training and, in an old tradition, they have to catch it between their teeth while drinking a tot of rum. A Royal Navy source told the Mail on Sunday: 'The dolphin was a really nice touch. Went down very well at a difficult time.' The former International development Secretary - a prominent Brexiteer - was installed last Wednesday after Gavin Williamson was dramatically booted out of the Government over a leak involving Chinese media giant Huawei Meanwhile Ms Mordaunt's replacement at International development today insisted his ambition to replace Theresa May would not interfere with his job running thedepartment. International Development Secretary Rory Stewart said he was one of at least six Cabinet ministers with their sights on Number 10. But he faced questions about whether he could balance the demands of his first Cabinet job with a leadership campaign. He was questioned by Tory MP Nigel Evans as he appeared before the Commons International Development Committee. Mr Evans asked 'how can we be absolutely convinced that you are committed totally to the job you have just been put into' when 'you could be in a leadership election in the next few weeks'. Mr Stewart, who was appointed in a reshuffle on May 1 following Gavin Williamson's sacking as defence secretary, said he had the advantage of considerable experience at the Department for International Development. International Development Secretary Rory Stewart (pictured today) said he was one of at least six Cabinet ministers with their sights on Number 10 'I completely understand where you are coming from,' he told Mr Evans. 'I have some advantages taking over this job. I am probably the only Secretary of State who occupied every Commons junior ministerial role in this department before I took over. 'I understand therefore our programmes in the Middle East, Asia and Africa in enormous detail.' The former diplomat added that he had spent 'much more of my working life in international development than, I assume, anyone else who has taken over this job'. He added: 'It is true that the Prime Minister has signalled that she is stepping down and therefore I, and at least half-a-dozen other Cabinet colleagues, have expressed interest in succeeding her. 'But I am sure they, like me, will remain entirely committed to doing our jobs as powerfully as possible.' The childhood home of Eva Peron has been turned into an interactive museum to celebrate the 100th anniversary of her birth. Known as Evita, the former first lady lived in the single-story brick house in Los Toldos, Argentina, an agricultural town about 180 miles from the capital. It is where 'Evita' was born on May 7, 1919, although she long tried to hide her origins from the world. Peron was raised poor, barely educated and scorned as illegitimate. The home was finally restored and turned into an shrine in recent months to celebrate the iconic first lady who was adored by many as a champion of the poor and who helped women in Argentina obtain the right to vote. Eva Peron was the first lady of Argentina and was idolized by the poor by standing up for social justice A woman touches a picture of Eva Peron on display at the home-turned-museum 'Casa Museo Eva Peron' in Los Toldos, Argentina. The shrine opened its doors one day ahead of the 100th anniversary of Evita's birth, the home where Argentina's mythical first lady was born A sewing machine sits inside the home where Evita was born and raised until she was age 11 in Los Toldos, a town in the Argentine province of Buenos Aires Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical 'Evita' was a hit in the 1970s. Then came Alan Parker's film starring Madonna based on the musical. A display of Evita's dresses at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art then followed as part of a Christian Dior exhibit. But her childhood was far from a fairy tale. Evita's father, Juan Duarte, came from a well-off family and had moved to Los Toldos to manage a ranch where her mother, Juana Ibarguren, worked as a servant. Since he was married and had children with another woman, Evita was registered under her mother's last name on her birth certificate. Evita arrived in Buenos Aires as a teenager in the 1930s and worked as an actress. At a festival to raise funds for the victims of Argentina's 1944 earthquake, she met Juan Peron, an army general who later served two stretches as president and founded a movement that remains a potent force in the country today. Eva Peron's home in Los Toldos was transformed into a museum named 'Casa Museo Eva Peron' Accessories that belonged to Evita are displayed at 'Casa Museo Eva Peron', a museum in the Argentine province of Buenos Aires Elena Valenti (pictured), a first cousin of Eva Peron, participated in the grand opening of a museum that was once Evita's childhood home Just before becoming Peron's second wife in 1945, her birth certificate was altered to change her birth date and birthplace - an act that caused confusion for years about her origins. The only real proof that she was born in Los Toldos is on display at the new museum: a document that shows that she was baptized at the local Del Pilar parish. 'The fact that the father had two families and all that implies ... had a lot to do with it,' said Los Toldos Mayor Franco Flexas. Eva Peron was the second wife of Juan Peron and was also a radio and screen actress 'A small town can be hell. Everyone knows everyone else. There's no doubt that she was given hostile looks, and that marked her for life.' In this small town named for a cluster of 'toldos' or rustic indigenous homes, Evita has become a legend. A large image of the combative first lady welcomes visitors along the town's main road, shared by cars, bikes and stray dogs. Downtown, a statue of the charismatic woman with her arms spread wide pays tribute to one of her popular speeches as the co-leader of Peronism. 'She's from here. They just cut out the page (of birth records) and transferred her to Junin,' said Armando Montalli, a 73-year-old retiree, referring to the city where she was registered on her modified birth certificate. Montalli, who sells Evita memorabilia and other handcrafts at the town's square, said he hopes the new museum will clear any doubts about the origin of 'the standard-bearer of the poor.' The Peronist party acquired Evita's childhood home in the 1980s from a local family and turned it into a sanctuary of sorts for sympathizers. The home was declared a national historical monument in 2002, and five years ago it temporarily closed for renovations to turn it into a modern museum. The objects on display include the sewing machine that Evita's seamstress mother used to support her children after Duarte died in a car accident in 1926. His wake left a lasting memory on the future first lady. It was then that she found out that her father had another family. Evita grew up hearing the sound of her mother's sewing machine's needle punching through the fabric. When she became first lady, she created the Eva Peron Foundation and gave away thousands of sewing machines to women. The walls of the home are decorated with previously unreleased photos of a young Evita that were taken by a local photographer. In a 1921 photo, she is dressed like a bee. In another, five years later, she poses next to her sister Erminda, both dressed as sailors. Walking slowly with the aid of a cane, Elena Valenti looks at the photos that capture memories of her cousin. 'Eva deserved this recognition, even when she was so humiliated when she was alive,' said the 89-year-old Valenti, who lives in Los Toldos. 'I don't know if she suffered during her childhood, but it was sad.... Only a chosen one can do what she did.' Newspapers clippings announcing the death of Eva Peron are displayed at her home-turned-museum named 'Casa Museo Eva Peron'. It opened Monday, a day before the 100th anniversary of her birth Visitors gathered around to look at photographs of Evita which are on display at the home where she grew up which has now been turned into a museum A transcript of a text by Evita's sister Erminda is also on display. It says that Evita asked the biblical three wise men for a life-sized doll. When she woke up on Jan. 6, she found a doll, but it was missing a leg. 'Out mom told her that the doll had fallen off a camel,' the sister wrote. 'What she didn't tell her is that she bought the doll almost for nothing because it was broken. But she did tell her that the (wise men) had brought her the doll so she could take care of it.' Evita's meeting with Peron would transform her life and the lives of millions of Argentines. Many now credit her activism and passion for things that are central to Argentine culture today - from widespread desires for social justice and equal rights to a shared assumption that society's poorest deserve the government's help. 'I knew it suddenly and by suffering,' Evita, who died in 1952 from cancer at age 33, wrote in her autobiography. 'I couldn't accept social injustice.' This photograph taken in 1926 photograph shows Eva Peron (right) with her sister Erminda A US Air Force veteran filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday to remove a Bible on display at a memorial at New Hampshire's veterans hospital because it is a violation of the First Amendment. The Bible was carried by a prisoner of war in World War II and became part of the Missing Man Table honoring missing veterans and POWs at the entrance way of the Manchester VA Medical Center in Manchester, New Hampshire. The Department of Veterans Affairs said Tuesday the table was sponsored by a veterans group called the Northeast POW/MIA Network. An Air Force veteran has filed a federal lawsuit seeking the removal of this Bible from the POW/MIA memorial table on display at New Hampshire's Manchester VA Medical Center The lawsuit filed in Concord, New Hampshire, by James Chamberlain against the center's director, Alfred Montoya, said the Bible's inclusion is in violation of the Constitution. The First Amendment stipulates 'that the government may not establish any religion. Nor can the government give favoritism to one religious belief at the expense of others,' according to the suit. Chamberlain, a devout Christian, said in the lawsuit the table should be a memorial to all who have served, regardless of their beliefs. The suit said the original POW/MIA table tradition was started by a group of Vietnam combat pilots and didn't include a Bible as one of the items. The medical center initially removed the Bible in January after another group, the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, objected, saying it got complaints from 14 patients who felt it violated the First Amendment. A variety of religions were represented among the 14 patients who complained. Nine people identified themselves as Protestant or Roman Catholic, while other said they were atheist/agnostic or practiced other faiths, according to the New Hampshire Union Leader. The Bible had been carried by a prisoner of war in World War II, but the lawsuit claims that displaying it on the table is a violation of the Constitution's first amendment The federal lawsuit was filed against the VA center's director, Alfred Montoya (left). Mikey Weinstein (right), of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, called the Bible's inclusion on the table 'offensive' A plane could be seen flying over the Manchester VA Medical Center Tuesday, towing a sign advocating for the removal of the BIble from the POW/MIA table A close up of the banner spotted flying over the VA center on Tuesday But the Bible reappeared on the table in February. It had been removed 'out of an abundance of caution,' Curt Cashour, a Department of Veterans Affairs spokesman, said in an emailed statement Tuesday. Afterward, the medical center received an outpouring of complaints from veterans and others, 'many of whom dropped off Bibles at the facility' in protest, Cashour said. After consulting with lawyers, the medical center put the Bible back on the table indefinitely, Cashour said. He called the table 'a secular tribute to America's POW/MIA community.' He apologized to those who were offended by the Bible's 'incorrect' removal. 'This lawsuit backed by a group known for questionable practices and unsuccessful lawsuits is nothing more than an attempt to force VA into censoring a show of respect for Americas POW/MIA community. Make no mistake: VA will not be bullied on this issue,' Cashour also said in the statement, according to WMUR. But Mikey Weinstein, founder and president of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, said it is the presence of the Bible that is offensive. 'It's incredibly disrespectful, dishonorable, and most importantly, it's illegal,' he said. Police in Oregon have said the nephew of Meghan Markle was injured in a bar fight two days before the Duchess of Sussex gave birth to Baby Sussex. Tyler Dooley, 26, was 'shoved to the ground' in a fist-fight at the Wonder Bur Lounge that involved '15-20 people,' Grants Pass Police Department told The Sun. Dooley, who is the son of Meghan's half-brother, 52-year-old Thomas Markle Jr, was not accused of any wrongdoing in the fray, and said the police description was 'not entirely accurate.' 'Im not a victim,' Dooley said. 'The disturbance is completely separate from me.' The son of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex was born just over 48 hours later, at 5.26am local time in England, weighing seven pounds, three ounces. Scroll down for video Police in Oregon have said Tyler Dooley (pictured), the 26-year-old nephew of Meghan Markle, was injured in a bar fight in front of the Wonder Bur Lounge Police were called to the area in front of the lounge at around 11.15pm on Friday. The 'large fight,' as officers described it, had dispersed before they came on the scene. 'Suspects were unknown and (Mr) Dooley was shoved to the ground,' police said. Dooley, who is a cannabis farmer and starred on the MTV reality shot, 'The Royal World,' confirmed he had injured his leg but said that it was not 'during a fight.' Two days later, on May 6, Prince Harry and Meghan welcomed Baby Sussex. Two days later, on May 6, Prince Harry and Meghan welcomed Baby Sussex. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are pictured in London on March 19 Dooley said his leg was hurt, but it wasn't during the 20-person dust-up, like Grants Pass police said. The Wonder Bur Lounge in Grants Pass, Oregon is pictured Dooley, who appeared on MTV's 'The Royal World,' declined to comment on how he sustained his injury. Dooley was not accused of any wrongdoing related to the fray The son of the Prince Harry (pictured) and Meghan was born just over 48 hours later, at 5.26am local time in England, weighing seven pounds, three ounces Just under one year ago, Dooley made headlines when he was found to have a knife on his person at a London nightclub the night of Prince Harry and Meghan's wedding, on May 19. 'It was a complete accident,' Dooley said at the time. Im a hunter and a fisherman, so I carry the knife around with me at home. I had no idea it was in my trousers when I was in London.' The knife was found on him on May 19 at Bacchus nightclub. 'It was a complete accident,' Dooley (pictured) said at the time. Im a hunter and a fisherman, so I carry the knife around with me at home. I had no idea it was in my trousers when I was in London' 'We were in line at the club and everyone was getting searched,' Dooley said. 'I felt around and realized the knife was in my pocket, so I asked the security guy if he could hang onto it for me. He looked at me like I was crazy like I had just committed murder! 'In the States I have a handgun on me every single day. It is normal we live in the country.' Dooley created a special strain of marijuana to commemorate Meghan's wedding, called 'Markle's Sparkle,' which he announced in April of 2018. Uber drivers are planning to strike tomorrow ahead of the company's stock market flotation - which has been branded an 'unprecedented international orgy of greed'. Protests will be held in London, Birmingham, Nottingham and Glasgow - alongside a nine-hour boycott of Uber's app - before the company is due to go public later this week. The United Private Hire Drivers Branch of the Independent Workers Union of Great Britain said the flotation is going ahead even while drivers' pay issues remain unresolved. Protests will be held in London, Birmingham, Nottingham and Glasgow - alongside a nine-hour boycott of Uber's app - before the company is due for flotation on Thursday (file image) Spokesman James Farra said: 'Uber's flotation is shaping up to be an unprecedented international orgy of greed as investors cash in on one of the most abusive business models ever to emerge from Silicon Valley. 'It is the drivers who have created this extraordinary wealth but they continue to be denied even the most basic workplace rights.' An Uber spokeswoman said: 'Drivers are at the heart of our service - we can't succeed without them - and thousands of people come into work at Uber every day focused on how to make their experience better, on and off the road. An Uber spokeswoman said: 'Drivers are at the heart of our service - we can't succeed without them' (file image) 'Whether it's being able to track your earnings or stronger insurance protections, we'll continue working to improve the experience for and with drivers.' Rideshare drivers in major US cities are also set to strike on Wednesday, casting a shadow over the Wall Street debut of sector leader Uber. Uber is set to launch its initial public offering (IPO) this week at an estimated valuation of some $90billion (69billion), including its options and restricted stock unit. The launch will be a major milestone for the company - which has raised billions and disrupted the taxi industry in hundreds of cities around the world. The move follows a troubled market debut for Uber's largest US rival Lyft - which has lost more than 15 percent of its value since its March IPO. The strike highlights the dilemma for rideshare firms which have faced challenges from regulators and traditional taxi operators, for using a business model relying on independent contractors. Neil Abbott at Westminster Magistrates Court on March 26 in 2019 A project manager caught taking a 'repulsive' upskirting photo of a young woman at a railway station was spared jail after admitting it was the 'dumbest decision' of his life. Neil Abbott, 32, of Romford, east London, was on a night out with friends last August when he took a picture up a woman's skirt at Liverpool Street Station in the capital. After his arrest police discovered more than 30 other upskirting photos, which Abbott said he had downloaded because he got a kick from looking at them. Prosecutor Simon Maughan said Abbott was spotted jumping the queue at the Mi Casa Burritos shop to take the picture of the victim, who was 20 years old and wearing a short denim skirt. A male witness said: 'He (Abbott) took his phone from his pocket and proceeded to take a picture underneath her skirt. 'He wasn't rushing, it was almost like he had done it before.' The shocked witness informed the victim, who alerted station staff, and they apprehended the intoxicated defendant. Abbott told the judge his life has been turned upside down since the incident and 'sees what he did on that evening as the dumbest decision of his life,' Kerrie Rowan, defending, said. The entrepreneur revealed he had lost his job, suffered mental health problems and was no longer able to afford to get married or buy a house due to his conviction. Sentencing him at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, district judge Vanessa Baraitser said: 'I have no doubt this was a serious, unpleasant and deliberate offence. 'It was quite clearly degrading to the victim. She was quite clearly distressed and repulsed by your behaviour.' The judge said Abbott was only spared jail because of his early guilty plea and his previous good character. He was handed a 280-hour community service order, told to pay 1,000 in compensation to the victim, and given a rehabilitation activity requirement. He was also ordered to pay an additional 170 in costs and surcharges after he pleaded guilty to one charge of outraging public decency last month. Judge Baraitser further ordered the destruction of the phone Abbott used to take the photo on. Prosecutor Simon Maughan said Abbott was spotted jumping the queue at the Mi Casa Burritos shop to take the picture of the victim, who was 20 years old and wearing a short denim skirt Upon being arrested, Abbott told police he would delete the pictures of the victim in an attempt to close the matter there. More than 30 other upskirting photographs were later found on his phone, images he had downloaded from the internet rather than take himself, the court heard. In a short police statement, the victim said: 'I did not give permission for anyone to take the image. I feel repulsed by these actions.' Defending, Ms Rowan said her client was supported at court by his girlfriend of nearly three years, and was from a tight-knit family who were 'involved in the church, sporting clubs and the scouts'. 'He has serious concerns about his ability to secure work in the future,' the defence counsel said. 'His family and friends described it as a 'relapse of judgement from somebody who otherwise has everything going for him'.' Loughborough University graduate Abbott - who spent eight years working as a project manager in banking and finance before setting up his own business a year ago - wearing a blue suit, white shirt and tie, looked down and then nodded as he was handed the sentence. Last month, HM Courts and Tribunals service said it was conducting an investigation after the defendant was able to persuade court security to let him leave the building through the staff exit during his previous appearance last month to avoid press cameras. The trial of Nxivm leader Keith Raniere got underway on Tuesday with opening statements from both the defense and prosecution. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tanya Hajjar did not hold back in her remarks, outlining how the defendant made a 15-year-old Mexican national his first sex slave after convincing her and her three sisters to travel with him to upstate New York. Once there, Hajjar said that Raniere began to rape the girl and make her pose for nude photographs, one of which was shown in court. In that image the teen could be seen lying on Raniere's bed, one of the hundreds of graphic nude pictures that the cult leader is said to have kept in his possession over the years. Vanguard: The trial of Nxivm leader Keith Raniere got underway on Tuesday in Brooklyn with opening statements (Raniere above as an image is shown of an underage girl he shot explicit nude photos of) Victims: He made a 15-year-old Mexican national his first sex slave after convincing her and her three sisters to travel with him to upstate New York, said the U.S. Attorney Cart: Raniere is facing life in prison if convicted, and has been incarcerated since March 2018 when he was extradited after fleeing to Mexico (files pushed into court on Tuesday) Hajjar told jurors that Raniere was also sleeping with his rape victims two older sisters, one of whom he allegedly imprisoned for 21 months when she showed affection for another man. She was made to write how sorry she was hundreds of times in letters, said Hajjar, before eventually being sent back to Mexico. The youngest sister would stay at Nxivm and become part of an internal sorority called DOS, according to Hajjatr, who described how at one point she was ordered to enter a room and perform oral sex on a woman who had been blindfolded and tied-up as an offering to Raniere. She had been referred to as Jane Die 1 in previous court documents, while Allison Mack was CC-1. Jane Doe 1 was his first 'slave,' and provided 'collateral' which guaranteed she would remain faithful to him by providing Raniere with damning material. 'CC-1s email was titled "vow 3" and included an attached letter. The letter pledged CC-1s "full and complete life" to 14 RANIERE,' read an early complaint filed in the case. 'In the letter, CC-1 used the terms "slave" and "master" to refer to herself and RANIERE. Moreover, the letter identified "collateral" to "cement" the vow made by CC-1. 'This collateral was described as: (1) a letter regarding CC-1's mother and father that would "destroy their character"; (2) a contract that transferred custody of any children birthed by CC-1 to RANIERE if CC-1 broke her commitment to RANIERE; (3) a contract that transferred ownership of CC-1's home if the commitment to RANIERE was broken; and (4) a letter addressed to social services alleging abuse to CC-1's nephews.' It is not clear if any of the claims made in those letters were true. Soon, CC-1 was recruiting slaves of her own and filling out the pyramid that Raniere had hoped to create, selecting Jane Doe 1 as one of these women. Depraved: Prosecutor Tany Hajjar said that Raniere began to rape the girl and make her pose for nude photographs, one of which was shown in court On trial: His youngest victim was also allegedly forced to sexually assault other women for Raniere's pleasure, said the prosecutor Jane Doe 1 stated that her first meeting with Raniere ended with the leader questioning her devotion, but soon things took a bizarre turn. 'The next night CC-1 again received a text message from RANIERE, woke Jane Doe 1 in the middle of the night and assigned her to meet RANIERE and tell him she would do anything he asked her to do. Jane Doe 1 did as she was assigned, and RANIERE led her to a house across the street,' read the complaint. 'RANIERE directed her to remove all her clothes and made comments about her naked body. RANIERE then blindfolded Jane Doe 1, led her into a car and drove her around in a manner that made Jane Doe 1 believe RANIERE was trying to prevent her from knowing where they were going. 'RANIERE led Jane Doe 1, still blindfolded, through some trees, into what she believed was a shack, and tied her to a table. 'Another person in the room, who Jane Doe 1 did not previously know was present, began performing oral sex on Jane Doe 1 as RANIERE circled the table making comments. 'Jane Doe 1 did not want to participate in this sexual activity, but believed it was part of her commitment to DOS and that if she broke her commitment to DOS her collateral could be released.' Jane Doe 1 said that she then began to frequently have sex with Raniere, while also frequently posing nude for CC-1, who on one occasion sent 'close-up pictures of [her slaves'] vaginas' to Raniere. This was not the only task Jane Doe 1 had to undertake, as she was also responsible for reading, reviewing and editing Raniere's writings and texts. Allegations of Raniere's alarming and illegal sexual predilections were also outlined in a letter sent by U.S. Attorney Richard P Donoghue to Judge Steven M. Gold back in March. 'According to confidential sources, the defendant had repeated sexual encounters with multiple teenage girls in the mid-to-late 1980s and early 1990s,' reads the letter. 'In one instance, the defendant met a fifteen-year-old girl while he was in his 20s and had repeated sexual contact with her. In another instance, the defendant met a twelve-year-old girl whose mother worked for the defendant and began tutoring her.' The letter goes on to say: 'Shortly thereafter, the defendant began having regular sexual intercourse with her, including at his home where he lived with multiple adult sexual partners.' Raniere is also said to have voiced his belief that the age of consent should be lowered to when a parent believes their child is capable to sexual activity. Mack pleaded guilty last month to blackmailing two women into becoming sex slaves. Mack, 36, sobbed as she admitted her crimes and apologized to the women who prosecutors say were exploited by Keith Raniere and the purported self-help group called NXIVM. 'Through it all, I believed that Keith Raniere's intentions were to help people,' Mack told a judge in federal court in Brooklyn as she pleaded guilty to racketeering charges. 'I was wrong. I now realize that I and others engaged in criminal conduct.' The Smallville actress was sobbing so much at one point that the judge stopped to offer her tissues. She had been charged with racketeering, racketeering conspiracy, wire fraud conspiracy forced labor conspiracy, sex trafficking conspiracy , sex trafficking and attempted sex trafficking. Mack was facing life in prison if convicted on those charges, but will now likely be given a more lenient sentence if she testifies against the other defendants in the case. Allison Mack, 36, pleaded guilty in a Brooklyn court to blackmailing two women into becoming sex slaves for the leader of the Nxivm sex slave cult Mack said that at Raniere's direction, she obtained compromising information and images of two unidentified women that she threatened to make public if they didn't perform 'so-called acts of love.' 'I must take full responsibility for my conduct. I am very sorry for my role in this case. I am very sorry to my family and to the good people I hurt through my misguided adherence to (Nxivm leader) Keith Ranieres teachings,' she told the court. After months of reflection since her arrest, Mack told the court: 'I know I can and will be a better person.' Court documents obtained by DailyMail.com show that Lauren Salzman appeared before Judge Garaufis in March in an unannounced hearing that was not on the docket. A redacted transcript from that hearing reveals that Salzman not only informed Judge Garafulis of her plea, but also confessed that she did in fact keep a woman known as Jane Doe 4 captive inside a locked room for two years. Salzman, 42, also stated that Jane Doe 4 was put to work while enslaved in the room, and revealed that she 'threatened to deport Jane Doe 4 back to Mexico if she did not complete labor requested by myself and others.' She later admitted to being a member of DOS during the hearing, and confirmed that women were branded with the initials of Keith Raniere and Allison Mack by a doctor who used a cauterizing pen. Salzman and the other defendants seemed reluctant to take a plea or distance themselves from Raniere for months, but that all changed just a few days before Salzman's hearing when the US Attorney's Office filed new child pornography charges against the Nxivm founder in a superseding indictment. Mack, 36, wept as she admitted her crimes and apologized to the women who prosecutors say were exploited by Keith Raniere and the purported self-help group called NXIVM Mack stood close to her attorney as she left Brooklyn Federal Courthouse on Monday after pleading guilty Those charges have since been drooped and moved to the Northern District of New York. Salzman was raised in Nxivm due to her mother's role as a co-founder of the group, and it was her slave Sarah Edmondson that blew the lid on the organization back in a 2017 interview with The New York Times. Edmondson went into further detail about her time inside the cult on the CBC podcast Surviving Nxivm. Nancy broke down in tears as she entered a guilty plea to one count of racketeering while apologizing to her daughter and co-defendant, Lauren. She said that it took a great deal of soul searching to arrive at her decision, and then struggled to gather herself as she stated: 'I am deeply sorry for the trouble I have brought to my daughter.' Nancy did this without a plea deal in place and said she was eager to begin atoning for hers sins, with her crime carrying a sentence of up to 20 years in prison. Raniere was also in an 'intimate relationship' with billionaire heiress Clare Bronfman, claim the documents, who had previously been funding the legal defense for her five co-defendants but is now distancing herself from the group. 'I am pleading guilty because I am in fact guilty,' said a shockingly frank and emotional Nancy. 'I got involved with NXIVM because I believed we would be helping people, and I still believe some good came out of it.' Bronfman (center) arrived at court accompanied by her mother (left) and attorney Mark Gergaos (right) in April Clare Bronfman, pictured arriving at court in April, was the last to flip On trial: Prosecutors had suggested that they were having trouble agreeing to a deal with Mack, who was the third defendant to plead guilty (Kathy Russell leaving court in April) The judge scheduled her sentencing for July, and it is unclear if she will now be testifying against her former co-defendants in the case. 'NXIVM's teachings and practices are no more inflammatory than the allegations surrounding the predicate acts and charged offenses themselves, which include keeping a woman in a room for nearly two years, nonconsensual sex, extreme diets and sleep deprivation, sexually explicit photographs and branding of Raniere's initials on women's bodies without their knowledge,' states the new prosecution filing, submitted on Monday. The memo also details how the government plans to show the ways that the defendants 'protected Raniere and the Enterprise by, among other things, attempting to silence and intimidate DOS slaves and issuing public statements falsely denying Raniere's involvement in DOS.' One example that is offered involves comment that Bronfman made after she 'received letters from separate DOS victims requesting the return or destruction of collateral, which included descriptions of the collateral, including nude photographs and videos.' Despite having seen those letters, Bronfman still publicly stated that DOS was a 'sorority' which had 'truly benefited the lives of its members, and does so freely.' She went on to state: 'I find no fault in a group of women (or men for that matter) freely taking a vow of loyalty and friendship with one another to feel safe while pushing back against the fears that have stifled their personal and professional growth.' A brief mention is also made of a campaign launched by Bronfman and Raniere to lure former members to Mexico where there were reportedly warrants out for their arrest. Prosecutors also plan to hone in on the subservient role that woman play and are taught to play in the organization. 'Nxivm's teachings about women's allegedly prideful natures and willingness to 'play the victim,' and the emphasis in Nxivm's teachings on penances and 'ethical breaches,' are interwoven into Jane Doe 4 and the DOS victims' experiences,' states the memo. 'These concepts also appear throughout the documents that will be trial exhibits, including emails between the victims and the defendants.' It then cites: 'For example, Jane Doe 4 and Raniere exchanged at least 300 emails discussing her supposed 'breach' and approximately 400 emails discussing her acting like a 'victim.'' Police in Michigan have arrested a father and daughter in connection to the shooting death of the woman's boyfriend, whose decomposing body was discovered in a field by an amateur film crew in late April, five months after his disappearance. Kenneth 'Hawk' Hawkins, 49, was arraigned on Saturday on charges of open murder, disinterment and/or mutilation of dead bodies, felony firearm, firearms possession by a felon and second-offense firearms possession by a felon. His 33-year-old daughter, Lakeisha Hawkins, was apprehended on Monday and booked into the county jail on charges of disinterment or mutilation of dead bodies and accessory after the fact to a felony. Scroll down for video Kenneth 'Hawk' Hawkins, 49 (left), and his daughter, 33-year-old Lakeisha Hawkins (right), have been charged in connection to the murder of the woman's boyfriend last year Kenneth is accused of shooting Lanard Curtaindoll, 43, in the chest, killing him, on November 23, 2018 Oakland County investigators say Ken Hawkins shot Lakeisha's 41-year-old boyfriend, Lanard Curtaindoll, once in the chest at a Pontiac club run by the suspect's daughter on November 23. Police believe Curtaindoll got into an argument with Lakeisha, and her father, who had prior convictions for assault, intervened on her behalf. 'There was an altercation, the father came in on it, didn't like what he saw,' Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard told Fox 2. Curtaindoll's family reported him missing on November 25. The man's five biological daughters and a stepdaughter had set out looking for him, organizing search parties and handing out 'missing' fliers. The shooting took place inside Lakeisha's nightclub in Pontiac (pictured) On the night of the murder, the woman shared a photo of herself on Facebook (left). Her boyfriend (right) was reported missing by his daughters two days later A film crew filming in Pontiac on April 24 smelled a foul odor and discovered the missing man's body in this field Prior to the grisly discovery, Curtaindoll's family said his girlfriend (pictured) took part in their search efforts for the missing man Curtaindoll's daughter Janaea told Click On Detroit Lakeisha Hawkins took part in the search efforts and even put up money for a $10,000 reward. Curtaindoll's body was found on April 24 under a pile of tree branches in a vacant Pontiac field near Lake Street and Gillespie Avenue while a group was filming a movie in the area and caught a whiff of a 'foul odor' in the area. The father-of-six and grandfather was identified by his tattoos and clothing. That day, Lakeisha posted on her Facebook page crying and praying emojis, along with a handful of inspirational memes. Kenneth was denied bond at his arraignment, while his daughter's bond amount was set at $200,000, reported The Detroit News. The woman's past criminal record includes drug charges related to cocaine and marijuana trafficking. This is the shocking stash of eleven knives and bags of Class B drugs found in a suspected drug dealer's car in north London last night. Officers from the Met's Specialist Firearms Command stopped a white Audi in Hornsey Road, Holloway at 11.45pm but as they began a search of the vehicle, the driver, a 23-year-old man, sped off. Police followed the car until it a crashed a short distance away and when the driver fled from the vehicle, he was arrested nearby and his deadly stash was seized including bags of cannabis. This is the haul of eleven knives and bags of Class B drugs found in a suspected drug dealer's car in North London The man was arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon, possession with intent to supply Class B drugs and failing to stop for police, before being taken to a north London police station where he remains in custody. The seizure comes amid a terrifying 24 hours of violence on the streets of England in which there have been several stabbings and shootings. Superintendent Philip Ryan, of the Met's Specialist Firearms Command, said: 'This was an excellent piece of work by my officers which has stopped a large quantity of dangerous weapons and drugs entering the wrong hands. 'There is no doubt these weapons would have been used in violence on the streets of London. 'Proactive stops like this are vital in preventing serious injury and the loss of life. 'A team of experienced officers will now lead an investigation into the man arrested and the weapons we found in the vehicle. 'We will continue to arrest those intent on carrying weapons and committing acts of violence.' The man was arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon, possession with intent to supply Class B drugs and failing to stop for police Raj Kohli, the Met's Central North Basic Command Unit Commander, said: 'The work of our firearms colleagues was exceptional and I will personally thank them for their actions. 'This is a great example of colleagues across the Met working together to prevent and tackle violent crime and drug dealing across the capital. 'I want to reassure communities that we have officers out day and night working to identify and arrest those involved in, or intent on committing acts of serious violence.' He added: 'A Section 60 [a stop and search order] was in place throughout last night following a violent incident earlier in the day. 'This preventative power enables officers to stop and search pedestrians and vehicles without the usual reasonable grounds. This case showcases the value these searches have in preventing violent crime. 'Communities have an absolutely vital role to play in tackling violent crime. 'We need to hear from anyone who has information that could either detect or prevent crime.' The man was also arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm with intent in connection with a robbery in which a firearms officer was driven at and injured in April last year. The Met Police praised the actions of officers who seized the huge haul of knives and drugs More than two-dozen people have been stabbed to death in the capital since Christmas, including nine teenagers. Several people have been left fighting for their lives after violence across the UK in the past day. A 16-year-old boy was shot in the head in Wolverhampton and has been left in a critical condition, a man in his 30s in Colchester, Essex was stabbed to death, and a third man was shot and killed with a crossbow in Merseyside Two teenagers were also stabbed within the space of 10 minutes in the borough of Islington in London, and both teenagers are said to be in life-threatening condition. New analysis by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) claims rising knife crime could be linked to cuts to youth services in England with some local authorities' spending slashed by up to 91% over three years Figures found areas suffering the largest cuts have seen bigger increases in knife crime. The APPG obtained figures on youth service budgets using freedom of information requests sent to 154 local authorities in England, which 106 replied to. The data shows that average council has slashed real-terms spending on youth services - which funds things such as youth clubs and youth workers - by 40% between the years 2014/15 and 2017/18. Enterprising companies are cashing in on the news that the Duchess of Sussex delivered a healthy baby boy yesterday. Central heating companies, gin makers and even a train company have jumped aboard the royal baby bandwagon, seeing the birth as an opportunity to sell their products. Prince Harry announced that Meghan had given birth at 5.26am yesterday to a boy weighing 7lbs 3oz, having been more than a week overdue. Royal fans and well-wishers were quick to share their delight at the news, taking to social media to post gushing tributes to the baby and his delighted parents. But they weren't the only ones as several firms used the news to share their promotions. Mattress company Serta used the birth of the royal baby to offer customers a discount on their products Meghan is pictured at King's College, London in March (left) and with Harry at at Buckingham Palace in the same month (right) Serta Mattresses marked the birth with a coupon for parents. They wrote on social media: 'Baby keeping you up? In honor of the royal baby, bring in your own little prince or princess for a free gift with purchase or discount on a Serta mattress at the ''Your Baby Is Your Coupon'' Sale.' And East Midlands Train gave all of its passengers a biscuit to mark the birth. Party planning company Giftinz and Petal meanwhile, wrote: 'And the Royal baby has arrived! Congratulations to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. 'Meanwhile, as we await the name of the new born Royal baby, I call this MyPadi. 'Mypadi birthday package captures all your birthday cravings for both indoor, outdoor and destination birthday parties. 'Call Giftinzandpetal Event for everything birthday.' East Midlands Trains also jumped on the bandwagon, offering passengers biscuits to mark the birth Harry and Meghan, well-known fans of yoga, were offered the opportunity to indulge in some baby yoga with the new tot Neal's Yard Remedies took advantage of the new baby to share the organic baby and mother products they had Gin-making company Crocketts wrote: 'Its our Gin of the Month! A double with tonic for a lip smacking 7.95. Wet the new royals head!' Neal's Yard Remedies also paid tribute to the new baby, writing: 'We think all babies deserve to be celebrated. Royal baby BOY! Congratulations Harry and Meghan! Shop now for your organic mother and baby products.' In a more bizarre promotion, one company is offering a 24 carat and caviar face mask for 7. Another head scratcher is a heating company used the royal birth to flog their products, writing: 'With the news of the royal baby arrival, keep your own little princes and princesses at the right temperature with Wiser.' In one of the more bizarre promotions, Cougar Beauty used the birth of the baby to advertise its caviar and cold face mask Giftinz and Petal Events, a party planning company, congratulated the couple and highlighted their services This coffee house shared its Jubilee Tea blend as it marked the birth of the royal baby With speculation rife on the baby's name, staff at Birmingham Sea Life centre claimed a penguin had predicted the name A skincare company is offering mothers-to-be body oils, writing: 'There's another Royal Baby! 'For all mothers-to-be, our Renewing Rose range is delicate on the skin, uplifting on the mind and completely pregnancy safe. 'Or, if you're already a mum, you deserve to treat yourself to radiant skin, all year round.' This gin-making company used the baby's birth to encourage fans to buy its gin of the month This cupcake company created these adorable treats to mark the baby's birth yesterday A lager company used the birth of the royal baby to reveal its own special news, a new can for fans to drink: 'Were proud to announce that two of our Bloomin Amber bottles gave birth to a gorgeous can baby this week. 'Unfortunately they cant afford to keep it so theyve put it up for adoption here.' For those more interested in tea, one company advertised its Jubilee tea brand, in celebration of the new birth. The baby's name has yet to be revealed and many companies asked fans what they would name the newborn, suggesting even more self-promotion could be on the way as more details of Harry and Meghan's new child are released. One penguin at Birmingham's Sea Life Centre could be the key, as staff claim it is psychic and has predicted the newborn's name. A Maryland man has been charged with first-degree murder in connection to his wife's 1985 murder. Baltimore County police announced the arrest of John Norton, 57, on Monday. He is suspected of killing his newlywed wife, Karen Norton, 23, on December 17, 1985. Karen was murdered in her home in the 100 block of Delrey Avenue 21228. She had just arrived home from work at approximately 6.45pm when she was attacked and killed. Karen was an employee at JCPenney in Security Square Mall. Maryland man, John Norton (left), 57, has been charged with first-degree murder in connection to the stabbing death of his wife, Karen Norton (right), 23, who was found dead in her home in December 1985 Authorities said she suffered a fatal stab wound to the upper body. Karen and Norton had recently married at the time of her death. According to the Baltimore Sun, Norton told police that he found his wife's keys in the door when he came home that evening. He claimed that he didn't discover her body until an hour later. Investigators noted that there was evidence of a breaking and entering, but they believe it was 'staged to thwart the homicide investigation'. On Monday, police said the case went cold following the initial investigation, which led police to believe that she was killed by an unknown suspect during a burglary. But after years of studying crime scene photos, police were able to prove the crime scene had been staged. Detectives who continued to work on the case narrowed their suspects down to Norton, who wasn't initially a suspect. 'Recent developments in the case have uncovered new evidence that further supported that theory, and the case was brought before the Grand Jury on Wednesday, May 1,' a police statement reads. 'After hearing the evidence, an indictment was issued and detectives served Norton with a warrant for his arrest that evening.' Norton is now being held without bail at the Baltimore County Detention Center pending trial. BBC royal correspondent Nicholas Witchell said he wanted the ground to open and swallow him up after he lost his train of thought during a broadcast about the royal birth. Mr Witchell told the Mail that he had memorised his commentary for the slot on the News at Ten, but that he had a brain freeze at the crucial moment and forgot his lines just like actors sometimes do. Id memorised, as you do, one minute twenty [seconds] which was supposed to be the duration of the item, and just lost my train of thought, he said. It was one of those moments when I wanted the ground to open and swallow me up. It was extremely embarrassing...it was a brain freeze, like for an actor on stage, he said. Leading broadcasters from the BBC, ITV and Sky all pledged their support to Mr Witchell following his on air gaffe, paying tribute to his supreme professionalism and urging critics to get off his case. The veteran journalist was forced to hand over to the BBC studio on the News At Ten on Monday, after he lost his train of thought twice during a live broadcast. The first time, Mr Witchell said: Now what of their son, baby Sussex, no name for him so far. The first Anglo-American birth in the British royal family, uh, now we know, of course, that uh...Excuse me, just let me just collect my thoughts. He paused for a moment before continuing, but was forced to break off once again. The first Anglo-American birth in the British royal family, and it is... it is certain, of course...Im so sorry, let me just once again, uh, hand back to you, Ben. News anchor Ben Brown continued the broadcast without missing a beat. Viewers were quick to comment on the incident on social media, with some asking after Mr Witchells health and others claiming the journalist had had a meltdown. Royal correspondent Nicholas Witchell appeared lost his train of thought during a piece to camera outside Buckingham Palace Mr Witchell told the Mail that he had memorised his commentary for the slot on the News at Ten, but that he had a brain freeze at the crucial moment and forgot his lines just like actors sometimes do. However, the BBC reporters colleagues quickly leapt to his defence and paid tribute to his sterling record as a broadcaster. BBC News anchor Huw Edwards posted on Twitter, for the record, that Mr Witchells supreme professionalism is - and always has been - the envy of all his colleagues. Jeremy Bowen, the BBCs Middle East editor, added: Ive seen some snide comments about Nick Witchell. Please stop, theyre not deserved. Hes a respected and experienced broadcaster, doing his job. I dont know what happened tonight but its certainly no reason to be nasty. It was not just Mr Witchells BBC colleagues who offered support. Sky News host Kay Burley also spoke up for him on Twitter. For those who think they can do a better job than the supreme professional #nickwitchell, Id like to see you try. Doctors bury their mistakes, lawyers jail theirs and TV journalists broadcast theirs. Get off his case and get on with your day, she said. Viewers took to social media to express concern about the veteran presenter after his on-air gaffe Meanwhile, ITVs Mary Nightingale expressed sympathy for Mr Witchell having to deal with a bad day so publicly. Step forward anyone who hasnt ever had a bad day at work. Oh - nobody? Ok - so weve all been there. Lets have a bit of sympathy, then, for someone whose bad day was broadcast to the entire nation - and whos barely put a foot wrong in decades, she said. The veteran journalist was forced to hand over to the BBC studio on the News At Ten on Monday, after he lost his train of thought twice during a live broadcast Paul Royall, the BBC News at Ten editor, assured viewers after the broadcast that the veteran royal correspondent is in good health, and that he had simply lost his train of thought during the programme. Highly unusually for Nick he lost his train of thought on the #BBCNewsTen and decided to hand back to the studio. This can happen sometimes even to the most experienced and respected in busy live news broadcasting, Mr Royall said. Yesterday, Mr Witchell said he was touched by the votes of confidence from other broadcasters. I was very touched by the support of my colleagues. Now I want to draw a line under it and ensure it never happens again. Like the rest of us, members of the Royal Family were still waiting for their first glimpse of the new seventh-in-line to the throne yesterday. But there was no concealing their excitement at the prospect. While the Duke and Duchess of Sussex remained at home, enjoying their baby son and recovering from his arrival in the early hours of Monday, the rest of the family were on duty at home and abroad. In London, the Duke of Cambridge now a royal uncle for the first time said his younger brother was a very welcome addition to the sleep deprivation society. The pinstripe Prince: Charles prefaced his speech to a diplomatic reception in Berlin with words of grandpaternal pride yesterday Noting a happy royal pattern for spring births, the Duchess of Cambridge whose two younger children have just marked their birthdays added: Its such a great time of year to have a baby. Last night, the Prince of Wales received cheers and applause in Germany as he prefaced his speech to a diplomatic reception with words of grandpaternal pride. Speaking in German, he declared: It is a particular pleasure to be back in Berlin once again especially as the grandfather of a brand new grandson! On the first day of his tour with the Duchess of Cornwall he had earlier told reporters: We couldnt be more delighted at the news and were looking forward to meeting the baby when we return. Nor could the Queen conceal her happiness. Hosting a Windsor reception for holders of the Order of Merit, she didnt miss a beat when asked for the latest tally of great-grandchildren. Eight! she replied proudly. Camilla was handed an 'It's a boy!' balloon during her visit to the Brandenburg Gate The first public photographs of the baby, along with an announcement about his name and title, are due to be released at lunchtime today. Yesterday, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge said they were none the wiser about what their nephew will be called. Were looking forward to meeting him and finding out what his names going to be, said the Duchess during the couples visit to Greenwich in south-east London. Its such a special time, obviously with Louis and Charlotte just having had their birthdays its such a great time of year to have a baby. Spring is in the air. She had plenty of sympathy for her brother and sister-in-law, too: These next few weeks are always a bit daunting the first time round so we wish them all the best. Yesterday, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge said they were none the wiser about what their nephew will be called With a broad smile, the Duke professed himself absolutely thrilled, and obviously looking forward to seeing them in the next few days when things have quietened down. He joked: Im very pleased and glad to welcome my own brother into the sleep deprivation society that is parenting. Acknowledging he would have plenty of advice, Uncle William was in no hurry to deploy it. I hope [in] the next few days they can settle down and enjoy having a newborn in their family and the joys that come with that. The Sussexes remained at Frogmore Cottage, their home on the Windsor estate, watched only by the incessant air traffic passing in and out of nearby Heathrow. Were looking forward to meeting him and finding out what his names going to be, said the Duchess during the couples visit to Greenwich in south-east London Across the Home Park, however, a crowd had assembled on Windsors famous Long Walk as the international media circus stood beneath the castle walls watching nothing much at all. This time a year ago, the bunting was going up for the biggest party Windsor has ever seen. Upwards of a billion TV viewers would tune in to see the great transatlantic royal romance sealed at St Georges Chapel against this great medieval backdrop. Now you've overtaken me, Your Majesty! The Queen wasted no time in comparing notes with another great-grandparent at an official function yesterday. Hosting a luncheon for members of the Order of Merit, she fell into discussion with Jean Chretien, the former prime minister of Canada, about their growing families. He said: Congratulations. Another great-grandchild! The Queen replied happily: Yes, I know. She was then asked, How many of them have you got now?, to which she replied: Eight. At this, Mr Chretien quipped: You beat me by one! The Queen and Prince Philip were also joined by Sir David Attenborough, David Hockney and inventor of the internet Sir Timothy Berners-Lee among others. The Order of Merit honours leaders in the arts, sciences, culture and military and is limited to 24 living members. Jean Chretien, the former prime minister of Canada, told the Queen: You beat me by one! Advertisement One year on, and the same international news crews are here to report on the first fruit of that happy union. Once again Windsor, an apparition of majesty in stone, is bathed in spring sunshine a great advertisement for British tourism. Having decided to make this town their home, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been brilliant for business. The locals are certainly grateful. Some say the Sussexes have done more to promote Windsor as a destination than anyone since Queen Victoria. They just dearly wish they might see them in town now and then. Wed love to see him in here, said Sharon Ball, barmaid at the Prince Harry pub on Windsor High Street. William used to come in a bit when he was a boy at Eton. But weve never seen Harry. She added that business has shot up since the pub changed its name from The Three Tuns in 2017. The most popular dish is the Prince Harry Burger (with extra bacon and cheese) and the most popular beer is the brand new Windsor Baby Pale Ale, produced by the Windsor & Eton Brewery in honour of the new arrival. There has been no special beer for previous royal babies, not even Prince George. That young Master Sussex should be deemed worthy of a new brew is a tribute to the strength of local support. The royal wedding was massive for this town and weve never really looked back since, said Stuart OBrien, landlord of The Two Brewers, on the edge of the Home Park and, as such, Prince Harrys local. This week has been a rather strange experience, however, for those diehard royalists who make a point of turning out for these notable royal landmarks. I have to say we are all a little saddened that theres nothing to see, admitted John Loughrey, 64, from south London, who had spent the three previous evenings camped on the street outside the castle. Given that he knew there would be nothing to see, why do this? You want to be here for these moments. And Im staying here until we see the first picture of the baby, he said, breaking off for an interview with Polands main breakfast television show. Shipshape Kate: The Duchess of Camrbdieg, accompanying her husband, was given flowers This is major news in Poland. We love royal babies. In fact, we think that Prince Louis may have been conceived in Poland during William and Kates royal tour there, explained Polish TV presenter Anna Senkara. Inside the castle, an event of very considerable importance was taking place. The Order of Merit is among the most exalted awards in the gift of the Sovereign given for exceptional distinction in the arts, learning and statecraft and restricted to 24 members. Its ranks have included many Nobel prizewinners. Its members get together with the Queen just once every two years. Yesterdays reunion included the inventor of the worldwide web, Sir Tim Berners-Lee, the broadcaster, Sir David Attenborough, and the playwright, Sir Tom Stoppard. It was all the more notable given that the oldest living recipient, the Duke of Edinburgh, emerged from his retirement to attend. Even this illustrious gathering, however, could not compete with the big news on the other side of the ramparts: still no name for a child which the waiting world has yet to see. Two men are accused of stealing $21million worth of property from the mansion of one of Houston's candidates for mayor. Nicholas Johnson, 36, and Julian Franklin, 33, are said to have broken into the River Oaks estate of Tony Buzbee on the day after the Super Bowl LII to steal expensive art, computers, weapons and jewelry. The paintings taken included works by renowned artists Claude Monet and Pablo Picasso, the Houston Chronicle reported. Johnson appeared in court on Monday, where prosecutors detailed the alleged theft. Nicholas Johnson, 36, and Julian Franklin, 33, are accused of stealing $21 million worth of property in February from the mansion of one of Houston's candidates for mayor, Tony Buzbee Investigators were stalled following the February 4 burglary until a tipster phoned in about someone trying to sell her one of Buzbee's Rolex watches. The break came after Tony Buzbee (center), a prominent Houston attorney, had posted a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the men who stole his belongings Investigators were stalled following the February 4 burglary until a tipster phoned in about someone trying to sell her one of Buzbee's Rolex watches. Investigators said they listened in on a recorded call as the tipster feigned negotiating the price of stolen goods with Franklin. The break came after Buzbee, a prominent Houston attorney, had posted a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the men who stole his belongings. In total, six pieces of art, two computers, three firearms, a ring and 30 watches were stolen during the heist. Buzbee reported both Pablo Picasso's 'Femme Accoudee' painting, valued at $216,611 and Claude Monet's 'La Plaine de Gennevillers' painting, valued at $1,273,125, among the stolen items. Buzbee reported Pablo Picasso's 'Femme Accoudee' painting (shown), valued at $216,611 among the stolen items He also listed Claude Monet's 'La Plaine de Gennevillers' painting (shown), valued at $1,273,125, as having been taken from the home In total, six pieces of art, two computers, three firearms, a ring and 30 watches were stolen during the heist from the River Oaks estate (pictured), including works by Claude Monet and Pablo Picasso On Thursday, Buzbee wrote on Facebook: 'I want to thank the Houston Police Department for making three arrests in the burglary of my home. The investigation continues in trying to locate all the stuff stolen, which includes my Aggie ring. After I authorized the offering of a $50,000 reward, an individual who claimed to have info contacted my law office. 'After a lot of foolishness and misdirection, and with cooperation and instruction of the police, as well as great work by the lead detective, the suspects were finally identified and located. The items stolen from Tony Buzbee's River Oaks mansion in Texas One rifle/shotgun combo One pistol One automatic rifle Pablo Picasso's 'Femme Accoudee' painting, valued at $216,611 Claude Monet's 'La Plaine de Gennevillers' painting, valued at $1,273,125 A Fernand Leger painting, 'Paysage au coq rouge', valued at $1,284,015 Pierre Bonnard's 'Jeune Femme au Chapeau noir,' valued at $832,125.00 Jean Pierre Cassigneul's painting, 'Femme en Vert,' valued at $111,563 Childe Hassam's 'California Hills in Spring' painting, valued at $985,000 An Apple computer $50,000 in watches $300 in cash Source: ABC News Advertisement 'I'm told the three suspects are gang members and have been involved in at least three other burglaries. I'm of course hoping for convictions and recovery of the things taken. 'For those that expressed condolences when this traumatic event first happened, thank you. For those that didn't, I hope that nothing like this ever happens to you, especially when you are home with two of your kids like I was.' Although Buzbee said three arrests were made, only two suspects have appeared in court. Prosecutors on Monday said that Buzbee was awakened by the intruders carrying out the theft. Buzbee previously revealed on social media at the time of the theft that he attempted to fire a weapon at the men, but it misfired. 'When this happens to you, you know how violated you feel,' Buzbee told ABC News. Both Johnson and Franklin were arrested last week, with Johnson in the midst of a deferred adjudication program for drug possession at the time of his arrest. Johnson has been charged with felony theft. Franklin has been charged with burglary of a habitation. Neither men were granted bail. They remain in custody at this time. Business rates are a failed tax system which is damaging the economy and desperately need reform, a top business lobbyist will warn today. Rates hold the economy back, deter investment and damage companies, according to John Allan, president of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) and chairman of Tesco. His blistering attack on the tax comes as the Daily Mail campaigns to replace rates with a fairer system. Addressing captains of industry today in London, Mr Allan will say that sky-high rates are killing businesses, with last months high-profile failure of Debenhams just the latest example. He will say: The business rates system has - over time - become uneconomical, unsustainable, and frankly, unintelligible. In short, its a system in need of reform. Business rates are a failed tax system which is damaging the economy and desperately need reform, John Allan, chairman of Tesco, will warn today (file photo) Debenhams, once a stronghold of the British high street, fell into administration. Exactly why is a complicated question. But Ive yet to read an explanation that doesnt cite business rates as at least part of the cause. And the same has been true of countless firms over the years. Companies pay business rates based on an estimate of what their property would cost to rent for a year - its so-called rateable value. The standard charge is 50.4 per cent. So a business with a premises whose rateable value is 60,000 would pay 30,240 a year. Rateable values are recalculated every three years by the state-owned Valuation Office Agency. Mr Allan will say that this arrangement creates major problems for companies, because their tax payments can swing wildly when property values are recalculated. In the London borough of Hackney, for example, companies face increases of almost 50 per cent in their bills because property prices have surged in the past few years. At the other end of the scale, firms in towns and cities which have suffered economically end up paying rates which are too high for years because of the lag. Mr Allan will say that Redcar in North Yorkshire has seen unemployment surge and property prices fall since the last revaluation. But this has not yet fed through to rates, meaning businesses in the town are still paying relatively taxes as well as having to deal with lower demand for their wares. Addressing captains of industry today in London, Mr Allan, pictured, will say that sky-high rates are killing businesses, with last months high-profile failure of Debenhams just the latest example Mr Allan will say: Business rates lag far behind economic cycles and - over the years - the significant rises in UK property costs. The result is a system that rewards those places already on their way up in the short-term, but eventually pulls the rug from under them. And one that punishes those areas that are already struggling, with boarded up shops an all too common sight. It can mean local authorities being underfunded, in areas where businesses are on the rise. Or companies going under, creating a vicious cycle of decline and dependence. Mr Allan will also warn that rates discourage businesses from investing to make themselves more efficient. This is because any money firms spend on improving their premises makes it worth more, pushing up the level of rates they must pay. Chancellor Philip Hammond announced extra rates relief for small businesses in last years Budget. But Mr Allen will say this is not enough, and call for a sweeping review into what can be done to fix the problem. He will say: While we have seen warm words and small solutions from the Government over the years, these tweaks have only served to reinforce the idea that business rates are a High Street issue rather than a problem for our whole economy. And the more sticking plasters we add, the greater the signal that the system is broken and in need of a fundamental re-think. So heres our solution. A comprehensive and independent review of the business rates system. Its in the manifesto for both Labour and the Conservatives. Now why not follow through on that promise. Investigators claim it was implied that they were not to question Ted Kennedy too strongly about the death of one of Robert F. Kennedy's presidential campaign team members Mary Jo Kopechne after a fatal incident in July 1969 on Chappaquiddick Island. Those tasked with interviewing Senator Kennedy, who was driving the car that plunged off a bridge in Massachusetts and trapped passenger Kopechne inside, were told not to go heavy on the politician, insiders claim in ABC's documentary 1969. In the episode airing Tuesday night, former investigating officer for the Registry of Motor Vehicles, Bob Molla, says: 'It was implied without direct words that we were not ... not to push him too hard. Show Senator Kennedy the respect of a senator. 'You weren't going to be able to grill him ask your questions, he'll give you an answer and take it at that.' Scroll down for videos Former Chappaquiddick investigating officer claims it was implied cops were not to push Ted Kennedy too hard with questioning after Mary Jo Kopechne died. Pictured Kennedy returns to the Senate on July 30, 1969 for the first time following the automobile accident Edgartown, Massachusetts, USA, 19th July 19, 1969, Frogmen dive into the water as they try to raise the car belonging to Senator Kennedy in which he was seriously injured. He wasn't indicted by a jury but later pleaded guilty to leaving the scene of the accident at Chappaquiddick Bridge Senator Kennedy went to the police station hours after freeing himself from the car and was said to have made 17 phone calls before he finally contacted authorities. Mary Jo Kopechne, pictured, was an intelligent and ambitious woman who helped Robert F. Kennedy draft speeches and worked on his presidential campaign before his assassination on June 5, 1968 People magazine's Cover-Up podcast host Liz McNeil says in the program he was having coffee with friends at the Shiretown Inn while Kopechne was suffocating and only notified authorities after speaking to two attorneys. The ABC program also touches on how Senator Kennedy showed up at Kopechne's funeral wearing a neck brace but he was not wearing one after the incident and prior to that occasion. 'It leads many to ask questions about his injuries, whether he had injuries - could this be some attempt at sympathy?' McNeil said. Former captain of the search and rescue division of the Edgartown Fire Department, John Farrar, says he was denied the chance to show how the woman likely ran out of oxygen and initially was surviving in an air pocket. Farrar claims he drew an image but was ushered out of an inquest in January 1970 where many of the people who were with Kopechne on the night of her death appeared for questioning. After a nearly four-day-long inquest a grand jury failed to indict. Ted Kennedy, above, in a still from an upcoming episode of a new series, 1969, on ABC, that takes another look what has become known as the Chappaquiddick scandal, and will air on Tuesday, May 7 Former captain of the search and rescue division of the Edgartown Fire Department, John Farrar, says he was denied the chance to show how the woman died and could have survived Jury foreman Leslie Leland claimed they were blocked from reviewing much of the evidence and therefore did not indict Kennedy The jury foreman claimed they were blocked from reviewing much of the evidence. 'A grand jury should be able to subpoena witnesses, look at transcripts,' Leslie Leland says. 'If we were allowed to see the inquest material, I'm positive the grand jury would have brought back an indictment.' Senator Kennedy was later charged with leaving the scene of an accident to which he pleaded guilty. He received a two-month suspended sentence. The twin sister of a homeless man who was killed by a Walgreens security guard in a scuffle over shoplifting allegations has claimed her brother was shot because he is black and gay. Psykssyanna Hart, the sister of 21-year-old Jonathan Hart, made the claim in a lawsuit filed against the drug store chain on Tuesday in Los Angeles Superior Court. Security guard Donald Vincent Ciota II, 28, was charged with murder in January. In a statement, Walgreens rejected the notion that it discriminates against any customer, saying the allegation is 'false and contrary to our deep commitment to inclusive diversity.' Psykssyanna Hart, the sister of 21-year-old Jonathan Hart (with her left and right), filed a lawsuit filed against the drug store chain Walgreens on Tuesday in Los Angeles Superior Court Psykssyanna Hart (right) claimed in the suit that her brother Jonathan (left) was shot and killed by a Walgreens security guard because he is black and gay Walgreens security guard Donald Vincent Ciota II, 28, (left) was charged with murder in January after shooting dead homeless man Jonathan Hart, 21, (right) on December 2 'As we stated at the time this tragic incident occurred, we immediately terminated the security company that employed the guard involved,' Walgreens said. 'We are fully committed to providing a safe environment for our employees and customers in the communities we serve.' In her lawsuit seeking unspecified damages, Psykssyanna Hart accuses the company of negligence, assault and battery and a violation of civil rights. 'This lawsuit concerns the despicable conduct of Walgreens, a multibillion-dollar corporation, whose executive board placed Walgreens interests in maximizing the corporation's profits above the safety of innocent consumers shopping at their stores,' the suit alleges, according to KNBC-TV. The suit also claims that the company was negligent in the screening, hiring and training of security guards hired through third-party companies. On April 25, Jonathan's mother Psychesia Hart (above) filed her own massive lawsuit against the company, but Psykssyanna argues that Psychesia doesn't deserve any of the money On April 25, Jonathan's mother Psychesia Hart filed her own massive lawsuit against the company. But Psykssyanna's suit makes the case that she has a better claim for damages than her mother, saying that Psychesia was not involved in Jonathan's life. Jonathan Hart 'never received a telephone call, text message, email message, birthday card or Christmas card from his natural mother prior to his 18th birthday,' the new suit states. 'This failure to provide support or to communicate with Jonathan for the prescribed period is presumptive evidence of the natural mother's intent to abandon Jonathan.' The incident occurred on December 2 at a Walgreens in Hollywood. Shocking video taken by Hart's friend at Walgreens on December 2 shows Ciota on the phone standing over Hart's fallen body and spilled bottles of red wine, not blood The video was shared by Hart's family's lawyer Carl Douglas as they launch a $525million wrongful death lawsuit against Walgreens Security guard Donald Vincent Ciota II, 28, was charged with a count of murder for using a firearm as a deadly and dangerous weapon after he shot Jonathan Hart, in the back of his neck. Ciota accused Hart of shoplifting at the Los Angeles store and the two allegedly argued over a $2.99 water flavoring product. When Hart tried to run out of the store, Ciota fired a single fatal shot. Stomach-churning video footage from inside the store shows Hart sprawled on the ground amid bottles of broken and spilled red wine. Ciota is seen making a phone call while standing over Hart's body. The video was recorded by a man who entered the store with Hart. Cops and family members clarified that Hart was not armed. Los Angeles Police arrived to Walgreens at the store located on the 1500 block of Vine Street. Hart was transported to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. Hart and Ciota allegedly got into a fight over a $2.99 water flavoring product and pushed each other. Ciota accused him of shoplifting and when Hart tried to run away, Ciota shot him in the back of the neck Hart's family said he was also went by the name Sky Young and was homeless and suffered from mental illness. He had hopes to one day be a hairdresser 'Jonathan Hart was profiled because he was homeless. He was harassed because he was gay, and he was shot because he was black,' Hart's family lawyer Douglas said. Lawyer and Hart's family pictured above on Monday after Ciota was charged with murder Ciota being represented by famous attorney Mark Geragos, who represented big time clients like Michael Jackson and Winona Ryder, the two pictured above in January Hart's family said he was also went by the name Sky Young and suffered from mental illness, according to Heavy. He had hopes to one day be a hairdresser. His lawyer Douglas claims that Hart was not shoplifting and instead was targeted because he was gay, homeless and black. Ciota is currently being held on $3million bail and if convicted could serve life in prison Douglas said: 'I gave this family a pledge that Jonathan Hart will not have died in vain. Walgreens, the blood of Jonathan Hart is on your hands.' 'Jonathan Hart was profiled because he was homeless. He was harassed because he was gay, and he was shot because he was black,' Douglas said. Hart's heartbroken mother Psychesia Hart is a security guard herself, according to KTLA-TV and says Ciota did not follow protocol. 'This mistake of a human being, because he had a badge and a gun, felt like he had every right to pull a weapon on my child,' she said. 'First off, you're security. Our job as security officers: observe and report. But don't pull no gun on nobody and shoot them in the back. What kind of coward are you?' she added. Walgreens issued a statement in light of the incident saying: 'We have extended our deepest and most sincere condolences to Mr. Hart's family. As a result of the tragic incident, we immediately terminated the security company, and we continue to fully cooperate in the ongoing police investigation.' Ciota was not hired directly by Walgreens but by a security company contracted by the pharmacy. Walgreens has since ended its contract with the company. Ciota is currently being held in the Los Angeles County Jail on $3million bail, and if convicted could serve life in prison. He has pleaded not guilty and is next due in court on May 22. Kadeem Wilkins, 29, is accused of swallowing at least one baggie containing heroin, which he had previously hidden in his anus A man has been arrested in Nashville after police say he was observed swallowing drugs he had retrieved from his own anus, where he had previously stashed the contraband during a strip search. On April 30, police were staking out the parking lot of Santorini restaurant when they spotted 29-year-old Kadeem Wilkins talking to two women and then getting inside his van. Because one of the women was known to have an outstanding felony warrant out for her arrest, officers pulled over Wilkins' vehicle, as Scoop Nashville reported. As they were getting ready to detain the woman, they allegedly observed the driver - with whom they were well-familiar thanks to his extensive criminal history - 'lift his rear end and quickly put his hand down the back of his pants,' purportedly to hide drugs inside his anal cavity. Detectives tried to conduct a strip search, but Wilkins allegedly resisted, prompting them to obtain a warrant to search his body cavity. Wilkins was pulled over in his van in the parking lot of Santorini restaurant in Nashville on April 30 Wilkins was then taken to Metro General Hospital, where a doctor agreed to carry out an exterior search only, which consisted of spreading the man's butt cheeks. The maneuver, however, failed to produce any drugs Wilkins was booked into the county jail on charges of possession of marijuana, a strip of the prescription painkiller Suboxone and drug paraphernalia. During the transport, officers allegedly observed Wilkins again reaching into the back of his pants. Before they had a chance to conduct a second strip search, multiple baggies, including one containing a white rock substance believed to be crack cocaine, fell out of Wilkins' underwear. As officers scrambled to collect the evidence, Wilkins allegedly put up a fight, grabbed at least one baggie that he previous had stashed inside his anus and swallowed it. The suspect was taken back to the hospital, where he told a nurse that he ingested heroin. The 29-year-old stayed at the facility to wait for the drugs to emerge from his body the natural way. He was finally booked into jail Sunday on charges of resisting arrest, drug paraphernalia, assault of an officer, bringing contraband into a penal institution, felony tampering with evidence, and possession of cocaine with intent. Wilkins remained behind bars on Tuesday on bonds totaling $63,000. Records indicate that Wilkins has a lengthy criminal record in Tennessee dating back to at least 2012, which includes a laundry list of charges related to drug and marijuana possession, along with counts of domestic assault, false imprisonment, forgery of auto title and probation violation. He was most recently arrested in January on charges of theft, and possession of weapons, marijuana, drugs and drug paraphernalia. A San Francisco-based clothing and art company has been slammed for selling mini-skirts and pillows with the Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz printed on them. Redbubble has been criticized for offering $69 T-shirts with the haunting black and white images of the site where 1.1 million Jews were exterminated between 1942 and 1945, during the Nazi's 'Final Solution'. Other deeply offensive and macabre products, such as skirts depicting the chimneys near where the bodies of Nazi victims were incinerated, can be purchased for $39. 'Disturbing and disrespectful': A San Francisco-based clothing and art company has been slammed for selling mini-skirts with prints of Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz Redbubble has been criticized for offering $69 T-shirts with haunting black and white images of the site where 1.1 million Jews were exterminated between 1942 and 1945 Tote bags and pillows showing the tracks leading up to the Auschwitz sub-camp Birkenau are on offer for $10 and $30, respectively. A spokesperson for the Auschwitz museum in Poland condemned the products as 'disturbing and disrespectful.' Tweeting the site directly, they said: 'Do you really think that selling such products as pillows, mini skirts or tote bags with the images of Auschwitz - a place of enormous human tragedy where over 1.1 million people were murdered - is acceptable? This is rather disturbing and disrespectful.' A spokesperson for the Auschwitz museum in Poland condemned the products as 'disturbing and disrespectful'. Tweeting the site directly, they said: 'Do you really think that selling such products as pillows, mini skirts or tote bags with the images of Auschwitz - a place of enormous human tragedy where over 1,1 million people were murdered - is acceptable?' Digital colorist Marina Amaral also attacked the products, labeling them 'disgusting'. Another Twitter user labelled the items 'nauseating,' while Terry Banet said: 'I cant really wrap my head around why someone would do this.' Auschwitz was a complex of more than 40 camps located across several kilometers, with the original located in the annexed town of Oswiecim in Poland, which was known as Auschwitz while under German occupation. The Nazis converted what had been a local army barracks into an enormous killing machine where an estimated 1.1million people died. It is estimated that 90 percent of those who died at Auschwitz were Jews. The 'Final Solution' was officially launched in March 1942 with the opening of Belzec, although the killing campaign was already underway by December 1941 in the odz Ghetto in the Warthegau district, using mobile gas trucks. Auschwitz was liberated by invading Soviet forces on January 27, 1945 - the date now marked as Holocaust Memorial Day in the UK. The governments of Poland and Germany have both contributed to preserving the camp as a memorial, which was declared a World Heritage Site in 1979. Tote bags and pillows showing the tracks leading up to the Auschwitz II - Birkenau site are on offer for $10 and $45 respectively. Auschwitz was a complex of more than 40 camps located across several kilometers, with the original located in the town of Oswiecim in Poland, which was known as Auschwitz while under German occupation RedBubble said: 'We appreciate that this has been brought to our attention. The nature of this content is not acceptable and is not in line with our Community Guidelines. We are taking immediate action to remove these and similar works available on these product types' Many of the products listed on the website were still visible today, although were not available for purchase. The company told DailyMail in a statement: 'Redbubble is the host of an online marketplace where independent users take responsibility for the images they upload. 'Redbubble takes a strong stance against racism and violence, including the atrocities committed in Nazi concentration camps. We have onsite reporting functions in place should community members discover works that breach these guidelines that have not yet been removed by our team. 'We are grateful when any such material on the site is brought to our attention. 'We have taken immediate action to remove these works identified by The Auschwitz Memorial and are continuously working to ensure we keep offending content of this nature off of Redbubble.' President Donald Trump's campaign came out with an unusual statement blasting groups that 'deceptively' use his name and likeness to confuse voters following a report that his former deputy campaign manager cashed in on Trump. Without naming names, the campaign slammed groups that are 'interested in filling their own pockets with money from innocent Americans' paychecks.' The statement followed a report by the Campaign Legal Center that a group headed by former Trump Deputy Campaign Manager David Bossie was raising millions by 'capitalizing' on his relationship to Trump. The report featured fundraising mailers featuring Bossie and Trump while stating his role and praising Trump. But according to its review of data disclosed by the organization, just a fraction went to political campaigns. The Trump campaign came out with a blistering statement going after groups that 'deceptively' use the president's name, following a report on the fundraising practices of The Presidential Coalition 'President Trump's campaign condemns any organization that deceptively uses the President's name, likeness, trademarks, or branding and confuses voters. There is no excuse for any group, including ones run by people who claim to be part of our 'coalition,' to suggest they directly support President Trump's re-election or any other candidates, when in fact their actions show they are interested in filling their own pockets with money from innocent Americans' paychecks, and sadly, retirements', according to the Trump campaign statement Tuesday. 'We encourage the appropriate authorities to investigate all alleged scam groups for potential illegal activities,' it continued, before listing official fundraising vehicles for Trump. The watchdog's report, in coordination with Axios, described how the Presidential Coalition jumped from fundraising of $1 million to $18 million, with $425,442 going to political activity in 2017 and 2018. Bossie served as Trump's deputy campaign manager during the 2016 campaign Let Trump Be Trump authors David Bossie, Former Deputy Campaign Manager for President Donald Trump, and Corey Lewandowski, Former Campaign Manager for President Donald Trump, appear on "Meet the Press" in Washington, D.C., Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017 The unusual statement condemned 'any organization' that 'deceptively' uses Trump or his brand The Campaign Legal Center watchdog featured some of the group's mailings that thank President Trump and seek donations A mailer urged donors to 'Join the Presidential Coalition today with your membership gift of $45 or more youll receive a special brand-new hardcover copy of my new book, TRUMPS ENEMIES' written by Bossie and Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski Much of the rest went to fundraising, direct mail, and staff, as well as Bossie's $105,541 from the Coalition. A Bossie statement attacked the Campaign Legal Center, saying it had a conflict of interest for having opposed his affiliated group, Citizens United, over major court cases involving the group. Other costs included purchases of Bossie's book, 'Trump's Enemies.' Bossie heads Citizens United, a group that was around years before Trump's 2016 presidential campaign. It said a 'small amount' was spent on his book, but the bulk of book purchases went toward Newt Gingrich's 'Trump's America.' Group members were 'very excited' to get the books, it said. It said the group makes 'no apologies for building a multi-million war chest for deployment in the all-important 2020 elections.' Bossie's group in the statement called a report on the fundraising 'fake news' and blamed 'left wing smear tactics The Presidential Coalition logo features the White House in its logo and according to a report targeted elderly donors An unidentified senior Trump administration blasted the fundraising effort, telling Axios: 'The problem the president is going to have with this is 1) he does not like when people are perceived to be profiting off of him, and 2) these are not max out donors. This is money that many likely think is going towards the president's re-election effort when it is not. So effectively every dollar groups like Bossie's and similar groups raise is a dollar the campaign does not.' The pressure comes as Trump's campaign is competing with many of the same potential dollars as outside groups for funding as the campaign heats up. The Campaign Legal Center report showed an emphasis on donations of less than $200, and said the Presidential Coalition is collecting 'most of its funds from small-dollar and elderly donors' and that 'vulnerable voters are getting misled' about their money. The report quotes fundraising appeals by Bossie that stress his ties to Trump. 'Would you do me the honor of accepting my invitation to join the Presidential Coalition as a founding member of our 2018 Trump coalition?' one direct mail piece read. One stated: 'It was truly an honor and a blessing for me to serve President Trump as his Deputy Campaign Manager in 2016. I know firsthand how much President Trump loves our country, our flag, and our national anthem.' Bossie did not immediately return a call seeking comment. Confidante: Gayle King pictured on her way to Meghan's baby shower in New York is one of the Duchess's best friends The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have insisted on a US broadcaster being present when they unveil their baby son to the world today and have picked the channel fronted by one of Meghan's best friends. The couple have arranged for CBS, the network whose morning show is fronted by the duchess's confidante Gayle King a guest at her New York baby shower to join a small British media contingent for the photocall at Windsor Castle. Miss King was with the couple at their private residence of Frogmore Cottage at the weekend, having arrived in the UK to film what she called a 'royal special'. The inclusion of the CBS camera this morning is causing a storm among rival media outlets with the Queen's former press secretary Dickie Arbiter, who comments on royal matters for a host of networks including the BBC, ITV, and Sky, warning it is 'treading on dodgy ground'. Mr Arbiter said the stated reason - that the inclusion of CBS in the pool means the pictures will make US breakfast shows - was a 'fatuous excuse' because syndication deals would have ensured US coverage without the CBS presence. He alluded to Meghan's close ties to King saying 'choosing a US network, fiend [sic] or not, is treading on dodgy ground'. British broadcasters are said to be furious at the move and there is also concern among some in the royal household that the decision will look like a 'slap in the face' to Commonwealth broadcasters, particularly in countries such as Australia, Canada and New Zealand, where the Queen is still head of state. 'It's a decision that has taken everyone by surprise and has not gone down well in some quarters,' one source said. Gayle King's show, Meghan and Harry Plus One, is set to air on CBS on May 17, and will feature chats from royal insiders and Meghan's friends to mark the one-year anniversary of the royal marriage and the birth of their first child. It is thought 64-year-old King returned to the US before Meghan was admitted to hospital in the early hours of Monday to give birth. The decision to include a US broadcaster came as a surprise to British television channels including the BBC and ITV not to mention many at Buckingham Palace. It comes as royal fans wait for their first glimpse of the newborn in a photo shoot due to take place this afternoon. The Queen's former press spokesman had strong words for the Sussexes over the coverage The event is due to be covered by Sky News, which was selected randomly following other submissions from the BBC and ITV. According to ITV's royal correspondent Chris Ship, the same process was undertaken to decide which American network would cover the event. He was told CBS was also picked at random following submissions by fellow US broadcasters NBC and ABC. A source said last night the arrangements were made to 'reflect the international interest in the story'. By coincidence or not CBS's morning show is hosted by Meghan's great friend Miss King, who is also close to Oprah Winfrey, another a friend of the royal couple and a guest at their wedding. Handily for her, it is expected that footage of Baby Sussex will be broadcast in America in time for her popular breakfast show, This Morning. CBS star Miss King was among just 20 guests to attend Meghan's lavish five-day baby shower in New York in February, rubbing shoulders with the likes of Oprah Winfrey and Serena Williams. Last month Harry and Meghan's office announced that while they wanted to keep details of the birth private (pictured: Duke and Duchess of Sussex on March 14, 2019) CBS star Gayle King pictured at a book launch on Tuesday night in the US, having returned from Britain where she filmed a royal special ahead of the birth Prince William and Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge show their newly-born son Prince Louis of Cambridge to the media outside the Lindo Wing at St Mary's Hospital in central London on April 23, 2018 Speaking afterwards, Miss King revealed that the group were taught how to arrange flowers which were then donated to charity. Photographed walking into the event with a polka-dot party bag, Miss King refused to reveal exactly what she had bought for the royal couple. Last month Harry and Meghan's office announced that while they wanted to keep details of the birth private, they had agreed to a very small photocall at Windsor a couple of days after the baby was born. This was confirmed by the delighted prince in person on Monday, when he told journalists that he would see them again in two days. A small 'pool' of British professionals was picked, comprised of one television camera, one photographer and one reporter from the Press Association to ask questions. They will feed the footage, words and pictures to organisations worldwide. Gayle King presents coverage of the wedding of her friend Meghan Markle to Prince Harry But yesterday it emerged that Harry and American-born Meghan had specifically asked for a US camera crew to be included as well. Initially it is believed that this was refused because, traditionally, only UK journalists are invited in order to 'represent' the British taxpayers who fund the monarchy. The couple seemingly insisted, however, even though it was pointed out that it could cause offence among Commonwealth organisations. Despite CBS's attendance, a royal source said it would not receive any exclusive content from the photocall and would be expected to share all of its material. But the American network's involvement in such a high-profile event usually reserved for British media representatives will still be viewed as a huge scoop Stateside. Last night a palace aide said: 'There is an international cameraman accredited to the pool facility tomorrow. CBS will provide the cameraman. 'This reflects the international interest in the story. The international camera spot was self-selected and the pictures will be available for pool use.' Gordon Browns decision to sell off Britains gold reserves was the single worst investment of modern times, it was claimed last night. Twenty years ago this week the then-chancellor started selling off a significant share of the reserves, when the price of bullion was at a 20-year low. Over three years, Mr Brown sold 401 tons of gold out of the Treasurys 715 ton holding, at an average price of $275 an ounce. The sale generated around $3.5billion or 2.4billion. If Mr Brown had kept the gold, it would now be worth around 17billion. Mr Brown sold 401 tons of gold out of the Treasurys 715 ton holding, at an average price of $275 an ounce The average price since the sale ended has been almost quadruple that price, at around $1,000. This week it stood at more than $1,200 an ounce and at one point, in September 2011, prices reached a record high of $1,920 an ounce. Last night, Adrian Ash, director of research at BullionVault, the online investment gold service, said: Today marks the 20th anniversary of Gordon Browns infamous gold sales decision, more than halving the UKs national reserves at the lowest prices in two decades between 1999 and 2002. Perhaps the single worst investment of modern times, Browns decision came as the Tech Stock Bubble peaked and many other Western central banks also cut their holdings. Since then the global financial crisis has plainly made the case why private investors should hold a little gold as insurance, while emerging-market nations led by Russia and China have dramatically added to their national gold reserves. Last year, Chancellor Philip Hammond described the sell-off as the most potent symbol of the economic mismanagement of the last Labour government. The price fell sharply the moment the Treasury pre-announced its intention to sell parcels of gold reserves in a series of auctions over three years. With the proceeds of the sales, the Treasury bought euros, dollars and yen. The sale generated around $3.5billion or 2.4billion. If Mr Brown had kept the gold, it would now be worth around 17billion Last night Charlie Elphicke, a Tory member of the Treasury select committee, said: Gordon Browns incompetence cost the taxpayer an eye-watering sum of money. With these billions we could have provided better-funded public services, with more police, more teachers and more nurses. The decision to sell off the gold was made despite serious misgivings at the Bank of England. Documents released in 2010 revealed that Mr Brown made repeated efforts to persuade the Bank to agree a joint proposal on the gold sell-off. The Bank offered him advice in September 1998 but it was rejected. The Bank is thought to have told the then-chancellor to delay at least part of the sale until the price improved. Lord George, who was then the Banks governor, offered only the most lukewarm endorsement of the decision at the time, telling MPs it was a perfectly reasonable portfolio decision. The losses are estimated at three times the amount lost when Britain left the Exchange Rate Mechanism on Black Wednesday in 1992. The pilot who captained the private plane that crashed in Mexico on Sunday while it was returning from Las Vegas reportedly once worked for El Chapo's cartel and was recruited to fly Muammar Gaddafi's son out of Libya. Juan Jose Aguilar Talavera, a military-trained pilot, was one of 13 people that died aboard the business jet that was found Monday in a remote mountainous area of Ocampo, a city in the northern state of Coahuila. According to Mexican newspaper El Universal, the 45-year-old captain was one of 11 people detained at an airport in Tijuana in July 2006 and accused of being part of cell that worked for Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman. SEE VIDEO BELOW Pilot Juan Jose Aguilar Talavera was in the cockpit of the Bombardier Challenger 601 that went down Sunday in northern Mexico. The captain was charged in 2006 with being part of a cell of pilots that worked for El Chapo's Sinaloa Cartel El Chapo once hired the captain of the wrecked business jet that was found in the Mexican state of Coahuila on Monday In 2011, a secret operation to sneak Saadi Gaddafi (pictured) into Mexico was broke up when a pilot team of Juan Jose Aguilar Talavera and two other Mexican men refused to participate after finding out that they would help flee the son of the Libyan leader. Muammar Gaddafi Aguilar Talavera was slammed with charged of organized crime, trafficking undocumented persons and possession of firearms. News outlet Milenio also reported that the pilot allegedly participated in shipment of five and half tons of cocaine aboard a DC-9 aircraft that had been seized in Ciudad del Carmen in April 2006. The business plane crashed in Mexico after leaving Las Vegas. A Bombardier Challenger is pictured Officials say there are no signs of survivors after the wreckage was found on late Monday morning. Authorities are pictured at the scene of the crash Local reports say there was a storm in the area at the time of the crash What is is unknown is how much time, if any, Aguilar Talavera spent in jail. There are no public records registered for his sentencing. He was also reportedly hired in 2011 to participate in a clandestine operation to fly the son of Muammar Gaddafi out of Libya. A 2011 clandestine operation to fly the son of Muammar Gaddafi (pictured) out of Libya and into Mexico was abruptly ended by Mexican pilot Juan Jose Aguilar Talaver, one of 13 people that died aboard a private jet that crashed Sunday in Mexico The plan was to sneak Saadi Gaddafi, who was then wanted by the Interpol, and his family into Mexico with the use of false documents, according to records obtained by Milenio from Mexico's Attorney General's office. However, the plan fell apart when Aguilar and two other pilots refused to fly from Kosovo into Libyan territory. Aguilar Talavera was one of the three crew members on the Bombardier Challenger 601 plane that departed Las Vegas Sunday afternoon following the Canelo Alvarez fight and was reported missing after it did not make it to Monterrey on Sunday evening. Prince Harry and Meghan may apply for their newborn son to have both British and US passports. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex want their as-yet-unnamed child to grow up a global citizen, royal insiders have said. The couple have made no secret of their wish to be the 'inclusive' face of the monarchy. The boy would be entitled to a US passport because his mother was born in Los Angeles and is still an American citizen. His parents would first have to apply for American citizenship on his behalf. A senior source stressed nothing has been decided yet, but added: 'I think it is likely that they will.' The baby temporarily known as Baby Sussex was welcomed into the Royal Family yesterday by his overjoyed relatives and will be unveiled to the public today. Prince Harry and Meghan want their as-yet-unnamed child to grow up a global citizen, according to royal insiders The couple's newborn son, temporarily known as Baby Sussex, was welcomed into the Royal Family on May 6 The Daily Mail revealed that Meghan's plans for a home birth were scuppered with a last-minute dash to hospital on Sunday. Among other developments yesterday: -Prince William welcomed his brother to the 'sleep deprivation society that is parenting'; -His wife Kate described it as 'such a special time' and said they were 'looking forward to meeting him and finding out what his name's going to be'; -Prince Charles spoke of his pleasure to find himself 'the grandfather of a brand new grandson' and said how excited he and his wife, the Duchess of Cornwall, were about meeting the baby when they return on Friday from an official visit to Germany; -The Queen exclaimed excitedly at an official engagement that she was now a proud great- grandmother of eight; -Sources told the Mail that despite plans for Meghan to have a home birth the baby was so overdue that she was forced to deliver him in hospital, believed to be the exclusive Portland in central London; -Buckingham Palace confirmed that Harry and Meghan will unveil their new son to the world at a photocall at Windsor Castle today; -In a break with tradition, the couple have apparently insisted on US broadcaster CBS being there to witness the moment. The new royal would be entitled to a US passport because his mother was born in Los Angeles The news that the couple may seek a US passport for their baby ties in with their desire for their son and any future children to be what another source has described as a 'global citizen'. The insider said: 'Their royal highnesses both have enormous respect for the institution of the monarchy and this country, and want their family to have an outward looking approach,' the source said. 'It's about their children being aware of and understanding the wider world and their place in it. They want them to take an active interest in the global community, working towards a fairer society and more sustainable way of living.' Prince Harry speaks to members of the media at Windsor Castle following the birth of his son A senior source has said that nothing is yet decided on the baby's possible dual citizenship Referring to the naming of the couple as Commonwealth ambassadors by the Queen, the source added: 'The Commonwealth, that family of 53 nations of which the Queen is so rightly proud, is a perfect example of how globalism can work.' The couple are exploring the option of living and working in Africa for long periods as well as spending 'quality time' in other parts of the world. While aides have dismissed claims they plan to move abroad semi-permanently, they confirm that the Sussexes are potentially keen to spend three or four months a year living with their family in different regions of the world. This would allow them to 'immerse' themselves properly in the issues being faced by local communities, particularly in terms of education, the environment and conservation. News that the couple may seek a US passport for their son ties in with their desire for their child to be a 'global citizen' It is also thought that Meghan, 37, will continue to regularly visit the country of her birth. Her mother, Doria, lives in Los Angeles and she has many friends in the US. It will be easier for her to do this if her children have American passports. The duchess announced in the run-up to her wedding that she would seek to apply for British citizenship at the appropriate time a minimum of five years after living in the UK. But Kensington Palace deliberately chose not to confirm whether she would renounce her US citizenship at the same time. Speaking last year, a spokesman said: 'Miss Markle will be compliant with all immigration requirements at all times and has, of course, taken advice on that throughout this process. 'I can also say that she intends to become a UK citizen and will go through the process of that, which can take a number of years. 'She will retain US citizenship throughout the process.' The spokesman added that it had not yet been decided whether she would retain dual nationality. According to the US Department of State, a baby born outside the United States to one American parent can acquire US citizenship at birth if that parent has been in the US for at least five years, two of them before they turned 14, prior to the birth. As Meghan was born and grew up in Los Angeles, she meets these rules, meaning her son would be granted citizenship. She and Harry would have to contact the US embassy in London to apply for a 'Consular Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the United States of America'. A CRBA is proof of US citizenship and may be used to obtain an American passport or even to apply to attend school in the United States. The baby will be liable for US taxes if he is made a US citizen. American law dictates that income, wherever it is generated, is legally entitled to be taxed back in the States. David Treitel, founder of American Tax Returns Ltd, which provides taxation advice to ex-pats, last month told CNN: 'The United States has unique among nations a citizenship-based taxation system, so as long as Meghan is a citizen of the United States she is taxed. 'The baby is being born to a United States citizen and that ... little boy or girl, who comes along in the next few weeks, will automatically be a citizen of the United States simply because her mother is. No one has ever faced this circumstance before. 'Ultimately, the law states that all income, everywhere is taxed unless it is exempt. If the baby has income, Meghan has income, they are taxed.' Hester Jordan Burkhalter, 69, was booked in a Florida jail on a state felony charge of possession of cannabis concentrates A great-grandmother from North Carolina spent 12 hours in a Florida jail after she was arrested during a family trip to Disney World for having medical marijuana. Hester Jordan Burkhalter, 69, was booked on a state felony charge of possession of cannabis concentrates after her prescription CBD oil was tested by Orange County Sheriffs deputies for THC, WOFL-TV reported. In Florida, it is illegal to possess any amount of THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, which is the chemical in marijuana that produces the effect of getting high. But Burkhalter, a resident of Hildebran, North Carolina, was prescribed a CBD oil that claimed to not have any THC. She says she and her family saved up money for two years for their trip to Walt Disney World in Orlando. Burkhalter says that when the family reached the checkpoint at the entrance to the theme park, she had her belongings searched. A security guard found the CBD oil and alerted a sheriffs deputy, who arranged to have the oil tested. Burkhalter (seen right with her husband, Art) was prescribed CBD oil by a doctor to treat arthritis pain During a recent trip to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Burkhalter was stopped at a checkpoint when a security guard found the CBD oil When the tests showed traces of THC, Burkhalter was arrested. She spent 12 hours in jail before she was released on $2,000 bond. I have really bad arthritis in my legs, in my arms and in my shoulder, she said. I use (CBD oil) for the pain because it helps. Burkhalter says she was shocked by her arrest. Ive never had one speeding ticket in my life. The sheriffs office insists that the deputy was simply following the law when the arrest was made. When WOFL-TV made inquiries to the district attorneys office, prosecutors decided to drop all charges. Burkhalter's CBD oil prescription (above) claims to have no THC content, but Orange County Sheriff's deputies tested the oil and alleged that there were traces of THC Last year, Congress removed hemp and extracts such as CBD from the federal list of illegal drugs. CBD has become extremely popular because of its purported medicinal qualities while not producing the psychoactive 'high' that is associated with traditional marijuana. It is sold in candy, coffee, bathing products, and other items. Federal law allows Americans to possess CBD so long as the THC content does not exceed 0.3 per cent, according to The New York Times. Burkhalter was jailed because states like Florida have not adjusted their laws in accordance with the federal statute, which means that Americans can be arrested in certain states for doing something that is legal nationwide. This has contributed to the confusion on the local level when it comes to enforcement of laws related to CBD and marijuana. THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THC AND CBD Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are both derived from the cannabis plant. Together, they are part of the cannabinoid group of compounds found in hashish, hash oil, and most strains of marijuana. THC is the psychoactive compound responsible for the euphoric, 'high' feeling often associated with marijuana. THC interacts with CB1 receptors in the central nervous system and brain and creates the sensations of euphoria and anxiety. CBD does not fit these receptors well, and actually decreases the effects of THC, and is not psychoactive. CBD is thought to help reduce anxiety and inflammation. Advertisement New York state officials told food growers and processors in mid-December that they had the states blessing to produce and sell tea and chocolates laced with CBD. But since then, New York City health inspectors have seized thousands of dollars worth of CBD-infused food and drinks at the Fat Cat Kitchen and other local cafes and restaurants, and warned owners to stop selling them or face penalties. The crackdown came just weeks after federal law explicitly made CBD legal across the country. The New York City crackdown highlights the inconsistencies that have emerged in federal, state and local rules governing CBD, bewildering the small but growing number of businesses selling edibles in New York and other states. 'Im trying to be compliant with the law, but no one seems to be fully aware of what the law is and isnt,' said C.J. Holm, the owner of the Fat Cat Kitchen, which touts CBD coffee and cookies on a sidewalk chalkboard. Consumer interest in CBD tinctures, topical creams and edibles has grown in recent years in step with the piecemeal legalization of marijuana, which is now permitted as either a medical or recreational drug in 33 states while still banned by the federal government. In 2018, U.S. consumers spent an estimated $300million on CBD food and drinks, according to a report by Cowen Washington Research Group. The Coca-Cola Company and other food giants have expressed interest in the sector. The 2018 Farm Bill, enacted in December, was intended in part to clear up the legal status of CBD by legalizing cannabis extracts derived from strains of the plant, known as hemp, that contain very low concentrations of THC, the main psychoactive compound in marijuana. But the law also created new confusion for businesses wanting to sell CBD food or drink. For some, it is impossible to follow one set of regulations without being in breach of another. Hong Kong: Michael Wong concludes BJ trip Secretary for Development Michael Wong concluded his Beijing visit today by meeting officials of the Ministry of Commerce and the Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office of the State Council. Mr Wong met the ministry's Department of Taiwan, Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Deputy Director General Liu Huabo. They exchanged views on issues including matters relating to the Mainland & Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA), the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, the Belt & Road Initiative and Hong Kong's engagement in the Mainland's foreign aid construction projects. He then met Deputy Director of the Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office of the State Council Huang Liuquan. He thanked the office for its support in fostering mutual recognition of professional qualifications under the CEPA framework. They also discussed issues, including the opportunities brought about by the development of the bay area and the Belt & Road Initiative. This story has been published on: 2019-05-07. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Honda saw its China deliveries in April jump 24.1% year on year to 125,407 units, hitting a new high in April sales for the worlds largest auto market, the Japanese automaker announced on May 7. Meanwhile, both joint ventures attained their best April deliveries (so far). GAC Honda delivered 65,813 vehicles with a double-digit growth of 23.8%, while Dongfeng Honda gained an increase of 24.5%, handing over 59,594 new cars. For the first four months, Hondas China sales showed a year-on-year growth of 14.6%. The year-to-date (YTD) sales of GAC Honda and Dongfeng Honda rose 9.6% and 21.1% respectively to 246,623 units and 213,918 units. The company said six modelsthe Accord, the Civic, the CR-V, the Fit, the XR-V and the Criderhad respective monthly deliveries exceeding 10,000 units. The sales of the CR-V Hybrid surged 56.9% from the previous year to 2,640 units. Additionally, the Accord Hybrid, with 2,267 units delivered last month, attained a remarkable growth of 30%. (Photo source: www.honda.com.cn) GAC Hondas Odyssey Hybrid MPV hit the market on April 29 with guiding prices ranging between RMB229,800 and RMB323,800, enriching the groups hybrid product matrix. The new hybrid model features the magical automatic door design for the first time that let users open/close sliding side door with gestures. It is said that this technology will be mass produced in the second half of the year. 2019 Riviera Nayarit Wind Festival/Kitesurf Competition Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico - Kitesurfers from all over Mexico - and the world! - are preparing to hit the beaches of the Riviera Nayarit for three days of spectacular kitesurfing during the 2019 Festival del Viento (Wind Festival). This year's event will be held May 17-19 at Maritima Nuevo Vallarta in Flamingos, Nayarit. Kitesurfing is a dynamic sport that appeals to athletes of all ages. Riders hit the waves on a surfboard that is powered by winds captured by an attached kite, a combination that allows athletes to attain high speeds on the water and make spectacular leaps. This international kiteboarding competition is considered the most important stop on this leg of the National Tour held by the Mexican Kitesurf Association, and this year's event is expected to bring approximately 300 national and international competitors for a weekend of intense activity on the waters between Flamingos and La Cruz de Huanacaxtle. The Wind Festival has been taking place in the Banderas Bay area for the last nine years because this stretch of coastline offers exceptional climatic conditions for kiteboarding, such a strong and constant winds, long waves and a 5-kilometer-long beach, making it the perfect setting for these high level competitions. The competitions include Down Wind - a race for all categories; Big Air - where the prize goes to the highest jumps; Freestyle - for tricks and showy moves (this is divided among Pro, Amateur, and Women's categories;) and Course Racing - which consists of a long distance portion and a slalom course. The public is invited to watch the events from the beach(es) - free of charge. Watching all the kites go out at the same time offers a very bright and colorful show during the race, and watching the freestyle competitors' stunts is simply amazing - making this an experience not to be missed! Evangelical leader Jerry Falwell Jr., asked President Donald Trump's former fixer Michael Cohen in 2015 to help make some 'personal' photos disappear it was revealed Tuesday. During a call with actor Tom Arnold, Cohen said that a few months before Falwell's game-changing endorsement of Trump, the president of Liberty University solicited Cohen's help after someone obtained racy 'personal' photographs. Cohen described the pictures to Arnold as 'terrible' and the sort that would typically be kept 'between husband and wife,' according to a recorded conversation reviewed by Reuters. After the Falwells told Cohen someone had obtained photographs and was demanding money, Cohen flew to Florida and met with an attorney for the person with the photographs. The attorney for the person who possessed the photos told Cohen they had all been destroyed after Cohen intervened on the Falwells' behalf and pointed out the crime the person was committing. The Falwells enlisted Cohen's help the year Trump announced his presidential candidacy. At the time, Cohen was Trump's confidant and personal lawyer, and he worked for the Trump Organization. Liberty University President Jerry Falwell Jr., (left) and his wife, Rebecca (right), solicited Trump's former fixer Michael Cohen's help in 2015 to help resolive a personal matter after someone obtained what Cohen described as racy personal photographs better kept 'between husband and wife' Falwell's debacle over the photographs emerged after Reuters reviewed a recording of a phone call actor Tom Arnold had with Cohen on March 25. Cohen told Arnold Falwell asked for his help to deal with the person who obtained the 'personal' photos Falwell issued an endorsement of then-candidate Trump a few months after the photo fiasco and just before the Iowa caucus a move that helped Trump gain ground with the Christian community Cohen told Arnold he wanted to keep 'a bunch of photographs, personal photographs' from becoming public. 'I actually have one of the photos,' he said, without going into specifics. 'It's terrible.' Through a lawyer, Falwell, the president of one of the world's largest Christian universities, declined to comment on Cohen's conversation. Sources also said Cohen was also responsible for helping persuade Falwell to issue his endorsement of Trump's presidential candidacy at a critical moment just before the Iowa caucuses. Falwell subsequently barnstormed with Trump and vouched for the candidate's Christian virtues. There is no evidence that Falwell's endorsement of Trump was related to Cohen's involvement in the photo matter, and the source familiar with Cohen's thinking insisted the endorsement and the help with the photographs were separate issues. Arnold spoke with Cohen on the phone on March 25, and recorded the conversation without the former attorney's knowledge. Some details of their talk emerged last month when the Wall Street Journal initially reported on the recorded phone call. While speaking to Arnold, Cohen admitting that he lied in at least part of his guilty plea in order to protect his wife, according to the Journal's report. Cohen, who began a three-year prison sentence this week for federal campaign violations and lying to Congress, recounted his involvement in the matter in his call with Arnold. Trump delivered the keynote address during Liberty University's graduation commencement on May 17, 2017. The last sitting president that spoke at Liberty's graduation was George H. W. Bush in 1990 Falwell has continued to voice his support Trump since his initial endorsement. On May 5 he tweeted the president should be given two extra years to his first term due to distractions created by Special Counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation, which spanned almost two years Cohen's connection to the Falwells sheds light on the formidable alliance between Trump and a man who, through his university, is one of the most influential evangelical figures in America. Falwell's backing helped galvanize evangelicals and persuaded many Christians concerned about Trump's past behavior to embrace him as a repentant sinner. Falwell's support for Trump has not wavered throughout the New York celebrity-politician's own tribulations, including the Access Hollywood recording of Trump talking about grabbing women's genitals and payoffs made by Cohen to hide Trump's extramarital affairs. This past weekend, Falwell tweeted that 'Trump should have 2 yrs added to his 1st term' to make up for the almost two years of Mueller's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. Falwells endorsement of Trump, however, did surprise some students and staff at Liberty University, the school in Lynchburg, Virginia, founded by Falwells father. It was at Liberty where fellow Republican presidential candidate and major Trump rival Ted Cruz had chosen to launch his campaign the previous year. Cruz's father was an evangelical preacher, much like Falwell's father; Trump has been married three times and divorced twice. For years, prior to running for president, Trump boasted of his sexual exploits and supported a host of social positions, such as abortion rights, that run counter to beliefs espoused by Falwell. Although Falwell declined interview requests for this story, he has said repeatedly that he endorsed Trump because Trump was the strongest candidate, had significant experience running a business, and had the right vision for the country. The connection between Trump and Falwell goes back years. In 2012, Trump gave the convocation at Liberty University. One link between Trump and the couple appears to have been Cohen, a now-disbarred New York lawyer who formed a close bond with the Falwells. 'There still remains much to be told and I look forward to the day that I can share the truth,' Cohen told reporters as he left his Manhattan home on Monday to report for his three-year federal prison sentence Cohen on the final stage of his journey to Federal Correctional Institution, Otisville medium-security prison on Monday During the campaign, Cohen worked closely with Liberty University to help promote Trump's candidacy. It was around that time that Cohen heard from the Falwells about the photographs, said the source familiar with Cohen's thinking. In early 2016, the Iowa caucus was coming up, and Cohen then deeply loyal to Trump was concerned about how Trump would fare, a source said. Cohen felt Trump 'was being slaughtered in that community,' and 'didn't want to see him embarrassed or, you know, without support,' said the source familiar with Cohen's thinking. Cohen repeatedly reached out to Jerry Falwell, and pleaded with him to back Trump, the source said. Soon after, according to this account, Falwell made his historic announcement. 'I am proud to offer my endorsement of Donald J. Trump for President of the United States,' Falwell was quoted saying in a statement issued by the Trump campaign. 'He is a successful executive and entrepreneur, a wonderful father and a man who I believe can lead our country to greatness again.' The revelation of Cohen's involvement in a blackmail plot in Florida was not the only unusual legal difficulty the evangelical leader has found himself in in the state. Falwell was involved in another legal scandal in Florida, where a father-son duo filed a lawsuit against him and a 21-year-old pool boy, Giancario Granda, he went into business with after they said Falwell refused to share profits from the real estate venture Jesus Fernandez Sr and Jesus Fernandez Jr are suing, alleging that Falwell and Granda cut them out of the deal involving a hostel in Miami, Florida According to the lawsuit, Falwell wanted to help Granda, who had no previous business experience, 'establish a new career' Falwell was named as a defendant in a lawsuit over a Miami Beach hostel, which he had invested in along with a young pool boy, Giancarlo Granda, who was 21 at the time of the deal. The lawsuit was brought against Falwell, Granda and others last year by father-son duo Jesus Fernandez Sr. and Jesus Fernandez Jr., who claimed that they helped start the Alton Hostel in Miami Beach in 2013, only to be excluded from the deal. The civil complaint, refiled in August 2017 after it was dismissed in 2015, accuses Falwell, his wife Rebecca, their adult son Trey and their business associate Granda, of failing to share profits from the real estate venture. Falwell flew Granda around on the family's private jet and the evangelical leader told the pool boy that he wished to help him 'establish a new career and build a business,' according to the suit. Granda, who had no experience in business development, got the Fernandez's involved when he went to his then-friend Fernandez Jr., and asked for his help to come up with a good profitable business he could bring to Falwell. After they came up with the idea for the hostel, Granda went back to Fernandez Jr., and asked him to consult with his father, Fernandez Sr., who 'was very experienced in real estate ventures,' according to the complaint. The complaint accuses the defendants of breach of contract, two counts of fraud and one count of unjust enrichment. Daniel Hassler, 39, was arrested in April for allegedly running an opioid trafficking operation out of his Suffolk County home for 'several years' Complaints made by suspicious neighbors allegedly unearthed a sophisticated and several years-long illegal opioid trafficking operation in New York, investigators have revealed. Daniel Hassler, 39, now faces 19 charges related to the illicit trading of oxycodone pills and the possession of several high-powered prohibited assault rifles, which authorities say they seized from his home in Shirley on April 24. Suffolk County prosecutors claim police were alerted to Hasslers reported trafficking ring in March, after several of his neighbors reported seeing vehicles consistently coming and going from outside his home. Police surveillance of the property on Braybright Drive led officers to believe a drug trafficking operation was in place at the residence - and after raiding them home they reportedly discovered a litany of evidence to support their suspicions. Police were alerted to Hasslers 'trafficking ring' in March, after several of his neighbors reported seeing cars consistently coming and going from his home The indictment against Hassler was revealed by the Suffolk County District Attorneys office on Tuesday, showing Sini standing behind a desk surrounded by the weapons and ammunition said to be found in Hasslers home Hassler was reportedly found in possession of 11 grams of oxycodone pills, five scales, a drug ledger, $1,032 in cash and packaging materials 'consistent with drug sales'. Officers are said to have also discovered 17 long guns, including four assault weapons, 29 high-capacity magazines and more than 30 boxes of ammunition including AR-15 starfish magazine couplers. According to their theory, prosecutors say Hassler used the arsenal of weapons to protect his sordid trade having been robbed several times by rival dealers. Investigators believe Hassler preyed upon individuals with oxycodone prescriptions, offered to buy some of the pills and then sold them on to vulnerable addicts for a profit. That drug business was particularly offensive, District Attorney Timothy Sini said. He would prey upon individuals with prescriptions for oxycodone and approach those individuals to purchase oxycodone from them so that he could illegally distribute those pills to people suffering from addiction. Hassler (pictured left with his partner) was said to be found in possession of 11 grams of oxycodone pills, five scales, a drug ledger, $1,032 in cash and 'drug packaging materials' Officers are said to have also discovered 17 long guns, including four assault weapons, 29 high-capacity magazines and more than 30 boxes of ammunition including AR-15 starfish magazine couplers (pictured in Sini's hand) Hassler allegedly kept a list of local people who had prescriptions of the pain killers along with dates of when their prescriptions would be renewed. However, Sini declined to comment on how the defendant apparently gained access to the confidential information. The indictment against Hassler was revealed by the Suffolk County District Attorneys office on Tuesday, showing Sini standing behind a desk surrounded by the weapons and ammunition said to be found in Hasslers home. This individual armed himself to the teeth, Sini continued. These are military-grade weapons that could easily be used to cause mass devastation. Its bad enough that a drug dealer had access to these guns and this ammunition, but we also know that crime guns pass multiple hands The potential public safety benefit of removing these guns from the street cannot be understated. Hassler is scheduled to be arraigned on the indictment by Suffolk County Supreme Court Justice John Collins on May 10. Investigators believe Hassler preyed upon individuals with oxycodone prescriptions, offered to buy some of the pills and then sold them on to addicts He has been charged with second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and numerous other charges relating to drug trafficking and gun possession. Hassler's attorney, Steven Wilutis of Miller Place, denied that his client is a drug dealer. We contend that the firearms are legally purchased at local dealers, he said to Newsday. We intend to plead not guilty. If convicted of all counts Hassler could face in excess of 15 years in prison. Thanks to the collaborative efforts of the Suffolk County Police Department, the Suffolk County District Attorneys Office and Homeland Security Investigations, a man who made a career out of selling oxycodone pills is being held accountable for his actions, Suffolk County Police Commissioner Geraldine Hart said in a statement. The department remains committed to cutting off the flow of drugs at the source and will continue pursuing dealers who are fueling the spread of narcotics which is detrimental to addicts, their families and the community. Advertisement Football fans from across the globe reacted in shock and awe last night as Liverpool completed one of football's greatest ever comebacks to beat Barcelona and reach the Champions League final. The English club launched an incredible four-goal fight back to stun one of the world's best teams and overturn what many believed to be an insurmountable 3-0 deficit from the first leg in Spain. As the final whistle blew, some of Liverpool's heroes dropped to their knees in disbelief while others were seen crying on the pitch, as Anfield's 55,000-strong crowd of adoring fans erupted with joy. Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher led the tributes as exclaimed last night the 'greatest ever' in the history of the iconic ground, with the win even receiving a royal seal of approval from the Duke of Cambridge. Prince William, the serving President of the FA and Aston Villa fan, tweeted 'an incredible result, what a comeback' which was followed by praise from sporting royalty in the form of basketball great LeBron James, who added: 'Amazing night for the Reds. Wow.' The moment got the better of Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, who turned the air blue after the game when he said: 'It's 10:10pm, most children are in bed, but these boys are f****** mentality giants. If you have to fine me, fine me!' The against-the-odds victory has booked Liverpool a place in the Champion's League final against either Tottenham Hotspur or Ajax, giving the Reds the chance to avenge their defeat in last year's final to Real Madrid. Liverpool striker Divock Origi celebrates scoring his side's historic fourth goal that booked their place in this season's Champion's League final last night Liverpool players celebrate in front of their delighted fans at Anfield, following their famous comeback win against Barcelona last night Fans in Liverpool took to the streets to celebrate the historic victory, lighting flares and singing 'You'll Never Walk Alone' The emotion of the incredible comeback was too much for some, with this tearful Liverpool fan being consoled after the game This stunning image shows the thousands of Liverpool fans packed into Anfield to celebrate last night's win, as they players pay tribute to the support Liverpool fans all over the world celebrated the win. Mere hours after the game ended, one Liverpool fan got the name of striker Divock Origi tattooed on their body - to celebrate his two goal performance (left). In New York, a pub was taken over by exuberant Liverpool fans (right) While fans in the stadium shouted themselves hoarse, others took to social media to express their joy. One fan, writing on Twitter, said: 'Liverpool doing things that cannot be done!' Another said: 'If Liverpool see this out, it will be the greatest comeback since Lazarus.' A third said: 'Never, ever count Liverpool out, I won't tell you again.' Photos and videos posted online showed fans celebrating wildly in pubs, bars and the streets of Liverpool. Overseas fans were also pictured celebrating, with one group of fans filmed partying in New York, while another fan in Magaluf got a tattoo of Liverpool goalscorer Divock Origi on his stomach. Manager Jurgen Klopp was in a typically exuberant mood after the match, saying: 'It's 10 past 10, most of the children are probably in bed but these boys are f****** giants. If you have to fine me, fine me.' His team received royal support following their incredible comeback, with Prince William taking to his official Twitter account to congratulate the team: 'Well done Liverpool - an incredible result, what a comeback!' Actor James Corden said: 'Unbelievable. Congratulations to @LFC nobody can say they don't deserve it. Unreal.' Several Liverpool players took to social media after the game to share their joy at beating Barcelona in a historic result Gary Lineker tweeted: 'Congratulations to @LFC. It was an absolute delight to be there to witness one of the greatest nights in the history of European football. A truly astonishing performance.' His comments come after he was criticised for a video showing him celebrating wildly when Lionel Messi scored Barcelona's third goal in the first game. Two-goal hero Georginio Wijnaldum said: 'The people from outside, they doubted us and thought we couldn't do it. 'But once again we showed that everything is possible.' Injured midfielder Naby Keita posted a video of himself celebrating his team's win by hobbling around his home, after ripping off a bandage on his leg. Alcohol flowed and spirits were high as the fans celebrated their team's historic performance against Barcelona last night The stadium had an electric atmosphere throughout the night and the party looks as if it is set to continue for a long time yet Liverpool supporters holding their scarves up high and singing as they celebrate the historic victory over Barcelona last night A young Barcelona fan is inconsolable as he is comforted by another after watching their team somehow lose to Liverpool Fans were stunned by the comeback last night, taking to social media to share their shock at the result as Liverpool came back to beat Barcelona Liverpool's Mohamed Salah (left), manager Jurgen Klopp (centre) and Virgil van Dijk celebrate after the UEFA Champions League Semi Final match Injured Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita joins in with the wild celebrations, hopping around after watching his team win Keita played in the first game but was injured today and had to watch from home along with millions of other fans Fans at Anfield celebrate a magical night as Liverpool reach the Champions League final following a night of dramatic action Liverpool will face a tough match in the final against Ajax or fellow English side Tottenham Hotspur, but for now, the party remains in full swing Other fans took the opportunity to poke fun at Barcelona, who were led by Lionel Messi, believed to be the best player of all time by many. One fan said: 'Messi and his Barcelona squad went to Anfield 4 Nothing.' Another said: 'Barcelona fans were talking about Ajax and Barcelona lifting the CL trophy together.' Liverpool could play an English side in this year's final if Tottenham are able to overcome their first leg deficit against Ajax tonight. They lost the first game 1-0 and have the chance to perform a comeback of their own and book an all-English Champions League final for the first time since 2008. Asked where this victory ranks among others in his career, manager Klopp said with a smile: 'Top three. 'It's a special night, very special. Winning against Barcelona is obviously one of the most difficult things in the world of football. 'Winning against Barcelona when you're 3-0 down, makes it not easier. We had to score four goals and was not allowed to concede pretty much. Jurgen Klopp was all smiles after the final whistle and was spotted leaving Anfield with his equally delighted friends and family Liverpool winger Xherdan Shaqiri also wore a broad grin as he pulled away from the car park at Anfield, after an impressive performance Striker Divock Origi was another in high spirits having scored twice against Barcelona, including the winning fourth goal Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson drove home alongside his mother Liz who was in the passenger seat, with both in high spirits Jurgen Klopp celebrates with his coaching staff after winning the UEFA Champions league semi-final second leg football match between Liverpool and Barcelona at Anfield Liverpool's Georginio Wijnaldum (L) celebrates with his teammate Jordan Henderson (R) after scoring the third goal in the match Liverpool fans in a pub in New York celebrate a historic night for the football club as they reached a second successive Champions League final Emotions ran high as fans all over the world celebrated the result, which came after Barcelona won the first game 3-0 'We made it more difficult, so we didn't really think about it to be 100 per cent honest. We tried to build on the performance in Barcelona and all the good things we did there and try to win the game step by step. 'We attacked with whatever we have and can throw on the pitch. 'That made it a really special game, it made us really difficult to play against tonight. What the boys did and that was this mix of again a big heart and football skills. It's unbelievable. 'But then we know, and we didn't learn in the first game and we knew it before already, if you have chances, you have to score because otherwise you get punished. 'Tonight we scored, in different ways. Liverpool's star forward Mohammed Salah, pictured, was injured for last night's game but his shirt, which reads Never Give Up, became a rallying call for fans A visibly distraught Barcelona fan reacts after the match - his distress was a common feature among fans of the defeated Spanish side A dejected Lionel Messi walks off the pitch at the final whistle, unable to rescue his Barcelona side against Liverpool One fan used these two contrasting pictures of Avengers star Thor, played by Chris Hemsworth, to poke fun at the performance of Barcelona star Lionel Messi Former Liverpool start Philipe Coutinho came under criticism from fans at his former club, after leaving to win the Champions League Barcelona were in confident mood before the game, with the official Twitter account sharing this tweet - where they said they were definitely going to score one goal at least Many social media posters were stunned at Barcelona's defeat and Liverpool's incredible win, taking to Twitter to share their shock through memes and videos 'I said it so often now but the thing that made it really possible - and I said to the boys before ''I don't think it's possible but because it's you I think we have a chance'' - they are really mentality giants. It's unbelievable. 'After the season we played, the games we had, the injuries we had now in this moment, if you go out there and ask who bet a penny on us, I don't think you find a lot of people. 'So, and then going out there and putting a performance like this on the pitch is unbelievable. 'I am really proud to be manager of this team. It's unbelievable what they did tonight. it's so special. 'I will remember it forever 100 per cent because I don't know if it happened before or it can happen again. I really don't know. The boys did it, so it was brilliant.' Meanwhile, Barcelona's defeated coach Ernesto Valverde said: 'When you have a collapse of this nature, we will have a few horrible days ahead.' Liverpool 4-0 Barcelona (4-3 agg): Divock Origi and Georginio Wijnaldum bag braces as Reds complete spectacular Anfield comeback to overturn three-goal deficit and reach the Champions League final BY MARTIN SAMUEL FOR THE DAILY MAIL Better than Istanbul? Yes, go on then. It was better than Istanbul. Barcelona are better than AC Milan. Lionel Messi is better than Kaka. And Liverpool now are better than Liverpool then. Liverpool now are nothing less than astonishing. At the end of this wonderful, unbelievable, fantastical game, Jurgen Klopp linked arms with his players, facing The Kop as the whole of Anfield, including some among the bereft Catalan enclave, sung You'll Never Walk Alone. One had the feeling this was the moment he had been working towards since the day he set foot on Merseyside. This spirit. This togetherness. This performance. This passion, this emotion: it was all here, every last drop of what he wanted top achieve. And yet, there is still such a long way to go. Suddenly, however, the potential disappointment of falling a point short to Manchester City on Sunday, did not appear so bleak. Liverpool will have something to play for beyond that. Divock Origi (right) celebrates with Xherdan Shaqiri (left) after scoring Liverpool's fourth to complete the comeback The Belgian striker quickly reacted to a brilliant corner from Trent Alexander-Arnold to complete a spectacular comeback Origi is swarmed by his Liverpool team-mates after scoring the fourth goal to send Anfield into a frenzy on Tuesday Georginio Wijnaldum celebrates scoring Liverpool's third goal to bring them level with Barcelona on aggregate The second-half substitute rose highest to head in his second goal just minutes after scoring his first for the hosts The Dutchman hangs in the air as he watches the ball fly into Marc-Andre ter Stegen's net during the second half Wijnaldum runs to celebrate in front of the Kop after bringing the aggregate score back to 3-3 during the second half They will have a second consecutive Champions League final but, this time, not against the most experienced team in Europe. Liverpool will face the winners of tonight's meeting between Tottenham and Ajax. It could be a perfect ending. Even if it is Manchester City's season, it may be theirs too. And they would deserve it like no team before; they would deserve it as much as they did not deserve the three goal defeat at Nou Camp that had to be overturned last night. First, by a team shorn of its finest strikers in Mo Salah and Roberto Firmino and then, after half-time, without one of the stand out players of this season, Andrew Robertson. Just as Chelsea conquered Europe with Jose Bosingwa at centre-half and Ryan Bertrand playing left midfield, Liverpool swept aside Barcelona with Divock Origi leading the line, Xherdan Shaqiri in support and James Milner as a makeshift left-back. What a performance it was. Liverpool did not just defeat Barcelona physically, but technically, tactically, and ultimately intellectually, too. Barcelona, considered by many the greatest team in Europe, were outsmarted by a 20-year-old from West Derby in Merseyside. Trent Alexander-Arnold was still thinking when Barcelona stopped for the fourth goal, meaning he sold them a dummy that resonated across the globe as loud as any shot, sending Liverpool to Madrid on June 1. What a brain, what audacity. Divock Origi, who has scored some of the most important goals in the history of this club, while being its fifth choice striker, got what proved to be the winner and therefore the back page glory, but Alexander-Arnold was the evil genius behind the move. Liverpool won a corner and Alexander-Arnold walked over to the ball by the flag, before seeming to change his mind about taking it, and stepping away. Barcelona, at that moment, relaxed, regrouped, some even turned their backs to reset for the new taker. At which point, Alexander-Arnold switched direction and whipped it in. Origi met the ball first time, hit the net and Barcelona stood baffled. That old one? How could they be so foolish? How could they be soout? Yet out they are. Magnificently out. Stupendously out. Liverpool did not even need extra time. They overturned a three-goal deficit, and deserved it. Istanbul had elements of luck. Even in that seismic second-half Liverpool were not entirely dominant and the game actually ended a 3-3 draw. The 28-year-old latched on to a cross to put his shot low and hard past Barcelona's German goalkeeper Ter Stegen is unable to keep the ball out as Wijnaldum scores Liverpool's second goal to send fans into a frenzy Divock Origi (left) gets Liverpool off to a flying start after scoring a tap-in just seven minutes after kick off The Belgian striker, who was filling in for the injured Mohamed Salah, tapped in a saved Jordan Henderson shot Barcelona keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen appeals for an offside as Henderson and Origi collect the ball to restart the game Henderson and Origi barely celebrate as they sprint back to the halfway line to restart the game after getting the perfect start This was different. This was a magnificent performance, of not just courage but footballing excellence. There is so much more to Liverpool than that ferocious press yet, on nights like this, it is those moments that resonate. How do they keep it up. How, amidst the most hard fought title race in history, do they find the energy for this? Liverpool were ahead early but a single away goal would have left them needing five. So when Robertson left the field it seemed as if obstacles were mounting against them. And it did change the game but, ironically, for the better because it introduced another of the night's matchwinners: Georginio Wijnaldum. To call him a super sub really doesn't do it justice. Super subs are strikers, chucked on as a last resort. Wijnaldum had a meatier role, shoring up midfield, so Milner could go to full-back. But he had bigger plans. He turned the match on its head, instead. It was Wijnaldum's second-half goals that brought Liverpool level and shook Lionel Messi and Barcelona to their foundations. When Liverpool scored the first there was hope but few could have imagined this, two goals in three minutes to level the aggregate score at 3-3, and give Liverpool the momentum for a final push to victory. Fabinho slides in to win the ball before catching Suarez on the follow-through during the first half of their second leg clash Liverpool's Fabinho (No 3) shouts at Luis Suarez after the Uruguayan striker sits on the ground after a coming together The Brazilian midfielder is booked for his hard challenge on Suarez as Sergio Busquets (right) consoles him Reds captain Henderson clutches his knee in agony after being caught just outside the Barcelona box Wijnaldum has a knack for it at this stage in the competition. He has only scored one other Champions League goal and that was in the semi-final against Roma last year. That was another crazy tie, although after this we may have to redefine lunacy. So let's keep it simple. This is how Wijnaldum brought Barcelona to their knees. In the 54th minute, he arrived late into the box, to meet a perfect cross from Alexander-Arnold. His shot was low and straight and maybe goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen should have done better. He didn't, meaning Liverpool were a goal away. Then, two minutes later, Shaqiri hit a lovely cross that Wijnaldum met with a header. Level. But more than that, really; because from there, it seemed there could only be one winner. Salah was in the stand wearing a shirt with the message 'Never give up' and the reason Liverpool could still feel the slightest smidgeon of optimism after conceding three at Nou Camp, is that if Barcelona lose in Europe, they tend to do so spectacularly. Their last four defeats in this competition have been by 3-0, 3-0, 4-0 and 4-0. Scoring early against them tends to have a very positive effect, too, so the mood once Liverpool went ahead after seven minutes went beyond euphoria towards frenzy. From the start, Liverpool were on the front foot, ferocious, ambitious, swarming all over Barcelona, allowing them no time on the ball, and precious little to think. Yet it was still an impossible dream. Origi's goal, however, transformed it. Henderson covers his face while he receives treatment from the Liverpool physios after going down with an injury Jurgen Klopp has his head in his hands as he watches Henderson receive treatment on the other side of the pitch Messi (left) chases down James Milner (centre) who shields the ball away from the Argentinian in the first half Referee Cuneyt Cakir talks with both Messi and Andy Robertson after the two have a disagreement in the first half A sea of red and white scarves flood the Kop at Anfield while huge flags are waved before the game on Tuesday Barcelona fans let of blue and red flares in the away end at Anfield as both fans create an electric atmosphere on Merseysid Jordan Henderson a lion, as always on these occasions battled through after a poor Jordi Alba header had set up Sadio Mane, but looked to have wasted his chance when his shot flew too near to ter Stegen. He only parried it, however, and Origi the hero of Saturday's win over Newcastle drove it into the unattended net. Of course, this is Barcelona, meaning Alisson had to be at his best on more than one occasion. Yet this was a very fine performance rather than one where the goalkeeper wins man of the match. He saved from Alba, from Messi, from Luis Suarez yet nothing we hadn't see before. There was no fortune in Liverpool's win, no reason for Barcelona to feel hard done by. The pre-match soundtrack at Anfield told its own story. Lots of songs about happy outcomes, dreams and belief. And it is easy to be cynical about that old cliche, the famous European nights at Anfield - but they exist. This ground is rarely home to the normal, mundane or expected. Klopp's instruction, if Liverpool were to fail, was to 'fall brilliantly'. Maybe that's what he thought would happen, too. Maybe that's why, at the end, he was as lost in the moment as any Koppite. Because they did not fail, not even brilliantly. They gave this stadium arguably the greatest European night it has ever witnessed. And that, as you know, is saying something. A 'high maintenance' woman and her 'wealthy' boyfriend have been kicked off a flight after they refused to watch a safety video. The couple were removed from an Air New Zealand flight to Auckland at Wellington Airport on Tuesday. They were sitting in an exit row and were required to look at a special safety instructions card but refused and looked at their phones instead, passengers said. The couple were removed from an Air New Zealand flight to Auckland at Wellington Airport on Tuesday. Pictured: Supermodel Rachel Hunter in an Air New Zealand safety video A passenger told Stuff the couple were 'wealthy-looking', and the woman was blonde, holding a Louis Vuitton bag and seemed to be 'high-maintenance'. 'The flight attendant was super kind and kept asking her, but the woman put her fingers in her ears,' the passenger said. 'They didn't seem to care. The passengers behind them were saying ''For God's sake, it takes two minutes to look at it, just look at it''... they seemed like they were too important for it.' The couple's refusal to read the safety card or watch the video delayed the flight by 25 minutes. 'You'd think they'd be embarrassed or mortified, but they seemed quite chuffed about the whole thing... I just felt for the flight attendants, because they got abused,' a passenger said. The woman used her phone to loudly make a booking for a flight on rival airline Jetstar after being told police were waiting for her. Another passenger blamed the safety video featuring supermodel Rachel Hunter for the couple's lack of attention. 'I have to say that if watching the safety video is so crucial and you can be escorted off the plane, maybe Air New Zealand should stop making ''Rachel Hunter ice cream ad'' safety videos,' they told Newshub. The couple were sitting in an exit row and were required to look at a special safety instructions card but refused and looked at their phones instead, passengers said (stock image) A New Zealand Police spokeswoman said officers met a woman at the airport after she 'failed to comply with crew instructions'. 'The passenger will receive an infringement notice under the Civil Aviation Authority rules relating to use of a cellphone,' the spokeswoman said. An Air New Zealand spokeswoman said flight NZ424 was forced to return to the gate after a passenger refused to follow crew instructions. 'Police were waiting at the gate when the aircraft returned and the customer disembarked,' the spokeswoman said. They said Mr Shorten has well thought out agenda of economic reform Former Labor prime ministers Bob Hawke and Paul Keating have reunited in support of Bill Shorten's economic credentials ahead of the May 18 federal election. In a rare show of unity, the pair who led the economic reform of the country in the 1980s, have attacked Liberal Prime Minister Scott Morrison for 'the fallacious claim that Labor can't manage the economy'. 'It is a blatant denial of history for Scott Morrison to allege that the Labor Party cannot manage the economy,' they wrote in the Age and Sydney Morning Herald on Wednesday. Former Labor prime ministers Bob Hawke and Paul Keating have reunited in support of Bill Shorten's economic credentials ahead of the May 18 federal election (pictured are the former PMs in 1988) 'It is a blatant denial of history for Scott Morrison to allege that the Labor Party cannot manage the economy,' they wrote on Wednesday (pictured is Bob Hawke in 2018) 'He knows the design and structure of the modern Australian economy was put in place exclusively by the Labor Party.' Opposition Leader Mr Shorten and his team had a well thought out agenda of economic reform that will benefit Australia, they said. 'While we are proud of the achievements of our governments, the baton of reform is being grasped by the next generation of Labor leaders.' Party campaign spokesman Jim Chalmers said it was inspiring to see the pair back together. 'A lot of us joined the Labor Party because of Hawke and Keating,' he told ABC News. 'So to see them together and just speaking about Labor's proud record of economic management, compared to the Liberals, I found to be really uplifting.' Former Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating is seen delivering a speech at Customs House in Brisbane on March 14, 2018 Robert Leeming, 34, has been charged with the murder of Jasmine Lovett, 25, and her 22-month-old daughter Aliyah Sanderson (pictured), who were reported missing on April 16 after not showing up for a family dinner A 34-year-old Brit has been charged with the murder of his Canadian ex-girlfriend and her 22-month-old daughter after their bodies were found in a creek. Jasmine Lovett, 25, and her daughter Aliyah Sanderson were reported missing on April 16 after not showing up for a family dinner. Robert Leeming, who previously lived in Wiltshire, was arrested last month and released without charge after questioning and a search of the home he shared with the mother and her daughter in Calgary, Canada. Police found the bodies at 4am yesterday in Kananaskis 70 miles west of the home and after the horrific discovery, police re-arrested Leeming who is a HGV mechanic, reports the Mirror. In a statement, police said: 'At approximately 4am on Monday, May 6, 2019, we located the bodies of a woman and child, believed to be that of Jasmine Lovett and Aliyah Sanderson, in Kananaskis. 'The investigation led officers to a heavily wooded area near Grizzly Creek located off Highway 40, where the bodies were discovered. 'Autopsies are expected to begin today. Formal identification of the deceased will be done by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. 'A suspect has been taken into custody and charges are pending. 'The suspect cannot be named by police until charges are officially laid by the Justice of the Peace. 'However, police can confirm the suspect is the same man who was taken into custody two weeks ago.' Police had been searching for the bodies in the Bragg Creek area which is located 40 miles closer to where Leeming said he last saw the pair at his house. But after making a breakthrough they moved their search near Grizzly Creek where the pair were found. Leeming claimed he was once romantically involved with Miss Lovett (pictured) following the divorce from his wife last year Leeming (pictured) had previously been in an intimate relationship with Ms Lovett, who had lived with him for the past seven months It comes just days after Leeming said that he had nothing to do with the mother and daughter's disappearance and had gone on another date with another woman when the pair vanished. He told reporters outside a bar while a forensics team searched his house: 'They will find nothing because I did nothing wrong.' Last week the Mirror tracked down Leeming where he denied any involvement in the Jasmine and Aliyah's disappearance. He said he was on a date with another woman when the pair vanished. The mother and daughter were lodging with Leeming. He had previously been in an intimate relationship with Ms Lovett, who had lived with him for the past seven months. Leeming, who was born on a British Army base in Germany and later lived in Wiltshire, told police he went for a picnic with the pair on April 17. Ms Lovett's bank card was used for an online purchase the following day. The High Court is set to decide whether Aboriginal people can be considered 'aliens' and deported from the country. Daniel Love and Brendan Thoms both identify as Aboriginal. Each has one Australian parent and one from overseas. However, both men were born abroad and neither has Australian citizenship. Mr Love is a citizen of Papua New Guinea and Mr Thoms is a New Zealand citizen. Each held an Australian visa until it was cancelled last year, after the two men were jailed for serious crimes. The High Court is set to decide whether Aboriginal people can be considered 'aliens' and deported from the country (pictured is Brendon Thoms) Maurice Blackburn lawyer Claire Gibbs, who is acting for the pair, said it was morally wrong and unlawful to remove them from the country. 'Our clients have a clear Aboriginal lineage, they each have an Aboriginal Australian parent, they have children who are Aboriginal Australians and they went to school and worked in Australia,' she said. 'It defies logic that our clients who came here as kids, whose Aboriginality and strong connection to Australia is not in dispute, should have ever been placed in immigration detention and threatened with removal.' The men argue they have a special connection to Australia and cannot be considered 'aliens' under the Migration Act. The pair argue their Aboriginality - by descent, self-identification and community acceptance - is bolstered by their longstanding residence in Australia. They claim they owe no allegiance to a foreign power, having emigrated from PNG and New Zealand as children, and fall outside the reach of the 'aliens' power. The men are also seeking damages for false imprisonment, on the basis that being held in immigration detention was and is unlawful. Each contends he has the right to remain in Australia, regardless of whether he has citizenship or a current visa. However, the Commonwealth argues anyone who is not an Australian citizen is necessarily an alien. It also argues Mr Love and Mr Thoms owe allegiance to PNG and New Zealand respectively, on account of their citizenship to those countries. The hearing begins in Canberra on Wednesday. Britain has set a new record after the National Grid went coal-free for 100 hours. Over the weekend, the country was powered by alternative sources for the longest time since the start of the Industrial Revolution. A spokesman for the National Grid said the figures reflect a growing trend towards the use of renewable energy sources such as solar panels, which are being installed at homes in greater numbers than ever before. The cooling towers of the Drax coal-fired power station near Selby in North Yorkshire in 2015 The Government plans to phase out Britain's last coal-fired power plants by 2025 in a bid to cut carbon emissions. Coal currently accounts for under 10 per cent of the country's power output. Of the 31.45 gigawatts (GW) powering the UK on Sunday, none was accounted for by the use of coal-fired power stations. A GW of power will provide enough energy for about 700,000 homes. Sean Kemp, a spokesman for the National Grid, told The Daily Telegraph: 'We broke the record this weekend for the longest period of time without coal. The continuous period of time without any coal generation on the system was just over 100 hours. 'It's becoming a more regular occurrence now. More people have installed solar, more coal is coming off and there's more wind in the system.' If the UK continues at the current rate, it is expected it will far surpass the 1,800 hours of coal-free power generated over the whole of 2018. The National Grid believes that by 2025 it will be able to fully operate Britain's electricity system with zero carbon. Pictured: A pylon in Birmingham The National Grid spokesman said that although Britain has experienced a cold snap following an unseasonably warm Easter, there has been no obvious surge in demand to suggest the public have been turning the heating back on. A government spokesman said: 'Decarbonising our energy system is a crucial part of our commitment to ending our contribution to global warming. 'This year we've already reached the major milestone of 1,000 hours without using coal to power our homes and industry. 'We're closing in on phasing out coal entirely from our power system by 2025 as our renewables sector goes from strength to strength on our path to becoming the first major economy to legislate for net zero emissions.' A spokesman for the National Grid added: 'As more and more renewables come onto our energy system weekends like this are going to increasingly seem like the 'new normal'. We believe that by 2025 we will be able to fully operate Great Britain's electricity system with zero carbon. 'The transformation of how we get the energy to heat our homes and power our work is a massive change, but the advantages it brings in terms of green energy far outweigh any challenges.' Google has taken the wraps off of its latest iPhone killers, the Pixel 3A and 3A XL. At its annual I/O developer conference on Tuesday, the search giant debuted its latest Pixel devices, alongside a new smart home display and Android software, as well as a slew of updates around its artificial intelligence technology. The Pixel 3A and 3A XL are just as fast, durable and high-tech as their predecessors, but pack attractive price points, with the 5.6-inch 3A and 6-inch 3A XL starting at $399 and $479, respectively, making them 'half the price of other flagship phones,' the firm said. Both phones also feature a 3.5mm headphone jack, sending a statement to competitors who have ditched the design for lightning cables and oft-criticized dongle adapters. 'We've heard people want more headphone options,' Sabrina Ellis, Google's vice president of product management, quipped on stage. Scroll down for video The Pixel 3A and 3A XL are just as fast, durable and high-tech as their predecessors, but pack attractive price points, with the 3A and 3A XL starting at $399 and $479, respectively PIXEL 3A SPECS 5.6-inch screen (Pixel 3A); 6-inch screen (Pixel 3A XL) OLED display 12.2 megapixel rear-facing camera 8.1 megapixel front-facing camera USB-C port 3.5mm headphone jack 30 hours of 'all-day' battery life Active Edge controls for Google Assistant Qualcomm Snapdragon 670 chip 64gb storage, 4GB of RAM $399 (Pixel 3A), $479 (Pixel 3A XL) Advertisement The devices, which come in in black, white and purple, feature Google's HDR+ camera technology that powers tools like super-res zoom, portrait mode and night side. Google was quick to note its 'superior' camera quality on stage when it showed a side-by-side comparison between the cameras on the Pixel 3A and Apple's iPhone X. They also feature improved battery life, with an 'all-day' battery that can handle up to 30 hours of use, as well as quick-charging technology that gives the phone 7 hours of battery life after just 15 minutes of charging time. The phones also get early access to new AR features in Google Maps which allow users to navigate to their destination while being guided by augmented reality instructions, such as blue arrows super-imposed onto real-time footage, telling them which way to turn next. 'Instead of staring at that blue dot on your phone, you can see arrows in real life,' the company said. With the new Pixel phones, Google is clearly trying to take a bite out of the mid-range smartphone market, providing a high-quality camera and extended battery life without a price tag that breaks the bank, such as other $1,000-plus devices. 'The new Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL are all of those things and more, for half the price of premium phones,' the firm said. The phones have Google's HDR+ camera technology, which powers tools like super-res zoom, portrait mode and night side - a fact that Google conspicuously noted on stage when it showed a side-by-side comparison between the camera quality of the Pixel 3A and Apple's iPhone X WHAT ARE THE NEW FEATURES IN GOOGLE'S PIXEL 3A & 3A XL? Google has unveiled its Pixel 3a and 3a XL devices, revealing for the first time the 5.6-inch and 6-inch models coming to the lineup. And, it confirmed rumors that it would be bringing back the headphone jack. Pixel 3a will come in three colors Just Black, Clearly White, Purple-ish starting at $399. The larger version will cost $479. Googles built-in HDR+ technology will give Pixel 3a owners access to camera features such as Portrait Mode, Super Res Zoom, and Night Sight for low-light settings. And, with Google Photos, users will have unlimited storage. The phone comes with a fast-charging 18-watt charger that will give you seven hours of battery life in just 15 minutes, Google says. The firm is also boasting 30 hours of use on a full charge. It will also allow for voice and squeeze commands, and comes with new AR directions that will show Maps users exactly where to go using arrows overlaid on real streets. Google has unveiled its Pixel 3a and 3a XL devices, revealing for the first time the 5.6-inch and 6-inch model coming to the lineup Advertisement The Pixel 3A and 3AXL have a 3.5mm headphone jack, sending a statement to competitors who have ditched the design for lightning cables and oft-criticized dongle adapters Google's hardware announcements didn't end with the Pixel phones, either. It also unveiled a new smart home display, called the Nest Hub Max, meant to be a successor to the Google Home Hub and under a new Nest-focused branding. The $229 Hub Max features a 10-inch display, as well as a new camera that's meant to be used as part home security system, part recommendations generator. Users can switch on the camera to keep an eye on their house while they're away, 'just like a Nest camera,' Google exec Rick Osterloh said on stage. The 6.5-megapixel camera automatically adjusts to keep you centered in the frame during video calls, similar to Facebook's Portal video chatting device, while a new 'Face Match' technology uses facial recognition to give you personalized results. Face Match creates a face model that's 'encrypted and stored on the device,' so that when you walk in front of the camera, it'll show updates tailored to your user profile. Google debuted its latest smart display, called the Nest Hub Max, which features a bigger 10-inch display, as well as an intelligent camera with facial recognition to show personalized info The camera also uses machine learning to recognize gestures so that when you're playing a song and need to take a call, users can just look at the screen and raise their hand, which will pause any media currently playing. Users simply raise their hand again to continue playing songs or video. Additionally, Google's artificial intelligence will soon make it easier for you to order your next meal. CEO Sundar Pichai took to the stage to show off how Lens, an application that uses AI to identify objects in the world, is coming to Google Search. It will make Search more visual, allowing users to open an AR version of whatever they're searching for and place it in the real world. 'Every year at I/O, we learn and try to make things a little bit better,' Pichai said. 'This year, we want to make it easier for you to get around, so we are using AR to help.' In one example, the company showed how someone searching for great white sharks can select a pop-up in search results which will then open up the camera and, using Lens, place a lifelike version of a shark in front of the user in rich detail. Now, Lens can also be used to help split the bill and navigate a menu. Users can switch on the camera to keep an eye on their house while they're away, 'just like a Nest camera,' Google exec Rick Osterloh (pictured) said on stage WHAT IS GOOGLE'S NEST HUB MAX? Nest Hub Max will launch this summer for $229 Googles latest smart home device has a built in camera for video-chatting and even indoor security. At the annual I/O developer conference, the firm unveiled the $229 Nest Hub Max that combines the features of Nest and Home Hub devices. It has a 10-inch HD display, smart camera, and a rear-facing woofer to provide full stereo sound. Nest Hub Max can be used to keep an eye on your home when you arent there, and comes with the ability to enable notifications for motion or unfamiliar people. Google Duo capability also means it can be used for video calling on iOS and Android devices. You can also use Duo to leave video messages for other members of your household, Google notes. Nest Hub Max will launch in the US this summer for $229, along with the UK (219) and in Australia (AUS$349). The Nest Hub Max has a built-in camera with a wide-angle lens and 10-inch display Advertisement Users can open the Google Lens app, point their camera at a menu, and it will highlight the most popular dishes people order on screen. Then, if users tap on an item, it will show photos and Google Maps reviews to provide further context Users can open the Google Lens app, point their camera at a menu, and it will highlight the most popular dishes people order on screen. Then, if users tap on an item, it will show photos and Google Maps reviews to provide further context. And when you're finished eating, Google Lens can even help you figure out what to tip. By pointing your camera at the bill, it will calculate the tip and split the total for when doing the math yourself is just too complicated. Google Lens can also be used to translate signs and other content in real time. In a demo, Aparna Chennapragada, vice president of Lens and AR, showed off how users can point their camera at a sign and its AI can translate, overlaying the newly translated text over top the old and then reading it aloud with amazing accuracy. Another feature allows users to magically 'animate' their surroundings with Lens, where they simply point their camera at an article or advertisement and it will overlay a related animation, such as a how-to demo for a Bon Appetit recipe. Google Go, the company's search app for entry-level devices, will also get Lens soon, meaning users with devices that cost less than $35 can utilize the high-tech app. All these updates are expected to roll out later this month, the company said. The company first debuted Google Lens at I/O in 2017. Since then, it has been rolled out to Google's AI Assistant, Photos and the camera app on many Android phones. This has led to Google Lens being used more than a billion times so far, Chennapragada said. 'With Lens, were indexing the physical world, much like search indexes the billions of pages on the web,' she added. Google CEO Sundar Pichai took to the stage at the firm's annual developer conference, Google I/O, which kicked off on Tuesday. The firm unveiled new hardware and AI updates Google showed off a range of new AI and AR capabilities at the I/O conference on Tuesday. Here, it showed how Google Lens can be used to transport AR objects into real life like a shark Google said its AI Assistant is also getting smarter, as evidenced by a new 'Picks for you' feature coming to smart displays later this year. 'Picks for you' will allow Assistant to piece together personal preferences, such as 'people, places and events that are important to you' for more unique suggestions. 'So if youve searched for Mediterranean recipes in the past, the Assistant may show you Mediterranean dishes when you ask for dinner recommendations,' the company said. 'The Assistant also takes contextual cues, like the time of day, into account when youre asking for help, giving you breakfast recipes in the morning and dinner at night.' As part of the update to Assistant, users will also no longer have to say 'OK Google, stop,' when silencing their alarm. Now, all they have to say is 'Stop' and their alarm or timer will shut off immediately, making groggy mornings a little bit easier. Another announcement will see Google bring its controversial Duplex AI to the web. Duplex is now available in 44 states across the U.S. and the company has gotten 'great feedback' from businesses and users, according to Pichai. Google said its AI Assistant is also getting smarter, as evidenced by a new 'Picks for you' feature coming to smart displays. It can more intuitively understand commands Launched last year, it allows users to have an AI call and make reservations for them. 'Today when you make a reservation, have to fill out information and its time consuming,' Pichai said. 'We want to make this experience better for both users and businesses.' Users can now ask Google Assistant to book a car reservation on their behalf. Duplex is capable of inferring the dates of a user's vacation, their car preferences and other detailed information, by compiling information from trip confirmations in Gmail. Pichai said Duplex on the web will roll out more widely later this year. A smart city development planned on Toronto's run-down waterfront is being threatened by fears that data collected by the city's systems could be sold on. Residents of the city have started the #BlockSidewalk movement in reaction to the opaqueness of Google-stablemate Sidewalk Labs planning to date. Leaked documents suggest that Sidewalk Labs is considering expanding the extent of their smart city district in return for an increase in the development's profits. This public backlash follows a recent lawsuit by the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, who want the project halted over concerns of 'surveillance capitalism'. Scroll down for video A smart city development (artist's impression) planned on Toronto's run-down waterfront is being threatened by fears that data collected by the city's systems could be sold on WHAT SIDEWALK LABS IS PLANNING FOR ITS SMART CITIES Sidewalk Toronto will house 5,000 people and host another 5,000 workers within three to four years, according to creators Sidewalk Labs. Among the areas for innovation targeted by the New York based subsidiary of Alphabet, Google's parent company, is urban mobility. Self-driving technology and digital navigation tools giving rise to a next-generation, point-to-point transit system. New construction methods and flexible building designs will enable radical mixed-use, walkable neighbourhoods that reduce the cost of housing and retail space, the firm says. It claims a suite of design and infrastructure innovations will dramatically reduce building energy consumption, landfill waste, and carbon emissions. Advertisement The quayside project is a concept from Sidewalk Labs, which is owned by Google parent company Alphabet. The plan is to revitalise a run-down stretch of Toronto's waterfront, crafting it into the most technologically advanced and data-driven district in any of the world's cities. Sidewalk Labs won a bin to be part of the development of Toronto's waterside Port Lands area back in late 2017. Quayside would harbour all kinds of futuristic conveniences, according to plans, with self-driving taxis, automated waste collection, traffic lights that track pedestrian movements and pavements that automatically melt away snowfall. Extensive monitoring would feed back information on various aspects of city life from air quality to the frequency of park bench usage in order to further develop the neighbourhood and make it more liveable. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and officials from Sidewalk Labs gathered 18 months ago to announce the project, amid much fanfare. However, resistance to the project is growing in the form of a public campaign, a lawsuit and a prominent resignation with the firm having failed to assuage concerns it will not abuse data gathered by the smart city. 'I don't think they look so happy now,' Paula Fletcher, a Toronto City Council member, told the Washington Post. 'This big idea isn't going exactly the way it was planned.' A campaign to #BlockSidewalk began in February, after the Toronto Star revealed that Sidewalk Labs were contemplating financing infrastructure and transit developments on a larger part of the waterfront than previously announced. Leaked documents suggested that, in return, the firm would seek to receive part of the profits generated by Quayside from development fees, property taxes and rising land values. These profits had been estimated at $6 billion CAD (3.4 billion GBP/$4.5 billion USD) over a 30 year period. Locals have started the #BlockSidewalk movement in reaction to the opaqueness of Google-stablemate Sidewalk Labs' planning to date. This digital design image shows what the city district may one day look like A spokesperson from Sidewalk Labs said that the proposal had not been publicly announced because it was still under debate but the revelations have failed to paint the company's commitment to transparency in a good light. 'It's our job to remind everybody that "no" is an option and that consent is important,' said Bianca Wylie, a leader of the #BlockSidewalk movement. 'The way this process has been set up was not a question of whether we should do stuff like this, but how.' In addition, Wylie said that cities are granting too much power to big tech companies like the Alphabet-subsidiary, even as regulators struggle to rein them in. Leaked documents have suggested that Sidewalk Labs are considering expanding the extent of their smart city district (pictured, in an artist's impression) in return for an increase in the development's profits A spokesperson for Sidewalk Labs, Micah Lasher, acknowledged that missteps may have been made and that providing more information on Quayside's business model and planned data-handling policies may have helped to allay concerns. Trying to downplay the firm's corporate links to Google, Sidewalk Labs have said that they will not be trying to monetise the smart city's data collection and have proposed that such activities be managed by a data trust to prevent misuse. However, Mr Lasher noted, the company has definitely struggled to find the best time to unveil such plans. 'If you share them too early, they seem half-baked and you might move away from them later,' he said. 'If you share them too late, you are subject to criticism for not being transparent.' Public backlash against the Quayside development (pictured, artist's impression) follows a recent lawsuit by the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, who want the project halted over concerns it will to unchecked 'surveillance capitalism' Waterfront Toronto advisory panel member and University of Toronto information scientist Andrew Clement said that Sidewalk labs have left many questions about the proposed data trust unanswered. Instead of fully addressing these concerns, he added, the firm have been distracting the public with new technological concepts that the city might feature. Sidewalk Labs had agreed to spend $50 million CAD (28 million GBP/$37 million USD) on a year-long process of public consultations to inform their development proposal. Plans would need to be submitted to Waterfront Toronto, the corporation that is overseeing the development of the Port Lands area on behalf of the government. Any such proposal needs the approval of both Waterfront Toronto and several government bodies in order to go ahead. However, plans are already months behind schedule, with Sidewalk Labs having originally been expected to present their designs in June 2018. Quayside would harbour all kinds of futuristic conveniences, according to plans, with self-driving taxis, automated waste collection and pavements that automatically melt away snow, as seen in this artist's impression Alongside delays and public backlash, privacy concerns have also encouraged the Canadian Civil Liberties Association to sue the city, federal and provincial governments to shut down the Quayside project. Association executive director Michael Bryant said that Canadian PM Justin Trudeau had been 'seduced by the honey pot of Google's sparkling brand and promises of political and economic glory.' The Port Lands development scheme and Quayside in particular have already faced a number of embarrassments over the project's transparency. In October 2018, former Ontario privacy commissioner Ann Cavoukian resigned from a consulting position at Sidewalk over concerns that the smart city would not be able to gain consent from everyone on whom it gathered data. This was followed in December by the revelation from the Ontario auditor general that Waterfront Toronto had given preferential treatment to Sidewalk in its selection of the Alphabet-owned firm as its partner. The auditor general had called at the time for an increase in government oversight of the development project. Sidewalk Labs won a bin to be part of the development of Toronto's waterside Port Lands area back in late 2017. (Pictured, artist's impression of the completed development) WHAT CAN BE DONE TO PROTECT PRIVACY IN SMART CITIES? Andrew Clement is a Professor Emeritus and surveillance researcher in the Faculty of Information at the University of Toronto, where he co-founded the Identity, Privacy and Security Institute. He believes that plans to build the experimental Sidewalk Toronto neighbourhood 'from the internet up' should raise red flags over privacy and democracy. Speaking to the Toronto Star, he outlined a five point plan to ensure that privacy and other rights are respected in the smart cities of the future: 1. Any data collected should be anonymous by default 2. Any data handled by smart city firms must comply with privacy laws 3. Software that accesses data gathered should be publicly available under an open source license 4. Basic digital services should be accessible and affordable for all 5. Data, software and physical infrastructure should be secure and any breaches should be reported immediately Advertisement The groundswell of both public and political resistance to the project bears similarities to the pushback against Amazon's plans to construct a secondary headquarters in New York's Long Island City. The unanticipated criticism of the development came from activists, union leader and lawyers, who objected to proposals that the wealthy retail firm might be granted in excess of a billion dollars in government subsidies if the plans went ahead. Concerns were also raised over the impact that the corporate headquarters would have on New York's already rising rents and overcrowded mass transit system. This opposition eventually forced Amazon to withdraw its plans, reportedly over fears that the backlash was tarnishing its wider reputation. In Toronto, concerns have been raised that any similar situation that could cause the Alphabet subsidiary to withdraw or be forced to abandon the Quayside project would blemish Canada's growing tech-friendly image. 'We believe that tearing up this process midstream poses reputational risks, trade risks and legal risks,' said Brian Kelcey, Toronto Region Board of Trade vice president of public affairs. Extensive monitoring would feed back information on various aspects of city life from air quality to the frequency of park bench usage (pictured, artist's impression) in order to further develop the neighbourhood and make it more liveable. Sidewalk Labs won a bin to be part of the development of Toronto's waterside Port Lands area back in late 2017. The plan is to revitalise a run-down stretch the waterfront, crafting it into the most technologically advanced and data-driven district in any of the world's cities El Tuito: A Satisfying Adventure into Rural Mexico Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Marta and her family have been baking breads, cakes, and cookies for over thirty years in their wood-fired adobe oven. I first met Marta several years ago when I heard she was famous in her small Mexican town of El Tuito. I have visited her many times since then because her butter cookies are to die for. She bakes three days a week and sells out each time mostly to the townspeople. Marta only sells from her home, which is a modest structure, down a narrow cobblestone street in this 500 year old pre-Hispanic town. We walk through her living room, past 50 pound sacks of flour and industrial mixers, through to the outside kitchen set up around the oven. Marta doesn't like her picture taken so the photo above is of her brother, who builds a fire in the oven in the early morning, using local pine from his neighbor. After it dies down to ashes, he takes his long-handled wooden rake and scrapes the ashes out of the oven. This is a crucial step as who wants their cookies sprinkled with ashes? The clay oven holds heat for about four hours. First in go the cakes as they take the longest to bake. Then come the bread, buns, and lastly, the round cookies. Several dozen of each are hand made by Marta and her sister each baking day. If you ever visit Puerto Vallarta, I will happily take you here. This is an adventure into rural Mexico that you will truly enjoy. Fighting climate change will bring health and economic benefits that offset the cost of implementing the measures, a new report from Princeton scientists suggests. Researchers used a new computer model that looks at green house emissions to show the benefits of cutting them are not just for future generations. Dramatic and rapid cuts to emissions would improve air quality and start saving lives around the world from the moment they're implemented, experts say. Populations in countries like China and India - which face the most number of deaths from pollution - will see the greatest health benefits, they add. The efforts needed to meet the Paris Agreement targets of a global temperature rise limited to 2C (3.6F) will lead to economic returns for current and future generations, researchers claim. Scroll down for video Fighting climate change now will bring immediate health and economic benefits, a new report from Princeton scientists suggests (stock image) Experts from the Princeton University and the University of Vermont asked the question 'How much should the current generation invest in reducing carbon emissions for the benefit of future generations?' They found that cutting greenhouse gas outputs quickly and dramatically can bring about immediate human health benefits. Reducing carbon emissions will have long-term impacts for future generations but also improves air quality for the current global population. The health benefits from reducing air pollution can counteract the cost of implementing policy that achieve it, the researchers say. According to the latest report, dramatic efforts needed to meet the Paris Agreement targets of limiting a global temperature rise to 2C (or 3.6F) can make economic returns for the current generation. The study used a new modelling framework which built on the RICE (Regional Integrated Climate-Economy) climate model for analysing carbon dioxide policy but also incorporates the costs and benefits of reducing air pollutant emissions. The original climate model was developed by Yale Economist William Nordhaus, who recently received the Nobel Prize in Economics. Dr Mark Budolfson, co-lead author from the University of Vermont, said: 'Reducing greenhouse gas emissions will also reduce deaths from air pollution in communities near the emissions reductions. 'We show the climate conversation doesn't need to be about the current generation investing in the further future. 'By making smart investments in climate action, we can save lives now through improved air quality and health.' Researchers used a new computer model that looks at green house emissions, to show the benefits are not just for future generations - cutting emissions now also improves air quality and saves lives today (stock image) Previous economic studies did not show short term economic gains in working towards the strict climate target of limiting global temperature increase by 2C (3.6F) issued by the Paris Agreement. But these studies did not take into account the human health factors that result from greenhouse emissions, the authors say. In particular, the environmental impacts from aerosols - which result from air pollutant emissions - have never been fully factored into economic modelling. This is because while lowering aerosol levels globally is good for human health, such gases can also cool the earth and cancel out some of the warming effect from greenhouse emissions. The researchers included both of these opposing effects in their modelling and found that cutting these emissions still made economic sense. Professor Marc Fleurbaey of Princeton University who also worked on the study, added: 'Here, we show that accounting for the human health dimension alleviates many of these difficulties: Health benefits begin immediately, occur near where emissions are reduced, and accrue mainly in developing regions with less historical responsibility for climate change.' 'The global health benefits from this climate policy could reach trillions of dollars each year, but how large these benefits will be partly depend specific air quality policies that countries adopt outside of climate change policies. The team found the strongest immediate health benefits in China and India which are closest to such emissions and also face the highest death rates from it. Dr Noah Scovronick, a co-lead author from Emory University said: 'Some developing regions have been understandably reluctant to invest their limited resources in reducing emissions. 'This and other studies demonstrate that many of these same regions are likely to gain most of the health co-benefits, which may add incentive for them to adopt stronger climate policies.' The fashion industry is forever being accused of using models that have unrealistic standards of beauty but in the future, the models themselves could be unreal, too. All of the realistic-looking people in the video below are actually fakes dreamed up by a pair of AI developed by researchers from Kyoto University in Japan. The AI were first trained on real-life pictures of humans models. From this, one AI was tasked with repeatedly trying to dream up images of replica models that its counterpart could not distinguish form the real thing. This model-creating technology could one day be used to create fake models for use in advertisements and by the clothing and fashion industries. The fashion industry is forever being accused of using models that have unrealistic standards of beauty but in the future, the models themselves could be unreal, too. Pictured: fake models dreamed up by DataGrid's Generative Adversarial Network HOW DO GENERATIVE ADVERSARIAL NETWORKS WORK? Generative Adversarial Network work by pitting two algorithms against each other, in an attempt to create convincing representations of the real world. These 'imagined' digital creations - which can take the form of images, videos, sounds and other content - are based on data fed to the system. One AI bot creates new content based upon what it has been taught, while a second critiques these creations - pointing out imperfections and inaccuracies. And the process could one day allow robots to learn new information without any input from people. Advertisement The pair of AIs that drew up the fake humans in the above footage were developed by DataGrid, a start-up based at the Kyoto University in Japan. Having previously created an AI that could generate realistic-looking facial images, the company's scientists have turned their sights on developing algorithms that can model an entire human body, and animate it. The resulting artificial intelligence system, which is the first ever to fabricate images of full humans, dreams up every last aspect of how the fake people look. That includes the people's clothes, hairstyles and even the very way that they stand. These fake models were generated by a paired AI system known as a Generative Adversarial Network. In the deep-learning system, one AI repeatedly generates images of humans, while the other works to distinguish the faked images from pictures of real-world humans. After being trained on a large number of whole-body images of real models, the first AI is tasked with repeatedly generating and refining its fakes until its counterpart can no longer tell the difference between a computer-generated and a real image. The system can draw up the footage in high-resolution, outputting images of 1024 by 1024 pixels in size. The developers of this AI technology suggest that the system could find various practical applications including to create virtual models that could be used by the advertising, clothing and fashion industries. This is not the first time that artificial intelligence has succeeded in producing fake images that are indistinguishable from their real-life counterparts. This model-creating technology could one day be used to create fake models (like those pictured) for use in advertisements and by the clothing and fashion industries In February this year, technology company Nvidia revealed that they had developed an AI called StyleGAN, which can produce real-looking photos of human faces. Examples of the head-shots StyleGAN has produced can been seen on the website thispersondoesnotexist.com. And October 2018 saw a team from Heriot-Watt University and Googles DeepMind present an AI, called BigGAN, which is capable of studying real images of animals and then creating its own photo-realistic fakes. The growth in these kinds of fake-making deep learning systems has raised concerns over how else such technology might be used. By combination AI-created fakes with real-world footage, Generative Adversarial Network have already been used to create so-called deepfake videos in which the faces of celebrities have been grafted onto the bodies of porn stars. This approach also been used to create digitally-altered videos of political leaders, such as former US president Barack Obama and Russian president Vladimir Putin. According to the DataGrid website, the researchers are working to further refine the whole-body-model generating AIs and increase the range of motions that the fake humans can undergo. Going into space can cause astronauts and cosmonauts to have a 'puffy head' and lead to vision problems months after their return to Earth. Researchers found that spaceflight changes the way fluids shift in the brain's ventricles, hollow cavities in the brain that allow fluid to flow. They found that microgravity had pushed the fluid in these ventricles upwards causing them to slightly expand in three ventricles in the brains. They scanned the brains of 11 Russian male cosmonauts before and after going to space to determine the effects being in space has on the brain. Each one had spent around six months in space. On their return the expanded vessels began to shrink back to normal, but only after a matter of months. Scroll down for video Going into space can cause astronauts and cosmonauts to retain liquid in their heads causing them to have vision problems when they return to Earth. Pictured, Chris Hadfield on Earth (left) and looking puffy and pink aboard the ISS (right) When the cosmonauts returned home, they found that the volume of their ventricles had increased by an average of more than 11 per cent to accommodate the extra fluid. The team also found a link between the volume of one of the four ventricles and loss of visual acuity, although they conceded that more evidence is needed. An eye condition called called Spaceflight Neuroocular Syndrome (SANS) has been on NASA's radar for years, who have been studying the affect microgravity has on astronaut eyesight. About 30 per cent of astronauts on short-term space shuttle flights and 60 per cent on long-duration missions to the ISS have reported some impairment to their vision. Health risks like these are a significant barrier to deep space habitation, according to NASA's Human Research Roadmap. Experts found that microgravity had pushed the fluid in these ventricles upwards causing them to slightly expand in three ventricles in the brains. They scanned the brains of 11 Russian cosmonauts before and after to determine the effects being in space (piucturef) When the cosmonauts returned home, they found that the volume of their ventricles had increased by an average of more than 11 per cent to accommodate the extra fluid. This graph shows their findings On Earth, gravity pulls all your bodily fluids down towards your feet. In space, that's not the case. 'As soon as you enter microgravity, bodily fluids flow to the upper part of the body,' Angelique Van Ombergen at the University of Antwerp in Belgium told the New Scientist. 'That's why when you see pictures of astronauts on the space station they look like they have a puffy head.' They found that when the cosmonauts returned home, the volume of their ventricles had increased by an average of more than 11 per cent to accommodate the extra fluid flowing into their heads in microgravity. Even about seven months later, the ventricles were more than 6 per cent bigger than before the cosmonauts launched. HOW DOES MICROGRAVITY AFFECT THE HUMAN BODY? A considerable amount of research has been conducted to identify and quantify the effects microgravity has on the human body. The Twins Study conducted by NASA's Human Research Program (HRP), researched the effects on astronaut Scott Kelly's body after he spent a year aboard the International Space Station using his twin brother, Mark Kelly, as the control. These and other studies have confirmed that exposure to microgravity can not only affect bone density and muscle mass, but also immune-function, blood oxygenation, cardiovascular health, and even possible genomic and cognitive changes. In addition, eyesight is also something that can be effected by time spent in space, which is the result of less circulation and oxygen making it to the ocular tissue. For years, and with the support of NASA, Delps has been studying the affect microgravity has on astronaut eyesight. As he said in a recent FSU News release: 'The problem is the longer the astronauts are in space, the more likely they are to experience visual impairment,' said Professor Michael Delp the Dean of the College of Human Sciences at Florida State University (FSU). 'Some astronauts will recover from vision changes, but some don't. So this is a high priority for NASA and space agencies worldwide. With this application of artificial gravity, we found it didn't totally prevent changes to the eye, but we didn't see the worst outcomes.' Advertisement Although they found a correlation between the volume of one of the four ventricles and loss of visual acuity, but it was not enough to be certain the inflated ventricle was causing the changes in vision. Despite this, Van Ombergen said that the fact that there are changes in the brain should motivate additional study. All the cosmonauts in this study were in space for about six months, so they don't know if the effect gets more pronounced the longer they spend in microgravity. This research could be an important consideration for longer flights, such as a journey to Mars. They were also all men, and Van Ombergen says there's a chance the effect could be different in women. She said: 'We need to really check the brain, check the visual system, check cognition because we do not know if this has any effect on that, and check people who spent different durations in space to tell if the effect keeps increasing. 'Currently, nobody knows.' The research was published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. By looking at fights between lions and porcupines, scientists have found that the spike creatures make formidable opponent for the king of the jungle. Porcupines may be more than ten times smaller than the average lions, but their more than 30,000 razor-sharp quills actually give them the edge in battles with lions. In the first study to look at historical encounters between the two species, a team at Field Museum examined conflicts in newspaper articles, journals and internet reports. They found that such attacks were more common than previously thought and that lions generally stayed clear of the prickly creatures to avoid being fatally wounded by their spikes. Scroll down for video By looking at fights between lions and porcupines, scientists have found that the spike creatures are a formidable opponent for the king of the jungle African porcupines are large rodents, weighing about about 40lbs (18kg), and predators including humans seek them out for their tasty flesh. The underbelly of a porcupine provides juicy meat for lions, but getting to it is not so easy. The research team found evidence of about fifty lions that had been injured or killed by porcupines. Lions that lived on harsher, drier terrain seemed to rely more on porcupines for food, perhaps because other prey weren't available. Young lions were more likely to try to hunt porcupines than older lions. And most of the lions injured by porcupines were male. But their backs are covered in sharp quills made of keratin, the same material as hair and fingernails. These quills, which can be a foot long or more, can detach and get stuck in the flesh of predators. First it has to get the spiny critters on its back, but even so, the spikes of a porcupine can pierce the flesh of any lion which gets too close and leave it with potentially fatal injuries. They found that the average lion which weigh 400lbs (180kg) is no match for the porcupine. They may be able to bring down large prey like wildebeests, zebras and even giraffes, but most steer clear of the spiky creatures knowing there can be a heavy price to pay, the researchers say. Porcupines have more than 30,000 razor-sharp quills give them an edge in battles with lions. The above image from 1965 shows a dead lion that, due to a porcupine injury, resorted to killing humans. The white tip of the porcupine quill is visible sticking out of the lion's nostril Lead author Professor Julian Kerbis Peterhans, a zoologist at the Field Museum, Chicago, said: 'By examining records of lions that have been injured by porcupines, we were able to develop a better picture of the conditions that lead lions to try to hunt porcupines and what happens to the lions who get stuck.' His team analysed historical records to discover what leads lions to hunt porcupines and what happens when they do. Procupines' spikes may just be modified hairs but they are so needle sharp they can get stuck in the lion's nose, making it impossible to hunt, or go deep into the skin leading to deadly infections. Co-author Professor Gastone Celesia, a neurologist at Loyola University, Chicago, added: 'It's David and Goliath on the African savanna. The powerful king of the savanna tries to eat a juicy, fat porcupine, but he gets hurt by the quills. 'Even though lions are at the top of the food chain, they get injured if they don't watch what they're doing.' African porcupines are large rodents, weighing about about forty pounds. They are so tasty even humans have tried to hunt them. A porcupine quill removed from the skull of a man-eating lion, broken into two pieces. The quill stuck in the lion's nose made it impossible for the lion to hunt normal prey, and it resorted to eating humans. The shorter section was sticking out of the lion's nose, and the longer section was inside of its skull. But their backs are covered in sharp quills made of keratin, the same material as hair and fingernails. Measuring more than a foot long, they can detach and get stuck in predators careless or desperate enough to attack. Stories of lions getting injured by porcupines date back hundreds of years. Professor Kerbis Peterhans and colleagues scoured scientific literature, newspaper articles and even YouTube videos looking for evidence of interactions between lions and porcupines. In June, July and August of 1656, an official from the Dutch East Company in Cape Town wrote in his diary about three different lions that had been injured by porcupines. Co-author Dr Tom Gnoske, an assistant collections manager at the Field Museum, said: 'I think digging deeply into the historic literature, especially very early sources, has largely fallen out of fashion in the modern era. Prof Kerbis Peterhans added: 'There was a tendency for males to be more often wounded or killed by porcupines - sort of a 'young foolish male syndrome.'' They are not just taking part in risky behaviour, but without other lions to help them if they do get hurt, they are more prone. He explained: 'In social contexts, a lion can remove porcupine quills with the help of a friend, but this is not possible if they are solitary.' The researchers also used CT scans on the skulls of two man eating lions from 1965 to more closely examine the effect on their hunting abilities. One had been stuck through the nose with a nine-inch quill, and the other had an inch-long segment embedded in the nerve pulp of its broken canine tooth. Fights to the death between lions and porcupines are more common than previously thought - and the spiny critters are more likely to come out on top, say scientists (stock image) They showed evidence of bone infections that would have impaired eating of prey and, in the case of the lion with a quill through its nose, smelling of it - factors that could have fuelled man-eating. Lions generally attack humans if something is wrong, such as not being physically able to take down their usual prey, or if they don't have enough space or resources to hunt normally. The study published in the Journal of East African Natural History could shed fresh light on why lions harm people - and have broader ecological significance, Professor Kerbis Peterhans said: 'Porcupine injuries are an anticipator of attacks on humans, there is a potential impact on human beings. Dr Gnoske said: 'We know from forty-plus years of continuous behavioural research on lions since the 1960s that lions prefer large hooved animals as prey, including antelope, zebra, and buffalo. 'And our data suggest by the time the lions are relegated to eating porcupines, there is already a problem with the local food supply. 'Historic records tell us that when environmental conditions deteriorate, particularly in areas where lions and their preferred prey are already living on the edge, they find themselves in serious trouble with nearby humans or their livestock.' Professor Celesia added: 'One moral of the story is there is no free lunch. Even the king of beasts doesn't eat what he wants without paying a price.' According to one genetics firm, a recent client has taken the title for the oldest traceable DNA in the Americas. A report from the Great Falls Tribune reveals Alvin 'Willy' Crawford's DNA was traced back 55 generations with a shocking 99 percent accuracy, making his lineage the longest ever traced by the ancestry testing company, CRI Genetics. According to the report, the genetic testing traced Crawford's DNA back a whopping 17,000 years. The length and accuracy of Crawford's lineage is so rare that the company told Crawford's family that it was 'like finding Big Foot.' The DNA test traced Crawford's family history to ancestors that migrated across the Bering Land Bridge. Many of Americas first humans crossed a narrow land bridge that stretched across the Bering Sea and into Alaska (illustrated above) WHAT DID THE DNA RESULTS SHOW? Though Crawford's DNA test showed he was mostly of Native American ancestry, there was a surprising mix of other background in the report, including: . 9.8 percent European . 5.3 percent East Asian . 2 percent South Asian . 0.2 percent African via Great Falls Tribune Advertisement According to the report, Crawford died of a heart attack shortly before the results of CRI's genetic testing had concluded, but was told that his ancestors had migrated across the Bering Land Bridge during an Ice Age. According to Crawford's DNA, however, he belonged to the mtDNA Haplogroup B2 -- a genetic sub group -- which is very common in southwestern America. Likely, Crawford's ancestors traveled from Asia to South America and traveled north according to CRI. Crawford's DNA was 83 percent native American according to the report, with 73 percent of that coming from one tribe alone, the Blackfeet Nation. As the ability to sequence and understand genomes has steadily advanced, so to has our understanding of the way species, including humans, have evolved. In 2010, a bit of luck led to the first fully sequenced genome of early humans. Scientists were able to map the entire genome of an early ancient human after analyzing a 4,000-year-old hairball found frozen in Greenland soil -- the piece of genetic history pales in comparison to other ancient human DNA which has been dated as far back as 430,000 years. Similarly, after studying the discovered DNA of a six-week-old Native American infant who died 11,500 years ago, researchers revealed last year that humans likely migrated across the Bering Strait land bridge into Alaska in one fell swoop as opposed to coming in waves like previously thought. For individuals in Native American communities like that to which Crawford and his family belong, the impacts of genetic testing has had more personal ripple effects. According to genetics company CRI, Alvin Crawford has the oldest traceable DNA in the companies history. Alvin died before the results came in, but his family says he would have been 'blown away.' His brother, Darrell "Dusty" Crawford, is pictured Genetic testing is now used, to some controversy, to test people's enrollment in tribes -- if test come back under certain percentages of a tribe's DNA then they may not be allowed in. Arguments over Native American ancestry have even made the national stage, namely through a public spat between presidential candidate, Senator Elizabeth Warren and President Donald Trump over Warren's alleged native american background. To prove her claim, she resorted to genetic testing. A Representative from CRI Genetics did not respond to a request for comment before the time of publication. Marine mammal experts are concerned about the death of a gray whale that washed ashore in San Francisco. The whale found Monday on Ocean Beach was the ninth discovered in the San Francisco Bay Area since March. A necropsy conducted by the Marine Mammal Center indicates it may have been struck by a ship. This, unfortunately, is not uncommon; the center says three previous whales were struck by ships, while another four died from malnutrition. The cause of death for another hasn't been determined. But the center says biologists have spotted gray whales in poor condition during this year's annual migration from Mexico to Alaska. Marine mammal experts are concerned about the death of a gray whale that washed ashore in San Francisco. The whale found Monday on Ocean Beach was the ninth discovered in the San Francisco Bay Area since March They suspect some are having trouble finding enough to eat as warming ocean conditions cause changes to their food supplies, which can range from krill and small shrimp-like animals to small fish. The latest was found lying on its stomach, which researchers say makes it more difficult to perform their tests. Normally when a whale floats in, it ends up on its back, Dr. Padraig Duignan, the Marine Mammal Center's chief pathologist, told ABC7. It gives us easy access to the abdominal cavity. Back of the head, back of the thorax, consistent with blunt trauma from something big like a ship, the researcher added. The Marine Mammal Center conducted a necropsy to determine what killed the animal. They say it was likely struck by a ship The Marine Mammal Center confirmed the gruesome discovery after sightings were reported Monday morning and completed their necropsy on Tuesday. While an average of five to 10 gray whales typically wash ashore over the course of an entire calendar year, that number has now been reached in a matter of weeks. We are committed to performing these investigations w/our partners to find long-term solutions to prevent these incidents in the future, the center said on Twitter, noting it has already performed 8 gray whale necropsies this year. Following warnings from the FTC, both Apple and Google have removed several dating apps from their platforms that they say allowed children to join. According to a letter sent by the FTC to Ukraine-based Wildec LLC, which owns FastMeet, Meet24 and Meet4U, the trio of dating apps allowed children as young as 12 to participate in the service and communicate with adults. In an FTC investigation of the app, the organization says they were also able to identify and confirm multiple children within the service using a built-in age filter that allows users to search by age. A trio of dating apps was removed by Google and Apple for allowing children under 13-years-old to participate. The FTC says the apps have already been used by sexual predators. Stock image In some instances, Wildec's dating apps were used by potential predators to find victims. In March, a man from Henrietta, New York was arrested for using Fastmeet to convene with who he thought was a 13-year-old girl -- the person on the other end was actually an undercover police officer. The FTC warned parents whose children my be exposed to the app in a recent public advisory. 'Parents be warned: some dating apps like FastMeet, Meet24 and Meet4U allow adults to find and communicate with children,' said a parental warning issued by the FTC. 'Concerned parents should remove these apps if theyre on childrens devices. You also can set your kids devices so they must get parental approval before purchasing any new apps.' In addition to allowing predatory adults to communicate with children, the FTC said the apps were also harvesting information on the underage users. Among the fields collected by the apps were dates of birth, photographs, emails, and even real-time location data. The collection of data for children under 12-years-old is a violation of the Childrens Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), which requires children under 13-years-old to have parental consent before doing so. According to the FTC, Wildec is liable for children using its apps since participants were able to freely input their age with no repercussions. 'While the three apps claimed in their privacy policies to prohibit users under the age of 13, the apps failed to block users who indicated they were under 13 from using the apps and from being contacted by other users of the apps,' said a letter from the FTC. While Wildec's apps represent a particularly brazen approach to connecting adults and children, other more mainstream applications like Tinder and Grindr have also been at the center of similar complaints. As noted by TechCrunch, UK authorities have investigated more than 30 cases of since 2015 for incidents related Tinder and Grindr. Currently, the UK is mulling legislation that would require more stringent age verification checks on users of dating apps in hopes of curbing abuses aided by the services. Holidaymakers are at risk of being left adrift without a lifeline should something go wrong on their holidays due to confusion over their rights, an investigation has found. Which? says some of the UK's biggest travel agents and airlines are giving incorrect information about the cover and protections holidaymakers are entitled to under Package Travel Regulations, Linked Travel Arrangements (LTA) and Atol. Its investigators, posing as potential customers, found that many of the staff they spoke to could not correctly answer more than half of the questions asked about these important protections - with Ryanair and Edreams getting two-thirds of the questions wrong. An investigation by Which? says some of the UK's biggest travel agents and airlines are giving incorrect information to holidaymakers about the cover and protections holidaymakers are entitled to Expedia, British Airways Holidays, Lastminute.com, Trailfinders and TravelRepublic were also contacted. The researchers asked a series of questions about what kind of protection can be expected with several of the holidays that they advertise. Package Travel Regulations offer the most comprehensive cover in a number of different scenarios including hotels that look nothing like the brochure as well as natural disasters and grumbling volcanoes that interfere with flight schedules. If a flight forms part of the holiday package and the company booked with is Atol protected, passengers will be covered should their airline go bust - this is especially important given that 20-odd airlines have collapsed since the start of 2018. Atol is run by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Travel companies in the scheme must pay 2.50 for each person they book on a holiday. This money creates a fund that is used by the CAA to ensure that holidaymakers will get their money back if the airline, the hotel or the agent itself goes bust and repatriation in the event they are all already on holiday. The important distinction is that Atol is a financial protection scheme whereas the Package Travel Regulations provide a level of legal protection. If a car rental, hotel or a tour is booked within 24 hours of booking your flight with the same operator and it isn't a package it is a Linked Travel Arrangement. This means financial failure protection is in place to refund part of the booking if one of the companies involved becomes insolvent. During the research, investigators found that Ryanair and Edreams agents struggled the most to answer questions on these topics. Which? says both firms gave more wrong answers than right ones, getting 10 out of 15 questions wrong. In the case of Ryanair, investigators say staff were stumped enough to pass the their calls between two call centres - Ryanair Rooms and Ryanair.com. The consumer group added that not only did Ryanair get two-thirds of the questions wrong, one staff member was even unable to explain what a package was claiming that because the 'hotel was provided by a third party it doesn't count as a package'. A table showing the questions that the Which? investigators asked and how many answered correctly. Each travel company was contacted three times The 'third party' hotel was booked via Ryanair Rooms, and the flight and hotel were part of the same transaction. Meanwhile, Which? claims that most travel agents were also completely wrong in the advice they gave about the new Linked Travel Arrangements rules. In fact, staff at six of the seven travel companies got this question incorrect every single time Which? asked it. In addition, Which? says that many of the agents that it called offered up Atol protection as though it was a fix-all substitute for the Package Travel Regulations. Spanish-based online travel agent Edreams incorrectly told Which? that the fictional holiday would be Atol protected. But its Atol licence expired three months before the consumer champion called. And while it now offers financial protection from a similar Spanish scheme, Which? claims this would be much harder to establish for anyone caught out when they are on holiday. However, the investigation did reveal that with the right training, companies can get the advice right with TrailFinders only getting one question wrong. Which? has already shared its findings with the CAA, urging it to take action. The evidence has also been presented to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), the government body responsible for reviewing the new travel rules. Rory Boland, Which? Travel editor, said: 'The new rules around travel protection are difficult to understand but that is no excuse for travel agents who are in the business of selling holidays to give travellers the wrong information especially when we have seen so many travel plans ruined by airlines going bust in recent years. The consumer champion found that many of the staff it spoke to could not correctly answer more than half of the questions asked about important protections THE QUESTIONS ASKED BY WHICH? AND THE CORRECT ANSWERS Q. Is a flight and hotel booked together a package? Yes. Q. Does that mean I have package holiday protection? Yes, and usually Atol protection as well. Q. If I book a flight today, but a hotel tomorrow to the same destination, is that a package? Probably not, although it could be a Linked Travel Arrangement. Q. Can you explain a Linked Travel Arrangement (LTA)? This is when you buy one part of your holiday, such as the flight, and are then prompted within 24 hours, perhaps via email, to book another part, such as a hotel, or you book from one travel agent but pay for the hotel and flight separately. If the travel agent goes bust before you travel youll get your money back. Q. Will my hotel and flight booking be Atol protected if booked at the same time? Yes for most (Edreams licence expired in September and now can only offer financial protection under the Madrid scheme after a change in the law. Ryanair is not signed up to Atol). Advertisement 'It is completely unreasonable for the onus to fall onto holidaymakers when legislation clearly states that no matter how you book your trip, the company you are booking with needs to tell you up front if you're buying a package holiday or not - and tell you exactly what this entails.' A spokesperson for Edreams said: 'We appreciate this being brought to our attention. Our customers are our number one priority and we always strive to provide them with the best experience. 'Our customer services team is continuously trained to give travellers the most up-to-date information on a range of topics, which includes the travel protection available to them. As a reminder, all our British customers' trips are protected by Spain's national travel insurance scheme that meets the highest levels of protection required by European law. 'We are looking into the specific cases referred to and will work with our customer service team to review our training materials and internal processes to make sure that we meet our demanding standards to deliver excellence for our customers.' A spokesman for Expedia said: 'Add on Advantage offers customers access to discounted pricing on hotels after they have made a qualifying purchase, which could be a flight, car or package booking. 'As such, the Add on Advantage landing page explains the detail around the offer and gives customers the chance to search for a qualifying purchase. The end result is that customers have the flexibility to book and tailor their trip and payment timing as they wish, whilst still being able to access discounts. 'As part of the search and booking process customers are given information on Linked Travel Arrangements and Packages, including information that if a person books a Linked Travel Arrangement they will not benefit from rights applying to Packages. The landing page itself also contains more information on this.' While a spokesperson for British Airways Holidays said: 'Booking with a well-known global brand like British Airways Holidays gives customers additional reassurance, and all our holiday packages are Atol protected. Additionally we Atol protect Linked Travel Arrangements booked through our call centre. 'We will be working with our customer service agents to ensure that we offer customers clear and consistent advice and guidance.' A LastMinute.com spokesman said: Our customer care team agents try to answer all the questions surrounding the financial protection available to holidaymakers in the UK. However, we will investigate this matter and make sure all our agents are trained to the levels required. 'We want to re-iterate that lastminute.com customers are fully Atol protected whenever they purchase flight inclusive holidays from us, and also covered under Linked Travel Arrangements where required according to the EU Package travel & Linked Travel Arrangements Regulation.' A Travel Republic spokesperson said: 'Travel Republic provides customers comfort and assurance and we always strive to provide the highest quality customer service. In this instance we recognise that additional training is required to ensure there is no ambiguity around the protection customers receive when booking their holidays.' MailOnline Travel has also contacted Ryanair for comment. After a long trend toward greater safety in air travel, there has been an increase in airline accidents and deaths in 2018 and 2019. But many aviation experts regard the recent rise as a statistical blip. They note that accidents and deaths remain a fraction of the numbers from as recently as the 1990s. Advances in aircraft and airport design, better air traffic control, and improved pilot training are often cited as factors in reducing accidents. There have been 209 fatalities in airline accidents so far this year. On Sunday, 41 people died when an Aeroflot plane crash landed at Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport (pictured) Seth Young, director of the aviation program at Ohio State University, said: 'I don't think we'll ever get to zero accidents, but aviation is still the safest it's ever been.' In the U.S., no airline passengers were killed in accidents from 2009 until April 2018, when a woman on a Southwest Airlines jet died after an engine broke apart in flight. Worldwide, there were more than 50 fatal airline accidents a year through the early and mid-1990s, claiming well over 1,000 lives annually, according to figures compiled by the Flight Safety Foundation. Fatalities dropped from 1,844 in 1996 to just 59 in 2017, then rose to 561 last year and 209 already this year. Nearly half of the airline deaths in 2018 and 2019 occurred during the crashes of two Boeing 737 Max jets in Indonesia and Ethiopia. In each case, investigators are examining the role of flight software that pushed the nose of the plane down based on faulty sensor readings. That raises concern about safety around automated flight controls, said William Waldock, an expert at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He said: 'Pilots are not being trained as much as pilots as they are system operators and system managers. In the case of the Aeroflot jet that caught fire, attention is likely to turn to Russian media reports that lightning disabled the plane's communications system 'So when something happens and the automation fails, they get flummoxed.' Beyond the two Max crashes, safety experts see little immediate connection between other incidents. These include the deadly crash of a Russian plane that caught fire after an emergency landing in Moscow and the case of the charter airliner that ran off a Florida runway into a river. No one died in that one. Investigators probe crashes in search of clues to prevent more accidents from the same cause. In the case of the Aeroflot Sukhoi SSJ100 jet that caught fire, killing more than 40 people on board, attention is likely to turn to Russian media reports that lightning disabled the plane's communications system and whether pilots should have burned off fuel before the emergency landing. Lightning strikes are not uncommon. In the U.S. alone, there are about 25 million every year, according to the National Weather Service. A Federal Aviation Administration spokesman said airline planes get hit about once a year on average. In March, a Boeing 737 Max aircraft, operated by Ethiopian Airlines, crashed near Addis Ababa Planes are built so that the fuselage acts as an electricity-conducting shield, keeping the voltage away from passengers and critical systems. The jolt is often dissipated off wings or the tail. Critical electronics have surge protection. Nitrogen is used to reduce the risk that electrical arcing could spark a fire in a fuel tank. Newer planes like the Boeing 787, which uses carbon composite material instead of aluminum, includes fine wiring in the wings to direct current off the plane, said John Hansman, an aeronautics professor at MIT. He said: 'They should be designed to take a lightning strike, but if you don't have a perfectly grounded airplane, if you don't have the right surge suppressors, it's possible you can take out some of the avionics or electronics.' Sunday's fiery crash in Moscow raised questions about making an emergency landing shortly after takeoff, while the plane is still fully loaded with fuel and likely over the maximum landing weight. Only very large airliners have the ability to dump fuel. Most jetliners including the popular Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 do not. Investigators of the Ethiopian Airlines crash are examining the role of flight software that pushed the nose of the plane down based on faulty sensor readings That leaves only one option for lightening the fuel load on a plane like the Russian-made Sukhoi SSJ100 - circling long enough to burn fuel. John Cox, a former airline pilot and now a safety consultant, said he would only circle if he was concerned that something was wrong with the plane's landing gear, or the runway was too short. Video of the landing showed that the Aeroflot plane seem to touch down on its main landing gear, then bounce up before coming down hard a second time. At that point, flames can be seen coming from the jet. Video also captured passengers toting their carry-on luggage as they fled the burning jet. Passengers on U.S. airlines are told to leave personal belongs in an emergency because it can slow the evacuation when seconds are precious. 'We will never know if more lives could have been saved if the bags were left behind,' said Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants. Laura Marano and Noah Centineo, Netflix's newest on-screen lovebirds in The Perfect Date, once played teenage crushes in the Disney Channel series Austin & Ally. And while the pair had not seen each other since filming the kids' show in 2012, Laura says their chemistry came alive when they reunited on set last year. According to Laura, Noah was 'still the same lovely, wonderful person' she worked with when they were both up-and-coming teen actors. 'We felt comfortable right away': Laura Marano talks reuniting with fellow Disney star Noah Centineo in Netflix's The Perfect Date... after first starring together on Austin & Ally in 2012 In recent years, Noah has emerged as a major Netflix star, appearing in 2018 comedies To All The Boys I've Loved Before and Sierra Burgess Is a Loser. Reflecting on their days on set of Austin & Ally, Laura said their past experience made filming The Perfect Date fun and effortless. 'It was really nice that we felt so comfortable with each other right way - we definitely got closer on the movie,' she said. Remember this? Laura and Noah, Netflix 's newest on-screen lovebirds in The Perfect Date, once played teenage crushes in the Disney Channel series Austin & Ally. Pictured in 2012 Laura, 23, added that she and Noah, 22, have managed to stay grounded despite their success because they both have 'supportive' families. 'It comes down to family, we both have really strong and supportive families and it's so helpful,' she said. 'They have kind of raised us both to hopefully surround ourselves with people that continue that pattern of positivity.' Rising star: In recent years, Noah has emerged as a major Netflix star, appearing in 2018 comedies To All The Boys I've Loved Before and Sierra Burgess Is a Loser Laura and Noah were both teenagers when they last worked together, and she said their conversations off camera have changed a lot since then. 'We're both older and more mature, so we were having more mature conversations about life and love and our history with our families and relationships,' she said. 'We got definitely even closer [filming] this movie.' Friends reunited: Laura and Noah were both teenagers when they last worked together. Pictured: Noah at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in in Beverly Hills on February 24, 2019 The Perfect Date follows high school student Brooks Rattigan (played by Noah), who launches an app offering his services as a 'fake date' to raise money for college. Celia Lieberman (played by Laura) encourages Brooks to create the entrepreneurial business after he kindly escorted her to a school dance as a stand-in date. The Perfect Date is now streaming on Netflix It has long been rumoured that axed Today host Karl Stefanovic has his sights set on relocating to America. And now things may be falling into place for the 44-year-old TV star. It was revealed on Monday that veteran Australian journalist Robert Penfold, 68, has stepped down from his role as Nine's US bureau chief, sparking rumours that Karl might be up for the coveted gig. New gig? Karl Stefanovic (pictured) could become Nine's US bureau chief as veteran Australian journalist Robert Penfold, 68, steps down from the coveted role According to Nine News, Robert will finish reporting full-time in July, but will still work part-time with the network after being with Nine for 43 years. 'I leave with many wonderful memories and experiences and I am thankful for the extraordinary opportunities that the job as Nine's foreign correspondent provided,' Robert said in part of a statement as the news broke. He added: 'But it is time to take a breather.' 'The job necessarily makes for an unpredictable life and all this can only be achieved with a very understanding partner and my wife Shar has certainly been that, and more, over the last 45 years.' Stepping down: According to Nine News, Robert (pictured) will finish reporting full-time in July, but will still work part-time with the network, having been with Nine for 43 years In 2017, a Nine 'insider' reportedly told New Idea that Karl was eyeing up Robert's job. 'Karl wants (Nine's US bureau chief) Robert Penfold's job,' the source said. 'He knows he would need to take a pay cut, but would love to relocate to the US as Nine's correspondent.' Rumours: In 2017, a Nine 'insider' reportedly told New Idea that Karl was eyeing up Robert's job (seen on Today with former co-host, Georgie Gardner) 'He wants to get away from it all': Meanwhile, Daily Mail Australia previously reported that Karl had his sights set on escaping Australia long before his wedding to Jasmine Yarbrough, 34, in December Meanwhile, Daily Mail Australia previously reported that Karl had his sights set on escaping Australia long before his wedding to Jasmine Yarbrough, 34, in December. Before he was dropped from Today, the embattled journalist confided in friends that he was considering 'going away for a while'. At the time, he was said to be feeling increasingly 'strained' due to the media scrutiny surrounding his engagement to the shoe designer. Claims: 'Ideally, he would like a job at Channel Nine's U.S. bureau. He loves America and Jasmine lived in Los Angeles for years while working as a model,' a source said 'He wants to get away from it all, he's getting tired of all the attention he gets in Sydney,' said a source familiar with the situation at the time. 'Ideally, he would like a job at Channel Nine's U.S. bureau. He loves America and Jasmine lived in Los Angeles for years while working as a model.' Karl was unceremoniously dumped as co-host of Today last December while on his honeymoon with wife Jasmine. However, the father-of-three remains with Nine and is set to appear as host on the show, This Time Next Year, which will air in coming months. Nine meanwhile denied the speculation when contacted by Daily Mail Australia on Tuesday, saying that Karl will not be taking on the role. She previously declared, 'I think I was a mermaid once', in her Instagram bio. And Abbey Lee Kershaw, 31, took her fascination with the aquatic creatures to the Met Gala on Monday. The Australian modelling export dazzled in a gold mermaid-inspired ensemble as she arrived at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Golden girl: Abbey Lee Kershaw, 31, took her fascination with mermaids to the Met Gala on Monday as she arrived in this glittering gown Keeping in line with this year's 'Notes on Camp' theme, the actress showed off her figure in the elaborate gown. Gold tinsel-style material was used for the bodice and skirt, while white seashells covered the bust area. The dress was complete with sheer long sleeves and white tulle trimming. Unique: Keeping in line with this year's 'Notes on Camp' theme, the actress showed off her figure in the elaborate gown Turning heads: Gold tinsel-style material was used for the bodice and skirt, while white seashells covered the bust area Sparkling: She topped off the look with slightly gothic-inspired makeup, complete with gold flakes around her left eye She topped off the look with slightly gothic-inspired makeup, complete with gold flakes around her left eye. Abbey showed her flair as she displayed her extended tulle sleeves in the intricate gown. She wore her luscious dirty blonde locks slicked back and styled in a wet look hairstyle. Poser: Abbey showed her flair as she displayed her extended tulle sleeves in the intricate gown Despite attending fashion's night of nights, Abbey once told W magazine that the industry is completely 'inhumane'. 'When you're a high fashion model in the show circuit, by Paris [the last stop of the major fashion weeks] you are completely debilitated,' she said in 2016. 'It was not humane what they do to girls during that period. I don't care what anyone says about the fashion industry, it's hard work. 'And those dumb videos where you see Gigi Hadid and Kendall Jenner jumping around a hotel room is bulls***. That's not how it is at all.' Karl Stefanovic has been notably absent from Channel Nine programming since he was axed from the Today show in December 2018. But the 44-year-old made a surprise return to the network on Sunday night as a talking head on countdown show 20 To One. Karl's appearance was not announced beforehand and it's unclear when he filmed the segments. During the show, Karl reacted to famous television adverts. At one stage, he joked that he once owned a Squatty Potty toilet stool and it found it to be 'very effective'. Daily Mail Australia has contacted Channel Nine for comment. He's back! On Monday night, Karl Stefanovic returned to Channel Nine for the first time since being sacked from Today, appearing as a talking head on countdown show 20 To One 'I have used one, they're very effective': During the show, Karl reacted to famous television adverts, including one for the Squatty Potty toilet stool Karl will make his official return to the network later in 2019 as host of This Time Next Year, which filmed its second season in February. 'This Time Next Year has been filmed and will screen later this year on Nine,' a spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia in March. No specific airdate for the prime time show has been announced. Still to come! Karl will make his official return to the network later in 2019 as host of This Time Next Year, which filmed its second season in February Karl was sacked as co-host of the Today show on December 19, less than two weeks after he married second wife Jasmine Yarbrough in Mexico. He was on his honeymoon in Aspen, Colorado when network executives call him to deliver the bad news. Despite leaving the breakfast program, two years remain on Karl's contract, which is reportedly worth $2million per year. Long time, no see! Karl was sacked as co-host of the Today show on December 19, less than two weeks after he married second wife Jasmine Yarbrough in Mexico She has been flaunting her incredible physique while on vacation in the Maldives over the past week. And Sophie Monk shared another envy-inducing holiday video on Monday, this time wearing a plunging white bikini. In footage captured by her boyfriend Joshua Gross at Club Med's Finolhu Villas, the 39-year-old displayed her jaw-dropping figure in the ocean at sunset. Wish you were here? Sophie Monk flaunted her jaw-dropping figure in a plunging white bikini while on holiday in the Maldives on Monday Sophie looked heavenly in her swimwear, which consisted of a pair of bikini bottoms and a plunging Zacob Sportiv turtleneck top. She slicked her blonde hair back and looked in happy spirits as she posed flirtatiously for her businessman beau. At one stage, Joshua asked from behind the camera: 'You still going?' Red hot! It comes after Sophie shared another video of herself walking out of the ocean in a skimpy red bikini over the weekend It comes after Sophie shared another video of herself walking out of the ocean in a skimpy red bikini over the weekend. Her followers were left gobsmacked by the footage, and several asked if she had recently undergone a breast enlargement or lift. However, Sophie denied going under the knife. 'Have your boobs somewhat grown?' Sophie's followers were left gobsmacked by the footage, and several asked if she had recently undergone a breast enlargement or lift She's all natural! 'New boobs?' one of her followers commented, to which Sophie swiftly replied: 'They're 39 years old and going south!' 'New boobs?' one of her followers commented, to which Sophie swiftly replied: 'They're 39 years old and going south!' Sophie, who turns 40 in December, has long been accused of having plastic surgery. But she previously denied having a breast enlargement in 2014. Love Island! Sophie is currently on holiday in the Maldives with her new boyfriend, Josh Gross Speaking on 2DayFM's breakfast show, Sophie claimed that that if she were to have surgery on that area it would be a breast reduction. 'I want a boob reduction. They're a 32D and at times a DD, and they get in the way when I do sports,' she said at the time. 'But doctors told me to leave them alone, women die for those things!' Gossip: Sophie previously denied having a breast enlargement in 2014. Pictured in West Hollywood, California on July 8, 2010 Last year, Sophie sparked rumours she'd undergone Botox and lip fillers after displaying noticeably fuller features during a TV appearance. While being interviewed on the Today show in November 2018, her lips appeared much plumper compared to when she filmed Love Island earlier that year. At the time, Beverly Hills-based cosmetic surgeon Dr. Randal Haworth said Sophie had likely 'taken full advantage of some non-surgical cosmetic options'. She shot to widespread fame as the feisty lawyer Gill Biggeloe in police procedural drama, Line of Duty. And Polly Walker looked worlds apart from her on-screen alter-ego as steamy sex scenes from her 1999 brothel drama 8 1/2 Women resurfaced. The actress, now 52, stripped totally naked for her role as concubine Palmira in the film, baring her pert derriere and ample assets during the sizzling scenes. Jaw-dropping: Polly Walker looked worlds apart from her on-screen alter-ego as steamy sex scenes from her 1999 brothel drama 8 1/2 Women resurfaced Best known: She shot to widespread fame as the feisty lawyer Gill Biggeloe in police procedural drama, Line of Duty The film saw Polly's character Palmira join a brothel run by wealthy businessman Philip Emmenthal (John Standing) and his son Storey (Matthew Delamere), following the death of the former's wife Amelia. Opening the private harem, they sign one-year contracts with eight and a half women. However, seductress Palmira soon begins to dominate Philip leading to a tangled web of lust and drama. Another steamy scene saw the star recline fully naked on a bed after a passionate romp as she stared serenely in the distance. The actress was also seen revealing her fully naked body as she took a shower with co-star John Standing. Saucy: Another steamy scene saw the star recline fully naked on a bed after a passionate romp as she stared serenely in the distance The scenes resurfacing comes after the highly-anticipated finale of the fifth season aired on Sunday night with a massive 9.6 million viewers and a 44.1 per cent share, making it the biggest overnight TV rating of the year so far; and fans are chomping at the bit for more. But despite the BBC confirming a sixth run of the show, it seems not a word of it has been written yet. An insider told MailOnline that news regarding season six won't materialise in the immediate future. 'Information about the sixth season - like when it's scheduled to air - won't be coming any time soon,' the source said. 'It needs to actually be written first, after all.' Pusles racing: The actress was also seen revealing her fully naked body as she took a shower with co-star John Standing Series scribe Jed Mercurio evidently hasn't put pen to paper yet - perhaps due to the fact that he is also set to write a sophomore season of Bodyguard, last year's hit thriller starring Richard Madden and Keeley Hawes. It has been suggested that this will go into production before Line Of Duty season six. Typically, there has been a two-year gap between seasons, suggesting viewers won't get to see what happens next with the AC-12 team until 2021. Harem: The film saw Polly's character Palmira join a brothel run by wealthy businessman Philip Emmenthal (John Standing) and his son Storey (Matthew Delamere), following the death of the former's wife Amelia Wow: However, seductress Palmira soon begins to dominate Philip leading to a tangled web of lust and drama And this will surely frustrate fans of the show who were left with unanswered questions on Sunday night - namely who the fourth corrupt officer is in the uncovered quartet of bent coppers. Mercurio - who gained recognition in the 1990s with his medical series Cardiac Arrest - admitted to Digital Spy on Monday that there is no chance of him working on both Bodyguard season two and Line Of Duty season six at the same time. He said: 'We're currently in talks with the BBC about the future of both series. So at this point it's not possible to say what will happen next. Justin Lacko was linked to Vanderpump Rules star Scheana Marie earlier this year. However, the Love Island Australia star, 28, has now been linked to another beautiful woman after sharing an eyebrow-raising photo to Instagram on Monday. Justin set tongues wagging after he was pictured cuddling a woman known as Anita Scott, before sharing a flirty exchange with the stunning blonde. 'Is she your girlfriend?' Love Island's Justin Lacko set tongues wagging on Monday by sharing this cosy photo with a glamorous blonde named Anita Scott Justin wrapped his arms around Anita in the photo and they later exchanged kiss emojis in the comments section, prompting questions from fans. 'Is this his girlfriend? What's her name?' one of his followers asked. 'So happy for you Justin,' another wrote, having seemingly come to the conclusion the post was a relationship announcement. Flirting: The pair exchanged kiss emojis in the comments section 'Is this your girlfriend?' Fans flooded the comments section with questions about the nature of their friendship Daily Mail Australia has contacted Justin Lacko for comment. It comes two months after U.S. reality star Scheana Marie, 33, told The Daily Telegraph she flirted with Justin during her trip Down Under in March. She claimed to have noticed the Chadwick model, who hails from Melbourne, on social media and asked to meet him during her trip. She's a fan! It comes two months after U.S. reality star Scheana Marie (right) told The Daily Telegraph that she flirted with Justin during her trip Down Under in March 'We've been DMing [direct messaging], he's this really hot Australian guy who's on reality shows,' she said at the time. Scheana added that while Justin was unavailable for a date, he might be able to meet after her return to America. 'He said he was getting on a flight back to Melbourne but he said he was maybe going to be in the States soon,' she said. Split: Late last year, Scheana confirmed she was single following her split with Rob Valletta (left) at the beginning of 2018. Pictured on May 3, 2017 in Los Angeles Late last year, Scheana confirmed she was single following her split with Rob Valletta at the beginning of 2018. Justin failed to find romance on Love Island Australia last year, and has been the subject of rumours surrounding his sexuality. While appearing on I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! earlier this year, Justin revealed he no longer speaks to his grandmother because she believes he is gay. She welcomed her first child, a son named James, in March this year. And Claire Holt has opened up about the heartbreaking miscarriage she suffered before falling pregnant with James. The Originals star, 30, told the Directionally Challenged podcast that she felt 'guilty' for letting down her husband Andrew Joblon. 'I did this to him, I had taken away his baby': The Originals star Claire Holt has revealed she felt guilty over suffering a miscarriage last year. Pictured with her son James After miscarrying, Claire recalled asking herself: 'Was it because my body just can't do it? Maybe I'm not meant to do this? Maybe I'm broken?' She added: 'I felt such guilt and my husband was so incredibly beautiful throughout this process. I wouldn't ever have survived it without him. 'And I felt like I did this to him, that I had taken away his baby. And that was such an awful feeling I never expected to feel.' Devastating: Claire told the Directionally Challenged podcast she believed she'd 'let down' her husband Andrew Joblon by miscarrying their child. Pictured: Andrew and his son James The actress revealed that she became pregnant with James five months after the miscarriage, which she described as 'the hardest thing' she'd ever faced in her life. Claire, who miscarried at 12 weeks, also recalled how a doctor had told her and Andrew to prepare themselves for losing the baby. She said: 'The doctor told us, "[The baby] is really small, it could go either way, don't put it on Facebook." It crushed me. 'We had no reason to believe anything was wrong at that point.' Candid: Claire revealed her miscarriage in a moving Instagram post last year, which featured a photo taken in hospital after surgery. She fell pregnant with James five months later Claire revealed her miscarriage in a moving Instagram post last year. She shared a photo of herself in hospital, writing in the caption that she felt 'broken' after losing her baby. Claire, who hails from Brisbane, is best known for her roles in U.S. TV shows The Originals, The Vampire Diaries and Pretty Little Liars. Former Home and Away star Kate Ritchie was left red-faced after suffering an unfortunate gaffe live on air on Monday. During a segment on Nova 96.9's Kate, Tim and Marty, the 40-year-old confused Mount Everest in Asia with Australia's Mount Kosciuszko. 'I think I've been to Mount Everest,' Kate said in a funny clip shared to their Instagram page. 'Is it the snowy mountains?' Radio host Kate Ritchie awkwardly confused Mount Everest with Mount Kosciuszko live on air on Monday 'What do you mean you think you have? Surely you should remember that?' her co-host Marty replied, adding, 'It's not a shop!' Kate replied: 'No is Mount Everest in the Snowy Mountains?' After an awkward silence in the studio, Tim replied: 'Are you joking!'' Oh dear: During a segment on Nova 96.9's Kate, Tim and Marty , the 40-year-old confused Mount Everest in Asia to Australia's Mount Kosciuszko 'Are you on the gear? No that's Mount Kosciuszko!' Marty added. It's not the first time the mother-of-one has been left embarrassed after making an off the cuff comment. In August last year, Kate revealed she made a regretful remark about an A-lister's appearance and called it her most awkward celebrity interview. 'I think I've been to Mount Everest,' Kate said in a funny clip, shared to their Instagram page. 'What do you mean you think you have, surely you should remember that?' her co-host Marty replied, adding, 'It's not a shop!' 'I remember having Keith Urban in the studio once upon a time and before I could stop myself, I was telling him that he was shorter than I expected,' she told news.com.au 'Now Keith is a lovely guy and probably couldn't care less what I thought about his height, but I kick myself to this day about such a silly comment. 'Having people spew their thoughts about your appearance right at you, without thinking, is something I live with and loathe so I promise you that that moment still keeps me awake at night.' Human Nature's Toby Allen, Phillip Burton, and Andrew and Michael Tierney have been honoured with Order of Australia medals for their services to the performing arts. The crooning quartet received the prestigious accolades during a ceremony at Government House in Canberra on Tuesday. Dressed to the nines in slick suits, the band members beamed with pride as they spoke with Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove during the official event. What an honour! Human Nature received Order of Australia medals for their services to performing arts on Tuesday. Pictured (left to right) Andrew Tierney, Michael Tierney, Phil Burton and Toby Allen at Government House in Canberra As expected, the quartet then treated the audience to an a cappella performance. In an official statement, Cosgrove said that Human Nature has made an extraordinary contribution to Australia over the course of their career. 'They are outstanding ambassadors, have given generously over many years and have brought joy to audiences and music lovers here and overseas,' he said. Unforgettable moment: Dressed to the nines in slick suits, the band members beamed with pride as they spoke with Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove during the official event He added: 'Many recipients are quiet achievers in their local communities while others are familiar names and faces. All, though, have a common trait - they work tirelessly and make our nation what it is.' Human Nature had humble beginnings, forming as schoolmates and competing in a combined regional schools concert at the Bankstown Town Hall in November 1989. They later signed a record contract and released their first single, Got It Goin' On, in 1996. That same year, they opened for Michael Jackson during his Australian tour. Singing with joy! As expected, the quartet treated the audience to an a cappella performance after receiving their Order of Australia medals They've come a long way! Human Nature had humble beginnings, forming as schoolmates and competing in a combined regional schools concert at the Bankstown Town Hall in late 1989 Achievement: They later signed a record contract and released their first single, Got It Goin' On, in 1996. That same year, they opened for Michael Jackson during his Australian tour The pop group has enjoyed a residency in Las Vegas since 2009. They released their latest album, Romance Of The Jukebox, last year. The Order of Australia is an honour recognising outstanding achievements and meticulous service to the nation. Other recipients from the performing arts include Kylie Minogue and Olivia Newton-John. Tuesday's episode of House Rules saw the teams making over Lisa and Andy's tiny Adelaide home. But with limited room to work with, many of the teams were jostling for space in the other teams' allocated areas. After being assigned the master bedroom, Pete, 32, and Courtney, 31, realised they hardly had enough room to squeeze in a bed, let alone a wardrobe. On the small side: Tuesday's episode of House Rules saw the teams making over Lisa and Andy's tiny Adelaide home. But with limited room to work with, many of the teams were jostling for space. Pictured, Alex 'It's tiny... It's actually tiny,' a disbelieving Pete told a clearly worried Courtney after measuring the space. Eyeing off the bathroom next door, Pete and Courtney decided they would try and convince Tim, 32, and Mat, 27, to give up a third of their space in order to enlarge the bedroom. But the brothers were struggling to contend with their small area, too. Tight squeeze: After being assigned the master bedroom, Pete and Courtney realised they hardly had enough room to squeeze in a bed, let alone a wardrobe 'Everyone thinks that their zone is more important than everybody else's,' admitted Courtney. As Pete started plotting his plan to extend the bedroom into the bathroom's space, Tim warned him 'don't get too excited'. 'Their space is quite small, but so is ours,' explained Tim. Working with what they've got: 'It's tiny... It's actually tiny,' a disbelieving Pete told a clearly worried Courtney after measuring the space Making plans: Eyeing off the bathroom next door, Pete and Courtney decided they would try and convince Tim and Mat to give up a third of their space in order to enlarge the bedroom But after turning on the charm, Pete and Courtney somehow managed to convince Tim and Mat to give up part of their space. 'It's amazing how nice they are when they want something. It is incredibly amazing,' confessed Mat. Meanwhile, as Mikaela, 24, and Eliza, 21, set out measuring their laundry space, Alex - who had been assigned the kitchen - informed them he would be taking some of their area for the fridge. Out of options: Meanwhile, Katie and Alex were struggling to fit the fridge into the home's tiny kitchen 'We have one wall that we can put a fridge on, and that is this wall,' the 32-year-old federal police officer told the clearly unimpressed sisters. 'It isn't like we're taking space from Alex and Katie's zone in the kitchen, he's actually wanting to force a fridge into the middle of our zone and then telling us that there's nothing that we can do about it,' explained Mikaela. As the sisters told Alex they needed room for a sink, he insisted they 'compromise'. Sharing is caring: Alex informed an unimpressed Mikaela and Eliza he would be taking some of their laundry area for the fridge Standing his ground: 'If it's a compromise between a kitchen fridge and a sink in your little laundry, I'm sorry,' he told the sisters 'If it's a compromise between a kitchen fridge and a sink in your little laundry, I'm sorry,' he told them. Mikaela and Eliza then opted to take a step back, explaining 'the kitchen is getting a little heated', while Alex admitted he was 'frustrated' with the situation. Finally, Katie, 29, came up with a solution that would work for everyone, which involved moving the entrance to the laundry to the hall, in order to create more bench space in the kitchen. Xem them (Construction) - On December 3, in Hanoi, the Ministry of Construction held a conference to appraise the General Plan for Construction Project of Cao Bang Border Gate Economic Zone to 2040. ... Tin bai cuoi cung Khong con du lieu e load Emma Roberts brought out her inner fairy princess on Monday while attending the Met Gala in New York City. The 28-year-old actress wore a long pink gown from the Giambattista Valli Haute Couture Spring 2019 collection to the annual fundraiser at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The dress featured a sheer upper panel, plenty of frills and a ruffled skirt. Pink power: Emma Roberts wore a pretty pink dress on Monday to the Met Gala in New York City Emma accessorized with a floral headband and dangling petal earrings. The Nancy Drew star accentuated her natural beauty with full pink eye makeup, rosy cheeks and matching lipstick. Emma attended the star-studded event along with Billie Lourd, 28, who wore a long white, short-sleeved gown. Billie accessorized with a silver crown and matching dangling earrings and necklace. Fairy princess: The 28-year-old actress brought out her inner fairy princess in the long gown from the Giambattista Valli Haute Couture Spring 2019 collection It was a mini reunion of the Fox comedy horror series Scream Queens that aired for two seasons from September 2015 to December 2016. Emma, who is the niece of Julia Roberts, played Chanel Oberlin in the series while Billie, the only child of Carrie Fisher, portrayed Sadie Swenson, also known as Chanel #3. Scream Queens also starred Lea Michele, Niecy Nash, Keke Palmer and Abigail Breslin. Together again: Billie Lourd attended the Met Gala with Emma after they both starred in Scream Queens together Famous families: The daughter of Carrie Fisher and the niece of Julia Roberts both looked lovely at the annual fundraiser Emma recently posed topless for the June issue of Cosmopolitan where she touched a bit on her March split from fiance Evan Peters, 32. 'I never want to talk about relationships I'm in or that are ending or have ended,' she said 'It's hard enough to be with someone by yourself, let alone with an audience,' Emma added. Top off: Emma recently posed topless for the June issue of Cosmopolitan where she touched a bit on her March split from fiance Evan Peters, 32 'Growing up is hard. Sometimes it makes me sad that I can't have a private moment. Because of Twitter and Instagram, there's a whole other element where everybody can comment on what you're doing and no one knows the real story. 'That's hard I think I know what's true, and I know what happened in my own life and so do the people who love me and who I love,' she said. The Los Angeles native told the magazine she was single even though she's been spotted regularly lately with actor Garrett Hedlund, 34. The Met Gala is the annual fundraiser for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute and this year the gala was dedicated to the idea of 'camp,' as defined by Susan Sontag's 1964 essay Notes on 'Camp.' He is the proud advocate of marijuana legalisation who has been flying around America in the past week filming a new Netflix documentary. And Pete Evans, 46, has travelled to Oregon to learn about how cannabis is sold for personal use in specially-licensed dispensaries. 'Just got to Portland and visiting a dispensary that displays their cannabis in a unique way - almost like a jewelry store,' the My Kitchen Rules judge told his Instagram followers on Wednesday, Scroll down for video With the sound of a customer buying products from the store in the background, Pete showed how different strains of the drug were displayed in elaborate cabinets. The variants, labelled with names like Mars Rover, Purple Punch and Silverback Stiletto, were ranked as to their strength and constitution - much to the TV chef's awe. 'This was about a quarter of what they had on offer as well as all the other items in store,' he said as he concluded his post with a love heart. Jet-setter! Pete Evans, 46, has travelled to Oregon to learn about how cannabis is sold in specially-licensed dispensaries for his new documentary In awe: 'Just got to Portland and visiting a dispensary that displays their cannabis in a unique way (pictured) - almost like a jewelry store,' the My Kitchen Rules judge told his Instagram followers Pete's sojourn to the Pacific north-west region came after he spent time in Colorado. There, he gave a sneak peek into his new documentary, which is expected to screen on Netflix. On Saturday, The TV star boasted about having a 'great afternoon' with renowned herbalist Brigitte Mars in a very cheery photo. 'Sharing some herbal medicine on the streets of Boulder seems as normal as having a glass of wine': On Sunday spent time with a herbalist in a cannabis documentary sneak peek Pictured: Pete with herbalist Brigitte Mars (L) Speaking about their interview in Boulder, Colorado, where the herb is also legal, Pete wrote: 'We talked about plant medicines in all forms from psychedelics through to all the different medicinal herbs she uses in her clinic.' Referencing its legalisation, Pete went on to say 'sharing some herbal medicines on the streets of Boulder seems as normal as a glass of wine'. He went on to praise her knowledge and her activism for the responsible and respectful use of plant medicines and her belief in education. Health: Pete (pictured) is currently making a documentary on herbal medication, which is expected to screen on streaming service Netflix. Here on My Kitchen Rules Inside look: Pete (R) spent three weeks earlier this year shooting a documentary about the topic in the US and Canada, only to then visit an Australian cannabis farm She's the Australian supermodel who spent her career storming runways across the globe. But Megan Gale, 43, proved she doesn't need the catwalk to turn heads when she arrived at the St Kilda Mums Mother's Day Lunch in Melbourne on Friday. Clad in a green duster jacket and white culotte jumpsuit, the glamorous mother-of-two looked effortlessly chic as she made her way to the inner-city event. Making them green with envy! Megan Gale, 43, proved she doesn't need the catwalk to turn heads when she arrived at the St Kilda Mums Mother's Day Lunch in Melbourne on Friday Megan enhanced her look with a Gucci handbag in tan leather, chandelier earrings and a pair of perspex-frame sunglasses. While the statuesque stunner stands at a lofty 1.8 metres, Megan chose to add even more height to her frame with a pair of patent leather pumps. Her look was completed with a gold chain-link bracelet, several gold rings and her weighty engagement sparkler from fiance Shaun Hampson, 31. Style queen! Clad in a green duster jacket and white culotte jumpsuit, the glamorous mother-of-two looked effortlessly chic as she made her way to the inner-city event Megan has been engaged to the hunky AFL star since he popped the question in July 2017, but has since made it clear she's in no hurry to tie the knot. The Australia's Next Top Model judge, who has been in a long-term relationship with Shaun for almost nine years, told The Daily Telegraph on Sunday: 'I am not that big wedding girl (who is all about) where is my dress and where is my moment.' The model went on to reveal she 'almost' wants to delay the couple's wedding to a time when their one-year-old daughter Rosie is 'old enough to remember it.' So stylish! Megan enhanced her look with a Gucci handbag in tan leather, chandelier earrings and a pair of perspex-frame sunglasses Bling: Her look was completed with a gold chain-link bracelet, several gold rings and her weighty engagement sparkler from fiance Shaun Hampson, 31 The pair welcomed Rosie in September 2017, and eight months later announced that they weren't going to have any more children. Megan and Shaun also share a four-year-old son River. Before starting a relationship with Shaun, Megan famously dated radio personality Andy Lee. Michael Gandolfini channels his father James Gandolfini's most iconic role, Tony Soprano, on the set of The Sopranos prequel The Many Saints of Newark. The 18-year-old actor was spotted on the New York City set on Monday afternoon, walking around between takes. He was also seen chatting with The Sopranos creator and The Many Saints of Brooklyn writer-producer David Chase. Father's son: Michael Gandolfini channels his father James Gandolfini's most iconic role, Tony Soprano, on the set of The Sopranos prequel The Many Saints of Newark Michael and David: He was also seen chatting with The Sopranos creator and The Many Saints of Brooklyn writer-producer David Chase Gandolfini was wearing a white, grey and red horizontally-striped short-sleeved collard shirt, with a gold chain and small gold pendant hanging around his neck. He was also wearing blue bellbottom jeans and Converse All-Star sneakers on the set, while clutching his cell phone and wearing wireless earbuds between takes. The young actor was also seen with his mother, Marcy Wudarski Gandolfini, on the set of this Sopranos prequel. Channeling dad: Gandolfini was wearing a white, grey and red horizontally-striped short-sleeved collard shirt, with a gold chain and small gold pendant hanging around his neck Michael and mom: The young actor was also seen with his mother, Marcy Wudarski Gandolfini (left), on the set of this Sopranos prequel. The series will be set in the 1960s, showcasing the deadly Newark riots that lead to violence between rival Italian and African-American gangsters. The cast also includes Alessandro Nivola as Dickie Moltisanti, the father of Christohper Moltisanti, played by Michael Imperioli in the original Sopranos series. Also starring in unknown roles are Vera Farmiga, Jon Bernthal, Billy Mangussen, John Magaro, Corey Stoll, Ray Liotta and Leslie Odom Jr. New series: The series will be set in the 1960s, showcasing the deadly Newark riots that lead to violence between rival Italian and African-American gangsters 60s fashion: The cast also includes Alessandro Nivola as Dickie Moltisanti, the father of Christohper Moltisanti, played by Michael Imperioli in the original Sopranos series Michael's dad: James Gandolfini played New Jersey mobster Tony Soprano for six seasons on The Sopranos Gandolfini was cast as the young Tony Soprano in January, following small roles in Ocean's Eight and HBO's The Deuce last year. 'Its a profound honor to continue my dads legacy while stepping into the shoes of a young Tony Soprano,' Michael Gandolfini said to The Los Angeles Times. 'Im thrilled that I am going to have the opportunity to work with David Chase and the incredible company of talent he has assembled for The Many Saints of Newark.' Casting: Gandolfini was cast as the young Tony Soprano in January, following small roles in Ocean's Eight and HBO's The Deuce last year Honor: 'Its a profound honor to continue my dads legacy while stepping into the shoes of a young Tony Soprano,' Michael Gandolfini said to The Los Angeles Times Between takes: 'Im thrilled that I am going to have the opportunity to work with David Chase and the incredible company of talent he has assembled for The Many Saints of Newark' Alan Taylor (Thor: The Dark World, Game of Thrones) is directing The Many Saints of Newark from a script by David Chase and Lawrence Konner. Warner Bros. has already set a September 25, 2020 release date for The Many Saints of Newark, which started filming in early April. The Sopranos TV series ran for six seasons which ran from 1999 to its epic series finale that aired on HBO in June 2007, with James passing away suddenly in 2013 at the age of 51. On set: Alan Taylor (Thor: The Dark World, Game of Thrones) is directing The Many Saints of Newark from a script by David Chase and Lawrence Konner Release date: Warner Bros. has already set a September 25, 2020 release date for The Many Saints of Newark, which started filming in early April She's the former Big Brother star who returned home to Australia this week after enjoying a sun-drenched sojourn in Bali. And Tully Smyth has continued to relive her scantily-clad getaway in the Indonesian Paradise by posting a series of envy-inducing throwback snaps on social media. In several photos shared to her Instagram account this week, the 31-year-old showed off her amazing abs and svelte physique in a variety of skimpy swimsuits. Scroll down for video Taut-al beach babe! Former Big Brother star Tully Smyth (left) showed off her amazing abs in an animal print bandeau bikini while she stood in the ocean at Sunday's Beach Club in Uluwatu with a gal pal (right) In one photo, Tully was seen flashing fans her washboard abs in an animal print bandeau bikini while she stood alongside a gal pal in the ocean at Sundays Beach Club in Uluwatu. The former reality television star continued to show off her trim, taut and terrific waist while she stood under a running outdoor shower in a strapless white bikini. 'Oh you thought the Bali photos would stop now that I'm home? Thats cute,' she captioned the snap in jest. White hot! The former reality television star continued to show off her trim, taut and terrific waist while she stood under a running outdoor shower in a strapless white bikini Steamy: Meanwhile in a separate sizzling snap, Tully oozed with sex appeal as she took another shower in a blue triangle bikini and a pair of retro red sunglasses Meanwhile in a separate sizzling snap, Tully oozed with sex appeal as she rinsed off under a different shower in a blue triangle bikini and a pair of retro red sunglasses. The blonde stunner also showed off her wares in scant lingerie during her stay in Canggu. In one mirror-selfie, Tully was seen pulling a sultry pout as she posed in a sexy sheer mesh lingerie set. Sheer-delight! In one mirror-selfie, Tully was seen pulling a sultry pout as she posed in a sexy sheer mesh lingerie set Bikini babe: Tully (pictured) showed off her washboard abs and svelte frame in a skimpy bikini while enjoying a tropical holiday in Bali What a bod! She flaunted her washboard abs and svelte figure in an skimpy orange bikini while in Bali's trendy hot spot, Canngu Just last week, Tully shared more stunning snaps of herself luxuriating in skimpy swimwear during her tropical getaway to Bali. Over the past two weeks the former reality star has spent her time hanging out at some of Bali's trendiest locations including, Tropicana pool club, OMNIA bar, Sundays Beach Club and La Brisa. She's also shared some enviably beautiful photographs from her luxury accommodation, taking snaps of her fruity cocktails while enjoying them poolside. Cocktail o'clock: Over the past week, she's shared some beautiful snaps from her luxury accommodation, taking snaps of her fruity cocktails while enjoying them poolside The Met Gala is arguably the most exclusive celebrity event in the world. And this year, even stars that failed to make it onto the guest list are desperate to get in on the action, including Australian model Pia Miller, 35. As invitees flocked to the red carpet at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art on Tuesday, Pia hijacked the official Instagram hashtag from a Sydney hair salon. That's embarrassing! Pia Miller used the Met Gala hashtag to get more likes on Instagram on Tuesday - despite not attending the exclusive A-list event in New York Sharing a selfie of her new hair as the event commenced on the other side of the world, Pia bizarrely captioned the picture with '#MetGala'. By including the hashtag, Pia's post would been visible to millions of Instagram users that weren't already following her, as they searched the app for red carpet pictures. 'Woke up like dis! Jokes,' Pia also wrote on the selfie, while tagging the salon. Random! As invitees flocked to the red carpet at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art, Pia hijacked the official Instagram hashtag to share a selfie from a Sydney hair salon Whereas Pia may have failed to get an invite, Liam Hemsworth was the most prominent Australian celebrity at this year's Met Gala. The A-list actor was joined by wife Miley Cyrus, with them putting on a loved-up display on the red carpet. The recently-married couple would have rubbed shoulders with the likes of Kim Kardashian and Kanye West once inside. Self-promotion? By including the hashtag, Pia's post would been visible to millions of users that weren't already following her, as they searched the app for red carpet pictures While Pia is a big star in her own right, it seems that her star power wasn't strong enough to get her an invite to the coveted fashion event. The 35-year-old got her big break as a model at the tender age of fourteen. She went on to launch an acting career, and is best known for playing Kat Chapman on Home and Away. They're the unlikely couple who have been publicly flaunting their romance ever since confirming their relationship earlier this year. And now, it appears Married At First Sight's Susie Bradley is taking her relationship with disgraced rugby league star Todd Carney to the next level. Taking to Instagram on Tuesday, the 26-year-old introduced her 70,000 followers to two surprise additions to her and Todd's family. 'They're our children': Married At First Sight's Susie Bradley is ecstatic as she introduces two 'babies' to boyfriend Todd Carney 'My babies... little kittens,' Susie cooed, revealing two cute kittens in a cage. While Susie seems ecstatic with her furry brood, Todd seemed less than impressed. 'Do you love your new babies? Bubba?' she asked a disinterested Todd. 'Bubba, I'm talking to you about your new babies,' she continued. 'They're not mine!' While Susie seemed ecstatic with her new brood, her boyfriend Todd Carney seemed less than impressed 'They're not mine,' Todd then replies laughing. 'Yes they are, they're our children,' Susie responded as she panned the camera back to the meowing kittens. While it is unclear whether the pair have adopted the animals, there's no doubt that their relationship has gone from strength to strength since meeting in January. Adorable! While it is unclear whether the pair have adopted the animals, it is clear that the pair have gone from strength to strength since meeting in January Last week, Susie hit back at a troll after posting a loved-up snap of the duo on social media. In the picture the pair are seen cuddling up on Valentine's Day, and Susie revealed that it was that night that Todd asked her to be his girlfriend. 'One of my all time favourite photos! The night you asked me to be your girlfriend @tcarney86 #valentinesday,' she wrote. So in love: Indeed on Valentine's Day, not long after filming for MAFS had wrapped, Susie was seen kissing disgraced NRL star Todd outside of a Brisbane hotel The post was met with mostly positive comments, except one follower who wrote: 'When he gets fat like most old players you are going to be so bitter lol.' Susie hit back with the perfect witty response, returning : 'Nah Ill just get fat with him and we will clean one anothers feet.' Indeed on Valentine's Day, not long after filming for MAFS had wrapped, Susie was seen kissing disgraced NRL star Todd outside of a Brisbane hotel. In February this year, Osher Gunsberg announced that he's expecting his first child with wife Audrey Griffen. And on Tuesday, The Bachelor host, 44, gushed over becoming a father during an interview with Ten Daily. 'It's all very interesting and very exciting,' he told the publication. 'Soon we'll land on the new frontier with a baby': Osher Gunsberg discussed his impending fatherhood in a new interview on Tuesday. Pictured: Osher and wife Audrey Griffen '[Our family] has cast off from the dock of the life that we lived as the three of us and we're setting sail on the seas and soon we'll land on the new frontier with a baby,' he added. The TV personality, who is already a stepfather to Audrey's 14-year-old daughter Georgia, said he isn't worried about raising a child as the pair have a lot of support around them. 'Any problem that we will possibly encounter, I am not worried about because everything to do with raising a kid - every question that I could have, someone has been there and has an answer,' he said. 'I am not worried': The star told Ten Daily that he isn't worried about fatherhood. Pictured: Osher's stepdaughter Georgia, 14, (L) and wife Audrey (C) It comes after Osher announced the news via Instagram in February, uploading an ultrasound scan of his unborn baby. 'We are very happy to introduce you to the newest member of our family, joining us late August 2019,' he excitedly wrote. Beneath the ultrasound scan, he gushed about his wife and step-daughter Georgia: 'All of us are over the moon and looking forward to meeting this wonderful young human. For me, meeting Audrey saved my life.' 'We are very happy to introduce you to the newest member of our family, joining us late August 2019': Osher excitedly shared this ultrasound scan with his Instagram followers in February He continued: 'Meeting Georgia gave my life a purpose and direction that I never expected. 'These two wonderful women have given me so much already, they've helped me heal and grow - and now to have the chance to share with them the experience of bringing up a child together is just incredible.' Osher and Audrey met in 2015, while filming season four of The Bachelor Australia, where the TV star worked as a host and Audrey was a stylist. Davina McCall revealed she did drugs with her mother Florence when she was a young girl, as there were 'no boundaries' when they spent time together. Speaking in magazine This Is Davina on Tuesday, the 51-year-old fitness fanatic spoke candidly about her difficult relationship with her mother. Discussing her childhood, Davina explained: 'When I was young, being with Mum, there were no boundaries. Wearing make-up, short skirts, high heels at 13, drinking eventually, I even took drugs with her. Candid: Davina McCall said in This Is Davina on Tuesday that she did drugs with her mother Florence during her youth as there were 'no boundaries' when they spent time together 'I dont blame her at all for my addiction, but it was screwed up not a normal mother-child relationship. 'Back then, I was just a kid and, if Im honest, I thought she was cool because my granny, Pippy [who brought Davina up from the age of three], and my dad never let me do any of that in England.' Davina went on to explain her disappointment after her mother chose to sell stories on the presenter while she was in recovery for drug addiction. Honest: Discussing her childhood with Florence (pictured in 2007), Davina said: 'Wearing make-up, short skirts, high heels at 13, drinking eventually, I even took drugs with her' Forgiving: While she discussed their difficult relationship, Davina added that she didn't 'blame her at all for [her] addiction, but it was screwed up' Attributing her strength as the way she was able to get through the tough time, she went on to admit that what Florence did 'was very dangerous.' And the former Big Brother presenter added that later on in life she felt it was 'the right thing' to 'take a step back' from her mother for the sake of her family. Davina has previously confessed her mother Florence lost out on a relationship with her after she sold a story about her drug addiction. Recalling the incident, she revealed how a visit to narcotics anonymous before her wedding to Matthew Robertson could have made it seem as though she was about to relapse. Difficult: Davina went on to explain her disappointment after her mother sold stories on the presenter while she was in recovery for drug addiction, which she said was 'very dangerous' Grateful: But she went on to say her strength helped her to get through the tough time Speaking on Loose Women, she said: 'I was so happy before the wedding, and I wasn't about to relapse.' But thanks to her mother the star was faced with numerous rumours about a slip in her sobriety, as Florence made it sound like this was the case. The incident saw Davina cut her mother out of her life for good, with the TV favourite declaring she never saw her again. It wasn't the first time she had sold a story about her daughter, Davina explained, but it was the final straw. 'I told her about it [selling stories],' the Lessons I've Learned author said. 'She didn't think it was a big deal - and then she did it again.' Family: Despite her difficult relationship with her mother, Davina is close with her step mother Gaby and her father Andrew She added: 'I built a bridge with my mum for the wedding, but then my husband [Matthew Robertson] said that has to be it.' Careful to explain she wasn't 'mum bashing', she explained her thoughts on Florence, saying: 'My mum was an amazing mum, but she didn't know how to behave on a human level.' For more: Read the full interview in special magazine This Is Davina, out now 'I don't want to be a victim, nor be portrayed as one,' Davina told the panel. 'If I can teach anyone anything [from my struggle], that will be a good thing.' Despite her difficult relationship with her mother, Davina is close with her step mother Gaby and her father Andrew. During an appearance on Who Do You Think You Are? Davina recalled that her mother abandoned her at the age of three, and was married four times, before her death in 2008. The two didn't speak for eight years and in the emotional programme the Big Brother host admitted her mother 'probably shouldn't have had kids.' Davina is mother to daughters Holly, 17, and Tilly, 15, and son Chester, 12, with television star Matthew - who Davina split from in 2017. Read the full interview in special magazine This Is Davina, out now. He failed to find romance with Sam Frost on first season of The Bachelorette in 2015. And now, Drew Woolford has well and truly moved on after having officially tied the knot with his ladylove, Alex Corcoran. Taking to Instagram, the doting newlyweds shares sweet snaps of their picturesque wedding in Brisbane this week. Wedding bells! Former Bachelorette star Drew Woolford (l) officially ties the knot with ladylove Alex Corcoran (R)- four years after failing to win over Sam Frost with THAT memorable owl stunt 'A moment together just before the I dos and the madness. I love you @liftbigrunfasteatlarge so glad you're now my husband #woolfordwedding,' Alex captioned one of the posts. Embracing each other amid a gorgeous city backdrop, Drew and Alex looked every inch the loved-up bride and groom on their special day. Alex stunned in a beautiful white lace dress that featured a high neck line and open back. Blushing bride: Alex stunned in this gorgeous white lace dress that featured a high neck line and open back. Pictured with her bridesmaids on the special day Meanwhile, Drew wore beige coloured pants, a crisp white button-up shirt and quirky overalls for the big day. More than four years on from his Bachelorette stint, Drew was still sporting his trademark long hair which was tied into a man bun. During The Bachelorette's first episode Drew sported a special glove upon which an owl perched while meeting Sam Frost. Not to be! Drew took part in the inaugural season of The Bachelorette Australia in 2015 (Pictured: Sam Frost and Drew in a still from the show) Flying start: Drew tired to woo Sam Frost with the help of an owl on The Bachelorette When the owl flew in and landed, it was revealed it was carrying a special message for Sam. 'Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take, but by every moment that takes your breath away,' the note read. Sam went on to pick Sasha Mielczarek as The Bachelorette's winner before they split and she began dating Dave Bashford. A legion of A-listers headed to New York for the annual Met Gala on Monday night. But Scott Disick, 35, and Sofia Richie, 20, kept things a little more low-key than many of their friends and relatives as they headed out shopping in Beverly Hills earlier that day. The model opted for rock chick chic in a white and Dior black striped T-shirt and a long, leather-look duster coat as she stepped out with the father-of-three. Lovebirds: Sofia Richie, 20, and Scott Disick, 35, headed out shopping in Beverly Hills on Monday as many of their friends and relatives hit the Met Gala in New York City Sofia, who has been dating reality star Scott since 2017, paired her low-key look with statement black and gold boots as she stopped by Maxfield and Neiman Marcus. The beauty - who is the daughter of music legend Lionel Richie, 69 - finished off her outfit with a pair of bold, cat eye sunglasses and carried a quilted black cross body bag by Chanel for the trip. Scott also kept things casual in a black T-shirt, light wash jeans and white trainers. The Keeping Up With The Kardashians personality threw a white sweatshirt over his shoulders and wore a pair of thin-framed sunglasses as he walked hand-in-hand with the model. Low-key: The model opted for rock chick chic in a white and Dior black striped T-shirt and a long, leather-look duster coat as she stepped out with the father-of-three Retail therapy: Sofia, who has been dating reality star Scott since 2017, paired her low-key look with statement black and gold boots as she stopped by Maxfield and Neiman Marcus The couple's appearance came as many of Scott's Keeping Up With The Kardashians family members hit the Metropolitan Museum Of Art in New York City for the 2019 Met Gala on Monday. 'Momager' Kris Jenner, 63, was joined by daughters Kim Kardashian, 38, Kendall Jenner, 23, and Kylie Jenner, 21, as well as son-in-law Kanye West, 41, on fashion's most glittering celebration of the year. The outing comes after an insider claimed Sofia is '100 per cent' fine with her beau's relationship with Kourtney Kardashian, after the exes were told they are 'soulmates' on an episode of Keeping Up With The Kardashians. 'Sofia doesn't care about the "soulmate" thing,' a source told US Weekly. '[She] is 100 percent fine with his and Kourtney's relationship. They have no issues and they get along'. Shop 'til you drop: The beauty finished off her outfit with a pair of bold, cat eye sunglasses and carried a quilted black cross body bag by Chanel for the trip Gorgeous: Sofia, the daughter of music legend Lionel Richie, opted for low-key hair and make-up for her casual shopping trip It said Kourtney and Scott 'will always be connected through the three kids, but at this time there's no romantic connection'. 'They're simply two people that care for each other and for the family that they're raising together,' the source said. Scott and Kourtney share Mason, nine, Penelope, six, and Reign, four, together. The publication's source said Kourtney 'approves' of Scott's relationship with Sofia, adding that she is 'happy that Sofia seems to bring out a positive side to Scott.' Scott and Sofia were first seen spending time with each other in the summer of 2017; they began dating in September of that same year. The couple split briefly in June 2018, but got back together soon after. On Saturday, Bindi, Terri and Robert Irwin hosted a gala dinner to honour the late Steve Irwin at the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles. And after the event, Bindi's long-term boyfriend Chandler Powell, 22, took the opportunity to declare his undying love for the Wildlife Warrior on Instagram on Tuesday. Chandler, who has been dating Bindi for about three years, posted a picture of himself and Bindi smiling and embracing each other on the red carpet. 'A dream come true': Bindi Irwin and Chandler Powell (pictured) posted gushing comments about each other on Instagram this week He captioned the picture: 'Thank you to all the Wildlife Warriors who made the Steve Irwin Gala Dinner 2019 so special.' In direct reference to Bindi, the American wakeboarder continued: 'It is a dream come true to be part of continuing such an extraordinary legacy with the love of my life.' Bindi, 20, posted her own loved-up comment in response: 'I love you so much.' In direct reference to Bindi, the American wakeboarder wrote: 'It is a dream come true to be part of continuing such an extraordinary legacy with the love of my life' Bindy, 20, posted her own loved-up comment in response: 'I love you so much' The couple were rumoured to be engaged earlier in the year - and that's all some fans could write about when commenting on the post. 'Propose to her already please,' wrote one follower, while another added: 'Ask her already!!' 'Just ask Bindi the question of all questions already! You are so great and beautiful together!' posted another. A night to remember! Bindi [R], Terri [centre] and Robert Irwin [L], hosted a gala dinner in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles on Saturday, as they celebrated the late Steve Irwin's legacy Steve 'Crocodile Hunter' Irwin was tragically killed by a stingray barb 12 years ago. And on Saturday, Bindi, Terri and Robert Irwin hosted a gala dinner in his honour at the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles. After taking to the red carpet, the famous family shared a preview of the second season of their action-packed reality show, Crikey! It's the Irwins. Bindi and Chandler were rumoured to be engaged earlier in the year - and that's all some fans could write about when commenting on Chandler's post. 'Propose to her already please,' wrote one follower, while another added: 'Ask her already!' The exclusive gala, which was held at the SLS Hotel, saw the family honour the life and legacy of the original Wildlife Warrior, Steve. The annual event also included a preview screening of the second season of the reality show Crikey! It's the Irwins, which is produced by Animal Planet. The show focuses on the family's conservation work with wildlife around the globe. At age 71, veteran Australian actress Jacki Weaver is enjoying an extraordinary run of success in Hollywood. With a handful of films and two Oscar nominations behind her, it would appear that she's finally getting the global recognition that she deserves. But unlike many of her contemporaries in Tinseltown, it appears Jacki has refrained from succumbing plastic surgery in an effort to reclaim her youth. 'Don't touch your face!' Australian actress Jacki Weaver (pictured), 71, was warned by her agent not to get plastic surgery However, there was a moment in recent times when she ran the idea by her American agent - and her response left no ambiguity. Jacki told Andrew Denton on his Channel Seven Interview program on Tuesday: 'I said to my agent, this wonderful New York woman called Hildy, "I'd just like a little nip and tuck." 'She said, "Don't' touch your f**king face!"' Jacki told Denton: 'I said to my agent, this wonderful New York woman called Hildy, "I'd just like a little nip and tuck." 'She said, "Don't' touch your f**king face!" 'At my age in Hollywood [there are women] who don't look like they're themselves anymore, you know what I mean?' Jacki added. Later in the interview, Denton, 59, asked Jacki how it felt when she really nailed a scene in a movie. 'Yeah usually it's like euphoria, my heart beats a lot,' replied Jacki, before cheekily adding, 'Bit like an orgasm. No, I made that up,' to much laughter from the audience. 'At my age in Hollywood, [there are women] who don't look like they're themselves anymore, you know what I mean?' she added Technique: Later in the interview, Denton, 59, asked Jacki how it felt when she really nailed a scene in a movie Jacki stars in new movie Poms, with a stellar cast including Diane Keaton, Rhea Perlman, and Pam Grier. The film follows a group of women living in a retirement home who form a cheerleading squad. Jacki was nominated for an Oscar for her role in Animal Kingdom, 2011, and Silver Linings Playbook, 2013. She frequently shares details of her learning on Instagram. Yet Victoria Beckham's latest methods of her seven-year-old daughter Harper's schooling are rather unconventional as she revealed on Tuesday that the tot has been learning her spellings by writing on their windows. The 45-year-old former Spice Girls star shared the shot of Harper writing on the window while learning words including revision, station and division. Happy days: Victoria Beckham's latest methods of her seven-year-old daughter Harper's schooling are rather unconventional as she revealed on Tuesday that the tot has been learning her spellings by writing on their windows Harper was clearly hard at work as she stood in her family home, a luxury abode in west London, while scrawling on the window. She added a slogan over top reading: 'Harper has found a way to make learning her spellings fun!' - clearly proud of her tot's achievements. In 2017, Harper's spelling achievements were again the focus of Victoria's Instagram feed as she shared a video of little Harper jumping for joy, clearly delighted with her latest results that saw her successfully get 10 out of 10 spellings correct. Shortly before her spelling appearance on Instagram, last month she was making plenty of memories with her family across the pond at an Easter party with her mum Victoria and the Spice Girl's best friend Eva Longoria. Whizz: The 45-year-old former Spice Girls star shared the shot of Harper writing on the window while learning words including revision, station and division Woohoo! In 2017, Harper's spelling achievements were again the focus of Victoria's Instagram feed as she shared a video of little Harper jumping for joy, clearly delighted with her latest results that saw her successfully get 10 out of 10 spellings correct Eva hosted the fun gathering at he LA home, with Victoria sharing plenty of festive snaps on her Instagram page throughout the day.Victoria and David's youngest child was seen getting into the Easter spirit as she cuddled a cute rabbit in one snap. Elsewhere on Instagram, Victoria's beloved brother Christian Adams welcomed his fourth child - and first daughter - with wife Emma last month. Proving herself to be quite the devoted aunt, she shared a sweet snap with baby Tabatha to Instagram on Monday. She looked besotted as she cradled the adorable newborn and leaned to plant a kiss on her head. Working hard: Harper was clearly hard at work as she stood in her family home, a luxury abode in west London, while scrawling on the window The brunette beauty announced the arrival of baby Tabatha on her Instagram last month, sharing an adorable photo of the infant in her crib. The baby is a cousin for Victoria's four children - Brooklyn, 20, Romeo, 16, Cruz, 13 and Harper - as well as her sister Louise's four children. Victoria recently rang in her husband David's 44th birthday, with the star gifting her husband 8 La Roche Posay deodorant, while the children treated their father to 'cheeky cards' for his special day. She recently premiered her directorial debut film Booksmart which is set to be released soon. And actress, Olivia Wilde looked every inch the Hollywood star as she donned a chic ensemble while arriving at Capital radio studios in London to promote the new film. The 35-year-old looked sensational in a black pinstripe power suit by Bella Freud which accentuated her slender frame. Chic: Olivia Wilde wore a chic pinstripe suit by Bella Freud as she arrived at the Capital radio studios in London to promote new film Booksmart, which she directed Adding a touch of glamour to the androgynous look, Olivia wore a pair of white pointed stiletto heels as she walked into the studios. Pairing the bold look with a simple white T-shirt, the Hollywood star wore a layers of gold chains and added a pop of pink varnish to her nails. She wore her blonde tresses short and with an effortless wave while opting for a smoky eye to complement the look. Olivia is the driving force behind an all-female film and made her directing debut with Booksmart after years of acting in front of the camera. Style icon: The 35-year-old actor turned director looked sensational in a black pinstripe power suit which accentuated her slender frame Power suit: Adding a touch of glamour to the androgynous look, Olivia wore a pair of white pointed stiletto heels as she strutted into the studios Androgynous chic: She gave a little wave as she headed on inside the studios Appearing on iHeartRadio with Ryan Seacrest, Olivia discussed her first film as a director. She said: 'I read (the script) and I knew it could be so funny and important. 'There hasn't been a movie about two female best friends since Bridesmaids that really, really felt authentic to me and I was like, "I want to make something that feels funny and authentic and also to celebrate smart girls who aren't trying to assimilate".' Style queen: Pairing the bold look with a simple white T-shirt, the Hollywood star wore a layers of gold chains and added a pop of pink to her nails 'I pitched on it and was gobsmacked when they gave me the job. It was amazing.' Olivia, who has two children aged two and five, also revealed her children love her new job as a director. Speaking about taking her children on set, she said: 'Otis loves to come on and yell "Cut" because he knows when you say "cut" then everyone can hang out and talk again so he just walks on and says "Cut! Cut!"' Olivia added: 'It was really moving the other day. I said, "Otis, do you know what I do for a living?" And he said, "Yeah, Mom, you're a director." 'And I swear I hadn't internalised it until that moment and I was like, "Whoa I am."'. Jamie Laing has left his best friend Sam Thompson 'devastated' after 'hooking up with his ex-girlfriend Sophie 'Habbs' Habboo'. The Made In Chelsea star, 30, who recently split from French model girlfriend Heloise Agostinelli, 20, is believed to have set his sights on one of his closest pal's former flames. Sam, 26, is said to be 'devastated' by Jamie's actions because the Candy Kittens entrepreneur knows how heartbroken he was after Habbs, 25, dumped him on-screen last year. Fallen out: Jamie Laing has left his best friend Sam Thompson 'devastated' after 'hooking up with his ex-girlfriend Sophie 'Habbs' Habboo' (pictured) The new romance will also no doubt cause ructions between Habbs and one of her close friends Frankie Gaff, 24, who previously dated Jamie on and off for two years. An insider told The Sun: 'Sam has been left devastated by Jamie's actions. They've been close friends for years and Jamie knows how heartbroken Sam was when Habbs finished with him. 'Habbs should have been massively off limits but instead he's been hooking up with her behind Sam's back which has really shocked their entire friendship group.' The Made In Chelsea insider also slammed Habbs for 'breaking girl code' by hooking up with one of her friend's exes. Betrayal? The Made In Chelsea star, 30, who recently split with his former flame Heloise Agostinelli, is believed to have set his sights on his friend's ex, according to The Sun Hurt: Sam is said to be 'devastated' by Jamie's actions because he believes Jamie knows how heartbroken he was after Habbs dumped him last year The source said: 'Its also incredibly hurtful on Habbs' part. Shes good friends with Jamies ex Frankie Gaff and has massively broken girl code.' Representatives for Sam Thompson, Jamie Laing and Sophie Habboo have been contacted for further comment. Sophie's representative declined to comment when approached by MailOnline. Sam and Habbs endured a tumultuous romance, which saw them both stray while dating, before eventually finding their way back to each other during their summer trip to Croatia last year. However their happiness was short lived, after Habbs dumped Sam at a Christmas party during an emotional chat, claiming that they just weren't right for one another. Former flame: Up until recently, Jamie had been dating billionaire heiress Heloise, who made her debut on the show last year following his split from Frankie Girl code? The new romance will also no doubt cause ructions between Habbs and one of her close friends Frankie Gaff, who dated Jamie on and off before finally splitting in 2017 Following the rocky romance, Sam decided to quit the show in favour of appearing on reality dating show Celebs Go Dating, where he hoped to mend his heartache. The Celebs Go Dating star shocked fans with the news of his departure six years after first appearing on the show. In an interview with Heart, the reality star admitted he made a departure from the series after struggling to deal with his break-up from Habbs. The TV personality, who dated Habbs from last May until November, admitted to breakfast hosts Lucy Horobin and Jamie Theakston: 'Getting dumped all the time was chipping away at my confidence'. Past love: The new romance will also no doubt cause ructions between Habbs and one of her close friends Frankie Gaff, 24, who previously dated Jamie on and off for two years An insider told the website: 'Sam has been left devastated by Jamie's actions. They've been close friends for years and Jamie knows how heartbroken Sam was when Habbs finished with him' Detailing the break-up, he elaborated: 'You don't want to be around your ex. Everyone on there is now more her friend and a lot of my friends have upped and left. He first emerged on the reality TV scene in MIC's sixth series in 2013 as Louise Thompson's protective younger brother. Louise, 29, featured in the E4 reality show from the second season until earlier this year when she is believed to have followed in the footsteps of her sibling and bowed out. Up until recently, Jamie had been dating billionaire heiress Heloise, who made her debut on the show last year following his split from Frankie. Her Game Of Thrones character was tragically killed at the end of the show's fourth episode after she was captured by villain Cersei. And Nathalie Emmanuel paid a touching tribute to Missandei, as she gushed about Daenerys Targaryen's right-hand woman in a lengthy Instagram post on Tuesday. Sharing an array of images of her in character, as well as some sweet behind-the-scenes snaps, the actress, 30, wrote: 'Its been one of my greatest joys playing Missandei of Naath... The quiet and kind translator. Sweet: Game Of Thrones' Nathalie Emmanuel paid tribute to her character Missandei via Instagram on Tuesday after THAT shocking twist 'A brilliant woman who overcame so much suffering and found herself, her voice... and her one and only love. 'She represented so much for me, personally, that I have no choice but to carry the things she has taught me into my life going forward.' Expressing her gratitude to her fellow crew members, Nathalie singled out Emilia Clarke (Daenerys) to tell her how much she loved her. Grateful: Sharing an array of images of her character, as well as behind-the-scenes snaps, the actress wrote: 'Its been one of my greatest joys playing Missandei of Naath' Dream team: Expressing her gratitude to her fellow crew members, Nathalie singled out Emilia Clarke to tell her how much she loved her She said: 'Ive loved playing your BFF for the past 7 years. Thank you for being such a wonderful person in my life and a source of light and laughter. The Bad Ass Boss Lady Warrior Goddess club will live on forever.' While she told Jacob Anderson, who plays commander of the Unsullied army Grey Worm: 'I literally cannot tell you what sharing the screen with you has meant. 'I found performances I didnt know I had inside me, simply because you gave me so much to work against,' Nathalie went on. 'Playing Missandei and Grey Worms journey has been so special. I couldnt have asked for a more generous and supportive co-star... Also... Weve been out in these streets together boiiii negotiating so much but always having each others back. Sweet: Nathalie said of Emilia: 'Ive loved playing your BFF for the past 7 years. Thank you for being such a wonderful person in my life and a source of light and laughter' Honoured: While she told Jacob Anderson, who plays commander of the Unsullied army Grey Worm, that she literally cannot tell you what sharing the screen with you has meant' 'Thank you for all of it... you have been a dear friend at every point. To the entire cast and crew... You will always hold a special place in my heart. The love and energy we shared will be hard to match.' Nathalie added that she had 'hit the jackpot' by landing her part, as she said she loved her co-stars, and thanked her fans for their love and support. She concluded: 'Its been a pleasure playing her for you. I know last night was pretty intense for some of you so I invite you to participate in my fantasy where I like to think that, right now.... Missandei is sipping a rum on a beach somewhere in sky.' Having fun: Alongside the images, Nathalie also posted a video of Jacob singing to her Dance partners: Nathalie then joins Jacob, and the pair start to dance as the actor sings along In the HBO fantasy's fourth episode Missandei was captured by Euron Greyjoy for current reigning Queen of Westeros Cersei Lannister. In response, Daenerys, her army of Unsullied and Dothraki warriors, Tyrion and Varys arrived outside of King's Landing and tried to appeal to Cersei's better nature, and asked for her peaceful surrender. But they got an unwelcome surprise when Cersei chose to kill Missandei instead, as she had the Mountain cut off her head with his great sword. In mourning over the loss of her most trusted ally, and also the death of Jorah Mormont in episode three, it seems like Daenerys will be out for blood and exact her revenge on Cersei no matter the cost in the penultimate episode. Game of Thrones continues on HBO in the US, and is screened simultaneously at 2 AM on Sky Atlantic and NOW TV in the UK, on Sunday night. Farewell: In the HBO fantasy's fourth episode Missandei was tragically killed at the end of the show's fourth episode after she was captured by villain Cersei Shes currently feared dead following an ominous departure from Emmerdale in the passenger seat of Leyla Hardings car. But fans remain convinced that paedophile Maya Stepney will return to the Yorkshire village pregnant and with enough damning evidence to put Leyla behind bars. The fictional character, currently at the heart of a controversial grooming storyline, faces an uncertain future after being seen kissing Leyla's underage son Jacob Gallagher outside a Hotten nightclub. Unhappy return: Fans remain convinced that paedophile Maya Stepney will return to the Emmerdale pregnant and with enough damning evidence to put Leyla Harding behind bars following her mysterious disappearance While she has not been seen since a furious Leyla (played by Roxy Shahidi) tricked her into a 'car ride,' fans believe Maya (Louisa Clein) will return with the news that she is carrying Jacob's (Joe-Warren Plant) baby - and some serious allegations regarding his mother. Taking to Twitter, one wrote: 'Either Leyla went back and finished Maya off after the others went home OR Maya told her she was pregnant and that's why Leyla is so determined they don't tell David or Jacob anything.' Another added: 'She aint dead. Come on, its not that easy, this is Emmerdale! I reckon Maya will turn up having been assaulted and tell everyone shes pregnant by Jacob. In the words of Rocky, It aint over til its over' Speculation: While she has not been seen since a furious Leyla tricked her into a 'car ride,' fans believe she will return with the news that she is carrying Jacob's baby While a third speculated: 'Layla is bluffing. No way Maya is dead. I'm still going with pregnant.' On Monday evening Leyla told a stunned Jacob she murdered Maya after being told about their fling. 'I know that your head must be spinning right now,' she tells her son following his return from Portugal. 'You have no need to be embarrassed. She is never going to hurt you again.' Revelation: On Monday evening Leyla told a stunned Jacob she murdered Maya after being told about their fling Confession: 'I know that your head must be spinning right now,' she tells her son following his return from Portugal After Jacob insisted Maya was innocent of any wrongdoing and she couldn't prevent them being together, she quickly assured him she could. 'Jacob that woman was a monster,' she said. 'I can and I already have. Shes dead. I killed her.' On Tuesday fans will finally get to the see the truth behind Maya's disappearance, as they see a flashback to the Big Night Out which will show how Leyla enacted her revenge on the villainous teacher. The show continues on Tuesday 7th May, ITV at 7:00pm. Veteran Australian actress Jacki Weaver, 71, has revealed what it was like working alongside disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein. Speaking on Andrew Denton's Interview program on Tuesday night, Jacki said she knew Weinstein well and that he had a 'fairly horrid' reputation in the movie industry for years. 'Um, Harvey Weinstein ... [he had a reputation] for being fairly horrid,' the actor said. 'He was fairly horrid': Jacki Weaver (pictured) claimed disgraced producer Harvey Weinstein had a bad reputation in Hollywood for years during an interview on Tuesday 'He never came onto me, I'm too old!' Weaver jokingly added. Weinstein, 67, produced Silver Linings Playbook in 2012, for which Weaver was later nominated for an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. Weinstein has been accused of inappropriate sexual conduct, harassment or assault by dozens of women since 2017. Insight: Speaking on Andrew Denton's Interview program on Tuesday night, Jacki said she knew Harvey Weinstein (pictured middle) well and that he had a 'fairly horrid' reputation in the movie industry for years Jacki also threw her support behind Weinstein's accusers, telling Denton that she believes 'all the girls that have talked about him'. However, the disgraced movie mogul denies all allegations of non-consensual sex. Earlier in the interview, Jacki opened up about how she considered having plastic surgery. 'Um, Harvey Weinstein ... [he had a reputation] for being fairly horrid,' the actor said When she ran the idea by her US agent, however, her response left no ambiguity. 'I said to my agent, this wonderful New York woman called Hildy, "I'd just like a little nip and tuck",' said Jacki. 'She said, "Don't' touch your f**king face!"' 'At my age in Hollywood [there are women] who don't look like they're themselves anymore, you know what I mean?' Jacki said. After losing 30lbs when she changed her antidepressant medication, Ariel Winter has been showing off her new frame. The 21-year-old beauty was spotted in a figure flaunting ensemble while grabbing a casual lunch with her boyfriend Levi Meaden in West Hollywood on Monday. Stunning at any weight, Ariel's biggest transformation has been her new fiery red tresses. Fit frame! Ariel Winter stunned in a figure flaunting crop top while out to lunch with boyfriend Levi Meaden in LA on Monday Rocking a loose fitting grey long sleeve crop top with a raw hem and a pair of black spandex leggings, Winter flashed her flat tummy on the outing. She went makeup-free and sported a pair of clear framed eye glasses. The Modern Family star recently dyed her signature raven locks a vibrant copper color last week, effectively transforming into a real life version of her namesake Ariel, The Little Mermaid. Embracing the comparison to the famous Disney princess, Ariel shared shots of her bold hair style on social media and quoted a song from the film in the caption. Stunning! The 21-year-old glowed as she stepped out in the belly-baring look makeup-free after recently losing 30lbs She wrote: 'part of yourrrrrr worrrrrld' In another social media post, Ariel showed off her bright hair style as she shook the locks for the camera and wrote 'feeling cute' on the caption. Ariel hasn't hinted as to whether the new look was for personal or professional reasons like a new role. Wow: The Modern Family star recently dyed her signature raven locks a vibrant copper color last week, effectively transforming into a real life version of her namesake Ariel, The Little Mermaid She has starred on ABC's sitcom juggernaut Modern Family for 10 seasons but the award winning show will be coming to an end next year after its 11th season. The network confirmed the news that it would be renewing the series for one final season in early February. 'For 10 years, our characters have bravely faced turning points in life and moved through them to great personal enrichment; we have chosen a different path by doing one more season of Modern Family,' co-creator Christopher Lloyd said in a statement. Loving it! Ariel took to her Instagram story to show off the hair and penned 'feeling cute' on the snap New role? The star didn't say if the change was for an upcoming role Ariel and her young castmates Sarah Hyland, Rico Rodriguez, and Nolan Gould each scored a 'significant' pay raise for the final season, according to Variety. It's unclear the exact dollar amount but the adults - Julie Bowen, Ty Burrell, Eric Stonestreet, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Ed O'Neill, and Sofia Vergara - all earn an eye-popping $500K per episode. In 2018, Ariel also wrapped up her other long term project as the voice of Sofia in the animated hit children's show Sofia the First. She's the Married At First Sight star who's rarely seen looking anything but stunning. And on Tuesday afternoon, Martha Kalifatidis gave her 274,000 Instagram followers a glimpse at part of her extreme skincare routine. The 30-year-old proudly documented herself receiving an enzyme face peel, while gushing about the treatment to her fans. The price of beauty! MAFS' Martha Kalifatidis, 30, documented part of her extreme skincare routine to Instagram on Tuesday while receiving an enzyme face peel Whereas it may look frightening when first applied, the peel 'removes top layers of skin to exfoliate and expedite cell turnover, leading to a fresher, more glowing skin.' Before sharing a photograph with the mask on, Martha issued a warning to her fans. 'What you're about to see is not cute,' she wrote, before sharing an intimate selfie before peeling the mask from her face. Worth it? Whereas it may look frightening when first applied, the peel 'removes top layers of skin to exfoliate and expedite cell turnover, leading to a fresher, more glowing skin' 'I've died and gone to heaven,' said Martha afterwards, while posing for a fresh-faced selfie She then filmed herself having the 'divine concoction' massaged onto her face, neck and chest by a Melbourne-based beautician. Once it was peeled off, Martha was amazed by her 'instant healthy glow'. 'I've died and gone to heaven,' she continued, while posing for a fresh-faced selfie. Spotted! Last month, Martha was filmed strolling her local Woolworths with a face mask on YouTube channel coming soon! In an attempt to remain in the spotlight, last week Martha announced that she had signed with a talent agency Despite being branded a 'mean girl' by Married At First Sight viewers as the show aired earlier this year, Martha appears to have since turned things around. At present, she is currently the second most followed cast member from series six on Instagram, behind Jules Robinson. In an attempt to remain in the spotlight, last week Martha announced that she had signed with an Australian talent agency. The brunette is also still with 'husband' Michael Brunelli, with the couple now living just a few streets away from each other in Melbourne. There wasnt a crooked cop in sight on Tuesday morning as Line of Duty star Martin Compston began work on forthcoming drama Traces. The Scottish actor took a break as principal photography on the new show, which is being developed by an all-female production team, kicked off in Manchester. Evidently well prepared for the stop-start nature of filming a new show, Compston, 34, was armed with a thick paperback and his mobile phone while making his way across the outdoor set. Quiet on set: There wasnt a crooked cop in sight on Tuesday morning as Line of Duty star Martin Compston began work on forthcoming drama Traces With temperatures in Manchester vastly colder than the soaring Nevada sun hes used to in Las Vegas, where he lives with actress wife Tianna Flynn, the star also arrived with a handy winter coat. Compston's involvement in Traces, which explores the complex world of forensic science, was confirmed in May. While the actor's role has not been confirmed, it is thought he will feature prominently alongside co-stars Molly Windsor, Laurie Brett, Michael Nardone and John Gordon Sinclair. Main man: The Scottish actor took a break as principal photography on the new show, which is being developed by an all-female production team, kicked off in Manchester With much of the action taking place in Dundee, the show also marks a return to Scotland for Compston, who was born and raised in Renfrewshire coastal town Greenock. It's understood that co-star Windsor, better known for her former role in ITV dama Cheat, will play a forensic assistant with a troubling past. The six-part show will air on UKTV channel Alibi, although an air date is yet to be established. Popular role: Compston's appearance on set comes just days after the dramatic conclusion of Line Of Duty, in which he plays Detective Sergeant Steve Arnott Compston's appearance on set comes just days after the nail-biting conclusion of Line of Duty, in which he plays Detective Sergeant Steve Arnott. The highly-anticipated finale of the fifth season aired on Sunday night with a massive 9.6 million viewers and a 44.1 per cent share, making it the biggest overnight TV rating of the year so far; and fans are chomping at the bit for more. But despite the BBC confirming a sixth run of the show, it seems not a word of it has been written yet. An insider told MailOnline that news regarding season six won't materialise in the immediate future. 'Information about the sixth season - like when it's scheduled to air - won't be coming any time soon,' the source said. 'It needs to actually be written first, after all.' Last week, celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis reportedly filed a temporary restraining order against an alleged stalker claiming to be the biological father of her 11-year-old daughter Jade Marie. However, neither the 48-year-old Daytime Emmy winner nor her attorney showed up to court for the hearing two days later, and the TRO was dismissed - according to The Blast. The alleged stalking began back in March 2018 when the Rome-born restaurateur received several messages from a man pledging his love for her through her website. Scary! Last week, celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis reportedly filed a temporary restraining order against an alleged stalker claiming to be the biological father of her 11-year-old daughter Jade Marie (pictured Sunday) Two months later, that man showed up to De Laurentiis' signing event for her cookbook Giada's Italy and 'demanded' to speak with her alone, so security stepped in. Giada's private investigator and a detective from LAPD's Threat Management Unit repeatedly warned the man to keep away, but he insisted he was Jade's father and that Giada gave him a $150K check. The man's most recent email, dated February 22, read: 'It would mean a lot to me to see her again and I think she feels the same way. So if you want to make G happy let us see each other and talk.' The Food Network star shares joint custody of little Jade with her 'supportive, helpful' ex-husband Todd Thompson, who receives '$9K a month' in child support - TMZ reported in 2015. Changed her mind? However, neither the 48-year-old Daytime Emmy winner nor her attorney showed up to court for the hearing two days later, and the TRO was dismissed 'I think she feels the same way': The alleged stalking began back in March 2018 when the Rome-born restaurateur received several messages from a man pledging his love for her through her website (pictured April 30) Showed up at her book signing: Giada's private investigator and a detective from LAPD's Threat Management Unit repeatedly warned the man to keep away, but he insisted he was Jade's father and that Giada gave him a $150K check (pictured April 14) The 56-year-old Anthrologie designer began dating the 5ft2in foodie when she was a 19-year-old anthropology student at UCLA. Before Giada officially divorced Todd in 2015, she moved on with Steve producer Shane Farley, whom she described to People as 'a lot of fun, very spontaneous, and loves to laugh.' De Laurentiis was last seen Sunday attending the Daytime Emmy Awards in Pasadena with her privileged princess, whose name Jade is the English version of 'Giada.' The pretty presenter lost both the trophies for outstanding culinary host and outstanding culinary program to her Food Network rival Valerie Bertinelli. Amicable: De Laurentiis shares joint custody of little Jade with her 'supportive, helpful' ex-husband Todd Thompson (M), who receives '$9K a month' in child support (pictured in 2014) Finalized their divorce in 2015: The 56-year-old Anthrologie designer began dating the 5ft2in foodie when she was a 19-year-old anthropology student at UCLA The Giada on the Beach star currently owns three restaurants - Pronto in Las Vegas, Giada in Las Vegas, and GDL Italian in Baltimore. Fans can catch more of Giada producing and starring in her show Giada Entertains, which airs Sundays on the Food Network. De Laurentiis also happens to be the nepotistically-privileged granddaughter of Oscar-winning film producer Dino De Laurentiis. Red carpet moment: The Giada on the Beach star was last seen Sunday attending the Daytime Emmy Awards in Pasadena with her privileged princess Better luck next time! Giada lost both the trophies for outstanding culinary host and outstanding culinary program to her Food Network rival Valerie Bertinelli The tension was at an all-time high when the Vanderpump Rules reunion aired on Tuesday evening. Lisa Vanderpump walked out, Andy Cohen yelled 'shut the f*** up' at the entire cast, and James Kennedy and Jax Taylor got into a monster fight as season seven was discussed. The biggest problem is that Kennedy and his girlfriend Raquel Leviss don't really get along with anyone else on the show. Her big show: The tension was at an all-time high when the Vanderpump Rules reunion aired on Tuesday evening Hard time: Lisa almost started crying over her brother's death but then she walked off set As the episode opened, he began by apologizing for once having performed a rap hurtful to castmate Brittany Cartwright. 'It feels like you say sorry because you're just now not included,' said Cartwright's friend Stassi Schroeder, 30, one of his many detractors, pointedly. The rest of the cast seized the moment to pile on. Lala Kent, who had once been close to Kennedy, tried to explain to him where he'd gone wrong. 'Can you give me a look? Because I am using breath that is precious, and I don't want to waste it,' Kent said to Kennedy, explaining that she missed their friendship. 'To watch you burn every bridge, and look behind you, and not even try to put it out with your p*ss' He had enough: Andy Cohen yelled 'shut the f*** up' at the entire cast after hours of bickering 'You were the last bridge,' an unrepentant Kennedy retorted. 'Consider it burned.' 'I've been sinking with your ship since last season,' Kent said, infuriated. 'Oh, and you're so afloat now. It's probably the ring on your finger,' he replied, rolling his eyes. Later joined by his girlfriend Raquel Leviss, 24, wearing an entrance-making sculptural grayish pink lace dress with huge ruffles down the arms and a belt that dragged on the floor, he denied cheating on her with a castmate's friend. When Leviss referred to herself as a beauty queen, Jax Taylor laughed. 'You just called yourself a beauty queen.' Bad boy? James Kennedy and Jax Taylor got into a monster fight 'She is,' Kennedy said nastily, looking at Taylor's fiancee Brittany. 'Is yours? Nope.' The situation devolved. 'I watched you suck on a girl's b**b right in front of me in Canada,' said Kent to Kennedy, as Leviss's heart broke on camera. 'They're all just trying to take James Kennedy down, and it's not going to happen,' Kennedy said, to himself more than anyone else. Kent then accused James of cheating of his girlfriend and incredibly the girlfriend admitted that she is not totally sure she trusts Kennedy. Lala was hated on too. Raquel said she didn't feel supported by the beauty. Kent shot back, 'Just because you have a vagina doesn't mean I'm going to support you.' On a happier note, Kent, 29, confirmed that she had just gotten engaged to film and TV producer Randall Emmett, 48, whose beef with rapper Fifty Cent has been in the news (and is now reportedly squashed). Messed up: 'She is,' Kennedy said nastily, looking at Taylor's fiancee Brittany. 'Is yours? Nope.' The situation devolved. 'I watched you suck on a girl's b**b right in front of me in Canada,' said Kent to Kennedy, as Leviss's heart broke on camera Lisa looked tired: She was fed up with her stars who are cruel to each other It was a glamourous beachside proposal with a video montage and fireworks display, she said, flashing her enormous round engagement ring. 'We're shooting for 2020,' Kent confessed, admitting that her fiance was in a more of a hurry to get married than she was. 'I am just so happy being a fiance.' Unlike her castmates Jax, 39, and Brittany Cartwright, 30due to be married in three monthsKent said she would be getting a pre-nup. 'He's worked for a very long time, and I want him to know that no matter what happens, that he's going to be okay; that I'm not going to come for him.' So many divas: The room was full of big personalities that were hard to tame While the cast nodded encouragingly at this, they balked at the fact that Kent keeps her fiance off the show. 'He's a part of your life,' said Scheana Marie, 33. 'We all give 100% of our life, except for you.' (To the cast's surprise, former SUR server Kristen Doute, 36, admitted that she was single, having recently left boyfriend Carter, behind.) Teased by her friends and host Cohen, 50, about her choice in men, serial dater Scheana Marie smiled as she said: 'I'm just dating f***boys because they're fun to hang out with and hot to look at Meow: Lala was hated on too. Raquel said she didn't feel supported by the beauty. Kent shot back, 'Just because you have a vagina doesn't mean I'm going to support you' 'I feel like the next relationship I'm in will be my forever, hopefully, and I don't feel like I'm in that place right now I want to just enjoy this time in my life being single.' Vanderpump didn't buy it, mentioning Scheana's love for her friend Adam, who did not return her affection on a recent episode. 'I think inside your heart was breaking and you wanted something more.' Talk turned at one point to the opening of the new L.A. bar TomTom, co-owned by Vanderpump and cast members Tom Sandoval, 35, and Tom Schwartz, 36. The men recounted feelings of being dismissed by the restaurateur as they set up their new bar, into which she said $2.5 million had been poured. More anger: Here is (L to R) Brittany, Jax, Kristen and Lala are side by side Sandoval's girlfriend, Ariana Madix, 33, agreed the men had not been taken seriously. Vanderpump bristled: 'I think I play with them a lot, but they give me a lot to play with,' she said. She even offered to give the money back to Sandoval to avoid negativity. The cast also spoke about recent losses of loved ones: Lala Kent lost her father to a tragic accident; when Jax Taylor's father passed away, he had not been told how sick the man had been. Vanderpump became visibly upset when her brother's suicide in May 2018 was brought up. 'I struggled through, but then I thought, 'The best way for me to get through it is to get help,' she said, admitting that she'd seen a grief counselor and taken antidepressants I've always been British stiff upper-lip, but I guess I have feelings, too.' Mad as heck: Jax was not taking any guff from James, who was not into making people happy She had to walk off the set to compose herself as she did not want to cry on camera. When a Tweet from Kennedy being offhanded about the deaths of Kent and Taylor's fathers was brought up, the two men began shouting at one another and almost came to blows. Within minutes, Kennedy had called Taylor's fiancee, Brittany, a 'disco ball,' saying to her: 'Have your babies and go [back] to Kentucky. You belong there with those hillbillies.' Soon everyone was tossing around insults about, among other things, James' DJ career and mother; Taylor's age; Raquel's intelligence, and more. 'I feel like I'm going to be bleeding by the end of the day,' says Stassi Schroeder. 'Guys, shut the f**k up!' screamed host Cohen. Vanderpump Rules Reunion Part Two continues May 13 at 9pm ET on Bravo. She enjoyed a fun-filled night at the Met Gala the night before, six years after vowing never to attend the 'un-fun' event again. And Gwyneth Paltrow looked fresh-faced as she stepped out with husband Brad Falchuk in the Big Apple on Tuesday. The Oscar-winning actress, 46, who donned an elaborate lemon yellow gown at the glittering event, kept it casual for the outing in a baggy denim shirt worn over a white t-shirt. Casual: Gwyneth Paltrow looked fresh-faced as she stepped out with husband Brad Falchuk in the Big Apple on Tuesday, the day after the Met Gala 2019 She paired this with a grey baggy skirt and box fresh trainers as she strolled out of the hotel. Glee writer Brad, 48, showed off his hunky frame in a black tee paired with khaki combat trousers and chestnut trainers. This comes after Gwyneth's appearance at the Met Gala, after vowing in two separate interviews that she would 'NEVER' attend again. The Goop founder took to her Instagram story, giving a sneak peek at part of her dress, while waiting in the crowded lobby of the Mark Hotel with a friend. Casual: The Oscar-winning actress, 46, who donned an elaborate lemon yellow gown at the glittering event, kept it casual for the outing in a baggy denim shirt worn over a white t-shirt Paltrow was spotted in The Big Apple while having lunch with her husband, TV producer Brad Falchuk, sparking speculation she was attending this year. While she didn't comment on her previous stance on the Met Gala, she did also attend the bash in 2017, but not last year. Paltrow had first attended the Met Gala in 1995, months before her breakout role in the hit thriller Se7en was released, but the actress made headlines in 2013 for bashing the bash. 'I'm never going again. It was so un-fun. It was boiling. It was too crowded. I did not enjoy it at all,' Paltrow said in a now-infamous interview with USA Today just after the ball in 2013. Chic: Gwyneth made a return to the Met Gala after previously labelling it 'un-fun' A few days later, she appeared on an interview with Australian radio hosts The Kyle and Jackie O Show, where she admitted she was 'drunk already' and proceeded to talk ill of the annual glitzy gala. 'Like you always think, "Oh my god. This is going to be so glamorous and amazing and you're going to see all these people,"' she began. 'And then you're there, and it's so hot. It's so crowded. Everyone's pushing you. This year it was really intense. It wasn't fun.' Gwyneth and Brad tied the knot in The Hamptons in September 2018, almost a year after announcing their engagement. Just three years ago the actress finalized her divorce from Chris Martin after 13 years of marriage and two children together. But the couple have clearly remained amicable, and even vacationed together with their significant others. Chris, 42, is currently dating actress Dakota Johnson, 29, and the couple enjoyed a holiday in the Maldives with Gwyneth, her husband, and the kids. 'We just took our honeymoon in the Maldives and we had a big family honeymoon over Christmas,' Gwyneth said on Live With Kelly And Ryan. 'So, my new husband and his children, my children, my ex-husband, our best family friends. It was a very modern honeymoon.' She said the trip was far from awkward, despite the dynamics at play, adding: 'Oh, just great conversation and lots of kids. It was great. We had such a good time. They went their separate ways back in December 2018 amid claims she feared he was unfaithful to her. But Laura Anderson confirmed her romance with Max Morley was back on as she shared a loved-up selfie of the pair shared to Instagram on Monday. The Love Island 2018 star, 30, and the Love Island 2015 champion, 26, looked closer than ever as they reclined on a sofa with Laura's pet pooch also making an appearance. Back on: Laura Anderson confirmed her romance with Max Morley was back on as she shared a loved-up selfie of the pair shared to Instagram on Monday In the snap, a smitten Max wrapped an arm around the Scottish beauty, who cracked a radiant smile as she posed in a striped jumper. Laura made her feelings clear as she captioned the photo with a red love heart, and wrote 'My 2 fave weirdos.' MailOnline has contacted representatives for Laura and Max for comment. The pair went their separate ways in December after three months of dating amid claims she feared Max was unfaithful to her. First try: They went their separate ways back in December 2018 amid claims she feared he was unfaithful to her (pictured December 2018) A source told The Sun: 'It just wasnt the right time for Laura and Max. They werent working so decided to end things sooner rather than later. 'They were yet to make their relationship official and werent boyfriend and girlfriend but were still meant to be exclusive. 'Laura doesnt believe Max was trustworthy and has been told he was disloyal during their time together so has made the decision to block him on Instagram in order to move on.' Max previously won Love Island in 2015 with Jessica Hayes and the source added that Laura now wants to stay away form former contestants of the reality show in the future. The couple looked more loved up than ever on a recent trip to Barbados earlier this month. Throwback: The Love Island 2018 star, 30, and the Love Island 2015 champion, 26, looked closer than ever as they reclined on a sofa with Laura's pet pooch also making an appearance (pictured December 2018) Former flame: Laura embarked on her romance with Max following her traumatic split from Love Island co-star Paul Knops in October (pictured July 2018) The pair were seen frolicking on the beach during their stay on the Caribbean island but were said to be on the rocks since then after a tense row. Max previously took to the social media site to deny claims the couple were set to split. He clarified: 'Me and Laura had a fantastic Holiday in Barbados's and are very much looking forward to Christmas...me and Laura are good!' Laura embarked on her romance with Max following her traumatic split from Love Island co-star Paul Knops in October. In the wake of their split, model Paul, 32, had claimed Laura had cheated on him with current beau and 2015 Love Island champion Max, something which Laura vehemently denied. She in turn blamed the split on conflicting schedules, and said she had hoped to spend more time with him, which didn't happen. During her time in the villa, Laura was left heartbroken when Wes Nelson dumped her for Megan Barton Hanson. She then dated 'New' Jack Fowler and thought she might have found her perfect match - only for him to ditch her for surfer Laura Crane. She always makes a stunning display when gracing red carpet events. And Julia Stiles looked as chic as ever as she attended the Riviera season two premiere at the Saatchi gallery in London on Tuesday with her husband Preston Cook. The Hollywood actress, 38, oozed glamour in a glitzy black dress with criss-cross pattern and a plunging neckline. Loved up: Julia Stiles looked as chic as ever as she attended the Riviera season two premiere at the Saatchi gallery in London on Tuesday (above with husband Preston Cook) Stylish: The Hollywood actress, 38, oozed glamour in a glitzy black dress with criss-cross pattern and a plunging neckline Holding hands with her beau Preston , the 10 Things I Hate About You star looked every inch the star as she paired her outfit with a glittering diamond necklace. Opting for even more sparkle, Julia strutted the red carpet with jewel encrusted black heels which she paired with a silver bracelet. Julia was joined by her co-stars and a host of famous famous for the dazzling event, including Poppy Delevigne, Dimitri Leonidas and Claudia Winkleman. Poppy looked very inch the style queen in a black halterneck dress with gold detail which accentuated her incredible physique. The fashionista looked luxurious with as she graced the red carpet - after jetting from New York to attend the premiere following a night of Mete Gala antics. Glittering: The Hollywood actress, 38, oozed glamour in a glitzy black dress with criss-cross pattern with a plunging neckline The model and actress wore a belt around her gown and chunky gold jewellery which complemented her luxury look. Claudia Winkleman looked chic in a white ruffle shirt and skin-tight black trousers, which she paired with a suede snakeskin clutch and buckled boots. She wore her signature raven tresses choppy with blonde highlights and went for her classic dramatic kohl eyeliner. Sparkle: Opting for even more sparkle, Julia strutted the red carpet alongside Dimitri Leonidas with jewel encrusted black heels which she paired with a silver bracelet Style queen: Poppy Delevigne looked very inch the style queen in a black halterneck dress with gold detail which accentuated her incredible physique Sensational: Lena Olin looked sensational in a purple pattern gown, wearing her brunette tresses in bouncy curls Fashionista: Claudia Winkleman looked chic in a white ruffle shirt and skin-tight black trousers, which she paired with a suede snakeskin clutch and buckled boots The first season of Riviera had audiences on the edge of their seats. And the drama is set to continue when the second season begins in May, with the trailer revealing that Georgina (Julia Stiles) is back with a vengeance after murdering Adam (Iwan Rheon). The opening scene shows the idyllic setting of French Riviera, but with the ominous voice-over 'People get away with everything'. Georgie makes her return to the Clios family as she announces 'have you ever known me to run away from a problem?' Happy couple: Julia was joined by her husband, co-stars and a host of famous famous for the dazzling event, including Poppy Delevingne, Dimitri Leonidas and Claudia Winkleman Glamour: Juliet Stevenson and Lena Olin posed up at the event Co-stars: Gregory Fitoussi joined Julia and Dimitri at the event Dapper duo: Jack Fox and Alex Lanipekun posed up on the red carpet Dynamic: The hunky male actors looked handsome as they attended the event Red carpet: Christian Vit and Malachi Kirby looked handsome as they posed Kiss: Jo Wood was seen planting a kiss on her daughter Leah at the event Cute couple: Julia and husband Preston cosied up at the event PDA: Poppy and husband James Cook packed on the PDA at the premiere Pals: Poppy and James joined film producer and Riviera executive producer Kris Thykier at the premiere Cast: The stars of the hit show lined up to celebrate the latest series Yet despite seeming to have gotten away with murder, Irina (Lena Olin) has her suspicions. With secrets and lies threatening to tear the family apart, as well as the arrival of new character Daphne, played by Poppy Delevingne, the trailer is full of tense moments. Julia celebrated her one year anniversary with husband Preston J. Cook back in September. The couple got engaged on January 3, 2016, and tied the knot during Labor Day Weekend in 2017. They welcomed their first child, Strummer Newcomb, on October 20, 2017. Gorgeous couple: Robert Pires and Jessica Lemarie looked sensational at the premiere Chic: Natalie Pinkham oozed elegance in a floral blouse and lace detail culottes while Claudia Winkleman wowed in a frilled blouse Stepping out: Natalie layered up in a neutral trench coat following the main event Dapper: Charles Delevingne looked suave in a purple velvet suit as he leaves Heading off: Julia went arm-in-arm with her husband as she left the venue She recently announced her intentions to sit the bar exam in 2022, in the hopes of becoming a qualified lawyer. But first, Kim Kardashian is going to try to enact justice reform in a setting a little more familiar to her than a courtroom: reality television. On Tuesday, Oxygen announced they they have green-lighted a show with the working title, Kim Kardashian: The Justice Project. Many talents: Kim Kardashian is going to try to enact justice reform in a setting a little more familiar to her than a courtroom: reality television. Seen here at Monday night's Met Gala In a press release from Oxygen, the cable network said the documentary will 'capture Kardashians efforts to secure freedom for Americans who she believes have been wronged by the justice system.' 'Kim Kardashian: The Justice Project is an exclusive, never before seen look inside her mission to tackle one of America's most controversial subjects.' Kim will serve as an executive producer on the project. The Keeping Up With The Kardashians mainstay has reportedly helped free as many as 17 inmates by secretly funding a criminal justice campaign. Kim Kardashian with Alice Marie Johnson, who was pardoned by President Trump after he met with the reality star at the White House last June The reality TV star began her social justice bids by petitioning President Donald Trump over the release of Tennessee grandmother Alice Marie Johnson in June last year. Since the 63-year-old was pardoned by Trump after meeting Kim at the White House, she has joined campaigns to get other prisoners released. Kim joined attorney Brittany K Barnett and has secretly funded the Buried Alive Project, which has helped free 17 inmates who were handed huge jail sentences for low-level drug offences as part of its 90 Days of Freedom project. Some of Kim's campaigns have been well-publicized, such as former sex slave Cyntoia Brown, Jeffrey Stringer and Johnson, who spent 21 years in prison for a non-violent drug offense. Jamelle Carraway from Illinois served 11 years of a life sentence for cocaine possession Eric Balcom was sentenced to life without parole over a drugs charge when he was 29 The Buried Alive Project claimed to have helped free 17 inmates during its campaign against draconian sentences for low-level drug offences But now the amount of inmates on the list is longer than first thought, it has been revealed. Last week Kim helped get Stringer from Miami out of prison after he was locked up for more than two decades for a low-level drug case. The reality star tweeted on Friday that she helped fund his case after he had been sentenced to life in prison. Kim also joined celebrities such as Cara Delevigne and Rihanna in calling for Brown, who served 12 years in prison for killing a man who paid her for sex when she was just 16, to be released. The Buried Alive Project has tweeted updates of those it has helped and claimed to have aided 17 prisoners, including Terrence Byrd, Jamelle Carraway of Illinois and Eric Balcom from Florida. And Kim has been secretly funding the project over the last few months, according to TMZ. Byrd served 25 years in a federal prison for drug possession charges, Balcom was sentenced to life without parole over a drugs charge when he was 29 and Carraway served 11 years of a life sentence for cocaine possession. Terrance Byrd spent half his life in jail after he served 25 years in a federal prison for drug possession charges The law project tweeted its support of Terrence Byrd when he was finally released from prison Jeffrey Stringer with he daughter Jacaria before he was locked up for more than two decades for a low-level drug case Kim met with President Donald Trump at the White House last May to discuss Johnson's case and the following month he pardoned Alice Johnson Since her successful campaign to get Johnson out of jail, Kim has become interested in criminal justice. The Keeping Up With The Kardashians star has since registered with the California State Bar to study law to become a fully-fledged lawyer. Kim must also complete 60 college credits and then work as an apprentice at a law firm in San Francisco with the intention to take the Bar Exam in 2022. Johnson was sentenced to life in prison in 1997 for committing a first-time nonviolent drug crime in Memphis. Kim first heard about her story from Twitter, and she knew something had to change. Kim met with President Donald Trump at the White House in May to discuss the case. The following month, he pardoned Johnson. Jeffrey was arrested and charged with manufacturing and intent to distribute cocaine in West Palm Beach in the late 1990s. He was sentenced to life in prison because he had two prior convictions on his record. Kim (left) is an advocate of prison reform. Attorney Brittany K Barnett (right) is the co-founder of the Buried Alive Project, which works to end life without parole sentences issued under federal drug laws Kim is currently working with CNN's Van Jones and #Cut50 co-founder and lawyer Jessica Jackson (middle) to gain her law license The case gained national attention as the convict was highlighted as an example of a nonviolent drug offender who faced an unfairly strict sentence based on rigid federal guidelines. He and many other convicts are now getting relief under new guidelines signed into law last year by President Trump. The First Step Act allows some nonviolent offenders to earn credits for good behavior and thus an early release. Attorney Brittany K Barnett tweeted on Friday: 'We did it again! Had the best call with this lovely family and my attorney @msbkb, who just won the release for their loved one Jeffrey in Miami.' 'He served 22 years of life sentence for low level drug case. He served too much time but it gives me so much joy to fund this life saving work,' she added. The news came just a month after it was revealed that Kim had also offered to pay the rent of Matthew Charles, a former inmate who was released from prison after serving 20 years of his 35-year sentence for non-violent drug and weapon charges. Kim also offered to pay the rent of Matthew Charles (pictured with Trump last April), a former inmate who was released from prison after serving 20 years of his 35 sentence for non-violent drug and weapon charges Kevin Cooper and his legal team believe he was wrongly convicted and evidence was planted to incriminate him. Kim has pleaded for DNA evidence against him to be rexamined Kim privately contacted Charles after she heard he was struggling to find housing because his background prompted all his applications to be denied. She offered to pay his rent for the next five years. Charles was first sentenced to 35 years in prison in 1996 for drug trafficking before he was briefly released in 2016 due to the Fair Sentencing Act. However, Charles was forced to return to prison last year after an appeals court overturned a judge's initial ruling. He was released on January 3 as a part of President Donald Trump's First Step Act. Kim has also visited the notorious San Quentin prison where a convicted murderer she is trying to free is being held. Kevin Cooper has been on death row for 33 years and will face the lethal injection for the murders of four people, including two ten-year-old children. It has been claimed an advanced DNA test could exonerate him with suggestions he might have been framed for the heinous crime. Cooper is currently in San Quentin though it remains unclear if Kim met him during her visit last November. Pregnant Gemma Atkinson has posted a gushing tribute to boyfriend Gorka Marquez, praising him for 'looking after' her while she carries their first child. Taking to Instagram, the former Strictly contestant uploaded a snap of the pair in the sea together, alongside the caption: 'A soppy post for my fella @gorka_marquez because Ive had a lot of lovely praise in pregnancy but you dads play a huge part in keeping us feeling safe and looked after. 'From back rubs when baby is lay funny, to getting up in the night with me when I cant sleep, helping me carry my things, reading with me all the baby blogs, coming to my appointments and encouraging me daily that everything will be ok when push comes to shove. (literally) Expecting: Pregnant Gemma Atkinson has posted a gushing tribute to boyfriend Gorka Marquez, praising him for 'looking after' her while she carries their first child 'All of the above you do in between the most hectic work schedule. I feel so lucky to have you in my corner and Im grateful to have you in my life Gorks. 'Mini Marquez is so lucky having you as papa [sic].' Sweet: The loved-up couple announced the pregnancy earlier this year This was met with a simple reply from the man himself: 'I love you!!!! Im the lucky one.' Gemma confirmed her first pregnancy with Strictly Come Dancing pro little more than two months ago. And she has been keeping her social media followers in the loop by sharing shots of her growing baby bump. The latest one came on Sunday, when the former Hollyoaks actress, 34, looked radiant as she displayed her belly while sporting a white bralet and black bikini bottoms. Captioning the shot, she wrote: 'When you look like a palm tree with mahooosive coconuts.' Gemma previously admitted her baby was the spitting image of a baby Gorka by sharing a comparison of the Spanish dancer alongside her ultrasound scan on Thursday. The post was met with a simple reply from the man himself: 'I love you!!!! Im the lucky one' The actress pointed out the unborn baby in the ultra scan appeared to have the exact same shaped nose and mouth as his dad when he was a toddler. In the comparison snap, the baby could be seen in the womb while the picture of young Gorka captured the little boy's side profile. As well as likening her baby to the Strictly dancer, Gemma confessed pregnancy had made her feel 'knackered'. Blooming lovely: Gemma kept Instagram followers updated by sharing a shot of her growing baby bump on Sunday 'The exact same nose and mouth': She gushed that her baby looks just like his dad Gorka with a sweet comparison snap as she admitted she feels 'knackered' Gemma wrote: 'Still in my tummy kicking away. Making me knackered and giving me way more cellulite than usual but already has the exact same nose and mouth as their Dad @gorka_marquez How is this fair???' Gemma has been laying back on her gruelling fitness regimes ahead of the arrival of her first child with her boyfriend. She took to Instagram to reveal she had both eaten a mass of eggs and felt as though she resembled the sweet treat. Blooming: Gemma has been laying back on her regime ahead of the arrival of her first child with boyfriend Gorka as she took to Instagram to reveal she had both eaten a mass of eggs The actress looked radiant in the shot as she cradled her bump, while adding a caption reading: 'Who ate all the eggs?! First Easter where I actually look like and Easter Egg and I bloody love it!' Shortly before her latest bout of social media activity from Gemma, Gorka proved they are loving life as expectant parents as the Strictly hunk took to Instagram to share a snap in which he tenderly kissed her bump. The 28-year-old professional dancer appeared to be totally enamored as he posed with his expectant girlfriend while they kicked back for a 'lazy Sunday'. Sweet: The former Hollyoaks star, 34, looked radiant in the shot as she cradled her bump and beamed, while adding a caption reading: 'Who ate all the eggs?! First Easter where I actually look like and Easter Egg and I bloody love it!' Gemma and Gorka announced their baby news on February 1 with an adorable picture of dogs Ollie and Norman with signs around their necks - one of which read: 'Guess what... Mum's pregnant!' The couple met on Strictly Come Dancing in 2017, before going public with their relationship in February 2018. Their respective social media accounts have been littered with details of the pregnancy, with the weekend's post proving their excitement. As they reclined on a grey corner sofa, the duo could not stop beaming as Gorka kissed her bump and added a caption reading: 'LAZY SUNDAYS Happy to be back home... @glouiseatkinson #home'. Kicking back :Gemma and Gorka announced their baby news on February 1 with an adorable picture of dogs Ollie and Norman with signs around their necks - one of which read: 'Guess what... Mum's pregnant!' Tucking in: Shortly after, she shared a candid post about her struggles with pregnancy, as she took a break from her fitness regime to tuck into an enormous pizza Loved up: Gemma and Gorka announced their baby news on February 1 with an adorable picture of dogs Ollie and Norman with signs around their necks - one of which read: 'Guess what... Mum's pregnant!' Gemma recently said pregnancy makes her feel like 'superwoman' and she's 'astounded' by her body transformation. Taking to Instagram, the soap star shared a side-by-side comparison of herself at the peak of her fitness journey and now that she's pregnant. Lauding her physique in both shots, she captioned the photograph: 'Our bodies are incredible! What they are capable of doing astounds me, and in both these pictures I felt / feel like superwoman. Happy days: The expectant actress told fans she was feeling 'sick' and 'like a sloth' as she insisted she wasn't always committed to her fitness regime 'I have a life inside of me ticking away ready to join us soon. The little kicks & turns & flutters are just wonderful. I feel so incredibly lucky.' Shortly after, she shared a candid post about her struggles with pregnancy, as she took a break from her fitness regime to tuck into an enormous pizza. The expectant actress told fans she was feeling 'sick' and 'like a sloth' as she insisted she wasn't always committed to her fitness regime. They were among the A-list guests at Monday's night's Met Gala festivities. And Gisele Bundchen and Tom Brady made a VIP exit on Tuesday when they caught a helicopter out of NYC. The photogenic couple, 38 and 41 respectively, kept casual for their travel through the sky. Gisele Bundchen was dressed down as she and husband Tom Brady caught a helicopter out of NYC Tuesday, just the day after the Met Gala Both were clad in simple attire. Gisele looked classic in a pair blue jeans with a V-neck sweater tucked into the waistline. Thick hoop earrings, a golden bracelet and delicate pendant made the perfect accessories while wayfarer sunglasses and slip-on sneakers finished the look. She slung a roomy leather overnighter over one shoulder while rolling another piece of luggage on her other side. Meanwhile Tom walked several steps behind clad in a preppy blue cardigan and faded denim. Ever practical, he stuffed his things into a duffel bag. Can't go wrong: Gisele looked classic in a pair blue jeans with a V-neck sweater tucked into the waistline Seen in jeans: Meanwhile Tom walked several steps behind clad in a preppy blue cardigan and faded denim Their casual looks were a far cry from their red carpet attire from the night before. The couple color-coordinated in pink and red hues for the Camp-themed gala. The Brazilian stunner looked effortlessly elegant in a sustainable metallic pink gown by Dior's Maria Grazia Chiuri. Cute couple: The pair cuddled up Monday upon arrival at the Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City The short-sleeved pleated dress featured an open back and long skirt that model Gisele playfully twirled around. Tom, 41, looked dapper in a velvet maroon tuxedo with black trousers and black bow tie. Gisele kissed Tom as they walked the pink carpet upon arrival and they also were spotted gazing lovingly at each other. The couple previously served as co-chairs for the 2017 Met Gala Hosting Committee. Disney announced a new lineup of film releases on Tuesday, complete with a number of new announcements. The media conglomerate recently acquired Fox Studios, and the new schedule reflects both Disney and Fox films. Among the exciting titles are: Avatar sequels 2 through 5, Disney's Cruella and a West Side Story remake. Cruel Devil: Emma Stone's live-action 'punk' film Cruella, a prequel to Glenn Close's 1996 101 Dalmatians, got an official release date of December 23, 2020; seen on Monday at the Met Gala Dark days: Glenn Close as Cruella in 101 Dalmatians in 1996 In a press release put out by Disney, the company said there are a number of exciting films we can look forward to this summer, including Disneys Aladdin on May 24, Foxs Dark Phoenix on June 7, Pixars Toy Story 4 on June 21 and Disneys The Lion King on July 19. Emma Stone's live-action 'punk' film Cruella, a prequel to Glenn Close's 1996 101 Dalmatians, got an official release date of December 23, 2020. Three films were pushed back to later release dates, including Ad Astra, The New Mutants and Artemis Fowl. Having previously been given a release date of May 4, 2019, Ad Astra will now be released September 20, 2019. Buying in bulk: Disney announced four new Avatar sequels, with the first one being released in December of 2021 X-Men spinoff, The New Mutants, previously given the release date August 2, 2019 has been pushed back an entire year to April 3, 2020. And Avatar 2, which was previously set for December 18, 2020 will now be released a year later on December 17, 2021. I Have A Love: Steven Spielberg's West Side Story will be released on December 20, 2020 The Skywalker Star Wars saga may be winding down, but that doesn't mean Star Wars is over. Disney also announced the release dates for the first new trilogy with new characters and drama. The films release dates are set for December 16, 2022, December 12, 2024 and December 18, 2026. Star Wars continues: The new trilogy has release dates set for December 16, 2022, December 12, 2024 and December 18, 2026 Cathleen Taft, president of theatrical distribution, franchise management, and business audience insights for Walt Disney Studios, said she was excited to put forth the 'creative wellspring of bold and imaginative stories.' 'Were excited to put in place a robust and diverse slate... bringing together a breadth of films from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm, Fox, Fox Searchlight and Blue Sky Studios to create an extraordinary collection of cinematic experiences for audiences around the world,' Taff said in the company's press release. Oscar winner Common is laying all his cards on the table in a candid new book, Let Love Have the Last Word, which was released Tuesday. The 47-year-old activist didn't hide the darker parts of his life in his memoir and revealed that he suffered the trauma of being molested as a child - a memory that was resurfaced with the help of actress Laura Dern. Unsure if he wanted to share his past as a victim of sexual assault, the rapper ultimately decided to include the story in his book as a way to help others who've suffered similarly. Opening up: Oscar winner Common writes in his new memoir, Let Love Have the Last Word, that he was working with actress Laura Dern when he recalled a repressed memory of being molested as a child 'This book is very special to me as I'm sharing what I've learned about LOVE and how I've failed at LOVE,' Common tweeted. 'I hope it can inspire you to take a long look at LOVE and all the forms and shapes that it takes.' Common only recalled the traumatic incident of being molested by a relative a few years ago while working a scene for HBO's The Tale with Laura Dern. 'One day, while talking through the script with Laura, old memories surprisingly flashed in my mind,' the rapper wrote. 'I caught my breath and just kept looping the memories over and over, like rewinding an old VHS tapeI said "Laura, I think I was abused."' 'One day, while talking through the script with Laura, old memories surprisingly flashed in my mind,' the rapper wrote. 'I caught my breath and just kept looping the memories over and over, like rewinding an old VHS tapeI said "Laura, I think I was abused."' While sitting down with Good Morning America, Common told Robin Roberts that he wrestled with the idea of sharing his story. 'It was something that I didn't know if I wanted to talk about,' he told Robin. 'But I really believe that in telling my story, other people will be OK with talking about that situation.' The star writes in the book that he was victimized as a young boy around age nine or 10 while growing up in Chicago. 'At some point I felt Brandon's hand on me,' he wrote in the book. 'I pushed him away. I don't remember saying a whole lot besides "No, no, no."' 'I was excited for a road trip I was about to take with my family,' he explained. 'My mother; my godmother, Barbara; her son and my godbrother Skeet; and his relative, who I'll call Brandon' The actor wrote that he and Brandon shared a bed at his aunt's house in Cleveland, Ohio and it was there that the assault happened. 'At some point I felt Brandon's hand on me,' he writes. 'I pushed him away. I don't remember saying a whole lot besides "No, no, no."' 'It was something that I didn't know if I wanted to talk about,' he told Robin Roberts. 'But I really believe that in telling my story, other people will be OK with talking about that situation.' 'He kept saying "It's okay, It's okay," as he pulled down my shorts and molested me. After he stopped he kept asking me to perform it on him. 'I kept repeating "No" and pushing him away,' Common wrote. He added that after the incident he 'felt a deep and sudden shame for what happened.' Afterwards, Common surmised that he repressed the memories out of sheer survival and never spoke about it to the accused perpetrator 'Brandon' who he hasn't seen in over 20 years. 'Maybe it's a matter of survivalEven now, two years after that flash resurgence of memories, as I'm writing, I'm still working through all of this in myself and with my therapist.' 'Maybe it's a matter of survivalEven now, two years after that flash resurgence of memories, as I'm writing, I'm still working through all of this in myself and with my therapist.' Common explained to Robin Roberts that he 'wanted to create space' for people to talk about these types of issues. 'That's part of the healing, to be honest. No sooner than I told the story, one of my good friends came out and told me it had happened to him,' he revealed. Real Housewives Of New York's Luann de Lesseps is in hot water for knocking back a pair of mimosas. The Housewife formerly known as The Countess, 53, was forbidden to consume alcohol based on the terms of her probation, stemming from a 2017 drunk and disorderly incident in Palm Beach, Florida. And after Luann admitted that she indulged in 'two glasses of mimosas' following one of her recent cabaret shows in Chicago during a meeting with her probation officer, she was swiftly handed a court date for violating her terms, according to documents obtained by DailyMail.com. Legal trouble: Luann de Lesseps (above February 2019) is headed to court for violating her probation by admitting to drinking alcohol According to a violation report from the Florida department of corrections de Lesseps was first given a 'breath test', which she failed, by her New York probation officer on April 21 2018. She admitted to drinking two days later during an April 23 meeting. According to the terms of her 2017 arrest, she was supposed to stay free from alcohol for a whole year. Luann was also found in violation of probation for 'failing to attend 2 AA meetings per week as directed by the court.' The legal papers show that the Connecticut native only has documentation for attending a total of five AA meetings. When her probation officer recommended that she enroll in treatment or wear an ankle monitor, she dismissed both suggestions, saying she was too busy 'with her touring schedule' to do inpatient treatment while also claiming an alcohol ankle monitor was too 'intrusive.' Luann's probation officer stressed her apparent unwillingness to get with the program. Mug shot: The Housewife formerly known as The Countess, 53, was forbidden to consume alcohol based on the terms of her probation, stemming from a 2017 drunk and disorderly incident in Palm Beach, Florida Violation: According to a violation report from the Florida department of corrections de Lesseps was first given a 'breath test', which she failed, by her New York probation officer on April 21 2018 Mandated: Luann was also found in violation of probation for 'failing to attend 2 AA meetings per week as directed by the court' Against the terms: The legal papers show that the Connecticut native only has documentation for attending a total of five AA meetings Unwilling: Luann's probation officer stressed her apparent unwillingness to get with the program, claiming Luann has 'not made herself an active participant in her rehabilitation' 'The subject has not made herself an active participant in her rehabilitation and shows signs of denial that she has a sobriety issue,' her probation officer went on to note in their violation report. Further documents reveal that the star is due in court May 23 2019 at 8:30AM. If she fails to appear in court, a warrant will be issued for her arrest. And since the original crime occurred in Palm Beach, Florida, she'll be required to travel to the Sunshine State for her court appearance. Last week, sources reported that Luann was 'not taking probation seriously.' Time in court: Further documents reveal that the star is due in court May 23 2019 at 8:30AM. Serious business: I she fails to appear in court, a warrant will be issued for her arrest But she clapped back while talking to Page Six, telling the tabloid: 'I take my sobriety very seriously and like many in my situation, it is a daily struggle. I remain committed to doing whatever it takes to continue living a healthy sober lifestyle.' The mother-of-two - who lost her Countess title when she married Tom D'Agostino Jr. for eight months in December 2016 - had been under supervision for six months, and is also supposed to complete community service but has only done half of her required time. She was charged with disorderly intoxication, resisting arrest, battery of an officer and making threats against a public servant after a wild night in Palm Beach, Florida following the demise of her relationship with Tom. In addition, Luann was charged with a third-degree felony before entering an alcohol treatment program in January 2018. She settled the arrest in July when she agreed to plead guilty to the misdemeanor charges of battery, disorderly intoxication and trespassing. ource close to the reality star previously told us that she completed the community service requirement and the M.A.D.D. course requirement as part of the plea deal, and were told that she continues to go to AA meetings on a regular basis as well. Seven-time Grammy winner Alanis Morissette showcased her burgeoning baby bump in a clingy white tank top while catching a flight out of LAX Airport in Los Angeles on Tuesday. The expecting 44-year-old certainly had 'that glow' as she beamed while clad in high-water blue jeans, Barbie-pink sneakers, a maroon purse, and large sunglasses. The Ottawa-born brunette - who announced her third pregnancy March 25 - tweeted an epic poolside snap of her bump on Monday. Baby on board! Seven-time Grammy winner Alanis Morissette showcased her burgeoning baby bump in a clingy white tank top while catching a flight out of LAX Airport on Tuesday Dressed for comfort: The expecting 44-year-old certainly had 'that glow' as she beamed while clad in high-water blue jeans, Barbie-pink sneakers, a maroon purse, and large sunglasses Alanis - who boasts 4.4M social media followers - captioned it: 'Rock. Restore. Rock. Repeat.' Morissette and her husband Mario 'Souleye' Treadway - who celebrate their ninth wedding anniversary on May 22 - are already parents to son Ever Imre, 8; and daughter Onyx Solace, 2. The attachment parent originally met the 39-year-old rapper at a meditation gathering in 2009. 'Rock. Restore. Rock. Repeat': The Ottawa-born brunette - who announced her third pregnancy March 25 - tweeted an epic poolside snap of her bump on Monday Celebrating their ninth wedding anniversary on May 22! Alanis and her husband Mario 'Souleye' Treadway are already parents to son Ever Imre, 8; and daughter Onyx Solace, 2 (pictured March 23) The former child star was most likely flying to Oklahoma where she's scheduled to perform a concert this Wednesday at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Tulsa. Last Friday, Alanis announced that the Broadway musical based on her hit 1995 album Jagged Little Pill will officially open November 3 at the Broadhurst Theatre in Manhattan. Morissette penned two brand new tracks - Smiling and Predator - for the rock musical featuring a book by Oscar winner Diablo Cody and directed by Tony winner Diane Paulus. Mezzo-soprano: Morissette was likely flying to Oklahoma where she's scheduled to perform a concert this Wednesday at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Tulsa (pictured April 28) Stacey Dooley has reportedly moved into her boyfriend Kevin Clifton's London home, just weeks after confirming their romance. The journalist, 32, is said to have settled into the 36-year-old dancer's flat for the past week, after leaving the Brighton home she shared with ex Sam Tucknott following their split in March. A source told The Sun: 'Stacey needed somewhere else to live. Kevin has been really relaxed about letting her stay and so far its working really well.' Taking the next step: Stacey Dooley has reportedly moved into her boyfriend Kevin Clifton's London home, just weeks after confirming their romance The insider added: 'Stacey is not sure whether shell stay for good but for now its a good place for her to set up base.' MailOnline has contacted Stacey and Kevin's representatives for further comment. The reports follow Kevin's touching tribute to his new partner during another performance from his current dance tour Burn The Floor. Grimsby native Kevin reportedly blew a kiss to his girlfriend, who was sat proudly watching from the audience alongside his sister Joanne. Living arrangement: The journalist, 32, is said to have settled into the 36-year-old dancer's flat for the past week (pictured together on last year's edition of Strictly Come Dancing) In need: 'Stacey needed somewhere else to live. Kevin has been really relaxed about letting her stay and so far its working really well', a source told The Sun A source told MailOnline: 'Stacey was really into the performance and spent the night dancing and videoing Kevin's dance moves. 'At one point, he blew her a very public kiss from the stage showing that he was thinking of her. 'Kevin also told the audience that Burn The Floor has helped him during his tumultuous personal life as it's a place he can come to and focus his mind.' Kevin and Stacey's relationship has been marred with controversy as she was in a five-year romance with personal trainer Sam, 30, when she joined the show. The ex files: The TV personality moved out of the Brighton home she shared with ex Sam Tucknott following their split in March When the pair split in March, it was reported that he confronted Kevin about his relationship with Stacey in a furious FaceTime call. He claims he called Kevin a 'snake' and a 'rat' when he discovered flirty text messages sent to his ex after they separated. Sam told the Mail On Sunday last month: 'He went white. I just stuck it on him, "Youre an absolute rat. How you conducted yourself. Just a slippery, slimy snake." He didnt say a word. He looked petrified. He looked so shocked. Success: The couple forged a close relationship during their Strictly stint last year, which saw the pair win the series 'I am so respectful of [Stacey], but I am gutted and I am disappointed and I feel so let down that she did not have the respect for me to tell me and just come clean.' The fitness enthusiast said all was well in their relationship until mid-November - when Stacey and Kevin were performing in the BBC competition series - and he noticed flirty text messages from the dancer. But by the end of March, the couple had made arrangements to separate and for the TV presenter to move out of their Brighton home. Break-up: Kevin and Stacey's relationship has been marred with controversy as she was in a five-year romance with personal trainer Sam, 30, when she joined the show Competing on Strictly requires hard work and often draws competitors away from their families, creating rifts between loved ones. This phenomenon is known as the Strictly curse and has led to several divorces and breakups. A series of couples have fallen victim to the curse since the show's inception in 2004, including Natasha Kaplinsky, Ben Cohen, Louise and Jamie Redknapp, and more recently Neil and Katya Jones. The show is also responsible for forming new romances, with lovebirds Giovanni Pernice and Ashley Roberts and Joe Sugg and Dianne Buswell embarking on romances following the 2018 series. Malaysia's former prime minister Najib Razak is alleged to have stolen millions from the state 1MDB fund Millions of dollars forfeited by the company behind the Leonardo DiCaprio film "Wolf of Wall Street" have been sent to a Malaysian account set up to recover money looted in a massive state fraud, officials said Tuesday. Billions of dollars were stolen from sovereign wealth fund 1MDB, allegedly by ex-prime minister Najib Razak and his cronies in a crime that stretched around the world. The US Department of Justice is in the process of seizing assets it says are linked to the scandal. It has now transferred funds that were handed over by Red Granite Pictures, the Hollywood production company behind the 2013 film about a massive stock market scam that netted its perpetrator millions of dollars. Malaysia's attorney-general Tommy Thomas said the money represented "the first instalment of funds recovered from asset seizures related to 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB)". The funds, totalling $57.04 million, were sent to an account specially set up to receive recovered 1MDB funds, he said in a statement. US prosecutors allege that the film company, co-founded by Najib's step son Riza Aziz, was funded by money stolen from 1MDB. In 2017 Red Granite agreed to settle a US civil lawsuit against it for $60 million. About $3 million was deducted to cover costs before the funds were returned, Thomas said. As well as "The Wolf of Wall Street", Red Granite also produced the Jim Carrey hit "Dumb and Dumber to" and "Daddy's Home", starring Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg. Prosecutors had made claims for profits generated by all three films as part of their case. The DoJ is also in the process of returning a further $139 million of looted funds that came from the sale of a stake in the Park Lane Hotel in New York, Thomas said. It was bought by Malaysian financier Low Taek Jho, who was accused a playing a central role in plundering 1MDB, he said. Low is also believed to have bought a luxury yacht with about $250 million of looted cash. The scandal played a major role in Najib's election loss last year. Malaysia's new government has re-opened probes into 1MDB, and Najib has been arrested. He went on trial last month over the allegations. A deadly air and artillery bombardment has pounded towns and villages in northwestern Syria for eight days straight Air strikes and shelling killed 13 civilians in northwestern Syria on Tuesday, a monitor said, in the latest escalation to rattle a months-old truce and spark displacement. At least 53 fighters have also been killed since Monday, in one of the deadliest flare-ups since a demilitarised zone around the Idlib region was agreed in September last year, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. Several deadly skirmishes have occurred since the deal was reached between regime ally Russia and rebel backer Turkey, but the last few weeks have seen an uptick in violence inside the planned buffer zone. The region of some three million people is under the control of a former Al-Qaeda affiliate, in one of the last parts of Syria which President Bashar al-Assad has yet to take back. The September deal aimed to avoid an all-out government offensive on the enclave. But a surge in attacks since April 20 has raised new fears a government offensive is imminent, prompting thousands of civilians to flee their homes towards quieter areas deeper inside Idlib province. Syrian civilians are pouring out of jihadist-held districts close to the front line, fearing a major offensive by the government and its ally Russia "This is the third time we have been displaced but this time is the scariest," said Abu Ahmad, a 40-year-old from southern Idlib who was fleeing Tuesday with his family towards areas near the border with Turkey. "Overflights by warplanes and shelling have been relentless," said the father of three, his blue pick-up truck stacked with mattresses, bed sheets and household appliances. - 'Urgent de-escalation' - Battles between jihadists and pro-government forces raged overnight around a hilltop in the northern countryside of Hama province, following an advance by Assad's forces. Twenty-four pro-government fighters were killed in fierce fighting, the Observatory said, along with 29 jihadists. The latter were members of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a group dominated by fighters from a former Al-Qaeda affiliate, and of the Turkistan Islamic Party, a Uighur-dominated jihadist group. Fighting subsided early Tuesday after pro-government forces thwarted several counter-attacks and consolidated new positions, Observatory chief Rami Abdul Rahman told AFP. Residents of the jihadist-held Syrian village of Rabaa Jour pile their belongings on to the back of a pickup as they prepare to leave in search of refuge away from the front line But the air and artillery bombardment continued for an eighth straight day, killing the 13 civilians, the war monitor said. At least nine civilians were killed in shelling and air strikes on Monday. State news agency SANA said Syrian troops launched rocket attacks on armed groups in northwestern Hama province on Tuesday, killing several fighters, but it did not provide any toll. French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his "extreme concern" over the heightened violence. "The humanitarian situation in Syria is critical and no military option is acceptable," he said on Twitter Tuesday. "We demand a halt to the violence and support the UN in backing a necessary political solution." UN chief Antonio Guterres has called "for an urgent de-escalation of the situation as the holy month of Ramadan begins" and urged "the parties to recommit fully to the ceasefire arrangements of the memorandum signed on 17 September 2018." A UN statement said Guterres was alarmed by "reports of aerial attacks on population centres and civilian infrastructure". At least seven health facilities have been hit since April 28, it said. Nine schools have also been struck since April 30, and many more have closed their doors indefinitely, it added. - 'Limited offensive' - It remains unclear whether the Syrian government and its Russian ally are planning to launch a full-scale assault. Aron Lund, from the US think tank The Century Foundation, said "a limited offensive into Idlib, peeling off a few areas, should be easily within their capabilities". The United Nations says nine schools in the Idlib region have been hit in the latest flare-up since April 30 and many more have closed their doors indefinitely He said the recapture of two key highways running through Idlib -- the M4 and the M5 -- could be among the "many goals" behind such an operation. Under the September deal, hardliners were supposed to withdraw from the planned buffer zone, allowing traffic to once again flow along the two strategic highways, which connect government-held areas with the Turkish border. Turkey has failed, however, to secure the jihadists' withdrawal, prompting government forces to take matters into their own hands, Syria specialist Fabrice Balanche said. Taking the two highways would help Assad boost the recovery of Syria's nearby second city Aleppo, which remains cut off from most of its countryside and poorly connected to the rest of the country, he told AFP. "Restoring traffic on these two axes will reduce transport costs to Aleppo," he said. Retaking the road between the regime's coastal stronghold of Latakia and Aleppo in particular would cut the rebel-held region in two, making it easier for government forces to recapture its southern part and isolate the jihadists in the north, Balanche added. An elephant splashes at sunset in the waters of the Chobe river in Botswana Chobe National Park Leaders from four southern African countries held talks in Botswana on Tuesday to better manage the world's largest concentration of elephants, amid growing concerns over poaching, loss of habitat, and conflict with humans. Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi, whose country has Africa's largest elephant population, told his fellow leaders that it was time the region comes up with a common strategy to manage the huge mammals. "We cannot continue to be spectators while others debate and take decisions about our elephants," Masisi said in opening remarks in the northern town of Kasane. "Conflict between elephants and people is on the rise as the demand for land, for agriculture and settlements is growing," he warned alongside the presidents of Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. It is "indisputable that the abundance of elephants comes with numerous management challenges for our region". Landlocked Botswana has more than 135,000 elephants roaming freely in its unfenced parks and wide open spaces. The government says populations have become unmanageably large in parts -- placing the animals on a collision course with humans. The southern African region is also experiencing drought spells, which Masisi said were "placing even more pressure on our fragile ecosystems". "This in turn requires us to adopt more active measures to manage our wildlife in order to secure the resources that they are dependent on for their continued survival." Around two-thirds of the world's elephant population is found on the continent. Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe are home to some of the largest populations of elephants, with ivory poaching leading to a drastic decline in some countries. Over the past decade, the number of elephants on the continent has fallen by around 111,000 to 415,000, according to figures from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Ivory from elephant tusks is illegally traded as part of a multi-billion dollar industry that extends from Africa to Asia and beyond. The Botswana government is lobbying to end a strict ban on wildlife hunting which was imposed five years ago to protect wildlife in the country. The controversial proposals, which must be debated by cabinet before becoming law, would overturn a hunting ban that was introduced by former president Ian Khama, who was an ardent conservationist. Ahmad Sayed Rahman received his first prosthetic at age one, and soon learned to dance, his delight clear for all to see With his hands in the air and an infectious grin spreading from ear to ear, a young Afghan boy whirls around a Kabul hospital room on his new prosthetic leg. The boy, five-year-old Ahmad Sayed Rahman, has captured hearts in Afghanistan after a short video of him effortlessly dancing on his new limb was posted this week on Twitter. "He is always dancing and showing how happy he is to have an artificial leg," the boy's mother, Rayeesa, told reporters at the Red Cross orthopaedic centre in the Afghan capital on Tuesday. "I'm so happy for him that he's received this artificial leg and that now he can be independent," she added, as Ahmad danced to music blasting from a mobile phone. Ahmad, whose leg was amputated below the knee when he was only eight months old, is a long-time patient, his physiotherapist Semeen Sarwari said. Because he's growing fast, he has needed a new leg every year or so. This new one is his fourth. "He's a child and wants to play, he wants to have a leg so is adapting quickly," Sarwari said. "He doesn't want to sit around inside." His mother said Ahmad and his sister were caught in the crossfire of a battle, and both children were seriously wounded Ahmad and his parents, who are farmworkers, come from Logar province south of Kabul, where fighting between the Taliban and the US-backed Afghan army is frequent. His mother said Ahmad and his sister were caught in the crossfire of a battle, and both children were seriously wounded. Ahmad received his first prosthetic at age one, and soon learned to dance, his delight clear for all to see. More than 500,000 people had watched the video clip on Twitter within a day of it being posted on Monday. By Tuesday, he was showing off his skills to reporters in Kabul and was the top story on evening news programmes The video has attracted hundreds of admiring comments, with some people even offering to help. "This is the smile of victory over all odds of life ...god bless you dude" one Twitter user wrote. "Extremely amazed by the paradox of happiness & grief in this video!" wrote another. - Deadliest year - Five-year-old Ahmad Sayed Rahman, has captured hearts in Afghanistan after a short video of him effortlessly dancing on his new limb was posted this week on Twitter In 2018 alone, 3,804 civilians -- including more than 900 children -- were killed in Afghanistan, and another 7,000 more were wounded, according to the United Nations. It was the deadliest year yet for civilians in Afghanistan's conflict. Tadamichi Yamamoto, head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, said a "shocking number" of civilians are still being killed or maimed and called on all parties to do more to safeguard them. Peace talks are ongoing between the US and the Taliban but are moving slowly, adding to the anguish of everyday Afghans who have no idea what the future might hold for their country. Ahmad's video was shot by Mulkara Rahimi, another physiotherapist at the Red Cross centre. Ahmad's mother Rayeesa said her son now has the chance to be independent In her 10 years of professional activity, she's seen many patients like him. "Because he was so happy about the new prothesis, I just wanted to save a record of the happiness," Rahimi says. "That's why I posted that video," she added, noting such moments were her reward for her difficult work. "I love my job," she said. The original video of Ahmad dancing can be seen at: http://u.afp.com/JYuD Thousands of Algerian students protested in the capital Algiers on Tuesday Thousands of Algerian students joined the first rally of Ramadan on Tuesday, pressing on with weeks of protests against the ruling elite after president Abdelaziz Bouteflika quit. Wearing national flags over their shoulders, crowds gathered around the post office of central Algiers which has become the focal point of demonstrations. "We will go on with the marches and the protests during and after Ramadan," said Kheredine, a second-year chemistry student. "It's true that it's hot and that we fast, but we want to let the regime know that the mobilisation continues," he added. The Muslim holy month of Ramadan is marked by fasting from sunrise to sunset, but demonstrators vowed they would not succumb to fatigue. "If you think we're tired, you're wrong!" read a placard held by Sedik Ait, one of Kheredine's teachers. Student rallies were also held in cities across the country, Algerian media reported, as protesters push for a sweeping overhaul of the political system. They stand opposed to July 4 elections called by interim president Abdelkader Bensalah, who was appointed after Bouteflika stepped down last month. The polls are strongly backed by Algeria's army chief General Ahmed Gaid Salah, once an ardent supporter of Bouteflika who ultimately called for the president's impeachment. Tuesday's protest comes days after the arrest of the former president's brother, Said Bouteflika, a hugely influential figure who was frequently cited as a likely successor to his elder sibling. Two former intelligence chiefs, General Mohamed Mediene, known as Toufik, and General Athmane Tartag were also detained and are facing charges including "conspiring" against the state. Photos of the three were featured at the Algiers demonstration, alongside that of Gaid Salah who is largely thought to have ordered the arrests. A colonial soldier (R) in German South West Africa (now Namibia) keeps a watchful eye over prisoners taken during the 1904-1908 war against the Herero and Nama people Lawyers for the Herero and Nama tribes on Tuesday appealed a New York court ruling dismissing their compensation claim against Germany for the genocide of their ancestors in present-day Namibia. In a filing before New York's federal appeals court, lawyers for the two ethnicities claim a lower court erred in its March 6 decision, which said Germany was protected from their suit by the principle of sovereign immunity of a state. Germany is vulnerable to the claim because it owns real estate in New York, and the remains of some genocide victims are interred at the city's American Museum of Natural History, the filing says, repeating arguments rejected in the March ruling. The two tribes are seeking compensation for the persecution their members suffered in what was known as German South West Africa during colonial rule from 1884-1915. The territory has since become Namibia. Tens of thousands of members of the Herero tribe and some 10,000 Namas were killed from 1904-1908 after rebelling against German rule. Germany has officially recognized these abuses, and in recent months has been negotiating an agreement with Namibia that would combine an official apology with development aid. But Hereros and Namas haven't been invited to these discussions, and instead went to court in the United States to argue for reparations from Germany. After the court ruling in March, German authorities accelerated the repatriation of human remains and works of art looted from African countries during the colonial era. Why we banned the burqa Ours is a 52-year-old Muslim social organisation. We run 35 colleges and 72 schools, with 10,000 staff and one lakh students. There are more than two lakh people involved in the entire set-up. And we never supported this kind of veiling activity, in fact, indirectly, we routinely discouraged it. I have never believed in it. The whole issue came to the fore when an MBBS student came, wearing the face veil last year. Then, we objected to it and we told her that like this, we wont admit you. The issue went to the administration committee of the government of Kerala, where the committee said if it is in the prospectus, then the student has to obey the dress code of the management. Individuals are obviously free to go and join any institutes where they have their own theological set-up. When this year admissions started, we thought we will make the matter clear, so I sent a circular to all the secretaries of the schools and colleges, saying that this judgment has to be incorporated in the prospectus. This decision has not come after Sri Lanka banned the burqa. This notice was issued on April 17, when there was no such issue. Clerics state this is part of religious practice. But they should then build their own institutions and admit students who agree with their attitude towards life. So, it is upto them. Clerics have their own perception of religion. We have our notions of how to live and learn. Let east be east and west be west. The twain need never meet! 'If clerics support the face veil, let them start their own educational institutions. Let students who agree go there.' (Source: Reuters) There are different versions of religious rules. In my view, the Muslim religion is not exactly uniform. You have Shias, Deobandis, Alawis even in Kerala, there are three or four major sects which are called Sunni, Mujahid, Jamaat-e-Islami and so on and they all have their different set-ups. I dont accept theocracy at all I have never gone to a priest for anything in my life, nor will I go. This doesnt make me an atheist. I have been a part of the Muslim coordination council. The problem is that a person who is coming from a deeply rooted community is challenging this practice. There are, of course, people who are in favour of this move there are some who are not. The ones who are in favour can join us. If they are not in favour, they will not get admission, thats all. What Muslim women students think... The matter is very simple, there are one lakh students who are studying in our institutions, out of which probably 40,000 would be Muslim women and there has been no protest from their side. This means that matters are clear. There is hardly anyone in our institution who is wearing a face veil. The protest is only confined to a certain section of the clergy. We are not anticipating any trouble. If women students had any objections, then they have their student union. It is a democratically elected set-up, all the colleges are affiliated to various universities like the Indian Medical Council, AITC, etc. If there was any objection, they would have raised their voice, but there has been no objection. Some Western nations banned the burqa. We still go there, don't we? The culture of a particular country, their rules, those have to be obeyed. Why do you want to go and study in Christian institutions if you dont believe in their culture? Dont go there, you can go and join institutes where your culture is strongly embedded. Why do you want to go and work in a Christian country? Dont go there, go and work in Saudi Arabia. You cant have the best of both worlds. 'Why would you go and work in a Christian society if you don't believe in their culture?' (Source: Reuters) I reject the cultural argument that a burqa is the identity of Muslim women. I dont accept any sort of face veil. All the important people in the world, from Khaleda Zia to Benazir Bhutto and many others, they never wore face veils. Whether it is mandated or not in the texts is what the clerics are fighting over. Let them fight, we are not bothered about it. I don't think this is an issue for educationists to get into. I am not afraid of any backlash either. This is not an Islamist republic its a democratic republic, a sovereign country. I know threats and hostilities, all these things will be there. When the threat comes, we will face it. I will always face an enemy at the door, not inside. I doubt anything is going to happen though. At the most, there may be some crank calls! (As told to Rohit E David) Also read: Pulwama Blast, Tiny Turn-Out: Its name has been on every neta's lips. 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Luxembourg), CCRx Holdings LLC, CCRx of North Carolina LLC, CHP Acquisition LLC, CP Acquisition LLC, CVS 2948 Henderson L.L.C., CVS 3268 Gilbert L.L.C., CVS 3745 Peoria L.L.C., CVS AL Distribution L.L.C., CVS AOC Corporation, CVS AOC Services L.L.C., CVS Albany L.L.C., CVS Bellmore Avenue L.L.C., CVS Care Concierge LLC, CVS Caremark Advanced Technology Pharmacy L.L.C., CVS Caremark Indemnity Ltd., CVS Caremark Part D Services L.L.C., CVS Caremark TN SUTA LLC, CVS Foreign Inc., CVS Gilbert 3272 L.L.C., CVS Health Solutions LLC, CVS Indiana L.L.C., CVS International L.L.C., CVS Kidney Care Advanced Technologies LLC, CVS Kidney Care Health Services LLC, CVS Kidney Care Home Dialysis LLC, CVS Kidney Care LLC, CVS Manchester NH L.L.C., CVS Media Exchange LLC, CVS Michigan L.L.C., CVS Orlando FL Distribution L.L.C., CVS PA Distribution L.L.C., CVS PR Center Inc., CVS Pharmacy Inc., CVS RS Arizona L.L.C., CVS Rx Services Inc., CVS SC Distribution L.L.C., CVS State Capital L.L.C., CVS TN Distribution L.L.C., CVS Transportation L.L.C., CVS Vero FL Distribution L.L.C., Campos Medical Pharmacy LLC, Canal Place LLC, Care Pharmaceutical Services LP, CareCenter Pharmacy L.L.C., Carefree Insurance Services Inc., Caremark Arizona Mail Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Arizona Specialty Pharmacy L.L.C., Caremark California Specialty Pharmacy L.L.C., Caremark Florida Mail Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Florida Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Hawaii Mail Pharmacy L.L.C., Caremark Hawaii Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark IPA L.L.C., Caremark Illinois Mail Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Illinois Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Irving Resource Center LLC, Caremark Kansas Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark L.L.C., Caremark Logistics LLC, Caremark Louisiana Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Maryland Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Massachusetts Specialty Pharmacy L.L.C., Caremark Michigan Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Minnesota Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark New Jersey Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark North Carolina Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Ohio Specialty Pharmacy L.L.C., Caremark Pennsylvania Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark PhC L.L.C., Caremark Puerto Rico L.L.C., Caremark Puerto Rico Specialty Pharmacy L.L.C., Caremark Redlands Pharmacy L.L.C., Caremark Repack LLC, Caremark Rx L.L.C., Caremark Tennessee Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Texas Mail Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Texas Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Ulysses Holding Corp., Caremark Washington Specialty Pharmacy LLC, CaremarkPCS Alabama Mail Pharmacy LLC, CaremarkPCS Health L.L.C., CaremarkPCS L.L.C., Central Rx Services LLC, Claims Administration Corp., Cofinity Inc., Compscript LLC, Connecticut CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Continental Life Insurance Company of Brentwood Tennessee, Continuing Care Rx LLC, Coram Alternate Site Services Inc., Coram Clinical Trials Inc., Coram Healthcare Corporation of Alabama, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Florida, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Greater D.C., Coram Healthcare Corporation of Greater New York, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Indiana, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Massachusetts, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Mississippi, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Nevada, Coram Healthcare Corporation of North Texas, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Northern California, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Southern California, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Southern Florida, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Utah, Coram LLC, Coram Rx LLC, Coram Specialty Infusion, Coram Specialty Infusion Services L.L.C., Coventry Consumer Advantage Inc., Coventry Health Care National Accounts Inc., Coventry Health Care National Network Inc., Coventry Health Care Workers Compensation Inc., Coventry Health Care of Illinois Inc., Coventry Health Care of Kansas Inc., Coventry Health Care of Missouri Inc., Coventry Health Care of Nebraska Inc., Coventry Health Care of Virginia Inc., Coventry Health Care of West Virginia Inc., Coventry Health Plan of Florida Inc., Coventry Health and Life Insurance Company, Coventry HealthCare Management Corporation, Coventry Prescription Management Services Inc., Coventry Rehabilitation Services Inc., Coventry Transplant Network Inc., D & R Pharmaceutical Services LLC, D.A.W. LLC, Delaware CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Delaware Physicians Care Incorporated, Digital eHealth LLC, District of Columbia CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., E.T.B. INC., Echo Merger Sub Inc., Eckerd Corporation of Florida Inc., Employee Assistance Services LLC, Enloe Drugs LLC, Enterprise Patient Safety Organization LLC, EntrustRX, Evergreen Pharmaceutical LLC, Evergreen Pharmaceutical of California Inc., Express Pharmacy Services of PA L.L.C., FOCUS HealthCare Management Inc., First Health Group Corp., First Health Life & Health Insurance Company, First Script Network Services Inc., Florida Health Plan Administrators LLC, Garfield Beach CVS L.L.C., Generation Health L.L.C., Geneva Woods Health Services LLC, Geneva Woods LTC Pharmacy LLC, Geneva Woods Management LLC, Geneva Woods Pharmacy Alaska LLC, Geneva Woods Pharmacy LLC, Geneva Woods Pharmacy Washington LLC, Geneva Woods Pharmacy Wyoming LLC, Geneva Woods Retail Pharmacy LLC, Georgia CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., German Dobson CVS L.L.C., Goodhealth Worldwide (Asia) Limited, Goodhealth Worldwide (Global) Limited, Goodyear CVS L.L.C., Grand St. Paul CVS L.L.C., Grandview Pharmacy LLC, Group Dental Service Inc., Group Dental Service of Maryland Inc., Health Care Management Co. Ltd., Health Data & Management Solutions Inc., Health Re Inc., Health and Human Resource Center Inc., HealthAssuance Pennsylvania Inc., Healthagen LLC, Highland Park CVS L.L.C., Holiday CVS L.L.C., Home Care Pharmacy LLC, Home Pharmacy Services LLC, Hook-SupeRx L.L.C., Horizon Behavioral Services LLC, Idaho CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., IlliniCare Health, Indian Health Organisation Private Limited, Innovation Health Holdings LLC, Innovation Health Insurance Company, Innovation Health Plan Inc., Interlock Pharmacy Systems LLC, Iowa CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., JHC Acquisition LLC, Kansas CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Kentucky CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., LCPS Acquisition LLC, Langsam Health Services LLC, Lo-Med Prescription Services LLC, Lobos Acquisition LLC, Longs Drug Stores, Longs Drug Stores California L.L.C., Louisiana CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., MHHP Acquisition Company LLC, MHNet Life and Health Insurance Company, MHNet Specialty Services LLC, MHNet of Florida Inc., Managed Care Coordinators Inc., Managed Healthcare LLC, Martin Health Services LLC, Maryland CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Med World Acquisition Corp., Medical Arts Health Care LLC, Medical Examinations of New York P.C., Melville Realty Company Inc., MemberHealth LLC, Mental Health Associates Inc., Mental Health Network of New York IPA Inc., Meritain Health Inc., Merwin Long Term Care LLC, MetraComp Inc., Minor Health Enterprise Co Ltd., MinuteClinic, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Alabama L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Arizona LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Florida LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Georgia LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Hawaii L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Illinois LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Kentucky L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Louisiana L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Maine L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Maryland LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Massachusetts LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Nebraska L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of New Hampshire L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of New Mexico L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Ohio LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Oklahoma LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Oregon LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Pennsylvania LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Rhode Island LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of South Carolina L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Texas LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Utah L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Virginia LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Washington LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Wisconsin L.L.C., MinuteClinic L.L.C., MinuteClinic Online Diagnostic Services LLC, MinuteClinic Physician Practice of Texas, MinuteClinic Telehealth Services LLC, Mississippi CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Missouri CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Montana CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., NCS Healthcare LLC, NCS Healthcare of Illinois LLC, NCS Healthcare of Iowa LLC, NCS Healthcare of Kansas LLC, NCS Healthcare of Kentucky Inc. (Oh, NCS Healthcare of Montana LLC, NCS Healthcare of New Mexico LLC, NCS Healthcare of Ohio LLC, NCS Healthcare of South Carolina LLC, NCS Healthcare of Tennessee LLC, NCS Healthcare of Wisconsin LLC, NIV Acquisition LLC, Navarro Discount Pharmacy, Nebraska CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., NeighborCare Holdings Inc., NeighborCare Inc., NeighborCare Pharmacy Services Inc., NeighborCare Services Corporation, NeighborCare of Indiana LLC, NeighborCare of Virginia LLC, New Jersey CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Niagara Re Inc., North Carolina CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., North Shore Pharmacy Services LLC, NovoLogix LLC, OCR Services LLC, Ocean Acquisition Sub L.L.C., Ohio CVS Stores L.L.C., Oklahoma CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Omnicare, Omnicare Holding Company, Omnicare Inc., Omnicare Indiana Partnership Holding Company LLC, Omnicare Pharmacies of Pennsylvania East LLC, Omnicare Pharmacies of Pennsylvania West LLC, Omnicare Pharmacies of the Great Plains Holding LLC, Omnicare Pharmacy and Supply Services LLC, Omnicare Pharmacy of Tennessee LLC, Omnicare Pharmacy of the Midwest LLC, Omnicare Property Management LLC, Omnicare of Nebraska LLC, Omnicare of Nevada LLC, Omnicare of New York LLC, Oregon CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., PE Holdings LLC, PHPSNE Parent Corporation, PP Acquisition Company LLC, PRN Pharmaceutical Services LP, PT Aetna Management Consulting, Pamplona Saude e Beleza LTDA, Part D Holding Company L.L.C., PayFlex Holdings Inc., PayFlex Systems USA Inc., Pennsylvania CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Performax Inc., Pharmacy Associates of Glenn Falls LLC, Pharmacy Consultants LLC, Phoenix Data Solutions LLC, Precision Benefit Services Inc., Prime Net Inc., ProCare Pharmacy Direct L.L.C., ProCare Pharmacy L.L.C., Prodigy Health Group Inc., Professional Risk Management Inc., Pt. Aetna Global Benefits Indonesia, Puerto Rico CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Red Oak Sourcing LLC, Resources for Living LLC, Rhode Island CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Roeschens Healthcare LLC, RxAmerica, Schaller Anderson Medical Administrators Incorporated, Scrip World LLC, Sheffield Avenue CVS L.L.C., Shore Pharmaceutical Providers LLC, Silverscript Insurance Company, Soma Intimates, South Carolina CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., South Wabash CVS L.L.C., Specialized Pharmacy Services LLC, Spinnaker Bidco Limited, Spinnaker Topco Limited, Stadtlander Drug Company, Stadtlander Pharmacy, Sterling Healthcare Services LLC, Superior Care Pharmacy LLC, Sutter Health and Aetna Administrative Services LLC, Sutter Health and Aetna Insurance Company, Sutter Health and Aetna Insurance Holding Company LLC, T2 Medical Inc., TCPI Acquisition LLC, TargetPharmacy, Tennessee CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Texas Health + Aetna Health Insurance Company, Texas Health + Aetna Health Insurance Holding Company LLC, Texas Health + Aetna Health Plan Inc., The Vasquez Group Inc., Thomas Phoenix CVS L.L.C., Three Forks Apothecary LLC, U.S Healthcare Holdings LLC, U.S. Healthcare Properties Inc., UAC Holding Inc., UC Acquisition LLC, UNI-Care Health Services of Maine LLC, Universal American - Medicare Part D Business, Utah CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., VAPS Acquisition Company LLC, Value Health Care Services LLC, Vermont CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Virginia CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Virtual Home Healthcare L.L.C., Warm Springs Road CVS L.L.C., Washington CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Washington Lamb CVS L.L.C., Weber Medical Systems LLC, Wellpartner LLC, West Virginia CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Westhaven Services Co LLC, Williamson Drug Company LLC, Wisconsin CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Woodward Detroit CVS L.L.C., Work and Family Benefits Inc., ZS Acquisition Company LLC, Zinc Health Services LLC, Zinc Health Ventures LLC, bSwift LLC, and iTriage LLC. The Hershey Co. engages in the manufacture and market of chocolate and sugar confectionery products. The firm operates through the following geographical segments: North America; and International and Other. The North America segment is responsible for the traditional chocolate and non-chocolate confectionery market position of the company, as well as its grocery and snacks market positions, in the United States and Canada. The International and Other segment is the combination of all other operating segments which are not individually material, including those geographic regions where the company operates outside of North America. Its brands include Hershey's, Reese's, and Kisses. The company was founded by Milton S. Hershey in 1894 and is headquartered in Hershey, PA. Read More Parkland Corporation operates as a marketer, distributor, and refiner of fuel and petroleum products in Canada, the United States, and internationally. The company operates through Canada, International, USA, Supply, and Corporate segments. The Canada segment supplies and supports a coast-to-coast network of 1,860 retail gas stations under the Ultramar, Esso, Fas Gas Plus, Chevron, Pioneer, and Race Trac as well as operates convenience stores under the On the Run/MarchA Express brand. Additionally it offers bulk fuel, bulk and cylinder exchange propane, heating oil, lubricants, and other related products and services to commercial, industrial, and residential customers in various industries, such as oil and gas, construction, mining, forestry, fishing, and transportation under the Ultramar, Bluewave Energy, Pipeline Commercial, Chevron, Columbia Fuels, and Sparlings Propane brands. The International segment operates retail service stations under the Esso, Shell, and Sol brands; and delivers and supplies gasoline, diesel, fuel oil, propane, and lubricants to customers in various sectors, including power, oil and gas, and mining. The USA segment operates a network of gas stations; and delivers bulk fuel, lubricants, and other related products and services under the Farstad Oil, Rhinehart Oil, Tropic Oil, Superpumper, Harts, and On the Run brands. The Supply segment manufactures transportation fuels; transports, stores, and markets fuels, crude oil, and liquid petroleum gases; and manufactures and sells aviation fuel to airlines. This segment also engages in the wholesale, supply, and distribution business. The company was formerly known as Parkland Fuel Corporation and changed its name to Parkland Corporation in May 2020. The company was founded in 1977 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada. Read More Anadarko Petroleum Corporation engages in the exploration, development, production, and marketing of oil and gas properties. It operates through three segments: Exploration and Production, WES Midstream, and Other Midstream. The company explores for and produces oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids (NGLs). It is also involved in gathering, processing, treating, and transporting oil, natural-gas, and NGLs production, as well as the gathering and disposal of produced water. The company's oil and natural gas properties are located in the United States onshore and deepwater Gulf of Mexico; and Algeria, Ghana, Mozambique, Colombia, Peru, and other countries. As of December 31, 2018, it had approximately 1.5 billion barrels of oil equivalent of proved reserves. The company was founded in 1959 and is headquartered in The Woodlands, Texas. Read More Brookfield Asset Management, Inc. engages in the management of public and private investment products and services for institutional and retail clients. It operates through the following segments: Asset Management, Real Estate, Renewable Power, Infrastructure, Private Equity, Residential Development, and Corporate Activities. The Asset Management segment includes the management of its listed partnerships, private funds and public securities. The Real Estate segment is comprised of the ownership, operation and development of core office, core retail, LP investments and other properties. The Renewable Power segment encompasses the ownership, operation and development of hydroelectric, wind, solar, storage and other power generating facilities. The Infrastructure segment consists of the ownership, operation and development of utilities, transport, energy, data infrastructure and sustainable resource assets. The Private Equity segment refers to the broad range of industries, and is mostly focused on business services, infrastructure services and industrials. The Residential Development segment represents homebuilding, condominium development and land development. The Corporate Activiti Read More Black Diamond Group Limited rents and sells modular space and workforce accommodation solutions. It operates through two segments, Modular Space Solutions and Workforce Solutions. The Modular Space Solutions segment provides modular space rentals to customers in the construction, real estate development, manufacturing, education, financial, and resource industries, as well as government agencies in North America. Its products include office units, lavatories, storage units, large multi-unit office complexes, classroom facilities, banking and health care facilities, custom manufactured modular facilities, and blast resistant structures. This segment also sells new and used space rentals units; and provides delivery, installation, project management, and ancillary products and services. The Workforce Solutions segment provides workforce housing solutions, including rental of accommodations and surface equipment, and provision of turnkey lodging and travel management services in Canada, the United States, and Australia. This segment also provides associated services, such as installation, transportation, demobilization, and sale of used fleet assets. This segment primarily serves the resource, infrastructure, construction, disaster recovery, and education sectors. The company also provides specialized field rentals to oil and gas industries. Black Diamond Group Limited markets its rental assets, custom sales, and ancillary products and services through in-house sales personnel, its website, social media, web campaigns, and its digital marketplace. The company was founded in 2003 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Molina Healthcare: Aetna & Humana - Medicare Advantage, Affinity Health Plan, AmericanWork Inc., Better Health Network, Camelot Care Centers Inc, Children's Behavioral Health Inc., Choices Group Inc., College Community Services, Dockside Services Inc, Family Preservation Services Inc., Family Preservation Services of Florida Inc., Family Preservation Services of North Carolina Inc., Family Preservation Services of Washington D.C. Inc., Family Preservation Services of West Virginia Inc., Florida NetPASS LLC, Hclb Inc., Magellan Complete Care, Maple Star Nevada Inc., Maple Star Oregon Inc., Mercy CarePlus, Molina Clinical Services LLC, Molina Healthcare Data Center Inc., Molina Healthcare of Arizona Inc., Molina Healthcare of California, Molina Healthcare of Florida Inc., Molina Healthcare of Georgia Inc., Molina Healthcare of Illinois Inc., Molina Healthcare of Iowa Inc., Molina Healthcare of Louisiana Inc., Molina Healthcare of Maryland Inc., Molina Healthcare of Michigan Inc., Molina Healthcare of Mississippi Inc., Molina Healthcare of Nevada Inc., Molina Healthcare of New Mexico Inc., Molina Healthcare of New York Inc., Molina Healthcare of North Carolina Inc., Molina Healthcare of Ohio Inc., Molina Healthcare of Oklahoma Inc., Molina Healthcare of Pennsylvania Inc., Molina Healthcare of Puerto Rico Inc., Molina Healthcare of South Carolina LLC, Molina Healthcare of Texas Inc., Molina Healthcare of Texas Insurance Company, Molina Healthcare of Utah Inc., Molina Healthcare of Virginia Inc., Molina Healthcare of Washington Inc., Molina Healthcare of Wisconsin Inc., Molina Holdings Corporation, Molina Hospital Management LLC, Molina Information Systems LLC dba Molina Medicaid Solutions, Molina Medical Management Inc., Molina Pathways LLC, Molina Pathways of Texas Inc., Molina Youth Academy, NextLevel Health Illinois, Pathways Community Corrections Inc., Pathways Community Services LLC, Pathways Community Support of Texas Inc., Pathways Health and Community Support LLC, Pathways Human Services LLC., Pathways of Arizona Inc., Pathways of Delaware Inc., Pathways of Idaho LLC, Pathways of Maine Inc., Pathways of Massachusetts LLC, Pathways of Oklahoma Inc., Pathways of Washington Inc., Providence Community Services, Providence Human Services, Raystown Developmental Services Inc., The Game of Work LLC, The RedCo Group Inc., Total Care Medicaid plan, Transitional Family Services Inc., Unisys -Health Information Management, and YourCare Health Plan. The following companies are subsidiares of Fluor: 202 Maintenance Services LLC, 3Angle B.V., 3Angle EPCM V.O.F., 684033 N.B. Ltd., AAR 2007 Limited, ADP Marshall Contractors Inc., ADP/FD of Nevada Inc., AG&P Fluor Joint Venture Company Inc., AJS V.O.F., AMECO COLOMBIA S.A.S., AMECO Caribbean Inc., AMECO Holdings Inc., AMECO PANAMA S.A., AMECO Peru S.R. L., AMECO Project Services Inc., AMECO Services Inc., ATCO Fluor Support Solutions Ltd., Acqyre B.V., Agensi Pekerjaan TRS Malaysia SDN. BHD., Ameco Chile S.A., Ameco Equipment Services Inc., Ameco Inc., Ameco Mexico Administracion y Servicios S. de R.L. de C.V., Ameco Pty. Ltd., Ameco Services S. de R.L. de C.V., Ameco Services S. de R.L. de C.V., American Bridge/Fluor Enterprises Inc. A Joint Venture, American Construction Equipment Company Inc., American Equipment Company Inc., Arbeitsgemeinschaft BAB A S Ausbau Augsburg - Munchen, Asset Management Solutions S.A.S., B.C. Mining Joint Venture, Bellefonte Construction Services LLC, Bouwcombinatie Sluizen 4-5-6 V.O.F., Brady-Fluor LLC, CEJV Ingenieria y Construccion Limitada, CGF Projects Ghana Limited, COOEC-Fluor Heavy Industries Co. Ltd., CSP EG S.L., Canadian National Energy Alliance Ltd., Cascadia Monorail Company LLC, Cavendish Fluor Partnership Limited, Cibolo Creek Infrastructure Joint Venture, Colorado River Constructors JV, Compania Minera San Jose Del Peru S.A., ConOps Construction Ltd., Connect 202 Partners LLC, Consorcio Generation P135 MASA-VEPICA, Consorcio Grupo Stork, Consorcio KGM JV, Consorcio MASARTEC POWER JV, Consorcio Stork Y Masa JV, Consorcio Turnaround Alliance JV, Consorsio MSC JV, Consorsio Stork-TMI, Contingent Mission Sustainment Inc., Cooperheat Franchising B.V., Cooperheat GmbH, Cooperheat Saudi Arabia Company Limited, Corrosion Inspection & Integrity Services Sdn. Bhd., Crown Energy, D/FD Operating Services LLC, DAX Industries Inc., DSC Maintenance V.O.F., Daniel International Corporation, Dean / Fluor LLC, Del-Jen Inc., Denver Transit Constructors LLC, Denver Transit Holdings LLC, Denver Transit Operators LLC, Denver Transit Partners LLC, Denver Transit Systems LLC, Desarrolladora De Etileno S. de R.L. de C.V., Dominican Republic Combined Cycle LLC, Duke Fluor Daniel, Duke/Fluor Daniel, Duke/Fluor Daniel Caribbean S.E., Duke/Fluor Daniel International, Duke/Fluor Daniel International Services, Duke/Fluor Daniel International Services (Trinidad) Limited, Duke/Fluor Daniel LLC, EQIN B.V., EQIN Industrial B.V., EQIN N.V., ESSI LLC, Efdee Connecticut Architects Inc., Efdee Engineering Professional Corporation, Efdee Mississippi Architects A Professional Corporation, Efdee New York Engineers & Architects P.C., Elgin RBG (Pty) Limited, Empresa Constructora Fluor Salfa SGO Limitada, Encee Architecture Services P.C., Energy Resourcing Limited, Etileno XXI Contractors SAPI, Etileno XXI Services B.V., Europea de Ingenieria y Asesoramiento, Evergreen Equipment and Personnel Leasing Inc., FBT Services Inc., FCI/Fluor/Parsons a Joint Venture, FD Architects & Engineers Corporation, FDEE Consulting Inc., FDH JV, FDH JV KNPC AZRP/ZOR, FDHM Inc., FHdB LLC, FIID LLC, FLAG Joint Venture, FLUOR M Ltd., FM Operating Services LLC, FMC Holding Company LLC, FPMM XXK (FPMM LLC), FWPJV Limited, Federal Maintenance Logistics Solutions LLC, Fluor (China) Engineering and Construction Co. Ltd., Fluor (Nigeria) Limited, Fluor A&E Services Inc., Fluor A27/A1 B.V., Fluor AMEC II LLC, Fluor Aker Solutions Indonesia JV, Fluor Alaska Inc., Fluor Americas Inc., Fluor Arabia Limited, Fluor Argentina Inc., Fluor Argentina Inc. Sucursal Argentina, Fluor Australia Pty Ltd., Fluor B.V., Fluor BC Ltd., Fluor BNA GP Inc., Fluor BNA Holdco Inc., Fluor BNA O&M GP Inc., Fluor BNA O&M USA LLC, Fluor Boke Inc., Fluor Brasil Ltda., Fluor Brasil Servicos de Engenharia Ltda, Fluor Canada Ltd., Fluor Caspian Services Limited, Fluor Cebu Inc., Fluor Central Asia LLP, Fluor Chile Inc., Fluor Chile Ingenieria y Construccion S.A., Fluor Colombia Limited, Fluor ConOps Limited, Fluor Construction Services Pty Ltd., Fluor Constructors Canada Ltd., Fluor Constructors International. Inc., Fluor Consultants B.V., Fluor Craft Services Inc., Fluor Daniel (Japan) Inc., Fluor Daniel (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Fluor Daniel Asia Inc., Fluor Daniel Brasil Ltda., Fluor Daniel Caribbean Inc., Fluor Daniel China Inc., Fluor Daniel China Services Inc., Fluor Daniel Coal Services International Inc., Fluor Daniel Construction Company, Fluor Daniel Development Corporation, Fluor Daniel E&C LLC, Fluor Daniel Eastern Inc., Fluor Daniel Engineering Inc., Fluor Daniel Engineers & Constructors Inc., Fluor Daniel Engineers & Constructors Ltd., Fluor Daniel Engineers & Consultants Ltd., Fluor Daniel Engineers SA (PTY) Limited, Fluor Daniel Espana S.A., Fluor Daniel Eurasia Inc., Fluor Daniel Global Limited, Fluor Daniel Global Services Limited, Fluor Daniel Holdings Canada Inc., Fluor Daniel Holdings Inc., Fluor Daniel Illinois Inc., Fluor Daniel Inc. Philippines, Fluor Daniel India Inc., Fluor Daniel India Private Limited, Fluor Daniel International (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Fluor Daniel International Services Inc., Fluor Daniel Latin America Inc., Fluor Daniel Maintenance Services Inc., Fluor Daniel Mexico S.A., Fluor Daniel Mining & Metals Ltd., Fluor Daniel Modesto Inc., Fluor Daniel Nigeria Limited, Fluor Daniel Overseas Inc., Fluor Daniel P.R.C. Ltd., Fluor Daniel Pacific Inc., Fluor Daniel Pulp & Paper Inc., Fluor Daniel Services Corporation, Fluor Daniel South America Limited, Fluor Daniel Technical Services Inc., Fluor Daniel Venture Group Inc., Fluor Daniel a Professional Architectural Corporation, Fluor Daniel-AMEC Philippines Inc., Fluor Daniels Holdings (Botswana) (Pty) Limited, Fluor Driver Inc., Fluor Energy Technology Services LLC, Fluor Engenharia e Projetos S.A., Fluor Engineering Corporation, Fluor Engineering N.V., Fluor Engineering Solutions Ltd., Fluor Enterprises Group Inc., Fluor Enterprises Inc., Fluor Europe B.V.IIIIIX, Fluor Facility & Plant Services Inc., Fluor Federal Global Projects Inc., Fluor Federal Inc., Fluor Federal Petroleum Operations LLC, Fluor Federal Services Inc., Fluor Federal Services LLC, Fluor Federal Services NWS Inc., Fluor Fernald Inc., Fluor Finance International B.V./S.a.r.l., Fluor Finance U.S. Inc., Fluor Flatiron Balfour Beatty Dragados DBJV, Fluor Global Plant Services (Proprietary) Ltd., Fluor Global Services Australia Pty Ltd., Fluor GmbH, Fluor Government Group International Inc., Fluor Government Group Canada Inc., Fluor Guinea Inc., Fluor HDR Global Design Consultants LLC, Fluor Hanford Inc., Fluor Heavy Civil LLC, Fluor Holding Company LLC, Fluor Idaho LLC, Fluor Industrial Construction Corp., Fluor Industrial Services Canada Inc., Fluor Industrial Services Inc., Fluor Industrial Services Limited, Fluor Infrastructure B.V., Fluor Intercontinental Arabian Peninsula LLC, Fluor Intercontinental Germany GmbH, Fluor Intercontinental Inc., Fluor Intercontinental Solutions LLC, Fluor International C.V., Fluor International Holdings B.V., Fluor International Inc., Fluor International Limited, Fluor International Nigeria Limited, Fluor Investments LLC, Fluor Ireland Limited, Fluor Island ehf., Fluor Kazakhstan Inc., Fluor Kazakhstan LLC, Fluor Kuwait KSC, Fluor Limited, Fluor Maintenance Services Inc., Fluor Management Company L.P., Fluor Management and Technical Services Inc., Fluor Marine Propulsion LLC, Fluor Mediterranean Inc., Fluor Middle East LLC, Fluor Mideast Limited, Fluor Mining and Metals France Inc., Fluor Mocambique Limitada, Fluor NE Inc., Fluor Ocean Services Limited, Fluor Pension Trustee Limited, Fluor Plant Engineering S.A., Fluor Power Services Pty Ltd., Fluor Project Services B.V., Fluor Projects Limited, Fluor Rail Services Pty Ltd., Fluor S.A., Fluor S.A. (Pty) Limited, Fluor SPN Inc., Fluor Services B.V., Fluor Services LLC, Fluor South Africa (Pty) Limited, Fluor Spain Holding S.L., Fluor Supply Chain Solutions B.V., Fluor Supply Chain Solutions LLC, Fluor Supply Chain Solutions Singapore Pte. Ltd., Fluor Techint SRL Construccion y Servicios Limitada, Fluor Technologies Corporation, Fluor Texas Inc., Fluor Transworld Services Inc., Fluor US Services Inc., Fluor Uganda Engineering and Construction Limited, Fluor Virginia Inc., Fluor WEP Holdings Inc., Fluor WorleyParsons Arctic Solutions, Fluor environmental Resources Management Services Inc., Fluor-B&W Oak Ridge LLC, Fluor-BWXT Portsmouth LLC, Fluor-Brady LLC, Fluor-CDM Space Services LLC, Fluor-Habboush International Limited, Fluor-Igoda Projects (Proprietary) Limited, Fluor-Lane 95 LLC, Fluor-Lane LLC, Fluor-Lane South Carolina LLC, Fluor-SKM Iron Ore Joint Venture, Fluor/Technip Integrated JV, Fluor/Westinghouse Liquid Waste Services LLC, FluorAMEC LLC, Fru-Con/Fluor Daniel Joint Venture, GLT-Plus V.O.F., GLX Constructors an unincorporated joint venture, Genesys Telecommunications Holdings Limited, Genesys Telecommunications Limited, Giovenco Industrial Services Pty Ltd., Giovenco Industries (AUST) Pty Limited, Giovenco Industries (AUST) Trust, Giovenco/Insulations International JV Pty Ltd., Giovenco/Insulations International JV Unit Trust, Gladstone Pressure Welders Pty Ltd., Global Project Execution Inc., Goar Allison & Associates, Goar Allison & Associates LLCndo-Mauritian Affiliates Limitednfrastructure Civil Equipment LLC, Greenville Technical Services Inc., Grupo Alvica SCS, Grupo Empresarial Alvica S.A., ICA Fluor Daniel S. de R.L. de C.V., ICA Fluor Operaciones S.A. de C.V., ICA Fluor Operaciones S.A. de C.V., ICA Fluor Petroquimica S.A. de C.V., ICA Fluor Servicios Gerenciales S.A. de C.V., ICA Fluor Servicios Gerenciales S.A. de C.V., ICA Fluor Servicios Operativos S.A. de C.V., ICA Stork S. de C.V., ICA Stork S. de R.L. de C.V., IF Proyectos S.A., IFD Servicios de Ingenieria S.A. de C.V., IT Development Centre B.V., IXAS Gaasperdammerweg B.V., IXAS Zuid-Oost B.V., Industrial Del Hierro S.A. de C.V., Industrial Services France SAS, Industrial Services SF Peru S.A.C., Industrial Services SR Peru S.A.C., Infra Combinatie Zuid-West, Infraspeed Holdings B.V., Ingenieria y Construccion Fluor Daniel Chile Limitada, Iraq Construction Ltd., Iraq Water General Contracting Company L.L.C., Istimewa Electrotechniek B.V., J Crowder Corporation, J. Crowder Corp., J.A. Jones International, JGC Fluor BC Joint Venture, JGC Fluor Kitimat LNG Project JV, JGC Fluor Mocambique Lda, JGC/FEI Joint Venture, JGC/Fluor JV, KDPC Limited, KMK-DJI JV, KPJV Limited, Karratha Engineering Services Pty Ltd., Kazakh Projects Joint Venture Limited, KazakhNefteGasServis LLP, Koninklijke Machinefabriek Stork B.V., Lone Star Infrastructure Joint Venture, Lone Star Infrastructure LLC, Louisiana Operations and Maintenance Services LLC, M&W/Marshall a Joint Venture, MGJV Pty Ltd., Maquinaria Ameco Guatemala Limitada, Mecanicos Asociados S.A.S., Mid-America Conversion Services LLC, Middle East Fluor, Mineral Resource Development Corporation, Mongolian National Facility Services (MNFS) LLC, Mourik Istimewa Combinatie V.O.F., NWKC LLC, Najmat Al-Sabah for General Services Limited Liability Company, NuScale Holdings Corp., NuScale Power LLC, Oregon Bridge Delivery Partners Joint Venture, P.T. Fluor Daniel Indonesia, P.T. MITRA BERSAMA ENGINEERING, P.T. Nusantara Power Services, PFD (UK) Limited, PFD International LLC, PRI/DJI A Reconstruction JV, PT Signet Indonesia, PT Singgar Mulia, PT. MITRA BERSAMA ENGINEERING, Pacific Defense Constructors LLC, Palmetto Seed Capital Ltd. Partnership, Parkway Infrastructure Constructors, Pegasus Link Constructors, Pegasus Link Constructors LLC, Phoenix Constructors Joint Venture, Pipeline Maintenance Alliance JV, Plant Engineering Services LLC, Plant Performance Services, Plant Performance Services Caribbean Limited, Plant Performance Services International LLC, Plant Performance Services International Ltd., Poort van Den Bosch B.V., Poort van Den Bosch V.O.F., Prairie Link Constructors JV, Prairie Link Constructors LLC, Pro-V/ConOps JV, Provo River Constructors, Purple Line Transit Constructors LLC, Purple Line Transit Operations LLC, Purple Line Transit Partners LLC, Qatar National Facility Services, RBG Kazakhstan LLP, Rash Inversiones 2007 S.L., Rock Island Integrated Services, S-M V.O.F., SDT Maintenance Management Group Limited, SFS 007.298.633 Pty Limited, SSLP/FCCL JV, Sacyr Fluor Bolivia S.R.L., Sacyr Fluor Colombia S.A.S., Sacyr Fluor Participaciones S.L., Sacyr Fluor S.A., Saddleback Constructors, Sakhalin Neftegas Technology, Savannah River Nuclear Solutions LLC, Servicios Cuyuni E.T.T. C.A., Servicios Mineria Inc., Servicios de Construccion del Pacifico Inc., Servitrade Servicos Investimento y Trading Limitada, Servitrade Servicos Investimentos y Trading Limitada, Signet Engineering Pty Ltd., Signet Holdings Pty Ltd., Soli-Flo Inc., Soli-Flo LLC, Soli-Flo Material Transfer L.P., Soli-Flo Partners L.P., Soli0Flo Partners L.P., Springfield Resource Recovery Inc., Springfield Resource Recovery Limited Partnership, St. Joe Participacoes, St. Joe Participacoes Ltda, Stork Asset Management Consultancy B.V., Stork B.V., Stork Caspian LLC, Stork Colombia S.A.S., Stork Elecon Ltd, Stork Gear & Services Asia Pte. Ltd., Stork Gear & Services B.V., Stork German Holding GmbH, Stork Getriebe & Services GmbH, Stork H&E Turbo Blading Inc., Stork Holding, Stork Holding B.V., Stork Integrated Solutions B.V., Stork Intellectual Property B.V., Stork International B.V., Stork International Limited, Stork Mechanical Works and Maintenance Co. K.S.C.C., Stork Nederland B.V., Stork Oryx Turbo Machinery Services LLC, Stork Peru S.A.C., Stork Peru S.A.S., Stork Plastic Machinery B.V., Stork Power Services & Technology Beijing Limited, Stork Power Services B.V., Stork Power Services OOO, Stork Power Services USA Holding Inc., Stork TS Holdings Limited, Stork TS UK Limited, Stork Technical Services (Holdings) Limited, Stork Technical Services (RBG) Limited, Stork Technical Services (STS) Ltd., Stork Technical Services Australia Pty Ltd., Stork Technical Services Beheer B.V., Stork Technical Services Belgium N.V., Stork Technical Services GmbH, Stork Technical Services Group B.V., Stork Technical Services HOLDCO B.V., Stork Technical Services Holding Australia Pty Ltd., Stork Technical Services Holding B.V., Stork Technical Services International Limited, Stork Technical Services International South Africa, Stork Technical Services Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., Stork Technical Services New Zealand Limited, Stork Technical Services Norway AS, Stork Technical Services Sadaf LLC, Stork Technical Services Saudi Arabia Co., Stork Technical Services Trinidad and Tobago Ltd, Stork Technical Services UK Limited, Stork Technical Services USA Inc., Stork Thermeq B.V., Stork Turbo Blading B.V., Stork Turbo Service B.V., Strategic Organizational Systems Enterprises Inc., Strategic Organizational Systems Environmental Engineering Division Inc., Support Services International LLC, Supreme Modular Fabrication Inc., TDF Inc., TRS Consultants JLT, TRS Craft Services Inc., TRS Far East Sdn. Bhd., TRS International Group S. de R.L. de C.V., TRS International Payroll Co., TRS Labour Hire Solutions Pty. Ltd., TRS SA Holdings Company (Pty) Ltd., TRS Search and Selection (Pty) Ltd., TRS Staffing Solutions (Australia) Pty Ltd., TRS Staffing Solutions (Canada) Inc., TRS Staffing Solutions (Pty) Ltd., TRS Staffing Solutions B.V., TRS Staffing Solutions Inc., TRS Staffing Solutions India Private Limited, TRS Staffing Solutions Limited, TRS Staffing Solutions Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., TRS Staffing Solutions Mozambique Limitada, TRS Staffing Solutions S. de R.L. de C.V., TRS Staffing Solutions SA (Pty) Ltd., Tappan Zee Constructors LLC, Technical Resource Solutions S.L., Technip-Fluor JV, Thermoprozess Cooperheat GmbH, Trans Florida Express LLCenezco Inc., Trans-Africa Projects (Pty) Ltd., Trans-Africa Projects Ltd., UNEC Engineering, United Rentals Industrial Services LLC, WODECO Nigeria Limited, Walsh-Fluor Design-Build Team, Wescon (B) Sdn. Bhd., Wescon International B.V., Williams Brothers Engineering Company, Williams Brothers Engineering Limited, Williams Brothers Process Services Inc., Wilmore/Fluor Modesto LLC, Windsor Essex Mobility Group GP, WorleyParsons Arabia Limited Fluor Arabia Limited Joint Venture, Wright Engineers (Chile) Limitada, Wright Engineers Limitada Peru, and ZuidPlus V.O.F.. Hannover RAck SE, together with its subsidiaries, provides reinsurance products and services worldwide. It operates through Property & Casualty Reinsurance, and Life & Health Reinsurance segments. The Property & Casualty Reinsurance segment offers specialty lines comprising marine, aviation, facultative and direct business, credit, surety, and political risks reinsurance products; and treaty, catastrophe XL, and structured reinsurance, as well as insurance-linked securities. This segment also provides risk solutions for agricultural, livestock, and bloodstock businesses; aviation and space business; and marine and offshore energy business. The Life & Health Reinsurance segment offers group and individual credit life, enhanced annuities, group life and health, and Sharia-compliant Takaful reinsurance products. This segment also provides risk solutions in the areas of critical illness, disability, health, longevity, long term care, and mortality and morbidity, as well as underwriting services. In addition, it offers various financial solutions, including new-business financing; monetization of embedded value; reserve and solvency relief; and divestiture of non-core businesses. The company was formerly known as Hannover RAckversicherung AG and changed its name to Hannover RAck SE in March 2013. The company was founded in 1966 and is headquartered in Hanover, Germany. Hannover RAck SE is a subsidiary of Talanx AG. Read More Infineon Technologies AG designs, develops, manufactures, and markets semiconductors and related system solutions worldwide. Its Automotive segment offers automotive microcontrollers; 3D ToF, magnetic, and pressure sensors; discrete power semiconductors; IGBT modules; industrial microcontrollers; power and radar sensor integrated circuits (ICs); transceivers; silicon carbide diodes, MOSEFTs, and modules; and voltage regulators for use in assistance and safety systems, comfort electronics, infotainment, powertrain, and security products. The company's Industrial Power Control segment provides bare dies, discrete IGBTs, driver ICs, SIC diodes, and IGBT modules and stacks for home appliances, industrial drives, industrial power supplies, industrial robotics, industrial vehicles, and traction, as well as for energy generation, storage, and transmission. Its Power & Sensor Systems segment offers gas sensors, MEMS microphones, and pressure sensors chips; discrete low-voltage, mid-voltage, and high-voltage power MOSFETs; control ICs; customized chips; GaN power switches; GPS low-noise amplifiers; low-voltage and high-voltage driver ICs; radar sensor ICs; RF antenna switches and power transistors; transient voltage suppressor diodes; and USB controllers for use in audio amplifiers, automotive electronics, BLDC motors, cellular communications infrastructure, electric vehicle charging stations, human machine interaction, high-reliability components, Internet of Things, LED and conventional lighting systems, mobile devices, and power management applications. The company's Connected Secure Systems segment provides connectivity solutions, embedded security controllers, microcontrollers, and security controllers for authentication, automotive, consumer electronics, government identification document, Internet of Things, mobile communication, payment system, ticketing, access control, and trusted computing applications. Infineon Technologies AG is headquartered in Munich, Germany. Read More DowDuPont Inc., through its subsidiaries, engages in agriculture, materials science, and specialty products businesses in the United States, Canada, the Asia Pacific, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. The company's Agriculture segment produces, and sells hybrid corn seed and soybean seed varieties; sunflowers, wheat, alfalfa, canola, cotton, rice, and sorghum; silage inoculants; and crop protection products that include weed control, disease control, and insect control. Its Performance Materials & Coatings segment manufactures and sells architectural paints and coatings, and industrial coatings; performance monomers and silicones; standalone silicones; and home and personal care solutions. The company's Industrial Intermediates & Infrastructure segment offers ethylene oxides, propylene oxide derivatives, cellulose ethers, redispersible latex powders, and acrylic emulsions; sustainable solutions; and chlorine and caustic soda. Its Packaging & Specialty Plastics segment provides ethylene, and propylene and aromatic products; and polyolefin elastomers and ethylene propylene diene monomer rubbers. The company's Electronics & Imaging segment offers materials and systems for mobile devices, television monitors, personal computers, and electronics. Its Nutrition & Biosciences segment provides specialty ingredients, as well as cellulosic- and alginates-based pharma excipients; and enzymes, biomaterials, biocides, and antimicrobial solutions and process technologies. The company's Transportation & Advanced Polymers segment offers engineering resins, adhesives, lubricants, and parts for transportation, electronics, healthcare, industrial, and consumer end-markets. Its Safety & Construction segment provides engineered products and integrated systems for construction, worker safety, energy, oil and gas, transportation, medical device, and water purification and separation industries. The company was founded in 1897 and is headquartered in Midland, Michigan. Read More Shanghai (Gasgoo)- GAC Toyota, one of Toyotas major joint ventures in China, is ready to plow RMB 11.329 billion (around $1.644 billion) into a program for new energy vehicle (NEV) capacity expansion, according to an announcement released on May 6 by GAC Group. The Group said the board of directors has agreed the program in which GAC Toyota will increase a total of NEV capacity by 400,000 units per year. The program is scheduled to be completed in 2022. Shareholders will inject $547.99 million into the program, among which $273.995 million should be offered by GAC Group based on its 50% equity in the joint venture. (Photo source: official website of GAC Toyota) Overall vehicle capacity of GAC Toyota will be enlarged by virtue of the fresh program. In the meantime, the automaker is to introduce more new models on the basis of its medium- to long-term development planning to meet market demands and the requirement of Chinas Dual Credit Policy for NEVs. GAC Toyota achieved a significant year-on-year growth in Q1 sales with 161,824 new cars sold in total. Of that, the sales of the eighth-generation Camry, the Levin family and the Highlander represented double-digit growth of 21%, 50% and 13% respectively. The fast-climbing sales volume made the capacity increase urgently necessary. According to local media outlets, GAC Toyota currently has three assembly lines with a total capacity of 480,000 vehicles on an annual basistwo lines built earlier possess a capacity of 380,000 units/per, while the third one only has 100,000-unit yearly capacity due to a relatively late starting time despite its compatibility for TNGA-based models. Obviously, the current capacity still lags behind the 550,000-unit sales target the joint venture set for 2019. Both two parent companies are reinforcing their onslaught in Chinas NEV industry. GAC Group aims to raise its NEV sales percentage to 10% by 2020. Toyota also plans to roll out at least 10 BEV models before 2025 with the first model targeting Chinas market to be launched in 2020, much earlier than other countries. The following companies are subsidiares of Teledyne Technologies: Alia Corporation Inc, Bolt Technology Corp, Bowtech Products, CARIS, CDL do Brasil Equipamentos e Servicos Submarinos Sociedade Empresaria Ltda., CETAC Technologies, DALSA, Demo Systems, Detcon Holdco Inc., Ensambles de Precision S.A. de C.V., Falcon Analytical, Frontline Test Equipment, GMI Group Holdings Limited, Hafmynd ehf, Hanson Research Corp, IST Oldham Instruments India Private Limited, Industrial Control Machines, Intelek, Intelek Limited, Intelek Pension Trustees Limited, Intelek Properties Limited, LeCroy (Beijing) Trading Co. Ltd., LeCroy Corporation, Lidar Aviation Services Inc., Maple Imaging LLC, Micralyne Inc, Ocean Design Ltda., Oldham Instrument (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Oldham Simtronics SAS, Oldham-Winter GmbH, PDM Neptec, Reynolds Industries Limited, Rhombi Canada LP, Rhombi Holdings Limited, Rhombi Netherlands B.V., Rockwell Scientific Company, Simtronics AS, TDY Jersey Limited, Teledyne Advanced Pollution Instrumentation, Teledyne Australia Pty Ltd, Teledyne BlueView, Teledyne Bogatin Enterprises LLC, Teledyne Bowtech Limited, Teledyne Brown Engineering Inc., Teledyne C.M.L. Group Limited, Teledyne CARIS B.V., Teledyne CARIS Inc., Teledyne CARIS UK Ltd., Teledyne CARIS USA Inc., Teledyne CDL Inc., Teledyne CDL Limited, Teledyne Catalyst Enterprises Inc., Teledyne Computer Access Technology Corporation, Teledyne Controls LLC, Teledyne Cougar, Teledyne Czech s.r.o., Teledyne DALSA (Shanghai) Trading Co. Ltd., Teledyne DALSA Asia-Pacific Ltd., Teledyne DALSA B.V., Teledyne DALSA GmbH, Teledyne DALSA Inc., Teledyne DALSA Industrial Products Inc., Teledyne DALSA K.K., Teledyne DALSA Semiconductor Inc., Teledyne Dalsa, Teledyne Defense Electronics LLC, Teledyne Denmark A/S, Teledyne Detcon Inc., Teledyne Digital Imaging Inc., Teledyne Digital Imaging US Inc., Teledyne Energy Systems Inc., Teledyne Europe Holdings C.V., Teledyne France, Teledyne France SAS, Teledyne Gas Measurement Instruments Limited, Teledyne Gavia ehf., Teledyne Germany GmbH, Teledyne Hanson Research Inc., Teledyne ICM SA, Teledyne ICM SPRL, Teledyne Innovaciones Microelectronics S.L.U., Teledyne Instruments Inc., Teledyne Instruments Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., Teledyne Japan Corporation, Teledyne Korea Ltd., Teledyne Labtech Limited, Teledyne LeCroy AB, Teledyne LeCroy Delaware LLC, Teledyne LeCroy GmbH, Teledyne LeCroy Inc., Teledyne LeCroy India Trading Private Ltd., Teledyne LeCroy Japan Corporation, Teledyne LeCroy Korea Ltd., Teledyne LeCroy OakGate Inc., Teledyne LeCroy S.A.R.L., Teledyne LeCroy S.R.L., Teledyne LeCroy SA, Teledyne LeCroy Singapore Pte. Ltd., Teledyne Limited, Teledyne Micralyne Inc., Teledyne Monitor Labs, Teledyne Monitor Labs P.R. Inc., Teledyne Netherlands B.V., Teledyne ODI, Teledyne Optech Inc., Teledyne Paradise Datacom Limited, Teledyne RD Instruments, Teledyne RD Technologies (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Teledyne RESON, Teledyne RESON A/S, Teledyne RESON B.V., Teledyne RESON GmbH, Teledyne RESON Holding B.V., Teledyne RESON Inc., Teledyne RESON Pte. Ltd., Teledyne RESON UK Limited, Teledyne RISI Inc., Teledyne Rad-icon Imaging Corp., Teledyne Redlake MASD LLC, Teledyne Reynolds Inc., Teledyne SG Brown Limited, Teledyne Scientific & Imaging LLC, Teledyne Scientific Imaging GmbH, Teledyne Scientific Imaging Limited, Teledyne Signal Processing Devices Sweden AB, Teledyne Singapore Private Limited, Teledyne TSS Limited, Teledyne Taiwan Company, Teledyne Technologies (Bermuda) Limited, Teledyne Technologies (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Teledyne Technologies International Corp., Teledyne Technologies Israel Ltd., Teledyne Tekmar Company, Teledyne UK Limited, Teledyne VariSystems, Teledyne VariSystems Inc., Teledyne Wireless LLC, Teledyne e2v, Teledyne e2v (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Teledyne e2v (Overseas) Holdings Limited, Teledyne e2v Asia Pacific Limited, Teledyne e2v Limited, Teledyne e2v Semiconductors SAS, and The Oceanscience Group Ltd.. Virginias oldest track race for children offers categories to suit any family, starting with a 7:45 a.m. Toddler Scramble for ages 3 and 4, followed by quarter-mile dashes in sequence for ages 5 and 6, half-mile dashes for ages 7 and 8, and 1-mile dashes for ages 9 and 10 and then for ages 11 and 12. Other events include a race for siblings, a variety of parent-child relays and the Discovery Cup Relay for school teams. Pre-registration is required, and signups will not be available on race day; fees vary. vadm.org ; (434) 977-1025, Ext. 102. The 16th annual opportunity to celebrate the areas cultural and linguistic diversity is filled with music, dance, storytelling and, of course, international foods. Author Khzir Khan will provide a welcome. There will be hands-on crafts activities, cultural exhibits and lots of vendors. New this year is an oral history studio, provided by WTJU-FM and WCVE News, to capture families stories. Listen for music by Mexilachian Son, a multimedia project in which Lua Project artists Estela Diaz Knott and David Berzonsky have documented the experiences of immigrants who settled in Virginia. (These pieces also will be performed from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday at McGuffey Art Center.) The festival is presented by the Thomas Jefferson Adult & Career Program at Piedmont Virginia Community College. Free. Festivalofcultures.org. If we could only find a direct route to the spice islands, men sighed. Columbus took up the search on behalf of Spain in 1492, but failed. In the early 1400s, the magnificent and powerful city-state of Venice ruled the Mediterranean trade. Much of her wealth came from agreements made with Arab traders to control the spice trade. All of the fabulous spices of Asia flowing into Europe passed through Venice, as did the vast sums of gold and silver to pay for the spices. The Venetians grew rich, but the rest of Europe began to suffer the same balance of payment difficulties that had worried the Romans. Far to the west, in the tiny but newly independent kingdom of Portugal, one man decided to challenge the supremacy of Venice. Ultimately, his decision changed the whole course of human events. Prince Henry of Portugals plan was a simple one: to find the end of Africa, sail around it all the way to India, and buy the spices directly from the producers, cutting out the Venetians and the Arabs. It was a difficult task, similar to reaching the moon in this day and age. But Prince Henry was driven not only by his desire for spices, but his hatred of the Arabs and the hope of finding a fabled Christian empire in the East. Senior Statesmen of Virginia will host state Senator R. Creigh Deeds, Del. R. Steven Landes and Del. David Toscano reporting on issues addressed in the recently concluded Virginia Assembly session from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Wednesday at the Center at 491 Hillsdale Drive. (434) 974-7756. Thomas Jefferson Health District Charlottesville/Albemarle Health Department offers free testing for sexually transmitted infections from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month. Free Hepatitis A vaccines are available from 9 to 11 a.m. on the third Friday of each month. 1138 Rose Hill Drive. tjhd.org. (434) 972-6269. University of Virginia Facilities Management accepts registration from girls ages 10 through 16 for the annual Girls Day event on June 13. Details and registration are at www.fm.virginia.edu/girlsday/2019. Virginia Career Works holds a Job Fair with representatives from more than 15 local employers from 2 to 5 p.m. May 15 at Northside Library at 705 W. Rio Road. (434) 529-6828. The Womens Initiative offers free walk-in clinics providing one-on-one sessions with a counselor free of charge to women needing immediate short-term assistance, including tools for self-care, emotional support, assessment of needs and goals, referral services and resource connection. Clinics are offered from 10 a.m. to noon each Monday at the Westhaven Clinic; 9 a.m. to noon Tuesdays at Jefferson City School Center; and 2 to 5 p.m. Wednesdays, 5 to 7 p.m. Thursdays and 10 a.m. to noon Fridays at the Womens Initiative office. In case of a mental health emergency, reach crisis services 24/7 by calling Region Ten Emergency Services at (434) 972-1800 or calling 911. Details: thewomensinitiative.org or (434) 872-0047. Send news tips to news@dailyprogress.com, call (434) 978-7264, tweet us @DailyProgress or send us a Facebook message here. 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. [W]hat is not reflected is the day-to-day duties and responsibilities encumbered upon me as the Chief of Police for Charlottesville, she wrote. City spokesman Brian Wheeler estimated that a separate request for emails between Brackney or her secretary and the City Council or CRB members and emails between CRB members and councilors would cost $3,000 to fulfill. The city said it would require a $700 deposit to begin compiling the information. When asked to explain the charges, Wheeler said the city is not required to do so under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act. State law allows localities to make reasonable charges not to exceed its actual cost incurred in accessing, duplicating, supplying, or searching for the requested records. The government is not required to provide a breakdown of the costs. However, Megan Rhyne, executive director of the Virginia Coalition for Open Government, said that although the law doesnt require a cost breakdown, providing one often has been a normal part of the process. ORANGE Sentencing in a nearly 2-year-old shooting case in Locust Grove was delayed for the second time Monday due to the unavailability of a defense witness and the defenses judge preference. Alonte Pernell, 25, pleaded guilty in December, per an agreement with the prosecution, to unlawful wounding and unlawfully shooting another person in the commission, or attempt, of a felony in the June 14, 2017, incident in the Somerset Ridge housing development, located off Route 3 in eastern Orange County. The defendant originally was scheduled for sentencing in March, but the defense was granted a continuance in the absence of Circuit Judge Dale Durrer, who presided over the plea deal and who defense attorney Eugene Frost felt was most familiar with the complicated case. At Mondays rescheduled hearing, retired Judge Daniel Bouton was on the bench for the repeat request for a continuance. This time, Frost requested the delay due to the unavailability on Monday of a defense witness from the Virginia Criminal Sentencing Commission. He said sentencing guidelines in the case call for a new computation and the witness was needed to speak on that. Representatives of Gov. Justice could not immediately be reached for comment Tuesday. David G. Zatezalo, the assistant secretary of labor for the Mine Safety and Health Administration, said his office is working with the Department of Justice "to hold mine operators responsible for the penalties they owe. He said the that under the Mine Act, federal inspectors issue citations for safety and health violations, which carry fines. "Failure to pay penalties is unfair to miners who deserve safe workplaces, and to mine operators who play by the rules," Zatezalo said. According to court documents filed Tuesday, between May 3, 2014, and May 3, 2019, the MSHA collectively issued at least 2,297 citations to the mine operators in question for violations of the Mine Health and Safety Act and assessed civil penalties for each violation. The U.S. attorney's office said that the defendants failed to pay the penalties or even notify MSHA that it contested the assessed civil penalties. Local Democratic committees are hosting candidate forums this week ahead of the June 11 primary. At 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, the Albemarle County Democratic Party and the Charlottesville Democratic Committee are hosting the 57th District House of Delegates candidates, University of Virginia professor Sally Hudson and Charlottesville City Councilor Kathy Galvin, for a forum at the Haven. No Republican or independent candidates have announced intentions to run for the seat. On Saturday, the Rivanna District Committee of the Albemarle County Democratic Party is hosting a candidate forum at 1:30 p.m. for those seeking the partys nominations for the 17th District state Senate seat, the 57th House seat and the Rivanna District seat on the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors. Saturdays forum is being held at Northside Library. The heart of the plan is right-sizing the system: cutting back little-used long-distance routes, such as Chicago to San Francisco, which lost a combined $543 million in 2018, while adding more frequent service in growing regions such as the area between Atlanta and Charlotte, North Carolina. Fiercely protected by the members of Congress through whose districts they run, the long-distance routes should have been trimmed long ago; unfortunately, Amtrak will once again face a difficult fight to trim them now. Perhaps even more significant, though, may be objections from the nation's freight rail carriers, which own most of the tracks (outside the Northeast Corridor) over which Amtrak would have to run the passenger trains in its proposed more efficient, consumer-friendly system. Though legally bound to provide Amtrak preferential access to their track, freight companies have historically interpreted that mandate very narrowly, arguing that the passenger trains don't pay the true full cost of their track usage and interfere with the equally pressing needs of shipping and commerce. 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. Our right to privacy is one of the most pressing issues of the 21st century. With international digital security scandals and government surveillance in the headlines, now more than ever, people are asking questions about their rights and responsibilities as global citizens when it comes to privacy. Those questions will drive the conversation on May 30 when former American intelligence officer Edward Snowden speaks at Dalhousie University via livestream from Moscow, Russia. Snowden has become synonymous with the topic of global privacy since his revelations about top-secret U.S. surveillance activities led him to becoming one of the most infamous fugitives in the world. The Snowden event will be one of the marquee attractions during the inaugural Dalhousie Alumni Days (May 30-June 2), a new spring event coinciding with Convocation that invites alumni to campus for activities ranging from topical and engaging lectures to fun and inspiring celebrations. The event is also part of Dals new Open Dialogue series, which brings Dal experts and the community together for thought-provoking conversations focused on timely and relevant topics. Coming out of Dalhousies 200th anniversary, we want to use Alumni Days and the Open Dialogue series to continue the universitys important role in sparking debate and conversation around important and challenging issues, says Sheila Blair-Reid, assistant vice-president, alumni and external engagement. Edward Snowdens story is inspiring to some, and controversial to others, but theres no question the issues it raises privacy rights of global citizens, whistleblower policies, domestic surveillance affect all of us in the global 21st century. Event details: - Date/time: May 30, 2019 | 7:20 PM. Doors open 6:45 PM. - Location: McInnes Room, Dalhousie Student Union Building (overflow: Ondaatje Hall, McCain Building) - Tickets are free with contribution to For the Refugees: Online registration is required. The Snowden saga In 2013, Snowden, a former CIA and National Security Agency (NSA) computer programmer, leaked top-secret documents to the media that revealed the U.S. government had been conducting mass internet and telephone surveillance on its citizens. The secret court orders directed companies like Facebook and Google to circumvent online encryption protocols and release user information enabling the government to spy on the activities of Americans and U.S. allies such as the European Union. The global implications of the Snowden scandal ignited a firestorm of debate about the right to privacy in the digital age, and the civil rights of whistleblowers, and it made people question the surveillance acts of their own country. Though U.S. officials claimed the actions were justified under the rubric of combatting terrorism, Snowden has stated that, These [surveillance] programs were never about terrorism. Theyre about economic spying, social control and diplomatic manipulation. Theyre about power. Engaging the issues Professor Frank Harvey, Dean of the Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences, who will serve as moderator for the Snowden discussion, agrees. The threat of terrorism is greatly exaggerated relative to the very real threats that have a deep and profound impact on our safety, security and privacy. A political scientist and internationally recognized expert on security policy, and a former Fulbright Chair and NATO Research Fellow, Dr. Harvey is well versed on the topic. There are legitimate and pressing questions about the scope of government spending to combat exaggerated security threats and the corresponding emergence of a security industrial complex. The more troublesome feature of these trends is the apparent willingness of the public to relinquish their privacy, freedoms and civil liberties in exchange for a powerful surveillance state. People are more inclined to be worried about exaggerated and uncontrollable risks and threats that are unfamiliar, such as terrorism, and less inclined to care about threats that they perceive as more controllable despite their enormous risks to public safety. At the end of the day, Professor Harvey says, people dont always recognize the threat to privacy as having any impact on them in their day-to-day lives. The surveillance state has a tremendous impact, but it's not sufficiently worrisome to generate a serious backlash against that increase in control and state power, he says. Essentially, people have already become willing participants in allowing their privacy to be chipped away thanks to things like social media, and they have been convinced that further erosion of their privacy is the necessary cost of keeping them safe. But is it? Snowdens actions as seen in the Academy Award-winning documentary CitizenFour, as well as in a biopic directed by Oliver Stone have seen him labelled both a hero and traitor. And whether you find yourself squarely for or against what he did or somewhere in the middle the conversation is about more than just Snowden its about our right to privacy as global citizens. Dont miss an opportunity to add your voice to the conversation on May 30. The keynote address is sponsored in part by Ernst and Young LLP (EY Canada) and Atlantic Security Conference. An important part of the Snowden story is the people who helped hide him in Hong Kong when he fled the U.S. to avoid being charged with violations under the Espionage Act. Recently two of the seven people who helped him were granted refugee status in Canada. The Montreal-based non-profit For the Refugees is still working to bring the remaining five to Canada, and as a requirement of Snowden speaking at Dal, all proceeds from the event will go to that organization. The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. (Representational Image) Washington: The Donald Trump administration is proposing a hike in the H-1B visa application fee to increase funding for the expansion of an apprentice programme, which trains American youths in technology related activities, Labour Secretary Alexander Acosta told US lawmakers. Testifying before a Congressional committee on annual budget of the Department of Labour for the fiscal year 2020 beginning October 1, 2019, Acosta, however, did not give details of the proposed increase in H-1B visa filing fee and as to which categories of applicants it would be enforced on. But given past experience, the Indian IT companies, which account for a large number of H-1B applications, are likely to face the additional financial burden because of this proposed increase in H-1B filing fees. The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. The technology companies depend on it to hire tens of thousands of employees each year from countries like India and China Arguing that foreigners hurt American workers by competing for jobs and driving down wages, the Trump administration has tighten the noose around the H-1B visa programme. The Seattle Times on Monday reported that last year immigration officials denied nearly one out of every four requests for new visas for skilled foreign workers. In FY 2020, the Department's budget includes $160 million to continue our expansion of apprenticeship programmes, along with a proposal to increase H-1B fee revenues to fund additional apprenticeship activities, Acosta said in his testimony on May 2 before the Senate Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Labour, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies. Acosta told lawmakers that last year the Department of Labour had launched the first-ever sector-based apprenticeship grant funding opportunity to invest USD 150 million to expand apprenticeships in those in-demand industry sectors most often filled by individuals on H-1B visas, such as information technology, health care and advanced manufacturing. This grant funding opportunity introduced an innovative approach: a 35 percent private-sector match requirement. This brings the total investment to USD 202.5 million, USD 57.7 million coming from the private sector, he said. "As a result of this private sector match requirement, educators have a greater incentive to join with industry to ensure curricula address the needs of our ever-changing workplace, investing in the latest technologies and techniques, and providing more in-demand opportunities for Americans, Acosta said. On July 18 last year, the Department of Labour had announced USD 150 million in H-1B funds to support sector-based approaches to expanding apprenticeships on a national scale in key industry sectors. The focus is on industries reliant on H-1B visas. It aims at expanding apprenticeships and increase the level of apprenticeship activity among a range of new employers within these industries, particularly small- and medium-sized businesses. Acosta also told lawmakers that the Labour Department has also made changes to the H-1B application forms to ensure greater transparency and better protect American workers from employers seeking to misuse the programme. In fiscal 2018, the Department concluded 649 non-immigrant visa programme cases and found violations in 553 of those cases. In a news story, Breitbart News said that every year, more than 100,000 foreign workers are brought to the US on the H-1B visa and are allowed to stay for up to six years. There are about 650,000 H-1B visa foreign workers in the US at any given moment, it added. "Let's put our citizens first and protect US workers and wages. Hard-working and highly-skilled American men and women share their stories about H-1B visa fraud and abuse, Congressman Paul Gosar said. Mumbai: Voted as the sexiest man in Asia, it is no surprise that Tara, who essays the role of a student finds him the hottest teacher! Actress Tara Sutaria who is soon making her silver screen debut with Student Of The Year 2, alongside Tiger Shroff feels that Hrithik Roshan will make for a great and hot teacher, amongst all the names from the industry. In one of the interactions, the debutant actress said, "I think Hrithik Sir would be a great teacher, a hot teacher also!". Taking cues from the aforesaid, this makes the student couple - Tiger and Tara a big fan Hrithik. Hrithik Roshan who is hailed as the millennium superstar for the pan Indian appeal he holds, after the Khans is the constant favourite of all quarters of demographics across and alike- from a child for his superhero appeal to families for the projects that he has been a part of and delivered intense performances. Superstar Hrithik Roshan will be seen playing the character of a Maths teacher in his highly awaited film, 'Super 30' and the students of tinsel town are already swooned over by the actor. Superstar Hrithik Roshan has always surprised the audiences and critics with his versatile portrayal of varied roles in his movies, alike. Currently, the actor is shooting for another project with co-star Tiger Shroff. Hrithik Roshan who has earlier delivered stellar performances essaying varied characters across genres has yet again given the testimony of his versatility. The posters of the film added to the excitement of Super 30 as Hrithik Roshan posed with 30 kids who play his students, giving a peek of the look that the character carries. Releasing on 26th July 2019, Hrithik Roshan's upcoming next is one of the most awaited films of the year. On the other hand, Tara's debut film 'Student Of The Year 2' is slated to release on May 10. Mumbai: Salman Khan shared the behind the scenes of the Great Russian Circus from his upcoming movie, Bharat. The insights from the recreation of the magnificent 1960's circus through the director's eyes are a treat for all movie lovers and have successfully built around the anticipation amongst the audience. The video shares how Salman Khan was made a part of the great retro display. The actor welcomes us to relive sharing," Welcome to the Great Russian Circus, Re-live a Circus with Bharat! #MakingOfTheCircus - http://bit.ly/MakingOfTheCircus @Bharat_TheFilm @BeingSalmanKhan @aliabbaszafar @atulreellife @itsBhushanKumar #KatrinaKaif #Tabu @DishPatani @WhoSunilGrover @nikhilnamit @reellifeprodn @tseries " The humungous creation of sets and live like performance in the movie are something to look forward to in the film. Salman's portrayal of six different looks is just the right icing on the cake. One of the most anticipated films of the year, Bharat is all set to take the audience on a ride back in time the time on 24th April, 2019. The fans are now counting days before this grand movie releases its trailer. Including stellar performers like Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif, Disha Patani, Tabu, and Sunil Grover, the Ali Abbas Zafar directorial boasts of an ensemble cast promising power-packed performances. Directed by Ali Abbas Zafar, 'Bharat' is produced by Atul Agnihotri's Reel Life Production Pvt. Ltd and Bhushan Kumar's T-Series is releasing on Eid, 2019. One of Bollywoods legendary actors, Amitabh Bachchan who continues to entertain with his impeccable talent was initially rejected for his voice! His plea for a job in All India Radio was rejected soon after his graduation, but ironically, it was his iconic voice which later led him to success, and is cherished by billions of fans across the globe. To be a theatre artiste, one has to have a great command over ones voice skills and language as the actor directly communicates with his audience. Whereas in movies, as technology has evolved in sound, dubbing of voices became a game changer. However, there are strange set of rules for male lead actors whose voices are very rarely dubbed by another unlike their female counterparts. Bengaluru Chronicle reports. Kriti Kharbanda There are several practical reasons behind a majority of lead actresses in Kannada films who are not allowed to dub their own voice for the character they have worked hard performing in front of the camera. Actress Deepa Bhaskar, who is busy these days on the small screen with the tele-serial Subbalakshmi Samsara, is a well-known voice artiste who has dubbed for several lead heroines starting from Ramya, Kriti Kharbanda, Jennifer Kotwal, Pooja Gandhi and many more. Many would have seen the classic Kannada movie Om starring Shivarajkumar, which was directed by Real Star Upendra. It features Prema opposite Shivarajkumar, in a strong role. But many would be shocked to learn that it was actress and voice artiste Sunetra Pandit, who had dubbed for Prema in the movie. It is the director who feels whether the voice of an artiste is better suited for a particular kind of character, says director Naveen. Sunetra shares that it was one of her most memorable moments in her career, saying that she earned great appreciation for being the voice of Prema in an evergreen classic film. While the main reason behind voice artistes coming into play is because of the lack of fluency in language by the actress. For instance, Amy Jacksons role in The Villain was dubbed by Rakshita Prem. If the voice is not perfect, it would not serve the purpose even if the performance is great. Sound is an important tool apart from the visual factor. Insofar as heroes are concerned, that is why the actors who have a good command over the language are more prone to being successful. If their voice fails, everything fails, explains Santhosh, a voice artiste, who dubs for animation features films. While many actresses choose not to openly talk about not being allowed to dub in their own voice despite knowing the language and being fluent in Kannada, it is the directors voice in such cases that matters the most. In fact, Ramya had to wait for long before she dubbed in her own voice, concludes film critic Sharan. Its UNESCO World Heritage listing describes it as an "exceptionally extensive and rich" site, reflecting its past as a cosmopolitan port. (Photo: AFP) Athens: A stone's throw from the Greek island of Mykonos lies Delos, an uninhabited islet a world away from its neighbour's glamorous nightlife. It is there, on an island best known for its archaeological treasures, that British contemporary artist Antony Gormley is showing 29 of his sculptures. Gormley is perhaps best known for his gigantic Angel of the North, a 20-metre high steel work that since 1998 has been an unmissable landmark in its home at Gateshead, northern England. But this new exhibition including five works specially created for the event sets his contemporary work among the remains of ancient Greece. "It's an extraordinary responsibility," Gormley told AFP at the opening. "It's an amazing privilege to occupy a site that hasn't been occupied by a living artist (for) over two thousand years that's a bit of a challenge isn't it?" The archaeological finds on Delos date back as far as the 3rd millennium BC up to the Hellenic era of classical Greece. Its UNESCO World Heritage listing describes it as an "exceptionally extensive and rich" site, reflecting its past as a cosmopolitan port. The exhibition is intended as a dialogue between contemporary civilisation and the past, says Elina Kountouri, who heads up NEON, the non-profit that organised the show along with London's Whitechapel Gallery. A mark of the respect accorded to the site is that none of Gormley's sculptures have been placed inside the ruins of the ancient sanctuaries of the Greek gods Apollo and Artemis. According to Greek myth, Delos is where the two gods, brother and sister were born. Gormley's silhouettes in steel have been installed on different parts of the island, which covers only 3.5 square kilometres (1.4 square miles). Some experts have thrown doubt on the exercise, saying the hair almost certainly did not belong to the Italian master, while credible DNA testing may prove impossible. (Photo: Representational/Pixabay) Vinci: An Italian museum says it plans to carry out DNA tests on a lock of hair it believes might have belonged to the Renaissance artist Leonardo da Vinci, who died 500 years ago this month. A lock of hair that is undergoing DNA testing is displayed in a box with the words written in French, 'hair of Leonardo da Vinci', in the Leonardo da Vinci museum in Vinci, in this undated photo released by the Leonardo da Vinci museum May 2, 2019. However, some experts have thrown doubt on the exercise, saying the hair almost certainly did not belong to the Italian master, while credible DNA testing may prove impossible. Da Vinci died in May 1519 and was buried at the Chateau dAmbroise near the French city of Tours. The castle was badly damaged following the French Revolution of 1789 and many graves were destroyed, including that of Leonardo. Alessandro Vezzosi, the director of the Ideal Leonardo da Vinci museum in Vinci, the artists hometown in Tuscany, said the strand of hair was collected from the site in 1863 by a man tasked by a royal commission to try to locate Leonardos remains. In 1925, an American collector bought this relic in Paris ... Later, before dying aged 95, he sold it on to another American collector, who contacted us, Vezzosi said. He said the museum planned to extract DNA from the sample and compare it with the DNA from a group of descendants that the museum says it identified in 2016, using genealogical records. The testing should also be able to prove if the remains identified in France in 1863 really belonged to da Vinci. What is important is not to take for granted a result before the scientific testing is completed, said Vezzosi. But some experts are already pouring cold water on the whole exercise. It is highly improbable that this lock (of hair), which was presented like a (religious) relic, would be in anyway related to Leonardo da Vinci, said Eike Schmidt, the director of the prestigious Uffizi Gallery in nearby Florence. Finding a DNA link with living descendants will prove an added complication, with tracing only possible via the mother and an unbroken female line, or the father and an unbroken male line. The identity of Leonardos mother is unknown. The artist himself never married and left no direct heirs, so the DNA will be checked against that of the descendants that Vezzosi said had been found by following the family trees of other children born to Leonardos father. The chance of recreating an unbroken male line over 500 years is extremely unlikely. Oscar-winning actor Rush won his defamation case against a Sydney newspaper publisher and journalist over reports he had been accused of inappropriate behaviour toward an actress. (Photo: AP) Canberra: Oscar-winning actor Geoffrey Rush won his defamation case on Thursday against a Sydney newspaper publisher and journalist over reports he had been accused of inappropriate behaviour toward an actress. The 67-year-old Australian had sued The Daily Telegraphs publisher and journalist Jonathon Moran over two stories and a poster published in late 2017. Australian Federal Court Justice Michael Wigney ruled that Rush had been defamed. Wigney awarded an initial payment of AUD 850,000 (USD 610,000) in damages, but lawyers will return to court on May 10 when the judge determines damages for economic loss and costs. The reports alleged inappropriate behaviour toward co-star Eryn Jean Norvill by Rush, while he was starring in the Sydney Theatre Companys production of King Lear in 2015 and 2016. Rushs lawyer Bill McClintock told a three-week trial that ended in November that the actor might never work again because of the newspapers reports. Rushs phone may not ring with job offers and he may never regain his confidence and desire to work, his lawyer said. Rush outside court thanked his family for their support during this harrowing time. There are no winners in this case. Its been extremely distressing for everyone involved, he told reporters. He argued that the newspaper, which used a headline King Leer, portrayed him as a pervert and sexual predator. Wigney was scathing of the newspapers reporting. This was, in all the circumstances, a recklessly irresponsible piece of sensationalist journalism of the very worst kind. It was difficult to avoid the conclusion that it was calculated to damage, the judge said. Norvill, who played Lears daughter Cordelia in the production, did not speak to the newspaper before the articles were published, but agreed to testify for the newspaper at the trial. The 34-year-old actress testified that while she was playing dead, Rush stroked his hand across the side of her right breast and on to her hip during a preview performance. Rush denied allegations that he deliberately touched Norvills breast, her lower back under her shirt when they were backstage or making lewd gestures and comments toward her. Wigney said on Thursday he did not find Norvills evidence credible or reliable while he accepted Rushs testimony. Norvill said outside court she stood by her evidence. I never wanted these issues dealt with by a court. This case has caused hurt for everyone, Norvill said. There are no winners, only losers. Sydney Theatre Company had said in a 2017 statement Norvill complained of Rushs inappropriate behaviour after the production ended. At the time the complaint was made, the complainant requested that the matter be dealt with confidentially, and did not want Mr Rush notified or involved in any investigation, the statement said. The company said it complied with the request in the interest of the complainants health and welfare. Norvill said on Thursday she would have been content with an apology and a promise to do better. We need to make genuine, cultural change in our professions and industries, Norvill said. We can do it, but only if we acknowledge and confront with honesty the problems and the complexities of the power imbalances in our workplaces. The Daily Telegraphs editor Ben English said he was reviewing the judgment. We are disappointed with Justice Wigneys findings, in particular his dismissal of Eryn Jean Norvills evidence, English said in a statement. We disagree with his criticisms of her and she has our full support. In an unrelated allegation, Orange Is the New Black actress Yael Stone told The New York Times in December that Rush engaged in sexually inappropriate behaviour when they starred in The Diary of a Madman in 2010. The 33-year-old told the newspaper that Rush danced naked in front of her in their dressing room, used a mirror to watch her while she showered and sent her occasionally erotic texts. In a statement, Rush said the allegations are incorrect and in some instances have been taken completely out of context. Rush won the best actor Oscar in 1996 for his portrayal of pianist David Helfgott in Shine and was nominated for roles in Shakespeare in Love, Quills and The Kings Speech. He is also famed for his portrayal of Captain Barbossa in the Pirates of the Caribbean films. He received his nations highest civilian honour in 2014, the Companion of the Order of Australia, for service to the arts. Adanis plan to manage an endangered finch was rejected last week by the Queensland government, Australia, stalling progress on the Carmichael mine. The mine would cover much of the best remaining habitat for the endangered black-throated finch. The Queensland government required Adani to commit to gathering more accurate finch population data, limit the cattle grazing in the finch conservation area and determine food availability throughout the year, before they could approve the plan. The federal government has been reported as already approving the finch plan. But legally, the Queensland government must determine whether the plan complies with the conditions of the environmental authority and under the bilateral framework, the federal government must give due regard to this assessment. Whats wrong with Adanis plan? Last Friday Queenslands Department of Environment and Science decided not to approve Adanis black-throated finch management plan because it does not fulfil certain basic requirements. The decision is based on a detailed report from an independent expert panel. The black-throated finch is on the verge of extinction, one of 238 threatened Australian birds. The rejection is one of two outstanding environmental approvals required before Adani can commence work on the mine. The second is the plan to manage groundwater-dependent ecosystems, which the Queensland government has yet to come to a decision on. The greatest threat to the black-throated finch is habitat loss, it has disappeared from over 80 per cent of its original range. Strong protection and careful management, of its remaining habitat is crucial. The finch, once found across north-eastern Australia, is now largely found on Moray Downs and surrounding properties, north-west of Clermont in central Queensland. A core part of the habitat is within the 28,000 hectare footprint of the Carmichael mine, where there are far more black finches than elsewhere due to the intact woodlands and a history of minimal livestock grazing. It is expected the mines will disturb 50,977 hectare of black-throated finch habitat and that 34,156 hectare will be completely cleared. A total of 87 square kilometres of habitat will be destroyed through the creation of open pits and a further 61 square kilometres may be degraded beyond repair due to the influence of underground mining on groundwater. After habitat loss, the second greatest threat to the finch is cattle grazing, which destroys the grass seeds they need to survive. Yet Adanis management plan for the black-throated finch involved grazing cattle on areas that are supposed to be devoted to conservation of the finch. Providing a species management plan that effectively conserves finch habitat is a core condition of Adanis mining licence. State vs federal priorities The Queensland governments rejection of the plan brings into stark focus some of the problems with the existing environmental assessment framework in Australia. The environmental authority for the mining licence was approved by the Federal government. The environmental management plan for the finch did not, however, address core impact concerns. And yet this is the very reason that the plan was required from the outset. The inadequacies of the plan only became apparent because of the oversight of the Queensland government. The federal government has not been proactive despites its mandate under our National environment act the Environmental Protection Biodiversity Conservation act. In fact, a recent analysis found the federal government has approved hundreds of projects to clear black-throated finch habitat over the last 18 years. There are clearly differences in priorities regarding the environment between a federal Liberal and a state Labour government. However, environmental assessment can only be effective if is not undermined by political agendas and is grounded in scientific rigour and scrutiny. A one-stop shop At the federal level, any project likely to have a significant impact on a matter protected by the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act must be referred to the federal environment minister. If the minister decides the project impacts a matter of national environmental significance, he or she will then determine how to assess that project at the national level. Legislated options include: an environmental impact statement, a public environment report and public inquiry. The federal government has entered into bilateral agreements with all state and territory governments. As a result, rather than the state and federal governments conducting separate assessment, the aim is to promote a single, focused environmental evaluation. The Queensland government has entered into a bilateral assessment agreement with the Commonwealth government for Adanis coal project, which effectively allows it to make an environmental assessment that the Commonwealth Minister will then take account of when deciding whether to grant approval. This means that both the Queensland and the federal government are involved in the approval and assessment process environmental authorities and conditions, one of those being the management plan for the black-throated finch. In order to optimise outcomes they need to work together collaboratively. What next? The rejection means that Adani will now need to submit a new or revised plan that addresses the Queensland governments concerns. In particular, Adani will need to limit cattle grazing in the conservation area and gather more information regarding the availability of seed throughout the year. This may take time but is critical, because in its current form, the plan does not meet the legal requirements for the Environmental Authority, which means that it cannot be approved at the state level. Without state approval the Adani coal mine cannot proceed. The Queensland government has rigorously assessed Adanis management plan by commissioning a report by an independent expert panel and then acting on the advice of this report. This robust approach is crucial to the whole framework of environmental assessment. Genuine commitment to protecting endangered species and managing vital groundwater resources is vital if we want to reverse Australias dire trajectory of environmental decline. *The article was originally published by The Conversation Global Perspectives. Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Mercedes-Benz EQC just entered production in Bremen, Germany where it is assembled along with the conventional C-Class Saloon and Estate, as well as the GLC and GLC Coupe. Later this year, production will be launched in China too in partnership with BAIC, by joint venture Beijing Benz Automotive Co. Ltd. (BBAC). Merdeces-Benz joins the Tesla Model X, Audi e-tron and Jaguar I-PACE on the high-end part of the market. Prices in Germany (incl. 19% VAT) starts from 71,281, while the launch edition EQC Edition 1886 starts from 84,930.30. In the press release, Mercedes-Benz released a range rating for the defunct NEDC test cycle - 445-471 km (277-293 miles), which is something that we don't fully understand, as all new models are required to get WLTP certification anyway. The WLTP numbers are maybe not yet ready or the German manufacturer is not happy with the result, which could be somewhere between 200-250 miles WLTP we believe. 80 kWh battery packs are assembled by Deutsche Accumotive at its site in Kamenz (near Dresden), Germany using LG Chem battery cells. Mercedes-Benz EQC specs: New York: The cocktail bar was shutting down and guests were being encouraged to commence the elegant trek to dinner through the majestic halls of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. But Joan Collins had just swept in, channelling her famous Dynasty character, Alexis, in a tiered gown of fluffy white feathers and gobs of blinding diamonds. And Alexis wanted a glass of wine. Im having a great time, Collins said of her first Met Gala. Id be even better if I had a drink. The sartorial theme of this years gala was camp not summer camp but the aesthetic of camp and its influence on fashion, as explored in the museums new exhibit, Camp: Notes on Fashion. It wasnt an easy theme to grasp; the instructions for guests were to dress with studied triviality. But while the results varied hugely from Katy Perry dressing as an elaborate candlelit chandelier (and later, a cheeseburger) to Kanye West wearing a simple black jacket that cost about USD 40 there were indeed some slam-dunk camp moments, and one was Collins. Im a Met Ball virgin, she said, so I thought I would come as my character, Alexis Morell Carrington Colby Dexter Rowan and embrace it. Everybody always said she was camp, she said. But even Collins, in her glistening diamond tiara, could not out-camp perhaps the champion camp-er of all time, Lady Gaga. The pop star and actress, a co-chair of the gala, put on a virtual burlesque show on the red carpet, slowly shedding a series of three outfits until she was left vamping in black lingerie. Joan Collins attended the 2019 Met gala that celebrated the opening of the Camp: Notes on Fashion exhibition in New York. (Photo: AP) Celine Dion was a different kind of show girl, dressed in a supremely crafted creation by Oscar de la Rentas Fernando Garcia and Laura Kim, inspired by the 1941 movie Ziegfeld Girl starring Judy Garland (a camp heroine, of course). Inside, Dion explored the exhibit along with her designers and confessed that even now, I honestly dont really understand what camp is. No matter: Garcia and Kim had done their research, resulting in a Vegas showgirl ensemble made of countless strands of silver-gold glass beads that took many thousands of man hours to construct, paired with a spiky feathered headpiece. Im just honoured that they wanted me to be a part of this whole process, Dion said. Laverne Cox attended 2019 The Met gala dressed in a striking sculptural gown by Christian Siriano, along with turquoise hair. (Photo: AP) After walking the red carpet, a pink-carpeted staircase, the guests entered the Mets vast Great Hall, where they were greeted by a sky-high centrepiece of pink roses, topped by pink flamingos. Some toured the exhibit, while others headed straight to the museums airy Petrie Court to sip cocktails and munch on crispy sea bass hors doeuvres, bits of foie gras or mini-BLT towers. Laverne Cox had no trouble understanding the camp theme; in college at Marymount Manhattan, shed been obsessed with Susan Sontag, the author of the 58-point essay, Notes on Camp, on which the Met exhibit is built. In fact, Cox, a star of Orange is the New Black and the first openly transgender person to be nominated for an Emmy, was able to reel off competing definitions of camp. Its of course artificial, but also parody, said Cox, wearing a striking sculptural gown by Christian Siriano, along with turquoise hair. Its a comment on culture. Also, theres high camp vs low camp. And theres an invisible wink of camp. She pondered whether Judy Garland and daughter Liza Minnelli were the same type of campness. Billy Porter, too, had done some thinking about camp. The Pose star solidified his growing reputation as a red-carpet star with a dramatic entrance as an Egyptian sun deity on a litter carried by six shirtless men. His golden ensemble, were talking gold on the head and the face, too, as well as huge golden wings, was designed by the Blonds. The kids today call it being extra, Porter said inside, of the camp aesthetic. Its about taking a thing and exploding it to the biggest degree. It has in the past been used as a pejorative, but this evening reclaims it. Porter was also carrying a purse with a written message that demanded, using an expletive, to be paid fairly. It means, he said with a grin, that you cant pay me scale no more! Get the prices right. Attending his first gala was Max Hollein, who took over as the museums director last year. Hollein said that since work on the exhibit began, he and museum colleagues have been finding camp in familiar works all over the museum. Camp is a lens, a way of seeing the world, he said, adding that camp existed long before we knew what it was. Recent studies have revealed the possibility of numerous everyday objects that could be making us sick. (Photo: Representational/Pixabay) Falling sick is often attributed to untimely meals, late nights and poor lifestyle. But it may not always be the case. Recent studies have revealed the possibility of numerous everyday objects that could be making us sick, reported The DailyMail. These regular objects, like a shopping trolley or an ATM, carry a lot of germs as they are constantly used by people all the time. Thus, they act as carriers of germs from one person to another. Other objects lying around your house could also gather and spread germs. Magazines at a doctor's clinic Doctors clinics are boring places and while we wait for our turn, it is natural to leaf through the numerous magazines that are kept in the reception. But we tend to overlook the number of deadly germs it would contain. Large groups of sick people come to the doctors clinic everyday and they all touch the magazines kept there. The germs get transferred from them and the magazines then act as carriers for them. In fact, a study conducted in Norway tested the front page of these magazines and they were found to have bacterial contamination. Some magazines were found to have Staphylococcus aureus, a virus that is known to be the cause of several life-threatening diseases. Shopping carts Shopping cart handles are notorious for being carriers of several types of diseases. Each cart is handled by numerous people on a daily basis and are not cleaned on a regularly either. Thus, they manage to collect a host of dangerous viruses. A study by the University of Arizona found that shopping carts contained more bacteria than public telephones or even public bathrooms. Toddlers, who are made to sit in shopping carts must also be protected from this threat. They tend to lick the handles and can make them susceptible to various diseases. ATMs ATMs dispense the most unhygienic products: money. The notes are handles by hundreds and thousands of people are constantly circulated. Thus, it means that the bacteria is also constantly being transferred from person to person. Chinese research tested 38 ATMS in a city and the results were shocking. A keypad on an ATM contains an average of 1,200 germs including E. Coli and flu virus. A separate study conducted in New York also showed that traces of food and human skin were also found on ATMs. Shower heads Showers are supposed to keep you clean but if not cleaned and maintained properly, it could get you severely sick as well. A study by the University of Colorado revealed that shower heads harbour everything from Legionella to Nontuberculous Mycobacteria, two deadly bacteria that can cause devastating infections, especially for those with weak immune systems. Toothbrushes A toothbrush is something we not only use on a daily basis, but introduce it in our mouths as well. Unknowingly, we could be deliberately putting dangerous bacteria in our mouth. A research conducted by the University of Manchester showed that your toothbrush could be carrying more than 100 million bacteria, including germs like the flu virus, E. Coli, yeast fungus and staphylococcus bacteria. If the tooth brush is kept uncovered, in the proximity of a toilet, it is possible that the bristles would be sprinkled with faecal matter. Make sure to wash the brush before every use and replace it every three months. Though premarital screening is available for disorders like thalassemia and sickle cell anemia and infectious diseases (hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV/AIDS), couples very rarely opt for it. Bengaluru: Over 10,000 children in the country are born with thalassemia every year because couples, unaware of the congentical nature of the disease, pass it on to their children. On May 8, World Thalassemia Day, doctors recommended premarital screening and a pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) for couples undergoing invitro fertilisation. Though premarital screening is available for disorders like thalassemia and sickle cell anemia and infectious diseases (hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV/AIDS), couples very rarely opt for it. Thalassemia is a blood disorder caused by the weakening and destruction of blood cells. It inhibits production of haemoglobin and RBCs. Children with thalassemia require regular transfusions and a bone marrow transplant is the only cure. Dr Neema Bhat, Consultant, Paediatric Haematology-Oncology and BMT Physician, BGS Gleneagles Global Hospital, Bengaluru, said, Increasing awareness about testing for thalassemia among first-time expectant parents will help in preventing. Testing during pregnancy or soon after birth gives an early diagnosis. The central government has proposed a draft policy for the care and control of thalassemia. Most private and government hospitals have care centres. Once the new policy is implemented, it is expected to make a big leap in controlling haemoglobinopathies in the country, doctors said. Dr V.L. Ramprasad, COO, MedGenome Labs, said the government has proposed a draft policy for screening pregnant women for thalassemia and sickle cell anaemia. Both men and women will be screened. In couples where both the partners are carriers, the prenatal diagnosis will be offered to ensure that they have a baby unaffected with a significant haemoglobinopathy, he said. 'I have seen news reports about abduction of five Indian sailors by pirates in Nigeria. I am asking Indian High Commissioner to take this up at the highest level with Government of Nigeria for their release,' Swaraj tweeted. (Photo: File) New Delhi: Five Indian sailors have been abducted by pirates in Nigeria and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has asked the Indian High Commissioner there to take up the matter at the highest levels of the Nigerian government to ensure their release. She also asked Indian ambassador in Nigeria Abhay Thakur to send her a report on the matter. "I have seen news reports about abduction of five Indian sailors by pirates in Nigeria. I am asking Indian High Commissioner to take this up at the highest level with Government of Nigeria for their release," Swaraj tweeted. "Abhay -- Please take this up and send me a report," she said. Some of the protestors who gathered outside the CJIs house on Tuesday demanded the report should be shared with the woman. (Photo: ANI | Twitter) New Delhi: Women lawyers and activists on Tuesday held a protest outside the Supreme Court against the procedure adopted to deal with the sexual harassment case against Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi. On Monday, an in-house panel of the Supreme Court gave a clean chit to Gogoi in sexual harassment case on Monday. Read: SC gives clean-chit to CJI; woman complainant 'disappointed, dejected' Section 144 has been imposed outside the court following the protest. The panel, which included Justice SA Bobde, Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice Indu Malhotra said its report was "not liable to be made public" and would not be shared with the complainant. Some of the protestors who gathered outside the CJIs house on Tuesday demanded the report should be shared with the woman. Mumbai: A day after meeting TRS chief and Telangana CM K Chandrashekhar Rao, Kerala Chief Minister P Vijayan said that the interaction was significant and the duo discussed the national political scenario. According to Rao, both the fronts may not get a majority. So, the regional parties will play a prominent role. There were no discussions about the PM candidate, Vijayan added. Rao, who has been at the forefront of non-BJP, non-Congress front over the past year has also reached out to Congress allies like Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy and DMKs MK Stalin, who will meet him on May 13. According to NDTV, a Prime Minister from south India in a non-BJP, non-Congress concoction at the Centre is KCRs mission on the lines of the 1996-formula. KCR, however, did not mention any names during the meeting with Vijayan. The 1996-formula has not seen very successful prototypes as the three prime ministers who took power at the head of unstable coalitions came and went in quick succession. Vijayan reportedly told KCR that his CPM's central leadership would take a call on his plan after May 23. Last year, Rao had even met DMK patraich M Karunanidhi and his son MK Stalin. The situation changed after Karunanidhi passed away few months later and DMK renewed their alliance with the Congress. After meeting MK Stalin, KCR also plans to travel North and East and meet Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. Previously, KCR had met the leaders but the meeting didnt yield much. Keep yourself updated on Lok Sabha Elections 2019 with our round-the-clock coverage -- breaking news, updates, analysis et al. Happy reading. Mumbai: The Council for Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) on Tuesday declared the results of Class 12 and Class 10. Candidates will be able to check the results online at www.cisce.org. The results can be checked online at cisce.org. Mumbai's Juhi Rupesh Kajaria and Manhar Bansal from Punjab's Muktsar topped the Class 10 ISCE exam with 99.60 per cent, news agency PTI reported. Kolkata's Dewang Kumar Agarwal and Bengaluru's Vibha Swaminathan topped the Class 12 ISC examination with 100 per cent marks. They are the first students to score 100 per cent in ISC in the history of the school board, PTI said. Steps to download ISC/ICSE results: Step 1: Visit the official website of CISCE Step 2: On the homepage, click on 'Class 12 Result 2019' or Class 10 result 2019. Step 3: Fill in your registration number or roll number and other admit card details in the provided fields and click on 'Submit'. Step 4: Once your result appears on the screen, download it and take a printout for future reference. How to get individual score through SMS Open your SMS box Type ISC>your unique ID> and send it to 09248082883 He alleged that in the last five years of BJP rule, there has been a 'widespread assault' on the spirit of cooperative federalism which has held the country together since Independence. (Photo: File) New Delhi: Alleging that south India received "step motherly" treatment under the Narendra Modi government, senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said the south will play a key role in voting out the ruling dispensation and "overwhelmingly" side with the Congress. Emphasising that all sections of the country are equally important to the Congress and have been equally sought after, he said party president Rahul Gandhi's decision to contest from Kerala's Wayanad sent a message that under Congress rule, the concerns and aspirations of southern states will not be ignored at the Centre. "I think the south will definitely play an instrumental role in deciding the political fate of the country, particularly in the context of voting out the present ruling dispensation, under whose tenure, the south has an understandable case of step-motherly treatment under the Centre," Tharoor told news agency PTI in an interview. He alleged that in the last five years of BJP rule, there has been a "widespread assault" on the spirit of cooperative federalism which has held the country together since Independence. "This is partly on account of cultural factors such as the beef ban and the drive to impose Hindi as a national language, but also because of larger issues such as the uproar regarding the terms of reference of the 15th Finance Commission which has implications on the financial and political security of the southern states," he said. The Congress, particularly with Rahul Gandhi's decision to contest from the south, has made a very effective outreach towards the southern states, the former Union minister said. The Congress chief contesting from Wayanad has sent a clear message that under Congress rule, the concerns and aspirations of these states will not be ignored at the Centre, least of all under a potential prime ministerial candidate who will be elected from the south, Tharoor said. "As my own experiences in Kerala tell me, this message has been widely and popularly received and it is clear that the south will overwhelmingly side with the Congress as the most credible alternative to the present ruling dispensation," the 63-year-old leader said. Tharoor, who is seeking a third straight Lok Sabha term from Thiruvanathapuram, which went to polls on April 23, also asserted that there will be a coalition government at the Centre after the elections and that the coalition is more likely to be UPA-3 rather than an NDA-3. "The fundamental fact that the performance of the BJP in 2014, where they secured 282 seats, is based on simple mathematics, a performance that is impossible for them to repeat, even if they had been highly successful in government, which they were lamentably not," he said. "Given how poorly they performed in government, the scale of the frustration and disappointment with their performance is immense and is likely to result in a significant reduction in their seats," he claimed. Tharoor contended that the BJP will be forced to turn to regional parties for support to form a government, but most of those potential partners would be unwilling to offer their support, given how their concerns and voices were "diminished and marginalised" under the Modi-Shah regime of the last five years. "Many of those who had joined the NDA got their fingers burned -- many subsequently left their erstwhile alliance with the BJP or openly bickered with them. This sends a clear signal that allying with the BJP comes at a heavy price," he claimed. In contrast, the Congress has presented a compelling and credible narrative across the country and has implemented an effective and energetic campaign during the current elections, he said. This, along with the rising anti-BJP wave and the Congress's historic record and capability of working with regional partners makes it clear that when the coalition government is formed, it will most definitely be the return of the UPA, Tharoor asserted. On whether Rahul Gandhi could be the front-runner for being the opposition's prime ministerial choice, he said Gandhi is the party chief and if the Congress gets a majority, he will be PM. "If the government is a coalition, obviously this is a decision that will jointly be taken by leadership of the parties that constitute the coalition and will take place through established processes and conventions," he said. This is only likely to be discussed once the results of the election become clear, he added. However, Tharoor said Gandhi has all the right qualities to make an excellent Prime Minister for the country. Keep yourself updated on Lok Sabha Elections 2019 with our round-the-clock coverage -- breaking news, updates, analysis et al. Happy reading. 'We are not inclined to modify our order', SC said. (Photo: File) New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected review plea filed by twenty-one Opposition parties, seeking 50 per cent verification of VVPAT (Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail) slips, as against five in a constituency during the counting of votes in the general elections 2019. ''We are not inclined to modify our order," top court said while dismissing review plea on random matching of VVPAT slips. A bench of Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice Deepak Gupta told senior counsel Abhishek Manu Singhvi that the review petition would be listed for hearing next week. Singhvi urged the court to list the review petition as counting of votes is to be down on May 23. On April 8, the court had partially allowed the original plea by directing the Election Commission to increase random matching of VVPAT slips with EVMs to five polling booths from one per Assembly segment in the ongoing general elections. Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu and 20 others sought review of this order, saying that the increase from one to five is not a reasonable number and does not lead to the satisfaction desired by this court. The petitioners submitted that the increase to a mere 2 per cent is not sufficient and will not make any substantial difference to the situation that existed prior to the passing of the impugned order. The petition was originally filed challenging the decision of Election Commission of India to verify VVPAT of only one randomly selected booth of a constituency. The petitioners say that this will account only for 0.44 per cent of the votes polled. This guideline defeats the entire purpose of VVPAT and makes the same ornamental without actual substance, they argued. They submitted that once this court agreed that the number of EVMs that should be subjected to VVPAT verification should be increased to a reasonable number, not increasing the same to a number which is reasonable because it may not be viable to do so rendered the entire exercise otiose and futile. Consequently, they said that the "viable number" must also necessarily be reasonable. Fifty-five protesters, mostly women lawyers and activists, were detained outside the Supreme Court here while they were agitating against the procedure adopted to deal with a sexual harassment case against Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi. (Photo: ANI) New Delhi: Fifty-five protesters, mostly women lawyers and activists, were detained outside the Supreme Court here while they were agitating against the procedure adopted to deal with a sexual harassment case against Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi. Gogoi on Monday got a clean chit from the apex court's In-House Inquiry Committee which "has found no substance" in the allegations of sexual harassment levelled against him by a former woman employee of the Supreme Court. Carrying banners which read - "No clean chit", "Supremacy of Rule of law must be maintained", "Be you ever so high, the law is above you", several women lawyers and activists staged a protest outside the Supreme Court raising objection to the clean chit given to Gogoi. Also read: After clean chit given to CJI, women lawyers, activists protest outside SC Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) Madhur Verma said, "There was heavy deployment of police around the area. Three men, including, fifty-two women protesters, were detained and taken to Mandir Marg police station," a senior police official said. The three-member committee, which completed its task in 14 days, proceeded ex-parte as the woman had opted out of the inquiry on April 30 after participating for three days. The complainant had on Monday said "gross injustice" has been done to her as a woman citizen of India and "worst fears" have come true, and all hope of justice and redress from the highest court of the land have been shattered. CCTV footage at the station shows the man enter the station and pause for a routine security check. The hand-held metal detector began to beep and he was asked to undergo a thorough check. He refused, and walked out of the station. (Photo: ANI | Twitter) Bengaluru: The city police are trying to track down a man dressed in Arab attire, whose apparently suspicious behaviour caused panic at the Majestic metro station on Monday evening. At the entrance, metal detectors picked up on a mysterious object and the man, who had allegedly approached a woman to carry out a mysterious job, left the station instead of agreeing to a more detailed check. Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) Ravi D Channannavar has formed teams to track down the person. The woman told police that the man's behaviour was suspicious for he walked in and out of the station repeatedly. Then, he approached her and promised to give her any sum of money in return for carrying out a job. CCTV footage at the station shows the man enter the station and pause for a routine security check. The hand-held metal detector began to beep and he was asked to undergo a thorough check. He refused, and walked out of the station. Surprisingly, security officials let him off despite his suspicious behaviour. The man then approached the woman about the job. The woman ran away in panic. However, she was approached by security personnel to provide a detailed physical description of the suspect. Later, a complaint was filed at the jurisdictional police station, following which Channannavar formed teams to track the suspect. The DCP said the man looked suspicious. Police have taken the matter seriously and investigating all the angles. They, however, dont discount the possibility that he might be playing a prank. Spiritual leader Namdev Das Tyagi popularly known as Computer Baba performs puja at the election campaign venue of Digvijay Singh in Bhopal. (Photo: AP) Bhopal: In a bizarre development, unheard of in election history of India, veteran leader Digvijay Singh of Congress and political greenhorn Sadhvi Pragya of BJP on Tuesday took recourse to yagna to settle their poll rivalry, thus giving a new dimension to the battle for Bhopal. Flanked by his wife Amr-ita, Mr Singh, uncharacteristically, performed hot yagna (rituals performed in hot and humid conditions) in the sprawling Soph-ia College ground in Bhopal with mercury touching 41 degree Celsius to vanquish his rival. Religious fervor marked the occasion with around a dozen seers lead by self-styled god man Namdas Tyagi, who loves to call himself Computer Baba, performing yagna separately each being surrounded by a circle of burning cow dung in the ground even as the Singh couple went ahead with their yagna. The event was also marked by chanting of mantras by hundreds of religious leaders who gathered on the occasion. Computer Baba, who was among five seers who were accorded minister of state (MoS) status by the previous Shivraj Singh government, has earlier declared that he would organize hot yagna to vanquish Mr Singhs rival and ensure his victory in the elections. Earlier in the day, the sages held a road show in support of Mr Singhs candidature before converging in the open ground to participate in the hot yagna. Interestingly, BJPs nominee for Bhopal Pragya Singh Thakur aka Sadhvi Pragya also performed a yagna on Tuesday. Several seers participated in her yagna. Giving a new twist to the development, BJP on Tuesday evening released a press release in which eminent seer Avdeshpuri Ji Ma-haraj was quoted as describing the hot yagna organised by Computer Baba to ensure Mr Singhs victory in the elections as meaningless and a mere show piece. Paramhans Dr Avdeshp-uri Ji Maharaj, chairman Simastha Coordination Committee and ex-general secretary of Ujjain Akhara Parishad, says the event is nothing but a show piece and it will not yield any benefit to Mr Singh. He said it is unfortunate that Mr Singh is misusing the seers and saints by misleading them, the BJP press release said. Bhopal is going to Lok Sabha polls on May 12. New Delhi, Ambala, Midnapur: After Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra compared Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Mahabharata villain Duryodhan on Tuesday, BJP president Amit Shah hit back saying May 23 will decide whether the PM is Duryodhan or Arjun (the protagonist of Mahabharata). Citing the Mahabharata character Duryodhana, Mrs Vadra, in a veiled attack on the Prime Minister, said Duryodhana too had such arrogance and when Lord Krishna went to make him understand, he tried to take him captive. The Congress general secretary in-charge of eastern UP was campaigning in Ambala for party candidate Kumari Selja where she criticised Mr Modi for calling her late father and former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi Bhrashtachari no. 1 (the most corrupt). She dared the Prime Minister to fight the Lok Sabha elections on issues like development rather than divert the people's attention. Hyderabad: While Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that the meeting with Telangana state Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, who is batting for the Federal Front, was significant, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam chief M.K. Stalin seems to have backed out of a meeting with Mr Rao, scheduled for May 13, citing a busy Assembly by-election schedule. With two weeks left for the election results to be declared, Mr Rao has started preparing for a post-election scenario in which he hopes to be kingmaker. Mr Rao met Mr Vijayan on Monday night and had lengthy discussions about the latest political situation in the county and the post-polls scenario. Speaking to the media on Tuesday in Thiruvananth-apuram, Mr Vijayan said, The meeting with CM KCR was significant. We discussed the national political scenario. He said that Mr Rao believes that neither the NDA nor the UPA will get a majority, so the regional parties will play a prominent role in government formation. There was no discussion about the prime ministerial candidate. 'The Left parties have been against the BJP from the beginning and have a soft corner for the Congress. However, if there is any possibility of a non-BJP and non-Congress government emerging, the Left parties are ready to support it. Mr Vijayan said that they will meet again after the Lok Sabha results are declared. ' Mr Rao was to proceed to Chennai to meet DMK chief M K Stalin on May 13, but DMK sources said that Mr Stalin is busy with by-elections in four assembly seats due on May 19 and no meeting is thus possible. Mr Stalin has met Mr Rao twice before and has extended his support for the proposed Federal Front. But in the Lok Sabha elections, the DMK has entered into a poll pact with the Congress in Tamil Nadu. Further, Mr Stalin openly backed Congress chief Rahul Gandhi as the Oppositions choice for PM. He is therefore hesitant about meeting Mr Rao who wants a non-Congress and non-BJP government. A clearer picture will emerge only after the Lok Sabha results, when Mr Stalin may take the decision to support the Federal Front if none of the big parties can form the government. Soon after lunch, some students complained of a burning sensation and stomach ache and were admitted to the local government hospital. By the evening, more students with similar complaints got admitted to the government hospital in Hosapete. (Photo: DC) Ballari: Nearly 40 girl students of Hampi Kannada University at Kamalapur in Ballari district have fallen sick due to food poisoning. The students, residing at 'Asmithe' hostel in the university campus had lunch at the hostel mess on Monday afternoon. Soon after lunch, some students complained of a burning sensation and stomach ache and were admitted to the local government hospital. By the evening, more students with similar complaints got admitted to the government hospital in Hosapete. Sources said only those who consumed butter milk at lunch had fallen sick and suspect that since the butter milk was kept in a refrigerator, it could have become contaminated. Students blamed university authorities of being negligent in ensuring supply of quality food and drinking water to hostel students. Varsity vice Chancellor Mr S.C. Ramesh visited the ailing students at the hospital and told their parents not to worry while assuring that all necessary medical measures were being taken for students' safety. He said, an inquiry will be conducted into this incident and suitable action will be taken against the people responsible for this alleged food poisoning. The vice-chancellor also said that 20 students have been discharged as of now and the remaining students who are under treatment, are stable. The gang managed to divert attention of the security guard Nagendra by dropping a few currency notes and simultaneously flicked the box containing the cash and fled in an auto, said the police. (Representional Image) Hyderabad: A gang of five persons on Tuesday morning stole Rs 58.97 lakh from a vehicle belonging to Writer Safeguard cash management company from the busy National Highway 65 near Panama area under Vanasthalipuram. The incident took place around 10.30 am. The gang managed to divert attention of the security guard Nagendra by dropping a few currency notes and simultaneously flicked the box containing the cash and fled in an auto, said the police. Two cash custodians and the driver upon arriving at the Axis Bank ATM in Panama went into the ATM room to load the cash into the machine, while the security guard stayed back at the vehicle. Meanwhile, a person roaming around the ATM dropped some notes and told the security guard that the notes have fallen from the box carried by the custodians. Following which the gang managed to steal the box. Hyderabad: Is the state government serious about continuing the Aarogyasri scheme? The question is pertinent as pending dues from June 2018 to May 2019 total close to Rs 1,000 crore. The Telangana Small Hospitals and Nursing Homes Association (Thana) recently had a meeting to assess whether they can continue participating in the scheme as the mounting dues are making it difficult for them to survive. Dr V. Rakesh, senior member of Thana, explained, Every small hospital is finding that patients are coming with Aarogyasri cards or employee health scheme cards and there are hardly any patients who are paying cash. Insurance patients in rural areas are close to nil due to these schemes. While in the city and outskirts there are different types of patients, in rural and semi-rural areas there are only scheme patients. This is making it difficult for hospitals to survive as there is hardly any cash circulating in the market. The government is not clearing its debts in time. There is no chief executive officer to discuss issues and make reimbursement a regular practice. With 240 small hospitals and 201 super speciality hospitals in the state, government health schemes are making it difficult for private hospitals to survive. Delays in payments and unnecessary deductions have made it difficult for the small players who are now not willing to continue in the scheme. A senior doctor said on condition of anonymity, From 2018 till mid-June 2019, we are witnessing only elections. For this reason, the government officers are not willing to listen to us. But the treatments have not stopped. They are approving the treatments on their website. When they can do that, why are they stopping the payments? Is the government really serious about the scheme or are they having second thoughts? It is high time they look into the plight of those who are providing care and treatment. Private hospitals are finding themselves in a spot because they have already provided treatment and cannot discontinue it in the middle. The part payment which was made in April and May, 2018 is not even 25 per cent of the total dues. Hospital administrations have held several meetings to find out a way to get the money the government owes them and are questioning whether it is advisable to continue providing free treatment under the scheme. Senior Aarogyasri officials say that due to the model code of conduct, only small amounts are being cleared. Another excuse is that scrutiny of hospital bills is a time-consuming process. Till the bills are properly scrutinised, they are not forwarded to the revenue department for payment. But this is surely something the government was aware of when it started the scheme. Hyderabad: An 11-year-old boy, who was playing with a skipping rope, was strangled to death when the rope got entangled around his neck at his house in Balapur on Monday night. The boy was rushed to a hospital for treatment, but was declared dead on arrival, said the police. K. Lokesh lived with his paternal uncle in Mallapur after his parents committed suicide in 2011 by self immolation. He studied in Class V in a nearby private school. On Monday night, the uncle, K. Prabhakar, went out on some work while his wife Haritha was washing clothes outside the house. Lokesh was playing alone with a skipping rope. When Lokesh was skipping in the kitchen, one end of the rope got stuck to a hook and the rope got entangled around his neck. He tried to pull the rope out of the hook on a wall beside him, but the rope tightened around his neck and he fell on the floor, receiving a bleeding injury to his head. When Haritha completed her work half an hour later and went into the kitchen, she saw the boy unconscious, said Inspector V. Saidulu of the Balapur police. He said that the boy was rushed to a nearby private hospital and then to Niloufer Hospital in Nampally, but was declared brought dead. A case under section 174 of the CrPC has been registered and the body was handed over to his relatives after the autopsy at Osmania General Hospital on Tuesday, said the inspector. Thiruvananthapuram: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday accused the BJP-led central government of scuttling the development projects of the state because of political vendetta. The centres decision is part of the broader agenda of Sangh Parivar to deprive Kerala and its people of development projects, including NH widening. If there is one organisation that has not contributed anything to the growth of Kerala, it is the Sangh Parivar, he told reporters here. It was shocking to note that BJP state president P.S. Sreedharan Pillai had written a secret letter to the centre demanding that the NH development project be halted. It shows the sadistic mindset of Pillai who wants the people of Kerala to remain stuck in traffic jams on the congested roads, he added. The BJP government at the centre had adopted a hostile attitude towards Kerala which was evident during the devastating floods last year, Ockhi cyclone and Nipah virus, he said. The Modi government not only blocked Rs 700-crore aid offered by the UAE government, but also prevented the Malayali diaspora from contributing for the rebuild Kerala project, he added. On the NH issue, he said the NHAI regional officer had sent a letter stating that as per the policy guideline, the works had been designated as high priority-1 and high priority- 2. The project directors were directed that high priority-2 projects - 3 D notification (land acquisition final notification) and 3 G notification (price of land award - distribution of compensation) should be stopped forthwith. The NHAI took the decision without holding any discussion with the state government. No reason has been given to put the project on hold, he said. The letter was prepared after the completion of elections in Kerala. The PWD secretary contacted the NHAI and demanded withdrawal of the decision. The PWD minister wrote a letter to union minister Nitin Gadkari. The work will be put on hold for two years. This makes it clear that the project should not be completed within the remaining two years of LDF government, he added. If land acquisition process is delayed by two years, then the price of land would shoot up like anything, he said. Although records show two vending machines installed in the school, the audit team could not locate them. Kochi: The Local Fund Audit department has refused approval for Kochi Corporation spending Rs 26.9 lakh for installing sanitary napkin vending machines and incinerators in schools because of gross irregularities. The audit report for the financial year 2017-18 has recommended for a detailed probe into the project for which the civic body has already spent Rs 26.9 lakh. The gross irregularity in implementing the project was evident from the fact that sanitary napkin vending machines and incinerators have been found installed in boys schools, the report said. The audit team found in records that SRV Government Higher Secondary School is having two vending machines and two incinerators even though only boys are studying in the high school section of the school. Although records show two vending machines installed in the school, the audit team could not locate them. Two incinerators were kept locked in a toilet without any trace of being used. Two vending machines and two incinerators were also found installed in Government HSS Panampilly Nagar despite the high-school section having only boys. According to the school admission records for the academic year 2017-18, only a single girl student was on the school rolls. The vending machines and incinerators in seven out of the 13 schools were dysfunctional. The installation of vending machines and incinerators was part of the She Pad project providing sanitary napkins free of cost to girls by the state government in association with Kerala State Womens Development Corporation (KSWDC) in 2016. Instead of joining with KSWDC, the city corporation decided to implement the project on its own. It floated an e-tender, and Malappuram-based Maria Hygiene Solutions won the contract. The civic body purchased 72 napkin vending machines and 72 napkin pad incinerators at Rs 15,291.2 and Rs 18,508 per unit respectively. As part of the project, it purchased 7,200 napkin pads for Rs 4 a piece. The audit report states that despite spending lakhs of rupees, the working group concerned took no measures to monitor implementation and ensure the machines worked properly. The civic body has also failed to take the security deposit from the vendors. The NIA recently arrested Palakkad native Riyas Aboobacker, a member of the module which planned suicide attack in Kerala. Kochi: The 19th accused in the case against members of an Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS)-linked module based in Kasargod will be interrogated by the National Investigation Agency(NIA) sleuths in Kochi soon. Muhammed Faizal Hameed aka Abu Marwan Al Hindi, a native of Changankulangara and the fourth member of the module, reached Nedumbassery airport in the evening following a notice served by the NIA. He would appear before the NIA sleuths at its office in Kochi.Faizal was in Qatar when four persons including him were arraigned as accused in the case. The NIA recently arrested Palakkad native Riyas Aboobacker, a member of the module which planned suicide attack in Kerala. Faizal was asked to appear before NIA through his relatives. The NIA had interrogated other two accused in Kasargod earlier, but their arrest was not recorded. Opposition leaders Abhishek Manu Singhvi, N. Chandrababu Naidu, Farooq Abdullah, Sanjay Singh and others after a meeting with the Chief Election Commissioner in New Delhi on Tuesday.. (Image PTI New Delhi: Barely hours after the Supreme Court rejected the review petition on VVPATs, Opposition parties on Tuesday approached the Election Commission yet again on the matter and vowed to continue their fight. Leaders of 21 Opposition parties, which included Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu, senior Congress leaders Ahmed Patel and Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot, CPI leader D. Raja and NCP patron Farooq Abdullah met the EC and submitted a memorandum. They asked the commission to increase random matching of VVPAT slips with EVMs to five polling booths per Assembly segment. After the SC dismissal of plea, Mr Naidu said that he would not give up the fight for transparency in the election process. The Opposition parties had demanded that the number be raised to 50 per cent of total booths. We respect the Supreme Courts order...but the party will not give up and continue its fight for transparency in the election process in the country. Its absolutely critical for the EC to work transparently to ensure free and fair elections, he said in a statement. The Election Commission should be responsible for the honest execution of the Supreme Courts April 8 order. In case of any discrepancy, voter verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) slips should be matched with EVM results in the entire constituency, the Telugu Desam Party chief said. The TDP had alleged large-scale EVM malfunctioning in Andhra Pradesh during the April 11 elections for the 25 Lok Sbha seats and to elect a new 175-member Assembly. Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who represented the parties in the apex court, said that though the SC had rejected their petition, the Opposition would continue its political fight and take the issue to the people. Kolkata: Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday asserted that no power in the country could bring Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Centre again. He also underlined that the people would give Mr Modi such a strong reply and a massive jolt in the Lok Sabha Election that he would realise his mistake of lying to the people. Addressing a rally in Purulia, Mr Gandhi also mocked the PM for using teleprompters during his speeches. He assured that if the Congress comes to power, it would bring a new law for the farmers for whom he alleged Mr Modi did nothing. The BJPs sole aim is to make Mr Modi the PM again. I can tell you that no force in India can make him the PM again. The people of India are going to give such a strong reply and a massive jolt to him that he would feel it. Modiji, you can not lie to India. You can not loot here, he said. Mr Gandhi told the rally about the two sheets of glass that are sometimes visible during PM Modis public rallies. Now two mirrors, called teleprompters are placed in front of him on both sides. He can not share what is written there. It says Modiji, do not talk about unemployment because people will get angry, do not talk about farmers, do not talk about depositing `15 lakhs to bank accounts, he said. Mumbai: A Shiv Sena leader has endorsed Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) general secretary Ram Madhavs statement that the BJP may fall short of an absolute majority in the Lok Sabha and it will have to depend on allies to form the next government. Mr Madhav said in a media interview last week that the BJP may have to stitch up alliances after the election, as the party will fall short of winni-ng an absolute majority in the Lok Sabha. If we get 271 seats on our own, we will be very happy. With NDA we will have a comfortable majority, he had said. Mr Madhavs statements are a far cry from BJP chief Amit Shah and finance minister Arun Jaitleys claims that the party will fare even better in the election this year. Endorsing Mr Madhavs views, senior Sena leader Sanjay Raut said that it looks a bit difficult for the BJP to reach the 280-seat mark as it did in the 2014 polls. What Mr Madhav says is right. The NDA will form the next government. The BJP will be the single largest party. As of now it looks a bit difficult for the BJP to reach the 280-282 figure on its own but our NDA parivar (family) will cross the majority mark, Mr Raut told a TV channel. Mr Raut also said that the Sena would be happy if Narendra Modi becomes the prime minister again. He said, I welcome Mr Madhavs statement and the Shiv Sena would be a part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). We would be happy if Mr Modi becomes the Prime Minister again. The Uddhav Thackeray-led party has 18 members in the outgoing Lok Sabha, and is a major ally of the Bharatiya Janata Party. It is also a part of the BJP-led government in Maharashtra. The district authorities were, however, quick to assert that none of the EVMs were used or their seals broken. Patna: Four police personnel were suspended and a poll official was issued show cause notice in Bihars Muzaffarpur district on Tuesday for keeping six EVMs inside a hotel room while voting was on for the fifth phase, a top official said. The district authorities were, however, quick to assert that none of the EVMs were used or their seals broken. The Opposition RJD on Tuesday submitted a memorandum to the state election commission (SEC) demanding a high-level probe after two EVMs and VVPATs was recovered from a hotel room in Muzaffarpur. Talking to reporters on the issue RJD spokesperson Manoj Jha said, We have requested the Electi-on Commission to initiate stern action against those who have been responsible for shifting EVMs to a Muzaffarpur hotel room. This also shows a major lapse in the security of booths and EVMs on a day when Lok Sabha election was being held. Officials claimed that the state administration has ordered a probe into the matter and may initiate action against the sector Magistrate Awadhesh Kumar who was responsible for the safety of the EVMs and VVPATs. District Magistrate Alok Ranjan Ghosh confirmed the report and said that the sector officer shifted the voting machines to the hotel so that his driver could cast his vote. He said that the department was conducting a probe and has also sought explanations from the officials for violating the rules of polling. The machines were meant to be replaced by faulty ones. The sector officer made a mistake by shifting the machines to a private place which is against the polling rules. A probe has been ordered and action will be initiated against him, Muzaffarpur DM Alok Ranjan Ghosh said. According to the SEC, Muzaffarpur Lok Sabha constituency recorded the highest turnout at 61.30 percent during the fifth phase of polls on May 6. RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav had earlier said that the ruling NDA in Bihar has been trying to slow the voting process in several areas by sending faulty EVMs. He said that Faulty machines are being provided in order to slow the polling process in areas which has been our stron-ghold. The NDA is doing this out of fear because the grand alliance is goin-g to win on a maximum number of seats, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav said. Opposition leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi talks to the mediapersons as AP CM N. Chandrababu Naidu, Ashok Gehlot and Ahmed Patel look on in New Delhi on Tuesday. (Photo: AP) New Delhi: In a severe blow to the Opposition parties, the Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to modify its earlier order and dismissed a review petition filed by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and 20 Opposition leaders to increase the random paper trail (VVPAT) verification to 50 per cent of EVMs per constituency. On April 8, the Court had partially allowed the original plea, by directing the Election Commission to increase random matching of VVPAT slips with EVMs to five polling booths from one per Assembly segment in the ongoing general elections. A three-judge Bench of Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices Deepak Gupta and Sanjiv Khanna told senior counsel Abhishek Singhvi appearing for the petitioners, We are not inclined to modify our order. Mr Singhvi told the court that increase from 1 to 5 is not a reasonable number and does not lead to satisfaction desired by this court, and that the court should review its order. The review plea wanted verification to be hiked to 50 per cent of EVMs per assembly segment or at least to 33 per cent. The CJI told the counsel being a review petition, we are not bound to hear you. Petition dismissed. The petitioners submitted that the increase to a mere 2 per cent is not sufficient and will not make any substantial difference to the situation that existed prior to the passing of the impugned order. The petition was originally filed challenging the decision of ECI to verify VVPAT of only one randomly selected booth of a constituency. The petitioners say that this will account only for 0.44% of the votes polled. This guideline defeats the entire purpose of VVPAT and makes the same ornamental without actual substance, they argued. They submitted that, once this court agreed that the number of EVMs that should be subjected to VVPAT verification should be increased to a reasonable number, not increasing the same to a number which is reasonable because it may not be viable to do so rendered the entire exercise otiose and futile. Consequently, they said that the viable number must also necessarily be reasonable. It was pointed out that at many booths in Andhra Pradesh the VVPAT machines were not working properly. In the State of Andhra Pradesh alone, polling had to be delayed and deferred in 618 polling booths and 20 polling booths reported law and order problems. Hyderabad: Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao is likely to hold the Cabinet meeting on May 28 to approve the drafts of the new Revenue and Municipal Acts. With the indication from the Chief Minister of holding Cabinet meet on May 28, sources close to the government said Chief Secretary S.K. Joshi has asked the secretaries of all departments to furnish the information to his officer on all pending issues by May 25. All political parties are expecting hectic political activity after the Lok Sabha results on May 23 for the formation of the Central government. Sources close to the Chief Ministers Office revealed that Mr Rao has already made up his mind to camp in Delhi after the Lok Sabha results. According to his close confidants, he could stay in New Delhi for 10 days in case of a hung Lok Sabha. The sources said that in such scenario the Cabinet will meet only after the formation of the government at the Centre. Otherwise as per the schedule the Cabinet will meet on May 28. If the government forms at the Centre before May 28, the Model Code of Conduct for the Lok Sabha elections will cease to be in force and then the Cabinet could take the decision of increasing payouts under Asara pension and Rythu Bandhu scheme. However, State Chief Electoral Officer Rajat Kumar has clarified that while the government may hold Cabinet meetings, policy decisions may not be taken until the conclusion of the election code. The decisions taken at the Cabinet meeting could could be announced much later. The sources further said that the Legislative Assem-bly could be convened for two days from May 29 to 31 to approve the two new Bills and also other crucial matters. The Guild urges the EC to initiate necessary action against those who indulged in physical violence against journalists and asks the TMC-led West Bengal government to ensure law and order in the state so that journalists are not attacked by political parties and they can perform their professional duties safely, it said. (Photo: File) New Delhi: The Editors Guild has condemned several incidents of physical attack on journalists in West Bengal during the fifth phase of polling and urged the Election Commission to take action against those who indulged in such acts. Physical attacks against journalists are always reprehensible, but particularly so during elections as they undermine fair media scrutiny of an election, the Guild said in a statement. The Editors Guild said it condemns several incidents of physical attack on journalists in West Bengal on May 6, during the fifth phase of polling. Journalists belonging to different media organisations including NewsX, ABP Ananda and Zee News were attacked, allegedly by workers of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), the statement said. The Guild urges the EC to initiate necessary action against those who indulged in physical violence against journalists and asks the TMC-led West Bengal government to ensure law and order in the state so that journalists are not attacked by political parties and they can perform their professional duties safely, it said. Keep yourself updated on Lok Sabha Elections 2019 with our round-the-clock coverage -- breaking news, updates, analyses et all. Happy reading. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Tuesday said that a tendency has developed among the political parties to excessively allege violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) by their opponents. (Photo: File) New Delhi: Calling the Congress Party as a 'Cry Baby' in the elections, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Tuesday said that a tendency has developed among the political parties to excessively allege violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) by their opponents. Taking to Twitter, Jaitley said: "Of late, a tendency has developed amongst the political parties to excessively allege violation of the MCC by their opponents. In the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, the Congress Party as the 'Cry Baby' of this election, is leading the pack." "The Right to Free Speech does not get suspended or diluted even during elections. Quite to the contrary, elections are the greatest celebration of Indian democracy. The sacrosanct Right of Free Speech has to be fully protected during this period," he said. The Finance Minister said that "the MCC and the Right to Free Speech have to co-exist". "In recent cases, where the PM appealed to the first time voters, no party or candidate was mentioned. In another case, he made a reference to the demographic composition of the new constituency of Congress President. How these speeches are even considered violative of the MCC?" Jaitley tweeted. "Another case relates to the Gandhi Family principle of restrictive free speech. They can call even an honest Prime Minister a 'Chor.' However, others don't possess this right," he said. The Congress has moved the apex court after the Election Commission had given clean chit to PM Modi and BJP president Shah for their speeches alleging that it violated the Model Code of Conduct. The Supreme Court will hear the matter on May 8. Keep yourself updated on Lok Sabha Elections 2019 with our round-the-clock coverage -- breaking news, updates, analyses et all. Happy reading. Gurdaspur: He had roared like a lion in the emotionally-charged movie Border where as Major Kuldip Singh Chandpuri he valiantly fought the Pakistanis in the Battle of Longewala in 1971. But in reality, as the BJP candidate from Gurudaspur, actor Sunny Deol would rather play down the Indo-Pak tension. "Movies are different but this is not a movie this is real life. I have always done positive roles in my life, my sentiments are also the same," he said to NDTV. Deol is Pitched against Congress Sunil Jakhar in Gurudaspur. Appreciating PM Modis work in the last five years, Deol said, "In the last five years, Modiji has done a great job. I want him to continue with this good work... after all, to keep the nation together and take it forward are signs of a good leader." Deol is humble in admitting his lack of information. "I do not know much about issues like Balakot strikes or India's relations with Pakistan. I am here to serve the people; if I win maybe I will have an opinion, right now I don't," he admitted. Deol has been holding long roadshows in his constituency in preparation for polls in his constituency. When asked if Modis wave is helping him or he is encashing on his personality, Deol said, I don't want to encash anything, I just want to work for my country. If I win, I will try to do good work. If your principles are right, you can achieve anything." Deol waves at people, gives them autograph but doesnt say much. I have come here to connect with the people. If I win, I will work for these people. My father was associated with Vajpayeeji. I chose Modiji, Deol said. Gurdaspur is among the 13 constituencies of Punjab which shall vote on May 19. New Delhi: Expecting to garner more seats in the east and the northeast, the general secretary of the Bharatiya Janata Party Ram Madhav is confident of sealing a comfortable victory in the 2019 general election. In an interview to NDTV, Madhav said, "We won't need anyone to form the next government, we are confident." Negating the attempts made by Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao (KCR) of forming a government without the support of the BJP or the Congress, Madhav said, "Many leaders like KCR, Chandrababu Naidu dream of becoming kingmaker. When we have king, where is the need for a kingmaker?" In this election, Madhav expects the BJP to penetrate inside Odisha, West Bengal and the North East holding on to its electoral score in the North. On oppositons charge of nationalism and national security linked to the Pulwama terror attack and Indias retaliation with air strikes in Pakistans Balakot being miused by Modi during his election campaign, Madhav dismissed the same saying, Mr Modi spoke about nationalism, national security for only five minutes during his speeches. The rest of his political speeches were on development projects. Five phases of elections are over with few key constituencies yet to vote. Varanasi, from where PM Modi is contesting, shall vote on May 19. RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on Tuesday accused Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and BJP of providing "tampered EVMs" at areas where 'polling is happening strongly' in the favour of the grand alliance. (Photo: File) Patna: RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on Tuesday accused Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and BJP of providing "tampered EVMs" at areas where "polling is happening strongly" in the favour of the grand alliance. "We are noticing that wherever polling is happening strongly in our favour, malfunctioned EVMs are being provided to slow the polling process as per a strategy. This is happening out of fear as we are winning. Just to minimise the winning margin, Nitish Kumar and BJP are doing this," Tejashwi told ANI here. "They should give in written that they won't take support from the 'mahamilawati' parties which they call us," he added. When asked about the Muzaffarpur shelter home case, Yadav said, "There is clear involvement of Nitish Kumar and his dear ones in the case. They should at least abide by the Supreme Court's order. Also, Nitish Kumar should at least apologise for this." On Monday, the Supreme Court had asked the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to complete within two weeks the probe into the alleged killing of 11 girls in the aforesaid case in which Brajesh Thakur is the main accused. A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi while posting the matter for hearing on June 3 asked the probe agency to complete the investigation in the said time and also submit a status report in the case. In Bihar, polling for the 40 Lok Sabha seats at stake is being held in all seven phases, with the last phase scheduled for May 19. Results will be declared on May 23. The RJD is in alliance with Congress, Rashtriya Lok Samta Party (RLSP), Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM), Lok Jantrantrik Dal (LJD) and Vikas Sheel Insaan Party (VIP) in the state. Keep yourself updated on Lok Sabha Elections 2019 with our round-the-clock coverage -- breaking news, updates, analyses et all. Happy reading. B Vinod Kumar, the deputy floor leader of TRS in Lok Sabha spoke to media. (Photo: File) Hyderabad: A United Front-type government of regional parties supported by the Congress is the "only likelihood" after the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, a key TRS leader said on Tuesday. B Vinod Kumar, sitting Lok Sabha member from Karimnagar and a confidant of TRS President and Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, claimed that regional parties would win more seats than BJP-led NDA or Congress-anchored UPA. "United Front experiment was...Congress supporting from outside. This time also there is every likelihood of such a proposition. No doubt," Kumar, the deputy floor leader of TRS in Lok Sabha, told PTI. On his assessment of the Lok Sabha election results, he said, "Congress crossing 100 (seats) and reaching 120-130 will be a herculean task for them (Congress). And BJP definitely not more than 170 (seats)". According to him, the idea of United Front "surfaced" after the election results in 1996, but "now I hope that even before the results (on May 23), that talk is on". "I think that (a UF government with Congress supporting from outside) is the only likelihood", Kumar said. The TRS had been pitching the idea of a non-Congress, non-BJP federal front of regional parties for several months now. Chandrasekhar Rao met his Kerala counterpart, Pinarayi Vijayan, heading the CPI-M-led LDF government, yesterday in Thiruvananthapuram, as part of his outreach to opposition parties. Kumar had accompanied him. The Chief Minister's daughter and sitting Nizamabad Lok Sabha member K Kavitha told PTI recently that regional parties may hold the key for government formation. She had said the TRS is in touch with various parties not part of the BJP-led NDA and Congress-anchored UPA on its efforts to forge a federal front of regional outfits. A federal front would take good shape after the Lok Sabha election results are out, Kavitha had said. Keep yourself updated on Lok Sabha Elections 2019 with our round-the-clock coverage -- breaking news, updates, analyses et all. Happy reading. 'Rajiv ji's contribution for the nation proved to be a milestone,' Baghel said. (Photo: File) Raipur: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel Monday slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for calling former PM late Rajiv Gandhi corrupt. Speaking at a poll rally in Pratapgarh in Uttar Pradesh on May 4, PM Modi, attacking Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, accused the latter's father, former PM Rajiv Gandhi, of being corrupt. "Your father was termed 'Mr Clean' by his courtiers, but his life ended as 'Bhrastachari number 1' (corrupt number 1)," Modi had said. Addressing a press conference here, Baghel said, "Rajiv ji's contribution for the nation proved to be a milestone. His work on information technology and Panchayati Raj are among them. He sacrificed his life for the unity and integrity of the country. He was awarded the highest civilian award of the country Bharat Ratna posthumously." "The PM's remark on Rajiv ji is highly condemnable. No one can even imagine that a person of the stature of prime minister would make such a derogatory remark about a person who is not alive and was a respectable political figure. It shows the PM has lost his mental balance and needs medication," Baghel said. "The PM has said that he sleeps only for 3-4 hours. Lack of sleep has destablised his mental status. He (Modi) should not be at the top position as it is dangerous for the country," he added. PM Modi falsely claims he has love in his heart for the country but instead he is only hungry for power and can stoop to any level to attain it, Baghel alleged. Baghel said the statement proved that Modi had accepted defeat in the ensuing Lok Sabha elections and demanded that the PM apologise to the nation for the remark. Baghel further said the BJP is not going to win more than 150 seats in the lok Sabha election, and claimed the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance would get over 300 seats. Meanwhile, state BJP spokesperson Sachchidanand Upsane hit out at Baghel for his statement that the PM has lost his mental balance. "Since Modi ji became PM, Congress leaders have been making very objectionable comments on him. Now a CM has made such a remark. He should apologise," Upsane said. "The PM did not abuse Rajiv Gandhi ji. He had only told the facts. Why is the Congress so panicked when the entire Bofors matter is in the public domain. Rajiv ji must have worked for the country but he also faced charges of corruption," Upsane added. Kolkata: Dismissing Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's comparison of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with "Duryodhana," the villain of Mahabharata BJP president Amit Shah on Tuesday hailed Modi as "Arjuna," the hero of the great epic, who would once again emerge as winner on May 23 when the Lok Sabha Election results would be declared. He also defended the PM for his attacking comments on former PM Rajiv Gandhi which has triggered a massive controversy in the political theatre. In an oblique reference to Mr Modi's salvo to Congress president Rahul Gandhi: "Your fathers life ended as Corrupt No.1," the BJP chief wondered what "wrong" he said. To justify his defence Shah argued that the Congress and its allies also insulted Modi more than 50 times. Addressing a BJP Lok Sabha Election campaign rally at Belda in West Midnapore Shah said, "Just now Priyanka Gandhi compared Modiji with Duryodhana. Priyankaji, the people of the country will decide on May 23 who is Duryodhana and who is Arjuna. You do not need to be restless. Let the result on May 23 come. The people of the country will say then whether Modiji is Duryodhana or Arjuna." Rallying support behind Modi who has been in the eye of storm for his comments on the late PM the BJP chief observed, "Modiji recently said that Bofors scam took place during the tenure of Rajiv Gandhi as the PM. What wrong did he say? Rahul Gandhi should tell the people whether Bofors scam, Bhopal Gas Tragedy, Santi Sena Blunder and the Kashmiri Pandits' slaughter indeed happened during his father's rule or not." He alleged, "Don't the citizens of the country know it? Rahul Baba claims that his father was insulted. Is reminding the truth really an insult? The Congress and its allies hurled abuses on Modiji at least 51 times. Pawan Kheda of Congress compared him with Osama. Vijaya Shanti called him a terrorist. Raj Babbar claimed that Rupee's value against Dollar has fallen to the age of Modi's mother." Shah claimed, "Mallikarjun Kharge branded him as Hitler while Sanjay Nirupam described him as Gawar. When anything is said against an Old and Late PM, it becomes an insult. But when anything is spoken against the serving PM, no one says anything." Keep yourself updated on Lok Sabha Elections 2019 with our round-the-clock coverage -- breaking news, updates, analyses et all. Happy reading. Hyderabad: Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao who floated the idea of a non-Congress and non-BJP Federal Front, is said to be trying to convince other parties about his seat matrix theory, without much success. Sources close to the Chief Minister said that the TRS chief has reportedly told other leaders like BJDs Naveen Patnaik and Kerala Chief Minister and Communist leader Pinarayi Vijayan that regional parties would win most of the 150 Lok Sabha seats in the five southern states and would play crucial role in the government formation at the Centre. He feels that the BJP and the Congress would not win many seats in these states as the BJP and Congress would not fare well in Tamil Nadu, AP and Telangana. Despite allying with the Telugu Desam in AP, the BJP could win only 21 seats in the South in 2014, mostly coming from Karnataka. In the current Lok Sabha elections, Mr Rao claims the TRS and YSR Congress together would win around 40 seats in both states. If the Biju Janata Dal, DMK, JD(S) and the Left Democratic Front in Kerala join the Federal Front, they could play a crucial role in deciding the future Prime Minister of the country. However, two regional parties in the south - the JD(S) and the DMK are Congress allies and have supported Congress president Rahul Gandhi for the PMs post. DMK chief M.K. Stalin, therefore, is not so keen on Mr Raos political alternative. Similarly, neither Trinamool Congress chief Mamta Banerjee nor BSP chief Mayawati nor Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has openly supported the idea of the Federal Front so far. Though Mr Rao is harping on the seat matrix, without the support of the other parties it will be difficult for him to achieve his dream. Bengaluru: Is the Congress pushing for a mid-term election in Karnataka? Going by some party insiders, several of its legislators are clamouring for former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to take over the reins of the government again and with the relationship between the party and its coalition partner, the Janata Dal (S) souring, they reportedly feel it's time to end its ten-month tie-up with it and seek a fresh mandate from the people. Some claim the Congress could say goodbye to the JD(S) if it wins at least 13 of the 28 parliamentary seats in Karnataka. Bolstered by its wins in the Assembly polls in Rajasthan, Chattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh, the party could break ties with the JD(S) and go for a snap poll under the leadership of Mr Siddaramaiah, they say. Several Congress legislators reportedly feel that remaining in the coalition in the state could be detrimental to the party as its workers are finding it hard to back its old rival-now-turned ally, the JD(S). especially in the Vokkaliga-dominated Mysuru, Mandya, Hassan, Tumakuru, Chikkaballapur, Bangaluru Rural and Chitradurga districts. Party leaders note that things came to a head in Hassan, Mandya and Tumakuru these Lok Sabha polls with the local Congress leaders and workers refusing to campaign for the JD(S). And going by the response to the Congress during the campaign. some in the party now believe it could cross the magic number of 113 on its own if a snap poll is held. They argue that it could be the right time to strike if the BJP- led NDA government fails to come back to power at the Centre . "It is well known that the BJP entirely depends on the popularity of Mr Modi and in its absence its chances of crossing 113 seats is quite unlikely in the state. Also, the BJP's image has suffered after it made futile attempts to poach the Congress and the JD(S) MLAs to achieve a simple majority," they contend. A map of Japanese business establishments in India also reveals the geographic spread of growth. Maharashtra heads the list with 810 businesses. Tamil Nadu (620), Haryana (609) and Karnataka (529) follow. Adapting US President Calvin Coolidge on America in the Roaring Twenties, it might be that the business of Japan is business. That explains the ups and downs of India-Japanese relations which are now complicated by the urge, inspired by the United States and encouraged by Australia, to contain China through a quadrilateral alliance. This is a critical time for both countries. Both suffer the ravages of cyclones. Both have to cope with the withdrawal of the waiver of US sanctions for buying Iranian oil. Both face governmental change. India will have a new or renewed government after May 23. In Japan a new emperor acceded to the Chrysanthemum Throne on May 1 following the abdication of his father. Now referred to as the Heisei emperor, Emperor Akihitos 30-year reign was a time of peace and prosperity. Will Emperor Naruhito, the 126th monarch in a 2,000-year line, the worlds oldest, and his Reiwa (beautiful harmony) era witness a new form of Asian competition? Born in 1960, Naruhito is the first emperor to be free of the taint of World War II. His thesis on Navigation and Traffic on the Upper Thames in the 18th Century at Merton College, Oxford, makes him Japans first modern ruler with an equally modern Harvard-educated, former career diplomat consort in Empress Masako. The emperor is not quite a stranger to India. Aged 27, he paid an official visit in 1987 when he also visited Bhutan. Japans deeply venerated emperors do not exercise even the informal political influence that Britains Queen Elizabeth II is said to do. But actions and messages can convey signals without being specific, although those signals may reflect the Japanese governments thinking rather than individual imperial whim. Emperor Hirohitos phlegmatic The war situation has developed not necessarily to Japans advantage broadcast on August 15, 1945 was one instance. The tours of Okinawa with its bitter memories of fighting the Americans and of Pacific battlefields that suffered the most during World War II that his son, Emperor Akihito, visited almost like a pilgrim, was another. Similarly, Naruhitos visit to Bhutan only a year after diplomatic relations were established helped to raise the international profile of the small, landlocked and secluded Druk kingdom that was almost entirely dependent on India. A small gesture like wearing a kho, the knee-length Bhutanese robe that looks rather like a Scottish kilt, made the prince extremely popular with the Bhutanese who had only recently asserted themselves diplomatically by moving out of Indias tutelage and starting bilateral talks with China on a disputed, undemarcated 470-km border which exploded in the Doklam crisis of 2017. The engagement Prince Naruhito initiated led to a lively increase in tourism, economic cooperation and high-level exchanges, as well as an implicit strategic partnership between two countries facing problems with China. New Delhi was the recipient of another of Japans coded signals when no Japanese Prime Minister visited India for 23 years. It was a reminder that Indias economy was stagnating with a per capita GNP that was less than one-tenth of South Koreas. Such backwardness offered little scope for trade and investment, the most important drivers of Tokyos diplomacy. Two successive Japanese Prime Ministers (Nobusuke Kishi and Hayato Ikeda) paid visits in 1957 and 1960, each within three months of taking over. The next prime ministerial visitor was Yasuhiro Nakasone in May 1984. Then, as India began tentatively to respond to altered conditions, Toshiki Kaifu visited in the spring of 1990, almost presciently on the eve of P.V. Narasimha Raos epochal reforms. The first two visits in quick succession, the long interval, and then the shorter gap of six years, provided a thermometer of Indias economic health. The turning point was when Prime Minister Yoshiro Moris 114-member delegation, including 14 senior officials, 41 special invitees, mostly business people, and 59 journalists, reached Bengaluru in August 2000. He and Atal Behari Vajpayee established the Global Partnership between Japan and India. The even bigger breakthrough was in April 2005 when Prime Ministers Junichiro Koizumi and Manmohan Singh initiated the annual Japan-India summit meetings that have since been held in alternate capitals. If the economic relationship is still not buoyant, its mainly because of Indias poor infrastructure, and the ruling National Democratic Alliances unfulfilled promises of 2014. Japan can invest in high-speed railways but that alone will not revive Indias economy if manufacturing is at a standstill, unemployment is rising and incomes are falling. Neither demonetisation nor the GST has succeeded in eliminating black money. Nevertheless, Indias share of Japans Foreign Direct Investment rose from $3,218 million to $4,252 million between 2016 and 2018, while Japanese exports to and imports from India during the same period stood at $11,009 million and $5,499 million respectively. A relatively recent Japanese foreign ministry document cites Indias democracy, vibrant market economy, high growth rate, food self-sufficiency and strategic position astride Japans oil lifeline as being of vital interest to the Japanese. Without that reappraisal, a high-flying ambassador like Yasukuni Enoki may not have set the diplomatic dovecotes aflutter with talk of Japan-India-China talks. Nor would Shinzo Abe, the Prime Minister, have started alarm bells ringing in Beijing by including India in his proposed Quadrilateral Security Dialogue with the United States and Australia. Therein lies the rub. It might flatter India when US President Donald Trump replaces Asia-Pacific with Indo-Pacific, but the reasons for the revival of Mr Abes on-again-off-again Quad proposal and its likely impact deserve careful examination. Japans economic interaction with China is so profound that it can afford to take political risks. Whether India has the capability or the finesse to follow suit is another matter. While New Delhis diplomats and sundry officials can justifiably claim credit over a job well done with regard to Mission Masood, having successfully got Beijing to reverse its stand of over a decade and allow the UN Security Councils sanctions committee to designate Jaish-e-Mohammed founder-chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist, it might be instructive to explore the real reasons that lay behind the Chinese turnaround on May Day 2019. The Chinese action, though not wholly unexpected or surprising, has undoubtedly stumped large sections of Pakistanis, as it appears from an Islamabad media report: Observers are perplexed as it came less than a week after an important meeting between the visiting Pakistani top leadership and Chinas President Xi Jinping in Beijing, where the former had gone to participate in the BRI Forum. Analysts in that country are intrigued over the question of whether the Chinese President or the foreign minister opt to take Pakistan into confidence about changing their minds. Undoubtedly, pertinent questions were posed by the Pakistani media from their point of view. Unfortunately, however, by asking these questions, the Pakistanis are ignoring the reality that their good questions dont necessarily have any good answers from Chinas perspective. Pakistanis should know by now, if they dont know already, that diplomacy and international affairs revolve around two (unspoken) basics the national self-interest of every sovereign state, and weighing the pros and cons of each action, especially pertaining to so serious a matter as international terrorism. Understandably, China did what it did on May Day 2019 for its national self-interest, and after calculating the pros and cons before taking action. Let us, therefore, try and analyse Beijings perspective and peep into the psyche and perspective of the 21st century Hans. The fundamental factor that determine all policies by Beijing today is development economics. To achieve growth and maintain a lead over each and every country, and particularly the United States and the West, is the core issue and ultimate goal of the Communist Party of China something that the ruling mandarins in Beijing will not deviate from under any circumstances. There thus emerge myriad factors and multiple actors for China, from which to make a compelling choice. In the South Asian context, however, the traditional preference, as done in the past by the British (till 1947), the Americans (from 1950s till 9/11 in 2001) and the Chinese (from 1963 till date), has been to give preference to Pakistan with its geo-strategic location over democratic Indias noisy polity and promising, but erratic economics for playing one against the other. However, two strong currents and counter-currents also began in South Asia following the Soviet Unions defeat (and ignominious retreat) in Afghanistan in February 1989, and the quick demise of the USSR itself soon afterwards, in December 1991. First, Pakistan started with renewed vigour the military-mullah-mosque power that was unleashed earlier by Zia-ul Haq (1976-1988) to destabilise India, through Jammu and Kashmir, after failing in Punjabs Khalistan movement in the 1980s. And second, New Delhi began its monumental journey for money, market and manufacturing. Consequently, whereas Pakistan fell back, India moved on. Nevertheless China, the all-weather friend of Pakistan, being inimical towards India, chose the non-state religious actors of the Pakistani militarys cross-border terrorism to keep New Delhi under check. The harsh geography of Pakistan was the choice of China over the unpredictable economics of India. That India grew post-1991 is a wondrous reality, the existence of several failures and serious faultlines notwithstanding. However, Chinas double- digit growth for two continuous decades created a new situation. It had to constantly scout for new markets for its gargantuan production lines, and thus India could not be ignored for long in Chinas own self-interest. For India too, a perceptible change set in the late 20th century. Its important to remember here that the ceaseless terror activities of the Pakistani Army and its Inter-Services Intelligence was now transforming global opinion in Indias favour, as China too was being perceived as a co-conspirator, if not a terror-colluder. Thus, Pakistan infiltrated and then invaded Kargil on the sly in the summer of 1999 and got a befitting bloody nose, followed by a humiliating retreat. And then the 9/11 attack on America, on New York City and Washington DC, in one stroke changed the worlds scenario upside down. The world now saw through Pakistani malevolence and its equally mala fide partner, China, against India. The 26/11 Mumbai mayhem in 2008 was the ultimate example of Sino-Pakistani entente. Organised by the Pakistani Army-ISI duo (with Hafiz Saeed out in front), which the present Chinese ambassador to India (who then was Beijings envoy to Pakistan) had the privilege of seeing as a virtual direct witness, the criminality and murderous assault on India was transparent. The Sino-Pakistani terror alliance against India was becoming too conspicuous to be ignored, and too serious to be either denied or hidden. Despite the terror assault and the loss of lives, Indias slow and steady progress created an economic opportunity for Beijing. Hence began the Sino-Indian bilateral convergence. Strange! But not really so. Military deployments at the border and missile technology were seen as a divergence. Money and markets became convergence, thereby gradually pushing Chinas so-called all-weather friend Pakistan into the background. India pulled forward and occupied an important space for Chinas global aspirations. Thus, whereas the Sino-Indian bilateral trade in 1999-2000 made a modest beginning, with $539.04 million exports to China, Beijing began with a bang exporting double the value of India with $1.282 billion to New Delhi. China tasted profit in the Indian market. Indias economics emerged more attractive to China in the 21st century than operating in the turbulent geography of Pakistan, supplemented by a mala fide military and an equally nasty bunch of religious fanatics in Islamabad. It, therefore, came as a pleasant surprise to China in 2009-2010 when its exports to India fetched $30.824 billion, ending up with a surplus trade balance of $19.207 billion, as Indias exports to China stood at $11.617 billion. The year 2009 was also the one in which India started Mission Masood to designate him as a global terrorist. From now on, it was terror versus trade. Chinese profits from Indian trade and Indias pain from the Sino-Pakistani terror. Thus, when Xi Jinping announced his BRI/OBOR/CPEC in 2013, Chinese exports to India had already become astoundingly profitable, with Indias exports to Beijing at $14.824 billion, compared to Chinas $51.034 billion exports to India in 2013-2014. China thus had a $36.21 billion surplus. Thereafter, the Chinese trade surplus shot up to $63 billion in 2017-2018, and in 2018-2019 it cannot be less than $52 billion. Its simple. Chinese traders are here to stay and play, and make money in telecommunications, tourism, toys, FMCG, infrastructure, machines and metro rail. For China, India is (one way) revenue and profit, while Pakistan spells expenditure and terror, religious fanaticism and the Army-ISIs shadow of uncertainty due to the likes of Masood Azhar. It seemed a better option to switch sides without firing a shot to make money, as the CPEC could be in peril too as evident from the IAF strikes in Balakot. Hence the lifting of the technical objection. Remember Mao Zedongs old adage? One step backwards (today); two steps forward (tomorrow)! Apple AirPods are tiny and can be lost easily; however, a Taiwanese man named Ben Hsu lost an AirPod in his gut! (Photo: Representational/Pixabay) When Apple introduced the AirPods, one thing is for certain they are durable and a man from Taiwan has experienced it firsthand. While the first thoughts of AirPods durability quickly suggest a horrific torture test, a Taiwanese man put it through a durability test that even Apple themselves couldnt have envisioned. Apple AirPods are tiny and can be lost easily; however, a Taiwanese man named Ben Hsu lost an AirPod in his gut! Yes, you read that correctly. He accidentally swallowed an AirPod and he and the AirPod have lived to tell the tale. As per a report by The Daily Mail, Hsu ended up carrying an AirPod in his belly after falling asleep listening to music on them. When he woke up, he pulled out his iPhone to locate the earbud only to find out that it was beeping like a pager inside his stomach. He then rushed to a hospital where a doctor on duty gave him a laxative, which in the end, any form of natural way is far better than surgery. A day later, while at a railway station, Hsu found himself rushing to the nearest toilet as the AirPod was waiting to get discharged. In the end, everything turned out well for Hsu and the lone AirPod as he not only got to find out that his digestive system works spectacularly but also that the AirPod worked fine and had 41 per cent of juice remaining. Hsu told The Daily Mail, The battery was still at 41 per cent! It was incredible. Explaining how the AirPod ended up in a place it had no business being in, Hsu said, I checked under my blanket and looked around but couldn't find it - then I realised the sound was coming from my stomach. As of yet, Apple hasnt yet commented on the incident, but we are sure they will be pleased to know that no matter the situation and how awkward it may be, the AirPods are indeed quite durable. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. The fix, however, does not resolve the problem for legacy users who have not upgraded from older Firefox versions. A certificate error that impromptu disabled all add-ons on Mozilla's Firefox browser have been finally fixed. In its official blog, the company explained that a Firefox release version 66.0.4 on Desktop and Android, and version 60.6.2 for ESR repairs the certificate chain to re-enable web extensions, themes, search engines, and language packs that had been disabled. On Friday, users reported an issue with Firefox that prevented existing and new add-ons from running or being installed. The fix, however, does not resolve the problem for legacy users who have not upgraded from older Firefox versions. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. Climate change has already harmed almost half of the worlds endangered mammals and species. (Photo:AP) New Delhi: Scientists have warned in a new study that climate change and rising sea levels eventually will wipe out one of the worlds last and largest tiger strongholds. According to a detailed report by the United Nations, the wild cats are among nearly 500,000 land species whose survival is now very sceptical owing to threats to their natural habitat. The Sundarbans, which is 4000 square miles of marsh land in India and Bangladesh, is home to the worlds largest mangrove forest. With rich ecosystem, it supports several hundred species of animals, including The Bengal tiger. Also Read: Global inequality is 25 per cent higher due to climate change Australian and Bangladeshi researchers reported in Journal Science of The Total Environment, that 70 per cent of land is just a few feet above sea level and grave changes are in store for the whole region. These climate changes will warm the planet which in turn will be enough to perish the few hundred or so Bengal tigers left there. By the looks of it in and around 2070, there will be no suitable habitats for tigers in Bangladeshi Sundarbans, concluded a study by 10 researchers. The paper, which relies on climate change scenarios developed by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change for its simulation models, adds to existing studies that offer similarity in grim predictions for wildlife in the Sundarbans. Simply moving the tigers to another reserve, for instance, is not a 'viable solution'. (Photo:AP) In 2010, a study led by the World Wide Fund for Nature predicted that a sea level rise of 11 inches could possibly reduce the number of tigers in the Sundarbans by as much as 96 per cent within a few decades. Climate change has already harmed almost half of the worlds endangered mammals and species, far more than previously projected, a recent study found. Sharif A. Mukul, lead author of the new report on the Sundarbans, and his partners looked for risks to the tiger beyond sea level rise, which accounted for nearly 5.4 percent to 11.3 percent of the projected habitat loss between 2050 and 2070. Other reasons related to climate change were more deteriorating to the Sundarbans tigers, one of the largest remaining populations of wild tigers around the globe, the researchers found. Since the early 1900s, hunting, habitat loss and the illegal trade of animal parts have wrecked the global population of tigers from around 100,000 to fewer than 4,000. In the Bangladesh Sundarbans, a rise in extreme weather events and changing vegetation will further damage the population, the study found. And as the Sundarbans flood, encounters may grow between humans and tigers as the animals stray outside their habitat in search of new land. A host of things can happen, said Dr Mukul, an assistant professor of environmental management at Independent University, Dhaka. The state of the tigers and the area could be even worse if a cyclone hits or if there is some disease outbreak, or if there is a shortage for food. In October, a milestone report by the United Nationss scientific panel on climate change found that if greenhouse gas emissions continued at the current speed, the atmosphere would warm by 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit above preindustrial levels by 2040. This April 19, 2019 photo from Keepers of the Wild shows Bowie, a Bengal tiger in his compound at the nonprofit animal rescue facility near the town of Valentine in northwestern Arizona. (Photo:AP) That increase would have major consequences for food chains, coral reefs and flood-affected areas. It may also incorrectly affect poorer, densely packed countries like Bangladesh, which is about the size of Iowa and home to nearly 160 million people. In an analysis of decades of tidal records, scientists saw that high tides were rising much faster than the global average in Bangladesh, which sits right in the Ganges Delta, a complex network of rivers and streams. Sugata Hazra, oceanographer at Jadavpur University, India said there may be some land-loss in the Sundarbans, but his research has suggested a less dramatic effect on tigers. Some steps have already been taken to protect low-lying areas and the tigers living there, said Zahir Uddin Ahmed, a Bangladeshi official. Plants and Crops that can survive higher levels of water salinity are being introduced. The government has constructed storm surge walls. Sediment redistribution has also naturally raised the height of many islands, he said. Author of The Vanishing: Indias Wildlife Crisis, Prerna Singh Bindra said tiger habitats would continue to shrink and dwindle whether because of climate change or the development of industry and that decent conservation options were hard to come by. Simply moving the tigers to another reserve, for instance, was not a viable solution, she said. Where do you put these tigers? Where is a suitable habitat on this over-crowded planet? The journalists were awarded the Pulitzer Prize for international reporting last month. (Photo: AFP) Yangon/Mumbai: After spending more than 500 days in jail, two Reuters journalists who were arrested in 2017, were released on Tuesday. Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo were released as part of an amnesty of 6,520 prisoners by President Win Myint. The journalists were awarded the Pulitzer Prize for international reporting last month. Im really happy and excited to see my family and my colleagues. I cant wait to go to my newsroom," Wa Lone said. At the time of their arrests, they had been working on an investigation into the killing of 10 Rohingya Muslim men and boys in a village in Rakhine state. Their arrest was seen as an assault on press freedom and raised questions about Myanmar's democracy. The timeline of the key events in the case: December 12-13, 2017: Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo are arrested in Yangon after being invited to meet police at a restaurant. They were charged under the Official Secrets Act. For the next two weeks, the duo was held at a secret interrogation camp. December 18, 2017: Myanmar military said that it has discovered mass graves in the village of Inn Din, in western Rakhine state. December 27, 2017: The reporters were produced in the court and were remanded into custody. January 10, 2018: Pre-trial hearings began seeking charges against the journalists under the Official Secrets Act. On the same day, Myanmar military said its soldiers murdered 10 captured Muslims, whose bodies were those discovered by the security forces in the mass gravess. February 1, 2018: A police witness, Major Min Thant said under cross-examination that the information in the documents the reporters were holding during the time of their arrest had already been published in newspapers. The court denied the bail request. February 6, 2018: Police witness Second Lieutenant Tin Htwe Oo, who testified that he was part of the arrest team, said he burned the notes he made at the time, but gave no reason for his act. February 8, 2018: Reuters published the investigation that the reporters had been working on. It described how security forces and local Rakhine Buddhists were involved in the killing of the 10 Rohingya Muslim men and boys buried in the mass graves at Inn Din. February 11, 2018: The government said the action will be taken against the members of its security forces in connection with the killing but it is not related to Reuters report. February 28, 2018: A civilian witness for the prosecution read from notes on his hand when asked about the location of the journalists arrests. When challenged he said he wrote on his hand to jog his memory while testifying because he was forgetful. March 7, 2018: A police officer who took part in a post-arrest search of Wa Lones family home testified that officers were looking for material related to news. March 28, 2018: Lawyers for Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo asked the court to throw out the case as there was insufficient evidence to support charges against the pair. March 29, 2018: Prominent human rights lawyer Amal Clooney joined the legal team representing the two Reuters reporters. Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo are being prosecuted simply because they reported the news, Clooney said in a statement. April 20, 2018: Prosecution witness Police Captain Moe Yan Naing told the court that a police brigadier general had given orders to entrap Wa Lone by giving him secret documents and then arresting him. Prosecutors later argued that Moe Yan Naing should be declared an unreliable witness, however, the judge rejected the request. April 29, 2018: Moe Yan Naing was sentenced to a year in prison for violating Myanmars Police Disciplinary Act by talking to Wa Lone. May 16, 2018: Police Lance Corporal Naing Lin, the officer Moe Yan Naing said was ordered to entrap Wa Lone, told the court he met the reporters, but denied giving them documents. June 11, 2018: A senior police officer denied during cross-examination by defence lawyers that the reporters were held at an interrogation camp, mistreated or asked if they were spies during questioning. Afterwards, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo disputed this account, and said they were handcuffed and questioned every two hours by different officers for about three days during their two-week detention period at the Aung Tha Pyay police special branch interrogation centre. July 2, 2018: Prosecutors and defence lawyers delivered final arguments in the pre-trial phase of the case. July 9, 2018: The court charged Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo with breaching the colonial-era Official Secrets Act. Both journalists pleaded not guilty to the charges, and told the judge they followed journalistic ethics. July 16, 2018: Wa Lone gave the first detailed account to the court of the night he and Kyaw Soe Oo were arrested. He said that Police Lance Corporal Naing Lin had called him at least twice on December 12 and demanded a meeting at which the officer abruptly handed both reporters some papers. He said they were arrested by plainclothes officers almost immediately after Naing Lin gave him the papers, which he did not have, time to look at. July 17, 2018: On the second day of testimony, Wa Lone described how police deprived him and Kyaw Soe Oo of sleep for about three days and placed black hoods over their heads while transporting them to the interrogation centre. Wa Lone said the interrogation focused on their reporting of the Inn Din killings, rather than on the documents they are accused of obtaining. July 24, 2018: Kyaw Soe Oo testified that he was forced to kneel on the floor for hours after police found images of the men killed at Inn Din on his phone. August 4, 2018: US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called for the immediate release of two Reuters reporters at a meeting with Myanmar Foreign Minister Kyaw Tin on the sidelines of a regional conference in Singapore. August 6, 2018: Defence witnesses testified to the integrity of the two journalists, with former teacher Ye Naing Moe, director of Yangon Journalism School, praising both reporters as curious and excellent students who had won multiple awards for stories focusing on the underprivileged and social issues. They were jailed for revealing the truth, he said. August 20, 2018: Yangon district judge Ye Lwin announced he will deliver his verdict on August 27. September 3, 2018: Myanmar court sentenced both journalists to seven years jail each for violating the state secrets act. Sentence prompted global outrage and called for release from US, UK and UN as Reuters denounced the "false charges". September 13, 2018: Suu Kyi pilloried after breaking her long silence on the case only to defend the court decision. "They were not jailed because they were journalists" but because "the court has decided that they had broken the Official Secrets Act", she said. January 11, 2019: Yangon High Court judge dismissed an appeal. The pair could take the case to Supreme Court for consideration or hope for a presidential pardon. May 7, 2019: The duo was released as part of an amnesty of 6,520 prisoners by President Win Myint. The two reporters, Wa Lone, 33, and Kyaw Soe Oo, 29, had been convicted in September and sentenced to seven years in jail. (Photo: AFP) Yangon: Two Reuters journalists jailed in Myanmar after they were convicted of breaking the Official Secrets Act walked free from a prison on the outskirts of Yangon on Tuesday after spending more than 500 days behind bars, witnesses said. The two reporters, Wa Lone, 33, and Kyaw Soe Oo, 29, had been convicted in September and sentenced to seven years in jail, in a case that raised questions about Myanmar's progress toward democracy and sparked an outcry from diplomats and human rights advocates. President Win Myint has pardoned thousands of other prisoners in mass amnesties since last month. It is customary in Myanmar for authorities to free prisoners across the country around the time of the traditional New Year, which began on April 17. Reuters has said the two men did not commit any crime and had called for their release. Swamped by media and well wishers as they walked through the gates of Insein Prison, on the outskirts of the commercial capital of Yangon, a grinning Wa Lone gave a thumbs up and said he was grateful for the international efforts to secure their freedom. "I'm really happy and excited to see my family and my colleagues. I can't wait to go to my newsroom." Before their arrest in December 2017, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo had been working on an investigation into the killing of 10 Rohingya Muslim men and boys by security forces and Buddhist civilians in western Myanmar's Rakhine State during an army crackdown that began in August 2017. The operation sent more than 730,000 Rohingya fleeing to Bangladesh, according to UN estimates. The report the two men authored, featuring testimony from perpetrators, witnesses and families of the victims, was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for international reporting in May, adding to a number of accolades received by the pair for their journalism. Calls to a spokesman for the Myanmar government were not immediately answered. Myanmar's Supreme Court had rejected the journalists' final appeal in April. They had petitioned the country's top court, citing evidence of a police set-up and lack of proof of a crime, after the Yangon High Court dismissed an earlier appeal in January. The reporters' wives wrote a letter to the government in April pleading for a pardon, not, they said, because their husbands had done anything wrong, but because it would allow them to be released from prison and reunited with their families. "Months of dialogue" The Reuters journalists were released at the prison to Lord Ara Darzi, a British surgeon and health care expert who has served as a member of an advisory group to Myanmar's government, and a Reuters representative. Darzi waited for Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo at the gates of Insein prison on a street where a group of dozens of reporters and photographers expecting a release of prisoners were also waiting. In a statement to Reuters, Darzi, 59, said the release of the two journalists came after "months of dialogue" with the government of Myanmar. "I am delighted that the Reuters reporters, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, have been granted a pardon, released from custody, and are with their loved ones once more. I know that it will come as a huge relief to their families, friends and colleagues," Darzi said in the statement. "This outcome shows that dialogue works, even in the most difficult of circumstances." Darzi said discussions about the pardon for Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo had involved the Myanmar government, Reuters, the United Nations and representatives of other governments but did not provide more detail on those closed-door talks. Reuters had no immediate comment. Darzi has been a member of an advisory commission that was formed to see through the advice from a panel headed by former UN chief Kofi Anan on solving the long-running conflict in Myanmar's western region in the state of Rakhine. Rakhine, on the Bay of Bengal, was the home to most Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar. Hundreds of thousands fled to Bangladesh after a military-led crackdown on the region in 2017. Senior Myanmar government officials, diplomats and some international representatives are meeting in Yangon to discuss Rakhine this week. "The power of dialogue must be turned towards securing a lasting peace in Rakhine State and the return of the hundreds of thousands of refugees, whose desperate plight continues. This is essential if Myanmar is to build on today's progress so that all its citizens can live together in dignity in the hope of a better tomorrow," Darzi said in the statement. A long-running US drone war against AQAP has intensified since President Donald Trump took office in January 2017. Dubai: A suspected US drone strike killed four alleged Al-Qaeda jihadists in central Yemen on Tuesday, a security official in the area said. The strike targeted the mens vehicle as they were heading to a farm in Marib province, according to the official, who did not want to be named. The United States considers Yemen-based Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) to be the radical groups most dangerous branch. A long-running US drone war against AQAP has intensified since President Donald Trump took office in January 2017. AQAP and other jihadist groups have flourished in the chaos of the countrys civil war, which pits the government backed by a Saudi-led military coalition against Shiite Huthi rebels. On Sunday, four suspected Al-Qaeda members were killed in a suicide attack claimed by the Islamic State group in Bayda province, a local official told AFP. The more than four-year conflict in Yemen has killed tens of thousands of people, many of them civilians, relief agencies say. The fighting has triggered what the United Nations describes as the worlds worst humanitarian crisis, with 3.3 million people still displaced and 24.1 million more than two-thirds of the population in need of aid. The launch of a ballistic missile towards Riyadh in November 2017 prompted the Saudi-led coalition to tighten its blockade of Yemen. Brokers are helped by pastors paid to preach to congregations with promises of wealth in exchange for their daughters. Gujranwala(Pakistan): Hundreds of young women from Pakistans small Christian minority have been trafficked to China as brides in recent months as their impoverished community is targeted in an aggressive new marriage market, activists and officials say. Brokers offer desperately poor parents thousands of dollars to give girls in marriage to Chinese men, even cruising outside churches for potential brides. They are helped by Christian pastors paid to preach to their congregations with promises of wealth in exchange for their daughters. Once in China, the girls - most often married against their will - can find themselves isolated in rural regions, vulnerable to abuse, unable to communicate and reliant on a translation app even for a glass of water. Touted as wealthy Christian converts, the grooms often turn out to be neither, according to accounts from brides, their parents, an activist, pastors and government officials, speaking to The Associated Press. This is human smuggling, said Ijaz Alam Augustine, the human rights and minorities minister in Pakistans Punjab province, in an interview with the AP. Greed is really responsible for these marriages ... I have met with some of these girls and they are very poor. The Associated Press interviewed more than a dozen Christian Pakistani brides and would-be brides who fled before exchanging vows. All had similar accounts of a process involving brokers and members of the clergy. It is all fraud and cheating. All the promises they make are fake, said Muqadas Ashraf, who was 16 when her parents married her off to a Chinese man last year. Less than five months later, she returned to Pakistan, pregnant and seeking a divorce. In China, demand for foreign brides has mounted, a legacy of the one-child policy that skewed the countrys gender balance toward males. Brides initially came largely from Vietnam, Laos and North Korea. Now men are looking further afield, said Mimi Vu, director of advocacy at Pacific Links, which helps trafficked Vietnamese women. Its purely supply and demand, she said. It used to be, Is she light-skinned? Now it's like, 'Is she female?' Pakistan seems to have come onto marriage brokers radar late last year. Saleem Iqbal, a Christian activist, said he first began to see significant numbers of marriages to Chinese men in October. Since then, an estimated 750 to 1,000 girls have been married off, he said. Pakistan's small Christian community is particularly vulnerable. It is among the country's poorest and has little political or social supporting, numbering some 2.5 million in Pakistan's overwhelmingly Muslim population of 200 million. In Pakistan, parents often decide a daughter's marriage partner. An egg hits the head of Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison as he speaks at a rural womens conference in the town of Albury, Australia. The egg was thrown by a 25-year-old woman. (Photo: AP) Sydney: Australias election became a little more raucous on Tuesday when a protestor tried but failed to crack an egg on Prime Minister Scott Morrisons head. The attackers egg, thrown from close range, appeared to bounce off the politician at a Country Women's Association event in New South Wales, where Morrison was campaigning ahead of May 18 general elections. The woman was wrestled away by Morrisons close protection security detail and could later be seen leaving the venue holding an egg carton. New South Wales police said they had taken a 25-year-old woman into custody following an incident involving the Prime Minister in Albury. In the fracas, an older woman was bundled over, and Morrison -- who is trailing in the polls ahead of the May 18 vote -- had to help her up. Morrison seized on the incident to attack his political detractors. My concern about today's incident in Albury was for the older lady who was knocked off her feet. I helped her up and gave her a hug, he tweeted. We will stand up to thuggery whether it's these cowardly activists who have no respect for anyone, or militant unionists standing over small businesses and their employees on work sites. Union leader Sally McManus pilloried the prime minister for that comparison. How dare you accuse us of this & make the association, she tweeted. Opposition Labor party leader Bill Shorten, tipped to take over the prime minister's job, called the assault appalling. The prime minister has my complete sympathy, he added, telling reporters in Melbourne: In Australia we have violence-free elections. Some European Union leaders had been unofficially told of Iran's decision, the report said. (Photo: AP | File) Geneva: Iran will restart part of its halted nuclear programme in response to the US withdrawal from a landmark 2015 nuclear deal but does not itself plan to pull out of the agreement, the state-run IRIB news agency reported on Monday. Citing a source close to an official commission which oversees the nuclear deal, IRIB reported that President Hassan Rouhani would announce that Iran would reduce some of its "minor and general" commitments under the deal on May 8 - exactly one year after US President Donald Trump announced the US pullout. Trump subsequently reimposed tough sanctions on Iran, including on its lifeblood oil exports with the stated intent of reducing them to zero and starving Iran's economy. "The Islamic Republic of Iran in reaction to the exit of America from the nuclear deal and the bad promises of European countries in carrying out their obligations will restart a part of the nuclear activities which were stopped under the framework of the nuclear deal," the source said, according to IRIB. Similarly, the semi-official Iranian Students' News Agency (ISNA) reported that Iran on Wednesday will announce "reciprocal actions" to the US withdrawal from the nuclear deal, quoting "knowledgeable sources". Some European Union leaders had been unofficially told of Iran's decision, the report said. The United States acted on Friday to force Iran to stop producing low-enriched uranium and expanding its only nuclear power plant. Trump, who was not in office when the nuclear deal was negotiated, said it was flawed in Iran's favour for doing nothing to curb its ballistic missile programme or its support of proxy forces in several Middle East wars. Iran has said its development of ballistic missiles has nothing to do with its nuclear activity and is wholly defensive in nature, and that its support for allies around the Middle East is not Washington's business. US deployment to Middle East Under the 2015 deal, Iran restricted the capacity of its uranium enrichment programme - widely seen as a route to developing a nuclear weapon - in exchange for a lifting of most international sanctions. UN nuclear inspectors have repeatedly verified Iranian compliance with the accord. Iran has denied ever pursuing a nuclear weapons program. The other signatories to the deal - European powers Germany, France and Britain - and Russia and China remain committed to it. The EU has been looking into ways of preserving its economic benefits that Iran says must stay or it could abandon the deal. The Trump administration is now deploying a carrier strike group and bombers to the Middle East in response to troubling "indications and warnings" from Iran and to show the United States will retaliate with "unrelenting force" to any attack, US national security adviser John Bolton said on Sunday. Bolton - who has spearheaded an increasingly hawkish U.S. policy on Iran - said the decision, which could exacerbate tensions between the two countries, was meant to send a "clear and unmistakable message" of US resolve to Tehran. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also issued a warning to the Islamic Republic on Sunday. "It is absolutely the case that we have seen escalatory actions from the Iranians and it is equally the case that we will hold the Iranians accountable for attacks on American interests," Pompeo told reporters aboard a flight en route to an Arctic Council meeting in Finland. If these actions take place, if they do by some third-party proxy, a militia group, Hezbollah, we will hold the Iranian leadership directly accountable for that." London: Fugitive diamond merchant Nirav Modi will file a third bail plea on Wednesday before a UK court, which has already rejected it twice before as he fights his extradition case in the Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud and money laundering case amounting to up to USD 2 billion. Chief Magistrate Emma Arbuthnot is scheduled to hear the third bail application at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London. It remains unconfirmed whether Modi will appear in person or via videolink from Wandsworth prison in south-west London, where the 48-year-old has been lodged since his arrest in March. His barrister, Clare Montgomery, will seek to convince the judge of a change of circumstances in order to seek bail for a third time at the same court. "He has had his two bail applications in the lower court. He can only make a third application if he can persuade the court that there has been a change in circumstances. He is arguing a change of circumstances based on new evidence," said a spokesperson for the UK's Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), which represents the Indian government in the extradition proceedings. "He will have to seek to persuade the Judge that this constitutes a change of circumstances and that he should be permitted to make another bail application," the spokesperson said. Modi's legal team, led by solicitor Anand Doobay, has previously offered one million pounds as security alongside an offer to meet stringent electronic tag restrictions on their client's movements, "akin to house arrest". It remains to be seen how they plan to bolster the application for a third attempt before the same court. "This is a case of substantial fraud, with loss to a bank in India of between USD 1-2 billion. I am not persuaded that the conditional bail sought will meet the concerns of the government of India in this case," Judge Arbuthnot had said, when rejecting the previous bail application. She also noted that "very unusually in a fraud case", Modi had made death threats to witnesses and also attempted to destroy evidence in the case. The diamond dealer's "lack of community ties" in the UK and an attempt to acquire the citizenship of Vanuatu - a remote island in the South Pacific Ocean - in late 2017 went against him, as the judge said it seemed like he was trying to "move away from India at an important time". The CPS team, represented by barrister Nick Hearn from Furnival Chambers, is expected to oppose the latest bail application on similar grounds. At the last hearing in the extradition case on April 26, when Modi had appeared before Judge Arbuthnot via videolink from prison, no application had been made for bail and he was further remanded in judicial custody until May 24. The court was also told that May 30 had been tentatively ear-marked as the first case management hearing ahead of an extradition trial, but it now remains to be seen how the case will progress after the latest bail application. Earlier, the CPS had confirmed that Modi intends to appeal against his bail rejection in the UK's High Court. However, the bail hearing this week will take place at the same lower court on the basis of "change of circumstances". Modi was arrested by uniformed Scotland Yard officers in central London on March 19. During subsequent hearings, Westminster Magistrates' Court was told that Modi was the "principal beneficiary" of the fraudulent issuance of letters of undertaking (LoUs) as part of a conspiracy to defraud PNB and then laundering the proceeds of crime. Meanwhile, the diamond merchant remains behind bars at one of England's most overcrowded prisons Her Majesty's Prison (HMP) Wandsworth, where he can hold sessions with his legal team to deliberate on the course of his extradition proceedings. His lawyers had urged the judge to allow them more time with their client than the few hours a week permitted by the jail. Also speaking at the Paris Forum event, French Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire warned about the impact of a trade war between the world's two biggest economies. (Photo:AP) Paris: The head of the International Monetary Fund said Tuesday that fresh trade tensions between the United States and China were the main threat to the world economy. "Clearly the tensions between the United States and China are the threat for the world economy," Christine Lagarde told journalists at a conference in Paris, adding that recent "rumours and tweets" made an agreement between the countries less likely. President Donald Trump jolted global markets on Monday by threatening on Twitter that tariffs already imposed on USD 200 billion in Chinese exports to US would more than double to 25 per cent on Friday from their current level of 10 percent. Also speaking at the Paris Forum event, French Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire warned about the impact of a trade war between the world's two biggest economies. "We are following the current negotiations very closely between China and the United States and we want them to respect the principals of transparency and multilateralism," he said. He called on the two sides to "avoid taking decisions that would threaten and would undermine global growth in the months ahead." "Increasing tariffs is always a dead-end and a negative decision for the whole world, for the United States, for China, for the eurozone, for Europe and world growth," he said. China said Tuesday its top trade negotiator will visit the United States for talks with his American counterparts this week. The countries have been locked in talks to resolve tensions that have seen both of them impose tariffs on goods worth USD 360 billion. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has described the negotiations as 90 percent complete but told reporters that in recent days the talks went "substantially backward", which he blamed on China reneging on previous commitments. Dubai: A Dubai-based Malayalam TV channel named Channel D is under deep crisis as his owner has fled the United Arab Emirates leaving unpaid employees hanging. The losses were mounting and the owner was unable to keep the channel in order. A senior staffer at Channel D told the Gulf News on Monday: "We were not paid for months but in the hope of a turnaround, the dozen odd staffers lumbered on. Nobody expected the end to come so soon." Though the channel is on air, its stations office remained closed. They are running repeats of old shows. But even that is likely to stop when their contract with Etisalat expires this month end," he said. Some employees were assured that their dues will be cleared. Biometric access control was deactivated in March while telephone lines were disconnected in April. The channel also had a unit in Kochi, Kerala, but that too has been reportedly shut down. The bail expired on Tuesday as the Supreme court rejected his review petition seeking extension in the bail. (Photo:AP) Lahore: Pakistan's ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif will return to Kot Lakhpat Jail in Lahore on Tuesday following the expiry of his six-week bail in a corruption case in which he has been sentenced to seven years imprisonment. The three-time former premier is expected to surrender himself to jail authorities in evening after Iftar and will arrive at the prison in a Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) workers' rally, which will be led by his daughter Maryam Nawaz. Sharif, 69, was granted six-week interim bail by the top court on March 26 in the Al-Azizia Mills corruption case to undergo medical treatment and he filed the petition on April 27 for permanent bail stating that he was suffering from acute anxiety and depression. The bail expired on Tuesday as the Supreme court rejected his review petition seeking extension in the bail granted to him on medical grounds. The court also rejected the former premier's plea to allow him to travel abroad for treatment. "Nawaz Sharif will return to Kot Lakhpat Jial Lahore on Tuesday in a procession of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) workers. A call has been given to the workers to gather at the Jati Umra residence of Sharif to march towards the jail along with him," PML-N spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb told news agency PTI on Monday. She said the PML-N workers are eager to come to roads against Prime Minister Imran Khan's anti-people policies and they are waiting a call from the leadership. Ms Aurangzeb said that Maryam Nawaz will accompany her father, and will be present in his car. The party has decided that she will remain with her father until he is taken into custody by the jail authorities. The Home Department Punjab earlier instructed Sharif to reach Kot Lakhpat Jail by 5 pm on Tuesday, and said his arrival in the form of a rally would be against the law. Protesting against the instructions, PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah told Pakistan-based Geo News that Sharif's bail is valid till the midnight of May 7, and questioned why he should have to reach the jail anytime before that. Sharif, three-time prime minister, has been serving a seven-year prison term at the jail since December 24, 2018 when an accountability court convicted him in one of the three corruption cases filed in the wake of the top court's July 28, 2017 order in Panama Papers case. He was imprisoned in Adiyala Jail and shifted to Kot Lakhpat Jail on his request. Relatives of a 22-year-old woman, who died while giving birth, vandalised a hospital and staged a protest near Channapatna on Monday morning. The protestors blocked the Bangalore-Mysore highway, demanding action against the doctors and hospital staff for medical negligence. The highway was blocked for more than an hour. It took a while for the police to intervene and diffuse the situation. Deceased Deekshita, the wife of Heman, is from Bevoor village in Channapatna taluk. She died at the Balu Hospital in Channapatna in the early hours of Monday. Deekshita developed pain on Sunday midnight and was rushed to the hospital. The baby is fine, said the parents of the deceased. As news of her death spread, relatives gathered near the hospital and blamed medical negligence. They vandalised the furniture at the hospital. Family members and villagers who staged a protest alleged that the doctors claimed Deekshita died due to a heart attack during delivery. They demanded that a doctor come forward and clarify how she died. They also demanded to shut the hospital down. Police rushed to the spot and tried to convince them to withdraw the protest. But angry family members raised slogans against the police too, saying the cops are protecting the accused. District Commissioner Dr Amaranath rushed to the spot and gathered information about the incident. He promised an investigation and action against the doctors and staff if medical negligence is proved. A case has been registered at the Channapatna police station. Deekshitas body was handed over to the relatives after post-mortem. Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Tuesday asked his Bengal counterpart Mamta Banerjee to act tough against those involved in the alleged attack on the convoy of the state finance minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, during an election rally. "This is not only condemnable but also a disturbing sign for democracy. I demand the Bengal chief minister to order an inquiry immediately and act tough against those involved," a statement issued by Sonowal's office said. Sarma is an influential leader of BJP in the Northeast and is credited for the saffron party's surge in the region since 2014. In his Facebook post, Sarma said that "goons" of Trinamul Congress attacked them as they entered Khejuri under Kanthi Lok Sabha seat. "Many of our workers are injured even as Mamata Banerjee goons gheraoed and abused us. Bjp4Bengal President Dilip Ghosh and I are stuck," he said. He said the TMC workers even stopped the CRPF personnel, who reached the spot to rescue them. "I am appalled at such brazen abuse of power by Mamata Banerjee whose people have thrown all democratic norms to the gutter. Is this the #NewIndia that we dream of? Sarma posted. The state BJP on Monday staged a statewide protest against the state government for misusing the police to target journalists, its sympathisers and workers. Home Minister M B Patil is acting as a dictator. He has been targeting journalists and BJP workers for posting comments on social media. Police arrested journalist S A Hemanth Kumar recently on baseless charges, former deputy chief minister R Ashoka said while staging a protest along with the other party leaders in Bengaluru. Accused the Home minister of misusing the police officers to target his political rivals, Ashoka said the journalist was arrested at the behest of the minister. He had only posted a letter (purportedly written by the minister to Congress leader on the Lingayat religion issue) that was forwarded to him by someone on social media state BJP vice president Tejaswini Ananth Kumar said. Ashoka further predicted that the Congress-JD(S) coalition government will collapse after May 23. People of the state will teach the alliance partners a befitting lesson in the elections, he added. MEDIA COURTHOUSE An alleged child predator charged last week following a sting operation has been arrested again, this time in California for attempting to flee the country. Santhosh Akinepalli, 27, of the 300 block of Apple Drive in Exton, was apprehended after purchasing a one-way ticket to India and has been charged with flight to void trial or punishment, Delaware County District Attorney Katayoun Copeland announced Tuesday in a release. Santhosh Akinepalli, a citizen of India who had been visiting the United States on a work visa, was one of 10 men arrested during the month of April for attempting to have sex with children in a coordinated Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force sting operation. Initially, Akinepalli was charged with attempt to commit statutory sexual assault, attempt to commit statutory sexual assault, unlawful contact with a minor, corruption of minors, indecent assault and criminal use of a communication facility. His bail was set at 10 percent of $50,000, which he posted April 15. A condition of his bail required him to obtain permission from the Delaware County Bail Office prior to traveling outside Pennsylvania. No requests for travel were made, according to the District Attorneys office. According to the release, county detectives placed an alert with the Department of Homeland Security for Akinepalli should he attempt to travel outside of the United States. Homeland Security contacted county detectives May 5 with information that Akinepalli had purchased a one-way airline ticket from San Francisco International Airport to Hyderabad, India. Homeland Security investigators confirmed that Akinepalli checked in for the flight to India and was traveling alone. U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agents, with assistance from the Department of Homeland Security, took Akinepalli into custody at the San Francisco International Airport prior to departure of his flight, the release states. Homeland Security Investigations prioritizes cases involving the abuse of our children, said Marlon V. Miller, special agent in charge of HSI Philadelphia, in the release. Applying our unique law enforcement authorities, HSI Philadelphia in coordination with HSI San Francisco, were able to prevent Mr. Akinepalli from absconding. Im very proud of all of those involved in bringing this dangerous man to justice. Initial charges against Akinepalli followed an investigation by Officer Tim Kearney of the Ridley Township Police Department and member of the Delaware County ICAC Task Force. Kearney, posing as a 13-year-old female on a social media application April 6, received a message from an individual identified as Akinepalli, who asked, How much for an hour? while asking the juvenile to engage in sex. Akinepalli said he would drive to the juveniles location after acknowledging several times that he knew the juvenile was 13 years old. On April 12, after engaging in sexual-related conversation, Akinepalli arranged to meet the juvenile at a prearranged location and was taken into custody while traveling to the location. His preliminary hearing on the child-sex offenses is listed for May 13 before Magisterial District Judge Jack D. Lippart. At a press conference last week, Copeland labeled all 10 men predators. Theyre engaged in this kind of behavior for their own horrific sexual gratification, and every single one of them knew they were doing so or believed they were doing so with a child, Copeland said. Attorney Michael Kotik of the SKA Law Group is representing Akinepalli on the alleged child-sex offenses, according to online court records. Contacted Tuesday night, Kotik asked to reserve any comment until after he is able to speak to his client. He said Akinepalli is expected to be returned from California in about 10 days. STERLING, Va. President Donald Trump criticized social media companies after Facebook banned a number of extremist figures, declaring that he was "monitoring and watching, closely!!" Trump, who tweeted and re-tweeted complaints Friday and Saturday, said he would "monitor the censorship of AMERICAN CITIZENS on social media platforms." He has previously asserted that social media companies exhibit bias against conservatives, something the companies have rejected as untrue. The president's comments came after Facebook this week banned Louis Farrakhan, Alex Jones and other extremists, saying they violated its ban on "dangerous individuals." The company also removed right-wing personalities Paul Nehlen, Milo Yiannopoulos, Paul Joseph Watson and Laura Loomer, along with Jones' site, Infowars, which often posts conspiracy theories. The latest bans apply both to Facebook's main service and to Instagram and extend to fan pages and other related accounts. Facebook's move signaled renewed effort by the social media giant to remove people and groups promoting objectionable material such as hate, racism and anti-Semitism. The company said it has "always banned" people or groups that proclaim a violent or hateful mission or are engaged in acts of hate or violence, regardless of political ideology. On Twitter, Trump cited a number of individuals he said were being unfairly treated by social media companies, including Watson and actor James Woods. He insisted it was "getting worse and worse for Conservatives on social media!" Woods, one of Hollywood's most outspoken conservatives, has had his Twitter account locked. Twitter spokeswoman Katie Rosborough said Woods will need to delete a tweet that violated Twitter rules before he can be reinstated. Trump tweeted: "How can it be possible that James Woods (and many others), a strong but responsible Conservative Voice, is banned from Twitter? Social Media & Fake News Media, together with their partner, the Democrat Party, have no idea the problems they are causing for themselves. VERY UNFAIR!" Rosborough said Twitter enforces its rules "impartially for all users, regardless of their background or political affiliation." Trump, who uses Twitter extensively to push his message, recently met with Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey at the White House after attacking the company and complaining that it was not treating him well because he was a Republican. He later described it as a "great meeting." The president had more than social media on his mind Saturday. Trump also tweeted that he was holding out hopes for a deal with North Korea on its nuclear program, as well as improved relations with Russia, now that he feels the special counsel investigation is behind him. SALT LAKE CITY Facebook's announcement that it was banning a half-dozen popular extremists and conspiracy theorists has ignited a heated debate on censorship. An undercurrent in the discussion that took place on social media sites and news sites is why the social media giant made the move and whether it can effectively enforce what it says is a long-standing prohibition of "hateful treatment of people based on characteristics such as race, ethnicity or religion." In late March, Facebook posted a statement in its newsroom titled "Standing Against Hate" that announced "a ban on praise, support and representation of white nationalism and white separatism on Facebook and Instagram." The announcement said the ban would take effect the following week but it wasn't until Thursday afternoon that online news outlets simultaneously reported that the social media platform had banned six extreme right-wing and anti-Semitic leaders, identifying them as "dangerous individuals." They included Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, Infowars host Alex Jones, Milo Yiannopoulos, Laura Loomer, Paul Nehlen, and Paul Joseph Watson. The latest bans apply to both Facebooks main service and to Instagram and extend to fan pages and other related accounts, according to The Associated Press. The news reports said the individuals and Infowars fell under Facebook's Dangerous Individuals & Organizations policy. The immediate reaction to the announcement was dominated by cries of censorship from those who say it is justified and others who called the move dangerous and one-sided, favoring liberal commentators and websites. Even President Donald Trump weighed in over the weekend. "How can it be possible that James Woods (and many others), a strong but responsible Conservative Voice, is banned from Twitter?," the president tweeted on Saturday. "Social Media & Fake News Media, together with their partner, the Democrat Party, have no idea the problems they are causing for themselves. VERY UNFAIR!" How can it be possible that James Woods (and many others), a strong but responsible Conservative Voice, is banned from Twitter? Social Media & Fake News Media, together with their partner, the Democrat Party, have no idea the problems they are causing for themselves. VERY UNFAIR! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 4, 2019 Politico explored the responses by both sides of the censorship debate. "Facebook just announced they are finally banning Alex Jones, Milo Yiannopoulos and other racist conspiracy theorists," tweeted Christopher Wylie, the whistleblower who triggered the Cambridge Analytica data scandal. "Lets not forget that a mere 10 months ago, they were defending these same peoples right to publish their hateful disinformation and harass Sandy Hook families." https://twitter.com/chrisinsilico/status/1124031309066788865The publication quoted an email from Dan Gainor of the Media Research Center, a conservative tech and media watchdog, who "praised the removal of Farrakhan but bemoaned the companys other actions. 'It's unfortunate that online speech doesn't have enough room for controversial views.' Facebook and other social media platforms like Twitter and YouTube have struggled to become a place that fosters a debate of competing ideas and not provide a platform for internet trolls who intentionally spread misinformation to inflame feelings and, in worse case scenarios, incite violence. Facebook just announced they are finally banning Alex Jones, Milo Yiannopoulos and other racist conspiracy theorists. Lets not forget that a mere 10 months ago, they were defending these same peoples right to publish their hateful disinformation and harass Sandy Hook families. https://t.co/68dnImTIWd Christopher Wylie (@chrisinsilico) May 2, 2019 Indeed, past attempts to ban bad actors have been unsuccessful. After YouTube had banned Jones in August 2018, he was introduced in early April on Logan Paul's podcast via YouTube as "the most banned person in the 21st century, according to a piece in The Washington Post that explained how controversial figures can find their way around being blocked from social media platforms. Jones and his Infowars pages had evaded the ban through unofficial pages and people "dedicated to resharing Infowars content, which popped up within days of the official accounts removal," according to Wired. Facebook acknowledges people can successfully "game our systems to spread hate," but the platform says it's also getting smarter. Wired reported after Thursday's announcement that Facebook will deploy a tool reserved for terrorist organizations and self-proclaimed hate groups to close the earlier loophole. "The company says that users will be prohibited from sharing Infowars videos, radio clips, articles, and other content from the site unless they are explicitly condemning the material. Fan pages or groups that reshare Infowars content in a sincere or appreciative manner wont be permitted." It will rely on human content moderators to allow users to share Infowars content for the purpose of criticizing it. But Facebook's efforts won't stop at just removing content. Its "Standing Against Hate" statement in March said it will also attempt to steer people away from what it deems as hate groups. "People searching for these terms will be directed to Life After Hate, an organization founded by former violent extremists that provides crisis intervention, education, support groups and outreach." But Wired and several outlets pointed to Facebook's clumsy rollout of Thursday's ban as an indication the largest social media platform in the world may again fail to filter out violators of its content policies. Facebook hadn't shut down the banned accounts before the announcement, allowing Jones and others to announce they had been banished and direct their followers to other sites. Laura Loomer is now directing fans to her Telegram on her supposedly banned Instagram. pic.twitter.com/Vw7iOmlIu3 Ryan Mac (@RMac18) May 2, 2019 A Facebook spokesperson told Wired that "scrubbing all of the accounts from the platforms took much longer than Facebook had anticipated." Observers also speculated on why Facebook announced its ban. Some said the social media giant needed some good press in the wake of news that it was expecting the Federal Trade Commission to levy a $5 billion fine for failing to protect its users' personal data. Indeed, banning hate speech aligns with what many social media users want from Facebook, Jack Morse of Mashable predicted earlier this week. He chided Facebook for boasting at a recent developers conference how its artificial intelligence tools could prevent users from buying drugs over the internet. "Of course, there are far worse things than weed on Facebook. Like hate speech and misinformation meant to sway elections and attack minority groups," he wrote. "Maybe, and it's just a suggestion, focus more on that and less on making sure we can't buy cheap weed via your digital town square?" While Facebook did just that last week, the reasons could be deeper than just satisfying what it says are a large cohort of its users. Facebook may also be looking to protect the unique status that digital companies enjoy as arbiters of free expression. "As the legal scholar Jeffrey Rosen put it, (The) lawyers at Facebook and Google and Microsoft have more power over the future of free expression than any king or president or Supreme Court justice,' wrote Jonathan Peters in the Columbia Journalism Review in November 2018. Until the law is rethought, social media platforms will continue to enjoy the right but not the responsibility to police their sites as they see fit. Tarleton Gillespie, Wired He explained that an obsure federal law Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, passed in 1996 unintentionally protects social media platforms against libel claims that would be brought against other publishers or individuals. "That means platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Gab, are not liable for most of their user-generated content. (There are exceptions for certain criminal and intellectual property claims.)" But Section 203 was written long before social media platforms came on the scene and the public and policy makers are demanding these platforms take more responsible for the content they post. Social media platforms have evolved into a media hybrid that doesn't just distribute information but curates and package the information in ways that target specific groups of people, wrote Tarleton Gillespie for Wired nearly a year ago. Gillespie calls for reforming federal law social media assume the obligation of serving the public in exchange for the license to do business, as telecoms and broadcasters have had to do. "Until the law is rethought, social media platforms will continue to enjoy the right but not the responsibility to police their sites as they see fit." SALT LAKE CITY A local TV station in the Philippines aired a pirated version of Avengers: Endgame, spoiling the film for people, according to The Verge. Orient Cable, which is a regional cable provider in Zamboanga del Norte in the Philippines, shared a pirated version of Endgame on one of their stations only one day after the movie premiere, according to the Philippine News Agency. In response, a local theater chain, Teatro de Dapitan, is suing Orient Cable for the piracy, the Philippine News Agency reports. The cable provider hasnt issued a statement yet. Imagine watching television and stumbling upon a shifty version of 'Endgame' before getting a chance to shell out $15 for a ticket to watch it. Its maddening! Proper movie-going etiquette aside, its also illegal, Julia Alexander at The Verge wrote. Orient Cable broke at least three Philippine laws by sharing the pirated movie, including the Intellectual Property Code, the Anti-Camcording Act and the Cybercrime Prevention Act, Vice reports. Of course, Disney and Marvel have campaigned for people not to spoil Avengers: Endgame, according to the Deseret News. In fact, Disney announced that the official ban on Avengers: Endgame spoilers ends Monday, May 6, which my colleague Sam Bigelow wrote about for the Deseret News. Tariffs are not good for the U.S. economy. They lead to higher prices for imported goods and can negate any positive effect last years tax cuts might have had on the economy. However, tariffs, or perhaps just the threat of imposing them, may be a worthwhile temporary cost of negotiating a good trade deal with China. A fair deal that could be verified and enforced ultimately would be best for the U.S. economy. Its significant to note that President Trumps surprise attack on what looked to be an emerging deal this week has not been met by the usual partisan backlash in Washington. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, for instance, tweeted for the president to Hang tough on China, adding, Dont back down. Strength is the only way to win with China. Indeed, that appears to be true. Of all the presidents provocative trade moves, and despite his apparent lack of understanding concerning the real impacts of a trade imbalance, his tough stance toward China may be exactly what is needed. China forces American companies to hand over trade secrets if they want to do business there. The United States accuses Huawei, a Chinese telecommunications company, of state-sponsored espionage in the development of 5G technology. These are high-stakes problems in the fight for global economic dominance. That said, the administrations latest move is risky. President Trump embarked on a high-wire negotiation tactic Sunday when he tweeted his intention to raise tariffs on $200 billion in Chinese goods on Friday if the Chinese dont get more serious about making concessions in ongoing talks over a new deal. He also threatened eventual tariffs on many more imports. China might respond by discreetly giving in on some key points. Then again, it might stubbornly refuse to budge, for fear of appearing weak, call the presidents bluff and, should he follow through with these and other threatened tariffs, respond in kind. But the United States, with the worlds largest economy and emerging dominance in the energy sector, holds the upper hand. The much-criticized trade imbalance also works in Washingtons favor. The U.S. imported $419.2 billion more from China than it exported in 2018. That makes U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods more impactful than what China might impose on U.S. goods. China also has balked over terms regarding how existing tariffs might disappear, insisting the U.S. drop them as a condition for entering a deal. The administration, meanwhile, wants to drop them only after China demonstrates it will honor the terms of a deal a much more practical solution that would hold China accountable. As usual, its difficult to understand the true intent of President Trumps negotiating tactics. He has used the threat of tariffs as a weapon in trade talks with many nations. Yet its not certain he has calculated what next steps to take should the tactic backfire. As The New York Times reported Monday, American businesses already are complaining that they bear the brunt of the cost of tariffs, even though they generally support the administrations need to negotiate a fair deal with China. And yet China, with its emerging economy and its large population, is a market too big to ignore. A successful trade deal would be good for the U.S. economy. Utah businesses alone exported $704 million to China in 2017. Getting tough may be the only way to convince China that this relationship can continue only if it is willing to compete fairly and honestly. We live in a day, like all times, when there is a great need for statesmen those who concentrate on the long-term interests of the country, who serve with integrity, who earn the trust of others and who seek common ground without sacrificing the principles that guide their service. This Wednesday in Indianapolis, family, friends and admirers will gather to celebrate the life and contributions of Richard Lugar, Indianas longest-serving senator. His colleagues on both sides of the political aisle have expressed their conviction that Richard Lugar was such a statesman during his more than three and a half decades in the Senate. Interestingly, Lugars path to the contributions he made to U.S. foreign policy was an unlikely one indeed. Like many other statesmen, he did not seek directly the accomplishments that comprised his best-known legacy involving the dismantling of nuclear, biological and chemical weapons around the world, and co-sponsoring his most notable piece of legislation with Georgia Democrat Sam Nunn, the Nunn-Lugar Act. We first met in Salt Lake City. I was working with Neal A. Maxwell, the executive vice president of the University of Utah, and an organization he had created, Utahns for Effective Government, to implement the recommendations of the Utah Constitutional Revision Commission that he chaired. Richard Lugar, then still in his thirties, was the mayor of Indianapolis, Indiana and had secured voter approval for the consolidation of Indianapolis and Marion County, a move that achieved substantial efficiencies to the delivery of local government services in Indianas capital. Maxwell had invited Lugar to speak to a large audience of Utahs leaders about his experiences in Indiana and how they might relate to Utah. I was sent to the airport to pick up Mayor Lugar and found him fascinating. I was home for the summer from Oxford University, where Lugar had also studied, and our discussion quickly turned to how he had gotten into politics. Following his stint as a Rhodes Scholar, Lugar had spent four years in the U.S. Navy serving as an intelligence officer to Admiral Arleigh Burke, chief of naval operations. He then returned to his hometown of Indianapolis, managing his familys 604-acre farm and helping run a food machinery manufacturing business with his brother. What propelled him into public service was his desire to improve the quality of the schools his young children were attending. A friend who listened to his concerns urged him to run for the Indianapolis Board of School Commissioners. Lugar did, won, and then discovered that to accomplish the changes he sought he needed the support of the city government, and ran successfully for mayor. He was a man born to efficiency and, as mayor, championed the creation of Unigov, the consolidation of the city of Indianapolis and Marion County, an innovation that produced a stream of benefits for taxpayers and that brought Lugar national attention. Soon, he was urged to run for the U.S. Senate, was ultimately successful, and during his six terms chaired the Senate Agriculture Committee and twice chaired the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. In every assignment, he focused on the larger good, courageously standing firm when he felt it necessary, while constantly building bridges and learning the details of policy. During the near-decade that we served together in Washington on opposite ends of Pennsylvania Avenue, he was one whose word was his bond. Calm, competent, courageous and consistent, Richard Lugar was a role model of an elected official who transcended parochial interests, who never shied away from large challenges, and who took as his touchstone not merely what was good for Indiana but what was best for the nation. Richard Lugars political odyssey began with a concern for his childrens education and led to successfully reducing thousands of destructive weapons and producing a more peaceful world. Along that path from a farm in Indiana to capitals across the globe he established a deserved reputation for wisdom, modesty and good judgment. His is a legacy worth remembering and emulating. SALT LAKE CITY For most people, waking up with a random question doesn't amount to more than a sleepy Google search. But for Matthew LaPlante, a bout of midnight curiosity eventually turned into a book. "It sounds silly, but I woke up one night, and I had this thought in my head. 'I wonder what the oldest living thing is.' So I rolled over and opened my laptop," LaPlante, a Utah-based journalist and Utah State University associate professor, told the Deseret News in a recent interview. Instead of a straightforward answer like he was expecting, LaPlante was stunned to find that no one knows for sure what the oldest living organism is. He was even more surprised that one of the best guesses is a giant, interconnected system of aspens in Fishlake National Forest in central Utah practically his backyard. The network, called Pando, consists of around 47,000 trees that bear identical genetic markers. Experts estimate Pando is around 80,000 years old. LaPlante went to visit the forest a few days later. "I just got afflicted with this amazing sense of awe, and I wanted to know more about it," LaPlante said. "The great thing about being a journalist is when you're curious about something, and when you get excited about something, you can find somebody to pay you to research it and write about it." LaPlante is the author of "Superlative: The Biology of Extremes" (BenBella Books, 304 pages), a book that the author hopes will open its readers' eyes to the scientific miracles in our lives. Even after writing about Pando for Salt LakeCity Weekly, LaPlante wasn't sure if the project would go anywhere. But when the story won the American Association for the Advancement of Science Kavli Science Journalism Award for Small Newspaper Reporting in 2014, a colleague suggested that he use the piece as a chapter for a book. "I hadn't thought about it that way before, but she was totally right. And so I just started looking for other things," LaPlante said. Eventually, the book came together under a focus on superlative organisms: the biggest, smallest, oldest, fastest, deadliest and smartest life-forms in the world. "Superlative" spins tales of wonder from a hunt for whale poop to a tiny mite that happens to be the fastest organism in the world by relative size. (If this mite was the size of a human, it would run 1,300 miles per hour.) LaPlante said he chose the topic in part because of the human fascination with the biggest and best. In the intro to "Superlative," he pays homage to "The Guinness Book of World Records," which he said he read many times over as a schoolboy. As he researched and wrote the book, he spent a year of his life feeling "just wowed," he said. "I don't think there's a fact I learned that didn't blow my mind." When he talks about extraordinary animal facts, LaPlante gets a near-reverent tone in his voice. His wonder and excitement are palpable and these are the feelings that he hopes people will share when they read "Superlative," despite the endless bad news we absorb every day. "What happens when we're really super interconnected is that we can convince ourselves that the world is a scary and terrible place but there's enough good to balance out the rest," LaPlante said. "I don't think we do a good enough job of reminding people how kind most people are, how amazing most things are." While LaPlante thinks the best form of self-care is telling and reading stories that bring joy, he acknowledges that not everything can be so upbeat. As a journalist who has covered the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq as well as problems veterans face at home, LaPlante is no stranger to hard-hitting news. "We have to tell the hard stories, we absolutely have to," he said. No news is happy 100 percent of the time. Writing or reading about the near-extinction of whales or the poaching of African elephants isn't exactly the feel-good news you want as a pick-me-up. But LaPlante is adamant that learning about the organisms we share a planet with whether the stories are happy or sad can allow us to make better decisions about environmental issues. "What decisions would we have made differently if we hadn't assumed that whales were an unlimited resource?," he asked. "If we had known how complex elephant communication (is) 100 years ago, would we have allowed them to be nearly wiped off the face of the planet? I don't think we would (have)." Additionally, he thinks that learning how similar we are to many of the animals in the world will make us more empathetic to the world we live in. For example, did you know that elephants experience post-traumatic stress? What about how alligators are great parents? LaPlante loves these stories, because they show us how similar animals can be to humans and, by extension, are a good reminder of humanity's own similarities. "The more we look at the things that seem very different from us and realize how similar they actually are to us, the more connected to living things we tend to feel," LaPlante said. "So when you look at someone and say, 'That person's a different color than me or they're a different religion than me' it's really hard to see them as all that different. We're all made up of the same tiny collection of elements. We are all made of the same basic nucleotides that make up our DNA." SALT LAKE CITY Now that the Utah Legislature's tax reform task force is finally in place, work can get started on finding a solution to the state's shrinking sales tax base that's been expected to be considered in a special session this fall. But Senate President Stuart Adams, R-Layton, said the Tax Restructuring and Equalization Task Force created before the 2019 Legislature ended in mid-March may need more time. "We're looking to do the right thing. We're not looking to put a time limit on it," Adams said. "If we can get it done within the period of time that we can have a special session, fine. If we can't, we'll take the time we need to." The Senate leader said he was more concerned with setting a "quality limit" and coming up with a tax structure that puts "Utah in a position to be ready for the next century." House Speaker Brad Wilson, R-Kaysville, said he believes it's likely there will be a special session to tackle tax reform before the 2020 Legislature begins in late January. But the task force is "not going to work toward a date," he said. A special session "would be my hope. But again, policy is more important than checking the box we had a special deal to deal with it," the speaker said. "This is a big issue for the state." House and Senate leaders announced the membership of the task force Monday. The group is made up of 10 lawmakers and four nonvoting tax experts, and will be led by Sen. Lyle Hillyard, R-Logan, and House Majority Leader Francis Gibson, R-Mapleton. The Senate members are Sens. Curt Bramble, R-Provo; Kirk Cullimore, R-Draper; Lincoln Fillmore, R-South Jordan; and Senate Minority Leader Karen Mayne, D-West Valley City. The House members are Reps. Tim Quinn, R-Heber City; Robert Spendlove, R-Sandy; Joel Briscoe, D-Salt Lake City; and House Majority Whip Mike Schultz, R-Hooper. The tax experts include Keith Prescott, who has headed the Utah Tax Review Commission, and Gary Cornia, a former dean of the Marriott School of Management at Brigham Young University. The pair helped draft then-Gov. Olene Walker's tax reform plan in 2004 that called for taxing services and a flat income rate. Lawmakers ended up adopting a 5 percent state income tax rate, but did not deal with taxing services. The other tax experts named to the task force are Kristen Cox, executive director of the Governor's Office of Management and Budget, and Steve Young, a tax attorney. During the 2019 Legislature, a Republican leadership-backed bill that would have broadened the sales tax base by imposing new taxes on services ranging from haircuts to legal advice was pulled amid protests from businesses and consumers. The bill, sponsored by Quinn, would have lowered the state's now 4.85 percent sales tax rate as well as the state income tax rate, with breaks for families, seniors and the poor and an overall $75 million tax cut. Wilson said the task force plan will include a tax cut. The state budget passed last session sets aside $75 million for that tax cut, but Wilson said "depending on how the economy's doing, it could go up or down." Taxing services is still on the table for the task force, but other options are also expected to be considered, such as restoring the state sales tax on food, road user fees like expanded express lanes and boosting statewide property tax rates. Even using the tax collected on state-controlled alcohol sales for more than funding school lunches is a possibility, as is amending the Utah Constitution to allow income taxes to be spent on more than education. The issue facing state finances is income tax revenues are outpacing growth in sales tax collections as consumer spending steadily shifts from goods to services and reduces the sales tax base that funds all government services other than schools. "I believe we need to look at every option. The solution to this is probably a combined effort," Adams said. "Whatever changes we make, it's got to be a significant improvement. We don't want to go backward." Even though the first meeting of the task force has not yet been announced, there is already plenty of interest in what's going to happen with tax reform. The speaker said probably starting next month, the task force will "fan out across the state and help people understand the challenges and opportunities we have" through public meetings. On Wednesday, the Utah Eagle Forum will hold a forum on the issue starting at 10 a.m. in the Provo Library, featuring Gov. Gary Herbert, Wilson, Senate Majority Whip Dan Hemmert, R-Orem, and Phil Dean, state budget director. Utah Eagle Forum President Gayle Ruzicka said the forum will be an opporuntity to hear how possible changes to the tax structure would affect families. "There is no room in the family budget for an increase in taxes. Businesses certainly cannot afford to pay taxes on services, which they will then pass on to the consumer," she said. "Any increases in taxes will always come back to hurt the family." SALT LAKE CITY Nearly five years have gone by since the state of Utah and Salt Lake City made headlines for a backlog of hundreds of untested rape kits. Now, after laws were passed at the state and city level to address the backlog, Salt Lake police are celebrating a cultural shift in how sexual assault reports are treated and that their work has resulted in the identification of more than 100 suspects from the backlog. While officials on the state level are still working their way through the statewide backlog, Salt Lake City completed processing its 10-year backlog of 768 kits last summer. And now, Salt Lake police are not only processing the kits in a timely manner, but have also made "dramatic changes in the way we respond to and investigate sexual assaults." That's according to a presentation Salt Lake Police Chief Mike Brown is expected to give to the City Council on Tuesday as part of the police department's required progress updates on the backlog. "Our entire department's culture has changed," states a report about the presentation submitted to the City Council. "We have made huge strides in creating a victim-centered approach to dealing with victims of all crimes." Some highlights of the report: Of the 768 backlogged rape kits, 458 resulted in DNA positives. Of the 458 kits, 301 were eligible to be entered into the FBI's combined DNA index system. Of those, 105 returned DNA "hits" and resulted in an identified suspect. About 25 percent, or one 1 of every 4 of the cases, are now under investigation. "Bringing justice to these cases, and some peace of mind to the survivors and the community, was our primary goal in this effort," City Council Chairman Charlie Luke said in a statement issued Monday. "We are pleased Salt Lake City police have helped lead the way nationwide in improving the way these difficult cases are handled." But Salt Lake City progress reports also depict difficulties and complexities of sexual assault and rape cases. Some of those highlights: So far, only 6 percent of backlogged kit cases have resulted in charges. About 19 percent of cases were declined by the victim. About 7 percent were falsely reported or unfounded. About 15 percent were previously declined. Year to year, the number of sexual offenses reported to Salt Lake police has steadily increased. That number grew from 509 in 2014, 589 in 2015, 695 in 2016, 785 in 2017, and 841 in 2018. Salt Lake police detective Greg Wilking on Monday said it's not necessarily a negative to see the number of reported sexual offenses rise year to year but the department will be tracking that number to determine whether the increase is due to more victims being willing to step forward, or to an increase in crimes committed. Yet sexual assault and rape remain a difficult crime to prosecute, having often gone unreported. As recently as 2014, the federal Bureau of Justice Statistics found that only 1/3 of rapes and sexual assaults were being reported to police. "We'll be watching that," Wilking said of the rising number of sexual offenses reported in Salt Lake City, noting that sexual assault is "less stigmatized now than it ever has been before," especially after the #MeToo movement. "Hopefully we'll have the ability to look at those numbers and educate as to why this is happening, and maybe we can then drive those numbers down," he said. "But we've got to expose the truth of what's going on first." Wilking said Tuesday's progress report should emphasize Salt Lake police are "taking these things seriously," and while "we don't think we've got a magic bullet and have fixed everything, we're willing to look at what we can do better." New policies and training aimed at changing police response to focus on the victim was a "needed change to our response to sexual assault victims," the report for Tuesday's presentation states. "This compassionate and empathetic approach is now part of our DNA and culture," the report states. "We now use this in all of our victim crimes." The progress report on the backlog comes after not just Salt Lake City and Utah, but also cities across the nation, came under fire for having thousands of untested sexual assault kits sitting in police custody due to long crime lab waits. Since 2014, Salt Lake City has enacted an ordinance mandating all sexual assault kits be tested. The Utah Legislature also passed HB200 mandating all unrestricted sexual assault kits be tested as of May 2017, along with $1.2 million to fund reforms to law enforcement training and rape kit reporting. As of March 31, more than 4,331 previously unprocessed rape kits have been submitted statewide, and testing has been completed on 3,304 kits, according to the Utah Sexual Assault Kit Initiative's most recent quarterly report. Of those, 1,584 suspect DNA profiles have been uploaded to the FBI's combined DNA system, and 628 suspects have been identified, including 159 serial offenders, according to the Utah Sexual Assault Kit Initiative. As the state improves its rape kit response, Salt Lake City has "been at the forefront" of addressing backlogs, while also doing more to focus on the compassionate and careful treatment of victims, said Krystal Hazlett, program coordinator for the initiative. "There is a shift in law enforcement, in really understanding the trauma-informed, victim-centered approach," Hazlett said. Rep. Angela Romero, D-Salt Lake City, who sponsored HB200, said Salt Lake City is "heading in the right direction" as local agencies and the state work to reform how rape kits are processed and focus on that "trauma-informed, victim-centered" approach. "When you look at sexual assault and domestic violence, it's all about power and control and how you ensure you give that victim back their own power," Romero said, adding that she will continue on the state level to increase funding and resources for victims of sexual assault. "I'm happy we have a system in place so we can track sexual assaults," Romero said. "My hope is that we can still find resources for the victims of this horrific crime." SALT LAKE CITY The 150th anniversary of the meeting of the rails at Promontory Summit on Friday honors more than just that monumental time in U.S. history, it is also a celebration of the men who endured back-breaking days building the railroad, the frequently forgotten and overlooked workers. The transcontinental railroad married the East with the West, and it melded a variety of cultures from the estimated 15,000 Chinese workers to the 10,000 Irishmen. There were also freed slaves, Civil War veterans, other immigrants and as many as 4,000 early Latter-day Saint settlers who put down track along the route. "One point I think should be given some attention is that the Irish and the Chinese were fleeing civil war, persecution, political turmoil, unemployment and famine. They were refugees," said Gerald McDonough, of the Hibernian Society of Utah. "They were political asylum-seekers, really. They were economic migrants who came to this country seeking a better life. And when they got here, of course, they were met with prejudice and bigotry." Chris Merritt, Utah's deputy state historic preservation officer, believes this year's celebration will rightfully, finally shine the light on the transcontinental railroad workers, and begin to pay homage where it was earned. "This year is fixing a lot of historical slights," he said. "It's been a long time coming to get to the recognition for their contribution from these workers." Merritt said Utah is proudly home to the country's largest Chinese Railroad Workers Descendants Association, which is active in this year's celebration. "I think what you are seeing for the 150th anniversary celebration is a true recognition of the largely immigrant labor that constructed the transcontinental railroad," he said. Fifty years ago, it was a different story, Merritt said. The leader of the Chinese historical society was slated to speak at that year's commemoration, but was bumped in favor of a speech by movie actor John Wayne. They preferred the actor's input. This year, multiple events and exhibits celebrate the Chinese workers' role in the historic feat, acknowledging that 600 miles of the most hazardous part of the Central Pacific route was mainly built by the thousands of the men brought in to fill a labor void. Cui Tiankai, Chinese ambassador to the United States, will give remarks via video at Friday's ceremony a telling point in the recognition of sacrifice. On Thursday through Saturday, "Crossroads of the West, Connections of the Oceans," is happening at the Little America Ballroom with a shoutout to the workers during the U.S.-China Summit on Education, Innovation, Trade and Business. A Stanford University professor, Shelley Fishkin, will provide details of a collaborative, transnational and bilingual research project on Chinese workers during a presentation from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Union Station in Ogden. More events are listed at spike150.org Merritt said Chinese history and descendant associations have organized and tried hard to tell the story of the role of the Chinese in the transcontinental railroad. The Irish, too, are unraveling their story in the epic, West-changing accomplishment. This year, in fact, will celebrate the launch of the New York University's "Irish Railroad Workers in North America Project," to gather more information on this nexus between the Irish and trains. Barry McCarron will elaborate in an event that begins with traditional Irish music and appetizers at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Rio Grande Depot in Salt Lake City. McCarron is a faculty fellow with the Center for Irish and American Studies at New York University. His area of focus includes the global Irish and Chinese in the United States. And in a first, the Irish ambassador to the United States, Daniel Mulhall, will be at Promontory Summit for the commemoration. In addition to exhibits featuring historical photos, a musical group called the Black Irish will perform Friday at the Box Elder County celebration, sure to sing an original song written in honor of the historic, near unimaginable accomplishment the Irish and Chinese forged side by side. "Eight Irish Workers," is about the Irishmen, working in tandem with 2,000 Chinese workers, who laid 10 miles of track in a single day. McDonough boiled it down in prose that picked apart the numbers, and the teamwork required on that day: April 28, 1869. The Chinese began unloading 16 carloads of ties, rails, plates, and kegs of spikes and bolts. "Waiting to receive them were crews of Irish tie placers, track layers and smithies. When all the pieces were in place, the huge construction army strained into motion. With choreography perfected over six years of close practice and rehearsal, the Chinese unloaded the trains and fed the crews with lumber and iron." McDonough goes on to describe how the eight Irish track layers, four to a rail, moved backward and forward, stooping to lift the 392 pound shaft of iron with their gandys, walking them into position. Chinese workers placed the spikes into position, and the spikers would drive them home. "With 10 pound sledge hammers that rang with rhythmic tolling above the sound of thousands of trudging feet," McDonough writes. The accounting of that day, he notes, read like a litany of impossibilities: 240 feet of track put down every 75 seconds, 25,800 ties placed, 28,168 spikes positioned by the Chinese to secure 3,520 rails. McDonough said the history books, until more recently, traditionally depicted a relationship between the Irish and the Chinese during the transcontinental railroad construction as one continually punctuated with racial strife. Not always, he said. "The Mormons, the Chinese and the Irish worked quite well together." There is another story with the Irish that goes down in the history books when it comes to the transcontinental railroad. The Irish, while laying track, decided to "adjust" the notorious behavior of the Union Pacific Railroad for not paying workers by kidnapping the head of the company, Thomas Durant, and holding him for "ransom" until they were paid for months worth of work. Durant telegraphed for the money and was released, delaying the joining of the rails by a couple of days. Payday came in Echo, Utah. OGDEN A North Ogden man who police say caused a three-car crash in North Ogden last year, killing two young siblings and critically injuring their mother, had drugs in his system, court documents show. Alexander Vernon Salas, 61, was charged Tuesday in 2nd District Court with three counts of driving with a measurable controlled substance and causing death or serious injury, a third-degree felony. On Oct 23, Salas was driving on Washington Boulevard near 1700 North when he "veered from the outside southbound lane across about three and a half travel lanes and collided with a northbound vehicle in the outside northbound lane. Witnesses reported seeing no brake lights from Salas' vehicle and there did not appear to be evidence of braking at the scene as there were no skid marks," according to charging documents. Salas hit another car head-on, according to police. Troy Cox, 13, and his younger sister, Molly Cox, 11, were both killed. Their mother, Shela Cox, 40, who was driving, suffered multiple fractures to her legs and arms and lost consciousness, according to charging documents. Salas was also treated for broken bones. A third car was caught in the crash, according to police. That driver, Kimberly McCaig, 30, of Ogden, was treated at the scene and released. Investigators drew blood from Salas and discovered "that marijuana metabolite and diazepam were in his blood," the charges state. "Alexander Salas was interviewed and he admitted to taking a 'deep hit' of marijuana the night prior to the accident. He admitted that he was 'high' for 20 minutes," according to charging documents. "He does not remember the crash and only remembers awakening after the crash to being in great pain. He admitted to taking Valium prior to the incident and that he did not have a prescription for it." Lucy Russell, 3, walks around two C.P. Huntington locomotives at Utah's Hogle Zoo on Tuesday, May 7, 2019. The locomotives, situated nose to nose, replicate the iconic photo of May 10, 1869, when the transcontinental railroad was completed. Visitors are invited to snap a picture and then take a peek at another icon of the American West three bison that have arrived at the zoo for the summer. Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News Hannah Stanton, special event supervisor at Utah's Hogle Zoo, shows guests a golden spike in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, May 7, 2019. In celebration of the 150th anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1969, the zoo is offering a host of activities, including two C.P. Huntington locomotives, situated nose to nose, replicating the iconic photo of 1869. Visitors can also take a peek at another icon of the American West three bison that have arrived at the zoo for the summer. Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News Sarah Brown drives a golden spike at Utah's Hogle Zoo in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, May 7, 2019. In celebration of the 150th anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1969, the zoo is offering a host of activities, including two C.P. Huntington locomotives, situated nose to nose, replicating the iconic photo of 1869. Visitors can also take a peek at another icon of the American West three bison that have arrived at the zoo for the summer. Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News A bison and her 3-week-old calf are pictured from a train at Utah's Hogle Zoo in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, May 7, 2019. In celebration of the 150th anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1969, the zoo is offering a host of activities, including two C.P. Huntington locomotives, situated nose to nose, replicating the iconic photo of 1869. Visitors can take a peek at another icon of the American West three bison that have arrived at the zoo for the summer. Bison played a pivotal role in the story of the railroad and westward migration. Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News SALT LAKE CITY As the countdown continues to Friday's 150th anniversary celebration of the completion of the transcontinental railroad in Utah, Rep. Rob Bishop invited his colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives to come to the state to witness the festivities. "That date, May 10, will forever stand as a tribute to the men of vision who foresaw the potential of an empire stretching from coast to coast in the United States bound together not only by iron rails but by a common interest," Bishop, R-Utah, said Tuesday in a speech on the House floor. Bishop detailed the transformative nature of the event and how it propelled the economic success of the United States. "The railroad made our economic explosion possible," he said. "The railroad made us an industrial giant. Before the railroad came, it was difficult to move services or even transport people. But once the spike was driven, that was a kickstart to what we are going to do." In 1860, the country was third in the world for production of wheat, but by the time the railroad was completed, the United States was No. 1, Bishop said. Prior to the railroad's completion, England was producing three times as much coal as the United States, but after, the United States not only led the world in coal production but was producing 110 million more tons of coal than England. During the Civil War, the United States had 30,000 miles of railroad track. When the system was complete, there were 167,000 miles of track crisscrossing the country. The United States, Bishop added, remains the No. 1 country in the world for miles of track, with 39 percent more than second place Russia. It has more than the others in the top 10 combined, and obviously more than the country that ranks in spot 139 Liechtenstein with 5.5 miles of track. "Railroads still provide goods and they also provide passenger service," Bishop said. In 1965, Congress set aside the lands to establish the Golden Spike National Historic Site. Earlier this year, President Donald Trump signed a massive public lands bill that incorporated language from a bill Bishop sponsored to elevate the national historic site to a national historic park. "It is a place where the American story is without equal," Bishop said. At least two members of Trump's Cabinet will be here for Friday's festivities. Interior Secretary David Bernhardt will give the welcome and later that morning, Transportation Secretary Elaine will deliver remarks. Irish Ambassador Daniel Mulhall will do a celebratory toast and the honorable Cui Tiankai, the Chinese ambassador, will give remarks via video. KSL-TV Channel 5 will carry the historic re-enactment ceremony live of the locomotives Jupiter and No. 119 coming together on the rails. SALT LAKE CITY There were abuses by officials at the FBI and Department of Justice in their investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election that need to be investigated, Rep. Chris Stewart, R-Utah, said Tuesday. The 2nd Congressional District representative said criminal referrals are coming soon from him and other Republicans on the House Intelligence Committee, a promise that drew cheers at Saturday's Utah Republican Party convention. "I can promise you this," Stewart told GOP delegates. "There was a conspiracy. There were leaks. There was collusion. It just didn't happen where they said it did. It happened with top officials at the Department of Justice and the FBI." Among the officials he listed in his convention speech were James Comey, fired as FBI director by President Donald Trump, former CIA Director John Brennan and former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper. In an interview Tuesday, Stewart agreed with Attorney General William Barr's recent statement to Congress that "spying did occur" on Trump's campaign by U.S. intelligence agencies. "I don't know why people are so sensitive to that word," the congressman said. "They can call it surveillance, they can call it spying. I don't care what they call it. I care what they did. And to me, there's no difference at all." But Chris Wray, the current FBI director, told a Senate Appropriations subcommittee Tuesday he did not consider the court-approved FBI surveillance "spying," according to the Associated Press. "Well, that's not the term I would use," Wray responded when asked about the word used by Barr. "I believe that the FBI is engaged in investigative activity, and part of investigative activity includes surveillance activity of different shapes and sizes." Wray said for him, "the key question is making sure that it's done by the book, consistent with our lawful authorities. That's the key question. Different people use different colloquial phrases." He declined to discuss in detail the FBI investigation into the Trump campaign, but when asked if he was aware of illegally spying, told the subcommittee, "I don't think I personally have any evidence of that sort." Stewart said officials now have to answer to whether actions taken during the investigation that reportedly included sending an informant to talk with Trump campaign advisers were justified. "This is an incredibly sensitive undertaking here. You're running assets into not a mafia organization, you're not running into a drug cartel. You're running them into a political campaign of the president of the United States. That's a big deal," he said. Stewart declined to go into the details of the criminal referrals, which also have been referred to by the ranking Republican on the House Intelligence Committee, Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif. There are "boatloads of evidence" that officials involved in the investigation went too far, possibly even lying to Congress and the courts, Stewart said, but he said that evidence may never be able to be disclosed. He said the committee "has known for more than a year that there was activities and some actions taken by senior people, and not many, but some very senior people at Department of Justice, FBI and perhaps some other organizations that absolutely have to be investigated." There was a conspiracy. There were leaks. There was collusion. It just didn't happen where they said it did. Rep. Chris Stewart It has also become apparent, Stewart said, that some of those officials "probably committed perjury before our committee" but members wanted to wait for the "appropriate time" to submit the criminal referrals to the Justice Department. Now that special counsel Robert Mueller's report on the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election has been reviewed, he said it's time to move forward. "It's always been our intention to pursue this," Stewart said of turning over information gathered by the committee. "We've finished that work by and large and we hope to do that in the next, well, maybe week or two weeks." He said the Republicans behind the referrals trust they'll be handled properly. "We just have tremendous respect for Attorney General Barr," Stewart said. "We think that he's a dedicated leader and he's not intimidated. He's not cowed by those who oppose him. We have a lot of confidence that he will do the right thing." The attorney general is already looking into whether the FBI should have opened a counterintelligence investigation into ties between the Trump campaign and Russia, the wire service reported. No criminal conspiracy was identified in the Mueller report, but Stewart said in a Facebook post he believes Mueller should testify publicly before Congress about the investigation. "Theres lots of questions we would like to ask him," Stewart wrote, including, "When did he first realize that conspiracy/collusion did not occur? Why did he not investigate or provide information on DOJ/Intelligence assets being run as spies into the Trump campaign? The American people deserve answers." At Saturday's state GOP convention, Stewart said he and other supporters of the president are being labeled "stupid" for making the wrong choice in the 2016 election by those who want "to override the will of the American people." Any "conspiracy between the Trump campaign and Russia is an absolute illusion. It's an absolute fantasy," he said, ending his speech to delegates with what he described as good news. "We are winning. President Trump is winning." PROVO A 27-year-old woman was shot in the head just after 4 p.m. Tuesday on Center Street and the 27-year-old man who called 911 is now a person of interest, police say. Freya Larsen, of Provo, was transported in critical condition to Utah Valley Hospital where she died, according to police. Investigators said they didn't know the relationship between the two. Police blocked some lanes between 300 East and 400 East while they investigated. The name of the man considered a person of interest was not released. Bollywood's superstar, Salman Khan was seen working really hard in Middle Easts oil fields for his most anticipated upcoming movie, Bharat and then it is the director, Ali Abbas Zafar who has shared the sneak peek of the most anticipated movie, again. The films director, Ali Abbas Zafar, shared a post on his Twitter Handle, Bharat in oil fields #middle east @Bharat_TheFilm, picture by dop Marchin.. In the tweet, the actor is seen donning a jacket and a pair of jeans with a rugged look to keep the audience wanting for more before the release. The actor is seen casting an intense stare and a strong physical appearance by holding a hammer in the picture. Check Out the tweet here - Yes, you read that right but do not get us in wrong, we are not talking about real life. Hina and Priyank will be seen together for a new music video. But wait, do not get excited already! The song for the music video will be sung by none other than Arijit Singh. The song called 'Raanjhnaa' will be a romantic number and will be directed by Kamal Chandra. Hina and Priyank commenced the shooting of the song from May 7 the in Delhi and the two visibly excited to be a part of the project. Hina even took to Instagram to share pictures from their reunion . View this post on Instagram About last night.. Jab we met? Missed u @luvtya6i? A post shared by Hina Khan (@realhinakhan) on Jul 26, 2018 at 3:33am PDT Talking to a leading tabloid about the project, Hina said, "I love Arijits voice and the entire concept of the song is so unique, it appealed to me as an actor. I will get to channel various moods within a short span of time." TV heartthrob Priyank Sharma also spoke to the tabloid and said, "I am excited about being the face to Arijits voice. This is a unique video that encompasses everything one finds in a film." We have loved (or hated) their friendship in the Bigg Boss and it is nice to see that their bond remain strong ever after the show, but it will interesting to see these besties be all romantic with each other on screen Axiata Group and Telenor are reportedly considering merging their Asian telecom and infrastructure assets in a non-cash agreement. If the proposal goes ahead, the Norwegian operator group would take 56.5% equity value of the merged unit, while the Malaysian firm would hold the remaining 43.5%. However, both groups noted that the talks are in the earliest stages, with due diligence and adjustments required ahead of any potential deal. Should a merger be agreed, it would require the approval of shareholders and regulators, and would be subject to standard terms and conditions, but the companies would aim to have it concluded by Q3 and have confirmed that it would be headquartered in Kuala Lumpur. The merged unit would serve almost 300 million customers across nine countries, combining Telenors markets of Bangladesh, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pakistan and Thailand with Axiatas footprint in Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal and Sri Lanka. It would also fold in Axiatas tower business edotco, making the joint unit one of the largest infrastructure firms in Asia with around 60,000 towers across the continent. Axiata president and CEO Jamaludin Ibrahim said that the dynamic combination of breadth, experience and knowledge of Asias two regional champions would bring the best of Asian and European cultures. Leveraging on the synergies of our combined assets, organisations, talents, best practices, scale and financial firepower, we would create the largest telecom operator in the region. Additionally, we would also intend to create the largest mobile operator in Malaysia, one of the largest towercos in the world and the largest innovation centre in the region, he added. Telenor CEO Sigve Brekke noted that the scale and competence offered by the merger could create considerable synergies, suggesting a saving of $5 billion as achievable by streamlining businesses. While Axiata would still manage its Robi operation in Bangladesh, the groups would merge their Malaysian brands, Celcom Axiata and Digi, with the new company taking a majority shareholding. Additionally, the merged company would be listed on both the Bursa Malaysia and the international stock exchange. Chinese device maker Xiaomi has released its own shipment data for Q1 2019 after dismissing calculations released by analysts as inaccurate and unfair. While Xiaomi will disclose the exact number in its official Q1 results call, the vendor went on record to state that its shipments had exceeded 27.5 million units in the quarter. Research firm IDC reported that the vendor had sold 25 million, which would represent a 10.2% year-on-year decline from 27.8 million. Strategy Analytics estimated a smaller drop of 2.3%, reporting 27.5 million sold last quarter as compared with 28.3 million in the same quarter last year. Canalys appeared to be nearest Xiaomis official figures, reporting 27.8 million devices sold compared to 28.2 million last year. While the decline is far from pronounced, the Chinese appetite for smartphones appears to be on the wane, so Xiaomis announcement is likely intended as an assurance that it is performing steadily despite the competition particularly as IDCs estimates would indicate that the vendor was losing ground in China. An eight-year-old girl who initially struggled with her type 1 diabetes diagnosis is raising money for the Sheffield hospital where she was treated. Sophielee Barker-Bown was told she had developed type 1 diabetes last September, and initially struggled to process what the diagnosis meant for her day-to-day life. Now, as part of Sophs 5k Challenge, the youngster is striving to raise 5,000 for Sheffield Childrens Hospital Diabetes Team. Although Sophielee is now focused on her efforts, Karen said the diagnosis was initially a tough blow for her daughter. Karen told the Sheffield Star newspaper: She couldnt understand why this was happening to her. It broke my heart when she asked if shed caused it by eating too many sweets, and when I couldnt tell her why it would never go away. But after much love and support from her family, friends and the hospital team, Sophielee has now come to terms with her condition and is raising money doing all sorts of activities from dog-walking to car washing. She has even secured a celebrity to help her fundraise, recruiting the famous chef Gino DAcampo for her cause. Karen explained that Sophielee had written a cookbook to help raise funds for the hospital that treated her and went about asking for Ginos input. Karen said: Sophielee knew Ginos middle name was Sheffield and so, even though, hes not from here, she thought that qualified him to get involved. I thought Well, you dont ask, you dont get, so I called his manager and told her the story, and he replied with a recipe for the book. You can donate to Sophielees cause here. Picture: BYB Photography The Mi A3 is expected to launch sometime in the second half of 2019. The Xiaomi Mi A-series phones have been pretty successful in the Indian market particularly for the fact that it offers a stock Android experience thanks to its Android One certification. The Mi branding further fueled its sales along with the promise of regular updates and an attractive price. Its no surprise then that Xiaomi is planning on a successor to the Mi A2 and the Mi A2 Lite (which launched in India in another name) that could be called the Mi A3 and the Mi A3 Lite. Its expected to launch sometime in the second half of 2019 and some new rumours state that the phones could be powered by the Snapdragon 700 series. The Mi A2 last year was the first phone under Rs 20,000 to come with the Snapdragon 660 and it wont be surprising if the Mi A3 is powered by a 7-series chipset. The information comes courtesy XDA Developers chief editor Mishaal Rahmans tweet where he suggested that the phones could be powered by Snapdragon 7-series SoC. In the tweet, he mentions source code available to him revealed Xiaomi is presently developing three smartphones with codenames Bamboo_sprout, Cosmos_sprout and Pyxis, all three of which will be powered by Snapdragon 700-series chipsets. The information seems credible considering the earlier Mi A-series devices also carried sprout in their codenames. It still leaves the Pyxis device unexplained though. Earlier information from XDA claimed that Pyxis could very well be the Mi A3 for the Chinese market where it could be launched as the Mi 7X. Having said that, not much else is known about the Mi A3 series as of now and the fact that the upcoming Android One devices are powered by Snapdragon 700-series SoCs is the only thing known so far. All I Want for Christmas is You Mary, Did You Know? Oh, Holy Night O Little Town of Bethlehem What Child is This? The Little Drummer Boy White Christmas Ill Be Home For Christmas Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas Frosty the Snowman Jingle Bells Its the Most Wonderful Time of the Year Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Rockin Around the Christmas Tree Vote View Results Subscriber content preview By DAMIAN J. TROISE and ALEX VEIGA AP Business Writers Fresh market jitters over the possibility of an escalation in the costly trade war between the U.S. and China pulled stocks broadly lower on Wall Street Monday. The decline, which gradually lost momentum after an initial steep slump, came a day after President Donald Trump threatened to raise tariffs on goods imported from China. Trump complained that the trade talks between the two countries are moving too slowly. . . . Subscriber content preview DENVER (AP) Denver is deciding this week whether to become the first U.S. city to decriminalize the psychedelic substance in magic mushrooms. A citizen-led initiative appearing on ballots Tuesday follows the path that led to marijuana's legalization in Denver and later in Colorado. Campaign organizers say their only goal is to prevent people from going to jail. . . . Subscriber content preview SEATTLE Billings Middle School, at 7217 Woodlawn Ave. N.E. near Green Lake, has sold its campus to Seattle Jewish Community School (aka Northend Jewish School), which is at 12351 Eighth Ave. N.E. The schools had announced the swap in February. . . . UB School of Management honors organizations, alumni for career development impact BUFFALO, N.Y.The University at Buffalo School of Management honored individuals and organizations that made a significant impact on students career development over the past year during a reception on May 1 at Templeton Landing. The schools Career Resource Center (CRC) recognized Bharat Jain, MBA 02, partner at EY, as CRC Alumnus of the Year. Throughout his career, Jain has continued to give back to the school through his dedicated support of School of Management students and his role in building a strong recruiting relationship between UB and EY. Delaware North was named Recruiting Organization of the Year in recognition of their engagement and collaboration, which has made a broad impact on the school and its students. Representatives from Delaware North frequently speak in classes and at networking events, and serve on panels at MBA Advantage, in addition to recruiting on campus, hosting students on site, sponsoring career events and more. With the launch of its NEXT program, the company is a top employer of UB MBAs, building a talent pipeline across multiple divisions. For Recruiting Partners of the Year, the CRC honored three recipientsBrad Eckstein, Mike Hurwitz and Andy Kubrickall partners with Marks Paneth who demonstrate strong collaboration to support UB School of Management students, through such events as Network NY Week, Meet the Professionals Career Fair, class speaking engagements, on-campus recruitment, employer-in-residence, and the Beta Alpha Psi and UB Accounting Association clubs. The Marks Paneth partnership follows an ideal model for recruiting relationships, broadly engaging across programs, classes and events. Nicholas Everest, clinical assistant professor of organization and human resources, was named the CRC Faculty Member of the Year for his significant contributions to students career success. Everest is the faculty director of the schools award-winning LeaderCORE program, which develops key competencies MBA students need to be career ready. Additionally, he is recognized for serving as the faculty liaison to the CRC, for serving on the Internship and Experiential Learning faculty committee, and for his collaboration in developing opportunities among employer partners. During the internship portion of the program, the CRC recognized three organizations: API Heat Transfer, a designer and manufacturer of heat exchangers and heat transfer solutions, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, a health care coverage provider, and GlobalSecurityIQ, a cybersecurity firm. API Heat Transfer received the Outstanding Internship Partner award in recognition of their consistent commitment to providing high-quality internship opportunities to School of Management students. API has hosted credit-bearing interns in their accounting and finance department, and have been consistently rated in the highest range by students for mentoring. Recently, API made major modifications to their program, creating paid internships that have extended over multiple semesters. As the Most Active Company honoree, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield was acknowledged for their wide-ranging involvement in experiential learning initiatives and their outstanding level of engagement with students. This included posting dozens of paid internship opportunities, presenting in undergraduate classes, participating in networking events and career fairs, hosting on-campus information sessions, and serving as a Corporate Champions site. As the New Internship Partner honoree, cybersecurity firm GlobalSecurityIQ was recognized for its new internship program. In just 16 months, the company has hosted 10 student interns, a number of whom have been offered part- and full-time employment. GlobalSecurityIQ provides strategic, challenging projects that align with the students interests and academic programs. Finally, the CRC recognized the Intern and Supervisor of the Year. Interns nominate their supervisors for their outstanding mentorship and commitment; on the flip side, supervisors nominate their interns for exhibiting professionalism and initiative, and making a significant impact on the organization. The intern and supervisor honorees were Prateek Sollapur, MBA 19, and his supervisor, Roger Duryea, MBA 94, vice president of planning and business development at Catholic Health. During his remarks, Duryea spoke about the importance of giving back as an alumnus. He credited much of his professional successand ability to succeed in his career pathon the education he received at UB. Sauntering up to the counter of your nearest boulangerie, you politely ask for a biscuit with your cafe au lait, only to receive a Gallic shrug in response. Why?, you ask, as the line moves on, and your ex-server pretends you no longer exist. The answer has less to do with you and more to do with Voltaire. Confused? The following quote from the French literary icon, in which he responds to a priests request that he renounce Satan (while lying on his deathbed), might give you a sense of what were talking about. Now, now my good man, this is no time to be making enemies. While Voltaire died in 1778, this devil-may-care attitude lives on. And seeing as religion is in decline both in Europe and France, could it be that Parisians are now taking out their existential angst on tourists? A vast generalisation? Sure. But as anyone who has ever lived in the City Of Love & Surly Serveurs knows, theres a grain of truth to it. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Janelle Wehsack & Scott Gould (@distantfrancophile) on Apr 29, 2019 at 12:35pm PDT Legendary English actor and culture-vulture Stephen Fry offers another explanation, comparing anglophone tourists native language with the delicate tongue we butcher in our attempts to be understood in Paris. The English language is a mongrel mouthful of Chaucerian, Shakespearean, Miltonic, Johnsonian, Dickensian and American. On the other hand, The French language, like Paris, he points out, Has attempted, through its Academy, to retain its purity, to fight the advancing tides of Franglais and international prefabrication. English, by comparison, is a shameless *****. Does it follow then that the Frenchand Parisians in particular, who bear the brunt of the tourismare extra unfriendly in an unconscious attempt to protect their language? Perhaps. But as journalist Emily Monaco explains in a report for the BBC, foreignersespecially Americansoften misread emotional detachment for resentment, when it is actually a cultural resting state: If youre too happy in French, were kind of wondering whats wrong with you. This is best summed up by Julie Barlow, a journalist and author, who the BBC quotes as saying: French people prefer to come across as kind of negative, by reflex. The problem is, over the generations, many Americanslike the famous author F. Scott Fitzgeraldhave infused this simple cultural difference with a sense of intellectual hauteur, with statements like: It is more fun for an intelligent person to live in an intelligent country. France has the only two things toward which we drift as we grow olderintelligence and good manners, (Scott F. Fitzgerald). And as many a study (and the collected works of Albert Camus) has shown, smart people have a tendency to be miserable. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Aris Vulgaris (@arisvulgaris) on May 6, 2019 at 9:02am PDT But thensurely its ridiculous to suggest that a city of 2.141 million is exclusively populated by miserable people with a high IQ? Hence the validity of humorist David Sedaris theory: Paris perceived hostility isnt complicatedits just down to a big city mentality found in all corners of the worldfrom Subway Barging New Yorkers to Sydney Snobs. In Paris the cashiers sit rather than stand. They run your goods over a scanner, tally up the price, and then ask you for exact change, (David Sedaris). Wed argue that this is the most likely theory. After all: no urban metropolis has time for each visitor to get up to speed. Locals have places to go and people to seeand that doesnt include waiting for you to extract your wallet from the innards of your oversized suitcase. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nature (@parisresident) on Apr 30, 2019 at 2:19pm PDT Besides, as Karen Chance, New York Times bestselling author suggests in the following quoteif you got to enjoy Paris in this life, it would spoil the surprise for the next. When good Americans die, they go to Paris. Read Next Haryana probing suspected Bt brinjal crop The Haryana government has taken up the illegal cultivation of genetically engineered brinjal variety in the state and has picked up samples of the suspected Bt brinjal crop from a farm belonging to a farmer in Fatehabad district in the state for testing. Samples of the suspected transgenic brinjal variety have been sent to the National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR) in New Delhi for testing to establish the transgenic trait, a state government official said. We expect the result in a week or 10 days. Further action will be decided subsequently, said Arjun Singh Saini, director-general of the state horticulture department. The samples were collected by a committee headed by Fatehabad deputy commissioner, he said. The state government got involved after activists belonging to the Coalition for a GM-Free India told a press conference on 25 April that a Fatehabad farmer has been allegedly growing Bt brinjal crop illegally in his field. Preliminary tests carried out by the state horticulture department on the sample collected from the farm tested positive for Cry1Ac protein, which is produced by a gene found in a soil bacterium and used to safeguard against pests that attack plants, including brinjal. Bt brinjal is not approved for commercial cultivation in India, as further scientific studies are still required to assess its long-term impact on human health as well as on the environment. The anti-GM activists are worried that the introduction of the transgenic variety may genetically contaminate domesticated as well as wild varieties of brinjal for which India is a centre of diversity. The regulatory body Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee behaves as a promotional body than a regulator and therein lies a major problem. This is not the first time that this is happening. This is the fourth such instance of illegal GM crop entry into India. Bt cotton was approved in India after large-scale illegal cultivation was discovered in Gujarat. The regulators turned a blind eye to illegal herbicide-tolerant cotton cultivation thereafter, while it spread to lakhs of hectares. In late 2017, when illegal GM soya cultivation was discovered in Gujarat and a complaint was lodged with the GEAC, the response was quite slow and dangerously lackadaisical, the activists said. Further action will depend on the outcome of the tests being carried out by NBPGR, Saini said. If the rumours turn out to be true we may have a lot to do. Apart from destroying the suspected crop, we may have to investigate how these seedlings reached the farmer. The entire supply chain may need to be exposed. Who knows farmers in many other parts of the country may also be growing it illegally, he said. Meanwhile, a senior scientist dealing with biosafety at the ministry of environment and forests in New Delhi, said the ministry was aware of the issue and waiting for further directions from the secretary to take up the issue with the state government. Ratan Tata invests in Ola Electric Mobility Ratan Tata, Chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons, has invested in the newly-formed Ola Electric Mobility, as part of its Series A round of funding, Ola has said, adding that the investment was in Ratan Tata's personal capacity. Tata is also an early investor in ANI Technologies Pvt Ltd, Ola's parent company. Tata's investment in Ola Electric is a significant endorsement of the company's approach to developing an electric mobility ecosystem, including innovations in charging infrastructure, swapping models, and market-appropriate products, the company pointed out. Ola Electric is currently running several pilots involving charging solutions, battery swapping stations, and deploying vehicles across two, three and four-wheeler segments. Investment details are still under wraps. Ratan Tata, said, "The electric vehicle ecosystem is evolving dramatically every day, and I believe Ola Electric will play a key role in its growth and development. I have always admired the vision of Bhavish Aggarwal and I'm confident that this will be part of yet another important strategic move into this new business area," said Ratan Tata, Chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons. Ola Electric Mobility Pvt Ltd raised around Rs400 crore from several of Ola's early investors, including Tiger Global and Matrix India and others, as part of its first round of investment. The company was initially established to enable Ola's electric mobility pilot programme in Nagpur. "Mr Tata has been an inspiration and a mentor to me personally in shaping Ola's journey over the years. I'm very excited to welcome him on board Ola Electric as an investor and a mentor in our mission of building sustainable mobility for everyone on our planet. He is a visionary who has inspired a generation of entrepreneurs and we are privileged to have his guidance and support once again, as we work towards our goal of a million electric vehicles in India by 2021," Bhavish Aggarwal, co-founder and CEO, Ola, said. The Cathaoirleach of the Glenties Municipal Area has said that he is annoyed that members of Irish Water did not meet with councillors at their meeting this morning. Cllr John Sheamais O Fearraigh said that Irish Water had been requested to meet elected members today, Tuesday, May 7. They were not present at the meeting. The Cnoc Fola-based representative said that he felt that the amenity should meet with elected members to discuss the recent spate of water leaks in Falcarragh, and surrounding areas, in recent weeks. "I want to know what plans Irish Water has for the community. I feel they are unprofessional in the manner in which they are dealing with the public. They ought to meet the business people and members of the public," he said. He said that businesses have lost revenue as a result of water issues. He said that should a fire have started in Falcarragh - the situation could have been dire. Ruby Mae Sears, 95, joined her husband in heaven Saturday, April 27, 2019. Ruby was the proud wife for 71 years of William Francis Sears. During their 30+ years in the Marine Corps she was by his side; each relocation a new learning experience and volunteer hours. As she majored in retail, Ruby did her internship with Jordan Marsh, Boston. When Bill went overseas, she would work at the local Federated department store. She was a salesperson in ready to wear; sales in the toy department; floor manager for the housewares and formal wear departments; buyer for the china/silver department; executive assistant to the store manager; and bridal consultant, during her career. Ruby enjoyed volunteering - over 1,000 hours with Navy Relief at each new base; teaching Catholic education, music teacher for children's choir; Cub Scout Den mother; Girl Scout Cookie Chairman; St. Vincent DePaul Mission Store, only a few. She was a devout member of the Catholic Church, including Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, Campbellsville, KY, and St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Enterprise, AL. She was a lifetime member of the American Legion Auxiliary, the VFW Auxiliary, and the DAV Auxiliary. Her fun time was spent sewing for her family (including the males), often coordinating and/or matching clothes for Christmas and Easter. She enjoyed playing the piano while Bill sang. She liked to read mystery novels. Ruby loved all children and hosting various parties. Most of all Bill and Ruby enjoyed traveling the United States together. "Let's go, Rube". Ruby was known for her smile, twinkling eyes, and outgoing personality. She was known as the "hostess with the mostess". Ruby was preceded in death by her husband, Sergeant Major William F. Sears; her only son, William Sears, and a daughter, Anne-Marie Sears Parent. Those who will remember her love are daughters: Johanna (John) Sears-Sciascia, Enterprise, AL, Patricia Sears, Campbellsville, KY, and Mary Catherine O'Kennedy, Lawrenceburg, KY; daughter-in-law, Claris (Billy) Sears and son-in-law, Gregg (Anne-Marie) Parent. Grandchildren: Christopher, Ronnie, Angie, Mandy, Patrick, Nathaniel, Benjamin, Catherine, and Kimberly. Many great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. As well as her BFF Barbara Heartz, from the days they were born to the day of her death. Funeral Mass will be held Thursday, May 16, 2019, at 11:00 am in Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, 425 N Central Ave, Campbellsville, Kentucky, 42718. A luncheon will follow in the Church Hall. A viewing is scheduled May 15, 2019, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at Ritchie and Peach Funeral Home, 701 North Main St., Lawrenceburg, KY. A Memorial Mass will take place in Our Lady of Loreto Chapel, NAS Pensacola. Interment will be at Barrancas National Cemetery, NAS Pensacola, Florida, at a date to be determined. Our family wishes to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers during Mother's 16 years with Alzheimer's. We especially thank the people with Kindred Hospice who spent many hours by Ruby's side. Extra special gratitude to Jessie for the years of dedication to and care for Ruby and family. Flowers accepted or a donation on her behalf to Ronald McDonald House, 1600 SW 14th St., Gainesville, FL 32608. To sign a guest register, please visit www.sorrellsfuneralhomeenterprise.com. Congratulations Alabama, we have hit a new low in political idiocy. For this state, thats saying something. After all, the bar was already lying on the ground. We can all thank State Representative John Rogers for such a dishonor. Even members of Rogers own party, most notably U.S. Senator Doug Jones, have deemed the Birmingham reps comments regarding abortion as well as carelessly calling someone retarded reprehensible. Republican state rep candidate Daniel Sparkman, a former press secretary for Gov. Kay Ivey, called for the Alabama Democrat Party to disavow Rogers comments and for Rogers to apologize and resign. On April 24, Moller and Wilgeums were transported to the Dothan Police Department in reference to additional Walmart gift cards purportedly purchased with the same credit card used to make the Enterprise transactions. According to the complaint, Moller admitted to Dothan police that the credit cards were fraudulently obtained from a FedEx shipment. Moller told police he would use the cards to make Walmart gift card purchases. Moller then said he would load the money onto the gift cards, take a screen shot of the gift card on his phone and send it to a person in Miami known only as Russian. Moller told police he would receive 10 percent of the total dollar amount sent. Moller said the money would be paid to him by a person he knew as SonSon in Miramar. An investigator with Capital One provided local police with a spreadsheet of Capital One credit cards sent via FedEx to 10 different addresses in Dothan, although none of the cardholders lived in Dothan. The spreadsheet of transaction on the credit cards in question revealed 29 transactions in Ozark, 55 in Enterprise and 130 in Dothan. The 157 gift cards recovered by Enterprise police still had a total value of $28,011.11. Moller and Wilgeums face the federal charge of fraud in connection with access devices. They are scheduled to appear in federal court in Montgomery May 14. Follow Lance Griffin on Twitter @EagleLance Get Breaking News Alerts Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Citing a need for a broad vision on career/technical education for Dothan City Schools and buoyed by the success of a recent job fair, the Board of Education Monday voted unanimously to approve a new coordinator position to oversee career/tech direction for city schools. The approval during a special called board meeting Monday paves the way for the city to advertise for the position of CTE Coordinator. It will be funded for a period of three years by the Wiregrass Foundation and the Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce. This will allow us to shape a plan and vision for career/technical education, or whatever we decide to call it, said Dr. Phyllis Edwards, superintendent of education for Dothan City Schools. We are already doing a lot with career/tech, but more can be done. We are looking into other offerings including logistics, which is coming to be a hot area for employment. We are looking at construction and the aeronautical area as well. City employers have long sought new high school graduates with job-ready skills, but have had mixed success. A recent job fair for high school seniors accelerated Edwards desire to move forward with the new position and landed an agreement with the Chamber of Commerce and Wiregrass Foundation for funding. During its recent plenary session, the Board of Trustees for the Baptist College of Florida authorized the establishment of an additional location for the college. While no exact location has been determined, the Graceville-based college is looking to add another location near Lakeland in Central Florida. This area provides one of the greatest concentrations of strong, active Florida Baptist churches in the state. It covers the geographical heart of Florida, and we believe that The Baptist College of Florida will provide higher education opportunities representing the heart of our Lord and Florida Baptists," BCF President Dr. Thomas Kinchen said in a written release. "I am convinced that this action represents one of the most significant decisions ever made by the Trustees of the college. Organizers plan for a campus opening in 2020. Also, the board authorized the naming of the prayer chapel in the center of the Graceville campus the Conner Chapel, after Craig Conner and his wife Karen. Craig Conner is a BCF alumnus and served as Senior Pastor of First Baptist Panama City for more than 20 years. Also, the Board of Trustees approved a 2019-2020 Operating Budget of $6,100,000. Dundalk Carlingford councillor Conor Keelan has said that Louth County Council needs "the requisite investment from Central Government", in order to develop and build houses on the approximately 123 acres of land banks owned by the council. Cllr Keelan shared some of his views on housing in Louth, following the news last week that homeless figures for Louth have returned to the high of 156 reached in January. The Fianna Fail councillor pointed to vacant properties and land banks as being two areas where an increased focus might help in alleviating the housing crisis in the county. "Any anecdotal survey of housing estates across Dundalk would identify relatively high levels of vacancy", said Cllr Keelan. "As Councillors we are informed that there are approximately 68 vacant properties at present and 37 vacant properties acquired through the CPO process awaiting works", he continued. "Historically vacancy rates among our own housing stock has been very low and the Housing Section has been praised for its work in the CPO process. The greater proportion of vacancy arises from the private sector." Commenting on the land banks owned by the Council, Cllr Keelan said: "To more successfully continue with addressing the housing situation we must develop and build on our land banks. To do this we need the requisite investment from Central Government. "In tandem with this we can continue with the CPO process but this will also require more investment for Central Government to properly resource local government such as in an increased housing maintenance budget." Looking at the how the current homelessness action plan for the county is serving the needs of those accessing homeless services, Cllr Keelan said: "The recently adopted NE Regional Homelessness Action Plan 2018-2020 gives definitive targets for homeless services in Louth, Monaghan and Cavan together with partners in Simon, Drogheda Homeless Aid, HSE, DSP, LMETB, Focus Ireland to reduce homeless instance, eliminate long-term homelessness, eliminate rough sleeping, provide effective services and provide tenancy sustainment. "Five groups of service users have been identified that are not being addressed by the current level of service including: single women, women and children, fathers and children, parents with children and people with complex needs including addictions, untreated mental health and dual diagnosis." Cllr Keelan added that Housing First, an international model of accommodation that aims to provide a person sleeping rough, or someone who has been long-term homeless, with their own secure accommodation as well as access to intensive and specialised support services, might be an initiative that would support homeless services in Louth: "Housing First is a particularly innovative policy which if rolled out more across the state, and incorporated into this Plan, could also provide better tenancy sustainment and address some long-term homeless presentations", the local councillor concluded. The March Quarter 2019 Sensis Business Index, released Tuesday 7 May 2019, reveals Australian small and medium business (SMB) confidence fell significantly across the country during the first quarter of the year as concerns about the health of the economy grew. The report, which measures SMB activity, expectations and confidence over a three-month period, found small and medium business (SMB) confidence levels decreased 16 points to +34, its lowest level since March 2016. Perceptions of the current state of the economy continued to decline, this time decreasing by eight points to -4, the first negative balance recorded since June 2015 with 26% of SMBs believing the economy is slowing and 52% believing it is standing still. Speaking to the results, Sensis Chief Executive Officer John Allan said, The March Quarter Sensis Business Index report has revealed mixed results on the level of support for the Federal Government in the lead up to the election. On the one hand, Small and Medium Business ratings of the Federal Government reached one of the highest levels recorded in the last 10 years with 26% supportive but on the other, overall business confidence fell significantly with concern about the strength of the economy, Mr Allan continued. South Australia bucked the national confidence trend, reaching an all-time high confidence level of +56 (increasing five points from last quarter), while Tasmania remained unchanged at +43. Falls were recorded in all other states and territories. The largest fall was recorded in WA, dropping 32 points to +20, followed by Victoria (down 24 points to +32) and Queensland (down 23 points to +32). Despite declines, ACT and NSW remained above the national average at +45 (down 1 point) and +35 (down 7 points) respectively. The opinion of the state government was measured as positive by five state or territory governments. Tasmania rated highest (down three points to +26), followed by SA (up two points to +19), Victoria (up eight points to +8), NSW (up one point to +3) and WA (up six points to +1). The lowest rating was again recorded in Queensland (down four points to -23) while the largest fall was experienced by the ACT Government (down 17 points to -19). The balance was also lower in the NT (from -2 to -5). The Tasmanian and South Australian governments continue to lead the way in terms of Small and Medium Business support, with confidence in the policies of the South Australian Government at a 6-year high, said Mr Allan. Victorias support for the State Government is also at a 6-year high, continuing the rise in Small and Medium Business support for the Andrews Government. It will be interesting to see if confidence in state and territory governments shift following the Federal election. Access to finance was again a major concern for SMBs as the net balance for accessing finance decreased seven points to -28, compared with +1 last March, as tightened lending regulations continue to bite. The last time SMBs believed it was this difficult to access finance was in March 2012 when the net balance was -29. Small and Medium Business ability to access finance is critical for capital expenditure and growth, said Mr Allan. Fewer SMBs attempted to access finance during the March 2019 quarter than in December, with the majority believing this to be the most difficult time to access finance in the past seven years, Mr Allan concluded. In a presidential administration that seems to function as a turnstile with people coming and going from their positions on a nearly continuous basis, one person seems to be a constant: Betsy DeVos. Its no surprise, of course. She and her husband and other families members give enormous amounts of money to Republicans. The Center for Responsive Politics found the DeVos family had given over $20 million to Republicans between 1989 and 2016. Thats a whopping figure that buys some serious political influence, something DeVos herself has acknowledged. I have decided to stop taking offense at the suggestion that we are buying influence, she told Roll Call. Now I simply concede the point. They are right. We do expect something in return We expect a return on our investment. One of those returns on [their] investment was being anointed as the United States Secretary of Education. Once elevated to that lofty position, she has risen to the maximum level of influence possible in the realm of education. And she clearly plans to exert that influence. This week, during an appearance at the Education Writers Association annual conference, DeVos literally redefined the meaning of the phrase public education: Lets stop and rethink the definition of public education, she said. Today, its often defined as one type of school, funded by taxpayers, controlled by government. But if every student is part of the public, then every way and every place a student learns is ultimately of benefit to the public. That should be the new definition of public education. This is quite clearly a statement that DeVos wants to do nationally what she has failed to do twice in her home state of Michigan: institute a voucher program that would funnel tax dollars away from public schools and into the coffers of private, often for-profit, schools. Much has been written about the DeVos plan to turn education into a business where schools are in fierce competition with each other for limited resources. Right now, private schools are on the outside looking in as tax dollars are spent on actual public schools. As they gaze adoringly at all of those sweet, sweet tax dollars they are missing out on, DeVos has another motivation, as well. Shes a Dominionist and both she and her husband want government working to advance their religious worldview: [I]n a 2001 interview for The Gathering, a group focused on advancing Christian faith through philanthropy, she and her husband offered a rare public glimpse of their views. Asked whether Christian schools should continue to rely on givingrather than pushing for taxpayer money through vouchersBetsy DeVos replied, There are not enough philanthropic dollars in America to fund what is currently the need in educationOur desire is to confront the culture in ways that will continue to advance Gods kingdom. Added Dick DeVos: As we look at many communities in our country, the church has been displaced by the public school as the center for activity[I]t is certainly our hope that more and more churches will get more and more active and engaged in education. By redefining public schools to mean any school whatsoever, DeVos is cracking open the window toward using tax dollars to promote schools that, as she puts it advance Gods Kingdom. Its something we here at Eclectablog have been warning the country about for years. And now its playing out right in front of the nations eyes. Another thing DeVos told the Education Writers Association conference attendees is that Michigan, despite all her extreme efforts, still does not have what she calls education freedom: The reality is, Michigan doesnt have wide open choice, the U.S. education secretary told journalists on Monday at the annual gathering of the Education Writers Association. Michigan only has the opportunity to offer charter schools, and in my book, thats one step towards choice, but thats not education freedom. Full freedom, to DeVos, would include voucher programs that allow families to spend taxpayer dollars on tuition to private schools. These statements are ludicrous when you consider that Michigan is sixth in the nation in the number of charter schools it has, fifth in total charter school enrollment, and seventh in the percentage of students attending charter schools (at almost 10%.) Betsy DeVos will not rest until every public school is engaged in a pitched battle for funding with other public schools AND with private schools. Instead of adequately funding our schools from the outset, she wants schools that have inadequate resources to slowly circle the drain until they have to close their doors. This, then, is what she sees as good for students. In her convoluted, market oriented view, those kids unfortunate enough to have to attend poorly-resourced public schools that are forced to spend precious time and resources competing are somehow better off than if we just gave their schools the resources they require NOW. It should be clearly evident to anyone thinking rationally that this is a recipe for creating an educational underclass. But Betsy DeVos has accumulated purchased enormous power in this realm. And she fully intends to exert it. [CC DeVos image by Michael Vadon | Flickr] Secretary of Education and Disney villain Betsy DeVos spoke to a group of education writers in Baltimore the other day, and it appears her feelings are hurt. I never imagined Id be a focus of your coverage. I dont enjoy the publicity that comes with my position. I dont love being up on stage or on any kind of platform. Im an introvert, she told them. Many in the media, DeVos added, use my name as clickbait or try to make it all about me. But education is not about Betsy DeVos nor any other individual, she said. Its about students. Ironically enough, this bit of poor little me whining comes on the heels of one of Ms. DeVos most outrageous statements, an attempt to redefine the very meaning of public education: Lets stop and rethink the definition of public education, she said. Today, its often defined as one type of school, funded by taxpayers, controlled by government. But if every student is part of the public, then every way and every place a student learns is ultimately of benefit to the public. That should be the new definition of public education. No, Betsy. Just no. Thats not how any of this works. You dont get to snap your grubby little money-stained fingers and just redefine the very nature of public schooling in our country, like some Teach-for-America-Thanos. And, Betsy, if you truly believe that most public schools are failing (Narrator: They are not.), or that school choice and Education Freedom Scholarships are going to fix the problems in the schools (Narrator: Problems that Ms. DeVos helped to create.), there are more than a few people who would like to have a word with you on thislike John Dewey, and Paulo Freire, and Gloria Ladson-Billings, and Diane Ravitch, and our nations more than 3.2 million public school teachers, and the vast majority of parents of the 50.7 million children in our public schools who are either somewhat satisfied or completely satisfied with the quality of their kids education Never one to let a good controversy go to waste, now Betsy is using this little kerfuffle to claim that teachers dont like her because shes rich, and is also trying to drive a wedge between teachers and their unions by pointing out that Randi Weingarten makes $500,000 per year. Just a couple of thoughts for you, Betsy. 1. Teachers dont hate the rich. What we are not fond of is immensely rich folks who take jobs for which they are supremely unqualified, and then using their wealth and political power to try to destroy our profession. 2. If youre rich, have thin skin, and dont like the common people making fun of you, or criticizing your actions, then just stay on your yacht(s) and count your money. Betsy has been working behind the scenes in Michigan for decades, using her wealth to exert an out-sized and pernicious influence on the states education system. If Betsy DeVos really wanted to help public schools, and teachers, and kids, there is one thing she could doand if youre interested in knowing more about that, please head over to our newest project, click the link to subscribe, and let us know what you think! [CC DeVos image by Michael Vadon | Flickr] Data is one of the biggest advantages e-commerce brands have over their brick-and-mortar counterparts. Brands that sell products online can glean insights not only from sales figures, but also from impressions, click-through rates, bounce rates, and numerous other data points. They have a constant stream of visitors to help them optimize every image, ad and product description. However, most brands are just scratching the surface of what they can do with e-commerce data, because theyre focusing exclusively on their own data. Manufacturers that want to maximize sales need to look beyond their own websites and tap into data from retailers that sell their products. It sounds daunting, but without data from retailers, youre missing the big picture of how people interact with your products online. As technology continues to evolve, the gap will only grow between brands that leverage the full potential of e-commerce data and those that dont. Right now, brands can use data from online retailers to improve their customers shopping experience, learn from buying behavior, monitor branding, and optimize their campaigns all of which help you increase sales. Following are four advanced tips for using e-commerce data to increase sales. 1. Streamline the Path to Purchase No matter how good your product page looks on your own website, some consumers prefer buying from their favorite online retailer. Their loyalty to your brand shouldnt be at odds with perks like these: Free two-day shipping Hundreds or thousands of verified reviews and ratings Rewards programs The convenience of buying online and picking up in store (BOPIS) You can fight to keep people on your own website and risk losing sales, or you can embrace the diversity of the e-commerce ecosystem, and let your visitors decide where and how they want to buy your products. What happens if someone goes to a retailers website, and your product is out of stock? Or the price is higher than what you listed on your website? Theyll probably either decide not to buy, or worse theyll buy a competing product. Thats why more and more manufacturers have begun using software that automatically pulls pricing and stock information from their retail partners in real time, so they can display the data on their product pages. This lets consumers choose to buy your products in the way they prefer, while also ensuring that you dont send them to a dead end. By reducing the number of clicks and searches it takes to get to their products, these manufacturers have been capitalizing on peoples intent to buy. Theres less opportunity for their visitors to fall through the cracks or change their minds. Since these brands send people to retailers where they can actually purchase their products, theyre increasing dramatically the number of visitors who become customers. 2. Follow the Entire Customer Journey Say someone clicks your Google ad or opens your email and clicks through to your product page. After doing some research about your product, say that individual decides to buy it. So the shopper hops over to Walmart.com and what happens next? A D V E R T I S E M E N T Does the shopper buy your product? Does the shopper ditch your product for a competitors? What else goes into the shoppers cart? What complementary products does the shopper purchase? Without data from online retailers, manufacturers cant be certain how well or how poorly their marketing campaigns are doing. All you can see is what happens in the bubble of your own website, even though consumers might be buying from retailers as a result of your campaigns. Manufacturers can remove the mystery by using tools that pull data from retailers websites. These tools allow you to follow a consumers path from your marketing assets to your website, to your retail partners, to checkout so you actually can see how your campaigns are performing. This helps you focus your efforts on the campaigns that give you the biggest return on investment. Additionally, some tools drive manufacturers cart-level data, so you can learn what your customers are buying alongside your products, and how much theyre spending. Are consumers buying your drill with a competitors drill bits? Are they buying your home security cameras along with cribs, diapers, and other baby supplies? Insights like these can lead to bundling opportunities or even new product lines, diverting more sales from your competition. 3. Unify Your Brand Across Storefronts Suppose someone is very interested in your product, but wants to purchase from a retailer to take advantage of a rewards program, or to read reviews. The shopper researches your product for a while on your website and then goes looking for it on Amazon. Or Target. Or wherever. When the shopper reaches those other product pages, the images may be a little different. Or the name is displayed differently. Or the description isnt quite right. These might seem like minor discrepancies, but if theres doubt that a page is displaying the right product, the consumer is going to click somewhere else. No one wants to pay for a knockoff or get stuck with an outdated model. All of a sudden youve lost a sale not because your product wasnt what the shopper wanted, but because your retail partner didnt upload the new branding assets you sent a month earlier. Or oops you updated your own branding and forgot to send the new assets to your retail partners. With the sheer number of products you sell and the many online retailers you work with, brand monitoring might sound like an impossible task but it doesnt have to be. Again, many brands today leverage data from online retailers to solve this problem and increase sales. Using advanced technology, manufacturers can see all the copy, images, videos and other assets that appear alongside their products. More importantly, they can aggregate the data and see how well their retail partners are following their current brand guidelines. By ensuring that your brand and products look and feel consistent wherever they appear, you help relieve any friction created by old images, incorrect copy and other discrepancies. 4. Prioritize Your Highest-Converting Retailers Obviously, you dont want to send people to a retailer that is doing a terrible job representing your product online or whose product page simply isnt converting. Maybe there are some abysmal reviews on your product page from people who had a bad experience with the retailer, or who objected to things that had nothing to do with your product. Sending shoppers there doesnt just lose the sale on that page it dissuades those consumers from considering you elsewhere. Or maybe a retailer is promoting your competitors products on your product page. On the other hand, some of your retail partners probably are doing an outstanding job. They have stellar reviews and current branding, and they always promote your relevant add-ons. Most importantly, they make sales. You can use this information to decide which retail partners are worth investing in and promoting and who you need to drop. If you have a where to buy widget on your website, you can elevate the retailers that convert and demote the ones that dont. This ensures that you have the best shot at converting visitors who hit your product pages and ultimately, at increasing sales. Use Data to See the Big Picture When you sell multiple products with multiple online retailers, the data you collect from your own website can take you only so far. If you cant see which retailers have your product in stock, which represent your products the best, or if visitors even convert, youre losing sales. Conversion optimization platforms are developing new, more robust data solutions every day, and tech-savvy brands are finding more ways to leverage data and increase sales. In the world of e-commerce, the data revolution is far from over. Azerbaijans centralized Ministry of Defense Industry (set up in 2005) has for now been dismantled and replaced by the Azersilah Corporation. For now, because the former ministry is terra incognita when it comes to its assets and liabilities. Depending on its indebtedness and liabilities, its corporate form may switch back to become a government agency. Yet regardless of its legal form, President Ilham Aliyevs decree envisions corporatization, corporate management and sustainability of the defense industry product output. The twokey questions are how Azersilah will manage its relationship with newly emergent local companies in Azerbaijans defense industry market to attain financial stability, and how the new legal entity will contribute to a better alignment of its portfolio development with thearmys operational needs in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. BACKGROUND: Several local small and medium-size enterprises (SME) displayed their products during the recent ADEX 2018 defense exhibition in Baku. While at an embryonic stage of their development, this trend of local defense industry SMEs is unprecedented. The Ministry of Defense Industry needed a better structure to adapt to this new reality. The ministry has over 15 plants producing armored vehicles, light weaponry, ammunition, drones and other support equipment both for civilian and military needs. Since its inception in 2005, the ministry has been successful in developing light weaponry models, including highly successful sniper rifles, and assault weapons that have been sold both abroad and domestically. Yet the ministry lacked strong ties with the private sector in areas where it needed expertise, ability to attract investment, modern research and development infrastructure, modern infrastructure to adequately assess the needs of Azerbaijans armed forces, and most importantly, strong coordination between its key assets plants as well as research centers. The new Azersilah is designed to overcome these hurdles. However, the company will face multiple problems in developing new portfolios. The lack of expertise in key high-skill areas and a nation-wide education program for modern defense industry needs are among general barriers to effective industry growth. Among these areas are government-backed/armed forces-led tailored talent management programs; and collaborative platforms connecting the defense industry with academia and vocational education. According to retired Colonel and military expert Shair Ramaldanov, the new corporate form of the ministry will allow the government to sell shares in Azersilah in order to attract investment. The education reform roadmap adopted in 2016 emphasized the importance of vocational education and its links to industries and businesses, however, there is still significant room for improvement. The European Defense Agency has identified several areas of expertise as vital for the defense sector in general, including systems engineering, software engineering, project management, and mechanical engineering technicians. These areas include sub-fields such as optics, robotics, software development and sensors, where Azerbaijan stilllacks relevant expertise. IMPLICATIONS: One of the governments key goals with reforming the ministry and changing its legal status is to introduce corporate governance to the entity. This will enable Azersilah to make quicker decisions on investment, partnerships and commercial activities,and to run the entity based on a viable business model rather than like a government agency. The government also expects to bring financial stability to Azersilah by optimizing existing platforms for manufacturing, restructuring its debts, and introducing new portfolios. In order to attain financial stability and start accumulating knowledge, a possible new initiative by Azersilah could be to set up an R&D center based on private sector practice. This could help in identifying existing gaps in the portfolios of other former Soviet defense industry giants, in order to develop niche capabilities for serving mechanized armies in the Asian, African and Latin American markets. Azerbaijan has a potential for increasing its production output of soviet-era ammunition, utilization infrastructure, support military accessories, maintenance services and other supporting equipment. Another area is to explore the civilian light weaponry and ammunition markets. Azersilahs role, however, is not only adaptation to new market challenges to offer new products or upgrade its output capacity. A highly debated market consolidation is another milestone that Azerbaijans defense industry might want to attain. This includes consolidation of both Azersilahs assets and the private contractor market. Market consolidation entails mergers and acquisitions of smaller companies by larger ones. Azersilah can play a central role using its capacity as a potential customer in this process by identifying areas where it could cooperate with newly formed companies. Most private companies engaged in Azerbaijans defense industry are part of the government-sponsored technological parks, which gives the government a strong negotiating position. There are reasons to believe that higher profitability from increasing concentration may bring stronger operational capacity. Market consolidation, corporate management and a flexible legal entity could bring many advantages for Azersilah. Reasons to support stronger market concentration under Azersilah include utilities, where the entry of additional firms would entail an expensive build-up of distribution infrastructure like pipes or electricity lines. Currently, utility prices is one of the major obstacles to competitive defense industry product prices. Moreover, a higher industrial concentration would bring economies of scale, allowing per unit production costs to drop as output rises. In this case, a smaller number of defense industry companies can operate more efficiently and can boost their sales through lower prices for their output, which fits well with Azerbaijans economic diversification plans. Given that Azerbaijans defense industry is relatively young and still at the stage of searching for its niche, its main customer remains the government of Azerbaijan. In this case, as a corporately managed government entity, Azersilah can play a significant role in shaping the industrys size, structure, expertise and economic viability for future optimization to sell internationally. Azersilah can also play a role in shaping the learning environment in the countrys defense market by establishing stronger ties with international partners for expertise transfer, joint research and production projects. Azerbaijan successfully cooperates with a number of Turkish, Israeli, Russian and Belarusian firms in this area. New technological challenges and security risks demand even further diversification of Azerbaijans defense portfolio and at this stage the combination of corporatization with market consolidation can contribute to a better shaping of the industry, boosting the learning environment for SMEs and diversifying existing portfolios. Enhanced market consolidation may negatively affect competition and reduce the number of key supplies. Yet such consolidation can facilitate better SME performance through economies of scale and learning curves. Private company growth in expertise and output capacity is key to Azerbaijans defense industry, which is in strong need of reducing its dependency on imported supplies that drive up its final product prices. A full supply, production and sales chain needs to be established through stronger ties between state-owned enterprises and the private sector. Azersilah and its corporate management also paves the way for international firms to enter the Azerbaijani market and seek opportunities for joint projects that have not previously existed in Azerbaijan. CONCLUSIONS: Azersilah is an entity yet to be fully reformed through deep asset evaluation, business process auditing, financial audits and a final determination of its major portfolios. The key to corporatization of Azersilah will be the identification of government assets that are open for private sector investment. Ideally, as a reformed state-owned defense enterprise, Azersilah will be a corporately run, regulatory body in the defense industry with strong R&D capabilities and ties to private sector expertise, both international and domestic. If Azersilah is reformed as planned, it could become a major catalyst for overall private sector innovation and more dynamic interagency cooperation within Azerbaijans armed forces based on constant research and needs assessment. Its strategic value could go well beyond mere economic benefits by boosting thorough technological advancement in Azerbaijans security sector. In Nagorno-Karabakh, trench warfare and the conflicts low intensity incentivize the two armies to focus on operational issues, rather than tactical or strategic ones. They are also heavily dependent on niche technologies. Computer mapping, unmanned vehicles of various sizes, drones, jammers, optical identification devices, personnel safety equipment andremote controlled weapon systems all require essential skills in optics, hardware as well as software development. Azerbaijans lack of expertise in these areas can partially be compensated by private company expertise both domestically and by partnering with international firms. Azersilah should assume the role of a learning environment catalyst if Azerbaijan wants to both increase the profitability of the defense sector and adequately equip its armed forces at a low cost. AUTHORS BIOS: Tamerlan Vahabov is an entrepreneur and owner of the Czech Republic and Azerbaijan-based Ivy Group Data Analytics, Government Reform and Education firm.He is a graduate of Georgetown Universitys School of Foreign Service and the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School. His work experience includes Interpol General Secretariat in Lyon, France and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan. Image Source: Ministry of Defense Site accessed on 5.7.2019 As a mathematics educator who also happens to be a new mom, I have serious concerns about the future math classroom my daughter will enter. One of my biggest fears is that the math class will stifle much of her curiosity and creativity that I have witnessed every day during her first few months of life. In my collaborations with preschool to 2nd grade early-childhood educators over the past five years, I have found that teachers often wrestle with two historically competing philosophies of educating young children. One philosophy embraces the importance of creating play-based environments, where children learn by exploring and engaging in play. The other emphasizes the need to prepare students to meet state and national mathematics standards by focusing on specific academic skills. These two philosophies are not either-or. In fact, mathematical thinking and learning often happen during play . We need to create more opportunities for young children to explore mathematical ideas in interactive and playful ways." With the adoption of the Common Core State Standards and an increasing focus on so-called 21st-century skills , our thinking about supporting students curiosity and creativity has progressed in recent years. However, as with most change, the implementation of our ideas hasnt yet panned out the way we might have hoped. I am finding that teachers are increasingly feeling the pressure to address learning standards in ways that do not build upon young childrens inherent curiosity and inclination to experiment. Math instruction in the early grades is too often becoming more like traditional high school math classes. I have seen kindergarten and 1st grade teachers giving short lectures followed by having children complete worksheets filled with math problems. These worksheets often consist of the same type of problem just with different numbers (e.g., 1+2 = __; 1+3 = __; 1+4 = __) and noninteractive images for young children to count or compare. What I am witnessing is not surprising given our misconceptions of what it means to learn math in school. Many think that math is all about learning procedures and memorizing rules. At both the high school and elementary levels, procedurally focused learning is not conducive to supporting students understanding of important mathematical concepts. In fact, a 2016 study published in Scientific American found that students who rely on memorization are half a year behind their peers who approach math by relating concepts to existing knowledge and monitoring their own understanding. It is important to attend to mathematical learning goals while fostering creativity early in a childs education. We need to create more opportunities for young children to explore mathematical ideas in interactive and playful ways. Instead of doing math worksheets, young children need intentionally designed activities that allow them to think and engage like mathematicians by testing out different ideas, experimenting with strategies, and explaining their thinking. Unlike traditional math worksheet problems that can only be solved one way, children should engage in problems that have many possible solution strategies and are ripe for discussion and debate. What can we do as educational practitioners and leaders? 1. Be curious about how children think. Young children have fascinating strategies for how to solve mathematical problems. Our goal is to support them to develop perseverance, confidence, and critical thinking skills when solving math problems. Rather than telling them exact steps for solving a problem, a good first step is to ask open-ended questions (How did you figure it out?). Then watch to see what the child does before asking another question that is based on what you observed (I noticed that you moved the blue bears. Why did you do that?). 2. Support teachers to change things up. Teachers should be encouraged to focus on the creative nature of math. Its OK if math assignments dont look like traditional math worksheets. If teachers give homework, it should be interactive and exploratory in nature, not stagnant worksheets. 3. Get parents on board by encouraging them to find opportunities to engage in math in our everyday lives and surroundings. A great way to start is by counting collections of objects with young children . A collection can be made up of anything found at home, such as coins or utensils. The goal is to figure out how many objects are in the collection and to support children to think deeply about quantity in a way that makes sense to them. In my experiences, children are very excited to figure out how many objects are in their collections and will use a variety of strategies in the process (e.g., sorting, multiplying, adding, etc.). If we make a concerted effort to push back against traditional math worksheets, my concerns might be alleviated by the time my daughter enters kindergarten. Defile travailleurs archives Fako Senior Divisional Officer, SDO, Emmanuel Engamba Ledoux, says the persistent insecurity across the two Anglophone Regions may sink the two Regions into an economic disaster. Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, we are gathered here today to celebrate work and the worker. But as you all know, the security concerns that face us are gradually leading us to an economic disaster marked by the significant loss of jobs, the closure of many establishments, the destruction of many infrastructures, assassinations, mutilations, adoptions, threats to workers and their families. In short, its a social malaise coupled with a deep economic crisis. Therefore, we must all have in mind as priority objective, the creation of the conditions for a return to peace: peace in our families, peace in workplaces, peace in public places, peace in the neighbourhoods and our houses... this peace will not fall from the skies, it must be a collective concern, he said. The SDO was addressing workers on May 1, during celebrations marking this years Labour Day. His address was an honest account of the grim and pathetic situation that thousands of workers in Fako Division and other parts of the Northwest and Southwest Regions find themselves in. The crisis has been devastating to the two Regions, which have been the breadbaskets of the nation. The Cameroon Development Corporation, CDC, which employs over 20,000 workers, is almost grounded. PAMOL Plantations is suffering the same fate. Lots of other businesses have either shut down or jettison many workers, while those still wobbling on can hardly pay their staff regularly, as the war between Government and Separatist forces persists. The SDO ended his passionate appeal for a return to peace. But his message was delivered in the absence of all the Trade Union Leaders, who were expected to address the Government on the plight of workers in Fako Division. Gabriel Mbene Vefonge, President of the Divisional Syndicate of Agricultural Workers in Fako, DISAWOFA, said they decided to boycott the event because the Government has decided to give a deaf ear to their cries on the on-going crisis. He said they have written to the Head of State on the grave consequences that this crisis has plunged the workers in Fako and the entire Anglophones Regions into. But till date, we have not gotten an answer. Despite the grim situation of the workers, especially those of the agricultural sector, some workers still turned up for the Labour Day march past. Workers from public corporations like SONARA, CDC, BEAC Bank, CRTV and CAMTEL answered present at the Manga Williams Avenue Grandstand. Others from private businesses such as Les Brasseries du Cameroun, Metropolitan Plastics Transporters Unions, among others were also present. The celebrations were marked by the award of Labour medals to some 64 workers drawn mostly from the Limbe City Council and Metropolitan Plastics in Tiko Sub Division. Five civilians killed in Syria Overnight airstrikes and artillery attacks targeted the villages of Kansafra, Termela, Bsekla Has and Abdin in Idlib province, along with the village of Al-Huwaiz and the town of Kafrnabuda in Hama. Five civilians were killed in attacks by Assad regime forces on residential areas located inside northern Syrias de-escalation zones, local sources said Thursday. 5 DEAD In Kansafra and Bsekla, the attacks left five civilians dead, including a woman and two children, according to the White Helmets civil-defense agency. Airstrikes targeting positions in Kafrnabuda and Bsekla were carried out by Russian warplanes stationed at the Khmeimim Airbase in the western Latakia province, opposition sources said. In a related development, the National Liberation Front, a faction of the Free Syrian Army, reportedly managed to repel an advance on Kafrnabuda by regime ground forces. Last September, Turkey and Russia agreed to turn Idlib into a de-escalation zone in which acts of aggression would be strictly prohibited. Syria has only just begun to emerge from a devastating conflict that began in 2011 when the Assad regime cracked down on demonstrators with unexpected severity. India begins voting in fifth phase of election More than 87 million people across seven states are eligible to vote on Monday for the 5th phase. Indians on Monday voted in 51 parliamentary constituencies spread over seven states in a fifth phase of general elections. THE FIFTH PHASE According to the election commission, the overall turnout until evening remained 62,56 percent. The highest poll with 74 percent was recorded in West Bengal state while the lowest 17,07 percent was recorded in Jammu and Kashmir, it said. Violence were reported from West Bengal and Jammu and Kashmir. According to media reports, a candidate of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from Barrackpore constituency of West Bengal alleged that he was attacked by workers of Trinamool Congress Party, a ruling party in the state. Malfunctioning of Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) were reported from many states including Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal. Election Commission of India officials said polling went on smoothly, barring some complaints of EVM malfunctioning which were attended to immediately, the Press Trust of India news agency reported. In Jammu and Kashmir, a dismal 2,81 percent voter turnout was reported from Pulwama and Shopian districts two of the four districts in Anantnag constituencyaccording to the election commission. Elections in Anantnag constituency, which at present is the center of anti-Indian resistance and militancy in the region, were held in four phases. Todays voting concluded the polling in the constituency, with the total turnout of 8,67 percent. Earlier in the day, suspected militants reportedly lobbed a grenade toward a polling station in Rohmoo in Pulwama district, while a petrol bomb was reportedly thrown at a polling station in Shopian. No casualties were reported in the incident. The voting in Kashmir has so far been low with Baramulla seeing a turnout of 34,6 percent and Srinagar with 14 percent. Meanwhile, Ladakh constituency of Jammu and Kashmir also went to polls on Monday and witnessed a turnout of 63,7 percent. With the worlds largest electorate nearly 900 million the elections in India will be held in seven phases through May 19, the counting will be held on May 23, and the results are expected to be announced the same day. The ruling right-wing Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is the biggest contender in the elections, with current Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking a second term. NATO worries over Turkeys use of Russian S-400s The consequences of Turkeys plans to deploy the Russian S-400s are worrying, as Washington has made clear it would impose sanctions, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on Monday. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg on Monday met in capital Ankara and discussed NATO-EU relations and Turkey's purchase of S-400 air defense system. S-400 AIR DEFENCE SYSTEMS HAVE BEEN DISCUSSED In a Twitter post, Cavusoglu said: "[We] made evaluations on a wide range of issues including NATO-EU relations and Turkey's S-400 purchase. Discussed the preparations of the NATO Heads of State and Government meeting to be held in London." Speaking at the forum, Stoltenberg said NATO was determined to improve security in the Middle East and North Africa. Stressing that the world was becoming more complicated and interconnected, he said taking precautions against terror was better than interventions. Stoltenberg also met with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during his visit. "Pleased to be back in Ankara to meet with Erdogan," the NATO chief wrote on Twitter ahead of his meeting with the Turkish president. "Turkey is a highly valued ally and NATO stands in solidarity with Turkey as it faces serious security challenges," Stoltenberg went on to say. Later speaking at a joint news conference, Cavusoglu stressed on need of cooperation to fight terrorism and irregular migration. We should understand that we cannot reach [desired] results by being selective in these issues, Cavusoglu said. Touching upon Ankaras procurement of air defense system S-400 from Russia, he said NATO knows the best Turkeys need for these systems as the alliance closely follows the threats in the region. For his part, Stoltenberg said it is Turkeys own decision to purchase S-400 air and missile defense system. "But at the same time, I am concerned about the potential consequences of the decision to buy S-400. Because U.S. has made it clear that they will impose sanctions," he said. Commenting on Turkey's role in NATO, he said Turkey is an important and highly valued NATO ally. Regime attacks killed 8 civilians in N.Syria Syrian regime forces target villages in Hama, Idlib and Aleppo. At least eight civilians were killed when Assad regime forces attacked residential areas inside northern Syrias de-escalation zones, local sources said Tuesday. 8 CIVILIANS KILLED Overnight airstrikes and artillery barrages reportedly targeted the villages of Latamna, Kafr Zita, Kafrnabuda, Shahrenaz, Al-Shiria and Al-Sirmani in Hama province. The villages of Kafrenbil, Kinsafra, Al-Habit, Um Al-Nayir, Has, Ras Al-Ayn, Al-Knidda, Ureyniba and Shinan in neighboring Idlib province also reportedly came under attack. According to the same sources, the villages of Kafr Naha and Zahret al-Madina in Aleppo province were similarly targeted. Last September, Turkey and Russia agreed to turn Idlib into a de-escalation zone in which acts of aggression would be strictly prohibited. Syria has only just begun to emerge from a devastating conflict that began in 2011 when the Assad regime cracked down on demonstrators with unexpected severity. Russian, US FMs hold talks in Finland Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov held talks with his US counterpart Mike Pompeo in Finland after which he warned that US military intervention in Venezuela would be catastrophic and unjustified. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held talks Monday with his US counterpart Mike Pompeo in Finland. BILATERAL RELATIONS HAVE BEEN DISCUSSED They met on the sidelines of the 11th ministerial meeting of the Arctic Council and discussed "topics concerning strategic stability", Lavrov said later at a press conference. Lavrov called the meeting "constructive" and said the two diplomats examined "a range of questions that are on the regional, UN and international agenda". "I think we made a very good step forward in the development of the discussions that took place between President Vladimir Putin and Trump over the phone a couple of days ago, he said. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov Asked what Russia would do if the US intervened military in Venezuela, Lavrov said he hoped there would be no military option, as it would be "catastrophic" and US diplomats understand that. US counterpart Mike Pompeo Venezuela has been rocked by protests since January when President NicolasMaduro was sworn in for a second term following a vote boycotted by the opposition. Tensions escalated when Juan Guaido, who heads Venezuelas National Assembly, declared himself acting president days later, a move supported by the US and many European and Latin American countries. Russia, Turkey, China, Iran, Bolivia and Mexico have thrown their weight behind Maduro. Security forces detained 22 FETO suspects in Turkey FETO and its US-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup of July 15, 2016, which left 251 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured. Turkish security forces on Tuesday arrested 22 suspects over their alleged links to the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) in an investigation centered on western Izmir province. 22 SUSPECTS ARRESTED Prosecutors had previously issued arrest warrants for 34 people suspected of having financial ties to the terror group, as well as for using ByLock, its encrypted messaging app, said the sources, asking not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media. Operations to arrest the remaining suspects are ongoing. Ankara also accuses FETO of being behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police, and judiciary. Turkish aid agency TIKA to help families in Gaza Around 1,000 civilians receive a fast-breaking meal from the state-run agency on a daily basis. Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) will provide fast-breaking meals (iftar) during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan to 1,000 people in the Gaza Strip every day, it said Tuesday. HUMANITARIAN AID TIKA will also distribute thousands of food packages to needy residents of the village of Hajar al-Dik in the southeastern Gaza Strip. Established in 1992, Turkey's government-run aid agency is responsible for implementing the country's developmental cooperation policies overseas. Francis Fai Yengo Archives The first session of the commission of disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration, took place this Tuesday, May 7 in Yaounde, with the commission stating over 165 fighters have handed over their weapons. The meeting took place under the supervision of Cameroon's Prime Minister, Chief Dr. Dion Ngute, where officials declared the fighters were been trained , in order to ease their reintegration process into the society. These fighters laid down arms are being integrated in the disarmament centres in Buea in the South West, Bamenda in the North West and Mora in the Far North region. A statement from the Cameroonian presidency last year said the structure aims to provide a framework for the reception and social reintegration of ex- Boko Haram militants and members of armed groups operating in the North West and South West regions of the country. The Committee, headed by former governor, Fai Yengo Francis, has been placed under the supervision of the Prime Minister, while centres in Mora, Buea and Bamenda, have their regional representatives. During a recent visit to the North West region to launch the centre, the Minister of Territorial Administration, Paul Atanga Nji, declared that some 16 fighters had dropped their weapons and 35 persons more were expected. Some Anglophones confronted the figures, saying those who laid down their weapons were sponsored, hence had nothing to loose. They argued that no genuine fighter would take such a step. However, government has on several occasions indicated that they were not arresting fighters who have laid down their weapons, because the aim is to reintegrate them into the society, and not to send them to jail. Fai Yengo Francis on his part, called on armed separatists in the North West to cease the hand of peace, extended by the government to them and come to the centre, which is forever hospitable to them. Turkish Red Crescent brings iftar meals to Yemen Yemen has been wracked by chaos since 2015 when a Saudi-led military coalition launched a devastating air campaign against Yemens Houthi rebel group. The Turkish Red Crescent is marking the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan by distributing iftar (breakfast) meals to poor families and refugees in Yemen's southern Aden province. HUMANITARIAN AID Mustafa Aydn, a Red Crescent official, told Anadolu Agency that 500 meals were distributed Monday at Adens Mahram camp to refugees coming from Al-Hudaydah province. According to Aydn, a total of 3,000 meals will be delivered to refugees coming from Al-Hudaydah and Taiz province and to local orphanages in Aden. In mid-April, the Turkish Red Crescent distributed 440 tons of aid representing some 11,000 food parcels to displaced persons in Yemens Maarib province. US acts are psychological warfares Irans top security body dismissed as psychological warfare a US announcement that a carrier strike group and bombers are being sent to the Middle East as a message to Tehran. US National Security Adviser John Bolton said on Sunday the United States was deploying the Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group and a bomber task force to the Middle East. "CREDIBLE THREAT BY IRANIAN REGIME FORCES" "Boltons statement is a clumsy use of a burnt-out happening for psychological warfare," Tasnim quoted Keyvan Khosravi, spokesman for the Supreme National Security Council, as saying. Khosravi said the carrier had arrived in the Mediterranean weeks ago. US acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan said on Monday he had approved dispatching the carrier strike group and bombers due to indications of a credible threat by Iranian regime forces. He provided no details of the underlying intelligence. Irans state-run Press TV earlier said: The deployment seems to be a regularly scheduled one by the US Navy, and Bolton has just tried to talk it up. Iranian newspapers and commentators have widely dismissed Washingtons announcement as a bluff and empty rhetoric. Iran said last month it was prepared for a US decision to end waivers granted to buyers of Iranian oil, as the elite Revolutionary Guards repeated their threat to close the strategic Strait of Hormuz in the Gulf if Tehran was barred from using it. Around 30 percent of the worlds seaborne oil exports get shipped through the strait. US Secretary of State cancels Berlin trip US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has canceled a planned visit to Berlin on Tuesday, a US Embassy spokesman said, citing scheduling reasons. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has canceled at the last minute an official trip to Germany on Tuesday, officials have said. THE VISIT PLAN HAS BEEN CANCELLED Chancellor Angela Merkels office has confirmed that a planned meeting between Merkel and Pompeo on Tuesday was canceled, but officials did not give any reason for the decision. Local media quoted US officials saying that the visit had to be rescheduled due to some pressing issues, but they did not elaborate further. The US secretary of state was scheduled to pay his first official visit to Germany on Tuesday. Pompeo was expected to meet separately with Chancellor Angela Merkel and Foreign Minister Heiko Maas. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) helps people with severe depression by "pushing the reset button" on brain networks involved in creating a mental picture, according to recent Baycrest findings. People with depression commonly become focused on the negative aspects of an experience, which also blunts their memory ability. These individuals have difficulty reframing their thoughts towards healthier interpretations of past events. Electroconvulsive therapy appeared to fight depression by "rebooting" the visualization networks, according to findings published in the journal NeuroImage: Clinical. "ECT has long been known to be an effective treatment for patients who don't respond to other therapies," says Dr. Brian Levine, senior author on the paper and senior scientist at Baycrest's Rotman Research Institute (RRI). "But we don't know precisely how ECT affects brain function. Our study shows how ECT alters brain networks involved in memory and thinking." Since the late 1930s, psychiatrists have used ECT as part of an overall treatment plan to help people with depression who are not benefitting from antidepressants. With ECT, electrical current is applied to the forehead to intentionally cause brief seizures, while the person is under anesthesia. Following a course of ECT, individuals proceed with medication or talk therapy to maintain their improved condition. "Since people with depression struggle to reframe an event, their ability to cope with adverse situations is affected," says Dr. Raluca Petrican, co-first author on the paper and RRI postdoctoral fellow. "Our study suggests that ECT reconfigures brain networks that promote flexibility in how people remember events, and this may help people cope better with daily challenges." Researchers analyzed the brain scans of 25 adults between the ages of 25 to 60 years old. Among the participants, 15 individuals were severely depressed and referred for electroconvulsive therapy at psychiatric clinics across Toronto. All participants were asked to share some notable events with researchers at the beginning of the study. Participants were cued to picture these events while they were inside the scanner. Individuals who were recommended for ECT did scans before and after all their sessions. These scans were analyzed and researchers found that before ECT, the brain networks linked to visualization appeared to function differently among individuals with depression, but after ECT, these brain networks looked similar to healthy individuals. The results were validated in a publicly available database of more than 300 individuals who had their brains scanned as part of a separate study but did not have ECT. Through these scans and access to the database, researchers were also able to link a person's brain networks to their resiliency or susceptibility to depression. As next steps, the study is exploring one of the common side effects of ECT -- the amount and types of memory loss experienced by patients who undergo this treatment. ### This project was supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. The research team also included Dr. Hedvig Soderlund from Uppsala University in Sweden, Dr. Zafiris Daskalakis from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Dr. Alastair Flint from University Health Network and Namita Kumar from Baycrest. About Baycrest Baycrest is a global leader in geriatric residential living, healthcare, research, innovation and education, with a special focus on brain health and aging. Fully affiliated with the University of Toronto, Baycrest provides excellent care for older adults combined with an extensive clinical training program for the next generation of healthcare professionals and one of the world's top research institutes in cognitive neuroscience, the Rotman Research Institute. Baycrest is home to the federally and provincially-funded Centre for Aging and Brain Health Innovation, a solution accelerator focused on driving innovation in the aging and brain health sector, and is the developer of Cogniciti - a free online memory assessment for Canadians 40+ who are concerned about their memory. Founded in 1918 as the Toronto Jewish Old Folks Home, Baycrest continues to embrace the long-standing tradition of all great Jewish healthcare institutions to improve the well-being of people in their local communities and around the globe. Baycrest is helping create a world where every older adult enjoys a life of purpose, inspiration and fulfilment. For more information please visit: http://www.baycrest.org About Baycrest's Rotman Research Institute Now in its 30th year, the Rotman Research Institute at Baycrest is a premier international centre for the study of human brain function. Through generous support from private donors and funding agencies, the institute is helping to illuminate the causes of cognitive decline in seniors, identify promising approaches to treatment and lifestyle practices that will protect brain health longer in the lifespan. For media inquiries: Josephine Lim Baycrest 416-785-2500 ext. 6127 jlim@baycrest.org Michelle Petch Gotuzzo Baycrest 416-785-2500 ext. 6932 mpetchgotuzzo@baycrest.org A discovery opens the possibility of one day restoring loss of vision by activating the retina's ability to regenerate. Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine, the Cardiovascular Research Institute and the Texas Heart Institute reveal in the journal Cell Reports that although the mammalian retina - a layer of specialized nerve cells that mediates vision and is located on the back of the eye- does not spontaneously regenerate, it has a regenerative capacity that is kept dormant by a cellular mechanism called the Hippo pathway. The discovery opens the possibility of activating the retina's ability to restore lost vision by manipulating this pathway. "Damage to the retina can lead to irreparable loss of vision in humans and other mammals because their retinas do not regenerate," said lead author Dr. Ross A. Poche, assistant professor of molecular physiology and biophysics and member of the Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center at Baylor. "However, other animals such as zebrafish can reverse blindness thanks to specialized cells in the retina called Muller glial cells. When the retina is damaged, Muller glial cells proliferate and differentiate into the lost retinal neurons, effectively replacing injured cells with fully functional ones." Although Muller glial cells in injured mammalian retina do not restore vision as their counterpart in zebrafish do, other researchers have shown that, when the mammalian retina is injured, a small subset of Muller glial cells takes the first steps needed to enter the proliferation cycle, such as acquiring molecular markers scientists expect to see in a proliferating cell. "But this attempt to proliferate is transient; after acquiring some of the cell markers the cells shut off," said Poche, who also is affiliated with the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center and the Cullen Eye Institute, both at Baylor. "These observations suggested that the mechanism that drives cell repair in zebrafish also might be present in mammals, but it is actively suppressed. For years, the suppressing mechanism was unknown." Searching for the proposed suppressing mechanism, the Poche lab combined forces with the lab of co-corresponding author Dr. James Martin, professor of molecular physiology and biophysics, Vivian L. Smith Chair in Regenerative Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine and director of the Cardiomyocyte Renewal Lab at the Texas Heart Institute. The researchers focused their attention on the Hippo pathway, a network of molecular events that contributes to organ growth during development and to the regulation of heart tissue regeneration in response to myocardial infarction. The Martin lab previously showed that the Hippo pathway acts like a 'break' on cardiomyocyte proliferation by inhibiting the activity of another pathway called YAP. In this study, the researchers first determined that the Hippo pathway is expressed in mammalian Muller glial cells. Then, they investigated whether altering the Hippo pathway in these cells would affect their ability to proliferate. Creating a malfunctioning Hippo pathway by eliminating two of its molecular steps resulted in modest cell proliferation. And when the researchers genetically engineered Muller glial cells to carry a version of YAP called YAP5SA that is impervious to the inhibitory influence of Hippo, the cells showed major proliferation and acquired a progenitor cell identity. Importantly, a small subset of these Muller glia-derived progenitor cells showed signs of spontaneous differentiation into new retinal neurons. "Up to this point researchers did not know what endogenous blocking mechanism prevented Muller cells from entering a regenerative state. The Hippo pathway is a new molecular entry point to that mechanism," said Poche. "Our next step is to develop a strategy to guide proliferating Muller glial cells into differentiation pathways leading to retinal cells capable of restoring vision." ### Other contributors to this work include Elda M. Rueda, Benjamin M. Hall, Matthew C. Hill, Paul G. Swinton and Xuefei Tong. The authors are affiliated with one or more of the following institutions: Baylor College of Medicine, the Cardiovascular Research Institute and the Texas Heart Institute. This work was supported by National Institutes of Health grants P30 AI036211, P30 CA125123, S10 RR024574, U543 HG006348, R01 EY024906, R01 DE023177, R01 HL127717, R01 HL118761, R01 HL130804 and F31 HL136065. Additional support was provided by the Vivian L. Smith Foundation, MacDonald Research Fund award 16RDM001 and the Bright Focus Foundation Macular Degeneration Research Grant. For the first time, the health and environmental risks of novel (nano) materials are being investigated considering the entire life cycle. In addition to novel nanomaterials, the project also focuses on materials for new manufacturing processes, such as 3D printing. "Where safety research is concerned, (nano) materials have mainly been viewed individually up to now and not with respect to their intended use. This is not sufficient, as in real life they occur in many different forms and in products they are usually combined with other materials," states BfR President Professor Dr. Dr. Andreas Hensel. Within the joint research project InnoMat.Life, which is being funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research with the sum of 2.22 million euro and coordinated by the BfR, 10 partners from public authorities, academia and industry are cooperating to establish criteria for an efficient assessment of the human health and environmental risks of novel (nano) materials. In relation to their size of 100 nm or less, nanomaterials are dwarfs, but in relation to their scientific and economic significance they are veritable giants. Everyday life would be barely conceivable without them, as they are to be found in numerous products. They are used among other things as UV filters in sun lotions, they render textiles dirt repellent or tearproof, and packaging more efficient. Until now, nanosafety research mainly focused on first generation nanomaterials, i.e. mainly round particles of pure substances such as nanosilver, titanium oxide and zinc oxide. More advanced materials have been studies only exemplary, such as carbon nanotubes and graphene, extremely thin platelets made of carbon. In real life, however, far more materials are used. Often hybrid materials, consisting of two or more substances, are applied. In addition, nanoparticles can have many different shapes. Many of the industrially used materials cover a broad size distribution from nanometres to micrometres. Moreover, many industrial applications are based on material systems which alter their structure during manufacturing or use. An example of this is layer-by-layer assembly, i.e. the additive manufacture of products with 3D printers. To also ensure the safety of these innovations, InnoMat.Life expands the research focus and addresses new material classes. These include materials with a broad particle size distribution, such as metals and polymer powders for 3D printing as an exemplary process of additive manufacturing, as well as materials with other shapes and sizes, such as rods, platelets and fibres. A third focus area comprises hybrid materials made from two or more substances. The great variety of materials shows that not every material variant can be tested individually in detail to fulfil regulatory requirements. Consequently, one of the main goals of InnoMat.Life is to establish criteria catalogues such that these novel materials can be grouped together with regard to their hazard potential. This will be done also considering exposure potential for humans and the environment. The project takes into account the full material life cycle, from synthesis to disposal. Experts from academia, public authorities and industry are working together to achieve these objectives. Project outcomes will be actively communicated from the beginning to national and international committees in order to improve regulations and thereby safety. ### About the BfR The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) is a scientifically independent institution within the portfolio of the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) in Germany. It advises the Federal Government and Federal Laender on questions of food, chemical and product safety. The BfR conducts its own research on topics that are closely linked to its assessment tasks. This text version is a translation of the original German text which is the only legally binding version. A CABI-led project involving an international team of remote sensing and plant protection experts is helping China reduce its reliance on harmful pesticides to fight crop pests and diseases including yellow rust fungal disease of wheat and locusts A CABI-led project involving an international team of remote sensing and plant protection experts is helping China reduce its reliance on harmful pesticides to fight crop pests and diseases including yellow rust fungal disease of wheat and locusts. The 1.6 million STFC Newton Agri-Tech Fund-financed project is leaving a lasting legacy in helping the Chinese Government reach its goal of zero increase in pesticide use by 2020 - adopting more sustainable controls, where possible, instead. This is thanks to cutting-edge data obtained through earth observation, meteorological and vertical looking radar (VLR) which can identify the size and species of flying insects such as locusts, a plague of which, in 2004, devastated 970,000 hectares of farmland in ten Chinese provinces and municipalities. Where it was necessary to apply pesticides as part of the project, entitled 'Integrating Advanced Earth Observation and Environmental Information for Sustainable Management of Crop Pests and Diseases', this was carried out using state-of-the-art precision drone technology from the Anyang Quanfeng Aviation Plant Protection Technology Co. Ltd. Dr Belinda Luke, a Principle Scientist in CABI's Biopesticides Team, led an international team of scientists from Assimila Ltd, Rothamsted Research, Kings College London, the Institute of Remote Sensing and Digital Earth of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (RADI-CAS), the Institute of Plant Protection at the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (IPP-CAAS), the National Agro-tech Extension and Service Center (NATESC) and the College of Environment and Resources Science at Zhejiang University, who focused on seven key objectives to help fight yellow rust (which can affect wheat yields by between 5 and 30 percent) and migratory locusts. The team sought to develop; a model to predict wheat rust spread and severity and map it thematically, a locust development model as well as locust maps, and a biopesticide efficiency model alongside a way of determining the effects of using chemical or biopesticides on non-target insects using the VLR. Dr Luke said, "China feeds 22 percent of the world's population with only 7 percent of its arable land. It is also the world's largest producer and consumer of chemical pesticides which have significant negative human health and environmental concerns due to residues. "The increased use of chemical pesticides is not sustainable hence the Chinese Government introduced legislation to achieve a target to achieve zero growth in pesticide use by 2020, in addition to phasing out use of highly toxic substances. "This project brought together cutting-edge research to provide pest and disease monitoring and forecast information and encourage biopesticide use by integrating multi-source data to support decision making in the delivery of sustainable management of pests and diseases." Dr Luke said the results of the project so far are promising with one book and 42 scientific papers produced, 55 crop pest and disease monitoring and forecasting reports released and 27 thematic maps used by the National Aviation Plant Protection Science Technology Innovation Alliance and the company applying the pesticides by drone. Dr Luke added, "The government has been using these reports to warn farmers how severe the yellow wheat rust threat is in a particular year. This then allows farmers to decide if it is necessary or not to apply chemical fungicides to their wheat crops. "Yellow wheat rust is a major problem not only in China but globally. Likewise, locusts and grasshoppers are pests in many regions of the world. The models developed for China could be adapted for use in any other Newton Partner country by collecting base-line data to calibrate the models." Training from the project, via NATESC, has also been given to 2800 technical staff, extension officers and farmers in notable pest and disease 'hot spots' who are now able to feed back valuable data to the government who can assist with the problem. Another benefit of the Newton project is the winning of another through the same fund. The new project, 'Utilizing Earth Observation and UAV technologies to deliver pest and disease products and services to end users in China', involves RADI-CAS, Peking University (PKU), Anyang Quanfeng Aviation Plant Protection Technology Co, Ltd, Hangzhou Waobot Technology Co. and NATESC in China and CABI, Assimila, KCL, Loughborough University and Tekever Ltd in the UK. For both projects, the Joint Laboratory for Biosafety between the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) and CABI played important roles in bringing in, and coordinating with key Chinese partners as well as implementing some aspects of the projects. For more information see the news story 'Triangular collaboration on development and research projects in focus at 11th Steering Committee of the Joint Laboratory of MARA China and CABI.' ### Additional information Photos: main image of locust courtesy of Pixabay The Cambrian Explosion around 540 million years ago was a key event in the evolutionary history of life. But what exactly controlled the Cambrian Explosion has been a subject of scientific debate since Darwin's time. A multidisciplinary study, published on May 6 in Nature Geoscience by a joint China-UK-Russia research team, gives strong support to the hypothesis that the oxygen content of the atmosphere and ocean was the principal controlling factor in early animal evolution. In past decades, important fossil discoveries revealed a puzzling pattern of episodic radiations and extinctions in early animal evolution. This pattern coincides with dramatic fluctuations in the carbon isotopic composition of seawater, according to study co-author ZHU Maoyan from the Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Lower Cambrian strata along the Aldan and Lena rivers in Siberia consist of continuous sequences of limestone with abundant fossils and reliable age constraints, making these rocks ideal for analysing ancient seawater chemistry. The isotopic signatures of the rocks correlate with the global production of oxygen, allowing the team to determine oxygen levels in shallow sea water and the atmosphere during the Cambrian Period. The study is the first to show that the pattern of episodic radiations and extinctions in early animal evolution closely matches extreme changes in atmospheric and oceanic oxygen levels. This result strongly suggests that oxygen played a fundamental role in the Cambrian Explosion of animals. "The complex creatures that came about during the Cambrian Explosion were the precursors to many of the modern animals we see today. By analysing carbon and sulphur isotopes found in ancient rocks, we are able to trace oxygen variations in Earth's atmosphere and shallow oceans during the Cambrian Explosion. We found that evolutionary radiations follow a pattern of 'boom and bust' in tandem with the oxygen levels," said Dr. HE Tianchen, study lead author and postdoctoral researcher at the University of Leeds. According to Prof. Graham Shields, study co-author from UCL Earth Sciences, this is the first study to show clearly that our earliest animal ancestors experienced a series of evolutionary radiations and bottlenecks caused by extreme changes in atmospheric oxygen levels. The result was a veritable explosion of new animal forms during more than 13 million years of the Cambrian Period. Study co-author Dr. Benjamin Mills, from the School of Earth and Environment at Leeds, said, "The Siberian Platform gives us a unique window into early marine ecosystems. This area contains over half of all currently known fossilised diversity from the Cambrian Explosion." "This has been an incredibly successful and exciting joint study. The question of the Cambrian Explosion trigger has puzzled scientists for years. Now, the results give us convincing evidence to link the rapid appearance of animals as well as mass extinction during the early Cambrian with oxygen," said co-author Andrey Yu Zhuravlev from Lomonosov Moscow State University. Study co-author YANG Aihua from Nanjing University said, "In the last decade, progress has been made in the Cambrian Explosion; this study shows the interactions between the biodiversity of animal and environment during the early Cambrian." ### Columbia Engineering and Vanderbilt researchers are first to demonstrate in a clinically relevant model that severely damaged lungs can be regenerated to meet transplantation criteria; could lead to increase in the number of lungs for transplant New York, NY--May 7, 2019--Lung transplantation, the only lifesaving therapy for an increasing population of patients with end-stage lung disease, is severely limited by the number of available donor organs. Currently, up to 80 percent of donor lungs are rejected for serious but potentially reversible injuries. Since the beginning of transplantation in the 1960s, clinicians and scientists have been trying to address the critical shortage of donor organs. Now, a multidisciplinary team from Columbia Engineering and Vanderbilt University has--for the first time--demonstrated in a clinically relevant model that severely damaged lungs can be regenerated to meet transplantation criteria. In a study published today on Nature Communications ' website, the researchers describe the cross-circulation platform that maintained the viability and function of the donor lung and the stability of the recipient for 36 to 56 hours. As Brandon Guenthart, a lead author of the study, explains, "to support lung recovery and to demonstrate cellular regeneration, we had to pursue a radically different approach and develop more minimally invasive diagnostics." Current methodologies of lung support are limited to only 6 to 8 hours, a time that is too short for therapeutic interventions that could regenerate the injured lung and improve its function. The team, co-led by Gordana Vunjak-Novakovic, University Professor and The Mikati Foundation Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Medical Sciences at Columbia Engineering, and Matthew Bacchettaunjak-Novakovic, the H. William Scott Professor of Surgery at Vanderbilt University, and adjunct professor at Columbia's department of biomedical engineering, also developed new diagnostic tools for the non-invasive evaluation of the regenerating lung. They expect their advance will lead to an increase in the number of lungs for transplant, through the recovery of severely damaged lungs that are currently unsuitable for clinical use. The researchers have long been focused on developing processes to recover lungs that are being turned down for transplant because of injury to enable people with end-stage lung disease to live longer and better lives. "We have been fortunate to assemble a highly talented, interdisciplinary team of bioengineers, surgeons, pulmonologists, and pathologists, who have designed a durable physiologic support system for a donor lung outside the body, along with new technologies to achieve and monitor lung recovery," Bacchetta says. A previous study from the team demonstrated a cross-circulation platform that maintained the viability and function of a donor lung for 36 hours. The researchers were able to use their advanced support system to fully recover the functionality of lungs injured by ischemia (restricted blood supply) and make them suitable for transplant. For this new study, the team decided to test the effectiveness of their platform technology combined with conventional therapies and new diagnostics on lungs afflicted by the most frequent injury leading to donor lung rejection--gastric aspiration. This injury is caused by the entry of gastric material into the respiratory tract, resulting in severe injury to the pulmonary epithelium and thus making the lung unacceptable for transplantation. Currently, severely damaged donor lungs cannot be salvaged using existing devices or methods. This new study suggests that lungs injured by gastric aspiration can be maintained outside the body for several days, are amenable to repeated therapeutic interventions, and display evidence of cellular regeneration and improved function. Lungs regenerated on this platform met all criteria for transplantation. "For seven years, we have diligently worked to develop new technologies for the maintenance and recovery of donor organs. This paper represents a culmination of fundamental and translational studies of lung bioengineering that have converged into a system capable to recover severely damaged lungs. We now have the team and technology to bring this research to the patients, by making more donor lungs available for transplant," says Vunjak-Novakovic. The team plans to conduct further studies to evaluate the functional capacity of the lungs following transplantation and the safety of the method, using a clinically relevant large animal model with immunosuppression. "We envision that interventional cross-circulation may be used to investigate regeneration of other damaged organs, such as hearts, kidneys, and livers, expanding donor pools by salvaging severely damaged organs and leading to more organ transplants," Bacchetta adds. ### About the Study The study is titled "Recovery of severely damaged lungs using an interventional cross-circulation platform." Authors are: Brandon A. Guenthart 1,2,9; John D. O'Neill 1,9; Jinho Kim 1,3; Dawn Queen 1; Scott Chicotka 2; Kenmond Fung 4; Michael Simpson 2; Rachel Donocoff 5; Michael Salna 2; Charles C. Marboe 6; Katherine Cunningham 1; Susan P. Halligan 1; Holly M. Wobma 1; Ahmed E. Hozain 1,2; Alexander Romanov 5; Gordana Vunjak-Novakovic 1,7; and Matthew Bacchetta 1,8 1 Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC) 2 Department of Surgery, CUMC 3 Department of Biomedical Engineering, Stevens Institute of Technolog. 4 Department of Clinical Perfusion, CUMC 5 Institute of Comparative Medicine, CUMC 6 Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, CUMC 7 Department of Medicine, CUMC 8 Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Vanderbilt University The study was supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health (R01 HL120046, U01 HL134760, P41 EB002520), Blavatnik Foundation, and the Mikati Foundation. The authors declare no competing financial interests. LINKS: Paper: http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-019-09908-1 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-09908-1 https://www.nature.com/ncomms/ http://engineering.columbia.edu/ http://bme.columbia.edu/gordana-vunjak-novakovic https://bme.columbia.edu/ https://wp0.vanderbilt.edu/vise/visepeople/matthew-bacchetta/ https://www.nature.com/articles/s41551-017-0037 Columbia Engineering Columbia Engineering, based in New York City, is one of the top engineering schools in the U.S. and one of the oldest in the nation. Also known as The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science, the School expands knowledge and advances technology through the pioneering research of its more than 220 faculty, while educating undergraduate and graduate students in a collaborative environment to become leaders informed by a firm foundation in engineering. The School's faculty are at the center of the University's cross-disciplinary research, contributing to the Data Science Institute, Earth Institute, Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Precision Medicine Initiative, and the Columbia Nano Initiative. Guided by its strategic vision, "Columbia Engineering for Humanity," the School aims to translate ideas into innovations that foster a sustainable, healthy, secure, connected, and creative humanity. Crise anglophone archives South Africa is set to frustrate efforts by the United Nations Security Council to formally find solutions to end the raging conflict in Cameroons North West and South West regions where armed men are fighting for the independence of a country they call Ambazonia. Germanys public international broadcaster, Deutsche Welle reported May 4 that the issue of Cameroon's worsening Anglophone crisis will come up at the UN Security Council on May 13 but the talks will be informal due to the reluctance of non-permanent member South Africa which wants the African Union to respond to the crisis instead. Cameroonians have taken to social media to bash South Africa over her insensitivity. Shameful South Africa will go down so low, says Richard Ndifor, a historian in Buea. Steve Duffe wonders why The same South Africa that we sacrificed a lot to give them freedom is how standing in the way of freedom for others. Others have been even more enraged in their reaction to the South Africa position. Eliane Fonsah says, God punish South Africa for this nonsense stand. Where has the AU been since 2016? People are losing everything on both sides. Many vibrant young men from both Anglophone and French Cameroon have gone and lots of property destroyed. Thousands homeless.... What has South Africa as an individual country done since then? French magazine, Jeune Afrique first reported that the United States is behind the May 13 meeting and has since been persuading African countries on the council to drop their initial reluctance to talks on the Cameroon dossier. The United States is behind the initiative that will focus on the humanitarian aspects of the conflict that began since 2016. The magazine quoted a statement from the US mission to the United Nations, who said the situation in Cameroon had caught their attention, especially with the devastating humanitarian crisis. "We hope that this meeting will encourage a more robust regional and international response (...) to avoid further deterioration of the situation," the source added. Many diplomats and international bodies have voiced out on several occasions, the need to push forward the ongoing socio-political unrest in Cameroon, to the United Nations Security Council. At least four million persons need humanitarian assistance in the two English-speaking Regions. The International Crisis Group, ICG, recently reported that over 500,000 persons have been displaced, while 1,850 persons have died as a result of the crisis. A humanitarian assistance response plan, carried out by Cameroon and other international partners, has seen an inadequate response, according to UN resident coordinator, Allegra Baiocchi. Meeting in Yaounde on May 3, Allegra and Territorial Administration Minister Atanga Nji announced they had created a platform to effectively account for the distribution of humanitarian needs. PHILADELPHIA - Among adults with mental health needs, those covered by Medicare or employer-sponsored health insurance have greater access to medical treatment, less out-of-pocket cost and are more likely to receive care than those seeking an appointment through an Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace-sponsored plan, according to findings from researchers at Drexel University's Dornsife School of Public Health. Their study, published in the May 2019 issue of Health Affairs, provides preliminary results on disparities among those experiencing psychological stress since the ACA became law in 2010. The researchers used National Health Interview Survey data on adults experiencing mental illness. They looked at a dataset that included 4,500 Medicaid enrollees, 8,600 with employer-sponsored insurance and nearly 900 on a Marketplace plan, and measured access to treatment, specifically whether individuals received care in the previous 12 months and whether those patients could afford treatment. Among those seeking mental health care during the previous 12 months, success was highest for those with employer coverage. Although 5 percent of those with employer-sponsored insurance and 9 percent of Medicaid patients reported trouble getting a mental health doctor appointment in the previous year, 12 percent of Marketplace-enrollees experienced this same trouble. Additionally, nearly 12 percent of Marketplace and nine percent of Medicaid enrollees - but only four percent of those with employer-sponsored insurance - reported being unable to be accepted as a new patient during the previous 12 months. Of the 44.7 million adults with a mental illness in the United States, only 43.1 percent received treatment in the previous year in 2016. The ACA mandates coverage of behavioral health services in Medicaid and all exchange health plans, and expands protections in individual and small-group insurance markets. "Although the ACA added about 20 million people to the number of insured in the United States, significant disparities remain," said lead author Ryan McKenna, PhD, MA, an assistant professor of Health Management and Policy in Drexel University's Dornsife School of Public Health. "Policy makers must look at this data and remedy these barriers for millions of Americans." The authors propose making health insurance more transparent by developing a metric to measure quality and size of a plan's network, much like the one that exists for Medicare's Star Rating System. Sorting enrollees into plans that fit their health needs more effectively may help lower out-of-pocket and out of network costs for enrollees, the authors suggest. To combat a shortage of behavioral health specialists participating in various health plans, the authors advise simplifying administrative processes. The researchers note that changing Medicaid organizational procedures may speed up reimbursements to clinicians and lower costs for physicians to accept Medicaid. ### Additional authors on this research include Jessie Kemmick Pintor of Drexel University's Dornsife School of Public Health and Mir M. Ali of the United States Department of Health and Human Services. New study shows wild boar can be immunized against the most significant worldwide threat to the swine industry by a vaccine administered via their food Wild boar can be immunized against African Swine Fever by a new vaccine delivered to the animals in their food, says new research. Published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science, it is the first report of a promising inoculation against this deadly disease, which is a worldwide threat to the swine industry. The study also provides evidence that this immunity can be passed on via contact with immunized individuals, but further studies are needed to examine exactly how this occurs, as well as the safety of repeated administration. "African swine fever is of enormous concern to the pig industry," says Dr. Jose Angel Barasona, a researcher at the VISAVET Health Surveillance Centre and co-author of this research. "Our study demonstrates the effectiveness of the first oral vaccine against this disease on Eurasian wild boar. Overall, we demonstrate that oral immunization of wild boar conferred 92% protection against a highly pathogenic strain of African Swine Fever, which is currently circulating in Asia and Europe." High fever, loss of appetite and death Infected animals can suffer terribly. Symptoms include high fever, depression, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, abortion in pregnant sows, as well as redness of skin on the ears, abdomen and legs. The most virulent, or dangerous, forms of this virus can lead to the death of all those infected. African swine fever affects more than 55 countries on 3 continents, including China, which contains nearly half of the world's pig population. It is highly contagious and can be spread via contaminated feed and pork products, as well as shoes, clothes, vehicles, knives and equipment. Transmission can also occur by the movement of infected livestock and across wild boar populations. It is this latter form of infection that Barasona and his colleagues hope to prevent. "Wild boar is the most severely affected by this virus in Europe and to date, none of the control measures have been effective. The importance of vaccinating wild boar was demonstrated during the 2000's when Classical Swine Fever affected different European countries, and an oral vaccine was used to reduce the incidence of infection in the wild populations in Germany." The complex nature of the African Swine Fever virus, gaps in knowledge concerning infection and immunity, as well as technical difficulties, have hindered vaccine development. But in 2017, a wild boar in Latvia provided a breakthrough. "Serum from a wild boar hunted in Rietumpieriga, Latvia, was confirmed as African Swine Fever Virus positive at the EU reference laboratory in Madrid, Spain," Barasona reports. "This was a weakly virulent strain of the disease, which enabled us to produce a live vaccine. When we inoculated wild boar in our laboratories with this live strain, they showed no symptoms of this disease but produced antibodies against the virus, ultimately giving them protection against the more dangerous form." Immunity can be passed on via contact When tested, as well as proving its effectiveness against one of the most dangerous strains of African swine fever, it revealed an additional capability to immunize other wild boar through contact with orally vaccinated animals. "The 'shedding' of this vaccine might help amplify vaccination coverage, reducing the need for expensive production and large-scale administration of vaccine in the field," explains Barasona. This vaccine, which would be administered in bait to the wild animals, represents considerable progress in the control of African Swine Fever in the wild and, subsequently, at the domestic/wildlife interface. However, Barasona cautions more research is needed before it can be used widely. "If the safety of the vaccine can be established, then it may help mitigate the uncontrolled spread of African Swine Fever across Europe and Asia, like the success so far in halting the spread of Classical Swine Fever. Future studies should examine the vaccine's safety following repeated administration, the process of 'shedding', and its genetic stability during passage from one animal to another." ### Please link to the original research article in your reporting: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2019.00137/full Frontiers is an award-winning Open Science platform and leading open-access scholarly publisher. Our mission is to make high-quality, peer-reviewed research articles rapidly and freely available to everybody in the world, thereby accelerating scientific and technological innovation, societal progress and economic growth. Frontiers received the 2014 ALPSP Gold Award for Innovation in Publishing. For more information, visit http://www.frontiersin.org and follow @Frontiersin on Twitter. The Gutenberg Research College (GRC), the central institution for promoting top-level research at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU), yesterday presented the 2019 Gutenberg Research Award and welcomed five new fellows. These events took place during the GRC's annual celebration, which was held in the Mainz School of Music. This year's Gutenberg Research Award, which is endowed with EUR 10,000, went to the French historian Professor Corine Defrance of the French Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS) and Universite Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne, Sirice. The GRC gave the award to Defrance not only in recognition of the merit of her research into the history of the relationship between Germany and France, but also because of her special connections to Mainz and her commitment to providing support to young academics. Following the award ceremony, Corine Defrance will remain in Mainz until May 11 and participate in various events. She will be giving public lectures today at 6:00 p.m. at the Leibniz Institute of European History (IEG), and at 6:15 p.m. on May 8 and 8:15 a.m. on May 10 at JGU. GRC fellows are outstanding scholars and artists at JGU and other universities. They receive GRC funding that enables them to particularly dedicate themselves to their research or art at JGU. The GRC currently supports 25 active fellows. Many of the GRC's 36 alumni fellows still remain in contact with JGU through academic collaborations and GRC events. The following five new fellows were officially welcomed during this year's celebration: - Prof. Parastou Forouhar, Fine Arts, Mainz Academy of Fine Arts - Prof. Boris Kaus, Geophysics, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz - Dr. Martina Kramer, Cloud Physics, Forschungszentrum Julich - Prof. Klaus Pietschmann, Musicology, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz - Prof. Marion Silies, Molecular Neurodevelopmental Biology, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz. This year the GRC is also awarding a so-called "homestretch" ("Zielgerade") fellowship to Professor Wolfgang Zwickel of the Department of Old Testament Studies and Biblical Archaeology at JGU. The GRC provides these fellowships to facilitate the completion of large research or publication projects by making resources available to pay for teaching substitutes for the corresponding fellows for two or three semesters. "This enables the 'homestretch' fellows to focus all their attention during this period on completing a research project that is already in its final stages. During the end phase, it is particularly essential that all time and effort can be concentrated on the project to achieve completion at an excellent quality level," said Professor Thomas Hieke, Director of the GRC. Established in 2007 during the first phase of the Excellence Initiative of the German federal and state governments, the GRC is the oldest of what are now three strategic expert bodies for research, teaching, and the promotion of young academics. The GRC executive committee consists of outstanding researchers of Mainz University and cooperating research institutions together with students. It makes decisions on the awarding of GRC fellowships and advises the university administration and the faculties on aspects of strategy, such as the establishment of research units, the restructuring of institutes, and submissions to excellence competitions. ### Johns Hopkins scientists report that adult cells reprogrammed to become primitive stem cells, called induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), make tiny "cargo packets" able to deliver potentially restorative or repairing proteins, antibodies or other therapies to aged cells. They say the human iPSCs they studied produced much more of the packets, formally known as extracellular vesicles, than other kinds of adult stem cells commonly used for this purpose in research. Extracellular vesicles are naturally abundant in many types of cells, which use the cargo-containing spheres to communicate with other cells. They are about one one-hundredth the diameter of a cell and can carry anything from fats and proteins to nucleic acids. When a cell releases an extracellular vesicle, other cells nearby slurp up the tiny packet and its contents, making it an attractive target for packaging treatments for diseased cells that are deteriorating or aging prematurely, researchers say. To package a potential treatment in an extracellular vesicle, scientists typically use a cell called a mesenchymal stem cell, which is found among fat or bone marrow cells and gives rise to other fat and bone cells. Scientists genetically modify the stem cell to produce vesicles with the treatment-related cellular therapy -- usually a protein. But the Johns Hopkins scientists say that mesenchymal stem cells aren't the best sources for extracellular vesicles. The cells don't multiply as often as iPSCs, and more cells are necessary to produce larger quantities of extracellular vesicles needed for therapeutic use. In addition, mesenchymal cells grow best in a liquid called fetal bovine serum, which contains potentially treatment-contaminating extracellular vesicles that are difficult to distinguish and separate from extracellular vesicles derived from mesenchymal cells. By contrast, the liquid used to store and feed human iPSCs in the laboratory, called Essential 8, is free of extracellular vesicles and animal proteins, and the Johns Hopkins scientists found the cells could produce 16 times more vesicles than mesenchymal stem cells. We wanted to show other scientists working on such potential therapies that human iPSCs can efficiently produce highly purified extracellular vesicles that could, one day, be used to treat aging-related diseases, says Linzhao Cheng, Ph.D., a professor of medicine and oncology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and a member of the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center. Cheng and his colleague Vasiliki Machairaki, Ph.D., assistant professor of neurology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, postdoctoral fellow Senquan Liu and other colleagues reported results of their experiments online Feb. 27 in Stem Cells. The scientists fed extracellular vesicles made from human iPSCs and mesenchymal cells to human cells that had been genetically engineered to model a disease called progeria, which ages cells far more quickly than normal cells. When the scientists broke open the human recipient cells and analyzed their proteins, they found a more than two-fold increase in the amounts of several antioxidant proteins, called peroxiredoxins, inside the cells fed with extracellular vesicles made from iPSCs, which prevented the aging-related damage to cells. Antioxidants help to prevent aging-related damage to cells. Cheng says that iPSCs may one day be best suited for delivering treatments for cellular aging-related diseases such as progeria and ALS (or Lou Gehrig's disease), but not other age-related diseases such as cancer because iPSCs are naturally designed for promoting cell growth and regeneration, a process that can fuel cancer. Machairaki cautioned that a great deal of research is needed before vesicles are deemed effective and safe for human disease therapy. The research team, she says, is currently planning studies in animal models to figure out how to overcome the potential for the immune system to reject extracellular vesicles, for example. The Johns Hopkins scientists have filed for a patent related to the technology described in this report. ### Other scientists who contributed to the research include Hao Bai, Zheng Ding, Jiaxin Li and Kenneth W. Witwer from Johns Hopkins. The research is funded by the Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund and National Institutes of Health (R56 AG-057430). EAST LANSING, Mich. - Need some economic growth? Grab a cold craft beer (industry). Michigan State University has published a first-of-its-kind study, published in the journal Beverages, that shows the respectable economic impact of burgeoning beer and craft beers' entire value chain on the state of Michigan. Not only does the study accurately quantify Michigan's industry, but it also provides a model for all states to precisely measure their own craft beer industry. The industry is a substantial driver in Michigan, too, generating nearly $500 million in gross state product in 2016, contributing nearly $1 billion and 9,738 jobs in total aggregate economic contributions. The impact could change the lens in which craft beer is viewed, said Trey Malone, MSU agricultural economist and the study's lead author. "Our results show that state governments might generate economic growth by creating a business climate that's conducive to the growth of the craft beer value chain," he said. "It's definitely an industry worth fostering." The value chain, which the researchers describe in detail, goes well beyond the brewery from which the pint was purchased. Michigan had three microbreweries in 1993; today there's more than 330 - and that number is growing. In comparison, Michigan has more than twice as many breweries than the entire U.S. had in 1978. Michigan ranks fourth in the number of breweries - first, east of the Mississippi River - and 11th overall in terms of craft beer production. To feed this growth, hop and barley production have grown exponentially in quantity and quality. "Specifically, hops grown in Michigan have clear attributes that differentiate varieties from those grown in Washington, Idaho and Oregon - large, hop-producing states," said Steven Miller, study co-author and director of the Center for Economic Analysis and assistant professor of agriculture, food and resource economics. "In fact, there's untapped potential for local hops and barley; the economic impact would be greater if consumers demand local ingredients in Michigan's craft beers." Hop and barley farmers would appreciate that as well. Each pint that's pulled, every can cracked open, trickles down to them. "Every dollar they make comes from someone buying a Michigan beer," said Phil Howard, study co-author and MSU associate professor of community sustainability. "And that's not the case with Budweiser or Coors Light." As the industry grows, so does the variety of value-chain contributors. The number of maltsters, specialty malt producers, has grown to help meet demand. Wheat and rye also are grown in Michigan, providing a nearly complete local agricultural value chain for craft beer production - one of only six states that could achieve this status. Along with brewers, maltsters and farmers, legislators also play a critical role in industry development. States can impede or support the development of local and regional breweries and restrict the entrepreneurial activity at all levels of the value chain. "State laws regulate every step of the value chain, and it's formidable," Malone said. "In Michigan, the legislative approach can be summed up as cautious but progressive." In comparison, states such as Mississippi and Alabama only recently made it legal to brew beer at home. Even Michigan's southern neighbor, Indiana, permitted Sunday beer sales just last year. "Some states focus on attracting new industries to create new jobs, but economists now recognize the value of import substitution as a way to boost regional economies; the 'buy-local' movement, increasing purchases within one's own region, is a key embodiment of this concept," Malone said. "So, regulation without a full understanding of the economic contributions can result in money and opportunities left on the table." And that's a concept worth toasting. ### Robert Sirrine, MSU Extension, and Ashley McFarland, University of Minnesota, also contributed to this research. (Note for media: Please include a link to the original paper in online coverage: https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5710/5/2/35) Michigan State University has been working to advance the common good in uncommon ways for 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU focuses its vast resources on creating solutions to some of the world's most pressing challenges, while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges. For MSU news on the Web, go to MSUToday. Follow MSU News on Twitter at twitter.com/MSUnews. A new study in Oxford Economic Papers suggests that developed counties may see significant economic gains from their efforts to combat terrorist threats. Developing counties, in contrast, appear to suffer economically from counterterrorism threats. Major trading countries like the United States or trading blocs like the European Union are targets of terrorist organizations. Typically, these groups, such as al-Qaida or ISIS, locate in developing countries that lack the resources to stop them from operating. During the last two decades, this resource scarcity is often complemented by radical ideologies that can be more easily implanted among disaffected people, thereby supplying terrorist recruits. As a consequence, terrorist hotbeds result in remote and difficult-to-govern areas like Afghanistan, Pakistan, Somalia, Syria, and Yemen. To protect against such attacks, targeted countries deploy defensive counterterrorism measures at home, which deflect attacks abroad. In addition, terrorism disrupts the production of goods and services in an economy. These production considerations affect global supply and demand of goods, thus changing trade patterns and the prices of imports and exports. With their limited means, terrorist organizations target both types of countries. Greater defensive counterterrorism by either country reduces terrorism at home, but potentially increases it in the other country as the terrorist group redirects its attacks. Such defensive measures may take the form of enhanced border security and greater surveillance. Counterterrorism limits the production of manufactured goods through demand for closely related resources. Guns, surveillance cameras, helicopters, police vehicles, communication grids, and other manufactured goods are required for effective defensive counterterrorism efforts. Defensive measures also require labour in terms of guards and police, who must have equipment to protect potential targets and to coordinate defensive operations. This paper investigates the interplay of trade and terrorism under free trade between a developed nation that exports a manufactured good to and imports a primary product from a developing nation. Terrorist organizations target both types of nations and reduce their attacks in response to a nation's defensive counterterrorism efforts. This reality leads the developed nation to raise its counterterrorism efforts, thus compounding its overprovision of these measures. By contrast, developing nations limit their defensive countermeasures due to the falling price of their exports. Researchers here considered a developed (e.g., United States) and a developing country (e.g., Pakistan) with two goods - manufactured and primary. The developing country imports the manufactured good and exports the primary product. The developed country imports the primary product but exports the manufactured good to developing countries. When deciding which defensive counterterrorism measures to pursue, the developing country must weigh trade loss against its gain from containing terrorism at home. The opposite is true for the developed country, whose independent defensive choice not only augments the country's trade position as manufactured goods, which it produces, become relatively more expensive, but also deflects potential attacks abroad. Thus, the developed country has an incentive to increase its defensive measures. This asymmetry is a novel finding. The prognosis for global welfare thus is better if the developing country is more afflicted by terrorism, so that its initial overprovision is relatively greater than that of the developed country. Next, consider proactive counterterrorism measures which limit terrorist resources and prowess and are usually undersupplied by targeted countries. The developed country is now incentivized to increase its proactive efforts relative to the small-country case. Since it both produces and benefits from manufactured security goods, it will benefit from producing more of them. The developing country, however, is incentivized to decrease its substandard proactive efforts. However, the global welfare implications are now different as the developed country does more to address its underprovision for the sake of both security and economic gains, which can improve global welfare. The longer term impact of these measures cause exported primary goods to get cheaper. This asymmetry between the proactive measures of the targeted countries highlights how trade adds a novel consideration that results in somewhat more optimistic welfare findings. In terms of welfare consequences, the asymmetry between how developing and developed countries prioritize their counterterrorism choice switches, with the developed country improving its efficiency. Since the developed country is generally the main supplier of proactive counterterrorism measures, the trade effect of counterterrorism measures are likely to improve global welfare. "This article shows that counterterrorism must be investigated in a way that accounts for subtle, but important, trade consequences," said one of the paper's authors, Todd Sandler. ### The paper, "Terms-of-trade and counterterrorism externalities," is available (at midnight EST on May 7) at: https://doi.org/10.1093/oep/gpz037 Direct correspondence to: Todd Sandler School of Economic, Political & Policy Sciences University of Texas at Dallas 800 W. Campbell Rd., Richardson, TX 75080-3021 tsandler@utdallas.edu To request a copy of the study, please contact: Daniel Luzer daniel.luzer@oup.com Sharing on social media? Find Oxford Journals online at @OxfordJournals Researchers at PSI have investigated a novel crystalline material that exhibits electronic properties that have never been seen before. It is a crystal of aluminum and platinum atoms arranged in a special way. In the symmetrically repeating unit cells of this crystal, individual atoms were offset from each other in such a way that they - as connected in the mind's eye - followed the shape of a spiral staircase. This resulted in novel properties of electronic behaviour for the crystal as a whole, including so-called Rarita-Schwinger fermions in its interior and very long and quadruple topological Fermi arcs on its surface. The researchers have now published their results in the journal Nature Physics. Researchers at the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI have found a new kind of quasiparticle. Quasiparticles are states in material that behave in a certain way like actual elementary particles. The two physicists William Rarita and Julian Schwinger had predicted this type of quasiparticles in 1941, which came to be known as Rarita-Schwinger fermions. Exactly these have now been detected experimentally for the first time - thanks in part to measurements at the Swiss Synchrotron Light Source SLS at PSI. "As far as we know, we are - simultaneously with three other research groups - among the first to see Rarita-Schwinger fermions", says Niels Schroter, a researcher at PSI and first author of the new study. The search for exotic electron states The researchers discovered the quasiparticles while investigating a novel material: a special aluminum-platinum crystal. "When viewed with the naked eye, our crystal was simply a small cube: about half a centimeter in size and blackish-silverish", says Schroter. "Our colleagues at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Physics of Solids in Dresden produced it using a special process. In addition to the researchers in Dresden, scientists in Great Britain, Spain, and the US were also involved in the current study. The aim of the Dresden researchers was to achieve a tailor-made arrangement of the atoms in the crystal lattice. In a crystal, each atom has an exactly assigned place. An often cube-shaped group of adjacent atoms forms a basic element, the so-called unit cell. This repeats itself in all directions and thus forms the crystal with its typical symmetries, which are also visible from the outside. However, in the aluminium-platinum crystal that was now investigated, individual atoms in adjacent elementary cells were slightly offset from each other so that they - as connected in the mind's eye - followed the shape of a spiral staircase, or in other words: a helical line. "It thus worked exactly as planned: We had a chiral crystal", explains Schroter. Crystals like two hands Chiral materials can be compared to our hands: The right hand is a mirror image of the left. In chiral crystals this means that in some specimens the imaginary spiral staircase of the atoms runs clockwise, in others it runs counter-clockwise. No matter how you turn the one crystal, it will always differ from the other-handed crystal. "We researchers find chiral materials very exciting", explains Vladimir Strocov, a PSI researcher and co-author of the current study, "because mathematical models make many predictions that exotic physical phenomena can be found in them". And this was indeed the case with the aluminium-platinum crystal which the researchers investigated. Using the X-radiation of the SLS and photoelectron spectroscopy, they made the electronic properties inside the crystal visible. In addition, complementary measurements of the same crystal at the Diamond Light Source in Oxfordshire, England, allowed them to see the electronic structures on its surface. These investigations showed that the special crystal was not only a chiral material, but also a topological one. "We call this type of material a chiral topological semimetal", Strocov says. "Thanks to the outstanding spectroscopic abilities of the ADRESS beamline here at SLS, we are now among the first to have experimentally proven the existence of such a material." The world of donuts Topological materials came into the public eye with the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2016, when three researchers were honoured for their investigations into topological phases and phase transitions. Topology is a field of mathematics that deals with structures and forms that are similar to each other. For example, a ball of modelling clay can be formed into a die, a plate, or a bowl by merely pressing and pulling - these shapes are thus topologically identical. However, to obtain a donut or an 8-shaped form, you have to make holes in the clay: one for the donut, two holes for the 8. This classification according to the number of holes and further topological properties have already been applied to other physical properties of materials by the scientists who were awarded the Nobel Prize in 2016. Thus, for example, the theory of so-called topological quantum fluids was developed. "The fact that our crystal is a topological material means that in a figurative sense the number of holes inside the crystal is different from the number of holes outside it. Therefore at the transition between crystal and air, thus at the crystal surface, the number of holes is not well defined. What is clear, however, is that this is where it changes", explains Schroter. "We say that a topological phase transition takes place at the crystal surface. As a result, new electronic states emerge there: topological Fermi arcs." Quasiparticles inside, Fermi arcs on the surface It is precisely the combination of these two phenomena, the chirality and the topology of the crystal, that leads to the unusual electronic properties that also differ inside the material and on its surface. While the researchers were able to detect the Rarita-Schwinger fermions inside the material, complementary measurements at the English synchrotron radiation source Diamond Light Source revealed other exotic electronic states on the surface of the material: four so-called Fermi arcs, which are also significantly longer than any previously observed Fermi arcs. "It is quite clear that the Rarita-Schwinger fermions in the interior and these special Fermi arcs on the surface are connected. Both result from the fact that it is a chiral topological material", says Schroter. "We are very pleased that we were among the first to find such a material. It's not just about these two electronic properties: The discovery of topological chiral materials will open up a whole playground of new exotic phenomena." Researchers are interested in new materials and the exotic behaviour of electrons because some of them could be suitable for applications in the electronics of the future. The aim is - for example with quantum computers - to achieve ever denser and faster storage and data transmission in the future and to reduce the energy consumption of electronic components. ### Images are available for download at https://www.psi.ch/en/node/28106. Additional information New particle could form the basis of energy-saving electronics - Media release from 17 March 2016: http://psi.ch/2KSS "Now it's time for something new" - Interview with PSI scientists Gabriel Aeppli and Christian Ruegg: http://psi.ch/ug78 Watching electrons and switching bits on - About research on the electronics of the future at PSI: http://psi.ch/w4ND About PSI The Paul Scherrer Institute PSI develops, builds and operates large, complex research facilities and makes them available to the national and international research community. The institute's own key research priorities are in the fields of matter and materials, energy and environment and human health. PSI is committed to the training of future generations. Therefore about one quarter of our staff are post-docs, post-graduates or apprentices. Altogether PSI employs 2100 people, thus being the largest research institute in Switzerland. The annual budget amounts to approximately CHF 390 million. PSI is part of the ETH Domain, with the other members being the two Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology, ETH Zurich and EPFL Lausanne, as well as Eawag (Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology), Empa (Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology) and WSL (Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research). Contact Dr. Niels Schroter Spectroscopy of Novel Materials Group Paul Scherrer Institute, Forschungsstrasse 111, 5232 Villigen PSI, Switzerland Telephone: +41 56 310 50 15, e-mail: niels.schroeter@psi.ch [German, English] Dr. Vladimir Strocov Spectroscopy of Novel Materials Group Paul Scherrer Institute, Forschungsstrasse 111, 5232 Villigen PSI, Switzerland Telephone: +41 56 310 53 11, e-mail: vladimir.strocov@psi.ch [English, French, Russian] Original Publication Chiral topological semimetal with multifold band crossings and long Fermi arcs N. B. M. Schroter, D. Pei, M. G. Vergniory, Y. Sun, K. Manna, F. de Juan, J. A. Krieger, V. Suss, M. Schmidt, P. Dudin, B. Bradlyn, T. K. Kim, T. Schmitt, C. Cacho, C. Felser, V. N. Strocov, and Y. Chen Nature Physics 6 May 2019 (online) DOI: 10.1038/s41567-019-0511-y PRINCETON, N.J.--It's a classic policy dispute: How much should the current generation invest in reducing carbon emissions for the benefit of future generations? A study published in Nature Communications helps answer this question by quantifying whether reducing carbon emissions -- which will have global benefits in the future -- also improves air quality now. Preventing many of the human health burdens that result from air pollution would be a powerful positive incentive to act sooner than later. The study, which debuts a new climate policy model developed by Princeton University researchers and others, reports it is economically sound to quickly and dramatically cut greenhouse gas emissions given the immediate and significant human health benefits. The findings also support the climate targets prescribed by the Paris Climate Agreement in cost-benefit terms. The model combines the cost of reducing emissions with the potential health 'co-benefits' or synergies of climate policy; these co-benefits have traditionally been excluded in the cost-benefit models that estimate how much the world should pay to reduce carbon emissions. When put together, the researchers find immediate net benefits globally from climate policy investments. "Increasingly, we are finding that is important to consider public health impacts in analyses of climate change decision-making. We've built these considerations directly into this new model to see how the cost-benefit calculation changes when these impacts are accounted for. If we include the health benefits, the model tells use to reduce our emissions much more quickly than it would otherwise," said lead co-author Noah Scovronick, of Emory University, who worked on the model while at Princeton's Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs. The results provide an economic vindication of the Paris Agreement targets for limiting temperature rise: If improved air quality and better health are included in the analysis, then a target of 2 degrees Celsius (or 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) is economically defensible. This is because the health benefits resulting from air pollution reductions significantly outweigh any near-term costs, especially in developing regions. Prior economic studies on this issue did not support such a strict climate target. "The climate problem has several features that make it particularly difficult to solve," said Marc Fleurbaey, Robert E. Kuenne Professor in Economics and Humanistic Studies and professor of public affairs and the University Center for Human Values. "Here, we show that accounting for the human health dimension alleviates many of these difficulties: Health benefits begin immediately, occur near where emissions are reduced, and accrue mainly in developing regions with less historical responsibility for climate change. The finding that climate policy may not in fact entail an intergenerational trade-off could completely change the framing of the debate." Their new modeling framework for analyzing CO2 policy incorporates the costs and benefits of reducing air pollutant emissions. In particular, the environmental impacts from aerosols -- which result from air pollutant emissions -- have never been fully incorporated into this type of modeling. This is important for two reasons. On the one hand, reducing aerosol pollution is good for human health. One the other hand, however, aerosols act to cool the earth and thus counterbalance some of the warming generated by greenhouse gases; this beneficial effect is lost when air pollutant emissions are reduced. The researchers included both of these opposing effects in their framework. When all of the benefits and harms are taken into account, the researchers see immediate net benefits globally, both in health and economic terms. In particular, the global health benefits from this climate policy could reach trillions of dollars annually, but their magnitude will depend somewhat on air quality policies that nations adopt independently of climate change. The team found the strongest potential near-term health benefits in China and India. "Some developing regions have been understandably reluctant to invest their limited resources in reducing emissions," said Scovronick. "This and other studies demonstrate that many of these same regions are likely to gain most of the health co-benefits, which may add incentive for them to adopt stronger climate policies." ### Scovronick and Fleurbaey conducted the study with Princeton University's Robert Socolow, Mark Budolfson from the University of Vermont, Francis Dennig from Yale-NUS College in Singapore, Frank Errickson from the University of California, Berkeley, Wei Peng from Penn State University, Dean Spears of the University of Texas at Austin, and Fabian Wagner of the International Institute of Applied Systems Analysis. In addition to Scovronick, Fleurbaey, and Socolow, Budolfson, Peng, Spears, and Wagner were all at Princeton when this study was initiated. The paper, "The impact of human health co-benefits on evaluations of global climate policy," will appear online May 7 in Nature Communications. A Queensland University of Technology (QUT) analysis of studies gauging attitudes to medicinal cannabis has found that while health professionals are broadly supportive, they feel they lack clinical and legislative knowledge, and their greatest concerns are the psychiatric harm that may be caused to patients and misuse by recreational drug users. The findings have been reported in PLOS One. Key points: 26 published studies conducted in Australia, the United States, Canada, Ireland and internationally were analysed These studies assessed the beliefs, knowledge and concerns about medicinal cannabis held by medical practitioners, nurses, pharmacists and allied health professionals Generally, health professionals supported clinical use of medicinal cannabis, however they said they lacked knowledge across all aspects, from pharmacology and dosing to legislation around access, distribution and supply Their greatest concerns about the drug were patient harm, adverse drug interactions and whether cannabis would be obtained 'medicinally' as a legal guise for recreational use QUT pharmacy PhD researcher Kyle Gardiner led the analysis of the studies with principal supervisor Professor Lisa Nissen, Head of QUT's Faculty of Health School of Clinical Sciences. Mr Gardiner said with cannabis moving rapidly from a criminalised product to where it may be prescribed medicinally it was important to understand the views of the health sector. "In almost all international jurisdictions the involvement of at least one health professional is required for patients to acquire medicinal cannabis," he said. "So, clinicians are in the crosshairs and we need to understand their behaviours and engagement. "It is important to know their attitudes and concerns about the delivery and use of medicinal cannabis, what knowledge they have, and where they are getting their information. However, these are a few pieces of a much larger picture. "The picture we need to build is a more robust understanding of health professional behaviour. This is an important step in recognising and better informing strategies that change the way healthcare is delivered so that patients are not disadvantaged. "This study is one part of putting together that picture relating to medicinal cannabis." In Australia, several forms of imported medicinal cannabis are available, to be prescribed under certain conditions and used in clinical trials. Mr Gardiner said in the various studies examined, practitioners raised concerns around people growing cannabis for medicinal use, potential contamination, drug misuse, interactions with other drugs, and driving under the influence. They were also concerned about psychiatric adverse effects, and in three of the studies medical practitioners believed "negative mental health outcomes were positively correlated with the use of medicinal cannabis". However, Mr Gardiner said it wasn't clear whether the views of all health professionals were based on peer-reviewed clinical evidence or something else. "Consistently across medicine, pharmacy and nursing, health professionals all said their knowledge of medicinal cannabis was poor," he said. "Many highlighted a need for further education and easy-to access information. Where they felt evidence-based resources were not accessible, their knowledge was generated from online learning, news and media, and patient experiences." Mr Gardiner said it wasn't surprising that in the more recently published studies, health professionals' views were more supportive of medicinal cannabis than those reported in older studies. "Support did vary between jurisdictions, but there was no obvious pattern relative to the laws and leniency or strictness around cannabis in those jurisdictions. "There was also greater support from professionals who were in specialty medical fields rather than in general or community practice." Mr Gardiner said while broadly health professionals in the various studies expressed support for medicinal cannabis, this doesn't necessarily mean a willingness to deliver it. "There is a fundamental difference between being supportive of medicinal cannabis and being directly responsible for its delivery. More research is needed in this area." ### The research paper, Health professional beliefs, knowledge, and concerns surrounding medicinal cannabis - A systematic review, can be accessed online. Co-authors with Mr Gardiner and Professor Nissen are QUT's Dr Judith Singleton and Dr Greg Kyle, and University of Auckland Professor Janie Sheridan. Michelle Bachellet, Haut-Commissaire des Nations Unis aux droits de l'Homme archives The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet has appreciated efforts made by Cameroon to handle the ongoing unrest in the Anglophone regions, although she says the first solution is to tackle the root cause of the crisis. During her four day visit to Cameroon, Ms. Bachelet met with officials of the National Commission for the Promotion of Bilingualism and Multiculturalism, and the National Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration Committee, structures set up by President Paul Biya, to facilitate an end to the ongoing violence in the Anglophone regions. She expressed hopes that the two bodies could make significant changes, although they are both young. "The work of these two bodies is still in its early stages, Bachelet said. But I believe they can potentially make important contributions over time to better understand and deal with the crisis in the two western regions, and to encourage increasing numbers of fighters to lay down their arms and reintegrate into society in both the north and the west. Nevertheless, one should not underestimate the daunting challenges both bodies are facing, and I offered to share advice and important lessons we have learned from similar efforts in other parts of the world. The Bilingualism commission has been holding a series of meetings to strategies on how to penetrate the communities and reunite Cameroonians despite their cultural differences. As for the did armament commission, the Minister of Territorial Administration, Paul Atanga has been updating the country on the improving number armed separatists, who dropped down their arms. She called on military restraint in most parts of the North West to the South West region, which she says would limit local recruitment of disgruntled youths, into violent groups. "As a former Minister of Defence myself, I recognize the difficulties and dilemmas faced by soldiers confronted with extremely violent armed groups moving in and out of civilian areas, committing atrocities as they go, the UN Human Rights Chief said. Nevertheless, every violation committed by Government forces is not only unlawful, but also counter-productive as it plays into the hands of the extremist groups, by feeding local resentment and aiding recruitment. The armed forces must win and keep the trust of local populations, and to do that they must keep scrupulously within the framework of international law and standards. If they fail to do that, they will not defeat an enemy that thrives on civilian mistrust of the authorities. In the meantime, the civilians trapped between these two powerful, if asymmetric, opposing forces, are increasingly vulnerable to lethal abuses and violations by both sides. Bachelet also raised the issue of lack of access for both international and national human rights workers into Cameroon, which she said was feeding on international and local mistrust. She pledged to help the government of Cameroon, along with her collaborators, to find lasting solutions to the ongoing crisis, which she says must start from the root cause. This study, published in the latest issue of the journal InMediaciones de la comunicacion, analyzes the perception that university faculty have regarding the role played by communication of the science, technology and innovation taking place at the Spanish public universities, through their offices of institutional communication and their Scientific Culture and Innovation Units (UCC+i) and its media impact. "Beyond the communication and dissemination that researchers themselves can undertake, the role that these institutions play in information and public communication, far from causing any type of negative effect, results in a range of positive effects on researchers' careers by augmenting their visibility as well as their impact in the scientific community. As such, it improves their professional prestige and increases the likelihood of obtaining more funding for future lines of work," the study pointed out. In general, the majority of researchers (65.4%) perceive some type of benefit after having their research results published. "The most common benefit that they point to is that, thanks to these communication campaigns, their research becomes more known to other fellow researchers in Spain (46.5% of the cases), which can then lead to an increase in citations of their academic work by these colleagues. This is precisely one of the factors that determines the quality of a scientific article," explained one of the study's authors, Francisco Javier Alonso Flores, who is head of the Scientific Culture and Innovation Unit (UCC+i) that pertains to the UC3M Office of the Vice-President for Culture and Communication. In addition, one out of four researchers (27.2%) received requests to give talks on their related subjects after their work appeared in the communication media. Furthermore, one out of five (20.9%) were contacted by companies interested in their line of research, "which can improve synergy with industrial and business sector." As for any possible negative effects, a large majority of the researchers (84.7%) did not perceive that there were any. Specifically, fewer than one in ten of those surveyed (8.1%) felt that the communication media had distorted or incorrectly interpreted the research news. In general, the majority of the researchers (68.6%) stated that the communication media informs and represents the subjects they deal with well (42%) or very well, (26.6%), giving the journalists' work a high score (7.7 out of 10). "Two out of three researchers (66.9%) think that information provided in the communication media on subjects related to specialized R+D+i in the past decade has improved. The vast majority (96.1%) believe that this type of specialized journalism is essential to properly deal with this kind of content," observed Carolina Moreno Castro, one of the study's authors and Full Professor of Journalism in the Department of Theory of Languages and Communication Sciences at the Universidad de Valencia. "After carrying out statistical processing on all the responses and variables, we have found a significant difference in the opinion of those researchers who have participated in communications actions as opposed to those who have not done so. Those who have participated tend to rate the work of the university communicators and the communication media journalists more highly," observed, Antonio Eleazar Serrano Lopez, another of the study's authors. Serrano Lopez is a professor in the UC3M Department of Library Science and Documentation, and a member of the Research Institute for Higher Education and Science (INAECU). ### This study is based on responses from over 500 researchers in 20 Spanish public universities: Alcala, Alicante, Autonoma de Barcelona, Autonoma de Madrid, Barcelona, Carlos III de Madrid, Complutense de Madrid, Cordoba, Granada, Jaen, Jaume I de Castellon, Malaga, Oviedo, Politecnica de Madrid, Politecnica de Valencia, Rey Juan Carlos, Rovira y Virgili, Sevilla, Valencia and Zaragoza. The inform was presented on April 26th in the tenth edition of ComCiRed (Communicate Science online), a meeting of the UCC+i organized at the University of Oviedo by Spanish Foundation of Science and Technology (FECYT) of the Ministry of Science, Universities and Research of Spain. Bibliographic references: La publicacion de noticias sobre los resultados de I+D+i. Como es percibida por los investigadores espanoles? Alonso-Flores, Javier; Serrano-Lopez, Antonio Eleazar; Moreno-Castro, Carolina. InMediaciones de la comunicacion, Vol. 13, N. 2, 2018, pags. 115-140. Regulators must find a way of monitoring and addressing the way political advertising on Facebook creates new types of inequalities for campaigners, experts have said. The online platform is increasingly used during elections, but it is impossible to track the impact of political advertising and how politicians are using this tool. The Electoral Commission has called for a change in the law so political adverts are marked clearly with the name of whoever has paid for them. But a new study suggests regulation must also take into account how Facebook algorithms mean the same advertising spend has different results. Researchers say any new regulations must show more understanding of the differences in online campaigning, and do more to capture the true spend on political adverts on Facebook. Traditional campaigning regulations are based on the theory that spending by each political party leads to a similar result - for example if political parties spent the same amount on leaflets the literature would reach a similar number of people. The research, published in Political Quarterly, by Dr Katharine Dommett, from the University of Sheffield and Dr Sam Power, from the University of Exeter says this cannot apply to Facebook advertising, where the impact is dependent on the audience the advertiser wants to reach. This means different spend will have different results. Adverts in a marginal constituency will be more expensive, as will adverts that are directed at an audience that is in high demand from advertisers. Dr Dommett said: "As digital political campaigning grows it is now increasingly difficult for existing regulators to capture the true extent of what is happening online, let alone whether these practices violate democratic norms. The unreliability of existing data on the use of Facebook needs to be acknowledged by regulators if campaigning spending is to be effectively interpreted and understood. "The lack of clear information should concern anyone responsible for overseeing the conduct of modern campaigns." Dr Power said: "Although Facebook has introduced some new transparency measures, nobody can fully monitor both how it is being used by political parties and the inequalities of access they can face. It is also not Facebook's role to regulate elections. We need to recognise these limitations to think about whether and how existing reporting requirements need to change. "Regulators around the world need to think about how to monitor and respond to spending principles that are creating inequalities in the electoral market place." As part of their study Dr Dommett and Dr Power looked in detail at spending on Facebook by political parties. There has been a significant rise in spending on digital advertising in recent years. In 2014, only 30,000 - 1.7 per cent of the overall advertising budget - was spent on online advertising, yet by 2017 this figure had risen to 4.3 million - 42.8 per cent. Party spending returns also show that just over 3.16 million was spent on Facebook advertising by all UK parties at the 2017 general election, compared with just over 1 million on Google, 54,000 on Twitter, just under 25,000 on Amazon and just 239,000 on 'traditional' advertising in national and regional media outlets. ### Three University of Liverpool researchers have been awarded prestigious UKRI Future Leaders Fellowships to pursue ambitious and adventurous research programmes in the fields of glaciology, particle physics and quantum computing. The Future Leaders Fellowships is a highly competitive new scheme, funded by UK Research and Innovation, which supports the next generation of early career researchers to tackle pressing global challenges. Researchers from the University's Faculty of Science and Engineering have been awarded Fellowships which will provide them with the funding, flexibility and freedom to pursue ambitious and adventurous research programmes on truly challenging questions. Glaciologist Dr James Lea will use new computing techniques to monitor glacier and iceberg behaviour across both the Arctic and Antarctic regions, with a view to understanding how they will be affected by a rapidly changing climate. His work will improve knowledge of both future global sea level change, and help understand the risks to future Arctic shipping routes as ice cover declines and iceberg producing glaciers continue to retreat. Ultimately these factors will impact future UK supply chains between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, in addition to the UK's coastal communities and infrastructure at risk of sea level rise. This research seeks to inform both climate change policy and understanding of how glacier change can pose hazards to people and industry in the polar regions and beyond. Electronic engineer Dr Eva Vilella works in the Department of Physics, developing advanced silicon sensors for the tracking of charged particles in physics experiments. Under her Future Leaders Fellowship, she aims to achieve a step change improvement to the performance of these sensors through the development of Depleted Monolithic Active Pixel Sensors (DMAPS). Her devices will incorporate a highly performant detector system on a single chip, using industry standard and cost-effective processing techniques. The expected improvements in position accuracy, timing resolution and radiation tolerance will benefit the most challenging future experiments in physics and provide major benefits in other fields like proton therapy for cancer treatment. Dr David Schaich, who recently joined the University's Department of Mathematical Sciences, aims to develop new potentially transformative technology in the field of quantum computing, a key emerging industry. A lecturer in theoretical particle physics, Dr Schaich will apply the computational framework of lattice field theory to three new frontiers in order to address key scientific challenges and advance our understanding of the Universe. In addition to quantum computing, he will apply the theory to investigate supersymmetry, and also engage with experiments at CERN's Large Hadron Collider to test whether the Higgs boson or the dark matter of the Universe may be composite particles. Professor Anthony Hollander, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research & Impact, said: "I am delighted that the University has been so successful in this new and very prestigious programme which specifically aims to support some of the best early career researchers and innovators in the country. The innovative and exciting nature of each of these three Fellowships reflects a wider ambition here at Liverpool to respond to global challenges and have positive societal impact " Science and Innovation Minister, Chris Skidmore, said: "From Sir Tim Berners-Lee's creation of the World Wide Web, to Rosalind Franklin whose work was critical in understanding DNA, we have a rich history of talented individuals who have paved the way for ground-breaking research and discoveries in their fields. "Our investment in these Future Leaders Fellows will enable the brightest and best of our scientists and researchers to work with leading lights in industry, to help their research move from the laboratory to the commercial market. "This support to the next generation of scientists and researchers is a key part of our modern Industrial Strategy, and our commitment to raise R&D spend to 2.4% of GDP by 2027 will maintain the UK's position as a world-leader in science and innovation and building on our historic legacy." UK Research and Innovation Chief Executive, Mark Walport, said: "The Future Leaders Fellowships offer long-term support for the most talented researchers and innovators. Fellows will be encouraged to be adventurous in tackling tough and important research questions and opportunities for innovation. "The Fellowships offer opportunities to move across disciplinary boundaries and between academia and industry. These Fellowships will enable us to grow the strong supply of talented individuals needed to ensure that UK research and innovation continues to be world leading." A total of 41 Fellowships were announced in the first round of the scheme by the UK Research and Innovation. The scheme, which aim to develop, retain, attract and sustain research and innovation talent in the UK, will provide about 900 million in support over six competition rounds over three years..? ### ANN ARBOR--A new University of Michigan study provides the first evidence of transitive inference, the ability to use known relationships to infer unknown relationships, in a nonvertebrate animal: the lowly paper wasp. For millennia, transitive inference was considered a hallmark of human deductive powers, a form of logical reasoning used to make inferences: If A is greater than B, and B is greater than C, then A is greater than C. But in recent decades, vertebrate animals including monkeys, birds and fish have demonstrated the ability to use transitive inference. The only published study that assessed TI in invertebrates found that honeybees weren't up to the task. One possible explanation for that result is that the small nervous system of honeybees imposes cognitive constraints that prevent those insects from conducting transitive inference. Paper wasps have a nervous system roughly the same size--about one million neurons--as honeybees, but they exhibit a type complex social behavior not seen in honeybee colonies. University of Michigan evolutionary biologist Elizabeth Tibbetts wondered if paper wasps' social skills could enable them to succeed where honeybees had failed. To find out, Tibbetts and her colleagues tested whether two common species of paper wasp, Polistes dominula and Polistes metricus, could solve a transitive inference problem. The team's findings are scheduled for online publication May 8 in the journal Biology Letters. "This study adds to a growing body of evidence that the miniature nervous systems of insects do not limit sophisticated behaviors," said Tibbetts, a professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. "We're not saying that wasps used logical deduction to solve this problem, but they seem to use known relationships to make inferences about unknown relationships," Tibbetts said. "Our findings suggest that the capacity for complex behavior may be shaped by the social environment in which behaviors are beneficial, rather than being strictly limited by brain size." To test for TI, Tibbetts and her colleagues first collected paper wasp queens from several locations around Ann Arbor, Michigan. In the laboratory, individual wasps were trained to discriminate between pairs of colors called premise pairs. One color in each pair was associated with a mild electric shock, and the other was not. "I was really surprised how quickly and accurately wasps learned the premise pairs," said Tibbetts, who has studied the behavior of paper wasps for 20 years. Later, the wasps were presented with paired colors that were unfamiliar to them, and they had to choose between the colors. The wasps were able to organize information into an implicit hierarchy and used transitive inference to choose between novel pairs, Tibbetts said. "I thought wasps might get confused, just like bees," she said. "But they had no trouble figuring out that a particular color was safe in some situations and not safe in other situations." So, why do wasps and honeybees--which both possess brains smaller than a grain of rice--perform so differently on transitive inference tests? One possibility is that different types of cognitive abilities are favored in bees and wasps because they display different social behaviors. A honeybee colony has a single queen and multiple equally ranked female workers. In contrast, paper wasp colonies have several reproductive females known as foundresses. The foundresses compete with their rivals and form linear dominance hierarchies. A wasp's rank in the hierarchy determines shares of reproduction, work and food. Transitive inference could allow wasps to rapidly make deductions about novel social relationships. That same skill set may enable female paper wasps to spontaneously organize information during transitive inference tests, the researchers hypothesize. For millennia, transitive inference was regarded as a hallmark of human cognition and was thought to be based on logical deduction. More recently, some researchers have questioned whether TI requires higher-order reasoning or can be solved with simpler rules. The study by Tibbetts and her colleagues illustrates that paper wasps can build and manipulate an implicit hierarchy. But it makes no claims about the precise mechanisms that underlie this ability. In previous studies, Tibbetts and her colleagues showed that paper wasps recognize individuals of their species by variations in their facial markings and that they behave more aggressively toward wasps with unfamiliar faces. The researchers have also demonstrated that paper wasps have surprisingly long memories and base their behavior on what they remember of previous social interactions with other wasps. ### The other authors of the new Biology Letters paper--Jorge Agudelo, Sohini Pandit and Jessica Riojas--are undergraduates. The work was supported by the National Science Foundation and the Doris Duke Conservation Scholars Program at the University of Michigan, funded by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. All experiments complied with the laws of the United States and international ethical standards. https://lsa.umich.edu/eeb/people/faculty/tibbetts.html Levels of second-hand smoke in Scotland's prisons fell by more than 80 percent in the week after smoking was banned, according to new University of Stirling research. The study - published in the British Medical Journal's Tobacco Control - is the first of its kind to examine second-hand tobacco smoke (SHS) concentrations across an entire prison estate where smoking is prohibited in all establishments. Led by Stirling's Institute of Social Marketing (ISM), the study - involving the University of Glasgow and conducted in partnership with the Scottish Prison Service - confirms the positive impact of the smoke-free policy, introduced in November 2018, on the air quality within Scotland's 15 prisons. Dr Sean Semple, Associate Professor at the ISM, led the work - which is part of the broader Tobacco in Prisons Study (TIPS) - alongside Ruaraidh Dobson, Research Assistant. Dr Semple said: "We collected more than 110,000 minutes of second-hand smoke measurements from across the prison estate in the week that the smoking ban was introduced - and we compared these readings with measurements taken as part of the TIPS research in 2016. "Our study shows improvements in the levels of second-hand smoke in every prison in Scotland, with an average fall of 81 percent. This is similar to the scale of change observed when pubs became smoke-free in 2006 - and the concentrations of fine particles in prison air has now reduced to levels similar to those measured in outdoor air in Scotland. "This research confirms that exposure to second-hand smoke has been drastically reduced and, ultimately, this will have a positive impact on the health of prison staff and prisoners." A serious indoor air pollutant, SHS is linked to many illnesses, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Since 2006, smoking has been banned in most enclosed public spaces in Scotland, however, prisoners continued to be permitted to smoke in their cells, with the doors closed. This situation changed on November 30, 2018, when smoking was banned in all prisons in Scotland. Despite the change in policy, experts were unsure if smoking would immediately cease as it was believed that prisoners could have stockpiled tobacco ahead of the ban. Therefore, the TIPS team was keen to measure the impact of the new policy immediately after its introduction. The team have been using air quality monitors to measure fine particulate matter, which is widely used as a proxy measurement for SHS, in each prison since 2016 and did so again during the week when the ban came into force - allowing observation of the periods immediately before and after the introduction of the ban. The results showed that airborne levels of fine particles declined substantially in every prison between 2016 and December 3, 2018, the first full working day following the introduction of the ban. The overall median reduction in particle concentrations was 81 percent across all prisons. Professor Kate Hunt, Acting Director of ISM and Principal Investigator of TIPS, said: "This study is the first evaluation of changes in SHS concentrations across all prisons within a country that has introduced nationwide prohibition of smoking in prisons. "It demonstrates widespread improvements in prison air quality as a result of the smoke-free policy with all 15 prisons reporting substantial and statistically significant reductions in fine particulate matter concentrations in the week when the smoke-free policy was implemented, compared to previous directly comparable measurements made in 2016. "The exposure of prison staff and prisoners to SHS is likely to be considerably reduced as a result of implementation of this policy." An SPS spokesman said "All Scottish prisons went Smoke Free on November 30, 2018 and there have been no significant incidents as a result. This amazing achievement is a testament to the contribution made by all of our staff, especially those on the front line, and the cooperation of those in our care. Having data from the TIPs research helped in our planning and collaboration with the NHS, and has been key to ensuring people in our care were prepared for going smoke free and were offered help to quit in advance, similar to the support people in the community can access through their local pharmacy or GP." Debbie Sigerson, Organisational Lead for Tobacco in NHS Health Scotland said: "Smoking rates in prisons were much higher than they are outside. It was anticipated that creating a smoke free environment in prison would contribute to addressing this health inequality, and that the health of people who live and work there would be improved. "We are delighted that the results from this study, early on in the implementation of smoke free prisons, shows that one factor that impacts on that harm - exposure to second hand smoke - has significantly reduced. Everyone has a right to live in a smoke free Scotland and today's results show that we are one step further along the way to getting there." ### The study, The impact of implementation of a national smoke-free prisons policy on indoor air quality: results from the Tobacco in Prisons Study, also involved Ashley Brown, Research Fellow at the ISM, and Dr Helen Sweeting, Reader at the Institute of Health and Wellbeing at the University of Glasgow. The team worked with the SPS and NHS colleagues in the design of the study. It forms part of TIPS, which is led by Professor Hunt and funded by the National Institute for Health Research. The SCN Coalition - a public/checkoff/private partnership formed in 2018 to increase the number of growers who are actively managing soybean cyst nematode (SCN) - won a national Best of NAMA Award in 2019 for their public relations campaign. The National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) is the largest U.S. association for marketing and agribusiness, and the Best of NAMA Awards honor the nation's best work in agricultural communications. Since its launch, The SCN Coalition's public relations efforts have made 12.1 million impressions among North America's soybean growers. "The SCN Coalition is a large team effort, and there are dozens of people responsible for our successful campaign launch," says Samuel Markell, plant pathologist at North Dakota State University and leader of The SCN Coalition. "We built the SCN Coalition as a public-private partnership. This includes university scientists in 28 states and Ontario." Tennessee is represented by Heather Kelly, a University of Tennessee Extension plant pathologist and associate professor with the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology. Kelly is housed at the West Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center. Her research and extension programs focus on the major disease challenges for Tennessee producers. Markell says the goal of The SCN Coalition's campaign is to have the entire industry speak with one voice in an effort to reduce the economic loss that soybean growers are facing from SCN. It starts with "Take the test. Beat the pest." Growers need to know their SCN numbers, and that starts by testing their fields so they know what their nematode populations are doing. "SCN is North America's top yield-limiting pest in soybeans. Unfortunately, research shows SCN populations are adapting and reproducing on PI 88788, the source of resistance used in 95 percent of all SCN-resistant varieties, and yields are decreasing," he adds. "Most soybean growers are not aware that their yield loss is increasing. That's why we formed the Coalition." ### To learn more about the SCN Coalition, or to find state-specific recommendations, go to thescncoalition.com. Through its mission of research, teaching and extension, the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture touches lives and provides Real. Life. Solutions. ag.tennessee.edu Contacts: Heather Kelly, associate professor, UT Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, 731-425-4713, youngkelly@utk.edu Ginger Rowsey, UTIA Marketing and Communications, gtrice@tennessee.edu, 731-425-4768 For many people who care for aging parents, one solution is a safe, responsible nursing home. But an increasingly common means of ensuring that safety -- security cameras installed by relatives -- may do more harm than good, says Clara Berridge, an assistant professor of social work at the University of Washington. With reports of crimes against nursing home residents gaining media attention around the country, it's understandable that families would want to protect their loved one and attempt to establish accountability for care, Berridge said. But in articles published late last winter in AJOB Empirical Bioethics and Elder Law Journal, Berridge outlines the list of legal and moral issues that surveillance raises. "The use of cameras in resident rooms is so common that some states have passed laws to help families and facilities navigate the legal issues. But it's not just a gray zone for law. Lots of ethical issues are at play, and it raises the question of privacy's role in our lives." At least 10% of Americans ages 60 and older are believed to have been the victim of some form of elder abuse, whether physical, sexual or psychological, or in the form of financial mismanagement or a deprivation of resources such as food or medication. (Cases are believed to be underreported, making the 10 percent figure a low estimate.) While most abuse is committed by relatives, the high-profile nature of crimes against nursing home residents by facility staff can alarm anyone whose loved one is in residential care. This is especially true for families of people with forms of dementia, because those residents are less likely to be able to accurately report abuse. So far, seven states, including Washington, have passed laws allowing placement of surveillance cameras in the rooms of nursing home residents. In the Elder Law Journal article, Berridge and her co-authors analyze each state's law and conclude that for each law, privacy concerns remain. For the study published in AJOB Empirical Bioethics, Berridge distributed an online survey through the Center for Gerontology and Healthcare Research at Brown University to nursing homes and assisted living facilities. More than 270 facilities from 39 states responded to the anonymous survey, which included specific and open-ended questions about policies and use of surveillance cameras. Of the caregiving facilities that responded, some 11% had initiated use of cameras on their premises. In this survey, the majority of respondents cited privacy and dignity of residents as key disadvantages to cameras. By their very nature, surveillance cameras record all of the activity in a room, including personal moments such as hygiene or dressing. From a crime-prevention perspective, those are times when a resident is most vulnerable, but from a privacy perspective, the resident may not want such footage to be recorded, let alone viewed. Tied to questions about privacy is the issue of consent, Berridge said - not only whether the resident has the capacity to consent to being monitored, but also, in the case of two-person rooms, whether the roommate can consent. "Most nursing home residents have a roommate. Protecting their privacy when a camera is in the room would be very difficult in practice, especially if the camera picks up audio," Berridge said. "We found that the real-life constraints on opportunities to selectively move or cover a camera in a given situation are not acknowledged in the state laws. These are chronically understaffed settings." A less-cited -- and often overlooked -- issue, Berridge added, is the legal responsibility the camera owner has for the security of the feed. Installing a camera without establishing a secure portal can expose the resident (and a roommate) to hackers. Respondents to the survey pointed to potential advantages of cameras, as well, particularly as deterrents to abuse, and to use by the facilities themselves to inform about individual residents' needs and as resources to help staff improve. Ultimately, Berridge and her co-authors say that while cameras may offer families some comfort, they aren't the answer to preventing abuse, or a proxy for accountability. Rather, the focus should be on reform and increased funding for the long-term care system so that nursing homes and assisted living facilities are sufficiently staffed, with employees paid a living wage. Berridge points to a "culture change" movement in long-term care that aims to deinstitutionalize nursing homes and make them more home-like. This movement involves practices to improve care quality, enhance person-centeredness, and empower staff. In Washington, lawmakers this year passed the Long-Term Care Trust Act, which establishes a publicly funded source of long-term care insurance. The measure, which awaits Gov. Jay Inslee's signature, may help people pay for in-home services as an alternative to nursing home care. Berridge recently received a four-year, nearly $500,000 grant from the National Institute on Aging to develop a self-administered tool to help people with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia and their families understand and make decisions about the use of a range of technologies that remotely monitor people in their homes for their safety, including webcams. Unlike cameras in nursing home rooms that are aimed at potential abusers, technologies addressed in this study are used to monitor older adults' activities and behaviors. It's easy, Berridge explained, for adult children to overlook, or even dismiss, the concerns of a parent when it comes to issues of monitoring care, and the parent's right to privacy and sense of freedom. "This tool will be the first of its kind to support families to navigate the complex technology landscape and guide them in balancing their perceived need for ongoing surveillance and the older adult's dignity and wishes," Berridge said. The Elder Law Journal article was funded by the Borchard Foundation Center on Law and Aging. Berridge conducted the survey while a postdoctoral fellow at Brown University through a National Research Service Award from the Agency for Health Research and Quality. Co-authors on the camera study were Jodi Halpern of the University of California, Berkeley and Karen Levy of Cornell University; Levy also led the Elder Law Journal article, along with Lauren Kilgour of Cornell. ### For more information, contact Berridge at clarawb@uw.edu. MADISON -- Induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells are among the most important tools in modern biomedical research, leading to new and promising possibilities in precision medicine. To create them requires transforming a cell of one type, such as skin, into something of a blank slate, so it has the potential to become virtually any other kind of cell in the body, useful for regenerative therapies for everything from heart disease to diabetes. However, current methods to induce pluripotency are inefficient: In a batch of 100 cells slated for reprogramming, only five or so complete the transition. A new study published today [May 7, 2019] in Cell Reports by a team of researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Wisconsin Institute for Discovery (WID) and School of Medicine and Public Health could improve that efficiency. It describes combined laboratory and computational methods that lead to better completion of pluripotency, a faster process, and improved understanding of how cells become reprogrammed from one cell type to another, for instance, transforming a skin cell to a cardiac cell. And it includes some surprises, the authors say. "The cells undergoing reprogramming do not have to do so in a stepwise manner," says graduate student Zafirah Zaidan, one of the study's lead authors. Traditionally, scientists thought certain steps must occur sequentially during reprogramming. This was based on measures of gene expression across entire populations of cells at various time points, leading to average expression profiles for the whole group. They thought that for a cell to be successfully reprogrammed, the -genes that code for the specific functions of the differentiated cell (skin) must be suppressed, or "turned off", before researchers could turn on their ability to become the new type of cell (cardiac). But when study leader Rupa Sridharan, a professor of cell and regenerative biology at WID who studies the epigenetics of cell fate, began to examine single cells at a time, a technique known as scRNA-seq, her research team found that individual cells can activate properties of pluripotency without shutting down their differentiated features. In other words, a skin cell doesn't have to completely give up being a skin cell before it can begin the journey to becoming a cardiac cell. Sridharan's team worked with algorithms developed by co-author Sushmita Roy, professor of biostatistics and medical informatics at WID, to perform the analyses. Roy is an expert in using statistical computational methods to identify regulatory gene networks, the collection of genes and the molecules that modify them that interact during development, cell differentiation, and in response to environmental clues. "scRNA-seq is revolutionizing biology and is opening up a lot of opportunities to gain a high-resolution view of gene regulatory networks," says Roy. The insight allowed the research team to spot differences emerging between individual cells, which Roy says is only the beginning. The tool can be applied to other, similar biological questions, such as understanding how functional cells become tumorous. "There is a lot of room to develop the right type of computational tools to fully unlock the potential of these single-cell RNA-seq datasets," she says. Meanwhile, Sridharan says that cells that can turn on pluripotency without shutting off their differentiated features may be good candidates for completing the transition. Focusing on such cells may be a path to greater efficiency. Her lab has already had success using drugs that help overcome barriers to efficient reprogramming by modulating signaling and other gene regulation pathways. These include a new cocktail of small molecules that can jump-start the cell cycle in iPS cells, helping them arrive more quickly at their new fates. The study finds this can increase the success rate to around 40 percent and shorten the time scale of induced pluripotency. Sridharan says that adding molecules that down-regulate differentiation features could further improve efficiency, though the study did not test this. Profiling the epigenome at the single-cell level will allow her to determine which genes are poised to change expression before that expression even begins. Roy's algorithms also gave insight into how the regulatory networks change as the chemical cocktail changes. Identifying what small molecules to add next may be the key to unlocking further gains in efficiency. By combining laboratory and computational tools, Sridharan asks: "Can we rationally come up with what that molecule should be?" The answer might shape the future of regenerative therapies and precision medicine. ### Nolan Lendved, nolan.lendved@wid.wisc.edu, 608-316-4676 UPDATE: The Pound to Yen exchange rates slumped to a two-month low on Wednesday, with the pairing falling to a low of 143.0710 as a risk-off mood in markets saw investors flock to the safe-haven Yen. This comes as fears of a US-China trade war were reignited this week, after Donald Trump threatened to hike tariffs against China to 25% in response to Beijing allegedly trying to backpedal a number of agreements already made in trade talks. Meanwhile, the Pound struggled to put up a fight on Wednesday as the UK currency was undermined by renewed Brexit uncertainty as cross-party talks remained deadlocked. GBP/JPY UPDATE: Growing fears around the potential for deteriorating US-China trade relations propelled the safe-haven Japanese Yen to a 10-week best against the Brexit-beleaguered British Pound in early Wednesday trade with Sterling last seen trading at 143.565. With trade talks the centre of focus for risk-sensitive markets, Thursday and Friday will see Chinese delegates continue talks in Washington with a clear goal of avoiding an imminent tariff hike on Chinese goods. Despite Trump's aggressive tweets, some analysts remained upbeat on the prospects for a deal. As long as the talks continue, the market will remain relaxed ... that there will be a deal after all, said Esther Reichelt, currency analyst at Commerzbank. For the GBP, political uncertainty around Brexit and the state of cross-party negotiations is expected to keep the unappealing. While Friday's GDP growth release could inject some near-term volatility in crosses, overarching Brexit uncertainty will keep GBP upside capped. Pound Japanese Yen (GBP/JPY) Exchange Rate Slips as Renewed US-China Trade Tensions Buoy Safe-Haven Japanese Yen The Pound Sterling Japanese Yen (GBP/JPY) exchange rate slipped and the pairing is currently trading at an inter-bank rate of 144.7280. On Sunday, US President Donald Trump said he would raise tariffs to 25% on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods by the end of this week. The President also stated that further tariffs would be shortly imposed on $325 billion worth of Chinese goods that are currently free of duties. However, Chinas government has confirmed that Chinese Vice Premier, Liu He is still planning to travel to Washington for further discussions later this week. The renewed tension after the five-month truce between China and the US likely buoyed the safe-haven Japanese Yen against Sterling. Sterling (GBP) Slips on Calls for PMs Resignation Reports emerged that UK Prime Minister Theresa May is due to meet the Chairman of the 1922 Committee, Sir Graham Brady. While it has been insisted by No. 10 that this meeting is routine, reports have suggested Sir Graham Brady is likely to press May for a timetable of her departure. Reports of the meeting follow a request from the Committee for clarity on the issue of the Prime Ministers timetable for her resignation. Meanwhile, cross-party talks are set to continue this week, however this could do little to buoy Sterling. Japanese Yen (JPY) Rises as Business Confidence Hits Five-Month High The Japanese Nikkei manufacturing PMI rose to a three-month high in April as employment growth picked up. Added to this, business confidence improved, rising to a five-month high. However, both stocks and quantities of purchases fell as firms cut costs and cleared spare inventories. Commenting on the data, Economist at IHS Markit, Joe Hayes said: A pick-up in the Japan Manufacturing PMI to a three-month high will be a welcome sign that the recent drop in momentum has potentially subsided for now. New orders and output both declined in April, but to a lesser extents, while business confidence continued to climb from its near-record low in February. Given the difficulties faced by firms in semi-conductor and automobile-related industries in recent months, it bodes well that anecdotal evidence indicated that stronger optimism was in part driven by more upbeat forecasts for these two key Asian industries. Pound Japanese Yen Outlook: Will the GBP/JPY Exchange Rate Rise on a Disappointing Japan Services PMI? Looking ahead to the start of Wednesday, the Pound (GBP) could rise against the Japanese Yen (JPY) following the release of the UK like-for-like retail sales. If retail sales rise higher than forecast in April, offsetting the previous months contraction, sentiment in Sterling could rise. Meanwhile, Japans Markit services PMI is due for release which could cause the Japanese Yen to slip. If the services PMI slips further than expected, the Pound Japanese Yen (GBP/JPY) exchange rate could rise. Despite a modest uptick in volatility within the G10 FX sphere through Monday's session, levels returned close to multi-year lows with major crosses largely range-bound amid a distinct lack of directional cues as investors err on the side of inaction in directionless markets. For investors, this distinct lack of volatility, limiting both the magnitude and duration of rallies within G10 FX has left potential profits squeezed. On the other hand, excessive levels of volatility make markets nigh impossible to trade, especially at the lower time-frames with rapid, large, directional moves reflecting the potential for not only solid profits but also, logically, losses should investors be caught on the wrong side of a trade. For evidence of the market impact a sudden surge in volatility can bring, investors need look no further than this week's market reaction to President Donald Trump's weekend tweets. Despite recent reports of progress towards a US-China trade deal, President Trump took to twitter to voice his displeasure at the pace with which talks are progressing, reigniting the threat of a tariff hike on $200B of Chinese goods - which could come as early as Friday. Global equities reeled in-line with European and Asian stocks, safe-haven currencies such as the US Dollar and Japanese Yen were boosted while risk-currencies with a high exposure to the Chinese economy (read New Zealand and Australian Dollars) were rocked lower alongside commodities. Under such conditions, where a mere 560 characters can see $billions wiped off of global markets in mere hours, how are investors expected to position adequately to make the most of the limited volatility on offer while hedging against the risk of being caught on the wrong side of a trade should the market move against them? Head of Equity Strategy at Saxo Bank Group, Peter Garnry highlighted some potential trade set-ups investors could take advantage of to capitalise on any sudden shifts in market sentiment. Given an expectation that the Chinese government, as its oft to do, will use every fiscal tool available to them in order to stabilise the market, directly shorting Chinese assets in the hope of capturing further downside in the wake of any further bouts of surging risk-aversion is of limited efficacy. Garnry wrote "investors should avoid shorting Chinese assets. Using indirect exposure via Japan, South Korea and/or other Asian asset classes (or even Europe, which is very sensitive to China) is a better way of expressing a negative view if the trade war escalates further." In terms of the trigger for such trades, Garnry highlights VIX futures pricing as a key indicator of market perceptions. "With historically high net short positioning in VIX futures (short volatility strategies), the market is set up for severe downside dynamics should the VIX take up the critical levels around 22," wrote Garnry. Whether or not President Trump's hawkish tweets on trade amount to posturing in a bid to expedite the pace of negotiations, or perhaps garner more favourable terms for the US, remains to be seen, the market reaction to the weekend tweets highlights the delicacy of current risk-sensitivity in global assets and while we can't always predict how developments will unfold - particularly given Trump's propensity for the impulsive - by opting to take up position in assets with indirect Chinese exposure, investors can position adequately to capture any swings in risk-appetite. Baba Ahmadou Danpullo Archives Vietnamese Prime Minister's envoy started a working visit to Cameroon on Monday, where he was received by Prime Minister Dion Ngute, to discuss bilateral ties and settle long-term dispute with Cameroonian business guru, Danpullo. The Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs in Vietnam, Nguyen Quoc Cuong is in Cameroon to evaluate and cement a cordial relationship between Vietnam and Cameroon. They began a meeting with top government officials in Yaounde on Monday, where reports say they are seeking lasting solutions to the long existing crisis over Nexttel's management, pitting Danpullo and Vietnamese shareholders. However, Cameroonian shareholder of telecommunication company, Nexttel, El Hadj Baba Ahmadou Danpullo says he is suspicious of the real mission of the representative from Vietnam to Yaounde, although they have stated that they want peace to reign in Nexttel. Talking to the Guardian Post, Danpullo stated that their mission was rather, "to put pressure on government of chase him out of Nextell..". Danpullo explains that since the Vietnamese shareholders contacted his company, BESTCAM in 2012 to begin investing in Cameroon, the joint venture has been characterised by the non respect of Cameroonian laws and regulations on employment and the terms of the joint agreement. He later claimed that the Visiting Vietnamese Foreign Affairs minister once asserted in a meeting to resolve their grievances that, the laws of Cameroon, do not respect international standards and that Vietnam shall never respect the court ordinance imposing a return to the use of dual signature in the management of Viettel. The Mfoundi court in Yaounde made that decision for double signatures, pushing Viettel Cameroon S.A to respect terms of the joint business venture. The Vietnamese delegation are today meeting the presidents of both houses of the National Assembly, the ministers of Employment and vocational training, Agriculture and Rural Development. Monday, May 6, 2019 Sprinkles the Akita (yes, hes a male!) is a gorgeous representation of the breed, by any Akita lovers standards. In fact, the moment author Tamira Thayne saw his picture on Akita rescuer JoAnn Dimons facebook page, she knew hed be the perfect image of the warrior for her book protagonist to fight alongsideand maybe even fall in love with. You see, Tamiras characters in The Chained Gods Series shapeshift into different animals, and the kings warriors manifest as dogs in their shifted forms: One by one they proudly stood as canines, quivering in an effort to contain their excitement: two more shepherds, an Akita, three retrievers, and two St. Bernards. They were a majestic group, the elite of the Perrin army.from The Kings Tether, a Chained Gods prequel story. Akitas have long been the authors favorite dog breedsince her years of rescuing chained dogs, in fact. Her first interaction with an Akita, a long-haired girl they named Rosie Bear, left her with a permanent affection for the loyal companions. She knew she wanted to feature the breed in her Chained Gods Series. She immediately wrote JoAnn and asked if she could use Sprinkles image on at least two of her covers (The Knights Chain and The Curse of Cur.) In return, she shares a photo of Sprinkles and a paragraph about Big East Akita Rescue in the books interior pages, hoping to garner more support (and donations!) for the group: Sprinkles is the inspiration for Curjans dog form. Photo courtesy of JoAnn Dimon, Big East Akita Rescue. B.E.A.R. is a 501(c)3 nonprofit, hands-on, Akita rescue group covering the NY, NJ, and PA metropolitan regions and the Northeast. The group rescues unwanted, abused, and neglected Akitas in need. This gorgeous boy was rescued from the Portage Ohio Animal Shelter. Learn more or donate at bigeastakitarescue.org. Sprinkles has been adopted by JoAnn, but there are many other beautiful pups at Big East Akita Rescue still waiting for a home of their own! For those interested in making an Akita part of your family, visit their adoption page here: https://bigeastakitarescue.org/available/ Sprinkles is featured on Tamiras The Curse of Cur, just released in paperback and kindle from Who Chains You Books, and a short story, The Knights Chain, which gives the background of the dog and warrior named Curjan. The Curse of Cur: The Chained Gods Series Book 2 By Tamira Thayne Buy in Paperback | Buy on Kindle The Knights Chain: A Chained Gods Series Story, Vol 1.5 Written by Tamira Thayne Buy in Paperback | Buy on Kindle Here at Who Chains You Books, we hope to do a lot more collaborating with rescue groups for our cover models. We get a beautiful cover image, and a chance to promote the work of some of the finest animal nonprofits in the country. Win/Win! As for Sprinkles and Big East Akita Rescue? Well, hell try not to let the fame go to his head. And the rescue will keep on doing their best to save as many as they canand they could always use all of our help! Were pledging to include them in our year-end donations, and Tamira is pledging her Amazon Smile donations to the group for the remainder of 2019, too. Did you know we sell wholesale to animal nonprofits? We know what its like to run a nonprofit and search for new and creative ways to raise money. Our nonprofit and indie bookstore wholesale program is perfect to help you both fundraise AND educate about animal issues at the same time. You are welcome to sell our paperbacks on your website, social media sites, at booths, as well as at any other fundraising opportunities. Visit our page to learn more, or drop us an email at info@whochainsyou.com with any questions. For Akita fans, remember we offer a wonderful book in a new series about Hachi, too! Visit the page to learn more. https://www.amazon.com/dp/1946044474 Texas history and art come together in the Witte Museums latest exhibit. The Art of Texas: 250 Years is a visual history of Texas as told through 130 paintings and sculptures. The exhibit includes works by Georgia OKeefe, John T. Biggers, Frederic Remington and Robert Rauschenberg. The pieces are organized by three themes: Vast and Varied Landscape, The Peopling of Texas and Urbanization. As you walk your way through this exhibition, you not only see how art has changed over the years, but you also see how Texas has changed and our perceptions of Texas have changed, said Michael Duty, one of the guest curators who worked on the exhibit. Pieces were selected for the way they represent and depict Texas and its culture at particular spaces and times. RELATED: Where to dine on Mother's Day in San Antonio For example, a mural by Biggers titled The History of Negro Education in Morris County, Texas, painted in 1955, depicts the state of education for black students in the 1950s with references to the history and culture of communal African American life in Northeast Texas. The art on exhibit comes from a range of sources, including the Wittes own collection, museums, galleries and universities. Duty and co-curator Ron Tyler also tracked down private collectors to obtain specific pieces they wanted to tell the story. One of the reasons that this exhibition is even possible is because of a very strong base of Texas art collectors, Duty said. They have really been the champions of some of this art. Duty and Tyler, retired director of the Amon Carter Museum of American Art in Fort Worth, began working on The Art of Texas: 250 Years five years ago. They had help along the way from several art and Texas historians, and partnered with Texas Christian Universitys Center for Texas Studies to complete the exhibition. Tyler also edited a collection of essays on Texas art to be published as a companion book to the exhibition. TCU Press will publish The Art of Texas: 250 Years later this month. Amy Fulkerson, chief curator of the Witte Museum, played a big role in acquiring many of the works as well as organizing the exhibit. When we start talking about what it means to be Texan or define what Texas art means, its often rooted in place, so we came up with this theme of landscape to root the viewer in a context, Fulkerson said. And then we add the people into the story, so we see all those wonderful complexities of life in Texas. The Vast and Varied Landscape section includes scenic pieces like Ruth Pershing Uhlers untitled painting of yucca plants and Georgia OKeefes Red Landscape. The section highlighting The Peopling of Texas includes portraits such as Manuel Acostas lady in red painting Yolanda and Tom Leas Sarah in the Summertime. RELATED: D.T. Buffkin plans vinyl release, announces name change The 22-foot-long Biggers mural takes up an entire wall in the Urbanism section, which also includes several abstract pieces like David McManaway's mixed-media sculptural collage "Jomo Board. When we talk about urbanism, were talking about all the things influencing our lives today, all the social and economic issues that were dealing with on a daily basis and how artists have channeled that into their work, Fulkerson said. The exhibition, in the Wittes Kathleen and Curtis Gunn Gallery, runs through Aug. 25. Admission is included with a $25 museum adventure pass. Polly Anna Rocha writes about entertainment in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read her on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | procha@express-news.net PORT ARANSAS It was the summer of 2016 and newly retired gas industry executive Patrick Doran was living in Port Aransas, looking for something to fill his time. One day he happened upon the Farley Boat Works a short walk from the ferry landing. I walked in, and Dan Pecore came over and introduced himself, said Doran, who now lives in Kerrville. We talked for a while and he invited me to build a boat. Not something Doran had ever considered, but he accepted the invite anyway. Three months later, he was the owner of his very own dream boat, an 18-foot wooden skiff he built with his own hands and with help from Pecore, who manages the Farley operation, and an enthusiastic contingent of winter Texans who volunteer at the boat works. I have a mechanical background but not much experience with woodworking, Doran said. But Don was very organized and the volunteers helped a lot. It was fun. According to Pecore, Farley Boat Works may well be the last remaining boat-building enterprise on the Texas coast, although boat mentoring might be a more exact description of what they do there. Some clients spend their weekends traveling to Port A to build their boats when they have free time. Other all but move there to get it all done in one block. We offer the tools, the advice and a willing hand to help you build your own boat, said Pecore, whose background is in petroleum engineering and who started as one of Farleys volunteer helpers. You supply the elbow grease. Now Playing: The historic Farleys Boat Works offers would-be boaters the space, tools and advice to get them on the water. Video: San Antonio Express-News Farley Boat Works has a long history in Port Aransas, building its first wooden boat there in 1915, back when the area was a favorite destination of game fisherman, including presidents. Changes in the industry, including the coming of fiberglass as a boat-building material and corporate consolidation, forced the company out of business in 1973. It reopened in 2011, this time under the auspices of the nonprofit Port Aransas Preservation and Historical Association, which operates the Port Aransas Museum. Fees paid by boat builders support the museum, and Pecore is the boat works only salaried employee. Since reopening in 2011, more than 100 boats have been built in the nondescript metal building that dates from the 1960s and withstood Hurricane Harvey in 2017. Most of the boats built at the shop are from 12 to 18 feet long and are versions of designs developed by the companys founders, Fred Farley and his son Jim, with shallow drafts for bay and near-shore fishing. But clients have built other types of boats, too. On ExpressNews.com: Explore the more offbeat side of Port Aransas On one recent day, for example, Katie and Lee Martin of College Station were working on their trimaran also known as a double outrigger based on a design theyd commissioned from a naval architect. Weve been sailing tris for years, Lee Martin said of the boats, which have lateral support floats on either side of the main hull. We like the way they sail and the way the two outriggers keep the boat stable. Nearby, Randy Garst was sanding the inside hull of the kit boat he and his partner Erik Olsen bought from the e-commerce site Boat Builder Central. The wooden boat, a model CX19, arrived as 31 sheets of pre-cut, marine-grade okoume plywood that, with help from the volunteers, he is assembling into a classic cabin cruiser. The boat comes with written instructions, but having people here who are experienced boat builders makes a big difference. said Garst, who lives in Dripping Springs with his wife Debby and said he plans to use the boat for fishing and family outings. Like a lot of clients, they are staying in a nearby RV park during the the build. Garst estimated it will cost him about $25,000 to complete the boat once all is said and done. This includes the kit, which cost about $5,600, a 115-horsepower motor, rigging, controls, gauges and the shop fee. Farley charges builders $700 per month for the first two months and $100 for every month after that. The fee covers the use of the space to build and store materials, plus the tools and guidance. Materials are extra and can be purchased from the boat works or another supplier. Farley, for example, sells a sheet of six millimeter marine plywood for $60 to $70 and two-part epoxy sealant for $200 per gallon. If I went to a boat dealer, Id pay anywhere from $50,000 to $80,000 for the same boat, Garst said. About five years ago, Mason Paces father-in-law was scheduled to build a boat at Farley, but he died before he had the chance. So the family siblings, children, grandchildren rallied and together they built an 18-foot Port Aransas skiff in his honor. It was the first boat completed at Farleys following Hurricane Harvey. It was a great experience, said Pace, the grandson of Pace Foods founder David Pace and CEO of Pace Cars, a classic and modern car locating service. Some of the volunteers were old Detroit autoworkers and their skills were easily transferable to the world of boat building where there are multiple compound curves in hull design similar to what was coming out of Detroit in the 60s and 70s. The time it takes to build a boat depends on many factors, including the boats size and the amount of time the client has to build it. It took Doran three months to finish his, working on it full time. The Pace family started their skiff in December of 2017, launching at the end of May 2018. Back in the day, Farley Boat Works was best known for its tarpon-fishing boats, with early designs that included open cockpits that made it easier to land the popular game fish, which can grow 4 to 8 feet long. On ExpressNews.com: Some San Antonians actually hate Fiesta, and heres why In 1937, President Franklin Roosevelt famously visited Port A and, while fishing in a Farley boat, caught a 5-foot tarpon. The event was immortalized in a photo showing the president beaming as fishing guide Barney Farley (Freds brother) holds the fish aloft. Over the years, Farley boats evolved, getting bigger and gaining features such as cabins and more sharply angled bow stems so they could be used further offshore. Despite all the knowledgeable help available at the boat works, building a seaworthy vessel is a complex and difficult task. Things can and often do go wrong. When the undercoating on the decking of the two outriggers the Martins were building failed to cure properly, they were forced to strip it down to the wood and start again. It was a messy, smelly job that Janet Selbe tackled with the gusto typical of those who volunteer at the shop. And dont ask Garst when he expects his boat to be completed. We started on Feb. 1 with the objective of being done by March 30, he said in mid-April. Id guess were about 40% complete. Our original timetable shows only our ignorance. Richard A. Marini is a features writer in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read him on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | rmarini@express-news.net | Twitter: @RichardMarini Fresh hopes for Pamol Plantations Atia Azohnwi After long months of suffering under the weight of the socio-political crisis in Cameroons North West and South West Regions, Pamol Plantations is now set for take-off. The management of the company, led by its General Manager Chief Mekanya Charles Okon has moved to jumpstart operations within the estates and factories of the agro-industrial company. After months of inactivity due to the current Anglophone crisis plaguing the South West Region, Mekanya has vowed to imminently restart operations to bring the estates back on their feet. Although challenged by the loss of FCFA 40 billion since the crisis began and the fact that a whopping FCFA 1.3 billion is needed to restart activities, General Manager Chief Mekanya remains positive that Pamol will soon spring back to life. There are fresh hopes for the company, there is no way Pamol can collapse, the GM has stated. Chief Mekanya and his team have just rounded- up a two-week campaign in the Lobe Estate, where they continuously preached the gospel of hope to workers, stakeholders and collaborators. We will take off very soon; though each time we have tried to go out for work, there has been a lot of hostility from these armed groups who do not want us to start. Why? Because they are benefitting from our palms, regrets but remains positive. Activities at Pamol have been paralysed; plantations have withered plantations and factory operations grounded due to insecurity in the North West and South West Regions. Unidentified armed men are said to have caused a lot of destruction on Pamols assets. The plantations are all overgrown and have developed into secondary forests. For the company to effectively resume her operations, the plantations and installations need to be rehabilitated. Mekanya says workers are tired of waiting. Everybody wants to go back to work, he said, regretting that, invaders are harassing workers and chasing them away from their residences and work places. The workers are being threatened with kidnappings and death. I have lost about five workers who were slain by unidentified armed men, he tearfully says. According to the GM, the government is taking measures to make sure that sooner than later, the roads will be passable and they will be able to get their products out and start business again. He is optimistic that with the recent meeting with an army general in Lobe, there are brighter days ahead. He is going to put things in place so we will be able to carry our activity in total security; that is what we have been promised and we count so much on that because each time we are in difficulty they have been prompt to act, so we thank them so much for their presence, said Mekanya. The Lobe Estate is gradually taking shape for take-off. For the last two weeks, engineers could be seen servicing companys generator, caterpillars cleaning the roads, head office, and its environs. Since Former Vice President Joe Biden launched his campaign, Democrat Beto ORourke has seen his own standing in early polls slip and the El Paso native acknowledges his once record-shattering fundraising has slowed down. While Biden has had an impact on everyone in the field due to his strong name recognition, ORourkes path is even more complicated given how he and Biden are making similar arguments to voters. In a field that has skewed politically to the left, ORourke and Biden are both stressing their ability to work with Republicans as they seek to win over the blue-collar voters who helped President Donald Trump win the White House. In each of his 7 campaign stops in Iowa over three days, ORourke talked up his ability to navigate a Republican Congress and win Trumps signature on legislation that changes the nations mental health programs for military veterans. And on climate change, ORourke frequently shifts the conversation to the impact on conservative rural communities and farmers. Bidens appeal to Republicans has been even more direct, telling voters in Iowa last week that he doesnt consider what is happening in the Trump administration representative of Republican values. I know too many of my Republican friends in the House and Senate, and this is not the Republican Party, Biden said. In short, both ORourke and Biden are brandishing their crossover appeal early. Texas Take: Get political headlines from across the state sent directly to your inbox They are operating in a lot of the same real estate politically right now, said Colin Strother, an Austin-based Democratic strategist who has worked with former San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro in the past. The two candidates are also literally working on some of the same real estate. In his first week on the trail, ORourke visited Pennsylvania, where Biden kicked off his presidential campaign last week. Few Democratic candidates invest time there during primaries because it is not among the four early voting states. Pennsylvania votes in late April, when the nomination is almost certain to be decided. But for both ORourke and Biden, that stop is a symbolic measure to prove they can win back typically strong Democratic areas that broke for Trump in 2020. If ORourke sees Biden as unwelcome competition, hes not showing it yet. I think hes done an extraordinary job for this country as a senator and as vice president, ORourke told voters in Iowa. I think very highly of him. For subscribers: How Houston shaped Beto ORourkes message Bidens impact has been clear in early polling. In late March, ORourke was the choice of 11 percent of Democratic voters, according to a Quinnipiac Unversity Poll. Only Biden and U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont were ahead of ORourke at 29 percent and 19 percent, respectively. But last week, a new Quinnipiac poll showed ORourkes support was cut by more than half to just 5 percent while Bidens jumped to 38 percent. Two other polls by CNN and The Hill, a Capitol Hill-based publication, have shown almost the same arc for ORourke. What we are seeing here is someone come in with a large degree of brand awareness, Strother said of Biden. And just as in the marketplace, a strong brand can choke out less-known rivals, he said. But heres the good news for candidates like ORourke, former San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro and California Sen. Kamala Harris: Bidens early surge is built partly on the nostalgia for President Barack Obamas administration. As the debates begin next month, Strother said Biden will begin to lose market share that the others may claim. The first Democratic debates will be on June 26 and June 27 in Miami. Not everyone is convinced it has been Biden alone that is damaging ORourke over the last month. Presidential politics expert Kyle Kondik says ORourkes dip is also happening as Pete Bittigieg another young, white Democrat has gained ground. Since those late March polls, the 37-year-old mayor from Indiana, has pushed ahead of ORourke. Kondik, managing editor of the Sabatos Crystal Ball political newsletters via the University of Virginia, said Buttigieg has created a buzz built on youthful enthusiasm another of ORourkes strengths. What has really set ORourke apart has been his charisma, Kondik said. Once he gets into the debates, hell be able to demonstrate that again. Regardless of his standing in the polls, ORourke hasnt changed his strategy as he drills down on Iowa, where the first contest in the 2020 presidential nomination process will occur in 9 months. ORourke is in the midst of a 17-stop, five day trip through Iowa and now has made 40 stops there since announcing his run for the White House in March. Thats more than double the appearances of other top contenders such as Bernie Sanders, Cory Booker or Buttigieg all whom have been in the race longer than ORourke. Castro has similarly made Iowa almost a second home. With four more stops in Iowa on Tuesday, Castro will have made 42 stops in the state. While some polls are cause for concern, other early polls are giving ORourke encouragement. On Friday, CNN released a series of poll results that show which Democrats do best in a potential head-to-head matchup against Trump. ORourke led the field with a 10 percentage point lead on Trump. Id like to think it has something to do with how weve chosen to come together, ORourke said about the poll results while campaigning in western Iowa. He stressed to the audience his willingness to campaign anywhere including Republican strongholds, as he did while running for U.S. Senate last summer. Josie Norris /San Antonio Express-News African Union Ambassador to the United States, Dr. Arikana Chihombori-Quao, will be visiting San Antonio on Friday to further her mission of improving diplomatic ties and enhancing relations between Africa and the United States. My mandate is to promote the longstanding and historical, cultural and economic relations between Africa and the U.S., the AU ambassador said in a written statement. More importantly, to mobilize the African diaspora, which we define as people of African descent living outside of Africa. For years, John Shepperd and Kim Azar Shepperd have known both their children would eventually need kidney transplants. The siblings, Ava and John Ben Shepperd, were born with cystinosis, a rare genetic disorder that causes a type of amino acid to accumulate in the cells. The once-fatal disease, which affects several hundred people across the country, can damage multiple organs, particularly the eyes and kidneys, necessitating transplants early in life. The family had joked that all they needed was one donor who could provide kidneys for both children. They never anticipated that it could actually happen. Last week, their mother received a call from University Transplant Center, where 14-year-old Ava and 18-year-old John Ben were listed as kidney transplant candidates. When she was told there was a potential donor for her daughter, she asked about her son, who had nearly died as a baby before he was diagnosed. Both were a strong match. After frantic calls between the two halves of the family Ava lives with her mother in Alpine, John Ben with his father in Austin they packed their bags and made separate drives to San Antonio. On Friday, within hours of each other, the teenagers underwent transplants at University, each receiving a kidney from the same deceased donor. The surgeries overlapped by about an hour the longest and shortest hour ever, their father said. On ExpressNews.com: Tragedy and serendipity made San Antonio mans kidney transplant possible Days later, the family is still reeling from the extraordinary turn of events. Obviously, we never thought it would happen on the same day, from the same wonderful donor, said John Shepperd, 50. We truly feel blessed. Several physicians at University Hospital were also astounded. Ive never seen this before, in my 10 years of medicine, said Dr. Daniel Gebhard, who works in pediatric intensive care at the hospital. A successful kidney transplant requires not only the same blood type, but also compatible antigen typing and cross-matching. Moreover, a computer program is responsible for matching potential donors with organ transplant candidates. Depending on the circumstances, an organ may not necessarily go to the nearest transplant center and could be transported elsewhere. Adults in South Texas usually spend years waiting for a kidney transplant. Pediatric patients are given higher priority. In light of those factors, last weeks outcome was incredibly rare, said Dr. Elizabeth Thomas, a transplant surgeon at University Transplant Center. The computer did it for us. Also, the donors liver was split and transplanted to two recipients, which is less common, Thomas said. The donor has not been identified due to privacy laws. Related: San Antonio organ donors honored amid jump in transplants For Ava and John Ben, who both needed dialysis, their surgeries came as a relief. John Ben, who has suffered from more complications from the disease, has undergone many surgeries. This one felt different. I remember hooking up to my dialysis unit and thinking, this is the last time Im going to have to attach this dumb tube to my stomach, said John Ben, who will graduate this month from Austin High School. It just felt really good to know that this is the last time I was going to be doing this. Along with warding off organ rejection, Ava and John Ben will still have to manage their cystinosis. But the disease will not attack their new kidneys, their mother said. On Monday afternoon, the Shepperd family wore surgical masks to protect the the teenagers immune systems, made vulnerable by immune-suppressing drugs, as they answered questions from reporters in a hospital room. Ava, who attends seventh grade at Alpine Middle School, said the attention made her nervous, and the procedure itself was daunting. But she said she has been cheered by the support from her friends and school. Thomas said the situation shows that there is no normal transplant. Every donor is very unique in the way they touch lives, she said. Lauren Caruba covers health care and medicine in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read her on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | lcaruba@express-news.net | Twitter: @LaurenCaruba The 57-year-old man accused of killing his neighbor, severely beating his wife and setting fire to his house in April has a history of violence, police records show. San Antonio police responded to a call on April 16 at the home of William H. Osborne in the 200 block of Belden Avenue after his wife allegedly escaped the home with severe facial injuries in an attempt to seek help. FIND OUT FIRST: Get San Antonio breaking news directly to your inbox Osborne allegedly shot at her with a rifle as she ran but struck and killed his 60-year-old neighbor, Lee Roy Bachmeyer Jr., who went outside his home to see what was happening, police said. Osborne allegedly set fire to his home before police arrived and kept shooting from his porch. SWAT officers eventually shot at Osborne, who they later found dead. It was later determined that Osborne fatally shot himself, officials with the Bexar County Medical Examiner's Office said Monday. A police report detailing Osborne's domestic violence arrest months earlier on Aug. 5, 2018, paints a grim picture of his relationship with his then common-law wife. The two got married later that year, court records showed. On that night, Osborne allegedly wrecked his car, which had to be towed. His wife told police he walked home with his AR-15 rifle in its case. When he returned home, he allegedly told her it was her fault the car was towed and threw his rifle case at her, which caused her nose to bleed. Osborne then grabbed a stool and swung it at her, hitting her once, according to the police report. The woman told police she reached for a can of mace that she keeps by her bed. Osborne allegedly told her he'd leave her "black and blue" if she sprayed him, and the two struggled for the can until they eventually rolled off the bed and onto the ground. The woman escaped the home and ran to a neighbor's house to get help and call police, according to the report. Police noted she had visible injuries to her face, including a chipped tooth and bleeding from her nose and mouth. The woman told police she thought Osborne was under the influence of Xanax and that he had a substance abuse issue. READ MORE: South Side standoff at burning home ends with 2 dead, 1 injured Osborne didn't appear to disagree, according to the police report. When police interviewed him, he said they usually argue about his drug habits. Osborne also told police she purchased mace because "she was tired of (him) assaulting her," though he denied that he ever hit her. Police arrested him that night on suspicion of assault family violence and applied for an emergency protective order for his wife. Osborne posted his bail and the criminal case against him was pending at the time of the standoff. McManus said police had been called to the home at least six times in the past several months for other disturbances and domestic issues. At the time of this story those records have not yet been released to the San Antonio Express-News. Text "NEWS" to 77453 for breaking news alerts from mySA.com. 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 One of the last tasks on Andy Sarabias checklist was to vote in San Antonios municipal election. From his hospital bed, he cast a ballot and encouraged others via Facebook to go to the polls. He mustered enough strength to receive a visit from Democratic presidential candidate Julian Castro, who went to Sarabias bedside to pay his respects to a legendary leader and his four decades of community service. Sarabia, 79, extended his hand, saying Im proud of you, his wife Linda Sarabia recalled. OnExpressNews.com: COPS/Metro Alliance still focused on building army of organizers It was a fitting conclusion to a life devoted to social justice, to serving ones neighbors, to seeing lifes struggles from their perspectives. Sarabia, who died Friday, was the first president of Communities Organized for Public Service (COPS) and its elder statesman. With his walker or in a wheelchair, he remained an active citizen. He came from modest beginnings and rose to prominence in the 1970s, challenging the status quo and defying the odds at City Hall. A high school guidance counselor once told Sarabia he wasnt college material. Sarabia never went to college, working at Kelly AFB instead, but he fought for the creation of Palo Alto College, which later awarded him an honorary degree. Ernesto Cortes, the first lead organizer for COPS, is now national co-director of the Chicago-based Industrial Areas Foundation, the famed network of faith-based and community organizations. Cortes said COPS was Sarabias university. His stewardship of COPS spanned 45 years and included a merger with Metro Alliance. Andy was always diligent, Cortes said, always systematic and a master of checklists. In 1974, Sarabia helped lead COPS as it confronted city leaders in bold new ways. Though he was soft-spoken, the organizations members were loud and fired-up. COPS had empowered them from the parish level up and trained them to advocate for themselves to improve their communities. Its first order of business was doing something about drainage infrastructure on the citys West Side. Homes were being flooded, and children were drowning in creeks. COPS won significant improvements. Many other victories followed, although they didnt always grab headlines. For Sarabia, it wasnt about glory. He was the polite strategist, the good cop, the guy figuring out the levers of power. Throughout his public life, Sarabia coaxed leadership out of ordinary people parishioners, housewives and blue-collar workers, some of whom never imagined themselves on the other side of a microphone or across the table from an elected official. With Sarabia as a guide, they learned to hold public officials accountable. One of them was Beatrice Cortez, the fourth president of COPS. She was with Sarabia during the last week of his life. She recalled that as recently as April, he watched a livestream of an election-season COPS accountability session that put mayoral and council candidates on the defensive. Like other COPS leaders, Sarabia asked a lot of questions. They always unsettled you, Cortez recalled. They put you out of your comfort zone. They went after who you are and what makes you angry. OnExpressNews.com: New history project will focus on little-recognized area of 'La Medina' Hed listen and pose new questions. Hed never do the comfortable stuff, Cortez said. You learned something about the issues but, more importantly, about yourself. When her turn came to lead COPS, Sarabia had some advice for Cortez that she continues to share. Your first term in office, you are learning to be president, he told her. In the second term, youre teaching someone else to be president. Father Mike DeGerolami, a retired priest and longtime COPS/Metro leader, said of Sarabia: He walked with the organization totally and completely over all these years. DeGerolami couldnt help but recall Pope Francis famous description of a good shepherd: He must smell like his sheep. That was Andy Sarabia. He never stopped. He bled COPS Metro, the priest said. Throughout his life, Sarabia worked for the poor and the vulnerable. Thats what punched his ticket into heaven. AUSTIN Texas Senators on Monday ripped up a plan to rely on increasing sales taxes to fund property tax relief and boost public education funding. Instead, Senators favor tapping existing funds for schools and tax relief, putting the chamber on a crash course with the House as Republican leaders on both sides scramble to find consensus. The Senate voted 26-2 on its plan to spend an additional $12 billion on public education and lower property taxes. The measure a centerpiece of this years law-writing session would include $5,000 raises for teachers and librarians. It also calls for cutting property tax rates by 10 cents per $100 in value for two years. We can no longer allow excuses or lowered expectations to prevail in education. It is time for us to step up, said Sen. Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood, who sponsored the bill. The 10-cent property tax cut suggested by Taylor would save the owner of a $200,000 home about $175 a year. Texas Take: Get political headlines from across the state sent directly to your inbox More Information How the tax swap would work A trio of bills in the Legislature supported by Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dennis Bonnen aim to boost funding for schools while reducing property taxes and reining in future growth. The tax swap would raise state sales taxes by one percentage point - to 9.25 percent for most Texans, the highest rate in the country - while cutting property taxes by up to 15 cents for every $100 in value. Renters are one group that may only see a net tax increase from the swap, unless landlords pass the property tax savings on by reducing rents. Another bill would cap what cities and counties can raise in property taxes each year without first seeking a vote from residents. The measure would lower the cap to 3.5 percent from 8 percent. Local school districts, meanwhile, would also be limited in what they could raise each year. Those provisions would slow the future escalation of property taxes, supporters of the bill say. Cities and counties protesting the legislation say funding for police, firefighters and other city services would suffer. A third bill would boost education funding by raising teacher salaries and increasing per-pupil state spending. See More Collapse While the Senate balked at the sales tax increase, Taylor said that option is still certainly in play to fund the reforms. Lawmakers will meet in a conference committee to iron out differences between proposals in the House and Senate, including how much of a raise to give teachers next school year. The Legislature is required to adjourn May 27. Were not worlds apart, Taylor said. I wouldnt say its downhill from here, but our chances look a lot better. The Senate vote reflects the uneasiness in the Legislature about the sales tax hike and corresponding cut in property taxes first pitched by Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dennis Bonnen, all Republicans who have made school funding and property tax relief top priorities. The House is expected to vote Tuesday on the tax swap plan, which would raise the sales tax by one percentage point, putting Texas in a tie with California for the highest sales tax in the nation at 7.25 percent. Combined with local option sales taxes, the increase would mean most Texans would pay 9.25 percent. On HoustonChronicle.com: Top lawmakers double down on tax swap as fiscal analysis fuels opposition On Friday, Abbott, Patrick and Bonnen defended their plan to raise the sales tax and suggested they will have the votes to do so. Democrats and some Republicans have scoffed at the tax swap, which is considered risky for Republicans who are trying to maintain their majority in the House. Democrats need to win nine Republican seats in the 2020 election to take control of the chamber. Seniors living on fixed incomes, families already struggling to buy clothes for their growing children, and college students working multiple jobs cannot afford yet another tax hike from Texas Republicans, said Brittany Switzer, spokeswoman for the Texas Democratic Party. Raising the sales tax remains dead wrong. As approved by the Senate, the plan would cost about $12 billion, said Taylor. In addition to about $9 billion agreed upon with the House, the bill would redirect money from two existing taxes to make up the difference and fund property tax relief. The state would use $2.3 billion collected annually on oil and gas to lower property taxes, redirecting money that would otherwise be saved in the states rainy day account. The state would also dedicate an estimated $300 million a year in online sales taxes not currently collected and spend up to another $300 million a year in revenues from property managed by the Permanent School Fund. Paul Biya's gospel on forgiveness Twitter Cameroons President Paul Biya who has been in power since November 6, 1982 has taken to twitter and Facebook today preaching a gospel of forgiveness to his fellow countrymen. The essential thing today is to forgive & to forget, to work together towards a common goal. We cannot, at one & the same time, look towards the future & live in the past. Mutual forgiveness is the path to lasting peace, the 86-year-old leader said in a tweet. Since using twitter to announce his candidature for the October 7, 2018 presidential elections he won, President Paul Biya has for the third week in a row been addressing the Cameroonian people and the international public opinion through his official Facebook page and his official twitter account on a daily basis. After wishing a happy start of the Ramadan holy month of fasting to Muslim faithful in Cameroon Monday, the Head of State resumed Tuesday, May 7, 2019 with his messages of awareness on the issues and challenges of the Cameroonian nation. This day, the man nicknamed Tweetologue by Mutations offers the Cameroonian people reflections on forgiveness. It remains unclear what informed todays tweet, but it comes days after a four-day working visit of the United Nations Human Rights Chief, Michelle Bachelet to Cameroon. It also comes on the heels of a May 13, 2019 discussion of the Anglophone Crisis at the UN Security Council. It is not known if this message is addressed to his compatriots in the North West and South West Regions who are living the daily realities of a war that should have been arrested on the dialogue table. Pundits are of the opinion that it could well be a message to detained opposition leader Maurice Kamto who emerged second in the last presidential elections but has since claimed victory. The recent Human rights Watch report that indicts Cameroon for torture, ill-treatment of detainees and incommunicado detentions may well have elicited the post. Indeed, Human Rights Watch had called on Cameroonian authorities to immediately stop the use of torture and other ill-treatment at the SED and other detention facilities. Cameroonian authorities have tortured and held incommunicado detainees at a detention facility in Yaounde, Cameroons capital. Gendarmes and other security forces at the State Defense Secretariat (Secretariat dEtat a la defense, SED) have severely beaten and used near-drowning to extract confessions from detainees suspected of ties to armed separatist groups, Human Rights Watch said, adding that, They should end incommunicado detention and ensure that all detainees have access to their lawyer and family members and receive adequate medical care. Reactions have since been pouring on the Presidents forgive and forget gospel, with many inviting him to free all political prisoners and organize a sovereign national dialogue. How would Jesus want us to vote? I recently saw a clip of a Trump rally where a woman was waving a sign that read, Thank you, Lord Jesus, for President Trump. I just dont get it. Donald Trump is the living antithesis of just about everything Jesus practiced and taught in his ministry. Dont evangelicals remember Jesus told his followers that only those who were willing to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, take in the homeless stranger and visit people who were thrown in jail could be part of his kingdom? Now, how does that match up with Trumps plan to cut Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, and other social programs? We might also remember Jesus said that if you want to enter the kingdom of heaven, you must obey Gods commandments. Most notable are: Thou shalt not steal, thou shalt not commit adultery, and thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor. He also mentioned we should love our neighbors as we love ourselves. Trump has, in his business career, defrauded the public, stiffed contractors who worked for him, and stolen, or attempted to steal, credit for the accomplishments of others. As far as adultery is concerned, Trump has not only committed it but has publicly bragged about it. Instead of loving our hungry neighbors, Trump prefers to wall them off. Trump has repeatedly borne false witness on an individual scale, most notably against President Barack Obama by trying to convince the public that the former president was not born in the United States. On the international front, he keeps accusing Mexico of sending rapists, murderers and thieves into the United States. In fact, immigrants commit far fewer crimes than the native-born. Jesus was always suspicious of the wealthy. You may remember the rich young man who went away in sorrow, when Jesus turned him down as a follower because he would have to sell all he had and give the proceeds to the poor. Its hard to imagine any of todays evangelical churches turning away someone who had so much to contribute. Jesus, though, rejected him because he had revealed that status and wealth were more important to him than serving God. Todays evangelicals seem fixated over such issues as homosexuality, abortion and immigration, despite the fact that Jesus never bothers to mention these matters. However, its evident that his ideas about social justice and human welfare are far removed from those of most evangelicals who support Donald Trump. If you show support for a man who brags about groping women, who mocks the disabled, who attacks social programs that help children and parents, who keeps trying to revoke plans to provide health care to people in need, and who lies continually about everything, you might want to consider what youre teaching your children and whose example theyre learning to follow. I dont pretend to know who sent Donald Trump to the American people, but it sure wasnt Jesus. Steven Botts lives in San Antonio. Americas biggest mistake over the last half-century arguably had nothing to do with the war in Vietnam or Iraq, or with Watergate or Donald Trump. Rather, Id say that it was mass incarceration, fueled by the war on drugs. The United States used to have incarceration rates similar to those of Europe and then, beginning in about 1970, we increased the number of people behind bars sevenfold. About as many Americans now have a criminal record as have a college degree. Mass incarceration shattered Americas family structure, magnified race gaps, left millions of people marginalized and has been brutally unfair. Years ago I wrote about a case that still haunts me. Dicky Joe Jackson was a Texas trucker whose 2-year-old son, Cole, needed a bone-marrow transplant to save his life. The family raised $50,000 through community fundraisers, but this wasnt enough so Jackson tried to earn the remainder by transporting meth in his truck for a distributor. He was caught and sentenced to life in prison. The prosecutor himself thought the sentence unjust, saying of Jackson: He didnt know of any other way to take care of his kid. Over the last week, weve been focused on Attorney General William Barrs distortions of the Mueller report, but long ago he did something more damaging. In his first stint as attorney general, Barr in 1992 issued a report called The Case for More Incarceration. He was one of many politicians and officeholders, Democrats and Republicans, who led the United States, with 5 percent of the worlds population, to hold almost 25 percent of the worlds prisoners. Finally, America is beginning to unravel this historic mistake. The best thing the Trump administration has done so far is its backing of the bipartisan First Step Act on criminal justice reform. The act, signed into law by Trump in December, marked a turning point away from mass incarceration, and small numbers of federal offenders have been released early since then. I saw the new mood on criminal justice while moderating a panel the other day at the Milken Institute Conference in Los Angeles. Beside me was Republican Gov. Phil Bryant of Mississippi, a conservative with whom I agree on nothing else, but he has worked heroically since 2014 to reduce Mississippis prison population by 11 percent. This has saved the state $46 million, he said. Bryant also argued in the panel discussion for ending Americas system of de facto debtor prisons, in which poor people end up jailed because they cant pay fines. One day when I visited the Tulsa County jail, 23 people were locked up simply for failure to pay government fines and fees. Another conservative on the panel, Mark Holden of Koch Industries, spoke eloquently about how our criminal justice system traps people in poverty when they need second chances. He said that the system is so flawed that it needs to be blown up, quite frankly in a nonviolent way. While the First Step Act was helpful, its practical impact was tiny because the great majority of prisoners are not in federal prisons but are held at the state and local level. Emily Bazelon writes in her excellent new book, Charged, about the enormous discretionary power that local prosecutors have over peoples lives, about the misuse of the cash bail system, and about the abuse of plea bargaining. Those are three items for the reform agenda ahead. One obvious step is to reverse the decision made 25 years ago to make prisoners ineligible for Pell grants. Schooling reduces recidivism and pays for itself, so its just idiotic not to educate offenders. We also need to broaden the conversation about criminal justice reform. More than half a million American children still suffer from lead poisoning each year, damaging their brains and increasing the risk that they will commit crimes. And if we invested more today in high-quality preschool programs for at-risk kids, we would have to worry less in 18 years about criminality. One sign of progress. Dicky Joe Jackson has been released from prison, after 20 years behind bars. Another prisoner I wrote about years ago hasnt been so lucky. Edward Young of Tennessee helped a widow sell her husbands belongings; among them were seven shotgun shells, and Young put them aside so children wouldnt find them. Because Young had committed burglaries years earlier, as a young man, it was illegal for him to possess any ammunition, even though he had no gun to go with it. So he was arrested and sentenced to 15 years in prison. There he sits a reminder of how unjust our justice system has become, and how urgent it is to correct Americas greatest modern mistake. Segments of the business community object to the citys climate action plan, apparently leery that mandates for environmentally friendly but expensive actions will emerge. The new Credit Human building next to the Pearl complex is a model for how the business community can do its own heavy lifting. Voluntarily. As described by Express-News environmental writer Josh Baugh, the Credit Human building will employ geothermal heating and cooling, an array of solar panels, rainwater and condensate collection, and efficient building design. The result will be significantly reduced energy and water costs for the firm. How much in reduced cost? Human First estimates that it will get 97 percent of its water nonpotable from its own water and condensate collections. The 2,912 solar panels used are expected to meet 40 percent to 70 percent of the credit unions power needs. Geothermal power will garner all of Credit Humans heating needs and 40 percent of its cooling needs. And efficient building design windows that reflect 75 percent of the suns heat will help with those cooling-cost reductions. In addition, the building will use energy-efficient fixtures and LED lighting. Credit Human CEO Steven Hennigan a former member of the CPS Energy board said the company went in knowing the measures were initially more expensive, but the board warmed to the long-term financial savings. And this is key. Much of the pushback to the citys climate plan has been about missing specifics about additional costs to businesses. The Credit Human plan envisions cost savings that make sense in the long run. We would add that there is another factor that should be built into any calculation one that Credit Human apparently has. What is the cost to everyone of cities and a planet wracked by the catastrophes that follow severe climate change? We have had issues and still do with the tax incentives the city granted Credit Human and others for this project next to the Pearl. But at least this is a project done with climate change and the environment foremost in mind. Thank you, Credit Human. /Associated Press No matter how you feel about the death penalty, there seems to be some unanimity around this: Defendants with intellectual disabilities dont belong on death row in Texas or any other state. In fact, the U.S. Supreme Court settled that debate, determining in 2002 that executing people with intellectual disabilities was a violation of the Eighth Amendment ban on cruel and unusual punishment. The court gave states discretion on how to determine if a defendant has intellectual disabilities, but Texas failed to establish an acceptable process. Sisiku Ayuk Tabe Archives Sisiku Julius Ayuk Tabe, President of the Federal Republic of Ambazonia has regretted the unfortunate infighting rocking the struggle for the restoration of the statehood of their country. He tells The Post in an exclusive interview that the people have apparently abandoned the elephant and are now beating each other. He may well have been reacting to the many attacks on civilians and the internal war within the ranks of those fighting for the independence of a country they call Ambazonia, geographically Cameroons North West and South West Regions. It is necessary, and to the best interest of the Struggle, for people to complement one another. I see Ambazonia as a Village where, if all the people came out, each one with a twig to whip the elephant, the elephant would, eventually, die. But, unfortunately, the people seem to have abandoned the elephant and are whipping each other, The Post quotes Sisiku Ayuk Tabe as saying. It is said that the Ambazonia leader currently detained at the Yaounde Principal Prison in the Kondengui neighbourhood is alarmed by the number of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), the villages razed down and the many who are dying in a war described by many as senseless. Sisiku Ayuk Tabe spoke to The Post from the Kondengui Principal Prison Sunday May 5, confirming that he issued the release dissolving the Interim Government, IG. Reportedly upbeat, confident and cheerful, the Amba leader dismissed accusations that he is betraying the cause by dissolving the IG and claims that he is acting under pressure from the Yaounde regime. Justifying such a move and its likely impact, he said the caretaker government (IG) has failed the Ambazonian people, given that they have lost focus. He said, as a leader, even though in jail, he thought it was time for someone to take full responsibility and that was why he issued the release to put things right and to bring the struggle back to its rails, The Post reports. Ayuk Tabe observed that, between January and April 2019, the support that the IG used to receive, especially from its online supporters, had drastically dropped to between 60 and 70 percent, an indication that the IG is fast losing the confidence and trust of the people. The Post reports further that: Reacting to claims that he might have been placed under duress by Government to dissolve the IG, Sisiku disclosed that neither he nor any other member of the IG, who were arrested in Nigeria have, ever, in any way, been stressed up by anything. He declared that, from the time of their abduction till date, no member of the La Republique Government has had the guts to face him or anyone else for whatsoever dialogue or negotiation. He added that, as a leader, he has kept an open mind for discussions, but quickly added that such discussions or negotiations could only border on the terms of separation. This, according to Sisiku, is, because, as he reiterated, there never existed any Union Act between the two countries. I, Ayuk, wont sign any such agreement because so many people have died, for an eventual form of federation, unionism, advanced decentralisation or anything else, to be accepted, Sisiku Ayuk Tabe is quoted as saying. I was gripped by stress when I heard of a woman housing 32 internally displaced persons, IDPs, with just a teachers salary and without any form of assistance coming in even from the IG. Sisiku Ayuk Tabe frowned at those propagating falsehood and cheap attacks on his person without proof. In his own words: Buea is the only goal! And I and the team of 10 abducted from Nigeria are stopping at nothing. Concerning education and the possible return of children to school, he said the life of one child is one too many. He said returning to school could be possible if the Yaounde regime accepts to call the troops back to the barracks. Whatever the case, it is not responsible sending the children into the crossfire. It is better to keep them out of harms way. STAMFORD The Board of Education faces an estimated $2.17 million deficit for the ending fiscal year, due to higher than usual school maintenance and special education costs. Members plan to discuss the steep financial projections at a school board meeting Tuesday evening. Due to variances in Maintenance, Special Education and other areas currently, the overall 2018-19 budget estimate is a deficit of $2,167,000, Schools Finance Director Hugh Murphy wrote in a Friday letter to schools Chief Fiscal and Operations Support Officer Clarence Zachery. The financial people are basically sounding the alarm saying we cant keep going as normal, Board of Education President Andy George said Monday. Looking at it as a whole system, there are ways to curtail operations and spending such that well end the year in a satisfactory position. Projected savings in the areas of electricity usage and health insurance claims, in addition to funding from the city Mold Task Force to offset higher than expected building upkeep and repair costs, are expected to bring the deficit down to $1.2 million, the letter states. The remaining deficit will be paid from other, to be determined, cost reductions and an unidentified possible legal claim. Per state law, the Board of Education cannot end the fiscal year on June 30 with a budget deficit. Murphy also recommends that the board continue to freeze spending in all areas except special education and maintenance department operations. The special education budget alone is projected to reach a deficit of $3 million due to high contracted service costs and additional outplacements. The schools budget crisis has bled into the citys coffers as well. The schools need tens of millions of dollars to repair the foundations, roofs, windows, HVAC and drainage systems of school buildings where water has permeated, creating a mold infestation. Mayor David Martin went before the Board of Education last month to implore that district officials apply for state funding to help cover these costs, even though Stamford often hasnt qualified in the past. The school board will meet 6:15 p.m. Tuesday at the Government Center. svaughan@hearstmediact.com; 203-964-2265; @SophieCVaughan1 5 1 of 5 Bob Luckey Jr. / Hearst Connecticut Media Show More Show Less 2 of 5 Bob Luckey Jr. / Hearst Connecticut Media Show More Show Less 3 of 5 4 of 5 Bob Luckey Jr. / Hearst Connecticut Media Show More Show Less 5 of 5 STAMFORD The Academy of Information Technology won GreatSchools 2019 College Success Award along with 41 other high schools in Connecticut. The award, given by the national nonprofit Greatschools, honored 1,722 schools across 25 states this year that have have a successful track record of graduating students who later enroll in two or four-year college. The award also celebrates high schools that produce students who are prepared for college-level coursework and continue on to their second year of college. STAMFORD A city man who was caught while trying to get rid of three guns in the back of a Glenbrook elementary school will have to serve as many as five years in prison when he is sentenced in July. At a brief hearing at the Stamford courthouse on Monday, Daquan Wright, 22, pleaded guilty to reduced charges of theft of a firearm and possession of marijuana with intent to sell. According to his plea agreement with Judge Gary White, he will be sentenced up to five years in prison or as little as the mandatory minimum two years for the felony firearm theft charge when he returns to court. FAIRFIELD Lester Hudson, a 45-year-old Bridgeport resident, was charged with assault and disorderly conduct after he allegedly punched his girlfriend in the face three times at a Pine Tree Lane residence. At around 9:30 p.m. May 1, police responded to reports of a victim calling after allegedly being struck in the face by Hudson. According to a report, the victim said Hudson became angry when she returned home and Hudson hit her in the face three times. Police said Hudsons breath smelled of alcohol when they located him in the residence. Just when it seemed it couldnt get any worse for these depressed grain prices, markets crashed, but did not burn Monday, May 6, on the futures markets. Prices on the Chicago Board of Trade were sharply lower, to say the least, after tweets by President Donald Trump saying that he would raise Chinese tariffs on the $300 billion of goods that had been left at 10%, to 25%, effective Thursday night at midnight. This, in response to reports from his lead China trade negotiator that the talks had taken a reversal. It has been reported that the Chinese wanted to renegotiate some of the matters that had so far been settled. Grain market reaction In reaction to the news, equity and commodity markets crashed. The equity markets returned almost to the previous days closes. The commodities recovered somewhat, but did not return to previous levels. December corn futures were as low as 3.71 3/4, 12 1/2 cents off the Friday close. They settled at 3.82 1/4, down five and a half cents when all was done for the day. July corn futures lost six and a half cents after being down over 15 cents in early trading. November soybean futures were worse. At one point early Monday, they were a tick below 8.40, which was down almost 25 cents. They recovered to trade a close of 8.53, down 11 1/4 cents for the day. Previous to this market shock, soybeans were trading steadily lower for weeks. This has accelerated the last couple of weeks as it has become apparent that the corn planting is delayed. The knee-jerk reaction of the market to delayed corn planting is to assume that will add to soybean acres and add to supply. In fact, many experts are counseling farmers to take prevented planting payments instead of planting late, yield-reduced soybeans. It will be interesting to see how this plays out. While the soybeans had been trading lower, corn prices had gained most of a dime in the July and 7 cents in the December last week. In fact, since the exhaustion low of April 25 at 3.51 1/2 July and 3.71 3/4 December, we had gained over 20 cents on the July futures and over 16 cents on the December. Delayed crop planting Planting progress, as reported by USDA Monday, is seriously delayed. Our Russell conference call Monday morning reported that only Iowa was getting planted, with many farmers there 50 to 100% planted on corn, although the soybean planting is lagging. Other areas of the Midwest are just like Northeast Ohio, or worse. Here, the ground looks like it is drying and could go by Wednesday, but local farmers tell me that is not true. The crust is getting dry, but it is very wet underneath after heavy rains last week. The dry early spring that we saw when it was too early to plant is now gone. USDA reports that the nations corn planting is at just 23%. This compares to 15% last week, 36% last year, and 46% average. Ohio is at 2%, with no gain from last week. Last year we were at 20%, even though the average is 27%. The fear is that little corn will be planted this week, with rain in the forecast for much of the Midwest. That would put our planting very far behind. Last year we had a similar, but not as bad, situation. We were bailed out by a dry spell in the middle of May and extra heat units early that ended up giving us a big crop that was ahead of the trend-line yields. It does not seem, based on current long-term weather reports, that we will see that his year. Soybean planting progress is maybe even more delayed than the corn. There has been a trend in recent years to plant soybeans as early as corn. Currently USDA reports the nations soybean crop only 6% planted, versus 3% past week, 14% last year, and 14% average. Ohios soybeans are only 1% planed, and did not gain this week. Last year we had 7% planted at this time, and the average is 9. For perspective, North Dakota also has 1% of its beans planted. North Dakota! Apply for scholarships and educational awards administered by the American Jersey Cattle Association (AJCA), Reynoldsburg, Ohio, before the July 1 deadline. For the first time, the AJCA will award over $30,000 in the 2019-20 school year. The funds will provide financial support for young Jersey owners pursuing a college or university degree or, in some cases, gaining hands-on experience in the development and management of Registered Jersey cattle. Eligible applicants are Junior or Lifetime members of the association with a minimum grade point average of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale). Scholarships The RussellMalnati Scholarship for Advanced Studies of $5,000 will be awarded to a graduate student in dairy science, animal science (dairy emphasis), large animal veterinary practice, dairy production or manufacturing, or dairy product marketing. Students who will begin a program of study at an accredited college or university in the fall of 2019 may apply for the William A. Russell Memorial Scholarship ($2,750). Students who have completed at least one year of study toward their degree are eligible for the V. L. Peterson Scholarship ($2,750). Also, the Jack C. Nisbet Memorial Scholarship ($2,750) will be awarded to an eligible nominee for the National Jersey Youth Achievement Contest. A Cedarcrest Farms Scholarship ($2,250) will be awarded to an undergraduate or graduate student enrolled in a program to earn a degree in large animal veterinary practice, dairy production, dairy manufacturing, or dairy product marketing, and who demonstrates through completed coursework and goal statement, significant progress toward this intended degree and a clear intention for a career in agriculture. The Paul Jackson Memorial Scholarship ($2,000) is for continuing college students in any degree program area. The AJCA Directors Scholarship ($2,500) will be awarded based on academic performance, activities and accomplishments with Jersey cattle and commitment to continued involvement in the Jersey dairy business. The Bob Toole Jersey Youth Award ($2,000) can be used for educational expenses or a well-defined practical experience related to breeding, developing and showing Registered Jerseys. The Morris B. Ewing ABS Genetic Performance Scholarship ($3,250) will be awarded to a junior or senior undergraduate student seeking a career in genetics, dairy production, large animal veterinary medicine or milk marketing. The Lineweaver Scholarship ($3,500) will be awarded to an undergraduate who has completed at least one year of study in a four-year program focused on dairy science, animal science (dairy emphasis) or dairy products. The recipient of the Anne E. Perchard Challenge Award ($350) will be selected from among applicants for the national achievement contest and/or scholarship program to recognize abilities and leadership potential and, in turn, challenging the recipient to achieve his/her potential through continuing Jersey activities. Also, the Reuben R. Cowles Jersey Youth Award ($2,500) will be presented to an eligible resident of Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia to be used for educational expenses or to travel to the All American Jersey Show and Sale, the AJCA-NAJ Annual Meetings or other Jersey educational activities. Applicants must be at least high school graduates, but not older than 36 years of age as of January 1, 2019. More information For application forms and instructions, visit the Scholarships and Internships page on the USJersey website or use the link, tinyurl.com/JerseyScholarships . Recipients will be recognized on Saturday, November 9 at the annual Junior Banquet held during The All American Jersey Shows and Sales in Louisville, Ky. The American Jersey Cattle Association has made strategic investments in Jersey youth since 1958 when it created the National Heifer Sale to provide annual funding for educational programs and awards. Scholarships are paid from permanent endowments administered by the American Jersey Cattle Association. Contributions are recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as 501(c)(3) tax deductible charitable gifts and may be made at any time during the year. For more information, contact the American Jersey Cattle Association by writing 6486 E. Main Street, Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068-2362, or visit its web site at USJersey.com. Monday, May 6, 2019 at 5:44PM Embed from Getty Images Facebook-owned Instagram wants to limit the spread of misinformation on its platform and one way to remedy that would be to run potentially false posts through Facebooks fact-checking partners. While Instagram wont take down these posts, they wont show up in the Explore tab as well as in the hashtag results page. A spokesperson for the company told Poynter, "Our approach to misinformation is the same as Facebook'swhen we find misinfo, rather than remove it, we'll reduce its distribution." On top of this, Instagram is considering adding pop-ups for when people look up misinformation. Source: Engadget Online retailer Amazon has agreed to edit its Echo Dot advert showing a boy feeding kitchen waste to a pig after a complaint made by the National Pig Association. The advert for the Amazon Echo Dot, which was shown in cinemas, features a small boy with a pet pig. During the advert, the boy scrapes uneaten food from his plate for the pig to eat. In a complaint to the Advertising Standards Authority, NPA chief executive Zoe Davies pointed out that this is classed as swill feeding, which has been illegal in the UK since 2001. The swill feeding ban was imposed after pigs fed infected waste food caused the devastating 2001 foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, which resulted in the death of millions of farm animals and cost the UK economy 12 billion. Swill feeding became illegal throughout the EU in 2002. What really concerns us, is not just the fact that the ad appears to encourage an illegal act, but the fact that we have another disease spreading through the EU, all over China and several other Asian countries called African swine fever (ASF), she wrote. She called for the ASA to help the industry in preventing this advert from being shown and keeping ASF and other awful notifiable diseases out of the UK pig population. Vet Duncan Berkshire, president of the Pig Veterinary Society (PVS), also complained to the ASA as an individual and to Amazon on behalf of the PVS. He asked the online retail giant to remove footage of the illegal practice from all forms of media immediately. The ASA contacted both Ms Davies and Mr Berkshire on Friday May 3, informing them that their complaints have had the desired response. We think you have a valid point and, with a view to acting quickly, we instructed Amazon to change their ad. We asked them to remove the scene in question, and Im pleased to advise that we have received an assurance from them that they will make that change should the ad appear again, the ASA said. The UK is currently on high alert for African swine fever, which, like foot-and-mouth disease, can be spread via infected meat. A British farmer who ran one of the biggest poultry farms in the UK has died in a plane crash in a remote area of Canada. Shropshire farmer Alan Simpson, 72, was co-pilot in the Piper PA-46 Malibu which crashed into a mountain in the remote Labrador region during 'poor weather'. The other co-pilot, Sam Rutherford, was injured in the crash and is thought not to be in a serious condition. The incident happened on 1 May as the pair were flying back to the UK from Canada which would have taken him across Iceland. An investigation is currently under way to determine the cause of the crash. Mr Simpson's family said he would be 'deeply missed'. The National Farmers' Union said it was 'deeply saddened' by the news. Himself and son Charles both ran Alan Simpson Farming Ltd, one of the biggest poultry farms in the UK with a half a million bird capacity, based in Prees. A new programme spearheaded by Defra will look at some of the UKs most pressing environmental and food issues to shape future policy post-Brexit. The Systems Research Programme seeks to strengthen ties between researchers and the government to develop a common understanding of complex issues which affects the department. Six senior academic Fellows will focus on five key areas: Rural Land Use, Food, Air Quality, Marine, and Resources and Waste. Each of the five systems will be covered by a senior academic Fellow, taking a so-called systems mapping approach to identify how a policy change in one area might affect another, and make sure the connections between environmental issues are properly considered. Examples of a systems mapping approach might include factoring in marine, waste management, landscape and other issues when looking at future policies on plastic, or considering the impact of food waste policies on waste and landscape management as well as water and air quality. A sixth Fellow, the design authority, will look at broader methodology and make sure that cross-cutting themes are identified. Professor Ian Boyd, Defra Chief Scientific Adviser said: The Systems Research Programme breaks new ground by taking a systems approach to understanding the key policy questions across the Defra group to deliver innovative, evidence-based solutions for the future. This is a very busy and exciting time for policy making in Defra. This programme gives us the chance to concentrate on the UKs priority environmental issues and use the best possible science to inform our solutions. The new project will support Defras Brexit work. Sir Patrick Vallance, Government Chief Scientific Adviser, said it is 'important' that government policies and decisions are informed by the 'best scientific evidence and strategic long-term thinking'. The successful candidates are based at universities across the UK and will spend part of their time supporting Defra in this project alongside continuing their academic roles. They will take up their role for Defra by the start of May. The appointed Fellows are: Design Authority Professor Tom Oliver, University of Reading (School of Biological Sciences); Air Quality system Dr Sarah Moller, University of York (National Centre for Atmospheric Science); Food system Professor Bob Doherty, University of York (York Management School) Marine system Dr Abigail McQuatters-Gollop, University of Plymouth (Marine Conservation); Rural Land Use system Dr Pam Berry, University of Oxford (Environmental Change Institute); Waste and Resources system Professor Frank Boons, University of Manchester (Sustainable Consumption Institute). Welsh sheep farmers are meeting the mark and keeping it lean as the latest lamb carcase classification results show meat is being produced to the highest market specification. The statistics released by Welsh processors for 2018 show a positive performance by the industry. This includes significant reductions in the numbers of animals which were over-fat, and continued increases in the numbers which hit the highest desired conformation. During processing, lambs are graded according to the EUROP classification grid, which denotes whether animals meet the correct conformation and fat coverage. More than two-thirds (68.1%) of all lambs from Welsh abattoirs hit the sought-after 2 or 3L fat grades, up from 64.5% the previous year. In terms of conformation, 40.2% fell into the highest E or U classes (up from 37.9% in 2017) with only 11.2% classified in the lower O or P ranges. According to Glesni Phillips, Data Analyst at Hybu Cig Cymru Meat Promotion Wales (HCC), there are a range of factors behind the positive results. The prevalence of carcases with less fat coverage could be partly due to producers presenting their lambs earlier following the dry summer weather conditions of 2018 and limited availability of forage, said Ms Philipps. However, the figures on both fat and conformation also show that Welsh farmers are focusing on what the modern consumer requires and adapting their practices accordingly. Different outlets, such as supermarkets, export and catering, may require different types of lambs. In order to achieve the highest return, farmers will ensure that the lambs sold are the correct type for those markets. She added: Overall, the trend over several years has been for more lambs to achieve the higher grades, which reflects increased use of rams and ewes with superior genetics for conformation traits. The latest farm income forecasts show how 'exposed' Welsh agriculture is to market volatility and to other factors outside a farmers control, NFU Cymru warns. Forecast figures for farm incomes in Wales for the year to March 2019 show that average farm income is expected to decrease by 15% to 29,500 compared to the previous year. Forecast incomes for dairy are down 23%, less favourable area (LFA) cattle and sheep farms down 9% and lowland cattle and sheep farms down a substantial 29%, with farm business income at just 17,000. It comes as farmers continue to struggle as a result of the long wet winter in 2017/18 followed by the drought of last summer. The threat of a no deal Brexit scenario also still hangs over the industry, a situation that farmers fear would be incredibly damaging for Welsh farming and the rural economy. NFU Cymru President John Davies said: The decrease in income is due, in part, to pressure on farmgate prices, particularly in the dairy sector but mainly as a result of the significant additional input costs, particularly feed, to help get through an extremely challenging year weather wise. The timely delivery of the 2018 Basic Payment Scheme support, and the introduction of the opt in loan in 2018 by Rural Payment Wales, have been crucial in helping manage cash flow concerns following the weather events of 2018. He added: These figures once again show the volatility that all farm types in Wales are subjected to, and reinforces the need for future agriculture policy in Wales to include a central volatility/stability component, alongside public goods and productivity measures, that help farmers be able to manage and mitigate the impact of this volatility. Landowners and gamekeepers have welcomed Scottish Fire & Rescue Service's proposals to increase the use of controlled burning to tackle moorland wildfires. Calls for the increased use of controlled burning approach to combat wildfires is backed by the experience of this years muirburn season, land managers have said. Muirburn is the burning of the heath and stubble on a moor. The practice is guided by 'The Code' which sets out both the law and good practice relating to it. It comes as Sottish Fire & Rescue Service (SFRS) said last week that it was to trial the greater use of controlled burning next spring after gathering evidence on the practice internationally. The controlled burning practice advocated by SFRS is the same as the rotational strip burning employed by gamekeepers undertaking muirburn in the traditional manner on sporting estates. The muirburn season has now officially ended, with no reports of wildfires caused by muirburn on Scottish grouse moors. Tim Baynes, Scottish Land & Estates' Moorland Director, said: There are many misconceptions about muirburn but the fact that Scotlands fire service is now looking to introduce controlled burning next spring shows how important it is to adopt these methods and our members will continue to work closely with SFRS. The practice of muirburn has been established for generations and is conducted to the highest modern standards in accordance with methodology in the Muirburn Code, launched 18 months ago by the Scottish government. Mr Baynes said muirburn is based on 'sound science' and wildfires will 'usually stop' when they reach a managed grouse moor. He added: This season we have seen several major wildfires in Scotland but we understand none of them were related to muirburn for grouse management. Muirburn on grouse moors rarely causes wildfires and actually helps to prevent them. Fire danger rating system Scottish Land & Estates (SLE), a membership organisation for landowners, said a fire danger rating system, which is in place in countries including the USA, Australia and Canada, should also be developed for the UK. The group said it would define the likelihood of a fire starting and spreading, and the impact this may have upon nearby populations. Iain Hepburn, head gamekeeper at Dunmaglass Estate, part of Loch Ness Rural Communities, and also a part-time firefighter with the SFRS, has in the past worked with firefighters to share best practice when it comes to tackling wild fires on moorland. He said: Controlled seasonal burning and cutting are effective methods to reduce the risk of damage from wild fires by providing breaks in continuous moorland cover and reducing the fuel load. A useful technique, known as back burning, enables the keeper to control a fire by lighting another in a strategically placed position which then burns towards the wildfire and in turn puts out both fires. This requires a lot of skill and knowledge and the practices we use can be shared for the benefit of fire crews and communities in rural areas elsewhere. It follows around 50 landowners and gamekeepers helping the SFRS tackle the wildfire in Moray in late April, from as far afield as Grampian, Speyside, Tomatin and Loch Ness. The keepers brought specialist equipment to help the fire service extinguish the blaze. The quick response from SFRS and gamekeepers with backburning knowledge also stopped a wildfire that could have spread on a huge scale on the banks of Loch Ness last month. Two men have died and two others injuries after a seven-foot wall collapsed on a farm in the Falkirk area of Scotland. The incident happened on Myrehead Farm in Whitecross at around 10.10am on Monday 6 May. Police Scotland said two men suffered serious injuries and were pronounced dead at the scene. Two other men suffered injuries which are not believed to be life-threatening. One was taken by ambulance to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, while the other was airlifted to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow. Ch Insp Damian Armstrong of Police Scotland said: My thoughts and sympathies are with the families of those affected by this incident and a multi-agency inquiry at the farm is ongoing. If anyone believes they have any relevant information that may be of use to this investigation then please come forward. A fire service spokeswoman added: The Scottish fire and rescue service responded at 10.11am on Monday 6 May with emergency service partners to a farm in the Falkirk area following reports of a collapsed wall. Operations control mobilised a number of fire appliances to the Whitecross area and firefighters currently remain in attendance. The Fauquier Times is honored to serve as your community companion. To say thank you, we are excited to offer 4 weeks FREE Digital & Print access to all subscribers new and returning alike. We are dedicated to continuing providing reliable, high quality journalism. This is possible with the trust and support of our subscribers in the community we are proud to serve. 2020 was a year marked by hardships and challenges, but the Fauquier community has proven resilient. The Fauquier Times is honored to serve as your community companion. To say thank you for your continued support, wed like to offer all our subscribers -- new or returning -- 4 WEEKS FREE DIGITAL AND PRINT ACCESS. We understand the importance of working to keep our community strong and connected. As we move forward together into 2021, it will take commitment, communication, creativity, and a strong connection with those who are most affected by the stories we cover. We are dedicated to providing the reliable, local journalism you have come to expect. We are committed to serving you with renewed energy and growing resources. Let the Fauquier Times be your community companion throughout 2021, and for many years to come. Hickok Incorporated, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the commercial air handling, test and measurement, and industrial hose businesses in the United States. Its Test and Measurement segment primarily offers electronic testing products for the automotive and trucking industries. The segment offers automotive diagnostic products to original equipment manufacturers; and aircraft instruments to manufacturers of commercial, military, and personal airplanes, as well as indicators and gauges to manufacturers and servicers of railroad equipment and locomotives. The company's Industrial Hose segment manufactures flexible interlocking metal hoses; and distributes silicone hoses. It sells its metal hoses to heavy-duty truck manufacturers, as well as to agricultural, industrial, and petrochemical markets; and silicone hoses to agriculture and general industrial markets. Its Commercial Air Handling segment designs, manufactures, and installs commercial, institutional, and industrial custom air handling solutions under the FactoryBilt and SiteBilt brand names. It serves health care, education, pharmaceutical, and industrial manufacturing markets customers through sales representatives. The company also exports its products to Australia, Canada, England, Mexico, and internationally. Hickok Incorporated was founded in 1910 and is headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio. Read More VanEck Vectors Vietnam ETF's stock was trading at $12.42 on March 11th, 2020 when Coronavirus (COVID-19) reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Since then, VNM stock has increased by 66.3% and is now trading at $20.66. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19. KAZ Minerals PLC, together with its subsidiaries, engages in mining and processing copper and other metals primarily in Kazakhstan, Russia, and Kyrgyzstan. It operates through Bozshakol, Aktogay, East Region and Bozymchak, and Mining Projects segments. The company operates the Aktogay and Bozshakol open pit copper mines in the east region and Pavlodar region of Kazakhstan; three underground mines in the east region of Kazakhstan; and the Bozymchak copper-gold mine in Kyrgyzstan. It also develops greenfield metal deposits; operates Koksay deposit in Kazakhstan, and the Baimskaya licence area in the Chukotka region of Russia; and produces and sells various by-products, such as gold, silver, molybdenum, and zinc. In addition, the company supplies and distributes heat, water, and electricity; and offers construction, project management, financing, management, sales and logistics, and repairs and maintenance services. The company was formerly known as Kazakhmys PLC and changed its name to KAZ Minerals PLC in October 2014. KAZ Minerals PLC was founded in 1930 and is based in London, the United Kingdom. Read More In the last week of February, Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas flew down to India to celebrate the formers brothers wedding being fixed. Priyanka also posted pictures wishing the couple, Siddharth Chopra and Ishitta Kumar on Instagram from their roka ceremony. Later, reports suggested that their wedding date has been fixed for the last week of April and Priyanka too flew back to India from New York around the same time. But speculations started when she returned to New York without any news of the wedding. Rumour went around that the wedding had been postponed because of the brides ill health and a surgery she underwent. What added fuel to the fire was Ishitta Kumar suddenly deleted all the pictures from the roka from her Instagram and this lead to rumours of the wedding being called off. Amidst all the guess work, mother Madhu Chopra came to rescue and revealed that the wedding has officially been called off. Not saying much, she told a leading digital portal, "They (Siddharth and Ishitta) have mutually called it off. With the whole family is extremely tight-lipped about it and Priyanka back in NYC where she attended brother-in-law Joe Jonas Las Vegas wedding to Sophie Turner, there is no information on what caused the wedding to be called off. Cyclone Fani has battered the entire state of Odisha and people are in despair and in need of immediate help. Several precious lives have already been lost and many of them are injured and left out of place. The whole country is contributing to rebuild and help the people of Odisha by collecting funds and providing necessary items for their everyday need and survival. Akshay Kumar has donated Rs 1 crore to the Chief Minister's Relief Fund and is doing his bit to help people recover from the natural disaster. "This is not new. Akshay has always been contributing for causes, be it his Bharat Ke Veer initiative for the Armed Forces, or his contribution to the Kerala floods or Chennai floods earlier," says an industry source to HT. Just a year ago, Akshay Kumar raised Rs 29 crores to support 159 families of the Armed Forces through the Bharat Ke Veer campaign and managed to change the lives of many families who were in need of financial support. The campaign was supported by the Union Home Ministry. Also, the actor had donated Rs 1 crore to the Chennai flood relief in 2015 as well. It's good to see Akshay Kumar lending a helping hand when the country and its people are in need and we applaud his big-heartedness for being a hero both on screen and off screen. Ananya Panday Reacts To Being Trolled: 'I Love All The Memes On Me, I Even Share It With My Friends' He may be the newest action star in Bollywood but Tiger Shroff says his latest film, Student of the Year 2 was a breather from the death-defying stunts routine of his past films. The actor, who is looking to recreate the success of his last release, Baaghi 2 in the SOTY 2, said playing Rohan, a regular college boy in the film, humanised him. Is Deepika Padukone PREGNANT? Fans Say Her BABY BUMP Is Visible "This is the most different film I've ever done till date. It's a different world, it's a different me. Working on this one was like being stripped off of my powers. So, if someone will punch me, I'll bleed. "I like the fact that the film has humanised me. He's a normal college going boy, he is not a one-man army. He's not someone who is fighting for the nation or saving someone. He is sort of saving himself. It was refreshing," Tiger told PTI in an interview. The 29-year-old actor described his character as a happy-go-lucky person, who cares a lot for his friends. "There comes a time in the film when he decides to put himself ahead and follows his dreams...'You bully me or pick on me', but that doesn't mean he'll not bite back eventually," he added. Tiger was at the centre of social media memes and trolls frenzy the day the film's trailer dropped. The movie also features debutantes Ananya Pandey and Tara Sutaria. Asked about handling criticism, the actor said, "I've been getting trolls and memes since my first film released. It means nothing to me. But I guess, any sort of PR is good PR." After SOTY 2, he will return to his action avatar as he gets ready for the upcoming action film, Baaghi 3 and an untitled project with Hrithik Roshan. Directed by Siddharth Anand, the movie also stars Vaani Kapoor. Tiger told PTI that the movie, which is a Yash Raj Films production, will hit the theatres in October, whereas Baaghi 3 is likely to debut in February 2020. Directed by Punit Malhotra, SOTY 2 is slated to be released Friday. Recently, Sandalwood director Prem had accompanied Sudeep to Mumbai as the actor began shooting for the Bollywood film Dabangg 3. He shared several pictures from the sets of the film, in which he was snapped with the Bollywood actor Salman Khan, who is playing the lead in the film. While talking to First News Kannada, Prem revealed the conversation he had with this superstar. Apparently he was all praise for an A-list Kannada actor and guess what, it isn't Sudeep. Salman Khan spoke about Prem's blockbuster film Jogi, which released in 2005. He spoke about the immense buzz the film had created back in time and praised Shivrajkumar's acting in it. Besides that, Prem and Salman spoke about other aspects of their professional life. Robert's Producer Reveals That Sudeep Told Him To Do A Film With Darshan! Here's Why He Said So According to the reports, Sudeep is playing a negative role in Dabangg 3 and it's a prominent one. He started shooting for the film after wrapping up his biggest Kannada project of the year, Pailwaan. The sports-centric film is said to hit theatres in August. It is also being said that Pailwaan's release might clash with Darshan's Kurukshetra. We need to wait and watch if the two stars will grace the silver screen on the same day. The infamous tiff between Sandalwood stars Sudeep and Darshan began when the former said he helped D Boss land the lead role in the decade-old superhit film Majestic. Darshan clearly denied the fact that Sudeep talked him through the film, and thus began the issues in their friendship. For almost two years now, these two stars have not been spotted together and neither has involved in any sort of conversation in real life or on social media. And now, the forthcoming Kannada film Robert's producer has revealed that Sudeep told him to do a film with Darshan! Robert's shooting commenced yesterday. The entire team visited a temple before the shoot began. The film is being produced by Umapathy, who was present at the inaugural ceremony. While talking to the media about the film, he revealed that Sudeep told him to do the film with Darshan. What comes across as more interesting is the fact that Umapathy always wanted to do his first film with Darshan, but ended up working with Sudeep. Yajamana Actress Tanya Hope Sets Internet On Fire With Her Latest Bikini Pictures Despite Trolls! He stated, "Sudeep Sir thought me how to work in the industry. He said a producer's job isn't to simply invest. So he sat me down and taught a lot about the film industry. I told him I always wanted to do my first film with Darshan, but accidentally ended up doing it with him instead. Then, Sudeep encouraged me to do a film with Darshan." We wonder what Darshan has to say about this. Watch the space for more latest updates! Maharshi Screen Count Maharshi has been charted in a huge number of screens across the AP/TS regions and thus making it one of the biggest releases of all time. If reports are to be believed, the film will be releasing in 1,150 screens in the AP/TS regions ROI As expected Maharshi will release in a good number of screens in Karnataka as well. The film has got 265 screens in Karnataka and 220 screens in other parts of the country, which are definitely good numbers. Overseas Regions Maharshi is making a gigantic release in the overseas regions. If the reports doing the rounds are to be believed, the Mahesh Babu starrer will be releasing in above 270 screens in the overseas regions. Fails To Overtake These Movies In total, Mahesh Babu's Maharshi will be releasing in above 1,900 screens across the globe. However, the film has failed to overtake Spyder and Bharat Ane Nenu, which had released in 2,400 screens across the globe. What Is The Reason? It is being believed that the phenomenal run of the Hollywood movie Avengers: End Game is the reason behind Maharshi getting lesser number of screens. The English movie is doing a very solid business in many theatres even now. TechnipFMC (NYSE: FTI) (PARIS: FTI) has been awarded a significant(1) integrated Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Installation (iEPCI) contract by BP for the Thunder Horse South Expansion 2 Project located in the Gulf of Mexico. TechnipFMC will manufacture, deliver and install subsea equipment, including subsea tree systems, manifolds, flowline, umbilicals and subsea tree jumpers, pipeline end terminations, subsea distribution and topside control equipment. This is the second iEPCI awarded to TechnipFMC by BP following Atlantis Phase 3 in the first quarter of 2019. Arnaud Pieton, President Subsea at TechnipFMC, commented: "We are very pleased to have been awarded this iEPCI contract for BP in the Gulf of Mexico. This award confirms the trust we have built over the long term with BP and demonstrates the continued adoption of our iEPCI offering." The Thunder Horse field is located in Mississippi Canyon Blocks 776, 777 and 778, in the Boarshead Basin, 200 kilometers south-east of New Orleans. It is one of the largest fields in the Gulf of Mexico and lies at a water depth of 1,830 meters. (1)For TechnipFMC, a "significant" contract is between $75 million and $250 million Important Information for Investors and Securityholders Forward-Looking Statement This release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined in Section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The words "believe", "estimated" and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, which are generally not historical in nature. Such forward-looking statements involve significant risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from our historical experience and our present expectations or projections. For information regarding known material factors that could cause actual results to differ from projected results, please see our risk factors set forth in our filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, which include our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K. We caution you not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any of our forward-looking statements after the date they are made, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by law. About TechnipFMC TechnipFMC is a global leader in subsea, onshore/offshore, and surface projects. With our proprietary technologies and production systems, integrated expertise, and comprehensive solutions, we are transforming our clients' project economics. We are uniquely positioned to deliver greater efficiency across project lifecycles from concept to project delivery and beyond. Through innovative technologies and improved efficiencies, our offering unlocks new possibilities for our clients in developing their oil and gas resources. Each of our more than 37,000 employees is driven by a steady commitment to clients and a culture of purposeful innovation, challenging industry conventions, and rethinking how the best results are achieved. To learn more about us and how we are enhancing the performance of the world's energy industry, go to TechnipFMC.com and follow us on Twitter @TechnipFMC. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190506005612/en/ Contacts: Investor relations Matt Seinsheimer Vice President Investor Relations Tel: +1 281 260 3665 Email: Matt Seinsheimer Phillip Lindsay Director Investor Relations Europe Tel: +44 203 429 3929 Email: Phillip Lindsay Media relations Christophe Belorgeot Senior Vice President Corporate Engagement Tel: +33 1 47 78 39 92 Email: Christophe Belorgeot Delphine Nayral Director Public Relations Tel: +33 1 47 78 34 83 Email: Delphine Nayral HEERLEN, Netherlands, May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Highlights[1],[2],[3] DSM reports a good start to the year Results compared to Underlying business in Q1 2018: Group sales up 3%, Adjusted EBITDA up 10% to 412m (up 14% to 424m including IFRS 16 impact of 12m) Nutrition: organic sales +3%, Adjusted EBITDA up 11% to 309m (up 14% to 316m including IFRS 16 impact of 7m) Materials: organic sales -5%, Adjusted EBITDA flat on 126m (up 1% to 127m including IFRS 16 impact of 1m) Adjusted Net Operating Free Cash Flow 60m Total Net profit 196m, up versus Q1 2018 of 331m when correcting for the temporary vitamin effect of 165m EBITDA following an exceptional supply disruption in the industry Full year outlook increased (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/657851/DSM_Logo.jpg ) Key figures and indicators in EUR million Q1 2019 Q1 2018 Temp. Underlying[1] vitamin Total business effect Group Sales 2,292 2,215 220 2,435 Nutrition 1,517 1,430 220 1,650 Materials 717 738 738 Adjusted EBITDA 424 373 165 538 Nutrition 316 277 165 442 Materials 127 126 126 Innovation 6 -1 -1 Corporate -25 -29 -29 EBITDA 416 361 165 526 Adjusted EBITDA margin 18.5% 16.8% 22.1% (cont.) % Change Underlying[1] FX & Temporary Organic 'other'[1] Underlying[1] vitamin Total growth total growth effect Group Sales 1% 2% 3% -9% -6% Nutrition 3% 3% 6% -14% -8% Materials -5% 2% -3% -3% Adjusted EBITDA 14% -35% -21% Nutrition 14% -43% -29% Materials 1% 1% Innovation Corporate EBITDA Adjusted EBITDA margin [1] Underlying (business) in 2018 is defined as the performance measures sales and Adjusted EBITDA, corrected for DSM's best estimate of the temporary vitamin effect. [2] Adjusted EBITDA is an Alternative Performance Measure (APM) that reflects continuing operations. [3] IFRS 16 is only effective as per 1 January 2019, the 2018 figures have not been adjusted. CEO statement Feike Sijbesma, CEO/Chairman DSM Managing Board, commented: "I am pleased to report a good start to the year, with continued positive momentum, led by our Nutrition business, while Materials continues to demonstrate its resilience. Last year we benefitted from an exceptional growth and profit contribution in Nutrition following a supply disruption in the vitamin industry. When comparing our results excluding this special event, we realized strong, double digit Adjusted EBITDA growth in the first quarter against a very strong comparable period in the Underlying business. With our business performance progressing in-line with our plans, we remain confident in our positive outlook for 2019. We are well positioned to deliver on our ambitious Strategy 2021 targets, which aim to deliver above market growth and strong financial performance, driven by our commitment to be a purpose led, performance driven science-based company in Nutrition, Health and Sustainable Living." Outlook 2019 DSM increases its full year outlook 2019 and now expects to deliver a full year 2019 high single digit increase in Adjusted EBITDA compared to prior year Underlying Adjusted EBITDA (pre-temporary vitamin effect), together with an improvement in Adjusted Net Operating Free Cash Flow in line with its Strategy 2021 targets. This outlook excludes the impact of IFRS16 (see page 18). Share Buy-Back program started As per 1 April, DSM commenced its ordinary share repurchase program of an aggregate market value of 1 billion as announced on 14 February 2019, with the intention to reduce its issued capital. This program is in addition to the usual repurchase programs which DSM executes from time to time to cover commitments under share-based compensation plans and the stock dividend. Note for the editors: for the full press release including all tables and a link to the Presentation to Investors, click here Financial calendar 8 May 2019 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders 1 August 2019 Publication of the first half year results of 2019 5 November 2019 Publication of the results of the first nine months of 2019 13 February 2020 Publication of full year 2019 results Additional Information Today DSM will hold a conference call for media at 08:00 CET and a conference call for investors and analysts at 09:00 CET. Details on how to access these calls can be found on the DSM website, http://www.dsm.com. DSM - Bright Science. Brighter Living. Royal DSM is a global, purpose-led, science-based company active in Nutrition, Health and Sustainable Living. DSM's purpose is to create brighter lives for all. DSM addresses with its products and solutions some of the world's biggest challenges while simultaneously creating economic, environmental and societal value for all its stakeholders - customers, employees, shareholders, and society at large. DSM delivers innovative solutions for human nutrition, animal nutrition, personal care and aroma, medical devices, green products and applications, and new mobility and connectivity. DSM and its associated companies deliver annual net sales of about 10 billion with approximately 23,000 employees. The company was founded in 1902 and is listed on Euronext Amsterdam. More information can be found at http://www.dsm.com. Forward Looking Statements This press release may contain forward-looking statements with respect to DSM's future (financial) performance and position. Such statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections of DSM and information currently available to the company. DSM cautions readers that such statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict and therefore it should be understood that many factors can cause actual performance and position to differ materially from these statements. DSM has no obligation to update the statements contained in this press release, unless required by law. The English language version of the press release is leading. PDF - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/882815/DSM_Q1_2019_Results_Presentation.pdf PDF - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/882816/DSM_Q1_2019_results.pdf PRN NLD Today, 7 May, at 13.30 Cavotec SA ("Cavotec or the Company") will hold its Investor Information Meeting 2019 in Stockholm. CEO Mikael Norin together with members of the executive management team will give an update on the transformation of Cavotec, the next chapter of the Company's strategy and the new financial targets that were published on 6 May, 2019. Mikael Norin, President and CEO, says: "We have during the past 18 months focused on transforming and restructuring Cavotec in order to create a strong foundation to build on after several years of stagnant revenues and declining profitability. The actions have included an extensive transformation program to increase efficiency, simplified governance, a cost reduction program, a thorough market analysis and strenghtening of the top management. With our focused strategy, presented in detail at our Investor Information Meeting today, we create prospects for future growth and increased profitability. Strategy Cavotec's strategic direction is to actively contribute to a future world that is cleaner, safer and more efficient by providing innovative connection solutions for ships, aircraft and mobile equipment today. This is broken down into the following focus growth areas: To contribute to an autonomous maritime supply chain by providing solutions for automatic mooring and loading and unloading for ultimate efficiency, solutions for clean electric power to ships and cranes and gathering of big data to monitor and improve performance. To contribute to the fully automated airport by providing solutions for airplanes when docking, with no human interactions and with all ground support services being supplied safely from in-ground, and thereby increase efficiency and avoid accidents for passengers and employees. To contribute to the fully remotely controlled mine, by supplying solutions for all mining vehicles and cranes to be controlled remotely through seamless power connection and continuous connectivity, keeping workers safe and ensure efficiency. To offer total life cycle management by helping customers focus on their core activities and maximize the availability of their assets. The company's growth strategy is supported by two continous improvement programmes to ensure financial performance: Commercial Excellence, to continuously increase efficiency and satisfaction in all customer facing, commercial activities. Operational Excellence, to continuously improve the efficiency and quality of all internal activities to better serve our customers' needs. Market outlook The continued growth in global trade increases the need for cargo and container capacity, while environmental regulations require further electrification for Cavotec's customers groups. In Ports and Maritime, the continued building of large container vessels as well as the trend with electrified vessels will require investment in crane technology and shore power, which, together with increasing focus on safety and efficiency is expected to drive demand. In airports the global growth in passenger traffic drives expansion and construction of new airports and terminals, which in turn drives the need for safe and efficient ground support equipment. In mining, rising commodity prices and the recovery of the entire mining industry drives growth, as does safety and efficiency aspects. Cavotec's total addressable market is expected to grow on average approximately 6 % annually from 2019 to 2022, broken down as follows: Ports 6 %, Maritime 3%, Airports 10% and Mining 6%. Assumptions for all key segments are based on external sources. Financial targets On May 6, 2019 the Board of Directors of Cavotec SA, based on the strategy and market outlook outlined above, adopted the following financial targets and dividend policy for the Group, which was communicated in a press release the same day. Sales Growth - Cavotec's target is to achieve an annual organic revenue growth of at least 5% from 2020, in addition to possible acquisitions. EBIT Margin - Cavotec's target is to reach an annual adjusted EBIT margin of more than 7% within two years and more than 10% within four years. Dividends - Cavotec's target is to distribute dividends of approximately 30-50% of net profits over a business cycle. Any pay-out decision will be based on the Company's financial position, investment needs, acquisitions and liquidity position. Details of Cavotec's Investor Information Meeting on 7 May, 2019 Participants from Cavotec Mikael Norin, CEO, Glenn Withers, CFO, the Division Presidents: Patrick Mares, Ports & Maritime, Juergen Strommer, Airports & Industry, Patrick Baudin, Services and Martin Riegger, COO and Group SVP Operations. Date and address The investor meeting will be held 7 May at 13.30 - 16.30 CEST, at Helio, Grev Turegatan 30 in Stockholm, Sweden. Registration The meeting will be held in English and is only for investors and analysts.To join the investor information meeting, please register by sending an email to: investorinformationday@cavotec.com Live video webcast The meeting can be followed live or as replay via the internet: https://tv.streamfabriken.com/cavotec-live-webcast-link-investor-information-meeting-2019 and also at: http://ir.cavotec.comin the section Investor Meetings. Conference call If you wish to listen to the presentation via telephone, please dial on of the following numbers: SE: +46856642692 UK: +443333009030 US: +18335268382 Presentation The presentation will be available once the presentation has started at http://ir.cavotec.com in the section Investor Meetings. ENDS For further details please contact: Johan Hahnel Investor Relations Manager Telephone: +46 70 605 63 34 Email: investor@cavotec.com This is information that Cavotec SA is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person set out above, at 07:00 CEST on 7 May 2019. Cavotec is a leading engineering group that designs and manufactures automated connection and electrification systems for ports, airports and industrial applications worldwide. We want to contribute to a future world that is cleaner, safer and more efficient by providing innovative connection solutions for ships, aircraft and mobile equipment today. To find out more about Cavotec, visit our website at cavotec.com Attachment JERUSALEM, May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- This week, the Friends of Zion Museum honored the United States Ambassadors who, as part of the Trump Initiative to fight anti-Semitism participated in the March of the Living, before visiting Israel's capital city Jerusalem. The delegation of ambassadors was led by US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman, marking another historic milestone for the Trump Administration. After the US recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital and moving the US Embassy to Jerusalem, this past month President Trump recognized the Golan Heights as part of the State of Israel. Now, the administration has encouraged several US Ambassadors to take part in the significant initiative to combat the global surge of anti-Semitism. At the honoring ceremony, Ambassador Friedman stated: "I want to thank the President once again; Israel truly has no greater friend than President Donald J. Trump and the United States of America." The American Delegation included: US Ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell, US Ambassador to Switzerland and Lichtenstein Edward McMullen, US Ambassador to Poland Georgette Mosbacher, US Ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland, US Ambassador to Spain and Andorra Duke Buchan, US Ambassador to Portugal George Edward Glass, US Ambassador to the Holy See Callista Gingrich, US Special Envoy for Monitoring and Combating Anti-Semitism Elan Carr, and Chairman Paul Packer of the United States Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad. The delegation also featured celebrity actress Suzanne Somers and her husband producer Alan Hamel. The Friends of Zion, which recently surpassed 60 million members on social media, making it one of the largest pro-Israel sites in the world, fights anti-Semitism on all of their global platforms. Following the lead of the Middle East Peace Envoy which includes Ambassador David Friedman, Special Advisor Jared Kushner and Special Representative for International Negotiations Jason Greenblatt, FOZ honored the March of the Living delegation, giving the "Friends of Zion Defender Award" to US Ambassador to Switzerland and Lichtenstein Edward McMullen on behalf of the Trump Administration for promoting Holocaust awareness and fighting anti-Semitism. FOZ also bestowed the "Friends of Zion Heritage Award" unto Paul Packer, Chairman of the United States Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad. According to Chairman Packer, "We (the delegation) were very moved by the Friends of Zion Museum. To quote the museum, when we accepted President Trump's appointment to serve the United States of America, we all said 'Hineni' ("Here Am I") to our important roles." After receiving the award, Ambassador McMullen explained that following his trip to Auschwitz, with March of the Living, his visit to the Friends of Zion Museum inspired and motivated him further to act. He stated that "I want to thank the Friends of Zion Museum for their incredible work, receiving this honor is something I could have only dreamed of." The Friends of Zion Museum activates and educates millions about Zionism and non-Jewish heroes whom have played a role in the establishment of the State of Israel and fights anti-Semitism globally. The Friends of Zion Museum has honored President Donald Trump, 43rd U.S. President George W. Bush, President Jimmy Morales of Guatemala, President Jair Bolsonaro of Brazil, 4th President Rosen Plevneliev of Bulgaria, and the Trump Administration's Middle East Peace Envoy for their unwavering support for the State of Israel and the Jewish people. The Friends of Zion also met Pope Francis, with 9th President of Israel Shimon Peres, FOZ's former International Chairman, and Dr. Mike Evans, releasing a statement condemning violence in the name of religion. The Friends of Zion Heritage Center is a $100 million-dollar project that has become one of the central institutions in the State of Israel and has become a must-see site for tourists as well as Israeli citizens. Friends of Zion Museum, 20 Yosef Rivlin Street, Jerusalem. A reservation is recommended for museum visits. Website: www.fozmuseum.com, email: reservations@fozhc.com, or phone: +972-2-532-9400. (Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/882096/Friends_of_Zion_Museum.jpg) LENZING, Austria, May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- One year ago, Lenzing launched the all-new TENCEL brand in Paris, and what a year it has been for the brand. Through its unwavering commitment to innovation, quality and sustainability, Lenzing has made great progress towards establishing our new B2Me strategy, which has helped to enhance relationships with customers, brands and retailers, and engage more closely with a growing base of impassioned conscious consumers. Building on the success in 2018, Lenzing will continue to strengthen the TENCEL brand, by leveraging and increasing consumer engagement and its co-branding portfolio. In January, Lenzing supported the "Make it Feel Right" campaign - an important awareness initiative for sustainable fashion. It also partnered with organizations for environmental preservation and support the Earth Day this year. To drive greater industry presence Lenzing opened a bespoke TENCEL Studio in Singapore in addition to collaborating with industry brands across fashion, home textile and sportswear. "Last year was a special year for the TENCEL brand, and with widespread support from our partners and customers, we are proud to see the brand evolve in such a positive way. In 2019, we will strive to further collaborate and develop valuable relationships with our partners. Our products offer unparalleled sustainability and comfort, and continuing to provide these valuable features to our customers is a core focus of our brand this year," said Robert van de Kerkhof, Chief Commercial Officer, Lenzing Group. Here's an overview of the latest TENCEL brand stories: TENCEL Supports All-New "Make it Feel Right" Campaign To Drive Greater Eco-Fibers Awareness Launched in January, the "Make it Feel Right" campaign seeks to empower consumers to make more informed choices about the clothing they purchase, care for and dispose of. International organizations, brands and thought leaders from the industry have become supporters of the movement, spreading its message across global channels. The campaign is already having an impact and promises to outreach to more people throughout the year. Bespoke TENCEL Studio Opens At Design Orchard In Singapore Lenzing has partnered with the Textile and Fashion Federation Singapore to launch the "Cocoon Space" within the innovative new hub for local fashion designers - Design Orchard. The area comprise of a TENCEL fabric library and TENCEL studio which will raise awareness about sustainable fashion design for the Singaporean fashion community. AKEMI and TENCEL Announce Bold And Innovative Collaboration Paving The Way For The Future of Bedding AKEMI has launched a new collaboration with TENCEL, showcased at a special premiere in Malaysia in April. TENCEL aims to deliver unparalleled comfort, look and moisture management to AKEMI's high quality bedding. AKEMI claims it has long been inspired by TENCEL's reputation for providing industry's best renewable fibers and its status within the sustainable fiber movement in addition to superior quality, comfort and durability made TENCEL a natural choice for AKEMI. Lenzing and Solvay Unveils Eco-Collaboration For New Sustainable Fabric Solvay and Lenzing are partnering to create innovative new fabrics derived from the best of both company's offerings. The new fabric has been created by layering TENCEL Active branded lyocell fibers with Solvay's pioneering AMNI SOUL ECO Fiber, which comprises a material that work together to enhance each other's' benefits, creating a material with unmatched thermal and moisture regulation, comfort and hygiene. TENCEL Revealed Collaboration With Renowned Designer Giray Sepin At Istanbul Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Giray Sepin's Fall Winter 2019 offering in collaboration with TENCEL was unveiled at the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Istanbul, delivering the brand's signature style with a focus on eco-fashion. The collection reimagines utilitarian garments in bold colorways with an impressive attention to detail. TENCEL Enriches Homes And Interiors Offerings, Bringing REFIBRA To Heimtexil And Collaborating With Luxury Home Brand Whinny In China TENCEL has begun venturing into the home & interior fiber development by bringing REFIBRA technology to Heimtexil and awarding their one of the first China premium brand partnership to luxury home textile brand Whinny. These developments addressed the industry's need for further transparency and growing demand for sustainable products. Why reDEW8 Does What It Does For Denim TENCEL spoke to reDEW8 co-owner Peter Lantz about the brand's mission to combat disposable, unsustainable fashion, and challenge the fast-fashion culture. Peter discusses how he is using this collaboration with TENCEL brand to motivate others to minimize the detrimental impact of fashion on the environment, encouraging shoppers to consider environment preservation and rethink the quality of fast-fashion garments and push for more industry transparency. Why Girls Are Going Boyish When It Comes To Jeans? Boyish Jeans' Creative Director Jordan Nodarse chatted with TENCEL team to discuss Boyish Jeans' origin story, latest and future projects, product concept, sustainability, current trends, and Jordan's own denim journey, and most importantly, why they chose to use TENCEL branded fibers to produce their jeans. TENCEL Launches Eco-Campaigns In Honor Of Earth Month 2019 in US And Taiwan As part of Lenzing's global environmental strategy, the company launched campaigns in key markets as a part of Earth Month this year. TENCEL collaborated with US-based NGO One Tree Planted on a new campaign entitled "From Trees, For Trees" through donating trees. It also launched its first green initiative "Green Taiwan, Green Earth" in Taiwan by partnering with Blue Magpie Tea, utilize technology and contractual farming system to protect local tea farms. Click here for more details. Company continues to experience fast growth, now with over 1 million users as enterprise demand for smart document creation and management increases COPENHAGEN, Denmark and LONDON and AMSTERDAM and BERLIN and NEW YORK, May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Templafy , a Danish-founded company providing a SaaS platform for brand governance and productivity across enterprise business documents and other employee-produced content, has announced today that it has acquired Netherlands-based iWRITER, a Microsoft Office solution for brand identity & template management. With more than 350,000 users at 1,200 businesses, iWRITER (like Templafy) gives access to Office templates in PowerPoint, Outlook, Word and Excel. Assets like corporate identity, logos and linked data are all streamlined and connected to other databases, giving users access to their corporate branding content, images and marketing communications, worldwide. "Adding iWRITER to Templafy's enterprise communication productivity platform continues to improve the overall offering for our current and future enterprise customers around the globe," said Templafy's CEO, Jesper Theill Eriksen. "Users can look forward to even better functionality from the combined entity in the near future." With the acquisition of Berlin-based Veodin and SlideProof in August 2018 and now the expansion with iWRITER, Templafy's growing platform of offerings not only reaches a wider range of customers, but also proves to be at the forefront of the enterprise template management and document creation industry. "Merging with Templafy allows us to become a global leader in template management solutions, where we can offer additional products under the Templafy name," said Arjen Hartog, managing director at iWRITER. "Not only are the business growth opportunities endless, but Templafy is also a great culture fit, which has made this acquisition the right decision for us moving forward." About Templafy Templafy brings custom company templates, brand assets, and best practice content together directly inside any office application, streamlining how users create on-brand and compliant documents, presentations, and emails. With Templafy, global businesses safeguard their brand integrity and increase productivity through a centrally governed, secure and easy to use platform. Founded in Copenhagen, Denmark in 2014, Templafy's team leveraged more than 15 years of experience in template management and document automation to develop an enterprise cloud service solution, which is now a global market leader within its category, validated by blue-chip enterprise customers on every continent. For more information on Templafy's product and company, visit www.templafy.com, or follow us on LinkedIn or Twitter: @templafy CONTACT: Cara Lutz, 312-561-2484, cara.lutz@walkersands.com Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/730604/templafy_with_text_512px_blue_Logo.jpg The Skybox-Indegy technical alliance will help organizations see and understand risks in connected IT and operational technology networks SAN JOSE, Calif., May 07, 2019, a global leader in cyber risk management, has announced its integration with Indegy, a leader in industrial cybersecurity, to help organizations better understand the security posture of hybrid IT and operational technology (OT) networks. "OT networks have been a mystery to IT security teams," said Skybox Security VP of Products Amrit Williams. "But more and more, CISOs are being tasked with getting a handle on security in OT environments. That starts with literally being able to see and understand the connections between the corporate and production networks, visualizing how the two impact one another's risk of attack. Our integration with Indegy further strengthens the visibility and insight we give customers with hybrid IT-OT networks, so they can accurately prioritize and respond to those risks." The integration between Skybox and Indegy provides customers with seamless visibility of their IT and OT networks. The combination of Indegy's passive and active data collection from the OT network is relayed to Skybox where OT assets, services and vulnerabilities are modeled alongside those from the IT environment. With Skybox's understanding of the hybrid network topology and security controls, it can simulate access between and within networks, and determine the reachability of vulnerable assets. Skybox also provides more context to Indegy's vulnerability data, highlighting exposed and exploitable vulnerabilities, prioritizing their remediation and generating tickets to kick off the workflow. "Having a bird's eye view of a hybrid IT-OT network is hugely valuable," said Indegy CTO Mille Gandelsman. "Where Skybox provides a high-level view and insight into the corporate network, Indegy allows users to maintain deep visibility into industrial control system networks and device-level changes and provides rich, reliable information. Rolling these capabilities into a single solution will help align IT security teams with OT engineers to ensure cyber risks are understood and remedied without undue disruption." To learn more about the capabilities and benefits of the Skybox-Indegy integration, read the technology brief . About Skybox Security www.skyboxsecurity.com Skybox provides the industry's broadest cybersecurity management platform to address security challenges within large, complex networks. By integrating with more than 130 networking and security technologies, the Skybox Security Suite provides comprehensive attack surface visibility and the context needed for informed action. Our analytics, automation and intelligence improve the efficiency and performance of security operations in vulnerability and threat management and firewall and security policy management for the world's largest organizations. About Indegy www.indegy.com Indegy, a leader in industrial cyber security, protects industrial control systemis powered by patented technology that arms security and operations teams with full visibility, security and control of ICS activity and threats by combining hybrid, policy-based monitoring and network anomaly detection with unique device integrity checks. Indegy solutions are installed in manufacturing, pharmaceutical, energy, water and other industrial organizations around the world. 2019 Skybox Security, Inc. All rights reserved. Skybox Security and the Skybox Security logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Skybox Security, Inc., in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Product specifications subject to change at any time without prior notice. Tweet This: .@SkyboxSecurity and @IndegyCom launch tech integration to strengthen cybersecurity in criticalinfrastructure and manufacturing http://ow.ly/ikNY30o0szD operationaltechnology ICS SCADA SKYBOX PR CONTACT INFORMATION Victoria Davis Schmidt Corporate Communications for Skybox Security +1 571 340 0181 | Victoria.Schmidt@skyboxsecurity.com OneChocolate for Skybox Security United Kingdom: Daniel Couzens +44 Germany: Stephanie Thoma +49 France: Xavier Delhome +33 1 41 31 75 09 | xavier@onechocolate.fr Alliance Public Relations Pvt. Ltd. India: Meenakshi Lenka +91-9810577773 | meenakshi@proalliancepr.co INDEGY PR CONTACT INFORMATION 7 May 2019 Acron Board of Directors Issues Dividend Recommendation In preparation for the annual general meeting to be held on 30 May 2019, Acron's Board of Directors met on 7 May 2019 and considered the following agenda items: Reviewing Acron's 2018 annual financial statements (accounts) Considering recommendations on Acron's profit and loss distribution for 2018 Paying (declaring) dividends for 2018, determining their amount and form of payment Considering the auditor's reports on Acron's 2018 statements Approving the terms and conditions of an agreement for Acron's Registrar to act as counting commission at Acron's annual general meeting on 30 May 2019 Determining the Board's position on agenda items for Acron's annual general meeting The Board of Directors recommended that the annual general meeting pay (declare) cash dividends of RUB 135 per Acron share for 2018. The total amount allocated for dividends is RUB 5,472 million. The Board also proposed a record date of 11 June 2019 for persons entitled to dividends. All the information to be provided to persons entitled to attend the shareholder meeting will be made available on the corporate website on 8 May 2019 and submitted to the central depositary. It will also be available at the Company's offices. Mediacontacts: Sergey Dorofeev Anastasiya Gromova Tatiana Smirnova Public Relations Phone: +7 (495) 777-08-65 (ext. 5196) Investor contacts: Ilya Popov Investor Relations Phone: +7 (495) 745-77-45 (ext. 5252) Background Information Acron Group is a leading vertically integrated mineral fertiliser producer in Russia and globally, with chemical production facilities in Veliky Novgorod (Acron) and the Smolensk region (Dorogobuzh). The Group owns and operates a phosphate mine in Murmansk region (North-Western Phosphorous Company, NWPC) and is implementing a potash development project in Perm Krai (Verkhnekamsk Potash Company, VPC). It owns transportation and logistics infrastructure, including three Baltic port terminals and distribution networks in Russia and China. Acron's subsidiary, North Atlantic Potash Inc. (NAP), holds mining licences for 11 parcels of the potassium salt deposit at Prairie Evaporite, Saskatchewan, Canada. Acron also holds a minority stake (19.8%) in Polish Grupa Azoty, one of the largest chemical producers in Europe. In 2018, the Group sold 7.3 million tonnes of various products to 67 countries, with Russia, Brazil, Europe and the United States as key markets. In 2018, the Group posted consolidated IFRS revenue of RUB 108,062 million (USD 1,723 million) and net profit of RUB 13,318 million (USD 212 million). Acron's shares are on the Level 1 quotation list of the Moscow Exchange and its global depositary receipts are traded at the London Stock Exchange (ticker AKRN). Acron employs approximately 11,000 people. For more information about Acron Group, please visit www.acron.ru/en. Microsoft Azure-based offering uses pre-defined templates to ensure best-practice deployments using SAP Solution Manager WARREN, New Jersey and BANGALORE, India, May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Mindtree, a global technology services and digital transformation company, today announced the availability of QuikDeploy, an IP-driven approach to helping customers maximize their use of the SAP Solution Manager. This flexible industry accelerator is tailor-made to rapidly deploy SAP S/4HANAinto Microsoft Azure cloud. SAP Solution Manager is a state-of-the-art management platform to derive maximum value from SAP S/4HANA deployments, and is included as part of SAP support engagements. Many businesses struggle to fully maximize the functionality within SAP Solution Manager, primarily because they lack the right skills and expertise. As a result, they can't accelerate their SAP S/4HANA implementations and are slow to benefit from SAP provided tools. Mindtree is introducing QuikDeploy to ensure enterprises kick-start both their SAP S/4HANA journey and cloud journey using the Azure platform. Serving as the central command console within an organization's SAP landscape, QuikDeploy simplifies and accelerates the deployment of SAP Solution Manager. The Azure-led solution is built on a flexible run model, reducing the amount of time, effort and cost it takes to manage and operate SAP applications effectively. Mindtree will demonstrate QuikDeploy's capabilities at SAPPHIRE NOW 2019 and ASUG Annual Conference, May 7-9, 2019, in Orlando, FL. "The dramatic shift in customers' expectations are driving organizations to partner with a team of experts that can reduce risk and bring value through consistent, high quality support. This enables rapid digital transformation and customer-focused improvements," said Arun Rangaraju, Global Head of SAP at Mindtree. "QuikDeploy is our latest accelerator that underscores our commitment to help clients run as an intelligent and data-driven enterprise. Our strong partnership with Microsoft, our long history with Azure and our expertise with SAP makes us well-poised to help our clients jump-start their S/4HANA journey." The development and adaptation of a new SAP infrastructure is multifaceted and, if done incorrectly, can lead to increased administrative burdens and time-consuming maintenance work. QuikDeploy eases the complexity of a customer SAP landscape. The accelerator uses a set of algorithms to monitor and profile the customer's non-production systems, providing them with greater insight into issues across the IT landscape that could impact the company's ability to meet future obligations. Monitoring templates can be customized to fit the customers' specific needs, powered by the global flexibility of Microsoft Azure. At booth #1620, Mindtree will be showcasing its entire portfolio of accelerators that enhance the digital core, increase ROI and reduce implementation time by up to 35%. Attendees can learn about Mindtree's full breadth of service offerings that help some of the world's leading organizations optimize their journey to a data-driven, automated and intelligent enterprise, including: Automated and Intelligent Support - Mindtree enables reduced costs, supports rapid innovation, DevOps and automates tasks in real time with AI and chatbot-powered managed service offerings. AI-Powered Delivery - Mindtree dramatically lowers the risk of a company's modernization journey and offers real-time project management with AI Powered Delivery. 'REBot' is the industry leading core of Mindtree's AI-Powered Delivery and is powered by SAP Conversational AI technologies and SAP's Solution Manager. In addition, executives from Mindtree's award-winning SAP practice will lead six informative TED-style sessions at the show: Brenton O'Callaghan , Global Head of SAP Innovation, Mindtree: "On-time in-full- are you waving goodbye to 3% of your revenue needlessly?" , Global Head of SAP Innovation, Mindtree: "On-time in-full- are you waving goodbye to 3% of your revenue needlessly?" Chris Kernaghan , Global Head of Database and Technology, Mindtree: "Exploring 3 places to bring innovation to your SAP operations today" , Global Head of Database and Technology, Mindtree: "Exploring 3 places to bring innovation to your SAP operations today" Sue Kirby , Global Head of Analytics and EPM, Mindtree: "How to use Advanced Analytics and predictive offerings to increase revenue" , Global Head of Analytics and EPM, Mindtree: "How to use Advanced Analytics and predictive offerings to increase revenue" Michael Broberg , Global Head of SAP S/4HANA Mindtree: "Let's discuss common CFIN and S/4HANA implementation strategies" , Global Head of SAP S/4HANA Mindtree: "Let's discuss common CFIN and S/4HANA implementation strategies" Alan Kryszewski , SAP EPM CoE Lead, Mindtree: "Building the right internal CoE structure to become an intelligent enterprise" , SAP EPM CoE Lead, Mindtree: "Building the right internal CoE structure to become an intelligent enterprise" Shivkumar S, Global Head of SAP Managed Services, Mindtree: "Exploring our next-gen SAP AMS platform to drive efficiencies in your support organization" 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 349 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 SAP, SAPPHIRE NOW and other SAP products and services mentioned herein as well as their respective logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of SAP SE (or an SAP affiliate company) in Germany and other countries. See http://www.sap.com/corporate-en/legal/copyright/index.epx for additional trademark information and notices. All other product and service names mentioned are the trademarks of their respective companies. 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 +1-978-518-4542 mindtree@matternow.com EUROPE Susie Wyeth Hotwire +44-20-7608-4657 susie.wyeth@hotwireglobal.com Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/633364/Mindtree_Logo.jpg HONG KONG / ACCESSWIRE / May 7, 2019 / The largest digital assets exchange in Hong Kong, TideBit has closed the cornerstone sales of its exchange token TBT end of last month, together with upcoming public sales, TideBit is expected to raise a total of USD 30 million. TideBit aims to become the world's first "Consumer-Investor Token" trading platform and it is expected to launch before July. According to TideBit, TideBit Token (TBT) recorded a 14% cornerstone lottery winning rate with over 10,000 individual users and several internationally renowned digital asset investment institutions subscribed to the lottery. The most important purpose of this fund raise is to build the "Consumer-Investor Token" trading platform. The theoretical basis of "Consumer-Investor Token" suggested by Mr. Chen Ping, a Chinese economic reformer, entrepreneur, founder of TideBit and TideiSUN Group proposed the new economic principles: Demand Creates Value. This new economic principle is backed by a series of institutional and operation system. Though the use of blockchain technology and characteristic of tokenized economy. TideBit will be the first exchange to put this concept into practice. "Consumer-Investor Token" will empower the consumers to obtain the benefit and profit from commodity token though consumption. The value of consumption can be reflected and quantified in the process of enterprise development, consumers will have the right to speak and enjoy the benefits from economic growth. In the end, social differentiation will be reduced, interest and organizational relations will be reconstructed, solving the problem of capitalist oligopoly and overproduction; driving capitalism into a state of sustainable development. So far there are 20 companies in nine different segments from China, Japan and Taiwan are willing to issue their consumer-investor token. Contact:media@pressreleaseemail.com SOURCE: TideBit View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/544224/TideBit-Expected-to-Complete-a-30-Million-Sales-for-its-Exchange-Token-TBT New appointments to strengthen the FINEOS Board in support of market expansion and company growth FINEOS Corporation, the market-leading provider of group, voluntary and individual core systems for life, accident and health insurance, today announced that Ms Anne O'Driscoll and Dr Martin Fahy have joined the FINEOS Board as Non-Executive Directors. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190507005496/en/ l-r Anne O'Driscoll, Martin Fahy, Michael Kelly, Peter Le Beau, Gilles Biscay, Tom Wall (Photo: Business Wire) Anne is a chartered accountant and is on the boards of Comminsure insurance, Steadfast Group Limited and Infomedia Limited, as well as MDA National Pty Limited. Anne began her career with PwC in London. She moved to Sydney, Australia, with PwC and then in 1992 she joined IAG insurance, one of Australia's largest insurers. Following 13 years with IAG Anne moved to Genworth Australia, as CFO. She is well known within the Australian insurance market and has an exemplary track record as a company director. Martin is currently the CEO of the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA). He was previously a partner at KPMG, where he worked with clients across financial services and other sectors to drive transformational change. From 2007 to 2011, Martin was CEO at the Financial Services Institute of Australasia (FINSIA). Prior to FINSIA, he led strategy and development for the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) in Asia Pacific. Martin holds a PhD from the National University of Ireland, is a former senior Fulbright scholar and has extensive research and policy experience from his time as an academic. He is also an Adjunct Professor at the University of Technology Sydney, where he is also Chair of the Centre for Management and Organisational Studies (CMOS) Advisory Board. Dr Fahy will be the keynote presenter at the FINEOS APAC Summit, which will be taking place in Sydney on May 23. We are looking forward to his presentation entitled "The Changing Insurance Landscape: Delivering Flawless Execution and Transformation in an Increasingly Regulated World." "We are delighted that Anne and Martin have agreed to serve as FINEOS directors and look forward to benefitting from their judgment and insight. Their experience across financial services and IT transformation will add a valuable perspective to our Board" said Peter le Beau, Chairman of the FINEOS Board. About FINEOS Corporation FINEOS has over 50 life, accident and health insurance customers globally; including 7 of the top ten carriers in the US and 4 of the top 5 carriers in Australia. With employees and offices throughout the world, FINEOS continues to scale rapidly, working with innovative progressive carriers in North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific. The FINEOS Platform provides full end to end core claims, billing and policy administration for group, voluntary and individual business across life, accident and health. The FINEOS Platform includes the FINEOS AdminSuite core product suite as well as add-on products, FINEOS Engage to support digital engagement and FINEOS Insight for analytics and reporting. For more information, visit www.FINEOS.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190507005496/en/ Contacts: Victoria Jamison Marketing Manager FINEOS Corporation + 353 1 639 9700 victoria.jamison@FINEOS.com ALBANY, New York, May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Advanced medical need enhances the demand for nurse call system across the world, which in turn drives the global nurse call systems market. Investment in healthcare needs by patients and their immediate families provides a grip over the nurse call systems market. The global nurse call systems market is likely to expand at a CAGR of 10.9% during the forecast period 2018 to 2026. Also, it is expected to reach an estimated valuation of US$2, 665.98 mn by the end of forecast period. In terms of Geography, North America is expected to dominate the global nurse system market due to its rising geriatric population in the region. Simultaneously, Asia Pacific is expected to register a higher growth in the region due to increased demand for safe and secure wired nurse call solutions. Nurse call systems market is segmented in to intercoms, audio/video system, digital, mobile system, and IP system. However, IP system is expected to register a highest growth during the forecast period. Get PDF Brochure for Research Insights at https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=2173 Rising Demand of Diseases to Bolster Demand Rising number of diseases paralysis, immobility due to surgeries, and other acute diseases creates a demand for nurse call system. Rise in disposable income and health care expenses drives the global nurse system market to strengthen during the forecast period. Additionally, geriatric population and availability of medical insurance to cover the expenses pushes the global nurse call systems market. Moreover, wireless connectivity in communication is growing at a rapid rate. Improved and innovative technology also acts as a catalyst in the expansion of the global nurse call systems market. With the availability of advanced technology, improved products such as inter connecting nurse call system with mobile phones and nurse station in the hospitals contributes to the expansion of nurse call systems market. Thus, the global nurse call systems market is expected to witness a staggering growth during the forecast period. Request a Sample of Report at https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=2173 Hospitals & Old age Homes to Strengthen Market Large demand comes from multi-specialty hospitals due to rising number of patients seeking in house treatments. This calls for integration of sophisticated solutions keeping patient's need and care into consideration. Rising number of emergency cases also fuels the market for nurse call systems. Due to rise in the number of aging population, there's a high demand for old age homes or assisted living to cater to their medical needs. Off late, the number of old age homes or assisted living care providers are increasing This creates an increased demand for the nurse call system pushing the global nurse call systems market to stellar growth during the forecast period. Request For Discount On This Report - https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=D&rep_id=2173 A Transparency Market Research (TMR) report elucidates on competitive market in the global nurse call market. Some prominent players in the market are Azure Healthcare Ltd., Ascom Holding AG, Jeron Electronic System, Inc., Hill -Rom Holdings, Inc., and Tek Tone Sound & Signal Mfg., Inc. The global nurse call systems market is highly competitive. These companies are under cut throat competition and in a race to outdo each other. They are adopting different strategies to introduce improved products at a better price. They are expected entire into partnerships and acquisition to enhance their position the global market. These companies are investing in technology for innovative products to gain over the competitive edge in the global nurse call system. Request For Custom Research - https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=CR&rep_id=2173 The above review is based on a TMR report, titled," Nurse Call Systems Market (Equipment - Nurse Call Intercoms, Basic Audio/Visual Nurse Call Systems, Digital Nurse Call Systems, IP-based Nurse Call Systems, and Nurse Call Mobile Systems; Communication Technology - Wireless Communication and Wired Communication; End-user: Hospitals, Assisted Living Centers, Nursing Homes, and Clinics) - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Volume, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2018 - 2026" Popular Research Reports by TMR: Dental Dam Sheets Market - https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/dental-dam-sheets-market.html https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/dental-dam-sheets-market.html Home Care Ventilators Market - https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/home-care-ventilators-market.html https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/home-care-ventilators-market.html Value-based Health Care Services Market - https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/valuebased-health-care-services-market.html https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/valuebased-health-care-services-market.html Nasal Packing Devices Market - https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/nasal-packing-devices-market.html About Us Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The company's exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend 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. TMR's data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With extensive research and analysis capabilities, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques to develop distinctive data sets and research material for business reports. Contact: Mr. Rohit Bhisey Transparency Market Research State Tower, 90 State Street, Suite 700, Albany NY - 12207 United States Tel: +1-518-618-1030 USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453 Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.com Website: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Research Blog: http://www.europlat.org/ Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/664869/Transparency_Market_Research_Logo.jpg VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 07, 2019)) ("Rockridge" or the "Company") is pleased to report additional results from its inaugural winter diamond drilling program at its flagship Knife Lake Project located in Saskatchewan (the "Knife Lake Project" or "Property"). Interpretation and QA/QC has been completed on drill holes KF19003, KF19004 and KF19005, and additional results on the remaining seven holes will be released as interpretation and QA/QC work is completed. Rockridge recently entered into an Option Agreement with Eagle Plains Resources Ltd. to acquire a 100% interest in the Property that covers the majority of the historical Knife Lake Cu-Zn-Ag-Co VMS deposit. The contiguous claims total approximately 85,196 hectares and are located approximately 50 km northwest of Sandy Bay, Saskatchewan. Knife Lake VMS Project Map: http://www.rockridgeresourcesltd.com/_resources/Knife_Lake_Region_20181011.pdf The analytical results are summarized below and indicate high grade intercepts in all three holes including a broad intercept in KF19003. Drill hole KF19003 intersected net-textured to semi-massive sulphide mineralization from 11.2m to 48.8m downhole. This 37.6m interval returned 2.03% Cu, 0.19 g/t Au, 9.88 g/t Ag, 0.36% Zn, and 0.01% Co for an estimated 2.42% CuEq. Drill hole KF19004 intersected net-textured sulphide mineralization from 33.2m to 36.5m downhole. This 3.4m interval returned 1.01% Cu, 0.08 g/t Au, 4.21 g/t Ag, 0.19% Zn, and 0.02% Co for an estimated 1.25% CuEq. Drill hole KF19005 intersected net-textured sulphide mineralization from 32.0m to 36.5m downhole. This 4.5m interval returned 1.03% Cu, 0.06 g/t Au, 3.98 g/t Ag, and 0.15% Co for an estimated 1.20% CuEq. Anomalous gallium (up to 25.6 ppm) and indium (up to 15.2 ppm) were also intersected in the mineralized zones of all three holes. Of particular note, drill hole KF19003 confirmed high grade mineralization up-dip of KF19002, in an area where no historical drilling has been reported. KF19004 and KF19005 both confirmed mineralization up-dip of historically drilled high grade mineralization. Highlighted intersections from the three drill holes are reported in the table below. Rockridge's President and CEO, Jordan Trimble commented: "The results from drill hole KF19003, specifically 2.42% CuEq over 37.6m, have far exceeded our expectations and represents one of the best holes ever drilled on the project. It is important to note that this drill hole was collared in an area where no historical drilling has been reported. As such these drill results are expected to have a positive impact on the historical resource. Final results from the remaining seven drill holes are pending and will provide steady news flow and catalysts over the near term." Drill Hole Results Table for Holes KF19003, KF19004 and KF19005: Hole From To Core Length* Cu Au Ag Zn Co CuEq** (m) (m) (m) (%) (g/t) (g/t) (%) (%) (%) KF19003 11.20 48.80 37.60 2.03 0.19 9.88 0.36 0.01 2.42 Includes 24.75 37.90 13.15 4.31 0.37 21.48 0.75 0.02 5.05 Includes 30.00 37.90 7.90 5.98 0.49 29.28 0.94 0.03 6.96 Includes 30.00 34.00 4.00 7.54 0.63 37.16 1.32 0.05 8.92 Includes 31.00 33.00 2.00 10.33 0.60 50.60 1.18 0.01 11.43 KF19004 33.15 36.50 3.35 1.01 0.08 4.21 0.19 0.02 1.25 KF19005 32.00 36.50 4.50 1.03 0.06 3.98 0.15 0.01 1.20 Includes 33.00 35.00 2.00 1.72 0.10 6.32 0.22 0.01 1.97 * Drill indicated intercepts (core length) are reported as drilled widths. True thickness is undetermined ** Assumptions used in USD for the copper equivalent calculation were metal prices of $2.80/lb Cu, $18.00/lb Co, $1,300/oz Au, $17.00/oz Ag, $1.20/lb Zn and a processing cost of $11.55/tonne. Copper equivalent (CuEq) was calculated using the formula CuEq = Cu% + ((Zn%*Zn Price*Zn Recovery*Zn Payable*22.0462) + (Co%*Co Price *Co Recovery*Co Payable*22.0462)+ (Augpt*Au Price*Au Recovery*Au Payable/31.1035) + (Ag *Ag Price*Ag Recovery*Ag Payable/31.1035)) / (Cu price*CuRecovery*Cu payable*22.0462) The Company completed twelve holes consisting of 1,053m of diamond drilling in the 2019 winter drilling program. This represents the first work on the property since 2001 and has two primary objectives: confirm the tenor of mineralization reported by previous operators and expand known zones of mineralization. All activities will advance the project toward the goal of completing a NI 43-101 compliant mineral resource estimate. Knife Lake Plan Map and Drill Collar Locations: http://www.rockridgeresourcesltd.com/_resources/maps/Knife-Lake-Plan-Map-2019_v2.pdf Compilation and initial modelling indicates a potential for expansion of the historical deposit at depth. The current drilling has been focused on resource upgrade and expansion as well as infill drilling between historical holes. The program will also give the Company's technical team valuable insights into the property geology, alteration, and mineralization that will be applied to future regional exploration on the highly prospective and underexplored land package. Knife Lake contains typical VMS mineralogy which has been significantly modified and partially remobilized during the emplacement of granitic rocks. Therefore, the known historical deposit may represent a remobilized portion of a presumably larger "primary" VMS deposit based on general observations about the mineralogy, mineral textures and metal ratios in the deposit. Most of the historical work consisted of shallow drilling at the deposit area with little regional work carried out and limited deeper drilling below the deposit. As a result, there is strong discovery potential both at depth and regionally. Recap of First 2 Drill Holes from Current Drill Program: Previously reported diamond drill hole KF19001 intersected net-textured to fracture-controlled sulphide mineralization from 7.5m to 40.6m downhole. This 33.1m interval returned 1.28% Cu, 0.12 g/t Au, 4.80 g/t Ag, 0.13% Zn, and 0.01% Co for an estimated 1.49% CuEq. Previously reported diamond drill hole KF19002 intersected net-textured to semi-massive sulphide mineralization from 9.7m to 53.5m downhole. This 43.8m interval returned 0.78% Cu, 0.07 g/t Au, 2.54 g/t Ag, 0.07% Zn, and 0.01% Co for an estimated 0.93% CuEq. Anomalous gallium (up to 23.1 ppm) and indium (up to 15.2 ppm) were intersected in the mineralized zones of both holes. Drill Results Table from Previously Reported Holes KF19001 and KF19002: Hole From To Core Length* Cu Au Ag Zn Co CuEq** (m) (m) (m) (%) (g/t) (g/t) (%) (%) (%) KF19001 7.50 40.60 33.10 1.28 0.12 4.80 0.13 0.01 1.49 Upper Int. 7.50 13.60 6.10 1.67 0.21 7.20 0.31 0.01 1.99 Includes 7.50 11.50 4.00 2.29 0.29 9.80 0.43 0.01 2.72 Middle Int. 19.50 24.10 4.60 1.70 0.14 5.90 0.15 0.01 1.94 Includes 21.50 23.50 2.00 2.06 0.23 8.20 0.26 0.02 2.46 Lower Int. 30.70 40.60 9.90 1.56 0.13 6.10 0.11 0.02 1.81 Includes 36.70 38.70 2.00 3.37 0.33 14.40 0.26 0.03 3.88 KF19002 9.70 53.50 43.80 0.78 0.07 2.54 0.07 0.01 0.93 Includes 24.30 42.00 17.70 1.27 0.11 3.71 0.07 0.02 1.47 Includes 25.40 30.50 5.10 2.03 0.10 5.04 0.11 0.02 2.28 Includes 29.50 30.50 1.00 5.97 0.21 15.4 0.28 0.04 6.49 * Drill indicated intercepts (core length) are reported as drilled widths and true thickness is undetermined ** Assumptions used in USD for the copper equivalent calculation were metal prices of $2.80/lb Cu, $18.00/lb Co, $1,300/oz Au, $17.00/oz Ag, $1.20/lb Zn and a processing cost of $11.55/tonne. Copper equivalent (CuEq) was calculated using the formula CuEq = Cu% + ((Zn%*Zn Price*Zn Recovery*Zn Payable*22.0462) + (Co%*Co Price *Co Recovery*Co Payable*22.0462) + (Augpt*Au Price*Au Recovery*Au Payable/31.1035) + (Ag *Ag Price*Ag Recovery*Ag Payable/31.1035)) / (Cu price*CuRecov*Cupayable*22.0462) Knife Lake Geology and History: The Knife Lake Project is interpreted to be a remobilized VMS deposit. The stratabound mineralized zone is approximately 15m thick and contains copper, silver, zinc and cobalt mineralization which dips 30 to 45 eastward over a strike-length of 4,500m, with an average horizontal width of approximately 300m. Over 400 diamond drill holes have been completed in and around the current property boundaries, with much of this historic drill core stored under cover and in very good condition. A 357kV powerline runs within 16 km of the Knife Lake Deposit area, greatly enhancing the project's infrastructure. Knife Lake Deposit Map: http://www.rockridgeresourcesltd.com/_resources/Knife_Lake_Location_and_Highlights_20181011.pdf The deposit is hosted by felsic to intermediate volcanic and volcaniclastic rocks which have been metamorphosed to upper amphibolite facies. The deposit contains VMS mineralogy which has been significantly modified and partially remobilized during the emplacement of granitic rocks. The mineralization straddles the boundary between two rock units and occurs on both limbs of an interpreted overturned fold. The Knife Lake area saw extensive exploration from the late 1960s to the 1990s with the last documented work program completed in 2001. Between 1996 and 1998, Leader completed 315 diamond drill holes, outlining a broad zone of mineralization occurring at a depth of less than 100 metres (AF 63M-0006, Report 10). Late in 1998, Leader published a historical estimate for the deposit, reporting a drill-indicated resource of 20.3 million tonnes grading 0.6% Cu, 0.1 g/t Au, 3.0 g/t Ag, 0.06% Co and 0.11% Zn. Within the historical estimate, there is a higher grade zone containing 11.0 million tonnes grading 0.75% Cu in addition to other metals (SMDI 0406). All disclosed historical estimates were completed prior to the passing of NI 43-101 into law and as such the Company advises that these mineral resource estimates, as disclosed, are not supported by a compliant National Instrument 43-101 technical report, contrary to NI 43-101. A qualified person has not done sufficient work to classify these historical estimates as current mineral resources or mineral reserves in accordance with NI 43-101. The above resource estimates are from the Saskatchewan Mineral Deposit Index (SMDI) 0406. The Company is not treating the historical estimates as current mineral resources or mineral reserves. These estimates do not comply to categories prescribed by National Instrument 43-101 or the Canadian Institute of Mining, and are disclosed only as indications of the presence of mineralization and are considered to be a guide for additional work. The historical models and data sets used to prepare these historical estimates are not available to Rockridge and the author is not aware of any more recent resource estimates or data. The 1998 historical resource was calculated using the cross-section method and used assay data from 241 Leader holes and from 6 other holes drilled prior to Leader's drilling. A cutoff grade of 0.3% copper-equivalent and a minimum composite length of 3.0 meters was used. Holes were plotted on vertical drill sections ranging from Section 20760 N to Section 24905 N, covering a strike length of 4,145 meters. The categories used for the Leader Mining 1998 historical resource estimates are stated as being "drill-indicated". This is not a resource category as defined under 43-101 CP Section 2.4 (1) and (2)6 but based on the methodologies and drill hole spacing it would likely be equivalent to an inferred resource category. QA/QC: Samples were sent for geochemical analysis with ALS Global, Vancouver for the following analyses: 48 element four acid ICP-MS (ME-MS61) and gold (Au) 30 g Fire Assay - AA finish (Au-AA23). Over limit analysis were completed using the following analyses: Ore Grade copper (Cu), nickel (Ni) and zinc (Zn) - four acid ICP-AES (ME-OG62). On receipt of final certificates of analysis, the QA/QC sample results were reviewed to ensure the order of samples were reported correctly, that the blanks ran clean, and that the results for each standard had minimal variance from its certified value. QA/QC for the Knife Lake drilling included certified reference material ("CRM's") and blanks that were inserted into each sample batch in order to verify the analytical from the lab. The CRM's from the first five drill holes reported passed within 2 standard deviations and the blanks returned acceptable values. All of the lab internal standards and duplicates were within acceptable values. DrillCollar Summary Table: Hole ID Easting Northing Elevation Azimuth Dip Depth (m) (m) (m) (m) KF19001 641595.5 6194192.6 387 283 -90 90 KF19002 641622.7 6194154.3 389 283 -65 90 KF19003 641606 6194157 389 280 -55 90 KF19004 641566.8 6194120.1 390 283 -70 90 KF19005 641551.6 6194016.9 388 283 -70 90 Qualified Person: Richard Kusmirski, P.Geo., a "qualified person" for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, and a Director of Rockridge Resources Ltd., has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical disclosure in this news release. About Rockridge Resources Ltd. Rockridge Resources is a new publicly traded mineral exploration company focused on the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral resource properties in Canada, specifically copper and base metal projects. The Company's flagship project is the Knife Lake Project located in Saskatchewan, which is ranked as the #3 mining jurisdiction in the world by the Fraser Institute. The project hosts the Knife Lake deposit, which is a VMS, near-surface copper-cobalt-gold-silver-zinc deposit open along strike and at depth. There is strong discovery potential in and around the deposit area as well as at regional targets on the 85,196-hectare property. Rockridge's goal is to maximize shareholder value through new mineral discoveries, committed long-term partnerships, and the advancement of exploration projects in geopolitically favourable jurisdictions. Rockridge Resources Ltd. "Jordan Trimble" Jordan Trimble President and CEO For further information contact myself or: Nick Findler Corporate Development and Communications Rockridge Resources Ltd. Telephone: 604-639-3850 Toll Free: 800-567-8181 Facsimile: 604-687-3119 Email: nfindler@rockridgeresourcesltd.com NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THE CONTENT OF THIS NEWS RELEASE. Forward Looking Statements: Statements included in this announcement, including statements concerning our plans, intentions and expectations, which are not historical in nature are intended to be, and are hereby identified as, "forward-looking statements". Forward-looking statements may be identified by words including "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "expects" and similar expressions. The Company cautions readers that forward-looking statements, including without limitation those relating to the Company's future operations and business prospects, are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. SAN FRANCISCO, May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The global seasonings and spices market size is expected to reach USD 20.46 billion by 2025, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc., expanding at a CAGR of 3.9% during the forecast period. Changing taste preferences of consumers, along with rising disposable income, and presence of a large number of international as well as local players across the industry value chain are among the key trends escalating market growth. Key suggestions from the report: The global demand for herbs is expected to reach USD 6.75 billion by 2025, rising at a CAGR of 3.9% during the forecast period. Among applications, soups, sauces & dressings were valued over USD 3.7 billion in 2017. They are likely to post a CAGR of 4.0% during the forecast period Central & South America is projected to witness a CAGR of 3.3% during the same period owing to growing middle class population, which is poised to fuel the demand for improved quality of food Countries in Asia Pacific such as India and China are anticipated to observe remarkable growth over the forecast years, progressing at a CAGR of 5.3%, owning to presence of various large scale raw material sources The market is partially consolidated and competitive in nature, with presence of several global multinational players Some of the key companies present in the market are Ajinomoto Co, Inc.; Associated British Foods Plc; Baria Pepper; McCormick & Company, Inc.; Everest Spices; MDH; and Kerry Group Read 95 page research report with TOC on "Seasoning And Spices Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Products (Herbs, Salt & Salt Substitutes, Spices), By Application (Meat & Poultry, Soups & Dressings), And Segment Forecasts, 2018 - 2025" at: https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/seasonings-spices-market The demand for herbs and spices is estimated to rise at a healthy growth rate, whereas the demand for salt & salt substitutes is anticipated to remain nominal on account of declining consumption globally. Increasing demand for authentic cuisines on a global level is one of the primary factors bolstering the usage of spices & herbs in sauces & dressings. Changing consumer preferences related to flavor in foods & snacks is projected to prompt manufacturers to manufacture products that are appealing, high-quality, and reliable, thereby maintaining consistent standards globally. Implementation of modern cultivation to facilitate the growth of specific herbs in different regions is poised to magnify the production scenario over the forecast period. Increasing demand for Chinese herbs globally, on account of continuous penetration of Chinese medicine into pharmaceuticals and supplements, is likely to positively influence the growth of the market. On the other hand, the demand for herbal supplements is anticipated to seek moderate growth as consumers are placing their confidence and disposable incomes in nutritional & other health supplements to maintain health and reduce the cost of health care in the future. Ready-to-use spice mixes are becoming increasingly popular among consumers as they save time and effort and provide consistency in taste in culinary preparation. The hectic lifestyles of consumers, growing demand for convenience in food preparation, and increasing disposable incomes are leading to increase in demand for ready-to-use spice mixes. Seasoning and spice companies are also starting new advertising campaigns to encourage consumers to try recipes at home. Companies such as McCormick and Kerry have also started campaigns on social media such as Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter to help establish their brands' identities. Increasing medicinal benefits and changing consumer taste and preferences will continue driving the market. Grand View Research has segmented the global seasoning and spices market on the basis of product, application, and region: - Seasoning and Spices Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2014 - 2025) Herbs Rosemary Fennel Garlic Mint Parsley Oregano Others Salt & Salt substitutes Spices Pepper Ginger Cinnamon Cumin Turmeric Cardamom Coriander Cloves Others - Seasoning and Spices Application Outlook (Volume, Kilo Tons; Revenue, USD Billion, 2014 - 2025) Bakery & Confectionary Products Meat & Poultry Products Frozen Food Soups, Sauces &Dressings Beverages Others - Seasoning and Spices Regional Outlook (Volume, Kilo Tons; Revenue, USD Billion, 2014 - 2025) North America U.S. Europe Germany France Asia Pacific India China Latin America Brazil MEA South Africa Find more research reports on Food Additives & Nutricosmetics Industry, by Grand View Research: Konjac Market - Global konjac market has been witnessing strong growth over the past few years on account of increasing demand from food & beverage industry and the trend is expected to continue over the forecast period. Global konjac market has been witnessing strong growth over the past few years on account of increasing demand from food & beverage industry and the trend is expected to continue over the forecast period. Sandarac Market - Sandarac market has been witnessing strong growth over the past few years on account of its increasing demand from fragrance industry owing to its warm, fruity, light, balsamic fragrances. Sandarac market has been witnessing strong growth over the past few years on account of its increasing demand from fragrance industry owing to its warm, fruity, light, balsamic fragrances. Non Sugar Sweeteners Market - Global increase in low calories food additives demand from end-use industries such as processed foods, Ready-To-Drink (RTD) beverages, and confectioneries is expected to drive non sugar sweeteners demand over the next seven years. Gain access to Grand View Compass, our BI enabled intuitive market research database of 10,000+ reports About Grand View Research Grand View Research, U.S.-based market research and consulting company, provides syndicated as well as customized research reports and consulting services. Registered in California and headquartered in San Francisco, the company comprises over 425 analysts and consultants, adding more than 1200 market research reports to its vast database each year. These reports offer in-depth analysis on 46 industries across 25 major countries worldwide. With the help of an interactive market intelligence platform, Grand View Research helps Fortune 500 companies and renowned academic institutes understand the global and regional business environment and gauge the opportunities that lie ahead. Contact: Sherry James Corporate Sales Specialist, USA Grand View Research, Inc. Phone: 1-415-349-0058 Toll Free: 1-888-202-9519 Email: sales@grandviewresearch.com Web: https://www.grandviewresearch.com Follow Us: LinkedIn | Twitter Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/661327/Grand_View_Research_Logo.jpg Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 7, 2019) - Great Bear Resources (TSXV: GBR) (the "Company" or "Great Bear") today reported drill results from the Dixie Hinge Zone ("DHZ") and other new gold zones at its 100% owned Dixie Project in the Red Lake District of Ontario. The Company recently completed 30 metre and 100 metre step-down drill holes along the projected plunge and dip of two high-grade gold trends within the DHZ. Both hit identical styles of high-grade gold mineralization as above. The Hinge Zone appears to have significant high-grade depth potential. Hinge Zone drill results are provided in Table 1. An updated DHZ long section is shown on Figure 1. An updated cross section is provided in Figure 2. Highlights of current DHZ drilling include: Drill hole DHZ-039 intersected 3.70 metres of 28.37 g/t gold, including a very high grade interval of 0.5 metres of 200.25 g/t gold (1.64 feet of 6.44 oz/t) . This is the deepest high grade intercept in the DHZ to date. intersected of including a very high grade interval of of . This is the deepest high grade intercept in the DHZ to date. DHZ-039 is a 28 metre step-down along the down-plunge projection of the gold intercept in drill hole DHZ-029, which had returned 1.30 metres of 21.02 g/t gold as disclosed on March 21, 2019. is a along the down-plunge projection of the gold intercept in drill hole DHZ-029, which had returned 1.30 metres of 21.02 g/t gold as disclosed on March 21, 2019. Drill hole DHZ-033 intercepted multiple high-grade gold-bearing veins . Vein 1: 13.58 g/t gold over 3.10 metres , including 0.80 metres of 29.30 g/t gold . Vein 2: 4.10 metres of 8.22 g/t gold , including 0.55 metres of 46.57 g/t gold . Vein 3: 5.80 metres of 2.46 g/t gold, including 1.70 metres of 7.49 g/t gold . . Vein 1: , including . Vein 2: , including . Vein 3: 5.80 metres of 2.46 g/t gold, including . Drill hole DL-043 was drilled across the adjacent Dixie Limb Zone and into the Hinge Zone approximately 100 metres down-dip of previous DHZ drilling . was drilled across the adjacent Dixie Limb Zone and into the Hinge Zone approximately . DL-043 returned 1.50 metres of 11.65 g/t gold, including 0.50 metres of 34.07 g/t gold. returned including 32 of 51 drill holes (63%) completed by Great Bear within the DHZ to date have intersected intervals containing greater than 15 g/t gold. Chris Taylor, President and CEO of Great Bear said, "With 28 metre and 100 metre step-downs continuing to hit high grade gold mineralization, the DHZ discovery yields something exceedingly rare in our industry: the more Great Bear drills it, the more compelling the target becomes." Table 1: Most recent drill results from Hinge Zone drilling. Drill Hole From (m) To (m) Width* (m) Gold (g/t) Vertical Depth (m) Vein DHZ-032 161.90 162.95 1.05 25.39 146 1 DHZ-032 including 161.90 162.45 0.55 45.75 DHZ-032 and including 167.80 170.55 2.75 3.47 152 2 DHZ-033 126.20 129.30 3.10 13.58 120 1 DHZ-033 including 126.20 128.80 2.60 15.43 DHZ-033 and including 128.00 128.80 0.80 29.30 DHZ-033 and 160.70 165.90 5.20 6.56 153 2 DHZ-033 including 161.80 165.90 4.10 8.22 DHZ-033 and including 164.85 165.90 1.05 26.93 DHZ-033 and including 164.85 165.40 0.55 46.57 DHZ-033 and 186.20 192.00 5.80 2.46 177 3 DHZ-033 including 190.30 192.00 1.70 7.49 DHZ-034 113.80 129.10 15.30 1.42 104 1 DHZ-034 including 116.60 117.10 0.50 5.51 DHZ-034 and including 121.40 122.70 1.30 7.08 DHZ-034 and 152.60 156.25 3.65 3.89 132 2 DHZ-034 including 153.15 156.25 3.10 4.30 DHZ-034 and including 155.70 156.25 0.55 16.64 DHZ-035 160.40 160.90 0.50 54.80 145 1 DHZ-035 and 207.50 208.50 1.00 2.32 187 2 DHZ-036 149.20 150.70 1.50 13.25 130 1 DHZ-036 including 150.20 150.70 0.50 39.39 DHZ-036 and 188.00 190.00 2.00 6.95 162 2 DHZ-036 including 188.50 190.00 1.50 9.15 DHZ-036 and including 189.00 189.50 0.50 24.83 DHZ-037 145.60 147.00 1.40 4.99 134 1 DHZ-037 and 190.90 191.40 0.50 3.20 174 2 DHZ-038A 182.50 183.00 0.50 4.71 162 1 DHZ-038A and 203.00 207.00 4.00 2.76 182 2 DHZ-038A including 203.50 204.50 1.00 10.40 DHZ-038A and 238.50 240.00 1.50 3.39 211 3 DHZ-039 272.70 276.40 3.70 28.37 247 1 DHZ-039 including 274.90 275.40 0.50 200.25 DL-043 270.00 271.50 1.50 11.65 206 1 DL-043 including 270.00 271.10 1.10 15.83 DL-043 and including 270.00 270.50 0.50 34.07 * reported width is determined to be 90-95% of true width based on intersection points of the drill hole intercept with the geological model and oriented drill core data. Figure 1: Composite long section through the DHZ (view to north) as drilled to-date showing currently reported drill results, and the location of recent step-out drilling. New results are highlighted in yellow. To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5331/44594_353fb95874331b9b_002full.jpg The Company continues to undertake a fully funded, 60,000 metre drill program that is expected to continue through 2019. In order to accelerate the program, a second drill rig was added in early 2019, and a third drill rig is expected in the near future. Approximately 40,000 metres of drilling remain in the current program. Figure 2: Cross section through the DHZ (view to west) as drilled to-date, showing the approximately 100 metre wide corridor of multiple high-grade gold veins. New results are highlighted in yellow. The DL zone is also shown on the right of the image. To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5331/44594_353fb95874331b9b_003full.jpg Additional Gold Results The Company also reports test drilling in other areas of the project has returned new gold results, summarized in Table 2. Updated property maps showing drill locations are provided in Figure 3 and Figure 4. The goal of regional drilling is the identify key geological features which may present further targets for DHZ or Dixie Limb ("DL") style gold zones. Key results of regional drilling to-date include: Widespread variably gold-bearing veins form halos around high-grade veins in the DHZ. The total approximate true width of gold-bearing veining increases to over 120 metres (400 feet) as Great Bear drills further west in the Hinge Zone , and into the previously reported "DSL" and "DMS" areas . At present, results suggest the centre of high grade gold vein development is located west of Great Bear's original Hinge Zone discovery, and possibly at depth below the DMS and DSL targets. , and into the previously reported "DSL" and "DMS" areas Similar widespread gold-bearing veins have been intersected along a large deep-seated regional structure extending across approximately 20 kilometres of the property. The structure is a high strain zone forming the boundary between mafic and ultramafic rocks to the south west from largely felsic to intermediate volcanic rocks to the northeast. Three drill holes completed into this structure have all returned low to moderate grade gold, including 34.60 metres of 0.55 g/t gold, which included 2.50 metres of 2.25 g/t gold less than 10 metres from surface in DNW-008. Results are coded "DNE" and "DNW" in Table 2. extending across approximately 20 kilometres of the property. The structure is a high strain zone forming the boundary between mafic and ultramafic rocks to the south west from largely felsic to intermediate volcanic rocks to the northeast. Three drill holes completed into this structure have all returned low to moderate grade gold, including 34.60 metres of 0.55 g/t gold, which included 2.50 metres of 2.25 g/t gold less than 10 metres from surface in DNW-008. Results are coded and in Table 2. A new "look-alike" to the Dixie Limb Zone sediment-hosted silica replacement zone with gold has been intercepted 400 metres to the west of the Hinge Zone . These drill holes are coded "DMS". sediment-hosted silica replacement zone with gold has been intercepted . These drill holes are coded DMS-003 intersected 1.00 metre of 12.93 g/t gold within a broader interval of 4.65 metres of 3.04 g/t gold . The size, orientation and depth extent of this zone all remain unknown, as more drilling is required. This is a promising new target that appears to overlie the western, down-plunge projection of the Hinge Zone vein swarm , and has likely been mineralized by the same gold event. g/t gold within a broader interval of . The size, orientation and depth extent of this zone all remain unknown, as more drilling is required. This is that appears to , and has likely been mineralized by the same gold event. The previously described "South Limb Zone", coded "DSL" in the Table 2, is interpreted to be the near-surface continuation of the westerly-plunging DHZ vein swarm . in the Table 2, is interpreted to be the . Very shallow drilling was completed with drill holes DSL-019 to DSL-021 testing from approximately 45 - 70 metres vertical depth. These successfully returned near-surface gold mineralization, including 2.00 metres of 4.08 g/t gold which includes 1.00 metre of 7.99 g/t gold. These holes are interpreted to be situated above the plunge of higher grade DHZ gold veins. Chris Taylor said, "The DHZ vein swarm appears to affect at least several hundred metres of strike length, trending generally east-west roughly parallel to the local D2 fold axis. Steeply-plunging gold zones related to the DHZ veining are interpreted to project beneath the DSL and DMS areas, as shown on our sections and maps. Drill results to-date show strengthening alteration and gold grades with increasing depth in these areas, consistent with this model." Regarding regional exploration, Mr. Taylor said, "Our initial drilling into the property's large deep-seated crustal structure/high strain zone has returned gold in all drill holes to-date across more than 2.5 kilometres of strike length. This gold system has a multi-kilometre footprint, and we are looking for structural intersections and geological contacts adjacent to this feature that could further concentrate gold, such as has occurred at the D2 fold axis near the DHZ and DL. In most mesothermal gold districts, it's the second-order structures and geological contacts adjacent to the largest structures that localize high-grade gold. Several second-order targets of this type are present near our large structure at Dixie, and these will be targeted with future drilling." Table 2: Drill results from other targets across the Dixie property. Drill Hole From (m) To (m) Width* (m) Gold (g/t) Vertical Depth (m) Target DNW-008 8.00 42.60 34.60 0.55 21 Large Structure to North of DL/DHZ including 9.00 11.50 2.50 2.25 DNW-009 188.00 188.80 0.80 0.19 153 DNW-010 91.50 93.00 1.50 0.14 76 DNE-001 73.00 74.00 1.00 0.99 60 Large Structure to East of DL/DHZ 174.00 184.50 10.50 0.31 146 212.70 216.00 3.30 1.16 174 DNE-002 73.00 74.00 1.00 0.99 56 160.50 163.50 3.00 0.65 119 264.00 265.50 1.50 0.70 191 DNE-003 62.00 63.00 1.00 0.41 50 DNE-004 102.20 102.80 0.60 0.65 85 DMS-003 79.35 84.00 4.65 3.04 66 New DL-Style Zone West of DHZ including 79.35 81.00 1.65 8.39 and including 80.00 81.00 1.00 12.93 99.85 114.75 14.90 0.26 87 DMS-004 108.00 108.50 0.50 0.52 DL-047 235.10 236.20 1.10 0.71 203 DL DSL-019 72.15 77.50 5.35 0.80 56 Above DHZ Plunge to West DSL-020 81.00 83.00 2.00 4.08 67 including 81.00 82.00 1.00 7.99 DSL-021 65.00 66.00 1.00 2.59 57 *All reported widths are drill indicated core length. Insufficient data has been collected at this time to determine true widths. **These drill holes have intersected mineralized sediments in the footwall of the local D2 axial planar fault located south the DL, and east of the DHZ. They may represent a new zone, or offset continuation of the DL. Figure 3: Map of the DHZ area showing selected new drill results highlighted in yellow. The location of the long section included in this release is also shown, labeled "Long Section 1". The location of the cross section included in this release is also labeled "Section 1". To view an enhanced version of Figure 3, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5331/44594_353fb95874331b9b_004full.jpg Figure 4: Property map showing named zone locations discussed in this release, additional targets, and simplified geology. To view an enhanced version of Figure 4, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5331/44594_353fb95874331b9b_005full.jpg About Great Bear The Dixie property is located approximately 15 minutes' drive along Highway 105 from downtown Red Lake, Ontario. The Red Lake mining district has produced over 30,000,000 ounces of gold and is one of the premier mining districts in Canada, benefitting from major active mining operations including the Red Lake Gold Mine of Goldcorp Inc., plus modern infrastructure and a skilled workforce. The Dixie property covers a drill and geophysically defined 10 kilometre gold mineralized structure similar to that hosting other producing gold mines in the district. In addition, Great Bear is also earning a 100% royalty-free interest in the West Madsen, Pakwash, Dedee and Sobel properties, which cover regionally significant gold-controlling structures and prospective geology. All of Great Bear's Red Lake projects are accessible year-round through existing roads. Drill core is logged and sampled in a secure core storage facility located in Red Lake Ontario. Core samples from the program are cut in half, using a diamond cutting saw, and are sent to SGS Canada Inc. in Red Lake, Ontario, and Activation Laboratories in Ancaster Ontario, both of which are accredited mineral analysis laboratories, for analysis. All samples are analysed for gold using standard Fire Assay-AA techniques. Samples returning over 3.0 g/t gold are analysed utilizing standard Fire Assay-Gravimetric methods. Selected samples with visible gold are also analyzed with a standard 1 kg metallic screen fire assay. Certified gold reference standards, blanks and field duplicates are routinely inserted into the sample stream, as part of Great Bear's quality control/quality assurance program (QAQC). No QAQC issues were noted with the results reported herein. Mr. R. Bob Singh, P.Geo, Director and VP Exploration, and Ms. Andrea Diakow P.Geo, Exploration Manager for Great Bear are the Qualified Persons as defined by National Instrument 43-101 responsible for the accuracy of technical information contained in this news release. For further information please contact Mr. Chris Taylor, P.Geo, President and CEO at 604-646-8354, or Mr. Knox Henderson, Investor Relations, at 604-551-2360. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD "Chris Taylor" Chris Taylor, President and CEO Inquiries: Tel: 604-646-8354 Fax: 604-646-4526 info@greatbearresources.ca www.greatbearresources.ca Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This new release may contain forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially because of factors discussed in the management discussion and analysis section of our interim and most recent annual financial statement or other reports and filings with the TSX Venture Exchange and applicable Canadian securities regulations. We do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements. We seek safe harbor To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/44594 The new modules enable for accurate and cost effective current measurement Vincotech GmbH, a supplier of module-based solutions for power electronics, today announced the release of the new product line MiniSKiiP PIM 2 IGBT M7 with open emitter for flexible and cost efficient current measurement. Featuring PIM (CIB) topology and the latest IGBT M7 chip technology, these modules are able to handle up to 50 A. Addressed for motion control applications, MiniSKiiP PIM 2 IGBT M7 modules provide an open emitter configuration for accurate and cost-effective current measurement in the leg. Thus, it offers industrial clients the flexibility to measure the current either in the leg or in the phase. Coupled with the benefit of an extended power range of up to 50 A in the MiniSKiiP 2 housing, it is far more easy for engineers to turn up flexible, scalable inverter designs. For more than ten years, Vincotech has been a reliable partner for MiniSKiiP modules. To rule out any and all supply chain issues, Vincotech owns the tools needed to prepare housings and new machines for MiniSKiiP products. This IGBT M7 chip delivers the dual benefits of superior performance and multiple sourcing to minimize customers' supply chain risks. To learn more about Vincotech's MiniSKiiP PIM 2 OE modules, please visit https://www.vincotech.com/skiip-pim-OE Available products Sample modules of the MiniSKiiP PIM 2 IGBT7 can be sourced on demand at https://www.vincotech.com/request-sample.html. Vincotech at PCIM Europe 2019 The MiniSKiiP PIM 2 IGBT M7 open emitter product line will be demonstrated at the PCIM Europe in Nuremberg, May 7 9, 2019, at the Vincotech booth 310 in hall 9. ABOUT VINCOTECH Vincotech is a market leader in power semiconductor modules. A group company of Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, the company excels at developing and manufacturing high-quality electronic power components for motion control, renewable energy, and power supply markets. Vincotech understands customers' needs and furnishes both off-the-rack and applications-specific solutions to ensure they are met. Tapping the considerable engineering and electronics integration skills and experience of some 800 employees worldwide, the company collaborates with the customer to develop the best solution for the given application. And Vincotech's workforce embraces the principle of reliable partnership to deliver on its performance promise of speed and flexibility to customers' best benefit. To learn more about Vincotech, please visit www.vincotech.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190507005164/en/ Contacts: Karina Seifert +49 89 878067 115 karina.seifert@vincotech.com Solution developed as part of the first phase of Project Inthanon to enable de-centralized interbank payments using wholesale Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) Wipro Limited (NYSE: WIT, BSE: 507685, NSE: WIPRO), a leading global information technology, consulting, and business process services company, today announced that the company, in partnership with R3, the enterprise blockchain software firm, has developed a blockchain-based solution prototype to enable digital currency for interbank settlements for a consortium consisting of the Bank of Thailand and eight commercial banks in Thailand. Developed as part of the first phase of Project Inthanon, the solution will enable de-centralized interbank real-time gross settlement (RTGS) using wholesale Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) to prove that the technology can perform key functionalities of payment and enhance efficiency. Project Inthanon is an initiative led by the Bank of Thailand, in partnership with eight participating banks in a collaborative project that will use blockchain technology to build a proof-of-concept prototype which will enable domestic fund transfers within the country's interbanking system by issuing CBDC tokens. The project seeks to enhance the technological preparedness of Thailand's financial sector for embracing new technologies and digitalisation. Launched in August 2018, the first phase of the project focused on building the fundamental payment infrastructure, while the application of blockchain technology for other functionalities will be explored in the subsequent phases. As part of the Phase I of Project Inthanon, Wipro and R3 have co-developed a blockchain solution prototype on Corda, R3's open source blockchain platform, for the consortium. The solution automates the banks' liquidity provision for resolving payment deadlocks through Liquidity Saving Mechanisms (LSM). The prototype has successfully demonstrated that DLT can significantly enhance payment efficiency by enabling 24/7 interbank settlements. David E. Rutter, CEO of R3 said, "Blockchain development is in a truly exciting phase given how more and more financial institutions are recognizing its potential to enable national digital currencies or CBDCs. R3's Corda was conceptualised to support CBDCs, which made it a perfect fit for Project Inthanon. Both Wipro's expertise in blockchain technology and understanding of the financial sector as well as excellent advisory and implementation services have played an integral role in co-developing the solution prototype." Krishnakumar N Menon, Vice President and Blockchain Theme Leader, Wipro Limited said, "We are delighted to have worked on Project Inthanon with R3 and be a part of a national-level fintech initiative. The DLT-powered solution prototype has demonstrated the merits of blockchain technology adoption for making interbank payments more efficient. Building a blockchain prototype for issuing digital currency aligns with our vision of driving industry transformation through real-world applications of blockchain." Wipro is a recognized leader in implementing blockchain technology for its clients, providing strategic advisory and consulting services combined with an extensive portfolio of industry solutions, developed in its Centres of Excellence. Wipro is committed to creating strong blockchain communities while developing talent for building extensive technology expertise across multiple leading blockchain platforms such as Corda, Ethereum, Fabric, Indy, Multichain, Quorum and Sawtooth. Wipro is a part of a number of DLT consortia and alliances including R3, the Hyperledger project, the Ethereum Enterprise Alliance, the Energy Web Foundation and the Blockchain in Transport Alliance. To learn more, click here. Please click here to view the complete findings from Phase I of Project Inthanon report. About Wipro Limited Wipro Limited (NYSE: WIT, BSE: 507685, NSE: WIPRO) is a leading global information technology, consulting and business process services company. We harness the power of cognitive computing, hyper-automation, robotics, cloud, analytics and emerging technologies to help our clients adapt to the digital world and make them successful. A company recognized globally for its comprehensive portfolio of services, strong commitment to sustainability and good corporate citizenship, we have over 170,000 dedicated employees serving clients across six continents. Together, we discover ideas and connect the dots to build a better and a bold new future. About R3 R3 is an enterprise blockchain software firm working with a broad ecosystem of more than 300 members and partners across multiple industries from both the private and public sectors to develop on Corda, its open source blockchain platform, and Corda Enterprise, a commercial version of Corda for enterprise usage. R3's global team of over 180 professionals in 13 countries is supported by over 2,000 technology, financial, and legal experts drawn from its global member base. Learn more at www.r3.com. Forward-looking and Cautionary Statements Certain statements in this release concerning our future growth prospects are forward-looking statements, which involve a number of risks, and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties relating to these statements include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties regarding fluctuations in our earnings, revenue and profits, our ability to generate and manage growth, intense competition in IT services, our ability to maintain our cost advantage, wage increases in India, our ability to attract and retain highly skilled professionals, time and cost overruns on fixed-price, fixed-time frame contracts, client concentration, restrictions on immigration, our ability to manage our international operations, reduced demand for technology in our key focus areas, disruptions in telecommunication networks, our ability to successfully complete and integrate potential acquisitions, liability for damages on our service contracts, the success of the companies in which we make strategic investments, withdrawal of fiscal governmental incentives, political instability, war, legal restrictions on raising capital or acquiring companies outside India, unauthorized use of our intellectual property, and general economic conditions affecting our business and industry. Additional risks that could affect our future operating results are more fully described in our filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. These filings are available at www.sec.gov. We may, from time to time, make additional written and oral forward-looking statements, including statements contained in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and our reports to shareholders. We do not undertake to update any forward-looking statement that may be made from time to time by us or on our behalf. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190507005443/en/ Contacts: Prathibha Das Wipro Limited prathibha.das@wipro.com JACKSONVILLE, FL / ACCESSWIRE / May 7, 2019 / Duos Technologies Group, Inc. ('Duos' or the 'Company') (OTCQB: DUOT), a provider of intelligent security analytical technology solutions, will hold a conference call on Tuesday, May 14, 2019 at 4:30 p.m. Eastern time to discuss its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2019. Financial results will be issued via press release prior to the call. Duos Technologies management will host the conference call, followed by a question and answer period. Date: Tuesday, May 14, 2019 Time: 4:30 p.m. Eastern time (1:30 p.m. Pacific time) U.S. dial-in: (888) 339-2688 International dial-in: (617) 847-3007 Passcode: 82597452 Please call the conference telephone number 5-10 minutes prior to the start time of the conference call. An operator will register your name and organization. If you have any difficulty connecting with the conference call, please contact Liolios at (949) 574-3860. The conference call will be broadcasted live via telephone and available for online replay via the investor section of the Company's website here. About Duos Technologies Group, Inc. Duos Technologies Group, Inc. (OTCQB: DUOT), based in Jacksonville, Florida, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Duos Technologies, Inc., provides advanced intelligent security and analytical technology solutions with a strong portfolio of intellectual property. The Company's core competencies include intelligent technologies that combine machine learning, artificial intelligence and advanced video analytics that are delivered through its proprietary integrated enterprise command and control centraco platform. The Company provides its broad range of technology solutions with an emphasis on mission critical security, inspection and operations within the rail transportation, retail, petrochemical, government, and banking sectors. Duos Technologies also offers professional and consulting services for large data centers. For more information, visit www.duostech.com. Forward Looking Statements This press release contains 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking terminology such as 'believes', 'expects', 'may', 'will', 'should', 'anticipates', 'plans', or similar expressions or the negative of these terms and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, which could cause Duos Technologies Group, Inc.'s actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those described in Item 1A in Duos' Annual Report on Form 10-K, which is expressly incorporated herein by reference, and other factors as may periodically be described in Duos' filings with the SEC. Contacts: Duos Technologies Corporate Tracie Hutchins Duos Technologies Group, Inc. (904) 652-1601 tlh@duostech.com Investor Relations Matt Glover or Tom Colton Liolios (949) 574-3860 DUOT@liolios.com SOURCE: Duos Technologies Group, Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/544379/Duos-Technologies-Sets-First-Quarter-2019-Earnings-Call-for-Tuesday-May-14-2019-at-430-pm-ET We are proud to announce that Industry Consulting Service (ICS) has officially become a resident of the High Technology Park Belarus (HTP), one of the leading IT clusters in Central and Eastern Europe. The last few years have seen remarkable growth for both the HTP and ICS. This year promises a continuation of that trend as ICS joins the successful network of IT companies in the HTP. Launched in 2005, the HTP has now grown to include more than 500 companies. Spurred on by both foreign interest and growth of the local start-up scene, it has doubled in size in the last few years. With the recent improvements to the legal structure for IT businesses, the government of Belarus has opened the 'Silicon Valley of Eastern Europe'. The new framework creates clear incentives for both global IT corporations and inventive local teams entering the global IT community. Many factors have combined to make Belarus and the HTP a prime location for ICS to develop the best ERP products for clients around the world. It is now easier than ever to visit Minsk, the capital of Belarus, to get face-to-face meetings with the ICS team at our new office (https://bit.ly/2FT1uaf). Being the resident of HTP, our company aims to continue to provide the same level of exceptional service for the development and implementation of ERP solutions based on Microsoft Dynamics products as before. We have also extended our R&D programme related to building Enterprise IT ecosystems based on new Industry 4.0 solutions. We hope that through this fruitful work as a resident of HTP, we'll provide you with even better service! About ICS Industry Consulting Service is a Microsoft Certified Partner and an innovative provider of end-to-end ERP development and consulting services. Since 2008, we have been working exclusively with Microsoft Dynamics AX solution and providing our services to both end users and other MS partners all over the world. During this time, we have managed to win the trust and respect of our customers from Europe, the USA, Canada, the Middle East, Belarus and Russia. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190507005390/en/ Contacts: Vitali Polyakovski, CEO +375 (29) 712 5910 Web Site: www.ic-service.net Email: vip@ic-service.by PUNE, India, May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The global Oilfield Service Market accounted for a value of US$ 250 Bn in the year 2018 and is estimated to reach US$ 330 Bn by 2026. The global market for oilfield service is anticipated to post a steady CAGR of 3.7% during the forecast period. Fortune Business Insights recently published this information in a report, titled "Oilfield Service Market Size, Share and Global Trend by By Service (Seismic Service, Drilling Service, Completion & Workover Service Production Service, Processing & Separation Service, Others), By Application (Onshore, Offshore), and Geography Forecast till 2026." The growing advancements in technology is the chief factor driving the Oilfield Service Market. Several oilfield services across the world use these improved tools and technologies to enhance their E&P activities in offshore and onshore areas. The oil and gas (O&G) industry is presently thriving on account of rising population, which in turn, may enable growth in the oilfield services market at a steady rate. Sample Pages: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/sample/oilfield-service-market-100174 "The oilfield operators are compelled to explore offshore resources as the resources on onshore areas are depleting," said a lead analyst at Fortune Business Insights. "Although the offshore resources are expensive, still their demand is expected to increase in the coming years," he added. In addition to this, this segment is likely to be the fastest growing on account of the rising investments in subsea O&G assets. These investments are projected to augment the Oilfield Service Market during the forecast period between 2018 and 2026. North America to Remain Dominant and Offer Huge Growth Opportunities Among regions, North America is expected to account for a major share in the global Oilfield Service Market by 2026. Moreover, the U.S. covered a share of around 50% in the year 2017. The rising demand for oilfield services in the U.S. includes directional and horizontal drilling activities, primarily owing to the presence of shale gas reservoir. Another reason responsible for the growth of oilfield services in this region is the rising number of deep-water projects especially in the U.S. The market in Asia Pacific is also expected to grow at a significant rate owing to factors such as increasing number of offshore activities especially in China and rising number of oil rigs. Lastly, the Oilfield Service Market in the Middle East and Africa is likely to witness higher CAGR. This is primarily attributable to the rising investment budget in Gulf countries and focus on offshore assets. Discovery of New and Improved Oil and Gas Fields to Spur Growth The report observes that the discovery of new oil and gas fields is expected to fuel demand for oilfield services especially from sectors such as power plants and transportation. Over the past few years, there has been a significant increase in the extraction of oil and gas resources such as natural gas and crude oil. This rise, as per the report is another factor driving the Oilfield Service Market. The oil and gas sector is revolutionizing owing to the enhanced oil recovery or EOR technique which involves chemical injection, gas injection, and thermal injection techniques. This is further expected to fuel demand for oilfield equipment, thus transforming oilfield services industry outlook. Technologies such as remotely operated vehicles or ROVs and robotic oil rigs may facilitate the development of offshore oilfields, thereby driving the Oilfield Service Market. Furthermore, this is anticipated to enable growth in the oilfield services industry during the forecast period. Oilfield operators are continuously focusing on improving the production output and reducing cost of oilfield equipment to boost the Oilfield Service Market. Request for Customization: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/customization/oilfield-service-market-100174 Strategic Alliances between Companies Intended to Upscale their Operations The highly fragmented O&G service industry witnesses the presence of several leading players in the Oilfield Service Market. Companies are forging strategic alliances and involving in M&A activities to improve their market share. Presently, Schlumberger is leading the global Oilfield Service Market in terms of revenue. Moreover, a few days ago, the company signed an earn-in-agreement with Pure Energy Minerals Ltd. The agreement was signed with an aim to develop the later company's lithium project in Clayton's valley of Nevada. Another company called TAQA Drilling in Saudi Arabia has recently announced acquisition of Schlumberger's onshore drilling business in the Middle East. The objective of TAQA is to become one of the leading oilfield services company in Asia Pacific by 2021. Speak to Analyst: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/speak-to-analyst/oilfield-service-market-100174 Key Companies Covered in The Report Schlumberger Halliburton National Oilwell Varco SGS S.A. Baker Hughes Transocean Fluor Weatherford International Saipem BJ Services Company Petrofac Oil States Industries Weir Oil and Gas China Oilfield Services Ltd. Browse Complete Report Details Enabled with Complete Tables and Figures is Available: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/industry-reports/oilfield-service-market-100174 Browse Related Reports: 1. The Global Well Testing Service Market, which was valued at nearly US$ 7.1 Bn in 2018, is projected to reach approximately US$ 11.3 Bn by the end of 2026, exhibiting a CAGR of 5.9% Real-time testing services are likely to lead the global well testing market owing to their stabilized and optimized results. For well testing operators, real-time testing has emerged as an important tool to control fluctuations in crude oil prices and reinforce their position in the well testing industry. 2. The Global Well Intervention Market , was valued at more than US$ 8 Bn in 2018, and is projected to reach approximately US$ 12.5 Bn by the end of 2026, exhibiting a CAGR of 5.23%. In terms of application, onshore segment was leading the global well intervention market in 2018. However, the offshore segment is anticipated to witness high demand and grow at a relatively higher CAGR during the forecast period 2019-2026. About us: Fortune Business Insights offers expert corporate analysis and accurate data, helping organizations of all sizes make timely decisions. We tailor innovative solutions for our clients, assisting them address challenges distinct to their businesses. Our goal is to empower our clients with holistic market intelligence, giving a granular overview of the market they are operating in. Our reports contain a unique mix of tangible insights and qualitative analysis to help companies achieve sustainable growth. Our team of experienced analysts and consultants use industry-leading research tools and techniques to compile comprehensive market studies, interspersed with relevant data. At Fortune Business Insights we aim at highlighting the most lucrative growth opportunities for our clients. We therefore offer recommendations, making it easier for them to navigate through technological and market-related changes. Our consulting services are designed to help organizations identify hidden opportunities and understand prevailing competitive challenges. Contact us: Fortune Business Insights Pvt. Ltd. 308, Supreme Headquarters, Survey No. 36, Baner, Pune-Bangalore Highway, Pune - 411045, Maharashtra, India. US :+1-424-253-0390 UK :+44-2071-939123 APAC :+91-744-740-1245 Email: sales@fortunebusinessinsights.com Website: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/881202/Fortune_Business_Insights_Logo.jpg Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/883137/Oilfield_Service_Market.jpg WINNIPEG, MB / ACCESSWIRE / May 7, 2019 / Preferred Dental Technologies Inc. (PDTI) has been granted an additional patent from the United States Patent Office (USPTO) for the EAS Series. This patent specifically covers 3D applications for creating custom dental abutments for dental implants. Mr. Erik Siegmund, President stated 'We are extremely pleased to have attained this milestone in our product development. When we first listed as a public Company in June 2017, RwE Growth Partners, Inc. supplied an independent 3rd party valuation for our listing statement at that time which was $4.9 million. That was for only one active connector type and North America patents. Today, we have expanded the EAS Series to include the supply of the most popular connectors, Zimmer, 3i, Astra Dentsply and Straumann bone and tissue level platforms. In addition to our expanded patent portfolio and active platforms, we have extended our patent protection to the EU and have current pending status in Brazil. We have noted in past press releases that our patented EAS platform bridges the gap from traditional to digital design abilities using the same connector.' In our November 22, 2017 news release we supplied the following additional background information on how valuable and profitable the EAS systems can be for dental labs and dentists: 'The importance of this revolutionary breakthrough is not limited to the huge savings in time offered by 3D printing technology, but more importantly results in decreased production costs of individual abutments. Custom abutments can now be prototyped and manufactured in house with minimal capital cost. In a test run of prototypes, twelve custom angled abutments were created in a total of twenty-seven minutes. This was accomplished using only a fraction of the printing area, leaving a lot of area to print crowns, bars, bridges and other necessary dental implant components. An entire case or multiple cases can be printed all at the same time depending on case load. The features of the Evolutionary Accessory Series (EAS) are still maintained through all aspects of production, whether using the universal EAS platform in a traditional manner, CAD/CAM milling or 3D printing. It provides correction of angulation, parallelism and fixation screw loosening problems while still being easily retrievable on even the most complex restorative cases. Production comparisons to what is available in the dental market today are noted below. Twelve EAS 3D printed custom abutments in twenty-seven minutes, Milling one custom abutment typically takes 45 minutes to one hour and fifteen minutes Traditional casting of the EAS takes two to two and a half hours depending on the technician's skillset A UCLA style custom abutment takes the better part of a day to complete one unit. There is a clear time and cost benefit with using the EAS platform in addition to solving problems that contribute to common dental implant failures.' One of our advisors, Dr. Rodrigo Franca, D.D.S, M.Sc, Ph.D. reviewed these developments as follows: 'The 3D printed prototypes of EAS System is an elegant and avant-garde solution to provide better care to patients' Dr. Franca is currently the Head of Dental Materials Department at the University of Manitoba and has most recently published the book, 'Dental Biomaterials' making him one of the only Canadians to publish a book on this subject. Dr. Franca is also involved in researching 3D print applications and techniques in dentistry. PDTI has remained committed to additional Research & Development. Protecting these new innovations are an essential part of developing new markets and applications and this patent grant by the USPTO adds additional value to the company. About PDTI Preferred Dental Technologies Inc. (PDTI) has been established to advance development and commercialization of various evolutionary and disruptive technologies in the dental implant industry. MISSION - INNOVATIVE & PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS FOR THE DENTAL INDUSTRY Visit: www.prefdent.com On behalf of Preferred Dental Technologies Inc. Erik Siegmund Chief Executive Officer Email: info@prefdent.com Tel: 204.691.3722 www.prefdent.com All product names referenced herein are trademarks of their respective companies This news release may contain forward-looking information which is not comprised of historical facts. Forward-looking information involves risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Forward-looking information in this news release may include, but is not limited to, the Company's objectives, goals or future plans. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, those risks set out in the Company's public documents filed on SEDAR. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information, which only applies as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. 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, other than as required by law. Neither The Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulations Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of The Canadian Securities Exchange accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE: Preferred Dental Technologies Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/544405/Preferred-Dental-Technologies-Inc-Company-CSE-PDTI-US-OTC-PDTTF-PDTI-Receives-3D-Patent-Grant-from-US-Patent-and-Trademark-Office 135% Increase for Indicated Gold Category and 206% Increase for Inferred Gold Category Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 7, 2019) - Grande Portage Resources Ltd. (TSXV: GPG) (OTCQB: GPTRF) (FSE: GPB) ("Grande Portage" or the "Company") is pleased to report a new NI 43-101 Independent Mineral Resource Estimate for its 100% controlled Herbert Gold Project located in S.E. Alaska. The Mineral Resource estimate is quoted at a base case mineral resources cut-off grade of 2.50 grams per tonne gold (g/t Au) and consists of: An indicated resource of 606,500 ounces of gold at an average grade of 10.03 g/t Au (1,880,500 tonnes); and An inferred resource of 251,700 ounces of gold at an average grade of 14.15 g/t Au (553,429 tonnes). Commenting on these results, Ian Klassen, President and CEO of Grande Portage stated, "We are extremely pleased to release the revised independent resource estimate for the Herbert Gold Property, the result of a very diligent effort on the part of the Company's exploration team. We are confident that we will continue to significantly expand the resource as we further identify and drill test the prolific nature of this mesothermal vein deposit. We are very impressed with not only the increase in the indicated and inferred categories but the overall grade of the resource continues to improve too." The updated NI43-101-compliant resource estimate, authored by DRW Geological Consultants Ltd., used a total of 154 drill holes and 6 channel cuts to calculate the Mineral Resource. At total of 3,463 samples were assayed for gold and 2096 samples were analyzed for additional pathfinder elements. There were 1,171 unassayed sections of core that are assumed to be 0 gpt gold. Table 1. Sensitivity Analysis-Indicated Mineral Resource by Cut-off Cut-off Tonnes Grade Ounces 3.0 gpt 1,431,600 12.33 567,450 2.5 gpt 1,880,500 10.03 606,500 2.0 gpt 2,636,100 7.80 660,930 Table 2. Sensitivity Analysis-Inferred Mineral Resource by Cut-off Cut-off Tonnes Grade Ounces 3.0 gpt 410,771 18.12 239,280 2.5 gpt 553,429 14.15 251,700 2.0 gpt 913,118 9.48 278,240 Table 3. Indicated Mineral Resourced at 2.5 gpt cut-off, by vein Vein Tonnes Au gpt ounces Au Goat North 1,300 3.04 130 Goat HW 142,900 8.27 37,990 Goat Vein 435,900 19.82 277,790 Main HW 132,900 2.72 11,620 Main 392,200 7.57 95,430 Main FW 276,800 6.91 61,490 Oblique 14,800 5.36 2,550 Deep Trench HW 91,000 2.64 7,720 Deep Trench 392,500 8.85 111,740 Totals 1,880,500 10.03 606,500 Table 4. Inferred Mineral Resource at 2.5 gpt cut-off, by vein Vein Tonnes Au gpt ounces Au Goat North - - - Goat HW 54,300 9.15 15,960 Goat Vein 325,300 21.03 219,920 Main HW 95,800 2.76 8,500 Main 27,000 3.12 2,710 Main FW - - - Oblique 2,600 4.36 370 Deep Trench HW 40,800 2.67 3,490 Deep Trench 7,675 3.17 780 Totals 553,400 14.15 251,700 Mineral Resources are not Mineral Reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. There is no certainty that all or any part of the Mineral Resources will be converted into Mineral Reserves. The estimate of Mineral Resources requires assumptions that are believed to be reasonable and may be materially affected by environmental permitting, legal, title, taxation, sociopolitical, marketing or other relevant issues. All quantities are rounded to an appropriate significant figure and sums may not add up due to rounding. QA/QC Statement The drill core was boxed on site by the drill contractor and was slung by helicopter in supersacks to the secure Coastal Helicopter hanger area where it was received. The core was laid out on logging tables in the Company's warehouse by crew or when the tables were full, stored on pallets in the front open area inside. The geotech crew converted all marker blocks in boxes into metric numbers, straightened and arranged the core to approximate original bedrock and cleaned the core in preparation for photographing. Geotechnical information was gathered at this point. Core recovery, RQD measurements and rock competency determinations were noted. Geologists then marked the core and boxes for intervals that were sampled and placed the numbered sample tag at the start of the interval. Tags were stapled at the start of the interval to be sampled so the number is clearly visible in the photographs. Tags were reserved and removed from the sequence in the boxes at this point and blanks and standards were inserted. Sample tickets have two tear-off tags; one was placed in the corebox and one was placed inside the sample bag. Certified standards were interjected at the rate of 5% or one for every 20 samples and blanks were used at the same rate in general except that they were inserted after high grade intercepts were expected or noted. Photos of each box were taken by the geotechnician with the label board clearly and accurately marked for hole number, box number and footage. Photos were given to the project geologist on SD card for renaming files and storing in master computer. The core was logged by a Company geologist after photographing. The geologist would confirm that the hole or part of the hole was through being logged, the geotech crew saws/splits the sample intervals. The splitter determines how best to cut the core so both halves are equally mineralized and also maintain the structural integrity of the remaining half so future inspection is most meaningful. Sample intervals were sawn and bagged with plastic bags used inside of cloth bags for highly broken, powdered, gougey, crumbly, or clay-rich samples or just canvas bags for competent intervals. Sample tags for that interval were placed inside the bag with the sample and the sample number written on the outside of the bag in permanent marker. The sample saw was kept clean with care taken after cutting samples from a known high grade mineralized zone. Samples were then placed inside the secure warehouse in the area reserved for shipment preparation. Blanks and standards were added to the samples for shipment using the tags which were reserved out of the sequence while first marking the intervals to be sampled earlier. After the hole was finished being sampled, the sample transmittal forms were filled out and the individual samples were aggregated in larger rice bags, labeled for shipment and hauled to Alaska Air Freight by authorized Grande Portage personnel and shipped to: ALS Prep Lab 1060 Bush Street Fairbanks, AK 99709 Ph.# 907 452-2188 ALS is a commercial laboratory with ISO17025 certification, independent of GPG. It operates a preparation facility in Fairbanks, Alaska with analytical facilities in North Vancouver, B.C. The Qualified Person's opinion is that the Company's sample preparation, security and analytical procedures were and are appropriate for this project. Nine wire-frame models were created based on geology and the assay distribution observed in individual drill logs as viewed in 3D. Composites (1.5m) were clipped to the wire-frames which were populated with 1.5m x 8m x 8m blocks rotated into the plan of the veins which had grades estimated using inverse distance squared techniques using 100 m search radius for a minimum of 2 and maximum of 8 composites. Blocks within 60 m of composites are considered Indicate Mineral Resources and blocks between 60 and 100 m are considered Inferred. In order to reduce the influence of individual high-grade composites, blocks for the Goat Vein required a minimum of 3 and maximum of 8 composites. The resource assumes underground mining techniques, a gold price of $1,300 and are reported at a 2.5 gpt cut-off. Composites were capped at 125 gpt. Statistical analysis of the composites indicate that a top cut of 125 gpt gold is appropriate. The recent drilling program returned some very high-grade intercepts including: Drill/Channel From (m) To (m) Length (m) Grade (Au gpt) Surface 1 0 1.02 1.02 290.00 Surface 2 0 1.12 1.12 129.02 18M-1 146.26 146.67 0.41 27.80 18M-6 273.6 274.8 1.26 64.19 18M-8 214.4 215.1 0.67 25.70 18M-9 279.2 279.9 1.70 15.30 18M-12 251.2 253.3 2.16 25.58 18M-12 323.5 324.3 0.80 193.00 18S-1 30.84 31.93 1.09 27.90 18S-2 45.53 54.61 9.08 26.82 All samples have been assayed for gold using ICP and FA techniques, with recent samples being analyzed by ALS Canada Ltd., an independent ISO/IEC 17025:2005 and 9001:2015 certified laboratory using CRU-31, SPL-22Y, PUL-31 preparation and As-OG62, Au-ICP21, Au-GRA21, ME-ICP61 and ME-OG62 analytical procedures. The Mineral Resource is strongly influenced by a number of exceptionally high-grade intercepts in the new drilling that was focused on extending the Goat Vein. The eastern-most intercepts had the effect of adding substantially to the resource in this Goat Vein as they were unconstrained by samples further to the east. This is mitigated by the fact that multiple high-grade values and only one "average" grade value have been encountered on the eastern-end of the Goat Vein. Consequently, this vein contributes substantially to the estimate, representing 46% of the Indicate Mineral Resource and 87% of the Inferred Mineral Resource. Previous resources were reported as uncut values, however, a 125 gpt cut on all composites, and a requirement for a minimum of 3 composites on the Goat Vein (minimum 2 composites on all other veins) was instituted in this report to reduce the influence of these very high-grade values. A full technical report will be filed with the relevant regulatory authorities within 45 days of this release. Dr. D.R. Webb, Ph.D., P.Geol., P.Eng is the QP within the meaning of NI 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical disclosure in this release. Dr. Webb is independent of Grande Portage within the meaning of NI 43-101. About Grande Portage: Grande Portage Resources Ltd. is a Tier 2 publicly traded mineral exploration company principally focused on the Herbert Gold discovery situated approximately 25 km north of Juneau, Alaska. The Company holds a 100% interest in the Herbert property. The Herbert Gold property system is open to length and depth and is host to at least six main composite vein-fault structures that contain ribbon structure quartz-sulfide veins. The project lies prominently within the 160km long Juneau Gold Belt, which has produced nearly seven million ounces of gold. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD "Ian Klassen" Ian M. Klassen President & Chief Executive Officer Tel: (604) 899-0106 Email: Ian@grandeportage.com NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICE PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED UNDER THE POLICIES OF THE 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/44578 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 7, 2019) - ALX Uranium Corp. (TSXV: AL) (FSE: 6LLN) (OTC: ALXEF) ("ALX" or the "Company") announced today a non-brokered private placement of flow-through units (the "FT Units") and non-flow-through units (the "NFT Units") for gross proceeds of up to $1,525,000 (the "Offering"). Up to 13,500,000 FT Units will be sold at a price of $0.06 per FT Unit consisting of one flow-through common share and one non flow-through common share purchase warrant, and up to 13,000,000 NFT Units will be sold at a price of $0.055 per NFT Unit consisting of one common share and one common share purchase warrant. One common share purchase warrant from either the FT Units or the NFT Units will entitle the holder to purchase one non flow-through common share of the Company at a price of $0.10 for a period expiring 24 months following the closing date of the Offering. Finder's fees may be payable in connection with the Offering. All the securities issuable will be subject to a four-month hold period from the date of closing. The proceeds from the sale of FT Units will be used for exploration programs on the Company's Saskatchewan uranium properties, and the proceeds from the sale of NFT Units will be used for general working capital. About ALX ALX's mandate is to provide shareholders with multiple opportunities for discovery by exploring a portfolio of prospective mineral properties in northern Saskatchewan, Canada. The Company executes well-designed exploration programs using the latest technologies and has interests in over 200,000 hectares in Saskatchewan, a Province which hosts the richest uranium deposits in the world, a producing gold mine, and demonstrates potential for economic base metals deposits. ALX is based in Vancouver, BC, Canada and its common shares are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "AL", on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol "6LLN" and in the United States OTC market under the symbol "ALXEF". Technical reports are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com for several of the Company's active properties. For more information about the Company, please visit the ALX corporate website at www.alxuranium.com or contact Roger Leschuk, Manager, Corporate Communications at PH: 604.629.0293 or Toll-Free: 866.629.8368, or by email: rleschuk@alxuranium.com On Behalf of the Board of Directors of ALX Uranium Corp. "Warren Stanyer" Warren Stanyer, CEO and Chairman FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS Statements in this document which are not purely historical are forward-looking statements, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. It is important to note that the Company's actual business outcomes and exploration results could differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties include economic, competitive, governmental, environmental and technological factors that may affect the Company's operations, markets, products and prices. Additional risk factors are discussed in the Company's Management Discussion and Analysis for the Year Ended December 31, 2018, which is available under Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com. Except as required by law, we will not update these forward looking statement risk factors. 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 DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION, DISTRIBUTION OR DISSEMINATION DIRECTLY, OR INDIRECTLY, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/44581 FREMONT, California, May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a new market intelligence report by BIS Research, titled 'Global Agriculture Drones and Robots Market - Analysis and Forecast, 2018-2028', the global market for agriculture drones and robots is projected to grow from $2.53 million in 2018 to $23.06 billion by 2028. The market is expected to witness a CAGR of 24.76% from 2018 to 2028. The high growth in the market is expected to be driven by the need to apply site-specific farming, variable rate application of raw materials and resources as per requirement and decline in agricultural labor across the world. Browse more than 64 Data Tables and 166 Figures spread through 334 Pages and in-depth TOC on "Global Agriculture Drones and Robots Market." Rise in the usage of agricultural drones and robots is growing owing to the increasing applications in areas, such as precision crop farming, livestock monitoring and management, indoor farming, aquaculture, forestry, and orchards, among others. Agricultural robots are also expected to reduce the ecological footprint of daily farming. A large share of market is driven by the initiatives, policies, and support shown by governments in countries such as the U.S., the U.K., Germany, France, Australia, and China. The rising concern over global food security and sustainability have led to extensive investments by the governments across the world. The agriculture industry is expected to witness the most widespread adoption of drones in the next ten years. China is one of the leading manufacturers of drone hardware, however the North American and European agriculture drone companies lead the market in terms of integrated drone solutions prompted by a trend of market consolidation in those regions. The agriculture robots market encompasses a wide array of robot types such as milking robots, harvesting robots, picking, robots, weeding robots, autonomous robot tractors, seeding robots, and pruning robots. BIS Research Report: https://bisresearch.com/industry-report/agriculture-drones-robots-market.html According to Arvind Pal, Analyst at BIS Research, "In 2018, milking robots held approximately 83% share of the total agriculture robots market. Technology maturation and widespread adoption are the major reasons behind the reported growth of this agricultural robot type. Countries from Europe and Oceania lead the market for milking robots. Growing number of indoor farms also drive the increase in revenue for agricultural robots. Picking robots amongst the robot types have gained the maximum growth due to the increase in indoor farms." Structured terrain and planned infrastructure in indoor farming environment eases the movement and operation of agricultural robots in the facility. This factor has been attributed as the major contributing factor for the large presence of robots for indoor farming. Agriculture robot companies incubated and funded by large global agriculture corporations are launching new products for weeding, harvesting, and picking. To promote the growth of agricultural robots, governments and private players have introduced agricultural robots as service. It allows farmers to utilize advanced solutions for selective purposes and enables to pay per use. The Agriculture Robot-as-a-Service (ARaaS) business model is expected to create a massive disruption in the agricultural robots market. Service business model provides the flexibility to growers to variably invest into emerging technologies and realize the best combination of smart farming technologies for their farm at their convenient budget. Agriculture robots for livestock produce held the largest share amongst other fam produce types in the global agriculture robots market in 2018. The dominant share held by milking robots amongst all other types of agricultural robots contributed majorly in making robots for livestock produce, the highest revenue generating farm produce in the global agriculture robots market. Request for a Sample: https://bisresearch.com/requestsample?id=685&type=download Presently, Europe was at the forefront of the global agriculture robots market. The high revenue generation was majorly credited to a favorable growth rate of agricultural robots for livestock and aquaculture produce in Europe. Looming concern of the lack of manual labor for agriculture is expected to propagate R&D of agricultural robots in the region, leading to further growth of the Europe agricultural robots market during the forecast period. This report is a meticulous compilation of research on more than 100 players in the global agriculture drones and robots market ecosystem and draws upon insights from in-depth interviews with the key opinion leaders of more than 40 leading companies, market participants, and vendors. The report also profiles 30 leading companies, namely 3D Robotics Inc., AeroVironment Inc., Parrot SA, PrecisionHawk Inc., SZ DJI Technology Co. Ltd., Trimble Inc., Yamaha Motor Co. Ltd., Boumatic Robotics, Dairymaster, DeLaval, Fullwood Ltd., GEA Group, Lely S.a.r.l., Autonomous Tractor Corporation, CLAAS Group, CNH Industrial, Deere & Company, Kubota Corporation, Smart AG, Yanmar Co. Ltd., Abundant Robotics Inc., AGCO Corporation, Clearpath Robotics, Deepfield Robotics, ecoRobotix Ltd., Harvest Automation Inc., Harvest Croo Robotics, Iron Ox, Naio Technologies, and Robotics Plus. Key questions addressed in the report: What is the expected global agriculture drones and robots market size in terms of value during the period 2017-2028? What is the expected future scenario and revenue generated by the different types of agriculture robots such as milking robots, weeding robots, harvesting and picking robots, autonomous robot tractors, and other robots, globally and in different regions such as North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and Rest-of-the-World? , , , and Rest-of-the-World? What is the expected future scenario and revenue generated by the agriculture robots operating in different farming environment including indoor farming and outdoor farming and for different farm produce including livestock produce, fruits and vegetables, field crops, and other produce types? What is the expected future scenario and revenue generated by agriculture robots when they are offered as per different business models including Agriculture Robot-as-a-Product (ARaaP) and Agriculture Robot-as-a-Service (ARaaS)? Which geographical region is the largest market for global agriculture robots' market? What is the expected future scenario and the revenue generated by different geographical regions and countries in the agriculture robots market such as North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and Rest-of-the-World? , , , and Rest-of-the-World? What is the competitive strength of the key players present in the agriculture drones and robots market on the basis of the analysis of their recent developments, product offerings, and regional presence? What are the different regulations present in different countries regarding the usage of agriculture drones? What are the relevant patents in this market and their classifications based on inventor type, robot type, agriculture application, and filled status, along with the promising trends influencing the market based on patent analysis? When are the autonomous robot tractors expected to be commercialized and what is expected to be related trends in the consecutive years? Which are the different consortiums and associations present in the agriculture drones and robots market, and what is their role in this market? What is the market share of leading players in the global milking robots market? What is the adoption scenario and the market dynamics of the global agriculture drones and robots market including market drivers, restraints, and opportunities? What has been the investment and funding landscape in the global agriculture drones and robots market? What will the major market driving trends for agriculture drones and robots in terms business model, market consolidation, new product offerings, regulations? What is the SWOT Analysis for leading companies in agriculture drones and robots market? Related Reports: Global Smart Farming Market - Analysis and Forecast, 2018-2022 Global Precision Agriculture Market - Analysis and Forecast, 2018-2025 Global IoT in Agriculture Market - Analysis and Forecast (2018-2023) About BIS Research: BIS Research is a global B2B market intelligence and advisory firm focusing on those emerging technological trends which are likely to disrupt the dynamics of the market. With over 150 market research reports published annually, BIS Research focuses on high technology verticals such as 3D Printing, Advanced Materials and Chemicals, Aerospace and Defense, Automotive, Healthcare, Electronics and Semiconductors, Robotics and UAV, and other emerging technologies. Our in-depth market intelligence reports focus on the market estimations, technology analysis, emerging high-growth applications, deeply segmented granular country-level market data, and other important market parameters useful in the strategic decision-making for senior management. What distinguishes BIS Research from the rest of the players is that we don't simply provide data but also complement it with valuable insights and actionable inputs for the success of our clients. Contact: Bhavya Banga Email: media@bisresearch.com BIS Research Inc. 39111 PASEO PADRE PKWY STE 313, FREMONT CA 94538-1686 Visit our Blog @ http://bisresearch.com/blog/ Connect with us on LinkedIn @ https://www.linkedin.com/company/bis-research Connect with us on Twitter@ https://twitter.com/BISResearch Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/495163/BIS_Research_Logo.jpg BANGALORE, India, May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The analysts forecast the global syringe market to exhibit a CAGR of 4.62% during the period 2019-2024. The report covers the present scenario and the growth prospects of the global syringe for 2019-2024. To calculate the market size, the report considers the syringe sales volume and revenue. On the basis of type, the Global Syringe market is segmented into Safety Syringe and Conventional Syringe & on the basis of application it is segmented into Hospitals, clinics & Homecare. Geographically, the global syringe market is segmented into North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East & Africa and South America. This report forecasts revenue growth at a global, regional & country level, and provides an analysis of the market trends in each of the sub-segments from 2019 to 2024. - North America (U.S., Canada, Mexico, etc.) - Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, Korea, Australia, Indonesia, Taiwan, Thailand, etc.) - Europe (Germany, UK, France, Italy, Russia, Spain, etc.) - Middle East & Africa (Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Egypt, Nigeria, UAE, Israel, South Africa, etc.) - South America (Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, Venezuela, Peru, etc.) The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market. Leading players in the global syringe market are: - B. Braun Medical Inc. - Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD) - Cardinal Health, Inc. - Gerresheimer AG - Henke-Sass, Wolf GmbH - Hindustan Syringes & Medical Devices Ltd. - NIPRO Medical Corporation - Retractable Technologies, Inc. - Smiths Group plc. - Terumo Corporation - request free sample to get a complete list of companies Inquire for Sample: https://reports.valuates.com/request/sample/GENC-Othe-43/Global-Syringe-Market-Outlook-2019-2024 Objective of the study: - To analyze and forecast the market size of global syringe market. - To classify and forecast global syringe market based on product type, application and region. - To identify drivers and challenges for global syringe market. - To examine competitive developments such as expansions, mergers & acquisitions, etc., in global syringe market. - To conduct pricing analysis for global syringe market. - To identify and analyze the profile of leading players operating in global syringe market. The report is useful in providing answers to several critical questions that are important for the industry stakeholders such as manufacturers and partners, end users, etc., besides allowing them in strategizing investments and capitalizing on market opportunities. Key target audience are: - Manufacturers of syringe - Raw material suppliers - Market research and consulting firms - Government bodies such as regulating authorities and policy makers - Organizations, forums and alliances related to syringe The information contained in this report is based upon both primary and secondary sources. Primary research included interviews with syringe suppliers and industry experts. Secondary research included an exhaustive search of relevant publications like company annual reports, financial reports, and proprietary databases. View Full report: https://reports.valuates.com/sreport/GENC-Othe-43/Global_Syringe_Market The Global Pre-Filled Diluent Syringe Market : Pre-Filled Diluents Syringe is designed to prevent solution from entering a non sterile area of the syringe, and it helps reduce the risk of solution contamination. This report focuses on Pre-Filled Diluents Syringe volume and value at global level, regional level and company level. From a global perspective, this report represents overall Pre-Filled Diluents Syringe 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. View Full Report: https://reports.valuates.com/sreport/QYRE-Othe-3102/Global_PreFilled_Diluent_Syringe_Market The Global Pre-Filled Heparin Lock Syringe Market: Pre-Filled Heparin Lock Syringe is designed to prevent solution from entering a non sterile area of the syringe, and it helps reduce the risk of solution contamination. This report focuses on Pre-Filled Heparin Lock Syringe volume and value at global level, regional level and company level. From a global perspective, this report represents overall Pre-Filled Heparin Lock Syringe 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. View Full Report: https://reports.valuates.com/sreport/QYRE-Othe-1105/Global_PreFilled_Heparin_Lock_Syringe_Market About Us : Our aim is to collate unparalleled Market insights and notify our customers as and when it happens. Valuates is a curating premium Market Research Reports from the leading publishers around the globe. We will help you map your information needs to our report repository of Market research reports and guide you through your purchasing decision. We are based out of silicon valley of India (Bengaluru) and provide 24/7 online and offline support to all our customers and just a phone call away. Media Contact: Valuates Reports sales@valuates.com For U.S. Toll Free Call+1(425)388-2538 For IST Call+91-8040957137 Source: Valuates Reports Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/valuatesreports/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/valuatesreports Twitter: https://twitter.com/valuatesreports Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH4wNXynaTZbiD5m92WQI4A/videos Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/825036/Valuates_Reports_Logo.jpg Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - May 7, 2019) - Golden Share Resources Corporation (TSXV: GSH) ("Golden Share" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the signing of an Exploration Agreement between Marten Falls First Nation ("Marten Falls") and Golden Share. This agreement reflects the mutual respect between the parties and allows for a process of communication and consultation surrounding the Company's exploration activities within the subject lands. Under the terms of the Agreement, Golden Share will be able to perform mineral exploration work including field prospecting, geochemical and geophysical surveys and diamond drilling. The agreement provides the Company with Community support while underlining the importance of responsible environmental stewardship and respect for the land. As the projects evolve, the Community will benefit from any job and training opportunities that emerge. Chief Bruce Achneepineskum indicates, "Marten Falls First Nation is pleased to enter into an exploration agreement with Golden Share for exploration in Marten Falls traditional territory. Golden Share sets a great standard for building community relations and observing protocal!" Golden Share greatly appreciates the efforts of Chief Achneepineskum and Council in reaching this agreement and for the positive engagement between the parties. Golden Share President and CEO, Nick Zeng emphasizes that, "Our goal is continuing building a long term mutually beneficial relationship with the Marten Falls First Nation Community and Leadership." The majority of the mining claims of the Company 100% owned Ogoki Project ("Ogoki") and Kagiami Project ("Kagiami") are located in Marten Falls' traditional territory. Ogoki is a diamond project and Kagiami is a base metal project with massive sulphide exploration potential. For more information about Ogoki and Kagiami, please refer to the press releases dated July 31, 2017 and May 1, 2018. About Golden Share Golden Share Resources Corporation is a junior natural resource company focusing on mineral exploration in the province of Ontario, Canada, a mineral rich and politically stable jurisdiction. WARNING: Certain statements in this press release may be forward-looking, including those with respect to the timing and content of up-coming work programs, geological interpretations etc. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore involve inherent risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. The Company relies upon litigation protection for forward-looking statements. The reader is warned against undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. For more information, please visit www.goldenshare.ca or contact: Golden Share Resources Corporation Nick Zeng, President & CEO Tel: (905) 968-1199 E-mail: info@goldenshare.ca To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/44597 Ottawa, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - May 7, 2019) - UrbanGold Minerals Inc. (TSXV: UGM) ("UrbanGold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce a non-brokered private placement (the "Private Placement") of up to 5,454,545 units (the "Units") at a price of $0.11 per Unit, for gross proceeds of up to $600,000. Each Unit is comprised of one common share and one share purchase warrant. Each warrant will entitle the holder to acquire one additional common share in the capital of the Company at a price of $0.16 per share, for a period of two years from the date the Units are issued. The Company is delighted to receive support from two important Quebec-based funds, SIDEX, Limited Partnership ("SIDEX") and the Mining Investment Fund SDBJ ("SDBJ") who will provide the lead orders for the Private Placement. Management is also pleased to participate for up to 10% of the Private Placement. UrbanGold is currently well-funded to complete its $1.2 million exploration program which began with the start of airborne operations on the StarGold property (April 24, 2019 UGM news release). The additional funds will be used to expand exploration work on its Monaco and StarGold properties where historical gold values of up to 279 g/t gold have been reported in grab samples from a large sulphide-rich boulder (February 21, 2019 UGM press release). A portion of the funds will also be used for corporate development and general working capital purposes. The Company may pay finder's fees on a portion of the Private Placement in accordance with applicable securities laws and the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange"). In accordance with the requirements of the Investment Dealer Exemption, the Company confirms there is no material fact or material change related to the Company which has not been generally disclosed. Closing of the Private Placement is expected to occur on or about May 31, 2019 but is at the discretion of the Company. The Company will announce the outcome of the Private Placement after closing in a subsequent press release. The Private Placement is subject to the approval of the Exchange. The Private Placement securities have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), or under any state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, or delivered within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons (as defined in Regulation S under the 1933 Act) absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy such securities in the United States. 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. It is to be noted that grab samples are selective in nature and are not necessarily representative of the mineralization hosted on the Property. About SIDEX Created in 2001, SIDEX is an initiative of the Quebec government and the Fonds de solidarite FTQ . Its mission is to invest in companies engaged in mineral exploration in Quebec in order to diversify the province's mineral base, promote new entrepreneurs and innovation. SIDEX has invested more than $90 million to date in mineral exploration companies and their projects in Quebec. About SDBJ Established in 1971 under the James Bay Region Development Act, SDBJ's mission is to promote economic development and the development and exploitation of natural resources in the James Bay territory, other than hydro-electric resources falling within Hydro-Quebec's mandate, with a view to sustainable development. The SDBJ may generate, support and carry out projects in the pursuit of those objectives. About UrbanGold UrbanGold is incorporated under the federal laws of Canada and has its principal office in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The Company is engaged in the evaluation, acquisition and exploration of mineral properties in Canada, and its current focus is Quebec. The Company plans to ultimately develop the properties, bring them into production, option or lease the properties to third parties, or sell the properties outright. The Company has not determined whether these properties contain mineral reserves that are economically recoverable, and the Company is considered to be in the exploration stage. Forward Looking Information This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws that is intended to be covered by the safe harbours created by those laws. "Forward-looking information" includes statements that use forward-looking terminology such as "may", "will", "expect", "intend", "anticipate", "believe", "continue", "potential" or the negative thereof or other variations thereof or comparable terminology. Forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance and is based upon a number of estimates and assumptions of management at the date the statements are made. Furthermore, such forward-looking information involves a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual plans, intentions, activities, results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future plans, intentions, activities, results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by forward-looking information. See "Risk Factors" in the Company's Final Prospectus dated December 13, 2018 filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com for a discussion of these risks. The Company cautions that there can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Except as required by law, the Company does not assume any obligation to release publicly any revisions to forward-looking information contained in this press release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof. For further information Mathieu Stephens, Chief Executive Officer mstephens@urbangoldminerals.com Phone (613) 721-2919 www.urbangoldminerals.com To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/44576 DUBAI, UAE, May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of its new Middle East-centric strategy, El-Khoury & Partners Legal Counsel (EKP) chose to amicably demerge from international law firm HFW, effective January 1st, 2019. Guided by its ambition to continuously support its regional client base, EKP's new strategy aims at solidifying its commitment to supporting the development of the Middle East region. In line with this new direction, and despite the downturn in today's legal market, EKP has announced a number of recent growth initiatives: The launch of a new office in Dubai in association with Diana Hamade Attorneys at Law, resulting in the addition of 2 new partners - Diana Hamade and Patrick Khoury - as well as 6 associates; The addition of Beirut -based partner, Georges Okais Member of the Lebanese Parliament, joining from a reputable law firm; and The inauguration of its new offices in Beirut . Dubai-based partners Diana Hamade and Patrick Khoury joined EKP effective January 1st, 2019. Ms. Hamade, a prominent figure in the Dubai legal community, will be leading EKP's Family Law and Succession Planning practice. Prior to joining EKP, she led her own law firm for 10 years. Mr. Khoury, who practiced law for more than 17 years in the UAE, has joined EKP to cement its Corporate Practice in Dubai. Beirut-based partner MP Georges Okais joined EKP on May 1st, 2019 and is tasked with leading EKP's Policy and Governments Practice. Mr. Okais started his career as a judge in Lebanon where he presided over the Tribunal of First Instance of Beirut for more than 17 years. He then moved into the legal profession and in 2010 he served as Head of the Strategic Planning and Management Bureau in Abu Dhabi, then as the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department's Undersecretary. In 2014 he was appointed as an adviser to the Minister of Justice in the UAE until 2018. In 2018, Mr. Okais was successfully elected as a parliament member during the General Legislative elections in Lebanon, and as a result, he is currently serving as a member of the Justice and Administration, Foreign Affairs, and Human Rights Parliamentary Committees. As part of these expansion plans, EKP unveiled a new, state-of-the-art office in Beirut. Equipped with cutting edge technology. The newly launched office is innovative, dynamic, and modern, which further amplifies EKP's commitment to its clients and its people. EKP will leverage the new office to continue to provide outstanding levels of service to clients while enhancing the workplace experience for its team members. The same team in EKP's office in Riyadh operates in association with Khulaif Al-Enezee and has added three team members to its ranks. Over the last 15 years, EKP has built a strong platform in Riyadh with partners grounded in the Saudi market and who continue to serve it together today. EKP has also created a new Chief Operating Officer (COO) position, which is now held by Elie Choueiri who joined EKP's Beirut office after having served as Chief Information Officer at Chalhoub Group in Dubai for more than 17 years. EKP is now a team of 7 Partners and 20 associates who are spread across 3 regional offices in Beirut, Dubai and Riyadh. EKP's Managing Partner, Ziad Ghassan El-Khoury, commented: "This is the first of a series of expansion actions based on a 10-year growth strategy that EKP has carefully designed and is seeking to implement. Very few local firms in the region are capable of providing international quality service to regional clients at competitive rates. EKP aims at becoming the top firm in this category." Diana Hamade, new Dubai-based partner with EKP, said: "We are very excited to now be part of the EKP's regional platform. This will allow us to extend new offerings to our clients in several practice areas and locations that we did not cover before." "The move into this wonderful group of professionals will allow us to offer corporate clients a sizable, extremely experienced team of lawyers, capable of offering clients a regional one-stop shop. This will also mean that we now have the capability and ease of following clients into regional cross-border transactions," said Patrick Khoury, new Dubai-based corporate partner with EKP. MP George Okais, new partner with EKP serving clients in Lebanon and the UAE, commented on these recent developments: "I am honored and pleased to be joining this highly ambitious team, and working on further expanding EKP's regional Policy and Governments practice. EKP's commitment to deliver world-class legal services to the local market is a real strategic fit with my own ambitions working on regulatory, government, corporate and commercial law matters. I am confident that EKP's growth initiatives will bolster its capabilities to serve current and future clients, and I look forward to the journey ahead." Elie Choueiri, new Dubai-based COO with EKP, said: "It is rare to find a regional forward-thinking law firm like EKP with a clearly defined strategy. I will be supporting this strong business institution by putting in place corporate governance schemes and driving its performance and efficiency to new heights via the establishment of metric-driven planning and financial management, and by aligning legal with finance, IT and HR. I am very excited to be part of EKP and look forward to helping the firm attain its quest of building the best quality legal platform in the Middle East." About EKP: EKP is a team of legal experts who bring together international expertise with deeply-rooted knowledge of Middle East markets. EKP is uniquely positioned to create value for its clients, partnering law firms, and lawyers. Through its offices in Beirut, Dubai, and Riyadh, EKP serves the entire Middle East region and delivers capabilities that span across a wide range of practice areas and are tailored to the local legal regimes, customs and markets. Learn more at ekplegal.com. For more PR information, please contact: Weber Shandwick: Zeeshan Masud Senior Manager, Client Experience Direct: +971-4-445-4222 Email: Zmasud@webershandwick.com Carrier lays groundwork for significant expansion in non-standard personal auto insurance market with investment in SaaS solutions from Duck Creek Technologies Boston, May 07, 2019announced today that Trexis Insurance, a Tennessee-based non-standard personal auto insurer with operations in nine U.S. states, has selected the Duck Creek Suiteto spearhead its digital transformation. The carrier chose Duck Creek Policy, Billing, Claims, Insights, and Distribution Managementas part of an overall strategy to pursue growth, increase speed to market, make better use of data, and simplify the process of managing its growing network of thousands of agents. The carrier will be implementing Duck Creek applications via Duck Creek OnDemand, the provider's SaaS solution for the P&C insurance industry. Trexis' core systems replacement initiative was driven by a number of critical factors. Its existing legacy systems were limiting the speed of the insurer's growth, forcing Trexis to seek a modern suite of solutions built on a platform that can carry it well into the future. Eliminating the maintenance costs associated with on-premises systems was also a significant motivator. In addition, the carrier's legacy systems did not allow for meaningful data insights, making product enhancements and introductions difficult and time-consuming, and its lack of a centralized system for managing a large and growing roster of agents made true digital engagement a significant challenge. "Insurers that focus on transformation initiatives seek to not only modernize their core environments, but also to drive efficiency in their operations through technology," said Karen Furtado, Partner at Strategy Meets Action. "This focus creates an opportunity for insurers to automate manual processes and utilize their resources for higher-value activities. Duck Creek's product management and core capabilities are positioned to support these critical initiatives." "Our ability to grow quickly and profitably was central to our decision to replace our core systems with the Duck Creek Suite OnDemand," said Bubba Mullen, CIO, Trexis. "Duck Creek has already delivered SaaS to the P&C marketplace which will accelerate the Trexis implementation. And putting our data assets to work in real time while managing our growing list of carefully-vetted agents will be critical advantages for us-activities we can focus on instead of maintaining on-premises IT systems. This is a huge step forward in our digital transformation, and one we know will serve us well into the future as we grow our business with greater speed to market and critical business intelligence." "This legacy systems replacement represents a real turning point for Trexis as it moves through its digital transformation," said Andy Dey, Chief Product and Technology Officer of Duck Creek Technologies. "Duck Creek OnDemandwill give Trexis the flexibility and agility to make product changes and new product launches happen much faster, and the BI and data analysis capabilities they will gain from Duck Creek Insightswill be a huge advantage as they continue to scale and innovate. Plus, with Distribution Managementnow handling numerous manual processes, Trexis can focus its resources on meeting and exceeding customer and agent expectations in ways its prior systems couldn't." About Trexis: Trexis Insurance offers quality auto insurance products at a competitive rate to meet the needs of its customers. The company partners with experienced professional insurance agents and provides them with solid programs along with the latest in technology to meet their clients' personal auto needs. Trexis provides a knowledgeable customer service staff and quick and fair claims service with 24/7 claims reporting. Trexis and Trexis One Insurance Corporations are rated A, the provider's SaaS solution for the P&C insurance industry. For more information, visit www.duckcreek.com. Media Contact: Paul Rechichi Racepoint Global 617-624-3295 prechichi@racepointglobal.com Attachment DENVER, CO / ACCESSWIRE / May 7, 2019 / International Cannabrands Inc. (CSE: JUJU) (the 'Company') is pleased to announce that La Vida Verde ("LVV"), the Company's largest operating company, has signed a major distribution arrangement with Nabis - one of California's largest Type 11 distributors with state-wide reach. In March, Nabis completed its second round financing and is backed by Y Combinator, Liquid 2 Ventures, Soma Capital, Babel Ventures, Paul Buchheit (creator of Gmail), Stanley Tang (co-founder of DoorDash), and Clark Valberg (CEO of InVision). This significant expansion of LVV's distribution is strategically important to its continued sales growth and aggressive expansion initiative. Nabis currently distributes to over 90% of the retailers in California. "Nabis has an unparalleled track record for dependability and timely service. This relationship allows us to rapidly expand our sales territory to parts of the state that have previously been unreachable i.e., north of Sacramento and South of LA" noted Bryce Berryessa, President of La Vida Verde and Board Member of the Company. LVV's goal is to increase delivery speed and availability to key accounts that are on the perimeter of its current service territory. Equally important, the partnership frees up resources to accelerate product development and launch new product lines for the La Vida Verde, Blank Brands, and SkunkFeather brand families. 'Nabis is regarded as a top-tier distributor and we have dominated the industry with our extensive network and supreme success rate,' said Daniella Segal, Director of Business Development at Nabis. 'Partnering with La Vida Verde, a leading company that champions holistic cannabis products of the highest quality, only strengthens our positioning and we are thrilled to aid their expansion efforts with existing and new accounts across the state.' "LVV has had a strong first quarter with the hiring of a VP of sales, a full sales team and a core group of brand ambassadors engaging with the leading Northern California dispensaries and our release of new products. Once the transition of LVV distribution resources onto Nabis' platform is complete, LVV plans to repurpose a portion of our internal space used for distribution and move forward with our plan to build out extraction with a C1D1 lab and onsite refinement" shared Eric Hara, CEO La Vida Verde. About Nabis Nabis is a leading, independent cannabis distributor based in California with a software front-end and infrastructural backend. The tech-driven company provides a lightning-fast distribution network for the fulfillment, storage, and sales of wholesale cannabis products for over 40 major brands including Canndescent, THC Design, Cresco, Beezle, Nasha, and Honey Vape to retailers across the state from small delivery businesses to major dispensary chains. Founded on a simple mission to modernize the cannabis supply chain in 2017, Nabis offers transparency and efficiency for partners through their unique software portal that seamlessly automates every aspect of cannabis distribution. For more information, visit their website at www.getnabis.com. About International Cannabrands (ICI) ICI's strategy centers on acquiring micro brands, distribution and specific manufacturing/cultivation companies in the cannabis space. The Company's business model is to generate revenue from cannabis cultivation, brands ranging from flower to edibles and from THC to CBD, oil extraction, ancillary products and apparel in the United States. ICI markets products with THC content where that practice has been legalized at the state level through either medicinal or full recreational use. ICI also markets products containing CBD in the US and internationally. ICI owns 51% of La Vide Verde, Inc. and has the exclusive rights to Julian Marley's JuJu Royal brand. The Company believes as the legal cannabis market evolves, high-quality, unique products will increasingly capture market share and provide a valuable platform for growth. About La Vida Verde, Inc. (LVV) In addition to LVV's wholesale flower, packaged flower, pre-rolls and blunts, its differentiating products include gummies, upscale protein bars, new chocolate forms and super cookies. LVV Brands currently include Skunk Feather Cannabis and Blank Brand. LVV has been operating in California since 2015, and currently has extraction, manufacturing and distribution capability. LVV is a leader in the extraction field, being one of the first to incorporate full spectrum testing in every product, testing for potency, terpenes, pesticides and residual solvents. Its concentrates are pharmaceutical grade and free of any pesticides, microbial contaminants, heavy metals or additives. LVV has recently doubled its manufacturing capability and has installed state-of-the-art technology. LVV believes that the best medicine starts with the food you eat and it takes pride in producing products for people who are search for a natural and healthy alternative for nurturing their bodies. All its products use only healthy fats, are vegan, organic, gluten-free, paleo friendly and low glycemic. International Cannabrands Contact: Steve Gormley Chief Executive Officer 1045 Lincoln Street, #106 Denver, Colorado 80203 Ph: (323) 828-4321 or steve.gormley@intlcannabrands.com Media Inquiries: media@jujuroyal.net NEITHER THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER HAS REVIEWED OR ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. Disclaimer concerning Forward-looking Statements Certain statements included herein constitute 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management at this time, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Additional risks and uncertainties regarding the Company are described in its publicly-available disclosure documents filed by the Company on SEDAR (www.sedar.com). The forward-looking statements contained in this news release represent the Company's expectations as of the date of this news release, or as of the date they are otherwise stated to be made, and subsequent events may cause these expectations to change. Except as required by law, the Company does not intend, and undertakes no obligation, to update any forward-looking statements to reflect, in particular, new information or future events. SOURCE: International Cannabrands Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/544429/International-Cannabrands-Announces-Distribution-Deal-with-Nabis San Diego, California--(Newsfile Corp. - May 7, 2019) - Upper Street Marketing Inc. (OTC Pink: UPPR) and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Growing Springs Holding Corporation, are pleased to announce that it has completed assembling all the resources for planting and nutrition for our hemp crop of 300 acres for crop year 2019. The acreage in question is certified organic. CBD yields through extraction may exceed $200,000 per acre at current wholesale pricing. Upper Street Marketing Inc., through its wholly owned subsidiary Growing Springs Holdings Corporation, has an experienced cultivation team led by Roger Christensen of Center, Colorado. Mr. Christensen has over 25 years-experience in organic farming and product distribution. Based on the 2019 crop estimates, UPPR expects harvest and CBD extraction in late September or early October. UPPR extraction with its pharmaceutical partner, PrimaPharma Inc., of San Diego, CA will target revenue in excess of $75 million in CBD extracts for 2019. Upper Street CEO Joseph Earle stated, "Upper Street is now positioned for significant revenue growth for 2019 and we are already planning on expanding our hemp crops and CBD extraction by growing approximately 7,000 acres of hemp in 2020." Further to our news release of April 25, 2019, below is a corporate update. We embarked on an ambitious plan in 2018 to become the first and likely the largest cGMP CBD producer and marketing company in the United States and a major player in the global market for what we see as the most significant new market in many years. In a recent Fortune Magazine article, dated February 25th, 2019 they quoted a news analysis by Cowen & Co, nearly 7% of Americans are already using cannabidiol (CBD), placing the potential for the much-hyped cannabis compound at $35 Billion by 2025. They went on to say that they "conservatively" see CBD use growing to 30% CAGR of U.S. adults or 25 million consumers by 2025. CBD is promoted as an effective treatment for everything from arthritis to insomnia. To date, the only FDA approved uses are for two rare forms of childhood epilepsy. We at UPPR see this changing and UPPR, through its wholly owned subsidiary, is at the forefront of this change. UPPR intends to be a leader in FDA cGMP (Current Good Manufacturing Practice) capabilities in the hemp and CBD marketplace. FDA cGMP standards are US requirements that will become the expected manufacturing requirements for all CBD products in the US.UPPR will be at the forefront of this trend and back it up with our strategic partnership with Primapharma Inc. (www.primapharma.net) which we announced on January 22, 2019, to develop fully cGMP CBD oils and isolate, as well as research and clinical studies. UPPR intends to be the industry leader in FDA cGMP standards. Cautionary Language Concerning Forward-Looking Statements Statements in this press release may be "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "intend", and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company or its management, identify forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates, and projections about the Company's business, based, in part, on assumptions made by management. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may, and probably will, differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. Such statements could be affected by risks and uncertainties related to: (i) our ability to execute the Company's business plans with the uncertainty of agricultural crops (ii) product demand, market, and customer acceptance of the Company's products, (iii) the Company's ability to obtain financing to expand our operations, (iv) the Company's ability to attract qualified sales representatives, (v) competition, pricing and development difficulties, (vi) the Company's ability to conduct the business if there are changes in laws, regulations, or government policies related to the Company's products, (vii) the Company's ability to conduct operations if it faces product recalls, and (viii) general industry and market conditions and growth rates and general economic conditions. Any forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release. For Further Information Contact: Upper Street Marketing Inc.: . Phone: (844) 535-UPPR (8777) Email: investorrelations@upperstreetmarketing.com To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/44587 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 7, 2019) - Jaxon Mining Inc. (TSXV: JAX) (FSE: OU31) (OTC: JXMNF) ("Jaxon" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the Company has retained HEG & Associates Exploration Inc. to conduct field work that will start the 2019 exploration season at Red Springs. Under the supervision of Dr. Tony Guo, the Company's COO and Chief Geologist, HEG will conduct a focused exploration work program targeted on the porphyry system at the Primary Ridge area at Red Springs (Figure 1), which encompasses the Primary Ridge porphyry target, the "Red Springs" porphyry target and the east section of the Razorback porphyry target. The proposed work program will commence once snow melt allows. HEG's work will include 1:2000 geology, structure and alteration mapping, 50x50 metre grid soil geochemistry sampling and study, rock geochemistry and dating study and comprehensive desktop study on the project area after the field work is complete. HEG's work will also involve future drill site targeting. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/881/44593_0a97e80004bcebad_001full.jpg In addition to the Company's Hazelton property where Red Springs is located, HEG previously worked on the delineation of many recent discoveries in northwestern British Columbia. Projects include KSP, Newmont Lake, North ROK and Castle. For more information, please visit https://hegexplore.ca/projects. Cole Evans, President and CEO of HEG & Associates Exploration Services Inc., commented, "Our business model is very simple; we strive to be the best at what we do, set the bar for unparalleled service, and let our quality workmanship and integrity speak for itself. That has been the recipe to HEG's success, and we look forward to bringing that attitude to Jaxon's Red Springs project. From a geological perspective, Jaxon is sitting on a vastly underexplored land package, which from our initial research is ripe for new discoveries. Our whole team is very excited to get involved in unlocking its potential." John King Burns, President and CEO of Jaxon, commented, "HEG has demonstrated to be one of the most successful exploration teams working in northwest British Columbia, actively representing and exploring >300,000 hectares of ground throughout the region. The work and experience of their technical team encompasses a network of well-respected industry professionals whose work has led to major advances in economic geology within the region, and most importantly, major discoveries that are poised to become the next generation of operating mines in this mining district." Qualified Person Yingting (Tony) Guo, P.Geo., COO of Jaxon Mining Inc., a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and prepared the scientific and technical information and verified the data supporting such scientific and technical information contained in this news release. About HEG & Associates Exploration HEG provides a full spectrum of mineral exploration services from property reconnaissance to turn-key advanced exploration/resource delineation. Their highly trained, diligently prepared, and safety oriented geological team is regarded in western Canada for executing exploration programs at various scales with military-like precision. About Jaxon Mining Jaxon is a precious and base metals exploration company with a regional focus on Western Canada. The Company is currently focused on advancing its Red Springs project in British Columbia. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS JAXON MINING INC. "John King Burns" John King Burns Chairman, President and CEO For Capital Markets, call 778-938-4459, for Investor Relations 604-558-2630 or 1-888-280-8128 and for Corporate enquiries 604-398-5394. This news release may contain forward-looking information, which is not comprised of historical facts. Forward-looking information involves risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Forward-looking information in this news release may include, but is not limited to, the Company's objectives, goals or future plans. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, those risks set out in the Company's public documents filed on SEDAR. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information, which only applies as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames, or at all. 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, other than as required by law. Neither TSX Venture exchange nor its Regulations Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/44593 Seattle, Washington--(Newsfile Corp. - May 7, 2019) - CFN Media Group ("CFN Media"), the leading agency and financial media network dedicated to the North American cannabis industry, announces the publication of an article discussing Ionic Brands (CSE: IONC) and its multi-state consumer branding and product strategy. Ionic Brands To view an enhanced version of Ionic Brands, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5503/44596_2b971d7de43e7b6f_001full.jpg There are hundreds of different cannabis investment opportunities across North America, ranging from cultivators to dispensaries to ancillary service providers. With the growing competition, it's important for investors to understand the factors that influence whether early-stage cannabis companies will succeed. Production capacity may have been the most important factor in the past, but branding and product formats are becoming more important. In this article, we will take a look at these two factors driving the value of multistate operators and how Ionic Brands is addressing both of them. Click here to receive an investor deck and corporate updates Building Premium National Brands The $146.4 billion global cannabis industry is in the midst of a massive shakeup, as traditional flower surrenders market share to concentrates and edibles. The fastest growing concentrates category is marijuana vape products, which are experiencing the same growth trajectory as e-cigarettes in the tobacco industry. Consumers are demanding more discreet and sophisticated ways to consume cannabis products. New brands are launched every day-especially in the vape category-but the industry remains fragmented. Multi-state operators are trying to close the gap by introducing consistent, national brands that span several states. In addition to helping consumers select products, the companies behind these brands are capturing early market share on a national level, protecting long-term profit margins, and creating sustainable competitive advantages. Many MSOs have focused on building strong brands in the Western United States where recreational cannabis has already been widely legalized across several states. For example, Washington State, Oregon, and California have all legalized recreational cannabis, while Nevada, Colorado, and Arizona are natural markets for expansion in the future. Focusing on Concentrates, Not Flower The cannabis industry may have begun with cannabis flower, but there's no doubt that concentrates will become the industry mainstay. Concentrates have already become the fastest growing segment of the legal cannabis industry and continue to capture shelf space and market share from cannabis flower products across many states. In fact, concentrates have captured 26.6 percent of the market, gaining dollar sales faster than any other product. ArcView and BDS Analytics estimate that concentrates will reach $8 billion in sales by 2022. Within the concentrates category, vape oil continues to lead the market in growth versus live resin, oils, wax, shatter, and other concentrate products. The market for vape products surpassed $5.5 billion last year, according to Wells Fargo analysts, representing a robust 15% compound annual growth rate across tobacco and cannabis. In 2017, ArcView and BDS Analytics found that vape cartridges accounted for over half of concentrate sales, and those figures could rise to 80 percent of sales by 2022-or a $6.5 billion market opportunity. Altria Group's $12.8 billion investment in JUUL, resulting in a lofty $38 billion valuation, underscores the growth opportunity. In the cannabis industry, many companies are attempting to position themselves as leading providers of vape oils. Premium vape pens and differentiated vape oils that capture early market share could enjoy lasting advantages. Innovative cannabis companies are also looking beyond vape pens and oils to other forms of high-growth concentrates. For example, edibles are quickly becoming a mainstay of the industry. Cannabis-infused chocolates, beverages, and other product categories could replace candies and beers as recreational options for consumers. Ionic Brands recently entered into the highly desirable edibles market. It is estimated that edibles spending in US and Canada topped $1 Billion in 2017 with a forecast to grow to more than $4.1 Billion by 2022. The Zoots acquisition provides the company with unique exposure to the edibles space and plays into the Company's cannabis concentrates expertise as one of the largest volume extractors in Washington State. Click here to receive an investor deck and corporate updates Ionic Brands Provides Exposure Ionic Brands (CSE: IONC) (FSE: IB3) has built the leading cannabis vape brand in Washington State with products available in nearly 141 stores. The company has expanded its business into California and Oregon and has plans to move into Nevada in mid-May through a direct model. Ionic plans to expand into more recreational-use approved states like Arizona, Colorado, New York, and Massachusetts in the coming months as well. The company recently announced an exclusive distribution agreement with Continuum, a California division of Origin House, to distribute its branded products. With reach into more than 500 dispensaries across California, the agreement could bring Ionic's leading vape pens and other products into the single largest state cannabis market. Unlike many of its competitors, Ionic has also invested in building its own supply chain to control quality and costs. The company cultivates cannabis outdoors and is targeting costs of less than ten cents per gram, extracts it with ultra clean CO2 extraction, loads it into patent-protected vape hardware, and distributes it across a growing number of states. The company generated almost $10 million in revenue last year - more than double its 2017 revenue - and continues to see strong growth. With seven years of hands on experience in building the company, the management team is well positioned to become a leading MSO over the coming quarters as it expands across state lines. Investors may want to take a closer look at the company as it looks to address the two most important trends in cannabis: product format and branding. The company's focus on vape products is designed to capitalize on the rapid growth in vape consumption methods, while its ability to put brands in stores across state borders could open the door to more rapid growth than single-state operators without the capital, licenses, or expertise to execute. Click here to receive an investor deck and corporate updates Please follow the link to read the full article: https://www.cannabisfn.com/what-makes-a-cannabis-industry-leader/ About CFN Media For Visitors and Viewers CFN Media's Cannabis Financial Network (CannabisFN.com) is the destination for savvy investors and business people profiting from the worldwide cannabis industry. Viewers will see breaking news, exclusive content and original programming involving the people, companies and investments shaping the industry. For Cannabis Businesses & Companies CFN Media is a leading agency and financial media network dedicated to the cannabis industry. We help private, pre-public and public cannabis companies in the US and Canada attract capital, investors and media attention. Our powerful digital media and distribution platform conveys a company's message and value proposition directly to accredited and retail investors and national media active in the North American cannabis markets. Since 2013, CFN Media has enabled the world's preeminent cannabis companies to thrive in the capital and public markets. Learn how to become a CFN Media client company, brand or entrepreneur: http://www.cannabisfn.com/featuredcompany Disclaimer CannabisFN.com is not an independent financial investment advisor or broker-dealer. You should always consult with your own independent legal, tax, and/or investment professionals before making any investment decisions. The information provided on http://www.cannabisfn.com (the 'Site') is either original financial news or paid advertisements drafted by our in-house team or provided by an affiliate. CannabisFN.com, a financial news media and marketing firm enters into media buys or service agreements with the companies that are the subject of the articles posted on the Site or other editorials for advertising such companies. We are not an independent news media provider. We make no warranty or representation about the information including its completeness, accuracy, truthfulness or reliability and we disclaim, expressly and implicitly, all warranties of any kind, including whether the Information is complete, accurate, truthful, or reliable. As such, your use of the information is at your own risk. Nor do we undertake any obligation to update the items posted. CannabisFN.com received compensation for producing and presenting high quality and sophisticated content on CannabisFN.com along with financial and corporate news. The above article is sponsored content. Emerging Growth LLC, which owns CannabisFN.com and CFN Media, has been hired to create awareness. Please follow the link below to view our full disclosure outlining our compensation: http://www.cannabisfn.com/legal-disclaimer/ Frank Lane 206-369-7050 flane@cannabisfn.com To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/44596 Houston, Texas--(Newsfile Corp. - May 7, 2019) - MarijuanaStox announces publication of an article that discusses The Yield Growth Corporation (CSE:BOSS)(OTC:BOSQF). The company has been aggressively addressing demand for health, wellness, and beauty products infused with premium-cannabis and hemp-based products on an international scale with subsidiary, Urban Juve. Increased Demand for Health and Wellness CBD Products Multi-billion-dollar industries are being transformed by cannabis. Beverages, drinks, pharmaceuticals, tobacco, and the $4.2 trillion wellness industry are just a few, as the cannabis boom just gets underway. In fact, the healing properties of marijuana are why spa, wellness and skincare industries are introducing a range of products with cannabis as a key ingredient. According to Forbes, "Hemp-derived CBD has been touted in several medical studies as having a myriad of health benefits ranging from treating psoriasis, atopic dermatitis and eczema to minimizing seizures, stress, and insomnia." Retailers have been quick to notice an increase in demand, as well. DSW for example, has been running tests in its stores with CBD, announcing plans to expand such products to nearly 100 stores. Neiman Marcus is pushing ahead with CBD sales at some of its stores and online. Simon Property Group is partnering with Green Growth Brands to open 108 stores in its malls just in 2019. CVS will now carry a line of CBD products in eight states, including California, Illinois, and Colorado. In fact, the drug chain will now sell CBD creams, sprays, and lotions in those states. "We are carrying hemp-derived CBD products in select states to help meet consumer demand for alternative care options," said CVS Health Spokesperson, Mike DeAngelis. It's expected that revenue generated from sales of CBD skin care products could grow to $645 million in 2019, according to Future Market Insights' report, CBD Skin Care Market: Global Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment 2019-2027. The Yield Growth Corporation is Expanding Rapidly The Yield Growth Corporation recently announced that it is developing a new line of perfumes inspired by the royal Attar tradition. The new blends are made with premium essential oils, and the line will launch with formulations in a diverse range of fragrance profiles. Wellness-minded consumers are increasingly demanding high-quality ingredients in their cosmetic products-and perfumes are no exception. "Perfumes, also known as 'attar' have existed in the Indus Civilization since 3300 BCE, and have long been used by royalty," explains Bhavna Solecki, Director of Product & Content at Urban Juve. "Our new perfumes use pure essential oils derived from botanical sources-the same kind that have been used in the Ayurvedic tradition for many centuries." In addition, the company just announced that its new online flagship for its wholly owned subsidiary, Urban Juve, is now live. The technology for the new website was custom-built by Yield Growth subsidiary Thrive Activations, and represents a new paradigm in agile, efficient and scalable ecommerce technology. The new technology was designed specifically for retail companies, and supports both B2C and B2B sales. The operational capabilities include inventory & logistics management, finance and accounting, manufacturing and production management, data reporting, analytics, customer support with integrated telephony, and CRM. It also has the capability for advanced analytics-making it possible to incorporate product suggestions and site personalization-two methods that are proven to maximize sales. For more information, visit the company's website at https://yieldgrowth.com About MarijuanaStox MarijuanaStox.com is a leading web destination for all cannabis related companies. Investors can also find current marijuana-related quality financial, medical, legal and social news. MarijuanaStox.com is a media agency in North America dedicated to the cannabis industry, helping companies that operate in the space to attract quality investors, working capital and real publicity. Since 2005, we have had public companies in the US and Canada have rely on us to grow and succeed. Legal Disclaimer Except for the historical information presented herein, matters discussed in this article contain forward-looking statements that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. Winning Media which has a partnership with www.MarijuanaStox.com is not registered with any financial or securities regulatory authority and does not provide nor claims to provide investment advice or recommendations to readers of this release. For making specific investment decisions, readers should seek their own advice. Winning Media, which has a partnership with www.MarijuanaStox.com, is only compensated for its services in the form of cash-based compensation. Pursuant to an agreement between Winning Media (partners of MarijuanaStox.com) and The Yield Growth Corp, Winning Media has been paid four thousand dollars for advertising and marketing services for The Yield Growth Corp. We own ZERO shares of The Yield Growth Corp. Please click here for full disclaimer. Contact Information: 2818047972 ty@marijuanastox.com SOURCE: MarijuanaStox.com To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/44598 ROSEMONT, IL / ACCESSWIRE / May 7, 2019 / Last week, the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL, was the hub for architecture, engineering and construction industry professionals who gathered for the inaugural AEC BuildTech Conference & Expo. The Conference & Expo, produced by BNP Media, attracted 1,400 registrants and 115 exhibiting companies who showcased the latest products and technologies in building design and construction. "We thank our exhibitors, sponsors, speakers, attendees, media partners, supporting organizations and partners who helped us launch this first time event," said Scott Wolters, Chief Events Officer, BNP Media, producers of the event. "Working with our media partners, we were able to bring together six elements of the construction industry - plumbing, HVACR/mechanical systems, flooring, building envelope, roofing and general contracting professionals to learn from industry experts, earn continuing education credits, see new products and network." Two leaders in the industry delivered dynamic keynote addresses, which were extremely well received by the attendees in the audience. Steve Jones, Senior Director of Industry Insights Research at Dodge Data & Analytics, spoke about key trends transforming the global construction industry and the importance of collaboration among the different segments of the industry. Dr. Antony Wood, Chief Executive Officer, Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat, spoke about the future sustainability of vertical cities and provided the audience with interesting statistics on the evolution of this industry segment. "Steve and Antony both brought a fresh perspective and insight on the future of our industry to our attendees and shared with them important information that truly got everyone thinking," said Scott Seltz, Publisher, BNP Media. "Keynotes are supposed to be inspiring, and both Steve and Antony delivered on that notion." The Conference program had 50+ sessions with a wonderful faculty of speakers, including subject matter experts from many leading organizations and associations. Attendees discovered essential information on new technologies, applications and policies affecting the entire build process and were able to receive continuing education credits from the AIA, IACET, IIBEC, AIBD, AIC, PDHengineer, and BOMI International. The Expo Hall opened with a Welcome Reception where attendees were able to meet with the exhibitors including Platinum Sponsors Oracle Construction and Engineering, and Procore; Gold Sponsor Autodesk; Silver Sponsor CMiC; and Bronze Sponsor Mestek Machinery. Also, in the exhibit hall was a Learning Theater where four presentations led by executives from Oracle, TAMLYN, Goodman and Trimble were broadcast live. To download the sessions, click here. The AEC BuildTech Conference & Expo was produced by BNP Media, one of the country's leading business-to-business media companies. Several of the companies industry magazines supported the launch, including Architectural Record, Building Enclosure, ClearSeas Research, Contemporary Stone & Tile Design, Engineered Systems, Engineering News-Record, Floor Covering Installer, Floor Trends, National Driller, The Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration News, Plumbing & Mechanical, PM Engineer, Point of Beginning, Roofing Contractor, Restoration & Remediation, Snips, Stone World, Supply House Times, Tile Magazine and Walls & Ceilings. The 2020 AEC BuildTech Conference & Expo will be held April 21-23 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL. For more information visit www.AECBuildTech.com. To learn about exhibiting and sponsorships, visit https://www.aecbuildtech.com/Become-an-Exhibitor. To connect with the appropriate staff member of the show management team visit www.AECBuildTech.com/contact. Follow AEC BuildTech on Facebook and Twitter. About BNP MEDIA The event is owned by BNP Media, one of the country's leading business-to-business media companies serving industry professionals across 50-plus industries through magazines, custom media, e-newsletters, websites, conferences, events and market research. Visit BNP Media at www.bnpmedia.com. For further information, contact: Amy Riemer, Media Relations Representative 978-475-4441 or 978-502-4895 (cell) amy@riemercommunications.com SOURCE: AEC BuildTech Conference View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/544344/Architects-Engineers-and-Contractors-Gather-at-1st-Annual-AEC-Buildtech-Conference-Expo Easy scalability of Talkdesk Enterprise Cloud Contact Center helps Indie Campers provide and maintain superior customer experience Talkdesk, the cloud contact center for innovative enterprises, was chosen by Indie Campers, one of the largest campervan rental companies in Europe, to expand and optimize its customer service operations. Founded in 2013 with three rental vans, Indie Campers now operates a fleet of more than 650 vehicles in over 50 locations throughout Europe. To support its rapid growth, Indie Campers chose Talkdesk Enterprise Cloud Contact Center for its scalability, ease of use and reliability, backed by a 100% uptime SLA. Talkdesk's enterprise-ready, next-generation cloud architecture maximizes flexibility, allowing Indie Campers to stay agile and easily self-manage its contact center with clicks, not code. Powered by Talkdesk iQ, the AI-infused platform increases operational efficiency for Indie Campers with intelligent routing, reporting, analytics, context and mobile solutions to improve customer outcomes and maintain visibility across its entire business. "Indie Campers has grown tremendously and, as a result, the importance and impact of our support agents whose primary focus is to help customers get the most out of their Indie Campers experience," said head of commercial customer care at Indie Campers, Francisco Lisboa. "As we continue to evolve and grow, working with Talkdesk gives us the ability to create solutions and implement new services to further improve the customer experience as we strive to exceed customer expectations." Customer service is of the utmost importance to Indie Campers and a key to their success. Leveraging Intelligent Routing from Talkdesk, Indie Campers easily creates customized call flows to ensure each inbound customer is quickly assigned to the most-skilled agent based on the caller's needs. Seamless CRM integration through Talkdesk for Salesforce ensures agents are provided with accurate customer information for fast and efficient customer interactions. "The most innovative and customer-first companies are winning in today's age of the customer and, as a result, need a contact center solution that can scale quickly to meet their rapidly evolving needs," said Tiago Paiva, chief executive officer, Talkdesk. "By combining enterprise performance with consumer simplicity, built on cloud-native architecture for flexibility and easy customizations, Talkdesk enables our customers to improve customer satisfaction, increase productivity and make customer experience their competitive advantage." Additional Information Learn more about the Talkdesk Enterprise Cloud Contact Center Follow @Talkdesk on Twitter Connect with Talkdesk on LinkedIn Review Talkdesk Awards Recognition About Talkdesk The Talkdesk Enterprise Cloud Contact Center is the Talkdesk product that empowers businesses to make the consumer experience their competitive advantage. Combining enterprise-class performance with intuitive use, it easily adapts to the needs of sales and support teams and end-users themselves, resulting in higher levels of customer satisfaction, productivity and cost savings. More than 1,400 innovative companies around the world, including IBM, Acxiom, Discovery Education and Peloton rely on Talkdesk to optimize their interactions with their customers About Indie Campers Founded in 2013, Indie Campers leads the European campervan rental market and is also one of the main players globally. In six years, the company has grown from a local business with two jobs and three vans to a European universe with more than 100 employees and 800 vans, which has multiplied its turnover. It currently operates in 13 countries and 3 islands in the Mediterranean: Portugal, Spain, France, Belgium, The Netherlands, England, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Croatia, Scotland, Ireland and Iceland and on the islands of Corsica, Sardinia and Sicily. Indie Campers is also a pioneer in providing services that ensure the transport of pets in campervans. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190507005660/en/ Contacts: Gavin Gustafson gavin.gustafson@talkdesk.com (801) 560-0073 Chad Torbin chad@speakeasystrategies.com (415) 548-6535 TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / May 7, 2019 / California Gold Mining Inc. ("California Gold" or the "Company") announced today that it is accelerating the expiry date of all outstanding common share purchase warrants (the "Warrants") of the Company issued pursuant to the financings of the Company that were completed on March 12, 2018, April 28, 2018, August 14, 2018 and August 30, 2018. Pursuant to the terms of the certificates evidencing the Warrants, the Company may accelerate the expiry date of the Warrants in the event that the closing price of the issued and outstanding common shares of the Company ("Common Shares") is equal to or greater than $0.60 per Common Share for a period of 10 consecutive trading days (the "Acceleration Trigger"). The Company confirms that as of the close of markets on May 6, 2019, the Acceleration Trigger had occurred. In accordance with the terms of the certificates evidencing the Warrants, the Company will be providing written notice to the Warrant holders of the Acceleration Trigger. Accordingly, the Company confirms that the Warrants are now set to expire at 5:00 p.m. (Toronto time) on June 6, 2019, being the 30th day following the date of the notice (the "Early Expiry Date"). Any Warrants remaining unexercised after the Early Expiry Date will be cancelled. As of the close of market on May 6, 2019, a total of 5,591,000 Warrants of the 5,931,000 Warrants originally issued had yet to be exercised. Each Warrant is exercisable into one Common Share at a price of $0.50 per Common Share. Accordingly, if all of the outstanding Warrants are exercised, gross proceeds to the Company will total $2,795,000. About California Gold Mining Inc. California Gold Mining Inc. is focused on continued development of a high-quality gold resource on its 100%-owned Fremont Property in Mariposa County, California. The property consists of an entirely private and patented land package totaling 3,351 acres of historically producing gold mines, with a state highway, PG&E electric substation and abundant water present on the property itself. The property lies within California's prolific Mother Lode Gold Belt that has produced over 50 million oz of gold. The Company purchased the property in March 2013. The Company is also investigating establishing greenhouse-based propagation of high-CBD industrial hemp seed on the Fremont Property, the cash flow from which could be used to continue development of its gold business, with less dilution for shareholders. The Company's technical report in respect of the Fremont Property prepared pursuant to National Instrument 43-101 is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on the Company's website at www.caligold.ca. CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION This news release of California Gold contains statements that constitute "forward-looking statements". Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause California Gold's actual results, performance or achievements, or developments in the industry to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Forward-looking statements in this document include statements regarding the Company's industrial hemp seed project and its potential success. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate. Actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated by such statements, and could materially affect the Company's results of operations. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward looking statements in this press release. California Gold does not undertake any obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change, unless otherwise required by law. 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. For further information contact: Vishal Gupta, President & CEO Tel.: 647-977-9267 x333 | Website: www.caligold.ca SOURCE: California Gold Mining Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/544458/California-Gold-Announces-Acceleration-of-Warrant-Expiry-Date Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 7, 2019) -EXMceuticals Inc. (CSE: EXM) (FSE: EXM) ("EXM") is pleased to announce that it has entered into a non-binding heads of terms to acquire MM (Operations) Ltd. ("MM Ltd"), an agro-processing business in the Republic of Malawi. Figure 1 To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6363/44582_6720b7377441da23_002full.jpg Transaction Overview MM Ltd, which is currently active in the field of mango cultivation, has 280ha (682 acres) of fully drip-irrigated farms, a state of the art 4ha (10 acres) greenhouse nursery capable of growing up to 700,000 plants, a 10,000 m2 (107,640 ft2) processing facility and a green field site with access to ~1700ha (4,200 acres) of land. The acquisition of MM Ltd would provide an excellent platform for EXM to further expand its cannabis extracted ingredients production strategy for the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and cosmetic industries. Closing of the transaction is subject to various conditions, including the parties entering into a definitive agreement, completion of due diligence and financing. Michel Passebon, Chief Executive Officer and Director of EXM, stated "This proposed acquisition will on completion constitute a significant milestone in our development strategy. It will allow us to increase our production capacity in the region while adding 10 acres of greenhouses to our production assets.We have ordered two new CO2 extractors which are currently being built and are expected to be allocated and shipped to Malawi within the next 45 days". Location & Climate The MM Ltd farms and factory are located in Salima which is approximately 90km (56 miles) from the capital city of Lilongwe. The road network connecting Lilongwe to Salima is paved and of high quality, in addition to some gravel access roads to the farms and factory. Salima has a tropical climate with rainfall being less in winter than in summer. The average annual rainfall varies between 800 and 1,200mm per annum, with the wettest months being December to March. The temperatures range between a minimum average of 20C and a maximum average of 35C, with low humidity of around 60%. Farming Asset Overview The infrastructure at the existing 280ha (682 acres) of farms has been established with room for further expansion with the capacity to connect the irrigation at two farms (2 km apart), accessing up to an additional ~120ha (296 acres) of irrigated land. The nursery is set within the existing farms in a 4ha (10 acres) greenhouse which is drip irrigated and can accommodate up to 700,000 plants. The nursery greenhouse is enclosed and secured to protect the plants from wind and other natural elements. The established farm site is fully electrically fenced with stringent security, manned 24hrs per day. The MM Ltd also has a long-term lease of an additional ~1700ha (4,200 acres) of land for further farming expansion, 450ha (1,112 acres) of which has been certified as organic. All the farms are located nearby or on the shores of Lake Malawi, a large freshwater resource from which excellent quality irrigation water is available all year round. Figure 2 To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6363/44582_6720b7377441da23_003full.jpg Figure 3 To view an enhanced version of Figure 3, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6363/44582_6720b7377441da23_004full.jpg Factory Asset Overview The factory is approximately 25km (15.5 miles) from the farms. The facility is BRC (British Retail Consortium), HACCP, Kosher, Halal, and Rainforest Alliance (Chain of Custody) certified. Furthermore, it has passed audits and technical approval to supply a number of global and regional clients, including global leading juice manufacturers. Approximately 2,000 m2 (21,528 ft2) of the factory is warehouse space and there is significant room for expansion of cannabis ingredients production and CO2 extraction capabilities. There is an office block, medical facilities and canteen on the factory site. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF EXMCEUTICALS INC. Michel Passebon, Chief Executive Officer and Director For further information contact: EXM Investors Relations Telephone: +1 604-897-0132 Email: investors@exmceuticals.com Neither the CSE, nor the FSE has approved nor disapproved the content of this press release. Neither the CSE, nor the FSE 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/44582 VALLEY COTTAGE, New York, May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Global sales of dust extractors exceeded the revenues worth US$ 1 billion in 2018, which are projected to witness an average Y-o-Y growth of around 6%, in 2019 and ahead. As envisaged by a new research intelligence outlook of Future Market Insights (FMI), dust extractors will enjoy significant gains in the low dust class, accounting for a substantial incremental opportunity over the course of coming years. While adoption of dust extractors in medium dust class will retain a dominant share over that in the low dust class in the long run, the latter is highly likely to outpace former owing to the impressive growth of commercial building sector. Sales are likely to experience a considerable hike in the forthcoming years, as the demand from major end-use sectors, particularly commercial building and offices, is on a constant rise. Construction sites, though envisaged to remain key demand generator in the dust extractor space, will be closely trailed by the wood working segment. The report positions wood working applications of dust extractors market as an important demand contributor to the market and projects a healthy rate of growth for the dust extractor demand in wood working segment. Download the Sample of Report with Table of Contents and Figures: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-9500 DYI Applications Boosting Potential of Online Sales Channels Growing number of projects in the commercial space construction landscape will remain a significant booster for the demand growth of dust extractors at a global level. Moreover, noteworthy increase in the number of DIY applications, strongly backed by flourishing online retail channels, has been cited in the report as important factors impacting the growth of dust extractor market in years to come. The report has attributed growth of DIY applications segment to the progress of home improvement industry, observed in the recent past. In the light of success registered by leading online distributors of DIY vacuum cleaners such as Amazon, EBay, Alibaba, and ShopClues among others, a number of organizations are strategizing their entry to the E-commerce space. The report projects that power tools sales are likely to emerge as a popular strategy among players, which are stepping in the online retail world for DYI vacuum cleaner sales. Growing consumer preference for online channels while shopping DIY application tools is instrumenting accelerated online sales of dust extractors, as per the report findings. However, high price point associated with high-capacity vacuum cleaners will continue to restrain the accelerated growth of dust extractor market in the long run. Preview Analysis of Dust Extractors Market Segmented by (Capacity - 0.4 to 1 Ltr, 1 - 10 Ltr, 10 - 20 Ltr, 20 - 40 Ltr & Above 40 Ltr; Application - Professional Craftsmen (DIY), Woodworking, Car Services, Individual, Garages/Service Stations, Construction Sites & Commercial Establishment Maintenance; Power Source - Battery Operated, 12V, 18V & Direct Power Supply Based; Dust Class - Low & Medium; Vacuum Pressure - 0.01 to 0.1 Bar, 0.1 to 1 Bar & More than 1 Bar; Sales Channel - Hardware, Wholesale & Retail(e-Commerce Platform);) - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2019 - 2029: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/dust-extractors-market In line with the potential competitive edge offered by dust extractor models with compact dimensional design and light weight, key manufacturers are following the growing trend of high R&D investments in innovative product launches. Japan to Rise as the Industry's Manufacturing Hub Europe is envisaged to emerge as a highly profitable region for the prominent consumers of dust extractors, towards the end of the forecast period. Currently, the US and Germany represent the most prominent countries generating significant demand for dust extractors, subsequently benefiting the markets in North America and Western Europe, respectively. According to the report, the demand for dust extractors in developed regions will continue to be favorably influenced by the stringent regulatory framework of regional governments regarding the usage of vacuum cleaners. Furthermore, Japan is also anticipated to be a lucrative regional market for dust extractors, in terms of value and volume. FMI's analysis also depicts that Japan is currently reflecting the potential to develop into the new manufacturing hub. MEA is also projected to remain a prominent regional market for dust extractor sales, which has been primarily attributed to the robust growth of key end-use sectors across the region. Buy this report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/checkout/9500 Dust Extractor Market: Vendor Landscape The dust extractor market is largely fragmented, as a result of the strong presence of a large number of local and established players. The report provides details of some of the key players in the global dust extractor market, such as Milwaukee Tool, Alfred Karcher SE & Co. KG, Makitra Corporation, Hilti Group, Robert Bosch GmbH, DeWalt (acquired by Stanley), Metabowerke GmbH, Panasonic Corporation, Nilfisk Inc., Tennant Company, Numatic International Ltd., Electrostar GmbH (Starmix), Bisell Inc., Fiorentini / Clemas & Co., Verimark (Pty) Ltd., and C & E Fein GmbH. For exclusive insights on the current and prospective scenario of the global dust extractor industry, examined between 2019 and 2029, write to the analyst at press@futuremarketinsights.com Our advisory services are aimed at helping you with specific, customized insights that are relevant to your specific challenges. Let us know about your challenges and our trusted advisors will connect with you: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/askus/rep-gb-9500 More from Industrial Automation & Equipment Market Insights: Mud Pumps Global Sales Forecast Plumbing Fixtures Market Analysis Woodworking Machines Market Analysis About Us Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights and an aerial view of the competitive framework and future market trends. Browse More Industrial Automation & Equipment Market Insights Contact Us Mr. Abhishek Budholiya 616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018, Valley Cottage, NY 10989, United States T: +1-347-918-3531 F: +1-845-579-5705 T (UK): + 44 (0) 20-7692-8790 Sales: sales@futuremarketinsights.com Press Office: Press@futuremarketinsights.com FMI Blog: http://www.fmiblog.com/ Website: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/677274/Future_Market_Insights_Logo.jpg KALISPELL, MT / ACCESSWIRE / May 7, 2019 / ClassOne Technology, the premier supplier of new wet process tools to the 200mm and below semiconductor manufacturing industry, today announced the sale of its flagship Solstice S8 and Solstice LT electroplating tools to Cubic Mission Solutions, a business division of Cubic Corporation, headquartered in San Diego, California. Cubic Mission Solutions is a provider of networked Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) capabilities for defense, intelligence, security and commercial missions. The Solstice systems will be used for a variety of electroplating and related wet processes applications. 'Solstice is the tool of choice worldwide for fabs that require extremely high-quality plating,' said Byron Exarcos, CEO of ClassOne. 'This is our third sale to Cubic, and we take that as a great vote of confidence both in the quality of our products and the close-knit relationships that we work so hard to nurture with our customers. The defense industry is extremely demanding, and we're proud to be able to serve Cubic in their efforts to develop mission-critical products.' About Cubic Corporation Cubic is a technology-driven, market-leading provider of integrated solutions that increase situational understanding for transportation, defense C4ISR and training customers worldwide to decrease urban congestion and improve the militaries' effectiveness and operational readiness. Our teams innovate to make a positive difference in people's lives. We simplify their daily journeys. We promote mission success and safety for those who serve their nation. For more information about Cubic, please visit www.cubic.com or on Twitter @CubicCorp. About ClassOne Technology ClassOne Technology (www.classone.com), headquartered in Kalispell, Montana, develops and provides innovative new wet-chemical equipment solutions, including electroplaters, spin-rinse-dryers, spray solvent tools, and more. The company's tools are specifically designed for budget-conscious users of =200mm substrates, many of whom are in emerging markets underserved by the larger equipment manufacturers. Based in Kalispell, Montana, ClassOne Technology offers decades of experience from industry veterans dedicated to the tradition of delivering advanced performance and quality for much less. Because of their unique affordability, the company's tools have been described as delivering 'Advanced Wet Processing for the Rest of Us.' About ClassOne Equipment Sister company ClassOne Equipment (www.classoneequipment.com), headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, is long respected as the industry's premier provider of refurbished major-brand processing tools, with over 2,500 systems installed worldwide. The company supplies turnkey equipment solutions that include state-of-the-art refurbishment, warranty, installation, service, support and spare parts. Media Contact: Phone: 678 772 9086 Email: pr@classone.com Additional Links ClassOne Technology Electroplating and Wet Process Systems for 75-200mm Substrates SOURCE: ClassOne Technology, Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/544457/ClassOne-Technology-Announces-Sale-of-Flagship-Solstice-S8-to-Cubic-Mission-Solutions CALGARY, AB / ACCESSWIRE / May 7, 2019 / Kestrel Gold Inc. (the "Corporation" or "Kestrel") (TSX-V: KGC) announces that it has returned to Bernie Kreft ("Kreft") the Val-Jual, Clear Creek and Dease Lake properties, being the major properties in which Kestrel has an interest. The Company's remaining mining property is a 100% interest in the King Solomon Dome located in the Yukon Territory. Given its current financial resources, the Corporation was unable to pay Kreft the 2019 annual option payments totalling $140,000 or $80,000, $50,000 and $10,000, respectively. Kestrel and Kreft will continue to work cooperatively for 45 days to attempt to raise the funds required to make the option payments and fund the exploration work required on the properties. The Corporation will also search for other assets or a business interested in gaining exposure to the Canadian stock markets. About Kestrel Gold Inc. Kestrel Gold Inc. is a Canadian listed public company with its shares trading on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "KGC". The Company's registered and head office is Suite 208, 110 - 12th Avenue SW, Calgary, Alberta, T2R 0G7. Kestrel is a resource exploration stage company engaged in the acquisition and exploration of mineral properties. For further information contact: Robert Solinger, President and CEO Phone: (403) 816-2141 rob@solinger.ca Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE: Kestrel Gold Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/544460/Kestrel-Gold-Inc-Announces-Termination-of-Val-Jual-Clear-Creek-and-Dease-Lake-Options SMITHS FALLS, Ontario, May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Canopy Growth Corporation ("Canopy Growth" or the "Company") (TSX: WEED) (NYSE: CGC) is pleased to introduce Spectrum Therapeutics, a new global brand that will encompass all of the Company's ongoing medical and research operations including Spectrum Cannabis, Canopy Health Innovations (CHI), and the most recent addition to Canopy Growth's medical portfolio, Bionorica SE-founded C3 Cannabinoid Compound Company ("C3"), a European leader in cannabinoid-based medical therapies. Incorporating these entities into one unified ecosystem will integrate the Company's medical efforts as one global healthcare enterprise. Spectrum Therapeutics now encompasses the production and distribution of full-spectrum medical cannabis products, industry-leading education, resources and support for patients and healthcare practitioners along with clinical research and the development of cannabinoid-based medicines. The recent acquisition of C3 will allow Spectrum Therapeutics to continue to advance leadership in medical cannabis globally by further expanding its ability to empower physicians in Europe and around the world with the knowledge and therapies drawn from a full range of cannabinoid-based medicines. This includes dronabinol, C3's cannabinoid pharmaceutical drug available in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Denmark. Dronabinol, while integrated into the Spectrum Therapeutics' commercial offering, will continue to be marketed under C3's brand, Bionorica Ethics. "We've always been a company that provides more than medical cannabis to our patients," commented Dr. Mark Ware, Chief Medical Officer, Canopy Growth. "We also offer education for patients and healthcare professionals and are engaged in research to define the safety and efficacy of cannabinoid medicines and the development of new cannabinoid-based treatments. Integrating our commercial medical businesses and clinical research arm under a single entity better reflects our position as a healthcare company that's driving further acceptance of cannabinoids as mainstream medicine and addressing the medical and wellness needs of our patients worldwide." In addition to medical cannabis products, Spectrum Therapeutics will continue to offer medical cannabis education for patients and healthcare professionals in countries with legal regulatory frameworks. Through the continuation of CHI and C3's respective clinical research programs, Spectrum Therapeutics will also focus on the research and development of clinically ready cannabinoid drug formulations and dosage formats. Since its founding in December 2016 as the cannabis research incubator of Canopy Growth, CHI evolved into the primary research and development arm of the Company including elements of product design and ingredient selection, formulation, safety, and efficacy testing, and pre-clinical and clinical trials. All of its research activities will now fall under Spectrum Therapeutics which currently include: 11 therapeutic trials planned and ongoing 11 third party clinical trials supported by Spectrum Therapeutics planned and ongoing 900+ patients to be enrolled in studies; and 1800+ patients enrolled in EQUAL (Evaluation of Quality of Life), which evaluates the quality of life of patients before and after treatment with medical cannabis Spectrum Cannabis is known for its colour-coded spectrum to categorize medical cannabis according to THC and CBD levels. It currently operates in 12 countries under various entities which, going forward, will all be known as Spectrum Therapeutics. Those countries are: Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Lesotho, Peru, Poland, and the United Kingdom. All Spectrum Cannabis branding include the various web properties will be transitioned to the new Spectrum Therapeutics identity over the coming months. Spectrum Therapeutics Fast Facts: 61,000+ healthcare professional visits in Canada Exclusive Pharmacy Learning Modules accredited by the Canadian Pharmacy Association Its medical cannabis products have been exported to the U.S. on multiple occasions with U.S. DEA approvals as part of a research partnership with Battelle, a leading non-profit research and development organization based in Columbus, Ohio First of its kind Peer Catalyst Mentor Program which links physicians from across Canada with colleagues who possess advanced knowledge of the cannabis field in order to provide case-by-case support with colleagues who possess advanced knowledge of the cannabis field in order to provide case-by-case support Partnership with the Ontario Long Term Care Association to research how medical cannabis use can potentially displace less-desirable therapeutics for both pain and cognitive function for residents in long term care homes Ongoing commitment to patient affordability includes absorbing excise tax on all Spectrum-branded products in Canada and industry-first Compassionate Pricing Program that assists those on limited incomes afford their medicine Here's to Future (Therapeutic) Growth About Canopy Growth Corporation Canopy Growth (TSX:WEED, NYSE:CGC) is a world-leading diversified cannabis and hemp company, offering distinct brands and curated cannabis varieties in dried, oil and Softgel capsule forms. Canopy Growth offers medically approved vaporizers through the Company's subsidiary, Storz & Bickel GMbH & Co. KG. From product and process innovation to market execution, Canopy Growth is driven by a passion for leadership and a commitment to building a world-class cannabis company one product, site and country at a time. The Company has operations in over a dozen countries across five continents. The Company's medical division, Spectrum Therapeutics is proudly dedicated to educating healthcare practitioners, conducting robust clinical research, and furthering the public's understanding of cannabis, and has devoted millions of dollars toward cutting edge, commercializable research and IP development. Canopy Growth works with the Beckley Foundation and has launched Beckley Canopy Therapeutics to research and develop clinically validated cannabis-based medicines, with a strong focus on intellectual property protection. Canopy Growth acquired assets of leading hemp research company, ebbu, Inc. ("ebbu"). Intellectual Property ("IP") and R&D advancements achieved by ebbu's team apply directly to Canopy Growth's hemp and THC-rich cannabis genetic breeding program and its cannabis-infused beverage capabilities. Through partly owned subsidiary Canopy Rivers Corporation, the Company is providing resources and investment to new market entrants and building a portfolio of stable investments in the sector. From our historic public listing on the Toronto Stock Exchange and New York Stock Exchange to our continued international expansion, pride in advancing shareholder value through leadership is engrained in all we do at Canopy Growth. Canopy Growth has established partnerships with leading sector names including cannabis icon Snoop Dogg, breeding legends DNA Genetics and Green House Seeds, Battelle, the world's largest nonprofit research and development organization, and Fortune 500 alcohol leader Constellation Brands, to name but a few. Canopy Growth operates ten licensed cannabis production sites with over 4.3 million square feet of production capacity, including over one million square feet of GMP certified production space. The Company operates Tweed retail stores in Newfoundland and Manitoba and has entered into supply agreements with every Canadian province and territory. For more information visit www.canopygrowth.com Notice Regarding Forward Looking Statements This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "estimates", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements or information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Canopy Growth or its subsidiaries to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements or information contained in this news release. Examples of such statements include "industry-leading education, resources and support for patients", and "ongoing clinical research programs which are expected to complement Spectrum Therapeutics'" . Risks, uncertainties and other factors involved with forward-looking information could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including clinical trial work, and such risks contained in the Company's annual information form dated June 27, 2018 and filed with Canadian securities regulators available on the Company's issuer profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information or forward-looking statements in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. The forward-looking information and forward-looking statements included in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company does not undertake an obligation to publicly update such forward-looking information or forward-looking information to reflect new information, subsequent events or otherwise unless required by applicable securities laws. Contact: Caitlin O'Hara, Media Relations, Caitlin.Ohara@canopygrowth.com, 613-291-3239; Investor Relations, Tyler Burns, Tyler.Burns@canopygrowth.com, 855-558-9333 ext. 122 Regulatory News: Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE: PM) will host a live audio webcast of a presentation and answer-and-question session by Martin King, Chief Financial Officer, at the Goldman Sachs Global Staples Forum at www.pmi.com/2019goldmansachs on Tuesday, May 14, 2019, at approximately 8:15 a.m. ET. The webcast will provide live audio of the entire PMI session and will be in a listen-only mode. The audio webcast may also be accessed on iOS or Android devices by downloading PMI's free Investor Relations Mobile Application at www.pmi.com/irapp. An archived copy of the webcast will be available until 5:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, June 12, 2019, at www.pmi.com/2019goldmansachs. Presentation slides will also be available at www.pmi.com/2019goldmansachs. Philip Morris International: Delivering a Smoke-Free Future Philip Morris International (PMI) is leading a transformation in the tobacco industry to create a smoke-free future and ultimately replace cigarettes with smoke-free products to the benefit of adults who would otherwise continue to smoke, society, the company and its shareholders. PMI is a leading international tobacco company engaged in the manufacture and sale of cigarettes, smoke-free products and associated electronic devices and accessories, and other nicotine-containing products in markets outside the U.S. PMI is building a future on a new category of smoke-free products that, while not risk-free, are a much better choice than continuing to smoke. Through multidisciplinary capabilities in product development, state-of-the-art facilities and scientific substantiation, PMI aims to ensure that its smoke-free products meet adult consumer preferences and rigorous regulatory requirements. PMI's smoke-free IQOS product portfolio includes heated tobacco and nicotine-containing vapor products. As of March 31, 2019, PMI estimates that approximately 7.3 million adult smokers around the world have already stopped smoking and switched to PMI's heated tobacco product, which is currently available for sale in 47 markets in key cities or nationwide under the IQOS brand. For more information, please visit www.pmi.com and www.pmiscience.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190507005729/en/ Contacts: Investor Relations: New York: +1 (917) 663 2233 Lausanne: +41 (0)58 242 4666 Media: Lausanne: +41 (0)58 242 4500 Email: Iro.Antoniadou@pmi.com 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. SpendEdge, a leading provider of procurement market intelligence solutions, has announced the completion of their free downloadable article on the financial strategies to boost procurement savings in the manufacturing sector. The article provides key insights into the financial strategies followed by leading companies in the manufacturing sector to build a global procurement strategy. In this free resource, our procurement experts also highlight the approach that can be adopted to achieve cost reductions by overhauling companies' existing procurement practices. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190507005740/en/ Financial strategies to boost procurement savings in the manufacturing sector. (Graphic: Business Wire) With the shifting procurement trends, it is becoming quite difficult for manufacturing companies to implement financial strategies that can boost procurement savings. They require strategies that can improve supply chain efficiency while addressing supplier and purchasing issues. Download this free article to gain a comprehensive overview of the roadmap that companies can follow to achieve better savings through their procurement strategies. Devising procurement strategies that can increase the efficiency of the supply chain is an arduous task? Request a free demo to know how our experts can help you develop an effective procurement strategy. Key strategies to boost procurement savings Improving net income using sourcing-led savings Companies need accurate insights into the budget allocated to different departments to devise financial strategies that can help them achieve substantial savings. The savings achieved through departments can be reallocated to corporate net income and companies can easily adopt zero-based warranty budgeting initiatives. To know more about financial strategies, download the complete article here. Continuing cross-function collaboration reducing the budget The budget reduction process is considered to be a major disincentive among teams. Formulating an approach that can communicate the cause and effect of the initiative clearly can help teams to be more cost-effective. They can devise procurement strategies to reduce costs independently to meet their set objectives. Want to know how our financial strategies can help you reduce purchasing costs? Request a free proposal and access our complete portfolio of procurement market intelligence solutions today! Reinvesting savings to boost growth and transformation Departments can take up additional projects and reinvest the savings achieved through those projects. This can improve the top line and help companies realize savings on a monthly basis while preventing misuse of their savings. With proper monitoring and regular price checks, companies can efficiently deliver incremental projects on time. To gain a comprehensive overview of the financial strategies that can be implemented to boost procurement savings, download the full article here. About SpendEdge: SpendEdge shares your passion for driving sourcing and procurement excellence. We are the preferred procurement market intelligence partner for 120+ Fortune 500 firms and other leading companies across numerous industries. Our strength lies in delivering robust, real-time procurement market intelligence reports and solutions. Request free proposal to know more, https://www.spendedge.com/request-free-proposal View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190507005740/en/ Contacts: SpendEdge Anirban Choudhury Marketing Manager US: +1 630 984 7340 UK: +44 148 459 9299 https://www.spendedge.com/contact-us Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - May 7, 2019) - Metals Creek Resources Corp. (TSXV: MEK) (Metals Creek or the company) is pleased to announce that they have acquired by staking a 100% interest in the Croteau project in Labrador. Noranda Exploration Limited carried out an extensive exploration program of the Croteau Lake area in 1991 and 1992 in search of base metal mineralization. Croteau West Uranium, Vanadium, Copper, Silver, Gold Showing In 2006, Crosshair Exploration conducted a field program within the Croteau Lake area and released assays of 26 grab samples from the Croteau West showing area. Mineralized samples are polymetallic in nature and enriched in Uranium (up to 2.087% U3O8), Vanadium (up to 0.803% V2O5), Silver (up to 9.2 g/t Ag), Copper (up to 0.51% Cu), and limited Gold (up to 422 ppb Au). Source (Crosshair Exploration press release Oct. 16, 2006) and National Mineral Inventory Number: 013K/06/U 0100. The company is currently compiling data for the Croteau area and actively seeking a partner for the newly acquired Croteau property. The Corporation cautions that all data is historic in nature and has not been verified or validated. 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/44601 Pitchboy, a Virtual Reality Training Company based in New York and Paris, combines immersive technology with artificial intelligence to offer personalized sales and customer service learning, at scale Philippe Joffard, ex-CEO of Lafuma (Euronext LAF) and Christophe Cremer, founder of meilleurtaux.com bought by Goldman Sachs-owned fund in 2017 are among the investors. bought by Goldman Sachs-owned fund in 2017 are among the investors. Pitchboy's portfolio includes Orange (4th largest telecommunications provider in Europe), Credit Agricole (3rd European Banking Group) and Sixt, car rental leader. Pitchboy, a virtual reality training company which provides customized training for sales and customer representatives, announced it has closed its round of seed funding. The investments will help Pitchboy deliver faster on its ambitious technological road map and hire top, diverse talent. Homeric de Sarthe, CEO of Pitchboy, said: "Learning and development professionals have struggled for years with corporate training. Traditional class or on-on-one training is costly, hard to measure and you can't scale it. It rarely makes a lasting impact either: 70% of learners forget what they have been taught within 24 hours of learning. We took all these findings and created an immersive learning solution which addresses all these issues, at a fraction of the cost these companies usually pay." Pitchboy combines three main technology building blocks: virtual reality, speech to text and a proprietary natural language understanding algorithm. This enables the user to speak to the virtual customer, who is able to respond like in a real-life scenario. Text prompts can guide the user throughout the session, and every scenario is filmed with real actors at the client's store or office space for a more realistic feel. Pitchboy offers a risk-free environment to practice sales pitches and objection handling. Learning Directors can monitor individual progression over time and integrate Pitchboy both to their class and autonomous training programs. About Pitchboy Pitchboy is a virtual reality training company founded in Paris, France in 2019. We create immersive learning experiences to help Learning and Development professionals train their Sales and Customer Service representatives. As a leading AI-led, voice-activated VR training solution, we improve the way enterprise training is done. Co-founded by engineering, business development and communications experts, Pitchboy is now a team of 10 with offices in Paris, France and New York City. pitchboy.co Video: Pitchboy Convince Better. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190507005047/en/ Contacts: Press NEW YORK Hugo Fargeas +1-(917)-216-7097 hf@jin.nyc SANTA CLARA, California, May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Zinnov, a global management and strategy consulting firm, released the first of its kind global ratings of Robotic Process Automation (RPA) Platform Companies, titled, 'Zinnov Zones for RPA Platforms - 2019', today. The study analyzed the global RPA spend across enterprise segments and evaluated RPA platform companies for their scale and capabilities. Zinnov defines RPA spend as the enterprise spend on proprietary RPA platforms, RPA assets developed in-house, and related in-house and outsourced RPA services, including bot configuration, management, deployment, support, and training. The study highlighted that the total worldwide addressable market for RPA stands at $50 Bn whereas enterprises spent just over $2.3 Bn on RPA in FY2019. Further, the enterprise RPA spend is expected to grow at 37% annually, to reach over $11 Bn by FY2024. Banking & Financial Services (BFS), Insurance, Healthcare, and Telecom & Media emerged as the leading industries for RPA adoption and accounted for over 70% of the total market. Historically, RPA has focused on automating repetitive and administrative tasks such as Finance & Accounting, Human Resources, and call center/IT service desk. However, this automation focus is increasingly shifting towards enabling a wide range of business transformation use cases across enterprise value chains. The embedding of AI/ML within RPA tools is enabling software robots to mimic human behavior and handle complex use cases like the end-to-end employee onboarding process, which was earlier not possible without human intervention. While top RPA platforms are building native Intelligent Automation capabilities in the platform, collaboration with technology majors such as Microsoft, Google and IBM, and other specialist vendors to leverage their strengths in AI/ML, OCR, NLP, etc., is increasingly becoming the norm. The study estimated that the total global RPA talent has increased to over 210,000 professionals in FY2019, with India and the US emerging as major RPA talent hotbeds. While both India and the US account for >25% share of this talent pool individually, India is growing at a much faster rate compared to the US and will become the most prominent geography for RPA in the next 12months. The study also revealed that 34% of large global enterprises have already set up one or more RPA center of excellence (CoEs), of which 80% are in the US or India. Further, over 250 global MNCs currently run their global RPA charters from their Global In-house Centers (GICs) in India. The Zinnov study also identified that attended RPA (bots working together with humans) accounts for ~30% of the market share and is growing at a steady pace. RPA platform companies with traditional strengths in unattended RPA (fully automated with no human intervention) are transitioning into automating attended scenarios and vice versa. Coupled with Cognitive RPA, this will give rise to truly Hybrid RPA Platform players who are able to efficiently automate both the front office and back office processes. Security & Governance is expected to be another key differentiator as enterprises look to address security-related concerns at multiple levels - starting from the infrastructure security which ensures securing the application or SDLC, to looking at information security and ensuring adherence to ISO27001 standards, to also looking at UI level security which includes identity and access management, and finally addressing governance by employing comprehensive audit trails and bot control rooms. RPA platforms are already investing heavily in adhering to best in class industry standards - including partnering with specialized digital security providers, getting relevant certification and accreditations, and implementing robust security measures. 'Zinnov Zones for RPA Platforms' rating analyzed 14 Global RPA Platform companies on their 'RPA Prowess' and 'Scalability,' to position them in 4 Zinnov Zones ('Nurture Zone,' 'Breakout Zone,' 'Execution Zone,' and 'Leadership Zone'). Apart from the overall ratings on RPA Platforms, the analysis also provides a relative positioning of Platform Companies across 4 key segments -Unattended RPA, Attended RPA, Cognitive RPA, and Security & Governance. Automation Anywhere, UiPath, Blue Prism, and WorkFusion have been identified as leaders for overall RPA Platforms. Speaking at the launch of the study, Praveen Bhadada, Partner & Practice Head - Digital Transformation, Zinnov, said, "The RPA space is becoming riveting as the exponential growth in this space is catching the attention of global enterprises, Tech Giants, niche ISVs and Service Providers alike. Over 5000 enterprises worldwide are currently deploying RPA in some form, and while the initial traction has been beyond impressive, the next wave of growth will only come in as enterprises scale their RPA adoption significantly. The BPM outsourcing industry is already getting disrupted due to RPA, and IT & Engineering workloads are also likely to attain automation maturity soon. Given the massive opportunity, we expect the RPA industry to generate several technology Unicorns over the next 5 years." About Zinnov Founded in 2002, Zinnov is a global management and strategy consulting firm, with presence in Silicon Valley, Houston, Bangalore, and Gurgaon. Over the past 17 years, Zinnov has successfully consulted with over 250+ Fortune 500 customers to develop actionable insights that help them in their transformation journeys. With core expertise in Product Engineering and Digital Transformation, Zinnov assists clients by: Providing research and strategy consulting for Technology Service Providers in the areas of Product Engineering and Digital Transformation; Enabling companies to develop and optimize a global engineering partner strategy to achieve higher throughput, innovation, productivity, and cost savings; Growing revenue for companies' products and services in India and other emerging markets; and other emerging markets; Helping MNCs expand and/or consolidate their globalization footprint. With their team of experienced professionals and research teams, Zinnov serves clients from across software, semiconductor, consumer electronics, travel and hospitality, automotive, storage, telecom & networking, healthcare, banking, financial services, and retail verticals in US, Europe, Japan, and India. For more information, visit http://zinnov.com. Contact: Nitika Goel nitika@zinnov.com Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/694742/Zinnov_Logo.jpg DALLAS, May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Dynata, a global leader in first-party data and data services, has formed a strategic partnership with Glow, a disruptive real-time research platform, to offer customers a complete, self-service automated solution. With a combined focus on automated bundling of data, platform, and support, the partnership reduces barriers that have proven prohibitive in growing the market for self-service research in the past. Dynata is one of the world's largest providers of permissioned, actively managed first-party data, contributed directly by millions of consumers and business professionals. With a reach of 60+ million people globally, Dynata is strategically positioned to provide data on a scale that is both broad and deep. The partnership leverages Dynata's Samplify product to programmatically deliver data streams to Glow's platform, allowing businesses to collect employee, client, and customer feedback in real time. Leading global brands choose Glow's full-service platform for the creation, testing, distribution, and rapid analysis of insights data. A major benefit, particularly in the self-serve research arena, is the platform's analytics function, which brings the data to life with easy-to-use click-and-play tools that allow clients to inspect and explore data in new ways. Tiama Hanson-Drury, EVP of Product at Dynata, says, "We are committed to powering the insights of tomorrow. More so than ever before, the ability to obtain insights is an always-on requirement. Through our unparalleled data asset, Dynata can power the decision culture that today's economy requires to maintain a competitive advantage." "We want not only to simplify self-service research, but to ensure it is of the best quality. Our partnership with Dynata will allow us to do just that, giving users confidence in the data and insights that Glow can provide from it," says Tim Clover, Glow's CEO. The companies will continue to collaborate on expanding their joint offerings and explore opportunities in regions beyond APAC. About Dynata Dynata is one of the world's leading providers of first-party data contributed by consumers and business professionals. With a reach that encompasses 60+ million people globally and an extensive library of individual profile attributes collected through surveys, Dynata is the cornerstone for precise, trustworthy quality data. The company has built innovative data services and solutions around its core first-party data offering to bring the voice of the customer to the entire marketing spectrum, from market research to marketing and advertising. Dynata serves nearly 6,000 market research agencies, media and advertising agencies, consulting and investment firms, and healthcare and corporate customers in North America, South America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. For more information, go to www.dynata.com. About Glow Glow is a disruptive SaaS research automation, analysis and publishing platform that accelerates speed-to-insight with a live stream of response data. The platform's click-and-play features reduce the barriers to research for users of all capabilities, extending data accessibility to more stakeholders and decision makers. Glow is used by both hundreds of businesses across Asia Pacific and the UK, with users spanning roles at all levels across marketing, research, customer, HR, creative, innovation, analytics, insights and the executive. Using the Glow platform starts free - for more information please visit www.glowfeed.com. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/808175/Dynata_Logo.jpg Highlights: Leading IoT animal tracking specialist FindMy has to date deployed over 45,000 animal tracking collars, based on Globalstar satellite technology, across Scandinavia and South America to track sheep, cattle and reindeer At the heart of each FindMy collar is Globalstar's STX3 simplex chipset for GPS tracking using satellite communications FindMy helps farmers safeguard income by finding lost animals, losing fewer to predators, and building knowledge of herd health and best grazing areas Globalstar Europe Satellite Services Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Globalstar, Inc. (NYSE MKT: GSAT) today announced that FindMy (formerly FindMySheep), the IoT animal tracking pioneer, has cumulatively deployed over 45,000 satellite-enabled IoT tracking collars for safeguarding sheep, cattle and reindeer. FindMy relies on Globalstar's powerful, low-cost STX3 chipset and its worldwide network of satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), which deliver reliable, accurate tracking far beyond the reach of mobile GSM and other technologies. FindMy was originally founded to meet the needs of sheep farmers in Norway whose flocks graze fence-free in the mountains and often range across borders into Sweden and Finland. FindMy's reputation is now established internationally and today ranchers in Latin America trust FindMy to monitor cattle. STX3's small size, ruggedness, long battery life, and ease of integration, as well as its competitive price, remain key compelling features for FindMy. FindMy's tracking collars communicate with Globalstar's satellite network to geo-fence livestock, helping farmers monitor animals to ensure they graze only in designated areas, and to locate those which have escaped or are injured. With each animal worth hundreds or even thousands of Euros, losing livestock to predators or through illness not only affects revenues but can also have a profound impact on the quality of a farmer's breeding foundation for years to come. Thanks to the rich data transmitted by the FindMy system, farmers are empowered to manage their stock intelligently, and minimise loss due to inadequate food or water, disease or predators. FindMy provides an informative data trail that enables farmers to analyse where animals that produce the best quality meat are grazing, so farmers can proactively manage herds' grazing for future seasons. FindMy's customised user interface alerts farmers and herd managers when an animal has not moved for some time. With FindMy's GPS data, they can identify exactly where to go to investigate, saving valuable time and resources. Farmers deploying the collars report a significant reduction in animal loss, with a consequent direct positive impact on their business. In October 2017, Globalstar announced that its technology is at the heart of SaveMyReindeer, a technology solution that FindMy designed to prevent trains from colliding with reindeer in Norway's hinterland. Hundreds of kilometres of Norway's railroads, reaching inside the Arctic Circle, traverse territories inhabited by the region's indigenous Sami people who keep herds of free-roaming reindeer. Each year, trains kill about 6,500 of the region's 600,000 reindeer, with an estimated loss of 8.5 million of livestock. In 2016, the Norwegian mapping authority, Kartverket, sought a solution as part of its annual hackathon series. FindMy emerged the winner and SaveMyReindeer was developed. SaveMyReindeer, currently in development and testing, uses data from the Norwegian Railway Directorate on the real-time location of each train combined with open data from Kartverket to create a moving geo-fence 40-50 km around the train. By comparing the geo-fence area with GPS data from FindMy collars already keeping tabs on reindeer, the system warns train drivers when they are approaching the animals so they can take evasive action. The reindeer owner simultaneously receives an alert on their smartphone, giving them the opportunity to move the herd out of harm's way. By introducing SaveMyReindeer, fewer animals would be lost, and the train network would suffer less disruption. "The FindMy animal tracking platform is helping farmers ensure the best possible health of their livestock, protecting animals from disease and predators, and maximising herd value," said Halvor Mjoen, Founder of FindMy. "Thanks to Globalstar's ongoing commitment to IoT innovation, we will continue to find new ways to help farmers to monitor and safeguard their valuable animals," he added. About FindMy FindMy was originally established as FindMySheep, a tracking collar system using Globalstar technology to protect free roaming sheep. FindMySheep deployments have since increased to over 45,000 units, with 85% worn by sheep, with the remainder protecting reindeer in Norway, Sweden and Finland, as well as cattle herds in South America. With hundreds of sheep going missing each year, in 2012 the Norwegian government part-funded an initiative to track farmers' livestock so they could understand what is driving the disappearance of the animals and eliminate any foul play. This funding enabled FindMy, a Globalstar Value Added Reseller, to develop its tracking collar, with a back-office application that enables the farmer to visualise the whereabouts of the animals at any given time. http://findmy.no/ About Globalstar, Inc. Globalstar is a leading provider of mobile satellite voice and data services. Customers around the world in industries such as government, emergency management, marine, logging, oil gas and outdoor recreation rely on Globalstar to conduct business smarter and faster, maintain peace of mind and access emergency personnel. Globalstar data solutions are ideal for various asset and personal tracking, data monitoring, M2M and IoT applications. The company's products include mobile and fixed satellite telephones, the innovative satellite Wi-Fi hotspot, simplex and duplex satellite data modems, tracking devices and flexible service packages. For more information, visit eu.globalstar.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190507005794/en/ Contacts: Cynthia Ritchie White Tiger Communications cynthia@whitetigercommunications.net +44 (0)20 3514 2525 Gavan Murphy Globalstar Director of Marketing EMEA gavan.murphy@globalstar.com Helsinn nominated as a Swiss Biotech Success Story 2019/2020 by the Swiss Biotech Association Switzerland, May 7, 2019: Helsinn, a Swiss pharmaceutical group focused on building quality cancer care products, today announces that it is one of the companies to have been nominated as one of the Swiss Biotech Association's Biotech Success Stories for the period 2019/2020. Helsinn was nominated alongside Actelion and Debiopharm, as well as three foundations Venture Foundation, Venturelab and Venture Kick. For the first time, the nominees include an individual: Prof. Dr. Werner Arber, who was awarded the 1978 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. Each year, the Swiss Biotech Association presents companies with the "Swiss Biotech Success Stories" awards in recognition of outstanding achievements. Biogen, Okairos, Roche Glycart, Selexis, and Vifor Fresenius Medical Care Renal Pharma received the award at this year's Swiss Biotech Day after being nominated in 2018. Swiss Biotech Association's press release is available here . Riccardo Braglia, Helsinn Group Vice Chairman and CEO, commented: "We're delighted to be part of the continued success of the Swiss Biotech industry. Switzerland is a world-leading hub for biopharma thanks to a unique set of factors: diversity, the excellence of the science base, strong infrastructure and excellent technology transfer and a collaborative approach, leading to a healthy pipeline of scientific development. These are all factors which are highly prized at Helsinn and we are very pleased that the Swiss Biotech Association has recognised us for our strength." ENDS About the Helsinn Group Helsinn is a privately owned pharmaceutical group with an extensive portfolio of marketed cancer care products and a robust drug development pipeline. Since 1976, Helsinn has been improving the everyday lives of patients, guided by core family values of respect, integrity and quality. The Group works across pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices and nutritional supplements and has expertise in research, development, manufacture and the commercialization of therapeutic and supportive care products for cancer, pain and inflammation and gastroenterology. In 2016, Helsinn created the Helsinn Investment Fund to support early-stage investment opportunities in areas of unmet patient need. The company is headquartered in Lugano, Switzerland, with operating subsidiaries in Switzerland, Ireland, the U.S., Monaco, and China, as well as a product presence in approximately 190 countries globally. For more information, please visit www.helsinn.com For further information, please contact: HelsinnGroupMediaContact Paola Bonvicini Group Head of Communication Lugano, Switzerland Tel: +41 (0) 91 985 21 21 Info-hhc@helsinn.com Blackstone Resources AG (SWX: BLS; STU: 4BR, FRA: 4BR, BEB: 4BR) ("Blackstone") is pleased to announce that it has engaged Ithuba Credit Corporation Ltd to advice for the issuance of a private placement. Ithuba will undertake the negotiations with its clients and associates to support and place in another non listed private placement the Blackstone Bond. The bond will bear a 5% coupon and consist of a 5-year tranche. The bond will be subscribed by various investors, half of whom had already participated in previous issues. The settlement will be in May 2019. The transparency and the quality of relations that Blackstone Resources maintains with the financial community contributed significantly to the success of this debt financing with Ithuba Credit Corporation. Reflecting improved terms (maturity and rates) in relation to the past, this issue will be well subscribed, highlighting the confidence of investors in the strength of Blackstone Resources business model. This issue provides Blackstone Resources AG with increased financial flexibility to support its growth and development, particularly in its Battery Revolution. And in consideration of the long-term assets held under concessions, it also contributes to extending the debt maturity profile. While diversifying its sources of financing, the company continued to rely on the strong relationships it has developed with its history banking and financing partners. This private placement bond issue was arranged by Ithuba Credit Corporation, acting as joint lead managers. About ITHUBA CREDIT CORPORATION LIMITED Ithuba Credit Corporation Limited operates as a Financing Company. The Company offers a Lending and Asset Management Platform that provides Credit and Risk Management solutions and Lending Services. Ithuba Credit Corporation serves clients worldwide. BLACKSTONE RESOURCES AG Blackstone Resources is a Swiss Holding Company, with its legal domicile in Baar, Kanton Zug and is concentrating on the battery metals market as primary metals. In addition, it sets up, develops and manages refineries used for gold and battery metals. It offers direct exposure to the battery metal revolution that is being driven by the demand of electric vehicles that need vast quantities of these metals. These include cobalt, manganese, molybdenum, graphite and lithium. In addition, Blackstone Resources has started a research programme on new battery technologies. For more information please visit www.blackstoneresources.ch The disclaimer is an integral part of this press release. Please ensure you consult the disclaimer for a full understanding of the content within: http://www.blackstoneresources.ch/about-us/disclaimer-press-release/ View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190507005741/en/ Contacts: Blackstone Resources AG Blegistrasse 5 CH-6340 Baar Switzerland T: +41 41 449 61 63 F: +41 41 449 61 69 info@blackstoneresources.ch Investor Relations Manuela Pereira ir@blackstoneresources.ch Media Enquires Manuela Pereira media@blackstoneresources.ch CALGARY, Alberta, May 6, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Pembina Pipeline Corporation ("Pembina" or the "Company") (TSX: PPL; NYSE: PBA) reported the voting results from its annual and special meeting of common shareholders held May 3, 2019 in Calgary, Alberta (the "Meeting"). Each of the matters voted upon at the Meeting is discussed in detail in the Company's Management Information Circular dated March 15, 2019 (the "Information Circular") and is available on the Company's website under "Investor Centre - Shareholder Information" at www.pembina.com. A total of 332,282,765 common shares representing 65.19 percent of the Company's issued and outstanding common shares were voted in person and by proxy in connection with the Meeting. The voting results for each matter presented at the Meeting are provided below: 1.Election of Directors The following 11 nominees were appointed as directors of Pembina to serve until the next annual meeting of shareholders of the Company, or until their successors are elected or appointed: Nominee Votes in Favour Votes Withheld Percentage Number Percentage Number Anne-Marie N. Ainsworth 99.52% 307,250,169 0.48% 1,487,386 Michael H. Dilger 99.66% 307,694,072 0.34% 1,043,483 Randall J. Findlay 98.93% 305,444,347 1.07% 3,293,208 Maureen E. Howe 99.40% 306,886,363 0.60% 1,851,192 Gordon J. Kerr 94.04% 290,323,966 5.96% 18,413,589 David M.B. LeGresley 94.59% 292,046,870 5.41% 16,690,685 Robert B. Michaleski 99.40% 306,898,995 0.60% 1,838,560 Leslie A. O'Donoghue 94.21% 290,868,985 5.79% 17,868,570 Bruce D. Rubin 99.63% 307,608,970 0.37% 1,128,585 Jeffrey T. Smith 98.44% 303,908,620 1.56% 4,828,935 Henry W. Sykes 94.68% 292,323,922 5.32% 16,413,633 2.Appointment of Auditors KPMG LLP, Chartered Accountants, were appointed to serve as the auditors of the Company until the close of the next annual meeting, at remuneration to be fixed by the directors on the recommendation of the Audit Committee. 3.Approval of Company's Shareholder Rights Plan An ordinary resolution to continue Pembina's shareholder rights plan was approved with an approximate 94.55 percent of votes cast in favour. 4.Approval of the Amendment to the Company's Articles A special resolution to amend the Company's articles to increase the limit on the number of Class A preferred shares we are authorized to issue, as described in the Information Circular, was approved with an approximate 94.90 percent of votes cast in favour. 5.Acceptance of Company's Approach to Executive Compensation On an advisory basis and not to diminish the role and responsibility of the board of directors, the approach to executive compensation disclosed in the Information Circular was approved with an approximate 91.67 percent of votes cast in favour. Additional details in respect the Meeting's voting results can be found on Pembina's profile at www.sedar.com and www.sec.gov. The meeting of the preferred shareholders held May 3, 2019 in Calgary, Alberta to consider the amendment to the Company's articles was convened and adjourned, without any business considered, due to a lack of quorum and in order provide such shareholders with a further opportunity to vote their preferred shares in favour of the amendment. The adjourned special meeting of the Company's preferred shareholders will be held at 10:30 a.m. (Mountain time) on May 31, 2019 in the Assiniboine Boardroom at the offices of Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP, located at Suite 3500, Bankers Hall East Tower, 855 - 2nd Street S.W., Calgary, Alberta. Holders of preferred shares as of the March 15, 2019 record date for the special meeting of preferred shareholders may continue to vote their preferred shares in the same manner as described in the Information Circular. If a preferred shareholder has any questions or needs assistance completing their proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-877-657-5859 or email contactus@kingsdale.com.Pembina may also engage a soliciting dealer group consisting of members of the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC) to assist in this regard, which arrangement would involve the payment of customary fees to the soliciting dealers for the receipt of votes from preferred shareholders in regards to the special resolution to approve the amendment to the Company's articles. About Pembina Calgary-based Pembina Pipeline Corporation is a leading transportation and midstream service provider that has been serving North America's energy industry for over 60 years. Pembina owns an integrated system of pipelines that transport various hydrocarbon liquids and natural gas products produced primarily in western Canada. The Company also owns gas gathering and processing facilities and an oil and natural gas liquids infrastructure and logistics business. Pembina's integrated assets and commercial operations along the majority of the hydrocarbon value chain allow it to offer a full spectrum of midstream and marketing services to the energy sector. Pembina is committed to identifying additional opportunities to connect hydrocarbon production to new demand locations through the development of infrastructure that would extend Pembina's service offering even further along the hydrocarbon value chain. These new developments will contribute to ensuring that hydrocarbons produced in the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin and the other basins where Pembina operates can reach the highest value markets throughout the world. Purpose of Pembina: To be the leader in delivering integrated infrastructure solutions connecting global markets; Customers choose us first for reliable and value-added services; choose us first for reliable and value-added services; Investors receive sustainable industry-leading total returns; receive sustainable industry-leading total returns; Employees say we are the 'employer of choice' and value our safe, respectful, collaborative and fair work culture; and say we are the 'employer of choice' and value our safe, respectful, collaborative and fair work culture; and Communities welcome us and recognize the net positive impact of our social and environmental commitment. Pembina is structured into three Divisions: Pipelines Division, Facilities Division and Marketing & New Ventures Division. Pembina's common shares trade on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges under PPL and PBA, respectively. For more information, visit www.pembina.com. For furthere information - Investor Relations, Scott Arnold, (403) 231-3156, 1-855-880-7404, e-mail: investor-relations@pembina.com, www.pembina.com Scientists have long been struggling to develop high-performance fuel cells as environmentally friendly power in electric vehicles. However, Prof. Chen Tsan-Yao of the Department of Engineering and System Science (National Tsing Hua University, Taiwan) has recently made a major breakthrough by using ultrasonic waves to make tiny grooves in the surface of various materials, which in conjunction with an atomic-scale platinum catalyst can be used to double the alkaline fuel cells (AFCs) efficiency. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190507005508/en/ Prof. Chen Tsan-Yao recently developed a way of using ultrasonic waves to make tiny grooves on a metal surface, which in conjunction with an atomic-scale platinum catalyst can be used to double the efficiency of alkaline fuel cells. (Photo: National Tsing Hua University) This atomic-scale catalyst increases the oxygen reduction (cathode reaction) current intensity by tenfold, with no degradation for eight months of continuous operation, while reducing the production cost by 90 percent; such cells have a lifespan of two to three years. This groundbreaking research has been published and selected as a focus paper of Energy Materials in the February issue of Nature Communications. Prof. Chen said that he is currently developing a quantum-size-correlation in catalyst for making cells even cheaper and more efficient. Exploring the boundary in atomic scale A fuel cell is a power generation device to convert chemical energy into electrical energy. AFCs are safer and more efficient than acid batteries, and thus are widely used in spacecraft and satellites. The catalyst is the key component in fuel cell performance. Prof. Chen said that there are many factors affecting the efficiency of the catalyst, especially size. At the same volume, the smaller the catalyst particles, the larger the surface area, and the higher the performance. However, if the particles are too small, they become unstable and rapidly lose their efficiency. Thus, Chen's challenge was to find a way to reduce size and increase stability. Inspired from the love of coffee soda Chen said that coffee soda inspires him in the strategies. In 2016, while chatting with a coffee shop owner, he discovered that depending on the order in which the coffee and soda are poured into the glass, the sweetness, taste, and amount of bubbles are very different. As a result, he had his research assistants reverse the order in crystal growth. Unlike the traditional method, they add new materials every ten seconds and stop the reaction in only seconds, which results in the Pt trimer catalysts. Reduced cost, increased efficiency, and extended lifespan Not surprisingly, Chen's students initially had some doubts about his unorthodox approach. With hundreds of failures, they finally made the Pt trimer catalysts which remained stable while maintaining high activity in AFCs. Chen said that the amount of platinum used in his atomic catalyst is only 1%, compared to 35% for the average commercial catalyst; and the mass current density is increased by 30 times. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190507005508/en/ Contacts: Media contact: Holly Hsueh Executive Officer, Division of Public Affair National Tsing Hua University Tel: (886)3-5162006 Email: hoyu@mx.nthu.edu.tw Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - May 7, 2019) - DNI Metals Inc. (DNI: CSE) (OTC Pink: DMNKF) ("DNI" or the "Corporation") Application to the Autorite des marches financiers (the "AMF") DNI made an application to the AMF for a management cease trade order (the "MCTO"), which would restrict all trading in securities of the Corporation, whether direct or indirect, by management of the Corporation while the annual financials are being completed. The MCTO would not have affected the ability of shareholders who are not insiders of the Corporation to trade their securities. The MCTO was not granted. Since the AMF did not grant the MCTO the applicable Canadian securities regulatory authorities have issued a general cease trade order against the Corporation for failure to file the 2018 Annual Financial Statements within the prescribed time period. DNI's board of directors and its management are working expeditiously to meet DNI's obligations relating to the filing of the 2018 Annual Financial Statements. The Corporation confirms that it intends to satisfy the provisions of the alternative information guidelines found at sections 9 and 10 of Policy Statement 12-203 respecting Cease Trade Orders for Continuous Disclosure Defaults for so long as it remains in default as a result of the late filing of the 2018 Annual Financial Statements. During the period of default, DNI will issue bi-weekly default status reports in the form of further press releases, which will also be filed on SEDAR. The Corporation confirms that there are no insolvency proceedings against it as of the date of this press release. The Corporation also confirms that there is no other material information concerning the affairs of the Corporation that has not been generally disclosed as of the date of this press release. Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Reasons for delay Despite its best efforts, the Corporation is currently not in a position to timely file the 2018 Annual Financial Statements, primarily as a result of the normal time period required for the auditors to complete the audit of the annual financial statements was not enough time this financial year. There are 2 main reasons for the delay: On-going Investigation As per DNI's Press release dated October 24, 2018: "DNI had been promised the environmental licenses would be completed early in 2018. Through an ongoing investigation, the Office National pour l'Environnement Madagascar (the "ONE") has determined and informed DNI that many of the receipts and documents were falsified, and that the fee payments had not been paid. In fact, the cahier d'charge and the environmental impact study for Marofody project had not been filed with the ONE." DNI is working with the ONE, its lawyers and its auditors to review and investigate the falsified documents and receipts. Change in management in Madagascar In October 2018, DNI terminated its relationship with its previous DNI country manager, and associated personal. Dan Weir, the CEO of DNI, assumed control of all DNI's Madagascar operations which includes, but is not limited to, obtaining the environmental licenses for its Vohitsara and Marofody properties. Mr. Weir put together a new team, which includes inhouse legal counsel, government relations personal, an office manager and an accountant. DNI is working with its auditors and reviewing the accounting in Madagascar. As DNI has stated in previous press releases, Dan Weir, CEO, and the new Malagasy team, have had to file and complete the proper documents, pay the proper fees, and complete the required technical and public consultation meetings, to obtain the environmental licenses. Unfortunately, all this work has taken significant time of the management team of DNI. Since DNI has completed all the requirements for the environmental licenses, its team is focusing on the investigation and completing the audit. Change of Financial year end to December 31 At DNI's last annual meeting, a motion was approved by shareholders to change DNI's year end to December 31. The previous year end was March 31. DNI's subsidiaries in Madagascar and Mauritius are required to file financials at December 31 year ends. DNI decided to change the year end of the Parent company, DNI Metals Inc., to better align with the accounting in Madagascar. This will simplify the accounting practices as DNI builds its pilot plant and gets into production. DNI - CSE DMNKF - OTC Pink Issued: 134,302,603 For further information, contact: DNI Metals Inc. - Dan Weir, President & CEO 416-720-0754 DanWeir@dnimetals.com Also visit www.dnimetals.com Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Information This news release may contain certain forward-looking information. All statements included herein, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking information and such information involves various risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the ability for the Corporation to obtain the MCTO and its ability to file the 2018 Annual Financial Statements by June 15, 2019. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. A description of assumptions used to develop such forward-looking information and a description of risk factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking information can be found in DNI's disclosure documents on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com. DNI does not undertake to update any forward looking information except in accordance with applicable securities laws. Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. Except as required by law, the Corporation assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/44606 NASHVILLE, TN / ACCESSWIRE / May 7, 2019 / First Acceptance Corporation (OTCQX: FACO) today reported its financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2019. A quarterly report can be found at www.otcmarkets.com/stock/FACO/disclosure. Income before income taxes, for the three months ended March 31, 2019 was $8.3 million, compared with income before income taxes of $7.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018. Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2019 was $6.5 million, compared with net income of $5.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018. Diluted net income per share was $0.16 and $0.13 for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, we recognized favorable prior period loss and LAE development of $11.1 million and $4.1 million, respectively. Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2019 included $800 thousand in unrealized gains on equity securities and net income for the three months ended March 31, 2018 included $386 thousand in unrealized losses on equity securities. President and Chief Executive Officer, Ken Russell, commented, 'Welcome to the new Acceptance Insurance! With the full implementation of our Agency Model now completed, we no longer view ourselves solely as a non-standard automobile insurance carrier with incidental insurance agency operations, but rather as a full-service retail personal lines insurance agency whose business includes non-standard automobile insurance policies written through our own carrier. With all the pieces now in place, I look forward to continued progress as both our employee-agents and customers learn to reap the full benefits of what we now have to offer.' Mr. Russell further added, 'While I am certainly pleased with a profitable quarter that was driven by continued favorable loss development and the outstanding efforts of our claims staff, we must continue to work diligently to build our revenues. I believe that we can profitably grow our book of business through continued promotion of our Agency Model, newly-developed processes to increase policy renewals, improved quality assurance procedures and enhanced employee-agent incentive programs.' About First Acceptance Corporation We are principally a retailer, servicer and underwriter of non-standard personal automobile insurance based in Nashville, Tennessee. Our insurance operations generate revenue from selling non-standard personal automobile insurance products and related products in 16 states. We currently conduct our insurance servicing and underwriting operations in 14 states and operate only as an insurance agency in two states. We are also licensed as an insurance company in 12 states where we do not conduct any business. Non-standard personal automobile insurance is sought after by individuals because of their inability or unwillingness to obtain standard insurance coverage due to various factors, including payment history, payment preference, failure in the past to maintain continuous insurance coverage or driving record and/or vehicle type. At March 31, 2019, we leased and operated 350 retail locations and a call center staffed with employee-agents. Our employee-agents primarily sell non-standard personal automobile insurance products underwritten by us and through third-party carriers for which we receive a commission. We also offer a variety of additional commissionable products, and, in most states, our employee-agents also sell an insurance product providing personal property and liability coverage for renters that is underwritten by us. In addition to our retail locations, we are able to complete the entire sales process over the phone via our call center or through the internet via our consumer-based website or mobile platform. On a limited basis, we also sell our products through selected retail locations operated by independent agents. Additional information about First Acceptance Corporation can be found online at www.acceptance.com. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements. All statements made other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. You can identify these statements from our use of the word 'believe' or the negative of this term and similar expressions. These statements, which have been included in reliance on the 'safe harbor' provisions of the federal securities laws, involve risks and uncertainties. Investors are hereby cautioned that these statements may be affected by important factors, including, among others, the factors set forth under the caption 'Risk Factors' in our Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2018 filed by the Company with the OTCQX. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise. First Acceptance Corporation and Subsidiaries Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (amounts in thousands, except per share data) Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 2018 Revenues $ 76,568 $ 82,707 Income before income taxes $ 8,293 $ 7,245 Net income $ 6,513 $ 5,440 Net income per diluted share $ 0.16 $ 0.13 Average diluted shares outstanding 41,805 41,363 Statutory Combined Ratio: Loss 62.0 % 68.5 % Expense 20.4 % 18.8 % Combined 82.4 % 87.3 % INVESTOR RELATIONS CONTACT: Michael J. Bodayle 615.844.2885 SOURCE: First Acceptance Corporation View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/544540/First-Acceptance-Corporation-Reports-Operating-Results-for-the-Quarter-Ended-March-31-2019 Confirms First Quarter 2019 Dividend for Shareholders Regulatory News: Pershing Square Holdings, Ltd. (LN:PSH) (LN:PSHD) (NA:PSH) ("PSH" or the "Company") today held its Annual General Meeting of shareholders ("AGM") in St. Peter Port, Guernsey. At the AGM, shareholders passed resolutions to: receive the annual report and the financial statements; re-elect PSH's directors; re-appoint PSH's auditor; authorise the directors to determine the remuneration of the auditor; authorise PSH to buy back shares; and permit the disapplication of shareholders' pre-emption rights. The specifics of those resolutions can be can be found in the Notice of Annual General Meeting available on the Company's website, https://pershingsquareholdings.com/company-reports/notices-shareholders/. The results of the proxy voting of PSH's Public Share are noted in the chart below. A vote withheld is not a vote in law and has not been counted in the votes for or against a resolution. All of the Management Shares voted in favour of the resolutions and represented 4,786,446 votes. PS Independent Voting Company Limited ("VoteCo") voted its Special Voting Share in favour of the resolutions. The percentages in the chart aggregate the results of voting by the Public Shares, Management Shares and VoteCo, as applicable. Resolutions 4 and 10 are Specified Matters for purposes of the UK Listing Rules, on which neither the Management Shares nor VoteCo are permitted to vote. Resolution For Against Vote Withheld Resolution 1: Receive the annual report and the financial statements Ordinary Resolution of all Voting Shares 126,714,676 100% 0 0.00% 3,204,312 Resolution 2: To re-appoint the Company's auditor Ordinary Resolution of all Voting Shares 129,918,988 100% 0 0.00% 0 Resolution 3: To authorise the directors to determine the remuneration of the auditor Ordinary Resolution of all Voting Shares 129,918,988 100% 0 0.00% 0 Resolution 4: To re-elect Nicholas Botta as a Director Ordinary Resolution of the holders of Public Shares 128,485,292 98.90% 1,433,696 1.10% 0 Resolution 5: To re-elect Richard Battey as a Director Ordinary Resolution of all Voting Shares 127,855,063 99.42% 2,063,925 0.58% 0 Resolution 6: To re-elect William Scott as a Director Ordinary Resolution of all Voting Shares 127,855,063 99.42% 2,063,925 0.58% 0 Resolution 7: To re-elect Anne Farlow as a Director Ordinary Resolution of all Voting Shares 127,855,063 99.42% 2,063,925 0.58% 0 Resolution 8: To re-elect Bronwyn Curtis as a Director Ordinary Resolution of all Voting Shares 127,855,063 99.42% 2,063,925 0.58% 0 Resolution 9: To re-elect Richard Wohanka as a Director Ordinary Resolution of all Voting Shares 127,855,063 99.42% 2,063,925 0.58% 0 Resolution 10: Authorising the Company to buy back shares Special Resolution of the holders of Public Shares 129,914,567 99.99% 4,421 0.01% 0 Resolution 11: Permitting the disapplication of pre-emption rights Special Resolution of all Voting Shares 127,903,703 99.44% 2,015,285 0.56% 0 A copy of the resolutions passed at the AGM has been submitted to the National Storage Mechanism and will shortly be available for inspection at: www.morningstar.co.uk/NSM. PSH also confirmed today that the next quarterly dividend of $0.10 per Public Share, as previously announced, is payable as follows: Record Date Payment Date USD Dividend Per Share DRIP Enrollment Deadline Currency Election Deadline 24 May 2019 21 June 2019 $0.10 31 May 2019 24 May 2019 A proportionate quarterly dividend will be paid per Management Share and the Special Voting Share, based on their respective net asset values per share. Shareholders may automatically reinvest cash dividends into PSH Public Shares through a Dividend Reinvestment Programme ("DRIP"). Details about the DRIP are available at https://pershingsquareholdings.com/psh-dividend-information/ and through shareholders' brokers. Dividends will be paid in US dollars unless a shareholder elects to be paid in GBP. Interested shareholders must elect GBP no later than the Currency Election Deadline. Further details about the currency election, including how to select GBP, are available at Pershing Square Holdings' website https://pershingsquareholdings.com/psh-dividend-information/. About Pershing Square Holdings, Ltd. Pershing Square Holdings, Ltd. (LN:PSH) (LN:PSHD) (NA:PSH) is an investment holding company structured as a closed-ended fund that makes concentrated investments principally in North American companies. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190507006098/en/ Contacts: Media Camarco Ed Gascoigne-Pees Hazel Stevenson +44 020 3757 4989, Media-PershingSquareHoldings@camarco.co.uk Miami, Florida--(Newsfile Corp. - May 7, 2019) - Cansortium Inc. (CSE: TIUM) ("Cansortium" or the "Company"), a leading Florida-based medical cannabis company operating under the Fluent Cannabis Care brand (formerly Knox Medical) and with a mission to deliver the highest standards of cannabis care from nursery to lab to shelf, announced that its Chief Executive Officer, Jose Hidalgo, will present Tuesday, May 14, 2019 at 3:40pm ET during the 3rd Annual Canaccord Genuity Cannabis Conference at the Grand Hyatt in New York. The presentation will be available via live webcast at http://wsw.com/webcast/canaccord34/tium/. A copy of Cansortium Inc's presentation will be available on the investor relations section of the Company's web site at www.cansortium.com. A replay of the presentation will be available through May 13, 2020. About Cansortium Cansortium is a global medical cannabis company operating in highly populous medical cannabis markets with a mission to deliver the highest standards of cannabis care from nursery to lab to shelf. Headquartered in Miami, FL and operating under the Fluent Cannabis Care brand (formerly Knox Medical), the Company through its subsidiaries operates cultivation, processing and dispensary facilities across Florida, Texas, Puerto Rico and a dispensary license in Pennsylvania. The Company also has licensed cultivation facilities in Colombia and Canada, with licensing pending in Michigan. For more information visit www.cansortium.com and www.getfluent.com For further information, contact: Jeffrey Reath Executive Vice-President, Finance and Investor Relations 506-871-6135 jeff@cansortium.com To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/44615 CALGARY, AB / ACCESSWIRE / May 7, 2019 / Jade Leader Corp. (TSX.V: JADE) ("Jade Leader", or "The Company") is pleased to report that at its Annual & Special Meeting, held on May 7, 2019, Jean-Pierre Jutras, Dr. Shane Ebert, Cornell McDowell and Dr. Peter Megaw were re-elected to the Board of Directors. Shareholders also approved fixing the number of directors at four and the appointment of BDO Canada LLP as Auditors, and ratified the Corporation's stock option plan Two of the Company's executives and five of the Company's consultants have recently returned from the 2019 Zi Gang Cup Jade and Stone Works Competition and Exhibition, held in Suzhou, Jiangsu province, China. The competition, which brings together some of the world's most recognized Chinese and International Jade carvers and Jade industry leaders, provided an excellent opportunity to formally introduce Jade Leader, it's projects and progress to a wider dedicated audience in the Jade space. Numerous opportunities to conduct additional market research as well as discuss the quality and marketability of various jade types, from both Wyoming and Washington projects, with carvers and industry participants were capitalized upon to solidify and more effectively direct the current coming exploration season with high priority targets. Plans for the next phases of work at all of Jade Leader's US based projects are currently being finalized, with field work expected to commence in late May and continue through to the end of June. This round of work will consist predominantly of prospecting as well as detailed mapping and sampling of previously identified in-situ Jade occurrences. This work is being conducted to generate the information required for permitting of larger scale mechanized trenching and sampling to be conducted later in the exploration season, as permitting will allow. Finally, prior to expiry, 3,250,000 warrants from a previous financing have been exercised during the quarter ended March 2019, for net proceeds of $325,000. On Behalf of the Board of Directors, "Jean-Pierre Jutras" Jean-Pierre Jutras, President/Director For Further Information Contact: Jean Pierre Jutras, President at 1.403.233.0464 The TSX Venture Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved of the contents of this press release. Except for the historical and present factual information contained herein, the matters set forth in this news release, including words such as "expects", "projects", "plans", "anticipates" and similar expressions, are forward-looking information that represents management of Jade Leader's internal projections, expectations or beliefs concerning, among other things, future operating results and various components thereof or the economic performance of Jade Leader. The projections, estimates and beliefs contained in such forward-looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause Jade Leader's actual performance and financial results in future periods to differ materially from any projections of future performance or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, those described in Jade Leader's filings with the Canadian securities authorities. Accordingly, holders of Jade Leader shares and potential investors are cautioned that events or circumstances could cause results to differ materially from those predicted. Jade Leader disclaims any responsibility to update these forward-looking statements. SOURCE: Jade Leader Corp. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/544556/Jade-Leader-Announces-Results-of-Annual-Special-Meeting-and-Provides-Corporate-Update (Reuters) - Insurer American International Group Inc reported first-quarter earnings that trounced Wall Street estimates on Monday, as its general insurance business posted its first underwriting profit since the financial crisis. Shares of the company rose more than 6 percent after Chief Executive Officer Brian Duperreault said he expects the company to record an underwriting profit for the full year. (Reuters) - Insurer American International Group Inc reported first-quarter earnings that trounced Wall Street estimates on Monday, as its general insurance business posted its first underwriting profit since the financial crisis. Shares of the company rose more than 6 percent after Chief Executive Officer Brian Duperreault said he expects the company to record an underwriting profit for the full year. The general insurance unit's underwriting income, which is the difference between premiums an insurer collects on policies and claims it pays out, was $179 million in the latest quarter, compared with an underwriting loss of $251 million a year earlier. Adjusted income from the business rose more than two-fold to $1.27 billion. Duperreault, who took the helm at AIG in May 2017, has been overhauling AIG's underwriting culture, which has for years focused on chasing revenue growth without appropriately weighing risks. The CEO and his deputies have been telling staff to be more selective about clients and wind down or revise unprofitable policies. AIG is also buying reinsurance to mitigate losses on old business. The general insurance unit's accident year combined ratio - which excludes changes from losses incurred in past years - was 96.1 for the quarter, compared with 99.7 a year earlier. A ratio below 100 percent means the insurer earns more in premiums than it pays out in claims. The accident year ratio is a measurement that Duperreault has cited as the best gauge of the unit's long-term profitability. The number excludes catastrophe claims and reserve charges. A tight leash on costs also helped the insurer, with its expense ratio falling 230 basis points to 34.3 from the prior-year quarter. Gross premiums written rose 11 percent to $10.2 billion in the general insurance business, helped mostly by the performance of its commercial lines insurance in North America. AIG's adjusted net income rose to $1.39 billion, or $1.58 per share, in the first quarter ended March 31, from $963 million, or $1.04 per share, a year earlier. Analysts were expecting a profit of $1.06 per share, according to IBES data from Refinitiv. (Reporting By Aparajita Saxena in Bengaluru; Editing by Anil D'Silva) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. State-owned ONGC on Tuesday said it continues to have strong financial position and sufficient funds to meet current and future CapEx needs, as it sought to allay concerns over its finances after successive acquisitions and government demands drained out its surplus New Delhi: State-owned ONGC on Tuesday said it continues to have strong financial position and sufficient funds to meet current and future CapEx needs, as it sought to allay concerns over its finances after successive acquisitions and government demands drained out its surplus. From a zero-debt company, Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC) had to resort to borrowings in the past couple of years after the government asked it to acquire state-owned refiner Hindustan Petroleum Corp Ltd (HPCL), pay record dividend and buy back shares. Reacting to reports on the company's ability to meet its capital requirements, ONGC in a statement said,"it has strong financials in place to finance its projects both ongoing as well as upcoming ones." "The company's operational plans and expenditure thereon have also been in line with its requirement," it said. "There is no plan or item of expense that had to be deferred due to paucity of funds/ resources." ONGC in 2017 bought Gujarat government firm GSPC's 80 percent stake in a complex KG Basin gas field for Rs 7,738 crore and in January last year, it acquired the government's holding in HPCL for Rs 36,915 crore. In the fiscal year ended 31 March, 2019, it paid a hefty dividend to shareholders and completed a Rs 4,022 crore share buyback. The government was the biggest beneficiary of both dividend payout and share buyback. These acquisitions and payouts to the government have eroded ONGC's cash reserves, which was about Rs 13,000 crore a couple of years back and has loaded its balance sheet with a debt of about Rs 20,000 crore. Without dwelling into financial numbers, ONGC said, "mergers and acquisitions are business decisions which have been taken by the companies to foster growth and true value accretion from such ventures gets reflected over a period of time. The acquisitions made by ONGC are going to strengthen the company's growth trajectory." The statement said ONGC on a standalone basis has "a very conservative debt-equity ratio which compares favourably with global benchmarks." The rating of the company is also very strong compared with its peers in the industry, it said adding ONGC today is the largest integrated oil company in the country with a strong presence in the entire hydrocarbon value chain. "The company has also been relentlessly striving to strengthen its operations in line with the energy needs of the country. "Relentless efforts on the part of ONGC management are expected to translate into strong performance not only for its upstream business but going by the results of some of the joint ventures in pipeline and petrochemicals, the downstream units are also expected to contribute through their stronger results," it added. NEW YORK (Reuters) - Goldman Sachs Group Inc said on Monday its co-head of global equities trades and execution services, Brian Levine, will retire this summer, according to a memo viewed by Reuters. The bank also said that Philip Berlinski and Jeff Nedelman were being named co-chief operating officers of global equities with Michael Daffey. NEW YORK (Reuters) - Goldman Sachs Group Inc said on Monday its co-head of global equities trades and execution services, Brian Levine, will retire this summer, according to a memo viewed by Reuters. The bank also said that Philip Berlinski and Jeff Nedelman were being named co-chief operating officers of global equities with Michael Daffey. The three will jointly lead global equities. Berlinski had been Levine's co-head overseeing global equities trades and execution services, and Nedelman had been the global head of prime services. Goldman routinely names multiple co-heads of its business units, and the memos announcing Monday's leadership changes were signed by all three co-heads of the securities business, Ashok Varadhan, R. Martin Chavez and Jim Esposito. "Brian has played a critical role in developing the firm's leadership position in equities trading," they wrote of the outgoing Levine. "He has helped build systematic trading platforms that will benefit our clients for years to come." Levine joined the bank's shares trading desk 25 years ago. He went on to play key roles helping the bank become a market leader in program trading and handled risk management of some of the bank's most important "capital markets blocks over the past decade," according to the note. (Reporting by Elizabeth Dilts in New York; Editing by Matthew Lewis and Dan Grebler) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. In January this year, state-owned BHEL had announced that the firm would set up a network of solar-based e-vehicle chargers (SEVC) on the Delhi-Chandigarh highway. Making the indigenisation clause stricter in its bid to promote green vehicles, the government has made it mandatory for electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers to use locally made key auto components to avail subsidy benefits, said a media report. Accordingly, control units, chargers and AC units are among the list of components that have been brought under the benefits scheme. The department of heavy industry in latest draft guidelines on Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles Scheme (FAME), lists the components that must be compulsorily built locally, with specific deadlines, said a report in Mint. The department of heavy industry, which implements the scheme, has brought the manufacturers of electric and hybrid two-wheelers, three-wheelers, rickshaws, four-wheelers and electric buses, along with associated deadlines for localisation under the new subsidy norms, the report said. In March this year, finance minister Arun Jaitley had said that the Union Cabinet cleared an Rs 10,000-crore programme under the FAME II scheme, reported PTI. FAME, which was introduced on 1 April 2015, entered its second phase (FAME-2) in April 2019. The main objective of the scheme is to encourage faster adoption of electric and hybrid vehicles by way of offering an upfront incentive on the purchase of electric vehicles and also by way of establishing necessary charging infrastructure for EV, Jaitley had said. The emphasis will be on electrification of public transport that includes shared transport, demand incentives on operational expenditure mode for electric buses will be delivered through state/city transport corporations (STUs), the statement said. In three-wheeler and four-wheeler segments, incentives will be applicable mainly on vehicles used for public transport or registered commercial purposes, it said. In the two-wheeler segment, the focus will be on private vehicles. In January this year, state-owned Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) had announced that the firm would set up a network of solar-based e-vehicle chargers (SEVC) on the Delhi-Chandigarh highway, according to a PTI report. "The establishment of EV chargers at regular intervals over the entire 250 km stretch between Delhi and Chandigarh would allay range-anxiety among the e-vehicle users and bolster their confidence for inter-city travel," the company said. BHEL said it will design, engineer, manufacture, supply and install the EV charging stations along with a central monitoring system. In January this year, Bajaj Auto had said that it was planning to make a foray into EV in 2020, simultaneously with the migration of its conventional engine vehicles to BS-VI emission norms, reported PTI quoting company's managing director Rajiv Bajaj. The company plans to launch the electric version of its quadricycle Qute along with electric three-wheelers next year, even as it gears up to introduce the conventional engine version of the quadricycle around March after much delay. It is also working on an electric scooter. In December last year, the government drafted a new plan to impose a levy of Rs 12,000 on purchase of new petrol and diesel cars in a bid to incentivise the use of EVs and manufacture of batteries. The NITI Aayog, the governments apex policy think tank, has proposed incentives ranging from Rs 25,000-50,000 in the first year for those customers buying electric two-wheelers, three-wheelers and cars, government officials said. In September 2018, the government decided to exempt EVs and automobiles run on alternative fuel from permit requirements in a bid to boost such vehicles in the country, reported PTI. Urging automakers to focus in this direction, Union minister Nitin Gadkari said that demand for EVs could also be created by mandating cab aggregators like Ola and Uber to induct a certain percentage of such vehicles in their fleet. With PTI inputs Political and security ties between India and the United States have grown but trade has become problematic. New Delhi: India and the United States will engage regularly to resolve outstanding trade issues, the Indian government said, after US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross met his Indian counterpart Suresh Prabhu on Monday. India and the United States are locked in disputes over tariffs, price caps India has imposed on imported US medical devices and over rules banning companies from selling products via firms in which they have an equity interest. Both sides agreed to engage regularly at various levels to resolve outstanding trade issues by exploring suitable solutions, which are mutually beneficial, the government said in the statement. US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross had said earlier on Monday he planned to discuss Indias new e-commerce rules that could have an impact on operations of firms such as Amazon and Walmart with his Indian counterpart on Monday. India also prohibits companies from making deals with sellers to sell exclusively on their platforms, rules which could affect investment plans of foreign firms in Indias fast-growing market set to touch $200 billion by 2027. Both sides agreed to deepen economic cooperation and bilateral trade by ensuring greater cooperation amongst stakeholders, including government, businesses and entrepreneurs, the government said. In March, US President Donald Trump announced plans to end preferential trade treatment for India that allows duty-free entry for up to $5.6 billion worth of its exports to the United States. India is the worlds biggest beneficiary of that trade concession, called the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP), and its withdrawal would be the strongest punitive action against the country since Trump took office in 2017. Two Indian trade ministry sources had said the government was hoping for a breakthrough in the talks. One said India wanted the United States to review its decision on GSP and also hopes the it will defer its decision to withdraw trade privileges until Indias general elections are over on 19 May. Political and security ties between India and the United States have grown but trade has become problematic. Indian officials said both sides are likely to emphasize strategic ties and try to manage trade differences. The messaging is a re-assurance that the US thinks of India as a strategic partner and the relationship cannot be colored by differences on trade, one of the sources said. Total US trade with India stood at $87.5 billion in 2018, with the deficit at $21.3 billion. India has held off implementation of new tariffs on US goods after Washington refused to give it an exemption on higher steel duties. The apex court had in January granted Karti, son of Congress leader P Chidambaram, permission to travel abroad after depositing Rs 10 crore with the secretary general of the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court on Tuesday allowed Karti Chidambaram, an accused in the INX Media money laundering case involving Rs 305 crore, to travel to the United States, Spain and Germany this month and next month. A bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices Deepak Gupta and Sanjiv Khanna said this nod to travel abroad was subject to compliance of conditions imposed earlier, reported PTI. INX media case: Supreme Court allows Karti Chidambaram to travel to United States, Spain and Germany in May and June. A Bench headed by CJI asked Karti Chidambaram to deposit a security deposit of Rs 10 Crore. pic.twitter.com/9jKzeBq8DU ANI (@ANI) May 7, 2019 The apex court had in January granted Karti, son of Congress leader P Chidambaram, permission to travel abroad after depositing Rs 10 crore with the secretary general of the Supreme Court. The top court had also asked him to file an undertaking that he would return and cooperate with the investigation. P Chidambaram is also an accused in the INX Media money laundering case. In the INX Media case, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had registered a first information report (FIR) in May 2017 against alleged irregularities in the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance to INX Media for receiving overseas funds to the tune of Rs 305 crore in 2007. P Chidambaram was the then Union finance minister under the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government. Chidambaram's alleged role has come under the scanner of investigating agencies in connection with the FIPB clearance of Rs 305 crore given to INX Media a venture promoted by former media baron Peter Mukerjea and his wife Indrani. Karti was arrested in February 2018 by the CBI for allegedly taking money to facilitate the FIPB clearance to INX Media in 2007. He was granted bail later. Both Karti and P Chidambaram denied all allegations made by CBI as well as the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The ED attached properties worth Rs 54 crore belonging to Karti and a firm in the case. It also attached properties belonging to the Mukerjeas in connection with the same case. P Chidambaram and Karti have come under the scanner of investigating agencies in the Rs 3,500-crore Aircel-Maxis deal as well. In July last year, the father-son duo was named in a charge sheet by the CBI in the Aircel-Maxis deal case. With PTI inputs Meanwhile, Adani group has shown interest in making bid for Jaypee Infratech, while Jaypee group too has submitted bid for regaining control of its realty firm. New Delhi: Seeking multiple concessions for acquiring bankrupt realty firm Jaypee Infratech, state-owned NBCC has offered to pay Rs 20 crore against over Rs 9,712-crore dues of operational creditors, including the Income-Tax Department and Yamuna Expressway Development Authority (YEIDA). A Committee of Creditors (CoC) is scheduled to meet on 9 May to discuss the revised offer of NBCC Ltd after creditors, including bankers and homebuyers, rejected the offer of Mumbai-based Suraksha Realty. NBCC's revised bid was not considered for voting by the lenders panel, citing lack of approvals from the government departments. Meanwhile, Adani group has shown interest in making bid for Jaypee Infratech, while Jaypee group too has submitted bid for regaining control of its realty firm. According to the revised offer submitted by NBCC, which was submitted to Jaypee Infratech's Interim Resolution Professional (IRP) Anuj Jain, the public sector unit has proposed that the total operational debt aggregating to Rs 9,712 crore would be settled by payment of Rs 20 crore. Among the operational creditors, the I-T Department has claimed Rs 3,334 crore, YEIDA Rs 6,112 crore and others Rs 267 crore. However, the IRP has admitted claims worth Rs 464 crore only out of total operational debt. NBCC said that the liquidation value would not be sufficient to cover the amounts due to secured financial creditors in full. It further said that the liquidation value owed to the operational creditors is expected to be nil. That apart, NBCC has also sought many relief and concessions including consent from the Yamuna Express Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) if Jaypee group transfers land and Yamuna Expressway to separate special purpose vehicles (SPVs). On transfer of land to Jaypee Infratech from YEIDA as part of concession agreement, NBCC said the I-T Department has been making an addition to the income of about Rs 2,950 crore on annual basis, which could result in a tax demand of Rs 33,000 crore for a 30-year period. NBCC has stated in its resolution plan that this liability in its entirety should be extinguished upon approval of this plan. In its revised bid, the state-owned firm has proposed that it would infuse Rs 200 crore within three months to take over Jaypee Infratech, which is a subsidiary of Jaiprakash Associates Ltd, the flagship firm of crisis-hit Jaypee group. To secured financial creditors, NBCC has offered 950-acre land parcels worth Rs 5,000 crore and 100 per cent shareholding of Yamuna Expressway that connects Noida to Agra in Uttar Pradesh. For the Yamuna Expressway, NBCC has proposed that the road asset should be transferred from Jaypee to a special purpose vehicle and debt could be raised against the toll income. NBCC will settle the claims of the home buyers by ensuring delivery of over 20,000 flats. There are about 2,200 unsold flats with the Jaypee group worth Rs 1,800 crore. On delay in paying penalty amounts to home buyers, the state-owned firm has proposed that the same would only be cleared if the Rs 750 crore deposited by Jaypee group with the registry of the Supreme Court is made available to it. Embattled Jet halted all flight operations indefinitely on 17 April after its lenders rejected its plea for emergency funds Jet Airways pilots union has appealed to the Supreme Court to direct state lender, State Bank Of India, to release interim funding to the grounded airline, according to a court filing made on Tuesday which was reviewed by Reuters. Embattled Jet halted all flight operations indefinitely on 17 April after its lenders rejected its plea for emergency funds, potentially bringing the curtains down on what was once Indias largest private airline. The bidding process for the airline is underway with final bidders expected to be known on 10 May. The union has also asked the Supreme Court to direct the civil aviation ministry and aviation regulator to decline any de-registration requests of Jets aircraft and not re-allocate its slots to other airlines permanently, according to the filing. The National Aviators Guild said in its petition that SBIs decision to not give the interim funding of 15 billion rupees, after previously agreeing to it under a resolution plan, has resulted in the airline being grounded and has impacted the livelihood of Jets 22,000 employees. On Sunday, as Jet Airways turned 26, hundreds of employees gathered at the airport in New Delhi continuing with their pleas for saving the carrier. Employees in their uniforms displayed placards, with messages such as 'Save Jet Airways Save our future'. Since the temporary suspension of operations, airline employees have been organising gatherings at various places across the country. With agency inputs This investment will help foster innovation and increase Mastercard's speed-to-market capabilities and value-added services. New Delhi: Global card payments major Mastercard on Monday said it will invest $1 billion (about Rs 7,000 crore) in India in the next five years and plans to make the country a global technology node for its platforms. The company has already invested $1 billion in the Indian market in the last five years. "Over the last five years, we invested about $1 billion in India. Given our increasing confidence in the Indian economy, where it is likely to be over the coming decade, we are stepping up on our investment commitment in India. We are committing another $1 billion into India (for next five years)," Ari Sarker, co-president, Asia Pacific, Mastercard told PTI in an interaction here. The most crucial thing about this investment is that Mastercard is building India as a global technology node for its global platforms, he said. This investment will help foster innovation and increase Mastercard's speed-to-market capabilities and value-added services. "What we mean by that is as a payments network we are a global network. All our transactions traverse towards a global network where the technology centres are in the US. And now India is going to become the first country outside of the United States which will have a global technology node," he said. Building the India technology node will mean that company's processing services, authentication services, tokenisation services and all other service layers that ride around the card payment industry will have an India presence. "This is going to be great for us, not only for the India market. This is going to give us the ability that how we can use the India global node for any other country's traffic as we balance our global network and presence," Sarker further said. Of the $1 billion investment, over $300 million will be used to develop the India technology node. The rest of the investment will go towards existing services and expanding capacity among others, Sarker said. "We are also going to expand our existing capabilities and do more. We are also looking at partnerships, investment opportunities in a more significant way for India. We also think India's fintech growth is extremely exciting," he said. In India, cards continue to be the most preferred means of digital payment. There were as many as 990.6 million cards (46 million credit cards and 945 million debit cards) at the end of February 2019, according to RBI data. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - China had backtracked on commitments in trade talks, prompting U.S. President Donald Trump to threaten additional tariffs over the weekend, but Washington would be willing to keep talking if the Chinese changed position, top U.S. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - China had backtracked on commitments in trade talks, prompting U.S. President Donald Trump to threaten additional tariffs over the weekend, but Washington would be willing to keep talking if the Chinese changed position, top U.S. trade officials said on Monday. "Over the course of the last week or so we have seen ... an erosion in commitments by China," U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer told reporters. He said China had retreated from specific commitments, a move that would have led to substantive changes in the text of the deal. "That in our view is unacceptable," he said. A delegation from China will be in Washington on Thursday and Friday and Lighthizer said he expected top Chinese negotiator Vice Premier Liu He will attend. Trump wants to see a deal with substantial structural changes but that is not where the two sides are at the moment, Lighthizer said as he and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin briefed reporters. Lighthizer said the Chinese pulled back on some commitments reached in the talks over the last week or so and that was what precipitated Trump's tweet on Sunday promising to raise tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods to 25 percent from 10 percent by the end of the week. Mnuchin said it would be unfortunate if the two sides, the world's biggest economies, could not conclude an agreement and they had hoped to conclude a deal by the end of the week. If they hear something different from the Chinese this week, Mnuchin said, they will report that to Trump. (Reporting by Jeff Mason; Writing by Doina Chiacu; Editing by David Alexander and Rosalba O'Brien) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. The Supreme Court Monday said it was 'little perplexed' over separate listing, contrary to its order, of the pleas seeking review of its verdict in Rafale case and the contempt plea against Congress President Rahul Gandhi for wrongly attributing to the apex court his 'chokidar chor hai' remark against Prime Minister Narendra Modi New Delhi: The Supreme Court Monday said it was "little perplexed" over separate listing, contrary to its order, of the pleas seeking review of its verdict in Rafale case and the contempt plea against Congress President Rahul Gandhi for wrongly attributing to the apex court his "chokidar chor hai" remark against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A special bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi said it had made it clear earlier that both the matters would be heard together but despite that, the contempt petition was not listed for hearing along with the review pleas on Monday. The bench, also comprising Justices SK Kaul and KM Joseph, was told that the contempt petition against Gandhi was listed for hearing on 10 May. "We are little perplexed that the two cases are listed on two different dates when the order was that these matters will be heard together," the bench observed. "This is the problem. There was order for listing both the matters together. We had dictated the order in an open court but it says one case on May 6 and other on 10 May. How can this be done?," it said. After a brief hearing, the bench ordered that the review pleas and contempt petition against Gandhi be listed together for hearing on 10 May. "The present matters and contempt petition (criminal)... be listed together on May 10 at 2.00 PM," the bench said. "We make it clear that the hearing scheduled for May 10 would be taken up and parties shall make an endeavour to complete the same on the said date. Rejoinder to the replies of Union of India may be filed, in the meantime," the bench said in its order. At the outset, advocate Prashant Bhushan, who is one of the petitioners in the case along with former Union ministers Yashwant Sinha and Arun Shourie, told the bench that there were three pleas before the court. Bhushan said besides the review plea, there were two other applications one seeking perjury action against unknown government servants for allegedly misleading the court during the Rafale case hearing earlier and the other for production of certain documents. Bhushan said he would argue on the review plea and application for production of certain documents and the court should allow Shourie to argue on the perjury application. "Where is the connected matter of contempt?," the bench asked. Senior advocate Vikas Singh, appearing for one of the petitioner lawyers, Vineet Dhandha, referred to the apex court's April 30 order and said the contempt petition was listed for hearing on May 10. "We had said that both the matters will be listed together," the bench said. When Bhushan said the court should hear his arguments on the review plea for an hour, the CJI said, "My brother (Justice Kaul) has to take up miscellaneous matters in his court". After the court dictated the order, Bhushan said that the Centre has not filed reply on the perjury application. Attorney General KK Venugopal, appearing for the Centre, said no notice was issued to the government on the perjury application. To this, the bench told Venugopal, "Did we issue any notice to the application for production of documents? But, you have filed your reply to this application". Bhushan also told the court that he would file rejoinder to the Centre's affidavit which was filed last week. Gandhi had made the contemptuous remark, "chowkidar chor hai", against Modi, which the apex court had said was wrongly attributed to it. The top court had on 30 April given another opportunity to Gandhi for filing one more affidavit for his remark. Though Gandhi, through his counsel, admitted that he made a mistake by wrongly attributing the remark to the Supreme Court, it observed that in the affidavit filed earlier, at one point the Congress President admitted the mistake and at one point denied making contemptuous remarks. In its 14 December, 2018 verdict, the apex court had said there was no occasion to doubt decision-making process in the procurement of 36 Rafale fighter jets from France and dismissed all the petitions seeking an investigation into alleged irregularities in the Rs 58,000 crore deal. The top court had said there was no substantial evidence of commercial favouritism to any private entity. Later, in a setback to the Centre, the apex court had on April 10 allowed the plea relying on leaked documents for seeking review of its Rafale verdict and dismissed the government's preliminary objections claiming "privilege" over them. The Rafale fighter is a twin-engine Medium Multi Role Combat Aircraft manufactured by French aerospace company Dassault Aviation. A deal to procure the jets was signed between India and France in 2015. The delivery is expected to begin in September this year. A retired senior Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation official was arrested in connection with the collapse of a bridge near CSMT railway terminus Mumbai: A retired senior Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation official was arrested in connection with the collapse of a bridge near CSMT railway terminus on 14 March which killed seven persons and injured over 30, police said Tuesday. Shitalaprasad Kori (58), who was chief engineer (bridges) of the civic body when the incident happened, was arrested by Azad Maidan police and produced in court on Tuesday which remanded him in police custody till 10 May, an official said. Earlier, the police had arrested BMC assistant engineer SF Kakulte and structural auditor Neeraj Desai in the case. A preliminary report into the collapse submitted by the BMC had said the structural audit of the foot overbridge was not carried out correctly. It suggested major lapses when the structural audit of the FOB was carried out on 13 August, 2018. Last month, the Bombay High Court had called the incident an eye-opener and directed the BMC to formulate a new policy for the audit, repair and upkeep of rail and foot overbridges and to consider handing over the audit of some these structures with high footfalls to agencies like the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT). The high court also asked the civic body to strengthen criteria of awarding tenders to contractors. The court was hearing a plea that sought, among other things, that the BMC cancel all structural audit contracts given to the firm DD Desai, which had audited the foot overbridge that collapsed. Here are the top stories for the day: Opposition's review petition on VVPAT verification to come up in SC today; Priyanka to campaign in Haryana, Rahul to campaign in West Bengal and Jharkhand; Rahul Gandhi to file 'apology' affidavit in contempt case in Supreme Court today and more. Opposition's review petition on VVPAT verification to come up in Supreme Court today The review petition filed by, at least, 21 Opposition leaders demanding at least 50 percent random matching of Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) slips with Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in every Assembly segment, is likely to be taken by the Supreme Court on Tuesday. The apex court had on 8 April directed the Election Commission to increase random matching of VVPAT slips with EVMs in five polling booths per assembly segment from one booth. The top court, however, had not agreed to the demand for counting of at least 50 percent of VVPAT slips. Opposition leaders led by Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu had sought the review of the apex court's order, saying the "increase from 1 to 5 is not a reasonable number and does not lead to satisfaction desired by this court". The plea was mentioned for urgent hearing before a bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice Deepak Gupta. Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for petitioners, told the bench that the review plea be listed for hearing next week. The bench accepted Singhvi's submission and said the matter will be heard next week. The plea said: "The petitioners submit that the aforesaid increase to a mere 2 per cent is not sufficient and will not make any substantial difference to the situation that existed prior to the passing of the impugned order. Therefore, even though the petitioners have succeeded on the merits of their contention, their success does not resolve their grievance or cause any meaningful change to the situation that they were originally aggrieved of." Poll watch: Priyanka Gandhi to campaign in Haryana, Rahul to campaign in West Bengal and Jharkhand With the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha election having concluded on Monday, BJP and Opposition leaders will be on the campaign trail on Tuesday, in preparation for the sixth phase of the General Election. Congress president Rahul Gandhi will address public rallies in Jharkhand's West Singhbhum and Dhanbad districts, and West Bengal's Purulia district on Tuesday. Meanwhile, BJP president Amit Shah will be campaigning in West Bengal and Bihar. Shah will address rallies in Ghatal, Paschim Medinipur, and Bishnupur in West Bengal and also in Patna in Bihar. Congress general secretary for eastern Uttar Pradesh, Priyanka Gandhi will address multiple public meetings in Haryana. She will hold rallies in Ambala and Hisar, and conclude with a roadshow in Rohtak, reports said. Rahul Gandhi to file 'apology' affidavit in contempt case in Supreme Court today On behalf of the Congress president's counsel, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, is likely to file the 'apology' affidavit in the apex court in connection with the case of contempt against Rahul for attributing the 'chowkidar chor hai' comment to the court after its judgment in the Rafale case. The bench, headed by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi, allowed Rahul to file a new affidavit on 29 April after Singhvi assured the bench that Rahul would apologise and that the rectified affidavit would contain the word 'apology'. The court, however, clarified that this order cannot be understood to be an acceptance or acknowledgment of the affidavits that have been filed already. "I have made three errors, I accept. I wrongly attributed the statements to My Lords. I apologise. It was never my intention to suggest that the Supreme Court endorsed, adopted or supported the political slogan 'Chowkidar chor hai,'" Singhvi told the court on behalf of Rahul, during the 30-minute proceedings which took place under intense media glare. MI take on CSK in Qualifier 1 with IPL 2019 final spot at stake Defending champions Chennai Super Kings would bank on home advantage to seal their place in the summit clash when they take on a confident Mumbai Indians in the Qualifier 1 of the IPL 2019 at Chepauk on Tuesday. CSK boast a tremendous record at home this season, winning six of their seven games at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Mohamed Salah-less Liverpool hope for miracle against Barcelona in Champions League semi-final After losing the first leg of the Champions League semi-final against Barcelona by 3-0, Liverpool will need a miracle at Anfield on Tuesday night to book a place in the final. Their hopes however have been badly hampered by the omission of Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino, who will miss the match due to injuries. Jaypee Insolvency: NCLT posts matter for hearing on 21 May Debt-ridden Jaypee Infratech's insolvency proceedings will continue for now as the Allahabad bench of NCLT has posted the matter for hearing on 21 May after lead lender IDBI sought extension of bankruptcy process beyond the deadline that expired on Monday. IDBI had approached the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) seeking extension of the corporate insolvency resolution process (CIRP) beyond the 6 May deadline as the proceedings are still underway to find a buyer for the Jaypee group's realty firm. Ayushmann Khurrana starts shooting for his next film, based on premature balding Ayushmann Khurrana is currently shooting his next film, titled 'Bala', in Mumbai. "Excitement is in the hair...err air. The shooting for 'Bala' begins today," Ayushmann tweeted on Monday. Bala revolves around a man who is balding prematurely and also stars Bhumi Pednekar and Yami Gautam. The film is being directed by Amar Kaushik, whose last film was Stree; with Saurab Shukla, Jaaved Jaaferi and Seema Pahwa in pivotal roles. It will be shot in Kanpur as well. Google I/O to kick-off today Google's annual developer conference called Google I/O will begin today at 10.30 pm IST at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, California. Announcements expected are the launch of the new Pixel 3a and 3a XL devices, Android Q, Google's cloud-based gaming platform Stadia, Google AI and more. 'Hatred against women who dare to come out and declare their personhood is palpable everywhere,' says activist Syeda Saiyidain Hameed. Editor's Note: This is the fifth in a 10-part series of interviews with well-known residents of Delhi on issues that they believe define the 2019 Lok Sabha election. Read other articles of the series here *** It was a phone call that gave Syeda Saiyidain Hameed a new role and perhaps a new meaning to the cause she had relentlessly fought for: to get justice for Muslim women. As a crusader, she had helped set up the Muslim Womens Forum at the turn of the Millennium: it was imperative to give women a voice in matters that governed their life. She interacted with the fundamentalists on issues of polygamy, triple talaq and inheritance. But little did she know that one day she would go beyond and break the shackles and walk into what was purely the domain of men. When Naish Hasan, a friend, called her and told Syeda about her forthcoming marriage, she did not know what was coming next. It was a strange request: Naish wanted Syeda to perform her nikah, marriage. Flummoxed, Syeda did not know what to say: the idea was great and the step an inch closer to what she had strived for, for many years. Like her, Naish, too, was an activist. Therefore her request that a woman should act qazi and solemnise her marriage was not one for fun but to take forward the entire movement of bettering a lot of Muslim women. Irrespective, her acting qazi and actually performing a nikah was too much for her to digest in the first instance. But once it sank in, Syeda was both excited and apprehensive. After all her own nikah and many before and after hers were performed by men, though she was dead sure that were she to perform Naishs, it certainly would not be the first in the Islamic world. Of course, there is no historical evidence one way or the other. What had always troubled Syeda was the 'nikahnaama' (marriage certificate) which was often to quote Hameed a 'kora kagaz,' (blank paper) in terms of the blandness of its content. The one question that stared at her face was why the conditions of marriage and divorce were not specified? Against this backdrop, Naishs offer was a windfall. It not only gave Syeda an opportunity to tread an unchartered territory but also helped her move in the direction of drafting a pro-women nikahnaama. But before that Syeda decided to read up the 'Qur'an' for injunctions pertaining to marriage and anything inimical to a woman performing the ceremony. When she found nothing she said yes to conducting Naishs nikah. With that not only did she hit headlines but created history. Syeda was then Member of Planning Commission. Vocal in flagging friendship with Pakistan, Indias errant neighbour, Syeda has been in the forefront chartering a path of peace even as guns blaze on the India-Pakistan frontier. She is among those peaceniks who goes to the Wagah border every year at midnight of 14/15 August to light candles and a carry a message of love from the people of India to the people of Pakistan. I grew up on the lines of the poet Allama Iqbal," says Syeda. Sarey jahan se achha Hindostan hamara. Hum bulbulein hain iski ye gulsitan hamara Mazhab nahin sikhata apas mein bair rakhna Hindi hain hum watan hai Hindostan hamara The title of this poem was Hindustani Bachchon ka Quomi Geet. It was my favourite prayer song where we children of all faiths sang it beautifully along with prayer songs like 'Mere Prabhuvar meri tujhse ye Prarthna hai' and 'Ram naam ras pae le manva'. No one thought in terms of "Hindu gaana" "Muslim gaaana", songs of Hindus or Muslims. My family did suffer in the aftermath of partition yet I always saw my country India as a haven for people of all religions, castes, classes, ethnicities. Those were a child's musings in a family which was an ardent believer in the paradigm for India given by Gandhi and Nehru. My grandmother sat before the radio all night listening to Gandhiji's funeral commentary and that night no one ate in our house. But today, and here I quote the poet William Butler Yeats: 'All all is changed'. I, too, am living in an India I cannot recognise any more." Using a poetic analogy, Syeda says: In my kind of India, I want to see a million flowers of different hues bloom. I want to see poorest of the poor live a life of dignity. I want to see women free to lead their lives the way they want to. I want to see malnutrition, violence, oppression, indecency expunged from my land. In the last five years, these have become the new normal and many of the values we were taught have bitten the dust. Nehruvian ideas have been thrown in delete files and relegated to forgotten history. Successive governments have made tall promises but most of them have remained unfulfilled." Syeda comes out in clear support of the Congress while debunking the BJP: In the two terms of the UPA, there were some people oriented schemes like MGNREGA, NRHM and ICDS. Landmark laws like Right to Education and Right to Information were enacted as a consequence of peoples struggle over several decades. During the BJP regime, announcements for peoples welfare schemes were made with great fanfare but nothing on the ground testifies to their success. Where is the money that had been promised in every account of every poor Indian? On the contrary, demonetisation has been a killer, both physically and emotionally. Is this what we voted for in 2014? Certainly not. Tall promises have bitten the dust I am sitting here watching the initial phases of the election showing a diminished voter turnout. What message are the people sending to the candidates? What faith are the people depositing in the powers that are vying to rule this country of 1.3 billion peoples whose future will reveal itself in a few weeks?" Equally, her concern for Muslims is paramount and comes across clearly: How can I ignore the 180 million Muslims who are waiting in line: those who have been denied justice? Those who are the poorest among poor; those who were tortured and lynched on suspicion of beef and beaten to death on suspicion of cow slaughter? The police is a mute witness to mob violence. It is reduced to a force that is completely and fully compromised. Dalits are beaten to a pulp either for a cow or for daring to aspire? It is the same story everywhere, day after day. Violence and failure are being hidden behind a rhetoric of false nationalism. The nationalism that (Mohandas Karamchand) Gandhi talked about, which (Jawaharlal) Nehru professed, about which Maulana Azad spoke time and again has been expunged from textbooks, en route being expunged from all memory. New nationalism has been reduced to hatred against geographical neighbours, against fellow countrymen who profess a different religion or have sinned by birth in a lower caste. Hatred against women who dare to come out and declare their personhood is palpable everywhere. This is not the India that I grew up in. Certainly and most definitely not. This is not the region which we called Sare Jahan Se Accha. This again is not the India about which the same poet-philosopher had said in 1936: Kuchh baat hai ki hasti mit-ti nahi hamari/ Barson raha hai dushman daur e jahan hamara No this is not my kind of Indianeither the one I grew up in nor the one I wish to live in." Four police personnel were suspended and a poll official was issued show cause notice in Bihar's Muzaffarpur district on Tuesday for keeping six EVMs inside a hotel room while voting was on for the fifth phase Patna: Four police personnel were suspended and a poll official was issued show cause notice in Bihar's Muzaffarpur district on Tuesday for keeping six EVMs inside a hotel room while voting was on for the fifth phase, a top official said. The district authorities were, however, quick to assert that none of the EVMs were used or their seals broken. The matter came to light when several local leaders of the opposition 'Mahagathbandhan' noticed that poll-related paraphernalia were being taken inside a hotel by Sector Magistrate Awadhesh Kumar and raised an alarm. Sector Magistrate Awadhesh Kumar has been served with a show cause notice and based on his reply, which has to come within 24 hours, further action will be taken," Bihar Joint Chief Electoral Officer Pravin Kumar Gupta told a press conference in Patna. "The four police personnel - a sub-inspector and three constables - who accompanied him have been suspended," he added. Muzaffarpur district magistrate and district election officer, Alok Ranjan Ghosh dismissed allegations of suspected misuse of the EVMs. "None of the EVMs were used for voting and all were sealed. These were kept in reserve meant for replacement in case of a snag being reported from anywhere," he said. Meanwhile, a demonstration was staged by local leaders of the Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP), a fledgling outfit which has fielded its candidate Rajbhushan Chaudhary for the 'Mahagathbandhan', and the RJD the largest constituent of the opposition formation. They alleged that the incident pointed towards an attempt to rig the polls by the local administration in favor of the NDA, which is in power in Bihar. The NDA has fielded sitting BJP MP Ajay Nishad from Muzaffarpur which went to the polls in the fifth phase on Monday. Since socio-political polarisation along the lines of religion emerged in Coastal Karnataka, the Indian National Congress was seen as catering to multiple interests. There were leaders from Christian and Muslim communities such as Oscar Fernandes, Margaret Alva, UT Fareed and BM Idinabba and leaders from lowered castes such as Janardhan Poojary, Veerappa Moily and Manorama Madhvaraj. Editor's note: This is the eighteenth and the final reported piece in an 18-part series on the contemporary history of Hindutva in coastal Karnataka. The series features interviews, videos, archival material and oral histories gathered over a period of four months. Read other articles of the series here *** It was the month of Ramzan in 1976. The Muslim folk of Kalladka, a village 35-kilometer east of Mangaluru, were making their way towards the masjid to offer Isha Namaz, the last prayer of the day. As was customary for Kunji Ahmad, he stopped at his cousin Ismail's shop and coaxed him into accompanying him. Ismail was immersed in the many accounting details of his newspaper distribution business. He asked Ahmad and his companions to go on, saying he would join them soon. A few hours later, after Ahmad had returned home, Narasimha, the shop assistant, came running to him. Policemen in a jeep had stopped at the shop and requested Ismails assistance, who told Narasimha that he would return soon and jumped into the jeep. They had driven away with Ismail. It was past midnight and he hadnt returned. Ahmad called a group of friends and set out to look for Ismail. After much deliberation, they contacted the police, who denied that they had picked up Ismail from his shop. Three days later, Ismail's body was found next to a river in Sarpadi. He had been strangled to death. Kalladka M Ismail was the son of a farm worker. His quick wit and bold tongue earned him followers and soon he was a working member of the most popular party in the region, the Indian National Congress. He had a small roadside store which fostered political conversations and activities. "He was deemed to be someone who was accessible for help round the clock by most people in Kalladka," says Haji from Kalladka, who owns Haji Beedis. Those were also the formative years of the Bharatiya Jan Sangh. During one public meeting of the party in the early 70s, Ismail had delivered a speech against the ideology of the Jan Sangh outside where the meeting was being held. His speech attracted a big crowd which left the leaders of the Jan Sangh fuming. One of the organisers of the meeting was Dr Prabhakar Bhat, who emerged as a central RSS figure in Dakshina Kannada in the years to come. In the early 1970s, Bhat wasn't as popular. But Ismail was. "He was an engaging orator and his speeches attracted everybody. He was popular among the youth, across religions. Those days, we didn't profile leaders as Muslims and Hindus. Atl east, not in the case of Ismail. He was emerging as a mass leader," recollects AC Bhandary, the president of the Tulu Sahitya Academy. Ismail is also famous for flagging down former prime minister Indira Gandhi's convoy when she was passing through Kalladka, after a visit to Mangaluru. Gandhi stopped her convoy for fifteen minutes and addressed the gathering at Kalladka. It was rumoured that Ismail would soon be fielded by the Congress in the Assembly elections. It all came to an abrupt end with his murder in 1976. Former minister for higher education late BA Moideen has written about Ismail in his autobiography Nannaolagina Nannu (Me Within Me). Moideen credits Ismail for putting in a lot of work when the land reform and redistribution law came into place in 1974. Ismail's store turned into a back office for filing claim forms. Tenants routinely consulted with Ismail and he helped them with the processes required to claim their land. Moideen in his book mentions that Kalladka Dr Prabhakar Bhat, Mahabal Devadiga and Urimanjalu Purandar Bhat were charged with the murder of Kalladka Ismail. The trial ended with the acquittal of the three. The state didn't appeal the acquittal. *** I tried to interview people in the age group of 20 to 25 in the months I spent working on this series. During my interviews, I always asked them what their choice was for a political party. For the sake of this exercise, I will label the individuals in line with what their religion was on their identity cards, though some of them believed otherwise or used the fashionable 'I don't believe in all that'. Most Hindus picked the Bharatiya Janata Party. Some of them picked Congress. The Catholic Christians were largely indifferent about who came to power, though most of them (not all), sided with the Congress. The Muslims I spoke to didn't have a ready answer. Though the Sangh and most Hindus have always called Congress a 'Muslim-party' in Dakshin Kannada, younger Muslims don't seem to see the difference between the two national parties. One of them told me that a leader is someone who represents the interests of the community. He was doubtful whether Congress has done that in Mangaluru for the Muslims. Another one of them, a young Muslim graduate, did not want to be seen as a victim. He said that Beary Muslims in southern Karnataka, in spite of increased polarisation, have helped each other as a community and are doing well for themselves. When attacked on social media by trolls, which, according to him, is normal, he tries to counter it unlike his friends, who have abandoned the platform. "It gets tiring at times because it is the same rhetoric over and over again," he says as an afterthought. But he can't name a single political entity or a party who he can call his political representative. All parties have failed us, he says. Yassir Hassan was in his early teens when he heard about the killing of Kalladka Ismail. When all the accused were acquitted and the case started to lose traction, a sense of indifference started to come over Hassan. Ismail was a Congressman. The government in power was Congress. How could Ismail's killers get away? Hassan had been a part of many okkutas (collectives) which were started after the demolition of Babri Masjid, calling for peace and communal harmony. Spearheaded by Muslims and other civil society representatives, such groups mushroomed all across southern Karnataka. While they existed, their activities were in the nature of peace talks. The activities of these groups didn't stop the arrests or killings of youth, most of which ended in acquittals. Hassan recollected the frustration which existed among Muslim youths of Dakshin Kannada in the 1990s. "Muslim organisations like Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) were never articulate about the situation of Muslims. National parties didn't care about anything more than our votes. We had no political existence," says Hassan. Founded in 2001, the Karnataka Forum for Dignity (KFD) started as a new chapter in the history of the region. The KFD was outspoken in nature and organised demonstrations against communal violence, openly naming the Sangh for its activities. Members of the KFD were from time to time involved in fist-fights and clashes with members of Hindu organisations. In 2006, they organised a rally called Vidhan Souda Chalo under the banner of 'Save Karnataka from Communal Fascists'. Hassan was at the helm of these activities. He served as the general secretary of KFD till it merged with other groups from southern India to form the Popular Front of India (PFI) in 2009. Now, Hassan serves as the General Secretary of PFI. "All parties have failed" is the narrative that the PFI and its political arm, the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), banked on when it took form. In less than a decade, the organisation has grown in numbers. With their popularity, the critique on them has spiralled as well. Members of the PFI have been arrested for moral policing and more importantly for spearheading murders of activists of the Sangh. Many PFI leaders have been pulled up for making inflammatory speeches. Almost all Muslim organisations are opposed to the PFI in Mangaluru, with some even calling for a ban on them. But Hassan is unfazed. He denies that his organisation promotes moral policing. He also denies the counts of murder. "Muslim assertion is a problem for everybody, including Muslims. But the youth are not stupid. They see what we represent. We equipped them to talk against the Sangh and now the world is jealous of our rise. So be it." *** "Who represents the Muslims of Coastal Karnataka" is a contentious question in this region. The Congress has been blamed by the Sangh for being a Muslim appeaser for decades. A recent entrant into electoral politics, the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) blames the Congress for using Muslim for vote bank politics while doing nothing for Muslims. Muslim organisations in coastal Karnataka, such as the Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, hold the SDPI responsible for polarising Muslims against Hindus. Some Muslims, like Irshad Uppinangady, a journalist and Shabbir Ahmed, a JIH leader from the state, go to the extent of labelling SDPI as the Sangh equivalent for Muslims. SDPI leaders vehemently deny this and blame other Muslim organisations for targeting them for their growing popularity. Since socio-political polarisation along the lines of religion emerged in Coastal Karnataka, the Indian National Congress was seen as catering to multiple interests. There were leaders from Christian and Muslim communities such as Oscar Fernandes, Margaret Alva, UT Fareed and BM Idinabba and leaders from lowered castes such as Janardhan Poojary, Veerappa Moily and Manorama Madhvaraj. The predominantly Brahmin Jana Sangh hadn't managed to capture the popular imagination in Mangaluru till the Emergency in 1976. After the riots of 1968, there had been a simmering tension but they were brought under control. With the onset of land reforms, which affected all communities including Muslims (some of whom had been landlords), the region sank into an economic mess. When things started changing in the early 1980s, with programs such as the Hindu Samajaotsava in Dakshin Kannada and the Ram Mandir movement slowly shifting the focus of the 'other' to the Muslims, there was nothing which was strong enough to counter the popularity that this narrative was gaining. Not even the so-called all-pervasive Congress. Hindu, Muslim and Christian communities had started migrating to the Gulf in search of work but only the growing affluence of the Muslim community was targetted. Ismail was killed during this time. The acquittals, the silence of the civil society, including the Congress, and growing tensions between communities affected inter-religious relationships in Coastal Karnataka. With the arrival of the Sangh's Ram Janmabhoomi movement, the mandate was set for the future. 'Hindu Rashtra' was in peril and only the establishment of a 'Ram Mandir' would save it. Across the country, the Sangh organised campaigns to collect bricks which would be used to build the Ram Mandir. Lal Krishna Advani's Ram Rath Yathra set out in Septemeber 1990, bringing with it a militant face of Hindu organisations, unseen till then. When he was arrested in October, the first set of riots broke out across the country. It finally culminated with nationwide riots following the destruction of Babri Masjid on 6 December, 1992. In Dakshin Kannada, several remember this year as the time when clear faultline appeared for many. Localities across Dakshin Kannada saw rioting and since, the region hasn't been the same. *** A trip to the lending library went horribly wrong in 2002 and I ended up with books I had never picked. One of them was a courtroom drama set in the United States. On a whim, I read it and ever since I imagined that I would grow up to be an outstanding trial lawyer. The vision disappeared after I started making trips to the court during law school. Courtroom drama didn't exist. People barely got through the day without dozing off in court. There was hardly anybody in the Mangalore Bar Association who fit the description of the lawyers in the books that I had read. Despair-struck, I continued to visit the trial courts of Mangalore till one day, I heard the arguments of the celebrated senior criminal advocate late K Purushottam Poojary. Purushottam Poojary must have been in his late 70s when I saw him. I was told that Poojary was invincible but the cold-blooded murder of his junior, who was touted as the next Purushottam Poojary, changed everything. Naushad Kashimji was shot dead on 9 April, 2009, right in front of his house. Naushad was survived by his wife, Nusrath Jahan and his two children, who at the time of his death, were six and two. "He is a hard-working junior. Every day, early in the morning, he would pick me up and we would go to the office together. We used to go to court together and after court, he would drop me back home. This has been his habit for ten years." This is how Purushotham Poojary described Naushad in a complaint he submitted to the Station House Officer of Pandeshwar Police Station in Mangaluru, the day after was Naushad killed. For a week after the killing of Naushad, the only statement that Poojary repeated over and over again was, "Why didn't they kill me? I've been doing these cases for longer, I am Naushad's senior." The day after the killing, Poojary filed a private complaint alleging that four senior police officers were behind the killing of his junior. Their names are Venkatesh Prasanna, Jayanth Shetty, Shivaprakash and Valerian D Souza. The reason, he stated, was vengeance. Naushad was no ordinary lawyer. In the years after Hindu Samajotsava, Babri Masjid and the Surathkal riots of 1998, the police force found a new focus. Crime in Mangaluru had largely been about the gangs. Ballalbagh gang led by Raghu, Barke gang led by Barke Yaddu, Kadri Santhu, Pandu gang, Mulki Naveen gang, Kavonji gang from Bunder, Matadakani boys, Mulki Rafique, Bushra Azeez, Ravi Poojari gang, Vamanjoor Rohi and Bejai Raja gang. These were some of the key gangsters in Mangaluru at that time. Mangaluru had also always served as a source of 'talent' for the Mumbai underworld, owing to the mass migration from Mangaluru to Mumbai over the decades, starting way before Independence. Today, some of the names listed above are reformed. Some are dead. Some are on the run. But in the late 1980s, the gangs went with the flow they turned religious. On one side was the influence from Mumbai and on the other, was Mangaluru's own churning. The Hindu Yuva Sene emerged in 1989 with Gunakar Shetty at its helm. In true Tilak-style, they started yearly Ganesh Utsav celebrations and publicly proclaimed that they will fight against alleged atrocities faced by the Hindu community. But the members of the Hindu Yuva Sene were former gangsters. Now, their gang had a saffron tinge and they tried to divide other gangs along religious lines. That was the only difference. In 1991, Gunakar Shetty was killed in broad daylight by a rival gangster, who was a Hindu. After 1992, there was a widespread crackdown on all activities of the gangs, especially those linked with the underworld. Newer formations in the form of Bajrang Dal, Ram Sene and Hindu Yuva Sene, with religion as its agenda now grew more prominent. From rowdy sheeters, the focus started to shift to "communal sheeters". Arrests of those 'allegedly' involved in communal activities increased and predictably, many of the arrested were youngsters. Muslim youths became easy targets. Very few from the Mangalore Bar Association would involve themselves in these cases and this is where Naushad comes in. His senior, Poojary, was familiar with such cases. Under the tutelage of Poojary, Naushad focussed on representing youth who were falsely charged with communal crimes. Most of Naushad's clients were those who couldn't afford legal help. These activities were initially surprising for Naushad's wife, Nusrath. Nusrath was overwhelmed with the amount of work Naushad put in, especially his round-the-clock dedication to the needs of his clients. He explained his work to her and they often had conversations about the cases. Two months into their marriage, Naushad suggested that Nusrath should take up law. "He took me to professors who taught him and senior lawyers from Mangaluru, all of whom encouraged me to take the plunge. It made sense to me, as well, we could both practise and our work would also be a way of bringing us together," recollects Nusrath. Nusrath joined law school the next month. In the years to come, she helped Naushad draft petitions, many of which involved cases of illegal detention and orchestrated encounters by the police. In 2006, a leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party was killed. At least, 25 Muslims were arrested. Two of them were killed in an encounter, both of them dying due to close range shots to the head and chest. The officer in charge of this operation was Venkatesh Prasanna. Naushad filed petitions to human rights commissions. When a judicial enquiry was constituted to look into the encounter, he played a pivotal part in bringing the excesses by the police department to the fore. Subsequently, over the next few years, Naushad moved many petitions against Venkatesh Prasanna, who was notorious for spearheading encounters and custodial violence. Prasanna is just one example of how the police operate in Dakshin Kannada. He was also someone who has been accused of associating with the underworld, blackmailing and threatening businessmen in Mangaluru for bribes. In 2013, a show cause notice was issued to Prasanna by IGP Gopal Hosur, where he was pulled up for misuse of power, cheating and indulging in activities that tainted the image of the police department. Ironically, Prasanna received the President's medal in 2015. Naushad regularly wrote to the Human Rights Commission about Prasanna and other officers, such as Jayanth Shetty and Valerian D Souza. All of them, according to the petitions filed by Naushad, were misusing the law and targeting young Muslims. "Those were crazy times. There was a killing or a stabbing every other day," says Sudipto Mondal, a journalist who was covering the crime beat for a national daily in Mangaluru at that time. The riots of 2006 had set off a string of killings. A Hindu would die one day, a Muslim the next. This almost became the order of the day. With the BJP coming to power in 2007, there was a marked increase in communal crimes. Hindu organisations received a fresh lease of life. Within a year, churches were targeted and attacked across Dakshin Kannada. "Officers such as Nagaraj (who was eventually transferred), (Venkatesh) Prasanna and (Jayanth) Shetty were openly taking sides. Young Muslims were being picked out of their homes and locked up in jails, all on suspicion of involvement in terror plots, with zero evidence. Naushad pursued each case, filing bail application after bail application, arguing case after case. He made these cops cringe with exasperation," recollects Sudipto. Sudipto, during this time, was regularly in touch with Naushad who informed him about these proceedings in court. Over a period of time, a friendship developed between the two. Sudipto recollects Naushad not just as a human rights lawyer, but as someone who was well read and understood the design of the establishment. "I know very few lawyers who understood social justice the way Naushad did," says Sudipto. "In March 2009, a new SP came to town. His name was A Subrahmanyeswara Rao. He started bringing the city back to order. The police officers who otherwise had a free rein were also under scrutiny," says Sudipto. A month after Rao, Naushad was shot dead. Naushad had filed a bail application for Abdul Rasheed Hussain, who was arrested for allegedly plotting the murder of top politicians in Mangaluru. Naushad's colleagues remember Rasheed's wife pleading with Naushad to take the case. During the arguments for bail, Naushad argued that the officers in charge have a history of carrying out unconstitutional killings. Naushad also told the court that handing over Rasheed to them for 15 days meant torture or imminent killing and hence, Rasheed should be examined only in the presence of his counsel, while also being medically examined everyday. The court granted his prayer and immediately an argument had broken out between Naushad and the officers-in-charge Venkatesh Prasanna, Jayanth Shetty, Shiva Prakash and Valerian D Souza, who were present in the court. They told him, in court, that he wouldnt get away for too long for harbouring criminals. This is how Purushottam Poojary describes Naushad's death in a private complaint he filed at the JMFC Court in Mangaluru in July 2009: "Since Naushad Kashimji fought against illegal activities of Accused No. 13 to 16 (Venkatesh Prasanna, Jayanth Shetty, Shiva Prakash and Valerian D Souza), he had become a nightmare to them. They had deep seated animosity towards him. According to this complainant, the accused hatched a plan in consonance with hired gundas and murdered the brilliant upcoming advocate Naushad Kashimji." This complaint was dismissed by the court for not having sufficient material to back it up. The police concluded from their investigation that Naushad was killed by rivals of Abdul Rasheed. Four of them were convicted in 2014 by the trial court. All of them were acquitted by the High Court in 2018. On the day of the murder of Naushad, Sudipto received a call from a friend informing him about Naushad. Sudipto rushed to Naushad's flat to see his friend and confidante dead on the floor. In shock, he sat down. When he turned around, he saw the faces of the officers who were hovering over Naushad's dead body. One of them was Venkatesh Prasanna. Sudipto remembers Prasanna looking at him with a smirk for a few moments. For days after that, Sudipto didn't leave his room. ICAI Admit Card 2019| The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India has released the admit card for the Foundation, Intermediate (IPC) and Final-New May 2019 exams on icaiexam.icai.org ICAI Admit Card 2019| The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has released the admit card for candidates registered for the Foundation, Intermediate (IPC) and Final-New May 2019 exams. The admit cards are available on ICAIs official website icaiexam.icai.org ICAI has announced that the candidates will have to download their admit cards from the website as no candidate will be sent a physical copy. In order to download their hall ticket, candidates will have to log in to their account on the official website. The exam for ICAI's foundation course will be held from 27 May to 12 June. Steps to download the ICAI Admit Card 2019: Step 1: Visit the official website icaiexam.icai.org. Step 2: Log in by entering your registration number and password. Step 3: Click on the link for the hall ticket to view and download the admit card. According to NDTV, the ICAI exams were earlier scheduled to be held between 2 and 17 May, but they were postponed in the wake of the Lok Sabha election. The examinations will be held at 144 centres, five of which will be at foreign locations. The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) conducts the ICAI exam, also known as the CA exam. Candidates who qualify all the levels of the exams within a stipulated period of time are certified to be chartered accountants. The Bar Council of India has opined that there was 'something fishy' in the sexual harassment charged levelled against Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi by a former employee of the Supreme Court. New Delhi: The Bar Council of India (BCI) has opined that there was "something fishy" in the sexual harassment allegations levelled by a former employee of the Supreme Court against Chief Justice of India (CJI) Ranjan Gogoi. In a statement directed to members of legal fraternity, judges and people of the country, the BCI claimed that there was some very strong support behind the complaint against the CJI. "The common man of the country is not a fool. Mass was/is realising that there was/is some very strong backing/support behind the complaint against Chief Justice of India and complainant was/is not at all a simple lady," the BCI chairman Manan Kumar Mishra stated on Monday. Throwing light on the incident, the BCI said, "If you examine the complaint and the annexures and see the way facts are narrated; the manner in which she claims to have recorded everything in her mobile while at the police station, and the way she has been dealing with the police, courts, CBI, IB, everyone; if one analyses these things carefully, you will find something fishy." The council further said that one should not doubt the decision of three-judge in-house committee of the Supreme Court, which on Monday gave a clean chit to CJI Gogoi in the sexual harassment complaint allegation against him. "The committee made the decision after examining the materials and everything carefully; it has adopted the right procedure, which was required in this case. We should not doubt the decision of our three judges of the committee, otherwise, it will send a very wrong signal, and there shall be no end to such malicious complaints against the responsible authorities/persons discharging important functions," the BCI said. It further informed that the complainant did not opt to lodge an FIR against the CJI in the matter. "Before questioning the validity of the probe by the in-house committee of three judges, we should not forget that the lady (complainant) had approached and lodged her complaint to the judges of Supreme Court only; she did not opt to lodge a complaint or FIR. She herself chose this forum and the judges decided to hold an in-house inquiry on her complaint. Even the Supreme Court Bar Association had proposed to hold an in-house inquiry," the BCI said. The three-judge committee constituted to probe the allegations of sexual harassment made by the complainant against the CJI cleared him of the charges. The committee concluded that there is no substance in the allegations of the former employee of the Supreme Court. As the news broke and set off a storm about the complaint, the chief justice convened an extraordinary sitting of a bench headed by him and called the allegations a big conspiracy against him. The bench also passed remarks debunking the complainant. Later, the court constituted a three-member committee consisting justices Bobde, NV Ramana and Indira Banerjee. Justice Ramana recused from being a part of the committee after the complainant sought his recusal saying he was close to the CJI. Justice Indu Malhotra replaced Ramana. However, the constitution of the committee came under criticism, with a number of jurists and lawyers, including women's advocates, saying the probe panel was not in accordance with the Visakha Guidelines propounded by the apex court on the basis of which parliament had also passed a law. While the Supreme Court has an in-house procedure to deal with complaints, it has neither precedent of nor a provision for dealing with a complaint of sexual harassment against the CJI. Meanwhile, the woman complainant appeared before the three-judge panel and later walked out of it saying she was denied assistance of a lawyer or a "support person" to help her present her case as she was not a legal expert. With the procedure adopted by the committee attracting criticism, Justice DY Chandrachud of the Supreme Court wrote to the judges in the full court to "remedy all the grievances" that led the complainant to withdraw from the probe on 30 April. On Sunday, the secretary-general of the Supreme Court denied that Justice Chandrachud along with Justice Rohinton F Nariman had met Justice Bobde to make the demand. However, he did not deny that Justice Chandrachud had written to all the judges in the full court. The woman who came out with the allegation a fortnight ago said her complaint was in the form of an affidavit sent by her to the judges of the Supreme Court on 19 April. "I am alarmed at the conclusion arrived at by the in-house committee, as my accusation of sexual harassment at the workplace and the consequent relentless victimisation and reprisals against me and my family are substantiated by documents and are verifiable." She said on 26 April she had joined proceedings of the in-house committee and from the very beginning expressed serious concerns and reservations "that the manner in which the proceedings were being conducted would not mitigate the stark asymmetry of power between me and the CJI". "On 4 May, 2019, around 8 pm, I received a hard copy of my statements recorded before the in-house committee on 26, 29 and 30 April. On 6 May, around 10.30 am, I submitted corrections of some inaccuracies in my recorded statements to the concerned registrar at the Supreme Court." The 2019 results of ISC Class 12 was released by the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) today (Tuesday, 7 May) at 3 pm. Students who appeared for the ISC board exams can check their results online on cisce.org or results.cisce.org. ISC Class 12 Exam 2019 Results | The 2019 results of ISC Class 12 was released by the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) today (Tuesday, 7 May) at 3 pm. Students who appeared for the ISC board exams can check their results online on cisce.org or results.cisce.org. In case of increased traffic on the official website once the results are announced, students can face difficulty in logging in. Hence, they can use alternative ways through to check scores. Follow LIVE updates on the ICSE, ISC results 2019 here SMS Students can request for their results via SMS. To get the ISC Class 12 results as a text message, students need to write the name of the board, followed by their seven-digit roll number and send it to 09248082883. For instance: for a Class 12 student with roll number 1234567, he or she needs to send 'ISC 1234567' to the number provided. Other websites Students can also check their results on examresults.net, results.nic.in and indiaresults.com, in case the official website is slow or unresponsive. DigiLocker The CISCE will make the digitally signed copies of the statement of marks and pass certificate available through DigiLocker at digilocker.gov.in. The DigiLocker facility was established by the Department of Electronics and Information Tecnolofy under the Government of India. In additions, candidates taking the ISC examination will also be provided with digitally-signed copies of the migration certificate. The digitally-signed documents should be available after 48 hours of the publication of results through the DigiLocker. To sign up for the facility, a mobile number will be required. The number will be authenticated by sending an OTP (one-time password), after which the candidate will be able to choose a username and a password. CISCE released the result for the Indian School Certificate (ISC) Class 12 2019 exam today (7 May) at 3 pm on official websites cisce.org or results.cisce.org. ISC Class 12 Exam 2019 Results | The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examination (CISCE) declared the result for the Indian School Certificate (ISC) Class 12 2019 exam today (7 May) at 3 pm on the official websites: cisce.org or results.cisce.org. The CISCE held the ISC Class 12 exams 2019 from 4 February to 25 March. In 2018, over 80,000 students had appeared for the ISC examination. The pass percentage for ISC was 96.30 percent and girls outperformed boys in the exam. Follow LIVE updates on the ICSE, ISC results 2019 here Here are the steps to follow to download the result: Step 1: Visit cisce.org or results.cisce.org Step 2: Click on 'Results 2019' Step 3: Select on the option for ISC Class 12 Step 4: Enter the candidate's unique ID, index number and submit the details Step 5: The instructions to view the results are provided on the results page. Once the results is accessed, the candidate can take a print copy of it for future reference To get the ISC Class 12 results as a text message, type 'ISC' seven-digit roll number and send it to 9248082883. On Monday, the in-house committee of the Supreme Court gave a clean chit to the CJI. The verdict stated that it found 'no substance in the allegations' made against CJI Ranjan Gogoi by a former female employee of the Supreme Court. Delhi Police detained 55 lawyers and activists, mostly women, protesting outside the Supreme Court against the clean chit given to Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi on Tuesday and CrPC Section 144 was imposed outside the apex court to prevent further escalation. The lawyers and activists were protesting the procedure adopted by the Supreme Court to probe into sexual harassment allegations against the CJI. Section 144 imposed outside Supreme Court following the protest by lawyers and women activists against the procedure adopted to deal with sexual harassment case against CJI Ranjan Gogoi. pic.twitter.com/B0eFiJTOut ANI (@ANI) May 7, 2019 The protestors carried banners which read, "No clean chit", "Supremacy of Rule of law must be maintained", "Be you ever so high, the law is above you". Protesters, assembled outside the court, tweeted that they are being moved to Mandi Marg police station, The Indian Express reported. Delhi Police PRO Madhur Verma confirmed that the women were detained because Section 144 CrPC is in place in Central Delhi. Verma claimed that the Delhi Police had initially asked the women to move the protest to Jantar Mantar. "There was heavy deployment of police around the area. Three men and fifty-two women protesters were detained and taken to Mandir Marg police station," he said. The protests come after the three-judge panel constituted by the Supreme Court headed by Justice SA Bobde found "no substance" in the sexual harassment allegations levelled by a former apex court employee against Gogoi. The in-house committee, comprising Justices SA Bobde, Indira Banerjee and Indu Malhotra, completed the inquiry over four days. The accuser withdrew from the proceedings on the third day, 30 April, saying she was being denied access to a lawyer and was "not likely to get justice from this committee". The complainant had on Monday said "gross injustice" has been done to her as a woman citizen of India and "worst fears" have come true, and all hope of justice and redress from the highest court of the land have been shattered. After the office of the apex court's Secretary General came out with the findings of the committee, the woman issued a press statement saying that she was "highly disappointed and dejected". On Monday, the in-house committee of the Supreme Court gave a clean chit to the CJI. The verdict stated that it found "no substance in the allegations" made against CJI Ranjan Gogoi by a former female employee of the Supreme Court. The statement issued by Secretary General of the Supreme Court, as posted on its website, also made it clear that as held in the Indira Jaising versus Registrar General Supreme Court of India and Anr case, the "report of a committee constituted as part of the in-house procedure is not liable to be made public". When a natural disaster hits a geographical region, it shows no regard for separate jurisdictional boundaries or the political sensibilities (and/ or compulsions) of those governing those areas. And by this very nature calamities challenge us to coordinate disaster response on a regional scale, irrespective of the fact that the two political establishments at the centre and the state may be antipodal. The back and forth Mamata Banerjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi had in the aftermath of the widespread devastation wrought by Cyclone Fani was odious, even as our tolerance for ugly political spats is generally higher in election season. Thus, when Modi told a political rally in Tamluk that Mamata turned down his offer to review the extent of damage caused in the state, the ensuing verbal spat raised suspicion that the political rivalry between the two leaders may adversely affect relief work in the cyclone-hit areas of West Bengal. The story started off with the customary exchange of tweets expressing concern and solidarity with people of Odisha and West Bengal, the states hit by the disaster. But it quickly spiralled off into a full-fledged war of words even before the states were done assessing the damage wreaked by the 'extremely severe' cyclonic storm. The first signs of possible discord appeared when the news surfaced that the prime minister has spoken to Naveen Patnaik, the chief minister of Odisha and Keshari Nath Tripathi, the West Bengal governor to discuss the preparedness ahead of the impending storm. TMC was quick to call out the apparent prejudice in only calling Patnaik while alleging that in West Bengal's case Modi directly dialled up Governor Tripathi about the post-Fani situation in the state. "This is an attack on a federal structure and a deviation from the Constitution. By calling the Governor he has acted as leader of BJP and not as a Prime Minister. How can he deny the mandate of our people? Mamata Banerjee is the elected chief minister of Bengal. This is unfortunate." TMC secretary-general Partha Chatterjee said. The Centre, however, rubbished the reports accusing the West Bengal chief minister of turning down Modi's 'repeated' offers of help. Modi said on Saturday that he tried to contact Mamata Banerjee to discuss Cyclone Fani but his calls were unanswered. "Two attempts were made by the prime minister's staff to connect Modi with Banerjee over the phone. On both the occasions they were told that the call would be returned. On one occasion they were told that the CM is on tour," an official in the Prime Minister's Office told India Today. The official said that the prime minister called the governor to take stock of the situation only after they could not establish contact with Mamata. Later, Modi too used the exchange at a political rally in Tamluk, awarding Mamata names such as 'speedbreaker didi' to state that his efforts for helping the state were scuttled by Mamata purely for political reasons. "West Bengal's speed breaker didi has tried her best to do politics even on a natural disaster. During the cyclone, I tried to talk to Mamta didi on the phone, but she is so arrogant that she did not even return my calls." Mamata first said that she was in Kharagpur examining the state's preparedness so she could not take Modi's call, but later, she outright rejected the help and sympathy of the "Expiry PM" and said that she would directly talk to the "new PM" (after 23 May results of the Lok Sabha elections). Bengal was fortunate this time that the storm lost much of its steam by the time it barrelled through Odisha to reach the state. South and North Parganas districts and Didha district witnessed inclement weather and a few mud houses collapsed, but no large scale damage was reported from the state. However, if the state's vulnerability to cyclonic storms and natural disasters is plotted against the chances of different political parties ruling in Centre and in the state, it throws up a worrying picture as the political outfits are unlikely to ever learn to put the state's interest before self-interest. An academic paper, Politics of natural disaster: How governments maintain legitimacy in the wake of major disasters, 1990 - 2010, authored by Md Zahidul Arefin Choudhury, examines several case studies to reveal that as opposed to common expectations, democracy may not provide the best political environment for effective disaster response. To argue the point, the paper points at the political compulsions that are stronger in a democracy where state and Central governments, along with the Opposition parties have to keep going back to the people for re-election as compared to a single autocratic regime. Sans the political compulsion and the legitimacy conflict, a regime will press into service all available resources at hand to mitigate the crisis. In a democracy, on the other hand, the quality of government response is influenced rather by a regimes security concerns, the level of administrative efficacy and corruption, and most importantly, the leadership competition over the disaster management process. A case in point is the politics over relief and rescue work in the aftermath of Cyclone Aila (2009) which hit West Bengal when the Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee-led Left Front government was ruling the state, while UPA supported by Left's prime opponent TMC was in power at the Centre. To add to the complications of the power-equation, even though the state's civil administration was directly under the control of the Left government, some of the districts worst-hit by the storm had local bodies and municipal corporations governed by the TMC. Additionally, Left had fallen out of favour with the UPA after it withdrew support from the alliance in July 2008. On the other hand, CPM's bete noire, Mamata became a key ally of the Congress-led central government after the 2009 general elections. The political aftermath saw a resurgent Mamata push the Left government into a legitimacy crisis, while she mounted an attack on the state government's inefficacy in utilising the central resources sent to the state 'on her behest'. At the time when relief and rehabilitation measures should have been full throttle, people had to resort to protest to get the corrupt state-run departments to discharge their duties. Mamata not only used the opportunity to make political strides but also openly supported the spontaneous protests while threatening the government of a state-wide dharna. The Left government, meanwhile, pleaded with the people to cooperate with the state officials while it promised to fix the corruption. TMC also tried, on multiple occasions, to get the Centre to bypass the state government in disbursing relief funds, in what she termed the PM to DM approach. There were also allegations that the Left government disbursed the Central help disproportionately favouring areas where its own members were part of the local administration. The political situation of 2009, or for that matter of 2019, is not a one-off incident as long as the political class continues to be governed by their political ambitions rather than the will to mitigate the natural disaster. While poor preparedness and inadequate immediate and long-term response of a government invite public criticism of the incumbent, anti-government protest movements and anti-incumbent voting in elections, the opposition parties translate this public frustration to broaden their own political outreach and further diminish the incumbent's right to remain in power. The ruling party, meanwhile, uses the disaster events and the resources at its disposal as opportunities to strengthen clientelism and exclude political opposition in the affected area, the paper quoted above argues. Until such a scenario sustains, it is highly unlikely that the leaders will rise above political lines to battle a natural disaster. Disaster preparation and emergency planning are both inextricably linked to politics and economics, both on a national and an international scale. Disasters themselves raise a number of issues of a political or economic nature, and the response to a natural disaster both in the short and the long term is largely determined by the political relations that the state and the Central government share. When a natural disaster hits a region, it shows no regard for separate jurisdictional boundaries or the political sensibilities (and/or compulsions) of those governing those areas. By this very nature, calamities challenge us to coordinate disaster response on a regional scale, irrespective of the fact that the two political establishments at the centre and the state may be antipodal. Likewise, natural disasters hurt all Indians rich and poor, Bengali speaking and Odia speaking, Hindus and Muslims, male and female. Therefore, they are one of the few times when citizens saffron or green, though those are not the only two political colours in India's diverse society tend to turn to the government for help and put aside their political biases. How leaders respond in these times, particularly after possible disasters like Cyclone Fani, can determine how the public sees them in the years to come. Myanmar on Tuesday released Reuters reporters Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo from prison, 512 days after they were sent to jail for working on an investigative report on the killing of 10 Rohingya Muslim men and boys in a village in Rakhine state. Myanmar released two imprisoned Reuters reporters Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo 512 days after they were jailed for working on an investigative report on the killing of 10 Rohingya Muslim men and boys in a village in Rakhine state. Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo were detained in Myanmar on 12 December, 2017. They were convicted of breaking the Official Secrets Act in September 2018 and sentenced to seven years in jail, in a case that raised questions about Myanmars progress toward democracy and sparked an outcry from diplomats and human rights advocates. The two reporters walked free from a prison on the outskirts of Yangon on Tuesday, witnesses said. Wa Lone (left) and Kyaw Soe Oo (right) walking out of prison. pic.twitter.com/r3j92zHm6E James Pearson (@pearswick) May 7, 2019 Absolutely fantastic news: Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo of @Reuters are free! A huge victory for the brave reporters, the company's tireless efforts, the global pressure campaign, and for press freedom more broadly. https://t.co/gQsRJooCTa pic.twitter.com/SRE6PXGlbY Iain Marlow (@iainmarlow) May 7, 2019 Finally free. Thanks to all who made this possible and worked to #FreeWaLoneKyawSoeOo #JournalismIsNotACrime pic.twitter.com/PxiHW3Oo30 Matthew Tostevin (@TostevinM) May 7, 2019 Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo are among the 6,000 prisoners granted amnesty by President Win Myint. Since last month, the president has pardoned thousands of prisoners in mass amnesties. It is customary in Myanmar for authorities to free prisoners across the country around the time of the traditional New Year, which began on 17 April. Reuters has maintained that the two men did not commit any crime and had called for their release. Before their arrest in December 2017, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo had been working on an investigation into the killing of 10 Rohingya Muslim men and boys by security forces and Buddhist civilians in western Myanmars Rakhine State during an army crackdown that began in August 2017. The operation sent more than 7,30,000 Rohingya fleeing to Bangladesh, according to UN estimates. Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo's report featured testimonies from perpetrators, witnesses and families of the victims. They were awarded the Pulitzer Prize for International Reporting in May, adding to a number of accolades the duo received for their journalism. The Supreme Court of Myanmar had rejected their final appeal in April. The two had petitioned the top court, citing evidence of a police set-up and lack of proof of a crime, after the Yangon High Court dismissed their appeal in January. Both Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo's wives wives had written to the Myanmar government in April pleading for a pardon so their husbands could be reunited with their families. With inputs from Reuters The Indian Navy is gearing up to induct more women in its fold, and will soon allow them to take up various roles on a warship, including that of a sailor. The Indian Navy is gearing up to induct more women in its fold, and will soon allow them to take up various roles on a warship, including that of a sailor. During the Naval Commanders Conference in New Delhi in November 2018, the Indian Navy had announced that the issue of deployment of women on warships, which has been a long-pending demand, might turn into reality sooner than expected with defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman urging the navy to give impetus to the enrollment of women. Responding to Sitharaman at the conference, navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba had said: "Besides sailor rank, the inclusion of women in sea-going cadre is also being looked at in near future, not immediately, The Week reported. On Tuesday, at an event marking the arrival of the French Charles de Gaulle carrier strike group at Goa for the Varuna bilateral naval exercise on Tuesday, the Indian Navy gave the assurance again, as reported by The Times of India. Women in Indian armed forces In allowing women to take charge of pivotal frontline roles, the Indian Navy might set a new precedent in the history of the Indian armed forces. The Indian Army has only recently decided to induct women as soldiers or jawans, and 800 of them are expected to be recruited for the Corps of Military Police. The recruitment of women jawans in the army will take place in a phased manner with the selection and training of 52 candidates every year, the army had informed. In 2018, the Indian Air Force inducted three women as fighter pilots on an experimental basis. Avani Chaturvedi, Bhawana Kanth and Mohana Singh created history when the then defence minister Manohar Parrikar commissioned them as India's first women fighter pilots in June 2018. The government had in 2015 approved the induction of women as fighter pilots in IAF, making it the first service among the armed force in India to put women in combat roles. The navy has so far deployed women officers in eight branches, including education, law, and naval constructions where women have been given permanent commission as non-sea going cadre. The navy also has a deployment of 70 women officers as observers or tactical operators on the maritime patrol aircrafts Boeing P-8I and IL-38, which are armed, and it is considered as a combat role. For the deployment of women at sea, future warships are being modified with "suitable facilities" to accommodate women crew onboard, the navy says. Navy to upgrade ships to accommodate women onboard Naval officials have said that the defence ministry has given a strong push for the induction of women on board ships and bilateral naval exercises with foreign navies especially, France, US, British and Australia. In the French navy, they have a female crew of almost 15 percent on board, said western fleet commander Rear Admiral Sanjay Jasjit Singh. These are also issues in our interaction with the French navy and other navies from where we will have takeaways, Singh hoped that it was just a matter of time before women officers would be allowed to serve on board frontline warships. Newer vessels that are being built for the Indian Navy are being designed and constructed with berthing facilities that cater to women officers. France has opened up its Navy for women to serve on warships and submarines. This will factor in our own studies and planning, Singh said. Presently, women officers are being inducted into the Law, Logistics, ATC, Observers (Aviation), Naval Architecture and Education Branch as Short Service Commission officers. However, the government has now approved Permanent Commission for women in Law, Education, and Naval Architecture cadre. The service conditions in navy are the same for men and women officers. Women officers undergo the same training as men and they are expected to maintain the same high standards of appearance as men. Also, no special status is conferred to women candidates and they compete with Short Service male candidates on an open merit system. However, on the issue of not allowing women to be in sea, the navy says that since life on board ships is "very tough" and "puts a different kind of stress and strain on an individual", presently, the existing design of ships does not offer the necessary facilities for women to live onboard for long durations and contribute in war-fighting efforts. In a March 2017, in an interview with The Hindu, Admiral Sunil Lanba had said: We have identified ships on which (billeting) facilities are available for women officers and are working on the modalities of their induction on board ships. We need some minimum numbers (of women) on each ship. We are also going to do a survey and ask them if they want to serve on board ships. And then, we will take a call and take this proposal forward." Meanwhile, a study to examine ways to induct women sailors in the Navy has been underway for some time and new ships under construction are being designed to accommodate women. To start inducting women on ships, which stay away at sea for months, the critical mass is essential, The Print quoted a naval officer as saying. Unless women, in good numbers, are ready to serve in ships, there would be no homogeneity and it would be difficult for women to serve in ships. The entire ecosystem has to be ready before women are inducted. There may be a political will, the officer said, but at this point, infrastructure is not adequate. INS Tarini- a breakthrough In May 2018, a six-woman crew of the INSV Tarini became the first Indian all-woman crew to successfully circumnavigate the globe. The expedition, which was was flagged off from the INS Mandovi boat pool in Goa on 10 September, 2017, had six women officers Lieutenant Commander S Vijaya Devi, Lieutenant Commander P Swathi, Lieutenant Commander Vartika Joshi, Lieutenant Commander Pratibha Jamwal, Lieutenant Payal Gupta and Lieutenant Commander Aishwarya Boddapati who had trained under Captain Dilip Donde, the first Indian to circumnavigate the globe solo in 2009-2010 The expedition was sailed in six legs, with stopovers at the Fremantle (Australia), Lyttleton (New Zealand), Port Stanley (Falkland Islands), Cape Town (South Africa) and Mauritius over a period of 254 days. On 21 May 2018, the INSV Tarini returned to Indian shores in Goa after braving treacherous seas and displaying exemplary courage. The one-of-its-kind mission witnessed several gut-wrenching moments like when in January the INSV Tarini negotiated the choppy waters off the Cape Horn, off the southern tip of South America, often dubbed as 'the graveyard of ships' owing to the dangerous sea conditions in the Pacific Ocean. Lt Commander Pratibha told PTI that it is not that women don't want to join the navy, but it is just that they are not really aware what all opportunities are available in the navy for women. "Women, especially in the northern part of the country, think that navy is only about sailing and being on board a ship for six months... but there are a lot of different branches which the navy offers. For example, I am an air traffic controller. "Then there are education officers, logistics officers, there are medical officers, there are naval constructors, technical officers, there are pilots and there are observers. Variety and scopes are many, but there is lack of awareness, especially in this region of India," Jamwal, who hails from Kullu in Himachal Pradesh, said. An equal sea for all? In 2016, Sandhya Suri, one of Indian Navys first women officers who served on a warship, had said in an interview to Livemint that her greatest challenge in the navy was to fight to be considered a uniformed military personnel and not a woman. I also dont believe that women should be kept out of ships. Just play fair and dont draw out privileges, Suri remarked. When Sandhya Suri joined the Navy in 1994, there were just two women in her ship, which had 250 men including officers and sailors. Suri, who served as a Logistics Officer on a warship in the days when women were still allowed on these, knew what she was getting into. She has since battled to not let her gender be brought into discussions in meetings and official addresses. In 2017, the Indian Navy was mired in controversy when it decided to discharge a serving sailor, who underwent gender reassignment surgery because females cannot work in defence services as soldiers." In January 2018, the Delhi High Court issued a notice to the central government and the navy to showcause why the sailors plea against dismissal from service be not admitted". The navy had told the court that even though there was no job in the naval force for the sailor, it could facilitate her to get employed in a private company. Another major constraint cited to be delaying women's entry into the sea is the space on a ship. A former naval officer told Mint that on a ship, everyone has just a bunk size space for themselves and partitioning is done to optimise whatever space is available. Overseas examples The Journal of Marine Medical Society in an article had listed out several physical, psychological and social issues that could be unique to women combatants. The consequences of inserting a few women in an almost entirely male preserve, in cramped quarters, in inhospitable terrain, isolated from civilization, cannot even be imagined at this point in time in India, it said. Moreover, a recent Reuters report suggested that Russian female naval cadets are also unlikely to step into a combat role in a battleship anytime soon. However, the navies of Israel and the US offer the support structure and ecosystem for women to serve in ships. Many women have served in the US Navy for over a century in various roles including combat and also served during war. It was on 7 March 1994, that the US Navy issued the first orders for women to be assigned aboard a combatant ship, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69). Today, women serve in every rank from seaman to admiral and in every job from naval aviator to a deep-sea diver. In fact, in July 1994, policy changes were made expanding the number of assignments available to women in the US Navy. For instance, a repeal of the combat exclusion law gave women the opportunity to serve on surface combatant ships but, it still excluded assignments for women to serve on board submarines as there had been concern about bringing women onto submarines due to living quarters offering little privacy, again bringing to fore the space constraint issue. However, in October 2009, the Secretary of the US Navy announced that he and the Chief of Naval Operations were moving aggressively to change the policy. Reasons for the decision included the fact that larger SSGN and SSBN submarines were inducted in their fleet which had more available space and could accommodate female officers with little or no modification. In February 2010, the Secretary of Defense approved the proposed policy and signed letters formally notifying Congress of the intended change. After receiving no objection, the Department of the US Navy officially announced on 29 April 2010, that it had authorised women to serve on board submarines moving forward. The first group of US female submariners completed nuclear power school and officially reported on board two ballistic and two guided missile submarines in November 2011. Back in India, the Chief of Army Staff General Bipin Rawat in 2018 spoke at length about why the Indian Army is not ready for women combat officers citing various reasons such as their absence during maternity leave, creating "ruckus" if denied so, and accusing jawans of peeping while they change clothes while being posted at the frontline. His reactions draw considerable ire and many termed them as deeply misogynist. However, with the Indian Navy's recent reassurances, it seems there may be hope for women aiming to be battlefield-ready. With inputs from agencies A tweet by Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan on Tipu Sultan's death anniversary, which triggered a war of words between the Congress and BJP on 5 May, has been brought to the forefront again with Congress leader Shashi Tharoor praising Imran for paying tribute to 'a great Indian hero' A tweet by Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan on Tipu Sultan's death anniversary, which triggered a war of words between the Congress and BJP on 5 May, has been brought to the forefront again with Congress leader Shashi Tharoor praising Imran for paying tribute to "a great Indian hero". Tharoor tweeted, "One thing I personally know about @imranKhanPTI is that his interest in the shared history of the Indian subcontinent is genuine & far-reaching. He read; he cares. It is disappointing, though, that it took a Pakistani leader to remember a great Indian hero on his punyathithi," after Imran commemorated the Mysore ruler's death anniversary saying that he admired him. The Congress leader's tweet will likely rankle the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and bring the debate over Tipu Sultan back into political discourse during the ongoing Lok Sabha election. One thing i personally know about @imranKhanPTI is that his interest in the shared history of the Indian subcontinent is genuine & far-reaching. He read; he cares. It is disappointing, though, that it took a Pakistani leader to remember a great Indian hero on his punyathithi. https://t.co/kWIySEQcJM Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) May 6, 2019 The BJP was at the helm of protests against Tipu Sultan Jayanti celebrations in Karnataka last year, an occasion that has been in conflict since 2015, when the then-Congress state government led by Siddaramaiah, decided that the state would celebrate the birth anniversary of Tipu Sultan. The Tipu Jayanti Virodhi Horata Samithi, the BJP Madikeri unit, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, and the Hindu Jagarana Vedike outfits staged protests against the Jayanti celebrations in the district on 9 November, ahead of the Jayanti on 10 November. The saffron party, which has reportedly not always been opposed to the ruler of the erstwhile Mysore Kingdom, argued against honouring him by claiming he was a "terrorist" and reminding the people of the persecutions of the Kodavas and Catholics in Mangakuru. "They have pitted Tipu against Onake Obavva, a legendary Dalit woman who died fighting his father, Hyder Ali, when he invaded the Chitradurga Fort," The News Minute reported. In fact, both the Congress and BJP have accused each other of playing vote-bank, appeasement politics when it comes to the debate around Tipu Sultan. The Congress claims that the BJP's vitriol against the sultan is an attempt to divide the public "along communal lines", while the counter is that the Congress is trying to "woo voters from a particular community". The BJP also accuses the Congress of ignoring the "genocide" carried out by Tipu Sultan, including the killings of Kodavas in Kodagu district and Mandyam Iyengars of Melukote. Reports also said that the BJP's campaign against Tipu is "an attempt at consolidating Hindu votes in Karnataka especially in the coastal areas, in Kodagu, and in Tumakuru." Soon after Imran's tweet, Siddaramaiah and BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar sparred on Twitter, accusing each other of favouring the prime minister of an "enemy country". Chandrasekhar said that "it was time" for Siddaramaiah to "hug" Imran and become Congress president Rahul Gandhi's "favourite". Siddaramaiah shot back saying, "Think before you tweet. I am not like your Chor @narendramodi to eat biryani with the prime minister of our enemy country and also not like you to compromise on ethics to please your bosses. It is better to lead a life of Tipu Sultan than like a slave of your bosses like you." With inputs from agencies Senior Congress leader said that BJP is getting access to government documents; Tapas Dey demanded an inquiry into it. Agartala: A senior Congress leader in Tripura on Tuesday said the party has lodged a complaint with the Election Commission (EC) alleging that the BJP is getting access to government documents and has demanded an inquiry into it. A BJP delegation had met the Chief Election Commissioner on 2 May and submitted a memorandum demanding the removal of Tripura Chief Electoral Officer. Tripura Congress vice president Tapas Dey said that "Documents attached in the BJP memorandum to the CEC include a letter of the Returning Officer addressed to the chief secretary of Tripura, a representation by Tripura Civil Service Association and the chief secretary's letter to the ECI." Dey said the BJP was "not supposed" to have access to such government documents and alleged they were given to the saffron party in an "unauthorised manner" and demanded an inquiry into it. Dey said he has lodged a complaint with the Chief Election Commissioner on Monday about the BJP getting access to official letters and documents. Earlier, the opposition Congress and CPM had both lodged complaints of alleged large scale rigging and irregularities in the elections in West Tripura constituency, which went to poll on 11 April. Both the parties have demanded fresh elections in the constituency. BJP spokesperson Nabendu Bhattacharya denied the allegations of Dey about leakage of official documents to the BJP. He said that the role of the Chief Electoral Officer was not "impartial", so the saffron party had demanded his removal. Photo: Mike Toften Transportation Canada is investigating a series of new flying feces cases in Kelowna. Reports of falling poop date back to May 2018, when a Kelowna resident was driving on Bernard Avenue as something wet fell through her sunroof. It was falling from the sky you could feel the drops hitting you, said Susan Allan. It stunk, it was gross. It felt dirty, and right away you could smell poop. Since then, almost a dozen people claimed liquid poo fell on their vehicles around Kelowna and the Fraser Valley. Back in 2018, Transport Canada investigated the claims and said there were no connections between "blue ice" from passing aircraft and the incidents. Senior spokeswoman Annie Joannette said Transport Canada takes all reports of possible debris coming from aircraft very seriously. In response to the 2018 reports, where specific details of aircraft or relevant information were reported, Transport Canada assessed local radar and followed up with aircraft operators, manufacturers and local airports, said Joannette. The departments review has not shown a connection to blue ice from any specific aircraft or operator and required no further action for these reports." A victim hit by what they claimed to be flying poop in 2018 was hit again recently. The business owner off Highway 97 told Castanet that on April 26 he found a customer's vehicle splattered in liquid poo in the parking lot. ''A plane must have flown by and emptied its sewage, it's really the only explanation," he said. "That is not coming from a bird. The vehicle was out there clean, and 10 minutes later it was completely covered.' Transport Canada said it was aware of the incident and is looking into it. Since news of more flying feces, other concerned citizens have reached out to Castanet saying theyve experienced similar splatter. I was also a victim of the flying poo as my work vehicle was completely covered last week as well, said Kelly Ferguson. I washed my vehicle right away ... but it was bad." She said there were a few other vehicles in Enterprise Way area that were also hit. Another resident says he came out to find his truck covered in poop on April 29. My truck, my landladys Jeep and mobile home is covered with it, said Mike Toften. Disgusting to say the least ... it splattered like a bunch of geese all let go exactly the same time. Toften says he is not exactly a poopologist and isn't sure what the source might have been. While many have speculated the brown liquid is blue ice falling from a plane, others think it could be coming from large birds. I watched three times, yes three times as a blue heron pooped while in flight, said Brian McDivitt. (It) covered them with grey, stinky poop." The poop just missed his house and narrowly missed him and his wife as they floated on the lake. Transport Canada says each air operator is responsible for ensuring its aircraft operate safely and in compliance with Canadian Aviation Regulations, which state: No person shall create a hazard to persons or property on the surface by dropping an object from an aircraft in flight. The demand for full statehood for Delhi tops chief minister Arvind Kejriwal's agenda during this hectic poll season but is the demand for full statehood for Delhi, only a hot-button election season issue? The demand for full statehood for Delhi tops chief minister Arvind Kejriwals agenda during this hectic poll season Kejriwals Aam Aadmi Party, or the AAP, is going hammer and tongs on its full statehood plea in its campaign for the 7 seats in the national capital that go to polls on May 12. Whether the AAP gets its way will only be known after the results for the 17th Lok Sabha elections are declared on May 23 Now, lets understand what full statehood means for Delhiites? Delhi is a muddled case of governance because it is governed by multiple authorities. For instance, the is the Delhi government, the 3 civic bodies, the Delhi Development Authority or DDA, Lt. Governor, and the Central government. The multiplicity of agencies have led to confusion over power-sharing and decisively weakened the elected government, which is directly accountable to Delhiites. Under a 1951 Government Act, Delhi was declared an A category Union Territory under which an elected government was empowered to formulate laws on all matters except those pertaining to police, land & building, sanitation & civic authorities. In 1958, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi was set up to look after the national capitals essential services and also coordinate with respective departments at the Centre. In 1991, on the recommendations of a committee, it was christened National Capital Territory of Delhi, which would be administered by a Lieutenant-Governor appointed by Governor Should Delhi be treated differently from other Union Territories because it is the national capital? This is not the first time when the statehood demand has been raised. In 2003, veteran BJP leader L K Advani had introduced a bill in Parliament to grant statehood status to Delhi. Also, both the Congress and BJP had pledged their support for full statehood to Delhi in their 2015 assembly poll manifestos, but have, conveniently, glossed over during this years parliamentary elections. Is the demand for full statehood for Delhi only a hot-button election season issue? Delhis demand for full statehood has been a raging debate for longbut, even if the wish is granted, itd come with its own set of challenges. Watch this space for more such videos On the EC's claim that the counting of all VVPAT slips may delay the results by five days, Naidu said, 'It's just a matter of a few days. The poll panel should choose credibility and transparency over other things.' New Delhi: After the Supreme Court junked some Opposition parties' review plea for 50 percent VVPAT verification in the Lok Sabha polls, Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu Tuesday said he would not give up the fight for transparency in the election process. Twenty-one Opposition leaders, including Naidu, National Conference (NC) chief Farooq Abdullah, CPI leader D Raja and Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi, had filed a plea seeking review of the apex court's 8 April order directing the Election Commission to increase random matching of VVPAT slips with EVMs to five polling booths per Assembly segment. The Opposition parties had demanded that the number be raised to 50 percent of total booths. "We respect the Supreme Court's order...but the party will not give up and continue its fight for transparency in the election process in the country. It's absolutely critical for the EC to work transparently to ensure free and fair elections," Naidu said in a statement. "The Election Commission should be responsible for the honest execution of the Supreme Court's 8 April order. In case of any discrepancy, voter verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) slips should be matched with EVM results in the entire constituency, the Telugu Desam Party chief said. On the EC's claim that the counting of all VVPAT slips may delay the results by five days, Naidu said, "It's just a matter of a few days. The poll panel should choose credibility and transparency over other things." The TDP had earlier alleged large-scale EVM malfunctioning in Andhra Pradesh during the 11 April elections for the 25 Lok Sbha seats and to elect a new 175-member Assembly. KJS Chatrath has photographed 2000 gravestones for documentation, but the scope of his research on World War I goes beyond graveyards, delving into aspects like how the soldiers lived and what problems they faced. He cant afford to buy fresh flowers in bulk when in foreign lands. But compelled to pay his respects, he buys paper flowers in hundreds to offer floral tributes at the graves of Indian soldiers who died fighting World War I anywhere in the world. This curious search for the graves of slain soldiers has taken KJS Chatrath, a 76-year-old retired civil servant, to obscure places to make fresh discoveries about unsung Indians and to document his findings for a book. By documenting the mention of their names on gravestones, Chatrath is trying to do some justice the justice Indian soldiers didnt receive in life and in death. Several well-researched books and films on the role of Indian soldiers in World War II have captured peoples imagination (the latest being Raghu Karnads Farthest Field). On the other hand, distance in terms of time and a lack of proper documentation leaves a huge gap in our understanding of the contribution of Indian soldiers in World War I. A traveller and researcher by temperament, Chatrath developed a rather unusual passion for graves 20 years ago, while documenting inscriptions written on the French graves in India, in places colonised by the French, namely Pondicherry, Chandannagar, Yanam, Karaikal and Mahe. He found that most graves belonged to young women, in their 20s, who died of childbirth, while infants died mostly in the monsoon season, aged between four days to three years, unable to cope with the tropical weather. He published his findings in a book titled The Last Post-Inscriptions on French Graves in India. Thereafter, he couldnt resist the temptation to visit graveyards, and curiosity gave way to inquiry. On finding graves of Indian soldiers, he wondered, how did they cope with the European weather, under their colonised status in foreign lands? The startling number of casualties prompted him to document what he observed. For World War I, 877,068 combatants and 563,369 non-combatants making a total of 1,440,437 were recruited by the British, in undivided India. The total number of Indian soldiers who died is pegged at 74187 and the wounded at 69214, though these figures are not universally accepted. Moreover, all these numbers are not accounted for. Also read on Firstpost: Raghu Karnad on winning Windham-Campbell Prize, his book on India's role in WWII, and forgotten histories Deeper research is required, he says, I wont be able to say how many of these 74,187 names are documented, perhaps the names of soldiers have been substantially accounted for. The figures and names of non-combatants is another story; huge gaps exist in the documentation of their existence and death. Chatraths work focuses on the Indian soldiers and non-combatants lying commemorated in France. There are 169 graveyards in France, where Indian soldiers of World War I lie buried/commemorated. The memorial at Neuve Chapelle, bordering Belgium, commemorates the highest number of Indians (4653), followed by Mazargues (993 Indians); the Meerut Military Cemetery, St Martin Les Boulognes (312 Indians); La Chaplette-Peronne Cemetery (315 Indians); and the St Sever Cemetery, Rouen (270 Indians), and so on. There are no graves at Neuve Chapelle. The names of 4653 soldiers are engraved on a slab, though the number of identified casualties was 4742. I looked at one name at random it was Amar Singh. I found the list to contain 20 Amar Singhs from India who died in the battle of Neueve Chapelle. Further checking revealed that 11 out of the 20 were Sikhs and nine, Garwhalis. Besides there were two Amar Bahadurs from Nepal! The next name I saw was of Channan Singh and found a list of six Channan Singhs who fought to death at that ground. One of the Indian soldiers whose name is engraved there was Rifleman Gabar Singh Negi, of 2nd/39th Garhwal Rifles, hailing from Manjaur in Tehri Garhwal, the then United Provinces, who was awarded the Victoria Cross, For most conspicuous bravery on 10th March, 1915, at Neuve-Chapelle. There are names of soldiers who hail from Rajasthan, Maharashtra, the undivided Punjab and Nepal. They all fought side by side and died side by side. These men were fighting a war that had nothing to do with their country, and facing European weather. Racial discrimination only made things worse for them. The first units of the Indian Expeditionary Force landed at Marseilles in the south of France around 24 September 1914, after taking a tough sea journey for over a month. Within six days of their arrival, these units were sent toward the Front Line in railway horse carriages! They were not given any time to acclimatise to Western front conditions. Around the same time, an army unit arrived from another British colony: Canada. This 1st Canadian Division, was put to training in England for six months, because they were white!" Also read on Firstpost Medals and Bullets: Indian troops who fought in World War I are focus of a new exhibition of paintings, letters The Meerut Military Cemetery came up on the site of a hospital in Saint-Martin-Boulogne which, between October 1914 and November 1915, cared for the wounded soldiers of the Meerut Division of the Indian Corps. The Meerut Division was part of the Indian expeditionary force which landed in Marseilles in September 1914. The soldiers of the Indian Corps were transferred to the front in Flanders between Ypres and La Bassee. In March 1915, they took part in the British offensive at Neuve-Chapelle and Aubers where they suffered the loss of 4,047 men. The Cemetery is named after the hospital. It contains 339 burials and commemorations, including a memorial to 32 officers and men of the Indian Army, whose bodies were cremated in the cemetery in 1915. The area around Rouen is dotted with cemeteries where Indian soldiers and non-combatants lie commemorated. St Severs (Extension) is one such cemetery where 270 Indians are resting. Out of 270, 230 or 85 percent were non-combatants the fodder for the war of their colonisers. Of these, 118 were labourers, 76 drivers (Mule Drivers), 30 Followers and 4 Misc. These categories do not carry arms and are easy prey to enemy guns. The British put non-combatants from India in the line of fire, as the large number of casualties show. 66 out of these 230 non-combatants were labourers from the North East, which works out to 28 percent of the non-combatants. They belonged to Manipur (18), Khasi (11), Garo (11), Lushai (10), and Nagas (4). Nine were from Burma and three from Chin Coy. Peronne was identical; the town was freed by the Sikh Cavalry in 1917. When I visited this town, it was planning to hold a festival to salute Indian troops on the hundredth anniversary of liberation. The cemetery had a good number of headstones of Indian soldiers and non-combatants that need replacement/re-engraving, as the names and the inscriptions on them have become almost illegible with the passage of time, says Chatrath. Like most other places, he found, here too, out of 315 Indians resting in the cemetery, 289 or 91.5 percent were non-combatants. Chatrath observes that the role played by the Indian Army in World War I has been generally underrated both by Britain and France, but a specific component whose sacrifices have been totally neglected even during the commemoration of the centenary of the war is the services of the non-combatants of the Indian Army or, the personnel who were there to assist the soldiers. The Followers, the Labourers, the Drivers (Mule Drivers), Bearers (Stretcher Bearers), personnel to take care of the horses, the cooks, the barbers they were unarmed, incapable of defending themselves. The stretcher bearers, for example, had the responsibility of carrying the wounded to safer areas during and after the fighting. They could not defend themselves. All these categories were regarded as dispensable, as the colonial powers did not want their personnel to handle the fatal jobs. Taking the graves in Mazargues Cemetery in Marseilles as an example, one finds that almost 74 percent of the Indians commemorated there were non-combatants. At Gallipoli (Turkish peninsula) too, India lost close to 16000 men, 80 percent of all men of the 14th Sikh Infantry Battalion and thousands of mule drivers. Some of them were prisoners from prisons in India who were sent there on sanitary duties. We do not have detailed accounts of those men. I planned to visit Gallipoli, but had to drop the idea," Chatrath says. From among the non-combatants, recognition has not been given for the work put in and sacrifices made by the labour from the North Eastern states, Odisha and tribal areas of Ranchi and Bihar. Chatrath has photographed 2000 gravestones for documentation. But the canvas of the book is broader than just the graveyards. It explores the human elements, even though it is limited to the problems and experiences of Indian soldiers and non-combatants in France during World War I. It delves into their pay, food, clothing, the weather issues they faced, and what caused such large numbers of casualties. Looking at the recorded causes of death of the buried/commemorated at Neuville Sous Montreuil Cemetery, one could ascertain the cause of death of only 11 out of the 28. The list hints at a sad state of living conditions of both the combatants and the non-combatants, as it shows that over 50 percent of these deaths were not due to war wounds but because of pneumonia, bronchitis, meningitis, stomach problems etc. All these show exposure to cold climate without proper clothing, inappropriate/insufficiently nourishing food and a general lack of care of the men, he adds. This has to be examined further by analysing causes of death from other cemeteries too. His self-funded research, soon to be published in a book, he hopes, could be of use to those who like to probe the subject and take it forward. I respectfully put a yellow marigold paper flower in front of the memorial stone of each Indian and Nepalese soldier. Antagonism towards 'outsiders' employed in Kodagu's coffee plantations has been around for decades, lately, the narrative is focussed on workers from the north, including Jharkhand, Odisha, and Assam and other northeastern states Editor's Note: A network of 60 reporters set off across India to test the idea of development as it is experienced on the ground. Their brief: Use your mobile phone to record the impact of 120 key policy decisions on everyday life; what works, what doesn't and why; what can be done better and what should be done differently. Their findings straight and raw from the ground will be combined in this series, Elections on the Go, over a course of 100 days. Read more articles from the series here *** Madikeri: Kodagus many coffee plantations employ thousands of migrant labourers who have been an integral part of the districts coffee economy for over half a century now. The difference today is that while earlier the bulk of the labourers came from Tamil Nadu and Kerala, now they come from Jharkhand, Odisha and Assam and other northeastern states, fuelling a strong local versus outsiders debate in the district. This has become more vocal since the rape and murder of a local Dalit girl in February which led to protests by local residents demanding that the migrants be sent back. Kodagu accounts for 30 percent of the countrys total coffee production of 3.5 lakh tonnes. Coffee plantations are labour intensive, particularly during the November-March coffee picking season, which sees estate owners scrambling to get labourers for various activities like digging coffee pits, shade lapping of trees, coffee picking, pulping, drying, etc. Around 50-60 years back, the migrant labourers from Tamil Nadu and Kerala and were housed in line houses provided by estate owners. Following the implementation of various housing schemes by the state and as a growing economy created other income opportunities, workers built their own homes in small towns and became economically empowered, some ending up owning estates themselves. The adivasi workers, who were trapped in bonded labour, started to assert their rights. Many second generation labourers had moved to bigger cities like Bengaluru and Mangaluru, which led to a labour shortage in Kodagus mainstay coffee industry. Then labour contractors first started bringing in workers from north Karnataka districts to make up the shortage. But that too dried up in the early 2000s with these labourers preferring to work on construction sites in the cities. Contractors then started bringing in labour from north and northeastern states, often with tea estate experience, who live in the same houses vacated by the Tamil and Kerala migrants. In this social milieu, antagonism towards "outsiders" has persisted throughout the districts migration history, to various degrees. In the 80s, social strife between locals and labourers stemmed from the influx of Muslims from Kerala, which led to locals fearing they would change the demographics of this "Hindu kingdom" which had fought Tipu Sultan and his attempts at conversion. This narrative was given impetus by the local BJP unit, even as a growing number of migrants were accused of encroaching Devarakadu's, or protected forests, dedicated to local village deities. This xenophobic-narrative is now focussed on this new wave of workers from the north. Local residents allege that many of them are illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and include even Rohingya Muslims, and that crime is on the rise because of them. On 4 February, a minor Dalit girl in Siddapur went missing and her decomposed body was discovered ten days later. During police interrogation, two men from West Bengal confessed to raping and strangling her after she rejected their advances. It was at this time that the Kodagu district police asked plantation owners to furnish details of workers hailing from the northeastern states, expediting the process that was initiated during the 2018 floods and landslides in Kodagu to take stock of the migrants and arrange to send them home if the estates they were working in had been damaged. Kodagu Superintendent of Police Suman D Pannekar said that this registry "is needed to prevent crimes and keep a watch on migrants as they do not stay in one place permanently". This horrific rape and murder incident came just after the murder of a coffee trader and another of an Assamese labourer, giving anti-immigrant sentiment a boost in the district. This incident evoked strong protests in many parts of the district. Perhaps for the first time, the violent nature of the crime, saw local labour groups and organisations coming together to demand that the Hindi-speaking migrants be sent back to their native states. The protests were supported by Congress, BJP, CPM and SDPI workers. Following this, there were reported incidents of attacks on and intimidation of migrants in the district and even a brief exodus of workers. Some labour leaders objected to condemning the entire migrant labour force because of crimes committed by a few of them. "We should not curtail their right to work which is guaranteed by the Constitution, said CITU district unit general secretary ND Muthappan, though he would not get into the issue of illegal immigrants. Another union leader and district gram panchayat workers association president PR Bharat too wanted to steer clear of the legal status of these migrants. Condemning the attack on migrants, he stressed that employers and not just coffee estates because migrants can be seen working across all sectors in Kodagu are also answerable. "According to my estimate, there are about 30-40 thousand migrants working in Kodagu district. And across all sectors, in all types of jobs," he says, ading, "They are no longer just seen in coffee estates. Even people who are loading cement today are Assamese. Instead of paying them 6-7 Rs per sack (that the locals would charge), they (the migrant workers) are only paid Rs 3. Why? Because they are in a situation where they are pushed to work for less, unlike for example, the Kodagu Adivasis," says Bharat. Often forced into hard labour for low wages, Bharat informs, the Adivasis slowly became more aware of their rights and started demanding better wages. "They were able to get out of their debt traps in the estates. It is to replace them that workers from Assam and other states are being brought in," he adds. Bharat admits that there certainly is some resentment among locals that migrants are taking their jobs away. But the responsibility for this also lies with the owners, he says. As long as there are people ready to take advantage of those who are desperate, they will continue to come. But even coffee growers associations, whose members were staring at a labour shortage, also came out to condemn the attacks. Migrants from the north overwhelmingly make up the labour base in these estates, edging out the amalgamation of 'locals', particularly Adivasis, who are less willing to work for below minimum wage. There are outliers, however. Machchamada Anish Madappa who owns a 15-acre coffee estate in T Shettigeri in Virajpet taluk is strongly opposed to employing migrant labourers. He says that north Indian workers were creating problems in the estates. "Two months back a calf went missing from my house and was recovered from the backyard of migrant worker in a neighbouring estate," said Madappa, adding, "When I questioned the estate owner, he warned him that the next time this happens his workers will kill and eat the calf." Madappa says local estate owners use migrants for their selfish motives, as these labourers are paid less than workers from nearby villages. The BJPs voice in Kodagu is the same as it has been in Assam, West Bengal, and every other place where the bogey of illegal migration can be raised. District BJP president BB Bharatish claims that most of the north Indian migrants labourers are Bangladeshis. These illegal immigrants cross the border into West Bengal and stay there for few months. Later they would get their fake Aadhaar card made through agents. And then they move towards the southern states, he claims. Bharatish said that while the migrant labourers may work for low salaries in the beginning, after a few months they start to demand equal salaries. "More of a concern is that they are involved in criminal activities. Many migrants have been accused in the cases reported over the last three years. The government should conduct a thorough verification of all migrants," he said, claiming that he had learnt that a few migrants possessed voter IDs from here and that he would oppose it. The migrant labourers are not a vote bank, especially in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, as they are not registered voters in Kodagu, nor do they often go back home to vote. Bharatish's Congresss counterpart KK Manjunath Kumar said that a few migrants may be involved in criminal activities but they are all Indian citizens. "Also according to the Election Commission norms, citizens who stay for more than six months in one place are entitled to get their voter ID transferred there and exercise their franchise," says Kumar. Mangalore-based labour contractor, Jayanth Shetty says that he and other contractors from Mysuru, Nanjangud, and Chamarajanagar have clear instructions from labour officials to check identities of the workers before employing them. Shetty and his counterpart from Mysuru, Chennappa Gowda, say that together they gather nearly 7,000 labourers just for Kodagu. One batch of labourers this reporter met with were mainly from Odisha and Jharkhand. "We come here in search of jobs and there is plenty for everyone," a leader of the labourer group Ranjit Kalhamala said, adding, "We are happy about the payments, the coffee planters treat us well, and as some of us who are skilled in Assams tea plantations are hired on priority." But organisations like the Codava National Council, which has launched a movement for the rights of the Kodavas (natives of Kodagu), insist that many labourers are illegal migrants. "They do not speak Hindi or any Indian language," claims NU Nachappa Codava, president of the Council. Social activist and advocate Katnamane Vital Gowda alleged that workers often come with "fake" voter ID and Aadhaar cards. Even Bangladeshi nationals have voter IDs of Assam and West Bengal, claims Gowda. Terming the migrants "anti-social elements", the Kodava leader also claims that they pose danger for homes located inside estates. To back his claim, he points at two robbery incidents reported last year in which migrant workers were the accused. Gowda also alleged that political party workers were providing migrants with local voter ID cards to get votes in the hustings. Two years back, many migrant workers got Aadhar cards by paying just Rs 200. Later those behind the Aadhaar enrolment franchise in Sakleshpur were arrested." The author is a Madikeri-based freelance writer and a member of 101Reporters Every phase in West Bengal has seen numerous reports of attempts to rig polls, clashes near polling booths, bullets being fired and crude bombs being hurled. Kolkata: With the fifth phase of elections over on Monday, 424 out of the 542 Lok Sabha constituencies have undergone polls. As the day of results (23 May) approaches, the ruling partys fate will largely depend on its scores in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will hope to make up for its losses in Uttar Pradesh and other Hindi heartland states with gains in Bihar and West Bengal, where the ruling Trinamool Congress is posing a tough challenge to the organised groundforce of the BJP workers and party members. West Bengal is witnessing much violence during the elections, as has been the tradition in the state. Every phase in the state has seen numerous reports of attempts to rig polls, clashes near polling booths, bullets being fired and crude bombs being hurled. Earlier, during the third phase of polling on 23 April, a voter reported to be a Congress party worker, Tiyarul Kalam, had lost his life in Murshidabad in poll-related violence. While the Opposition parties claim that the ruling TMC is forcefully manipulating the polling procedure, TMC cadres blame them, particularly the BJP, of instigating violence, to which they seem prepared to respond. To gain a foothold among the Opposition at the national level in the aftermath of polling, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has sought to highlight the prominence of her own state, and in order to make her bid stronger, her party cadre are prepared to defend every seat across the state by all means as it goes to polls through all seven phases until 19 May. Death before fifth phase On Monday, West Bengal witnessed polling on seven Lok Sabha seats Bangaon, Howrah, Arambagh and Hooghly notorious ones when it comes to violence and, Serampore, Uluberia and Barrackpore. Voting was conducted at a total of 13,290 booths, while reports of violence, bombing, mismanagement and EVM malfunction occupied TV news screens for most part of the day. Violence was reported ahead of the fifth phase, albeit in East Burdwan, where polling was conducted in the fourth phase on 29 April. Reports of clashes, which claimed one persons life and left four others severely injured, came from Khandagosh area on Sunday midnight. While the Communist Party of India (Marxist) claimed the deceased, Sheikh Kamrul, as their party worker in a tweet on Monday, one of the TMC workers involved in the clash said that it was an incident of infighting between TMC workers supporting different leaders in the area. Sheikh Sabbir Ahmed, one of the TMC workers from East Burdwan involved in the clash, said, We were attending a marriage ceremony with our friends while the other group of people came in and picked up a fight. We are all part of the TMC party. Ahmed said the other group of TMC workers was accusing them of colluding with the CPM and of planning to shift to the party. EVM malfunctions kept voters waiting during the early hours of polling (until 1.00 pm) at many booths, with several complaints coming from Howrah, Hooghly and Barrackpore constituencies. Voters either left the booths, or waited for hours, depending on their determination to deal with the heat and sweat, the uncertainty around a functioning EVM/VVPAT, and the threat of violence breaking out at any moment between party workers looking for opportunities to scuffle. There have been many EVM malfunction issues till now, said TMC minister Dinesh Trivedi, adding that the issues were taken care of with the help of EC officials. Voters at polling booth no 145 in Haskhali area of Shantinagar alleged voting was being rigged in their area as they were not allowed to enter the booth. We dont know which party it is, but we are just not allowed to enter the booth. There are no security officials around whom we can approach. We came from a distant place just to cast our votes but looking at the situation, it seems like a big mistake, said Subhash Das, a 45-year-old voter in Haskhali. Instigators in charge? If BJPs Babul Supriyo stole headlines in the fourth phase, the action stars in the fifth phase were two other BJP members Arjun Singh and Locket Chatterjee candidates from Barrackpore and Hooghly Lok Sabha constituencies, respectively. A broadcast news reporter working from the ground in Dhaniakhali under Hooghly Lok Sabha constituency, where Chatterjee reportedly got into a scuffle with TMC members and claimed to have caught a fake voter, said, (During)... polling in West Bengal, rigging seems to be the most natural thing. What Locket Chatterjee was doing could be called instigation. Her men vandalised the EVM machine. A candidate can reach out to the EC, but has no right to destroy an EVM. I tried chasing the man (who broke the EVM), but was the odd one out following the news. A presiding officer at booth no 159 in Dhaniakhali, who was reportedly confronted by Chatterjee, said, What can I do? Dont you know how kidnapping and murdering POs has become the easiest thing for these political parties?. The presence of central forces (Hooghly had a regiment from Manipur deployed for security) did not help the polling officials at this booth. Chatterjee was later seen sitting on a dharna at the District Magistrates office in Hooghly raising slogans against the Election Commission and the state government, while the man who had smashed the EVM at booth no 159 was seen sitting right next to her. The BJP IT cell, however, later in its WhatsApp media group wrote, TMC goons broke EVM in Dhaniakhali. In Barrackpore, Arjun Singh posed for the media after casting his vote at booth no 142/143 in Saraswati Balika Vidyalaya, and merely 30 minutes later, reports came of his cavalcade coming under attack while he was on his way to another polling booth in Mohanpur. His supporters blamed the TMC for the attack. Eyewitnesses, however, had a slightly different version of the events as they unfolded. The owner of a tea shop near Katalia Chowk in Mohanpur said, Arjun Singh was being very rowdy as he approached the booth. There were men from the TMC sitting at my shop. I saw how they were provoked and a big fight broke out. Soon, visuals from Katalia Chowk showing one of Singhs aides assaulting a woman, which led to her falling on the ground, started appearing on a TV news channel. However, that did not deter Singh, as he soon set out for Arambagh, telling mediapersons on the way, These TMC men can never stop me from going anywhere. After all, I have to keep a check on the whole situation. On reaching Arambagh, where the local TMC men were already steaming with anger against the BJP, another brawl broke out conveniently. While Singh had a narrow escape, the mediapersons following him faced the music. Kolkata chief correspondent of News X, Tapas Sengupta, and Kamalika Sengupta of Zee 24 Ghanta were left seriously injured. The EC has filed two FIRs over vandalising of EVMs and private cars and served show-cause notices to presiding officers from booth no 97/42 in Bangaon and booth no. 159 in Hooghly. Chandra Kumar Bose, BJP candidate who contested the Bhawanipore Assembly constituency against Mamata Banerjee in 2016, said, How TMC has won all the seats all this while is now an open secret. With this amount of media coverage, their deeds are out in the open and people are losing their faith. Mamata didi is scared of the Modi wave, and is thus acting in an impulsive manner. These violations took place because they are scared. And it is a given that they will blame BJP for their wrong actions. Central forces under scanner Meanwhile, there were reports of bombs being hurled in Hingli under the Bangaon constituency. At booth numbers 118 and 119, BJP leader Santanu Thakur had to intervene when his partys polling agent was prevented from sitting in the booth. Soon after Thakur came out of the booth, crude bombs were hurled towards it by unidentified men. A security personnel and a TMC cadre member were injured in firing that ensued. The role of central forces in West Bengals election field remains questionable and vulnerable at the moment, with both the BJP and the TMC, blaming them for connivance with the other. While BJP state president Dilip Ghosh claimed TMC cadre were bribing the central forces with alcohol to get free entry into polling booths, TMC south block president Jamini Mondal, along with others on Monday claimed they were manhandled at booth no 97/98 in Bangaon by central forces. They asked us to vote for BJP, she said. Sadhan Pande, minister for consumer affairs, SHGs and self-employment in the TMC government, said that the state government has always questioned the efficacy of central forces when it comes to handling such situations. Talking about the Locket Chatterjee incident, Pande said, Central forces arent trained enough to handle a situation like this. They dont even have the power. BJP leaders are picking up fights with presiding officers, creating a ruckus, and central forces play the role of a silent audience. On the other hand, Jay Prakash Majumdar, BJP's West Bengal vice-president, said that central forces have their own duties to follow and they have got instructions to abide by. He added, I don't understand why TMC was so worried about their (central forces) functioning. They were very aggressive. Majumder and the chief of the BJP's election management committee, Shishir Bajoria, on 6 May, wrote a letter to the CEO of West Bengal, stating their concern about the violence that took place across seven constituencies during the fifth phase of polling in the state. The letter mentioned the alleged attacks on Arjun Singh and Locket Chatterjee. (The authors are freelance writers and members of 101Reporters.com) Ashok Chavan told reporters on Monday that in the meeting, the party leaders and workers from drought-hit areas will submit their feedback to the state leadership. Mumbai: The Maharashtra Congress will hold a review meeting to discuss the drought condition and political situation in the state on 10 May. The BJP-led Maharashtra government in October last year declared drought in 151 talukas of the state. Maharashtra Congress president Ashok Chavan told reporters on Monday that in the meeting, the party leaders and workers from drought-hit areas will submit their feedback to the state leadership. They will discuss the situation and ways to help the affected people. In the meeting, the party will also take stock of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections and deliberate on preparations for the state Assembly polls due later this year, he said. When asked about the Leader of Opposition's post in the Assembly after Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil's resignation, Chavan said a due process was being followed and that the matter will come up for discussion in the meeting. To another question, Chavan said the issue of anti-party activities will also be discussed in detail and necessary action would follow. Chavan criticised the state government for issuing sale of bonds worth Rs 1,500 crore at 8.15 percent interest when the Assembly polls were just some months away. "This is an outgoing government which is leaving a debt of more than Rs 5 lakh crore. What is its repaying capacity? Is it correct to issue bonds worth Rs 1,500 crore when the code of conduct will be enforced again in four months? This is not as per the democratic norms. What is the urgency?" he asked. As per a notification issued on Saturday for sale of bonds of Rs 1,500 crore, the state government will have the option of raising an additional amount up to Rs 500 crore. The funds received will be invested to provide money for the expenses of development programs of the state government. The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Tuesday gave clean chit to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his 'bhrashtachari (corrupt) number 1' remark against former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi, which the Congress had termed as the violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Tuesday gave clean chit to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his 'bhrashtachari (corrupt) number 1' remark against former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi, which the Congress had termed as the violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). "The speech mentioned in this complaint has been examined with a view to identifying instances of violation of the Model Code of Conduct. Prima facie, we did not figure out any literal violation of MCC as given in the Election Commission of India instructions. The case is, therefore, disposed of," said ECI sources. On 6 May, a delegation of senior Congress leaders including Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Rajiv Shukla and Salman Khurshid had met officials of the Election Commission and apprised the poll panel of their objection to the statement made by Modi against Rajiv Gandhi. Addressing an election rally in Uttar Pradesh on 4 May, Modi had hit out at Rahul Gandhi, saying: "Your father was termed 'Mr Clean' by his courtiers, but his life ended as 'bhrashtachari number 1." The film, titled 'Bhagwa Aatankwad Bhramjaal' is centred around the Samjhauta Express, Malegaon, Ajmer Dargah and Mecca Masjid blasts and was being shown to journalists here by an organisation called Bharat Vichar Manch (BVM). Bhopal: The screening of a short film featuring Bhopal BJP Lok Sabha candidate and Malegoan blast accused Pragya Singh Thakur among others was Monday stopped midway by a team of the Election Commission and local police. The film, titled 'Bhagwa Aatankwad Bhramjaal' is centred around the Samjhauta Express, Malegaon, Ajmer Dargah and Mecca Masjid blasts and was being shown to journalists here by an organisation called Bharat Vichar Manch (BVM). Following a complaint by the Congress, a team of EC officials and personnel from MP Nagar police station stopped the screening, said Inspector Manish Rai. He said the EC had initially given permission to BVM for the show but recalled it after the Congress complained. A BVM member, who identified himself as Captain Vikas Pandey, said the Mumbai-based producer-director of the film, Rajiv Pandey, wanted to launch the short film from Madhya Pradesh. He said the BVM was a social organisation and is not connected to the RSS. Rajiv Pandey said the film would be uploaded on sites like YouTube soon. "They are free to show the short film after 12 May when elections for Bhopal Lok Sabha seat gets over. We lodged a model code of conduct violation with the EC and it promptly took action," MP Congress spokesperson Bhupendra Gupta said. "The EC has put off the release of a biopic on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the same yardstick should apply to Pragya Thakur as well," he added. The short film contends that Thakur and other "Hindu personalities" were held on "cooked up" terror charges by the Congress-led UPA government. Thakur is pitted against senior Congress leader and former chief minister Digvijaya Singh from Bhopal. They said that the commission has also cleared Modi for his 9 April speech at Chitradurga in Karnataka where he had reportedly asked new voters to dedicate their vote for the heroes of the Balakot air strike New Delhi: The Election Commission has given clean chit to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in two more cases, sources aware of the development said Monday. The Congress had alleged that he held a "roadshow" in Ahmedabad on 23 April and the sources said the commission has concluded that Modi did not violate the model code and the election law. They said that the commission has also cleared Modi for his 9 April speech at Chitradurga in Karnataka where he had reportedly asked new voters to dedicate their vote for the heroes of the Balakot air strike. On the same day, he had made a similar appeal in Ausa in Latur district of Maharashtra. The EC had given a clean chit to him in that case as well, but one of the election commissioners had given a dissenting view in the matter. Though the commission has so far not made the two decisions public, with these decisions, Modi has been given a clean chit in eight matters. The poll authorities in Gujarat are learnt to have maintained that prima facie no violation was found. The Congress had moved the EC alleging that Modi took out a "roadshow" after casting his vote and made political remarks in violation of the Model Code of Conduct. After casting his vote in Ahmedabad, Modi walked some distance from the polling booth and interacted briefly with media persons. The commission Monday is also learnt to have cleared Congress leader Salman Khurshid's 'gaushala' remarks against Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, saying no violation was established. In Farrukhabad, Khurshid had recently challenged Adityanath for a debate. "It will be better if it takes place in a gaushala to find out if the cow is with him or me," the lawyer-politician had reportedly said. The BJP had moved the commission with a complaint. Earlier, the EC had cleared six speeches of Modi, two of Shah and one of Congress chief Rahul Gandhi. Gandhi had been issued a show cause notice for his Madhya Pradesh speech in which he had reportedly said that the government has enacted a new law which allows tribals to be shot. On 19 March, the EC had issued an advisory asking parties not to invoke armed forces in their political campaign. The commission has now submitted a report to the Supreme Court of the cases related to Modi and Shah that it has disposed. Alleging delay on EC's part, the Congress had moved the top court for a remedy. The matter would come up for hearing on Wednesday. Assam minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said in a series of tweets, 'We are at Khejuri in Kanthi Lok Sabha constituency and attacked mercilessly by AITC goons. Many of our workers are injured even as Mamata Banerjee's goons (are) gheraoing and abusing us. Bengal BJP president Dilip Ghosh and I are stuck.' Purba Medinipur: A convoy of West Bengal BJP chief Dilip Ghosh and Assam minister Himanta Biswa Sarma was allegedly attacked by Trinamool Congress (TMC) supporters in Khejuri area of Purba Medinipur district on Tuesday evening. "We are at Khejuri in Kanthi Lok Sabha constituency and attacked mercilessly by AITC goons. Many of our workers are injured even as Mamata Banerjee's goons (are) gheraoing and abusing us. Bengal BJP president Dilip Ghosh and I are stuck," Sarma said in a series of tweets. The leaders, however, did not suffer any injuries and were rescued by CRPF troopers. Sarma tweeted: The @crpfindia personnel are helping us to gradually move away from here. Three .@BJP4Bengal workers are taken away by .@AITCofficial goons in front of police / Kultha Bazar, under PS Khejuri and kept in TMC union office. Goons have damaged 20+ motorbikes.#ShameMamata pic.twitter.com/XT7wWE0Cmn Chowkidar Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) May 7, 2019 "While reinforcement from CRPF has arrived, the violent TMC goons are not allowing the forces to rescue us. AITC cadres shouting and abusing everyone. Scene here is scary!" he added. Sarma also alleged that state police did not take any action even as "TMC goons" blocked their way and shouted slogans. He said, "TMC goons have blocked the roads on both sides, even as West Bengal Police personnel (are) standing like mute spectators. I am appalled at such brazen abuse of power by Mamata Banerjee, whose people have thrown all democratic norms to gutter. Is this the new India that we dream of?" West Bengal was marred with violence in the last five phases of Lok Sabha election. Barrackpore Lok Sabha candidate Arjun Singh was allegedly attacked by TMC supporters during the fifth phase of elections on Monday. Earlier, the convoy of Union Minister Babul Supriyo was also attacked. Photo: file photo Rototiller operating in the Okanagan The Okanagan Basin Water Board is pushing back against widening rototilling restrictions brought in to protect the endangered Rocky Mountain ridged mussel. The OBWB has managed invasive Eurasian milfoil in the Okanagan for more than four decades with rototilling, a project that has a current budget of $825,000 funded by local property taxes. For years the boards rototillers have avoided areas where the Rocky Mountain ridged mussel listed as a special concern under the federal Species at Risk Act had been found. The mussel is native to the Okanagan and is found nowhere else in Canada. Earlier this year the list of beaches in the Okanagan where the mussel has been spotted grew substantially to include several high-public use areas that are traditionally rototilled. Those include Kin and Paddlewheel Park Beaches in Vernon, Crescent and Rotary Beaches in Summerland, both ends of Skaha Lake and Haynes Point in Osoyoos. Our annual treatment areas represent a small fraction of the lakeshore, focusing on public beaches and boating areas, said OBWB executive director Anna Warwick Sears in a letter April 24 to the federal and provincial fisheries ministers, explaining untreated areas can become choked by dense milfoil growth and mucky when the plant decays. While we strongly support the protection of native species and their natural habitats, we believe that a more evidence-based and balanced approach is needed in this particular case, Warwick Sears said The OBWB letter argues that the beaches where the mussel has been found have been rototilled for decades and mussels have continued to reproduce on the edges of rototilled areas. Milfoil itself poses a threat to the mussel, according to a management plan for the species authored in 2017. South Okanagan-West Kootenay MP Richard Cannings, a biologist by trade, said he has raised the issue with federal fisheries minister Jonathan Wilkinson and is awaiting more information. These mussels are found in sort of patchy areas so perhaps there is a compromise that can be found instead of a blanket ban on rototilling, he said. Cannings said he hasnt been able to look deeply at the rototilling restrictions as the conflict is just starting to become an issue, but will be following up with the OBWB. He explained the Species at Risk Act requires the federal government to identify and protect critical habitat to ensure a species' survival, which does not equate to everywhere the species has been found. While the Rocky Mountain ridged mussel is listed as special concern, it is currently under consideration to be elevated to a fully endangered status, which would greatly increase regulatory requirements for the rototilling program, says the OBWB. The water board is pushing the federal and provincial governments to allow rototilling to go ahead, regardless of whether the mussel is up-listed. It is also asking for increased funding to map the mussels habitat and conduct more research on the impact milfoil has on the mussel before banning rototilling. A study back in 1991 found that ending rototilling in the Okanagan would cost an estimated $85 million in annual tourism revenue, $360 million in lost property value and over 1,700 job losses within the Valley. Osoyoos town council voted Monday to issue a letter of support for the OBWB position. Councils throughout the Valley will be asked to do so in the coming weeks. Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath on Tuesday said crop loans of over 21 lakh farmers have been cleared so far by his government, and rejected the BJP's claim of the Congress not fulfilling its pre-poll promise on loan waiver. Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath on Tuesday said crop loans of over 21 lakh farmers have been cleared so far by his government, and rejected the BJP's claim of the Congress not fulfilling its pre-poll promise on loan waiver. BJP national vice-president and former chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has claimed the ruling Congress failed to implement the farm loan waiver scheme it had promised ahead of the November Assembly polls. However, Nath rejected Chouhan's assertion and reeled out statistics on implementation of the scheme. "Within hours of coming to power (in December), we issued orders for waiving farm loans as promised. The process of doing it is going on, and as of now, we have waived agriculture loans of 21.06 lakh farmers in the state," he told reporters at his residence in Bhopal. In run up to the Assembly polls, Congress president Rahul Gandhi had announced to write-off individual agriculture loans of up to Rs 2 lakh within 10 days of his party coming to power in the state. "The former chief minister (Chouhan) is making a totally false statement on the issue of farm loan waiver," Nath said. He said Chouhan cited the case of a farmer from Khargone district to back his claim of non-fulfillment of farm loan waiver promise by the Congress government. However, this farmer has taken loan for buying a tractor and not for crops, the chief minister said. The Congress government has promised to waive crop loans of cultivators and not those taken to buy tractors or any other farm equipment, he clarified. "We have not made the announcement just like that. We have studied a lot about it, how to do it, and accordingly, we are doing it," Nath said. "The government has issued three types of forms for the purpose white, green and pink. Nearly 51.15 lakh farmers have filled those forms, and from them, we have waived loans of 21.06 lakh farmers before the Model Code of Conduct for the Lok Sabha polls came into effect (on 10 March)," he said. "The list (of beneficiaries) is also uploaded on the portals of the agriculture department and anyone can verify it from there," he said. The process of loan waiver is going on now in areas where Lok Sabha polls are over and the Election Commission has also given its nod to the government on the issue, Nath said. Voting has concluded in 13 of the 29 Lok Sabha seats in Madhya Pradesh. Earlier in the day, Congress leader Suresh Pachouri led a party delegation to Chouhan's official residence in Bhopal, where they dumped stacks of documents to prove the Nath government has written-off loan of 21 lakh farmers till now. Pachouri, a former Union minister, accompanied by state minister PC Sharma and other Congress leaders, carried cartons filled with documents on their heads and dumped them at Chouhans residence. However, Chouhan was not impressed with the Congress's act and dismissed the documentary evidence as a "bundle of lies". "Farmers have been paid a meager Rs 13,000 crore as loan waiver. The Congress government has to pay a whopping Rs 48,000 crore to farmers," he added. "The Congress has betrayed the poor farmers," the BJP leader said. Lok Sabha Election 2019 LIVE Updates: In Purulia, TMC chief Mamata Banerjee said, 'Money doesn't matter to me.That is why when Narendra Modi came to Bengal and accused my party of being tolabaaz (toll collector), I wanted to give him a tight slap of democracy.' Auto refresh feeds The apex court had on 8 April directed the Election Commission to increase random matching of VVPAT slips with EVMs in five polling booths per assembly segment from one booth. The top court, however, had not agreed to the demand for counting of at least 50 percent of VVPAT slips. The review petition filed by, at least, 21 Opposition leaders demanding at least 50 percent random matching of Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) slips with Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in every Assembly segment, is likely to be taken by the Supreme Court on Tuesday. Opposition leaders led by Naidu have sought the review of the Supreme Court's order on increasing VVPAT verification from one to five, saying the "increase from 1 to 5 is not a reasonable number and does not lead to satisfaction desired by this court". The case will come up in the court today. Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu has written to the Election Commission (EC) demanding to the verification of 50 percent of EVMs using VVPAT slips in an Assembly segment. Congress president Rahul Gandhi will address public rallies in preparation for the sixth phase of the Lok Sabha election in Jharkhand's West Singhbhum and Dhanbad districts, and West Bengal's Purulia district on Tuesday. Congress general secretary for eastern Uttar Pradesh, Priyanka Gandhi will address multiple public meetings in Haryana ahead of the sixth phase of the Lok Sabha election scheduled for 6 May. She will hold rallies in Ambala and Hisar, and conclude with a roadshow in Rohtak, reports said. Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu has arrived at the Supreme Court ahead of the apex court's hearing on the Opposition's petition to have 50 percent verification of EVMs with VVPATs. BJP president Amit Shah will be campaigning in West Bengal and Bihar for the sixth phase of the Lok Sabha election. Shah will address rallies in Ghatal, Paschim Medinipur, and Bishnupur in West Bengal and also in Patna in Bihar. The bench accepted Singhvi's submission and said the matter will be soon. The plea was mentioned for urgent hearing before a bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice Deepak Gupta. Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for petitioners, told the bench that the review plea be listed for hearing next week. Opposition leaders led by Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu had sought the review of the apex court's order, saying the "increase from 1 to 5 is not a reasonable number and does not lead to satisfaction desired by this court". "Therefore, even though the petitioners have succeeded on the merits of their contention, their success does not resolve their grievance or cause any meaningful change to the situation that they were originally aggrieved of." The plea, filed by Abhishek Manu Singhvi on behalf of 21 Opposition leaders, said: "The petitioners submit that the aforesaid increase to a mere 2 per cent is not sufficient and will not make any substantial difference to the situation that existed prior to the passing of the impugned order. The Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected the petition filed by 21 Opposition leaders demanding 50 percent verification of EVMs with VVPAT slips. The hearing ended in under a minute, reports said. The principle point of the review petition was that there is no "meaningful" implementation of the order, which is a "mere" 2 percent. "We want the verification increased to 33 percent, or worse come to worst, 25 percent." The counsel of the Opposition leaders, Abhishek Manu Singhvi said that they had "grave and serious" concerns regarding the VVPAT-EVM verification. He listed the points after the Supreme Court rejected the review petition: He expressed gratitude to the court to increase the VVPAT verification from one to five. Abhishek Manu Singhvi said that the Election Commission has no guidelines regarding the VVPAT-EVM verification, and that if the court would not issue guidelines to the poll panel, the court's order would be impractical to implement one the ground. The leaders also said that they would pressurise the Election Commission to bring in more firm guidelines regarding VVPAT verification. Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu, CPI's D Raja, DMK and other parties' delegates on Tuesday addressed the media after the Supreme Court junked the petition demanding 50 percent VVPAT-EVM verification. They said that they respected the order of the bench lead by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi, but also reiterated the need for 50 percent verification in Assembly segments. National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah, after the Supreme Court junked the Opposition's review petition on VVPAT-EVM verification, said, "Our aim is that election should be fair for every party. We respect the court's order but we have to still take this to the people of the country. "We must make it clear that this is an All India political campaign to make people aware at hand. Today was a hearing on the review petition by 21 opposition parties of India on issue increase of VVPAT. We bow down to the court order which has dismissed our petition." Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who appeared for the Opposition parties in their plea to increase VVPAT-EVM verification said, 21 parties represented this petition. This included some sitting chief ministers too. We bow down to the court's order. Tharoor tweeted, "One thing I personally know about @imranKhanPTI is that his interest in the shared history of the Indian subcontinent is genuine & far-reaching. He read; he cares. It is disappointing, though, that it took a Pakistani leader to remember a great Indian hero on his punyathithi," after Imran commemorated the Mysore ruler's death anniversary saying that he admired him. A tweet by Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan on Tipu Sultan's death anniversary, which triggered a war of words between the Congress and BJP on 5 May, has been brought to the forefront again with Congress leader Shashi Tharoor praising Imran for paying tribute to "a great Indian hero". Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu, who lead the Opposition leaders delegation regarding the demand for 50 percent VVPAT-EVM verification in an Assembly segment, said that the 21 Opposition had taken up the issue to "bring transparency" to the voting process in the country. Actors Swara Bhaskar and Gul Panag are reportedly going to campaign for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Tuesday, in view of the sixth phase of the Lok Sabha elections on 12 May. While Bhaskar is likely to campaign for East Delhi candidate Atishi through a bike rally, Panag will reportedly campaign for South Delhi candidate Raghav Chadha. Gautam Gambhir is also proving to be a novice candidate. His nomination form was not filed correctly. He has two voter ID cards. People have this mindset - now that Gambhir has two voter ID cards he will anyway get disqualified so why waste our vote on him, Atishi told PTI in an interview. The Oxford graduate, who believes the BJP is her main opponent and the Congress is number three in the electoral race, said people won't vote for the former cricketer because they know he will anyway get disqualified after the elections. Claiming that her BJP rival Gautam Gambhir is proving to be a novice whose celebrity status will go against him, AAP's East Delhi candidate Atishi says people might want to see stars but want their representatives to be available to them in their everyday lives. Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will address three rallies in West Bengal, reports said. The BJP and Opposition are gearing up for the sixth phase of the Lok Sabha election, scheduled to be held on 12 May. "The 54-year-old Gandhinagar Lok Sabha candidate has canvassed for his party in no less than 290 constituencies to date in this election season. In the past five years, Shah has also visited almost all districts in India save a couple of remote ones in Arunachal Pradesh and has stayed a night in as many as 212 districts," the report said. BJP president Amit Shah, asserting that national politics is a "serious business" and not for "fun", also said that there is no "soft side" to him, in an interview with Hindustan Times. He said, "We won't need anyone to form the next government, we are confident," to NDTV in an interview . BJP general secretary Ram Madhav claimed that the BJP would win a "huge majority", indicating that the ruling party was banking on votes from the east and north-east regions of the country. Chandrababu Naidu, speaking to the media after the Supreme Court rejected the Opposition's plea demanding 50 percent VVPAT-EVM verification said, We are now going to take this issue (of VVPAT) to the people. The Opposition party will sit together and decide its prime minister candidate with consensus. Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu said, "We are thinking to go to Election Commission to revise their guidelines. You have to count all EVMs. Then only you can convince the nation. What we are asking is genuine demands. We will take this to the people and educate them. We all are united on this issue. "They seem in some kind of compulsion to keep praising Pakistan again and again. They are more communal in nature." He said, "Congress is like a plane. Rahul Gandhi has lost his way. Congress plane will crash on May 23. (On Shahshi Tharoor praising Imran Khan) Congress is always finding reasons how to praise Pakistan and their prime minister, instead of criticising it. BJP leader Narasimha Rao slammed the Congress over party leader Shashi Tharoor's tweet praising Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan for paying tribute to Tipu Sultan on his death anniversary on 4 May. Rao, who had floated the idea of a non-Congress, non-BJP front some time ago, had met Stalin in April last as part of his outreach to regional parties, with the DMK leader hosting lunch for the visiting TRS supremo and his party colleagues. Earlier, a statement from the Telangana Chief Minister's Office (CMO) had said that Rao would meet the DMK chief at his residence here on 13 May. He had met his Kerala counterpart Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday, even as Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy also rang up Rao after learning about his visits to Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The DMK Tuesday indicated its party chief MK Stalin may not meet K Chandrasekar Rao on 13 May, as announced by the Telangana Chief Minister's Office earlier. Sources close to the DMK President only said Stalin was 'busy' with his campaign schedule for the May 19 by-polls to four constituencies in the state and declined to divulge more details. Jain said, There is no doubt about the integrity of EVMs. Not a single EVMs have recorded wrongly. Review petition had no new facts. There is going to be a four-hour delay on 23 May since four additional VVPATs have been added. Result is expected late evening or next morning. Deputy Election Commissioner Sudeep Jain spoke to the media after the Supreme Court junked the Opposition's plea for 50 percent VVPAT-EVM verification. The Opposition also demanded stricter guidelines to be implemented by the Election Commission regarding verification of votes. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee countered Prime Minister Narendra Modi's jibes on Tuesday and said that he is "drenched in blood from head to tow", referring to the 2002 riots that took place in Gujarat. CNN-News18 reported that she also said that Modi must apologise to the families of the victims of the riots. United Front experiment was...Congress supporting from outside. This time also there is every likelihood of such a proposition. No doubt," Kumar, the deputy floor leader of TRS in Lok Sabha, told PTI. B Vinod Kumar, sitting Lok Sabha member from Karimnagar and a confidant of TRS president and Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, claimed that regional parties would win more seats than BJP-led NDA or Congress-anchored UPA. A United Front-type government of regional parties supported by the Congress is the "only likelihood" after the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, a key TRS leader said Tuesday. Chouhan said, "Sadhvi Pragya Thakur was made the party's candidate after a lot of deliberation. He said in 2008 a word was coined 'bhagwa aatanki' (saffron terror). "Congress coined this word and they made her scapegoat and Digvijaya Singh was the medium," he said. Former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said Malegaon blast accused Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur has been made the BJP candidate from Bhopal as the party feels she is "not guilty" but was made a scapegoat by the then-Congress government after coining the word 'bhagwa aatanki' (saffron terror). "How a family looted the country in the 20th century, destroyed it the youth of the country should know. I am challenging the Congress from this dais that when polling takes place in the remaining phases in Punjab, Delhi and in Bhopal let it fight the elections in the name of Rajiv Gandhi. I am hopeful that the Congress will accept this challenge," he told an election rally. He also dared the Congress to a debate on the Bofors scandal and other issues ahead of the last two phases of the polling. "A few days ago I had called a member of the naamdar parivar (dynasty) as 'bhrashtachari (corrupt) no. 1' and some people got such a severe stomach ache that they started crying aloud. The more they cry, the more will today's generation come to know of the old truths. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday threw a challenge at the Congress, asking it to contest the remaining phases of the Lok Sabha elections in the name of Rajiv Gandhi, who he recently dubbed as "bhrashtachari no. 1". He said, "Yesterday's meeting with KC Rao was significant. We discussed the national political scenario. According to KC Rao, both the fronts may not get a majority. So, the regional parties will play a prominent role. There were no discussions about the PM candidate." Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who met with Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, popularly called 'KCR' in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday evening expressed confidence in the possibility of a non-BJP, non-Congress front at the end of the ongoing Lok Sabha election. He said, In a video, Tej Bhadur has been found saying that Give me Rs 50 crore and I will kill Modi in 24 hours. It is unfortunate that the media and the opposition is not talking about it. Addressing the press conference on Tuesday, BJP leader Sambit Patra said accused sacked BSF jawan Tej Bahadur whose nomination from the Samajwadi Party for the Lok Sabha election was rejected by the Election Commission of conspiring to "kill" Prime Minister Narendra Modi. On Monday, Modi took a dig at Mamata during a rally and accused her of arresting people who chanted "Jai Shri Ram". He dared her to arrest him, days after three people were taken into police custody for allegedly saying the words as her convoy passed by. Shah said, "Mamata Didi, why do you want to stop us from chanting Jai Shree Ram in India? Shree Ram is the idol of every Indian, he exists in the culture and ethos of India. No one can stop us from worshipping him." BJP president Amit Shah addressed a rally in West Bengal's Paschim Medinipur district on Tuesday and slammed West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee over the 'Jai Shri Ram' controversy, which led to a war of words between her and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In a rally in West Bengal on Tuesday, BJP president Amit Shah said that there was a lot of diversity in the country, but that the people's "love" for Prime Minister Narendra Modi was "palpable" and a "binding, uniting" force. "I have visited more than 290 Lok Sabha constituencies so far. There is a lot of diversity in various parts of the country but one uniting factor that does not change with regions is the love for PM Modi that is palpable in the slogan of 'Modi-Modi'," he said. BJP chief Amit Shah, in a rally in West Bengal, said, "We will first bring the Citizenship Amendment Bill to give Indian citizenship to the Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain and Christian refugees from the neighbouring countries and then will ensure that every infiltrator is identified and deported out of India." "They question NYAY, but they have the money to waive the loans of the few industrialists. When they were questioned about it, they have no answer. Because they are anti-farmer, anti-women, anti-poor, anti-people," she said. Congress general secretary for eastern Uttar Pradesh Priyanka Gandhi is addressing a rally in Haryana's Ambala district. She renewed the Congress' poll pitch regarding NYAY, which promises Rs 72,000 to the poorest families if the party comes to power. Priyanka Gandhi, Congress general secretary, in a rally in Haryana's Ambala said that Congress will bring in reforms for women, students, and small business. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi said that the Congress is fighting the ongoing Lok Sabha election "on behalf" of the people of the country. She said that when the people will go to vote, they will be voting for their own future. "This is not an ordinary election, this is a crucial election," she said. Rahul Gandhi addressed a rally in Jharkhand's Chaibasa in preparation for the sixth phase of the Lok Sabha election. It is scheduled to be held on 12 May. He lauded the Congress government in Chhattisgarh, saying that the Bhupesh Baghel-led government had given Adivasi community their land back in districts like Bastar. Priyanka Gandhi, in a rally in Haryana's Ambala, Priyanka Gandhi said,"The BJP leaders never in their poll campaign say whether they fulfilled their promise or not. They seek votes in the name of martyrs or the martyr (Rajiv Gandhi) of my family." "Today the people of the country trust only Modiji, not Mamata didi. Modi believes in his duties as a prime minister. He did the same when Cyclone Fani came. He called up Mamata and offered his help to the people and the state. But she didnt answer the calls instead she lied to the people that he never called.," she said. "You (Mamata Banerjee) are spreading violence in the state. You should protect the people but you have problems if people chant 'Jai Sri Ram'. Is this the change you talk about? Union minister and BJP leader Nirmala Sitharaman addressed a rally in West Bengal on Tuesday. She accused Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of "spreading violence" in the state in reference to the controversy over the 'Jai Shri Ram' slogan. "Without doubt, Congress NYAY scheme has given the party an upper hand over the BJP. When seen together, Rahul Gandhis Rs 6,000 a month is much bigger than Modis Rs 6,000 a year. Moreover, since the NYAY money will be put in the account of the woman in the beneficiary families, the concomitant effect would be women empowerment," the report said. The Rahul Gandi-led Congress' flagship scheme NYAY, which promises to give Rs 72,000 a year to the poorest 20 percent has an upper hand over the BJP's Rs 6,000 a year promise, a report by Moneycontrol said . She said, "People will be scared to come to polling booths if violence continues in West Bengal. Mamata Banerjee is destroying the democracy in the state. Despite deployment of central forces and assurance to the voters that their presence will make a difference, Didi's syndicate morcha people are all over the place. Mamata Banerjee screams about democracy,she is the one who is violating democracy." Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday addressed a rally in West Bengal and launched a blistering attack on Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over polling day violence in the state, as clashes were reported between BJP and TMC workers during the fifth phase of Lok Sabha election. Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, addressing the media in Kolkata, said that the Congress must talk about AgustaWestland before they criticise the Narendra Modi-led government about the Rafale deal. He said that the Congress is wanting to give money to the poor and explained the process behind the scheme. "In a year, we will be able to give Rs 72,000 to poor families in a year." Congress president Rahul Gandhi began addressing a rally in West Bengal's Purulia on Tuesday. Rahul renewed the pitch for NYAY, the Congress' flagship social security scheme, in the rally. He also took a swipe at Kejriwal over the AAP's allegation that the assault that happened over the weekend, was the BJP's doing. "I want to tell Kejriwalji that he is not important enough that BJP will think about him," he said. Cricketer-turned-politician who recently joined the BJP, Gautam Gambhir addressed a rally in Delhi on Tuesday. He accused Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal of "spreading lies" that he will be abroad for 240 of 365 days. "Cricket has taught me to fight with a rival face-to-face, not behind their back," he said. Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi in a Haryana rally said, The BJP leaders never in their poll campaign say whether they fulfilled their promise or not. They seek vote in the name of martyrs or the martyr (Rajiv Gandhi) of my family. Duryodhan had also lots of ego and his ego was the reason of his defeat. He has been given tiem until 5 pm on Wednesday to clarify the tweet. The East Delhi Election Commission office issued a notice to Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia on Tuesday over an alleged violation of the Model Code of Conduct regarding a tweet on the religion of AAP's East Delhi candidate Atishi. Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath addressed a rally in Delhi's Mandawali on Tuesday and said, "Congress has completely failed, Shehzada also failed so they brought in their Shehzadi. She was teaching abuses to innocent children of Amethi, please and go teach these abuses in Italy." Reports said that a delegation of Opposition leaders will meet the Election Commission regarding the VVPAT verification. The Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected the petition of 21 leaders who had demanded 50 percent VVPAT-EVM verification in the Lok Sabha election. Addressing a rally in Bishnupur, BJP chief Amit Shah chanted 'Jai Shri Ram' several times in a bid to counter West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee. Mamata had on Monday said that 'Jai Shri Ram' is the BJP's slogan and it is trying to force everybody to chant it. In Bishnupur, BJP national president Amit Shah lashed out a Congress leader Priyanka Vadra for her 'Duryodhan' jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "Priyanka ji, this is democracy. Nobody becomes Duryodhan just because you called them so. We will find out on 23 May who is Duryodhana and who is Arjuna," he said. Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath said that former chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan was given a list on Tuesday with names of 21 lakh farmers whose loans have been waived and in whose accounts the money has been deposited. "The list is available on the agriculture portal as well. I guess he doesn't know how to access it," he said. Kamal Nath says Shivraj Singh Chouhan given list of farmers whose loans were waived by his govt In Purulia, TMC chief Mamata Banerjee said, "Money doesn't matter to me.That is why when Narendra Modi came to Bengal and accused my party of being tolabaaz (toll collector), I wanted to give him a tight slap of democracy." UP CM Yogi Adityanath in Mandawali ,Delhi: Congress has completely failed, Shehzada also failed so they brought in their Shehzadi. She was teaching abuses to innocent children of Amethi, please and go teach these abuses in Italy. pic.twitter.com/Hxe5MOMjBI Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath addressed a rally in Delhi's Mandawali on Tuesday and said, "Congress has completely failed, Shehzada also failed so they brought in their Shehzadi. She was teaching abuses to innocent children of Amethi, please and go teach these abuses in Italy." Reports said that a delegation of Opposition leaders will meet the Election Commission regarding the VVPAT verification. The Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected the petition of 21 leaders who had demanded 50 percent VVPAT-EVM verification in the Lok Sabha election. Addressing a rally in Bishnupur, BJP chief Amit Shah chanted 'Jai Shri Ram' several times in a bid to counter West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee. Mamata had on Monday said that 'Jai Shri Ram' is the BJP's slogan and it is trying to force everybody to chant it. Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu, along with other Opposition leaders, is expected to meet the Election Commission (EC) on Tuesday at 5 pm, reported CNN-News18. They will address the media after the meeting outside the ECs office. BJP President Amit Shah in Bishnupur, West Bengal: Priyanka Vadra just called PM Modi 'Duryodhana,' Priyanka ji this is democracy, nobody becomes 'Duryodhana' just because you called them so. We will find out on May 23 who is 'Duryodhana and who is 'Arjuna.' pic.twitter.com/S80553CW5d In Bishnupur, BJP national president Amit Shah lashed out a Congress leader Priyanka Vadra for her 'Duryodhan' jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "Priyanka ji, this is democracy. Nobody becomes Duryodhan just because you called them so. We will find out on 23 May who is Duryodhana and who is Arjuna," he said. Meanwhile, ANI reported Dev has filed an additional affidavit before the top court, stating that "the respondent Election Commission failed to appreciate that the hate speeches delivered by Narendra Modi and Amit Shah are corrupt practices under Section 123A of the Representation of People Act, 1951". Congress MP Sushmita Dev moved Supreme Court saying that Narendra Modi's 'Brashtachari number 1' against Rajiv Gandhi is "unbecoming of prime minister". The top court is likely to take up the case on Wednesday, reported CNN-News18. Madhya Pradesh CM Kamal Nath: Former CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan, today, was given a list of 21 lakh farmers whose loans have been waived off & in whose accounts the money has been deposited. List is available on the agriculture portal as well,guess he doesn't know how to access it. pic.twitter.com/oVZIMfOSgl Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath said that former chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan was given a list on Tuesday with names of 21 lakh farmers whose loans have been waived and in whose accounts the money has been deposited. "The list is available on the agriculture portal as well. I guess he doesn't know how to access it," he said. Kamal Nath says Shivraj Singh Chouhan given list of farmers whose loans were waived by his govt #WATCH Ram Madhav, BJP: Based on the ground report that we get from our cadres, BJP will be able to do as good as it has done in 2014 if not better. And together with NDA we will be having a good majority to run another stable govt. pic.twitter.com/P3gadxSmjJ Following his remarks that BJP might need allies' support to form government, Ram Madhav said, "Based on the ground report that we get from our cadres, BJP will be able to do as good as it has done in 2014, if not better. And together with NDA, we will be having a good majority to run another stable government." BJP's performance will be as good as that in 2014, says Ram Madhav R Madhav, BJP on Mamata Banerjee's remark 'I don't consider Narendra Modi as PM:Unfortunate,for her everything is politics,there's no civility in discourse. It's 'jungle raj' &dictatorship in Bengal,violence so much so that EC is forced to deploy central forces at polling booths. pic.twitter.com/Re1H3i3nPM On Mamata Banerjee's statement that she doesn't consider Narendra Modi as prime minister, BJP leader Ram Madhav said, "For her, everything is politics. There's no civility in discourse. It's 'jungle raj' and dictatorship in Bengal. Violence is so prevalent that EC is forced to deploy central forces at polling booths." #WATCH West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee in Purulia: Money doesn't matter to me.That is why when Narendra Modi came to Bengal and accused my party of being Tolabaaz (Toll collector), I wanted to give him a tight slap of democracy pic.twitter.com/JnE5xywWJI In Purulia, TMC chief Mamata Banerjee said, "Money doesn't matter to me.That is why when Narendra Modi came to Bengal and accused my party of being tolabaaz (toll collector), I wanted to give him a tight slap of democracy." Lok Sabha Election 2019 LIVE Updates: In Purulia, TMC chief Mamata Banerjee said, "Money doesn't matter to me.That is why when Narendra Modi came to Bengal and accused my party of being tolabaaz (toll collector), I wanted to give him a tight slap of democracy." Following his remarks that BJP might need allies' support to form government, Ram Madhav said, "Based on the ground report that we get from our cadres, BJP will be able to do as good as it has done in 2014, if not better. And together with NDA, we will be having a good majority to run another stable government." In Bishnupur, BJP national president Amit Shah lashed out a Congress leader Priyanka Vadra for her 'Duryodhan' jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "Priyanka ji, this is democracy. Nobody becomes Duryodhan just because you called them so. We will find out on 23 May who is Duryodhana and who is Arjuna," he said. The East Delhi Election Commission office issued a notice to Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia on Tuesday over an alleged violation of the Model Code of Conduct regarding a tweet on the religion of AAP's East Delhi candidate Atishi. He has been given tiem until 5 pm on Wednesday to clarify the tweet. Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi in a Haryana rally said, The BJP leaders never in their poll campaign say whether they fulfilled their promise or not. They seek vote in the name of martyrs or the martyr (Rajiv Gandhi) of my family. Duryodhan had also lots of ego and his ego was the reason of his defeat. Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday addressed a rally in West Bengal and launched a blistering attack on Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over polling day violence in the state, as clashes were reported between BJP and TMC workers during the fifth phase of Lok Sabha election. She said, "People will be scared to come to polling booths if violence continues in West Bengal. Mamata Banerjee is destroying the democracy in the state. Despite deployment of central forces and assurance to the voters that their presence will make a difference, Didi's syndicate morcha people are all over the place. Mamata Banerjee screams about democracy,she is the one who is violating democracy." Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi said that the Congress is fighting the ongoing Lok Sabha election "on behalf" of the people of the country. She said that when the people will go to vote, they will be voting for their own future. "This is not an ordinary election, this is a crucial election," she said. BJP chief Amit Shah, in a rally in West Bengal, said, "We will first bring the Citizenship Amendment Bill to give Indian citizenship to the Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain and Christian refugees from the neighbouring countries and then will ensure that every infiltrator is identified and deported out of India." BJP president Amit Shah addressed a rally in West Bengal's Paschim Bengal district on Tuesday and slammed West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee over the 'Jai Shri Ram' controversy, which led to a war of words between her and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Shah said, "Mamata Didi, why do you want to stop us from chanting Jai Shree Ram in India? Shree Ram is the idol of every Indian, he exists in the culture and ethos of India. No one can stop us from worshipping him." On Monday, Modi took a dig at Mamata during a rally and accused her of arresting people who chanted "Jai Shri Ram". He dared her to arrest him, days after three people were taken into police custody for allegedly saying the words as her convoy passed by. Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who met with Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, popularly called 'KCR' in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday evening expressed confidence in the possibility of a non-BJP, non-Congress front at the end of the ongoing Lok Sabha election. He said, "Yesterday's meeting with KC Rao was significant. We discussed the national political scenario. According to KC Rao, both the fronts may not get a majority. So, the regional parties will play a prominent role. There were no discussions about the PM candidate." Deputy Election Commissioner Sudeep Jain spoke to the media after the Supreme Court junked the Opposition's plea for 50 percent VVPAT-EVM verification. The Opposition also demanded stricter guidelines to be implemented by the Election Commission regarding verification of votes. News18 quoted Jain as saying, There is no doubt about the integrity of EVMs. Not a single EVMs have recorded wrongly. Review petition had no new facts. There is going to be a four-hour delay on 23 May since four additional VVPATs have been added. Result is expected late evening or next morning. BJP leader Narasimha Rao reportedly slammed the Congress over party leader Shashi Tharoor's tweet praising Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan for paying tribute to Tipu Sultan on his death anniversary on 4 May. He said, "Congress is like a plane. Rahul Gandhi has lost his way. Congress plane will crash on May 23. (On Shahshi Tharoor praising Imran Khan) Congress is always finding reasons how to praise Pakistan and their prime minister, instead of criticising it. "They seem in some kind of compulsion to keep praising Pakistan again and again. They are more communal in nature." Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu, who lead the Opposition leaders delegation regarding the demand for 50 percent VVPAT-EVM verification in an Assembly segment, said that the 21 Opposition had taken up the issue to "bring transparency" to the voting process in the country. Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who appeared for the Opposition parties in their plea to increase VVPAT-EVM verification said, 21 parties represented this petition. This included some sitting chief ministers too. We bow down to the court's order. "We must make it clear that this is an All India political campaign to make people aware at hand. Today was a hearing on the review petition by 21 opposition parties of India on issue increase of VVPAT. We bow down to the court order which has dismissed our petition." The counsel of the Opposition leaders, Abhishek Manu Singhvi said that they had "grave and serious" concerns regarding the VVPAT-EVM verification. He listed the points after the Supreme Court rejected the review petition: He expressed gratitude to the court to increase the VVPAT verification from one to five. The principle point of the review petition was that there is no "meaningful" implementation of the order, which is a "mere" 2 percent. "We want the verification increased to 33 percent, or worse come to worst, 25 percent." The Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected the petition filed by 21 Opposition parties, demanding 50 percent verification of EVMs with VVPAT slips. The hearing ended in under a minute, reports said. According to reports, Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu, CPM's D Raja and National Conference chairman Farooq Abdullah were present at the court. Chandrababu Naidu has arrived at the Supreme Court ahead of the apex court's hearing on the Opposition's petition to have 50 percent verification of EVMs with VVPATs. Opposition leaders had sought the review of the apex court's order, saying the "increase from 1 to 5 is not a reasonable number and does not lead to satisfaction desired by this court". Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu has written to the Election Commission (EC) demanding to the verification of 50 percent of EVMs using VVPAT slips in an Assembly segment. Opposition leaders led by Naidu have sought the review of the Supreme Court's order on increasing VVPAT verification from one to five, saying the "increase from 1 to 5 is not a reasonable number and does not lead to satisfaction desired by this court". The case will come up in the court today. With the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha election having concluded on Monday, BJP and Opposition leaders will be on the campaign trail on Tuesday, in preparation for the sixth phase of the General Election. Congress president Rahul Gandhi will address public rallies in Jharkhand's West Singhbhum and Dhanbad districts, and West Bengal's Purulia district on Tuesday. Meanwhile, BJP president Amit Shah will be campaigning in West Bengal and Bihar. Shah will address rallies in Ghatal, Paschim Medinipur, and Bishnupur in West Bengal and also in Patna in Bihar. Congress general secretary for eastern Uttar Pradesh, Priyanka Gandhi will address multiple public meetings in Haryana. She will hold rallies in Ambala and Hisar, and conclude with a roadshow in Rohtak, reports said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday threw a challenge at the Congress, asking it to contest the remaining phases of the Lok Sabha elections in the name of Rajiv Gandhi, who he recently dubbed as "bhrashtachari no. 1". He also dared the Congress to a debate on the Bofors scandal and other issues ahead of the last two phases of the polling. "A few days ago I had called a member of the naamdar parivar (dynasty) as 'bhrashtachari (corrupt) no. 1' and some people got such a severe stomach ache that they started crying aloud. The more they cry, the more will today's generation come to know of the old truths. "How a family looted the country in the 20th century, destroyed it the youth of the country should know. I am challenging the Congress from this dais that when polling takes place in the remaining phases in Punjab, Delhi and in Bhopal let it fight the elections in the name of Rajiv Gandhi. I am hopeful that the Congress will accept this challenge," he told an election rally. Rahul has been repeatedly daring Modi to debate on issues of national security, especially the Rafale fighter jet deal, asserting that when it happens, the truth will be out in the open. Responding to Modi's comments that his father Rajiv's life ended as "Bhrashtachari No 1," Rahul had on Sunday tweeted "Modi Ji, the battle is over. Your Karma awaits you. Projecting your inner beliefs about yourself onto my father won't protect you. All my love and a huge hug" Modi, without naming anyone, said, "A member of the 'naamdar parivar' is abusing the prime minister for the last one year, without caring for the dignity (of the chair)... You do not have respect for the prime ministers post". Claiming that the 'Mahamilawati' have surrendered after four phases of polling and are floundering during the fifth phase on Monday, the prime minister said, "Let the Congress and its allies take the challenge to fight over Bofors issue in the remaining phases. "Don't run away, this is democracy. Where did the ex-prime minister take the country?" he said. Alleging that the Congress had done "injustice" to the country over the past 70 years, Modi said he cannot claim to have completely negate it in five years. "But I have cleaned it up to the maximum extent." Accusing the Congress of making an independent MLA (Madhu Koda), who was convicted in a coal scam case and is now on bail, the chief minister of Jharkhand, Modi said now the Congress has given ticket to a member of his family (Gita Koda) to contest from Singhbhum. "This is shameful," he said. Modi also mentioned Congress' alliance with Lalu Prasad's RJD in this context. On Monday, while addressing a rally at Jhargram, Banerjee had said, 'You cannot force someone to raise slogans - the slogan you want to give to the people. Bishnupur: Snapping back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee questioned him as to why he has not built even one Ram temple but is busy chanting "Jai Shri Ram". "You BJP babu, you say 'Jai Shri Ram' but have you built even one Ram temple? At the time of elections, Ram Chandra becomes your party agent, you say 'Ram Chandra is my election agent'. You say 'Jai Shri Ram' and force others to say it," Mamata said while addressing a public rally in Bishnupur on Monday. This comes after Modi hailed Lord Ram with the chant at his Jhargram rally and dared Banerjee to have him arrested. Modi was referring to a recent incident that went viral on social media where three people were reportedly arrested for allegedly chanting 'Jai Shri Ram' when the chief minister's convoy was passing by. "Didi has thrown people into jail for chanting 'Jai Shri Ram'. I thought of greeting her with the chant so she can throw me behind bars, too. I will then serve the innocent people who are in jail for chanting in praise of Lord Ram," the prime minister said. On Monday, while addressing a rally at Jhargram, Mamata had said, "You cannot force someone to raise slogans - the slogan you want to give to the people. We respect Lord Ram and know how to give him proper respect. I will say Jai Hind, Vande Mataram, 'Maa-Mati-Manush-er jai', 'Trinamool Congress-er jai', but never the slogan which the BJP wants people to say." West Bengal witnessed polling on Monday in the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections. The remaining two phases of polling are scheduled for 12 and 19 May. The counting of votes will take place on 23 May. Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik's work and gesture are a reminder to Mamata Banerjee that one doesnt need to be petty and irresponsible in executing ones duties as the CM and meeting the challenge posed by a rival political party The one motif that repeatedly emerges in Mamata Banerjees politics is pettiness. Her pettiness and vengeance have reached such remarkable proportions that the West Bengal chief minister frequently loses her sense of balance. The inordinately long Lok Sabha polls seem to be testing her patience. For instance, she recently lost her cool when her passing cavalcade in Chandrakona town of West Midnapore district was subjected to 'Jai Shri Ram' chants from locals. A furious Mamata abruptly stopped the convoy and chased the sloganeers. According to reports, West Bengal police detained three villagers for chanting Jai Shri Ram. They were later released. And what has been Mamatas justification behind this despotic behaviour? "Does Ramchandra become BJPs election agent when the election comes? Why should I give your slogan? I will not chant the name of rotten Modi or rotten BJP. They are trying to erase the culture of Bengal, PTI quoted her as saying. One wonders if the "culture of Bengal, that its mercurial chief minister claims to be the sole custodian of, is to detain civilians for praising Lord Rama. Truth be told, Mamata has subverted Bengals syncretic culture to run a parochial campaign bordering on soft separatism, and now uses that as a beating stick to justify her acts. The West Midnapore episode proves Mamata has become increasingly jittery over BJPs rising political graph in the state. It also points at simmering discontent in Bengal over Trinamool Congress politics of violence and intimidation. The Jai Shri Ram slogan is being used as a mark of defiance. When the practitioner of petty politics becomes insecure about her political future, the result is a level of bitterness unprecedented even in the disappointing standards of Indian politics. Mamata frequently talks of upholding the federal structure. It isnt clear how she was meeting her end of the bargain in honouring the federal structure by refusing to take the prime ministers calls to discuss the effects of Cyclone Fani in the state. Not once, but twice. Such an act of spiteful irresponsibility is not unexpected of Mamata. She has redrawn Centre-state relations in the five years of NDA rule and has blocked implementation of central schemes in the state. The amusing aspect, however, is the way the state government tried to justify Mamatas snub by turning the allegation on its head. TMC claimed that in speaking to West Bengal governor Keshari Nath Tripathi, the prime minister has done an unconstitutional act. "This is an attack on a federal structure and a deviation from the Constitution. By calling the Governor, he (Modi) has acted as leader of the BJP and not as a prime minister. How can he deny the mandate of our people? Mamata Banerjee is the elected Chief Minister of Bengal. This is unfortunate, reports quoted TMC secretary-general Partha Chatterjee, as saying. It later emerged that Mamata ignored two phone calls from the prime ministers office and did not bother to return the calls. Officials clarified that "two attempts were made by the PMs staff to connect Modi with Banerjee over the phone. On both the occasions they were told that the call would be returned. On one occasion they were told that the chief minister is on tour". Things started unravelling when Modi picked up the topic in an election rally in West Bengal. Speaking to the crowd at Tamluk in East Midnapore district, Modi called Mamata "arrogant". "I am just back from Odisha after reviewing the post-cyclone situation. I also wanted to speak to West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee over phone to discuss the matter. I had called her but Didi is so arrogant that she didnt speak to me. I waited for her to call but she didnt get back to me Speedbreaker Didi is more interested in doing politics. I wanted to speak to the state officials but the state government did not allow that to happen. It wasnt too long until Mamata hit back, and when she did, she ended up contradicting her own partys stand. The TMC had earlier alleged that prime minister bypassed the chief minister in speaking to the governor. Mamata revealed that she didnt consider it necessary to receive or return the prime ministers calls. I dont consider him the countrys prime minister, hence I didnt sit for the meeting. I dont want to be seen with him on the same platform. I will speak to the next prime minister. We can take care of cyclone damage by ourselves. We dont need Centres help ahead of polls, she said at a campaign rally in Jhargram. What emerges from this exchange is the immaturity of Mamata, the administrator. The TMC chief is not the only regional leader fighting to stave off BJPs challenge. In the neighbouring state of Odisha, Naveen Patnaik is battling equally hard, if not more, to quell the challenge of BJP as BJDs chief rival. If anything, the challenge for Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik is even greater because he is battling on two fronts since Odisha is undergoing simultaneous elections for Assembly and Lok Sabha. However, that hasnt stopped Patnaik from carrying on with his constitutional duties under the federal structure of government and to coordinate with the Centre to limit the damage of Cyclone Fani and provide fast relief. The prime minister conducted a joint aerial survey of the tempest-affected areas in Odisha, announced assistance for the family of those deceased and those who are injured, and with Patnaik by his side told reporters that Naveen Babu has done great work... it is not a small thing to shift nearly 12 lakh people", while underscoring the "perfect coordination" and "perfect communication" between the state and central governments. Political analysts may choose to read between the lines and interpret it as on olive branch towards the BDJ chief for a post-poll scenario. Be that as it may, the two leaders at the Centre and state level were executing their Constitutional responsibilities. There will be time enough for politics. Patnaik deserves credit for meeting the challenge of the most severe cyclone that has ever lashed his state and putting in place an efficient system so that the number of deaths was restricted to six. He also deserves plaudits for upholding the deferral structure. Naveens work and gesture are a reminder to Mamata that one doesnt need to be petty and irresponsible in executing ones duties as the chief minister and meeting the challenge posed by a rival political party. For an ambitious leader who sees for herself a national role, Mamata has let herself down through her antics. Referring to Malegaon blast, Fadnavis said: 'During the investigation, NIA found the entire case as fabricated and gave clean chit to her. Pragya's candidature is a reply to them who termed Hindus as terrorists for their own vote bank politics.' Indore: Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday said Pragya Singh Thakur's candidature was a reply to those who labelled Hindus as terrorists for their own vote bank politics. "There was a time when terrorism was at its peak. The minorities felt that they were the only ones being targeted. They had anger against then Congress and NCP government," said Fadnavis during a press conference. "The government should have either justified their action or fix the problem. The Congress and NCP government started 'Hindu terrorism' as a reply to this. They propagated the theory of Hindu terrorism. They released some people but arrested Pragya and some others to label Hindus as terrorists," he said. Referring to Malegaon blast, Fadnavis said: "During the investigation, NIA found the entire case as fabricated and gave clean chit to her. Pragya's candidature is a reply to them who termed Hindus as terrorists for their own vote bank politics." When asked whether he supports the remark made by BJP candidate Pragya Singh Thakur about Mumbai ATS chief Hemant Karkare, Fadnavis said that this kind of statement should not be made. "BJP considers Karkare ji as a martyr. He has given his life for the country. When Sadhvi ji gave a statement about him, BJP sidelined itself from her statement. Later, she also apologised for it. I have already said that this type of statement should not be made," he said. "Hemant Karkare ji never used the word Hindu terrorism. It is used by three people Digvijay Singh, Sushil Kumar Shinde, and Sharad Pawar," Fadnavis said. In April, Thakur had said that former Mumbai ATS chief Hemant Karkare lost his life because she had cursed him. Thakur is contesting parliamentary election against former MP chief minister and senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh from Bhopal. The chief minister termed the listing of JeM chief Azhar Masood as "a global terrorist" as a big win for India. "The entire world stood with us to declare Azhar Masood as a global terrorist. India won a big fight against terrorism," he said. "BJP is working with two objectives development and national security. The Congress and its allies have no answer to this. They have ruled for sixty years but could not deliver on the front of the development," said Fadnavis. In its mouthpiece Saamana, Shiv Sena said, 'Political and social intolerance is growing in India. But acts such as throwing ink or hurling shoes (at politicians) is not going to solve problems.' Mumbai: The Shiv Sena Monday condemned the latest attack on Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and said there should not be any lapse in his security. The BJP ally also said the Kejriwal-led AAP government has done some good work in the fields of education and health. Kejriwal was slapped by a man during a roadshow in Delhi last week. The CM was on an open jeep when the man wearing a red T-shirt jumped onto the vehicle and slapped him. In its mouthpiece Saamana, the Sena said, "Political and social intolerance is growing in India. But acts such as throwing ink or hurling shoes (at politicians) is not going to solve problems." It looks like the Aam Admi Party (AAP) leader has set a record of sorts in facing such assaults after becoming the chief minister of the city-state, the Marathi daily said. He has faced nearly a dozen such attacks, the Uddhav Thackeray-led party said. "Such acts of insulting senior politicians in the country should be stopped at once," said the saffron party. Kejriwal is not ready to accept the fact that New Delhi, being the national capital, has be put under Union Home Ministry as far as security matters are concerned, it said. The local government can not have its own security force, the Sena organ said. Kejriwal's government has done some good work in education and health, which has been lauded widely. But in the meantime, the AAP leader also started dreaming about becoming the prime minister and making false claims and allegations, the Sena said. "We do not agree with such acts. There should not be any lapse in Kejriwal's security," said the party. This was the second time bureaucrat-turned-politician has been slapped in a public rally. He had also been attacked with ink and spices earlier. In his election speech on Saturday, the prime minister had said that former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi may have been feted by his courtiers, but his life ended as Bhrashtachari No. 1. Those who might be wondering why Prime Minister Narendra Modi decided to resurrect the Bofors ghost at a rally on Saturday and followed it up on Monday by challenging the Congress to contest the last two phases of these protracted elections in former prime minister Rajiv Gandhis name, dont really have to look far to find the right answers. But before we get to that, a few words on propriety. In his election speech on Saturday, the prime minister had said that former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi may have been feted by his courtiers, but his life ended as Bhrashtachari No. 1. Quite apart from the fact that almost three decades after Rajiv Gandhis death this comment was both gratuitous and in extremely bad taste, there is the small matter of a judicial verdict to be factored in. In February 2004, the Delhi High Court had honourably acquitted Rajiv in the Bofors case. The presiding judge had said that 16 long years of investigation by the CBI could not unearth a scintilla of evidence against Rajiv and bureaucrat SK Bhatnagar. The National Democratic Alliance government of the day led by Atal Behari Vajpayee had not appealed the verdict. In November last year, the Central Bureau of Investigation had appealed against another Delhi High Court order passed in 2005 acquitting the Hinduja brothers. The Supreme Court had refused to entertain it because it had been filed 13 years after the high court had delivered its verdict. The Rajiv Gandhi verdict has not been appealed. One presumes that the prime minister is aware of the facts of the case. Weve just had yet another confirmation that trivial matters like facts the truth also does not get in Modis way when the craving for rhetoric overwhelms him. Yet, the question about timing remains: Why Rajiv Gandhi now? Bofors started out as a defence acquisition scam. Let us turn to another defence acquisition scam to figure out why Modi pulled this particular rabbit out of his hat on Saturday. We refer to the Rafale scam, of course. The prime minister and his government have been under the cosh for the past few months over the way they went about recasting the Rafale deal, with a series of media reports based on official documents showing in excruciating detail how the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government bent procedures, conventions and rules in pursuing the deal. Of special interest was the intervention of the Prime Ministers Office (PMO) to override concerns voiced by the defence ministry and the team that was negotiating the deal. In December last year, the Supreme Court had disposed of complaints against the deal and held that it was kosher. But in April this year, it dismissed the Centres objections and admitted review petitions in the light of the new revelations. On 10 April, it had refused to entertain the Centres plea that documents on which the reportage was based, which led to the review petitions, were obtained without authorisation and its invocation of the Official Secrets Act, citing the Right to Information Act and a 1971 US Supreme Court judgement. The bench had been quite categorical. In any case, since the documents that raised questions about the conduct of the PMO were already in the public domain, the petitions were admitted. Blow one against the BJP. Then, at a hearing on 30 April, after the protracted election process had already started grinding, the Centre had sought a four-week adjournment to file its affidavits countering the bunch of review petitions. The reason for seeking such a long adjournment was obvious: The BJP wanted to put the judicial process on hold until the elections were over because the proceedings were not exactly generating a lot of positive publicity. The Supreme Court declined to give them the desired breather and asked for the counter-affidavits in four days; factoring in enclosures that meant the Central government had till 6 May to file its papers. Actually, the government filed its affidavits on 4 May, exposing the fact that its plea for a four-week adjournment was a dilatory tactic. In its affidavits, the Centre made two submissions. First, it repeated the already discredited arguments centred on the Official Secrets Act, telling the court that if penal provisions for the publication of state secrets were waived the very existence of the state would be threatened. Translated into English, in this case at least, that seems to mean that the government should be free to do anything it wants, including possibly cutting corrupt deals, without being subjected to public scrutiny. The Modi government wasnt really on a strong wicket here. Second, it argued that the PMO was just monitoring the negotiations; that could not be construed as interference. Going by media reports of the court proceedings, the Centres submission seemed not to have met the concerns raised by the reportage and the petitions. On the one hand, for instance, the Centre argued that the media reports on which the petitions were based had published parts of files selectively and were, therefore, incomplete and off the mark. On the other hand, while arguing the case for secrecy, the Centre had said that the petitioners had asked for almost the entire Rafale file on the basis of the courts 10 April order. Again, the Modi government wasnt really murdering the bowling on a placid track. Small wonder that it was on the same day, 4 May, that the prime minister fired his volley at the late and exonerated prime minister at a rally in Uttar Pradesh. When in doubt, divert attention. Sensing that his government wasnt doing all that well on the Rafale front, all that Modi was trying to do was resurrect a thirty-year-old case, now for all practical purposes done and dusted, to divert unwelcome attention directed at his officethe PMOand, therefore, at him. In other words, Modi has dragged Rajiv Gandhi and Bofors into the electoral discourse at this point of time as misdirection. He knows that he can only gain from this move -- to whatever extent he succeeds with his diversionary tactic. He certainly cant lose, because its pretty unlikely that he will be sued for defamation. At worst, Congress can complain to the Election Commission, which, in fact, it has. Given its track record, its unlikely that the Election Commission is going to act against him. Even if it does, the elections will have gotten over by the time it raps him gently on the knuckles. Talk about heads I win Narendra Modi claimed that he had called Mamata Banerjee twice but his calls were not returned, after which he called the governor to ask about Cyclone Fani. Gopiballavpur: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee Monday said that she was unable to receive Prime Minister Narendra Modi's calls made to her office as she was then camping at Kharagpur to closely monitor the possible advent of Cyclone Fani in the state. Modi has claimed that he had called Banerjee twice on Saturday but his calls were not returned. He had called up West Bengal governor Keshari Nath Tripathi to inquire about the ground situation in the wake of the cyclone on Saturday, prompting TMC to accuse Modi of trying to bypass the chief minister and that he does not respect the country's federal structure. Mamata, addressing a rally at Gopiballavpur sub-division of Jhargram on Monday, said "I was in Kharagpur monitoring the cyclone but the prime minister's calls were made to my office (in Kolkata) so I could not respond to them." She said that Modi had called her for a meeting at Kalaikunda, where he landed for an election meeting after touring the cyclone battered Odisha. "Are we his servants that we have to go wherever he beckons? Now he will allege that I have not responded and have not shown cooperation." "My (poll) meeting at Jhargram today was fixed. Elections are on in West Bengal, while it is over in Odisha. Why should I share dais with an expiry prime minister during election time? Modi had raised the issue at a poll rally at Tamluk in East Midnapore district during the day. "She is so arrogant that she didn't speak to me .... Speed breaker Didi is more interested in doing politics," he said. Modi said he had wanted to speak to the state officials to take stock of the situation. "But she didn't allow that to happen. The people of Bengal are getting affected because of her politics. But I want to assure you all that the Central government stands with the people of Bengal." The Trinamool Congress supremo said Modi should get the "right lesson" in the ongoing Lok Sabha polls. "(Modi) Don't look at Bengal. You are going to lose for sure," she said. Continuing her attack against Modi, Mamata, who has been among his severest critics, said, "We don't want a government that tortures under Modi. We want peace not war ... First you (Modi) control Delhi. We will form the 'United India' government at the Centre and there will be an effort to build a new India." Referring to BJP's 'achhe din' slogan, she said "Have you all got Rs 15 lakh in your bank accounts as promised by Modi ? Go and tell Narendra Modi that he has been lying. Prices of petrol, gas, diesel and other commodities are all rising. Is this the 'aache din' Modi wanted ?" she asked. Mamata, keeping up her attack, said, "Earlier, Modi used to say that he was a chaiwala. Now he has become a chowkidar (security guard)?" She urged people to not get "misled" by the BJP. "They are dangerous". Turning to the secular fabric of the state, she said, "We want friendship between the Hindus and Muslims." Fourteen seats in Uttar Pradesh, 12 in Rajasthan, seven each in West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh, five in Bihar and four in Jharkhand went to the polls in Phase 5 of the Lok Sabha polls, in addition to Ladakh and Anantnag constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir. During the fifth phase of Lok Sabha polls conducted on Monday across seven states, an average turnout of over 62 percent was recorded. According to the Election Commission, over 57.33 percent of 2.47 crore eligible people cast their vote in 14 seats in Uttar Pradesh, where political heavyweights like the Congress' Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi and Union ministers Rajnath Singh and Smriti Irani were in the fray. In Rajasthan, 63.78 percent polling was recorded in 12 seats, while it was 63.88 percent in seven constituencies in Madhya Pradesh, 57.86 percent five seats in Bihar and 63.72 in four seats in Jharkhand that went to polls on Monday. The voter turnout was 74.42 percent in seven seats in West Bengal, where incidents of Trinamool Congress and BJP workers attacking each other, hurling of bombs, injury to a candidate due to lathicharge by central forces, manhandling of a contestant and beating up of a polling agent were reported in Bangaon (SC), Barrackpore, Hooghly and Howrah constituencies. In Jammu and Kashmir, 64 per cent polling was recorded in Ladakh but the turnout was barely three percent in militancy-infested Shopian and Pulwama districts in the final of the three-phase election to Anantnag constituency held amid militant threats and boycott call by separatists in Kashmir. Militants lobbed a grenade towards Rohmoo polling station and set off an explosion at another polling booth in Tral in Pulwama but no one was injured in the two incidents. With inputs from PTI Photo: BC Wildfire Service As we begin Emergency Preparedness Week, the province is reminding British Columbians to plan ahead as we enter wildfire season. The last two flood and fire seasons have wreaked havoc on the province and highlight the need and importance of being prepared. Emergency Preparedness Week, runs from May 5-11, and all British Columbians are encouraged to make a plan, compile a kit and build resiliency in their homes and communities. Read more Reuters Alphabet Inc's Google business on Tuesday announced new privacy controls for its services, including Incognito mode for Google Maps, and published new privacy commitments for its hardware, showing how increased public scrutiny is forcing greater transparency in Silicon Valley. The announcements were dotted throughout nearly two hours of product updates from the search giant at its annual Google I/O developers' conference. Google also launched its lowest priced smartphone yet, the Pixel 3a, and demonstrated upcoming capabilities for its virtual assistant, such as car rental and movie ticket bookings by voice commands. Google has been fending off some of the growing legislative and regulatory pushes in the United States and elsewhere to regulate data privacy and other issues core to its business model. Proposals being weighed by lawmakers would limit how Google, Facebook Inc and other internet companies track consumers and distribute information. With revenue growth slowing and costs largely growing, Alphabet has faced questions from investors about the threat of new rules and its ability to commercialize newer services such as the Google Assistant. Alphabet shares closed Tuesday down 1.2 percent to $1,178.86. They have fallen from an all-time high of $1,296.98 since the company reported quarterly sales last month that were $1 billion below expectations. Incognito mode, which is launching on Google Maps "soon" and Google search later this year, would block the company from storing user activity in those services, the company said. For home-based devices including smart speakers, thermostats and security alarms, Google on Tuesday published a new website with disclosures on how sensors such as microphones and cameras on those devices work. In addition, it committed to giving users the ability to review any sensor recordings and delete them. Instead of sending date to the cloud we want to get machine learning models to your phone using Federated Learning says Pichai. GBoard to use Federated Learning. #io19 pic.twitter.com/3C8kxv6KUK Tech2 (@tech2eets) May 7, 2019 Further, the company said it would not use "video footage, audio recordings, and home environment sensor readings" to personalize ads. Other privacy announcements included more granular control starting later this year over how mobile apps for Google's Android operating system access location data. "The central focus of the release is security and privacy," Stephanie Cuthbertson, director of product management for Android, said on stage. New Assistant Option The car booking capability, which Google demonstrated on National Car Rental's website, builds on the company's push over the last two years to integrate more artificial intelligence-fuelled features into its virtual helper, Google Assistant. It aims to free users from manually filling out forms on websites, Google Chief Executive Sundar Pichai told the several thousand conference attendees. It will be available later this year on Android phones in the United States and United Kingdom, Google said. In an update to search, Google introduced augmented reality technology that enables users to view three-dimensional renderings of some visual results through their smartphone cameras. Google said it was working with companies such as New Balance, Target Corp, Samsung and Volvo to make 3D models of their products available in mobile search. Google also brought Google Assistant to new products. Starting at $399, the Pixel 3a could help the company reverse flagging sales of more premium phones. It will be available in the US in T-Mobile and Sprint stores for the first time in addition to Verizon outlets. AT&T, the fourth major wireless carrier, has declined to stock it, people familiar with the matter said. Google said it would re-brand all of its "Home" hardware as "Nest," reflecting the thermostat maker it purchased in 2014. Nest Hub Max is @Google's latest smarthome product to control all your smart home products using a single dashboard on Nest Hub Max's 10-inch display. Video calling using Google Duo to be part of this product. Green indicator light shows camera is on. #io19 pic.twitter.com/Q9gIKVDJFc Tech2 (@tech2eets) May 7, 2019 The Google Nest Hub Max, a larger version of Google's smart speaker with a display, will arrive later this year, the company announced. Priced at $229, the Max will include a camera with facial recognition technology to activate the device without a voice command. That camera sensing feature will not send imagery to Google's servers once it is set up, Google said on its new privacy website. Read our complete coverage of Google I/O 2019: Google I/O 2019: All you need to know about the new features coming to Android Q Google I/O 2019: Live Caption lets you overlay text on any audio or video content Google's next-gen voice assistant is kinda epic, and it's coming to the Pixel 4 this year Pixel 3a vs Pixel 3a XL vs OnePlus 6T vs Honor View 20: 'Mid range' phones face budget flagships Google Pixel 3a XL review: A practical smartphone thats out to challenge OnePlus Google Pixel 3a and 3a XL announced at Rs 39,999 and Rs 44,999 respectively, 15 May availability Shubham Agarwal Being a Google user is nothing short of a convoluted dilemma. On one hand, its nearly unimaginable for you to quit its services. And on the other, you know every one of your digital moves are constantly watched. Google has also made its presence indispensable and with all those heaps of data, gotten so far ahead that there are no reliable alternatives to the majority of its apps. Simply cutting off access isnt an option for you either since one of the reasons Googles platforms are relatively more intelligent and capable is because of how much they know about you. Fortunately, what Google lacks in respecting users personal space, it tries to make up for it in transparency. Google offers a wide range of controls that let you keep tabs on what youre giving up. You have the ability to track the amount of data youre feeding Googles algorithms, delete the information you dont want in its servers, and pause the settings which you think are crossing the line. While you obviously cant pull the plug on every tracker, there are a few ways through which you can continue employing Googles services without yielding too much of your data. Learn Your Way Around the My Activity Dashboard Your gateway to taking control of your relationship with Google is the My Activity dashboard. Its where youll find each and every privacy setting you need and an exhaustive overview of what Google has collected from your devices so far. Here, Google clubs and dumps your activities from all of its services including YouTube, Search, Play Music, Android, and the rest. Googles My Activity dashboard can feel a bit overwhelming. Therefore, its imperative that you begin gradually and dive into the more advanced tools later. Review and Delete the Entries You Dont Want in Googles Hands Your first step should be to review the data Google has accumulated ever since you signed up for it. The dashboard lets you remove individual entries by simply tapping the three-dot menu beside them and clicking Delete. Plus, you've got the option to clear data from a specific time period, product, or topic. Theres a tab on the left pane called Delete Activity By through which you can erase content from a duration. To do the same based on a topic or product, you have to click the search bar. Doing so will reveal a comprehensive set of filters. Select the ones you want, enter the keyword, and hit search. For deleting all the results, press the three-dot menu present on the right of the search bar and click Delete Results. Soon, Google Will Auto-Delete Your Data For You Google, in the coming weeks, will also auto-delete your data for you. The My Activity page will be soon updated with a new auto-delete setting through which you wont have to manually go through it every few months. Once configured, your Google data will be automatically wiped in three or eighteen months. At the time of writing, though, the feature wasnt live yet. Choose What You Want Google to Monitor The most dramatic alteration you can perform in your Google account, however, lies in the Activity Controls page. The Web And App Activity matters the most and enables Google to cross-share your data between multiple services for a more contextually aware experience. Since products like the Google Assistant depend on these settings, disabling it will also prevent you from using the voice assistant. You can, though, safely uncheck the box that says Include Chrome history and activity from sites, apps and devices that use Google services. This will essentially block Google from leveraging your browsing habits and the data it collects from third-party apps where youve turned on Chrome Sync. This wont severely affect your experience with Google apps and let you continue interacting with Google Assistant as well. Another setting you should consider switching off is Location History. This bans Google from actively monitoring your location (even when you have the location setting on an Android phone turned off). Although if you go ahead with this, youll lose personalized recommendations for places. I personally, however, havent found that to be a significant downside. In addition, on Android devices, Google records your app usage. So it stores data such as which app youve launched when, how many times, and for how long to stitch behavioral patterns and bring appropriate updates for the operating system. Thankfully, you can turn this off with the Device Information option. Similarly, Google offers switches for you to control how your data is extracted from the rest of its services. For instance, you can decide whether youd like Google to hold a permanent copy of your voice interactions with the Google Assistant. You can pause your YouTube watch history, search keywords, and more. Android Q: A Step in the Right Direction Apart from these controls, Google has been actively working towards building a more safer Android. Over the years, Android has invariably fallen prey to more breaches and malware compared to its rivals. Even during the Facebook debacle, Googles frail security measures allowed the social network to easily extract its Android users phonebook data -- a controversy Apples iOS was able to stay away from. With the Android Q update, Google is adding a couple of privacy tools. One of them lets you know whenever any of your phones key components like the location is being accessed. On top of that, Android Q lets you grant conditional permissions which are revoked as soon as you leave the app. Does It Matter, Though? The age-old question of whether these changes will matter all that much, however, remains. Android still has a single-digit market share and except for a handful of phones, the majority of Android users will continue to use an outdated version for years. Googles annual developer conference for 2019 is just a day away now. Last year, the company introduced a series of updates to Androids agreement and infrastructure. Especially with Project Treble, Google was able to offer an early preview of Android Pie on phones other than its own Pixel lineup. Hopefully, it will soon announce more stringent policies for software updates and rope in other, leading manufacturers such as Samsung for Project Treble as well. The bigger concern, however, is Googles quest to aggressively follow you around the internet. Even with these precautions, theres a chance Google might still be tracking you if history is any indication. Last year, the company was caught collecting location data irrespective of whether the user had the Location History is switched off or on. Therefore, its safe to assume your privacy will always hang in the balance as long as youre a Google customer. All you can do today is understand how your personal data is being abused and whats the best way for you to minimise it. The author is a freelance technology journalist from Ahmedabad. He tweets from @phonesoldier Reuters Samsung Electronics said on Tuesday it cannot confirm the shipping date for its foldable device Galaxy Fold yet and apologized to its pre-order customers in the United States for the delay. The worlds top smartphone maker delayed global sales of the splashy $1,980 foldable phone after reviewers discovered problems with its display, dealing a setback to Samsung and its efforts to showcase its innovation. If we do not hear from you and we have not shipped by 31 May, your order will be cancelled automatically, the South Korean tech giants US subsidiary told Galaxy Fold pre-order customers in an email late on Monday, which was confirmed by a Samsung spokeswoman. As per US regulations, Samsung was required to notify customers that the pre-orders would be cancelled in the event the product had not been shipped by 31 May, it said in a separate statement to Reuters. Though the issue does not hurt Samsungs balance sheet, the postponement damages the firms efforts to portray itself as an innovative first-mover, analysts have said. Samsung has said it plans to make at least 1 million Fold handsets in the first year, versus the total 300 million phones it produces annually on average. It closed Galaxy Fold pre-orders earlier due to what it said was high demand. tech2 News Staff After the entire TikTok saga unfolded in India where the Madras High Court tried to put a blanket ban on the app with concerns related to sexual predators on the app. In a similar situation, the US FTC has said that the Apple App Store and Google Play Store have removed three dating apps which allowed children as young as 13 years to sign up. As per CNBC, the three apps, Meet24, FastMeet, and Meet4U, all of which were operated Ukrainian company named Wildec LLC violated the Childrens Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). The FTC released a report which said that all these apps collected the users' birthdate, email address, photographs and location data. The FTC report also said that several people attempted to contact children via the app and Wildec had knowledge of this. These individuals are currently facing prosecution. On 1 May the FTC wrote a list of demands for Wildec which included immediately removing personal information from children on your service, seeking parental consent before allowing minors to access your products, and eliminating any feature that allows users to specifically search for other users who are minors. The Associated Press People are putting nature in more trouble now than at any other time in human history, with extinction looming over 1 million species of plants and animals, scientists said Monday. But its not too late to fix the problem, according to the United Nations first comprehensive report on biodiversity. We have reconfigured dramatically life on the planet, report co-chairman Eduardo Brondizio of Indiana University said at a press conference. Species loss is accelerating to a rate tens or hundreds of times faster than in the past, the report said. More than half a million species on land have insufficient habitat for long-term survival and are likely to go extinct, many within decades, unless their habitats are restored. The oceans are not any better off. Humanity unwittingly is attempting to throttle the living planet and humanitys own future, said George Mason University biologist Thomas Lovejoy, who has been called the godfather of biodiversity for his research. He was not part of the report. The biological diversity of this planet has been really hammered, and this is really our last chance to address all of that, Lovejoy said. Conservation scientists convened in Paris to issue the report, which exceeded 1,000 pages. The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) included more than 450 researchers who used 15,000 scientific and government reports. The reports summary had to be approved by representatives of all 109 nations. Some nations hit harder by the losses, like small island countries, wanted more in the report. Others, such as the United States, were cautious in the language they sought, but they agreed were in trouble, said Rebecca Shaw, chief scientist for the World Wildlife Fund, who observed the final negotiations. This is the strongest call weve seen for reversing the trends on the loss of nature, Shaw said. The findings are not just about saving plants and animals, but about preserving a world thats becoming harder for humans to live in, said Robert Watson, a former top NASA and British scientist who headed the report. We are indeed threatening the potential food security, water security, human health and social fabric of humanity, Watson told The Associated Press. Its also an economic and security issue as countries fight over scarcer resources. Watson said the poor in less developed countries bear the greatest burden. The reports 39-page summary highlighted five ways people are reducing biodiversity: Turning forests, grasslands and other areas into farms, cities and other developments. The habitat loss leaves plants and animals homeless. About three-quarters of Earths land, two-thirds of its oceans and 85 percent of crucial wetlands have been severely altered or lost, making it harder for species to survive, the report said. Overfishing the worlds oceans. A third of the worlds fish stocks are overfished. Permitting climate change from the burning of fossil fuels to make it too hot, wet or dry for some species to survive. Almost half of the worlds land mammals not including bats and nearly a quarter of the birds have already had their habitats hit hard by global warming. Polluting land and water. Every year, 300 to 400 million tons of heavy metals, solvents and toxic sludge are dumped into the worlds waters. Allowing invasive species to crowd out native plants and animals. The number of invasive alien species per country has risen 70 percent since 1970, with one species of bacteria threatening nearly 400 amphibian species. The key to remember is, its not a terminal diagnosis, said report co-author Andrew Purvis of the Natural History Museum in London. Fighting climate change and saving species are equally important, the report said, and working on both environmental problems should go hand in hand. Both problems exacerbate each other because a warmer world means fewer species, and a less biodiverse world means fewer trees and plants to remove heat-trapping carbon dioxide from the air, Lovejoy said. The worlds coral reefs are a perfect example of where climate change and species loss intersect. If the world warms another 0.9 degrees (0.5 degrees Celsius), which other reports say is likely, coral reefs will probably dwindle by 70 percent to 90 percent, the report said. At 1.8 degrees (1 degree Celsius), the report said, 99 percent of the worlds coral will be in trouble. Business, as usual, is a disaster, Watson said. At least 680 species with backbones have already gone extinct since 1600. The report said 559 domesticated breeds of mammals used for food have disappeared. More than 40 percent of the worlds amphibian species, more than one-third of the marine mammals and nearly one-third of sharks and fish are threatened with extinction. The report relies heavily on research by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, or IUCN, which is composed of biologists who maintain a list of threatened species. The IUCN calculated in March that 27,159 species are threatened, endangered or extinct in the wild out of nearly 100,000 species biologists examined in depth. That includes 1,223 mammal species, 1,492 bird species and 2,341 fish species. Nearly half the threatened species are plants. Scientists have only examined a small fraction of the estimated 8 million species on Earth. The report comes up with 1 million species in trouble by extrapolating the IUCNs 25 percent threatened rate to the rest of the worlds species and using a lower rate for the estimated 5.5 million species of insects, Watson said. Outside scientists, such as Lovejoy and others, said thats a reasonable assessment. The report gives only a generic within decades time frame for species loss because it is dependent on many variables, including taking the problem seriously, which can reduce the severity of the projections, Watson said. Were in the middle of the sixth great extinction crisis, but its happening in slow motion, said Conservation International and University of California Santa Barbara ecologist Lee Hannah, who was not part of the report. Five times in the past, Earth has undergone mass extinctions where much of life on Earth blinked out, like the one that killed the dinosaurs. Watson said the report was careful not to call whats going on now as a sixth big die-off because current levels dont come close to the 75 percent level in past mass extinctions. The report goes beyond species. Of the 18 measured ways nature helps humans, the report said 14 are declining, with food and energy production noticeable exceptions. The report found downward trends in natures ability to provide clean air and water, good soil and other essentials. Habitat loss is one of the biggest threats, and its happening worldwide, Watson said. The report projects 15.5 million miles (25 million kilometers) of new roads will be paved over nature between now and 2050, most in the developing world. Many of the worst effects can be prevented by changing the way we grow food, produce energy, deal with climate change and dispose of waste, the report said. That involves concerted action by governments, companies and people. Individuals can help with simple changes to the way they eat and use energy, said the co-chairman of the report, ecological scientist Josef Settele of the Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research in Germany. That doesnt mean becoming a vegetarian or vegan, but balancing meat, vegetables and fruit, and walking and biking more, Watson said. We can actually feed all the coming billions of people without destroying another inch of nature, Lovejoy said. Much of that can be done by eliminating food waste and being more efficient, he said. The Conversation Youd think it would be a simple piece of biological accounting how many distinct species make up life on Earth? But the answer may come as a bit of a shock. We simply dont know. We know more accurately the number of books in the US Library of Congress than we know even the order or magnitude millions and billions and so on of species living on our planet, wrote the Australian-born ecologist Robert May. Current estimates for the number of species on Earth range between 5.3 million and 1 trillion. Thats a massive degree of uncertainty. Its like getting a bank statement that says you have between $5.30 and $1 million in your account. So why dont we know the answer to this fundamental question? Its hard to count life Part of the problem is that we cannot simply count the number of life forms. Many live in inaccessible habitats (such as the deep sea), are too small to see, are hard to find, or live inside other living things. In the early 1980s, the American entomologist Terry Erwin famously estimated the number of species on Earth by spraying pesticides into the canopy of tropical rainforest trees in Panama. At least 1,200 species of beetle fell to the ground, of which 163 lived only on a single tree species. Assuming that each tree species had a similar number of beetles, and given that beetles make up about 40 percent of insects (the largest animal group), Erwin arrived at a controversial estimate of 30 million species on Earth. Many scientists believe the 30 million number is far too high. Later estimates arrived at figures under 10 million. In 2011, scientists used a technique based on patterns in the number of species at each level of biological classification to arrive at a much lower prediction of about 8.7 million species. All creatures great and very, very small But most estimates of global biodiversity overlook microorganisms such as bacteria because many of these organisms can only be identified to species level by sequencing their DNA. As a result the true diversity of microorganisms may have been underestimated. After compiling and analysing a database of DNA sequences from 5 million microbe species from 35,000 sites around the world, researchers concluded that there are a staggering 1 trillion species on Earth. Thats more species than the estimated number of stars in the Milky Way galaxy. But, like previous estimates, this one relies on patterns in biodiversity, and not everyone agrees these should be applied to microorganisms. Its not just the microorganisms that have been overlooked in estimates of global biodiversity. Weve also ignored the many life forms that live inside other life forms. Most and possibly all insect species are the victim of at least one or more species of parasitic wasp. These lay their eggs in or on a host species (think of the movie Aliens, if the aliens had wings). Researchers suggest that the insect group containing wasps may be the largest group of animals on the planet. What do we mean by species? A more fundamental problem with counting species comes down to a somewhat philosophical issue: biologists do not agree on what the term species actually means. The well-known biological species concept states that two organisms belong to the same species if they can interbreed and produce fertile offspring. But since this concept relies on mating, it cannot be used to define species of asexual organisms such as many microorganisms as well as some reptiles, birds and fish. It also ignores the fact that many living things we consider separate species can and do interbreed. For example, dogs, coyotes and wolves readily interbreed, yet are usually considered to be separate species. Other popular species definitions rely on how similar individuals are to one another (if it looks like a duck, it is a duck), their shared evolutionary history, or their shared ecological requirements. Yet none of these definitions are entirely satisfactory, and none work for all life forms. There are at least 50 different definitions of a species to choose from. Whether or not a scientist chooses to designate a newly found life form as a new species or not can come down to their philosophical stance about the nature of a species. The cost of species loss Our ignorance about the true biodiversity on our planet has real consequence. Each species is a potential treasure trove of solutions to problems including cures for disease, inspirations for new technologies, sources of new materials and providers of key ecosystem services. Yet we are living in an age of mass extinction with reports of catastrophic insect declines, wide-scale depopulation of our oceans and the loss of more than 50 percent of wildlife within the span of a single human life. Our current rate of biodiversity loss means we are almost certainly losing species faster than we are naming them. We are effectively burning a library without knowing the names or the contents of the books we are losing. So while our estimate of the number of species on the planet remains frustratingly imprecise, the one thing we do know is that we have probably named and described only a tiny percentage of living things. New species are turning up all the time, at a rate of roughly 18,000 species each year. For example, researchers in Los Angeles found 30 new species of scuttle fly living in urban parks, while researchers also in the US discovered more than 1,400 new species of bacteria living in the belly buttons of university students. Even if we take the more conservative estimate of 8.7 million species of life on Earth, then we have only described and named about 25 percent of life forms on the planet. If the 1 trillion figure is correct, then we have done an abysmally poor job, with 99.99 percent of species still awaiting description. Its clear our planet is absolutely teeming with life, even if we cannot yet put a number to the multitudes. The question now is how much of that awe-inspiring diversity we choose to save. Tanya Latty, Senior Lecturer, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney and Timothy Lee, Associate Lecturer in Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Agence France-Presse After wrecking the French Riviera in 2013, destroying Dhaka in 2015 and sparing Tokyo in 2017, an international team of scientists and disaster response experts took to New York to gauge how well prepared the city is to deal with a killer asteroid heading their way. Experts from the liked of NASAs Planetary Defense Coordination Office, ESAs Space Situational Awareness group, and the International Asteroid Warning Network huddled up at the 2019 Planetary Defense Conference in the final week of April for an asteroid-attack simulation. The purpose behind this bizarrely necessary exercise was to test humanity's readiness to face the catastrophic threat of a killer asteroid. By the simulation's end on Friday, New York was in ruins (figuratively speaking). Have you been following this year's #FictionalEvent at the #PlanetaryDefense Conference in Washington DC? A 60-m fragment of (hypothetical) asteroid #2019PDC is headed straight for New York, and evacuations are under way. Now: Discussions, recommendations and lessons learnt pic.twitter.com/ja6Lomf3zN ESA Operations (@esaoperations) May 3, 2019 The exercise has become a biennial event in the global "planetary defense" community. This week, as part of the #PlanetaryDefense conference, @NASA and other agencies are participating in a hypothetical asteroid risk exercise. This is an #ExerciseOnly. Information about the simulated asteroid "threat" is at https://t.co/DJmDzv2tB9. Asteroid Watch (@AsteroidWatch) April 30, 2019 If you have time this weekend, you'll find all recorded sessions from this week's #PlanetaryDefense conference at https://t.co/ViLV6LznyP. This includes sessions on current research as well as the daily "injects" for the hypothetical exercise that was practiced. #bingewatch Asteroid Watch (@AsteroidWatch) May 3, 2019 The drill played out over multiple days, but the real simulation was over eight years which is, on average, the amount of time we might get in warning as a killer asteroid comes flying the way of Earth in real life. But even eight simulated years of preparation weren't enough for scientists and engineers to deflect the killer asteroid successfully. Its 2028, and ESA has been carefully monitoring a worrying situation: an enormous asteroid is en route to strike Earth, although the exact point of impact is not yet clear... To find out what happens next in this #FICTIONALEVENT, follow @esaoperations #PlanetaryDefense pic.twitter.com/K6OxzOOr4R ESA (@esa) April 29, 2019 The simulation was in the form of a game, designed by a NASA aerospace engineer. The killer asteroid was roughly 100 to 300 meters in diameter and had a one percent chance of hitting Earth on 29 April 2027 as per rough calculations. Every morning, some 200 scientists that participated in the exercise were fed with updates as the fictional asteroid zipped towards New York. As fictional months went by in the simulation, the likelihood of impact rose from 1 to to 10 percent, and eventually to 100 percent. In the simulation, NASA sent a probe in 2021 to examine the threat up close. Astronomers confirmed by December the same year that the asteroid was headed straight for Denver almost certainly destroying it in the process. The world's space powers United States, Europe, Russia, China and Japan joined forces to build six "kinetic impactors" probes that would strike the asteroid to deflect it from its Denver-bound trajectory. #FictionalEvent ...to finalize the evacuation of residents & critical infrastructure, define a Temporary Flight Restriction zone, coordinate pre-impact access to the area by scientists placing sensors to monitor the impact, prepare for any casualties & recovery#PlanetaryDefense pic.twitter.com/yqHKlsyL3q ESA Operations (@esaoperations) May 3, 2019 After three years of building and waiting for a good launch window, three impactors hit the asteroid successfully. The bulk of the asteroid was diverted away, but smaller fragments that broke off still continues on its deadly path, heading for a different part of the US. Once the impactors tried and failed to bring the threat down to a minimum, there was nothing left to do but brace for impact. New infographic! A risky asteroid is detected what on Earth happens next?Download here: https://t.co/dx6uKAIS5B #PlanetaryDefense pic.twitter.com/e6N0RHrXpR ESA Operations (@esaoperations) April 30, 2019 The energy of simulated asteroid impact was roughly 1,000 times the nuclear bomb dropped on Hiroshima. It destroyed everything in a 15-kilometer-"unsurvivable"-radius, according to the scientists present. Windows that were as far as 45 kilometers away were shattered and other damages stretching as far as 68 kilometers from the epicenter, according to an AFP report. Perhaps better strategies and some hope for our survival could come out of the next Planetary Defense Conference, scheduled to take place in Vienna in 2021. The Conversation On Wednesday night a bipartisan UK Parliament passed an extraordinary measure: a national declaration of an Environment and Climate Emergency. The UK is the first national government to declare such an emergency. The decision marks a renewed sense of urgency in tackling climate change, following a visit to Parliament by teenage activist Greta Thunberg , the broadcast of David Attenboroughs documentary Climate Change: The Facts and 11 days of protest by environmental group Extinction Rebellion that paralysed parts of London. There are now some 49 million people living under national, city and local declarations of a climate emergency around the world. What is a climate emergency? While there is no precise definition of what constitutes action to meet such an emergency, the move has been likened to putting the country on a war footing, with climate and the environment at the very centre of all government policy, rather than being on the fringe of political decisions. The UK are legally committed to a 80% reduction in carbon emissions by 2050 (relative to their 1990 levels) and was recently recognised as one of just 18 developed economies that have driven down carbon dioxide emissions over the last decade. Some city and local councils have set out their climate emergency policies to become carbon zero by 2030 built around renewable energy supplies, more energy-efficient housing and a host of other measures. Yesterdays decision in Parliament implies further national reductions and investment in this space. Counting down to 2030 The year 2030 is an important target. In spite of what climate contrarians might voice very loudly, five of our planets warmest years on record have occurred since 2010, whilst 2018 experienced all manner of climate extremes that broke numerous global records. Its sobering to realise that, because the oceans are a major sink of heat, the estimated 40-year delay in the release of this energy back into the atmosphere means the conditions of the last decade are in part a consequence of our pollution from the 1970s. With the planet to experience further warming from the heat held by the oceans, there is increasing international focus on meeting the United Nations Paris Agreement which was signed by 197 countries in 2016. This ground-breaking agreement has the ambitious global aim of preventing global temperatures from reaching 2C above pre-industrial levels (the late nineteenth century) by 2100, and ideally should be no more than 1.5C. A report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (the IPCC) has suggested that meeting this target means annual global carbon emissions must effectively halve between now and 2030, and then fall to zero by 2050. This is a target the UK opposition party Labour are now calling for. More recent studies suggest even more ambitious cuts may be required. The cost of inaction Research in Australia has investigated the cost to the global economy if the Paris Agreement is not met and the world hits 4C warmer. The values are eye-watering: an estimated US$23 trillion a year over the long-term. This has been likened to the world experiencing four to six global financial crises on the scale of 2008 every year. In Australia, the cost would be on the order of A$159 billion a year, with most of the losses caused by drought-driven collapses in agricultural productivity and sea level rise. The expense to each Australian household has been put at the order of A$14,000. The declaration of climate emergency by the UK comes at a crucial time in Australia, just two weeks out from a federal election. While the major parties have made public statements of support for the Paris Agreement, it remains unclear whether current and former leaders are fully aware of their obligations. At a time when politicians discuss the need to live within our means when it comes to national finances, this does not appear to translate to the environment when were considering future generations. Instead we seem to be caught in a debate surrounding the costs of action rather than inaction. The next generation of Australian voters certainly dont seem confident about political commitments to their future as they hold their third national school strike tomorrow. The welcome announcement from the UK is a major step in the right direction and potentially a watershed moment for a more sustainable global future. Is it too much to hope Australia could follow next? Chris Turney, Professor of Earth Science and Climate Change, ARC Centre of Excellence for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage, UNSW This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. By Elizabeth Dilts and Rozanna Latiff (Reuters) - Former Goldman Sachs Group Inc banker Roger Ng pleaded not guilty to criminal charges linked to a multibillion-dollar scandal at the Malaysian state investment fund 1MDB in an appearance at federal court in New York on Monday. The U.S. By Elizabeth Dilts and Rozanna Latiff (Reuters) - Former Goldman Sachs Group Inc banker Roger Ng pleaded not guilty to criminal charges linked to a multibillion-dollar scandal at the Malaysian state investment fund 1MDB in an appearance at federal court in New York on Monday. The U.S. Department of Justice accused 46-year-old Ng last year of conspiring to launder money and bribe government officials in Malaysia and Abu Dhabi through bond offerings that Goldman Sachs handled. He was extradited on May 3 to New York from Kuala Lumpur, where he had been jailed since November. U.S. Magistrate Judge Peggy Kuo, of U.S. District Court in Brooklyn, New York, allowed Ng, a Philippines citizen, to be released in exchange for a $20 million bond. He was fitted for an ankle bracelet, and will be staying at an undisclosed location in the New York City area that the court approved. His lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, said he convinced Ng to "come to the U.S. and face the music" because it was evident that prosecutors were not going to drop the case, and his client had become very ill. Ng appears to have lost weight, based on photos of him before his arrest. "He was in a very difficult situation," Agnifilo told reporters. Being detained in New York "is better than a Malaysian jail," he added. Ng, who left Goldman Sachs in 2014, faces up to 30 years in prison if he is convicted of the three charges against him in the United States, based on alleged violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Prosecutors and Ng's lawyer are trying to negotiate a plea bargain. Government lawyers said they hope to avoid a trial by reaching a deal, though Agnifilo said it was too early to tell. Malaysia's home minister wanted Ng to face criminal charges there first, but agreed to temporarily surrender him to the United States for 10 months, Malaysia's attorney general, Tommy Thomas, said in a statement. "The period of temporary surrender may be extended upon mutual agreement by Malaysia and the U.S.," Thomas added. The 1MDB case has shaken Goldman Sachs, which is also being probed by the Justice Department for its role as underwriter and arranger for some $6.5 billion worth of 1MDB bond offerings. Prosecutors estimate that high-level 1MDB fund officials and their associates misappropriated $4.5 billion between 2009 and 2014, including some of the funds that Goldman Sachs helped raise. Goldman Sachs has consistently denied wrongdoing and said certain members of the former Malaysian government and 1MDB lied to it about how the bond proceeds would be used. Ng was charged in Kuala Lumpur with four counts of abetting the bank to provide misleading statements in the offering prospectus for 1MDB bond sales. Tim Leissner, another former Goldman Sachs banker, and Malaysian financier Low Taek Jho have also been charged in the United States over 1MDB. Leissner has pleaded guilty. In a statement, Low's spokesman Paul Caminiti criticized the Malaysian government for "inhumane prison conditions" and called its motivation with the United States politically motivated. Low, whose whereabouts are unknown, has consistently denied wrongdoing through spokesmen. Malaysia has said it was seeking up to $7.5 billion in reparations from Goldman over its dealings with 1MDB, set up in 2009 by then-Prime Minister Najib Razak. Najib, who lost a general election last year, is facing 42 criminal charges related to losses at 1MDB and other state entities. He has pleaded not guilty. (Reporting by Elizabeth Dilts in Brooklyn, New York, and Rozanna Latiff in Kuala Lumpur; writing by Lauren Tara LaCapra; editing by Phil Berlowitz and Leslie Adler) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. By Gergely Szakacs and Andreas Rinke BUDAPEST/BERLIN (Reuters) - The leader of Germany's conservatives said she expected Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's Fidesz party would quit Europe's main centre-right group after he withdrew support for the bloc's candidate to head the European Commission. Orban, who has long flirted with far-right leaders from across the continent while professing loyalty to the centre-right European People's Party (EPP), said he could no longer support Manfred Weber after he 'insulted' Hungarians. On Monday evening, Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, leader of Chancellor Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats, signalled that the anti-immigrant, hard-right Orban had crossed a river. By Gergely Szakacs and Andreas Rinke BUDAPEST/BERLIN (Reuters) - The leader of Germany's conservatives said she expected Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's Fidesz party would quit Europe's main centre-right group after he withdrew support for the bloc's candidate to head the European Commission. Orban, who has long flirted with far-right leaders from across the continent while professing loyalty to the centre-right European People's Party (EPP), said he could no longer support Manfred Weber after he "insulted" Hungarians. On Monday evening, Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, leader of Chancellor Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats, signalled that the anti-immigrant, hard-right Orban had crossed a river. "With his behaviour in the last few days and the meeting with (Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini), he has given a clear sign that he will leave," she told Reuters. The EPP had tried to build a bridge to Orban, she added, but he had chosen another route. Losing Fidesz, whose grip on Hungarian politics means it delivers a large bloc of legislators to the European Parliament, would weaken the EPP after May's European Parliament election, potentially costing the bloc its say over who succeeds Jean-Claude Juncker as president of the EU's Executive Commission. In March, Weber, a fellow German conservative, brokered a compromise under which Fidesz was suspended but not expelled from the EPP over concerns that it had violated EU principles on the rule of law. Orban did not say who he would back instead of Weber, but many analysts saw in the Salvini meeting a sign that the two anti-immigration populists wanted to set up a far-right group together in the European Parliament. Orban gave as his reason for dropping Weber a month-old interview that had been extensively reported in government-friendly Hungarian media at the time, making it plausible that Salvini's visit last week was the real trigger. In the March 29 interview, Weber said he would not accept office as commission head if he needed the votes of Orban's Fidesz party to do so, telling German ZDF television he wanted votes from across the spectrum to advance a centrist agenda. INSULTING OR OUTSTANDING? Orban cast Weber's remarks, described by a Hungarian junior minister as an "insult to Hungarian voters" and widely reported in Hungarian media the day they were made, as an insult to the Hungarian people as a whole. "Weber has said he does not want to be commission president with the votes of the Hungarians," Orban said, adding that this meant he could no longer support Weber - even though he was still describing Weber as an "outstanding" candidate five days after the original interview. Orban, who has cast the impending election as a choice between pro- and anti-immigration in Europe, has urged mainstream conservatives to forge an alliance with populist, nationalist groups after the vote. The EPP has 217 lawmakers in the 750-strong EU legislature, 12 of them from Fidesz. Polls suggest it will lose seats but remain the biggest group. Far-right, populist parties are expected to perform well. "Loyalty is an important political category," Orban said. "We would like to stick with the community where we have lived and worked so far. Unless this community tells us that our presence is no longer required." (Writing by Thomas Escritt; editing by Jonathan Oatis) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Photo: The Canadian Press A Westjet Boeing 737-700 taxis to a gate after arriving at Vancouver International Airport in Richmond, B.C. WestJet Airlines Ltd. topped expectations as it reported its first-quarter profit climbed more than 30 per cent compared with a year ago. The airline says it earned $45.6 million or 40 cents per diluted share for the quarter ended March 31 compared with a profit of $34.2 million or 30 cents per diluted share a year ago. Revenue totalled $1.26 billion, up from $1.19 billion in the same quarter last year. Analysts on average had expected a profit of 30 cents per share and revenue of $1.28 billion, according to Thomson Reuters Eikon. The increased profit came as WestJet saw both its capacity, measured by available seat miles, and its traffic, measured by revenue passenger miles, climb by 5.3 per cent compared with a year ago. WestJet's load factor, a measure of how full its aircraft were, held steady at 84.8 per cent in the quarter. But Trump also has an incentive to reach a deal. The trade war is creating uncertainty for businesses trying to decide where to buy supplies, locate factories and make investments. And it's been weighing on a strong US stock market, which the president likes to tout as evidence that his economic policies are working. Beijing: By threatening to raise taxes on Chinese imports, President Donald Trump is throwing down a challenge to Beijing: Agree to sweeping changes in China's government-dominated economic model or suffer the consequences. The unexpected ultimatum, delivered via tweets on Sunday and Monday, shook up financial markets that had expected the world's two biggest economies to resolve a yearlong standoff over trade, perhaps by the end of the week. The United States has been losing, for many years, 600 to 800 Billion Dollars a year on Trade. With China we lose 500 Billion Dollars. Sorry, were not going to be doing that anymore! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 6, 2019 "It's a significant change in the president's tone," said Timothy Keeler, a partner at the law firm Mayer Brown and former chief of staff for the US Trade Representative. "It certainly increases the possibility that you'll have no deal." For weeks, Trump administration officials had been suggesting that the US and Chinese negotiators were making steady progress. A Chinese delegation is due to resume talks Wednesday in Washington. Suddenly on Sunday, Trump said he had lost patience: For 10 months, China has been paying Tariffs to the USA of 25% on 50 Billion Dollars of High Tech, and 10% on 200 Billion Dollars of other goods. These payments are partially responsible for our great economic results. The 10% will go up to 25% on Friday. 325 Billions Dollars.... Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 5, 2019 ....of additional goods sent to us by China remain untaxed, but will be shortly, at a rate of 25%. The Tariffs paid to the USA have had little impact on product cost, mostly borne by China. The Trade Deal with China continues, but too slowly, as they attempt to renegotiate. No! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 5, 2019 The president vowed to raise tariffs on $200 billion in Chinese imports from 10 percent to 25 percent on Friday. And he said he planned "shortly" to slap 25 percent tariffs on another $325 billion in Chinese products, covering everything China ships to the United States. Michael Pillsbury, director of the Hudson Institute's Center on Chinese Strategy and an adviser to the Trump White House, said the president's tweets suggest frustration that Chinese leaders "are trying to take back concessions they already made." The two countries are engaged in high-stakes commercial combat over China's aggressive push to establish Chinese companies as world leaders in cutting-edge fields such as robotics and electric vehicles. The United States accuses Beijing of predatory practices, including hacking into US companies' computers to steal trade secrets, forcing foreign firms to hand over technology in exchange for access to the Chinese market and unfairly subsidising Chinese firms at the expense of foreign competitors. The Trump administration has imposed 10 percent tariffs on $200 billion in Chinese imports and 25 percent tariffs on another $ 50 billion. The Chinese have retaliated by targeting $110 billion in US imports. Global stock markets sank Monday on Trump's tweetstorm. But shares in the United States regained some of the lost ground on news that Chinese officials were planning to go ahead with this week's meetings in Washington. Still, the Chinese government did not provide details on exactly when talks would resume and who would be on China's negotiating team. The lack of details suggested that Beijing is wrestling with an internal conflict: It is eager to end a trade fight that has battered Chinese exporters, but it doesn't want to look like it's bowing to the Trump administration's demands for far-reaching concessions. Trump's threat makes going ahead with talks "very difficult politically" for President Xi Jinping's government, said Jake Parker, vice president of the US-China Business Council. He said the Chinese public might "view this as a capitulation" if Beijing reached an agreement before Trump's Friday deadline. The conflict is testing how far Beijing is willing to go in changing a state-led economic model it sees as the path to prosperity and global influence and how much power Washington will have to enforce any agreement. Beijing is willing to change industrial plans that provoke foreign opposition but wants to preserve the ruling Communist Party's dominant role in directing economic development, said Willy Lam, a politics specialist at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Chinese officials have said they are willing to let foreign companies participate in plans that call for government-led creation of global competitors in robotics and other technologies. But they have yet to release details, and it is unclear whether the concessions will satisfy Trump. Xi is "adamant about party-state control over major sectors of the economy," Lam said. "If they give this up, then China in effect ceases to be a socialist country." Beijing agreed early on to narrow its trade surplus with the United States a staggering $379 billion last year by purchasing more American soybeans, natural gas and other exports. At the same time, Xi's government has announced a steady drumbeat of promises to open markets in businesses that include auto manufacturing and banking. But none of the moves directly addresses American complaints. The negotiators are also looking for a way to hold Beijing to any commitments it makes. The Trump administration wants to keep tariffs on Chinese imports to maintain leverage over Beijing. "Trump wants a certain amount of tariffs to remain in place just in case the Chinese don't honour their promises," Lam said. The Chinese are also skittish about allowing Washington to dictate changes to industrial policy and subsidies, said Raoul Leering, a trade specialist for Dutch bank ING. They see that as "having another country decide your economic policy." Trump also seems to be calculating that Xi needs a deal more than he does. The Chinese economy is decelerating. "Trump believes he can bully the Chinese," Lam said. "Trump realises the Chinese economy is facing a rough patch, and Xi Jinping is under pressure from his own people." But Trump also has an incentive to reach a deal. The trade war is creating uncertainty for businesses trying to decide where to buy supplies, locate factories and make investments. And it's been weighing on a strong US stock market, which the president likes to tout as evidence that his economic policies are working. At least 10 Chinese nationals, including a woman, have been arrested in Pakistan for allegedly luring young Pakistani girls into fake marriages then forcing them into prostitution in China Lahore: At least 10 Chinese nationals, including a woman, have been arrested in Pakistan for allegedly luring young Pakistani girls into fake marriages then forcing them into prostitution in China, the country's premier probe agency has said. The Federal Investigating Agency (FIA) arrested eight Chinese nationals, including a woman, on Monday and last week, two Chinese nationals were arrested when a marriage ceremony was being performed in Fasialabad, about 150 kms from Lahore. "On Monday, we have arrested seven Chinese men and a Chinese woman for their alleged involvement in trafficking of Pakistani girls to China for the purpose of prostitution," FIA Punjab Director Tariq Rustam told PTI. The FIA swung into action following reports of Chinese nationals being involved in organ trade and forced prostitution of Pakistani girls, mostly from the minority Christian community, after marrying them and taking them back to China. Rustam said that their leader, identified as 'Candice', was among those arrested. He has been living near the Lahore airport for the last one year. "The girls were moved to the rented houses acquired by the Chinese in Lahore where they were taught Chinese language before they left for China after completion of their marriage related documents," he said, adding the girls were forced into prostitution in China. "We are collecting the data of the girls trafficked to China during the last couple of years. Their number may run into hundreds," he said, adding that we are interrogating the arrested Chinese nationals and hopefully arrest all those involved in the crime. The Government recently ordered the FIA to take action against the gangs involved in smuggling of Pakistani girls to China on the pretext of contracting marriage. According to the local media reports, poor Christians girls are lured with money and promises of a 'good life' by the illegal matchmaking centres to marry Chinese men who are either visiting or working in Pakistan. These centres produce fake documents of Chinese men showing them either as Christians or Muslims. Most of the girls reportedly became victims of human trafficking and forced into prostitution, the report said. Tamil Nadu Police sources said, however, that there was so far no hard evidence to show that the men, or other members of the Islamic State cell in Sri Lanka, had travelled to Kashmir. New Delhi: Ilzam Ahmed Ibrahim and Inshaf Ahmed Ibrahim, the millionaire businessmen turned suicide-bombers who blew themselves up at luxury hotels in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, had visited Tamil Nadu in 2017, police sources have told Firstpost. The revelation comes amid growing concern that the Islamic State terror cell which carried out the Easter Sunday massacre could have had connections in southern India. The Tamil Nadu Police and intelligence services, government sources said, are now attempting to reconstruct the brothers movements during their visit -- ostensibly a business trip to meet with spice importers and contacts in the chemical industry. Police have the sources said, questioned over 75 people in Tamil Nadus Rameshwaram coast, including fishing-boat operators and small-time smugglers, to see if the acetone and sulfuric acid used to manufacture the home-made explosives used in the Easter Sunday bombings might have been shipped from India. Indian intelligence and police personnel are scheduled to visit Sri Lanka this week, to liaise with their counterparts in the still-unfolding investigation. The investigators, government sources said, were hoping to have access to detained suspects to examine what contact, if any, they had with figures in India. In an interview to the British Broadcasting Corporation last week, Sri Lankas army chief, General Mahesh Senanayake, had said members of the terror cell have gone to India, theyve gone to Kashmir, Bangalore; theyve travelled to Kerala State. Tamil Nadu Police sources said, however, that there was so far no hard evidence to show that the men, or other members of the Islamic State cell in Sri Lanka, had travelled to Kashmir. Its going to be very hard to piece together who the brothers met and where -- assuming any of them actually came to Kashmir, one Srinagar-based police official said. I dont imagine it would be very hard for a couple of Sri Lankans to visit Kashmir, pretending to be from Kerala or Tamil Nadu, but if they did meet with known terrorism-related figures, wed likely to have heard something about it. Five Kerala men had, in 2008, travelled to Kashmirs Kupwara region to train with the Lashkar-e-Taiba. Four were killed after the presence of the unusual-looking visitors were detected by police informers in the mountains. The fifth volunteer, Abdul Jabbar, a 1973-born fifth-grade school dropout and roadside-restaurant cook, is currently serving a life term. Frankly, an Indian intelligence official said, were a little surprised General Senanayake chose to go public with details of the suspects travels before sharing whatever intelligence was available with us. This means that their contacts, if any, have had abundant time to hide, and even regroup. Indian inspiration Sri Lanka-based sources said the bombersin the main from affluent familieshad trained locally, at a 10-acre farmhouse in the village of Kattankudy. Tea traders son Abdul Latief Jameel Mohammed, 36, studied aerospace engineering in the United Kingdom and Australiaattracting the attention of intelligence services there for his pro-Islamic State views. Alawudeen Ahamed Muaath, who bombed St Anthonys church, also hailed from an affluent business family. Mohamad Assam Mohamad Mubarak who hit the Kingsbury hotel in Colombo, Achchi Muhammadu Hasthu who bombed St Sebastian's Church in Negumbo, and Nazar Mohammed Azard, made up the rest of the team. The men, Sri Lanka investigators believe, were inspired among others by Tamil Nadu-based Islamist ideologue Kovai Ayub of Coimbatore, who leads the Jamiat-ul-Quran ul-Hadith, is among several right-wing proselytisers whose speeches are said to have influenced Sri Lankas jihad cell. Indian authorities, however, have so far received no formal request for Ayubs arrest from Sri Lanka, nor evidence he was involved in the actual bomb-plot. P Jainulabideen, until last year the head of the Tamil Nadu Tauhid Jamaat, the parent organisation of a group once led by Easter Sunday bomb-cell head Zahran Hashim, is also thought to have been a source of inspiration. Tamil Nadu link Indian investigators, who provided precision intelligence on the Easter Sunday bombings days before the attack, first learned of the Sri Lankas jihad cell after the arrest of Shajan Velluva Kandy, a Tamil Nadu jeweller arrested in 2017, part of a group of Indian nationals attempting to cross into Islamic State-administered Syria with their families who were held by Turkish authorities. Based on intelligence provided by Kandy, government sources said, the Tamil Nadu Police and NIA arrested seven members of a Coimbatore-based jihad cell, inspired by the Islamic State, which hoped to establish Islamic rule in the region. Following the arrests, the Tamil Nadu Police and Indias intelligence services mounted surveillance on Hashimleading to the warnings which were, controversially, ignored by Sri Lankas police services. The US on Monday said it planned to beef up its Arctic presence to keep Russia's and China's 'aggressive behaviour' in check in the resource-rich region. Rovaniemi (Finland): The US on Monday said it planned to beef up its Arctic presence to keep Russia's and China's "aggressive behaviour" in check in the resource-rich region. "The region has become an arena of global power and competition" owing to vast reserves of oil, gas, minerals and fish stocks, US secretary of state Mike Pompeo warned in a speech in Rovaniemi, northern Finland. "Just because the Arctic is a place of wilderness does not mean it should become a place of lawlessness," he said. Speaking on the eve of a meeting of the eight members of the Arctic Council, Pompeo took on Beijing and Moscow. "China's pattern of aggressive behaviour elsewhere will inform how it treats the Arctic," he said. He warned against scenarios whereby nations become ensnared by debt and corruption, of low-quality investments, militarisation and uncontrolled exploitation of natural resources, all of which he said were potential effects of allowing rising Chinese influence. "Do we want the Arctic Ocean to transform into a new South China Sea, fraught with militarisation and competing territorial claims?" he said. While the US and Russia are members of the Arctic Council, China holds only observer status in the cooperation body. Noting that China's most northern tip was 900 miles (1,450 kilometres) from the Arctic, Pompeo swatted down Beijing's attempts to style itself as a "near Arctic state". "There are only Arctic States and Non-Arctic States. No third category exists, and claiming otherwise entitles China to exactly nothing," he said. Beijing has invested massively in the region almost $90 billion between 2012 and 2017, according to Pompeo and intends to fully benefit from the advantages of the Northern Sea Route. The shipping channel, which drastically cuts sailing times between the Pacific and Atlantic by passing north of Russia, is increasingly usable as the ice melts. China and Russia would like to make the Northern Sea Route a part of the New Silk Road project, a vast Chinese investment programme which several countries, especially the US, see as an attempt to gain control. Gao Feng, China's special representative for Arctic affairs, reacted by saying; "He said ... It's a competition of powers. OK, competition? Let's see ... who can get more friends". In his speech, Pompeo also denounced Russia's "provocative actions", accusing Moscow of wanting to remilitarise the region. "Russia is already leaving snow prints in the form of army boots," he said. Under President Vladimir Putin, Moscow has beefed up its military presence in the region, reopening several bases that were abandoned after the fall of the USSR. The virulence of Pompeo's remarks was noteworthy given the fact he made them just minutes before a bilateral meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov, amid rising US-Russian tensions over Venezuela, among other things. The two smiled and shook hands in front of the assembled media, but refused to answer questions on the nature of their talks. Pompeo later told reporters that he had spoken to Lavrov about Russian interference in US elections, telling the Russian foreign minister that "It's not appropriate. To stifle rival ambitions in the Arctic, the US is "hosting military exercises, strengthening our force presence, rebuilding our icebreaker fleet, (and) expanding Coast Guard funding," Pompeo said. At Congress' request, the Pentagon is to present a new defence strategy for the Arctic by June 1. Hundreds of US Marines already rotate through Norway to carry out cold climate training, and US planes have returned to Iceland's Keflavik airbase, which they left in 2006. Meanwhile, Pompeo also reiterated US claims to be "the world's leader in caring for the environment," saying it would take the lead in the Arctic as well. US carbon dioxide emissions are "on track to drop by nearly half by 2025, the best of any Arctic country," he said. Asked in the plane carrying him to Rovaniemi about the apparent contradiction between the US commitment to protect the Arctic and President Donald Trump's pledge to leave the Paris climate accord, Pompeo said the accord, signed in 2015, had proven its "ineffectiveness". worth paying multiplex prices for worth a look, but wait for DVD, unless your favorite actor is in it give it a miss my reaction under consideration my reaction under gag order for now not yet seen by me Photo: CTV News A statue of B.C.'s "Hanging Judge" is being considered for removal from outside the New Westminster courthouse. A motion to remove the statue of Judge Matthew Begbie has been made by councillors Nadine Nakagawa and Chuck Puchmayr, CTV News reports. Nakagawa called the controversial figure's statue "a barrier for reconciliation." Begbie was B.C.'s first chief justice and presided over a trial in 1864 trial that resulted in the wrongful hangings of six chiefs of the Tsilhqot'in Nation. The chiefs were lured to peace talks over the Chilcotin Uprising, only to be arrested and put on trial. Both the provincial and federal governments have apologized for the hangings in recent years. "Judge Begbie and what he represents to the Indigenous world is extremely offensive," said Grand Chief Stewart Philip. with files from CTV Vancouver Photo: The Canadian Press U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, left, takes part in a bilateral meeting with Canada's Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland at the Lappi Areena in Rovaniemi, Finland Tuesday, May 7, 2019. Canada is holding out hope it can collaborate with the Trump administration on Arctic challenges even though the United States has blocked the Arctic Council from issuing a unanimous declaration acknowledging climate change. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo declined to utter the words "climate change" throughout the eight-country summit of Arctic nations that wrapped Tuesday in Finland, including in a meeting with Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland. The American opposition to acting on climate change was not all-encompassing, though, because the Trump administration views melting Arctic ice to be an economic opportunity. Pompeo says it will open new sea lanes and trade routes, slashing ships' travel time between Europe and Asia. Foreign Minister Timo Soini of Finland, which ended its two-year chairmanship of the council on Tuesday, said no joint declaration was possible because the U.S. would not agree to language about climate change. Freeland did not back away from discussing climate change, but she tried to find common ground with the U.S. over the sovereignty of the Northwest Passage. "We have a very close, very fruitful collaboration," she said. "And actually, as we see the conditions of the Northwest Passage changing with our changing climate, I think that's actually grounds for closer collaboration with the United States." Freeland added that "unpredictable weather patterns caused by climate change" are causing security threats and navigation problems. In a speech in Finland on Monday, Pompeo called Canada's claim over the Northwest Passage "illegitimate," language that was criticized as not reflecting the 1988 Arctic Co-operation Agreement that allows Canada and the U.S. to continue to agree to disagree on the issue. The agreement allows the U.S. to designate the passage as an international waterway while allowing Canada to say that it is a part of Canadian sovereign territory. The U.S. is more concerned about Russia and China in the Arctic than ownership of the Northwest Passage, said Pompeo. "The challenges in the Arctic aren't between the United States and Canada, let me assure you," he said. "There are others that threaten to use it in ways that are not consistent with the rule of law." Pompeo's views on the economic benefits of climate change met with a muted response during his Monday speech in the northern Finnish Arctic city of Rovaniemi. "Steady reductions in sea ice are opening new naval passageways and new opportunities for trade, potentially slashing the time it takes for ships to travel between Asia and the West by 20 days," Pompeo said, as Freeland and the foreign ministers of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia and Sweden looked on. "Arctic sea lanes could become the 21st century's Suez and Panama canals." The summit wrapped with a brief joint statement that reaffirmed the council's "commitment to maintain peace, stability and constructive co-operation in the Arctic." Photo: CTV News French police say an armed man has taken four hostages in a store on the outskirts of the southern city of Toulouse. Authorities were not certain of the hostage-taker's identity or what he is demanding. A spokeswoman for the national police said the man seized the hostages at 4:20 p.m. Tuesday at a convenience store in the town of Blagnac, near the Toulouse airport. She and a security official said it was too early to rule out terrorism without knowing the hostage-taker's demands. Police surrounded the store and evacuated the area. Local France 3 television says the hostage-taker has demanded to speak with a negotiator. Photo: Contributed A national park protest in Osoyoos earlier this spring. Parks Canada has announced it will be hosting public information sessions regarding the contentious proposed national park in the South Okanagan. The proposed park has sparked protest in the south, as well as town hall-style meetings which Parks Canada declined to attend, choosing instead to meet privately and without media with local stakeholders. They also conducted an online survey, the findings of which will be available to the public on May 13. In the following days, they will host three free public information sessions to share and discuss the feedback gleaned from that survey. "The goal is to have an agreement on a final boundary for the proposed national park reserve by summer 2019. Afterwards, steps would be undertaken towards the formal establishment of a national park reserve in the South Okanagan-Similkameen," reads a press release from Parks Canada. On Tuesday, May 14 from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., Parks Canada representatives will be at the Frank Venables Theatre in Oliver. On May 15, they will have two stops, one at Sonora Community Centre in Osoyoos from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and one at Keremeos Victory Hall from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Finally, on May 16 from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., they will be at Penticton's Shatford Centre. The input from the online survey will be compiled into a "What We Heard" report developed by a third-party consultant and will be available here on May 13. At the Google I/O 2019, Google has announced a lot of new Assistant features that includes Duplex on the web, next generation Google Assistant that can understand and process your requests up to 10 times faster, personalized recommendations for Google Assistant on Smart Displays, new driving mode and more. Next generation Assistant Running on-device and coming to new Pixel phones later this year, the next generation Google Assistant can understand and process your requests up to 10 times faster, making operating your phone, multi-tasking and even composing email easier than ever. #io19 pic.twitter.com/iNPpOvwDM2 Google (@Google) May 7, 2019 The next generation Assistant can process and understand your requests as you make them, and deliver the answers up to 10 times faster. You can multitask across apps faster than ever before. And with Continued Conversation, you can make several requests in a row without having to say Hey Google each time. The next generation Assistant will be available for new Pixel phones later this year. Duplex on the web Google is finally extending Duplex to the web, so you can complete online tasks much faster since it fills out complex forms for you. Duplex on the web will be available later this year in English in the U.S. and U.K. on Android phones with the Assistant for rental car bookings and movie tickets. New Assistant features In the coming months, the Assistant will be able to better understand references to people, places and events through Personal References. You always have control over your personal information, and can add, edit or remove details from the You tab in Assistant settings at any time. #HeyGoogle, what should I cook for dinner? With Picks for you on Smart Displays, the Google Assistant will provide personalized recommendations for recipes, events and podcasts. Coming later this summer. #io19 pic.twitter.com/moAjcXxzVK Google (@Google) May 7, 2019 Smart Displays will get new Picks for you later this Summer that will provide personalized suggestions starting with recipes, events and podcasts. Starting today, you can turn off a timer or alarm using Assistant by saying, stop. This feature runs completely on-device and is activated by the word stop when an alarm or timer is going off. Driving mode New driving mode brings new voice-forward dashboard that brings your most relevant activitieslike navigation, messaging, calling and mediafront and center. It includes custom suggestions. Assistants driving mode will launch automatically when your phone is connected to your cars Bluetooth or you can just say, Hey Google, lets drive, to get started. Driving mode will be available this summer on Android phones with the Google Assistant. Assistant will also let you control your car remotely, so you can adjust your cars temperature, check your fuel level or make sure your doors are locked. These will be available in the coming months to existing car models that work with Hyundais Blue Link and Mercedes-Benzs Mercedes me connect. Source PAR Technology (NYSE:PAR) Q1 2019 Earnings Call , 4:30 p.m. ET Contents: Prepared Remarks Questions and Answers Call Participants Prepared Remarks: Operator Good day, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to the PAR Technology fiscal-year 2019 first-quarter financial results conference call. [Operator instructions] As a reminder, this conference is being recorded. I would like to introduce your host for today's conference, Mr. Chris Byrnes, vice president of business and financial relations. Sir, please go ahead. Chris Byrnes -- Vice President of Business and Financial Relations Thank you, Michelle, and good afternoon. I'd also like to welcome you today to the call for PAR's 2019 first-quarter results review. The complete disclosure of our results can be found in our press release issued this afternoon, as well as in our related Form 8-K furnished to the SEC. To access the press release and the financial details, please see the Investor Relations and News section of our website at www.partech.com. At this time, I'd like to take care of certain details in regard to the call today. Participants on the call should be aware that we are recording the call this afternoon and it will be available for playback. Also we are broadcasting the conference call via the world wide web, so please be advised if you ask a question, it will be included in both our live conference and any future use of the recording. I'd also like to remind participants that this conference call includes forward-looking statements that reflect management's expectations based on currently available data. However, actual results are subject to future events and uncertainties. The information on this conference call related to projections or other forward-looking statements may be relied upon and subject to the Safe Harbor statement included in our earnings release this afternoon and in our annual and quarterly filings with the SEC. Joining me on the call today is PAR's CEO and president, Savneet Singh; and Bryan Menar, PAR's chief financial officer. I'd now like to turn the call over to Savneet for the formal remarks portion of the call, which will be followed by general Q&A. Savneet? Savneet Singh -- Chief Executive Officer and President Thanks, Chris, and good afternoon. I thank you all for joining us today. I will begin today's call with an overview of our first-quarter results for fiscal 2019. I'll then turn over the call to Brian Minard, our CFO, who will review our financial performance for the quarter in further detail. I will then conclude today's prepared comments by discussing our segment performance and milestones related to our growth drivers and steps we are taking to improve execution of our strategic plan. To begin, I'm very happy to report on our recent convertible debt offering and capital raise of $80 million, on what we believe to be very favorable terms. The proceeds will allow our company to invest in specific areas that accelerate our business growth, solidify our leadership position in enterprise point of sale software for restaurants and finance potential acquisitions to build out our Brink solution. We are positioning our business to take advantage of significant opportunities that are in front of us. We are focusing on enhancing features and functions in our restaurant-tech platforms, restructuring our management team and sharpening our go-to-market with a constant focus on Tactile TV. I'm please to update you on the China-Singapore investigation and its current status as well. On April 10, the Securities and Exchange Commission notified us that based on current information, it did not intend to recommend enforcement against PAR. Shortly thereafter, the U.S. Department of Justice advised us that it too did not intend to proceed. I am proud of the control initiatives we have put in place in response to this matter and our overall compliance program. Now to review our first-quarter 2019. This afternoon, the company reported first-quarter revenues of $44.7 million, compared to $55.6 million in the first quarter of last year, an 19.7% decrease. This decrease was primarily due to lower hardware revenues associated with Tier 1 customers, down 41% year over year and a 6.3% decline in government contract revenues versus Q1 last year. We reported a GAAP net loss of $2.7 million and a loss per share of $0.17 in the quarter, which included non-GAAP adjustments totaling $0.9 million which are detailed in our press release. On a non-GAAP basis, we reported a net loss of $1.8 million and a loss per share of $0.11 in the quarter. This compares to a non-GAAP net income of $0.6 million and $0.04 per diluted share last year. I would now like to turn the call over to Bryan for more detailed reporting on the quarter's financials. Bryan? Bryan Menar -- Chief Financial Officer Thanks you, Savneet, and good afternoon, everyone. I would now like to take this opportunity to provide some additional details surrounding our first-quarter results. Product revenue for the quarter was $15.5 million, down $10.8 million, a 41.1% decrease compared to Q1 2018, primarily due to reduced hardware projects with a Tier 1 customer in the first quarter of 2018. Product revenue related to Brink was $4.5 million, an increase of 71% from $2.6 million for the same period in 2018. Service revenue for the quarter was $14 million, up $0.9 million, a 6.4% increase compared to Q1 2018. The increase was primarily due to Brink's service revenue of $5 million, an increase of 58% from $3.1 million for the same period in 2018. Contract revenue from our government operating segment was $15.1 million, down $1 million, a 6.2% decrease compared to Q1 2018. The decrease reflects reduction in the ISR business line due to contract funding and ceiling limitations largely attributable to one of ISR programs that is currently undergoing an organizational funding transition. The contract backlog continues to be healthy, knowing a total backlog of $135 million as of March 31, 2019, and a trailing 12-month book of 1.3 times. In regards to margin performance for the quarter, product margin for the quarter was 27.6%, compared to 26.2% in Q1 2018. The increase in product margin was primarily due to favorable sales mix. Service margin for the quarter was 28.6%, compared to 27.7% in Q1 2018. The increase in service margin was due to a favorable product growth of Brink. Government contract margin for the quarter was 9.7%, compared to 8.1% in Q1 2018. Increase in margin was primarily due to improved ISR profitability and favorable profit margins with the product sales business line revenue included in 2019 contract mix. Now to operating expenses. GAAP SG&A was $8.6 million, consistent with Q1 2018, the company increased investment in Brink sales and marketing by $0.3 million, offset by cost savings in G&A and sales cost within other business lines. Non-GAAP SG&A was $7.8 million, down $0.3 million versus Q1 2018. Non-GAAP SG&A adjustments for Q1 2019 included $0.2 million related to the investigation of conduct in the China and Singapore offices, $0.3 million for equity-based compensation and $0.3 million for severance. Research and development expenses were $3.1 million, up $0.2 million versus Q1 2018 with Brink development up $0.3 million. Now to provide information on the company's cash flow and balance sheet position. For the three months ended March 31, 2019, cash used by operations was $3.2 million primarily driven by net operating loss and additional net working capital requirements. Cash used from investing activities was $1.9 million for the 3 months ended March 31, 2019, with capital expenditures of $0.9 million related to the implementation of our enterprise resource planning system and $1 million of capitalized costs associated with investments in our restaurant/retail segment software platforms. Cash provided from financing activities was $5.8 million, primarily driven by $8.3 million of financing from our line of credit, offset by a $2.6 million distribution related to the final payment for the acquisition of Brink. As of March 31, 2019, the inventory balance was $22.6 million, a decrease of $0.1 million from December 31, 2018. Inventory turns were three times for our domestic and international operations. Accounts receivable of $29.3 million increased $3.1 million or 13% compared to December 31, 2018. Receivable balance is broken down between government segment for $10.2 million and restaurant/retail segment of $19.1 million. The restaurant/retail segment days sales outstanding increased from 52 days as of December 2018 to 57 days as of March 2019. Government days sales outstanding increased from 45 days as of December 2018 to 53 days as of March 2019. I would now like to turn the call back over to Savneet to review our business performance in the quarter. Savneet Singh -- Chief Executive Officer and President Thanks, Bryan. Now to review our segment performance. First, for our restaurant/retail segment, we have taken the necessary steps to restructure our company that will allow us to support and grow Brink at levels we need to be at to enhance shareholder value. This restructuring separated our two business units, Brink and core and allowed for the segmenting of operations, marketing, HR and affiliation of services to each organization. I believe that our historical model around centralization created complexity, slow decision making, a lack of direct accountability and opaqueness around organizational structure. I believe today that our decentralized model will allow both our core and Brink businesses to achieve their potential and be built around their respective teams, business models and return profiles that will highlight our focus on measurable return on invested capital and allow each business line to grow as to their performance. In addition, we're taking steps to reduce the amount of SKUs in our inventory and free up additional capital resources. In 2019, we are targeting a 50% reduction in SKUs associated with our Brink business and a 35% SKU reduction related to our core business. These reductions are expected to yield an 18.4% overall reduction in manufacturing inventory by year's end and it is my belief that it will also help streamline our sales cycle and lower long-term service costs. We also taking additional actions to mitigate the estimated $3.6 million China tariff bottom line hit our business is taking by managing our supply chain, substituting products when able and specific price modifications. We expect that these proactive steps will reduce the tariff impacts by $1.6 million. Another area where we're restructuring our operations is field service. We've changed our operating model to improve field service operating margins and reduce our fixed operating costs. Importantly, PAR will continue to maintain ownership of our customer relationships, contracts and service level commitments. We expect this restructuring will deliver a $900,000 margin gain in 2019. In the first quarter, we activated 683 new Brink restaurant sites. Our deployments over the past 12 months increased our MRR by 60% versus Q1 2018. And at the end of Q1 2019, the annualized run rate now totals $15.8 million, that includes SaaS and service. A significant increase from one year ago when the ARR stood at $10.3 million. We also booked 719 stores in Q1, have 552 stores in our open order and yet to be deployed backlog in the quarter. It's very important to note new bookings in the first quarter are now signing on for an average monthly subscription rate of approximately $200 per site as restaurants are investing and valuing the operational benefits Brink provides to their business. The $200 ASP include SaaS subscription and service. We are striving to seek out additional revenue streams associated with Brink wherever possible. We've been successful in increasing subscription prices and driving value from partners in our ecosystem. Accessibility to our Brink portfolio is extremely valuable to our partner in areas such as delivery management, kiosks, digital signage and labor and scheduling, to name just a few. And we will continue to build out these partnerships to accelerate Brink revenues. It's no secret that development has been a bottleneck for us to scale. We've spent considerable resources in Q4 last year and Q1 this year to achieve improvement in tech efficiency in order to onboard customers more quickly and add necessary features and functionality to satisfy the stringent requirements of many types of restaurant organizations. We've dramatically reduced critical tech metrics, such as time to stabilize, which was 0 days in the last two Brink releases; time to fully deploy, which was seven weeks and five, respectively in our last two releases; and the number of builds necessary to deploy. The last two releases required only one build, down from a high of 181 builds in the middle of 2017. These improvements are a direct result of the investments we've made into our dev ops team and -- the dev ops team at the end of 2018 and will continue to make for the future. On the payments front, we are on plan to roll out our payment and merchant services solution later this year. It provides for real stickiness with customers in small to midsize restaurants that are looking for an integrated point of sale and payment solution. While we expect payments to be a significant addition to our recurring revenue, we believe it merely illustrates the value we can add to our customers via new products or partners. This will result in the continued MRR expansion per customer through the year, as we saw this quarter with the addition of new products and partnerships. Now turning to our government segment. In the quarter, our government business reported 6.3% lower quarterly revenue in comparison to last year. This reduction was planned for and in our forecast, as the timing of certain contract awards and funding gaps is not always seamless. We reported healthy contract margins of 9.7% for the quarter and net income before tax improved by 2.7% for the quarter over Q1 2018. We continue to focus new business development efforts on Intel solutions to support intelligence agencies, armed services and tactical edge war fighters. Our government business continues to provide stability, G&A release and cash flow. In summary, it's been an exciting start to 2019. Our strategic capital raise has significantly strengthened our financial position to support our future growth. We have adopted policies to streamline our operations and improve our decision making. We are aligning our teams, tools and processes to support our customer focus, and I see excellent opportunities ahead to invest and grow our business and expand margins. As I had previously said, our capital allocation will continue to be the chief priority of our company. We are confident that the initiatives we've started and are building upon will contribute to long-term creation for our shareholders -- value creation for our shareholders and we look forward to evaluating all opportunities to ensure enhanced shareholders value. In closing, I wanted to relay that I've spent considerable time these past two months meeting with and listening to our customers. While we have immense work in front of us, our customers are staying committed to Brink, and it is on us to prove that trust right. We value that trust and now have the resources to prove that commitment right. Our new capital raise will significantly help us in this regard. I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the employees of PAR for their efforts and dedication toward achieving our goals during a quarter with rapid and dramatic change. That concludes our remarks, and I would now like to open the call up for questions. Questions & Answers: Operator [Operator instructions] Our first question comes from the line of William Gibson with ROTH Capital Partners. Your line is open. Please go ahead. William Gibson -- ROTH Capital Partners -- Analyst First, I missed a number when you were running through everything, Savneet. How many locations have yet been booked? Savneet Singh -- Chief Executive Officer and President How many -- are you referring to locations booked this quarter or yet to be booked? William Gibson -- ROTH Capital Partners -- Analyst Yet to be booked. Yet to be shipped. Savneet Singh -- Chief Executive Officer and President Yet to be shipped is 552. William Gibson -- ROTH Capital Partners -- Analyst And what was -- do we have that number? Savneet Singh -- Chief Executive Officer and President 552. William Gibson -- ROTH Capital Partners -- Analyst Oh, 552. Thank you. And merchant services, the payments picks up, are you going to break that out separately? Or does that get thrown in with the SaaS revenue? Savneet Singh -- Chief Executive Officer and President We consider that part of our recurring revenue similar to the other partnerships that we're pulling through as you kind of saw the increase in MRR this quarter. William Gibson -- ROTH Capital Partners -- Analyst OK. So basically, we should expect to keep seeing that number go up with better margins? Savneet Singh -- Chief Executive Officer and President We expect so. Operator Our next question come from the line of Adam Wyden with ADW Capital. Your line is open. Please go ahead. Adam Wyden -- ADW Capital -- Analyst Savneet, congratulations on the capital raise and the permanent seat, we're really excited. So yes, I mean, look, a big part of our, I guess, original activist thesis was that there was a lot of excess corporate G&A and excess costs and legacy businesses and obviously, not enough resources being allocated to your subscription SaaS product. There have been press releases, I know you guys did a big firmwide reduction. But obviously, we were really surprised actually to the upside about kind of the cash burn. It looks like you guys really mitigated operating losses. And as SaaS ramps up, I mean, the need for government cash flow reduces dramatically. It also seems as if investors are not even really giving you credit for that business. I mean can you give us a timetable for divestment or your thoughts around that government business because you've got to, got the convert down, and you did lot of the cost restructuring and kind of how you're thinking about that business going forward? Savneet Singh -- Chief Executive Officer and President Sure. Obviously, I can't comment on any formal plans or lack of formal plans around divesting an asset. But what I can tell you, the way we look at it is, is it synergistic to our core and Brink operations? It's not. But at the moment, is it a distraction to those assets? It's not. But in the long run, I think meshing a government contracting business with a restaurant business probably doesn't make the most logical sense. And so I think we're constantly evaluating to get, at what price does it make sense for us to give up that, call it the expense relief it provides for us today. I think we're still and constantly evaluating that, and I think a little bit has to do with the size of the business. And so we're extremely confident about that business. As you've heard me say in other calls, we think we're near the highest margin in that segment. But we need to make sure that we get a price that rewards the cash flow that spins off to us today because I don't think we want to be a chief seller on something that has great visibility into cash flow. Adam Wyden -- ADW Capital -- Analyst Got it. I've got a couple of more questions. Second question, so a big knock on this company, I mean, obviously, was legacy management and clearly, that's a 180 from today, but now you know a lot of the knock has been enough capital to kind of accelerate the growth -- accelerate growth ahead of SaaS revenue. So now you've got a big bucket of cash. I mean, you talked a little bit in the past about kind of the replatforming that needed to take place to kind of get the infrastructure and kind of the platform in place for kind of this next big growth spurt. Obviously, we've seen a lot of stuff on Dairy Queen and heard about some other Tier 1 players. Can you talk a little about your pipeline and kind of your ability to -- let me rephrase this, it seems as if the installs have kind of slowed a little bit as you kind of replatformed a little bit and -- can you talk a little bit about the pipeline and your ability to get back up to 2500-plus installs per quarter and kind of the cadence of that? Is it resource-driven? Is it backlog-driven? Can you talk a little bit about the cadence, about reacceleration of growth? Savneet Singh -- Chief Executive Officer and President Yes. So this is interesting. The reacceleration growth is actually not right now being negatively impacted by customer demand. In fact, I think if we let our sales team loose, we'd again run into the resource bottleneck issues we faced. So our ability to add stores at a more rapid pace is -- comes down to development as I referenced on in the remarks today. We've done, as I mentioned in the last call, we've done a bad job of explaining how much our resources we shifted in Q3, 4 and then now in Q1 and Q2 to this, we'll call it the architecture build. And so we very purposefully took off resources that could've been added for new customers or new customer features of existing clients to focus on that foundation, which should set us up for a very strong Q3 and particularly a very strong Q4. And so we think 2020 will be incredibly exciting because we're making those challenging decisions today, where we have customers that we want to bring on, but we're focusing to make sure that we have the foundation for a very, very explosive 2020. And so we're making that trade-off, and I think it's the right long-term trade-off because if the foundation is strong, we'll be able to continue to accelerate going forward. And so it's the ability to scale is not customer driven right now, it's been primarily resource driven. And so this fund raise gives us the opportunity to start hiring very quickly, get that talent ramped up and so that we can really, really have a strong 2020 once those bodies are integrated and trained up. Adam Wyden -- ADW Capital -- Analyst On the ARPU and price side, I mean, obviously, you gave us a little bit of a look into the ARPU on the bookings, but I mean, if I look at Aloha and even to Micros to some degree, the ARPU not including payments is like $6,000 per year on Aloha and on Micros, I mean you are seeing numbers are high as 15, 20, I mean, big numbers. So obviously, your average location does significantly more in AUV than a product like Toast and you are creating a lot of hard dollar savings. I mean, can you talk a little bit about how you're think about that ARPU opportunity in the short, medium and long term? And obviously, based on our scuttlebutt, we are seeing FTDs at new types of chains at much higher prices. I guess my question is can you talk a little bit about how you think that ARPU opportunity can kind of trend, obviously, in relation to hybrid cloud and kind of on-prem solutions that aren't delivering the value that you are delivering to your customer? Savneet Singh -- Chief Executive Officer and President Yes. I'll put it in a few buckets. So the first one and obvious one is just, we have much more significant pricing controls on our sales force so that we make sure we are pricing every opportunity effectively. And so that will create some price discipline as we price out new customers to make sure that that CAC to LTV formula we obsess over makes sense. The second bucket I think is the one that you are addressing is all the other products and services you can add on to a point-of-sale system, and many times the customer wants and is the most significant one, is payments, where us like you do see customers in the medium and small business segment making two, three, four times what we make per store because they're making that spread on payments. And that's why we've got this payment initiative going forward, and we expect to see results from that this year. And so I think you'll continue to see that some sort of new MRR per store continue to expand this year as we add those customers on board -- or rather that product on board. The third bucket, and this is the one that I think we're most excited for the short run, is partnerships and resale agreements with, call it, adjacent products that plug into Brink. So there are many times that we are brought into a customer where they're looking for a certain kiosk solution, a delivery management solution or an online ordering, online menu, so on and so forth, and we can partner with another organization and extract revenue that way. So we very, very quickly realized, at the beginning of this year I think we realized, that while we make these investments in our foundation to have an explosive 2020 and going forward, we can still drive very significant revenue growth by making these partnership deals. And so you've seen one or two of those announcements so far, I think you'll see a lot more happen in the back half of the year. And it's thus the third bucket I expect to see this expansion come from. So I think we're coming off a very low point as it relates to customer ARPU, and I see very nice expansion going forward. Adam Wyden -- ADW Capital -- Analyst So building on that question, I mean, can you talk a little bit about the M&A versus building versus joint venture? I mean on some of these types of things we're seeing, we're seeing kind of you -- Brink being sold with Restaurant Magic and I know CrunchTime is a back solution, I mean, often times they are sold in conjunction with Brink. I mean can you -- and then on top of that, we're hearing stuff about some very large chains saying look, we're waiting until there is a fully integrated solution, so maybe they don't want to integrate another thing inside so they want to wait until you have back of the house or labor or inventory. Can you talk about kind of your -- a bit more about your ability to JV with partners that can accelerate Tier 1? And then how do you think about buying these assets or internally building these assets such that you get that ARPU? Because it seems as if on some of these big Tier 1s, they have a lot of different stuff going on, and if they want to -- the idea is that once you kind of cover all the bases, then you're set for life with them and you're making $10,000 a year. And so I guess my question is, I think it's kind of based on what you said previously on the other question, but I mean, how do you think of kind of internalizing all of that such that you get all of that ARPU mix and you can accelerate that adoption? Savneet Singh -- Chief Executive Officer and President Yes. Let me start by saying I think one of the things that excites me most about the point-of-sale business is that I have not yet to find a customer that is happy with their point-of-sale vendor, and that includes us. And I often times go to our team and say, the bar is so low for us to overachieve and so we should be overachieving. And so I think first we have to do a great job with the product that we have. And I think we're making lots of very, very important decisions this year to make sure we can accomplish that. Part two, I think is doing exactly what you're saying. So in many ways, our ability to partner -- our step one was partnering and then M&A, but first partnering is because our customers are looking for something closer to an integrated solution, and it is challenging for them to manage a dozen different software products in a restaurant, particularly if they are a very heavily franchised organization. That's a lot to keep managing. And so we can be the brain of that organization. It's incredibly strategic for them to help leverage us to do that. And we see that happening now. And so that's why we started with partnerships because we can execute them quickly, and it gives us some good data for saying, Hey, is this working or not? I think -- and part of the reason we did the capital raise was we absolutely intend to be active in the M&A business. There are lots of adjacencies I won't say it on this call because I don't want to create competitive dynamics, but we feel pretty excited at some of the M&A opportunities out there today to add to our offering because as you listed out and some of the places you listed I think are absolutely perfect, we're not there and so there's no reason we shouldn't be there. So think of it as first, we want to do a great job with our product because I think we've done -- we haven't done the best job we could have and a lot of that was resource issues, and so we're going to get better there. Second, we're going to partner with the ecosystem to add value to the Brink solution. And third will be M&A. And we're working on all three of those with number one being the most important. Operator [Operator instructions] Our next question come from the line of [Inaudible] with Sidoti and Company. Your line is open. Please go ahead. Unknown speaker I was piggybacking on the previous caller's question. I was going to say, in terms of the monthly pricing that you're saying, $200 a month, in a price-sensitive environment, do you think it will be hard to implement price increases as you have a more broader rollout of Brink in the second half of 2019, let's say? Savneet Singh -- Chief Executive Officer and President So I would say this, it's very hard to get true price transparency in the point-of-sale business because as the last caller mentioned, a lot of it is bundled into payments. And so it's hard sometimes for restaurants to see the true cost of ownership, something our salesforce does a good job of highlighting and something we'll continue to highlight. So in general, the apples-to-apples comparison is a bit challenging. The second reason the apples-to-apples comparison is challenging is oftentimes you're looking at different solutions. So is it point of sale or are you adding in inventory and the 10 other modules that we and others have. So it's, again, very challenging in fact to have a perfect apples-to-apples comparison. But on your question, we feel very confident we can expand our MRR by adding value to our customer. So it's just not saying, hey, we're raising prices, that's not at all what we're doing. We're really going and say hey, we're adding a lot of tangible value to you, we'll prove that value and as a result, this is the price that we need to get there. And so it's all about if we can prove that value to the customer, we feel good about it. Similarly, if we can prove that value to these other software products that we're partnering with, they too are excited to partner with us. So they look at our ability to distribute their product as a real big win for them. And so they're more than willing to truly partner with us on the revenue side. So if we can deliver value to the customer, we haven't felt an issue having to defend that. And similarly to our partners, I think we feel the same way. Unknown speaker OK. Got it. And my next question is, in terms of the merchant services, how has your, like, early deployments, how has the reception been in terms of customer response? Can you give me like a little color on that? Savneet Singh -- Chief Executive Officer and President So we're not launching that till the second half of the year. So we don't have any data yet. Unknown speaker But from your initial test experiments, none of that? Savneet Singh -- Chief Executive Officer and President So it's not something you can test, it's quite a process to become a payment facilitator and see if you go through a -- you can't put your toe in the water, you have really got to go all in. So what we've done, I think I'll give you a couple of things which I think are interesting, all right? So the first is, pretty much every other company, in terms of newer companies in this space has been successful in rolling out this model. And so I would be surprised if we were not successful, just because that's the way market has gone and we have been remiss and we should have done this earlier. So a little bit of this is playing catch up. Second, we are in pretty active dialogue with our customers all the time to saying this is something that they would find interesting and we've been surprised how strong that's been. Third, today, many times we refer payments or merchant services to a third party. And I think we are encouraged how many people have taken up their product, not our product. So we've had some, I call it early indications that it should be successful, but we won't know until we actually launch. Operator And I'm showing no further questions at this time, and I would like to turn the conference back over to Savneet Singh for any closing remarks. Savneet Singh -- Chief Executive Officer and President Thank you all for joining today's call. We look forward to keeping you updated. Operator [Operator signoff] Duration: 32 minutes Call participants: Chris Byrnes -- Vice President of Business and Financial Relations Savneet Singh -- Chief Executive Officer and President Bryan Menar -- Chief Financial Officer William Gibson -- ROTH Capital Partners -- Analyst Adam Wyden -- ADW Capital -- Analyst Unknown speaker More PAR analysis All earnings call transcripts Assurant Inc (NYSE:AIZ) Q1 2019 Earnings Call , 8:30 a.m. ET Contents: Prepared Remarks Questions and Answers Call Participants Prepared Remarks: Operator Welcome to Assurant's First Quarter 2019 Earnings Conference Call and Webcast. At this time, all participants have been placed in a listen-only mode and the floor will be open for your questions following management's prepared remarks. (Operator Instructions) It is now my pleasure to turn the floor over to Suzanne Shepherd, Senior Vice President of Investor Relations. You may begin. Suzanne Shepherd -- Senior Vice President, Investor Relations Thank you, Christina, and good morning, everyone. We look forward to discussing our First Quarter 2019 Results with you today. Joining me for Assurant's conference call are Alan Colberg, our President and Chief Executive Officer; and Richard Dziadzio, our Chief Financial Officer. Yesterday, after the market closed, we issued a news release announcing our results for the first quarter 2019. The release and corresponding financial supplement are available on assurant.com. As noted in both documents, we updated our key financial metrics for the enterprise and our operating segments to align with the company's strategic focus, and the financial objective shared at our recent Investor Day. We believe these metrics will be a better indicator of performance going forward. We'll start today's call with brief remarks from Alan and Richard before moving into a Q&A session. Some of the statements made today may be forward-looking. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by these statements. Additional information regarding these factors can be found in yesterday's earnings release as well as in our SEC reports. During today's call, we will refer to non-GAAP financial measures, which we believe are important in evaluating the Company's performance. For more details on these measures, the most comparable GAAP measures and a reconciliation of the two, please refer to yesterday's news release and financial supplement. I will now turn the call over to Alan. Alan B. Colberg -- President and Chief Executive Officer Thanks, Suzanne. Good morning, everyone. Overall, we are pleased with our results for the first quarter. Performance across our three operating segments was strong, especially mobile and Global Lifestyle. Our results reaffirm our belief that we are well positioned to sustain our performance long term. Our leadership positions and innovative offerings should continue to support double-digit earnings growth, with a more diversified and higher quality mix of business. During the quarter, we continued to execute on our strategy. In Global Housing, we've repositioned the segment for growth. First, by beginning to stabilize lender-placed and second, by continuing to drive profitable growth within multi-family housing and our other specialty property offerings. In multi-family housing, we grew revenues 7% from both our affinity and property management partners, now protecting 2.1 million renters across the US. Our focus remains on investing in our key capabilities to deliver even more value for our clients and their renters. To that end, we continue to rollout our new point-of-lease tracking capability to seamlessly integrate our products and services, and gradually increase attachment rates. With our vertically integrated capabilities, broad product suite and emphasis on the customer experience, we've built a leading position in the PMC channel. We continue to expect strong top and bottom line growth going forward. We've also further strengthened our leading lender-placed franchise by renewing three key partnerships in the quarter, and over the past five months, the renewals completed represent nearly one-third of our loans tracked. This bodes well for the future as lender-placed earnings have started to stabilize after years of market declines. Over the next three years, we believe we will generate a 17% to 20% operating ROE, including an average expected cat load. In Global Lifestyle, we are aligned with leading brands to bring innovative products and services to market. In connected living, this includes services like our premium tech support, which creates greater value for the end consumer and adds new and important profitables. We now protect more than 47 million covered mobile devices, up 26% year-over-year. As we highlighted at our Investor Day, our new partnerships with companies like Verizon, Comcast, Charter, KDDI and the renewal and expansion of our T-Mobile relationship to include Metro by T-Mobile demonstrate that our vertically integrated capabilities continue to drive value for our customers and serve as a significant differentiator for Assurant. We made additional progress integrating The Warranty Group acquisition, realizing operating synergies as planned and finding ways to unlock additional value from our stronger, more scalable global automotive business. For example, this quarter, we introduced Pocket Drive, our new technology platform that will expand our offerings beyond service contracts. We expect to launch pilot testing in the second quarter with select dealer partners. We are pleased by the continued strong revenue growth and innovation in this business for the 48 million vehicles we protect worldwide. This also supports our long-term view that we can continue to grow Global Lifestyle's net operating income at least 10% annually on average over the next three years. Turning to Global Preneed, we produced solid, consistent earnings and cash flows in the quarter, supported by our growth from pre-funded funeral policies and favorable mortality trends. Base sales were also strong with a 7% year-over-year increase from new distribution partners within our Final Need product. Over the next three years, we believe we can achieve a sustainable operating ROE of 13% in Global Preneed. In addition to setting these long-term segment targets at our Investor Day, we also provided several key enterprise financial objectives. Over the course of 2020 and 2021, we expect to grow earnings per share on average by 12% with double-digit expansion in net operating income. In addition, starting in 2019, we intend to return $1.35 billion to shareholders over the next three years in the form of share repurchases and common stock dividends, illustrating the confidence we have in our future cash flows. We recognize that executing against our plans for 2019 will be an important step in delivering on these long-term targets. For this year, we continue to expect to grow operating earnings per share, excluding catastrophe losses, by 6% to 10% from the $8.65 we reported in 2018. This will be driven by double-digit earnings growth and disciplined capital deployment. Looking at results for the first quarter 2019, we reported a net operating earnings per share, excluding catastrophes, of $2.33, an increase of 9% from $2.14 in the prior year period. This was driven by earnings growth, partially offset by shares issued last year related to our TWG acquisition. Net operating income, also excluding catastrophes, for the quarter was up 30% to $149 million, due to TWG contributions and organic business growth. At the end of March, holding company liquidity totaled $354 million, after returning $51 million in share repurchases and $37 million in common stock dividends. Overall, we're pleased with our performance in the first quarter. We're confident in our ability to continue to expand earnings and cash flow. This will allow us to continue to invest in our business and sustain our track record of returning excess capital to shareholders over the long term. I'll now turn the call over to Richard to review segment results and our 2019 outlook in greater detail. Richard? Richard Dziadzio -- Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer Thank you, Alan, and good morning, everyone. Let's begin with Global Housing. Net operating income for the quarter totaled $73 million, an increase of $2 million from the first quarter of 2018. Excluding mortgage solutions, in the prior year period, earnings declined as growth in multi-family housing was offset by higher catastrophe costs and decreased profitability in our specialty property offerings. Lower earnings in our specialty property offerings were mainly the result of higher non-cat loss experience in our small commercial property products. For the segment, reportable catastrophes in the quarter totaled $9 million, level with last year. Global Housing revenue was down, reflecting the sale of mortgage solutions. Excluding mortgage solutions, revenue was up 5% due to growth in small commercial products, multi-family housing and our sharing economy offerings. Lender-placed revenue decreased due to lower placement rates, partially offset by higher premium rates. During the quarter, the placement rate declined 13 basis points year-over-year and only 2 basis points from year-end 2018, in line with our expectations. As noted earlier, we have revised our financial supplement disclosure following Investor Day. Specifically for housing, we've aligned our key financial metrics to report the loss, expense and combined ratios for the entire segment. For the first quarter, the combined ratio for Global Housing was unchanged from the prior year period at 86.7%. This falls within our longer-term range of 86% to 90%, including an average expected capital. For full-year 2019, we continue to expect Global Housing to realize modest earnings growth, excluding cat losses. This will be driven by continued expansion of our specialty offerings, most notably, multi-family housing. As we look to the second quarter, we expect higher non-cat loss ratios reflecting typical weather patterns and we will monitor the elevated loss experience in the small commercial products. Lender-placed earnings will reflect the additional reinsurance coverage we secured earlier this year, but underlying profitability is expected to remain stable. We also continue the process of migrating clients to our new operating platform, as this will lower expenses longer term, and more importantly, further enhances the customer experience. Moving to Global Lifestyle. The segment reported earnings of $101 million for the first quarter, a $45 million increase year-over-year. This reflects $30 million after-tax from TWG, including $10 million of realized synergies and $2.8 million of intangible amortization. We also benefited from strong organic growth in the business, led by connected living, which grew earnings by 54% in the quarter. This was mainly due to mobile subscriber growth from programs launched over the past two years. In addition, we realized higher trading volumes from carrier promotions and strong margins in repair and logistics. Segment earnings were also supported by more favorable Global Automotive results for legacy Assurant, compared to the prior period, which was marked by some higher one-time expenses. Looking at total revenue for this segment, net earned premiums and fees were up $763 million, mainly from the $651 million TWG contribution. Excluding TWG, revenue was up $112 million or 12%. Organic revenue growth was driven primarily by mobile programs launched during the past two years, mainly in Asia-Pacific and North America. This growth was across various distribution channels and from multiple profit pools, including device protection, premium tech support, as well as repair and logistics. Auto revenue, excluding TWG, was up 20%, benefiting from strong prior year period sales in our TPA distribution. Foreign exchange volatility, primarily from unfavorable currency movements in Argentina and Brazil, partially offset growth in the quarter. Looking at the full year, we continue to expect strong earnings growth due to full-year TWG contributions, including $25 million to $30 million of incremental expense synergies, mainly in Global Automotive. In addition, mobile should remain a significant contributor, driven by organic growth from new and existing programs. It's important to note that the first quarter was particularly strong compared to last year, reflecting the timing of new phone introductions and carrier promotions. For the balance of the year, we expect typical mobile seasonality and some additional pressure from anticipated declines in our legacy credit business within financial services, investments to enhance and strengthen our capabilities, particularly in mobile and auto, will also be important as we look to stay on the forefront of innovation for the future. Now let's move to Global Preneed. The segment reported $12 million of net operating income, a $2 million year-over-year increase. Higher investment income and lower mortality compared to the prior year period were the key drivers. Revenue in Preneed was up 6%, mainly driven by growth in US, including sales of our Final Need product. Global Preneed's outlook for the year remains unchanged with earnings roughly flat with 2018. We will continue to manage expenses closely, as we implement the segment's long-term growth strategy, drive more sales to our funeral home distribution, work with new partners and expand our portfolio of products. At Corporate, the net operating loss was $19 million, relatively flat with the prior year period. For full-year 2019, we expect the net operating loss to be similar to 2018, creating additional leverage with our expense structure as we grow. Turing to capital, we ended March with $354 million of holding company liquidity or about $129 million above our current minimum target level of $225 million. Dividends in the quarter from our operating segments totaled $78 million, lower than segment earnings as we typically wait until later in the year for greater visibility. In addition to our quarterly corporate and interest expenses, the outflows included $51 million in share repurchases, $42 million in common and preferred dividends and $8 million of investments, including strengthening our repair and logistic capabilities in Canada. In the second quarter through May 3rd, we purchased an additional 224,000 shares for $21 million. For full-year 2019, we expect dividends from our operating segments to approximate segment operating earnings. These dividends should provide flexibility to invest in our businesses, and return capital to shareholders, subject to market conditions. While our 2019 capital deployment plans take into account our potential purchase of Ike Asistencia in light of our investment in TWG, we are evaluating how Ike fits into our expanded Latin American operations. We are exploring strategic options for Ike and have delayed the put call option until February of 2020 to complete our review. In summary, we're very pleased with our strong performance in the first quarter, we remain focused on delivering on our commitments for the full year. And with that, operator, please open the call for questions. Questions and Answers: Operator The floor is now opened for questions. (Operator Instructions) Thank you. Our first question is coming from John Nadel from UBS. Alan B. Colberg -- President and Chief Executive Officer Hey, good morning, John. John Nadel -- UBS -- Analyst Good morning. I have a couple of questions and then I'll get back in the queue. One that I'm curious about the number of renters policies, that's growing really solid double-digit year-over-year, I think the growth rate this quarter was 13%, 13.5%, but your actual net earned premium is growing high-single. Is there just a lag effect there that I'm missing or is there some pricing competition going on? Richard Dziadzio -- Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer Hey, John, good morning. It's Richard. John Nadel -- UBS -- Analyst Good morning. Richard Dziadzio -- Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer I think there is probably the two parts of it. I think first of all, we're expanding in the property management channel, I mean, we have really good growth and strong growth. As we said in -- Alan said in his remarks, we're investing in that channel to stay at the forefront of innovation and allowing renters to come in and on-board more quickly. So there is some expense there. I think there's probably two-fold, I mean, we're being very competitive in the market, but also there is a lag effect between when we bring on, we are writing the premium when the premium flows through, but I would say, no big changes in margins that we've seen. John Nadel -- UBS -- Analyst Okay, that's helpful. And then, just one housekeeping item. Is that your outlook for 2019. I'm just curious we've seen that property reinsurance costs, particularly in the State of Florida are up pretty significantly. I just wonder whether you already knew that had that big in to your outlook or if that was more of an estimate, and is there any impact we should expect as it relates to your outlook for reinsurance costs, impacting your overall outlook for '19? Alan B. Colberg -- President and Chief Executive Officer Hi, John. Yeah, thanks for the question. And actually we did, I think the market had some visibility in terms of the cat cost in Florida, the cost of the hurricane -- Florida Hurricane Cat Fund. So we have a, I say a large part of that in to it. As we come into the year, might be a tiny bit higher, but nothing that would impact our outlook whatsoever. Richard Dziadzio -- Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer John, the other thing that we talked about at Investor Day, we've really expanded the multi-year component of our reinsurance, which really stabilizes cost for us over time. John Nadel -- UBS -- Analyst Got you, that's helpful. Thank you. And then the last one, I'm just thinking how did -- overall, how did 1Q earnings compare with your own sort of internal expectations, it sounds to me like you're signalling that, in particular, connected living had a pretty solid, maybe favorable quarter. How should we think about -- you talked about seasonality, you talk about a little bit higher loss ratios as we move from 1Q into 2Q for that particular business, how can we -- can you help us by sizing maybe in a dollar amount or a range, how we should think about that earnings of -- for connected living from 1Q to 2Q? Alan B. Colberg -- President and Chief Executive Officer Yeah. So, certainly, if we look at the quarter, we're pleased by the results and mobile was stronger than we had expected, really driven by trade in volumes. The late introduction in Q4, some of the smartphones push volume into Q1, more than we had expected. So as we head into Q2, we will have seasonality in connected living both in the normal summer, where we just have a greater loss experience and then trade in volumes usually slowdown in Q2 and Q3 as people are anticipating the next smartphone introductions. John Nadel -- UBS -- Analyst How to -- is any chance we can talk about how to think about that in terms of dollar amount of earning, typical seasonality as it is like a 5% quarter-over-quarter decline, and... Alan B. Colberg -- President and Chief Executive Officer It's hard for us to predict that, but I would say as we remain very confident in our long-term outlook that we've given for Lifestyle, which is that 10% plus average annual mortgage growth that we have a lot of confidence in quarter-to-quarter, it's harder to predict. John Nadel -- UBS -- Analyst Got you. Okay, thank you. Operator (Operator Instructions) Our next question comes from Christopher Campbell from KBW. Your line is open. Alan B. Colberg -- President and Chief Executive Officer Hey, good morning. Christopher Campbell -- KBW -- Analyst Hi, good morning. Congrats on the quarter. Richard Dziadzio -- Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer Thank you. Christopher Campbell -- KBW -- Analyst First question is just on the higher-than-expected losses in housing, I guess how much of the year-over-year increase was due to the higher commercial losses? Richard Dziadzio -- Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer It was due to -- I'm sorry. Christopher Campbell -- KBW -- Analyst The higher attritional, like specialty property losses. Richard Dziadzio -- Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer Yeah, I mean there was a part in there due to that, I mean that was I would say, the primary part that -- the loss ratio year-over-year as we have sort of pointed out, that's within, just for everyone, that sort of within the specialty property component of housing, which was about $120 million to $500 million and specialty commercial property part is about 20%, 25% and that was a small component, and we didn't have great experience to get increase in severity in that book of business and as we've said, we are monitoring it as we go forward. Christopher Campbell -- KBW -- Analyst Got it. And is that more attritional or was it just large losses this quarter? Alan B. Colberg -- President and Chief Executive Officer Really an increase in severity, I would say in the book, no huge several big things, but an increase in severity overall. Christopher Campbell -- KBW -- Analyst Okay. And then question on repurchases. I mean is $50 million a good quarterly run rate to think about going forward? Alan B. Colberg -- President and Chief Executive Officer So, I think the way I think about that question is, we've said that we expect over the next three years to return $1.35 billion to shareholders via common stock, dividends and repurchases, that translates into roughly $300 million a year over the three years in repurchases. We have to remember, we buy via 10b5-1 and so we can't go in and out of the market that easily. Christopher Campbell -- KBW -- Analyst Okay, thanks. And then just in mobile, I mean any new clients or relationship extensions that you guys are looking at? I mean, how does the sales pipeline look relative to last year? Alan B. Colberg -- President and Chief Executive Officer I think we're very pleased with our progress in mobile. You heard in my prepared remarks, I rave about these four or five major new clients that we've started relationships with in the last 18 to 24 months. And as I mentioned at Investor Day, we will be ramping up later this year with Metro by T-Mobile, which has the potential for about 3 million subs to be added over time to our portfolio. So we're very focused on executing on that, but the pipeline remains strong. Our innovative offerings have really differentiated us and giving us a lot of traction in the market. Christopher Campbell -- KBW -- Analyst Okay, great. And then just, I know you guys have talked about like 5G being like a possible tailwind like further out, I guess, just any additional clarity that you have on the development of 5G and then the impact -- the potential impact on your business? Alan B. Colberg -- President and Chief Executive Officer Got it. In 5G, what we've talked about is ultimately when that gains real consumer traction, there will be a handset replacement cycle that will occur. I think it's still quite a ways in the future if you look at the timing of the rollout of 5G, but that is a long-term tailwind that will help the business at some point. Christopher Campbell -- KBW -- Analyst Okay, great. Well, thanks for all the answers. Best of luck in the second quarter. Alan B. Colberg -- President and Chief Executive Officer Thanks, Chris. Richard Dziadzio -- Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer Thanks, Chris. Operator (Operator Instructions) Our last question is coming from John Nadel from UBS. Your line is open. Alan B. Colberg -- President and Chief Executive Officer Hey, John. John Nadel -- UBS -- Analyst Hey, good morning. It seems everybody's tied up on AIG this morning. Sorry, guys, but I care. So... Alan B. Colberg -- President and Chief Executive Officer We appreciate that. Thank you, John. John Nadel -- UBS -- Analyst If we -- I am curious your commentary and I appreciate your commentary around the delay of the put call option on Ike into early 2020. I guess -- I'm more curious about how -- you talked about evaluating how that business within given the given the acquisition of TWG and the integration you've got going on. Can you -- like, can you expand on those thoughts a little bit? I know you don't want to get ahead of things here, but I'm just curious what that means? Alan B. Colberg -- President and Chief Executive Officer Yeah. So John, let me provide a little context. So when we originally signed the agreement, which was in late 2013, and it's really all about creating more scale for our business in Latin America, which we -- in key markets like Mexico, that's a priority. With The Warranty Group acquisition, we added dramatically more scale in the key markets like Mexico and Argentina and Brazil, and given that, it causes us to step back and say, how do we think about this business. Now, it's important to note over the five years, we've been involved, the business has performed well. It's actually slightly ahead of the expectations we had when we made the original investment. But we have scale now in Latin America. So it's a good chance for us to step back and think about what's best for our shareholders. John Nadel -- UBS -- Analyst Got it, understood, OK. And then Alan, one of the -- I guess one of the critics that I hear from time to time and based on the disclosures that we get from you guys, I think it's not so easy to counter this critique, is an overarching belief that your position, and I'm talking about Lifestyle here, your position, Assurant's position in the value chain is one that suffers maybe from lower economic relative to maybe a service provider like a Verizon or another, and that the growth as you grow, your incremental margin may actually be lower. Is that a fair critique or is there some way that you can provide some data that counters that? I think that's one thing that weighs a little bit, your growth rate is -- the top line growth rate looks terrific, right? I mean, in particular these last couple of quarters. I'm just trying to -- I'm trying to see if there's a way to counter that overarching belief or perception. Alan B. Colberg -- President and Chief Executive Officer I don't think that's at all the way we think about the business. So we're aligned with the market leaders. We are expanding our whole and providing services to them. We've talked about the addition of major new services in the last 18 months, like premium tech support. And if you look at the long-term, we have grown earnings in that business, 10% plus over the last six years, with an outlook that we're going to continue to be able to do that. So it's a very good business where we are critically important to our partners and delivering the consumer experiences they want. And so we don't tend to think about the margin of each service, because some of them are fee income, some are not. But we look at it and can we continue to grow profitably, and expand and deepen our relationships with our key clients, which we've done very well. John Nadel -- UBS -- Analyst And if we think about Lifestyle discreetly, can you remind us what your return target is for that particular segment? Alan B. Colberg -- President and Chief Executive Officer We don't have one, because what we've said matters in Lifestyle. It's not a traditional insurance business. So thinking about returns is not the way to think about it. What we have said is, we can grow earnings and we've done it for six plus years and we can continue to do it. Now, we've said overall for the enterprise, we will be disciplined in that growth with overall enterprise ROE gradually rising over the next three years. But for Lifestyle, specifically it's about profitable earnings growth. John Nadel -- UBS -- Analyst Got you. And the last one I have for you, you talked about this some time ago, I don't remember if at Investor Day, there was any real commentary around this, but I'm thinking about Global Auto and the potential that there may be some opportunity to drive down repair costs given your better size and scale and maybe some ability to renegotiate some contracts with repair facilities dealership. I'm just wondering if there's any update on that front. I know it's not something that -- I know you did not build in anything from that and essential stream into your synergies. I'm just wondering if you can give us an update on any progress? Alan B. Colberg -- President and Chief Executive Officer John, appreciate question. Let me maybe start just a little more broadly on the TWG synergies, and then I'll come to that one specifically. If you recall, when we did the deal, we announced that we had a hard cost synergy target of $60 million run rate pre-tax by the end of 2019. We are on track and we expect we will deliver that by the end of this year. With that said then, we've really turned a lot of our focus to other sources of synergy ranging from revenue synergies. One of the things we recently rolled out in Japan as the partnership of KDDI around our connected home, we're leveraging our relationship with the legacy Warranty Group capabilities to deliver in the home in Japan. So that's an example of a revenue synergy that they were going hard after, and on the claims costs absolutely, we now have an extraordinarily strong position in the market, leveraging our knowledge of the cards with the payers, these things that go on. And so we're looking to how do we leverage that now, a lot of that benefit will flow to our clients and many of our programs are reinsured or quota shared with our clients. But that strengthens our relationships with those clients and we'll get some benefits. So we're early days on those, it takes time to implement that. But it's another significant source of synergy that as you said, it's not reflected when we talked about the expectations for the TWG deal. John Nadel -- UBS -- Analyst Got it. And since you still have plenty of time, I may as well throw one more in. If I think about the migration on the lender-placed side, the migration to a single operating platform. I know you don't -- you haven't really quantified what spent there if you think can be generated from that over time. I'm wondering if you could give us the sense it doesn't sound like it's that big of a contributor in 2019. I'm wondering, 2020 and beyond, if you think that could be a material impact to the earnings for Global Housing? Richard Dziadzio -- Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer Yeah, John. Hi, it's Rich. I will take that one. Starting to on-board clients, we are getting some some some good reactions from the clients, I mean, first and foremost, our investment in the program is to position us for a great customer experience going forward and investment we've made is being well received. So I think that's probably the biggest point on that, it's a multi-year project, and I think as we look forward, I don't think there will be a threshold moment where in 2020, we would see a big impact of expenses. But it would be over time and over, I would say over the next years. On the other hand, I think as you look at the overall expense ratio for the housing area, we are really managing expenses tightly both in the housing area, but overall as a company as you've seen, also in our overall Corporate loss and stability there. Alan B. Colberg -- President and Chief Executive Officer John, the important thing on lender-placed, I think probably want to remember is we've now set that we've got that business more stable with significant upside, if we get into an accounting downside . Specifically, on our single source platform for 2019, it's a modest amount. It's really more about as (inaudible) longer term and the consumer experience. John Nadel -- UBS -- Analyst And that expense ratio for that segment, should we see that coming down over the next couple of years? And is this maybe part of that driver? Alan B. Colberg -- President and Chief Executive Officer I mean, it's hard to predict now where the expense margin is going to go. I think when we look at the overall expense ratio in the first quarter, also taking into account the variety of businesses within it, whether it would be lender-placed, multi-family, whatever, we have brought it down, managing it well. What I expect to go down in the future as we get through the single source platform, I would expect it to go down, but it's hard today to kind of predict what would happen in 2020, exactly. John Nadel -- UBS -- Analyst Okay. Maybe it's just the redefinition or redefining the segment loss ratio, expense ratio, combined ratio, but I thought you guys used -- previously, you were talking about 2 to 4 point over time of expense ratio reduction, is that no longer the case or is that just been, like yes, muted or hidden if you will by the aggregation of that expense ratio for the total segment? Richard Dziadzio -- Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer I think John , what I would say is we still feel very good about the long-term impact of that and we've reaffirmed that 86% to 90% combined ratio over time for the segment. John Nadel -- UBS -- Analyst Okay, that's helpful. Thank you so much. Alan B. Colberg -- President and Chief Executive Officer Thanks, John. Alright, well, thanks everyone for participating in today's call. We're pleased with our first quarter performance and believe we're off to a strong start for the year. We look forward to updating you on our progress on our second quarter earnings call in August. In the meantime, please reach out to Suzanne Shepherd or Sean Moshier with any follow-up questions. Thank you. Operator Thank you. This does conclude today's teleconference. Please disconnect your lines at this time and have a wonderful day. Duration: 36 minutes Call participants: Suzanne Shepherd -- Senior Vice President, Investor Relations Alan B. Colberg -- President and Chief Executive Officer Richard Dziadzio -- Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer John Nadel -- UBS -- Analyst Christopher Campbell -- KBW -- Analyst More AIZ analysis All earnings call transcripts Photo: The Canadian Press An alleged bike thief has been banned from Vancouver Island. The 38-year-old was handed a one-way ferry ticket and told to stay away unless he's there to attend court, CTV News reports. The man was arrested in Nanaimo last week after being caught with a stolen bait bike. After his arrest, police found out the man was wanted on 11 arrest warrants across Alberta, including for violent offences. Officers drove the man to the Departure Bay ferry terminal, bought him a walk-on ticket with their own money, and said good riddance. He's scheduled to next appear in court on June 4. with files from CTV Vancouver Five Indian sailors posted in Nigeria have been "abducted" by pirates, confirmed External Minister Sushma Swaraj. She has also asked Indian Ambassador in Nigeria Abhay Thakur to "take the matter" with the Government of Nigeria to ensure an immediate release of sailors. "I have seen news reports about abduction of five Indian sailors by pirates in Nigeria," tweeted Swaraj on Monday. "I am asking Indian High Commissioner to take this up at the highest level with Government of Nigeria for their release," she added. This comes days after Indian media reported that pirates have abducted five Indian sailors last month and took their ship MT Apecus in Bonny Outer anchorage in Nigeria. -ANI The Supreme Court Tuesday allowed Karti Chidambaram, who is facing criminal cases being probed by the ED and CBI, to travel to the US, Germany and Spain this month. A bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices Deepak Gupta and Sanjiv Khanna said this nod to travel abroad was subject to compliance of conditions imposed earlier. The apex court had in January granted Karti, son of Congress leader P Chidambaram, permission to travel abroad after depositing Rs 10 crore with the secretary general of the Supreme Court. The top court had also asked him to file an undertaking that he would return and cooperate with the investigation. Karti is facing criminal cases which are being probed by the Enforcement Directorate and the CBI. One of the cases relates to the Foreign Investment Promotion Board clearance to INX Media for receiving foreign funds of Rs 305 crore when his father was the finance minister. -PTI iCRYO Cryotherapy Exhibiting at International Franchise Expo New York Leading Cryotherapy Franchise Showcasing Rapid Growth at 2019 Expo May 07, 2019 // Franchising.com // HOUSTON - iCRYO Cryotherapy, the leading Cryotherapy franchise in the United States, announced today that it will be exhibiting at the 2019 International Franchise Expo in New York. With over 400 franchise opportunities available, the largest franchise expo in the country will be held at The Javits Center in New York, NY from May 30June 1, 2019. iCRYO Cryotherapy, exhibiting at Booth #100, offers Whole Body Cryotherapy, Localized Cryotherapy, Cryotherapy Facials, Compression Therapy and Infrared Sauna, as well as Cryoskin services for body slimming and toning. A list of benefits from Cryotherapy include: muscle recovery, decrease in joint pain, immunity boost, stress relief, anti-aging, skin rejuvenation, metabolic boost and improved sleep. With six open locations nationwide and six currently in development, iCRYO Cryotherapy is experiencing tremendous growth in 2019. In March, the franchise announced its newest equity partner, Dallas Cowboys Linebacker Jaylon Smith, who will assist with franchise development and marketing. Our team has worked tirelessly over the last several years to bring iCRYO nationwide, said Kyle Jones, Co-Founder and COO of iCRYO Cryotherapy. With new locations set to open in major cities around the country, were excited to showcase our growth and the benefits of Cryotherapy on a national stage at the International Franchise Expo. We greatly value our relationship with the IFA and MFV and are looking forward to a fantastic event in New York. About iCRYO Cryotherapy Headquartered in Houston, TX, iCRYO Cryotherapy is setting the standard for Cryotherapy nationwide. As the leading franchise in the industry, iCRYO Cryotherapy is an affordable, convenient and professional Cryotherapy franchise that offers Cryotherapy and other wellness services to the communities in which they are located. iCRYO offers a turnkey franchise system for Cryotherapy business owners. Whether it be a retail location or an addition to a gym or existing business, we have the systems and comprehensive training in place to provide safe Cryotherapy in your area. Our mission is to elevate the lifestyle of our team members and guests while raising the bar in the health and wellness market. To learn more, visit www.icryo.com. SOURCE iCRYO Cryotherapy ### Comments: Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Disqus Villa Restaurant Group Expands Its Presence At Newark Liberty International Airport With Four New Restaurant Concepts Morristown, NJ-Based Global Multi-Brand Restaurant Operator and Franchisor Wins Bid and Inks Partnership Deal to Open New Dining Options May 07, 2019 // Franchising.com // MORRISTOWN, NJ - Morristown-based Villa Restaurant Group, a global multi-brand restaurant operator and franchisor, today announced plans to bring three new quick-service dining options to Newark Liberty International Airport, all opening throughout 2019. This news follows the awarding of a contract by The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield Airports, which also includes the debut of one of Villa Restaurant Groups full-service, 40NORTH Restaurants concepts at the airport in 2019. Located in the pre-security area of Terminal B, the new quick-service restaurants include Villa Restaurant Groups proprietary quick-service brand Tony + Bennys Pizza Parlor, along with partnership concepts including Carlos Bakery, founded by Buddy Valastro Jr., chef and TV personality from TLCs Cake Boss and the now-open Salsaritas Fresh Mexican Grill. 40NORTH Restaurants full-service concept, Piattino: A Neighborhood Bistro, will also be located in Terminal B. After an extensive Competitive Evaluation Process (CEP), Villa Restaurant Group was selected for its ability to deliver new and innovative restaurant brands that reflect the best-of-the-best from the New Jersey dining scene. The company presented three concepts that offered a wide variety of food options and price points to meet the needs of the more than seven million passengers that pass through the terminal each year. The win is yet another milestone for Villa Restaurant Group as it continues to expand on its growing airport presence, which includes locations at LaGuardia International Airport, Orlando International Airport, Philadelphia International Airport, Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport and more. We are proud to have been selected by The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and URW Airports to bring fresh, new and innovative dining options to Newark Liberty International Airport, right here in our home state of New Jersey, said Christopher McNamee, Senior Manager of Business Development, Villa Restaurant Group. The CEP outlined a strong desire to focus on local brands and cuisine. As industry veterans, we have the experience and system-wide flexibility to scale our own concepts accordingly and to work with partner brands to deliver the quality and variety that can exceed the passengers and the developers needs. These new openings will give us a great opportunity to expand the footprint and exposure of some of our fastest growing concepts, further our relationship with a great strategic partner and to debut the first-ever airport location of a world class brand right here in our own backyard. What began with a single pizzeria in New York City more than 50 years ago, Villa Restaurant Group has since grown to encompass nearly 350 total restaurant locations across 15 quick and full-service brands in 41 US States and 6 total countries. Over the past several years, Villa Restaurant Group has focused on multi-unit opportunities, airport development and master-leased food courts, expansion of management services, the creation of new restaurant concepts and strategic partnerships to help fuel its impressive growth. Tony + Bennys Pizza Parlor Located in the pre-security area of Terminal B, this fun, new, quick-service concept will offer travelers delicious menu items inspired by old-word recipes, including classic, Sicilian, grandma and margarita pizzas, pastas, calzones and fried street eats, all made from fresh, high-quality ingredients. Featuring decor inspired by the bold graffiti art that is an iconic part of Brooklyns culture, Tony + Bennys will also serve hot breakfast items for travelers on-the-go. Piattino: A Neighborhood Bistro Located in Terminal B, Piattino: A Neighborhood Bistro is one of North Jerseys most celebrated restaurants, serving up modern twists to traditional Italian fare. Known for its delicious, hand-stretched Neapolitan style pizzas and sandizzas (its own version of a Panini) baked fresh at 800 degrees in its imported Italian stone-fired oven, Piattino has a reputation for using premium ingredients ranging from truffled wild mushrooms to 24-month-aged prosciutto di Parma. For more information, visit Piattino: A Neighborhood Bistro. Salsaritas Fresh Mexican Grill Open Now! Located in the pre-security area of Terminal B, Salsaritas is a fresh take on Mexican classics, offering guests completely customizable and made-to-order order meals in a bright, colorful and comfortable environment. From our wildly addictive tortilla chips made fresh all day, every day, to our house-made salsas (theyre so good, salsa is in our name), hand-mashed guacamole or slow-marinated and flame grilled choice steak and chicken, its why from Buffalo, NY to Auburn University to Tyler, TX, Salsaritas is almost always the locals choice for Best Mexican Food. For information, visit www.salsaritas.com. Carlos Bakery In partnership with Buddy Valastro Jr., founder, chef and TV personality of TLCs Cake Boss, Carlo's Bakery specializes in baking up the sweetest treats, wedding cakes and custom cakes for any occasion. Carlos Bakery will be located in the pre-security area of Terminal B. For information, visit www.carlosbakery.com. We at Carlos Bakery are very excited to have teamed up with Villa Restaurant Group to open this new location in Terminal B at Newark Airport, said Buddy Valastro Jr., Founder, Carlos Bakery, Villas extensive experience with restaurant operations ensures this location will be in amazing hands. For more information, please visit www.villarestaurantgroup.com. About Villa Restaurant GroupSM (previously known as Villa Enterprises) Villa Restaurant GroupSM is a global multi-brand restaurant operator and franchisor. Founded in 1964 by Michele (Michael) Scotto, a Naples, Italy native, Villa Restaurant Group, began as a small pizzeria next to the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York City. Today, Villa Restaurant Group is an international organization that recently celebrated its 54th anniversary with nearly 350 restaurants in malls, airports, casinos and other high-traffic locations. Villa Restaurant Groups quick-service restaurant brands, including Villa Italian Kitchen, Green Leafs Beyond Great Salads, Bananas Smoothies & Frozen Yogurt, South Philly Cheesesteaks & Fries, Far East Asian Fire, and other emerging brands, can be found throughout the United States and internationally. Villa also operates full service restaurants in New Jersey under the 40North Restaurant Group brand including The Black Horse Tavern & Pub, The Office Tavern Grill, The OFFICE Beer Bar & Grill, Piattino and George & Marthas and Steelworks Buffet & Grill in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. For more information, please visit www.villarestaurantgroup.com. SOURCE Villa Restaurant Group ### Comments: Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Disqus Ask Elizabeth Delgado what makes a Cuban sandwich great, and shell tell you its the bread. The bread is everything, said Delgado, who will open Cuban Cravings restaurant at 11 a.m. Saturday in Cosners Corner shopping center in Massaponax. The recipe is so simple; its the process of proofing the bread that makes the difference, she said. Some compare to it French or Italian bread, theres a little extra oomph to it that regular bread doesnt have. If youve been to Miami, and especially if youre Cuban, you know the difference. Delgado will get her baguette-like loaves with the characteristic crisp cracker crust and tender middle from a Florida bakery. Besides Cuban sandwiches, or Cubanos as theyre often called, her new restaurants menu will also include a number of dishes that were popular on the Cuban Cravings food truck that she used to operate. They include ropa vieja, which she makes with pulled brisket in a Creole tomato sauce. That was huge, she said. Its very special to me because it was so popular. Student loan scams can be avoided if you know what to look for. Here are three warning signs to look out for, as well as some essential ways to keep your information protected. Fredericksburg is close to getting a new brand identity. HUB Collective, the Portland, Ore., design firm thats been working since December to develop a plan for the city, will meet with the citys branding committee and update the public on its efforts during two sessions Thursday. The project is expected to be finished by the end of July. Weve gotten to a point where we can say, Heres our platform, and show visuals to the committee, said Sonja Wise, the citys spokeswoman. Were at that pivotal moment, and are very, very excited. City officials decided that Fredericksburg needed a unified brand for the entire city because it currently uses a variety of images that have been created over the years. They range from the citys official seal, which features two feathers from the badge of the Prince of Wales to memorialize Prince Frederick, for whom the City of Fredericksburg was named; to a stylized silhouette of the downtown skyline thats the Department of Economic Development and Tourisms logo. He was a friend of ours, Burcie said. Todd lost his life when he fell through a roof in an apartment fire. We wanted to do something to keep his memory alive. Repeated several times during the brief gathering was a quoteThey say you die twice. One time when you stop breathing and a second time when somebody says your name for the last time. Lt. Todd Krodle was a great, Christian man, said Green. He was an excellent firefighter and a mentor. Todd was also a lot of fun and just a quality human being nobody wanted to forget, he said. Lane Riley, a college senior who works part-time for Carry the Load, based in Dallas, said a lot of Americans dont know how to observe Memorial Day the correct way. Talk about the fallen, say their names. The respect should be given year-round, he said. This is an alternative way of honoring those people. Along the route, done in five-mile increments before the passing off of an American flag, citizens are invited to walk along to talk about the people being remembered. We carry the stories of these men and women, Riley said. America will spend $3.5 trillion on health care this year (thats more than the GDP of Canada)and waste at least $500 billion of that on costs that accommodate our multiple-payer system without providing a shred of healthcare to anyone. But single-payer Medicare-for-All (M4A) eliminates that wasteful spending and instead earmarks it for actual patient careand at that point wed have enough money to give first-dollar coverage (no co-pays, no deductibles, no need for supplemental insurance) for everyone in the country for all medically necessary care, including doctor and hospital visits, labs, X-rays, nursing home care, and medications. How are we going to pay for it? We already do. We already have enough money in the system to give everyone first-dollar coverage for all medically necessary care. We just dont spend it wisely, given the immense waste in our current system. Rather than having a health insurance system that involves Medicare, Medicaid and hundreds of individual (and generally for-profit) insurance companies, a single government-related entity similar to the Medicare we have now will collect health care contributions from most everyone with an income, and will pay 100 percent for our health care. But what about the victims? The initial grant to pay for backlog testing stipulated that a kit would not be tested if an investigation had determined that no crime had been committed, or if the victim did not want it tested. When legislation was passed calling for the old PERKs to be tested, however, a victims current wishes on testing or notification 10, 20, or 30 years later couldnt be known. What the legislation did specify is that all victims (or responsible parties or next of kin) shall be notified once their kits were tested. Disagreement also remains on whether notification was to be limited to those tests that resulted in a DNA database hit. Repeated attempts to seek clarification on these issues from Attorney General Mark R. Herrings office were unsuccessful. In any event, according to published reports, there have been instances of decades-old wounds being reopened when victims were notified out of the blue. Blanket notifications were blind to any personal circumstances that made unearthing an old incident the last thing a victim would want. Maybe they had finally put the nightmare behind them for good, or so they thought. Was the victim now in a relationship with someone unaware of that episode in her past? As were getting closer and closer to the next generation, every major event is a good occasion for platform owners to reveal their newest consoles. PS5 was the first to get a proper acknowledgment of existence a few weeks ago when lead system architect Mark Cerny shared early details on the hardware. With this happening, and with Sony not attending E3 2019 this June, it looked like a proper reveal could be planned for this year ahead of a 2020 launch. While theres still a chance for a late 2019 (PSX this December?) presentation, State of Play #2 scheduled for May 9 wont offer any detail on the next-gen console. Sony was quite clear about this topic, when announced the broadcast, saying that one note: dont expect any updates relating to our next-generation plans this time. Sorry! Of course, such a note is meant not to let people be disappointed at the end of the episode when they understand they wont be getting their share of next-generation plans this soon, and also to prevent them from asking about it in the couple days of wait for the episode to be live. Anyway, the next State of Play will be good enough without a PS5 presentation, as from what we just learned a long-awaited PS4 game could get a re-reveal in the ten-minute-long Nintendo Directesque broadcast. On top of that, Sony has already announced that MediEvil will get a major focus throughout the episode and that a PlayStation 4 game from the Worldwide Studios will premiere. The Corvallis High School Green Club is hosting a climate action fair and speakers at 5 p.m. Thursday at the high school, 1400 NW Buchanan Ave. The Climate Solutions: What Every Parent and Community Members Needs to Know and Do event starts with a fair at 5 p.m. Local organizations will be on hand to talk about their climate action activities. At 6 p.m. the free event shifts into the speaker portion, which features Kelsey Juliana of Our Childrens Trust and Asher Miller of the Post Carbon Institute. Juliana is part of a landmark lawsuit filed in 2015 by 21 youth plaintiffs against the United States and several of its executive branch positions and officers. The suit asserts that the government violated the youths' rights by allowing activities that harmed the climate and seeks the government to adopt methods for reducing carbon dioxide emissions. The action received a big boost in 2016 when U.S. District Court of Oregon Judge Ann Aiken of Eugene upheld the idea that access to a clean environment was a fundamental right, allowing the case to proceed. The case remains in the courts with oral arguments set before the Ninth Circuit Court in June in Portland. Miller, who moved from California to Corvallis when the Post Carbon Institute relocated here in June 2017, will discuss the urgency of climate action and how people can individually and collectively make the transition away from fossil fuels. At 7 p.m. the fair kicks back in. Food will be available for purchase and child care is being offered for those aged 3 to 10, with age-appropriate activities supervised by Corvallis High School child development students. Roughly 90% of all seniors at CVHS and CHS feel afraid for their future due to catastrophic climate disruption, said Julie Williams, CHS teacher and Green Club coordinator. If 90% of our students are afraid, shouldnt we do something about it? The event is sponsored by The Corvallis High School Green Club, Seeds for the Sol, 350 Corvallis, the Corvallis Climate Action Advisory Board, the Corvallis Sustainability Coalition, the Oregon Clean Power Cooperative and 500 Women Scientists. For information, email info@sustainablecorvallis.org or call 541-230-1237. Contact reporter James Day at jim.day@gazettetimes.com or 541-758-9542. Follow at Twitter.com/jameshday or gazettetimes.com/blogs/jim-day. Love 2 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The U.S. Small Business Administration Office will host a free resource showcase, open to current or aspiring business owners, at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at Linn-Benton Community College, 6500 Pacific Blvd. SW, in the Calapooia Center, Room 211. SBA works to provide entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support to start and grow their businesses. The event will also spotlight how the USDA Office of Rural Development works to provide business and community development financing for rural areas, and how LBCCs professional advisers can provide insight and solutions for the development and growth of businesses. Information about Oregons Government Contracting Assistance Program and Community Lending Works also will be provided at the showcase. Love 1 Funny 1 Wow 2 Sad 0 Angry 0 A Mill City man has been sentenced to 16 months in the custody of the Oregon Department of Corrections on child pornography charges. Leslie James Van Dolah, 53, pleaded guilty in Linn County Circuit Court to four counts of second-degree encouraging child abuse in early March. His sentencing hearing was on April 26. Two counts of first-degree encouraging child sex abuse and three counts of encouraging the sexual assault of an animal were dismissed as part of the negotiated settlement. Van Dolah, who was a city of Salem automotive services worker, must register as a sex offender. He had no previous criminal history. The Linn County Sheriffs Office investigated the case. Kyle Odegard can be reached at kyle.odegard@lee.net, 541-812-6077 or via Twitter @KyleOdegard. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 August 28, 1955 April 16, 2019 Laurence (Larry) Derek Berry of Philomath passed away unexpectedly while battling complications from the flu and pneumonia at Legacy Emanuel Hospital in Portland on April 16, 2019. He was 63. His wife was by his side. Larry was born in Klamath Falls on August 28, 1955. As a child his family moved several times throughout western Oregon finally settling in Corvallis. After high school Larry joined the Navy. He served on the USS Kirk during the Vietnam War from 1972-1974. Larry was a devoted fan of the annual Albany Veterans Day parade and never missed an opportunity (rain or shine) to be there. In 1979, Larry met his future wife (Catherine Carlozzi) while working at the Ninth Street Cinema. They both went on to live their separate lives and then reconnected in 1986 and moved to Philomath. They were married at Bevens Park in Philomath on October 5, 1991. They bought a small house and have lived there ever since. They raised two truck-lovin, mudslinging, redneck boys. Larry was an avid car guy and off-road enthusiast. He loved car shows, racing, off-road events and swap meets. Other than his family, his most cherished possession was his 1971 red and white early Bronco. He was an active member of Strawberry Hill Four Wheelers and although the club is made up of many different 4WD vehicles, Larrys Bronco was a unicorn in a sea of Jeeps. He participated in highway cleanups, SOLV beach cleanups and various trail cleanups to help preserve the sport that he loved. He and his wife both donated their time once a year to help with the annual Philomath Frolic and Rodeo behind the scenes, putting up and taking down the directional signs along Main and Applegate Streets. Larry worked numerous jobs in the Corvallis/Philomath area over the years, including the NorthSide/Diamond B planer mill at the Y in Philomath where he worked his way up to Lumber Grader. Since 1994, he has worked for and at the HP site in Corvallis as a technician in their Materials Characterization Lab testing Inkjet pen cartridges. Larry cared about the job he did and the people he worked with. He was the kind of person that would help anyone, anytime, on anything to make the whole team successful. His co-workers considered themselves lucky to have had a chance to work with him. Larry is survived by his wife Catherine (Cathy) Berry; sons Derek (Amber) Berry of Corvallis and Dustin Berry of Philomath; his Little Light granddaughter Eleanor of Corvallis; parents Harold and Judy Berry of Medford; sister Julie (Larry) David of Redding, California; brother Brian (Colleen) Berry of Tacoma, Washington; and numerous nieces and nephews. A celebration of life will be held at the Philomath Scout Lodge, 660 Clemens Rd., Philomath, OR 97370 on Saturday, May 18, 2019. There will be a memorial service at 1 p.m. followed by a reception and refreshments until 4 p.m. to reminisce, grieve support each other and, of course, just chat. The dress will be casual. Larry wouldnt want it any other way. An editorial last month about some unexpected bumps facing industrial hemp producers reported about an Idaho case in which law officers seized a truckload of hemp being shipped from Oregon because well, because it looked just like marijuana. In fact, Idaho authorities thought it might be the biggest marijuana bust in state history, and said so in press releases. Big Sky Scientific, the Colorado company that owned the truckload, protested the bust, and authorities duly sent a sample of the plant off for testing. But authorities continued to hang onto the alleged contraband, which had been sold to Big Sky by a hemp farmer who was licensed by the Oregon Department of Agriculture. Here's an update: The results of the testing are back. As advertised, it's industrial hemp, not marijuana, and so those dreams by Idaho authorities of the biggest pot bust in state history have gone up in smoke, if you will. Industrial hemp, you'll recall, was legalized on the federal level in the 2018 Farm Bill. That bill also removed hemp (finally!) from the federal list of controlled substances. It's true that hemp bears a striking family resemblance to marijuana, but the main difference is that industrial hemp contains less than 0.3 percent tetrahydrocannobinol (THC), the principal psychoactive constituent of cannabis. Nobody gets high smoking industrial hemp. But the crop has considerable promise and U.S. farmers, always interested in exploring new ways to make a buck, are looking for ways to enter the hemp market, estimated as being worth $820 million annually, a figure that's only going to grow in the future. The problem for law enforcement officers is that there's no easy way to test a plant to determine if it's hemp or marijuana; hence the wait endured by Big Sky Scientific while its load of plants was tested at a Kentucky lab. (A fortune awaits the inventor who finally figures out a way to do field tests to accurately determine THC levels.) So, now that the test results are back, you would think that the state would be taking pains to return that load of hemp to Big Sky Scientific, perhaps with a note of apology. No such luck, and here's why: Even though industrial hemp has been legalized on the federal level (and, of course, in Oregon), it's still illegal in Idaho, regardless of the THC level. Any person possessing hemp faces the same punishment as a person possessing marijuana even as Idaho grocery stores sell products containing hemp oil. Idaho authorities, at last word, still had not yet released the shipment to Big Sky. (In fact, a press release from Big Sky reported that the truck itself remains impounded and that Idaho authorities have asked a state judge to let them sell the truck and trailer presumably to help pay for Idaho's robust war on hemp.) More seriously, the driver of the truck, 36-year-old Denis V. Palamarchuk of Portland, still faces felony charges of drug trafficking-marijuana, a crime that carries a mandatory five-year minimum prison sentence if convicted. He's pleaded not guilty to the charge and is out on bond. In the meantime, Oregon Department of Agriculture officials have issued a formal warning urging hemp growers not to ship their crop over state lines. The warning likely isn't that necessary, seeing how trucking companies often are reluctant to have their rolling stock seized by law enforcement officers. It all is vaguely reminiscent of the plot of the first "Smokey and the Bandit" movie, if you substituted hemp for Coors beer. These hemp issues eventually will be ironed out, but it likely will require action on the federal level. And, as demand grows for hemp products, the pressure will be on states like Idaho to legalize the substance. The only question is whether this will be a minor hiccup for a growing industry or something that could do lasting harm. (mm) Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 Microsoft Build 2019 announcement highlights: From Chromium based Edge browser to AI assisted Office News oi-Vivek Microsoft Edge browser will be available on macOS as well At the annual Developers Conference in Redmond on the 6th of May, Microsoft has showcased a lot of upcoming products and projects under the Microsoft Build 2019 banner. Just like every year, Microsoft has showcased some ambitious products and projects, here is the full report about the same. Chromium-based Edge browser Edge was a lightweight browser that comes as a default internet browsing tool on laptops and computers running on Windows 10. The Microsoft Edge browser did not pick up the phase as Microsoft expected due to some underlying reasons, and now, the company is building an all-new Edge browser based on Chromium OS. Chromium OS is an open source project built on top of Linux, and it looks a lot like the Google Chrome browser, as it uses the same UI. Internet Explorer inside Edge With the shiny new Edge browser, Microsoft is integrating the Windows Internet Explorer as a feature inside the Edge browser, instead of a dedicated app, as there are still a lot of services which uses the Internet Explorer. Edge for macOS macOS, the proprietary computer OS system from Apple is getting the taste of Edge browser based on Chromium OS as well. macOS comes with Safari as a default browser, and third-party internet browsing software like Google Chrome, Opera, and Mozilla Firefox are already available for macOS. As the Edge browser is already available for Android OS, Microsoft is planning to make the Edge browser as a universal internet browsing tool, and the company can attract a lot of audience with an Edge browser tailormade for macOS. Improved privacy settings Microsoft is channelizing all the user data into three different categories, with the new and improved Edge browser a user can choose between different privacy settings like Unrestricted, Balanced or Strict, and depending on the choice, the browser will access the data. The browser will also keep a tab on how third-party sites will track your activities on the Edge browser. AI in Microsoft Office products Microsoft has shared a plan to integrate AI and deep learning into Office 365 products to improve productivity in day-to-day usage cases. As of now, there is no information on how Microsoft will implement the AI on Office 365. Cortana enhanced by Semantic Machines Currently, there are more than 70 million Windows 10 powered devices with built-in virtual assistant Cortana. However, Cortana has very few use-cases, and the company will add more features like Conversation AI and machine learning to Cortana with the help of Semantic Machines. Fuild Framework Fluid Framework is a new Internet-based platform with different modular components. According to Microsoft, a user can work with AI to do a lot of works like designing, calculations, construction planning, and a lot more. As of now, there is no information on the launch date for the Fluid Framework. Best Mobiles in India Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow Notifications Flipkart Carnival Sale: Great Discounts on Laptops and Notebooks Features oi-Harish Kumar Flipkart Carnival Sale not only looks great for smartphones but also users can avail some laptops at their best-discounted price variant. These laptops can also be fetched based on some other enticing deals. You can find a varying range of laptops at the portal coming from brands such as Apple, Acer, Lenovo, etc. With a motive to give you a better idea, we have shared a listing of some of the best laptops. The offers which will greatly help you in purchasing these laptops are no cost EMI option, exchange up to Rs. 7,500, extra Rs. 1,500 off on prepaid transaction(bank offer), 5% off with Axis bank buzz credit card, 1 Year International Travelers Warranty (ITW), 1 Year Onsite Warranty, and more. Besides, some of the best features being incorporated by these laptops include- NVIDIA Geforce GTX 1050Ti for desktop level performance, pre-installed Genuine Windows 10 OS, anti-glare display, and more. For a better understanding, select your favorite laptop from the list and check its complete features and purchase accordingly. 8% off on Dell Vostro 15 3000 Core i5 8th Gen Buy This offer on Flipkart Key Specs 15.6 inch Full HD LED Backlit Display Core i5 Processor - 8th Generation -8250U Windows 10 operating system MSOffice 8GB RAM DDR4 2 TB HDD 14% off on HP 14q Core i3 7th Gen Buy This offer on Flipkart Key Specs 14 inch HD LED Backlit BrightView Display Stylish & Portable Thin and Light Laptop Light Laptop without Optical Disk Drive 3 cell battery 65 W AC Adapter 40% off on Acer Predator Helios 300 Core i5 8th Gen Buy This offer on Flipkart Key Specs 15.6 inch Full HD LED Backlit IPS Display NVIDIA Geforce GTX 1050Ti for Desktop Level Performance Light Laptop without Optical Disk Drive Pre-installed Genuine Windows 10 OS 4 cell with 135 W AC Adapter 33% off on Lenovo Ideapad 330 Ryzen 5 Quad Core Buy This offer on Flipkart Key Specs Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 processor, 2GHz base processor speed, 3.6GHz Max speed, Quad-core Operating System: Pre-loaded Windows 10 Home with lifetime validity Display: 15.6-inch Full HD (1920x1080) Laptop | Antiglare display | 200 Nits screen Memory & Storage: 8GB DDR4 RAM with Integrated Graphics |Storage: 1TB 5400 RPM HDD Design & battery: Laptop weight 2.2 kg | Battery Life: Upto 4.5 hours as per MobileMark 2014 32% off on Acer Aspire 3 Ryzen 5 Quad Core Buy This offer on Flipkart Key Specs 15.6 inch HD LED Backlit TFT Display Pre-installed Genuine Windows 10 OS Light Laptop without Optical Disk Drive 2cell Battery 45 W AC Adapter 32% off on Asus Core i5 8th Gen Buy This offer on Flipkart Key Specs 15.6 inch Full HD LED Backlit Display Pre-installed Genuine Windows 10 OS NVIDIA Geforce 940MX for High Graphics Performance Windows 10 Home 2 cell battery 17% off on Apple MacBook Air Core i5 5th Gen Buy This offer on Flipkart Key Specs All new 2017 Apple MacBook Air 1.8GHz Intel Core i5 processor 8GB LPDDR3 RAM, 128GB Solid State hard drive 13.3-inch screen, Intel HD Graphics 6000 MacOS Sierra operating system 1.35kg laptop 1440x900 pixels per inch with support for millions of colors, 720p FaceTime HD camera 1 year warranty from manufacturer from date of purchase 26% off on Acer Swift 3 Core i5 8th Gen Buy This offer on Flipkart Key Specs 15.6 inch Full HD LED Backlit IPS Display Pre-installed Genuine Windows 10 OS NVIDIA Geforce MX150 for High Graphics Performance Light Laptop without Optical Disk Drive 24% off on Acer Aspire 5s Core i5 8th Gen Buy This offer on Flipkart Key Specs Processor: 8th Gen Intel Core i3-8145U processor, 2.10 GHz Turbo boost upto 3.90 GHz Design & battery: Thin & Light Laptop weight 1.8Kg, 17.9mm | Battery Life: 4 Cell Upto 7 hours Display: 15.6" FHD Display Acer ComfyView LED Backlit LCD Panel Memory & Storage: 4GB DDR4 RAM upgradeable upto 32GB RAM | Storage: 1TB HDD Operating System: Pre-loaded Windows 10 Home with lifetime validity In the Box: Laptop included with battery and charger, user guide and Warranty Card Ports & CD drive: 2 USB 2.0 | 1 USB 3.0 | 1 Type C Gen 1 (USB 3.1) | 1 HDMI | 4-in-1 card reader (SD,SDHC,SDXC,MMC) | Combo audio and microphone jack | With Gigabyte LAN port | Without CD-drive Lenovo Ideapad 530s Core i5 8th Gen Buy This offer on Flipkart Key Specs Processor: 8th Gen Intel Core i5-8250U processor, 1.6GHz base processor speed, 3.4GHz Max speed, Quad cores, 6MB SmartCache Operating System: Pre-loaded Windows 10 Home with lifetime validity Display: 15.6-inch Full HD (1920x1080) Laptop | Antiglare display | IPS - wide angle view | 250 nits Memory & Storage: 8GB DDR4 RAM with 2GB Nvidia GeForce MX150 Graphics | Storage: 512GB SSD Design & battery: Thin & Light Laptop | Laptop weight 1.69kg | Laptop thinness 1.6cm | 3-side narrow bezels | Battery Life: Upto 8 hours as per MobileMark 2014 | Rapid Charge - upto 2 hours battery life when charged for 15 minutes in switch off mode Warranty: This genuine Lenovo laptop comes with 1 year domestic warranty from Lenovo covering manufacturing defects and not covering physical damage. For more details, see Warranty section below Pre-installed Software: Windows 10 Home, MS Office H&S 2016 Best Mobiles in India Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow Notifications Google I/O 2019: Pixel 3a series, Android Q, and a lot more to be announced today News oi-Rohit Arora Google I/O keynote starts at 10:30 pm tonight. Stay tuned for new Pixel smartphones, Android Q and a lot more new updates. Google I/O 2019 starts tonight and is expected to bring exciting new products both in hardware and software categories for the end-users. This year, Google is set to use the stage to make key announcements for the new affordable Pixel smartphones, the all-new Android Q operating system and a lot more for its user base across the globe. The annual developer event is taking place in Mountain View, California and is going to be streamed live at 10:30 pm IST. Besides the new Pixel devices and new mobile OS, Google is also expected to talk about developments in the company's widely popular applications such as Google Assistant, Google Maps, YouTube, and much more. Let's find out in details about this year's Google I/O 2019. Google Pixel 3a Series- Affordable Pixels are almost here The much talked about affordable Google Pixel phones are undoubtedly going to be the highlight of this year's annual developer conference. Even much before Google I/O 2019, the new Pixel 3a series smartphones have been a talk of the town. Almost everything about the new affordable Pixels has been already leaked online. Just today we saw a massive leak talking about the entire detailed spec-sheet of the Pixel 3a smartphone. However, it is always better to wait for the official event to better understand about the new product. That said, Google is expected to unveil two new Pixel smartphones- Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL. The screen sizes will differ and the new affordable Pixels will be backed by Snapdragon 670 chipset. There will be no compromises on the rear camera department though with the bigger of the affordable Pixels, i.e. Pixel 3a XL. Android Q- New Mobile OS for Android smartphones At tonight's event, Google will officially unveil the Beta 3 version of Android 10 Q. The Beta 2 version of Android Q was recently rolled out by Google for Pixel phones and brought a lot of visual changes in the overall UI. You can install the second beta of Android Q by signing up for the beta program. For the tonight's Beta 3 version of Android Q, we can expect a host of new features. Google can talk a lot about the newest version of Google's navigation gestures, Dark mode, newly added security features and even information related to support for foldable displays. Google is also expected to talk about the support for 64-bit apps on new version of mobile OS. Overall, the search engine giant is going to give its users a lot to talk about in the coming months. I am quite exited to find out what Google is going to deliver on the software side. Nest Hub Max In addition to the new Pixel phones, Google is also expected to unveil the all-new Nest Hub Max smart screen. By what we know so far, the Nest Hub max is going to a bigger and better version of the Google Home smart assistant. It is going to rival the Amazon Echo Show, the smart screen that was recently unveiled in India at Rs. 22,990. The Nest hub is also expected to feature a 10-inch display with a front-facing camera to offer support for Google Duo video calls. The Nest Hub Max will be powered by Google Assistant and will offer stereo speakers to step up the audio game. It will be interesting to find out the pricing of Google's new smart assistant as Amazon has already up the ante with Echo Show. Besides these three major developments, we are also expecting Google to talk about developments in Google lens, Chrome OS, Google's new game-streaming service- Stadia, YouTube, Google Maps, and even developments in Google Photos. It's going to be an action-packed event and we will make sure you get all the major updates from the event. How to watch Google I/O 2019 livestream At last, you can tune in to Google I/O livestream on YouTube and on the Google's I/O website. The keynote starts at 10.30 pm IST. Stay tuned. Best Mobiles in India Google I/O 2019 highlights: Here's a wrap up of all announcements News oi-Abhinaya Prabhu You can catch the live updates from Google I/O 2019 over here. At the Google I/O 2019, the company made a slew of announcements spanning across categories. As expected, Android Q was announced with many new features and improvements. Also, the Google Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL were unveiled at much affordable price points than other Pixel smartphones launched so far. Android Q features Android version 10 aka Android Q focuses on innovation, security and privacy and Digital Wellbeing. When it comes to hardware, all foldable and 5G phones launching this year will run Android. Android Q will have Smart Reply with Suggested Actions too. This is possible with on-device learning. Even Live Caption uses this. And, Android Q gets Dark Mode, the much-anticipated features. Google Pixel 3a, Pixel 3a XL price Pixel 3a is priced at $399 (approx. Rs. 28,000).The Google Pixel 3a XL is priced at $479 (approx. Rs. 33,500). These phones will be available via many carriers in the US and will go on sale in 13 markets from today. When it comes to the Indian market, the Pixel 3a will be priced at Rs. 39,999 and will go on sale from May 15. The highlight of these smartphones include OLED displays, long-lasting battery life with fast-charging support, Titan M security chip, impressive camera capabilities with OiS, Dual Pixel auto focus, Super High Res Zoom, AI-powered features and NightSight. These phones feature a polycarbonate build. Other launches at Google I/O Besides the ones mentioned above, Google also launched many new features and improvements to Google Assistant, Google Search and Google News. Also, Google Home has been renamed Next Hub and has received a price cut. And, the Next Hub Max was launched with a bigger screen size and other improvements for $229 (approx. Rs. 15,500). Live updates You can catch up with the live updates as the action unfolds at the Google I/O 2019 from here. Auto Refresh Feeds Google is talking about AI research that it is conducting in the medical sector, AI for impact Challenge and AI for social good. Google Maps on Pixel phones will use AR to show arrows on the real-world scenario. Pixel 3a has adaptive battery delivering 30 hours on a single charge. Pixel 3a is priced at 9 (approx. Rs. 28,000).The Google Pixel 3a XL is priced at 9 (approx. Rs. 33,500). These phones will be available via many carriers in the US and will go on sale in 13 markets from today. Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL are the latest additions to the lineup designed to be affordable and feature-rich. The Pixel 3a has OLED display, come in three colors - Black, White and Purple, supports Bluetooth 5.0 and a 3.5mm headphone jack. It has many camera capabilities including NightSight, portrait mode on both front and rear cameras and there is free Google Photo storage as well. Google Home Hub is remaned Nest Hub gets a redesigned display. Google has introduced Next Hub Max with a 10-inch display. It supports Google Duo with its wide-angle lens camera. There is a physical button that will disconnect the camera and mic features. It is priced at 9 (approx. Rs. 15,500) later this summer. The Next Hub gets a price cut taking it down to 9 (approx. Rs. 9,000). For security and privacy, it has Google Play Protect as it scans million of apps. Android Q has over 50 features related to security and privacy including Location History and more. The big thing on this front is that the ability to receive OTA updates of security patches. It also comes with Focus Modeto remove distractions. Android Q also gets improved Parental controls with bonus time too. Android Q beta is available on 21 devices besides Pixel smartphones. Android Q will have Smart Reply with Suggested Actions too. This is possible with on-device learning. Even Live Caption uses this. And, Android Q gets Dark Mode, the much-anticipated features. Now, it's time for Android version 10 aka Android Q with innovation, security and privacy and Digital Wellbeing. When it comes to hardware, all foldable and 5G phones launching this year will run Android. Live Caption is under testing and will display subtitles or captions has a variety of use cases. It can also caption phone calls and know what is playing amidst a meeting, help people with hearing disabilities. The phone call captioning feature is called Live Relay. They are also working on helping people with speech issues. The research on voice recognition models are going on. This project is called Project Euphonia. Google Account will get Auto Delete and Maps and Search will get Incognito mode. Security Key authentication will be rolled out to all devices running Android Nougat and above. Now, the talk is about AI for Everyone. Google engineers are developing a new method called TCAV to resolve bias-related in AI and machine learning. Picks for You will be launched for smart displays with recipes, podcasts and more. It wiill be rolled out this summer. You can add personal preferences and edit them anytime in the future for better results. Google Assistant will get a driving mode that will be rolled out to any Android device this summer. Talking about Google Assistant, it is improved to be activated with 'Hey Google' command in between every task. The next-generation Assistant can handle complex voice commands too. It will be rolled out to the new Pixel phones later this year. Duplex launched last year is extending into further categories and is becoming more useful. Google Duplex is rolling out to the internet users to help them book car rentals with preferences. This will be called Duplex for Web. Google Go is the search app for entry-level devices. This will use the camera and Google Lens to read aloud the information that is tough to view or read. It reads the information in your own language with text-to-speech, computer vision and translation. It is a lightweight application and will be rolled out later this month. Google is bringing camera to Google Search giving a 3D view of the search result using AR core. Also, the search result can be placed in your own space with the Google Balance feature. Besides this, Podcasts are also coming to Google Search. Talking about Google News, the Full Coverage feature will be displayed in the search results page itself. It will let you see a timeline of events too. Google has used AR in the Google I/O app to help the attendees. Now, Sundar Pichai is on stage addressing the audience. The event is all set to start and the countdown is going on. The annual developer conference is all set to start in a few minutes. Best Mobiles in India Google releases new Android security patch for older Pixel smartphones News oi-Sandeep Sarkar The update brings along May 2019 Android security patch along with some other bug fixes. Google is hosting its annual developer conference, I/O 2019 today in Mountain View, California. The company is expected to introduce the affordable Pixel 3a lineup along with Android Q, and Google Home among other products. Just ahead of its developer conference, the tech giant has dished out a new firmware update for the older Pixel smartphones. Google has rolled out the latest Android security patch for Pixel smartphones. The latest firmware released brings the May 2019 Android security patch. The update brings along some other vulnerability fixes in the mix besides the security patch. It is currently unknown as to when the older Pixel smartphones will receive the April 2019 Android update. The update is being pushed out as OTA and the Pixel users will get a notification when it is available on their devices. The firmware will be available on all of the Pixel, Pixel XL, Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL, Pixel 3, and Pixel 3 XL. Users can also try to update their devices manually. The update can be checked in the Settings menu under the System Update section. Also, you can click on these links, factory images, and OTA Files to flash the update files manually. As for the Google I/O 2019 event, the Pixel 3a duo launch is what everyone is looking forward to. With the Google Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL launch, Google will also get a chance to compete in the premium mid-range category. The biggest rival of the Pixel 3a series could the OnePlus 7 lineup. Also, OnePlus is only a week away from its launch. Looking at all the leaked specifications, it appears that OnePlus might have a slight upper hand. However, Pixel smartphones are known for capable hardware and performance. It would be interesting to see which of the latest entries grabs the attention of the masses. Stay tuned with us to get all the latest updates on Google I/O 2019 event. via Best Mobiles in India Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow Notifications OnePlus 7 leaks with dual cameras and waterdrop notch display ahead of May 14 launch News oi-Sandeep Sarkar The leak also point-out at an in-display fingerprint scanner. OnePlus is gearing up for the launch of OnePlus 7 smartphone lineup next week for the masses. The Chinese smartphone manufacturer is hosting a launch event in three different cities including Bangaluru, New York and London on May 14. The upcoming OnePlus 7 smartphone line has been leaked with some impressive set of hardware such as an HDR 10+ certified high-resolution display and Snapdragon 855 processor. Now a new leak has made its way to the web revealing the display and cameras on the standard OnePlus 7 smartphone. The OnePlus 7 is said to feature a display with dewdrop style notch. This leak comes in line with the previous rumors which suggested the same notch on OnePlus 7. The latest leaked renders suggest that the device will pack stereo speakers for audio output. The front of the device will have OnePlus 6T like design with slightly wide earpiece grille. While the OnePlus 7 pro is said to pack triple-lens rear cameras, the standard OnePlus 7 is leaked with dual rear cameras. The dual-lens setup at the rear panel is accompanied by an LED flash to assist in low-light imaging. Besides, the leak also point-out at an in-display fingerprint scanner as a biometric authentication feature. If we look at the recent leaks, the OnePlus will run on Qualcomm's latest premium chipset Snapdragon 855. The processor will be combined with 6GB/8GB RAM and storage space of 128GB. The primary camera setup at the rear might have a 48MP lens paired with a 5MP depth sensor. For selfies, the device could come with a 24MP front camera. It is also worth noting that the pricing of the OnePlus 7 series has also leaked recently. The OnePlus 7 will be priced at Rs 38,990 for the 8GB RAM and 128GB storage variant. On the other hand, the OnePlus 7 Pro is speculated to be priced at Rs 45,990 for the 6GB RAM option, Rs 51,990 for the top-end variant with 10GB RAM and 256GB storage. source Best Mobiles in India Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow Notifications The Good Premium aesthetics The Nokia 4.2 is without a doubt an aesthetically pleasing smartphone, especially for its price bracket. It has a glass front with a polycarbonate rear panel. The device brings along the first set of waterdrop notch displays for the company. The device weighs around 161g and has rounded edges making it easy to grab with one hand. The right side houses the power key, which also doubles as a notification LED. This is a welcomed feature as the subtle indication is visible whether the device is placed face up or face down. On the left there are the volume rockers, however, the company has added an extra button. The key is the shortcut to launch Google Assistant. It seems the company has taken a page from Samsung's book. Moreover, there's a fingerprint scanner placed below the vertically aligned camera setup. Overall, the Nokia 4.2 is a beautiful looking smartphone and doesn't try to be too shimmering like the recent smartphones from major OEMs. It is surely one of the good looking devices in this price segment. Android One The Nokia 4.2 runs Android 9 Pie out-of-the-box which offers a clean and bloatware free experience. Navigating through the app drawer or navigating through apps and switching between functions is pretty smooth and fluid. The interface comes with new gestures and features like Digital Well-being, Dashboard, Do Not Disturb and a lot more. Apart from the user interface, the touch and is also pretty responsive. Since the device is under Google's Android One program which is an almost stock version of the OS, it is guaranteed to receive major Android updates for the next two years, and security updates for coming three years. Smooth performer Under the hood, the Nokia 4.2 is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 439 processor which is paired by 3GB RAM and 32GB internal storage. While it may sound pretty outdated, the performance of the device is actually pretty zippy and smooth. In our brief usage with the device, we found that the device can handle day-to-day tasks without breaking a sweat. Our usage included a bit of everything, and the overall experience was smooth. However, you wouldn't want to fire up graphics-hungry games on this one. Even mild gaming could make the device a bit toasty, but for this price expecting high-end gaming performance would be criminal. The Bad Disappointing camera The Nokia 4.2 comes equipped with a 13MP + 2MP dual rear camera setup, while there's an 8MP camera up front. During our brief time with the device, we managed to capture a few images, and we were pretty disappointed by the end result. The pictures taken in favorable lighting conditions came out decent, but we noticed a lot of noise in pictures taken in low-light. The bokeh effect is also not very effective and the edge detection is also below par. Besides, the camera app and shutter do have a noticeable amount of lag. The selfie camera is no exception either. The images taken from the front snapper come out washed out and there is an ample amount of noise in the pictures. So, if mobile photography is your thing, Nokia 4.2 isn't something you should buy. Underwhelming display Coming to the display panel, the Nokia 4.2 embraces a 5.71-inch display with an aspect ratio of 19:9. The screen features a teardrop notch that accommodates the front-facing camera. The notch doesn't come in the way while viewing videos, but only reduces the number of icons that can be shown in that area. The company says this is an HD+ resolution which has a resolution of 720 x 1520 pixels. However, we think the company could have used a better display, as we have a lot of high-quality displays in this price segment. At this price point, it's still borderline passable, but considering the competition in this segment, a display with 295ppi which isn't a full HD panel would be tough to recommend over the likes of other smartphones in this segment. Small reservoir The Nokia 4.2 is fuelled by a 3000mAh battery and we believe the company could have used a reservoir. The much-crowded budget segment has seen a lot of smartphone with similar specs but bigger batteries. The budget-conscious users consider the battery life as one of the most important aspects while making the purchase decision, and the smaller battery on the Nokia 4.2 could be a dealbreaker for many. Moreover, the smartphone doesn't support fast charging because it uses a MicroUSB port for fuelling, which is another letdown. A fast charging tech would have helped amplify the value of the device against its contemporaries. The X factor All that said, the Nokia 4. is still a good value for money. It brings along a premium looking design, sticking close to the company's winning formula. You also get a fluid performance throughout unless you push the device to its extreme limits. To top it all, the stock Android experience makes the overall experience even better and assures updates for the next two years, and security updates for the coming three years. It might not be the best smartphone in this segment, but it's definitely one of the better phones to see the light of day in recent times. The smartphone will face tough competition Realme 3 Pro and Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 pro, which have already received a great response from the consumers. However, Nokia's brand value will play a key role in the sales of its latest offering. We've seen many promising products from the company, and the Nokia 4.2 seems to be yet another contender. Hit or a miss? With the Nokia 4.2, HMD Global has produced yet another well-rounded smartphone with an aggressive price of Rs 10,990. We are yet to see the consumer response, but it seems the company has priced the device reasonably with an impressive spec sheet. If you are someone who's always believed in Nokia and want to switch from feature phones to smartphones, this is definitely a very good alternative. It's not going to blow your minds away with high speeds or superficial images, but for a budget smartphone, it seems well-equipped. In our opinion, buying the Nokia 4.2 is a safe bet and it won't disappoint you. Amazon faces lawsuits for discriminating agains pregnant women: Report News oi-Karan Sharma Amazon facing seven lawsuits for firing pregnant women. All you need to know. There are almost seven lawsuits filed against Amazon from pregnant women in the past eight years. These pregnant workers had accused the company of refusing to accommodate their needs during their pregnancy period. The new has been reported by Alfred Ng and Ben Fox Rubin investigative reporters from CNET. According to the report, these women workers used to work at Amazon's warehouse. The company has a wide network of warehouses. Amazon has faced a lot of criticism for extremely tiring and demanding work from warehouse workers. Amazon warehouses work on software which keeps tracks of every moment inside the factory. Even a small break is also calculated by the software. If a worker fails to pack a box or perform his or her task in five minutes, the software sends a supervisor to check what's wrong with the workflow. In this situation, it's very difficult for a pregnant woman to work. "Amazon wants to push out as much product as possible," Rosales told CNET, who filed her suit in January and is due in June. "They need as many people that don't need accommodations to work there. They care more about the numbers than their employees." "It is absolutely not true that Amazon would fire an employee for being pregnant; we are an equal opportunity employer," the report quoted an Amazon spokeswoman as saying. "We work with our employees to accommodate their medical needs including pregnancy-related needs. We also support new parents by offering various maternity and parental leave benefits." Back in November 2015, when Amber Sargent informed her manager that she is pregnant and the doctor suggests her not to climb ladders and lift anything above 20 pounds. The company puts her on hold and told her to wait for a call. In her lawsuit, she claimed that she was unpaid for more than a month and neither she received any call from the company. When she tried contacting the manager, she told her to wait for the call. In another case, Trudy Martinez who was working at Amazon fulfilment centre in Florence was told by her doctor that there are some complications with the baby's heartbeat tracking. She was suggested to take leave for three days. After those three days, the Amazon human resources manager fired her saying that the company, "does not accept doctor's notes". Martinez also filed a lawsuit against the company. Opinion Being a multinational company Amazon must pay respect to their employees and give more attention to the pregnant workers with proper healthcare facilities. Instead of this the company is increasing its workload and making the situation more worst for them. The report also claimed that an undercover author and whistleblower found a worker in the UK carrying a toilet bottle to avoid the bathroom break penalties. This is really gross and inhuman, there is something which is not controlled by humans and that's why it is called natures call. In my view, Amazon must have to apologise to all these women who faced a bad time in the company during their pregnancy period. Best Mobiles in India Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow Notifications How Letstrack is providing technical support in Loksabha Elections 2019 News oi-Karan Sharma This is how Letstrack is providing technical support Election commission to track vehicles carrying EVMs and VVPATs. Since the last two decades, the Election Commission of India has started using Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) for polling. But still, there are series of incidents that took place at the round of elections over instances of EVMs and VVPATs being found in hotels, homes or even on roads. To eradicate the political controversies, the Election Commission of India has instructed vehicles carrying EVMs and VVPATs to be mandatorily equipped with GPS to track their movement. Letstrack - an Iot based GPS tracking solution provider is helping the government to monitor the live location of EVMs and VVPATs. A control room has been set up to keep a check on the GPS mapping of the EVM machines. The main reason behind the GPS monitoring is not just to keep track of the location of the vehicles but also to be aware of the route and speed of the vehicle. Encouraging India's 900 million voters on electronic voting machines (EVMs) is an important task. By providing services to around 20% vehicles, Letstrack is playing a major role in monitoring the EVMs and VVPATs. "Letstrack devices have been installed in vehicles carrying EVMs and VVPATs across the country. Punjab and Haryana alone served around 9000 vehicles in Punjab and Haryana alone" added Vikram Kumar, CEO, Letstrack. Not just there, With GPS tracking solutions, it is trying its best to reduce the number of polling station under shadow zone. Hacking of vehicles would not be possible as these machines can't be tampered using Bluetooth etc. The data collected would be stored internally and can't be transferred to any other device. Best Mobiles in India Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow Notifications Instagram to use Facebook's fact-checkers to curb fake news News oi-Vishal Kawadkar This will help prevent users from consuming misinformation. Fake news and conspiracy theories aren't restricted to social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. They have also spread to the popular photo-sharing platform Instagram. While the platform is working on trimming down false news, there are other tools in development as well. Instagram will soon run potentially fake new posts past Facebook's fact-checking partners. Posts that turn out fake won't be deleted, but won't appear in the Explore tab or hashtag pages either. "Our approach to misinformation is the same as Facebook's - when we find misinfo, rather than remove it, we'll reduce its distribution," a spokesperson told Poynter. The platform is said to be working with Facebook's Feed Integrity team since the US midterm election. When a false new appear on Facebook, the company's image recognition software will search them on Instagram, as well. There is plenty of false news floating on Instagram that doesn't appear on Facebook and vice versa. So now, such Instagram posts will have to go through Facebook's fact checkers. Poynter also noted that Instagram is also testing pop-ups that will appear when users search misinformation. Besides, Instagram is also working on a feature that will release the pressure of users to rack up likes on their posts. We might soon see a design overhaul of the app which would hide the number of likes on a post. "We want your followers to focus on what you share, not how many likes your posts get," reads tipster Jane Manchun Wong tweeted. "During this test, only the person who shared a post will see the total number of likes it gets." However, users will still be able to see the names of their friends who liked the post, but not the total number of likes on that post. Only the person who shared the picture would be able to see the total number of likes. Best Mobiles in India Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow Notifications China warns US ships to leave sea Global Times By Leng Shumei and Liu Xuanzun Source:Global Times Published: 2019/5/6 22:48:41 A military spokesperson said that the People's Liberation Army will stay on high alert and take all necessary measures to protect national sovereignty and security and safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea, after two US ships illegally entered the area. Senior Colonel Li Huamin, a spokesperson of the Southern Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army, made the remarks after they discovered US guided-missile destroyers Preble and Chung Hoon traveling close to the Nansha Islands on Monday. The command had identified and warned the ships to leave in accordance with laws, Li said in a statement released on the command's WeChat account on Monday afternoon. China owns indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha Islands and their adjacent waters, Li noted. Geng Shuang, a spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, expressed China's strong discontent and firm opposition to the US destroyers' behavior at a routine press conference on Monday. The behavior violated China's sovereignty, disturbed regional peace and stability, he noted. The two destroyers traveled within 12 nautical miles of the Nancun and Chigua reefs in the Nansha Islands, according to Geng. "The situation in the South China Sea is improving thanks to the efforts of China and ASEAN countries," Geng said, urging the US to stop such provocative operations. The operations are the latest of the US to threaten China's sovereignty in the South China Sea under the name of freedom of navigation, which experts said is just "an excuse for the US to stir up tensions in the region and contain China." "The US' excuse of freedom of navigation does not stand because international law never allowed US warships to freely enter another country's territorial waters," Zhang Junshe, a senior research fellow at the PLA Naval Military Studies Research Institute, told the Global Times on Monday. "As you can see, the situation in the South China Sea has already stabilized. Countries directly involved, including the Philippines, all agreed to peacefully solve the problems through dialogue and negotiations, and these countries are now focusing on economic cooperation," Zhang noted. Countries like Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines and Brunei sent naval vessels to China in April, joining the celebrations of the PLA Navy's 70th anniversary. Following the celebrations, China held a joint naval exercise with the Southeast Asian countries in Qingdao, East China's Shandong Province, from April 24-26. These show that countries around the South China Sea want peace and stability in the region, which is being sabotaged by US actions, according to Zhang. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NATO Allies stand with Turkey: Secretary General Stoltenberg NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation 06 May. 2019 NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg thanked Turkey for its strong contributions to the Alliance and emphasized that NATO stands in solidarity with Turkey in a visit to Ankara on Monday (6 May 2019). "Turkey is an important and highly valued NATO Ally", Secretary General Stoltenberg said at a press conference alongside Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu. "I welcome that Turkey is playing a key role in our training mission in Iraq", the Secretary General said, citing Turkey's strong contributions to NATO missions in Afghanistan and Kosovo as further examples of Turkey's active contributions to collective defence of the Alliance. Bordering Syria and Iraq, Turkey has been the NATO Ally most exposed to violence and turmoil from the Middle East and the Secretary General offered his condolences to the Turkish government on the recent loss of several Turkish soldiers on its southern border. "NATO Allies stand with Turkey as it faces serious security challenges", the Secretary General said, adding that NATO helps protect Turkey with air and missile defence systems and enhanced patrols by AWACS surveillance planes. "Over the years, NATO has invested more than 5 billion US dollars in military facilities in Turkey", the Secretary General said. "This includes important infrastructure such as airfields, naval bases, and radar sites." The Secretary General spoke after chairing a meeting of the Mediterranean Dialogue, a partnership forum that brings together 29 Allied countries with seven countries from the Mediterranean region. While in Ankara, Mr Stoltenberg also held separate talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on the security situation in the region and Turkey's strong contributions to NATO. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NATO marks 25th anniversary of Mediterranean Dialogue NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation 06 May. 2019 NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, with the 29 Permanent Representatives of the North Atlantic Council marked the 25th anniversary of the Mediterranean Dialogue on Monday (6 May 2019) in Ankara, Turkey. They were joined by the Ambassador of the Republic of North Macedonia and senior diplomats of the seven nations (Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Mauritania, Morocco and Tunisia) participating in the partnership forum. "Through the Mediterranean Dialogue, NATO has developed a unique network of partners across the region. It has helped to boost trust and cooperation between members", the Secretary General said opening the event. He stressed that NATO is dedicated to promoting security across the Middle East and North Africa through the continued fight against terrorism, including NATO's membership in the Global Coalition to Defeat Daesh and by training local forces, in particular in Iraq. Earlier on Monday, the Secretary General held separate talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on the security situation in the region and Turkey's strong contributions to NATO. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address SECNAV Names New Destroyer In Honor of US Senator from Georgia Navy News Service Story Number: NNS190506-01 Release Date: 5/6/2019 8:05:00 AM From Secretary of the Navy Public Affairs WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer named a future Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, DDG 133, in honor of U.S. Senator Sam Nunn, who represented Georgia from 1972 to 1997. "Senator Nunn's impact on the Navy and Marine Corps team cannot be overstated," Spencer said. "His leadership in the Senate, specifically as the long-serving chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, helped streamline the military chain of command and strengthen our Navy and Marine Corps team. I am pleased that Senator Nunn's legacy of service to our nation will continue in the future USS Sam Nunn." Nunn served in the U.S. Coast Guard 1959 to 1960 and remained in the Coast Guard Reserve until 1968. He was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives in 1968 and in 1972 was first elected to the U.S. Senate. During his tenure as a U.S. senator, Nunn served as chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services and the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations. He helped draft the Department of Defense Reorganization Act and the Nunn-Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction Program, which provided assistance to Russia and the former Soviet republics for securing and destroying their excess nuclear, biological and chemical weapons. Arleigh Burke-class destroyers conduct a variety of operations, from peacetime presence and crisis response to sea control and power projection. USS Sam Nunn (DDG 133) will be capable of fighting air, surface and subsurface battles simultaneously, with offensive and defensive weapons systems designed to support maritime warfare, including integrated air and missile defense and vertical launch capabilities. USS Sam Nunn (DDG 133) will be constructed by Huntington Ingalls Industries in Pascagoula, Mississippi. The ship will be 509 feet long, have a beam of 59 feet and be capable of traveling in excess of 30 knots. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Fleet Week Port Everglades Concludes Navy News Service Story Number: NNS190506-15 Release Date: 5/6/2019 10:59:00 AM From Navy Region Southeast Public Affairs PORT EVERGLADES, Fla. (NNS) -- As the USS New York (LPD 21) sailed out of Port Everglades May 6, it marked the end of another successful Fleet Week. Fleet Week Port Everglades has been hosted by Broward Navy Days and other military support groups for 29 years. This year's event brought six ships and more than 2,000 service members to South Florida to enable the public to learn about Navy operations, technology and missions. USS New York, USS Farragut (DDG 99), USS Hue City (CG 66) and USS Albany (SSN 753) as well as the U.S. Coast Guard cutters Spencer and William Flores pulled into Port Everglades April 29, and hosted more than 8,000 tours during the event. "Fleet Week Port Everglades is an exciting time for the sea services and has truly been a great experience for the Sailors, Marines, and Guardsmen," said Rear Admiral Brad Skillman, Commander, Expeditionary Strike Group Two. "The support we receive from the people in South Florida is tremendous, and I cannot thank them enough for the warm reception they give to the service members each year." Service members from the ships and local commands participated in community outreach events including school visits, hospital and veteran home visits, as well as renovation projects for the Naval Air History Museum and the Humane Society Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. Senior military personnel including Rear Adm. Gary Mayes, Commander, Navy Region Southeast; Skillman, and Rear Adm. Peter Brown, U.S. Coast Guard District Seven spoke at more than 15 events reaching out to hundreds of local residents. Additionally, Navy Band Southeast performed 24 times at a variety of venues including local schools, children's hospital visits, a public performance in Oakland Park, and the National Anthem for the Florida Marlins' Military Appreciation Game, Although much of the emphasis for the service members is helping and reaching out to the local community, Broward Navy Days tries to ensure a selection of fun activities for the visiting military as well, such as receptions, fishing, paddle boarding and more. It is part of their effort to give back to the men and women in uniform. "We look forward to this event every year because we want to honor our servicemen and women," said Mary Anne Gray, Executive Director for Broward Navy Days. "We get to meet great people who serve selflessly every day to keep this country safe, and we want them to have a great time and show them the appreciation they deserve." Fleet Week Port Everglades provides an opportunity for the citizens of South Florida to witness first-hand the latest capabilities of today's maritime services. The Sailors, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen were in town to showcase the capabilities of today's military and build relationships with the general public. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NAVSUP BSC Regional Support Sites Sustain Fleet Readiness Navy News Service Story Number: NNS190506-09 Release Date: 5/6/2019 8:30:00 AM By James E. Foehl, Naval Supply Systems Command Business Systems Center, Public Affairs MECHANICSBURG, Pa. (NNS) -- Refueling, rearming, resupplying, and repairing ships in ways that allow the fleet to sustain readiness and operate globally is a top priority for Supply Corps officers throughout the Navy. Rising to the challenges of a rapidly changing security environment, Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Business Systems Center (BSC) Regional Support Sites are postured to provide responsive logistics (LOG) information technology (IT) support to our Sailors throughout the fleet. "NAVSUP BSC Regional Support Sites' personnel function much like Navy Damage Controlman. But instead of firefighting, they operate, repair, and maintain LOG IT systems and equipment for our customers," said Capt. Douglas M. Bridges Jr., commanding officer, NAVSUP BSC. "They're strategically positioned at fleet concentration areas to maintain NAVSUP systems for our ships, both ashore and at sea. They train personnel how to use the systems and act as first responders should a LOG IT fire break out." Positioned regionally to sustain support globally, NAVSUP BSC Regional Support Sites are located in: Norfolk, Va.; Jacksonville, Fla.; Puget Sound, Wash.; San Diego, Calif.; and Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. "We're directly across the street from the piers and can be on the ship in 10 to 15 minutes. We know the ships, the Sailors, and what they're doing," said Richard Brittingham, supervisor for NAVSUP BSC Regional Support Site Norfolk, Va. NAVSUP BSC Regional Support Site Norfolk bolsters a wide-variety of assistance to the region for multiple systems and projects. Systems such as Hazardous Inventory Control System for Windows (HICSWIN), the software management tool used to record, report, track, and manage hazardous material for ship's personnel. "We provide support for 55 sites worldwide as well as Fleet Logistics Center (FLC) Norfolk and all Atlantic-based ships currently using HICSWIN," said Brittingham. "Being embedded with the fleet allows us to have a clear understanding of ships' operational schedules and ensure their systems are up-to-date and functional." In addition to direct support, NAVSUP BSC Regional Support Site Norfolk also administers remote and follow-on assistance while ships are at sea. "Even if they're in the Middle East, we can still send files directly to the ship," said Brittingham. Ensuring the operation and secure configuration of LOG IT systems in the Southeast region, NAVSUP BSC Regional Support Site Jacksonville, Fla., has the watch. "We contacted NAVSUP BSC, and in 15 minutes they were there to help us," said Logistics Specialist Seaman Ryan McCaffrey, assigned to the Ticonderoga-class cruiser, USS Philippine Sea (CG-58), homeported at Naval Station Mayport, Fla. "The readiness of the fleet depends on the availability of the 'things' [Sailors] need to do their job," said John Potts, lead technical analyst for NAVSUP BSC Regional Support Site Jacksonville. "Our primary mission here is to provide these 'things' through LOG IT support in order to maintain and sustain effective supply-chain management. That has a direct impact on fleet readiness." In addition to sustaining current LOG IT systems, the team is modernizing FLC Jacksonville's warehouse stock control by incorporating Navy Mobile Computing technology. "Navy Mobile Computing consolidates secure automated-identification technology with mobile tablets, scanners, and printers. This allows warehouse employees to quickly locate and accurately track incoming and outgoing materials without being confined to a desk," said Potts. In conjunction with integrating mobile technology, the NAVSUP BSC Jacksonville team also administers training to personnel using their systems. "We do whatever is needed to support our customers, remotely or onsite, in the most cost-effective way," said Potts. This includes supporting the readiness of Sailors and their families by leading a nationwide Personal Property Office (PPO) kiosk program. "These kiosks are installed at PPOs throughout the fleet, giving Sailors secure access to the move.mil site to execute their permanent change of station (PCS) orders," said Potts. Providing secure configuration of kiosks, access control, maintenance, and sustainment of these systems allows Sailors to seamlessly plan PCS moves with accuracy and assistance of PPO personnel. "This is critical. If Sailors are worried about where their belongings are, they can't focus on their jobs," said Potts. Providing support for Pacific Fleet-based ships and Sailors, NAVSUP BSC Regional Support Sites in Puget Sound, San Diego, and Pearl Harbor are on call. "We directly support the Navy warfighter here," said Malia Miller, lead for NAVSUP BSC Regional Support Site Puget Sound, Wash. "When ships pull in, we're the IT specialists that ensure critical systems such as HICSWIN and Navy Cash are installed and remain online while ashore." Positioned at Naval Base Kitsap in Bremerton, Wash., NAVSUP BSC's Puget Sound team plays an integral role in managing the application and production data for Fuel Asset Maintenance Management System (FAMMS). "FAMMS is used to manage the preventative and corrective maintenance of assets that contain and carry fuel such as the pumps, pipes, and tanks. Additionally, it tracks fuel-testing data performed by a majority of the FLC's fuel labs worldwide. "We keep the green light on by ensuring our users have access to the application and assist to maintain data integrity of FAMMS for customers from Europe, throughout the U.S., and Japan," said Miller. When fuel is received from tankers at Manchester Fuel Department, it immediately touches FAMMS assets and is tested by FLC chemists. Fuels go through a variety of tests to ensure usability. Testing data such as flashpoint and freeze point are directly input to FAMMS assuring the integrity, traceability, and accountability of the fuel from start to finish. "The fuel asset and product testing data, need to be accounted for in FAMMS for audit and distribution of quality fuel," said Miller. Whether refueling, rearming, resupplying, or repairing ships, NAVSUP BSC is postured to provide global LOG IT support to ships and Sailors throughout the fleet. "From bombs and bullets to food and fuel, NAVSUP BSC is positioned to render responsive LOG IT support to Navy operations across the globe," said Bridges. "Through our Regional Support Sites, we're able to see the environment our Sailors work in first-hand, identify specific issues, and fix them very quickly." NAVSUP BSC provides the Navy with information systems support through the design, development, and maintenance of information systems in the functional areas of logistics, supply chain management, transportation, finance, and accounting and is one of 11 commands under Commander, NAVSUP. Headquartered in Mechanicsburg, Pa., and employing a diverse, worldwide workforce of more than 22,500 military and civilian personnel, NAVSUP's mission is to provide supplies, services, and quality-of-life support to the Navy and joint warfighter. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NEW YORK Arrives for Port Everglades Fleet Week Navy News Service Story Number: NNS190506-05 Release Date: 5/6/2019 8:25:00 AM By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Adam Butler, USS New York (LPD 21) Public Affairs PORT EVERGLADES, Florida -- (NNS) -- The San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS New York (LPD 21) arrives for Fleet Week Port Everglades April 29, 2019. Fleet Week provides Sailors and civilians the opportunity to strengthen the relationship between the Navy and the community. Sailors will be involved in multiple community outreach projects including visits to the Joe Di Maggio Children's Hospital and various schools in the Broward County area. The ship's Chaplain and coordinator for the projects, Lt. Anthony Pelc, is particularly looking forward to getting involved. "It is great when the Navy requires you to do something that's fun and makes an impact on individuals," he said. "We're hoping to walk away making new relationships and some great memories." The Sailors will also be able to participate in other events such as a tour of Hard Rock Stadium, a Miami Marlins game, and the Take a Hero Fishing event. There will also be opportunities for public ship tours all week long, with the intention to give those outside the Navy the ability to see what a typical day aboard a warship is like. "One purpose is to allow for the people who pay for these vessels to come take a walk around and see what life is like for us on a day to day basis, but it's also a chance to meet the actual Navy, that's the people behind the uniform," said Command Master Chief Ben Hodges. "Without the Sailors, ships are just big gray pieces of machinery." The coordinator for the Fleet Week aboard New York, Fire Control Officer Lt. j.g. Joshua Sexton, is also looking forward to the impact New York will have on the visitors. "People don't realize what Sailors go through on a daily basis out to sea," he said. "They can now see the sweat in the nonskid, the excitement, and passion that these Sailors have for the mission." New York, homeported in Mayport, Florida, is going through a sustainment phase in preparation for a future deployment. This is the first of two Fleet Weeks that New York will participate in this year following their recent participation in Navy Week Miami in late March. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia reaffirms support for Maduro, Venezuelan people People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 10:51, May 06, 2019 MOSCOW, May 5 (Xinhua) -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Sunday reiterated Moscow's solidarity with the people of Venezuela and support for its president Nicolas Maduro, said the Russian foreign ministry. "We reaffirmed solidarity with the friendly people of Venezuela and support for the legitimate president elected by the Venezuelan people on May 20, 2018. We welcomed the measures taken by the government of Nicolas Maduro to prevent further destabilization of the situation," Lavrov said following talks with his Venezuelan counterpart Jorge Arreaza. He added that Russia is ready to keep facilitating a peaceful settlement of the Venezuela crisis and to join in possible efforts of international and regional mediators, for example the "Montevideo mechanism", which was jointly proposed by Mexico and Uruguay and backed by other countries. The Montevideo Mechanism is a four-step plan to diffuse the rising tensions between Venezuela's ruling socialist party and the U.S.-backed opposition, and promote a negotiated solution. The two foreign ministers discussed the latest situation in Venezuela and main issues of bilateral cooperation, according to the ministry. On Tuesday, Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido, who had proclaimed himself as the interim president, reportedly called on the Venezuelan people and military to take to the streets to overthrow Maduro. The attempted coup was later frustrated by security forces. Lavrov said he would discuss the Venezuelan issue with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo at their upcoming meeting scheduled for Monday in Finland. Arreaza also requested Lavrov to call on Pompeo to realize that dialogue is the only way to the settlement of the Venezuelan crisis. "I think it is necessary to bring home to the U.S. Department of State, probably during talks in Finland, that we (are) at a point when we must get back to dialogue (and) respect for international law and principles of bilateral relations," Arreaza was quoted by Tass news agency as saying. Russia and the United States have been at variance with each other over stances on Venezuela. Moscow has accused Washington of interference in Venezuela's internal affairs by supporting its opposition, while the latter criticized Russia's support for Maduro as "destabilizing" for the nation. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UAE releases Qatari naval vessel, military personnel Iran Press TV Mon May 6, 2019 05:39PM The United Arab Emirates (UAE) says it has released a Qatari military ship that purportedly violated the tiny Persian Gulf state's territorial waters last week. "The UAE released a Qatari naval vessel with four people on board," the Emirati Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Monday. The Qatari-flagged ship entered UAE waters on April 30 and was carrying four military personnel two Qataris, one Palestinian and an Indian, according to the ministry. Qatar confirmed Monday that the vessel and its crew returned home "safely" after being temporarily detained by the UAE authorities. "The boat was carrying out routine drills in Qatari territorial waters and (suffered) a technical malfunction, and it drifted towards UAE territorial waters," said a statement by the Foreign Ministry of Qatar. The UAE has cut its relations with Qatar since June 2017 in response to a call by Saudi Arabia which accuses Qatar of supporting terrorism and financing extremism. Last year, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, along with Bahrain and Egypt, formed a so-called Quartet which urged the Qatari government to comply with a list of demands that included severing ties with Iran and closing a Turkish military base in Qatar or face sanctions. Doha, however, has rejected the demands and said it was being targeted because of the independent policies which it pursued. There is also disagreement between Qatar and the UAE over the Saudi-led war on Yemen. The UAE is Saudi Arabia's main partner in its invasion of Yemen. Saudi Arabia launched the war in March 2015 to restore Yemen's former Riyadh-backed officials. The World Health Organization says some 10,000 people have been killed since the coalition launched the war, but rights groups put the death toll at five times higher. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Venezuelan government prepared for repelling any potential US attack: FM Iran Press TV Mon May 6, 2019 03:52PM Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza says the government of President Nicolas Maduro is prepared to repulse any potential attack mounted by the United States against the South American country, less than a week after an anti-Maduro coup led by US-backed opposition leader Juan Guaido failed. "We are ready for all scenarios. The first is diplomacy, dialogue, peace," said Arreaza during a press conference in Moscow on Monday, after meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov. The Venezuelan top diplomat also stressed that if the White House "opts for the military path, we have an armed force, a people, a national guard that will be able not just to resist and fight, but also to win." Arreaza's remarks came two days after Maduro called on the country's armed forces to be on standby for any potential US military action against Venezuela. "Be ready to defend the homeland with weapons in your hands if one day the US empire dares to touch this territory, this sacred earth," Maduro said during a televised speech from a base in the northwestern Cojedes state. The South American nation plunged into an unprecedented political turmoil in January when 35-year-old Guaido declared himself as the "interim president" of Venezuela, a bizarre move that received immediate recognition from Washington, which called on its allies to follow suit. The administration of US President Donald Trump has since been mounting economic pressure on Caracas and repeatedly threatened to use military force to topple Maduro's government, as it has confiscated Venezuela's US-based oil assets in an attempt to channel revenue from them to Guaido. On Tuesday morning, Guaido, standing near the La Carlota air force base in capital Caracas and surrounded by a group of some 70 members of the armed forces, called for military units to support him in the "final phase" of a plan to end Maduro's "usurpation" of power. The revolt, which received direct support from US National Security Adviser John Bolton and US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo, sparked two days of clashes between dozens of Guido's supporters and security forces. Gunfire was heard during the clashes and more than 100 people were reported wounded in what was later revealed to be a US-backed coup against Maduro. The putsch, however, failed as army's top commanders reiterated their firm support for the incumbent president and put down the coup attempt, which also claimed the lives of several people. At least 25 rebel troopers sought asylum at the Brazilian embassy in capital Caracas in the aftermath of the botched putsch. At the joint presser on Monday, Lavrov, for his part, called on Washington to "abandon its irresponsible plans" in crisis-hit Venezuela, which is currently under harsh US sanctions. Elsewhere in his remarks, Arreaza said Caracas was developing "alternatives to financial trading systems" with its Russian and Chinese allies to "get around the American blockade." He also confirmed a delegation from Venezuela would participate in an economic forum due to be held in Saint Petersburg next month, adding that President Maduro might lead the delegation. Many Western countries have recognized Guaido as Venezuela's leader but Maduro enjoys the backing of many non-aligned nations such as Russia, China, Turkey and Iran while key state institutions, including the military, still support him. Maduro has repeatedly accused Washington of masterminding a "coup" against his government, blaming the US for the economic crisis in Venezuela. Washington has a long record of sponsoring "regime change" campaigns in Venezuela and other countries. In 2002, former president Hugo Chavez was ousted for two days in a US-backed coup that was ultimately defeated. Lavrov: US military intervention in Venezuela "catastrophic and unjustified" Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warned on Monday that any US military intervention in Venezuela would be "catastrophic and unjustified." Lavrov made the remarks after a meeting with his US counterpart, Mike Pompeo, in Finland. The two top diplomats met on the sidelines of a meeting of the Arctic Council, where Lavrov told reporters that his meeting had been constructive and that the two top diplomats had made decent progress when it came to discussing strategic nuclear stability. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Islamic Jihad debuts new missile with attack on Israel, pledges bigger surprises Iran Press TV Mon May 6, 2019 10:21AM The al-Quds Brigades, the armed wing of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement, has unveiled its latest domestic missile by firing it at targets in the Israeli occupied territories. The resistance group released a video on Sunday which showcased the new missile, dubbed Badr 3, before cutting to footage of it being launched at positions in the city of Ashkelon, which is located 50 kilometers (31 miles) south of Tel Aviv. The missile carried a 250-kilogram (551 lb) warhead, a major leap from its predecessor which had a much smaller 40-kilogram warhead. The video shows at least four Badr 3 missiles roaring into the dark of the night on May 4 and 5. Ashkelon is 13 kilometers north of the fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel. The al-Quds Brigades warned Israel that "what is coming next will be even greater." Hamas targets Israeli armored vehicle Meanwhile, Hamas' military wing, known as the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, published a new video that showed an Israeli armored vehicle being targeted with a Russian-made Kornet anti-tank missile. The attack took place on Sunday in an undisclosed location north of the Gaza Strip. Hamas conducts first ever drone attack against Israeli military In a separate report, Israeli media stated that a Hamas drone had fired a missile at an Israeli military convoy. The extent of the damage and possible casualties were not immediately clear. The Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades said, "At this stage, with the strides made in developing better missiles, not a single point in all of the occupied Palestinian lands will be safe from the missiles of the resistance." The attacks came in response to a series of deadly airstrikes by Israel against various targets in besieged Gaza, which began on Saturday and killed 27 Palestinians, including two pregnant women and two infants. More than 100 others were wounded in the attacks. The upsurge in violence came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered his military to continue massive strikes on the enclave. Tensions erupted on Friday after four Palestinians were killed, two in an Israeli air raid on southern Gaza and two during the regime's live fire at anti-occupation protesters near the fence separating the besieged coastal enclave from the occupied territories. Nearly 700 rockets were launched from Gaza in retaliation and four Israelis were killed in two days of hostilities, with more than 80 others wounded. Trump fumes over resistance's missile prowess Gaza's surprising ability to retaliate the Israeli aggression drew an angry response from US President Donald Trump, who personally threatened residents of the blockaded enclave with "more misery." "Once again, Israel faces a barrage of deadly rocket attacks by terrorist groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad. We support Israel 100% in its defense of its citizens," he wrote. "To the Gazan people these terrorist acts against Israel will bring you nothing but more misery. END the violence and work towards peace - it can happen!" he wrote in a tweet. Palestinian resistance groups had previously warned Israel against testing their patience. Hamas staged an impressive counter-attack during the latest military flare-up between the two sides in November, when it fired more than 460 rockets at the occupied lands in less than 24 hours in response to Israeli aggression. Requiem for Iron Dome, rest of Israeli missile defenses The missile attacks by Hamas and Islamic Jihad more than anything have proven futile the multi-billion dollar Iron Dome missile defense system that Tel Aviv has long promoted as an agile response to rockets. While it is not yet clear how the system fared against the recent barrage of Palestinian missiles, the fact that Israel had to accept ceasefire deals both this time and back in November speaks volumes about the true potentials of the Iron Dome. Back in November, Tel Aviv's move in accepting truce led to a huge backlash, leading Avigdor Lieberman to step down as the minister of military affairs. Hamas hailed the resignation as "an admission of defeat" by Israel and a "political victory" for the Palestinian resistance. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US firm Blackwater training Daesh terrorists in Iraq, eyeing Syria: report Iran Press TV Mon May 6, 2019 10:15AM The notorious US mercenary firm Blackwater has returned to Iraq, a Lebanese newspaper says, with the private company currently training defeated Daesh terrorists at a base near Baghdad. The Arabic-language newspaper al-Akhbar reported that Blackwater and other security firms have been allowed to operate in Iraq since early 2018 under intense US pressure. The daily cited sources close to the charge d'affaires of the US mission in Iraq, Joey Hood, as saying that Blackwater had transferred US military equipment from Jordan to the western Anbar Province. According to the sources, the private company is currently training Daesh terrorists at the Ein al-Assad base which President Donald Trump visited in December. Al-Akhbar quoted field sources as saying that trucks carrying Daesh militants were transferred from the town of Baqouz, the last piece of land which the terror group held in Syria's eastern Province of Dayr al-Zawr. Blackwater was expelled from Iraq in 2007 after its mercenaries killed 14 civilians in Baghdad's Nisour Square in a crime that marked the peak of its violations against Iraqis during the US invasion of the country. Al-Akhbar cited a document from February 2018 obtained by BuzzFeed News that confirms its report. The document shows that Frontier Logistics Consultancy DMCC, a UAE-based subsidiary of a Hong Konglisted security and logistics company established by Erik Prince - the founder of Blackwater- is operating in southern Iraq. According to the daily, Blackwater which has changed its name to escape its bad reputation is seeking to operate in Syria, referring to Prince's remarks earlier this year when he welcomed Trump's Syria pullout decision and stressed that American troops in the Arab country could be replaced with mercenaries. Last week, the Syrian army and Iraqi Popular Mobilization Units (PMU), known as Hashd al-Sha'abi, carried out a coordinated operation with the aim of clearing the Iraq-Syria border area of remaining Daesh terrorists. The operation came after Iraq and Syria agreed to reopen the al-Qaim border crossing. Both countries originally recaptured the al-Bukamal and al-Qaim border region from Daesh in November 2017 but continued terrorist presence had prevented a reopening of the crossing. Syria and Iraq have both pledged to step up future security presence on the border in a bid to secure the strategic crossing. Iraq has planned to install thermal surveillance cameras and use aircraft to further reinforce security in the region. The measures come as Iraq, Syria and Iran have sought to step up economic ties by developing a transnational railway line, along with a road route, linking the three countries. The US, however, has been engaged in a military campaign seeking to counter the emerging regional alliance. Daesh terrorists have also commonly used US presence in the region as a cover to attack Syrian and allied forces. Speculations have been made about Washington's direct or indirect support for the terrorist group in the past years. Numerous accounts have emerged alleging airlifts, weapon airdrops and aerial support for the group, especially as its strength gradually diminished in the region. Several reports have suggested that the US military has been allowing members of Daesh and their weapons into Afghanistan following the terror group's recent defeats in Syria and Iraq. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Beijing warns off US warships in disputed South China Sea Iran Press TV Mon May 6, 2019 08:49AM The Chinese navy has warned off two American warships sailing close to the islands claimed by Beijing in the disputed South China Sea amid escalating tensions between the two sides. The US military confirmed that the guided-missile destroyers Preble and Chung Hoon sailed near China's man-made islands on Monday. The warships sailed within 12 nautical miles of Gaven and Johnson Reefs in the Spratly Islands, according to a US military spokesman, Commander Clay Doss. He described the sail as an "innocent passage," which was intended "to challenge excessive maritime claims and preserve access to the waterways as governed by international law." 'US ships violated China's sovereignty' Beijing which claims almost all of the South China Sea reacted to the move with anger on Monday, saying the ships had entered the area without the Chinese government's permission and were thus warned to leave. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang also renewed the call for Washington to stop such provocative moves. "The relevant moves by the US ships infringed upon Chinese sovereignty, and damaged the peace, security and good order of the relevant seas. China is strongly dissatisfied with this and resolutely opposed to it," he told a daily news briefing. The resource-rich sea has long been a source of tension between Beijing and Washington, which regularly dispatches its warships and warplanes to the waters as part of what it describes as "freedom of navigation" patrols. The US has been taking sides with several of China's neighboring countries, which have competing sovereignty claims to the strategic waters. Beijing has constantly warned the US against its military activities in the sea, saying that potential close military encounters by air and naval forces of the two countries in the region could easily trigger miscalculation or even accidents at sea or in air. China has also urged the US on numerous occasions to stop meddling in Beijing's territorial disputes with its neighbors. Over the past few years, Beijing has constructed several artificial islands in the disputed South China Sea, a move that Washington has denounced as a land reclamation project. Washington also accuses Beijing of militarization of the South China Sea by building military installations on that islands and reefs. China, however, says it is entitled to take defensive measures for its sovereign territory in the South China Sea and that such an action is normal. It rejects US claims that Beijing seeks to limit freedom of navigation in international maritime routes. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Talks with US in Doha stumble over troop withdrawal timetable: Afghan Taliban Iran Press TV Mon May 6, 2019 06:04AM The Taliban militant group says peace talks with the US which have been underway in Qatar for months have stalled over the key issue of a timetable for American and other foreign troops to pull out of Afghanistan, a longtime Taliban demand. A Taliban political spokesman, Suhail Shaheen, told the AFP on Sunday that the two sides have so far failed to hammer out their differences on how to put their draft agreement on the withdrawal timetable into action. The two sides are trying "to narrow the differences and have an agreement on a timetable which is acceptable to both sides," but "that has not been achieved so far." He also explained that nothing would move forward "in principle" until America announced a withdrawal timetable. "If we are not able to finalize it in this round, then ... peace would be far away rather than being closer," Shaheen added. Since last year, sixth rounds of talks have been held in Doha between the militant group and US special envoy to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad and his delegation of about two dozen officials in the hope of ending an American war in Afghanistan that has dragged on for over 17 years. The latest round began on May 1, and it is not clear if the talks were to continue Monday, which marks the first day of the holy Muslim month of Ramadan. The negotiations have so far excluded Afghan officials. The Taliban refuse to hold talks with the government in Kabul, which the militant group views as illegitimate and a US puppet. In February, Khalilzad claimed progress in the talks, saying that a deal was within reach by July. Khalilzad has repeatedly said that for things to progress, the Taliban must ensure Afghanistan is never again used as a terrorist safe haven, implement a ceasefire, and speak to Afghan representatives. The Taliban have said they will not do anything until the US announces a withdrawal timeline. Earlier this week, the group's spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid called on the US to end the use of force in Afghanistan instead of putting pressure on the militant group to cease fire. "Instead of such fantasies, he [Khalilzad] should drive the idea home [to the US] about ending the use of force and incurring further human and financial losses for the decaying Kabul administration," he added. The US embassy in Kabul did not immediately comment on the Taliban's latest statement. The Taliban's five-year rule over at least three quarters of Afghanistan came to an end following the 2001 US-led invasion, but 17 years on, Washington having failed to end the Taliban's militancy campaign is seeking truce with the militants. Observers say the militant group is now negotiating from a position of strength as it has managed to strengthen its grip over the past three years, with the government in Kabul controlling just 56 percent of the country, down from 72 percent in 2015, according to a US government report released last year. The Taliban have even continued to carry out daily attacks on Afghan security forces amid the negotiations. Last week, thousands of tribal elders and other figures held a rare grand assembly known as Loya Jirga in Kabul to express their views about a peace deal with Taliban. At the end of that meeting, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani offered Taliban a truce deal. The militants were, however, quick to reject the offer and launched attacks on a police station in northern Afghanistan, leaving over a dozen people dead there on Sunday. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US says sending 'strike group' to Middle East as 'clear message' to Iran Iran Press TV Mon May 6, 2019 02:04AM The United States is sending an aircraft carrier strike group and a bomber task force to the Middle East in a "clear and unmistakable" message to Iran, declared John Bolton, the hawkish US national security advisor. "The United States is deploying the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group and a bomber task force to the US Central Command region," Bolton said in a Sunday statement. The move, he said, is aimed at sending a "clear and unmistakable message" to Iran that "any attack on United States interests or on those of our allies will be met with unrelenting force." Bolton said the decision was "in response to a number of troubling and escalatory indications and warnings." He said the US "is not seeking war" with Iran, but it is "fully prepared to respond to any attack", whether by proxy, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) or regular Iranian forces, Bolton said in a statement. Bolton did not provide any further details, but a US official said the forces "have been ordered to the region as a deterrence to what has been seen as potential preparations by Iranian forces and its proxies that may indicate possible attacks on US forces in the region." The official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the United States was not expecting any imminent attack on US forces, Reuters reported. The move by the US comes as it had earlier vowed to cut Iran's oil exports down to zero, prompting Tehran to warn that it will not allow any other country to export oil through the Strait of Hormuz if Tehran cannot sell its crude. Meanwhile, the deployment seems to be a "regularly scheduled" one by the US Navy, and Bolton has just tried to talk it up. Back on April 8, the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group (ABECSG) Public Affairs announced that the Strike Group has departed a naval station in Virginia on April 1 for "a regularly scheduled deployment." Therefore, what Bolton describes as a "response" to Iran's warning does not seem to be genuine, as the ABECSG started its mission long before Iran's warning. Back on Saturday, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Iran does not seek to escalate tensions with the United States, but it will not let Washington disrupt the security of Persian Gulf, the "lifeline of Iran". "We have been very clear that we have no interest in escalation," Zarif said in an exclusive interview with Al Jazeera TV. "We have been clear that the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz are our lifeline. We depend on them for our livelihood, and we want them safe, secure, and free for navigation of all countries, including Iran," he said. "As we have stated before, Iran won't permit the US to threaten the Persian Gulf," the foreign minister added. Last Sunday, Iran's top military commander said Iran wants the strait through which nearly one-third of all oil traded by sea passes to remain open and secure, warning that the country will not allow anyone to destabilize the waters. "As oil and commodities of other countries are passing through the Strait of Hormuz, ours are also moving through it," said Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Baqeri. Iran "will definitely confront anyone who attempts to destabilize the Strait of Hormuz, and if our crude is not to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, others' [crude] will not pass either." The Iranian commander explained, "This does not mean [that we are going to] close the Strait of Hormuz. We do not intend to shut it unless the enemies' hostile acts will leave us with no other option. We will be fully capable of closing it on that day." The US administration said in a statement on April 22 that buyers of Iranian oil must stop their purchases by May 1 or face sanctions. The move ended six months of waivers, which allowed Iran's eight biggest buyers -- Turkey, China, Greece, India, Italy, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan -- to continue importing limited volumes. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israel, Palestine reach ceasefire agreement to stop Gaza attacks Iran Press TV Mon May 6, 2019 02:27AM Palestine says a ceasefire agreement has been reached with Israel, after 25 people were killed in three days of Israeli attacks on the besieged Gaza enclave, which were responded to with homemade rockets from Palestinian groups. That was announced by two Palestinian officials familiar with the agreement and the Hamas Resistance Movement's media outlet. "The ceasefire understanding will begin Monday 04:30 (01:30 GMT)," one of the officials told Reuters. Earlier, Gaza's Health Ministry said at least 25 people have been killed and 154 others injured in the fresh flare-up of violence in the enclave. Two pregnant women and a 14-month-old baby were among the fatalities. The upsurge in violence came after the Israeli prime minister ordered the military to continue massive strikes on the enclave. Benjamin Netanyahu also said Israeli forces around Gaza would be reinforced. Tensions erupted on Friday following the killing of four Palestinians, two in an Israeli air raid on southern Gaza and two during the regime's live fire at anti-occupation protesters near a fence separating the blockaded coastal enclave from the occupied territories. The Israeli military claimed that its initial aerial assault had come in response to the wounding of two of its soldiers by Palestinian gunfire near the Gaza fence. The latest rocket fire from Gaza killed a 60-year-old Israeli man. A total of some 83 Israelis have also been wounded. The Tel Aviv regime says about 600 rockets have been fired at the occupied lands over the past few days. The Israeli army says its warplanes have targeted some 180 sites in the Gaza Strip. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address At Least 13 Dead, Dozens Injured In Taliban Attack On Police HQ By RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan May 06, 2019 KABUL -- At least 13 people have been killed in a Taliban attack by the Taliban on a police headquarters in the northern Afghan city of Pul-e-Khumri, officials say. The Interior Ministry said that the May 5 attack in Baghlan Province's capital began with a suicide car bomber striking the entrance to the compound and eight gunmen rushing in after the explosion. The ministry said that 13 police officers were killed and another 55 people, including 20 civilians, were wounded before the attackers were all killed in an hours-long gunbattle. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the assault, which comes two days after an Afghan grand council convened by President Ashraf Ghani ended with a demand for an immediate cease-fire. The council, known as a Loya Jirga, brought together more than 3,200 politicians, tribal elders, prominent figures, and others to hammer out a shared strategy for future negotiations with the Taliban. In a statement on May 3, the Taliban rejected a cease-fire, saying attacks will continue during Ramadan. The militant group, which has been holding direct talks with U.S. officials to end the nearly 18-year war in Afghanistan, has rejected cease-fire proposals, saying U.S. and NATO troops must withdraw from the country first. With reporting by Reuters, AP, and TOLOnews Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/eight-dead- dozens-injured-in-taliban-attack- on-police-hq/29923053.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 Suspended For First Day Of Ramadan May 06, 2019 Peace talks between U.S. negotiators and Taliban representatives in Doha, Qatar, have been interrupted to mark the beginning of Ramadan. The two sides are apparently at loggerheads over the key sticking point of when foreign forces might leave Afghanistan. The two sides have been involved for much of the past week in a sixth round of negotiations aimed at ending the almost 18-year war -- the United States' longest ever -- but the Taliban says talks have become bogged down. Taliban political spokesman Suhail Shaheen tweeted that the talks were pausing for the first day of the holy month of Ramadan -- when Muslims fast during the day -- but would be resumed "the following day." Shaheen told AFP news agency late on May 5 that talks hit an impasse over when foreign forces would depart Afghanistan. Before agreeing to any withdrawal, Washington is demanding that militants establish security guarantees, a cease-fire, and make other commitments including an "intra-Afghan" dialogue with the Kabul government and other Afghan representatives. The Taliban has said it will not take any of these steps until the United States announces a withdrawal timeline. At the end of a wide-ranging peace gathering in Kabul last week, President Ashraf Ghani offered the Taliban a cease-fire to begin on the first day of Ramadan, but the militants rejected it. Ghani on May 6 reiterated his call for the Taliban to observe demands from last week's gathering that saw thousands of tribal elders and Afghans meet in Kabul. At least 13 people were killed and dozens more wounded on May 5 after a Taliban suicide bomber and several gunmen attacked a police headquarters in the northern Afghan city of Pul-e Khumri. Based on reporting by AFP and Tolo News Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/us-taliban -peace-talks-suspended-for-first- day-of-ramadan/29923430.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 NATO Chief In Turkey Amid Tensions With U.S. Over Russian Missile System May 06, 2019 NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg is visiting Ankara amid a widening rift between alliance members Turkey and the United States over Turkish plans to purchase a Russian missile system. Stoltenberg said he encouraged the "ongoing dialogue" between Turkey and the United States over Russia's S-400 surface-to-air missile system, in an interview on May 5 with Turkish state news agency Anadolu. But he also welcomed "talks about Turkey's possible acquisition of a U.S. Patriot missile system," in an indication that he could get Turkey's leadership to reconsider its stance on the S-400. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has repeatedly said Turkey won't withdraw from the S-400 deal, despite mounting pressure from Washington and NATO. Washington has also warned that Turkey risks being ejected from the F-35 fighter-jet program. Turkey is a member of the consortium involved in the production of the jet and a buyer. "Decisions about military procurement are for nations to make," Stoltenberg told Anadolu when asked about the S-400. "But...interoperability of our armed forces is fundamental to NATO for the conduct of our operations and missions." Based on reporting by dpa and Anadolu Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/nato-chief-in-turkey- amid-tensions-with-us-over-russian- missile-system/29923694.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 Hundreds Of Ex-U.S. Prosecutors Say Trump Would Be Charged If He Weren't President By RFE/RL May 06, 2019 Scores of former U.S. prosecutors and Justice Department political appointees have signed a letter arguing that President Donald Trump would be charged with obstruction of justice if he weren't president. The extraordinary letter, published May 6, came amid continuing struggles over the final report of Special Counsel Robert Mueller on his investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. Mueller's report, released last month, found no evidence that Trump or his associates sought to conspire with Russian officials to sway the 2016 vote. The report also did not conclusively determine that Trump committed criminal obstruction of justice. However, a redacted version showed that Trump had tried to take control of the Russia probe and force Mueller's removal to stop him from investigating potential obstruction of justice. The letter, signed by more than 430 former prosecutors as of May 6, said if Trump were not president, he would face multiple charges. "Each of us believes that the conduct of President Trump described in Special Counsel Robert Mueller's report would, in the case of any other person not covered by the Office of Legal Counsel policy against indicting a sitting President, result in multiple felony charges for obstruction of justice," wrote the former federal prosecutors, which included both Democrats and Republicans. Under a Justice Department policy dating back to the early 1970s, U.S. presidents cannot be criminally charged while they are in office. A president could be charged after leaving office, however. Trump has been linked to at least one other potential felony: the campaign finance violations that his longtime personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, has pleaded guilty to. Prosecutors said Trump himself directed illegal payments orchestrated by Cohen to prevent a Playboy model and pornographic film star from going public with stories of their alleged affairs with Trump. Because of the timing of the alleged payments, they are considered campaign contributions, and not reporting them to federal elections officials is considered a felony. Cohen also pleaded guilty to lying to Congress about a proposed Trump tower project in Russia that was being negotiated at the same time he was running for president. Cohen reported to a federal prison on May 6 to begin serving a three-year sentence. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/us-prosecutors-trump -criminal-charge/29925014.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 Pompeo, Lavrov Hold 'Good,' 'Constructive' Talks On Venezuela By RFE/RL May 06, 2019 U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he had a "good conversation" with his Russian counterpart about Venezuela and other subjects, while Sergei Lavrov called the talks "constructive." The two diplomats met on the sidelines of a meeting of the Arctic Council, held in northern Finland on May 6, one day after Pompeo pressed for Russia to "get out" of Venezuela. The diplomats' meeting came amid simmering tensions over the crisis in Venezuela. Washington has backed Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido, and even called him the country's legitimate leader. Moscow, meanwhile, has sent military advisers to help government forces loyal to President Nicolas Maduro. After the May 6 meeting, Pompeo told reporters that he hoped to make progress with Moscow in areas where the two countries have common interests. "It was a good conversation. We covered a wide range of issues," Pompeo said. "We have interests that are definitely different," he said. "There was a desire to begin to try and find paths where we can make real progress on places where we have overlapping interests, as narrow as they may be, and hope we can achieve that." Lavrov repeated his comments from a day before, saying that any military intervention in Venezuela would be "catastrophic." "We have had a good and constructive conversation," he said. Prior to leaving for Finland, Pompeo told ABC that the message he was bringing to Lavrov was: "The Russians must get out." "It's very clear, we want the Russians out, we want the Iranians out, we want the Cubans out. It's very clear," he added. Before he departed Moscow for Finland, Lavrov met with Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza and accused the United States of leading "an unprecedented campaign" to oust "Venezuela's legitimate authorities." "Attempts at a violent coup in Caracas have nothing to do with the democratic process and only frustrate prospects for political settlement of the crisis," Lavrov said. "We call on both the Americans and those who support them to drop irresponsible plans and act exclusively within the frames of international law," Lavrov said. Moscow, which has substantial economic ties to Maduro's government, sent planes to Venezuela in March, carrying nearly 100 military personnel who the U.S. government believes included special forces and cybersecurity experts. U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters on May 3 that he wasn't looking to get the American military involved in Venezuela. Trump said that in a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Putin had assured him that "he is not looking to get involved in Venezuela other than he'd like to see something positive happen for Venezuela." "And I feel the same way," Trump said. With reporting by Reuters, Interfax, and AFP Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/pompeo-to-tell-lavrov-russian- must-get-out-of-venezuela/29923064.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 Arctic States Meeting In Finland To Talk Resources, Environment By RFE/RL May 06, 2019 Senior officials from the United States, Russia, and other countries bordering the Arctic are opening a two-day meeting in Finland amid growing tensions over how to deal with global warming and access to mineral wealth in the polar region. Thawing ice in the Arctic is beginning to give increased access to much of the planet's remaining undiscovered reserves of oil and natural gas and large deposits of zinc, iron, and rare-earth metals, prompting nearby states as well as world powers such as China to rush and claim territory or boost their presence in the region. The Pentagon warned on May 2 of the risk of Chinese submarines in the Arctic as shipping routes are also opening up due to thawing. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo -- who is due to give a speech at the meeting in the northern Finnish city of Rovaniemi on May 6 -- has rejected a role for China in shaping Arctic policy. Washington and Moscow have announced that Pompeo and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will discuss "a broad range of issues" on the sidelines of the Arctic Council, including the political crisis in Venezuela. The Arctic Council consists of the United States, Canada, Russia, Finland, Norway, Denmark, and Iceland, with the region's indigenous populations also represented. China has had observer status at the council since 2013. Beijing last year came up with a plan for a "Polar Silk Road." India, South Korea, Singapore, Italy and, Japan also have observer status at the Arctic Council. The Washington Post reported the United States had refused to sign off on a final declaration, disagreeing with the wording on climate change. With reporting by Reuters and AP Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/arctic-states- meeting-in-finland-to-talk-resources -environment/29923380.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 UN Gains Access to Yemen's Red Sea Mills Food Storage Facility - Spokesman Sputnik News 23:44 06.05.2019 UNITED NATIONS (Sputnik) - The World Food Program (WFP) gained access to a major food storage facility in the Yemeni port city of Al Hudaydah over the weekend, United Nations spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said in a press briefing on Monday. "The World Food Program reports that it successfully arrived at the Red Sea Mills in Yemen over the weekend", Dujarric said. Aid workers intend to establish a small technical team at the Mills to begin servicing the milling machinery to prepare the wheat stored at the facility for distribution, Dujarric said. The preparation process might take several weeks. The WPF personnel had not been able to reach the Red Sea Mills, which holds enough grain supplies to feed 3.7 million people, for one month, because it lies along the front lines of fighting in Al Hudaydah. Under the Stockholm Agreement signed in December, the Yemeni government and rebel Houthi movement agreed to implement a ceasefire, exchange prisoners and open humanitarian corridors in Al Hudaydah. In February, WFP staff accessed to the food storage for the first time since September 2018. According to the United Nations, 24 million people or 80 percent of the population are in need of humanitarian aid and protection in Yemen. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Guaido: 'We Are Very Close to Achieving Change in Venezuela' - Reports Sputnik News 23:41 06.05.2019(updated 00:07 07.05.2019) The self-proclaimed interim president of Venezuela Juan Guaido told AFP on Monday that the country's opposition is "very close to achieving changes" in the country. Guaido told AFP on Monday that people who had pledged support for his abortive uprising last week had "failed to follow through" to dislodge President Nicolas Maduro. "There were people who failed to follow through", Guaido told AFP in Caracas, claiming that "it doesn't mean that they won't do it soon [] We are very close to achieving change in Venezuela". Last week, Guaido made another attempt to depose of constitutionally elected Maduro by calling on Venezuelans and the military to take to the streets and overthrow Venezuela's president. However, Maduro said that the commanders of all regions and zones of integral defense had reiterated their full loyalty to the country's legitimate authorities. The situation in Venezuela remains tense since January when Guaido proclaimed himself to be interim president. The United States and 54 other countries recognized Guaido and called on Maduro to step down. Russia, China, and a number of other countries have said they recognize Maduro as the only legitimate president of Venezuela. On 30 April, the US Department of the Treasury said in a press release that Venezuela's institutions must support Guaido in order to receive sanctions relief. Amid the events, which Caracas has described as a failed coup attempt, US National Security Adviser John Bolton reiterated that "all options are on the table" with regard to Venezuela, adding that Washington hopes to see a peaceful transfer of power. Meanwhile, the Trump administration continues to examine military options and is already working on a series of new sanctions packages targeting Havana and Moscow for their "destabilizing activities" in Venezuela, the Free Beacon reported, citing US Special Representative Elliott Abrams. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US-Based Training for Afghan Pilots Halted as Half of Class Goes AWOL in America Sputnik News 23:35 06.05.2019 A pilot training program at a Texas airfield for the Afghan Air Force has quietly been moved back to Afghanistan after nearly half of the class went AWOL. Many of them fled to Canada and requested asylum. A journalist told Sputnik it was a sign of just how fast both conditions in the country and its military are deteriorating. According to a quarterly report published April 30 by the US government's oversight group SIGAR, or the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction, 40% of Afghan pilots brought to the US for special training disappeared from the classroom, going absent without leave, or AWOL. "Those students that did not go AWOL were pulled back to Afghanistan to complete their training: as a result, only one class graduated from the US-based program," SIGAR noted. "The second and third classes will continue and finish their training in Afghanistan." The program began in September and was operated by defense contractor Northrop Grumman out of Texas' Meacham Field, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. The pilots were learning to fly the AC-208, a military version of Cessna's A-208 prop-driven plane used by Afghanistan's growing air force as a ground attack aircraft. However, the problem of Afghan trainees going AWOL in the US is nothing new. An October 2017 report by SIGAR highlighted the fact that 152 of the 320 pilots brought to the US by that time had gone AWOL, with 82 of them remaining unaccounted for at that time. Those pilots were training at other airfields, including Lackland Air Force Base, also in Texas. However, the April 30, 2019, report mentions no numbers. One of the most common reasons given has been that either the pilots or their families were threatened by the Taliban, according to SIGAR, citing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). "Why not?" journalist and author Daniel Lazare told Sputnik Monday. "They're all too aware that the US military role in Afghanistan is going to end badly, so why not get out while there's still time?" "Afghan pilots going AWOL during training in the US are an indication of how fast conditions are deteriorating in Afghanistan and how the military is deteriorating, too," Lazare said, calling attention to increasing Taliban control and reach in the country and rampant corruption. "So troop levels and morale are sinking while casualties and corruption climb," the journalist stated. "It's not a pretty picture, but what can one expect of a military adventure that has lacked a raison d'etre from the get-go?" According to a January article by the New York Times, the US has sunk nearly $8 billion into building Afghanistan's air force since 2007, from pilot training to buying dozens of aircraft to equip it, including A-29 Super Tucano ground attack planes and the munitions they need to attack Taliban targets and other militant groups. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address At Least 30 Civilians Killed in US Airstrikes in Afghanistan - Official Sputnik News 17:58 06.05.2019 KABUL (Sputnik) - At least 30 Afghan civilians have been killed in airstrikes carried out by US troops in the country's west in what has become the deadliest bombing in the last three months, Governor of the Bakwah district in the Farah province Abdul Ghafur Mujahed told Sputnik on Monday. He specified that the airstrikes had targeted factories that were producing illegal drugs, which he described as one of the main sources of income for the radical Taliban movement. However, local residents claimed that the airstrikes aimed at civilian houses with no drug manufacturers inside. "The US targeted these houses on Sunday; only civilians, including women and children, are the victims they were only poor people, Taliban was not here," a villager told Sputnik. Other locals also said that the airstrikes targeted a large house with three families recently displaced to the area living inside. According to Mujahed, six members of one family, including women and children, were among those killed in the airstrikes. In its latest report published in April, the United Nations said that the airstrikes by pro-government forces had killed more civilians than Taliban in the first quarter of 2019. Afghanistan is suffering from an unstable political, social and security situation due to the activity of the Taliban and Islamic State terrorist group (banned in Russia). The Afghan National Defense and Security Forces are currently conducting joint offensive operations to combat terrorism across the country with support from the international coalition. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Venezuelan Troops Trained 'Guerrilla Force' to Fire Missiles, Media Claims Sputnik News 17:16 06.05.2019 Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro has earlier praised the country's armed forces for remaining loyal to him in the face of an attempted coup d'etat staged by opposition leader Juan Guaido. Soldiers loyal to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro trained fighters from the "most dangerous guerrilla force" in South America to use heat-seeking anti-aircraft missiles, Bloomberg reported, citing Colombian General Luis Navarro. According to him, soldiers of the Colombian National Liberation Army (ELN) were trained to launch a Russia-made surface-to-air missile system. The media outlet wrote that Colombia's intelligence service is not aware whether the ELN has obtained its own missile launchers, or whether the training was organised by a faction in Venezuela's military or authorised at the highest levels in Caracas. Navarro was quoted as claiming that the ELN was trained secretly rather than at Venezuelan army bases, while Bloomberg alleged that the "guerrilla force" has long used the Latin American country as a refuge. "These are weapons used by the Venezuelan armed forces. We have the clear evidence and the necessary intelligence to affirm that the ELN is considered as part of the defence of the revolution of the Maduro regime", Bloomberg cited him as saying. The Maduro government has yet to comment on these reports. Earlier in the day, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza accused the CIA of working with the country's opposition to oust Maduro and get hold of the country's natural resources. He also told reporters that Caracas would retaliate if the US opts for military action to oust the legitimately elected president. Juan Guaido, Venezuela's self-proclaimed interim president, admitted over the weekend that his attempted coup against Maduro had failed, although claimed that "it is clearly visible that the armed forces no longer support" the embattled head of state. Maduro has on a multitude of occasions reassured the people of Venezuela that the country's armed forces remain loyal to him despite Guaido's calls to join his so-called Operation Freedom. Venezuela plunged into chaos in January after Guaido declared himself interim president in defiance of Maduro, who was sworn in for a second term on 10 January. The opposition leader's move was instantly recognised by the United States, a handful of regional countries, and, subsequently, dozens of nations around the world. Maduro, who is recognised as Venezuela's only legitimate president by numerous countries, including Russia, Iran, Turkey, and China, has blasted Guaido as a US "puppet" and denounced the entire situation as a coup attempt organised by Washington. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 'Clear Indications' of Planned Iranian Attack Behind US Carrier Dispatch: Report Sputnik News 15:15 06.05.2019(updated 15:16 06.05.2019) White House National Security Adviser John Bolton has announced that the United States is deploying an aircraft carrier strike group and a bomber task force to the Middle East in a "clear and unmistakable" message to Iran that any attack on Washington's interests or its allies will be met with "unrelenting force". The US decision to dispatch an aircraft carrier to the Middle East was made amid "clear indications" that Iranian forces were allegedly preparing to attack American forces in the region, an unnamed defence official told the Associated Press. The source claimed that the Pentagon had green-lit the deployment and that US forces at sea and on land were suspected to be the potential targets. Both Iranian and US authorities have yet to comment on the claims. The report comes shortly after White House National Security Adviser John Bolton said in a Sunday statement that Washington was deploying the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group and a bomber task force to the US Central Command region, which includes the Middle East. Bolton claimed that the decision was made in response to a "number of troubling and escalatory indications and warnings" and that Washington wants to send a "clear and unmistakable message" to Tehran that it will unleash "unrelenting force" in the event of any attack on US interests or on those of its allies. "The United States is not seeking war with the Iranian regime, but we are fully prepared to respond to any attack, whether by proxy, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, or regular Iranian forces", he said. The Trump administration has earlier upped the ante against Iran, having vowed to cut its oil exports to zero, thus prompting the Islamic Republic to warn that it will close the Strait of Hormuz, which is a strategic waterway linking Mideast crude producers to crucial world markets. Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif has stressed that Tehran doesn't seek to escalate tensions with Washington, but it will not allow the US to undermine the security of the Persian Gulf. "We have been very clear that we have no interest in escalation. We have been clear that the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz are our lifeline. We depend on them for our livelihood, and we want them safe, secure, and free for navigation of all countries, including Iran. As we have stated before, Iran won't permit the US to threaten the Persian Gulf", the minister warned. Last month, US President Donald Trump announced his decision not to reissue waivers on Iranian oil once they expire in May in a bid to bring the country's crude exports to zero. Washington provided temporary waivers to eight economies, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Turkey, Greece, Italy, and Taiwan, who agreed to reduce their purchases of Iranian crude, allowing them to continue buying it without facing sanctions for six more months. In addition, the US recently designated Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist group, which caused the Iranian parliament to ratify a bill which labelled the US Central Command a terrorist organisation. The Trump administration imposed sanctions on Iran's oil industry in November after the US unilaterally withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal, which saw anti-Tehran restrictions lifted in exchange for the Islamic Republic maintaining the peaceful nature of its nuclear programme. Having decided to reinstate all sanctions and slap new ones on Iran's shipping, energy, financial, and other sectors, Trump pledged to introduce secondary restrictions on foreign companies doing business with Tehran, which drew much condemnation from other signatories to the nuclear deal. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israel Prepared to Continue Gaza Strikes, Campaign Not Over - Netanyahu Sputnik News 13:46 06.05.2019(updated 13:53 06.05.2019) TEL AVIV (Sputnik) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged that a campaign against Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip will continue to ensure the safety of Israelis living in the south of the country following an intense exchange of rocket fire between the two sides over the weekend. "Over the last two days we struck Hamas and Islamic Jihad with great force. We hit over 350 targets. We struck at terrorist leaders and operatives and we destroyed terrorist buildings. The campaign is not over and it demands patience and sagacity. We are prepared to continue. The goal has been and remains ensuring quiet and security for the residents of the south", the prime minister said, as quoted by his office on Twitter. Earlier in the day, media reported that the Palestinian Authority and Israel had reached a ceasefire agreement, which was set to start on Monday morning, with Tel Aviv not commenting on the veracity of the report. However, the Israeli Defence Forces said on Monday that safety restrictions imposed on the country's southern areas had been lifted. According to media reports, the mutual rocket strikes claimed the lives of four Israelis and at least 25 Palestinians. Tensions between Israel and the enclave escalated on 4 May, when hundreds of rockets were fired in the direction of Israel from the Gaza Strip, prompting the Israeli military to retaliate. The Israeli Defence Forces said later that a total of 690 rockets had been launched from Gaza over the past 48 hours, with 240 of them intercepted by air defence systems. The Gaza border area has been a scene of violent clashes between Palestinians and the Israeli military since last March, when the Palestinians started a campaign, called the Great March of Return. Since then, each week on Friday, thousands of Palestinian protesters gather at the border of the Gaza Strip and the tensions often rapidly increase into clashes with Israeli troops. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Venezuela Vows Response if US Takes Military Action Sputnik News 12:04 06.05.2019(updated 13:24 06.05.2019) The comments by the Venezuelan foreign minister come shortly after opposition leader Juan Guaido confirmed that he is considering the possibility of international intervention after being asked if he would welcome a US military option to break the months-long political impasse. Venezuela's Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza stressed on Monday that Caracas prefers diplomacy to solve the ongoing political crisis, but is ready for any scenario, and will retaliate if the United States chooses to take military action against the government of President Nicolas Maduro. "We are prepared for any scenario If [the US] prefers the military path, we are ready to resist we have an army, police, our people, and we are ready to destroy any army, no matter how powerful it is", he said, adding that Caracas has consistently called on Washington to resolve all issues through dialogue. The foreign minister continued on by saying that the number of Russian military experts in Venezuela may be increased. "I would like to remind [you] that a large part of military equipment in Venezuela is Russian [Russian] President [Vladimir] Putin has offered us the best equipment that exists now and it allowed us to create a strong defence structure. All this requires maintenance. We need to improve it, exchange information. Currently, there is a commission of specialists in Venezuela, of course, it can be expanded", Arreaza told reporters. Arreaza then claimed that the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the Venezuelan opposition have devised a plan to oust Maduro in order to get hold of the country's natural resources. The foreign minister's comments come shortly after Juan Guaido, Venezuela's self-proclaimed interim president, told the BBC that he "will evaluate all options if necessary" when asked if he would welcome US military intervention. Even though his coup attempt failed last week, Guaido claims that it is "clearly visible that the armed forces no longer support Maduro". "I think the only one who really hurts himself is Maduro. He has been losing again and again. He is increasingly weak, increasingly alone, and has no international support. On the contrary, we gain acceptance, support and future options", he said. Speaking with The Washington Post after the botched coup attempt, Guaido branded the discussions of military options in the US "great news". "That's great news to Venezuela because we are evaluating all options. It's good to know that important allies like the US are also evaluating the option. That gives us the possibility that if we need cooperation, we know we can get it", Guaido told the news outlet. The developments follow US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's interview with ABC, in which he claimed that any US action in the Latin American country would be "lawful". Pompeo went as far as to say that US President Donald Trump "has his full range of Article 2 authorities", when asked if POTUS believed he could intervene militarily in Venezuela without congressional approval. In the meantime, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has announced that Moscow is planning to create a bloc of countries to counter a potential US intervention. "I hope that it will receive serious support from the organisation, because we're talking about a very simple issue one that's hard to distort: the defence of the fundamental norms and principles of international law as they are defined in the UN Charter". Last week, Guaido released a video in which he encouraged civilians and soldiers to join his so-called Operation Freedom to drive out legitimately elected Maduro, claiming that he had the backing of the armed forces. Maduro, for his part, reassured the people that he had spoken with the country's military chiefs, who reaffirmed their "complete loyalty to the people, the Constitution and homeland". His comments were supported by Venezuela's defence minister. Guaido later admitted that the opposition had overestimated its backing within the military and said that they had expected Maduro to resign in the face of an increasing number of defectors; but only a handful of soldiers decided to turn their backs on the president. Venezuela has been mired in an ongoing political crisis since early January, when Guaido was elected the head of the opposition-led National Assembly that all other government branches have been refusing to recognise since 2016. In mid-January, two days after the Venezuelan Supreme Court annulled his election, Guaido proclaimed himself interim president in defiance of legitimate President Maduro, who was sworn in for a second term on 10 January. Guaido's move was immediately recognised by the United States, with other countries around the world following suit, while Maduro blasted Guaido as a US "puppet" and dismissed the entire situation as a coup attempt staged by Washington. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US Destroyers Sail in S China Sea as Trade Talks on Verge of Collapse Sputnik News 09:28 06.05.2019(updated 12:02 06.05.2019) The South China Sea is one of a growing number of contentious issues in US-China relations, which have also been complicated by seemingly crumbling trade talks, US sanctions, and Taiwan's status. Beijing expresses its "resolute opposition" to the passage of two US guided-missile destroyers Preble and Chung Hoon near Gaven and Johnson Reefs in the Spratly Islands, claimed by China in the South China Sea, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Geng Shuang told a press briefing on Monday. "The Chinese side expresses strong dissatisfaction and resolute opposition", he said. China's navy has as well called on US ships to leave the area and warned Washington to stop such provocative acts. Reuters earlier cited Commander Clay Doss, a spokesman for the US Navy's Seventh Fleet, as saying that the "innocent passage" within 12 nautical miles of the island was made "to challenge excessive maritime claims and preserve access to the waterways as governed by international law". The development comes amid reports by the South China Morning Post that Chinese Vice Premier Liu He will proceed with his trip to the United States this week for trade talks but is expected to shorten his Washington visit. Liu is reportedly set to leave Beijing on Thursday three days later than scheduled and leave DC a day later. The news followed media speculation that he might call off this week's trade talks in light of comments by President Donald Trump that he would increase tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods from 10 percent to 25 percent starting Friday, as well as slap other Chinese products worth $325 billion with 25 percent tariffs. The issue of the US military presence in the South China Sea region has long been one of the major flashpoints in US-China relations, along with the ongoing trade dispute, which has seen the two countries exchange several rounds of steep tariffs. China, which is currently in control of the vast majority of islands, reefs and shoals in the area that are also claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Taiwan, has repeatedly accused the US of provocations in the South China Sea and warned the US against sending vessels and military aircraft close to the islands and reefs claimed by Beijing. It has repeatedly demandsed that the United States "stop actions that undermine China's sovereignty and security interests", while Washington has claimed that it is conducting freedom of navigation operations. American officials have expressed dismay at China's construction of industrial outposts and military facilities on artificial islands in the South China Sea, while Beijing has consistently stressed that it has the sovereign right to send troops to any part of its territory. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Guaido Confirms He's Considering Asking US Military to Intervene in Venezuela Sputnik News 09:02 06.05.2019 The Venezuelan opposition leader, who proclaimed himself interim president and called on legitimate head of the country Nicolas Maduro to step down, attempted a coup on Tuesday that ended in failure. Meanwhile, US officials have made it clear that all options are "on the table". In an interview with the BBC, self-proclaimed Venezuelan leader Juan Guaido stated that it is "responsible to evaluate" the possibility of international intervention when he was asked if he would welcome US military intervention. "I, as the president in charge of the national parliament, will evaluate all options if necessary", he told the British broadcaster. He also welcomed US support, branding it "decisive". "I think President [Donald] Trump's position is very firm, which we appreciate, as does the entire world", he said. Speaking to ABC, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo recently stated that Donald Trump "has his full range of Article 2 authorities", when asked if the US president believes he could intervene militarily in Venezuela without congressional approval. While emphasising that the US still has a "full-scale set of options", Pompeo added that he is fully confident that "any action" the US takes in Venezuela would be "lawful". For his part, Trump, who called Russian President Vladimir Putin on the phone to discuss the Venezuelan crisis, said that he "feels the same way" with Putin about the "need for positive developments in Venezuela". His statement appeared to contradict his own senior officials' strong rhetoric concerning Russia's "involvement" in the Latin American nation in the wake of the arrival of Russian military experts in the country earlier this spring. Despite his coup attempt last week failing, Guaido has claimed that it is "clearly visible that the armed forces no longer support Maduro". "I think the only one who really hurts himself is Maduro. He has been losing again and again. He is increasingly weak, increasingly alone, and has no international support. On the contrary, we gain acceptance, support and future options", the self-proclaimed interim leader claimed. After his failed attempt to overthrown Maduro, Guaido welcomed the discussions of military options in the US, calling them "great news", as he spoke to The Washington Post. "That's great news to Venezuela because we are evaluating all options. It's good to know that important allies like the US are also evaluating the option. That gives us the possibility that if we need cooperation, we know we can get it", he told the US outlet. The situation in Venezuela has been intense since January when Guaido illegally proclaimed himself the interim president escalated last Tuesday. Guaido announced the start of the "final phase" of the opposition's campaign to topple the government and called on the military to support him. The coup attempt resulted in violent rallies on 30 April and 1 May. It failed and left at least 300 people injured, according to a local human rights group. Guaido, who has been backed by the US and its allies since January, later conceded that the opposition had miscalculated its support within the military. The country's armed forces sided with Nicolas Maduro, who, in turn, has the support of multiple countries including Russia and China, as the only legitimate president of Venezuela. Maduro later praised the country's National Bolivarian Armed Forces (FANB) for remaining loyal to him in the face of so-called Operation Freedom staged by Guaido. "We are not a weak or helpless country, we have a military power that guarantees peace and national defence. Always Loyal, Never Traitors!" he tweeted. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hill AFB fighter wings conduct combat exercise By Micah Garbarino, 388th Fighter Wing Public Affairs / Published May 06, 2019 HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah (AFNS) -- The active duty 388th Fighter Wing and Reserve 419th FW conducted an integrated combat capability exercise April 30-May 2 at the Utah Test and Training Range. The friendly and enemy forces were made up of F-35 Lightning IIs from Hill AFB, F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 311th Fighter Squadron at Holloman AFB, New Mexico, and 80th FS at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, and a team of contracted aggressor pilots from Draken International, at Nellis AFB, Nevada. "Planning and carrying out the mission as part of a large, integrated force, at a high ops tempo is always valuable training," said Col. Michael Ebner, 388th FW vice commander. "Whenever fourth and fifth generation platforms train together it's beneficial for everyone. It was a great learning opportunity, especially for younger pilots." More than 40 aircraft participated. The training provided by this type of joint exercise is usually only available during large-force exercises like Red Flag. The airspace at the Utah Test and Training Range provides Hill AFB the ability to host such a large force. The defensive counter-air exercise was designed to simulate a combat operations tempo to test the capabilities of maintainers to provide aircraft and pilots to protect the airfield from a large enemy force. "We were severely outnumbered, we had a five to one aggressor ratio and we were tasked with defending a list of assets over an 8-hour tour time block," said Maj. Thomas Meyer, 34th Fighter Squadron weapons officer. "We had aircraft sitting in alert status to respond to whatever enemy threats were presented." Aircraft rotated into the fight on a continual basis for more than 8 hours. If the enemy was successful in making it through the defenses and hitting a target, the friendly force was penalized by losing time to generate aircraft as maintainers took cover. "One of the principle directives we've been given in the F-35 program is to integrate, and generally we only fly against other F-35s here," said Maj. Jondavid Hertzel, 421st FS weapons officer. "This is a great opportunity for us." During the exercise F-35A maintainers were working to generate sorties at a steady rate, safely and efficiently. "We're testing everything associated with generating a combat sortie, from our weapons loading to aircraft production," said Chief Master Sgt. Scott Spraberry, 34th Aircraft Maintenance Unit superintendent. "We're doing everything on a much more compressed schedule," On a normal flying day at Hill AFB, there may be eight to 10 aircraft that take off at once, then eight to 10 more jets several hours later. During this exercise, four-ship sorties launched every 30-45 minutes throughout the day. Maintainers had to be ready for the jets to land, refuel, reload and take off again, generating a total of 44 sorties a day. They worked in "cells." Each cell was made of crew chiefs, weapons, and avionics technicians and overseen by a senior non-commissioned officer responsible for keeping up to four aircraft ready for flight. "Normally our maintainers have two to three hours to turn an aircraft, so having to do so every 30 minutes really tests their skill," said Capt. John Goodwin, 419th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron maintenance operations officer. "These exercises are an extremely effective and essential way to ensure our overall readiness." The 388th and 419th FWs are the Air Force's first operational combat-capable F-35 units, having received the first jets in October 2015. They fly and maintain the jet in a Total Force partnership, which capitalizes on the strength of both components. By the end of this year, Hill AFB will be home to 78 F-35s. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US Expediting Navy Carrier to Arabian Sea as 'Unmistakable Message to Iran' By Steve Herman May 06, 2019 The United States is speeding up the arrival of a naval aircraft carrier strike group to the Arabian Sea after concerns Iran may be planning an attack against American or allied targets. The USS Abraham Lincoln "aircraft carrier is currently operating in the U.S. European Command area of responsibility (AOR), but will expedite its arrival into the U.S. Central Command AOR in order to defend American forces and interests in the region," a defense official told VOA. "We have continued to see activity that leads us to believe that there's escalation that may be taking place, and so we're taking all the appropriate actions, both from a security perspective as well as our ability to make sure the president has a wide range of options in the event that something should actually take place," Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told reporters Monday in Finland. An Israeli journalist, Barak Ravid, reports the Mossad intelligence agency alerted the United States that Iranian elements may be preparing to strike American or allied targets in the Gulf region. "It is still unclear to us what the Iranians are trying to do and how they are planning to do it," Ravid quotes an Israeli intelligence officer as saying. "But it is clear to us that the Iranian temperature is on the rise as a result of the growing U.S. pressure campaign against them and they are considering retaliating against U.S. interests in the Gulf." Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan, on Twitter, stated that the deployment of a naval carrier strike group and an air force bomber task force to the area "represents a prudent repositioning of assets in response to indications of a credible threat by Iranian regime forces." Shanahan added: "We call on the Iranian regime to cease all provocation. We will hold the Iranian regime accountable for any attack on US forces or our interests." The comments follow an unusual and aggressive Sunday evening statement issued in the name of the U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton. A "number of troubling and escalatory indications and warnings" linked to Iran prompted the United States to deploy an aircraft carrier strike group and bomber task force to the Middle East, Bolton said in the statement. The dispatch of the carrier strike group and the bomber task force is intended to "send a clear and unmistakable message to the Iranian regime that any attack on United States interests or on those of our allies will be met with unrelenting force," added Bolton. In addition to the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier, the strike group included fighter jets, helicopters, destroyers and more than 6,000 sailors when it left its U.S. port in the state of Virginia in early April. The Nimitz-class carrier was in the Adriatic Sea as of May 1 when Albania's president, Ilir Meta, visited the 333-meter-long vessel. Bolton's statement said the United States "is not seeking war with the Iranian regime, but we are fully prepared to respond to any attack, whether by proxy, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, or regular Iranian forces." New America Foundation Fellow Ned Price says recent actions to sanction the IRGC and end sanctions waivers for some of the country's biggest oil buyers make it seem like the Trump administration "seems intent on driving the Iranians into a corner." "The concern with Bolton's threat coming in the midst of a series of escalations from the Trump administration underscores the concern that the administration is trying to goad the Iranians into an unwise and ill-considered reaction," Price, a former spokesman for the Obama-era National Security Council, told VOA. The Trump administration has been working to apply what it calls a "maximum pressure campaign" against Iran to try to get the country to change its behavior, including its sponsorship of terror groups and what the White House alleges is a ballistic missile program that threatens the United States. In response to last month's U.S. designation of the IRGC as a terrorist group, Iran responded by declaring the United States a state sponsor of terrorism and its forces in the Middle East as terror groups. Daniel DePetris is a fellow at Defense Priorities, a research group that advocates that America maintain a strong, dynamic military but wants it to try to avoid being deployed in overseas wars. DePetris says that while Iran is meddlesome, the threats it poses can best be addressed with deterrence and diplomacy. "Maximum pressure will fail to change the regime's behavior, but it will ratchet up tensions between the U.S. and Iran, possibly inciting a crisis or war, something Trump promised to avoid during his campaign," DePetris told VOA. "This is more evidence of a troublesome disconnect between the president and the people who ostensibly work under him. The Iranians are meddlesome actors, but they're far from a threat to the U.S., the world's only superpower." The vice president of the Heritage Foundation's Institute for National Security and Foreign Policy praises the U.S. move. "The U.S. is a global power with global interests and responsibilities," James Jay Carafano told VOA. "It's a powerful statement to demonstrate the U.S. is not distracted by a host of challenges in Venezuela, by provocations from North Korea, and yet, the U.S. has the resolve and capacity to show it can stand strong in the Middle East, as well." Bolton's statement is raising concern in other countries. India, whose economy is largely fueled by imported crude much of it from Middle East countries such as Iraq and Saudi Arabia is worried about the security of sea lanes through which its energy supplies flow. "If you have a situation where Iran and America are actually entering into a confrontationist mode, then that will not only impact the two countries but the larger region," said security analyst Harsh Pant at the Observer Research Foundation in New Delhi. "The question of what happens to the larger region, what happens to the sea lanes of communication, I think that is going to be a challenge if this results in something bigger. ... India will wait and watch and see how far it goes." India, which has friendly relations with Iran and a growing strategic partnership with the United States, is also under pressure to slash oil imports from Iran. Except for saying that there will be additional supplies from other oil-producing countries, New Delhi has not stated clearly whether it plans to bring down its imports from Iran to zero as the United States wants. There has been no immediate reaction from Iran to Bolton's statement. One week ago, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif accused Bolton and others, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, of "designing confrontation," but added that he did not "think military confrontation will happen." Speaking to CBS News, Zarif accused the U.S. administration of "putting things in place for accidents to happen. And there has to be extreme vigilance, so that people who are planning this type of accident would not have their way." Carla Babb at the Pentagon and Anjana Pasricha in New Delhi contributed to this report. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US Wary of Chinese, Russian Military Presence in Arctic By Nike Ching May 06, 2019 Aimed at countering China and Russia's expansion in the Arctic, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced Monday the United States will increase its military presence in the polar region. "We are hosting military exercises, strengthening our force presence, rebuilding our icebreaker fleet, expanding Coast Guard funding, and creating a new senior military post for Arctic Affairs inside our own military," said Pompeo after arriving in Rovaniemi, Finland, for a meeting of the Arctic Council. "The region has become an area of global power and competition," he said. The top U.S. diplomat's warning comes days after a Pentagon report said China could use its civilian research presence in the Arctic to strengthen its military presence. In Beijing, Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Geng Shuang pushed back Monday, saying China has been adhering to the path of "peaceful development" and asked the United States to abandon "the outdated concept of Cold War mentality and the zero-sum game." With the steady reductions in sea ice in the polar region, new naval passageways and trade opportunities are seen to be opening up. Last month, Russia announced plans to connect the Northern Sea Route with China's Maritime "Silk Road," a move seen as developing a new shipping channel from Asia to northern Europe. Meanwhile, China's interest in the Arctic has been on the rise in recent years. Beijing's Arctic policy says "China hopes to work with all parties to build a Polar Silk Road through developing the Arctic shipping routes." Sounding the alarm on China's ambition, Pompeo rejected interference by non-Arctic countries in the polar region. "There are only Arctic States and non-Arctic States. No third category exists," said Pompeo during his speech in Finland Monday. The Arctic Council consists of the eight Arctic states: Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden and the United States. Chinese officials attending the Arctic Council meeting as observers said China is a "near-Arctic state," a definition refuted by the U.S. "I have no earthly idea what they mean when they say they're a near-Arctic country. Perhaps they can provide a definition," Pompeo told the media later on Monday. Some experts said a competitive U.S. military posture for the Arctic should also come with diplomatic engagement with the Arctic nations. "The increasingly challenged global commons require not just able U.S. military capacity, but a diplomatic strategy to find a balance of interests and new norms, rules and codes of conduct," Atlantic Council's senior fellow Robert Manning told VOA on Monday. Chinese officials said Beijing's investments in the Arctic region, seen as an extension of Chinese President Xi Jinping's signature Belt and Road Initiative, are "open, inclusive and transparent." But U.S. officials argued China's Belt and Road Initiative is about "using government power to achieve national security objectives." "The United States and Arctic nations welcome transparent Chinese investment that reflects economic interests, not national security ambitions," said Pompeo. Military officials from Russia and China said both countries intended to regularly conduct joint war games, following last September's massive Vostok (East) 2018 military exercises that spanned extensive regions of Siberia, Russia's Far East, the Arctic, and the Pacific Oceans. China was invited for the first time to join the drill. In May of 2013, China became an "observer state" of the Arctic Council with the help of Iceland. Last year, a China-Iceland joint Arctic Research Observatory was established in Karholl, Iceland. The Arctic houses 13 percent of the world's undiscovered oil, 30 percent of its undiscovered gas, and an abundance of resources, including uranium, rare earth minerals, and millions of square miles of untapped fisheries. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US Military Trains Cameroon Troops on Medical Evacuations By Moki Edwin Kindzeka May 06, 2019 The U.S. military is training Cameroon's military on first aid techniques and medical evacuation in order to reduce battlefield deaths. Cameroon estimates that one-fourth of all soldiers killed fighting separatists and Boko Haram terrorists could have been saved with better care. Twenty-nine-year-old soldier Poumje Amidou has been getting treatment for fractures since last October at the military hospital in Yaounde. Amidou said he barely escaped death when separatist fighters attacked his base, leaving one of his colleagues dead and two others wounded. He said what he remembers is that he bled profusely and had serious wounds on his left leg, stomach and right arm. Amidou's life was saved when a Cameroon military helicopter rushed him to the hospital. But others were not so lucky. In recent years, about 117 soldiers have died from wounds that would not have been fatal had they received the correct first aid, according to Cameroon's military. That's about one-fourth of all Cameroonian military deaths in the battles against English-speaking separatists and the Nigerian militant group Boko Haram. Better care for the wounded U.S. military advisers are working to prevent future deaths by training soldiers to provide better care for the wounded. Major Mommearts, who did not give his first name, is one of the U.S. trainers. He said the course on MEDEVAC - medical evacuation - includes evacuating casualties by air, known as CASEVAC. "We talked about the different levels of CASEVAC, so you have your own legs, you can move the patient yourself, you have different pack bones that they can use. Make sure they are not bleeding while they are being transported." In February, the U.S. announced it was cutting some security assistance to Cameroon following allegations that Cameroon's military was committing human rights violations. The U.S. says despite the reduction in military aid, relations between the two countries are good. The director of Cameroon's military health, Colonel Abeng Mbozoo, said those ties are shown by the U.S. medical training. He said the training is an indication that military cooperation between the U.S. and Cameroon is excellent. That is the reason the U.S. military has come to train their Cameroonian peers, said, Mbozoo, to save lives and prevent deaths in different battle grounds. Thirty Cameroonian military staff received the U.S. training this week and will pass on the knowledge to their colleagues. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China Rejects US Military Passage in South China Sea By VOA News May 06, 2019 China objected Monday to the passage of two U.S. warships near disputed islands in the South China Sea. Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said the warships entered the waters without Chinese permission. He said the warships had violated China's sovereignty, while also harming peace, security "and good order in the relevant seas." China has expanded its control over much of the South China Sea in recent years, building military bases and airstrips on tiny islands and reefs. The United States and its allies have responded with freedom of navigation exercises near Beijing's disputed claims to ensure that China does not block sea and air traffic Reuters quoted a U.S. military spokesman saying the vessels were involved in an "innocent passage" to challenge "excessive maritime claims and preserve access to the waterways." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address How Vietnam, Philippines Will Get around China's Fishing Ban in Disputed Sea By Ralph Jennings May 06, 2019 Beijing has declared a moratorium on fishing in about half the heavily disputed South China Sea every year since 1995. And every year other countries with competing sovereignty claims keep letting their own fishing fleets do as they wish. The Chinese coast guard says the ban that took effect May 1 this year will be enforced, but people who follow the South China Sea politics expect the authorities to catch only Chinese-registered boats that violate the ban. China would go easier on boats from the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam because it wants to build relations in Asia and avoid a stronger U.S. role in the maritime dispute, those analysts believe. U.S. allies Taiwan and the Philippines call all or some of the moratorium tract their own. Vietnam makes a similar claim and has grown closer to Washington since 2016. China is telling other countries about the three-month moratorium largely to remind them of its sovereignty claim, analysts say. "To date, we haven't really seen serious enforcement on their part, especially against other countries," said Jay Batongbacal, international maritime affairs professor at University of the Philippines. "The minimum, I think, is to create a record of supposed exercises of jurisdiction over the entire South China Sea." Annual moratorium South China Sea waters above the 12th parallel north of the equator, along with other waterways under Chinese control, will be monitored 24 hours a day and "any violation will be dealt with in time," China's official Xinhua News Agency said, citing the national coast guard. Xinhua says the summer fishing ban will help "promote sustainable marine fishery development and improve marine ecology." The sea is considered heavily overfished, especially by vessels that can process and refrigerate their catches before reaching land, said Termsak Chalermpalanupap, Southeast Asia-specialized fellow with the ISEAS Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore. The 3.5 million-square-kilometer sea stretching from the island of Borneo north to Hong Kong yields 16.6 million tons of fish every year and the fishing industry employs about 3.7 million people across nationalities, according to National Geographic data. Claimant countries prize the sea as well for its marine shipping lanes and undersea reserves of gas and oil. Harmonizing with China's fishing bans Other countries are accustomed to China's annual moratoriums. In years past some have quietly told their own fishing fleets how to work the sea without upsetting China though without renouncing sovereignty claims. That trend is expected to continue this year despite the threat of tough enforcement. Taiwan notified its own vessels about the Chinese moratorium this year, said Shih Chin-yi, division chief under the Fisheries Agency. The agency cares about the regeneration of fisheries near its coastlines, including the South China Sea to its southwest, Shih said. "We've also made notifications in the past to let fishermen know that during this period mainland China bans fishing as long it's north of the 12th parallel into the Yellow Sea and Bohai Bay," Shih said. China also claims sovereignty over self-ruled Taiwan, making any territorial dispute extra-sensitive. Each side normally observes sea boundaries set by the other, and Taiwan has its own moratorium zones. Vietnam, the country most outspoken about China's activity in the disputed sea, protested the moratorium on Sunday. A foreign ministry spokeswoman in Hanoi said the ban violates Vietnam's sovereignty over the sea's Paracel Islands and goes against United Nations maritime convention, according to the news website Hanoi Times. The Philippines generally gives no formal advice to its fishing boats to avoid either inflaming China or conceding that China has a right to call a ban, political scholars in the country have said. The two countries have gotten along since 2016, with China reportedly accommodating some Filipino boats in disputed waters. "I think they just live and let live and just hope they won't be rammed or arrested," said Chalermpalanupap, referring to ships from any country. Neighbor relations, US role Brunei and Malaysia also claim parts of the sea, but south of 12th parallel. All militarily weaker than Beijing, the Southeast Asian claimants resent China's maritime landfill work and follow-up militarization since 2010. Island-building facilitates construction of aircraft hangars and radar systems as well as support for fishing and oil exploration. Their resentment prompts the U.S. Navy to send ships regularly into the South China Sea, upsetting China. Washington claims no part of the sea. Beijing hopes to build relations with Asian governments to counter U.S. influence, said Yun Sun, East Asia Program senior associate with the Stimson Center think tank in Washington, D.C. To build those ties, Beijing is talking now with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, which includes four claimant states, about signing a South China Sea code of conduct as early as 2020 to help head off mishaps between ships. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Spain Assumes Key Role in Venezuela By Martin Arostegui May 06, 2019 Madrid is increasingly taking center stage in Venezuela's crisis as talks to get president Nicolas Maduro to resign appeared to collapse and its embassy in Caracas gives refuge to Leopoldo Lopez, the opposition leader who escaped house arrest and led an abortive military rebellion last week. Involving Spain in schemes to manipulate Maduro into stepping down may have prompted what some analysts say was a premature revolt by regime opponent backed by soldiers who believed Maduro's defense minister and other key aides were ready to abandon him. "The armed forces are dividing, it's the worst scenario" said Spanish foreign minister Josep Borrel when a group of armed national guardsmen protecting Lopez and parliamentary leader Juan Guadio appeared in front of a military base in Caracas calling for an uprising against the government. Statements that Lopez gave to the press from the Spanish embassy, saying that there were negotiations with the "highest echelons of the regime" to ditch Maduro, drew criticism from Spanish leftists. Conservatives, on the other hand, said Spain had a "duty" to protect Lopez, whose father is a Spanish national running for the European parliament on the Popular Party ticket. Spain has been split on Venezuela since Juan Guaido challenged the legitimacy of president Maduro last February, calling on the army to withdraw support from a government installed through elections widely denounced as fraudulent. Prime Minister Sanchez took almost two weeks to follow President Donald Trump in recognizing Guaido, holding back the rest of the European Union where Spain is the government of reference on Venezuela due to its extensive commercial and cultural ties with its one time colony where more than 175,000 Spanish nationals reside. Sanchez backed the formation of a contact group composed of EU and some Latin American governments to seek Maduro's agreement on holding new elections.This riled relations with the United States and the Venezuelan opposition who say that free elections are impossible with Maduro in power. Despite these differences, U.S. Special envoy for Venezuela Eliott Abrams has tried to use Spain's influence with the Venezuelan government to bring about the bloodless collapse of Maduro's rule, among other things by getting Spain to receive Maduro allies who opt to leave Venezuela as part of a transition. Abrams visited Madrid in April to ask the Spanish government to arrange safe haven for officials accused of human rights violations and massive corruption as part of a negotiating strategy to secure Maduro's ouster without requiring a military intervention, which the Spanish government opposes and the Trump administration seeks to avoid. "We believe that when Maduro falls, some members of his regime, of the military, will probably want to go into exile", said Abrams in a news conference at the U.S. embassy in Madrid.He stated that EU countries could contribute to the transition to democracy by "offering them a place to go." Abrams met with several top Spanish officials, including Borrel the director of the Spanish foreign ministry's Latin American section and a chief aide to Prime Minister Sanchez.U.S. sanctions affecting Spanish oil investments in Venezuela were also discussed, according to Abrams. Trump's special envoy told the newspaper ABC that he was talking with 22 of 33 members of Maduro's ruling circle considered vital to the regime. They included Defense Minister Vladimiro Padrino as well as heads of military intelligence, the police, Supreme Court judges, and even leaders of paramilitary "colectivos" according to Spanish diplomatic sources. Venezuela's ex-spy master, Gen. Hugo Carvajal, escaped to Spain after supporting Guaido when the parliamentary leader first challenged Maduro last February. Carvajal's arrest in mid April at his son's apartment in Madrid on drug charges filed by U.S. law enforcement agencies almost 10 years ago may have caused a billiard effect on Maduro officials, according to some analysts. Dr Evan Ellis, a Latin America specialist at Washington's Center for Strategic and International Studies, says the arrest may have driven other members of Maduro's team to try cutting their own deals in confused talks that triggered last week's coup attempt. "Carvajal's chavista colleagues probably suspected that he would talk, and thus probably had a price on his head ... so now that he's out of their reach, and probably cooperating to save his skin. Many of them must be very worried about what he knows about their personal activities and money laundering schemes, " he told VOA. Spain has been the destination for billions of dollars funneled out of Venezuela by corrupt officials who have laundered the money into major real estate purchases in Madrid and the luxury beach resort of Marbella, according to Spanish government investigators. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Kim Asked Putin to Convey N.Korea's Denuclearisation Stance to China, US - Intel Sputnik News 15:35 06.05.2019 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has asked Russian President Vladimir Putin to help convey North Korea's view of the denuclearisation process to China and the United States, South Korean media reported on Monday, citing the country's National Intelligence Service (NIS). "Russia sided with the U.S. on the North's denuclearisation, but Moscow understood Pyongyang's stance on how to implement the denuclearisation. That means North Korea and Russia seemed to have a common ground for a phased, incremental approach to the North's nuclear disarmament," NIS said during a briefing with the South Korean parliament's intelligence committee. The intelligence service noted that it meant that North Korea might want to resume denuclearisation talks with the United States after the failed Hanoi summit between Kim and US President Donald Trump. Lee Hye-hoon, the head of the intelligence committee, in turn, expressed doubt that Russia would be able to make a real difference in denuclearisation talks amid the existing sanctions. "Russia may have created certain conditions for itself to intervene in the Korean Peninsula issue, but under the current sanctions system, Moscow has little part to play," Lee was quoted as saying by the outlet. On April 25, Putin and Kim held their historic summit in the Russian Far Eastern city of Vladivostok. The meeting came two months after the North Korean leader's fruitless trip to Vietnam for a summit with Trump. After the Hanoi summit, denuclearisation talks between North Korea and the United States reached a deadlock, since Washington demands that Pyongyang completely dismantles nuclear facilities in the country in order to get sanctions relief, and North Korea wants a part of restrictions to be lifted before denuclearisation begins. China is also one of the countries involved in efforts aimed at reaching North Korea's denuclearisation. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address With Missile Test, North Korea Sends Message to Seoul By William Gallo May 06, 2019 By conducting what appears to be its first ballistic missile test in a year-and-a-half, North Korea has presented an obvious challenge to U.S. President Donald Trump, who has refused to relax sanctions on Pyongyang. But the launch also seems intended to pressure South Korean President Moon Jae-in, who has increasingly become the target of North Korea's outrage as nuclear talks with the U.S. falter. In a test personally overseen by Kim Jong Un, North Korea on Saturday fired a new short-range ballistic missile, analysts said, along with several other projectiles from a multiple rocket launcher, into the sea off its east coast. Though the launch appears to violate U.N. Security Council resolutions that ban North Korean ballistic missile activity, Trump and other U.S. officials quickly downplayed the importance of the test, pointing out the North did not violate its self-imposed suspension of tests of intercontinental ballistic missiles. But the launch is tricky for Moon, who wants to continue his signature policy of engagement with North Korea, but risks being seen as weak in the face of continuing North Korean provocations. North Korea blames Moon for not implementing aspects of the inter-Korean agreements reached during his three summits with Kim over the past year. U.S. and international sanctions have prevented Moon from following through on many parts of the pacts. North still upset about exercises Pyongyang is also upset Seoul has gone ahead with joint military exercises with Washington, even though the drills have been scaled back to help facilitate diplomacy with the North. According to long-time North Korea scholar Robert Carlin, the North Korean test was likely the "corresponding measure" Pyongyang had warned of late last month in a statement blasting Seoul for continuing the military exercises. In that statement, Kim criticized the scaled-back U.S.-South Korean military exercises as "disguised persistent hostile acts...in other codenames, though they were agreed to be stopped." While North and South Korea agreed last April to stop "all hostile acts" against each other and eliminate the "danger of war," the two sides never signed a statement agreeing to completely halt military exercises, and drills have continued on both sides. Despite the drawdown of U.S.-South Korea exercises, U.S. military officials have said they observed no similar scaling back of regular North Korean military drills. Firmer response from Seoul? For its part, South Korea's presidential office said it is "very concerned" the North Korean missile test violates the spirit of the inter-Korean agreements, and called on Pyongyang to stop acts that raise military tensions. Seoul's response stands in contrast to the softer approach of the Trump administration, which has not yet publicly criticized the North Korean launch. In a Saturday tweet, Trump said he believes Kim "fully realizes the great economic potential of North Korea and will do nothing to interfere or end it. He also knows that I am with him and does not want to break his promise with me." U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also did not criticize the North Korean missile test during three separate television interviews on Sunday morning. "At no point was there ever any international boundary crossed," Pompeo told ABC's This Week. "That is, they landed in the water east of North Korea and didn't present a threat to the United States or to South Korea or Japan." Pompeo said the U.S. is still analyzing the data and considering a response, but that he is confident the launch did not involve intercontinental ballistic missiles and therefore did not violate Kim's moratorium on missile tests. "The moratorium was focused, very focused, on intercontinental missile systems, the ones that threaten the United States, for sure," Pompeo told Fox News Sunday. Diverging views among, Tokyo, Washington, Seoul? To some analysts, that suggests the Trump administration is willing to tolerate any North Korean test short of an ICBM, a stance that could unnerve U.S. allies in Northeast Asia. "Pompeo's response made no sense as a strategy and undercut our allies in the region," said Mintaro Oba, a former State Department diplomat focused on East Asia. "He effectively defended the legitimacy of shorter-range North Korean launches." "Pompeo could have made all of the right points while also saying that the United States is ready and willing to talk with North Korea at any time, but that it's critical for Pyongyang to avoid escalating tensions and undermining the diplomatic process," Oba added. While the U.S. mainland might only be reached by North Korea's intercontinental ballistic missiles, South Korea and Japan are within range of the North's short and medium range arsenal. "The South Koreans aren't on board with Pompeo's 'test anything you want as long as it can't reach me' standard," Jeffrey Lewis, a North Korea watcher and Director of the East Asia Nonproliferation Program at the Middlebury Institute, said on Twitter. The U.S. and South Korea have repeatedly insisted they are in broad agreement on North Korea policy, and have attempted to downplay any reported differences of opinion. When disagreements have arisen, it is usually Seoul that is taking is the more conciliatory approach than Washington -- making this latest situation a role reversal, Oba said. Moon is under considerable domestic, as well as international pressure, on North Korea. An increasing number of conservative opposition South Koreans oppose his outreach to the North, viewing it as naive and unsuccessful. In the days following his first meeting with Kim, Moon's public approval rating was more than 80 percent. It has now slipped to the mid-40s. Adding to Moon's woes, South Korea's economy unexpectedly contracted in the first quarter of 2019. Moon, whose presidential term isn't up until 2022, still has time to deliver. He remains optimistic about engagement with the North, saying last month he would hold a fourth summit with Kim "any time, any place." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Chinese media: Beijing does not follow Iran's sanctions IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Tehran, May 6, IRNA -- 'Because of Beijing's close relationship with Tehran and the legitimate trade between the two countries, China does not comply with the US sanctions against Iran,' A Chinese media said in news headlines on Monday. 'Iran is a major energy supplier and an important partner in the Ancient Silk Road with China, and despite the US pressure on Beijing, China can not abide by its unilateral sanctions,' Yi Si, Chinese news website wrote on Monday. 'The issue is not just the supply of oil from Iran. There are ways to supply oil to China, but this will be a bargaining chip with the United States, especially since it has economic disadvantages for the world and China, already caused by rising oil prices,' the Chinese media added. 'China's Xinhua News Agency too regards Iran as a major contributor to China's supply of energy and oil, and China has become the largest buyer of Iranian oil. In 2018, it imported 22 million tons of crude from Iran, equivalent to 6.3 percent of China's market demand. This Chinese website in its report quoted a Middle East expert, Hua Lee Ming, the Chinese former ambassador to Iran saying: 'It's not about China's surrendering to the United States and stopping oil and energy relations with Iran.' He adds that Iran is a major economic, political and security partner for China and one of the biggest and most important supporters of China's New Silk Road Plan. 6125**1416 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran, G4+1 to hold expert talks Tuesday ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency Mon / 6 May 2019 / 11:38 Tehran (ISNA) Iran and G4+1 (Britain, France, Germany and China plus Russia) will hold expert talks in Brussels on Tuesday with the participation of the members of the Instrument for Supporting Trade Exchanges (INSTEX) and its similar Iranian mechanism. Iran and G4+1 are expected to discuss the US' unilateral sanctions, including the recent decision by the United States not to extend waivers with regards to oil trade with Iran and waivers for nuclear non-proliferation projects in the framework of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Expert talks between Iran and Europe's delegations, Russia and China will be held this week while the Iranian mechanism similar to INSTEX called the "Special Trade and Finance Institute" (STFI) has been recently registered in Iran. It is expected that the CEO of STFI, Ali Asghar Noori hold talks with INSTEX president Per Fischer, on the sidelines of the meeting in Brussels.They will discuss Iran and the European Union cooperation within the framework of the INSTEX. End Item NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran security body spurns US 'gauche' psy-war bid Iran Press TV Mon May 6, 2019 09:08PM Iran's top security apparatus dismisses as a "gauche" attempt at psychological warfare, the US's recent statement that it has sent an aircraft carrier and a bomber task force to the region to warn the Islamic Republic. The Supreme National Security Council (SNSC)'s spokesman Keivan Khosravi made the remarks after the US National Security Advisor John Bolton "announced" the deployment, calling it a means of conveying a "clear message" to Tehran, IRNA reported on Monday. Citing surveillance information relayed by Iranian Armed Forces, Khosravi said the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier had already entered the Mediterranean 21 days ago. "Bolton's statement amounts to gauche recourse to an abortive development for psychological warfare [purposes]," the Iranian official noted. "Bolton lacks understanding of military and security issues. His remarks are more intended to serve as braggadocio," Khosravi added. 'US forces disinterested in testing Iran' He cited the precedent of the US military's sustained defeats in the face of regional crises, saying, "It is unlikely that the US military's commanders and main components would be inclined towards testing the Iranian Armed Forces' proven capabilities." Bolton had said that the deployment was an alleged response "to a number of troubling and escalatory indications and warnings." Last month, the SNSC designated the US as a supporter of terrorism and the US forces based in West Asia, known as the US Central Command, as a terrorist organization after the White House blacklisted the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), Iran's elite defense force. The move by Washington came as part of its campaign of "maximum pressure" on Iran initiated under President Donald Trump. Tehran has sternly warned about the move's implications for regional and international security. Since May 2, the US has been enacting its most-vaunted piece of the policy by trying to reduce Iran's oil exports to "zero." The Islamic Republic has also warned it could shut the Strait of Hormuz, the transit route for the bulk of the world's oil shipments, in response to the US's hostile actions. In late April and amid the US's back-to-back threats against Iran's energy sector, Iran's top military commander delivered an update on the status quo at the strategic waterway. Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Baqeri said all American ships passing through the Strait had so far remained answerable to the IRGC as the force in charge of security in the watercourse. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China 'firmly' opposes US sanctions on Iran: Foreign Ministry Iran Press TV Mon May 6, 2019 04:39PM China has praised Iran's "faithful" implementation of a multilateral 2015 nuclear agreement signed between Tehran and six major world powers, expressing its firm opposition to the US "unilateral" sanctions against the Islamic Republic. "China firmly opposes the unilateral sanctions and so-called 'long-arm jurisdiction' that the US imposes on Iran, and regrets that such practices have escalated tensions on the Iranian nuclear issue," China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said at a regular press conference on Monday. He emphasized that the multilateral nuclear agreement, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), has been endorsed by the UN Security Council and should be implemented "in full and effectively." The nuclear deal plays a vital role in promoting the international non-proliferation regime and peace and stability in the Middle East, he added. The Chinese spokesperson said "normal cooperation between various parties and Iran under the framework of international law is completely legitimate, reasonable and lawful and must be respected and protected." The administration of US President Donald Trump on Friday imposed sanctions on Iran's export of enriched uranium, but at the same time renewed three key waivers that will allow its European allies, Russia and China to cooperate with the Islamic Republic on civil nuclear program. "Any involvement in transferring enriched uranium out of Iran in exchange for natural uranium will now be exposed to sanctions. The United States has been clear that Iran must stop all proliferation-sensitive activities, including uranium enrichment, and we will not accept actions that support the continuation of such enrichment," the State Department announced in a statement. The US administration also said in a statement on April 22 that, in a bid to reduce Iran's oil exports to zero, buyers of Iranian oil must stop purchases by May 1 or face sanctions. The move ended six months of waivers, which allowed Iran's eight biggest buyers -- Turkey, China, Greece, India, Italy, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan -- to continue importing limited volumes. "The United States, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates ... along with our friends and allies, are committed to ensuring that global oil markets remain adequately supplied," the White House statement said, adding, "We have agreed to take timely action to assure that global demand is met as all Iranian oil is removed from the market." Last November, the US enforced sanctions targeting the Islamic Republic's banking and energy sector. However, it granted waivers to the eight major importers of Iran's oil, fearing market instability. The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman further said the nuclear projects' arrangements under the JCPOA "reflect a balance of Iran's obligation on nuclear non-proliferation and its right to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, which serves the interests of all parties including the US." Geng emphasized that China would continue to work with all parties to maintain and implement the historic nuclear accord, safeguard the international non-proliferation regime, peace and stability in the Middle East and protect the lawful and legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies. US President Trump withdrew Washington in May 2018 from the JCPOA, reached between Iran and the P5+1 group of countries -- the US, Britain, France, Russia and China plus Germany -- in July 2015. He also decided to re-impose unilateral sanctions against Tehran. Under the JCPOA, Iran undertook to put limits on its nuclear program in exchange for the removal of nuclear-related sanctions. Despite Washington's withdrawal, Iran has not left the deal yet, but stressed that the remaining signatories to the agreement have to work to offset the negative impacts of the US pullout for Iran if they wanted Tehran to remain in it. The other parties to the JCPOA have repeatedly announced that the deal is working and should stay in place. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran to unveil countermeasures to US withdrawal from JCPOA Iran Press TV Mon May 6, 2019 03:05PM Iran is to unveil its countermeasures in response to a move made by the United States last year to withdraw from a landmark 2015 nuclear agreement signed between Tehran and six major world powers. The plans will be announced on Wednesday, which marks the first anniversary of the US withdrawal from the nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA) reported on Monday. US President Donald Trump withdrew Washington in May 2018 from the landmark Iran nuclear agreement, reached between Iran and the P5+1 group of countries -- the US, Britain, France, Russia and China plus Germany -- in July 2015. He also decided to re-impose unilateral sanctions against Tehran. Under the JCPOA, Iran undertook to put limits on its nuclear program in exchange for the removal of nuclear-related sanctions. Despite Washington's withdrawal, Iran has not left the deal yet, but stressed that the remaining signatories to the agreement have to work to offset the negative impacts of the US pullout for Iran if they wanted Tehran to remain in it. The other parties to the JCPOA have repeatedly announced that the deal is working and should stay in place. According to ISNA, Iran's anticipated measures fall within the framework of articles 26 and 36 of the nuclear accord, though the Islamic Republic is not considering leaving the JCPOA as an option for now. The report added that partial reduction or total abolition of some of Iran's commitments in addition to the resumption of some nuclear activities, which had come to a halt under the JCPOA, constitute the Islamic Republic's first steps in response to the US withdrawal from the nuclear deal and European countries' failure to fully comply with their commitments. According to the report, Iran is still keeping the door open to diplomacy in order to give the other parties to the JCPOA a second chance to return to diplomacy and quit the erroneous path of unilateralism by proving their full commitment to the nuclear deal with Iran one more time. EU officials, who have undertaken commitments, but failed to live up to them over the past year, have been unofficially informed of Iran's new plans, it added. ISNA also quoted informed sources as saying that Iranian President Hassan Rouhani will probably announce the plans during a televised address. Article 26 of the JCPOA says, "The EU will refrain from re-introducing or re-imposing the sanctions that it has terminated implementing under this JCPOA, without prejudice to the dispute resolution process provided for under this JCPOA. There will be no new nuclear-related UN Security Council sanctions and no new EU nuclear-related sanctions or restrictive measures. The United States will make best efforts in good faith to sustain this JCPOA and to prevent interference with the realization of the full benefit by Iran of the sanctions lifting specified in Annex II. The U.S. Administration, acting consistent with the respective roles of the President and the Congress, will refrain from re-introducing or re-imposing the sanctions specified in Annex II that it has ceased applying under this JCPOA, without prejudice to the dispute resolution process provided for under this JCPOA. The U.S. Administration, acting consistent with the respective roles of the President and the Congress, will refrain from imposing new nuclear-related sanctions. Iran has stated that it will treat such a re-introduction or re-imposition of the sanctions specified in Annex II, or such an imposition of new nuclear-related sanctions, as grounds to cease performing its commitments under this JCPOA in whole or in part." According to Article 36 of the JCPOA, ". If Iran believed that any or all of the E3/EU+3 were not meeting their commitments under this JCPOA, Iran could refer the issue to the Joint Commission for resolution; similarly, if any of the E3/EU+3 believed that Iran was not meeting its commitments under this JCPOA, any of the E3/EU+3 could do the same. The Joint Commission would have 15 days to resolve the issue, unless the time period was extended by consensus. After Joint Commission consideration, any participant could refer the issue to Ministers of Foreign Affairs, if it believed the compliance issue had not been resolved. Ministers would have 15 days to resolve the issue, unless the time period was extended by consensus. After Joint Commission consideration in parallel with (or in lieu of) review at the Ministerial level - either the complaining participant or the participant whose performance is in question could request that the issue be considered by an Advisory Board, which would consist of three members (one each appointed by the participants in the dispute and a third independent member). The Advisory Board should provide a non-binding opinion on the compliance issue within 15 days. If, after this 30-day process the issue is not resolved, the Joint Commission would consider the opinion of the Advisory Board for no more than 5 days in order to resolve the issue. If the issue still has not been resolved to the satisfaction of the complaining participant, and if the complaining participant deems the issue to constitute significant non-performance, then that participant could treat the unresolved issue as grounds to cease performing its commitments under this JCPOA in whole or in part and/or notify the UN Security Council that it believes the issue constitutes significant non-performance." The US administration on Friday imposed sanctions on Iran's export of enriched uranium, but at the same time renewed three key waivers that will allow its European allies, Russia and China to cooperate with the Islamic Republic on civil nuclear program. "Any involvement in transferring enriched uranium out of Iran in exchange for natural uranium will now be exposed to sanctions. The United States has been clear that Iran must stop all proliferation-sensitive activities, including uranium enrichment, and we will not accept actions that support the continuation of such enrichment," the State Department announced in a statement. In reaction to the new US sanctions, Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani said on Saturday that the Islamic Republic will continue uranium enrichment in line with the multilateral nuclear deal. "Under the JCPOA, Iran can produce heavy water and based on the agreement, we have not carried out anything in violation of it," Larijani said, adding, "Therefore we will carry on with enrichment activity. You can either buy it or not." The US administration also said in a statement on April 22 that, in a bid to reduce Iran's oil exports to zero, buyers of Iranian oil must stop purchases by May 1 or face sanctions. The move ended six months of waivers, which allowed Iran's eight biggest buyers -- Turkey, China, Greece, India, Italy, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan -- to continue importing limited volumes. "The United States, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates ... along with our friends and allies, are committed to ensuring that global oil markets remain adequately supplied," the White House statement said, adding, "We have agreed to take timely action to assure that global demand is met as all Iranian oil is removed from the market." Last November, the US enforced sanctions targeting the Islamic Republic's banking and energy sector. However, it granted waivers to the eight major importers of Iran's oil, fearing market instability. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia not to succumb to US anti-Iran sanctions threats: deputy FM Iran Press TV Mon May 6, 2019 06:38AM Russia has vowed to expand cooperation with Iran, including in the field of peaceful use of nuclear energy, despite US threats of sanctions. "No threat of new sanctions will stop our legitimate and mutually beneficial cooperation with Iran," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told Sputnik on Sunday. Referring to US sanctions that have been in place against Russia since 2012, Ryabkov said, "It is clear that over this period there has been a serious adaptation to this illegal trick by the United States." He said Tehran has an even bigger experience on how to live under the US sanctions. "Therefore, we perceive threats of this kind calmly; we do not succumb to blackmail and we will systematically expand and develop our cooperation with the Islamic Republic of Iran, including in the atomic energy sector in full compliance with international law and the national legislation of our countries, regardless of what US colleagues are undertaking, realizing, as they believe, their right to the extraterritorial application of their national legislation," Ryabkov stressed. His remarks came after the US Department of State warned Friday that sanctions would be imposed on countries that provided assistance to expanding Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant. In 1992, Iran reached a deal with Russia on the first phase of the Bushehr project. The two sides signed a number of documents in November 2014, expanding cooperation in the field of peaceful use of atomic energy and opening the possibility of construction in Iran of up to eight power units. In May 2018, President Donald Trump withdrew the US from a multilateral nuclear accord, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which was reached between Iran and six world powers in 2015. Afterwards, Washington reimposed unilateral sanctions on Iran that had been lifted under the deal. In November last year, the US enforced sanctions targeting the Islamic Republic's banking and energy sector. However, it granted waivers to eight major importers of Iran's oil, including China, India, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Turkey, Italy and Greece, fearing market instability. Last month, Trump decided not to renew the waivers when they expire on May 4. China has also slammed US pressure and vowed to keep buying oil from Iran, with other nations, including Turkey, India and South Korea calling on Washington to reconsider its stance and renew the exemptions. Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said last week that Iran's oil clients would find ways to resist the US measures. "People are not happy. China is not happy, Turkey is not happy, Russia is not happy. France is not happy. US allies are not happy that this is happening and they say that they will find ways of resisting it," he said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address U.S. Acting Defense Chief Accuses Iran, Says Aircraft Carrier Deploying To Middle East By RFE/RL May 06, 2019 The acting U.S. defense chief has vowed to hold Iran "accountable for any attack on U.S. forces or our interests," as Washington stepped up its rhetoric and said it was deploying an aircraft carrier battle group to waters near Iran. In a post to Twitter on May 6, Patrick Shanahan, the acting secretary of defense, also accused Tehran of unspecified provocations. "We call on the Iranian regime to cease all provocation. We will hold the Iranian regime accountable for any attack on U.S. forces or our interests," he wrote. Shanahan's comments came a day after White House national-security adviser John Bolton said that the deployment of the USS Abraham Lincoln, and accompanying ships, along with a bomber task force, was intended to send Iran "a clear and unmistakable message." He said the United States is "not seeking war with the Iranian regime" but that it is "fully prepared to respond to any attack, whether by proxy, the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, or regular Iranian forces." The deployment of the carrier and bomber groups sends "a clear and unmistakable message to the Iranian regime that any attack on United States interests or on those of our allies will be met with unrelenting force," Bolton said in a May 5 press briefing. A U.S. defense official told the Associated Press that the deployment followed "clear indications" that Iranian and Iranian proxy forces were preparing to possibly attack U.S. forces in the region. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that the Pentagon approved the deployments and that U.S. forces at sea and on land were thought to be the potential targets. The official declined to be more specific. Since taking office two years ago, President Donald Trump's administration has escalated its pressure on Iran, including pulling out of a key nuclear agreement that aimed to curtail Iran's nuclear ambitions. Trump argued the deal was flawed because it did not include curbs on Iran's development of ballistic missiles or its support for proxies in Syria, Yemen, Lebanon, and Iraq. Iran has expanded its missile program in recent years, particularly its ballistic missiles. The U.S. administration recently announced it would not extend waivers allowing importers to buy Iranian oil without facing U.S. sanctions, in an attempt to reduce Iran's oil exports to zero. It has also designated Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps as a terrorist organization, marking the first time Washington has officially used that label on a foreign state institution. The USS Abraham Lincoln and its strike group of ships and combat aircraft have recently been operating in the Mediterranean Sea. There was no exact information on where the carrier group was headed, but Bolton referred to the U.S. Central Command region, which would mean the force is headed to the Red Sea and perhaps then to the Persian Gulf, where the U.S. Navy currently has no aircraft carrier. Bolton's statement also suggested that Washington was deploying land-based bomber aircraft in the region. In his post to Twitter, Shanahan said the deployments represented "a prudent repositioning of assets in response to indications of a credible threat by Iranian regime forces." With reporting by AFP, AP, and Reuters Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/us-sending-aircraft- carrier-bombers-to-middle-east-in-clear -message-to-iran/29923093.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 Deployment of US Carrier to Mideast a Response to 'Iranian Threat' - Shanahan Sputnik News 21:00 06.05.2019(updated 21:32 06.05.2019) Earlier, US National Security Adviser John Bolton said that the United States is deploying its carrier strike group near Iran to send a message to Tehran. US Acting Secretary of Defence Patrick Shanahan confirmed via his Twitter that the deployment of the USS Abraham Lincoln and a bomber task force to the US Central Command region represents a repositioning of assets in response to warnings of a possible attack by Iran. He added that the United States would hold Iran accountable for "any attack against US forces" or interests in the Gulf region. Bolton announced on Sunday that the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group and a bomber task force have been deployed to the US Central Command region in order to send a message to Iran after the United States received warnings that Iran may possibly attack its interests or its allies in the region. "In response to a number of troubling and escalatory indications and warnings, the United States is deploying the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group and a bomber task force to the U.S. Central Command region to send a clear and unmistakable message to the Iranian regime that any attack on United States interests or on those of our allies will be met with unrelenting force", the statement said. The United States Central Command's area of responsibility consists of the Middle East, including Egypt in Africa, and Central Asia, notably Afghanistan and Iraq. Its forces are active participants in many military campaigns in the region. Bolton added that Washington is not "seeking war" with Iran, but it is fully prepared "to respond to any attack, whether by proxy, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, or regular Iranian forces". Tensions have been running high between Iran and the United States since May 2018, when US President Donald Trump, a long-time critic of the historic Iran nuclear deal, pulled out of the agreement in May 2018. In less than a year, Washington unveiled massive batches of sanctions against the Islamic Republic, targeting the country's finance, transport, military, and other spheres. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN Chief Calls for Ceasefire in Libya, End of Offensive on Tripoli Sputnik News 02:16 07.05.2019 UNITED NATIONS (Sputnik) - UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday called on all parties to the Libyan conflict to commit to a ceasefire and halt the ongoing offensive on Tripoli. "My position is very clear it is an appeal to a ceasefire, which means cessation of hostilities, which means no more offensive", Guterres told reporters. Guterres urged all foreign actors to stop intervening in the conflict and let Libyans resolve the crisis by themselves. The UN Secretary-General also expressed hope that improved conditions in Libya would enable moving forward with the National Conference, which was postponed due to the resumption of fighting. "What we need is to end foreign interferences to allow Libyans to once again come together to discuss seriously politically a way through. We had common initiatives a National Conference to take place in Libya", Guterres said. "We hope that conditions will be established allowing for this [initiative] to move again in the future". On 4 April, the Libyan National Army's (LNA) began an offensive on Tripoli, which is controlled by the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA). The GNA announced two days later a counteroffensive dubbed Volcano of Rage. According to the World Health Organization, more than 430 people have been killed and more than 2,000 have been wounded since the beginning of the offensive on Tripoli. Libya has been suffering from unrest since 2011, when its long-time leader, Muammar Gaddafi, was overthrown and killed. Since then the country has been split between two rival governments, with an elected parliament, supported by Haftar's army, governing the country's east, and the GNA governing the rest of the country from Tripoli. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US Concerned About Russia's Claim to Northern Sea Route - Pompeo Sputnik News 17:26 06.05.2019 WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - The United States is concerned about Russia's claim to Northern Sea Route, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said during the 11th Ministerial Meeting of the Arctic Council in Rovaniemi, Finland, on Monday. "We are concerned about Russia's claim over the international waters on the Northern Sea Route," Pompeo said. The senior official proceeded by saying that the US would increase its military presence in the Arctic region and create a new senior military post for Arctic affairs to counter Russia's activities in the northern sea. "Under President Trump, we are fortifying America's security and diplomatic presence in the area. On the security side, partially due to Russia's destabilizing activities, we are hosting military exercises, strengthening our force presence, rebuilding our icebreaker fleet, expanding Coast Guard funding and creating a new senior military post for arctic affairs inside of our own military," Pompeo said in a speech ahead of the start of a ministerial meeting of the Arctic Council in Rovaniemi. In April, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that Russia is ready to grant support to all ships that pass through the Northern Sea Route, which runs along the Russian Arctic coast from the Kara Sea to the Bering Strait. Pompeo, however, accused Russia of putting forth what he called was an "illegal demand" on the Northern Sea Route and requiring other nations to request permission for using the route. Pompeo also said Russia is threatening to sink any vessel that fails to comply its demand. Russia has been stepping up its military, trade and exploration activities in the Arctic in recent years, building transport and energy production infrastructure and developing the Northern Sea Route as part of Arctic's Northern Passage that links Europe and Asia. On China's Role in the Arctic Pompeo also touched upon China's role in the region, saying the United States wants China to act as a responsible player in the Arctic region and respect the sovereign rights of Arctic states "China has observer status in the Arctic Council, but that status is contingent upon its respect for sovereign rights of Arctic states. The US wants China to meet that condition and contribute responsibly in the region. But China's words and actions raise doubts about its intentions. Beijing claims to be a near-arctic state, yet the shortest distance between China and the arctic is 900 miles. There are only arctic states and non-arctic states. No third category exists and claiming otherwise entitles China to exactly nothing," Pompeo said in a speech in Rovaniemi, Finland. The Arctic Council is a top-level forum dealing with issues related to the Arctic region and promoting cooperation between the member states. The council includes the United States, Canada, Russia, Finland, Norway, Denmark, and Iceland, as well as several observer states. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Istanbul Mayoral Vote Results Annulled Over Violations Turkish Ruling Party Sputnik News 01:30 07.05.2019 ANKARA (Sputnik) The Turkish Supreme Electoral Council's decision to void results of the Istanbul mayoral election was made because 22 protocols were not signed and some members of local election commissions were not public servants, Recep Ozel, representative of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) to the council, said on Monday. The decision to void the election's results was made by the Turkish Supreme Electoral Council earlier in the day. "The decision on setting a re-election was made because of the fact that some members of election commissions at polling places were not public servants, and because 22 protocols were empty and not signed. The Supreme Electoral Council's decision proves that we are right and that our demands are fair. The today's session [of the council] also decided to deprive [elected mayor Ekrem] Imamoglu of his mandate", Ozel said. "The election in Istanbul will be re-run. Good luck", Recep Ozel said earlier on Twitter. According to NTV broadcaster, the council voted seven-four to annul the results of the election. Imamoglu, who used to work as the head of Istanbul's Beylikduzu district's council, gained 48.8 percent of the vote in the Istanbul mayoral election held on 31 March, while his opponent from the AKP, Binali Yildirim, got 48.55 percent. On 17 April, Imamoglu assumed office despite the AKP's appeal to cancel the results of the election and call a new vote. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 06, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sutter Gold Mining Inc. (Sutter or the Company TSXV:SGM) announces that its secured lender, RMB Australia Holdings Inc. (RMB), has made demand upon the Company, as debtor and guarantor, and its subsidiary, Sutter Gold Mining Inc. (Sutter), as debtor and guarantor, for payment in full of the Companys and Sutters outstanding indebtedness to RMB in respect of outstanding notes and demand loans owing. Additionally, notice was provided by RMB of its intention to enforce its security pursuant to the British Columbia Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act. The Company and RMB engaged in an extensive process to market the Company and its assets, but was unable to attract a viable sale transaction that could be completed outside of a court process. A Receiver has not yet been appointed; however, the Company anticipates the appointment of a Receiver in the near term. The Company further announces that James Crombie and Allen Winters, both independent directors, have resigned from the Company effectively immediately. As a result of the Companys current financial situation the Company is not in a position to file its audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2018 and the Company anticipates that it will be cease traded by the applicable securities commissions in due course. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. For further information, please contact: Amanda Miller Chief Financial Officer T: 303 238 1438 amiller@suttergoldmining.com www.suttergoldmining.com Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains "forward-looking information" under Canadian securities law. Any information that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words such as "expect", "anticipate", "believe", "plans", "estimate", "scheduling", projected or variations thereof or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms and similar expressions) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking information. Forward-looking information relates to, among other things: the price of silver and gold; the accuracy of mineral resource and mineral reserve estimates; the ability of the Company to finance its operations and capital expenditures; future financial and operating performance including estimates of the Company's revenues and capital expenditures and estimated production. Forward-looking information is subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking information, including, without limitation, risks relating to: fluctuating commodity prices; calculation of resources, reserves and mineralization and precious and base metal recovery; interpretations and assumptions of mineral resource and mineral reserve estimates; exploration and development programs; feasibility and engineering reports; permits and licenses; title to properties; recent market events and conditions; economic factors affecting the Company; timing, estimated amount, capital and operating expenditures and economic returns of future production; operations and political conditions; environmental risks; and risks and hazards of mining operations. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of the Company's forward-looking information. Forward-looking information about the future is inherently uncertain, and actual achievements of the Company or other future events or conditions may differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking information due to a variety of risks, uncertainties and other factors. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, described or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. The Company's forward-looking information is based on the assumptions, beliefs, expectations and opinions of management as of the date of this press release, and other than as required by applicable securities laws, the Company does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements and information if circumstances or management's assumptions, beliefs, expectations or opinions should change, or changes in any other events affecting such statements or information. For the reasons set forth above, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. United Kingdom, 7 May 2019 RAK Petroleum plc, the Oslo-listed oil and gas investment company, today gave notice that its Annual General Meeting will be held on 31 May 2019 at 9:00 am, British Summer Time, at Den Norske Klub - The Norwegian Club - 4 Saint James's Square, London SW1Y 4JU, United Kingdom. The notice of the Annual General Meeting is attached. Please see the company website ( www.rakpetroleum.uk ) for additional documents and information. For further queries, please contact: Kevin Toner Managing Director RAK Petroleum plc Email: kevin.toner@rakpetroleum.uk About RAK Petroleum plc RAK Petroleum plc is an Oslo Brs listed oil and gas investment company established under the laws of England and Wales as a public limited company. Its principal holdings are 40.45 percent of DNO ASA and 33.33 percent of Foxtrot International LDC held through Mondoil Enterprises, LLC. Founded in 1971 and listed on the Oslo Brs since 1981, DNO ASA is a Norwegian exploration and production company focused on the Middle East and the North Sea with interests in oil and gas blocks in various stages of exploration, development and production, both onshore and offshore. Foxtrot International LDC is a privately-held company active in West Africa whose principal asset is a 27.27 percent interest in and operatorship of Block CI-27 offshore Cote d'Ivoire. This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act. Attachment How to Know the Birds: No. 7, What the Swainsons Hawk Says What: Swainsons Hawk, Buteo swainsoni When: Wednesday, May 1, 2019 Where: Waneka Lake, Boulder County, Colorado Probably everybody knows what a hawk is. Hawks are big and fierce and raptorial; they have hooked beaks and gnarly talons. Like this: Everything checks out. The bird is big. Its got talons. The beak is hooked. This is decidedly a hawk of some sort, and a quick check of the bird book confirms that it is a particular species of hawk, the Swainsons hawk, Buteo swainsoni. What does it mean when we say that the bird is a Swainsons hawk, as opposed to a more general hawk? The second part of the birds vernacular name, hawk, tells us were looking at something other than, say, a flamingo. Thats a start. And the birds genus, Buteo, narrows it down to a particular assemblage of hawks, sometimes called the buzzards, characterized by their broad wings, stocky body plans, and mediumlarge size. Then we get to the useless part of the birds name, Swainsons in English, swainsoni in quasi-Latin. The latter denotes that the bird commemorates a DWEM ( d ead w hite E uropean m ale) named Swainson, the former, illogically, that the bird somehow belongs to, or belonged to, that selfsame William John Swainson, F. R. S. (17891855). A proposal that the American Ornithological Society discontinue the use of the possessive in patronymic bird names (2019-A 09-62) was recently defeated by the narrowest of margins, and a major new ornithology text, Rick Wrights Peterson Reference Guide to Sparrows, dispenses with the apostrophe altogether. In Ricks book, we read of Cassin sparrows and Henslow sparrows, of Abert towhees and Baird juncos. And if Rick ever gets around to writing a field guide to the birds of Ethiopia, hell include treatment of the Swainson sparrow, Passer swainsoni, a near-endemic to that bird-rich African nation. The apostrophe is a historical error, plain and simple, but the bigger problem, really, is with the existence of patronymics in the first place. I should say, the problems, plural. And two are chief among them. First, and just to repeat myself, patronymics are utterly useless. That inarguable truth, which Ive pondered easily ten thousand times in this birding life, became painfully clear to me, yet again, when I led a beginner bird walk this past Sunday afternoon. The birders and I saw two species of hawks on our bird walkthe descriptively named red-tailed hawk and the uselessly named Swainsons hawk. We got to talking about alternative, and superior, names for this elegant, long-winged, chestnut-fronted, highly migratory buzzard. How about, well, chestnut-fronted hawk? Or long-winged hawk? Elegant hawk would do the trick quite nicely. True, other hawks fit the bill, but so it is with red-tailed. If it were up to me, this bird would be the migratory prairie hawk, or if under a strict character count, simply the migratory hawk. The birders and I naturally reflected on the amazing, soul-stirring, almost unbelievable, semiannual migrations of this species of hawk. That elegant raptor, the one right in front of us, had just flown all the way from Argentina. Indeed, this particular individual has been returning to the exact same suburban park for up to 10 years. It has migrated well over 100,000 miles in its life, probably closer to 200,000 milesmore distant than the moon. Now that ought to be celebrated. Just as there are other red-tailed hawks, one rightly notes, so there are other migratory ones. But this one, the one that flies round trip from Denver to south of Buenos Aires every year, deserves to be known as the migratory hawk. Thats a powerful and lovely bit of bird lore. It makes us stand up and take note. It causes us to reflect on the natural history and conservation of the species. As to Swainsons hawk, meh. I said there are two main problems with patronymic bird names. The second is that patronyms arewait for itpatro-nyms. Literally, father names. Named for DWEMs, many of whom never saw the animal in life, some of whom never even set foot on the New World. I think of the participants on the Sunday afternoon bird walk, most of them women, some of them a fair bit younger than I. They were STEM (for s cience, t echnology, e ngineering, and m athematics) types, early in their careers. What does it say about our commitment to advancing the STEM agenda if were still in the business of beatifying antediluvian DWEMs? Heck, the practice is mildly insulting to me, an old white guy of European heritage. I cant even begin to imagine how its received by the rest of the STEM community. At the very least, could we start naming birds and other organisms after, lets say, Rachel Carson? Oops, Ive just dated myself. How about renaming the Swainsons hawk for Lady Gaga or Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez? Im serious. Those two are relevant and contemporary, agents of positive change in our culture. They are influencers, and then some, for the next generation of STEM leadership in ornithology and beyond. I get that history is a component of ornithology. Spend a few minutes with me, and the conversation will turn to ornithological history. But not for its own sake. And certainly not to the exclusion of living history, being written right now in the hearts and minds and storybooks and scientific journal papers of contemporary practitioners of STEM. We go birdingand some of us even become ornithologistsbecause birds are real, because their fragile and amazing lives are accessible to us right now, and because we birders are active and engaged in bird study and bird appreciation at this very instant. In this short clip, a migratory hawk is assaulted by a jay. How does this encounter speak to you? Does it say something about the 19th-century Old World zoologist William John Swainson (17891855)? Is there any value in immortalizing Swainson in the birds name? Is there any harm? Video by Ted Floyd. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 07, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Organic Flower Investments Group Inc. (CSE: SOW)(FWB: 2K6)(OTC: QILFF) ("Organic Flower" or OFIG or the Company) is pleased to announce the Company has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire 80 per cent of 11353675 Canada Corp. d/b/a CanaBeer. By way of an exclusive partnership agreement with a leading Toronto-based brewery (the Brewhouse), Canabeer holds claim to the exclusive formulation, manufacturing and distribution rights for all cannabinoid-infused beverages developed at said Brewhouse. Organic Flower and CanaBeer plan to commence product formulation and batch testing during Q2 of 2019, with forecasted commercial production slated to begin in Q4 2019. Equipped with custom production equipment, a captive research, development and testing facility, as well as a state-of-the-art brewing infrastructure, the Brewhouse is armed with annual output capacity capabilities of 120,000 hectoliters (HL). By comparison, Canadian brewer Steam Whistle Brewing produces approximately 95,000 HL on an annualized basis. The Brewhouse is nearing completion of major facility retrofit initiatives, which are projected to increase its output capacity to over 200,000 HL per annum. Upon completion of the retrofit, aggregate capital expenditures deployed on the Brewhouse build-out will exceed $20 million. Comprised of a consortium of experienced brewery partners, the Brewhouse has completed multiple production runs for prominent European beverage brands such as: Guinness Augustiner Innes & Gunn Proprietary brewing processes and associated technologies firmly position the Brewhouse at the forefront of non-alcoholic, cannabinoid-infused beverage development. The Brewhouses experienced roster of brew masters have developed a suite of unique non-alcoholic beverage formulations; which better replicate the profile of traditional alcoholic beverages. The acquisition of Canabeer provides Organic Flower with exposure to a collective of domestic and global brewery partners, as well as further crystalizes a leading production platform for the Companys carbonated beverage products offering, including: Non-alcoholic beers Seltzers Ready-to-drink (RTDs) beverages In addition, the Brewhouse possesses the ability to package both steel kegs and plastic one-way kegs in a plethora of fittings, and is equipped 24-head rotary canning line, capable of packaging a variety of container dimensions at a rate of over 100,000,000 containers per year. The Brewhouse also boasts an adjoined tasting and viewing facility (the Taproom) affording Organic Flower the ability to showcase product launches, beer dinners, community events and gallery showings. Joel Dumaresq, Chief Executive Officer and a Director of Organic Flower stated: "Organic Flower continues to differentiate itself from its peer group through the astute acquisition of a broad basket of downstream assets with exposure margin rich cannabis verticals. The acquisition of Canabeer further bolsters the Companys position as Canadas premier cannabinoid-infused beverage consolidation platform. According to Zion Market Research, the global cannabis beverage market is expected to grow by 15% CAGR over the next five years, to USD$4.5 billion by 2025. This exclusive partnership augments Organic Flowers existing cannabinoid beverage production portfolio, including coffees, teas, and juices. This is the most opportune time to be a first mover within the adult-format beverage market vertical; further substantiated by the pending October 2019, legalization of cannabis-infused edibles, which is anticipated to prohibit the combination of cannabis and alcohol. Our goal is to further supplement our growing stable of great-tasting alcohol-free, cannabinoid-infused beverages with the objective of capturing dominant market share". Under the terms of the definitive agreement, Organic Flower will acquire 80% of all the issued and outstanding shares in the capital of CanaBeer in exchange for an aggregate of 9,166,000 common shares in the capital of the Company, based upon the five-day VWAP of Organic Flower's common shares for the five trading sessions prior to the announcement of the definitive agreement (the Payment Shares). The Payment Shares issuable on the acquisition of 80% of CanaBeer are subject to a hold period of four (4) months and one (1) day. The closing of this acquisition is subject to customary terms and conditions contained in the Definitive Agreement. A finders fee is payable on this transaction. ABOUT ORGANIC FLOWER INVESTMENTS Leveraging strategic relationships, proprietary investments and exclusive partnerships with preeminent international cannabis cultivators and formulators for the development of best in class products and brands to be marketed and distributed throughout our global footprint. Via its wholly owned subsidiary, Delta Organic Cannabis Corp (DOC), Organic Flower is launching one of the largest and most efficient cannabis facilities on the planet. Organic Flower has assembled a unique portfolio of downstream and product formulation operations and assets including: Exclusive cannabinoid-infused supply and distribution agreement with a premier Canadian Bottler (cannabinoid-infused beverages); Agreement to acquire a Canadian CBD cosmetics/topicals manufacturing company, equipped with a vertically integrated, farm-to-face model (cosmetics and topicals); JV with one of North Americas largest manufacturer and distributor of chocolate and sugar confectionary products (cannabinoid-infused edibles and functional foods); and, Sole Canadian manufacturer and distributor of an innovative beverage dispensing cap technology, equipped with a proprietary cannabinoid delivery mechanism (cannabinoid-infused beverages); ON BEHALF OF THE ORGANIC FLOWER INVESTMENTS GROUP INC. BOARD OF DIRECTORS Joel Dumaresq Joel Dumaresq CEO, Director +1 (604) 336-3195 info@sowcannabis.ca Learn more about Organic Flower by visiting our website at: https://sowcannabis.ca/ THE CSE HAS NOT REVIEWED AND DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS RELEASE. Notice Regarding Forward Looking Information: This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities law. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "continue", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "potential", "proposed" and other similar words, or information that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. This information is only a prediction. Various assumptions were used in drawing the conclusions or making the projections contained in the forward-looking information throughout this news release. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to: political changes in Canada and internationally, future legislative and regulatory developments involving cannabis in Canada and internationally, the Companys ability to secure distribution channels in international jurisdictions, competition and other risks affecting the Company in particular and the cannabis industry generally. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the forward-looking statements herein relate to, among other things, the Company successfully commencing product formulation and batch testing in a timely manner; and the ability of the Brewhouse to successfully complete its planned facility retrofit initiatives at its facility. The forward-looking information contained in this release is expressly qualified by the foregoing cautionary statements and is made as of the date of this release. Except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward- looking information to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, whether as a result of new information, future events or results, or otherwise. English French Regulated information Phase II ALLOB Spinal Fusion results expected mid-June Well-positioned to advance product pipeline into late-stage clinical development Strengthened the executive management team with key positions Gosselies, Belgium, 7 May 2019, 7am CEST BONE THERAPEUTICS (Euronext Brussels and Paris: BOTHE), the bone cell therapy company addressing high unmet medical needs in orthopaedics and bone diseases, today provides a business update for the first quarter ended 31 March 2019. Thomas Lienard, Chief Executive Officer of Bone Therapeutics commented: We are well-positioned to support long term growth with ALLOB, our cutting-edge allogeneic cell therapy platform, as well as JTA-004, our innovative viscosupplement addressing unmet needs in osteoarthritis. We are on track to report the data from the Phase IIa ALLOB study in patients undergoing a spinal fusion procedure before the summer. Following the strong Phase IIa results with ALLOB in patients with delayed union fractures and JTA-004 to treat pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis, we are now preparing the start of two late-stage clinical programs for which we expect to file clinical trials applications later this year. Our competitive, scalable, proprietary cell therapy manufacturing process is now optimised and representative of future commercial scale. With the appointments of Olivier Godeaux as Chief Medical Officer and Benoit Moreaux as Chief Scientific and Technology Officer, we now have a leadership team in place to execute our growth strategy and we are looking forward to updating the market on the progress we make. Corporate highlights Presented in vitro and in vivo data for ALLOB at the Annual Meeting of the Orthopaedic Research Society (ORS), demonstrating the potent osteogenic properties of ALLOB to promote direct bone-formation and to improve fracture healing in relevant models. Strengthened the executive management team with the appointments of Olivier Godeaux, MD, as Chief Medical Officer and Benoit Moreaux, PhD, as Chief Scientific and Technology Officer. Financial highlights Achieved a regulatory milestone as part of its PREOB collaboration with Asahi Kasei, triggering a 1 million success fee. In parallel, Asahi Kasei and the Company are reviewing their options regarding the future of the PREOB licensing agreement, following termination of the PREOB study in osteonecrosis of the hip in Europe. Good cost and cash management will remain a key priority. The net cash burn for the full year 2019 is expected to be in the range of 12-13 million. The Company anticipates having sufficient cash to carry out its business objectives until the end of 2019, taking into account the 3.75 million to be received under the convertible bond programme. As a result, the Company ended the first quarter of 2019 with a cash balance of 7.13 million. Outlook for the remainder of 2019 The Company expects to report in mid-June top line data from the Phase IIa study with ALLOB in patients undergoing a lumbar spinal fusion procedure. The company will participate to the Belgian Life Science day organised by Kepler Cheuvreux in collaboration with Belfius in Paris on 18 June. In the second half of 2019, the Company plans to submit a clinical trial application (CTA) with the regulatory authorities in Europe and the United States to allow the start of a Phase II/III clinical trial with ALLOB in patients with delayed-union fractures, using its proprietary, optimised production process. Also, in the second half of 2019, the Company plans to submit a CTA with the regulatory authorities in Europe and the United States for the Phase III programme with JTA-004 in patients with knee osteoarthritis. About Bone Therapeutics Bone Therapeutics is a leading biotech company focused on the development of innovative products to address high unmet needs in orthopaedics and bone diseases. Based in Gosselies, Belgium, the Company has a broad, diversified portfolio of bone cell therapy and an innovative biological product in later-stage clinical development across a number of disease areas, which target markets with large unmet medical needs and limited innovation. Bone Therapeutics core technology is based on its allogeneic cell therapy platform (ALLOB) which uses a unique, proprietary approach to bone regeneration, which turns undifferentiated stem cells from healthy donors into bone-forming cells. These cells can be administered via a minimally invasive procedure, avoiding the need for invasive surgery, and are produced via a proprietary, cutting-edge manufacturing process. The Companys ALLOB product pipeline includes a cell therapy product candidate that is expected to enter Phase II/III clinical development for the treatment of delayed-union fractures and a Phase II asset in patients undergoing a spinal fusion procedure. In addition, the Company is also developing an enhanced viscosupplement, JTA-004, which is expected to enter Phase III development for the treatment of pain in knee osteoarthritis. Bone Therapeutics cell therapy products are manufactured to the highest GMP standards and are protected by a broad IP portfolio covering nine patent families as well as knowhow. Further information is available at www.bonetherapeutics.com. Contacts Bone Therapeutics SA Thomas Lienard, Chief Executive Officer Jean-Luc Vandebroek, Chief Financial Officer Gunther De Backer, Head of Corporate Communications and Investor Relations Tel: +32 (0) 71 12 10 00 investorrelations@bonetherapeutics.com International Media Enquiries: Consilium Strategic Communications Marieke Vermeersch Tel: +44 (0) 20 3709 5701 bonetherapeutics@consilium-comms.com For French Media and Investor Enquiries: NewCap Investor Relations & Financial Communications Pierre Laurent, Louis-Victor Delouvrier and Nicolas Merigeau Tel: + 33 (0)1 44 71 94 94 bone@newcap.eu Certain statements, beliefs and opinions in this press release are forward-looking, which reflect the Company or, as appropriate, the Company directors` current expectations and projections about future events. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and assumptions could adversely affect the outcome and financial effects of the plans and events described herein. A multitude of factors including, but not limited to, changes in demand, competition and technology, can cause actual events, performance or results to differ significantly from any anticipated development. Forward looking statements contained in this press release regarding past trends or activities should not be taken as a representation that such trends or activities will continue in the future. As a result, the Company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release any update or revisions to any forward-looking statements in this press release as a result of any change in expectations or any change in events, conditions, assumptions or circumstances on which these forward-looking statements are based. Neither the Company nor its advisers or representatives nor any of its subsidiary undertakings or any such person`s officers or employees guarantees that the assumptions underlying such forward-looking statements are free from errors nor does either accept any responsibility for the future accuracy of the forward-looking statements contained in this press release or the actual occurrence of the forecasted developments. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Today, 7 May, at 13.30 Cavotec SA (Cavotec or the Company) will hold its Investor Information Meeting 2019 in Stockholm. CEO Mikael Norin together with members of the executive management team will give an update on the transformation of Cavotec, the next chapter of the Companys strategy and the new financial targets that were published on 6 May, 2019. Mikael Norin, President and CEO, says: We have during the past 18 months focused on transforming and restructuring Cavotec in order to create a strong foundation to build on after several years of stagnant revenues and declining profitability. The actions have included an extensive transformation program to increase efficiency, simplified governance, a cost reduction program, a thorough market analysis and strenghtening of the top management. With our focused strategy, presented in detail at our Investor Information Meeting today, we create prospects for future growth and increased profitability. Strategy Cavotecs strategic direction is to actively contribute to a future world that is cleaner, safer and more efficient by providing innovative connection solutions for ships, aircraft and mobile equipment today. This is broken down into the following focus growth areas: To contribute to an autonomous maritime supply chain by providing solutions for automatic mooring and loading and unloading for ultimate efficiency, solutions for clean electric power to ships and cranes and gathering of big data to monitor and improve performance. To contribute to the fully automated airport by providing solutions for airplanes when docking, with no human interactions and with all ground support services being supplied safely from in-ground, and thereby increase efficiency and avoid accidents for passengers and employees. To contribute to the fully remotely controlled mine, by supplying solutions for all mining vehicles and cranes to be controlled remotely through seamless power connection and continuous connectivity, keeping workers safe and ensure efficiency. To offer total life cycle management by helping customers focus on their core activities and maximize the availability of their assets. The companys growth strategy is supported by two continous improvement programmes to ensure financial performance: Commercial Excellence, to continuously increase efficiency and satisfaction in all customer facing, commercial activities. Operational Excellence, to continuously improve the efficiency and quality of all internal activities to better serve our customers needs. Market outlook The continued growth in global trade increases the need for cargo and container capacity, while environmental regulations require further electrification for Cavotecs customers groups. In Ports and Maritime, the continued building of large container vessels as well as the trend with electrified vessels will require investment in crane technology and shore power, which, together with increasing focus on safety and efficiency is expected to drive demand. In airports the global growth in passenger traffic drives expansion and construction of new airports and terminals, which in turn drives the need for safe and efficient ground support equipment. In mining, rising commodity prices and the recovery of the entire mining industry drives growth, as does safety and efficiency aspects. Cavotecs total addressable market is expected to grow on average approximately 6 % annually from 2019 to 2022, broken down as follows: Ports 6 %, Maritime 3%, Airports 10% and Mining 6%. Assumptions for all key segments are based on external sources. Financial targets On May 6, 2019 the Board of Directors of Cavotec SA, based on the strategy and market outlook outlined above, adopted the following financial targets and dividend policy for the Group, which was communicated in a press release the same day. Sales Growth Cavotecs target is to achieve an annual organic revenue growth of at least 5% from 2020, in addition to possible acquisitions. EBIT Margin Cavotecs target is to reach an annual adjusted EBIT margin of more than 7% within two years and more than 10% within four years. Dividends Cavotecs target is to distribute dividends of approximately 30-50% of net profits over a business cycle. Any pay-out decision will be based on the Companys financial position, investment needs, acquisitions and liquidity position. Details of Cavotecs Investor Information Meeting on 7 May, 2019 Participants from Cavotec Mikael Norin, CEO, Glenn Withers, CFO, the Division Presidents: Patrick Mares, Ports & Maritime, Juergen Strommer, Airports & Industry, Patrick Baudin, Services and Martin Riegger, COO and Group SVP Operations. Date and address The investor meeting will be held 7 May at 13.30 16.30 CEST, at Helio, Grev Turegatan 30 in Stockholm, Sweden. Registration The meeting will be held in English and is only for investors and analysts.To join the investor information meeting, please register by sending an email to: investorinformationday@cavotec.com Live video webcast The meeting can be followed live or as replay via the internet: https://tv.streamfabriken.com/cavotec-live-webcast-link-investor-information-meeting-2019 and also at: http://ir.cavotec.com in the section Investor Meetings. Conference call If you wish to listen to the presentation via telephone, please dial on of the following numbers: SE: +46856642692 UK: +443333009030 US: +18335268382 Presentation The presentation will be available once the presentation has started at http://ir.cavotec.com in the section Investor Meetings. ENDS For further details please contact: Johan Hahnel Investor Relations Manager Telephone: +46 70 605 63 34 Email: investor@cavotec.com This is information that Cavotec SA is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person set out above, at 07:00 CEST on 7 May 2019. Cavotec is a leading engineering group that designs and manufactures automated connection and electrification systems for ports, airports and industrial applications worldwide. We want to contribute to a future world that is cleaner, safer and more efficient by providing innovative connection solutions for ships, aircraft and mobile equipment today. To find out more about Cavotec, visit our website at cavotec.com Attachment Orkla's operating profit (EBIT adj) rose by 14% to NOK 1,020 million in the first quarter of 2019. Operating revenues increased by 5% to NOK 10,176 million. The Branded Consumer Goods business achieved a 10% improvement in operating profit and 0.9% organic sales growth. Orkla Foods had organic growth in most of its markets, while Orkla Confectionery & Snacks achieved improvement in Norway, Finland and Denmark. There was growth in Norway, in particular, due to the reversal of the sugar tax. Orkla Food Ingredients saw an early start to the ice cream season and delivered solid operating profit growth. Orkla Care posted operating profit on a par with last year, but top-line growth was weak. "Orkla has had an encouraging first quarter, with improvement in operating profit and organic growth. We are now well under way with our new strategy period, and our short-term focus will be on improving operating margin. It is therefore gratifying to see that we are delivering margin improvement and growth in operating profit. We have also made several important acquisitions, including the purchase of the Finnish restaurant chain Kotipizza Group," says Orkla President and CEO Peter A. Ruzicka. Orkla Foods has signed an agreement to purchase Lecora, a Swedish manufacturer of frozen and chilled vegan and vegetarian dishes for the out-of-home market. Orkla Foods also completed its purchase of 43.5% of the shares in the Portuguese company Asteriscos e Reticencias, S.A, which sells fermented tea-based health drinks under the Captain Kombucha brand. Orkla Food Ingredients has entered into an agreement to purchase a majority shareholding in the Greek company Stelios Kanakis Industrial and Commercial S.A., which is market leader for the sale and distribution of confectionery, bakery and ice cream ingredients. Orkla Food Ingredients also signed an agreement to purchase Zeelandia Sweden AB, a major supplier of margarine, vegetable oils and bakery ingredients. Hydro Power increased its operating profit by 24% to NOK 73 million. The increase is chiefly due to higher power prices, year over year. Orkla Financial Investments achieved operating profit of NOK 22 million, compared with NOK -5 million for the same quarter of last year. The improvement is mainly due to the inclusion of Kotipizza Group as of 1 February and the gain on Orkla Eiendom's delivery of housing units at Sofienlunden in Oslo. Profit from associates rose by 92% to NOK 165 million. Jotun's operating profit rose by 44% in the first quarter. There was strong growth for Protective Coatings and a good performance by Decorative Paints. Sales in Marine Coatings are still affected by the cyclical downturn in the shipping industry, but have begun to pick up. The Group's other income and expenses totalled NOK -119 million in the first quarter. The largest items were transaction costs related to the acquisition of Kotipizza Group, accounting effects related to the completion of the sale of the Russian snacks company Chaka, and costs related to the move to Orkla's new headquarters. Orkla's operating profit before tax increased by 12% to NOK 990 million in the first quarter of 2019. Adjusted earnings per share rose by 21% to NOK 0.85. Orkla ASA Oslo, 7 May 2019 Ref.: Group Director Corporate Communications and Corporate Affairs Hakon Mageli Mob.: +47 928 45 828 SVP Investor Relations Thomas Ljungqvist Mobil +47 482 59 618 An Excel spreadsheet with key figures may be found at www.orkla.com. This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5 -12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act. English Danish Company announcement no 2019-06 7 May 2019 Interim Management Statement covering the period year-to-date Successful launch of Oticon Opn S drives growth acceleration after slow start to the year Product launches expected to drive market share gains in 2019 Maintaining outlook for EBIT of DKK 2.65-2.95 billion with material skew towards second half-year Overall, growth for the Group has been solid year-to-date driven by organic growth combined with growth from acquisitions and a minor positive exchange rate effect. The Group has seen growth acceleration after a slow start to 2019 where we saw weak momentum in the hearing aid wholesale business prior to new product launches taking effect and a significant, negative one-off impact of the new hearing healthcare reform in France. Sales lost as a result of the reform have negatively impacted EBIT for Hearing Devices by approx. DKK 50 million, particularly in our hearing aid retail business. Our increased R&D efforts in 2018 have naturally impacted R&D costs year-to-date, but the year-over-year impact will gradually decrease. Similarly, we have year-to-date seen acquisitive growth in distribution costs, but the year-over-year effect will diminish significantly from the middle of the second quarter. Organic growth in Hearing Devices has mainly been driven by our hearing aid wholesale business, which has delivered solid organic growth thanks to a strong uptake of the new Oticon Opn S product family since its launch, which took place at scale in most major markets at the end of March and in April. With its best-in-class audiology and highly robust lithium-ion rechargeable battery technology, Opn S has been very well received, and growth for our hearing aid wholesale business has accelerated in line with plans after a slow start to the year. During April, we launched new product families in our Bernafon and Sonic brands, and we also announced Philips HearLink, our first portfolio of hearing aids under the Philips brand. While the launches by Bernafon, Sonic and Philips will support future growth, they have not had a material impact on sales year-to-date. In our hearing aid retail business, growth has year-to-date been driven primarily by acquisitions, and we have additionally seen positive albeit low organic growth despite the significant, negative one-off impact from the new hearing healthcare reform in France. Notably, we have seen positive organic growth in both the US and Australia. Our Hearing Implants business activity has seen strong organic growth driven by very strong growth in our cochlear implants (CI) business, which has exceeded the estimated market growth rate despite a negative impact from our decision a year ago to reduce our activity level in select CI markets with lower prices. In our bone anchored hearing systems (BAHS) business, organic growth has been solid while we prepare for the launch at the end of the first half-year of our new and ground-breaking Ponto 4 BAHS sound processor based on the Velox S platform used in Oticon Opn S. In line with our plans, Diagnostic Instruments has continued to deliver strong organic growth, first and foremost driven by our US-based businesses. However, growth has been broadly based across regions, brands and product categories, reflecting a combination of positive global market trends, a high level of innovation and strong commercial execution. Sennheiser Communications, our 50/50 joint venture with Sennheiser KG, has year-to-date generated strong growth driven by the Mobile Music and Enterprise Solutions segments, particularly in North America, as well as profit in line with last year. We maintain our expectation to generate organic sales growth above market level in 2019, accelerating through the year as a reflection of the timing of new product launches. Based on exchange rates as of 6 May 2019 and including the impact of exchange rate hedging, we continue to expect a positive exchange rate effect of 1% on revenue in 2019. We continue to guide for a reported operating profit (EBIT) of DKK 2,650-2,950 million with a material skew towards the second half-year, as we expect EBIT for the first half-year to be around or slightly lower than reported EBIT in the first half of 2018. We also still expect to deliver substantial growth in our cash flow from operating activities (CFFO) and to buy back shares worth a minimum of DKK 1.2 billion. We aim for a gearing multiple of 1.8-2.3 measured as net interest-bearing debt (NIBD) relative to EBITDA, corresponding to an unchanged gearing multiple of 1.5-2.0 before the implementation of IFRS 16. Im very pleased to see that we have succeeded in once again delivering industry-leading innovation with our new flagship hearing aid Oticon Opn S a huge technological leap forward in terms of audiology and rechargeability. Weve already seen very positive feedback and uptake by customers, and were confident that Opn S will continue to drive strong growth acceleration. Were also seeing positive trends in our well-operated and profitable Diagnostic Instruments business activity as well as strong growth in Hearing Implants where were getting ready for a big new launch. After a slow start to the year, we expect to gain market share as a Group in 2019 driven by several high-profile product introductions as well as continuous growth in our retail business, says Sren Nielsen, President & CEO of Demant. Hearing Devices Market trends We estimate that the global hearing aid market has seen growth rates year-to-date in line with our general expectation of 4-6% unit growth per year when adjusting for high growth in the NHS in the UK due to stockbuilding in preparation for Brexit. According to statistics from the Hearing Industries Association (HIA), unit sales in the US increased by 2.5% in the first quarter of the year, with growth in the commercial part of the US market of 1.5% and growth in Veterans Affairs (VA) of 6.7%. No later than in August 2020, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is expected to introduce draft legislation to establish a new over-the-counter (OTC) category of hearing aids in the US. As a member of HIA, we monitor and analyse developments closely and are in active dialogue with the FDA. We maintain our view that any impact of the new OTC category will be limited. Overall unit growth in Europe has been very strong driven in large part by high orders placed by the NHS as they have built stock in preparation for Brexit. We have also seen strong unit growth in Germany, Italy as well as in several other countries. In France, we have also seen very solid growth albeit with significant fluctuations as a new hearing healthcare reform took effect on 1 January 2019, entailing a number of different elements. These include increased reimbursement for hearing aid users, eligibility for renewal every four years, a mandatory trial period of 30 days, a mandatory warranty period of four years and an ambition to increase the number of trained audiologists in France to meet demand. Overall, the regulatory changes have resulted in a significant, negative one-off impact year-to-date for our Hearing Devices business activity of approx. DKK 50 million on EBIT, particularly in our hearing aid retail business, but we are generally positive about the potential impact of the reform over the coming years. There are no reliable industry statistics available on the development of prices in the global hearing aid wholesale market, but we believe that the value growth rate year-to-date has been consistent with our medium- to long-term estimate of 2-4% when adjusting for the extraordinary growth in the NHS as described above. As part of this estimate, we continue to expect a slightly negative price development going forward driven by channel and geography mix shifts and a competitive business environment. ASPs on the hearing aid retail market vary significantly across markets because of differences in reimbursement schemes, customer preferences and different product mixes, but we lack reliable market statistics. Wholesale Year-to-date, our hearing aid wholesale business has delivered solid organic growth in value above the estimated market growth rate of 2-4%. The slowing growth momentum that we saw in the final months of 2018, due to weak growth in sales in the premium segment, carried over into the first months of 2019 and has had a significant effect on growth year-to-date. However, following the roll-out of the novel Oticon Opn S, which took place at scale in most major markets at the end of March and in April, we have seen growth acceleration in line with our plans. Based on the new and unique Velox S platform, the new Opn S products deliver industry-leading audiology with significantly improved outcomes for end-users than its predecessor, the ground-breaking Oticon Opn. Moreover, the products feature a high-performing lithium-ion rechargeable battery that makes charging quick, efficient and simple and has more than enough battery time for a full days use. Feedback from customers and end-users has been very positive thus far as evidenced by an internal study where 96% of respondents preferred Opn S to the highly successful Opn. Oticon Opn S was initially rolled out in four styles and at the top-three price points, except for the rechargeable version, which until the beginning of May had only been rolled out at the top price point. In addition, Oticon has introduced Opn Play, a paediatric family of hearing aids based on the Velox S platform. In April, our Bernafon and Sonic brands also launched new product families, Viron and Captivate, respectively, which both offer improved sound experience and lithium-ion rechargeable solutions. These product families will support our overall growth throughout the year. On 10 April 2019, we announced the launch of Philips HearLink, a completely new portfolio of Philips-branded hearing solutions. We are confident that the unique combination of first-class hearing technology and a well-known end-user brand will help us address new customer segments globally and thus not only be a strong supplement to our existing hearing aid brand portfolio, but also help us gain further market share over the coming years. Growth in 2019 has so far been driven by strong unit growth, whereas ASP growth has been negative. This is the result of mix changes where very strong unit sales to the NHS and to customers in Asia, particularly China, have diluted our global ASP. Additionally, our unit growth in the premium segment was weak prior to the launch of Oticon Opn S, and combined with growth in sales of the mid-priced products launched in August 2018, this has also had a dilutive impact on our ASP compared to last year. The negative ASP growth year-to-date has naturally impacted profitability, but having now launched our new premium products, we expect the negative ASP trend to reverse throughout the remainder of 2019. Growth in North America has been flat year-to-date, with strong growth in sales to VA compensating for a slow start to the year in terms of sales to independent hearing care professionals because of a negative development in the product mix. With our new product launches, we have seen material growth acceleration and we expect this trend to continue, particularly in the premium segment. Similarly, we significantly strengthened our product offering to VA when we introduced Oticon Opn S to this channel at the beginning of May, which will also support growth in 2019. Driven by strong performances in several of the major markets, we have seen very solid organic growth in Europe, particularly in units. In the UK, we have seen very high growth due to large orders placed by the NHS, as they have started to build stock in preparation for Brexit. Furthermore, we have also seen strong growth in Italy and Spain as well as in France despite a minor negative one-off impact at the beginning of the year of the new hearing healthcare reform. Growth in Europe has generally been strong after the introduction of Oticon Opn S. Our Asia region delivered high organic growth driven by very strong performances in China, Japan and South Korea. We have seen modest growth in the Pacific and Other regions. To help further expand our position as a leading hearing aid manufacturer, we significantly increased our R&D spend in 2018, primarily in the second quarter of the year. Naturally, this step-up in our R&D effort has impacted our R&D costs year-to-date, but the year-over-year impact will gradually diminish through the year. Retail Growth in our hearing aid retail business has primarily been driven by acquisitions, and we have additionally seen positive albeit low organic growth despite the significant, negative one-off impact from the new hearing healthcare reform in France. We have also seen positive organic growth in both the US and Australia, and we expect to see gradually improving organic growth in our retail business throughout the year. In North America, we have seen significant acquisitive growth, primarily related to the acquisition in the first half of 2018 of the remaining shares of a US-based store network, which was previously recognised as investments in associates. Along with minor bolt-on acquisitions, this has naturally also added to growth in distribution costs year-to-date. Whereas Canada saw a soft start to the year, organic growth in the US has been positive as a result of improvements in our marketing activities, both centrally and at store level. Meanwhile, we continue our work on harmonising the branding of our US-based store network, which will help us further improve marketing efficiency, and we expect this process to be completed by the end of the year. Organic growth in Europe has been impacted by significant, negative growth in France where the introduction of the new hearing healthcare reform resulted in materially lower invoicing levels in January and to a lesser extent in February. The lower invoicing levels are the result of the introduction of a mandatory 30-day trial period, which has in effect postponed the recognition of a significant portion of revenue, but underlying trends in France remain healthy and the situation has now normalised. We thus expect solid organic growth in France for the remainder of the year, as we continue to benefit from having a strong infrastructure and a market-leading brand. Meanwhile, we have seen positive growth contributions from other markets in Europe, including the UK and Poland. After a challenging 2018, our retail activities in Australia have improved, and organic growth has been positive year-to-date. We have adjusted our business model to become more aligned with current market conditions where free-to-client hearing aids make up a larger proportion of the overall mix than in previous years. Hearing Implants Our Hearing Implants business activity has seen strong organic growth driven by very strong growth in our CI business despite a negative impact from our decision a year ago to reduce our activity level in select CI markets with lower prices. Growth in CI has been driven by broad-based progress in Europe, particularly in Germany, in Brazil, which is an important CI market, and in various export markets. In our BAHS business, organic growth has been solid despite limited growth in the BAHS market due to the lack of new product launches. With our planned launch of the new Ponto 4 sound processor at the end of the first half-year, we expect to see a material acceleration of the growth rate in the second half-year. Ponto 4 features the smallest design on the market and is based on the latest hearing aid platform from Oticon, Velox S, ensuring market-leading audiology combined with 2.4 GHz Bluetooth connectivity. This is a strong testament to synergies and collaborations across our business activities, which ultimately benefit end-users. Diagnostic Instruments In Diagnostic Instruments, we have seen continued, strong organic growth in line with our plans thanks to continuously positive market trends and a solid competitive position in terms of both product offering and distribution. Our US-based businesses have been the most significant growth drivers year-to-date, but we have also seen strong performances in our Asia region. Most product categories have contributed to growth, including audiometers as well as impedance, fitting, otoacoustic emission (OAE) and auditory brainstem response (ABR) equipment, and all brands have seen solid growth, particularly MAICO and Grason-Stadler. Overall, growth has been broadly based across regions, brands and product categories. Personal Communication Sennheiser Communications, our 50/50 joint venture with Sennheiser KG, has year-to-date performed slightly better than expected and has generated strong organic growth driven by the Mobile Music and Enterprise Solutions segments. Our growth has been particularly strong in North America, but we currently have great potential for growth in most of our markets. Overall, profit has year-to-date been in line with last year. As communicated in September 2018, we and Sennheiser have decided to end our successful joint venture and let the Enterprise Solutions and Gaming headsets segments continue as an independent business as part of the Demant Group and the Mobile Music headsets segment continue as part of the Sennheiser Consumer business. The separation is scheduled to take place on 1 January 2020. Until then, Sennheiser Communications will continue as before, while Sennheiser and Demant prepare the separation in order to ensure a seamless and smooth transition for employees, customers, suppliers and partners. Other matters Acquisitions In 2019, we have continued to make acquisitions in Hearing Devices, and we expect the cash flow to acquisitions for the full-year to be slightly below the level seen in 2018. A significant proportion of the acquisitions we expect to make in 2019 involve taking full ownership of assets in which we have previously held a minority share, predominantly in our hearing aid retail business. Share buy-back The Company has year-to-date bought back 1,303,140 shares worth a total of DKK 264 million, corresponding to an average purchase price of DKK 202.23. Following the cancellation of 7,080,940 shares as approved by the Annual General Meeting on 19 March 2019, the Companys holding of treasury shares corresponds to approx. 0.5% of the share capital as of today. IFRS 16 Issued in January 2016, IFRS 16 Leases requires lessees to recognise nearly all leases in the balance sheet with effect from 1 January 2019. Management has decided to use the modified transition method, whereby comparative figures are not restated. Please refer to Note 9.1 of our Annual Report 2018 for more details on the expected impact of the new accounting standards. Outlook for 2019 We maintain our expectation to generate organic sales growth above market level in 2019, accelerating through the year as a reflection of the timing of new product launches. Based on exchange rates as of 6 May 2019 and including the impact of exchange rate hedging, we continue to expect a positive exchange rate effect of 1% on revenue in 2019. We continue to guide for a reported operating profit (EBIT) of DKK 2,650-2,950 million with a material skew towards the second half-year, as we expect EBIT for the first half-year to be around or slightly lower than reported EBIT in the first half of 2018. We also still expect to deliver substantial growth in our cash flow from operating activities (CFFO) and to buy back shares worth a minimum of DKK 1.2 billion. We aim for a gearing multiple of 1.8-2.3 measured as net interest-bearing debt (NIBD) relative to EBITDA, corresponding to an unchanged gearing multiple of 1.5-2.0 before the implementation of IFRS 16. ******* Demant will host a conference call on 7 May 2019 at 14:00 CET. To attend this call, please use one of the following dial-ins: +45 3544 5577 (DK), +44 3333 000 804 (UK) or +1 6319 131 422 (US). The pin code is 25966762#. A presentation for the call will be uploaded to www.demant.com shortly before the call. Further information: Sren Nielsen, President & CEO Phone +45 3917 7300 www.demant.com Other contacts: Rene Schneider, CFO Sren B. Andersson, VP Investor Relations & Corporate Strategy Mathias Holten Mller, Investor Relations Officer Trine Kromann-Mikkelsen, VP Corporate Communication and Relations Attachment Oslo, Norway, 7 May 2019: IDEX Biometrics (IDEX ASA), the leading provider of advanced fingerprint identification and authentication solutions, is pleased to announce that its fingerprint sensor solutions are featured in dual interface biometric cards being demonstrated by a leading Asian payment scheme at the 2nd Digital China Summit this week in Fuzhou, China. In the last few quarters IDEX has announced collaborations with a range of major Chinese card integrators and other players in the card ecosystem. This week some of the results of these collaborations are being put on display. Now one of the worlds major payment schemes is demonstrating a biometric card featuring IDEXs dual-interface sensor. This card is manufactured by Hengbao, one of the biggest card manufacturers in China, which IDEX announced a partnership with in September of last year. According to market research company ABI Research, the total volume of shipped smart card for payments in Asia in 2017 was 1.3 billion cards. The annual volume is expected to increase to 1.8 billion cards by 2022. Stan Swearingen, CEO of IDEX Biometrics adds: This is an exciting milestone for the biometric payment card market, both in China and beyond. We are very proud that our dual-interface sensor is featuring on this card from Hengbao and being demonstrated by one of the biggest payment schemes in the world. For further information contact: Stuart Hunt, Head of Investor Relations & Communications +44 (0)1276 534 632 About IDEX Biometrics IDEX Biometrics, legal name IDEX ASA (OSE: IDEX), is the leading provider of fingerprint identification technologies offering simple, secure and personal authentication for all. We help people make payments, prove their identity, gain access to information, unlock devices or gain admittance to buildings with the touch of a finger. We invent, engineer and commercialize these secure, yet incredibly user-friendly solutions. Our total addressable market represents a fast-growing multi-billion-unit opportunity. For more information, visit www.idexbiometrics.com and follow @IDEXBiometrics This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act. Dublin, May 07, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "GCC Fruits and Vegetables Market - Production, Trade, Consumption, Market Size, Growth, Competition and Forecast (2019 - 2024)" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The total food consumption in GCC is expected to reach 52.3 million metric ton by 2021. The fruit market in the region reached 20,051 metric ton in 2016, is expected to grow at 5.6% YoY, till 2024. Vegetable market in GCC reached 14,95,882 metric ton in 2016, is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.6% till 2024. The increase in consumption of fruits and vegetables is attributed to the growing expatriate population and the economic prosperity of the region. Among the GCC countries, UAE has the highest expatriate population; about 85.5% are non-nationals of UAE. The same phenomenon is seen in all the GCC countries. The increase in consumption of fruits and vegetables is attributed to the growing expatriate population and the economic prosperity of the region. Among the GCC countries, UAE has the highest expatriate population; about 85.5% are non-nationals of UAE. The same phenomenon is seen in all the GCC countries. New Developments The Federation of UAE Chamber of Commerce and Industry announced its plans to increase the agricultural investments overseas. To improve food security in UAE, the Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development invested USD 35.4 million for developing 130 farms. In a goal to achieve food security in Bahrain, the Government of Agriculture and Marine Resources in Bahrain agreed to sign a MoU with a Malaysian company, for knowledge sharing. Market Dynamics Drivers Conditions in the GCC countries are unfavorable for the cultivation of most fruits and vegetables. Out of the total area available, only about 1.7% is arable. Due to this, the domestic production levels are low, and most of the consumption is met by imports from various countries. Due to the growing consumption of fruits and vegetables, the GCC countries tried to boost the agricultural output by increasing productivity so that they could be self-sufficient. The GCC countries could not continue with this level of production due to the scarcity of water resources, which in-turn increased these countries' reliance on the import of fruits and vegetables. Due to the water issue, the GCC countries' domestic production will never be able to satisfy its domestic consumption. Opportunities The signing of the GAFTA and other free trade agreements will open up different avenues of trade and procurement. GAFTA is expected to boost, both intra GCC, as well as, intra MENA trade. The governments of the GCC countries have undertaken several food security initiatives in the form of framing policies that encourage private investments in the agricultural sector. The governments started implementation of policies, which phase out domestic production of plants that need high amounts of water. This makes GCC the perfect market for exporters of fruits and vegetables. After recent land privatization law, passed by the African government, most of the governments of the GCC countries have invested in obtaining land in Africa and producing fruits and vegetables for the country. Many private organizations are trying to follow the same model, as the demand for fruits and vegetables is high in the GCC countries. Market Segmentation The agricultural market in Iran is segmented by type of products into fruits and vegetables. These are sub-segmented into onions, potatoes, tomatoes, garlic, cauliflower, cucumber, cabbage, beans, eggplant, lemons, apples, bananas, oranges, grapes, strawberry, watermelon, grapefruit, dates, and olives. About the Market PESTLE Analysis (Overview): Macro market factors pertinent to the region. Market Definition: Main, as well as, associated/ancillary components constituting the market. Key Findings of the Study: Top headlines about market trends & numbers. Drivers: What are the key factors driving growth in the market? Restraints: Most relevant threats and restraints which hinder the growth of the market? Opportunities: Sectors of high return or quick turn around on investment? Market Concentration: Porter's 5 Forces Analysis quantified by a comprehensive list of parameters. Market Share Analysis: Top players in the market (by value and volume). Company Profiles: Pertinent details about leading, high growth, and innovation-motivated stakeholders with contact, operations, product/service offerings, financials and strategies & insights. Key Topics Covered 1. Introduction 1.1 Market Definition 1.2 Key Findings of the Study 2. Research Scope and Methodology 2.1 Study Deliverables 2.2 Study Assumptions 2.3 Research Methodology 2.4 Research Phases 3. Market Dynamics 3.1 Drivers 3.1.1 Rising Mutual Exports of Fruits and Vegetables in the Region, especially in form of Re-Exports 3.1.2 Higher Consumption Demand from Increasing Health Conscious Population 3.1.3 Growing Investments in the Horticulture Sector 3.1.4 Growing Number of Retail Chains, Providing Increasing Accessibility to Consumers 3.2 Restraints 3.2.1 Adoption of Higher Quality Standards for Traded Fruits and Vegetables and Resulting Control on Imports 3.2.2 Rising Concerns on Over-dependence on Imports 3.2.3 Shifting Consumption Patterns toward Meat and Dairy Products 4. Industry Analysis 4.1 Porter's Five Forces Analysis 5. Market Segmentation 5.1 UAE 5.2 Bahrain 5.3 Kuwait 5.4 Oman 5.5 Qatar 5.6 Saudi Arabia 6. International Trade & Price Scenarios 6.1 Onion 6.2 Potato 6.3 Tomatoes 6.4 Garlic 6.5 Cauliflower 6.6 Beans 6.7 Eggplant 6.8 Lemons 6.9 Apples 6.10 Bananas 6.11 Grapefruit 6.12 Dates 6.13 Cabbage 6.14 Watermelon 6.15 Mango 6.16 Chilies 6.17 Strawberries 7. Regional Analysis 7.1 PESTLE Analysis 7.2 Analysis of Ease of Doing Business 8. Competitive Analysis 8.1 Local Supply Ecosystem 8.2 List/Profile of Major Retailers 8.3 Strategies Adopted and Recent Events 9. Pricing Strategy 10. Supply Chain Analysis 10.1 Distribution Network & Retail Analysis 11. Government Policies 11.1 Criteria & Conditions 11.1.1 Sanitary & Phytosanitary Conditions 11.1.2 Packaging Requirements 11.1.3 Labelling Requirements 11.1.4 Import Regulations 11.2 Ministries Involved For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/752ksx Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research. PORTLAND, Ore., May 07, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Northwest Natural Holding Company, (NYSE: NWN) (NW Natural Holdings), reported financial results for the first quarter of 2019 including: Earned $1.50 per share from continuing operations for the first quarter of 2019, compared to $1.46 per share for 2018 Added more than 12,500 natural gas meters over the last 12 months equating to a 1.7% growth rate Finished construction of the North Mist gas storage expansion with the commissioning phase nearly complete Received the final Oregon general rate case order "This year is off to a good start. Our financial results benefited from customer growth and new rates at the natural gas utility," said David H. Anderson, president and CEO of NW Natural Holdings. "Operationally our distribution system performed well when the Pacific Northwest experienced cold weather and pipeline constraints, particularly in February which was the third coldest on record since 1989." "We continue making progress on our long-term growth strategy," added Anderson. "We expect the Sunriver transaction to close soon and to complete several more pending water acquisitions this summer. In 2019, we remain focused on high-quality customer service, working collaboratively with stakeholders, and continuing to grow our natural gas and water platforms." For the first quarter of 2019, net income from continuing operations increased $1.4 million to $43.4 million (or $1.50 per share), compared to net income from continuing operations of $42.0 million (or $1.46 per share) for the same period in 2018. Results reflected higher margin due to new natural gas rates in Oregon and customer growth, partially offset by a regulatory pension disallowance from the final order in the Oregon general rate case and higher operations and maintenance expense. Excluding the regulatory pension disallowance, on a non-GAAP basis1 adjusted net income from continuing operations for the first quarter of 2019 was $50.0 million (or $1.73 per share) or an increase of $8.0 million compared to the same period in 2018. Results reflected higher margin from new natural gas rates in Oregon and customer growth, partially offset by higher operations and maintenance expense. 1 Adjusted first quarter 2019 net income from continuing operations is non-GAAP and excludes the regulatory pension disallowance of $10.5 million pre-tax or $6.6 million and 23 cents per share after-tax. See "First Quarter Results" and "Reconciliation to GAAP" for additional information. KEY INITIATIVES Oregon Rate Case On March 25, 2019, the Public Utility Commission of Oregon (OPUC) issued an order approving the all-party settlement reached in February 2019 that resolved the remaining two items in the Oregon general rate case. The order determined how benefits related to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) would be provided to customers and how NW Natural Gas Company (NW Natural) would recover costs associated with the pension balancing account. Beginning April 1, 2019, NW Natural will return excess deferred income taxes pursuant to TCJA through an annual credit to customers' base rates of $3.4 million and a credit of $3.0 million per year for five years to customers. The pension balancing account was a regulatory mechanism in effect from 2011 through October 2018 that held deferred annual pension expenses above the amount set in rates with the expectation that higher and lower pension expenses in future years would ultimately balance the account. At Oct. 31, 2018 when the pension balancing account was frozen, it totaled $79.9 million. Under the March order, $12.5 million of deferred TCJA benefits was applied to the pension balancing account, and NW Natural was required to forego the recovery of $10.5 million, for a total reduction of the pension balancing account of approximately $23.0 million. The recovery of the remaining balance in the account is expected to be collected at a rate of $7.3 million per year for the next ten years beginning April 1, 2019. The combined effect of the March order with the previously issued order on Oct. 26, 2018 is expected to provide NW Natural with an estimated $11.4 million annual benefit to net income and cash flow benefits of $21.3 million per year. Washington Rate Case On Dec. 31, 2018, NW Natural filed a request for a general rate increase with the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (WUTC). Approximately 10% of NW Naturals revenues are derived from its Washington customers. This is NW Naturals first Washington rate case in a decade with a requested $8.3 million increase in annual revenue requirement. In addition, NW Natural requested the net TCJA related benefits be provided to customers, a decoupling tariff, which will adjust for any deviation from normal usage, including those related to weather, and an environmental remediation mechanism to recover costs associated with historical manufactured gas activities. The filing will be reviewed by the WUTC and other stakeholders with the process expected to take up to 11 months. New rates are expected to take effect Dec. 1, 2019. North Mist Expansion Project The Company continues to expect NW Natural's North Mist facility will be placed into service this spring. Construction has been completed with final tests and commissioning expected to be finished in the coming weeks. The cost of the facility is estimated at $149 million and will be included in rate base under an established tariff when it is placed into service. NW Natural has an initial 30-year service contract with Portland General Electric and options to extend the contract totaling up to an additional 50 years upon mutual agreement. The project will provide long-term, no-notice underground gas storage service to support gas-fired electric generating facilities that enable the integration of wind power into the region's electric generation mix. The North Mist service is designed to allow the local electric company to draw on the facility to meet its fueling needs and rapidly respond to natural variability in wind generation. Water Utilities and Acquisitions NW Natural Holdings' subsidiary, NW Natural Water Company (NW Natural Water), has several water acquisitions pending, the largest of which is 9,400 water and wastewater connections serving approximately 20,000 people in Sunriver, Oregon. In April 2019, the OPUC issued an order approving the acquisition. The transaction is expected to close this summer with all other pending acquisitions. Upon closing the pending acquisitions, NW Natural Water is expected to serve about 45,000 people through approximately 18,000 connections in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington with total investments of nearly $70 million. These aggregate acquisitions are projected to be accretive to NW Natural Holdings earnings per share in the first full year of operations. While ongoing operations are not expected to have an immediately material impact on earnings, the acquisitions mark the Company's continued commitment to building a water platform and are intended to provide investors with a risk profile that is similar to NW Natural's regulated gas utility. Gill Ranch Sale Agreement NW Natural Holdings' subsidiary, Gill Ranch Storage, LLC (Gill Ranch), jointly owns and operates a 20 Bcf natural gas storage facility with Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) in California. In June 2018, the Company entered into an agreement to sell Gill Ranch for an initial cash purchase price of $25 million, with an earn-out provision and subject to a working capital adjustment. We continue to expect the transaction to close in mid-2019 and are currently awaiting the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) approval of the transaction. The closing is also subject to other customary closing conditions. As a result of the pending sale, Gill Ranch is presented in Discontinued Operations in the financial statements. FIRST QUARTER RESULTS Financial Implications of March 2019 Regulatory Order As a result of the final order in NW Natural's Oregon general rate case, NW Natural applied deferred TCJA benefits to the pension balancing account, which resulted in several offsetting benefits and expenses in the first quarter of 2019. Specifically this resulted in higher overall pre-tax expenses of $12.5 million with $4.6 million recognized in operations and maintenance and $7.9 million reflected in other income (expense), net. This was largely offset by higher pre-tax revenues of $7.1 million and tax benefits of $4.3 million with little impact to net income in the first quarter. An additional tax benefit of $1.2 million will be recognized during 2019. As a result of beginning collections of the pension balancing account, $3.8 million of regulatory interest income ($2.8 million after-tax) was recognized related to the equity interest component of financing costs on the pension balancing account. In addition, NW Natural recognized a $10.5 million pre-tax (or $6.6 million after-tax) regulatory disallowance for amounts in the pension balancing account. This resulted in $3.9 million of additional pre-tax operations and maintenance expense, $6.6 million of pre-tax other expense, and an offsetting tax benefit of $3.9 million. The tax effect of the pension disallowance was calculated using a combined federal and state statutory rate of 26.5% and an additional $1.1 million of deferred tax benefit associated with the pension balancing account disallowance. First Quarter Results The following financial comparisons are between results for the first quarter of 2019 and 2018 with individual year-over-year drivers below presented on an after-tax basis using a statutory tax rate of 26.5% unless otherwise noted. Non-GAAP financial measures exclude the effects of the regulatory pension disallowance in 2019 as these adjusted metrics provide a clearer view of operations, reflect how Management views financial results, and provide comparability to prior year results. See "Reconciliation to GAAP" for a detailed reconciliation of adjusted amounts. The first quarter results are summarized by business segment in the table below: Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 2018 Change In thousands, except per share data Amount Per Share Amount Per Share Amount Per Share Net income from continuing operations: Natural Gas Distribution segment $ 41,206 $ 1.42 $ 39,883 $ 1.39 $ 1,323 $ 0.03 Regulatory pension disallowance, net1 6,588 0.23 6,588 0.23 Adjusted Natural Gas Distribution segment1 47,794 1.65 39,883 1.39 7,911 0.26 Other 2,212 0.08 2,128 0.07 84 0.01 Consolidated $ 43,418 $ 1.50 $ 42,011 $ 1.46 $ 1,407 $ 0.04 Adjusted consolidated1 50,006 1.73 42,011 1.46 7,995 0.27 Diluted Shares 28,970 28,803 167 1 The 2019 adjusted natural gas distribution segment and adjusted consolidated net income from continuing operations are non-GAAP metrics and exclude the effects of a regulatory disallowance of NW Natural's pension balancing account of $6.6 million after-tax (or $10.5 million pre-tax). See "Reconciliation to GAAP" for additional information. Natural Gas Distribution Segment Natural Gas Distribution net income was $41.2 million (or $1.42 per share) for 2019, compared to net income of $39.9 million (or $1.39 per share) for 2018. Results were affected by a $6.6 million after-tax disallowance of costs in the pension balancing account as ordered in the Oregon general rate case. Excluding the effects of this disallowance, net income increased $7.9 million reflecting the first full quarter of higher rates under the Oregon general rate case and customer growth, partially offset by higher operations and maintenance expense. Margin increased $14.7 million largely due to higher rates in Oregon as well as growth of 1.7% over the last 12 months, which collectively contributed $9.3 million to margin. Colder than average weather coupled with higher fee revenue from interruptible customers as a result of system restrictions were offset by an estimated reserve for environmental cost sharing related to the SRRM mechanism's earnings test. Combined these items provided a net $1.0 million of additional margin. Weather was 9% colder than average for 2019, compared to 7% warmer than average for 2018. Finally, as a result of the March order, margin increased $5.2 million with no significant effect to net income as offsetting adjustments were recognized through expenses and income taxes. Operations and maintenance expense increased $8.5 million reflecting $2.3 million of higher compensation and benefits expense and $2.8 million of expense related to the disallowance of costs in the pension balancing account. In addition, as a result of the March order, $3.4 million of costs were recognized with no significant effect to net income due to offsetting adjustments in margin and income taxes. Other income (expense), net decreased $9.8 million primarily due to $4.9 million of expense related to the disallowance of costs in the pension balancing account and $1.5 million of higher pension expense as we began collecting Oregon pension expenses through rates beginning Nov. 1, 2018. As a result of beginning collections of the pension balancing account, $2.8 million of regulatory interest income ($3.8 million pre-tax) was recognized related to the equity interest component of financing costs on the pension balancing account. In addition, also as a result of the March order, $5.8 million of costs were recognized with no significant effect to net income due to offsetting adjustments in margin and income taxes. Tax expense reflected a $4.3 million benefit related to the amortization and application of deferrals from the March order; however, as this offset higher expense, there was no significant resulting effect on net income. BALANCE SHEET AND CASH FLOWS During 2019, the Company generated $104.8 million in operating cash flow and invested $48.8 million of capital expenditures in our natural gas distribution segment to support growth, safety, and technology and facility upgrades. Net cash provided by operations was relatively flat mainly due to timing of higher collections from colder than average weather offset by higher gas prices. Cash used in financing activities increased $14.3 million primarily due to higher short-term debt balances in 2019. The Company continues to expect capital expenditures for 2019 to be in the range of $230 to $270 million to support gas utility customer growth and safety and reliability, as well as several projects. The total capital investment for the five-year period from 2019 to 2023 is expected to range from $850 to $950 million, with a majority of the investment supporting continued customer growth, natural gas distribution system maintenance and improvements, investments in a new headquarters building and technology, and utility gas storage facility maintenance. 2019 EARNINGS GUIDANCE On March 1, 2019, NW Natural Holdings initiated 2019 earnings guidance from continuing operations in the range of $2.25 to $2.45 per share. As previously disclosed, this range did not incorporate a potential regulatory disallowance from an Oregon all-party settlement. On March 25, 2019, the OPUC issued an order requiring NW Natural to forego $10.5 million ($6.6 million after-tax or $0.23 per share) of costs associated with the pension balancing account. As a result of the disallowance, NW Natural Holdings' 2019 GAAP earnings guidance from continuing operations is expected to range from $2.02 to $2.22 per share. Excluding the pension disallowance on a non-GAAP basis, 2019 earnings guidance from continuing operations is expected to range from $2.25 to $2.45 per share. This guidance assumes continued customer growth, average weather conditions, and no significant changes in prevailing regulatory policies, mechanisms, or outcomes, or significant laws or regulations. The expected sale of Gill Ranch and the related gain, and any operating results associated with it, are not included in this guidance range, as they are, and are expected to continue to be, reported as Discontinued Operations. DIVIDEND DECLARED In April 2019, NW Natural Holdings' Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of 47.5 cents per share on NW Natural Holdings' common stock. The dividend will be payable on May 15, 2019 to shareholders of record on April 30, 2019, reflecting an annual indicated dividend rate of $1.90 per share. CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST As previously announced, NW Natural Holdings will host a conference call and webcast today to discuss its first quarter 2019 financial and operating results. Date and Time: Tuesday, May 7 8 a.m. PT (11 a.m. ET) Phone Numbers: United States: 1-866-267-6789 Canada: 1-855-669-9657 International: 1-412-902-4110 The call will also be webcast in a listen-only format for the media and general public and can be accessed at nwnaturalholdings.com . A replay of the conference call will be available on our website and by dialing 1-877-344-7529 (U.S.), 1-855-669-9658 (Canada), and 1-412-317-0088 (international). The replay access code is 10130221. ABOUT NW NATURAL HOLDINGS Northwest Natural Holding Company, (NYSE: NWN) (NW Natural Holdings), is headquartered in Portland, Oregon, and through its subsidiaries has been doing business for 160 years in the Pacific Northwest. It owns NW Natural Gas Company (NW Natural), NW Natural Water Company (NW Natural Water), and other business interests and activities. NW Natural is a local distribution company that currently provides natural gas service to approximately two million people in more than 140 communities through more than 750,000 meters in Oregon and Southwest Washington with one of the most modern pipeline systems in the nation. NW Natural consistently leads the industry with high J.D. Power & Associates customer satisfaction scores. NW Natural is currently constructing a 3 Bcf regulated gas storage expansion of its 16 Bcf facility in Oregon to support renewables. NW Natural Holdings subsidiaries own and operate 31 Bcf of underground gas storage capacity. NW Natural Water currently provides water distribution service to approximately 23,000 people through 7,900 connections. To date, NW Natural Water has acquired six water distribution utilities with several additional acquisitions pending. Upon closing current outstanding transactions, cumulatively, NW Natural Water expects to have invested $70 million and serve nearly 45,000 people through approximately 18,000 connections in the Pacific Northwest. Additional information is available at nwnaturalholdings.com . Forward-Looking Statements This report, and other presentations made by NW Natural Holdings from time to time, may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as "anticipates," "assumes," "intends," "plans," "seeks," "believes," "estimates," "expects" and similar references to future periods. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the following: plans, objectives, assumptions, estimates, timing, goals, strategies, future events, investments, capital expenditures, targeted capital structure, risks, risk profile, stability, acquisitions and integration thereof, dispositions and timing and outcomes thereof, asset management sharing, customer and business growth, weather, commodity and other costs, customer rates or rate recovery, adoption of renewable energy and our ability to provide effective supporting resources, infrastructure availability and development, environmental remediation cost recoveries, levels and pricing of gas storage contracts, gas storage development or costs or timing related thereto, the water utility strategy and the related pending water acquisitions, operating plans of third parties, financial results, including estimated income, liquidity, expenses, positions, revenues, returns, and earnings and earnings guidance, capital expenditures, dividends, performance, timing or effects of future regulatory proceedings or future regulatory approvals, regulatory prudence reviews, effects of regulatory decisions or mechanisms, anticipated regulatory actions or filings, expectations, timing and treatment with respect to rate cases, recovery of pension expense or our pension balancing account, accounting treatment of future events, effects of changes in laws or regulations, including tax reform, and other statements that are other than statements of historical facts. Forward-looking statements are based on the Company's current expectations and assumptions regarding its business, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. The Company's actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. The Company cautions you therefore against relying on any of these forward-looking statements. They are neither statements of historical fact nor guarantees or assurances of future operational, economic or financial performance. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements are discussed by reference to the factors described in Part I, Item 1A "Risk Factors", and Part II, Item 7 and Item 7A "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk" in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and in Part I, Items 2 and 3 "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk", and Part II, Item 1A, "Risk Factors", in the Company's quarterly reports filed thereafter. All forward-looking statements made in this report and all subsequent forward-looking statements, whether written or oral and whether made by or on behalf of the Company, are expressly qualified by these cautionary statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law. New factors emerge from time to time and it is not possible for the Company to predict all such factors, nor can it assess the impact of each such factor or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Presentation of Non-GAAP Results In addition to presenting the results of operations and earnings amounts in total, certain financial measures exclude the regulatory pension disallowance in 2019, which is a non-GAAP financial measure. The Company presents net income and EPS excluding this item along with the GAAP measures to illustrate the magnitude of this item on ongoing business and operational results. Although the excluded amount is properly included in the determination of this item under GAAP, the Company believes the amount and nature of such an item makes period-to-period comparisons of operations difficult or potentially confusing. Financial measures are expressed in cents per share as these amounts reflect factors that directly impact earnings, including income taxes. All references to EPS are on the basis of diluted shares. The Company uses such non-GAAP financial measures to analyze financial performance because the Company believes they provide useful information to investors and creditors in evaluating the Company's financial condition and results of operations. NORTHWEST NATURAL HOLDINGS Consolidated Income Statement and Financial Highlights (Unaudited) First Quarter 2019 Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended In thousands, except per share amounts, customer, and degree day data March 31, March 31, 2019 2018 Change 2019 2018 Change Operating revenues $ 285,348 $ 263,635 8 % $ 727,856 $ 722,949 1 % Operating expenses: Cost of gas 105,457 108,106 (2 ) 252,870 289,290 (13 ) Operations and maintenance 51,482 39,523 30 168,657 153,131 10 Environmental remediation 8,947 4,624 93 15,450 12,961 19 General taxes 9,027 9,474 (5 ) 31,725 31,435 1 Revenue taxes 11,926 12,429 (4 ) 29,579 12,429 138 Depreciation and amortization 21,572 20,875 3 85,853 81,975 5 Other operating expenses 892 853 5 3,266 853 283 Total operating expenses 209,303 195,884 7 587,400 582,074 1 Income from operations 76,045 67,751 12 140,456 140,875 Other income (expense), net (13,747 ) (834 ) 1,548 (16,514 ) (2,010 ) 722 Interest expense, net 10,205 9,274 10 37,990 37,169 2 Income before income taxes 52,093 57,643 (10 ) 85,952 101,696 (15 ) Income tax expense 8,675 15,632 (45 ) 17,234 29,009 (41 ) Net income from continuing operations 43,418 42,011 3 68,718 72,687 (5 ) Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax (217 ) (474 ) (54 ) (2,485 ) (127,083 ) (98 ) Net income (loss) $ 43,201 $ 41,537 4 $ 66,233 $ (54,396 ) (222 ) Common shares outstanding: Average diluted for period 28,970 28,803 28,904 28,769 End of period 28,962 28,781 28,962 28,781 Per share of common stock information: Diluted earnings from continuing operations $ 1.50 $ 1.46 $ 2.38 $ 2.53 Diluted loss from discontinued operations, net of tax (0.01 ) (0.02 ) (0.09 ) (4.42 ) Diluted earnings (loss) 1.49 1.44 2.29 (1.89 ) Dividends declared 0.4750 0.4725 1.8950 1.8850 Book value, end of period 27.42 26.83 27.42 26.83 Market closing price, end of period 65.63 57.65 65.63 57.65 Capital structure, end of period: Common stock equity 46.5 % 48.9 % 46.5 % 48.9 % Long-term debt 37.0 43.2 37.0 43.2 Short-term debt (including current maturities of long-term debt) 16.5 7.9 16.5 7.9 Total 100.0 % 100.0 % 100.0 % 100.0 % Natural Gas Distribution segment operating statistics: Meters - end of period 754,447 741,920 1.7 % 754,447 741,920 1.7 % Volumes in therms: Residential and commercial sales 318,103 278,019 701,247 690,865 Industrial sales and transportation 129,635 128,934 467,741 488,742 Total volumes sold and delivered 447,738 406,953 1,168,988 1,179,607 Operating revenues: Residential and commercial sales $ 251,118 $ 245,584 $ 627,316 $ 649,521 Industrial sales and transportation 16,021 17,389 57,345 62,411 Other revenues 11,902 (5,040 ) 17,095 (2,543 ) Less: Revenue taxes 11,240 Total operating revenues 279,041 257,933 701,756 698,149 Less: Cost of gas 105,513 108,164 253,092 289,572 Less: Environmental remediation expense 8,947 4,624 15,450 12,961 Less: Revenue taxes 11,926 12,429 29,579 12,429 Margin, net $ 152,655 $ 132,716 $ 403,635 $ 383,187 Degree days: Average (25-year average) 1,329 1,316 2,727 2,705 Actual 1,450 1,223 19 % 2,540 2,703 (6 )% Percent colder (warmer) than average weather 9 % (7 ) % (7 ) % % NORTHWEST NATURAL HOLDINGS Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) March 31, In thousands 2019 2018 Assets: Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 12,817 $ 11,215 Accounts receivable 93,617 77,897 Accrued unbilled revenue 36,147 38,752 Allowance for uncollectible accounts (1,301 ) (1,112 ) Regulatory assets 46,317 45,900 Derivative instruments 7,890 1,130 Inventories 19,540 34,399 Gas reserves 16,157 15,124 Income taxes receivable 6,000 Other current assets 20,293 16,877 Discontinued operations current assets 14,632 1,512 Total current assets 272,109 241,694 Non-current assets: Property, plant, and equipment 3,439,460 3,251,075 Less: Accumulated depreciation 1,005,117 972,773 Total property, plant, and equipment, net 2,434,343 2,278,302 Gas reserves 61,907 80,560 Regulatory assets 327,194 343,037 Derivative instruments 541 1,148 Other investments 63,829 66,709 Operating lease right of use asset 6,163 Goodwill 8,954 Other non-current assets 16,077 7,030 Discontinued operations non-current assets 10,859 Total non-current assets 2,919,008 2,787,645 Total assets $ 3,191,117 $ 3,029,339 Liabilities and equity: Current liabilities: Short-term debt $ 176,391 $ 50,000 Current maturities of long-term debt 104,158 74,785 Accounts payable 103,207 77,860 Taxes accrued 11,004 12,018 Interest accrued 9,233 9,262 Regulatory liabilities 46,770 34,946 Derivative instruments 2,845 17,607 Operating lease liabilities 4,656 Other current liabilities 54,543 39,166 Discontinued operations current liabilities 13,282 1,209 Total current liabilities 526,089 316,853 Long-term debt 632,484 683,497 Deferred credits and other non-current liabilities: Deferred tax liabilities 293,662 283,129 Regulatory liabilities 600,698 600,442 Pension and other postretirement benefit liabilities 220,732 221,732 Derivative instruments 1,161 2,355 Operating lease liabilities 1,495 Other non-current liabilities 120,569 137,147 Discontinued operations non-current liabilities 11,979 Total deferred credits and other non-current liabilities 1,238,317 1,256,784 Equity: Common stock 459,932 450,408 Retained earnings 342,734 330,081 Accumulated other comprehensive loss (8,439 ) (8,284 ) Total equity 794,227 772,205 Total liabilities and equity $ 3,191,117 $ 3,029,339 NORTHWEST NATURAL HOLDINGS Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) Three Months Ended March 31, In thousands 2019 2018 Operating activities: Net income $ 43,201 $ 41,537 Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operations: Depreciation and amortization 21,572 20,875 Regulatory amortization of gas reserves 4,780 4,073 Deferred income taxes 6,306 13,327 Qualified defined benefit pension plan expense 3,499 1,435 Contributions to qualified defined benefit pension plans (1,490 ) (1,720 ) Deferred environmental expenditures, net (3,685 ) (1,280 ) Amortization of environmental remediation 8,947 4,624 Regulatory revenue recovery deferral from TCJA 450 6,424 Regulatory disallowance of pension costs 10,500 Other 3,171 879 Changes in assets and liabilities: Receivables, net (4,891 ) 10,552 Inventories 21,108 13,144 Income and other taxes 7,406 (6,865 ) Accounts payable (14,883 ) (19,042 ) Interest accrued 1,927 2,489 Deferred gas costs (19,182 ) 3,519 Decoupling mechanism 7,903 5,431 Other, net 8,894 3,963 Discontinued operations (739 ) 1,156 Cash provided by operating activities 104,794 104,521 Investing activities: Capital expenditures (48,764 ) (57,329 ) Other (1,991 ) (58 ) Discontinued operations (301 ) (101 ) Cash used in investing activities (51,056 ) (57,488 ) Financing activities: Proceeds from stock options exercised 1,546 Long-term debt retired (22,000 ) Change in short-term debt (41,229 ) (4,200 ) Cash dividend payments on common stock (12,935 ) (12,781 ) Other (936 ) (309 ) Cash used in financing activities (53,554 ) (39,290 ) Increase in cash and cash equivalents 184 7,743 Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 12,633 3,472 Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 12,817 $ 11,215 Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: Interest paid, net of capitalization $ 7,976 $ 6,261 Income taxes paid (refunded), net (90 ) 9,800 NORTHWEST NATURAL HOLDINGS Reconciliation to GAAP (Unaudited) First Quarter Results 2019 Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 2018 In thousands, except per share data Amount Per Share Amount Per Share CONSOLIDATED GAAP net income from continuing operations $ 43,418 $ 1.50 $ 42,011 $ 1.46 Regulatory pension disallowance 10,500 0.36 Income tax effect of regulatory disallowance1 (3,912 ) (0.13 ) Adjusted net income from continuing operations $ 50,006 $ 1.73 $ 42,011 $ 1.46 Diluted shares 28,970 28,803 NATURAL GAS DISTRIBUTION SEGMENT GAAP net income $ 41,206 $ 1.42 $ 39,883 $ 1.39 Regulatory pension disallowance 10,500 0.36 Income tax effect of regulatory disallowance1 (3,912 ) (0.13 ) Adjusted net income $ 47,794 $ 1.65 $ 39,883 $ 1.39 1 Regulatory disallowance related to the pension balancing account was recognized in the first quarter of 2019. Tax effect of adjustment was calculated using a combined federal and state statutory rate of 26.5% and reducing the disallowance by a $1.1 million deferred taxes specifically associated with the pension balancing account. Press Release Highlights: Highlight intercepts from Sullivan Gulch North include: IDM19-113: 0.92 grams per tonne (g/t) gold equivalent (AuEq) over 117.35 meters (m), incl. 10.15 g/t AuEq over 1.52 m IDM19-114: 1.12 g/t AuEq over 283.46 m, incl. 1.48 g/t AuEq over 132.59, incl. 11.63 g/t AuEq over 1.52 m IDM19-115: 1.00 g/t AuEq over 332.23 m, incl. 1.67 g/t AuEq over 155.45, incl. 13.13 g/t AuEq over 3.05 m Highlight intercepts from Sullivan Gulch South include: IDM19-102: 0.90 g/t AuEq over 99.06 m IDM19-103: 1.03 g/t AuEq over 83.82 m IDM19-105: 0.70 g/t AuEq over 178.31 m Highlight intercept from Milestone: IMS18-014: 0.89 g/t AuEq over 76.20 m Highlight intercept from Glenn Silver: IDM19-131: 1.11 g/t AuEq over 130.46 m Sullivan Gulch North and South: The zone of gold and silver mineralization now extends semi-continuously approximately 600 m outside of the current inferred resource boundary and remains open to the SE Drilling is on-going with one drill rig currently drilling at the DeLamar Deposit, and mobilizing to the Florida Mountain Deposit in late May Metallurgical test-work ongoing, with Florida Mountain column leach test work still in progress and bottle-roll/column leach work having commenced on DeLamar oxide and transitional material Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) on-track for completion in September 2019 VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 07, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Integra Resources Corp. (TSXV:ITR ; OTCQX:IRRZF) (the Company or Integra) is pleased to announce results from 6,970 m of drilling conducted during the 2019 winter drill program. The modified focus of the winter drill program was to complete sufficient drilling to incorporate the southeastern extensions of the DeLamar Deposit, namely those in Sullivan Gulch, into the upcoming resource estimate update expected in June 2019. This updated resource estimate will provide the foundation for the Companys maiden PEA on the DeLamar and Florida Mountain Deposits, currently on-track for completion in September 2019. George Salamis, President & CEO of Integra Resources, commented, To summarize todays reported results from several areas of the project, the DeLamar Deposit remains fully open on-strike to the southeast of DeLamar as evidenced by the latest Sullivan Gulch South results, and to the northwest as evidenced by the results at Milestone. We are very pleased with these latest step-out and infill drill results at Sullivan Gulch as they continue to demonstrate significant widths and average grades that are all well above the resource cut-off grade of DeLamar. With Sullivan Gulch North and South, we now have a semi-continuously mineralized area that measures 600 m in strike length and dips to the southwest. Sullivan Gulch is 100 to 300 m in width as projected to the surface, with variable zone thicknesses ranging from 20 m to 300+ m. Sullivan Gulch South remains open for further exploration to the southeast, with additional geophysical surveying planned to further define drill targets. Also, select zones of high-grade gold and silver in Sullivan Gulch North are starting to demonstrate good lateral continuity relative to previously intersected high grades in the same area, providing Integras technical team with useful data for future drill targeting. Mr. Salamis continued, At Milestone, situated on the northwestern end of the DeLamar trend, drilling has highlighted the potential for expansion of the zone in shallow (less than 100 m deep) oxide and transitional gold-silver mineralization, meriting further drilling to continue defining this near-surface zone. At Glen Silver, a drill hole designed to gather sample material for oxide and transitional zone metallurgical test-work resulted in an intercept with better grade and width than expected. Integras maiden PEA aims to demonstrate that the DeLamar Project, hosting a large gold-silver resource base and a flexible processing pathway in terms of heap leaching and milling, is a rarity among precious metal deposits situated in Tier-1 investment jurisdictions such as the western United States. Sullivan Gulch North and South Table 1 below highlights the latest set of drill results obtained from the Sullivan Gulch Area, (North and South) during the 2019 winter drill campaign. Table 1. Select 2019 Drill Results from the Sullivan Gulch Area Drill Hole Number Zone From (m) To (m) Interval (m) (1) g/t Au g/t Ag g/t AuEq(2) IDM19-100 Sullivan Gulch South 428.24 445.01 16.76 0.45 6.17 0.53 IDM19-101 Sullivan Gulch South 246.89 344.42 Incl. 344.42 289.56 454.15 382.52 42.67 109.73 38.10 0.56 0.45 0.75 16.65 11.74 20.05 0.75 0.58 0.98 IDM19-102 Sullivan Gulch South 220.98 312.42 252.98 411.48 32.00 99.06 0.35 0.62 29.00 24.01 0.69 0.90 IDM19-103 Sullivan Gulch South 310.90 394.72 83.82 0.86 13.88 1.03 IDM19-104 Sullivan Gulch South 231.65 382.52 335.28 384.05 103.63 1.52 0.52 1.88 18.28 303.07 0.73 5.45 IDM19-105 Sullivan Gulch South 278.89 457.20 178.31 0.51 15.72 0.70 IDM19-106 Sullivan Gulch South 288.04 342.90 301.75 365.76 13.72 22.86 0.37 0.78 12.40 11.59 0.51 0.91 IDM19-107 Sullivan Gulch South 315.47 388.62 356.62 445.01 41.15 56.39 0.35 0.41 6.41 9.16 0.43 0.52 IDM19-108 Sullivan Gulch South 320.04 397.76 77.72 0.37 11.57 0.51 IDM19-109 Sullivan Gulch South 301.75 417.58 115.82 0.36 9.05 0.47 IDM19-113 Sullivan Gulch North 99.06 Incl. 141.73 Incl. 213.36 216.41 163.07 214.88 117.35 21.34 1.52 0.58 0.68 7.82 29.34 82.26 197.40 0.92 1.65 10.15 IDM19-114 Sullivan Gulch North 97.54 Incl. 97.54 Incl. 131.06 Incl. 254.51 381.00 99.06 263.65 256.03 283.46 1.52 132.59 1.52 0.62 3.69 0.79 10.79 42.18 120.63 58.99 71.25 1.12 5.11 1.48 11.63 IDM19-115 Sullivan Gulch North 175.26 Incl. 175.26 Incl. 321.56 507.49 330.71 324.61 332.23 155.45 3.05 0.51 0.77 12.41 41.44 76.66 60.89 1.00 1.67 13.13 (1) Downhole thickness; true width varies depending on drill hole dip; most drill holes are aimed at intersecting the vein structures close to perpendicular therefore true widths are close to downhole widths (approximately 85% conversion ratio) (2) Gold equivalent = g Au/t + (g Ag/t 85) To view a plan map displaying the latest drill results at Sullivan Gulch, please click the following link: https://www.integraresources.com/site/assets/files/2572/sullivan_gulch_-_g-silv_-_check.pdf To view a cross section displaying the latest drill results from Sullivan Gulch North, please click the following link: https://www.integraresources.com/site/assets/files/2572/north_sullivan_gulch_cross_-_check.pdf To view a cross section displaying the latest drill results from Sullivan Gulch South, please click the following link: https://www.integraresources.com/site/assets/files/2572/south_sullivan_gulch_cross_-_102_et_al_-_check.pdf At Sullivan Gulch, 5,970 m were drilled in 13 drill holes for the purposes of providing sufficient drill data spacing to incorporate this newly discovered zone into the upcoming resource estimate update scheduled for June of this year. Confirmatory drilling has successfully outlined a semi-continuously mineralized zone in Sullivan Gulch that now exhibits a strike length of over 600 m outside of the current inferred resource boundary and remains fully open to the southeast. At Sullivan Gulch South, follow-up drilling around the 2018 drill hole IDM18-059 (2.53 g/t AuEq over 109.73 m) has, so far, delineated a zone of mineralization hosting grades well above the established cut-off grade, with a vertical extent of over 170m. The intercepts reported in Table 1 suggest that mineralization is localized within two parallel steeply west dipping northwest trending. The high-grade intercept in hole IDM18-059 is interpreted as a high-grade shoot at the intersection with an east-west structure. Additional drilling is required to define the limits to the Sullivan Gulch South mineralization. Several additional lines of IP are also planned for Fall 2019 to help delineate the southern continuation of the Sullivan Gulch mineralized zone. At Sullivan Gulch North, drilling to date has outlined a coherent body of mineralization extending vertically from as shallow as 30m below surface to a depth of 375m. The recent fence of drill holes, IDM19-113, IDM19-114, and IDM19-115 (see Table 1) has extended the mineralization a further 150 m down-dip. Several additional fences of holes are currently being drilled to further extend the lateral and vertical extent of this zone of mineralization. Milestone Exploration Results Table 2. Select Drill Results from the Milestone Area Drill Hole Number From (m) To (m) Interval (m) (1) g/t Au g/t Ag g/t AuEq(2) IMS18-010 1.52 109.73 108.20 0.26 23.95 0.55 IMS18-011 1.52 30.48 28.96 0.25 25.05 0.55 IMS18-013 38.10 109.73 71.63 0.29 15.70 0.48 IMS18-014 13.72 Incl. 27.43 89.92 59.43 76.20 32.00 0.73 1.15 14.19 13.37 0.89 1.31 (1) Downhole thickness; true width varies depending on drill hole dip; most drill holes are aimed at intersecting the vein structures close to perpendicular therefore true widths are close to downhole widths (approximately 85% conversion ratio) (2) Gold equivalent = g Au/t + (g Ag/t 85) To view a plan map displaying the latest drill results at Milestone, please click the following link: https://www.integraresources.com/site/assets/files/2572/milestone_planner_check.pdf To view a cross section displaying the latest drill results from Milestone, please click the following link: https://www.integraresources.com/site/assets/files/2572/milestone_xn_check.pdf The Milestone area, largely regarded as a satellite extension to the northwest of the main DeLamar Deposit, was targeted late in the 2018 exploration program. The Milestone drill program was designed to test for shallow extensions of oxide and transitional mineralization in step-out drilling. The limited number of drill holes completed all successfully encountered gold and silver mineralization, in some cases over significant widths in excess of 80 m and with grades well above the current inferred resource cut-off grade of 0.3 g/t AuEq. All intercepts reported in the above table are hosted within oxide and transitional gold-silver mineralization and are all situated within 100 m vertical or less from the surface. The lateral extents of Milestone are currently unknown and, given these results, merit further drilling. Gold and silver at Milestone are hosted within low sulphidation epithermal style mineralization, similar to other zones within the DeLamar Deposit. As described in the Companys 2018 NI 43-101 report, Milestone is characterized as having a shallow, hot-spring geological setting situated about 1 km northwest and along the strike of the Glen Silver zone, located on the northwestern end of DeLamar. The gold and silver mineralization at Milestone lies at the base of a basalt-rhyolite contact in hydrothermal eruption-breccia with clasts of porphyritic rhyolite within a large zone of cherty silicification. The zone is capped at the surface by sinter, with mineralization defined to a depth of only 100 m. The area is also characterized by a pronounced gold and silver soil geochemical signature, the limits and extent of which has not yet been tested by drilling. Glen Silver Metallurgical Drilling A series of diamond drill holes has been planned for the Glen Silver area of the DeLamar Deposit, all of which are designed to collect sample material in the oxide and transitional zone for metallurgical test-work purposes. Drill hole IDM19-131 was designed as a step-out roughly 50 m beyond the boundary of the current inferred resource, where it intersected a wide zone of near-surface oxide and transitional gold and silver mineralization. As highlighted in Table 3 below, the intercept obtained was better than expected in terms of both grade and thickness. Table 3. Select Drill Results from the Glen Silver Area Drill Hole Number Zone From (m) To (m) Interval (m) (1) g/t Au g/t Ag g/t AuEq(2) IDM19-131 Glen Silver 20.73 Incl. 70.10 Incl. 108.81 151.18 73.46 109.42 130.46 3.35 0.61 0.75 3.13 4.03 31.18 203.91 607.83 1.11 5.53 11.18 (1) Downhole thickness; true width varies depending on drill hole dip; most drill holes are aimed at intersecting the vein structures close to perpendicular therefore true widths are close to downhole widths (approximately 85% conversion ratio) (2) Gold equivalent = g Au/t + (g Ag/t 85) To view a plan map displaying the latest drill results at Glen Silver, please click the following link: https://www.integraresources.com/site/assets/files/2572/sullivan_gulch_-_g-silv_-_check.pdf A further 4 diamond drill holes designed to collect further metallurgical sample material are planned for Glen Silver oxide and transitional mineralization and are expected to be completed in the coming weeks. Exploration Plan and PEA Study Update Upon completion of the metallurgical drilling at DeLamar, the diamond drill rig is scheduled to mobilize to the Florida Mountain Deposit, situated 5 km to the east. A minimum of 8,000 m of diamond drilling is scheduled to be conducted at Florida Mountain over the spring and summer months. The focus on this drilling will primarily be to explore for shallow oxide and transitional extensions of gold-silver mineralization. As outlined in the press release dated April 8, 2019 ( https://www.integraresources.com/site/assets/files/2616/19-04-08-integra-reports-on-metallurgical-test-work-dwed.pdf ), preliminary Florida Mountain metallurgical test-work results have indicated that oxide and transitional mineralization from Florida Mountain is generating very strong recoveries in trial bottle-roll and column leach test-work. Metallurgical test-work is currently on-going from samples collected from the DeLamar and Florida Mountain Deposits. The focus of this current test-work is to demonstrate amenability of both Deposits to a combination of both heap leaching and milling in the future PEA study. A resource estimate update, in support of the PEA study, is expected to be completed in June 2019 while the PEA study remains on-track for completion in September 2019. Sampling and QA/QC Procedure Thorough QA/QC protocols are followed on the Project, including insertion of duplicate, blank and standard samples in the assay stream for all drill holes. The samples are submitted directly to American Assay Labs in Reno, Nevada for preparation and analysis. Analysis of gold is performed using fire assay method with atomic absorption (AA) finish on a 1 assay ton aliquot. Gold results over 5 g/t are re-run using a gravimetric finish. Silver analysis is performed using ICP for results up to 100 g/t on a 5 acid digestion, with a fire assay, gravimetric finish for results over 100 g/t silver. Qualified Person The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by E. Max Baker PhD. (FAusIMM), Integras Vice President Exploration, of Reno, Nevada, a "qualified person" within the meaning of National Instrument 43- 101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. and is a Qualified Person (QP) as defined in National Instrument 43- 101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. About Integra Resources Integra Resources Corp. is a development-stage company engaged in the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral properties in the Americas. The primary focus of the Company is advancement of its DeLamar Project, consisting of the neighbouring DeLamar and Florida Mountain Gold and Silver Deposits in the heart of the historic Owyhee County mining district in south western Idaho. The first exploration program in over 25 years began on the DeLamar Project in 2018, with more than 23,000 meters drilled. The management team comprises the former executive team from Integra Gold Corp. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS George Salamis President, CEO, and Director CONTACT INFORMATION Corporate Inquiries: Chris Gordon, chris@integraresources.com Company website: www.integraresources.com Office phone: 1 (604) 416-0576 Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking information which may include, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the activities, events or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future. Forward-looking information in this news release includes statements regarding the use of proceeds from the Offering. Such forward-looking information is often, but not always, identified by the use of words and phrases such as plans, expects, is expected, budget, scheduled, estimates, forecasts, intends, anticipates, or believes or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, might or will be taken, occur or be achieved. These forward-looking statements, and any assumptions upon which they are based, are made in good faith and reflect our current judgment regarding the direction of our business. Management believes that these assumptions are reasonable. 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, among others, risks related to the speculative nature of the Companys business, the Companys formative stage of development and the Companys financial position. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this news release and the Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results, except as may be required by applicable securities laws. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. 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. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 07, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Endeavour Silver Corp. (NYSE: EXK) (TSX: EDR) announces the publication of its 2018 Annual Review and Sustainability Report entitled Lasting Commitment. This marks the seventh consecutive year the Company has reported on its sustainability initiatives, including the last six under the GRI Standards for sustainability reporting. Endeavours 2018 Annual Review and Sustainability Report is available at https://csr.edrsilver.com or the full report can be downloaded here. A condensed summary is available here and the Spanish versions will be available by month-end on the company website. All dollar amounts presented below are in U.S. dollars. 2018 Sustainability Highlights Safety and Health 16.6% reduction in the reportable injury frequency rate (employees and contractors) 76% of all training activities involved safety education, highlighting its importance Guanacevi achieved 1 million hours without a lost time accident Our People Provided an average of 54 hours of training for each employee Achieved 8% reduction in employee turnover Supported a record 60 employees in obtaining skills certification awarded by the Ministry of Labor Received the Merit in Mining Education award in Mexico for our employee learning and development efforts Community Invested $400,000 in corporate charitable donations, focused on education, employment, health, infrastructure, and cultural events in Mexico and Canada Supported 77 Mexican students with scholarships to further their education Hosted job skills workshops for 109 community members to expand their capacities Carried out a social impact assessment for the Terronera Project, to better understand and address community needs Environment Achieved 12% reduction in hazardous waste across all sites Planted 53,000 trees in reforestation projects to reclaim disturbed ground Recycled over 93% of water used Invested $1.7 million in environmental protection programs across all sites Economic Value 99% of our workforce is Mexican, spent $42 million in employee wages and benefits. Spent $181.1 million on goods and services, 97% of total procurement is from within Mexico. Paid $10.2 million in taxes Endeavour CEO Bradford Cooke commented: Sustainability for Endeavour Silver is not a bolt-on to our business strategy, it is core to the way we do business, and that is what makes us different. We work hard to ensure that our management and employees understand our approach to sustainability so that it is embedded in our decision-making processes. Doing so helps us gain local trust and confidence, leaves a positive legacy, and enhances our ability to grow. During 2018, Endeavour Silver was recognized as one of the top companies in Canada for corporate citizenship by financial media company Corporate Knights and was named one of the 'Top 40 Responsible Corporate Leaders.' This award recognizes medium sized businesses who are stepping up to the sustainability challenges of today, which is driven by our employees who are committed to strengthening local communities while protecting the environment today and for future generations. In addition, we received the Empresa Socialmente Responsible (Socially Responsible Company) distinction from the Mexican Centre of Philanthropy in Mexico for our operating units in Guanacevi, Bolanitos and Cubo. The theme of our 2018 report is 'Lasting Commitment,' reflecting our commitment to the communities in which we operate and affect and serving as a reminder that creating value is a continuous focus for us. Safeguarding worker safety, protecting the environment, supporting the well-being of local communities and constantly trying to improve and expand our business, these are some of our key commitments that lead to success. Updated Technical Report for the Terronera Project Endeavour has filed an updated Technical Report on the Terronera Project with Mineral Resource and Reserve Estimates. The Mineral Resources for the two deposits (Terronera and La Luz) are presented in the first two tables and the Mineral Reserves are presented in the third table below. Terronera Mineral Resource Estimate Classification Tonnes (kt) Ag (g/t) Contained Ag (koz) Au (g/t) Contained Au (koz) Indicated 5,275 227.2 38,537 2.35 398 Inferred 1,022 212.2 6,970 1.70 56 1. Mineral Resources which are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. The estimate of Mineral Resources may be materially affected by environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-political, marketing, or other relevant issues. 2. The Inferred Mineral Resource in this estimate has a lower level of confidence than that applied to an Indicated Mineral Resource and must not be converted to a Mineral Reserve. It is reasonably expected that the majority of the Inferred Mineral Resource could be upgraded to an Indicated Mineral Resource with continued exploration. 3. The Mineral Resources in this Updated Technical Report were estimated using the CIM Definition Standards for Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves. 4. The cut-off grade is 150 Ag Eq g/t 5. Historical mined areas were depleted from the Terronera Vein wireframe and Mineral Resource model. 6. Mineral Resources are inclusive of Mineral Reserves. La Luz Mineral Resource Estimate Classification Tonnes (kt) Ag (g/t) Contained Ag (koz) Au (g/t) Contained Au (koz) Indicated 126 192 779 13.60 55 Inferred 58 145 269 12.15 23 1. Mineral Resources which are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. The estimate of Mineral Resources may be materially affected by environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-political, marketing, or other relevant issues. 2. The Inferred Mineral Resource in this estimate has a lower level of confidence than that applied to an Indicated Mineral Resource and must not be converted to a Mineral Reserve. It is reasonably expected that the majority of the Inferred Mineral Resource could be upgraded to an Indicated Mineral Resource with continued exploration. 3. The Mineral Resources in this Updated Technical Report were estimated using the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM), CIM Standards on Mineral Resources and Reserves, Definitions and Guidelines prepared by the CIM Standing Committee on Reserve Definitions and adopted by the CIM Council. 4. The cut-off grade is 150 Ag Eq g/t 5. Mineral Resources are inclusive of Mineral Reserves. Terronera and La Luz Probable Mineral Reserve Deposit Tonnes (kt) Ag (g/t) Contained Ag (koz) Au (g/t) Contained Au (koz) Terronera 5,445 210 36,719 2.10 367 La Luz 142 182 721 11.84 52 Combined 5,587 208 37,440 2.33 419 1.The Mineral Reserve in this Updated Technical Report was estimated using the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM), CIM Standards on Mineral Resources and Reserves, Definitions and Guidelines prepared by the CIM Standing Committee on Reserve Definitions and adopted by the CIM Council. 2. Historical mined areas were depleted from the Terronera Mineral Reserve model. Qualified Person Godfrey Walton, M.Sc., P.Geo., President and COO of Endeavour, is the Qualified Person who reviewed and approved the technical information contained in these Mineral Reserve and Resource Estimates. A Quality Control sampling program of reference standards, blanks and duplicates has been instituted to monitor the integrity of all assay results. All samples are split at the local field office and shipped to ALS-Chemex Labs, where they are dried, crushed, split and 50 gram pulp samples are prepared for analysis. Gold and silver are determined by fire assay with an atomic absorption (AA) finish. The Mineral Reserve Estimate for Terronera in the technical report titled Updated Technical Report for the Terronera Project, Jalisco State, Mexico effective February 12, 2019 and signed April 30, 2019 were undertaken by Independent Qualified Persons Eugene Puritch, P.Eng., FEC, CET, Yungang Wu, P.Geo., David Burga, P.Geo., D. Gregory Robinson, P.Eng., Peter J Smith P. Eng, Eugenio Iasillo P.E., Humberto Preciado P.E., and Benjamin Peacock, P. Eng. The independent Qualified Persons have reviewed and approved the technical content of this press release. About Endeavour Silver Endeavour Silver Corp. is a mid-tier precious metals mining company that owns and operates four high-grade, underground, silver-gold mines in Mexico. Endeavour is currently advancing the Terronera Mine project towards a development decision and exploring its portfolio of exploration and development projects in Mexico and Chile to facilitate its goal to become a premier senior silver producer. Our philosophy of corporate social integrity creates value for all stakeholders. SOURCE Endeavour Silver Corp. Contact Information: Galina Meleger, Director, Investor Relations Toll free: (877) 685-9775 Tel: (604) 640-4804 Fax: (604) 685-9744 Email: gmeleger@edrsilver.com Website: www.edrsilver.com Follow Endeavour Silver on Facebook , Twitter , Instagram and LinkedIn Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States private securities litigation reform act of 1995 and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Such forwardlooking statements and information herein include but are not limited to statements regarding Endeavours reserves and resources and its anticipated performance in 2019, Mineral Resource and Reserve Estimates, and the timing and results of various future activities. The Company does not intend to and does not assume any obligation to update such forward-looking statements or information, other than as required by applicable law. Forward-looking statements or information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Endeavour and its operations to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such statements. Such factors include but are not limited to changes in national and local governments, legislation, taxation, controls, regulations and political or economic developments in Canada and Mexico; operating or technical difficulties in mineral exploration, development and mining activities; the reliability of Mineral Resource and Reserve Estimates risks and hazards of mineral exploration, development and mining; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development, risks in obtaining necessary licenses and permits, and challenges to the Companys title to properties; as well as those factors described in the section risk factors contained in the Companys most recent form 40F/Annual Information Form filed with the S.E.C. and Canadian securities regulatory authorities. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions management believes to be reasonable, including but not limited to the continued operation of the Companys mining operations, no material adverse change in the market price of commodities, the reliability of Mineral Resource and Reserve Estimates, mining operations will operate and the mining products will be completed in accordance with managements expectations and achieve their stated production outcomes, and such other assumptions and factors as set out herein. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or information, there may be other factors that cause results to be materially different from those anticipated, described, estimated, assessed or intended. There can be no assurance that any forward-looking statements or information will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements or information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. BANGOR, MAINE, May 07, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BANGOR, MAINE May 7, 2019 Husson Universitys School of Nursing announced today that they will be holding a pinning ceremony honoring the graduates of their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs. The ceremony will take place on Friday, May 10, 2019 at 1 p.m. at Hussons Newman Gymnasium in Bangor. Fifty-eight Bachelor of Science in Nursing, nine Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-to-BSN) and 20 Master of Science in Nursing graduates will be participating in the pinning ceremony. Lisa Harvey-McPherson, vice president for Government Relations at Northern Light Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems, will be the keynote speaker. Harvey-McPherson will be sharing stories from a 2016 publication, Maine Nursing: Interviews and History on Caring and Competence as part of her address to the graduates. The introduction has an outstanding quote that I want to share with everyone, she said. As I see it, nurses are ordinary people who do extraordinary things. My speech will include stories about heroic Maine nurses. My hope is that my presentation will help inspire this class of graduating nursing students to become the future nursing heroes Maine needs. During the pinning ceremony, undergraduate and graduate nursing students are symbolically welcomed into the nursing profession. They are presented with Husson University/Eastern Maine Medical Center BSN or Husson University MSN nursing pins by a family member. As part of the ceremony, graduate nurses and registered nurses (RNs) receiving a higher degree will be asked to recite a pledge based on an oath originally created by Florence Nightingale, a renowned nurse and the founder of the first professional training school for nurses.1Pinning ceremonies are different from graduation and licensure examinations. At graduation, students are recognized for completing their degree requirements. Passing licensure exams demonstrates that students have met the national requirements to become professional healthcare providers, said Donna Beuk, EdD, MSN, RN, CNE, chair of Husson Universitys School of Nursing. In contrast, a pinning ceremony serves as an acknowledgement by our faculty that a student is ready to fulfill the requirements of being a nurse. Our ceremony marks an important milestone where students are recognized as members of an elite fraternity of men and women dedicated to caring for others, noted Beuk. History of the Pinning Ceremony:The pinning ceremony has been a part of Husson Universitys nursing school tradition since 1986 when the first class of BSN students graduated. This rite of passage can be traced back to the Crusades of the 12th century. During this time, the Knights of the Order of the Hospital of St. John the Baptist tended to injured and infirm Crusaders. When new monks were initiated into the order, they vowed to serve these sick soldiers in a ceremony where each monk was given a Maltese cross, the first badges given to those who nurse.2The modern ceremony dates back to the 1860s, when Florence Nightingale was awarded the Red Cross of St. George in recognition for her tireless service to the injured during the Crimean War. To share the honor, she in turn presented a medal of excellence to her brightest graduates. By 1916, the pinning new graduates was a standard practice throughout the U.S.3The Pledge:As part of the pinning ceremony, Husson nursing students will be asked to make the following pledge, based on one originally crafted by Florence Nightingale: I solemnly pledge myself before God and in the presence of this assembly, to pass my life in purity, and to practice my profession faithfully.I will abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous, and will not take or knowingly administer any harmful drug.I will do all in my power to maintain and elevate the standard of my profession and will hold in confidence all personal matters committed to my keeping and all family affairs coming to my knowledge in the practice of my calling.With loyalty will I endeavor to aid the physician, in his work, and devote myself to the welfare of those committed to my care.About Husson University:For more than 120 years, Husson University has prepared future leaders to handle the challenges of tomorrow through innovative undergraduate and graduate degrees. With a commitment to delivering affordable classroom, online and experiential learning opportunities, Husson University has come to represent superior value in higher education. Our Bangor campus and off-campus satellite education centers in Southern Maine, Wells, and Northern Maine provide advanced knowledge in business; health and education; pharmacy studies; science and humanities; as well as communication. In addition, Husson University has a robust adult learning program. According to a recent tuition and fee analysis by U.S. News & World Report, Husson University is the most affordable private college in New England. For more information about educational opportunities that can lead to personal and professional success, visit Husson.edu.# # # 1 Florence Nightingale Biography, Florence Nightingale Museum, http://www.florence-nightingale.co.uk/resources/biography/?v=7516fd43adaa 2 In the know: The history and importance of the pinning ceremony, HCPro.com , http://www.hcpro.com/NRS-250713-4931/In-the-know-The-history-and-importance-of-the-pinning-ceremony.html 3 Ibid Attachments LIBERTY LAKE, Wash., May 07, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hunt Mining Corp. (the Corporation or Hunt) (TSX VENTURE: HMX OTCQB: HGLD) is pleased to announce that on April 24, 2019 Hunt Minings wholly owned subsidiary Cerro Cazador SA (CCSA) and Fomicruz SE established the schedule to advance the La Josefina and La Valenciana Projects to form an autonomous corporation framework and proceed toward production. Danilo Silva, Country Manager & President of CCSA signed on behalf of the Corporation at meetings held in Rio Gallegos, Santa Cruz province, Argentina. Signing on behalf of Fomicruz S.E., the wholly owned mining company of the Santa Cruz province was Mr. Estaban Tejada, President of Fomicruz. This agreement permits the continuation of metallurgical testing at the Martha Mill on higher grade material; that greater than 6 g/t Au at 1,500 tonnes per structure from Ailin, Sinter and Amanda Cecilia veins at the La Josefina Project. Preliminary testing of the Ailin zone was completed in 2018. Initial work on column heap leach testing on mineralized material below 6 g/t Au has begun, which will be integral to a feasibility study as the testing moves forward. The structure of the agreement is as follows: Consolidate documentation related to the La Josefina and La Valenciana Projects, which will permit both companies to develop the legal framework for the production stage and to treat the two adjacent properties as one project. CCSA/Hunt Mining will follow through with the following: Presentation of the Legal Surveys related with both properties; Feasibility Study and Environmental Impact Report for the Production Stage; Authorization to develop the activities expressed on a) and b); Authorization to develop complementary exportation of mineral concentrates. Additional information on the La Josefina Project and other Santa Cruz, Argentina projects can be viewed on the Company website at: www.huntmining.com . About Hunt Mining Hunt Mining Corp. has continued to develop its properties as an active and aggressive explorer in Santa Cruz since 2006. During that time, Hunt's wholly owned subsidiary, Cerro Cazador S.A., has completed exploration activity including 62,000 meters of HQ core drilling, 416 line kilometers of Induced Polarization geophysical surveys and more than 20,000 surface soil, sediment, channel, chip, and trench samples, beyond the historical work previous to the same properties. Hunt also owns a 100% interest in the Martha Mine, located in the Santa Cruz Province, Argentina. For more information contact: Dean Stuart Investor Relations T: (403) 617-7609 E: dean@boardmarker.net Bob Little Chief Administration Officer T: (509) 290-5659 E: blittle@huntmining.com Neither the TSX Venture nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Martha - Ongoing activity at the Martha Project is being undertaken without established mineral resources or reserves and the Corporation has not established the economic viability of the operations on the Martha Project. As a result, there is increased uncertainty and economic risk of failure associated with these activities. Hunt filed an updated NI 43-101 Technical Report (Technical Report) for the Martha Project, dated October 12, 2018 titled Martha Silver and Gold Project, Santa Cruz, Argentina, which is currently available on SEDAR and on the Corporations website at: Washington, DC, May 07, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, on World Asthma Day, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), a leading patient advocacy organization in the United States representing more than 60 million Americans with asthma or allergies, released its 2019 Asthma Capitals report. The report identifies the 100 most challenging places to live with asthma in the U.S. The top 10 Asthma Capitals for 2019 are: 1. Springfield, MA 2. Dayton, OH 3. Greensboro, NC 4. Philadelphia, PA 5. Cleveland, OH 6. Allentown, PA 7. Louisville, KY 8. Boston, MA 9. Omaha, NE 10. Milwaukee, WI To view the complete list of the top 100 cities, visit www.asthmacapitals.com. Cities are ranked based on asthma-related health outcomes: prevalence, emergency room visits and mortality. The report also looks at risk factors that contribute to these outcomes, including poverty, air quality, access to specialists, pollen counts, medicine use, tobacco policies and the rate of uninsured residents. The 2019 Asthma Capitals report is an independent research project of AAFA made possible by Sanofi Genzyme and Regeneron. AAFA President and CEO, Kenneth Mendez, states We publish the Asthma Capitals to help those who live in these cities recognize, prevent and manage asthma symptoms. The research helps highlight how communities can make improvements to better serve their residents with asthma. By using this information, communities can see where they can direct their focus to make improvements and reduce the impact of asthma. Eye on Springfield Last years asthma capital, Springfield, Massachusetts, is again the most challenging place in the U.S. to live with asthma. It ranked #1 for its high asthma prevalence and high number of asthma-related emergency room visits. AAFA met with Senator Eric Lesser of Massachusetts to get his thoughts on the problem: We are in the valley which exacerbates some of the pollution dynamics. And we have an industrial heritage here in Springfield. When those companies left, Springfield not only lost jobs. It was also left with a major environmental legacy, Senator Lesser stated. There is hope for improvement though. When asked what is being done to help his constituents with asthma, Senator Lesser shared examples of providing better public transit and rail service to take more cars off the road promoting electric vehicles through rebates creating incentives for energy efficient homes to rely less on power plants Senator Lesser believes we need to do more to raise public consciousness about asthma. You have to take on the socio-economic issues. You have to take on the environmental issues. And you have to take on the issues like pollution that require a major mobilization to get done. About the Research The Asthma Capitals ranking is an annual research and educational project of AAFA, designed to help patients recognize, prevent and manage asthma symptoms. Through this ranking, AAFA raises awareness about the impact of asthma and highlights how communities can make improvements to better serve their residents and visitors with asthma. The ranking is based on asthma prevalence, emergency room visits and mortality rates. The report also looks at risk factors, including poverty, air quality and access to specialists. Visit www.asthmacapitals.com to see the full list of 100 cities, methodology and learn more about asthma management. About AAFA Founded in 1953, AAFA is the oldest and largest non-profit patient organization dedicated to saving lives and reducing the burden of disease for people with asthma, allergies and related conditions through research, education, advocacy and support. AAFA provides practical information and community-based services through its digital communities and national network of local chapters and educational support groups. Through its Kids With Food Allergies division, AAFA offers the most extensive online support community for families raising children with food allergies. AAFA also helps consumers identify products suitable for those with asthma and allergies through the asthma & allergy friendly Certification Program. For more information, visit www.aafa.org. ### Attachment LAS VEGAS, May 07, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CV Sciences, Inc. (OTCQB:CVSI) (the Company, CV Sciences, our, us or we) a preeminent supplier and manufacturer of hemp CBD products through its industry-dominating brand, PlusCBD Oil today announced that that Joseph Dowling, the Company's Chief Executive Officer, and Joerg Grasser, Chief Financial Officer, will participate in two upcoming conferences in New York, NY. These include the 2019 Canaccord Cannabis Conference, to be held May 14, 2019 and the BMO 14th Annual Farm to Market Conference to be held May 15-16, 2019. At the 2019 Canaccord Cannabis Conference, Mr. Dowling and Mr. Grasser will meet with investors and participate in a formal presentation at 10:00am ET on Tuesday, May 14, 2019. The webcast of their presentation will be available on the Investors News and Events section of the Company's website at https://ir.cvsciences.com/news-events and directly at http://wsw.com/webcast/canaccord34/cvsi/ . The webcast will be archived for approximately 30 days. At the BMO 14th Annual Farm to Market Conference, Mr. Dowling and Mr. Grasser will meet with investors and participate in a formal presentation on May 16, 2019. The slide presentation to be referenced at both conferences will also be available on the Investors News and Events section of the Company's website at https://ir.cvsciences.com/news-events . About CV Sciences, Inc. CV Sciences, Inc. (OTCQB:CVSI) operates two distinct business segments: a consumer product division focused on manufacturing, marketing and selling plant-based CBD products to a range of market sectors; and a drug development division focused on developing and commercializing novel therapeutics utilizing CBD. The Companys PlusCBD Oil is the top-selling brand of hemp-derived CBD on the market, according to SPINS, the leading provider of syndicated data and insights for the natural, organic and specialty products industry. CV Sciences, Inc. has primary offices and facilities in San Diego, California and Las Vegas, Nevada. Additional information is available from OTCMarkets.com or by visiting www.cvsciences.com . FORWARD-LOOKING DISCLAIMER This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements and information, as defined within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and is subject to the Safe Harbor created by those sections. This material contains statements about expected future events and/or financial results that are forward-looking in nature and subject to risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements by definition involve risks, uncertainties. CONTACT INFORMATION: Investor Contact: ICR Scott Van Winkle 617-956-6736 scott.vanwinkle@icrinc.com Media Contact: ICR Cory Ziskind 646-277-1232 cory.ziskind@icrinc.com 7 May 2019, 14:45 CET - The Annual General Meeting of shareholders of ArcelorMittal held today in Luxembourg approved all resolutions by a strong majority. 69.77% of the voting rights were represented at the general meeting. The results of the votes will be posted shortly on www.arcelormittal.com under "Investors > Equity Investors > Shareholders meetings > Annual General Meeting of shareholders, 7 May 2019" where the full documentation regarding the general meeting is available. The shareholders re-elected Mrs. Vanisha Mittal Bhatia, Mrs. Suzanne Nimocks, Mr.Jeannot Krecke and Mr. Karel De Gucht as directors of ArcelorMittal for a term of three years each. ENDS About ArcelorMittal ArcelorMittal is the world's leading steel and mining company, with a presence in 60 countries and an industrial footprint in 19 countries. Guided by a philosophy to produce safe, sustainable steel, we are the leading supplier of quality steel in the major global steel markets including automotive, construction, household appliances and packaging, with world-class research and development and outstanding distribution networks. Through our core values of sustainability, quality and leadership, we operate responsibly with respect to the health, safety and wellbeing of our employees, contractors and the communities in which we operate. For us, steel is the fabric of life, as it is at the heart of the modern world from railways to cars and washing machines. We are actively researching and producing steel-based technologies and solutions that make many of the products and components people use in their everyday lives more energy efficient. We are one of the worlds five largest producers of iron ore and metallurgical coal. With a geographically diversified portfolio of iron ore and coal assets, we are strategically positioned to serve our network of steel plants and the external global market. While our steel operations are important customers, our supply to the external market is increasing as we grow. In 2018, ArcelorMittal had revenues of $76.0 billion and crude steel production of 92.5 million metric tonnes, while own iron ore production reached 58.5 million metric tonnes. ArcelorMittal is listed on the stock exchanges of New York (MT), Amsterdam (MT), Paris (MT), Luxembourg (MT) and on the Spanish stock exchanges of Barcelona, Bilbao, Madrid and Valencia (MTS). For more information about ArcelorMittal please visit: http://corporate.arcelormittal.com/ OTTAWA, Ontario, May 07, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Food Processing Skills Canada (FPSC), a non-profit organization focused on propelling the Canadian food and beverage processing industry through education and training, celebrates their 10th Annual Speaking Food Conference at the end of May, 2019. Being held in Toronto at the Bram & Bluma Appel Salon on May 24th, this conference is aptly themed, The Next Ten, and focuses on the changes coming to the food and beverage processing/manufacturing industry and how far the industry has come. We are excited to be in our tenth year of operations to support the development of the industry through upskilling and education, said Jennefer Griffith, Executive Director of FPSC. In honour of our tenth year, the conference will host a Toast to Ten Years award luncheon. FPSC will recognize the companies and individuals who continue to participate in developing one of the most skilled labour forces in the world, during an ongoing skilled worker shortage. In order to meet the increasing high export demand of food globally, Canada needs the skilled individuals to make that happen, said Griffith. The food and beverage industry is the largest manufacturing sector in Canada and critical to the Canadian economy, which is why having enough skilled workers is crucial. For reference, in 2016, Canadian food and beverage manufacturing shipments were worth $112.4 billion and accounted for approximately 18% of total Canadian manufacturing. The industry includes over 10,000 companies located in every province and territory in Canada. Attendees to the 10th Annual Speaking Food Conference will not only gain insight on where the industry is headed, but will also spend the day connecting with industry leaders while learning how to apply new tactics in their business through a variety of presentations -- including an interactive demonstration. If you are part of the food and beverage industry in North America, this is an invaluable experience, said Griffith. If you are interested in learning more, please call: (613) 237-7988 or visit www.speakingfood.ca. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION INTO THE UNITED STATES OR TO UNITED STATES WIRE SERVICES EDMONTON, Alberta, May 07, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Capital Power Corporation (Capital Power) (TSX:CPX) announced today that it will issue 6,000,000 Cumulative Minimum Rate Reset Preference Shares, Series 11 (the Series 11 Shares) at a price of $25.00 per Series 11 Share (the Offering) for aggregate gross proceeds of $150 million on a bought deal basis with a syndicate of underwriters, co-led by TD Securities Inc. and RBC Capital Markets. In addition, Capital Power has granted the underwriters an option, exercisable in whole or in part anytime up to two business days prior to closing, to purchase up to an additional 2,000,000 Series 11 Shares on the same terms, for additional gross proceeds of up to $50 million. The Series 11 Shares will pay fixed cumulative dividends of $1.4375 per share per annum, yielding 5.75% per annum, payable on the last business day of March, June, September and December of each year, as and when declared by the board of directors of Capital Power, for the initial period ending June 30, 2024. Assuming an issue date of May 16, 2019, the first quarterly dividend of $0.1772 per share is expected to be paid on June 30, 2019 (with actual payment to be made on June 28, 2019, being the last business day of June 2019). The dividend rate will be reset on June 30, 2024 and every five years thereafter at a rate equal to the sum of the then five-year Government of Canada bond yield and 4.15%, provided that, in any event, such rate shall not be less than 5.75%. The Series 11 Shares are redeemable by Capital Power, at its option, on June 30, 2024 and on June 30 of every fifth year thereafter. Holders of Series 11 Shares will have the right to convert all or any part of their shares into Cumulative Floating Rate Preference Shares, Series 12 (the Series 12 Shares), subject to certain conditions, on June 30, 2024 and every five years thereafter. Holders of Series 12 Shares will be entitled to receive a cumulative quarterly floating dividend at a rate equal to the sum of the then 90-day Government of Canada Treasury Bill yield plus 4.15%, as and when declared by the Board of Directors of Capital Power. Net proceeds of the offering will be used to repay indebtedness under Capital Power's credit facilities which will then be available to be redrawn to partially fund the acquisition of Goreway Power Station Holdings Inc. that was previously announced on April 29, 2019 and for general corporate purposes. S&P Global Ratings has assigned a provisional rating of P-3 for the Series 11 Shares and DBRS Limited has assigned a preliminary rating of Pfd-3 (low) for the Series 11 Shares. The Series 11 Shares will be issued pursuant to a prospectus supplement to Capital Powers short form base shelf prospectus dated May 11, 2018. The prospectus supplement will be filed with securities regulatory authorities in all provinces and territories in Canada. The Offering is subject to receipt of all necessary regulatory and stock exchange approvals. Neither the Series 11 Shares nor the Series 12 Shares have been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and neither may be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any security, and shall not constitute an offer, solicitation or sale of the securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. Forward-looking Information Certain information in this news release is forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws as it relates to anticipated events or strategies. When used in this context, words such as "anticipate", "believe", "continue", "estimate", "plan", "intend", "expect", "target" and "will" or similar words suggest future outcomes. Specific forward-looking information in this press release includes expectations regarding: (i) the timing to close the Offering, (ii) the anticipated first quarterly dividend payment, (iii) the exercise of the underwriters option, and (iv) the receipt of all regulatory and stock exchange approvals. By their nature, such statements are subject to significant risks, assumptions and uncertainties, which include, but are not limited to, regulatory and government decisions, economic conditions, and availability and cost of financing. Forward-looking information or statements included in this news release are provided to inform Capital Power's shareholders and potential investors about management's assessment of Capital Power's future plans and operations. This information may not be appropriate for other purposes. All forward-looking information or statements reflect Capital Power s assumptions and analyses made by Capital Power in light of its experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, and other factors it believes are appropriate. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on this forward-looking information. Capital Power does not undertake or accept any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in Capital Power's expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based, except as required by law. For additional information on the assumptions made, and the risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ from the anticipated results, refer to Capital Powers Managements Discussion and Analysis dated April 26, 2019 and filed April 29, 2019 under Capital Power's profile on SEDAR and other reports filed by Capital Power with Canadian securities regulators. About Capital Power Capital Power (TSX: CPX) is a growth-oriented North American power producer headquartered in Edmonton, Alberta. The company develops, acquires, owns, and operates power generation facilities using a variety of energy sources. Capital Power owns approximately 5,100 megawatts (MW) of power generation capacity at 25 facilities across North America. Approximately 900 MW of owned generation capacity is in advanced development in Alberta and Illinois. For more information, please contact : Media Relations: Investor Relations: Katherine Perron Randy Mah (780) 392-5335 (780) 392-5305 or (866) 896-4636 (toll-free) kperron@capitalpower.com investor@capitalpower.com 3rd Annual Institutional Capital & Cannabis Conference May 9-10 JW Marriott Hotel, 900 West Olympic Boulevard, Los Angeles 90015 NORWOOD, MA, May 07, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MariMed Inc. (OTCQB: MRMD) one of the largest multi-state cannabis and hemp operators in the US, announced today that its Chief Information Officer, Dr. Jokubas Ziburkus, will be presenting at the 3rd Institutional Capital & Cannabis Conference held in Los Angeles, CA, May 9-10, 2019. On Thursday, May 9th Dr. Ziburkus will be one of the three experts in a panel discussion at 11:40 AM. The subject of the panel discussion will be Impact Investing: Medical Efficacy and Societal Impact of Legal Cannabis. MariMed CEO Bob Fireman noted, Dr. Ziburkus has long been an innovator and thought leader in research and education on beneficial effects of cannabis compounds for a variety of health conditions. As an entrepreneur, he led the development of the hemp-derived health and wellness line of products Florance, now a premium MariMed Hemp Inc. brand line available in the U.S., Europe, and spreading to other parts of the globe. As the newest member of MariMeds senior management team, we are pleased that he continues to be at the forefront of innovations for MariMed and the broader industry." About MariMed Inc. MariMed, Inc. is dedicated to improving health and wellness with the highest quality hemp and cannabis products. The company offers a full range of cannabis products, operates state of the art cannabis dispensaries in six states, and has recently announced the formation of a separate division, MariMed Hemp, focused on the development of industrial hemp-derived CBD products. In late 2018 the Company announced a $30MM investment in Kentucky-based GenCanna, a recognized genetic innovator in industrial hemp. Across its branded products, MariMed is in the forefront of precision dosed branded products for the treatment of specific medical symptoms. MariMed currently distributes its branded products in select states and is expanding licensing and distribution to numerous additional markets encompassing thousands of dispensaries. For additional information, visit www.MariMedAdvisors.com . Search MariMed and post on social media with the hash tag #MedicatedByMariMed: Twitter: @MariMedInc Facebook: @MariMedInc Instagram: MariMedInc YouTube: MariMedInc Forward Looking Statements: This release contains certain forward-looking statements and information relating to MariMed Inc. that is based on the beliefs of MariMed Inc.s management, as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company. Such statements reflect the current views of the Company with respect to future events including estimates and projections about its business based on certain assumptions of its management, including those described in this Release. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risk and uncertainties that are difficult to predict, including, among other factors, changes in demand for the Company's services and products, changes in the law and its enforcement and changes in the economic environment. Additional risk factors are included in the Company's public filings with the SEC. Should one or more of these underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as "hoped," "anticipated," "believed," "planned, "estimated," "preparing," "potential," "expected," looks or words of a similar nature. The Company does not intend to update these forward-looking statements. None of the content of any of the websites referred to herein (even if a link is provided for your convenience) is incorporated into this release and the Company assumes no responsibility for any of such content. Media: Julie Shepherd, Accentuate PR Julie@accentuatepr.com 847-275-3643 NEW YORK, May 07, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Shepherd, Smith, Edwards & Kantas (SSEK Law Firm) has been investigating claims by investors of GPB Capital for almost a year. That investigation has uncovered very troubling facts about the company. Below is a timeline of events that should give investors in GPB serious concern: April 2018 GPB missed its deadline to file required registration forms with the SEC. GPB missed its deadline to file required registration forms with the SEC. August 2018 GPB announced it needed to overhaul its financial statements for certain funds. GPB announced it needed to overhaul its financial statements for certain funds. September 2018 Massachusettss securities regulator announced an investigation into 64 brokerage firms for selling GPB. Massachusettss securities regulator announced an investigation into 64 brokerage firms for selling GPB. November 2018 GPB revealed that its accountant, Crowe LLP, had suddenly resigned during its audit of GPB. GPB revealed that its accountant, Crowe LLP, had suddenly resigned during its audit of GPB. December 2018 Both the SEC and FINRA launched investigations into GPB. Both the SEC and FINRA launched investigations into GPB. February 2019 The FBI raided GPBs offices with a search warrant and collected information. It has now been more than a year since GPB Capital missed its filing deadline with the SEC and no good news has come for investors since that time and no explanation has been given as to why there is such a large delay. The GPB Funds being investigated include: GPB Holdings GPB Holdings II GPB Holdings III GPB Automobile Portfolio GPB Cold Storage GPB Holdings Qualified GPB Waste Management GPB NYC Development SSEK Law Firm has learned that GPBs automobile dealership strategy has resulted in several lawsuits between GPB and dealerships. One such lawsuit involves GPB suing a former employee, Patrick Dibre, alleging Dibre failed to deliver on several New York area dealerships. In his response to GPBs complaint, Dibre claims the suit against him is a ploy and being used to divert attention away from the fact that the losses occasioned by GPB were in fact caused by a very complicated and manipulative Ponzi scheme. If GPB is, indeed, a Ponzi scheme, it is incredibly important that investors act now to protect themselves. If you invested in any GPB-related funds, please contact SSEK Law Firm today for a free, confidential evaluation of your investments and legal options. We have a team of attorneys, consultants, and staff with over 100 years of combined experience in the securities industry and in securities law that are ready to assist you in recovering your investment losses. 800-259-9010 English French BROSSARD, Quebec, May 07, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DIAGNOS Inc. (DIAGNOS, the Corporation or we) (TSX Venture: ADK) (OTCQB: DGNOF), a leader in early detection of critical health issues through the use of its FLAIRE platform based on Artificial Intelligence (AI), announces today that it has started the marketing authorization filing process with the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) for its CARA proprietary tool comprised of a telemedicine platform combined with automated detection algorithms based on Artificial Intelligence. The telemedicine platform as well as the associated algorithms will be part of the submission to the SFDA for approval. DIAGNOS has been present in the Middle East for many years and is fully committed to the region. We have demonstrated to the local administration that our AI solution can help save lives. After a lengthy successful pilot in Saudi Arabia with the local authorities, through our local partner, it is now time to move forward with the formal acceptance of the CARA Platform by the government. Our local partner has played a very strategic role in the development of the potential business in Saudi Arabia and the gulf region, said Andre Larente, CEO of DIAGNOS. About DIAGNOS DIAGNOS is a publicly-traded Canadian corporation with a mission of early detection of critical health issues through the use of its Artificial Intelligence (AI) tool CARA (Computer Assisted Retina Analysis). CARA is a tele-ophthalmology platform that integrates with existing equipment (hardware and software) and processes at the point of care. CARAs Artificial Intelligence image enhancement algorithms make standard retinal images sharper, clearer and easier to read. CARA is accessible securely over the internet, and is compatible with all recognized image formats and brands of fundus cameras, and is EMR compatible. CARA is a cost-effective tool for screening large numbers of patients in real-time and has been cleared for commercialization by several regulatory authorities such as Health Canada, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Union. Additional information is available at www.diagnos.com and www.sedar.com For further information about this press release, please contact: Mr. Andre Larente, President DIAGNOS Inc. Tel: 450-678-8882 ext. 224 alarente@diagnos.ca This news release contains forward-looking information. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in these statements. DIAGNOS disclaims any intention or obligation to publically update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. 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. We hereby invite you to participate at the presentation of the Adevinta ASA Q1 2019 report on 14 May 2019. Quarterly Earnings Release Time: 14 May 2019 at 07.00 CET Interim report, presentation materials, and spreadsheet with key figures and analytical information will be made available on the investor relations pages at https://www.adevinta.com/ir/ . Results Presentation Time: 14 May 2019 at 09.00 CET Location: Schibsted's premises in Akersgata 55, Oslo, Norway. The presentation will be webcasted live at https://www.adevinta.com/ir/ . It will be presented in English. Participants can send in written questions through the webcast player. CEO Rolv Erik Ryssdal and CFO Uvashni Raman will present. A recording of the presentation will be available on our web site shortly after the live webcast has ended. Conference call for investors and analysts - Q&A session Time: 14 May 2019 at 14.00 CET Questions relating to the results will be answered in a conference call. The session will be held in English. NOTE: To avoid waiting time when connecting to the call, please use the below link 5-10 minutes prior to start time, where you will be asked to type in your phone number and registration details. The Event Conferencing system will automatically call you back on the phone number you provide and place you into the event. Please note that the link will become active 15 minutes prior to the event: Link to join call: https://bit.ly/2YhgvKJ For manual dial-in, use the following number (note that this connection might take more time): +47 2350 0187. Passcode: 627676. For additional phone number, please visit https://www.adevinta.com/ir/ . A recording of the conference call will be made available at https://www.adevinta.com/ir/ . Oslo, 7 May 2019, ADEVINTA ASA ATLANTA, May 07, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- May is National Travel Agent Appreciation Month and Vacation Express is celebrating with travel agents across the country with group trips, surprises gifts and more. Its wonderful to be able to take the entire month of May to show appreciation to travel agents, who are the backbone of our industry. The truth is, every day we should recognize these agents for the work they do. We strive to provide agents with year-round benefits that they cant get anywhere else. It is just one of the ways we say thanks for all you do, but here at Vacation Express we couldnt pass up the opportunity to do even more for these agents, said Kevin Hernandez, Vice President of Sales & Digital Strategy at Vacation Express. This month, Vacation Express honors travel agents from around the country and supports the work they do by taking 100+ agents on three to six-night trips to experience popular destinations such as Punta Cana, Dominican Republic and the growing area of Costa Mujeres just north of Cancun. In addition, the President of Vacation Express, Rene Jongmans, is hosting over 150 travel agents at the brand-new Royalton Suites Cancun Resort & Spa for a four-night retreat as a thank you for all their hard work. Agents will also be randomly selected throughout the month to receive surprises such as gift baskets from Dean & DeLuca. In addition, Vacation Express offers extensive agent benefits including Book 5, Fly Free to earn free seats on charter flights, Freebies to earn free hotel nights, the ability to earn extra money through a cash rewards program and two loyalty programs, Pepe Club and Presidents Club, with exclusive benefits for agents who book 85+ travelers in a calendar year and agencies that book 150+ travelers in a calendar year. Travel agents may purchase roundtrip airfare, resort accommodations or vacation packages with air and all-inclusive resort accommodations through the travel agent portal at PRO.VACATIONEXPRESS.com or by calling 1-800-486-9777. About Vacation Express: Based in Atlanta, Vacation Express, part of Sunwing Travel Group, is a tour operator specializing in quality, affordable vacation packages to over 30 destinations in the Caribbean, Mexico and Costa Rica. Now in business for 30 years, Vacation Express is one of the countrys largest and most trusted tour operators. Travelers looking for the most affordable, all-inclusive vacations may book Vacation Express exclusive, non-stop packages through their travel agent, directly by phone seven days a week at 1-800-309-4717 or online at VACATIONEXPRESS.com. Exclusive charter flights are operated by Sunwing Airlines, Allegiant Air, Swift Air, LLC., VivaAerobus, Miami Air International and Volaris. See Operator/Participant Agreement for details. Additional Notes: Small service fee of $10 applies when booking through Vacation Express Call Center. For full terms and conditions, hotel and description of all services, please refer to the Vacation Express 2018 Brochure, www.vacationexpress.com or call 1.800.309.4717. Vacation Express now accepts debit cards that offer the same consumer protection as credit cards. See Operator/Participant Agreement for details. Public charter flights are operated by Sunwing Airlines, Allegiant Air, Swift Air, LLC., VivaAerobus, Miami Air International and Volaris. All flights subject to DOT approval. Packages are limited and subject to change without prior notice. Airfares are per person, reflect lowest available airfare at time of printing, are subject to change and based upon availability of class of service. Not responsible for errors or omissions. Registered Florida Seller of Travel no. St 38441. State of California Seller of Travel Certificate of Registration #2107538-40. Facebook: www.facebook.com/vacationexpress Twitter: www.twitter.com/vacationexpress Instagram: www.instagram.com/vacationexpress Pamela Caltabiano | Public Relations Manager pcaltabiano@vacationexpress.com | 800.309.4717 x3098 TITUSVILLE, Fla., May 07, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Apple Rush Company, Inc. (OTC PINK: APRU) (the company) announces the resignation of our lead sales rep and corporate wholesale trainer, Ronnda Shields. Ronnda tendered her resignation as of Friday May 3rd. "With great consternation, and the utmost respect for her unyielding service to our brand, I accepted her resignation," said Tony Torgerud, CEO of Apple Rush Company, Inc. "We at Apple Rush would like to extend our heartfelt appreciation and gratitude for the work that she has done for our growing company. While this event is unfortunate, we respect Ronnda and her decision to follow a different venture at this time. We wish her the best in her future endeavors, and again thank her for her tremendous service to the Apple Rush brand." We have spent the last several weeks working on the expansion of our retail promotion initiatives with the addition of teams in North Florida from Jacksonville to Tallahassee, North Dakota, and Missouri. This expansion has been planned for some time. We will be adding additional teams in markets across Florida and other markets in the coming weeks. We also were contacted last week and participated in an unpaid interview by Walls Street Analyzer. This interview in its entirety is hosted on the front page of their website for the next couple days. It can be found at https://wallstreetanalyzer.com/2019/05/06/apple-rush-company-inc-otc-apru-interview-with-ceo-tony-torgerud/ . We are also finalizing an agreement with AAG-Live and Rock Harbor Radio to participate in their national radio program. We will update via a formal announcement with the scope of the agreement. You will also see us participating in events at stadiums and other live events across the country, which will be updated through our social media. In keeping with the promotional message, Apple Rush is also excited about the work being done on a couple public school districts and private schools for our 8oz can program for the 2019 2020 school year. This product has been well received by the districts and we will update shareholders as we complete programs. About APRU, LLC : About The Apple Rush Co., Inc. The Apple Rush Company, Inc., through its subsidiary APRU, LLC, is a distributor of cpg products under the trademarked Apple Rush brand and other labels. The Apple Rush brand has more than 40 years of existence in the natural beverage industry. As a historical leader in the organic and natural beverage sector our goal is to also become the leader in the distribution of anhydrous hemp oil products nationwide. For more information, please go to www.applerush.com. About APRU, LLC: APRU, LLC focuses on the development and sales of all natural Apple Rush sparkling juices, and research and development, of premium hemp extracts that contain a broad range of cannabinoids and natural hemp derivatives and other active ingredients such as our exclusive agathos active, kratom, kava, blue lotus, and ginseng. www.aprullc.com or on Twitter @RealAPRU_News. Safe Harbor Act: Forward-Looking Statements are included within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements regarding our expected future financial position, results of operations, cash flows, financing plans, business strategy, products and services, competitive positions, growth opportunities, plans and objectives of management for future operations, including words such as "anticipate," "if," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "could," "should," "will," and similar expressions are forward-looking statements and involve risks, uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control, which may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from anticipated results, performance, or achievements. We are under no obligation to (and expressly disclaim any such obligation to) update or alter forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Investor relations Contact: Tony Torgerud 888-741-3777 x 2 Orlando, Fla., May 07, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CNL Healthcare Properties II, a non-traded real estate investment trust (REIT) focused on seniors housing and healthcare properties, has sold the Mid-America Surgery Center in Overland Park, Kansas, to Overland Park MOB, LLC, an affiliate of HCP Medical Office Buildings, LLC, for $15.4 million. CNL Healthcare Properties II purchased the facility in 2017 for $14 million. After the paying of customary closing costs, various credits and pro-rations and the satisfaction of the mortgage debt secured by the property, the sale of Mid-America Surgery Center is expected to generate net sales proceeds of approximately $9.5 million. The board of directors of CNL Healthcare Properties II unanimously decided to use the proceeds to pay down other secured debt. The sale of the Mid-America Surgery Center is a significant first step as we pursue strategic alternatives, said Stephen H. Mauldin, president and CEO of CNL Healthcare Properties II. The use of the proceeds to pay down debt will further bolster our balance sheet and meaningfully reduce debt interest expenses, while we drive value in our seniors housing investments and remain focused on maximizing prospects for shareholder value. About CNL Healthcare Properties II CNL Healthcare Properties II elected to be taxed as a real estate investment trust (REIT) for U.S. federal income tax purposes beginning with the year ending Dec. 31, 2017, and its intention is to be organized and operate in a manner that allows it to remain qualified as a REIT for federal income tax purposes. Based in Orlando, Florida, CNL Healthcare Properties II invested in the seniors housing and medical office sectors. For more information, visit cnlhealthcarepropertiesii.com . About CNL Financial Group CNL Financial Group (CNL) is a private investment management firm providing real estate and alternative investments. Since inception in 1973, CNL and/or its affiliates have formed or acquired companies with more than $34 billion in assets. CNL is headquartered in Orlando, Florida. For more information, visit cnl.com . Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Statements above that are not statements of historical or current fact may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Federal Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. CNL Healthcare Properties II (the Company) intends that such forward-looking statements be subject to the safe harbor created by Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements are statements that do not relate strictly to historical or current facts, but reflect managements current understandings, intentions, beliefs, plans, expectations, assumptions and/or predictions regarding the future of the Companys business and its performance, the economy, and other future conditions and forecasts of future events, and circumstances. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as believes, expects, anticipates, intends, estimates, plans, continues, pro forma, may, will, seeks, should and could, and words and terms of similar substance in connection with discussions of future operating or financial performance, business strategy and portfolios, projected growth prospects, cash flows, costs and financing needs, legal proceedings, amount and timing of anticipated future distributions, and/or other matters. The Companys forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. While the Companys management believes its forward-looking statements are reasonable, such statements are inherently susceptible to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. As with any projection or forecast, forward-looking statements are necessarily dependent on assumptions, data and/or methods that may be incorrect or imprecise, and may not be realized. The Companys forward-looking statements are based on managements current expectations and a variety of risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond the Companys ability to control or accurately predict. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, the Companys actual results could differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements due to a variety of risks, uncertainties and other factors. These risks include that CNL Healthcare Properties II has limited operating history and there is no assurance that it will be able to achieve its investment objectives; that the board of directors may amend or revise investment and other policies without stockholder consent; that it may have difficulty funding distributions with funds provided by cash flows from operating activities; and that market and business conditions may affect its success, including changes in general or local economic or market conditions and changing demographics. Given these uncertainties, the Company cautions you not to place undue reliance on such statements. All written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on its behalf are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary note. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to, and expressly disclaims any obligation to, publicly release the results of any revisions to its forward-looking statements to reflect new information, changed assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated subsequent events or circumstances, or changes to future operating results over time, except as otherwise required by law. ### Detroit, MI, May 07, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The National Veterans Business Development Council (NVBDC) Founder and President, Keith King, will be inducted into the Michigan Military & Veterans Hall of Honor on May 17th. Keith is among the first class of inductees to the Michigan Hall of Honor who are receiving recognition for service to their country. Keith is a Vietnam veteran who has served in many local, state and national leadership positions representing his fellow Veterans. He is the recipient of the National Commendation Medal, which is the Vietnam Veterans of Americas highest award. As a 40-year veteran advocate, Keith has focused his career on working with veterans and more recently the NVBDC, I have been honored throughout my life by the support Ive received from family, friends and colleagues. I could not have achieved what weve accomplished with the NVBDC without the help of amazing professionals who are experts in their field. They have provided invaluable knowledge and advice on the journey to create a reliable veteran business certification program, said Keith. When I started NVBDC six years ago, I brought with me the experience of serving in the military and all the connections Ive made during my volunteer work over the last 40 years. With the help and support of the NVBDC Officers and Board weve been able to utilize our collective experience to help Service Disabled and Veteran Owned Businesses (SDVOBs) succeed and navigate complicated systems. Throughout the military community, Keiths colleagues and friends have commended him for his dedication and commitment to veterans, I don't think that congratulations are enough to be said. You've gone above and beyond for our generation of veterans and all veterans. You have given me guidance when I needed it. This is well deserved, said John H. Riling III, President Michigan State Council Vietnam Veterans of America. Also offering his congratulations is John Miterko, former Vice President of Veterans Support Foundation, What an honor, and very well deserved. Your 2nd career of helping Veterans and your devotion to all things Veterans has finally been appropriately recognized. The six veteran inductees are Joe Louis, John Dingell, Keith King, Vincent Patton, Mike Ilitch, and Tyronne Chapman. The six military inductees are Alexander Jefferson, MOH Charles Kettles, Don Odell, Jack Lousma, Duane Hackney, and Margret Brewer. The 2019 inductees represent the inaugural class and King, Patton and Chatman are schedule to attend for the Veteran honorees and Jefferson, Odell and Lousma will attend the May 17, 2019 ceremony for the Military Inductees. NVBDCs Mission: The NVBDC is the only Veteran Owned Business Certification organization developed by Veterans, for Veterans. The purpose is to provide a credible and reliable certifying authority for all size businesses ensuring that valid documentation exists of Veteran ownership and control FIND US. LIKE US. FOLLOW US. JOIN US. LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram. Attachment DENVER, May 07, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WeatherNation TV, Inc. , a multi-format 24/7 local and national television weather news provider, has premiered what may be a first-of-its kind, close-range drone footage of a tornado in southern Oklahoma. Shot recently by WeatherNation field correspondent Brandon Clement, the drone captures stunning video in a way that is rarely seen. From approximately 50-yards away, the drone follows alongside a tornado for several miles as it moves across the countryside at 35 mph near Sulphur, Oklahoma, throwing debris and sucking water from a pond into its vortex before the twister dies out. The footage lasts more than four minutes. While Clement captured the drone footage, Brett Adair, a WeatherNation field meteorologist and owner of Live Storms Media , encountered the tornado on the ground. The team filmed April 30 as part of WeatherNation TVs weather forecast news and live coverage of more than 40 tornadoes that ripped across the central U.S., from Texas to Missouri. WeatherNation partners with Live Storms Media to capture storm footage that aides in providing more detailed national and local U.S. severe weather forecasts. Its been a shot Ive been trying to capture for years, said Clement, who used a specially-designed drone equipped for wet weather. Fortunately, it wasnt raining and I had the wind on my side. The images have captivated viewers and the news media; since the footage first posted on WeatherNation, Clement and his video have been featured in national media like USA Today , Washington Post, Inside Edition, as well as numerous TV stations. Watch this tornado and other severe weather footage in WeatherNations playlist on YouTube. WeatherNation is deploying multiple field crews, which include meteorologists and correspondents, from Texas to the Mississippi Valley this week to cover the severe weather threat taking shape. The threat begins with a focus in western Texas Tuesday and expands eastward to include Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Louisiana on Wednesday. Storms are expected to travel to the Mississippi and Ohio Valleys later in the week. Attention TV producers: To schedule a live on-air interview with a WeatherNation meteorologist or field correspondent, please contact WeatherNation News Director Mark Hanner at 303-339-7330 or mhanner@weathernationtv.com to coordinate. To purchase tornado footage, contact Live Storms Media at 256-267-7747 or media@livestormsnow.com About WeatherNation TV, Inc. On 15 April 2019 a notice to bondholders meeting by way of procedure in writing (the Notice) was sent to the bondholders in West Atlantic AB (publ)s (the Company) bond loan with ISIN SE0007783840 (the Bonds). Terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the same meaning as in the terms and conditions of the Bonds (the Terms and Conditions) or as set out in the Notice (as applicable). The time for replies expired on 7 May 2019 and a sufficient number of votes were obtained to form a quorum and the proposed Request obtained acceptance from 100 per cent of the votes cast. The terms and conditions of the Bonds will therefore be amended and the Transaction will be consummated subject to the conditions set out the Notice. Following the Equity Contribution, the newly issued shares to LUSAT will be registered with the Swedish Companies Registrations Office (Sw. Bolagsverket) and no Change of Control Event will have occurred. As part of the Transaction, the Company will amortise the Bonds by way of a partial prepayment and more details about the amortisation will be made available by the Company in a separate press release to come. The Company and LUSAT will, together with the Holders Representatives, initiate all relevant work streams in order to establish the new structure. Additional information and timing regarding the Mandatory Bond Exchange will be communicated to the bondholders through a press release and by regular mail once the new structure has been set. The amendments to the Terms and Conditions are effective as from 7 May 2019. For further information, please contact: Goran Berglund, Chairman of the Board Telephone: +46 (0) 10 452 95 00 E-mail: goran.berglund@westatlantic.eu This information is information that West Atlantic AB (publ) is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU market Abuse Regulation. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person set out above, at 7 May 2019, 20.00CEST. About West Atlantic The West Atlantic Group is one of the market leading providers of dedicated airfreight services to European NMO's and airfreight capacity to Global Integrators and Freight Forwarders. The Group has a well-established geographic network and operates a customised aircraft fleet, whereof a majority is wholly owned. West Atlantic was founded in 1962 and is headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden. Operations are performed all over Europe and 2018 West Atlantic had 461 employees. For 2018 West Atlantic reported revenues of MSEK 1,813 and EBITDA of MSEK 156. West Atlantic AB (publ) Org. no: 556503-6083, Box 5433, SE-402 29 Gothenburg, Sweden Investor Relations: investor.relations@westatlantic.eu Webpage: www.westatlantic.eu Attachment BEMIDJI, Minn., May 07, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- National Teacher Appreciation Day serves as a reminder to schools, parents and communities to honor and appreciate the daily contributions teachers make in students lives. In celebration, Mary Rollheiser, substitute teacher and resident of Bemidji has been selected by Teachers On Call (TOC) as the Minnesota Substitute Teacher of the Year for the 2018-19 school year. TOC, the leading educational staffing provider in the northwest U.S., awards one of 7,000+ Minnesota substitute teachers every year with this honorable title. Eligible substitute teachers must have strong performance records in addition to being nominated by school leaders, students and others. Rollheisers recognition is based on exemplary service as a substitute teacher at J. W. Smith Elementary School in Bemidji. Ms. Rollheiser constantly and consistently goes above and beyond what is asked of her, and we see students visibly reap the benefits of her passion and commitment to their education, said Patricia Welte, principal of J.W. Smith Elementary. She knows the students and teachers by name and we consider her a member of our school staff. Ms. Rollheiser even went to the extent of investing her own funds, time and energy into revamping the new space thats our teachers loungeshe is a true advocate for teachers and students alike. After retiring from a full-time teaching career of 33 years with Bemidji Area Schools, Rollheiser began substitute teaching in order to continue doing what she loves but with a flexible schedule. Since joining TOC in 2007, Rollheiser has taught at a number of schools in the Bemidji area, and has most recently been calling J.W. Smith Elementary her home. Ms. Rollheiser is a true representation of the high-caliber educators that TOC provides to all of its partner schools and we are very proud to honor her dedication to the community, said Al Sowers, vice president and practice leader of TOC. Teachers such as Ms. Rollheiser create a successful learning environment in the classroom and facilitate the continuity of student achievement each and every day. Her significant level of care and inspiration she instills in the students at J.W. Smith Elementary is extraordinary. About Teachers On Call Teachers On Call (TOC), a Kelly Services company, has been making a difference in schools and early childhood education centers since 1999. TOC provides substitute education professionals to 150+ school districts and 450+ early childhood education centers, charter, and private schools in Minnesota and Wisconsin. The company is currently expanding its reach to provide educational staffing to states throughout the Northwest. In 2017, TOC was acquired by Kelly, a global leader in workforce solutions, and became a part of Kellys Education Practice. Combined with Kellys 70+ years in the staffing industry and TOCs tenure in educational staffing, TOC offers its client schools unique value and unparalleled experience and expertise. Media Contact: Heather Klee Teachers On Call 248.519.3642 A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4b4b3952-ee03-48e6-a29d-c5dc3d00e58b TORONTO, May 07, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Altus Group Limited (Altus Group or the Company) (TSX: AIF), a leading provider of software, data solutions and independent advisory services to the global commercial real estate industry, is pleased to welcome two new independent directors, Colin Dyer and Anthony Long, to the Board of Directors. Mr. Dyer is a seasoned commercial real estate (CRE) executive with over 40 years of global experience, including significant Board experience. He currently serves as chairman of the Supervisory Board of Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, a global CRE firm specializing in owning, developing and managing premier retail assets with a portfolio valued at 65.2 billion as at December 31, 2018. From 2004 until 2016, Mr. Dyer served as President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated (JLL), a Fortune 500 global real estate services and investment management firm. Previous experience included CEO positions at WorldWide Retail Exchange in the US and Courtaulds Textiles Limited in the UK, and consulting experience at McKinsey & Company. He has also been a member of the board of directors of JLL from 2004 - 2017 and of Northern Foods Limited in the UK from 1997 - 2005. Mr. Dyer holds an MBA from INSEAD at Fontainebleau, France, and a Bachelor of Science (Mechanical Engineering) from Imperial College in London, England. Mr. Long is an accomplished global CRE executive with over 30 years experience in development, asset management, property management and real estate technology. He currently serves as a Partner at CLX Ventures, LLC, a real estate private equity firm he co-founded in 2018. Most recently Mr. Long served as Global President of Client Care at CBRE, a Fortune 500 real estate services and investment firm, where he oversaw the companys top 500 enterprise clients. Prior to that role, he served as the Global President of Asset Services at CBRE. Previous experience includes senior leadership roles at Trammell Crow Company, a leading US CRE developer and investor. Mr. Long is also a member of the board of directors of GigaMonster, a US-based internet services provider, and continues to serve on the boards of several not-for-profit companies. Mr. Long received his undergraduate degree from the University of Texas in Data Processing and Analysis and holds an MBA from Harvard University. The addition of these two seasoned executives to our Board will complement our existing skills and significantly strengthen our CRE expertise with global, Fortune 500 company experience. They bring a unique set of skills and experience that will build on the strength of our current directors and complement the strategic direction of the Company, providing us with an ideal mix of industry knowledge, diversity, international experience and financial expertise, said Raymond Mikulich, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Altus Group. About Altus Group Limited Altus Group Limited is a leading provider of software, data solutions and independent advisory services to the global commercial real estate industry. Our businesses, Altus Analytics and Altus Expert Services, reflect decades of experience, a range of expertise, and technology-enabled capabilities. Our solutions empower clients to analyze, gain insight and recognize value on their real estate investments. Headquartered in Canada, we have approximately 2,500 employees around the world, with operations in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. Our clients include some of the worlds largest commercial real estate industry participants. Altus Group pays a quarterly dividend of $0.15 per share and our shares are traded on the TSX under the symbol AIF. For more information on Altus Group, please visit: www.altusgroup.com. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Altus Group Limited Camilla Bartosiewicz Vice President, Investor Relations 416-641-9773 camilla.bartosiewicz@altusgroup.com French English Press release Paris, 7 May 2019 Orange signs an agreement to acquire SecureLink and accelerate its leadership in the European cybersecurity industry Orange announces the signing of an agreement for the acquisition of 100% of SecureLink on a 515m Enterprise Value basis. With 248m revenues in 2018, SecureLink is one of the largest independent cybersecurity services providers in Europe, with a strong presence in the key Nordics, Belgian, Dutch, German and UK markets. Acquisition establishes Orange as a leader in the European cybersecurity industry, with more than 600m PF revenues in 2018 and on-the-ground presences in 8 European countries representing 75% of the market. On 7 May 2019, Orange entered into an agreement with Investcorp to acquire 100% of SecureLink on a 515m Enterprise Value basis. SecureLink, based in the Netherlands, is one of the largest independent cybersecurity services providers in Europe, with on-the-ground presences in Sweden, Belgium, the Netherlands, the UK, Germany, Denmark and Norway. Founded in 2003, SecureLink provides a full range of cybersecurity services to support its clients. Its offering includes specialised security consulting, security maintenance and support with 24/7 service desks (SOCs) as well as advanced managed detection and response capabilities (MDR). The group is also a leading value-added reseller of security software and hardware solutions, holding more than 1,000 technical or sales accreditations with blue chip security vendors. With over 660 employees and 14 offices, SecureLink recorded IFRS revenues of 248m in 2018 and served over 2,100 customers across a broad range of industries. With this acquisition, Orange becomes one of the European leaders of cybersecurity with c.1,800 employees, more than 600m PF revenues in 2018 and strong positions in major local markets through its unique European DNA and a comprehensive cybersecurity services offering. The European cybersecurity market is growing rapidly and Orange is already a leading player in the French market through Orange Cyberdefense (303m revenues in 2018, up 12% vs. 2017). Along with the acquisition of SecureData in January 2019, this transaction greatly accelerates Oranges strategy to become a pan-European leader in cybersecurity services. With an extended European footprint and increased capabilities, the combined organisation will be able to address the growing and increasingly complex security needs of its customers on a global scale, and deliver strong synergies with the expertise and worldwide presence of Orange Business Services serving more than 3,000 multinational enterprises. SecureLinks highly respected senior management will join the global leadership team and participate in building the operating model for the integrated combined organisation. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to complete in late Q2 or in Q3 2019. Cybersecurity is a growing priority for companies of all sizes, and we believe the two most important success factors are Scale and Proximity. Scale because today's threats are global, complex, and require matching protection capabilities. Proximity because in the global IT world, you want a trusted local partner to secure your most strategic assets. With the acquisition of SecureData and SecureLink, Orange has the highest scale to anticipate and fend off attacks, as well as local defense teams in all the main European markets, positioning the combined organisation as the go-to defense specialist. said Hugues Foulon, Executive Director of Cybersecurity at Orange. I am looking forward to building the integrated organisation with Michel [Van Den Berghe, CEO of Orange Cyberdefense], Thomas Fetten and all the teams. Thomas Fetten, Chief Executive Officer at SecureLink, commented We have been very impressed by the ambition and successful development of Orange Cyberdefense over the past few years, and are very excited to build a pan-European leader of cybersecurity together. Orange Cyberdefense, SecureData and SecureLink are highly complementary and share a common vision for the sector, and the combined organisation will be in a phenomenal position to address the needs of our customers, partners and employees. About Orange Orange is one of the worlds leading telecommunications operators with sales of 41 billion euros in 2018 and 149,000 employees worldwide at 31 March 2019, including 90,000 employees in France. The Group has a total customer base of 264 million customers worldwide at 31 March 2019, including 204 million mobile customers and 20 million fixed broadband customers. The Group is present in 27 countries. Orange is also a leading provider of global IT and telecommunication services to multinational companies, under the brand Orange Business Services. In March 2015, the Group presented its new strategic plan Essentials2020 which places customer experience at the heart of its strategy with the aim of allowing them to benefit fully from the digital universe and the power of its new generation networks. Orange is listed on Euronext Paris (symbol ORA) and on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol ORAN). For more information on the internet and on your mobile: www.orange.com , www.orange-business.com or to follow us on Twitter: @orangegrouppr. Orange and any other Orange product or service names included in this material are trademarks of Orange or Orange Brand Services Limited. Press contacts: +33 1 44 44 93 93 Tom Wright ; tom.wright@orange.com Nathalie Chevrier ; nathalie.chevrier@orange.com Attachment America's credit bureaus haven't exactly covered themselves in glory when it comes to protecting your private data. So you might well be skeptical about two new credit-enhancing products that require not just credit information but also access to your bank accounts. Experian and credit scoring company FICO introduced UltraFICO last year as a way to elevate credit scores based on how people handle their checking, savings or money market accounts. UltraFICO currently is in a pilot phase and expected to be more widely available this summer. The credit bureau also launched Experian Boost , which allows people to add on-time cellphone and utility payments to their Experian credit reports. The positive bill payment history can add points to certain credit scores, but people have to link their bank accounts so Boost can scan for those payments. Both free products are aimed at people with "thin" credit reports which Experian defines as having fewer than five credit accounts and UltraFICO may help those with damaged credit, as well. For Boost, people have to sign up for a membership, while UltraFICO would be offered by lenders to applicants who might otherwise be turned down or get higher rates. SHOULD YOU TRUST A CREDIT BUREAU WITH YOUR BANK ACCOUNT? Both products get bank account information from data aggregator Finicity, which promises "bank-level security," including "best in class" third-party security certifications and regular audits by internal and external teams. "All data is encrypted throughout the process from data entry to data transmission to data at rest," says Finicity CEO Steve Smith. "Data at rest" means the bank account information, including login credentials and passwords, that must remain in a database for at least seven years for regulatory reasons. Now, Experian is not the credit bureau that exposed 145 million people's data in a massive breach two years ago. That was Equifax. But in 2015, Experian reported a breach of the same types of information names, addresses, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers belonging to more than 15 million T-Mobile customers. And last year, Experian's site exposed the personal identification numbers needed to thaw credit freezes. You don't have a choice about being in a credit bureau database. Information about you and your credit accounts is reported to the bureaus whether you like it or not. With bank accounts, you typically still have the option of choosing who gets access and you should choose carefully. EXPERIAN BOOST AND ULTRAFICO AREN'T FOR EVERYONE Boost and UltraFICO offer the tantalizing prospect of instant gratification more credit score points, instantly! but it remains to be seen how many people will actually benefit. You'll probably want to pass on Boost if your credit is good. Your scores might creep up only a few points, or none at all. The product is aimed at people with bad-to-fair FICO scores of 580 to 669. (The average U.S. score is just over 700, or solidly in the "good" zone on FICO's 300-to-850 scale.) Even then, Experian says only 5% to 15% of the Boost users who saw any increase had a big enough jump to move them up a whole category (from bad credit to fair, or from fair to good). UltraFICO, meanwhile, targets people with scores from the high 500s to the low 600s. Those most likely to benefit keep a cushion of at least $400 in their bank accounts and never let balances drop below zero. If your bank account is constantly on fumes or dips into the red, you are unlikely to see improvement in your scores. THERE ARE OTHER, BETTER WAYS TO BUILD CREDIT The other big drawback: Both Boost and UltraFICO work only with Experian data and certain scores. (Boost works with FICO 8, FICO 9, VantageScore 3.0 and VantageScore 4 .0; UltraFICO works only with FICO scores.) If your lenders use other scores or other credit bureaus and many do you're out of luck. By contrast, you typically can build your scores at all three bureaus by: Being added as an authorized user to someone else's credit card. Using a credit-builder loan, offered by many credit unions and at least one online lender. Using a secured credit card, where the credit limit is typically equal to a deposit made with the issuing bank. The goal of giving more people access to affordable credit is certainly a worthy one. But before you hand over more data to a credit bureau, you should be confident you don't have better options and that the benefit is worth the risk. ___________________________________________________ This column was provided to The Associated Press by the personal finance website NerdWallet. Liz Weston is a columnist at NerdWallet, a certified financial planner and author of "Your Credit Score." Email: lweston@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @lizweston. RELATED LINK: NerdWallet: Experian 'Boost' adds a new way to strengthen your credit http://bit.ly/nerdwallet-explains-experian-boost Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! Already a Subscriber? Already a Subscriber? Sign in Terms of Service Privacy Policy A hostage situation in South Richmond ended Monday with a suspect in custody and another man with a gunshot wound to his hand, the police said. Officers were summoned at 11:29 a.m. to a house in the 2100 block of Dinwiddie Avenue, just east of Jefferson Davis Avenue, for a report of an armed person, the authorities said. William Smith, the city's interim police chief, said officers arrived and talked with neighbors but could not locate the armed man, so police cleared the scene. Police received another call in the same block at 11:52 a.m. reporting that someone had been shot, Smith said. When officers arrived, they found a person injured and another man holding the victim hostage with a gun to his head, Smith said. Police summoned the department's SWAT team and hostage negotiators, and the area was secured. "The SWAT team made an approach and they were able to take the [suspect] into custody without incident," Smith said. "They then provided medical support for the person who was injured; he had been shot in the hand. He was conscious and breathing when he was taken to VCU Medical Center." Smith said the suspect didn't surrender voluntarily. "We had to go in and get him," the chief said. The police later identified the suspect as Clarence Gregory, 66, of the 200 block of East 17th Street. He has been charged with attempted murder and use of a firearm in a felony. Brenda Bolling, who said she has dated the victim for more than 20 years, said the shooting apparently stemmed from a landord-tenant dispute. She said the victim owned the house where Monday's shooting and hostage situation unfolded. She said the landlord had locked a tenant out of the house for not paying rent, and the tenant got angry and returned to the residence with a gun, shooting the landlord. Smith declined to confirm Bolling's account of what led up to the shooting, citing the ongoing investigation. "That's something for our investigators to figure out," Smith said. "Certainly there is always some illogical reason to use a firearm, and that will be part of our investigation." Virginia Tech projects its incoming freshman class will smash the record for its largest ever a situation that has school and town officials scrambling in Blacksburg. The fall 2019 freshman class, which Tech anticipates will be between 7,500 and 7,585, would top a previous record set in 2017 of 6,836 students. Tech previously announced that officials anticipated about 6,600 freshmen in the incoming class. The university is dropping its first-year, on-campus housing requirement due to the high number, and town officials and faculty members are expressing concern about how the total student population at Tech will be adequately served. The reason for the significant difference in the freshman class numbers, a Tech spokesman said Monday, is more students accepted than enrollment officials expected. Thats because a degree from the university is in high demand, he said. More people said yes than anticipated, university spokesman Mark Owczarski said. Its a challenge, but its a good challenge for Virginia Tech to have. According to a news release, Tech hired predictive model agency Ruffalo, Noel, Levitz to help with enrollment management. Tech entered into a three-year contract worth $168,000 in 2017 to help model enrollment, according to a copy of the contract obtained via the Virginia Freedom of Information Act. Owczarski wrote in an email the university is satisfied with the firms work. The university has already rescinded the requirement for first year students to live on campus. The schools standard occupancy is 9,471 beds with an additional 563 temporary beds available, according to Owczarski. The school is reviewing a way to add 200 additional beds. According to a letter sent by engineering education professor Marie Paretti to fellow members of the Tech Faculty Senate, the university shouldve seen the numbers coming. Frankly, it is unacceptable to me to hear anyone in the administration suggest that these numbers are unexpected, she wrote. She wrote that a colleague in the College of Engineering had predicted more than 2,600 new freshmen, an over-sized class for that college, based on the numbers from the university and shared that with administrators. The prediction was ignored, she wrote. She wrote that the increase in students would create unnecessary strain on Blacksburg. As the Faculty Senate, I believe we need to hold the administration accountable not only for the over-enrollment itself, but for the persistent disregard of faculty and staff on the ground who saw this coming and tried repeatedly to raise concerns and be proactive, she wrote. Paretti declined an interview request, referring questions to a university spokesman. Faculty Senate President John Ferris did not return a message seeking comment. The town of Blacksburg has braced for growth, Mayor Leslie Hager-Smith wrote in a statement, with town council approving thousands of beds of student housing in the last few years, and buying new buses and planning new routes. However, she wrote, she is very concerned about the Towns capacity to house and transport all of these new students, especially in light of a section of Terrace View and Sturbridge Square student housing complexes soon temporarily coming out of commission because of re-development. The student experience at Tech, and quality of life in Blacksburg are the reasons that Hokies express some of the highest alumni loyalty in the nation, Hager-Smith wrote. Will the next cohort of incoming students have the same kind of positive experiences? Maintaining a quality student life is of the utmost importance to Tech officials, Owczarski said. The university will work with students on providing as much housing as possible on top of allowing first-year students to live off campus. Owczarski said the school has plans in the works to aid in a housing crunch and to help faculty as they teach more students. Tech will share those plans publicly as the fall semester approaches. We are now focused and engaged in managing the success of this admissions cycle and developing strategies necessary for the support and education of a higher-than-expected number of new students, Tech Provost Cyril Clarke said in a written statement. Last month, Tech President Tim Sands tweeted that though the university is attempting to grow, the goal isnt to swell beyond 30,000 undergraduate students in the near future. Tech currently has 27,140 undergraduates, according to the university factbook. Heard a rumor (again) today that VT will grow to the size of Penn St. or Ohio St. (46,000 undergrads), Sands tweeted in April. Truth: 2 yrs ago, we decided to cap undergrad enrollment at 30,000 until 2023 (<2% annual growth rate) until VT and Blacksburg infrastructure is in place. Will reassess then. The university received more than 30,000 applications for next fall in what it boasted was the most diverse applicant pool in school history. The school said the arriving class of students will be the second-most academically competitive class based on Grade Point Average and SAT scores. Tech, though, used different metrics for this class. It was the first to be admitted using a uniform application process created by the Coalition for Access, Affordability and Success. University officials called it a more holistic approach that puts more weight on non-cognitive attributes and life experiences that come out in essays. The application is designed to aid lower-income and first generation students in applying to college by improving ease of applying and accessibility to financial aid. It focuses on essay questions that ask about resilience, leadership and service. That led to the most diverse application pool in school history. The incoming class will also likely be the most diverse, featuring increases in first generation, African American and Hispanic students. The university has long had a goal to have 40% of its student population come from underrepresented communities by 2022, right now that number is 36%. Socialism is deadly to democracy To the editor: It has been said that we should learn from the mistakes of others because we dont live long enough to make all the mistakes ourselves. Good advice, but thats not the only reason. Mistakes can be painful and/or expensive, consequences which can be avoided by learning from the mistakes of others. Several opportunities for testing this can be observed today. First on the list is Venezuela, for a couple of reasons. Venezuela was, a couple of decades back, one of the most prosperous countries in the world. Today, they are eating pets and garbage to survive. What happened? Socialism happened, and it might be wise to bear that in mind when listening to all the Democrats who are running for president. All of them, with the possible exception of creepy Uncle Joe Biden, are trying to out-socialize the rest of the bunch. Free health care, free college tuition, guaranteed living wage, free everything. I believe it was former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher who said that the problem with socialism was that you eventually run out of other peoples money. True, but thats not the main problem. The main problem is that the folks in charge of decision-making, our dear politicians, have mostly never had a real job and dont have a clue about how to make things work. Exhibit A: Barack Obama, who never had a real job, never had to meet a payroll, never had to make the tough decisions necessary in the real world. But Obama considered himself possessed of the wisdom to totally transform the United States of America. He transformed it, all right, but certainly not for the better, as we saw every month of his presidency. Another problem with socialism is that you can vote your way into it, but you have to shoot your way out, which brings us to the second lesson of Venezuela. A few years back, the government of that country confiscated all the privately owned firearms. Now the citizens find themselves with a government which wont go away, and theyre throwing rocks and bottles at heavily armed troops. Troops are actually running over the protesters with armored vehicles. We might want to think about that next time some Democrat starts talking about doing away with assault rifles, without having a clue as to what a real assault rifle is. If it looks scary, it has to go. The average Venezuelan would probably find an AR-15 pretty handy today. Great Britain provides another opportunity to learn without pain or expense. Britain has a National Health Service, something Democrats want us to copy. Free health care, except its not free. Or efficient. Case in point: Mick Jagger. He had some serious heart problems, but instead of taking advantage of the free care offered by the NHS, he came to New York City and paid out of pocket, probably somewhere in the neighborhood of a million dollars. The operation in Britain might have been free, but he might have died before his turn came around. Same reason Canadians come to the United States for surgery. The only truly free thing in this world is Gods grace. There is no free lunch, health care, or tuition. Somebody has to pay for all of it, and if a politician promises you something for free you can be sure they know that theyre lying. ROBERT HUDSON Pelham, N.C. VANCOUVER, May 7, 2019 - Group Eleven Resources Corp. (TSX.V: ZNG; OTCQB: GRLVF; FRA: 3GE) ("Group Eleven" or the "Company") is pleased to report results from its preliminary 2,700-metre drill program at the Stonepark zinc-lead project ("Stonepark"; 76.56% interest) and the adjacent PG West project ("PG West"; 100% interest), collectively the "Stonepark PG West" project, in the Limerick region of the Republic of Ireland. Stonepark is a joint venture with Arkle Resources plc (23.44% interest). The project hosts an Inferred Mineral Resource Estimateand is adjacent to Glencore's Pallas Green zinc-lead deposit Highlights New Mineralized Zone at Ballywire (PG West) Intersects 36.5 metres (true widths 60-70%) of intermittent, high-grade zinc mineralization including: 0.75 metres of 13.1% zinc and lead and 39 g/t silver 0.90 metres of 5.8% zinc and lead and 8 g/t silver and 0.20 metres of 35.1% zinc and lead and 93 g/t silver Mineralization extended by nearly 70% to 650 metres and open in all directions Located 20 kilometres southeast of Glencore's Pallas Green deposit, along the Pallas Green Corridor Highlights New Periphery Zone at Kilteely (Stonepark) Discovers outer margin of potential new Irish-Type zinc system Located 10 kilometres southeast of Glencore's Pallas Green deposit, along the Pallas Green Corridor Periphery zone appears extensive at least 1.6 kilometres laterally and 230 metres vertically Consists of strong hydrothermal activity, including abundant pyrite (+/- marcasite), elevated zinc "We are very pleased with our recent drill program" stated Bart Jaworski, CEO. "At Ballywire, we are excited to have transformed this early-stage prospect to a high-priority target. Drilling has returned the best results to date in the area and we look forward to advancing even closer to the potential feeder structure during the next phase of work. Ballywire effectively doubles the strike of the Pallas Green corridor to 20 kilometres." "At Kilteely, the breadth of the new hydrothermal system is significant, being on-trend and in a similar geological environment as Glencore's Pallas Green zinc-lead deposit. This is our first hole into the southern half of the 'Limerick Volcanic Complex' and the area remains virtually unexplored. Exploration upside is wide open." ___________________________ 1 Stonepark hosts 5.1 million tonnes of 8.7% Zn + 2.6% Pb in the Inferred Category (Group Eleven; April 17, 2018). 2 Pallas Green hosts 45.1 million tonnes of 7% Zn + 1% Pb in the Inferred Category (Glencore; Dec 31, 2018). Preliminary Drill Program - Summary Five diamond drill holes, totalling approximately 2,700 metres, were completed on the Stonepark and adjoining PG West properties from November 2018 to April 2019 (see Exhibit 1 below and Exhibit 2). As per Group Eleven's news release dated October 24, 2018, the primary aim of this drill program was to advance the Company's ongoing 'Big Think' exploration strategy by providing important 3D geological information ahead of the Company's 'Big Drill' exploration program later this year. New Zinc Mineralization (Ballywire PG West Project, 100% interest) The Ballywire prospect consists of two historic holes (see Exhibit 3 and 4). Hole 00-468-5 (drilled in 2000) intersected 0.20 metres of 10.2% zinc + lead and 1.0 metre of 218 g/t silver and 0.87% copper, including 0.15 metres of 430 g/t silver and 1.80% copper; see Exhibit 5). In 2008, a 350-metre step-out hole (FM-2654-1) intersected 0.30 metres of 13.2% zinc + lead) within a wider (1.55 metre) intercept. The Company's hole G11-2654-01 was a 260-metre step-out from FM-2654-1. The aim was to extend mineralization further towards a postulated feeder fault structure towards the southeast. The hole intersected three mineralized zones over a 36.5 metre interval at the base of the Waulsortian limestone, including: 0.75 metres of 13.1% zinc + lead and 39.1 g/t silver; 0.20 metres of 35.1% zinc + lead and 93.1 g/t silver; and 0.90 metres of 5.77% zinc + lead and 8.3 g/t silver (see Exhibit 6, below). Exhibit 6. Summary of Assays from hole G11-2654-01 from Ballywire Item From To Interval Zn Pb Zn + Pb Ag m m m % % % g/t - 692.00 692.90 0.90 1.85 0.00 1.85 4.1 And 692.90 693.80 0.90 5.75 0.02 5.77 8.3 And 693.80 694.75 0.95 1.92 0.00 1.92 3.8 Total 692.00 694.75 2.75 3.15 0.01 3.16 5.4 - 718.70 719.65 0.95 1.03 0.15 1.18 5.0 And 719.65 719.85 0.20 29.90 5.16 35.06 93.1 And 719.85 721.10 1.25 1.40 0.31 1.71 5.1 Total 719.65 721.10 1.45 5.33 0.98 6.31 17.2 - 726.60 727.70 1.10 1.33 0.52 1.85 11.1 And 727.70 728.45 0.75 10.55 2.54 13.09 39.1 Total 726.60 728.45 1.85 5.07 1.34 6.41 22.5 Note: True widths are estimated at 60-70% of the downhole interval. The Ballywire zone is now 650 metres long down-dip, is open in all directions and appears to occupy a block bounded by the postulated Southern Ireland Lineament to the north, the Kilross fault to the south and a cross-fault to the east (see Exhibit 3). Future work will focus on exploring the neighbouring fault blocks. Of particular interest is the area up-dip and to the north of 00-468-5, given its shallow depth and relatively high-grade silver and copper, typically seen as a strong indicator for proximity to a feeder zone. Periphery Zone (Kilteely Stonepark Project, 76.56% interest) Group Eleven's G11-450-02 hole aimed at testing an area 1.4 kilometres northwest of known high-grade zinc mineralization at the Company's Carrickittle prospect (e.g. historic intercept of 2.4 metres of 26.8% zinc + lead and 61 g/t silver; see Exhibit 7, 8 and 9), along the Pallas Green Corridor. The hole intersected a vertically extensive (230 metre) zone (downhole depth of 200-430 metres) containing varying amounts of extensive iron-sulfide (pyrite and possible marcasite), chert (suspected to be either volcanogenic and/or hydrothermal) and brecciation (mostly hydrothermal) within a package of predominantly flat-flying and interlayered volcanics and limestones. Black cherts near the top of the Waulsortian unit contain local elevated zinc and other metals. This sequence is interpreted to represent the peripheral part of a hydrothermal system typical of southern Irish-Type zinc deposits (see Exhibit 10). A historic (1998) hole drilled 1.6 kilometres to the east-northeast, reported similar stratigraphy, brecciation and widespread iron-sulfide mineralization. The significance of this hole was not recognized at the time, given it was drilled years before the discovery of the Pallas Green zinc deposit (2002). This hole and G11-450-02, suggest a hydrothermal system which may be at least 1.6 kilometres in areal extent. The Company drilled three other holes within the Stonepark project. Each of these provided strong vectors towards further exploration within the Limerick basin. A full discussion on these and the above described holes is shown on the Company's website under Supplemental Information. Agreement with VRIFY The Company also announces that it has entered into two separate shares-for-services agreements (the "Agreements") with VRIFY Technology Inc. ("VRIFY") pursuant to the provisions of TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange") Policy 4.3. Pursuant to both Agreements, VRIFY, which provides technology services (the "Services") to the Company, will receive its fees by way of the issuance of common shares (the "Shares") of the Company. The Shares will be issued at a deemed price per Share equal to the Discounted Market Price (as defined in TSXV policies) of the Shares as traded on the Exchange on the first trading date following the date the Services are provided to the Company. The Agreements are subject to Exchange acceptance. About VRIFY: VRIFY's technology communicates a company's value with presentation tools that simplify information and translate tough to digest data into compelling content. The platform allows companies to showcase project data with interactive 3D models, host global site visits of remote assets using virtual tours, and present content to any device, anytime, anywhere in the world. See for yourself at VRIFY.com. Qualified Person Technical information in this news release has been approved by David Furlong, P.Geo., Chief Operating Officer, and 'Qualified Person' as defined under Canadian National Instrument 43-101. Quality Assurance / Quality Control (QA/QC) Drill-core samples were prepared and assayed in the ALS Minerals Laboratory in Loughrea, Ireland. Samples were fine-crushed (CRU-31) to 70% < 2mm and pulverized and riffle-split to 85% < 75 m. Zinc, lead and silver assays were obtained by multi-acid (4-acid) digestion/ICP-AES Package (48 Elements). Analytical accuracy and precision are monitored by the submission of four standards inserted into the sample train of 228 samples by Group Eleven personnel. No duplicate samples were sent to the lab. ALS ran 18 blanks and 10 duplicates as part of their internal QC procedures. About Group Eleven Resources Group Eleven Resources Corp. (TSX.V: ZNG; FRA: 3GE and OTC: GRLVF) is a mineral exploration company focused on advanced stage zinc exploration in Ireland. The Company's large land package allows Group Eleven to leverage new geological approach and geophysical technology to systematically rethink key aspects of the Irish zinc district. The Company's two key projects in Ireland include: a 60% interest in the Ballinalack project (joint ventured with Nonfemet - one of the largest zinc producers in China), located in north-east Ireland, hosting potential Navan Bed mineralization in the Pale Beds; and a 75.56% interest in the Stonepark project (joint ventured with Arkle Resources plc), located near Limerick, next to one of the world's largest undeveloped zinc deposits: Glencore's Pallas Green deposit. The Company's team includes accomplished mining professionals with direct experience in finding mines, building companies and exploring Irish zinc deposits. Additional information about the Company is available at www.groupelevenresources.com. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Bart Jaworski, P.Geo. Chief Executive Officer Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Such statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the future results of operations, performance and achievements of the Company, including the timing, content, cost and results of proposed work programs, the discovery and delineation of mineral deposits/resources/ reserves and geological interpretations. 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. 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. SOURCE Group Eleven Resources Corp. Contact Spiros Cacos, MA, Vice President, Investor Relations, E: s.cacos@groupelevenresources.com | T: +1 604 630 8839 Governments around the nation are working to design the best vaccine policies that keep both their employees and their residents safe. Although the latest data shows a variety of polarizing perspectives, there are clear emerging best practices that leading governments are following to put trust first: creating policies that are flexible and provide a range of options, and being in tune with the needs and sentiments of their employees so that they are able to be dynamic and accommodate the rapidly changing situation. Gov. Steve Bullock signed a school safety bill Thursday that would let schools offer a new tax specifically for school safety costs, and to use existing funding streams for safety upgrades.Senate Bill 92 takes an expansive view on the topic, citing concepts from active shooter training to restorative justice, a disciplinary approach that shifts from punitive measures toward helping students reflect on their behavior and its consequences. The bill does not define all school safety uses, leaving it open to a school's interpretation.Schools would be able to use money from an automatic levy established in 2017 for building maintenance for anything under the umbrella of school safety. They could also offer a specific school safety levy to voters, and would be able to shift unbudgeted money from existing funds toward safety upgrades.The bill would have no cost to the state, instead relying on local taxpayers.The money could cover initiatives like:* Tech upgrades like a new camera system, which Riverside Middle School in Billings added in 2017, or Billings Public Schools' half-million-dollar emergency radio system purchased in 2017.* Trauma-informed programs, which recognize students' exposure to traumatic situations affects their behavior and ability to learn, and that schools can try to address that through support like counseling. A wide-ranging program in Bozeman has been funded by a $3 million federal grant.* Staff like school resource officers, which some districts hire at their own expense and many often struggle to budget for.The bill's wide scope stands in contrast to other safety proposals at the legislature that were narrow in scope, like a school marshal bill creating a new class of armed guards for schools, or a stalled bill about door-lock regulation.Bullock's office did not immediately respond to questions Friday morning. The state's online legislation tracking system shows the school marshal bill, HB 567, has been neither signed nor vetoed. If Bullock doesn't act on the bill it will become law. The Trump administration is refusing to release records behind a policy change that hides the donors to nonprofits, New York Attorney General Letitia James charged Monday in a federal lawsuit.The IRS and Treasury Department announced the change in disclosure requirements in July 2018 without public notice or comment, the attorney general claimed.New York's top prosecutor said that the identities of donors to nonprofits are necessary "to identify potential control risks, self-dealing transactions, private inurement and criminal conduct within the New York nonprofit sector.""My office depends on these critical donor disclosure forms to be able to adequately oversee nonprofit organizations in New York," James said.She was joined in the suit filed in Manhattan Federal Court by New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal.The suit seeks to force the IRS and Treasury Department to release internal records on how the agencies implemented the new policy. Social welfare organizations, labor organizations and business leagues are among the nonprofits affected by the change. Gov. Brian Kemp signed one of the strictest abortion laws in the country Tuesday, setting Georgia up for what is likely to be a lengthy _ and costly _ court battle.More than a month after the Georgia General Assembly approved the legislation, Kemp, in a Capitol ceremony, signed House Bill 481, outlawing most abortions once a doctor can detect a fetus' heartbeat _ usually around six weeks of pregnancy and before most women know they're pregnant.In signing the bill, Kemp made good on promise made during his 2018 campaign to sign the strictest abortion laws in the country."All life has value, all life matters and all life is worthy of protection," Kemp said. "I'm signing this bill to ensure all Georgians have the opportunity to live, grow learn and prosper in the great state of Georgia."The law is scheduled to go into effect in January unless it is blocked by the courts. The American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia has vowed to sue the state over the new law."This bill has big government criminalizing the most intimate decision women and couples make and flies in the face of 50 years of U.S. Supreme Court precedent," said ACLU of Georgia Executive Director Andrea Young. "We will see Governor Kemp in court."Georgia's law is one of several moving through state governments with the express purpose of challenging the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision that guaranteed a woman's right to an abortion until a fetus is "viable" _ up until about 24 weeks of pregnancy. Georgia passed legislation in 2012 that banned abortions after 20 weeks.Governors in Kentucky, Mississippi and Ohio all have signed similar "heartbeat bills." A federal judge has already issued a preliminary injunction against the Kentucky law, and similar laws enacted in recent years in Iowa and North Dakota have also been struck down in the courts.Other than using the detection of a "heartbeat" as the cutoff, each state has taken a slightly different approach to their law.In Georgia, later abortions still are allowed in cases of rape, incest, if the life of the mother is in danger or in instances of "medical futility," when a fetus would not be able to survive after birth. To obtain an abortion after six weeks because of rape or incest, a woman would have to file a police report.The anti-abortion organization Save the 1 said allowing exceptions to the abortion ban was discriminatory because it valued certain fetuses over others. The group vowed to sue the state.The Georgia law also includes what many supporters call "personhood" language, which would extend legal rights to fertilized eggs.Georgia's law allows parents, once a heartbeat is detected, to claim an embryo on their taxes as a dependent, and it would be counted toward the state's population. A court can also order a father to pay child support after a heartbeat is detected.The law also exposes the mother to criminal prosecution, as well as the doctor who performs the abortion, the nurse who assists in one and a pharmacist who prescribes medication that terminates a pregnancy. It grants exceptions to situations where the health or livelihood of the mother is at stake and for "the accidental or unintentional injury to or death of an unborn child."What defines a heartbeat is at the center of dispute.Supporters say it should be used to establish when life begins."If you look at a child in the womb with a beating heart and a distinct blood type and you ask a school child what that is, they know," said Rep. Ed Setlzer, R-Acworth, the bill's sponsor. "They say, 'That's a baby."Doctors who oppose the law, however, said what appears to be a heartbeat at six weeks signals the practice motions of developing tissues that could not on their own power a fetus without the mother.There are already about 20 lawsuits involving abortion that the U.S. Supreme Court could consider that would challenge Roe v. Wade, but supporters of the new law said they believe Georgia's ban is the one that will overturn the landmark ruling.Still, defending the state's law is going to be costly.For example, Louisiana spent more than $1 million on private attorneys defending a 2014 anti-abortion law that attempts to require doctors who perform the procedure to have admitting rights at a nearby hospital.That amount could balloon quickly after a federal judge ruled in 2017 that requiring admitting privileges was unconstitutional. Lawyers for a clinic that performs abortions have asked for $4.7 million to pay for legal fees. Louisiana is appealing the 2017 ruling. Our reporting The mayor and one councilmember from a small Georgia city near Gwinnett County faced numerous calls to resign Monday amid the fallout from comments about a black job candidate.An Atlanta Journal-Constitution investigation, published Monday, found that Hoschton Mayor Theresa Kenerly withheld the job candidate from consideration for city administrator because he was black, according to documents and interviews. She reportedly told a colleague on the council that Hoschton -- a predominantly white community of around 2,000 people -- "isn't ready for this."While being interviewed about that controversy, Hoschton City Councilman Jim Cleveland created his own by saying interracial marriage was against his "Christian beliefs" and made his "blood boil."The condemnation for both Kenerly and Cleveland came from across the political spectrum and throughout the metro Atlanta region on Monday -- and culminated with a council colleague calling for them to step aside during a brief but tense city council meeting that drew about 75 people. Several residents threatened the two with recall elections."Their conduct is reprehensible," Councilwoman Susan Powers said. "They have no business continuing to lead this city."Many in the refurbished train depot for Monday evening's packed council meeting agreed. There was no public comment period but there was an outburst when Kenerly quickly moved to end the 15-minute meeting."You do not represent our community and I didn't move here for that," said Shantwan Austin, a black man who moved to Hoschton with his family two years ago.Kenerly did not address the controversy during the council meeting, which was secured by at least four armed sheriff's deputies, and she eluded reporters afterward. The mayor previously issued a statement saying she didn't recall making the March comments that two of her colleagues reported to the city attorney.While the mayor has not directly commented on calls for her resignation, Cleveland made it clear Monday he wouldn't go down without a fight.Told he was a disgrace by a resident following him through the parking lot after the meeting, the councilman doubled down on his controversial comments, responding, "Why, because I don't believe in interracial marriage?"Cleveland then said he welcomed the recall election some were threatening."That's the only way you're going to get me out," he said."I'm not a racist," Cleveland said before driving off in his pickup truck. "They don't know how hard we work for this city. I've put 10 years in and haven't drawn a dime in salary or anything else. Just my love of the city."Kelly Winebarger, 38, began waving signs for passing cars near Hoschton City Hall early Monday afternoon, hours before the scheduled council meeting.One piece of poster board said "Hoschton will not tolerate racism." The other asked for both Kenerly and Cleveland to resign."I can't sit back and let people think that's how everyone is here," she said.Further outside of City Hall, the reaction to both Kenerly's reported comments and Cleveland's quotes to the AJC was swift.On his website, conservative commentator Erick Erickson called on Kenerly to step down."What is clear is that if the story is true, and it appears that the story is true, the mayor of Hoschton needs to step down immediately," he wrote.In a separate post, he urged Christians to counter Cleveland's comments on interracial marriage. "Christians in the United States need to speak up on this issue," he wrote.Edward Ahmed Mitchell, executive director of the Georgia chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, likewise condemned the comments."Racism has no place in the discourse of any city government, much less its hiring decisions. Both Mayor Kenerly and Councilman Cleveland should apologize, resign, and meet with impacted community members in order to grow as human beings," he said in a statement.Katie Griffin, chairwoman of the Jackson County Republican Party, condemned the remarks. She praised Powers and fellow Councilwoman Hope Weeks, both of whom serve in the county GOP, for bringing the situation to light."These comments do not reflect our county or our party. Thank you, Hope and Susan, for fighting against racism," Griffin wrote.In a statement, Jackson County Democratic Committee Chairman Pete Fuller said he was "once again embarrassed and shamed by our local elected leaders concerning their racial attitudes."Fuller called Kenerly "unfit for the job.""Her actions do not reflect the shared values of this county and are shameful," he said.Former Hoschton Mayor Erma Denney, who served in the post from 2009 to 2012, called Kenerly and Cleveland "outliers" and their comments "abhorrent.""Their 'belief system' is inherently flawed and has no place in our society," she said. "Our community, and our country, must condemn this in the strongest terms to move past this dark place that was allowed to cultivate under current leadership."Hoschton and most of Jackson County is represented in the General Assembly by State Rep. Tommy Benton, R-Jefferson, who made national news in in 2016 when, in an interview with the AJC, he defended the Ku Klux Klan as "not so much a racist thing but a vigilante thing to keep law and order."Monday's AJC reported that a black candidate for Hoschton city manager was sidelined from consideration because of his race. The story relied on internal communications among the mayor and city council members, and two councilmembers who overheard Mayor Theresa Kenerly say the town wasn't ready for a black city manager. Today's story includes reaction from local officials and Monday's city council meeting. As the nations opioid epidemic persists, its become common to hear of police officers carrying and administering naloxone, the overdose antidote often referred to by the brand name of its original nasal-spray version, Narcan. First responders have saved thousands of lives with it.So it came as a surprise to many whenreported in January that not only were District of Columbia police officers not carrying the drug, but that Mayor Muriel Bowser was opposed to the idea, calling it not the right solution for the city. Thereport came out as the city council was considering a proposal to equip officers in D.C. wards hardest hit by overdose deaths.Bowser eventually reversed her position in the face of public criticism, and D.C. police are expected to start carrying naloxone by the end of the year. But the news that such a large police force was not already equipped with the drug highlighted a reality that advocates already know well: Though more police officers in America have started carrying naloxone, its still far from the norm.The North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition, which tracks police naloxone programs across the country, cites nearly 2,500 of those programs among the nations approximately 18,000 police agencies. More and more departments are carrying every month, says Robert Childs, the coalitions former executive director, but it hasnt reached a saturation point.Some local governments argue that their emergency medical services are better equipped to administer the drug, making it redundant for police to carry it. But the most frequently cited reason for not equipping police? Costs. Not only do officers need to be trained in opioid reversal, but the price tag for naloxone can be forbidding. While some police departments have managed to get the cost of the nasal spray down to $75 for two doses, a single dose of the newest iteration, an auto-injector, is priced at $4,500 before rebates or discounts. Weve seen some departments [in North Carolina] that just cant afford to equip a thousand officers with it, Childs says.Given the high costs, many cities -- even early adopters -- have been strategic in how they roll out naloxone. Seattle police started off equipping only bike-patrol officers, thinking they would be the most likely to encounter someone overdosing in a public area; last year, the city expanded the program to car-patrol officers. Chicago police didnt begin carrying naloxone until last year, and only in the most at-risk south and west sides of the city.Beyond the potential to save lives, advocates argue that theres another reason to expand the number of officers carrying the drug: enhancing community policing. Giving officers the tools for overdose reversal has changed the way police look at their role, says Regina LaBelle, program director of Georgetown Universitys Addiction and Public Policy Initiative. The officers dont see it as an extra burden. Not only is it not a problem, but it can enhance their role in the community.And theres another way to look at costs. As expensive as a dose of naloxone can be, one recent study found that it cost an average of $11,731 to treat an overdose patient admitted to a hospital; for a patient who needed intensive care, that number jumped to $20,500. Its incredibly costly to treat someone in the hospital setting, and we know naloxone programs work, says Childs. I want all first responders to carry them. We need to do better. The California attorney general is auditing the state's Catholic dioceses' mandatory reporting policies on sex abuse, officials said Friday.Attorney General Xavier Becerra sent a letter to all 12 dioceses on Thursday requesting that church officials retain documents relevant to allegations of clergy sex abuse and mandatory reporting, said Kevin Eckery, a California Catholic Conference spokesman. It also asked several dioceses including San Francisco and San Jose to turn over certain documentation."What they're asking for is a straightforward, narrow request about how they're complying with the mandatory reporting responsibilities," Eckery said.The Los Angeles Times reported on Friday morning that the Archdiocese of Los Angeles was under investigation. Church officials later told The Chronicle that other dioceses were also asked to preserve their information."The California Department of Justice is conducting a review of your archdiocese's handling of sexual misconduct allegations involving children, including whether your archdiocese has adequately reported allegations of sexual misconduct, as required under California's Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act," read the state's letter to the Archdiocese of Sacramento.It is unclear if the attorney general's office is asking the same of other dioceses.Documents may include allegations of sexual harassment, abuse and exploitation; compliance policies with the state Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act; policies on workplace termination; recordkeeping policies and policies regarding the transfer of clergy between dioceses, according to the letter sent to the Sacramento archdiocese.The archdioceses of San Francisco and Los Angeles, along with the dioceses of San Jose, Sacramento, Fresno and Orange County, were asked to voluntarily submit their documents to the attorney general's office in the next 30 days, a source familiar with the inquiry told The Chronicle."The Diocese of Sacramento regularly trains all mandated reporters about their obligations to report to law enforcement," said Eckery, who is also a spokesman for the Diocese of Sacramento.A Diocese of San Jose spokeswoman said in a statement that clergy and mandated reporters in its parishes and schools are obligated to report sex abuse cases to local law enforcement."Even those who are not mandated reporters are reminded of the moral obligation to be aware of the signs of child abuse and to report it when there is a suspicion an abuse as occurred," said Liz Sullivan, the Diocese of San Jose's spokeswoman.A spokesman for the Archdiocese of San Francisco did not respond to requests for comment.There are six other Catholic dioceses in California: Oakland, Santa Rosa, Monterey, Stockton, San Bernardino and San Diego.It is unclear if Becerra's inquiry will lead to a larger investigation. His office declined to comment."To protect its integrity, we cannot comment on, even to confirm or deny, a potential or ongoing investigation," Becerra's office said.Survivor advocates lauded the attorney general's move."Our position is they're not equipped or transparent enough to do an investigation of themselves," said Joey Piscitelli, a spokesman for Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests.A page on the state attorney general's website asks survivors to report any past incidents of sex abuse. The page was put up in November as dioceses across the United States began naming alleged abusers in the wake of a Pennsylvania grand jury report investigating the widespread cover-up of child sex abuse in its parishes.Since October, three of the Bay Area's dioceses have publicly named clergymen accused of sexual abuse. The Diocese of San Jose named 16 priests accused of sexual abuse, while the Diocese of Santa Rosa named 39 and the Diocese of Oakland named 45 priests.The Archdiocese of San Francisco said in November it would review over 4,000 personnel files for any allegations of sex abuse but has not recently released a list of accused priests. (TNS) Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney has defended the selection of new touchscreen voting machines for the city's elections, saying it was a good decision that was made properly.I believe that weve done a good job, he told theEditorial Board on Wednesday, "because the people involved in it did due diligence, looked at it seriously, and selected what we think what they think is the best, and I trust their judgment.Kenney said that he had not been personally involved in the selection if youre mayor, you shouldnt go near or touch a contract or the deliberation on those contracts but that he trusted the selection process and the people involved.It was his first comment on a decision that for months has been criticized by city and state watchdogs and advocates for hand-marked paper ballots. They say the new systems were chosen too quickly by the city commissioners in an opaque process biased toward a system they say is costlier and less secure than others.City Controller Rebecca Rhynhart has been one of the most outspoken critics, and Kenney pushed back at her last week.We believe were right, Kenney told Philly Magazine in an interview Thursday . We think shes wrong; we did our due diligence. I dont know what her problem is.In an emailed statement Monday, Rhynhart said she has serious questions and concerns about the voting machine selection process.Because of this, a full investigation is currently underway by my office, she wrote. Im not sure why the mayor is making this personal; this is about what the residents of this city deserve. Im focused on doing my job, making sure laws and processes are followed and tax dollars are not wasted.Rhynhart had urged the commissioners to slow their decision-making process before their vote Feb. 20 for the ExpressVote XL system from vendor ES&S . After that decision, she called on the elections officials to restart their process and persuaded one commissioner to come out against the selection As part of her investigation, she has subpoenaed city officials for documents from the selection process and said she would block funding for the new systems until she is certain that everything is above board The Kenney administration has been at the heart of the selection process and contract negotiations.While the city commissioners who picked the machines are independently elected, their choice of system came only after a selection committee overseen by Kenneys procurement department made recommendations. The membership of that committee is confidential, but along with representatives from the commissioners and City Council, it included representatives from the citys Office of Innovation and Technology and Office of Economic Opportunity.The commissioners vote alone does not make the machines appear. Since it involves funding, City Council, Rhynhart, and Kenney all play roles in making the new voting systems a reality.Since the commissioners selection of the ExpressVote XL system, the procurement department and the city Law Department have been negotiating a contract with ES&S. Ohios Department of Transportation wants to allow drones to fly beyond what the eye can see.A partnership between DriveOhio a division of the Ohio DOT and the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, located near Dayton, has developed SkyVision, a radar system designed specifically for drones. The technology allows unmanned planes to fly beyond the visual line of sight, known in aerospace parlance as BVLOS.When we look at the development of the technology, whether its unmanned traffic management systems or delivery of packages and goods, none of those capabilities are possible without beyond visual line of sight in flight, said Luke Stedke, managing director of communications at DriveOhio. What this does is allow that type of testing to occur for commercial, academic and other institutions in the state of Ohio.SkyVision allows drones to see and avoid other aircraft whether they are fellow drones or conventional aircraft while in flight. The system has also been called an aircraft control system for drones.The Federal Aviation Administration recently granted a Certificate of Authorization to AFRL to operate drones beyond the visual line of sight for the Ohio Unmanned Aircraft Systems Center at the Springfield-Beckley Municipal Airport. Drones will be allowed to fly within a 200-square-mile section of unrestricted airspace near the Springfield airport.This also opens the door for commercial companies to work with Ohio, AFRL and the FAA to test their own UAS-related technology using our SkyVision detection system, said Gov. Mike DeWine, in a statement. This is a major step in revolutionizing the transportation industry, with Ohio leading the way in aerospace, defense and aviation innovation.The move by the FAA follows a similar authorization to allow the Chula Vista Police Department in Southern California to operate drones beyond the visual line of sight. The unmanned aircraft are used as first responders, replying to 911 calls.Advancing the development of drone technology in Ohio is one piece of the states vision to serve as a destination for companies wanting to develop next generation transportation, whether it's connected autonomous autos or new forms of aviation, said Stedke.All of this technology unmanned aircraft, autonomous vehicles there are no models for this. These are new systems. These are new companies. These are new companies trying to operate in an old system of transportation. So its really going to take partnerships, not only with companies and the government, but intergovernmental partnerships, said Stedke. We want to be the one-stop-shop for connected and autonomous vehicles in the state of Ohio.VyrtX, a Dayton, Ohio, technology company exploring the use of using drones for medical transport involving human organs, will be one of the first companies to test at the Ohio UAS Center. Test flights are allowed at altitudes of 1,000 to 10,000 feet. The SkyVision system is operated in a large RV-like vehicle to ensure its close positioning near drone aircraft that are in flight. (TNS) City lawmakers have delayed a decision on whether to allow Verizon blanket authority to install a high-speed 5G data network in Syracuse, N.Y.Common Councilor Bryn Lovejoy-Grinnell objected to a planned vote on the item Monday afternoon. That objection automatically tables the item for two weeks.Last month, Verizon and City Hall drafted an agreement that would allow Verizon to install hundreds of small cell towers on city-owned light poles. Those towers would have the capacity to carry a 5G network, which allows for increased connectivity across wireless devices, including cell phones. Syracuse would be one of the first 5G cities in America.But the plan has run into intense scrutiny from the Common Council, whose members have repeatedly raised concerns over health and safety issues, labor agreements with Verizon and federal policies that dictate 5G deployment.Councilor Lovejoy-Grinnell said she had unanswered questions about the agreement and that waiting another two weeks wouldnt mean the city loses out on the new technology. Since the proposal came in the midst of the councils lengthy budget review , there hasnt been enough time to address all the councils questions, she said.Mayor Ben Walsh said 5G is an important part of the future of Syracuses economy. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, he said his administration will not stop pushing to make it happen.I am disappointed, but Im also undeterred, Walsh said. We feel like we went above and beyond in terms of trying to answer the questions raised both by our constituents and the councilors, but clearly some questions remain so well focus on addressing those as well.During a study session Monday, Lovejoy-Grinnell pressed a city attorney for answers about labor standards in the proposed agreement. She wanted to know if the city could require Verizon to reveal the subcontractors it used to install the small cell towers, and whether the city could include labor standards for those contractors.Joseph Barry, 1st assistant corporation counsel, said he didnt believe federal law would allow for that. He also said new federal rules wouldnt let Syracuse impose labor standards in the agreement, because that would be considered an impediment to 5G deployment.Lovejoy-Grinnell and Councilor Khalid Bey were skeptical of Barrys answers.I would not want us to vote on your guess about what the law requires or allows us to do, Lovejoy-Grinnell said. Do you think you could use additional time...or are you certain about your answer?"In my opinion, this is an area the council cannot regulate, Barry replied.Lovejoy-Grinnell wasnt satisfied with his assurance. She said answers Barry gave in a previous hearing about 5G werent completely accurate and she wasnt convinced his opinion Monday was accurate either.Im certain with my opinion, and thats kind of my final opinion, Barry concluded. Youre always welcome to get a second opinion."Also raised was the issue of whether the city could legally ban 5G. Other cities, such as Portland, Ore., have passed laws attempting to stymy 5G installation. The Portland council demanded the Federal Communications Commission update its research on the health impacts of 5G before installation could begin.Some cities have tried to ban 5G. Barry said he didnt believe those bans would hold up in court, since the FCC has limited a citys ability to regulate or slow-walk 5G deployment.A vote on the Syracuse 5G agreement will be tabled until at last May 20, when the council meets next. Tatiana Calderon hopes her route to F1 is the right one. At the weekend, the new all-female single seater category 'W Series' had its first race. Calderon, a 26-year-old Colombian driver, was not on the grid. "For me, it would be a step backward," she said last year. "They use Formula 3 cars there, and I want to go to Formula 2. And I'm always measuring myself against the best." Calderon is indeed the first woman on the F2 grid this year, but her best result so far is a 13th place. However, she was a Sauber development driver last year, and she has kept that role for 2019 with Alfa Romeo. Calderon said at the Madrid launch event for the Spanish grand prix: "I hope to be able to drive a Formula 1 car this year. "I think I'm privileged to be able to do Formula 2 this year. We have potential but we still need to turn a corner," she added. Calderon will race in the F2 support race in Barcelona this weekend. "Let's see if we (Alfa Romeo) can continue to fight in Montmelo. Kimi is relaxed and enjoying himself, which is when he shows his real potential," she said. (GMM) Charles Leclerc says he will only listen to team orders from Ferrari "to a point" in the coming races. The Monaco born team newcomer is clearly 'number 2' to Sebastian Vettel, but he has expressed frustration when told to move aside so far in 2019. "I need to show what I am capable of on the track so that the situation will change one day," Leclerc said as he met with select reporters in Monaco. "Like every driver, I want to be the best. So far, I have understood every decision, even if sometimes it is difficult to accept them. "I understand what the hierarchy is at the moment, but I will do everything possible to change it. So to a point, I will do what is required of me," the 21-year-old added. Leclerc is also expecting Ferrari to be fast this weekend in Barcelona, even though Mercedes has done a 1-2 at all four races in 2019. "We understood the problem of Australia, and in Bahrain it was right. In China it was a little less good but in Baku it was good again -- better in qualifying than in the race. "We are going in the right direction, and I think we will be strong everywhere if we put it in the right window. The improvements in Baku brought us a step closer," he said. (GMM) Organisers of the Italian GP have admitted the new deal with Liberty Media saves them "a lot of money". Liberty Media and Monza announced recently that after a period of uncertainty, they have now agreed a 2020-2024 race deal "in principle". But Italian automobile club president Angelo Sticchi Damiani admits the actual contract isn't signed yet. "It will take us about a month to discuss the contract with all the additions and important points," he told Rai radio. "I hope that it will be signed by July." He admits the negotiations were fraught. "It was very difficult to reach an agreement," said Damiani. "At first we had a very unfavourable contract, signed with Bernie Ecclestone in 2016. "They kept saying 'Monza is important but also money is important. We have a waiting list from all over the world'. Two or three times it was close to breaking down. "In the end we managed to reduce the financial requirements, but the negotiations were difficult. It is confidential, but compared to the initial requirements of Liberty Media, we saved a lot of money. "They requested more than 24 million, but we managed to reduce the payments in the next five years. They are now very good conditions. "I have to thank Liberty Media, because they realised the importance of Monza," he said. (GMM) I hear many Black female horror authors talk about respectability politics and the struggle to express their passion for horror fiction in commonly black writing circles, especially as newer writers. Did you have any experience in coursework or social writing spaces at Howard where you discussed this? My Howard University experience is over 20 years old, so I cant speak to what new programs they might have, but I did not have coursework or social writing spaces there nor at Southern New Hampshire University, where I earned my MA in English and Creative Writing and am completing my MFA in Creative Writing later this year, along those lines. With writing being the solitary profession that it is, I am in front of my computer more often than not and not involved with writing groups per se, but I can attest to the fact that, where there may be four sci-fi authors in a writing group or organization, you would be hard pressed to find one horror author. That said, I have always claimed horror as my genre because that is what I write. I have never felt the pressure of proving that the genre is respectable there are good and bad examples of that distinction in every genre. What I will do is discuss the wide range of sub genres with someone who thinks that horror is just blood and gore. Perhaps educating people about the many facets of the genre will change the perception, one person at a time. When I was a new writer in the early 2000s, I found a community of horror authors pretty quickly. There were a few African Americans in that group of people that I spoke with on message boards and email (the popular mediums of the time), but most of the group were not. When I would do readings, signings, or speak on panels at bookstores that were frequented, in large part, by African American readers, I was met with resistance that I did not experience at venues with a different audience makeup that is still sometimes that case. Theres just something about the genre itself that makes the African American community give a side eye. Why do you think that is? Perhaps life isn't mirrored as accurately in art in this regard, as it relates to African Americans. In essence, reality is scarier than fiction, so there is no draw to the genre? But honestly, I think that is too surface, too dismissive of an answer. I used to think there was a religious component to the disdain cast toward horror authors (and readers) of color - like there was a line that shouldn't be crossed, a line that could mean any number of things, from godlessness to all manner of depravity, and writing horror - actually liking it - is like dipping a toe in the pool, but I wonder, now, if that is too broad of an answer. In the end, I think it is a matter of a dislike of the unknown and a misunderstanding of those who are not frightened by that cosmic concept. In a world where having a real understanding of what is going on around us can be elusive, I wonder if African Americans are just not interested (at large) in spending time and thought on concepts that are outside of the realm of possibility. This is a very long way to say I don't know, but there it is. You once posed the question about the unbalanced validity of male writers in the horror genre versus women, and the ponderance of horror being perceived as unladylike for a woman to explore her darker thoughts/ideas. How do women in horror create a larger discussion about gender bias and create an ideology around the idea that the exploration of horror is healthy for the human condition, period? I always find it interesting that many people assume horror authors are male purely because of the subject matter when women have been writing engaging horror material since the genres inception. I think it says more about a persons thoughts about themselves and where they fit in the world when labels and silos are perpetuated. You asked what I think we can do to address gender bias in this way and I say plainly that we have to keep making our presence known. Keep putting out quality horror fiction and producing horror films. Women need to support each other in these efforts and make that support known. Social media is a powerful tool and the best marketing strategy is (and always has been), word of mouth. Women need to tell their social groups about the new horror book they read written by a female author or the new movie they watched produced or directed by a female filmmaker. Women, by and large, have no problem promoting things, whether that is a fashion line or their new favorite song. If we were to dedicate our influence toward female horror creators, the landscape would be vastly different. Women in horror have always had a message that screams equality in the genre. We just need other women to echo it. Tell me your favorite book to screen adaptation and your most hated. And why! My favorite book to film adaptation is The War of the Worlds so, so good. So scary. The movie doesnt stick to the book to the letter, but that is okay. The casting is stellar and the visuals really stuck with me. My most hated book to screen adaptation is Queen of the Damned. Wow! Okay! No argument here. I did leave the theatre very underwelmed and disappointed. I mean, it could have been so good, but it just wasnt. The movie strove to combine books two and three of The Vampire Chronicles and that was too much material to throw together. As a result, none of the characters were developed very well. I also think that some of the casting choices were questionable. Are there any horror TV or films that youre enjoying right now? I am really enjoying Jordan Peeles new work in the genre. Get Out was groundbreaking. Us is a great sophomoric effort. And now he has rebooted The Twilight Zone. Such an interesting time for psychological horror. Ive been revisiting some classics recently. Shivers is a fantastic film as long as you go in realizing that it is campy, you can appreciate the sheer terror of the premise without presumption. The Stepford Wives, the 1975 film, viewed from a modern-day perch opens up a fair amount of nuance that might have been missed before. Ive also watched my all-time favorite horror film Angel Heart again recently. I adore the pacing of this movie, the tension. I come back to this one all the time. Look for L. Marie Wood's third novel, The Realm this September. L. Marie Wood does it all. In the realm of horror storytelling, her advocacy spreads in pages you can turn and click. Her insight has led podcasts, panels, and college classrooms. She proposes, that horror, and all the creatures therein, helps us understand our ancestral experiences. To gain knowledge of what lurks in the shadows so it doesn't remain unknown. Wood's intimate relationship with the genre and leanings towards the psychological is why critics have consistently described her work as enchanting. She's done all the work and has won plenty of awards for it, and shows no sign of slowing down. From Gothic haunts to African vampires, Wood's themes will continue to flourish with a multi-book deal under Cedar Grove Publishing. Here, I prompt Wood for her takes on horror in the Black community, the power of women networking, challenging herself as a creative to stand out in the genre's flooded lore, and whysucks.I started reading horror fiction pretty early. I can remember sneaking my mothers copy offrom the bookshelf before I was even 10 years old. I have always enjoyed the classics stories likeandhave always pulled me in. Maybe its the language used or the curious nod toward psychological horror (my corner of the horror spectrum) that Gothic fiction tends to have that enthralls me I dont know.What I do know is that I am just as apt to enjoy(this is a crazy story, mind-blowing really, written by Matthew Lewis in 1796) as I am, Paul Tremblays novel from 2015. The difference now is that I understand more about literary devices, which allows me to appreciate more of the convoluted sub plotting, dense character bases, allusions to events lost to history, and endings that are just a little too pat (deus ex machina used to frustrate me to no end. Okay, maybe it still does).I always approach my work with two thoughts in mind: how will the story end and how would this look on screen? Ive always been a storyteller, but got into film production and screenwriting in the 1990s. It is definitely my second love. The aesthetics are important to me, even if the piece that I end up producing will be read rather than seen because of the richness those details provide in description.I knew that my vampire needed to be unique. There is a lot of vampire fiction in the world and I didnt want to reproduce something that we have already seen. At the same time, I didnt want to lose the exotic nature of the vampire. Ive always enjoyed the sensual vampire more than the monster. It was important to me that I reflect the kind of vampire that would be able to set in motion the scenario that I had in mind. I needed a unique sounding voice a unique look.I started listening to music from around the world and became intrigued by what I now know is highlife music. I was hearing inflections and tones that I connected with my vampire. I learned where the music was from and what languages were spoken by people that listened to it. Fon was one of them. I started to listen to Fon spoken using translating tools and even calling the Benin embassy to find someone to help me with conversational Fon. It was like music to my ears my vampire was coming to life. The language dictated the area. The area was rich in folklore that I could use to form a concrete backstory. It was a perfect match.I believe that people have many layers.My personal experiences have created layers that come together to form the person that I am the same as your experiences, your layers form you. Acknowledging that we are multi-faceted beings, complex and intricate in the most amazing ways, and laying those vulnerabilities bare makes my stories more relatable. The realism that my work carries with it allows people to feel the escapism that they crave when reading fiction while suspending disbelief at a snails pace.The story feels familiar, like something that might have happened to a friend of theirs, or even to themselves. The scenarios the characters find themselves in are plausible and the readers can nod along or disagree with the protagonists decisions. Everything is fine until it isnt. Something scary happens. Now they want out but not until they know what happens, because the situation that hooked them in the first place was something that could just as easily have happened to them. Shared experiences create common ground. I just use those commonalities to set my stage. Under the old policy, international students, scholars and researchers who hold F, J and M visas werent considered to be unlawfully present in the United States until after a formal ruling from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. ("Unlawful presence" is overstaying a visa.) The new policy started counting days as soon as a person leaves school or whenever the feds in hindsight declare that someone has broken an immigration rule as relatively minor as failing to report a change of address. Penalties for staying too long on an expired visa are stiff: Do it for a year, and you cant come back to the United States for a decade. Greensboros Jewish community participated May 1 in the annual international commemoration of Yom Hashoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, in a somber ceremony at Beth David Synagogue in Greensboro. The services message of remembrance, hope, responsibility and survival assumed greater significance within the harrowing present-day context of rising intentional attacks including murder on Jews and Jewish institutions. The memorial service or remembrance began with a solemn procession of two Torahs hand inscribed in Hebrew parchment scrolls of the Five Books of Moses recovered from synagogues destroyed by the Nazis. Holocaust survivors joined children of other survivors, reciting affirmations of life as they individually kindled six candles to represent the 6 million victims of the Nazi genocide which included 1.5 million children. Area rabbis led prayers and memorial declarations. The service concluded with attended reading aloud in unison a community declaration acknowledging past days of terror, the commandment to fight injustice and abiding commitment never to forget, intoning the Hebrew word, Zohar, to remember. RANDLEMAN A man was arrested after he allegedly forced his way into a residence and assaulted multiple people Friday. According to a press release, the Randolph County Sheriff's Office responded to Vermont Drive in Randleman and spoke with the victims of the assault. Victims reported that a suspect had assaulted three people after forcibly entering the home. Lacerations and marks were left on the victims' bodies. The man was no longer at the residence when deputies arrived, but deputies were able to speak to him by phone. He denied assaulting anyone, claiming he was the one who was assaulted and that he was on his way to a hospital in Greensboro, believing he had broken ribs. Warrants were obtained on the man. A deputy was traveling south on Randleman Road in Level Cross Sunday when he saw a vehicle displaying a registration plate registered to the suspect. When the deputy approached, an odor of marijuana was coming from the vehicle. The driver was informed of his outstanding warrants. The girls parents lived in a Forsyth County neighborhood near Kernersville in the 1980s. Lasseter and his first wife moved into the neighborhood, and the two families socialized. Glanton said that Lasseter inappropriately touched her while she was in his house alone. On several occasions, he touched her genitals and engaged in sex acts with the child. He continued to sexually abuse her after he separated from his wife and moved to an apartment complex, Glanton said. The girl told her parents, and her father reported the abuse to the Forsyth County Sheriffs Office. The girl decided she did not want to pursue prosecution at the time, Glanton said. Then, after years of counseling, the woman decided to report the abuse in 2016. The woman said it took years of counseling for her to come to terms with what Lasseter did to her. At first, she said she didnt want to file criminal charges against Lasseter. I basically needed to help myself because I had gone through 30 years of hell blaming myself, she said. She said she was fully in support of the plea agreement and bringing closure to the case. Georgia governor signs 'heartbeat bill,' giving the state one of the most restrictive abortion laws in the nation Republican Gov. Brian Kemp signed a controversial "heartbeat" bill into law on Tuesday, outlawing most abortions once a doctor detects what some call "a fetal heartbeat in the womb," usually about six weeks into a pregnancy. His signature could launch a court battle that supporters hope will challenge abortion rights all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. The bill was signed Tuesday morning in the governor's ceremonial office at the state Capitol. Kemp said he upholds his promise to enact the "toughest abortion bill in the country." "Georgia is a state that values life," Kemp said before putting his signature to the LIFE Act. "We stand up for those who are unable to speak for themselves." Kemp said he recognizes the bill will be challenged. "But our job is to do what is right, not what is easy," Kemp added. "We will not back down. We will always continue to fight for life." May 6-10 is Teacher Appreciation week, and I ask all North Carolinians to join me in thanking our hard-working educators. We are fortunate to have them. As state superintendent of North Carolinas K-12 public schools, I believe that every student should be able to go to school, work hard and reach their American Dream. And if we want all students to succeed, we must have great teachers and school leaders. Our goal is for North Carolina to be the best state for learning and the best state for teaching. We have more than 100,000 educators supporting more than 1.5 million students in more than 2,500 schools. They work hard for our students, and the most important way state leaders can show our appreciation is to work hard for them in Raleigh. North Carolina has come a long way on teacher pay in the last decade, and especially the past few years. When I entered office, North Carolina was 41st in the nation in teacher pay. Now, we are 29th. More importantly, we are second in the Southeast in teacher pay and I am working with state leaders to get us to No. 1. The Fifth Risk is project mismanagement. It is ironic that President Trump appointed former Texas Gov. Rick Perry as Department of Energy (DOE) secretary, when, in a primary debate, Perry could not remember DOE was one of three departments he had promised to delete. I wonder if Perry initially realized DOE maintains and guards our nuclear arsenal, trains every international atomic-energy inspector and supplies radiation-detection equipment. The DOE also runs 17 national science labs and the National Weather Service. According to John MacWilliams, the DOEs former chief risk officer, the top five risks Perry should worry about include: that nuclear weapons are not lost or stolen or accidentally explode; North Korea; Iran; protecting the electric grid; and possible program mismanagement. MacWilliams listed 150 risks. The government provides what the private sector cannot or will not such as medical care for veterans, air-traffic control, food and drug-safety guidelines and other ways of keeping us safe from a financial crisis, a hurricane or a terrorist attack. On June 30, 2018, the News & Record published a letter from Josephine Barbour and me in which we protested the separation of parents and children seeking asylum in the United States. Now, almost a year later, who knows what has happened to these children? Are they in detention camps? In foster homes? Returned to the families? Lost? It is difficult to believe that we are so cruel and heartless. But then, we always have been, havent we? We separated Native American families and we looked the other way when African Americans were lynched, abused and denied equal rights. During World War II we seized the property of Japanese Americans and sent them to detention camps. We also refused asylum to a ship full of Jewish refugees. Now, under the Trump administration, the pattern continues. ICE agents can knock on the doors of people they suspect of being undocumented, arrest them, take them to who knows where! And in some cases leaving behind bewildered, frightened families. Now, in 2019, all those intelligent minds in Congress seem unable to agree to a humane solution to immigration. Meanwhile, I think about those poor children and their families and the despair they must feel. One of the Democratic senators seeking the presidency had a message Monday for teachers: Ive got your back, and Ill help your wallet. Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., also stressed that America needs to do a better job of focusing more money and attention on K-12 education, making her comments Monday at a town hall event in Detroit hosted by the American Federation of Teachers. Our society pretends to care about education, but doesnt actually do a good job of educating many children, Harris said. Harris made waves in the national education community when in March she proposed giving every teacher a $13,500 raise by the end of her first term if shes elected. For the average teacher, that would be a pay hike of 23 percent. Harris blueprint would use federal dollars to match state efforts, with extra resources going toward those working in high-need schools. (Such schools arent defined in her plan). Harris touted that plan Monday as the first federal investment toward closing what some research describes as a pay gap between teachers and other comparable professionals. "$13,500 a year is a years mortgage payments in most parts of the country, she stressed at the town hall gathering. We are not paying you your value, Harris also told teachers. AFT President Randi Weingarten has praised the idea, although if Republicans maintain control of the Senate it would be extremely hard for it to pass Congress. In political terms, the AFT-Harris event checked a few boxes. It took place in a 2020 swing state thats also in U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos backyard. It also happened just a few hours after DeVos, during remarks at the Education Writers Association conference on Monday, said that good teachers should make at least half of the $500,000 annual salary Weingarten earns. Weingarten responded later in the day by saying of DeVos, I cant imagine she would be this stupid. I know shes stupid. Weingarten added that raising teacher salaries is a great idea, and said DeVos should use Harris event as a starting point instead of supporting tax cuts for the wealthy. Harris touched on other education topics during the town hall: She sharply criticized the current system of school funding that relies heavily on local property taxes. We are not adequately resourcing schools, Harris said. It is bananas. Harris said schools must get help with the undiagnosed and untreated trauma many students currently experience. Poverty is trauma-inducing, Harris said. Not every student is destined to attend a four-year college, Harris stressed. The AFT held a similar town hall event with Rep. Tim Ryan , D-Ohio, another 2020 presidential candidate, earlier this month. Image: Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., right, speaks at an American Federation of Teachers town hall event in Detroit on May 6, 2019, as AFT President Randi Weingarten looks on. Follow us on Twitter at @PoliticsK12 . And follow the Andrew Ujifusa half of Politics K-12 @AndrewUjifusa . GREENWICH Attendees at a midday benefit Thursday were served more than lunch. They also got some food for thought courtesy of a master chef. Jacques Pepin, 16-time James Beard Award winner, host of 12 PBS cooking shows, French Legion of Honor member not to mention Oprah favorite spoke at Neighbor to Neighbors annual spring luncheon at Burning Tree Country Club. A sold-out crowd of 240 was on hand to hear him discuss all matters of cooking, especially the importance of getting children and family involved. When a child gets used to the smell of foods and standing behind the stove it makes so much difference, Pepin said. When my daughter was a year and a half old I held her in my hands and she stirred the pot. You have to get the kid involved ... When we cook together, the cooking leads to sitting down around the table having conversation. Thats whats important. Pepin was interviewed at the event by another with acclaimed experience in the kitchen, Greenwich resident Debra Ponzek, owner of Aux Delices and author of several noted cookbooks. Having (your children) there is very important, Ponzek agreed. They dont always have to be stirring the pot or turning the meat. Just being in the kitchen and getting the smells and the clang of the pots I think is a whole experience. Pepin also discussed trends in food, notably the farm-to-table movement, which he fully supports because there probably is nothing worse than processed foods. He even shared his impression of legendary chef and PBS personality Julia Child from when they worked together. Before and after the luncheon, Pepin, signed copies of his newest book Poulets and Legumes, endorsed by Winfrey. The chef will receive a lifetime achievement award at the Daytime Emmys ceremony on May 5, becoming the first in his genre to receive the honor. The event was not just a celebration of Pepins many accomplishments. It was held to support Neighbor to Neighbor, which serves thousands of Greenwich residents with needed food and clothing. Support from the community allows the agency to donate enough food to prepare 360,000 meals each year, supply 19,000 shopping bags of clothing and housewares linens, give out school supplies to more than 500 students and provide holiday toys to more than 400 children, said Nancy Coughlin, Neighbor to Neighbors executive director. We know that when children are hungry, they cannot learn, Coughlin said. We know that an adult will be more successful if he has a decent suit. We know that spending day to day wondering if youre going to be able to put food on the table is no way to live. kborsuk@greenwichtime.com GREENWICH Four months after students moved into their new New Lebanon School, abatement and demolition has begun on the old building. So far, Gilbane, the construction company, has completed a temporary gravel parking lot, erected construction fencing and completed hazardous abatement, according to the Greenwich School district. Demolition of some parts of the building has begun as part of the abatement process. Punch-list work for finishing details in the new school building will be scheduled for after school hours or on Saturdays, the school district said. The project has received its fourth reimbursement from the state, $3,495,815, for a grand total of $15,738,167 to date. A fifth reimbursement has been requested in the amount of $2,932,368, due this May. The total price tag for the new building is $37.3 million. New Lebanon, an elementary International Baccalaureate magnet school for students from preschool to fifth grade, was built to accommodate a population in the school attendance area that had outgrown the walls of its old school. The additional space also provides for preschool classes and magnet seats, two components of the district racial balance plan. For years, the state Department of Education has cited the school for the racial imbalance in the student body, with a population of minority students that far exceeds the population of white students. The next generation school, equipped with flexible furniture and state-of-the-art technology, allows students to learn in many kinds of environments. The building is designed to meet the sustainability goals established by the Educational Specifications and to achieve a gold-level LEED rating from U.S. Green Building Council. jo.kroeker@hearstmediact.com GAUTIER, Mississippi -- A 29-year-old man is in custody, charged with 1st degree murder in the shooting death of a 47-year-old Gautier resident Monday night. According to Gautier police chief Dante Elbin, officers responded to a report just after 7 p.m. Monday of a shot being fired and a person injured on West Park Drive. The caller also advised the shooter was fleeing the scene in a vehicle. Officers arriving on the scene found 47-year-old Lashun Love, a resident of West Park Drive, suffering from a gunshot wound. Paramedics arrived and administered medical care before transporting Love to Singing River Hospital, where he later died from his injury. Ultimately, officer Trace Williams advised he had located the suspects vehicle, based off witness descriptions, and with the assistance of Sgt. Cordell Holder, identified and took into custody 29-year-old Kerry Thomas Young. Young was taken to the Gautier Police Department, where he was charged with 1st degree murder. He was later transferred to the Jackson County Adult Detention Center, where he is being held without bond. Anyone with additional information on this crime is asked to contact the Gautier Police Department at 228-497-2486 or Mississippi Coast Crime Stoppers at 877-787-5898. Haiti - FLASH : The PNH arrests 4 alleged Gang Leaders Last Weekend (4-5 May), during anti-gang operations, the National Police of Haiti (PNH) arrested four alleged gang leaders of in the region of Jeremie (Grand'Anse Dept.) The following were arrested: Jacquelin Bernard (23 years old), an alleged gang leader from La Saline, Montoute Hilaire and Marcelin Dady, two alleged gang leaders of Cite Militaire and Dieumaitre Benjami a Gang leader from Jeremie who had allowed the other 3 Chiefs of gang arrested, to take refuge in the area, according to police sources. If the arrest of 4 Gang leaders is a step in the right direction, no one knows how many Gangs are active in Haiti. Rebel Dorcenat, a member of the National Commission for Disarmament Demobilization and Reinsertion (CNDDR), said Monday on the radio of the capital "We have so far indexed 76 Gangs across the country and we have not finished yet [...]" adding that the numbers of these armed gangs vary between 10 and 350 men... If the Commission, which is still waiting for a budget, claims to have already had exchanges with more than 70% of the leaders of Gangs identified, Rebel Dorcenat stresses that if they say they are open to lay down their weapons, they are very demanding and ask their conditions, the impunity for them and their henchmen. What the Commission, which is not justice, can not promise them underlines Rebel Dorcenat, which is no illusion, aware that it is not the Commission that will solve the problem of the proliferation of weapons in Haiti, believing that the solution to this problem will take time... TB/ HaitiLibre Haiti - Security : Assassination of Ridchy Cayo, press attache to the Primature In a note, the Primature expresses its deep emotion and consternation at the news of the tragic death of his employee, Ridchy Cayo, occurred at Carrefour near the police station of the commune Omega, on the night Sunday to Monday, May 6. According to our sources, unidentified gunmen riding motorcycles at the Cote Plage 16 level opened fire on the press attache in the Primature's communications office, fatally hitting him in the back. Rushed to the hospital of the Office of Occupational Accident Insurance, Sickness and Maternity (OFATMA), he did not survive his injuries "Attached to the communication office since 2013, Ridchy Cayo was a dynamic, dedicated, passionate press attache, marked by a sense of creativity and innovation in the field of digital communication, for which he was in charge. With the death of Ridchy Cayo, the Primature, especially the communications office, lost a seasoned professional, who will have marked, by its brief passage, the landscape of social media. The Primature sends its most sincere condolences to his family, his family, his friends and his immediate collaborators, saddened by this tragic death. " HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - Environment : A $33.5M project blocked by a land conflict... The project of construction of a waste dump site in the district of Cap-Haitien, provoked a lively controversy between the town halls of Limonade, Cap-Haitien and Quartier Morin, (the three municipalities concerned by this project) and the businessman, Lesly Nazon claiming rights on the land located in Mouchinette, in the commune of Limonade, where this landfill must be built. Recall that the project to build this landfill, whose work had begun before being suspended following a court decision https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-27638-haiti-environment-a-businessman-blocks-the-landfill-of-limonade.html date was initiated more than 10 years ago already... The World Bank, the French Development Agency and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) are the main financial partners for this US $ 33.5 million project, which covers 19 hectares of land. "This litigation only adds to the problems of the inhabitants of the municipalities concerned, which until now have barely managed to manage even domestic waste. In Cap-Haitien, despite the protests of residents in the communal section of Petite-Anse, the mangrove is transformed wild dump, which not only threatens the health of the population, but also weakens the area in the rainy season," says Esaie Lefranc . Several concordant information, unconfirmed by the mayor and the authorities concerned, suggest that Lesly Nazon "would have left the country" because of threats and the turn that would take this case. Information to be taken with caution as it should be... To be continued See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-27638-haiti-environment-a-businessman-blocks-the-landfill-of-limonade.html TB/ HaitiLibre Haiti - Agriculture : More than 250 Farmer Field School in Haiti The Ministry of Agriculture with the technical assistance of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has made the Farmer Field School approach (CEP - Champs Ecoles Paysan) a preferred approach to agricultural extension for Haiti perfectly adapted to the practices characterizing Haitian agriculture. 8 years after the introduction of this approach, more than 250 CEP are installed throughout the country. With more than 14 different themes addressed such as: Conservation agriculture techniques and techniques of agriculture on sloping land, multiplication and use of improved seeds, storage of agricultural seeds, processing of agricultural products among others, the Farmer Field School in Haiti has the merit of proposing varied answers to the problems most commonly encountered in Haitian agriculture. The first beneficiaries are the farmers for whom the experiment proves to be a truly beneficial innovation. Farmers acknowledge that the results obtained in the CEP made them aware that their "lands were anemic" before adopting and implementing good agricultural practices. "We realized that we had to feed the land so that it could feed us more, to make more profits [...] We did not understand what we were doing before. Our work and our efforts were simply futile [...] The peasants testify to their legitimate satisfaction. "Before the CEP, when we plant a pot of beans, we only harvest 5, sometimes 6, whereas now, with the practices of the CEP, for a pot of beans planted, we harvest no less than 15". "Encouraging people to work together reminds us of how our grandparents are doing in the konbit," says Robert Joseph Sylvestre, the departmental agricultural director of the Center. Within the CEP, which is nothing other than a space of practices, exchanges of knowledge and collective learning, the Haitian farmers refer to their own practices that they learn to develop with the methodology inherent to the approach, in order to enhance their land. The peasants, like those practiced in the other Farmer Field Schools, learn together and then replicate what they have learned. CEP days are organized, where farmers come to discuss the difficulties encountered and share the ways in which they have overcome them. However, despite the farmers' interest and the relatively convincing results, the CEP suffer from a lack of harmonization in their implementation by different partners. Hence the need to institutionalize this approach in order to make it sustainable. The CEP guide currently being developed by the Ministry in collaboration with FAO should provide guidance for their establishment and management. HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - News : Zapping... The opposition wants a self-proclaimed President On Monday, the Progressive Opposition Forces (FOP), a group of several radical opposition political leaders, called for the establishment of a "self-proclaimed" president and popular parliament, with the aim of to get the departure of Jovenel Moise from power... The CFI will present the investment opportunities in Haiti Tessa Jacques Antoine, the General Manager of the Center for Investment Facilitation (CFI), will speak at the conference "Outsource to the Caribbean", in Curacao from May 7 to 8, 2019. She will use this show to present investment opportunities in Haiti in the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) sector. Garcia Delva in Saint Michel de l'Attalaye Saturday, May 4, Senator Garcia Delva paid a visit to the commune of Saint Michel de l'Attalaye as a prelude to the patronal festival of the city. During this visit the Senator had exchanges with various personalities of the commune and took the opportunity to proceed with the launching of the project of construction of the fence of the Lycee Charlemagne Peralte and the replacement of the roof of the chapel Saint Yves located at the 2nd section Camathe. New fuel delivery in Haiti A new cargo of petroleum products arrived on May 4, 2019 in Port-au-Prince more precisely at the terminal of Thor with on board 131,300 barrels of Diesel, 85,000 of Gazoline and. 27,500 barrels of (Jet) or Gas for Plane. The PNH raises the tone The PNH reminds the population that "Any disobedience to an injunction of an officer assigned to the service of the traffic, any disrespectful expression, any lack of respect towards this agent in the exercise of its functions will entail the accompaniment of its author to the Police station..." Water for everyone A forum of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Haiti-Canadian (CCIHC) on the theme "Water for all: challenges and opportunities" was held at the Marriott Hotel to facilitate an exchange of information, experiences and visions among the main actors involved in taking up the challenge of the water problem in Haiti and highlighting the issues and opportunities. HL/ HaitiLibre Markus Braun, who joined the management board in 2002, is CEO of Wirecard. Hier geht es zur deutschen Version des Essays. When talking about digitalization and disruptive digital companies, places like Silicon Valley and Beijing come to mind, along with Internet giants such as Google, Amazon, Tencent, or Alibaba. This has many industry leaders wondering what this means for Europe. Pessimists may say that Europe has missed out on opportunities to join the digitalization wave, and optimists may say that it is too early to start naming winners and losers. Being the leader of one of the fastest growing companies in financial commerce and a driving player in digital financial technology, I can confidently say that I am an optimist. Innovation is not a new word for Europe. Historically, Europe has been the birthplace of innovative ideas and forces. The Industrial Revolution began in the UK in the late 18th century, which brought about the transition from manual labor to specialized factories and mass production. Industrialization quickly spread to other European countries, including Belgium, France and Germany, and then to the United States. The modern gasoline car was invented in Germany in the late 19th century. Top-Jobs des Tages Jetzt die besten Jobs finden und per E-Mail benachrichtigt werden. Standort erkennen The effects of this innovation can still be witnessed today. Germany continues to be a leading automotive manufacturer, and the quality of German manufacturing is nearly unparalleled in the world. Products made in Germany are perceived to have the highest quality, reliability and security standards. However, innovative thought in Europe does not necessarily have to be manufacturing or production-based. The European Union is an example of a political innovation at its best. The first of its kind, this political and economic union has united a continent that was previously devastated and divided by two world wars. Today, the EU keeps innovating. For example, the European Commission promotes innovation though its Horizon Europe research and innovation program, with nearly 100 billion euros available for funding. The aim of the program is to secure Europes global competitiveness in a variety of areas. In December 2018, the European Commission announced the allocation of 173.4 million euro for 283 innovative projects in the areas of blockchain, ICT, health and engineering, with the aim of bringing their innovations faster onto the market. Funding programs aside, there are sectors that have been more successful in Europe than anywhere else. A prime example is digital banks. Germanys N26, and the UKs Revolut or Monzoare only a few examples of digital or so-called challenger banks that have been wildly successful in recent years. These disruptors capitalize on the need for modern, digital-based financial services, which traditional banks are often too slow to address. Recently, there has been a lot of discussion about Europes role in the digital revolution taking place around the globe. Often being compared to the United States and China, Europe seems to fall short. However, one should not view digitalization as regions competing against one another, but instead as regions working together. Europe today lagging or leading? Europe has been a successful bridge between east and west, and will continue to be one. In addition, different regions have different paces of adapting new technology. This article is an extract from the book: Sven Afhuppe, Thomas Sigmund (Hg.): Europa kann es besser Wie unser Kontinent zu neuer Starke findet. Ein Weckruf der Wirtschaft Herder publishing house 2019, 240 pages, 20 euros ISBN 978-3-451-39360-0 Published on 15. April 2019 Order the book on amazon. As a mobile-first country, China has seen mobile payment take off at an exponential rate, in part thanks to the integration of payment solutions within social messaging services, such as WeChat. Smartphones are the primary devices for consumers to access the internet in China. In 2017, the country was already the worlds largest digital payment market, due to its high online shopping volume. A combination of digital commerce transactions and mobile POS payments, the Chinese digital payment transaction value amounted to $819.9 billion in 2017, followed by the US with $801.7 billion and Europe with $613.9 billion. Chinas massive internet user-base, combined with the high penetration of mobile devices and the rising average disposable income have formed the foundation for large scale digital companies offering convenient and mobile-first services to take off. Chinese e-commerce marketplaces such as Alibaba, JD.com and DHgate are prime examples of how Internet giants have adopted platform-based business models, and are now driving digitalization in what is today one of the most digital economies. Clearly, Chinese consumers pay digitally more frequently than Europeans, but this should not discourage companies from establishing new business models for digital payment that are suitable for the European market. In Europe, the use of mobile and digital payment has developed differently than it has in China, where both Alipay and WeChat Pay cover almost the entire Chinese mobile payment market. In Europe, we have not reached the point that we are paying for our coffee with a mobile messaging app. Models that work in one country will not necessarily work globally. In Europe, we are still discussing legal impacts of digitalization, whereas the US and Asia have a more trial and error attitude. The history of technological innovation is still in its early stages, and for this reason Europe has not missed out on digitization nor has it lost. Europe is becoming a strong tech player, and I believe that it is only a matter of time before mobile payments become mainstream in European life, from buying a coffee, to splitting a restaurant bill with friends, to larger purchases. However, we might do it the European way not necessarily being the fastest, but the most solid ones. We are not European, but global players Any company, big or small, can choose to innovate and digitalize. In Europe, we need both innovative startups and big, transformative companies that go out of their comfort zone and try new things. The presence of these two factors stimulate a lively economy. Europe has no shortage of startups, in fact, the European startup scene is vibrant. The number of technology IPOs with a market capitalization below $1 billion increased by 120% during the past five years. In 2018, Europe delivered more large-tech IPOs than the US, and Spotify had a hugely successful direct listing valued at $25 billion. In fact, since 2014 Europe has regularly had more tech IPOs per year than the US. This is only one example of why we must be more optimistic about digitalization in Europe. At Wirecard, we define ourselves as a global company not a strictly European or German one. How a company defines itself is important because innovation begins with a companys culture and mindset. Wirecard, for example, is active on all five continents, via a single platform. In 2019, Wirecard will fully roll out services in the US, South America, and Asia. While we may be a company that was founded in Europe, the scope of our business does not have barriers. When it comes to technological innovation, the company mindset is also essential. European companies have to understand that technology is the core element of all business models. Todays business models are not about building a product and using technology in parallel in fact they are the opposite: business models should be created with the certainty that the future will be digital. Wilson dog treat bill, Melle child support bill, signed today Rep. Jacob Bachmeier, D-Havre, left, Paul Tuss, second from right and Keeley Wilson, right, look on as Stewart Wilson presents Gov. Steve Bullock with two bags of Keeley Wilson's Ladybug Bites dog treats. Stewart Wilson made the presentation after Bullock signed into law a bill sponsored by Bachmeier reducing licensing and registration expenses for small pet treat businesses like Keeley Wilson's. Editors note: This version corrects the home town of Rep. Mary Caferro, D-Helena. HELENA - Montana's governor was signing two bills today with ties to Havre. Seven months after first receiving a letter from the Montana Department of Agriculture, Keeley Wilson, owner of the homemade pet treat business Ladybug Bites, watched first-hand as Gov. Steve Bullock signed House Bill 607 into law. HB 607 was the first bill signed today by the governor. "Are these made out of ladybugs?" Bullock asked Keeley as he signed the bill. Stewart Wilson, Keeley's father, handed Bullock two bags of dog treats after he signed the bill. He said that he knew that Bullock had two dogs and thought that it would be a good gift. Wilsons asked Rep. Jacob Bachmeier, D-Havre, to sponsor the bill to reduce restrictions on small-scale pet treat businesses. Keeley Wilson, who has Williams Syndrome, operates her business in the back of the business of her mother, Dottie Wilson, Infinity Bake Shoppe. Keeley and her family received a letter in November from the Montana Department of Agriculture, informing her that she was in violation of the law, and she had to obtain a license and register each one of her products. If she didn't, further action would need to be taken, the letter said. The license would cost $100 and the registration was $50 for each product. For her small business, that was an exorbitant amount of money and threatened to close her business. HB 607 eliminates the cost of the licenses and lowers the regulation of the product to $25 to register 20 products if their business' annual sales is $25,000 or less. After the signing Bullock asked Keeley if she had any secret recipes or ingredients. "Lots of stuff," she said with a smile Bachmeier said after the signing that he was glad that everything worked out and the bill was signed. "It's really great to have this all wrapped up," Bachmeier said. "It's been a really fun experience working with Keeley and the Department of Agriculture and some other members on the agriculture committee, but it's certainly nice to have it finished up and I'm glad that we can keep Keeley's business going." Stewart also helps her with the business. At a young age Keeley Wilson was diagnosed as an infant with the developmental disability Williams syndrome, and also has been diagnosed with a wide span of other medical issues such as common variable immune deficiency, narcolepsy and seizures. Because of Keeley's health issues she cannot work a normal job and her starting her own business with her family allows for someone to be near her at all times in case of an emergency. Dottie Wilson then started reaching out to people, including Rep. Jacob Bachmeier, D-Havre, who attended Havre High School with Keeley. Bachmeier then began working with the Department of Agriculture to try and create a bill that would revise the law related to selling and manufacturing pet food, setting small businesses, like Keeley's, in a different category than larger corporations. Keeley said that the whole experience has been pretty good and it was fun to be able to work with everyone that she did to get the bill passed. "I just want to say thank you to Jacob," Keeley said. Stewart said that now that the bill has passed he hopes that his daughter's business will be able to grow a little bit. He added that working with Bachmeier was a positive experience for them and he hopes that now that the bill passed more small businesses like Keeley's will be able come forward. "It was kind of cool to see how the process should work," Stewart said. In addition to Keeley Wilson's bill another Havre woman has inspired another bill which would be signed by the governor later today. With High School graduation right around the corner, Andrea Melle, divorced mother of two adults with autistic spectrum disorders, said that she can rest easier knowing that House Bill 726 passed. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Mary Caferro, D-Helena, and co-sponsored by Bachmeier, extends the period of child support obligations for children with disabilities when the custodial parent is the caregiver. Melle's two children, daughter Kerrie, 22, and son, Drew, 19, both have autism spectrum disorders and require her constant attention. After her son Drew graduates from Havre High School later this year, Melle would lose the child support payments she need to care for her family. She said that this legislative session she has been more involved than ever before, adding that the experience was overwhelming and very scary but ultimately rewarding. She said that there are a number of families all across the state that struggle with losing their child support after their children with special needs graduates high school. Melle added that many people who are not on this position don't know that there was no law protecting children with special needs. "I didn't know that it wasn't a law, either, until I was put into this situation," she said. Melle said that the bill will help a lot of families who are struggling with similar situations to her own. "It just goes to show that you can't be intimidated by something," she said. "You've got to fight for something that you believe in because you can make changes, you can make changes for the good. ... You can't sit by and let things fly by and think someone else is going to do it, you have to go get it yourself." Economic Development Week Is May 611 Economic Development Week is a time to reflect on the many successes of public-private partnerships to grow businesses, create jobs and strengthen the economy. This year, Montana has something extra to celebrate with the bipartisan passage of House Bill 52. HB 52 reauthorizes Montanas suite of integrated economic development programs until 2027 tools like Certified Regional Development Corporations, Small Business Development Centers, the export trade program at the Department of Commerce, Growth Through Agriculture at the Department of Agriculture and others. These programs have assisted more than 15,000 businesses and created or retained more than 12,000 jobs since 2012. With another eight years to continue this important work, the impacts will continue to multiply across the state. HB 52 passed in-part because of overwhelming support from Montanas small business and economic development community. More than 100 Montana businesses sent in letters of support, and some representatives even traveled to Helena to vouch for the importance and effectiveness of these programs at legislative hearings. These businesses supported the legislation because they have experienced firsthand how economic development helps hard-working Montanans achieve their dreams. Because of economic development, a new pulse crop processing facility opened and created jobs on the Blackfeet Reservation. An entrepreneur in Billings obtained financing to follow her dream of opening a restaurant. A Stevensville business made connections at an industry tradeshow that allowed it to expand to a global market and grow its annual sales by 20 percent. Similar success stories can be found in every corner of Montana, and economic development is the thread that ties them together. Every day, local, regional and state resources support the growth and sustainability of industries and small businesses that strengthen our economy. Were proud to have a hand in this work and watch business grow from idea into job creator, international exporter, and economic driver. Tara Rice is the director of the Montana Department of Commerce The portfolio has an overall vacancy of about 16 percent, according to Eastdil materials given to potential buyers. That does not include pending vacancies, including Bank of Americas plan to vacate about 827,000 square feet at 135 S. LaSalle and relocate to a new skyscraper under construction at 110 N. Wacker, starting in late 2020. The 2019 turned out to be a success for wildlife legislature and habitat. We look back at a session that had more than 80 bills affecting our core issues of wildlife, habitat and access, and see many wins and a handful of losses when it comes to improving public access to public lands. First off, our best conservation and hunting access program, Habitat Montana, came out of the session intact and fully funded. Habitat Montana uses hunting license dollars to protect important wildlife habitat through conservation easements and targeted land purchases. For over 30 years, Habitat Montana has been a vital tool to ensure that family farms and ranches stay how they are, while providing meaningful protections for prime wildlife habitat and access to those lands. In addition, Montana FWP comes out of this session with the best budget its had in over a decade. The agency will receive the needed equipment and personnel to properly manage wildlife, including two new permanent grizzly bear management specialists, a statewide deer and elk planner, upgrades to hatcheries, a new Automated Licensing System to keep up with the times, and new boats, snow machines and ATVs for wardens and biologists so they can safely do field work. The Legislature also passed the first significant increase in funding for our state parks in well over a decade. SB 24 will pump an additional $2 million per year into our state parks and recreational trails, and was passed after a broad coalition of public lands advocates, trail users, community leaders and health advocates came together. Montanas fair chase hunting heritage also won. SB 349 makes it illegal to use wildlife location data to hunt or harass wildlife. SJ 30 lays out an interim study to look at how FWP can better manage wildlife data in the digital age. Hunter-landowner relations received a boost with two bills that build on incentives for landowners who open their land to public hunters, including updating the 454 program that lets FWP negotiate better access with landowners in exchange for non-transferable permits and licenses, and another that gives the required base hunting license for Block Management participants. We strengthened the sage grouse conservation program while providing more surety for industry, and Montana also renewed the Aquatic Invasive Species program in order to protect our world-famous waters. Public access to public lands had a mixed bag. SB 341, the Public Access Land act, is designed to open opportunities to access landlocked public lands. This program will undergo rulemaking which MWF will be participating in to ensure that the program is instituted as envisioned. Public access advocates were disappointed that the Legislature failed to pass SB 224 and SB 301. Those bills would have gone a long way toward addressing the difficult issue of when people cut off access to our public lands. It was also disappointing to see the Legislature pass HB 265, which reinjected politics into the decision making process of Habitat Montana after all hunting and angling organizations opposed the bill. Still, Montanas hunters, anglers and recreational users can look back at the 2019 Legislature and see a lot of wins. Its what happens when Montanans work together on the key conservation issues that are important to all of us. Bill Geer is president of the Montana Wildlife Federation. Merchants Association honors Shipman Award winner Jeff Thompson and Michael Thompson pose with their mother, Sallie Thompson, who received the Clifton J. Shipman Community Service Award. Sallie Mauldin Thompson, ice cream queen, matriarch of one of the areas most renowned business families and one of the only people who will smile if someone calls her Piggy, was honored Monday night as this years Clifton J. Shipman Community Service Award recipient, the highest recognition bestowed by the Hendersonville Business and Merchants Association. I did drive a chicken truck and delivered chickens to Cliff Shipman, Thompson observed. The Shipmans and Thompsons were both in the restaurant business. So I cant think of anything Id rather receive. The owner of Piggys Ice Cream Parlor and Harrys Grill, Sallie comes in every day at age 84 and still works that 11 hours or more, Don Holder said as he presented the award. When Harry met Sallie, he was a freshman at Clemson and she was a 16-year-old beauty in nearby Anderson, South Carolina. Sallie Mauldin was in a carload of girls and Harry was in a carload of boys cruising the square in Anderson on a Sunday afternoon around 1951. Please go out with me! Harry pleaded. Were on the way to church, Sallie hollered back. If you want to go out with me, you have to go to church with me. Harry jumped out of the boys car and hopped in with the girls. Their first date was at a Methodist Youth Fellowship meeting at St. Johns Methodist Church. When Harry proposed, he had to promise Sallie theyd never leave Anderson. The rest, Holder said, is history. A housewife, mom and artist for the first 20 years of their marriage, Sallie was skeptical but willing when Harry dreamed up the idea of an ice cream parlor on land that had been the Thompson family farm. They opened the ice cream parlor and Apple Annies Antiques in 1979 and watched it grow in popularity until they branched with a restaurant specializing in fresh burgers, barbecue and other sandwiches. They added onto the ice cream shop and opened Harrys Grill in 1993. Sadly, Harry Zebulon Thompson died suddenly and unexpectedly four months after the grill opened. A devoted antique hunter, Sallie spent many weekends with her son Todd mining out-of-the-way shops and estate sales to collect the unusual signs, decorations and license plates that make the restaurant a museum of hillbilly highway art. Todd passed away in December 2015 at age 59. Sons Jeff, the barbecue pit master, cooks and caters fulltime, and Michael, an attorney, helps when he can, especially during the ice cream rush on Sunday afternoons. The boys were there Monday night, along with four of Sallies six grandchildren. When shes not running the family business, Sallie might be seen driving her pickup truck with Daisy, a pit bull who found her way to the grill one time and never left, or on board her tractor mowing the familys 15-acre yard on Dana Road. * * * * * Past winners of the Shipman Award are Clifton Shipman, Doris Eklund, Steve Easler, Carson Calton, Boyd Bub Hyder, Sammy Williams, Doc Moore, Sandra Walker, Don Holder, Chat Jones, Danny Williams, Pat Shepherd, Melissa Maurer, Jeff Miller, Tom Cooper and Chip Gould. -30- Defendant charged with murdering his mother found insane A judge ordered a 33-year-old man to indefinite confinement at a state mental hospital in Butner after a finding that he was "incapable of knowing the nature and quality of his actions in a rational and reality-based way" when he killed his mother, District Attorney Greg Newman announced on Tuesday. Brendan Allen, formerly of 441 North Harper Drive, was ordered by Superior Court Judge Peter Knight on Monday to be transported to the N.C. Regional Hospital for an indefinite period of confinement. Following a hearing in Superior Court where three forensic psychiatrists testified that Allen suffers from severe schizophrenia, and did so at the time of his fatal assault on his mother in 2014, Judge Knight agreed with the doctors that Allen was incapable of knowing the nature and quality of his actions in a rational and reality-based way. As such, it was determined by the Court that Allen was incapable of distinguishing right and wrong due to the effects of psychosis caused by Chronic Paranoid Schizophrenia. By law, his charges for murder and larceny were dismissed by the Court and he will be hospitalized for what is expected to be several years. We indicted this case in early 2015, but we have been delayed several years now by Allens psychological illness and his continued hospitalization at Broughton, said Newman, who represented the state in the hearing. The defense experts determined that Allen was insane at the time of the assault and our own doctor at Central Regional Hospital agreed. I have no evidence to refute these findings. In fact, when I viewed the video-taped interview of Allen at the Henderson County jail in early 2015, it was evident to me then that an insanity defense could be successfully argued at a trial. Judge Knight made the right call and did the only thing he could do in this situation, Newman added. Allens condition, while better now than it has been in a long time, is still very advanced and the expectation is that he will be hospitalized for many years to come." The Sheriffs Department responded to a 911 call on Dec. 7, 2014, from 441 North Harper Drive in reference to an unresponsive female found inside the residence. The female was pronounced dead at the scene and identified as Margaret Kelly, the mother of the defendant. She died from stab wounds to her chest. The defendant, her son, was located in Florida with Ms. Kellys car. Detectives from the sheriff's office flew to Florida to interview Allen, but he would not respond to questions. He was subsequently transported to Henderson County, where he did talk to investigators. He gave a rambling, and at times incoherent, statement where he admitted to killing his mother and added that he intended to go to Ohio to kill his father. He was hearing voices and made several references to spirits. He referred to his dad as Satan and his mother as Babylon and that they were leaders of a rebellion against God. It is unknown why he went to Florida instead of Ohio following the stabbing of his mother. Some travelers said they would be comfortable flying on the Max after it had been flying for a while, with 20 percent saying they would wait a few months and 23 percent saying they would delay a year or more, according to Barclays. The remaining 17 percent of people surveyed said they werent sure. Philip Joyce was on drugs from when he was 11 until recently A heroin addict had been taking drugs since the age of 11, but it was only when he lost a leg from infection at the age of 28 that the "penny dropped", a court was told. Philip Joyce (29) got clean after he hit "rock bottom" with the amputation. Dublin District Court was told his "sad story" as he admitted hurling abuse at gardai in two separate incidents while he was intoxicated. Joyce, from Ross Road in the south inner city, pleaded guilty to threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour. Judge John Hughes handed him a one-year probation supervision order. The court heard Joyce was arrested on Dawson Street at 9.15pm on New Year's Eve, 2017, when he yelled abuse at gardai who challenged him for approaching passers-by in an intoxicated state, looking for spare change, cigarettes and alcohol. Gardai were called to deal with an incident at Ross Road at 9.04pm last August 29 and Joyce began shouting obscenities at them. Restrained He was highly intoxicated and a large number of people had gathered. He resisted arrest and was violent and had to be restrained. Joyce misinterpreted the purpose of the gardai being there, thought someone was being arrested and accepted he had acted inappropriately, his solicitor Aonghus McCarthy said. It was a "sad story," he added. Joyce's mother died when he was a child and his father spent a lot of time in prison, so the accused went to live with a relative. He was introduced to drugs at 11 and became addicted, remaining so until seven months ago. This was the longest Joyce had ever been off them, Mr McCarthy said. Joyce had to have a leg amputated from the knee down because of blood clots he developed where he injected himself. That was rock bottom for him, the "penny dropped" and he knocked drugs on the head, Mr McCarthy said. Judge Hughes said Joyce had been taken advantage of at a very young age, with his drug use culminating in a significant disability. A young criminal leading a mob involved in the Corduff feud has been arrested after a house was firebombed. Two people were lucky to escape from the property in Westway View, Blanchardstown, after it was targeted on Saturday morning. A suspected petrol bomb was thrown through a window, causing serious damage. A number of men were seen fleeing. Gardai believe the attack is linked to a continuing turf war in the area between two local gangs. On Sunday afternoon, gardai arrested two men as part of the investigation. One, a 22-year-old, is suspected of leading the mob feuding with former associates of the Westies outfit. He previously survived an attempt on his life when shots were fired at him as he went to collect a young relative from Riversdale Community College near Corduff. The other, aged 25, is said to be a close associate of the suspected mob leader. A number of searches were also carried out by gardai as part of their investigation into the firebomb attack. Injury Considerable damage was caused to the property and gardai believe the occupants were lucky to escape serious injury. "Both men were arrested on Sunday afternoon in Blanchardstown and detained at Blanchardstown Garda Station," a garda spokesperson said. "Gardai carried out a number of subsequent searches in connection with this investigation." The two men were later released without charge and a file was yesterday being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). The home targeted is said to belong to innocent people connected to a young man caught up in the trouble. The incident is the latest linked to the feud, which has seen a spate of shootings and punishment beatings. Last month, the home of an associate of a drug dealer known as Mr Flashy was shot at twice. The attacks - more than two weeks apart in Finglas - prompted a considerable armed garda response. Officers have so far met with a wall of silence. In both cases, those around at the time of the shootings would not co-operate with investigating officers. Sawn-off shotguns, loaded pistols and a crossbow have been seized in recent weeks as gardai try to clamp down on the gangs. Gardai have also stepped up armed patrols in the area over recent months. More than 30 people have been linked to the violence. A number have also been officially warned of threats to their lives. The gutted Aeroflot Sukhoi Superjet 100 after its crash landing in Moscow on Sunday A 22-year-old steward who died helping passengers escape was among the heroes of an airliner's fiery emergency landing in Moscow on Sunday, which killed 41 of the 78 people on board. Thousands have signed a petition to ban the Russian-made Sukhoi Superjet 100 involved in the disaster. Social media posts have called for the flight crew of the Aeroflot flight to Murmansk to be given medals for landing and evacuating the plane after it was reportedly struck by lightning minutes after take-off, knocking out its electronics. Dmitry Khlebnikov, a passenger seated in the 10th row, said he was only alive thanks to the crew. "Thank you to the stewardesses, they saved me," he said. "The girls were standing near us. In the area where there was fuel, where it was dark, where the temperature was the highest, they brought people out of there and helped them get down the slide." Steward Maxim Moiseyev was near the heart of the inferno in the rear of the plane. When he could not open the door there, the 22-year-old began helping passengers towards the evacuation slides on the front doors, it was reported. He refused to leave while passengers were still on board and died in the fire. The plane was without radio communications because of a lightning strike, the pilot has said. Some of the 37 survivors were seen on video carrying hand luggage as they slid down an inflatable chute from the plane's forward section. This raised questions about whether grabbing baggage may have impeded an evacuation in which every second could cost lives. Passenger Mikhail Savchenko wrote on Facebook that some passengers grabbed luggage as they fled the plane. "I do not know what to say about people who ran out with bags. God is their judge," he wrote. The plane, operated by Russ- ian flagship carrier Aeroflot, had taken off from Sheremetyevo but turned back within minutes, asking for an emergency landing. It came down hard on the runway and flames and black smoke burst from its underside. Jettison The plane reportedly did not jettison any fuel before the landing, as is common procedure. It was not clear why it did not. Pilot Denis Evdokimov was quoted as saying: "Because of lightning, we had a loss of radio communication." Russia's main investigative body said both of the plane's flight recorders, data and voice, have been recovered. Committee spokeswoman Svetlana Petrenko was also quoted as saying investigators were looking into three main possibilities behind the cause of the disaster: inexperienced pilots, equipment failure and bad weather. Fierce storms were passing through the Moscow area as the plane made its emergency landing. A taxi driver is in hospital with serious head injuries after being attacked by four people in a hijacking. The victim, a 59-year-old man, was targeted after taking the gang from the city centre to a house in South Dublin. When the car arrived at Rutland Grove in Crumlin, shortly after midnight yesterday, he was viciously attacked. The gang beat him over the head and assaulted him until he was overpowered. The victim was then forced from the car. As he lay seriously injured, the callous thugs attempted to steal the taxi but failed to start the car. They then fled the scene on foot, making off with the victim's phone and a sum of cash. Gardai were notified and units from Sundrive Road and Crumlin garda stations responded to the scene. Following a brief search, four young people were arrested on Sundrive Road, a short distance from the scene of the violent hijacking. The gang, two males and two females who are aged in their late teens and early 20s, were last night being held at different garda stations across the capital. Premeditated Sources have revealed that one of the suspects, who is originally from the Clondalkin area, is also being investigated for involvement in a similar attack in recent weeks. None of those arrested live in the area where the taxi dropped them and gardai suspect it was a premeditated crime. "This was an extremely violent assault and as we've seen in recent times, such incidents involving taxi drivers being targeted are becoming more frequent," a source told the Herald. "One of the males arrested is also suspected of carrying out a similar crime in recent weeks." The taxi driver was rushed by ambulance to St James's Hospital, where he remains, with serious head and facial injuries. A garda spokesman said the four arrested people were being held under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 for questioning at Sundrive Road, Crumlin and Rathmines garda stations. "A scene of the incident and the taxi have been examined by scenes of crime officers and enquiries are ongoing," he said. "The taxi driver is continuing to recover in hospital, his injuries are not thought to be life-threatening." Fianna Fail councillor Daithi de Roiste, chair of the local joint policing committee, said that more had to be done to protect taxi drivers. "Incidents like this are on the rise and we must do more to protect taxi drivers," he said. "Every week I am hearing of attacks on them and it is simply disgraceful that people are getting away with this. "My thoughts are with the driver and his family in his recovery but it is not good enough for all of us that this is allowed to continue. "It will get to the stage where drivers will be reluctant to work and that affects everyone in our community." It is the latest assault on a taxi driver in the capital and comes just weeks after a racist assault on a driver last month. On April 21, a taxi driver was punched and racially abused in a shocking incident which was recorded and widely shared online. The suspect has since presented himself to gardai. Psychiatrist Michele Cahill broke her neck falling downstairs a year ago - but as her loved ones raise funds for 24/7 care, she's hopeful of one day returning to work. Dr Cahill (65) had just woken up when she heard the phone last May 20. She walked downstairs but tripped. It was a moment that would change her life forever. Dr Cahill never made the phone. She rapidly realised she would not make it to work in the morning, or possibly ever again. "I had tumbled down the stairs. I heard a crack and I knew," Dr Cahill told the Herald. "I couldn't reach the phone. I lost all sense of time. I was just there, paralysed. "I was trying to stay conscious. It was around 9pm and my son, Eddie, came home at 10.30pm. He got the shock of his life. "But it helped that I was a psychiatrist. I used every skill I had to help myself cope." Dr Cahill, from Blackrock, Co Dublin, who had spent her life caring for patients in need, suddenly found she was the one who was vulnerable. She utilised specialist techniques to stay calm as she lay injured, and again during treatment at the Mater Hospital and the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dun Laoghaire, where she spent nine months. Calm "When I went into the Mater, I was in intensive care and I used all my medical skills, all of it, all the time, to stay calm," Dr Cahill said. "I used visualisation, absolutely anything I could. My whole identity was as a doctor and a mother. They were my roles in life combined. "Some people say this is catastrophic but I'm not sure what it is - it's life-changing but it can be life-enriching, depending on how you look at it." Dr Cahill is today quadriplegic and has a team of carers. One stays throughout the night. Though she receives a HSE homecare package, she says it doesn't cover 24-hour care and essential therapy. "I'm in a situation where I can't do, so rather than do, I have to be," the mother-of-two said. "But everyone has their own troubles and if someone loses their mother, or their house is burgled, that could be their catastrophe. So it's how someone names and labels their event and how they see it. "Hopefully in the next year I'll find a role for myself in psychiatry again, a way to reach out in a fashion to help those who need help. "How many psychiatrists are quadriplegic? I believe there is much more for me to do in future still." Anne O'Reilly, who is best friends with Dr Cahill, said: "Michele was an independent career woman. "She's a very bright and a strong woman. She was an excellent doctor, who was kind to her patients. "Being a doctor was her world." A fundraising lunch is being held on Thursday between 5.30pm and 7.30pm at the Royal College of Surgeons. To donate, visit: gofundme.com/michele- cahill-benevolent-fund. This is the wife of Patrick Quirke making her first visit to see her killer husband after he was sentenced to life in prison. Imelda Quirke was by her husband's side throughout the 15-week trial and appears to be standing by him after he was convicted of murdering Bobby Ryan, the boyfriend of his former lover Mary Lowry. Quirke was jailed for life last Wednesday after being convicted of the murder of Mr Ryan by a majority 10-2 verdict. Mr Ryan's body was found in a disused tank on Ms Lowry's farm 22 months after he disappeared on June 3, 2011. Ms Quirke made her visit to see her husband at Mountjoy Prison yesterday, and it is understood he has also received a visit from other family members since being jailed. Failure Meanwhile, a leading medical expert has claimed it was a "failure" that no pathologist supervised the removal of Mr Ryan's body when it was found on Ms Lowry's farm in April 2013. Former state pathologist for Northern Ireland Prof Jack Crane, who gave evidence during the trial, said it would have been "beneficial" for former deputy state pathologist Dr Khalid Jaber to have seen the body at the time of its discovery and supervised its removal. That would have meant he could have answered questions more comprehensively. "Certainly, that's what I would have wanted to have done if I had been involved in the case initially," he said. "If from the outset you have the opportunity to examine the body in situ, then matters that may arise subsequently, you may very well then be in a position to deal with. "On the other hand, if you don't go to the scene and you haven't assessed it, then if some other matter is raised, you may not be able to answer that, and I think there were issues where it couldn't be answered because of that failure to do so." Prof Crane's comments were made during last night's Virgin Media One documentary, The Mr Moonlight Murder. The court heard during the trial that when gardai first found Mr Ryan's body, Dr Jaber was asked to attend the scene by gardai but declined. Gardai then took the decision to remove the body from the tank. They needed to remove a large concrete slab resting over it in order to allow the fire officers to access it, and they did this using a mini-digger operated by a garda officer. At one point during the removal of the slab, it split and some of the debris fell into the pit, where Mr Ryan's body was lying. The decision was then made to go into the tank and lever the remains on to a sheet of tarpaulin, which was then eased out of the tank. The body was then taken away for a post-mortem, conducted by Dr Jaber. However, Saudi-born Dr Jaber, who no longer works in Ireland, told the Herald recently that there was nothing unusual about his non-attendance at the scene. "It's likely there was an agreement and consensual understanding that I receive the body when it arrived at the mortuary," he said. Dr Jaber said this would have been "the best place" to "fully examine the body". "In reality, what was done with the handling of Bobby Ryan's body was most proper and correct," he said. Meanwhile, last night's documentary also featured the victim's son, Robert Ryan, who said that looking back he was "pretty close" to where his father's body would eventually be found nearly two years later. "I was just at the other side of that milking parlour and it haunts me to this day," he said. "Trying to sleep every night, I'd be turning and tossing, screaming in bed. I would think I'm in that black hole, scraping on them walls to get out." A home in The Crescent, Meadowvale, Arklow, where Stephen Kavanagh was fatally wounded Detectives investigating the murder of a man in Wicklow believe he was stabbed multiple times in the head and torso by a man known to him. The victim, named locally as Stephen 'Apples' Kavanagh, was knifed to death at a house in Arklow shortly after midnight yesterday. Gardai are probing a theory that "missing drugs between the two men" might have led to the fracas. The 37-year-old is believed to have been in a row with a 42-year-old man at the property before he was killed. A woman known to both of them was inside at the time, but had no involvement and is believed to have been in a different room when the stabbing happened. Wounds Expand Close A garda at the house where Stephen Kavanagh was knifed after a row in the early hours / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A garda at the house where Stephen Kavanagh was knifed after a row in the early hours Emergency crews were called to the home in the Crescent, Meadowvale, at around 12.30am. Mr Kavanagh was found with serious knife wounds and taken to St Vincent's Hospital in South Dublin. However, shortly after 3am yesterday morning he was declared dead. Gardai believe that Mr Kavanagh was stabbed with a household knife, which has since been recovered and will be examined. "Kavanagh and the suspect were not very close pals or anything like that but they seemed to have hooked up over the weekend and went on a drugs session," a senior source said. "At some stage late on Sunday night, they appeared to have got in a row over drugs that had gone missing from the session and this is what led to the murder," the source added. The chief and only suspect in the case was not in the house when gardai were alerted to the bloody and tragic scene. However, he presented himself to Arklow Garda Station shortly afterwards where it is understood that he was in an intoxicated state and was arrested. Sources said that he was not fit for questioning until around 2pm yesterday and he remained in garda custody last night. The suspect is known to gardai but had not come to their attention in recent years. He has convictions going back over a decade. These include forgery offences and possessing heroin for sale or supply. Yesterday afternoon, gardai made door-to-door enquiries on the Meadowvale estate. A large group of children played outside as members of the Garda Technical Bureau entered the house to carry out a forensic examination. Parish priest Fr Michael Murtagh expressed his sympathies for the victim's family. "This is a huge tragedy for the community to wake up to on a bank holiday Monday. "This is a young man who should have been in the high productivity years of his life. "My sympathies go out to the family and friends at the time of this tragedy," he said. Locals yesterday suggested the victim did not reside there and the estate was usually quiet. "I don't know the man at all - we've never heard of any trouble at that house before. "I don't think he lived here," one said. Schoolgirls Mr Kavanagh, who was originally from the South Green area of Arklow, had been known to gardai. However, locals insisted yesterday that he came from a "very decent" family. He was previously given a six-month sentence after threatening a number of schoolgirls with a craft knife. When he was aged 27 he was charged with producing an article in the course of a fight, possession of a knife and assault at the Riverwalk, Arklow, on June 12, 2007. In evidence, one of his victims who was 17 at the time accused him of holding a blade to her face. She alleged he then attacked her, pulled her by the hair and kicked her while she was on the ground. The victim told the court that the accused had held her down while another teenager hit her. In 2016 he was given a 12-month suspended sentence for theft of more than 1,000 of tools and CDs. During his sentencing hearing the court was told he had 71 previous convictions. In a statement on the killing, gardai said yesterday they were combing the area for clues regarding the incident. Appealed They also appealed for anyone with inform ation to get in touch with them. "The assistance of the Garda Technical Bureau has been requested and an incident room has been established at Arklow Garda Station," a spokesman said. "Anyone with information is asked to contact Arklow Garda Station (0402-26320) or the Garda Confidential Line (1800 666 111). "The investigation is ongoing." Hare said Pam, which is used in 95 percent of U.S. households, carries warning labels about its flammability on the can advising consumers not to leave it on a stove or near a heat source and not store it at temperatures of more than 120 degrees. In response to a previous lawsuit filed last year by a woman in Cincinnati making similar allegations, Conagra in court filings denied liability and said the plaintiff failed to read or heed warnings on the canister. That case is pending. After the board meeting, board Chairman Randy Alvis alluded to funding those basic needs. I would like to see the city come up with $100,000 to start with safety. If we can get the RFP [request for proposals] out during this current budget year, they can appropriate out of their current budget for vestibules. The unofficial estimate is $100,000 to do a male and female bathroom in each elementary school, Alvis said. City schools and other buildings are allowed to remain out of compliance with the ADA so long as no significant modifications occur to a given building. Once construction starts, then the building must be brought into full compliance. Weve got to start. Its time for action, Alvis said. Thats the minimum we can do. Once we do that, its like turning that hourglass over, and the sands are running. Beyond the initial funding, Farnum said there needs to be discussion about more long-term needs. The suit claims Upchurch began getting sick a week after he moved to a different classroom in the school in January 2018 that hadnt been used since May 2017, according to the suit, and he exhibited a fever, flulike symptoms and a rash on his chest and armpits, so he took four days off work and felt better. When Upchurch returned to work, the symptoms returned and perpetually lingered, the suit states. On Feb. 21, 2018, when he was in a classroom across the hall from his, Upchurch claims he found mold on books, so he decided to investigate by lifting a ceiling tile, where he claims he found black mold growing above the drop ceiling to the roofline and white mold covering steel support beams, according to the suit. He moved his students out of his classroom to the vocational shop and told Palmer about the mold, but maintenance workers who came to the school didnt do anything or answer questions, according to the suit. Upchurch took photos of and removed a ceiling tile from the classroom and took it to Southeastern Environmental Microbiology Laboratories in South Carolina for black mold testing, which confirmed the presence of medium levels of black mold, the suit claims. A federal lawsuit and a U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission charge filed against the Sullivan County Sheriffs Office by a former dispatcher and corrections officer has been settled. Kendra Canipe claimed she was terminated last year because of her disability, pregnancy and requests for medical leave. The suit alleged violations of the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Tennessee Disability Act and the Tennessee Human Rights Act. Sullivan County Attorney Dan Street said both the suit and the EEOC charge were settled for a total of $50,000 in February after mediation. Canipe received $28,964, and the rest went to her attorneys, according to the settlement agreement. The suit claimed Canipe qualifies as an individual with a disability because she has chronic migraine headaches and severe endometriosis. In May 2017, she fractured her leg when she was off duty and was granted FMLA leave for six weeks, but during that time she was disciplined in the form of two warnings for absences while she was on leave, according to the suit. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer was created in Chicago by Montgomery Ward copywriter Robert L. May to sell toys in 1939. Heres how the popular Christmas character and its author went down in history. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer was created in Chicago: Here's how the story became a book, song and TV special BRISTOL, Va. Emergency crews spent most of the day Monday extinguishing a morning tractor-trailer fire on Interstate 81. Several area emergency responders reported to southbound mile marker 2 on the interstate around 10 a.m., after a truck driver called 911 to report that his trailer was on fire. Bristol Virginia Police, fire crews, the Virginia Department of Transportation and Virginia State Police responded and blocked off the right two lanes of traffic while they worked to put out the fire. Randall Dent, the driver of the truck, said he was driving along the interstate when he started seeing flames and smoke coming from the bottom of the trailer. He said he pulled onto the shoulder, exited his vehicle and tried to put out the fire using his personal fire extinguisher. I tried my best to put out the fire on my own, but it just wouldnt work, he said. I finally decided to call 911. Dent said an old tire on the trailer had been replaced the night before, and he believed the tire was what caused the fire. VSP confirmed that the blaze was the result of tire failure. Officials said the flames were hard to extinguish because of the way the trailer was packed. Crews had to carefully dig through the trailer in order to reach the source of the fire. No injuries were reported, but the trailer had begun to melt from the heat, and thick smoke caused limited visibility along the interstate. The trailer was carrying household items at the time of the fire. Officials said the trailer was a total loss; all that remained after the fire were remnants of the household items and the steel frame, but the road beneath the trailer received no structural damage from the flames. Fire crews were able to contain the blaze around 3 p.m. but said it would take the rest of the day to finish cleaning up the scene. The far right lane of the interstate was closed until the scene was clear. 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. Last year, a new museum opened in Montgomery, Alabama, dedicated to that awful history. The National Memorial for Peace and Justice was built in the same spirit of remembrance as the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. Its won powerful reviews from across the political spectrum. The country has never seen anything like it, headlined The New York Times. Even the architecture is said to be haunting. Plinths are suspended from the roof of the memorial like hanged men, each one engraved with details of the victim and his (or in a handful of cases, her) death, writes The National Review, a conservative publication. There are 800 such plinths, one for each county or city where a lynching took place. Outside there are 800 duplicates lined up in rows like coffins, the New York Times says that the museum is willing to send to each of those localities. The idea is to create a national network of memorials. That means there are at least 49 localities in Virginia that, sadly, are eligible for one of those memorials. Roanoke is one of them. So is Alleghany County. And Bath County. And Bland County. And Franklin County. And Henry County. And Roanoke County. And Russell County. And Scott County. And Smyth County. And Tazewell County. And Wise County. And Wythe County. Its almost easier to list the localities in Virginia that didnt have a lynching. When will any of these localities make a move to memorialize their own history? If they do, they have a memorial waiting to be erected. Once is enough when it comes to big news stories For the definitively college-bound, I recommend Paying the Price: College Costs, Financial Aid, and the Betrayal of the American Dream by Sara Goldrick-Rab. It may feel too late, given that these minefields have already been negotiated, but students (and parents) should know why that minefield is laden with so many explosives. It may empower them to advocate for changes to ease their own burdens, as well as that of future graduates. South Africa: KZN ready for 8 May The KwaZulu-Natal Justice Crime Prevention and Security cluster has expressed satisfaction and readiness for tomorrows National and Provincial Election. In a statement issued on Tuesday following a meeting, the KZN JCPS cluster said all systems were in place to ensure peaceful, free and fair elections in the province. We have spared no effort in developing a comprehensive master plan to ensure that peace and stability prevail during the election period, said the cluster. This became evident earlier with no serious incidents reported during registration and political campaign phases. During this period, we have only picked up pockets of violent public protests. The significant decline in incidents of political intimidation and intolerance is proof that this province is indeed turning the corner in restoring political co-existence. The provincial government said all 4 884 voting stations - including those affected by the recent heavy floods - were open to welcome the provinces 5.5 million registered voters. The plan will also roll over until the announcement of the election results and the post-election celebrations. In Mondays meeting, the JCPS cluster received reports of threats of illegal public protests aimed at shutting down voting stations. We have been made aware of the intention in some identified wards by some to use the election date to heighten demands and put pressure on government using elections as a strategic bargaining tool. In some instances, government and the political leadership had to intervene to neutralise the situation in certain areas, where there were reports of instability, read the statement. The KZN JCPS cluster emphasised that while the right to protest was enshrined in the Constitution, this has to be done in accordance with the rule of law. We would like to send a clear message that no one will be allowed to interfere with the other citizens right to cast their special votes today and on Election Day tomorrow, said the KZN JCPS cluster. The provincial government added that police have been given a clear instruction to act decisively, within the ambit of the law, against illegal protestors. The cluster said the recent labour unrest and sabotage of essential services in eThekwini was being monitored while tough measures have also been developed to monitor feared truck blockades on highways. Over 70 300 personnel law enforcement agencies and entities of government will assist in securing these elections. Deployed police are expected to monitor hotspot wards eThekwini (wards 4, 80, 88, 91, 45 and 102), Zululand District (Abaqulusi and eDumbe), Alfred Duma Municipality, uMzimkhulu and areas under iLembe (Maphumulo, Mandeni, Ndwedwe and KwaDukuza). In the statement, the KZN JCPS cluster acknowledge the work done by the Police Task Team on political killings in the run up to the elections. However, the continuation of these incidents is a serious concern. We urge our communities and political parties to work with the law enforcement agencies and to share with them all critical information that will assist in the prevention of this scourge, the cluster said. - SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2019-05-07. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. We dont want her to be just another statistic, Dwight Hamblin Sr. said after a memorial honoring Candice Dickerson, 36, a mother of three boys. We just want something to be done about it. This happens and then people move on and then it happens again. Its the same scenario over and over again. A body found off North Rankin Avenue in Newton in March was identified as Gary Lee Johnson, 49, of Newton, according to a Newton Police Department press release issued Tuesday. Johnson was reported missing on Dec. 3, 2018 by a friend. According to the release, police went to Johnsons home and searched the surrounding area on multiple occasions but never located him. On Dec. 17, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation assisted the search with cadaver dogs for eight hours, but Johnson was nowhere to be found. Newton police responded on March 11 to the 1500 block of North Rankin Avenue and found an unidentified body. The North Carolina State Crime Laboratory did not make a positive identification until April 29, the release said. Johnsons death is not considered suspicious, and investigators are awaiting toxicology results to determine an exact cause of death. HICKORY This week, Lenoir-Rhyne University will celebrate student achievement and success at commencement activities on its three campuses in Hickory and Asheville, and in Columbia, S.C. More than 550 degrees for bachelors and masters candidates will be awarded. The university will hold its traditional undergraduate ceremony at Moretz Stadium in Hickory at 7 p.m. Friday, May 10. A total of 286 traditional undergraduate students will be awarded bachelors degrees at this event. In addition, the universitys graduate-level programs will host three commencement and hooding ceremonies: 4 p.m., Thursday, May 9, at Columbia; 3 p.m., Friday, May 10, at Hickory; and 10 a.m., Saturday, May 11, at Asheville. All told, 273 candidates will be hooded. Two honorary doctorates will be awarded this year. The doctor of humane letters will be awarded to Jerome W. Bolick at the Hickory undergraduate ceremony and William Bill Horne II, who will be honored at the Columbia graduate hooding. When planning his design, Speagle wanted his mural to focus on a specific moment or single emotion that summed up the Miracle of Hickory rather than a piece that showed every step of the story. I wanted to show what actually happened: humanitarian love, he said. The project is estimated to cost $30,000, Moone said. Local Rotary clubs plan to raise money for the mural. The team has also applied for a grant and hope to launch a community fundraiser initiative soon, Moone added. For Rotarians, this initiative is extra special as the international club has worked to eradicate polio worldwide since the 1980s. The location of the mural has not yet been decided, Moone said. But, the planning team hopes Hickory City Council allows the mural to be put on the outside wall of the Wine Shoppe building in Union Square, which is city property. Speagle said he designed the mural with that location in mind. He believes the center of town would be the best spot. It would cause a ripple of love throughout the town, would be seen more and would be engaging, he said. It tells the story. Speagle said hes concerned the council may not want the mural at that location, but he hopes to persuade them otherwise at the May 21 Hickory City Council meeting, where the mural will officially be presented to the council for the first time. Jordan Hensley is the court reporter at the Hickory Daily Record. Colombo : Sri Lanka has expelled over 600 foreign nationals, including around 200 Islamic clerics, since the Easter suicide bombings blamed on a local terror group, a minister told AFP Sunday. Home Affairs Minister Vajira Abeywardena said the clerics had entered the country legally, but amid a security crackdown after the attacks were found to have overstayed their visas, for which fines were imposed and they were expelled from the island. Considering the current situation in the country, we have reviewed the visas system and took a decision to tighten visa restrictions for religious teachers, Abeywardena said. Out of those who were sent out, about 200 were Islamic preachers. The Easter Sunday bombings that killed 257 people and wounded nearly 500 were led by a local cleric who is known to have travelled to India and had made contact with terrorists there. The minister did not give the nationalities of those who have been expelled, but police have said many foreigners who have overstayed their visas since the Easter attacks were from Bangladesh, India, Maldives and Pakistan. There are religious institutions which have been getting down foreign preachers for decades, Abeywardena said. We have no issues with them, but there are some which mushroomed recently. We will pay more attention to them. The minister said the government was overhauling the countrys visa policy following fears that foreign clerics could radicalise locals for a repeat of the April 21 suicide bombings, which targeted three Christian churches and three luxury hotels. Sri Lanka has imposed a state of emergency since the attacks and given wide powers to troops and police to arrest and detain suspects for long periods. House-to-house searches are being carried out across the country looking for explosives and propaganda material of terrorists. Source : NDTV Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday conducted an aerial survey of Puri and Khurdha districts of Odisha to see for himself the scale of devastation caused by Cyclone Fani, which made landfall in the state on May 3. During the prime ministers visit, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said Odisha deserves special category status for being the most disaster-prone state in India. His demand is understandable. A Super Cyclone flattened the state in 1999; in 2013, Odisha was hit by Cyclone Phailin, and in 2018 by Cyclone Titli. In 2019, it was Cyclone Fani. While the first one killed more than 10,000 people, the death toll in the next three was below 100, thanks to the states improved disaster management skills. Besides these major disruptions, Odisha also had to deal with other climate-induced disasters such as heat waves, droughts, and floods. Such episodes are expected to increase in the future. The Fifth Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (2015) report predicts that India and other tropical countries will witness an increasing number of cyclones, storm surges and extreme rainfall in the future. While the Patnaik government did well to weather Cyclone Fani the state mobilised resources and personnel to evacuate more than a million people and save lives, the challenges ahead of the state now will be equally gargantuan. While restoring infrastructure will be one aspect of the challenge, rebuilding lives of poor people, especially the vulnerable category, will be a much greater one. This will need some smart and long-term thinking on the part of the government, said Amar Nayak, a disaster management expert, and ActionAids Global Humanitarian Adviser. In February, members of the Peoples Solidarity Forum, a state-level forum of peoples organisations from 14 districts of Odisha, released a manifesto that focused on exactly that: Long-term planning to improve disaster management and response, mitigation, and building resilience of coastal communities. These proposals can also be considered by Indias other coastal cities that dont yet have a plan to tackle such events. One of the interesting suggestions in the manifesto is to develop a cadre of people who know how to swim, can fix electrical networks, drive speed boats, all of which are important skills in disaster situations, and then improve their skills further so that they can supplement the states efforts during such calamities. Second, there has to be a mapping of the most vulnerable population single women, senior citizens, children, pregnant women, the physically challenged, Dalits in villages and cities to ensure that they are rescued first. Third, regular disaster risk reduction trainings must be done. Fourth, such disasters also mean loss of daily wages for poor people. It is critical to ensure that social protection programmes such as the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme are implemented well so that people can resume their normal lives sooner rather than later. Fifth, each cyclone is also an ecological disaster, and all efforts must be made to regenerate natures own disaster managers, such as mangroves. Mangrove forests act as a buffer or shock absorber in time of such disasters. There is a clear indication that mangroves at Sundarbans saved Kolkata from Cyclone Aila in 2009, by absorbing a massive chunk of the cyclones fury, Indian Forest Service officer, Parveen Kaswan, recently wrote in a blog. Unfortunately, the people who run Indias coastal cities are waging a war on these natural barriers. Take the example of Mumbai. A 2018 December report in Hindustan Times reported that mangrove destruction cases doubled in 2018, but there was not even one conviction. Indias financial capital should be careful because climate change can increase cyclonic activity in the Arabian Sea. Sixth, while a major portion of the focus after a disaster is on rural areas, there is a need to provide for the urban poor in cities. They need safe shelter, livelihood options with skill building and social security. Badly constructed buildings can be killers as much as cyclones and earthquakes. There is an urgent need to invest not just in cyclone shelters but also in cyclone-resilient construction, as per the Model Building Bye Laws, 2016, of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. Non-profits such as Save the Children have also raised the need to ensure psychological counselling for children to overcome such climate tragedies. Last, but not least, all Indian cities need city-level disaster management plans. Unfortunately, as most city governments struggle to deal with other day-to-day challenges such as education, infrastructure and health, climate resilience and adaptation figure low on their list of priorities. Cyclone Fani is a warning for cities: Learn to be climate resilient or the consequences will be severe. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Recently, the Madras High Court (HC) acquitted a boy accused of aggravated penetrative assault under the Prevention of Children From Sexual Assault (Pocso) Act and kidnapping under the Indian Penal Code (IPC). While dealing with the same case, the court also asked the competent authorities to reconsider the definition of child and reduce the age of consent from 18 years to 16. The 17-year-old girl had allegedly eloped with the accused, her male schoolfriend, and both were traced after six months, living together. During the trial, the girl turned hostile, leading to the acquittal of the boy, whose age is not mentioned in the judgment. The court observed that it was possibly a case of mutual consent and teenage attraction, not an uncommon occurrence at such an age, and, therefore, the age of consent should be reduced from 18 years to 16, so that the boy accused of the crime does not have to undergo punishment under the Pocso Act. The courts suggestion to lower the age of consent is a welcome step; the government should consider it seriously. The fact remains that many of the cases of sexual assault reported to the police (under the Pocso Act and other laws) dealing with the 16-18 years-old children are consensual in nature and are generally reported at the behest of girls parents who disapprove of the teenagers conduct. Therefore, the most relevant question to be addressed is whether a teenage girl or boy of this age has the capability to give free consent. Records show that in most cases in this age group, girls turn hostile because the sexual act was not against their will and they were not allured or induced into indulging in the act. It has also been observed that due to a change in the sociocultural environment in recent decades, teenagers are sensible enough to understand the implications of their conduct. A few other provisions of the law are also relevant to the situation. First, our laws do not consider any action by a child under the age of 7 an offence. Second, even if the child is between the ages of 7 and 12, but has not attained sufficient maturity to judge the nature and consequences of his conduct, his act would not be considered an offence. The grey area of the age category 7-12 years aside, it is implied that a child above 12 years of age develops sufficient understanding of the implications of an offence. As a corollary, this assumption of attaining maturity, with an additional margin of four years as is being considered now may also be applied in cases of granting free consent? One may also note that the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act defines a child as a person under the age of 14, and, therefore, those above 14 can legally be employed in otherwise prohibited occupations and processes. Many countries have 16 years or below that as the age of consent. Most of the American states, Europe, Japan, Canada, Australia, China and Russia fall into this category. Therefore, the rights of the child (up to 18 years of age) might be protected in accordance with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, but the age of consent can safely be reduced from 18 to 16. The court also suggested the need to define consensual sex as a separate category of crime under a more liberal provision. This may not prove to be a very useful step, as one of the main reasons for acquittals in such cases is victims turning hostile. Therefore, if an act is committed with mutual consent in the 16-18 years of age category, it need not be made punishable at all. However, the issue may require broader deliberations. Taking out such cases from the purview of the penal law will also help the police divert its attention towards more serious and complex cases. Furthermore, the National Crime Records Bureau data reveals that about half of the Pocso Act cases fall in the category of 16-18 years age group. Removing cases of consensual sex under this category can help us get a better picture of sexual assault cases. RK Vij is a senior IPS officer in Chhattisgarh The views expressed are personal Actor Sonam Kapoor and her businessman husband Anand Ahuja celebrate their first wedding anniversary on Wednesday. The couple tied the knot in Mumbai on May 8 last year with a lot of pomp and show. From their stunning wedding pics to the enviously awesome videos from the dance floor, it seemed like the entire country was a part of their wedding. Sharing pictures from her wedding, Sonam had called it the most magical two days of our lives. Soon after the wedding, Sonam took off to the Cannes Film Festival and Anand believes she will ruin his plans again this year. Its funny. Sonam is always messing on my plans. Last year, she had canned right after the wedding. We didnt do a honeymoon. We did a really short one in Japan, he told MensXP in an interview. This year, we were again planning to go to Japan but then her Zoya Factor schedule is there and it has changed a bit. We are not going in June, but we will go after her birthday. We are so fortunate that with our schedules, we travel so much and get to spend time. We will be in London for the anniversary. London is a little break for her. We will surely do a Japan trip at the end of the year. Also read: Met Gala 2019: Priyanka Chopra-Nick Jonas arent playing it safe, Deepika Padukone gives competition to Ranveer Singh According to reports, Sonam and Anand met in 2014 through her stylist friend Pernia Qureshi. Sonam recently shared pictures from their London trip and revealed how Anand wanted to propose to her at the Oxford library. So Anand didnt get to propose to me where he was supposed to as he got excited and proposed much before, so he tried to recreate his idea of proposing to me in the Oxford library. (My favourite place is a library!), she captioned a picture. She recently also revealed how Anand is her biggest cheerleader. In cinema world, I was not treated as an equal but treated as a woman. But I realised it soon that women should not compromise. But art is reflection of the society. After marriage, my husband is my cheerleader and as a support he added my name in his middle name and has become Anand Sonam Ahuja, Sonam said in a statement. Even Anand proved the same when he shared a heartfelt message about how he felt her when he saw her for the first time on the big screen. Talking about her film Delhi-6, Anand wrote, @sonamkapoor - the first time I ever saw you ... on the screen... at #CinemaVillage in Union Square NYC ... your face looked familiar even though we had never met before ... it was my second year working and your second film. I hadnt been home for a year and went to see the movie just because I was homesick and the title had Delhi in its name ...! I didnt understand the movie completely but the connection it created with its audience was undeniable. This is the power of intention, energy and emotion - that you and @bachchan put so sincerely into the film. Its something I learn from seeing you work till today, he said. So on Anand and Sonams anniversary, check out these 10 amazing pics from their married life. Follow @htshowbiz for more The definition of mother-in-law and daughter-in-law in undergoing a major shift and leading the charge are a bunch of leading ladies from Bollywood. Vidya Balan, who hosts her own radio show called Dhun Badal Ke Toh Dekho, interviewed actors Rani Mukerji, Sonam Kapoor and Juhi Chawla, where they discussed their equation with their respective mothers-in-law. Rani mentioned how she credits her mother-in-law for bringing up her husband Aditya Chopra so well. Spotboye quoted her as saying: She is fantastic lady. I thank my mother-in-law every day for making Aditya the person he is today. Shes an absolutely fantastic lady to know, and this is something thats clearly visible in the way that shes brought him up. She has instilled such good values in him that I keep thanking her. Also read: Met Gala 2019: Priyanka Chopra-Nick Jonas arent playing it safe, Deepika Padukone gives competition to Ranveer Singh Clearly the definition of a mother-in-law is undergoing a change. Sonam Kapoor, who married her boyfriend Anand Ahuja in an elaborate wedding in May last year, was quoted by Spotboye as saying she sees her mother-in-law as her mother. She told Vidya, I like to call my mother-in-law my mother. She has two children and she treats me like her third child. She is my friend and at the same time shes my mom. I think shes loved me as much as my mother loves me. She doesnt have a daughter, so she keeps saying that she eventually got a daughter in me and I think everyone should be as lucky as I am. Actor Juhi Chawla too mentioned how having her mother made her realise the importance of having a support system. She added how, early in her married life, her mother-in-law would fly in Uganda to be with Juhis two kids, while she was away on shoots. Vidya Balan, who was last seen in Tumhari Sulu, will be seen next in Mission Mangal with Akshay Kumar and Taapsee Pannu. She also appeared in Telugu biopic on NT Rama Rao as his first wife Basavatarakam in 2019. Follow @htshowbiz for more Student of the Year 2 actor Tara Sutaria has chosen actor Hrithik Roshan as her choice to play a hot teacher. Tara is making her debut in the film which also features Tiger Shroff and Ananya Panday in the lead. When asked in an interview about who will make the best teacher from among the Bollywood actors, Tara said, I think Hrithik Sir would be a great teacher, a hot teacher also. Tara, who started work in showbiz in 2010 with Big Bada Boom, will debut with Student Of The Year 2, directed by Punit Malhotra, which will release on May 10. Talking about her debut, she said, There wasnt any fear in any sense at all. I think I have really been fortunate to be doing what I have done before Student Of the Year 2 for most of my life, I have been performing and I have been an ambassador for Disney. I have been a part of this line of work for a while, she said. Before her film debut, Tara was seen in shows like The Suite Life of Karan & Kabir, Best of Luck Nikki and Oye Jassie. She said she is quite accustomed to showbiz, and nothing comes as much of a surprise or shock. Hrithik will be seen playing the character of a math teacher in Super 30, inspired by the life of Bihar-based Anand Kumar who runs a programme for underpriviliged students by the same name. The actor has another project with Tiger. The film will release on July 26. AAP leader and Rajya Sabha MP, Sanjay Singh, Monday requested the Delhi Police commissioner, Amulya Patnaik, to conduct a thorough probe into the recent attack on chief minister Arvind Kejriwal during a roadshow in New Delhi parliamentary constituency. I met the Delhi Police commissioner and submitted a letter explaining in detail the conspiracy that we feel is being hatched against the CM. Nine attacks indicate a bigger attack on him is impending. We have sought a detailed inquiry, Singh said. During a roadshow in Moti Nagar Saturday, Kejriwal was slapped by a man when he was standing on an open jeep. All opposition parties condemned the attack but Rahul Gandhi was silent. It means BJP and Congress are involved in the conspiracy, he said. Delhi Police, meanwhile, said the probe revealed the accused, Suresh (33), is a scrap dealer and AAP supporter. While being questioned, the accused said he got disenchanted with AAP due to the behaviour of its leaders and that he was angered due to the partys distrust in the armed forces, a police officer said. Singh, in his letter to Patnaik, said the CM was not disrespectful towards armed forces so the reasons do not make sense. The AAPs Bijwasan MLA, Devinder Sehrawat, joined the BJP Monday even as the AAP convener and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal criticised the saffron party for using money power ahead of May 12, the day the capital goes to polls. Sehrawat is the second AAP MLA who has defected to the BJP in less than a week. On Friday, AAPs Gandhi Nagar MLA, Anil Bajpai, quit the party and joined BJP. Bajpai said he was insulted by AAPs top leaders. Speaking at a BJP press conference that was organised to officially welcome him in the party fold, Sehrawat said he was sidelined and humiliated by the AAP leadership and its members. I was part of AAP since its inception. But I was being ignored by the party and not allowed to work in my area. They opened a parallel MLA office and posed hurdles for me to carry out development work, he said. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, meanwhile, alleged that the Modi-led BJP government was using the proceeds from the Rafale scam to buy AAP MLAs. They are doing the same thing in West Bengal. Modiji should tell how many MLAs they are planning to buy, he said when asked about Sehrawat exiting AAP. Reacting to Kejriwals statement, Union minister Vijay Goel said it is strange that the CM starts making allegation when his MLAs join BJP. Their northwest Delhi candidate, Guggan Singh, was in the BJP. Did we say that AAP had bought him? We respect people even if they are no longer with our party, he said. AAPs spokesperson and Greater Kailash MLA, Saurabh Bhardwaj, said the two MLAs should resign as members of the sixth legislative assembly of Delhi. The AAP will not allow any defector to remain an MLA and the party is ready with disqualification pleas. Defectors should be ready to face the electorate, he said. Welcoming Sehrawat into the party, Goel and BJP MLA, Vijender Gupta, said AAP is a sinking ship. In total, 14 AAP MLAs are in touch with BJP. This included Bajpai and Sehrawat. The AAP is a sinking ship and there is a great difference between what they say and do. This is why the MLAs are deserting the party. Sehrawat is one of the founders of AAP who was suffocating due to Kejriwals political selfishness, Goel said. Sehrawat said the AAP had stopped inviting him to events in his constituency, started after he opposed the partys decision to oust Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan. I didnt like what happened with Bhushan and Yadav. The party insulted me, but I took it in my stride and continued working for the development of my area, he said. It may have been a matter of informed speculation. But the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo, Mayawati, has now given her clearest indication yet that she is a contender for the post of the prime minister (PM). By declaring that, if all goes well, she will contest bypolls from Ambedkar Nagar a constituency she has represented in the past Ms Mayawati sent a signal to her support-base, the voters of the grand alliance in Uttar Pradesh (UP), other regional parties, the Congress and the nation at large that she wants the countrys top political job. With her ally, Samajwadi Party(SP)s Akhilesh Yadav, claiming that the next PM will be from UP but not from Varanasi, he too has lent his support to Ms Mayawatis prime ministerial ambitions. It is truly a tribute to Indian democracy that a Dalit woman, leading what is a party of marginalised communities, can aspire to lead the country. It is an even more remarkable tribute to our electoral democracy and its systems of checks and balances that a leader who had no seat in the last Lok Sabha and performed poorly in her own state assembly elections can become a serious contender for the post. To be sure, this is not the first time Ms Mayawati has thought of herself as the PM candidate. Riding high on the 2007 assembly victory in UP, she tried to bring together a constellation of regional and Left forces in the 2009 elections and projected herself as PM. On that occasion, she did not succeed. But there is still a long road ahead for Ms Mayawati if she wants to realise her ambition this time around. For one, this will hinge on how well her alliance does in UP. The SP-BSP will have to truly decimate the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and restrict it to fewer than 20 seats or so, for her claim to be taken seriously nationally. Second, she will need to win the support of other regional forces from Mamata Banerjee to K Chandrashekar Rao, from Naveen Patnaik to Sharad Pawar, from Tejashwi Yadav to YS Jagan Mohan Reddy. And finally, even though she has fought bitterly against the Congress in this campaign, she will need to rebuild her bridges with Rahul Gandhi because the Congress will be a decisive player in any non-BJP formation. This will not be easy as the Congress sees her as a competitor for Dalit votes in UP as well as in the rest of the country. The arithmetic aside, if Ms Mayawati is truly serious about her claim, it is also time for her to start sharing her national vision and outlining a set of policies that she would push as the PM. It is only when she has both numbers and credibility on her side that she can hope to pull off in 2019 what she could not in 2009. The decision of the United States (US) to not extend the waivers for importing Iranian oil has put three countries India, China and Turkey in a spot of bother. Of these three, India and China are two of the worlds three largest oil importers and major buyers of Iranian oil. The US decision to stop other countries from importing Iranian oil also comes across as high-handed and arbitrary, especially because Tehrans alleged offence violation of the 2015 Iranian nuclear deal hasnt been proven. Even European allies of the US are trying to find a way out of the American threat of sanctions in order to continue doing business with Iran. It is only natural then that New Delhi and Beijing are coming together to cooperate on energy imports. Even as such joint efforts are welcome, it is important to recognise the limitations of such an approach. First, the idea of a buyers club in effect, a mirror image of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to negotiate on oil prices has long been floated. Tempting indeed, but this idea has never taken off. While India and China are strategic rivals, Japan and South Korea the other two big oil importers are US allies. It will be difficult to get the latter two to join a group targeting American bullying. Second, can India count on China? What if China decides to settle its own parallel deal with the US as a part of a larger trade deal? If this happens, it wont be the first time. In 2014, China had decided to cut a separate deal with the US on climate change, leaving other developing countries out in the cold. And finally, the US is very serious about stifling the Iranian regime. The worlds sole superpower has announced the deployment of an aircraft carrier and a bomber task force in the region to send an unmistakable message to Iran. A counter-proliferation military strike or an overt move to undertake regime change in Iran cannot be ruled out. Iranian oil, therefore, isnt something on which New Delhi can expect to find favours from Washington, either with or without Beijing. The ICSE (Class 10) examinations results 2019 were declared on Tuesday. The Indian Certificate Secondary Education (ICSE) exams were held between February 22 and March 25, 2019. Students who have appeared in the exam, can check their results on the official website of CISCE at cisce.org or results.cisce.org. Follow Live updates of ISC result 2019 here. Follow Live updates of ICSE result 2019 here. The pass percentage of candidates who appeared in the ICSE 2019 exam was 98.54%. It is up by .03% and that of ISC students was 96.52%, up by .031%, said Gerry Arathoon, chief executive and secretary of the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) addressing the media on Tuesday. In ICSE, two students jointly share the first rank, 10 students share second rank and 24 students are placed in third rank. Juhi Rupesh Kajaria of Jamnabai Narsee School, Juhu, Mumbai and Manhar Bansal of Little Flower Convent School, Muktsar jointly scored 99.60% to share the first rank in the ICSE examination. In ISC, two students share first rank with 100 percent marks, 16 candidates jointly share second position and 36 candidates are placed in third rank. Dewang Kumar Agarwal of La Martiniere for Boys, Kolkata of Science Stream and Vibha Swaminathan of Mallya Aditi International School, Bengaluru of Humanities, both scored 100%. Girls performed marginally better than boys in the ICSE (Class 10) and ISC (Class 12) board examinations. In ICSE, girls have done better than boys. The pass percentage of girls was 99.05% while boys have achieved a pass percentage of 98.12%. In ISC too, girls have achieved a pass percentage of 97.84%, boys have achieved a pass percentage of 95.40%. Steps to check ICSE results on the official results website: 1) Visit the official results website of CISCE 2) Select the course ICSE 3) Enter you UID, Index number and Captcha 4) Click on show result 5) Result will be displayed 6) You can also print results for future reference Students who have taken the exam can also access their results through SMS. READ MORE to know everything about ICSE result 2019. Steps to receive ICSE results through SMS: ICSE: To receive your ICSE results through SMS, type your unique Id in the new message box in the following manner: ICSE 1234567 (your 7 digit unique id) and send it to 09248082883. Your result will be displayed. The results of the ICSE 2019 examination will be made available through the CAREERS portal of the council, the website of the council and through SMS. The schools can access the results by logging into careers portal of the council using the principals login id and password. Steps to download ICSEresults through Career portal: Visit the official website of CISCE Click on link for Results 2019 Select ICSE as the course option For accessing ICSE results, enter your unique ID, index number and Captcha Follow the instructions provided The council has made provisions for the candidates to apply for rechecking directly through the councils website. In addition, the provision of applying for rechecking by the head of schools through the career portal is also available. The online module for submitting the requests for rechecking of the results will remain open for only 7 days from the day of declaration of results. The council will make the digitally signed copies of the statement of marks and pass certificate available for the candidates through DigiLocker facility. The candidates who took the ICSE examination will also be provided with digitally signed copies of the migration certificate. The digitally signed document will be available after 48 hours of the publication of results. (With inputs from Rajeev Mullick and Tanmayee Tyagi) The Chhattisgarh police have for the first time recruited 30 surrendered women Maoists into a commando unit in Dantewada of Bastar region and have deployed them in Malangir. But their deployment is not only for fighting. It is also a bid to lure Maoists women to join mainstream forces, police said. This platoon of district reserve guard (DRG) named as Danteshwari Ladake (Danteshwari fighters) are out for operation in the jungles of Malangir area committee of CPI (Maoist) in which the BJP MLA, a Doordarshan journalist and about a dozen policemen were killed in last six months. The DRGs are the front line fighters in Bastar and the recruits are mainly local tribals, surrendered Maoists and former members of special police officers. The DRGs earned accolades for their well executed strikes in the Maoists self-proclaimed liberated zones like Abhujmad and south Sukma. We have recruited 30 local tribal women and made a separate DRG platoon for women commandos. In Dantewada, there are five male platoons of DRG and this women platoon is the sixth one. The women recruited are surrendered Maoists cadres and wives of surrendered cadres. The platoon is led by women DSP Dineshwari Nand, said SP Dantewada Abhishek Pallava. Pallava further said that women commandos are deployed by Chhattisgarh police and paramilitary forces in the region but for the first time the commandos are being used in full-fledged operations in the area. We have given them special anti-Maoist training regarding tactics and warfare and till now they are very effective in swift short team action teams. The important part is these commandos can easily camouflage themselves as villagers in civil dress or wear sarees like villagers, said the SP. Police say that these commandos are effective as women Maoists outnumber men in Bastar especially in Malangir area committee of Darbha division. The platoon commander, DSP Dineshwari Nand claims that the women commandos will be more effective than any other force fighting in Bastar. We are ready to fight with Maoists in the same way as our male colleagues to liberate our land from their clutches. We are confident that we hunt them and will bring laurels to Bastar police, Nandi added. Police officers believe that induction of women commandos will surely bring down the complaints of human rights violations. These commandos will be handy in arrests of women Maoists and also reduce the risk of complaints of false human right allegations related to women, the SP added. Intelligence officers also believe that the unit will be very effective in collecting local human intelligence. Most of the intelligence sources in this area are women and hence this platoon can be very effective, said an intelligence officer. We are motivating women Naxals to surrender and join mainstream force through this unit and secondly trying to help surrendered women cadres to get a job in police and thus facilitate their proper rehabilitation and reintegration in society, the SP added. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Five men on two motorbikes waylaid a couple travelling on a motorcycle in Rajasthans Alwar in late April, allegedly gang-raped the woman in front of her husband and beat him up, police said. One of the five accused, said to be a truck driver, was arrested on Tuesday. According to Rajasthan director-general of police, Kapil Garg, One accused, identified as Indraj Gurjar, has been arrested from Kotpulti area of Alwar district. Fourteen teams of police have been formed to catch the other accused persons. The incident took place on April 26 around 3pm when the woman, a Dalit, was going to Talvriksha from her village, Lalwadi, accompanied by her husband on a motorcycle, according to the FIR registered at Gaji police station on May 2. Two of the accused held the man down and thrashed him while the other three raped the woman behind some sand dunes, the FIR said. Then the accused changed places, with the two men who were beating the victim going on to rape the woman. They also made a video recording of the incident and threatened the victims they would kill them if they complained to the police, the FIR said. The police said the couple did not initially make a complaint but decided to do so after the video went viral. The woman claimed the accused had threatened to upload the video on social media unless the couple paid a good amount of money, the DIG said at a press conference. The couple did pay them, she said, but decided to lodge a police complaint when the miscreants demanded more money. A senior police officer said on condition of anonymity that according to preliminary investigation, Gurjar had come to his in-laws place and met up with his friends, Chotelal, Ashok, Mahesh and Hansraj on the day of the incident. When Ashok and Chotelal went to the market to buy cold drinks, they spotted the couple passing by. They then called Indraj, Mahesh and Hansraj and followed them on their motorcycles for a few kilometers and then stopped them. The incident took a political turn on Tuesday with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders attacking the Congress government on grounds of a breakdown in law and order. At a press conference, state BJP president, Madan Lal Saini, demanded the resignation of chief minister Ashok Gehlot over the incident. Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Tuesday said: The state government is committed for women safety. Nearly a dozen police teams have been formed to arrest the accused and one arrest has been made. The victim and her family are given protection. The Chicago Urban League is a member of so-called complete count commissions one for Illinois, one for Chicago and one for Cook County that are focused on the 2020 census. Kane-Willis said the league published the report as an educational tool that can be used by community groups and elected leaders, Kane-Willis said. The Urban League also plans to create webinars to assist groups that want to become something like a census center to help others navigate filling out the questionnaire. The Supreme Court Monday directed the CBI to complete by June 3 its probe into the alleged murder of 11 girls at a shelter home in Bihars Muzaffarpur and asked the agency to file a status report. A bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice Deepak Gupta said since the matter was urgent, it would be heard by a vacation bench on June 3. Office to list the matter on June 3 before the vacation bench of this court. In the meantime, the ongoing investigation, as stated in the reply of the CBI, be completed and all necessary actions in accordance with law, including filing of status report before this court, be also completed, the bench said. It initially asked CBI to complete the probe related to alleged 11 murders within two weeks keeping in view the urgency of the matter, but later asked it to do so by June 3. Attorney General KK Venugopal, appearing for CBI, told the court that completion of probe on this aspect will not be possible within two weeks. CBI had told SC that 11 girls were allegedly killed by accused Brajesh Thakur and his accomplices and a bundle of bones was recovered from a burial ground in Muzaffarpur shelter home sexual abuse case. The Congress has sought time until May 14 from the Election Commission (EC) to file a reply in a complaint against party president Rahul Gandhi. The complaint, filed by the Bharatiya Janata Party, pertains to a poll speech made in Shahdol, Madhya Pradesh, on April 23 in which Gandhi had purportedly said that the BJP has made a new rule under which tribals can be shot at, referring to a new draft law of the Indian Forest Act. This is the second time that Gandhi has asked for an extension over this complaint. Additionally, the BJP on Tuesday complained to the poll watchdog that Gandhi had indulged in repeated and persistent violations of the model code of conduct (MCC) by making intentional, repetitive, baseless, malicious and defamatory allegations against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah. The party submitted four different memorandums to the EC seeking strict steps against Gandhi and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. In a memorandum, the ruling party mentioned six different incidents where the Congress chief had called the PM a thief and, without any evidence, called many Union ministers thieves. The party said that Gandhi,during his rally in Ahmedabad on March 12, had said violated the MCC by saying that the PM gave Rs 30,000 crore meant for the Indian Air Force to industrialist Anil Ambani. In a separate complaint, the BJP mentioned a video that went viral on social media where the West Bengal CM could be seen scolding a crowd for shouting some slogans when her convoy was passing. Banerjee was trying to intimidate the voters by telling them that they had to stay in the state even after the polls, the memorandum said On Monday, the Congress complained against a film, Bhagwa atankwad bhramjaal, which was supposed to be screened on Monday in Bhopal. The Congress said that the film was being released to vitiate the atmosphere of communal harmony in Bhopal. It also complained against Modis remarks calling former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, Corrupt (person) No. 1. The MCC came into force from March 10 when the EC announced the schedule of the Lok Sabha polls. The results of the seven-phase elections will be announced on May 23. The convoy of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Bengal unit president Dilip Ghosh and Assam minister Himanta Biswa Sarma was attacked in Bengals East Midnapore district on Tuesday evening allegedly by supporters of ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC). The two leaders escaped unhurt, but their vehicles were vandalised. The attack on us shows clearly that there is no law and order as well as democracy in the state, said Dilip Ghosh. The incident took place around 7 pm at a place about 125 km away from Kolkata. Soon after the attack, Himanta Biswa Sarma, finance minister of Assam, tweeted: TMC goons have blocked the roads on both sides, even as West Bengal Police personnel standing like mute spectator. I am appalled at such brazen use of power by @MamataOfficial whose people have thrown all democratic norms to gutter. TMC supporters damaged more than 20 motorcycles, said BJP leaders. The incident happened at Khejuri in Contai Lok Sabha constituency where the BJP leaders had gone to campaign in favour of the partys candidate Debasish Samanta. While reinforcement from @crpfindia has arrived, the violent #TMC goons are not allowing the forces to rescue us. @AITCofficial cadres shouting and abusing everyone. Scene here is scary, the Assam minister also tweeted. Union defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who came to Bengal for campaigning on Tuesday also said that the incident was another example of the anarchy in the state. However, Suvendu Adhikari, minister in Mamata Banerjees cabinet and Trinamool Congres leader of East Midnapore district, denied the hand of their party workers behind the incident. We do not believe in such dirty politics. Goons backed by the Communist Party of India (Marxist) might have been behind the incident, claimed Adhikari. Incidentally, over the past few years, the convoy of Dilip Ghosh was attacked several times in Bengal. Last year, his car was vandalised near Contai, which is near the place where the attack took place on Tuesday. The TMC and BJP are locked in a bitter electoral battle with the latter targeting to win at least 22-23 seats in the state that has 42 constituencies. The Centre has returned the Supreme Court collegiums recommendation to elevate two judges to the apex court over the issue of seniority, asking the body to reconsider its decision, news agency PTI reported on Tuesday. The collegium, a body of the Supreme Courts top five judges headed by the Chief Justice of India (CJI), recommended the elevation of Jharkhand high court Chief Justice Aniruddha Bose and Gauhati high court Chief Justice AS Bopanna, according to its April 12 resolution. The collegium will meet again to deliberate the issue following the governments objection, a report by television news channel NDTV said. Justice Bose, whose parent high court is Calcutta, is at number 12 in the all-India seniority of judges. Justice Bopanna, whose parent high court is Karnataka, stands at number 36. This is not the first disagreement between the government and the judiciary over the appointment of judges. Last April, the Centre returned a file recommending justice KM Josephs appointment, which was first cleared by the collegium in January 2018. The government contended that justice Joseph was not senior enough and that the Kerala high court, his parent HC, was adequately represented. His name was reiterated by the collegium in July, eventually leading to the government clearing his appointment. The seniority issue is particularly important if a judge is line to become the future CJI. In its April 12 resolution recommending the elevation of justices Bose and Bopanna, the collegium said it took into account their merit, integrity and combined seniority on all-India basis of Chief Justices and senior judges of HCs. The collegium has also kept in mind the desirability of giving due representation on the Bench of the Supreme Court, as far as possible, to all the High Courts, the resolution said. If the elevation of the two judges is cleared, the total number of judges in the apex court will go up to 29 against the sanctioned strength of 31. The Supreme Court and the government have been sparring over appointments ever since the apex court struck down the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) Bill in 2015 that said all appointments to the higher judiciary would be made by the NJAC. The government had passed the bill in 2014. Subsequently, the two sides decided to agree to a Memorandum of Procedure, or MoP, on judicial appointments that would address gaps in the collegium system. Not much progress has taken place on this front. Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu has ruled himself out of the prime ministerial race, should no party get a clear majority in the Lok Sabha. The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader was named by two top leaders of the coalition, former PM and Janata Dal (Secular) leader HD Deve Gowda and Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar, as a possible PM candidate if the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) loses. Naidu said his decision has been conveyed to the others. I said very clearly that I am not an aspirant for PM. I am doing this now through the media. I am only here to move things forward, he told HT in an interview. On the day that his review petition (along with other opposition leaders) to have 50% VVPATs (paper trail machines) matched with EVM (electronic voting machines) counts was dismissed by the Supreme Court, Naidu said that his decision is influenced by a desire to focus his attention on his state which is still new. The 69-year-old leader said the PMs post is something he was offered decades ago and even then he said no. In 1995-96, I got an opportunity twice to be prime minister, during Deve Gowdas selection and IK Gujrals selection. The job was first offered to me and then they asked Deve Gowda ji. He was also reluctant and we all then chose Jyoti Basu, but CPM [Communist Party of India - Marxist] said no. At the time, Naidu was the convener of the United Front. Naidus peer from Telengana, K Chandrashekar Rao is currently meeting leaders of other regional parties, pitching for a non-BJP, non-Congress front, but Naidu says this has worked only once in the past, during the United Front government in 1996, but that even then it was with the support of the Congress. If he wasnt keen on being prime minister, Naidu wasnt very encouraging of Bahujan Samaj Party leader Mayawatis articulated aspirations either. If anyone will come out openly, then there will be confusion. Some people may come out , but some [other] people have overall interest of the nation. So we have to maintain restraint. On Sunday, Mayawati hinted at her aspirations in an election meeting at Ambedkar Nagar. So is the Andhra Chief minister partial to his friend, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee (also named as a possible PM by Pawar)? He refused to comment but says he is sure of one thing - all of the leaders on his side, be it Mayawati, Banerjee or Akhilesh Yadav, are better contenders than Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Narendra Modi keeps asking who is the leader in the Opposition and I keep saying, every leader in the Opposition is as strong or better than Narendra Modi, he said. Hes not done anything positive, he is only an election Prime Minister. Naidu added that it is almost as if elections were Modis hobby and said that never in the past have PMs attacked local leaders, stooping to that level. Naidu also took issue with Modis recent reference to the late Rajiv Gandhi that at the time of his death he was Bhrashtachari No1 (the most corrupt person). Generally in India, if someone dies, you wouldnt refer to it; that is our culture. Even after death, 28 years, is it right to bring it up? asked Naidu. Modis performance is poor, Naidu said. Balakot [the air strike against Pakistan] also failed, attacking Opposition also failed, Gujarat model also failed, now he is bringing in those who died. Naidu, among the first tech-savvy politicians in the country, is also not impressed by Modis use of technology, especially social media saying this is for personal gains, not for public consumption. He added: I used IT for public purpose, there is a difference. I promoted technology during Vajpayee government and recommended deregulation of the telecom sector. And thats what Chandrababu Naidu with his democratic front is hoping voters will see. He is trying to convince other opposition leaders to meet after voting on May 19 to decide on a common PM candidate. The carpets gone, but theres a new problem at Delhis Terminal 3. Without the much-maligned padding that got hate reviews for its design, the floor is proving too slippery for the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) staffs daily exercises. So, a special committee is now in place to replace the shoes of about 4,000 personnel. The decision to change the footwear for the paramilitary staff came after a few mock chases during security drills proved too tricky. They found out that without the carpet, chasing suspects was too challenging and many were falling. The carpet has been removed from parts of T3 and during drills we found that the existing shoes are too heavy and do not have a good grip for the floor. With the carpet, we never realized the issue but now that the issue has been raised, the committee will finalise the design for new shoe, said a CISF officer posted at the airport, who asked not to be named. Installed in 2010, the carpet at Delhi airports Terminal 3 set off a divisive public debate on aesthetics making it one of the most discussed public installations in the national capital. The carpet, spread over 170,000 square metres, was manufactured in Mulshi, near Pune, and transported to Delhi in pieces. Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), which operates Delhi airport, never revealed the cost of carpet and maintained that it is part of the project cost of Terminal 3, which was ~6,750 crore. The cost of replacing the shoes of the CISF personnel at the airport is expected to be ~35-40 lakh. And thats why the committee will decide if it is cost-effective or not. According to a second CISF officer, who asked not to be named, the force has different type of shoes which are used in combat role, for parades, and a separate one for training. For airports, the specification for shoes was not separate, and the force is trying to experiment with that. An email query sent to DIAL on Monday remained unanswered. DIAL, in August 2018, said that the process of removing the carpet would start in late October and be completed in a phased manner by the end of the year. Apart from being slippery, another issue with the existing shoes is that it is too heavy and, in a phased manner, we will replace it across the country, starting with Delhi airport. We have received models from four to five companies, and will take a call soon, said a third CISF officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity. Several complaints have previously been directed at the carpet, this person added. Passengers have complained about the slow movement of luggage trolleys on it; security officials have complained about difficulties in walking the dog squad; and many have objected to its appearance. The shoes given in forces are heavy and are usually purchased in bulk. Since security should be of utmost importance, the shoes for such role should be light and firm on the floor and also it should not pose any challenge in running. At places like airports, shoes should be of specialised specification considering all possible emergency situations, said LN Rao, a security specialist, who retired as deputy commissioner of police (DCP) from Delhi Police. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Congress Member of Parliament Sushmita Dev filed a fresh affidavit before the Supreme Court on Tuesday, alleging discrimination and arbitrariness on the part of the Election Commission (EC), for its clean chits to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bharatiya Janata Party president Amit Shah over Opposition complaints that the two violated the model code of conduct (MCC) while campaigning for the ongoing general elections. Dev filed the affidavit after the top court asked her to bring on record the EC orders that exonerated Modi and Shah. On Monday, the EC had cleared Modi in a complaint that pertained to an April 9 rally in Chitradurga, Karnataka, where the PM had asked first-time voters to dedicate their vote to the Air Force for carrying out air strikes on a terrorist camp in Balakot, Pakistan on February 26. This was the seventh complaint in which the poll watchdog exonerated the PM. In a fresh affidavit, Dev cited a complaint filed with the EC on May 6 the Congress partys most recent one after Modi reportedly made unprecedented, obscene and derogatory remarks in a speech against former Prime Minister of India, the late Rajiv Gandhi. At a rally in Uttar Pradesh last week, Modi had attacked Congress president Rahul Gandhi who has been bringing up alleged corruption by the BJP-led government. Your father was termed Mr Clean by his courtiers, but his life ended as corrupt no 1, the PM said referring to Rajiv Gandhi, the former prime minister who was assassinated in 1991. His remarks provoked a fresh bout in the war of words between the BJP and the Opposition. Dev had moved the top court on April 29 after a purported delay by the EC in addressing complaints against Modi and Shah. On May 2, the top court directed the poll panel to decide on all the complaints, which the EC has been doing since then. The new affidavit contended that ECs orders favoured Modi and Shah, as they were cryptic. This, she said, amounts to a violation of the courts verdicts. She claimed the dissenting note of one of the Election Commissioners had been withheld by the EC in its orders. This amounts to complete lack of transparency and arbitrariness in the decision-making process, Dev alleged. While the EC has acted against other leaders, including Pragya Thakur (BJPs Bhopal candidate) and Maneka Gandhi (BJPs Sultanpur candidate) among others, who made similar statements, it failed to appreciate that the hate speeches delivered by the PM and Shah are corrupt practices ...which ex-facie promote feelings of enmity, the affidavit stated. The government in Odisha started distributing relief material on Tuesday, four days after Cyclone Fani ripped through its coast causing extensive damage, even as people grew restive over the pace of restoration work. More than 1.4 crore people in over 16,000 villages and 51 urban local bodies have been affected by Fani, Indias strongest summertime cyclone in the last 43 years. Long queues were seen in Puri, the Ground Zero of the cyclone, and Bhubaneswar where 160kmph winds ravaged the citys electrical and telecom infrastructure, since morning. Fisherfolk in Puris Penthakata area alleged that they received sub-standard rice. The rice is all soggy and unfit for human consumption. Are we dogs that they gave us such relief? asked D Divya, a fisherwoman. Another fisherwoman Jamuna Behera said the government perhaps did not think of them as elections were over. Had the cyclone hit us a month ago, the government would have been overactive in providing relief, she said. In Badagada high school of state capital Bhubaneswar, Dalit housewife Pramila Bhoi has been waiting since the morning to get Rs 2,000. Clutching her BPL and National Food Security (NFSA) act card, Bhoi stood behind at least 200 people in scorching heat for the relief distribution to start. After receiving the money from here, I have to again queue up before the NFSA dealer for rice. My house has been completely damaged after a coconut tree fell on it. I dont know when my ordeal will be over, said Bhoi. In Bhubaneswar, clamour over the restoration of power and mobile connectivity grew as officials struggled to get manpower. Odisha power secretary Hemant Sharma said at least 25% of Bhubaneswar would get power supply by Tuesday evening. We have managed to restore three of the eight feeders that supply power to the city. We are running short of people. In Puri, we are yet to start the restoration of the feeders. We need 10,000 people, but are managing with 1,000 only, said Sharma. Besides mobile phone connectivity continued to be erratic for most people in Puri and Bhubaneswar as service providers stopped operating the towers in absence of dedicated power supply. Many bank ATMs also remained closed due to lack of internet connectivity. Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik had announced two days ago that all families covered under the National Food Security Act in Puri district and Bhubaneswar city will get 50kg of rice, Rs 2,000 and polythene sheets. In moderately-affected districts of Cuttack, Kendrapara and Jagatsinghpur, affected families were eligible to receive an additional one-month quota of rice and Rs 500. People in all the affected districts will receive one month of additional pension and house building assistance of Rs 95,100 for fully damaged structures, Rs 5,200 for partially-damaged structures and Rs 3,200 for minor damages. But despite public criticism of the state government over the tardy pace of restoration, Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday for the timely evacuation of 1.4 million people from their homes ahead of Cyclone Fanis landfall. Modi also announced an assistance of Rs 1,000 crore for Odisha and ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for those injured during the cyclone. Naveen Patnaik had demanded a relief package of Rs 17,000 crore from the Centre, including Rs 10,000 crore for disaster-resilient power infrastructure and Rs 7,000 crore for converting five lakh kutcha houses to pucca ones and disaster-resilient telecommunication network, said the SRC. Patnaik donated his salary for a year to the Chief Ministers Relief Fund and urged everyone to similarly help people. Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar has already donated Rs 1 crore to Chief Ministers Relief Fund. Several state governments have also started helping Odisha by donating money towards relief and restoration work. Uttarakhand CM Trivendra Singh Rawat announced Rs 5 crore as assistance, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath and Chhattisgarhs Bhupesh Baghel have announced Rs 10 crore, Rs 10 crore and Rs 11 crore respectively for Odisha. The state government, meanwhile, changed the collectors of the three cyclone-affected districts including Puri. A planned meeting between Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) president MK Stalin as part of the formers efforts to cobble together a non-BJP, non-Congress Federal Front has fallen into uncertainty . The DMK is yet to confirm the meeting sought by Rao, better known as KCR, at Stalins Chennai residence on May 13, people with knowledge of the development said on condition of anonymity. Apparently wary of offending the Congress, its alliance partner in Tamil Nadu, the DMK has decided to politely decline the TRS proposal, citing its preoccupation with upcoming by-elections in the state assembly, the people said on condition of anonymity. Thalapathy (general, as Stalin is known is busy with the campaign for the assembly bypolls, which is very crucial. The TRS has sought a date and it is yet to be confirmed, one of the people said. Rao is on a mission to revive the Federal Front and has been wooing the DMK to be a part of it. He met Stalin before the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections started on April 11 to discuss the proposal, which is also aimed at countering Andhra Pradesh chief minister and TDP leader N Chandrababu Naidus attempt to put together a grand alliance of opposition parties. Six months after tax officials raided locations linked to Aam Aadmi Party minister Kailash Gahlot and set up a huge political row in the national capital, the Enforcement Directorate on Tuesday attached 1.46 crore assets of the ministers brother on money laundering charges. The enforcement directorate, the central agency mandated to probe financial crimes, said the order to attach a flat in Delhi and a plot of land in Haryana was issued in lieu of the assets held by the ministers brother Harish Gahlot in the UAE. The ED said Harish Gahlot had transferred 1 crore to Dubai last September as an advance payment to buy two flats. This money was sent by hawala, the informal network to transfer money abroad through Harish Gahlots younger son Nitesh, the agency alleged. Out of these funds, the agency said in a statement, Nitesh Gahlot paid the Dubai-based developers to book two flats. Nitesh, his father Harish Gahlot, mother and his elder brother were to be listed as co-owners, the agency said. The ED alleged that Harish Gahlot had also sent 50 lakh to his son on 26 September 2018. This money was sent through banking channels for education but was used for the two flats. Delhi law minister Kailash Gahlot hasnt reacted to the ED move yet. But when tax officials raided the family last year, the Aam Aadmi Party had alleged that this was an attempt to arm-twist the party the ruling partys legislators and ministers in national capital Delhi. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had then demanded that the Centre apologise to the people for constantly troubling the Delhi government. Arvind Kejriwals AAP had won the 2015 state elections with an unprecedented 67 out of 70 seats. Delhi is due to vote in the sixth phase of polling on 12 May. The audit also found that the number of investigations handled by the department has spiked in recent years, from 67,732 in fiscal year 2015 to 75,037 in 2017. During that period, caseloads for investigators were too high, violating a decades-old consent decree that says child protective services investigators cannot be assigned more than 12 new cases per month for most of the year. The auditor found that nearly 80 percent of investigators were assigned more than 15 new cases in at least one month of the time reviewed. Kerala Governor Justice (retd) P Sathasivam on Tuesday sought a report from the Kerala University Vice-Chancellor after the varsitys alleged attempt to hush up the suicide bid of an undergraduate girl student sparked outrage. A first-year B.Sc student of the University College in the state capital had tried to commit suicide on Friday by slashing her wrist and taking overdose of painkillers inside a classroom. She left a note blaming leaders of the Student Federation of India, the students wing of the ruling CPI(M), and the college principal for taking such an extreme step. The girl who was rushed to a hospital in serious condition later retracted her claim and the police registered a case against her for a suicide bid triggering more anger. There were allegations that she was forced to retract and a minister had visited her house soon after the incident came to light. The Governor has sought an urgent report from the Vice-Chancellor regarding the alleged harassment of the student by the college union, said the Governors office. It also said that it has received a couple of petitions demanding an impartial inquiry. In her suicide note she recounted her bitter experiences at the hands of SFI leaders. She said she was forced to take part in demonstration and rallies outside the campus. When she questioned, she said, she was threatened with dire consequences and they tried to attack her physically. She said when she brought her plight to the college principals notice, he refused to intervene. She also named two SFI leaders in her complaint saying she took the extreme step when she came to know that she could not complete her studies on expected lines. Other than SFI no other student outfit is reportedly allowed to function here, often leading to violent incidents. Though police refused to file a complaint the state human rights commission registered a case suo motu. I have met her. She is totally shattered. Initially she stood her ground but changed her version after the visit of minister Kadakampally Surendran to her house. It is nothing but coercion forced her to retract, said activist Shajar Khan, also a former student of the college, saying student leaders were a law unto themselves at the college. The AISF (All India Student Federation), student wing of the CPI, also said it was not allowed to function at the college and people who talk highly about the Jawaharlal Nehru University in Delhi should see activities of the University College. Once I went there to organise some students and they attacked and stripped me. I had to hide in a corner for hours together, said a leader of the AISF. The SFI denied the charges. It is an attempt to denigrate one of the best institutes of the state. The victims said she resorted to such a step due to personal reasons. The SFI is open to any kind of inquiry, said its national president V P Sanu. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A 60-year-old man died from snakebite in Gujarats Mahisagar district but not before he bit back and killed the reptile too, a village official said Monday. The incident happened on Saturday afternoon in Ajanwa village in Santrampur tehsil, over 120 kilometres from here, said Ajanwa sarpanch Kanu Baria. Parvat Gala Baria was standing near a spot where maize was being loaded from a field onto a truck. A snake slithered out and while others there ran away, he continued to stand claiming he had caught snakes earlier, the sarpanch said. He grabbed the snake which retaliated by biting him on the hands and face. However, Parvat bit back and killed the snake too, he said. He was rushed to a hospital in Lunawada town and then shifted to a bigger medical facility in Godhra but succumbed later in the day from the venom injected into him by the snake, sarpanch Baria said. Ajanwa police has registered a case, an official said. India and China are working closely on common trade concerns, including cooperation in buying oil and gas, against the backdrop of a US squeeze through tariffs and sanctions on Iranian oil imports, officials with direct knowledge of the matter said. Efforts have been made by the worlds second- and third-largest oil importers to find common ground and energy cooperation is one of the key areas where the two sides can collectively bargain for better prices from producers, the officials added, asking not to be identified. Following a visit to New Delhi in March by Li Fanrong, deputy chief of Chinas National Energy Administration, the two sides created a joint working group on oil and gas. This is the first institutionalised arrangement between the two sides to cooperate in energy though they have several groups on issues such as counter-terrorism and the boundary dispute. A meeting between petroleum and natural gas secretary MM Kutty and the vice minister of Chinas National Energy Administration, Li Fanrong, was held on March 26 in New Delhi to discuss cooperation in the oil and gas sector, one of the government officials cited above said. A person familiar with thinking in official quarters in Beijing said both sides are closely discussing cooperation in key areas such as oil purchases. He confirmed these issues had figured in the meeting between Kutty and Li in March. Cooperation in energy has been on the agenda for some time Kutty visited China last October but the issue gained steam with the US announcing the end of exemptions to sanctions on Iranian oil imports last month. Iran is important for the energy security of India and China as it is one of the largest suppliers of crude to the two major economies and the supply disruption due to US sanctions has huge strategic and economic costs for the two countries, Indian officials said on condition of anonymity. The economic interests of India and China have also been threatened by the Trump administrations announcement on ending preferential arrangements with India under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) programme and raising import duties from 10% to 25% on Chinese goods worth $200 billion. New Delhi and Beijing are coming closer to counter trade barriers created by the US that threaten the two major Asian economies, the officials said. Among issues that India and China can jointly work on is the Asian premium charged by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), the officials said. India is also concerned about the impact of US sanctions that kicked in on May 2 and cut off supplies from Iran, which accounted for more than 10% of the countrys oil requirements, and the need to rein in prices, they added. The new arrangement marks a significant shift from the times when India and China often competed with each other to acquire stakes in oil and gas fields in Asia and Africa. Their cooperation in the field of energy was limited and India is now also looking at the possibility of also getting South Korea and Japan to join the buyers collective so as to create some sort of a grouping of buyers, officials said. People familiar with developments on both sides said the cooperation is in line with the Wuhan spirit, a reference to the informal summit last year between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping that reset bilateral relations after the 2017 military stand-off at Doklam. They also pointed to Beijings changed stand on the UN listing of Pakistan-based terrorist Masood Azhar. Though India has raised the issue of flexibility on the sanctions on Iranian oil, the US has been non-committal. On Monday, visiting US commerce secretary Wilbur Ross said his country will not ensure sale of cheaper oil to India as the commodity is controlled by private firms. Oil is owned by private people, so the government cannot force people to make concessionary prices, Ross, here to participate in a trade forum, told reporters. However, US ambassador Kenneth Juster said his country is working with other producers such as Saudi Arabia to ensure adequate supply of oil. Though India has turned to alternative suppliers such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Kuwait to make up for the lost volumes from Iran, supplies from these sources is unlikely to be as cheap as Iranian oil as Tehran provided 60 days of credit and covered shipping and insurance costs. Under fire from the opposition BJP after a spate of rape and abduction cases in the last one month, the Rajasthan government late Tuesday evening removed Alwars Superintendent of Police Rajiv Pachar. Additional chief secretary, home department Rajiv Swarup said the SP has been placed on APO (awaiting posting order). Earlier n the day the states Director General of Police Kapil Garg said the police was not trying to hide the crimes or shield the culprits. Police is not trying to conceal any crimes. Our effort is to try and ensure that all cases are registered, he said. The BJP had accused the Congress government of hiding the Alwar gang rape case. State BJP president Madanlal Saini said the crime was hidden for 11 days because the government feared a political fallout during the ongoing elections. Saini demanded the resignation of chief minister Ashok Gehlot who is also in charge of the home department. He said law and order in the state has collapsed and criminals were having a free run. A case of gang rape came to the fore in Alwar where a Dalit woman alleged that she was gang raped by five men in front of her husband. The couple were travelling on a bike and were waylaid by five men who beat up the husband and also made a video of the crime and circulated it on social media. The incident occurred on April 26 but a case was registered on May 2 as the victim was being threatened by the accused. All the five accused have been identified and one of them, Indraraj Gurjar, has been arrested. Fourteen police teams are working on the case, Garg said. Asked about another case of gang rape in Thanagazi area of Alwar and police inaction, Garg said Inspector General of Jaipur Range S Sengathir knew about the incident and a case has been filed. Later in the evening the DGP ordered the suspension of Sardar Singh, SHO of the Thanagazi police station. A gang rape case was also reported from Bayana in Bharatpur district where a minor girl was abducted by three men on a bike and raped. Regarding another case of rape in Banswara where a minor deaf and mute girl was raped but the crime only came to light after she gave birth to a stillborn baby Garg said the investigation was on in the case. Additional Director General of Police (Crime) BL Soni said the station house officer (SHO) of the area where the crime took place had met the girls mother but she had refused to lodge a case. The Banswara SHO had met the mother on Tuesday and persuaded her to file a case. The SP is monitoring the case and trying to identify the accused, he said. Soni said investigation was on in another case of gang rape in Udaipurwati town of Jhunjhunu district and the accused would soon be arrested. Asked about the abduction of a newly-wed woman who was on way to her in-laws place, Garg said, The accused has been identified and will be apprehended. The woman who was on way to her in-laws house was allegedly kidnapped by her former boyfriend on Tuesday. Garg said initial investigation showed that the woman knew the man who abducted her. But this is a serious offence and we will try to arrest the culprits soon. The case is similar to one that occurred in Sikar last month when a bride on way to her in-laws house was abducted by her jilted lover. The couple were later traced and brought back by police from Dehradun. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Officials involved in updating the National Register of Citizens (NRC) had prepared to hear from Monday onwards complaints against inclusions of names in the final draft published on July 30, 2018, but many complainants failed to turn out in various places across the state. Organisations representing minority groups have claimed that a majority of these objections or complaints were meant to harass genuine Indian citizens, and failure to attend the hearings shows that they were false and fabricated. More than 2,00,000 complaints were filed after the complete draft came out which had over 28.9 million names and excluded over 4 million names. The Supreme Court which is monitoring the process has set July 31 as the deadline for publishing the complete list. It has been two days, none of the persons who have filed objections have turned up in my circle, said an official closely involved in the process in Barkhetri in Nalbari district on condition of anonymity. More than 150 hearing have been decided ex parte on the first day, he said. Barkhetri has more than 7,000 such complaints against inclusion. Also read: Assam seeks report of those not filing claims In Dhing circle of Nagaon district in central Assam, no complainant turned up on the first two days, according to Mrinal Bora, the circle officer. This circle, too, has over 7000 complaints against inclusion in NRC draft. In Barpeta, a Muslim majority district in lower Assam, where more than 49,000 complaints were filed, Pulak Patgiri, district in-charge of NRC said the NRC Seva Kendra was yet to see even one complainant turn up for the hearing. According to several officials involved in the process, a majority of these complaints had similar text. After the complete draft of NRC was published several groups had attacked the veracity of the inclusions and claimed that several illegal immigrants had made to the draft while genuine Indian citizens were left out. In some cases, persons in whose names these complaints were filed claimed they were false. In Dhing, according to Bora, one Jatin Chandra Nath, a local Asom Gana Parishad worker wrote to the district registrar of NRC requesting him to withdraw complaints in his name since he did not file them. Bora said if the complainants do not turn up it will be their loss. The persons against those they have complained that they already gone through multiple verification processes. They obviously have an advantage if the complainant does not turn up and prove their inclusion is wrong, he said. Also read: Thousands more set to be out of NRC in additional draft list of exclusions In Kokrajhar district, one Mondal Musahary wrote to the district NRC official on May 2, claiming that some members of the All Bodo Students Union have taken his signature on printed forms and used it to submit objections against bonafide Indian citizens. In the letter, he requested to withdraw 12 such complaints. I wrote the letter withdrawing complaint. I am being threatened, I do not want to talk, Musahary said when asked for details. Only a few hundred objections were filed till a day before the closing date (December 31, 2018) and more than 2,00,000 were filed on the last day, Brahmaputra Valley civil society, a pressure group said in a memorandum to NRC state coordinator Prateek Hajela on Monday. The group claimed some organizations have forcefully obtained signature of objector and under the Citizenship Act and rules responsibility of establishing ground of objections lies on the objectors. Azizur Rehman, advisor of the All Assam Minority Students Union demanded that action should be taken against those who have filed false and fabricated complaints. We have no problem with the genuine complaints. But a majority of them seem to be false and fabricated with an intention to harass people. They should be dealt with under the Citizenship Act, he said even as he claimed that organisations like All Assam Students Union and others were behind these false complaints. In cases where objectors do not turn up, the complaints should be rejected, he said. Sudip Chanda, secretary of the All Assam Students Unions unit in Bijni in Chirang district, who filed over 100 such complaints and withdrew over 20 later, said time and the date of the hearings overlapped with each other making it impossible to attend all of them. Samujjal Bhattacharya, chief adviser, AASU accepted there were problems with some complaints but rejected claims that the organisation was involved in filing false objections. We extended support to those over 36 lakh who filed claims. We also cooperated with the ones who wanted to file objections. We are now noticing that some complaints have been filed against genuine Indian citizens, we are going to support them, too. We want a illegal Bangladeshi free, correct NRC, he said. Prateek Hajela did not respond to requests for a comment. The owners of an oil tanker, whose five Indian crew members were kidnapped in the waters off Nigeria last month, have established contact with the abductors and are negotiating for their release, people familiar with developments said on Tuesday. The Indians were reportedly abducted on April 19 when the vessel, the Palau-registered Apecus, was anchored off Lagos in Nigeria. There was no official word on the current status or whereabouts of the kidnapped men. External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj tweeted she had seen news reports about the abduction of the Indian sailors by pirates. She added: I am asking Indian High Commissioner to take this up at the highest level with Government of Nigeria for their release. Swaraj also sought a report on the matter from Abhay Thakur, Indias envoy to Nigeria. The people cited above said the Indian mission in Abuja was already in touch with the Nigerian government and the owners of the vessel to ensure the release of the five Indians. Given the Indian governments policy of not engaging with hostage-takers, the negotiations are being handled by the tankers owners. A tweet from the official account of the Indian high commission in Abuja said the mission was in very close touch with (the) Nigerian Navy and police. Without giving details, it added: Concerned parties have made initial contact. Caution is of utmost importance for everyones safety. Former parliamentarian Baijayant Panda, who has taken up the issue of the five Indians on behalf of the wife of one of the sailors, identified the abducted men as Sudeep Kumar Choudhury, Ankit Hooda, Chirag Jadhav, Putcha Sai Avinash and Moogu Ravi. There was no official word on the identities of the men. There have been several instances in recent years of Indian sailors being kidnapped on the high seas, especially by Somali pirates. In most of these cases, the hostages were released after the payment of ransom, usually by the vessels owners. CBI has conducted a polygraph test, popularly known as a lie-detector test, on the complainant and an accused in its case against the agencys former special director Rakesh Asthana registered on October 15 last year. A Central Bureau of Investigation official familiar with the developments said the lie-detector test on Hyderabad-based businessman Sathish Sana Babu has been conducted to ascertain if he had lied about paying a bribe worth around 3 crore to Dubai based brothers Manoj Prasad and Somesh Prasad on behalf of Asthana. The bribe was allegedly paid to protect him in a probe the agency had registered in 2016 against controversial meat exporter Moin Qureshi, as alleged in the first information report (FIR) registered on his complaint. The agency also conducted the lie-detector test on Somesh Prasad. Manoj Prasad, who was arrested by the CBI and is now out on bail, had refused to give consent for a polygraph test. The CBI officer asserted that the polygraph test had become necessary since the allegations were serious in nature and Sana had given specific details of his alleged meetings and conversations with the Prasad brothers from 2017. The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) had also recorded Sanas statement during which he went back from some of the claims so the federal probe agency recently asked to verify them, said a second CBI officer requesting anonymity. Subsequently, the officer added, CBI wanted to know how Sana met another officer of the agency in the first week of October 2018 and went to a Delhi district court to record the statement under section 164 of Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) before a magistrate recording his allegations against Asthana. The CBI has already questioned Sana a couple of times in the case. It has also recently sent a request to the UAE seeking information on Manoj and Somesh Prasad, as the alleged crime originated there according to Sanas allegations in the FIR. Sana had claimed the Prasads promised him immunity in Moin Qureshi case through good connections in the CBI. According to Sana, he met them in Dubai and also allegedly paid initial bribes there. Sana had been summoned by CBIs deputy superintendent of police Devender Kumar, who was investigating the Moin Qureshi case, on October 9, 2018. However, he became a CBI complainant by October 15, 2018, and filed a case against Asthana. Kumar worked in a team led by Asthana in CBI last year and was named along with the 1984 batch Gujarat cadre IPS officer in the FIR. Asthana had contested the FIR in Delhi high court, saying it was fabricated to falsely implicate him but the court allowed the agency to continue with the investigation. The agency, in a recent hearing, asked for six months time to complete the probe. It was after the registration of this FIR that an ugly feud between the then CBI director Alok Verma and Asthana came out in the public last year. CVC has inquired into the counter-allegations of both the officers and recommended Vermas removal from the agency. A high-powered committee led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, after getting a go-ahead from the Supreme Court, removed Verma on January 10, 20 days before the last day of his tenure. Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government at the Centre was on its last legs and regional parties would play a key role in forming the next government. Vijayan told reporters in the state capital that the mood of the nation seemed to favour a non-BJP, non-Congress government at the Centre and regional parties would play a decisive role in such a dispensation taking office after the seven-phase general election ends on May 19. Counting of votes will start on May 23. He said he had discussed this issue with his Telangana counterpart K Chandrasekhara Rao, also known as KCR, who is on a two-day visit to the state ruled by the Communist Party of India (Marxist), or CPI (M). The meeting with KCR was significant. We discussed national politics. He also felt that both fronts [BJP and Congress] will not get {a} majority. So the regional parties will play a prominent role. But we did not discuss about the PM candidate or other issues, he said, adding that both the Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party will fall short of the numbers to form the next government . Vijayan had an hour-long meeting with KCR on Monday. This is the first in the series of meetings KCR has planned in the next five days. There are 123 Lok Sabha seats in the five southern states and regional leaders like Rao are eyeing these numbers, according to CPI(M) leaders. The Bharatiya Janata Party government is in its final days. A new government which is committed to uphold secular values and federal polity of the country will come to power. All regional powers will support such a dispensation. Let us wait for results, Vijayan said. He alleged that the BJP-led government at the Centre had victimised opposition-ruled states, and Kerala was an example. We have seen several instances where the central government had caused much harm to the states. The Centre should not take decisions that harm the state. During Ockhi cyclone [in 2017], Nipah (virus) outbreak and worst flood of the century [in 2018], we suffered it badly, he said. The Kerala CM also accused the BJP of trying to stall a national highway project in the state. Citing BJP state president P S Sreedharan Pillais letter to Union minister of road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari, Vijayan said, It was really shocking he [Pillai] sent such a letter to Union minister [Nitin] Gadkari when the state was going ahead with land acquisition process with full steam. Pillai dismissed the charges, saying he had just forwarded a letter submitted by people who had to forfeit their land and houses because of the widening of the national highway project. Commenting of the meeting between K Chandrasekhara Rao and Pinarayi Vijayan, senior journalist and political observer Sunnykutty Abraham said, It seems K Chandrasekhara Rao is eager to don the role of a king maker and wants to outwit his rival Chandrababu Naidu. If some of the regional players like him sniff some chances they cant be blamed said Self-proclaimed spiritual guru Anand Giri has been arrested in Sydney for allegedly sexually assaulting two women in their homes during prayer meetings in the Australian city. Akhil Bhartiya Akhada Parishad president Narendra Giri confirmed the arrest of Anand Giri on Sunday over alleged charges of sexual assault. Anand Giri is a mahant at the renowned Bade Hanuman temple in Uttar Pradeshs Prayagraj. The 38-year-old was arrested from a house in Oxley Park area of Sydney at around 12.35am on Sunday, the Daily Mail reported. He was on a six-week tour of Australia and scheduled to return to India on Monday. The Daily Mail reported that Anand Giri assaulted the first woman at her residence in Rooty Hill of Sydney West in 2016, where he was called to pray on New Year. Australian police said Anand Giri assaulted the 29-year-old woman in her bedroom. Two years later, he was invited for a night-long prayer at another house in November 2018. Anand Giri and the 34-year-old woman were praying in the lounge in her home when he made indecent advances towards her. He knew both the women, Sydney Police said. Anand Giri was taken to Riverstone police station of Sydney and he appeared before Paramatta Courtin saffron (orange) robes. He was charged with two counts of indecently assaulting the two women. He was denied bail by Paramatta Court and remanded to further custody to reappear before Mt Druitt Local Court on June 26, 2019. Narendra Giri said both the women complained to police that Anand Giri touched them without their permission. He said the women belong to south India and even visited the Kumbh Mela earlier this year. However, they had a tiff with Anand Giri on his recent visit to Australia over some issue, following which they accused him of acting indecently. Our people in Australia are in contact with authorities and a bail application has again been filed, the hearing on which has been fixed for Wednesday. We will also seek the help of the Indian embassy in Australia and the ministry of foreign affairs if necessary, Narendra Giri said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Trump administration proposes to double a component of the filing fee for H-1Bs, a visa programme popular with Indians hoping to work and live in the United States, that could push up costs by $750 or $1,500 for each application, depending on the size of the employer company. The proposed hike is for a fee US charges for each H-1B application to fund training programme for Americans for jobs currently been performed by foreign workers, specially in STEM sectors. It is currently $750 each for petitions filed by an employer with 25 or less full-time employees, and $1,500 for employers with 26 or more. The plan is to double it to $1,500 and $3,000 respectively, through a legislation, which, typically, could take time. Called the ACWAI fee named after American Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act, a 1998 law aimed at reducing the need for foreign workers is 13% of the total H-1B fee. The rest are $460 basic fee, $500 anti-fraud fee, $4,000 fee for employers that have more than 50 workers with half or more of them on H-1B or L-1 (for intra-company transfers). For premium 15-day processing, which is optional, the fee is $ 1,410. Employers pay these charges. There is no proposal to change these other charges. In FY (financial year) 2020, the Departments budget includes $160 million to continue our expansion of apprenticeship programs, along with a proposal to increase H-1B fee revenues to fund additional apprenticeship activities, secretary of labor Alexander Acosta told US lawmakers at a congressional hearing last week on his departments budgetary request for 2020. Though he gave no details, his departments budget, as proposed in the Trump administrations omnibus budget for 2020 released earlier, did. The 2020 Budget includes a legislative proposal to double the ACWIA fee for the H-1B visa program (to $3,000 per worker for large employers and $1,500 for small employers) to prepare American workers for jobs currently filled by foreign workers, especially in STEM fields, it had said. The H-1B programme allows US-based companies to employ foreign workers for high speciality jobs on temporary non-immigrant visas. There is an annual cap of 85,000 on the number of these visas, more than 70% of which have gone to Indian, hired both by US companies such as Microsoft, Facebook and Google and US-branches of Indian companies such as Infosys, Wipro and TCS. It has received intense scrutiny under the Trump administration, drawing from the presidents Buy American, Hire American executive order from 2017. The number of rejections has gone up, and so have requests for more information, and enforcement to prevent abuse and fraud. The district administration of Uttar Pradeshs Ghaziabad has sent a draft proposal to the state government to purchase land to make the civil terminal at Sikandarpur near the Hindon airbase a permanent terminal, officials have said. The newly-developed civil terminal was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 8 and is scheduled to start operationsflights to eight citiesby end of May. The terminal was set up on 22,050 square metres of land leased from local farmers for three years of operations. We have prepared and sent an initial assessment of the land to the UP government and the Airports Authority of India. The proposal includes the per square metre rate for direct purchase of land from farmers. Consent from a farmer, who holds about 6,000 square metres of land and is the biggest stakeholder in the matter, has also been sent along with the proposal, Ghaziabads district magistrate Ritu Maheshwari said. The state government, a week ago, had asked the administration to prepare the proposal for permanent purchase of land on which the civil terminal will operate. Earlier, we had to purchase land to lay the main road connecting the Delhi-Wazirabad Road to the civil terminal. It is likely that the civil terminal land will be purchased outright to make it permanent, she added. According to officials, there are about 25 farmers whose land has been procured on a three-year lease, which is extendable to two more years. However, with the latest directions from the state government, the probability of permanent operation of flights from the civil terminal has increased. Officials are also drawing a traffic movement plan which will be utilised once the civil terminal starts operating flights from the end of May. The civil terminal near the Hindon airbase was constructed as part of the regional connectivity scheme of the Centre, also known as Ude Desh Ka Aam Naagrik or UDAN, and a proposal to operate flights to eight routes was madeNasik, Pithoragarh, Kannur, Hubli, Faizabad, Shimla, Jamnagar and Kalaburgi. The civil terminal has come up near the Hindon airbase at a cost of about 60 crore. It was constructed to ease traffic at the Delhi airport. The former Supreme Court employee who levelled charges of sexual harassment against the Chief Justice of India (CJI) Ranjan Gogoi said on Monday she was highly disappointed and dejected by the clean chit given to him by the three-member in-house panel of the Supreme Court, and would decide on the next step after consulting her lawyer. In a statement issued after the panels notification was made public, the complainant said gross injustice has been done to her as a woman citizen of India. The courts notification said that the full report did not need to be made public, citing a previous Supreme Court judgment dating back to 2003. The woman said she was terrified because the in-house committee, despite having all material placed before them, appears to have given me no justice or protection and said nothing about the absolutely mala fide dismissals and suspensions, indignities and humiliations suffered by me and my family. I and my family remain vulnerable to the ongoing reprisals and attack. The complainant had detailed the alleged wrongful dismissals and indignities in a sworn affidavit sent to 22 judges of the apex court on April 19. She said that not only were the services terminated, her husband and brother-in-law were suspended from the Delhi Police. Her third brother-in-law, who has a disability and whose job she had secured with Gogois help, was given a termination letter. Today, my worst fears have come true, and all hope of justice and redress from the committee have been shattered, she said in her statement. The woman participated in the proceedings of the panel but walked out after her third deposition on April 30, saying she had lost faith in it because she was not allowed to be accompanied by her lawyer, and because the proceedings were not being recorded. The complainant also said that she was not aware if the committee had called other persons, such as the police officer who, she alleged, had taken her to the CJIs residence to make her apologise. The complainant said she also asked the panel to secure the call record details of the CJI and had submitted two mobile numbers, asking that the committee corroborate her charge that he regularly called and sent her WhatsApp messages. I will consult my lawyer and decide on the next steps. Today, I am at the verge of losing faith in the capacity of our system to deliver justice to the weak and vulnerable who are pitted against the powerful within the system itself, she said. Gogoi has refuted the allegations, saying a bigger force wants to deactivate CJIs office. In an interview, last week, her lawyer Prashant Bhushan said that the complainant can invoke various remedies under the law. She can file an FIR with a police station but that will require the permission of the President of India. She can also go to court challenging her dismissal from service...,Bhushan said. For most of his life, Ramnaresh Jatav spend most of his income on his sons education, but without complaint. After all, he reasoned, the expense was an investment in his familys future. His 18-year old son Pradeep Singh was all set to finish his studies and take up a job that would pull the family out of hunger and poverty. That dream however died on April 2, he says, when Pradeep was killed during protests against the dilution of the Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) Prevention of Atrocities Act (PoA) by the Supreme Court. Pradeep, and 15-year-old Akash, also a resident of Bhind, are among nine people who died in the state during the April 2 protests, which prompted the government to roll back the changes. But local villagers say there has been little action in the individual cases of killing. There has been little action so far, two of the accused [in Pradeeps killing] recently surrendered and one is still absconding. Investigation in other cases is sluggish too, says Subhash Rathore, an advocate. The protests, and the deaths, continue to be a major election issue in Bhind, an SC-reserved seat, and Morena. Both go to the polls on May 12 . This churn is being repeated across Madhya Pradesh, which topped the country in crimes against SCs according to the 2016 report of the National Crime Records Bureau. The BJP won 27 of the 29 seats in the state in 2014 and hopes to hold on to its dominance, while the Congress aims to make most of its assembly election comeback. FETCHING DALIT VOTES Bhind, which has around 15% SCs, has been won by the BJP since 1989; and the seat will see a contest between the Congresss Devashish Jarariya, a young lawyer, and the BJPs Sandhya Rai. Locals say they heard that Jarariya was the leader of the April 2 protests, and that has pried open the caste divide. The BJP is saying the Congress candidate took part in the Dalit agitation and his candidature has angered the upper castes in this area, says Ramsevak Bhadoriya, an upper caste farmer. For the lower castes, Jarariya is a leader from Delhi to represent them. Rajesh Jatav. 35, a labourer , says, I have seen Jarariya on television talking about Dalit rights, but it is true that upper castes are angry that he has been given ticket. The 28-year-old Jarariya is aware of the response his candidature has drawn but says most of it are rumours by his political opponents. Rai says she is not linked to any caste politics and that the Congress were seeking votes in the name of caste. Additionally, many Jatavs in Bhind say they have heard that the BJP is trying to dilute the reservation policy , a sentiment that has become stronger after the introduction of the 10% quota for the poorest among the general castes in January. The BJP is countering this sentiment by saying that the bulk of the 220 million beneficiaries of its welfare schemes are from the lower castes. The BJP and its ideological fount, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, have carried out extensive campaigns to change the perception that they want caste-based reservation scrapped and say the personal appeal of Modi will sway young people from the SC communities. It is a myth created by the Opposition; they know that the BJP is getting stronger because of its social schemes which benefit all including the Dalits, said a top functionary of the RSS in Gwalior . UPPER CASTE ANGER Caste factors influence the votes of upper-caste communities as well. This is especially important for the BJP, which has traditionally received the support of the upper-castes, and wants to maintain a fine balance between keeping the SC/ST votes in its fold, and not antagonizing forward castes. The RSS functionary quoted above admitted the BJP has had to face a caste conundrum in the state, first because of the apex court order and then the subsequent anger among the upper castes over the government rollback . Organisations such as a the Sapaks [Samanya Picchda Evam Alpsankhyak Samaj] tried to create divisions. But the voters rejected them, the RSS functionary added. Sapaks, an anti-reservation front, had campaigned against the BJP during the December assembly polls. But since then, the BJP has introduced its 10% quota. The upper caste anger is now over and the party is also relying on the Other Backward Classes (OBC) vote. PM Modi and a popular leader from the state, Uma Bharti, are OBCs, said a BJP functionary in Gwalior, requesting anonymity. A congress leader in Bhind, Jai Shriram Baghel, said for the first time, that the sangathan and sarkar (organisation and government) are working together to win elections. All differences have been set aside; and this election is being fought on the basis of development for all. Unlike the BJP who is peddling the Pakistan-attack story; we are focussing on jobs and growth; naturally we will have the support of all castes, he said. Political analysts Shirish Kashikar said Dalits in MP are scattered, and therefore likely to have a limited impact on the polls. Gwalior-Chambal region has always been a hotbed of caste politics with upper castes ranged against the lower castes. The April 2 incident only increased the gap and local politicians never tried to bridge it, added Jayant Singh Tomar of Gwaliorbased ITM University, (With inputs from Punya Priya Mitra and Shruti Tomar) SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Indias defence policy is no longer linked to its diplomatic policy, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah said in an interview, explaining how his party views national security. diplomatically, India could boldly present its views to other countries and at the same time strike at the source of terror, he said. Shah is convinced national security, which his party has made the centrepiece of its campaign, will find an echo among voters. Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi has assured 1.25 billion Indians that his government is committed to national security, which is the topmost priority of his regime whether it is taking tough decisions on Jammu and Kashmir or being the most successful government in handling international diplomacy and challenges. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government has delivered on other fronts too, Shah said: There have been agricultural reforms with increased rate of growth, more coverage of irrigation, faster infrastructure development with 2.5 times increase in road and 2.25 times increase in railroad construction. The BJP president expects his party to better its 2014 tally of 282 in the election and listed three reasons why people will vote for the BJP: First, the BJP has a strong leader, while the opposition leadership is in tatters. Second, we have made the 500 million poor people realise that they have a stake in the country. Third, as opposed to indecisive or leaderless governments in the past, our decisive leadership has addressed the challenges related to economy, defence, infrastructure, agriculture, and poverty alleviation. Also Watch | Congress versus BJP | Should SC intervene over alleged EC bias? Responding to a question on whether it was alright for his party to use the UN listing of terrorist Masood Azhar as a talking point in its campaign, Shah said: It is an achievement of the Modi government, so why should we not take electoral advantage of it? He also repeated his partys commitment to scrapping Articles 35A and 370 of the Constitution that give special status to Jammu and Kashmir and said they will have to go. That will happen once his party has a majority in the Upper House of Parliament too, he added. The Rajya Sabha, where the BJP and the NDA have not had the numbers, has come in the way of the governments legislative agenda. One more round of UP/Bihar of Rajya Sabha polls and things will change in favour of the BJP (in the Upper House), Shah said. Also read | Lok Sabha elections 2019: BJP will breach 282 mark by large margin, says Amit Shah The BJP president said that veteran leaders such as LK Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi have not retired from politics, but from electoral politics. They can guide us in many other ways, such as training the cadres, Shah said, adding that the BJP left out 18 such leaders who were over 75 years of age from directly contesting in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, but they still have an important role in the party. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Election Commission cleared Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday in a complaint filed by the Congress of model code of conduct violation in an election speech. This is the seventh complaint in which the poll watchdog has cleared Modi. A person aware of the developments said the poll body also did not find any violation in a complaint filed by the Congress about the PM participating in a so-called road show in Ahmedabad after he cast his vote on April 23. The Congress had claimed that the PM went about in an open jeep after he cast his vote, which according to the opposition party, violated the model code of conduct. The poll bodys clean chit came on a complaint by the Karnataka unit of the Congress that had alleged that on the day of his rally April 9 rally in Chitradurga, PM Modi had asked first-time voters to dedicate their vote to the Air Force for carrying out the air strikes at Balakot. He also asked them to vote for jawans who were martyred in Pulwama. This was the same charge against Modi by the Congress for his speech in Latur, which had last week been cleared by the EC. The second complaint was that Modi had waved at voters on polling day in Ahmedabad while casting his vote. The Congress had complained that while going to cast his vote at Nishan High School in Ahmedabads Ranip area on April23 during the third phase of polling, Modi went in an open jeep and waved at the crowd that had gathered on both sides of the road. The local returning officer had, in his report, said that there was no code violation. The PM has invoked the army time and again, referring to the Armed Forces as his own forces. He has invoked martyrs of Pulwama to get votes. One doesnt knows what more is he capable of. But one knows that EC will have a tough time explaining its role in retrospect, Pranav Jha, Congress spokesperson said. Even as the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections was underway, a controversy of sorts erupted when 2 balloting units, a control unit and 2 VVPAT machines were found from a hotel in Bihars Muzaffarpur on Monday. Voting was held in Muzaffarpur on May 6. District Magistrate Alok Ranjan Ghosh said that the machines recovered from the hotel were reserved machines that were to be used in case any faulty machines needed to be replaced. Sector officer was given some reserved machines so that it could be replaced with faulty ones. After replacing EVMs he was left with 2 balloting unit,1 control unit and 2 VVPAT in his car, Ghosh was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. Also read: In 1 minute, SC rejects review plea by 21 parties to verify more VVPAT votes He said that a departmental investigation would be conducted into the incident. He shouldnt have unloaded the machines in the hotel which is against rules. Since he has violated an departmental investigation will be done, he said. Also read: Review plea by 21 parties to verify more VVPAT votes rejected by SC in 60 secs On Monday, five seats in Bihar went to vote. These included Muzaffarpur, Madhubani, Saran, Hajipur and Sitamarhi. The counting of votes will take place on May 23. Ahead of the sixth phase of the Lok Sabha election to be held in Haryana on May 12, a 10-member foreign delegation from Japan, Australia and Bangladesh will visit Gurugram to get an overview of the election process in India. On May 11, the visiting delegates will be briefed on election management, including the use of EVMs, Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail and other services. On the day of election, the team will visit polling booths in various parts of Gurugram. India is one of the biggest democracies in the world, and a fair and peaceful election has been its basis. We are proud that the Election Commission of India selected Gurugram to showcase the election activity to the foreign delegates, Amit Khatri, deputy commissioner of Gurugram and district election officer, said. The Gurugram administration has set up six model polling booths, including the HDFC School and Delhi Public Schoolin Sector 47, Patio Club Nirvana Country and Amity International School in Sector 46, the Government Senior Secondary School in Chakkarpur and Pine Crest School in DLF Phase 1. Additionally, eight pink booths will be managed by all women team of officers, workers, micro observers, and security personnel. On Tuesday, officers and workers assigned for poll duty received training in operating EVMs and setting up poll booths. At Government Girls College in Sector 14, the second pilot rehearsal was conducted with presiding officers of Gurugram and Badshahpur. On May 11, the final round of rehearsal will be conducted. Voters can also get assistance through the helpline number 1950 and by visiting the CEO Haryana website. After campaigning in Gurugram and Mewat for over a week, Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) candidate Virender Rana, on Monday, moved his campaign to the rural belt of Rewari and Bawal, where he met people in over 20 villages spread across the Gurgaon Lok Sabha constituency. In the last election, INLD candidate Zakir Hussain came second by securing 3.7 lakh votes. This time, Rana is also expecting a strong support from the voters. In Rewari, Rana met farmers at places such as Garhi, Dhakia, Dohki, Gangaicha Jaat, Gothra, Manethi, Bawan Gurjar and Berwal, among others. He said that he would take up the long-standing demand of implementing the recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission very seriously. This would benefit farmers and help them get a better price for their produce and protect themselves from the vagaries of both nature and market. Rana is an engineer and owns a software company with business interests in United States, Europe and India. He is also one of the richest Lok Sabha candidates in Haryana with a net worth more than Rs100 crore. Rana told villagers in Rewari that he would ensure that the educated, unemployed youth can get jobs. He will help them by enhancing their skills and absorbing them in private companies, which are seeing a shortage of talented resources. There is shortage of skilled employees and I will help in overcoming the talent shortage. This is will add jobs and boost the economy, he said. In Khor block, which has been designated as a dark-water zone, the INLD candidate said that, if voted to power, he would allow a large subsidy on rainwater harvesting structures and also help in reviving the village ponds that will help in replenishing the water table. Both the Congress and the BJP candidates have had a long stint in politics but they have not delivered the goods. This is the reason why people across the constituency are highly disappointed by their performance, said Rana. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Monday released constituency-specific manifestos for East Delhi and Chandni Chowk. Besides focussing on health and education, better law and order, safety of women and decongestion of the areas are some of the key issues listed in these area-specific manifestos. While releasing the manifesto, AAPs East Delhi candidate, Atishi, said, One of the major concerns in the constituency across classes is that of women safety. Those living in slums and in apartment complexes have said they dont feel safe stepping out of their homes after dark. Maintaining that their focus will be on women safety, both Atishi, and AAPs Chandni Chowk candidate, Pankaj Gupta, promised to open dedicated police stations for women. Atishi, who is making her electoral debut this Lok Sabha elections, said, A thorough survey will be conducted to identify all dark spots around East Delhi, following which proper lights will be installed in these areas. The number of PCR vans will be increased so that each municipal ward has access to at least four PCRs. We will open womens police station to cater to women so that there is no fear of reporting crimes. Atishi, who is credited for her work in the school education sector, said her party is committed to open more higher education institutions in the constituency. Despite the growing need, there are not enough higher education institutions in East Delhi. The constituency will get its own university campus so that students do not have to travel across in search of good colleges, she said. Promising to upgrade the healthcare infrastructure, Atishi stressed on the problem of drugs in area. Drug de-addiction is a major concern in different pockets of East Delhi, including but not limited to Sarai Kale Khan, Nizamuddin, Kalyanpuri, Trilokpuri etc. Drug de-addiction centres will be set up to help communities to resolve this problem, the manifesto stated. Gupta, who is pitted against Union environment minister Harsh Vardhan of the BJP, and veteran Congress leader, JP Aggarwal, has promised to address the congestion problem in his constituency, especially in the Walled City area. Decongestion of major roads around Jama Masjid, Chawri Bazar, Hauz Qazi, Lal Kuan will be our priority. There is a demand for easing traffic around schools, which we will try to address, Gupta said. With close to 27 mohalla clinics already operational in his constituency, Gupta said he will add 125 new clinics. In the education sector, the party has promised rapid modernisation of all remaining schools, planned expansion of existing Delhi government schools and making provision for a third language Urdu, Punjabi or Sanskrit. Actor Swara Bhaskar, who is not known for holding back her punches, on Monday lashed out at the BJP for having fielded Sadhvi Pragya Thakur as its candidate from the Bhopal Lok Sabha seat. In remarks critical of both the BJP and the Sadhvi, she referred to her as a mix of politics and crime. What Pragya Thakur represents in the election is harmful. She is a mix of politics and crime. I have come here to campaign against her, news agency IANS quoted her as saying. In remarks critical of the BJP, she said Thakur was accused of murder and terrorism and that the BJP had seen fit to field her. Thakur is accused of murder, of terrorism. Terror is an attempt to destroy harmony in society and the country. And the BJP has seen fit to field such a candidate, she said. Pragya Thakur, BJPs candidate from Bhopal, landed herself into a controversy soon after she was nominated by the party, with her remarks about former ATS chief Hemant Karkare. Addressing BJP workers in Bhopal, the Thakur had said that ATS chief Hemant Karkare died because she had cursed him. However, she took back her comments after wide-spread condemnation of her remarks. He (Hemant Karkare) died from the bullets of terrorists from the enemy country, he is certainly a martyr, she said. Sadhvi Pragya Thakur is one of the accused in the 2008 Malegaon blasts. Swara Bhaskar will be campaigning for the Aam Aadmi Partys East Delhi candidate Atishi today, while fellow actor and AAP member Gul Panag will campaign in South Delhi for Raghav Chadha. In the past two days, actor-turned-politician Prakash Raj and Gujarat MLA Jignesh Mevani had joined the AAP campaigning. Bhaskar, Raj and Mevani had also campaigned for CPI candidate Kanhaiya Kumar in Begusarai, Bihar. Delhi goes to polls on May 12. The results will be declared on May 23. In an interview with the Tribune in October, Sherwood said Elkins came out of the bar in an absolute rage, breaking past the bouncer trying to contain the crowd at the door. Within seconds, he said, he felt his leg snap and he crumpled to the sidewalk as blows continued to rain down on his head. Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Tuesday praised Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan for remembering the erstwhile king of Mysuru Tipu Sultan on his death anniversary on May 4, raising the hackles of the BJP. Shashi Tharoor responded to Imran Khans tweet on May 4 in which he had hailed Tipu Sultan as a man I admire because he preferred freedom and died fighting rather than live a life of enslavement. The Congress leader re-tweeted saying he saluted his genuine and far-reaching interest in Indian history. One thing I know about @ImrankhanPTI is that his interest in the shared history of Indian subcontinent is genuine& far-reaching. He reads; he cares. It is disappointing, though, it took a Pakistani leader to remember a great Indian hero on his punyathithi, Tharoor said responding to the Pakistan PMs tweet. Tharoor, the Congress candidate from Thiruvananthapuram, is taking a break in the US after a gruelling election campaign. But these exchanges did not amuse the BJP, which has been criticising the erstwhile ruler citing the alleged genocide and excesses against the majority community during his regime. A controversial character in Indian history Tipu died while fighting the British on May 4, 1799. Soon after Tharoors tweet, BJP lawmaker Rajeev Chandrasekhar tagged former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah in his post. Dear @siddaramaiah avare time for u to hug Imranji n Bajawaji-@sherryontop! Thts quickest way to bcome@ Rahulgandhi n priyankagandhis favorite! # JustDoIt (sic), Rajeev Chandrasekhar tweeted. Siddaramaiah was quick in his response. Mr @rajeev_mp, Think before you tweet. I am not like your Chor @narendramodi to eat biryani with the PM of our enemy country & also not like you to compromise on ethics to please your bosses. It is better to lead a life of Tipu Sultan than like a slave of your bosses like you (sic), Siddaramaiah said. The Congress leader was referring to the Prime Ministers surprise visit to Pakistan in 2017. In May last year, the BJP had opposed the Karnataka governments decision to celebrate the birth anniversary of Tipu Sultan on November 10 every year. The party had termed the decision to observe Tipu Jayanti as an act of Muslim appeasement. Tharoors latest tweet is likely to bring debate on Tipu Sultan to limelight again. In a bid to prevent tampering, the Maharashtra Congress on Monday demanded that jammers be installed in strongrooms, where electronic voting machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) boxes are stored, and also at the counting centres. It also demanded that candidates be allowed to choose EVMs and VVPATs that need to be tallied for discrepancies, instead of the random sampling procedure that is currently followed. State Congress chief Ashok Chavan led a delegation of leaders Bhai Jagtap, Naseem Khan and Baba Siddique to meet Maharashtra chief electoral officer Ashwani Kumar to suggest preventive measures for a free and fair election. Jammers are required as EVMs can be tampered with using wireless networks such as mobile towers and WiFi. They should be installed in strongrooms as well as during the counting process, he said. The partys ally, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), meanwhile, expressed fears that candidates of the ruling party may tamper with EVMs and demanded the Election Commission bar candidates from entering the strongrooms. In a letter to Kumar, NCP state president Jayant Patil said modern technology can be used to tamper with EVMs using remote systems. The Maharashtra election officials, meanwhile, dismissed the fears. A senior official, who did not wish to be named, said, It is not possible to hack it. If that were the case, there would have been attempts to do so earlier. The fears seem unfounded, but the final decision will be taken by the CEO. According to the process, the collector or the returning officer picks five machines in an Assembly constituency to tally votes in VVPATs. Instead, we have demanded the candidate should be allowed to pick the five EVMs he wishes to check against VVPATs. Our demand is that 50% of EVMs should be tallied against VVPATs, but that is pending in the Supreme Court, said Chavan. The Congress leader also requested the CEO to declare the result sheets of each round of counting only after it is duly prepared and signed by the returning officer. This would leave out any chance of a change in numbers declared at the Centre and on the central server, Chavan said. The Congress also demanded that counting be carried out in descending order of the names that appear on the machine. Currently, it is done in the ascending order. Chavan said the CEO will forward the demands to the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and said Kumar was positive about it. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON India and China top a list of countries where illegal sand mining has become a major environmental problem, according to a report released by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) on Tuesday. While we cannot do without sand, responsible mining should be incentivised, said the report, Sand and Sustainability: finding new solutions for environmental governance of global sand resources. Unsustainable sand mining was being fed by growth of construction work in China, followed by India, the report said. In 2017, China recorded the highest use of cement (which includes sand aggregates) in the world, at an estimated 2.4 billion tonnes. India came second, with 270 million tonnes, followed by the USA (86.3 million tonnes), the report said. Global demand for sand and gravel is about 50 billion tonnes a day, according to the report. To put the amount in perspective, thats an average of 18 kg per person per day. Other countries where illegal coastal sand extraction is a problem include Morocco, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Unchecked mining of sand from coasts and riverbeds adversely affects not only marine life, but can also lead to drought and flooding, and a drop in the quality of water. The scale of the challenge inherent in sand and gravel extraction makes it one of the major sustainability challenges of the 21st century. The extraction of sand from the seabed has led to pollution, flooding, lowering of water aquifers, beach erosion and more frequent droughts. Meanwhile, rivers, river deltas and coastlines are eroding, sand mafias are thriving and demand continues to grow, the report said. The solution to reduce illegal sand mining would be for all large infrastructure planned projects (roads, buildings, bridges) to identify the source of the sand and to ensure traceability, said Pascal Peduzzi, director of GRID-Geneva at UN Environment, who released the report. If only sand from the identified source is being used, this would highly reduce the possibility for illegal sand mining. Local governments have a strong role to play, given that they are the main clients of sand and gravel for construction of these infrastructure projects, he said. The report, however, also highlighted how India and China were taking steps to check illegal sand mining. Given the scale of development in India and China, they are definitely hotspots for this activity, but these countries are also becoming leaders in tackling sand mining and sustainability challenges, said Louise Gallagher, the principal investigator of the report, University of Geneva, and UNEPs Global Resource Information Database (GRID)-Geneva. We cannot do without sand, but it is imperative that we incentivise responsible extraction to reduce the fairly staggering social and environmental impacts, Gallagher said. The research found India and China were taking active steps to create suitable substitutes for sand in construction and industrial uses. The next step is sourcing responsibly mined sand through a traceability process, followed up with strong accountability through governance. Then, illegal and irresponsible sand mining will be drastically reduced, Gallagher said. According to a 2018 documentary by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, illegal sand mining fetches $250 million or 1,611 crore in profits in India every year. The UNEP report is an important step in making the issue of unsustainable sand mining recognised as an international crisis, said Awaaz Foundation, a Mumbai-based environment advocacy group that contributed to the UN report by identifying cases of illegal sand mining along beaches and creeks on Indias west coast. Sand mining has been named the second largest extractive industry after water, and its impact on marine and terrestrial ecosystems is immense. We hope the report will trigger changes in international and national implementable policies, based on ground vigilance, said Sumaira Abdulali, the convener of Awaaz Foundation. Abdulali filed one of the first petitions against illegal sand mining in the Bombay high court (HC), and was even attacked by the sand mafia when she tried to stop illegal sand extraction in the Konkan regions Kihim beach, in 2004. The issue of sand mining spread from Kihim beach, Maharashtra, where I first intercepted a sand truck. It has now become a crisis recognised at the state, national and international levels, she said. India has rules to check sand mining. The Union Environment ministry said illegal sand mining was being addressed at the district level, under the Sustainable Sand Mining Management Guidelines, 2016. Beach and creek sand mining is illegal. States are in the process of submitting district survey reports identifying areas to be protected from creek and river bed mining too. Once these reports are compiled, state-wise notifications will be issued prohibiting sand mining, said a senior official from the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC). SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Actor Ashnoor Kaur, known for her role in the show Patiala Babes, has scored 93% in the CBSE class 10 board exams. She said she was expecting a 90% score, but was pleasantly surprised at the result. She told Bombay Times, I was expecting 90% but when I got to know that I have scored 93%, it was like the icing on the cake. I was quite nervous but when I saw my result, I shouted at the top of my voice with excitement. My mother who was also there with me had tears in her eyes and since then everyone on the sets has been congratulating me. The actor said that she is aware of the balance she needs to strike between work and education. She said, I have always been passionate about both. I know if I join acting as a full-fledged career in the future, then that will take place only after my studies. Asked how she managed to perform well on both stages, she said, It was hectic to manage and remember dialogues along with my studies. I would always study in my makeup room and also wake up at 5:30 am and study before leaving for sets. My teachers had also told me that I could take extra classes from them and clear doubts if any. I had the support of my school, parents and the production team of my show for my studies. Taking to Instagram to share the news, Ashnoor wrote, People have the stereotype that child actors wont be good at studies, and I wanted to break this stereotype!! When everyone had a full month study leave in Feb, I was shooting the entire month, when everyone had 5-7 days before one exam, I had a mere 2-3 days... Shooting for 12 hours with heavy scenes, studying while travelling the car, going back home and studying till 1:30am. As for the future, she says that she will opt for the commerce stream, as it offers several avenues for her to take. Ashnoor has also appeared in films such as Sanju and Manmarziyaan. Follow @htshowbiz for more Unable to resolve the Brexit impasse, the United Kingdom will now be forced to hold elections to the European parliament on May 23, a situation that Prime Minister Theresa May and others hoped would not arise if MPs were able to agree on the withdrawal agreement. David Lidington, effectively the deputy prime minister, said on Tuesday that regrettably the government is unable to complete the process of cross-party talks to arrive at a consensus before the scheduled date of the European elections on May 23. Having to hold elections to the European parliament in a bitterly divided member-state that has already voted to leave the European Union reflects the failure of Westminster politics that has agonised for nearly three years on leaving the 28-member group. Referring to the occasions that the withdrawal deal was voted down and the cross-party talks, Lidington said: (It) is regrettably not going to be possible to finish that process before the date that is legally due for European parliamentary elections. We very much hoped that we would be able to get our exit sorted and have the treaty concluded so that those elections did not have to take place. But legally, they do have to take place - unless our withdrawal has been given legal effect - so those will now go ahead. May has been grappling on at least two fronts: dealing with growing voices within her party against her leadership and trying to reach a consensus with the opposition Labour on the Brexit agreement. Results of the European elections are likely to further deepen faultiness. The UK was scheduled to leave the EU on March 29, but when the agreement was repeatedly voted down in the House of Commons, Brussels agreed to extend the deadline to October 31. If the UK does not leave by May 23, which it now admits is not possible, it remains a member-state and is legally obliged to take part in the elections and send Members of European Parliament to Brussels. The UK sends 73 MEPs to the European Parliament. Various parties will put up candidates, including the newly-formed Brexit party comprising mainly leaders and members of the UK Independence Party, which campaigned predominantly for the UK leaving the EU. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The US on Tuesday agreed with India that the gains made in Afghanistan over the past 18 years must be preserved in any possible deal in talks with the Taliban a key concern for the government in New Delhi. The matter figured in meetings between the US special representative for Afghan reconciliation, Zalmay Khalilzad, and his Indian interlocutors, including external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale and Indias envoy to Kabul, Vinay Kumar. Khalilzad, who held talks with the Taliban at Doha in Qatar before travelling to New Delhi, held consultations with Indian government officials and other stakeholders on the Afghan peace process, according to a statement from the US embassy here. Besides preserving the gains made since the Taliban regime was removed after the 9/11 terror attacks in the US in 2001, measures to prevent the use of Afghanistan by terror groups as a platform for attacks also figured in the talks. Khalilzad and his counterparts agreed that Afghan gains of the last 18 years must be preserved and built upon, the statement said. Afghanistans political future is for Afghans to decide through an inclusive and legitimate process, it added. The two sides discussed the many important benefits that peace would bring, including: preventing international terrorist use of Afghanistan as a platform for attacks; improved prospects for regional peace and security; and increased regional connectivity and trade. The statement said Khalilzad will continue to consult with Indian counterparts as the peace process moves forward. He welcomed support for the peace process that strengthens an emerging international consensus for peace efforts. He also recognized the many important contributions India has made to Afghanistans development. India, which has given $3 billion in assistance to Afghanistan, has been keeping a wary eye on the talks between Khalilzad and the Taliban, who have given no signs of agreeing to a ceasefire or participating in an intra-Afghan dialogue with government and civil society representatives. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Essex-based Taminder Virdi is among three individuals sentenced to terms in jail after defrauding elderly bank customers of more than 390,000 and laundering the cash through multiple fake accounts, officials said on Tuesday. The National Crime Agency (NCA) said Virdi, 33, and Abubakar Salim, 36, who both worked at the same TSB branch in Stoke Newington in 2014, transferred funds out of customer accounts into 65 fraudulent beneficiary accounts they had opened. The accounts were controlled by accountant Babar Hussain, 40. NCA officers were alerted to their activity when one of the eight victims (all in their 70s) reported that 56,000 had been transferred out of the bank account without consent. That money went into seven beneficiary accounts opened in different names. Hussain was arrested in July 2016 and officers recovered a number of fraudulently obtained genuine driving licenses, which Virdi and Salim used along with fake gas and electric bills to open the beneficiary accounts. When he was interviewed, Hussain claimed that part of his work in the community involved opening and managing bank accounts for those just arriving in the UK with no fixed address. Messages on his phone identified other victims of fraud, where Virdi and Salim abused their position within the bank. Virdi was arrested in November 2016 and Salim in May 2017. At the time of Virdis arrest, he had left TSB having resigned following an internal investigation into his fraudulent activities and was working for Santander. Investigations found that Virdi continued offending whist employed at Santander. He was immediately suspended following his arrest and Santander fully supported the NCAs investigation. Salim was also subject to an internal investigation at TSB and dismissed. Virdi and Salim were found guilty following a six-week trial at Blackfriars Crown Court, and were sentenced to three years and six months and four years respectively. Hussain pleaded guilty to all offences and was jailed for five years and four months. NCAs Mike Hulett said: Hussain is a professional money launderer who used his accountancy knowledge to steal hundreds of thousands of pounds from elderly banking customers. He was aided by two corrupt bank workers who abused their positions of trust, using false documents to set up bank accounts to launder the hard earned savings of their unsuspecting victims. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Sharpshooters wore camo and hefted state-of-the-art rifles with longer, flatter trajectory The green-clad soldiers waited patiently in the shadows of the Pennsylvania woods. Their uniforms blended into the summer foliage, and the deep shade prevented the bright sun from reflecting on the barrels of their deadly rifles. It was a warm day in early July 1863. As the marksmen positioned just south of the town of Gettysburg scanned their surroundings for signs of Confederate forces, they drained their canteens and waited for the enemy to appear. The soldiers were members of Berdans Sharpshooters, an elite infantry unit equipped with fine breechloading percussion riflesthe Sharps Model 1859. The Rebels learned soon enough to fear this enemy. At the start of the conflict, Hiram Berdan, a 36-year-old New Yorker and nationally known marksman, believed his greatest contribution to the war effort would be the formation of a sharpshooting regiment made up of the best riflemen in the Northern states. After receiving formal approval from military authorities, Berdan opened regional competitions to decide who could join his ranks. Colonel Hiram Berdan, a prewar marksmanship champion, decided in 1861 to recruit the best riflemen in the Northern states to create a sharpshooting regiment. (Library of Congress) In the summer of 1861, Berdans recruiters scoured the Northern states for qualified candidates. At the July 1863 Battle of Gettysburg, in fact, the 2nd Regiment had representatives from Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and Vermont. Men were given plenty of incentives to join the unit. Berdan offered enlistment bonuses and even compensation for those shooters who brought their personal target rifles. The distinctive uniforms they would wear was another advantage: dark green caps, trousers, and coats, essential in helping them blend in with the scenery while operating among trees and brush. Acceptance, however, was hardly guaranteed. To qualify as a sharpshooter, all prospects had to place 10 consecutive shots inside a 10-inch circle (roughly the size of a dinner plate) from 200 yards at rest (or 100 yards off hand) without the aid of a telescopic sight. Ultimately, some 2,000 marksmen qualified. As early as August 1861, they were assembled into what became the 1st and 2nd United States Sharpshooters. At first, Berdan wasnt certain what weapon he wanted his men to carry. He had initially placed an order with Brig. Gen. James W. Ripley, head of the U.S. Army Ordnance Department, for 750 Springfield rifles, which Berdan felt would serve in an interim capacity until a first-class alternative weapon became available. Then, while the sharpshooters were in training at Fort Corcoran in Washington, D.C., a former gold miner and hunter named Truman Head joined their ranks. Given his West Coast background, the men quickly dubbed the new recruit California Joe. There is a new man here in my company that is all attention, one sharpshooter wrote in his diary. He is a craggy old monument from California and can shoot better than many as he was a bear hunter. He favorsan old Sharps and has told all that will hear that he will obtain a newer edition to fight rebels shortly. The M-1859 Sharps rifle had several advantages: a breechloading design, accuracy, reliability, and a rapid rate of fire. (Heritage Auctions) An outstanding marksman, Joe was disgusted with the old, cast-off guns that many of his fellow sharpshooters had been issuedmostly worn-out Halls rifles and smoothbore muskets. True to his word, he eventually bought the M-1859 Sharps. Berdan got to fire the rifle, and immediately ordered a thousand for his men. Because of a production backlog at the Sharps factory, though, he also arranged for a consignment of M-1855 Colt revolving rifles. The mento put it mildlyhated the Colt, finding it inaccurate, unreliable, and unsafe in the event of a chain fire (the accidental simultaneous discharge of all rounds in the weapons cylinder). After constant demands for a replacement, the Army replaced the detested revolving rifles for the M-1859 Sharps. In May 1862, the men finally had their new guns and, by June, a shipment of 200,000 cartridges. Three features made the M-1859 Sharps such a fine instrument: loading design, action, and ammunition. The brainchild of Connecticut gunsmith Christian Sharps, his latest model was an outgrowth of his original 1848 concept for a percussion lock breechloader. At a time when most firearms loaded through the muzzleutilizing an awkward combination of ball, powder charge, and ramroda gun that loaded from the breech offered numerous advantages, especially for the sharpshooter. As true during the Civil War as it is today, sharpshooters depended on coverage and concealment. Standing a rifle on its butt and fumbling with powder, ball, and ramrod could betray ones location to the enemy. Loading from the muzzle was an even more difficult procedure to perform from a prone position. The breechloading design, on the other hand, enabled shooters to reload effortlessly regardless of how they were situated. They could load the single-shot Sharps while standing, kneeling, or prone, sending up to 10 well-aimed rounds downrange every minutenearly triple a muzzleloaders rate of fire. The falling-breechblock action was another valuable element of the guns design that enabled the soldiers to reload quickly. A lever attached just forward of the trigger guard internally raised and lowered a rectangular chunk of metal known as a breechblock. When closed, this piece sealed the rifles chamber and, upon firing, effectively transferred the recoil to the weapons stock. The Sharps did not make use of a metal cartridge with a built-in primer, but it did use a unique cartridge that consisted of a bullet attached to a powder charge wrapped in paper or thin linen, and the consolidated round saved time during loading. The powerful .52-caliber, roughly one-ounce Sharps projectile left the muzzle at a scorching 1,200 feet per second, compared to the muzzle-loading Pattern 1853 Enfields 900 feet per second. The result was a flatter long-range flight trajectory along with a bit of surprise. As one Confederate soldier observed of the rifles supersonic round, the [Sharps] bullet got to you before the report, but if it was a muzzleloader the report got to you before the ball. A double-set trigger system included a hair trigger that increased accuracy. The Sharps was, indeed, a firearm built for discerning and deadly shooters. Berdans men were soon able to test their breechloaders in battle. At Malvern Hill, Va., on July 1, 1862the final clash in the Seven Days Battlestheir pinpoint fire destroyed in only 10 minutes the 1st Richmond Howitzers of Colonel William Barksdales Brigade. We went in a battery and came out a wreck a Confederate gunner later wrote. [W]e came out with one gun, ten men and two horses, and without firing a shot. The sharpshooters figured prominently again at the Battle of Antietam on September 17, 1862. In the devastating fighting in and around the Cornfield, the 2nd had 13 officers killed and wounded, as well as 54 enlisted men killed, wounded, or missing. Volunteers for Berdan's unit had to undergo rigorous sharpshooting trials to prove their skills. In this image from Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan and other officers watch the testing. (Photo by Buyenlarge/Getty Images) One of those slain was 2nd U.S. Adjutant Lewis C. Parmelee, who took command of the regiment when Colonel Henry Post was wounded. When fired upon by Rebel troops after exiting the Cornfield, the 2nd returned fire and the Confederates started to break, leaving guns, knapsacks and everything that impeded their progress on the ground beside their dead and wounded comrades, writes Civil War historian Jim Woodrick, director of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History. According to Woodrick, Parmelee seized a flag from a wounded enemy color-bearer and attached it to his sword to rally his men. He had advanced only a few steps, however, before he was struck down by gunfire, reportedly hit at least five times. [W]e shot our rifles today fiercely, one sharpshooter wrote in his diary that day. I saw Parmelee fall. Parmelee was one of nine members of the regiment to be buried on the battlefield after the battle, though his family later had his remains reinterred elsewhere. The role Berdans men played in the Union victory at Gettysburg may well have been their most defining moment. During the critical fighting on July 2, the two regiments were part of Brig. Gen. J.H. Hobart Wards 2nd Brigade in the 1st Division of Maj. Gen. Dan Sickles 3rd Corps. Ward was responsible for the extreme left of the Army of the Potomacs defenses, and when Colonel John Bufords cavalry was dispatched about noon to Westminster, Md., to refit and reshoe their mounts, Ward sent out eight companies of the 2nd Regiment to the southwest of his position. Major Homer Stoughton, the 2nds commander, reported after the battle that he had been instructed by Berdan to place his men on Big Round Top, what he called Sugar Loaf Hill. He placed four companies straddling a crossroad whose trace today occupies Slyder Lane; one in a ravine at the base of the hill; and one on the brow of the hill, with videttes overlooking the ravine. Stoughton kept the two other companies in reserve, though they would be brought forward soon enough. According to Gettysburg licensed battlefield guide Gary Kross, writing in Blue & Gray magazine: The Sharpshooters usually deployed in no larger a group than cells, where four men were responsible for each other during combat.The videttes referred to by Stoughton on Big Round Top would have been comprised of a number of cells in strategic positions along the western slope of the hill. A group of 15 men from several companies that had moved forward enough on Big Round Top witnessed the early-afternoon arrival of infantry of Lt. Gen. James Longstreets First Corps on the southern end of the battlefield, as well as the arrival earlier of Confederate artillery. When two Rebel scouts were captured, Adjutant Seymour F. Norton was able to report back to his superiors the escalating Confederate presence. When Confederate artillery began moving into position on the southern end of Seminary Ridge, some of the batteries were placed immediately in front of members of Stoughtons skirmish line. A few sharpshooters crept through the woods and deployed behind a stone wall before unleashing a quick salvo on a North Carolina battery under Captain James Reilly. Sharpshooter Lewis Parmelee was killed near the Cornfield at Antietam. (Library of Congress) That seemingly minor disruption affected the preparations of Evander Laws Alabama Brigade ultimately headed for Little Round Top. Without informing his regimental commanders of his intent, Law detached about 200 men from five of his companies to seek out and confront the unseen force that had just fired on Reillys guns. The sharpshooters, however, had already pulled back up Big Round Top, and, according to Kross, the 200 detached Alabamians would miss the Confederates subsequent attack. The advance on the Union left by Maj. Gen. John Bell Hoods Division began about 4 p.m. Almost immediately, Stoughtons sharpshooters opened fire, followed quickly by Union artillery. Several Confederates later wrote of the devastation wreaked upon them by the Federal marksmen. We advanced through a field about half a mile before we reached thefoot of the mountain, wrote a member of the 5th Texas, our men tumbling out of ranks at every step, knocked over by the enemys sharpshooters. Private John C. West of the 4th Texas, Company E, recalled in a letter written to his young son shortly after the battle: When the command was given to charge[,] we moved forward as quickly as we could.Yankee sharpshooters were on the higher mountains, so as to have fairer shots at our officers. On we went yelling and whoopingminnie [sic] bullets and grape shot were as thick as hail, and we were compelled to get behind the rocks and trees to save ourselves. A soldier of the 4th Alabama recalled the chilling death of a comrade during the advance at the hands of a sharpshooter: Taylor Darwin, Orderly Sergeant of Company I, stopped, quivered, and sank to the earth dead, a ball having passed through his brain. By nightfall July 2, Federal forces had withstood the repeated attacks on Little Round Top and the Army of the Potomacs vulnerable left flank, setting the stage for its victory the following day. Stoughtons 2nd Sharpshooters regiment had disrupted the Confederates long enough to allow other Union units to fill what had been a glaring gap in the defenses along Little Round Top, most notably Colonel Strong Vincents 3rd Brigade in Maj. Gen. George Sykes 5th Corps and the 20th Maine Infantry under Colonel Joshua Chamberlain. According to Colonel Berdans after-action report, 450 of his marksmen were engaged during the battle, expending 14,400 rounds of ammunition and suffering fewer than 30 total casualties. Gettysburg was Berdans last time in the field with his elite unit. He was soon promoted to division command, only to resign his commission in early 1864. That December, the two regiments were merged into one force, but Berdans men never again had the sort of impact theyd had at Gettysburg, a prime example of what was possible when used in the role for which they had been created. Nevertheless, Berdans Sharpshooters hold a distinguished honor in our nations history. Although military units with a similar purpose had been in use by armies in Europe, and American armies had adopted the use of isolated marksmen, Berdans was the first organized unit to wear camouflage and wield breechloading rifles in combat. Furthermore, their exploits as mobile marksmenthe squirrel hunter of the war, according to one of their own officersset the stage for the eventual and critical military recognition of the scout-sniper in modern warfare. Doug Wicklund is a senior curator at the NRAs National Firearms Museum in Fairfax, Va. Michael Williams is a freelance writer, and an NRA and Maryland State Police certified firearms instructor. _____ Tools of the Trade First designed by Christian Sharps in 1848, and slightly updated in 1863, the Model 159 Sharps rifle was rugged, accurate, and capable of firing 8-10 rounds per minute. The breechloading, single-shot rifle (converted post-Civil War to fire self-containing metallic cartridges) remained in production through the 1880s and became the preferred weapon of the Western Plains buffalo hunters (the 1874 Sharps, in several calibers, became renowned as Old Reliable. Specs: Manufacturer: Sharps Rifle Manufacturing Company, Hartford, Conn. Length: 47 inches (9 inches shorter than 1861 Springfield rifle-musket; Sharps carbine was 39 inches) Weight: 9.5 pounds (0.5 pounds heavier than 1861 Springfield rifle-musket) Caliber: .52 (1861 Springfield rifle-musket was .58-caliber) Ammunition: Paper (waxed linen)-wrapped cartridges (lead bullet & 50 grains black powder) Ignition: Percussion cap (or Sharps pelletsSharps patented similar system) Action: Lever-activated falling block (vertical sliding breechblock) Rate of Fire: 810 rounds per minute (vs. muzzle loader 1861 Springfield rifle-muskets 3 rpm) Muzzle Velocity: 1,200 feet per second (slightly supersonic vs. 1861 Springfield rifle-muskets 1,000 fps) Sights: Barrel-mounted, open ladder sight Effective Range: 500 yards (8001,000 yards with skilled marksmen) Bayonet: Standard triangular socket bayonet (none for carbine version) Government Cost: $40 ($1,142 in todays dollars) Union Army Purchased 186165: 9,141 (80,512 carbine versionsmeanwhile the U.S. government purchased 1 million Springfield rifle-muskets during that time). The $40 purchase price included for each weapon: one thong and one brush (for barrel cleaningthe Sharps had no ramrod); one wrench and screwdriver; one cartridge stick (as a form for hand-rolling paper-wrapped cartridges); one extra cone; and one extra primer spring. In addition, one ball-mold (for casting lead bullets) was provided for every five weapons. Jerry Morelock _____ A Tight Spot Berdans Sharpshooters rushed into an open field ahead of the main assault on Stonewall Jacksons troops at the Deep Cut during the Second Battle of Bull Run. Keeping up a steady fire, they managed to repel Confederate skirmishers, but provoked Jacksons men to fire back from the cover of a trace of an unfinished railroad and became pinned along a dry creek bed. George Albee of Company G, who was wounded during the action, returned to the spot after the war and placed a signboard on a tall cedar post to mark the location of his company during the attack. Although the pole has been replaced several times over the years since, a present sign occupies the same spot as the original at the Manassas National Battlefield Park.Melissa A. Winn Nearly 40 countries provided material support, but a handful contributed numerous soldiers In April 23, 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson appealed for a Many Flags initiative to support the embattled Republic of Vietnam. Nearly 40 countries provided some form of material support, but five contributed thousands of troops. The largest was the Republic of Korea, which committed 320,000 army, navy, marine and air force personnel from September 1964 to March 1973. The South Koreans lost 5,099 dead and 10,962 wounded. Australia sent advisers to Saigon as early as 1962 and in 1965 added the 1st Australian Task Force. A destroyer and an air force squadron also assisted. The Australian presence, totaling 60,000 troops, ended in March 1973, with 521 killed and 3,000 wounded. New Zealand sent 3,890 troops between 1964 and December 1972, with 41 killed and 187 wounded. Thailand, besides providing bases for U.S. airmen, sent the Royal Thai Volunteer Regiment (Queens Cobra) in October 1967 and the Royal Thai Expeditionary Division (Black Panthers) in 1968 for a total of 40,000 troops351 were killed and 1,358 wounded before the February 1972 withdrawal. The Philippines provided 2,064 personnel in Philippine Civic Action Group, Vietnam to assist civilians between 1966 and 1969. Galloping Horse Ridge is a grueling hike for history buffs T he Allied campaign on Guadalcanal stretched from August 1942 to February 1943. By the end of 1942, the forcesmostly U.S. Marineswho had seized a Japanese airfield there were successfully defending it. But by January 1943 the Japanese still held the high ground south and west of the airfield. From positions on Mount Austen, a nearby redoubt called the Gifu, and a series of hills collectively known as Galloping Horse Ridge, the Japanese could observe and disrupt U.S. air and sea movements. American planners were determined to clear the enemy from these positionsand from Guadalcanalonce and for all. On a recent visit to Guadalcanal, I had the rare opportunity to hike the remote Galloping Horse Ridge battlefield. It was my fourth visit to Guadalcanal, the largest of the Solomon Islands in the South Pacific. This, however, was the first time escorts were available to lead the trek, allowing me to intimately experience the historic terrain. Since World War II, the capital city of Honiara has grown along Guadalcanals north coast: from Henderson Field, as U.S. soldiers renamed the airfield, to suburban Point Cruz. Galloping Horse Ridge runs east to west just south of its outskirts. The ridge is actually a series of steep hills and ravines that, when viewed on a map, appeared to a creative U.S. military planner to resemble a running horse. The hills are today mostly treeless and covered with tall green grasses and occasional rock outcroppings, much as they appeared in photographs taken during the campaign. They are populated, as our group found, by snakes and mosquitos, and are still pockmarked with trenches, foxholes, spent cartridges, and shell holes. Paralleling the ridge to the south in a deep cut is the southwest fork of the Matanikau River. The river played a central role in the fighting for the island. In the battle for Galloping Horse Ridge, American troops ferried supplies up the navigable portions of this waterway. The U.S. Armys January 1943 plan to take this high ground involved infantry attacks by Major General J. Lawton Collinss 25th Infantry Division, uphill against the entrenched Japanese positions. The 35th Regiment attacked southeast to the Gifu and Mount Austen. The 27th Regiment charged west up Galloping Horse Ridges forelegs and hind legs. Its 1st Battalion moved against the ridge from the north, while the 3rd Battalion attacked from the east. The deep nearby forks of the Matanikau River precluded flanking attacks from either the west or south. The key Japanese position was Hill 53, on the head of the horse. The exhausted 3rd Battalion got stuck in a ravine just east of this hill, so General Collins ordered the reserve 2nd Battalion to pass through and continue the attack. That was when the battalions executive officer, Captain Charles W. Davis, famously led four men up the ravine to the fortified knoll at the south end of the hill. Davis tossed several grenades into the redoubt and ultimately destroyed the Japanese position. General Collins and other GIs viewed these heroics from below, which gained Davis the Medal of Honor. To the east the 35th Regiment captured the Gifu and Mount Austen after heavy fighting. The mountains of Guadalcanal had been cleared. Some 200 Japanese fled down the cliff to Matanikau Falls, where they hid in caves behind the waterfall. In February all remaining Japanese troops evacuated the island in defeat. Intense fighting on Guadalcanals inland high ground ended with a victory for American troops. (Paul Harris/Getty Images) Intense fighting on Guadalcanals inland high ground ended with a victory for American troops. (Paul Harris/Getty Images) On a hot, sunny day more than 75 years later, local guides led my traveling companions and me up and across the length of Galloping Horse Ridge and then back down on inner tubes along the adjacent Matanikau River past Matanikau Falls. We should have been wary when the agent told us that no one has ever taken this tour! A modern white van picked us up at the Point Cruz Yacht Club. We drove south through mostly gridlocked Honiara traffic to the town of Tuvaruhu, and were finally dropped off at the tiny riverside village of Lelei. Two young menGlen and Sanderand their dog met us here. They wore simple T-shirts and shorts. They were barefoot and carried no water, sunscreen, hats, or sunglasses. They were toting fully inflated inner tubes for our return down the Matanikau. How they and their dog would get back was left unsaid. We forded the Matanikau just south of the village. The narrow dirt path immediately wound steeply uphill, shadeless in the 104-degree heat. We zigzagged up to the first rise on the 482-foot-long ridge. Ahead was a seemingly endless series of green hills and ravines, marked only by fading jeep trails. Soon, fatigue and sweat consumed us. As we ascended, we reached the route over which the 3rd Battalion had traversed as they attacked westward along the ridge. It was easy to see that the Japanese entrenched above would have had a clear view of the GIs. Even the interceding ravines offered no shade and no cover. I casually remarked that there must still be bullets and shrapnel around. At this, Glen halted, strode a few steps off the path, and started digging into the dirt with his hand. Within a minute he came up with two shell casings. We kept on hiking, stopping only for swigs of water and to dig up more munitions. I thought about all the brave, scared young men who had climbed these hills, in stifling heat and under fire, and wondered for how many this magnificent view was their very last sight on earth. U.S. soldiers trek across the high hills of Guadalcanal. (AP Photo) U.S. soldiers trek across the high hills of Guadalcanal. (AP Photo) Glen pointed out that we were approaching Hill 53the site of the topmost Japanese fortification. It was now just a large green hillock. In the ravine below the hill I realized that we were at the location of Captain Daviss stirring Medal of Honor charge. What motivates such men? After two hours of difficult hiking, a part of each of us wanted to quit and walk back down to Lelei village. The GIs, of course, didnt have that option. At the crest of Hill 53 we rested. It appears to have been landscaped; there was no overt evidence of a mighty Japanese redoubt. A modest home lay just below the hill to the north, and a woman and several children near it watched us on the summit. Just past the crest, someone had installed benches and trees, and it was refreshing to finally sit and rest in shade. But not for long. The woman below stormed up the hill from her house, screaming at us in a local language and gesturing wildly. Glen exchanged words with her, but she was not mollified. We apologized and moved on. I guess we were the first Americans to retreat from Hill 53! From there, the trek down to the southwest fork of the Matanikau River confirmed that the hill could not have been flanked from the west. The path is steep and then gets steeper. The trail was pure mud, and we quickly fell into the classic hikers five-point stance, sitting and essentially sliding down the descent a few feet at a time. At least it was cooler. The author, with help from a local guide, sets off for a float on the Matanikau River. (Courtesy of William Coulson) The author, with help from a local guide, sets off for a float on the Matanikau River. (Courtesy of William Coulson) Finally, we reached Matanikau Falls, where GIs frolicked in the battles aftermath. Glen and Sander had carried our inner tubes all this way, so we were able to float and paddle behind the falls through one of the caves. Our movement from the falls to the river below required a careful descent down steep, wet rocks, using only footholds drilled into the granite by American troops. Once down we could continue on in our tubes. The amazing Glen, Sander, and their dog alternately waded and swam alongside of us. At shallow spots in the Matanikau we had to walk. By now we were fatigued and soaking wet. As we approached Lelei, we fully appreciated how the difficult terrain had dominated the strategy and limited the options for taking Galloping Horse Ridge. Walking over a battlefield brings home the hardships and the tactical problems the soldiers faced. A book, a museum, or even a veterans personal account cannot provide that level of reality. Galloping Horse Ridge is difficult to negotiate and rarely visited, but offers a window on the horrific struggle that occurred there so many long years ago. WHEN YOU GO The best way for Americans to get to Guadalcanal is via Nadi, Fiji, which welcomes nonstop 12-hour flights from Los Angeles. Pass the time by reading James Joness The Thin Red Line; it depicts in compelling fiction the assault on Galloping Horse Ridge. Battlefield tours can be booked through agencies like Destsolo Travel & Tours. The hike up Galloping Horse Ridge and down to the Matanikau River via the falls is strenuous, so participants must be in good physical condition. WHERE TO STAY AND EAT Stay at the Solomon Kitano Mendana Hotel in downtown Honiara. There is sublime fresh seafood everywhere on the island. WHAT ELSE TO SEE AND DO There are hundreds of sunken warships and planes to draw divers to the waters of Ironbottom Sound, off Guadalcanals north coast. The Solomon Islands have many other interesting sites that are best accessible by boat: on New Georgia Island wartime airstrips are still in use at the Munda and Seghe settlements, and theres world-class snorkeling off the north coast. Gizo Island has a fascinating public market; nearby Kennedy Island was where the future U.S. president was marooned; and Pavuvu Island once hosted a huge U.S. Marine base. And if you get the local chiefs permission first, you can visit Skull Island off Vonavona and view the skulls of former chiefs and handle those of their vanquished enemies. This story was originally published in the June 2019 issue of World War II magazine. Subscribe here. A Union sailor left a remarkable first-hand account of the struggle between USS Monitor and CSS Virginia EDITED BY JONATHAN W. WHITE G eorge M. Newton, a sailor aboard USS Minnesota , had a spectacular and dangerous view of the revolutionary Battle of Hampton Roads on March 8-9, 1862, which pitted CSS Virginia against USS Monitor . His vessel was one of the three Union blockaders Virginia set its sights on the morning of the 8th, and it was the only one to survive. Newton watched as Virginia constructed in Gosport Navy Yard in Portsmouth, Va., upon the iron hull of the former USS Merrimac rammed and destroyed Cumberland , and then set Congress ablaze and forced it to surrender. That night, as Congress flames illuminated the Roads, Newton saw Monitor arrive to contest the Confederate ironclad. His vivid letter recounting the seminal two-day engagement is a rare find in 2019. GEORGE M. NEWTON was born in Grafton, Mass., on October 14, 1839. A brick mason who stood 5-foot-10-inches tall with a fair complexion, blue eyes, and brown hair, Newton enlisted in the U.S. Navy on April 11, 1861, to serve aboard Minnesota. That same day he sent a letter to his parents, telling them, I had made up my mind at the first talk of war that I should go south Ether as a volanter or on board a man of war knowing or thinking that they would call for Volanteres for they have in others States I concluted that I had rather go on the water than on land. He shipped as a landsman, or ordinary seaman, performing what duty they think I am best fitted for on Board. By summer, Newton was on duty in Hampton Roads, Va. He performed various tasks aboard Minnesota and often wrote home about the sites and events he witnessed. The landsman saw the capture of Confederate privateers, toured the burned-out ruins of Hampton, and watched the shelling of Confederate Forts Clark and Hatteras. He also witnessed escaped slaves dancing on the deck of his ship. Beginning in October 1861, still referring to Virginia by its former name, Newton began to write of the trepidation the men felt about the merimack a flowting battery which we expect down from the point most any time. for she has been seen at the point. Nevertheless, he felt confident that if she comes she will have a warm reception. Eventually he would meet Virginia, as described in the letter below. Following the Battle of Hampton Roads, Newton noted that Minnesotas sailors continued keeping a sharp lookout.for the meramack, but felt fortunate they never again had to engage the Rebel ironclad. When Monitor sank during a storm on December 31, 1862, he lamented the loss of our old friend. In the summer of 1863, Newton and Minnesota went south to Wilmington, N.C., where he penned a wonderful account of chasing blockade runners. Life aboard a blockading vessel, however, could be tedious. I would like to have my discharge so as to be on shore this winter, he told his mother in September 1863. I would like to be eating some apples and some of your pies. [W]e have a new supply of bread on board now. the old being condemned. there was danger of it walking overboard. Throughout his enlistment, Newton put his duty to country above his personal desires. He hoped the Union Army would advance so that there will be an end to secesh and peace once more reign over this country. (I hope). I have no wish to go home till this is settled, then I want my discharge, and then go home to be with you all. Indeed, despite his strong wish to see his family, he wanted to be part of the action. I do not want to go home till this trouble is over, he wrote his sister in April 1862. [I]f I could get my discharge I would join Gen Macs army at yorktown. Throughout his naval service, Newton continued to contemplate joining a unit on land. In the summer of 1863, he wrote his family, I would like to be at home to work on the block, but I would not be contented if I was there, if I was out of the Navy I would join the Cavaly In March 1864, he reiterated these sentiments, telling his sister and brother, I have not made my mind yet wheather to enter the Cavaly servise or to go to Idaho amongst the Gold. When Newton mustered out of the Navy at Baltimore in April 1864, he decided to join the Union Army. On August 15, 1864, now 24 years old, Newton enlisted as a private in Company F, 1st Battalion Massachusetts Heavy Artillery. Two months later, on October 25, he was promoted to corporal. Although his military service record does not specify, he likely spent the following months participating in the Siege of Petersburg. After hostilities ended, Newton mustered out on June 28, 1865, and on July 3 was honorably discharged at Fort Warren, which defended Boston Harbor. He spent the remainder of his life working as a mason in Grafton, with the exception of two years he spent in the west, either in Montana or Wyoming. He died on March 1, 1921, at the age of 81. In 2018, The Mariners Museum in Newport News, Va., acquired a long-held private collection of 34 letters he wrote while a sailor aboard Minnesota. Newtons March 11 letter, published here for the first time, is one of the most remarkable accounts ever to come to light of the famous fight at Hampton Roads. Some punctuation has been added or deleted, and paragraph breaks have been added. Newtons vernacular spelling remains, with the exception of capitalizing the first word of each paragraph and correcting his habitual misspelling of off. Stricken words have been replaced with ellipses. He uses meramack or merimack when he mentions CSS Virginia, and also interchangeably uses Monitor and erricerson batterya reference to the turreted ironclads inventor, John Ericssonwhen he mentions the Union vessel that fought Virginia to a standstill. Hampton Roads Va March 11 Dear Father and mother and the rest of the folks, I thought I would drop you a few lines to let you know that I was alive, and not even wounded. I suppose you have heard that we have had a fight. I will give you a short account of it, there is so much work to be done, that I have not time to write much. Saturday, at one O clock three rebel steamers, came around the point, and started for Newport News, wesliped our cable, and started for them. a tugboat went along-side of the Roanoake and took her in tow, when we came in range of the rebel batterys at sewells point, they opened upon us. we returned the compliment. our shots most all fell short. they had rifle Guns, one of there shots struck our main mast, and made an ugly hole in her. when about two miles from newport news, and under a full head of steam, we went aground, about the same time, the cumberland went down the meramack run into her bow on. at the same time the cumberland let fly a whole brodside at the merama[ck] without appearing to do her any damage. The cumberland imeadeately went down. as she went down she let fly her pivot gun, showing her spunk to the last. at the same time some of the cumberlands men jumped on to the meramack to board her, but it was no use, her sides were just like a roof of a house, and greesed at that. the men would slide off into the water. some of the men I hear tryed to throw some shells into the merramacks smoke stack so as to blow her up, but none went in. about the same time two rebel steamers came down from Richmond, and run by the battery at Newport news, and took a part in the fight. after sinking the cumberland they commenced to fire at the congress. the congress ran aground so that the rebels had it most all there own way. The congress kept up a steady fire upon them, but it was no use. after having lost half of her men, she raised the white flag and left herafter setting her on fire. there we was tryingto free the ship, but she was fast and hard in the mud, but when we could get a chance to fire, we let fly. the rebels steamers returning the complement as soon as they finished the congress, they made for us bow on. consequently we could only use three guns to anadvantage, our pivot on the spar deck and two guns on the gun-deck that were transfered from the Broadside ports to the bridle ports. the meramack headed directly for us. our guns wer aimed well, making good shots.the enemy hauled off, somewhat damaged. I rec[k]oned one of there steamers, I took to be the yorktown, must have been badly damaged, with som loss of life, as our shots struck her in good shape. Once in a while they would come in range of our broadside guns. then we would give it to them. every time that we could get a range of them, we would let fly, taking good aim. this ended the first days engagment. our loss in killed was three and a number of wounded some mortally. our ship was damaged somewhat, the balls, and shells, going through us, and all around and over us. the enimy hauled of I should think about seven O clock, to commence again the next day. we stayed by our guns all night, not knowing how soon they might be upon us. as soon as they hauled off we commenced to tear down the comodores cabin, for to transfer a couple of guns to the stearn ports. one of the guns was mine. we was called the guard of honor. we expected the enimy would come around our stern, and rake us fore, and aft. They troubled us none during the night. we was to work all night, trying to get the ship off. we had six or eight steamers, and tugboats, alongside of us, doing there best to get us off, but it was no use. we put a lot of beef, and pork, on board of the steamers, to lighting us, and sent off two heavy safesI suppose filled with money, and valuable papers. Sunday morning. At daylight this morning we had breakfast (if you call it breakfast) of hot coffee and hard bread, (the sun came up in big shape denoting a good day). I forget to mention that last night about ten O clock the erricerson battery came to our releaf a querr looking object she was. you had better believe that we was glad to see it, for we were all bound not to be taken prisoners. Our captain sung out to the Officer of the erricerson and says I am glad to see you.the officer of the battery made answer. I think some one else will be to morrow; (meaning the merramack). the burning of the congress last night was a handsome sight. about midnight her forward magazine blew up the handsomeist sight that I ever see the air was filled with combustable matter. dont tell me ever again about fire-works. the Roanoake got aground, but soon got off, and then left us for the roads again. the st Lawrance came up to our help towards night, and fired at the yorktown. then she went back to the roads, leaving us all alone, till the battery came up to our assistance. about 8 O clock this morning the rebels fireda gun for a signal to advance. Our ship layed broadside on.they was comeing (they advanced causiously, trying to make out what that round tower on a raft was, I suppose) the steamers were loaded with troops, the calculations being to board us, about nine the merramack let fly at us, then the erricerson battery went out to meet her, then commenced what you may call a bomb proof fight. the Officer of the monitor, not having a full supply of powder, and shot, was very carefull about waisting his shots. the monitor kept steaming round, and round, the merrimack, every now, and then, giving her a shot, the merrimack returning the complement. during the fight the monitor got in range of pig point battery and paid her respects to that battery. she then hauled off, to along distance, when she observed the yorktown and Jamestown heading for us so as to take us astern she immediately made for them. when they put back, and stayed back the rest of the day but not before the monitor had given them a few shots. the merrimack then got in range of our guns, when we opened upon her, she returning the same. About three O clock she took to her heels and left, her parting shot went through us close to the water line, and through the shell room, and up through the deck. the water commenced to rush in, when our Captain told the men to get there bags and hammocks, and put them aboard of the tugs, alongside of us, and jumped aboard ourselves after taking everything that we could carry away of any value. we took all of our firearms with us. finerly the leak was stoped and all hands went aboard again, excepting those aboard of the white hall, which steamer had pushed off. we then commenced to throw our spar deck foward guns overboard to lighting the ship. we throwed overboard eight of them. then the tugs and steamers (the S.R. Spaulding was one of them.)made fast to us they succeeded in slewing us round but could not get us off. we was to work till three in the morning and finerlygot off, and started for the roads. The second day we had no one killed outright, but some mortally wounded, and a number slightly. we are to work now putting things to rights. we had ten shots come through us, and a lot of them hit us. they fell thick around us, and it is a wonder that we had no more killed, or wounded. the ericerson battery came is [in] season to save a great many lives and proberly the ship, for the rebels would never have taken this ship, for everything was ready to blow her up, if it came to that. we have a Captain that we all like, and who is afraid ofno rebel steamer that ever floated, or battery. he is every inch a man. I wish I could say as much of our 1st Luit. but I can of our 2nd. a coward I despise. The asst. sec. of the navy Mr [Gustavus Vasa] Fox came on board of us, after the merramack hauled off. he came on board of us from off the monitor we shall proberlyhave to go to N. york or Boston to get repared, and take on board some more guns in place of the ones that we throwed overboard. I lost all of my clothes, excepting what is on my back. my hammock is safe, my bag of clothes were thrown on board the whitehall, and after she pushed off from us she started for fortress monroe being on fire in he[r] coal bunkers the fire was put out, as they supposed, but the fire burst out again, and about a half of the bags on board of her was burned, mine being one of them. (but I have my head still, and hands.) the congress lost about one half of her men, the number of men on board of her at the time being about 390. The Cumberland had about 200 killed and wounded. the Cumberland and congresses crew are on board here also the R.B. Forbes crew so we are crowded somewhat. the Captain of the monitor says that the last shot he gave the merramack went through her at her water line. anyway she hauled off. prety well damaged. the monitor lookes like a long raft with a smokestack in the centre. the merramack lookes like a four roofed house. There is an english man of war in here the Rineldo the Captain of her wanted to go down insidethe monitor, but it was no go, for him. he calles the two batteries the yankee devils. the Roanoake starts for new york to day. we expect the stevens battery in here every day now I must close for there is work to be done, and we are all up in arms I have given you a short account of the fight in a hurry. I have seen some bloody sights, one case in particular where I see a mans head flying away from his shoulders now I will bid you good bye, till I see you, or hear from you, you have my permision to have this put in the paper if you think it will pass muster. I will write more next time, if I write. G. M. Newton. It was our capains intention if we had not run aground to have run into the merramack under a full head of steam and tiped her over if he could. Jonathan W. White is an associate professor of American Studies at Christopher Newport University, in Newport News, Va. He is author or editor of nine books and more than 100 articles, essays, and reviews about the Civil War. His most recent book is Our Little Monitor: The Greatest Invention of the Civil War, co-authored with Anna Gibson Holloway. Lightfoot first sat down with Ivanka Trump in the West Wing, where they discussed workforce development and criminal justice reform. Then Lightfoot headed to Capitol Hill, where she met with Pelosi, who gave her advice on being a big-city mayor gleaned from watching her own father and brother lead Baltimore. She closed out the afternoon with Democratic House leaders James Clyburn and Steny Hoyer, and a discussion about Chicagos need for an infrastructure bill and mass transit funding. Now Open 7 May 2019 Hyatt Place Tongxiang Train Station, the first Hyatt Place hotel in Zhejiang province, officially opens in Tongxiang of Jiaxing city today. The new hotel features the Hyatt Place brand's intuitive design, casual atmosphere, and practical amenities, such as free Wi-Fi, 24hour food offerings and 24-hour fitness center. Hyatt Place Tongxiang Train Station is located in the Tongxiang Economic Development Zone of Jiaxing in Zhejiang province, adjacent to Tongxiang Ruijin Hospital and a short drive to the scenic Wuzhen Water Town with its ancient architecture and stone bridges and pathways. The hotel also enjoys easy access to some main transportation hubs in the region - a 5 minute drive from Tongxiang Train Station and about a 40 minute drive to Shanghai Hongqiao Train Station and Shanghai Hongqiao Airport. A short 15 minute drive from Wuyue Square, a major shopping plaza, Hyatt Place Tongxiang Train Station is a perfect base for guests who visit for business or leisure. Hyatt Place Tongxiang Train Station offers: Pipeline 7 May 2019 Trez Capital announced the closing of a $15 million construction financing loan for Phoenix-based Virtua Partners' first-ever Opportunity Zone project. Virtua Credit, a commercial real estate investment and advisory services firm, arranged the loan, which will finance a 128-room SpringHill Suites by Marriott in Avondale, a suburb just west of Phoenix. Located off North 99th Avenue in Avondale, the hotel will anchor a 58-acre mixed-use development that will include retail, restaurant, multifamily and single-family developments. The hotel, which is slated to open summer 2020, will have the latest design elements from the Marriott brand, including a new decor package. In addition to a fitness center and pool, the hotel will also feature amenities for the business traveler like free Wi-Fi, in-suite workspaces and an on-site business center. Hotel Equities will manage the hotel once it opens next year. The Opportunity Zone program was introduced in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act as a bipartisan effort to encourage private capital to invest in economically distressed areas. Significant tax breaks are offered as incentives for long-term investment in designated communities. This is the second limited service hotel Trez Capital has financed for Virtua Partners. In 2018, Trez Capital financed a 116-room Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott in Tolleson, which is also in the west Phoenix area. Press Release 7 May 2019 PARSIPPANY, N.J. -- It's sun's out, shades on and passport-in-hand for one thrill-seeker ready to seize the days with iconic hotel brand Days Innby Wyndham . Back by popular demand, the economy hospitality leader is once again offering the hottest gig of the summer but this time with a global flair: the Days Inn "Sunternship" program. Advertisements Now through May 24, 2019 at DaysInn.com/Suntern , Days Inn welcomes applicants 21 years and older with a passion for international travel, an eye for photography and a love of written storytelling to jet set overseas this summer as the brand's "Suntern," chronicling sunlit experiences in an official travel guide to be featured on the hotel's website and social channels. For many Americans, bucket-list trips like the Days Inn Sunternship are purely aspirational, especially when student loan debt is at an all-time high and can impede travel budgets. According to the U.S. Federal Reserve, there are more than 44 million borrowers who collectively owe $1.5 trillion in student loan debt in the U.S. alone. Days Inn is here to help. In addition to paid hotel and air accommodations, this year's Suntern will receive a $150 daily travel stipend plus $10,000. "We're continually dreaming up ways to brighten guests' stays at our hotels, fueling their days when they're with us and their wanderlusts when they leave us," said Patrick Breen, vice president, Brand Operations, Days Inn by Wyndham. "We believe everyone deserves a cultured, overseas experience - without deferring or prolonging student loans - and this mindset was the very inspiration behind this year's global Sunternship program." While the 2018 Sunternship program focused on travel to some of the sunniest cities in the U.S., this year's post lets the recipient hand-select their journey under the sun - think London, Rio de Janeiro, Montreal, and beyond - staying at some of Days Inn's more than 1,700 locations along the way. About the Role: This customizable, two week-long dream job entails journaling and snapping sunny photos throughout an international jaunt in destinations with Days Inn locations, such as the U.S., Canada, Europe, South America and Asia. What's more, the selected Suntern will get major street cred. Photos and travel insight captured will be featured on the brand's website, DaysInn.com , and its social media channels, in the form of a digital travel guide. Responsibilities: Travel to an international destination(s) for two weeks this summer. Document your adventures in a travel journal and share your top things to do and see. Capture as many sun-inspired photos as your camera roll can hold. Qualifications: A bright, creative, aspiring writer and photographer. At least 21 years old. U.S. resident with a valid passport. Open to new experiences, has a passion for travel and enjoys exploring new cultures. The ability to travel abroad for two consecutive weeks in August 2019. The Perks: $10,000 payday. Paid hotel and economy air accommodations. A $150 daily travel stipend, allowing you to explore your sunny destination(s) to the fullest. Photos and journal excerpts featured on the brand's website and social media channels. Wyndham Rewards Diamond membership. Diamond membership. A glowing recommendation from a Days Inn by Wyndham executive upon successful completion of the Sunternship. How to Apply: Visit DaysInn.com/Suntern by May 24, 2019 to submit an original sun-filled photo, as well as a 300-word entry describing your dream destination and why you belong there this summer. We'll assess applicants' photography and storytelling skills, and select the brightest person for the job. Press Release 7 May 2019 NH Hotel Group signed a lease agreement with THE ENTOURAGE GROUP for the top floor of nhow Amsterdam RAI. Two newly created creative concepts are launched: one restaurant & bar and one sky lounge & bar, offering a panoramic view 91 meters above the ground over the city of Amsterdam. nhow Amsterdam RAI, closely located to RAI Convention Centre and Amsterdam RAI station, will become the new social and multicultural hub for Amsterdam locals, tourists and business travelers. With 650 rooms on 24 floors, nhow Amsterdam RAI will be the largest newly built hotel in the Benelux region. Inspired by owners and founders Yossi Eliyahoo and Liran Wizman, along with the group's CEO Stephanie Pearson, THE ENTOURAGE GROUP continues to set the new standard for modern hospitality. THE ENTOURAGE GROUP will operate as a stand-alone partner working together with NH Hotel Group for the first time within the same building: nhow Amsterdam RAI. Advertisements Amsterdam - NH Hotel Group proudly announces THE ENTOURAGE GROUP will be launching two brand new modern concepts: a restaurant & bar and a sky lounge & bar in the iconic nhow Amsterdam RAI hotel. The new concepts on the top floor (24th floor) offer a singular panoramic view over the city of Amsterdam in an open space of 1.000 m2 and will be open from early morning to late night in the weekend. Herman Klok, Regional Director of Operations for Amsterdam, UK and Switzerland, NH Hotel Group signed the agreement on Thursday 2nd of May together with Founder & Co-Owner Yossi Eliyahoo of THE ENTOURAGE GROUP. The four-star hotel nhow Amsterdam RAI is scheduled to open in Q1/2020 and will also offer a bar on the 1st floor, breakfast, lunch and dinner on the 17th floor as well as Meeting & Event services including F&B on the 23rd floor, all operated by NH Hotel Group. nhow Amsterdam RAI belongs to the nhow brand family of disruptive and exceptional design and lifestyle hotels, designed by renowned architects such as Matteo Thun, Rem Koolhaas or Karim Rashid. Maarten Markus, Managing Director Northern Europe of NH Hotel Group looks forward to the collaboration and says: "The choice to work with THE ENTOURAGE GROUP for nhow Amsterdam RAI is obvious, as they have proven to launch successful concepts both in Amsterdam as well as abroad. There is no doubt that hospitality guru Yossi Eliyahoo has set the example for culinary experiences in Amsterdam, both for local as well as international tastemakers. On top of that, our disruptive nhow lifestyle brand is like a chameleon - adapting to trends and needs of its location, just like THE ENTOURAGE GROUP approaches their restaurant concepts. I am excited to see the cutting-edge dishes and signature drinks Yossi and his team will come up with." Yossi Eliyahoo, Founder and Co-Owner of THE ENTOURAGE GROUP states "We are feeling on top of the world announcing the new adventure of THE ENTOURAGE GROUP and nhow Amsterdam RAI, where we are launching two brand new concepts on the top of the largest newly built hotel in the Benelux, a multicultural hotspot for locals, business travelers and tourists. Creating a unique experience." About THE ENTOURAGE GROUP THE ENTOURAGE GROUP is an unrivalled hospitality empire, renowned for creating internationally acclaimed food and beverage concepts across the world. Their wide range of expertise has been cultivated extensively through years of hospitality management, operations and fine dining experience. Owners and founders Yossi Eliyahoo and Liran Wizman, along with the group's CEO Stephanie Pearson, inspire THE ENTOURAGE GROUP to continually set the new standard for modern hospitality. The currently owned portfolio includes 9 brands in total: MOMO Restaurant, Bar & Lounge, IZAKAYA Asian Kitchen & Bar (Amsterdam, Hamburg, Ibiza and Munich), THE BUTCHER, THE BUTCHER West, THE BUTCHER Nine Streets, THE BUTCHER Social Club, THE BUTCHER Berlin, THE BUTCHER Ibiza and THE BUTCHER On Wheels, SHIRKHAN, MR PORTER (Amsterdam and Barcelona), awarded by Michelin THE DUCHESS, MAD FOX Club, Toni Loco and Bepita. The upcoming cities include; Dubai and Milan. Due to the success of the group, founder Yossi Eliyahoo was awarded 'Hospitality Entrepreneur of the Year' in the prestigious Entree Hospitality Awards 2015. Opinion Article 6 May 2019 Travelers today have access to considerably more information than they did during the early days of loyalty programs and are more reliant on reviews and user-generated content (UGC) than on brand names alone when making hotel choices. Also, when it comes to rewards programs, travelers have increasing options, with a variety of point-earning opportunities such as credit cards with compensation schemes and online travel agencies (OTA) reward programs. In fact, consumers are usually members of multiple rewards systems and use them selectively. How then can hotel companies today expect to drive consumer loyalty and does it even matter? Advertisements Do Rewards Drive Loyalty? According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, "loyalty" would imply a "faithfulness that is steadfast in the face of any temptation to renounce, desert, or betray." Loyalty is deemed necessary as it drives repeat business and is expected to increase referrals, thereby lowering the costs of customer acquisition. In the service industry, the subject of loyalty has long been debated and scholars generally agree that one precursor of loyalty is high customer satisfaction levels, i.e. when service delivery exceeds service expectations and warm feelings occur. In the case of hotel companies, the services delivered to guests during their stay (i.e. on-site service delivery), would be an essential component of guest loyalty. The concept of loyalty also designates future intent. A loyal customer can be turned into a powerful brand ambassador and salesperson, and such behavior is influenced by the nature of the relationship with the brand. While it is generally accepted that reward programs generate redemption rooms business for chain properties, it is unclear whether the programs can drive true customer loyalty. Todays' rewards models play into the basic human behavior patterns that we like to win and are intrinsically afraid of losses. "Free" perks and benefits help minimize the risk of making poor decisions - the possibility of a loss. Even when the incentives do not appear logical, we usually justify our choice by overemphasizing the gain. A couple of months ago, I received an e-mail from an airline company offering to maintain my yearly platinum status for $800 as I had not quite reached the required miles quota. I was tempted to accept the offer but, was boarding in "Group 3" instead of "Group 4" really worth the price? Maybe not. But the allure of a "free" miles ticket surely was As a member of the airlines' preferred rewards program, I do check their website for flight availability first (and I do usually book their services). However, in this case, I am unlikely to recommend their service as an airline. In fact, the company's points system and convenience of routes on the east coast of the United States are really the only reasons I choose to fly with them. Their services usually rate below my expectations, and we maintain a love-hate relationship. Author and behavior economist Dan Arley proposes in his book, "Predictably Irrational," a framework to better comprehend the relationship between businesses and consumers. According to Arley "we live simultaneously in two separate worlds: one where social norms prevail and the other where market norms make the rule." "Social norms are wrapped in our social nature and need for community. They are usually warm and fuzzy. Instant paybacks are not required. () In the market world, the exchanges are sharp-edges: wage, prices, rents, interests and cost-and-benefits. Such market relationships () imply comparable benefits and prompt payment." The author further explains that companies that have marketed themselves as social companions can enjoy several benefits, including increased loyalty. In the travel industry, OTAs and the larger airline companies offer principally transactional type exchanges where bookings are rewarded instantly with points or cash equivalents. Hotel companies have mostly taken a different approach. Ritz Carlton famously developed the motto, "We are Ladies and Gentlemen, serving Ladies and Gentlemen" which has now been picked up by Marriott. The owning company's Golden Rule "treating others like we would like to be treated," increasingly positions the company as "a companion." The trend to market hospitality firms in the social world is also being pushed through the development of lifestyle products, where brands interpret the personality traits of their target segments. Room Mate Hotels (2008) was one of the first companies to promote the idea of branding hotels like "friends" and assigned names of people to each of its properties. In addition, brands catering to millennials are not only expected to reflect consumer values but also bring together a community of like-minded individuals. Generator Hostels, Moxy by Marriott, Joe & Jo by Accor, and Selina, all showcase individuality in the design of each property and promote social spaces and activities. The Social Friendship Between Hotel and Guest While the relationship between a lifestyle brand and the consumer is often social in nature, the relationship becomes more complicated when the lifestyle brand integrates a larger hospitality company. Traditionally, the big brands have celebrated the independence of their new recruits as customers of lifestyle products did not necessarily identify with the parent firm. This was the case when IHG acquired Kimpton in 2015, and the merger caused quite a stir with Kimpton' s fan base. However, to increase cross-selling opportunities and drive shareholder value, the customer's relationship with the overarching brand needed to be strengthened. Loyalty programs have become the backbone of many different hotel companies' master strategies and are an essential selling feature to franchisors. Also, integrating reward programs is one way to help steer the consumer relationship back to the parent company. In 2018, IHG finally integrated Kimpton Karma Rewards into its own program, and earlier this year Marriott combined Starwood and Ritz Carlton reward members to create "Marriott BonVoy." Hyatt is also expected to follow the trend, planning to join the Two Roads brand into the World of Hyatt program. Yet, while many hotel branding companies have recently announced reforms in their rewards structures, their programs are still primarily based on a point redemption system - like the airline model. The chart below details a portion of the Marriott BonVoy member benefits by customer elite status ranking. Incentives to join the program include the promise of discounted rates and on-property perks. Marriott BonVoy Member Benefits Photo: Horwath While our analysis suggests that point and redemption programs are unlikely to drive loyalty, technology and the use of big data could change this. Marriott is now collecting customer information relating to 120 million customers, over 6,700 hotel rooms and 30 different brands. Photo: Horwath How Should the Hotel Take The Next Step in this Relationship? The greatest value in today's rewards programs should lie in hotel companies' ability to collect, store and utilize data more effectively to help brands offer guests more personalized experiences - all in an effort to surpass guest expectations and develop strong relationships. However, as these relationships evolve, Arley warms of the dangers of fostering social connections with customers. Companies cannot have it both ways. "you can't treat the customers like family one moment, and then treat them impersonally () when it is more convenient or profitable." Hotel companies that operate a multitude of brands and often rely on third parties to deliver services, face an additional challenge of managing the social relationship across all entities: the challenge of keeping this relationship loyal. JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. You should upgrade or use an You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.You should upgrade or use an alternative browser Radisson Hospitality AB, part of Radisson Hotel Group, announced the signing of a new Radisson Collection property in Milan, Italy. Working in conjunction with Allianz, the group will redevelop the former Allianz Italia headquarters in Milan into the Radisson Collection Hotel, Santa Sofia Milan. Radisson Hospitality AB, part of Radisson Hotel Group, announced the signing of a new Radisson Collection property in Milan, Italy. Working in conjunction with Allianz, the group will redevelop the former Allianz Italia headquarters in Milan into the Radisson Collection Hotel, Santa Sofia Milan. Set to open in 2022, the hotel will be managed by Allianz Real Estate on behalf of Allianz group companies. The hotel, located at via Santa Sofia 37 in the central Corso Italia district, will be part of the highly prestigious Radisson Collection portfolio. It will join other landmark Collection properties in Rome, Venice and the recently announced Palazzo Touring Club also in Santa Sofia, Milan. The transformation project will create a destination hotel for both high-end cosmopolitan and business clientele. It will have 160 guest rooms, including 43 junior suites and 11 suites, while leisure and dining facilities will include a fine gastronomy restaurant and a rooftop bar with views over Milan. Guests will also have access to a wellness terrace on the fourth floor. The hotel, which will also offer hi-tech meeting and events spaces for the local and international business communities, will benefit from the new Santa Sofia M4 underground stop, which is expected to open in 2022 and will directly connect the hotel with the city center and Linate Airport. Elie Younes, Executive Vice President & Chief Development Officer for Radisson Hotel Group, said: "For this hotel, we have chosen our prestigious brand Radisson Collection, an exclusive premium lifestyle brand created for unique and exceptional properties. We are extremely grateful to Allianz for the trust they have placed in Radisson Hotel Group, in our dedicated team and in our most prestigious hotel brand. We will transform this building into a new and exclusive address for the Milanese hotel industry, contributing to the positioning of Corso Italia as a rising and attractive location." Donato Saponara, Head of Italy at Allianz Real Estate, said: "We are delighted to be repositioning our Santa Sofia office asset into this prestigious hotel. The project will transform the former office building into an iconic destination, providing the very best facilities for its guests as well as enhancing the local area. The project forms part of the exciting regeneration of the Santa Sofia area. The introduction of a hotel which focuses on gastronomy will help to restore this part of Milan into a 24/7 destination for citizens and visitors alike." Allianz was assisted by CBRE Hotels Italy, led by Francesco Calia, throughout the selection process and negotiation of the commercial terms of the lease agreement signed between the parties. Dentons acted as legal advisor with a team led by partner Maria Sole Insinga. The Radisson Hotel Team, led by Mauro Vinci, Senior Director of Business Development for Italy, was assisted by Fabio Basile of the Studio Marco Piva on the technical side and by lawyer Nicola Ferrini. Daily News Delivery Join your colleagues and stay up to date on the latest Hotel industry news and trends. Subscribe 2021 Hotel News Resource Greetings from Los Angeles and the beautiful Hyatt Regency LAX! Today, we kicked off Meet the Money 2019 the National Hotel Finance & Investment Conference hosted by JMBMs Global Hospitality Group with the LIIC Top Ten. Presented by my friend, Mike Cahill, CEO and Founder of HREC and one of LIICs co-chairmen, the LIIC Top Ten reflects the perspectives of the industrys most active members in the hospitality market. Greetings from Los Angeles and the beautiful Hyatt Regency LAX! Today, we kicked off Meet the Money 2019 the National Hotel Finance & Investment Conference hosted by JMBMs Global Hospitality Group with the LIIC Top Ten. Presented by my friend, Mike Cahill, CEO and Founder of HREC and one of LIICs co-chairmen, the LIIC Top Ten reflects the perspectives of the industrys most active members in the hospitality market. Jim About the LIIC Top Ten For the past 15 years, the members of the hotel industrys preeminent think tank, LIIC The Lodging Industry Investment Council, are annually surveyed to develop a list of the major hotel investment opportunities and challenges for the coming year. This exhaustive survey results in the LIIC Top Ten, a highly regarded profile of investment sentiment and attitudes for the lodging industry for the forthcoming 12 months. Altogether, the members of LIIC represent direct acquisition and disposition control of well over $60 billion of lodging real estate. Members are currently extremely active and have the pulse of the market, with 64% of LIIC hotel investors having successfully sold a hotel in the last 12 months and 50% purchased a lodging asset. In defiance of any late cycle concerns, 93% are looking to buy more hotels over the next 24 months. The hospitality industrys most influential investors, lenders, corporate real estate executives, REITs, public hotel companies, brokers and significant lodging equity sources are represented on the Council. LIIC serves as the leading industry think tank for the lodging real estate business (www.liic.org). 2019 LIIC Top Ten Survey Results: Hotel Real Estate Mostly Sunny Days Clouded by Labor Issues: Overall, the 2019 LIIC Survey indicates mostly sunny skies for the next 12 months, with labor difficulties squeezing margins in a slower ADR growth environment. An overwhelming 90% believe the limited pool of labor has directly impacted property level gross operating profit in the last 12 months. How can owners solve the labor problem? 67% advise investing more in current employees, 46% suggest targeting young high school talent and 41% believe increased use of immigrants will help. Hotel Property Values Still Increasing: Over the next 12 months, 40% anticipate that lodging real estate values will increase up to 5%. 37% believe values will be flat in comparison to 2018. Similar to last year, Upscale (35%) and Upper Upscale (29%) are preferred targets for buyers today. 40% believe hotel going-in capitalization rates will rise slightly, with 37% believing rates will be flat. Top Three Threats to Your Hotel Investment: Low Unemployment (availability of labor): 67% of LIIC members believe the lack of suitable employees is the number one threat to hotel investment. An increase from 49% in 2018 and 26% in 2017. 67% of LIIC members believe the lack of suitable employees is the number one threat to hotel investment. An increase from 49% in 2018 and 26% in 2017. New Lodging Supply/General Oversupply: The former top investment concern in 2018, new hotel supply, is now a close second (64%). The former top investment concern in 2018, new hotel supply, is now a close second (64%). Federal and/or State Minimum Wage Hikes: In this low RevPAR growth environment, profitability margins are being squeezed quickly and with additional minimum wage hikes on the horizon, LIIC members are worried. Hotel Transactions for Calendar 2019? In an abrupt turnaround from last year, 43% believe the total dollar volume of U.S. hotel transactions in calendar 2019 relative to year-end 2018 will increase, and 28% believe volume will be flat. The total number of assets forecasted to be sold by year-end 2019 is positive, 39% up, 36% flat and 25% down. Hotel Debt: Investors still like the current debt market, with 78% of owners planning to refinance in the next 12 months. 58% believe hotel acquisition lending conditions will be stable with current levels over the next 12 months. Interestingly, 25% believe the availability of debt will improve, frequently citing more debt fund activity. Investors Remain Contradictory on New Hotel Development: While 64% of hotel owners cringe about the negative impact new lodging supply is having on their hotel investments, 67% are pushing forward and believe it is still a good time to build, if selective about product and market. 82% of relevant LIIC members actually have new hotels actively under development, with 85% believing Select Service is the best product type. Hotel Buyers Frustrated?Quantity: In a reversal from last year, 36% of investors believe that an above average quantity of hotels are available for purchase, 39% at average quantity. Quality: 66% believe the overall quality (desirability to purchase) of assets on the market is average. In the next 12 months, regional owner/operators and major private equity are expected to lead the hotel investment buyer pool in the purchase of Upscale Select-Service hotels. Scary Hotel Markets? LIIC members were asked in which three of the top 25 markets they would not consider buying a hotel. This year, LIIC members shuffled their cards, electing the same five scariest markets while merely changing the order: Norfolk/Virginia Beach (33%; up from 4th last year) Nashville, TN (31%; down from 1st place last year) St. Louis, MO-IL (28%; down from 2nd place) New York, NY (24%; up from 5th place) Detroit, MI (21%; improving, down from 3rd)Sleeper where to buy? New Orleans! Only one vote against, time to buy in The Big Easy. Opportunity Zone Investment? Trumps real estate gift, opportunity zones, appears less desirable than anticipated, albeit still significant. 36% of LIIC investors are planning to concentrate future lodging investments within tax advantaged Opportunity Zones. What about a recession? Once bitten, twice shy hotel investors still see a national recession in our near future. 43% believe it will occur in 2021, followed by 25% in 2020. A brave, Nostradamus-esque few (19%) do not see a recession in the next four years. LIIC Bonus Questions: Twitter? You wont reach top hotel investors on Twitter, 78% do not use it at all. Pay College Athletes? 44% of LIIC believe NCAA Division I college athletes should be additionally compensated with salaries or stipends. Capitalism rules! No to check-out! Only 11% of the nations top hotel owners visit the front desk to formally check-out after a stay. Labor savings! Mike Cahill, LIIC co-chairman, produced this years survey (www.mikecahill.com). Mr. Cahill is CEO and Founder of HREC Hospitality Real Estate Counselors, a leading international hotel and casino brokerage and advisory firm (16 offices nationwide) specializing in lodging property sales, debt financing, consulting and litigation support (www.hrec.com). James Few and Morgan Wheeler, Associates in HRECs Denver office, assisted throughout the process. For additional information, please contact: LIIC The Lodging Industry Investment Council www.liic.org Co-Chairmen Mike Cahill, CEO & Founder, HREC: mcahill@hrec.com Sean Hennessey, CEO, Lodging Investment Advisors: shennessey@lodgingadvisors.com Jim Butler, Chairman, JMBMs Global Hospitality Group: jbutler@jmbm.com Daily News Delivery Join your colleagues and stay up to date on the latest Hotel industry news and trends. Subscribe 2021 Hotel News Resource Last year, we reported on Dave Chappelle suing a man who threw a banana peel at him during one of his shows. The incident occurred during one of Chapelle's stops in Santa Fe, New Mexico where audience member, Christian Englander committed the act. Englander denied any racial motivations underlying his actions and claims to have only done it as a retaliation for Chappelle mocking his friend. Upon his arrest, Englander was slammed with a battery and disturbing the peace charge. And this despite the audience member's attempt at suing Dave's bodyguard, by stating that he hit him twice while being restrained following the incident. Rebecca Sapp/Getty Images New reports by The Blast now inform us Chapelle got the last word. According to the related legal documents, the New Mexico judge tied to the case set out by Englander vs. Chapelle has ordered for the case to be fully dismissed. The following decision was made after a failure to locate Dave Chappelle to serve him the legal documents. The latter resulted in the case's dismissal in its entirety. Thus far, we have no updates on the progress of the charges set against Christian Englander, but he definitely lost out on the unspecified damages he initially sought from Chappelle with this dismissed case. [Via] Moroccan-American rapper French Montana hit the Met Gala 2019 red carpet with a unique fit meant to mark and celebrate the first night of Ramadan. The 34-year old artist graced the carpet in his outfit designed by Dapper Dan, precisely stemming from the legendary fashion designer's Gucci collection. While the musician did look dapper, social media took no breaks with him. https://www.instagram.com/p/BxJaxRLgS2e Every year the Met Gala follows a precise team which relates to the Metropolitan Museum of Art's 2019 Costume Institute Exhibition. The theme of the year was based on Susan Sontag's 1964 Essay titled Notes on Camp, wherein the author analyzed varying meanings and definitions of the term. As such, celebrities of all sorts came through with fits which represented the writer's take on camp, which she defines as "the love of the unnatural: of artifice and exaggeration." Yet, social media did not think French Montana was on theme. A series of memes hit the web following French's appearance which tied him to Ramadan and leading prayer. The hilarious memes shed light on elements of the religion and culture, while also keeping things respectable. The month of Ramadan began this past Sunday on May 5th. https://twitter.com/_/status/1125586977280200717 https://twitter.com/_/status/1125536531144413185 https://twitter.com/_/status/1125552216776032257 https://twitter.com/_/status/1125536997962067968 https://twitter.com/_/status/1125539115565486085 https://twitter.com/_/status/1125562537800556544 https://twitter.com/_/status/1125579207839485956 https://twitter.com/_/status/1125534147936686080 [Via] Just days ago Kim Kardashian West shared the news that she helped a family reunite with their loved one who was locked up in prison. A man who she only identified as "Jeffrey in Miami" (later named as Jeffrey Stringer) was released after serving over two decades. "We did it again!," Kim tweeted. "Had the best call w/this lovely family & my attorney @msbkb who just won release for their loved one Jeffrey in Miami - he served 22 years of life sentence for low level drug case. He served too much time but it gives me so much joy to fund this life saving work." The aspiring lawyer has been involved in aiding in the releases of a number of cases including Alice Marie Johnson in Alabama, Cyntonia Brown in Tennessee, and Matthew Charles who Kim helped find housing, but TMZ reports that Kim has been at this for quite some time. According to their report, the reality star has helped at least 17 inmates gain their freedom in the last 90 days. They were all serving life without parole sentences for low-level drug offenses. Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images The releases are reportedly a part of the "90 Days of Freedom" campaign that was launched by Brittany K. Barnett, Kim's lawyer, in partnership with lawyer MiAngel Cody of The Decarceration Collective. Kim apparently has been funding the campaign while Barnett and Cody handle the legal side of things, but we'd bet that as she's studying for the Bar, Kim is getting more involved than just writing checks. TMZ reports that Kim has helped the following: Jamelle Carraway served 11 of a life sentence for possession of cocaine; Eric Balcom served 16 years of a life sentence for a drug charge; and Terrence Byrd who spent 25 years in prison, half of his life, over a drug charge. For months, Teairra Mari has found herself in the headlines because of a legal situation with none other than 50 Cent. The Love & Hip Hop star fell victim to a sex tape leak last year and many believed that she had actually released the video herself. Once it was revealed that she had taken an L in her legal suit against her ex-boyfriend and 50 Cent, that assumption became even clearer for people. While the origins of the tape are still unknown, Teairra Mari has seen her star rise as a direct result of her beef with Fifty and she hit The Breakfast Club this morning to speak about all that she's gone through this year. https://www.instagram.com/p/BxKT1Ezh2hC The reality star has tried to take advantage of her hardships, promoting her music and trolling 50 Cent right back but she admits that she's had a hard time coping with all the humiliation. During the interview with Charlamagne & Co., Teairra says that she believes 50 and her ex were in cahoots. The case ended up being dropped by Lisa Bloom after Teairra and Akbar, her former partner, were seen hanging out because "it looked crazy." Mari explains that the only reason she owes the rapper $30K is because she couldn't find another lawyer to pick up her case, leaving her no choice but to pay 50 Cent's legal fees. At one point in the interview, DJ Envy tries to get 50 Cent on the phone to hash things out. Charlamagne even tallies up all the costs that she's built up because of the lawsuit and related activity. Watch the video below. Its really an unusual situation (theres) no curiosity, no acquiring of knowledge, no nothing. Its sad by the way as president of the United States I pray for him, Id hope that hed open his heart to goodwill to men and women and children and that he would be inspired by something, but, no, that hasnt happened, Pelosi says. In fact, she adds, Trump may be even getting worse. Travis Scott and Jordan Brand are a relationship that makes a whole lot of sense as far as sneaker collaborations go. Long before Jordan Brand tapped the Astroworld rapper for some fire shoes, Travis was seen wearing a plethora of different retro Jordans. In 2018, Scott made his Jordan Brand debut with the Air Jordan 4 "Cactus Jack," a shoe that quickly became one of the best releases of the year. Scott and Jumpman are looking to follow up the success of that sneaker with the Cactus Jack Air Jordan 1 that comes complete with a backward swoosh the outside. In addition to the high top Air Jordan 1, a low version is also on the way, although the color scheme is a little different. For instance, instead of white side panels and toe box, those areas are black. In addition, the backward swoosh on the outside is white instead of black, while the medial swoosh is brown. "Cactus Jack" branding is then found on the tongue and back heel. While there is no official release information for this sneaker, we do have some on-foot photos courtest of @solebyjc. So far, the release is looking pretty clean and has a lot of potential as far as outfits are concerned. Web Smiths recent experience at his local Apple store in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio, has been an exercise in frustration. There was the time he visited the Easton Town Center location to buy a laptop for his 11-year-old daughter and spent almost 20 minutes getting an employee to accept his credit card. In January, Smith was buying a monitor and kept asking store workers to check him out, but they couldnt because they were Apple Geniuses handling tech support and not sales. It took me forever to get someone to sell me the product, says Smith, who runs 2PM Inc., an e-commerce research and consulting firm. Its become harder to buy something, even when the place isnt busy. Buying a product there used to be a revered thing, now you dont want to bother with the inconvenience. Smiths sentiment is shared by legions of Apple customers who vent on social media, customer forums and in conversations with reporters. Only a few years ago, the raves easily outpaced the pans. In interviews, current and former Apple employees blame a combination of factors. They say the stores have become mostly an exercise in branding and no longer do a good job serving mission shoppers like Smith. Meanwhile, they say, the quality of staff has slipped during an 18-year expansion that has seen Apple open more than 500 locations and hire 70,000 people. The Genius Bar, once renowned for its tech support, has been largely replaced with staff who roam the stores and are harder to track down. Thats a significant drawback because people are hanging onto their phones longer these days and need them repaired. Courtesy of Apple In January, Apple Inc. stunned Wall Street, warning that revenue for the holiday quarter would come in well below forecasts, mostly owing to slowing sales of the iPhone. While weakening demand for Apples most important product largely reflects a maturing smartphone market, the problems at the stores werent helping. Weeks later, Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook announced that retail chief Angela Ahrendts was leaving and would be succeeded by veteran Apple executive Deirdre OBrien. OBrien, 52, has plenty to work withand her division remains an object of envy for the beleaguered retail industry. Last year, Apple stores and the accompanying web site were responsible for a significant chunk of the $77 billion that the company got from direct distribution channels. As recently as 2017, the retail arm was generating an estimated $5,500 in sales per square foot, easily outpacing rivals. But thats getting harder to pull off. When Apple reported earnings on April 30, executives acknowledged resorting to long-shunned retail tactics, such as discounts, cheap financing and generous trade-ins, to goose demand for the iPhone. Thats not a viable long-term strategy. OBriens immediate challenge is to make the stores more shopper-friendlyeven if that means moving away from the tony gathering places her predecessor favored and creating more clearly defined spaces for browsing, quick purchases and service. As human-resources chief (a position she will hold concurrently), she is well situated to overhaul recruitment and training. Thats crucial because store associates will probably be deployed in the coming years to sell the array of servicesmusic subscriptions, extended warranties and moreApple is counting on to augment slowing iPhone sales. An Apple spokesperson declined to comment and didnt make OBrien available for an interview. Ahrendts didnt respond to requests for comment. More for you Spotify turns the anti-Apple volume up to 11 Skepticism greeted the 2001 opening of Apples first two stores near Los Angeles and Fairfax County, Virginia. Consumer gadget companies had tried similar experiments with mixed results, and the stampede online was already underway. But Apple pulled it offtransforming the retail experience with airy, minimalist stores and industry-disrupting innovations like the Genius Bar. Before long, consumers were lining up for days to get their hands on the next iPhone or iPad, and kids were hanging out after school, taking snapshots on the Mac Photo Booth app. Over the next few years, the Apple Stores uncluttered look was emulated by Microsoft, Samsung, Tesla and more. For a decade, Apples retail experiment flourished under Ron Johnson, a former Target executive whose efforts earned him a mostly deserved reputation as a retail pioneer. During his tenure, Johnson oversaw the opening of 350-plus stores and expansions into more than a dozen countries, including Japan, Australia, Italy, China and Canada. Then, in 2011, he left to reboot the department store chain J.C. Penney (where he struggled to replicate the Apple magic before being pushed out). Johnson didnt return requests for comment. He was replaced in early 2012 by John Browett, who had previously run the British electronics chain Dixons. Browett borrowed from the big-box playbook by pushing accessories and warranties. That boosted sales but weakened a culture that preferred to help customers rather than sell to them. In a morale-damaging effort to cut costs, he fired workers, cut the hours of others, reduced overtime and promoted fewer people. Browett didnt even make it to the holiday shopping season; Cook fired him and ran the retail operation himself until Ahrendts started in May of 2014. Bloomberg photo by Jin Lee The former Burberry chiefs hiring was widely applauded. At the time, Apple was positioning itself as a fashion brand; an executive who had made her name pushing $500 cashmere scarves and $3,000 trench coats now would be selling pricey Apple Watches. Under Ahrendts, the stores began to resemble jewelry emporiums, where a $17,000, special-edition Watch wouldnt seem out of place. For the first time, salespeople recommended products and were encouraged to say things like, I think the smaller one suits your wrist. One of her first moves was to turn the stores into Town Squares, where shoppers could hang out and, in industry parlance, spend time with the brand. Lines at the Genius Bar would have spoiled the effect, so stores started replacing the beloved customer-service counters with Genius Groves (comfortable seating under trees), tables and roaming Geniuses. Checkout counters also disappeared in favor of salespeople armed with mobile devices. The goal was to make Apple stores more like luxury showrooms, pushing offstage the unseemly business of checking out and fielding complaints. Eric Risberg/Associated Press Meanwhile, Ahrendts began moving sales and service onto the webencouraging staff to tell customers to get in line, online. Customers were to make an appointment on Apples website and then pick up the product at a store. Apple was trying to streamline things, says one employee, but in the process made things more difficult for some customers. Before her arrival, the Apple Store excelled at three key tasks: selling products, helping customers trouble-shoot their devices and teaching them how to get the most out of their gadgets. Steve Jobs was really keen on stepping into the store and knowing what to do, recalls a former Apple retail executive, who requested anonymity to speak freely. Mission shoppers who wanted to pick up a pair of headphones or an iPhone could get in and out quickly; those who wanted to learn more about their purchase could spend an hour getting trained by a Creative. If someone brought in a busted iPhone, a Genius would sort it out. Over time, according to several current and former employees, Ahrendts upset that finely tuned balance. You dont feel like there is much engagement at the front of the store, there isn't a push to people, says the former executive. The store should be a place where you see upgrades happening. The overhaul of the Genius Bar has been especially controversial. Customers looking for technical advice or repairs must now check in with an employee, who types their request into an iPad. Then when a Genius is free, he or she must find the customer wherever they happen to be in the store. Ahrendts was determined to get rid of lineups, but now the stores are often crowded with people waiting for their iPhones to be fixed or batteries swapped out. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images The Genius service also lost the human touch. In the past, Geniuses could work on a Mac or iPhone right at the counter, chatting and explaining what they were doing. The people doing the support now dont have a lot of room to work, this person says. They often have to take your machine to a back room. Opinion is divided on the changes Ahrendts made to customer education. For many years, you could pay a $99 annual fee and schedule one-on-one training sessions with an Apple worker. Ahrendts replaced that with Today at Apple, free group sessions where customers can learn to drum on GarageBand, use an Apple Watch or enjoy a concert. The company says few people signed up for the previous service but that 18,000 Today at Apple sessions are held each week. Employees say customers complain that the classes proceed only as quickly as the slowest learner and recommend bringing back the one-on-one sessions. TEXAS INC. | NEWSLETTER Get Texas business news updates from behind the scenes each weekday. See More Collapse Ahrendts gets credit for accelerating the stores focus away from Macs to mobile devicesa necessary move since iPhones generate most of Apples revenues. Industry watchers applaud the accessories section, which features pullout drawers containing iPhone cases. The installation of giant video walls marketing products added wow factor. Employees also say not all of the problems afflicting the stores can be blamed on Ahrendts. Some say her tenure got off to an undeservedly rough start with the launch of the Apple Watch. Apples first wearable device had been hyped for months but, owing to production snafus, the stores didnt have enough units for several months. Ahrendts (and store associates) took a lot of heat for that, they say. Bloomberg photo by Daniel Acker Employees also say the deterioration in the quality of store staff didnt start under Ahrendts but worsened during her tenure. Employees used to be very skilled, one says. When you came to Apple, you could walk in and talk to someone who happens to be a musician or videographer on the side, really knowledgeable. They hire really nice people now, but they are much less technical. During the Johnson era, sales associates got three weeks to a month of training; now they get about a week if theyre joining an existing store. Geniuses, who earn $22 an hour on average, according to Glassdoor, were trained at Apples Cupertino, California, headquarters. Now theyre mostly trained in stores. Even before Ahrendtss departure was announced in February, Apple began moving away from her strategy. Stickers and poster boards appeared in stores pushing new devices and initiativesanathema to Ahrendtss less-is-more philosophy. The pricey, special-edition watches were long gone, and Apple had introduced lower-priced handsets like the iPhone XR. Her successor will probably borrow from the past, says the former executive. The original Apple stores were broken up into sections where, for example, customers could learn how to create music, photo slideshows or home videos on a Mac. This person says OBrien could potentially create areas to promote Apple Music, Apple News+, the upcoming TV+ video service and iCloud storage. Some employees speculate shell bring back the original Genius Bar. Apples new retail chief recently embarked on a listening tour of the stores, her Instagram feed filling up with happy snaps and shoutouts to employees she encountered in Paris, Hong Kong and Austin, Texas. The rank-and-file mostly welcome her ascension, employees say, because shes a known quantity. OBrien helped launch Apple stores almost two decades ago, working alongside Jobs, Johnson and Cook. In the early days, she was responsible for getting products on shelves in the Americas. On May 11, OBrien will open a new Apple Store at Carnegie Library in Washington D.C., the companys 505th location and the first to open on her watch. Deirdre has a deep understanding of the stores, says the former executive. Shes just never been the face of them. Now, for better or worse, she is. The auto industry is testing self-driving cars. Big deal. The oil and gas industry is working on remote-controlled drillships. The Houston oil field services company National Oilwell Varco said it plans to begin testing technology this summer that would allow it to place remote-controlled and automated drillships, which drill offshore wells, on the worlds oceans in just a few year's time. The testing will begin onshore in Norway and then on a ship in the North Sea, said National Oilwell Varco Chief Technology Officer Hege Kverneland at the Offshore Technology Conference on Monday. A lot of the operations and support activities that youre doing on a drillship, you can support them from shore, Kverneland said. You could support several operations at the same time instead of physically being on the rig. The pursuit of a drillship that would operate with minimal crew is another example of the oil and gas energy industrys efforts to employ technology to improve efficiency, cut costs and enhance safety. The industry is increasingly turning to sensors to monitor operations and collect data, and to drones and other robotics to do inspections and dangerous jobs, shifting work from remote oil fields and offshore platforms to control rooms in Houston. Such technological advancements are driving down costs, which has become increasingly critical for offshore developments, which contend not only with lower oil prices, but also competition from onshore shale oil fields. National Oilwell Varco, which is working for the Norwegian energy company Equinor, is scheduled to begin its onshore tests of the drillship technology in the coastal town of Kristiansand in June. The equipment will be controlled remotely by operators at an NOV facility some 10 miles away in Sgne. "The biggest challenges with a remote-controlled drillship are connectivity and actually transferring that much data safely," Kverneland said. Thats probably whats limiting us right now, but thats also where the North Sea will be a very good playground because we probably have the best internet access there than anywhere else. NOV currently uses a crew of 200 people aboard a drillship, but Kverneland believes that if the tests are successful, the company can reduce a crew size down to 100 people, who will still be needed to operate other systems that for the moment still require manual operators. Its the first step in eventually getting to remote operations, Kverneland said. I dont necessarily think that well get rid of all of the people but we will get rid of a lot of the people. Itll be much fewer people on our drillship that we have today. During a companion presentation, Anders Opedal, Equinors executive vice president for technology, projects and drilling, said the Norwegian oil and natural gas company wants to take the technology one step further. The companys long-term plans, Opedal said, include developing unmanned, automated and remote-controlled production platforms. We believe that this is not only a solution for the Norwegian Continental Shelf but also we believe it can be a successful concept elsewhere - in ultradeep water in the Gulf of Mexico and Brazil, maybe within the next decade, Opedal said. sergio.chapa@chron.com Occidental Petroleum Corp. Chief Executive Officer Vicki Hollub is on the cusp of winning a David versus Goliath bidding war that has captivated the oil industry. After making a series of approaches to rival Anadarko Petroleum Corp. about a merger over almost two years, Hollub was outflanked last month when the company embraced a takeover offer from Chevron Corp., despite it being considerably lower than her $38 billion bid. The University of Alabama-trained engineer didnt back down. In a series of bold and creative moves that included securing a $10 billion investment from Warren Buffett, Hollub, 59, is back in pole position in the battle for Anadarko. In gaining the stamp of approval from Anadarkos board on Monday, she has boxed Mike Wirth, her counterpart at Chevron, into a corner with the uncomfortable choice of tarnishing his reputation for financial conservatism or conceding defeat. ALMOST THERE: Anadarko picks Oxy's bid, jilts Chevron Hollub is ripping up the playbook and running an all-out offense on the Anadarko board to favor her bid, Mizuho Securities analyst Paul Sankey said. Three moves have been key to Hollubs ascendancy in the biggest oil-industry bidding war in years. First, she flew to Omaha to explain the deals benefits to Buffett and returned with a huge investment. Level Field Second, she hammered out a sale of Anadarkos African assets to France-based Total SA for $8.8 billion, locking down a tranche of cash to help pay down debt. A third obstacle was that Anadarko was concerned Occidental needed a shareholder vote while Chevron didnt. We werent playing on a level playing field, Hollub said during a conference call with analysts on Monday. To change that, she upped the cash portion of her offer to eliminate the need for a vote, a measure she said provided clarity about how the deal would be completed. Chevron has yet to make a counterbid, despite Anadarkos shares now trading close to Hollubs latest offer, suggesting shes the likely victor. Chevron declined to comment. Anadarko was little changed at $75.41 at 7 a.m. in pre-market trading in New York, less than $1 below the value of Occidentals offer. Occidental was also little-changed at $58.75. Still, Hollubs pursuit of Anadarko has taken its toll on Occidentals stock price, which is down more than 10 percent since her interest was first made public and attracted some investor criticism for the deals cost and leverage. But her desire to take over Anadarko is underpinned by deep expertise in the Permian Basin, the worlds biggest oil field and the heart of the U.S. shaleboom. SELLOFF: Oxy agrees to sell Anadarko's Africa assets to Total Permian Prize The Permian has been central to Hollubs 35-year career at Occidental. She was general manager of the companys operations in the region before the shale revolution and has also held several technical roles in Russia, Venezuela and Ecuador. She took charge of Occidentals shale growth when she became chief operating officer in 2015 before rising to the top job a year later. At Occidental it didnt matter who you were, what you looked like, where you were from, gender or anything, Hollub said in an interview last year. She characterized Occidental as unique in the male-dominated oil industry -- a place where women were granted the flexibility to both raise a family and move up the corporate ladder, where hard work was rewarded regardless of gender. I felt like if I stepped up and did as much as I could do, I wasnt going to be denied any kind of chances to do more, she said. Generational Opportunity Hollubs operational expertise may be behind her pledge to save twice as much money than Chevron can from folding Anadarko into Occidental despite, on paper at least, the targets Permian acreage lining up better with the California-based supermajor. Victory would make Occidental far and away the Permians largest crude producer. Its very rare, in fact generational, when you see an opportunity like this come along where you can check every box you want to check from a value standpoint, Hollub said on Monday. Its got things I believe that havent even been evaluated yet. If Occidental wins Anadarko it may have a cultural challenge on its hands. Hollubs experience of being treated equally with male colleagues in her career differs dramatically from the career paths described by former employees of Anadarko. Women in the companys Denver office, where 550 of the companys 4,700 workers are based, complained of stunted careers, loutish behavior and sexual relationships between male executives and their female subordinates. Anadarko has said that its been responsive to complaints about gender inequality, and has recently rolled out programs focused on sexual harassment and discrimination. Its also strengthened its policies on retaliation, and appointed more women to leadership positions. For Hollub, this doesnt appear to be a concern just yet. Anadarko has incredible people too, she said during the call. We believe the combination of their employees continuing to have the opportunity to work these assets with the culture they have blending into our culture which we think is going to be a fairly easy transition. 2019 Bloomberg L.P. Six months ago an important offshore anniversary quietly slipped by seemingly forgotten. A decade ago, on October 1, 2008, a 27-year congressional moratorium on oil and gas drilling in the U.S. outer continental shelf expired. In the summer of 2008, oil prices were edging above $100 a barrel and all across the United States drivers, truckers and politicians were clamoring for relief. That October, the Congress, led (ironically) by Speaker Nancy Pelosi, allowed the long-standing outer continental shelf moratorium to expire, effectively removing the prime barrier preventing the opening of more than 600 acres of federal coastal waters to oil and gas leasing and potential drilling as close as three miles to American shores. A decade later, the energy picture has changed dramatically; without the outer continental shelf ever being re-opened. Technological innovations, such as horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing, have revolutionized American energy production and fueled an onshore oil boom. Today, the Midwest and U.S. Gulf Coast are awash in domestic oil, exports are growing and the United States is the worlds leading oil producer. On HoustonChronicle.com: As energy world focuses on Permian, Gulf makes a comeback While the onshore boom has altered oil supply and demand both domestically and globally, pockets of the U.S. remain far too reliant on foreign energy. California imported 57.5 percent of its crude oil from foreign sources in 2018, up from 48 percent in 2008 -- all while billions of barrels of oil lay right off its own coast. Massachusetts is importing foreign liquefied natural gas, including LNG from Russia, while discoveries off of Senegal hint that the geologically similar U.S. Atlantic coast could hold greater energy resources than anticipated. Beleaguered by an extended market downturn, the offshore industry saw a glimmer of hope for new offshore access in 2017 when President Trump proposed the largest U.S. offshore drilling plan in history. Predictably, multiple legal challenges have been filed by environmental groups. Following an unfavorable federal court ruling on Alaska offshore access, Interior Secretary Bernhardt recently announced the indefinite delay of the Trump offshore plan. On HoustonChronicle.com: Trumps plan to expand offshore drilling slows On a brighter note, the Interior Department is continuing to process the final permits needed by four companies eager to conduct the first seismic surveys in U.S. Atlantic waters in 30 years. The last surveys of Atlantic offshore resources, conducted in the 1980s, resulted in estimates of 4.7 billion barrels of oil and 37.5 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. Todays surveying technology, exponentially more sophisticated than technology used 30 years ago, will almost certainly prove those estimates to be drastically low. Offshore oil and gas is neither irrelevant nor dead in the water. Economic experts claim that investment in offshore projects is on the uptick globally. Fuel Fix: Get energy news sent directly to your inbox All around the world, massive new offshore oil and gas discoveries are being made, from Leviathan in Israel to Stabroek in Guyana to Zama in Mexico. Such discoveries are also possible in the U.S., if we succeed in opening more of the OCS for new development. Randall Luthi is the president of the National Ocean Industries Association. Spencer Platt, Staff / Getty Images Growth in renewable power stalled last year around the world, an unexpected development that raises questions about whether the world can meet ambitious climate goals to reduce greenhouse gases from fossil fuels. Last year was the first time since 2001 that power generation from renewable energy did not increase from one year to the next, according to the Paris-based intergovernmental group International Energy Agency. New capacity from wind, hydro, solar and bio-energy increased by 180 gigawatts last year, the same as it did in 2017. Roger Wood set out for Houston in 1981 looking for work unrelated to the blues. Yet he cites a 1982 Houston Chronicle obit for blues great Sam Lightnin Hopkins as changing his life. I was struck by one simple sentence: Yet he remained Houstons own, Wood, a Louisiana native, wrote. Intrigued, Wood jotted down the details for Hopkins memorial service and found it was just a mile from his job at Houston Community College. So began Woods interest in and affinity for Houstons blues scene. Wood spent much of the 90s meeting dozens of players from a music scene that had spanned decades and remained vibrant. He created a deep oral history working alongside James Fraher, an American photographer living in Ireland, who possessed a similarly deep affinity for the blues. Their work first yielded a book of remarkable breadth and affection for music that sprung from this city: Down in Houston: Bayou City Blues, published in 2003. And now their work and that book have become the basis for a documentary about Houston blues. Our Great Day: A Bond With Houston Blues is directed and produced by Ruben Duran and credits Wood with its storyline, and Fraher for inspiration and photography. Our Great Day: A Bond With Houston Blues When: 3 p.m. Saturday Where: Heinen Theatre, 3517 Austin Details: free; central.hccs.edu See More Collapse The film will screen for free Saturday at the Heiner Theatre on the central campus of Houston Community College. The title is a callback to the famed photograph A Great Day in Harlem. That photo, shot by Art Kane, included 57 prominent jazz musicians in New York City on 126th Street in late 1958. Wood and Frahers book similarly positioned 74 Houston blues players on the stairwell at the Theatre One Rotunda at Central College, Houston Community College, fanning out at the bottom. Fraher shot the photograph in 1998. Five of the departed Hopkins, Albert Collins, Johnny Copeland, Clarence Green and Eugene Carrier are represented by photographs held by the photos subjects. Adding to the poignancy of Durans film is how many of the 74 musicians have since departed, including Big Walter The Thunderbird Price, Conrad Johnson, Martha Turner, Earl Gilliam, Pete Mayes, Texas Johnny Brown and Calvin Owens. But the film, like the book which disappointingly has been out of print despite its gold-standard status as documentation of Houston music across more than half of the 20th century is meant to be a celebration rather than an elegy. Some of the players enjoyed more success than others. But nearly all of them remained active for decades. andrew.dansby@chron.com facebook.com/yogotti Rapper Yo Gotti has announced a free Houston show as part of a Tidal competition. He'll perform May 16 at an undisclosed location. Houston was selected as part of the TIDAL X: Yo Gotti "Only The Streets Know" Fan Appreciation Tour contest. Fans voted for their cities, and five were selected, including Houston, Nashville, Atlanta, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. It's a story one of the countless immigrant perspectives that has shaped Houston --that bears repeating. On May 8, 1949, three Polish brothers who lived through Nazi concentration camps came to the United States, eventually opening a bakery in Houston on Holman Street. Those brothers (Sigmund, his twin brother Sol, and younger brother Max Jucker) gave their new shop a simple, self-referential name: Three Brothers Bakery. LONG LIVE THE PUMPECAPPLE: Three Brothers Bakery creates monster pie/cake Their business was a miracle built on a miracle. Sigmund Jucker recounts Liberation Day in 1945 when he arose to find no SS officers watching over the camp they had fled without turning on the electrified fences. He found wire cutters and cut through the gate. Outside he took his first breath of freedom and fell and kissed the ground. The Jucker brothers, as well as their older sister, survived the holocaust. Their baking skills passed on from Morris Jucker's Bakery in Chrzanow, Poland live on as a business beloved by generations of Houstonians. On May 8, 2019, Three Brothers Bakery marks its 70th anniversary. Bobby Jucker, fifth generation baker (and son of Sigmund), and his wife, Janice, will celebrate the day beginning at 6:30 a.m. at the bakery's oldest location, 4036 S. Braeswood. All cookies (except dipped decorated and gingerbread men) will be on sale for 70 cents until closing at 7 p.m. At 4 p.m. the public is invited to the same location for a cake cutting with Houston City Council member Martha Castex-Tatum. The event is a chance to say thank you to the Juckers' loyal customer base. It will be a busy day for the Juckers who last year received an award from the U.S. Small Business Association recognizing their ingenuity and tenacity in the aftermath of a natural disaster. In this case, the flooding in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, which resulted in 4 feet of water inundating the South Braeswood bakery. The Juckers are no strangers to flooding damage: the business was put on hold three times with flooding in 2015, 2016 and 2017. They've now become experts at disaster preparedness and are considered models in building disaster recovery plans by the SBA. ON HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM: Alison Cook reviews We're Dough on Westheimer On Wednesday they'll share that hard-won knowledge. At 9 a.m. Janice Jucker will talk about surviving floods, fire and a hurricane on a panel by the Texas Division of Emergency Management and SBA at the Westin Galleria. At 11:30 the Juckers will receive an award as SBA Family-Owned Business of the Year at the SBA's annual awards luncheon at the Westin Galleria. The Juckers will then host officials from the SBA regional office and Visa Inc. program supporting small businesses in the United States at Three Brothers on South Braeswood. Feel free to mark the Three Brothers anniversary at the bakery's two other locations, 12393 Kingsride in Memorial and 4606 Washington. 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. @acksharks Elliot Sudal had been fishing for more than a day when he landed a tiger shark off the Gulf Coast early last week. Sudal and a friend had been fishing for 25 hours near the shore in Captiva Island, Florida, without a single bite when the two decided to call it a day, Sudal told Chron.com. Cesar Galindos 30-plus years working in fashion have been anything but boring. The designer, a Houston native, has created red-carpet looks for Cyndi Lauper, Madonna and Gwen Stefani. He was Mariah Careys tour designer for her Emancipation of Mimi world tour. Hes also shown his own namesake collections at New York Fashion Week for years. So it wasnt entirely unusual that Galindo was creating the costumes for an opera at the Teatro Nacional Sucre in Quito, Ecuador, in August when he got word that Kimora Lee Simmons, the former model and fashion mogul, wanted to hire him. Galindo, 53, a graduate of Milby High School and the youngest of 11, had been down this road before when he interviewed to be Simmons creative director a few years prior, but it wasnt the right fit at that time. This time was different. Galindo met with Simmons. Their synergy was cosmic; he got her, she got him. They committed to a six-month contract so Galindo could breathe new life into her Kimora Lee Simmons Collection. In return, Simmons gave Galindo a designers dream: complete design control. It helped that they both had similar clientele confident, stylish women who work hard and are philanthropic. Galindo said he did his homework before setting off to design the pre-fall collection for 2019, then the fall collection. He studied the brands history, its DNA and even its sales record. The collection has been very singular, he said. It was the bodycon girl, but not everyone should wear that or has the confidence to wear that. I wanted to create a collection that if we had five ladies come in, we would have a look for each of their body types. The Kimora Lee Simmons Collection ranges from $600 to $2,000 and is sold at Elizabeth Anthony in Uptown Park. Galindo hopes to bring Simmons to Houston to help spread the word and meet her customers. I want to introduce her to another part of the world, said Galindo, who married his longtime love Kenneth Fleishman in New York last May. In fact, the Kimora Lee Simmons Collection will be featured in the Star of Hopes Haute for Hope 21st annual celebrity fashion show and luncheon at the River Oaks Country Club on May 10. For now, Galindo has downsized his own brand as he takes Simmons fashion company to the next level. They also plan to relaunch her street-wear line, Baby Phat, for the holiday season. And his contract with Simmons is open-ended. Im in a great place, he said. Maskot, Contributor / Getty Images 1) Sincere thank-you notes from you or your child are more precious to us than any food, candy, treat or gift card. After 14 years, I still have every single thank you card Ive ever received. 2) If you loved your childs teacher this year, send an email to the principal explaining why you loved him or her and cc: the teacher. The teacher gets to read the kind comments, the principal gets a heads-up about a rock star on campus, and the email can be included in a personnel file. WASHIGNTON - A White House announcement that the United States will deploy an aircraft carrier and Air Force bombers to counter Iranian threats came into sharp focus on Monday, as U.S. officials said the message followed a specific threat and a request from the top U.S. general overseeing Middle East operations. Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan said in tweets on Monday that he approved the request on Sunday, and described it as a "prudent repositioning of assets in response to indications of a credible threat by Iranian regime forces." "We call on the Iranian regime to cease all provocation," Shanahan wrote. "We will hold the Iranian regime accountable for any attack on U.S. forces or our interests." The proposal to send the USS Abraham Lincoln and its associated escort ships and Air Force bombers to the region originated with U.S. Central Command, which oversees operations in the region, said a defense official. The official is not authorized to speak publicly, and requested anonymity. Marine Gen. Kenneth McKenzie, who recently took over leadership of Centcom, has visited the Middle East several times recently. McKenzie submitted the request on Sunday, and it was approved by Shanahan, said the official. "We've been tracking a variety of threat streams for some time," the official said, but Centcom detected "specific and credible" information that differed from those previous threats in recent days. The threats involved Iranian military forces and proxy forces and indicated potential actions against U.S. military personnel and non-military interests both on land and at sea. The new information appeared to show a shift within Iran's response to a series of steps by the Trump administration, including sanctions, measures to limit Iranian oil sales, and designation of Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps as a foreign terrorist organization. It also threatens to delay the Pentagon's ongoing efforts to reorient itself for so-called "great power competition" against China and Russia, with U.S. officials describing China as its Number. 1 concern in coming years. The announcement came with the Lincoln more than 1,000 miles away from the Persian Gulf, timing that initially puzzled some defense analysts. John Bolton, President Donald Trump's national security adviser, said in a statement Sunday night that "in response to a number of troubling and escalatory indications and warnings," the United States would send the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group and a bomber task force to "send a clear and unmistakable message to the Iranian regime that any attack on United States interests or those of our allies will be met with unrelenting force." "The United States is not seeking war with the Iranian regime, but we are fully prepared to respond to any attack, whether by proxy, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, or regular Iranian forces," Bolton's statement said. But the aircraft carrier won't be there immediately. Photographs routinely released by the Navy show it was off the coast of Greece and Italy on Friday in the Ionian Sea. For the Lincoln to steam off the coast of Iran, it must travel through the Mediterranean Sea, the Suez Canal, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Administration officials initially offered little explanation Monday for the decision, which comes two years after Trump and U.S. military officials said they were sending another aircraft carrier, the USS Carl Vinson, to deter North Korea at a time when Trump had threatened Pyongyang. The Vinson and its associated escort ships eventually traveled north from Singapore, but only after spending days steaming in another direction. But by Monday afternoon, defense officials began describing new, specific concerns that prompted the decision. The Navy announced the deployment of the Lincoln on April 8, a week after it departed from Norfolk, Virginia. Croatian news reports suggested that the Lincoln would soon head into its port of Split, but a U.S. defense official said Monday that the carrier will now "expedite its arrival" in the Middle East "in order to defend American forces and interests in the region." U.S. military officials did not immediately say whether the port visit will be canceled. The Navy's top officer, Adm. John Richardson, on Monday downplayed the unusual nature of the White House announcing the deployment, saying the news was a "great demonstration" of a Pentagon concept known as "dynamic force employment," in which forces are supposed to be more agile and less predictable. "It is particularly germane to naval forces, which are dynamic by their nature," Richardson said, speaking at a naval conference outside Washington. "These are maneuver forces by design. They are designed to move around the globe fluidly in response to changes in security situations." Richardson said he found it "very encouraging" that the Lincoln can move if requested by "national leadership," though naval forces have done so for decades. He declined to say whether the security environment with Iran has changed, referring a reporter's question back to Bolton's comments. Becca Wasser, who studies the Middle East for the Rand Corp., said Bolton's statement appeared to "leverage" an already planned deployment to the Middle East to send a message to Iran. "While the U.S. has varied its carrier presence in the Middle East to be operationally unpredictable, these deployments are often planned well in advance and are not sudden decisions," she said. "It's important to note that the Lincoln strike group was already on a scheduled deployment, not that it was abruptly ordered to deploy by the White House." Micah Zenko, a political scientist with the McChrystal Group, called Bolton's statement "alarmist" and noted that it falls outside the norms of how the Pentagon describes such deployments. Bolton's statement also cited the future deployment of Air Force bombers, which have been in and out of the Middle East for years and were deeply involved in the U.S.-led military campaign against the Islamic State. A U.S. defense official said the Defense Department is now working with the Air Force to determine which planes and people will deploy. Lawrence Brennan, a retired Navy captain and adjunct professor at Fordham University, said that while the deployment of the Lincoln "should be routine," the announcement of a threat against U.S. forces "is the big difference." "I don't know the source of that intelligence, or the true nature of that perceived threat," he said. The Trump administration announced last month that it was naming Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps as a foreign terrorist organization as it sought to find new ways to put pressure on Tehran. The Pentagon and U.S. intelligence agencies have long said the IRGC is responsible for activities that threaten American troops and other Westerners, but previously administrations were reluctant to designate the group as a foreign terrorist organization in part because of concerns that other nations could use the designation as a precedent against U.S. actions abroad. Washington was convulsed by accusations of spying, self-dealing and hypocrisy. Investigations multiplied. It was 1924, and at the center of the anger and suspicion - fueled by government dysfunction and wealth inequality as gaping as it is in 2019 - were two millionaires. One was the treasury secretary, Andrew Mellon, a financier and philanthropist and forerunner of Steven Mnuchin, the former Goldman Sachs executive who became President Donald Trump's treasury secretary. Mnuchin is now the face of the administration's quest to keep Trump's tax returns from Congress. In a letter on Monday, he told House Democrats that he would not comply with their request to turn over the material, in a move that experts say could be contrary to a 1924 law stipulating that the secretary "shall furnish" such records to congressional committees. Mnuchin maintained that the request served no "legitimate legislative purpose." The story behind the 1924 law reveals how the currents creating chaos in present-day America reach back to the period before the Great Depression. The law at issue in the strife over Trump's taxes arose from a bitter dispute between Mellon and a deep-pocketed adversary on Capitol Hill, Sen. James Couzens of Michigan, over the lawmaker's probe of the IRS. The tax feud became linked to the Teapot Dome Scandal, a bribery incident beginning in 1921 in which President Warren Harding's interior secretary gave a political friend access to oil leases without competitive bidding. Before Watergate, Teapot Dome was the benchmark for political scandal. The turmoil engulfed Congress. Sixteen special committees probed possible misconduct involving the Interior and Justice Departments, the Veterans' Bureau and the U.S. Navy. The congressional probes all ultimately concerned the question of how to control the powerful - how to erect a firewall between their financial interests and the work of governing the country. It was a time of "investigation hysteria," a term that echoes in Trump's complaints about the cloud of investigation that has hung over the first two years of his presidency. Few men were more powerful than Mellon, a paragon of the prosperity that seemed to know no limit in the Roaring Twenties. He was a major donor to the Republican Party and served as treasury secretary in three different Republican administrations. In 1924, Mellon became involved in a bitter dispute with Couzens, a Republican lawmaker and former treasurer of the Ford Motor Company. The senator allied with the progressive wing of the Republican Party, which opposed the effort by Calvin Coolidge, who took over as president upon Harding's death in 1923, to slash taxes. Making his case against the administration's plans, Couzens disclosed that he had escaped a heavy tax burden by investing much of his wealth in tax-exempt securities, a practice that Mellon sought to limit by reducing surtax rates. But Couzens argued that the treasury secretary's fiscal strategy would "help the rich." Mellon seized on the senator's revelation about his taxes to accuse him of hypocrisy for paying so little while seeking to block efforts to lower duties on other Americans. As he wrote to Couzens, "Must a system of taxation which permits a man with an income of over $1,000,000 a year to pay not one cent to the support of his Government remain unaltered?" From the query, Couzens inferred - and some in Congress shared his view - that the treasury secretary had snooped around, consulting the senator's tax returns. How else could he know his precise income? Morning Report Newsletter Get all the news you need to start your day in Houston delivered to your inbox. See More Collapse The senator's suspicion was highly consequential, prompting him to propose an investigation into the Bureau of Internal Revenue, later renamed the Internal Revenue Service, that yielded the Joint Committee on Taxation in 1926. So, too, the probe helped lead to a change in tax law that could compel Trump to surrender his tax returns. At the time, the investigation was dismissed by Mellon as an opportunity for Couzens to "vent some personal grievance," according to a biography of the senator. Coolidge himself weighed in, complaining that the Treasury Department had become the "victim of vague, unformulated and indefinite charges." As the investigation continued, it found its work thwarted by the inability of congressional committees to obtain tax returns. As a Republican congressman noted of the treasury secretary, "He, of course, had access to all the income returns and he used the information and made it public. Why give him any more rights in making these facts public than the rest of the people of the United States?" Ensuring that Congress had equal access to the information was a way of addressing a perceived imbalance between the two branches, as George Yin, a law professor at the University of Virginia, noted in a 2016 article in the peer-reviewed Tax Lawyer journal. An initial proposal to make tax returns fully accessible to the public was rejected in favor of more modest legislation allowing congressional committees to secure the information - a compromise designed to balance congressional authority with the privacy rights of individuals. Today, that balancing principle could bear on Mnuchin's argument to House Democrats that handing over Trump's tax returns would open him up to potential privacy violations. The legislative debate in 1924 was replete with reasons for congressional access to tax returns, which could similarly bear on the present standoff. Mnuchin argues that the request by the House Ways and Means Committee lacks a legislative purpose. Both the Teapot Dome Scandal and the conflict between Mellon and Couzens figured in House debates over granting Congress the power to compel the treasury secretary to hand over tax information. Democratic Rep. John Nance Garner of Texas, known as "Cactus Jack," set forth a hypothetical situation that, in his telling, made plain the illogic of the existing rules. The House of Representatives could request the records of one of its own members - say, himself - and be unable to obtain them without the approval of the president. "Now, I think the House of Representatives ought to have the power to ask the Secretary of the Treasury for these returns and get them," he told his colleagues during the debate. A fellow Democrat, Rep. Ralph. Lozier of Missouri, sounded a more populist note. To applause, he argued that the wealthy required scrutiny. "The country has the right to know whether or not the tax returns made by the idle rich and by the gigantic corporations are fair and reasonable or based on evasion, fraud, and circumlocution," he said. The provision, he promised, protected both "the rights of the ordinary citizen and ordinary corporation." Mellon, in hearings on the measure, pressed lawmakers to create guardrails for the dissemination of the information, including by examining the material in executive session and barring it from being discussed in floor debate or printed in the Congressional Record. The legislation limited which types of committees could receive the information but provided for these panels to submit certain information to the full chambers. The provision was included in the Revenue Act of 1924, signed into law on June 2 of that year. Further limits on the disclosure of tax returns were added in 1976, following revelations by the Watergate investigations about how President Richard Nixon and his associates had aimed to turn the tax agency into a tool of partisan warfare. Changes made to the tax code over the last century have aimed to create a reasonable pathway for Congress to obtain tax returns - precisely when the president is not inclined to sign off on the disclosure. The result is an unambiguous requirement that the treasury secretary furnish records to the appropriate committees. With the Trump administration unmoved by that requirement, which Yin notes has never been tested in the courts, the states are stepping in to exert pressure. California last week became the latest state to advance a bill requiring presidential candidates to submit at least five years of tax returns to appear on the ballot. Nearly 20 other states have done the same, taking a fight formed from a disagreement between two millionaires to the ballots of millions of voters. More from the wires: "I should've just kept her and gone to jail": Custody battle ends in 3-year-old chained in a burning car Sandra Bland's own video of 2015 traffic stop outside Houston surfaces A 'sorcerer' promised to help people find love. Instead, he orchestrated a 'witchcraft extortion scheme.' Many of these policies are cheered on by big business, whose leaders detest any regulations that impede short-term profits. But voters are part of the problem, too. Americans agree that protecting and securing our environment is a high priority, but we also assert that we need to grow the economy. Many are also infected by a collective societal weariness. Even as many millennials rally around the concept of the Green New Deal, which would address some of the issues raised by the U.N. report, all too many of their elders who should know better refuse to recognize the urgency of the situation. Every time politicians of either political party make fun of the Green New Deal, call it unrealistic or make a know-nothing comment about it, they are making it more likely that our future will be dire indeed. The human femur bone perplexed a Parker County sheriff's deputy as it sat on the tailgate of Scott Fuller's truck. According to the deputy's incident report, Fuller had gone fishing March 22 behind his Parker County home along the Brazos River when he made the discovery in the water. He called police the next day, after his mother-in-law suggested the bone appeared to come from a human, the report said. The 18-month-old boy who was shot in an apparent road rage incident in southwest Houston was released from Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital on Sunday, and reunited with the nurse who helped save his life. Brandon Ross was riding in the backseat of his 20-year-old father's car when his father rear-ended another vehicle near Braeswood and Bissonnet around 1 p.m., Houston police said. The driver in the car the father hit got out and pointed a pistol at the car occupied by the toddler, so the father sped away, police said. Houston City Councilman David Robinson said he returned $7,500 in campaign contributions from the city's firefighter union because of ethical concerns. Robinson was one of two council members who said they received text messages from Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association President Marty Lancton asking them to return campaign contributions from the unions political action committee. They said they received those texts after city council last month voted to send 60-day layoff notices to 220 firefighters to help offset the costs of implementing Proposition B, the voter-approved charter amendment that requires the city to pay firefighters the same salaries as police of corresponding rank and seniority. Robinson and Councilmember Martha Castex-Tatum, who said she also was asked to return her donation, voted for the layoff notices. In an April 29 letter to Lancton, Robinson wrote that he believes it is "improper" to keep the donations he has received from the HPFFAs political action committee since 2016 if they were intended to sway his votes on issues related to Prop B. The letter said a check for $7,500 was enclosed. "I also did not realize, until I read your text, that you expected a certain vote or outcome in exchange for those donations," Robinson wrote. "I find it highly inappropriate for your organization to expect that I would take specific actions on your behalf in return for contributions." The requests, he said, are in contradiction with the Citys ethical standards, and are certainly not how I conduct my campaign and my business as a City Council member. City Attorney Ron Lewis, who also received a copy of Robinsons letter, declined comment Monday. Robinson last week shared texts with the Chronicle that he said were sent by Lancton just after the 10-6 council vote approving the layoff notices, and days after some friends of Robinson died in a plane crash in Kerrville. We will pray for you," the text reads. "We will also never forget. We also think its highly appropriate that you return the (unions) contributions made to you. If you need the address please let me know." Asked about the texts, Lancton said last week that Robinson first offered to return the contributions, which Robinson denied. Lancton responded forcefully to Robinsons letter Monday. David Robinson has proved to be a clueless clown as a council member, he said in a statement. Houston firefighters now regret hoping he would be a good public safety steward. His baseless assumptions in his letter are about (sic) like his work on city council: poor. But the mayor can count on his blind allegiance. Castex-Tatum also said she received a request from Lancton, though Lancton provided a screenshot of a text message in which he wrote that the union "will accept your offer to give back any contributions by the FFs." Castex-Tatums office did not respond to a Monday request for comment on whether she is planning to return the donations. Though the requests to return political contributions are not illegal, they could backfire on the fire union, Rice University political scientist Mark Jones said. For the most part, Jones said, the union rarely has acted in ways that could turn public opinion against them. The requests, he said, could make people view the union is corrupt and petty, while elected officials such as Robinson appear above the influence of outside interests. This time they overstepped, and theyre the ones looking bad, not the elected officials, he said. If anything, it makes elected officials look good. Some council members echoed Jones concerns and, like Robinson, said the requests indicate the firefighters union sought to influence elected officials with influxes of campaign cash. The city was at the time still was in mediation with the HPFFA over the implementation of Prop B, and some council members said they feared the requests could worsen the two sides' already fraught relationship. At the center of the mediation was the time frame for implementing the firefighter raises. Mayor Sylvester Turner maintained that a five-year phase-in of the raises would prevent any layoffs; the union had said it would allow its members to vote on a three-and-a-half-year implementation if the city promised no firefighters would lose their jobs. The talks ended in an impasse, Turner said on Friday, meaning the city will move forward with its plans to lay off hundreds of firefighters and municipal employees to finance Prop B's estimated $80 million annual cost. Meanwhile, the city, already facing a $117 million deficit even without the costs of Prop B, must pass a balanced budget by June 30. Should the fire union and the city strike a deal before that, the layoffs can be rescinded. Turner is expected to unveil the fiscal 2020 budget on Tuesday morning. robert.downen@chron.com So in my imaginary 15 minutes with Donald Trump, I will find ways to bring out something else. Ill ask him about his childhood, his family, his friends. Ill ask him about his favorite pop songs and movies and athletes. Ill ask him to tell me what made him happy and sad. Ill ask him about the first time he was scared. Residents and business owners whose properties upstream of the Barker and Addicks reservoirs were flooded after Hurricane Harvey argued in Houston federal court Monday that authorities knew for decades that the lakes would likely not be contained during a major flooding event and did nothing to prevent it, resulting in property damage for which they should now be compensated. The case in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims focuses on 13 test-case properties that the parties agreed upon that were surrounded by rising waters in the wake of the catastrophic 2017 storm. The first batch of lawsuits to go to trial involves what are known as the upstream properties, which were severely flooded as water built up in two flood pools west of Houston. Hundreds have sued the federal government for damages, and other property owners may also reap the benefits should the court find the federal government liable. The Army Corps of Engineers maintains the dams. UNWELCOME SURPRISE Many homeowners unaware they lived in reservoir flood pools People lost everything. People lost possessions, memories, said Daniel Charest, an attorney for the residents and business owners, as he clicked through a slideshow of people fleeing their homes in makeshift rafts. William Shapiro, an attorney for the Justice Department, countered that Harvey, which dumped up to 51 inches of rain on some parts of the Houston region, was a historically large rainfall event. Between the two reservoirs, Shapiro said, this was a 770-year to 840-year flood event. Flooding in a storm of this size was inevitable, said Shapiro, representing the Army Corps. Dam failure would have risked hundreds of thousands of homes and structures and hundreds and thousands of lives. Properties downstream were also flooded after officials released water amid concerns that the dams could fail. Downstream flood damage is the subject of another batch of federal lawsuits that has yet to go to trial. NO WARNINGS: For buyers within flood pools, no warnings from developers, public officials Harvey made landfall on Aug. 25, 2017 before moving inland and soaking the Houston area with heavy rain. Nearly 80 people across Texas died during the storm, which caused an estimated $125 billion in damage in the Lone Star State. The upstream trial before Sen. U.S. Judge Charles F. Lettow is set to last two weeks and will include a visit to the reservoirs and test properties by the federal judge, lawyers and experts. SECRET PREDICTIONS: Record reservoir flood predictions kept secret before Hurricane Harvey hit Houston The Addicks and Barker reservoirs, west of the Houston, were designed more than a half-century ago to prevent worst-case flooding during a massive rainfall. In the years after the reservoirs were built, Harris County and the city of Houston approved the construction of 30,000 suburban homes and businesses in Katy and west Houston on the edges of the reservoirs, inside invisible lake beds that government and private engineers had predicted would be affected by an extreme storm. More than 9,000 structures in the area flooded during Harvey, records show. A large group of property owners has sued the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers , contending that in allowing the reservoirs to spill into dozens of neighborhoods, the government knowingly seized their property on a temporary basis for water storage without compensation. Many had no idea until Harvey struck that their homes were within the reservoirs footprint, in areas engineers call flood pools. At least 4,000 houses, apartment buildings and businesses west of the Barker Reservoir were damaged during Harvey, according to preliminary estimates by county officials. In the hardest-hit neighborhoods, floodwaters rose more than 5 feet and did not recede for a week or more. Dozens of property owners filled the courtroom gallery, with the test-case plaintiffs seated in the front row. After opening statements, the first day was taken up with one witness, who was questioned by a lawyer for the property owners for more than five hours. Shapiro, of the Justice Department, interrupted with objections about certain documents, some of which dated back to 1940, being entered as evidence. Robert Charles Thomas III, the chief engineering and construction division for the Army Corps, testified that the reservoirs were designed to store floodwaters and protect downstream areas from catastrophic flooding. Armistead Easterby, an attorney for the property owners, asked Thomas technical questions focusing on evidence that Corps engineers knew they didnt have enough land to store the amount of floodwater that would build up. Todd Banker, who lives behind the Barker reservoir in Kelliwood, said during a break in the hearing that after his home flooded, he and his wife spent savings to provide for their 10-year-old special-needs daughter. That's where it's really hit us, Banker said. The Associated Press contributed to this report. gabrielle.banks@chron.com The Federal Aviation Administration has not enacted a new safety regulation that lawmakers say would strengthen oversight of the hot-air balloon industry and help prevent deadly crashes like the one near Lockhart that killed 16 people nearly three years ago. The agency's inaction sparked a frustrated response from Congressman Lloyd Doggett, D-San Antonio, who demanded to know what was taking so long in a letter to FAAs acting administrator, Daniel Elwell. Why has rule-making not been initiated? Doggett asked. When will rule-making be initiated? Continued inaction by FAA risks condemning yet more unsuspecting families to death. Federal investigators determined that balloon pilot Alfred Skip Nichols suffered from numerous ailments such as depression and chronic pain that went unnoticed by the FAA before Nichols balloon struck high-voltage power lines near Lockhart on July 30, 2016, killing everyone on board. Doggett, along with U.S. Rep. Will Hurd and former U.S. Rep. Blake Farenthold, helped write bipartisan legislation that mandates medical exams for commercial balloon pilots, who have been exempt from health screenings since the 1930s. U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz also wrote a similar bill in the Senate. The Commercial Balloon Safety Pilot Act was attached to a funding bill for the FAA that was signed into law by President Donald Trump on Oct. 5. The law gave the FAA 180 days to revise a federal regulation requiring medical exams for other aircraft pilots and add language that broadens the requirement to include commercial balloon pilots. That was 214 days ago. In an email to the Houston Chronicle, FAA spokeswoman Marcia Alexander-Adams did not answer questions about the reasons for the delay. The FAA is evaluating the feasibility of initiating rule-making on this topic, she wrote. Patricia Morgan, whose daughter and granddaughter, Lorilee and Paige Brabson, both of San Antonio, were killed in the balloon crash near Lockhart, said the FAA has shown little interest in doing its job and making sure hot air balloons are safe for the flying public. They need to do the right thing and get this corrected, Morgan said. Hurd said Tuesday that the FAA needs to comply with the law. If a commercial hot air balloon operator is responsible for the lives of others, he or she should be physically fit for the job, he said. That is now the law and it should be followed so that the devastating tragedy near Lockhart that claimed the lives of innocent Texans never happens again. Congress did its job. The FAA should do theirs. A staff member at Cruzs office told Morgan that the government shutdown earlier this year could be a reason for the delay at the FAA, she said. But so far the agency hasnt offered an official explanation. The large commercial hot-air balloon piloted by Nichols took off with 15 passengers despite warnings that the forecast called for low clouds and foggy weather. An investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board later determined that Nichols had taken a combination of prescription medications such as Valium, Prozac and the painkiller oxycodone that should have disqualified him from flying. The NTSB blamed the crash on the poor judgment of Nichols, his health ailments and medical prescriptions and the FAAs policy of exempting balloon pilots from mandatory medical exams. At a public hearing in Washington that focused on the balloon crash, NTSB board Chairman Robert Sumwalt criticized the FAA for shirking its responsibility to protect balloon passengers. They are abdicating their responsibility to provide oversight, Sumwalt said in October 2017. Bill Lambrecht contributed to this report. John.Tedesco@chron.com A stronger-than-predicted swath of storms stranded motorists and school children for hours Tuesday as floodwaters filled streets and homes in the Houston area from Sugar Land to Kingwood, according to officials. Officials warned that another round storms with the potential for heavy rainfall this week could exacerbate already damp conditions. "With the ground saturated, anytime between now and Saturday it's not going to take much to cause high water situations," said Francisco Sanchez, spokesman for the Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management. "This is just a preview of what we might see next weekend. The forecast was wrong and we hope we don't have a repeat of this." Around 8 p.m., the Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management declared a level three alert. "This is not in any way a Harvey-level event," Sanchez assured. "This was a storm system that came through that was under forecasted." The storm dumped a whopping eight to 10 inches of rain in Kingwood, just days after deadly winds swept through the area. During a patrol in the Houston suburb, police Chief Art Acevedo spotted dozens of stuck cars in waist-deep water and urged drivers to stay off the roads as high-water rescue crews were dispatched to the area. Residents were evacuated from flooding homes in the Elm Grove subdivision in the 5500 and 5600 blocks of Village Springs Drive, he said in a phone call, and young children were rescued from a preschool that began filling with water. That subdivision didnt even flood during Harvey, Mayor Sylvester Turner said. Now Playing: A reader shares the weather conditions on Chestnut Ridge in the Forest Cove Neighborhood in Kingwood. Video: Kassi Bragg The Houston Fire Department received about 240 high-water rescue calls in the Kingwood area and responded to about 40, a spokesperson said. A command center was set up along Kingwood Parkway to help a line of trapped motorists on the flooded roadways. There were no known reports of injuries. Students at Kingwood High School were forced to shelter in place until around 9 p.m. because of the storm, police said. Flood warnings were also issued for Fort Bend County, particularly in Sugar Land, where all major roadways were deemed "impassible" because of the rain. Since the worst of the storm began, city spokesman Doug Adolph said they had eight inches of precipitation and were expecting more. "This is worse than what we experienced in Harvey," Sugar Land spokesman Doug Adolph said. "Our storm drains have been unable to handle the rain in the short amount of time." Firefighters in Sugar Land were also dispatched to at least six structure fires caused by the storm's lightning, Adolph said. A flood watch was also ordered for Missouri City, Rosenberg, Stafford and Richmond. TRACK THE STORMS: See where the rain is falling Fort Bend County Judge KP George waived tolls on the Fort Bend Parkway, Westpark Toll Road and Grand Parkway in an attempt to keep motorists away from flooded roads. Residents in southwest Houston, from Meyerland to Westbury to NRG Park and areas around Brays Bayou, were urged to monitor flood conditions. As the storms tracked east, residents from Pearland to Baytown were placed under a flash flood warning. Harris County was under a flash flood watch until 2 a.m. Wednesday. More for you Turn around: These Houston streets had most flooding incidents in 2018 In isolated areas of southwest Houston, as of press time, the Harris County Flood Control District had recorded more than four inches of precipitation. Nearby, there were reports of high-water rescues in Chinatown and Brays Oaks, and police were warning of rising water in the Meyerland area. The brunt of the rain along with its flurry of lightning began around 3 p.m. and continued through much of the evening. In downtown Houston, a loud thunder clap interrupted Harris County Flood Control District meteorologist Jeff Lindner and brought a chuckle to a federal courtroom as he testified about extreme weather in a Harvey-related case. Jay R. Jordan, Gabrielle Banks and J.R. Gonzales contributed to this report. BREAKING NEWS | ALERTS Get breaking news sent directly to your inbox. See More Collapse Got pictures of flooding around Houston? Send them to photos@chron.com. WASHINGTON - Henry Munoz of San Antonio, the longest-serving Democratic National Committee finance chair and the first Latino and openly gay person to hold that job, stepped down Monday to take on a different role at the DNC and to work on behalf of Latino candidates around the country. Munoz, who led the DNCs fundraising efforts for six years, will be replaced on an interim basis by Chris Korge, a Miami lawyer who raised money for Hillary Clinton and many other Democrats over the years. Munoz will take on the titles of finance chairman emeritus and DNC member at-large, focusing heavily on Latino issues and still raising money for the party. I have learned so much. I am prepared to use every bit of experience, all of my knowledge and every relationship to help transform the political landscape at this moment in our countrys history, he said in an interview. Munoz, 59, is chairman of the board of Munoz & Company, a San Antonio architectural firm. He said that after the 2016 presidential election, when the shock and the sadness wore off, he began thinking about making a change. Its a completely different job when you have the White House, and are supporting the policy and political aspirations of the White House, than it is when you dont, he said. Texas Take: Get political headlines from across the state sent directly to your inbox Nonetheless, Munoz ran for re-election unopposed. Over the past two years, he said, he worked with party leaders to rethink, redesign and rebuild the party from scratch, quite honestly, not just the fundraising structure of the party, but the fact that we needed to become a 50-state party again, and we needed to be concerned not just about the White House but electing Democrats at every level of government. $30M for Obama in 2012 In 2012, Munoz took on a national role when he and actress Eva Longoria established the Futuro Fund, focusing heavily on first-time Latino donors. They raised over $30 million for Barack Obamas re-election drive. Two years later, Munoz and Longoria started Latino Victory Fund, which works on behalf of Latino candidates; in the 2017-18 cycle, the organization raised $4 million for election campaigns. Munoz said that he has been discussing with Latino Victory leaders how he can help the group heading into the 2020 election. I believe that the organization I founded is just getting started and that there are many opportunities. I want to be a part of that, he said. Munoz has been a close ally of Julian Castro, the former San Antonio mayor and national housing secretary who is running for the Democratic nomination for president. He said that he is not endorsing any of the Democrats in the 2020 field but intends to offer encouragement to Castro, who he referred to as an important figure for the next generation of Latinos shaping democracy. History will recall that Julian has made a huge contribution not just to the politics, but to our cultural identity at a time when the president of the United States wants to divide us, Munoz said. To me, right now, this is not about signing on to any presidential campaign. I have many friends who are running for president. Pledge to counter dangerous racism Munoz said he will work within the party structure on issues that he considers important the mobilization not only of Latinos, but of the LGBT community and women. I hope that at the end, what people remember about me was that I was able to put in programs and structures that have led to sustainability and also have proven that minorities, gays and women have a voice in the financial structure of the party. In the interview Munoz recalled his father, who was a labor activist in San Antonio. My dad used to tell me that a movement of a people begins with the steps of just one person. I think I needed to figure out what my next right step was. Sometimes you need to let go of a title to move forward with strength, and I think that this is a moment when titles are less important. He added: Whats really at stake for my community is that theres a very dangerous racism, almost of historic proportions, that needs to be battled against. Munoz said that he was among the first to encourage DNC chair Tom Perez to seek the post. Perez issued a statement on Munozs departure noting the partys midterm election successes. In no small measure because of Henrys work, we are on the pathway to taking back the White House in 2020, Perez said. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in a statement: From promoting the arts to fighting for increased Latino representation, Henry Munoz is a visionary who leads by example and has never forgotten his roots in the community. The work Henry will do next mobilizing Latino donors, activists, and voters all across the country will be critical in the 2020 election. Officials in India have announced that their mission to land on the surface of the moon now is scheduled for mid-July, according to news reports. The Chandrayaan-2 mission consists of an orbiter, lander and rover that will explore the moon's south pole. It is now set to launch from Sriharikota -- a barrier island off the Bay of Bengal --between July 9 and July 16. It would land on the moon Sept. 6, according to The Times of India, an English-language daily newspaper based in Mumbai. If the landing is successful, India would become the fourth country to land on the moon. Israel tried to nab that title in April, but then its Beresheet spacecraft failed about 500 feet from the surface and crashed. Sign up for Space Junk, a newsletter that's out of this world. India's rover, named Prayan, will analyze the surface and gather both images and data from the area, according to the newspaper. Chandrayaan-2 initially was scheduled to launch last year, but faced repeated delays. The mission follows the country's Chandrayaan-1, which was intentionally crashed into the moon in 2008. The United States remains the only country to leave human footprints on the moon. The other two countries that have successfully landed probes on the surface are the Soviet Union in September 1959 and China in December 2013 and January 2019. Text Alerts Text "Houston" to 77453 to receive HoustonChronicle.com alerts on your phone. See More Collapse Failure: Israel's attempt to land on the moon ends in disappointment Israel has announced plans to try for a surface landing again, with the help of the U.S. But no timeline has been announced for Beresheet 2. Returning to the moon has been a priority of the Trump administration. Since taking office in 2017, President Donald Trump has pushed for a return to the moon for the first time since 1972 as a stepping stone for a mission to Mars. MISSION MOON: A project commemorating the first boot prints on the moon That goal was underscored last month by Vice President Mike Pence, who directed NASA in March to put Americans on the lunar surface four years early in 2024 instead of 2028 by "any means necessary." The accelerated timeline will require more money, however, and the agency still has not provided an updated budget request to Congress. Alex Stuckey writes about NASA and science for the Houston Chronicle. You can reach her at alex.stuckey@chron.com or Twitter.com/alexdstuckey. Researchers are using AI to tackle the flood of data needed to understand and respond to the effects of climate change. No time to read? You can listen to this article here: &nbsp; Science needs to understand and predict how climate changeand the growing onslaught of hurricanes, fires, and floods its bringingaffects tropical forests. Will the forests respond to the assault with shorter trees? Will they store less carbon, or support less tree and plant diversity and fewer wildlife species? To better understand the effects a changing climate will have on tropical forests, Maria Uriarte, Columbia University professor of ecology, evolution, and environmental biology, needs to analyze images of forests. These bird's-eye view images are the size of a postage stamp. And shes working with enough postage stamp-size images to cover a 28,000-acre national park. Since it would take her years to analyze even a dozen of those images, theres no way she could handle enough to get a real understanding of an entire forest. Until recently, that is. Analyzing images faster Uriarte turned to artificial intelligence to advance her researchto better understand how forests are responding to a changing climate, and to predict how theyll react in the coming years. With AI and deep learning, we can detect different species in the photographs by color and shape. It can do that very well and very quickly, says Uriarte. Our algorithm does better than the people who are best at finding these species. It would be impossible for me. The AI system could analyze the images in days. And it allows us to ask questions at a scale we couldnt hope to do without it. To ask these historical questions and questions specific to certain hurricanes, topography, and climate, it tells us what we can expect to see in the future. It completely changes the scale of what we can do. For example, using AI has enabled Uriartes team to identify that the Sierra palm is highly resistant to hurricanes. The tree species remains abundant in areas hit hard by two different storms. Uriarte is just one of many scientists around the globe who are using AI to study climate change. As scientists understanding of climate change grows, so does concern about the global phenomenon and the need to slow, stop, or even turn it around. With melting land ice and the expansion of warming seawater, sea levels are expected to rise one to four feet by 2100 because of the rapid, human-induced warming, according to a NASA report. Hurricanes are expected to hit more frequently and be more intense, according to a Climate Science Special Report released in 2017. The Arctic Ocean, scientists predict, could be essentially ice-free in summer by mid-century. Heat waves are expected to continue to rise, scorching agricultural fields and cities, while taxing our resources to counter the increasing temperatures. Finding the needle in the haystack Researchers are throwing their weight into better understanding the changing climate and finding ways to stall or even reverse it because of the speed at which the climate is changing and its effects on everything from rising sea levels to agriculture, wildlife, storm patterns, shrinking ice sheets, droughts, and human populations. And with such a massive undertaking, scientists need the most powerful tools they can get their hands on. Massive databases, data analysis tools, and high-performance computing are all being used. But AI, often feared as a threat to humanity, is turning out to be one of the most powerful tools scientists are using to protect the planet. I dont think scientists can take on climate change without AI, says Dave Schubmehl, research director of cognitive and AI systems at IDC. Theyre going to need these advanced algorithms to handle what humans just cant. As you get more and more volumes of data, it becomes less likely that humans can find the needle in the haystack themselves. Theyll need AI to do it and to make any progress with a job this massive. The amount of data is staggering. Vast amounts of information are coming in from global sensors, weather stations, satellites, radar, and buoys. Schubmehl estimates it goes well beyond trillions of data points and is expected to only continue to grow. Humans and traditional computer programs simply couldnt sort through it all. AI is made for the job because it can take on tasks that would be impossible for humans to do in multiples of the same amount of time. As more large-scale data becomes available to scientists, the role of AI grows increasingly important in enabling the discovery of patterns, recognizing images, assessing different strategies and policies, and developing predictions from billions of observations. Maria Uriarte, professor of ecology, evolution, and environmental biology, Columbia University. Photo credit: Kevin Krajick Tracking the success of crop changes For researchers at Atlas AI, a start-up founded by a team of Stanford University professors, AI provides insight into climate-related issues like deforestation and crop yields by analyzing satellite imagery. Wed be overwhelmed by imagery with not enough people to process it, says Temina Madon, director of business development at Atlas AI, which, without AI, would need 6 million highly trained people to analyze images from just three satellites. You get massive geospatial datasets being beamed down to Earth, and theyre wonderful assets but no good to us if we dont have the human resources to process that information and interpret what that means for climate change. And that information is a critical part of the overall picture. Calling AI the DNA of the company, Atlas AI CEO Victoria Coleman says AI is helping the company track the success of crop changes in East Africa by analyzing satellite images. Some farmers in Tanzania and Kenya have swapped out their normal crops for special varieties of maize and rice that are believed to be able to handle both drought and floods. Atlas AI is helping to figure out if thats working. The [different crop varieties] work in a lab, but whether theyre more productive under drought or flood in the real world is still a question, says Madon, adding that Atlas AI is using its own AI systems. We get these massive sets of satellite images that show the African continent at relatively high resolution and frequency. AI can spot these small agricultural plots and chart their progress. [We] couldnt do it with humans at that scale. If you multiply that across a whole country, we can generate a prediction of how much those countries will produce so the governments can use that information to decide if they have to import grain, and they can start to understand what the impact of climate change is in different parts of their countries. Atlas AI has shared its information with Kenyas representative to the United Nations and the countrys minister of agriculture. Adam Brandt, associate professor of energy resources engineering at Stanford University, is mostly using AI for computer vision approaches to detecting oil and gas air emissions, including methane, a potent greenhouse gas. AI is integral to that research stream and holds promise to greatly reduce the cost of detecting methane leakage, Brandt says. This will, we hope, make it more cost effective to drive emissions down to much lower levels than currently seen. Since the research is really focused on automation and avoiding the need for human operators, due to the expense of trained operators, we could not perform this work without AI. Learn what AI, deep learning and machine learning can mean for your organization. Get Deep Learning for Dummies. Download now Making climate predictions that span decades AI is proving to be a key tool for scientists working on climate change predictions, notes Dr. Eng Lim Goh, vice president and chief technology officer for high-performance computing and AI at Hewlett Packard Enterprise. Unlike weather forecasting, which is more local and has a day-to-day time frame, climate modeling makes global predictions spanning decades and uses enormous amounts of corresponding data. With so much data and a myriad of factors to consider, its often difficult for us to ensure that all relevant causes are included. AI, according to Goh, can be a valuable tool to augment humans in taking care of this. The accuracy of traditional top-down rules-based or laws-based approaches is only as good as the scientists having accounted for all factors that contribute to the prediction, Goh says. This is not a simple endeavor. For example, after accounting for heat absorbed by our oceans, scientists also have to remember to account for heat reflected by our ice sheets. After accounting for emissions caused by human activity, they need to remember to include livestock emissions, and so on. Here machine learning can support traditional climate modeling. Machine learning methods come at it from a bottom-up approach. Instead of trying to figure out all the factors, it learns from historically generated and recorded data, says Goh. One way it does this is a sophisticated neural network with tunable dials for each connection. Historical data is fed into the neural network, and a wild guess is made at first, says Goh. If its wrong, the dials are tweaked. Eventually, after massive amounts of quality data is fed into the network and tweaks are made, a good prediction about the future may be possible. Informing critical climate decisions, policy Lloyd A. Treinish, a distinguished engineer and chief scientist at IBMs Thomas J. Watson Research Center, says AI will be increasingly used in climate change research and in helping people make critical decisions. Ultimately, these are tools that can help people who are on the policy or business side understand the implications of the choices they are making, says Treinish, who has worked with city officials and utility companies on long-term sustainability issues. [AIs] biggest potential role right now is in the decision-making aspects, trying to assess the implications of a changing climate and understand how choices affect it. Its going to be a matter of policy to make the changes needed to reduce the effects of a changing climate. Wed use AI to help them make decisions. In India, researchers are using AI to both reduce costs and carbon emissions related to electricity usage, using a grant from Microsofts AI for Earth project, according to Lucas Joppa, Microsofts chief environmental officer. AI for Earth has issued more than 200 grants for a total of more than $50 million in a five-year commitment to deploy AI to solve environmental challenges around the planet. James Rising, an assistant professorial research fellow at the London School of Economics, has been focused on understanding the risks climate change poses to our food system, particularly how areas where coffee beans are grown will shift under a changing climate. Hes using machine learning, a subset of AI, to figure out what factors affect growing locations, crop yields, and farmers livelihoods, and what climate-related factors affect those things. The fact is, there are hundreds of thousands of variables that matter or that might matter, says Rising. We dont really know. The only way to find out if those variables matter or not is to ask the data. When rainfall goes from being 400 milliliters to 450 milliliters a year, then does coffee stop growing well? Humans would struggle with that for a long, long time to understand those differences. Machine learning could do it in hours for me. The kind of global-scale questions that face climate change scientists calls for them to throw sophisticated technologies at the problems, says Rising. Were bringing together larger and more intricate datasets than ever before, and having the power and techniques to analyze them, were making new results that change the way people think about human mortality, labor productivity, agricultural productivity, and energy demand. We certainly would not have made this kind of progress without big data and big computing. And AI has supported that work. Its an important tool in our toolbox. For Columbias Uriarte and her tropical forest research, its all about consuming and making sense of the firehose of data that is coming at her. And she cant do that without AI. AI and climate change: Lessons for leaders Scientists can't take on climate change without AI, say experts. AI handles what humans can't. A firehose of dataestimated at trillions of data pointsis coming from global sensors, weather stations, satellites, radar, and buoys. Humans and traditional computer programs can't sort through it all without computer help. One of AIs biggest potential roles is in the decision-making aspects, trying to assess the implications of a changing climate and understand how choices affect it. Related links This Earth Day, were focusing on the power of supercomputers Artificial Intelligence The Big Picture 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. iciHaiti - Security : All the missionaries of a bus raped Pastor Sylvain Exantus, President of the Protestant Federation of Haiti, leader of the Protestant sector denounced the attack at the end of April at Estere, of a bus loaded of women missionaries who came from Petion-ville and headed to Anse-a-Foleur, by individuals armed of the Geffrard Gang and Savien's Gang, who raped all the women missionaries. The Protestant Federation of Haiti strongly condemns "This odious and cowardly crime committed against defenseless sisters by individuals who have lost all humanity and become monsters ! Also the Protestant Federation of Haiti calls for justice to be done so that never, never again, such an atrocity will be repeated in our society." IH/ iciHaiti One million species at risk of extinction, UN report warns by STEPHEN LEAHY May 06,2019 | Source: Nat Geo A landmark global assessment warns that the window is closing to safeguard biodiversity and a healthy planet. Yet solutions are in sight. The bonds that hold nature together may be at risk of unraveling from deforestation, overfishing, development, and other human activities, a landmark United Nations report warns. Thanks to human pressures, one million species may be pushed to extinction in the next few years, with serious consequences for human beings as well as the rest of life on Earth. The evidence is crystal clear: Nature is in trouble. Therefore we are in trouble, said Sandra Diaz, one of the co-chairs of the Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services. A 40-page Summary for Policy Makers of the forthcoming full report (expected to exceed 1,500 pages) was released May 6 in Paris. Based on a review of about 15,000 scientific and government sources and compiled by 145 expert authors from 50 countries, the global report is the first comprehensive look in 15 years at the state of the planets biodiversity. This report includes, for the first time, indigenous and local knowledge as well as scientific studies. The authors say they found overwhelming evidence that human activities are behind natures decline. They ranked the major drivers of species decline as land conversion, including deforestation; overfishing; bush meat hunting and poaching; climate change; pollution; and invasive alien species. The tremendous variety of living speciesat least 8.7 million, but possibly many morethat make up our life-supporting safety net provide our food, clean water, air, energy, and more, said Diaz, an ecologist at the National University of Cordoba in Argentina, in an interview. Not only is our safety net shrinking, its becoming more threadbare and holes are appearing. In parts of the ocean, little life remains but green slime. Some remote tropical forests are nearly silent as insects have vanished, and grasslands are increasingly becoming deserts. Human activity has resulted in the severe alteration of more than 75 percent of Earths land areas, the Global Assessment found. And 66 percent of the oceans, which cover most of our blue planet, have suffered significant human impacts. This includes more than 400 dead zoneswhere scant life can survivethat collectively would cover the state of Oregon or Wyoming. The new report paints an ominous picture of the health of ecosystems rapidly deteriorating, said Sir Robert Watson, Chair of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), which conducted the global assessment. IPBES is often described as the equivalent of the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change for biodiversity and does scientific assessments on the status of the non-human life that makes up the Earths life-support system. We are eroding the very foundations of our economies, livelihoods, food security, health, and quality of life worldwide, Watson said in a statement. My biggest personal concern is the state of the oceans, Watson told National Geographic. Plastics, dead zones, overfishing, acidification... Were really screwing up the oceans in a big way. Protecting nature and saving species is all about securing the land and water plants and animals need to survive, said Jonathan Baillie, executive vice president and chief scientist of the National Geographic Society. Protecting half of the planet by 2050, with an interim target of 30 percent by 2030, is the only way to meet the Paris climate targets or achieve the UNs Sustainable Development Goals for the world, Baillie said. Forests, oceans, and other parts of nature soak up 60 percent of global fossil fuel emissions every year, the report found. We need to secure the biosphere to protect the climate and help buffer us from extreme weather events, Baillie said. Coral reefs and mangroves protect coastal areas from storms such as hurricanes. Wetlands reduce flooding by absorbing heavy rainfall. Yet each of these ecosystems has declined dramatically, with wetlands down to less than 15 percent of what they were 300 years ago and coral reefs facing a global bleaching crisis. Nearly 100 groups around the world (including the National Geographic Society and the Wyss Campaign for Nature) have endorsed the goal of protecting half of the planet by 2050. Recently, 19 of the worlds leading scientists published a study to make a science-backed plan for an interim step that would protect 30 percent by 2030 under whats called a Global Deal for Nature. The proposed protection does not mean no go areas, but rather areas protected from resource extraction and land conversion. Sustainable uses would be permitted in all but the most sensitive areas, the groups wrote. 2015-2019 National Geographic Partners, LLC. All rights reserved Theme(s): Others. New FIP to improve giant octopus fishery in northern Japan by Chris Loew May 06,2019 | Source: SeafoodSource After two years of conversation, site visits, and scientific work, Japans third fishery improvement project (FIP) the Tomamae Giant Pacific Octopus FIP is now officially underway. The previous two FIPs were the Nachi Katsuura Albacore Longline FIP and the Tokyo Bay Sea Perch FIP. An FIP is a stepwise approach toward Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification. It involves an analysis against the MSC Fisheries Standard, typically using an MSC pre-assessment. An action plan is then developed and implemented, with progress tracked using a benchmarking tool. The process may carry through to a full MSC assessment. The project, a joint initiative between Ocean Outcomes, Seafood Legacy Co., Ltd., fishermen from the Tomamae fishery coop of Kita-Rumoi Fisheries Cooperative, and the Wakkanai Fisheries Research Institute, will work through a four-year workplan to revitalize the Tomamae North Pacific Giant Octopus (Enteroctopus dofleini) fishery in Hokkaido by transitioning the fishery and its management to science-based best practices. In Tomamae-cho, Hokkaido, about 10 percent of the population of 3,200 is employed in the fishing industry. As with the trends for Japan as a whole, the fishing industry in Tomamae is in decline, experiencing a reduction in catch, an aging of the workforce, and a lack of new interest in the industry. The Tomamae Giant Pacific Octopus FIP aims to revitalize the regions fisheries by improving sustainability of fishing practices through the establishment of a science-based management plan for the octopus fishery, which is managed by the Kita-Rumoi Fisheries Cooperative. In addition to the environmental work, the group of drift barrel fishermen involved in the FIP want to use the project as a vehicle to generate further interest and investment in the regions fisheries, according to a press release. Ensuring well-managed and sustainable fisheries through fishery improvement projects such as this contributes directly to the Sustainable Development Goals established by the United Nations and to the well-being of local fishing communities in Hokkaido, said Shunji Murakami, who is leading the project for Seafood Legacy. The Barrel Flowing Fishery Group at Tomamae fishery coop, which is a branch of Kita-Rumoi Fisheries Cooperative, and scientists from the Wakkanai Fisheries Research Institute, are working with Ocean Outcomes and Seafood Legacy to conduct stock assessments and establish a precautionary harvest strategy. The giant octopus fishery is a major fishery, so its viability is key to economic development of the region, Wakkanai Fisheries Research Institute Researcher Noburo Hoshino said. Were enthusiastic to support the technical and analytical science behind this project as we collectively work towards revitalizing the regions fisheries. Barrel flowing fishing (tarunagashi in Japanese) can also be translated as drift barrel. In this method, the gear configuration consists of a baited lure suspended below an inverted plastic basket. The fishery uses the tidal flow to allow the bait to drag just above the seabed. The octopus will attach themselves to the bait and the fishermen can see from the movement of the basket at the surface whether there is an octopus attached to the bait. When an octopus is holding on to the bait, the fishermen return to the line and haul it in. Ocean Outcomes (O2) is an international organization that works with local communities, fisheries, and the seafood industry to improve the environmental, social and economic sustainability of fisheries and aquaculture operations. Seafood Legacy is a Tokyo-based social venture established in 2015 specializing in sustainable seafood and fisheries. Seafood Legacy provides sustainable seafood consulting services to marine-related businesses, producers and NGOs to strengthen the connections of marine ecosystems, economies and local communities. 2019 Diversified Communications Theme(s): Fisheries Development and Aquaculture. Lost at Sea review poignant tribute to Scottish fishing communities by Clare Brennan May 05,2019 | Source: The Guardian Towards the back of the proscenium-arched stage, a wall of riveted metal panels soars darkly. Karen Tennents design suggests without defining the space where stories of fisherfolk will ebb and flow. Two panels part: an image showing an expanse of waves appears; wind howls, gulls cry. Actors surge forward now, they seem water; now, they are fishermen, staring into the sea, searching for survivors or for bodies. A change of light, an arrangement of chairs: we are in a pub, a family home, on a quayside. Shona (Sophia McLean) is a young journalist who returns to her village to try to fill the void of her fathers disappearance by researching his life and death. Playwright Morna Youngs own father was lost at sea. Her play is a fiction that incorporates verbatim material from interviews with men and women of Scotlands north-eastern fishing communities. Shonas village intermediary with a spirit-like control over time and space is Skipper (Tam Dean Burn); weaving her story into a wider picture. This ambitious material calls for a fluidity of staging as changeable as sea weather. The production, directed by Ian Brown, with movement direction from Jim Manganello, answers that call. The nine-strong acting ensemble merges into one; separates into vivid characters; merges again; splashes up a narrator, a new story, a family event; merges again; past and present swirl into one. Katharine Williamss lighting combines with Pippa Murphys soundscapes to scud atmospheres evanescent as cloud shapes. Murphys music (mostly performed by actor-musician Thoren Ferguson on violin) is an almost constant, mood-modulating presence. In family scenes, dialogue is lively (and richly demotic), but Young hasnt quite slipped her moorings of respectful reproduction: conflicts dont quite swell to drama. That said, this is still a tremendous production and poignant tribute to fishing communities everywhere. 2019 Guardian News & Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. Theme(s): Communities and Organisations. Dozens of protesters gathered May 6, 2019, at Union Park to rebuke Chicagos police union and call for criminal justice reform. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune) Cooperation among fishers can improve fish stock in coral reefs May 03,2019 | Source: UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE AT KNOXVILLE Cooperation within a group of people is key to many successful endeavors, including scientific ones. According to a study published in Nature Communications, cooperation among competing fishers can boost fish stocks on coral reefs. The study analyzed the social relationships among competing fisheries, the species they collect, and the local reefs from which these species are extracted. The results suggest that even though they are considered business rivals, fishers communicate and cooperate in addressing local environmental issues, which can lead to improvements in both the quality and quantity of fish in their local reefs. In the end, this cooperation could translate into further economic gain and more sustainable business, explains Orou Gaoue, assistant professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and coauthor of the study. The research team was led by Michele Barnes, senior research fellow in the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies at James Cook University in Australia. For the study, Barnes and her team--which in addition to Gaoue included researchers from Conservation International, Lancaster University in the UK, and Stockholm University in Sweden--interviewed 648 fishers and gathered data on reef conditions across five coral reef fishing communities in Kenya. They found that in places where fishers communicated with their competitors about the fishing gear they use, locations for hunting, and fishing rules, there were more fish in the sea--and of higher quality. "Relationships between people have important consequences for the long-term availability of the natural resources we depend on," Barnes says. "Although this study is on coral reefs," says Gaoue, "the results are also relevant for terrestrial ecosystems where, in the absence of cooperation, competition for non-timber forest products can quickly lead to depletion even when locals have detailed ecological knowledge of their environment." 2019 by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Theme(s): Fisheries Resources. More than 10 million students have applied to take part in China's annual national college entrance examination this year, Minister of Education Chen Baosheng said Monday. A student reads before taking her college entrance exam or 'gaokao' in Beijing on June 7, 2017. [File Photo: AFP] Chen released the figure at a meeting on ensuring the smoothness of the examination, known as the gaokao in Chinese. "It is a glorious mission and heavy responsibility to organize the exam and enrollment well," Chen said. He urged efforts to guarantee the safety of test papers, the sound organization of exam sites, the quality of grading and fairness in college enrollment. RABAT The International Energy Agency released the latest in-depth review of Moroccos energy policies today, welcoming the institutional, legal and fiscal reforms undertaken to promote the sustainable development of the countrys energy sector. The report was presented in Rabat by Dr Fatih Birol, the International Energy Agencys Executive Director, in the presence of Moroccos Minister of Energy, Mr Aziz Rabbah. The report is the IEAs second in-depth review of Moroccos policies, after a first edition was published in 2014. Morocco joined the IEA Family as an Association country in 2016. Since the last review, the IEA noted the governments positive efforts to boost renewable investment, provide access to electricity, and phase out of subsidies for fossil fuel consumption. With the exception of bottled butane, fuel prices are now linked to the international market. Morocco is pursuing an ambitious energy transition pathway. But reductions in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, in line with the countrys commitments to the Paris Agreement, will require the scaling up of private and public investments. The IEAs review provides detailed recommendations to maintain the momentum for reform and increase ambitions for the countrys energy transition. It notes that Morocco has ample opportunities for efficiency improvements and more renewables deployment. For now, the country still relies on oil, gas and coal imports for 90% of its energy needs.In power generation, coal accounts for 54%. In this context, the IEA welcomes the governments renewed focus on energy efficiency, through the National Energy Efficiency Strategy and related action plans, for instance. Public procurement is an important driver for the deployment of cost-effective energy efficiency services and technologies. Morocco also refurbished its coal-fired power generation fleet with efficiency upgrades to ultra-supercritical technology. Providing adequate funding for energy efficiency programmes, and coordinating them across government agencies, is also critical. The worlds largest concentrating solar park at Ouarzazate illustrates Moroccos ambition and technological capability. To develop the countrys large renewables resources, the government is pursuing power sector reform, creating a national electricity regulatory authority, developing new interconnections with Spain and Portugal, and planning to boost power trading and integrate its electricity market regionally. I am very pleased to count Morocco as a member of the IEA Family, said Dr Birol. It was the first country in the Middle East and North Africa to join us. Moroccos success in moving towards universal access and phasing out fossil fuel subsidies is a role model for many countries, making it an ideal partner to host regional training and capacity building programmes that help to improve energy policy making across Africa. Minister Rabbah and Dr Birol agreed to increase the collaboration between Morocco and the IEA, including through new training activities on energy efficiency policies and data gathering for a wider group of African countries. The review also provides recommendations for strengthening oil, gas and electricity security. Morocco is now fully dependent on oil product imports after the closure of its only refinery in 2015 and needs to invest in storage capacity and strengthen its stockholding regime. Domestic gas discoveries and the global abundance of liquefied natural gas offer a new context for the role of gas in Morocco. This in-depth review was carried out by the IEA at the request of the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Sustainable Development, with input coming from many authorities and energy sector stakeholders in Morocco. Elena Milashina was in Brussels on Friday, 3rd May, to receive the honoris causa doctor title awarded by Brussels University to mark World Press Freedom Day. The Russian journalist, who works for Novaia Gazeta where six journalists have been killed in the recent years - shared her thoughts on the current state of press freedom in Russia and the challenges of being an investigative journalist there. You are becoming honoris causa doctor at the Brussels University. What does this award mean for you? It is a very important support for my work. It means both protection and recognition of what my newspaper and I have achieved. In recent weeks, the government of Russia passed a new law on fake news that raised concerns among press freedom defenders. What is your view of this law and more generally on the state of press freedom in Russia? For the last several years, our Parliament accepted many laws that worked against freedom of speech and freedom of the press. The government tries to control every behaviour on the Internet. The only thing authorities are afraid of is critical thinking and critical public opinion. They want to shut peoples mouth. However, controlling the whole Internet is very expensive and requires a lot of time. I doubt such laws will be implemented much in reality, but it is likely to increase corruption because money can be captured by companies in charge of implementing the laws. Is it possible for media in Russia to write about anything they wish? We have very few independent media left, but they can still write about a lot of things. However, their impact on society is very limited. Most of the Russians get their information on TV which is under the control of the government or of oligarchs. Russian TV is not free at all. The few free media that are left have a very limited audience.In addition, the State is beginning to use the Internet as a source of propaganda and invest a lot of money into it. Novaia Gazeta, the newspaper you are working for, has seen six of its journalists killed in recent years. Can you feel safe working in Russia? I can feel safe when I work. Sometimes I get threats and we just have to deal with it. After a while, the situation changes and things get back to normal. But it is not only about me and my newspaper. The problem is general. The state does not protect journalists. It refuses to use the law to protect journalists. Moreover, journalists face the risk to be prosecuted and sent to court. You decided to continue the investigations of killed Russian journalists, including Anna Politkovskaya who was killed in 2006. Why? When there is impunity for those targeting journalists, one of the ways to react is to show that no matter how many crimes you commit against journalists there will always be another journalist to continue the job. That is what I do. However, Russians are increasingly afraid of talking to journalists and sharing their stories with them. People are afraid of telling the truth. What are the main cases you investigated? Right now, I write mostly on human rights-related topics in Chechnya: illegal detention, torture, killings Chechen are Russian citizens and formally they all have rights guaranteed by the Constitution. But everyone who lives in Chechnya can be kidnapped or killed with impunity. Moreover, the region is very closed and there are very few journalists there. Inhabitants can be punished if they talk to journalists. I am one of the few who can write. Is your job in Grozny different than it would be in Moscow? There are times when we have to hide our existence and work and it is dangerous for us to be there. When we published our investigations on the persecutions against LGBTI people in 2017, we received threats and had to leave the country. However, in January 2018 I decided to come back when the head of the human rights NGO Memorial Oyub Titiev was arrested. Since that day, I have often travelled to Grozny and I am working officially. I attend trials and write about the situation. But it is likely to change any time and then I would have to hide again. Why do you keep on doing your job despite the risks? Because I like my job and I think it is very important to do it. My job helps to save people and it is my choice to be useful for society. What are your expectations in the near future? Do you think the state of press freedom in Russia can get better? Russia is in transition. You cannot expect from a country with a very long history of an authoritarian and totalitarian regime to immediately become democratic. In my opinion, what is very important for Russian people and their way to democracy is that the European Union and people who live in it protect their own values. What has been happening in Russia for many years is also going on in Europe with the rise of nationalism. European are losing their rights because of the threat of terrorism. It is actually pretty scary. It would be easier for Russia to strengthen press freedom if it is not betrayed in the rest of Europe. SR [UPDATED ON MAY 8] The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its affiliate the Burundian Union of Journalists (UBJ) have condemned the arrest of journalist Claude Nshimirimana, who works for the National Radio and Television of Burundi (NRTB). According to the latest reports, Claude Nshimirimana was arrested on May 5 and is being held in a police cell in Kabezi about 15 kilometres from the capital Bujumbura. He has been accused of holding a clandestine meeting. The UBJ said: We denounce and condemn the arbitrary detention of our comrade Claude Nshimirimana. We demand his immediate release since the alleged reason for his arrest, that is, participation in a clandestine meeting, is pure fantasy. Claude was only jogging on the public road". The intimidation and harassment of journalists in Burundi have become rampant and unacceptable, said IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger. Burundian journalists have been subjected to a systematic pattern of repression and intimidation since 2015. The government has employed high-handed tactics to force journalists into submission resulting in a situation where many journalists have been forced to flee into exile while those who remain in the country are self-censoring. The President of the Federation of African Journalists (FAJ) Alsadig Ibrahim Alrizagi said journalists in Burundi have been subjected to ongoing harassment that had denied them the opportunity to seek, receive and disseminate information in a peaceful manner. Journalists in Burundi, he added, work under a lot of pressure and fear because of the treatment meted out to them by the government and the security forces in particular. The IFJ and the FAJ call for the immediate and unconditional release of Claude Nshimirimana, and urge the Burundian Government to respect the fundamental rights of its citizens and to end all forms of intimidation and harassment of journalists and the media. The Burundian government must create an enabling environment for media and guarantee the safety and security of journalists and media workers as the country moves towards the 2020 elections. [UPDATE, May 8] On this day Claude Nshimirimana was released by Burundian authorities. After more than 500 days in jail, Reuters journalists Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo have been released with a presidential pardon on May 7. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its affiliate the Myanmar Journalists Association (MJA) welcome their release, and call on the Myanmar government to end the crackdown on press freedom in Myanmar. Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo were released from Insein prison in Yangon on Tuesday following a presidential pardon which was granted to 6,520 prisoners. Their release comes over 511 days after they were detained by Myanmar authorities as they were investigating a September 2017 massacre of 10 Rohingya Muslims in conflict-hit Rakhine state, where the Myanmar army forced some 740,000 of the stateless minority to flee over the border to Bangladesh. On April 23 their final appeal in the Supreme Court was rejected. The two men waved and smiled broadly as they walked out of the jail. Wa Lone, thanked people from "around the world" for advocating for their release and vowed he would return to work. "I can't wait to go to my newsroom. I am a journalist and I am going to continue." Together with the Reuters colleagues, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo were awarded the Pulitzer Price - one of the most prestigious award for journalism - in international reporting category in April 2019. The Myanmar Journalists Association, in its statement, said that they are happily welcomed the release of Reuters journalists. The IFJ said: We welcome the release of Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, reaffirming our position that they should never have been charged or detained. Journalism is not a crime and the two journalists should never have been targeted. This release is a positive step in efforts to support and foster press freedom in Myanmar. We urge the Myanmar Government to immediately drop all outstanding charges against journalists and the media, an issue that continues to hinder media freedom, instead creating a culture of fear and intimidation. Investigative journalist Vadym Komarov is in a coma after being assaulted by an unidentified person on 4th May. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) join their affiliate the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine (NUJU) in condemning the attack and urge the Ukrainian authorities to ensure a safe working environment for journalists and bring those responsible to justice. According to the police, Komarov was attacked early in the morning on 4th May as he was walking in the city centre of Cherkasy, Ukraine. He was severely beaten and hospitalised. The police have launched a criminal case into a murder attempt. A local journalist, Komarov wrote frequently on issues such as corruption, embezzlement of budget funds or illegal construction. In 2016 he survived a shooting. NUJU chairman, Sergiy Tomilenko, said: Vadym Komarov is in intensive care in an extremely difficult condition. His job often irritated many in Cherkassy who had power and a lot of money. We urge the police to properly investigate this brutal attack against a journalist. No one in Ukraine should be allowed to intimidate journalists with impunity. IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger said: We join our affiliate in strongly condemning this brutal assault. We express our solidarity with Vadym and his family. Reporters investigating corruption are essential to democracy and it is important that the authorities protect them. Now those responsible must be brought to justice because impunity encourages a climate of violence against journalists. NUJU has already recorded 23 physical attacks on journalists in 2019. Imperial Valley News Center Stephen ORahilly, MD, Named American Diabetes Associations 2019 Banting Medal Recipient for Scientific Achievement Arlington, Virginia - The American Diabetes Association (ADA) will present the 2019 Banting Medal for Scientific Achievement, the ADAs highest honor, to Stephen ORahilly, MD. The Banting Medal recognizes significant, long-term contributions to the understanding, treatment or prevention of diabetes. Dr. ORahilly will be recognized with this honor during the ADAs 79th Scientific Sessions, June 7-11, 2019, at the Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco, and will deliver his Banting Medal Lecture, titled Treasure Your ExceptionsStudying Human Extreme Phenotypes to Illuminate Metabolic Health and Disease, during the President, Medicine and Science Address on Sunday, June 9. Dr. ORahilly currently serves as Professor of Clinical Biochemistry & Medicine and Head of the Department of Clinical Biochemistry at the University of Cambridge and is renowned for his contributions in identifying novel extreme human metabolic phenotypes; discovering and characterizing numerous genes important in metabolic function and dysfunction; and developing new diagnostic and therapeutic applications now established in clinical practice. Dr. ORahillys illustrious contributions include the discovery of novel genetic mutations associated with defects in insulin signaling. He first demonstrated the importance of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma (PPAR) in glucose regulation and blood pressure. Dr. ORahilly was also the first to identify and describe several mutations causing human obesity, said the ADAs 2019 President of Medicine and Science Louis H. Philipson, MD, PhD, FACP. Congratulations to Dr. ORahilly on this much-deserved honor, and we thank him for his paradigm-shifting contributions to our knowledge of diabetes and diabetes risk-states. Beyond his research contributions, Dr. ORahilly established a centrally funded national service providing diagnostic and therapeutic input to patients with severe insulin resistance in the UK. Furthermore, he launched the Institute of Metabolic Science in Cambridge and has mentored many leading scientists around the world, including Ismaa Sadaf Farooqi, PhD, recipient of the ADAs 2019 Outstanding Scientific Achievement Award. The American Diabetes Associations 79th Scientific Sessions, the worlds largest scientific meeting focused on diabetes research, prevention and care, will be held June 7-11, 2019, at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, California. Nearly 15,000 leading physicians, scientists, health care professionals and industry representatives from around the world are expected to convene at the Scientific Sessions to unveil cutting-edge research, treatment recommendations and advances toward a cure for diabetes. During the five-day meeting, attendees will receive exclusive access to more than 850 presentations and 2,000 original research presentations, participate in provocative and engaging exchanges with leading diabetes experts, and can earn Continuing Medical Education (CME) or Continuing Education (CE) credits for educational sessions. The program is grouped into eight thematic areas: Acute and Chronic Complications; Behavioral Medicine, Clinical Nutrition, Education and Exercise; Clinical Diabetes/Therapeutics; Epidemiology/Genetics; Immunology/Transplantation; Insulin Action/Molecular Metabolism; Integrated Physiology/Obesity; and Islet Biology/Insulin Secretion. Gretchen Youssef, MS, RDN, CDE, President of Health Care and Education, will deliver her address, Its All about Access!, on Saturday, June 8, and Louis H. Philipson, MD, PhD, FACP, President of Medicine and Science, will address attendees on Sunday, June 9. Join the Scientific Sessions conversation on social media using #ADA2019. About the American Diabetes Association Approximately every 21 seconds, someone in the United States is diagnosed with diabetes. Nearly half of the American adult population has diabetes or prediabetes, and more than 30 million adults and children are living with the disease. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) is the nations leading voluntary health organization on a mission to prevent and cure diabetes, as well as improve the lives of all people affected by the disease. For nearly 80 years, the ADA has driven discovery by funding research to treat, manage and prevent all types of diabetes, while working relentlessly for a cure. Magnifying the urgency of this epidemic, the ADA works to safeguard policies and programs that protect people with the illness, those at risk of developing diabetes and the health care professionals who serve them by initiating programs, advocacy and education efforts that can lead to improved health outcomes and quality of life. Imperial Valley News Center Looking North: Sharpening America's Arctic Focus Washington, DC - Looking North: Sharpening America's Arctic Focus: SECRETARY POMPEO: Thank you, Ambassador. I know youre enjoying your time here tremendously, and you are doing an outstanding job. Its great to look out here and see so many friends, too. Whod have thought I could come this far north and know this many people? It is heartening to me. I grew up in southern California about four minutes from Disneyland, which claims to be the happiest place on Earth by trademark, so you all have some work to do here. Get the trademark. Thanks for being here. Thanks especially to Foreign Minister Soini, Foreign Minister Thordarson, Michelson, and Minister Bagger. I also understand we have Mayor Lotvonen here, and lots of city leaders from this special place. Im looking forward to my stay here. Thanks for your hospitality, too. Im touched by your warm welcome. This is only the second time Ive had the opportunity to visit Finland, but I really do feel, as I said earlier, that Im among friends. The Finnish people have a tradition of hospitality for visiting Americans. I love the story of Eleanor Roosevelt and her visit to this city in 1950 to check on your postwar reconstruction progress. It was short notice, and the Finns wanted to place a special had a special place for her arrival. So they had an architect design a cabin overnight and mobilize their best construction crew to build that place. Her plane touched down just as the outer door was being fitted in. The townspeople were ushered in, and grand welcoming ceremony, and that cabin still stands today. So as you can see, weve been friends for an awfully long time. In Finland and the U.S., you have a pair of nations that are celebrating our 100th year of diplomatic relations. We have a lot to look back on, but also a great deal to look forward to, and I want to speak today about our future not just about our bilateral future, but about our future in this region, here in the Arctic. And what better place to do it, for me to have the opportunity to participate in the Arctic Council? Its an honor to gather here this week with fellow members, the seven other nations in addition to the United States and the proud indigenous people. Im not the first secretary of state in recent memory to participate in the Arctic Council proceedings, and you can be sure that I will not be the last. I might, however, be the first to give a major address outside of those formal proceedings. And I wanted to do so because the importance of what I came here for transcends any one forum. The world has long felt magnetic pull towards the Arctic, but never more so than today. For reasons Ill explain in a moment, the region has become an arena for power and for competition. And the eight Arctic states must adapt to this new future. In its first two decades, the Arctic Council has had the luxury of focusing almost exclusively on scientific collaboration, on cultural matters, on environmental research all important themes, very important, and we should continue to do those. But no longer do we have that luxury of the next hundred years. Were entering a new age of strategic engagement in the Arctic, complete with new threats to the Arctic and its real estate, and to all of our interests in that region. Before we sit down for tomorrows formal council meetings, I want to give a voice to a sense of whats at stake and what I think we can do together about it. Lets start with the most fundamental principle: The United States is an Arctic nation. But even before the purchase of Alaska, our interest here stretched back centuries. Indigenous peoples have lived in the Arctic for generations, well before there was an America to speak of. In the 1730s, winters from or excuse me, whalers from New England traveled the Davis Strait between Canada and Greenland. In the 1800s, our polar explorers were celebrities. The funeral procession for one of them, Elisha Kent Kane, was said to be the second largest of the century, bested only by the Lincolns. Alaska was purchased by the United States in 1857, and the deal was over was completed by Secretary of State William Seward. After he retired, Seward wasted excuse me, Seward was asked, whats the greatest contribution he made during his long and very distinguished career. He had to pause for just one moment to say that the purchase of Alaska was my most important undertaking, but it will take the country a generation to truly appreciate that. Now here we are multiple generations later. This is our time to appreciate it like never before. This is Americas moment to stand up as an Arctic nation and for the Arctics future. Because far from the barren backcountry that many thought it to be in Sewards time, the Arctic is at the forefront of opportunity and abundance. It houses 13 percent of the worlds undiscovered oil, 30 percent of its undiscovered gas, and an abundance of uranium, rare earth minerals, gold, diamonds, and millions of square miles of untapped resources. Fisheries galore. And its centerpiece, the Arctic Ocean, is rapidly taking on new strategic significance. Offshore resources, which are helping the respective coastal states, are the subject of renewed competition. Steady reductions in sea ice are opening new passageways and new opportunities for trade. This could potentially slash the time it takes to travel between Asia and the West by as much as 20 days. Arctic sea lanes could come before could come the 21s century Suez and Panama Canals. And that leads me to my second point. The second point is this: To leverage the Arctics the Arctic continental, all nations, including non-Arctic nations, should have a right to engage peacefully in this region. The United States is a believer in free markets. We know from experience that free and fair competition, open, by the rule of law, produces the best outcomes. But all the parties in the marketplace have to play by those same rules. Those who violate those rules should lose their rights to participate in that marketplace. Respect and transparency are the price of admission. And lets talk about China for a moment. China has observer status in the Arctic Council, but that status is contingent upon its respect for the sovereign rights of Arctic states. The U.S. wants China to meet that condition and contribute responsibly in the region. But Chinas words and actions raise doubts about its intentions. Beijing claims to be a Near-Arctic State, yet the shortest distance between China and the Arctic is 900 miles. There are only Arctic States and Non-Arctic States. No third category exists, and claiming otherwise entitles China to exactly nothing. Thats not to say Chinese investment is unwelcome indeed, quite the opposite. The United States and Arctic nations welcome transparent Chinese investments that reflect economic interest and national security ambitions. Between 2012 and 2017, China invested in the Arctic nearly $90 billion. Its planning to build infrastructure from Canada, to the Northwest Territories, to Siberia. Just last month, Russia announced plans to connect the Northern Sea Route with Chinas Maritime Silk Road, which would develop a new shipping channel from Asia to northern Europe. Meanwhile, China is already developing shipping lanes in the Arctic Ocean. This is part of a very familiar pattern. Beijing attempts to develop critical infrastructure using Chinese money, Chinese companies, and Chinese workers in some cases, to establish a permanent Chinese security presence. Our Pentagon warned just last week that China could use its civilian research presence in the Arctic to strengthen its military presence, including our deployment of submarines including deployment of submarines to the region as a deterrent against nuclear attack. We need to examine these activities closely, and we need and we keep the experience we have learned of other nations in mind. Chinas pattern of aggressive behavior elsewhere in the excuse me aggressive behavior elsewhere should inform what we do and how it might treat the Arctic. Lets just ask ourselves: Do we want Arctic nations broadly, or indigenous communities specifically, to go the way of former government in Sri Lanka or Malaysia, ensnared by debt and corruption? Do we want crucial Arctic infrastructure to end up like Chinese-constructed roads in Ethiopia, crumbling and dangerous after only a few years? Do we want the Arctic Ocean to transform into a new South China Sea, fraught with militarization and competing territorial claims? Do we want the fragile Arctic environment exposed to the same ecological devastation caused by Chinas fishing fleet in the seas off its coast, or unregulated industrial activity in its own country? I think the answers are pretty clear. Then theres Russia. As a fellow Arctic Council member, Russia the other Arctic states have fruitfully cooperated in a number of areas expansive conservation efforts. Those are to be applauded. We want cooperation to continue. But we cant have one side cooperate, and the other side derogate its duties. Were concerned about Russias claim over the international waters of the Northern Sea Route, including its newly announced plans to connect it with Chinas Maritime Silk Road. In the Northern Sea Route, Moscow already illegally demands other nations request permission to pass, requires Russian maritime pilots to be aboard foreign ships, and threatens to use military force to sink any that fail to comply with their demands. These provocative actions are part of a pattern of aggressive Russian behavior here in the Arctic. Russia is already leaving snow prints in the form of army boots. Russia formally announced its intent to increase its military presence in the region in 2014, when it re-opened a Cold War Arctic military base. Since then, thanks in part to its large icebreaker fleet, Russia has been able to renovate old bases and infrastructure. It claims to have built 475 new military sites, including bases north of the Arctic Circle, as well as 16 new deep-water ports. It secures this presence through sophisticated new air defense systems and anti-ship missiles. No one denies Russia has significant Arctic interests. We recognize that Russia is not the only nation making illegitimate claims. The U.S. has a long-contested feud with Canada over sovereign claims through the Northwest Passage. But Russia is unique. Its actions deserve special attention, special attention of this Council, in part because of their sheer scale. But also because we know Russian territorial ambitions can turn violent. 13,000 people have been killed due to Russias ongoing aggressive action in Ukraine. And just because the Artic is a place of wilderness does not mean it should become a place of lawlessness. It need not be the case. And we stand ready to ensure that it does not become so. As I said in a speech in Chile, in Santiago just a few weeks ago, American leadership stands in stark contrast with the Chinese and Russian models. When the U.S. chaired this council, we made strides to improve suicide prevention among indigenous youth, and funded new sanitation capacity in rural villages. American commitment to the region has been bipartisan, spanning multiple administrations. The Trump administration, however, recognizes that America could do more, and we will; we intend to. Today America is sharing its focus on the Arctic and securing its future. Under President Trump, we are fortifying Americas security and diplomatic presence in the area. On the security side, partly in response to Russias destabilizing activities, we are hosting military exercises, strengthening our force presence, rebuilding our icebreaker fleet, expanding Coast Guard funding, and creating a new senior military post for Arctic Affairs inside of our own military. And were also leveraging the important partnerships that we will expand on even this week. NATOs Trident Structure exercise last fall was the largest Arctic military exercise since the Cold War, with over 50,000 persons participating. On the diplomatic side too, were fully engaged. Were working to strengthen our presence across the entire region and enhance our engagement with each of our Arctic partners. Ill have more to announce on that on a later stop on this trip. In addition to security, President Trump is committed to leveraging resources of environmentally in environmentally responsible ways. He knows this white expanse can also be green. Our administration helped the Arctic states seal the Central Arctic Fisheries Agreement. It was one of the first times in history that a region banded together to preemptively solve a threat to environmental resources. We should all be very proud of that. Our administration has also freed up energy exploration in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Weve exported offshore energy production in the safest way possible, while also hosting excuse me, also hosting joint oil spill exercises with regional partners. And Im pleased to announce today that U.S. Secretary of Energy Rick Perry will deliver the keynote address at the Arctic Circle Assembly later this year in Iceland. Hell also talk more there about how we plan to increase access to the Arctics resources, and do so in an environmentally responsible way. Look, the facts speak for themselves: America is the worlds leader in caring for the environment. Our energy-related CO2 emissions fell by 14 percent between 2006 and 2017. The rest of the worlds rose by more than 20 percent during that same time period. Our black carbon emissions are down 16 percent since 2013 and are on track to drop by nearly half by 2035, the best of any Arctic country. Meanwhile, it isnt clear that Russia is reducing emissions at all, despite being the largest emitter of black carbon in the entire Arctic. The United States is achieving our reductions the American way: through scientific work, through technology, through building out safe and secure energy infrastructure, and through our economic growth, and doing it in a way that doesnt stifle development with burdensome regulations that only create more risk to the environment. Compare the data of the United States to China. Its our CO2 emissions more than tripled between excuse me, Chinas CO2 emissions tripled between 2000 and 2016. Do we want that kind of output in one of the most precious and pristine corners of the world? I want to close by talking about two principles that have long defined the Arctic and which are needed in this new era more than ever: Thats partnerships and courage. Theyre common theyre common threads through the centuries here in the Arctic: Indigenous peoples carved civilizations into the ice, explorers trudged onward in the face of danger and death, and soldiers and diplomats secured the region when it mattered the most. And sometimes sometimes courage and partners came from unlikely places. Like a bar in Duluth, Minnesota. The year was 1955, and still at times there were no human being that was believed to have reached the North Pole by sea or land. Yet in that bar on the shores of Lake Superior, an insurance salesman and a doctor both middle-aged dads and living in the suburbs decided to give it a shot. They recruited a high school geography teacher and a mechanic. And they also sought a Canadian partner someone more familiar with the North Country, settling on a Canadian snowplow, they snowplow settling on a Canadian snowplow racer. Eventually, the motley crew set out on what became a 43-day, 412-mile trek in temperatures reaching negative 60 degrees. All on the backs of snowmobiles. They easily could have died, like so many before them. Instead, in 1968, they became the first human beings ever to reach the North Pole by land just 15 months before Neil Armstrong made his historic first step on the moon. Courage and partnership. Courage and partnership is what this region depends on. Especially today. So for here at the Arctic Council, weve done our job. Theres more to do. We face a new era of challenge in the region. Now is the time for increased vigilance and increased partnership and even more courage. We must hold each other accountable. And we must not allow this forum to fall victim to subversion from Arctic or non-Arctic states. Through courage and partnership, we can succeed. I trust that we will. And our nations and the entire world can look forward to a bright, peaceful, sustainable future for this indispensable region. Thank you all for joining me here today. Secretary of State Pompeo Travels to Finland To Attend the Arctic Council Ministerial Washington, DC - We believe the Arctic is a space where there should be freedom of navigation; there should be low tension; there should be security; there should be rule of law; there should be transparency about whats taking place. ~ Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, February 15, 2019 U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo leads the U.S. delegation to the 11th Ministerial Meeting of the Arctic Council May 6-7, 2019, in Rovaniemi, Finland. As an Arctic State, the United States will join the seven other Arctic States at this biennial gathering to strengthen cooperation and ensure the region remains free of conflict. The Ministerial marks the conclusion of Finlands two-year Arctic Council Chairmanship. The Secretary will also highlight a century of strong U.S.-Finland bilateral relations and the two countries shared commitment to democracy and human rights, regional and global security, and deep and enduring economic and diplomatic ties. THE ARCTIC COUNCILS VITAL ROLE IN REGIONAL GOVERNANCE Established by the Ottawa Declaration in 1996, the Arctic Council is the premiere multilateral forum for the Arctic States to discuss matters of regional governance, together with indigenous peoples of the region. Council membership is strictly limited to the eight states with territory above the Arctic Circle: the United States, Canada, the Kingdom of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, and Sweden. There are no near-Arctic States. Together, with the seven other Arctic States, the United States builds cooperation at the Arctic Council based on shared values. Six Permanent Participant (PP) organizations representing Arctic indigenous peoples serve in an advisory capacity to the Arctic States. The Council operates based on consensus, echoing the peaceful and cooperative nature of the region. There has been no military conflict in the Arctic - and it remains conflict-free in large part due to the Councils strong, stable governance. Traditionally, the Council is chaired for two years by the foreign minister of the country holding the chairmanship. The day-to-day work is executed by eight Senior Arctic Officials (SAO) and six Permanent Participant representatives with input from working groups, expert groups, and task forces. After this years Ministerial, Iceland will take the chairmanship from Finland. This year, the ministers will adopt new work products on Arctic telecommunications connectivity, oil spill response, remote community energy networks, indigenous peoples health, and more. On May 7th, the U.S. and Finland celebrate 100 years of diplomatic relations. Serving together on the Arctic Council is a perfect symbol of the constructive relationship we share. THREATS TO ARCTIC SECURITY AND STABILITY MUST BE RECOGNIZED AND ADDRESSED S. Arctic policy is based on several principal objectives, including ensuring that the region remains free from conflict and is governed by the rule of law. All Arctic Council observers agree to recognize and respect Arctic States sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction in the Arctic. Securing the Arctic is vital to the defense of the American homeland; the security of U.S. Allies, partners, and indigenous peoples; the preservation of freedom of the seas; and support for scientific research and commerce. China holds observer status at the Arctic Council, but is not an Arctic nation, since it sits 900 miles from the Arctic Circle. Russia, an Arctic Council member, has fruitfully cooperated with the Council in a number of areas, including education, oil spill response, search and rescue cooperation, and pollution issues. However, Russias unlawful regulation of foreign vessels transiting off its coasts and the governments threats to use military force concern the United States Government, as well as other Council members. The United States will continue to preserve peace by working with allies and like-minded nations to deny adversaries and strategic competitors outsized access or influence in the Arctic, including with respect to offshore energy and mineral resources under the exclusive jurisdiction of the respective Arctic coastal states. SUPPORTING TRANSPARENT, SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC GROWTH AND RESEARCH The United States promotes good governance, environmental responsibility, and sustainable development of all energy resources in the Arctic, including oil and gas production, as well as clean, renewable energy. The United States is a world leader in particulate matter emissions reductions, thanks to private industry innovation, increased use of natural gas, and technological innovation. From 2005 to 2017, total U.S. energy-related CO2 emissions fell 14%, while the United States became the worlds #1 energy producer. In contrast, global energy-related CO2 emissions increased more than 20%. In 2016, U.S. emissions of black carbon were 16% below 2013 levels, and by 2025 they are projected to nearly halvethe largest reported reduction by any Arctic State. Community engagement is essential to the Arctic Councils work. The United States has been proud to sponsor One Arctic - One Health, which convenes experts in emergency management, health, animal, and environmental sciences to improve regional preparedness for health emergencies such as infectious disease outbreaks and natural disasters. The Arctic States conduct exercises to prepare for potential marine oil pollution incidents and search-and-rescue events across the region. Since 1883, when the first International Polar Year opened the region to scientific exploration, the U.S. has encouraged scientific cooperation and invested more in Arctic scientific research than any other nation. The National Science Foundation (NSF) alone has spent more than $100 million per year for the last decade on Arctic research. The United States has led or co-led the majority of the Councils most important initiatives, including the first biological diversity assessment, the first offshore oil and gas assessment, and the first Arctic shipping assessment. S. scientists and researchers have led or contributed to the cutting-edge work the Council has produced for more than two decades. The Department of State supports Arctic research through the Fulbright Program, its flagship educational exchange. Established in 2015 during the U.S. Chairmanship of the Arctic Council, the Fulbright Arctic Initiative unites scholars from all eight Arctic States to focus on public policy research on community resilience and economic sustainability. Ambassador Brownback Travels to Athens, Sofia, Bucharest, and Chisinau Washington, DC - Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom, Samuel Brownback, will travel to Athens, Greece; Sofia, Bulgaria; Bucharest, Romania; and Chisinau, Moldova from May 6 to 12. Ambassador Brownback will begin his trip in Athens, Greece on May 6, where he will meet with government and religious leaders to build vital relationships in support of religious freedom. Ambassador Brownback will then visit the sacred precinct of Mt. Athos, where he will meet with Orthodox religious leaders who live, work, and pray in the 20 monasteries that make up this heritage site. On May 8, Ambassador Brownback will travel to Sofia, Bulgaria, to meet with government representatives, religious leaders, and minority faith communities to promote religious tolerance and encourage interfaith dialogue between Orthodox believers and those who practice other faiths. On May 10 in Bucharest, Romania Ambassador Brownback will meet with government officials and Romanian Orthodox religious leaders to discuss efforts to promote and defend religious freedom. On May 11, Ambassador Brownback will travel to Chisinau to meet with Moldovan Orthodox leaders and visit their Nativity Cathedral. Ambassador Brownback will also discuss religious freedom issues with government representatives and attend a Catholic Mass service. Counterterrorism Coordinator Ambassador Nathan A. Sales To Travel to Paris and Rome Washington, DC - Ambassador Nathan A. Sales, the State Departments Coordinator for Counterterrorism, will travel to Paris and Rome during the week of May 6th. He will engage in discussions with his counterparts on counterterrorism cooperation, border security, information sharing, and the repatriation and prosecution of foreign terrorist fighters. What's worse than finding out that Google is entering your industry? Realizing that Google already basically owns your industry--and that it can wreak widespread havoc by rewriting code. That's exactly what's expected to happen today, according to The Wall Street Journal, as Google announces new initiatives at its developer conference in Mountain View, California--projected to be portrayed as a way to increase user privacy, by letting users better control the internet cookies that advertisers use to identify them. You can imagine that slicing into the technical tools that advertisers use could be disruptive. Of course, Google is the dominant player by far in the $129 billion digital advertising industry. And so, perhaps it won't be surprising to learn--as the Journal points out--that rewriting the code like this and empowering users to reject cookies will actually work to Google's advantage. The reason: Smaller competitors need the cookies to track and sell ads, but Google has plenty of other ways to get the same information. "A complicated sell" The technical change itself is fairly simple to explain but was apparently difficult to achieve. Google will reportedly say it's creating a dashboard within the Chrome browser that lets users easily see all the cookies that are tracking them, along with easy ways to delete them. The changes it's making don't actually go as far as changes that Apple has already made to the Safari browser and Mozilla made to Firefox. Those browsers have a much smaller market share, but they now restrict much of advertisers' cookie activity by default. But Google has been weighing and working on the change for six long years, the Journal reports. If the technical changes were difficult, however, Google will now face a new challenge, as the Journal put it: "a complicated sell" to convince users it's on the side of the angels here and truly motivated by user privacy. Facebook and Google: patrons of privacy Wait, why did it take six years to make the changes? It potentially involved rewriting millions of pages of code, and renegotiating thousands of agreements with other companies, according to the Journal's sources. However, the effort really stepped up in the past year or so, apparently, in the wake of Facebook's Cambridge Analytica scandal. Of course, Mark Zuckerberg has been trying to position Facebook as a company vehemently concerned with user privacy. We'll see how that goes. Meanwhile, not that anyone outside digital media is going to cry for them, but the smaller advertising players are already seeing the squeeze. The Journal points out that a publicly traded French digital advertising company, Criteo, is down 27 percent since a report in Adweek in March predicted Google might make this change--and trying to assure investors it can come up with another tracking mechanism if Google takes this one away. Thanks to Google Docs and Office 365, much of your work likely has shifted to the cloud, where you can easily collaborate with colleagues on shared documents. Designers, meanwhile, have largely been left out of this workflow revolution. Their projects tend to go like this: Use a number of tools to create a design mockup, export it to file, save it on Dropbox, and then send the file link via email for review. There's a lot of back and forth, and the risk of winding up with multiple versions of the same file along the way is high. This is the problem co-founders Dylan Field and Evan Wallace set out to solve with Figma, a tool that lets designers collaborate in real time in a web browser. Figma, which launched in 2016, is primarily for people who design web-based applications as well as diagrams and illustrations. As with Google Docs, multiple users can work on a design at the same time. Sharing a mock-up to people outside the team is easy too--you just send a link rather than exporting a file and emailing it. Field, 27, and Wallace, 29, have zeroed in on a problem a lot of people need solved. Within four years of launching, Figma has collected over a million sign-ups and a customer roster that includes Slack, Twitter, Uber, Dropbox, the New York Times, and Microsoft. The San Francisco-based startup has raised $82.9 million to date from investors including Sequoia Capital and Greylock Partners. The idea for Figma was just one of many Field and Wallace brainstormed back in 2011 as college students at Brown University. They made a list of the technology that was changing the world, considering everything from game engines to drones. With prior experience in designing software as interns for companies like Flipboard, Pixar, and Microsoft, they thought about how web-based design tools did not exist yet. "Across the productivity space, everyone is realizing they want to work together more and be more open and transparent," says Field. They decided that was the idea they should pursue. In 2012, Wallace graduated and Field dropped out of Brown to accept a Thiel fellowship, which came with $100,000 to pursue a startup idea. So the pair moved to San Francisco to work on Figma full-time. By shadowing designers at tech firms they knew from their network of friends, families, and colleagues, they learned exactly what kind of cloud tools to build: designers needed something that would let them create prototypes, make illustrations, and incorporate code snippets--all in one place. In 2013, they raised a seed round of $4 million, and two years later Figma launched to the public. The startup, which has 85 employees, offers three basic software-as-a-service plans. The Starter plan is free for up to two individuals, and the Professional and Organization plans start at $12 and $45, respectively, per user per month. The company declined to disclose revenue. The first customer to sign up with Figma, during its beta phase in 2015, was fellow San Francisco-based startup Coda. Coda makes a collaboration app that's like an interactive document, spreadsheet, and task list rolled into one. Co-founder and CEO Shishir Mehrotra says the quality of Figma's tools and its speed won him over. He says Figma is the backbone of the design team at his 50-person company. Mehrotra believes in the company so much that he also decided to invest. "There are a number of desktop-centric competitors who are trying to migrate to the web, but Figma started there," says Mehrotra. "This is a Herculean effort--building a browser-based design tool that performs as well as the desktop equivalents is not easy." He adds, "Over time, this leads to a fundamental shift in the design process--fairly similar to how big a shift Google Docs was to the Office productivity suite." Indeed, other companies are trying to catch up and give designers tools in the cloud. Adobe has moved its design tools to a cloud-based subscription model, though they don't allow real-time collaboration. (The wireframing and prototyping tool Adobe XD, launched in 2016, plans to offer live collaboration capabilities this year, according to the company.) Startups like InVision and Sketch present competition too: Sketch will be bringing its tool to a browser this year, reported Techcrunch. In the future, Field says Figma will work on expanding its features, such as giving non-designers more options to participate in the design process. He notes that 80 percent of Figma's users are spread outside the United States, which he says shows how easy it is even for remote teams to collaborate using the tool. "The world of design-engineering is bridging quite a lot now--people are becoming more collaborative and finding ways to accompany each other," says Field. EXPLORE MORE Rising Stars COMPANIES Congratulations are in order to Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, as they welcomed their yet unnamed son into the world yesterday. The new little Earl (he won't get a Prince title like his cousins) weighed in at a healthy weighs 7lbs. 3oz and comes with a life long tax burden. You see because his mother, The Duchess of Sussex, is still an American citizen and she lived in the United States long enough to pass on citizenship to her children, regardless of where they are born, the new little Earl will be eligible for a nice American passport. While that can sound splendid, as having dual citizenship seems advantageous, it's actually a tax nightmare. All US citizens abroad are subject to the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA), including royalty. There's no exception for being related to the sovereign of another nation. Nor does the United Kingdom get to simply declare the newest bundle of royal joy a UK citizen without any legal ties to the United States. And while you or I may be able to sneak a baby that hasn't set foot in the United States past the watchful eye of the IRS, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex don't have a chance. FATCA requires that you report all bank accounts that have a worth of $10,000 or more to the IRS every year. That's $10,000 at the highest balance, so if you have one bank account worth $10,000 and you close it and transfer that money to a second bank account, both have a high dollar value of $10,000 and the IRS expects to see that money twice--making you look richer than you actually are. Additionally, the Earl will be subject to pay US taxes on any taxable income he may have. This isn't so much of a problem for babies, but his mother, who still earns money through her television career, has to pay the same taxes. If she has a joint bank account with Prince Harry, the IRS gets its nose in there as well. This law was designed to stop people who hide money abroad, but what it really does is make it difficult for US citizens living in other lands to bank. Many banks won't accept US citizens, even if they also hold citizenship in the local country. Some of these people are what are called "accidental Americans", like the new royal baby, who probably will never live in the United States, or the many children who were born while their parents were temporarily living in the US. These laws can be a real problem as you expand your business globally. You may not be able to legally open a bank account for your business as it expands to other lands, depending on local laws. The United States and Eritrea are the only countries in the world that requires taxes from their citizens abroad, and only the US has invasive looks into bank accounts. The new baby can't simply renounce his citizenship--nor can his parents do it for him. US law prohibits parents from dropping their offspring's US citizenship, and the Earl must wait until he is at least 16, and probably 18. As he probably will have money in his name by this time, he may have to pay taxes in order to get out from under the thumb of the US government. **Spoilers for Game of Thrones season eight, episode four The Last of the Starks below** Few fans expected Arya Stark to kill the Night King. The formerly faceless woman managed to pierce the villains heart during the Battle for Winterfell, in the process defeating the Army of the Dead. With the dead now turned to dust, Arya seems to have fulfilled the Azor Ahai (Prince that was Promised) prophesy foretold by Melisandre and the other followers of the Lord of Light. Some Game of Thrones followers have debated whether Arya is actually Azor Ahai, while others are now questioning who The Lord of Light may actually be. One theory that has picked up momentum online posits that Bran Stark, who has become the Three-Eyed Raven, may actually be The Lord of Light the guiding hand who led Arya to end The Long Night. Game of Thrones characters who died in the battle at Winterfell Show all 7 1 /7 Game of Thrones characters who died in the battle at Winterfell Game of Thrones characters who died in the battle at Winterfell Eddison Tollet/Dolorous Edd One of the most loyal and comical characters on the show, Lord Commander Dolorous Edd was stabbed by a wight after saving his fellow Night's Watchman, Samwell Tarly. And now his watch has ended. HBO Game of Thrones characters who died in the battle at Winterfell Lyanna Mormont What a legend. Fans were sad to see Lady Mormonth go, but she definitely got one of the most epic deaths in the episode. After refusing to run from a charging wight giant, the dying girl uses a final ounce of strength even as the giant is crushing her body in his hand and stabs him right through the eye. Her death was later confirmed when the Night King raised her as a wight. Helen Sloan/courtesy of HBO Game of Thrones characters who died in the battle at Winterfell Beric Dondarrion It was a pretty safe bet that Lord Beric, who had died and been resurrected by his loyal friend Thoros of Myr a whopping six times, would meet his final death in this episode, given that Thoros wasnt around to save him anymore. He was stabbed multiple times by wights as he held them off to save Arya and The Hound. HBO Game of Thrones characters who died in the battle at Winterfell Theon Greyjoy Theon has enjoyed one of the best character arcs in the history of Game of Thrones. After first appearing on the show as a sycophantic brat at Winterfell, he was kidnapped and tortured into becoming Reek for the amusement of Ramsay Bolton. Once he was rescued, he managed to redeem himself after a long journey back to Winterfell (saving his sister along the way), where he pledged to fight alongside the Starks and protect Bran. He kept his word, fighting off dozens if not hundreds of wights before the Night King and his posse turned up. Bran called him a good man and thanked him, upon which Theon charged at the Night King knowing his death was inevitable. HBO Game of Thrones characters who died in the battle at Winterfell The Night King Technically he was already dead, but the Night King still counts given the entire build-up to episode three had been about destroying him. Right as he reached for his sword to kill Bran, Arya comes out of nowhere and attempts to plunge Littlefingers Valyrian steel dagger into his back. He catches her by the throat, but Arya is too smart for him. She drops the dagger into her free hand and stabs him in the stomach instead, triggering the deaths of all the wights and Wight Walkers the Night King created (literally all of them). HBO Game of Thrones characters who died in the battle at Winterfell Melisandre At least fans were prepared for this one. Given her knack for predicting future events, Melisandre saying she would die tonight at the Battle of Winterfell gave fans a pretty good idea of what to expect. Her final prophecy did indeed come true: after she used the power of the Lord of Light to help the Army of the Living, Melisandre walked into the battlefield, removed her magic necklace, and embraced her death. HBO / Helen Sloan Game of Thrones characters who died in the battle at Winterfell Ser Jorah Mormont Jorah Mormont had fully redeemed his betrayal of Dany by the end of episode three (some would argue he did when he saved her life back in series six). After she fell from Drogon as he was overwhelmed by wights, Jorah saved her from imminent death and ultimately died of his injuries right as the White Walker army was defeated. It was one of the most moving scenes of the episode, with Dany mourning while Drogon watches over them. Everything Bran has done recently ultimately leads to Arya defeating the Night King, the theory states, via NME. One of the things Bran did last season was to give Arya the Valyrian Steel dagger that she would use to kill the night king a weapon that was first seen in season one. That plan was set in motion all the way back in season one, the theory continues. Future Bran made sure that dagger was sent to kill his childhood self. He put the key piece in play All of the magical Lord of Light moments that are supposedly the Gods work, are actually Bran manipulating the past, resurrecting people and making sure Arya got the knife and made it to kill the Night King. The simplest explanation to all of this The Three-Eyed Raven is the Night Kings opposite. The Night Kings opposite is the Lord of Light. Therefore, Bran = the Lord of Light (or at least what people think is the Lord of Light due to the signs he brings). Access unlimited streaming of movies and TV shows with Amazon Prime Video Sign up now for a 30-day free trial Sign up This would also explain the Night Kings interest in killing Bran above all others at the Battle of Winterfell, as he knew The Three-Eyed Raven/Lord of Light would be the one to end his reign of terror. Unfortunately, the fourth episode of Game of Thrones added little to the theory, with Davos commenting that The Lord of Light has gone, leaving them to defeat Cersei. The Last of the Starks was described as an oddly structured and not hugely satisfying episode by The Independents critic. The fourth episode of the shows final season also saw Daenerys (Clarke) suffer some devastating losses after arriving in Kings Landing to face Cersei Lannister (Headey). You can watch the intense new trailer for the penultimate episode of the show here. Click through the below gallery to see our extensive ranking of every character in the series from worst to best is below. Game of Thrones characters - ranked Show all 70 1 /70 Game of Thrones characters - ranked Game of Thrones characters - ranked 70. Rickon Stark Played by: Art Parkinson : Art Parkinson Easily the most annoying Stark child an impressive feat next to Bran Rickon was at least handed one hell of a death scene: taken out by an arrow courtesy of Ramsay Bolton. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 69. Robin Arryn Played by: Lino Facioli : Lino Facioli Robin Arryn is remembered by most Thrones fans as being the 10-year-old breastfed by his mother (still weird). That's about it. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 68. Renly Baratheon Played by: Gethin Anthony : Gethin Anthony The Rickon of the Baratheon brothers. His claim to the Iron Throne was tenuous, considering his older brother, Stannis, was still alive. When Stannis's shadow monster came to kill him, it was only good news for the show. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 67. Leaf Played by: Kae Alexander : Kae Alexander A lot of mystery may surround Leaf, one of the show's mythical Children of the Forest, but her noble sacrifice to save Bran, Meera and Hodor from a horde of wights robbed her of any worth. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 66. Tommen Baratheon Played by: Dean-Charles Chapman : Dean-Charles Chapman Another boring younger brother. Whereas Joffrey was pure evil, Tommen was innocent and, inevitably, very boring. His cat, Ser Pounce, was an asset to the show. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 65. Lysa Arryn Played by: Kate Dickie : Kate Dickie Lysa, the creepy sister to Catelyn Stark, was first seen with Robin Arryn, her 10-year-old son, latched to her breast. Her death being pushed through the Moon Door couldn't have come sooner. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 64. Benjen Stark Played by: Joseph Mawle/Matteo Elezi : Joseph Mawle/Matteo Elezi Having gone missing in season one, Benjen returned during season six to save his nephew, Bran. The moment was a surprise to TV watchers book readers, however, had long speculated that Coldhands was an undead version of the Stark. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 63. Syrio Forel Played by: Miltos Yerolemou : Miltos Yerolemou The ill-fated Syrio's appearance way back in season one was a formative experience for one Arya Stark (Maisie Williams); he's the one who helped her on her way to becoming the vengeful assassin fans know and love today. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 62. Jeor Mormont Played by: James Cosmo : James Cosmo Father of Jorah Mormont, Jeor was an honourable leader of the Night's Watch perhaps to a fault. After giving Jon Snow the sword Longclaw, Mormont inadvertently showed the Stark bastard that Valerian steel can cut through White Walkers. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 61. Roose Bolton Played by: Michael McElhatton : Michael McElhatton Let's be honest: it's hard to really like as scheming a character as Roose Bolton, the man who orchestrated the violent Red Wedding the most infamous scene in the show's six-year history that saw the death of Robb, Catelyn and Talisa. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 60. Ellaria Sand Played by: Indira Varma : Indira Varma Ellaria Sand may have been a more enticing creation on the page, but in the series, her screen time regrettably amounts to reacting to loved ones being killed off in increasingly awful ways. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 59. Grand Maester Pycell Played by: Julian Glover : Julian Glover The secretly sprightly Pycell had seen a lot of things in his time, but there's an element of "unfulfilled potential" surrounding Glover's character whose late betrayal of Cersei Lannister saw a grisly end to his life of luxury at King's Landing. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 58. Three-Eyed Raven Played by: Max von Sydow : Max von Sydow Perhaps it was the casting of Max von Sydow that heightened anticipation for the Three-Eyed Raven in the series, but the half-hearted story arc left a lot to be desired. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 57. Gilly Played by: Hannah Murray : Hannah Murray Gilly's long journey from Craster's Keep to Winterfell sounds exciting on paper. But, unfortunately, she has been merely a passenger on Sam's journey for far too long. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 56. Daario Naharis Played by: Michael Huisman : Michael Huisman The man who won the heart of Daenerys Targaryen, only to be left behind in Essos. Ed Skrein originally played the character, but was soon replaced after the actor landed a role in Deadpool. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 55. Shae Played by: Sibel Kekilli : Sibel Kekilli Oh Shea. Her ill-fated betrayal sleeping with Tywin (Charles Dance) was a slap in the face not just for lover Tyrion, but the viewer also. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 54. Grey Worm Played by: Jacob Anderson : Jacob Anderson Leader of the Usullied, Grey Worm remains unmoved at all times unless around Missandei. While their romance can be heartwarming, it's hard to invest in two characters who are so wooden. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 53. Talisa Maegyr Played by: Oona Chaplin : Oona Chaplin To be fair to Robb Stark's wife Talisa, should she have avoided being murdered in arguably the most horrific way during the Red Wedding, she would most likely have been higher on this list. Alas. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 52. Shireen Baratheon Played by: Kerry Ingram : Kerry Ingram All the Greyscale-suffering Shireen ever wanted to do was read stories in her chamber, but due to her impressionable power-hungry father, Stannis, she was tragically reduced to ashes after being sacrificed to the Lord of Light. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 51. Viserys Targaryen Played by: Harry Lloyd : Harry Lloyd Viserys wanted the Iron Throne at any cost, giving away his own sister in exchange for an army. Dany, though, had other plans. Her new husband, Khal Drogo, covering Viserys in molten gold made for one of the show's most memorable death scenes. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 50. Maester Luwin Played by: Donald Sumpter : Donald Sumpter The kindly Maester Luwin was one of the nicest characters in the first few seasons, becoming a stand-in father for Bran and Rickon while the Starks endured horrors elsewhere. He was eventually killed when Ramsay Bolton took over Winterfell. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 49. Thoros of Myr Played by: Paul Kaye : Paul Kaye Thoros spent the majority of his time on the show resurrecting Beric and was most recently seen wielding his flaming sword alongside Jon Snow beyond the wall. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 48. Mance Rayder Played by: Ciaran Hinds : Ciaran Hinds Ciaran Hinds brought an intensity to Mance Rayder, a character who would otherwise have got lost in the crowd. As a result, his death at the hands of Melisandre was unexpectedly affecting. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 47. Podrick Payne Played by: Daniel Portman : Daniel Portman Ever loyal, Podrick Payne has become a fan favourite for being surprisingly brave in the face of adversity. He and Brienne of Tarth make an excellent duo. HBO/Helen Sloan Game of Thrones characters - ranked 46. Euron Greyjoy Played by: Pilou Asbk : Pilou Asbk While Euron Greyjoy may have only joined the show in season six, his presence was immediately felt. A wildcard character, Greyjoy's cut-throat, power-hungry nature has proven exciting to watch. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 45. Jaqen H'ghar Played by: Tom Wlaschiha : Tom Wlaschiha Jaqen H'ghar one of the Faceless Men of Braavos had such promise, but ultimately ended up being the one responsible for sapping Arya's story of the energy she'd had seasons before, alongside The Hound (Rory McCann). HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 44. Missandei Played by: Nathalie Emmanuel : Nathalie Emmanuel Missandei has somehow managed to come up trumps within the new world order, being an advisor to Dany. However, her stilted nature can make for some awkward encounters but at least she and Grey Worm are happy together. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 43. Ygritte Played by: Rose Leslie : Rose Leslie Ygritte the Wildling lover of Jon Snow will go down in Thrones lore for providing the series the with oft-quoted famous line: "You know nothing, Jon Snow." Spoken with a northern accent, obviously. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 42. Hot Pie Played by: Ben Hawkey : Ben Hawkey Has an actor ever been more suited to a role? Ben Hawkey, after all, has gone on to run a bakery of his own, even selling Thrones-themed goods. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 41. Walder Frey Played by: David Bradley : David Bradley One of the orchestrators of the Red Wedding, Walder Frey was a lurching, terrifying villain. When Arya unmasks herself and kills the old man, it's a sweet, sweet moment of revenge. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 40. Gendry Baratheon Played by: Joe Dempsie : Joe Dempsie The true heir to the Iron Throne. Gendry may have spent a few seasons rowing out at sea, but his return hints at big things to come for the Baratheon bastard. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 39. Robert Baratheon Played by: Mark Addy : Mark Addy Mark Addy brought a certain gravitas to Robert Baratheon, making him a believably world-weary king. Despite only having a few scenes, his character's presence is still felt on the show thanks to Gendry. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 38. Barristan Selmy Played by: Ian McElhinney : Ian McElhinney After being fired by the Lannisters, Selmy pledged allegiance to Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke), bridging the gap between two of the show's key characters. He was also a bloody good warrior. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 37. Yara Greyjoy Played by: Gemma Whelan : Gemma Whelan Lily Allen was initially wanted for the role of Theon's sister. However, she declined: 'I felt uncomfortable because I would have had to go on a horse and he would have touched me up and s***.' Seeing as Allen's brother, Alfie, had already been cast as Theon, it was probably for the best. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 36. Margaery Tyrell Played by: Natalie Dormer : Natalie Dormer Margaery Tyrell was one of Game of Thrones's biggest players, wheedling her way into the Lannister family politics and actually becoming Queen for a spell. Her number was up the moment she made an enemy of Cersei, and her fiery death, while underwhelming, was a huge moment. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 35. Samwell Tarly Played by: John Bradley : John Bradley There's a theory going around that Samwell Tarly, who trains as a maester, is actually the author of the Song of Ice and Fire AKA the book series. In other words, Sam is George RR Martin. Go figure. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 34. Osha Played by: Natalia Tena : Natalia Tena The underused Osha was our very first wildling, an unpredictable knife-wielding danger to the characters we loved. Her subsequent evolution into Stark servant was interestingly played, which made the fact she was sidelined for multiple seasons, before being brought back just to be unceremoniously offed, a travesty. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 33. Ramsay Bolton Played by: Iwan Rheon : Iwan Rheon Ramsey cut off Theon's penis and sent it to the Greyjoy's father. He imprisoned and raped Sansa Stark. He killed Rickon Stark in front of his brother. And Ramsay eventually died by being fed to his own dogs. A terrifying death for a terrible human. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 32. Night King Played by: Richard Brake, Vladimir Furdik : Richard Brake, Vladimir Furdik The embodiment of evil. Why, exactly, the Night King marches South to destroy mankind remains somewhat a mystery. But, whatever the reason, he's a terrifying foe. Winter has, as the Starks say, finally come. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 31. Beric Dondarrion Played by: Richard Dormer : Richard Dormer Beric danced on the outskirts of the series until its third season when he surfaced as the leader of the Brotherhood Without Banners. His introduction paved the way for the Lord of Light's ability to resurrect the dead, a mystical sub-plot that would become very important for Jon Snow. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 30. Bran Stark Played by: Isaac Hempstead Wright : Isaac Hempstead Wright It says a lot that Bran Stark has become marginally more interesting since he sacrificed his personality in favour of becoming the spiritualistic heart of the series. His role in the final season looks set to be a huge one what with the long-standing theory that he could become the fearsome Night King. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 29. Theon Greyjoy Played by: Alfie Allen : Alfie Allen While Theon starts as a cocky kid, after being neutered by Ramsay he becomes the annoyingly weak Reek. Thankfully, Theon comes back around again in the later seasons, but not without us still hating his guts for not saving Sansa sooner. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 28. The High Sparrow Played by: Jonathan Pryce : Jonathan Pryce While at first a seemingly wise old man, the High Sparrow quickly becomes a tactical villain, using his newfound powers under King Tommen to turn King's Landing into his own domain. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 27. The Mountain Played by: Hafor Julius Bjornsson : Hafor Julius Bjornsson The hulking Clegane brother known as The Mountain now a zombie-esque servant to Cersei may not have come face-to-face with lots of characters in the series, but his presence is known by all in Westeros. His biggest moment? Battering poor Oberyn's head into mush. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 26. Khal Drogo Played by: Jason Momoa : Jason Momoa To the world he's now Aquaman, but for a brief time, Jason Momoa was Khal Drogo, the beloved Dothraki husband of his Khaleesi, Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke). HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 25. Jon Snow Played by: Kit Harington : Kit Harington Every show needs a hero, and they do not come more obvious than Jon Snow. Rising from discarded bastard to King of the North, his climb has been one of the show's best storylines. A shame, then, that Snow can be such a bland person, doing only what is right and seemingly having no faults. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 24. Stannis Baratheon Played by: Stephen Dillane : Stephen Dillane With his propensity to make tough decisions for the greater good, Stannis could have been a heroic warrior. However, the Baratheon brother's continual fall from grace including sacrificing his own daughter and murdering his own brother were horrendous decisions that eventually doomed him. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 23. Hodor Played by: Kristian Nairn : Kristian Nairn Once you get over the fact that Kristian Nairn was essentially getting paid to repeat the word "Hodor" over and over, it's hard to deny that Bran Stark's protector was a heartwarming addition to the show. His death the breathtaking "Hold the Door" sequence will go down as one of the show's most memorable moments. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 22. Tywin Lannister Played by: Charles Dance : Charles Dance Stannis was a horrible father. His two favourite children became incestuous lovers, and he blamed his youngest for the death of his wife. Without Tywin, though, the Lannister family would not be nearly as riveting as they are to watch. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 21. Tormund Giantsbane Played by: Kristofer Hivju : Kristofer Hivju Tormund has some of the best lines in the series, particularly when expressing his admiration for Brienne. Here's one of the least explicit: "I want to make babies with her. Think of it. Great big monsters. They'll conquer the world!" HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 20. Daenerys Targaryen Played by: Emilia Clarke : Emilia Clarke "Daenerys Stormborn of the House Targaryen, First of Her Name, the Unburnt, Queen of the Andals and the First Men, Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea, Breaker of Chains, and Mother of Dragons." Every time Dany meets someone new, she forces Missandei to read out her entire CV. I guess everyone would if theirs was as impressive. Dany really has had a great journey to the top a shame she could not have come to Westeros slightly earlier. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 19. Olenna Tyrell Played by: Dianna Rigg : Dianna Rigg Olenna's scenes were always ones to cherish. The Queen of Thorns was as cunning as the best of them and seemed like she could worm her way out of any situation, all from the comfort of her own chair. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 18. Jorah Mormont Played by: Iain Glen : Iain Glen Poor Ser Jorah. Dany may be 25 years younger than him, but that never stopped the disgraced warrior from loving her. He even fought off Grey Scale to fight by her side. If that's not true love, then what is? HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 17. Davos Seaworth Played by: Liam Cunningham : Liam Cunningham Liam Cunningham's performance as the curt Davos Seaworth has quietly been one of the best things about the series since his introduction. As Jon Snow's kingly advisor, he's recently seen himself thrust into the heart of the series and, simply put, Game of Thrones would be a less enjoyable show without him. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 16. Melisandre Played by: Carice van Houten : Carice van Houten Lest we forget that Melisandre is actually a shrivelled old witch who has been manipulating men for hundreds of years. Her faith in the Lord of Light, though, could very well be misplaced. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 15. Oberyn Played by: Pedro Pascal : Pedro Pascal Few shows can bring in characters midway through their run that have such an impact as Oberyn. The Viper quickly became a fan favourite, and his death remains one of the show's most squirm-inducing moments. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 14. Eddard "Ned" Stark Played by: Sean Bean : Sean Bean Killing off a main character during a show's first season was practically unheard of before Game of Thrones. Yet, as dictated by George RR Martin's books, they cut off Sean Bean's head without a second thought, setting the tone for everything to come. No death has impacted the Thrones quite as much since. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 13. Varys Played by: Conleth Hill : Conleth Hill Early on in the series, it was hard to pin down Varys, a slippery eel of a character who has "little birds" fluttering around Westeros, feeding back crucial information. Going into the final season, his true intentions are clear: he's all for Daenerys taking the Iron Throne, even if he doesn't live to see the day (I have to die in this strange country, just like you," Melisandre prophesied last season). HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 12. Bronn Played by: Jerome Flynn : Jerome Flynn Perhaps the show's best wise-cracking side-kick, Bronn only has one loyalty: money. Paired with either of the Lannister lads, Tyrion or Jaime, Bronn makes for excellent company. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 11. Robb Stark Played by: Richard Madden : Richard Madden Before Bodyguard, Richard Madden was the extremely temporary king of Westeros. Robb was a man of honour, trying to bring light to the Thrones universe. He was a likeable presence who ruled with his heart, an act that ultimately saw him die during the infamous Red Wedding in season three. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 10. Brienne of Tarth Played by: Gwendoline Christie : Gwendoline Christie Brienne is a reassuring force of good in a world filled with scheming layabouts. She's also one of the most deadly. Her time on the series has been spent protecting the likes of Renly Baratheon, Catelyn Stark and Jaime Lannister, the latter of which made for an interesting turn as it put her at odds with her loyalty. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 9. Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish Played by: Aidan Gillen : Aidan Gillen There would be no Game of Thrones without Littlefinger. The silver-tongued manipulator had Jon Arryn killed, setting off a snowball that turned into an avalanche. As smart as he may have been, Littlefinger was finally outplayed by his own pupil, Sansa Stark. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 8. Sansa Stark Played by: Sophie Turner : Sophie Turner Sansa has perhaps had the most interesting story arc of any character on Thrones. Beginning as a cliched annoying teenager, she gradually became a stone-cold killer, capable of holding Winterfell and outsmarting even Littlefinger. With any luck, she could sit upon the Iron Throne when the war is over. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 7. Arya Stark Played by: Maisie Williams : Maisie Williams Arya Stark, arguably the greatest character of the first few seasons, was one of the biggest victims of the series overtaking George RR Martin's source material. Her limited screen time, due to being away from the central action, robbed us of classic moments that we're grateful she's been a part of in an otherwise lacklustre season eight. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 6. Sandor "The Hound" Clegane Played by: Rory McCann : Rory McCann From his regular delivery of the phrase"F** the king" to that chicken scene, The Hound is a reckless creation whose high ranking on this list can be attributed to the searing performance from Rory McCann. Most effective when paired with Arya Stark. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 5. Joffrey Baratheon Played by: Jack Gleeson : Jack Gleeson No character has been as hated by the fandom as Joffrey. His wicked ways and disgusting behaviour haunted the show's first four seasons. You never knew what was going to come next: whether he was about to behead your favourite character or start crying to his mother. It made for thrilling television. But, as The Hound says, "F**k the King". HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 4. Catelyn Stark Played by: Michelle Fairley : Michelle Fairley The lady of Winterfell, Catelyn Stark, became the show's honorary lead after the untimely beheading of her husband, Ned (Sean Bean) at the end of season one. As she tried to take control of spiralling events in the second and third run, Thrones was handed its most resilient character. Michelle Fairley's guttural cry of anguish before meeting her tragic end during the Red Wedding will always be the show's most horrific moment. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 3. Jaime Lannister Played by: Nikolaj Coster-Waldau : Nikolaj Coster-Waldau If the characters above Jaime in this list are the show's greatest characters, Jaime is the show's most disarming. The Lannister brother the Kingslayer started the series as a long-haired bad guy of the tallest order, but his humbling over the past few seasons have seen him inch his way into the hearts of viewers. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 2. Tyrion Lannister Played by: Peter Dinklage : Peter Dinklage Blamed for the death of his mother and hated for being a dwarf, Tyrion turned to drink and prostitutes to numb the pain. However, Tyrion has a fierce intellect, capable of outsmarting the toughest enemies (and offering cutting lines that George RR Martin says often take weeks to write). More importantly, despite being betrayed and cast away time and time again, Tyrion selflessly only wants the best for the people of Westeros. A true hero. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 1. Cersei Lannister Played by: Lena Headey : Lena Headey The Mad Queen, alone on the Iron Throne. Cersei has, over the course of seven seasons, seen her three children die, driven her lover/brother away, blown up a church with a half dozen major characters inside, arranged the death of her husband (King Robert) and attempted to have her other brother (Tyrion) killed multiple times. Yet, thanks to Lena Headey's empathetic performance, you still feel sorry for the terrifying Queen of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros. As one of the most complicated character to have ever reached television screens, there's no denying her place as the best Thrones character to date. HBO The final season of Game of Thrones continues every Sunday. The show is available on Sky Atlantic and NOW TV in the UK. Climate change and rising sea levels eventually may wipe out one of the worlds last and largest tiger strongholds, scientists warned in a new study. The cats are among nearly 500,000 land species whose survival is in question because of threats to their natural habitats, according to a report by the UN published on Monday. The Sundarbans, 4,000 square miles of marshy land in Bangladesh and India, hosts the worlds largest mangrove forest and a rich ecosystem supporting several hundred animal species, including the endangered Bengal tiger. But 70 per cent of the land is just a few feet above sea level, and grave changes are in store for the region, Australian and Bangladeshi researchers reported in the journal Science of The Total Environment. Changes wrought by a warming planet will be enough to decimate the few hundred or so Bengal tigers remaining there. Wildlife photographer of the year Show all 26 1 /26 Wildlife photographer of the year Wildlife photographer of the year A polar bear's struggle - Highly Commended Justins whole body pained as he watched this starving polar bear at an abandoned hunter's camp, in the Canadian Arctic, slowly heave itself up to standing. With little, and thinning, ice to move around on, the bear is unable to search for food. Justin Hofman / Natural History Museum Wildlife photographer of the year Curious Encounter - Shortlisted Cristobal Serrano, Spain. Any close encounter with an animal in the vast wilderness of Antarctica happens by chance, so Cristobal was thrilled by this spontaneous meeting with a crabeater seal off of Cuverville Island, Antarctic Peninsula. These curious creatures are protected and, with few predators, thrive. Cristobal Serrano / Natural History Museum Wildlife photographer of the year Bond of brothers - Winner David Lloyd, New Zealand / UK. These two adult males, probably brothers, greeted and rubbed faces for 30 seconds before settling down. Most people never have the opportunity to witness such animal sentience, and David was honoured to have experienced and captured such a moment.The picture was taken in Ndutu, Serengeti, Tanzania. David Lloyd / Natural History Museum Wildlife photographer of the year Fox meets fox - Highly Commended Matthew Maran, UK. Matthew has been photographing foxes close to his home in north London for over a year and ever since spotting this street art had dreamt of capturing this image. After countless hours and many failed attempts his persistence paid off. Matthew Maran / Natural History Museum Wildlife photographer of the year Three Kings - Highly Commended Wim Van Den Heever, South Africa. Wim came across these king penguins on a beach in the Falkland Islands just as the sun was rising. They were caught up in a fascinating mating behaviour the two males were constantly moving around the female using their flippers to fend the other off. Wim Van Den Heever / Natural History Museum Wildlife photographer of the year One toy, three dogs - Highly Commended Bence Mate, Hungary. While adult African wild dogs are merciless killers, their pups are extremely cute and play all day long. Bence photographed these brothers in Mkuze, South Africa they all wanted to play with the leg of an impala and were trying to drag it in three different directions! Bence Mate / Natural History Museum Wildlife photographer of the year Clam Close-up - Shortlisted David Barrio, Spain. This macro-shot of an iridescent clam was taken in the Southern Red Sea, Marsa Alam, Egypt. These clams spend their lives embedded amongst stony corals, where they nest and grow. It took David some time to approach the clam, fearing it would sense his movements and snap shut! David Barrio / Natural History Museum Wildlife photographer of the year The Orphaned Beaver - Shortlisted Suzi Eszterhas, United States. A one-month-old orphaned North American beaver kit is held by a caretaker at the Sarvey Wildlife Care Center in Arlington, Washington. Luckily it was paired with a female beaver who took on the role of mother and they were later released into the wild. Suzi Eszterhas / Natural History Museum Wildlife photographer of the year Ice and Water - Shortlisted Audun Lie Dahl, Norway. The Brasvellbreen glacier moves southwards from one of the ice caps covering the Svalbard Archipelago, Norway. Where it meets the sea, the glacier wall is so high that only the waterfalls are visible, so Audun used a drone to capture this unique perspective Audun Lie Dahl / Natural History Museum Wildlife photographer of the year Teenager - Shortlisted Franco Banfi, Switzerland. Franco was free diving off Dominica in the Caribbean Sea when he witnessed this young male sperm whale trying to copulate with a female. Unfortunately for him her calf was always in the way and the frisky male had to continually chase off the troublesome calf. Franco Banfi / Natural History Museum Wildlife photographer of the year Resting Mountain Gorilla - Shortlisted David Lloyd. The baby gorilla clung to its mother whilst keeping a curious eye on David. He had been trekking in South Bwindi, Uganda, whenhe came across the whole family. Following them, they then stopped in a small clearing to relax and groom each other. David Lloyd / Natural History Museum Wildlife photographer of the year Painted Waterfall - Shorltisted Eduardo Blanco Mendizabal, Spain. When the sun beams through a hole in the rock at the foot of the La Foradada waterfall, Catalonia, Spain, it creates a beautiful pool of light. The rays appear to paint the spray of the waterfall and create a truly magical picture. Eduardo Blanco Mendizabal / Natural History Museum Wildlife photographer of the year The Extraction - Shortlisted Konstantin Shatenev, Russia. Every winter, hundreds of Steller's sea eagles migrate from Russia, to the relatively ice-free northeastern coast of Hokkaido, Japan. They hunt for fish among the ices floes and also scavenge, following the fishing boats to feed on any discards. Konstantin took his image from a boat as the eagles retrieved a dead fish thrown onto the ice. Konstantin Shatenev / Natural History Museum Wildlife photographer of the year Shy - Shortlisted Pedro Carrillo, Spain. The mesmerizing pattern of a beaded sand anemone beautifully frames a juvenile Clarkii clownfish in Lembehstrait, Sulawesi, Indonesia. Known as a 'nursery' anemone, it is often a temporary home for young clownfish until they find a more suitable host anemone for adulthood. Pedro Carrillo / Natural History Museum Wildlife photographer of the year Red, Silver and Black - Shortlisted TinMan Lee, USA. Tin was fortunate enough to be told about a fox den in Washington State, North America, which was home to a family of red, black and silver foxes. After days of waiting for good weather he was finally rewarded with this touching moment. Tin Man Lee / Natural History Museum Wildlife photographer of the year Isolated - Shortlisted Anna Henly, UK. Snapped from a helicopter, this isolated tree stands in a cultivated field on the edge of a tropical forest on Kauai, Hawaii. The manmade straight lines of the ploughed furrows are interrupted beautifully by natures more unruly wild pattern of tree branches. Anna Henly / Natural History Museum Wildlife photographer of the year Sound Asleep - Shortlisted Tony Wu, USA. This adult humpback whale balanced in mid-water, headon and sound asleep was photographed in Vavau, Kingdom of Tonga. The faint stream of bubbles, visible at the top, is coming from the whales two blowholes and was, in this instance, indicative of an extremely relaxed state. Tony Wu / Natural History Museum Wildlife photographer of the year All That Remains - Shortlisted Phil Jones, UK. A male orca had beached itself about a week before Phils visit to Sea Lion Island, Falkland Islands. Despite its huge size the shifting sands had almost covered the whole carcass and scavengers, such as this striated caracara, had started to move in. Phil Jones / Natural History Museum Wildlife photographer of the year Ambush - Shortlisted Federico Veronesi, Kenya. On a hot morning at the Chitake Springs, in Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe, Federico watched as an old lioness descended from the top of the riverbank. Shed been lying in wait to ambush any passing animals visiting a nearby waterhole further along the riverbed. Federico Veronesi / Natural History Museum Wildlife photographer of the year Gliding - Shortlisted Christian Vizl, Mexico. With conditions of perfect visibility and beautiful sunlight, Christian took this portrait of a nurse shark gliding through the ocean off the coast of Bimini in the Bahamas. Typically these sharks are found near sandy bottoms where they rest, so its rare to see them swimming. Christian Vizl / Natural History Museum Wildlife photographer of the year Otherworldly - Shortlisted A school of Munk's devil ray were feeding on plankton at night off the coast of Isla Espiritu Santo in Baja California, Mexico. Franco used the underwater lights from his boat and a long exposure to create this otherworldly image. Franco Banfi / Natural History Museum Wildlife photographer of the year The Bats Wake - Shortlisted Antonio Leiva Sanchez, Spain. After several months of field research into a little colony of greater mouse-eared bats in Sucs, Lleida, Spain, Antonio managed to capture this bat mid-flight. He used a technique of high speed photography with flashes combined with continuous light to create the wake. Antonio Leiva Sanchez / Natural History Museum Wildlife photographer of the year Under the Snow - Shortlisted Audren Morel, France. Unafraid of the snowy blizzard, this squirrel came to visit Audren as he was taking photographs of birds in the small Jura village of Les Fourgs, France. Impressed by the squirrels endurance, he made it the subject of the shoot. Audren Morel / Natural History Museum Wildlife photographer of the year Unique Bill - Shortlisted Rob Blanken, The Netherlands. The pied avocet has a unique and delicate bill, which it sweeps like a scythe, as it sifts for food in shallow brackish water. This stunning portrait was taken from a hide in the northern province of Friesland in The Netherlands. Rob Blanken / Natural History Museum Wildlife photographer of the year Family Portrait - Shortlisted Connor Stefanison, Canada. A great grey owl and her chicks sit in their nest in the broken top of a Douglas fir tree in Kamloops, Canada. They looked towards Connor only twice as he watched them during the nesting season from a tree hide 50 feet (15 metres) up. Connor Stefanison / Natural History Museum Wildlife photographer of the year A dog jumps to catch a disc during a dog frisbee competition in Poznan via REUTERS By 2070, there will be no suitable tiger habitats remaining in the Bangladesh Sundarbans, concluded the study by 10 researchers. The paper, which relies on climate scenarios developed by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change for its simulation models, adds to existing studies that offered similarly grim predictions for wildlife in the Sundarbans. In 2010, a study led by the World Wide Fund for Nature projected that a sea level rise of 11 inches could reduce the number of tigers in the Sundarbans by 96 per cent within a few decades. Climate change has harmed almost half of the worlds endangered mammals, far more than previously thought, a recent study found. Sharif A Mukul, lead author of the new report on the Sundarbans, and his colleagues looked for risks to the tiger beyond sea level rise, which accounted for 5.4 per cent to 11.3 per cent of the projected habitat loss in 2050 and 2070. Other factors related to climate change were more damaging to the Sundarbans tigers, one of the largest remaining populations of wild tigers in the world, the researchers found. Since the early 1900s, habitat loss, hunting and the illegal trade of animal parts have decimated the global population of tigers from around 100,000 to fewer than 4,000. In the Bangladesh Sundarbans, a spike in extreme weather events and changing vegetation will further reduce the population, the study found. And as the Sundarbans flood, confrontations may grow between humans and tigers as the animals stray outside their habitat in search of new land. A lot of things might happen, said Mr Mukul, an assistant professor of environmental management at Independent University, Bangladesh in Dhaka. The situation could be even worse if there is a cyclone or if there is some disease outbreak in that area, or if there is a food shortage. In October, a landmark report by the UNs scientific panel on climate change found that if greenhouse gas emissions continued at the current rate, the atmosphere would warm as much as 1.5C above preindustrial levels by 2040. That increase would have significant consequences for food chains, coral reefs and flood-prone areas. It may also disproportionally affect poorer, densely packed countries like Bangladesh, which is home to 160 million people. In an analysis of decades of tidal records, scientists found that high tides were rising much faster than the global average in Bangladesh, which sits in the Ganges Delta, a complex network of rivers and streams. Sugata Hazra, an oceanographer at Indias Jadavpur University, said there may be some loss of land in the Sundarbans, but his research suggested a less dramatic impact on tigers. Some steps have been taken to protect low-lying areas and the tigers living there, said Zahir Uddin Ahmed, an official with Bangladeshs forest department. Crops that can survive higher levels of water salinity are being introduced. The government has built storm surge walls. Sediment redistribution has also naturally raised the height of some islands, he said. Still, Prerna Singh Bindra, author of The Vanishing: Indias Wildlife Crisis, said tiger habitats would continue to shrink whether because of climate change or the development of industry and that good conservation options were hard to come by. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Simply moving Bengal tigers to another reserve, for instance, was not a viable solution, she said. Where do you put these tigers? Where is a suitable undisturbed habitat on this crowded planet? New York Times Teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg has said the message is clearly not getting through on climate change, the day after a major UN report revealed the devastating impact humans are continuing to have on the natural world. The 16-year-old from Sweden, who launched the school strike for climate change movement and who supported huge protests by the group Extinction Rebellion last month, has reiterated her call for governments to unite behind the science to bring a swift end to the emission of greenhouse gasses and destruction of ecosystems around the world. The report, by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), states that wild mammals have declined by 82 per cent, space for natural ecosystems has halved, and one million species are now at risk of extinction, all as a result of human action. The health of the ecosystems on which we and other species depend is deteriorating more rapidly than ever. We are eroding the very foundations of economies, livelihoods, food security, health and quality of life worldwide, said IPBES chairman Robert Watson. Reposting a video of herself talking last month, Ms Thunberg said action to tackle the immediate pollution issues needed to be taken before all economic questions can be fully answered. Greta Thunberg inspires climate activists everywhere: In pictures Show all 12 1 /12 Greta Thunberg inspires climate activists everywhere: In pictures Greta Thunberg inspires climate activists everywhere: In pictures In the protest that started a movement, Greta skips school to sit outside of the Swedish parliament in Stockholm in order to raise awareness of climate change on 28 August 2018 Getty Greta Thunberg inspires climate activists everywhere: In pictures Greta speaks at the World Economic Forum in Davos on 25 January AFP/Getty Greta Thunberg inspires climate activists everywhere: In pictures Greta stages a protest at the World Economic Forum in Davos on 25 January Reuters Greta Thunberg inspires climate activists everywhere: In pictures Greta speaks at the House of Commons in London on 23 April PA Greta Thunberg inspires climate activists everywhere: In pictures Greta addresses to the occupation at Marble Arch in London on 21 April AFP/Getty Greta Thunberg inspires climate activists everywhere: In pictures Greta meets the pope on a visit to Rome Reuters Greta Thunberg inspires climate activists everywhere: In pictures Greta speaks at the senate in Rome on 18 April Reuters Greta Thunberg inspires climate activists everywhere: In pictures Greta addresses a debate of the EU Environment, Public Health and Food Safety committee at the European Parliament in Strasbourg on 16 April AFP/Getty Greta Thunberg inspires climate activists everywhere: In pictures Greta receives the Special Climate Protection Award at the German Film and Television awards in Berlin on 30 March AFP/Getty Greta Thunberg inspires climate activists everywhere: In pictures Greta attends a children's climate protest in Berlin on 29 March AFP/Getty Greta Thunberg inspires climate activists everywhere: In pictures Greta addresses a children's climate protest on 1 March in Hamburg Getty Greta Thunberg inspires climate activists everywhere: In pictures Greta attends a meeting for the Civil Society For rEUnaissance at the EU Charlemagne Building in Brussels on 21 February AFP/Getty How do you solve the greatest crisis humanity has ever faced? How do you solve a war? Climate crisis is both the easiest and the hardest issue we have ever faced. The easiest because we know what me must do we must stop the emissions of greenhouse gases. The hardest because our current economics are still totally dependent on burning fossil fuels and thereby destroying the ecosystems in order to create everlasting economic growth. So exactly how do we solve that? You ask us the children school striking for the climate. And we say no one knows for sure but we have to stop burning fossil fuels and restore nature, and other things that we may have not quite figured out yet We have to start treating this crisis like a crisis even if we dont have all the solutions, and act, now. Ms Thunberg also criticised the lack of prominence the media has given to the 1,800-page report which is the product of three years collation of 15,000 reference materials, and is the most comprehensive assessment of humans impact on the natural world ever carried out. The message is clearly not getting through, Ms Thunberg wrote on Twitter. The science doesnt tell us what to do. It tells us what is needed to avoid tipping points that will lead to climate catastrophe. We children say: unite behind the science. We are only messengers. Prime minister Theresa May declined to meet Ms Thunberg when she visited the UK last month. Ms May has previously condemned the school strikes as disruption that wastes lesson time. But MPs backed a motion by Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn last week to declare an environment and climate emergency. The Commons proposal, which does not legally compel the government to act, was passed without a vote. The environment minister, Michael Gove, who did meet Ms Thunberg along with other politicians, acknowledged there was an emergency, but did not support Mr Corbyns motion to officially declare an emergency. A London council is growing a seven-mile long bee corridor of wildflowers in an effort to boost the numbers of pollinating insects this summer. Brent Council in north London is sowing 22 wildflower meadows in the boroughs parks and open spaces, which together will form 50,000sq m of new flowering spaces and stretch seven miles in length. The council said it believed the initiative to be the first of its kind in the capital. The authority said workers were ploughing plots that have been picked as meadow areas. Once the ground is ready, seeds including ragged robin, cowslip and common poppy are to be sown to encourage more visits from pollinating insects. Krupa Sheth, the councils lead member for environment, said: Bees and other insects are so important for pollinating the crops that provide the food that we eat. Dead bees scattered in pesticide protest Show all 9 1 /9 Dead bees scattered in pesticide protest Dead bees scattered in pesticide protest A beekeeper holds dead bees during a protest against the merger of Germany's pharmaceutical and chemical maker Bayer AG with U.S. seeds and agrochemicals company Monsanto Reuters Dead bees scattered in pesticide protest Bayer shareholders walk on a way full of dead bees as activists protest outside the annual stockholders' meeting of Bayer AG in Bonn, Germany EPA Dead bees scattered in pesticide protest Bayer shareholders walk on a way full of dead bees as activists protest outside the annual stockholders' meeting of Bayer AG in Bonn, Germany Reuters Dead bees scattered in pesticide protest A protester grabs from a pile of dead bees that were killed by pesticides Getty Dead bees scattered in pesticide protest Bayer shareholders walk on a way full of dead bees as activists protest outside the annual stockholders' meeting of Bayer AG in Bonn, Germany AFP/Getty Dead bees scattered in pesticide protest Protesters hold dead bees during a protest outside the annual stockholders' meeting of Bayer AG in Bonn, Germany Getty Dead bees scattered in pesticide protest Bayer shareholders walk on a way full of dead bees as activists protest outside the annual stockholders' meeting of Bayer AG in Bonn, Germany EPA Dead bees scattered in pesticide protest A protester holds dead bees during a protest outside the annual stockholders' meeting of Bayer AG in Bonn, Germany Getty Dead bees scattered in pesticide protest Bayer shareholders walk on a way full of dead bees as activists protest outside the annual stockholders' meeting of Bayer AG in Bonn, Germany Getty We must do all we can to help them to thrive. Im proud of Brents commitment to boost biodiversity in the borough and look forward to seeing the meadows in full bloom in just a few months time. Brent council announced its bee corridor plans just after a major UN report detailed the devastating impact humans are continuing to have on the natural world. The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) said wild mammals had declined by 82 per cent since 1980, space for natural ecosystems had halved, and one million species were now at risk of extinction as a result of human action. Cllr Krupa Sheth sowing wildflower seeds in the London Borough of Brent (Brent Council) Brent Council also cited a separate study published in the journal Nature last month, which showed a huge drop in the number of pollinating insects across the UK since the 1980s. The study indicated the loss of wild habitats had played a large part in this, with more than 97 per cent of the UKs wildflower meadows having disappeared since the Second World War. Many butterflies, bees, dragonflies and moths rely on these flowers to thrive. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Insect pollinators are vital for the maintenance of ecosystem health and for global food security. Insects are required to maintain the existence of 75 per cent of crop species, 35 per cent of global crop production and up to 88 per cent of flowering plant species. Nothing has changed. A month ago, EU leaders offered the UK a six-month extension of Article 50 after a debate that lasted into the small hours of the morning. Theresa May mercifully had no choice but to accept: yet she arrived back at No 10 with a deal that still appears unpassable, despite ongoing cross-party talks with Jeremy Corbyn. After the Easter break and local elections that proved fairly disastrous for both main parties, it remains potentially awkward for either side to end these talks, even though they seem to be going nowhere. The country is not far from entering a new Groundhog Brexit phase, with the start of each new day, week, or month marked by Theresa May scrambling journalists outside Downing Street to let them know she is getting on with the job at hand. Logic should dictate that paying significant attention to polling about the 2020 Democratic primaries almost nine months before they begin is folly. But if precedent is anything to go by, the current state of the polls can give some useful indications about how the general election could look next November. You just need to add the Donald Trump-mandated caveat that history was already upended in 2016. On Monday 6 May, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex welcomed the arrival of a son. The baby boy, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, is seventh in line to the throne, and Queen Elizabeth II's eight great-grandchild. Following the child's birth and debut to the world, many royal fans questioned whether he would obtain a royal title. On 17 May, Buckingham Palace released the babys birth certificate which revealed that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle appear not to have given their child a royal title. A close look at the document and you can see that contrary to his fathers official firstname and surname His Royal Highness Henry Charles David Duke of Sussex Archie Harrisons appears without any notion of earldom or dukedom. Royal baby: Reactions to the birth of Harry and Meghan's baby boy Show all 15 1 /15 Royal baby: Reactions to the birth of Harry and Meghan's baby boy Royal baby: Reactions to the birth of Harry and Meghan's baby boy Royal super fans John Loughery (centre) pops the cork on a bottle of champagne AFP/Getty Images Royal baby: Reactions to the birth of Harry and Meghan's baby boy A man dressed as a town crier outside Windsor Castle in Berkshire following the news PA Royal baby: Reactions to the birth of Harry and Meghan's baby boy Royal fans outside Windsor Castle in Berkshire after Buckingham Palace announced the news of the birth of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's new baby boy PA Royal baby: Reactions to the birth of Harry and Meghan's baby boy Prince Harry speaks to the media after Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, gave birth to a baby boy Reuters Royal baby: Reactions to the birth of Harry and Meghan's baby boy Royal super fan Anne Daley poses with baby-themed balloons near Windsor Castle AFP/Getty Royal baby: Reactions to the birth of Harry and Meghan's baby boy AFP/Getty Images Royal baby: Reactions to the birth of Harry and Meghan's baby boy A notice placed on an easel in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace in London to formally announcing the birth PA Royal baby: Reactions to the birth of Harry and Meghan's baby boy AFP/Getty Images Royal baby: Reactions to the birth of Harry and Meghan's baby boy Royal fans celebrate outside Windsor Castle PA Royal baby: Reactions to the birth of Harry and Meghan's baby boy AFP/Getty Images Royal baby: Reactions to the birth of Harry and Meghan's baby boy PA Royal baby: Reactions to the birth of Harry and Meghan's baby boy A man makes an announcement outside Windsor Castle Reuters Royal baby: Reactions to the birth of Harry and Meghan's baby boy Royal fan Skye London celebrates the birth of Prince Harry's son AFP/Getty Royal baby: Reactions to the birth of Harry and Meghan's baby boy Royal super fans John Loughery (left) and Anne Daley pose with Union flags and baby-themed balloons AFP/Getty Images Royal baby: Reactions to the birth of Harry and Meghan's baby boy EPA Whether or not the royal couple want their son to have a royal title in future, similar to those of his first cousins Prince George, Prince Louis, and Princess Charlotte, the Sussex's son won't receive a royal title unless granted one by the Queen. In 1917, King George V passed a Letters Patent, which stated that "...the grandchildren of the sons of any such Sovereign in the direct male line (save only the eldest living son of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales shall have and only enjoy in all occasions the style and title enjoyed by the children of Dukes of these Our Realms". This means that Prince Harry and Meghan's son will likely not become a prince or known as "His Royal Highness", and may instead be known as Lord (forename) Mountbatten-Windsor. The royal couple may choose to forego a title for their son altogether, in which case he may be known as Master (first name) Mountbatten-Windsor. However, the Queen could issue a new Letters Patent to change this, as she did for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's children. Recommended Latest updates on the royal baby In December 2012, the Queen issued a Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the Realm declaring all the children of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales should have and enjoy the style, title and attribute of royal highness with the titular dignity of Prince or Princess prefixed to their Christian names or with such other titles of honour. This explains why Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis all have HRH titles. Another title that the Sussex's baby may receive bears links with an ancient Scottish kingdom. On the day of the royal wedding in May 2018, one of the subsidiary titles Prince Harry was bestowed by the Queen was Earl of Dumbarton. As the son of a duke, the baby is entitled to be known as this title. Before Prince Harry was granted the title by his grandmother, it had not been used for more than 260 years. Infographic created by Statista The town of Dumbarton in Scotland, founded in the fifth century, was once the capital of the ancient Kingdom of Strathclyde. According to Historic Environment Scotland, Dumbarton Castle in the region was a "mighty stronghold in the Dark Ages". Legend dictates that the fort was visited by the wizard Merlin, from Arthurian legend, in the sixth century. For all the latest news on the royal baby, visit The Independent's live blog here. A single day of sunscreen wear could be enough for some of the chemicals in the product to enter the bloodstream, according to a new study by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Researchers found that chemicals leach into the body and reach levels high enough to warrant further investigation, as the effects are currently unknown. The study was published on 6 May in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), and found that the chemical concentration continued to rise during prolonged daily use, and remained in the body for at least 24 hours. The four chemicals in question are avobenzone, oxybenzone, ecamsule and octocrylene. The FDA recently listed them in a series of ingredients commonly found in sunscreen which it believes requires further testing before they can be "regarded as safe and effective". Results show that after just one day of sunscreen use the concentration of these chemicals in the bloodstream exceeds 0.5 nanograms per milliliter, which is the safety threshold set by the FDA set in 2016. 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 However, experts are adamant that this must not be taken as a reason to stop using sunscreen, which is crucial in avoiding serious damage caused by exposure to UV rays. In an editorial accompanying the research, former FDA Chairman Dr Robert Califf reinforced the fact that there is no evidence to suggest the ingredients are unsafe. Dr Anjali Mahto, a dermatologist consultant at the Cadogan Clinic and author of The Skincare Bible, expressed concern about the potential impact of a study like this, and pointed out that it was conducted on only 24 people. Researchers asked the participants to apply two milligrams of sunscreen per square centimeter (0.2 square inches) of skin to 75 per cent of their body four times a day, and stayed indoors throughout the research. Dr Mahto and other experts have expressed concerns that this does not mimic real-world behaviour. Recommended 10 best body sunscreens for SPF and UV protection that lasts She tells The Independent: Even if the sunscreen is found in the blood it tells us nothing about whether this has dangerous health effects. Weve been using chemical sunscreens for years without any real reported issues to general health if we look at epidemiological data. She also stated that skin cancer is a real risk for those who are exposed to the sun without protection. She says: We know that reducing the risk of sunburns is important to prevent skin cancer and sunscreen along with other healthy behaviours in the sun such as covering up with clothing, shade seeking, staying out of the sun in peak daylight hours, hats and sunglasses are hugely important. The results of the study could also reinforce a general fear of chemicals which is becoming more and more popular among younger consumers, warns Dr Mahto. Melanoma a type of cancer which usually occurs in the skin and can be caused by sun exposure is the fifth most common cancer in the UK, with around 15,400 new cases every year. A reset, is how Purplebricks described this mornings announcement of the resignation of founder and CEO Michael Bruce together with an exit from Australia and the launch of a strategic review of its US business. The property disruptor charges a flat fee to people looking to sell their homes rather than working on commission like traditional estate agents. The catch is that the customer has to pay the fee regardless of whether their property is sold or not. The model has nonetheless rapidly gained traction in the UK, and the companys successful marketing recently got it named on one of those super brand lists people like to put out. But theres nothing super about the way it has performed as an investment. Purplebricks joined the stock market at a quid in 2015 and backers were richly rewarded in the early days. The stock was touching a fiver within 18 months as investors got stars in their eyes over the plans by Bruce and his team to take the brand global. But the shares hit a bump in the road when stockbroker Jeffries last year issued a sharply critical research note, questioning the companys sales success rates, and describing selling with it as a 1,000 coin toss, a reference to the fees which top that in London post codes. The broker argued the model hadnt been sufficiently tested and claimed that the shares were priced for perfection. The latter part of that has proved prescient given the less than perfect performance the company has put in. Chairman Paul Pindar issued what can only be described as a grovelling apology to its investors in the latest update. We are very conscious that the groups performance has been disappointing over the last 12 months and we sincerely apologise to shareholders for that, he said. However, Purplebricks denies that there is any problem with the model per se. Pindar rather put the blame for the companys issues on trying to go global too fast and making some bad investments, or, as he put it, we have also made sub-optimal decisions in allocating capital. Business news: In pictures Show all 13 1 /13 Business news: In pictures Business news: In pictures Flybe collapses Airline Flybe has collapsed. All future flights on the Exeter-based airline have been cancelled leaving more than 2,300 staff facing an uncertain future, and wrecking the travel plans of hundreds of thousands of passengers. The chief executive, Mark Anderson, said: Europes largest independent regional airline has been unable to overcome significant funding challenges to its business. AFP via Getty Business news: In pictures Future product placement will be 'tailored to individual viewers' Marketing executives say that product placement in films and televison shows on streaming services such as Netflix may be tailored to individuals in future. For instance, if data shows that a viewer is a fan of pepsi, a billboard in the background of a shot would host an advert for pepsi, while for a viewer known to have different tastes it could be for Coca-Cola Paramount Business news: In pictures Corbyn wishes Amazon a happy birthday In a card sent to Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos on the company's 25th birthday, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn writes: "You owe the British people millions in taxes that pay for the public services that we all rely on. Please pay your fair share" Business news: In pictures No deal, no tariffs The government has announced that it would slash almost all tariffs in the event of a no-deal Brexit. Notable exceptions include cars and meat, which will see tariffs in place to protect British farmers Getty Business news: In pictures Fingerprint payment NatWest is trialling a new bank card that will allow people to touch their hand to the card when paying rather than typing in a PIN number. The card will work by recognising the user's fingerprint NatWest/PA Wire Business news: In pictures Mahabis bust High-end slipper retailer Mahabis has gone into administration. 2 Jan 2019 Mahabis Business news: In pictures Costa Cola Coca-Cola has paid 3.9bn for Costa Coffee. A cafe chain is a new venture for the global soft drinks giant PA Business news: In pictures RIP Payday Loans A funeral procession for payday loans was held in London on September 2. The future of pay day lenders is in doubt after Wonga, Britain's biggest, went into administration on August 30 PA Business news: In pictures Musk irks investors and directors Elon Musk has concluded that Tesla will remain public. Investors and company directors were angry at Musk for tweeting unexpectedly that he was considering taking Tesla private and share prices had taken a tumble in the following weeks Getty Business news: In pictures Jaguar warning Iconic British car maker Jaguar Land Rover warned on July 5, 2018 that a "bad" Brexit deal could jeopardise planned investment of more than $100 billion, upping corporate pressure as the government heads into crucial talks AFP/Getty Business news: In pictures Spotif-IPO Spotify traded publically for the first time on the New York Stock Exchange on Tuesday. However, the company isn't issuing shares, but rather, shares held by Spotify's private investors will be sold AFP/Getty Business news: In pictures French blue passports The deadline to award a contract to make blue British passports after Brexit has been extended by two weeks following a request by bidder De La Rue. The move comes after anger at the announcement British passports would be produced by Franco-Dutch firm Gemalto when De La Rues contract ends in July. The British firm said Gemalto was chosen only because it undercut the competition, but the UK company also admitted that it was not the cheapest choice in the tendering process. Business news: In pictures Beast from the east economic impact The Beast from the East wiped 4m off of Flybes revenues due to flight cancellations, airport closures and delays, according to the budget airlines estimates. Flybe said it cancelled 994 flights in the three months to 31 March, compared to 372 in the same period last year. Its an all too familiar story for companies of this type. Purplebricks says the success of its Canadian and UK businesses, despite the tough market in the latter, demonstrate that the model remains sound. It may still continue trying to make a go of the US on a more cost effective basis under new CEO Vic Darvey, an alumnus of Moneysupermarket where he was MD, once the review has been completed But Darvey and co have still been left with a lot to prove if this super brand isnt to be seen as a super bust. Porsche has been fined 535m (458m) for cheating diesel emissions tests. Public prosecutors in Stuttgart levied the fine after finding negligent breaches of supervisory duties at the company, which is owned by Volkswagen. Porsche has not filed an appeal against the fine notice. The luxury carmaker said in a statement: Concluding the proceedings is another important step towards ending the diesel topic. Last year Porsche announced that it would stop making diesel-engined cars to focus on petrol models. Recommended Porsche warns UK customers of 10 per cent price rise after Brexit Diesel engines have been at the centre of a global scandal engulfing several of the car industrys biggest names. VW, Audi and Nissan are among companies that have admitted manipulating tests to make vehicles appear less polluting than they were. Exhaust fumes from diesel engines contain nitrogen oxide and other harmful particulates known to trigger and exacerbate a range of health conditions. BMW announced on Monday that its profits would be 74 per cent lower as it set aside 1.6bn for fines and legal costs relating to emissions test cheating. Last week, VW said the diesel diesel scandal had now cost it 30bn. The German carmakers chief financial officer revealed the figure alongside a 10 per cent fall in quarterly profits. The group set aside a further 1bn to cover legal costs associated with the scandal, which was first revealed in 2015. After-tax profit fell to 3bn from 3.3bn in the same quarter a year ago. Group revenues revenue rose 3.1 per cent to 60bn as sales volumes fell but profit margins rose. Selfridges has become the first major retailer to remove palm oil from all of its own-brand food products, completing the phase-out nine months ahead of schedule. The upmarket department store said 300 products in its Selfridges Selection range are now free of palm oil which has been replaced with alternatives derived from rapeseed, soybean and sunflowers. Palm oil is found in around half of all supermarket products, from cakes and biscuits to toiletries. It is cheap and versatile but has been linked to widespread deforestation, particularly in Indonesia and Malaysia. Destruction of habitats to make way for palm oil plantations threatens hundreds of animal species including the orangutan. Palm oil producers 'misled' over green claims Show all 3 1 /3 Palm oil producers 'misled' over green claims Palm oil producers 'misled' over green claims 169016.bin Greenpeace Palm oil producers 'misled' over green claims 169015.bin Greenpeace Palm oil producers 'misled' over green claims 169017.bin Getty Images Selfridges managing director Simon Forster said: Were committed to buying better to inspire change, and the removal of palm oil from our Selfridges Selection range is the latest demonstration of this approach, We believe that until certified palm oil guarantees zero deforestation, our customers should be given the option to buy palm oil-free products. Our expectation is that all brands we work with are aware of and actively engaging with the issues surrounding palm oil and deforestation. Consumers have become increasingly aware of the devastation linked to palm oil, prompting retailers to seek to reduce their usage of the commodity, but so far progress has been limited. Last year, Iceland attracted attention by becoming the first UK supermarket to commit to removing palm oil from all of its own-brand lines. Iceland said it would achieve its goal by the end of 2018 but in January it emerged that 28 own-brand products containing palm oil were still on sale and the company had removed its label form 17 other lines. Around 600 branded products containing palm oil were still available at Iceland, the BBC found. Nestle, the worlds biggest food manufacturer, attracted firm criticism from environmental groups over claims made last week that 77 per cent of the commodities used in its products were deforestation-free. Richard George, Head of Forests at Greenpeace UK said the claim wholly contradicts very recent discussions that Greenpeace had with Nestle. We know Nestle continues to trade with some of the worlds guiltiest suppliers when it comes to deforestation for palm oil, soya and cocoa, Mr George said. Without further explanation, we can only conclude that this is a blatant and embarrassing attempt by the company to deceive its customers and absolve all responsibility for its contribution to the destruction of the worlds forests. The long, strange fever of the death penalty is starting to break with the American people. In 2018, 25 people were executed, down from a high of 98 in 1999. The new governor of California, Gavin Newsom, placed a moratorium on executions, with the largest death row in the nation housing an astonishing 737 prisoners. Even conservatives have started to abandon the death penalty as wasteful and inefficient, requiring longer and more costly trials and decades-long post-conviction proceedings. Life in prison turns out to be a lot cheaper. An occasional conservative channels his anxiety over government competence into concerns that the state cant be trusted to get it right: rigorous studies show an innocence rate of those on death row of approximately four per cent. Mohammed Mikdad used to spend his Friday afternoons at the fence that runs along Gazas border, taking part in weekly demonstrations against Israel. They were fun, he says, and he didnt have much else to do. But after being shot in the leg by an Israeli sniper in May, Mikdad, 35, has spent recent Fridays begging outside the local mosque, unable to continue his work as a doorman and struggling to support six children and service his debts. We hoped it might make a little change. Later, I discovered it was worthless, he says, his leg secured in a metal apparatus that he adjusts every six hours to help mend his shattered bone. Mohammed Mikdad adjusts his leg brace every six hours to help mend his shattered leg (Loay Ayyoub for The Washington Post) Every week for the past year, Palestinians have massed at the fence to demonstrate in the March of Return. For Hamas, the militant group that controls Gaza, the protests have become a tool to pressure Israel into softening restrictions on the enclave, with limited success. The tangible rewards for Gazas 2 million residents have been modest. Hamas secured a temporary deal under which Israel allowed the injection of Qatari funding into the territory to pay for salaries and fuel. Youth unemployment, however, stands at 65 per cent, poverty is widespread and disillusionment with both the demonstrations and Hamas is growing among a population who have paid with their blood. We have achieved something, but its not a lot and it is much less than expected, says Basim Naim, who heads Hamass international relations office. If we compare the achievement to the price, weve paid a very high price. If we compare the achievement to the price, weve paid a very high price Basim Naim, head of Hamass international relations office Since the demonstrations began last year, 256 Palestinians have been killed, including 49 under the age of 18, according to health authorities in Gaza, the majority shot by Israeli sharpshooters. An additional 6,850 have suffered gunshot wounds more than 130 people each week on average. Israeli officials have said lethal force is necessary to protect the fence and prevent Palestinians from potentially attacking Israeli communities on the other side. Israel accuses Hamas, which the United States and Israel consider a terrorist group, of using demonstrations as a cover for attacks. Desperate to deliver better living conditions and deflect mounting frustrations, Hamas has again tried to ramp up pressure on Israel in recent months, analysts say. The Palestinians have sent more than a dozen incendiary balloons across the border into Israel, an activity Hamas had agreed to stop. A rocket, which the Israeli military says was launched by Hamas, struck a house near Tel Aviv in March, triggering Israeli airstrikes on Gaza and more rocket volleys from the enclave. The hostilities highlighted the potential for violent escalation ahead of Israels elections. For Hamas, the protests have produced some room to breathe. A year ago, analysts speculated that if Hamas felt compelled to divert the building pressure it faced in Gaza, it could spark a new war with Israel. The situation in January 2018 was very, very dangerous and explosive, says Naim. There were three scenarios: either to explode externally, with escalation and a new war with the Israelis; accepting the situation, which Ive always described as dying in silence; or the third scenario, which we explode internally. Over the past year, in an effort to squeeze its rival Hamas, the Palestinian Authority axed the pay of thousands of salaried workers in Gaza, draining millions from the economy and adding to the misery caused by more than a decade of tight Israeli restrictions on the movement of people and goods in and out of the territory. Mikdad had been a soldier for the Palestinian Authority, controlled by the Fatah party, before it was ousted from power in Gaza when Hamas won elections in 2007. He saw his pay drop from 420 a month to 290. Mahmoud Abbas, who heads the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority, also cut payments for electricity in Gaza, which resulted in extensive power outages and put its sewage-treatment plant out of operation. Raw sewage flowed into the sea. Mikdad's wife is his sole caregiver and helps him with his daily tasks (Loay Ayyoub for The Washington Post) In the meantime, Israel tightened restrictions and, among other things, drastically reduced permits for businesspeople to enter and leave Gaza. So when young activists began to rally around the idea of demonstrations at the fence, Hamas ran with it. Naim says young people need to be reminded of the root of their problems: Israel. Hamas officials say the protests succeeded in putting the Palestinian issue back on centre stage. They also contributed to the temporary deal, under which Qatar provided 7.5m for salaries, 7.5m for the power station and 3.8m for a cash-for-work project. Israel has extended Palestinian fishing rights, and Egypt has opened its border crossing for Gazans to leave the enclave. It doesnt solve the problem; its a painkiller, Mkhaimar Abusada, a political science professor at Gazas al-Azhar University, says of the deal. Egypt is trying to broker a deal with Israel that would allowing funding for water and electricity-infrastructure projects in exchange for calm, but the efforts by Egypt to broker a longer-term understanding have stalled. Patience in Gaza is running thin, says Abusada. In recent weeks, Palestinian protests have broken out on the streets, this time against Hamas. The group has brutally suppressed demonstrators, using live ammunition and beating them with batons. Rights groups estimate that about 150 people have been injured, and detainees number in the hundreds. Journalists covering the demonstrations also were beaten, arrested and had their equipment seized. I think this is a litmus paper to understand how nervous Hamas is, says retired Israeli colonel Michael Milstein, who served as an adviser on Palestinian affairs with the Israeli army. This popular discontent is the only release the group has, he says, which makes it improbable that Hamas will be able to wind down the demonstrations along the fence. The human toll is already overwhelming Gaza. The Palestinian people, more and more, dont want to be fuel for an Israel-Hamas escalation, says Abusada. We lost so many young Palestinians that we have a discussion within our own community that enough is enough. Many injured dont get the medical care they need, they end up in a miserable situation. Gazas overstretched health services have been unable to care for the vast numbers who have suffered gunshot wounds. Many required multiple surgeries. Doctors Without Borders says it has treated more than 4,000 gunshot wounds over the past year in five clinics. Outside, young men with bandaged legs and crutches sit on the street. Theres a shortage of beds. The capacity to absorb more patients like this is more than challenging, says Carla Melki, the organisations field coordinator for Gaza. Theres a shortage of beds. The capacity to absorb more patients like this is more than challenging Carla Melki, field coordinator for Doctors Without Borders in Gaza Mohammed Abu Sharar, 22, was injured on 30 March, 2018. He says he was hit by a bullet about three minutes after arriving on the scene by bike just to look. Hes had 17 surgeries. Its pointless now to regret, he says, his leg in a metal apparatus. A United Nations commission of inquiry concluded last month that Israeli forces may have committed war crimes by opening fire on protesters, most of whom were unarmed and posed no immediate threat of death or serious injury to the soldiers when shot. It says 183 Palestinians were killed in the first nine months of the demonstrations. The commissions findings were rejected by Israel, which says its investigating 11 deaths on the border. Although the Israeli military has not fully disclosed its rules of engagement, officials say that the use of live ammunition can be warranted when protesters endanger the fence. Israel now faces two bad options, says Milstein. The first is to broker a cease-fire deal with Hamas and help to stabilise Gaza, but that could strengthen Hamas. The second is to maintain or tighten restrictions on the territory, which could bring about the collapse of Hamas and leave Israel with the burden of taking care of 2 million Gazans, he says. While Israel and Hamas have been trying to avoid an escalation into all-out war, that doesnt mean it wont happen, he added. The dynamic of everyday clashes and the Hamas attempt to channel its internal problems towards Israel, this can be a recipe for escalation, without plan or enthusiasm, Milstein says. The two sides moved dangerously close to war in recent months after the rocket from Gaza slammed into a house in central Israel, injuring seven people and forcing Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu to cut short a visit to the United States. Hamas called for a march of a million to mark the anniversary of the protests. But the demonstrations, which have continued weekly, have lost the sense of hope and excitement of the early days when they drew a range of Gaza residents. Still, each week, thousands of Palestinians go to the fence, including 18-year-old Mohammed Bourdaini, who comes despite having been injured four times. He was wounded in the face on the first Friday by shrapnel. On the fourth Friday, a bullet cut clean through his arm. Shrapnel nearly took out his eye the third time. Last time, a bullet hit his leg. Despite his injury, Mohammed Bourdaini continues to protest at the border (Loay Ayyoub for The Washington Post) On a recent Friday, he made his way back from the border on crutches, a slingshot around his neck. His cousin, who was also shot in the leg, limped along beside him. The confrontation has taken a toll on their family: eight members have been wounded over the past year. Its achieved nothing, says his uncle, who was injured by bullet fragments to the chest. Bourdainis father was also shot two weeks ago a bullet cut through both of his legs. Resting in a bed he cannot leave, he says, The only thing I can find is that it made people pay attention. Washington Post Pamela Anderson has visited WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange in prison, wrapped in a grey blanket emblazoned with words including free speech. The former Baywatch star is Assanges first visitor since he was sent to Belmarsh prison in southeast London, other than one of his lawyers. She was accompanied by WikiLeaks editor Kristinn Hrafnsson. Speaking to reporters after the visit, Ms Anderson said it was very difficult to see Assange in prison. He does not deserve to be in a supermax prison. He has never committed a violent act. He is an innocent person, she said. She said that Assange has no access to information, is really cut off from everybody and has not been able to speak to his children. Anderson says Assange does not deserve to be in a supermax prison (PA) He is a good man, he is an incredible person. I love him, I cant imagine what he has been going through, Ms Anderson added. It was great to see him, but this is just misrule of law in operation. It is an absolute shock that he has not been able to get out of his cell. It is going to be a long fight and he deserves our support. He needs our support, so whatever anyone can do maybe write to him, encourage him. We just have to keep fighting, because it is unfair. He has sacrificed so much to bring the truth out and we deserve the truth. Key moments for Julian Assange Show all 9 1 /9 Key moments for Julian Assange Key moments for Julian Assange The situation today Assange was arrested after Metropolitan Police officers were invited into the Ecuadorian embassy on April 11 2019. How did it come to this? Ruptly TV Key moments for Julian Assange The break Assange shows the front page of the Guardian on July 26 2010, the day that they broke the story of the thousands of military files leaked by WikiLeaks AFP/Getty Key moments for Julian Assange Wanted A warrant for Assange's arrest was issued in August 2010 for counts of rape and molestation in Sweden AFP/Getty Key moments for Julian Assange Ruling The UK's Supreme Court ruled in 2012 that Assange should be extradited to Sweden to face trial Getty Key moments for Julian Assange Sanctuary Following the ruling, Assange was given asylum by the Ecuadorian governement over fears that his human rights would be violated if he were extradited, he has since remained in the embassy in London Getty Key moments for Julian Assange A friend in Pam Friend Pamela Anderson delivers lunch to Assange at the embassy in October 2016. She has since spoken against his arrest Getty Key moments for Julian Assange Arbitrarily detained A UN panel found in 2016 that Assange had been arbitrarily detained and that he had not been able to claim his full right to asylum. It urged Sweden to withdraw the charges against him Getty Key moments for Julian Assange The cat ultimatum Last year, the Ecuadorian embassy threatened to revoke Assange's internet access unless he stopped making political statements online and started taking better care of James, his pet cat. Assange accused Ecuador of violating his rights Reuters Key moments for Julian Assange Arrest Assange was arrested on April 11 2019. Ecuador revoked his asylum status and invited the Metropolitan Police in to the embassy to arrest him. Reuters Ms Anderson met Assange on several occasions when he lived at the Ecuadorian embassy in London. Assange was dragged out of the embassy last month and has been sentenced to 50 weeks in prison for a bail violation. He is fighting extradition to the US where he is wanted for questioning over the activities of WikiLeaks. Mr Hrafnsson said Assange is in general solitary confinement because he mostly spends 23 hours a day in his cell, adding that the situation was unacceptable. Recommended Pamela Anderson concerned for Julian Assange health in embassy visit Speaking after a court hearing last week, he said: We are worried about Julian Assange. We are hearing that the situation in Belmarsh prison is appalling because of austerity and cutbacks. For the last weeks since he was arrested, he has spent 23 out of 24 hours a day in his cell most of the time. That is what we call in general terms solitary confinement. Thats unacceptable. That applies to most of the prisoners in that appalling facility. It is unacceptable that a publisher is spending time in that prison. UN rights experts have voiced concern about the disproportionate sentence given to the WikiLeaks founder as well as his detention in a high-security prison. The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention said in a statement last week it was deeply concerned about the sentence imposed on Assange. The Working Group is of the view that violating bail is a minor violation that, in the United Kingdom, carries a maximum sentence of 12 months in prison. It is worth recalling that the detention and the subsequent bail of Mr Assange in the UK were connected to preliminary investigations initiated in 2010 by a prosecutor in Sweden. It is equally worth noting that that prosecutor did not press any charges against Mr Assange and that in 2017, after interviewing him in the Ecuadorian embassy in London, she discontinued investigations and brought an end to the case. The working group is further concerned that Mr Assange has been detained since 11 April 2019 in Belmarsh prison, a high-security prison, as if he were convicted for a serious criminal offence. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events This treatment appears to contravene the principles of necessity and proportionality envisaged by the human rights standards. The working group has previously stated that Assange was arbitrarily detained in the Ecuadorian embassy and should have had his liberty restored. PA Close Inquest into the London Bridge and Borough Market terror attack begins at the Old Bailey An Australian nurse was stabbed to death by terrorists after she ran to help another victim of the London Bridge attack, an inquest has heard. Relatives of 28-year-old Kirsty Boden said they were "in awe of her bravery" in the June 2017 atrocity, when she was one of eight people killed. The Old Bailey heard she was inside a restaurant with friends when she heard what she believed to be an accidental car crash, and went to investigate. But Ms Boden was unwittingly walking into the path of three Isis-inspired terrorists, who had mowed down pedestrians on London Bridge before crashing their van and launching a knife rampage. The court was shown CCTV of Ms Boden motioning to her friends to stay back before seeing victim Alexandre Pigeard bleeding on the ground. Crowds gather for vigil honouring victims of London Bridge attack Show all 8 1 /8 Crowds gather for vigil honouring victims of London Bridge attack Crowds gather for vigil honouring victims of London Bridge attack John Loughrey lays down flowers in Potters Fields Park, central London in honour of the London Bridge terror attack victims PA Crowds gather for vigil honouring victims of London Bridge attack People queue to lay flowers after a vigil for victims of Saturday's attack in London Bridge, at Potter's Field Park in London AP Crowds gather for vigil honouring victims of London Bridge attack Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan (centre) British Home Office Secretary, Amber Rudd (right) and British Shadow Labour Home Secretary (left) Diane Abbott arrive with flowers EPA Crowds gather for vigil honouring victims of London Bridge attack PA Crowds gather for vigil honouring victims of London Bridge attack Floral tributes left for victims of Saturdays London Bridge attack AP Crowds gather for vigil honouring victims of London Bridge attack People pay their respects, leaving floral tributes after a vigil for victims of Saturdays attack in London Bridge AP Crowds gather for vigil honouring victims of London Bridge attack People queue to honour those killed on Saturday. Police have arrested several people and are widening their investigation after the attack AP Crowds gather for vigil honouring victims of London Bridge attack Tributes lie outside City Hall in London EPA The nurse bent down to help when she was subjected to a sustained attack, running into an alleyway before collapsing and dying of her injuries. Her British partner, James Hodder, told the court: "Her actions on that night didn't surprise anyone who knew her. To Kirsty it would not have seemed brave. She loved people and loved her life helping others. To Kirsty, her actions that night would have been an extension of how she lived her life. We are so unspeakably proud of her. At the time she was stabbed to death, Ms Boden was working as a senior staff nurse at Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital in central London. Her father, Ken Boden, said: "We miss Kirsty every second of the day. There is a hole in our hearts that will never heal." The other victims killed were Christine Archibald, 30, Xavier Thomas, 45, Mr Pigeard, 26, Sara Zelenak, 21, Sebastien Belanger, 36, James McMullan, 32, and Ignacio Echeverria, 39. A total of 48 other people were seriously injured in what chief coroner Mark Lucraft called 10 minutes of high and terrible drama. Spanish financial crime analyst Mr Echeverria hit the terrorists with a skateboard to save a woman's life before he was stabbed to death, the court heard. Her family said Kirsty was 'loved and adored by her family, friends and boyfriend' The man Ms Boden tried to help, Mr Pigeard, was murdered while rushing to see if he could help victims of what he believed to be an accidental crash. French chef Sebastien Belanger, 36, had been drinking at Boro Bistro and was cornered by all three of the attackers but bravely fought back before being stabbed to death. Another Frenchman, 45-year-old Xavier Thomas, became the first victim of the attack when he was struck by the terrorists' van and thrown into the River Thames. The father-of-two was walking with his girlfriend Christine Delcros on the first day of their holiday in London, and called his teenage son seconds before being killed. The van repeatedly mounted the pavement on London Bridge, killing the second victim as she walked alongside her fiance. The court heard that Canadian social worker Christine Archibald, 30, had kissed her husband-to-be and told him I love you moments before being killed. Her fiance, Tyler Ferguson, said they were very much looking forward to spending the rest of their lives together and starting a family. (Metropolitan Police/PA) (PA) Australian au pair Sara Zelenak was on a trip of a lifetime when she was knifed to death while on a night out with a friend nearby, her family said. And dual British-Filipino national James McMullan, 32, had been celebrating getting financial backing for his online education company when he was murdered. The 32-year-old been watching the football match with friends in The Barrowboy and Banker pub when he went outside for a cigarette and was caught in the attack. Their attackers, Khuram Butt, 27, Rachid Redouane, 30, and Youssef Zaghba, 22, were shot dead by police at the scene. The court heard that the terrorists had taped 12ins ceramic kitchen knives to their wrists and were wearing fake suicide vests. Their deaths will be examined before a jury, in separate inquests coming after an estimated eight weeks of hearings for their victims. Please allow a moment for the live blog to load Support for womens rights has soared in the wake of Lyra McKees death as her legacy lives on, a friend of the murdered journalist has said. Ms McKee, a 29-year-old Northern Irish journalist who was also an active campaigner for LGBT+ rights, died after she was shot in the head while covering riots in Derry in Northern Ireland. Claire Allan, a friend of Ms McKee, said she hoped the tragedy would spur Northern Ireland to legalise same-sex marriage in her honour. She said her partner was the love of her life," Ms Allan, a Northern Irish novelist, told The Independent. "On more than one occasion, she said she had found her happy ever after. She would do whatever for her partner Sarah. She said she had found her Derry girl. But due to the laws here, Lyra and Sarah could not get married. Can Lyras legacy be to legalise same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland? Why should she not be able to call her partner her wife at this stage? They were so in love and so happy, why would anybody object to that? Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots Show all 21 1 /21 Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots A burning car in Creggan, Derry after petrol bombs were thrown at police during riots in Northern Ireland PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots Armed police at the scene of unrest PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots Petrol bombs being thrown at police PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots Belfast Journalist Lyra McKee was killed during the riots. Police Service of Northern Ireland said that McKee was allegedly shot while reporting on clashes with dissident republican rioters EPA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots The scene on Fanad Drive the following day PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots PA She continued: Lyra was a big womens rights campaigner. She was pro-choice and in favour of the decriminalisation of abortion. There is a strong climate for change here generally. I feel it. I feel that people really crave it. There are the biggest numbers at rallies I have seen in 20 years. There is a real sense of enough is enough. It would be nice to have the politicians listen. We have to hope things will change. Northern Ireland has a ban on abortions in almost all cases even rape or incest. Abortion is only permitted when there is a risk to the life of the mother, or a serious risk to her physical or mental health. Twelve abortions were carried out in Northern Ireland last year, official statistics show. Amnesty International is calling for liberalisation of the stringent rules saying more than 900 women travelled to England and Wales for the procedure during the same period. Ms Allan, who said she had been left devastated by Ms McKees death, said her friend had been progressive from a very young age and had also been a determined campaigner for mental health issues. She also previously reported on the removal of funding for a rape crisis centre. The Derry-born author said she hopes Ms McKees killers are convicted but added that it is hard to determine whether or not they will be identified. The area where she was shot is not very supportive of police so the fact so many people have come forward is heartening, Ms Allan added. Not only the person who pulled the trigger needs to be punished but also whoever put the gun in the hand of the person and also the people radicalising young people in the area. Ms Allan, who is a former reporter herself, said she did not initially cry when she heard what had happened because she was in shock. Recommended The writing is on the wall in Derry for those who killed Lyra McKee She added: But I have cried on a number of occasions since. I have spoken to Sarah her partner a couple of times and what has really got to me is her bravery and stoicism. Her world has completely fallen apart but she is trying to be as positive as she can be. Lyra was so young and it seems like a complete waste of talent. It is still so fresh and raw. We cant get our heads round it in Derry yet, despite wall to wall coverage. She was one of the good ones. It is just so senseless. It was really shocking that somebody had died in Derry. It is a nice peaceful positive place to live as opposed to when I was growing up. You do not expect anything like this to happen any more. Ms Allan, who said Ms McKee had been passionate about getting people into journalism from the ground up, said journalists she knew had been working extra hard to make sure her legacy lives on. Journalists are determined to continue doing their jobs in the same way they always have, she added, saying that those who were on the ground when she was shot were out working the next day to honour Ms McKee. Recommended Lyra McKee funeral priest wins standing ovation for politicians swipe A journalist who called an ambulance for Ms McKee had worked through the following night and had covered everything the following week, she said. Ms McKee, who had moved to Derry to be with her partner, Sara Canning, had a talent for unearthing untold stories. Seamus Dooley, Irish secretary of the National Union of Journalists, has described her as a journalist of courage, style and integrity. Ms McKee, whose forthcoming book is called The Lost Boys, was at the scene of the riot in the republican Creggan area of the city as part of research she was carrying out into the dangers of frontline journalism. She had been due to speak at an Amnesty International event this weekend on the dangers of reporting conflict and the event will now be dedicated to her memory. Ms McKee, whose killing has sparked widespread fury, grief and calls for political change, was recognised with a Sky News young journalist award and was listed by Forbes magazine as one of the 30 most inspiring European media voices of 2016. Europe has breathed a collective sight of relief after EU officials announced that serious discussion of Brexit would be banned at an upcoming leaders summit. Ahead of Thursdays meeting in the Romanian city of Sibiu, one senior EU official said the summit would be in principle Brexit-free. For two years now the UK has repeatedly crashed EU meetings about other issues and steered discussions towards Brexit often to the great annoyance of other countries. But since April, when the leaders agreed to delay the UKs departure until October, the continent has gone on a Brexit holiday and is using the time to discuss other issues. Theresa May is staying away from the Sibiu meeting, though the UK is expected to be represented in the margins. The summit is intended to be a relaunch of the EU after a series of crises like Brexit, migration, and economic problems in the eurozone. Its date was originally picked so that it would take place after Britains departure, a plan which has since been overtaken by events. Speaking at a lunchtime press conference in Brussels, Jean-Claude Juncker, the European Commission president, summed up the view in the EU capital with a quip. Everyone understands English, he said, as he switched languages from French. No one understands England but everyone understands English. He struck an ambivalent tone on Brexit, telling reporters: I dont have fears, I dont have hopes [for Brexit]. Theresa May will not be attending the meeting (Reuters) (REUTERS) I was saying the other day that by comparison to the British parliament the Egyptian sphinx[es] are open books. Either they stay or they will leave. If they stay, they stay. If they leave, they leave. The continents respite could be short, however, with Brexit set to return, at least briefly, at a meeting in Brussels in June. The issue will certainly return in earnest in October unless the UK has already left by then. Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit Show all 30 1 /30 Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit Pro-Brexit leave the European Union supporters attend a rally in Parliament Square after the final leg of the "March to Leave" in London AP Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit The protest march which started on March 16 in Sunderland, north east England, finished on what was the original date for Brexit to happen before the recent extension Reuters Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit AP Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit Reuters Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit PA Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit Reuters Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit EPA Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A Brexit supporter sips a can of Stella in protests outside of the Houses of Parliament AFP/Getty Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit Dedicated anti-Brexit campaigner Steve Bray and likewise pro-Brexit campaigner Joseph Afrane go head to head near the Houses of Parliament AFP/Getty Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A pro-Brexit marching band in Parliament Square Getty Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit Remain supporters wave EU flags from a bus in Parliament Square PA Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A Brexit supporter shouts slogans outside parliament EPA Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A Brexit supporter protests outside parliament Reuters Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A Brexit supporter protests outside of the Houses of Parliament Getty Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit Brexit supporters protest outside of the Houses of Parliament REUTERS Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A pro-Brexit flag is waved in Parliament Square AP Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit The March to Leave nears the Houses of Parliament Reuters Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A Brexit protester holds a sign outside parliament EPA Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit Brexit supporters carry the coffin of democracy AFP/Getty Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit Brexit supporters march outside parliament AFP/Getty Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit Brexit supporters take part in the March to Leave protest in London PA Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit Brexit supporters protest outside parliament AFP/Getty Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A Brexit supporter holds a sign outside the Houses of Parliament Getty Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A man holds satirical paintings of politicians Reuters Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit An pro-Brexit float on the March to Leave march in London Reuters Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit Far-right activist Tommy Robinson addresses protesters outside the Houses of Parliament Getty Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A Brexit supporter outside the Houses of Parliament Reuters Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A Tommy Robinson supporter arrives at the Houses of Parliament Getty Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A jogger gestures rudely at a Brexit supporter outside of the Houses of Parliament AFP/Getty Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A Brexit supporter outside the Houses of Parliament PA Mr Juncker used the opportunity to talk about the EUs future trade relations with other blocs. He trusted Donald Trump on EU-US trade relations, revealing that White House people and my teams are in nearly daily contact on the issue. The Sibiu summit will be chaired by European Council president Donald Tusk, and is in Romania because the country holds the rotating EU presidency. The leaders will discuss their strategic agenda for the direction of the EU over the next five years. It will cover both Europes collective foreign relations and its domestic agenda. The president of the EU Commission has said he regrets not intervening in the UKs Brexit referendum to correct lies about the bloc during the campaign. Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Jean-Claude Juncker said it was a big mistake to listen to David Cameron, who he said had asked Brussels to stay silent. The mistake I made was to listen too carefully to the British government Cameron, because the then prime minister asked me not to interfere, not to intervene in the referendum campaign. It was a mistake not to intervene and not to interfere because we would have been the only ones to destroy the lies which were circulated around. I was wrong to be silent at an important moment. But the commission president, who is nearing the end of his mandate and will be replaced in October, struck a more ambivalent tone on Brexit as it stood today. I dont have fears, I dont have hopes, he told reporters. I was saying the other day that by comparison to the British parliament the Egyptian sphinx are open books. Either they stay or they will leave. If they stay, they stay. If they leave, they leave. During the Brexit referendum campaign, the UK Statistics Authority wrote to Vote Leave, criticising it for using a false figure claiming that the UK pays the EU 350m a week. The campaign plastered the figure on the side of a bus and put out advertisements featuring the claim. Meanwhile on the remain side, predictions about the economic impact of a Leave vote have been criticised as being wide of the mark. An immigrant's tale: Leaving Britain to escape Brexit hostility Show all 20 1 /20 An immigrant's tale: Leaving Britain to escape Brexit hostility An immigrant's tale: Leaving Britain to escape Brexit hostility Maria, 31, holds her daughters, Elena, two, and baby Ioana, weeks old, in her London home A few months after Britain voted to leave the European Union, Maria was told her to go back to her native Romania whilst in hospital by an elderly English woman. You are a foreigner, your place is not here recalls Maria, who was stunned Reuters An immigrant's tale: Leaving Britain to escape Brexit hostility Maria and her husband Adi, 37, take their daughters for a walk in Hampstead Heath near their home The couple are preparing to leave Britain later this year with their two children, fed up with what Maria says is xenophobia and the rising cost of living in London Reuters An immigrant's tale: Leaving Britain to escape Brexit hostility Elena holds up British passports belonging to her and her sister. Both children have dual citizenship, but their parents do not want to apply for this despite having permanent residency in Britain Reuters An immigrant's tale: Leaving Britain to escape Brexit hostility Maria holds daughter Ioana, who is less than a week old, while Elena wipes a table Maria had never faced direct abuse over her nationality in her 10 years in the country until that moment at the hospital Reuters An immigrant's tale: Leaving Britain to escape Brexit hostility Adi spends time with his daughters Reuters An immigrant's tale: Leaving Britain to escape Brexit hostility Adi plays hide and seek with his daughter Elena Reuters An immigrant's tale: Leaving Britain to escape Brexit hostility Food is served Reuters An immigrant's tale: Leaving Britain to escape Brexit hostility Adi takes his daughter, Elena, to nursery Reuters An immigrant's tale: Leaving Britain to escape Brexit hostility Adi's sister, Nicoleta, 34, carries her niece Elena in a restaurant after a trip out Reuters An immigrant's tale: Leaving Britain to escape Brexit hostility Adi and Maria cook together at their home Reuters An immigrant's tale: Leaving Britain to escape Brexit hostility Adi holds his baby daughter, Ioana Reuters An immigrant's tale: Leaving Britain to escape Brexit hostility Adi and wife Maria take their daughters for a walk in Hampstead Heath Reuters An immigrant's tale: Leaving Britain to escape Brexit hostility Berwyn, a neighbour of the couple, who moved to the UK in the 1980s from Australia, says goodbye to Maria after a visit at her home. Berwyn has dual citizenship - Australian and Irish as she lived in Ireland for a few years before moving to Britain. She calls the family her 'dearest Christian Romanian friends' Reuters An immigrant's tale: Leaving Britain to escape Brexit hostility Religious pictures including a portrait of Arsenie Boca, a Romanian Orthodox monk, theologian and artist (top), hang on the wall at the home of Adi and Maria Reuters An immigrant's tale: Leaving Britain to escape Brexit hostility Maria dries Elena after giving her a bath after nursery Reuters An immigrant's tale: Leaving Britain to escape Brexit hostility Maria holds her baby daughter Ioana Reuters An immigrant's tale: Leaving Britain to escape Brexit hostility Adi works with his colleague Alexandru, who is also from Romania, for a removal company Reuters An immigrant's tale: Leaving Britain to escape Brexit hostility Maria holds her daughter Elena Reuters An immigrant's tale: Leaving Britain to escape Brexit hostility Neighbour, Berwyn, holds baby Ioana Reuters An immigrant's tale: Leaving Britain to escape Brexit hostility Adi and Maria, along with their daughters, leave St Andrews church in Kingsbury after attending a service Reuters A Treasury analysis published a month before the referendum claimed that a vote to Leave would represent an immediate and profound shock to our economy. This effect has yet to materialise over two years since the vote. David Camerons request to Mr Juncker may have been based on the fear that any intervention from Brussels could provoke an adverse reaction. Brexiteers tried to stir up a backlash after Barack Obama, then US president, warned that Britain would be at the back of the queue for a trade deal. Mr Juncker was speaking ahead of a key meeting in the Romanian city of Sibiu on Thursday, where the 27 EU leaders will meet to discuss the future of the bloc. Theresa May has declined to attend the summit, which was originally scheduled to take place following the UKs departure. Close Countdown to Brexit: How many days left until Britain leaves the EU? Jean-Claude Juncker has said he made a "mistake" in not intervening to challenge the "lies" told by anti-EU campaigners during the 2016 Brexit referendum. The president of the European Commission said he had agreed to a request by then UK prime minister David Cameron not to get involved in the debate. His admission came as Theresa May met with Sir Graham Brady, the leader of the influential 1922 Committee of backbench Conservative MPs, amid growing calls for the prime minister to resign. Sir Graham was expected to warn Ms May that she must lay out a timetable for her departure or face further efforts to oust her. As it happened... Conservative MPs on both sides of the Brexit divide are telling Theresa May that a fresh referendum is becoming inevitable, as talks with Labour to break the impasse looked set to fail. The prime minister faced the warning as she suffered the embarrassment of conceding this months European elections will go ahead and as her own deputy suggested the crisis would drag on until July. As cross-party talks entered their sixth week, Labours Keir Starmer insisted he would force the Tories to end their refusal to contemplate a Final Say referendum as the price of a deal, saying it was crunch time. Significantly, the attempt to put a public vote centre-stage was bolstered from an unlikely source when Daniel Kawczynski, a Tory Brexiteer, predicted it could become the only option to break the gridlock. If we cannot do this, if this is beyond us, and if we fail, then another referendum is inevitable, he said, expressing gloom about a deal otherwise. Ed Vaizey, a pro-EU Conservative, echoed Mr Kawczynski, saying he was warming to the idea of a second vote as potentially the only way to finally have closure on Brexit. The comments came as multiple Labour sources told The Independent there could be no deal without a referendum, a demand now being made by around two-thirds of the partys MPs, it is understood. Put It To The People march: Best of The Independents pictures Show all 24 1 /24 Put It To The People march: Best of The Independents pictures Put It To The People march: Best of The Independents pictures Angela Christofilou/The Independent Put It To The People march: Best of The Independents pictures Angela Christofilou/The Independent Put It To The People march: Best of The Independents pictures Angela Christofilou/The Independent Put It To The People march: Best of The Independents pictures Angela Christofilou/The Independent Put It To The People march: Best of The Independents pictures Angela Christofilou/The Independent Put It To The People march: Best of The Independents pictures Angela Christofilou/The Independent Put It To The People march: Best of The Independents pictures Angela Christofilou/The Independent Put It To The People march: Best of The Independents pictures Angela Christofilou/The Independent Put It To The People march: Best of The Independents pictures Angela Christofilou/The Independent Put It To The People march: Best of The Independents pictures Angela Christofilou/The Independent Put It To The People march: Best of The Independents pictures Angela Christofilou/The Independent Put It To The People march: Best of The Independents pictures Angela Christofilou/The Independent Put It To The People march: Best of The Independents pictures Angela Christofilou/The Independent Put It To The People march: Best of The Independents pictures Angela Christofilou/The Independent Put It To The People march: Best of The Independents pictures Angela Christofilou/The Independent Put It To The People march: Best of The Independents pictures Angela Christofilou/The Independent Put It To The People march: Best of The Independents pictures Angela Christofilou/The Independent Put It To The People march: Best of The Independents pictures Angela Christofilou/The Independent Put It To The People march: Best of The Independents pictures Angela Christofilou/The Independent Put It To The People march: Best of The Independents pictures Angela Christofilou/The Independent Put It To The People march: Best of The Independents pictures Angela Christofilou/The Independent Put It To The People march: Best of The Independents pictures Angela Christofilou/The Independent Put It To The People march: Best of The Independents pictures Angela Christofilou/The Independent Put It To The People march: Best of The Independents pictures Angela Christofilou/The Independent Last Friday, Eric Pickles, a former party chairman, become the most prominent Conservative supporter of a referendum, when he gave his surprise backing. The calls came as talks between Labour and the government broke up without agreement, with both teams preparing to meet again on Wednesday afternoon. After the three-hour meeting, Rebecca Long-Bailey, the shadow business secretary, said: "Discussions today were very robust and we're having further meetings this week where we hope to make some progress." She said there was a "willingness on both sides" to work together but there had been no movement towards a customs union, temporary or otherwise. Ms Long-Bailey would only say another referendum was "one of many options on the table". Meanwhile, David Lidington, the de-facto deputy prime minister, bowed to the inevitable, by admitting the government had run out of time to stop the European elections, on 23 May, with no ratification of Brexit in sight. He paved the way for what is expected to be a Tory drubbing by Nigel Farages new Brexit Party, by finally admitting: Legally, they do have to take place. Mr Lidington appeared to set a new deadline for ratifying a deal before MPs leave Westminster for their summer break in late July which would mean MEPs taking their seats at the start of July. Ideally, wed like to be in a situation where those MEPs never actually have to take their seat at European parliament certainly, to get this done and dusted by the summer recess, he said. No 10 played down the significance of the comment, insisting Mr Lidington had merely been stressing the importance of having this process completed before MPs rise for summer. The elections will cost around 150m. To avoid further costs, the withdrawal agreement bill will need to be put before MPs within a week or so but that will not happen without a Labour agreement not to vote it down. At the weekend, the acrimony was laid bare when John McDonnell, the shadow chancellor, and other Labour figures accused Ms May of refusing to budge on the partys central demand for a permanent customs union. Heading into the talks, Sir Keir, the shadow Brexit secretary, said: The time has now come to a crunch time, where the government has to decide whether its serious about significant changes capable of actually carrying a majority in the House of Commons. He pointed significantly to the clamour over a further referendum, adding: A confirmatory vote will also be on the agenda, and were going to discuss that this afternoon. No 10 has refused to provide a checklist of her continued red lines in the talks, but her own MPs made clear the referendum issue could no longer be dodged. If there can be no compromise between the parties, I can actually see then the logic, and other people will be demanding another referendum, Mr Kawczynski added. Mr Vaizey, a former minister, said: I've always been against a second referendum. But I think what is changing my mind is this talk about any agreement reached by parliament being seen as illegitimate. Any cross-party deal would pass only narrowly, which means MPs would spend their whole time telling the public that this isn't Brexit, its not the Brexit they voted for it's illegitimate. Earlier, the prime minister met Graham Brady, the head of the 1922 Committee of Tory backbenchers, who was expected to again urge her to set a rapid timetable for her departure. If she refuses, the 1922 will consider rewriting the rules to allow a fresh vote of no confidence this summer but Sir Graham made no immediate comment on Ms Mays response. Asked about the EU elections, the prime ministers spokesman said she deeply regrets the fact the UK would be taking part, admitting: Many members of the public will feel great frustration at this. The spokesman declined to say whether Ms May thought people should vote in the elections or whether she would take part in any election campaign launch by the Conservatives. Theresa May will return to the Commons after the bank holiday weekend in no doubt that any Brexit ceasefire is well and truly over. Labour and Tory MPs had stayed relatively quiet in the run up to last week's local elections for fear of rocking the boat. But the grim results for both parties have been interpreted rightly or wrongly as a Brexit backlash from voters furious at Labour's equivocation and government delays to Britain's departure from the EU. The European elections will go ahead on 23 May, the government has confirmed, finally admitting it has failed to strike a Brexit deal in order to stop them. Ministers had repeatedly refused to confirm the polls would take place despite running out of time to pass the legislation to ratify a Brexit deal, which will take many weeks. But David Lidington, the de-facto deputy prime minister has now bowed to the inevitable, saying: Legally, they do have to take place. It paves the way for what is expected to be a Tory drubbing by Nigel Farages new Brexit Party, with Theresa Mays party heading for its worst ever performance in a nationwide election. Making the announcement, Mr Lidington appeared to admit ratification might not be possible until MPs leave Westminster for their summer break in late July which would mean MEPs taking their seats at the start of July. Talks resume with Labour today, but are not expected to make significant progress, with the prime minister still refusing to concede a permanent customs union. Ideally, wed like to be in a situation where those MEPs never actually have to take their seat at European Parliament - certainly, to get this done and dusted by the summer recess, Mr Lidington said. Farage launches his new Brexit Party: in pictures Show all 10 1 /10 Farage launches his new Brexit Party: in pictures Farage launches his new Brexit Party: in pictures Nigel Farage speaks at the launch of his new Brexit Party's campaign for the European elections Reuters Farage launches his new Brexit Party: in pictures Brexit Party candidate Annunziata Rees-Mogg, sister of Conservative MP Jacob Rees-Mogg, speaks at the launch AFP/Getty Farage launches his new Brexit Party: in pictures A supporter waits for Farage to speak AFP/Getty Farage launches his new Brexit Party: in pictures Supporters wait for Farage to speak AFP/Getty Farage launches his new Brexit Party: in pictures Farage's socks Reuters Farage launches his new Brexit Party: in pictures Farage and prospective candidate Annunziata Rees-Mogg wait at the launch AFP/Getty Farage launches his new Brexit Party: in pictures Supporters listen as Farage speaks AFP/Getty Farage launches his new Brexit Party: in pictures Free T-shirts for all attendees AFP/Getty Farage launches his new Brexit Party: in pictures Posters on the seats for supporters of the Brexit Party AFP/Getty Farage launches his new Brexit Party: in pictures A safety sign is pictured AFP/Getty The cabinet office minister argued it was still possible to reach a deal with Jeremy Corbyn, saying: The talks are taking place I think in constructive spirit on both sides. I never count my chickens and clearly those talks are ongoing, but I hope we will reach a successful conclusion on all the issues involved. However, senior Labour figures have insisted no breakthrough is possible without a customs union, enshrined in legislation to prevent Boris Johnson or another Brexiteer prime minister tearing it up. They also say a deal is impossible without it being put to a Final Say referendum, which around two-thirds of Labour MPs are now thought to be demanding. Asked about the U-turn, the prime ministers spokesman said she deeply regrets the fact the UK would be taking part in the elections, admitting: Many members of the public will feel great frustration at this. The spokesman declined to say whether Ms May thought people should vote in the elections or whether she would take part in any election campaign launch by the Conservatives. Last month, the Tories were unable to say whether they would stage a campaign launch or even publish a manifesto. Mr Farage only launched his Brexit Party last month, but polls have put its support at as high as 30 per cent, well ahead of Labour and the Conservatives. A crushing defeat in the European elections will trigger renewed pressure for Ms May to quit for a summer leadership election likely to elect a hard Brexiteer such as Boris Johnson to replace her. Sinn Fein has claimed that the UK government made it a promise to introduce same sex marriage for Northern Ireland at Westminster. The comments emerged this morning as Sinn Fein and the DUP prepared to engage in fresh talks at Stormont, aimed at restoring power sharing to the region after almost two and a half years. Speaking on BBC Radio Ulsters The Nolan Show, Conor Murphy MP said that if the Northern Ireland Assembly failed, or blocked the issue of same sex marriage, Sinn Fein had an assurance that it would be passed in Westminster. Mr Murphy implied the commitment was made by the UK government to the Sinn Fein negotiating team in February 2018, when talks last failed. He added: They were very clear about it. Northern Ireland abortion protest in Westminster Show all 7 1 /7 Northern Ireland abortion protest in Westminster Northern Ireland abortion protest in Westminster Derry Girls cast members Siobhan McSweeney and Nicola Coughlan (right) join MPS and women impacted by Northern Ireland's strict abortion laws PA Northern Ireland abortion protest in Westminster Heidi Allen (second right) joins the protest PA Northern Ireland abortion protest in Westminster A luggage tag on a suitcase, symbolising the women who travel from Northern Ireland to England for terminations PA Northern Ireland abortion protest in Westminster The campaigners march across Westminster Bridge PA Northern Ireland abortion protest in Westminster Counter-protesters Rebecca Morgan (left) and her daughter Helen, one, demonstrate in favour of Northern Ireland's current laws Getty Images Northern Ireland abortion protest in Westminster Protesters supporting Northern Ireland's abortion laws at Parliament Square Getty Images Northern Ireland abortion protest in Westminster Demonstrators pull suitcases to symbolise the women who travel from Northern Ireland to England for a termination AFP/Getty Images Northern Ireland is currently the only part of the UK where same sex marriage is not yet legal. As a devolved matter, it needs to be legislated for in the Northern Ireland Assembly but, despite a majority of politicians there supporting the measure, the DUP used a veto to block it five times between 2012 and 2015. Since the collapse of power sharing at Stormont in January 2017 in part because of the DUPs refusal to respect equal rights there have been repeated calls for MPs to use the impasse to take control of the issue, and deal with it at Westminster. Acknowledging that such a move would see the Conservative government go over the heads of their DUP partners, Mr Murphy said Sinn Fein was told that there were well above sufficient numbers in favour of the measure in the Commons, and that it did not require the DUPs votes. The timing of Mr Murphys comments are curious, as they could undermine the talks as they get under way. As politicians aim to restore power sharing at Stormont, there is an implication that rights-based issues which Sinn Fein has held as red lines in this process would be easier resolved by a period of direct rule from London the default route if talks fail. This conflicts with Sinn Feins principles as an Irish republican party, whose MPs abstain from taking their seats at Westminster. The DUP doesnt particularly want direct rule from London either, but there is a belief that some people within the party would see an advantage in issues like same sex marriage being dealt with at Westminster. The DUP knows that same-sex marriage coming to Northern Ireland is only a matter of time, and a short period of direct rule would resolve the issue, without it being involved or responsible. The current round of talks at Stormont are being overseen by secretary of state Karen Bradley and the Irish tanaiste Simon Coveney. In a statement released today, they outlined the issues on the table, including those around rights, language and identity which have stalled politics in Northern Ireland. Reform of the petition of concern the veto which the DUP has used to block same-sex marriage is also on the agenda. Leaving Stormont this afternoon, Ms Bradley said she hopes the parties will be given space over the next three weeks, and that she wont comment while negotiations are ongoing. The progress of the talks will be reviewed by the prime minister and the Irish taoiseach at the end of May. A British soldier on an anti-poaching mission in Malawi has been killed by a charging elephant the first time a member of this countrys armed forces have been killed by an animal while on active duty in living memory. Guardsman Mathew Talbot, of the 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards, was part of a 30-strong team training park rangers to combat heavily armed gangs involved in killing elephants and rhinos to supply the illicit trade in ivory and rhino horns. The 22-year-old soldier, who was based in Windsor, was on his first operational deployment. He had volunteered for the training team following an exercise in Kenya and expressing a wish to help with animal protection. The guardsman took a keen interest in Malawi customs and had begun to learn the local language, having shown similar interest in Nepali culture while serving with the Gurkhas. All creatures great and small in Malawi Show all 6 1 /6 All creatures great and small in Malawi All creatures great and small in Malawi 74-malawi1.jpg All creatures great and small in Malawi 74-malawi2.jpg All creatures great and small in Malawi 74-malawi3-wildernessafDana.jpg Wilderness Safaris/Dana Allen All creatures great and small in Malawi 74-malawi4.jpg All creatures great and small in Malawi 74-malawi5-wildernessafDana.jpg Wilderness Safaris/Dana Allen All creatures great and small in Malawi 74-malawi6-malTravMarkConso.jpg Malawi Travel Marketing Consortium The training teams have been deployed in Malawi and Gabon from 2017 as part of Britains commitment towards tackling the violent smuggling networks channelling the lucrative contraband to international markets. The illegal wildlife trade is estimated to be worth 17bn a year worldwide, with rhino horn now more expensive than cocaine, heroin and gold. A significant amount of the proceeds, investigators have found, go to terrorist groups and organised crime cartels. Guardsman Talbots comrades and the Ministry of Defence sent their condolences to his father Steven, his mother Michelle, sisters Aimee and Isabel and his girlfriend Olivia. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Ed Launders said: I will always feel honoured to have served alongside Guardsman Mathew Talbot. He was a determined and big-hearted Coldstreamer who devoted his life to serving his country. It was typical of his character to volunteer for an important and challenging role in Malawi. He was hugely proud of his work as a counter-poaching operator, and tragically died doing great good. Defence secretary Penny Mordaunt added: I was deeply saddened to hear of the death of Guardsman Mathew Talbot, who died while carrying out vital counter-poaching work in Malawi. This tragic incident is a reminder of the danger our military faces as they protect some of the worlds most endangered species from those who seek to profit from the criminal slaughter of wildlife. The US refused to sign an agreement on challenges facing the Arctic due to its wording regarding climate change. The refusal puts global cooperation in an effort to stop drastic effects of climate change in jeopardy. Eight nations that border the Arctic, known as the Arctic Council, met in Rovaniemi in Finland on Tuesday in hopes of framing a two-year agenda to balance prevention of further damage by climate change with sustainable development of mineral wealth. In the first cancellation of a declaration by the Arctic Council since its formation in 1996, the US disagreed with wording in the declaration that referred to climate change as a serious threat, according to sources with knowledge of the discussions among diplomats. The official refusal comes just after Secretary of State Mike Pompeo actually praised the effects of climate change on the arctic, citing new opportunities for trade created by steady reductions in sea ice. This referral to one of climate changes most destructive effects, which scientists say will produce more severe weather and drastically raise sea levels, as a positive trade effect was a shocking statement from the Trump Administration, which has constistently stumbled around the presidents long-lasting refusal to commit to the reality of climate change. The Arctic is believed to contain around 13 per cent of the worlds undiscovered reserves of oil and 30 percent of its reserves of natural gas. Its steadily melting ice would make reaching these reserves more feasible. In lieu of the proposed declaration, ministers from the United States, Canada, Russia, Finland, Norway, Denmark, Sweden and Iceland instead issued a statement reaffirming their commitment to sustainable development and to the protection of the Arctic environment. 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Children worldwide protest climate change School children protest in Florence, Italy on March 15 Sign reads: there is no future without a planet, let's not sell it for money EPA "Act now or swim later" - Children worldwide protest climate change School children protest in Vienna on March 15 Getty "Act now or swim later" - Children worldwide protest climate change School children protest in Brighton on March 15 Reuters "Act now or swim later" - Children worldwide protest climate change School children protest outside Holyrood in Edinburgh Getty "Act now or swim later" - Children worldwide protest climate change School children protest in Cambridge on March 15 PA "Act now or swim later" - Children worldwide protest climate change Students protest in Bangalore, India on March 15 EPA "Act now or swim later" - Children worldwide protest climate change School children protest in Lausanne, Switzerland on March 15 EPA "Act now or swim later" - Children worldwide protest climate change School children protest in Cape Town, South Africa on March 15 AP "Act now or swim later" - Children worldwide protest climate change Students protest in Bangalore, India on March 15 EPA "Act now or swim later" - Children worldwide protest climate change A student protests in Lucerne, Switzerland on 15 March EPA "Act now or swim later" - Children worldwide protest climate change School children protest in London on March 15 AFP/Getty Images "Act now or swim later" - Children worldwide protest climate change School children protest in Lausanne, Switzerland on March 15 EPA "Act now or swim later" - Children worldwide protest climate change School children protest in Milan, Italy on March 15 EPA "Act now or swim later" - Children worldwide protest climate change School children protest in London on March 15 AFP/Getty "Act now or swim later" - Children worldwide protest climate change School children protest in Lund, Sweden on March 15 AP "Act now or swim later" - Children worldwide protest climate change School children protest in London on March 15 PA "Act now or swim later" - Children worldwide protest climate change A poster with Greta Thunberg, who began the current children's movement at the protest in Lausanne, Switzerland on March 15 AP "Act now or swim later" - Children worldwide protest climate change School children protest in Cape Town, South Africa on March 15 EPA "Act now or swim later" - Children worldwide protest climate change School children protest in London on March 15 PA "Act now or swim later" - Children worldwide protest climate change School children protest in Canterbury, Kent on March 15 PA "Act now or swim later" - Children worldwide protest climate change School children protest in London on March 15 PA "Act now or swim later" - Children worldwide protest climate change School children protest in Canterbury, Kent on March 15 PA "Act now or swim later" - Children worldwide protest climate change School children protest outside Holyrood in Edinburgh Getty Finnish Foreign Minister Timo Soini told reporters in a separate statement that A majority of us regarded climate change as a fundamental challenge facing the Arctic and acknowledged the urgent need to take mitigation and adaptation actions and to strengthen resilience. I dont want to name and blame anyone, Mr Soini added. Joe Biden has opened up a 32-point lead over his nearest rival for the Democrat nomination for the presidency in 2020, according to a new poll. Since entering the race to take on Donald Trump in April, the former vice president has set a new record for fundraising in the first 24 hours of a campaign $6.3m (4.8m) and pushed his way to the top of most polls. Mr Biden beat the fundraising record of Vermont senator Bernie Sanders, who sits in second place in the The Hill-HarrisX poll with 14 per cent of respondents to Mr Bidens 46 per cent. The poll, which was taken over the weekend and released on Monday, involved 440 voters and is the latest in a trend of polls that has shown Mr Biden increasing his lead over his rivals. In the last two weeks, three other polls of more than 1,000 registered voters have put Mr Biden ahead of Mr Sanders by 24, 26 and 30 percentage points. According to an average of polls over the last month, Mr Biden has a lead of 22.3 points. While not too much should be read into polls before the primaries begin, particularly given Mr Sanders experience of the race in 2016, it is clear that Mr Biden is leaving little room for the more than 20 other candidates in the field. Both Mr Biden and Mr Sanders would beat Mr Trump at the ballot box according to a recent poll. The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 Show all 25 1 /25 The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 Bernie Sanders The Vermont senator has launched a second bid for president after losing out to Hilary Clinton in the 2016 Democratic primaries. He is running on a similar platform of democratic socialist reform Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 Joe Biden The former vice president recently faced scrutiny for inappropriate touching of women, but was thought to deal with the criticism well and has since maintained a front runner status in national polling EPA The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 Elizabeth Warren The Massachusetts senator is a progressive Democrat, and a major supporter of regulating Wall Street Reuters The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 Amy Klobuchar Klobuchar is a Minnesota senator who earned praise for her contribution to the Brett Kavanaugh hearings Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 Michael Bloomberg Michael Bloomberg, a late addition to the 2020 race, announced his candidacy after months of speculation in November. He has launched a massive ad-buying campaign and issued an apology for the controversial "stop and frisk" programme that adversely impacted minority communities in New York City when he was mayor Getty Images The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 Tulsi Gabbard The Hawaii congresswoman announced her candidacy in January, but has faced tough questions on her past comments on LGBT+ rights and her stance on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Pete Buttigieg The centrist Indiana mayor and war veteran would be the first openly LGBT+ president in American history Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Deval Patrick The former Massachusetts governor launched a late 2020 candidacy and received very little reception. With just a few short months until the first voters flock to the polls, the former governor is running as a centrist and believes he can unite the party's various voting blocs AFP/Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Beto O'Rourke The former Texas congressman formally launched his bid for the presidency in March. He ran on a progressive platform, stating that the US is driven by "gross differences in opportunity and outcome" AP The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Kamala Harris The former California attorney general was 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 AFP/Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Bill De Blasio The New York mayor announced his bid on 16 May 2019. He emerged in 2013 as a leading voice in the left wing of his party but struggled to build a national profile and has suffered a number of political setbacks in his time as mayor AFP/Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Steve Bullock The Montana governor announced his bid on 14 May. He stated "We need to defeat Donald Trump in 2020 and defeat the corrupt system that lets campaign money drown out the people's voice, so we can finally make good on the promise of a fair shot for everyone." He also highlighted the fact that he won the governor's seat in a red [Republican] state Reuters The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Cory Booker The New Jersey Senator has focused on restoring kindness and civility in American politics throughout his campaign, though he has failed to secure the same level of support and fundraising as several other senators running for the White House in 2020 Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Wayne Messam Mayor of the city of Miramar in the Miami metropolitan area, Wayne Messam said he intended 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 The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Kirsten Gillibrand The New York Senator formally announced her presidential bid in January, saying that healthcare should be a right, not a privilege Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: John Delaney The Maryland congressman was the first to launch his bid for presidency, making the announcement in 2017 AP The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Andrew Yang The entrepreneur announced his presidential candidacy by pledging that he would introduce a universal basic income of $1,000 a month to every American over the age of 18 Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: 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 The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Marianne Williamson The author and spiritual adviser has announced her intention to run for president. She had previously run for congress as an independent in 2014 but was unsuccessful Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Eric Swalwell One of the younger candidates, Swalwell has served on multiple committees in the House of Representatives. He intended to make gun control central to his campaign but dropped out after his team said it was clear there was no path to victory Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Seth Moulton A Massachusetts congressman, Moulton is a former US soldier who is best known for trying to stop Nancy Pelosi from becoming speaker of the house. He dropped out of the race after not polling well in key states Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Jay Inslee Inslee has been governor of Washington since 2013. His bid was centred around climate change AFP/Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: John Hickenlooper The former governor of Colorado aimed to sell himself as an effective leader who was open to compromise, but failed to make a splash on the national stage Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Tim Ryan Ohio representative Tim Ryan ran on a campaign that hinged on his working class roots, though his messaging did not appear to resonate with voters Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Tom Steyer Democratic presidential hopeful billionaire and philanthropist Tom Steyer is a longtime Democratic donor AFP/Getty The latest poll moves former South Bend, Indiana, mayor Pete Buttigieg one of the surprise packages in this years race into third position on 8 per cent, with Senator Elizabeth Warren in fourth place on 7 per cent. Ms Warren still holds third place when an average of polls is taken, on 7.3 per cent. California Senator Kamala Harris is fifth on 6 per cent although she is likely to get a boost in forthcoming polls after her tough questioning of Attorney General William Barr over special counsel Robert Muellers Russia report. All others are polling at less than five per cent, with candidates like Beto ORouke (3 per cent) dropping after entering the race to much fanfare earlier this year. Recommended George R R Martin endorses Joe Biden for president The fact that Mr Biden is looming so heavily over the race has pushed candidates into announcing a number of ambitious policy positions to try and gain traction. Mr ORouke has announced what he described as the most ambitious plan to confront climate change we have ever seen including investing $5 trillion in infrastructure and innovation projects over the next decade. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events As for Ms Warren, she has announced plans to cancel $50,000 in student loans for many Americans, and New Jersey senator Cory Booker has mapped out what he has labelled the most sweeping gun violence prevention plan ever seen by a presidential candidate. Mr Bidens campaign is not without its own problems, including the former vice president facing allegations from a number of women that he greeted and touched them inappropriately in ways that made them feel uncomfortable. Mr Biden has said it is his responsibility to act with more consideration in future. Donald Trump has pardoned a former US soldier who stripped an Iraqi prisoner naked and then shot him twice. The US president signed an executive grant of clemency, a full pardon, for former US Army Lieutenant Michael Behenna, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said. Behenna, a platoon leader in the 101st Airborne Division, was convicted of unpremeditated murder and sentenced to 25 years for killing Ali Mansur Mohamed, a suspected al-Qaeda terrorist, in Iraq in 2008. Behenna, who stripped Mansur and then questioned him at gunpoint before shooting him, claimed he was acting in self-defence. His sentence was subsequently reduced to 15 years and he was paroled in 2014, five years into his term. Criminals who worked for Trump Show all 5 1 /5 Criminals who worked for Trump Criminals who worked for Trump Michael Cohen Former lawyer for Donald Trump was sentenced to three years in prison on counts involving evading income tax, false disclosure of the hush money paid to Stormy Daniels and another hush money charge Getty Criminals who worked for Trump Paul Manafort Former campaign manager for Trump Manafort was found guilty in February 2018 of five counts of tax fraud, two counts of bank fraud and one count of failure to disclose a foreign bank account. The crimes occurred prior to his appointment in Trump's campaign Getty Criminals who worked for Trump George Papadopoulos Former Trump campaign adviser Papadopoulos pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI in October 2017. He had lied about making contact with a professor who claimed that the Russians had dirt on Hillary Clinton. He was sentenced to 14 days in jail Getty Criminals who worked for Trump Michael Flynn Former White House National Security adviser Michael Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI in December 2017. He had lied about conversations that he had with the Russian ambassador to the US during Trump's Presidential campaign. He was not given prison time due to his "significant assistance" to the Mueller investigation Getty Criminals who worked for Trump Rick Gates Deputy chairman of Trump's presidential campaign Gates pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI in February 2018 AFP/Getty Behennas case attracted broad support from the military, elected officials in his native Oklahoma and the public, Ms Sanders said. She said he was a model prisoner while serving his sentence and entirely deserving of the pardon. Behennas soldiers captured Mansur and he was questioned by military intelligence in connection with a roadside bomb that killed two members of the platoon on 21 April, 2008. Mansur was released due to insufficient evidence to hold him and Behenna was tasked with returning him to his village. But during the operation, Behenna stopped the convoy and took the man to a railroad culvert, stripped him and then questioned him at gunpoint about the roadside bombing. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Behenna claimed Mansur lunged for his weapon and he shot him in self defence, according to testimony from his 2009 trial. Pete Buttigieg has slammed Donald Trump and his party in a wide-ranging interview in which the 2020 candidate discussed criticism of his faith as an openly gay man. The 37-year-old Indiana mayor has pushed back against the notion that conservatives and the Republican party own issues like freedom and faith in America, saying Tuesday he felt it was important that we stop seeing religion used as a kind of cudgel, as if God belonged to a political party. And if he did, Mr Buttigieg added, I cant imagine it would be the one that sent the current president into the White House. The Democrat was discussing hecklers who have begun following him along the campaign trail to denounce his sexuality, telling the Today show he would not stop placing value on his religious ideologies while meeting with voters ahead of the upcoming primaries. Mr Buttigieg has also said he is planning on eventually starting a family with his husband, Chasten Buttigieg, who he described as a great husband and he'll make a great first spouse for this country too. The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 Show all 25 1 /25 The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 Bernie Sanders The Vermont senator has launched a second bid for president after losing out to Hilary Clinton in the 2016 Democratic primaries. He is running on a similar platform of democratic socialist reform Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 Joe Biden The former vice president recently faced scrutiny for inappropriate touching of women, but was thought to deal with the criticism well and has since maintained a front runner status in national polling EPA The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 Elizabeth Warren The Massachusetts senator is a progressive Democrat, and a major supporter of regulating Wall Street Reuters The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 Amy Klobuchar Klobuchar is a Minnesota senator who earned praise for her contribution to the Brett Kavanaugh hearings Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 Michael Bloomberg Michael Bloomberg, a late addition to the 2020 race, announced his candidacy after months of speculation in November. He has launched a massive ad-buying campaign and issued an apology for the controversial "stop and frisk" programme that adversely impacted minority communities in New York City when he was mayor Getty Images The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 Tulsi Gabbard The Hawaii congresswoman announced her candidacy in January, but has faced tough questions on her past comments on LGBT+ rights and her stance on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Pete Buttigieg The centrist Indiana mayor and war veteran would be the first openly LGBT+ president in American history Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Deval Patrick The former Massachusetts governor launched a late 2020 candidacy and received very little reception. With just a few short months until the first voters flock to the polls, the former governor is running as a centrist and believes he can unite the party's various voting blocs AFP/Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Beto O'Rourke The former Texas congressman formally launched his bid for the presidency in March. He ran on a progressive platform, stating that the US is driven by "gross differences in opportunity and outcome" AP The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Kamala Harris The former California attorney general was 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 AFP/Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Bill De Blasio The New York mayor announced his bid on 16 May 2019. He emerged in 2013 as a leading voice in the left wing of his party but struggled to build a national profile and has suffered a number of political setbacks in his time as mayor AFP/Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Steve Bullock The Montana governor announced his bid on 14 May. He stated "We need to defeat Donald Trump in 2020 and defeat the corrupt system that lets campaign money drown out the people's voice, so we can finally make good on the promise of a fair shot for everyone." He also highlighted the fact that he won the governor's seat in a red [Republican] state Reuters The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Cory Booker The New Jersey Senator has focused on restoring kindness and civility in American politics throughout his campaign, though he has failed to secure the same level of support and fundraising as several other senators running for the White House in 2020 Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Wayne Messam Mayor of the city of Miramar in the Miami metropolitan area, Wayne Messam said he intended 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 The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Kirsten Gillibrand The New York Senator formally announced her presidential bid in January, saying that healthcare should be a right, not a privilege Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: John Delaney The Maryland congressman was the first to launch his bid for presidency, making the announcement in 2017 AP The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Andrew Yang The entrepreneur announced his presidential candidacy by pledging that he would introduce a universal basic income of $1,000 a month to every American over the age of 18 Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: 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 The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Marianne Williamson The author and spiritual adviser has announced her intention to run for president. She had previously run for congress as an independent in 2014 but was unsuccessful Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Eric Swalwell One of the younger candidates, Swalwell has served on multiple committees in the House of Representatives. He intended to make gun control central to his campaign but dropped out after his team said it was clear there was no path to victory Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Seth Moulton A Massachusetts congressman, Moulton is a former US soldier who is best known for trying to stop Nancy Pelosi from becoming speaker of the house. He dropped out of the race after not polling well in key states Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Jay Inslee Inslee has been governor of Washington since 2013. His bid was centred around climate change AFP/Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: John Hickenlooper The former governor of Colorado aimed to sell himself as an effective leader who was open to compromise, but failed to make a splash on the national stage Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Tim Ryan Ohio representative Tim Ryan ran on a campaign that hinged on his working class roots, though his messaging did not appear to resonate with voters Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Tom Steyer Democratic presidential hopeful billionaire and philanthropist Tom Steyer is a longtime Democratic donor AFP/Getty The 2020 candidate is surging in the polls in recent weeks as he has travelled through critical primary states and met with the likes of former President Jimmy Carter and civil rights leader Al Sharpton, who described Mr Buttigieg as more impressive than I thought he would be. The most impressive thing about him is he seems comfortable in his own skin, Mr Sharpton told the Daily Mail. You meet a lot of political people that you feel they're insecure or trying to mold themselves to what they think you like. He seems to be who he is. And I think that's impressive and refreshing. Mr Buttigieg has also proven to be an effective fundraising juggernaut, securing comparative donations to some of the most nationally-recognised politicians to have thrown their names in the ever-growing 2020 pool, from Kamala Harris to Beto ORourke and Elizabeth Warren. The Democrat is an Episcopalian Christian who has frequently argued religion and God do not have party affiliations. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events "I get that one of the things about Scripture is different people see different things in it," Mr Buttigieg said during a CNN town hall last month. "But at the very least, we should be able to establish that God does not have a political party." Donald Trump is "impeachable" and Congress must look at the question again in the wake of the Mueller report, the Republican former governor Bill Weld has said. Mr Weld is running against Mr Trump in the Republican 2020 primary, much to the chagrin of the White House but when he talks about impeachment he knows more than most. The former federal prosecutor worked on the House of Representatives 1974 impeachment inquiry of Richard Nixon and contributed to then Houses report on the constitutional grounds for impeachment He also resigned as head of the Justice Departments criminal division in 1988 amid concerns over the ethical conduct of attorney general Edwin Meese. He just wants to interfere with the ordinary workings of the constitution and thats quintessential impeachment offence, Me Weld told MSNBC. Mr Weld said that the 11 instances of possible obstruction of justice by Mr Trump that special counsel Robert Mueller laid out in his report into Russian election interference and the conduct of the Trump presidential campaign marks a clear case of obstruction of justice. The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 Show all 25 1 /25 The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 Bernie Sanders The Vermont senator has launched a second bid for president after losing out to Hilary Clinton in the 2016 Democratic primaries. He is running on a similar platform of democratic socialist reform Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 Joe Biden The former vice president recently faced scrutiny for inappropriate touching of women, but was thought to deal with the criticism well and has since maintained a front runner status in national polling EPA The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 Elizabeth Warren The Massachusetts senator is a progressive Democrat, and a major supporter of regulating Wall Street Reuters The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 Amy Klobuchar Klobuchar is a Minnesota senator who earned praise for her contribution to the Brett Kavanaugh hearings Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 Michael Bloomberg Michael Bloomberg, a late addition to the 2020 race, announced his candidacy after months of speculation in November. He has launched a massive ad-buying campaign and issued an apology for the controversial "stop and frisk" programme that adversely impacted minority communities in New York City when he was mayor Getty Images The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 Tulsi Gabbard The Hawaii congresswoman announced her candidacy in January, but has faced tough questions on her past comments on LGBT+ rights and her stance on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Pete Buttigieg The centrist Indiana mayor and war veteran would be the first openly LGBT+ president in American history Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Deval Patrick The former Massachusetts governor launched a late 2020 candidacy and received very little reception. With just a few short months until the first voters flock to the polls, the former governor is running as a centrist and believes he can unite the party's various voting blocs AFP/Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Beto O'Rourke The former Texas congressman formally launched his bid for the presidency in March. He ran on a progressive platform, stating that the US is driven by "gross differences in opportunity and outcome" AP The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Kamala Harris The former California attorney general was 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 AFP/Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Bill De Blasio The New York mayor announced his bid on 16 May 2019. He emerged in 2013 as a leading voice in the left wing of his party but struggled to build a national profile and has suffered a number of political setbacks in his time as mayor AFP/Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Steve Bullock The Montana governor announced his bid on 14 May. He stated "We need to defeat Donald Trump in 2020 and defeat the corrupt system that lets campaign money drown out the people's voice, so we can finally make good on the promise of a fair shot for everyone." He also highlighted the fact that he won the governor's seat in a red [Republican] state Reuters The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Cory Booker The New Jersey Senator has focused on restoring kindness and civility in American politics throughout his campaign, though he has failed to secure the same level of support and fundraising as several other senators running for the White House in 2020 Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Wayne Messam Mayor of the city of Miramar in the Miami metropolitan area, Wayne Messam said he intended 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 The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Kirsten Gillibrand The New York Senator formally announced her presidential bid in January, saying that healthcare should be a right, not a privilege Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: John Delaney The Maryland congressman was the first to launch his bid for presidency, making the announcement in 2017 AP The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Andrew Yang The entrepreneur announced his presidential candidacy by pledging that he would introduce a universal basic income of $1,000 a month to every American over the age of 18 Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: 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 The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Marianne Williamson The author and spiritual adviser has announced her intention to run for president. She had previously run for congress as an independent in 2014 but was unsuccessful Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Eric Swalwell One of the younger candidates, Swalwell has served on multiple committees in the House of Representatives. He intended to make gun control central to his campaign but dropped out after his team said it was clear there was no path to victory Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Seth Moulton A Massachusetts congressman, Moulton is a former US soldier who is best known for trying to stop Nancy Pelosi from becoming speaker of the house. He dropped out of the race after not polling well in key states Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Jay Inslee Inslee has been governor of Washington since 2013. His bid was centred around climate change AFP/Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: John Hickenlooper The former governor of Colorado aimed to sell himself as an effective leader who was open to compromise, but failed to make a splash on the national stage Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Tim Ryan Ohio representative Tim Ryan ran on a campaign that hinged on his working class roots, though his messaging did not appear to resonate with voters Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Tom Steyer Democratic presidential hopeful billionaire and philanthropist Tom Steyer is a longtime Democratic donor AFP/Getty The former governor also referenced a letter signed by more than 500 former prosecutors, including Mr Weld, that said the president should face charges. Each of us believes that the conduct of President Trump described in Special Counsel Robert Muellers report would, in the case of any other person not covered by the Office of Legal Counsel policy against indicting a sitting President, result in multiple felony charges for obstruction of justice, the statement reads. US senator Richard Blumenthal said he was proud to add his name to the list of signatures, which includes officials who worked for both Democratic and Republican administrations stretching back to Dwight Eisenhower. Recommended Donald Trump is right to play China at its own trade war game When asked about the contention put forward by many Republicans that there was no conspiracy on show, Mr Weld was forthright that the actions of Mr Trump and attorney general William Barr prove otherwise. There was a [chargeable conspiracy], Mr Weld said. I think its clear that my old friend Bill Barr said to my old friend Bob Mueller: Im not going to let you charge this guy if you do Im going to squash it so Mueller had no recourse. Mr Weld said that he had been against impeachment proceedings but that the i word deserves re-examining. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events He said that Mr Barrs actions, in refusing to be appear in front of a House committee to discuss the report only hardened his resolve. If the president and the AG are simply going to thumb their nose at Congress and say we arent going to play... I think it needs a little re-thinking in view of the brazenness of the response Being pro-choice and campaigning against climate change Mr Weld bears little resemblance to the Republican Party now led by Mr Trump, indeed he was on the Libertarian Party ticket for the 2016 presidential election. Mr Weld hopes to give Mr Trump a bloody nose in early primary races, particularly New Hampshire, with the aim of getting some momentum to challenge the president. He added that whatever else is in the Trump campaigns plans they sure dont want an election. As another year marked by the global pandemic comes to an end, our photojournalists remain challenged and, frequently, awed - by the constant state of change. We documented our ever-evolving world in ways few photo staffs could as we all worked to regain normalcy amid COVID-19s seemingly unbreakable hold on our communities. We showed the relieved faces of people receiving a coveted vaccine, telling the story of a scientific breakthrough with images of those benefitting from it. We covered new workplace policies, school protocols and policing practices. We traveled half-way across the world to an Olympics where the athletes couldnt hug each other, masked medalists step atop the podium and no one came to watch. The Chicago Tribune faced its own series of changes, too. We have new owners. New bosses. Endured another move. Gained new talented journalists and lost many others from the newsroom ranks. The one constant has been our dedication to providing photography on a daily basis that is relevant to the communities we cover: The joy of picnicking at the lakefront on a summer afternoon, the pain of children, police officers and neighbors all falling victims to violent crime. Documenting whos in and whos out in the political landscape, escaping to your favorite cultural event or sports competition. We hope this installment of the annual Photos of the Year project reminds us of the moments that shaped our lives and the thoughtful way we portray them. Its also a platform for acknowledging the talent and dedication of Tribune photographers, and all photojournalists, who make change a way of life. The Chicago Tribune staff photographers for 2021: Brian Cassella, Erin Hooley, Terrence Antonio James, Vashon Jordan Jr., John J. Kim, Youngrae Kim, Jose M. Osorio, Antonio Perez, Armando L. Sanchez, Chris Sweda, Abel Uribe, E. Jason Wambsgans, Stacey Wescott and Raquel Zaldivar. Tribune visual editors: Mark Hume, Andrew Johnston, Marianne Mather, Steve Rosenberg and Peter Tsai. - Todd Panagopoulos, Director of Content/Visuals Close Michael Behenna: Trump pardons US soldier who stripped and killed Iraqi prisoner Elizabeth Warren says the US Congress should begin impeachment proceedings against Donald Trump. The Democratic presidential candidate went to the Senate floor on Tuesday to reiterate her call for impeachment hours after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell declared "case closed" on the Russia probe and potential obstruction by the president. Holding a copy of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's report, Ms Warren responded to Mr McConnell that "wishing won't make it so." She said that because of a Justice Department opinion that a sitting president can't be indicted, the only way to the hold the president accountable is to initiate impeachment. Meanwhile, Bill Weld, the Republican former governor and federal prosecutor challenging Mr Trump for their partys nomination in 2020, says the president is impeachable as a result of the Mueller report, attacking his administrations brazenness over the handling of the investigation into Russian collusion. Mueller investigation: The key figures Show all 12 1 /12 Mueller investigation: The key figures Mueller investigation: The key figures Robert Mueller is the special counsel overseeing the investigation into Russia's meddling in the 2016 election, and potential obstruction of justice by the president. Mr Mueller has a pristine reputation in Washington, where he was previously in charge of the FBI. Throughout his investigation, he and his team have been notoriously tight lipped about what they know and where their investigation has led. REUTERS Mueller investigation: The key figures Former FBI director James Comey was the catalyst that led to the appointment of special counsel Robert Mueller. Mr Comey was fired by the president after Mr Trump reportedly asked him to drop his own Russia investigation. Mr Trump has long maintained that the investigation is a "witch hunt". AFP/Getty Images Mueller investigation: The key figures Deputy attorney general Rod Rosenstein had authority over the special counsel investigation for much of the two years it has been active. Mr Rosenstein found himself with that responsibility after then-attorney general Jeff Sessions recused himself from that oversight. AP Mueller investigation: The key figures Attorney general Jeff Sessions's decision to recuse himself from oversight of the special counsel investigation may have cost him his job in the end. Mr Sessions resigned last year, after weathering a contentious relationship with Donald Trump who vocally criticised his attorney general for taking a step back. Mr Sessions recused himself from the oversight citing longstanding Justice Department rules to not be involved in investigations overseeing campaigns that officials were apart of. AP Mueller investigation: The key figures Attorney General William Barr is currently responsible for oversight of the special counsel investigation. Mr Barr's office will be the first to receive the Mueller report when it is finished. His office will then determine what portion or version of that report should be delivered to Congress, and also made public. EPA Mueller investigation: The key figures Michal Cohn is the president's former personal lawyer, who has been helping the special counsel investigation as a part of a plea deal over financial crimes, and campaign finance crimes, he has pleaded guilty to. Among those crimes, Cohen admitted to facilitating $130,000 in hush money payments to adult film actress Stormy Daniels during the 2016 campaign. Cohen has said he did so at the direction of Mr Trump. Cohen has also admitted that he maintained contacts with Russian officials about a potential Trump real estate project in Moscow for months longer than Mr Trump and others admitted. The talks continued well into 2016 during the campaign, he has said. AP Mueller investigation: The key figures Stormy Daniels has alleged that she had an affair with Donald Trump in 2006, soon after Melania Trump gave birth to Baron Trump. The accusation is of particular importance as a result of the $130,000 hush money payment she received to keep quiet about the affair during the 2016 campaign. AP Mueller investigation: The key figures Paul Manafort was Donald Trump's former campaign chairman. Manafort was charged alongside Rick Gates for a slew of financial crimes, and was convicted on several counts in a Virginia court. He then pleaded guilty to separate charges filed in a Washington court. Manafort has been sentenced to just 7.5 years in prison for his crimes in spite of recommendations from the special counsel's office for a much harsher sentence. AP Mueller investigation: The key figures George Papadopoulos was one of the first individuals associated with the Trump campaign to be charged by the Mueller probe. He ultimately received a 14 day prison sentence for lying to investigators about contacts he had with Russian officials. AP Mueller investigation: The key figures Roger Stone is a well known political fixer and operative, who has made a name for himself for some dirty tactics. He has been charged by the Mueller probe earlier this year, and he has been said to have had prior knowledge that WikiLeaks planned on publishing stolen emails from the Hillary Clinton campaign in 2016. Getty Images Mueller investigation: The key figures Rick Gates was charged alongside former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort for a range of crimes. Gates, who worked alongside Manafort for a pro-Russia Ukrainian political party. The two were charged with conspiracy and financial crimes. Gates pleaded guilty. AP Mueller investigation: The key figures Former national security adviser Michael Flynn was one of the first casualties of the Russia scandal, and was forced out of his position in the White House weeks after Donald Trump took office. Flynn pleaded guilty in 2017 to "willfully" making fraudulent statements about contacts he had with Russian officials including former Russian ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak. Flynn then lied to Vice President Mike Pence about that contact. REUTERS Democratic contender Eric Swalwell has likewise called for impeachment to remove the really bad kid in the White House as Joe Biden surges ahead of nearest rival Bernie Sanders in the opinion polls Treasury secretary Steve Mnuchin has meanwhile refused to release the presidents tax returns to the House Ways and Means committee. The White House is also instructing former counsel Don McGahn not to comply with a subpoena for documents from the House Judiciary Committee, arguing the materials are subject to executive privilege. Recommended Trump says Mueller should not testify as he agrees to speak with House White House counsel Pat Cipollone sent a letter to committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler on Tuesday saying Mr McGahn has been directed not to disclose the documents. The committee requested information about Mr McGahn's interactions with Mr Trump that were provided to the special counsel. Mr Cipollone says Mr McGahn does not have any "legal right" to the documents because they're under White House control. He says the committee should direct its request to the White House. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events She said enough evidence is in the report to try and remove the president. She said, "It's there in black and white in the report." The Associated Press contributed to this report. Please allow a moment for our liveblog to load More than 620 former federal prosecutors have signed a letter saying Donald Trump should be charged with obstruction of justice. The statement claims there is overwhelming evidence of corrupt intent to block the investigation by Special Counsel Robert Mueller into Russian interference in the 2016 election. Each of us believes that the conduct of President Trump described in Special Counsel Robert Muellers report would, in the case of any other person not covered by the Office of Legal Counsel policy against indicting a sitting President, result in multiple felony charges for obstruction of justice, the statement reads. US senator Richard Blumenthal said he was proud to add his name to the list of signatures, which includes officials who worked for both Democratic and Republican administrations stretching back to Dwight Eisenhower. He was joined by Bill Weld, a former US attorney who is standing against Mr Trump for the Republican presidential nomination, and Donald Ayer, a former deputy attorney general under George HW Bush. The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 Show all 25 1 /25 The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 Bernie Sanders The Vermont senator has launched a second bid for president after losing out to Hilary Clinton in the 2016 Democratic primaries. He is running on a similar platform of democratic socialist reform Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 Joe Biden The former vice president recently faced scrutiny for inappropriate touching of women, but was thought to deal with the criticism well and has since maintained a front runner status in national polling EPA The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 Elizabeth Warren The Massachusetts senator is a progressive Democrat, and a major supporter of regulating Wall Street Reuters The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 Amy Klobuchar Klobuchar is a Minnesota senator who earned praise for her contribution to the Brett Kavanaugh hearings Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 Michael Bloomberg Michael Bloomberg, a late addition to the 2020 race, announced his candidacy after months of speculation in November. He has launched a massive ad-buying campaign and issued an apology for the controversial "stop and frisk" programme that adversely impacted minority communities in New York City when he was mayor Getty Images The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 Tulsi Gabbard The Hawaii congresswoman announced her candidacy in January, but has faced tough questions on her past comments on LGBT+ rights and her stance on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Pete Buttigieg The centrist Indiana mayor and war veteran would be the first openly LGBT+ president in American history Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Deval Patrick The former Massachusetts governor launched a late 2020 candidacy and received very little reception. With just a few short months until the first voters flock to the polls, the former governor is running as a centrist and believes he can unite the party's various voting blocs AFP/Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Beto O'Rourke The former Texas congressman formally launched his bid for the presidency in March. He ran on a progressive platform, stating that the US is driven by "gross differences in opportunity and outcome" AP The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Kamala Harris The former California attorney general was 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 AFP/Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Bill De Blasio The New York mayor announced his bid on 16 May 2019. He emerged in 2013 as a leading voice in the left wing of his party but struggled to build a national profile and has suffered a number of political setbacks in his time as mayor AFP/Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Steve Bullock The Montana governor announced his bid on 14 May. He stated "We need to defeat Donald Trump in 2020 and defeat the corrupt system that lets campaign money drown out the people's voice, so we can finally make good on the promise of a fair shot for everyone." He also highlighted the fact that he won the governor's seat in a red [Republican] state Reuters The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Cory Booker The New Jersey Senator has focused on restoring kindness and civility in American politics throughout his campaign, though he has failed to secure the same level of support and fundraising as several other senators running for the White House in 2020 Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Wayne Messam Mayor of the city of Miramar in the Miami metropolitan area, Wayne Messam said he intended 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 The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Kirsten Gillibrand The New York Senator formally announced her presidential bid in January, saying that healthcare should be a right, not a privilege Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: John Delaney The Maryland congressman was the first to launch his bid for presidency, making the announcement in 2017 AP The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Andrew Yang The entrepreneur announced his presidential candidacy by pledging that he would introduce a universal basic income of $1,000 a month to every American over the age of 18 Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: 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 The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Marianne Williamson The author and spiritual adviser has announced her intention to run for president. She had previously run for congress as an independent in 2014 but was unsuccessful Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Eric Swalwell One of the younger candidates, Swalwell has served on multiple committees in the House of Representatives. He intended to make gun control central to his campaign but dropped out after his team said it was clear there was no path to victory Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Seth Moulton A Massachusetts congressman, Moulton is a former US soldier who is best known for trying to stop Nancy Pelosi from becoming speaker of the house. He dropped out of the race after not polling well in key states Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Jay Inslee Inslee has been governor of Washington since 2013. His bid was centred around climate change AFP/Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: John Hickenlooper The former governor of Colorado aimed to sell himself as an effective leader who was open to compromise, but failed to make a splash on the national stage Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Tim Ryan Ohio representative Tim Ryan ran on a campaign that hinged on his working class roots, though his messaging did not appear to resonate with voters Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Tom Steyer Democratic presidential hopeful billionaire and philanthropist Tom Steyer is a longtime Democratic donor AFP/Getty Mr Weld said the evidence goes well beyond what is required to support criminal charges of obstruction of justice. The letter was drawn up in response to Attorney General William Barrs conclusion that the evidence was insufficient for a charge of obstruction of justice. It argues there is evidence that Mr Trump attempted to fire Mr Mueller, limit the scope of the investigation and prevent witnesses from cooperating with investigators. To look at these facts and say that a prosecutor could not probably sustain a conviction for obstruction of justice the standard set out in Principles of Federal Prosecution runs counter to logic and our experience, the letter says. The statement had gathered around 370 signatures by Monday afternoon and by Tuesday morning the total stood at 622, according to the list updated by the non-profit Protect Democracy project. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events It came as members of the House Judiciary Committee announced plans to vote on Wednesday on whether to hold Mr Barr in contempt of Congress for failing to meet a deadline to provide a copy of the full, unredacted report and its underlying evidence. The Trump administration has been accused of breaking the law after the US treasury secretary refused to provide Congress with the presidents tax returns. In the latest stand-off between the US government and Democrats on Capitol Hill, Steven Mnuchin said on Monday he was turning down the request from the Ways and Means Committee as it lacked a legitimate legislative purpose. Out of respect for the deadlines previously set by the committee, and consistent with our commitment to a prompt response, I am informing you now that the department may not lawfully fulfil the committees request, he wrote in a letter to the panel. A number of experts said Mr Mnuchin was violating the law by ignoring the request by Democratic congressman Richard Neal, chair of the committee in the House of Representatives. The law is clear that the IRS must turn over tax returns requested by the House Ways and Means Committee, which has many legitimate and important reasons to request the presidents returns, said Noah Bookbinder, a former federal prosecutor and chief of government watchdog Citzens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington. He added: There is no wiggle room in this, it is the law. Secretary Mnuchin says he has decided not to turn them over, but that is not a decision that is his to make. Congress cannot accept this. The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 Show all 25 1 /25 The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 Bernie Sanders The Vermont senator has launched a second bid for president after losing out to Hilary Clinton in the 2016 Democratic primaries. He is running on a similar platform of democratic socialist reform Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 Joe Biden The former vice president recently faced scrutiny for inappropriate touching of women, but was thought to deal with the criticism well and has since maintained a front runner status in national polling EPA The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 Elizabeth Warren The Massachusetts senator is a progressive Democrat, and a major supporter of regulating Wall Street Reuters The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 Amy Klobuchar Klobuchar is a Minnesota senator who earned praise for her contribution to the Brett Kavanaugh hearings Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 Michael Bloomberg Michael Bloomberg, a late addition to the 2020 race, announced his candidacy after months of speculation in November. He has launched a massive ad-buying campaign and issued an apology for the controversial "stop and frisk" programme that adversely impacted minority communities in New York City when he was mayor Getty Images The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 Tulsi Gabbard The Hawaii congresswoman announced her candidacy in January, but has faced tough questions on her past comments on LGBT+ rights and her stance on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Pete Buttigieg The centrist Indiana mayor and war veteran would be the first openly LGBT+ president in American history Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Deval Patrick The former Massachusetts governor launched a late 2020 candidacy and received very little reception. With just a few short months until the first voters flock to the polls, the former governor is running as a centrist and believes he can unite the party's various voting blocs AFP/Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Beto O'Rourke The former Texas congressman formally launched his bid for the presidency in March. He ran on a progressive platform, stating that the US is driven by "gross differences in opportunity and outcome" AP The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Kamala Harris The former California attorney general was 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 AFP/Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Bill De Blasio The New York mayor announced his bid on 16 May 2019. He emerged in 2013 as a leading voice in the left wing of his party but struggled to build a national profile and has suffered a number of political setbacks in his time as mayor AFP/Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Steve Bullock The Montana governor announced his bid on 14 May. He stated "We need to defeat Donald Trump in 2020 and defeat the corrupt system that lets campaign money drown out the people's voice, so we can finally make good on the promise of a fair shot for everyone." He also highlighted the fact that he won the governor's seat in a red [Republican] state Reuters The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Cory Booker The New Jersey Senator has focused on restoring kindness and civility in American politics throughout his campaign, though he has failed to secure the same level of support and fundraising as several other senators running for the White House in 2020 Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Wayne Messam Mayor of the city of Miramar in the Miami metropolitan area, Wayne Messam said he intended 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 The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Kirsten Gillibrand The New York Senator formally announced her presidential bid in January, saying that healthcare should be a right, not a privilege Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: John Delaney The Maryland congressman was the first to launch his bid for presidency, making the announcement in 2017 AP The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Andrew Yang The entrepreneur announced his presidential candidacy by pledging that he would introduce a universal basic income of $1,000 a month to every American over the age of 18 Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: 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 The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Marianne Williamson The author and spiritual adviser has announced her intention to run for president. She had previously run for congress as an independent in 2014 but was unsuccessful Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Eric Swalwell One of the younger candidates, Swalwell has served on multiple committees in the House of Representatives. He intended to make gun control central to his campaign but dropped out after his team said it was clear there was no path to victory Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Seth Moulton A Massachusetts congressman, Moulton is a former US soldier who is best known for trying to stop Nancy Pelosi from becoming speaker of the house. He dropped out of the race after not polling well in key states Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Jay Inslee Inslee has been governor of Washington since 2013. His bid was centred around climate change AFP/Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: John Hickenlooper The former governor of Colorado aimed to sell himself as an effective leader who was open to compromise, but failed to make a splash on the national stage Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Tim Ryan Ohio representative Tim Ryan ran on a campaign that hinged on his working class roots, though his messaging did not appear to resonate with voters Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Tom Steyer Democratic presidential hopeful billionaire and philanthropist Tom Steyer is a longtime Democratic donor AFP/Getty Democrats have long sought to obtain a copy of Donald Trumps tax returns, in the belief it may provide evidence of unethical behaviour in the way he has operated his finances and his businesses both before and after entering the White House. Though there is no law saying presidents must release their tax returns, Mr Trump remains an exception among US leaders in recent history by refusing to do so. Kamala Harris: 'Trumps primary interest has been to obstruct justice. My primary interest is to pursue justice. ' Mr Neal requested the document on the basis of a law which says the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) shall furnish the returns of any taxpayer to a handful of senior legislators, among them the chair of the Ways and Means Committee. The law here is exceptionally clear and says that Mnuchin shall provide the tax returns to the Chair of House Ways and Means, tweeted Joyce Alene, a law professor at the University of Alabama. Theres nothing that permits him to consider the reasons the Chair made the request. Richard Painter, a former White House ethics chief under George W Bush, tweeted: The House should hold Mnuchin in contempt. The expectation now is that the issue will be further spun out by means of a legal tussle. Democrats could seek to subpoena the IRS for the presidents tax returns or to file a lawsuit. Mr Neal has said his committee was looking into the effectiveness of IRS mandatory audits of tax returns of all sitting presidents, a way to justify his claim that the panel had a potential legislative purpose. Democrats are confident in their legal justification and say the president is stalling in an attempt to punt the issue past the 2020 election. Donald Trump will host Hungarys nationalist prime minister Viktor Orban next week, the White House has announced. The meeting is likely to prove controversial, as Hungarys far-right leader has regularly clashed with the EU over his anti-immigrant rhetoric and judicial reforms. He was also at odds with former US president Barack Obamas administration over what critics described as an erosion of democratic values by his government. The two leaders will discuss trade, energy and national security when they meet on 13 May, the White House said. Earlier this week, Hungarys foreign minister said the meeting would allow the two leaders to coordinate their anti-migrant positions into a global alliance. Trump prototypes for Mexico border wall demolished in California Show all 20 1 /20 Trump prototypes for Mexico border wall demolished in California Trump prototypes for Mexico border wall demolished in California The prototypes for President Trumps border wall are being demolished. AP Trump prototypes for Mexico border wall demolished in California The US Customs and Border protection had built the eight 30-foot tall steel and concrete models near San Diego on the US-Mexico border. Reuters Trump prototypes for Mexico border wall demolished in California A 2018 report from the Government Accountability Office found that the construction challenges presented by the four concrete models would be extensive and those presented by two of the other models would be substantial. Reuters Trump prototypes for Mexico border wall demolished in California It was intended that Mr Trump would choose his favourite of the designs after testing had been completed. AFP/Getty Trump prototypes for Mexico border wall demolished in California The President is yet to comment. AFP/Getty Trump prototypes for Mexico border wall demolished in California Each prototype cost $300,000 to $500,000 to build and they are being knocked down in order to make way for the San Diego Secondary Wall project which will see up to 14 miles of barrier being built to support the existing steel border fence. AP Trump prototypes for Mexico border wall demolished in California The new barrier will not employ the design of any of the prototypes, instead being built of the favoured steel bollards which make up the current section of the wall at San Diego. Reuters Trump prototypes for Mexico border wall demolished in California The new secondary barrier being built near San Diego. Reuters Trump prototypes for Mexico border wall demolished in California The rubble of one of the demolished prototypes. Reuters Trump prototypes for Mexico border wall demolished in California A steel wall prototype AFP/Getty Trump prototypes for Mexico border wall demolished in California A wall prototype made from a mix of steel and concrete AFP/Getty Trump prototypes for Mexico border wall demolished in California A wall prototype made from a mix of steel and concrete AFP/Getty Trump prototypes for Mexico border wall demolished in California A concrete wall prototype AFP/Getty Trump prototypes for Mexico border wall demolished in California A steel wall prototype AFP/Getty Trump prototypes for Mexico border wall demolished in California A concrete wall prototype AFP/Getty Trump prototypes for Mexico border wall demolished in California A concrete wall prototype AFP/Getty Trump prototypes for Mexico border wall demolished in California A concrete wall prototype AFP/Getty Trump prototypes for Mexico border wall demolished in California A digger approaches the prototype wall AFP/Getty Trump prototypes for Mexico border wall demolished in California Aerial view of the wall prototypes at the US-Mexico border after they were torn down AFP/Getty Trump prototypes for Mexico border wall demolished in California An aerial view showing Tijuana, Mexico on the left and the demolished wall prototypes on the right AFP/Getty In July 2016, Mr Orban became the first head of government in the EU to endorse Mr Trump in the US election campaign. Mr Orban has become a key figure among Europes nationalist and far-right parties. He built a razor wire fence at Hungarys southern border to stop refugees travelling from Serbia and Croatia during the peak of the refugee crisis. Mr Trump has also sought to build a border wall on the US-Mexico border and has taken a harsh stance on immigration. Both leaders have spoken of immigrants as an invasion. Africa wants to kick down our door, and Brussels is not defending us, Mr Orban said in 2018. Europe is under invasion already, and they are watching with their hands in the air. Mr Trump has also spoken about an invasion at his countrys southern border. On Sunday, Hungarys foreign minister said the meeting would enable Mr Trump and Mr Orban to coordinate their anti-migrant positions. Peter Szijjarto told Hungarian state radio on Sunday an anti-migration alliance was being formed and highlighted the fact Hungary and the US were among a handful of countries that voted against the United Nations migration pact last year. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Last November, Mr Trumps former White House strategist Steve Bannon said he planned to work with Mr Orban in the run-up to the European Parliament elections. He suggested Hungary would make an ideal home for his right-wing populist group The Movement. China has refused to join nuclear talks with the US and Russia, quashing Donald Trumps hopes for trilateral disarmament negotiations between the globes major atomic powers. The US president said he and Vladimir Putin discussed on Friday the possibility of a new accord limiting nuclear arms. Mr Trump said the accord could eventually include China. But Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said: China opposes any country talking out of turn about China on the issue of arms control, and will not take part in any trilateral negotiations on a nuclear disarmament agreement. Mr Geng said his countrys nuclear forces were at the lowest level of its national security needs, and said they could not be compared to the US and Russia. He added that it was up to the US and Russia to further reduce their nuclear weapons stockpiles before other countries participate. Which countries have nuclear weapons? Show all 14 1 /14 Which countries have nuclear weapons? Which countries have nuclear weapons? USA Have nuclear weapons Getty Which countries have nuclear weapons? Russia Have nuclear weapons Getty Which countries have nuclear weapons? UK Have nuclear weapons Getty Which countries have nuclear weapons? France Have nuclear weapons Getty Which countries have nuclear weapons? China Have nuclear weapons Getty Which countries have nuclear weapons? India Say they have nuclear weapons Getty Which countries have nuclear weapons? Pakistan Say they have nuclear weapons Getty Which countries have nuclear weapons? North Korea Say they have nuclear weapons EPA/Rodong Sinmun Which countries have nuclear weapons? Israel Believed to have nuclear weapons Getty Which countries have nuclear weapons? Belgium Nations hosting nuclear weapons Getty Which countries have nuclear weapons? Germany Nations hosting nuclear weapons Getty Which countries have nuclear weapons? Italy Nations hosting nuclear weapons Getty Which countries have nuclear weapons? Netherlands Nations hosting nuclear weapons Getty Which countries have nuclear weapons? Turkey Nations hosting nuclear weapons Getty Mr Trump claimed China had felt very strongly during trade talks about joining the US and Russia in limiting nuclear weapons. So I think were going to probably start up something very shortly between Russia and ourselves maybe to start off, and I think China will be added down the road, he said last Friday. Well be talking about non-proliferation, well be talking about a nuclear deal of some kind, and I think itll be a very comprehensive one. The 2011 New Start treaty, the only US-Russia arms-control pact limiting deployed strategic nuclear weapons, expires in February 2021 but can be extended for five years if both sides agree. Arms-control advocates have warned that without the agreement it could be harder for each side to gauge each others intentions. The treaty required the two nuclear superpowers to cut their deployed strategic nuclear warheads to no more than 1,550, the lowest level in decades. It also includes extensive transparency measures requiring each side to allow the other to carry out 10 inspections of strategic nuclear bases each year; give 48 hours notice before new missiles covered by the treaty leave their factories; and provide notifications before ballistic missile launches. Vladimir Putin: Russia will abandon nuclear arms treaty Mr Trump called the treaty, which was concluded by his predecessor Barack Obama, a bad deal and one-sided. He has expressed hopes for a new deal between the US and Russia, citing the expense of maintaining the US nuclear arsenal as a motivating factor behind wanting to limit how many weapons are deployed. Were talking about a nuclear agreement where we make less and they make less and maybe where we get rid of some of the tremendous firepower that we have right now, he said. Additional reporting by Reuters Pakistan says it has busted a major prostitution ring smuggling Christian girls to China for fake marriages, a week after Human Rights Watch said it was seeing a worrying and growing trend of such reports. Parents in poor Christian families are being pressured to offer up their daughters to Chinese husbands at a rate that has boomed since October last year, activists said, with members of the clergy complicit in the smuggling operations and sometimes helping brokers scout for young brides. The practice of smuggling brides to China from other Asian countries has become well established in recent years; a hangover from Beijings one-child policy that skewed the gender balance of the population in favour of men. Human Rights Watch says that after Vietnam, Laos and North Korea were targeted in the past, desperation has seen brokers expand into Pakistan as well. In a statement, the group called on China and Pakistan to act in the face of increasing evidence that Pakistani women and girls are at risk of sexual slavery in China. Christian community leaders, activists, Pakistani officials and smuggled brides themselves spoke to the Associated Press about a well-oiled system that, by one activists estimate, has seen 750 to 1,000 girls married off in the past six months or so. Educating brothel children in Pakistan Show all 9 1 /9 Educating brothel children in Pakistan Educating brothel children in Pakistan "A winding alleyway leads to a small, concrete building with green doors Thaslima Begum Educating brothel children in Pakistan An unexpected chanting of nursery rhymes can be heard Thaslima Begum Educating brothel children in Pakistan Inside, a cluttered, makeshift classroom equipped with wooden desks, an alphabet-strewn blackboard and walls plastered with colourful drawings Thaslima Begum Educating brothel children in Pakistan The voices belong to the children of Lahores sex workers Thaslima Begum Educating brothel children in Pakistan They are the forgotten by-product of Pakistans undercover sex trade; spending their days on the streets and returning at night to sleep on brothel floors Thaslima Begum Educating brothel children in Pakistan They face malnutrition, physical and mental abuse and are prime targets of trafficking." Thaslima Begum Thaslima Begum Educating brothel children in Pakistan Thaslima Begum Educating brothel children in Pakistan Thaslima Begum Educating brothel children in Pakistan Thaslima Begum Young Chinese men would pay on average $3,500 (2,700) to $5,000, including fees to brokers, members of the clergy and to parents who, in Pakistans patriarchal society, would otherwise have to cover the cost of their daughters weddings and a dowry to boot. They are told that the buyers are wealthy Chinese men who have recently converted to Christianity, but in almost all cases this was found not to be true. It is all fraud and cheating. All the promises they make are fake, said Muqadas Ashraf, who was 16 when her parents married her off to a Chinese man. Muqadas told the AP her husband turned out to be abusive and they lived in a small house, just one room and a bedroom. She said he rarely let her out of the house on her own. He forced her to undergo a battery of medical tests that later she found were attempts to determine why she was not yet pregnant. On Christmas Eve, when she pressed him to take her to church, he slapped her and broke her phone, she said. I dont have the words to tell you how difficult the last month there was, said Muqadas. He threatened me. Finally, he agreed to send her home after her family said they would go to the police. Five months after her wedding, Muqadas was back in China, pregnant and filing for divorce. Muqadas mother Nasreen said she was promised about $5,000, which included the cost of the wedding and her daughters wedding dress. But I have not seen anything yet, she said. I really believed I was giving her a chance at a better life and also a better life for us, Nasreen said. On Monday, police in Pakistan moved to act following a surveillance operation that included attending what authorities said was a fake wedding. They arrested eight Chinese nationals and four Pakistanis, said Jameel Ahmad, a top official at Pakistans Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), which deals with human trafficking. We busted the gang after the FIA received information about increasing smuggling of Pakistani women to China where they are thrown into prostitution, Ahmad told the Reuters news agency. He said the prostitution ring was just one of several gangs that were believed to be in operation, all mainly targeting members of Pakistans Christian minority. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Last month the Chinese embassy in Islamabad said it was cooperating with Pakistani law-enforcement agencies to crack down on illegal matchmaking. It branded reports that the women were being trafficked for the sale of their organs as misleading and groundless. But Aslam Augustine, the human rights and minorities minister in Pakistans Punjab province, told AP the Chinese government and its embassy in Pakistan were turning a blind eye to the practice by unquestioningly issuing visas and documents. Chinas foreign ministry denied this, saying it had a zero tolerance approach to illegal international marriage agencies. This is human smuggling, said Mr Augustine. Greed is really responsible for these marriages ... I have met with some of these girls and they are very poor. With the Associated Press and Reuters Myanmars president has abruptly pardoned two Reuters journalists who were jailed for their coverage of the Rohingya crisis. Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo investigated the massacre of 10 Rohingya Muslim villagers by the Myanmar army and were sentenced to seven years in prison under the Official Secrets Act, sparking international condemnation. The prison chief of Myanmar said the pair had walked free on Tuesday morning, shortly after President Win Myint issued a blanket pardon for 6,520 prisoners. Stephen Adler, the editor-in-chief of Reuters, said in a statement that the pair, who spent 511 days in prison, had become symbols of the importance of press freedom around the world. We are enormously pleased that Myanmar has released our courageous reporters, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, Adler said. We welcome their return. Life for Rohingya women: the real and hidden crisis Show all 18 1 /18 Life for Rohingya women: the real and hidden crisis Life for Rohingya women: the real and hidden crisis Sultana Begum Sultana Begum*, 30, saw her husband die in front of her. She was also shot AJ Ghani/British Red Cross Life for Rohingya women: the real and hidden crisis Zaheda* with her daughter Arofa* It took and her family 18 days to walk from her village to the border with Myanmar. We went across the mountains and it was a rough journey because I was three months pregnant. In the refugee camp when it was time for the baby to be born I went into labour. I tried to give birth in my shelter but I could not. My son died soon after he was born. The doctors said it was the stress of the journey. Zaheda worries about the safety of her daughters Gulsar*, 20, and Abeda*, 18, as there are reports of trafficking in the camps, so she accompanies them everywhere, even to the toilet Abbie Trayler-Smith/Oxfam Life for Rohingya women: the real and hidden crisis Arofa* and her best friend Rashida* Arofa*, six years old, one of Zahedas younger daughters, and her best friend Rashida* share a moment in the refugee camp. Arofa lives with her eight siblings, mother, father and grandmother Nur Begum, in a three-roomed shelter made of tarpaulin and bamboo Abbie Trayler-Smith/Oxfam Life for Rohingya women: the real and hidden crisis Ummee* is a 16-year old girl who arrived in Bangladesh with her brother, orphaned Ummee Salma*, 16: Me and my older brother came here four months ago. My parents are either killed or lost. When violence broke out we were separated. I heard them screaming our names but we couldnt find each other. That was the last time I saw them. If my parents were alive they would have come and found us in Bangladesh Josh Estey/Care International Life for Rohingya women: the real and hidden crisis Almost 1 million people, mainly women and children, are now living in the sprawling refugee camps in Coxs Bazar, making it now the largest refugee camp in the world Abbie Trayler-Smith/Oxfam Life for Rohingya women: the real and hidden crisis Rohana Begum If the people of Save the Children hadnt helped me when I was unconscious I would have died, says Rohana*. Rohana Begum* was alone in her shelter made of wood and plastic sheeting when she went into labour with Khotija*, now two and a half months. After delivering the baby on her own Rohana* began to lose a lot of blood. She lay unconscious and haemorrhaging until her mother-in law returned a few hours later. Save the Children estimates that 48,000 babies were born in the camps around Coxs Bazar in 2018 Allison Joyce/Save the Children Life for Rohingya women: the real and hidden crisis Women in the camps face many issues; in addition to the extreme sexual and physical violence they experienced as they fled, they are still vulnerable in the camps. Many are alone, or just with their children, and overcrowding and limited privacy means that they are at further risk of violence, sexual abuse, child abuse, human trafficking and exploitation Saikat Mojumder /Plan International Life for Rohingya women: the real and hidden crisis Marjina*, 25, with her 2 month old daughter Asma, in their tent in Balukhali refugee camp I was eight months pregnant when they came. It was just before dawn and we were sleeping. We heard gunshots and looked outside to work out what was happening. When we saw the house was on fire we had to pick up the children and run. As we ran through the forest they shot at us. Conditions in the camp are not good. I dont have nutritious food to give the children. My son keeps crying that he is hungry and asking me for food. I feel bad because I cant provide for them. I worry that Im not able to care for my baby properly. Farzana Hossen/Surya Photos/Oxfam Life for Rohingya women: the real and hidden crisis Sajeda Begum*, 35 (on the left), is married with five children She has become firm friends with Sobika* (right) since meeting her at the ActionAid women-friendly space where they have been encouraged to talk. I have suffered so much torture and so many struggles over the last one year. When I sleep I can still see everything. They gathered all the male heads of the family together and tortured them. They uncovered our bodies and ripped our scarves, which is a big violation. They tortured the women and the small children too. They even beat pregnant women. The memory is still too clear for me. Too clear. The first time I came here and saw the other women talking I was surprised. But I was encouraged to tell my stories of where I have come from. I feel that life is more enjoyable now I am here. Stephanie Ross/ActionAid Life for Rohingya women: the real and hidden crisis A girl sells vegetables in Kutupalong refugee camp. There are currently 6,000 unaccompanied children living in Coxs Bazar, where they face crippling food shortages and are at risk of exploitation and abuse. Whilst looking for work women and girls are falling victim to exploitation and are being trafficked into the sex trade Christian Aid Life for Rohingya women: the real and hidden crisis Isamatara, 15 Isamatara takes part in a session run by Plan International in Balukhali camp, Coxs Bazar, for teenage girls to talk about what its like to have their periods in a place like this. Girls are usually married within two to three years after they start menstruating, between the ages of 12 to 16 Plan International Life for Rohingya women: the real and hidden crisis Rojia*, 25, with her youngest son Sultan*, 2 Rojias husband went missing in Myanmar. She thinks he was picked up by the military. He went out for a walk after lunch and never returned. Single mothers whose husbands are missing or dead head up 1 in 6 families in the Rohingya camps. They face particular problems, having to take on public roles that challenge cultural and religious assumptions about womens place in society. Oxfam has collaborated with women refugees to design improved toilets and washrooms that afford more privacy, and is calling for more to be done to support these vulnerable women such as help collecting aid packages and more community dialogue about men and womens traditional roles Abbie-Trayler Smith/Oxfam Life for Rohingya women: the real and hidden crisis Fatima Fatimas* husband was killed in the attacks and shortly after their house was burnt. Since Fatima is head of the household, she has to do most of the work. From one of the nearby water pumps in the camp she usually fetches water in the evenings. Care provides her with safe drinking water and washing facilities, critical for the 22,000 people in her camp. No aid in the world can give me back my husband Josh Estey/Care International Life for Rohingya women: the real and hidden crisis Fatima Look at my feet. I had lost my toe nails as we were climbing. It was so hard to climb over the mountains and we had to carry our old mother because she cant walk, says Fatima* Josh Estey/Care International Life for Rohingya women: the real and hidden crisis Dr Fatema Akter Dr Fatema Akter, 42, one of ActionAids team in Coxs Bazar, says that when the crisis started she saw 80 people a day. At the beginning, most of the women came with reproductive problems because they had to walk a long time when they were crossing the border. Sometimes they were a few weeks pregnant, but when walking on this journey they were bleeding and it turned out they miscarried. There are also many rape cases. I try to understand my patients when I see them. A common problem is women being beaten by their husbands in the camp. And another problem is women being left by their husbands. To focus myself and try to hold back my tears, sometimes I try to remember my favourite films, or think about fun moments with my friends 'When they tell us what theyre going through, we try to provide them with support.' Noor Alam/ActionAid Life for Rohingya women: the real and hidden crisis Dildar Begum Dildar Begum, 25, lost her husband as she fled to save herself and her childrens lives. After reaching Jamtoli camp she was reunited with her husband and they started living happily together. But soon he started abusing her physically and emotionally. She then discovered he had a new wife, occasionally he returned to torture her further, but now he doesnt come at all. She is pregnant again, a single mother of six children, and delivered her last baby all alone in the camp. Its very difficult to explain the struggle Ive faced in Myanmar and throughout my journey towards Bangladesh. I was five months pregnant and alone with my five children. Dildar now attends a Women and Child Friendly Space run by Gana Unnayan Kendra, a partner organisation of Christian Aid. Here women come together, share their stories, sew clothes to sell and wear, and get psychosocial support Faysal Ahamed/Christian Aid Life for Rohingya women: the real and hidden crisis Rahima When I lost my two children, I wanted to climb into the hole with them and lay there. Though Im sad, its very important to tell our terrible story to the whole world. One of my children was killed crossing the border, she was 11. My other child was only seven. When we crossed it was very cold and raining, we didnt have enough food so my child got sick and was taken by disease. Rahima lost her husband and two other children before she fled Myanmar. Despite her unimaginable loss, she remains determined to help others now she is here. Rahima is just one of thousands of people that the Red Cross has trained in hygiene promotion. 'I want to protect other peoples children so they dont fall to disease. I have one child now and I will try my best to protect her and the communitys children.' AJ Ghani/British Red Cross Life for Rohingya women: the real and hidden crisis Minara, 20, with baby Shomima Shomima was seven days old when the photo was taken. One day, if its safe, of course we want to go home. I miss my home, my family. I miss my cows and my normal life. But at least this is safer, she says. In October 2018, a proposed repatriation deal was made between the Bangladesh and Myanmar governments. The deal was made against the wishes of many Rohingya, some of whom spoke of being terrified at being sent back. As a result of mounting concern amongst NGOs, human rights groups and the UNHCR, repatriation did not take place at this time. For now the Rohingya remain in limbo just across the border from Myanmar, and for women and girls in the camps of Coxs Bazar life remains precarious (*Names have been changed throughout gallery to protect identity) AJ Ghani/British Red Cross The pair were arrested in December 2017 after spending months investigating the killing of 10 Rohingya Muslim men and boys by security forces and Buddhist civilians in Inn Din, a village in western Myanmars Rakhine state. They were accused of illegally possessing official documents, though Reuters and the journalists themselves insisted they had done nothing wrong. The report they authored on the massacre, based on interviews with witnesses, families of victims and perpetrators, saw them awarded the Pulitzer Prize for International Reporting last month while in prison. Swamped by supporters as they walked out through the gates of Insein Prison, outside Yangon, Wa Lone gave a thumbs up and said he was grateful for the international efforts to secure their freedom. Im really happy and excited to see my family and my colleagues. I cant wait to go to my newsroom, he said. According to Reuters, a British surgeon and civilian advisor to the Myanmar government was instrumental to securing the journalists release. The pair were released on Tuesday into the care of Lord Ara Darzi, a member of the advisory commission that was formed under the guidance of former UN chief Kofi Anan to try and solve the long-running Rohingya crisis. While Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo were released as part of mass pardons that traditionally take place around 17 April new year festivities in Myanmar, Lord Darzi said discussions about their pardon had involved the Myanmar government, Reuters, the UN and representatives of other governments, without providing more detail. Spains highest court has voided a ban on Catalonias pro-independence former leader from standing in the European parliament elections. Officials at Spains electoral commission had said Carles Puigdemont and two other Catalan separatist politicians could not stand because they were not resident in Spain. The decision is significant because it might allow Mr Puigdemont and his colleagues to ultimately return to Spain under the protection of European parliament legal immunity, if they are elected. The politicians fled the country on charges of rebellion for their role in Catalonias abortive October 2017 unilateral declaration of independence, which was declared illegal by Spanish courts. The commission had originally imposed the ban after a complaint was raised by two right-of-centre parties, the former governing Partido Popular and the liberal Spanish nationalists Citizens. But in a unanimous decision over the bank holiday weekend the Supreme Court in Madrid said contesting an election was a fundamental right protected by the countrys constitution and that fleeing the country could not make a person ineligible as a candidate. Protests as Catalan leaders face trial: in pictures Show all 13 1 /13 Protests as Catalan leaders face trial: in pictures Protests as Catalan leaders face trial: in pictures Pro-union protesters demonstrate outside the Supreme Court in Madrid Reuters Protests as Catalan leaders face trial: in pictures A separatist protester holds a sign reading "When injustice becomes law, rebellion is a must" outside the Supreme Court in Madrid AFP/Getty Protests as Catalan leaders face trial: in pictures Separatist protesters hold a banner reading "Nationalism is supremacy" outside the Supreme Court in Madrid EPA Protests as Catalan leaders face trial: in pictures A protester holds a Catalan pro-independence Estelada flag during a protest outside the Supreme Court in Madrid AFP/Getty Protests as Catalan leaders face trial: in pictures A separatist protester holds up a banner during a protest outside the Supreme Court in Madrid Reuters Protests as Catalan leaders face trial: in pictures Basque people hold a sign reading "you will never walk alone, we are with you. Basque Country is always with Catalonia" outside the Supreme Court in Madrid AFP/Getty Protests as Catalan leaders face trial: in pictures Protesters hold banners mocking the trial of jailed Catalan separatists outside the Supreme Court in Madrid AFP/Getty Protests as Catalan leaders face trial: in pictures Separatist protesters hold up signs and banners during a protest outside the Supreme Court in Madrid Reuters Protests as Catalan leaders face trial: in pictures Separatist protesters hold Catalan and Spanish Republican flags and a banner reading "deciding is not a crime" outside the Supreme Court in Madrid Reuters Protests as Catalan leaders face trial: in pictures Pro-union demonstrators hold a sign depicting former President of the Catalan Government Carles Puigdemont reading "Puigdemont not ours" outside the Supreme Court in Madrid Reuters Protests as Catalan leaders face trial: in pictures Pro-union demonstrators hold Spanish flags with the message "hooray for the unity of Spain" outside the Supreme Court in Madrid EPA Protests as Catalan leaders face trial: in pictures Catalan regional president Quim Torra (C-R) and Catalan regional parliament speaker Roger Torrent (C-L) take part in a protest against the trial of jailed Catalan separatists in Madrid AFP/Getty Protests as Catalan leaders face trial: in pictures The president of Catalonian Parliament, Roger Torrent, center, and the Catalan regional President Quim Torra walk with protesters holding a banner that reads "to choose is not a crime" outside the Supreme Court in Madrid AP When he was selected as a candidate in March Mr Puigdemont had said: It is time to take another step to internationalise the right to self-determination in Catalonia from the heart of Europe to the whole world. He and two other politicians, Toni Comin and Clara Ponsati, are set to contest the elections for the pro-independence Lliures per Europa list. MEPs receive parliamentary immunity under EU treaties while going about their duties meaning that the candidates election could allow them to return to Spain without being arrested, if this interpretation is upheld. Recommended Catalan separatists to demand referendum in coalition talks However, candidates are not covered by this provision, meaning the trio will not be able to campaign in person in their home country without fear of arrest. Mr Puigdemont said of the ruling that there is very good legal work behind each victory achieved. Some pro-Catalan independence politicians did not flee the country, or returned and are currently sitting in jail. Left-wing separatist party ERC, which did well in the Spanish general election at the end of last month, said it wanted the dropping of cases against the politicians on the table in coalition talks with Pedro Sanchezs socialist party. The only reason Mohamed, 26, was not dug out of the rubble of his home like the rest of his family, was because he stopped for a quick chat. He remembers how his father, a security guard at al-Awda hospital in north Gaza, was grumpy that his oldest son was home late on Sunday evening. But a split-second decision to say hello to a neighbour meant he was only at the gate of their five-storey building when the Israeli airstrike hit, saving his life. His father, mother and brother were killed. This fire ball just consumed the top of the building and suddenly everything was dust, Mohamed Abu Al-Jidian told The Independent at the family funeral in Beit Lahia, Gaza. With no home left to gather in, the surviving relatives lined up plastic chairs in a nearby building site. Family home destroyed in strikes on Gaza: in pictures Show all 5 1 /5 Family home destroyed in strikes on Gaza: in pictures Family home destroyed in strikes on Gaza: in pictures Tamer al-Wakeel lived with his family in the building destroyed in an Israeli airstrike on 5 May Bel Trew/The Independent Family home destroyed in strikes on Gaza: in pictures Tamer al-Wakeel stands among the ruins of his family home which was destroyed in an Israeli airstirke on 5 May Bel Trew/The Independent Family home destroyed in strikes on Gaza: in pictures A man clambers among the rubble of a building that was destroyed in an Israeli airstrike on 5 May Bel Trew/The Independent Family home destroyed in strikes on Gaza: in pictures A man stands among the rubble of a building that was destroyed in an Israeli airstrike on 5 May Bel Trew/The Independent Family home destroyed in strikes on Gaza: in pictures The rubble of a building that was destroyed in an Israeli airstrike on 5 May Bel Trew/The Independent I tried to go up to save my father but the fire was too strong and the debris too much. I couldnt get to them, he added. The family were given no warning by the Israeli forces or the knock on the roof preliminary missile, as some buildings are. Instead, there was a deadening roar as the strike chewed off the entire top floor of the building, leaving brick-toothed holes. There was no reason for our flat to be hit, so I thought at first the explosion must be behind the building, he said. The body of his 11-year-old brother Abdul-Rahman was the first to be found alongside their neighbours the al-Ghazali family. Among the dead was a four-month-old girl. Mohameds mother Raghda, and father Talal, 50, were not located until a day later: there was so much debris it took rescue workers 24 hours to claw through concrete to find them. I dont understand it, my father was a hospital guard, he isnt affiliated to any political [or armed] group. There isnt anything in this building but peoples homes, he added. Over the weekend the deadliest fighting in years erupted, pushing the population of Gaza towards breaking point. Since Saturday morning, armed groups in the enclave have fired more than 700 rockets and projectiles at Israel, killing four civilians: the first Israeli civilian fatalities since the last war in 2014. In retaliation, Israeli tanks and aircraft struck over 350 targets in Gaza, killing 25 Palestinians, including two pregnant women and three children, according to Gaza health authorities. For a tense few days it seemed like both sides were hurtling towards another war, until Egypt and the United Nations were able to broker a fragile truce which holds, for now at least. But in Gaza, many of the strips 1.9 million strong population believe it is only a temporary pause. They fear they will be unable to survive another round of fighting. (Tamer al-Wakeel / Bel Trew) (Bel Trew/The Independent) The 25-mile long enclave has been brought to its knees by a crippling 12-year Israeli and Egyptian siege imposed after Hamas, a militant group, swept control of the area. The civilian population have already struggled through three wars between Gazas armed factions and the Israeli army since 2009. According to the United Nations, the humanitarian situation is so dire Gaza may become completely uninhabitable by next year. More than 70 per cent of the youth are unemployed, the highest jobless rate in the world. Recommended The Gazan woman building an app to help support fellow mothers Ninety-seven per cent of the water is undrinkable and more than half the population lives under the poverty line. Until relatively recently families were existing on less than six hours of electricity a day, which also means key infrastructure like sewage plants have not been operating properly. On Tuesday, Qatar said it was sending $480m (367m) to Palestinians in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip to try to plug the immediate funding shortfall. The money will pay for health and education programmes, as well as urgent humanitarian relief and electricity. However, families of those who lost their homes in the last round of airstrikes say these are only temporary measures, and it will not help them if another protracted conflict starts. Tamer al-Wakeel, 30, whose home in Gaza City was levelled on Sunday afternoon, said he does not even have a roof over his head to hide under if war does erupt. (Tamer al-Wakeel / Bel Trew) (Bel Trew/The Independent) The multi-storey building that once housed his flat is now lying on its back like a fallen chest of drawers. Brightly coloured ceilings are stacked horizontally on their sides. The blocks owner and his son speak of being ruined under their breath. Tamer, meanwhile, picked through a mound of concrete which used to be his daughters room. I lost everything in the blink of an eye, all I have right now are the clothes on my back he said, retrieving a ripped childs jumper with a pink moon on it. All we can do is pray the ceasefire will hold forever. We are psychologically at the end of what we can cope with. A controversial Saudi government app that can be used by men to control womens movements and stop them from travelling enables domestic violence and abusive labour conditions, a leading human rights organisation has warned. Absher, an app owned and operated by the kingdoms interior ministry, is available in the Saudi version of Google and Apple online stores. The app, which has been downloaded more than one million times, gives men the power to grant and rescind travel permission for women and to set up SMS alerts for when they use their passports. Human Rights Watch has called for Google and Apple to strongly urge the Saudi government to end the male guardianship system. Under the kingdoms restrictive guardianship system, women are legal minors and cannot marry, divorce, travel, get a job, be released from prison or have elective surgery without permission from their male guardians. Women are also forbidden from mixing freely with members of the opposite sex. Tunisians protest against Saudi Crown Prince's visit Show all 10 1 /10 Tunisians protest against Saudi Crown Prince's visit Tunisians protest against Saudi Crown Prince's visit Street protests greeted Mohammed Bin Salman during his visit to Tunisia AFP/Getty Tunisians protest against Saudi Crown Prince's visit A mural depicting Mohammed Bin Salman washing his hands of blood Simon Speakman Cordall Tunisians protest against Saudi Crown Prince's visit A protester holds a banner accusing Mohammed Bin Salman of being a war criminal AP Tunisians protest against Saudi Crown Prince's visit Protesters pass down Habib Bourguiba avenue in Tunis Simon Speakman Cordall Tunisians protest against Saudi Crown Prince's visit A Tunisian man holds up a cartoon that depicts Donald Trump assisting Mohammed Bin Salman in the murder of Jamal Khashoggi AP Tunisians protest against Saudi Crown Prince's visit A poster depicting a war ravaged Yemeni child Simon Speakman Cordall Tunisians protest against Saudi Crown Prince's visit Protesters hold up saws in reference to the reportedly gruesome manner in which Jamal Khashoggi was disposed of AFP/Getty Tunisians protest against Saudi Crown Prince's visit Protesters pass down Habib Bourguiba avenue in Tunis Simon Speakman Cordall Tunisians protest against Saudi Crown Prince's visit Protesters chant slogans as they move down Habib Bourguiba avenue in Tunis Reuters Tunisians protest against Saudi Crown Prince's visit Protesters pass down Habib Bourguiba avenue in Tunis Simon Speakman Cordall Human Rights Watch argued companies should always assess apps to determine whether they infringe human rights saying there should be extra scrutiny for apps which are developed or sponsored by governments. They should also revise their terms of service to ban apps specifically designed to violate rights and make every effort to alleviate any human rights harm before making such apps available, the organisation said. Saudi authorities allow male guardians and employers to trap women and migrants in the country, Rothna Begum, senior womens rights researcher at Human Rights Watch, said. Such control over peoples lives facilitates domestic violence and abusive labour conditions. Recommended Republicans block resolution to end Trump support for Saudis in Yemen She added: The mobile app Absher is a modern tool for an outdated and repressive system of control over women. Saudi Arabia should end its humiliating and discriminatory requirement for women to have male guardian permission to travel abroad. Human Rights Watch said the mobile app is used to stop Saudi women from leaving their country without a male relatives permission. In a question-and-answer document, the organisation explains how male guardians use the app to control womens foreign travel, and how employers utilise it to control the travel of migrant workers. The Absher portal is a government e-service that allows Saudis and residents to renew passports, obtain ID cards, and apply for or renew migrant workers visas. It also allows male guardians to view all the trips in and out of Saudi that their female dependents make displaying destination countries and dates of travel. Human Rights Watch has documented cases where male guardians have barred women from travelling abroad including to study or work. They argue that necessitating permission for women to travel abroad generates obstacles that makes it trickier for women to get jobs and advance in their careers as well as intensifying the difficulties for women experiencing family violence to escape abuse. Absher, which roughly translates as yes sir, also enables Saudis who sponsor foreign nationals to control whether their foreign workers, foreign spouses, or foreign children can leave the country, the organisation said. They can do this by specifying when they must return to Saudi Arabia on exit and re-entry visas and by approving or denying their final exit visas. Saudi Arabia is the only country in the region that requires all migrant workers to request an exit permit from their employer to leave the country. This is part of the kafala (sponsorship) system, which ties migrant workers legal status to their employer-sponsor, and which leaves migrant workers vulnerable to abuse and exploitation. Human Rights Watch does not currently support the removal of the Absher app, which has been dubbed the wife-tracking app, as it could have accidentally negative consequences for some women who might secretly change travel permissions or stop text message alerts on their male guardians phone. They have documented at least three cases in which Saudi women were able to escape the kingdom after they got hold of their fathers mobile phone password and changed the Absher travel permission settings. Apple and Google have come under mounting scrutiny recently 14 members of the US Congress wrote a letter to Apple CEO Tim Cook and Google CEO Sundar Pichai asking both companies to stop hosting the app back in February. They accused the technology giants of enabling gender discrimination describing both companies as accomplices in the oppression of Saudi Arabian women. At a time when more European travellers than ever appear to be keen to travel by rail rather than air, Eurostar is choosing to make life more difficult for passengers hoping to travel by train from the UK to Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The cross-Channel train operator is ending its agreement with Deutsche Bahn that allows the German rail operator to sell a wide range of tickets between London and key business and leisure cities such as Cologne, Basel and Salzburg. These through-tickets allow passengers to take the train from London St Pancras to Brussels Midi, and change there to German high-speed trains, for less than the cost of so-called summated fares adding together the component prices for each sector. Prices start at under 60 (51) one way for shorter trips, with tickets to Berlin, Munich and other more distant destinations for under 70 (60). These are competitive with fares on British Airways, easyJet and Eurowings, the Lufthansa subsidiary. Unlike some other connecting journeys, passengers travel on a single booking making rescheduling straightforward in the event of disruption. First look inside the new Caledonian Sleeper train Show all 6 1 /6 First look inside the new Caledonian Sleeper train First look inside the new Caledonian Sleeper train Double room on the new Caledonian Sleeper Caledonian Sleeper First look inside the new Caledonian Sleeper train Club car on the new Caledonian Sleeper Caledonian Sleeper First look inside the new Caledonian Sleeper train Classic room on the new Caledonian Sleeper Caledonian Sleeper First look inside the new Caledonian Sleeper train Club room on the new Caledonian Sleeper Caledonian Sleeper First look inside the new Caledonian Sleeper train One of the first trips from Scotland to England on the new Caledonian Sleeper PA First look inside the new Caledonian Sleeper train Exterior of the new Caledonian Sleeper Caledonian Sleeper But direct tickets will no longer be sold from 9 November. The German rail organisation said on social media: Due to a system changeover at Eurostar, from 9 November, no direct tickets to London will be available. We work together with Eurostar for a solution. The move is likely to please the airlines, who are vulnerable to a switch from air to rail. In 2018 Mark Smith, the international rail guru who founded the Seat61.com website, told The Independent that archaic railway rules deter passengers planning long-distance journeys. He called the latest move a major setback for train travel to Europe. This is a step backwards, more fragmentation, when operators need to work more together, he said. But tickets likely to be more expensive and as tickets will be separate, no more through tickets, passenger rights are affected with less protection. The desire to travel more by train not plane is a grassroots movement which is coming from travellers themselves. In spite of train operators best attempts to prevent it. A spokesperson for Eurostar said: We are unable to offer sales of the London Spezial through fare as we transfer to a new sales system. We are committed to this product range and we are working with Deutsche Bahn to resolve this. Customers can still purchase summated fares to Germany from Eurostar and DB sales channels in the interim. A criminal history leaves a legacy that lasts a lifetime. Forget the PR about offender rehabilitation: as anyone holding a criminal record will tell you, life after a conviction is more difficult. Doors are closed, opportunities rescinded, chances quashed. And in Britain, were closing down the life chances of more children than anywhere else in Europe. In England and Wales, children yet to step foot in a secondary school are being branded as criminals. The age of criminal responsibility in England and Wales is far lower than almost all other European countries. While in Germany, Sweden and Portugal no child under 14 can come into contact with the criminal justice system, here in Britain children as young as 10 are cautioned or convicted on an almost daily basis. Now, in an unprecedented attack on our justice system, the UKs human rights watchdog has called for the practice to be stopped. On Monday, the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) told the UN Committee against Torture that exposing young children to a judicial system may have harmful effects on their wellbeing and development and that this criminalisation would make them more likely to reoffend as adults. Anti-knife crime campaigners protest outside Downing Street The statistics back this up: the reoffending rate among children and young people in England and Wales stands at 41 per cent, among the highest in Europe and higher than it was just a decade ago. And despite a major, and welcome, reduction in the number of children held in custody in recent years, we also still have the highest level of child imprisonment in western Europe, according to the Howard League for Penal Reform. Worryingly, techniques such being held in isolation and the use of tasers to disable are also on the rise for underage suspects. Locking up children and pushing them down a helter skelter of anger and resentment, holding them in custody away from other young people living more positive lives, might make voters feel safe but it achieves the very opposite. It destroys young peoples life chances and traps them in a life of crime and punishment. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events The EHRC described the legal threshold of responsibility at age 10 as harmful, and strongly suggested it be brought in line with other nations to avoid creating a vicious cycle of detention. Pushing the age of criminal responsibility up to 15 giving youngsters that extra half decade, and enough support, to reset their own path is the very least the government can do as it ponders these excoriating recommendations. When a child as young as 10 or 11 commits a criminal offence, it raises serious concerns about their welfare. The immediate response from the authorities should be not be on how to bring about criminal proceedings but on child protection. Why is this child making such significant mistakes, and what can be done to prevent it happening again? That should be the focus of police work on anyone under the 15, not punishing youngsters with cautions and proceedings that they perhaps cannot even understand, let alone learn from. If the government really wants to reduce crime, the youngest offenders should be their primary focus. Rather than throwing open the door to the youth justice system and then slamming it hard behind them, that money and effort should be spent on understanding why they offend and then solving that problem. Incarceration is expensive, after all. Setting the age of criminal responsibility at a more moral 15 might even save us money. Does Nigel Farage believe that US government black ops have caused a majority of male American frogs to become gay? Fascinating though it is, the question wont resonate on doorsteps during the European election campaign his Brexit Party is strongly fancied to win. But it wants addressing, all the same, after revelations about Farages connections to a colourfully idiosyncratic broadcaster. Farage has joined Alex Jones of InfoWars on his radio programme, it emerges, more often than previously known. In one seminal appearance in April last year with the man now banned by most social media for his trenchant opinions, Farage identified the European Unions potential to usher in a planet-wide government. The EU is the prototype for the new world order, he said, adding that globalists have wanted some form of conflict with Russia as an argument for us all to surrender our national sovereignty to a higher global level. If students of conspiracy theorising are waiting for the shoutouts to the Rothschilds and George Soros, I must disappoint them. There is no suggestion that Farage is antisemitic. It is true that globalist and new world order can constitute a code that wouldnt require Bletchley Parks finest to decrypt it; and it is true that, 18 months ago, Farage told an LBC caller that American Jews are in terms of money and influence a very powerful lobby. Had Jeremy Corbyn used that formulation, it might have been interpreted as antisemitic. But there is no reason to imagine that Farage is anything other than a loyal friend to the Jews, let alone regards them as behind the plan to inflict a unitary central government on an unwilling world. 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 There is reason to wonder about his judgement in associating with Jones. In a few weeks, Farage could be a clear and present danger to the existing political settlement. A new domestic order may be imminent. A storming victory in the European elections would promote him from a marginal figure albeit one who has startlingly influenced the course of British history into a mainstream politician with his eyes on replacing the Conservatives as the dominant party of the right. It isnt hard to picture the sequence of events that would lead there. If the traumatised Tories replaced Theresa May with bookies favourite Boris Johnson, enough Conservative MPs have sworn to resign the whip to allow Corbyn to win a vote of no confidence. If Boris took his usual chaotic form in an ensuing general election, it is easy to imagine the Brexit Party picking up a number of seats. Factor in Labours vulnerability to Farages treachery rhetoric in the Brexity north of England, and it becomes easier. Having cherry-picked the right seat to send him to Westminster at the 197th time of asking, hed be in prime position to foment that sense of betrayal from the backbenches. If the Tories imploded, sucked into a black hole of their own creation, Farage would be the primary beneficiary. None of the above is likely, but in such a volatile microclimate all is possible. It is plausible, at least, that Farage will soon be listed among the most powerful politicians in the land. With this in mind, we must ask if he shares Joness beliefs about US government forays into population control. The reason theres so many gay people is because its a chemical warfare operation, he declared in 2010, and I have the government documents where they said theyre going to encourage homosexuality with chemicals so that people dont have children. Jones subsequently nuanced that theory, replacing the gay bomb with chemicals in the water that turn the friggin frogs gay The majority of frogs in most areas of the United States are now gay. As if the threat to biodiversity wasnt grave enough. Jones, with whom Farage dined during the US election campaign (though he refused to let the meal be filmed), even more famously theorised that the Sandy Hook school massacre was a hoax. Later, when sued by parents of a victim, he deflected the suspicion of malevolent lunacy on novel grounds. What led him to make the assertion, he explained, was a psychosis. Or to quote him in full, almost like a form of psychosis. So why would Nigel Farage publicly consort with a self-confessed almost like a psychotic? The most obvious answer is to ingratiate himself even further with Donald Trump. In late 2015, presidential candidate Trump went on Joness show to tell him, Your reputation is amazing. Which it is. He added, I wont let you down. Which he hasnt. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events But there is also the tantalising chance that Farage shares some of Joness more outre opinions. In one of his InfoWars turns, he identified climate change as a scam hatched by the new world order (the Bilderberg Group astonishingly being a central plank in that edifice) to facilitate pan-global government. To which same end, he suggested, globalists plan to cause a third world war. In his defence, never once did he allude to the Illuminati. Whether thats because he doesnt believe in it, or because those homosexualising chemicals spread from the amphibian community to the reptile world and wiped out the giant lizards, isnt clear. But the next time he is interviewed by a conventional element of our media, the line of questioning might focus on establishing the extent of his conspiracy theorising and how he reckons it compliments his visibly burgeoning ambition to bestride the mainstream like a slightly froggish, if impeccably straight, colossus. Credit where its due. It had not yet been 24 hours since Nigel Farage had been on the Sunday politics shows, warning of the final betrayal that was coming. And here he was, not even waiting for it to come, but delivering it himself. The Brexit Party, the party Farage set up himself to contest the European elections he so desperately does not want to be contesting, was holding a press conference to announce it was betraying its own voters. Farage was introduced by the Brexit Party chairman, a man called Richard Tice, who is best known, though nevertheless unknown, for appearing at political events in a white open-topped bus with Leave Means Leave painted down the side. When it turned up at Tory party conference last year, he promised free non-EU booze to anyone who could spare five minutes to talk to him. Two people turned up, and one of them, I must reveal, was your humble sketch writer, there exclusively to take the piss out of the whole thing. It did not prove hard. Farage launches his new Brexit Party: in pictures Show all 10 1 /10 Farage launches his new Brexit Party: in pictures Farage launches his new Brexit Party: in pictures Nigel Farage speaks at the launch of his new Brexit Party's campaign for the European elections Reuters Farage launches his new Brexit Party: in pictures Brexit Party candidate Annunziata Rees-Mogg, sister of Conservative MP Jacob Rees-Mogg, speaks at the launch AFP/Getty Farage launches his new Brexit Party: in pictures A supporter waits for Farage to speak AFP/Getty Farage launches his new Brexit Party: in pictures Supporters wait for Farage to speak AFP/Getty Farage launches his new Brexit Party: in pictures Farage's socks Reuters Farage launches his new Brexit Party: in pictures Farage and prospective candidate Annunziata Rees-Mogg wait at the launch AFP/Getty Farage launches his new Brexit Party: in pictures Supporters listen as Farage speaks AFP/Getty Farage launches his new Brexit Party: in pictures Free T-shirts for all attendees AFP/Getty Farage launches his new Brexit Party: in pictures Posters on the seats for supporters of the Brexit Party AFP/Getty Farage launches his new Brexit Party: in pictures A safety sign is pictured AFP/Getty Anyway, I digress. Tice had a message, and that message was that a vote for the Brexit Party in the European elections was a vote for a WTO Brexit, which is better known as a no-deal Brexit and best understood as a Place-Sanctions-On-Yourself Brexit. Quite the volte face then. When Farage and co were going round the country three years ago, armed with slightly different lies, no one whispered a word about no-deal Brexit. Asked about it at the time, Farages view was that Angela Merkel simply wouldnt allow it. She would be running for president again in 2017, and the German car makers would be so angry about it, she would throw the election. And yet, here we are, three years on, and, wouldnt you know, Farage is betraying himself. Betraying everyone he talked round to his cause three years ago, betraying everything hes ever said, just for the sake of standing in an election, which, just to be absolutely clear, he absolutely definitely doesnt want to be standing in. Oh no. This was nevertheless, the less startling of the two big announcements. For we also learn that as well as a vote for the Brexit Party being a vote for WTO Brexit, it is also a vote for the Brexit Partys MEPs to be involved in the Brexit negotiations. It is a vote to simultaneously sit down at the negotiating table and turn it over and walk away. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events And who would be doing the negotiating? The highest quality candidates, claimed Tice, which are currently not limited to Ann Widdecombe and former Loaded mag editor Martin Daubney, who not so long ago was proud to organise a straight pride march through London, fearlessly sticking it to gay pride, standing up for downtrodden straight men everywhere. The betrayal Farage had been warning about still hasnt come, by the way. That betrayal is a May/Corbyn deal on a temporary customs union, which we are led to believe is imminent but has not yet happened. If it does, Farage will have every right to be angry. He warned about this at the time, if you remember. He warned and no one listened. Youll recall the Breaking Point poster, where he stood in front of a non-existent queue of lorries stretching no distance whatsoever up the M20, warning that the British people had had enough of frictionless trade with the European Union. That just-in-time supply chain had to be smashed up. It was never about free movement, ended under Theresa Mays deal. Never about payments to the EU, also ended. It was always, always, about the customs union. And if thats not how you remember it, then maybe, just maybe, the betrayers arent who Farage says they are. So, the new royal baby is here. Since Meghan Markles explosive arrival on the scene, the media has speculated wildly about the significance of her heritage, as well as that of her child. What did her race say about this country? Was this as monumental a moment as Obamas presidential election, then thought of as a marker of post-racialism in America? And now that the baby, with his mixed-race American mother and white British princely father, is here does he represent the so-called progressiveness the United Kingdom increasingly ascribes for itself? When it comes to the latter point, as far as Im concerned at least, he doesnt. While the black heritage of this child is significant in theory purely by way of the fact that weve never seen anything like this, least of all tied to an institution as historically white as the royal family I do find it strange that so many have instinctively lauded his birth as a win for social progress, especially now. The United Kingdom this baby has been born into still struggles to muster the introspection to really grapple with its existing history with race. Weve seen it in dog whistle attacks on Markle over the last few years, even in the last few months, from outrage over her star-studded baby shower in the States, to accusations of the Duchess of Sussexs bad or difficult attitude. Yet, it seems, vast swathes of the nation are still taken by the notion that the arrival of this child has the power to eclipse that. No chance. Prince Harry hopes its a baby girl This is the same United Kingdom that, just a few months ago, was so taken aback by Jon Snows remark on Channel 4 News that he had never seen so many white people in one place at a predominantly white Brexiteer rally, that thousands of people, unfamiliar with being classified as anything but the default, complained, leading to an apology from Channel 4. Its the same United Kingdom whose prestigious Cambridge University has only just, in its hundreds of years of existence, deemed it worthy to acknowledge its ties to the slave trade. A connection we all know exists, but is routinely ignore in educational spaces. The same place that, once their relationship had become public knowledge, drove Prince Harry himself to issue a statement criticising the wave of abuse and harassment of his then girlfriend, as well as the racial undertones of comment pieces; and the outright sexism and racism of social media trolls and web article comments. In the three years since weve learned of the couples relationship, for example, weve been bombarded with report after report detailing increasing hostility towards people of colour. Far-right politics is growing, workplace racism is rife, hate crimes are rising. This country has continued to embrace increasingly inhumane approaches to immigration, has ignored the impact of racial bias in policing, and fostered inequality in education. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Its also worth noting the complexity and ever-changing parameters of racial identity when it comes to mixed-race people and this baby. By ascribing, as some publications have done, a bigger sense of importance to this childs identity, we risk falling into the trap of buying into classifications that dont exist in this country, and into over-simplified depictions of the way British society actually works. As author and journalist Afua Hirsch wrote in her column some weeks ago for The Guardian, Having multiple heritage is a blessing, but in many cases it also guarantees that it will be a challenge to make sense of your identity. Though Im sure many of us will, especially once weve seen the baby, I dont think we should foist our own ideas of racial identity onto this child, no matter how good or hopeful it makes some of us feel. Nor should we use the babys heritage to ignore the fact that through no fault of his own he is part and parcel of the very establishment that for centuries permitted and benefitted from some of the worlds greatest atrocities: colonialism, slavery, famine, massacres. As a born and bred Londoner, with a father who was born in Leicester to Antiguan immigrants, and a mother who was born in Jamaica, I have never felt less connected to this country. This babys birth hasnt changed that. But do you know what might? More signs that the UK, finally, is ready to embrace a more honest approach to race. I wont hold my breath. Group Political Editor Kevin Doyle explains in simple terms the five things you need to know about the broadband plan. 1. Every house in the country The Government decision means every home in the country will be entitled to high-speed fibre broadband. There are currently 540,000 homes and businesses outside of the areas served by commercial providers. The option of excluding 5pc of the most remote homes was looked at but ministers decided everybody has to be catered for even though this has pushed up the cost considerably. Up to 10,000 homes will not be able to get a fibre connection due to geographical factors but these will be provided with an alternative such as wireless 5G. 2. Roll-out will take seven years It is hoped that the final contract will be signed this autumn and work will begin the next day. Part of the deal is that workers are in every county within two years. A target of reaching 133,000 homes in that period has been set. After that between 70,000 to 100,000 homes will be added to a broadband line every. The final home should have high-speed broadband within seven years. 3. A new company is to be set up The contract for broadband is going to be awarded to a consortium led by Granahan McCourt. However, they will be expected to establish a new company which will be known as National Broadband Ireland. NBI will work with Nokia on its service. Eir stands to make 1bn for allowing fibre cables piggy back on its network. NBI will not have its own retail presence competing with other retailers. It is expected to employ 1,500 people. 4. Taxpayers will foot the bill for 2.97bn The broadband plan comes with an eye-watering bill of 2.97bn over 25 years. Much of that will be frontloaded, meaning it will be paid in the early stages of the contract. When the process started it was believed the bill could have been as low as 1bn. There is a claw back mechanism that might see the State recoup some monies if customer take-up is higher than predicted or infrastructure costs fall. Ministers will be keen to stress that the 2.97bn figure is capped and therefore cannot spiral like what happened with the National Childrens Hospital. 5. Is it worth it? This is about much more than access to Netflix. Rural Ireland needs proper infrastructure if it is to remain an appealing place to live and work. Interaction with State services is increasingly online. It is suggested access to good broadband will be worth 12,000 to each home in practical terms. In May, Trump announced the US was withdrawing from the 2015 deal that restricted Iran's nuclear ambitions, and reimposed sanctions on Iran's banking and energy sectors. Stock photo: AFP/Getty Images Iran will announce on Wednesday it is partially withdrawing from the nuclear deal it struck with world powers, a year to the day that US president Donald Trump pulled America from the accord, its state-run news agency reported. The terms of the withdrawal remain unclear, though the IRNA news agency said President Hassan Rouhani will explain Iran's decision in letters to leaders of Britain, France and Germany that will be handed to ambassadors in Tehran. Iranian foreign minister Mohammed Javad Zarif separately will write to the European Union, the agency said. The semi-official ISNA news agency reported late Tuesday that Mr Zarif had left for Moscow to meet Russian leader Vladimir Putin to discuss bilateral and international issues, without elaborating. Details of the letters, all to signatories of the 2015 accord, will not be publicly disclosed, it said. The letters will come as officials in the Islamic Republic previously warned that Iran might increase its uranium enrichment, potentially pulling away from a deal it has sought to salvage for months. Already, the White House has announced the deployment of a US aircraft carrier and a bomber wing to the Persian Gulf over unspecified threats from Iran. The United Nations' nuclear watchdog says Iran has continued to comply with the terms of the 2015 nuclear deal, which saw it limit its enrichment of uranium in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions. But American sanctions have wreaked havoc on Iran's already-anaemic economy, while promised help from European partners in the deal have not alleviated the pain. The US last week stopped issuing waivers for countries importing Iranian crude oil, a crucial source of cash for Iran's government. It also halted waivers allowing Iran to store excess heavy water in Oman and to swap enriched uranium for raw yellowcake with Russia. Mr Trump campaigned on a promise to tear up the deal struck by his predecessor, Barack Obama. While Mr Trump has sought to dismantle many of Mr Obama's policies, he particularly criticised the Iran nuclear deal for failing to address Tehran's ballistic missile programme and what he described as its malign influence across the rest of the Mideast. Iran's hardline Javan newspaper, associated with the Revolutionary Guard, said Wednesday would "ignite the matchstick for burning the deal". It suggested in its Tuesday edition that Iran may install advanced centrifuges at its Natanz facility and begin enrichment at its Fordo facility, activities prohibited under the nuclear deal. British Prime Minister Theresa May has carried out "scenario planning" for a second Brexit referendum in case she is forced by parliament to hold one, according to UK media reports. Mrs May is hoping to find a way to get parliament to approve a Brexit plan without another public vote, but talks with the opposition Labour Party on a compromise exit strategy have yet to reach an agreement. The 'Daily Telegraph' reported Mrs May had discussions with officials and ministers about holding a referendum that would give voters the choice between leaving the European Union with a deal, leaving without a deal, or not leaving at all. The report cited unnamed government sources, who said the referendum plan would only become relevant if talks with Labour failed and a majority in parliament supported holding another public vote. The newspaper said a source in Mrs May's office denied there had been a meeting to discuss a second EU referendum. Britain's 2016 vote to leave the EU, which was split 52pc for Brexit and 48pc against, has continued to divide the country and paralyse the political system. Mrs May's minority government missed a March 29 exit date and there is huge uncertainty over how, when, and even if Britain will leave. She has publicly opposed holding a second referendum and has said if talks with Labour fail, parliament will be asked to vote on a series of options on how to break the impasse. However, those options have not yet been decided. Talks with Labour, which has pledged conditional support for a second referendum, are due to resume today and ministers have spent recent days talking up the prospect of a swift deal. However, leaked details on a possible compromise have angered Labour's negotiators, and politicians from both sides have expressed their opposition to a cross-party deal. Ministers have urged Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn to do a deal with the Conservative government to break the deadlock. Reports over the weekend suggested Mrs May was poised to propose a temporary customs arrangement with the European Union. But shadow chancellor John McDonnell accused the prime minister of jeopardising the talks, claiming she had "blown the confidentiality" of the discussions. He said he no longer trusts Mrs May, following reports in the 'Sunday Times' she was prepared to give ground in three areas: customs, goods alignment and workers' rights. Meanwhile, Rory Stewart, the newly appointed international development secretary, warned the Tories could lose four million voters if the party takes a harder line on Brexit and tries to "outdo" Nigel Farage. He said Labour and the Conservatives' positions were a "quarter of an inch apart", telling Sky News' 'Sophy Ridge of Sunday': "I think a deal can be done, a lot of this rests on whether Jeremy Corbyn really wants to deliver a Brexit deal. But I think if he wants to do it, it will be actually surprisingly easy to do because our positions are very, very close." And Mrs May wrote in the 'Mail on Sunday': "To the leader of the opposition, I say this: let's listen to what the voters said in the elections and put our differences aside for a moment. Let's do a deal." Elsewhere, a poll by political blog Conservative Home found 82pc of respondents want Mrs May to stand down as party leader and to call a leadership election. Mr Stewart, who also confirmed he would be a candidate to be the next prime minister when Mrs May stands down, said: "Most Brexit voters voted for the Conservative Party but four million Remain voters voted for the Conservative Party. If the Conservative Party were to make the mistake of trying to outdo Nigel Farage, which I'm sure we won't but it is something that a few of my colleagues are talking about, then we would lose those four million voters." The European Commission has trimmed its economic growth forecasts for this year and next due to weaker global demand and warned that Brexit and changes to the international tax regime pose risks to the budget. The spring forecasts show the Commission expects the economy here to expand by 3.8pc this year, down from expectations of 4.1pc in the winter forecast, and by 3.4pc next year, a cut from an expected 3.7pc. Irelands export growth rates are expected to moderate as support from global trade is waning, the Commission said in a report published yesterday. Even so, the economy will still rank in the premier league of the eurozone, beaten only by Maltas 5.5pc growth rate this year and in a tie with Slovakia. It expects the bloc as a whole to post growth rates of 1.2pc this year and 1.5pc next. The new forecasts compare with expectations from the Department of Finance for 3.9pc growth this year and 3.3pc in 2020. The uncertainty surrounding Irelands economic outlook comes mainly from external factors, particularly the terms of the UKs withdrawal from the EU, as well as possible changes in the international taxation and trade environment, the Commission said. It also warned that the domestic economy may be overheating as unemployment has fallen. The Commission expects the budget to be in balance this year, compared with government expectations of another small surplus, and expects there to be a surplus equivalent to 0.3pc of gross domestic product in 2020. While Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe has pledged there will be no repeat of a 600mn overspend on health this year, and has scheduled monthly meetings to keep a check on expenditure, the Commission said it expected a drift in current expenditure in areas such as health. Risks to the fiscal outlook remain skewed to the downside, mainly reflecting uncertainty as regards the economic outlook and the sustainability of the current level of some sources of government revenue (notably corporate tax), it said. Now it seems like these fronts go through every few days, bringing with them two to two-and-a-half inches of rain compared to an inch or inch-and-a-half as in the past, he said. While that extra inch may not sound like a lot, when it comes once a week it can become an issue. Teagasc is now advising dairy farmers to reassess their breeding policy for the 2019 season, on the back of animal welfare concerns and poor prices. In a significant shift in its breeding advice to dairy farmers, Teagasc said it was "acutely conscious" of the importance of maintaining the high reputation that Irish farmers enjoy in the management of animal welfare. In a dairy breeding advice document, released for the 2019 breeding season and prepared by dairy specialist George Ramsbottom, it advises dairy farmers to match the number of dairy-breed female calves born to specific farm requirements and maximise the use of beef crossing to increase the potential value of the resulting calves. "This spring, farmers experienced at first-hand a challenging market for dairy calves, which will influence their breeding decisions during the upcoming breeding season," the document states. "Being able to sell calves quickly and easily is an important consideration, particularly in compactly calved and in larger dairy herds. "Reducing the number of low-value dairy calves born will help." It goes on to say that dairy farmers should seriously consider using sexed semen where bulls of very poor beef merit are being used. Research herds It has also emerged that in Teagasc's research herds, the breeding policy in 2019 will see the number of low-value dairy calves reduced in the 2020 calving season by using a greater proportion of beef semen. It says that only sexed Jersey semen will be used in the upcoming breeding season, as well as conventional Holstein-Friesian and beef semen. Speaking to the Farming Independent, Mr Ramsbottom said Teagasc is not advising farmers to reduce the number of dairy-bred calves, if they know they will require them as cows in the herd or for expansion purposes or they may not need to use beef bulls if they have a good market for dairy stock. However, he said many farmers had struggled to sell dairy-bred calves this year, particularly bull calves. Mr Ramsbottom highlighted that this is the first breeding season since the introduction of the Dairy Beef Index it has developed with the ICBF, so it is the first time Teagasc can advise on prudent beef AI usage. "We can now clearly identify bulls that are more suitable for beef breeding on the dairy herd," he said. However, ICSA beef chair Edmund Graham recently claimed that the economics of dairy bull beef simply didn't stack up. "Even if you get the calves for free, they are still too expensive at today's prices and that's the reality," he said. "This enterprise is a complete waste of time; it's bad enough losing money, but to have the stress of not knowing when or if you can get your bulls killed is completely unacceptable," he said. Fianna Fail TD Jackie Cahill subsequently called on the ICSA to retract the comments made during the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Agriculture. "Calves coming out of a dairy herd are not a waste product. The idea that animals coming out of a dairy herd is a waste product... you would want to get rid of that idea. Pitting farmers against farmers is not the way to solve the beef crisis," said Mr Cahill. Hopes of a reversal of the decision to call time on the Greenfield dairy farm programme were dealt a shattering blow this week when the owners of the land, the Phelan family, announced that they were taking back control of the property. In a statement, issued to the Farming Independent, the Phelan family said that after a decade of partial involvement in this high-profile project, they wanted to return to day-to-day farming of the holding in a more traditional family farming structure. "We will take on this challenge with gusto and make it succeed," the statement said. "We now wish to take full ownership of the company operating the farm lease." The Phelan family said they are grateful to the project's partners and the farm's employees, and thanked the thousands of farmers who visited over the past decade. "Doubtless, some will be disappointed that this project will not continue in its current format, but we do hope they respect our preference to take back control of day-to-day operations on what is a family farm," the family said. "While the project has had its ups and downs, and while we have not always been in agreement with some of the operations, we do recognise the enormous contribution the project has made to Irish dairying. "It has created a substantial bank of knowledge that will remain available to our fellow farmers for the years to come." Glanbia was the first partner to announce that it was seeking to end its involvement in the farm. The farm, which is located at Clara outside Kilkenny, is eight years into a 15-year project. It is run as a limited company with three shareholders: Glanbia, the Agricultural Trust (which publishes the Irish Farmers Journal) and the Phelan family. Teagasc has provided management services and advice. Showcase The farm aimed to showcase best practice in the conversion of a greenfield site into a fully functional dairy farm. The company leased 117 hectares and invested over 1m to develop a low-cost, labour-efficient farm infrastructure for a 300-cow herd. It remains unclear whether the project will continue in some form; an advertised information day on the farm on May 28 is expected to go ahead. Justin McCarthy, editor of the Irish Farmers Journal, said it remains fully committed to the Greenfields project "which we feel has delivered great learnings to farmers over the past ten years. Looking ahead we feel that the farm is ideally positioned to continue to help farmers address some of the evolving challenges that an expanding dairy industry has to manage". The abuse was filmed by activist group Eyes on Animals Farmers have described the brutality shown towards calves in holding facility Cherbourg as despicable. It comes as the ISPCA called for the immediate suspension of the export of calves from Ireland to France and the Netherlands following the release of footage of alleged abuse. IFA National Dairy Chairman Tom Phelan said that the footage was as upsetting for farmers as for everybody else. "Live exports are extremely important for Irish agriculture. They are highly regulated by the Department of Agriculture to ensure animal comfort, which is exactly as it should be. "While this incident occurred in Cherbourg, France they were Irish calves. Irish farmers are outraged to see any animal being treated so badly. "We understand that the individual in question has been arrested. He should be subject to the full rigours of the law because his actions were wrong and totally unacceptable, he said. Footage emerged that claims to show Irish calves being shipped between Ireland and the Netherlands and the mistreatment of calves. According to the activist group who shot the footage, the journey, which it says took more than 50 hours - sees the calves are unloaded in Tollevast, near Cherbourg, to be fed and rested. The ISPCA said it was horrified and angered by the footage released by animal welfare groups Eyes on Animals of calves being physically abused, kicked, dragged by the ears, thrown and stamped on by workers at a lairage in France. "We are calling on Michael Creed, Minister for Agriculture to launch an immediate investigation and to an immediately suspend the export of calves from Ireland to France and the Netherlands until the investigation is complete," it said in a statement. Yesterday the Green Party claimed that live export of cattle is unethical and called for trade to be banned. Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed has said that "live exports are a critical part of the infrastructure of our livestock industry. "They play a significant role in stimulating price competition and provide an alternative market outlet for farmers," she said. Minister Creed condemned the alleged mistreatment of Irish calves, in footage that is circulating online. The Minister has condemned any ill treatment of livestock and said he would urge any persons who have direct knowledge or evidence of breaches of animal welfare to report it directly to the relevant Authorities without any delay. The DAA is to review the rosters of thousands of workers at Dublin Airport to enhance its ability to deal with a surge in activity at the gateway. Three-quarters of the more than 3,000 staff at Dublin Airport work shift arrangements on a 24-hour, seven-day basis, 365 days a year. The DAA has said that it needs to "enhance workforce engagement" in order to help it cope as the airport gets busier. Last year, Dublin Airport handled 31.5 million passengers, compared to just under 30 million in 2017. Later this month, the DAA is meeting firms that are interested in helping it deliver the "roster model transformation". The semi-State firm, headed by CEO Dalton Philips, said that it wants a third party to conduct a review of existing rosters across its business units. It also wants to "determine from a resource planning and staff engagement perspective whether current arrangements (many of which are longstanding) are fit for purpose and will continue to meet both staff and business needs as the airport expands further". The DAA said the roster review should "determine [an] optimal rostering solution for 24/7 operations which will deliver an appropriate balance between staff preference and attendance flexibility to meet operational needs". It wants roster models for specific business areas that would "deliver substantial improvements for both staff and business operations". "It is envisaged that the key capabilities required to deliver this work will include project management, analytics, expertise in staff rostering, modelling and change management," it has told firms interested in the role. Equities around the world tumbled yesterday after US President Donald Trump threatened to raise tariffs on Chinese imports, creating further uncertainty as to whether a resolution in the long-running trade war can be achieved. Mr Trump said on Sunday that he would raise tariffs on $200bn (178bn) worth of Chinese goods this week and target hundreds of billions more soon. On Friday, he had cited good progress in trade talks and praised his relationship with Chinese president Xi Jinping. "Everyone expected talks were heading in the right direction and almost close to finishing," said Daniel Lenz, a rates strategist at DZ Bank in London. "This was totally out of the blue and the reaction is that we have more risk aversion today." Germany's main stock index was down 1.3pc as the close approached. A broader index of European shares declined 1.7pc to its lowest level since early April. Japanese and London markets were both closed for holidays, exacerbating the moves. Losses in equities translated into gains for bonds. Benchmark government bond yields in Germany retreated below zero and not far from March's two-and-a-half-year low of minus 0.09pc. Ireland's stock market was open despite the holiday weekend. The Iseq Overall Index was almost 0.8pc lower near the end of the session, at 6,441. Movers included Bank of Ireland, which shed 1.5pc to 5.57 soon before the close. Packaging giant Smurfit Kappa had lost 2.2pc to trade at 26.73 near the close. Gains were modest, with Ryanair advancing 1pc before the close, to 11.71. France's CAC-40 was down 1.3pc before the bell. French energy major Total said it had reached a binding agreement with Occidental to acquire Anadarko assets in Algeria, Ghana, Mozambique and South Africa for $8.8bn. RTE has declined to say if they will pull an ad from Liveline after presenter Joe Duffy branded it atrocious and it sparked a string of complaints. The Choose Radio campaign was jointly developed by RTE and the Independent Broadcasters of Ireland in a bid to encourage companies to invest their marketing budgets into radio advertising. But the campaigns most recent radio ad hit a bum note with one of RTEs best-known broadcasters with Duffy expressing his disapproval during his live radio programme. The short ad centres around a man describing meeting his father-in-law in the gym but when he gives him a wave in the changing room, his towel falls down and you see everything, in all its sweaty glory. Sticks in your head, doesnt it? And they say radio isnt visual. Dont under-estimate the power or a radio ad. Choose Radio, it adds. Describing his distaste for the ad, which has received eight complaints so far, Joe said that he was never allowed comment on ads I'm always warned. I did it once in my early days but that ad is atrocious. Can it be removed from Liveline? Im serious, he told listeners. He said that same ad was played down in Tralee while they were doing a live broadcast of Funny Friday and the audience present visibly groaned. It is a completely distasteful advert for radio, he said. That image that whoever is trying to portray is an image you will remember because it is so revolting; your naked father-in-law bending over in a gym. Video of the Day Give us a break. Can it be removed please? Ill probably be removed before thats removed. But can it be removed, please? Asked if they would be pulling the ad in question, an RTE spokesperson said no comment. However, she said that the ad would come to a natural end tomorrow. RTE has received a total of eight complaints in the form of calls and emails to its Information Unit. The Choose Radio initiative started in 2008 in a bid to encourage increase advertisers' annual investment in radio. The ad in question was made by the Choose Radio Committee and played over more than 30 different radio stations including RTE Radio. Pat Kenny will once again face off with Peter Casey in a televised debate. Former presidential candidate Casey is now vying for a European Parliament seat in the Midlands North West constituency. Pat Kennys Big Debate on the issue will air next Wednesday and Casey will be among the candidates in studio on the night. He previously took part in Kennys televised presidential debate in October last year during which he doubled down on controversial comments on Travellers which he had made during a podcast on Independent.ie. Expand Close Line up: The Presidential candidates with Pat Kenny (centre) for the TV debate on Wednesday. Photo: Brian McEvoy / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Line up: The Presidential candidates with Pat Kenny (centre) for the TV debate on Wednesday. Photo: Brian McEvoy Casey's support jumped from 2pc to finish at 23pc of the vote, and he came second in the running behind Michael D Higgins. Kenny has defended the inclusion of the Independent candidate in the line-up for next weeks debate ahead of the European Elections on May 24. Expand Close Peter Casey who is running in the European Election. Photo: David Conachy / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Peter Casey who is running in the European Election. Photo: David Conachy Im always in favour of space for voices but the voices have to be challenged and thats the key, he says. If you start in some way to try to censor people or deny people the right to say things they will say it in some other forum or some other way. The broadcaster cites Section 31 of the Broadcasting Act, which came into effect during the Troubles in 1971, and instructed RTE not to broadcast anything that could be interpreted as supporting the aims or activities of organisations which engage in, promote, encourage or advocate the attaining of any political objective by violent means. While the act was in force (it was ultimately repealed in 1994), Kenny said there was always ways in which that view would be articulated on air and those who were not members of Sinn Fein or who werent in the Provisional IRA but agreed with those views would espouse them on air. Expand Close Ivan Yates / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Ivan Yates Video of the Day He added, Youd much prefer to talk to the relevant person rather than someone whos there by proxy. Kenny believes Casey received the surge in votes from people who simply did not want to give Michael D Higgins a second term, and because the other candidates had effectively "evaporated" towards the end of the race. "Peter was the last man standing who was making any kind of noise so I don't think it was necessarily about Travellers or social welfare," he said. "It will be interesting to see now, in the absence of that Michael D Higgins factor, what kind of vote will he get, because if he gets a vote this time it will be about social welfare, it will be about immigration, it will be about Travellers, whereas the last time I think it was a bit confused. "He raised himself above the crowd by making those remarks but he could have possibly done the same if he talked about, for example, the EU ravishing our fishersies. He might have made waves if no one else was talking about fisheries. He chose Travellers. And that was an accidental thing." The debate, which will air on Virgin Media One, will be live with a studio audience, interested parties in the audience, and voices in favour of, and challenging, the candidates. Youre likely to meet anyone from Jason Byrne to Peter Case in the line-up. I always say you need a spoonful of sugar to help the medicine go down, added Kenny. In order to get people to watch a programme which, on the face of it, I mean, how engaged are people with the European Elections? Youve got to promise them something more than bland political declarations from the candidates. Theyve got to be challenged. Youve got to get the blood up a bit. Kenny added that he previously gave President Michael D Higgins a roasting on the radio when he was running for the presidency for the first time. [Higgins] said, As the great Eoghan Harris said to me one time, Theres no votes in soft interviews. And hes right. If its seen youre a pushover for the interviewee it doesnt work for either party. Ahead of Pat Kennys Big Debate next Wednesday May 15, The Tonight Show with Matt Cooper and Ivan Yates will also run a series of panels featuring candidates from the three constituencies of Dublin, Midlands North West, and Ireland South. The first panel kicks off tonight with Midlands North West and candidates Brendan Smith, Matt Carty, Mairead McGuinness and others. Co-host Ivan Yates said they will be very much like their presidential panels which were a bit of ruaile buaile, a chaos of abuse and he and Cooper will be challenging them on whether or not they have a vision for Europe beyond just pork barrel politics for the constituency. Yates is also hoping to generate heated debate to boost ratings. He added, We find that when theres a knock down, drag out fight amongst the panellists it rates much better so Matt and I will be trying to engineer as much mayhem and political bloodshed as possible, he says. The Tonight Show European Election Specials start tonight, Tuesday, May 7 at 11pm and continue on Wednesday May 8 and Thursday May 9. Pat Kennys Big Debate will air on Virgin Media One on Wednesday, May 15. The transfer of 100,000 from the Garda Training College to the private Garda Boat Club has been described as "embezzlement" by a Government TD. The significant transaction was part of several financial irregularities revealed in an internal audit into the college. However, senior Garda management have told the Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee (PAC) it is too early to identify if a criminal offence has been committed and that further examinations will need to be carried out. An audit carried out by the Garda Internal Unit detailed the use of 48 different bank accounts and a "non-transparent system of accounting" at the college in Templemore, Co Tipperary. The head of this unit, Niall Kelly, also told the PAC that information "could have been" purposely withheld from him when he attempted to investigate the college accounts in 2008 and 2009 and that he was "duped". Concerns about the practice and protocols at the facility were expressed as far back as 2006, but it has emerged Garda Commissioner Noirin O'Sullivan was only made aware of the discrepancies in July 2015. At the PAC, Fine Gael TD Alan Farrell described certain aspects of the financial practices as "embezzlement", referring to the transfer of 100,000 to the Garda Boat Club, a private club and separate entity to the force. He said: "100,000 of money was sent to a private institution, the runners of which are not auditable or answerable to gardai. The biggest issue I have with that is that they are public funds and they are in a private organisation. There's a term for that - embezzlement." But, several senior gardai, including Ms O'Sullivan, said it was too early to determine whether a criminal offence had occurred. When asked whether there was anything to suspect a crime had been committed in the transferring of funds from the college to the Garda Boat Club, Ms O'Sullivan said: "No. I think it's too early to say ... several matters have to be followed up on by Niall (Kelly) and the (Internal Unit) who will then be in a better position to report. In order to establish whether or not there is a suspicion of something illegal happening, all the material available needs to be considered." Assistant Garda Commissioner John O'Driscoll will carry out an examination of the financial irregularities at the college. A nine-year-old boy, whose forehead and cheek were lacerated by wire fence in a Dublin creche, has been awarded damages of 42,500 in the Circuit Civil Court. Circuit Court President Mr Justice Raymond Groarke heard that on 17 April 2018 Billy Hickey, of Shanid Road, Harolds Cross, Dublin 6, had been playing outside under the care and custody of Kids Inc. Limited, Grosvenor Road, Rathmines, Dublin, when he fell and struck his head off the fence. Barrister Conor Kearney, counsel for Billy who sued the creche through his father, Barry Hickey, said the boy had suffered a number of lacerations to his face and had been rushed by ambulance to Our Ladys Hospital, Crumlin. Counsel told the court that Billy, who was eight at the time of the accident, received a 3 cm cut to his forehead and a second one measuring 0.5 cm under his right eye. Both wounds had been cleaned and closed by the use of paper steri-strips, and the boy had been discharged. He did not have to receive further hospital treatment following his release but had been seen by a plastic surgeon who considered there was no need for surgical intervention. Mr Kearney, who appeared with Blake Horrigan Solicitors, said Billy had been left with two scars, both of which were visible from conversational distance. Doctors believed the scars would continue to heal in the next year to eighteen months. Counsel said it had been alleged that Kids Inc. Limited had been negligent and while caring for the boy and had failed to take adequate precautions for the safety of the child while he was on their premises. Kids Inc, had entered a defence to the claim. Mr Kearney told the court that a fence encircling the playground had been defective and dangerous and that the creche owners had failed to check it on a regular basis. He said the creche should have ensured that the sharp edges of the wire fence were padded or in some other way protected from children who might fall in the area. Mr Kearney said that he noticed when examining photos of the scene of the incident that the base of the fence contained some loose metal edges which could have constituted a hazard. Counsel also said he considered the offer made in the case to be a fair one and, taking everything into account, he was happy to recommend the settlement sum offered. Judge Groarke after examining the boys injuries in court, said he would approve the settlement awarding the boy 42,500 in damages together with his legal costs. Sean Dunne, the property developer who left a string of debt in Ireland and then declared bankruptcy in the United States, complained that he was a victim of the press. Mr Dunnes bankruptcy trial began in New Haven, Connecticut this week and heard from Alan Stewart, the chief legal officer for Nama. The court heard Nama officials were concerned in 2010 that Mr Dunne was setting up residency in Greenwich, Connecticut - one of the richest towns in America. We were alerted by news stories that he had moved to the US, Mr Stewart said. That concerned the team from NAMA. Mr Dunne assured them he was living in Ireland. I dont own property in the USA, Mr Dunne wrote in a November 9, 2010 email. I am a victim of lots of inaccurate publicity from time to time that I have refrained from engaging with, for obvious reasons. His now estranged wife, Gayle Killilea, who is also a defendant in the civil trial brought by US Bankruptcy Trustee Richard Coan, had complaints of her own about the loss of privacy she and the Dunne family experienced at the hands of the press after the property crash that sent Ireland into recession. Mr Coan is seeking to recover tens of millions in euro and property assets, including a 58m home in Dublin that he says Mr Dunne illegally transferred to Killilea. Brian Spears, the lawyer for Mr Dunne, and Peter Nolin, the lawyer for Ms Killilea, told the court in opening arguments that the property was transferred out of love and that the couple had agreed on the transfer long before the crash. Thomas Curran, the lawyer for the bankruptcy trustee Mr Coan, suggested a more nefarious reason. He said Dunne was simply trying to offload assets the banks might want to recover. Later, to bolster that point, he called Mr Stewart from Nama to the stand. Mr Stewart spent hours in the witness box reading letters of default from bank after bank, that sought to recover loans it made to Mr Dunne and his businesses. The trial, in front of Judge Jeffrey Meyer and a 10-person jury, is expected to last about three weeks, and Dunne is expected to testify. A cuckoo fund can make more money renting a property in Dublin than it can in Los Angeles. US property giant Kennedy Wilson aims to more than double the number of apartments it controls in Dublin to 5,000 as a rental philosophy evolves in the city. And the company has revealed the more than 2,000 apartments it currently manages in the capital are generating average monthly rents of $2,294 (2,049). This is significantly more than the apartments the group owns in and around the Greater Los Angeles area. In southern California, where Kennedy Wilson owns almost 3,000 apartments, the average monthly rent for its properties is $1,939 (1,731). Kennedy Wilson president Mary Ricks said the apartment rental market in Dublin continues to perform very strongly, driven by high demand and significant undersupply. Dublin city alone is estimated to require 13,000 units per annum between 2019 and 2022," she told investors last week. "As the renting philosophy evolves in Dublin, we continue to see strong demand for our amenitised, professionally-managed offering. "And our goal is to be a leader in delivering much needed new housing in Dublin, and we remain firmly on track to hit our near to medium-term goal of growing our multifamily portfolio to 5,000 units there," said Ms Ricks. Property firms typically refer to complexes containing a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments as multi-family developments. Ms Ricks insisted corporate apartment owners - nicknamed cuckoo funds for snapping up entire apartment developments meaning individual buyers can't buy units - have significant potential to cement their presence in the Dublin market. "It's also important to note that there still remains a lack of institutional ownership of apartments in Dublin, with less than 5pc of tenancy controlled by landlords with 100 units or more," the executive told analysts. Beverly Hills-headquartered Kennedy Wilson partnered with a unit of insurance group Axa last year to acquire blocks of apartments in Dublin. The venture paid the National Asset Management Agency 161m in October to buy 274 units and a development site at Sandyford in south Dublin. Potential home buyers are being increasingly squeezed out of the property market in the capital as a shortage of supply pushes up buying prices. Rents have also become unaffordable for many people. In Dublin, Kennedy Wilson owns the majority of the high-profile Capital Dock scheme, where asking rents are 3,300 a month for a two-bedroom property. It owns the development in conjunction with the National Asset Management Agency (Nama). Ms Ricks said there had been "strong demand" for its apartments at Capital Dock, which she said was "one of the best and most unique rental offerings in the market today". There are about 200 apartments available to rent at Capital Dock. Kennedy Wilson chairman and chief executive Bill McMorrow said he expected the complex to be fully let by the end of the year. One of Kennedy Wilson's other key Dublin projects is at Clancy Quay, where apartments are for rent at between 2,000 and 2,200 a month. The property group is building more units in a third phase of development. "We're on track to deliver 259 phase-three units in the second half of next year, which will bring the total to 845 units once complete, which represents the largest multifamily community in Ireland," said Ms Ricks. Kennedy Wilson will also break ground soon on an office project at Hanover Quay in Dublin. It's being built in partnership with Nama. A new mural of Lyra McKee in Belfast city centre. Photo: David Young/PA Wire Murdered: Journalist Lyra McKee was shot dead as she tried to do her job reporting on riots in Derry. Photo: Reuters Detectives investigating the murder of journalist Lyra McKee have searched the headquarters of the republican Saoradh organisation. They seized items in the Chamberlain Street area of Derry, but there were no arrests. Inquiries are continuing, a Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) statement said. Miss McKee was a promising young Belfast author aged 29. She was a bystander when she was shot in the head during rioting in Derry on April 18. Saoradh means liberation in Irish, and it describes itself as a revolutionary Irish republican party. It has the support of the New IRA, which admitted responsibility for Miss McKee's killing. She was standing next to a police vehicle in the Creggan estate when she was hit as a masked gunman fired towards police. Police believe the violence was orchestrated in response to an earlier search by officers to avoid imminent trouble associated with the anniversary of the Easter Rising. Several people have been arrested as part of the investigation into the murder. Miss McKee's death sparked calls for fresh political negotiations at Stormont to break a powersharing impasse and deliver the resumption of devolution. Talks led by the British Government and involving the main Stormont parties began on Tuesday in response. A mural of the journalist has been painted in Belfast. The poignant image in the city centre was created by Dublin artist Emma Blake. Blake and 21 other artists blanketed most of Kent Street in new artwork over the bank holiday weekend as part of the annual Hit the North street art festival. Vote Yes: Meath councillor Sharon Tolan, Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan, Culture Minister Josepha Madigan, and advocate Lisa Hughes at the launch of Fine Gaels campaign for a Yes vote. Photo: Doug OConnor Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan has said he believes a majority of voters will back a referendum that will make it easier to get divorced. The referendum is being held on May 24 - the same day as local and European elections. Its aim is to reduce the minimum time of separation before divorce can be granted from four years to two, and also simplify procedures to recognise divorces obtained outside Ireland. Culture Minister Josepha Madigan, who is a family law solicitor, spearheaded the move for change. She said the Government supported marriage but needed to help people who had already decided to separate by reducing the financial and emotional strains. Ms Madigan said the four-year period, stipulated in the Constitutional referendum which narrowly passed in November 1995, put extra legal costs and emotional strains on separating couples. She said that in many cases couples had to get a judicial separation and other court orders to help organise their affairs. Mr Flanagan said the referendum had the support of all the Dail parties and legislation for the change would follow quickly after the referendum vote. He warned against complacency among those advocating change, saying all referendums posed challenges. "There is support out there for these changes, and it's not just urban support, not just Dublin support. It's all over the country," Mr Flanagan said. "I've been a rural TD for more than half of my adult life and I know that this is not an urban issue. It's also not a rural issue. It's everybody's issue. I see on a daily basis in my constituency the emotional and financial stress the long wait puts on families and people," he added. The two ministers were accompanied by Lisa Hughes, who told of her experience in having to get both a judicial separation and a divorce. The referendum proposal would remove the constitutional requirement for a couple to live apart for four out of the previous five years before divorcing. The Government would then legislate for a time-limit of two years, following on the example of the abortion referendum. Ms Madigan said the Government had examined a one-year time limit but felt it was too short. She said many EU countries had a two-year limit, though some had one-year and others had no time stipulation at all. The non-denominational education body, Educate Together, is in talks about a joint patronage role in two Dublin second-level schools. Discussions are ongoing between Educate Together and City of Dublin Education and Training Board (CDETB) about St Kevins College, Crumlin, Dublin 12 as well as Cabra Community College, on the northside of the Liffey. The St Kevins initiative is in direct response to pressure from parents in neighbouring, Dublin 8 for more Educate Together second-level places in that part of the city. Campaigners met with Education Minister Joe McHugh in February, and he was now written to them advising of a potential Educate Together role in Dublin 12 The south city Dublin 2-4-6-8 zone has seen some of the most intense pressure for Educate Together provision, which, at second-level,is only partially satisfied by the opening of Sandymount Park secondary school last September. Educate Together will also be in the running for a new 1,000-place second-level school in Harolds Cross, Dublin 6, due to open in 2020, but even if it succeeds, parents in Dublin 8 fear it will not have enough capacity for their children. St Kevins has about 200 pupils and, under the patronage of the ETB, it is multi-denominational, although partnership with Educate Together would mean some ethos changes. Revealed: How the Sunday Independent first carried the story in June 2017 Nursing homes face a clampdown on confusing contracts and punitive top-up fees, after a watchdog investigation revealed elderly residents are being taken advantage of. There will be new rules on how and when nursing homes can introduce the extra fees, which have added hugely to some families costs. They included paying for social activities, therapies and other services not covered by the Fair Deal scheme. The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) is today launching the first legally binding guidelines for contracts of care in nursing homes. The contract in plain language with no hidden small print must tell the resident what charges are mandatory and which are optional. It follows a Sunday Independent investigation that first revealed the hefty top-up fees being charged to residents in certain nursing homes. The consumer watchdog looked at the same topic and found that some homes took unfair advantage of elderly residents. They signed complex contracts relating to their care which they could not understand. In some cases, documents left out important information and this meant the resident was unable to make an informed decision about areas of their care, including these out-of-pocket fees. An investigation by the Sunday Independent previously revealed that more than 300 private nursing homes raised in excess of 16m per year in extras fees. It uncovered charges ranging from 1 a day to 100 a week for social activities, games and therapies. Nursing homes in response said they are forced to charge additional fees for social programmes and activities. The funding they get under Fair Deal does not cover the extra activities, even though nursing homes are required by the health watchdog to provide them. But the CCPC review found that contracts might be changed with no prior consultation with the resident or their representative. It comes in the wake of demands for more safeguards for thousands of vulnerable elderly residents who are paying to cover a range of "extras" in private nursing homes. It was revealed they may be paying exorbitant additional fees of up to 100 a week - on top of their Fair Deal payment. They include fees for services such as social activities, incontinence wear and therapies which private nursing home owners say are not covered by the Fair Deal scheme. The new guidelines do not outlaw these fees or set a price on the charge. But they are clear that the resident, their family or guarantor must be informed of these itemised costs in a simply worded contract before they enter the home. If the nursing home owner later wants to change a resident's charges, they cannot do so unilaterally. They are legally obliged to inform them in advance and obtain agreement to new terms. The changes must be reasonable, taking the resident's interests into account, and be clearly communicated. The guidelines also cover other areas such as visiting rights, the obligations of a nursing home in event of an accident, and refunds after the death. Wording such as "in accordance with all legislative and regulatory requirements" are too vague and uncertain, leaving residents confused, according to the guidelines. Isolde Goggin, chair of the CCPC, said: "The decision to move into residential care is usually taken in stressful circumstances. For many people, there are limited options to choose from and moving to another nursing home, if you are not happy, is not feasible. "Residents are particularly vulnerable and if there is a lack of transparency in contracts of care, they run the risk of being tied into terms and conditions that they don't understand or that they would never knowingly agree to. "It is vital that nursing homes are fair and transparent in how they draw up residents' contracts. We have developed these guidelines to help service providers understand and comply with their obligations and in doing so set a standard for contracts of care into the future. "Over the coming days, nursing homes across Ireland will be receiving a copy of the guidelines. It is now up to each nursing home provider to review their standard form contracts of care to ensure that they are in compliance with consumer protection law. After a period of time to allow for any changes to be made, the CCPC plans to again assess compliance in the sector." The CCPC website provides an information booklet for consumers on the guidelines and a template letter for residents or relatives who want to raise concerns with their nursing home provider. "The law protects consumers from standard form contracts which are imbalanced in favour of a business to the disadvantage of a consumer," it says. What the new recommendations want brought in :: PLAIN, simple language must be used. :: Important terms should be given prominence and not hidden in small print. :: In the case of a guarantor, all details must be provided. No catch all term on passing on obligations. :: Any term which limits or restricts the liability of a nursing home in the event of negligence or failure to address a hazard is illegal. :: If there is a breach of contract, the nursing home is entitled to recover what is owed. But the resident should not be asked for a sum that is disproportionate and unfair. :: The contract should not unreasonably restrict a resident from receiving visitors. Restrictions should be set out in the contract. :: A nursing home cannot terminate the contract with immediate effect. :: The contract should outline what should happen during a nursing home residents extended period of absence. :: Where a nursing home makes financial savings during a residents period of absence the contract should provide for a fee reduction. :: The balance of fees should be refunded after death. :: There can be legitimate reasons for changes to a contract of care, but this must be agreed with the resident in advance and not done in a unilateral manner. :: All additional out-of-pocket fees should ideally be included in the upfront fee for the services provided. Where this is not possible the resident has to be told what fees are mandatory or optional. :: The contract cant simply say fees are subject to review and can be increased. :: Terms which give nursing home owners an out clause such as use best endeavours are not allowed. The Government looks set to go ahead with the 3bn broadband rollout to rural Ireland - in spite of strong warnings that it may not represent value for money. Communications Minister Richard Bruton will bring his controversial and much-delayed plan to Cabinet today and the full details are to be announced later. Senior officials at the Public Expenditure Department, including secretary general Robert Watt, have raised serious objections to the scale of the plan which could be the biggest Government contract ever issued. The contract will go to the sole remaining bidder, a consortium headed by the Irish-American billionaire David McCourt. Opposition TDs have raised concerns about the cost of the project and future ownership resting with the contractors. Officials advising the Government have warned it is impractical to bring fibre broadband to the remaining 500,000 farms and businesses. These will not be served by commercial providers and many are in extremely remote parts of the country but it is understood other technologies, including 5G, may be deployed in some cases. Other concerns include slow uptake of services already available in rural Ireland. Some places have a reported rate as low as 20pc. Two Fine Gael ministers yesterday signalled their support for the package. Culture Minister Josepha Madigan said the Government would honour its commitment to deliver broadband to every person in the country. Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan said it was important to deliver broadband to everyone who wanted to have it. He said successful policies of the Government had delivered almost full employment but this had put strains on Dublin's infrastructure. "I believe it's important in encouraging people to live and work in the regions. They should have an entitlement to broadband facilities. I believe that's essential in the context of whatever decision is made by Government on this issue," he said. Senior ministers are keenly aware clarity is needed on the issue ahead of local and European elections on May 24. They believe that, despite intense controversy about runaway spending on the national children's hospital, they can sell the project on grounds of social equality for rural Ireland. A member of a search party that tried to find the remains of murdered Bobby Ryan has claimed that had they been given access to the farm on the day he disappeared, he would have been found then. Christopher Kelleher was part of the search party tasked with looking for the part-time DJ, known as Mr Moonlight, who was last seen leaving his girlfriend Mary Lowry's farmhouse on June 3, 2011. Mr Ryan's body was found in a disused underground tank on Ms Lowry's farm 22 months after he disappeared. Last week, Patrick Quirke, who had leased Ms Lowry's farm, was sentenced to life in prison after being found guilty of Mr Ryan's murder. However, Mr Kelleher maintains the search party would have found Mr Ryan's body had they been given access to the farm. Speaking on the Virgin Media One documentary, 'Mr Moonlight: The Trial of Patrick Quirke', which was aired last night, he said the search party was asked to look in Bansha Woods, where Mr Ryan's van had been found and were refused access to the farm. "If we were asked to search the farm, I have no doubt in my mind we wouldn't be here today. That body would have been found that day," said Mr Kelleher. The same issue was raised by the victim's son Robert Ryan, who said that, looking back, he was "pretty close" to where his father's body would eventually be found nearly two years later. "I was just at the other side of that milking parlour and it haunts me to this day," he said. Also in the documentary, a leading medical expert said it was a "failure" that no pathologist supervised the removal of Mr Ryan's body when it was first found in April 2013. Former state pathologist for Northern Ireland Professor Jack Crane, who gave evidence during the murder trial, raised concerns over some aspects of the investigation. He said that it would have been "beneficial" for the former deputy State pathologist Dr Khalid Jaber to have seen the body in situ at the time of its discovery and to have supervised its removal. That meant he could have answered questions more comprehensively at a later stage. "Certainly that's what I would have wanted to have done, if I had been involved in the case initially," he said. "If, from the outset, you have the opportunity to examine the body in situ, then matters that may arise subsequently, you may very well then be in a position then to deal with. "On the other hand, if you don't go to the scene and you haven't assessed it, then if some other matter is raised, then you may not be able to answer that and I think there were issues where it couldn't be answered because of that failure to do so." However, Dr Jaber has told the Irish Independent there was nothing unusual in his non-attendance at the scene. "It is likely there was an agreement and consensual understanding that I receive the body when it arrived at the mortuary," he said. Dr Jaber said this would have been "the best place" to "fully examine the body". "In reality, what was done with the handling of Bobby Ryan's body was most proper and correct," he said. At the trial, Supt Patrick O'Callaghan told the court there were concerns about people getting into the tank. Fire officers who removed the body wore full bio-hazard suits, equipment to which gardai did not have access. Meanwhile, Quirke's wife Imelda visited him at Mountjoy Prison in Dublin yesterday afternoon, where he has been held since his conviction last week. A taxi driver is in hospital with serious head injuries after being attacked by four people in a violent carjacking. The victim, a 59-year-old man, was targeted after dropping the gang from the city centre to a house in south Dublin. When the car arrived at Rutland Grove in Crumlin shortly after midnight, he was viciously attacked. The gang beat him over the head and assaulted him until he was overpowered. The victim was then forced from the car. As he lay seriously injured, the gang attempted to steal the taxi but failed to start the car. They then fled the scene on foot, making off with the victim's phone and a sum of cash. Gardai were notified and units from Sundrive Road and Crumlin garda stations responded. Following a brief search, four young people were arrested on Sundrive Road, a short distance from the scene of the violent carjacking. The gang, two males and two females in their late teens and early 20s, were last night being held at different garda stations across the capital. Sources have revealed that one of the suspects, who is originally from the Clondalkin area, is also being investigated for involvement in a similar attack in recent weeks. None of those arrested live in the area where the taxi dropped them and gardai suspect it was a premeditated crime. The taxi driver was rushed to St James's Hospital by ambulance with serious head and facial injuries and he remained there last night. Local Fianna Fail councillor Daithi de Roiste, chair of the local joint policing committee, said more had to be done to protect taxi drivers. "Incidents like this are on the rise and we must do more to protect taxi drivers. "Every week I am hearing of attacks on them and it is simply disgraceful that people are getting away with this. "My thoughts are with the driver and his family in his recovery but it is not good enough for all of us that this is allowed to continue. "It will get to the stage where drivers will be reluctant to work and that affects everyone in our community as taxi drivers are relied on by all of us," Mr de Roiste said. It is the latest assault on a taxi driver in the capital and comes just weeks after a video of a racist assault on a driver was shared online last month. Ross and Mags believe that luxurious buttoned bedheads and blanket boxes, like these examples in their guest room, add a real touch of luxury, and often use them when theyre staging a house. They can get them made to order in any size Mags loves symmetry, hence the two lamps, the twin candlesticks and the two tealight holders on the sideboard. The more formal dining area is enlivened with an original Persian rug that Ross got 20 years ago at auction Ross Power and Mags Mallon in the sun-filled dining area. The couple work from home, and look at all properties to be staged together. Ross tends to concentrate on practical details, while Mags is all about the look of the decor The couple moved into the five-bedroomed house with its unusual gable frontage last November. They wanted to move to a place outside Dublin, yet with good access to the city centre, and Delgany is ideal Mags Mallon in her stylish sitting room. Mags, who has worked with her husband Ross on the interior of many corporate homes over the years, loves restful tones with lots of texture, so she opted for leather and velvet furnishings. She likes to add a bit of fun, too, and does so here with the Graham Knuttel painting and the diamond-studded skull, which looks like a Damien Hirst artwork, but is in fact a relic of a past Halloween. Photo: Tony Gavin Psychologists say that, after bereavement and divorce, moving house is one of the most stressful of life events; coming a close fourth must be actually selling your home before moving on to the next house - it's physically, mentally and emotionally draining. There's the decluttering process to start, and the years of accumulated debris to be got rid of. Then there are the finicky things to be dealt with, the things that went awry over the years, but which you've tolerated rather than face getting a handyman in - the dicky taps and the locks you've managed with your special knack, rather than having them replaced. Then there's getting the house to look elegant and attractive and welcoming enough, but without too much of your personality intruding, in order to allow a prospective buyer to imagine themselves actually putting down roots in what was your space. It's enough to make you want to lie down in a darkened room. Or at least decide to make do with what you have, and not sell at all. Expand Close The couple moved into the five-bedroomed house with its unusual gable frontage last November. They wanted to move to a place outside Dublin, yet with good access to the city centre, and Delgany is ideal / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The couple moved into the five-bedroomed house with its unusual gable frontage last November. They wanted to move to a place outside Dublin, yet with good access to the city centre, and Delgany is ideal But help is at hand in the form of home staging. Home stagers are the clever people who have spotted this niche in the home-selling market and have set up businesses whereby they come in and turn your home into the most desirable property it can be. It's quite a new concept in this country, but there are already a few companies doing it here, including that of husband-and-wife team Ross Power and Mags Mallon. The couple, who have set up a home-staging company called Power2Design, are eminently qualified to advise home sellers - they've been in the property market for years, with enormous experience in fitting out houses and apartments. Indeed Ross, an architect, has been steeped in property since childhood. "Property was the family business, mainly developing shopping centres. As a family, we travelled a lot when I was young, and we spent much of the time touring shopping centres abroad," Ross says with a laugh, adding, "I developed an interest in becoming an architect because of that, and also there was a guy called James Twomey, who I used to do a lot of summer work with. He was the company's in-house architect - he developed Powerscourt Shopping Centre, St Stephen's Green, and Powerscourt in Wicklow. Working with Jim, I realised I'd like to be an architect myself." Ross was born in Cork, but came to live in Dublin at the age of six. After secondary school - first at Blackrock College, then at St Columba's in Rathfarnham - he went to the UK to study architecture, and after qualification he set up a practice with fellow architect Chris Boyle. However, he was torn between working for the family business and the architectural practice. The family business won out at the time. "I was getting busy developing our own property portfolio, and I couldn't give architecture enough time and attention," he volunteers, adding that Chris Boyle is now a lecturer in architecture in UCD. By that stage, too, Ross and Mags had met - their paths had crossed in San Francisco in, of all places, a shopping centre. Mags, who hails from Tyrone and is the youngest of five, studied travel and tourism in college in Belfast, then headed to the States. Expand Close Ross Power and Mags Mallon in the sun-filled dining area. The couple work from home, and look at all properties to be staged together. Ross tends to concentrate on practical details, while Mags is all about the look of the decor / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Ross Power and Mags Mallon in the sun-filled dining area. The couple work from home, and look at all properties to be staged together. Ross tends to concentrate on practical details, while Mags is all about the look of the decor "I went to San Francisco; my brother lives there," Mags says. "I spent five years in total there, with a year in the middle spent in Australia. At the time we met, I was working in men's retail in a shop called Royal Regiment, and Ross was helping his dad with property management there." Ross adds: "I was still studying architecture and working in the management office during the summer, dealing with the day-to-day running of the shopping centre. A security guard from Galway, Vivian Walsh was his name, told me about this Irish girl, and recommended I introduce myself to her." Romance blossomed, and they had a great summer. "You could say it was love at first sight," Mags says fondly. "San Francisco is full of nice places to go, and fun things to do. I remember we took a Sunday brunch cruise; we went to a lot of Park concerts - yes, it was lovely," she reminisces. When the summer ended and Ross had to head back to college, Mags decided to return to Ireland, and they've been together ever since. The couple have two boys - Jake (14) and Scott (11) - and while Mags stayed at home with the boys in the early days, she gradually got more and more involved in Ross's work, which by then involved long-term lets of residential property; some owned by the family business, some owned by himself and Mags. "I set up a property-leasing business in Dublin for high-end business executives coming in from overseas," says Ross. "We were catering for the American market; no one else was catering for them at the time." Expand Close Mags loves symmetry, hence the two lamps, the twin candlesticks and the two tealight holders on the sideboard. / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Mags loves symmetry, hence the two lamps, the twin candlesticks and the two tealight holders on the sideboard. He goes on to explain how that business worked. "Because we had travelled extensively, we were able to see what kind of homes these executives had in New York and Los Angeles. We could pinpoint what these guys would require when they moved to Ireland. A period property with just two bathrooms wasn't going to cut it," Ross says. "So we would purchase a property, go through the planning process and bring it up to standard with all en suites, power showers, underfloor heating, sub-zero fridges. We got a reputation for high-quality work, tailored for the corporate market and for embassies." The business was hugely successful initially. Unfortunately, the downturn meant that suddenly there was little need for corporate rentals, and the couple sold their properties. Ross had developed a good reputation, and now that the market is picking up, he's in demand for consultancy. In addition, he and Mags decided to set up their home-staging business; they had talked about it in the early days of their business - home-staging was a regular feature of the property market in the States, but hadn't yet arrived in Ireland. Last year, they finally set up Power2Design. "People viewing a home will form an opinion within the first 10 seconds of entering a property, so you need to make your house stand out from the one that's for sale down the street. That's where we come in," says Mags. "You want your house to sell a lifestyle; you want the potential purchaser to think, 'I could see myself living here'." Over the years, Ross and Mags have developed many ways of making a home look particularly enticing - texture, colour and comfort play an important role. "Cushions, throws, and rugs are all important, mirrors in the right places, the shape and height of a coffee table; the smallest detail can make a difference, the right furniture for the space," says Mags, adding they specialise in made-to-order footstools and headboards. Mags and Ross advise home-owners what to get rid of when staging their home for sale, and then they provide furniture to create the desired look - according to Mags, they have high-end suppliers in France, Spain and Italy, and two storage units full of furnishings, ready to put in to properties for sale. With so many resources at their disposal, they were able to stage a show house for all the top estate agents to see their work, and they say they got a great response from them, with many recommending them to prospective sellers. If the look of the couple's own home in Wicklow is anything to go by, it's obvious that anyone using their services to sell a house is in safe hands. Their home, which they moved into only last November, is pure, understated elegance, yet obviously cosy and comfortable. "We had renovated a house in Dun Laoghaire - it was a big period renovation, and we lived in it for 10 years, but it was too big for us," Mags says. "We also wanted to move more into the country and Greystones/Delany was ideal. It has a village atmosphere, a little more relaxed than Dublin, but also the Dart close by." The new house is by no means small - it has five bedrooms, plus a loft for the boys, and an office. On the ground floor, there's a large kitchen/dining room and two reception rooms. The interior decor is very much as they would advise a prospective seller - low-key, elegant, with luxurious soft furnishings, plus some arresting details of interest - for example, in the paintings or wall hangings, such as the print of a Scottish cow hanging in their dining area. If it were for sale, one could imagine plenty of people wanting to buy it. To date, Ross and Mags report a great success rate, though they did have one interesting situation. "This couple put their house on the market because the wife hated the house. After we staged it, she loved what we did so much that they decided not to sell," Ross says. Estate agents won't love Ross and Mags if they continue to have this kind of result. See power2design.ie Edited by Mary O'Sullivan Photography by Tony Gavin Shoe-horned in between two elections, talks aimed at ending the 26 months of stalemate in the North get under way today, with more hope than confidence. With counting finally concluded for local elections, you can take a glass half-empty or half-full view. On the downside the hegemony of the "big two" - the Democratic Unionist Party and Sinn Fein - remains largely intact. Sinn Fein's overall vote share was slightly down but still on a strong 23.2pc. The DUP was just a shade ahead with 24.1pc. But in a more positive view, the significant gains by the cross-community Alliance Party, lesser gains for the Green Party, and some good news for the SDLP in Derry can be seen as a political signal. It surely feeds into the community revulsion at the murder of Lyra McKee in Derry on April 19, and resultant calls on the mainstream politicians to make power-sharing work. In a similar vein, since Lyra McKee was openly gay, the election of the DUP's first gay candidate, Alison Bennington, was also a positive development. The party is opposed to legislating for same-sex marriage in the North and that this is one of the main sticking points in getting Stormont up and running again.DUP leader Arlene Foster and her party HQ had overcome internal opposition to Cllr Bennington's candidature. It suggests some means can be found to tackle what remains a vexed issue. Similarly, a complex package of legislation had been almost agreed upon in talks back in February 2018 to resolve the deadlock over the status of the Irish language. The DUP pulled out at the last moment because they believed they could not sell it to their membership. But if the political will is there - the devices can be found. That is the stuff of politics. The two main parties still have to be reckoned with and voters have not really chosen to punish them for their neglect of duty. Northern Ireland politics are still dominated by Orange and Green - and until they learn the value of compromise there is little real hope of ending this torturous stalemate. But the success of the Alliance Party - which went from 32 council seats up to 53 - does show that many voters want to move away from the polarisation that has dogged Northern politics for far too long. The senseless murder of Lyra McKee remains a strong motivating factor for greater agreement. The two governments will keep a close eye on proceedings. Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney will meet Northern Ireland Minister Karen Bradley today, and tomorrow ministers from Dublin and London will meet in London for a full session of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference. Time is short for these talks as the next election, for the European Parliament, is on Thursday fortnight, May 23. Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg has used the company's annual Silicon Valley confab to announce that "the future is private". In one of the most awkward moments I've ever seen captured on video, he smiled broadly as he tried to joke about the supposed change of direction. "I know that we don't exactly have the strongest reputation on privacy right now, to put it lightly," he said. No, Zuck, you don't. Facebook is facing more than a dozen international investigations into its history of privacy violations, 'Wired' magazine has reported - "from its years of willy-nilly data sharing to several recent data breaches." Zuckerberg seemed to think his lame line would get some good-natured guffaws. The audience of technophiles, though, didn't find it amusing. The reaction was pained silence with a few cringe-induced laughs. The "pivot to privacy" simply isn't believable. "On privacy, I would suggest what Facebook is doing is more about public relations," venture capitalist Roger McNamee told Hanna Kozlowska of 'Quartz'. "(It has) tried to put a positive spin on something that they're doing for business reasons, and would have done anyway," he said. The new privacy gambit involves, in part, unifying Facebook's various messaging apps, allowing messages to disappear more easily, using encryption and shifting communication to smaller groups. Zuckerberg described the latter as moving from "a town square" to "the digital equivalent of the living room". Here's the problem: These changes are mere tinkering around the edges. After all, Facebook's business model is built on the opposite of privacy. It essentially gathers its users' data so that advertisers can target their market most effectively. Though it cloyingly describes itself as a place for people to connect, Facebook is - in its dark heart - all about selling its own users to advertisers. These privacy changes don't address any of that, said Mr McNamee, a former Zuckerberg adviser and the author of 'Zucked: Waking Up to the Facebook Catastrophe'. Facebook, of course, has a multitude of other problems. Because of its immense reach, it should recognise itself as a major media company - one that needs to accept the responsibilities of that role. Facebook took a step in that direction last week, banning hatemongers like 'Infowars'' Alex Jones from the platform. Whatever Facebook is, it's a financial behemoth, with a market valuation of more than $560bn (500bn). That's astonishing growth for something started 15 years ago, in Zuckerberg's Harvard dorm room. At the moment, Facebook is facing a potential $5bn (4.47bn) fine from the Federal Trade Commission for misusing its users' data in the scandal involving Cambridge Analytica, a British political consulting firm that worked for US President Donald Trump's 2016 campaign and got access to user data. (That would be a record-setting fine from the FTC, but far from devastating to the company, given the depth of its pockets.) Part of that settlement will include setting up positions at the company to monitor user privacy. And who will be the chief compliance officer? Absurdly enough, it could end up being Zuckerberg himself, Politico reported last week - the very definition of a conflict of interest. While government regulators worldwide struggle with what to do, and while Facebook cloaks its promises in platitudes, its users would be wise to turn elsewhere for protection: to themselves. Quitting Facebook is one viable option. Celebrities such as Cher and Elon Musk and tech journalists including Walt Mossberg have announced that they were walking away as part of the #DeleteFacebook movement. Plenty of non-celebrities have followed suit, but it hasn't made much of a dent. The social network (which also owns Instagram and WhatsApp) still has two billion users worldwide who find it personally useful or necessary for business purposes. Short of quitting altogether, there's plenty that users can do to limit the company's relentless data vacuuming. One example: By manipulating Facebook's privacy settings, you can stop the phone app from constantly tracking your movements and storing this information for years. (Yes, this happens even when you're not actively using the application.) But you can't accomplish that on Facebook's website, noted Todd Haselton of CNBC last week, offering a step-by-step guide to manually turn it off using the phone app. It's worth checking. I thought I had already heeded all the precautions, but I was able to take it one step further and delete my entire location history. It's mildly comforting to know that is now where it belongs: in the digital dustbin. Facebook users who choose not to quit altogether owe it to themselves to take these protective measures. Because so far, governments worldwide have not figured out what to do with this gang of digital pirates. And Facebook - despite its vaunted pivot to privacy - can't be trusted to police itself.( The Washington Post) Theresa May, in the aftermath of the recent local election, has turned to the Labour Party for support in getting her Brexit solution through the House of Commons. She should remember the fate of Robert Peel, who at the wish of Queen Victoria crossed the line in seeking support from Lord Grey, leader of the Whig Party, in getting his repeal of the Corn Laws enacted despite opposition from a large section of his Tory Party. The Famine was raging in Ireland and Scotland and a large section of his party were British landlords who saw the repeal which prohibited the import of cheap grain as a threat to their profits. In despair Peel, together with his evangelical home secretary James Graham and the votes of the Whig Party, repealed the Corn Laws although previously an advocate of its retention. The same act also included a provision forbidding the export of grain from Ireland to England which had never stopped despite the Famine. He was forced to resign and the Tories were in disarray and in the wilderness politically for 28 years. Hugh Duffy Cleggan, Co Galway Doctors must work without certainties of the law courts Uncertainty is inherent in medical testing and is expressed through the use of statistical significance, confidence intervals, specificity, sensitivity, positive predictive value and other measures. The legal ruling that the acceptable threshold in cervical screening is absolute confidence makes one wish for the simplicity of the courts, where the burden of proof is beyond a reasonable doubt in criminal cases and on the balance of probabilities in civil law. Dr John Doherty Vienna, Austria People need to be heard by politicians, not mayors I am sceptical about the proposal for directly elected mayors for Cork, Limerick and Waterford. Are we being asked to buy a pig-in-a-poke, half-baked gimmick by Fine Gael to distract us from the real crisis of governance in local government, which has resulted in: (a) the outsourcing of various council activities, and (b) powerlessness in the face of outlandish anti-social behaviour? What we lack is a workable mechanism to hear from members of the public. This would allow individuals to give feedback and feed in suggestions. In other words, meaningful consultation. I doubt if an elected mayor will be able to fulfil this role, given they will also be combining the ceremonial roles of the existing mayor and many yet-to-be defined functions of the chief executive. We are likely to end up with failed or failing politicians who are looking for an easy few years prior to retirement. And, of course, it will be very cumbersome to get rid of them if they are ineffective or an embarrassment before their five-year fixed term is up. Finally, it is unclear if revenues will need to be diverted from existing projects. Gearoid Duffy Lee Road, Co Cork Our housing crisis a success for Government policies Your editorial of May 2 (Government ignores housing crisis at it peril) misses possibly the most important point. In describing what you see as the Governments failure to react to the crisis, you miss that this is a direct result of sustained policy. The Government has not failed to react. It started this crisis several years ago. This crisis is a success of policy. And while Fianna Fail may historically have been the party that cared about affordable housing, that legacy is long gone and both main parties have spent recent decades pushing expensive housing as a core aim. Higher housing costs equals a happy FF/FG core vote. Fianna Fail was thrown from office after the last occasion when housing costs fell and FG came into power with promises that it would get house prices to rise again. Nothing was done to encourage building during the period of low prices, despite how apparent the shortfall (particularly in Dublin) quickly became, and the key narrative has been that there would be a recovery in prices. How was this recovery to be achieved? Kill supply. Promise prices would be higher later so no-one wanted to sell or build until later. Its worked perfectly and the Government is currently doing very well in the polls. The FG core vote does not care that renters (many of whom are immigrants) are being screwed, or young people cant afford to buy homes (unless its their own kids in question); and would electorally gut any government or minister that announced a policy to make housing generally affordable (since that would reduce the value of their own precious home). High housing costs are a politically popular and successful policy and the Government will not do anything to make housing generally affordable. And the social and (very real) economic consequences be damned. Hugh Sheehy Ballsbridge, Dublin 4 THE elite Garda armed Regional Response Unit was deployed in Tralee after the ongoing feud between two Traveller families erupted into violence on Sunday. Two groups from the Cork based Regional Response Unit ( RRU) were called into action after violence involving up to 50 people broke out in the St Martin's Park estate in the Mitchel's area of Tralee. Four men who are connected with the feuding families have appeared in court following the disturbances which saw eight cars and a number of houses in the estate damaged. Gardai, who described the incident as "serious", descended on the estate in force on Sunday afternoon and entrances to the estate were sealed off for several hours as gardai restored order. Twenty gardai from Tralee have been tasked with maintaining order in the estate and armed RRU officers remained on patrol in the area on Tuesday. Sunday's violence is the latest incident in an increasingly bitter feud between the two Tralee and Castleisland-based Traveller families. It is the second time the RRU has had to be called in to restore order since the feud began in early May. So far 21 people have come before the courts in connection with the ongoing violence and gardai remain concerned that the dispute could escalate further. Four men were brought before a special sitting of Killorglin District Court on Monday in connection with Sunday's violent scenes. Robert Coffey (30) with an address at Woodview Park, Tralee, appeared before Judge James O'Connor charged with possession of a slash hook at Kerry General Hospital. Batty Coffey (27) with an address at Cahereens West, Castleisland was charged with possession an iron bar. Both also at KGH. Both men were released on bail of 2,000 with five conditions attached and they are to appear again at Tralee District Court on Wednesday, July 29. Michael O'Brien (35) who has an address at St Martin's Park, Tralee was charged with threatening Martin Quilligan, leaving Quilligan to believe he would be killed or seriously harmed. He was also charged with breach of peace, and failing to comply with a Garda. Tony Coffey (26) of Cahereens West, Castleisland was charged with possession of an iron bar at Kerry General Hospital. Both Tony Coffey and Michael O'Brien were remanded in custody to Cork Prison and are due to appear before Tralee District Court on Wednesday. Gardai say they expect further arrests will be made in relation to Sunday's outbreak of violence and members remain on patrol in the Mitchel's area which has been in virtual lockdown since the weekend's violence. Meanwhile agencies including the HSE, RAPID, Gardai, Tralee Town Council, the Church and the Irish Traveller Movement are in discussions with local traveller representatives in a bid to resolve the feud. Following Sunday's escalation of violence The Kerry Travellers Development Project has called for calm. "From our outreach work it is very clear that some members of the community, including children, are not able to go about their daily lives with any degree of routine or safety," said project coordinator Owen McCarthy. "Kerry Travellers Development Project totally deplores all violence and strongly urges those involved to stop immediately. Such behaviour impacts on the other Traveller families in the county who are living peacefully. "We realise that there will be no quick fix and a long term resolution will take time. While we can appreciate the urgency of the situation, we will continue to work with the Traveller community and local agencies to create safety in the community and ask for the continued co-operation of the community with the relevant authorities," he said. Fourteen of the 21 men previously charged in connection with the ongoing feud are due to appear before Tralee District Court on September 23 on a range of public order and weapons charges. 'It just so happens that I'm very good at hugs," Prince Harry told me as we chatted at Kensington Palace a while back, which he was sure would have made his mother "smile with pride". Hugs are, of course, just what babies need to blossom. Harry has ached to have children for a long time. Now that the moment has come, the question everyone is asking is what sort of father will he make. I had the good fortune to accompany him on his royal engagements for over a year for my biography 'Harry: Conversations with the Prince', and saw for myself the daredevil, rebellious action man has a soft paternal side. It is most apparent when children are around, and I believe his warmth, exuberance and tenderness make him a superdad. The public was first aware of his extraordinary empathy with children in 2004 when the rather disturbed 19-year-old prince spent eight weeks in Lesotho, southern Africa, to work at Sentebale, an orphanage for children and young people affected by HIV. Small children have a sixth sense that tells them if an adult is genuine or is someone to be wary of. Harry was not only instantly accepted but felt equally comfortable in their presence. "Children don't judge me," he explained. "They just see me as someone who likes to have fun." He had no qualms about quietly cradling ailing babies, gently holding their tiny heads in his large hands. While at Sentebale he struck up a particularly close bond with orphaned four-year-old Mutsu Potsane, who followed him everywhere and helped him to plant a tree. When Harry returned to Sentebale for another visit he bought Mutsu a pair of blue Wellington boots, which he refused to take off for weeks, even at bedtime. Theirs has been an ongoing relationship: last year Harry paid for him to fly over to Windsor for his wedding. Expand Close Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Princess Charlotte of Cambridge, Prince George, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Prince Harry, Queen Elizabeth ll, Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh appear on the balcony of Buckingham Palace following the Trooping the Colour ceremony / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Princess Charlotte of Cambridge, Prince George, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Prince Harry, Queen Elizabeth ll, Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh appear on the balcony of Buckingham Palace following the Trooping the Colour ceremony Other children are equally mesmerised by him. On royal walkabouts he regularly zooms in to talk to a child especially if they are disabled or have ginger hair, and he easily makes them laugh. When Harry visited Nottingham two years ago one little girl jumped up and down in excitement as she told me she couldn't wait to see him. "You know he's a real live prince," she told me. Harry is also patron of WellChild, a charity that provides care for seriously ill children and young people. The tenderness he shows these terminally ill or handicapped children is often overwhelmingly moving to watch. His ability to relate to children is undoubtedly inherited from his mother, and he is likely to copy some of her child-rearing methods. "I instinctively know what my mother would like me to do," he told me and described Princess Diana as "a total kid through and through", whose motto for him was, "You can be as naughty as you want, just don't get caught." She rejected the unwritten rule that royal child-rearing should be distant and uninvolved. She wanted her young sons never to doubt they were loved, and even publicly showered them with hugs and kisses. Video of the Day Diana also wanted them to have as broad an experience of life as possible and made sure they saw how others less fortunate than themselves lived. Nor did she want them to miss out on what other children did, like going to see Father Christmas, pantomimes and the cinema. She enjoyed taking them on rollercoaster rides, even to the extent of getting soaked whizzing down a water slide in fits of laughter. But he will almost certainly keep his baby out of the spotlight as he has long wished to escape "the goldfish bowl of royal life". If he and Meghan make a temporary move to Africa as has been rumoured, this will be his opportunity. I'm also sure he will put his child's needs first. We had been talking for a while when he suddenly paused and said: "William and I were 15 and 12 when our mother died and I had to walk a long way behind her coffin. "No child should lose their mother at such a young age and then have his grief observed by thousands of people watching me, while millions more round the world did on television. I don't think any child should be asked to do that, under any circumstances." Harry's childhood experiences were inevitably tarnished by the toxic atmosphere between his parents and by their subsequent divorce. In a 2017 TV interview Harry talked openly about his and William's plight: "The two of us were bouncing between the two of them and we never saw our mother enough or we never saw our father enough... "As a kid I never enjoyed speaking to my parents on the phone. We spent far too much time speaking on the phone rather than speaking to each of them." The sudden death of his mother when he was only 12 has inevitably left deep scars. They are powerful reasons why he will make it a priority to give his child a loving happy family life. But aside from looking to the footprint of his childhood for leads, he's had the useful experience of being a loving uncle to William and Kate's three young children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. Whether or not the rumours of a royal rift between the brothers are true, from the beginning Prince Harry has always relished his role as uncle. When asked a few days after the birth of Prince George whether he had seen his first nephew he said he had been "crying his eyes out" when they met but that he had cuddled the baby prince. Of course Meghan may have different views on child-rearing and this can certainly be a challenging time for any couple, royal or not. She has already voiced a couple of ambitions for their new arrival. In March, during a panel discussion to celebrate International Women's Day, she said she hopes her baby will be a feminist. She has also reportedly asked Elton John to teach the baby the piano when he or she is old enough to learn. Harry, however, has more emotional leanings. "I have an incredibly large heart," he told me. "There is so much passion inside of me that I can also give to other people." His baby will undoubtedly be top of that list. ( Daily Telegraph, London) The action is the largest claim in UK legal history (PA) Mining giant BHP Billiton has been accused of being woefully negligent before a deadly dam collapse in Brazil, as it gears up for a multibillion-pound legal fight over the incident. In a class action served on Tuesday representing more than 200,000 claimants, lawyers from SPG alleged that the company knew of the risks at the site. At 5 billion US dollars (3.8 billion), it is the largest claim in UK legal history. Tom Goodhead, partner at SPG, said: The repeated warnings and recommendations of dam safety experts were acted upon too slowly, or sidestepped entirely. Driven by concern for declining revenues amidst the falling market price of iron ore, the company took risks, increased production and turned a blind eye to dangers that ultimately claimed lives and destroyed communities. In 2015, a dam collapsed at BHPs Samarco iron ore mine in Minas Gerais state, south-eastern Brazil, killing 19 people and displacing 700. A torrent of mud unleashed by the burst also wiped out a small village, Bento Rodrigues, and contaminated the Atlantic Ocean. The deadly stain of red mud, water and debris flowed downstream into the Doce River, where it devastated wildlife and compromised drinking water for hundreds of thousands of people. The stain flowed through neighbouring Espirito Santo state before it reached the Atlantic. The group lawsuit, brought on behalf of 235,000 Brazilian individuals and organisations, including municipal governments, utility companies, indigenous tribes and the Catholic Church, was served on the Anglo-Australian miner on Tuesday. It details alleged failings by BHP, saying the firm was aware of escalating safety concerns surrounding the dams integrity but continued to increase industrial output of iron ore, leading to heightened water levels. Mr Goodhead added: BHP was woefully negligent in its duty of care and the damages sought are entirely commensurate with the devastation the company has wrought upon the people of Minas Gerais, Espirito Santo and Brazil. BHP has already paid millions into compensation and remediation programmes. It is also facing legal action in Australia on behalf of shareholders. Britain's Prince Harry and wife Meghan Markle have welcomed a newborn baby boy into their lives, as the new father told the world of the "amazing, absolutely incredible" joy his son has brought them. The Duke of Sussex could barely contain his excitement as he personally announced the safe arrival of his firstborn, saying he and Meghan were "over the moon" in their first few hours of parenthood. The baby boy, who weighed 7lb 3oz, arrived at 5.36am yesterday, after Meghan went into labour in the early hours with Harry by her side. After hours of privacy at Frogmore Cottage, where they were joined by Doria Ragland, Meghan's mother, the couple authorised Buckingham Palace to share the news with the waiting world. In a mix of tradition and modernity the Sussexes have made their hallmark, a formal announcement was accompanied by an Instagram post - coloured blue - declaring: "It's a boy!" And with those words began a new generation: a family of three, a first half-American, mixed-race royal baby, and a once lost little prince finally transformed into a proud dad. As he stepped out in front of television cameras to announce the news, appearing to all but burst with joy, Harry's awe was infectious. Confiding he had scraped a few hours' sleep, he steadied himself for the formalities: "I'm very excited to announce that Meghan and myself had a baby boy earlier this morning, a very healthy boy. Mother and baby are doing incredibly well." Then, the emotion so many associate with his late mother poured forth. "It's been the most amazing experience I could ever have possibly imagined," he said. "How any woman does what they do is beyond comprehension but we're both absolutely thrilled and so grateful to all the love and support from everybody out there. It's been amazing, so we just wanted to share this with everybody." Asked whether they had settled on a name, he said they were "still thinking" about it, despite the extra time they had been bought by the "little bit overdue" baby boy. Next, he promised, would be a photocall for the family of three today "to share it with you guys and so everyone can see the baby". Dressed casually, and standing in front of the stables at Windsor Castle, Harry thanked the press for their interest before turning, slightly dazed, and thanking two horses for behaving themselves during the broadcast. The couple will now settle in to life as parents with the help of Ms Ragland, before the new father flies away to launch the Invictus Games at The Hague on Thursday. In a second Instagram post yesterday, the couple declared: "Their Royal Highnesses thank you for your support and kindness during this exceptionally joyful time in their lives as they welcome their baby boy." Tradition was not dispensed with entirely. The birth was formally announced at Buckingham Palace with a notice on an easel carried by two butlers. Unlike the announcements for each of Prince William's children, the notice was not signed by the doctors who delivered the baby. The baby is expected to have the formal title of the Earl of Dumbarton. A three-year-old girl is in a critical condition after being caught in the crossfire of a shooting in Naples, in an incident that has provoked outrage in the Italian city. The little girl, called Noemi, was accidentally shot in the chest when an unidentified man fired six bullets into his intended target, a 32-year-old man with a criminal record who was sitting at a bar. The girl's grandmother was also wounded. It was initially thought that the shooting was a feud between members of the local Camorra mafia, one of the oldest and largest criminal organisations in Italy, but police now believe it may have been a personal vendetta, a local newspaper reported yesterday. Salvatore Nurcaro (31), the man who was shot, was badly wounded and is in a critical condition in hospital. The shooting, which happened on Friday, prompted a protest on Sunday, with crowds praying for the recovery of the child. Hundreds of people gathered in a piazza close to where the shooting occurred, with banners reading "Noemi, don't give up, Naples is fighting for you" and "Let's disarm Naples". The bullet that hit the child passed through one of her lungs and lodged in her ribs, doctors said. It was the kind of wound normally seen in a "war zone", said Giovanni Gaglione, Noemi's paediatric surgeon. Italian media published security camera footage that showed the gunman step over the wounded child twice as he carried out the shooting. A shocked waiter then picked her up. Police are hunting for the gunman, who was dressed in black and wearing a motorcycle helmet. China's Vice Premier Liu He will visit the United States on May 9 and 10 for a new round of China-U.S. trade talks, a spokesperson with China's Ministry of Commerce said on Tuesday. The national flags of China and the United States. [File Photo: IC] The visit is at the invitation of U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. Grim task: Investigators examine the charred fuselage of the plane at Moscow airport. Photo: Reuters Fireball: The Aeroflot SSJ-100 aircraft on fire during an emergency landing in Sheremetyevo airport in Moscow. Photo: AP A 22-year-old steward who gave his life helping passengers escape was among the heroes of the Moscow plane disaster on Sunday in which 41 of the 78 people on board were killed. Social media posts have called for the crew of the Aeroflot flight to Murmansk to be honoured for emergency landing and evacuating the plane after the Sukhoi Superjet 100 was reportedly struck by lightning just after take-off. Dmitry Khlebnikov, a passenger seated in the 10th row, told journalists at Sheremetyevo airport that he was only alive thanks to the crew. "The stewardesses saved me," he said. "The girls were standing near us. In the area where there was fuel, where it was dark, where the temperature was the highest, they brought people out and helped them get down the slide." Television footage showed the Sukhoi Superjet 100 bouncing along the tarmac before the rear part of the plane suddenly burst into flames. Many passengers on board SU 1492 then escaped via the plane's emergency slides that inflated after the hard landing. The plane, which had been flying from Moscow to the northern Russian city of Murmansk, had been carrying 73 passengers and five crew members, Russia's aviation watchdog said. Svetlana Petrenko, a spokeswoman for Russia's Investigative Committee, said in a statement that only 37 out of 78 people on board had survived, meaning 41 people had lost their lives. The Investigative Committee said it had opened an investigation and was looking into whether the pilots had breached air safety rules. At least two children were among the dead. Steward Maxim Moiseyev was at the rear of the plane and when he could not open the door, he began assisting passengers towards the front doors, the state news agency Tass reported. Refusing to leave while passengers were still on board, he died in the fire, it said. After completing military academy and serving in the army, Mr Moiseyev passed a correspondence course in civil aviation. He had worked as a steward for only 15 months. Videos inside the plane showed passengers screaming and crying as the fire spread. The investigative committee said it was considering three possible causes of the tragedy: poor training of crew and ground personnel, technical malfunction or bad weather. One account claimed that passengers' attempts to retrieve luggage from the overhead lockers prevented others from escaping. Denis Yevdokimov, the plane's commander, said lightning knocked out radio and electronic guidance systems, forcing pilots to fly manually. Tatyana Kasatkina, a stewardess, said: "We took off and flew into a cloud, it was hailing heavily. At that moment there was a bang, this kind of flash, like electricity. It all happened very quickly." The Flightradar24 tracking service showed that the plane had circled twice over Moscow before making an emergency landing after just under 30 minutes in the air. The plane's under-carriage gave way on impact and its engines caught fire. Interfax cited a source as saying the plane had only succeeded making an emergency landing on the second attempt and that some of the aircraft's systems had then failed. The emergency landing was so hard that debris had found its way into the engines, sparking a fire that swiftly engulfed the rear of the fuselage, the same source said. Russian news agencies reported that the plane had been produced in 2017 and had been serviced as recently as April this year. By last night, more than 4,000 people had signed an online petition calling for Russia to stop flying Superjets following eight safety incidents in the past year. But the transport minister said he saw no reason to stop Superjet flights. Mexico's Interjet grounded 15 of its 22 Superjets this year, complaining that the plane's engine, produced by a joint venture between French and Russian companies, needed to be fixed too often. Reuters journalists Wa Lone, left, and Kyaw She Oo wave as they walk out from Insein Prison (Thein Zaw/AP) Two Reuters journalists who were imprisoned for breaking Burmas Official Secrets Act over reporting on security forces abuses of Rohingya Muslims have been pardoned and released. The convictions of Wa Lone, 32, and Kyaw Soe Oo, 28, in Burma also known as Myanmar had drawn condemnation from rights groups, Western governments and press associations, and the two journalists had garnered several awards. In April, they shared with their Reuters colleagues the Pulitzer Prize for international reporting, one of journalisms highest honours. The two were freed after President Win Myint issued a blanket pardon for 6,520 prisoners, said Zaw Zaw, chief of Insein Prison in the countrys largest city Yangon. On April 23, Burmas Supreme Court had rejected the journalists final appeal against their seven-year prison terms. Their convictions were related to reporting on security forces abuses of the Muslim Rohingya minority. The reporters contended they were framed because of official displeasure over their reporting. I want to say that I am very happy today, Wa Lone said to reporters who had gathered in front of the prison. I want to thank our friends and families who were trying for our freedom and also to those from all over the world who sympathised with us. He added: I am really excited to see my family and colleagues. I cant wait to go to my newsroom. Expand Close Reuters reporter Wa Lone reacts as he is freed from Insein Prison (Ann Wang/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Reuters reporter Wa Lone reacts as he is freed from Insein Prison (Ann Wang/AP) Burmas military launched a brutal counterinsurgency campaign in the western state of Rakhine in 2017, driving more than 700,000 Rohingya to flee to Bangladesh. UN officials and others claim the campaign amounted to ethnic cleansing, and even genocide. The military has said its actions in Rakhine state were a response to attacks by Rohingya guerrillas, and it did not have a policy violating human rights or the laws of war. The Reuters reporters had worked on an investigation into the killings of 10 Rohingya villagers in Inn Din village, for which the government last year said seven soldiers were sentenced to up to 10 years in prison with hard labour. The two reporters were arrested in December 2017 and sentenced last September after being accused of illegally possessing official documents, a violation of the colonial-era Official Secrets Act. Since their arrests 511 days ago, they have become symbols of the importance of press freedom around the worldStephen Adler, Reuters editor-in-chief We are enormously pleased that Myanmar has released our courageous reporters, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, said a statement issued by Reuters editor-in-chief Stephen Adler. Since their arrests 511 days ago, they have become symbols of the importance of press freedom around the world. We welcome their return. The case drew attention not only as a media freedom issue but also as an example of how democratic reforms in long-isolated Burma have stalled under Nobel Peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyis civilian government, which took power in 2016. The military maintains control of key ministries including those handling security, but Ms Suu Kyi wields executive power and her stance on the Rohingya crisis has disappointed many admirers and dampened hopes for greater democracy in the country. The United Nations office in Burma said it welcomed the journalists release. The UN in Myanmar considers the release of Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo a step toward improving the freedom of the press and a sign of Governments commitment to Myanmars transition to democracy, it said in a statement. Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director of New York-based Human Rights Watch, also applauded the release, but noted Burma is prosecuting other bloggers and journalists for their reporting on the military and the government. Myanmars faltering respect for media freedom indicates the dire situation facing human rights and democracy as the country moves toward national elections in 2020, he said in a statement. Family members of the two reporters were elated. Chit Su Win, the wife of Kyaw Soe Oo, said just before their reunion that she does not know how to express her feelings, but now the three of us can hug each other and we are so happy for that. Maung Saung Kha, director of Athan Freedom of Expression Movement from Burma said he still has concerns about freedom of expression in Burma, because there are still trials of journalists. The online magazine The Irrawaddy and other media outlets have been sued by the army for their coverage of recent fighting between the government and the Arakan army ethnic rebel group, which also operates in Rakhine state. A surge in deadly violence in the Gaza Strip and southern Israel petered out early yesterday with Palestinian officials reporting that Egypt had mediated a ceasefire, ending the most serious spate of cross-border clashes for months. The latest round of fighting erupted three days ago, peaking on Sunday when rockets and missiles from Gaza killed four civilians in Israel. Israeli weekend strikes killed 21 Palestinians, more than half of them civilians. Two Palestinian officials and a TV station belonging to Hamas, Gaza's Islamist rulers, said a truce had been reached at 4.30am. Israel did not formally confirm the existence of a truce with Hamas and its allied faction Islamic Jihad, militants that it, like much of the West, designates as terrorists. Officials in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government spoke in more general terms of a return to quiet, with one suggesting that Israel's arch-enemy Iran - a major funder for Islamic Jihad - had been behind the escalation. Suffering under renewed US sanctions and Israeli strikes against its military assets in Syria, Iran may have seen stoking Palestinian violence as a way of telling Israel, "we will get back at you through (Islamic) Jihad and Gaza", Israeli Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz told the Israeli radio station 90FM. Israel's military said more than 600 rockets and projectiles - over 150 of them intercepted - had been fired at southern Israeli cities and villages since Friday. It said it shelled or carried out air strikes on 320 militant sites. The violence abated before dawn, just as Gazans were preparing to begin the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Rocket sirens in southern Israel, which had gone off continuously over the weekend, did not sound yesterday and there were no reports of new air strikes in Gaza. Egypt and the United Nations, who have served as brokers in the past, had been trying to mediate a ceasefire. The violence began when an Islamic Jihad sniper fired across Gaza's fenced border at Israeli troops on patrol, wounding two soldiers, the Israeli military claimed. Islamic Jihad accused Israel of delaying implementing previous understandings brokered by Egypt, aimed at ending violence and easing Gaza's economic hardships. Some two million Palestinians live in Gaza, the economy of which has suffered years of Israeli and Egyptian blockades. Israel says its blockade is necessary to stop arms reaching Hamas, with which it has fought three wars since the group seized control of Gaza in 2007, two years after Israel withdrew its settlers and troops from the small coastal enclave. Gaza gaze: Deirdre OKane meets young mother Shayma Shafee, who is holding her daughter Nadia (17 months) and her son Said (2) in the Nuseirat refugee camp in Gaza. Photos: Mark Stedman I hopped in a cab this afternoon and said, "Bethlehem, please". I was so grateful to be in a cab and not on the back of a donkey. And even more grateful not to be pregnant on Christmas Eve! But while I was excited about where I was headed, I was also conflicted and sad about what I had just left behind. I had spent the last couple of days in Gaza. Gaza, you say? Were you telling jokes, Deirdre? No, they won't let you in to tell jokes. In fact it's extremely difficult to get in to Gaza at all because of the blockade. But I was privileged to gain access with Trocaire. Thanks to Comic Relief's fundraising efforts at the 3Arena on Paddy's Day, we were able to give more than 180,000 to support a much-needed project in Gaza. Arriving in Gaza feels very much like entering a prison. High walls, barbed wire, cameras, all the usual paraphernalia. Once you've passed through border controls, Gaza is an assault on the senses. The heat, the smells, the overwhelming poverty and the obvious scars of war and oppression. The unemployment rate is the highest in the world and four people in every five rely on humanitarian assistance. We headed straight to the project, which is in one of the largest refugee camps in Gaza. More than 80,000 people are living here. There is a long list of problems facing these people every day, but water is right at the top of it. After three major bombardments by Israeli forces in the last decade and a crippling economic blockade, the water infrastructure is on its last legs. It is undrinkable and a serious health hazard. Water borne diseases are rife, and in this camp 60pc of the children are suffering with intestinal diseases. We arrived at the clinic to see our project in operation. It was packed with mothers who had been queuing since 5.30am to be sure their child would be screened and treated. Several of them asked me to keep supporting them, which moved me more than I can say. I could see the relief in their faces that something was being done. I then went to the home of a young family and met 17-month-old Nadia. Her parents had so little and they have suffered much. Their home had been destroyed in the 2014 war. Baby Nadia had been very sick in recent months. She was so weak she was unable to walk. The clinic diagnosed her with anaemia and intestinal worms. By the time I got to meet her she had been receiving treatment and was now thriving. To say I felt proud I had contributed in some way to this child's transformation is an understatement. I wanted to hug every fellow comic who had turned up to tell jokes at the 3Arena and every punter who had bought a ticket! The project will treat 5,000 children in total. Onwards from Gaza to Bethlehem. I thought I would look for somewhere in this holy land to say a prayer for Gaza. But what greeted me on first sight was an unholy mess they have built a wall around Bethlehem. Enough of the walls already. Dear God, can we give peace a chance? To read more about Trocaire's work worldwide, visit www.trocaire.org At least seven people have been injured in a shooting at a school in Denver, Colorado. Douglas County undersheriff Holly Nicholson-Kluth said there was a possible eighth injury. She said she did not believe there were any other gunmen, but tactical teams were still searching the school room by room. She did not know if there were fatalities or other details about the victims or the extent of their injuries. Lines of fire engines, ambulances and law enforcement vehicles from multiple agencies were at the school and medical helicopters landed on a grassy field. The shooting happened at the school in Highlands Ranch, which has more than than 1,850 students from reception age to 17. The sheriff's office said they were called to the school at about 1.50pm. Ms Nicholson-Kluth said police and deputies got there almost immediately and heard shots as they arrived. The school is near a sheriff's department substation. The sheriff's office directed parents to a nearby recreational center to pick up their children. Michael Cohen, US President Donald Trump's former personal lawyer, took a parting shot at his former boss - denouncing "xenophobia, injustice and lies" - before reporting to a federal prison yesterday to begin a three-year sentence. Cohen, who once vowed to "take a bullet" for Mr Trump but now calls him a "con man", arrived at the Federal Correctional Institution in Otisville, New York, about 110km northwest of New York City, to serve his sentence for arranging hush payments to two women who said they had sexual encounters with Mr Trump and for lying to Congress. Before being driven to the facility, Cohen (52) made brief remarks to a crush of reporters gathered outside his Manhattan apartment building. "I hope that when I rejoin my family and friends that the country will be in a place without xenophobia, injustice and lies at the helm of our country," Cohen said. "There still remains much to be told, and I look forward to the day that I can share the truth." It completes a stunning fall for the native of Long Island whose career was tethered to Mr Trump as he evolved from real estate developer to TV personality to politician. For more than a decade, Cohen served as Trump's lawyer and self-described "fixer". The relationship began to sour after FBI agents raided Cohen's office in April 2018 as part of an investigation that grew out of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 US election. The information gathered in the raids contributed to a series of criminal charges against Cohen that caused his dramatic split with Trump. The US has deployed an aircraft carrier to the Middle East following "troubling and escalatory indications" that forces in Iran were preparing an attack on US forces in the region, according to a White House official. National Security Adviser John Bolton said the decision was intended to "send a clear and unmistakable message" that any attack on US interests would be met with "unrelenting force". The deployment was approved after reports US forces at sea and on land were potential targets, according to a defence official who spoke on condition of anonymity. "The United States is not seeking war with the Iranian regime, but we are fully prepared to respond to any attack, whether by proxy, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, or regular Iranian forces," Mr Bolton said. The USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group and a bomber task force have been sent to the US Central Command region, which includes potential deployment the Middle East. Mr Bolton did not provide details on the alleged attack but the statement is expected to raise tensions between the US and Iran. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the actions by the US had been planned for some time. Independent News Service Police outside the school in Highlands Ranch (David Zalubowski/AP) Seven people have been injured in a shooting at a school in Denver, Colorado. Two people were in custody, authorities said. Douglas County undersheriff Holly Nicholson-Kluth said there was possibly an eighth injured person. She said she did not believe there were any other gunmen, but tactical teams were still searching the school room by room. She did not know if there were fatalities or other details about the victims or the extent of their injuries. Expand Close Armed police officers at the school (Courtney Harper via AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Armed police officers at the school (Courtney Harper via AP) Lines of fire engines, ambulances and law enforcement vehicles from multiple agencies were at the school and medical helicopters landed on a grassy field. The shooting happened at a school in Highlands Ranch, which has more than than 1,850 students from reception age to 17. The sheriffs office said they were called to the school at about 1.50pm. Ms Nicholson-Kluth said police and deputies got there almost immediately and heard shots as they arrived. The school is near a sheriffs department substation. The sheriffs office directed parents to a nearby recreational centre to pick up their children. We are making all of our public safety resources available to assist the Douglas County Sheriff's Department in their effort to secure the site and evacuate the students. We are monitoring the situation in real time. The heart of all Colorado is with the victims & their families. Governor Jared Polis (@GovofCO) May 7, 2019 Rocco DeChalk, who lives near the school, told television station KUSA that he saw so many students running past his house that at first he thought it was a gym class. He went outside and saw a teenage boy who had been shot in the back being helped by a teacher and another student. They took the boy into his kitchen and alerted a police officer, who sent for an ambulance. A fleet of school buses arrived and dropped off students, some of whom were crying and holding hands with their classmates as they were helped off. Governor Jared Polis said in a statement that he was making state public-safety resources available to help secure the site and evacuate students. The heart of all Colorado is with the victims and their families, he said. The shooting comes nearly three weeks after neighbouring Littleton marked the grim 20th anniversary of the Columbine school shooting that left 13 people dead. The two schools are separated by about seven miles in communities south of Denver. Shares in cash-strapped travel firm Thomas Cook jumped after Lufthansa confirmed it has made a bid for Condor, the UK Groups German airline arm. Thomas Cook, the UKs oldest package holiday provider, has had an upturn in value over the past week following reports several parties have lined up bids for the group. The travel business set a deadline of Tuesday for all potential bidders to declare their interest in the firms airline arm. Lufthansa boss Carsten Spohr said the German group has bid for Condor but added it had the option to extend its offer to Thomas Cooks whole airline business. We decided yesterday in the meeting of the management board to bid for all of Condor with the option to be able to extend this (bid) to all Thomas Cook airlines, Mr Spohr told reporters at Lufthansas AGM. Lufthansa said it was unlikely a single buyer could acquire all Thomas Cook airlines due to antitrust regulations. Shares in Thomas Cook jumped 10.6% to 23.95p in trading on Tuesday. Thomas Cook has struggled recently as a fall in demand for package holidays and intense online competition resulted in a string of profit warnings. Share value had fallen by around 80% over the past 12 months following a disappointing year during which it posted profit warnings in September and November 2018. The company confirmed last week it was in discussions to secure up to 400 million in debt funding from its lenders to shore up its finances. It has also been approached about a takeover of its tour operating unit, and the entire company, by several parties, according to Sky News reports. The company has 1.4 billion of total debt and has hired consulting firm AlixPartners to help repair its balance sheet. FTI Consulting is advising a group of lenders on their financial exposure to Thomas Cook. In March, Thomas Cook revealed plans to close 21 high street stores, resulting in 320 job losses. The 65-voice Piedmont Choral Society will present its annual free spring concerts at 7 p.m. Friday, May 17, at Calvary Lutheran Church, 950 Bradley St. (off Branchview Drive NE - Hwy. 3), Concord and again at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 19, at Forest Hill UMC, 265 Union St. N, Concord. The group is all volunteers with members coming from Cabarrus and surrounding counties. Joseph Judge is director and Dr. Don Simmons is accompanist. Mr. Judge is Director of Choral Activities and Assistant Professor of Music at Pfeiffer University and music director of Central Methodist Church in Albemarle. Dr. Simmons is adjunct Professor of Music at Pfeiffer as well as music director and organist of Kimball Lutheran Church in Kannapolis. The spring concerts will be accompanied by a string quintet, piano and organ and will feature the music of Mozart, Haydn and American composers along with several lively spirituals. The choral group performs many times during the year, with two formal concerts and several informal events annually. All events are free, and no ticket is required. During the Jiggy with the Piggy Festival, held in Kannapolis May 3-4, the teams participating in the Kansas City Barbeque Society competition also competed in a dessert contest. One hundred community leaders judged the competition on Friday night. CONCORDThe Cabarrus County Convention and Visitors Bureau invites residents to join them and communities across the nation to celebrate National Travel & Tourism Week. This annual tradition is a time to unite and celebrate the value travel holds for the economy, businesses and personal well-being. The theme for this years celebration is Travel Matters. From enhancing our quality of life to strengthening the local economy, the tourism industry has a powerful, positive impact on so many aspects of our community, said Donna Carpenter, Cabarrus County CVB President and CEO. Without the state and local taxes generated by visitors in Cabarrus County, each household would pay $489 more in taxes each year. The latest tourism impact statistics come from The Economic Impact of Travel on North Carolina Counties 2017a study prepared for Visit North Carolina by the U.S. Travel Association. Highlights of the study specific to Cabarrus County include: - Cabarrus County ranks 12th in travel impact among NCs 100 counties - Domestic visitors to and within Cabarrus County spent over $446 million in 2017 Led by Sen. Tom Udall (D-New Mexico), Democratic lawmakers are calling for the passage of bills to address the crisis of missing and murdered indigenous women. In speeches on the U.S. Senate floor on Tuesday, the lawmakers spoke about the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Native Women and Girls. The day, observed on May 5, falls on the birthday of Hanna Harris , a young citizen of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe who went missing and was murdered in Montana in 2013. "It's critical that we understand the magnitude of violence that Native women face," said Udall, who serves as vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs During his remarks, Udall displayed a portrait of Harris, who was only 21 years old when she was murdered. She left behind a son who was only 10 months old at the time. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nevada): Congress Must Act to Protect the Lives of Native Women and Girls #NotInvisible "It's a crisis we need to address now," said Smith, who also serves on the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. Bills with provisions to address missing and murdered indigenous women and girls include: S.227 , known as Savanna's Act in honor of Savanna Marie Greywind, a Spirit Lake Nation woman who went missing and was murdered in North Dakota in 2017. The speeches lasted about 54 minutes, Audio can be found on the Indianz.Com SoundCloud The speeches have already started, with Sen. Tom Udall (D-New Mexico), vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, up first. "One out of three Native women has been raped." Tune in NOW.#MMIW #MMIWG #NotInvisible #NotInvisibleAct indianz.com (@indianz) May 7, 2019 Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nevada) is up next. "Indian Country needs action" to address the crisis of missing and murdered indigenous women. "It can start today."#MMIW #MMIWG #NotInvisible #NotInvisibleAct indianz.com (@indianz) May 7, 2019 Sen. Patty Murray (D-Washington) is speaking now. She said the crisis of missing and murdered indigenous women has caused "terror and pain to tribal communities" across the nation and noted that the problem extends to urban areas.#MMIW #MMIWG #NotInvisible #NotInvisibleAct indianz.com (@indianz) May 7, 2019 Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minnesota) is the latest to speak about missing and murdered indigenous women on the floor of the U.S. Senate. "It's a crisis we need to address now."#MMIW #MMIWG #NotInvisible #NotInvisibleAct indianz.com (@indianz) May 7, 2019 Sen. Jon Tester (D-Montana) discusses the the "epidemic" of violence against Native women. "On many reservations ... Native women face murder rates 10 times the national average. Too much of it goes unreported and unprosecuted."#MMIW #MMIWG #NotInvisible #NotInvisibleAct indianz.com (@indianz) May 7, 2019 Full Video from Sen. Tom Udall (D-New Mexico) WATCH LIVE: Im on the floor with fellow U.S. Senate Democrats to demand action on #VAWA and the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. There are more than 5000 documented cases of missing Native women. Senate GOP must join us to act to ensure #JusticeForNativeWomen. #MMIW Posted by Senator Tom Udall on Tuesday, May 7, 2019 Join the Conversation Related Stories String of Grand Canyon fatalities isnt unusual, officials say, no changes planned Cronkite News GRAND CANYON Two non-life-threatening medical calls came in at once to Grand Canyon National Parks 911 center one day in late April, and the parks search and rescue team was dispatched. Calls like these arent unusual: Last year, the team responded to 265 of them. But the very next day, a 70-year-old woman plummeted 200 feet to her death in the canyon, becoming the fourth fatality in or near the park in five weeks. It was the third fatality from an accidental fall in the park this year. The three previous fatalities occurred over eight days. On April 3, a 67-year-old man fell about 400 feet below the rim east of Yavapai Geology Museum. A 50-year-old visitor from Hong Kong died on March 28 after he tried to get a photo of Grand Canyon West, The Arizona Republic reported . And the body of a possible foreign national was found March 26 in a forested area near the South Rim, ABC15 Arizona reported Park officials said the recent fatalities werent out of the ordinary 17 people die at the Grand Canyon every year and no safety changes are planned. However, theres an increased focus on helping the parks more than 6 million annual visitors understand the dangers that exist near the edge of a yawning chasm and of hiking in what will become excessively hot weather. The three (deaths) that we experienced happened in close proximity and time, park spokesman John Quinley said April 22. One of them was outside the park, so not within Grand Canyon National Park. There werent any common threads among those, you know, so it wasnt anything particularly bad-weather related or some other event that sort of helped those to occur. Brandon Torres, the branch chief of emergency services at Grand Canyon National Park, has been at the park for 11 years. He says about the recent deaths: It doesnt seem like a rash of things to us. (Fatal falls) happen once or twice a year some years, and some years not at all. Photo by Carissa Wigginton / Cronkite News Brandon Torres, the branch chief of emergency services at the park, heads the search and rescue team thats tasked with ensuring the safety of visitors. It doesnt seem like a rash of things to us, said Torres, who has been with the park for 11 years. (Falls) happen once or twice a year some years, and some years not at all. Park staff are faced with the challenge of protecting the beauty of the Grand Canyon while also keeping people safe. Barriers, ropes, signs, railings and interpretive messages detailing how much water and food hikers should bring and other hiking tips are safety measures found throughout the canyon. There are a lot of causes for injuries and death in the canyon, ranging from visitors not being prepared for the challenging terrain to bad judgement to slipping on rocks. Torres said the falls over the edge are super tragic moments, but the vast majority of the time were making fantastic saves. The search and rescue team, which is comprised of 75 to 80 law enforcement and emergency services personnel, recovers bodies in the canyon and responds to the 911 calls. Ive been a part of some really horrible, tragic investigations, Torres said. One, where, somebody dropped the cap off their camera, not the lens, the little plastic cap, and they scrambled down and ended up falling over. I can think of another one where somebodys hat blew off and they scrambled over the edge; theres actually been a couple of those. Quinley said the Grand Canyon hosted 6.3 million visitors last year, which was a couple million more than a few years ago. By and large, everybody who comes here is safe, he said. The recent spate of deaths wont result in changes to existing safety policies, Quinley said. We look at the statistics and the circumstances, whether theyre injuries or fatalities, and see if theres some common thread there that can be fixed with a rule change, with a barrier, with different interpretive messages, he said. John Quinley, Grand Canyon National Park spokesman, says the four recent deaths in and around the park wont result in changes to safety policies. Photo by Carissa Wigginton / Cronkite News But often there isnt a common theme, he said, or someone ignored the guidelines for a safe visit and did something that wasnt safe. Torres noted that few areas of the canyon are closed off. We want this great place to be accessible to the American people and to the people of the world, as much as possible, he said. Another consideration is the enormity of the Grand Canyon, which is 277 river-miles long. That makes effective enforcement a challenge, he said. If a visitor wants to head off trail or peer over a precipice, Torres said, it better be an isolated event with no distractions or tomfoolery. Quinley said relatively small choices and decisions visitors make at the park can lead to significant consequences. Nancy Meyer of Phoenix visited the Grand Canyon over spring break with family and friends from New York and England. She said the rules and regulations at the national park shouldnt be changed at all. Its such a natural and beautiful thing, and I really believe that people should be responsible and understand what they need to do if theyre going to take more of a hike than a tourist look at the canyon, Meyer said. And also be responsible for their own health. You know, the usual that we do when we go to beaches use sunscreen, drink enough water, hydrate, wear the proper clothing. Mostly common sense. Linda Zappia of Canandaigua, New York, said the recent deaths had no impact on her trip with family to the canyon. If people would just put their phone down, look at the beauty of the earth and take it all in, everything will be fine, Zappia said. Brandon Torres, the branch chief of emergency services at Grand Canyon National Park, said falls over the canyons edge are super tragic moments, but the vast majority of the time were making fantastic saves. Photo by Carissa Wigginton/ Cronkite News In the summer, temperatures rise and visitation spikes and so do the number of 911 calls. Park officials say temperatures play a significant role in how people perform and how climatized they are to the heat. You drop the water bottle and you dont have that quart of water anymore, Quinley said. You decided to skimp on weight, you left some snacks back at your car. Those things can lead to fatigue and difficulties later on in your hike. Torres and his team are called into action multiple times a day during the summer months. Its a little slower in January and it picks up mid-June, then drops again, he said; its very much a bell curve. In 2018, the number of search and rescue incidents, 265, fell below the 10-year average of 294. Volunteers with the parks emergency services department are dispersed throughout the canyons trails to educate hikers and check to see how theyre feeling and whether they have enough water. Torres said temperatures rise the deeper hikers descend into the canyon. And the margin of error is smaller in the summer. So your hike is really easy. When you (begin), you just start hiking downhill and its fabulous, he said. Then theres that point where you have to turn around and hike back out. And then you realize, Oh, Im actually at elevation here on the Colorado Plateau. Maybe Im not used to that. Im breathing hard. Im working hard. Its a different setup that maybe not everybody has thought through. A common occurrence Torres and his team see with hikers is drinking too much water, which dilutes salts in the body and can cause hyponatremia, a serious medical condition involving low levels of sodium in the blood. We see a lot (of that) here because people are just drinking way too much water and not eating anything, Torres said. So its a balance. Drink when youre thirsty, but keep eating. When search and rescue is dispatched, Torres and his team frequently use the parks helicopter. Sometimes they try rescue operations by mule, but that doesnt work if someone has an ankle injury and cant bear weight on it. If the team carries a person up the trail using a wheel litter, which is a rescue basket with wheels, its incredibly labor intensive, Torres said, requiring 20 to 30 people: Its hot and we burn people out. The emergency medical services department runs about 1,200 calls a year, Torres said. Patients sometimes are transported to a clinic adjacent to the teams headquarters, he said. If not, theyre taken to Flagstaff Medical Center, which is 80 miles away. Torres advises anyone planning to visit the canyon during the heat of the summer to start early and be prepared. Realize that the Grand Canyon is a very unique hiking experience, Torres said. And its maybe different than a lot of the other places you hiked before. Look into that and think about the time of year youre coming and the decisions that you make when you get here. Moving forward, Quinley said, its more about renewing the emphasis on prevention and making sure people are aware of their surroundings. Understand that, in the case of falls, to just stay a respectful distance back from the rim of the canyon and know where you are at all times, Quinley said. Because a small mistake can have serious consequences. This story originally appeared on Cronkite News and is published via a Creative Commons license . Cronkite News is produced by the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University Join the Conversation South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) knows exactly why the Oglala Sioux Tribe banned from the Pine Ridge Reservation though she appears to be suggesting otherwise. During a media call on Tuesday, Noem said the ban came as "quite a surprise," The Mitchell Daily Republic reported. Yet she outright admitted that she did not consult with the tribe prior to introducing legislation that made it a crime to engage in protests against the Keystone XL Pipeline But there is a reason for the snub . According to Noem, tribes did not need to be consulted in advance because the controversial crude oil project does not cross their reservations. "Tribal leadership had the opportunity to influence the legislation once it was introduced, just like every other South Dakotan," Noem said on the call, The Daily Republic reported. Noem said she hopes to talk to President Julian Bear Runner about his tribe's decision. And while she has been to Pine Ridge twice in the last few weeks, she doesn't plan on going back until the situation is resolved. "I respect tribal sovereignty," Noem said on the call, The Sioux Falls Argus Leader reported. "I typically don't go where I'm not welcome, and I won't test them. But I think it's in the best interest of everyone that we resolve this issue quickly." Noem introduced two so-called "riot boosting" bills late in the legislative session, making it harder for tribes and their citizens to mobilize opposition. Even though they spoke out against the measures , lawmakers passed both within 72 hours. That's what prompted leaders of the Oglala Sioux Tribe to bar Noem from the reservation. In a letter announcing the decision, President Julian Bear Runner noted that the Keystone XL Pipeline crosses through treaty territory. "We have superior legal title to all the land west of the Missouri River that you and/or big oil seek to trespass and aggress on," Bear Runner wrote in the May 2 letter . "These are our lands and our waters." Bear Runner said Noem would be welcome to return to Pine Ridge if she rescinds her support for the bills. But she doesn't appear to think she did anything wrong. "In my view, the process worked. Every voice, in fact, was heard," Noem said of the legislation, The Sioux Falls Argus Leader reported. Read More on the Story An Opinion Join the Conversation Related Stories Weve always known that childhood trauma and abuse can have long-term effects on a childs development. However, a new research published in The Lancet Psychiatry journal has further made the observation that childhood abuse can doesn't just cause depression in adults but they can also find it hard to break the cycle. According to the research, trauma during childhood can change the structure of the brain and this can affect emotional awareness. An adverse effect to this area of the brain can cause depression in adulthood that might be recurrent. unsplash The participants of the research had to go for an MRI and the results that came out showed that childhood trauma, including mistreatment, and depression were related to similar change in the surface area of the insular cortex, the part of the brain which is responsible for our emotions. Lead researcher Nils Opel from the University of Munster in Germany said: "Given the impact of the insular cortex on brain functions such as emotional awareness, it's possible that the changes we saw make patients less responsive to conventional treatments. unsplash This research is particularly important for the people in India because we've only recently discovered that we are one of the most depressed countries in the world. Hopefully, such research can be used to build ways for children to come out of it better so we don't have to face yet another depressed generation. While Cyclone Fani may be over with the minimal loss of life, due to a timely mass evacuation of nearly 10 lakh people by the Odisha government, the trail of destruction it left behind is massive. As Odisha limps back to normalcy post the cyclone, the magnitude of devastation caused is still emerging. Lakhs of people who were evacuated to safer places have no place to go back to as their homes along with life savings have been destroyed in the cyclone. Most of them are living in temporary shelters and camps where it is a struggle to survive. Khalsa Aid As Odisha is still picking itself up from natures' wrath, volunteers of international Sikh charity Khalsa Aid is doing their bit to provide some relief. Khalsa Aid which has displayed exemplary service to those in distress, not just in India, but also around the world in Bangladesh, Iraq, and Syria are providing assistance to the victims of Fani too. Khalsa Aid The volunteers of Khalsa Aid are in Puri, which is one of the worst-hit areas by Cyclone Fani. Khalsa Aid With thousands of the cyclone victims struggling to survive with little to nothing to eat, Khalsa Aid has set up a community kitchen (Langar) for the displaced victims of the cyclone. Volunteers are also working round the clock to provide food and water to the needy. Khalsa Aid The UK-based charity which follows the Sikh principles of service to mankind has been at the forefront of providing help to those affected by war, conflict or natural disasters like the cyclone and the Kerala floods last year. In the four days, a farmhouse in Virod village on the citys outskirts has been witnessing an unusual bond blossom in its backyard. As the sun sets, a young leopard sneaks inside the farmhouse and walks up to a horse. Instead of attacking the horse, leopard makes purring sound sits just a few feet away. After a couple of hours, the leopard disappears in darkness. The friendship between the wild cat and the horse is fast spreading among the nearby villages and curious locals are turning up at the farmhouse owned by Jagdish Patel, a businessman, to catch a glimpse of the leopard. reuters/representational image The leopard was first seen four days ago by some men who work at the farmhouse. At first, they were not sure if it was a leopard as its very dark. After two days, their suspicion grew stronger and they contacted me, said Arvind Pawar, who runs Wildlife Rescue Trust. Pawar went to the farmhouse on the night of May 4 to confirm if a leopard was camping there. The leopard came at around 8pm and sat a some distance from the horse. It just looked at the horse but did nothing except roll over in the grass. At about midnight, the leopard disappeared from the spot, Pawar told TOI. A video taken by Pawar shows the leopard sitting just few feet away from the horse. I sneaked in a bit close and managed to take the video from my mobile phone, Pawar added. afp/representational image Talking to TOI, Patel said, What surprised us is that the horse also didnt panic or try to flee from there. It stood there calmly all the time and didnt mind the leopard resting just a few feet away. The leopard, though, killed one of the dogs at the farmhouse two days ago. Pawar said that the leopard might have been driven away by its mother so that it hunts for food independently. So, it must be cozying up with the horse for some company. I will be installing night vision cameras on Monday night to capture better images of the leopard. We have taken help of the forest department and set a trap to capture it, Pawar added. The courage and honesty of two journalists, who reported about Rohingya crisis in Myanmar has finally brought justice for them. The scribes, working for Reuters news agency were convicted of breaking the Official Secrets Act, have been freed after more than 500 days behind bars. The reporters, identified as Wa Lone, 33, and Kyaw Soe Oo, 29, were sent to jail in September for seven years in a case that questioned progress towards democracy and sparked an outcry from diplomats and human rights advocates in Myanmar. "I am a journalist and I am going to continue," Wa Lone told a crowd of reporters outside the Insein prison in Yangon. "I can't wait to go to my newsroom." afp Myanmar has also said that it would release 6,520 prisoners in an amnesty, according to a statement from the president's office. Jailed Reuters journalists honoured with Pulitzer Prize President Win Myint pardoned thousands of prisoners in two mass amnesties last month. It is customary in Myanmar for authorities to free prisoners around the time of the traditional New Year, which began on April 17. "We are enormously pleased that Myanmar has released our courageous reporters," Reuters editor-in-chief Stephen Adler said in a statement. reuters "Since their arrests 511 days ago, they have become symbols of the importance of press freedom around the world. We welcome their return." Reuters has, however, defended its staff. AFP graphic on two Reuters journalists in Myanmar who were jailed for seven years in September 2018 for their reporting on the Rohingya crisis and have just been freed following a presidential amnesty @AFPgraphics pic.twitter.com/GoOL6t0Smi AFP news agency (@AFP) May 7, 2019 Before their arrest in December 2017, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo had been working on an investigation into the killing of 10 Rohingya Muslim men and boys by security forces and Buddhist civilians in western Myanmar's Rakhine State during an army crackdown that began in August 2017. The Israel Defense Force and Hamas are currently locked in a war of bombardment, thanks to renewed tensions. And it seems the catalyst this time was a cyberattack against Israel by the latter, the first ever instance of such an attack triggering physical violence. The building where the Hamas cyberattack supposedly originated - IDF Tensions between Israel and Palestine have been running high this past year, with protests and violence on both sides. During another exchange of artillery on Saturday, the IDF said it prevented a cyberattack by Hamas against Israel. It didn't reveal what the target of the attack was, only that it was structured to "harm the quality of life of Israeli citizens." In response, the IDF launched an airstrike against the building from where the attack supposedly originated in Gaza. The subsequent exchange of missiles and bombardment has left at least 27 Palestinians and four Israelis dead, and more than a hundred wounded. According to an IDF spokesperson, "Hamas no longer has cyber capabilities" after the strike. The US technically was the first to retaliate to a cyberattack with physical violence, against an ISIS member that released the records of US service members online back in 2015. However, there was a considerable duration between the records leaking and the US attack, whereas the IDF's response to Hamas was almost immediate military force. Here is the video released by the IDF showing the air-strike against the building housing Hamas cyber forces. pic.twitter.com/uHm2ZYa4AP Catalin Cimpanu (@campuscodi) May 5, 2019 The incident raises some dangerous questions concerning the state of modern warfare and what constitutes "acceptable" responses. The general principle usually is that a response to violence in wartime should be appropriate, which means a group of soldiers being killed by one side should not be met with a nuclear or biological strike. In this case however, IDF bombed the building where the hacker supposedly was. Which raises the question of how much damage hackers can cause simply with a computer, causing international conflicts with a hack. It's only natural people worry about the sanctity of elections. They are after all trying to pick their policymakers. But since the Cambridge Analytica scandal, we've gotten warier of interference in general. So Satya Nadella's Microsoft has just released a software kit it thinks could help us rest easy. At the Build 2019 developer conference last night, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella unveiled the 'ElectionGuard' SDK, a kit he says will be going live on Github in a few months. It's part of the company's 'Defending Democracy' program, where the objective is to use technology to safeguard the democratic process around the world. Nadella says the SDK can be easily integrated into existing, off-the-shelf hardware, even in certain paper ballot systems. The idea is that each person can use a unique code on a web portal, given at the time they cast their ballot, to check that their vote hasn't been manipulated at any stage of the process. It also lets them ensure their vote is properly counted. Moreover, though the trackers remain encrypted to protect the privacy of each voter's choice, the system still allows government organisations and third parties to audit and verify the votes tabulation process. "It will enable end-to-end verification of elections, open results to third-party organizations for secure validation, and allow individual voters to confirm their votes were correctly counted," a company spokesperson wrote in a blog post. But it's not all about just securing the process, ElectionGuard is also meant to make it more informative for voters. To that end Microsoft also demonstrated a prototype machine that changes things. Using the portal, you can search for your local candidates and learn more about them right from your home. Then, when you've made your choice, you can print out a slip with a unique QR code on it. That way, when you get to the voting booth, you don't choose a button to hit but instead just scan the code. Of course, it's a little too late for our own elections at the moment, since it seems Microsoft was designing it with the US' 2020 presidential elections in mind. Still, maybe we'll actually be miraculously lucky enough to see a system like this in place in India next time around. Ever found yourself in the grocery store, staring at the shelves, wondering what it is you came in to buy? Don't worry, it happens to all of us at one point or another. Then again, if you're looking at your phone while you shop, it might be happening more often than not. A new study by the Fairfield University in Connecticut has found that shoppers using their smartphone in stores are actually distracting themselves. They don't mean referring to your phone for a grocery list of course. Rather, if you're glancing at your phone to do something else while you should be shopping, odds are you'll forget what you need and buy what you don't. The study, published in the Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, surveyed 2,520 shoppers as they left a supermarket. The researchers asked which of them were using their phone while shopping, and found that they bought on average 9 percent more items than they had planned to. There was a followup experiment, where the team had a 231 participants watch a POV video of a shopper. The person in the video placed nine items in their cart as they walked around the store, but then picked up and put down several others. Some of the participants watched the whole video with no distractions. Others were made to listen to an unrelated phone conversation while that was going on, and still others constantly received push notifications in the corner of the screen. At the end of the experiment, the people that weren't distracted did a better job of remembering which items from a list of 15 actually made it into the cart at the end. That may seem obvious to you, but that sort of distraction also works when you're the person shopping. "Mobile phones are quickly becoming the principal distractor for many consumers and they offer a unique form of interruption," lead researcher Michael Sciandra said in a press release. "Our findings may influence consumers' attitudes towards mobile phone use while shopping and persuade them to reflect on how these devices impact our lives, both positively and negatively." So the next time you get home and realise you forgot the masala you needed, but instead picked up a packet of chocolate biscuits, you know your phone fidgeting is to blame. It might be the biggest festival of democracy, but elections are also a time when many get fooled by miscreants posing as party members. In one such case, a group of dacoits posing as BJP members in Bihar, went knocking at people's doors while chanting 'Modi, Modi', to try to get people to think that they were party promoters. And one hapless family in Bihar fell for the gang's trick. Source According to a News 18 report, the incident that took place in Siwans Ghurghat area, near the Siwan police station. Upendra Raj heard the slogans of Modi-Modi, and assumed that members of the Bhartiya Janata Party had arrived to ask for votes. But to his utter shock, once he opened the door, the dacoits entered his home. "As soon as they entered the house, they beat us up. Two women and two men received serious injuries. Following the attack, the dacoits fled with stuff worth lakhs of Rupees," Upendra told the publication. The cops are investigating the case. No arrests have been made yet. Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers presented Sikh Indian American congregants with a plaque making the proclamation of April Sikh Awareness and Appreciation Month official, telling them the state of Wisconsin is committed to better understand, recognize, and appreciate the rich history and shared experiences of Sikh Americans.'' (Twitter/Tony Evers photo The EUs Council of Ministers has accepted a proposal that producers and processors of industrial minerals should be allocated free carbon allowances under the EU emissions trading system (ETS) until 2030. The decision, which supports a proposal from the European Commission (EC), has been made because of concerns that mineral production could move outside the EU if the industry were forced to buy such allocations, which is what is generally required. The list of sectors qualifying for free emission allowances covers quarrying and mining of minerals; kaolinic clay production; and salt extraction. It also includes the manufacture of all non-metallic mineral products, with the regulation specifically mentioning the manufacture of inorganic chemicals, fertilizers, nitrogen compounds, glass, refractory products, cement, lime and plaster, as well as ceramic tiles, flags and sanitary fixtures, clay bricks, tiles and other construction products. It also covers the manufacture of vitrifiable enamels and glazes, engobes (slips such as are used to decorate pottery) and similar preparations for ceramics, enameling and glass. The ETS is the cap-and-trade system that was established by the EU and imposes a maximum level of greenhouse gas emissions that can be released annually by industries covered by the scheme. These include industrial minerals miners, processors and manufacturers. All companies are allocated allowances, or tradable permits, which give them permission to emit greenhouse gases up to their limit or cap - one tonne of carbon dioxide, or the equivalent amount of two more powerful greenhouse gases, nitrous oxide and perfluorocarbons, according to an EC report on the proposal. Under ETS rules, most companies are increasingly having to purchase these allowances, rather than receiving them for free, which is what happened when the system was launched in 2005. The allowances are bought at the European Energy Exchange (EEX) in Leipzig, Germany, or at ICE Futures Europe (ICE), in London. But there is concern that, for some sectors that emit a lot of greenhouse gases, the cost of purchasing these allowances could become so prohibitive that some companies might move their operations outside the ETS zone and into jurisdictions which do not apply such charges. The ETS zone covers the EU plus Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. If companies moved outside the zone, their greenhouse gases would still be released and the EU would lose employment and general taxation a process called "carbon leakage." So the EU has decided to grant free allowances to these sectors, which also include steel production, textiles, oil and gas, and some food manufacturing. This move was also prompted by concerns about the customers of EU industrial mineral companies. "Allocation reduces the costs for European industries that can arise if they cannot pass on such costs through the supply chain," the EC report said. High-emitting sectors already have free allocations of carbon allowances until 2020. Ministers have now agreed that they will be granted free allocations for 2021-30, with amounts to be determined according to their past emissions. The amounts to be allocated will now be assessed using carbon data submitted by industries via their national governments. The EC report said that 6.3 billion allowances were available for qualifying industries between 2021 and 2030. Sixty is the new 45, 80 is the new 60, and 100 is well, really dang old. But even centenarians know that once you stop learning, you star... Questioned by reporters following the vote, Pekau said that there was no specific thing he had disagreed with La Margo on as far as his work in the village managers job. The mayor, elected in April 2017, had opposed La Margo being named village manager, and said Monday he believed there were better candidates for the job. Taking to his Instagram page, Bisi, who is now married wrote; In another post, he stated that; I can go on and say much more, like appealing you to please donate to the work of Bisi Alimi Foundation, and letting you know; 1- HIV knows no sexuality; it doesnt care if you are; Gay, straight, male, female, Trans, tall, short, white, black, Asian; if you are exposed, there are chances you will get infected. 2- Like taking a test is the best way to know and adhering to your medication is the best way to stop the virus. 3- That U actually equals U, but thats if you know, on treatment and in good health. 4- That you can live a long healthy life with HIV. 5- That holy water, anointing oil and other falsehood you have been sold wont cure HIV 6- That there is no cure yet, but it is on its way. 7- I love you 8- That thank you to my husband Anthony Davis for being the most amazing man. 9- That please donate to Bisi Alimi Foundation. Afro-pop star, Burna Boy has taken a huge swipe at African artistes who celebrate the streaming numbers of their songs. The Dangote crooner pointed out that when African artistes see their streaming numbers, they feel they are talented. But he believes this is just a farce. The person perceived to be targeted in Burna Boys statement is Yemi Alade, who celebrated on Instagram that her song featuring Rick Ross was gaining a lot of views. Also Read: You Cant Be Messing With My Heart Like That Nollywood Actress Gives Wizkid 1 Week To Do Her Bidding Or She Kills Herself Burma Boy wrote on his timeline: This streaming shit be making people think theyre actually talented. If joke tings like Baby shark and Gangnam style can do more numbers than everyone. Dont think you are Talented or Respected cuz of your Streaming numbers. Everyone with real working brains knows what is a Joke and what is real. Anyway, plenty talk no Dey full basket. Let Time reveal All. Who do you think Burna Boy aimed his dig at? Leave your opinion in the comment section. Senator Ademola Adeleke, the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) governorship candidate during the 2018 Osun State election has been detained at the force headquarters, Abuja. The Police spokesman, Frank Mba, who confirmed the arrest said he was arrested because of alleged certificate forgery and testimonial forgery. He made this known via a statement he released after the arrest. Statement below: Is love in the air? Triple MG music label boss, Ubi Franklin was spotted having a nice time with media personality and OAP, Toke Makinwa in London. In pictures posted by Toke Makinwa on Instagram, she and Ubi had a good meal at a restaurant in London. Ubi Franklin, who divorced Nollywood actress, Lilian Esoro, has been in the news in recent times after reports revealed that he welcomed his third child from his employee, Nicola Siyo. Also Read: Tonto Dikehs Moral Lesson for Women is a Must Read!!! In one of the posts, Toke thanked Ubi for being a good brother. But who says love cannot happen after being brother-zoned. A Nigerian soldier has been nabbed for the rape of a young girl. According to report, the soldier raped the girl in the presence of her parents and also tried forcing the girls brother to have sex with her. The soldier whose name has been given as Private Akhigbe Tijjani, attached to 27 Taskforce Brigade, was arrested by police officers in Yobe State. Daily Trust reveals that the suspect, Tijjani, was on a cordon-and-search operation when he found his way into the girls house and raped her. The officer also reportedly forced the girls brother to have sex with her but he refused causing him to hit the boy on the head with a pestle. A colleague who was also on duty with the soldier, however, reported him which prompted them to dismiss him. The spokesperson to Peter Obi, Valentine Obienyem, has debunked new that his principal suffered a heart attack. The reports claimed that the vice presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was admitted in a hospital in Anambra state and is being monitored closely to be flown abroad if his condition did not improve. However, Obienyem debunked the report saying the former Anambra state governor was hail and hearty. Yesterday, I posted a report of how the former Governor of Anambra State felt a bit feverish and had to visit a Hospital at Onitsha, he said. I equally reported that he returned and went straight to the office to continue his work. We spent the whole day planning on the focus of his next apostolate: support to 50 selected hospitals. Today, the reckless fringe twisted the report that Obi suffered a heart attack. I should believe that anybody capable of coming out with such a wicked and twisted lie is as well as wishing him dead. But the sooner they realize that God is the creator and custodian of all lives, the better for them. May I, therefore, use this medium to inform the public that Obi did not suffer any heart attack or any debilitating illness. He felt a bit feverish, which is one of the pangs of humanity, visited a hospital in Anambra State and that is all. Mr Peter Obi is hale and hearty. Obi was the running mate of Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in the February election. Reno Omokri, a former aide to ex-president Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, has said that Kaduna state governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, is fond of kneeling down for people when he needs them and talk down on them when he is done using them. He chided the National Leader of All Progressive Congress(APC) for failing to learn from history but instead makes history repeat itself. He further shared that Tinubu would not be the first person El-Rufai has knelt down for and insult afterward. He added that Tinubu needs to ask Atiku about El-Rufai. His tweet below: Tinubu refused to learn from history. History does not repeat itself. Instead, it is men, like @AsiwajuTinubu, who repeat history! Tinubu should go and ask @Atiku about @Elrufai. El-Rufai will kneel down to you when he needs you and talk down at you when hes finished using you! pic.twitter.com/xfrDqkH0S5 Reno Omokri (@renoomokri) May 7, 2019 https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Photos below: A member of the Nigerian Army, Private Akhigbe Tijani attached to 27 taskforce brigade has been arrested by the Yobe state police command for forcefully having sexual intercourse with a lady in presence of her parents. He was said to be on operation with his colleague when he committed the crime. Not satisfied with himself, he was also said to have instructed the ladys brother to have sex with the lady. He reportedly hit the boy with a pestle on the head for his reluctance to carry out his instruction. Consequently, his colleague was said to have reported him at the station where he was court-martial and dismissed from service. Switch the Market flag Open the menu and switch the Market flag for targeted data from your country of choice. for targeted data from your country of choice. The contract changes the salary schedule, reducing the number of steps and lanes used to calculate salary based on years of teaching experience and education attained. However, it also allows teachers to receive more pay as they earn credits hours toward a masters degree rather than having to wait until the degree is completed. AIA has confirmed it has no connection with the fraudulent website, and that the case has already been forwarded to the Hong Kong Police Force for investigation. The regulator advised all individuals who supplied personal information or conducted insurance transactions via the website to inform AIA and report it to the polices Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau. In recent months, the IA has sounded several warnings about similar fraudulent websites. These websites are likely used for phishing, a cyber fraud tactic that lures unsuspecting individuals into providing important personal or financial information by impersonating a legitimate entity, such as the victims bank or insurance company. The IA reminded the public to transact only with insurers it has authorised under the Insurance Ordinance. The brokerage states: If your executives and employees travel internationally (or even within your own borders), they may be at risk. And if an event occurs, the costs to your organisation could be significant even if no ransom is paid. To ensure that your executives, key people or their loved ones are safely returned, a strategic kidnap and ransom insurance solution is essential. What perils does a kidnap and ransom policy cover? Kidnap and ransom insurance policies typically include the following features and benefits: The reimbursement of financial losses associated with a kidnap for ransom, extortion, illegal detention, hostage situations and hijacking incidents both domestically and abroad Risk mitigation and security strategies for individuals and corporations For international risks, most policies will include safe travel advice and training Some insurance carriers also offer insurance coverage extensions like: Emergency evacuation or repatriation Business interruption Child abduction Tiger kidnapping and disappearance Cyber extortion business interruption Product recall expenses Insureds are advised to consult with their brokers to determine their risk profile and exactly what coverages they might need. Who typically buys kidnap and ransom insurance? Kidnap and ransom policies are typically purchased by organisations, especially those with global geographic footprints. Hospitals are also likely purchasing candidates as they face the risk that someone might abduct a patient or abduct a child without having custody. Businesses of all sizes can use kidnap and ransom as an effective risk management tool. For example, if a small business owner were to be involved in an armed hostage situation, the policy would provide protection for certain losses stemming from that situation. Individuals also purchase kidnap and ransom policies, especially those who might be deemed at high risk of kidnapping or extortion, most notably those with a high net-worth or a celebrity / well-known profile. But once again, nobody is immune to this risk. In recent years, there has been a shift in criminal activity towards what travel security experts call express kidnapping. This is when non-executive employees, solo travellers and individuals are kidnapped in high-frequency in return for lower ransoms. Coverage for domestic and international risks Most kidnap and ransom policies will cover both domestic and international risks. While most insureds think of international risks, such as abduction while travelling for business in a politically-fraught country, the exposure is just as real at home. To explain further, Burns & Wilcox shared the following example of how the coverage might kick-in domestically on their website: A female employee felt unsafe in her Michigan-based workplace because her ex-husband made threats to her. The Michigan company had a kidnap and ransom policy that paid for an in-office security team to protect the womans entire workplace from her ex-husband, ensuring her and her co-workers safety should an incident occur. Which countries around the world are considered the highest risk? Some locations considered by many as being high-risk include: Nigeria Mexico India Venezuela Colombia Haiti Afghanistan Syria Libya That being said, insurers are keen to stress that incidents can happen at any time, in any situation and in any jurisdiction. This is not a risk neatly defined by boundaries. How do crisis consultants help with kidnap and ransom situations? Lots of kidnap and ransom insurance policies come with the guarantee of a crisis consultant, who will guide the insured through a situation and mitigate potential losses. For example, the crisis consultant will work with an organisations internal crisis management team (if they have one) to prepare the organisation for any possible eventualities of an event. An AIG advisory explains: This will include advice on issues such as financial strategy, communications, the handling of threats, family management, liaison with the media, law enforcement, and other stakeholders, and practical considerations around ransom collection, delivery and payment, and the victims release. Consultants are there to act as advisers. All decisions, ultimately, rest with the client. Titled Get Set. Go, the campaign shows the benefits the over 50s can receive from APIAs range of insurance products and services, inspiring them to embrace the amazing opportunities and experiences they deserve, B&T Magazine and Mumbrella reported. At APIA, were renowned as experts in the over 50s life stage, said Mark Behr, Suncorp executive manager of marketing insurance. As such, we know our customers like the peace of mind insurance offers, but theyve got other things theyd rather be thinking about, like living full and interesting lives. Thats why we offer tailored cover, specialist service, advice and tips to help them get set up, so they can go and enjoy the good life. We wanted to create a platform idea that speaks to the unique mindset of the over-50 audience, said Jason Williams, Leo Burnett Australia chief creative officer. These customers arent slowing down; theyre excited about the next chapter of their lives and want to embrace new possibilities. Once again, CPR claimed the award for Brokerage of the Year (1-5 staff), beating off stiff competition from seven other small brokerages in order to retain the prestigious title. Speaking to Insurance Business, director Robert Cooper said winning the first award had been a significant benefit to the business and had helped drive major growth. Winning that award definitely enhanced our reputation and gave us extra credibility within the local community and among our clients, he said. It probably encouraged them to refer other people to us and it definitely created a lot more work for Mandy and I. In fact, Robert said CPR enjoyed a record month immediately after the 2018 award win and the business saw 34% growth over the entire year. Mandy and I were absolutely exhausted at the end of the year, laughed Robert, who added the pair regularly worked 60-70-hour weeks in order to keep up with client demand. Now, with two consecutive awards under their belt, Mandy and Robert say theyre anticipating further growth so theyre on the lookout for a new team member. Were looking for another person to help with the workflow otherwise were not going to be in a position to handle any more growth and thats a worry for us, said Robert. Currently, CPR has two trainees on the team, but the business is in search of an experienced broker who can help them take advantage of the extra interest that is likely to be generated as a result of the second win. Mandy and I are working at capacity unless we get another broker in because the two trainees we have are great but its a bit early for them to be able to step up, says Robert. The event, sponsored by EY, will feature presentations from FINEOS customers, partners, and industry thought-leaders, including Martin Fahy, CEO of the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA), who will present on how the insurance landscape can deliver the changes needed to restore public trust and confidence in the category. We are very excited to announce details of our inaugural APAC summit, said Michael Kelly FINEOS CEO. Our success in the region has been down to the long-term partnerships we have built with our customers and the fact we specifically design and deliver our software for the customer service, processing, compliance, and security needs of the life, accident, and health industry. The summit will be absolutely key for us in gaining that customer insight and understanding. For more details about the summit, see #FINEOSAPACSummit19 on Twitter. The campaign follows a major road safety campaign aimed at reducing state road toll in South Australia. Read more: QBE launches new road safety ad QBEs animated campaign style introduces a new character, named Rego, to cut through and engage customers in a fun and friendly way about CTP insurance, which Christian Finucane, founder and creative partner at The Core Agency, said most people dont take a lot of interest in, AdNews reported. Bettina Pidcock, chief marketing officer at QBE Insurance, said the campaign will help the insurer win against local providers in the extremely competitive South Australian CTP market. By introducing the new Rego character, we make a clear link as to when customers need to consider QBE for their CTP insurance, Pidcock said in the AdNews report. Based in Sydney, Newton will report to Hilary Bates, who is currently chief claims and operations officer for the insurer. Craig is passionate about the experience of our broker partners and customers, and through his experience will accelerate our progress in developing a market-leading claims proposition, said Bates. I am delighted to welcome him to the team and I look forward to working with him to achieve our ambitions around customer and broker service. Newton joins Zurich following a 20-year stint at QBE, where he was most recently the senior vice president of insurance services. I was attracted to Zurich by its global presence, brand, financial strength, intermediated focus, and strong sense of social responsibility the same things that our partners and customers look for in a trusted business partner, said Newton. Im excited to join an award-winning claims team and look forward to building on the momentum Zurich has generated in developing its claims service proposition. It is expected that the new entity will begin underwriting business from July 01 this year, subject to regulatory approval. It will have the financial strength to accept a wide portfolio of reinsurance business from RSG underwriting programs. We are proud and excited to partner with Nationwide, a world-class financial institution whose financial ratings and performance are unquestionable, said Patrick G. Ryan, founder, chairman and CEO of RSG. We also share a similar culture, which is critical to entering into a long-term relationship. It has been our goal since RSGs formation to more fully align our interest with our clients. Through Geneva Re, we will be able to accomplish this objective. Under the terms of the deal, Nationwide will own 50% and RSG and RSG-related investors will hold the remaining 50%, with Michael D. OHalleran moving into the role of executive chairman of Geneva Re, and Ryan Re, an RSG affiliate, acting as its exclusive underwriting manager. Nationwide will also appoint Ryan Re as its exclusive underwriting manager for third-party property and casualty treaty reinsurance business flowing through Geneva Re. U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer is calling on the Centers for Disease Control to declare an emergency and unlock special funding to stem a potentially deadly drug-resistant fungus thats been spreading at health care facilities. Schumer, the Senate Democratic Leader, says declaring an emergency over the Candida Auris fungus could make his home state of New York eligible for potentially millions of dollars in public health crisis response funding. More than half of the 613 confirmed cases in the U.S. have been in New York. Illinois has had 156 confirmed cases of the fungus. New Jersey has had 106. The CDC has declared public health emergencies over Zika, Ebola and H1N1. Schumer says the extra funding could be used to boost testing for Candida Auris and raise public awareness. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Rescue workers searched for survivors Saturday after a helicopter with two people aboard crashed into the Chesapeake Bay. The helicopter crashed into the water about a half-mile off Bloody Point, on the southern end of Kent Island. The scene is about 20 miles southeast of Annapolis, Maryland, Maryland Natural Resources Police Capt. Brian Albert said. Natural Resources Police on boat patrol in the area were called to the Eastern Shore crash site about 12:30 p.m., Albert said. County Emergency Services Department Assistant Chief Scott Wheatley said debris from the wreck dotted the water. The helicopter took off from Tipton Airport, which is located near Fort Meade in Anne Arundel County, Queen Annes County officials said in an emailed statement. Monumental Helicopters, which operates helicopter tours out of the airport, said in a statement that the helicopter was rented to a private pilot Saturday morning. Authorities identified the missing pilot as Charles Knight, 38, of Mount Airy, Maryland. The passenger was Matt Clark, 36, of Pasadena, Maryland. Trevor Hardman was fishing for rockfish with his 15-year-old son and his friend when he heard another boater report the crash over marine VHF radio. When he arrived at the site about a mile away, there was nothing but pieces everywhere and jet fuel, Hardman, a Prince Georges County firefighter, told The Baltimore Sun. Hardman said he pulled a bag out of the water that contained a flight log and a maintenance record for the Cabri G2 helicopter, made by the French company Guimbal. He said he gave the records to the U.S. Coast Guard. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Law Enforcement Maryland New York State Police have arrested Jonathan A Schuyler, 23, of Fort Plain, N.Y., for the felonies of arson in the third degree and insurance fraud in the third degree, according to a press release issued by The New York State Police. The arrest was based on an investigation conducted by the New York State Department of Financial Services, in which it was determined that Schulyer had set his own vehicle on fire and reported it as an unknown accidental fire to his insurance company. The investigation found that an accelerant had been used to start the vehicle on fire, and Schuyler was responsible. Schuyler was arraigned in the Town of Florida Court and released on his own recognizance and is due to appear in the Town of Minden Court at a later date. Source: New York State Police Topics Auto Fraud New York Arson Ryan Specialty Group (RSG) and Nationwide announced they have formed a new Bermuda reinsurance company, Geneva Re Ltd. Columbus, Ohio-headquartered Nationwide will own 50 percent of the venture with RSG and RSG-related investors holding the remaining 50 percent. Reinsurance industry veteran Michael D. OHalleran will serve as executive chairman of Geneva Re. Ryan Re, an RSG-affiliated company led by CEO and President Brian M. Boornazian, will act as the exclusive underwriting manager for Geneva Re. OHalleran previously was executive chairman and founder of Aon Benfield and also was president and COO of Aon Corp. Boornazian has been in the reinsurance business since 1982 with prior experience at Gen Re, Guy Carpenter, Cologne Re, NAC Re, XL Re and, most recently, at Aspen Re. Geneva Re will immediately have the financial strength to accept a diversified portfolio of reinsurance business from Ryan Specialty Groups underwriting programs. It is anticipated that Geneva Re will be able to begin underwriting business July 1, 2019, subject to the approval of the Bermuda Monetary Authority. In addition, Nationwide will appoint Ryan Re as its exclusive underwriting manager for third-party property and casualty treaty reinsurance business flowing through Geneva Re. The strategic partnership will provide both companies an opportunity to grow in the specialty lines market, while expanding upon an already strong relationship shared by RSG and Nationwide, said Chicago-based RSG in a statement. We are proud and excited to partner with Nationwide, a world-class financial institution whose financial ratings and performance are unquestionable, said Patrick G. Ryan, founder, chairman and CEO of RSG. We also share a similar culture, which is critical to entering into a long-term relationship. RSG and its operating companies, RT Specialty and RSG Underwriting Managers, look forward to expanding the already successful relationship we have enjoyed with the Nationwide companies since our inception in 2010, and further enhancing this partnership with Geneva Re and Ryan Re, Ryan continued. It has been our goal since RSGs formation to more fully align our interest with our clients. Through Geneva Re, we will be able to accomplish this objective, he said. We look forward to furthering our relationship with Ryan Specialty Group, who is today one of our largest E&S/specialty distribution partners, said Mark Berven, president and COO, Nationwide property and casualty. This relationship will create new opportunities for both organizations to expand our reach and serve additional niche markets that are currently underserved. Commenting on the new venture, OHalleran said, I am thrilled to be part of the new partnership between RSG and Nationwide. Ryan Re and Geneva Re, with the support of our founding shareholders, will immediately have significant financial strength and be able to accept a diversified portfolio of reinsurance business. I believe we are bringing an unprecedented proposition to the reinsurance market, said Ryan Res Boornazian. I believe we are bringing an unprecedented proposition to the reinsurance market. Combining the quality and balance sheet strength of Nationwide, the innovation and market presence of RSG, and the well respected and experienced underwriters will uniquely position Ryan Re to provide the security and underwriting insight to our brokers and clients desire, he went on to say. Source: Ryan Specialty Group, LLC Topics Excess Surplus Underwriting Reinsurance Hugh W. Wood, chairman and founder of HW International, the London-based broker, died peacefully on April 26, 2019, at the age of 75. Wood founded the HW International Group in 1982 and expanded the brokerage to offices in 10 countries. He was also an accomplished and world renowned philatelist. The business and stamps were his passion, said HWI International Group in a statement. Long-term arrangements have been put in place so that the business will continue as an independent brokerage firm, the company said. The funeral was held privately on May 1, 2019. Celebrations of Hugh Woods life will be held in New York and in London and those dates will be announced shortly. Source: HW International Group Topics Agencies London The Federal Reserve escalated its warnings about the perils ofleveraged loan Monday, saying firms with the worst credit profiles are the ones taking on more and more debt. The Fed also left a question unanswered: Is it going to do anything about it? The U.S. central banks latest financial stability report said leveraged-lending issuance grew 20 percent last year, and that protections included in loan documents to shield lenders from defaults are eroding. While the Fed board voted unanimously to approve the report, it didnt indicate any course of action the governors might take to rein in the red-hot market. Lawmakers, International Monetary Fund officials and even former central bankers have increasingly questioned whether the Fed and other watchdogs are adequately worried about leveraged loans, which often underpin mergers and acquisitions involving highly indebted companies. A particular concern is that businesses that employ thousands could face severe financial stress and, in some cases, insolvency in an economic downturn. One group that has frequently discussed the market and is arguably the best positioned to take action is the Financial Stability Oversight Council, a U.S. panel of regulators tasked with looking out for hazards. Feds Interest Making a recommendation to the FSOC that one of the regulators should do something is the right thing to do and hugely in the Feds interest as the lender of last resort, Paul Tucker, the former deputy governor of the Bank of England who now chairs the private, non-partisan Systemic Risk Council, said in an interview. In its Monday report, the Fed said that credit standards seem to have slipped since it issued its last financial stability analysis in November 2018. The central bank added that loans to firms with especially high debt now exceed earlier peaks in 2007 and 2014. The historically high level of business debt and the recent concentration of debt growth among the riskiest firms could pose a risk to those firms and, potentially, their creditors, the Fed said. Still, it noted that default rates have been low amid a booming U.S. economy. Fed officials also pointed out that the $1.2 trillion leveraged lending market is much smaller than the mortgage sector that nearly brought down the financial system in 2008. Liquidity Mismatch? Leveraged loans are routinely packaged into collateralized loan obligations, or CLOs. Investors in those securities including insurance companies and banks face a risk that strains in the underlying loans will deliver unexpected losses, the Fed said Monday, adding that the secondary market isnt very liquid, even in normal times. The Fed, highlighting another potential danger from the leveraged lending, said there is a risk that mutual funds that invest in bank loans and high-yield bonds could face a liquidity mismatch. Such a situation can occur when funds holding difficult-to-sell assets face a wave of requests from investors to pull their money. However, the central bank said the market received a bit of a stress test during rising volatility in December. Funds experienced large outflows and bid-ask spreads widened. Still, mutual funds were able to meet the higher levels of redemptions without severe dislocations to market functioning. Guidance Dropped Regulators have been talking about leveraged lending more and more since last year. Fed Chairman Jerome Powell even discussed the issue with top financial regulators at a May 2 meeting of the Presidents Working Group on Financial Markets, said a person familiar with the matter. But bank regulators including Powell have been careful to argue that the institutions they oversee dont appear to be in danger. And the most significant action that financial agencies have taken encouraged the loosening of standards. Last year, regulators appointed by President Donald Trump said they wouldnt enforce industry guidance that advised banks not to issue loans that exceeded certain risk levels. The upshot: banks are now free to compete more directly with non-bank firms that have little government oversight and have underwritten some of the riskiest loans. Capital Buffer In Mondays report, the central bank also said that assets at hedge funds and broker-dealers grew at a rapid pace over the past year. For banks, mutual funds and insurers it was a different story, with growth falling below longer-term average rates. Even though leverage at broker-dealers edged up since the Feds last financial stability report in November, it has remained near historically low levels, the central bank said. The Fed started releasing its financial stability reports last year. Wall Street has looked to the documents for clues as to whether the central bank considers systemic vulnerabilities to be meaningfully above normal. Such a scenario could trigger the so-called counter-cyclical capital buffer, which is meant to increase capital demands at big banks when a robust economy starts to exhibit warning signs. The Fed board opted against using the tool in March, though Governor Lael Brainard dissented from the decision. Copyright 2021 Bloomberg. Topics Trends USA Jimcor Agency Inc., a Montvale, N.J.-based independent managing general agent and insurance wholesaler, has hired Joe Chase to serve as an underwriter in Florida, working in the companys Southeast Region. He is based in the St. Petersburg, Fla., area. Previously, Chase worked in the E&S side of business. He worked for Hull & Company for three years as a renewal underwriter assisting in new business and renewals. After Hull & Company, he went on to Tapco for one year as a commercial underwriter delivering new business quotes. Chase specializes in low and high value coastal property, inland marine, general liability, and excess. He will work to formulate business relationships and grow the Florida territory with the Jimcor name. Chase joins Sales Manager Joseph Geraci, Underwriting Manager Jason Marshall, and Underwriter Victoria Stern. Topics Underwriting Tennessee lawmakers have signed off on legislation that would prevent the state from revoking or suspending drivers licenses over unpaid court costs. The Senate on Tuesday advanced a proposal allowing people to still have a restricted drivers license while they pay off their court fines using a payment plan rather than face a possible suspension. The bill now goes to Gov. Bill Lees desk. A restricted drivers license would allow people to drive only to work, school or their religious place of worship. The measure was introduced this year after a federal judge issued a landmark ruling last year declaring it unconstitutional to suspend licenses for non-payment of fines. The state appealed that decision last year, but lawmakers are hoping to address the issue outside of the courts. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Legislation Personal Auto Tennessee The federal government hasnt funded $20 million in work to fix roads damaged by flooding in a northern Colorado county nearly six years ago. The Fort Collins Coloradoan reports that a 2018 law that changed how the Federal Emergency Management Agency awards money for projects that dont meet strict design guidelines, like those in Larimer Countys Big Thompson Canyon, was supposed to help speed up funding. However, FEMA hasnt given its regional offices guidance on how to award money under it. Regional FEMA spokeswoman Lynn Kimbrough says the agency doesnt have a timeframe for when the problem will be resolved. County manager Linda Hoffman told commissioners last month that the situation was ridiculous. She is working to set up a meeting with county leaders, FEMAs regional director, congressional representatives and Gov. Jared Polis office. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Flood Colorado A California psychologist and doctor have been charged for allegedly submitting fraudulent insurance claims for workers compensation medical legal evaluations in an attempt to steal tens of thousands of dollars from multiple insurers. Psychologist Danita Stewart, 51, of Chatsworth, a licensed psychologist, allegedly submitted 36 fraudulent insurance claims between April 2015 and June 2015 to five different insurers for medical legal evaluations for a total of $90,714. A medical legal evaluation is conducted to evaluate an employees work-related injury. Even though Stewart was a licensed psychologist she has never been certified as a Qualified Medical Examiner as required by law to conduct and bill for the evaluations. Stewart allegedly conducted these fraudulent evaluations at clinics in Fresno, Tulare and Kern Counties. Dr. Catalino Dureza, 54, of La Quinta, a licensed medical doctor, had obtained the proper certification to conduct and bill for medical legal evaluations, but his certification lapsed. Dureza allegedly continued to conduct and bill for Medical Legal Evaluations, and once he was recertified he conducted and billed for unauthorized medical legal evaluations. Between January 2014 and May 2015, Dureza allegedly submitted 17 fraudulent insurance claims for medical legal evaluations conducted in Fresno County to five different insurers for a total of $16,292. Workers compensation insurance fraud is a multi-billion dollar drain on our states economy, Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara said in a statement. It is crucial that we work with our partners in law enforcement to catch fraudsters like these who are contributing to higher insurance premiums for all Californians. The cases were investigated by the Central Valley Workers Compensation Task Force, an anti-fraud partnership which includes the California Department of Insurance, the Fresno County District Attorneys Office, the Tulare County District Attorneys Office, the Kern County District Attorneys Office, the Kings County District Attorneys Office, the Madera County District Attorneys Office, the Merced County District Attorneys Office, the Employment Development Department, and the Franchise Tax Board. Stewart and Dureza posted bond on Monday. Stewart will be arraigned on May 10. Dureza will be arraigned on May 20. The Fresno County District Attorneys Office is prosecuting the cases. Topics California Workers' Compensation Fraud Abuse Molestation Philadelphia, PA - May 7, 2019 (Investorideas.com Newswire) VSBLTY Groupe Technologies Corp. (CSE: VSBY) (Frankfurt: 5VS) (OTCBB:VSBGF), a leading software technology company announced today that partner Onyx-Glass will deploy its software on vending machines and in coolers across South Africa and Australia over a staged deployment for leading international beverage companies. VSBLTY technology provides customer audience measurement using the power of machine learning through computer vision. Its industry leading VisionCaptor and DataCaptor combines motion graphics and interactive brand messaging with first of its kind Facialanalytics. Starting in June, Onyx will deploy its advanced custom sensory application to replace services currently provided by the AIM program that is being discontinued by Intel. The announcement was made jointly by Onyx-Glass Co-founder Andrew Coudounaris and Jay Hutton, VSBLTY Co-founder & CEO, who said, "VSBLTY technology will provide an in-depth look at vending machine traffic including insights on the demographic makeup of shoppers. Information gleaned from the VSBLTY technology will include age, gender, and sentiment as well as audience measurement including content touches, traffic counts and dwell time by location and day-parts." Onyx-Glass has unique patents on transparent digital signage that offer 100% transparency on demand, coupled with video analytics. The company also utilizes raw data collected from video analytics, including facial detection/recognition and object recognition, that- in conjunction with other data sets-builds deep learning intelligence solutions. Coudounaris added, "Our cutting-edge business intelligence algorithm technology that combines face recognition and detection, along with video analytics and object recognition, makes Onyx-Glass synergetic with VSBLTY, which has successfully been advancing the merging of marketing intelligence and security." Investor Relations MarketSmart Communications Inc., +1 877 261-4466 info@marketsmart.ca CONTACT: Linda Rosanio, 609-472-0877 lrosanio@vsblty.net About VSBLTY (www.vsblty.net) Headquartered in Philadelphia, VSBLTY (CSE: VSBY) (Frankfurt: 5VS) (OTCBB:VSBGF), is the world leader in Proactive Digital Display, which transforms retail and public spaces as well as place-based media networks with SaaS-based audience measurement and security software that uses artificial intelligence and machine learning. CONTACT: Andrew Coudounaris andrewc@onyxdisplaymedia.com LINDA ROSANIO VSBLTY, INC 609-472-0877 LROSANIO@VSBLTY.NET SOURCE VSBLTY Disclaimer/Disclosure: Investorideas.com is a digital publisher of third party sourced news, articles and equity research as well as creates original content, including video, interviews and articles. Original content created by investorideas is protected by copyright laws other than syndication rights. Our site does not make recommendations for purchases or sale of stocks, services or products. Nothing on our sites should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell products or securities. All investing involves risk and possible losses. This site is currently compensated for news publication and distribution, social media and marketing, content creation and more. Disclosure is posted for each compensated news release, content published /created if required but otherwise the news was not compensated for and was published for the sole interest of our readers and followers. Disclosure: VSBLTY is a paid PR, news and social media client on Investorideas.com as of March 1, 2019 https://www.investorideas.com/About/Disclaimer.asp Contact management and IR of each company directly regarding specific questions. More disclaimer info: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Disclaimer.asp Learn more about publishing your news release and our other news services on the Investorideas.com newswire https://www.investorideas.com/News-Upload/ and tickertagstocknews.com Global investors must adhere to regulations of each country. Please read Investorideas.com privacy policy: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Private_Policy.asp VSBLTY Groupe Technologies Corp. (CSE: VSBY) is a featured Tech / AI stock on Investorideas.com Visit profile page Norwegian Air filled more seats on its planes and earned higher revenues per customer in April while dealing with the grounding of its 18 Boeing 737 Max aircraft, it said, sending its shares up almost 3%. The company said last month that the global grounding of 737 Max jets, which followed deadly crashes of airliners in Indonesia and Ethiopia, could scupper Norwegians plan to return to profitability this year. So far, however, the carrier said it has managed to limit the impact from the grounding of around 11% of its fleet by combining flights and offering passengers alternative departures. Norwegians load factor the percentage of seats sold rose to 86% from 83% a year earlier. Yield, a measure of revenue per passenger carried and kilometres flown, also rose. Norwegians shares were up almost 3%. Norwegian has curbed its rapid growth this year to focus on cutting costs and turning a profit. It also raised around 30m from shareholders to boost its balance sheet. Im very pleased with the positive development in April, as well as the last two months as a whole; both in terms of passenger numbers, revenue and on-time performance, said chief executive Bjorn Kjos. We will continue to work on returning to profitability and, at the same time, offer our customers a high-quality product at a low fare. It comes as some of Norwegians Cork and Shannon passengers rebooked from Dublin have found their flights are being moved days. With the 737 Max fleet grounded, Cork and Shannon passengers are not able to fly to Providence, Rhode Island, on the US east coast for the foreseeable future, said the firm. Ireland South MEP Deirdre Clune said: It is very unfair on passengers who have had flights booked to now face further disruption when it comes to the rescheduling of flights. I know the airline is entitled to do this once they give notice but I would urge Norwegian to do all it can to ensure that they give as much notice to passengers as possible if they have to reschedule flights, so that the passengers can plan accordingly. Reuters and Irish Examiner Anger is rapidly building up among Glanbia suppliers following cuts to its milk price in recent months, said IFA dairy chairman Tom Phelan. He said Glanbia is now firmly last in the milk price league, being the only milk purchaser to have cut its pay-out to farmers in both February and March. Feedback from Glanbia farmer meetings and conversations with numerous suppliers clearly show just how dangerously out of touch Glanbia have become as to how important a benchmark milk price is to farmers, said Mr Phelan. The four West Cork co-ops are paying a net cash price of around 31.8cpl for March milk, with Boherbue and Aurivo around 30.4cpl. Dairygold, Lakeland, North Cork, Kerry and other all are over 29cpl. Glanbia and Centenary are paying 28.94cpl. These prices do not take account of each co-ops quality bonus. Glanbia rightly pride themselves in being a leading player in the dairy industry. But farmers supplying Glanbia legitimately expect them to be a leading payer, too. And in this respect, all the farmers I speak to at the moment are bitterly disappointed with the poor Glanbia milk price performance. He said that Glanbia Ingredients Ireland takes a margin of 3.2% after tax, the highest in the industry. He said Glanbia agreed this margin with farmers in order to satisfy the companys lending commitments used to fund expansion investment. Glanbia is well resourced, as shown by its ability to pay a 14m trading bonus to farmers this spring, he said. Glanbia must realise that farmers will judge them on the milk price they pay every month. Outspoken Independents, a celebrity candidate, and a risk that the result could cause a snap general election mean the sprawling Midlands-North West is set for high drama, writes Political Correspondent Fiachra O Cionnaith. It's an electoral area with something for everyone, Two Fianna Fail TDs whose election could bring the already shaking confidence and supply deal to a sudden, shuddering halt. Irelands answer to Donald Trump, whose shoot from the lip approach saw him finish a shock second to Michael D Higgins in the race for the presidency last autumn. A celebrity Fine Gael candidate who shot to global prominence in 2014 when she won family favourite Rose of Tralee festival and later revealed she is gay. A prominent MEP who is seeking re-election despite already being named as his partys likely candidate in a general election, which could happen at any time over the next two years. And one empty seat guaranteed to be up for grabs out of the four on offer, after a long-standing MEP decided she, frankly, has just had enough. Throw in a sprawling 13-county constituency that stretches from Mayo to Louth, from Donegal to Kildare, and is hampered by broadband, rural recession, housing, farming, and Brexit concerns, and you get the picture. For a political anorak looking for a bit of drama to brighten up the European election campaign, Midlands-North West has more than enough subplots and undercurrents to mean there is far more riding on it than just the results. In 2014, the four Midlands-North West seats were taken by long-standing MEPs Mairead McGuinness of Fine Gael and Independent Marian Harkin, and Brussels newcomers Matt Carthy of Sinn Fein and Independent Luke Ming Flanagan. Ms McGuinness, Mr Carthy, and Mr Flanagan are strong contenders to retain their seats given their record in recent years and, at this early stage, there are clear reasons why. While Mr Flanagan who topped the poll in 2014 with 19.2% of first preference votes and was elected on the second count has his detractors, his attention to detail, mixed with firebrand politics that previously made him a stand-out figure in the Dail, continues to appeal to voters and he has also become a prominent voice on rural and farming matters crucial to his Roscommon base. Similarly, Ms Guinness who finished second on 14.2% and was elected on the fifth count is a European parliament vice-president after 15 years in Brussels, a role which has put her to the forefront of the Brexit discussions so acute in her north-east base, meaning she is likely to side-step much of the anti-Fine Gael vote. And, while he only became an MEP in 2014 winning the third of four seats at the seventh count despite polling 17.7% of first preferences Mr Carthy and Sinn Feins strong support in the north- east and relatively high profile also mean he is likely to be in contention. Normally, such safe-bet predictions would make the Midlands-North West constituency all a bit, well, dull. However, the decision by Ms Harkin who won the fourth and final seat in 2014 with 10.7% of first preferences on the eight count, just 275 votes ahead of Fianna Fails Pat The Cope Gallagher has lobbed a live grenade into the race. With her large north-west base now up for grabs and with the remaining sitting MEPs tucked away in the far reaches of Connacht and the north-east leaving the midlands wide open, the two regions are where the real political fireworks will be. And among the most prominent of the potential new MEPs standing ready and more than willing to light the fuse will be controversial Independent candidate and last years presidential election runner-up, Peter Casey, who, along with Solidarity-People Before Profit candidate Cyril Brennan, is one of just two Donegal contenders eyeing up the north-west base. Far from walking back on his deeply divisive views on the Travelling community, Mr Casey has simply picked up his foghorn and has now added immigration, Irelands position in the EU, leaving the euro, and other matters to his list to help win over middle ground voters. During the first major debate of the campaign on RTEs The Week in Politics 10 days ago, Mr Casey said he is just passionate about rural Ireland and wants to help address the problems facing people who feel they have no voice; whether the same trick works twice is another matter. And given the fact that Mr Casey now has the full arsenal of Fine Gael and, more specifically Fianna Fail, to contend with this time around, in a far more bruising election contest compared to the refined atmosphere of an Irish presidential race, it is far from clear whether he will succeed. Fianna Fail TD Anne Rabbitte, who is running in the European Elections in the sprawling Midlands North West constituency, met Fianna Madden and dad Tommy from Athenry while out canvassing in Galway last week. Picture: Andrew Downes/Xposure Fine Gaels approach in the opening rounds of that fight has centred on personality politics. Their high- profile, if surprising, choice is 2014 Rose of Tralee Maria Walsh, best known for revealing she is gay days after winning the traditional contest, and for whom this is a first foray into front-line politics. The Government strategy appears to be focussed on the hope that, coupled with Mairead McGuinnesss transfers from the eastern side of the sprawling constituency, Ms Walshs appeal to younger voters who would not necessarily vote Fine Gael will help get her over the line in the west, where the Mayo woman is based. However, while the sound bites and positive PR mean Ms Walsh is nirvana to Government spin-doctors, she will have to prove her credentials in the rough and ready and occasionally downright nasty realm of public debate which has consumed more experienced operators than her in the past. The approach of Fianna Fail seeking to win back at least one of two seats it last held in 2009, before the East and North West constituencies merged in 2014 is somewhat more complex. On the surface running a ticket of east Galway-based Anne Rabbitte and Cavan-based Brendan Smith thereby allowing one to have a foot each in Connacht and the midlands, and the other to concentrate on border regions while playing up the south Ulster selling point to Donegal and Sligo voters makes complete tactical sense. However, politics always has more than one agenda at play. Late last year, Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin made it abundantly clear he did not want sitting TDs to run in the MEP hustings, as doing so could risk destabilising the confidence and supply deal even further due to the tight Dail numbers. Peter Casey. And, ever the obliging types, a handful of Fianna Fail TDs listened carefully to their dear leaders message before doing the exact opposite, including Ms Rabbitte and Mr Smith, who have seen an opportunity to both run for Brussels and to press the flesh with potential general election voters. Fianna Fail has since been keen to brush the issue under the carpet nothing says united party like pragmatism, after all. However, it cannot be ignored that if either candidate is elected, their transfer to the European Parliament and potentially that of Fianna Fail and Fine Gael TDs in other constituencies has the genuine potential to shove the country into a snap general election this summer. Speaking of general elections, there is one other sub-plot in the Midlands North West election tale, namely that of Matt Carthy. While he is seeking to retain the MEP seat he won in 2014, Mr Carthy was also named last year as Sinn Feins candidate for Cavan-Monaghan whenever the next general election comes. Asked about this double trouble on RTEs The Week in Politics, Mr Carthy trotted out the usual line that his only focus is on winning an MEP seat, while carefully avoiding the question of whether he would serve the full five-year term until he was eventually pinned down. I dont know, is the honest answer, he said. It is of course not uncommon for a politician to run for Europe and then quickly sprint for the Dail, leaving a substitute to take their place. Just ask Alan Kelly, Paul Murphy, or others. But with voters taking a greater interest in the MEP elections this time around it is undoubtedly one of dozens of tough questions set to be thrown at Mr Carthy and the 16 other candidates who also include ex-Labour TD Dominic Hannigan, Independent ex-senator Fidelma Healy Eames, and a host of Independents over the coming fortnight, with I dont know no longer an adequate response. Midlands North West represents a heated battleground When an electoral battleground stretches from Mayo to Louth, Donegal to Kildare, you can be guaranteed just about any question will be asked of candidates knocking at peoples doors, even if MEPs may have no actual power to do anything about them. And as a result, those seeking to win one of four European Parliament seats in the 13-county-strong Midlands North West constituency will have to have clear answers on a wider than normal number of topics if they want to make it to Brussels on May 24. Among the most pressing issues to affect the constituency is broadband, or rather the lack of it, a problem which is hamstringing any opportunity to build businesses in some of Irelands worst-affected employment black spots. The Government, and, therefore, Fine Gael candidates Mairead McGuinness and Maria Walsh, have tied themselves to backing the now budget-bloated 3bn broadband plan. However, for other candidates including Sinn Feins Matt Carthy, Labours Dominic Hannigan and Fianna Fails Anne Rabbitte and Brid Smith the message will be that a review of the entire project is needed, if only to ensure rural Ireland gets the high-quality service it deserves. Climate change will also be high on the agenda, with Independent MEP Luke Ming Flanagans pursuit of greater protections for Irelands natural surroundings. He will be added to by Greens candidate Saoirse McHugh, an Achill Island native and environmentalist who feels the climate change message is finally resonating with the public, and Labours Dominic Hannigan, who launched his climate change plans this week. Given the dependence on much of the sprawling 13-county constituency on agriculture, issues relating to farming and fishing rights in light of the ongoing Brexit crisis are a further certainty to dominate debate, particularly in the north-west and midlands regions crucial to the election race result. Of key importance will be clarity on the European Commissions emergency funds to stop hard-pressed farmers going under due to the deepening Brexit crisis, an issue which saw the Irish Farmers Association protest outside the Governments special cabinet meeting at Cork City Hall last week. And while candidates such as Fianna Fail TD and ex-agriculture minister Brendan Smith and Independent candidate and farmer James Miller will try to make literal hay on the issue while the campaign sun shines, other rivals may struggle to come up with coherent answers. Other candidates, including Independents Olive OConnor and Dr Dilip Mahapatra, will focus on health, while the need to boost the local economy by being pro-business is likely to be one of Independent Peter Caseys strong points. However, for some voters it will be difficult to shake the belief that most candidates only have questions to answer rather than clear solutions to offer, with the deadline for clarity just over two weeks away. Runners and riders of Midlands North-West Cyril Brennan (Solidarity-People Before Profit) Co Donegal-based Cyril Brennan is the national co-ordinator of the Still Waiting Health Campaign and is basing his MEP seat bid on healthcare reform. Matt Carthy (MEP, Sinn Fein) One of three of the four sitting Midlands-North West MEPs to contest the upcoming European elections, Mr Carthy is seeking to retain the seat he won in 2014. Last year, he was selected as Sinn Feins Cavan-Monaghan general election candidate. Peter Casey (Independent) The self-made millionaire made his public name on RTEs Dragons Den, before finishing as the surprise runner-up in last autumns presidential election, gaining 23.3% of the votes. He has been widely derided due to his tendency to court divisive views on Travellers, social welfare, and the EU. Expect more shooting from the lip regardless of politically correct considerations. Luke Ming Flanagan (MEP, Independent) A former TD and left-wing firebrand, Mr Flanagan has been an MEP since 2014, when he infamously announced his campaign by saying: Im sick and tired of dealing with the monkey, I want to go and deal with the organ grinder. Patrick Greene (Direct Democracy Ireland) The Direct Democracy Ireland candidate is running on a campaign opposed to property taxes and any return of water charges. He polled 124 votes in the 2014 local elections. Dominic Hannigan (Labour) A local councillor between 2004 and 2007, senator from 2007 to 2011 and TD between 2011 and 2016, Mr Hannigan now seeks to add a fourth position to his political CV. Fidelma Healy-Eames (Independent) A former senator from 2011 to 2016, Ms Healy-Eames initially retired from politics before being encouraged to run in the European elections. During last years Eighth Amendment referendum she urged women to continue crisis pregnancies and have adoptions instead of abortions. Dilip Mahapatra (Independent) The Dundalk-based doctor is running as an Independent having previously courted the attention of Fianna Fail, before losing out at the partys selection convention to TDs Anne Rabbitte and Brendan Smith. Mairead McGuinness (MEP, Fine Gael) Current MEP and European Parliament vice-president Ms McGuinness is one of the clear front-runners in the constituency, having been an MEP since 2004. Saoirse McHugh (Greens) From Achill Island in Co Mayo, Ms McHugh is involved in grassroots groups including Food Sovereignty Ireland, the Irish Seed Savers Association, and other environmental groups. James Miller (Independent) Mr Miller is basing his campaign on the need to support and protect the traditional Irish family, increased support for crisis pregnancy centres, opposing any EU army, and broadband 5G opposition until it is proven safe for our environment and people. Diarmaid Mulcahy (Independent) Mr Mulcahy is running to highlight the impact of global warming on Ireland and the world, saying Ireland cannot be naive. Olive OConnor (Independent) Ms OConnor is running on a ticket based on the need for safer and more accessible health services for all people in Ireland, under the hashtag #healthfirst. Michael ODowd (Renua Ireland) A brother of Fine Gael TD Fergus ODowd, the former two-time mayor of Drogheda, Co Louth, and former Fine Gael member is running under a family, community, and country campaign he says is opposed to the super-power EU bureaucrats. Anne Rabbitte (TD, Fianna Fail) One of two Fianna Fail TDs who have chosen to contest the MEP elections against the request from party leader Micheal Martin late last year not to do so. A first-time TD for Galway East, Ms Rabbitte is Fianna Fails childrens spokeswoman and was prominent on the Oireachtas Eighth Amendment committee due to her soft conservative stance. Brendan Smith (TD, Fianna Fail) The second of two sitting Fianna Fail TDs to contest the constituency, Mr Smith is a long-time member of the Dail having first won his Cavan-Monaghan seat in 1992. Among other roles, he has previously served as agriculture minister, minister of state for food and minister of state for children. Maria Walsh (Fine Gael) The 2014 Rose of Tralee, who gained worldwide interest when she announced days after winning the contest that she is gay, follows in a long line of Fine Gael celebrity candidates. However, she says there is more to her than a one- moment wonder, something the Government party will be banking on. Couples struggling with infertility have been facing uncertainty after it emerged that financial and legal supports promised by Leo Varadkar three years ago still has not been put in place. Despite the Taoiseach last year announcing that 1m would go to in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment for couples unable to conceive, not a cent of the special fund has been released. An estimated one in four couples in Ireland struggle trying to have children, with private IVF treatment costs running into the thousands of euro. The Department of Health said a model of care for infertility, tied to long-awaited assisted human reproduction (AHR) legislation and the fund, was still being worked on by officials. The stalled release of IVF support funds has prompted criticism that the Government is unfairly giving couples false hope. Mr Varadkar, as health minister in 2016, originally announced the funds, saying it was important that we should consider how best to provide public funding for fertility treatment. The Government approved the IVF financial aid plans in October 2017 and a specific 1m fund was then announced by the Taoiseach last December. In response to queries from the Irish Examiner, the Department of Health confirmed that the money had still not been made available to couples. Health Minister Simon Harris and his officials are drafting legislation on regulating assisted reproduction. This is being done with Attorney General Seamus Woulfe while the Oireachtas health committee is also assessing the new laws. The department said: Interlinked with the legislation, officials in the department, in conjunction with the HSE, are developing a model of care for infertility and an associated public fund for AHR. This work includes developing proposals on the allocation of a 1m fund for use in relation to providing public AHR treatment which was announced in December 2018. Once the funding proposals have been submitted and approved by Government, there will be an announcement regarding the commencement of this fund. The continued delay in rolling out the fund has prompted infertility support groups and opposition parties to warn that couples are being taunted and denied much-needed help. National Infertility Support and Information Group co-founder Helen Browne said the delayed funding for couples is bitterly disappointing. There are always reports of couples putting off having a baby because of careers, she said. Its not, it is for financial reasons, they have to save. And then by the time they do, there may be problems with the quality of their eggs. Without doubt, financing treatment makes it difficult. People have to get loans. They [Government] havent spoken with us yet about the criteria for these funds and whether people will be means tested. Ms Browne said the fertility support group had discussed protesting outside the Department of Health over the lack of financial assistance for couples struggling with infertility. Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin has now directly raised the delayed funds for fertility treatment with the department. A number of couples have been in contact with me over the past few weeks asking about the 1m funding that was put aside for couples who need IVF, he said. It is very expensive to get IVF and despite monies being announced on the last budget day and again last January. Yet none of the money has been drawn down. Not one couple has benefited yet. It is unfair to tease couples like this and the Fine Gael Government need to get their act together so that regulations can be put in place and so couples can apply for financial assistance as a matter of urgency. Ireland and Lithuania are the only EU countries that do not offer State funding for assisted reproduction. There is an onus on the Government to deliver broadband to rural Ireland, ministers have said ahead of Cabinet debating a 3bn plan to roll out a national high-speed network. Value-for-money concerns are expected to dominate discussion about going ahead with a private-led consortiums proposals to extend network coverage to rural Ireland. Today, Communications Minister, Richard Bruton, will bring recommendations to Cabinet to agree to a tender by a group led by Irish-American businessman David McCourt to roll out broadband coverage to 500,000 homes and premises. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has already signalled that the bill could be capped at 3bn. If the deal is agreed by Government, as is expected, a series of documents will be released, including proposals around alternatives and why other options could cost more and take longer. Up to 11 alternatives were examined, including using the ESB and its infrastructure to connect parts of rural Ireland. The Government also looked at a state-led model, but which may have appealed to the private sector for completion in the long run. Speaking at an event in Dublin ahead of the Cabinet meeting, Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan, a rural TD, said he wants to acknowledge the importance of broadband for the country, as well as for his constituency, Laois-Offaly. He said there would be a comprehensive debate about the proposed plan at Cabinet. Asked about the State not owning the network, Mr Flanagan said: I think the important thing is that we have an arrangement, in terms of the delivery of broadband, that ensures that everyone that has broadband has that opportunity. We have seen, in recent times, thanks to the successes of the current Government, that we now have almost full employment. We see consequential infrastructure challenges on the city of Dublin. I believe it is important encouraging people to live and work in the regions. They would have an entitlement to broadband facilities. I believe that is absolutely essential, in the context of whatever decision is made by Government. Culture Minister Josepha Madigan pointed to a 2016 promise by the coalition that a fast network would be provided. There is a commitment in the programme for government that we will deliver broadband to every person in the country. Thats our intention. Ms Madigan dismissed concerns that some households might not pay for broadband. Once the facilities are available, I think they will take it up. It is very important to peoples livelihood that they have adequate broadband. Thats why we want to roll it out. Alternatives included leaving certain areas without broadband. Reducing the intervention area by 5% would save 300m. But this would mean not connecting 3,000 premises in Cork, 1,500 in Galway, and 1,900 in Donegal. Reducing the final coverage by 20% would save 650m. You can see if your area is covered on this interactive map here The primary reason for those working in the construction industry returning from abroad is down to family, an industry survey has found. Up to 37% of construction companies here have hired Irish workers, who would have emigrated during the recession of 2008. Sixty-five percent of the workers gave family as the reason for returning, with just 24% coming back for job opportunities and 0% citing pay rates. The study commissioned by the Construction Industry Federation (CIF) and DIT, also points out that 86% of companies have difficulty getting skilled tradespeople and the federation has said there is the potential for a shortfall of 100,000 workers up to 2020. The Federation said that members want the Government to do more to remove barriers for returning workers such as the lack of recognition for qualifications obtained overseas. Nearly half of the companies who have hired returning workers deliberately targeted them. Half of the companies said there were no challenges bringing people back but 19% said the waiting time for returning workers was a problem. Another 19% complained of "a difference in work attitude and culture" and 13% felt red tape was a barrier. Dermot Carey, director of safety and training with the CIF said that attracting the diaspora is a short term solution but long term there is a need for more young people to learn a trade. We should be building bridges not walls for the construction diaspora to return; the industry needs their skills and expertise to deliver housing and infrastructure. We are currently facing a housing crisis of large proportions, but in order to build more homes at the speed that is needed, we first must fill the skills gap and have more qualified construction workers on hand to build these homes. Construction companies are trying to reach out to Irish diaspora and are trying their best to entice people back from abroad. "At a time, when wages in the industry are increasing, and demand for skilled construction workers is very strong as we struggle with a housing crisis, government inaction in this area is problematic." He added that 50,000 jobs have been created in the construction industry since the lowest point of the recession in 2013. This is testament to a strong pipeline of work for the next 20 years. Mr Carey added that 86% of companies have difficulty getting skilled tradespeople and the federation has said there is a potential shortfall of 100,000 workers up to 2020. Members want the Government to do more to remove barriers for returning workers such as the lack of recognition for qualifications obtained overseas. One single blow from a large iron bar to the back of a mans head was likely to have been the cause of death, a pathologist has testified in the Fermoy murder trial. The deceased mans body was found lying on the ground between two parked trucks at the truck stop of Amber filling station in February 2017 with blood pooling at the back of his head and shoulders. Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster testified that he died as a result of blunt force trauma to the back of his head consistent with being struck once by an iron bar. Tomasz Wasowicz, 45, and Marcin Skrzypezyk, 31, are on trial charged with the murder of Ludovit Pasztor, 40, on February 21, 2017, at the Amber filling station at Carrrignagroghera, Fermoy, County Cork. Mr Wasowicz also faces the additional charge of being in possession of a weapon, namely a stun-gun at the same date and place. Tomasz Wasowicz. Dr Bolster concluded that the late Mr Pasztor suffered a depressed complex fracture at the base of his skull where three lacerations were also evident, consistent with a single blow from an iron bar with a washer at one end and a screw. This bar was found near his body. She said the traumatic brain injury due to blunt force trauma to the head was consistent with one forceful blow from the iron bar. Asked by Siobhan Lankford, prosecution senior counsel, if his injuries could have been caused by a blow from a torch also found at the scene, Dr Bolster could not completely rule that out but said it was more consistent with a single blow from the iron bar. Blood alcohol concentration equivalent to the consumption of about six or seven pints of alcohol was found on examination of the deceased. Detective Garda Valerie Barry testified that Mariusz Osail, a friend of the deceased, was crying at the scene where the dead body was found on the night and he was very upset. When the detective asked him what had happened he said he and the deceased had been drinking together. He said they went to the Amber filling station for more drink and as they walked back to his house nearby they got into an argument with two lorry drivers. Mr Osail said Mr Pasztor was upset and angry and got an iron bar from the back of his (Mr Osails) house and went back to the truck area and a fight ensued. Defence senior counsel representing Mr Wasowicz, Tim OLeary, said that Mr Osail had first told Det. Garda Barrys colleague, Garda Noel Howley, in relation to the deceased, that he fell. Tom Creed, defence senior counsel representing Mr Skrzypezyk, said that from Det. Garda Barrys evidence, Mr Osail had told her that, He and his friend had been attacked by someone. Mr Creed said Mr Osail also told Det. Garda Barry that the deceased got a bar and came back for a fight. He did not tell you he also got a bar and came back for a fight. The detective agreed that this was what Mr Osail told her, and she added that they had not located the second iron bar at that time. Mr Creed said: He (Mr Osail) did not tell you he was banging on the drivers door to get them to come out? The detective replied, No. Mr Creed suggested that Mr Osail was describing the background to the incident being the deceaseds fault and that he (Mr Osail) gave an account that absolved himself of responsibility. The detective replied, Yes. The trial goes into its seventh day at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Cork tomorrow before Ms Justice Carmel Stewart and a jury of eight men and four women. Gardai in Co Galway are investigating the alleged sexual assault of a young woman over the bank holiday weekend. A 19-year-old woman was reportedly assaulted in the village of Tully Cross in the early hours of Sunday morning. Update: The Irish Examiner will be hosting a town hall meeting between Ireland South European Election candidates on May 16 at 7.30pm in Cork's Clayton Hotel Silver Springs. The event will be moderated by Daniel McConnell, Irish Examiner Policial Editor, and Michael Clifford, Irish Examiner Special Correspondent. Irish Rail has plans to introduce a text alert system for passengers in the coming weeks along with the expansion of CCTV to all carriages. The companys spokesperson Barry Kenny told RTE Radios Today with Sean ORourke show that this year will also see the doubling of security patrols. He was responding to journalist Sarah-Jane Murphys story of her fear and discomfort when surrounded by a group of young men on the Dart from Dun Laoghaire to the city centre. It is distressing when you hear about something like this, what makes public transport different from the public street is the confined nature of it, I apologise to Sarah-Jane and anyone else who has experienced it. He said that most of the 48 million journeys undertaken by Irish Rail passengers occur without incident. However, he acknowledged that the issue is worsening that's why we're putting additional resources to tackling it, there is a seasonal factor involved as we come into summer months. Mr Kenny said that the number of security patrols will double this year (compared to the numbers in 2017). We will have seven mobile units in terms of security on the Dart alone, we'll also have fixed units in major stations, in particular, fixed units in stations where we have had issues in the past as well. When asked about the possibility of a text alert service, he said that is something we are hoping to introduce in the coming weeks to allow customers to discreetly raise an alert, we're working with a security provider at the moment to ensure that we have the resources in place to deal with this properly. We would have a live monitoring centre at all times that the Dart operates to enable us to respond and despatch security teams then to that. We're also working with the gardai - there is a railway advisory council, it involves rail safety regulators, ourselves, Luas, trade unions, where issues like this can be addressed. They will have specific initiatives this year to support us - visibility is a huge factor in terms of giving greater confidence to people when they travel with us, at all times of the day. Barry Kenny He also admitted that only 50% of Darts have screens in the driving cab, so, if there is an alert the driver can bring the train to a stop and look at the screen. We are looking to fit those screens in the remainder of cabs in coming months. Of the 144 carriages in the fleet, 128 of them have CCTV, the remaining 16, it is something that we're planning to do in any event, will be fitted in coming weeks. That particular CCTV will be remote downloadable as well, currently if we need to download and provide to the gardai, it's something that has to be done on a depot basis, but this will be remote downloadable. As newer trains came in we ensured that newer technology is in place, this is something we want to retrofit into all our fleet, these resources are there for us, we are putting the funds into this, and the human resources into this. It is a key priority for us to make sure this train stops, that it reverses and that people have a greater sense that the support is there when incidents like this happen. He denied a claim that there are no ticket checkers on northbound Darts, and said that there are increased personnel on that line. It is something that is done. Garda support increased significantly this year. He also explained that a separate transport police force is not necessary in Ireland as gardai have attended the rail safety advisory council. They are bringing a community policing model to public transport as part of that, customers are going to see very clear initiatives with the gardai this year throughout the high profile time of the summer that we will support with our own resources as well, and give greater confidence to people travelling with us. Kevin Humphreys Labour Senator Kevin Humphreys is calling on the Ministers for Transport and Justice to introduce short-term solutions to combat violence and intimidation on public transport. He also called on Irish Rail to reintroduce staff at unmanned stations. It will cost money, but if we want people to use public transport they need to feel confident that it is safe. Senator Humphreys told Newstalks Lunchtime Live programme that many incidents are not being reported because the public feel nothing is being done. A short-term solution would be the use of private security firms, but in the long term a community policing policy involving gardai on public transport was what was required, he said. He made a further call for a text alert system for the Dart and for all Dart carriages to have CCTV so drivers could see what is happening in the carriages and if necessary alert gardai who could then be waiting at the next train station. This has been happening for years. Trade unions have been calling for security because of the increase in assaults. "If the public is to be encouraged to use public transport then a mechanism is needed to increase safety. We need short term measures. Senator Humphreys told of how he had been on the Dart on his own recently and had felt unsafe. Also on May 18, Squeezebox Books and Music will be hosting a Type-In! for typewriter enthusiasts. Several typewriters will be scattered around the shop, and anyone who drops in is welcome to type up whatever springs into their head, whether it be a poem, song or love note. A Limerick mother who trekked across northern Spain to help her cope following the sudden death of her son has penned a moving book about her journey. Two years ago tomorrow, Robert Dineen, 25, passed away after suffering a seizure at his home in Limerick city. Roberts parents Lucy and Gerard set off together on the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage to help them come to terms with their loss. Describing life after her sons death as a blur, Ms Dineen, a social care worker, said she felt she was walking around with a gaping wound and feared that her marriage would not survive the loss of a child. The death of our son changed both of us and I didnt know if we could withstand the pressure the pain of this loss put on our relationship, she wrote. After two years of turmoil, the Limerick couple, who now live in west Clare, seized the moment to take time out and walk the Camino after Mr Dineen lost his job. Mrs Dineen, a native of Shanagolden, Co Limerick, kept a diary of their 38-day journey across 1,000km, taking them from grief to healing. Lucy and Gerard Dineen Setting out with their backpacks, the couple found a greater understanding of their grief. My Camino Through Grief is the moving journal of their experiences, travelling from the Pyrenees in southern France, through the valleys of Navarra, and westward through Spain, final coming to a rest at the infamous cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. As they clocked up the miles, issues that had been buried for a long time begin to surface, which Mrs Dineen recorded in a notebook gifted to her by her daughter Rachel. The journal became the outlet for Mrs Dineens innermost thoughts and pain. The Camino stripped us of everything and became a journey of personal exploration, bringing us to a place where we had to face our pain, with nowhere to hide, as we desperately searched for meaning and inspiration, she wrote. Walking allowed the freedom to explore their feelings of loss as well as space to remember their son. Mrs Dineen recalled how family life was disrupted when Robert began to suffer from seizures from the age of 10. She had experienced previous family losses through the death of her own father and her twin brother two years apart, when she was in her 20s. The loss of my beautiful child has taken me to a place of darkness and now, as a pilgrim, I am searching for the light to shine again. Despite his condition, Robert refused to be defined or limited by his illness, which he referred to as The Monster, and a poem he wrote about his illness appears in the book, along with others penned by his father and sister. Robert was a wonderful young man who never got a fair chance of life without illness. We are left with the frustration of there being no reason or explanation for our sons death, just as we lived with no real understanding of his illness, Mrs Dineen added. Despite their aches, pains, and blisters, they arrived in Santiago on their sons 28th birthday on October 18, 2017. At the end of their journey, it was very emotional...and we had a memory stone that we cast into the ocean in Roberts memory. This was the end of their Camino journey, but their journey together continues. A major search was launched on Lough Derg in Co Clare this evening amid fears that a kayaker was missing or in difficulty. At 7.45pm, the Irish Coast Guard received a report from concerned locals about a kayak adrift on the lake close to Mountshannon Harbour in East Clare. The Killaloe unit of the Coast Guard was tasked to carry out a search of the area. A boat crew was launched from Killaloe while land search crews responded by road to Mountshannon Harbour. A comprehensive search was carried out by Coast Guard crews however nothing was found. The search was called off about an hour later when emergency services were satisfied that no persons were missing and that no one had been reported overdue or missing. The kayak was recovered from the water and found to still had its paddle inside. Having spoken to local residents, it was established that some youths had been seen in the area earlier and the kayak was most likely released during the evening. It was the second time in two months that emergency services were tasked to similar incidents in Clare. In March, a major search was mounted on Lough Bunny near Boston in the north of the county on March 19. It had been feared that a person may have been missing in the lake. A search operation was mounted involving the Irish Coast Guard, An Garda Siochana, Gort Fire Service, National Ambulance Service. The Shannon-based Irish Coast Guard helicopter, Rescue 115, was also tasked to the incident as well as the volunteer unit of the service from Doolin. The operation was stood down a short time later after local inquiries established that the canoe may have been on the water for a time, possibly several months. The Coast Guard warned at the time: All boat owners should ensure that their vessels are properly secured when not in use. This request extends to smaller craft such as canoes and kayaks. When such equipment is seen to be drifting unattended it necessarily gives rise to genuine concern which can give rise to distracting the emergency services from more pressing work. A man confessed yesterday to assault causing harm to a young woman in Cork, and threatening to kill her. Josef Stanic, aged 26, who is from Croatia and was living at McSwiney Villas, Gurranabraher, was arraigned yesterday at Cork Circuit Criminal Court and he pleaded guilty to all charges against him. Sentencing was adjourned by Judge Brian OCallaghan until May 28. A victim impact statement is to be prepared. Stanic pleaded guilty to counts including assault causing harm to Tanja Kosnika at Cathedral Road on Monday, January 7, and threatening to kill her. Detective Garda Brian Murphy said one of the main worries gardai had was the nature of the threat allegedly made by Stanic, namely, I will kill you now or I will kill you in ten years time. The defendant also pleaded guilty yesterday to two related counts of assaulting the same woman and producing a knife during that alleged assault on December 7, 2018, at McSwiney Villas. Mr Stanic said he followed her on a number of occasions and had an unhealthy relationship with her. He admits he checks her home on a daily basis. He said he waited two to three hours outside her home prior to attacking her, the detective alleged. In the witness box, Stanic said he understood the garda concerns about him being on bail but added, I could guarantee to the judge there will be no further contact. He said he was on heroin for one month a year ago and was on methadone to get off heroin for 11 months. He said when questioned at Cork District Court that maybe the heroin was causing him to feel jealousy. There was some disagreement over whether or not the accused had ever been in a relationship with the complainant. He was refused bail. A man in his 20s has been arrested by Gardai investigating the suspected endangerment and abduction of a 14-year-old youth in Finglas, Dublin. At approximately 7.30pm, Gardai attached to the K District Community Action Team were on patrol in the Finglas area when they observed and attempted to stop a suspicious car. A 20-year-old man has been remanded on bail on a dangerous driving charge in connection with a Garda investigation into the suspected abduction of a 14-year-old in Finglas in Dublin. The teenage boy was found by gardai in the boot of a car after it stopped on Monday evening. Shane Daly, dressed in a grey and black hooded top, black short and runners, remained silent during his brief hearing before Judge David McHugh at Blanchardstown District Court this morning. He was charged with dangerous driving at Kippure Park, Finglas, on May 6, contrary to Section 53 of the Road Traffic Act. Evidence of his arrest and being charged was furnished to Judge McHugh in a certificate. Mr Dalys barrister told the court she understood there was no objection to bail. Garda Sergeant Geraldine McManigan confirmed that but told the judge this was subject to a number of conditions being imposed. She asked that Mr Daly, of Hazelcroft Park, Finglas, would have to reside at his address, obey an 11pm 6am curfew and sign on three days a week at his local Garda station. Judge McHugh agreed to impose these terms and told Mr Daly he had to sign on every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at Finglas station. Garda Sergeant McManigan told the court there was one charge, section 53 of the Road Traffic Act, which is for alleged dangerous driving. File photo However, she added that there are possible further charges to be preferred. She asked for an eight-week remand for directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in relation to further charges. The defence barrister applied for free legal aid. She said her client was unemployed and she could provide a statement of his means. However, Garda Sergeant McManigan said there was an objection. It is our understanding that he is working, she added. Judge David McHugh deferred ruling on the legal aid request and said it will be dealt with at the next hearing on July 2 when the case will be listed for DPPs directions. Update: Eileen Shorthall has been found safe and well. Earlier: Gardai in Lucan are appealing to the public for assistance in tracing the whereabouts of 43-year-old Eileen Shorthall. Eileen Shorthall has been missing from her home in Lucan since earlier Monday. Ms. Shorthall is described as being approximately 5'3'' tall, with shoulder length dark brown hair and blue eyes. When last seen she was wearing a wine/maroon ladies hooded jacket, with white fur on the hood, black leggings and black Sketcher brand runners. Ms. Shorthalls family and Gardai are concerned for her safety. Anyone with information that may assist in locating her is asked to contact Lucan Garda Station on 01-6667300, the Garda Confidential Telephone Line at 1800-666-111 or any Garda station. Post mortems are no longer to be carried out University Hospital Waterford mortuary in State cases, according to gardai. Instead, post mortems on bodies needed for criminal investigations in the South-east will now go to the city morgue in Dublin, due to contamination fears of potential evidence. Gardai have agreed to the move after serious concerns were raised about the facilities in the mortuary by four pathologists working there. Consultations between the State Pathologists Office and senior gardai have been ongoing about the matter which have given rise to the change in policy. Garda Headquarters said it does not comment on operational matters or third-party letters. It is understood the State Pathologists Office has written to gardai confirming the change. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has already been forced to apologise to the pathologists working from the Waterford morgue for questioning their revelations. The pathologists, in a letter to the South/South West hospital group, several months ago, highlighted that dead bodies had been left decomposing on trolleys in the corridors of the hospital mortuary. Sinn Fein TD in Waterford, David Cullinane, said: "This is a very serious development. It is a disgrace that it has come to this. "The Hospital Group, hospital management and the HSE knew about the dreadful conditions at the mortuary since 2004 and yet building works have still not commenced for a new facility. "The HSE and the Department have very serious questions to answer. They must come before the Oireachtas Health Committee and we need a full, independent inquiry into services at the mortuary. A hospital group statement said they, along with hospital management, have been fully aware of the challenge associated with the mortuary infrastructure for some considerable time. "The development of a new replacement mortuary for UHW has been on the HSE capital plan since 2014 and planning permission for the proposed new mortuary was received in 2016. "In addition, efforts to resolve the matter resulted in a replacement mortuary for UHW being placed on the HSEs capital programme. "Approval to proceed to tender was received in March 2019. The current programme for this will see the new facility being delivered within approximately two years. As an interim solution, the hospital group has said that a mobile refrigerated unit will be on site. Name: Bernie OSullivan Occupation: Co-founder of Forest & Flock Whats your background? For most of my adult life, I have worked in hospitality. This is where I learned my most valuable skills that make me who I am today. I returned to live in my hometown Bantry, just over seven years ago. Little did I know then where I would be today! Forest & Flock first took form in December 2017, as a 30-day pop-up. Megan Clancy, Aine Crowley, Maeve Murphy and I were the four brains behind it. It was a magical experience and when it came to our last day, I knew that this was most definitely only the beginning. Maeve and I opened our permanent venture to celebrate Irish craft and design in May 2018. Whats a typical workday like for you? My day begins with a coldwater swim. I joined a lovely crew of sea swimmers last December. Its the best place to keep your head clear, and valuable time in preparation for the day. Our shop hours run from 9.30am to 6.30pm. You cant beat the feeling of opening your own front door to the public each morning. I am there almost every day, and this allows me to get first-hand feedback on the overall shop, the work and make strong customer relations. Throughout the day, I keep in touch with the artists, build on our social media presence, and remain open to what the day itself brings. In our first year it has been lessons of prioritising, patience, and adaptability, in line with building a sustainable craft shop. Tell us about a recent/favourite project or design you have worked on? The setting up of Forest & Flock is my greatest love so far. Our building is a sub-section of that which was once Supervalu in the town. Working with this structural space was challenging. I started at the basics: we had oceans of space and light and did not feel the need to clutter this. Comfort, style, connection and aesthetically inspiring were at the forefront of my design. When surrounded by delicate and original art, there can be at times a sense of fear, or of not understanding the set-up of Forest & Flock aims to alter this. I also ensured that the customer experience of the shop remains completely wheelchair and buggy-accessible, and our kids table lends itself to a relaxed, family-friendly visit. Bean Dolan (Beantree Woodwork) is responsible for our spacious purpose-built tiered shelving, and our adorned counter. This is the biggest piece of art in the shop; a Macrocarpa solid countertop with an aerial view of Bantry Bay on its front. It is our meeting point of the shop. Whats your design style? Non-fussy, honest and authentic I am instinctively drawn to a mix of classic and vintage. What/who inspires your work? I am a firm believer that there is the right place for everything. That is why I love the challenge and beauty of curating the shop. I am also inspired by the human self. We all have the power within us to be our best self, and to use our best skills. When you see more people doing this for themselves, as you do in West Cork, you are inspired to back yourself a bit too. Whats your favourite trend at the moment (if you have any)? You cant beat unique and personal style this is what I constantly seek. Whats your most treasured possession? My vintage writing desk at home, its where I am my most creative self, and where sometimes I just muse about life! Who would be your favourite designer, or style inspiration? I love the skills some people have with the natural world: I am forever admiring the works of Jill Wild, Ruth Fortune, and Hanako Floristry. What would be a dream project for you to work on? Im driven by all that Ive learned in my hospitality years and Id love to add an additional element to Forest & Flock once its ready. Have you any design tips for us? Work in harmony with what you are naturally given. Sometimes less is more. Enjoy colour. - www.forestandflock.ie - Instagram: @forestandflock Helen OCallaghan reports on moves to get more girls coding. At Iseult Mangans Co Mayo home, the weekend was spent digging a trench down the driveway for the arrival of broadband. Were hoping to get it tomorrow. At this stage Ill believe it when I see it, says the mum of four. Lack of broadband hasnt stopped her only daughter, Aoibheann, 12, from creating four websites, three of which won national awards. Aoibheann was eight when she and a school friend made a farm safety website for children. She made another one at school as part of our Science curriculum and the others she made at Coderdojo, explains Iseult, who taught her daughter in one-teacher Cloghans Hill NS. Aoibheanns love for coding began in third class after Iseult did the Hour of Code with them a one-hour intro to computer science, designed to demystify code. Aoibheann was a finalist recently in the 2019 FDM everywoman in Technology Awards in the One to Watch category, presented to a girl aged 11-16 whos actively encouraging girls to study STEM subjects at school-level. The only finalist from Ireland, Aoibheanns track record spoke for itself. She runs a CoderDojo as part of a global volunteer-led community of free programming workshops for young people aged seven to 17. She runs workshops at MozFest (worlds leading festival for open internet movement) in London, as well as at MegaDojo, a free coding event for children aged seven to 17 in Ireland. Now in first year at Mount St Michaels Secondary School, Aoibheann has spoken in the European parliament and at events like Inspirefest about how vital it is to get girls interested in STEM. She participated in Ericsson Technology Day, which encourages Ericsson staff members to sign up to deliver talks and hackathons at schools. Having noticed fathers mostly at CoderDojo events with children and how they expect boys to be better at coding than their girls Aoibheanns on a mission to open dads eyes to their daughters tech ability. I noticed it too, says Iseult. Dads would give boys more space at the computer, the boy would have the mouse. Then hed be amazed to see his daughter as good as the boy. Aoibheann got involved in the launch of the kids code in Microsoft an initiative to get families engage in STEM subjects together, through coding workshops. Her hope: get dads to see their daughters involved and inspired and be more open to encouraging them to pursue STEM studies/careers. Findings Wilson said the idea for a laundromat percolated as she and White discussed plans for retirement. They had an option to buy an existing laundromat in Skokie, but thought theyd rather invest in Evanston instead. Wilson said she is the fifth generation of her family to grow up in Evanston. With growing awareness about the damage the fashion industry is doing to the planet, the move to a more sustainable model needs to happen fast. The days of throwaway purchases destined for landfill after just one wear are numbered, as consumers seek a better way to get their fashion hit. Carolyn Moore reports. Check mate Conscious consumer Can you kick it? Yes you can! Meghan Markle loves Vejas ethical approach and ecofriendly materials, and youll love their Nova organic cotton and wild rubber trainers. 90, brownthomas.com Work it Winning workwear crafted in award-winning, biodegradable Tencel - an eco fibre farmed on wasteland. Ally trousers by Komodo, 95, from Cork-based ethicalsoulsboutique.com Red alert Denim brand Weekday have collaborated with Recover to produce a limited collection made from 100% recycled materials. Recycled jacket 72.95, from the ASOS Eco Edit at asos.com Dont sweat it For German brand ArmedAngels, sustainability is an obligation, not a responsibility. Get their organic cotton Roaamy sweater at Fresh Cuts, Dublin. 79.90 freshcutsclothing.com Jean Genie Buy less, buy better, keep longer. Organic Nudie jeans are non-toxic, use less water for reduced impact, and the company offers free repairs for life! Britt jeans, 149, nudiejeans.com Multi-task The Marittipi organic hemp and Lyocell denim dress by Spanish eco brand Skunkfunk pulls double duty as a summer jacket. 149.95 from Skunkfunk, Dublin or skfk-ethical-fashion.com Summer Daze Ditch the polyester and get set for summer in People Trees Marcy dress made from Lyocell, a natural, sustainable, breathable cellulose wood fibre. 129, peopletree.co.uk What is it about Victoria Beckham that makes her such a beauty icon exactly? Personally, I have great respect for her and I know that many feel the same way, but it is difficult to pinpoint why we want to delve into her skincare kit more than wed have the same urge towards Geri Haliwell, for example. At 45, Victoria Beckham doesnt try to look outlandishly young for her age, at least when we consider she is solidly a part of the celebrity realm and not one of us normal humans. In the last decade, she has consistently nailed elegance, balanced carefully between classic and contemporary. Her excellently maintained skin is a massive contributor to this specific aesthetic, in my opinion. Unlike some, Victoria is actually quite forthcoming with what is in her skincare routine, and has been for decades. Cult brands such as Dermalogica and Biologique Recherche have been mainstays in Victorias routine for some time, and thankfully, she has recently revealed her full current routine. However, as one may imagine, it isnt the most accessible, coming in at just under a cool 1,000. My belief when it comes to skincare is that the ingredients youre getting on to your skin are what is important, not the price of your products, and there are plenty of much more affordable options if you feel like duping Mrs Beckhams routine. According to her facialist, Melanie Grant, Victoria starts her day with a cleansing oil, specifically the Purity Solution Nourishing Cleansing Oil from Australian brand Cosmedix. The key ingredients of this cleansing oil are argan oil, olive oil, neem oil and moringa oil, natural oils that are rich in skin-beneficial vitamins such as vitamin E, fatty acids and provide the skin with antioxidant protection. This cleansing oil doesnt break the bank at $35 (approximately 30) but you will struggle to get your paws on it in Ireland. The Caudalie Makeup Removing Cleansing Oil, on the other hand, is 20 and quite widely available, and contains sweet almond oil and grapeseed oil. These oils arent the same oils but still have all of those fantastic fatty acids, vitamins and antioxidant benefits. Vitamins A, C and E are core skin vitamins that reduce inflammation in the skin, assist with concerns like premature ageing and pigmentation and are potent antioxidants by nature, and this is no secret to Victoria. She follows up her cleanse with the iS Clinical Pro-Heal Serum (approximately 120), which is packed with the aforementioned vitamins. After using the CosMedix Eye Genius eye cream ($70), Victoria applies the much-hyped Augustinus Bader The Cream ($205). The Cream is perhaps one of the most unique products in her routine, considering it contains a patented ingredient created by Professor Bader called TFC8 or Trigger Factor Complex, which is said to trigger the skins own renewal systems. Professor Baders lifetime worth of work and research in the medical field led to the discovery of a method that can bring on the bodys stem cell healing process, so we can assume that the TFC8 technology is based on this, in some respects. Although Im personally not aware of any other product that contains this elusive ingredient, Environs Focus Care Colostrum Gel (47, available from store.theskinnerd.com and selected salons nationwide) works to introduce growth factors to the skin which help to soothe and strengthen the skin and bring about healing. Her morning routine is topped off with a broad spectrum SPF 50 that is formulated specifically for her but in my opinion, any high factor SPF that protects from both UVA and UVB damage will do the trick and should be worn every single day. All in all, Victoria has a very well-rounded skincare routine that hits on all of my own personal nerdie skin cornerstones. Unlike Posh herself, Id give it the verdict of imitable, if you feel so inclined. The Nerdie Pick IMAGE C A C E Hydrating Antioxidant Serum. As you may guess from its name, the IMAGE Vital C Hydrating Antioxidant Serum is your skins daily multivitamin filled with vitamin A, C and E, as well as a polypeptide complex, green tea extract and healing centella asiatica. Its fantastic for brightening the skin, preventing accelerated ageing daily and makes the skin feel super plump. It works with essentially all skin types, even sensitive skin, except for those who would suffer from congestion, and can be mixed in with other serums or creams to cut the time it takes to carry out your skincare regime. IMAGE Vital C A C E Hydrating Antioxidant Serum, 67.00, at store.theskinnerd.com and selected salons nationwide. We have been waiting seven years for it and will be waiting at least seven more for it to be finished. The aim of the National Broadband Plan, announced in 2012, was to bring top-of-the-range high-speed internet to parts of the country smaller towns and one-off homes that would otherwise be ignored by commercial companies. To level the playing field in the increasingly digitised world. Since then, the plan has been dogged and beset by foul-ups, controversy, and a raft of withdrawals from the bidding process by interested parties. Eir and rival broadband infrastructure giant Siro, a joint venture between Vodafone and ESB, both withdrew, leaving one bidder. US-based investment firm Granahan McCourt was the only group left standing, but it too saw part of its consortium fall away. Energy provider SSE exited last summer, making the whole thing looking extremely fragile and shaky. Things were further delayed after it emerged that then communications minister Denis Naughten had a series of meetings with David McCourt, the lead figure at Granahan McCourt. Naughten, who lashed out on his resignation, was forced from office by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar. More alarming than the withdrawal of bidders has been the spiralling costs. In a scenario shockingly similar to the National Childrens Hospital, the costs of which spiked from 450m to almost 2bn, the NBP costs have risen sixfold, from 500m to 3bn. But its only 3bn, Leo says. Well, thats grand then. The updated projected cost of our NBP is reasonable and timely, our Taoiseach told us yesterday. Forget your concerns, he said. Think of rural electrification, think of the introduction of free education, free travel. None of these things were cheap but no one now says they were the wrong decision, the Taoiseach argued. It is a case of the difference in the cost of doing something versus the cost of not doing it. We must pay the cost of progress now or risk being trapped. "In 10 years time, people will not question the price but ask why we didnt do it sooner, he said. Forget the concerns of the most senior official in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, Robert Watt, who told ministers the price tag does not represent value for money. This is the context in which we are left with just one bidder. This is in the context that at the end of the process, when 3bn of taxpayers money has been spent, we, the taxpayer, wont even own the network. His boss, Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe, said he would publish those concerns but was ignoring them, saying it will all be worth it in the end. The decision I have made to on balance to go ahead with the project relates to the many issues I have touched upon about the future of our economy, Mr Donohoe told reporters. The future is a long way away and it will be 2026, at the earliest, before people in the most isolated parts of Ireland will get broadband. There was a highly defensive tone to the announcement by people who know they are on shaky ground. No one is disputing the potential rewards in delivering broadband, but the numbers are dodgy, the bidding process has been shambolic, and the reality is that politics has trumped prudence. At 3bn, it is the greatest gamble, in money terms, that Varadkar and his increasingly dysfunctional Government will ever make. The questions around the Margiotta case are not going away. The number one question is whether the investigation and prosecution of a Garda civilian employee and her brother, a doctor, was in pursuit of a genuine concern for law enforcement. The siblings, both in their 50s, believe it was not justified. Their belief is rooted in a body of evidence that suggests that, at the very least, this investigation and prosecution was highly unusual. They also believe the whole case was linked to a complaint of bullying that Lynn Margiotta made against a garda three weeks before she was first arrested. The bare facts: Ms Margiotta, a long-term civilian Garda employee, went through a period of ill health following the death of her mother in 2014. She was absent from work in Store Street Garda Station in Dublin city centre on a number of occasions in the first half of that year. Many of her sick notes were signed by her brother Tony, a GP who was working between two practices at the time. The gardai accept that Ms Margiotta was sick on these occasions, but their investigation concerned a suspicion the sick notes were false instruments. Their case was based on the fact that Dr Margiotta signed the notes but used the stamp of other GPs. An academic in the field wrote a report for the gardai stating that it was not unusual for locums to use another doctors stamp while filling out sick certs and that the practice was unregulated. Yet the gardai went ahead with a lengthy investigation as reported in one newspaper at the time into the Margiottas. This culminated in a trial in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court in March that collapsed when Judge Patricia Ryan ruled that Lynn Margiottas rights had been breached. Had a trial gone ahead, many extraordinary features to the case would have been aired. These included: When asked about the case on April 16, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris told reporters that he had provided an initial report at a private Policing Authority meeting last month and obviously there are learning points for us. Now, Dr Margiotta has, through Fianna Fail TD Niall Collins, submitted a list of 59 questions to the Policing Authority about the whole case. There has to be some inquiry into this, says Dr Margiotta. And it cant be guards investigating guards. We are entitled to know how something like this could happen. It is unclear whether any inquiry of any description is being conducted within An Garda Siochana. The Garda press office has stated that the organisation does not comment on named cases. In fact, the commissioner did comment on the Margiotta case on April 16 and there is no reason why it cant be revealed whether any inquiry is ongoing. Why did Harris provide an initial report to the Policing Authority? Lynn Margiotta. Was he in full possession of the facts when he reported to the Authority? The Irish Examiner published its story on the Margiotta case on the morning of April 16. Did the commissioner spot some detail in there that hadnt been included in any report passed onto him? One disturbing aspect of the affair concerns the expert report into signing sick notes. This was conducted by Colin Bradley, a professor at University College Cork. His report, commissioned by the gardai, indicated that there was nothing terribly unusual about how Dr Margiotta had conducted himself. The report is understood to have been completed in February 2015. Arguably, that fatally holed the case being made by the gardai. Yet they ploughed on. In the summer of 2015, Dr Margiotta was interviewed under caution on four separate occasions about the sick notes. During some of these interviews he was asked about ethical issues in using a colleagues stamp. According to Mr Bradleys report, there was no ethical issue. So why was Dr Margiotta being asked these questions? Why was he being asked about ethics at all in a matter concerned with law enforcement? Why, if the gardai had possession by then of Mr Bradleys report, was Dr Margiotta even required to present for interview? By that time, Lynn Margiotta had already been arrested. If a decision to terminate the investigation was taken at that point, would a potential issue over wrongful arrest have arisen? The gardai furnished Dr Margiottas legal team with Mr Bradleys report in the weeks before the trial in March, some four years after it had been completed. It may well be that nothing untoward has occurred. Genuine mistakes or a series of questionable judgment calls may have been made. But there are so many questions, many of them disturbing, that answers must be forthcoming. At issue is the use of the power vested in An Garda Siochana. The Margiottas harbour a genuine suspicion, based on the available evidence, that they were the victims of a shocking misuse of Garda power. Their suspicion should be either confirmed or dismissed through the establishment of the full facts of the case by an independent entity or body. Big Business is under attack in the US. Amazon cancelled its planned new headquarters in the New York City borough of Queens in the face of strong local opposition. Lindsey Graham, a Republican US senator for South Carolina, has raised concerns about Facebooks uncontested market position, while his Democratic senate colleague, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, has called for the company to be broken up. Warren has also introduced legislation that would reserve 40% of corporate board seats for workers. Such proposals may seem out of place in the land of free-market capitalism, but the current debate is exactly what America needs. Throughout the countrys history, it has been capitalisms critics who ensured its proper functioning, by fighting against the concentration of economic power and the political influence it confers. When a few corporations dominate an economy, they inevitably team up with the instruments of state control, producing an unholy alliance of private- and public-sector elites. This is what has happened in Russia, which is democratic and capitalist in name only. By maintaining complete control over commodity extraction and banking, an oligarchy beholden to the Kremlin has ruled out the possibility of meaningful economic and political competition. In fact, Russia is the apotheosis of the problem that US president Dwight D Eisenhower described in his 1961 farewell address, when he admonished Americans to guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence by the military-industrial complex and the potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power. With many US industries already dominated by a few superstar firms, we should be glad that democratic socialist activists and populist protesters are heeding Eisenhowers warning. But, unlike in Russia, where the oligarchs owe their wealth to the capture of state assets in the 1990s, Americas superstar firms have gotten to where they are because they are more productive. This means that regulatory efforts have to be more nuanced more scalpel than sledgehammer. Specifically, in an era of global supply chains, US corporations have benefited from enormous economies of scale, network effects, and the use of real-time data to improve performance and efficiency at all stages of the production process. A company such as Amazon learns from its data constantly to minimise delivery times and improve the quality of its services. Confident of its superiority relative to the competition, the firm needs few favours from the government one reason why Amazon founder Jeff Bezos can back The Washington Post, which is often critical of the US administration. But just because superstar firms are super-efficient today does not mean they will stay that way, particularly in the absence of meaningful competition. Incumbents will always be tempted to sustain their positions through anti-competitive means. By supporting legislation such as the 1984 Computer Fraud and Abuse Act and the 1998 Digital Millennium Copyright Act, the leading Internet firms have ensured that competitors cannot plug into their platforms to benefit from user-generated network effects. Similarly, after the 2009 financial crisis, the big banks accepted the inevitability of increased regulations, and then lobbied for rules that just so happened to raise compliance costs, thereby disadvantaging smaller competitors. And now that the Trump administration has become trigger-happy with import tariffs, well-connected firms can influence who gets protection and who bears the costs. More generally, the more that government-defined intellectual-property rights, regulations, and tariffs rather than productivity bolster a corporations profits, the more dependent it becomes on government benevolence. The only guarantee of corporate efficiency and independence tomorrow is competition today. The pressure on the US government to keep capitalism competitive, and impede its natural drift toward domination by a dependent few, typically comes from ordinary people, organising democratically in their communities. Not possessing the influence of the elite, they often want more competition and open access. In the US, the late 19th-century Populist movement and the early 20th-century Progressive movement were reactions to monopolisation in critical industries such as railroads and banking. These grassroots mobilisations led to regulations like the 1890 Sherman Antitrust Act, the 1933 Glass-Steagall Act (albeit less directly), and measures to improve access to education, health, credit, and business opportunities. By supporting competition, these movements not only kept capitalism vibrant, but also averted the risk of corporatist authoritarianism. Today, as the best jobs drift to superstar firms that recruit primarily from a few prestigious universities, as small and medium-sized companies find the path to growth strewn with impediments laid by dominant firms, and as economic activity abandons small towns and rural communities for megacities, populism is emerging again. Politicians are scrambling to respond, but there is no guarantee that their proposals will move us in the right direction. As the 1930s made clear, there can be much darker alternatives to the status quo. If voters in decaying French villages and small-town America succumb to despair and lose hope in the market economy, they will be vulnerable to the siren song of ethnic nationalism or full-bore socialism, either of which would destroy the delicate balance between markets and the state. That will put an end to both prosperity and democracy. The right response is not revolution, but rebalancing. Capitalism needs top-down reforms, such as updated antitrust regulation, to ensure that industries remain efficient and open to entry, and are not monopolised. But it also needs bottom-up policies to help economically devastated communities create new opportunities and maintain their members trust in the market economy. Populist criticism must be heeded, even if the radical proposals of populist leaders are not followed slavishly. This is essential to preserving both vibrant markets and democracy. Raghuram G Rajan, governor of the Reserve Bank of India from 2013 to 2016, is professor of finance at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Copyright: Project Syndicate, 2019. Im getting really sick of the euphemisms. Governance issues. Best practice. Not up to the standard we expect. These phrases all mean something in their own right. But they are routinely used for activities that would be much better described by other words: Words like cheating, dishonesty, greed, or an overwhelming sense of entitlement. We use the euphemisms because we are wary of making accusations against people unless a court has first decided guilt or innocence. But using a euphemism like governance issues to describe something much worse is itself a cover-up. It numbs us to the enormity of what is going on, and to the betrayal of trust. And it allows people who have betrayed trust to adopt self-righteous poses, pretending to be martyrs to over-zealous scrutiny. As a result, people who in all reasonableness ought to be out on their ears end up in months of negotiations about severance packages. I spent most of my working life, one way or another, in the community-and-voluntary sector. I came to know an immense number of people who were there because they wanted to do something good. They spent entire careers doing honourable things. Its why the euphemisms about other peoples behaviour make me sick. There are people in Ireland who believe that if you work for a voluntary organisation, you should be a volunteer in other words, you shouldnt have a salary at all. To them, the idea of anyone being paid a professional salary in return for a professional job is unacceptable. In their heads, the whole idea of salaries implies something wrong. Most reasonable people know that thats nonsense. When I ran a voluntary organisation, I always believed that one of the standards we had to apply and be judged by was that we tried hard to be a fair and decent employer. But it wasnt the only standard. Voluntary organisations, almost without exception, survive by using other peoples money. It might be taxpayers money, or it might be money contributed by individuals or organisation, or it might be a mix of both. Everyone who works in the voluntary-and-community sector owes a debt to someone else. And the debt we owe is good governance. Good governance means that you have the structures and processes to ensure that your organisation achieves its objectives with integrity and is managed in an effective, efficient, accountable, and transparent way. Thats all. Its not best practice; its basic practice. Its the least that anyone who contributes money to your organisation is entitled to expect. And the key word in that definition is integrity. It doesnt matter whether youre a charity, a trade union, an advocacy group, or a major sporting body. In all of them, good governance depends on integrity. In fact, its defined by integrity. But that doesnt mean that we can settle for a phrase like governance issues to describe the absence of integrity. When integrity goes walkabout, the door is opened, and the welcome mat put out, for corruption. File image A few years ago, the organisation I led, Barnardos, was subjected to a searching internal audit, commissioned by Tusla and carried out by the HSE internal audit unit. I hated the process. It was an emotional roller coaster. The audit team were critical about aspects of my salary. I wasnt happy about it, but it goes with the territory. And the important thing, from my point of view, was that they suggested no wrongdoing whatsoever, at a time when the same team was uncovering all sorts of secret arrangements top-ups and covert pension arrangements in some other parts of our sector. But more to the point, the internal audit declared its primary purpose satisfied and that all public funding of Barnardos during the period had been correctly and fully accounted for. They went on to say: In internal audits opinion, the board (of Barnardos) has established an appropriate system of internal control to ensure it meets its stewardship responsibilities. For example, the existence of over 45 policies demonstrated that Barnardos was focused on internal controls and it was evident that a lot of work had been undertaken in preparing these policies. We published that internal audit report at the time, warts and all, because we believed that people have a right to know. Voluntary organisations, because they depend on other peoples money, must work hard every day to earn the trust of the people who give them that money. And thats reasonably complicated. Some people want to be reassured that every penny donated will be spent on the cause. Other people, at the same time, need to know that the money is properly accounted for and wisely managed. You simply cant achieve both of those objectives without having a management and administrative structure in place. Its part of good governance. Actually, its part of basic governance. I always felt lucky in Barnardos, because the team that ensured proper accountability and transparency was brilliant honest to a fault, thoroughly efficient, and hard-headed enough to stand up to anyone. And I think that is the case for the great majority of organisations in the voluntary and community sector. They believe in good governance, and they believe in the obligation to earn trust. They work hard at accounting for what they get and in being transparent about their spending. They apply decent standards, and dont hide behind gobbledegook. Thats why it makes you sick when you read about organisations that live and die by the trust of their members and supporters, and yet go to extraordinary lengths to hide the truth from them. If, for the sake of argument, I was claiming thousands of euro in unvouched expenses to have a better lifestyle than my salary could support, I would know in my heart that I was cheating. If I was paying friends or relatives, who had never been hired by my organisation, to do non-existent jobs, Id know I was defrauding my organisation. If I was using my organisations credit cards to draw cash from their bank accounts, and no one knew or approved what I was spending it on, Id know I was involved in embezzlement. If I was doing all those things and more, I wouldnt be waiting for someone else to resign over issues of governance. Id be hiding from the cops. Or I should be. And yet issues of governance are all we hear about. Poor governance arises when the accounts arent properly kept, or are riddled with mistakes. It arises when organisations claim one thing and do another, or oversell their achievements. But if theres actual dishonesty in an organisation, or if they are run primarily to serve the vested interests of a few people, thats not poor governance. Theyre the hallmarks of corruption, and they deserve to be called out for what they are. Using a euphemism like governance issues to describe something worse is itself a cover-up Patrick Kavanagh once described the Irish countryside in May, when the whitethorn was in full, magnificent bloom, as wearing its Communion dress. It is unlikely he would use a phrase so heavy with suggested virtue to describes todays countryside. It is almost drowning under a tsunami of election posters. The candidates diversity is impressive even if vanity occasionally stands in the place of self-realisation. Kavanaghs response would be curt but if he considered the alternative, and he would not have too far to look to see one, he might be less dismissive; maybe not quite celebratory but possibly relieved. No matter how tempting it is to sneer at some of this Republics politicians it is reassuring that they at least talk to each other, that they try to make the system deliver on its promise and obligations unlike their indulgent, indulged and tribal counterparts in Northern Ireland. It is almost two-and-a-half years since Stormont ceased to function over what, in the context of this islands sad, divided history are at best minor issues. It is as if the opposing sides realised that their well-established policies of creating a crisis to stir supporters from the slumber a functioning system might deliver were needed so one was contrived. Lyra McKees murder was, at least partially, a consequence of that cynical tribalism. The unwelcome presence of those indifferent to the democratically expressed will of the majority and their makey-uppy army, is another. That the Norths majority who voted to remain in the EU have no voice representing their interests is another, possibly the most significant. The latest efforts to break this impasse, inevitably under the supervision of visiting adults, began yesterday when talks, scheduled to take three weeks, began. Negotiations were preceded by the by-now-mandatory sweetener when it was announced that Derry is to receive 122.5m from the British taxpayer to encourage economic development and tackle long-term deprivation. It may be a tad cynical to suggest that this is a counterbalance to the 1.2bn given to the DUP for their support by Theresa Mays government but it is impossible to ignore the symmetry. The Welsh First Minister Carwyn Joness description of the DUP deal as an outrageous straight bung deepens scepticism and encourages dysfunction. In the event of a united Ireland, no matter how remote that seems, indulging this addiction to state-sponsored hush money would be impossible. The deadlock did not have any impact on last weeks local elections in the North where rivals-in-chief, the DUP and Sinn Fein maintained their dominance. This suggests the electorate was not sufficiently frustrated by Stormonts mothballing to sanction them or, more probably, these hardline parties have sucked all of the oxygen out of the political process leaving no room for moderate alternatives. The opening stages of this new process will focus on rebuilding trust. Challenging as that is it is increasingly difficult to believe both protagonists want Stormont to work as its success would condemn them to the sidelines. This political Gordian knot is one of Irelands great tragedies but it must be undone. Failure is not an option this instance. An armed man has taken four hostages in a store on the outskirts of the southern city of Toulouse in France. A police spokeswoman said the man seized the hostages at a convenience store in the town of Blagnac, near Toulouse airport. Officials said it is too early to rule out terrorism without knowing the hostage-taker's demands. Police surrounded the store and evacuated the area. Local state television France 3 reported that the hostage-taker fired three shots in the air and was wearing a helmet fitted with a camera and demanded to speak with a negotiator. Police locked down the neighbourhood, evacuated some buildings and ordered other residents to stay inside, according to neighbour Robert Texier. A police helicopter circled overhead. The national terrorism prosecutor's office said it was following the situation. "It's worrying. It all happened so quickly," said Mr Texier, who expressed surprise at the incident in what he described as a quiet neighbourhood on the banks of the Garonne River. He said the convenience store has been run for decades by a woman and her daughter who live in the adjacent building. PA Asia India's Modi Flies Over Cyclone-Ravaged East, Promises Millions to Rebuild Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi files paperwork for the countrys general election on April 26, 2019, which he is currently campaigning for. / Reuters BHUBANESWAR, IndiaIndian Prime Minister Narendra Modi saw for himself the damage wreaked by a powerful cyclone on Monday, pledging an extra 10 billion rupees ($144 million) to the hardest-hit state of Odisha, where hundreds of thousands returned home from shelters. Cyclone Fani killed at least 34 people in India, destroying houses, ripping off roofs and knocking down electricity poles. Early warnings from meteorologists helped authorities evacuate more than a million people from low-lying towns, minimizing the death toll from the strongest storm in 43 years to pummel Indias east coast. Modi flew by helicopter over battered towns and villages where thousands of rescue workers and volunteers were sifting through the debris. Before the cyclone, we had released 381 crore (3.81 billion rupees) to Odisha and we will now give an additional 1,000 crore (10 billion rupees) for relief and rebuilding efforts of the state, Modi said. He also announced financial compensation for victims. Modi said his officials would work closely with the state government to rebuild infrastructure. Chief minister of the state, Naveen Patnaik, has demanded a long-term package worth 170 billion rupees from the central government to build disaster-resistant infrastructure, the state government said. Modi, who is busy campaigning in Indias 39-day staggered general election, last week chaired meetings in New Delhi to oversee efforts to deal with the storm. Indias seven-phase election began on April and voters in Odisha have already cast their ballots. Tens of thousands of people remained without electricity in the state capital Bhubaneswar and the Hindu temple town of Puri after the storm made landfall on Friday. Power has been restored to airports and hospitals. Bhubaneswar airport had resumed flights, state government officials said. In a letter addressed to Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, the Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, pledged 1 million rupees ($14,400) to Odisha. After battering India, Fani barrelled into neighbouring Bangladesh on Saturday as a much weaker storm, killing at least five people. By Monday, more than a million Bangladeshis had returned to their homes from cyclone shelters, officials said. Asia 'Very Pleased and Delighted': Thai King Wraps Up Three-Day Coronation Events Thailands newly-crowned king, Maha Vajiralonkorn, left, waves to coronation attendees beside the new Queen Suthida on May 6, 2019. / Reuters BANGKOKThailands King Maha Vajiralongkorn greeted thousands of his subjects from a balcony of his Grand Palace on Monday, the third and final day of coronation ceremonies. The king and queen were greeted with a band playing the royal anthem and a 21-gun salute. The monarch and new Queen Suthida waved to a large crowd wearing yellow, the color associated with the king, and waving flags in a royal audience, a day after a grand procession through Bangkok. I and the Queen are very pleased and delighted to see all the citizens together to express goodwill for my coronation, he told them in his speech, thanking citizens for their blessings and wishing them happiness and success. May the unity in expressing your goodwill to me today be a good start for everyone, every party to unify your duties for the prosperity of our country. The three branches of the armed forces saluted the king before the prime minister and the crowd chanted, Long live the king! The king then met foreign ambassadors and thanked them for their attendance, concluding the coronation ceremonies. The coronation started on Saturday, after a long period of official mourning for the kings revered father, who died in October 2016 after having reigned for 70 years. On Sunday, the king was carried through the streets on a gilded palanquin for the royal procession. Well-wishers, all wearing yellow, gathered from early morning along the 7 km (4 mile) route from the Grand Palace to three royal temples. Since becoming king 18 months ago, Vajiralongkorn has moved to consolidate the authority of the monarchy, including taking more direct control of the crowns vast wealth with the help of the military government. Yan'an, a former revolutionary base of the Communist Party of China (CPC), is no longer labeled "poor," as its last two impoverished counties have shaken off poverty, the Shaanxi provincial government announced Tuesday. This undated photo shows a view of Liangjiahe Village, Yan'an, northwest Chinas Shannxi Province. [File Photo: IC] Yan'an hosted the then headquarters of the CPC and the center of the Communist revolution from 1935 to 1948. The city is now home to more than 350 sites related to the Chinese revolution. The counties of Yanchuan and Yichuan, with a population of 192,000 and 120,000 respectively and both located along the western bank of the Yellow River, have limited fertile valley fields. Villagers there had been plagued by poverty for decades. American journalist Edgar Snow wrote in his 1937 book "Red Star over China" that the area was "one of the poorest parts of China" he had seen. According to the provincial poverty relief office, poverty-stricken residents in the two counties now only account for 1.06 and 0.58 percent respectively of their populations, meeting the country's requirement for an impoverished county to shake off the title. An investment of 6.25 billion yuan (920 million U.S. dollars) from the central and local governments has been poured into Yan'an over the past four years. To make sure that every household can get rid of poverty, the city has sent a total of 1,784 Party chiefs, 1,546 working teams and 37,400 cadres to live in the villages to help with poverty alleviation. A total of 693 impoverished villages in the city have shaken off poverty, with 195,000 people being lifted out of poverty. The cradle of the revolution has continued to undergo tremendous changes over the past decades. Improved environment and infrastructure, booming agricultural economy, increasingly affordable education, healthcare, and multiple career choices for rural residents have rejuvenated the city. Yan'an will continue to help the remaining impoverished people shake off poverty, and strive to enter a moderately prosperous society in all respects with the rest of the country by 2020, said Xu Xinrong, Party chief of the city. Burma Latest Presidential Amnesty Includes Dozens of EAO Members, Accused Associates Reuters journalists Ko Wa Lone (2nd left) and Ko Kyaw Soe Oo (2nd right) reunite with their daughters after being released on Tuesday. / REUTERS Dozens of political prisoners including two Reuters journalists, members of ethnic armed organizations and civilians accused of being affiliated with the EAOs were among 6,520 prisoners released in a third round of presidential pardons on Tuesday. News of the third and final round of releases associated with Myanmars traditional New Year, which fell on April 18 this year, was hailed across many sectors of society. According to a statement announcing the May 7 presidential amnesty, the prisoners were released without condition as part of the Myanmar New Year and to help smooth the peace building process and national reconciliation. From April 18 to May 7, President U Win Myint pardoned 23,019 prisoners, many of them convicted of violating drug laws, in particular drug convicts who were especially young or old. The amnestied prisoners also included the two Reuters journalists Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, who were convicted in September 2018 of violating the Official Secrets Act in relation to their coverage of the Rakhine conflict. Also freed were 27 members of three EAOs: the Shan State Progressive Party (SSPP), the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS) and the All Burma Students Democratic Front (ABSDF), according to U Zaw Htay, the spokesman for the Presidents Office. U Zaw Htay told reporters in Loikaw, the capital of Kayah State, on Tuesday that Ko Wa Lone and Ko Kyaw Soe Oo were released in the best interest of the future of the country after the State Counselor and the President received letters from their families at a meeting between media practitioners and the government, legislators and members of the judiciary in Naypyitaw on April 30. Ko Wa Lone and Ko Kyaw Soe Oo were released as they opted against any further appeal [to the Chief Justice] after losing their appeal to the Naypyitaw Supreme Court [on April 23], said U Tate Naing, the secretary of the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP). He said the release of the journalists and other political prisoners was great news, as the AAPP had lobbied consistently for their release, and for an end to the practice of using charges such as the Official Secrets Act against journalists. This is a belated action by the government and Myanmar benefits little from this action, said Ko Aung Zaw, the editor-in-chief of The Irrawaddy, regarding the release of the Reuters journalists, but still good news. If the government released them last year, it would have been much better, he said, adding that they should not have been jailed in the first place. He added, The crackdown on the media is intensifying these daysthis is also a worrying trend. Media professionals in Myanmar have faced prosecution under various charges. Under the current government there have been 31 complaints brought against the media and currently 47 journalists are facing trial, the majority of them under the Telecommunications Act, according to Athan, a Yangon-based group that promotes freedom of expression. Just this week, the editor of a publication based in Sittwe, Rakhine State was sued under the Unlawful Association Act. The RCSS requested the release of a total of 15 peoplesome of whom are civilians and some of whom are members of the groupthrough its peace implementation committee, according to spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Sai Meng. Among them, eight farmers from Hopong in Shan State were released: They were arrested on July 18, 2017 and accused of being affiliated with the RCSS and sentenced four to 10 years imprisonment under the Communication Law, Export and Import Law, Arms Act and State Protection Act on Feb. 26 of last year. For the sake of peace and reconciliation Government spokesman U Zaw Htay, who is also a key peace negotiator, said the government released 27 people from the EAOs prisoner lists as part of peace and national reconciliation efforts, after the National Reconciliation and Peace Center (NRPC) received requests from the three EAOs. The RCSS, SSPP and ABSDF sent lists comprising a total of 30 people believed to be in prison. The government scrutinized the lists and released 23, saying the rest were no longer in prison. Two ABSDF members, U Aung Swe Oo and U Maung Oo, were sentenced to two years in prison on April 11. They were arrested on Nov. 30 last year and charged under the Unlawful Association Acts Article 17(1) after traveling to a conflict zone in Mohnyin Township, Kachin State to attend the funeral of a member of their organization. This is the second time the ABSDF has benefited from a presidential pardon; group member U Min Htay faced the same charge and sentence in Kachin State. He was arrested in December 2016, charged in 2017 and released the same year. The AAPP secretary said that among the discharged were two boysMai Cho Min Htwe (aka Aik Yen) and Sai Aik Lone. They were released from Hnget Aw San Youth Rehabilitation Center in Yangons Kawhmu Township, commonly known as the childrens prison, on Tuesday. Mai Cho Min Htwe, a student from Namhsam Township in Shan State, was arrested in Oct. 5, 2017 and sentenced to two years detention under Article 17(1) of the Unlawful Association Act on Oct. 30 of that year for an alleged affiliation with the Taang Nationalities Liberation Army. Sai Aik Lone from a village in southern Shan State was arrested in 2016 and convicted in 2018 under Article 17(1). Four women from Mandalay who advocated for land rights were also released from Obo Prison in Mandalay, according to the AAPP. Land-rights activists Daw Mya Sint, Hnin Hayman Win, Ma Htay and Ma Chaw Su were arrested on June 18, 2018 and sentenced to one year and six months imprisonment under Section 505(b) (incitement) of the Penal Code on Feb. 25, 2019. Notably absent from Tuesdays amnesty list were Rakhine politician Dr. Aye Maung and author Ko Wai Hin Aung. They appealed to a higher court after the District Court of Sittwe on March 19 sentenced them to 20 years in prison for high treason and another two years for defamation, to be served concurrently. They were arrested in January last year for remarks they made earlier that month at an event in Rathaetaung Township commemorating the 233rd anniversary of the fall of the Arakan Kingdom to the Burmese in 1785, and prosecuted in September. According to U Tate Naing, the amnesties will bring a much-needed improvement to the prison situation by reducing the prisoner population, which currently far exceeds capacity. Myanmars prisons were built to house some 62,000 inmates but currently hold more than 120,000 people, half of them drug inmates, he said. There are more than 300 activists currently facing trial under various charges, including Article 66(d) of the Telecommunications Law, and 17(1) and 17(2) of the Unlawful Association Act, according to the AAPP. In 2016, the NLD government included people facing trial in the amnesty, something former president U Thein Sein once did as well, so those who are currently facing charges should also be acquitted soon, U Tate Naing said. As long as new charges are brought against journalists, political activists and local residents in conflict zones, the cycle of jailing political prisoners and releasing them under pardons will continue, he said. Burma Military to Investigate Deaths of 6 in Detention One of the injured detainees is sent to Sittwe General Hospital last week. / Min Aung Khine / The Irrawaddy NAYPYITAWDeputy Minister for Defense Lieutenant-General Sein Win has promised there would be an investigation into the incident in which six locals in Rakhine States Rathedaung Township were shot dead by soldiers of the Myanmar military, or Tatmadaw, during detention. The deputy minister told reporters after an advisory forum on national reconciliation and peace held in Naypyitaw on Tuesday that an investigation is ongoing. We will investigate if the interrogation was conducted in line with procedures. We will take harsh actions if there was a violation of the rules of engagement. For the time being, I cant tell what actions will be taken. Well wait and see the [results] of the investigation procedure. Actions will be taken in line with the law, said the deputy minister. Military spokesperson Brigadier-General Zaw Min Tun said that an investigative body was formed on Friday with five individuals led by a senior military officer, and that community elders, departmental officials and security forces would be questioned. We have not set the deadline for the investigation, but according to procedures, the report has to be submitted within two weeks of the [completion of the] investigation, said Brig-Gen Zaw Min Tun. On April 30, military troops arrived at Kyauktan Village in Rathedaung and summoned all male residents above the age of 15. They then interrogated 275 people at the local school on suspicion of having ties to the Arakan Army (AA). Six locals were shot dead while in military detention at around 2:00 a.m. on Thursday in an incident which, according to the military, happened after the detainees attempted to snatch guns from the soldiers. Eight others were wounded and four are missing, a military press release said. Meanwhile, however, the detainees who were injured in the incident and admitted to Sittwe General Hospital have given a different account. According to them, one man who was frightened during the ongoing detention jumped over the fence and escaped. Soldiers fired at the escapee and more than 200 others stood up to see what was happening. Unexpectedly, soldiers surrounded them from both sides and fired into the crowd, they said. Of the 275 detainees, 126 were released on May 2 and 48 on May 6. With six shot dead, eight receiving treatment in hospital in Sittwe, and four missing, 83 are being held by the military at present, said Brig-Gen Zaw Min Tun. Rathedaung Township Lower House lawmaker Daw Khin Saw Wai encouraged the government to make the investigation into the case, expressing her doubts about the militarys explanation of the events. Locals said that Buddhist funeral rites were also denied for the victims. They should be allowed to be cremated according to Buddhist funeral rites. [Their family members] are quite sad that the funeral rites were not conducted, Daw Khin Saw Wai told The Irrawaddy. An influential Buddhist monk from Sittwe was allowed to see the detainees on Monday, and Daw Khin Saw Wai and a party are travelling to Kyauktan Village on Tuesday with the approval of the government. Civilians have been detained by both the military and Arakan Army troops in the clashes. Brig-Gen Zaw Min Tun told reporters on May 3 that the AA has detained 134 civilians. On Tuesday, Human Rights Watch called for the Myanmar authorities to independently investigate the killing of the detainees, despite the military having formed their own team to investigate the incident. The rights group said the army has a long history of failing to effectively or credibly investigate alleged abuses by its own forces and rarely holds military personnel accountable. The Myanmar military concedes that they killed six villagers that they were holding in Rakhine State, but only a genuinely independent investigation will get to the bottom of what happened, said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch. An independent and impartial investigation is needed to bring to justice anyone responsible for wrongdoing. Burma NRPC, Karenni Rights Groups Still Struggle to Resolve Aung San Statue Debate Karenni rights activists and NRPC members meet Tuesday to negotiate the removal of a statue of Gen. Aung San in Kayah State. / Facebook While some major headway was made, local rights activists and members of the National Reconciliation and Peace Centre (NRPC) remained unable to reach final agreement at a meeting on Tuesday over a controversial statue of Gen. Aung San in the town in Loikaw, the Karenni State capital, according to activists that attended the meeting. Ultimately, the state government said that they would remove the statue, but asked for more time to work out the details, according to Khun Thomas, another leader among the activist group present at the meeting. The chief minister said at the meeting that he will try to find land to resettle the statue, said Khun Thomas. Dee De, a leading local rights activist who participated in the meeting, said both sides agreed to form a committee to continue negotiating the statues future. The eight-member committee will include one government representative; two lawmakers, one from the upper and one from the lower house; two religious leaders; two political party representatives; and one lawyer. Both sides agreed to form the committee, Dee De said. Both sides also agreed to a finalized timeframe for negotiations, with another meeting on May 14 and, if needed, a final meeting on May 31, he said. According to Khun Thomas, the next meeting will focus on the statues relocation. The meeting almost ended halfway through when local rights activists threatened to stop participating in the face of state government recalcitrance, but the two sides eventually agreed on the formation of the new joint committee to continue negotiations. The Karenni have their own history their own ethnic leaders, they say, so they dont need the statue of Gen. Aung San, which they feel is a symbol of the dominant roles the interests and identity of the Burmese majority plays in the country, to the disadvantage of ethnic minorities. To them, its also a symbol of what they see as the yet-unfulfilled promises made by the assassinated general and the Panglong Agreement of 1947. The activists condemned Kayah State Chief Minister L Phaung Sho and his government for the building of the statue, but the state government denies involvement, insisting the statue was built by an independent group. People in Kayah State held a large protest in February asking for the statue to be taken down but the state government refused, offering instead to broker negotiations between rights activists and a pro-statue group. When those negotiations broke down, the NRPC became involved. Todays was the NRPCs second meeting. The first was held in March, where the two sides were unable to reach an agreement. They told us that the statue of Gen. Aung San has a unifying spirit that he was a national hero, an architect of the countrys independence, so they could not let us remove it, Dee De said. Our revolution has not ended yet. I want to inform our people to cooperate with us to fight for our rights, he added. Were the only people that can work for our history and our national issue. You May Also Like These Stories : Gen. Aung San Statue Lands in Loikaw, Renews Local Ire Take Statue Down by March 17 or We Will, Activists Warn Kayah Govt Activists Stage Protest as Statue of Gen. Aung San Goes up in Loikaw Charges Against Aung San Statue Protesters Dropped, But Dispute Lingers Burma Raided Cannabis Farm Was Approved to Grow Hemp, Legal Adviser Says John Fredric Todoroki and Ko Shane Latt arrive for a court hearing on Tuesday. / Zaw Zaw / The Irrawaddy MANDALAYA legal adviser for a U.S. citizen detained on suspicion of illegally growing cannabis said his client was in fact growing industrial hemp with permission from the regional government. The plantation was not secret. It was officially approved by the government and established with the agreement of Myotha Industrial Zone as a test plantation, said U Khin Maung Than, legal adviser to III M Global Nutraceutical Company, after a court session on Tuesday. U.S. citizen John Fredric Todoroki, 63, was arrested with fellow III M Global Nutraceutical employees Ko Shane Latt, 37, and Ma Shunlae Myat Noe, 23, on April 24 under the Anti-Narcotics Law for allegedly operating a marijuana plantation in Myotha Industrial Park of Myinchan District, Mandalay Division. Authorities are seeking another American, Alexander Skemp Todoroki, 49, in connection with the case. He is outside the country and has yet to appear in court. The three were arrested after an April Facebook post about the alleged marijuana plantation was widely circulated among Myanmar users of the social media platform. The incident happened because of the posts shared on Facebook. The Ministry of Home Affairs and the Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control need to do more research and investigation, because many countries accept and permit the cultivation of industrial hemp, he added. The Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control (CCDAC) announced that it was responsible for the arrests at the 20-acre plantation following the bust. The CCDAC said it had seized over 300,000 marijuana plants, 380 kg of marijuana seeds, formic acid, acetone, acetonitrile concort water, methonal liquid, 270.5 kg of dried marijuana and related chemicals and materials. On the same day, the Ministry of Home Affairs announced that the investigation team had found hemp-like plants believed to have the same content as marijuana, and that some chemicals and materials had been seized. It said the plantation appeared to be intended to produce treatments for cancer sufferers. The legal adviser told the media that the authorities needed to do more research on the plants to determine whether they are hemp or marijuana plants. Both hemp and marijuana are strains of the cannabis plant species, but only marijuana has sufficient levels of psychoactive chemicals to produce the drug marijuana. They were being sued under the Anti-Narcotics Law based on these hemp plants, which the police said are [a strain of] the cannabis species. The police and the authorities should know about the strains and the concentrations of the chemicals [they contain] and will need expert research on these plants, said U Khin Maung Than. Moreover, our country has no laws for suing someone who plants industrial hemp. The law only prohibits planting cannabis that can be used as a drug, he added. The three detainees were taken from Myinchan Prison to the court in Ngazun Township on Tuesday, where prosecutors requested they be held in remand for two weeks. The first hearing in their trial was scheduled for May 21 at Myinchan District Court. We hope they will be released soon and that the authorities will learn more about hemp, which could benefit farmers, the lawyer said. About 60 acres of land for the plantation were leased from Mandalay Myotha Industrial Development Public Co., Ltd (MMID) by U.S. citizens John Fredric, Thomas and Alexander Skemp. Burma State Govt Requests $21M for IDPs in N. Rakhine Displaced villagers take refuge at a monastery in northern Rakhine State's Mrauk-U Township. / Khine Murn Chun Mrauk U YANGONThe Rakhine State government has requested 3.3 billion kyats (US$21 million) from the Union government to establish a shelter for 33,000 locals displaced by conflict in northern Rakhine State, according to regional minister U Win Myint. Fighting has been ongoing between the Arakan Army and government troops in the area since January, and the number of IDPs has been on the rise since. But with insufficient humanitarian assistance from the state and Union governments for the displaced Rakhine villagers, local civil society groups and respected influential monks from state capital Sittwe on Monday urged the state government to provide aid and proper shelter to the internally displaced persons (IDPs). Municipal affairs minister for Rakhine State U Win Myint explained that his cabinet submitted a proposal for 21 million kyats in aid in late April. According to him, authorities estimate the total IDP population reached about 33,000 in April. The authorities had already designated 710 structures to be used to house approximately 33,000 IDPs in six townships, but a recent surge in the number of displaced poses bigger challenges for the state authorities. According to the Rakhine Ethnic Congress (REC), the total IDP population has now reached 37,000 and this does not include displaced locals in Chin States Paletwa Township which borders Rakhine to the north. Minister U Win Myint said each structure is designed to have 10 rooms and will facilitate about 10 families. The project also includes the installation of a water supply and sanitation. Minister U Win Myint elaborated that several thousand of the displaced are living in temporary tents in paddy fields belonging to host communities. They will use the lands to establish the IDP camp and pay rental fees to the host community. As of Tuesday it remains unclear whether the Union government has given the green light to the state cabinet. Minister U Win Myint said that Rakhines Border Affairs Minister Col. Phone Tint might know Naypyitaws response as he is now acting as chairperson of the state while the Rakhine Chief Minister U Nyi Pu is away from Sittwe. Sittwe-based Wun Lark Foundations U Khaing Kaung San said, We hope the government will address the IDP shelter issue. Relief worker Ko Zaw Zaw Tun from the REC also said that the IDP population is always going up and down. For instance, he said, villagers often temporarily take refuge at a monastery, community hall or school, but then return home when military troops leave their village or if there are no armed clashes. Most of the IDPs in Mrauk-U are staying at monasteries and schools but when the schools resume after summer break, the IDPs will be in trouble. Displaced locals have been temporarily sheltering in neighboring villages, monasteries and community halls in six townships and mostly receive food from independent local relief groups, said U Khaing Kaung San. The living conditions of IDPs, especially in Rathedaung and Buthidaung, are very poor, he said. The international relief agency World Food Program (WFP) and the International Crescent and Red Cross (ICRC) have been given limited permission by the military to organize shipments of aid in northern Rakhine while armed clashes continue to occasionally erupted in remote areas as well as along the Yangon-Sittwe highway. The UN Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator Ursula Mueller is scheduled to visit Myanmar from May 9 to 15 and plans to travel to strife-torn northern Rakhine State, as well as Kachin and Shan states, in order observe the first-hand humanitarian situation, the impact of ongoing conflict and to discuss durable solutions for the displaced and vulnerable people living there. Beau Jest was selected by Oil Lamp Theater as an audience favorite. It was produced in the very first season in Glenview, reported director Elizabeth Mazur Levin. I love the story. It is a story that speaks to family and familial love and the lengths we will go to to do right by the people we love. I think it is hysterically funny and very poignant at the same time. Tuesday, May 7th, 2019 (8:48 am) - Score 3,136 Openreach (BT) has called on Scottish property developers to ensure they adopt full fibre ultrafast broadband ISP technology, which comes after it claimed that around 3,000 new properties a year (roughly 13% of the total across Scotland) are currently missing out on deploying their Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP). Last month we revealed that approximately 1 million UK plots via 14,000 different developers have so far been contracted with Openreach to deliver fibre broadband since February 2016 and 840,000 of those will be done using FTTP technology (here). The proportion of change is also rising, with 88% out of 240,000 contracted plots over the past 12 months now opting for FTTP (11% FTTC and under 1% pure copper). All of this is roughly in keeping with the increasing moves toward FTTP that are being seen across the wider market for new build homes (here). We should add that various other operators (Virgin Media, GTC / OFNL etc.) are helping to facilitate this effort and the 13% figure seems to reflect those new homes that havent signed up with Openreach for FTTP. Nevertheless Openreach are keen to push their own FTTP products and so last Thursday they invited more than 60 Scottish homebuilders to a conference at the BT Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh to discuss the issue. Matthew Kirkman, Openreachs Director of Infrastructure Solutions, said: Full fibre is the future. Scotlands digital journey from copper to full fibre will take years, with the UK government having an ambition for everywhere to have access by 2033. Developers building entirely new housing have a great opportunity to be right at the forefront. Many are already on board, with around 87 per cent of new homes in Scotland signing up with us for full fibre. The remainder are split between a superfast service via Fibre to the Cabinet, or copper. We believe we can do better, and thats why weve organised todays event. We want to build closer relationships with Scottish developers large and small, and show how we can help them create future-proof networks in their new developments and why it matters. Research from the London School of Economics has shown that the standard of connectivity has a direct impact on house pricing, so building reliable, ultrafast connections in new developments is a no-brainer. We want to see full fibre installed in all new developments, and all residents having access to a competitive retail market through our open network. Openreach currently offers all new developments of 30 or more homes the ability get FTTP built for free, while smaller developments of less than 30 homes (i.e. between 2 to 29 properties) can also benefit from a significantly discounted install (here). Meanwhile forthcoming new laws will aim to mandate Gigabit capable broadband connections for new build homes and could make it easier for network operators to access buildings where landlords fail to respond (here). Jake Williams: "Don't label Israel's actions as 'not our problem' or 'something happening a world away'. Neither is true." Israel has crossed the Rubicon with its attack on alleged cyber attackers belonging to the Palestinian group Hamas, a well-known information security professional says, adding that this action must be condemned by the international community else it risks becoming a new norm of warfare. Former NSA hacker Jake Williams was referring to the attack that Israel carried out on Sunday on a building it claimed housed Hamas cyber attackers. CLEARED FOR RELEASE: We thwarted an attempted Hamas cyber offensive against Israeli targets. Following our successful cyber defensive operation, we targeted a building where the Hamas cyber operatives work. HamasCyberHQ.exe has been removed. pic.twitter.com/AhgKjiOqS7 Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) May 5, 2019 "Israel destroys a Hamas hacking facility (non-combatants) in response to a non-specific cyber attack that was successfully repelled," Williams said. "The only official comment from the administration is to deny new military deployments are related (an obvious lie)." iTWire contacted the Israel Defence Force on Monday morning to ask for any statement it had issued about the strike as there was no public statement on its website. The IDF has not yet replied. In a tweet, the IDF said: "We thwarted an attempted Hamas cyber offensive against Israeli targets. Following our successful cyber defensive operation, we targeted a building where the Hamas cyber operatives work." The attack on this building was part of other offensive operations that took place after Hamas was alleged to have fired rockets into Israel over the weekend. This is apparently real, it looks like Israel is boasting they blew up some people involved in a cyberattack. pic.twitter.com/lRiUPLQsXy Kevin Beaumont ?? (@GossiTheDog) May 5, 2019 Williams, a former member of the NSA's elite Tailored Access Operations Unit who now runs his own firm, Rendition Infosec, said: "Don't label Israel's actions as 'not our problem' or 'something happening a world away'. Neither is true." He added: "It's not just the military at risk either. The US already linked hackers and contract support staff (developers, QA, systems admins) as legally equally culpable in nation state hacking. US contractors working in tertiary roles are equally at risk if we let this stand." In the past, Williams has spoken out against the US policy of naming individuals as being responsible for alleged nation-state cyber attacks on American targets. To be clear, I'm okay with anyone involved in the defense industrial complex being targeted. I understand the history and the law around this. But just because something is legal, that doesn't make it right. Pandora's Box has been opened. We may not like where this goes. 2/2 Jake Williams (@MalwareJake) May 6, 2019 In another thread, Williams, who regularly trains people in cyber security, put forward a theoretical situation, asking "Suppose we're in an active shooting conflict (like Israel and Hamas were). I'm teaching a group of students who happen to be Hamas hackers and support). Regardless of any sovereign defense argument, an airstrike on cyber targets is murder. Lethal force against a cyber actor is killing someone unarmed. Even if those actors may be able to cause a cyber effect, they cannot individually direct lethal force to defend themselves. Brandon McCrillis (@13M4C) May 6, 2019 "Suppose we're in a commercial training facility in a high rise. We're one group on one floor (civilians elsewhere). Although there's no immediate danger from them right now, they performed an unspecified cyber attack (that was repelled) before class starts. "After class is over today, they might go back to hacking Israel again. We obviously don't know their targets or their capabilities. What do you do here? Is it justified to blow up the building in retaliation for earlier attack? "What if the motive is to prevent some unspecified future threat? Does the motive matter? They are, after all combatants on the cyber battlefield. But they aren't actively threatening anyone. How do you handle this? How should it be handled? Is bombing the building okay? "After answering, read that again and replace Hamas and Israel with US and ISIS respectively. Does that change your answer at all? Then consider this is not a hypothetical. Does that change the answer?" Between the pandemic and the subsequent economic upheaval, these are challenging times for everyone. But the networking industry has some elements in its favor. Technologies such as Wi-Fi, VPNs, SD-WAN, videoconferencing and collaboration are playing an essential role in maintaining business operations and will play an even greater role in the reopening and recovery phase. At the same time, it has become obvious that as enterprises continue to migrate applications to the cloud, data-center networking will cease to be a high-growth industry. So what are the most powerful networking companies doing? They're diversifying, expanding into new product areas, and moving up the stack beyond nuts-and-bolts connectivity and into areas such as hybrid-cloud management and the automation of networking processes. SEE ALSO: Smart network upgrades to consider before the next pandemic This year's list of the 10 most powerful companies in enterprise networking includes traditional networking powerhouses, with an emphasis on the extent to which they've embraced these new approaches, along with pure-play market leaders in areas such as wireless networking and hyperconverged infrastructure. (Editor's note: Power is a subjective quality, and this list is not a ranking based on simple, quantifiable metrics. Our list is ordered, with input from industry watchers, to reflect the companies that are making the biggest power moves and the broadest impact on the network industry.) 1. Cisco looks to extend hardware dominance to network monitoring, automation, security Why they're here: Cisco continues to maintain its leadership position in just about every networking hardware category. Cisco sports a 51% market share in Ethernet switch revenue, and it's the leader in combined service provider and enterprise router revenue at 37%. It dominates the WLAN market, with 44.6% market share (Aruba-HPE is a distant second at 13.9%, according to IDC.) Cisco also ranks at the top in SD-WAN equipment with a 16% market share. When the pandemic hit and workers shifted to their home networks, Cisco was sitting pretty. Not only does it have the dominant VPN, it's the only networking player that had its own videoconferencing/collaboration platform WebEx just waiting in the wings. Lowery also pointed out that some consideration would have to be given to the nearby forest preserves and the possibility of coyotes feasting on the local hen population. And there was the question of what to do with the hens once they grew old. All photos courtesy Larry Canner. Over 760 health care journalistsa record attendancearrived in Baltimore on Thursday, May 2, for the Association of Health Care Journalists annual conference. The Bloomberg School, along with the schools of Nursing and Medicine and Johns Hopkins University, was a sponsor of the event. Field TripsPublic Health In Action On the opening day, the Bloomberg School hosted a field trip for a group of 30 journalists which included a visit to the SPARC Center in Baltimores Pigtown neighborhood; and, at the Schools East Baltimore campus, a tour of the Malaria Research Institute insectary and a demonstration from the Cochlear Center for Hearing and Public Health. The Bloomberg American Health Initiative then hosted a lunchtime discussion with faculty. The SPARC Center provides women, particularly sex workers, with drop-in services including laundry, lockers and showers, as well as opioid medication-assisted treatment, legal aid, counseling, nursing and more. Following a tour of the facilities, Center director Emily Clouse, MScPH, led a discussion about the Centers range of services and its holistic approach. Journalists learned more about women the Center serveswomen who are often invisible to othersand about the opioid epidemics impact on Baltimore communities. (See more) At the Insectary Core Facility, one of the largest in the U.S., facility manager Chris Kizito, ScM, and researchers Peter Agre, MD, Conor McMeniman, PhD, and Marcelo-Jacobs Lorena, PhD, MSc, discussed global impacts of malaria and other mosquito-borne diseases. Journalists got a close look at some of the insectarys live collection inside a walk-in incubator and viewed video demos of laboratory processes like genetic modification of mosquitoes. At the field trip to the Cochlear Center for Hearing and Public Health, launched in 2018, researchers Frank Lin, MD, PhD 08, Jennifer Deal, PhD 13, MHS 07, and Amber Willink, PhD 15, MPH, discussed hearing loss as a public health issue that impacts many older adults lives and mental and physical health. The researchers also demonstrated hearing aid devices that will soon be available over the counter. Following the field trips, The Bloomberg American Health Initiative hosted a lunch discussion with Josh Sharfstein, MD, Daniel Webster, ScD 91, MPH, Michelle Spencer, MS, Shannon Frattaroli, PhD 99, MPH 94, and Josh Horwitz, executive director of The Coalition to Stop Gun Violence. The discussion covered each of the Initiatives five impact areasobesity and the food system, addiction and overdose, violence, environmental challenges and risks to adolescent health, as well as recent research on how to improve public health policy to address these issues. Amanda Eisenberg, a POLITICO health care reporter and first-time AHCJ conference attendee, attended the field trips. Not only was it helpful to meet with policy experts from Hopkins throughout the weekend, she said, it was very cool to see how the work plays out on the ground in Baltimore and outside of Maryland. Public Health Discourse The Health Journalism conference kicked off at the Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor Hotel on Thursday evening with keynote speaker Otis Brawley, MD, introduced by Dean Ellen J. MacKenzie, PhD 79, ScM 75. Brawley, a Bloomberg Distinguished professor with expertise in cancer screening and prevention and health disparities, commended journalism for its vital role: It is through education of the public that we change things. At this time, we see the incredible importance of a free press. Brawley discussed the American health care systems failure to provide quality care to all people, regardless of geography, income, education, race or other characteristics. The emphasis on innovation is far too much on diagnosis and treatment, Brawley also said, with not enough on prevention. Brawley closed with an anecdote about time he spent on a military ship with the motto Leave no man behind prominently displayed. In the context of the health care system, Brawley realized, we, as Americans, leave a lot of people behind. The theme would resurface throughout the conference, including at a session about health disparities experienced by minority women. Everyone dies from the same stuff, said Darrell Gaskin, PhD, William C. and Nancy F. Richardson Professor in Health Policy and Management and director of the Center for Health Disparities Solutions. There arent race-specific or ethnic-specific diseases driving disparities. But certain geographical, racial and ethnic groups have higher chances of developing and dying from certain diseases than others. Tanjala S. Purnell, PhD, MPH, an assistant professor of surgery at the School of Medicine with joint appointments at the Bloomberg School (Epidemiology and Health, Behavior and Society), challenged attendees to address health disparities in their roles as health journalists and community members. This is not just a medical problem, its not just a public health problem, she said. It affects all of us and it will take all of our knowledge and expertise to address it. Bloomberg faculty participated in other panels on topics including autism from childhood to adulthood, the genetics of mental illness, drug pricing, gun violence, global health, treating cancer, tobacco regulation and the global crisis of antibiotic resistance. Overall, 27 Bloomberg School faculty participated in AHCJ conference sessions and field trips over the four-day conference, providing a unique opportunity to highlight the Schools depth and breadth of thought leadership and evidence-based expertise. Faculty made valuable connections with top health journalists from across the country, while journalists had the opportunity to meet expert sources to feature in their reporting. (Left to right) Otis Brawley, PhD, keynote speaker and panelist; Jessica Leighton, PhD, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Public Health Team; Ellen J. MacKenzie, PhD79, ScM75; Len Bruzzese, Executive Director of the Association of Health Care Journalists; Ivan Oransky, Board President, Association of Health Care Journalists. She describes the menu, based on her mothers recipes, as having more of a different flair. We have the traditional house lasagna, eggplant parmigiana, spaghetti and meatballs and angel hair Pomodoro, the same we had before. But then we added dishes like wild salmon and brick chicken to incorporate with the times. Well be out here as long as it takes to recover the last victim and bring closure to the family, Cooper said. Im hoping we find him today or tomorrow, but of course there is no guarantee. The work has been slow and methodical, but were doing it the right way. Overall, the project is estimated to require three phases and 15 years to complete. The plant is designed to help us better serve our North American customers and bring economic and employment opportunities to Davidson County, which is the heart of the furniture industry, said Karl Grasser, Egger spokesman for the Lexington project. Egger plans to build more than 4.5 million square feet of production space on more than 200 acres. Egger has been made eligible for up to $5.3 million in performance-based incentives from the state Job Development Investment Grant, up to $2.5 million from the One North Carolina Fund, and $2.5 million in matching local incentives. It previously qualified for a $1 million grant from the Golden Leaf Foundation that will be used for sewer infrastructure at the location. The Davidson commission already has announced securing more than $11.75 million in grants and no- or low-interest loans for the creation of the business park. The financing is being used to pay for land, site preparation, infrastructure and roadway improvements. The business news you need Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. "Life is rich and full," Christensen said to close out her speech. "Don't forget kindness. We'll see you on the dance floor tonight. Honoring leaders The James Beard Awards honor talented chefs and culinary pioneers, but the foundation also looks for chefs who are leaders in the community and industry. Christensen's influence has grown in recent years as she has taken to social media and penned op-eds for national publications on issues within the kitchen, such as sexual harassment. The phrase "Don't Forget Kindness" is on the windows of all her restaurants. "We have over 50 directors and managers in our company working so hard every day to grow and to lead and to make sure we leave this industry better than we found it," Christensen said in her speech. "We're not perfect, but each day we get back up and work with the intention to be better than we were the day before. We want to make this industry a place where you want your children to work. We invite you, all of you, to join us in this mission." Q: Are all the trees being cut down on Main Street in Old Salem to put in new sidewalks? If so, who is doing this and how can it be addressed before more of these gorgeous trees are cut down? J.C. Answer: No, that is not what is happening, according to Keith Finch, head of vegetation management for the city. Only the trees that are in decline, poor health or have root issues that will not allow repairs of the sidewalks and street are being removed, he said. In turn, these trees are being replaced, but in a much healthier environment. The tree pits will be enlarged, giving the tree roots more space, but a structured soil will be used under the sidewalk and in the tree pit as well. This specialized soil, he explained, will allow the roots to grow under the sidewalk without restriction or damage to the sidewalks. This engineered soil contains plenty of air space and does not compact, he said. Overall, when this work is complete, we will have a much healthier tree canopy as well as safe sidewalks. The state House approved by a 111-4 vote Monday a bill that would require domestic-violence offenders in Forsyth County to wear ankle bracelets that would allow authorities to track their movements. Although House Bill 41, titled Allisons Law, is a bipartisan bill that would establish a pilot program in Forsyth County, co-primary bill sponsor Rep. Donny Lambeth, R-Forsyth, said the legislation could be adopted statewide. The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration. Similar bills cleared the House in 2013 by a 114-0 vote, and in 2015 by a 119-0 vote. Neither bill was heard in a Senate committee. Lambeth said he is optimistic the decision to add $25,000 to help pay for the pilot program will address funding concerns. The bill would allow a judge to order a domestic violence offender to pay for the cost of the bracelet, either at the time of the monitoring or through restitution. In 2015, the Senate was concerned about who or how it would be paid for, Lambeth said. If it becomes law, the pilot program would take about six months to implement, Lambeth said. A report would be due to the N.C. Department of Public Safety by April 1, 2022. The local concern about a second campus based in Charlotte is that Charlottes metropolitan appeal could eventually draw resources from the Winston-Salem campus or even lure the medical school itself from the city. Baptist officials say such scenarios are speculative and not based in fact. Analysts weighed in on the local apprehensions. Tony Plath, retired finance professor at UNC Charlotte, said that there is one risk that would cause Wakes medical school to relocate from Winston-Salem to Charlotte student demand for the program. Freischlag said there would be one medical school entity with two campuses, and that students will have their choice of which campus to attend. Faria said in April that its too early in the process to say how placements will be handled. That includes deciding whether candidates will apply to the medical school, get accepted and then chose a campus, or if they will be able to decide which campus they want to attend in the application process. 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. About 80 people honored fallen police officers and police dogs locally and nationwide at a memorial Monday at the Burke Public Safety Center in Winston-Salem. The event, the Fallen Officer Memorial Rededication Ceremony and Vigil, is part of this years National Police Week. The audience included Winston-Salem police officers, relatives of fallen officers, Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough, Forsyth County sheriffs deputies and local residents. The Winston-Salem Police Departments memorial, which stands outside of the Public Safety Center, was rededicated with two vases added to the monument. Family members and friends who visit the memorial can put flowers in the vases, said Ginger Amos, the mother of Officer Steven Levi Amos II, who was killed in the line of duty on Feb. 28. 1995. The memorial has the names of Steven Amos and 17 other fallen Winston-Salem police officers. Organizers read the names of the 191 law enforcement officers and police dogs who were killed nationwide in the line of duty in 2018. The name of Mooresville police Officer Jordan Harris Sheldon, 32, who was killed Saturday night, will be read at the ceremony next year, Ginger Amos said. This is a reminder of how delicate life is, Police Chief Catrina Thompson said after the ceremony. Its also a time for us to renew our reflection of why we do what we chose to do and to be proud of it. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The ban was inspired by the fatal crash. They deserve to have better penalties in this bill, Montgomery said Tuesday in voicing his support. More problems than resolutions? Some legislators also expressed concerns that the bill would create more problems than it resolves. For example, bill supporters said part of the focus would be to help lower the number of motor vehicle wrecks on secondary roads. Were not trying to criminalize behavior but change behavior that puts themselves and others at potential risk, Hardister said. Rep. Pat McElraft, R-Carteret, responded by saying that pulling off to the side of a two-lane road to answer the phone may be more dangerous than holding a cellphone to your ear, especially for young drivers. Some legislators complained about the bill being another extension of nanny state efforts that take away individual freedoms. Harry promised that more details such as the babys name will be shared in the coming days. Harry and the palace didnt immediately provide details on whether the baby was born at a hospital or if it was a home birth. The royal couple had earlier said they wanted to keep details private. The infant is seventh in line to the British throne and is the eighth great-grandchild of 93-year-old Queen Elizabeth II, Britains longest reigning monarch. It is a satisfying moment for the queen as the monarchy grows in popularity in part because of public affection for Harry, his older brother Prince William, and their two wives, Meghan and Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge. Harry, the 34-year-old son of Prince Charles, said he was present at the birth. Its been the most amazing experience I could ever have possibly imagined, he said. How any woman does what they do is beyond comprehension. Were both absolutely thrilled and so grateful for all the love and support from everybody out there. Its been amazing, so we just wanted to share this with everybody, he said. The Times coverage of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is clearly pro-Palestinian. In its news stories, editorials and columns, the paper often portrays Israel as the obstacle to peace because it wont surrender to Palestinian demands to forfeit more land and support a two-state solution, by which the Palestinian leadership means a one-state solution achieved by the eradication of the Jewish state. There are more subtle jabs at Israel and Jewish people in the newspapers stories. The list could fill several columns, but heres a sample. In 2015, the Times published a chart labeling Democratic lawmakers opposed to the Obama administrations nuclear deal with Iran as Jewish? or not. The chart was removed from its online version after an outcry. In 2013, the Times published the obituary of a woman whose three sons died in attacks against Israel. The headline read, Mariam Farhat, 64, the Mother of Martyrs. As Clay Waters of the Media Research Center noted, The text box couched the terrorism in passive terms: A woman who took unusual pride in how three of her sons died. The word terrorism didnt even appear in the obituary by William Yardley, who also called the murderous part of Hamas the military wing. Vacuous thinking The FBI determined that Hillary Clinton mishandled classified information (a felony), but did not file charges because of lack of intent. The Democrats have pretty much agreed with this decision, thereby accepting that lack of intent is a valid exception to the law. A Chicago grand jury returned 16 felony indictments against actor Jussie Smolette, which were dismissed and sealed by a state prosecutor for whatever reason. There are some protests within the Chicago community, but nationally, apparently, no one really cares that these indictments were summarily dismissed with no explanation. The Mueller report, issued after almost two years of investigation, failed to charge President Trump with a crime. No indictments, no crimes mentioned. A large group of folk dont accept the reports findings. They read therein that President Trump may have thought about, even talked about, something the Trump-haters think might have been a crime, so they want more investigations. Not for distribution to U.S. newswire services or for dissemination in the United States OAKVILLE, Ontario, May 06, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Giyani Metals Corp. (TSXV:EMM) (FRANKFURT:KT9) (WKN:A2DUU8) (Giyani or the Company) is pleased to announce the first results from its phase-two hydrometallurgical test program that covers all three components of purification starting with leaching, through solvent extraction, and finishing with electrowinning. Last year Giyani completed phase-one hydrometallurgical testing which only included the leaching of manganese mineralized material from its K.Hill deposit in Botswana. As part of the phase-two program, these leach tests had to be repeated to provide enough material for the subsequent solvent extraction tests. These repeated tests have confirmed and improved the results from last year. Leaching is the first, and most critical, phase in a three-step purification process that is designed to produce high purity electrolytic manganese metal (EMM). The second step, solvent extraction, is currently in progress and will be followed shortly by the third and final step, electrowinning. Two main samples were tested MT10 and MT11. MT10 was assayed at 24.7% Mn and MT11 was assayed at 30.72% Mn. A series of leach tests were performed on the two samples to determine the leaching response of manganese with time. The leaching test results show that manganese recovery was approximately 94% with most of the recovery occurring within the first hour of residence time. A summary of the manganese recoveries is shown in Table 1 below. Test MT10 MT11 Mn recovery with reductant 913% 943% Robin Birchall, CEO of Giyani commented: We are very pleased with the leaching results as they reflect a much higher recovery at 94% compared to the lower and more conservative 60% that was used for our maiden mineral resource estimate announced back in September 2018. These improved test results not only bode well for further hydrometallurgical tests but will also, ultimately, result in a lower cut-off grade for our K.Hill resource with the obvious corresponding impacts on the resource size. The leaching tests were performed on samples collected from drill cores extracted during the Companys drilling program in the summer of 2018. The cores were from a hole that was specifically drilled for hydrometallurgical testing and is deemed representative of the K.Hill deposit. The samples were ground to a d80 of 200 micrometers (where 80 percent of the product is finer than 200 micrometers). From this, ten sub-samples were drawn of 25g. One sub-sample was set aside and assayed later as the head grade. Four sub-samples were used for reductant tests and five for non-reductant tests. All tests were performed using 25g of rock sample, 125 ml of 3.64M H2SO4 solution at 90C. Four independent leaches were performed with the reductant with only residence time being varied: 30, 60,120 and 180 minutes. Five independent leaches were performed without the reductant with only residence time being varied: 15, 30, 60 120 and 180 minutes. All ten sub-samples were assayed for manganese. Ian Flint, Ph.D., P.Eng, is the qualified person, as that term is defined by National Instrument 43-101, on behalf of the Company and has approved the scientific and technical content contained in this press release. About Giyani Giyani Metals Corp. is a Canadian junior exploration company focused on creating shareholder value by accelerating the development of its high-grade manganese project in the Kanye Basin, Botswana, Africa. Additional information and corporate documents may be found on www.sedar.com and on Giyani Metals Corp. website: http://giyanimetals.com/. On behalf of the Board of Directors of Giyani Metals Corp. Robin Birchall, CEO Contact: Giyani Metals Corporation Robin Birchall CEO, Director +447711313019 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 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. The securities described herein have not been registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the U.S. Securities Act), or any state securities laws, and accordingly, 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 promulgated under the U.S. Securities Act (U.S. Persons), except in compliance with the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities requirements or pursuant to exemptions therefrom. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the Companys securities to, or for the account of benefit of, persons in the United States or U.S. Persons. Forward Looking Information This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements in this news release, other than statements of historical fact, that address events or developments that Giyani expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words expects, does not expect, plans, anticipates, does not anticipate, believes, intends, estimates, projects, potential, scheduled, forecast, budget and similar expressions, or that events or conditions will, would, may, could, should or might occur. Specific forward-looking statements and forward-looking information herein includes statements regarding the size of and completion of the private placement and the intended use of the net proceeds from the financing. All such forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of the relevant management as of the date such statements are made and are subject to certain assumptions, important risk factors and uncertainties, many of which are beyond Giyanis ability to control or predict. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based on estimates and assumptions that are inherently subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In the case of Giyani, these facts include their anticipated operations in future periods, planned exploration and development of its properties, and plans related to its business and other matters that may occur in the future. This information relates to analyses and other information that is based on expectations of future performance and planned work programs. Forward-looking information is subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause actual events or results to differ from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking information, including, without limitation: inherent exploration hazards and risks; risks related to exploration and development of natural resource properties; uncertainty in Giyanis ability to obtain funding; commodity price fluctuations; recent market events and conditions; risks related to the uncertainty of mineral resource calculations and the inclusion of inferred mineral resources in economic estimation; risks related to governmental regulations; risks related to obtaining necessary licenses and permits; risks related to their business being subject to environmental laws and regulations; risks related to their mineral properties being subject to prior unregistered agreements, transfers, or claims and other defects in title; risks relating to competition from larger companies with greater financial and technical resources; risks relating to the inability to meet financial obligations under agreements to which they are a party; ability to recruit and retain qualified personnel; and risks related to their directors and officers becoming associated with other natural resource companies which may give rise to conflicts of interests. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect Giyanis forward-looking information. 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 the forward-looking information or statements. Giyanis forward-looking information is based on the reasonable beliefs, expectations and opinions of their respective management on the date the statements are made, and Giyani does not assume any obligation to update forward looking information if circumstances or managements beliefs, expectations or opinions change, except as required by law. For the reasons set forth above, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. For a complete discussion with respect to Giyani and risks associated with forward-looking information and forward-looking statements, please refer to Giyanis financial statements and related MD&A, all of which are filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. GIYANI METALS CORP. 277 LAKESHORE ROAD EAST, OAKVILLE, Ontario L6J 1H9 T: 289-837-0066 F: 289-837-1166 www.GIYANIMETALS.com TSX.v-EMM /THIS NEWS RELEASE IS NOT FOR DISSEMINATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR UNITED STATES PERSONS./ VANCOUVER, May 6, 2019 /CNW/ - Mako Mining Corp. (TSX-V: MKO) ("Mako" or the "Company") is pleased to announce positive drill results from the Las Conchitas area of its wholly-owned San Albino-Murra property located in Nueva Segovia, Nicaragua. The Company has completed 14 shallow drill holes within the Mango Zone, totaling 827.30 meters ("m"). The results from the first five drill holes of the program are presented in the first table below. Results from the remaining nine drill holes are pending. The Mango Zone is part of the Las Conchitas area and is located approximately 2.5 kilometers south of the fully-permitted San Albino gold project. The objective of the drilling program at the Mango Zone was to confirm the strike and dip continuity of a gold mineralized low angle quartz vein encountered in the 2011 drilling campaign (results from 2011 are shown in the second table below). The results reported in this press release confirm a near surface, high-grade zone with a dip continuity of 400 m and a strike continuity of 150 m. The zone is open along strike and down dip. Importantly, drill hole LC19-70 intersected the highest gold grade drilled to date of 376.49 g/t Au over 1 m. This interval had visible gold and was approximately 70 m from drill hole LC11-01, which intersected 69.96 g/t Au over 3 m. The mineralized intercepts at LC19-70 and LC11-01 were less than 40 m from surface. Mako is also pleased to provide an update on construction financing for the San Albino project. Wexford Capital LP, through funds managed by Wexford Capital LP (collectively, "Wexford"), which is the controlling shareholder of the Company, has indicated its agreement to backstop up to US$20 million under an exempt rights offering. The terms and conditions of the proposed exempt rights offering by the Company are expected to be provided to shareholders later this month pending approval from the TSX Venture Exchange. Akiba Leisman, Interim CEO states, "the discovery of near surface, high-grade mineralization at the Mango Zone in 2011 was an important event for Mako and its predecessors, and the results from the additional drill holes to-date continue to be positive. To follow up on exploration targets more aggressively, we have requisitioned an additional drill rig to expand our exploration and infill drilling programs at San Albino, Las Conchitas and the surrounding area. Furthermore, the proposed rights offering for up to US$20 million to commence construction at San Albino is a watershed moment for Mako. The rights offering should account for the majority of the currently expected upfront capex for the San Albino project. Site clearing activities have commenced, and the project is on track to achieve first gold pour by the late summer of 2020." The Company advises that it is not basing its production decision on a feasibility study of mineral reserves demonstrating economic and technical viability, and, as a result, there may be an increased uncertainty of achieving any particular level of recovery of minerals or the cost of such recovery, including increased risks associated with developing a commercially minable deposit. Accordingly, there are multiple technical and economic risks of failure, which are associated with this production decision. These risks, among others, include areas that are analyzed in more detail in a feasibility study, such as applying economic analysis to resources and reserves, more detailed metallurgy and a number of specialized studies in areas such as mining and recovery methods, market analysis, and environmental and community impacts. The Company's preliminary economic assessment ("PEA"), dated April 29, 2015, is available under the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. 2019 Diamond Drill Results in the Mango Zone Drill Hole From (m) To (m) Width (m)* Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Interval Averages LC19-67 33.10 34.20 1.10 12.18 7.6 12.18 g/t gold and 7.6 g/t silver over 1.1 m LC19-67 47.90 49.00 1.10 5.74 10.4 4.07g/t gold and 10.0 g/t silver over 2.0 m LC19-67 49.00 49.90 0.90 2.03 9.5 LC19-69 33.25 34.25 1.00 3.08 12.0 9.55 g/t gold and 12.1 g/t silver over 2.0 m LC19-69 34.25 35.25 1.00 16.01 12.2 LC19-70 36.00 37.00 1.00 376.49 103.0 376.49 g/t gold and 103.0 g/t silver over 1.0 m LC19-71 39.00 40.00 1.00 2.29 9.1 2.52 g/t gold and 9.2 g/t silver over 2.0 m LC19-71 40.00 41.00 1.00 2.75 9.2 Previously Reported Diamond Drill Results in the Mango Zone (see Golden Reign Resources Ltd. news release dated February 22, 2012) Drill Hole From (m) To (m) Width (m)* Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) LC11-01 77.5 80.5 3 69.96 61.7 LC11-02 78.8 79.5 1.2 29.8 31.7 LC11-03 85.0 86.0 1 36.53 60.6 LC11-04 167.5 169.0 1.5 9.44 17.3 LC11-05 217.1 220.5 3.4 12.39 4.6 The mineralized intervals shown in the tables utilize a 1.0 g/t gold cut-off grade with not more than 1.0 meter of internal dilution.*Lengths are reported as core lengths. True widths vary depending on drill hole dip, the veins are shallow dipping and typical true widths are 85-100% of the downhole width. Sampling, Assaying, QA/QC and Data Verification Drill core was continuously sampled from inception to termination of the drill hole. Sample intervals were typically one meter. Drill core diameter was HQ (6.35 centimeters). Geologic and geotechnical data was captured into a digital database, core was photographed, then one-half split of the core was collected for analysis and one-half was retained in the core library. Samples were kept in a secured logging and storage facility until such time that they were delivered to the Managua facilities of Bureau Veritas and pulps were sent to the Bureau Veritas laboratory in Vancouver for analysis. Gold was analyzed by standard fire assay fusion, 30 gram aliquot, AAS finish. Due to the presence of coarse gold, the Company has used 500-gram metallic screened gold assays for analyzing samples that yielded a fire assay result greater than 1 g/t, and samples immediately above and below drilled veins. This method, which analyzes a larger sample, can be more precise in high-grade vein systems containing coarse gold. All reported drill results in this press release used the metallic screening method. The Company follows industry standards in its QA&QC procedures. Control samples consisting of duplicates, standards, and blanks were inserted into the sample stream at a ration of 1 control sample per every 10 samples. Analytical results of control samples confirmed reliability of the assay data. Qualified Person John M. Kowalchuk, P.Geo, a geologist and qualified person (as defined under NI 43-101) has read and approved the technical information contained in this news release. Mr. Kowalchuk is a senior geologist and a consultant to the Company. On behalf of the Board, "Akiba Leisman" Interim CEO About Mako Mako Mining Corp. is a publicly listed gold mining, development and exploration company. It operates the producing La Trinidad open-pit, heap leach gold mine in Sinaloa State, Mexico and is developing its San Albino gold project in Nuevo Segovia, Nicaragua. Mako's primary objective is to bring San Albino into production quickly and efficiently, while continuing exploration of prospective targets in both Mexico and Nicaragua. Currently, Mako is exploring for gold and silver mineralization on more than 60,200 hectares (602 km2) in Sinaloa State, Mexico and on 13,771 hectares (138 km2) at the San Albino-Murra and El Jicaro properties, both in Nueva Segovia, Nicaragua. The Corona de Oro Gold Belt, approximately 3 kilometers wide by 23 kilometers long, contains hundreds of historical mines and workings and spans the entirety of the Company's Nicaragua land package. Forward-Looking Statements: Some of the statements contained herein may be considered "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information is based on certain expectations and assumptions, including that the results pending from the remaining nine drill holes at the Mango zone will support strike and dip continuity of gold mineralization; that the Company's exploration programs will be successfully completed; that although the Company's production decision at its San Albino project is not based on a technical study supporting mineral reserves, and therefore not based on demonstrated economic viability, management currently believes the project is on track to achieve its first gold pour by the late summary of 2020; that the Company will be successful in its proposed financing plans necessary for the construction at the San Albino project, including by way of a proposed back-stopped, exempt rights offering; and that upfront capital expenditures required for the construction of San Albino of approximately US$28 million will be sufficient. Such forward-looking information is 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 information, including, without limitation, the risks that additional satisfactory exploration results at the Mango zone will not be obtained; that the PEA is preliminary in nature and there is no certainty that the PEA will be realized; the risk of economic and/or technical failure at the San Albino project associated with basing a production decision on the PEA without demonstrated economic and technical viability; that exploration results will not translate into the discovery of an economically viable deposit; risks and uncertainties relating to political risks involving the Company's exploration and development of mineral properties interests; the inherent uncertainty of cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expense; commodity price fluctuations, the inability or failure to obtain adequate financing on a timely basis and other risks and uncertainties. Such information contained herein represents management's best judgment as of the date hereof, based on information currently available and is included for the purposes of providing investors with the Company's plans and expectations at its San Albino project and the Las Conchitas area, and may not be appropriate for other purposes. 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. Las Conchitas 2019 Drilling Program Mango Zone LIBERTY LAKE, Wash., May 07, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hunt Mining Corp. (the Corporation or Hunt) (TSX VENTURE: HMX OTCQB: HGLD) is pleased to announce that on April 24, 2019 Hunt Minings wholly owned subsidiary Cerro Cazador SA (CCSA) and Fomicruz SE established the schedule to advance the La Josefina and La Valenciana Projects to form an autonomous corporation framework and proceed toward production. Danilo Silva, Country Manager & President of CCSA signed on behalf of the Corporation at meetings held in Rio Gallegos, Santa Cruz province, Argentina. Signing on behalf of Fomicruz S.E., the wholly owned mining company of the Santa Cruz province was Mr. Estaban Tejada, President of Fomicruz. This agreement permits the continuation of metallurgical testing at the Martha Mill on higher grade material; that greater than 6 g/t Au at 1,500 tonnes per structure from Ailin, Sinter and Amanda Cecilia veins at the La Josefina Project. Preliminary testing of the Ailin zone was completed in 2018. Initial work on column heap leach testing on mineralized material below 6 g/t Au has begun, which will be integral to a feasibility study as the testing moves forward. The structure of the agreement is as follows: Consolidate documentation related to the La Josefina and La Valenciana Projects, which will permit both companies to develop the legal framework for the production stage and to treat the two adjacent properties as one project. CCSA/Hunt Mining will follow through with the following: Presentation of the Legal Surveys related with both properties; Feasibility Study and Environmental Impact Report for the Production Stage; Authorization to develop the activities expressed on a) and b); Authorization to develop complementary exportation of mineral concentrates. Additional information on the La Josefina Project and other Santa Cruz, Argentina projects can be viewed on the Company website at: www.huntmining.com. About Hunt Mining Hunt Mining Corp. has continued to develop its properties as an active and aggressive explorer in Santa Cruz since 2006. During that time, Hunt's wholly owned subsidiary, Cerro Cazador S.A., has completed exploration activity including 62,000 meters of HQ core drilling, 416 line kilometers of Induced Polarization geophysical surveys and more than 20,000 surface soil, sediment, channel, chip, and trench samples, beyond the historical work previous to the same properties. Hunt also owns a 100% interest in the Martha Mine, located in the Santa Cruz Province, Argentina. For more information contact: Dean Stuart Investor Relations T: (403) 617-7609 E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Bob Little Chief Administration Officer T: (509) 290-5659 E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Neither the TSX Venture nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Martha - Ongoing activity at the Martha Project is being undertaken without established mineral resources or reserves and the Corporation has not established the economic viability of the operations on the Martha Project. As a result, there is increased uncertainty and economic risk of failure associated with these activities. Hunt filed an updated NI 43-101 Technical Report (Technical Report) for the Martha Project, dated October 12, 2018 titled Martha Silver and Gold Project, Santa Cruz, Argentina, which is currently available on SEDAR and on the Corporations website at: Click Here COQUITLAM, BC, May 7, 2019 /CNW/ - Canada Cobalt Works Inc. (TSXV: CCW) (OTC: CCWOF) (Frankfurt: 4T9B) (the "Company" or "Canada Cobalt") is pleased to announce its first revenue stream from Re-2OX, the Company's proprietary and environmentally friendly hydrometallurgical process that bypasses a traditional smelter for efficient extraction of cobalt, precious metals and base metals. In 2018, led by adviser Dr. Ron Molnar and SGS Lakefield, Canada Cobalt became the first company in Canada's Cobalt heartland during the electric vehicle revolution to produce a battery grade Cobalt sulphate test product from its own feed (Castle mine). Much broader plans for Re-2OX are now beginning to roll out, applicable to the Castle mine and beyond, starting with the Company's "Re-2OX Unlocks" model aimed at using the proprietary Re-2OX process to help public and private companies unlock asset value through leading edge metallurgical and metal recovery solutions offered by Re-2OX. Canada Cobalt, which has initiated the patent process for Re-2OX (refer to April 30, 2019, news release), fully protects its intellectual Re-2OX property in the "Re-2OX Unlocks" program. Marc Bamber, Canada Cobalt director, commented: "CCW's 'Re-2OX Unlocks' is a powerful merging of technology with the 2020's resource sector and the global trend toward mass electrification. It's also an excellent example of how Re-2OX is a very adaptable process, technically, and can also be used in multiple ways to leverage value for shareholders. This first agreement with Global Energy Metals puts us on a big runway of opportunity while it heightens potential for GEMC at its promising cobalt-nickel-copper battery metal properties in Nevada. "A very active second quarter is unfolding for Canada Cobalt," Bamber continued. "Re-2OX is one of four key pillars of a very focused strategy that will also be powered by our unique underground access/Phase 2 drilling at the Castle mine, a simple but effective tailings program, and discovery potential at Castle East." Canada Cobalt Signs Agreement with Global Energy Metals Canada Cobalt and Global Energy Metals (TSXV: GEMC) have entered into a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that allows for cobalt-nickel-copper-bearing mineralized material from the GEMC's Lovelock mine and Treasure Box Property to be put through the Re-2OX Process in order to confirm efficient battery metal extraction and create a battery grade test product. Canada Cobalt will supervise the program, protecting its intellectual property, and will be paid a $200,000 upfront first-stage Re-2OX fee, with costs related to sampling and lab work to be borne by GEMC (maximum $100,000). The companies may broaden their relationship. Strategic Investment Canada Cobalt will take an immediate equity position in GEMC, subscribing for 2,000,000 units at 7.5 cents per unit for a total investment of $150,000. Each unit will consist of one common share and one transferable common share purchase warrant. Each warrant will entitle Canada Cobalt to acquire one common share of GEMC at a price of 10 cents per share for a period of 36 months from the closing date, subject to an acceleration clause. The private placement is subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange and securities will be subject to a four-month hold period from the time of closing. CEO's Comment on Deal Frank Basa, President and CEO of Canada Cobalt, stated: "We are pleased enter into a strategic relationship with the Global Energy Metals team. We have a shared objective of advancing the metallurgical understanding of GEMC's promising Nevada based battery metal assets using Re-2OX. The very adaptable Re-2OX Process has shown very high recovery rates for multiple metals and the ability to create a compound suitable for end-use in battery production." Mitchell Smith, CEO of Global Energy Metals, stated: "While the future of EV's and other green technologies is promising, North America is highly import-reliant for those critical metals that are fueling the road to electrification. Partnering with Canada Cobalt Works and utilizing their Re-2OX Process is a crucial step in unlocking the potential Lovelock and Treasure Box provide for shareholder exposure to strategically important U.S-based battery mineral assets. Significantly, Re-2OX has allowed Canada Cobalt to become the first company in Canada's cobalt heartland to produce a battery grade cobalt sulphate test product with nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) formulations in their pipeline." Qualified Person The technical information in this news release was prepared under the supervision of Frank J. Basa, P.Eng., Canada Cobalt's President and Chief Executive Officer, who is a member of Professional Engineers Ontario and a qualified person in accordance with National Instrument 43-101. About Canada Cobalt Works Inc. Canada Cobalt is focused on immediate and longer-term value drivers at its past producing Castle mine and adjoining land package in the historic Northern Ontario Silver-Cobalt district, Canada's cobalt heartland since the start of the electric vehicle revolution. The Canada Cobalt "advantage" includes underground access at Castle, an innovative tailings program with a plan to recover silver, gold and cobalt, a recently installed pilot plant to produce gravity concentrates on site, a proprietary hydrometallurgical process known as Re-2OX, and exciting exploration discovery potential at Castle East. "Frank J. Basa" Frank J. Basa, P. Eng. President and Chief Executive Officer Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release may contain forward-looking statements including but not limited to comments regarding the timing and content of upcoming work programs, geological interpretations, receipt of property titles, potential mineral recovery processes, etc. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore, involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 7, 2019) - Jaxon Mining Inc. (TSXV: JAX) (FSE: OU31) (OTC: JXMNF) ("Jaxon" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the Company has retained HEG & Associates Exploration Inc. to conduct field work that will start the 2019 exploration season at Red Springs. Under the supervision of Dr. Tony Guo, the Company's COO and Chief Geologist, HEG will conduct a focused exploration work program targeted on the porphyry system at the Primary Ridge area at Red Springs (Figure 1), which encompasses the Primary Ridge porphyry target, the "Red Springs" porphyry target and the east section of the Razorback porphyry target. The proposed work program will commence once snow melt allows. HEG's work will include 1:2000 geology, structure and alteration mapping, 50x50 metre grid soil geochemistry sampling and study, rock geochemistry and dating study and comprehensive desktop study on the project area after the field work is complete. HEG's work will also involve future drill site targeting. In addition to the Company's Hazelton property where Red Springs is located, HEG previously worked on the delineation of many recent discoveries in northwestern British Columbia. Projects include KSP, Newmont Lake, North ROK and Castle. For more information, please visit https://hegexplore.ca/projects. Cole Evans, President and CEO of HEG & Associates Exploration Services Inc., commented, "Our business model is very simple; we strive to be the best at what we do, set the bar for unparalleled service, and let our quality workmanship and integrity speak for itself. That has been the recipe to HEG's success, and we look forward to bringing that attitude to Jaxon's Red Springs project. From a geological perspective, Jaxon is sitting on a vastly underexplored land package, which from our initial research is ripe for new discoveries. Our whole team is very excited to get involved in unlocking its potential." John King Burns, President and CEO of Jaxon, commented, "HEG has demonstrated to be one of the most successful exploration teams working in northwest British Columbia, actively representing and exploring >300,000 hectares of ground throughout the region. The work and experience of their technical team encompasses a network of well-respected industry professionals whose work has led to major advances in economic geology within the region, and most importantly, major discoveries that are poised to become the next generation of operating mines in this mining district." Qualified Person Yingting (Tony) Guo, P.Geo., COO of Jaxon Mining Inc., a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and prepared the scientific and technical information and verified the data supporting such scientific and technical information contained in this news release. About HEG & Associates Exploration HEG provides a full spectrum of mineral exploration services from property reconnaissance to turn-key advanced exploration/resource delineation. Their highly trained, diligently prepared, and safety oriented geological team is regarded in western Canada for executing exploration programs at various scales with military-like precision. About Jaxon Mining Jaxon is a precious and base metals exploration company with a regional focus on Western Canada. The Company is currently focused on advancing its Red Springs project in British Columbia. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS JAXON MINING INC. "John King Burns" John King Burns Chairman, President and CEO For Capital Markets, call 778-938-4459, for Investor Relations 604-558-2630 or 1-888-280-8128 and for Corporate enquiries 604-398-5394. This news release may contain forward-looking information, which is not comprised of historical facts. Forward-looking information involves risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Forward-looking information in this news release may include, but is not limited to, the Company's objectives, goals or future plans. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, those risks set out in the Company's public documents filed on SEDAR. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information, which only applies as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames, or at all. 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, other than as required by law. Neither TSX Venture exchange nor its Regulations Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Vancouver, B.C., Canada / TheNewswire / May 7, 2019 - Deep-South Resources Inc. ("Deep-South" or "the Company") (TSX-V: DSM) announces that it has received the approval of Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources of Turkey ("Ministry") to proceed and close the acquisition of 75% of RCR Quantum ("Quantum"), a Turkish company, which holds the Kapili Tepe project ("Project") comprising of one (1) mining license and two (2) exploration licenses in the Sivas Province in the North Central part of Turkey. The Acquisition Deep-South has acquired all the common shares held by the Seller in Quantum for the following considerations: Deep-South has previously issued 3.5 million of its common shares to the Seller that were kept in trust until the approval of the Ministry. The agreement has been amended to include the following: the shares issued to the Seller are restricted of trading for a period of 3 years. 1/6 of the shares (583,333 shares) shall be liberated of the restriction every six months starting on May 1st 2019. The shares relieved from restriction will be free for trading. Upon completion of a first NI 43-101 resource estimation or a listing of Deep-South shares on a London Stock Market, all the shares shall be liberated and free for trading; This Article has been amended as follows: Upon closing of a first financing of $1 million or more or the cumulative closing of financings totalling $1 million or more following the closing of the acquisition of Quantum, Deep-South shall pay US $110,000 to the Seller. The amount has been reduced by US $ 40,000 to compensate and duly adjust the warranties; Upon completion of a resources estimation prepared in accordance with CIM definitions and compliant with the National Instrument 43-101, estimating an inferred resource totalling a minimum of 20 million tonnes at a minimum grade of 1% Cu equivalent, Deep-South shall issue additional common shares to the Seller at a valuation of CA $ 2 million; In the case that the first resources estimation prepared in accordance with CIM definitions and compliant with the NI 43-101 or any further NI 43-101 compliant resource estimation, estimates an inferred resource totalling a minimum of 100 million tonnes at a minimum grade of 1% Cu equivalent, Deep-South shall issue additional common shares to the Seller at a valuation of CA $ 2 million; The Seller is the beneficiary of a non-guaranteed subordinated loan bearing no interest totalling TRY 3,800,000 (Turkish Lira) from Quantum. Deep-South shall buy back TRY 2,400,000 of the loan (CA $ 480,000 on today's exchange rate), in cash or shares at the election of The Seller, upon completion of a NI 43-101 resources report estimating an inferred resource totaling a minimum of 20 million tonnes at a minimum grade of 1% Cu equivalent. Deep-South shall have 90 days upon election of the payment by The Seller to issue the shares or make the cash payment. Deep-South shall buy back the remaining balance of TRY 1,400,000 of the loan (CA $ 285,000 on today's exchange rate),, in cash or shares at the election of Deep-South, upon completion of any further NI 43-101 resources report estimating an inferred resource totaling a minimum of 100 million tonnes at a minimum grade of 1% Cu equivalent. Deep-South has no obligation to buy back the loan until a NI 43-101 compliant resource estimates a minimum inferred resource of 20 million tonnes at a minimum of 1% Cu equivalent; A first NI 43-101 resource estimation report shall be completed by October 30, 2019. Deep-South shall not be allowed to sell its interest in Quantum until the first NI 43-101 resource estimation is completed; Upon Closing The Seller shall hold the right to appoint one Director to the Board of Deep-South; Mr. John Akwenye, Chairman of Deep-South stated, "We are very enthusiastic with this transaction. We are securing a large area in the heart of a highly prospective area in one of the most mining friendly countries in the world. Kapili Tepe is a high-quality asset that adds strong value for our shareholders." About the Kapili Tepe Project: The Project is located close to Imranli in the province of Sivas in north-east Central Turkey, approximately 500Km due east from Ankara by good asphalt roads. The Kapili Tepe project is situated within Tethyan Orogenic Belt of Turkey. The project comprises one Mining License and two Exploration Licenses, which importantly are both contiguous and adjacent. The licensed area covers approximately 50 Km2 and both the mineralized zones and structural hosting features have been proven by both geological and structural mapping to extend for many Km to both the north-east (of the Main Zone (MZ) and east (of the South-East Zone (SEZ) offering district size potential for the project. Geologically the project could broadly be described as follows; The project area sits on the Tethyan Orogenic Belt of Turkey. The property as a whole consists of ultramafic rocks that have been sheared and broken along thrust faults. Fluids travelling through the shear and along the thrust faults strongly altered the rocks over an area of several square kilometres. The broad geology of the project area can therefore be regarded as several ophiolite thrust sheets bounded by highly altered and brecciated shear zones ("mineralized zones") which dip moderately to the south-east. The resultant copper and nickel mineralization which is strongly disseminated was deposited within the layered rocks, as evidenced by the numerous surface exposures of copper mineralised materials and staining. The most important observations are : There are more than twenty surface locations recorded with grades of over 1% copper showing, mainly oxides but some disseminated sulphides also appear; The upper zone areas show stronger copper oxide mineralization, i.e. Malachite, Azurite and Cuprite, with high nickel grades; More sulphide mineralisation occurs as one gets deeper and disseminated as both grains and veining of dominant chalcopyrite, but with Bornite, Chalcocite and Covellite; All of these sulphides indicate potential Volcanic Massive Sulphide ("VMS") origin and the latter two; Chalcocite and Covellite are interesting as strong indicators for a significant zone of secondary enrichment (supergene). The project has been explored by Falconbridge in the early 2000's. They have conducted geological mapping, large and deep induced polarization (IP) surveys, grab and rock sampling programs. Falconbridge has identified two extensive outcropping areas. The Main Zone (MZ) is outcropping over a length of 4,500 metres and a width between 75 and 100 metres. The South East Zone (SEZ) has overlapping outcrops over a length of 1,500 metres and an average width of 30 metres. Some of the rock sampling results as follows: 2002 assay samples Main Zone Sample Cu (ppm) Ni (ppm) Co (ppm) Au (ppm) PG 09205 79,000 700 32 0.05 PG 02955 20,000 190 24 0.02 PG 02903 15,000 47 14 0.07 2002 assay samples South-East Zone Sample Cu (ppm) Ni (ppm) Co (ppm) Au (ppm) PG 02918 56,000 3,900 210 0.04 PG 02906 730 36,000 89 0.01 PG 02956 120 11,000 220 0.01 In 2011, Red Crescent Resources, a company previously listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) acquired the project and has conducted a further confirmatory deep IP study review and some 1500 metres of drilling and some channel sampling. The diamond drilling was conducted at a maximum depth of 100 metres and included some results such as follows in MZ: MZ - 001: Drilled true thickness 69 metres including: Drilled Thickness (m) Weighted Average Cu (%) Depth from Depth To 10 0.49 27.8 37.8 Including 5.8 0.60 30.0 35.8 And some results such as follows in SEZ: SEZ- 007 true thickness 82.5 metres including: Drilled Thickness (m) Weighted Average Cu (%) Depth From (m) (Depth To (m) 6.0 0.57 30.7 36.7 7.0 0.36 39.7 46.7 26.6 0.59 48.9 75.5 Including 8.3 1.12 54.3 62.6 In SEZ RCR has also conducted surface channel sampling over a 60m wide zone of outcropping copper mineralisation within listvenite exposures. The sampling was undertaken in the form of continuous 2 m channel samples as well as a 25-tonne bulk sample for process metallurgical test works. The channel samples were sent for mineralization study and preliminary metallurgical test work in South Africa at 3 independent laboratories and these tests were significantly indicative of both the strong poly-metallic nature of the mineralization for base & precious metals, as well as best potential process route. The central portion of the sampled zone contains stockwork quartz and barite veining and returned an average grade of 1.04% Cu over approximately 26 m including a higher-grade zone of 2,1% Cu over 4 m. Cobalt grades for the SEZ were not seen as representative as they were only tested from samples taken from the small bulk sample test pit area. However, they assayed with grades of 0.35% to 0.66%. The 0.66% Co sample also tested at 19.7% Ni. Mineral resources have not been estimated yet on the project nor has it demonstrated economic viability at this stage. The historical drilling and sampling results demonstrate potential to classify the project as one of merit but are considered too speculative geologically to complete a NI 43-101 resource estimation at this time and it is uncertain that those historic results will be converted into minerals resources. All the reports and information above are available at the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources of Turkey and is also available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com in the file of Red Crescent Resources. Alan M. Clegg Pr. Eng PMP Pr.CPM FSAIMM, is responsible for the technical part of this press release and is the designated Qualified Person under the terms of National Instrument 43-101. Alan M. Clegg was President & CEO of Red Crescent Resources Ltd (RCR) and was supervising the exploration project and was a qualified person for Red Crescent. Data verification and exploration results reported by RCR were all filed on SEDAR and were verified by the qualified person of RCR. MSA Group of South Africa were contracted by RCR to manage the field exploration programs and were responsible for the data verification, including sampling, analytical and test data. As such Alan M. Clegg verified the underlying information contained in this press release. The data and information from Falconbridge reports has not been fully verified but MSA Group was able to verify the geophysical surveying data and soil and rock chip sampling under custody at the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources of Turkey. Tests such as XRF Grade measurements have enabled to validate the assays results. MSA were contracted by RCR and their work was verified by Alan Clegg. MSA nor than Alan Clegg have reported any limitation or failure in the data disclosed in this press release. However, the historical work and results, such has drilling results by Flaconbridge, that have not been verified by MSA Group or Alan Clegg are not reported in this press release. The drill and sampling of RCR were assayed independently as follows: Gold and copper assays were performed by the ALS Chemex laboratory in Izmir, Turkey. Sample preparation and gold analysis using conventional fire assay procedures with AAS finish on 50g aliquots was carried out (method code Au-AA24). Copper analysis was carried out by aqua regia digest with AAS finish (method code Cu-AA46). In addition, gold and multi-element analyses are currently being performed by ISO17025 accredited ALS Chemex laboratory in Vancouver, Canada. Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) for the Kapili Tepe Copper Project includes a chain of custody protocol, and systematic submittal of approximately 20% QA/QC samples including field duplicates, field blanks and certified reference samples into the sample stream submitted to the laboratory. About Turkey Turkey is considered as one of the most prospective and mining friendly country. Their recent amendments to the mining legislation and Investment incentive scheme provide value added taxes exemptions, custom duty exemptions, reduced royalty for strategic metals employee income tax relief and 80% tax reduction rate for certain projects depending on their geographical position within the country. Large companies such as Eldorado Gold, Teck Resources, Inmet Mining, and First Quantum Minerals are operating in Turkey currently. About Deep-South Resources Inc. Deep-South Resources Inc. is a mineral exploration company largely held by Namibian shareholders and Management with 17% and Teck Resources Ltd with 28% of Deep-South share capital. Deep-South currently holds 100% of the Haib Copper project in Namibia, one of the largest copper porphyry deposits in Africa. Deep-South's growth strategy is to focus on the exploration and development of quality assets, in significant mineralized zones, close to infrastructure, in stable countries. More information is available by contacting Pierre Leveille, President & CEO at +1-819-340-0140 or at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Paradox Public Relations at +1-514-341-0408. Cautionary statement on forward-looking information Certain statements in this release constitute "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the company, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information. Such statements can be identified by the use of words such as "may", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "expect", "believe", "plan", "anticipate", "estimate", "scheduled", "forecast", "predict" and other similar terminology, or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. These statements reflect the company's current expectations regarding future events, performance and results and speak only as of the date of this release. All such forward-looking information and statements are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by Deep-South's management in light of their experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors management believe are appropriate in the circumstances. These statements, however, are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information or statements including, but not limited to, unexpected changes in laws, rules or regulations, or their enforcement by applicable authorities; the failure of parties to contracts to perform as agreed; social or labour unrest; changes in commodity prices, including the price of copper; unexpected failure or inadequacy of infrastructure, or delays in the development of infrastructure, the failure of exploration programs or other studies to deliver anticipated results or results that would justify and support continued studies, development or operations, and the results of economic studies and evaluations. Other important factors that could cause actual results to differ from these forward-looking statements also include those described under the heading "Risk Factors" in the company's most recently filed MD&A filed by Deep-South. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information or statements. The factors and assumptions used to develop the forward-looking information and statements, and the risks that could cause the actual results to differ materially are set forth in the "Risk Factors" section and elsewhere in the company's most recent Management's Discussion and Analysis report and Annual Information Form, available at www.sedar.com. This news release also contains references to estimates of Mineral Resources. The estimation of Mineral Resources is inherently uncertain and involves subjective judgments about many relevant factors. Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. The accuracy of any such estimates is a function of the quantity and quality of available data, and of the assumptions made and judgments used in engineering and geological interpretation, which may prove to be unreliable and depend, to a certain extent, upon the analysis of drilling results and statistical inferences that may ultimately prove to be inaccurate. Mineral Resource estimates may have to be re-estimated based on, among other things: (i) fluctuations in copper prices or other mineral prices; (ii) results of drilling; (iii) results of metallurgical testing and other studies; (iv) changes to proposed mining operations, including dilution; (v) the evaluation of mine plans subsequent to the date of any estimates; and (vi) the possible failure to receive required permits, approvals and licences, or changes to any such permits, approvals or licence. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management of the company believes are reasonable assumptions, the company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Subject to applicable securities laws, the company does not assume any obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this news release. BISHOPGATE, LONDON / ACCESSWIRE / May 7, 2019 / The Board of SolGold (LSE & TSX code: SOLG) is pleased to provide an update from the Company's regional exploration activities on its 100% owned Porvenir Project in southern Ecuador, held by SolGold's wholly owned subsidiary Green Rock Resources SA. Highlights: Continued first pass mapping and sampling by Green Rock field teams at Target 15 in the Porvenir Project has extended the porphyry Cu-Au mineralisation at the Cacharposa Creek, located on the Porvenir 2 concession. Results from additional rock saw sampling along the Cacharposa Creek has extended the mineralised intercept to: 147.83m @ 0.64% CuEq (0.43 g/t Au, 0.37% Cu). This intercept is open-ended. Including 82.63m @ 0.96% CuEq (0.71 g/t Au, 0.55% Cu). The additional mineralisation in the Cacharposa Creek continues to display similar characteristics to Alpala, Cascabel with Au:Cu = 1:1. Mapping and sampling of the Mula Muerta Creek on the northwest side of the ridge from the Cacharposa Creek has discovered similar mineralisation. Both areas are believed to be part of the same mineralised system. Both these areas form part of an 800m-wide, northeast trending mineralised corridor more than 1200m long. Porvenir contains mineralisation styles, size and geometry consistent with exposure of a vertically extensive, well-preserved porphyry copper-gold system. 3D geochemical modelling carried out by Fathom Geophysics has confirmed the potential for shallow porphyry style mineralisation extending at depth. Modelling also confirmed the potential for mineralisation at the Bartolo prospect along with two new target areas. Drill testing and ground magnetics planned at Porvenir Target 15 in Q2 2019. Targeted ground magnetic survey commencing this month. Airborne-magnetic survey planned for entire Porvenir concession package in Q2 2019. Commenting on the result, SolGold CEO Mr Nick Mather said "The latest progress at Porvenir is indicative of the effort SolGold puts into its first mover advantage secured in 2014 across Ecuador. SolGold's team of geoscientists led by Dr. Steve Garwin, porphyry expert, recognised several targets with the right geochemical, geological and geophysical signature and we have so far secured eleven of them. SolGold is committed to leading the development of a sustainable copper-gold mining industry in Ecuador. The high grades and strong gold endowment at Alpala and Porvenir provide us with a unique opportunity to develop this Company without joint ventures. The size and grade of the outcropping mineralisation at Porvenir indicates a significant copper gold porphyry system. The 150m long channel sample is significantly longer and richer than the 50m long discovery outcrop at Alpala in the Cascabel tenement, which has so far yielded a contained resource of 23 million ounces of gold and nearly 11 million tonnes of copper. The Porvenir system has the hallmarks of a significant discovery so far. SolGold has identified and secured the best of an entire copper-gold province, the size and metallurgy of northern Chile. That's a unique approach that can't be replicated. We are confident that Alpala and now Porvenir are the first projects in a long, large and rich string of them. The next generation of growth in SolGold is going to come from more spectacular discoveries on a 100% basis like Porvenir. All SolGold shareholders will enjoy that growth, including hopefully the Cornerstone Capital Corporation shareholders who are soon to be availed of our bid for Cornerstone. We have the cash, the expertise and the focus to deliver." Further Information Ecuador is located on the rich and under-explored northern section of the Andean Copper Belt. The well explored southern portion is renowned as the production base for nearly half of the world's copper (Figure 1). Follow up exploration has focussed on 12 priority projects identified across SolGold's 72 regional concessions. SolGold is applying the successful, rapid, socially and environmentally responsible and efficient copper gold exploration blueprint it developed at Cascabel to these targets. SolGold's strategy is to become a tier 1 copper and gold producer and build the base for a strong copper gold production house based on diverse projects. SolGold's first mover advantage, strong operational capability and systematic exploration programs continues to yield exciting results. With 11 priority projects now recognised, ongoing exploration by SolGold technical teams is focussed on advancing these priority projects with a view to progress to drill testing as soon as possible. SolGold's high success rate has been achieved by operating multiple field teams comprising 42 Ecuadorean geologists in regional exploration, led by highly experienced national geologists and applying the blueprint developed over the last 4 years. Drilling is scheduled to commence on regional projects in Q2 2019, subject to finalisation of relevant permits. Target 15: Initial Results Target 15 is located within Porvenir 2 concession, north of the town of La Canel in southern Ecuador (Figures 1 and 2). Additional rock saw sampling along the Cacharposa Creek has continued to return encouraging results, with the current intercept along the Cacharposa Creek now: 147.83m @ 0.64% CuEq (0.43 g/t Au, 0.37% Cu) - open ended. including 82.63m @ 0.96% CuEq (0.71 g/t Au, 0.55% Cu). The mineralised rock saw intersection at Target 15 is significantly longer than the initial rock saw sampling of the Alpala discovery outcrop which returned 56.93m at 1.16g/t Gold and 0.30% Copper. Field teams are clearing and preparing extensions of the Cacharposa Creek for additional sampling, following the mineralisation upstream. The assay results from this work show highly consistent copper and gold grades throughout the intersection, and exhibit a consistent copper gold ratio of approximately 1% Cu : 1g/t Au (Figure 3). The Target 15 mineralised corridor is characterised by surface exposure of porphyry-style sheeted and stockwork B-type quartz-chalcopyrite-magnetite veining. Veining occurs as three steeply-dipping vein sets orientated northwest, east-northeast, and west-northwest (Figure 5). Field studies of the porphyry-related vein types and paragenesis at Target 15 are ongoing, and initial work indicates a sequential vein development typical of many significant porphyry copper-gold systems, such as SolGold's Alpala porphyry copper-gold deposit in Northern Ecuador (10.9Mt Cu, 23.2Moz Au). The exposed outcrops along La Cacharposa Creek in Target 15 lie within soil copper, gold, molybdenum, Cu/Zn and Mo/Mn geochemical anomalies that cover an area approximately 1200m long and 800m wide (Figure 4). The presence of potassic alteration (K-feldspar - magnetite) overprinted by intermediate argillic alteration (chlorite - sericite - clay) is associated with higher gold grades and surrounded by phyllic (quartz - sericite - pyrite) and extensive epidote-propylitic alteration (Figure 7 & 8). The size and strength of the geochemical anomalies and the zoning of the hydrothermal alteration assemblages are consistent with the presence of a porphyry copper-gold system. As rock-saw sampling and mapping work continues in the field, SolGold geologists are developing the target towards drill ready status in the coming quarter. A program of detailed ground magnetics will commence early next year covering the entire Target 15 area. Followed by an airborne-magnetic survey covering the entire Porvenir Project. Figure 1: Location plan showing the Porvenir project in southern Ecuador. Figure 2: Prospect locations showing soil copper geochemical results. Figure 3: Rock saw channel sampling copper and gold results from La Cacharposa Creek in Target 15 at Porvenir. Figure 4: Geology with anomalous soil gold, copper and molybdenum contours for Target 15 at Porvenir. Figure 5: Examples of veining and alteration styles at Target 15, Porvenir. Figure 6: Mineralised rock samples taken from the Mula Muerta Creek Figure 7: Hydrothermal alteration assemblages at Target 15, Porvenir. Figure 8: Target 15 - Hydrothermal alteration map shown draped over the results of 3D geochemical modelling by Fathom Geophysics. The 3D geochemical shapes (red volumes) suggest that the soil geochemical results are consistent with the occurrence of porphyry copper-(gold) mineralisation both near surface and at depth. Sample ID Easting Northing Interval (m) Cu % Au g/t CuEq % R03002563 726437 9501435 1.95 0.92 0.68 1.34 R03002564 726435 9501435 2 0.04 0.4 0.29 R03002565 726433 9501434 2 0.55 0.45 0.83 R03002566 726430 9501432 1.9 0.07 0.3 0.26 R03002567 726429 9501432 2.2 0.05 0.28 0.23 R03002568 726428 9501433 2.05 0.28 0.33 0.48 R03002569 726427 9501435 2 1.17 0.47 1.47 R03002571 726426 9501437 2 0.99 0.78 1.48 R03002572 726429 9501443 1.9 0.14 0.59 0.51 R03002573 726428 9501444 2 1.31 1.13 2.02 R03002574 726427 9501445 1.75 1.42 1.4 2.3 R03002575 726426 9501446 1.75 0.85 0.75 1.32 R03002576 726425 9501447 2.2 0.75 0.58 1.11 R03002577 726424 9501448 1.9 0.62 0.71 1.06 R03002578 726423 9501449 1.6 1.07 1 1.7 R03002579 726420 9501447 2.3 1 1 1.63 R03002580 726420 9501449 2.1 0.98 1.33 1.82 R03002581 726419 9501451 1.95 0.9 0.73 1.37 R03002582 726418 9501452 2.05 1.55 1.02 2.19 R03002583 726417 9501454 2 1.32 1.16 2.05 R03002584 726417 9501456 2 1.02 0.71 1.46 R03002585 726418 9501457 2 0.8 0.8 1.3 R03002586 726420 9501459 2.05 0.8 0.49 1.1 R03002587 726422 9501460 2 1.03 0.65 1.44 R03002588 726423 9501462 2.05 0.47 0.56 0.82 R03002589 726425 9501463 2.15 0.47 0.51 0.79 R03002590 726426 9501464 1.75 0.77 0.77 1.26 R03002592 726430 9501465 2 0.35 1.13 1.06 R03002593 726431 9501468 2.25 0.26 0.55 0.61 R03002594 726431 9501469 1.2 0.19 0.38 0.43 R03002595 726431 9501470 1.2 0.18 0.72 0.63 R03002596 726431 9501471 2.18 0.23 0.53 0.56 R03002645 726429 9501476 2 0.07 0.73 0.53 R03002646 726429 9501478 2 0.09 0.46 0.38 R03002647 726429 9501480 2 0.18 0.68 0.61 R03002648 726430 9501482 2 0.09 0.34 0.3 R03002649 726430 9501484 2.2 0.11 0.23 0.26 R03002651 726434 9501485 2 0.03 0.16 0.13 R03002652 726434 9501487 2 0.04 0.36 0.26 R03002653 726434 9501489 2 0.04 0.52 0.37 R03002654 726434 9501491 2 0.05 0.55 0.4 R03002655 726433 9501492 2 0.05 0.44 0.32 R03002656 726426 9501496 2 0.08 0.16 0.18 R03002657 726426 9501498 2 0.04 0.1 0.1 R03002658 726425 9501499 2 0.06 0.14 0.15 R03002659 726425 9501501 2 0.1 0.11 0.17 R03002660 726424 9501503 2 0.12 0.16 0.21 R03002662 726424 9501505 2 0.13 0.13 0.22 R03002663 726424 9501507 2 0.17 0.14 0.25 R03002664 726424 9501509 2 0.09 0.11 0.16 R03002665 726424 9501511 2 0.07 0.12 0.14 R03002666 726426 9501512 2 0.07 0.22 0.2 R03002667 726426 9501518 2 0.07 0.08 0.12 R03002668 726426 9501520 2 0.05 0.04 0.07 R03002669 726426 9501521 2 0.06 0.1 0.12 R03002671 726428 9501525 2 0.07 0.18 0.18 R03002672 726427 9501527 2 0.08 0.15 0.18 R03002673 726426 9501529 2 0.07 0.06 0.11 R03002674 726425 9501530 2 0.09 0.13 0.17 R03002675 726424 9501532 2 0.16 0.06 0.2 R03002676 726424 9501534 2 0.08 0.1 0.14 R03002677 726420 9501533 2 0.06 0.14 0.15 R03002678 726420 9501535 2 0.08 0.08 0.12 R03002679 726419 9501537 2 0.22 0.16 0.32 R03002680 726418 9501539 2 0.14 0.53 0.47 R03002681 726418 9501541 2 0.48 0.23 0.62 R03002682 726418 9501542 2 0.38 0.21 0.51 R03002683 726419 9501543 2 0.24 0.12 0.32 R03002684 726421 9501544 2 0.3 0.15 0.39 R03002685 726425 9501545 1.2 0.41 0.19 0.52 R03002686 726457 9501420 2 0.04 0.08 0.09 R03002687 726455 9501421 2 0.13 0.19 0.25 R03002688 726453 9501422 2 0.08 0.21 0.21 R03002689 726452 9501423 2 0.17 0.13 0.25 R03002690 726450 9501423 2 0.24 0.17 0.34 Table 1: Rock saw channel results for copper, gold and copper-equivalent at Target 15, Porvenir. Note: Copper-equivalent values calculated using the formula, % CuEq = % Cu + (0.63 * g/t Au).*All samples were analysed by ALS in Lima Peru using Au 30g FA-AA Finish and 48 element four acid digest ICP-MS. Market Abuse Regulation (MAR) DisclosureCertain information contained in this announcement would have been deemed inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of the Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 until the release of this announcement. Qualified Person: Information in this report relating to the exploration results is based on data reviewed by Mr Jason Ward ((CP) B.Sc. Geol.), the Chief Geologist of the Company. Mr Ward is a Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, holds the designation FAusIMM (CP), and has in excess of 20 years' experience in mineral exploration and is a Qualified Person for the purposes of the relevant LSE and TSX Rules. Mr Ward consents to the inclusion of the information in the form and context in which it appears.By order of the BoardKarl SchlobohmCompany Secretary CONTACTS Nicholas Mather SolGold Plc (Chief Executive Officer) This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Tel: +61 (0) 7 3303 0665 +61 (0) 417 880 448 Karl Schlobohm SolGold Plc (Company Secretary) This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Tel: +61 (0) 7 3303 0661 Anna Legge SolGold Plc (Corporate Communications) This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Tel: +44 (0) 20 3823 2131 Gordon Poole / Nick Hennis Camarco (Financial PR / IR) This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Tel: +44 (0) 20 3757 4997 Andrew Chubb / Ingo Hofmaier Hannam & Partners (Joint Broker and Financial Advisor) This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Tel: +44 (0) 20 7907 8500 Ross Allister / David McKeown Peel Hunt (Joint Broker and Financial Advisor) This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Tel: +44 (0)20 7418 8900 James Kofman / Darren Wallace Cormark Securities Inc. (Financial Advisor) This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Tel: +1 416 943 6411 Follow us on twitter @SolGold_plc This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.rns.com. TORTOLA, British Virgin Islands, May 7, 2019 /CNW/ - Sailfish Royalty Corp. (TSX-V: FISH) (the "Company" or "Sailfish") is pleased to announce significant updates on two of the Company's royalties. San Albino On May 6, 2019, Mako Mining Corp. ("Mako") publicly announced drill results from the Mango Zone within the Las Conchitas area of its wholly-owned San Albino-Murra property located in Nueva Segovia, Nicaragua. The results reported in the announcement confirmed a near surface, high-grade zone with a dip continuity of 400 meters and a strike continuity of 150 meters. The Mango Zone is open along strike and down dip. Specifically, drill hole LC19-70 intersected the highest gold grade drilled to date of 376.49 g/t Au over 1 meter. This interval had visible gold and was approximately 70 meters from drill hole LC11-01, which intersected 69.96 g/t Au over 3 meters (see Golden Reign Resources Ltd., Mako's predecessor, press release dated February 22, 2012). The mineralized intercepts at LC19-70 and LC11-01 were less than 40 meters from surface. These drill results are on land where Sailfish has a 2% NSR royalty, which was received as part of the restructuring of the Company's gold stream on the San Albino gold project (the "Stream Restructuring"). The Stream Restructuring was associated with the merger of Marlin Gold Mining Ltd. and Golden Reign Resources Ltd., which created Mako in 2018 (see Sailfish press release dated November 9, 2018). Prior to the Stream Restructuring, Sailfish did not have a royalty over the Las Conchitas area and other exploration targets currently being drilled by Mako. Mako also provided an update on construction financing for the San Albino project. Wexford Capital LP, through funds managed by Wexford Capital LP (collectively, "Wexford"), which is the controlling shareholder of the Company and Mako, has indicated its agreement to backstop up to US$20 million under an exempt rights offering at Mako. Sailfish has a gold stream equivalent to a 3% NSR on the San Albino project (~3.5 square kilometers area of interest). Importantly, Mako expects the San Albino project to commence production in late summer of 2020 (see Mako press release dated May 6, 2019, including legal disclaimers regarding a production decision). El Compas Endeavour Silver Corp. ('Endeavour") reported that the El Compas mine achieved commercial production on March 16, 2019 (see Endeavour press release dated April 11, 2019). Sailfish has a 1.5% NSR on the majority of the concessions, including those hosting the primary deposit at El Compass, and started receiving royalty payments in January 2019. Akiba Leisman, CEO states, "the expansion of near surface, high-grade mineralization at Las Conchitas is a positive development for Sailfish. Prior to the Stream Restructuring, Sailfish did not have exposure to this area or other exploration targets on Mako's district-scale land package outside of the San Albino project. Having spent the last week at site, my confidence continues to grow in the San Albino-Murra property becoming a highly productive gold mining district. We would also like to congratulate Endeavour Silver on achieving commercial production at El Compas, which has generated the first revenue in Sailfish's short history as a public company." About Sailfish Sailfish Royalty Corp. is a precious metals royalty and streaming company. Within Sailfish's portfolio are two cornerstone assets on advanced stage projects in the Americas: a 3.5% NSR on the Tocantinzinho gold project in the prolific Tapajos district of northern Brazil; and a gold stream equivalent to a 3% NSR on the San Albino gold project (~3.5 sq. km) and a 2% NSR on the rest of the 138 sq. km area surrounding San Albino in northern Nicaragua. Sailfish intends to aggressively grow its portfolio and become a yield-focused company by paying dividends to its shareholders. 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. Development Pipeline Significantly Strengthened with Savary Acquisition MONTREAL, May 7, 2019 /CNW Telbec/ - SEMAFO Inc. (TSX: SMF) (OMX: SMF) is pleased to announce record production of 102,400 ounces of gold and cash flow from operating activities1 of $79 million or $0.24 per share2 for the quarter ended March 31, 2019. All amounts are in US dollars unless otherwise stated. Highlight of Q1 2019 Consolidated gold production of 102,400 ounces Cash flows from operating activities 1 of $79 million or $0.24 per share 2 of or per share Net income attributable to shareholders of $17.7 million or $0.05 per share or per share Acquisition of Savary Gold announced in Q1 and closed April 30, 2019 announced in Q1 and closed Three rigs drilling at Bantou with results expected early June Balance sheet remains conservative with net cash and 100% exposure to upside in gold price Benoit Desormeaux, President and Chief Executive Officer of SEMAFO, states: "My congratulations to the entire team for a record first quarter of 2019. Both assets performed well and the strong quarterly contribution from Boungou helped to achieve record production and financial performance on a gross and per share basis. Our team has managed this accomplishment while minimizing dilution, maintaining a net cash position and retaining 100% upside to the price of gold. With the Savary acquisition closed, we have greatly strengthened our development asset base and growth profile. Combining Savary with our Bantou property produced a 1,250 km district scale land package on the prolific Hounde greenstone belt in a country where we have a 20-year history. With our robust cash flow profile, clean balance sheet, and strong development pipeline we have solidified our position as a leading intermediate gold producer and are well positioned to deliver long term shareholder value." _________________________ 1 Cash flows from operating activities exclude changes in non-cash working capital items and is a non-IFRS performance measure 2 Operating cash flows per share is a non-IFRS financial performance measure with no standard definition under IFRS. See the "Non-IFRS Financial Performance Measures" section of the MD&A, note 19. Consolidated Results and Mining Operations Three-month periods ended March 31, 2019 2018 Variation Gold ounces produced 102,400 45,500 125% Gold ounces sold 106,100 46,900 126% (in thousands of dollars, except amounts per ounce, per tonne and per share) Revenues Gold sales 138,541 62,698 121% Operating income 40,359 (8,065) Net income attributable to shareholders of the Corporation 17,666 (4,710) Basic earnings per share 0.05 (0.01) Diluted earnings per share 0.05 (0.01) Cash flow from operating activities2 78,980 18,391 329% Per share1 0.24 0.06 300% Average realized selling price (per ounce) 1,306 1,336 (2%) Total cash cost (per ounce sold) 484 848 (43%) All-in sustaining cost (per ounce sold) 745 1,083 (31%) 2019 Guidance Reiterated Our 2019 guidance provided on February 8 remains unchanged. Operations are tracking according to plan and in line with annual and longer-term targets. The one area that may require additional explanation is the all-in sustaining cost (AISC). The quarterly AISC for Boungou and Mana are slightly above the top end of the 2019 AISC guidance range. This was expected and over the course of the remainder of the year, the AISC for both operations will track back into the 2019 guidance range, albeit for different reasons. At Boungou, the mine plan calls for the strip ratio to decrease over the year with a corresponding reduction in AISC. At Mana, the mine plan calls for ore in the first half of the year to be sourced exclusively from Wona. Higher grade ore from the Siou North pit will only be available in the second half of 2019. As the average head grade increases at Mana, the AISC will correspondingly decrease. Siou Underground Continues on Time, on Budget Underground development at Siou continued to advance well with 2,750 meters completed at quarter-end. The pace of development continues in line with our goal of reaching full production in the first quarter of 2020. At quarter-end, the development continued on budget, with $19.8 million of the total $51.7 million budget incurred. Further, we started grade control drilling with results consistent with the block model. In April 2019, Siou underground was approved by the National Mines Commission and the permit is expected shortly. _____________________ 1 Total cash cost and all-in sustaining cost are non-IFRS financial performance measures with no standard definition under IFRS. See the "Non-IFRS Financial Performance Measures" section of the MD&A, note 19. 2 Cash flows from operating activities exclude changes in non-cash working capital items and are a non-IFRS performance measure Exploration and Development Bantou The focus of the exploration in the first quarter was at Bantou where a total of 58 RC (9,188 meters) and 5 core holes (821 meters) were drilled. The Bantou Zone hosts a maiden inferred resource estimate of 361,000 ounces at 5.35 g/t Au. Initially, one drill was active on the Bantou property testing a variety of prospective target areas. During the quarter, we encountered an interesting area approximately two kilometers north of the Bantou Zone. The area was sufficiently interesting to warrant further drilling, and a second drill was mobilized to continue testing the other target areas. Consequently, much of the drilling in the quarter was carried out on this new area. Assays are being compiled and we expect results, along with a geological interpretation, to be released in early June. A third drill was added at Bantou in the quarter. The focus of the third drill is to test the extensions of the Bantou Zone along strike and at depth. With three active drills at Bantou, we will be increasing the exploration budget and will provide further details in early June. Boungou A total of 7,517 meters of reverse-circulation (RC) drilling was completed in the first quarter on the Dangou NE and Dangou Centre targets. The 7,517 meters represent approximately 30% of the total 25,000-meter program, which is designed to test and establish continuity. Although there have been some encouraging intercepts (1 meter at 22.9 g/t Au, 9 meters at 1.36 g/t Au, 4 meters at 3.67 g/t Au, 1 meter at 6.66 g/t Au, and 3 meters at 5.69 g/t Au), an interpretation can only be provided when the full program has been completed towards the end of the year. Mana An RC drill program commenced late March on the satellite targets located just north of Siou. Although some results have been returned so far (3 meters at 3.31g/t Au and 5 meters at 2.16 g/t Au), only 1,064 meters have been completed out of a total of 10,400 meters. The overall 2019 Mana exploration program includes 18,600 meters of RC drilling, including 7,600 meters at Pompoi. Nabanga A preliminary economic assessment (PEA) study has been initiated following the release of the updated inferred resource estimation at Nabanga (840,000 oz at 7.7 g/t Au). The study remains in progress and, as scheduled, will be released in the third quarter. Summary All areas of the business performed well in the first quarter. We look forward to carrying forward the momentum into the second quarter and beyond. First Quarter Conference Call A conference call will be held tomorrow, May 8, 2019 at 10:00 EDT, to discuss the first quarter results. Interested parties are invited to call the following telephone numbers to participate in the call. A live audio webcast of the conference call will be accessible for a period of 90 days through SEMAFO's website at www.semafo.com. Tel. local & overseas: +1 (514) 225 7341 Tel. North America: 1 (888) 390 0605 Webcast: www.semafo.com Replay overseas: +1 (416) 764 8677 Replay N. America: 1 (888) 390 0541 Replay pass code: 629024# Expiration: May 15, 2019 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders SEMAFO's Annual General Meeting of Shareholders will be held on Thursday, May 9, 2019 at 10:00 EDT at Club Saint-James, Salon Midway, 1145 avenue Union, in Montreal. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and meet the management team and members of the board of directors. About SEMAFO SEMAFO is a Canadian-based intermediate gold producer with over twenty years' experience building and operating mines in West Africa. The Corporation operates two mines, the Boungou and Mana Mines in Burkina Faso. SEMAFO is committed to building value through responsible mining of its quality assets and leveraging its development pipeline. CAUTION CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This press release contains forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of present or historical facts are forward-looking. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions and accordingly, actual results and future events could differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. You are hence cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include words or expressions such as "expected", "upside", " growth", "development pipeline", "deliver", "long term", "guidance", "targets", "will", "continues", "on-time, on-budget", "in line with", "goal", "shortly", "prospective", "focus", "increasing", "initiated", "in progress", "scheduled", "committed", "building", "leveraging" and other similar words or expressions. Factors that could cause future results or events to differ materially from current expectations expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements include the ability to (i) obtain exploration results from Bantou in early June, (ii) deliver long term shareholder value, (iii) meet our 2019 guidance, (iv) deliver the Siou Underground on-time and on-budget, (v) achieve full production from Siou Underground in the first quarter of 2020, (vi) obtain the permit for the Siou Underground shortly, (vii) complete the Nabanga PEA by the third quarter, (viii) execute on our strategic focus, fluctuation in the price of currencies, gold or operating costs, mining industry risks, uncertainty as to calculation of mineral reserves and resources, delays, political and social stability in Africa (including our ability to maintain or renew licenses and permits) and other risks described in SEMAFO's documents filed with Canadian securities regulatory authorities. You can find further information with respect to these and other risks in SEMAFO's 2018 Annual MD&A, as updated in SEMAFO's 2019 First Quarter MD&A, and other filings made with Canadian securities regulatory authorities and available at www.sedar.com. These documents are also available on our website at www.semafo.com. SEMAFO disclaims any obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable law. Consolidated Statements of Financial Position (Expressed in thousands of US dollars - unaudited) As at As at March 31, December 31, 2019 2018 $ $ Assets Current assets Cash and cash equivalents 98,985 96,519 Trade and other receivables 38,163 29,434 Income tax receivable 6,681 6,390 Inventories 84,602 83,211 Other current assets 5,245 5,378 233,676 220,932 Non-current assets Advance receivable 1,916 2,117 Restricted cash 25,163 25,340 Property, plant and equipment 796,554 782,060 Intangible asset 1,167 1,204 Other non-current financial assets 5,137 2,622 829,937 813,343 Total assets 1,063,613 1,034,275 Liabilities Current liabilities Trade payables and accrued liabilities 61,172 63,905 Current portion of long-term debt 60,104 60,181 Current portion of finance leases 11,793 7,820 Current portion of share unit plan liabilities 4,172 3,311 Provisions 2,928 3,051 140,169 138,268 Non-current liabilities Long-term debt 42,968 57,388 Finance Leases 23,653 20,144 Share unit plan liabilities 2,092 2,263 Provisions 24,022 23,561 Deferred income tax liabilities 53,705 39,548 146,440 142,904 Total liabilities 286,609 281,172 Equity Shareholders of the Corporation Share capital 624,308 623,604 Contributed surplus 6,497 6,771 Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income (16,560) (18,909) Retained earnings 126,882 109,216 741,127 720,682 Non-controlling interests 35,877 32,421 Total equity 777,004 753,103 Total liabilities and equity 1,063,613 1,034,275 Consolidated Statements of Income (loss) For the three-month period ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 (Expressed in thousands of US dollars, except per share amounts - unaudited) Three-month period ended March 31, 2019 2018 $ $ Revenue Gold sales 138,541 62,698 Costs of operations Mining operation expenses 51,405 39,778 Depreciation of property, plant and equipment 39,628 25,428 General and administrative 3,960 3,917 Corporate social responsibility expenses 357 222 Share-based compensation 2,832 1,418 Operating income (loss) 40,359 (8,065) Other expenses (income) Finance income (548) (641) Finance costs 3,556 313 Foreign exchange loss (gain) 496 (428) Income (loss) before income taxes 36,855 (7,309) Income tax expense (recovery) Current 734 527 Deferred 14,999 (2,936) 15,733 (2,409) Net income (loss) for the period 21,122 (4,900) Attributable to: Shareholders of the Corporation 17,666 (4,710) Non-controlling interests 3,456 (190) 21,122 (4,900) Earnings (loss) per share Basic 0.05 (0.01) Diluted 0.05 (0.01) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows For the three-month period ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 (Expressed in thousands of US dollars - unaudited) Three-month period ended March 31, 2019 2018 $ $ Cash flows from (used in): Operating activities Net income (loss) for the period 21,122 (4,900) Adjustments for: Depreciation of property, plant and equipment 39,628 25,428 Share-based compensation 2,832 1,418 Unrealized foreign exchange loss (gain) 116 (552) Deferred income tax expense (recovery) 14,999 (2,936) Other 283 (67) 78,980 18,391 Changes in non-cash working capital items (15,736) (15,636) Net cash provided by operating activities 63,244 2,755 Financing activities Drawdown of long-term debt (15,000) Repayment of equipment financing (77) (77) Payments of finance lease (2,125) (1,145) Proceeds on issuance of share capital, net of expenses 430 741 Net cash used in financing activities (16,772) (481) Investing activities Acquisition of property, plant and equipment (43,179) (61,156) Net acquisitions of equity investments (1,606) Net cash used in investing activities (43,179) (62,762) Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents (827) 958 Change in cash and cash equivalents during the period 2,466 (59,530) Cash and cash equivalents Beginning of period 96,519 198,950 Cash and cash equivalents End of period 98,985 139,420 Interest paid 2,775 2,330 Interest received 548 710 Income tax paid 851 1,356 Boungou, Burkina Faso Mining Operations Three-month period ended March 31, 2019 Operating Data Mining Waste mined (tonnes) 2,106,000 Ore mined (tonnes) 280,000 Operational stripping ratio 7.5 Capitalized Stripping Activity Waste material Boungou (tonnes) 5,044,600 Total strip ratio 25.5 Processing Tonnes processed (tonnes) 308,700 Head grade (g/t) 6.50 Recovery (%) 96 Gold ounces produced 61,900 Gold ounces sold 64,700 Financial Data (in thousands of dollars) Revenues Gold sales 84,492 Mining operation expenses 17,070 Government royalties and development taxes 4,724 Depreciation of property, plant and equipment 24,948 General and administrative 217 Corporate social responsibility expenses 82 Segment operating income 37,451 Statistics (in dollars) Average realized selling price (per ounce) 1,306 Cash operating cost (per tonne processed)1 53 Cash operating cost, including stripping (per tonne processed)1 88 Total cash cost (per ounce sold)1 337 All-in sustaining cost (per ounce sold)1 534 Depreciation (per ounce sold)2 386 ____________________________ 1 Cash operating cost, total cash cost and all-in sustaining cost are non-IFRS financial performance measures with no standard definition under IFRS. See the "Non-IFRS Financial Performance Measures" section of the MD&A, note 19. 2 Depreciation per ounce sold is a non-IFRS financial performance measure with no standard definition under IFRS and represents the depreciation expense per ounce sold. Mana, Burkina Faso Mining Operations Three-month period ended March 31, 2019 2018 Variation Operating Data Mining Waste mined (tonnes) 2,766,300 5,205,800 (47%) Ore mined (tonnes) 408,100 592,300 (31%) Operational stripping ratio 6.8 8.8 (23%) Capitalized Stripping Activity Waste material Siou (tonnes) 2,405,900 Waste material Wona (tonnes) 1,825,000 3,204,200 (43%) 4,230,900 3,204,200 32% Total strip ratio 17.1 14.2 20% Processing Ore processed (tonnes) 427,900 612,000 (30%) Low grade material (tonnes) 212,300 39,700 435% Tonnes processed (tonnes) 640,200 651,700 (2%) Head grade (g/t) 2.27 2.24 1% Recovery (%) 87 97 (10%) Gold ounces produced 40,500 45,500 (11%) Gold ounces sold 41,400 46,900 (12%) Financial Data (in thousands of dollars) Revenues Gold sales 54,049 62,698 (14%) Mining operations expenses 27,182 36,634 (26%) Government royalties 2,429 3,144 (23%) Depreciation of property, plant and equipment 14,531 25,332 (43%) General and administrative 543 635 (14%) Corporate social responsibility expenses 275 185 49% Segment operating income 9,089 (3,232) Statistics (in dollars) Average realized selling price (per ounce) 1,306 1,336 (2%) Cash operating cost (per tonne processed) 41 54 (24%) Cash operating cost, including stripping (per tonne processed)1 61 67 (9%) Total cash cost (per ounce sold) 715 848 (16%) All-in sustaining cost (per ounce sold) 1,075 1,083 (1%) Depreciation (per ounce sold) 351 540 (35%) SENATOR MURKOWSKI PROPOSES NEW CRITICAL MINERALS LEGISLATION AT SUMMIT BENCHMARKS MOORES: U.S. IS A BYSTANDER IN THE GLOBAL BATTERY ARMS RACE; CALLS GRAPHITE THE MOST EXTREME EXAMPLE VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 07, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Graphite One Inc. (GPH: TSX-V; GPHOF: OTCQB) (Graphite One or the Company) was the sole graphite developer taking part in Benchmark Minerals Summit 2019, an invitation-only/no media event for industry leaders and U.S. Government representatives held on May 2 in Washington, D.C. We are in the midst of a global battery arms race that is intensifying, Simon Moores, Managing Director of Benchmark Mineral Intelligence told summit participants. Lithium, graphite, cobalt and nickel are the key enablers of the lithium ion battery and, in turn, the lithium ion battery is the key enabler of the energy storage revolution. Globally, they are facing a wall of demand especially from electric vehicles, yet the U.S. has been a bystander in building a domestic supply chain capacity. Graphite is the most extreme example, with no flake graphite mining and anode production compared to Chinas 51% and 100% of the worlds total, respectively, Moores told the gathering. Responding to Moores opening statement, GPH CEO Anthony Huston told summit participants: [Graphite One is] a solution to that problem graphite, mined responsibly, to U.S. standards from the State of Alaska. In her keynote remarks at the summit, Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) said: The significance of foreign oil dependence is widely understood, but our foreign mineral dependence is equally if not more serious. Last year [the United States] imported at least 50 percent of 48 minerals, including 100 percent of 18 of them. That should worry everyone, particularly because it is happening at the same time that demand, for everything from graphite and lithium to cobalt and nickel, is about to skyrocket. I have introduced the American Mineral Security Act, a bipartisan bill that takes a comprehensive approach to rebuilding our domestic mineral supply chain. Unless we take significant steps, were at risk of ceding major economic drivers to other countries. Speaking after the Senators announcement, and stating that Senator Murkowski has elevated the critical minerals issue in the Senate, Mr. Huston added: Weve got to move beyond Government lists of critical minerals we lack, and get a clear signal from the U.S. Government that projects like ours, and many others involving critical minerals that our projects matter. The text of Senator Murkowskis bill, co-sponsored by Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), can be viewed here. Mr. Hustons op-ed in The Economic Standard on the morning of the Washington summit can be viewed here. About Graphite One GRAPHITE ONE INC. continues to develop its Graphite Creek Project (the Project), whereby the Company could potentially become an American producer of high grade Coated Spherical Graphite (CSG) that is integrated with a domestic graphite resource. The Project is proposed as a vertically integrated enterprise to mine, process and manufacture high grade CSG primarily for the lithium-ion electric vehicle battery market. As set forth in the Companys Preliminary Economic Assessment, potential graphite mineralization mined from the Companys Graphite Creek Property is expected to be processed into concentrate at a graphite processing plant. The proposed processing plant would be located on the Graphite Creek Property situated on the Seward Peninsula about 60 kilometers north of Nome, Alaska. CSG and other value-added graphite products would likely be manufactured from the concentrate at the Companys proposed graphite product manufacturing facility, the location of which is the subject of further study and analysis. The Company intends to make a production decision on the Project once a feasibility study is completed. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS "Anthony Huston (signed) For more information on Graphite One Inc please visit the Companys website, www.GraphiteOneInc.com or contact: Anthony Huston CEO, President & Director Tel: (604) 889-4251 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Investor Relations Contact 1-604-684-6730 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 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 release includes certain statements that may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts that address receipt of regulatory approvals, exploration drilling, exploitation activities and events or developments that the Company expects, are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, exploitation and exploration successes, continuity of mineralization, uncertainties related to the ability to obtain necessary permits, licenses and title and delays due to third party opposition, changes in government policies regarding mining and natural resource exploration and exploitation, and continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on this forward-looking information, which is given as of the date it is expressed in this press release, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking information, except as required by applicable securities laws. For more information on the Company, investors should review the Company's continuous disclosure filings that are available at www.sedar.com. VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / May 7, 2019 / Sandstorm Gold Ltd. ("Sandstorm Gold Royalties," "Sandstorm" or the "Company") (NYSE American: SAND, TSX: SSL) has released its results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2019 (all figures in U.S. dollars). First Quarter Highlights Attributable gold equivalent ounces sold 1 of 14,071 ounces (Q1 2018 - 14,685 ounces); of 14,071 ounces (Q1 2018 - 14,685 ounces); Revenue of $18.2 million (Q1 2018 - $19.5 million); of $18.2 million (Q1 2018 - $19.5 million); Cash flows from operating activities, excluding changes in non-cash working capital 1 of $12.1 million (Q1 2018 - $13.4 million); of $12.1 million (Q1 2018 - $13.4 million); Average cash cost per attributable gold equivalent ounce 1 of $241 resulting in cash operating margins(1) of $1,050 per ounce (Q1 2018 - $276 per ounce and $1,050 per ounce respectively); of $241 resulting in cash operating margins(1) of $1,050 per ounce (Q1 2018 - $276 per ounce and $1,050 per ounce respectively); Net income of $2.5 million (Q1 2018 - $0.4 million). Significant Acquisitions: In January 2019, the Company acquired a 0.9% net smelter returns ("NSR") royalty on the precious metals produced from the Fruta del Norte gold project in Ecuador, which is currently under construction and owned by Lundin Gold Inc. ("Lundin Gold"). The royalty was acquired from a private third party for $32.8 million in cash and covers a land package of more than 644 square kilometres in size, including all 30 mining concessions held by Lundin Gold. For more information on this acquisition, see Sandstorm's press release dated January 18th, 2019. In April 2019, the Company announced that it had entered into a $42.5 million financing package with Americas Silver Corporation which includes a $25 million precious metal stream and NSR royalty on the Relief Canyon gold project in Nevada, USA, a $10 million convertible debenture and a $7.5 million private placement. Under the terms of the precious metals stream, Sandstorm is entitled to receive 32,022 ounces of gold over a 5.5 year period, after which, the Company will purchase 4% of the gold or silver produced from the Relief Canyon project for ongoing per ounce cash payments equal to 30% - 65% of the spot price of gold or silver. In addition, Sandstorm will also receive a 1.4% - 2.8% NSR royalty on the area surrounding the Relief Canyon mine. For more information on this acquisition, see Sandstorm's press release dated April 3rd, 2019. Outlook Based on the Company's existing royalties, attributable gold equivalent ounces sold for 2019 is forecasted to be between 63,000 and 70,000 ounces. The Company is forecasting attributable gold equivalent production of over 140,000 ounces in 2023. In early April, Sandstorm received its first silver delivery from Cerro Moro under the Yamana silver stream agreement. This delivery, which amounted to 300,000 silver ounces, represented the maximum quarterly amount under the stream agreement. Cerro Moro is expected to produce 6.0 million silver ounces in 2019. Financial results Sandstorm's revenue during the first quarter of 2019 was $18.2 million compared with $19.5 million for the comparable period in 2018. The decrease is largely due to a 4% decrease in the attributable gold equivalent ounces sold and a 3% decrease in the average realized selling price of gold. Net income was higher when compared to the same period in 2018 partly due to certain non-recurring items that were recognized during the first quarter of 2018, including a $4.5 million non-cash impairment charge relating to the Gualcamayo royalty. Other factors impacting the increase in net income include a $1.2 million gain on the revaluation of the Company's investments, largely driven by the change in fair value of the Equinox convertible debenture, and a $0.9 million decrease in cost of sales. The increase in net income was partially offset by a $0.4 million increase in finance expense related to the Company drawing on its revolving credit facility during the first quarter of 2019. Streams & Royalties: Q1 Updates Of the gold equivalent ounces sold by Sandstorm during the first quarter of 2019, approximately 40% were attributable to mines located in Canada, 13% from the rest of North America, 20% from South America and 27% from other countries. Three months ended Mar 31, 2019 Revenue (in millions) Gold Equivalent Ounces Canada $7.3 5,658 North America excl. Canada $2.4 1,877 South America $3.6 2,758 Other $4.9 3,778 Total $18.2 14,071 Canada Streams and royalties on Canadian mines contributed 5,658 of the attributable gold equivalent ounces sold during the first quarter of 2019, a 1% increase compared to the first quarter of 2018. The change is primarily due to increases in gold equivalent ounces sold from the Ming mine in Newfoundland and in royalty revenue from the Thunder Creek mine in Ontario. The increases were partially offset by decreases in gold equivalent ounces sold from the Black Fox mine in Ontario and in royalty revenue from the Bracemac-McLeod mine in Quebec. North America Excluding Canada The attributable gold equivalent ounces sold from operations located within North America, but outside of Canada, decreased by 18% compared to the first quarter in 2018. The changes were driven primarily by a decrease in gold ounces sold from the Santa Elena mine in Mexico. South America Operations in South America contributed 27% less gold equivalent ounces when compared to the first quarter of 2018. The change was driven by a decrease in gold equivalent ounces from the Yamana silver stream on the Minera Florida mine in Chile and the Chapada mine in Brazil. Other Streams and royalties on mines in other countries contributed 26% more gold equivalent ounces sold when compared to the first quarter of 2018. The change is primarily due to increases in gold equivalent ounces sold from the Karma mine in Burkina Faso and in royalty revenue from the Hounde mine in Burkina Faso. Webcast & Conference Call Details A conference call will be held on Wednesday, May 8, 2019 starting at 8:30am PDT to further discuss the first quarter results. To participate in the conference call, use the following dial-in numbers and conference ID, or join the webcast using the link below: International: (+1) 201 389 0899 North American Toll-Free: (+1) 877 407 0312 Conference ID: 13690127 Webcast URL: https://bit.ly/2UrX9QL Note 1 Sandstorm has included certain performance measures in this press release that do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") including average cash cost per attributable gold equivalent ounce, average realized gold price per attributable ounce, cash operating margin, and cash flows from operating activities excluding changes in non-cash working capital. Average cash cost per attributable gold equivalent ounce is calculated by dividing the Company's cost of sales, excluding depletion by the number of attributable gold equivalent ounces sold. The Company presents average cash cost per ounce as it believes that certain investors use this information to evaluate the Company's performance in comparison to other streaming companies in the precious metals mining industry who present results on a similar basis. Average realized gold price per attributable ounce is calculated by dividing the Company's revenue by the number of attributable gold equivalent ounces sold. The Company presents average realized gold price per attributable ounce as it believes that certain investors use this information to evaluate the Company's performance in comparison to other streaming companies in the precious metals mining industry that present results on a similar basis. Cash operating margin is calculated by subtracting the average cash cost per attributable gold equivalent ounce from the average realized selling price per attributable gold equivalent ounce. The Company presents cash operating margin as it believes that certain investors use this information to evaluate the Company's performance in comparison to other companies in the precious metals mining industry who present results on a similar basis. The Company has also used the non-IFRS measure of cash flows from operating activities excluding changes in non-cash working capital. This measure is calculated by adding back the decrease or subtracting the increase in changes in non-cash working capital to or from cash provided by (used in) operating activities. The Company presents cash flows from operating activities excluding changes in non-cash working capital as it believes that certain investors use this information to evaluate the Company's performance in comparison to other streaming companies in the precious metals mining industry that present results on a similar basis. Sandstorm has included attributable gold equivalent ounces as a performance measure in this press release which does not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS. The Company's royalty and other commodity stream revenue is converted to an attributable gold equivalent ounce basis by dividing the royalty and other commodity stream revenue for that period by the average realized gold price per ounce from the Company's gold streams for the same respective period. These attributable gold equivalent ounces when combined with the gold ounces sold from the Company's gold streams equal total attributable gold equivalent ounces sold and may be subject to change. The presentation of this non-IFRS measure is intended to provide additional information and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. Other companies may calculate these non-IFRS measures differently. CONTACT Information For more information about Sandstorm Gold Royalties, please visit our website at www.sandstormgold.com or email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Erfan Kazemi Chief Financial Officer 604 689 0234 Kim Forgaard Investor Relations 604 628 1164 ABOUT SANDSTORM GOLD ROYALTIES Sandstorm is a gold royalty company that provides upfront financing to gold mining companies that are looking for capital and in return, receives the right to a percentage of the gold produced from a mine, for the life of the mine. Sandstorm has acquired a portfolio of 188 royalties, of which 20 of the underlying mines are producing. Sandstorm plans to grow and diversify its low cost production profile through the acquisition of additional gold royalties. For more information visit: www.sandstormgold.com. CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS TO U.S. SECURITYHOLDERS The financial information included or incorporated by reference in this press release or the documents referenced herein has been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board, which differs from US generally accepted accounting principles ("US GAAP") in certain material respects, and thus are not directly comparable to financial statements prepared in accordance with US GAAP. Information contained or referenced in this press release or in the documents referenced herein concerning the properties, technical information and operations of Sandstorm has been prepared in accordance with requirements and standards under securities laws, which differ from the requirements of US securities laws. The terms "mineral resource," "measured mineral resource," "indicated mineral resource" and "inferred mineral resource" used in this or in the documents incorporated by reference herein are mining terms as defined in accordance with NI 43-101 under guidelines set out in the Definition Standards for Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves adopted by the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum Council on 11 December 2005. While the terms "mineral resource," "measured mineral resource," " indicated mineral resource" and "inferred mineral resource" are recognized and required by securities laws other than the requirements of US securities laws, they are not recognized by the SEC. Disclosure of contained ounces are or may be permitted disclosure under regulations applicable to Sandstorm; however, the SEC normally only permits issuers to report resources as in place tonnage and grade without reference to unit of production measures. As such, certain information contained in this document or in the documents incorporated by reference herein concerning descriptions of mineralization and mineral resources under these standards may not be comparable to similar information made public by US companies subject to reporting and disclosure requirements of the SEC. CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION This press release contains 'forward-looking statements', within the meaning of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities legislation, concerning the business, operations and financial performance and condition of Sandstorm. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, intentions with respect to the purchase of the Common Shares, intentions with respect to the Buyback, the Company's intentions and ability to purchase the remaining Common Shares, the future price of gold, the estimation of mineral reserves and resources, realization of mineral reserve estimates, and the timing and amount of estimated future production. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may," "will," "expect," "intend," "estimate," "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "plans," or similar terminology. Forward-looking statements are made based upon certain assumptions and other important factors that, if untrue, could cause the actual results, performances or achievements of Sandstorm to be materially different from future results, performances or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. Such statements and information are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies and the environment in which Sandstorm will operate in the future, including the price of gold and anticipated costs. Certain important factors that could cause actual results, performances or achievements to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, amongst others, changes in business plans and strategies, market conditions, share price, best use of available cash, gold and other commodity price volatility, discrepancies between actual and estimated production, mineral reserves and resources and metallurgical recoveries, mining operational and development risks relating to the parties which produce the gold Sandstorm will purchase, regulatory restrictions, activities by governmental authorities (including changes in taxation), currency fluctuations, the global economic climate, dilution, share price volatility and competition. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Sandstorm to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: the impact of general business and economic conditions, the absence of control over mining operations from which Sandstorm will purchase gold, other commodities or receive royalties from, and risks related to those mining operations, including risks related to international operations, government and environmental regulation, actual results of current exploration activities, conclusions of economic evaluations and changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, risks in the marketability of minerals, fluctuations in the price of gold and other commodities, fluctuation in foreign exchange rates and interest rates, stock market volatility, as well as those factors discussed in the section entitled "Risks to Sandstorm" in Sandstorm's annual report for the financial year ended December 31, 2018 and the section entitled "Risk Factors" contained in the Company's annual information form dated March 21, 2019 available at www.sedar.com. Although Sandstorm has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. 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. Sandstorm does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements that are contained or incorporated by reference, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. I hope Im wrong, Han said. I feel, again, its not fair. I understand the economics. I also understand that todays economic climate that these types of financial tools have become the norm for developers and it is very likely that they wouldnt develop without it. A plastics manufacturer has announced plans for a $2.7 million expansion in Louisiana. Gov. John Bel Edwards and MCM Plastics President Richard Morris said in a joint statement Tuesday that MCM's expansion in Livingston Parish will add five jobs at an operation that already employs 15. The new jobs will pay an average annual salary of $27,000 plus benefits. The release says MCM culls plastic residue from high-volume producers and recycles the excess materials for use by its customers. As we witness a new era of growth for Louisianas petrochemical industry, its exciting to see how that growth spreads through our economy in strategic ways, Gov. Edwards said. The decision by MCM Plastics to expand its Holden plant demonstrates how entrepreneurs, making the most of technology and reinvestment, can strengthen our industrial economy in meaningful ways within their communities. MCM operates a 100,000-square-foot (9290.3-square-meter) plant just north of U.S. Highway 190. The expansion will add equipment and 25,000 square feet (2322.5 square meters) of warehouse space. Officials say MCM is expected to take advantage of Louisiana's Industrial Tax Exemption, which provides tax breaks for expanding manufacturers, to support the expansion. A. They were all challenging in different ways. To be able to work in something youre really passionate about is really gratifying. Being president of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra was probably the most challenging. It was very visible. After 18 years, I felt I needed a change. Other jobs have had challenges and gratifications, but probably not quite as extreme. Ive been fortunate to make a living in something thats a hobby and a passion. Although hesitant to provide an actual opening date, the owners of One Lake recently said they will officially open this month. Co-owners Jason Alfonsi and Shawn Stevens said the project has proved to be more of a challenge than either of them could have imagined when they first saw the building in 2014. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 7) The candidates of Binibining Pilipinas 2019 paid tribute to the country's heritage and cultural diversity in their national costumes created with modern touches by Filipino designers. The official national costume portraits of the 40 candidates were released Tuesday on the pageant's official Facebook page. Filipiniana terno remained to be the top choice among many candidates, but some chose to don pieces with tribal prints, representing the country's ethnic groups. There were also women who took pride in Filipina power, flaunting warrior attires matched with weapons like swords and spears. The national costume show will be on May 29 at the New Frontier Theater in Quezon City. The coronation night, meanwhile, will take place on June 9 at the Araneta Coliseum. The Filipina beauties will vie for six crowns such as Miss Universe, Miss International, Miss Intercontinental, Miss Globe, Miss Supranational and Miss Grand International. Last year, the country's bet to Miss Universe --Catriona Gray -- bagged the international title, while Maria Ahtisa Manalo went home with a bride's maid finish at Miss International. Karen Gallman also won the country's first Miss Intercontinental crown in 2018. Reeves had "what appeared to be blood on her clothing" and took "a knife out of her purse" that had "a broken tip and what appeared to be blood on it," the deal states. MEDFORD, Ore. -- Dutch Bros. will donate all of the proceeds from drinks sold on May 10 to the Muscular Dystrophy Association and its ALS research. It's called Drink One for Dane Day because Dutch Bros.'s founder, Brant Boersma, has a personal connection to the association, and the patients they serve. Boersma's father, Dane, had ALS. Dutch Bros. says his father wasn't going to let his diagnosis steal his greatest joy: a good cup of coffee. Every year in memory of Dane, Dutch Bros. hosts Drink One for Dane Day to help fund ALS research and help find a cure. Last year, shops raised $1.3 million in a single day. Click the video above to learn more about the research being done right now. To donate to the cause, click here. EAGLE POINT, Ore. A sudden rash of fires on Monday afternoon had fire crews racing to contain multiple incidents, Jackson County Fire District 3 (FD3) confirms. Perhaps the most significant fire occurred at a duplex in the 400-block of Merlee Circle in Eagle Point. When crews arrived on the scene, they found flames and smoke pouring from a garage, which took them about 13 minutes to knock down. "The fire was contained to the garage itself, however, there was extensive smoke damage in the primary unit. All occupants of the home were able to evacuate safely," FD3 said. The east side of Merlee Circle was closed as emergency vehicle traffic moved in and out of the area. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Meanwhile, a grass fire broke out in 3700-block of Dodge Road between White City and Beagle, with the flames growing to cover about 1.5 acres of green grass. Fire District 4 and the Oregon Department of Forestry responded, containing the grass fire. "Please be mindful that today is a burn day, however, if you feel uncomfortable or conditions develop that could cause the spread of fire, please STOP and extinguish the fire immediately," FD3 said. Another fire, this one along I-5 just north of Phoenix, caused emergency crews to temporarily shut down the northbound slow lane while firefighters attacked the small grass fire. The closure caused traffic backups until fire crews finished containing the fire. Additional calls to emergency services throughout Monday afternoon suggest that there may have been more small grass fires in the area, including a quarter-acre grass fire reported near Gold Hill and a controlled burn that someone reported south of Ashland near Hwy 99. Fire crews arrived to find that the burn was under control. PHOENIX, Ore-- A new charity in the Rogue Valley helps kids and teens that are homeless, in foster care or in transitional living. "It's something I've been wanting to do for a long time" said Wendy Tarin the creator of Sleeping Angel Bags. She started this about two weeks ago. The bags include a blanket, coloring book, an activity book and a stuffed animal. "It's just been great, it's been more then I could ever expect" said Tarin. Tarin says sometimes these kids are forgotten about. Right now these bags are going to the Dunn House and the Salvation Army Help House. "I'm working on the Medford Woman's Gospel Mission Shelter and whoever else would like some. I would love to help them out" said Tarin. She was inspired when she heard about this kind of charity in other parts of the country. One day she brought it up to a coworker. "She's like well let me know when you want to do this and I said really you want to help?" said Tarin. Donations are being collected through jars. Right now the jars can be found at the Petro Stopping Center and Pucks Donuts in Phoenix. She hopes more businesses will allow the jars in their stores as well. Besides the jars they also take donations online. So far they have close to 300 dollars raised from jar donations and online donations. Tarin just started taking in donations last week. Tarin said she is doing this because it makes her happy and because it's awesome to put a smile on a kid's face. If you want to donate a bag to a kid it costs $10 per bag. Here is a link to the Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/sleepingangelbags/?epa=SEARCH_BOX You can make a donation on the page as well. SALEM, Ore. A sudden decision by state regulators to reject an environmental certification for the Jordan Cove LNG pipeline may represent a major setback for the pipeline's supporters. On Monday, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) revealed that it had denied Jordan Cove's application for a Section 401 Water Quality Certification "without prejudice." "This means that the applicant may reapply for the certification, and submit additional information that could result in a different decision," DEQ said in a statement. The agency wrote that it had denied the application because Jordan Cove had provided "insufficient information to demonstrate compliance with water quality standards" and that some standards were likely to be violated if the project were implemented. To move forward, Jordan Cove will have to resubmit its application "along with information addressing DEQ's concerns" but even if new application is approved, it will extend the time-line by an indeterminate amount. DEQ indicated that the timing of Monday's decision was perhaps unexpected, saying that it had "accelerated the schedule" because a proposed extended deadline could rest on shaky footing. Although the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers had originally mandated that the DEQ offer a decision by May 7, Corps of Engineers had later extended that deadline to Sept 24. "Recent federal court and agency decisions have raised significant questions about whether this extension was valid. As a result, DEQ is making a decision by the date initially provided by the Corps," the agency said. Pembina, the company that owns the Jordan Cove project, issued a brief response to the decision on Monday: "Today we were advised by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, of its decision to deny our Section 401 permit without prejudice, based on procedural concerns DEQ has in relation to recent court decisions. Pembinas Management team is working to better understand this decision and its impacts and will communicate updates when appropriate." Activist group Rogue Climate, which has fervently opposed the pipeline, called the decision a "potentially fatal blow." Oregons decision shows that when we come together and speak out, we can win, said Hannah Sohl, Director of Rogue Climate.For years, a record number of Oregonians have urged Gov. Brown and Oregon agencies to put the public interest over the special interests of Canadian fossil fuel corporation Pembina. It is great to see Oregon DEQ do just that. Oregon should be focused on creating good-paying jobs in renewable energy, not on new fossil fuel projects that hurt us all. HOLDREGE A policy to act on delinquent residential lease payments was approved Monday at the Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District board meeting. The new policy identifies steps to be taken in such cases at Johnson Lake, Plum Creek and Lake McConaughy. CNPPID Natural Resources and Compliance Manager Mike Drain said a condition of such leases is that if payments are delinquent, there are grounds for default. However, there has not been an actual policy to achieve that. Tenants on CNPPID properties get monthly invoices from the district. The policy requires a letter to be sent from the staff if payments are delinquent for three months. After six months, a letter will be sent by the districts legal counsel. After 11 months, a three-day notice of lease termination can be served by legal counsel. Drain said there is room in the policy for staff to deviate, based on individual circumstances, and the board may allow a lease to be taken out of default status if all debts are settled. The prosecution noted that the mens cooperation in the investigation and testifying at Quinns trial was valuable. The prosecution stated that these men did make terrible decisions, but each of the men had minimal criminal history before this case and were at low risk to offend again. Wilson moved in the apartment directly below the women, and he takes an interest in the mother and daughter, Burke said. The mother and daughter testified that Wilson would bring them birthday and Valentines Day cards and DVDs. Wilson once asked the daughter if she had a boyfriend, but at the time, I didnt think it was weird, the daughter said. A former Fontenelle Elementary School first-grade teacher pleaded guilty Monday to sexually assaulting three students, prosecutors said. Gregory Sedlacek, who was accused of sexually assaulting a total of six students, appeared in court Monday. Sedlacek faces a minimum of 15 years in prison and a maximum life sentence on each count. He will be sentenced in July. The judge could decide to run the sentences all at the same time or one after the other. Sedlacek, 31, had been charged with six counts of first-degree sexual assault of a child and one count of third-degree sexual assault of a child. In return for his guilty pleas, prosecutors dropped four of the charges. Sedlacek was arrested Dec. 3 and charged with two first-degree counts involving a 7-year-old girl. Authorities have said Sedlacek digitally penetrated the girl, including at least one time on Nov. 19 on the school playground that was caught on security video. Prosecutors have said four girls told police that Sedlacek digitally penetrated them or touched their vaginas multiple times in the classroom this school year. A 69-year-old Gering man is listed in critical condition at Regional West Medical Center after being injured in a car vs. pedestrian collision in Gering Saturday. Donald Wimberley suffered significant injuries in the crash and has been hospitalized since being transported to Regional West Medical Center after the collision, which occurred at about 6:11 p.m. Saturday. A report from the Nebraska Department of Transportation states Wimberley was transported to Regional West Medical Center by Valley Ambulance. According to the report, Wimberley had stopped his vehicle in the southbound lane of Seventh Street and was standing on the drivers side of the vehicle, a 1981 Chevrolet K10 pickup, near the tire area of trailer being hauled by Wimberley. Cole Russell, 25, driving a 2002 Dodge truck, traveling southbound, struck the trail and the man. The collision occurred on Seventh Street, about 540 feet south of Morrison Road, according to the report. The report states that a citation against Russell is pending. Capt. Jason Rogers of the Gering Police Department said that the investigation has been referred to the Scotts Bluff County Attorneys Office. The Scotts Bluff County Sheriffs Office conducted an accident reconstruction as part of the investigation. The math is easy. The University of Nebraskas four campuses UNK, UNO, UNMC and UNL churn out about 11,000 graduates per year. That would appear to be a massive number, but it falls far short of Nebraskas need, according to NU President Hank Bounds. He claims that in the not-so-distant future there will be a pressing need for high-skill, high-demand, high-wage professionals in fields such as nursing, engineering and software development. How large of a need? Bounds foresees the need to fill 35,000 vacancies annually, and thats just in fields like those we listed. If Nebraska continues to grow as we believe it can, our states graduate shortage will become more acute as our states economy and population expand. We will need far more than 35,000 skilled graduates because as our state grows, so does the diversification of Nebraskas economy. Year after year we need more doctors, nurses and other medical professionals, but we also need computer experts, new engineers, financial leaders and construction managers. The Drake Scholars Fund, started by Ann Drake 84, is cultivating the next generation of leaders who are committed to advancing issues and topics related to women in business at Kellogg Editor's note: Since this story was first published in spring 2019, Ann Drake has generously made an additional gift to Kellogg. Read more here. In 2017, Ann M. Drake 84 gave the Kellogg School of Management a $4 million gift to create the Drake Scholars Fund. This fund provides significant scholarships to students who are committed to advancing issues and topics related to women in business enrolled in the Kellogg Executive MBA Program or the Evening & Weekend MBA Program. Drake says she learned to dream big and think boldly in part because of her time at Kellogg. My experience at Kellogg was transformational and took me to a whole new place, she says. I was an entrepreneur, and I didnt know about large-scale business at all, but thats what the Executive MBA program is all about its a sort of level-setting for people with potential coming from a wide variety of places. It gave me the tools and the mindset and network to call upon and be called upon to make things happen. With the Drake Scholars Fund, I am excited to open the door to EMBA and the Evening & Weekend Programs curriculum and leadership development for those pursuing careers of impact. Like Drake, the Drake Scholars possess the analytic skills and passion for inspiring growth in the 21st century marketplace. "Ann Drakes generous gift is helping the Kellogg Executive MBA and Evening & Weekend programs strengthen our efforts to build and sustain a community that supports talented women leaders from a range of backgrounds, said Greg Hanifee, associate dean of Degree Operations. Over the course of the next few years, the Drake Scholars Fund will support many talented individuals. The inaugural Drake Scholars began their Kellogg journey in fall 2018. Here are a few of their stories. Dawn Cornelius attends the EMBA program in Miami and lives in Nashville, Tennessee. She currently serves as vice president of marketing and communications at the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce. Dawn has long viewed her own career as flowing in two rivers: corporate marketing and communications, alongside nonprofit change-making. Her desire to gain the leadership development skills and experience to join these two vocational streams led her to Kellogg. She knew she had reached a point in her life where her own skills, expertise and network were not sufficient to allow her to advance and fulfill her dreams, but that Kellogg would give her the momentum to accelerate her growth and impact. A surreal call from Associate Dean Greg Hanifee about the Drake Scholarship changed her life. Ann Drakes investment in the Drake Scholars Fund made it possible for Dawn to invest in herself. Now at Kellogg, she is strengthening her skills, knowledge and networks to continue her quest as a change-maker, working every day to make a difference in the lives of real people. Beyond the value of the Drake Scholarship Fund in Dawns own life, she also sees in the fund a broader significance for others ensuring that talented women, at different stages of life, can have access to the best opportunities for leadership development and career acceleration, along with meaningful support on their own journeys to creating local and global impact. In 2018, world hunger statistics indicated some 795 million people in the world do not have enough food to lead a healthy active life. Thats about one in nine people on earth. Feeding America reports that, in Wisconsin, 609,360 people are struggling with hunger, and of them, 205,660 are children. Poverty puts households at much higher risk of food insecurity and hunger. Many families report running out of food without having money to buy more, cutting back the size of meals due to lack of money, or having to skip meals altogether. Many families rely on local food pantries to assist them with making ends meet. The Shalom Center food pantry is a client-choice food pantry. As a client-choice pantry, it allows families and individuals to shop in a setting organized like a grocery store and offering a wide range of breakfast, lunch and dinner items, seasonal produce, fresh fruit, bread, refrigerated and frozen foods at no cost to patrons. This is in addition to much needed hygiene items. Our client-choice model affirms the dignity of the families and individuals we serve by instilling a sense of self-esteem, higher patron satisfaction with food choices, less waste, less cost in providing food and, finally, greater opportunities for positive and supportive social interaction between Shalom Center volunteers and clients. The food that many pantries receive is the food that is needed the most. Many pantries focus only on healthy, nutritious and nonperishable foods. Food drives are important for local food pantries, because they help to provide food for our community members and to provide the most nutritious and balanced food for them as well. Food drives fill the gap needed during the lower donation months. One of our major local food pantry partners is the United States Postal Service letter carriers Stamp Out Hunger food drive. This drive is the largest, single-day food drive in not only Kenosha, but the country, and one of the easiest ways to make a difference in your community. On Saturday, letter carriers all over the state will perform double duty by collecting bags of donated food along their mail routes. A few days leading up to the food drive, your mail carrier will leave a blue bag with your mail. Customers simply leave their donation of nonperishable goods next to their mailbox before the delivery of the mail on Saturday. Letter carriers will collect the filled blue bags that day as they deliver mail along their postal routes. The donations will benefit local pantries like the Shalom Center, Salvation Army, 1Hope and the Sharing Center, so we all can continue to provide our clients with healthy, well-balanced meals. Thank you in advance for helping us Stamp Out Hunger, one bag at a time! Tamarra Coleman is the executive director of the Shalom Center. Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Last Tuesday, Tip McGuire won the special election to represent the 64th Assembly District and fill the seat that former Rep. Peter Barca, D-Kenosha, vacated to become state secretary of revenue. That was about four months after Gov. Tony Evers appointed Barca to be secretary of the Department of Revenue. Even though a third of the year has passed by, Barca and the other Cabinet secretaries that Evers has appointed have yet to be confirmed by the state Senate. Despite the lack of confirmation, they are able to still do their jobs as they have since Evers took office on Jan. 7. But its a formality that Republicans should grant at least as a gesture to show they are willing to work with Democrats. When Barca was appointed as secretary of revenue, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, was among the first to congratulate him. Vos jabbed Evers in his congratulatory news release, saying Governor-elect Evers finally got one right. But he continued with praise for Barca: Barca is a reasonable Democrat who is more than willing to work across the aisle and has the political courage to do whats right for the people of Wisconsin. The Assemblys loss is certainly the administrations gain. I want to wish Peter the best of luck in his new position and thank him for his friendship and service in the state Assembly. As a legislator, Barca showed that he could make the hard decisions even if it didnt please everyone in his party. In 2017, Barca voted in support of the Foxconn deal, despite Democratic opposition. He ultimately lost his minority leadership role because of it. He said he voted in support of the deal because he believed it was the right thing to do for his constituents: When my father immigrated to the United States and settled our family in Kenosha, it was a factory job that gave him the chance to eventually buy his own business and achieve the American dream. But as time passed, manufacturing left my hometown and communities all across Wisconsin. If we can create new good-paying, family-supporting jobs in a high-tech industry, it could give future generations the same opportunities my family had. As I traveled my district over the last few weeks, I spoke with countless constituents and heard from nearly every major local leader in Kenosha and Racine that they supported this plan. Thats why I voted yes today. Republicans and Democrats are not going to agree on everything. But a Democratic governor gets to appoint whomever he chooses for Cabinet posts, just as a Republican governor gets to appoint his choices. Confirming Barca, and Evers other secretaries-designate, is the right thing to do. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 BANDON, Ore. -- The Coast Guards work on containing and cleaning up toxic materials after the Ann Kathleen fishing vessel caught fire May 3 is expected to continue this week. Since the fire, crews have removed 1,080 gallons of diesel from the boat. On Monday an aluminum tank and two large chunks of debris were removed. Oregon Parks and Recreation Department staff plan to continue collecting and disposing of debris from the beach until the wreckage is fully removed. The Coast Guard and Oregon Parks and Recreation Department are asking all people (beach hikers, pedestrians, etc.) to avoid the area until the wreckage is fully removed. During the fire on May 3 the boats crew was rescued by the Coast Guard, and no one was hurt. EUGENE, Ore. -- The founder of Oregon Women for Trump said her group plans to hold more rallies in Lane County soon. Meanwhile, Eugene police said the rally on Sunday caused them to work overtime. Carol Leek, the founder of Oregon Women for Trump, said while she lives south of Portland, her group has a lot of supporters in Lane County. She said they plan to hold multiple rallies in the future. "Our supporters, they want to participate but they can't do it on their own," Leek said. "So they want us to help them do it." RELATED: PROTESTERS GATHER ON HARLOW ROAD; POLICE BLOCK TRAFFIC The Eugene Police Departmartment assisted Springfield police during Sunday's rally that ended up with one arrest after counter-protesters showed up. Eugene police spokeswoman Melinda McGlaughlin said 35 of their officers responded, which resulted in overtime for some officers. She didn't have the exact dollar amount of how much it cost but said calls like this also impact their response to other calls. Leek said they didn't get a permit for Sunday's rally and claims they didn't need one. She said they called the police beforehand to give them a heads up and said they plan to the same if they hold any future rallies. "I hate to take (police) away from other things they deem more important but this is what taxpayers pay for," said Leek. KEZI 9 News reached out to Springfield police to learn if they also did overtime because of the rally and protest, but we have not heard back. EUGENE, Ore. Students at the University of Oregon are still in shock after one person was killed in a shooting just steps away from campus. RELATED: Shooting victim identified as LCC student The victim, 21-year old Alex Gradin, was a student at Lane Community College. Several UO students said they heard the gunshot and saw police cars rushing to the parking lot behind Taylors Bar and Grill. "We walked outside and basically heard two loud pops and didn't really think too much of it. We kind of made a joke about it possibly being fireworks, said Melanie Henshaw, a UO student. Had we not decided to go to Dairy Queen after, we would have walked right back through the parking lot right after we heard the shot go off, so that was definitely a frightening realization for me. Students said an incident like this hasnt happened in the area before. Many said they will be more alert and cautious when going out in the area at night. Police are still investigating the shooting and said they are now hoping to hear from any rideshare vehicles or taxis that might have any tips in the case. The general manager of Taylors Bar and Grill said they are working with police. Well-known local businesswoman Siobhan Donohoe has joined the Kilkenny People and sister paper The Kilkenny Reporter as brand ambassador for both titles, along with kilkennypeople.ie. Siobhan is a proud Kilkenny native and was born and bred on a farm outside Bennettsbridge. To say I am over the moon about my ambassador role is an understatement, she said. I am privileged to get the opportunity to do what I love - and thats sharing the passions of the Kilkenny people. Spirit of Kilkenny I cant wait to get out there and meet the good people of Kilkenny, to hear their stories and see their eyes light up as they tell them thats what the spirit of Kilkenny is all about. Im also looking forward to helping local businesses to get their message across in our two great local newspapers and the very popular kilkennypeople.ie website. This is a new chapter for me, so put the kettle on, lads! The appointment is thought to be the first of its kind for a local newspaper group in Ireland and was welcomed by Brian Keyes, editor of the People and the Reporter. Siobhan is starting this week with a new two-page column in the Reporter. She has already been out and about representing us at different local events and naturally she was at Punchestown last week, so you can be sure that her column will be lively and a must-read. Thats only the start of what Siobhan will bring to our newspapers shes a fiercely proud Kilkenny woman who has a very impressive track record in promoting all things Kilkenny, so shes going to be a big plus for our readers and advertisers. Siobhan has an extensive background in media, communications, PR and marketing, and also worked in television with a remit to bring the best of Kilkenny to a wide audience. Ambassador She has consistently championed the county, through her work with various local organisations festivals, including Kilkenny Tourism, the Savour Kilkenny Food Festival, Taste Kilkenny, and the Kilkenny Arts Festival. She has also been an ambassador for One Kilkenny a Kilkenny Tourism initiative - and fulfilled the same role for Kilkennys European Capital of Culture bid. Siobhan is also well known for promoting Kilkenny through her popular social media platforms. Our new ambassador is married to local auctioneer Ed Donohoe and the couple have two children 11-year-old Ted and Hannah, aged 9. If you are interested in Siobhan attending your upcoming events for her column, you can contact her at siobhan.donohoe @kilkennypeople.ie Chief Superintendent Dominic Hayes is launching a Local Policing Partnership for the Municipal area of Castlecomer this evening at 5pm in Castlecomer Community Hall. Members of An Garda Siochana, local interest groups, elected representative and representatives from the relevant Text Alert areas will be in attendance.The Municipal District of Castlecomer Local Policing Partnership will be a formal structure where An Garda Siochana in association with Kilkenny Local Authority will sit on a collaborative partnership and work together with communities and a cross section of local elected representatives. One of the biggest challenges for An Garda Siochana is to deliver the style and type of community policing capable of satisfying the needs of the community in the 21st century. Community policing will continue to be the core focus of our efforts. As one part of An Garda Siochanas ongoing commitment to our communities, we will strive to improve the quality of life for people, a Local Policing Partnership will be launched in the Municipal District of Castlecomer, said Dominic Hayes, Chief Superintendent, Kilkenny Carlow Division. The Divisional Co-Ordinator of the Local Policing Partnership Model for An Garda Siochana in both Co Kilkenny and Co Carlow will be Inspector Anthony Farrell, Kilkenny. The Local Policing Partnership is as much a problem solving platform as a listening mechanism to put statutory organisations such as An Garda Siochana and the Local Authority closer to communities to better understand their needs and resolve local issues, locally. Together, shoulder to shoulder with our communities we are stronger, said Inspector Farrell. Local Policing Partnerships will sit under the umbrella Joint Policing Committee. Inspector Paul Donohoe, Kilkenny will be the Garda nominee to represent interests of Garda management and work together with the community, local authority, local elected representatives and the people of the Municipal District of Castlecomer. The Local Policing Partnership is focused on engagement with communities on a local level in an effort to get a better understanding of local community needs. Together, An Garda Siochana with Kilkenny County Council, through this strategy, will develop another meaningful channel for engagement with our communities, enhance community engagements, provide a greater sense of security in the community and also the level of policing service. Superintendent of Kilkenny Garda District, Derek Hughes has welcomed the partnership and believes that it will enhance the policing service locally. The Local Policing Partnership will enhance the capability of An Garda Siochana here in Kilkenny to better engage our communities, reach out and connect with them to enhance and better deliver our policing service. I am delighted to pilot this first Local Policing Partnership in Kilkenny Carlow Division in association with Kilkenny Local Authority and formalise the great work that is already taking place for the benefit of the people of the Municipal District of Castlecomer, he said. In preparing this strategy, extensive consultations took place with communities throughout County Kilkenny. The overwhelming response was local issues and concerns need local solutions from members working locally with the people. Outcomes from the Municipal District of Castlecomer Local Policing Partnership will feed into County Kilkenny Joint Policing Committees. The focus of efforts will be to continue to maintain public safety and foster greater feelings of safety within communities. All Garda actions will be grounded on An Garda Siochanas six core principles of service, honesty, accountability, respect, professionalism and empathy. This strategy will never lose sight of An Garda Siochanas vision for to be a beacon of 21st century policing and security. The Local Policing Partnership will formalize the existing working relations within the community and address communities on matters including crime detection and prevention, anti-social behaviour, victims and traffic. The Local Policing Partnership will also complement the existing connections with our communities including the Joint Policing Committees, the Divisional Community Engagement Fora and the Divisional Victim and Community Engagement Office. Invited by the 26th Bydgoszcz Opera Festival, China's Suzhou Ballet Theater troupe performed its original ballet Tang Yin in Poland on Monday, giving the audiences a taste of Chinese artistic elements in ballet. Tang Yin is about the bumpy life of the protagonist Tang Yin, a talented and romantic scholar born and died in Suzhou, south of the Yangtze River, about 500 years ago in China's Ming Dynasty. This ballet applies freehand brushwork, such as the shadow on the wall, the flower beside the pillow, to strengthen its aesthetic effect. It also uses the music of Arvo Part, an Estonian composer, and combines traditional and modern dances. Li Ying, artistic director of the Suzhou Ballet Theater, said she was very pleased that the troupe is invited to perform in Poland during the Bydgoszcz Opera Festival. "It is a matter of a great significance to us, a young ballet group of 12 years," she added. "Through the performance, we try to present the oriental beauty to the audience in Europe, in the hope that the audience would like the Chinese culture," Li said. Liu Guangyuan, Chinese ambassador to Poland, said this year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Poland. The visit of Suzhou Ballet Theater troupe has demonstrated the close cooperation between the two countries in the field of art. Suzhou Ballet Theater troupe is on a 12-day tour in Latvia and Poland. This is the first time that Tang Yin ballet is performed abroad. In 2015, at the invitation of the Bydgoszcz Opera Festival, the Suzhou troupe visited Poland and performed ballet Carmen. Found in 2007, Suzhou Ballet Theater is the only professional ballet troupe in Jiangsu province and the sixth in China. It aims to create original ballet, combining Chinese and western styles. You are here: Arts A total of 55 Chinese students studying in Australia received the 2018 Chinese Government Award for Outstanding Self-Financed Students Abroad, according to Chinese Ambassador to Australia Cheng Jingye on Monday. Four award winner representatives took part in a ceremony in the Chinese Embassy in Canberra on Monday evening. Ambassador Cheng encouraged students to work hard and deepen their understanding in Australia. "It is my hope that you could show the Australian people the positive image of Chinese students -- active, optimistic, healthy, talented, and boost the exchange and enhance understanding between Chinese and Australian people, especially the youths," he said. Song Yongze, a doctoral student in the Curtin University in Western Australia, said he was honored to receive the scholarship. "The award will become an incentive for me to work even harder," he said. "The development of our country greatly improved people's living standard, but there are still problems to solve which require our unremitting efforts," said Song. "Hopefully we could use what we learn here to make our country and the world a better place." The Chinese Government Award for Outstanding Self-Financed Students Abroad is a scholarship set up by the China Scholarship Council in 2003 to honor overseas Chinese students with outstanding academic accomplishments. According to official statistics, 500 Chinese students studying abroad received the scholarship in 2018. * The founder of Maike Group, one of China's biggest metals traders, sees benchmark London Metal Exchange (LME) copper prices recovering to $6,500-$6,600 a tonne this year amid stable demand from top consumer China. * LME copper touched a 2-1/2 month low of $6,150 on Friday amid computer-driven fund selling, but was trading up 0.5 percent at $6,269.50 as of 0543 GMT on Tuesday. * "Prices should be better in the second quarter," He Jinbi, chairman of Maike Metals International Limited, said on Tuesday, noting that Chinese copper smelters are expanding capacity but also carrying out maintenance this year. * "I think copper prices are relatively stable, unlike other products that are in a surplus or can't keep up with consumption," He said on the sidelines of the LME Asia Week conference in Hong Kong. * He, a strong advocate of LME warehousing in mainland China, was encouraged by news that LME owner Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing was in talks over a pilot warehousing scheme, but declined to forecast when such warehouses may come into operation as government approval is still needed. (Reporting by Tom Daly and Shivani Singh; Editing by Joseph Radford) A swift deterioration in China-U.S. trade talks hit global financial markets this week as investors faced the prospect of an escalation rather than an end to a 10-month-old trade war between the world's two largest economies. China backtracked on commitments made during talks with the United States, prompting President Donald Trump to impose additional tariffs on Chinese goods slated to go into effect on Friday, top U.S. trade officials said on Monday. The renewal of trade tensions has led to tougher trading conditions in metals markets, said David Wilson, a commodity strategist at Freepoint Commodities. "This is very dramatic and obviously we now have this issue of we don't know what Trump will tweet next and this is making trading metals incredibly difficult," Wilson said, speaking at an LME Asia Week event in Hong Kong. Last June, when the China-U.S. trade tensions first emerged, copper prices on the London Metal Exchange plunged 20 percent from a June peak near $7,350 per tonne to less than $6,000 in August. On Tuesday, LME copper fell by 1.1 percent to $6.166 per tonne by 0937 GMT, holding just above 2-1/2-month lows hit on Friday. The exchange was closed on Monday for a holiday. In an interactive poll of audience members in a conference session at LME Asia Week, 57 percent of those who responded said they expected trade tensions and political risk to be the number one issue impacting metals markets this year. Fu Xiao, head of commodity markets strategy at Bank of China International, said more hiccups between China and the United States could not be ruled out as they move towards a deal and that uncertainty could roil metals markets further. "The market shouldn't be too complacent when we hear headlines that the two sides are moving towards a deal. From a trading perspective, we should always keep in mind ... there could be lots of volatility heading towards us," she said. There were some encouraging economic signals coming out of China, though, in the first quarter for metals demand, Ian Roper, general manager of Shanghai Metals Markets said. "Certainly, so far this year, especially in demand, it's getting more positive in China and more bearish in the rest of the world. Positivity towards China is coming back quite strongly, he said. (Reporting by Tom Daly and Shivani Singh in HONG KONG; Editing by Tom Hogue) The broker had previously said it was aiming to start trading on the LME in the first half of this year, amid growing interest from China in the world's oldest and biggest trading venue for industrial metals. "We are in the last stages of FCA approvals," Yan Nong, chief executive of Nanhua Financial (UK) Co Ltd, told Reuters on the sidelines of an industry event in Hong Kong. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is a financial regulatory body in the United Kingdom. "We have finished testing line connectivity with LME and are just waiting for FCA approval," Yan said. Chinese banks and brokers have sought to capitalize on China's growing role as a top metals producer and consumer, but they have yet to become major players on the LME, industry sources say. There are currently five Chinese members of the LME. (Reporting by Shivani Singh; Editing by Tom Hogue) 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) - Gold and silver prices are modestly lower in early-morning U.S. trading Tuesday. The metals are pressured in part by a firmer U.S. dollar index today that is trading not far below last weeks two-year high. Also, the bearish chart postures for both gold and silver continue to invite the technical sellers. June gold futures were last down $2.80 an ounce at $1,281.00. July Comex silver was last down $0.092 at $14.835 an ounce. World stock markets were mixed in cautious trading overnight. U.S. stock indexes are pointed toward weaker openings when the New York day session begins. The stock, financial and commodity markets are trying to recover from the surprise developments on the U.S.-China trade front that saw President Trump threaten new tariffs on imported Chinese products. However, the marketplace is somewhat assuaged Tuesday morning as the Chinese trade delegation is still headed for Washington, D.C. for talks this week, including their chief negotiator. Also, upon reflection, many traders and investors are wondering if Trumps threatening tweets on Sunday were just a negotiating tactic. Still, Trumps trade advisors said Monday that the Chinese commitments on trade had seen erosion. Trump tweeted that some degree of a trade deal with China needs to happen by the end of this week, or new tariffs go into effect. Its a very hard read on the outcome of this matter. Thus, the keener uncertainty among traders and investors will play better into the hands of market bears. Gold and silver markets bulls have been disappointed their safe-haven metals did not see more demand amid the heightened geopolitical uncertainty that includes the potential U.S.-China trade war escalation but also increased U.S.-Iran tensions. However, reports say demand from major gold-consuming country India is expected to be significantly higher on the geopolitical tensions, especially as this is the time of stronger seasonal demand for gold. The other key outside market today sees Nymex crude oil prices weaker and trading around $61.50 a barrel. There are now chart clues that the oil market has put in a price top. U.S. economic data due for release Tuesday includes the weekly Goldman Sachs and Johnson Redbook retail sales reports, the IDB/TIPP economic optimism index, and consumer credit. Technically, the gold bears have the overall near-term technical advantage. A 2.5-month-old downtrend is in place on the daily bar chart. Bulls next upside price objective is to produce a close in June futures above solid resistance at $1,300.00. Bears' next near-term downside price breakout objective is pushing prices below solid technical support at $1,250.00. First resistance is seen at Mondays high of $1,287.40 and then at $1,290.90. First support is seen at $1,275.00 and then at last weeks low of $1,267.30. Wyckoff's Market Rating: 3.5 July silver futures bears have the overall near-term technical advantage. Prices are in a 2.5-month-old downtrend on the daily bar chart. Silver bulls' next upside price breakout objective is closing prices above solid technical resistance at $15.25 an ounce. The next downside price breakout objective for the bears is closing prices below solid support at $14.50. First resistance is seen at $15.00 and then at $15.15. Next support is seen at last weeks low of $14.57 and then at $14.50. Wyckoff's Market Rating: 3.0. The government said in a statement that a presidential regulation issued late last month aimed to eradicate the use of mercury in small-scale gold mining by 2025 and in the health sector by 2020. The government also aims to slash the use of mercury in manufacturing by half current levels by 2030 and cut mercury emissions in the energy sector by 33.2 percent by the same time. "Considering that mercury is a hazardous and toxic material that is resistant to decomposition and can accumulate in living organism, the government views the need to regulate its use to avoid any negative impact on health and the environment," the government said in the statement. As part of this push, it plans for stronger coordination between government agencies to improve monitoring of mercury trade and mining supervision. It also wants to boost education for businesses and communities on the dangers of mercury. The use of mercury in mining is already officially banned in Indonesia, but small-scale miners still widely use it to extract tiny pieces of gold. There are at least 2,500 active small-scale gold mining operations in Indonesia, according to the country's environment ministry. The ministry in March launched a programme with the United Nations Development Programme to reduce the use of mercury in six mining communities. Mercury can also be found in household products such as certain types of light bulbs and cosmetics. In the health sector, it is often found in thermometers and dental fillings. (Reporting by Fransiska Nangoy Additional reporting by Wilda Asmarini, Bernadette Christina Munthe) A still image features actor Huang Jingyu.[Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn] The Thunder, based on a massive crackdown of illegal drugs in a coastal village in Guangdong province in 2013, will run on the streaming giant iQiyi from May 7. Directed by Fu Dongyu and Liu Zhangmu, the 48-episode drama stars Chinese mainland actors Huang Jingyu, Wu Gang, Wang Jinsong and Hong Kong star Simon Yam. Scriptwriter Chen Yuxin recalls that he has toured to Guangdong province four times to do research, including interviewing dozens of police officers and villagers who participated in or witnessed the crackdown. The operation, which took place on Dec 29, 2013, saw more than 3,000 police equipped with helicopters and speedboats as well as accompanied by dogs to seize three tons of methamphetamine in a raid on Boshe village, which was notorious for illegal drug production. Dai Ying, the chief producer of the series and vice-president of iQiyi, says the drama approaches the case in a realistic way. * Zinc hits two-month low on expectated higher supplies* Copper cancelled warrants near 27 percent* GRAPHIC-2019 asset returns: (Updates with closing prices) By Pratima Desai LONDON, May 7 (Reuters) - Copper prices fell on Tuesday towards 2-1/2 month lows hit last week on worries about demand after U.S. President Donald Trump said he would raise tariffs on Chinese goods before U.S-China trade talks. Benchmark copper on the London Metal Exchange ended 0.9 percent down at $6,180 a tonne. Prices of the metal used widely in power and construction last week fell to $6,150, its lowest since Feb. 15. "The sell-off on the LME is a delayed reaction to Trump's comments over the weekend about higher tariffs," one copper trader said, adding that a break of the 200-day moving average around $6,190 had fuelled downward momentum. TRADE: Trump on Monday slammed China over its trade practices, saying the United States was losing billions to Beijing and vowing to protect American commerce as tension escalated. Over the weekend Trump had said he would ratchet up tariffs on $200 billion worth of imports from China, the world's largest consumer of industrial metals. TALKS: Chinese Vice Premier Liu He will visit the United States this week for trade talks, Beijing said on Tuesday, playing down the sudden increase in tensions. INTL FCStone analyst Edward Meir said the process of "revamping U.S.-China trade flows" would be complex and throw up many challenges. "These now seem to be emerging and potentially could be severe enough to sink a deal altogether," he said. INVENTORIES: Rising stocks in LME-approved warehouses were also weighing on copper. At 230,075 tonnes, stocks have more than doubled since the middle of February. Partly offsetting that rise are cancelled warrants -- metal earmarked for delivery -- at nearly 27 percent of the total. "Funds trade on the headline stocks change, they don't look at the picture underneath," one copper industry source said. STIMULUS: China's central bank on Monday said it will cut reserve requirement ratios to release about 280 billion yuan ($41.4 billion) for some small and medium-sized banks in a move intended to help companies struggling in the face of an economic slowdown. ZINC: Prices of the metal used to galvanise steel fell 2.9 percent to $2,692 a tonne, having touched a two-month low of $2,690 on concern over Chinese demand and rising supplies in the second half of the year as smelters restart and expand capacity. "We see being short zinc as the best way to hedge a trade war," Citi analysts said in a note. "Zinc's near-term window of tightness would slam shut on further global demand weakness and the LME positioning data work we have done suggests that zinc is by some distance the most long of all base metals." PRICES: Aluminium gained 1.1 percent to $1,816, lead lost 1.2 percent to $1,855.5, tin was bid up 0.3 percent to $19,375 and nickel was bid 1.1 percent lower at $12,050. <^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Top Base and Precious Metals Analysis - GFMS ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^> (Reporting by Pratima Desai Editing by Edmund Blair and David Goodman) LME price overview COMEX copper futures Base metals news All metals news All commodities news Metals diary Foreign exchange rates SPEED GUIDES )) By Brijesh Patel May 7 (Reuters) - Gold prices edged higher on Tuesday as investors moved away from riskier assets after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to hike tariffs on Chinese imports, resurfacing trade tensions and in turn lifting demand for the safe-haven metal. Spot gold was up 0.1 percent to $1,281.65 per ounce, as of 0950 GMT. U.S. gold futures fell 0.1 percent to $1,282.70 an ounce. "Donald Trump tweets over the weekend and reactions out of China has sent shock waves. European equities are further down this morning and this is a situation where gold is seen as a safe-haven," Quantitative Commodity Research analyst Peter Fertig said. "There has been uncertainty in the market since yesterday which has given gold a push higher," Fertig added. U.S. President Donald Trump said tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods would increase to 25 percent from 10 percent on Friday, reversing a decision he made in February to keep them at 10 percent as the two sides made progress on trade talks. Trump's tariff threat weighed across equity markets around the world, in turn supporting the yellow metal, which is used by investors to hedge against economic and political instability. "There are significant catalysts for gold with the escalations on the trade-war front yesterday, but it is surprising we have not seen a significant follow through," said Stephen Innes, head of trading and market strategy, SPI Asset Management. Adding to the sentiment, Trump's national security adviser John Bolton on Sunday said that the United States was deploying a carrier strike group and a bomber task force to the Middle East to send a clear message to Iran. "Some are also focusing on the tensions in the Middle East and the two catalysts are sufficient enough to hold prices but there is a general reluctance to push prices higher over $1,285," Innes added. A faction of the market still expects the United States and China to find common ground and believe that Trump's tariff threat is likely a negotiation tactic. China's commerce ministry confirmed on Tuesday that Vice Premier Liu He will visit the United States on May 9 and May 10 for bilateral trade talks at the invitation of senior U.S. officials. Meanwhile, holdings of SPDR Gold Trust , the world's largest gold-backed exchange-traded fund, continued a dismal run, falling 0.16 percent to 739.64 tonnes on Monday, its lowest since Oct. 11. Among other metals, silver down 0.3 percent to $14.86 per ounce. Platinum rose 0.1 percent to $873.68 an ounce, while palladium gained 0.2 percent to $1,339.83. (Reporting by Brijesh Patel and Arijit Bose in Bengaluru; Editing by Jon Boyle) (Updates prices) By Brijesh Patel May 7 (Reuters) - Gold prices edged higher on Tuesday as investors moved away from riskier assets after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to raise tariffs on Chinese imports, heightening trade tensions and lifting demand for the safe-haven metal. Spot gold was up 0.1 percent at $1,281.04 an ounce at 1120 GMT. U.S. gold futures fell 0.1 percent to $1,282.10. "Donald Trump tweets over the weekend and reactions out of China has sent shockwaves. European equities are further down this morning and this is a situation where gold is seen as a safe-haven," said Quantitative Commodity Research analyst Peter Fertig. "There has been uncertainty in the market since yesterday, which has given gold a push higher." U.S. President Donald Trump said that tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods would increase to 25 percent from 10 percent on Friday, reversing a decision he made in February to keep them at 10 percent as the two sides made progress on trade talks. Trump's tariff threat weighed across equity markets around the world, in turn supporting gold, which is used by investors to hedge against economic and political instability. "There are significant catalysts for gold with the escalations on the trade-war front yesterday, but it is surprising we have not seen a significant follow through," said Stephen Innes, head of trading and market strategy at SPI Asset Management. Adding to the sentiment, Trump's national security adviser John Bolton on Sunday said that the United States was deploying a carrier strike group and a bomber task force to the Middle East to send a clear message to Iran. "Some are also focusing on the tensions in the Middle East and the two catalysts are sufficient to hold prices but there is a general reluctance to push prices higher over $1,285," Innes added. A faction of the market still expects the United States and China to find common ground and believes that Trump's tariff threat is likely to be a negotiation tactic. China's commerce ministry confirmed on Tuesday that Vice Premier Liu He will visit the United States over May 9-10 for bilateral trade talks at the invitation of senior U.S. officials. Meanwhile, holdings of SPDR Gold Trust, the world's largest gold-backed exchange-traded fund, continued a dismal run as it fell by 0.16 percent to 739.64 tonnes on Monday, its lowest since Oct. 11. Among other metals, silver was down 0.4 percent at $14.84 an ounce, platinum was little changed at $872.44 and palladium gained 0.2 percent to $1,339.32. (Reporting by Brijesh Patel and Arijit Bose in Bengaluru Editing by Jon Boyle and David Goodman) ROVANIEMI, Finland, May 7 (Reuters) - The United States has refused to sign an agreement on challenges in the Arctic due to discrepancies over climate change wording, diplomats said on Tuesday, jeopardising cooperation in the polar region at the sharp edge of global warming. Temperatures in the Arctic are rising at twice the rate of the rest of the globe, and melting ice has opened vast untapped oil and gas reserves to potential commercial exploitation. A meeting of nations bordering the Arctic in Rovaniemi in northern Finland on Tuesday was supposed to frame a two-year agenda to balance the challenges of climate change with sustainable development of mineral wealth. But Finland's Foreign Minister Timo Soini said the joint declaration was "off the table" and would be replaced by a short statement from ministers attending the conference. A diplomatic source with knowledge of the discussions said the United States balked at signing as it disagreed with wording in the declaration stating that climate change was a serious threat to the Arctic. A second source confirmed that. It was the first time a declaration had been cancelled since the Arctic Council was formed in 1996. The U.S. delegation could not immediately be reached for a comment. Addressing the Council, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said President Donald Trump's administration "shares your deep commitment to environmental stewardship" in the Arctic. But he said collective goals were not always the answer. "They are rendered meaningless and even counter-productive as soon as one nation fails to comply," he said. The Arctic Council consists of the United States, Canada, Russia, Finland, Norway, Denmark, Sweden and Iceland. Agreements between countries are non-binding. President Trump has frequently expressed scepticism about whether global warming is a result of human activity and has stood by his 2017 decision to withdraw from the Paris climate accord signed by almost 200 governments in 2015. That has put him at odds with campaigners and many other countries. "A climate crisis in the Arctic is not a future scenario, it is happening as we speak," Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom said in her address to the Council. The Paris accord agreed to limit a rise in average global temperatures to "well below" 2C (3.6F) above pre-industrial times by 2100. Worldwide, temperatures are up about 1C (1.8F). (Additional reporting by Anne Kauranen in Helsinki; Editing by Niklas Pollard and Andrew Cawthorne) China's forex regulator said Monday that a total of 4.2 billion U.S. dollars of quotas were approved for nine Qualified Foreign Institutional Investors (QFII) in April. The State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE) also approved 9.7 billion yuan (1.43 billion U.S. dollars) of quotas for five Renminbi Qualified Foreign Institutional Investors (RQFII) last month. Up till now, the country has approved 4.74 billion U.S. dollars of quotas for 13 QFII investors this year, exceeding the total quota in 2018. China approved 24 billion U.S. dollars of quotas for 12 RQFII investors during the first four months, more than half of the total quota in 2018. China's currency, the yuan, is convertible for trade purposes under the current account, while the capital account, which covers portfolio investment and borrowing, is largely run by the state in an effort to manage capital flows in and out of the country. The QFII and RQFII programs, introduced in 2003 and 2011 respectively, allow overseas institutional investors to move money into China's capital account for investment. "China's determination of expanding opening-up and the ongoing reform measures have made China's financial market increasingly appealing to overseas investors," according to a statement on the SAFE's website. Data showed that overseas institutional investors bought a net 19.4 billion U.S. dollars of Chinese stocks and 9.5 billion U.S. dollars of Chinese bonds in the first quarter. "The SAFE will continue to support the opening-up of financial markets, meet demand from overseas investors to expand investment in the markets and attract global long-term capital to enter the country's financial markets," said the statement. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) Its election season once again. While President Rodrigo Dutertes name is not on the ballot in the May 13 midterm elections, the polls are seen as a referendum on his performance in the first three years of his term. Tens of millions of registered voters are expected to head to polling precincts to select local government officials and members of both houses of Congress, The President has endorsed some candidates while the political opposition has fielded its own contestants. Heres what you need to know about the 2019 Philippine midterm elections. How many people are registered to vote this year? There are 61,843,750 registered voters nationwide. Over 2.3 million of them are new voters, who registered last year. The number exceeds the 2 million maximum target of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC). The total number of qualified voters is 13.76% higher than the 54.6 million in the 2016 national elections. It includes the 1,822,173 overseas absentee voters (OAV), who began casting their votes last April 13. How many voters actually participated in past elections? The 2010, 2013, and 2016 elections had an average turnout of 78%. Around 74% of voters turned up in the 2010 elections. In 2013, the number went up to 77%, Three years later, voter turnout had reached 82%. Among the OAVs, 25.99% voted in 2010. In 2013, this dropped to 16.11% before rising to 31.3% in 2016. The combined local and overseas absentee votes of 44,979,151 in the 2016 elections comprised only 0.95% of total ballots cast. Whats the breakdown of registered voters according to gender? The Philippines has 31,816,797 female registered voters, representing 51.45% of the total voting population. Male voters comprise 48.55% or 30,026,953. What is the age breakdown of the voters? The 18-29 years old age group or the youth sector comprise 30.48%, or 18,847,230, of all registered voter. Republic Act 8044 or the Youth in Nation-Building Act defines the youth sector as individuals who are 18 to 30 years old. The age bracket of 30 to 44, which covers the Generation X, makes up 32.19% or 19,911,867 of total voters. The remaining 23,084,653 or 37.33% of all voters are aged 45 to 64 years old. Which parts of the Philippines have the most voters? The top ten most vote-rich provinces comprise more than a third (30.98%) of all registered voters nationwide. They total 19,157,624. led by Cebu with 3,082,621 voters. Luzon has 34,596,884 registered voters, or 55.94% of the voting population. From a regional perspective, Region IV-A or CALABARZON has the most voters with 8,674,351. Here is the list of voters per region: REGION IV-A: 8,674,351 NCR: 7,074,603 REGION III: 6,829,661 REGION VII: 4,946,354 REGION VI: 4,808,839 REGION V: 3,647,711 REGION I: 3,331,394 REGION VIII: 3,051,649 REGION XI: 3,026,393 REGION X: 2,855,792 REGION XII: 2,431,265 REGION II: 2,194,418 REGION IX: 2,193,033 ARMM: 2,172,959 REGION IV-B: 1,831,328 CARAGA: 1,760,582 CAR: 1,013,418 Which parts of the world have the most number of Filipino absentee voters? The OAV population has steadily increased through the years. From a mere 589,830 in 2010, the number grew to 737,759 in 2013 and in 2016, it reached 1,376,067. Now, the number has grown some more to 1,822,173, composed mostly of land-based workers in the Middle East and Africa who number with 885,274. In this election, the country with the most highest OAVs is Saudi Arabia at 326,551. Combined, countries with the most number of OAVs comprise 77.80% of all Filipino voters abroad. How many elective posts are up for grabs? There are 18,071 elective posts at stake in the 2019 elections. There are 62 candidates vying for 12 Senate posts. For the House of Representatives, 614 aspirants are eyeing a seat in the 245-member chamber. Here is the full list of elective posts: Senator: 12 Party-List Representative: 61 Legislative District Representative: 244 Governor: 81 Vice Governor: 81 Member, Provincial Board: 780 City/Municipal Mayor: 1,634 City/Municipal Vice Mayor: 1,634 Member, City/Municipal Councilor: 13,544 The second Digital China Summit is held in Fuzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, May 6, 2019. [Photo/Xinhua] China on Monday sounded another heartening note for its development of information technologies, as both companies and the government rush to harness this nationwide tech boom to raise efficiency, buoy public satisfaction and even tackle corruption. The second Digital China Summit opened Monday in eastern China's Fujian Province, shedding light on the latest information technologies that have penetrated the country's government, industries and society. The Chinese government has expected information technologies to nurture new economic engines and upgrade old industries as the country shunts from the high-speed economic growth to the path of high-quality development. Huang Kunming, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, in a keynote speech at the summit called for advancing the building of a digital China and smart society, stressing the role of information technology in promoting high-quality development. Huang, also head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, said China's advantages in internet technology innovation, technology application and as a huge market should be transformed into advantages in developing a digital economy. An autonomous cleaning vehicle, developed by researchers at Tsinghua University, is on display at the second Digital China Summit in Fuzhou, Fujian Province, May 5, 2019. [Photo/Ecns.cn] The official called for achieving breakthroughs in core technologies, enhancing protection of intellectual property rights, advancing information infrastructure construction and narrowing digital gaps between urban and rural areas. A report reviewing the country's digital development in 2018 was also issued at the summit, pointing to rapid growth in sectors including electronic information manufacturing, software service, communications and big data. The report published by the Cyberspace Administration of China said the country last year recorded more than 9 trillion yuan (1.3 trillion U.S. dollars) in online retail. China's digital economy reached 31.3 trillion yuan in scale, accounting for one-third of the national GDP in 2018. Provincial-level e-government platforms have also slashed time for getting government permits by an average of 30 percent, noted the report. Trendy technologies from driverless vendor vehicles and facial recognition security checks to 5G networks are being used at the event in the city of Fuzhou. A number of tech companies are displaying their cutting-edge products including Baidu's driverless vehicles, Huawei's AI chip "Ascend" and Foxconn's "future factories." Pony Ma, CEO of China's Internet giant Tencent, said at the summit that the company, by working with Fujian police, has used its facial recognition technology to help 1,000 families find missing family members in the past two years. Hu Xiaoming, president of Ant Financial that runs the popular online payment network Alipay, said at the event that one of every four Chinese now handles government services on Alipay, making it the country's largest platform that offers access to government services. ByteDance, known for its short video sharing app TikTok, also demonstrated its poverty-relief project at the summit, which it said has trained 10,000 people from 505 impoverished Chinese counties and helped sell 1.94 million yuan worth of agricultural products. Information technologies have drawn more attention in recent years, particularly in China's industrial sectors, where they are credited with revving up automation in traditional factories and creating new industries. As China steps up its industrial upgrade, which will result in inefficient industries being phased out, booming e-commerce is believed to have cushioned the job market by creating a deluge of new positions from online shopping "guides" to scooter-riding couriers of take-out food. Meituan, an online food delivery platform in China, said it draws 31 percent of its riders from phased-out industries. The company has 2.7 million courier riders, boosted by China's booming online food delivery. According to the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT), China's digital economy provided 191 million jobs last year, marking a yearly increase of 11.5 percent. Baidu CEO Robin Li Yanhong's recent nomination for the country's highest academic title in engineering has triggered heated debate, with some netizens claiming Li was unqualified because of his search engine's insufficient regulation of fraudulent medical advertising. Li was one of 531 candidates, including 114 entrepreneurs, who might become academicians of the Chinese Academy of Engineering at the end of the year, according to a statement released by the academy on April 30. Other nominees include e-commerce giant Alibaba's technology chief Wang Jian, carmaker BYD founder Wang Chuanfu, and Microsoft computer engineer Harry Shum. The candidates will be subject to a strict selection process, and only around 10 to 15 percent of them will be granted the prestigious title. Expert will make their choices, but some netizens in an anonymous WeChat poll opposed Li's nomination. More than 150,000 netizen in the poll voted no, with around 1,000 voting for his nomination as of May 2. The poll was removed on Monday. Neither the academy nor Baidu responded to inquiries. Li was nominated by the China Association for Science and Technology mainly for his contribution to China's search engine technology, financial news outlet Yicai reported on Monday. Li also was included in the candidate category known for its inclusion of innovative managers in new and interdisciplinary engineering sectors. Zhou Jian, chairman of Beijing Gan'en Charity Foundation, said in a recent WeChat article that people should "resolutely oppose Li's nomination for academician", claiming Baidu has promoted fake medical advertisements in its search results that misled patients. A purported doctor who goes by the alias Dahanchengxiang recently wrote a WeChat article saying he often encountered patients who fell for the fake advertisements, wasted money and treatment time and thus missed the opportunity to be cured. The netizen also strongly opposed Li's nomination shortly after the announcement, saying in an article that Li was morally unqualified because of Baidu's insufficient regulation of advertising. The article went viral on social media but was removed over complains of libel by Baidu. Li would not be the first controversial engineer to become an academician, which carries perks such as stipends and medical services. In 2011, the public was outraged when Xie Jianping, a chemical engineer who created less harmful tobacco products, became an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering. Baidu came under fire in 2016 when Wei Zexi, a 21-year-old student from Xidian University in Shaanxi province, died from a rare cancer of the soft tissue. Wei was researching the disease on Baidu and came across an advertisement for treatments that proved ineffective. After Wei's death, Baidu announced a sweeping restructuring and optimization of its medical business, especially regarding its paid listing practices. It also tightened regulations on medical promotion and enforced clear labeling rules that differentiate advertisements from credible medical information, according to media reports. However, medical advertising remains one of the key sources of income for Baidu, and some are still trying to exploit the system. In April, the police in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, detained a team of medical fraudsters who drove up rankings on Baidu's research results to promote faulty hospitals to patients, local authorities said. Activity in China's services sector further improved in April, with exports rising at a fast clip, a private business survey showed on Monday, pointing to healthy momentum for the rest of the year. The Caixin China General Services Business Activity Index inched up to 54.5 in April from the previous month's 54.4, the second-highest level since May 2012. The rise in services activity was supported by a further significant increase in new business across the sector, despite the new order growth rate softening slightly since March. According to the companies surveyed, improved marketing strategies, new product offerings and firmer underlying market demand supported the latest increase in sales, said the report issued by Caixin Insight Group and IHS Markit. The volume of new export business received by the service industry rose at the fastest pace in April since the survey was launched in late 2014. Many companies said demand has become stronger in major markets and firms have stepped up efforts to expand their overseas client base, it said. Service companies contributed largely to the increase in overall business activity in April. The Caixin China Composite Output Index stood at 52.7, which was above the neutral 50.0 value and down slightly from a nine-month high of 52.9 in March. The data indicated that Chinese business activity continued to rise strongly last month, the report said. The private survey results are not completely in line with the official nonmanufacturing business activity index of the service industry in April, which was 53.3, down from 53.6 in March, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. During the same period, the official composite PMI output index dropped from 54.0 to 53.4, and the official manufacturing PMI fell from 50.5 to 50.1. Fan Lei, an economist at Sealand Securities Co Ltd, said the PMI drop in April was mainly caused by seasonal factors, while the trend toward economic stabilization is still ongoing. "Resilient real estate investment, infrastructure investment backed by public finance, and stabilization of consumption will continue to support the overall domestic demand. China's lowering of its value-added tax rates will also hopefully improve corporate profitability and revitalize manufacturing industry investment step by step," said Fan in a research note. He maintained his forecast that the Chinese economy may rebound slightly around the third quarter of this year. Ren Zeping, chief economist of property developer Evergrande Group, said although the official manufacturing PMI in April dropped slightly from the previous month, it was above the neutral 50.0 value for two consecutive months, which shows that the economy has continued to stabilize but the foundation is not solid yet. "The demand and prices increased whereas the inventory declined, signifying that China's economic cycle is turning from reducing inventory actively to reducing inventory passively and the economy is in the early stage of recovery," said Ren in a report. "Benefiting from tax and fee cuts and financial inclusion, the vitality of small enterprises has significantly improved," he added. According to the Caixin/Markit PMI report, considering both the services and manufacturing companies, at the composite level, input costs rose at a modest pace that was the fastest seen for five months. It also found that business confidence remained relatively subdued across China in April amid concerns over the strength of the global economy. "In general, China's economy looked resilient in April, especially in the services sector. However, pressure on costs across the services sector remained relatively high, limiting companies' profit growth potential. Business confidence hasn't recovered. "Market participants must remain patient to wait for the economy to stabilize. We expect that policymakers will slightly restrain from countercyclical policies, and focus more on structural and systematic policies," said Zhong Zhengsheng, director of macroeconomic analysis at CEBM Group, a subsidiary of Caixin Insight Group. Kendallville, IN (46755) Today Cloudy with rain developing after midnight. Areas of patchy fog. Low near 50F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Cloudy with rain developing after midnight. Areas of patchy fog. Low near 50F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Angola, IN (46703) Today A few showers early becoming a steady rain overnight. Areas of patchy fog. Low 48F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight A few showers early becoming a steady rain overnight. Areas of patchy fog. Low 48F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Zambia's Minister of Labor and Social Security Joyce Simukoko (C) poses for a group photo with Zambian workers awarded by Chinese enterprises for their outstanding performance, in Lusaka, capital of Zambia, May 5, 2019. [Photo/Xinhua] Thirty Zambian workers engaged by Chinese enterprises have received awards for their outstanding performance. Zambia's Minister of Labor and Social Security Joyce Simukoko and Chinese Ambassador Li Jie presented the awards at an event on Sunday organized by the Association of Chinese Corporations in Zambia. The Chinese envoy commended the enterprises for awarding the local employees, saying accomplishments of the enterprises in Zambia could not be achieved without the support from the government and society. The awards will not only encourage the recipients to work even harder but will also inspire other workers, Li said. The flourishing of Chinese enterprises in Zambia has not only promoted prosperity and progress of the southern African nation's economy and society but has also become an example of mutually beneficial cooperation and common development between the two countries, he said. "Chinese corporations in Zambia have become an important driving force for economic and social development of Zambia and economic and trade exchanges between our two countries," Li said. Chinese enterprises, he said, have hired as many as 50,000 local employees, helping Zambia tackle unemployment. Zambian labor minister Simukoko, on her part, said the government appreciates efforts by the Chinese business association in fostering coexistence between the Chinese and Zambian workers regardless of cultural and customs differences. "It is gratifying to learn that workers work shoulder-to-shoulder with unity of purpose in your various companies," she said. Zambia remains thankful to the strong bond of friendship that has existed for close to 55 years with China, not only at political level but trickling down to individuals in various fields of life, Simukoko said. She urged local employees to emulate Chinese workers in their attitude toward work. Thomas Ngulube, one of the award recipients, said he was happy with the support received during his time working for China Railway Seventh Group (Zambia) Ltd. Ngulube, who studied at Hunan University in 2008 and obtained a degree in civil engineering, thanked the Chinese firm for offering him an opportunity to apply in practice what he learned for the development of Zambia. Another awardee, Richard Kasawa, an employee of the Zambia China Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone, said working with Chinese supervisors has helped him learn the determination they have to achieve goals. Kasawa, an electrical technician, said his supervisors encouraged him into believing that he could do anything despite the challenges he encountered in his early years. The company's desire to see its employees equipped with the required and appropriate skills to meet daily tasks has been the most motivating part of his career, Kasawa said. Jackson Phiri, another award recipient who works at China Harbor Engineering Company, said the Chinese firm has not only been a workplace but also a social university. Phiri, who obtained Chinese government scholarship to study in China, said he started a new learning career the moment he started working for the Chinese firm, adding that he has learned not only professional skills but also a lot about "the ways of good living." Twenty-five young researchers and officials from 18 African countries started a science and technology tour in China Monday in Beijing, seeking innovation inspiration from the exchange. The China InnoTour for African Young Scientists is co-sponsored by China's Ministry of Science and Technology and Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The young researchers and officials will visit Tsinghua University, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Yichang High-tech Development Zone and other research institutes and cultural sites in Beijing and Hubei Province in the next nine days. "It's an honor and pleasure to be provided the opportunity to visit our partner country," said Soha Mostafa, the EU project's assistant of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research of Egypt. "Alone we can do so little, but together we can do so much," she said. The activity is aimed to further implement the achievements made at 2018 China Africa Cooperation Forum Beijing Summit, and promote the cooperation between China and African countries on science and technology innovation. China's efforts to reduce the barriers for hukou or household registration will encourage the free flow of people in the nation, and should not be construed as attempts to ease curbs on the real estate sector, the country's top economic regulator said on Monday. Chen Yajun, an official with the National Development and Reform Commission, said no matter how the household registration system is reformed, the principle that "houses are for living in, not for speculation" must be adhered to. "The bottom line is to ensure the stable and healthy development of the real estate industry and we will work hard to resolutely prevent speculators from getting involved in the process," Chen said. His comments came after the central authorities announced a string of key measures on Sunday to further integrate the country's rural and urban areas and encourage the transfer of people and resources across the entire nation. Under the plan, China will relax restrictions on new migrants to second and third-tier cities as it plans to gradually remove limits on hukouregistration in cities by 2022. Cai Jiming, a political and economics expert at Tsinghua University, said relaxing the hukoupolicy will promote the cross-region flow of labor, boost social productivity and increase the incomes and spending of rural residents. "But the move is never meant to allow the real estate sector to experience fluctuations. Instead, only when housing prices stand at a reasonable level can migrant workers really settle down in cities," Cai said. China has made steady progress in urbanization, as the ranks of permanent urban residents stood at 831 million at the end of 2018, up 17.9 million from the previous year, said the National Bureau of Statistics. Last month, the National Development and Reform Commission said it plans to increase the urbanization rate by at least 1 percentage point by the end of this year. On Monday, the National Development and Reform Commission also highlighted the reform will not be carried out selectively and only targets the elite. Instead, more efforts will be made to ensure that migrant workers can benefit from the new policy. "The migrant workers who have been working and living in cities for a long time with families are the focus group," Chen said, adding that the policy should not be misinterpreted as a way for cities to attract professional talent. Nur Bekri, former head of the National Energy Administration, has been prosecuted for taking bribes, the Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP) announced Tuesday. Nur Bekri, also former deputy head of the National Development and Reform Commission, was charged with abusing his positions to seek profit for others and accepting a large amount of money and property in return, according to an SPP statement. The case was investigated by the National Supervisory Commission before being transferred to the Municipal People's Procuratorate of Shenyang for review and prosecution. The procuratorate filed the case in the Shenyang Municipal Intermediate People's Court. The SPP said the prosecutors had informed the defendant of his litigation rights, interrogated him and listened to the defense counsel's opinions. You are here: World Flash U.S. President Donald Trump spoke over the phone with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Monday about the situation of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and bilateral trade. "Just spoke to Prime Minister Abe of Japan concerning North Korea (DPRK) and Trade," Trump tweeted. He called the phone call with Abe a "very good conversation," without offering more details. Trump noted late April during Abe's visit that Washington and Tokyo have a chance to reach a long-term trade deal. The two leaders, however, still disagree on the tariff issue. According to the Japanese government, the phone conversation on Monday was held at Abe's request. The two leaders are believed to have shared information gathered since the incident on Saturday, according to Japanese officials. Several projectiles were launched Saturday towards the northeast from the DPRK's east coast city of Wonsan for 21 minutes, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said. The projectiles traveled some 70 to 200 km into eastern waters. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in an interview aired on Sunday that the United States is "still evaluating the appropriate response" to the latest firing of projectiles by the DPRK. The Light Emperador Marble is a famous stone at world.It is as a light color stone that can be use for many projects. At the same time, the most areas peoples like and accept it. In addition, this material also with very high quality and stable performance. In general, we can use it to produce various shapes products. 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In addition, our workers also always control quality in good too. If your company like this material, welcome contact with us. Our company always supply best price. Specifications Flash Turkey's top electoral body ordered Monday on the basis of irregularities a renewal of the Istanbul local elections won by the opposition, a move that could escalate political tensions in the country. After more than five hours of discussion, members of the Supreme Election Council (YSK) decided on a majority of seven to four to re-hold the elections for June 23, state-run Anadolu Agency reported. The main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) won control of the capital Ankara, and Istanbul, the biggest city and economic hub, for the first time in 25 years in local elections on March 31. The mayoral certificate of the CHP's Ekrem Imamoglu has also been cancelled by the council. The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and their allies Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) have called for the results in Istanbul to be annulled, citing what they say "irregularities." The rulings of the YSK are final. Initial results by the YSK have shown that the difference between candidates from CHP and AKP is around 14,000 votes. The uncertainty over the results in Istanbul, which accounts for around a third of the country's economy, has kept financial markets on edge, as Turkey tries to recover from a currency crisis that saw the lira lose more than 30% of its value last year and another 10% this year. The Turkish currency lost more than 2.5% against the greenback on Monday, extending its losses since the start of the year, touching the lowest level in seven months. CHP deputy chair Onursal Adiguzel said on Twitter the ruling was "neither democratic nor legitimate." The re-run showed it was "illegal to win against the AKP." His party convened an emergency meeting Monday evening. The YSK has ordered recounts across Istanbul and in its interim ruling it ordered district electoral officials to inspect their respective polling station officials. Prosecutors also launched probes into alleged irregularities, which Anadolu Agency said resulted in 43 officials being linked to the network of U.S.-based cleric Fethullah Gulen, blamed by Ankara for a 2016 coup attempt against Erdogan. The opposition dismissed the allegations as being an excuse for the government's refusal to acknowledge defeat. On Saturday, Erdogan weighed in on the issue and signaled he favors a re-run of the Istanbul elections, which he said were marred by controversy and irregularities, adding that renewing the vote would allow the YSK to "clear its name." Istanbul's new CHP mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, who was granted certificate on April 17 after days of controversy, said on Saturday that the objections were unreasonable and they could "only laugh at this." Imamoglu will now have to give away his office to an interim mayor. CHP leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu has said the Istanbul elections had turned into a test for Turkish democracy. Erdogan had accused the opposition of supporting "terrorism" and labeled the local election a "matter of survival" for Turkey during his campaign, which was held amid growing disenchantment among voters over economic woes. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 7) A Senate panel is open to conduct a hearing this week to investigate the drug allegations of Peter Joemel Advincula, also known as Bikoy, against the people closest to President Rodrigo Duterte under some conditions. Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson, Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs chairman, on Tuesday said the "Ang Totoong Narco List" video has become an election issue. His panel will send a formal invitation to Advincula, inviting him to the hearing on Friday morning. He said the probe will only push through if Advincula confirms his attendance with a sworn statement at hand. He said the Senate is conducting background investigation and record check on Advincula. In a tweet, Lacson said evidence must also be presented to support Advincula's claims that the First Family and Duterte's allies are involved in the illegal drug trade. "Like it or not, Bikoy has become a political, if not an election issue. The Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs can schedule a hearing this week on one condition: Bikoy must personally present a sworn statement and his evidence to support his accusations," he said in a tweet. Meanwhile, Senate Blue Ribbon Committee chair Richard Gordon also said Advincula must submit evidence before he reopens the probe on the multibillion peso shabu shipment, where the President's son, former Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte and his brother-in-law, Manases Carpio were implicated in. "Hindi pwedeng, itatago mo lang ang mukha mo at gagawa ka ng alegasyon tapos iimbestigahin ko na. Kailangan humarap ka sa Blue Ribbon, magbigay ka ng sworn statement at magprisinta ka ng ebidensya," Gordon said in a statement. [Translation: You can't just hide your face and make allegations and expect that I'll investigate it. You need to face the Blue Ribbon, give a sworn statement and present evidence.] Advincula was the anonymous man "Bikoy in the five-part video series who accused Duterte, his family, and his close allies to be deep into the illegal drug trade. He removed the veil of anonimity on Monday when he surfaced at the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, seeking legal aid after allegedly receiving death threats. He said he is also asking for help to sue alleged members of the syndicate, that include former Vice Mayor Duterte, Carpio, senatorial candidate and former Special Assistant to the President Christopher Bong Go, Davao City Mayor, and the Bicol-based Quadrangle Group. Paolo, Go, and Carpio are allegedly on a document Advincula helped prepare as a syndicate member the Tara, a list of senior syndicate members entitled to monthly kickbacks fromn the illegal drug trade. The Philippine National Police said it has an ongoing probe on the people behind the Bikoy videos and will validate if Advincula is the same hooded figure in the clips. CNN Philippines Correspondent Joyce Ilas contributed to this report. With downtown Lake Geneva merchants objecting to a ban on outdoor displays of merchandise, aldermen have agreed to take another look at the ban. Several merchants spoke out against the citys rules Monday during a meeting of the Lake Geneva City Council committee of the whole at City Hall. Council members agreed to discuss possible revisions to the ordinance covering storefront displays during a public works committee meeting scheduled for 4:30 p.m. May 14. Alderwoman Cindy Flower, who chairs the public works committee, urged business owners to show up again May 14 to continue expressing themselves on the issue. Flower said she hopes to resolve the matter before Memorial Day and the start of the busy downtown tourist season. I dont know if we will discuss everything they want, but we will get started, she said. Hopefully, we can get something going and passed before Memorial Day, if we time it right. Several downtown merchants in recent weeks have received city notices informing them that they are not allowed to display merchandise or sandwich board signs outside their businesses without a permit. Some have been warned that they could be fined up to $1,000 under an ordinance that has been on the books for more than 20 years but that has not been aggressively enforced until this year. 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. New Delhi, May 7: The Indian Army will induct 464 Russian-origin T-90 MS battle tanks, at the cost of Rs 13,448. These tanks will be supplied to the Army between 2022 and 2026, reported The Times of India. The T-90MS are ugraded version of T-90 'Bhishma' tanks. The news of procurement of T-90 tanks came days after reports surfaced that Pakistan was also planning to purchase T-90 tanks from Russia. Cabinet Committee on Security Clears Acquisition of T-90MS Tanks From Russia. According to the report, the indent to produce the 464 T-90 tanks would soon be placed on the Avadhi Heavy Vehicle Factory (HVF) under Ordnance Factory Board. The cabinet committee on security had already cleared the licence acquisition from Russia almost a month ago. The entire process will be a part of the Indian governments Make in India programme. Indian Navy to Get 16 Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts; Defence Ministry Signs Second Contract. After the procurement, the new T-90 regiments will be increased by 10 more units. These tanks will be equipped with thermal imaging night sights which will be helpful during the night battles. Meanwhile, the Indian Army already has 18 regiments of T-90 tanks. Currently, these tanks are deployed in Rajasthan and Punjab on the western front with Pakistan. The India Army has over 4,000 tanks including over 1,000 T-90 tanks. The Army also has 2,400 older T-72 tanks in its 67 armoured regiments. The Army also has 124 Arjun Mark-1 tanks. Last year, India also signed a $5 billion deal with Russia to procure S-400 advanced air defence system. The deal was signed during Russian President Vladimir Putins visit to India to take part in the 19th India-Russia Annual Bilateral Summit. In November 2018, India also finalised $500 million deal with Russia to build two stealth frigates in Goa that are expected to be delivered by 2027. Meanwhile, in October last year, India had signed a $950 million with Russia to purchase two new warships equipped with Brahmos missiles for the Indian Navy which will be delivered by 2022. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 07, 2019 11:47 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Kolkata, May 7: The officials of Belakoba forest range and North Bengal Task Force jointly seized one Pangolin from Kalijhora on Tuesday and arrested five people who belong to Sikkim in connection with the trafficking and smuggling of Pangolin. Snake Worth Rs 20 Lakhs Recovered by Mumbai Police, 2 Men Arrested for Smuggling Rare Red Sand Boa. According to news agency ANI, the traffickers were going to smuggle the Pangolin to Bhutan. The officials tweeted an image of the Pangolin which was about to be trafficked by the arrested people. See the Pictures in the Tweet Below: Jalpaiguri: Officials of Belakoba forest range and North Bengal Task Force jointly seized one Pangolin from Kalijhora and arrested five people who belong to Sikkim in connection with it. They were going to smuggle the Pangolin to Bhutan. #WestBengal pic.twitter.com/W70raOUoY2 ANI (@ANI) May 7, 2019 According to a report by the National Geographic, Pangolins are the most trafficked mammal in the world. The lizard like looking Pangolin, is believed to have medicinal value. There are eight species of the Pangolin, all of which are found in Tropical Asia. The Pangolins are mostly trafficked to Bhutan and China, where they are in great demand. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 07, 2019 01:28 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). It is a truth universally acknowledged that preparing and filing your taxes causes pain comparable only to root canal or passing a kidney stone. If youre looking for someone to blame, look to the commercial tax preparation firms Intuit (maker of TurboTax) and H&R Block. As City Atty. Mike Feuer alleges in lawsuits filed Monday against Intuit and H&R Block, the two companies have connived for years to discourage millions of taxpayers from taking advantage of a free, simple online system provided by the Internal Revenue Service. Feuer accuses the firms of actively undermining public access to the IRS Free File program. Thats a program allowing the lowest-earning 70% of taxpayers those with adjusted gross income of $66,000 or less to prepare and file their federal and state taxes online for free, using the commercial services. Advertisement I want to hold the tax-preparation companies accountable, and I want to deter this behavior. L.A. City Atty. Mike Feuer Feuer compared the tax-preparation firms behavior to that of Wells Fargo, another of his corporate targets. Feuers 2015 lawsuit against Wells Fargo helped blow up the scandal over the banks opening of thousands of bogus accounts for customers and others. That was a major corporation taking advantage of the consumer, he says. There are some parallels. I want to hold the tax-preparation companies accountable and I want to deter this behavior. Free File is a full-featured program that serves those taxpayers no matter how complicated their taxes. But its little-used; according to an investigation published last week by ProPublica, on which key elements of Feuers lawsuits are based, only 3% of eligible taxpayers use Free File. Thats 3 million of the 100 million taxpayers eligible. We allege thats no accident, Feuer told me. Both Intuit and H&R Block have created impediments to the IRS system. Theyve done so despite having made a commitment to offer free online tax-prep and filing to the majority of taxpayers. Starting in 2002, the online tax-prep industry agreed to do so in return for a commitment by the IRS not to compete with its own free online tax preparation and filing services. The agreement has been periodically renewed, most recently through Oct. 31, 2021. But Feuer alleges that Intuit and H&R Block have deliberately concealed Free File from taxpayers and steered them instead to their own free programs, which are watered-down versions of software for which Intuit charges as much as $120 and H&R Block as much as $105. The firms free programs are useful only to taxpayers with wage income from employers. That leaves out independent contractors or those with itemized deductions. The programs charge for state filing; theyre also an opportunity for the firms to sell software upgrades for customers who dont find their free programs sufficient. Feuer calls those ostensibly free services nothing but decoys. Its been virtually impossible to find IRS Free File from the main web pages of TurboTax and H&R Block. Instead, taxpayers have had to know enough to track down the IRS program on their own, at TurboTaxs tax freedom website and H&R Blocks Free File site. They can also go to the IRS Free File site, which will steer them to one of the tax-prep firms own Free File programs. Last month, ProPublica reported that Intuit even took a step to hide its Free File web page from search engines such as Google, so consumers wouldnt find it via a routine web search. ProPublica says that after its report, Intuit changed the page coding so it would no longer be hidden from Google. In a statement issued through spokesman Rick Heineman, Intuit says: We stand behind our actions as being both appropriate and consistent with our values. Any suggestion that Intuit does not support the IRS Free File Program is flat wrong. H&R Block said in an emailed statement that its proud to have helped millions of Americans file their returns under the Free File program and that it has updated our practices to make H&R Blocks [IRS] Free File offer even easier to find. The tax-preparation services have lobbied to hamstring competition from the IRS for years. Its not hard to figure out why: Intuit reported revenue of $2.5 billion last year from TurboTax, and H&R Block reported $243 million from DIY tax preparation, including its software programs. Over the last decade, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, Intuit and H&R Block each have spent more than $24 million in lobbying on Capitol Hill, in addition to millions of dollars in campaign contributions. Those efforts appear to have borne fruit. Last month, the Democratic-controlled House passed the Taxpayers First Act, which includes a provision codifying the 2002 commitment, flawed as it is, into law. That was a victory for the companies, Feuer says. The measure now goes to the Senate. The commercial tax-prep firms and the conservative anti-tax lobby share incentives to keep tax filing complicated for most Americans; the firms want to build their customer base, the anti-tax warriors want to stoke resentment of the IRS. Theyve both opposed allowing the IRS to prepare taxpayers returns for them by sending forms pre-filled with all the information the IRS already has about them. As economist Austan Goolsbee proposed in 2006 before becoming an economic advisor to the Obama administration: The IRS already receives information about each of their sources of income directly from their employers and banks. The IRS then asks these same people to spend time gathering documents and filling out tax forms, or to spend money paying tax preparers to do it. Obama mentioned such a plan during his first presidential campaign, but it died under lobbying assault from the tax-prep companies and anti-tax crusaders. California introduced its own program of pre-filled firms, known as ReadyReturn, in 2005. Despite constant criticism from the anti-tax lobby, many of its elements still are available under the label CalFile. Feuer in his lawsuits is seeking three remedies under California unfair competition law: restitution for the millions of taxpayers who were eligible for the free IRS service and paid unnecessary fees to the companies instead; injunctions barring the firms from erecting barriers to taxpayers knowledge of the IRS system and access to it; and steep financial penalties. Keep up to date with Michael Hiltzik. Follow @hiltzikm on Twitter, see his Facebook page, or email michael.hiltzik@latimes.com. Return to Michael Hiltziks blog. Lyft Inc., in its first financial report since going public in March, exceeded analysts revenue expectations but signaled no end to its spending spree. The second-largest ride-hailing service in North America projected second-quarter revenue of $800 million to $810 million. Analysts were expecting $782 million, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Lyft expects sales of $3.28 billion to $3.3 billion for the year, also above estimates. Lyft used the occasion to tout a new agreement with Waymo. The Alphabet Inc. unit will deploy 10 autonomous vehicles near Phoenix in the next few months for customers to book through the Lyft app. In the first quarter, Lyfts sales grew 95% to $776 million, beating estimates by $38 million. Advertisement Lyft reported a net loss of $1.14 billion in the quarter, which was larger than the San Francisco companys loss for the entire year of 2018. Most of the costs were attributed to stock-based compensation and expenses tied to the initial public offering, but the numbers still unnerved some investors. Lyft shares fell 2% to $59.34 on Tuesday, down 18% from the IPO price of $72. They soared in after-hours trading and then quickly gave up those gains, as investors weighed strong growth against the giant losses to come. The stock slid as much as 3.9% in extended trading. The report suggests that intense competition with Uber Technologies Inc. in the ride-hailing market will continue. Lyft projected a loss before interest, taxes and other expenses of as much as $1.18 billion for 2019. Uber had estimated about $3 billion in revenue in the first quarter, up 19% from a year earlier. On Tuesday, Bloomberg reported that Uber has enough demand to price its IPO shares at the top of its current range. Uber is expected to price Thursday and begin trading Friday on the New York Stock Exchange in what is expected to be the biggest U.S. IPO in years. Lyft had warned investors that 2019 will be a costly year. Uber has similarly signaled that competition has further extended its losses. Investors are watching for an eventual cease-fire, but the battle for market share remains the priority for the time being, according to analysts. The sales growth rate of about 60% for Lyft in the second quarter would be a major slowdown from the previous period, but investors shouldnt worry, said Tom White, an analyst at D.A. Davidson. This is a large business, and revenue growth is going to decelerate, he said. Its not decelerating nearly as rapidly as Ubers revenue is. In its financial statement, Lyft said that active riders increased 46% to 20.5 million and that revenue per active rider increased 34% to $37.86. Lyft didnt disclose gross bookings this quarter, eliminating one measure investors have used to compare its business with Ubers. Lyft had shared an annual number in its IPO filing. Web Smiths recent experience at his local Apple store in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio, has been an exercise in frustration. There was the time he visited the Easton Town Center location to buy a laptop for his 11-year-old daughter and spent almost 20 minutes getting an employee to accept his credit card. In January, Smith was buying a monitor and kept asking store workers to check him out, but they couldnt because they were Apple Geniuses handling tech support and not sales. It took me forever to get someone to sell me the product, said Smith, who runs 2PM Inc., an e-commerce research and consulting firm. Its become harder to buy something, even when the place isnt busy. Buying a product there used to be a revered thing. Now you dont want to bother with the inconvenience. Smiths sentiment is shared by legions of Apple customers who vent on social media, on customer forums and in conversations with reporters. Only a few years ago, the raves easily outpaced the pans. Advertisement In interviews, current and former Apple employees blame a combination of factors. They say the stores have become mostly an exercise in branding and no longer do a good job serving mission shoppers such as Smith. Meanwhile, they say, the quality of staff has slipped during an 18-year expansion in which Apple has opened more than 500 locations and hired 70,000 people. The Genius Bar, once renowned for its tech support, has been largely replaced with staffers who roam the stores and are harder to track down. Thats a significant drawback because people are hanging on to their phones longer these days and need them repaired. In January, Apple Inc. stunned Wall Street, warning that revenue for the holiday quarter would come in well below forecasts, mostly owing to slowing sales of the iPhone. Although weakening demand for Apples most important product largely reflects a maturing smartphone market, the problems at the stores werent helping. Weeks later, Chief Executive Tim Cook announced that retail chief Angela Ahrendts was leaving and would be succeeded by veteran Apple executive Deirdre OBrien. OBrien, 52, has plenty to work with and her division remains an object of envy for the beleaguered retail industry. Last year, Apple stores and the accompanying website were responsible for a significant chunk of the $77 billion that the company got from direct distribution channels. As recently as 2017, the retail arm was generating an estimated $5,500 in sales per square foot, easily outpacing rivals. But thats getting harder to pull off. When Apple reported earnings last month, executives acknowledged resorting to long-shunned retail tactics such as discounts, cheap financing and generous trade-ins to goose demand for the iPhone. Thats not a viable long-term strategy. The Apple store at The Beverly Center in Los Angeles. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) OBriens immediate challenge is to make the stores more shopper-friendly, even if that means moving away from the tony gathering places her predecessor favored and creating more clearly defined spaces for browsing, quick purchases and service. As human-resources chief (a position she will hold concurrently), she is well situated to overhaul recruitment and training. Thats crucial because store associates will probably be deployed in the coming years to sell the array of services including music subscriptions and extended warranties that Apple is counting on to augment slowing iPhone sales. An Apple spokesperson declined to comment and didnt make OBrien available for an interview. Ahrendts didnt respond to requests for comment. Skepticism greeted the 2001 opening of Apples first two stores, in Glendale and near Washington, D.C. Consumer gadget companies had tried similar experiments with mixed results, and the stampede online was already underway. But Apple pulled it off transforming the retail experience with airy, minimalist stores and industry-disrupting innovations such as the Genius Bar. Before long, people were lining up for days to get their hands on the next iPhone or iPad, and kids were hanging out after school taking snapshots on the Mac Photo Booth app. Over the next few years, the Apple Stores uncluttered look was emulated by Microsoft, Samsung, Tesla and others. For a decade, Apples retail experiment flourished under Ron Johnson, a former Target executive whose efforts earned him a mostly deserved reputation as a retail pioneer. During his tenure, Johnson oversaw the opening of 350-plus stores and expansions into more than a dozen countries, including Japan, Australia, Italy, China and Canada. Then, in 2011, he left to reboot the department store chain J.C. Penney (where he struggled to replicate the Apple magic before being pushed out). Johnson didnt return requests for comment. He was replaced in early 2012 by John Browett, who had previously run the British electronics chain Dixons. Browett borrowed from the big-box playbook by pushing accessories and warranties. That boosted sales but weakened a culture that preferred to help customers rather than sell to them. In a morale-damaging effort to cut costs, he fired workers, cut the hours of others, reduced overtime and promoted fewer people. Browett didnt even make it to the holiday shopping season; Cook fired him and ran the retail operation himself until Ahrendts started in May 2014. Angela Ahrendts came from Burberry to run Apples retail operation. (Samir Hussein /) The former Burberry chiefs hiring was widely applauded. At the time, Apple was positioning itself as a fashion brand; an executive who had made her name pushing $500 cashmere scarves and $3,000 trench coats now would be selling pricey Apple Watches. Under Ahrendts, the stores began to resemble jewelry emporiums, where a $17,000, special-edition Watch wouldnt seem out of place. For the first time, salespeople recommended products and were encouraged to say things like, I think the smaller one suits your wrist. One of her first moves was to turn the stores into Town Squares, where shoppers could hang out and, in industry parlance, spend time with the brand. Lines at the Genius Bar would have spoiled the effect, so stores started replacing the beloved customer-service counters with Genius Groves (comfortable seating under trees), tables and roaming Geniuses. Checkout counters also disappeared in favor of salespeople armed with mobile devices. The goal was to make Apple stores more like luxury showrooms, pushing offstage the unseemly business of checking out and fielding complaints. Meanwhile, Ahrendts began moving sales and service onto the web encouraging staff to tell customers to get in line, online. Customers were to make an appointment on Apples website and then pick up the product at a store. Apple was trying to streamline things, said one employee, but in the process made things more difficult for some customers. Before Ahrendts arrival, the Apple Store excelled at three key tasks: selling products, helping customers troubleshoot their devices and teaching them how to get the most out of their gadgets. Steve Jobs was really keen on stepping into the store and knowing what to do, recalled a former Apple retail executive, who requested anonymity to speak freely. Mission shoppers who wanted to pick up a pair of headphones or an iPhone could get in and out quickly; those who wanted to learn more about their purchase could spend an hour getting trained by a Creative. If someone brought in a busted iPhone, a Genius would sort it out. Over time, according to several current and former employees, Ahrendts upset that finely tuned balance. You dont feel like there is much engagement at the front of the store, there isnt a push to people, said the former executive. The store should be a place where you see upgrades happening. The overhaul of the Genius Bar has been especially controversial. Customers looking for technical advice or repairs must now check in with an employee, who types their request into an iPad. Then when a Genius is available, he or she must find the customer wherever they happen to be in the store. Ahrendts was determined to get rid of lineups, but now the stores are often crowded with people waiting for their iPhones to be fixed or batteries swapped out. The Genius service also lost the human touch. In the past, Geniuses could work on a Mac or iPhone right at the counter, chatting and explaining what they were doing. The people doing the support now dont have a lot of room to work, this person said. They often have to take your machine to a back room. Opinion is divided on the changes Ahrendts made to customer education. For many years, you could pay a $99 annual fee and schedule one-on-one training sessions with an Apple worker. Ahrendts replaced that with Today at Apple, free group sessions where customers can learn to drum on GarageBand, use an Apple Watch or enjoy a concert. The company said that few people signed up for the previous service but that 18,000 Today at Apple sessions are held each week. Employees say customers complain that the classes proceed only as quickly as the slowest learner and recommend bringing back the one-on-one sessions. The Apple store in Grand Central Terminal, New York City. (Drew Angerer / Getty Images) Ahrendts gets credit for accelerating the stores focus away from Macs and toward mobile devices a necessary move since iPhones generate most of Apples revenue. Industry watchers applaud the accessories section, which features pullout drawers containing iPhone cases. The installation of giant video walls marketing products added wow factor. Employees said not all the problems afflicting the stores can be blamed on Ahrendts. Some said her tenure got off to an undeservedly rough start with the launch of the Apple Watch. Apples first wearable device had been hyped for months, but because of production snafus, the stores didnt have enough units for several months. Ahrendts (and store associates) took a lot of heat for that, the employees said. Employees also said the deterioration in the quality of store staff didnt start under Ahrendts but worsened during her tenure. Employees used to be very skilled, one said. When you came to Apple, you could walk in and talk to someone who happens to be a musician or videographer on the side, really knowledgeable. They hire really nice people now, but they are much less technical. During the Johnson era, sales associates got three weeks to a month of training; now they get about a week if theyre joining an existing store. Geniuses, who according to Glassdoor earn $22 an hour on average, were trained at Apples Cupertino, Calif., headquarters. Now theyre mostly trained in stores. Even before Ahrendts departure was announced in February, Apple began moving away from her strategy. Stickers and poster boards appeared in stores pushing new devices and initiativesanathema to Ahrendtss less-is-more philosophy. The pricey, special-edition watches were long gone, and Apple had introduced lower-priced handsets such as the iPhone XR. Her successor will probably borrow from the past, said the former executive. The original Apple stores were broken into sections where, for example, customers could learn how to create music, photo slideshows or home videos on a Mac. This person said OBrien could potentially create areas to promote Apple Music, Apple News+, the upcoming TV+ video service and iCloud storage. Some employees speculate shell bring back the original Genius Bar. Apples new retail chief recently embarked on a listening tour of the stores, her Instagram feed filling up with happy snaps and shoutouts to employees she encountered in Paris, Hong Kong and Austin, Texas. The rank-and-file mostly welcome her ascension, employees say, because shes a known quantity. OBrien helped launch Apple stores almost two decades ago, working alongside Jobs, Johnson and Cook. In the early days, she was responsible for getting products on shelves in the Americas. On Saturday, OBrien will open a new Apple Store at Carnegie Library in Washington, D.C., the companys 505th location and the first to open on her watch. Deirdre has a deep understanding of the stores, said the former executive. Shes just never been the face of them. Now, for better or worse, she is. Some stories land on your lap the way a paper plane makes a graceful landing on the ground. That was the case with Star Wars Canyon. My colleague Irfan Khan, a photojournalist at The Times, pitched the story about a place in Death Valley National Park where the fighter-jet-obsessed gather in anticipation of brief, thrilling flyovers one Saturday afternoon in February. After listening to him and watching video clips, I was beyond curious. We headed out to the canyon and Father Crowley Overlook, the best place to watch fighter jets in action in March. It was nearly 9 a.m. when we parked and began talking to photographers sitting at the rim of the canyon. Around 11 a.m. the first fighter jet made a pass. Some of the photographers dashed to the edge; others jumped up from their chairs and readied cameras mounted on tripods. The excitement and anxiety were palpable. For all anyone knew, this was the only jet they might see during long hours of waiting. In Death Valleys Star Wars Canyon, fighter jet aficionados have a good feeling I was hoping to record a video, but it was all over in a flash. I just couldnt react quickly enough. Advertisement During my time at the overlook, it became clear to me this wasnt just a story about photography and aviation. It was a narrative about the synchronization of these worlds: the shutter speed of a camera capturing a fighter jet traveling at speeds of up to 500 mph, the skills of a pilot and the skills of a photographer. This became even clearer when my Times colleague struggled for two days trying to capture a very difficult shot: a fighter jet flying over a crowd of photographers. By Day Two, it was clear that he felt a little discouraged. The aircraft were too high. The aircraft were too low. Khan tried standing in different locations. He prayed. I pleaded with the universe to help him. Two hours before we left, he got the image he was hoping for. At the rim of the canyon, everyone congratulated him. After the Los Angeles Philharmonic launched its Play With Ray competition, offering a chance to play with star violinist Ray Chen onstage at the Hollywood Bowl, the entries came rolling in more than 800 of them from 73 countries, submitted by eager amateurs ranging in age from 6 to 76. The competition, announced in late March, calls for one lucky winner to play Bachs Double Concerto alongside Chen at the Bowl on Aug. 8. The promise of that once-in-a-lifetime opportunity sent applicants scrambling to catch the judges attention be it through mastery of their craft, some creative videotaped performances, or both. Ten-year-old Nesya Fertel from Maryland submitted a YouTube video featuring herself playing next to a Ray Chen sock puppet, complete with spiky black hair and a tiny bow and violin. Advertisement The award for strangest application just might go to Evelyn Welch, 21, from New York, who posted an Instagram video of her alternating between CPR on a manikin and playing violin with practiced ease. Bachs Concerto for two violins and mannequin perfect way to polish my BLS skills while practicing for #playwithray, she posted. A full-size cardboard cut-out of a wild-eyed Chen plays a leading role in 15-year-old Sana Heavens submission. Heaven, who is from British Columbia, plays beside the cut-out and occasionally engages with it, as if it were the real Chen. When the video is over she gives cardboard Chen a celebratory bow-bump. Cuteness (and talent) spill over in an Instagram post by Haru Nakamura, 10, from Japan. Just watch this video to see for yourself. The scenery is at its finest in a video by dapper Juan Jose Pena Aguirre, 9, from Switzerland. The snowcapped mountains in the background serve as the perfect accompaniment to a grand performance. And Herman Baiatian, 23, from Ukraine has some video-making fun complete with a photo of a deer and some clever captioning. There are hundreds of these video to peruse should the urge strike. Just search for Play With Ray on YouTube, Instagram or Facebook. Three finalists will be flown to L.A. in early August, and one winner will land onstage at the Bowl with Chen. Baywatch veteran Pamela Anderson met with WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange in a London prison on Tuesday after which she declared that he is the worlds most innocent man. Anderson, 51, joined WikiLeaks editor Kristinn Hrafnsson for Assanges first social visit at Belmarsh Prison in southeast London. The summit came about a month after Assanges dramatic arrest in the capital after the Ecuadorian Embassy, where he sought refuge seven years ago, revoked his political asylum. Hacker-hipster Assange, 47, was indicted on a charge of helping U.S. Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning break into government computers in 2010. He is currently serving a 50-week sentence for jumping bail in 2012 and last week refused extradition to the U.S. Obviously, its been very difficult to see Julian here. And to make our way through the prison to get to him has been quite shocking and difficult, Anderson told reporters afterward, protesting his unfair treatment. He does not deserve to be in a supermax prison. He has never committed a violent act. Hes an innocent person. Advertisement Hrafnsson said that Assange spends 23 hours a day in his cell, and only 30 minutes outdoors. He added that Assange is bent not broken but is being persecuted for the simple fact of doing journalistic work. Anderson, a longtime Assange advocate, said that he is cut off from information and his children. She is now working to rally public support and solicit letters and funds for the controversial figure. Hes a good man. Hes an incredible person. I love him. I cant imagine what hes been going through, she said. This is just misrule of law and operation and absolute shock that hes not been able to get out of his cell. its going to be a long fight. He deserves our support. Following the visit, Anderson took to Twitter to declare his innocence. She also confirmed that the cloak she wore for the visit was steeped in British free-speech history and referenced 17th-century political figures John Lilburne and Richard Cromwell. He is treated as [the] most dangerous man in order to make him a criminal without him ever having done anything whatever wrong, she wrote in a letter about Assange that she posted on Twitter. The [worlds] most famous victim. People dont even know why theyre mad at him. They say hes bad. Justice depends on public opinion. Julian Assange is the worlds most innocent man. pic.twitter.com/wC1NPDjJAG Pamela Anderson (@pamfoundation) May 7, 2019 Skepticism is brewing - The public know when they are being misled - Journalists tend to underestimate people. There is wisdom on the streets. People can see through The attempted smears. Dont be polite - Gloves off ! Julian does not belong in prison. #saveassange Pamela Anderson (@pamfoundation) May 7, 2019 I look like a judge. If I were a judge, the world would be paradise @FollowWestwood #saveassange Justice depends on public opinion - Im supporting my friend #julianassange in my #johnlilburne inspired cloak - pic.twitter.com/uxOvSNSLj2 Pamela Anderson (@pamfoundation) May 7, 2019 Follow me: @NardineSaad Eat, love, deep-fried pizza LAntica Pizzeria da Michele, the Naples pizzeria made famous by Eat, Pray, Love, opens Thursday in Hollywood. There will be five traditional Neapolitan pies to start, including margherita and deep-fried pizza. 1534 N. McCadden Place, Los Angeles, (323) 366-2408, damicheleusa.com The rice ball cometh Jichans Onigiri-ya is now open in Monterey Park. Here you can get Japanese rice balls stuffed with soft-boiled egg and topped with options including fried chicken, seared salmon and Spam. Advertisement 1975 Potrero Grande Drive, Monterey Park, (626) 782-7754, facebook.com/jichansonigiri Coastal Italian in the Palisades Cinque Terre West opened Monday in Pacific Palisades. The restaurant comes from Gianbattista Vinzoni, former head chef at Soho House. His Liguria-influenced menu includes handmade pasta with frutti di mare, buridda stew, focaccia and sweet and savory cornetti for breakfast. 970 Monument St. No. 110, Pacific Palisades, (310) 454-0709, cinqueterrewest.com Vegan burgers and soft-serve in Los Feliz Honeybee Burger from The Queen Bee Burger. (Sydney Yorkshire) Honeybee Burger is now open in Los Feliz. The entirely plant-based menu includes meat-and-dairy-free cheeseburgers, grilled cheese sandwiches, soft serve and shakes. 1820 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, (323) 452-6500, honeybeeburger.com Lance Bass + WeHo + Roccos = This Roccos WeHo is now open. A partnership between Roccos Tavern in Culver City and NSync member Lance Bass, the restaurant and nightclub offers 20 beers on tap, a DJ and live music, and a casual menu with pizza, burgers and pasta. 8900 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, (424) 343-0123, instagram.com/roccosweho Point Doom Popular vegan spot Doomies Home Cookin now has a location in Culver City. The restaurant has been selling plant-based versions of comfort food classics, including fried chicken, burgers, pork sandwiches and chocolate cake, for more than 10 years from its Hollywood location. 9900 Culver Blvd., Culver City, (310) 876-0080, facebook.com/doomieshomecookin Parisian charm in the Fashion District Steak frites from Zinque. (Zinque) Zinque has opened in the downtown Fashion District. It is the fourth location for the French wine bar and restaurant, and is the first to have a full bar with cocktails. 939 S. Broadway, Los Angeles, (213) 395-0946, lezinque.com Ramen goes brothless in Sawtelle Mogu Mogu Ramen is now open in Sawtelle. The restaurant specializes in brothless mazemen ramen, including cheese and curry-topped versions, along with tonkotsu ramen, pork buns and karaage. 11555 W. Olympic Blvd. Suite B, Los Angeles, (424) 371-5085, mogumoguus.com A cafe/sake bar situation below Yamashiro Kensho is now open in Hollywood from Joseph Geiskopf and David Wynn of Triniti in Echo Park. The small, Japanese-inspired cafe by day and wine-and-sake bar by evening is located on the same hillside grounds as longstanding restaurant Yamashiro. The menu includes matcha-dusted canele and Hokkaido scallop aguachile. 1999 N. Sycamore Ave., Los Angeles, (213) 822-2103, kenshohollywood.la Closings Weilers in Northridge Weilers Original Northridge Delicatessen will close after 57 years in business. Notes placed into diners menus say the restaurants landlords are redeveloping the surrounding shopping center and are not renewing the lease. No closure date was given. 9046 Balboa Blvd., Los Angeles, (818) 892-8663, weilersdeli.com Traxx at Union Station Traxx is closed after 22 years at Union Station. Owner Tara Thomas told The Times that she chose to end the lease before its expiration in 2020. Extras Alimento is launching weekend brunch on Saturday in Echo Park. The menu includes smoked black cod toast, lamb belly with poached eggs and ricotta doughnut holes. 1710 Silver Lake Blvd., Los Angeles, (323) 928-2888, alimentola.com A small Cessna soared high above the Mojave Desert recently, its engine growling in the choppy morning air. As the aircraft skirted the mountains on the edge of Death Valley National Park, a clutch of passengers and environmentalists peered intently at a broiling salt flat thousands of feet below. The desolate beauty of the Panamint Valley has long drawn all manner of naturalists, adventurers and social outcasts including Charles Manson off-road vehicle riders and top gun fighter pilots who blast overhead in simulated dogfights. Now this prehistoric lake bed is shaping up to be an unlikely battleground between environmentalists and battery technologists who believe the area might hold the key to a carbon-free future. Advertisement Recently, the Australia-based firm Battery Mineral Resources Ltd. asked the federal government for permission to drill four exploratory wells to see if the hot, salty brine beneath the valley floor contains economically viable concentrations of lithium. The soft, silvery-white metal is a key component of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries and is crucial to the production of electric and hybrid vehicles. Aerial view looking south of the Panamint Mountains in Panamint Valley. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) The drilling request has generated strong opposition from the Center for Biological Diversity, the Sierra Club and the Defenders of Wildlife, who say the drilling project would be an initial step toward the creation of a full-scale lithium mining operation. They say lithium extraction would bring industrial sprawl, large and unsightly drying ponds and threaten a fragile ecosystem that supports Nelsons bighorn sheep, desert tortoises and the Panamint alligator lizard, among other species. A lithium mine would destroy these spectacular panoramas, drilling opponent Tom Budlong said recently as he and fellow activists buzzed over the Panamint Valley in a chartered Ecoflight aircraft. The battle could be a fierce one. Lithium is expected to play an increasingly important role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from cars and trucks, and has been designated by the Trump administration as a mineral essential to the economic and national security of the United States. In addition to powering countless laptops and cellphones, lithium-ion batteries may also play a role in guarding against power line wildfire ignitions. The only functioning lithium mine in North America is about 150 miles away in Clayton Valley, Nev. Most of the lithium used for batteries now comes from the so-called Lithium Triangle of South America a region that includes the worlds largest salt flats. For dyed-in-the-wool environmentalists, the brewing war over lithium mining poses a moral dilemma as it seemingly pits them against efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Constructed with the worlds lightest metal, rechargeable lithium-ion batteries allow vehicles to run on power generated by wind turbines, solar panels, hydroelectric dams and other clean-energy sources. In California alone, officials hope to see as many as 5 million such zero-emission vehicles on state highways by 2030. Drilling opponents also acknowledge that the burden of producing lithium should not just fall on nations with less restrictive health and safety regulations and environmental safeguards. Its a tricky question, said Lisa Belenky, senior attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity. We shouldnt export the sacrifices to Bolivia and Argentina, for example, which have massive lithium mines. We also think that Panamint Valley is not the right place for it. A Wilderness Torah group, celebrating Judaisms spiritual connection with nature, hikes in the Surprise Canyon Wilderness Area. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) The Inyo County drilling sites are overseen by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, which, under federal law, is obligated to not only preserve public lands, but make them productive as well. The BLM must set aside some lands for mining and wilderness, for wildlife and off-road vehicle riders alike. But environmentalists say the agency is tilting too far toward the needs of commercial interests and away from the long-term health of the publics natural resources. They worry approval of the plan could trigger a white gold rush across the deserts of Southern California. Already, nearly 2,000 lithium claims have been staked across 30,000 acres of public land administered by the BLM in California. In a formal response to the drilling proposal, a dozen environmental organizations expressed concerns about the effects on ground and surface water if exploration leads to an industrial-scale mine. The environmental assessment does not include mapping of floodplain boundaries, nor any hydrologic modeling or analysis, the response read. There is no discussion of the risks to cross contamination from the deep brines to the freshwater aquifer, and the drill site reclamation practices do not appear to have taken this risk into account. Among those who have spoken against the plan are officials at Death Valley National Park. A large mining operation would have significant water requirements, Death Valley National Park Supt. Mike Reynolds wrote in comments filed with the BLM. Reynolds said water in the area flowed downhill from the park to the mine sites on the valley floor. This water would normally help support wildlife within the local ecosystem, he wrote. The U.S. Bureau of Land Management is expected to make a final decision on Battery Mineral Resources request later this year. Battery Mineral Resources failed to respond to repeated requests for comment on the proposal. However, an environmental assessment of its exploratory project concluded it would be safe, prevent significant environmental harm and abide by state and federal regulations. As of April, the company reported anticipated costs of more than $7 million for exploration, claim maintenance fees and payments to a geology consultant in Arroyo Grande. The Panamint Valley shares many of the geological features seen in profitable lithium-brine deposits in Chile, Argentina, Bolivia and Nevada: arid climate, an active fault, a basin encircled by rock mountains, and underground brine pools heated by geothermal activity. Lithium brine deposits account for the majority of worlds lithium production. The process involves pumping water from aquifers and placing it in a succession of large evaporation pools. Over time, the lithium becomes more and more concentrated and can be separated from the water and processed. In addition to Panamint Valley, lithium mining claims have been staked in portions of the Amargosa Basin near Beatty, Nev., which includes stretches of the Amargosa River, which was listed earlier this year as a National Wild and Scenic River. Although environmentalists fear a run on lithium, one expert said it was no simple task to open a mining operation. A years-long effort to establish one at Imperial Countys Salton Sea has yet to bear fruit. On the face of it, extracting lithium from brine seems simple pump it out of the ground, and then divert it into evaporation ponds that leave behind heaps of dried product ready for shipping, said Brian Jaskula, a U.S. Geological Survey expert on mining. Although lithium-ion batteries currently dominate the electric vehicle market, they face competition from an array of new, more affordable and environmentally safe technologies in development, said Parans Paranthaman, group leader of the chemical sciences division at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Oak Ridge, Tenn. Lithium-ion batteries, which were developed in 1991, are the most viable in the near term, he said. But beyond lithium, there will soon be zinc, sodium, magnesium and potassium batteries, among others. Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, the owner of the Los Angeles Times, is also the chairman of NantEnergy, an El Segundo-based firm that has developed a rechargeable zinc-air battery, as well as a hybrid zinc-air and lithium-ion battery. The batteries are used primarily in microgrids and communication facilities. Sunset at Panamint Valley. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) On a recent weekday in Panamint Valley, sentiment was split over the prospect of a lithium mining operation in this sparsely populated area of Inyo County. Rock Novak, 65, the caretaker of a trading post in the strike-it-rich ghost town of Ballarat, was telling anyone who would listen that environmental protections are unwanted encroachments on the regions enjoyment of unshackled freedom from everyday rules and regimens. Sitting back in a chair on a wooden porch and gazing out at salt flats that host a frenzy of high-speed off-roaders, Novak said, Id rather see this desert torn up by mining than be under the dictatorship of the National Park Service. Not far away, in Surprise Canyon, hikers wandered a trail that followed a perennial, spring-fed stream fringed with cottonwood trees and wild orchids that earlier this year was designated a National Wild and Scenic River. Most of the hikers were part of a Wilderness Torah outdoor camping event held to celebrate Judaisms spiritual connections with nature. Another hiker was David Lamfrom, director of California and Desert programs for the National Parks Conservation Assn., who wondered whether the charms of Surprise Canyon silence, solitude and natural beauty could survive in the face of pumping systems, evaporation ponds and heavy equipment spread across thousands of acres. This is a misplaced mining project in an area that the public has already agreed should be protected for generations to come, Lamfrom said. It makes no sense to turn our backs on those promises. Beverly Hills is considering outlawing the sale of all tobacco products, a move that would make the glamorous California city the first in the nation to enact such a ban. A draft ordinance going before the Beverly Hills City Council on Tuesday evening would exempt three existing high-end cigar lounges. A report prepared for the council cites the citys advocacy of healthy living and outlines the extensive adverse effects of tobacco use. In addition to the cigar lounges, there are 25 active city permits for sales of tobacco and electronic cigarettes in grocery stores, gas stations, hotels, convenience stores and pharmacies. Advertisement The report says there have been discussions on having small-business experts assist retailers in dealing with possible impacts on revenues. It found no data to determine an impact on tourism. The fighter jet was flying low over the desert valley when it banked and dove into a ravine. Between the ancient walls, it rumbled like a giant marble careening around a wooden floor. The noise, a stark contrast with the quietude of the desert, is part of the lure for the military veterans, aviation enthusiasts and photographers who gather at the top of Star Wars Canyon on the western edge of Death Valley National Park. But what they really come for is to catch a glimpse of mechanical birds tearing the sky apart and the U.S. Air Force and Navy pilots who maneuver them like fictional X-Wing Starfighters. Hearing the rumble, Evert Van Koningsveld grabbed his camera and rushed over to a railing on the edge of the canyon. He followed the jet with his Canon 80D, snapping 14 photos in as many seconds. He stopped, lowered his camera and watched the jet disappear in a band of clouds stretched out like a string of cotton balls. The sky grumbled. After the high-speed pass, Koningsveld reviewed each shot with a displeased look on his face. The photos were vivid and sharp, but none of them had been shot from an angle that emphasized the sleek body of the F/A-18 Super Hornet: its trapezoidal wings, its cockpit, wing strakes or tail. There were no condensation trails on the wingtips or glowing afterburners to convey the maneuverability and power of an aircraft that is capable of traveling faster than the speed of sound. Thats aviation photography for you, he said. You never know what youll get. Koningsveld walked back to his car, sat near the edge of the opened trunk and placed his camera next to him. He gazed at the sky and waited, hoping for another chance. More than four years ago, Candy and Richard Campbell pulled into the parking lot of Father Crowley Overlook and saw a fighter jet burn and turn through the canyon. (Video by Jackeline Luna / Los Angeles Times) The canyon more than 5 miles long and up to 5,000 feet wide is about a three-hour drive northeast of Los Angeles, off State Route 190. On paper, its known as Rainbow Canyon because of its gray, orange and red strata. The U.S. Air Force refers to it as the Jedi Transition, but almost everyone else refers to it as Star Wars Canyon. For first-timers, it may seem like an odd place to pull over. The desolate landscape offers little beyond the craggy hills, rocks and tufts of brittle flora that look as though a month of rain could never revive them. But the canyon is part of a restricted military airspace called the R-2508 Complex, used for air-combat training, supersonic flight tests and other military operations, and its been a magnet for plane spotters for several years. Lorena Iniguez Elebee / Los Angeles Times Graphics Theres only one requirement for membership in the fellowship: You have to be bananas for aviation, says Koningsveld. Plane spotters who were interviewed over the course of two days in March spoke about the power and the speed of jets that zoom through the area at speeds up to 500 mph. That brief moment in time when feats of engineering obliterate any prior notions about aircraft and gravity. When a fighter jet transcends its role and becomes a testament to mankinds technological achievements. Wearing an orange hat with a back flap, Candace Candy Campbell of Pacific Grove, Calif., tried to catch her breath as she explained the thrill she gets from watching. Its pure, raw excitement, she said. Its power. ... those pilots are skilled and theyve got courage. Some of the pilots dive right at the start of the gorge, afterburners blazing. Others change course in the middle of the canyon, flying at eye level with spectators before dropping down. Some pilots fly straight through like a bullet. Sometimes theyll come down and turn so you can see their face and you can take their picture, said Campbell, 68. Weve seen one enter, swing and go right over us. Some of the images on social media look as though the pilots are truly aware of their audience as they flash a thumbs-up or rock n roll sign. Campbell and her husband had set up camp at a vista point called Father Crowley Overlook, named after a Catholic priest (Father John C. Crowley) who served the desert area during the 1920s and 30s. There are at least two other viewing points nearby, but Crowley is the hot plane spotting spot. For Campbell, each pass is different from the next. In addition to fighter jets, shes observed helicopters flying in the same space, and once she watched a C-17, a fat military cargo plane with four engines, drop into the canyon like a Slinky and then as one spectator described it saunter above the desert floor. It just moves side to side so gracefully, she said. Its like ballet. Its gorgeous. Richard, 71, and Candy Campbell, 68, of Pacific Grove, Calif., look for military aircraft with their eyes peeled to the sky and ears focused on flight chatter coming from two scanners hanging from their camper. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) The Air Force and Navy have used Star Wars Canyon as a training area since World War II, long before it became part of the national park in 1994, according to Patrick Taylor of the U.S. National Park Service. Most of the aircraft that pass through come from nearby bases such as Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, Naval Air Station Lemoore, Edwards Air Force Base, Fresno Air National Guard Base and Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada. Foreign allied forces are also known to make flybys. Over the years, Taylor said the number of plane spotters has increased, in part because of social media. In 2010, the National Park Service installed a parking lot, a railing along the edge of the canyon and a bathroom at Crowley Overlook to accommodate the growing number of visitors. Larry Grace, a former Air Force veteran and president of the International Society for Aviation Photography, said the Mach Loop, a high-speed flight training area in the United Kingdom, and Star Wars Canyon in Death Valley National Park are two of the most publicized plane spotting areas in the world. As pictures got out, he said, people asked about where they were taken, and thats how those areas got popular. A trainer T-38 Talon based at Edwards Air Force Base flies into Rainbow Canyon. Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times Ten years ago, Koningsveld drove to the canyon and waited for half an hour hoping to see a plane. The gravelly voiced Dutchman, who became obsessed with aircraft as a child, was not successful in his quest. But he and his wife, Jose (pronounced Josae), were already frequent visitors to the United States, attending annual air shows in Nevada and California, when four years ago, Koningsveld, 61, decided to give Star Wars Canyon another try. This time, he spotted a fighter jet, and since then, he and his wife have made annual trips to the desert. Now Im a little more patient. I can stand around all day here, getting old, he said, chuckling. Success at Star Wars Canyon is frequently about luck. Some days the only things in flight are crows (or as some of the more frequent regulars have come to dub them: B1-RD.) And then there are those holy mackerel days when dozens of military aircraft make an appearance. Experienced plane spotters (many of whom are professional photographers) come prepared. They bring meals. They unload their gear, unfold their chairs, apply sunscreen and they keep their eyes to the sky. If youre talking to someone or looking somewhere else, you could miss it, Koningsveld said. Koningsveld and his family lived in the town of Zeist, not far from a Royal Netherlands Air Force base in the center of the country. He was a toddler when his father took him to his first air show and introduced him to the world of aviation. Eventually, Koningsveld channeled his interest in military aircraft into a freelance photography career. By the early 1990s, he was flying with and shooting photos for flight demonstration squadrons such as the United Kingdoms Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, known as the Red Arrows, and a Royal Canadian Air Force display flight squadron, called the Snowbirds. As he waited at the overlook for the next jet to fly through, Koningsveld said he was hoping to spot his favorite plane, an F-15 Strike Eagle and he did, the following day. It looks good and its enormously powerful, Koningsveld said. His wife was sporting a denim shirt with the picture of an F-15, a suggestion, perhaps, of a shared enthusiasm. Shes married to me, so its by default, Koningsveld said, laughing. Jose smiled and remained as silent as the desert. The origins of the canyons nickname are up for debate. Some aviation enthusiasts talk about desert scenes in the Star Wars movie franchise that were filmed in Death Valley. The exposed rocks on the canyon walls remind them of Tatooine, the home planet of Anakin and Luke Skywalker. Others suggest that the pilots who fly into the canyon feel as if theyre dropping into the trench of the Empires Death Star, avoiding fire from laser canons just like Luke in A New Hope. Lorena Iniguez Elebee / Los Angeles Times Graphics But the nickname was not a hot topic among the plane spotters the European aviation photographers, military brats, veterans and the Campbells stationed along the canyon rim on a breezy March day. Their focus was elsewhere. Hours passed. People napped. A woman worked on her tan. Some of the visitors made small talk, stopping mid-sentence whenever they heard the crackling of a radio scanner. A few of them would jump up with their cameras the second they heard a rumble. Several veterans suggested the experience at Star Wars Canyon is analogous to fishing: You wait and you watch and you hope you catch something good. Some have seen an F-15 Strike Eagle, an A-10 Thunderbolt II (nicknamed the Warthog), an F-16 Fighting Falcon or transport planes like the C-17 or the C-130. Occasionally someone is lucky enough to observe a rare aircraft such as the F-117 Nighthawk, a stealth attack aircraft that was retired in 2008. An F-16 Falcon from Edwards Air Force Base An F-16 from Edwards Air Force Base An F-15 from the California Air National Guard An F-15 from the California Air National Guard A C-130 from Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark. An F-18 from Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif. The crowd included a few tourists visiting Death Valley National Park, compelled to pull over at the overlook after spotting the lines of tripods and cameras. Whats everyone waiting for? they asked. Sometimes a fighter jet would appear on the horizon with the answer. These random encounters can lead to a new hobby, and, in the case of a few, an addiction. Indeed, thats how it happened for Campbell, a former landscape photographer, and her 71-year-old husband, Richard. The couple had long been drawn to Death Valley and the desert landscape. They started to visit the park with their children in the 1970s, but were only vaguely aware that military jets flew in the area. About four years ago, they pulled into the parking lot of Father Crowley Outlook by chance. The Campbells were sipping tea inside the 2001 Dodge Caravan that they had converted into a camper when they saw a fighter jet burn and turn through the canyon. Richard and Candy were at eye-level with the pilots and it was love at first sight. Now they make the eight-hour trek from Californias Central Coast to the canyon every year, devoting a week to plane spotting. Like the other veterans, they hope theyll get buzzed, a term used to describe what happens when a fighter jet flies low with its afterburners on. In an email she sent to her children last year, Campbell described such a moment this one involving an F/A-18 Super Hornet. He roars over my head, she wrote. And when I say over my head, I am saying he was low the sky was covered with the jets body. [It was] so close it seemed as if I could have stretched up and touched it. The Campbells sat on folding chairs at the overlook; a journal they use to log their sightings sat on a small gray table placed between them. Nearby, radio scanners broke the silence, as pilots communicated with their towers. The Campbells were hoping to hear words like Jedi, Sidewinder and Charlie anything that would give them an advance warning that a jet was requesting permission to fly through the canyon. Over the years, the regulars have learned to depend on Campbell, who has become something of a human scanner. She seems to spot jets long before anyone else does. Mike Price, 66, and his wife, Shelley, 61, of Portland, Ore., were visiting Death Valley when they decided to stop at the overlook. It was about 2 p.m. and Campbell alerted everyone to get ready. A jet zoomed by and, all too soon, the moment was over. Price, who couldnt get a photo because he pressed the wrong button while trying to turn his camera on, voiced a familiar complaint. It happened too fast. Star Wars Canyon: How I got the story Produced by Sean Greene ruben.vives@latimes.com For more Southern California news, follow @latvives on Twitter. Los Angeles school officials would like the discussion over a proposed property tax to be about benefits to students, but the debate Tuesday was over parking garages. Disagreement centered on whether the school district meant to tax the spaces where people park and, if so, whether they went about it legally. The Board of Education tried to work around the issue at a meeting Tuesday by voting unanimously to exempt enclosed parking areas from the tax to benefit the school system. The districts action, however, was not enough to prevent opponents from filing a lawsuit seeking to invalidate the proposed levy, which will be before voters in a June 4 election. Advertisement Measure EE would allow the Los Angeles Unified School District to tax structures on properties annually at a rate of 16 cents a square foot for 12 years. It will require approval from two-thirds of voters to become law. Officials estimate the measure would raise $500 million a year for district-run and independently operated charter schools, helping to reduce classroom overcrowding and support vital services to students. Seniors and many low-income property owners would be eligible to apply for an exemption. The school board voted Feb. 28 to put the measure on the ballot, but shortly after, the county assessors office flagged concerns with the wording that said habitable areas would be taxed. This could be taken to mean areas that people lived in when, in fact, the district clearly intended to tax business and office space as well. In response, L.A. schools Supt. Austin Beutner in March asked county election officials to change the ballot language. The revised definition refers to the square footage of all buildings or structures erected on or affixed to the land. A senior staff member, Amanda Wherritt, alerted school board members of the change, calling it a minor technical revision, and officials did not address the matter at a public meeting. Nor was there a public announcement of the change. The revised language, though, appeared to take in multistory parking structures as well as parking garages in single-family homes and apartments. In fact, the district had deleted a tax exemption for parking that was part of sample language provided by the assessors office. The issue surfaced publicly last week, when opponents called the revisions illegal, arguing the changes materially altered the scope of the tax without school board approval and without the opportunity for public scrutiny and input. That same argument was advanced Tuesday in a lawsuit filed in L.A. County Superior Court by the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Assn. The lawsuit is seeking to halt the election or nullify its results. First by gross incompetence, and then by complete and total disregard of the California Elections Code and Californias open meeting law the district and county are presently conducting an unlawful election, the lawsuit contends. The school systems general counsel, David Holmquist, said the lawsuit had no merit. Tuesdays resolution stated the boards intent that Measure EE shall not be implemented to require collection of the $0.16 per square foot levy on improvements used for parking, whether residential or non-residential. In a statement after the meeting, Beutner said, The conversation about Measure EE should be about the imperative to adequately fund local public schools in all of the communities we serve. Lets not be distracted from this imperative. However, the No on EE campaign has been using the altered ballot wording to suggest that district officials are incompetent, duplicitous or both. Because the boards resolution wont actually amend Measure EE, its not worth the paper on which it is written, said Tracy Hernandez, founding chief executive of BizFed, which represents local business groups. This school board or another school board could change its mind again next week, next month, or next year. Why should the taxpayers trust this board? Hernandez, who also serves as spokeswoman for the campaign against the tax, was among several business leaders who criticized the district and Measure EE at Tuesdays meeting. Maria S. Salinas, head of the L.A. Area Chamber of Commerce, told the board that the districts actions can easily be seen as a bait and switch. We believe these changes violate the public trust, she said. Testifying in support of Measure EE was former school board member David Tokofsky, who accused the business leaders of protecting their narrow self-interest at the expense of the broader community. Board member Richard Vladovic also defended the tax measure. The need is there, Vladovic said after the meeting. We as a society have to take a stand since the state hasnt. This was well thought out. We were caught with technicalities of words, but its about children, and children who deserve better. I dont apologize to anybody. howard.blume@latimes.com Twitter: @howardblume Ryan Lawler saw the dorsal fin in the distance, swaying slowly side to side, and assumed it was a great white shark. As his boat got closer, he saw the massive fishs snout sticking out of the water, its mouth wide open. Without fear, Lawler jumped in to swim with the elusive basking shark. It was something wed been dreaming about, Lawler said. The owner of Pacific Offshore Expeditions had heard of basking sharks showing up recently along the Channel Islands and gone in search of one, as a kind of marine life bucket list item. With some measuring more than 30 feet long, basking sharks are second in size only to whale sharks and are completely harmless. They have tiny teeth, and feed on copepods such as krill and plankton. Advertisement In the early to mid-1900s, the huge fish were abundant along the West Coast, numbering in the hundreds and possibly thousands, said Heidi Dewar, a research biologist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Around the 1960s, the fish all but disappeared, possibly because they were harvested for their valuable fins and livers, or eliminated after interfering with salmon fishing in Canada, Dewar said. A basking shark with its mouth wide open feeds off the coast of Santa Cruz Island. (Lotti Keenan / Island Packers Cruises) Starting in 2009, NOAA included basking sharks in its species of concern program and started asking for the publics help in spotting them. In the last few years, there have been only occasional sightings. Now, the animal appears to be making a comeback. Recent reports indicate that groups of 10 to 20 sharks have been swimming in the Santa Barbara Channel, and individual sightings appear to have increased as well. Scientists know so little about the sharks that they find it difficult to explain why they apparently have returned and whether they might stick around. The excitement began in mid-April, when an Island Packers Cruises boat arrived at Santa Cruz Island. Disembarking passengers chattered excitedly about a group of about 15 giant sharks, which had been swimming lazily around their boat. NOAA was immediately notified. They came in raving about it, said Cherryl Connally, co-owner of Island Packers Cruises. The crowd of people was oohing and aahing. There were so many of them. Recently, people have spotted the sharks off Santa Cruz Island every other day, Connally said. Though most sightings have been in the Santa Barbara Channel, there also have been reports of basking sharks in Ventura, Santa Monica and Long Beach waters. Dan Salas, chief executive and founder of Harbor Breeze Cruises in Long Beach, said passengers have seen seven or eight basking sharks on their excursions since the beginning of the year. Salas said he has seen five in his lifetime and three of those were this year. Theyre like the Loch Ness Monster, he said. You hear these stories of them, but its really hard to get a picture. For him, the reason for the animals return is clear. The conditions are just perfect for marine life right now, he said. Temperatures are warming. And its possible that freshwater runoff from recent rains has drained nutrients into the ocean, making plankton grow, he said. Recent changes in climate patterns and ocean temperatures have resulted in all sorts of strange things happening in the waters off the West Coast. In February, for example, UC Santa Barbara staff members found a rare hoodwinker sunfish, or Mola tecta, the first one recorded in the Northern Hemisphere. In that case, NOAA ecologist Elliott Hazen said, ocean warming could be the reason the species moved north, as have many other sea creatures. The same is true for the food that the basking sharks are following, he said. The copepods also could be benefiting from the freshwater runoff, although it sometimes can be harmful because it helps poisonous algae grow, which if ingested can sicken or kill some marine mammals. Experts think that was the case in March, when dolphins were becoming stranded and dying in excessive numbers on Orange County beaches. A drone image shows a basking sharks size in relation to Ryan Lawlers boat. (Kristin Campell / Pacific Offshore Expeditions) Though scientists agree that the return of the basking shark may have something to do with environmental factors, they hesitate to draw conclusions because there is so little baseline information about the species. I wish I had a good answer, Dewar said. We definitely know the ocean is changing. The problem, Dewar said, is that scientists dont know how the animals behave even in normal conditions. And recent changes in the climate have only complicated matters. In 2010 and 2011, four basking sharks found in California waters were tagged to study their movements. One was tracked to Baja California and another to Hawaii, Dewar said. Scientists think the animals range extends from Baja California in Mexico to Canada, but they have only those four tagged sharks to base their assumptions on. Scientists also know that basking sharks tend to swim in murky waters where theyre likely to find high concentrations of food. Dewar said the animals appear to swim either near the surface or deep in the ocean, following currents that carry food. Besides that, little is known about their habitats. Sharks in general take longer than other marine animals to mature to reproductive age and have small numbers of offspring, said Ryan Freedman, a researcher who works with NOAA to track the basking sharks. That could explain why the animals seemed to be gone from Southern California waters for so long. Its likely that the increase in sightings means the population is finally recovering after years of being decimated, Freedman said. And that presents elated scientists with the opportunity to properly track and research the basking sharks. Freedman tagged two more in April, and hes ready with four additional tags should he encounter more of the gentle giants. The tags are equipped with satellite technology and attached next to a sharks dorsal fin. They gather information about depth, light and temperature to make estimates about where the shark ventures. After a few months, the tags fall off and rise to the surface of the ocean. Then, more satellite data are transmitted to scientists. A lot of times, we dont really know we need information until its too late, Freedman said. With advanced technology and more marine wildlife protections, he said, these days were a lot better. Passengers aboard an Island Packers Cruises boat watch a basking shark. (Lotti Keenan / Island Packers Cruises) alejandra.reyesvelarde@latimes.com Twitter: @r_valejandra The states top political watchdog has proposed fining a member of the Inglewood City Council $2,000 for taking free Rams tickets from the team. Councilman George Dotson reported the gift on his disclosure forms in September 2016. The tickets were valued at $750, and the limit for gifts that politicians were allowed to receive in 2016 was $460. The ruling from the California Fair Political Practices Commission, a bipartisan committee that oversees campaign finance, conflicts of interest and government ethics, notes that the team didnt have any business before the Inglewood City Council in the year following the gift. Still, the teams owner and the developers of the multibillion-dollar stadium have become political heavyweights in the city since the new home for the Rams and the Chargers was first proposed for Inglewood in 2015. Advertisement They have been key political backers of Mayor James T. Butts and his allies on the Inglewood City Council, including Dotson. Last year, The Times reported that Dotsons campaign committees have received nearly $160,000 in loans from Butts campaign committees since 2012. At the time, none of the money had been repaid. The 78-year-old Dotson is a longtime businessman in Inglewood and was reelected in 2017. After being contacted by the FPPC in June 2017, Dotson cut a check for $300 to the Rams. The payment brought him back into compliance with the gift limit. In this case the enforcement division found no evidence that respondent intended to conceal, deceive or mislead the public, the ruling reads. Respondent paid down the subjects gift amount over the limit shortly after contact from the enforcement division and stated he was unfamiliar with the acts gift limits. Dotson has agreed to pay the most recent fine. Still, the commissions four members must formally approve the penalty at their next meeting. Dotson did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday. benjamin.oreskes@latimes.com @boreskes A 95-year-old former soldier died over the weekend aboard a so-called Honor Flight carrying World War II veterans back home to San Diego after an all-expenses-paid weekend trip to Washington, D.C. Frank Manchel collapsed about an hour before the chartered American Airlines jet was scheduled to land Sunday, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported. Two physicians, including his own son, Bruce Manchel, were unable to revive him. It was almost instantaneous, said Dave Smith, founder of Honor Flight San Diego. He was laughing, chatting, having a good time and then he collapsed. Advertisement Chaplains prayed over the body, and it was covered with an American flag. As the plane was descending to its destination, another passenger, former San Diego Police Chief Shelley Zimmerman, who is the daughter of a World War II vet, suggested those aboard sing God Bless America in tribute to Manchel, and the plane was filled with song, the newspaper reported. Fellow veterans saluted as they passed Frank Manchels body while exiting the plane. First responders at the scene also saluted as the body was taken from the plane. My fathers passing was the ending to the most amazing weekend, surrounded by his newest best friends, Frank Manchel said in a statement Monday. We thank all of you Honor Flight San Diego, American Airlines, San Diego International Airport, friends, and supporters for your concern and for allowing the weekend to be so special for all of us to share together. Zimmerman said that when she chatted with the elder Manchel and his family on Saturday, the veteran was in an upbeat mood. He was 100% engaged, proud, humble as these veterans are, she said. You could just tell how proud they all were of him. It was just wonderful a loving, loving family. American Airlines offered to transport Manchels remains and relatives to Michigan, where services and burial are planned. Six other deaths have happened on Honor Flights originating from other cities. We know this is a potential situation, Smith said. We want to honor these veterans, but this is one of our worst fears that this might happen. We do everything we can to make sure these veterans are safe. The nonprofit Honor Flight Network was founded to enable aging veterans to visit the National World War II Memorial, which was completed in 2004. The organization plans to eventually focus on Korean War veterans and then those who served in Vietnam. Authorities in Central California have released the identity of a man suspected in the killing of the son of a former district attorney. Atwater Police Chief Michael Salvador said Monday that detectives are searching for 26-year-old Dagoberto Penaloza in the shooting death of Ethan Morse. Morse was the son of former Merced County Dist. Atty. Larry Morse II. The 22-year-old Morse was shot in March at a busy intersection where he had gone to drop off his daughter at daycare. Advertisement Salvador says there is a $1-million arrest warrant out for Penaloza, who is considered armed and dangerous. San Francisco is about to require brick-and-mortar retailers to take cash as payment, joining Philadelphia and New Jersey in banning a growing paperless practice that critics say discriminates against low-income people who may not have access to credit cards. The Board of Supervisors will take up the issue at a meeting Tuesday, and its likely to pass, with nearly all 11 members listed as sponsors or co-sponsors. I just felt it wasnt fair that if someone wanted to buy a sandwich in a store, and they had cash, that they would be turned away, said Supervisor Vallie Brown, who introduced the legislation. We also have our homeless population. Theyre not banked. In many ways, the legislation is an easy call for San Francisco officials, who strive to make life more equitable in a city with an enormous wealth gap. Advertisement High-paid tech workers who flocked to San Francisco to work for Facebook, Google, Uber and Airbnb may like the ease of paying by credit card, debit card or smartphone. But many low-income people, including more than 4,000 who sleep on San Franciscos streets every night, likely dont have money to sustain bank accounts. According to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., 17% of African American households and 15% of Latino households had no bank account. Some people also prefer to use cash because they dont want to leave a digital trail of where they have been and what they have bought. San Franciscos legislation requires brick-and-mortar businesses to accept cash for goods and some services. Temporary pop-up stores and internet-only businesses such as ride-hailing companies would be exempt, as would food trucks, which say they lack the resources to handle cash. Philadelphia and New Jersey passed similar laws this year. Legislation requiring merchants to accept cash also has been introduced in New York City. The efforts come after the rollout last year of cashless Amazon Go stores, which require customers to scan an app to enter. Whatever items customers take are automatically tallied in a virtual cart and charged to a credit card. The retail giant bowed to pressure last month and agreed to accept cash at more than 30 cashless stores. Amazon opened its first cash-accepting store Tuesday in a high-end New York City shopping mall frequented by office workers. Anyone who wants to pay with cash will be swiped through the turnstile entrance by employees. After shoppers grab what they want, an employee will scan the items with a mobile device, take the cash and give customers their change. Amazon didnt say when its 11 other Go stores would start accepting cash. Though plenty of cheap dim sum spots, taquerias and dive bars take only cash in San Francisco, some retailers argue that not taking cash is safer and more efficient. Cashless restaurants are clustered in San Franciscos Financial District and South of Market neighborhoods, where white-collar employees devour upscale salads and protein bowls. Those now refusing paper money include Bluestone Lane, a New York-based coffee chain, and the Organic Coup, which sells organic fast-food chicken. At Freshroll Vietnamese Rolls & Bowls, which has several lunch spots in downtown San Francisco, signs remind customers of its no-cash policy. Andy Stone, vice president of brand marketing at Bluestone Lane, said the company would always comply with the laws of jurisdictions where we operate and was awaiting the vote. The other companies did not respond to requests for comment from the Associated Press. Some businesses appear to be getting on board as the backlash grows. Salad chain Sweetgreen announced last month that it would accept cash at all its restaurants by years end, saying going cashless had the unintended consequence of excluding those who prefer to pay or can only pay with cash. The San Francisco Chamber of Commerce did not take a position on the proposal. Jean Vanier, a Canadian religious figure whose charity work helped improve conditions for the developmentally disabled throughout the world over the past half-century, has died at 90. Vanier died Tuesday in Paris after battling thyroid cancer, according to LArche, a charity he founded. Pope Francis was informed of Vaniers death and was praying for him and the community, said Vatican spokesman Alessandro Gisotti. Vanier worked as a Canadian navy officer and professor before turning to charity work. A visit to a psychiatric hospital prompted him to found LArche in 1964 as an alternative living environment where those with developmental disabilities could be full-fledged participants in the community instead of patients. Advertisement The charity now has communities in 38 countries that are home to thousands of people both with and without disabilities. Its facilities in the United State are located in Orange County. He saw people locked up, and he decided to make a gesture, inspired by the Bible, said Pierre Jacquand, who leads LArches facilities in France. He felt a calling to defend the most marginalized. He gave them a voice, Jacquand said, adding that over time, his work helped inspire broader change in how France addresses the needs of those with developmental disorders including Down syndrome and autism spectrum disorders. He also traveled the world to encourage dialogue across religions, and was awarded the 2015 Templeton Prize for spiritual work, as well as Frances Legion of Honor. He was the subject of a documentary shown at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival called Jean Vanier, the Sacrament of Tenderness. Vanier handed over leadership of LArche decades ago but continued to live in the first community center he founded north of Paris. He had no direct descendants but left a legacy in many countries, and his family is everywhere now, Jacquand said. Russian composer Dmitri Shostakovich died in 1975 without completing his dream of setting Anton Chekhovs short story, The Black Monk, as an opera. Thanks to playwright James Glossman and musician Philip Setzer, Shostakovichs work is finished with the duos Shostakovich and the Black Monk: A Russian Fantasy, which will have its West Coast premiere at the Segerstrom Center for the Performing Arts in Costa Mesa on May 14. With his compositions, Shostakovich drew the ire of Joseph Stalin, who decreed all Soviet music should be patriotic and celebratory of communist ideals. Shostakovich went against the leaders decree and watched helplessly as many of his friends and family disappeared under the Soviet leaders purges. Its clear that toward the end of Shostakovichs life, he takes the project off the back burner and really tries to finish it, said Setzer, who not only arranged the music for Black Monk but will also play violin in the Emerson Quartet for the performance. Shostakovich was, I would say, obsessed with this story, and the interesting part of it is why. Advertisement The arc of the play has Shostakovich (Mackenzie Astin) working to write his opera based on the Chekhov story about a scholar haunted by visions of a ghostly black monk. The more the hero of the Chekov story, Kavrin (Alex Grossman) is cured of his madness, the less creative he becomes. Its a bit of a meta experience, with audiences watching the play-within-a-play come alive before them. Multimedia projections also bring to life some of the elements as the composer translates Chekhovs short story into music. I think there was a lot of music that was in his head, and he simply just physically couldnt write out a whole opera, said Setzer, adding that elements of Shostakovichs 14th and 15th string quartets appear in the orchestral score for Black Monk. He thought that not just his career was finished but probably his life as well because so many of his friends had been sent away or shot for doing less. The May 14 performance of Shostakovich and the Black Monk: A Russian Fantasy will be the first time brothers Mackenzie and Sean Astin have shared the stage together professionally. Mackenzie stepped in as a last-minute replacement and will be playing the Russian composer. (Photos courtesy of Segerstrom Center of the Arts) Sean Astin (The Lord of the Rings, The Goonies, Rudy) co-stars in the show as Stalin and Pesotsky. Astin, who had traveled with the show to the East Coast as well as overseas, lobbied director Glossman to cast his brother, Mackenzie, as a fill-in; the director had already come to the same notion, having known Mackenzie from the John Astin Theater, named for the brothers father, at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. Everyone is going to be surrounding him because its his first time and [they] want him to feel comfortable, Sean said. His younger brother stepped in less than two weeks before curtain. Because its a staged reading, theres a net that youre usually working without, which is nice for someone who is doing this for the first time, Mackenzie said. Although the brothers have been in films together before, this will be the first time they have shared a stage professionally. Theater is in their blood, thanks to their parents work on the stage and in front of the camera. Sean said that the multimedia projections allow the story of Black Monk to unfold along with Shostakovichs arc as he fashions his opera. Once you understand the play-within-a-play thing, its kind of magical to see how Shostakovich is purging his own personal demons while trying to accomplish something of beauty that he always wished he could, he said. Philip Setzer co-wrote Shostakovich and the Black Monk: A Russian Fantasy, which will have a one-day performance at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts on May 14. Setzer will also play violin as part of the Emerson Quartet (pictured) for the performance. (Photo by Lisa-Marie Mazzucco) The Emerson Quartet, which Setzer formed over 40 years ago, will perform the score for Black Monk. Setzers wife, Linda Setzer, also appears in the play portraying Irina Shostakovich, Dmitris wife. Irina makes this long speech about her husband over the slow movement of the 14th Quartet, Setzer said of his wifes biggest scene in the show. In a sense, its an aria. Its just that shes not singing it; she speaks it. But it easily could have been an aria if [Shostakovich] had finished the opera were trying to finish the story for him without stepping over the line of actually saying were going to write this opera he didnt. Were too respectful of his genius to try and do that. Mackenzie Astin hopes people will leave Segerstrom with a better appreciation of how dangerous it can be for artists to create works critical of a repressive regime. IF YOU GO What: Shostakovich and the Black Monk: A Russian Fantasy When: May 14, 8 p.m. Where: Samueli Theater, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa Cost: Tickets start at $49 Information: (714) 556-2787; scfta.org Support our coverage by becoming a digital subscriber. Eric Althoff is a contributor to TimesOC. For more news and features about Orange County, visit TimesOC.com or follow us on Twitter @timesocofficial. If you want to go outside your comfort zone really go outside your comfort zone there is a woman who will help you. Her name is Sonia Marsh. Marsh, 61, is helping baby boomers get off their butts and out into the world. She just launched a website called We Travel with a Purpose, creating trips for 10 to 12 people, mainly to Africa. The first trip she led was in October when Marsh took 11 women to Kenya. Advertisement Melanie Scherzer was one of them. Her son Jeff, who had battled mental health issues, had taken his life a little over a year earlier at the age of 27. It was kind of a statement trip for me, says Scherzer, who is 66. Floating in a hot air balloon over a migration of wildebeests and zebras on the Maasai Mara, she was overcome with the beauty. I never imagined I would see anything like it, she says. It was so hopeful and so good, with these beautiful creatures. And yet my son was still gone. You cant go find him somewhere in Africa. He really is gone. It was absolutely healing. The women also visited two schools in Nairobi filled with orphans. The way they looked at life, it was just so warm, Scherzer said. If I was younger I swear I would go live in Nairobi. It was such a wonderful, vibrant place. It was Holden Safaris out of Newport Beach that asked Marsh to start leading trips. Jim Holden happened upon gutsyliving.com, a blog Marsh created in 2005 after she and her husband and three sons sold everything they owned, including their house in Lake Forest, to escape the suburban slump and live the carefree, expat life in a palm-frond hut on the shores of Belize. It was so hopeful and so good, with these beautiful creatures. And yet my son was still gone. You cant go find him somewhere in Africa. He really is gone. Melanie Scherzer Lets just say it wasnt all rum-punch sunsets and dolphin bonding, and the family returned to Orange County 14 months later. Marsh continued to blog about her her gutsy adventures. In 2015, she joined the Peace Corps at the age of 58 to cope with her divorce. They sent her to the mountain kingdom of Lesotho in Africa to teach orphans for 15 months. Holden liked Marshs pluck. Her blog said she was back in Orange County. He called her up and asked if she wanted a job. Marsh has a relationship with Africa beyond her Peace Corps stint, by the way. She was raised in Nigeria until age 6 when her family moved to Paris. I have Africa in my blood, she says. She also understands that many women her age are nervous about traveling to places like Africa. My readers [on her blog] made me realize how many people want to travel, but theyre scared, she says. Marshs trips are geared to the baby boomer set, and some of them are women-only. A lot of us are divorced, she says I want to make these women see there are so many beautiful places in this world, and its not scary. Judy Pavlik admits to being nervous when she signed up for Marshs Kenya trip last fall. She had lost her husband less than a year earlier. It was so much more luxurious than I expected, says the 67-year-old retired Newport Beach library clerk. Its luxury and adventure all mixed into one. Highlights for her were dancing with the Maasai Mara village women, visiting orphaned baby elephants whose parents were killed by poachers and seeing the Big Five game animals lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and Cape buffalo on safari. Its so wide open, she says. The light there is different. I just felt like I could exhale. Im still grieving, but it made me realize Im gonna be OK. Its just going to take time and another trip to Africa. Shes already saving up. The trips are not cheap, roughly $6,000 plus airfare. But thats part of the purpose, Marsh says. All of the trips have a focus on education and conservation. So part of what were paying goes to hiring local people. They get jobs. And that provides funding for the village and teachers. And the lodges we stay at, they do so much for conservation. Marsh still has a few spaces for her next trip, Aug. 31 to Sept. 8. The group will stay at a lodge run by the widow of Lawrence Anthony, the famous conservationist who wrote the Elephant Whisperer about his relationship with an elephant herd at the Thula Thula game reserve in Zululand. Thula Thula is now run by Francoise Malby Anthony, whose book An Elephant in my Kitchen was published last summer. If you want to meet Marsh you can join her We Travel with a Purpose club at Laguna Woods, where she lives. The room where she holds her club meetings holds 60; last month 70 showed up. The next meeting is June 20. Just do it, dont wait, said Scherzer. Be brave. For more information, visit wetravelwithapurpose.com. Support our coverage by becoming a digital subscriber. Lori Basheda is a contributor to TimesOC. Follow him/her on Instagram at @loris_world_ and follow @timesocofficial for more news and features about Orange County. For more news and features about Orange County, visit TimesOC.com or follow us on Twitter @timesocofficial. After seven years of long-distance romance, Shamim Darchini was looking forward to finally living with the man she loved. It was 2017, she had recently become a U.S. citizen, and she believed her husbands visa application, which had been pending for two years, would soon be approved. The plan was for him to leave their native Iran and join her in California, where she was a college student. Darchini knew that the Trump administration was trying to implement a travel ban that included Iran, but she was assured that close family members were exempt. That November, the consular officer who interviewed the couple at the U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, told us everything looks good, Darchini said. Advertisement It wasnt. More than a year and a half later, their application is still in administrative processing. That is all immigration officials will tell them. Discussions of the travel ban tend to focus on the foreign nationals who have been denied entry to the United States. But Darchini and thousands of other U.S. citizens have also had their lives upended. The woe of being separated from their loved ones has been amplified by the mystery surrounding the process for obtaining an exemption from the ban, leaving many in a Kafkaesque state of limbo over whether their families will ever be admitted to the United States. The current iteration of the ban includes Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria, Yemen, North Korea and Venezuela countries that the U.S. government says fail to share information that would help it determine whether certain travelers could be involved in terrorism. The only way in for people from those countries are waivers, which are granted to applicants who demonstrate that it is in the national interest of the U.S. and that without entry they or their families would suffer undue hardship, according to President Trumps executive order creating the ban. But the government does not say how it defines national interest or undue hardship or provide much information on how it decides who qualifies for a waiver. In a pair of pending lawsuits filed last year against the administration, U.S. citizens and their foreign national relatives allege that the process is highly irregular and subjective. The say their applications for waivers have been denied en masse for reasons that have never been explained to them. Others were told their visas had been approved only to be denied later or strung along indefinitely. We have heard all kinds of stories about the irregularity about how the waivers are being considered, said Esther Sung, a lawyer for plaintiffs in one of the cases. A U.S. State Department spokesman did not respond to questions about inconsistencies in how waivers are granted. Only recently in response to a request from a congressman has the State Department released statistics on the granting of visas to people from the countries subject to the ban. The vast majority three-quarters of the 48,656 who applied in the 11 months after the Supreme Court upheld the ban in December 2017 were rejected. Fewer than 5% had been approved for waivers, and more than a third of those were still waiting for their visas. Amin Sirati and his wife, Shamim Darchini, pour tea at Siratis house in the Iranian city of Rasht. Darchini, a U.S. citizen, doesnt know when shell be able to see her husband again when she leaves. (Ramin Mostaghim / For The Times) A total of 21% were still waiting for answers, like Darchini. She said the uncertainty has taken a heavy toll. In February, she began experiencing migraines and heart palpitations problems her doctor attributed to the stress of forced separation from her husband, Amin Sirati, a dentist who lives in the city of Rasht. She now takes an anti-anxiety medication. Darchini, who first came to the United States in 2011 to study at UC Irvine, where she earned a public health degree, has long managed to visit her husband every few months. Now she is reconsidering her plans to start pharmacy school this fall in San Diego, because the heavy demands of the program would make those trips far less frequent. I cant concentrate at school and we cant make plans for the future, she said. Room for interpretation The presidential order laying out the travel ban says waivers will be decided on a case-by-case basis by consular officers or anybody else the head of U.S. Customs and Border Protection assigns to the job. The law leaves broad room for interpretation, and the decisions can leave applicants frustrated and confused. In late 2017, Mohamed Mohsin received the official notice he had been anticipating for two years: Visas for his wife and four children had been approved. It was major step in his American dream, which began in 2004 when he left Yemen and became a truck driver in Detroit. Five years later, he became a U.S. citizen. He split his time between the United States and Yemen, where his wife and their growing number of children lived, while he saved enough to buy a two-bedroom house. Mohammad Mohsin hasnt seen his children in over a year. The U.S. citizen decided to send his children to live with family in Detroit after their visas got approved. His wife is still waiting for her visa in Djibouti, so Mohsin decided to move there with her. (Mohsin family) But when he went to pick up the visas at the U.S. Embassy in Djibouti, they were only for the four children. With Yemen ravaged by war, Mohsin decided to send the children now 3, 6, 8 and 12 to live in Detroit, each with a different relative. He and his wife, Ahlam Alsoufi, moved to Djibouti, where they have been waiting for her visa ever since. Every few days, the parents talk to their children by phone. My 12-year-old girl asks me on the phone why I lied and didnt come to the U.S. I dont know how to respond to that, Mohsin said. What can you say? Futures left in limbo The stated aim of the travel ban is to keep out terrorists. The idea that his fiancee, Mehraneh Rayatidamavandi, could possibly be seen as a threat to the United States seemed absurd to Brian Swank, who figured she would breeze through the application process for a visa. The couple met in 2015 at the State University of New Yorks College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse, where they were both studying landscape architecture. He was from New Jersey. She was from Iran and living in the U.S. on a student visa. I introduced her to Halloween and she told me about Iran and Nowruz the Persian New Year, Swank said. A year later, they were still dating, but her visa was about to expire. They got engaged in May 2016, just before she returned to Iran. They applied for a K-1 fiancee visa two years ago and are still waiting for an answer. The whole premise of travel ban is that you cant properly vet people, he said. But shes been vetted before. She was here, got a visa, didnt harm anybody. I could have never imagined that something like this would happen to me. Swank, a Christian, refuses to visit Iran because of its history of persecuting religious minorities. So he and Rayatidamavandi have met in Malaysia, Georgia, the United Arab Emirates and other countries that allow her to visit with her Iranian passport. Their phone conversations have grown grim. They once talked about their dreams of having a family, a dog and a house. Now they mostly discuss how theyre going to make it through the ban. I think a lot of people think it doesnt affect Americans, Swank said. Im a fourth-generation American. This travel ban doesnt only affect foreign people. Brian Swank has been separated from his his Iranian fiancee Mehraneh Rayatidamavandi for more than a year and a half because of Trumps travel ban. (Michael Nagle / For The Times) melissa.etehad@latimes.com Follow me on Twitter @melissaetehad Good morning, and welcome to the Essential California newsletter. Its Tuesday, May 7, and Im writing from Los Angeles. The measles outbreak that changed the course of California history began like the opening sequence in a disaster movie. An individual who presumably unbeknownst to them was infected with one of worlds most contagious diseases visited Californias busiest theme park in the tourist-saturated week before Christmas in 2014. The original patient (or patients) zero potentially crossed paths with tens of thousands of people at Disneyland and/or the adjacent California Adventure Park, including international travelers, children with still-developing immune systems and babies too young to have been vaccinated. It was basically a public health nightmare, health reporter Soumya Karlamangla, who has been covering measles for the Los Angeles Times, told me of the 2014-2015 Disneyland outbreak. Advertisement On Jan. 5, 2015, the California Department of Public Health first received a call about an unvaccinated 11-year-old child who had been hospitalized with a suspected case of measles. The rash-stricken childs only recent travel had been to Disneyland. By the middle of that week, there were nine potential measles cases tied to Disneyland or Disney California Adventure Park, and the theme park connection had been publicly announced by health officials. In the end, at least 131 Californians would be infected, along with individuals in six other states, Mexico and Canada. The jarring juxtaposition of a visit to The Happiest Place on Earth and a dreaded viral epidemic made a big story even bigger, fixating the nation and spurring legislative changes that reversed the states declining measles vaccination rate. Four years later, measles is again making headlines, with the largest number of cases reported nationwide in more than 20 years. Any incidence of a virus that the U.S. declared to have eliminated in 2000 is disturbing, and local cases have generated plenty of attention. But this time around, California has been faring far better than other parts of the country. (There have been just 42 cases this year in California, compared with more than 670 in New York.) (See also: Q&A: Do I need a measles booster shot? How to protect yourself, and more) So, why havent we seen a larger outbreak here in the nations most populous state? The answer can be traced back to the Disney theme parks and all that followed. As Karlamangla and data journalist Priya Krishnakumar explained in a Los Angeles Times story Monday, that 2014 Disneyland outbreak was fueled by low vaccination rates. Preventing outbreaks depends on something called herd immunity, which requires a 95% vaccination rate for measles. But by 2014, Californias measles vaccination rate had fallen below 94%, making the population more vulnerable to a potential outbreak. A woman with a Mickey Mouse hat walks toward Sleeping Beautys Castle at Disneyland in 2015. (Jae C. Hong / Associated Press) The Disneyland outbreak was bad, but it also allowed California to look at what was going on here and try to figure out a way to fix it, Karlamangla told me. The outbreak captured the attention of the public and advanced the national conversation about immunization, according to a presentation prepared by an epidemiologist with the California Department of Public Health. New cases linked to the Disneyland outbreak were still emerging in February 2015 when Dr. Richard Pan, a state senator whod spent decades as a pediatrician before taking elected office, proposed controversial legislation that would curb personal belief vaccine exemptions. According to that state epidemiologists report, its unlikely that the attention surrounding the Disneyland outbreak changed the views of individuals with strongly held beliefs about vaccines, but parents who were on the fence may have been influenced. By the end of June 2015, state lawmakers had passed one of the toughest mandatory vaccination requirements in the nation, making California one of three U.S. states that do not allow personal or religious belief exemptions for vaccines. That law, which went into effect on July 1, 2016, changed the behavior of impassioned resisters more effectively than a thousand public service announcements might have, as the New York Times put it. The data in Krishnakumar and Karlamanglas story show that the states falling measles vaccination rate reversed after the Disneyland outbreak and ensuing legislation. In 2017, the state measles vaccination rate climbed to 96.9%. Krishnakumar and Karlamanglas story makes clear that the law hasnt been a silver bullet, and many individual California counties still have vaccination rates below that 95% threshold required for herd immunity. But things could be much worse. And now, heres whats happening across California: TOP STORIES Gov. Gavin Newsom faces his first real test in the coming days, when he will release his revised state budget and brave the ensuing negotiations. Newsoms very real challenge is a quandary of quantity: more tax revenue, yes, but also more Democrats in the Legislature after last years election landslide and more demands to raise spending. Whatever happens and the extent to which he acquiesces or fights back against demands could set the tone for the rest of his term, writes Times Sacramento bureau chief John Myers. Los Angeles Times Amid a larger surge in tech worker activism, more than 200 workers at Riot Games walked out of the video game developers Los Angeles headquarters Monday to protest the companys use of forced arbitration to handle sexual discrimination lawsuits. Los Angeles Times Get the Essential California newsletter L.A. STORIES Five years after the Sepulveda Pass widening, traffic on the 405 Freeway remains terrible. In fact, its actually, uh, getting slower. Curbed LA A group of friends along the L.A. River in Frogtown. This image is from Samanta Helou Hernandezs Gente del Rio series. (Samanta Helou Hernandez / The LAnd) Armed with a 35mm camera, multimedia journalist Samanta Helou Hernandez has been documenting life along a changing stretch of the L.A. River between Lincoln Heights and Frogtown for her series Gente del Rio. I do a lot of work around gentrification and Im really interested in preserving histories and legacies around L.A. as the city is changing, Helou Hernandez told me, explaining that the communities around the section of the river that shes been documenting have traditionally been Latino and working-class. The LAnd Magazine Your support helps us deliver the news that matters most. Subscribe to the Los Angeles Times. POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT San Francisco and Oakland could be the first cities in the nation to ban city departments from using facial recognition technology. Mercury News Two congressmen Rep. TJ Cox (D-Fresno) and Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Tulare) will probably be top targets in the 2020 election. But neither have a single public challenger yet. Sacramento Bee CRIME AND COURTS The first witness was called in the Ghost Ship fire trial on Monday. Through tears, the mother of a woman killed in the 2016 Oakland warehouse fire described receiving a final text message from her daughter that read, Im gonna die now. San Francisco Chronicle THE ENVIRONMENT One of the most well-known figures in American letters first made his name with an improbable short story about amphibians. Mark Twains tale of the jumping frog of Calaveras County cemented the authors early success and eventual entry into the literary stratosphere, but more than 150 years later, the frogs themselves havent fared nearly as well until recently. The federally threatened California red-legged frogs had all but disappeared from Yosemite Valley, but now theyre back and thriving. Fresno Bee Its been 35 years since new federal leases for oil drilling along the Pacific coast have been issued. But while the offshore drilling is banned in state waters, without federal legislation the possibility for renewed production more than three miles from shore remains. An ocean protection advocate talks about the Trump administrations efforts to upend long-standing policy regarding offshore drilling. KQED Basking sharks have returned to California waters. The elusive and hulking sharks, known for their massive size and tiny teeth, all but disappeared in the 1960s. Los Angeles Times CALIFORNIA CULTURE In a city with some of the worst potholes in the country, two Oakland residents dubbed themselves the Pothole Vigilantes and went rogue, patching potholes themselves under the cover of darkness. SF Gate Could weed tourism be the new wine tasting? Northern Californias cannabis-producing Emerald Triangle is already catering to the new breed of cannatourists. San Francisco Chronicle Twenty-five years before Peak TV, there was Must See TV. Television biz reporter Stephen Battaglio has an interesting look at how the same risk takers responsible for the lineup of prime-time hits on 1990s-era NBC have helped shape the Peak TV landscape. Los Angeles Times CALIFORNIA ALMANAC Los Angeles: Partly sunny, 66. San Diego: Cloudy, 66. San Francisco: Partly sunny, 62. San Jose: Partly sunny, 71. Sacramento: Sunny, 78. More weather is here. AND FINALLY Todays California memory comes from Ken Britten: When I was in high school in the 70s, my family and I lived on a wooden schooner named Tiercel, docked in Newport Beach, and would often head out to Catalina for the weekend. Wed set sail in the afternoon sun, before the westerlies relaxed into calm. The sky would darken, the moon would be above us, and wed eventually motor our way to our favorite anchorage behind Long Point. As we neared the anchorage, wed get wafts of land smells mixing with those of the sea. Wed drop anchor and the gentle wrap-around waves would lull us all to a peaceful sleep. If you have a memory or story about the Golden State, share it with us. (Please keep your story to 100 words.) Please let us know what we can do to make this newsletter more useful to you. Send comments, complaints, ideas and unrelated book recommendations to Julia Wick. Follow her on Twitter @Sherlyholmes. The first thing to be said about Facebooks decision to ban Louis Farrakhan, Alex Jones and a handful of other controversial figures is that the company is entirely within its rights to decide who will appear on its site. It is also under pressure from governments around the world to silence users (and bots) who encourage violence or lie to the public. Thats why its outrageous that President Trump tweeted over the weekend that he is continuing to monitor the censorship of AMERICAN CITIZENS on social media platforms. This is the United States of America -- and we have whats known as FREEDOM OF SPEECH! Even if this is just another Twitter tantrum that doesnt lead to any official action, its dismaying that the president of the United States is such a constitutional illiterate that he doesnt realize that the 1st Amendment protects free speech only against infringement by the government, not private entities. In fact, a company like Facebook has every legal right to determine who may participate on its platform and what they may or may not say. Yet its possible to acknowledge Facebooks right to decide who appears on its site and its need to do a better job blocking certain types of truly awful content and still worry that the company might go overboard or act inconsistently in deciding what speech and which speakers are beyond the pale. It may, for instance, be susceptible to pressure to exclude individuals who are neither inciting violence nor spouting racial or religious hatred. Facebook has become so prominent and pervasive a forum for communication that it should adhere to free-speech principles to the maximum extent possible. Advertisement In announcing the bans last week, a Facebook representative said: Weve always banned individuals or organizations that promote or engage in violence and hate, regardless of ideology. Some the exclusions announced last week might seem like easy calls under that standard. For example, Farrakhan, the leader of the Nation of Islam, has made anti-Semitic statements that any reasonable person would regard as hateful. (He has referred to the Satanic Jew and last year said he wasnt anti-Semitic but anti-termite.) Similarly, its hard to defend Jones, author of outrageous conspiracy theories such as the one that the 2012 Sandy Hook shooting, in which 20 children and six adults died, was a hoax. (Jones now says he spun the conspiracy theory as the result of a mental disorder.) If Facebook now plans to police obviously absurd and hurtful conspiracy theories, that may also be appropriate. (It may, however, be a departure for Facebook. Last July, it tweeted: We just dont think banning Pages for sharing conspiracy theories or false news is the right way to go.) In an exchange with Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) at a Senate hearing last year, Mark Zuckerberg, Facebooks chief executive, said he considered Facebook a platform for all ideas, a laudable aspiration that he didnt think was incompatible with excluding hate speech, terrorist content, and nudity, anything that makes people feel unsafe. Enter the Fray: First takes on the news of the minute This will requiring some complicated balancing. In our view, Facebook should tread lightly, and not err on the side of exclusion, or overreact to organized efforts to silence individuals whose views are controversial, even offensive, but not hateful, inciting or demonstrably untrue. As protests over speakers at some college campuses demonstrate, terms such as racist and hate speech can be interpreted with amazing elasticity, as can the notion of speech that makes people feel unsafe. In some eyes, for example, criticism of university affirmative-action programs as violating the rights of rejected white students would qualify as racist speech. Denunciation of the Catholic Church for its sex abuse scandals might be deemed religious hate speech. And so on. Facebook isnt a public utility or an extension of the government. It isnt bound by the 1st Amendment. And contrary to some Republicans assertions, it isnt compelled to be a neutral platform in order to be shielded from liability for its users posts. But it has become so prominent and pervasive a forum for communication not just in this country but around the world that it should adhere to free-speech principles to the maximum extent possible. Finally, as Zuckerberg himself has admitted, Facebook needs to be vigilant about political bias in deciding which opinions are intolerable. In his Senate testimony, he acknowledged that Facebook [and] the tech industry are located in Silicon Valley, which is an extremely left-leaning place. The law may not require the company to apply its standards in an evenhanded manner, but Facebook will do so anyway if it wants to be respected as a platform for all ideas. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinionand Facebook Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin, perhaps the most dutiful of President Trumps appointees, finally gave the House Ways and Means Committee the answer Monday that everyone knew was coming: No, the Internal Revenue Service will not be turning over Trumps tax returns or audit records. Now we can get on with the battle in court over whether the Treasury has the power to do that. And I have to confess, Im torn over whether it should win. Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal (D-Mass.) sent the IRS a formal request on April 3 for six years worth of tax returns from Trump and eight of his familys businesses, along with audit information and related records the IRS has collected. The rationale which my colleague Michael McGough argues was thin was his committees interest in overseeing and possibly legislating on the IRS practice of routinely auditing the presidents tax returns. Enter the Fray: First takes on the news of the minute Advertisement Thats a pretty transparent pretext. This is a fishing expedition inspired by suspicions that Trump is hiding something possibly about foreign governments that hes borrowed from or partnered with, or how little hes given to charity, or whether hes even paid taxes at all. I share those suspicions. Trumps excuse for not releasing his returns as a candidate or as president are ridiculous and an affront to the public, which shouldnt trust anyone in higher office who wont reveal his or her personal finances. Its too great a leap of faith to believe that such a person will put the publics interests ahead of personal ones. But should Congress be able to demand the returns? Heres where Im conflicted. Looking at Trumps returns from 2016, 2017 and 2018 seems appropriate, given the stated purpose of examining how the IRS audits presidential returns. But Neals demand included returns for two years 2013 and 2014 when Trump wasnt even a candidate. The idea that Congress can rummage around in a private citizens tax returns for signs of illegality is disturbing. As the Supreme Court has made clear, Congress is not a law enforcement agency. Now, if there were solid evidence of financial ties that bound Trump to a foreign power, then it might be appropriate to look back through his old returns for proof. But solid evidence isnt how I would describe any of the testimony Michael Cohen has offered. On the other hand, Mnuchin argues that the law giving the chairmen of the House and Senate tax-writing committees the power to demand any persons tax returns which seems abundantly clear and unlimited, for understandable historical reasons is actually not so clear or unlimited. According to Mnuchin, the Supreme Court has held that the Constitution requires that Congressional information demands must reasonably serve a legitimate legislative purpose. Oversight is a legitimate legislative purpose, and thats what Neal says is the point in demanding Trumps returns and corresponding audit records. Yes, he would be on more solid ground if he limited the request to the returns Trump filed as president. But Mnuchin refused to turn over any of Trumps returns. So let the legal fight begin. The courts should make it abundantly clear that Congress can issue subpoenas and demand information for the purpose of overseeing federal agencies, not just for writing legislation, because such oversight is Congress job. But I, for one, wouldnt mind if they set a high bar for the IRS turning over a private citizens tax returns to Congress. In the 1920 presidential election, Warren Harding won in a landslide by promising a Return to Normalcy. Todays Democrats would be wise to make that same pledge for 2020. They probably wont, however, which is why President Trump might get reelected. Hardings concept of normalcy has been ridiculed and reviled by progressives and liberal historians for 100 years. Some falsely claim it was merely a call for a return to the isolationism of the prewar years. But Harding wasnt just tapping into the unpopularity of the First World War; he also spoke to Americans worries about the widespread domestic turmoil and tumult of the Progressive Era. Race riots, labor violence, anarchist terror bombings, the Red Scare, Prohibition, widespread censorship, political oppression and mass arrests were also on voters minds. Even important and necessary progressive advances like womens suffrage caused disruption. Harding offered voters a breather from the rapid social change. Nothing in the last two or 20 years approaches the turmoil of the years leading into Hardings presidency, but that doesnt change the fact that a lot of Americans feel like theyve been through the ringer. That feeling has defined our politics for a long time from the Clinton scandals to the Iraq war to the financial crisis and the fights over Obamacare bringing us one change election after another. But politicians often seem to miss that the change many voters are looking for is a reversion from the abnormal to the normal. Advertisement Most Democrats belong to what CNNs Harry Enten calls the hidden Democratic Party. Given the roaring economy, with near full employment and rising wages, a normal president would lie back and avoid fueling the unease that has kept Trump from breaking through the 50% job approval ceiling. But he is clearly incapable of doing that, which creates an opportunity for Democrats to win despite a healthy economy. Democrats seized such an opportunity in the 2018 midterms. The presidents constant trolling of the political and media establishment is music to the ears of his biggest supporters but it is an unsettling and deafening din to the most important constituency in American politics: the vast, mostly moderate middle. While activist firebrand freshmen (freshpersons?) like Reps. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez (D-N.Y.) and Ilan Omar (D-Minn.) get all the attention from both the liberal and conservative press, most of the Democrats elected in the 2018 landslide were moderates from purplish districts that will decide the 2020 election. They ran on healthcare and other issues, but also on the promise to be a check on Trumps abnormalcy. Promising to turn down the political temperature, reducing not just the drama of Washington but the centrality of it in our lives and conversations would still leave lots of room for a Democrat to advance his or her agenda. Right now, Joe Biden is the only major Democratic presidential contender who seems both interested in and capable of pursuing such a strategy. The rest of the field seems to think that Twitter likes and retweets will count as primary votes, and that theres an appetite in the country for left-wing radicalism on a par with what they see as Trumps right-wing radicalism. Enter the Fray: First takes on the news of the minute Rather than vow to keep the economic boom going while returning Washington to normalcy and enacting reasonable reforms with bipartisan support, they talk about socializing medicine, making slavery reparations, forgiving student loans, banning guns through executive orders and implementing a Green New Deal. And the media obsess over impeachment. All that stuff is super-popular with the young, college-educated activists and journalists, all of whom are wildly overrepresented on social media. But most Democrats belong to what CNNs Harry Enten calls the hidden Democratic Party. Enten notes that a majority of Democrats are over the age of 50, at least half call themselves moderate or conservative and a majority dont have college degrees. Bidens lead in the polls is explained almost entirely by his support from older Democrats. Moreover, many blacks and Latinos crucial to the Democratic coalition arent nearly as woke as progressives often assume they are. They often have a more pragmatic and transactional view of politics, for a slew of reasons. Even Ocasio-Cortez underperformed with blacks and Latinos, defeating the incumbent Democrat by running up tallies from richer and whiter precincts. The college-educated barista socialist constituency dominates in states the Democrats will win no matter what. But the battleground will be in states that narrowly went for Trump. Biden, a logorrheic and gaffe-prone 76-year-old with a terrible track record in presidential contests is best positioned to beat Trump, but first he has to survive the death by a thousand tweets the vocal minority has in store for him. jgoldberg@latimescolumnists.com To the editor: As a mental health provider in a rural county, I have seen how high-deductible insurance plans prevent individuals from accessing needed mental health services. Psychotherapy usually occurs weekly for the initial eight weeks at least; however, if you have a $30 or $40 co-pay or a high deductible that you have to meet, you might instead choose to forego a much-needed treatment. These plans may end up costing more for everyone when these patients visit the emergency room or their primary care physician more frequently due to health problems that can be the result of untreated depression, anxiety or trauma. Even if individuals bite the bullet and start searching for psychotherapy, it can be a battle to find a provider. Insurers take months to credential and contract therapists. Amanda Pyper, Solvang, Calif. Advertisement .. To the editor: High-deductible plans were designed to supplement well-funded HSAs, or health savings accounts. Health economists knew they would not work without adequate funding in the HSA. The problems of higher deductibles and great medical debt are directly caused by cost shifting, first by the government and then by corporate America, that puts a heavier burden on those who purchase small group or individual policies. Medicaid only pays a portion of the charges that hospitals and other providers request. In a county like Los Angeles, where nearly 50% of patients have Medi-Cal, there is a dramatic cost shift that eventually gets passed on to the consumer. This is a hidden tax that hits the middle class the hardest. The Affordable Care Act made the situation worse, as those who purchase very subsidized plans on the insurance exchanges are mostly insulated since since the federal government picks up a portion on their costs. So they could sell affordable policies, insurers narrowed networks and dramatically increased deductibles without having an HSA to cover those expenses. Not until Sacramento and other state legislatures pay at Medicare rates will the situation ever change. Howard C. Mandel, M.D., Los Angeles The writer is vice president of the Los Angeles Health Commission. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook To the editor: The stinking battle over library funding in the Los Angeles Unified School District might be resolved if we look at the research. Here is what it tells us: Those who read more, read better and have larger vocabularies. Reading material that students select themselves is, in fact, the most powerful factor in improving reading and literacy. Readers also have more knowledge of literature, social studies, science and even practical matters. Students read more when they have more access to reading material. Students living in poverty have little access to books. Providing access to books increases reading achievement and offsets the effects of poverty. Librarians and their staff are an important source of information about books. Studies confirm that the presence of a librarian contributes significantly to literacy development. We cheerfully spend billions on unproven tests and technology, yet we ignore the impressive research supporting libraries and library staff. Stephen Krashen, Los Angeles The writer is a professor emeritus at USCs Rossier School of Education. Advertisement .. To the editor: The grade school I attended did not have a library but we did have enough reading homework to keep us busy. During summers I read books from the local branch of the public library. My guess is a lot of others have been in the same situation over the years and have turned out fine. Why should taxpayers fund two library systems? Gerry Swider, Sherman Oaks .. To the editor: Januarys teacher strike persuaded LAUSD to restore teacher librarians to secondary schools. Elementary schools, which havent had teacher librarians for years, werent included. California school librarians must earn both a teaching credential and a library services credential; its why theyre called teacher librarians. Research demonstrates that a fully staffed school library, employing both a teacher librarian and a library aide, increases academic performance. In 2015, LAUSD funded the reopening of closed secondary libraries; I was placed in one and agreed to complete the library services credential. Starting in 2016, schools no longer had to use that funding source for teacher librarians, so my school re-closed its library, and I returned to teaching math. Many other schools also lost their teacher librarians or regular student access to the library. As columnist Steve Lopez wrote, not staffing school libraries is an obscenity and a gross disservice to students, and access to them is a moral responsibility. Ronel Kelmen Wright, El Segundo .. To the editor: We library aides are doing our best to convince the LAUSD school board of the importance of keeping libraries open on all campuses. Ive worked as a library aide for 19 years, and I can say that many students cannot get to the public library. The school library is all they have. Years ago, I was transferred to another school, leaving no one to staff the library at the school across the street from where I live. So, my husband built a library for my former students to use, in front of my house. Three years on, that little free library is still providing books to students. Andrea Garcia, Los Angeles Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook More than two years into the Trump presidency, California has embraced its role as chief antagonist already suing the administration more times than Texas took President Obama to court during eight years in office. Its having an effect. Californias lawsuits have targeted the administrations policies on immigration, healthcare and education. But nowhere has the legal battle had a greater impact than on President Trumps agenda of dismantling Obama-era environmental and public health regulations. In its rush to delay, repeal and rewrite rules it considers unduly burdensome to industry, the administration has experienced significant setbacks in court. Federal judges have sided with California and environmental groups in cases concerning air pollution, pesticides and the royalties that the government receives from companies that extract oil, gas and coal from public land. Advertisement California says it has filed 49 lawsuits against the administration over a variety of issues. Of those, at least 24 are challenges to policies put forward by the Environmental Protection Agency, Interior Department and other agencies responsible for setting energy and fuel efficiency standards for products such as ceiling fans and cars. The state has prevailed so far in 15 of the environmental regulatory suits it filed or joined. That includes 10 that have been decided and five instances in which the Trump administration backed down before a judge could make a decision, clearing the way for regulations in areas such as worker safety and polluting diesel-engine trucks that the administration had previously contested. The states tally also includes one case in which the outcome was mixed. A federal judge ruled that the administration had to consider damage to the environment before lifting an Obama-era moratorium on coal sales on public land. But the court did not go as far as California had wanted by halting sales entirely. The Trump administration is appealing several of those decisions. The other nine of the states environmental cases are still pending. The administrations early losses stem from a variety of problems, including moving too quickly to change regulations, ignoring procedural rules and failing to present evidence to support its position, according to California officials and legal experts. When youve got these environmental rules, so much of it is underpinned by the science, California Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra said in an interview. And it so often is the case that the Trump administration cant produce the science. Becerra said he has noticed the administration is slowing the pace of its rollbacks amid the state and environmental groups repeated legal successes. Like any fighter, you get to the point where you become punch drunk from all the blows, he said. Weve had a great number of victories in our environmental lawsuits against the Trump administration, and after a while when you get punched so much and the blows land, you do slow down. Legal experts said they couldnt recall agencies under any recent president having such a low success rate in court. An analysis of litigation over the administrations regulatory rollbacks done by the Institute for Policy Integrity at New York University School of Law found that judges have ruled against it in 37 out of 39 cases. Every administration has its ups and downs in the courts, said Sean Hecht, an expert on environmental law at UCLAs School of Law. Still, its safe to say, the Trump administration has done particularly badly. The Justice Department, which is tasked with defending Trumps deregulatory push in court, disputed Californias characterization of the legal battle. In a statement, it noted that it has bested California twice in court. Both cases involved lawsuits filed by the federal government. One successfully challenged a state law giving the California State Lands Commission the first right of refusal when Washington decides to sell federal land. Another case involved the federal governments ability to recover damages from a wildfire that tore through a national forest. Isolating issues involving losses, some of which are at the district court level and many of which involved cases that later choices of the administration mooted out, does not begin to tell the whole story, wrote Assistant Atty. Gen. Jeffrey Bossert Clark. A common problem judges have cited is that agencies under the Trump administration have violated the Administrative Procedure Act, which was enacted in 1946. They do have the sloppiness and the bad lawyering. The failure to follow simple rules, said Bethany Davis Noll, litigation director for the Institute for Policy Integrity. But Noll said agencies repeated violations of procedural rules only partially explain the losses. As the administration moved past its initial strategy of delaying the implementation of Obama administration policies and into the next phase of attempting to overhaul them, it has run into a different obstacle: It is legally required to provide reasons for changing course. They have this big substantive problem where the rules are justified and they arent giving us a good reason for abandoning them, Noll said. An agency that wants to turn its back on that has a really tough job. In late March, a federal judge in Northern California struck down the administrations repeal of a rule aimed at increasing oil and gas companies royalty payments. Called the valuation rule, it was an Obama administration initiative aimed at changing how companies value sales of fossil fuels extracted from federal and tribal land. The repeal of the Valuation Rule was effectuated in a wholly improper manner, wrote U.S. District Judge Saundra Brown in a decision finding that the Interior Department had failed to justify the policy change. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit in San Francisco in April put up a new roadblock to the administrations plans to reverse an Obama-era decision to ban chlorpyrifos, a popular pesticide suspected of harming infants brain development. The court gave the EPA 90 days to act on environmentalists demands for a complete prohibition. On Monday, a California federal judge declared that Trumps EPA had violated the Clean Air Act by failing to enforce rules limiting methane emissions from landfills and ordered the agency to comply with its long-overdue duties. And theres promise of more: Becerra has threatened to sue if the president goes forward with plans to take away the states unique authority to set its own, stricter air pollution standards for vehicles something the state has been empowered to do since the enactment of the Clean Air Act in 1970. Hit with defeat after defeat in the courts, the administration has responded by delaying some of its plans. Interior Department Secretary David Bernhardt told the Wall Street Journal last month that a judges recent decision blocking offshore drilling in the Arctic had caused him to pause a controversial plan to open most of the United States coastal waters to oil and gas exploration. The EPA, which had planned to release its final proposal to freeze Obama-era vehicle fuel economy standards in March, has postponed that announcement until later this year. And though the administration has proposed scaling back regulations under the Clean Water Act and the Clean Power Plan, it has yet to finalize any of these changes. Agencies have blamed some of the delays on lost work time during the partial government shutdown. But Noll said she suspects they are struggling to come up with justifications that can survive a legal challenge. Many of the cases California and other states have brought against the administration are only beginning to make their way through the courts, and environmentalists victories could be reversed on appeal. Republicans have confirmed dozens of Trump-appointed judges to federal appeals courts who might be more supportive of the administrations positions. Becerra said that regardless of who sits on the bench, California will continue to challenge Trumps policies. We are on them immediately, he said. The latest from Washington More stories from Anna M. Phillips Among the battleground states that will decide the 2020 presidential election, few make Democrats wince like Michigan. The Wolverine State in 2016 handed Republicans the slimmest of victories just shy of 11,000 votes joining with Pennsylvania and Wisconsin to stamp a Donald Trump-shaped hole in the Democrats supposed Midwestern firewall. Hillary Clinton lost 12 suburban and rural Michigan counties that voted for Barack Obama twice. And in Wayne County, a Democratic bastion that includes Detroits predominantly black community, she won about 75,000 fewer votes than Obama did in 2012. That is an ongoing nightmare that we continue to have to relive, said Jonathan Kinloch, a longtime Democratic activist from Detroit. It stays in our face. Advertisement While local and national Democrats alike are still smarting from Clintons defeat, theres less consensus on the remedy. Michigan is emblematic of the debate within the party: Should presidential candidates devote most of their time, resources and campaign pitch to working-class white voters who sided with Trump or the diverse, urban-dwelling Democrats who sat out the last contest altogether? The debate has sharpened with former Vice President Joe Biden entering the fray, as he overtly premises his bid on his appeal to blue-collar union workers. Sen. Kamala Harris, seeking to differentiate herself from Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders, two white, 70-something men leading the Democratic polls, emphatically laid out a competing vision of how to win back Michigan. Harris, visiting the state this week for the first time as a White House hopeful, challenged the stereotype of a Midwestern voter as a working-class white male whod prefer a candidate with a similar profile. Too often their definition of the Midwest leaves people out, Harris said on Sunday. It leaves out people in this room who helped build cities like Detroit. It leaves out working women who are on their feet all day many of them working without equal pay. And the conversation too often suggests certain voters will only vote for certain candidates regardless of whether their ideas will lift up all our families, she said, adding a warning against being dragged into simplistic narratives or yesterdays politics. Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden disagree on a central issue: Is removing Trump enough? The California senators choice of audience for the remarks was telling a major fundraising gala for the Detroit branch of the National Assn. for the Advancement of Colored People, with a largely black gathering of nearly 10,000 that sees itself as a key bloc in determining the success of the next Democratic presidential nominee. We have a blessing and a burden. We have a blessing of so many good people and the burden of who its going to be. It can only be one, said the groups president, the Rev. Wendell Anthony. He added, pointedly: It dont hurt to come to Detroit, by the way, on the way to your campaign trail. Many in the state fault Clinton for failing to do that in 2016. Obama handily won the state by 10 percentage points four years earlier, emphasizing his administrations auto industry bailout and painting GOP rival Mitt Romney as a foe to factory workers. There was a Michigan-specific message in 2012 that was not replicated in 2016, said Matt Grossmann, a political scientist at Michigan State University. Kinloch said Clintons Brooklyn-based operation coasted on her predecessors success. They just assumed the Obama numbers were going to come out, he said. They felt they didnt need to do much more. Clintons loss galvanized many in Michigan. Mike Galbraith, a 30-year-old pharmacist in Detroit, did not vote not because he disliked Clinton but because he assumed her victory was certain. That night was an absolute shock, Galbraith said. I saw the polls, saw all the predictions I really didnt think my vote would count. Casey Quinlan, 33, voted for Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson, largely to show her frustration with two-party politics. If I had for a second thought Trump was going to win, I would have never voted for Johnson, she said. I would have voted for Hillary. Michigan holds its primary March 10 after the first contests in Iowa and New Hampshire, and the Super Tuesday juggernaut that includes California and doesnt typically draw candidates this early in the campaign season. But presidential hopefuls have been steadily streaming in, eager to build relationships and send a broader signal to Democrats nationally about the constituencies they can appeal to. Sen. Sanders of Vermont, whose surprise victory over Clinton here in the 2016 primary was powered by a 25-point margin with white men, visited Ottawa and Macomb counties, both overwhelmingly white areas that backed Trump. Harris has homed in on Detroit; in addition to the NAACP dinner, she held an education-focused town hall here on Monday to tout her proposal to give teachers a raise averaging $13,500. Sens. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota and Kirsten Gillibrand of New York have also visited the Detroit metro area, while former Texas Rep. Beto ORourke split his time between the city and Macomb County. Trump has also kept a presence in the state, holding a rally in Grand Rapids in late March. Lavora Barnes, chair of the Michigan Democrats, said her party has learned from its late start in 2016 and already has launched an all-of-the-above grassroots effort targeting black voters, union households and rural communities. We will have to walk and chew gum at the same time and talk to all of those communities, Barnes said. Quinlan, who lives in Monroe County, which flipped red in 2016, agreed. If you cant simultaneously get Obama voters back and turn out your base, then the Democratic party needs to have a come to Jesus moment with themselves, she said. Democrats, Quinlan fears, could be veering too far left on issues like abolishing the electoral college. Shes leaning toward tech entrepreneur Andrew Yang, whose economic platform she believes could appeal to Trump fans. Others want to train their focus on the Democratic base. Living in Macomb County one of the 12 that spurned Clinton has made Joel Rutherford, a Democratic activist, skeptical that the party can win back the presidents supporters. Maybe they would rather see Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders, a white male up there running. But to convince them I just dont think its going to happen, Rutherford said. [Trump] has played to their anger, their frustrations, and the feeling theyre no longer in control. Instead, Rutherford said, Democrats should prioritize turning out their most loyal voters namely the 95% of black voters and 63% of Latinos in the state who sided with Obama in 2012, according to exit polls. I dont care who it is if they dont find a way to really engage and get black women out, theyre going to be in trouble, he said. While much of Bidens candidacy has been staked on his appeal to the archetypal white Rust Belt worker, his eight-year stint as Barack Obamas loyal wingman built a reserve of goodwill among black voters as well. Last years election results offer yet more clues to what Michiganders are looking for in a candidate. Every candidate that won major statewide office here in Michigan was a woman, said Steven Rzeppa, political director of AFSCME Council 25, a public sector employee union. While pundits outside Michigan might assume a woman may struggle here, he added, obviously that cant be further from the truth. Galbraith, now an engaged voter, said he preferred Harris or Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren over Biden, whom he described as often being on the wrong side of history. The standard-bearer of the Democratic party should not be a septuagenarian, Galbraith said. It should be a woman or a person of color. Or both. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is declaring case closed on the Russia probe and potential obstruction of justice by President Trump, deriding Democrats who he says are grieving the result. The Republican leader, in his most significant public comments yet on the investigation, opened the Senate on Tuesday with a speech discussing how special counsel Robert S. Mueller IIIs exhaustive probe went on for two years and is now complete. The remarks, which are certain to please the president, were being billed as his final thoughts on the topic. Its finally over, McConnell said. Republicans, taking their cues from Trump, are eager to push past the investigation. But the case is anything but closed for Democrats, who are pressing for further oversight of the White House and the presidents handling of the Mueller probe. Advertisement McConnell questioned if others are ready to move on from the breathless conspiracy theorizing. Muellers results are bad news for the outrage industrial complex but good news for the rest of the country, the Kentucky senator said. FULL COVERAGE: Robert Mueller finishes his investigation into President Trumps 2016 campaign Senate Democratic Leader Charles E. Schumer of New York shot back in his own speech immediately afterward, calling McConnells words an astounding bit of whitewashing. He challenged McConnell to move legislation that would improve election security and be tougher on Russian sanctions. What we have here is a concerted effort to circle the wagons, to protect the president from accountability, Schumer said. While McConnell is determined for the Senate to move on, the Democratic-led House is aggressively pursuing a copy of the full, unredacted Mueller report. Atty. Gen. Robert Barr released a redacted version to the public last month, but Democrats want to see the full document, plus underlying documents, and have scheduled a committee vote for Wednesday to hold Barr in contempt for not providing it. On Tuesday, House Judiciary Committee staff are set to meet with Justice Department officials for final negotiations before the contempt vote. Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) said late Monday that he hopes to make concrete progress toward resolving the dispute over gaining access to the report. The contempt vote would be the opening salvo in what could be a lengthy, acrimonious court battle between House Democrats and the Trump administration over Muellers findings. The movement to hold Barr in contempt reflects the deepening rift between Democrats and Barr, whom they accuse of spinning the results of Muellers investigation to Trumps benefit. Barr, in a memo summarizing Muellers investigation, said there was insufficient evidence that Trump obstructed justice, a conclusion Democrats fiercely dispute. Nadler said the version of Muellers report that has already been released to the public offered disturbing evidence and analysis that President Trump engaged in obstruction of justice at the highest levels. Now, he said, lawmakers need the full version and the underlying evidence to determine how to best move forward with oversight, legislation and other constitutional responsibilities. Justice Department spokeswoman Kerri Kupec said that the department has taken extraordinary steps to accommodate the House Judiciary Committees requests for information regarding Muellers report but that Nadler had not reciprocated. She noted that Democrats have refused to read a version of Muellers report with fewer redactions that has already been provided to Congress. If the committee approves the contempt resolution against Barr, it would head to the full House for final approval. But that step is unlikely to lead to criminal charges. A House vote would send a criminal referral to the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, a member of the Justice Department, who would be more likely to defend the attorney general. Yet by pursuing a contempt resolution, Democrats hope to send a message to the Trump administration about their willingness to invoke congressional powers in the majority. Beyond Muellers report, House Democrats have, so far mostly unsuccessfully, subpoenaed administration witnesses and made efforts to gain access to Trumps personal and business financial records. Trump has said he will block those efforts, declaring he will fight all the subpoenas. Democratic House leaders could file a civil lawsuit against the Justice Department to obtain the Mueller report, an option that could take months or even years to resolve. Some committee members have suggested they also could fine Barr as long as he withholds the information. They could also open impeachment proceedings against Trump, though House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) has said shes not interested in doing that, for now. Republicans have lambasted the Democratic tactics as overreach and defended Barr. The top Republican on the Judiciary Committee, Rep. Doug Collins of Georgia, said Democrats have launched a proxy war smearing the attorney general when their anger actually lies with the president. There is precedent for sitting attorneys general to be held in contempt of Congress. In 2012, the House held then-Atty. Gen. Eric H. Holder Jr. in contempt over the botched Fast and Furious gun-tracking operation. Republicans cited the Justice Departments failure to turn over, without any preconditions, documents related to the risky operation. The Justice Department took no action to prosecute the attorney general. Muellers report now a bestseller even in redacted form states that his investigation could not establish a criminal conspiracy between the Trump team and Russia. However, it did not reach a conclusion on whether Trump obstructed justice. Mueller didnt charge Trump but wrote that he couldnt exonerate him, either. Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee say Congress is the only body able to hold the president to account since the Justice Department has a policy against indicting a sitting president. President Trumps unconventional foreign policy appeared in disarray amid a series of setbacks around the globe and mounting signs that the president and his advisors were on the verge of losing several risky policy bets. The evidence came in one hot spot after another, from North Korea to Venezuela, with pushback on multiple strategic fronts that left the White House scrambling. Although Trump has conducted two splashy summits with North Korean ruler Kim Jong Un, on Friday Kim personally oversaw what appeared to be a short-range missile launch. Analysts called the missile launch, its first since 2017, a sign of Kims impatience now that the talks have stalled. In Venezuela, a U.S.-backed military uprising aimed at overthrowing the leftist president, Nicolas Maduro, fizzled out in hours Tuesday when few soldiers joined the attempted putsch. White House aides offered an array of excuses, blaming Russians and duplicitous military officers. Advertisement On Sunday, an unexpected Trump tweet threatening to increase tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars worth of imports from China rattled stock markets and signaled fresh trouble for trade talks with Beijing, a priority for the White House. Prospects for a deal, which had seemed possible this week, clearly dimmed. And two months after Trump tweeted that Islamic State is now being badly beaten at every level, the groups elusive leader, Abu Bakr Baghdadi, appeared on a videotape for the first time in five years and claimed his followers had carried out the Easter bombings in Sri Lanka that killed nearly 300 people. Faced with those challenges and others, the president and his advisors offered mixed messages, apologizing for and explaining away actions by Russia and North Korea while taking a harder line toward Venezuela, Iran and China. There seems to be no coherent, consistent policy that the president follows. He tends to lurch from a position its hard to follow, said Nicholas Burns, a veteran former diplomat who served as President George W. Bushs ambassador to NATO. Trumps phone call Friday to Russian President Vladimir Putin highlighted a rift in the White House. After the call, Trump appeared to defend Russias role in Venezuela, seeming to contradict his national security advisor, John Bolton, and Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo, who had both blamed the Kremlin for interfering there. The policy setbacks have intensified the spotlight on Bolton, one of the most polarizing figures in Trumps inner circle. The president is so dead set against military engagement anywhere, and Bolton is so dead set on military engagement, it has left the administration speaking without one voice and overall being sort of feckless, said Christopher R. Hill, a former U.S. ambassador to four countries. Bolton has been the driving force behind White House efforts to oust Maduros socialist government in Venezuela, which picked up steam in January when Trump recognized opposition leader Juan Guaido as the countrys legitimate president. Trump and his advisors insisted that by ramping up pressure on Maduro, sanctioning his government and top aides and choking off oil revenue, the Venezuelan military would defect and Maduro would fall. More than 50 countries also recognized Guaido. But Maduro is still in power after Guaidos messy coup attempt last week. And the White House is scurrying to determine its next steps and to keep its fragile coalition from fraying. Bolton claimed last week that Cuba had 20,000 to 25,000 troops backing Maduro, an assessment contradicted by the CIA, which has concluded that Cubas involvement is far smaller. What we have seen in the Trump administrations policy on Venezuela shows the limits of wishful thinking, said Geoff Ramsey, a Venezuela expert at the Washington Office on Latin America, a nongovernmental research and advocacy group. They have been completely unwilling to revise Plan A and instead are doubling down on a policy that appears to be failing, Ramsey said. They think that if they saber-rattle hard enough, something will shake loose. A longtime Iran hawk, Bolton abruptly announced Sunday that the Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike force and additional bombers were being moved to the Middle East to send a clear and unmistakable message to the Iranian regime that any attack on United States interests or on those of our allies will be met with unrelenting force. Such a statement typically comes from the Pentagon or the president, and only after making the public aware of the need for ratcheting up tensions. Bolton does not have statutory command over military forces. The move came after intelligence reports indicated Iran and its proxy forces were making possible preparations to attack U.S. forces in the region, a senior Defense official said Monday. The intelligence was not specific but suggested possible targeting of U.S. troops in Syria or Iraq or on Navy vessels in the region, the official added. Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan tweeted that he had approved the deployments, calling it a prudent repositioning of assets in response to indications of a credible threat by Iranian regime forces. It will take several days for the Abraham Lincoln, which is in the Mediterranean Sea, to transit the Suez Canal and reach the Arabian Sea. It is not known if the carrier strike group, which includes a cruiser and three destroyers, will enter the Persian Gulf. Pentagon officials have yet to decide how many bombers to send, an official said. The U.S. already maintains extensive forces at military bases and on ships in the region, including an amphibious assault ship with roughly 4,500 sailors and Marines aboard that docked last week in the United Arab Emirates. At least for now, the military deployment diverted attention from White House frustrations with North Korea. Trump downplayed Fridays missile launch, tweeting that Kim knows that I am with him & does not want to break his promise to me. Deal will happen! Pompeo told Fox News Sunday that U.S. officials have high confidence they they were not intermediate-range missiles, that they were not long-range missiles or intercontinental missiles. We still have every intention to negotiate with North Korea to get them to denuclearize. Critics said that analysis sows distrust with Japan, South Korea and other allies that depend on American security guarantees. The point was made that because these werent intercontinental ballistic missiles the U.S. really shouldnt care, said Suzanne DiMaggio, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, a nonpartisan think tank. Its really one-dimensional foreign policy. They cant think beyond that. Trump has even had difficulty persuading his own advisors to go along with some of his decisions. In Syria, Trump declared Islamic State defeated last December and put out a hastily shot video announcing that U.S. troops were leaving. U.S. officials said Trump had ordered a complete withdrawal of the roughly 4,000 U.S. troops within 30 days. White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders told reporters that troops had already started leaving. But the U.S. withdrawal has unfolded slowly after pushback from the Pentagon. Today an unknown number of U.S. troops remain in a U.S.-defended enclave in northeast Syria, and administration officials have decided to keep at least 400 soldiers there indefinitely. Trumps dealings with China have been mostly over trade. He imposed tariffs that brought Beijing to the table, but pulled back from several harsher threats and deadlines while touting his personal relations with Chinese President Xi Jinping. For months Trump suggested a great China deal was at hand, saying Xi would come to the U.S. to clinch the accord. An announcement seemed possible after a final session of talks this week in Washington. But Trump threatened to raise tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese goods after his top trade negotiator, Robert Lighthizer, returned from Beijing last week and reported that the Chinese were reneging on previous commitments. An angry Trump responded by reviving a previous plan to ratchet up punitive tariffs from the current 10% to 25%, saying the higher duties would take effect on Friday. Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin, who has pushed for a softer line on China, agreed that Beijing had backpedaled, but on Monday he held out hopes that a deal still could come together. Mnuchin said that Xis special economic envoy and leader of the Chinese delegation, Vice Premier Liu He, would arrive in Washington on Thursday. That would still give the two sides an opportunity to avert the step-up in tariffs, which would be a significant escalation of the trade conflict. However, it wasnt clear if the Chinese were prepared to meet the U.S. demands. Nobody likes to negotiate with a gun held to their head, so I think its a dilemma for Beijing, said Nicholas Lardy, a China expert at the nonpartisan Peterson Institute for International Economics. Trumps handling of China trade has been like much of the rest of his foreign policy prone to unilateral and inconsistent actions that at times have undermined other policies and priorities. Diplomats say it reflects the lack of traditional interagency review and coordination. Instead, most policy decisions come from the White House and often solely from the president. The big problem I have with Trump is that theres very little long-term strategy and he never aligns with allies, said Ian Bremmer, the president of the Eurasia Group, a global risk assessment firm. On top of that, youve got Trump, who personally barely sees from tweet to tweet. Times staff writer Tracy Wilkinson contributed to this report. The latest from Washington More stories from Eli Stokols Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin has made it official: The administration wont be turning President Trumps tax returns over to the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives. Mnuchin told Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard E. Neal (D-Mass.) in a Monday letter that the committees request lacks a legitimate legislative purpose. The move, which was expected, is sure to set in motion a legal battle over Trumps tax returns. The chief options available to Democrats now are to subpoena the IRS for the returns or to file a lawsuit. Neal originally demanded access to Trumps tax returns in early April under a law that says the IRS shall furnish the returns of any taxpayer to a handful of top lawmakers, including the chair of the tax-writing Ways and Means Committee. The Trump administration told former White House Counsel Don McGahn not to turn over documents subpoenaed by congressional investigators, escalating a battle between the two branches of government. The current White House counsel, Pat Cipollone, said in a letter to the House Judiciary Committee that President Trump may want to assert executive privilege over the documents. He said the documents being sought by the panel from McGahn were given to him to comply with special counsel Robert S. Mueller IIIs investigation and that McGahn isnt authorized to turn them over. McGahn has emerged as a central figure in Muellers investigation into whether Trump attempted to obstruct justice, providing a detailed account to Mueller about an attempt by Trump to have Mueller removed from his post. The White House gave McGahn permission to speak with Mueller. The House Judiciary Committee subpoenaed McGahn for the records and testimony last month with a Tuesday deadline to comply with the records request. Cipollone told the committee to redirect its subpoena to the White House. The letter said White House acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney instructed McGahn not to hand over the records. Advertisement The White House provided these records to Mr. McGahn in connection with its cooperation with the special counsels investigation and with the clear understanding that the records remain subject to the control of the White House for all purposes, Cipollone said. A lawyer for McGahn, William Burck, said he told his client to honor the White House request, unless the committee and Trump administration reach an agreement. White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders told ABC News that she doesnt anticipate McGahn testifying before the committee. California lawmakers want more state oversight of immunizations, and under a bill they are pushing, the state would begin collecting sensitive health information of schoolchildren whose doctors have exempted them from vaccinations due to medical reasons. But that proposed data collection has alarmed some parents already opposed to state-mandated vaccinations, who question whether California can be trusted to guard kids private medical data. Experts, even those in support of broader immunizations, say that privacy question is a debate worth having. Reports of healthcare data breaches are increasingly common, with more than 500 incidents over the past 16 months in the United States involving nearly 18 million people, according to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services data. Among the victims of hacking and theft of healthcare information are state agencies, including some in California. There has been so much cybercrime that its natural that parents are concerned about the protection of privacy, said Dr. Jonathan Fielding, professor of public health and medicine at UCLA and former public health director for Los Angeles County. I cant say its an illegitimate concern, but you do have to weigh the importance of trying to prevent outbreaks and broader epidemics of a number of diseases. Advertisement Senate Bill 276, by Sen. Richard Pan (D-Sacramento), would give the state health department the final say over whether a child should receive a medical exemption from some or all vaccines required to attend public or private school. Currently, doctors can excuse a child from vaccines, but Pan said some unscrupulous physicians have compromised that practice by advertising medical exemptions for cash. Amid a nationwide surge in measles the most reported in the U.S. since 2000 Pan said the state must ensure everyone who can be vaccinated gets their shots in order to attend school. His fix under SB 276 is to give the states Department of Public Health authority to approve medical exemptions, creating a new oversight arm in the agency. The department would be tasked with creating a standardized medical exemption form that doctors would fill out and send to the state. The states public health officer or their designee would approve or deny requests. Medical exemptions that are approved would be included in a database the agency would create by Dec. 31, 2020, for use by public health officials in the state. How stricter vaccine laws spared California from a major measles outbreak Currently, medical exemptions are kept at schools and district offices. Under the bill, those would be forwarded to the state for inclusion in the non-public database by the end of 2021. The bill would allow public health officials to revoke existing exemptions. One of the leading opposition groups to SB 276, Educate. Advocate., said the states medical exemption database raises concerns that the private health information of California students with medical exemptions could be compromised. Databases are at risk for hacking, exposing confidential medical information to insurance companies, higher education institutions and future employers, who may discriminate based on pre-exisiting conditions and disabilities, the group wrote in its opposition arguments. Many of the specifics of the bill would be left to the public health department to craft, including what would be included in the database and which public health officials would have access to it. The department already manages several databases containing sensitive medical information, including one monitoring people diagnosed with HIV in California. The department also tracks individual cases of measles in the state. The people who feel this is invasive are the people who feel their avenue to exemptions has been cut off, said Catherine Flores-Martin of the California Immunization Coalition. We have confidence that the state public health department will be able to manage the exemptions as they do with other data they keep. John Verdi, vice president of policy at the nonprofit Future of Privacy Forum in Washington, D.C., said medical data are sensitive and need to be adequately protected, but he doesnt see vaccine exemptions being targeted because they will likely lack the Social Security numbers or credit card information that thieves seek. In many cases, he said, hackers target health insurance information to fraudulently use another persons coverage for their own care. That information is also unlikely to appear on the database, Verdi said. Privacy and security has to be taken seriously, Verdi said. But just because data is sensitive doesnt mean the government and others shouldnt collect and use it. There are tremendous benefits to some data. The key is implementing this with common-sense safeguards. melody.gutierrez@latimes.com Follow @MelodyGutierrez on Twitter and sign up for our Essential Politics newsletter. Historys most frightening dinosaur, the Tyrannosaurus rex, came from a long line of pipsqueaks. Scientists have identified a new cousin of the T. rex that reached only the 3-foot height of a toddler. If it stretched its duck-billed head, an adult human maybe would be looking at it in the eye, said Sterling Nesbitt, a paleontologist at Virginia Tech, who discovered the diminutive dinosaur. Nesbitt found a set of its bones in 1998. At the time, he was only 16 and was serving as a volunteer on a dig in New Mexico. For about two decades, scientists werent certain what kind of creature the bones had belonged to until other small cousins of T. rex were discovered. Advertisement The small group of tyrannosauroid dinosaurs would give rise to some of the biggest predators that weve ever seen, said Nesbitt, lead author of a study published this week in Nature Ecology and Evolution. Paleontologist Sterling Nesbitt with the fossilized bones of Suskityrannus hazelae, a miniature relative of Tyrannosaurus rex. (Erin Williams/Virginia Tech via AP) The newly discovered dinosaur is called Suskityrannus hazelae, and its name comes from the Zuni word for coyote. It dates back 92 million years, about 20 million years before the T. rex stomped the Earth. Suskityrannus hazelae was three times longer than it was tall, and it weighed between 45 and 90 pounds almost nothing compared with the 9-ton king of the dinosaurs. These long-necked, elephant-sized dinosaurs arose long before Brachiosaurus The New Mexico specimen isnt the first or even the smallest member of the Tyrannosaurus family tree. But Nesbitt said it provides the best example of how this family of modest-sized dinosaurs evolved into the towering creatures seen in movies, television shows and nightmares. Smithsonian Institution paleobiologist Hans Sues agreed that the dinosaur was an important find. Suskityrannus is the first really good record of the early tyrannosaurs in North America, said Sues, who wasnt involved in the study. These carnivores werent particularly big compared with other dinosaurs alive at that time, and its unclear why they evolved to be so enormous. Nesbitt said the newly discovered species is probably among the last of the little guys. It was bigger than earlier tyrannosauroids and had big feet needed for speed something the T. rex lost. Times Community News, which publishes five community newspapers owned by and inserted in the Los Angeles Times, took home seven California Journalism Awards Saturday at a gala in Long Beach. Times Community News reporter Sara Cardine took first place in feature writing at Saturdays California Journalism Awards in Long Beach. Cardine, a staff writer with the La Canada Valley Sun, won recognition in a category for weekly newspapers. (Los Angeles Times) La Canada Valley Sun reporter Sara Cardine won first place in feature writing for a piece on goat yoga classes in a La Canada Flintridge community center. Daily Pilot reporter Hillary Davis claimed third place in feature writing for a piece on a couple who kept a slice of their wedding cake frozen for 50 years and fifth place in the same category for a story on a widow who cares for a tree next to her late husbands grave. Former Pilot reporter Hannah Fry, now a Los Angeles Times staff writer, placed third in in-depth reporting for Losing Sunny, a series about new evidence in a Costa Mesa cold case. TimesOC reporter Ben Brazil took fourth place in feature writing for a piece on a monastery that has survived encroaching development in Trabuco Canyon. Swami Dhyanayogananda lights candles on the Sri Ramakrishna shrine at the Ramakrishna Monastery in Trabuco Canyon. TimesOC reporter Ben Brazil took fourth place in feature writing for a story about the monastery. (Don Leach / Daily Pilot) Glendale News-Press and Burbank Leader staff writer Andrew Campa placed fifth in education reporting for a story about Glendale students analyzing soil samples from the ocean floor. Leader and News-Press reporter Andy Nguyen took fifth for coverage of local government with a piece about efforts to count the citys homeless population. The California News Publishers Assn. handed out the honors, among awards in seven circulation classes, at a gala in Long Beach. Each of the Times Community News publications won their awards in circulation categories specific to their sizes and publication schedules. Support our coverage by becoming a digital subscriber. A Newport Beach man has pleaded not guilty to two felony charges in connection with a police chase last week that ended with a standoff in a Newport Center parking lot. Richard Scott Bloustine, 53, entered his plea Friday to one count of reckless driving and one count of driving against traffic, both allegedly while evading a peace officer, court records show. Bloustine was arrested Wednesday after a two-hour drama in which police initially tried to stop him in Laguna Beach on a warrant. An officer identified Bloustines Mercedes-Benz and tried to stop it, but the driver did not comply and a pursuit through Dana Point, Irvine, Costa Mesa and, finally, Newport Beach followed, the Laguna Beach Police Department said. After an hour-long standoff in a medical center parking lot on Avocado Avenue, Bloustine exited the car and surrendered. Man surrenders after standoff in Newport Beach following multi-city chase Laguna Beach police said Bloustine had told authorities in a phone call that he was armed. But after the arrest, authorities determined there was no weapon in the car, police said. Bloustine was sentenced in February 2016 to seven years in prison after pleading guilty to intentionally writing more than $200,000 worth of bad checks. Newport man sentenced to 7 years for writing more than $200,000 in bad checks He also was ordered to pay restitution to his victims and a $444,000 fine as part of his sentence, according to the Orange County district attorneys office. He was released in March 2018 and ordered to comply with a post-release supervision program until March 15, 2021, court records show. According to a report earlier this year by an Orange County probation officer, Bloustine was deemed in violation of his post-release supervision terms in connection with an alleged grand theft incident in June last year. The arrest warrant on which he was sought was issued April 18, court records show. Newport Beach man arrested after chase and standoff has history of criminal convictions across the country, court records say Bloustine has other criminal convictions including grand theft, burglary and using force with a deadly weapon in California; defrauding an innkeeper and larceny in Florida; theft in Maryland; criminal use of a financial card in Kansas; larceny, theft of services and fraud in Texas; fraud, larceny and fraudulent schemes in Arizona; and theft and credit card fraud in Hawaii, according to the probation officers report. Bloustine is being held at Orange Countys Theo Lacy jail with bail set at $100,000, the district attorneys office said Monday. He is scheduled to return to court May 13. Support our coverage by becoming a digital subscriber. Richard Johnson was angry. But he tried to turn his anger over what happened to his girlfriend into something that would help keep her memory alive. In May 1997, less than three months after she died, Johnson opened AAA Electra 99 in a small space on 30th Street on the Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach. The art gallerys name combined AAA a trick from his work for cab companies to secure one of the first spots in the phone book with Electra 99, a phrase his girlfriend used to copyright her photography. Its motto was Any art accepted, and it kept its promise, displaying works from the conventional to the grotesque. There were no framed pieces in neat rows on sanitized white walls. Instead, artwork covered every surface. Cigarette smoke filled the gallery when bands played all-ages shows. Johnson and his girlfriend, Adrienne Sunny Sudweeks, had often discussed opening a gallery that would welcome unconventional art and artists people whose work had been shunned at coffee shops and mainstream galleries. Johnson considered it a pipe dream, but after Adrienne died he felt compelled to make it work. Of all the goals they had including marriage and children he could accomplish this one alone. The gallery could be her legacy. People might remember her for that instead of as the victim of a brutal slaying that would go unsolved for two decades. And maybe it could help him get over the cloud of suspicion he faced about whether he was involved. Johnson moved the gallery across town after neighbors on the peninsula complained, and then moved it to a warehouse in Anaheim, where it remained until it closed in 2012. Im quite proud of Electra because I think thats how Adrienne is remembered, he said. She has a semi-legacy in the form of things that came out of the gallery that still go on. Id like that to be her legacy, not the rest of this. Nevertheless, Johnson muses about whether AAA Electra 99 would have been more successful had Adrienne lived. A worn teddy bear that belonged to Adrienne Sunny Sudweeks sits beside a tattered copy of Alice in Wonderland in her mother Sandys house in Costa Mesas Westside. Photo by Hannah Fry A worn tan teddy bear cloud-like stuffing spilling from its arms and legs sits beside a tattered hardback copy of Alice in Wonderland against a living room wall in Sandy Sudweeks three-bedroom house in Costa Mesas Westside. The literary artifact is from Sandys childhood, representing an openness to new and sometimes strange experiences a trait instilled in her at age 5 when she saw Disneys screen interpretation of Lewis Carrolls classic with her father. Its a trait her daughter, Adrienne, inherited. The teddy bear was Adriennes, a childhood gift from her grandmother. The display prominently positioned for decades on the plush beige carpet beside the sliding glass door invites questions. Its a window into a mothers worst fear losing a child in a senseless crime. At 73, Sandy recently retired from teaching communications at Golden West College in Huntington Beach. Her wit and warm smile draw people to her. Though she has been divorced from Adriennes father, Alan Sudweeks, since before their daughters death, they remain close. Alan, a retired physician, lives in Arizona, but the two often travel together with their grandchildren. Sandy, a student of Buddhism since her early 20s, has a worldly essence, and despite the pain she has endured, she says she doesnt dwell on it, preferring to see and experience as much of lifes beauty as she can. Her 26-year-old daughter, after all, was robbed of that opportunity when she was raped and strangled to death in her Costa Mesa apartment nearly 21 years ago. Adrienne "Sunny" Sudweeks, pictured around Christmas 1996, was found dead in her Costa Mesa apartment in February 1997. Courtesy of Sandy Sudweeks Adrienne, a photographer, studied at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa and worked part time at a local framing and art shop. She wore retro outfits with a mix of couture items and pieces plucked from thrift shops. She loved red shoes. Behind her horned-rimmed glasses were dazzling green eyes that had a flash of wildness and a keen artists flare. She had champagne blond hair and a beaming grin, belying her boldness and sardonic wit. Friends remember her as kind and funny, always the life of the party. She wasnt easily discouraged not from rocking out at punk shows in Arizona, where she lived before moving to Costa Mesa, nor from being silly. She spoke her mind. She dreamed of transferring from OCC to art school to study photography. She wrote poems to inspire herself: You just be beautiful. And be yourself. And be sure of it. Johnson met her in 1996. He was in the middle of his night shift as a cab driver when an altercation led him to pepper-spray a group of businessmen in his cab. Frustrated, he stopped for a drink at the Stag Bar, a watering hole on the Balboa Peninsula. Adrienne was there with friends. The tavern, now called the Stag Bar + Kitchen, was one of Adriennes haunts. She impressed friends by opening beer bottles with her teeth. She refused to stand in the winding line for the womens restroom. She would use the mens instead. She and Johnson found themselves standing next to each other at the mahogany bar. She was a little tipsy, Johnson recalled, and seemed to like him right away. Conversation flowed. They bonded over art and music. He mentioned that he was interested in a different woman, but Adrienne brushed off the notion. Im much better than she is, and I like you, so you shouldnt worry about that other girl, she said. Her bluntness was invigorating. Within a month, Johnson had moved out of his apartment in Huntington Beach and into the three-bedroom apartment on Mission Drive in Costa Mesa that Adrienne shared with another roommate. Adrienne Sunny Sudweeks apartment was in the area where Mission and Mendoza drives converge in Costa Mesa. Daily Pilot In the late 90s, the area where Mission and Mendoza drives converge was a sketchy pocket. Gangs congregated, drug dealers peddled in alleyways and visitors were reminded to take valuables inside and lock their cars. In September 1996, Adriennes two cameras and flash, lens and camera bag were stolen from her apartment while she slept. The door had been left unlocked after a party. Afterward, she and Johnson decided to move. A few months later, they found a three-bedroom condominium across town on Pacific Avenue and planned to move in the following March 1. Three days before her death, Adrienne wrote a letter to a local newspaper, imploring officials not to ignore the Mission Drive area: Im able to move, but why cant the police or community do anything to help those who cant? If these problems are ignored now, they will become worse, degrading the city of Costa Mesa. Dont ignore this!! On Saturday, Feb. 22, 1997, Adriennes black 1967 Volvo was in the garage, broken down, so her mother gave her a ride to Aaron Bros. Art & Framing on 17th Street, where Adrienne worked, and agreed to pick her up after her early-evening shift. The two discussed an upcoming doctor visit to test Adrienne for attention deficit disorder, which runs in the family. They made plans to look at a more reliable car that her dad offered to help buy. Friends had invited Adrienne to grab a few drinks at the Stag Bar after her shift, but she opted to stay home and continue packing for the move. At about 8:30 p.m., a female friend stopped by to pick up some computer cables. The friend, whose name is redacted in police records, drove Adrienne to the Stater Bros. supermarket down the street for groceries and then dropped her off back home. Johnson sat in his cab outside the Shark Club on Baker Street in Costa Mesa, waiting to be dispatched to a call. He had a few minutes of calm before the Saturday night rush. The dashboard clock read 10:20 p.m. His cellphone rang. It was Adrienne. They chatted about work and her plans for the night. She asked him to come home and help her pack. I dont know, honey, we are going to need the money for the new house, he said. A dispatcher interrupted, calling Johnsons cab number over the CB. 625, where are you? The dispatcher directed him to the Huddle, a bar just down Baker. Johnson told Adrienne about the call. As they were about to hang up, she stopped him. I love you, she said. His response was quick. I love you too, silly. Bye. Johnson hurried to the Huddle, took a passenger to Newport Beach and continued his shift. It was a typical night for an Orange County cab driver. He collected people heading home from bars. He drove a bride and groom from their wedding reception at Margaritaville on West Coast Highway to the Newport Beach Marriott. The wedding photographer snapped a picture of the bride in her white gown, stuffing herself into the back of the cab. In the apartment on Mission Drive, Adrienne called a few friends before going to sleep. The front door was unlocked, a window left open. Sometime early the next morning, police believe, a man entered the apartment, found her in bed and raped and strangled her before fleeing. Johnson returned to the apartment about 3:30 a.m. Feb. 23. He microwaved leftover mushroom chicken and flipped on an episode of Star Trek. His and Adriennes roommate, a cabbie named Mike Walterhouse, walked in from an overnight shift and he and Johnson chatted about their fares who tipped well, who was drunk, where they drove. Walterhouse, who had a fare to Los Angeles International Airport at 5 a.m., stepped into the bathroom to shower. He yelled out to Johnson that a painting that had been leaning against the wall in the hallway had fallen over. Johnson figured Adrienne, who had never been a fan of the piece, had knocked into it. He walked into their bedroom, prepared to give her a hard time about it if she woke up. He shut the door and began to get ready for bed. The room was dark, but light from the hallway peeked under the door, illuminating the bed. Adrienne was lying at the foot of the mattress under a white sheet. As soon as he touched her arm he knew something was wrong. She didnt move. Fear sucked the air from his lungs. He flipped on the light and pulled off the sheet. She was unconscious and badly beaten. Bruises had formed on her neck. Blood trickled from the side of her mouth. Johnson ran down the hall and pounded on the door of the bathroom where Walterhouse was showering. Walterhouse, still covered with soap, emerged with a towel around his waist. He looked at Adrienne and began screaming. Johnson grabbed the phone off the nightstand and called 911. The dispatcher walked Johnson through an attempt to resuscitate Adrienne. Johnson stared into his girlfiends still eyes. He knew she was gone. As the blare of sirens heading up the street filled the apartment, Johnson stood, looking at Adrienne. His mind raced. How could anyone do this? He stepped backward until his back was against the wall. He slid until he was sitting. Police ascended the stairs. Officers separated Walterhouse and Johnson on two couches in the living room. Johnson, suddenly sick to his stomach, vomited. He leaned back on the couch and closed his eyes. This is the first of four parts. In Part 2, Sandy Sudweeks learns her daughter has been killed, and police set out to find who did it. hannah.fry@latimes.com Twitter: @HannahFryTCN The Glendale Police Department has come a long way since its inception in 1906, the year we officially became a city and elected our first marshal, Orren E. Patterson. At the time, the police and fire divisions were combined and the first jail was just an iron cage behind the fire station on Howard Street. Six years later, a new station house was built on East Broadway, where the post office currently stands. Things have changed a lot since then, but police officers today still face some of the same type of problems they faced in 1914, including stolen cars, disturbing the peace and dangerous driving. Examples from the 1914 police blotter, as noted in the 1981 Glendale Area History book, include: A Ford five-passenger car with a top and windshield, nickel on the doors and a klaxon horn, was reported stolen by a Tropico resident. A professor at the high school complained that, at 9:30 p.m., some boys were creating a disturbance outside the schoolhouse where an oratorical was going on. A Hawthorne Avenue man lost control of his electric auto on Hollywood Hill and the car turned turtle. By 1918, when the police and fire operations separated and the police moved into two rooms in City Hall, the force included a marshal and eight men, working 12-hour shifts. One was stationed at Brand Boulevard and Broadway, another at Los Feliz Boulevard and San Fernando Road and one more patrolled the residential area on a bicycle. In 1921, after a charter was adopted, Allen O. Martin was named the first police chief and given a force of 12 officers and the use of a touring car. Little effort was made to preserve their history before 1980, according to Officer Teal Metts. That changed when then Lt. Michael Post began collecting artifacts, photos and records of important events and displayed badges and other items in a small glass case at the old station on Isabel Street. Post continued as unofficial historian until 2001 when he retired and handed the reins over to Lt. Pete Michael. In 2008, when Michaels retired, Metts took over. It is handed down to whomever the current historian sees as having the drive and desire to maintain the legacy, Metts wrote in a recent email. In this role, Metts designed a special badge worn by uniformed officers during Glendales 2006 centennial year. Now he is working with the Glendale Police Foundation to create a museum in the foyer of police headquarters on Isabel Street. The museum will highlight events important to the departments history. Replicas of uniforms worn by officers over the last 111 years will be displayed, along with other items. The foundation is taking the lead in raising the necessary funds and is also seeking donations of letters, artifacts and mementos that tell the departments story. To donate artifacts or share your story, contact Officer Metts at tmetts@glendaleca.gov or at (818) 482-4681 or speak to him in person at a police foundation awards event on Thursday at the Glendale Hilton. To buy tickets to the event or to support the museum financially, contact Larry Miller at larmil@att.net or at (818) 929-6608. Readers Write: Police officer Teal Metts grew up in Glenoaks Canyon, graduating from St Francis High in La Canada in 1994. His fathers family came here from Ohio in 1948. Dad grew up on Ardmore and later on Sylvanoak, he recently emailed. His mother is part of the Cochran family who came here in 1925. His grandfather Lee Cochran co-founded Cochran Automotive at the corner of Chevy Chase Drive and Lilac Lane in the late 1940s. Cochran soon met fellow hot-rodders and auto-body guys Tom and George Bistagne, who started Bistagne Brothers Body Shop, a two-stall garage on the northeast corner of Chevy Chase and Verdugo Road in 1946. Two years later, they moved to the southeast corner, and the business is now in its 71st year. Cochran Automotive closed in the late 1990s, and the shop was leased to Boris Automotive. The Cochran and Bistagne families became closely connected in 1985 when second generation Bob Bistagne married Metts mother Tana Cochran. Talk about petrol running in our veins, Metts wrote. Being raised in the automotive industry, cars are naturally in my blood. Law enforcement is another lifelong passion, he wrote. He began volunteering with the police department in 1995 as an 18 year old, working in the jail and traffic division. This year marks his 20th year as an officer. Currently an organized retail crime investigator, he designed and helped put together the Breast Cancer Awareness pink patrol car and motorcycles, and more recently, the Anti DUI Police Taxi. KATHERINE YAMADA can be reached at katherineyamada@gmail.com. or by mail at Verdugo Views, c/o Glendale News-Press, 202 W. First St., Second Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90012. Please include your name, address and phone number. Fiscal responsibility for students and parents during and after high school was the focus of a new financial literacy program offered by Glendale Unified at the Adult Recreation Center in Glendale late last month, with goals that range from saving for college to making future investments. Were very proud that weve been able to implement financial literacy curriculum for our students in the past year, said Glendale Unified school board member Shant Sahakian. As were on this journey, we wanted to make sure that we are also providing our parents and our community with access to financial resources and knowledge. Glendale Unified students in the fifth, seventh and ninth grades can access financial literacy materials offered by EverFi, a provider of technology education and data analytics, and there is also a class taught by district instructors. Some of those same students brought their parents to the event last month, which included pamphlets, informational fliers and discussions by representatives from Glendale Community College, the Los Angeles and Glendale federal credit unions, the multinational bank HSBC and insurance company AXA. R.D. White Elementary School student Alexan Baker earned a material benefit right away he won one of the days first raffles, receiving a stuffed monkey. His father, Adam, settled for financial advice. Were here to find out about the [Scholarshare] 529 College Savings program, said Adam Baker of a California program meant to help families save and invest for higher education or career training. Its also good for [Alexan] to get to know a little bit about finances. Glendale Community College students Claudia Chacon and Leslie Campuzano attended the event as members of the schools welcome center and provided information about classes, scheduling, financial aid and a free first year of college. Oleg Sindiy, center, and his son Daniel, 17, talk with Lance Burbank with EverFi, an online banking education company, at the Glendale Unified School Districts financial literacy fair at the Glendale Adult Recreation Center on Tuesday. (Tim Berger / Glendale News-Press) We go to high schools, and we do fairs like these, said Chacon, a Glendale High graduate. Its part of our student outreach services. Campuzano, a former Hoover High student, said knowing how to begin is crucial. Most of the time, personally, a lot of people dont know what to ask or how to get started, she said. What I start with is talking to high school students who are not aware of a lot of their options, whats free and not and a lot of info people dont know. Glendale Unified interim Supt. Kelly King said she thinks the event offered a valuable opportunity. Its important for all of our parents and students to learn about financial literacy, to learn about savings, credit and all those life skills that are necessary and outside the academics of traditional schools, King said. Support our coverage by becoming a digital subscriber. A public hearing was held Thursday regarding a new sign at Crescenta Valley Park, with its supporters saying it preserves local German history, and opponents claiming its offensive because it pays tribute to a past German president who some argue paved the way for Adolf Hitlers rise to power. More than 100 people crowded inside the Sparr Heights Community Center to make their case about the sign, which welcomes visitors to Hindenburg Park, located in part of Crescenta Valley Park. NEWSLETTER: Stay up to date with whats going on in your community>> Three members of L.A. Countys Human Relations Commission heard arguments to either keep the sign or remove it. The commissioners will report back to the full board, which will make a decision during a future meeting. The park is named after Paul Von Hindenburg, who is considered a World War I hero and served as Germanys president from 1925 to 1934. The German heritage group Tri-Centennial Foundation paid for the sign and its installation as a way of commemorating the German population in the Crescenta Valley dating back to the 1920s. The site was acquired back then by the German American League and was the site of the first Oktoberfest celebration in Southern California in 1956. The countys parks department in 1992 dedicated a section of Crescenta Valley Park as Hindenburg Park. Join the conversation on Facebook >> Supporters of the sign say its a tribute to the celebration of German culture there during the first half of the 20th century. However, the site was also known for Nazi rallies, and Jewish community leaders argue the sign hearkens back to the Holocaust and the reign of Nazism. Jason Moss, executive director of the Jewish Federation of the Greater San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys, told commissioners that Hindenburg appointed Hitler as Germanys chancellor in 1933. The fact remains, it was his decision, he said. The name Hindenburg will always be tied to this, and this signs presence is a reminder. The western side of Crescenta Valley Park, known as Hindenburg Park, gained notoriety in the late 1930s when the Bund, a political group styling itself after the Nazis, staged several rallies there, complete with Swastikas and German military uniforms. (Historical Society of Crescenta Valley) Moss said hes not against the Tri-Centennial Foundation in its efforts to pay tribute to history, but it would be fair to put up another marker that informs visitors that Hindenburg Park was also a gathering place for Nazis. The Jewish Federation supports the German-American community celebrating its heritage, but its also important to understand that the sign they have erected should be a reminder of all the events that took place at the park, not just the happy ones, he said. Defenders of Hindenburg said he was a revered figure, who detested the Nazis and Hitler. Some believe Hindenburg was pressured into making Hitlers appointment. The park was originally named for [Hindenburg], not for what came after he died, said Carole Brennan, who sits on the board of directors of the German-American League of Los Angeles. Stuart Biles, acting president of the Crescenta Valley Historical Society shared similar sentiments and criticized the opponents of the Hindenburg sign, calling them ignorant. We are not in favor of outside groups coming to tell us in our valley how we shall remember our history, he said. For others, however, there was also concern that the sign may be confusing. Resident Mona Field said those entering the park at the Dunsmore Avenue entrance may see the sign and believe Crescenta Valley Park is actually called Hindenburg Park. "[The sign] is quite misleading, she said. Its really inappropriate to have that large sign as the only sign at that entrance. -- Arin Mikailian, arin.mikailian@latimes.com Twitter: @ArinMikailian Last month I was fortunate enough to visit the Republic of Armenia, the motherland of more than 100,000 of my constituents. In fact, one of the largest Armenian populations outside of Armenia currently resides in the greater Los Angeles area, making this trip all the more significant. As a former Glendale City Council member and mayor, I attended many events that celebrated the culture and traditions of the Armenian people. With their love of life, family, history, art and music, I was always intrigued and found myself wishing I could visit the place that so many of my constituents, their families, and thousands more in the Los Angeles region call home. So, on Oct. 3 I made my way to the airport and joined a delegation of my colleagues, including Assembly members Adrin Nazarian, Marc Levine, Dante Acosta and state Sen. Scott Wilk. After a 20-hour flight, I took my first steps on Armenian soil. The first leg of our trip included a tour of Yerevan, the marvelous capital of Armenia. One of my favorite parts of the tour was visiting Cascade. Located in the heart of Yerevan, the beautiful staircase of Cascade led us to the most striking view of the city below. We then visited the TUMO Center for Creative Technologies, a hub created for teens eager to learn about animation, filmmaking, web design and game development, including photography and other programs all free of charge for students. We met with many high-ranking officials within the Armenian government, including the deputy prime minister of Armenia, Vache Gabrielyan; Ara Babloyan, speaker of the National Assembly of Armenia; Vice Chairman Arpine Hovhannisyan; Defense Minister Vigen Sargsyan and the president of the Republic of Artsakh, Bako Sahakyan, along with many other officials. The delegation also visited the Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex (Tsitsernakaberd) in Yerevan, a breathtaking memorial built in 1967 and dedicated to the victims of the Armenian Genocide, a place where hundreds of thousands of people visit annually to lay flowers and pay their respects to the fallen victims. The memorial is comprised of 12 slabs, arranged in a circle, representing the 12 provinces that were lost and are now part of the Republic of Turkey. An eternal flame burns at the center of the memorial, symbolizing the 1.5 million victims. While in Yerevan, we also visited the Jewish Holocaust Memorial, a great symbol of the relationship between Jews and Armenians and the ancestral struggles both have experienced. Our delegation was then taken to see from a distance Mount Ararat. Since 1921, Mount Ararat has unrightfully been part of modern-day Turkey, which is why we werent able to get close to the area. However, I was able to see the snow-capped peaks and was awestruck by their magnificence. With its rich symbolism, Mount Ararat is considered the Holy Mountain where Noahs Ark landed and has also been on Armenias national Coat of Arms since 1918. We spent the last leg of our trip in the Republic of Artsakh; the journey there was an adventurous one to say the least. A historically Armenian land, in July 1921 the region of Artsakh was set in Soviet Azerbaijan, a decision made solely by Joseph Stalin. Currently Artsakh is heavily populated by Armenians, and the Armenian military has been aiding the country against Azerbaijani aggression, often causing Armenian militia and civilian casualties. For years, Armenians in Armenia and the diaspora have seen the consequences of conflict between the Republic of Artsakh and Azerbaijan. The strength of the relationship between Armenians in Armenia and in Artsakh has been vital in keeping Artsakh Armenian. I was fortunate to be able to visit Artsakh, and like so many before me, Im proud to wear the threat of being blacklisted from Azerbaijan as a badge of honor. Our trip to Artsakh included a meeting with President Sahakyan in the city of Shushi, a visit to the Ghazanchetsots Cathedral, in all of its astonishing beauty, and a stop at the famous We are our Mountains monument also known as Mamik yev Babik ( Grandma and Grandpa). The monument features an elderly couple with only their heads visible and their bodies in the soil, symbolizing the deep-rootedness of Armenians in Artsakh. My trip to Armenia was fascinating, thought-provoking and fulfilling. Like so many incredible trips, it was over all too soon. We ate delicious foods, explored beautiful sights, learned about the deep-rooted history of Armenia. Still, the highlight of my trip was when I saw Mount Ararat, and visited the Republic Artsakh. However brief, my time spent in Armenia made real for me the deep connection between the Armenian people and their ancestral homeland. Their culture is thousands of years old, and that history is evident in every ancient church and in the fabric of every city. While outside threats may attempt to erase and deny that history, they will never be able to wipe out that legacy, as it permeates everything. To be granted the opportunity to visit the homeland of so many of my constituents and their ancestors is a gift that I will forever cherish. LAURA FRIEDMAN (D-Glendale) represents La Canada Flintridge, La Crescenta, Montrose, Glendale, Burbank and neighboring communities in the the 43rd Assembly District. Los Altos Auxiliary of Hathaway-Sycamores held its 11th annual wine tasting at the La Canada Thursday Club on the last Sunday in April. The day began a little gloomy, but the sun came out and the clubs patio, with its bubbling tile fountain, was a beautiful place to be. Gorgeous floral arrangements for sale were on display around the party. The food was plentiful and represented many cultures of South America. Chairing this fun event were Kelly Springer and Hilary Gregg. Serving the committee helping out in a thousand ways were Susan Artime, Laura Campobasso, Carol DeFond, Lisa Dick, Susan Dodge, Jennifer Herzer, Darlene Larin, Michele Listo, Diane Moldafsky, Gayle Penrod, Maureen Railsback, Laurie Rodli, Andi Sica, Mary Van Amring, Linda Yaussi and Joy Young. Tasting the wines from Argentina, Chile and Uruguay was like being on a sipping adventure hopping from country to country to determine the best of the best. Not only was the wine tasting fun but so was tasting the aperitivos prepared by Porta Via and Broadleaf USA meats. Gayle Penrod and Carol DeFond, co-presidents of Los Altos Auxiliary, welcomed guests and introduced Debbie Manners, president and chief executive of Hathaway-Sycamores. Joe Ford, senior vice president of Hathaway-Sycamores who currently oversees numerous programs including the Transitional Shelter Care, Residential and Transitional Independent Living programs, introduced the speaker, Noah Beebe, who has been a resident at the residential program. He just turned 18 and was accepted in a transitional living program. It was a wonderful to hear Noah speak and to enjoy the wines and foods served in support of this worthy organization. *** Next up for me that same day was attending a memorable jazz concert co-produced by Performances a la Carte and Neighborhood Unitarian Universalist Church near the Rose Bowl in Pasadena called Jazz n Paz. This was the last concert in a series of three this spring. Featured in this concert were Performances a la Carte founder and vocalist Carla Jamie Perez and Nick Mancini and his collective of talented jazz musicians. Mancini, a master on the vibraphone, was joined by Danny Janklow, saxophone; John Tegmeyer, clarinet; Michael Ragonese, piano; Cooper Appelt, bass; Adam Ratner, guitar; James Yoshizawa, drums; and percussionists Scott Breadman and Pete Korpeta. Mancini is also a composer and arranger. This series, bargain priced at just $60 for the three-concert season, is a treat for jazz lovers. The intimate performance of this group took me back to the 50s when I used to go to after-hour jazz jams at the famed Lighthouse jazz club in Hermosa Beach where the jazz greats such as Stan Getz, Chet Baker, Gerry Mulligan and Miles Davis hung out. I particularly was transported back to that time period when Perez sang Round Midnight, a favorite of mine since I first heard it sung by June Christy. Not only is Perez a great jazz stylist, but I also learned she was classically trained in opera repertoire and has sung in all the great opera houses of the world. She is quite a woman! Mancini and his collective spread the joy of jazz with not only perfected accompaniment with Perez, but well-crafted original pieces that also spotlighted each musicians own interpretations. Next up for Jazz n Paz is a fall fundraiser on Saturday, Aug. 21 from 1 to 5 p.m. The event is called Rhythm & Brews and will feature craft beer, barbecue and jazz. Reservations are by email only, so if youd like go, learn more at info@jazznpaz.com. No tickets will be sold at the door. *** Mary Anne De Briyn, PR person for Flintridge Guild of Childrens Hospital wrote to me: Babies in strollers kicked their feet; dogs strained against leashes; serious runners stretched. The crowd hushed during the national anthem. Then a loudspeaker blared, Go! and they were off. She was talking about last Sundays Great Chocolate Race. She said more than 750 people and almost 50 dogs participated in the event where those participating made pit stops where they were given chocolate treats and water at the 2.5k or 5k run/walk. This was the fourth annual Great Chocolate Race and the most successful one to date. Following the run/walk, festivities were held at La Canada Memorial Park. In honor of Cinco de Mayo, a mariachi band was playing. Folks in the crowd were loving the music as well as the breakfast that was served. They also had an opportunity to bid on silent auction items which Teens for the Advancement of Childrens Hospital (TACH) provided. Activities for kids included face painting and a chance to jump in the bounce house. There were more activities for the young set also created by TACH, who hosted TACH Bash, a spirited annual festival. According to De Briyn, guild members are extremely grateful to so many people for sponsoring and participating in this event which benefits Childrens Hospital Los Angeles. *** So, since the last time we chatted in this corner, Im officially one year older. I had a birthday celebration with my two sisters Elaine, my twin and Nubby, our sibling who is 18 months younger. We had a wonderful time going through the old picture boxes and telling stories. We laughed and laughed at the clothes we thought were so in fashionable at the time and our ever-changing hairstyles. We also recreated some of the dishes our mother used to make for us true comfort food. We so enjoyed our time together, a rare occasion because everyone is so busy. Elaine lives in Santa Barbara. She took the train down and Nubby, who lives in San Clemente, drove up. I had a three-day extravaganza with my two wonderful sisters. Such precious times for us! Jane Napier Neely covers the La Canada Flintridge social scene. Email her at jnvalleysun@aol.com with news of your special event. Support our coverage by becoming a digital subscriber. In a bitter 1969 mayoral race, incumbent Los Angeles Mayor Sam Yorty beat City Councilman Thomas Bradley. In their 1973 sequel, nothing changed except the final results. Political writer Carl Greenberg reported in the next mornings Los Angeles Times: Mayor Sam Yorty and City Councilman Tom Bradley, who wagged an occasional scolding finger at the mayor, hurled new accusations at each other Tuesday in the third face-to-face debate of the mayoral campaign. In some respects it was a replay of their Monday night angry exchange of personal attacks on television. At one point during their appearance at a Tarzana Chamber of Commerce luncheon at Torches West Restaurant, some of the estimated 300 guests booed when Yorty revived his recital that two nephews of Bradley had sued him for allegedly trying to defraud them of their fathers estate. Yorty was booed when he said if Bradley could not be trusted by his dead brothers sons, What do you think hed do as mayor? The councilman also injected the name of John Alessio again. This time referring to the former racetrack operator in prison on income tax charges, Bradley asked Yorty: Do you remember when John Alessio took a flight to Texas and lost an envelope with money in it and Bob Goe flew down and returned the money. Thats pretty good service. Goe once served as an executive assistant to Yorty and as his director of urban development. He resigned several years ago. On Monday night, Bradley had attacked Yorty for visiting Alessio in the federal prison at Lompoc. Bradley beat Yorty in the May 29, 1973, runoff election with 56% of the vote. This post was originally published on April 13, 2016. May 30, 1973: A beaming Tom Bradley takes a question at a news conference on day after his trumph of Sam Yorty in race for Los Angeles Mayor. Bill Varie / Los Angeles Times See more from the Los Angeles Times archives here Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 7) Canada has offered to pay for the cost of shipping back the 69 containers full of waste that a Canada-based private company dumped in the Philippines, Cabinet officials said on Tuesday. President Rodrigo Duterte and his Cabinet secretaries discussed the issue of garbage from Canada during their Cabinet meeting on Monday night. "The Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources noted that the Canadian government is committed to shoulder all the expenses to ship out all the 69 waste containers," Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a statement. Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro "Teddy Boy" Locsin, Jr. added the government has asked the International Container Terminal Services Inc (ICTSI) the operator of the Manila International Container Terminal where the containers of Canadian trash were shipped to waive the fees or give a discount for storage cost while awaiting shipping. "We will shoulder at a huge discount from ICTSI the container storage costs. This is thanks to the Canadian ambassador's prompt response to the President's demarche if you want to call it that," he said in a tweet. Panelo said Duterte reiterated his sentiment that the Philippines is not a dump site, adding the Bureau of Customs was directed not to accept containers filled with garbarge. "The President is firm that we are not garbage collectors, thus he ordered that the Philippines will no longer accept any waste from any country," the spokesperson said. The illegally dumped garbage was brought back to the spotlight as Duterte threatened to go to war against Canada if it would not take the trash back. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana was quick to clarify that the President did not really mean war, but was just expressing his "extreme displeasure." The Canadian Embassy in the Philippines reponded that Ottawa is "strongly committed to shipping the trash back. Malacanang was not satisified with Canada's statement and warned that further delay in the repatriation of trash could result in severed diplomatic ties. Benny Antiporda, Environment Undersecretary for Solid Waste Management and Local Government Units Concerns, told CNN Philippines the only thing blocking the return of the garbage to Canada was the expenses. The Manila Regional Trial Court in May 2017 already ordered the return of 50 container vans carrying Canadian garbage, to be paid for by the Canadian private company that had it shipped. Myanmar freed two journalists from the Reuters news agency on Tuesday after imprisoning them for more than 500 days for reporting on military atrocities against Rohingya Muslims. Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo walked out of Insein prison outside Yangon, Myanmars largest city, about 9 a.m., into a throng of journalists and onlookers who snapped pictures and slapped the men on their backs. Wearing traditional Burmese sarongs, they smiled and waved to supporters before being whisked to a joyous reunion with their wives, young daughters and colleagues at a Yangon hotel. Im really happy and excited to see my family and my colleagues, and I cant wait to go [back to] my newsroom, Wa Lone said outside the prison. Advertisement WATCH: @Reuters reporter Wa Lone speaks to the media as he and Kyaw Soe Oo are released after over 500 days in prison https://t.co/3NzyJSQJyE pic.twitter.com/37WyDVZK8l Reuters Top News (@Reuters) May 7, 2019 Myanmars prosecution of the reporters under the century-old Official Secrets Act earned international condemnation and was widely seen as an effort to muzzle critical reporting on the state-backed offensive against the Rohingya, which sent hundreds of thousands of refugees fleeing into Bangladesh and sparked a humanitarian emergency. Wa Lone, 33, and Kyaw Soe Oo, 29, uncovered a massacre of Rohingya civilians in the village of Inn Din, in northern Rakhine state, that undercut Myanmars denials that the army was complicit in the killings that began in August 2017. A United Nations official described the slaughter in Rakhine as a textbook example of ethnic cleansing, but verifying refugees harrowing accounts of the violence has been difficult because Myanmar has blocked nearly all independent access to the area. I didnt want this baby: Rohingya rape survivors face a harrowing choice After the pair were arrested in December 2017, testimony at their trial indicated that police officers had entrapped the men by inviting them to a meeting and handing them documents allegedly linked to the army campaign in Rakhine. They were convicted under the British colonial-era 1923 secrets act for obtaining official documents that could be useful to an enemy, and each was sentenced to seven years in prison. While the men sat in jail, Reuters continued its reporting and eventually published an extensive article on the killings at Inn Din that described soldiers and villagers executing 10 Rohingya men and burying them in a shallow grave. Last month, the reporters and their Reuters colleagues were awarded a Pulitzer Prize for coverage of the campaign against the Rohingya. We are enormously pleased that Myanmar has released our courageous reporters, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, said Reuters editor in chief Stephen Adler. Since their arrests 511 days ago, they have become symbols of the importance of press freedom around the world. We welcome their return. Foreign diplomats, human rights groups and press freedom advocates condemned the convictions and described the trial as deeply flawed. Last month, the Supreme Court in Myanmar, also known as Burma, denied the reporters appeals. They were released Tuesday under a presidential amnesty that included more than 6,500 other prisoners. I would like to thank the international community and the diplomats who have been standing with us since the start, their lawyer Khin Maung Zaw said. Reuters journalists Wa Lone, right, and Kyaw Soe Oo celebrate with their daughters after being freed from prison May 7 in Myanmar. (Ann Wang / AFP/Getty Images) Even as Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo became the focus of a global campaign for press freedom, Myanmars government led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi had steadfastly ignored calls for clemency. A former democratic icon who led Myanmars struggle against a half-century of military rule, Suu Kyi has dismayed her onetime admirers for backing the assault against the Rohingya. Since winning elections in 2015, Suu Kyi has presided over a growing number of criminal prosecutions of writers, artists and activists for allegedly insulting the government or military. These courageous investigative journalists should have never been arrested, much less imprisoned, in the first place and their release was long overdue, said Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director for Human Rights Watch. But the crisis is not over for the literally dozens of other Burmese journalists and bloggers who are still facing baseless criminal charges for their reporting. Activist Thinzar Shunlei Yi was among more than a dozen activists arrested during a protest last year calling for an end to the conflict in Kachin state, where government forces had launched an offensive against an ethnic rebel group. She was freed but is awaiting trial on charges of violating laws meant to stifle public demonstrations. The activist said the amnesty doesnt expunge the journalists convictions, serving as a message to others who would criticize the government. Its incredible and unbelievable that they are out but I am sad that they didnt receive justice under the law, she said. There will still be people who regard them as criminals because the government is not standing for the truth. The reporters have few vocal defenders inside Myanmar, a country deeply fractured along ethnic lines, where many in the majority Buddhist population believe government propaganda that the Rohingya are Muslims who immigrated illegally from Bangladesh. Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi arrives at an event on national reconciliation May 7 in Naypyidaw. (Thet Aung / AFP/Getty Images) Suu Kyis defenders say her powers are limited under Myanmars constitution, which grants the army control over national security-related matters. But Suu Kyi has consistently refused to defend the rights of Rohingya civilians and often lashed out when questioned on her commitment to democratic rights and press freedom. Last year, longtime U.S. diplomat Bill Richardson said Suu Kyi grew furious when he brought up the case of the Reuters reporters in a meeting on the Rakhine crisis. Richardson would eventually resign from an international advisory panel, telling Reuters that Suu Kyi lacked moral leadership. Khin Zaw Win, a former political prisoner who is director of the Tampadipa Institute, an independent think tank in Yangon, a city also known as Rangoon, said Suu Kyi could have released the reporters long ago. Shes known as someone who bears these grudges, and in her reckoning she thinks that these two journalists had tried to demolish the story she has had all along that the Rohingya crisis didnt happen, he said. She wants to show that its she who decides, and she expects everyone to be grateful to her for releasing them. ... But it doesnt do anything to refurbish her image. Her image is gone. Shes not a democratic icon anymore. All that shes done is gone, and it cant be salvaged. Special correspondent Diamond reported from Yangon and Times staff writer Bengali from Singapore. Kristina Nemeth was one of the U.S. travelers curious enough about Iran to make the journey. She went in 2014, part of an influx of Western travelers to the Islamic Republic as negotiations surrounding a landmark nuclear pact pulled the country out of international isolation. The San Francisco resident recalls an elderly shopkeeper coming out from behind his booth in a Tehran bazaar as she passed. He reached for her hand and spoke: Americans are welcome in Iran. After the multi-nation deals signing in 2015, Irans tourism industry took off. European airlines resumed flights and international businesses, including hotel chains, sought deals. Iranian officials set the 10-year goal of boosting foreign arrivals fivefold to 20 million. Advertisement Then came the U.S. presidential election. President Trump, who had excoriated Iran on the campaign trail, pulled the U.S. out of the nuclear pact. Sanctions kept Western airlines from operating in the country and limited transactions with Irans central bank. Hostile rhetoric between the nations increased. And travel to Iran from the West, particularly the U.S., plummeted. Now Iran has pivoted to a new strategy: To keep its tourism industry alive, and perhaps to make it grow, the country is turning to its neighbors. Tehran has announced projects to boost infrastructure and ease red tape in an effort to draw more visitors from countries in the region. When the infrastructures are finished, income from tourism will replace oil revenues, claimed Iranian Vice President Ali Asghar Mounesan, who heads the nations tourism organization. The shift from Western tourism pleases Irans hard-liners, who they say they dont want the cultural invasion anyway. But experts say sanctions have slowed development of the nations tourism industry, and Iranian tour guides still long for well-paying Westerners. A visitor rests in Esfahan in 2006. A recent shift from Western tourism pleases Irans hard-liners, who they say they dont want the cultural invasion anyway. But experts say sanctions have slowed development of the nations tourism industry. (Hasan Sarbakhshian / Associated Press) Boosting religious tourism Since last year, Iran has announced numerous projects as part of its focus on drawing tourists from around the region. It added Egypt, Azerbaijan, Syria, Turkey, Lebanon and Georgia to the list of countries whose nationals can get visas on arrival. Plans are in the works to revive passenger sea lines, including routes between Iran and Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar and Oman. Officials have announced plans to build a railway that starts in southwestern Irans Khuzestan province, travels west through Iraq and ends at the Syrian port city of Latakia. The three nations agreed to work together to develop the system in hopes of boosting religious tourism. For now, some tourists from the region are taking advantage of Irans relative affordability after the devaluation of its currency, the rial, following sanctions. Iran is an inexpensive country for us, said Amineh Pasha, a Turkish tourist, and we are interested in historic sites in Tehran, Esfahan and Shiraz. Pasha, 54, visited Iran in April on an organized tour. We are here out of curiosity. We want to see historic monuments and landmarks and taste national meals, she said as she bought a snack near Tehrans Imam Khomeini Square. We can communicate with Iranian local Turks and people are hospitable to us. We feel quite comfortable. Seyyed Amir Akghaseer, an Iraqi, brought his father to Tehran not for the religious sites, but for the doctors. The 24-year-old Shiite Muslim felt Irans affordable prices, coupled with its experienced medical providers of similar religious backgrounds, made it a good fit for his father, who is battling stomach cancer. We are Shiites and feel at home, he said. Building a tourism infrastructure Iran is still in its initial stage of developing its tourism infrastructure, but they have been paying attention to it as an economic agenda, said Xu Jing of the United Nations World Tourism Organization. As Iran started climbing out of isolation during nuclear talks with the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council plus Germany, more Westerners began visiting the Islamic Republic and the tourism industry appeared to blossom. Foreign travel to Iran grew to 5.2 million arrivals in 2015, up from 4 million the year before. The number of U.S. tourists reached 5,308 in 2016, up 62% from two years before, according to the U.N. World Tourism Organization. But experts say renewed U.S. pressure on Iran has hindered the industry from growing as fast as it could and has hurt businesses in the short term. Trump administration designates Irans Revolutionary Guard a terrorist group Foreign arrivals to Iran in 2017 fell to 4.8 million and the number of U.S. tourists to 3,728, according to the U.N. agency. Sanctions have decreased international travel and air connectivity, said Xu of the tourism organization. Its been preventing Iran from developing its tourism industry to what it deserves to be. Dearth of well-paying Westerners We used to have 25 people in our tour groups once the nuclear deal was signed, said Tehran-based tour guide Parnia Porpezeshk, 59. Now the same group consists of 10 or fewer. Porpezeshk has worked as an English-speaking guide in Iran for more than 24 years. Now months go by when she has no tours, she said, and shes taken up tutoring and translation. I cant rely on tours as a source of monthly income anymore, she said. Ali Sadrnia, a member of the Iran Tourist Guides Assn., said there has been an increase in the number of Shiite visitors from countries near Iran. But Western tourists, he said, spend more money. West European or North American tourists spend anywhere from $2,500 to $3,000 for hotel, food and travel inside Iran, he said. Tour guide Morteza Safavi Naeini said the escalation in tensions has hurt Irans image in the world. If it werent for American tourists sharing their positive experience in Iran, Naeini said, he fears hed be without a job. Social media and the feedback from tourists who visit Iran upgrade our image, Naeini said. The 39-year-old now depends on former customers to encourage people to visit. I have one tour a month, he said. Iranian officials deny sanctions are hurting tourism Iranian officials insist U.S. sanctions have not hurt the countrys tourism industry. The numbers they cite vary. Moheb Khodaei, deputy head of Irans Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization, said at least 5.2 million foreign tourists visited Iran in the first eight months of 2018, according to state-run television. Last month, Vali Teymouri, an official with the organization, told the Islamic Republic News Agency that there had been 7 million foreign arrivals during the Iranian calendar year that ended March 20. The number of foreign tourists visiting Iran has been unprecedented, Teymouri told the state news agency. The U.N. World Tourism Organization has not released numbers for 2018. Good riddance, conservative factions say Some conservative factions in Iran say they dont want Western tourists to visit. Conservative analysts and hard-liners in Irans intelligence and security apparatus view U.S. tourists as part a Western cultural invasion that seek to get rid of the Islamic Republic. The conservatives have welcomed the decision to boost Irans tourism partnership with its neighbors; they view the move as a way to demonstrate that Iran doesnt need to depend on the West. Mohammed Eimani, a conservative analyst based in Tehran, wrote an op-ed in January in the Kayhan newspaper the mouthpiece of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei that said the decrease in the number of Western travelers offers an opportunity to encourage people from Iraq, Turkey and Azerbaijan to visit Iran. Our diplomats can talk as much as they think is necessary with the European Union and other Western countries, Eimani wrote. But we must not trust them at all, and we must rely on our Islamic Revolution. Special correspondent Mostaghim reported from Tehran and Times staff writer Etehad from Los Angeles. Pope Francis made the first-ever papal visit to North Macedonia on Tuesday and sought to encourage its efforts to integrate into European institutions after its name change resolved a decades-long dispute with Greece. In a meeting with government authorities, Francis praised North Macedonias multiethnic and multifaith culture and said its example of being a bridge between East and West showed that peaceful coexistence can occur in a country rich with diversity. These particular features are also highly significant for increased integration with the nations of Europe, he said. It is my hope that this integration will develop in a way that is beneficial for the entire region of the western Balkans, with unfailing respect for diversity and for fundamental rights. North Macedonias previous constitutional name was the Republic of Macedonia. It officially changed its name to North Macedonia in February as part of an agreement to end an almost three-decade-long dispute with Greece, which blocked the former Yugoslav republics path to membership in NATO and the European Union over rights to the Macedonia name. Advertisement After landing at Skopjes airport, Francis went by car a typically small Volkswagen Jetta for talks with outgoing President Gjorge Ivanov. His 10-hour visit also included a prayer at the memorial of North Macedonias most famous native daughter, Mother Teresa, as well as a Mass for the tiny Catholic community in the country of 2.1 million. Francis was surrounded by Mother Teresas sari-clad Sisters of Charity nuns in praying before the memorial, a giant statue of the tiny nun, located outside the remains of the church where Anjeze Gonxhe Bojaxhiu was baptized in 1910. In his homily at Mass, Francis praised Mother Teresas dedication to the poor, saying it quenched her hunger for God. She went to the Lord exactly as she went to the despised, the unloved, the lonely and the forgotten, Francis said to a crowd in a central Skopje square where organizers estimated 15,000 gathered. Viktor Dimovski, North Macedonias foreign ministry state secretary, told reporters Monday that Francis visit was historic and comes at a crucial moment as North Macedonia seeks entry into the European Union and NATO. The popes visit strengthens further internal cohesion and unity, and brings messages of reconciliation and solidarity, he said. The country has been an EU candidate since 2005 but is still waiting for the start of membership talks with the bloc. With the name dispute now resolved, North Macedonia hopes to get a clear signal for the start of accession talks in June. It expects to become the 30th NATO member at the end of this year. But the country is deeply polarized between the governing Social Democrats, who support the name deal, and the opposition VMRO-DPMNE conservatives, fierce opponents of the name change. Ivanov, the outgoing president, referred to the divisions in his speech to the pope, urging Macedonians to use the visit as an opportunity to heal after being heavily wounded by broken promises, unfulfilled expectations and faltering trust in the international community. Only spiritually transformed people can transform the spirit of society, Ivanov said. Pro-EU President Stevo Pendarovski, who was elected president in a runoff election last weekend, said he saw his victory as a ticket for NATO and EU. While the visit was a political boost for North Macedonia, it was also a spiritual boost for Catholics from across the region and ethnic spectrum. It is magnificent that we came to see the pope here in Macedonia because he has a message for the youth and whole humanity, and we need to apply it in our lives, said Kristiana Mjeshtri, a Catholic from Albania. Ivan Giljanovic traveled from Split, Croatia. I am a Catholic and it means a lot for me, he said. Everything is about faith. The day after his appointment to Venezuelas supreme court, Miguel Angel Martin learned that another newly named judge had been arrested by the governments intelligence service agents. The arrested judge, Angel Zerpa, faced charges of treason. Martin, Zerpa and 31 other judges had been appointed by the opposition-led National Assembly, which said the existing high court was illegally stacked with judges loyal to authoritarian President Nicolas Maduro. Almost immediately, chaos ensued. The supreme court backed by Maduro ordered that a military tribunal try all the new judges for treason. Advertisement Fearing bodily harm, Martin, his wife, their 23-year-old son and their two teenage daughters went into hiding within hours of his colleagues arrest in July 2017. I thought of my family, of my wife, my kids, my parents, my brothers of my life too, of course, Martin said in a recent interview. In Venezuela, they torture people, they cause a lot of harm to people. Martin and many of the other judges made their way from safe houses and embassies in Venezuela to locations outside their homeland. Most did not drop their positions on the supreme court and have created what they describe as a court in exile while the Maduro government backs the court in Caracas. The judges watched Venezuela closely in recent days as opposition leader Juan Guaido called on the countrys armed forces to abandon Maduro, ready to return to Caracas if the government changed hands. But Maduro remained in power. I cant tell you how this will end, said Jose Sabino Zamora, a judge who is living in Panama. Zamora says the case against the judges has been suspended while they are outside the country. Proceedings against Zerpa, who is still in Venezuela, continue before a nonmilitary tribunal. Martin settled in Coral Gables, Fla., and is the president of the court, which consists of 24 other judges who fled to the United States, Colombia, Chile and Panama. They meet weekly via Skype and issue judgments that they say identify unconstitutional actions by Maduros government. Dictatorships always use judgments or laws to hide their regimes, Martin said. We have removed the mantle of legality. Representatives of the court in Caracas did not respond to requests for comment. White House scrambles on Venezuela after major setback In the meantime, many of the 32 million people in Venezuela live in extreme conditions with limited food, medicine and basic goods. Millions have fled the country, which has seen rising levels of maternal and infant mortality. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has announced it plans to begin distributing aid to more than half a million people. The judges on Martins court, which is recognized by the 35-country Organization of American States, are focused on supporting Guaido, who in January announced he was Venezuelas interim president and quickly gained support from the U.S. and other nations. The judges say their rulings establish the judicial foundation needed for a transition to a government not led by Maduro. Since they left, the judges have waited for the presidents ouster to return home. In February, the National Assembly passed a statute holding it would recognize the courts judges in a democratic transition. But Maduro, who succeeded Chavez after his death in 2013 and continued his socialist agenda, shows no sign of ceding authority despite more than 50 countries saying they favor Guaido. He directly opposed the National Assemblys 2017 appointments to the Supreme Court. Two days after the judges were sworn in, Maduro declared the appointments illegal, announcing in a televised broadcast that all of the judges are going to be detained, one by one and all of them will have their assets, accounts and everything frozen. Benjamin Gedan, a Latin America expert at the Wilson Center think tank in Washington, said the court was an important resource for the international coalition supporting Guaido. Most observers of Venezuela are not constitutional scholars, Gedan said. Here you have these justices who are appointed by the only legitimate democratic organ of the Venezuelan government still operating [the National Assembly] who are making legal analyses. The court bases its decisions on public international law and the Venezuelan Constitution. Last August, it sentenced Maduro to 18 years and three months in prison on counts linked to Brazils Odebrecht corruption scandal, involving a construction giant whose officials have confessed to paying hundreds of millions of dollars in bribes in exchange for public works contracts. The month before, the court had declared his position as president vacant, insisting that the National Assembly fill it. In an absentee trial for Maduro, Venezuelas former chief prosecutor, Luisa Ortega Diaz, accused the president of receiving $35 million in bribes. Interpol, the judges say, has not responded to a request for an alert for his arrest. In Venezuela, clashes continue as protesters for and against Maduro fill the streets The court is among other opposition-led branches of government the executive and the legislative that exist with international recognition but little power alongside parallel pro-Maduro institutions. Its trajectory began in December 2015, when the outgoing National Assembly packed the supreme court with more than 30 primary and alternate judges days before turning over legislative power to the opposition. The Maduro-backed supreme court eventually declared the National Assembly in contempt and its actions void. It approved the transfer of legislative powers from the assembly to Maduro, which sparked a wave of street protests that left more than 150 people dead and thousands injured. Asdrubal Aguiar, Venezuelas interior minister during the late 1990s, said in an interview that Martins court predicament was similar to that of the opposition-led National Assembly, whose power was dissolved in 2017 by a new assembly Maduro created in a disputed election. Every decision that the assembly makes, he said, and every validation by the supreme court in exile fortifies the path for reinstituting the constitution in the country. Many of the judges struggle as they work for the court without a salary. Some are also law professors and support themselves with part-time jobs, by subsisting on their savings, or through help from family. Every morning, Martin heads to an office to answer letters addressed to the court and review its cases, which are sent to him by judges, nongovernment organizations or legal groups. Most are handled in the constitutional chamber he presides over, and he discusses cases with the chambers Chile-based vice president, Elenis del Valle Rodriguez, before assigning them. Martin frequently travels to Washington, where he meets with international officials to publicize the courts rulings. Tulio Alvarez, a constitutional law expert in Venezuela who wrote a paper about the court, said, from a strictly judicial point of view, a Venezuelan court could not function outside the country, but it will have weight if the government falls. Several judges said no matter how long they spent abroad, they would return to Venezuela after a change in government. Domingo Salgado, a judge living in Miami, said his promise to return doesnt depend on whether I have succeeded or not succeeded in rebuilding my life in the United States. Shortly before his swearing-in, he became socially active, he said, by training lawyers to educate the public on their responsibility to defend the constitution. When you see people suffering in Venezuela, he said, when you see children going through trash bags you realize that the risk is worth it, and you have to try to do something. A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has reportedly summoned President Muhammadu Buhari, the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Tanko Muhammad, and others to appear over the removal of Walter Onnoghen as the head of the judiciary. Daily Trust reports that Justice Inyang Ekwo also directed members of the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC), the federal government, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), and the Senate to appear and show reason why they should not be restrained from initiating the confirmation of Justice Tanko Muhammad as substantive CJN should not be made. READ ALSO: NAIJ.com upgrades to Legit.ng: a letter from our Editor-in-Chief Bayo Olupohunda The report quoted Justice Ekwo as saying: I have perused the processes in the ex parte and affidavits attached. I am of the opinion that none of the prayers can be granted by ex parte application. It was learnt that a civil rights lawyer, Malcolm Omirhobo of the Omirhobo foundation brought an ex parte application asking the court to restrain President Muhammadu Buhari and others from initiating the confirmation of the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Muhammad. The report said Omirhobo asked the court to determine whether the office of the CJN was vacant as at January 25, 2019, when Tanko Muhammad was sworn in. The rights lawyer also asked the court to determine whether the provisions of the constitution contemplate the removal of the CJN, Walter Onnoghen, by ex parte order of court. PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigerias #1 news app Legit.ng earlier reported that the suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Walter Onnoghen, was finally on Thursday, April 18, convicted of false and non-declaration of assets. The embattled ex-CJN had been arraigned by the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), following a petition brought against him by a group, the anti-corruption and research based data initiative. Onnoghen was charged on six counts, for allegedly failing to declare some of his accounts in the asset declaration form submitted to the CCB in December, 2016. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng. We have upgraded to serve you better. Would you accept money from a Yahoo boy? - Nigerians react | Legit TV Source: Legit.ng - Another Ponzi scheme - LOOM is gaining patronage in Nigeria - Many Nigerians lost their millions of naira to MMM before it finally crashed in 2017 - Legit.ng's investigation reveals that the new Ponzi scheme is making wave among many Nigerians on social media Despite unpalatable experience millions of Nigerians had with various Ponzi schemes in the past, a similar scheme - Loom, is now making wave among many Nigerians on social media. Legit.ngs regional reporter, Adejayan Oluwagbenga Gsong, reports that many Nigerians are already taking chances with the new Ponzi scheme. It was gathered that Nigerians have suddenly forgotten the announcement of a restart" and a "collapse" of the popular Ponzi scheme MMM; where millions of naira was trapped in the scheme which left many of its investors in serious agony. READ ALSO: NAIJ.com upgrades to Legit.ng: a letter from our Editor-in-Chief Bayo Olupohunda Despite the agony experienced from MMM, Nigerians are embracing the newly introduced pyramid scheme called "LOOM" and again making gains and investing massively. It would be recalled that the MMM came to Nigeria in 2016 and many people embraced it, made gains and invited their colleagues, family members and friends who invested millions of naira into the Ponzi scheme as well, which saw Nigerian investors' plight worsen. The scheme went on a one-month break in December 2016 before its eventual collapse with the funds of many Nigerians trapped in it. It was reported that while the Russian Ponzi company associated its collapse and liquidation to the death of its founder, the Russian businessman, Sergei Mavrodi, this cascaded into serious frustration from its Nigerian investors. Twitter, Facebook and Instagram users took to the social media platform to air their views on their financial agony and the death of the founder of MMM pyramid scheme, Mavrodi. Then, comments came mostly from Nigerians and people from other parts of the world whose encounter with the Ponzi scheme had been mostly unpalatable. READ ALSO: Senator Adeleke appears in court following arrest As if that is not enough, LOOM is here too and has been a subject of controversy nationally. Many are asking whether it is a legit Ponzi scheme of monetizing and as well doubles investments. Legit.ng gathered that LOOM is another pyramid system just like MMM which is said to be creating opportunities for people of earning eight times their capital back within minutes after registration. Now that MMM is gone and gone for good, can LOOM be another form of temptation for Nigerians? With the introduction of LOOM and some other Ponzi schemes, do we have regulatory bodies checking such pyramid schemes and their irregularities and excesses. It is said "once bitten twice shy." Have Nigerians not learnt their lesson? Do we go into another scheme with a fury heart all in the name of making invisible gains? Recall that in 2016, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), as well as the nation's legislative arms issued stern warnings to Nigerians to desist from MMM and other Ponzi schemes. Since online financial businesses such as Ponzi are assumed to be creating opportunities to earn more income, there are betting companies which are registered and they are doing fine. Ponzi schemes should also be scrutinized before rendering any operation to nationals, they should be licensed and registered while regulatory bodies should be set aside by the federal government. Such agencies must go on their toes to safeguard Nigerians of any further financial mess just as the name "LOOM" may imply (to appear as a large, often frightening or unclear) as it will be another unforgivable big disgrace to Nigeria and its citizenry if another online business entity garner and cart away with Nigerians hard earned resources. READ ALSO: Atiku's running mate Peter Obi is reportedly ill, goes to hospital Legit.ng had previously reported that millions of people in Nigeria, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Morocco, and Egypt became contributors to MMM Global, founded in Africa by Sergey Mavrodi, creator of the largest financial pyramid in Russia in the 1990s. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng Same great journalism, upgraded for better service! Which country would you leave Nigeria for? | - on Legit TV Source: Legit.ng The Nigerian movie industry has been faced with death of some actors in recent times and another actor has joined the list. Nollywood actor, Gbolahan Adio Majester, has reportedly passed on after a long battle with sickness. According to Yoruba Movie Gist.com, the actor died on May 7, 2019. It was gathered that the film star had been battling diabetes for years. Gbolahan Adio Majester Photo: Yoruba Movie Gist.com Source: UGC READ ALSO: Veteran Nollywood filmmaker Ifeanyichukwu Onyeabo dies on movie set Before his death, Majester had reportedly started to look like a shadow of his former robust self due to the illness. The actor had also reportedly been in the intensive care unit for years as he spent all his money on trying to manage the sickness. This is definitely a great loss. RIP to the dead. Meanwhile Legit.ng previously reported that veteran actor and drummer, Toyese Onifade Oloyo, passed on three weeks after suffering a stroke. Oloyo is said to have kicked the bucket on May 5, 2019, and he was buried the next day in Ibadan, Oyo state according to Islamic rites. Another Nollywood actor, Prince Dammy Eke, also kicked the bucket. The Nollywood film star still posted on his Instagram page recently, but from the looks of it, he passed away soon after that last post. Prince Dammy Eke is also known for his philanthropic acts which he particularly does for children. Often, he organises free medical check ups for these young ones. READ ALSO: Personal letter from the Editor-in-Chief of Legit.ng (formerly NAIJ.com) HELLO! NAIJ.com (naija.ng) upgrades to Legit.ng We keep evolving to serve our readers better. Uche Jombo interview at Star Chat: Nollywood Should Be Taxed Less | Legit TV Source: Legit.ng UPDATE: Driver killed in crash with school bus is identified as a Bethlehem man A man died after a Monday afternoon crash with a school bus on Route 412 in Bethlehem, and city police are looking for witnesses to the collision. The 53-year-old man was in a vehicle that collided with the bus about 1 p.m., at the intersection of Route 412/Hellertown Road and Silvex Road, police said. The intersection includes the ramps to and from Interstate 78 West, as well as a Wendys and Turkey Hill Minit Market gas station. Police did not identify the victim. The Northampton County Coroners Office will be releasing the identity, police said. Coroner Zachary Lysek could not immediately be reached for comment. There were no students on the bus at the time of the crash. Police are asking anyone who may have information about the crash to call Officer Fehr at 610-865-7180. Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @SarahCassi. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. A wounded man wanted in a quadruple shooting in New Jersey was caught after he was dumped on a Lehigh Valley sidewalk this week. Jonathan Haughey-Morales was sought on charges he fatally shot Carlos Garcia, 40, and wounded three others Sunday in North Bergen, Hudson County. Prosecutors said Haughey-Morales was deposited early Monday morning on a South Whitehall Township sidewalk, and was found with several gunshot wounds to his lower body. He was in a dark SUV before he was dropped off about 6:30 a.m. near a shopping center on the Hamilton Boulevard Bypass not far from Haines Mill Road. A passing driver called police, and Haughey-Morales was taken to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries. North Bergen police called for a report of shots fired at 3:30 a.m. Sunday at 2033 46th St. found four individuals shot near the vestibule of the house. Garcia was found unresponsive with a gunshot wound to his chest, while two men and a woman were found with gunshot wounds. Garcia and the other victims were rushed to Jersey City Medical Center. Garcia was pronounced dead at 4:25 a.m., while a 42-year-old male victim was in critical condition. The two other victims were treated and were released from the hospital. Haughey-Morales is charged with murder, three counts of aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a weapon, and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. The Hudson County Prosecutors Office Homicide Unit is actively investigating the shooting with North Bergen Police Department. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Office of the Hudson County Prosecutor at 201-915-1345 or to leave an anonymous tip at: http://www.hudsoncountyprosecutorsofficenj.org/homicide-tip/. All information will be kept confidential. Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @SarahCassi. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. A 97-year-old Macungie man died nearly three weeks after sustaining injuries in a crash in Upper Macungie Township, authorities report. Charles D. McLean was pronounced dead from complications of his injuries at 12:12 a.m. Monday at Lehigh Valley Hospital in Salisbury Township, the Lehigh County Coroners Office said. McLean was a passenger in a 2017 Lexus ES350 driven at 9:25 a.m. April 17 by Murray D. Bonfeld, 88, of Allentown, Upper Macungie police said. Bonfeld was driving north on the Route 222 Bypass at Grim Road and trying to turn left onto Cetronia Road, which is the continuation of Grim Road at that point, police said. Bonfeld drove through a red left-turn traffic light and the Lexus was struck by an oncoming 2016 Ram 3500 pickup, police said. Bonfeld suffered serious injuries in the wreck and was also taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital in Salisbury, police said. Northbound Dodge driver David M. Hartley, 60, of Mohnton, Pennsylvania, had a green light on the bypass and was not hurt in the crash, police said. All three men were wearing seat belts, police said. Debris from the crash struck a 2014 Nissan Sentra driven on Cetronia Road by Keith G. Herod, 69, of Allentown, police said. Herod was not hurt. All three vehicles were towed, police said. McLeans death was ruled an accident, the coroners office said. The investigation is being conducted by the coroners office and township police with assistance from the Lehigh County District Attorneys Office. Tony Rhodin may be reached at arhodin@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyRhodin. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. UPDATE: Body recovered from Bushkill Creek near Easton nature trail Easton police are requesting the publics help in finding a missing Maryland man whose car was found Monday in the city. The Salisbury, Maryland, Sheriffs Department had reported James Brittain, 34, missing. Police are concerned for his safety based on his behavior in recent days, city police Lt. Matthew Gerould said in a news release. The vehicle was found in the 400 block of North 13th Street, Gerould said. Brittain is could be in Easton or Wilson, Gerould said. Anyone who knows where Brittain might be is asked to call city detectives at 610-250-6634 or the departments anonymous tip line at 610-250-6635. Brittains last name has been edited in this post to correct the spelling. Tony Rhodin may be reached at arhodin@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyRhodin. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. At Monday nights mayoral debate, longtime incumbent Sal Panto Jr. said his education, on-the-job training and lifelong city residency make him an ideal candidate to stay on as mayor. Challenger Taiba Sultana, on the other hand, urged voters to try a new approach. Both Democrats are vying to become Eastons next mayor. They debated before an audience of about 30 people in an event broadcast live by PBS 39 from Paxinosa Elementary School in Easton. Panto has served three consecutive terms five total if you count two terms he served in the 1980s. Sultana is vice chair of the Northampton County Democratic Party, according to her website. Although shes admittedly a political novice, being a newcomer is an asset in her opinion. Im not a politician. Im not a public speaker, Sultana said, later calling herself a fighter for the disenfranchised. She said she was homeless for nine months and lived in public housing for three years. Shes lived in the city for five years. If you know the solution and you have the passion, thats more than enough qualification, she said. Panto grew up in public housing himself, the now-demolished Delaware Terrace housing project. The mayor repeatedly challenged Sultana to put substance behind her promises. For instance, Sultana said she would bring more diversity to the police and fire departments. The mayor said he can only hire candidates approved by the civil service commission. Only seven candidates out of 110 trying to become firefighters were women or minorities. We dont hire police and firefighters. The civil service commission does, he said. Sultana said she wants to make Easton a more livable, walkable city and bring Downtown prosperity to all the neighborhoods. Panto said hes already doing that. He touted recent improvements to Heil Park and the Karl Stirner Arts Trail. Sultana said the mayor gave undue special treatment to Lafayette College for its new dorm project and called him out for promoting the Da Vinci Science City museum even though its proposed in a flood plain. We need open space, she said. Panto said Lafayette hasnt received special treatment and touted his administrations negotiations to have Lafayette contribute payments in lieu of taxes on the dorm development even though the college is a nonprofit entity and the development is tax exempt. He said the museum will be built above the flood plain. Sultana said Eastons developers shouldnt be putting in only high-end housing. We need to encourage them to bring more grocery stores, she said. Panto said hes tried to lure grocery stores but the citys demographics dont warrant one. A bodega is a more appropriate solution. He said veggie vans help bring healthy food into the citys food deserts not served by local grocery stores. Sultana said the city has too much debt and shouldnt borrow millions of dollars for a parking garage it doesnt need. Panto said the city has run budget surpluses since 2008. Needing a parking garage is a great problem because it means more people are living in Easton, he said. Sultana said Easton needs term limits to prevent longtime mayors like Panto. Serve the time period and move on, she said. Panto said the mayor of Charleston, South Carolina, served for 40 years. He plans to serve far less than that. He said hes running again because, I believe there is enough that needs to be done. The winner of the Democratic primary will take on Republican challenger Timothy Reilly in the fall. Rudy Miller may be reached at rmiller@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @RudyMillerLV. Find Easton area news on Facebook. The Pennsylvania Legislature is looking to ditch the nominating process for lieutenant governor candidates and let governor candidates choose their running mates, as presidential hopefuls do. Currently this selection is made by partisan voters in primaries, in races that attract little interest or name recognition. Lieutenant governors have limited powers, presiding over the state Senate and the Board of Pardons. He or she takes over if the governor dies, resigns or is unable to serve. Generally, the person in the office attracts attention only when things go wrong or there is a disagreement with the boss. In 2018 Democratic primary voters dumped Lt. Gov. Mike Stack in favor of John Fetterman after Stacks conduct was called into question notably reports that he and his wife were abusive toward their staff. Last week the state Senate passed a bill, 46-2, to let governor candidates choose their running mates. The change has to be made by constitutional amendment, a process that requires the Legislature to approve a bill in two consecutive sessions, then be approved by voters in a statewide referendum. The Senate bill now goes to the House. The proposal appears to have bipartisan support. What do you think? Who should choose lieutenant governor candidates the voters or the people running for governor? Have a say in our informal, unscientific poll, and feel free to elaborate in the comment section. If Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins is looking for a new deal, he definitely has some leverage. The teams starting strong safety (and defensive Swiss army knife) is currently training away from NovaCare Complex during the offseason program, according to the Philadelphia Inquirers Jeff McLane. His absence may stem from the desire for a new contract. On the latest episode of the No-Huddle Show podcast, NJ Advance Media Eagles reporters Zack Rosenblatt and Mike Kaye examine Jenkins potential for a new deal. How much leverage does last years ironman have? What do the Eagles have behind him? How valuable is he to the overall defensive structure? Plus, Kaye and Rosenblatt break down the teams most recent moves, the offensive lines depth, potential position changes for incumbent talent and the ideal free-agent targets still left on the market. Since the compensatory pick formula deadline expires on Tuesday, the Eagles should have the opportunity to add to their already stacked depth chart. With players like Ezekiel Ansah, Andy Levitre, Jeff Allen, Corey Grant and Derrick Morgan still on the open market, the Eagles could look to add experience and proven ability to the roster. Episode info: * Episode No. 229, Whats the deal with Malcolm Jenkins? Could Eagles sign Ezekiel Ansah? * Hosted by: Zack Rosenblatt, Mike Kaye SUBSCRIBE: * iTunes* Stitcher* SoundCloud* iHeartRadio* Google Play* Spreaker Zack Rosenblatt may be reached at zrosenblatt@njadvancemedia.com.Follow him on Twitter @ZackBlatt. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Three Portlaoise schools are offering a pair of Electric Picnic tickets as the top raffle prize in their fundraiser for an astroturf pitch. Summerhill school campus beside Portlaoise Retail Park is home to Portlaoise Educate Together NS, Maryborough NS, and Gael Scoil Phortlaoise. They are in their final year of raising enough money to build an all weather shared playing pitch, with hopes it will be ready by next September. They are raffling two Electric Picnic weekend camping tickets as part of their Summerhill Craft and Food Fair at the school on Sunday May 26. A host of other prizes include Irish Open tickets, a weekend away in a Mayo hotel and lots of prizes sponsored by local businesses. The day will feature a plethora of craft and food stalls along with live music, a barbecue, face painting, small rides, bouncy castles, an Electric Zoo and the monster raffle. It runs from 1pm to 5pm. However don't have to rely on winning Electric Picnic tickets to support the school pitch fundraiser while rocking your socks off. Portlaoise Educate Together NS Parents Association will host a night with top Portlaoise band Transmitter in Kavanaghs Portlaoise on Saturday 18 May. This annual summer gig for the school has been sold out ahead of time for the past two years so grab a ticket fast. Tickets are 12, on sale online with Ticketmaster or in Kavanaghs pub. Click here to buy a raffle ticket. A new policy has been published by Fianna Fail to ease the burden on those caring for loved ones according to a Kildare North TD. Its estimated that by 2030 one in five people in Ireland will be Carers, however the current support structure falls significantly short of what is needed. Deputy Frank ORourke explained, "Carers in Kildare have been completely undervalued by this government despite providing essential supports to their loved ones at a substantially reduced cost to the State. Carers are the unsung heroes in our communities, without question they put their own lives on hold to look after their loved ones. "The proposals put forward by Fianna Fail contain a number of measures which if adopted would alleviate some of the pressures on carers. These proposals include: Increasing the time allowed for work study training form 15hrs at present to 18.5hrs per week (including voluntary work). Increasing the income disregard from 332.50 for a single person and 665 for a married couple to 450 and 900 per week respectively. This would be done over the lifetime of the next Government. Extending free travel to include children in receipt of Domiciliary Care Allowance. Reintroducing the Transport Support Scheme announced in 2013 as a replacement for the Mobility Allowance and Motorized Transport Grant. And extending the number of weeks Carers Benefit is paid from 104 weeks to 156 weeks." SEE ALSO: Style and glamour at this year's Punchestown Colm OConnor, principal at the Pipers Hill College in Naas, is about to retire. The Dublin native has been the highly regarded principal at the multi-denominational, co-educational school since 2004. At that time it was known as St. Patricks Community College and it was located at Newbridge Road. He will be remembered by successive school populations for, among other things, knowing the name of every student attending. There are 1,000 students on the roll book at PHC. Mr OConnor will retire in August and he came to Naas after serving as deputy principal at Greenhills Community College, Walkinstown, Dublin, for two years. Prior to that he was a physical education and english teacher at the Collinstown Park Community College at Neilstown, Dublin. I have 35 years done, the school is in pretty good shape and its time for someone else with new ideas to take over, Mr OConnor told the Leader. The school population has grown from 350 in the space of 10-11 years. The Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board in the process of choosing a successor to Mr. OConnor and this is likely to be done within about six weeks. READ ALSO Well known Naas primary school principal to retire READ ALSO Naas inner relief road decision is postponed again Tusla - Child and Family Agency has launched National Child and Family Support Week 2019 to promote and celebrate the support services that Tusla provides to parents, children, young people and communities right across Ireland as part of its Prevention, Partnership and Family Support (PPFS) programme. National Child and Family Support Week 2019, which follows on from a successful inaugural week in 2018, will feature special public events across Leitrim where parents and young people can find out more about services offered by Tusla, including a talk by renowned psychologist and RTE personality Dr Eddie Murphy. Tusla, together with its funded partners, supports families all over Ireland by providing an accessible, safe and positive pathway through the different experiences that families encounter today. This includes early-intervention support programmes, parenting support networks, and evidence-based parenting guidance, creating positive outcomes for children and young people. National Child and Family Support Week promotes awareness of supports and services that are available to young people and families through a range of nationwide events from parenting talks to family fun days. In Leitrim, some of the events taking place include: Parenting; Top Tips and Tools, Bush Hotel, Carrick-on-Shannon, at 7pm on Tuesday, May 14. Delivered by renowned psychologist and RTE personality Eddie Murphy. Information stands on parenting and family supports (and the chance to win a hamper!) Wednesday, May 15, SuperValu, Ballinamore from 1.30 4.30pm Thursday, May 16, Tesco, Carrick-0n-Shannon from 2 - 5pm Friday, May 17, Laird House, Drumshanbo from 2 - 5pm. Empowering Parents from the Inside Out Mohill Family Support Centre, Monday, May 13 from 10am- 1pm. Delivered by Nicola Erasmus. The importance of and how to read with your child Ballinamore Library, 11am, Wednesday, May 15. Delivered by Lifestart. Speaking about the week, Aoife OHara, Child and Family Support Network Coordinator for Leitrim said: We are delighted to be taking part in National Child and Family Support week once again, giving us the opportunity to showcase some of the services we offer to families and let people know how they can engage with these supports. We encourage people to attend the events in their local areas and learn about the services and support that are available from local agencies and Tusla. Pat Smyth, Interim CEO, Tusla, said, Tusla is proactively supporting Irelands families through a range of specialist services and funded partners in communities across the country. Children and families are most likely to do well if they are provided with appropriate support in a timely fashion. Our PPFS programme works with families to resolve problems at an early stage in order to improve outcomes for children, young people and families. If a child or family needs support, Tusla is there to provide assistance. Tusla National Child and Family Support Week provides us with a unique opportunity to create further awareness of the range of supports that are available to families in Ireland. Gardai in Carrick-on-Shannon have confirmed there were 10 public order arrests made over the course of the bank holiday weekend in the county town. Large numbers were in the town over the weekend with gardai confirming the public order arrests were spread over the three nights and varied from drunkenness to threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour in a public place. There was one arrest in Manorhamilton for a public order offence. There was also one arrest for drink driving in Carrick-on-Shannon and one in Mohill. In a separate incident, five people, three males and two females, appeared before a special sitting of Sligo District Court arising out of the theft of a taxi in Dublin on Friday morning last. In the early hours of Friday, May 3 the vehicle ran a crime prevention checkpoint in Carrick-on-Shannon and failed to stop. The vehicle eventually crashed and was disabled at Priest's Lane, Carrick -on-Shannon. The five occupants of the vehicle were detained by gardai from Carrick-on-Shannon assisted by members from Sligo and Ballymote. The five individuals appeared before a special sitting of Sligo District Court on Saturday morning and were remanded to appear before Carrick -on-Shannon District Court on May 21 and a file is being prepared for the DPP. Gardai are also seeking the help of the public in relation to a burglary in Kinlough between the evening of May 5 and the morning of May 6 in the Oak Grove area. A residential house was entered and a number of rooms were ransacked. Enquiries in relation to this matter are ongoing and gardai are seeking the assistance of the public in relation to this incident or any other incident in the Oak Grove area. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Kinlough garda station (071) 9841412 or Manorhamilton garda station (071) 9820620. Irish Water wishes to advise customers in Eslin that as part of water main improvement works being delivered there may be disruption to water supply from 9am to 2pm on Wednesday 8 May 2019. The works being undertaken are part of the construction of 1.9km of new water mains along the public road and the installation of new service connections from the new water main to each customers property. During these essential planned works homes and businesses in the Eslin area may be impacted by reduced water pressure and water outages. Following these improvement works water supply may take 2-3 hours to return as water refills the network. Irish Water understands this type of work can be inconvenient and will ensure our work crews make every effort to minimise any disruption these works may cause. Customers can call the Irish Water customer helpline on 1850 278 278 for any questions in relation to the works. These works are being carried out as part of Irish Waters national Leakage Reduction Programme which will, over the next four years, see 500 million invested to reduce the level of leakage across the country by fixing and replacing ageing water mains. This will ensure a safe, reliable water supply which is vital for our health, our environment and our growing population and economy. To find out more about Irish Waters national programme of works to reduce leakage and improve Irelands water supply visit our Leakage Reduction Programme Page. For updates visit www.water.ie/water-supply/supply-and-service-update/ #IWLeitrim: As part of the National Leakage Reduction Programme, mains rehabilitation works may affect supply to Eslin & surrounds from 9am until 2pm on 8 May. Please RT. #IrishWater Irish Water Care (@IWCare) May 7, 2019 Read Also: Ten arrested for public order offences in Carrick-on-Shannon A NEW rapid response vehicle for medical emergencies has come on stream to serve the West Limerick and North Kerry area. The state-of-the-art vehicle was launched this week in Listowel where it will be based and from where it will serve Newcastle West, Abbeyfeale, Foynes, Glin and Athea as well as Listowel, Tarbert, Ballybunion and Castleisland. The service is being coordinated by Irish Community Rapid Response (ICRR) and involves volunteer doctors, working alongside frontline HSE emergency services, to respond in time to life-threatening emergencies. All the evidence tells us that having the right treatment in the right place as soon as possible is the key to saving lives in cardiac arrest patients. By equipping volunteer doctors and responders with the tools to react quickly within their own communities, they have the best possible chance of getting to patients within the most crucial window of opportunity for survival, Dr Andrei Brovchin, who is leading the volunteer service, said at the launch. The new service was welcomed by Athea GP Dr Kieran Murphy who said it would help make things safer for people in the area. Time is critical for someone with cardiac arrest, he explained. The national target response time for ambulances is to have someone on the scene in eight minutes, he said. In somewhere like Athea that is not realistic. So Community Responders are the first line of defence while the ICCR service will be a very valuable second line. The chief executive of Irish Community Rapid Response, John Kearney also welcomed the newest addition to the rapid-response fleet, which now numbers ten nationwide. This is very positive for families and communities in North Kerry and West Limerick, he said. But he appealed to communities for continued support. It costs 30,000 per year to fund this service and we are calling on the people of Kerry and Limerick to help us save lives by raising vital funds to keep this service operating year on year, he said. Since 2008, Community Rapid Response has developed a network of over 200 volunteer doctors throughout Ireland who can be called on to deliver critical medical interventions which prevent serious injury or death. This number is set to rise to 250 volunteer doctors this year. The organisation is also working with the HSE National Ambulance Service (NAS) and the Department of Health to deliver Irelands first community Air Ambulance service and has built a dedicated Air Ambulance base in Millstreet. The helicopter is in situ and staff training is completed. The service is awaiting final approval by the HSE but it is hoped that the service will begin operating very shortly. To contact ICCR or for more information go to www.icrr.ie 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 contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter . Support our mission and join our community now. A YOUNG man who lost his way was prosecuted before Kilmallock Court for driving without insurance for a fourth time. Adam Casey, 22, of Main Road, Dromkeen pleaded guilty to a charge, under Section 56 of the Road Traffic Act, relating to an offence which was detected at Monastery Road, Doon on September 2, 2017. After hearing details of the case from Garda John Ryan, solicitor Ted McCarthy said his client is currently serving a 16 month prison sentence. He lost his way for a period. He came to the attention of gardai, It culminated in an incident which led to his incarceration. He has reevaluated his lifestyle. He is generally of good character, said Mr McCarthy as he addressed the court. Seeking leniency on behalf of his client, he added that Mr Casey lost his way due to drugs and alcohol but that he is attempting to deal with his issues. Read also: Limerick driver caught for third time without insurance jailed and banned His present incarceration is a serious wake up call. He entered an early guilty plea, said Mr McCarthy. Judge Marian OLeary said the defendants previous convictions were an aggravating factor but she noted his guilt plea and cooperation. She imposed a four month sentence which she agreed to suspend subject to certain conditions. In addition to the suspended sentence, she disqualified Mr Casey from driving for six years and fined him 400. Each year, it is estimated that about 300,000 Nigerians die of malaria related illnesses with urgent action required to address its prevalence. Globally, World Malaria Day, which takes place on 25 April each year, is an internationally recognized day, highlighting the global efforts to control malaria and celebrate the gains that have been made. The theme of this year's celebration is #zeromalariastartswithme. In Nigeria, May & Baker, one of Nigerias foremost pharmaceutical companies, has been at the forefront of the campaign to reduce the burden of malaria through the introduction of several life-saving interventions, the latest being Malact, one of Nigeria's most effective anti-malaria drug. As part of its corporate social responsibility initiatives on World Malaria Day to create awareness on the scourge, the company organized a free Malaria testing and drug distribution outreach for over 250 residents of Moshalashi Alhaja, Agege, a highly populated suburb of Lagos. The initiative also involved staff of May & Baker in partnership with the Lagos State Waste Management Authority carrying out an environmental sanitation exercise in the community to promote awareness on how proper environmental management can help reduce the transmission of malaria in line with the theme of this years celebrations. Commenting on the campaign, Mr. Chukutem Chukuka, Executive Director, Pharma Sales and Marketing, May & Baker Nigeria said the medical outreach was designed to sensitize Nigerians about the scourge of malaria and guide them on how best to live a malaria free life. As a leading pharmaceutical company, May & Baker is committed to the fight against malaria in Nigeria, primarily through several enlightenment campaigns in communities on prevention as well as the provision and distribution of high-quality antimalarial drugs at affordable prices. The 2019 World Malaria Day offers us another opportunity to reiterate the preventable nature of Malaria and introduce Malact, a Dihydroarteminsin-Piperaquine combination based formulation which ensures fast relief from malaria and guarantees better post treatment protection, Mr. Chukuka said. During the medical outreach, packets of Malact, the effective and fast relief anti-malaria drug was distributed to residents who tested positive for Malaria and in turn, they expressed appreciation to May & Baker for the programme. One of the residents of Moshalashi Alhaja, Agege who could not hide her joy is Yukura Ibrahim, a shop owner in the neighborhood. I am indeed grateful to May & Baker for this medical intervention and awareness in my neighbourhood. I am a beneficiary of the free malaria testing and immediately received a pack of Malact to treat the disease after it was discovered that I had malaria. May & Baker is a pharmaceutical company that has become a household name and their presence here is responsible for the high turnout Mrs. Ibrahim said. Another resident of the suburb, Mr. Taiwo Adekunle, said he didnt know he had malaria until he was tested and found to be sick of the disease. He was subsequently given Malact to treat the malaria. I am happy today that God brought May & Baker to this vicinity. I have received a lot ofinformation on malaria and was even tested for free and they discovered I had malaria, unknown to me. We thank them for this initiative on a day like this. A man was charged in a court in Embaringo village, Nyeri County, Kenya, on Tuesday, with having an unnatural act with an animal. Mr Andrew Mutahi was caught engaging in sexual acts with a sheep in Embaringo village. Mr Mutahi, who appeared before Resident Magistrate Ruth Kefa, denied the charges and was released on Sh50,000 bond or Sh30,000 cash bail until May 15 when the case will be mentioned. No fewer than at least four persons have died after three explosions rocked ... Elections are a celebration of democracy, and democracy, in large part, is about free speech and expression. Put the two propositions about elections and democracy together and we can reasonably conclude that election time is when free speech must be maximized. Unfortunately, the kind of pressure being mounted by forces inimical to the current central dispensation, especially Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), is leading us down the wrong path of reducing freedom of speech in the name of the Election Commissions Model Code of Conduct (MCC). The commission is being told that its credibility depends on its ability to rein in the prime minister. One need not hold any brief for Modi or Amit Shah to underline the point that this attitude vitiates the very purpose of democracy. If you dont let a candidate speak his mind to the electorate, regardless of political correctness, you are censoring what he or his party wants to convey to voters. This is gentle murder of free speech, not its defence. The MCCs key points state that no party or candidate must say anything that will aggravate existing differences or create mutual hatred or cause tension between different castes and communities, religious or linguistic" and that there can be no appeals to caste or communal feelings for securing votes". However nice these exhortations sound on paper, the reality is that caste, religion, language and ethnic issues exist, and elections are when these issues are used by political parties to bring in the vote. In a first-past-the-post system, especially in multi-party contests, some 30-35% of the popular vote is enough to win most seats. This means political parties will use identity issues to build a winning coalition of voters. If they cannot openly appeal to sectarian impulses, they will do so through dog whistles. Consider the following: if a party promises reservations to a caste, is this an appeal based on caste or a development issue in disguise? If Sabarimala is an important issue for Hindus in Kerala, the undertone may be religious, and regardless of whether the EC bans canvassing using Sabarimala or not, candidates will not refrain from doing so. After all, what is the basis for saying that Sabarimala and faith cannot be discussed at election time? Can the EC or even the Supreme Court decide which issues can be discussed and which cannot? Why call ours a democracy then? The prime minister can surely be criticized for talking about Balakot and Pulwama, Yogi Adityanath for referring to the army as Modi ji ki sena", Shah for calling illegal migrants termites", Azam Khan for referring to the colour of his opponents undergarments, or Rahul Gandhi for calling Modi a thief" without any proof, but can they really be gagged for using such colourful language to get their points across? It is one thing to ask parties to refrain from using polarizing language, but elections in any democracy are indeed about polarizing voters in one direction or the other. One can polarize voters not just on caste or religion, but also gender, sexual orientation, class (left versus right), or issues such as immigration and citizenship, as has been the case in recent elections in the US, Germany, and France. One heard a lot of criticism of those who used these emotive issues to win votes, but one did not hear anything about banning such candidates or parties from raising issues they considered important. In an election, voters have the right to listen to voices that address their fears and hopes, and it is wrong to presume that parties or candidates must steer clear of contentious topics. The only things that can legitimately be banned are exhortations to violence or other well-defined crimes, and here too, the action should be on the basis of law, not what the EC thinks is right or wrong. You cannot brush issues under the carpet based on your own values and belief systems. If voters are worried about religious demographic change because of immigration, no one in a democracy should ban these thoughts from being expressed. Thought and speech control cannot be any part of a democracy. The right way to deal with what you consider bigotry is to criticize those you disagree with. You can demonstrate that voter concerns can be addressed without bigotry. Another way to call out bigoted or politically incorrect speech is to set up a non-partisan body of eminent citizens who can parse and rate political speeches to highlight bigotry and bias. The EC can publicize these ratings so that the voter can decide which party is violating the MCC or playing by the rules. We have been defending the free speech rights of students who wish to break up India (tukde-tukde"). Some parties want to overturn the sedition law, thus making speech freer than it is now. The Supreme Court last year refused to ban a book by Kancha Ilaiah for allegedly casteist content. If this is the direction we are moving in, what is the logic of demanding that the EC clamp down on free speech and thought? It is undemocratic. There are better ways to call out bigotry and politically incorrect behaviour than by banning them during elections. R. Jagannathan is editorial director, Swarajya magazine Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. A type of blackboard chalk that was produced for decades by just one factory in Japan was so highly prized by mathematicians they referred to it as "the Rolls-Royce of chalk." And when rumors surfaced about the chalk being discontinued, some academics resorted to stockpiling as many boxes as they could get their chalk-covered hands on. The tale of Fulltouch chalk, manufactured by Hagoromo Stationery in Nagoya, Japan, and thought by many to be the finest chalk in the world, was recently featured in a short video, shared on YouTube on May 2 by Great Big Story. Hagoromo made chalk for more than 80 years, and for those who weren't lucky enough to live in Japan, Fulltouch was always difficult to get. Then, as Hagoromo prepared to shut down in 2015, many dedicated aficionados began grimly preparing for a world without Fulltouch. They bought dozens upon dozens of boxes, some hoarding enough chalk to last through the end of their careers, according to the video. [5 Seriously Mind-Boggling Math Facts] What is so special about this chalk? Mathematicians in the video described Fulltouch in glowing terms. The chalk is long-lasting, virtually unbreakable, bright and easy to read on a chalkboard, smooth as butter to write with, and practically dustless, Jeremy Kun, a Google engineer with a Ph.D. in mathematics, wrote in a 2015 blog post bidding farewell to Fulltouch. So renowned is the chalk among mathematics professionals that it is accompanied by its own legend: It is impossible to write a false theorem with it, David Eisenbud, director of the Mathematical Sciences Research Institute in Oakland, California, said in the video. When the news broke that Fulltouch's maker was ceasing production and closing its doors, it launched a "chalkapocalypse" among mathematicians, said Brian Conrad, a professor at Stanford University in California. In the video, Conrad and others recounted their responses to the chalk emergency, stocking up on enough to carry them through as much as 15 years in a chalk desert. However, there is a ray of hope for those who didn't have the foresight to fill their closets and cupboards with Fulltouch when they had the chance. Hagoromo sold the Fulltouch recipe and two of the factory's original chalk-making machines to the Korean company Sejongmall. The chalk is being manufactured again under its original name, and is available to buy in the U.S. on Amazon. Originally published on Live Science. New York City, home to 8.6 million people and one hot duck, has perished in an apocalyptic meteor strike in a simulation. Over the past week, some 200 space experts from NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA) and other organizations have been melding their minds in order to face the crisis of a hypothetical asteroid barreling through space toward North America. The gathering, called the International Academy of Astronautics Planetary Defense Conference, convenes every year with the not-so-simple task of figuring out how to save Earth from a head-on asteroid impact sort of like war games, but on a planetary scale. [Crash! The 10 Biggest Impact Craters on Earth] During last year's meeting, the group successfully saved Tokyo from a catastrophic impact by launching a nuclear bomb at the asteroid, according to French news site AFP.com. The successful response ended a several-year losing streak that recently resulted in the obliteration of the French Riviera and Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh. Could the same nuclear tactics be used this year to save New York? No. We're all doomed. The simulation began last week when Defense Conference researchers received an alert that an asteroid between 330 and 1,000 feet (100 to 300 meters) in diameter was detected flying through space on a near-Earth trajectory. According to a fake press release from the simulation, the asteroid had roughly a 1% chance of striking the planet on April 29, 2027 (Day 5 of the simulation). In simulation year 2021 (Day 2 of the conference), NASA launched a probe to study the asteroid more closely. Officials learned that the rock was on a collision course with Denver and that a direct hit would destroy much of the western United States. The chances of impact had risen to 100%. On Day 3, the world's space powers met and resolved to build a fleet of six "kinetic impactors" spacecraft designed to ram into the asteroid, slow its speed and deflect it off course. (NASA plans to test a real deflection strategy like this in 2022.) In year 2024 of the simulation, the impactors launched and three of them struck their target. The collision successfully fragmented the asteroid and knocked the biggest piece off course unfortunately, a smaller chunk was now headed directly for the eastern United States. The U.S. government considered nuking the asteroid but ultimately ran out of time due to political bickering. Instead, space agencies continued to monitor the asteroid with every technology available while government officials prepared to coordinate an evacuation. Two months before the impact, it became clear that the asteroid would obliterate New York City and everything in a 9.3-mile (15 kilometers) radius, while threatening life for hundreds of miles around. America's most populous city was hastily evacuated, and on April 29, 2027, the asteroid hit. The rock entered Earth's atmosphere at a blazing 43,000 mph (69,000 km/h), then exploded over Central Park in a blast with 1,000 times the energy of the nuclear bomb dropped on Hiroshima. The city, and much of the surrounding countryside, was destroyed. Better luck next year. While the chance of a giant asteroid smashing into Earth is pretty unlikely, it has happened before (sorry, dinosaurs!) and could happen again. In June 2018, NASA and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) released an 18-page document detailing the steps the agencies planned to take over the next 10 years both to prevent potential asteroid strikes and to prepare the country for the worst if one should hit the planet. The plan involves increasing ground-based surveillance of near-Earth asteroids, working with other nations to coordinate a national response, and planning a protocol for mass evacuation and emergency response. Let's hope the politicians can agree a little better in real life than they did in the recent simulation. Originally published on Live Science. The worlds largest gravitational-wave detectors may have just found the first evidence of a black hole devouring a neutron star. When massive objects like neutron stars or black holes collide, they send gravitational waves rippling through the fabric of space-time. Its these telltale wrinkles in space-time that physicists detected using the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) in the U.S. and the VIRGO detector in Italy, according to a statement. At least, the team is 86% sure thats what they saw. [9 Ideas About Black Holes That Will Blow Your Mind] Because this event occurred 1.2 billion light-years away, the signal they detected from it is very weak. "We can never be a hundred percent sure," said Alan Weinstein, a professor of physics at the California Institute of Technology and a member of the LIGO scientific collaboration. Indeed, there's still a 14% chance that the signal was an instrumental error, he said. But if the researchers are correct, this first-ever neutron-star-black-hole collision could teach scientists something about how heavy elements made their way into our planet, our wedding rings, and our bodies, Weinstein told Live Science. Such neutron star collisions release huge amounts of heavy nuclear material, such as gold and platinum, along with electromagnetic waves, such as light waves and gravitational waves. With front row seats, a collision of that magnitude would treat us to a "gigantic light show," Weinstein said. A black hole is larger than a neutron star, but is not large enough to swallow the star whole. Instead, it would tear the neutron star apart, starting with the side closest to its deadly gravitational grasp. But from our peanut gallery seats, 1.2 billion light-years away, that gigantic light show is nothing more than a tiny, fuzzy wiggle in the background signal. To distinguish the celestial objects involved in the collision, the researchers measured the rate at which the frequency of gravitational waves increased as the two objects orbited around each other. Higher mass objects emit higher amplitude gravitational waves, which carry more energy, causing the objects to spiral around each other faster. That means the wave frequency increases more rapidly than it would with lower mass objects In this case, the frequency increased faster than that of two neutron stars colliding, but slower than that of two black holes colliding. Just a day before this discovery, researchers detected two neutron stars colliding. LIGO has discovered one other collision between neutron stars and 13 collisions between black holes, according to the statement. Collisions on this massive scale are very rare, occurring maybe once every 100,000 years in our own galaxy, Weinstein said. But the further out into space that we look, the more galaxies we can see, which increases the chance we will see more collisions, Weinstein added. The team is now working to see if they can confirm their findings by looking for optical or radio wave signals from the same event. The researchers are also cleaning up the data, to reduce some of the background noise, Weinstein said. Originally published on Live Science. Life was short and sometimes brutal for many of the dogs of China's Shang Dynasty. New research shows that most of the canines sacrificed during this Bronze Age were just puppies, with some of them buried alive. The Shang Dynasty ruled China's Yellow River Valley between 1600 B.C. and 1046 B.C., the second of China's dynasties, following the Xia, which was established around 2070 B.C. The Shang practiced both animal and human sacrifice, disposing of sacrificial remains in burials pits, or laying the sacrifices to rest in the tombs of the dead. Dogs, in particular, were often buried in pits just below the torso of the deceased, perhaps to act as an eternal guard in the afterlife. Surprisingly, though, most of these eternal guard dogs were puppies, said Roderick Campbell, an archaeologist at New York University's Institute for the Study of the Ancient World. [25 Cultures That Practiced Human Sacrifice] "Puppies, that sounds horrible," Campbell told Live Science. "Why would you sacrifice a cute little puppy? On the other hand, if it's not your puppy and if you're living in a society where you don't have the same assumptions of dogs and cuteness it's a cheaper investment in the animal. You don't have to raise it yourself." Sacrificial pups Campbell and his colleague Zhipeng Li of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences rounded up data from multiple Shang Dynasty sites where dog sacrifices occurred and published the research in March in the journal Archaeological Research in Asia. It's difficult for foreign scientists to get excavation permits in China, Campbell said, so the data came largely from older finds by a variety of researchers. Dogs, Campbell said, have been used in rituals in China for as long as archaeological evidence extends; there are dog burials dating back 9,000 years at the Neolithic settlement of Jiahu. Pigs were also commonly sacrificed by the ancient Chinese, Campbell said. But over the course of the Bronze Age, he said, sheep, goats and cattle became more commonly sacrificed, perhaps because increasing trade ties with western Eurasia brought these animals to China's central plains. Inscriptions on oracle bones suggest that dogs continued to be sacrificed, particularly to the gods of the sky. It's possible, Campbell said, that these sacrifices to the sky gods were old traditions, established when dogs and pigs were the most common sacrificial animal. In one find in the ancient city of Zhengzhou, archaeologists uncovered eight neatly arranged pits containing the remains of 92 tied-up dogs, some of which may have been buried alive. [Photos: Prehistoric Dog Graveyard Discovered in Siberia] Dogs begin showing up in human tombs during the Erligang culture, which populated the modern-day province of Henan around 1500 B.C. These sacrifices were found in places similar to where human sacrifices might be found, Campbell said: buried below the tomb inhabitant or interred on a ledge or in a niche. The researchers at first assumed that these were beloved pets, sent with their masters to the afterlife. But an analysis of the bones found, instead, that 73% were less than a year old when they died, and 37% were younger than 6 months. If the dogs were pets, you'd expect them to be of all ages, Campbell said. Almost human Instead, the dogs may have been stand-ins for human sacrifices, Campbell said. Shang Dynasty elites often sent concubines and slaves to their deaths, burying their bodies in the tombs of the rich and powerful. Many of these sacrifices were probably war prisoners, Campbell said. Their bones suggest that the sacrifices often came from elsewhere and had been poorly treated, sometimes for years, before being executed. For the less-well-off, dogs might have made a cheaper alternative. Canines have always played a different role in human history than livestock like pigs or cattle. "They're much more in a liminal zone between what counts for people and what counts for non-people," he said. Dog sacrifice substituting for human sacrifice would fit with other trends seen in the Shang Dynasty, Campbell said. For example, people were sometimes buried with miniaturized ceramics or fake bronzes for the afterlife, rather than real goods. Even today, traditional Chinese funeral practices involve burning paper items and fake money as a symbolic offering, Campbell said. A puppy might be a miniature stand-in for a full-grown guard dog (or guard human). In the days before spaying and neutering, puppies may have also been easy to come by. Campbell and Li estimate that a mere 500 adult dogs could have provided enough pups to supply the sacrificial needs of the Shang at any given time. It's possible, Campbell said, that dogs were raised specifically for sacrifice. Alternatively, the puppies may simply have been unwanted strays, rounded up whenever the need arose. "From a Bronze-Age economic perspective, that seems like a likely avenue," Campbell said. Still, there are a lot of questions about Shang Dynasty practices, particularly how or if ordinary rural people practiced these same sacrificial traditions. "We've been focused on palaces and kings for pretty much 100 years in Shang studies," Campbell said. "I think that's given us a really warped perspective on that society. I would really like to see more work done on villages." Originally published on Live Science. Fundamental particles called quarks come in six different flavors. Protons are made of two up quarks and one down quark, while neutrons contain two down quarks and one up quark. Elementary particles are the smallest known building blocks of the universe. They are thought to have no internal structure, meaning that researchers think about them as zero-dimensional points that take up no space. Electrons are probably the most familiar elementary particles, but the Standard Model of physics, which describes the interactions of particles and almost all forces, recognizes 10 total elementary particles. Electrons and related particles Electrons are the negatively charged components of atoms. While they are thought to be zero-dimensional point particles, electrons are surrounded by a cloud of other virtual particles constantly winking in and out of existence, that essentially act as part of the electron itself. Some theories have predicted that the electron has a slightly positive pole and a slightly negative pole, meaning that this cloud of virtual particles should therefore be a bit asymmetrical. If this were the case, electrons might behave differently than their antimatter doubles, positrons, potentially explaining many mysteries about matter and antimatter. But physicists have repeatedly measured the shape of an electron and found it to be perfectly round to the best of their knowledge, leaving them without answers for antimatter's conundrums. The electron has two heavier cousins, called the muon and the tau. Muons can be created when high-energy cosmic rays from outer space hit the top of Earth's atmosphere, generating a shower of exotic particles. Taus are even rarer and harder to produce, as they are more than 3,400 times heavier than electrons. Neutrinos, electrons, muons and taus make up a category of fundamental particles called leptons. Quarks and their quirkiness Quarks, which make up protons and neutrons, are another type of fundamental particle. Together with the leptons, quarks make up the stuff we think of as matter. Once upon a time, scientists believed that atoms were the smallest possible objects; the word comes from the Greek "atomos," meaning "indivisible." Around the turn of the 20th century, atomic nuclei were shown to consist of protons and neutrons. Then, throughout the 1950s and '60s, particle accelerators kept revealing a bevy of exotic subatomic particles, such as pions and kaons. In 1964, physicists Murray Gell-Mann and George Zweig independently proposed a model that could explain the inner workings of protons, neutrons and the rest of the particle zoo, according to a historical report from SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory in California. Residing inside protons and neutrons are tiny particles called quarks, which come in six possible types or flavors: up, down, strange, charm, bottom and top. Protons are made from two up quarks and a down quark, while neutrons are composed of two downs and an up. The up and down quarks are the lightest varieties. Because more-massive particles tend to decay into less massive ones, the up and down quarks are also the most common in the universe; therefore, protons and neutrons make up most of the matter we know. By 1977, physicists had isolated five of the six quarks in the lab up, down, strange, charm and bottom but it wasn't until 1995 that researchers at Fermilab National Accelerator Laboratory in Illinois found the final quark, the top quark. Searching for it had been as intense as the later hunt for the Higgs boson. The top quark was so hard to produce because it's about 100 trillion times heavier than up quarks, meaning it required a lot more energy to make in particle accelerators. A diagram shows how quarks usually fit into our understanding of tiny particles. (Image credit: udaix/Shutterstock) Nature's fundamental particles Then there are the four fundamental forces of nature: electromagnetism, gravity, and the strong and weak nuclear forces. Each of these has an associated fundamental particle. Photons are the most well-known; they carry the electromagnetic force. Gluons carry the strong nuclear force and reside with quarks inside of protons and neutrons. The weak force, which mediates certain nuclear reactions, is carried by two fundamental particles, the W and Z bosons. Neutrinos, which only feel the weak force and gravity, interact with these bosons, and so physicists were able to first provide evidence for their existence using neutrinos, according to CERN. Gravity is an outsider here. It isn't incorporated into the Standard Model, though physicists suspect that it could have an associated fundamental particle, which would be called the graviton. If gravitons exist, it might be possible to create them at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) in Geneva, Switzerland, but they would rapidly disappear into extra dimensions, leaving behind an empty zone where they would have been, according to CERN. So far, the LHC has seen no evidence of gravitons or extra dimensions. Simulation showing the production of the Higgs boson in the collision of two protons at the Large Hadron Collider. The Higgs boson quickly decays into four muons, which are a type of heavy electron that is not absorbed by the detector. The tracks of the muons are shown in yellow. (Image credit: Lucas Taylor/CMS) The elusive Higgs boson Finally, there is the Higgs boson, the king of the elementary particles, which is responsible for giving all other particles their mass. Hunting for the Higgs was a major endeavor for scientists striving to complete their catalog of the Standard Model. When the Higgs was finally spotted, in 2012, physicists rejoiced, but the results have also left them in a difficult spot. The Higgs looks pretty much exactly like it was predicted to look, but scientists were hoping for more. The Standard Model is known to be incomplete; for instance, it lacks a description of gravity, and researchers thought finding the Higgs would help point to other theories that could supersede the Standard Model. But so far, they have come up empty in that search. Additional resources: Furious Hours: Murder, Fraud, and the Last Trial of Harper Lee By Casey Cep Knopf. 336 pp. $26.95 --- In the late 1970s, after almost two decades of laboring to write a second novel that might live up to her first, Harper Lee turned to nonfiction. Her debut, "To Kill a Mockingbird," had been published in 1960, winning the Pulitzer Prize and becoming one of the country's most beloved novels, as well as the basis for one of its most beloved films. In the intervening years, as Casey Cep writes in her own debut, "Furious Hours: Murder, Fraud, and the Last Trial of Harper Lee," Lee published hardly anything: "three short essays for two glossy magazines, two tiny profiles that were favors for her friend Truman Capote, one satirical recipe for crackling bread in a novelty cookbook." But now she latched onto another Alabama courtroom story, one that might speak, the way "Mockingbird" had, to issues of race and justice. The difference was that everything about this case was real. Lee spent many years working on the project, but it never saw the light of day. Instead, more than four decades later, we have Cep's absorbing new volume, which succeeds in telling the story that Nelle Harper Lee could not and offers an affecting account of Lee's attempt to give meaning to a startling series of events. "The defendant was black, but the lawyers were white, and so were the judge and jury," writes Cep about the 1977 trial that fascinated Lee. It sounds familiar. Yet in this instance there was no doubt that the man being tried for a violent crime had done it. On June 18 of that year in Alexander City, Ala., Robert Burns, an African American Vietnam vet, walked into the funeral of a teenage girl named Shirley Ann Ellington and, in front of 300 witnesses, shot the Rev. Willie Maxwell three times. Many people thought Maxwell deserved it. Some even felt relief. The son of a black sharecropper who became a Baptist preacher and businessman, Maxwell was known as fastidious, charismatic and hard-working. But within the space of several years, his first wife, his brother, his second wife, his nephew and his adopted daughter, Shirley, had all died under mysterious circumstances. He had long been suspected of murder, as well as voodoo (as means) and life insurance fraud (as motive), and had only beaten certain charges against him thanks to the ambitious energies of a white lawyer named Tom Radney. For his part, Radney believed deeply in the values of liberalism, had tried to advance them as a state senator, and had his life threatened because of it. He also had a penchant for profit and a knack for self-promotion. What did he do after Maxwell's murder? He chose to represent, as Cep puts it, "the man who killed his former client." To the potential disappointment of some readers, "Furious Hours" is not structured as a typical murder mystery or courtroom drama. But it's a rich, ambitious, beautifully written book. A gifted journalist who has written frequently for the New Yorker, Cep has imposed order here by providing biographical portraits of three figures: Maxwell, Radney and Lee. Each section moves the intrigue forward while rendering the lives of these real people, and the forces at work within them, as fully and fairly as possible. Maxwell's suspicious deeds and Radney's trial arguments come with background on, for example, predatory insurance practices and electioneering in the George Wallace era. The result is a revealing triptych, one that tells a crime story but also says a great deal about the racial, cultural and political history of the South. As a portrayal of the life of a writer, the section on Lee is by itself worth the price of admission. She sat in the courtroom for the trial that September, and spent more than a year doing research around Alexander City. She was no stranger to true-crime work, having traveled with Capote - her best pal growing up - on research trips to Kansas for what became "In Cold Blood." (Providing him with, among other things, 150 pages of meticulous notes, she basically made that book possible.) And yet she struggled with the writing. She struggled with the expectations set by her first book, with depression and with drinking. She also seems to have struggled with how to depict the truth, which is not just stranger than fiction but, especially when compared to the way most mainstream narratives deal with race and racism, also more complex. Some of that complexity was revealed in 2015 when, with the elderly Lee in a compromised state, the first draft of "To Kill a Mockingbird" was published under the title "Go Set a Watchman" and promoted as its long-awaited sequel. Cep's view is that despite the problems with its release, "Watchman" depicts Lee's world more faithfully than "Mockingbird" does; it's a world where Atticus Finch, the otherwise honorable father figure, is found "participating in the White Citizens' Council and opposing the work of the NAACP." But for that early draft to become the kind of book that would go on to sell 40 million copies, those parts had to be cut out. In the real-life Maxwell case, even after the trial was over, there were no true heroes, no white saviors (real or imagined), no heartwarming, redemptive turns. "Everyone told Harper Lee that the story she had found was destined to be a best seller," Cep explains. "But no one could tell her how to write it." Meanwhile, "Furious Hours" satisfies largely because its third act chronicles the lonely pursuit of such a sympathetic figure. It isn't clear whether Lee completed a draft or ever entirely gave up on that pursuit. Given that her literary estate was sealed after her death in 2016, we may never know. --- Glassie is the author of "A Man of Misconceptions: The Life of an Eccentric in an Age of Change." Gov. Brian Kemp of Georgia signed one of the most restrictive abortion laws in the nation Tuesday, effectively banning abortion after six weeks of pregnancy, when doctors can usually start detecting a fetal heartbeat. Georgia is the fourth state to enact a so-called fetal heartbeat law this year. Like in other states, it is expected to face a swift legal challenge, which supporters hope will lead to a re-evaluation by the U.S. Supreme Court of the landmark 1973 ruling that made abortion legal nationwide. Kemp, a Republican, said in a signing ceremony at the state Capitol that his administration is prepared for a court fight. Our job is to do what is right, not what is easy, he said. We are called to be strong and courageous, and we will not back down. The Georgia legislation is but the latest front in a wide-ranging battle over abortion rights being waged this year across Republican-controlled state legislatures in the Midwest and South. Conservative lawmakers see the realignment of the Supreme Court as presenting their best opportunity to overturn Roe vs. Wade, the case that recognized a womans constitutional right to an abortion. The Georgia law, which would take effect in 2020, prohibits most abortions once doctors can discern a fetal heartbeat, a milestone that occurs before some women know they are pregnant. In practice, the limit on abortion in Georgia will now be six weeks of pregnancy, instead of 20 weeks. Exceptions are allowed to prevent death or serious harm to the woman, and in cases of rape or incest in which a police report has been filed. Kemp was narrowly elected in November, and the bill he signed Tuesday was seen as crucial in maintaining the conservative support that led him into the governors office. Kemp and the laws other supporters have brushed aside the risks of any political backlash. The laws critics said that they intend to target Republicans for defeat, especially those from the demographically shifting northern suburbs of Atlanta who supported the bill in the General Assembly. Georgians will fight back in the courtroom and at the ballot box & win, Stacey Abrams, the Democratic nominee for governor in 2018, said in a tweet Monday. Governors in Kentucky, Mississippi and Ohio signed bills similar to Georgias this year. They have not gone unchallenged: A federal judge is expected to hear a challenge to the Mississippi law this month, and a judge in Kentucky blocked the law there. Similar measures in Iowa and North Dakota have been found unconstitutional. Lawmakers in South Carolina and Tennessee have pressed for fetal heartbeat bills of their own, and in Arkansas, the state government narrowed the time frame in which women can have abortions. Patricia Mazzei and Alan Blinder are New York Times writers. A League City woman on Tuesday pleaded guilty to causing a Labor Day drunken driving crash that critically injured a state trooper. A pregnant Tuwanna Moore, now 33, quietly told a Harris County jury that she was responsible for the wreck that nearly took Texas DPS trooper Chad Blackburn's life. She also admitted to using a deadly weapon, a car, in the crash. The jury will listen to eyewitness accounts and medical testimony to determine Moore's sentence on the charge of intoxication assault of a peace officer. The charge carries a 2 to 20 year sentence in prison, although the jury could opt for a probated sentence. Police said that on Sept. 5, 2016, Moore got behind the wheel while intoxicated, at almost three times the legal limit. She slammed into the back of Blackburn's stopped patrol unit, flipping her car once and causing both vehicles to spin on the shoulder of the Gulf Freeway near NASA Road 1. Blackburn was working that night on a DWI task force for Labor Day weekend. Prosecutor Aaron Von Quintus briefly described the scene during opening arguments for the jury sentencing. He said one witness saw a car fly by on the highway, swerving and heading straight for the trooper's vehicle. He saw a massive explosion, Von Quintus said. Moore's vehicle ended up 200 or 300 feet down the road, showing the speed at which she traveled, Von Quintus said. The prosecutor told of Blackburn's injuries, including "crunchy" ribs and a "smooshed in" pelvis. Blackburn has since returned to work but isn't at a full recovery, Von Quintus said. "Still to this day, almost three years later, he still is not fully recovered," he said. Several troopers, including Blackburn, were in state District Judge Frank Aguilar's court to hear the guilty plea. Moore's attorney told jurors that Moore formerly worked at NASA and holds a masters degree in business administration. The night of the crash, she was leaving from a wedding where she drank too much, he said. "She cannot change what happened that night, but can change and has changed and will in the future change what she does with her life," attorney Dick DeGuerin said. The jury is expected to make a decision on Tuesday at the earliest. Applications for participation in the 2019 Junior Fed Beef Career and Leadership Program, also known as Feedyard Camp, are due on Thursday. The camp is set for June 25-28 at West Texas A&M University (WTAMU) in Canyon. Spencer Hight went on a shooting spree in September 2017. He got drunk at the Local Public House, a bar just a few blocks away from his ex-wife's home, then stumbled through her door, heavily armed with a pistol, a semi-automatic rifle and a knife, police say. His ex, Meredith Hight, was hosting a Dallas Cowboys viewing party with some mutual friends, some of who stood in their wedding. Hight shot and killed eight of those people, include his ex-wife, and seriously injured another. He did it to exact revenge on his ex-wife, authorities say. He was then shot and killed by police on the scene. Last week, police arrested and charged Lindsey Glass, the bartender who served Hight that night, one year and seven months ago. In 2018, the Texas Alcohol and Beverage Commission issued a report concluding Glass violated the "Sale to Certain Persons" law by serving Hight, whose blood alcohol level was four times the state's legal limit when he drove to his estranged wife's house, according NBC Dallas Fort Worth. Under the Texas law, a person is guilty of the offense if he or she negligently "sells an alcoholic beverage to an habitual drunkard or an intoxicated or insane person." The misdemeanor carries up to a year in jail or fine of up to $500, or both. "Hight committed an American nightmare," Glass's attorney Scott Palmer said during an interview on Monday. "He was hellbent on committing this heinous act," but to blame a bartender two years later, he said, is not justice, but a stretch to hold someone accountable. According to ABC affiliate WFAA, a lawsuit filed by the victims' families alleged Glass told a colleague, Justin Banks, that Hight was "drunk and being weird" and brandished a gun inside the bar. When Banks escorted Hight to the parking lot, court documents said Banks asked him to leave his weapons behind and should let Banks drive him home because he wasn't sober. The lawsuit continued: "Hight told Banks he was having problems with his estranged wife and had something to do 'tonight.' Banks told Hight he should do them when he is sober to which Hight responded that he 'couldn't do the things he needs to do tonight without being this intoxicated,'" WFAA reported. Although it's undisputed that Glass served Hight liquor, she took actions that were not legally required of her that night, too. Filings allege Glass tried to convince Hight not to drive (he didn't listen), called the owner of Local Public House to ask whether she should call the police (he said not to), and then she followed Hight to the house, though she left before the shooting began. "There are allegations Hight foreshadowed what he would do and Lindsey Glass felt something was wrong," Palmer told The Washington Post. "Lindsey is the person who called 911. Not only did she know Spencer, but she was friends with Meredith and was supposed to be at the party that evening," he said, noting that the detectives commended Glass for saving lives that day. Attorney Daniel Garrigan, who represents four of the eight shooting victims, said he was surprised it had taken this long for the police department to file a criminal case against Glass. "Clearly what she did was improper. Had she called the police or cut this person off from having more alcohol these people might well be alive," he told The Post. "When you've got a case where the acts of omissions of the bar resulted in eight deaths, I don't think holding them accountable is inappropriate." However, according to legal experts, Garrigan misstates the law. Under the Texas statute, which Palmer and Garrigan both said is rarely applied, Glass had an affirmative duty not to serve liquor to someone who she should have known was intoxicated. What actions Hight took after that are not relevant. Whether Hight murdered eight people or eight hundred in a drunken stupor should have no bearing on Glass's case. The issue is whether Glass served an insane or intoxicated person. "It comes down to whether a reasonable person in the same situation as Glass would have known Hight was intoxicated," says Kenneth Williams, a criminal law professor at University of Texas Law. The answer is a question of fact that ends with the passing of alcohol from the bartender to the bar patron. There's always the danger of bad cases making bad law. This case certainly raises the concern, according to George Washington University Law School professor Jonathan Turley, and because the shooter was killed, there's a temptation to place responsibility on someone among the living. "It's easy to take a horrific criminal act and associate it with an earlier crime," like overserving alcohol, he said. "Glass may have had reason to know he was intoxicated; however, the charges seem to be an outgrowth of the homicide as opposed to the overserving of alcohol violation." Tuesday's charges could be interpreted as an eleventh-hour effort by the Plano police department to hold someone accountable, or a sign that criminal law is trending in the direction of criminal affirmative duties. It's important to understand where the line of criminality is set by society, Turley said, because these cases blur them in a potentially dangerous way. Some of the facts alleged that Glass had reason to suspect Hight was going to do something criminal, though he never said it explicitly. Still, there was no legal requirement she call the police. No law required Glass to reach out to the owner of the bar or to follow someone she thought would be a danger to others. But, her attorney says, Glass did. "As bartender did she have an affirmative duty to act or affirmative duty to intervene? - likely no, but like the old saying goes 'see something, say something' - that is precisely what Lindsey did," her attorney, Palmer, said in an email, calling her decision to follow Hight to the party an "act of heroism" that saved lives. New York The Met Gala kicked off Monday at its campiest best, with Lady Gaga working the pink carpet to its fullest in long golden eyelashes and a huge fuchsia dress, peeling off layer after layer until she was down to a bra, panties and fishnet stockings. Actor Billy Porter went Egyptian-esque sun god in gold wings and a chain headpiece; he was carried onto the carpet by shirtless men in gold pants as he lay on top of a black throne. "Camp is the art of being extra, and I've always been extra," he laughed. "I'm from the theater so it's easy for me." Brandon Maxwell, who created Gaga's reveal, helped her navigate the stairs at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Maxwell undressed her, revealing a black strapless asymmetrical ballgown underneath with a huge side bustle. Then she undressed again to show off a pink dress reminiscent of Marilyn Monroe's in "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes." But she wasn't done. Moments later, she undressed again to pose in a glittering bra and panties set with huge platform shoes. Gaga is a hard act to follow but Serena Williams, one of her co-hosts, did her best in a neon yellow flowing gown adorned with leaves, Nike sneakers on her feet. This year's gala theme, "Camp: Notes on Fashion," was inspired by a seminal 1964 essay by Susan Sontag in which she describes the phenomenon as something that shouldn't be talked about: "To talk about Camp is therefore to betray it." The gala is a fundraiser for the museum's Costume Institute. The theme is the basis for the Costume Institute's spring exhibition. Ava DuVernay, who wore a green dress with a huge pink flower on the skirt, wasn't at all sure about camp before she was filled in. "I thought it was 'camping' and I was afraid," she said. With more than 47,000 bridges considered structurally deficient, it would take 80 years to rehabilitate the nations crumbling bridges, according to the American Road & Transportation Builders Association. Roadways across the United States are in such critical condition, President Donald Trumps 2020 budget proposal calls for an aggressive approach to raising the standard. In his State of the Union address in February, Trump said funding bridges is not an option. This is a necessity. More recently, Trump agreed to work with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-New York) and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-California) on a $2 trillion plan to fund the nation's infrastructure, including bridges, though it's unclear if a deal will be made. Americans cross structurally deficient bridges 178 million times every day, according to research by the builders association. Of the more than 615,000 bridges across the country, more than 47,000 are considered to be in poor condition, the organization found in data from the U.S. Department of Transportation and state transportation departments. The number of structurally deficient bridges actually fell from 54,000 in 2017 because the Federal Highway Administration lowered the standards for defining a bridge as structurally deficient, according to the associations report. Most are located in highly populated urban centers and crisscross above other major roadways, neighborhoods and railroad lines. The American Society of Civil Engineers, which rates the countrys bridges at a C+, estimates that it would take $4.5 trillion over the next six years to improve bridges, roads and other infrastructure projects across the country. Overall, the association gives the nation a D+ in 16 infrastructure categories ranging from aviation, drinking water, dams, railroads and transit. Trump backed up his focus on improving the nations bridges by submitting a 2020 budget to Congress in March that contains $200 billion set aside for infrastructure needs. He campaigned on rebuilding Americas roadways in the lead-up to the 2016 presidential election, and has not wavered from that initiative. Both parties should be able to unite for a great rebuilding of Americas crumbling infrastructure, he said in his State of the Union address earlier this year. I know that Congress is eager to pass an infrastructure bill, and I am eager to work with you on legislation to deliver new and important infrastructure investment, including investments in the cutting-edge industries of the future. This is not an option. This is a necessity. States are tackling their own woes to fund bridge repairs. Repairing bridges in Pennsylvania could be in jeopardy if $18.5 billion in transportation funding does not materialize over the next several years, officials say. The state ranks second for the highest number of structurally deficient bridges. Under state law, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is required to pay $450 million to the state Department of Transportation per year. But those payments have stopped due to a lawsuit . The state needs about $2.5 billion more each year to improve roadways. We have to make some tough decisions starting very soon, PennDOT Secretary Leslie Richards told the Senate Appropriations Committee last month, according to the Penn-Capital Star newspaper. Meanwhile, at the federal level, the clock is ticking for Congress to act as the 2020 presidential election nears. The cost of inaction has incredibly serious consequences that far, far exceed the cost of were we to belly up, suck it up a little bit, and with the money we need, Rep. Peter A. DeFazio (D-Oregon), the new House Transportation Committee chair, said last month at a committee meeting. The more we defer, the more it costs. Both the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials and the American Society of Civil Engineers have expressed support for Trumps efforts. Transportation has long been a bipartisan concern and this year, with the Administrations support a transportation bill can be that rare opportunity to bring members of Congress together from both sides of the aisle, Jim Tymon, executive director of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, said in a statement. DETROIT - From one of the key Midwestern states flipped by President Donald Trump, Sen. Kamala Harris took aim at those who contend the most electable Democratic nominee will be one who connects with the white working-class voters credited with his victory. "There has been a conversation about electability and who can speak to the Midwest," Harris said Sunday night at an NAACP dinner here. Too often, she said, the definition of who matters in the Midwest leaves people out. "It leaves out people in this room who helped build cities like Detroit. It leaves out working women who are on their feet all day - many of them working without equal pay . . . Our party is not white or black, Hispanic or Asian, immigrant or indigenous. It is all of us." The senator from California is not the only candidate trying to redefine "electability" for her own purposes, a task that has grown more acute since former vice president Joe Biden - who casts himself as best equipped to appeal to the white working-class voters prominent in the industrial Midwest - announced his candidacy last month. If Harris was arguing for a broader racial definition of the party's targeted voters, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., recently cast the electability question in terms of gender. "Are we going to fight because we're afraid? Are we going to show up for people we didn't actually believe in, but we were afraid to do anything else?" Warren said at last month's She the People presidential forum. "That's not who we are. That's not how we're going to do this." Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., has made that argument from an ideological lens, arguing that his brand of democratic socialism makes him the most appealing candidate to voters still struggling economically. "You're going to hear a lot of folks, our political opponents, say, 'Oh, Bernie can't beat Trump.' But, I would suggest, take a look at virtually every poll that's ever been done," he said at a town hall meeting in Fort Dodge, Iowa. He cited internal polling his campaign recently conducted showing him ahead of Trump in Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, three states flipped by Trump in 2016. The dispute over what kind of candidate is most electable reflects a divide that has convulsed the party since Trump defeated Hillary Clinton in 2016. One camp believes the way to victory in the 2020 general election runs through the Rust Belt, with a nominee who can recapture the white blue-collar voters who backed Barack Obama in 2008 before siding with Trump. Another camp argues that the Democrats' best chance in 2020 will be to mobilize the blocs of voters that would more likely not to vote than vote Republican. By building a diverse coalition that includes, among others, black voters and the growing Latino population turning out in big numbers, Democrats could overcome what some of them believe is a fixed number of Trump voters. This theory holds that Democrats have more potential voters to add to their 2020 bloc than Trump does, as long as the right candidate emerges to generate excitement. The debate remains ongoing because the 2016 election offered proof for both sides. According to a Washington Post analysis, Trump succeeded in expanding his reach among white working-class voters over the party's previous nominee, Mitt Romney. At the same time, Clinton drew significantly fewer votes in predominantly black areas than Obama did in 2012. That gives the current campaigns the ability to argue either side of the debate - as do new polls showing voters divided on which path they want the next nominee to take. In the most recent Post-ABC News poll, Democratic and Democratic-leaning voters were fairly split when asked whether the Democratic nominee should be best positioned to win over more centrist independents like those in the upper Midwest versus energize the Democratic base. Forty-four percent said the Democratic Party nominee needs to attract independents, and 48% suggested the base. Among self-identified liberals, the split was 48% toward independent voters, and 45% to the party's base. Among moderates and conservatives, the split was 44% to independents, 49% to the base. No candidate is openly conceding any one group or another, nor openly targeting one group alone. Biden touts his Scranton, Pennsylvania, roots and old-school sensibilities in an attempt to appeal to white working-class voters. Yet he is counting on support among black voters, too. Harris, seeking to become the first black woman elected president, is going out of her way to reach black voters, but her teacher pay initiative and other outreach emphasize women more broadly. Randi Weingarten, head of the American Federation of Teachers, introduced Harris at her town hall in Detroit, praising Harris' teacher pay policy. "And I don't buy into that 'women aren't electable' thing," Weingarten said. Harris' campaign plans to utilize a hybrid strategy, one she took her first steps toward Sunday night: mobilizing minority voters in the Rust Belt. The strategy is based on voter turnout in the 2016 election, which found that had black voters turned out for Clinton in the same numbers they did for Obama in 2012, she would have won Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania by small margins. That would have been enough for an electoral college victory. Harris' Sunday night speech recalled Obama's approach in 2008, though Harris has been careful to distance herself from the former president to limit comparisons between the two. (Asked in Iowa if she considers herself "an Obama Democrat," Harris said simply, "I call myself Kamala.") Obama, in a 2004 convention speech, spoke dismissively of the notion of a red America and a blue America, contending that there was only one United States. Harris noted on Sunday night that accenting the importance of working-class white voters "ignores our commonality and complexity." But Harris also has illustrated the difficulty of appealing to different blocs of voters. So far her schedule has taken her to historically black colleges and universities around the country, and has focused largely on younger and minority voters in the early states. Harris has traveled most often to South Carolina, where 60% of the Democratic electorate is black. That approach has its drawbacks when it comes to attracting support in largely white states. In New Hampshire, Harris has been criticized for not spending much time in the state. Harris added fuel to that notion when she told talk show host Trevor Noah that questions about her commitment to the state carried an "inference" that "the demographic of New Hampshire is not who you are, in terms of your race and who you are." Similar grumblings have percolated quietly in Iowa, which Harris has visited three times since announcing her campaign, including the day after her announcement. Although she has visited there as much as any state other than South Carolina, some Iowa Democrats suggest that Harris has not made her presence felt as much there as in other states. The problem is that without strong finishes in the first two states, voters in later-voting states that are more diverse, such as South Carolina and Harris' home state of California, may be tempted to move on to other options. Other candidates are also trying to redefine what voters consider electability, especially when it comes to qualifications. Biden's argument has been that, given his decades in the Senate and eight years as vice president, he would come to the job equipped to tackle any crisis that emerges. And, he notes, he would have built-in support across the breadth of the Democratic Party. Even before his entrance, candidates with less experience have sought to apply positive spin to political backgrounds that are far less expansive. Mayor Pete Buttigieg of South Bend, Indiana, has challenged the idea that service in federal offices is a requirement. He contends that those who have to balance a budget and work across party lines to keep cities afloat might be more prepared to lead a divided country than those contributing to gridlock in Congress. That is roughly the same argument put forth by Julian Castro, a former San Antonio mayor and Obama Cabinet member, who claims both executive and federal bureaucratic experience. Beto O'Rourke has tried to cast himself as more than just a former congressman, and one who is uniquely qualified to solve one of the nation's most intractable problems: immigration and border security. Their disparate arguments carry a unified undertone: Democrats spent much of 2016 mocking the notion that Donald Trump was electable - and then he won. - - - The Washington Post's Annie Linskey and Sean Sullivan in Washington contributed to this report. LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Two landline phones in a metal box hang on a wall near the jockey scales at 144-year-old Churchill Downs. They usually sit there idly, especially during and after the annual Kentucky Derby. If lifted, they ring directly to the stewards' stand six floors above. On Saturday, two jockeys picked up one of the old phones. The first, Jon Court, at 58 the oldest man ever to ride in a Kentucky Derby, complained that his 17th-place horse, Long Range Toddy, had suffered the effects of interference from apparent wire-to-wire winner Maximum Security as the 19-horse field turned toward the top of the stretch. The second, runner-up Country House jockey Flavien Prat, quickly added his objection under direction from trainer Bill Mott. Mott was also the trainer for fourth-place finisher Tacitus, whose jockey, Jose Ortiz, had dismounted and said the initial result should be "taken down," as the parlance goes. A third jockey significantly affected by Maximum Security, Tyler Gaffalione, whose War of Will nearly got entangled with the veering leader, did not call. The three stewards upstairs answering the two calls, one woman and two men, began 21 minutes and 57 seconds of analyzing the race amid the kind of rarefied pressure that can come only from 150,729 spectators, millions of TV viewers and dozens of horse connections. As they studied the videotape, they'd refer to the horses by their saddle numbers, not by their names. "They talk in numbers," Kentucky Racing Commission Executive Director Marc Guilfoil said Monday. "They don't say, 'the Baffert horse' or anything" - a reference to Bob Baffert, the sport's top trainer of the moment. "They talk in numbers. If they don't see a number, they might say 'the gray horse in the background' or something." Said Guilfoil, who has done the job in lesser circumstances, "The worst thing you can do is rush." For maybe the 22 strangest minutes in Kentucky Derby history, they did not rush. - - - The exulting stops In picking up the phone, the jockeys had rung Barbara Borden, the chief steward, a former teen clarinetist who finished high school near Cleveland in 1978, veered to work at the Thistledown track and spent the next decades in Ohio, Florida, California and Kentucky, doing just about every job a racetrack ecosystem offers. She had become a longtime Kentuckian. "The one thing is to try to keep a level head," she told the Daily Racing Form in 2013 of her position at Churchill Downs. "It sounds trite, but there's racing here year-round and things happen all the time. The Derby is another race, although obviously there's a lot going on and millions of people are watching. You just hope you could exercise the same judgment for that race that you would for any race on any given day. Stay calm and look like it's happening on a regular Thursday." Another steward was Butch Becraft, a Kentuckian who had done just about as many jobs as Borden and had spent ample time atop horses, a vantage point valuable to a steward. The third was Tyler Picklesimer, whose jobs around Kentucky racetracks have included posts as assistant racing secretary and racing secretary at Turfway Park near Cincinnati. Guilfoil, their boss, had gone upstairs to visit them several races earlier on Saturday, but now, with the Kentucky Derby result under review, he waited downstairs with everyone else. "I felt for them in the fact that I know what pressure they're under," but he felt also his "respect and faith in them. They're going to do the right thing and give the right call. I know them all. They're uncrackable." He called stewards "a special breed" who have "got to be able to move with the flow, because you settle everything from, 'Somebody stole my feed' to a placing in the Kentucky Derby." He paused. "I've never said that before," he said. "Now I've got something to put on top" of the stressful list. The stewards, who can make their own inquiry even without jockey complaints, did not lodge one in this case, for reasons still unexplained because they did not take questions afterward and have still not spoken publicly. The crowd waited. Those connected to Maximum Security exulted. The horse's 62-year-old trainer, Jason Servis, hugged his 60-year-old brother, John Servis, who won the Kentucky Derby in 2004 with Smarty Jones. Then the exulting stopped. Luis Saez, Maximum Security's 26-year-old Panamanian jockey, finished pumping his arms in victory and took on a protracted look of torment. "I thought I never put anybody in danger," he would say later. "My horse shied away from the noise of the crowd and may have ducked out a little." Gary and Mary West, Maximum Security's owners, waited in an aching place: the winner's circle. Todd Pletcher, who has trained more Kentucky Derby entries (54) than any other trainer, and who had two in the race finish 11th and 18th, watched intently. He figured the stewards would refrain from rearranging the result, this being the Kentucky Derby. But he began to wonder as more time passed. Kenny Rice, a 20-year NBC reporter on horse racing, left his spot next to Baffert in the paddock and headed down a tunnel toward the muddy track. He reached Mott, the Country House trainer whom he has known for 25 years. After gathering Mott's initial and somewhat surprising reaction - that the result already would be overturned were this an anonymous midweek race - Rice stood with him for what seemed many more minutes. "I never got the feeling that he was anticipating that he was going to be declared the winner," Rice said. "I got a feeling that he thought he could have a chance." Surrounded by reporters, Mott fielded question after question after question. "In stressful situations," Rice said, "sometimes it's nice to just keep talking to somebody." Said Prat, "It took quite long. And usually, when it takes so long, it's a good sign. But, I mean, I was not in the steward office, obviously." Said Guilfoil, "How long it takes doesn't mean anything to me, just so they do the right thing." As the time passed, the thinking evolved toward hope, Mott would say Sunday. "I wasn't counting the chickens before they hatch," he said. "You know, I just waited. I didn't know what was going to happen. I just know that in these types of races, that they are very reluctant to have to take the horse down. I mean, they don't want to have to do it for, you know, a lot of reasons. "I mean, the horse that they took down was, I guess, the post-time favorite, and you know, a lot of people have spent millions of dollars on that horse, so it's going to affect a lot of people. So they want to make the right decision. They want to make a fair decision. And I think that's why they looked at it for so long." Another factor would figure into the near-22 minutes, as Guilfoil pointed out. The decision to disqualify could take some time, but then the rearranging of the finishes in a giant field could take significantly more time. - - - Go by the book The decision registered on the racetrack board. Country House had won the first 24-minute Kentucky Derby. Maximum Security had gone disqualified into 17th place. Country House had been moved from second place to winner. The crowd made sort of a mass gasp. In a wrenching scene, Darren Rogers, the Churchill Downs communications director, had the hard task of going to get a winner's bouquet of roses from Mary West, telling her, "I'm so sorry." Jaime Roth, one of the barrel of owners of Country House, would say, "This sport throws curveballs at you every day. I mean, most of the news is not great news. So you're going to take what you can get and run with it." Even after the madness of 1933 when two jockeys just about wrestled each other atop their horses in the stretch, and 1968, when a winner met disqualification four days later because of a positive drug test, the 145th Derby had become the first with a winner disqualified for an in-race infraction. "She's been everything on a racetrack," Guilfoil said of Borden, the chief steward. "She's very well-rounded. She's been a placing judge, a horse identifier. That's what makes her special. That's what makes her good. Because she's done all the jobs. She knows what it entails." About two hours later, Borden turned up, flanked by Becraft and Picklesimer, and read a statement. She said the stewards' decision had been unanimous. She read in the clinical dialect of stewards, "The horses were all affected, we thought, by the interference. Therefore, we unanimously determined to disqualify No. 7 and place him behind the 18, the 18 being the lowest-placed horse that he bothered, which is our typical procedure." She took no questions. Hours before, the phone upstairs had rung. "There's no emotion in us," said Guilfoil, himself a former steward. "There's no money wagered. There's no favorites. With owners, with gamblers, there's emotions." He soon added, "You've got a book. You've got a rule book to go by. Stay within the rule book, and you're good." WASHINGTON - Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made a case Tuesday to move on from investigations of President Donald Trump and his 2016 campaign, calling the matter "case closed" even as Democrats intensify their inquiries into Trump's conduct. McConnell, R-Ky., who faces reelection next year, argued that Democrats are continuing to re-litigate an election result that is now more than two years old - deriding it as a "Groundhog Day spectacle" - and insisted in a floor speech Tuesday morning that the matter is finished and that lawmakers should focus on legislation. "Remember, Russia set out to sow discord, to create chaos in American politics and undermine confidence in our democracy," McConnell said. "But on that front, given the left's total fixation on delegitimizing the president - the president Americans chose and shooting any messenger who tells them inconvenient truths, I'm afraid the Russians hardly needed to lift a finger." Declaring "case closed," McConnell added: "This ought to be good news for everyone, but my Democratic colleagues seem to be publicly working through the five stages of grief." Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., responded sharply and immediately to McConnell in his own floor remarks moments later, calling the Republican leader's speech "an astounding bit of whitewashing - not unexpected but entirely unconvincing." "It's sort of like Richard Nixon saying, 'Let's move on' at the height of the investigation of his wrongdoing," Schumer said. "Of course he wants to move on. He wants to cover up. He wants to silence." House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., also invoked Nixon on Tuesday, saying at an event at Cornell University's Institute of Politics and Global Affairs that one of the articles of impeachment against the former president was that he ignored congressional subpoenas. "That could be part of an impeachable offense," Pelosi said of Trump. "Every day, he's obstructing justice by saying, 'This one shouldn't testify, that one shouldn't testify,' and the rest. So he's making a case. But he's just trying to goad us into impeachment." McConnell's speech comes as Trump repeatedly has rebuffed Democrats' requests for documents and witness testimony in their multiple investigations. House committees are focusing not only on a special counsel investigation by Robert Mueller but Trump's taxes and businesses. McConnell spent a substantial portion of his speech on the Russian interference portion of Mueller's investigation, which ended with him concluding that there was not enough evidence to establish conspiracy between the Trump campaign and Moscow. McConnell invoked comments from former president Barack Obama during his 2012 reelection campaign dismissing warnings from then-GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney - now a senator from Utah - that Russia posed a major geopolitical threat. Somewhat sarcastically, McConnell noted that it was "heartening to see many of my Democratic colleagues and the media abruptly awaken to the dangers of Russian aggression." But he barely discussed the special counsel's identification of 10 instances of potential obstruction of justice by Trump, which has been the larger focus for Democrats as they continue their own investigations. Schumer pointed to a letter signed Monday by more than 450 former prosecutors asserting that Trump, were he a private citizen, would have been charged with federal obstruction of justice for the conduct described in the Mueller report. He went on to accuse McConnell of blocking efforts to respond to foreign election meddling dating to 2016. He challenged McConnell to put election security or Russian sanctions legislation on the floor for debate. Instead, he said, McConnell "sits on his hands, does nothing, creates a legislative graveyard for this and every other issue and says, 'Let's move on.' No way. No way." "What we have here is a concerted effort to circle the wagons, to protect the president from accountability, to whitewash his reprehensible conduct by simply declaring it irrelevant," Schumer added. "The leader and Senate Republicans are falling down drastically on their constitutional duty to provide oversight and, I fear, to defend the national interest as well." McConnell's forceful rhetoric comes as the fallout from Mueller's investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential campaign shows no signs of ending anytime soon. Separately, regarding McConnell's call for a focus on the legislative agenda, the Senate has spent much of the past few months on nominations and little time on legislation. A key House committee plans to vote Wednesday on whether to hold Attorney General William Barr in contempt of Congress for not complying with a subpoena, as the conflict continues to flare over releasing Mueller's unredacted report and Barr's testimony before the House. Barr declined to appear before the House Judiciary Committee last week under conditions demanded by Democrats who control the panel. In his speech, McConnell defended Barr as a "distinguished" public servant who accommodated Democrats as much as possible. Tuesday is also the deadline for Donald McGahn, Trump's former White House counsel, to hand over three dozen types of documents to the House Judiciary Committee as part of an investigation of the president. - - - The Washington Post's Felicia Sonmez contributed to this report. Police in Texas say a pastor and his wife shot and killed a man who was breaking into their home Saturday. KPRC reports it happened around 11 p.m. in west Houston. The intruder reportedly kicked the back door open. "A preliminary investigation revealed the residents were asleep in their bed when they were awakened by a loud noise. While investigating the cause of the noise, they noticed their backyard gate was opened and saw a male (suspect) in their back yard," police said in a statement obtained by ABC News. "The suspect then forced his way and gained entry into the residence. The residents, in fear for their lives, discharged their firearms several times, striking the suspect." Police say the couple then went outside, placed their guns on the ground and waited for police to arrive. The suspect, identified as 24-year-old Roberto Sanchez, died at the scene. The United Methodist Church issued a statement confirming this home was occupied by a United Methodist Church Pastor Jeff Powers and his wife. The shooting happened a day before Powers was scheduled to give his last sermon at Westminster United Methodist Church. Police said charges against the homeowners are unlikely. Antonio Oswaldo Burgos wanted to get rid of his wife, authorities said. The couple had met and married in El Salvador and moved to Portland, Oregon, but their marriage had soured. By last spring, they were going through a divorce. But Burgos had a plan. On May 24, he drove to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement office in Portland. When an officer left the building, Burgos followed in his vehicle. The officer eventually stopped in a parking lot across the state line in Vancouver, Washington. Burgos stopped, too. There, Burgos, now 48, offered the officer money - to deport his wife. The officer declined and reported Burgos to authorities. On Monday, Burgos was sentenced to four months in federal prison and three years of supervised release on one count of bribery of a public official, according to the Justice Department. He accepted a plea deal in the fall for a lesser sentence. The ICE officer, whom officials have not identified, reported Burgos to the ICE Office of Professional Responsibility. A week after the parking lot meeting, an OPR investigation team helped the officer record a phone call with Burgos in which Burgos offered the ICE officer $3,000 for his wife to be removed from the country, according to court documents. A few days later, Burgos and the officer spoke again and arranged to meet. This time, Burgos gave the officer $2,000 and offered $2,000 more - if his wife and her minor child from a previous relationship were deported, according to court documents. Burgos was later arrested and charged. Had his case gone to trial, he could have faced up to 15 years in prison. "We rely upon our officers to perform their duties with integrity," Brad Bench, special agent in charge of the Seattle office of Homeland Security Investigations, said in a statement last year. "This case should send a strong message that those who attempt to coerce a public official will be punished." A federal magistrate judge ruled Tuesday that a Coast Guard lieutenant accused of plotting a terrorist attack could be let out of jail on strict bail conditions while he awaits trial, but his release was immediately blocked when the government filed an appeal. The detention status of Christopher Hasson will now be decided by the U.S. District Court judge who will be presiding over the case, officials with the U.S. Attorney's Office in Maryland said. They said a hearing is to be set for next week in federal court in Greenbelt. Federal prosecutors in Maryland have alleged that Hasson amassed weapons and studied the manifestos of mass killers to plan a widespread attack driven by what they said are his white supremacist views, but prosecutors charged him only with drug and weapon offenses. There is no federal statute pertaining to domestic-terrorism suspects, experts say, making the case challenging for the government. The government and Hasson's public defenders have repeatedly clashed over whether Hasson should stay in jail if he has not been charged with a terrorism-related offense. Hasson's public defenders have fought back against the government's assertions, saying prosecutors offered no concrete evidence detailing when and how Hasson was allegedly planning to strike. Hasson's attorneys said that he has no criminal record and that the writings the government pointed to as evidence of his dangerousness were private thoughts that should not be weighed to keep him in jail pending trial. Hasson, 50, of Silver Spring, Maryland, was arrested in February after a Coast Guard program that flags insider threats alerted authorities to suspicious activity on his work computer, prosecutors said. He has pleaded not guilty. At a detention hearing on April 25, U.S. Magistrate Judge Charles Day said he had "grave concerns" about releasing Hasson. But because Hasson faces no terrorism-related counts, and the government does not plan to bring any, the judge determined that the court had to set release conditions. At Tuesday's hearing, Assistant Federal Public Defender Liz Oyer suggested that Hasson's parents in Arizona or his wife and her parents in Virginia could supervise him under round-the-clock home detention. His family had also offered two properties as bond, Oyer said. Hasson's parents flew in from Arizona and sat in the courtroom with his wife, in-laws and daughter. The law requires release conditions that would "reasonably assure his appearance in court" in a manner that would not be a danger to the community, Oyer said. Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Windom argued that releasing Hasson under any condition would be risky because there would be no guarantee that he would not abscond and "do all the things that he has wanted to do." "There are no conditions that can reasonably ensure the safety of the community," Windom said. In a letter opposing the proposed release conditions, Windom said the suggested locations in Arizona and Virginia would create logistical complications in ensuring that Hasson appears in federal court in Greenbelt for hearings and trial. "What happens if," the government said in court filings, "during the drive, the defendant - a thirty-year service member, at least 5'11, and 180 pounds - attempts to escape or commandeer the car from his mother-in-law (age 72) or his father-in-law (age 78)?" Despite the objections of the government and pretrial services, Day ordered Hasson released under several conditions. "It makes me very nervous," Day said, "but I don't think it justifies detention." Hasson was to stay with one of his wife's parents in Virginia on uninterrupted GPS monitoring and be banned from using the Internet and handling firearms, Day ordered. Hasson's family was also expected to put three properties up for bond. Those terms and several others are moot after Day immediately agreed to put his order on hold and the government appealed the release decision to U.S. District Judge George Hazel. The government appealed "on the basis of the danger to the community posed by the defendant," Marcy Murphy, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney's Office in Maryland, said in a statement after the hearing. The government said Hasson had created a spreadsheet of targets and researched the addresses of U.S. Supreme Court justices. Hasson, prosecutors said, studied the writings of mass shooters and was inspired by the far-right Norwegian terrorist Anders Breivik, who killed 77 people in 2011. Hasson planned to "murder innocent civilians on a scale rarely seen in this country" and advocated "focused violence" to "establish a white homeland," prosecutors said. HONG KONG - Two Pulitzer-winning Reuters journalists held in Myanmar for more than 500 days for their coverage of the crackdown on Rohingya Muslims were freed from jail Tuesday, ending a prolonged detention that has tainted Myanmar and its Nobel laureate civilian leader, Aung San Suu Kyi. Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo were released as part of an annual amnesty that has freed thousands of prisoners since last month. An additional 6,000 people were released Tuesday. Myanmar officials have no immediate reason for the release of the two journalists, who had exhausted all their legal options after Myanmar's highest court rejected their appeal late last month. Suu Kyi - winner of the Nobel Peace Prize - has also been under significant pressure from Vice President Mike Pence and others to intervene in the case and free the journalists. But she had defended their detention and said they were not jailed for their reporting but because they were convicted of breaking colonial-era state secrecy laws. The two journalists were accused of possessing secret documents but were widely believed to have been set up in December 2017. In September they were convicted and sentenced to seven years in prison. The journalists and their lawyers have insisted that they were merely doing their job as reporters, never had the chance to read the documents they were given before they were detained and had not been planning to share state secrets. The pair have received multiple honors and awards for their investigation into a massacre of 10 Rohingya Muslims, the story they were working on at the time of their arrest. These include the Pulitzer Prize for international reporting, which they won in April. Their Reuters colleagues posted video and photos of the two journalists Tuesday walking out of the gates of Yangon's Insein prison, smiling and carrying a single bag each with their few possessions. They were mobbed by photographers and onlookers upon their exit. "I'm really happy and excited to see my family and my colleagues," Wa Lone said in brief comments upon his release, thanking everyone around the world who helped secure his freedom. "I can't wait to go to my newsroom." The 33-year-old is a father of a baby girl who was born while he was jailed. Kyaw Soe Oo, 29, also has a young daughter. Their wives had repeatedly appealed to the Myanmar government to pardon their husbands. The two journalists have become a symbol of Myanmar's fading democratic hopes and promise under its Nobel laureate civilian leader. Both men grew up under Myanmar's dark days of military rule and worked as reporters during the country's dramatic transition to a largely civilian-led government. Suu Kyi's government was widely expected to end the arbitrary detention of government critics, free political prisoners and continue a media renaissance that the country was experiencing at the time. Yet her government has instead clamped down on free expression and continued to use archaic and widely criticized laws to imprison people like Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo. When they were first arrested, they were held incommunicado, without access to their family or colleagues. Their prosecution then dragged on for months. Prosecution witnesses shared absurd details during the trial; one police officer said he burned his own notes from the time of the arrests, and another kept checking notes written on his hand as he testified. Domestically, however, there has been less sympathy for the pair. The Rohingya crisis has largely divided Myanmar and the international community, with an overwhelming majority within the country believing that the crackdown - which has sent more than 800,000 mostly Rohingya Muslims fleeing to Bangladesh in one of the world's largest refugee crises - was justified. Many in Myanmar took to social media declaring the two journalists traitors for exposing the massacre, and some suggested they were paid to make Myanmar look bad. Their families have been subject to harassment and threats. It was the third such amnesty marking the traditional new year holiday that took place last month. Their release was immediately and widely celebrated across the world. Reuters editor in chief Stephen J. Adler said in a statement that the news agency is "enormously pleased" that the two have been freed. "Since their arrests 511 days ago, they have become symbols of the importance of press freedom around the world. We welcome their return," he said. In a tweet, Pence hailed the development as "Great news!" The two journalists "were jailed for doing their job reporting on atrocities committed against the Rohingya people. Freedom of religion & freedom of the press are essential to a strong democracy!" Pence wrote. President Donald Trump, who has not publicly commented on the case, had not offered an immediate reaction. Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo were among the journalists honored in Time magazine's 2018 Person of the Year edition in a rebuke of the hostile treatment of reporters across the globe, including in the United States. Suzanne Nossel, chief executive of PEN America, a nonprofit that defends the advancement of literature and human rights, said the journalists have proved their "courage and fortitude." These are "young men who have now proven themselves as world-renowned journalists," she said. "They have long and important careers ahead of them carrying out the essential work of holding Myanmar's fledgling new government accountable and keeping their country's deserving public informed. They should now be allowed to return to their work without hindrance." The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma), a nonprofit that tracks and assists political prisoners held in Myanmar, estimates that 48 political prisoners are jailed in the country. Hundreds of others have been charged and are facing trial in Myanmar and abroad. "Everyone should be released," lawyer Than Zaw Aung said. "There are still some prisoners that have been jailed because of the freedom of expression. My own desire is for all of them to be freed." The journalists' release Tuesday was unexpected and remained uncertain until the moment they were first seen walking toward the prison gates. Their families were not there, waiting for news of their release at the Reuters office in Yangon. Chit Su Win, Kyaw Soe Oo's wife, said she chose not to make the trip because her hopes for his release had been raised and dashed many times. "I would not be able to stand the situation if we came [to the prison] to welcome them, but they were not released," she said by phone. "I couldn't even speak for a while when [Kyaw Soe Oo] called me telling me that he was released." When she told their young daughter that her father had been freed, the girl started dancing, Chit Su Win said. - - - The Washington Post's Timothy McLaughlin in Hong Kong, Kyaw Ye Lynn in Yangon, Myanmar, and David Nakamura in Washington contributed to this report. BAD AXE A local beer distributor has joined a new distribution network now capable of serving the entire state. The AllPoints Network recently announced it boasts 21 distributors positioned throughout Michigan, making it the largest network in the state. Smith Distributing Company in Bad Axe, which serves both Huron and Sanilac counties, is part of the group. "Smith Distributing is excited to be a part of the best beverage distribution network in the state of Michigan," said Drew Brining, sales manager at Smith Distributing Company. "Forming this network allows all of us to work more seamlessly to provide new brands and products to every consumer." Already, Allpoints distributes more cases of beer and leads more shelf sets across the state than any other network in Michigan. Theyve successfully introduced such major national and Michigan brands as New Belgium, Cigar City, Perrin, and Austin Brothers. Brining said while the group has worked together for quite some time, it is just now officially forming the network in order to provide exceptional customer service state-wide. "Smith Distributing is one of 21 wholesalers (that are) part of the AllPoints Network," Brining said. "As a network, all of the distributors will be responsible for introducing some of the largest brands to consumers across the state." Along with their vast connections across the state, AllPoints has larger fleets and more people than other networks, making it easier and faster for brewers to get their brands to market and to more effectively penetrate the ever-changing retail landscape. Their focus is on improving how distributor networks work with their brewer and partners, making ordering, shipping, and delivery processes seamless. The network can simplify logistics by offering flexibility and a low number of shipping points to accommodate their suppliers specific needs. This unique approach gives AllPoints a reputation for having the highest retailer satisfaction of any network in Michigan. Allpoints also has the ability to sell and deliver products to more festivals and fairs throughout the state, covering a majority of Michigans major events. In addition, the network has Michigans largest sales force committed to gaining distribution, securing product promotions and enhancing demand, enabling suppliers to get the most out of their marketing dollars. Brining said Smith Distributing has been involved with other wholesalers in the past to help launch such brands as Absopure water, Bang Energy Drinks and Dots Pretzels. WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump's administration has been reluctant to use its power to protect species threatened with extinction, as scientists around the globe warn of a deepening crisis in the loss of biodiversity. More than two full years into Trump's presidency, the nation's two main wildlife agencies have listed a total of 17 species as threatened or endangered, according to data compiled by the Center for Biological Diversity, an environmental nonprofit group. That's far behind the pace of the Barack Obama administration, which listed an average of 35 species per year and in total placed Endangered Species Act protections on 358 different kinds of plants and animals. It's also behind the pace of some past Republican administrations, including those of George H.W. Bush and Ronald Reagan, who respectively oversaw an average of 58 and 32 listings annually. The Trump administration's relatively sparing use of the federal government's considerable power to protect imperiled plants and animals comes as up to 1 million species around the world face the threat of extinction, according a panel of Unite Nation scientists. That group, the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, released a major report Monday outlining how the loss of species, such as coral reefs that sustain fisheries and bees that pollinate crops, could devastate the lives and livelihoods of human beings around the planet. Nearly 150 scientists from 50 nations worked for three years to compile the report. In the United States, the federal government can use the Endangered Species Act to make it illegal to harm rare species by declaring them endangered or threatened. Wildlife officials at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service can even extend those protections to foreign species by prohibiting trade of animal parts, as the United States is considering doing with the giraffe. In a statement, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said it plans to look closely at the U.N. report. "Fish and Wildlife Service is a global leader in the effort to combat extinction," it continued. "The successes in recovering some of America's most imperiled wildlife to date have been possible because of the partnerships we have formed with state agencies, private industries and individuals, and NGOs. Our focus continues to be on the recovery of listed species that we know need our urgent help." But biodiversity advocates say the Trump administration overall has been slow to make such designations over concerns, they say, of hampering businesses that have to work around the rare species. Last month, the Center for Biological Diversity sued the Trump administration, including its recently confirmed Interior Secretary David Bernhardt, for dragging its feet in deciding whether to list two dozen potentially imperiled species. In 2016, before Trump's election, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service rolled out a plan for tackling a long backlog of species awaiting listing decisions. The environmental group is now saying the department is failing to follow through on its own plan. The 24 plants and animals mentioned in the lawsuit include two different types of bumblebees and two types of orchids, as well as the Panamint alligator lizard endemic to the few streams and springs in California's desert mountains and the elfin-woods warbler native to the rare dwarf forests of Puerto Rico. The Center for Biological Diversity's endangered species director, Noah Greenwald, said both Democratic and Republican administrations have struggled to meet deadlines for declarations under the Endangered Species Act. It takes on average 12 years for the U.S. government to make a decision on whether to formally list species, while the statute calls for a two-year time frame. "It's been a long-standing problem," he said, noting Fish and Wildlife's backlog includes more than 500 species at risk of extinction. But Greenwald added that wildlife officials under the past two GOP presidents have been especially reluctant to make timely decisions. And he sees at least one commonality between the George W. Bush and Trump administrations. That would be Bernhardt, who has served as both deputy secretary and now secretary under Trump, and as the department's solicitor under Bush. "Under the last two Republican administrations," Greenwald said, "the problem has been magnified because we've had Bernhardt in there, who is essentially resistant to listing species." In fact, wildlife agencies were even less enthusiastic about extending protections to species under Bush. That administration listed an average of only eight species per year. By listing 17 species over two years, the Trump adminisitration had the second-lowest average since Jimmy Carter was president. Environmental advocates say there are other steps the Trump administration can take to improve biodiversity besides invoking the Endangered Species Act. Tiffany Finck-Haynes at Friends of the Earth called on lawmakers and regulators to discourage the use of insecticides in farming that can not only kill the pests that harm crops but also the pollinators that help them. "There's a lot they should be doing and there's a lot they're not doing," she said. The animal the Trump administration most recently added to the Endangered Species Act list was the Bryde's whale in the Gulf of Mexico, with possibly as few as 45 thought to exist. Others include the South Island Hector's and Maui dolphins, named for the Pacific islands they live near, as well as two clams and five flowering plants. Many Republicans lawmakers have long seen the 46-year-old conservation law as defective for failing to take into account the economic cost of saving a species. As the law is written, only hard science - not economics - can be taken into consideration. That criticism has come even during the Trump administration, with former congressman Steve Pearce, R-N.M., saying last year that the listing of one of the clams, the Texas hornshell, "has the potential to cause harm to local communities, businesses [and] jobs." But the U.N. panel say the pending loss of biodiversity because of human activity will have its own severe economic impacts. International trade, for example, has brought invasive insects to the United States that can decimate croplands and forests. At sea, overfishing is straining fish populations on which many populations rely for sustenance. And in many cases, climate change is exacerbating these other problems. "Since 1992, we've been telling the world we have a problem," Robert Watson, a British chemist who served as the U.N. panel's chairman, said during teleconference Sunday. "Now what's different? It's much worse today than it was in 1992." Wednesday is National School Nurse Day. School nurses are part of the hidden health care network in communities and often are the first provider a student sees when ill or injured. Midland ISD school nurses provide daily urgent care, chronic illness management and health education for students, staff and families. Oftentimes, one of our school nurses is the provider that bridges the gap between need and resources, working to connect families and students with community agencies and health care providers to manage illness, injury and chronic health conditions. School nurses are frontline providers. Many times, our school nurses recognize subtle, early signs of communicable disease or chronic illness and help families access care. Imo Jean Douglas Midland ISD Health Services supervisor By the numbers Midland ISD Health Services team has 37 nurses on staff and one nurse administrator. 10 percent of our nurses are Nationally Certified School Nurses; the national average is 4 percent. In 2018-19: --Midland ISD nurses manage care for each student enrolled in Midland ISD. Current enrollment is 25,761. --Immunization tracking and state compliance is completed on every student. --More than 15,000 health screenings are completed on Midland ISD students each year, and referrals are made for identified issues with hearing, vision, spinal abnormalities and signs of Type 2 diabetes. --Midland ISD school nurses have managed 173,448 office visits with students this year. -56,843 of those were visits requiring medication administration, including injectable and emergency medications. -8,728 procedures were performed, including tube feedings, care of students with diabetes, catheterizations and specialty medical device care. --MISD nurses have a return-to-class rate of 92 percent, keeping students engaged in academics. Studies show that when a school nurse is not present on a campus, many more students are sent home from school for health care reasons. --By helping students manage daily and chronic health care conditions, Midland ISD school nurses empower all students to graduate prepared and ready for college or career. --30 percent of the student population in Midland ISD has a significant health concern. With the rising population and increased demand for care, school nurses may be the only health care provider a student has access to. Source: Midland ISD Marvin Pfeiffer /Staff photographer The message to love one another was at the center of Day of Prayer event in Converse City Park pavilion, where dozens gathered to sing and pray. The local Day of Prayer event was held in conjunction with thousands of others nationwide on Thursday. The annual National Day of Prayer is held annually on the first Thursday in May. A national committee selects each years theme and sends a National Prayer for America to be recited at the beginning of all programs across the country. It was recited at the Converse event. Jim Bob Duggar was the central star of the former TLC reality show, 19 Kids and Counting, but his day job involves real estate. The patriarch of the prolific Duggar dynasty is also a real estate agent, and he's invested in properties in his home state of Arkansas. Now it looks like Duggar would like to cash in. He and his wife, Michelle, are selling a 21-acre lot in Bentonville, AR, for $599,000. According to the listing, the locale is near a prime airport service location. In addition, theres a 2,000-square-foot home already on the property, and it's being sold as is. The structure could be converted into an office or maintained as a residence. Duggar land for sale realtor.com Alternatively, the large tract of land could be used for a food distribution center, a warehouse, or a manufacturing or commercial center. Bentonville is where you'll find the corporate headquarters of Walmart, so a commercial buyer is a real possibility. With more and more workers moving into the area, the city has seen a rise in home values. The downtown area has experienced a rebirth, with trendy restaurants, a boutique hotel, and an art museum. Recently, the Duggar family has been making real estate headlines. Anna and Josh Duggar just dropped the price of their Siloam Springs, AR, farmhouse by $10,000. And Jana Duggar gave her parents (Jim Bob and Michelle) a sweet surprise with a master suite remodel. Perhaps the Duggars are angling for a real estate spinoff show. Stay tuned! The post Duggar Watch: Jim Bob and Michelle Selling 21 Acres in Arkansas appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com. Workplace accidents are a reality many construction sites must face. Fortunately, there are steps employers and managers can take to help reduce the risks their employees face on a daily basis. Heres how to avoid scaffolding accidents on construction sites. Always Inspect Scaffolding Before Use Before using any scaffolding, it is essential that an inspection takes place to ensure that all parts of the equipment are correctly installed and that everything is safe for use. Inspecting the scaffolding includes making sure that the structure is stable and that it meets the requirements for load capacity. Also, job site management should always check to make sure the scaffolding is free from any power lines, which could lead to electrocution of employees. Electrocution results in roughly 100 deaths a year on construction sites in the U.S. By being aware of power lines, employers can minimize the risk of these injuries. Safety Training The first step you should take to minimize the risk of scaffolding accidents is to provide adequate safety training. By giving detailed safety training to all employees, employers and site bosses can ensure that risks are significantly reduced for employees. Along with training, employees should also review all relevant health and safety policies and guidelines for the job at hand. Finally, always ensure employees fully understand the importance of working safely and maneuvering slowly while on scaffolding. Use the Proper Safety Equipment In addition to safety training, it is critical that all employees on site use the correct safety equipment while operating on scaffolding. To avoid falls, employees require barrier guards, railings, harnesses, and ropes. Workers should also have any other relevant safety equipment, known as personal protective equipment (PPE), such as hard hats or boots with better grip. Always check with the Office of Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines before beginning work. Stay Organized To minimize scaffolding accident on construction sites, the final thing you should keep in mind is organization. Staying organized ensures all of the previously listed pieces of advice are maintained, and everyone on the site is safe. Poorly organized job sites often result in mixed communication between employees and management and easily-avoidable mistakes. Call Thomas J. Henry Today While taking these steps will help you avoid injuries on the job, if you do suffer a scaffolding slip and fall, Thomas J. Henry is here to help you claim the compensation you deserve. At Thomas J. Henry, we have the legal and financial resources to handle your claim and get you the compensation you deserve. We are the largest personal injury firm in Texas and serve our clients nationwide. Our team of highly-experienced attorneys dedicates themselves to providing our clients with the most up-to-date information and dutiful, comfortable care throughout their legal process. We are industry leaders at the forefront of new and innovate legal solutions, meaning our lawyers are accessible to clients anywhere on earth at any time of the day So, if you suffer injuries in an accident, dont fall for flashy gimmicks. Call Thomas J. Henry today at 361-221-5053. Editors Note: This content is made possible by Thomas J. Henry Personal Injury Law. 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. The weather outside might not always seem like it, but spring has arrived. While you are waiting for those proverbial April showers and subsequent May flowers, its time to get the motorcycle out of the garage. The open roads await your return. Before hitting the highway, however, its vital to review some motorcycle safety tips so you can stay safe on your motorcycle and avoid any mishaps this spring. Pay Attention to Weather Conditions While the calendar is insisting that it is springtime, winter is sometimes reluctant to retreat from the scene. Inclement weather with those wet roads still makes an appearance. These expected spring showers should be taken seriously and with caution. The best tip for navigating slick roads that follow a light rain is to ride slower. Part of the safety equation that goes along with riding at a lower speed is leaving enough distance between your bike and the vehicle in front of you. In this way, you have more than enough space to stop without having to brake quickly and risk skidding out. Motor vehicle accidents are the number one cause of death in America today, and motorcycles are at even higher risk. No matter how much fun you plan to have at your destination, thats not going to happen if you dont get there in one piece. One way to ensure you do this is to follow all Texas motorcycle laws. Always Wear Protective Equipment When Riding Beyond slowing down, what other motorcycle safety tips can help you have an enjoyable ride, whether you have a destination in mind or just going for a trip to unwind? Think gear: having the right equipment and wearing protective clothing is always a good idea. Protective clothing and gloves will reduce potential injuries in case of an accident. Most importantly, a helmet can help mitigate the risk of head or traumatic brain injuries. Be Visible Another way to stay safe on your motorcycle is not to become invisible, meaning you need to be as easy to see as possible to other road users. Wearing bright colored clothing will assist in that regard. In contrast, black clothing will be more challenging to see. Driving along the broken white lines on the highway will often put you into the blind spot of larger vehicles; which is not a place you want to be. Remember, if you cant see the driver in their side view mirror, they cant see you either. Contact an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney Today Following these safety tips, you can help stay safe on your motorcycle this spring. If you have already been injured in a motorcycle accident, protect your rights and contact Thomas J. Henry today. At Thomas J. Henry, the largest personal injury law firm in Texas, we take motorcycle accidents seriously. Our attorneys can assist you in getting full compensation for all damages sustained, including payment of all medical bills, past, present and future, and full compensation for pain and suffering. Our expert lawyers can assist you through the entire legal process; start to finish, getting you full compensation for your injuries. Thomas J. Henry has the experience, the expertise, and determination to get clients the large settlements and verdicts they deserve. Call Thomas J. Henry today at 361-221-5053. Editors Note: This content is made possible by Thomas J. Henry Personal Injury Law. 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. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 7) The Department of Justice (DOJ) has officially charged Rodel Jayme, owner of the website that first shared the "Ang Totoong Narcolist" videos, with inciting to sedition. The case was filed before the Paranaque Regional Trial Court, according to senior assistant state prosecutor JP Navera. State prosecutors conducted an inquest following Jayme's arrest on May 2, where they found the man liable for inciting to sedition under the Cybercrime Prevention Act. A three-member panel investigated Jayme after he was arrested by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). Authorities seized and examined the contents of his laptop and mobile phone. Jayme has admitted to creating the MetroBalita website, which reposted the videos of a hooded man called "Bikoy" who claims to be part of a huge drug syndicate involving family members and the aide of President Rodrigo Duterte. He promised to tell all, and the NBI previously said he may be presented as state witness, but must first show that he is the "least guilty" among those involved. Senior assistant state prosecutor Anna Noreen Devanadera said Monday that Jayme's act of reposting the "libelous" video series "would tend to stir up the people's dissatisfaction with the government," making it seditious. Navera added that circulation of these videos in itself is considered a crime, thus the filing of the case. If found guilty, Jayme could face up to 12 years in jail. However, he can choose to pay a 36,000 bail for temporary freedom pending the resolution of the case. Meanwhile, Department of Justice Spokesperson Markk Perete said they are not yet looking into the allegations made by "Bikoy" linking the President's kin to the alleged illegal drug trade, citing questions about his credibility. A man named Peter Joemel Advincula has revealed himself as "Bikoy" and has sought legal aid from the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, claiming threats to his life. Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Advincula appears to be a "fraud," citing his previous estafa cases. He dismissed Advincula's claims, saying he is out to spread black propaganda against the Duterte family. CNN Philippines Correspondent Anjo Alimario contributed to this report. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo canceled a visit to Germany and made an unexpected trip to Baghdad on Tuesday, a day after the Trump administration said Iranian forces had put U.S. troops in Iraq and Syria at heightened risk. Reporters traveling with Pompeo said he met with top Iraqi officials including the prime minister, Adel Abdul Mahdi, during a four-hour visit. ROVANIEMI, Finland Under pressure from the United States, the Arctic Council issued a short joint statement Tuesday that excluded any mention of climate change. It was the first time since its formation in 1996 that the council had been unable to issue a joint declaration spelling out its priorities. As an international organization made up of eight Arctic countries and representatives of indigenous groups in the region, its stated mission is cooperation on Arctic issues, particularly the protection of the regions fragile environment. After reading about the shortfall in funding for the St John Ambulance service, the Rotary Satellite Club of Orewa-Millwater last month voted to donate $500 to St John Hibiscus Coast. President Tracey Johnson says the group supports local charities as much as it can. Our young Rotary Club wants to remain at the core of support for the Hibiscus Coast community, she says. Pictured, from left, St John Hibiscus Coast president Chris Todd, Tracey Johnson and St John Hibiscus Coast treasurer Barbara Everiss. David White in the 2017 White Ribbon Ride. The Harm Ends, Futures Begin tour marks the end of Davids advocacy work. Photo, White Ribbon Anti-violence campaigner David White will bring his electorate tour to the Hibiscus Coast this month when he meets with Rodney MP Mark Mitchell on Monday, May 20. The Harm Ends, Futures Begin tour encourages community-led preventative action against domestic violence, which has involved David visiting all of New Zealands 71 electorates in 72 days. The majority of the tour has been sitting down with MPs from all parties and saying what can we do that will work in your community, with a few presentations thrown in as well, David says. Change is possible, and community driven initiatives are a big part of the solution. Davids daughter Helen Meads was shot by her husband in 2009 after enduring years of physical and psychological abuse. David has been an anti-violence advocate, as well as the legal guardian to Helens daughters Kimberly and Samantha, with his wife Pam, ever since. He says rebuilding families is essential in preventing the transfer of trauma to the next generation and in ending the family violence cycle. This means David has not only had to create an on-going dialogue with the man who killed his daughter, but he will also support him in receiving parole in three years time. When he was sentenced to 11 years, my initial reaction was that is far too short. However, 11 years is much too long to be absent in his daughter Samanthas life, David says. We need our fathers to be fathers, its a real problem in New Zealand. Mr Mitchell, who knows David through being a White Ribbon ambassador, says he did not hesitate to jump on board and is open to any suggestions from David and Hestia Rodney Womans Refuge, who will also be attending the meeting. David says Mr Mitchell was one of the first MPs to respond to him when he initially pitched the electorate tour idea. While there is no public meeting being held in Rodney, David will be speaking at an event at Te Manawa Community Hub, 11 Kohuhu Lane, Westgate, Auckland, on Thursday, May 16, at 7pm. All are welcome to attend the event, which will be hosted by Helensville MP Chris Penk and Upper Harbour MP and deputy leader of the National Party, Paula Bennett. Local domestic violence figures on the rise Since July last year, Hestia Rodney Womens Refuge has seen a steady increase in weekly domestic violence callouts, averaging 50 calls a week. A Hestia spokesperson told the paper that this may be due to the influx of new people to the area. Hestias figures show that a total of 60 percent of calls are from Whangaparaoa and 20 percent from Orewa, and they come from a wide range of families. However, the Hestia spokesperson says only 18 percent of domestic violence and eight percent of sexual violence is reported, so the true figures would be much higher. Hestia has been instrumental in providing community driven solutions to domestic violence through conducting healthy relationship presentations at Rodney colleges and providing on-going support for domestic violence victims. The organisation believes that education and law reforms which make the system more accessible for women is the key to ending family violence. Anyone needing help or advice can call Hestias 24-hour crisis line 0800 REFUGE. Last month Mayor Phil Goff announced a partnership with global engineering firm Mott MacDonald designed to turn Auckland Councils Safeswim system into a multi-million dollar global product. The partnership will look to sell Safeswim, Auckland Councils real-time, region-wide water quality monitoring system, to third party users such as other councils and regional authorities around the world. Safeswim results have highlighted the breadth and frequency of poor water quality at Aucklands beaches. Mr Goff says this has been behind the decision to invest at record levels in cleaning up beaches over the next 10 years. Public input on Auckland Councils review of its Policy on Dogs and Dog Management Bylaw closes this week, on May 10 (HM April 17). After this, Council staff will look at all the feedback and make a summary report available to the panel considering the proposed changes, as well as putting it on the website www.ourauckland.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz (look for Have Your Say on Aucklands Dog Rules). The public can attend and observe the deliberations panel as it considers the findings of this consultation on Friday, June 21, 1.30pm to 5pm; Wednesday, June 26, 12.30pm to 5pm; and Wednesday, July 3, 1.30pm to 5pm. All these meetings will be held at the reception lounge, Level 2, Auckland Town Hall. The Hibiscus & Bays Local Board will also present the feedback it has received on the issue to the panel. Auckland Council, via its property arm Panuku Development, is proposing to sell 23 properties on Whangaparaoa Road with a combined rating value of $13.9 million. It is the largest number of Council-owned properties on the Coast to be considered for sale since the councils amalgamated in 2010. Most of the properties form a line from just past DOyly Drive, around the corner into Brightside Road. They are numbered 472-502 Whangaparaoa Road and 4-6 Brightside Road. In addition, 599, 616A and 750A Whangaparaoa Road are proposed to be sold. Sixteen of the sites are vacant land and the remainder are residential properties. As a whole, the sites from 472 Whangaparaoa Road to 6 Brightside Road are considered a key part of the road network allowing for future road widening as the peninsulas population grows. The 23 properties, many of which have sea views, are zoned Residential Single House. However, because most are adjoining, some local board members, including chair Julia Parfitt and deputy chair Janet Fitzgerald, fear the properties could go to a developer who could amalgamate the titles into one site and build many houses. Any such development would add to the problems on Whangaparaoa Road, whereas this land was purchased by Rodney District Council because it had the potential to reduce traffic problems, Mrs Parfitt says. Rodney didnt have a lot of money to throw around, so purchasing those properties was a big investment and done for strategic purposes as they could see the growth occurring. Mrs Fitzgerald says it is irresponsible to sell off land that could be critically important for road safety in future. At the very least they should first subdivide off enough for road widening, she says. Cr John Watson says that although widening Whangaparaoa Road is not a funded project from 2018-28, the option should still be retained. Its hard to understand how Rodney could determine that this was needed in the late 1990s but over 20 years on, with a significantly increased population, its no longer required, he says. Weve already seen this when the land in Link Crescent was sold off for housing a few years back. This was an ideal location for another park and ride servicing the eastern end of the peninsula. That opportunity was lost the moment that land was sold. Because the Whangaparaoa and Brightside Road properties were purchased for road widening, they are on Auckland Transports (AT) books and the AT board had to agree to the disposal, which it did following a report presented to it recently. The local board was refused access to the report on the basis that it is confidential. At the local boards April 17 meeting, members were asked by representatives of AT and Panuku to endorse the proposed land sales. Instead, the local board deferred its decision, asking again to see the AT report. We need all the information when considering such a key disposal on our arterial network, Mrs Parfitt said at the meeting. Did AT think about the increase in traffic and development along the route? Despite this lack of local board support, Panukus portfolio strategy manager, Marian Webb, says the sale proposal is going before Councils Finance and Performance Committees June 18 meeting for final approval. The properties are no longer needed for transport or infrastructure projects, nor for any other council service, she says. Part of Panukus mandate is to identify sites that are underused or no longer needed for council purposes to create a return for ratepayers. Panukus report to the local board states that it is required to sell $24 million of property by June 30. To retain non-service properties for an undefined purpose is contrary to councils Revenue and Funding Policy principles and would require support from the Finance and Performance Committee given the impact of not realising the sale of the non-service properties, the report says. AT had no comment to make on the proposed disposals. Mothers, fulltime workers and Manly Volunteer Fire Brigade firefighters Janette Baird and Jasmine Holgate are taking on the Sky Tower Stair Challenge on Saturday May 18. Firefighters from all over New Zealand will race up the Sky Towers 51 flights of stairs wearing full gear to raise funds for Leukaemia and Blood Cancer NZ. Over the last three years, the annual event has raised more than $1 million. This is the first time Janette and Jasmine have participated in the event. We want to challenge ourselves, but on a personal level, I want to support my friend with leukaemia Janette says. Janette is an early childhood teacher in Stanmore Bay, and Jasmine works at the BNZ. In addition to being first responders at the fire station, Janette is in charge of recruitment and Jasmine is the event coordinator. Janettes sons Max, 10, and Jack, 5, and Jasmines boys Carlos, 8, and Tyson, 5, go with their mums to train for the challenge, accompanying them to the gym or when they run up and down local flights of stairs. The kids are well accustomed to participating in brigade life, attending the station at least once a week for Kids Club a group for children whose parents volunteer at the Manly fire station. We watch movies, eat fish and chips, and celebrate holidays like Easter and Halloween. The kids really enjoy it, Janette says. The children are also taught first aid and fire safety skills at Kids Club, which came in handy when Janettes own house caught on fire after her husband Douglas, the Manly Fire Station treasurer, was cooking chips. My husband yelled fire, but I thought he meant on my pager, so I looked and just said no there isnt. The next thing I know, my pager is going off and it says my own address! Janette says. By this time, my kids were already standing out by the letterbox which was exactly the right thing to do. They were so calm and handled it really well. While both Jasmine and Janette find firefighting a rewarding challenge, they say they understand why women, particularly mums, may have doubts about joining. It took me ages to sign up because I didnt think I would be physically strong enough, Janette says. However, I bring my own strengths to the team, as I was small enough to fit under the deck to save a Jack Russell terrier at one incident and I can also climb through small windows. Everyone has their different skill sets, and they are all valued here. To sponsor Janette and Jasmine, follow the link on the Manly Skywalkers Sky Tower Climb Facebook page. People Before Profit candidate in the Longford Municipal District Barbara Smyth has described comments, attributed to Independent European election candidate Peter Casey, regarding immigrants as 'quite simply outrageous'. Ms Smyth suggested that Mr Casey knows exactly what he is doing. He is trying to stir up hate for his own agenda which is tapping into a them and us narrative we have seen emerge recently. Why do we have immigrants? We have immigrants fleeing war torn countries because the big nations of the world keep bombing them into oblivion. He didnt call for a cease fire on these countries. He didnt call for an increase in building more affordable and social housing which would alleviate our housing crisis. He targeted the most vulnerable people in the world who have fled their countries with just the clothes on their backs to paint them as freeloaders. His comments are contemptible and have no place in a welcoming nation such as Ireland is. Also read: Peter Casey wants action on 'freeloader' immigrants The unveiling of two new plaques at St Patricks church in Ardagh and St Mels church, also in Ardagh, drew the crowds on Sunday, April 28. The plaques, which were designed by the team of Grey Wizard design in consultation with Robert English and Laurie Walker of St Patricks Church and the County Heritage Officer Mairead Ni Chonghaile, were financed by the Tidy Towns committee with the support of the Longford Council community grant support scheme. Tom Bannon also played a pivotal role. The idea behind the erection of the plaques came from two Ardagh residents, Dorothy Woodcock and Mary Lyons. Dorothy moved here from the UK about twenty years ago and she noticed that the old religious side of the village didnt have any information around them for tourists or local people. We thought it would be good if there were signs on the walls with some information about the sites, Mary Lyons told the Leader. She then suggested it to the Tidy Towns committee and they were in support of it. We got a lot of help from the Heritage officer, as we were very keen to make sure that we didnt do anything that would disturb or be out of keeping with the sites. After their unveiling, the plaques were blessed by Ms Ruth Galbraith, Church of Ireland Lay Pastor, and Fr Vincent Connaughton, local parish priest. This was followed by a talk from local Archivist and Ardagh native, Martin Morris. Mary said, Martin, who is a native of Ardagh, spoke on both of the churches, their history and how they came to be, as well as their significance to the area. This was followed by blessings and some refreshments at the local community centre. The plaque at St Patricks Church was complete to compliment the work of Luke Baxter, who published a book in 2013 (Our Roots in Stone) in which he translated and indexed each burial stone at the site, which were previously illegible. The plaque also includes a map of the churchyard. The inscriptions were written by Martin Morris. Also read: 'This is an extreme insult against our community': Dun Aras residents hit out at Longford planning authority The plaque at the ruins of the St Mels church, which is thought to have been built in the 900s, gives a brief history of the church and the man behind its foundation, St Mel. There are three plaques now, one at the old lower churchyard, one at St Patrick's and one at St Mel's. We get a lot of visitors in Ardagh and they do wander around these locations. Now when they do, they will be able to get a very good picture of each of the sites. Everyone is welcome to come along and have a look. It is a very scenic location as well, Mary concluded. Bradys Arva has been awarded Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Dealer of the Year 2018 at the recent Volkswagen Gold Pin Awards. The award, which celebrates excellence within the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles retail network, recognises the retailers contribution in a number of areas including sales performance, local market share and overall customer experience and is the highest honour that a Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles retailer can achieve. The award was presented to Padraig Brady (retailer principal) of Bradys Arva, by Alan Bateson, Managing Director of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Ireland, at a gala awards ceremony held in Powerscourt Hotel, Co Wicklow. Commenting on the award, Padraig Brady, retailer principal, Bradys Arva said, "I am incredibly proud to receive the prestigious Commercial Vehicles Dealer of the Year accolade on behalf of our magnificent team at Brady's of Arva. To win this award is a huge testament to both our staff and to our very loyal and expanding customer base who continue to support us with their custom year after year. They are the most important element of our business and we never try to lose sight of that. As a family business operating in rural Ireland for close to sixty years, this recognition is something that we will treasure for a very long time. It was a great team effort and we couldn't have done it without everyone's assistance including; our customer-focused sales team and service advisors, our manufacturer trained technicians, our service, support and parts advisors and all of the administrative personnel based in our premises in Arva. In picking up this award, I would also like to recognise the invaluable support and guidance that I receive from Volkswagen Group Ireland Limited who continue to underpin our constantly evolving industry with first class service, advice and encouragement." Also read: Longford Leader Motoring: The sleek popular Toyota Camry is back in Ireland Congratulating the team at Bradys Arva, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Director Alan Bateson said, This is a very well deserved accolade for Bradys Arva who deliver not only our award winning and best in market products but a service in sales and aftersales that ensures all customers are given the service they require. In 2018, Bradys Arva helped to deliver a 23% market share, making Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles and Bradys Arva the Number 1 choice in Cavan. 2018 was once again a successful year for the brand in Ireland and 2019 has started the same. New models like the Crafter and Amarok, alongside long time best-selling vehicles in Ireland such as the Caddy and Transporter are one of the reasons for this, another is our specialised Commercial Retailer network and Bradys Arva are an example of this. Download Image: Web Lycoming College student Mikayla Feldbauer 20 of St. Marys, Pa., was recently awarded a Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship for her senior year of study. With this award, Feldbauer joins an elite group of young scholars who show exceptional promise in becoming the next generation of research leaders. The Goldwater Scholarship was established by Congress in 1986 for college sophomores and juniors who intend to pursue research careers in the natural sciences, mathematics and engineering, to help ensure that the United States is producing highly-qualified professionals in these fields. From a pool of more than 5,000 applicants, Feldbauer was chosen for her academic merit, as well as her strong commitment to, and potential for significant contribution to science research. The Goldwater scholarship will help to cover the cost of tuition, fees, books and room and board up to $7,500. Lycoming College is honored to have Mikaylas academic success and future potential affirmed by the receipt of this prestigious scholarship. Her future as a scientist is very bright, indeed, said Philip Sprunger, provost and dean of the College. With an interdisciplinary major that traverses the boundaries of biology, math, and computer science, Feldbauer has already gained substantial research experience. In the department of molecular biology and genetics at Cornell University, she participated in the 2018 Summer Research Experience for Undergraduates, where she conducted research entitled Investigating the Details of Spacer Acquisition in Type II CRISPR-Cas Systems. As part of the research project, Feldbauer optimized the protocol for amplifying the Cas operon via PCR; transformed the Cas1 and Cas2 proteins and CRISPR array from Enterococcus faecalis into Bacillus subtilis; performed pilot integration experiments; and prepared and presented at the Summer Institute for Life Sciences Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium at Cornell. On Lycomings campus, she works in the mathematics department on differential equations research, and in the neuroscience department as a mouse laboratory assistant. This summer, Feldbauer will further her experience by researching protein design and dynamics as a Rosetta Commons intern. I definitely want to go into the field of computational biology, possibly with a goal of pursuing a research career in industry. I can see myself working in a research and development position for a government lab or a private lab, said Feldbauer. Feldbauer has distinguished herself at Lycoming College with a student career that draws on knowledge and experiences from a number of different areas. She serves as a tutor in the Colleges Academic Resource Center for both math and biology. She has presented her research at conferences, and also composes and delivers monthly planetarium shows to the public in the Colleges Detwiler Planetarium. She has been awarded the Lycoming College Trustees Scholarship, Fundamentals of Physics Award, M.B. Rich Endowed Prize, Freshman Biology Award, and Principles of Astronomy Award. Feldbauer is a member of both Phi Kappa Phi and IRUSKA honor societies, and has served in leadership positions with Omicron Delta Kappa, Student Senate, and the Society of Physics Students. She was also nominated by her peers for the Gettysburg Leadership Experience. Upon graduation from Lycoming College, Feldbauer hopes to pursue a doctorate in computational biology, and conduct research in genomics or molecular dynamics. She will begin applying to graduate schools this fall. Chinese tech giant Huawei on Sunday confirmed its plans to build and operate an optical device research and development base in Cambridge, United Kingdom, within the next five years. The facility, occupying 513 acres (2 square kilometers) of land, will be located in the village of Sawston, 11 km outside of Cambridge and just 15 minutes from the headquarters of Arm Holdings, the UK's largest technology company. The facility would create 400 jobs for the area and is due to be operational by 2021. The Government has announced that New Zealanders will vote on legislation to legalise recreational cannabis at the 2020 election. That draft legislation will include: A minimum age of 20 to use and purchase recreational cannabis Regulations and commercial supply controls Limited home-growing options A public education programme Stakeholder engagement Justice Minister Andrew Little has revealed that voters will be presented with draft legislation that will include a minimum age of 20 to use and purchase recreational cannabis. It will also include regulations and commercial supply controls, limited home-growing options, a public education programme, and stakeholder engagement. "There will be a clear choice for New Zealanders in a referendum at the 2020 General Election. Cabinet has agreed there will be a simple Yes/No question on the basis of a draft piece of legislation," Little said. Little highlighted how the referendum is a commitment in the Labour-Greens Confidence and Supply Agreement, as well as a longstanding commitment from New Zealand First to hold a referendum on the issue. "Officials are now empowered to draft the legislation with stakeholder input, and the Electoral Commission will draft the referendum question to appear on the ballot," Little said, adding that the voter's choice will be "binding". Little said he hoped that the National Party would commit to "respecting the voters' decision", as the party's drug reform spokesperson Paula Bennett has spoken out against legalisation. The Cabinet paper outlining details of the referendum has been published online, showing the four referendum approaches the Government considered, which were published on Sunday by National after it was leaked the Cabinet paper. After a billboard was erected in Martinsville to denounce same-sex marriage, a crowdfunding campaign has emerged that seeks to create a sign with a message of tolerance and inclusiveness. Travelers heading west on Commonwealth Boulevard have for the past month encountered a billboard that depicts a man and a woman holding hands behind the message: MARRIAGE IS 1 MAN + 1 WOMAN. This billboard was sponsored by Thomas Farrell, president of Thou Shall Ministries. Its presence has drawn many questions and concerns on social media from the Martinsville community about the intent of its message and the identity of the sponsoring organization. And now, amid all that discussion, people are donating to a GoFundMe campaign to create a Gay Pride billboard. With 44 backers and growing since its launch date on April 24, this campaign has raised nearly 50% of its $2,000 goal. About 25% of that goal was reached within the first 48 hours. In less than two weeks, a total of $914 has been donated. Farrell has said he paid $1,700 for his message to stay up for 2 months. The campaign was created by Ariel Vaughn, 30, of Martinsville. The billboard espoused intolerance and exclusion while blatantly condemning same-sex marriage, she said. And she said Farrells billboard appears to read that gay marriage is wrong and a sin against God, so consequently being gay is wrong. Some people just see an affirmation of their religious beliefs. Its hard for them to put themselves in someone elses shoes. She said she respects Farrells right to freedom of speech and that he is entitled to his opinion. She said she is not asking for the sign to be taken down. It would be hypocritical of me to want to exclude a billboard representing others' beliefs, when my goal is inclusion and tolerance, Vaughn said. I am ideologically opposed to the billboard, while also respecting his [Farrells] freedom of speech, as well as the right of others to believe differently. The message you receive from the billboard may not be the same as what someone else receives. Even if their interpretation is different than yours, it doesnt have to mean either of you are wrong. Vaughn said this crowdfunding campaign is her way of putting words into action: Just talking and venting about something is useless if youre not willing to do something about it. I had been mulling it in my mind for several weeks, and then I saw the article in the paper. The article was definitely the impetus for me starting it. The campaign launched on the same day that an article was published in the Martinsville Bulletin to provide background about Farrell and his billboard. If they want to put up a billboard, thats their business, Farrell said last week. My billboard is not against them, although it makes them feel guilty, and it makes them feel defensive in response to the LGBTQ community. I think they are hell-bent on the wrong thing. Vaughns significant other, Sean Seay, 28, of Fieldale, said he supports her project. I am extremely proud of her for taking the time out of her busy schedule to organize everything and put it together for a good cause, he said. Landon Webb, 33, of Bowling Green said he supported Vaughns campaign because he feels that marriage is between the people involved. It really isnt that simple though. Hospital visitation, taxes, medical decisions, funeral decisions these are just a few benefits that require marriage. If the $2,000 goal is not met, Vaughn said she has several backup plans. I was thinking either a smaller billboard with a shorter time span, or maybe lawn signs but no matter whats chosen, I think it should definitely be decided by everyone that donated, she said. Vaughn said the campaigns contributors will be asked to vote in a poll in order to determine the final design when the campaign has reached 75% of its goal. Suggestions for the Gay Pride billboards design include: Virginia is for Lovers with a rainbow theme, God loves ALL his children and Love is Love. Her favorite suggestion so far, she said, is Love Thy Neighbor in rainbow letters. She said a design has not been determined because she did not want to put the buggy before the horse. One of the designs submitted includes Martinsvilles city logo redesigned with the colors of the rainbow, by Tony Davis of Martinsville, co-owner of Luna Moth Tattoo Studio. Vaughn said she wasnt sure if her group could legally use that design. I am ecstatic to see how everything will turn out, Seay said. She has received a lot of great feedback from everyone so far. COLOMBO/BENTOTA, Sri Lanka - Sri Lanka's $4.4 billion tourism industry is reeling from cancellations as travelers shun the Indian Ocean island after multiple suicide bombings killed more than 250 people two weeks ago. Suspected suicide bombers from a little-known Muslim extremist group in Sri Lanka attacked churches and luxury hotels in the country on Easter Sunday. Among the dead were worshippers and Sri Lankan and foreign tourists. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attacks. "It's a big blow to the economy, as well as the tourism industry," Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena said in an interview on Saturday. "For the economy to develop, it's important tourism return to where it was before the attacks." On 6-8 May, Cuba will host for the first time an international event on the life and ideas of Russian revolutionary, Leon Trotsky. The academic event reflects the growing interest in the ideas of Trotsky on the island since the collapse of the Soviet Union. We are pleased to announce that the Centro de Estudios Socialistas Carlos Marx (the Spanish language publication house of the International Marxist Tendency) will participate in this historic event, where we will present a new edition of Revolution Betrayed, which has been jointly published with the Leon Trotsky House-Museum in Mexico. Alan Woods was asked to participate with a video conference on the life and ideas of Trotsky, which is available here (in Spanish). The 20-year-old woman killed in a Boston crash Sunday was identified by friends and her former high school as Amber Pelletier of Central Falls, Rhode Island. Her obituary said she was a 2016 graduate of La Salle Academy in Providence. She had just finished her junior year at St. Leo University in Florida where she was majoring in psychology. Pelletier minored in education and hoped to complete graduate school and counsel children in hospitals, according to the obituary. As a young girl and throughout college, she participated regionally and nationally in cheerleading and dance, the obituary said. She participated in the Patriots Junior Cheerleading program and for many years was with the Dance Theater of Rhode Island in Cumberland. She was a National Grand Champion in dance competition. La Salle Academy Principal Don Kavanagh released a statement to about the young womans death. In it, he said: Our hearts are heavy at La Salle Academy as we remember the wonderful life of Amber Pelletier, Class of 2016. Amber was a caring and socially conscious young woman who made a difference at La Salle and in her community by volunteering with Lasallian Youth. In a difficult time like this, we turn to our Catholic teachings to guide us. Our prayers go out to her family and friends as they celebrate the gift of her life and offer them our support as they cope with this tragic loss. Pelletiers grandmother works as a cashier at the schools cafeteria. A GoFundMe page to help raise money for her service described her as a warm, kind-hearted individual who made everyone smile and laugh around her. Pelletier was a passenger in a car that rolled over on Bennington Street early Sunday morning in Boston. Authorities said another woman was injured in the crash. She is expected to survive. Dylan Etheridge, 22, of East Boston, was arraigned Monday in court on several charges including motor vehicle homicide and leaving the scene of an accident. The Suffolk District Attorneys Office said a judge set bail at $1,000 and ordered Etheridge to wear a GPS monitor and remain alcohol-free. Authorities accuse Etheridge of speeding on Bennington Street before the crash around 1:10 a.m. Sunday. His car struck several parked vehicles and a cement planter before rolling over. Etheridge left the scene, but was later arrested Sunday, the district attorneys office said. Nadine Tiffts faith has been tested. The 37-year-old publicly accused a priest on Tuesday of sexually molesting her as a teenager growing up in New England. Im still Catholic, she said, but adding, It makes it hard to go to church. Two decades ago, Tifft and several friends attended leadership retreats organized through her church for young members. The retreats were held around New England, designed to connect Catholics throughout New England with leaders in the church. During such events, Tifft alleges she was sexually abused by a former clergyman in Massachusetts, the Rev. John Sweeney, of the Franciscans of Primitive Observance, a religious community under the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston. Sweeney would encourage the teens to confess their sins and, after confessionals, told several they were possessed and would perform exorcisms on them, Tifft said. During a church retreat in 2000, Tifft said Sweeney sexually molested her. In years since, Tiffts said other friends said they were sexually abused by Sweeney as well. We were teenagers who trusted that priest, she said. She refrained from speaking about the incident for more than a decade, coming forward first by reporting the incident first to investigators with the church several years ago. Promises were made but in the end, they did nothing, Tifft said. Sweeney was assigned to Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception in New Bedford from 1998 into 2004. In years since, he was assigned to other parishes in Massachusetts, including Lawrence and Roxbury. His current location is not currently listed, according to Tiffts attorney. Attorney Mitchell Garabedian held a press conference Tuesday to allow Tifft to speak with reporters and to release the names of seven other priests who he said have been credibly accused of sexually abusing minors but not publicly identified by the Archdiocese of Boston. Garabedian, the Boston attorney who has famously represented sexual abuse victims in the region during the Catholic priest sexual abuse scandal, said abuses in the church are far from over. The priests Garabedian says hes adding to his website of priests accused of sexual abuse include the Rev. Gerard D. Barry, the Rev. Walter Casey, the Rev. Richard Donahue, the Rev. Charles McGahey, the Rev. Arnold E. Kelley, the Rev. Edward J. Mc Laughlin and Monsignor Charles J. Ring. The Boston attorney said Archdiocese has declined to list their names on the Archdioceses website for more than a year. Donahue and Kelley are alive, the other five named are deceased. The Archdiocese of Boston reached a five-figure settlement with a victim of Kelley, who lived in Lowell for a number of years. Years after the Catholic priest sexual abuse scandal made international headlines, Garabedian said victims are still coming forward for multiple reasons: victims needing time to process what occurred and a lack of transparency allowing for continued abuse. Garabedian said the victims range in age from 29 to 76 years old. Were spanning decades of sexual abuse, he said, adding, The Catholic Church cannot self police when it comes to sexual abuse and this is just further evidence. The Archdiocese disputed this remark when reached for comment Tuesday. The Archdiocese of Boston is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of children and young people in our parishes and institutions. We evidence that commitment in part by following our publicly-stated protocol for handling claims of abuse, as we have in the allegations asserted in todays press conference wherein it falsely suggests that archdiocese has broken from promises. All allegations made against clergymen were immediately reported to law enforcement when they were received, the Archdiocese said, and the names of accused priests are listed according to protocol. Five of the priests were dead at the time the church received the allegations against them so are not listed on the Archdioceses website, per protocol. Kelley has not been in active ministry and has been publicly disclosed so his name is listed on the Archdioceses website. Donahue is retired and allegations against him remain under investigation, according to the church. The Archdiocese said Sweeney is no longer a priest in the Catholic Church. In historic first, evangelist Franklin Graham joins son Will Graham for the 'Kaua`i Celebration with Will Graham' Thousands attend three-day outreach at Vidinha Stadium, May 3-5, 2019 News provided by May 6, 2019 KAUA`I, Hawaii, May 6, 2019 / Christian Newswire / -- Evangelist Will Graham visited the island of Kaua`i, Hawaii, this weekend, where 6,495 people heard the Gospel during the three-day Kaua`i Celebration with Will Graham at Lihue's Vidinha Stadium. In an unexpected surprise for those in attendance, Will Graham was joined by his father, Franklin Graham, who spoke at Friday night's opening service. It was a historic moment because it was the first time the two generations have preached from the same stage at a Will Graham Celebration. "Sin is a robber. It steals your joy, your happiness, your fellowship with God," said Franklin on Friday night. "Jesus is here. Will you reach out to Him? Are you willing to call on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ tonight?" Will spoke on Saturday and Sunday nights, and shared the same eternal hope of Christ. "God can change your life tonight. He wants to come into your life and give you a chance to turn around," said Will. "God's chasing after you, not to punish you but to love you. Surrender all of your brokenness, your junk. Hand it over to God. He'll take it and give you a new life." On an island where -- according to local Christian leaders -- roughly 5,000 people attend church on a given weekend, approximately 600 people responded to the invitation to begin a relationship with Jesus at the Kaua`i Celebration. "We're believing God that this Celebration is part of the answer for the lack of hope on this island," said Pastor Nathan Hanohano, who served as the Celebration team leader. "Revival can happen if people will really start crying out to Jesus. We really need to see this darkness broken off this island." In addition to the unique father-son nature of the Kaua`i Celebration, the event also marked one of the rare times that all three generations of Grahams Billy Graham, Franklin and Will have spoken in the same city. Billy Graham preached in Lihue, Kaua`i, in 1965 after a weeklong outreach in Honolulu. Will's next outreach will take place in Albania, the first time that any evangelist with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association will preach in the country. From there he will hold the Big Sky Celebration (a tour of three cities in Montana Helena, Hamilton and Great Falls) and a three-day Celebration of Hope in Belleville, Ontario. For information on the Kaua`i Celebration with Will Graham, visit www.KauaiCelebration.com and www.facebook.com/KauaiCelebration SOURCE Billy Graham Evangelistic Association Related Links Stop me if youve heard this one. David Krejci scored a second period goal and Tuukka Rask has been really good as the Bruins lead the Blue Jackets, 1-0, in Game 6 of their second-round playoff series. Boston will try to hold the lead and eliminate Columbus, while the Jackets will try to force Game 7 Wednesday. Krejci had a goal to give the Bruins a 1-0 lead through two period in Game 5 before the Bruins survived a wild third period to win, 4-3, Saturday. The Bruins appeared to take a lead when Sean Kurarlys shot beat Sergei Bobrovsky just under 9 minutes into the first period, but Joakim Nordstrom was called for goaltender interference. Tuukka Rask, who John Tortorella called dented earlier in the day was able to buff out every Columbus scoring chance through two periods with 28 saves as the Blue Jackets outshot Boston, 17-5 in the second period. WEST SPRINGFIELD Eastec, the massive manufacturing trade show, returns to the Big E next week with a focus on the future the future of manufacturing, of the planet and of the industrys workforce. Sustainability is a focus area at Eastec this year, said event manager Kim Farrugia. That means conserving energy, minimizing waste, streamlining practices and even using environmentally friendly packaging, she said. Farrugia said attendees should look for an emphasis on additive manufacturing processes ones that like 3-D printing build up a product, rather than remove material like traditional machining and workforce development and retention. Eastec runs from Tuesday, May 14 through Thursday, May 16 at the Eastern States Exposition Grounds in West Springfield. The event is put on by trade organization SME of Southfield, Michigan. Registration can cost as much as $50 a person, but is offered free to early registrants, SME members and others. Now in its 35th year, Eastec takes place every other year. Tuesday kicks off with a ribbon cutting featuring state Sen. Eric Lesser, D-Longmeadow and state Rep. Jeffrey N. Roy, D- Milford, of the legislatures Manufacturing Caucus, and West Springfield Mayor William Reichelt. The first keynote presentation is from Marty Guay, vice president of business development for Stanley Black & Decker. Hell talk about how the company is working to make New England the center of the Fourth Industrial Revolution," which combines machines, computer software and biology. Stanley Black & Decker now owns the Lenox American Saw tool factory in East Longmeadow. The real draw at Eastec is the exhibits. Vendors set up and display milling and manufacturing machines worth millions each. The view through a stereo microscope at a display by Vision Engineering of New Milford, Connecticut at the 2017 Eastec show.The Republican file The show promises to be bigger this year than it was in 2017, with 556 exhibit spaces rented to 736 companies and about 13,000 attendees registered. Farrugia said she has about 3,000 more square feet of exhibit space spoken for than she had in 2017. She said the machinery and technology will be on display in the Mallary Complex, where livestock is exhibited during the Big E, in the Better Living Center and in the Young Building. "We are attracting more of those elevated technology companies, the additive manufacturing, the robotics, industry 4.0," Farrugia said. Exhibitors from Massachusetts include Brooks Associates of Norwell, dealers in metal cutting and forming tools; and Starrett Co. of Athol which promises to show off the latest in optical and video equipment as well as its precision gauges. Smith & Wesson Precision Components, a unit of the Springfield gunmaker, will also be there. Eastec will once again help building a new work force for manufacturing and engineering by inviting high school students to check out the new technology at the show. Farrugia said she expects 160 high school students from around the region to attend to visit booths and do a hands-on aerial drone project. Massachusetts schools confirmed to attend are Agawam High School, Roger l. Putnam Vocational Technical Academy, Franklin County Technical School in Turners Falls, Minuteman Career and Technical High School in Lexington and Shawsheen Valley Regional Vocational High School in Billerica. The students will work on their drones, and fly them, in the Stroh building. Veteran British rockers Deep Purple will bring its U.S. tour to Boston and Connecticut in the fall. The progressive rock band will play the Orpheum Theater in Boston on Oct. 5 and Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT on Oct. 9. Tickets for both shows will go on sale May 10 at 10 a.m. through all Ticketmaster outlets and locations including ticketmaster.com and by phone at (800) 7745-3000. Despite the name of the tour, this is not a farewell tour for the British band that formed in 1968. Guitarist Steve Morse announced in January that the group was planning to record a new album, a follow up to 2017s Infinite release. Lil Wayne and Blink-182 have announced a co-headlining tour that will include stops in the Boston-area and Connecticut. The joint tour will arrive at the Xfinity Theatre in Hartford on June 29 and the Xfinity Center in Mansfield, MA on July 10. Tickets for both shows will go on sale Friday at 10 a..m. through Live Nation at livenation.com. The multi-genre collaboration of the rapper and the rock band is an intriguing one and the artists recently celebrated the announcement with a mash-up of their songs A Milli and Whats My Age Again? The owner of Mikes Famous Roast Beef and Pizza in North Reading pleaded guilty on Tuesday to failing to report about $1.9 million in cash receipts, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Emanuel Panousos, also known as Mike Panousos, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to two counts of helping file false corporate tax returns. Panuosos, 43, of Peabody, owes about $387,180 in corporate and personal taxes from cash receipts he didnt report to the Internal Revenue Service, prosecutors said. Between 2013 and 2015, he failed to report the cash receipts to his tax preparer or on the restaurants corporate tax returns. Panuosos could face up to three years in prison, one year of supervision and a fine of $250,000. Panousoss parents, William and Theodora Panuosos, and his brother Konstantinos Kostas Panuosos were convicted in a tax evasion scheme involving their restaurant, Giovannis Roast Beef in Peabody. They were sentenced to three years probation and ordered to pay restitution. Emanuel Panuosos sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 15. Authorities in Attleboro say the man tied to a violent armed street robbery last month has turned himself in. Attleboro police report local resident Cory Silva, 29, turned himself in on Monday, weeks after the robbery occurred of an uptown business on April 24. Authorities said Silva is known to frequent the Eastside area of the city that borders Rhode Island. On that evening, police said Silva allegedly, viciously" assaulted and robbed a disabled person, which resulted in egregious bodily injury to the victim. Prior to Monday, Silva was wanted on charges of armed robbery and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, police said. Silva turned himself in at Attleboro District Court on Monday. Police said he is now being held pending a dangerousness hearing. Columbia Gas and parent company NiSource agreed to an $80 million settlement with the three Merrimack Valley communities impacted by a series of gas explosions and fires last fall. At a press conference in Andover on Tuesday, Columbia Gas President Mark Kempic stood alongside Andover Town Manager Andrew Flanagan, Lawrence Mayor Dan Rivera and North Andover Interim Town Manager Lyne Savage to announce the settlement, which town officials described as a fair deal that would offset recovery costs for taxpayers. We all wish it could be more, but I think again, if you take into account the time, value of money and the litigation costs, this is a good deal, Rivera said Tuesday. Leaders from the three communities impacted by the gas disaster that unfolded on Sept. 13, 2018 have said their local governments were forced to pay contractors and overtime staff to repair nearly 50 miles of damaged roadways that were dug up as crews placed gas line infrastructure. Flanagan, from a podium in the Andover Police Station on North Main Street, announced the nuts and bolts of the settlement with Columbia Gas. He said the $80 million has been allocated to serve different needs in each of the three communities, and the figures used to reach the settlement were based on actual miles of impacted roads and costs incurred. Of the settlement funds, $57.1 million will go toward road restoration, and $22.8 million toward municipal claims, according to Flanagan. Those municipal claims are divided into two categories, including one where documentation was required and sent to Columbia Gas, which made up about $12.8 million of claims, and another $10 million that will go toward a percentage of each communitys total costs in claims. Of the $10 million toward a percentage of municipal claims, 50 percent is reserved for Lawrence, 30 percent for Andover and 20 percent for North Andover, Flanagan said. A total of $67.1 million has already been transferred to the communities, the town manager said. We wish this didnt happen, obviously. However, our goal now is to put people back into the position they would have been if it didnt happen, Kempic said after the press conference. He said Columbia Gas does not plan on raising rates to recover the total costs spent by the company -- more than $1 billion, he confirmed. The disaster on Sept. 13, caused by over-pressurized gas lines operated by Columbia Gas, caused fires and explosions across the Merrimack Valley and sparked outrage from local leaders and state representatives. The disaster killed Leonel Rondon, an 18-year-old from Lawrence, and left many others injured, homeless or suffering costly damages to their homes and businesses. Columbia Gas recently announced an individual settlement with the Figueroa family of Lawrence after the explosions destroyed their home and left members of the family seriously injured. I think that were going to be a long time before people can say that they feel they feel better. I think the scars in the street, the unpaved pavement is the last physical, last physical scars of the event, Rivera said. All you got to do is go into one of these homes where theyre doing the final phase two and to see that theres people still emotionally dealing with this. Physically, financially dealing with this, especially the businesses. I think the, I think that being okay is a long time coming, the mayor added. Rivera, who has been critical of the pace at which claims were being paid, said he stands by his previous assertion that Columbia Gas should cease to exist as a company. The mayor said he believes Columbia Gas acted to prioritize and serve financial ends, which resulted in the loss of a human life and could have been prevented. Investigators pinpointed the cause of the gas disaster to a sensor in an abandoned pipeline that triggered over-pressurization, authorities said last month. According to Kempic, Columbia Gas and NiSource have begun to take steps to improve safety and respond to individual claims. Of the 600 or so claims that were filed, Kempic said 97 percent of them are settled. The gas company is also in the process of installing over and under pressurization devices across Massachusetts that will automatically shut off the flow of gas if pressure is too high or too low, Kempic said. He noted that NiSource has adopted a safety management system that encourages employees to report any potential safety issues that will be immediately pulled up to senior leadership in the company. Andover Police Lieutenant Edward Guy said his most vivid memory from Sept. 13 was when he returned to the police station that evening, after thinking he was done for the day, to find absolute chaos. In his 24 years as a police officer, Guy said he has never been involved with an emergency situation as bad as the 2018 gas disaster. It was worse than the horrific 1995 Malden Mills fire in Methuen, he said. Its important that the community is made whole, as far as a government standpoint, to make sure that after all is said and done Columbia Gas did the right thing to make sure that the community is back in one piece again, Guy said Tuesday. Of the $80 million settlement, he said, I think without question, this is definitely a step in the right direction. This breaking news article has been updated to reflect the most accurate information. Germanys health minister has proposed a fine of up to $2,800 for parents who refuse to immunize their school-age children against measles after a resurgence of the disease. Health Minister Jens Spahn has submitted a draft bill to Chancellor Angela Merkels government for debate this week, according to The New York Times. The bill will likely spur debate on issues of public safety and personal freedom. Germany has recorded 300 cases of measles in the first four months of this year after more than 500 cases in 2018. Outbreaks of measles have increased around the world, in part because of the anti-vaccination movement. In the U.S., the 704 cases of measles in 22 states is the largest number since the highly contagious disease was considered eliminated in the United States in 2000 as a result of vaccination. More than 60 suspected cases of measles, with one confirmed, have been investigated by the Massachusetts Department of Health to date this year. By comparison, the state DPH s investigated 21 suspect cases during the same period last year and none were confirmed measles. WASHINGTON (AP) Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has made it official: The administration wont be turning President Donald Trumps tax returns over to the Democratic-controlled House. Mnuchin told Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal, D-Mass., in a Monday letter that the panel's request "lacks a legitimate legislative purpose" as Supreme Court precedent requires. In making that determination, Mnuchin said he relied on the advice of the Justice Department. He concluded that the Treasury Department is "not authorized to disclose the requested returns and return information." He said the Justice Department will provide a more detailed legal justification soon. The move, which was expected, is sure to set in motion a legal battle over Trump's tax returns. The chief options available to Democrats are to subpoena the IRS for the returns or to file a lawsuit. Last week, Neal promised "we'll be ready" to act soon after Monday's deadline. Treasury's denial came the same day that the House Judiciary panel scheduled a vote for Wednesday on whether to find Attorney General William Barr in contempt of Congress for failing to comply with a subpoena for a full, unredacted copy of special counsel Robert Mueller's report. Fights with other House panels are ongoing. "I will consult with counsel and determine the appropriate response," Neal said in a statement Monday. Neal originally demanded access to Trump's tax returns in early April under a law that says the IRS "shall furnish" the returns of any taxpayer to a handful of top lawmakers, including the chair of the tax-writing Ways and Means Committee. He maintains that the committee is looking into the effectiveness of IRS mandatory audits of tax returns of all sitting presidents, a way to justify his claim that the panel has a potential legislative purpose. Democrats are confident in their legal justification and say Trump is stalling in an attempt to punt the issue past the 2020 election. The White House and the president's attorneys declined to comment on the deadline to turn over Trump's returns. Mnuchin has said Neal's request would potentially weaponize private tax returns for political purposes. Trump has privately made clear he has no intention of turning over the much-coveted records. He is the first president since Watergate to decline to make his tax returns public, often claiming that he would release them if he was not under audit. "What's unprecedented is this secretary refusing to comply with our lawful ... request. What's unprecedented is a Justice Department that again sees its role as being bodyguard to the executive and not the rule of law," said Rep. Bill Pascrell, D-N.J. "What's unprecedented is an entire federal government working in concert to shield a corrupt president from legal accountability." But the president has told those close to him that the attempt to get his returns was an invasion of his privacy and a further example of what he calls the Democrat-led "witch hunt" like Mueller's Russia probe meant to damage him. Trump has repeatedly asked aides as to the status of the House request and has not signaled a willing to cooperate with Democrats, according to a White House official and two Republicans close to the White House. He has linked the effort to the myriad House probes into his administration and has urged his team to stonewall all requests. He also has inquired about the "loyalty" of the top officials at the IRS, according to one of his advisers. Trump has long told confidants that he was under audit and therefore could not release his taxes. But in recent weeks, he has added to the argument, telling advisers that the American people elected him once without seeing his taxes and would do so again, according to the three White House officials and Republicans, who were not authorized to speak publicly about private conversations and spoke on condition of anonymity. LONGMEADOW Voters will be asked next month whether or not they want to spend up to $2.7 million to prevent Tennessee Gas Pipeline from purchasing land for a planned gas metering and transfer station. But even if a majority of voters answer yes to the non-binding referendum, town officials are still not sure whether that will prevent the metering station from being built in that location, or even if the town will be able to come up with the money to pay for the land purchase and preserve it as open space. Tennessee Gas signed a sales agreement with the Longmeadow Country Club on April 2 to purchase 2.6 acres over four parcels of land for the metering and transfer station, which would be used to transfer the fuel from Tennessee Gas to local customer Columbia Gas, said Select Board chair Mark Gold. But under Chapter 61B of Massachusetts General Law, the town has a right of first refusal, which it must exercise within 120 days of the sales agreement if it intends to buy the land. This is because the land is currently zoned for recreational use; anytime land is purchased and transferred to non-recreational use, the town has the option to buy the land, Gold explained. The board has not yet seen detailed plans for the metering station from Columbia Gas, which has been slow to provide other information to the town, including the causes of some gas leaks in Longmeadow, one of which last year affected dozens of homes that needed to be inspected for safety. And there are still many questions left unanswered, board members agreed. (This Country Club land) is incredibly expensive, said Select Board vice-chair Marie Angelides. Will they just move it to another location? And after we own the property, the federal government could say, you need to provide easements anyway. Then it wouldnt have made a difference to residents in that area if we bought it. She said that Columbia Gas plans will account for 80% of the total project, but that their plans keep changing. Its a moving target, Angelides said. The meter station, proposed in a residential neighborhood near Wolf Swamp Road Middle School, would serve Columbia Gas of Massachusetts and Holyoke Gas and Electric. Both utilities are Tennessee Gas customers. The Longmeadow Pipeline Awareness Group has been vocal in their opposition to the proposed project, citing health, safety and environmental concerns, particularly in the wake of the Merrimack Valley explosions that happened last year. Board member Richard Foster said he didnt see the point in asking the town to vote on a non-binding referendum when there are still so many unanswered questions, including the plausibility of the referendum and when it would need to be paid for. Town manager Stephen Crane also cautioned against getting voters hopes up, in a sense. Id hate to get the board in a position of getting legal advice from (town counsel) saying its a bad idea, then the town votes to do it, Crane said. Then we say, at the end of the day, we decided not to do it because of guidance were getting from the legal team. It can be destabilizing for the community. Crane suggested holding a public forum instead, but Gold worried that would only draw the most vocal residents rather than getting input from all voters. The intent (with this referendum) is to let people know its not cheap, and its not something that may in fact achieve whatever people want to achieve by doing this, Gold said. If its overwhelmingly rejected, well know theres no reason to spend a lot of town resources on it. If it passes, we can figure out how many resources we want to put on it. Ultimately, the board voted unanimously to put the referendum on the June 11 ballot. Tennessee Gas has said the expansion and meter station are necessary to meet customer demand. Columbia Gas imposed a moratorium on new service in a number of communities in 2014, citing what it said was insufficient capacity on the south-to-north Northampton Lateral. Holyoke Gas & Electric followed suit with its own moratorium earlier this year. During a hearing in March, residents and public officials spoke out against the expansion. State Sen. Eric P. Lesser said hes filed a formal letter of opposition with the Energy Facilities Siting Board and said that after the Merrimack Valley gas explosions last year, residents are right to be concerned. Metering stations continually emit methane and other harmful contaminants that contribute to human health risks such as cardiovascular and respiratory disease, fetal/neonatal illness, and brain lesions that cause neurobehavioral abnormalities, he wrote in a letter to the board, read at the hearing by Michael Clark, a representative from Lessers office. Graham Launches Decision America Northeast Tour Seven-city tour will bring prayer, live music and life-changing message of hope to Burlington, Vermont, on May 21 NEWS PROVIDED BY Billy Graham Evangelistic Association May 7, 2019 CHARLOTTE, N.C., May 7, 2019 /Christian Newswire/ -- At a time when people across America are filled with uncertainty, Franklin Graham wants to offer a message of hope to people in the northeast region of the United States. He will also invite them to join him in prayer, asking God to heal the issues that are plaguing our country. "In Vermont, the population continues to shrink. We are struggling with a lack of diversity and how to achieve a genuine sense of community," said Todd Callahan, a pastor in Williston Vermont. "What we need is to know that there is something more, that there is true meaning and real significance to life." On May 21, Graham will bring the Decision America Northeast Tour to Burlington. The festive, family-friendly event begins at 7:30 p.m. at Champlain Valley Exposition. The tour launched in Portland, Maine, and following the stop in Burlington, the tour will continue across the northeast with events in Manchester, N.H.; Springfield, Mass.; East Providence, R.I.; Bridgeport, Conn.; and Syracuse, N.Y. "We need a spiritual revivalan awakening across this country," said Franklin Graham, president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. Graham will bring a message from God's Word each night. "We all face crossroads in our livesmoments when we need to make important decisions," said Graham. "Through this event, people will have the opportunity to make a decision that can impact their lives not only now but for eternity." Popular Grammy-nominated music artist Crowder is also traveling with Graham on the Northeast Tour and will be performing live at each event. Graham and Crowder just completed the Graham Tour in Australia where tens of thousands of people attended seven events in six cities. The Decision America Northeast Tour is free and everyone is invited to attend. Graham started Decision America in 2016 when he held events in all 50 state capitals. He continued to tour in 2017 by traveling to 11 cities across Tennessee and Texas. Then in 2018, he toured the west coast, visiting 17 cities in California, Oregon and Washington. To learn more about the Decision America Northeast Tour, visit DecisionNortheast.com. DATES AND LOCATIONS FOR DECISION AMERICA NORTHEAST TOUR Portland, Maine (May 19) Burlington, Vt. (May 21) Manchester, N.H. (May 23) Springfield, Mass. (May 25) East Providence, R.I. (May 26) Bridgeport, Conn. (May 28) Syracuse, N.Y. (May 30) MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES Interviews with Franklin Graham Interviews with people attending events Video of event (audio connections available) SOURCE: Billy Graham Evangelistic Association CONTACT: Mark Barber, 828-386-5803 Online Newsroom A large-scale fentanyl trafficking ring in Massachusetts was taken down by investigators who say they arrested more than 20 people and seized five kilograms of raw fentanyl, body armor and $112,000 in cash during the sting called Operation Ghost. The Bristol District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced Tuesday that state, local and federal investigators busted up the ring after a year-long undercover investigation in and around New Bedford. Authorities conducted multiple search and arrest warrants throughout the past week as part of the operation. More than 20 people were arrested, and police seized more than five kilograms of raw fentanyl, according to the district attorneys office. This investigation highlights the needs for agencies to cooperate, especially in these large-scale investigations. This is something that I have tried to do during my tenure as district attorney, Quinn said. The seizure of between five and six kilos of fentanyl may be the largest amount of fentanyl ever seized in Bristol County. It is critical to get this lethal drug off the streets. Investigators also seized more than $112,000 in cash, a large quantity of marijuana, 35 grams of methamphetamine, 13 grams of crack cocaine, body armor and a large capacity firearm. The investigation started in June 2018 when Dartmouth Police Detective Derek Sousa learned a man named Orlando Badillo was leading a large-scale fentanyl trafficking ring in the South Coast region of Massachusetts, authorities said. Badillo, a 40-year-old New Bedford resident with a lengthy criminal history, is accused of orchestrating the distribution of fentanyl, the content of the drugs potency, the managing of sales, the collection of debts and acquiring of new customers, authorities said. The organization distributed large amounts of fentanyl to lower level drug dealers who sold to street level users, according to the district attorneys office. Several law enforcement agencies continued to identify people involved in the ring as the investigation unfolded. In March, authorities received a warrant for a wiretap and began collecting more information between March 5 and April 30. The district attorneys office said Robert Peguero was identified as the man who was supplying large quantities of raw fentanyl to the trafficking organization. On April 30, investigators received several search and arrest warrants. The drug ring was then dismantled. Over the weekend, authorities arrested several lower-level drug dealers. These dealers, during the last year, have purchased large amounts of fentanyl from the drug trafficking organization, the district attorneys office said. The following people were arrested: Authorities are investigating a serious crash in Tewksbury that involved a police cruiser Tuesday morning. Tewksbury police and Massachusetts State Police are on the scene after a crash involving two vehicles blocked access to a portion of Route 133. A state police spokesman confirmed the crash occurred around 7:20 a.m. by Andover Street and Blacksmith Street. One of the vehicles damaged in the crash included a Tewksbury police cruiser. No injuries were reported, state police confirmed. Tewksbury police declined to comment on the crash, but said the situation is under investigation. Helicopters hovered over the scene and the streets surrounding the crash remained blocked off Tuesday morning. Traffic reports on social media show the aftermath of the crash, including a police cruiser with serious front-end damage and a white van that appears to have struck into a utility pole. Crash involving a police cruiser on Rte 133 near Blacksmith Lane in Tewksbury. Road closed. #MerrimackValleyTraffic #BostonTraffic pic.twitter.com/kWD6isxndD (@KristenEckRadio) May 7, 2019 SkyRanger over Blacksmith Lane in Tewksbury where a TPD cruiser was involved in accident @MonicaNBCBoston on scene shortly pic.twitter.com/DvvkxtuVZa Scott MacEachern (@smaceachernNBC) May 7, 2019 SPRINGFIELD -- Residents called a company that wants to put a methadone clinic in the South End of the city sneaky, disrespectful and deceitful and vowed to stop it from coming. More than 50 residents, business owners and city officials gathered together Monday to protest plans by Habit Opco Inc. to move the methadone clinic it runs at 2257 Main St. to a new location at the shopping center at Mill Street and East Columbus Avenue. "We were a little miffed when we learned a so-called health center was a methadone clinic," Mayor Domenic J. Sarno said. "A methadone clinic vs. a medical facility is night and day." When the company submitted plans for the facility, it seemed like a standard renovation project for health offices. It is to go in an existing building and is zoned properly so the city issued permits, said Steven Desilets, the commissioner of building and code enforcement. "It came in as a medical facility," he said. "No bells and whistles went off because zoning wasn't an issue." No representatives from Habit Opco Inc. attended the meeting but officials said in writing they did tell the city the facility would be a methadone clinic. Over a year ago, we determined that our current facility could not continue to meet the urgent demand for care. In order to ensure continued access to treatment, we sought and received approval from the City of Springfield explicitly for this use, as reflected in our correspondence with the city. To say otherwise is simply false. We look forward to continuing to be a good neighbor in this new location and to providing quality medical care to those affected by the opioid epidemic, company officials said. While she does not object to the use of methadone as a treatment option for opioid addiction, Helen Caulton-Harris, the citys health and human services director, objected to the proposal. The company still needs approval from the state Department of Health and she encouraged residents to sign petitions and send letters to officials there. She also recommended they ask for help from state legislators. When residents asked if it was possible to have state health officials visit Springfield to hear their concerns, Caulton-Harris said she believed they would respond to an invitation. Residents and city officials agreed a methadone clinic does not fit the small and busy shopping area which has no on-street parking. It will bring traffic in the early morning hours, at the same time people are being dropped at the neighboring Sunshine Village which runs programs for the disabled. We value treatment, we want people to get healthy, but this is not what this conversation is about, said Police Sgt. Brian Elliott, a supervisor for the metro unit. We are concerned about the neighborhood that we have worked so hard to take back. He said a methadone clinic will create a "micro environment" and work against the progress resident activists have made to end problems in the South End neighborhood. One of the complaints is the South End and adjacent Six Corners and lower Forest Park neighborhoods have already done plenty to provide addiction treatment programs and other social services in a small area. For example, the Sisters of Providence Health Systems runs a methadone clinic less than a half-mile away. Within a quarter mile in the neighborhoods there are 30 different programs offering mental health and addiction services, said Alicia Zoeller, who lives in the Maple High, Six Corners neighborhood. Habit Opco is a large money-making company with methadone clinics across the country. All their locales are in low and moderate-income neighborhoods, she said. Sarno and many others repeated that the area should not be saturated with the programs, adding the South End and Springfield in general has done its share. "I hate when people tell us what is best for our neighborhood," said Leo Florian, president of South End Citizens Council. "We would have said we don't think it is a good location if they came to us." Local business owners, including those who are abutters, said they were also not approached by Habit Opco. Resident Michelle Cotugno, who has worked in addiction treatment, said she was one of the few people who did not object to the clinic. She also complained about what she called stigmatizing language some people were using. "There is a great need for treatment," she said. "We have a lot of wait lists." Kency Gilet, a candidate for City Council and a licensed counselor for a drug rehab program, gave a different viewpoint. "If the neighborhood is not on board with it, it is not going to work," he said. Resident Yolanda Cancel said she is facing the problem of addiction in her own family and argued the crowd was not being offensive. What the city needs is more treatment beds, not a methadone clinic that is in an inappropriate location and may disrupt the progress the neighborhood has made in reducing crime and blight and increasing jobs and businesses. The existing clinic has been in the Trolley Building for about 20 years in the North End of Springfield. While it does create problems, Sarno said he would like it to remain there but with improved management. Victor Davila, president of the Forest Park Civic Association, said he visited the existing Habit Opco clinic and found traffic chaotic with buses stopping, people double parked and pedestrians jay walking. Some clients left quickly but others hung around for hours. It is a potential traffic nightmare...it will be a disaster waiting to explode, he said. Everyone wants to come here and this neighborhood can only handle so much. Officials at the University of Massachusetts are warning that the state Senates proposed state budget would be devastating to the university and could result in layoffs, cuts to student services and cuts to financial aid. This decision came with no warning or apparent effort to understand its impact on university finances, wrote University of Massachusetts President Martin Meehan in a letter signed by the chancellors of the five UMass campuses. It is a severe departure from long-standing practice and inconsistent with the Senates historic support for public higher education. The budget released Tuesday by the Senate Ways and Means Committee for fiscal 2020 would provide $558 million for the University of Massachusetts an increase of $39 million, or 7% over the current year. That is the same amount proposed by the House and by Gov. Charlie Baker. Senators also want to include language requiring UMass to freeze tuition and fees next year for in-state students. University officials have said if they do not get an additional $10.2 million, they plan to raise tuition and fees by around 2.5%. Weve heard a lot, had a lot of discussion in the building about stifling student debt and the cost of higher education, Senate Ways and Means Chairman Michael Rodrigues, D-Westport, told reporters at a budget briefing. Rodrigues said with the proposed funding increase, the university should be able to find a way to freeze in-state tuition. I cant remember the last time we invested this many dollars in UMass, Rodrigues said. In their letter to state senators, the UMass leaders wrote that it would be unprecedented to require the university to freeze tuition and fees while not covering the universitys fixed cost increases, which are around 3% a year. Meehan said all but 1% of the proposed increase in the Senate budget would go toward covering the states share of mandated collective bargaining costs. We are extremely concerned that the Senate budget restricts the universitys fiduciaries from setting tuition and fees consistent with its long-term budget planning and development practices, Meehan wrote. The letter says with that funding level, and with other restrictions in the Senate budget related to UMass Boston and to technology and student activity fees, campuses would have to cut $22.2 million from their budgets. This includes $8.27 million at the Amherst campus, $7.13 million in Boston, $2.3 million in Dartmouth, and $4.5 million in Lowell. These unanticipated adjustments would result in dramatic impacts on student services and support as well as significant workforce reductions, Meehan wrote. He noted that if the goal is to help low-income students, those same students would be hurt if the university cuts financial aid. Meehan said the university is focused on making education affordable in other ways, such as expanding digital education, increasing financial aid, sharing services, increasing fiscal oversight and transparency, and partnering with businesses and nonprofits. Zac Bears, executive director of PHENOM, the Public Higher Education Network of Massachusetts, an advocacy group that works to make college more affordable, said the group is deeply concerned by the misguided attempt to freeze tuition and fees at UMass without providing the funding necessary to make it happen. Students and families are paying more because the State House has cut hundreds of millions of dollars from our public colleges and universities since 2001, Bears said in a statement. Forcing campuses to cut more professors and programs is no solution and hurts students education on top of the exorbitant price the state charges to attend public college. The Senate Ways and Means budget now goes to the Senate floor, where senators can add amendments before voting. The final budget will be crafted by a committee of House-Senate negotiators. This story was updated to add Bears comment. Editors note: In a previous version of this editorial, it was incorrectly inferred that Attorney Jeffrey Clements, President of American Promise, had no problem with the political makeup of the group, which included no Republicans. Says Clements, I agree it is regrettable that no registered Republicans were appointed to the Citizen Commission, and do not know why Governor Baker nor the other appointing officials did not ensure Republicans were appointed to the Commission, as the voters and we at American Promise had sought. On the need to fix the crisis of unlimited money in politics with a Constitutional amendment, Republicans, Democrats and independents agree: we must do this. Republicans, like most Americans, support this effort. Republicans, like most Massachusetts citizens, voted in huge numbers for this Citizens Commission and constitutional amendment. We are committed to ensuring that Republicans, and all Massachusetts citizens, are heard and work together to win this Constitutional amendment and the urgent reform we and future generations need now. Those representing the Citizens Commission assigned to advocate campaign finance reform can say all the right things. They can describe the balance and objectivity they promise to bring to a task mandated by a 2018 Massachusetts ballot referendum. That doesnt change this cold, hard fact: With no Republicans from the 15-member board, an opportunity for true bipartisanship has been lost. There is bipartisanship on one count. The blame can be shared by both parties, with Republicans getting their fair share. The Democratic Party has been in the lead on campaign finance reform, but some Republicans see the need as well. The commission makeup is arguably in defiance of the law - certainly the laws implied intent - in that members should represent a range of geographic, political and demographic backgrounds. The unpaid committee will consist of nine Democrats and six unenrolled members. Republicans make up just over 10 percent of the states voting population. Placing even one or two GOP members on the 15-person board could have been done and would have reflected a broad-mindedness beyond just leaving voters to take the word of people on the inside. But Massachusetts Republicans missed an opportunity as well. Appointment came after a required application process. Of 173 applicants, only a small handful (far fewer than 10 percent) were Republicans. Democrats and unenrolled members should not be expected to recruit Republicans for a task like campaign finance reform, which should not be a one-party cause. By a 7-to-3 margin that passed Question 2 in 2018, Massachusetts voters endorsed a commission to research and advocate for a constitutional amendment overturning a 2010 U.S. Supreme Court ruling. That judgment allowed corporations to spend unlimited amounts of money to support or oppose a candidate, as long as there was no direct coordination with the candidate. Allowing big-money corporations such a free hand in election influence-peddling should rightfully be challenged. Republicans and Democrats alike supported Question 2. The president of American Promise, Jeffrey Clements, who is unenrolled, called it a great group, of which he is a member and which reflects diversity. The only Republican among five elected officials making appointments, Governor Charlie Baker appointed one Democrat and two unenrolled members. Choices among GOP applicants did exist, but the pool was very limited. Whether Baker should have simply picked a Republican anyway smacks of tokenism, but a 15-member board with no GOP members is an unfortunate alternative. Besides, if a broad political spectrum is the goal everybody talks about, why does every Republican nomination to a supposedly bipartisan commission have to come from Baker? The goal of the referendum, and now the commission, is to push for a 28th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The obstacles are overwhelming. Success with any amendment requires engaging both ends of the political spectrum and those in between. Clements said he hopes Massachusetts will show how to bring people together across the political spectrum to move this (reform) forward. With such a large commission containing nine Democrats, six unenrolled members and no Republicans, theyre off to an unfortunate start. Hunger is everywhere in our Valley, from Amherst to Springfield, from Orange to East Longmeadow. At the same time, farmers in every town are searching for ways to sell food to more of their neighbors so their farm businesses can survive and thrive in this global marketplace. What we need is a way to connect these two challenges facing our communities. Massachusetts has led efforts to address these issues together. In 2011, the Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) secured a USDA grant to find out if recipients of SNAP (food stamps), when provided a 30 percent rebate on produce, would increase their purchase and consumption of fruits and vegetables. This study, conducted in Hampden County, proved that the answer is a definitive yes. In fact, study participants increased their produce intake by 24 percent, a significant change projected to make a difference in participants health over the long-term. The results of the Hampden County study had national implications, and the USDA began funding programs throughout the United States to provide healthy incentives. In 2017, the DTA used these new funds to create the states innovative Healthy Incentives Program, which designates Massachusetts farmers as the sole vendors of its produce. The Healthy Incentives Program, known as HIP, now provides Massachusetts SNAP recipients with an instant rebate of at least $40 per month when they purchase fruits and vegetables from our local farmers. This statewide program is the only one of its kind in the country. Results? In two years time, 55,000 households with more than 100,000 individuals were able to purchase local fruits and vegetables. Two hundred local farm businesses sold them $9 million worth of produce. HIP has resulted in additional sales for farms, better quality of life for HIP customers, and an additional positive impact for communities throughout our state by keeping federal and state dollars flowing through our communities. Not to mention reduced healthcare costs. Last month, scientists published promising research on the cost-effectiveness of a financial incentive like HIP for people on Medicare and Medicaid. Their research model predicted that a system that financially incentivizes healthier eating would pay for itself within just five years by lowering cardiovascular and diabetes healthcare costs. We believe that HIP can result in similar positive outcomes over time. Real life seems to confirm this research. We hear stories about HIPs impact on health outcomes from our neighbors who are using the HIP incentives. Jeannie, a customer at the Northampton Winter Farmers Market, told us, Ive noticed a huge difference in how I feel. Its helped me to manage my pain. A lot of medications I used to be on, Im not on anymore because Ive lowered my blood sugar [and] cholesterol. Her doctor was surprised at how much her health had improved and asked her about her regimen. She responded, Im eating all this local food! This program sounds great. So whats the problem? The state of Massachusetts is in the middle of budget season, during which time legislators make choices about which programs to fund and at what level. This includes the Healthy Incentives Program. HIP is a common-sense program, and were grateful to the Baker Administration and the state legislature for funding it for the past two years. But the amount allocated to HIP each year has not been sufficient to include enough farmers in the HIP system to reach every community. And it hasnt been enough to keep the program from shutting down for months at a time each year. If HIP is suspended again this year due to lack of funds, it will be both costly and confusing. Farmers are planting now and need to make solid business decisions about the crops theyll be harvesting in six months. HIP shoppers eat all year round and depend on this local produce to prepare healthy meals for their families. We all have a role to play in helping ensure that HIP is fully funded, and that food grown by our farmers can reach those in need in our communities. We can each remind our elected officials about how our state has led in the recent past and urge them to continue to make us a national leader by supporting this program. Already, across the state, more than half of state representatives have taken a public stand in favor of fully funding the HIP Program. But to be successful, we need every legislator on board. Please contact your state legislators and ask them to support local farms and healthy families all year round by fully funding the Healthy Incentives Program at $8.5 million. Mia Kortebein is the program coordinator for CISA (Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture) in South Deerfield, and Philip Korman is its executive director. Christina Maxwell is director of programs for The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts in Hatfield. Its got the makings of an outrageously funny sketch on Saturday Night Live: an hourlong telephone chat between U.S. President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin. Each, of course, is completely humorless in his own oddball way. Played right, it would be beyond hilarious. But it happened. Really. No joke. On one end of the line: the mercurial Trump, whose adoration of dictators and tyrants at times can seem boundless; whose knowledge of the finer points of international affairs is, to put it kindly, less than encyclopedic; and whose goals for American-Russian relations are, or ought to be, always suspect. And then there's Putin: former KGB chieftain turned strongman president, perhaps for life, if he can find a way to amend the nation's constitution, which he's been said to have contemplated. It's enough to give one the willies. And then some. After the Friday call, Trump described the conversation as the most casual of things. Like a couple of old chums catching up after some time apart or some such. One can't help but fret over what likely really went on. They talked about Venezuela, Trump said. And North Korea. They spoke of arms control, including perhaps looking to include China into the next Russia-U.S. pact. Oh, and they talked a bit of the report from special counsel Robert S. Mueller III, whose probe was initiated after Trump fired then-FBI Director James Comey because of "this Russia thing." In his report, Mueller said that "the Russian government interfered in the 2016 presidential election in sweeping and systematic fashion." Nonetheless, Trump and his buddy Putin dismissed the report as completely frivolous and beside the point. Asked if they'd discussed Russian meddling, Trump said: "He sort of smiled when he said something to the effect that it started off as a mountain and it ended up being a mouse." And when asked by a reporter if he had warned Putin to keep his hands off our 2020 election, Trump said the matter hadn't come up. "We didn't discuss that. Really, we didn't discuss it." Good God. Again, as in Helsinki, where he met with Putin last year, Trump had an opportunity to defend America from attack by a foreign adversary, but dropped the ball. Again, our nation's chief executive spoke with Putin and behaved as though the Russian despot has his boot on Trump's throat. Is Trump so insecure about his win over Democrat Hillary Clinton in 2016 that he cannot admit that Russia worked to get him elected? It surely seems that way. Is he so insecure about his standing in the coming election that he cannot acknowledge that Russia will certainly be endeavoring to interfere once again? That question continues to answer itself. If it werent so serious, the whole thing would be comical. But its as serious as can be. HOLYOKE - State police arrested two men from out of state on weapons charges Monday evening in Holyoke, and police say the arrests came before the pair could trade several firearms and ammunition for heroin or cocaine. State Police spokesman David Procopio said the arrests were the result of a joint effort by the state police anti-gang unit and the Commonwealth Interstate Narcotics Reduction Enforcement Team - West (CINRET). State police had been investigating the illegal interstate firearms trafficking, and troopers with the CINRET team had learned that an exchange was to take place in Holyoke. Arrested were Timothy Keith, 32, of White River Junction, Vermont, and Phillip Damone, 33, of Grantham, New Hampshire. The two communities, roughly 20 miles apart, are 130 miles north of Holyoke. Police had them under surveillance and moved in to arrest them when they drove into the parking lot of the Fairfield Inn and Suites on Whiting Farms Road, Procopio said. Each was charged with multiple firearms offenses, including several counts of possession of large-capacity firearms, and possession of firearms and ammunition without a license to carry. Each was charged with possession of a class A substance after a small amount of heroin was found in the car. Keith was also charged with being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, and with being wanted on an outstanding warrant in New Hampshire related to a drug trafficking charge. In the car, police found the following weapons Smith & Wesson M&P 15-22 large capacity rifle, Ruger, Archangel 556, 10/22 large capacity rifle; Rock River Arms LAR-15 5.56 large capacity rifle; Savage Model 93R17 .22 rifle; FN Herstal 12 gauge Tactical Police Shotgun 12 Gauge; Rossi Circuit Judge 45/ 410 gauge shotgun They also found 10 illegal large-capacity feeding devices, and hundreds of rounds of Massachusetts. Massachusetts state law limits magazines to 10 rounds. Any that holds more than 10 is considered illegal. Keith and Damone were held overnight and are scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday in Holyoke District Court. Other agencies involved in the arrests included Holyoke police, the Hampshire and Franklin Narcotics Task Force, and agents with the federal bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. A bill targeting the behavior of motorists in Massachusetts is suddenly in the fast lane. House Speaker Robert DeLeo said Monday he plans to bring a bill banning handheld cellphone use while driving to the floor next week, days after the state Senate is expected to vote on the legislation. Though the Senate has passed versions of the bill in each of the last two sessions, House leadership has not brought it up for debate in that chamber. DeLeo said in a Sunday television interview that he expected the House would approve the legislation this year, and on Monday attached a timeline to that projection. "Hopefully, the Senate takes it up on Thursday, possibly, then it's my hope that we take it up next week, next Wednesday," the Winthrop Democrat told reporters after meeting with Gov. Charlie Baker and Senate President Karen Spilka. "That's at least my goal right now." The Senate has teed up its distracted driving bill (S 2198) for Thursday, when senators are also expected to be working to file their amendments to the fiscal 2020 budget. Texting while driving is already illegal in Massachusetts under a 2010 law, and if a broader ban is passed, Massachusetts would become the 17th state to prohibit handheld phone calls and other device use behind the wheel. DeLeo's recent comments indicate there's now interest in enacting some sort of ban among the Democratic leadership of both branches of the Legislature and the Republican governor. Baker in January filed a traffic safety package that included hands-free language along with other provisions on seat belts and work zone speed limits. "I'm optimistic based on the fact that there seems to be a conceptual agreement that this is something that would be good to get done, but I recognize and appreciate the fact that the details on this one, and some of the concerns people have about who gets pulled over and why, are legitimate ones and hard ones to deal with," Baker said. The Senate bill includes a requirement that police collect data on traffic stops to track and identify any disparate enforcement, including information on the driver's age, gender and perceived race and ethnicity. Several of the 29 amendments senators filed to the bill seek to tweak or eliminate that requirement. Former Rep. Byron Rushing, a senior member of DeLeo's leadership team who lost his reelection bid last year, had raised concerns about the idea of tougher distracted driving laws because of racial profiling concerns but had said the version of the bill the Senate passed in 2018 included that began to address his concerns. DeLeo said he considers the bill to be "two-pronged," with distracted driving and racial profiling components. He plans to meet this week with Transportation Committee House Chair William Straus and Rep. Joseph Wagner, a former co-chair of that committee who is now assistant majority leader, to discuss the issue. DeLeo said he also wants to hear from a number of members as well in terms of what their opinions are. No player in Boston Red Sox history knows more about visit the White House following a World Series win than David Ortiz. Winning three titles during his run in Boston, Ortiz made trips to Washington D.C. during both the George W. Bush and Barack Obama presidencies. With with the attendance list for the teams upcoming ceremony with President Donald Trump becoming a point of emphasis, Ortiz said in an interview with WEEI.coms Rob Bradford that he sympathizes with those who are skipping the trip to the White House. Among those declining the trip to the White House is manager Alex Cora, a native of Puerto Rico who has been critical of the governments handling of relief efforts in the way of Hurricane Maria in 2018. Ortiz stressed how difficult a position the decision puts the manager in. Alex is in a tough spot right now, going there and acting like nothing is happening. Its like you are going to shake hands with the enemy," Ortiz said to WEEI.com. "Think about it, all the stuff that has been going on since he took office. People are angry. People are mad. He has divided people, thats how it feels like. As for Ortiz, he said that -- were he on the Red Sox during the Trump presidency -- he would have also declined the invitation to the ceremony at the White House as well. I dont think its the political side of it. I think its more of what is going on, Ortiz said to WEEI.com. Im an immigrant. When it comes down to the political side of it I dont know much about politics and things like that. But when it comes down the way immigrants have been treated its something that goes a long way. You dont want to go and shake hands with a guy who is treating immigrants like (expletive) because Im an immigrant. So far, the list of players who have confirmed that they will be skipping the White House ceremony include: Mookie Betts Jackie Bradley Jr. Xander Bogaerts Rafael Devers Sandy Leon David Price Christian Vazquez Hector Velazquez The ceremony for the Red Sox 2018 World Series win will be held on May 9 at the White House. BALTIMORE -- With David Price and Nathan Eovaldi both on the injured list, Red Sox manager Alex Cora will have to make some adjustments to his rotation. Luckily for Cora, Prices injury comes at a time when the Red Sox can take advantage of a generous schedule. After their three-game series in Baltimore concludes Wednesday, the Sox have three off days in an eight-day span. Josh Smith, Hector Velazquez and Chris Sale will start against the Orioles. Then things will get interesting. Boston is off Thursday, setting up Eduardo Rodriguez and Rick Porcello to pitch against the Mariners on Friday and Saturday. A spot starter (likely either Smith or Velazquez) will be needed for Sunday before another off day Monday. Sale (on six days rest) and Rodriguez (on five days rest) would then face the Rockies in a two-game series next Tuesday and Wednesday before another off day next Thursday. Porcello and Sale are likely to bookend next weekends home series against the Astros, meaning Cora will only need to use his depth starters just twice over an eight-game homestand. Put another way, the Sox can pitch their three remaining starters (Sale, Rodriguez and Porcello) in seven of the next 11 games due to off days. At that point, its not out of the question Price or Eovaldi could be close to returning as the Sox hit the road for four games in Toronto and three in Houston. Heres a look at a tentative rotation plan for the next four series: @ BAL (Mon-Wed): Smith, Velazquez, Sale (5 days rest) OFF Thursday vs. SEA (Fri-Sun): Rodriguez (6) , Porcello (6), SPOT OFF Monday vs. COL (Mon-Tue): Sale (6), Rodriguez (5) OFF Thursday vs. HOU: Porcello (6), SPOT, Sale (5) A 23-year-old Massachusetts woman serving in the Navy was an innocent victim of senseless gun violence while trying to help a friend, her family said. She was one of two women shot over the weekend in Virginia by a man who then turned the gun on himself. Meaghan Burns was shot on Saturday in Portsmouth, Virginia. She was stationed at Portsmouth Naval Medical Center in Virginia, according to her obituary. Meggy was a free spirit, a fierce and loyal friend and loving daughter and sister, her obituary reads. She will be missed by many and loved forever. Burns enlisted in the Navy in 2015 and served as a Hospital Corpsman in Naples, Italy, before being stationed in Virginia. She was a proud sailor and was planning to further her career in healthcare at the end of her enlistment, the obituary reads. Burns and 19-year-old Shianne Soles, of Veradale, Washington, were shot just outside the Portsmouth Naval Medical Center, according to Charles Gulick, a spokesman for the Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, who called the situation a tragic incident. Soles enlisted in July 2018 and was stationed with Burns in Portsmouth, Gulick said. The two were at a 7-Eleven on Effingham Street around 11:30 p.m. Saturday and both suffered gunshot wounds to the torso, according to The Virginian-Pilot. Police have called the incident a double homicide and suicide, the newspaper reported. Near the shooting scene, authorities found a man with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his upper body. He died at the scene, according to the Virginian-Pilot. The man was identified as 22-year-old Donavon Moora, a Navy corpsman stationed at Field Medical Training Battalion East, Jacksonville, North Carolina, Gulick said. Moora enlisted in 2017. Mental health professionals and chaplains are at each location to assist anyone dealing with the grief and difficult nature of this tragedy, Gulick said. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families and shipmates during this difficult time. The investigation is ongoing by the Portsmouth police department with assistance from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. Police in Portsmouth could not immediately be reached for more information. Burns loved Massachusetts, from all things Boston to the beach and the nature in Western Massachusetts, her family recalled. Meggy loved the hills and rivers of Western Mass but she got some sand stuck in her toes when she was a baby on Nantucket Island and was a beach girl at heart, her family wrote in the obituary. She loved Cape Cod, Southern California, all things Boston and her years traveling around Italy and all of Europe. Meaghan will be profoundly missed by her family who were so fortunate to have known the love of this beautiful, witty, warm and caring young lady. Burns was born in Springfield in 1995 and moved with her family to South Deerfield in 2004, according to her obituary. There will be no formal calling hours, according to the obituary, but a celebration of life will be planned for later this spring. Burns is survived by her parents, Carolyn and Matthew, and her younger sister Kyleigh Rose, as well as extended family, according to the obituary. 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. Market Research Future has just added another market concentrate to its broad research portfolio, titled Dermal Fillers Market Research Report Forecast to 2023. The report offers shrewd bits of knowledge and utilizations careful examination of market components to measure advertise size and advancement. Dermal fillers or injectable are used in different areas of the face and have varying functionalities. The global dermal fillers market appears to be thriving and is likely to expand at a CAGR of 12.5% over the forecast period of 2017-2023, asserts market Research Future (MRFR) in an extensive study. The global dermal fillers market was valued at over USD 4,450 Mn in 2016 and is expected to catapult to USD 10,008.4 Mn by the end of 2023. With old age, faces tend to naturally lose its subcutaneous fat, causing the facial muscles to work closer to the skin surface. This results into the apparent appearance of small lines and crows feet upon the skin, particularly around the neck and the facial area. Add to this, other factors such as exposure to the sun, lifestyle, and heredity are also responsible for affecting the skin. Dermal fillers are aesthetic gel-based treatments used for diminishing such facial lines and restores the volume and fullness of the face. These are injected into the skin and are designed to curb down the appearance of wrinkles and stretch marks, adds volume, and contours the face. To Get Free Sample Copy visit https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/3893 The probable factors persuading this rise are the influence of media, fashion and film industry peer pressure for appearance and beauty, and changing dynamics of beauty, etc. Nonetheless, this rise has created a full-fledged, exclusive market space for dermal fillers. Once considered as a part of the cosmetic surgery, Dermal Fillers treatments are a mainstream market now. That too a flourishing market, needless to say. Key Players The Global Dermal Fillers Market is led by some of the prominent players such as Dr. Korman Laboratories (Israel), ALLERGAN (Republic of Ireland), GALDERMA (Switzerland), Merz Pharma (Germany), Integra Lifesciences (US), Teoxane laboratories (Switzerland), and Sinclair Pharma (UK). Profiling them in its analysis, MRFR finds out their strategies helping them to keep at the forefront of the market competition. The competitive market of dermal fillers appears to be fragmented with a large number of players forming a competitive landscape. These players strive to curtail the cost of the by introducing efficient treatments. The rising cases of side effects/resistance have paved avenues for new treatment development, giving opportunities to the new entrants. The highly competitive market of dermal fillers appears to be diversified with the presence of a large number of players having a global presence. These players are adopting strategic initiatives such as expansion, and product Launch to gain the competitive edge and are tapping the growing markets for expansions. Industry Updates February 22nd, 2019, Canada MedLaser a top-rated provider of medical aesthetic procedures in Toronto, Canada, has made a compilation of the best total face transformation procedures. The specific treatments aid in targeting the whole face to attain a youthful appearance without the need for surgery. For instance, dark circles are treated with the injection of Dysport Hydraulic Acid, which is approved by the FDA and Health Canada. In December 2018, Silk Inc. announced the development of a sustainable dermal filler. The companys new activated silk technology is made from silkworm cocoons and is meant to be a more biocompatible and eco-friendlier as compared to traditional or alternative acid fillers. Segments for Global Dermal Fillers Market The market segmentation of dermal fillers is segmented on the basis of applications and types. By types, the market includes hyaluronic acid, botulinum toxin, collagen, polymers & particles. The polymers & particles segment is further divided into calcium hydroxylapatite, polymethylmethacrylate, and poly-l-lactic acid. The botulinum toxin segment is projected to reach a market valuation of USD 4601.67 million by the end of 2023. The hyaluronic acid segment is also expected to garner an impressive market growth with a CAGR of 12.9% during the forecast period. By application, the market includes face-lift, facial line correction treatment, lip treatment, and others. The market segment is spearheaded by facial line correction treatment with a significant market share of 44.1% in 2016. However, the face-lift segment is predicted to grow with the highest CAGR of 12.8% during the review period, thereby generating a projected market valuation of USD 3,5907 million by 2023. Regional Analysis for Global Dermal Fillers Market Geographically, the Global Dermal Fillers Market has been segmented into the Americas, Asia Pacific (APAC), Europe, and the Middle East & Africa (MEA). The Americas accounts for the largest share of 39.3% of the global market, led by the US and Mexico. Both these countries are popular destinations for cosmetic tourism. The rapidly aging population in the region coupled with the presence of advanced technologies and skilled cosmetic surgeons drive the market in the Americas. The Americas dermal fillers market is likely to reach USD 3769.6 Mn by the end of 2023. The Europe market is driven by similar factors as the Americas and is the second largest market for dermal fillers. Advanced healthcare sector and affordability will help the market achieve a CAGR of 12.9% over the forecast period. APAC is poised to exhibit the fastest CAGR of 13.1% over the forecast period. Massive demand has been witnessed in the emerging economies of the region such as China, South Korea, India, and others. South Korea, in particular, is a significant market for dermal fillers. The country offers sophisticated cosmetic services at an affordable price which makes it a prime destination for cosmetic tourism. Related Report: Facial fat transfer Market Information, by Types (Microlipo-injection, Autologous Fat Transfer) by treatment types (fat injections, dermal fillers and others) Forecast to 2022 https://www.medgadget.com/2018/06/global-facial-fat-transfer-market-prognosticated-to-witness-a-ravishing-growth-usd-4-20-billion-by-2022-mrfr-unleashes-the-market-prognostications.html 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), Statistical Report, Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services. Contact Us: Market Research Future Hadapsar, Pune 411028 Maharashtra, India Phone: +1 646 845 9312 Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com Global Cannula Market Research Report: by Product (Cardiac, Nasal, Vascular, Dermatology, Arthroscopy, Other), by Material (Plastic, Silicone, Metal), by Application (Cardiovascular Surgery, Oxygen Therapy, General Surgery, Other), End User Forecast Till 2023 Market Synopsis: Market Research Future (MRFR) has projected in its latest report that the global cannula market, valued at USD 113 Mn in 2017, is anticipated to exhibit a CAGR of 6.7% over the forecast period 2018 to 2023. A cannula is a hollow retractable tube which is used for removal or delivery of fluids through insertion into vein, arteries or other body cavities. Increasing healthcare services centers in conjunction with the rising patient population is expected to favor market growth in the years to come. The rising incidences of life-threatening diseases such as cancer, liver cirrhosis, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, etc. have led to an exponential rise in the demand for medical facilities. The advanced nature of these diseases has led to an increase in demand for long-term or lifetime access to healthcare services. This, in turn, is forecasted to augment the global cannula market over the next couple of years. The exponentially rising geriatric population is expected to reflect on the growth pattern of the healthcare sector. It is further expected to have a positive influence on the expansion of the cannula market in the forthcoming years. On the flip side, the factors such as lack of trained physicians and the implementation of strict regulations are anticipated to restrict market expansion over the next couple of years. Get a Free Sample @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/6937 Competitive Dashboard: The prominent players of the global cannula market profiled in this MRFR report are Medtronic Terumo Cardiovascular Systems Corporation Edwards Lifesciences Corporation LivaNova PLC Smith & Nephew Smiths Medical CONMED Corporation Teleflex Incorporated McKesson Medical-Surgical Inc. Boston Scientific Corporation Harsoria Healthcare Pvt. Ltd ILIFE MEDICAL DEVICES PRIVATE LIMITED ISPG Inc BD Denex International Market Segmentation: By product, the global cannula market has been segmented into cardiac cannulas, nasal cannulas, vascular cannulas, dermatology cannulas, arthroscopy cannulas, and others. By material, the cannula market has been segmented into plastic (PVC), silicone and metal (stainless steel). By application, the global cannula market has been segmented into cardiovascular surgery, oxygen therapy, general surgery, cosmetic/plastic surgery, orthopedic surgery, and others. By end-user, the cannula market has been segmented into hospitals, ambulatory surgical center, and others. Regional Analysis: By region, the cannula market has been segmented into Americas, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East & Africa (MEA). The report indicates that the global marketplace is set to be dominated by North America over the assessment period. Increasing healthcare expenditure in conjunction with rising demand for medical services is poised to revolutionize the growth trajectory of the cannula market in the region. Furthermore, the presence of developed healthcare infrastructure is poised to have a favorable impact on the expansion of the regional market. Europe is expected to hold the second position through the forecast period, and its growth can be ascribed to the accelerated research & development activities. Asia Pacific is likely to exhibit the fastest growth due to the presence of a huge patient population in the region. It is also projected to benefit from advancements in healthcare services in the region. MEA is prognosticated to hold the least share of the Cannula Market during the projection period. Industry News: In April 2019, In2Bones Global, Inc., a global designer, manufacturer and distributor of medical devices, has announced the commercial launch of ClearGuard LE Endoscopic Soft Tissue Release System orthopedic and podiatric surgeons in the U.S. The product is compatible with 4mm 30 arthroscope uniportal as the clear cannula allows unobstructed 360 panoramic arthroscopic visualization. In October 2018, Vapotherm, Inc., a respiratory technology firm has received the FDA approval for its Precision Flow Hi-VNI system and is preparing for its product launch. The system leverages nasal cannula for the replacement of carbon dioxide heavy and oxygen depleted exhaled air with humidified oxygen-rich breathing gas. In September 2018, a developer of biomaterial products, Synergy Biomedical, LLC, has received FDA 510(k) clearance for BIOSPHERE MIS PUTTY which utilizes a pre-loaded bone graft cannula as well as a trigger-based delivery system. About Market Research Future: MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. 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: Office No. 528, Amanora Chambers Magarpatta Road, Hadapsar, Pune +1 646 845 9312 Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com Precision medicine also known as personalized medcines is a new concept of treating various diseases. This emerging approach allows doctors to personalize treatments matching patients genetic profile. Since these medicines are developed based on a genetic understanding of their disease they are most likely to help patients. With the help of precision medicine, doctors and researchers can predict more accurately which treatment and prevention strategies will suit a person suffering from a particular disease. Get Free Sample Copy @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/925 Although in practice for several years, advances in science and technology have helped speed up the pace of this area of research over the past couple of years. Many new treatments designed to target a specific change are being under clinical trials currently factors as such presage that the golden era of precision medicines is around the corner. The precision medicines market is already in the growing phase. According to Market Research Future (MRFR) the global precision medicine market had valued at USD 38.92 BN, in 2015. And, it is further expected to reach USD 88.64 BN by 2022, registering a staggering double-digit CAGR of 12.48% throughout the forecast period (2016 to 2022). Additional factors helping the market to substantiate continually, include the rising prevalence of genetic diseases due to mutations, patients involvement in personal healthcare, and integration of wireless technologies with portable healthcare devices among others. Moreover, the spreading awareness towards precision medicines and their uptake in the academic medical centers, by the surgeons, and biomedical researchers propel the growth of the market. On the other hand, factors such as the lack of awareness towards the possible applications of precision medicine, reimbursement policies, and regulatory framework, are expected to impede the growth of the market, especially in the underdeveloped regions. Also, factors such as the limited knowledge about the application of test and techniques, lack of research and pieces of evidence are obstructing the market growth, creating hindrances in applications of prescribed medicines. Nevertheless, there are drug discoveries that have been proven effective against cancers and are discussed in targeted cancer therapies with specific genetic changes and which are also approved by the FDA. Such factors are expected to support the growth of the market throughout the forecast period. Competitive Analysis Highly competitive, the precision medicine market appears to be fragmented owing to the presence of several large as well as small players. Initiatives such as partnership, acquisition, expansion, product & technology launch, and collaboration remain the key strategies of market players to achieve competitive advantage. Major Players: Key players leading the global precision medicine market include Almac Group, Ltd., Abbott Laboratories, Asuragen, Inc., Cepheid Inc., Biomerieux Sa, Cetics Healthcare Technologies Gmbh, GlaxoSmithKline Plc, Ge Healthcare, Johnson & Johnson, Medtronic, Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings, Novartis, Qiagen, Pfizer Inc., Biobase Gmbh, Randox Laboratories Ltd., Quest Diagnostics Inc, Sanofi Pharma, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Ab-Biotics Sa, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Caris Life Sciences, IBM, Healthcore, Inc., Innventis, Molecular Health Gmbh, Intel Corporation, and Precision For Medicine among others. Industry Related News: April 09, 2019 Pfizer Inc. (the US), a multinational pharmaceutical corporation and Concerto HealthAI (the US), a leading provider of advanced AI insights and clinical cloud solutions, accelerating needed innovations announced their partnership for precision medicines. Pfizer will leverage Concertos artificial intelligence-powered analytics capabilities to gain better oncology insights. Concertos AI platform will help Pfizer to gain faster actionable insights for its investigational therapies and commercializing therapeutics for the treatment of solid tumors and hematologic malignancies, finding and acting on meaningful insights in key cancer subpopulations. Segmentations For ease of understanding, the MRFR analysis has been segmented into four key dynamics: By Ecosystem : Pharma & Biotech Companies, Diagnostic Tool Companies, Healthcare IT/ Big Data Companies, and Clinical Laboratories among others. By Sub-market : Companion Diagnostics, Biomarker-Based Test, Targeted Therapeutics, Pharmacogenomics, and Molecular Diagnostics among others. By Therapeutics : Cancer/Oncology, Cardiovascular Disease, Central Nervous System, and Infectious Diseases among others. By Regions : North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Rest-of-the-World. Regional Analysis The North American region heading with the increasing demand for personalized or customized medicines dominates the global precision medicine market. Factors such as the presence of several noteworthy market players account for a key driving force behind the growth of the regional market, meeting the clinical needs of the increasing number of patients of chronic diseases & disorders. Also, factors such as the well-spread awareness towards the availability of precision medicines and advanced therapies are substantiating the growth of the market. Additionally, growing government initiatives and funding programs for research in the field, the rising demand for accurate diagnosis, alongside the awareness about the benefits of precision medicines are some of the factors acting as significant tailwinds for the market growth. The precision medicine market in the European region accounts for the second-largest market, globally. The presence of a well-proliferated healthcare sector, technological advancements, and the adoption of precision medicine foster the growth of the market in the region. Moreover, factors such as the increasing biomedical research initiatives, the availability of advanced treatment facilities, and new drug discoveries are positively impacting the growth of the regional market. Rapid strategic initiatives such as partnerships and collaborations and increasing healthcare expenditure led by the rapid economic growth are attributing to the growth of the regional market. The Asia Pacific Precision medicine market has emerged as a lucrative market, globally. Factors such as the large technological advancements, proliferating healthcare sector, and ever-increasing population, especially in India and China are positively impacting the growth of the regional market. Japan holds a substantial revenue share, whereas, China, backed by the large manufacturing base and increase in demand from the construction sector is becoming the fastest growing market in the region. 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 Adam Buckman , Featured Columnist, May 7, 2019 I have been around long enough to remember when stories about network news anchors would send certain reporters on the TV beat into hyperactive tizzies. For reasons that I either never quite understood or simply refused to accept (as we contrarians are wont to do), I never shared their excitement over news-anchor and news-division stories. Other reporters seemed to be in awe of the broadcast network News Divisions -- words so sacred that they were judged to be proper nouns and therefore capitalized. It was as if these other reporters on the TV beat actually believed that Network News (capitalized) and their deep-voiced anchormen were the very embodiment of journalistic integrity, accuracy and profundity. And maybe they were, once upon a time. This subject arises this week following the news that Susan Zirinsky, current president of CBS News (and a CBS News lifer as a long-time producer and executive there), has engineered a shake-up of on-air assignments affecting two of the CBS news division's daily shows. advertisement advertisement The changes are these: Jeff Glor will no longer be the anchor of The CBS Evening News. He will be replaced by Norah ODonnell. She is moving from CBS This Morning, where she was a co-host with Gayle King and John Dickerson. On CBS This Morning, Gayle King will remain, but Dickerson -- who was once a very capable anchor of Face the Nation -- now becomes a correspondent for 60 Minutes and a contributor to CBS News coverage of elections. Anthony Mason and Tony Dokoupil will take up the open co-host spots on CBS This Morning with Gayle King. The press release from CBS News on Monday morning was a classic of overblown oratory. CBS ANNOUNCES NEW ANCHOR TEAM FOR FLAGSHIP BROADCASTS, read the headline in all caps on this release. Note the use of the words flagship broadcasts, one of those anachronistic phrases from decades past when broadcast networks were much more important, and they thought of their news shows as vital flagships whose leadership set the tone for the rest of the company. Meanwhile, the rest of the company's output included Green Acres and Gilligan's Island. Memo to CBS News: There are no flagship broadcasts anymore. You might even say those flagships have sailed off into the sunset along with the rest of TV news. Elsewhere in this press release came a stream of highfalutin' adjectives applied to support the greatness of CBS News air talent. ODonnell is described as highly respected, award-winning and distinguished. King was also noted as award-winning. According to CBS, her interviews are game-changing, her storytelling compassionate, and her ability to connect with audiences is unrivaled. Yes, she has no rivals when it comes to audience connection! No rivals! Anthony Masons work was described as exceptional. Tony Dokoupil is a brilliant writer. Together, theyre a dynamic team, gushed this press release. What a bunch of hogwash it all is. The press releases announcing the last dozen or so of these exercises in air talent musical chairs probably used much the same verbiage. Well, if all those predecessors were so great, then why are they being replaced? One reason might be: Simply describing TV newsmen and newswomen as brilliant, unrivaled or passionate about their work does not make them so. Or to put it another way, on a typical day at typical moments during any of these shows, you will never turn one of them on and suddenly be thunderstruck by the passion emanating from the likes of Norah ODonnell or John Dickerson. The new shining, brilliant and compassionate faces of CBS This Morning will arrive May 20. Meanwhile, a date for the distinguished Norah ODonnell to start as anchor of The CBS Evening News was not provided, but it will be some time this summer, the release said. Then, Norah is moving to Washington as Evening News shifts its headquarters this fall from New York -- a city generally regarded as the center of the known world -- to the nations capital, which, compared to New York, is a provincial backwater. The CBS press release said the move is being made in order to give this nightly newscast unique access to top lawmakers, as if the communications technology does not exist today to make this access just as possible from New York City. Oh, well. Maybe someday this CBS flagship will decide to run up its sails once again for a voyage back to New York. Until then, bon voyage. by Karlene Lukovitz @KLmarketdaily, May 7, 2019 Kraft Heinzs Kraft and Maxwell House brands are looking to win some goodwill with Mothers Day promotions designed to spotlight moms hard work and give them a break. Kraft is encouraging moms to take some time for themselves by offering to pay for their babysitter bills. To be reimbursed, moms can upload their Mothers Day babysitter receipts (for up to $100) on the brands Mothers Day Away site. Kraft will reimburse a total of $50,000. The offer ends at 11:59 pm ET on May 19, or while funds remain available. Kraft is promoting the offer with a video on social media that features a mom talking longingly about what she would do with a few hours off. advertisement advertisement Kraft is also encouraging moms to share about how theyd spend their day, by posting on the social channels of Kraft and its mac and cheese and singles products. Meanwhile, Maxwell House is honoring moms invisible labor meaning the never-ending to-do lists that moms juggle to take care of their families with a special video and a pop-up store. For the video being featured on Maxwell House social channels (below), expectant mothers were invited to a class, then surprised by videos of their own moms talking about their experiences with labor and raising children capped by a surprise live appearance of the soon-to-be-grandparents. Maxwell House is also sponsoring a pop-up Mothers Day store in New York City (138 Wooster St.), where kids can stop by to send a personalized card or call or video-chat with their moms. In addition, the brand is running a Times Square billboard and a Sunday New York Times ad for the holiday. VaynerMedia is the lead creative agency for the campaign. by Ray Schultz , May 6, 2019 Two major dark web marketplaces -- Wall Street Market and the Silkkitie -- have been shuttered in global operations and several parties have been arrested, according to Europol. Wall Street Market, which has 1.1 million users and 5,400 sellers, was brought down by the German Federal Criminal Police in an operation supported by Europol and U.S. agencies including the Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Internal Revenue Service, Homeland Security Investigations, Postal Inspection Service and Department of Justice, according to Europol. Wall Street Market facilitates the criminal trade in stolen data, malicious software, fake documents and drugs, including cocaine, heroin, cannabis and amphetamines, Europol says. The operators received commissions of 2% to 6% of all illegal sales on the platform, Europol states. As part of the global operation, U.S. prosecutors have charged three German nationals with being the administrators of Wall Street Market. The three are in custody in Germany and also face charges there. advertisement advertisement In an apparent exit scam, the three diverted all of the virtual currency held in marketplace escrow and user accounts, totaling $11 million, to their own accounts, prosecutors allege. The three have been charged in the U.S. with conspiracy to launder monetary instruments, and distribution and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. They include a 23-year-old resident of Kleve, Germany; a 31-year-old resident of Wurzburg, and a 29-year-old resident of Stuttgart. In addition, Marcos Paulo De Oliveira-Annibale of Sao Paulo, Brazil was indicted in U.S. District Court in Sacramento for drug distribution and money laundering. He allegedly acted as a moderator on Wall Street Market. Two of the largest drug distributors on Wall Street Market named Platinum45 and Ladyskywalker were based in the Los Angeles area, prosecutors say. The dark web marketplace, Wall Street Market, was one of the largest operating hosts for vendors peddling illegal wares, states DEA San Francisco Special Agent in Charge Chris Nielsen. Meanwhile, German Police seized over 550 000 in cash, along with Bitcoin and Monero in six-digit amounts, vehicles, computers and data storage, Europol says. The global operation was also supported by the Dutch National Police and Eurojust. In another action, the Silkkitie (known as the Valhalla Marketplace) and its contents were seized by Finnish Customs, working in cooperation with the French National Police. Finnish Customs made a significant drug seizure, authorities state. Both of the sites operated networks such as Tor to conceal user identities, prosecutors allege. by Ray Schultz , May 6, 2019 Gmail is suffering service outages in the United States, largely in the Northeast and Southern California. Downdetector has received numerous complaints, spiking at around 5:20 p.m. on Monday. The service problem is interfering with people doing their work. "I can't attach files, writes Jerry Jordan. I keep getting errors and it's causing me some serious issues on press deadlines for NASCAR coverage." is there an outage? writes giaEP. "I cant seem to do anything. Keeps saying oops something went wrong. I need to do my work!!!!! Im working on safari." One more complainant says: "Emails are no longer displaying in my Inbox." At 6:16, Google posted: "We're investigating reports of an issue with Gmail. 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." At 7:30, it added: "The problem with Gmail should be resolved. We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience and continued support. Please rest assured that system reliability is a top priority at Google, and we are making continuous improvements to make our systems better. If you are still experiencing an issue, please contact us via the Google Help Center. advertisement advertisement UPDATE: Gmail indicated Monday evening that there were no more issues, but problems apparently continued into Tuesday, peaking at about 10 a.m. ET, according to downdetector. Still not working for me in Hawaii at all, writes one use. Annoying. Another complains: I cant send or receive. As of now may 7 at 8am PST. Any fixes? The disruption, while not as serious as Mondays, mostly hit the same parts of the U.S. the Northeast and West Coast. by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, May 7, 2019 Several years ago, Google agreed to pay around $5.5 million to settle a class-action lawsuit accusing the company of violating Safari users' privacy by circumventing their no-tracking settings. But now the company says the deal should be vacated and the underlying lawsuit dismissed, arguing that the people who sued didn't establish any injury as a result of the tracking. Plaintiffs' alleged injury is ... purely conjectural, Google writes in a letter sent last week to the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals. Google adds that tracking web users in order to serve them ads doesn't cause the kind of injury that warrants a lawsuit. Plaintiffs hypothetically could have been shown ads that were more relevant to their interests than the ads they would have seen without the cookie, Google writes. For example, a plaintiff who viewed a pet-related website might have later seen an ad for pet supplies instead of an unrelated ad they might have seen without the cookie. This is not an injury at all. advertisement advertisement The long-running battle stems from Google's involvement in the "Safari hack" -- a privacy glitch that came to light in 2012 when researcher Jonathan Mayer published a report stating that Google (and other companies) circumvented Safari's privacy settings and set tracking cookies. After doing so, Google was able to serve ads to Web users based on their Internet activity, Mayer reported. Google confirmed Mayer's report when it came out, and said it had stopped tracking Safari users or would soon do so. The company also agreed to pay $22.5 million to settle privacy-related allegations with the FTC, and an additional $17 million to settle with a group of state attorneys general. The company also agreed to settle a class-action lawsuit by making donations to six schools and nonprofits -- Berkeley Center for Law & Technology, Berkman Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University, Center for Democracy & Technology, Public Counsel, Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, and the Center for Internet & Society at Stanford University. The company also agreed to pay nearly $2 million to the attorneys who brought the case. That settlement has been held up in court as a result of a challenge by class-action activist Theodore Frank, who says Google should have compensated individual Safari users, as opposed to making donations to nonprofits. While Frank's challenge to the Safari-hack settlement was pending, the Supreme Court issued a ruling in a separate privacy battle involving Google. That matter stemmed from allegations that Google violated people's privacy by including their search queries in "referer headers" -- the information that's automatically transmitted to sites users click on when they leave Google. (Some queries, like people's searches for their own names, can offer clues to users' identities; Google no longer transmits search queries when people click on links in the results.) Google agreed to resolve those allegations by donating $5.3 million to six nonprofits and schools, and paying more than Google $2.1 million to the attorneys who brought the lawsuit. In March, the Supreme Court sent that dispute back to the lower courts, with instructions to decide whether Google harmed people by transmitting their search queries to publishers. After that Supreme Court ruling, the 3rd Circuit judges asked Google and the consumers to submit additional arguments addressing whether the Safari hack caused the kind of injury that warrants a lawsuit. Lawyers for the Safari users say the answer is yes. But Google says the matter should be dismissed. Because the cookies at issue would merely have led users to receive more relevant ads, they could not have caused 'real' injury, the company writes. South Africa: Allow workers to vote, urges Oliphant Labour Minister Mildred Oliphant has appealed to employers to allow workers to exercise their democratic right and cast their votes on Election Day on Wednesday. I want to remind all employers that in terms of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, overtime work is voluntary and its unlawful for any employer to force an employee to work overtime without the employees consent unless entities that in whole or in part have been declared essential services wherein workers on that day will be performing essential service, Oliphant said. Her remarks follow numerous complaints received by the Department of Labour that certain employers want to force workers to work on Election Day. If you force employees to work on Election Day, note that you are violating and denying them their constitutional and democratic right to vote. I therefore, encourage employers to release workers on Wednesday 8 May 2019 to go and exercise their democratic and constitutional right in casting their vote, Oliphant said. The Election Day was recently declared a public holiday by President Cyril Ramaphosa. The President urged South African employers to observe 8 May 2019 the day of National and Provincial elections, as a public holiday and encourage staff to use the day to exercise their right to vote. The proclamation was published in the Government Gazette. Forty eight political parties will be contesting the national elections, with 26 727 921 people expected to cast their votes. Voting will start from 7am and end at 9pm. The Independent Electoral Commission is expected to release the final result on Saturday afternoon. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2019-05-07. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 7) Filipinos applying for jobs for the first time will no longer have to pay for the government documents required for employment. Under Republic Act 11261 or the "First Time Jobseekers Assistance Act," government transactions for the following documents will now be free for first-time job applicants: police clearance, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) clearance, barangay clearance, medical certificate from a public hospital, birth certificate, marriage certificate, transcript of records from state colleges and universities, tax identification number (TIN), unified Multi-Purpose ID (UMID) card, and other government documents required by employers. President Rodrigo Duterte signed the legislation last April 10, acording to a copy released by Malacanang on Tuesday. The law, however, does not waive fees for the following: application to take a professional licensure examination and Careeer Service Examination, and application for a driver's license and Philippine passport and red ribbon of documents from the Foreign Affairs Department. A barangay certification should be presented to prove that a person is a first-time jobseeker. "Any person found guilty of fabrication or falsification shall be liable under the Revised Penal Code," the law states. Meanwhile, the Department of Information and Communications Technology is tasked to manage a database of beneficiaries, so relevant agencies can track those who already availed of the free government documents. Senator Joel Villanueva, chairman of the Senate Committee on Labor, Employment and Human Resources Development, stressed that job applicants can save up to 2,000 because of the new law. He said around 1.3 million first-time jobseekers, composed of both fresh graduates and out-of-school youth are expected to benefit from the law yearly. by Steve McClellan @mp_mcclellan, May 7, 2019 PHD Worldwide CEO Mike Cooper has been elevated to the newly created position of Group CEO, APAC and EMEA. As Group CEO, Cooper will be responsible for assuring service standards across OMG agencies Hearts & Science, OMD and PHD in markets outside the Americas. Hes also tasked with driving tech, product and practice innovation in his region. Cooper will hit the ground the running, having spent the better part of the past two decades building OMG agencies in APAC and EMEA. He established OMDs footprint in Asia-Pacific and helped lay the foundation for the agencys global expansion. Since returning to his native UK as CEO of PHD Worldwide in 2007, he has grown PHD from a small group of agencies in APAC and EMEA into a global network serving many of the worlds biggest brands. advertisement advertisement Mikes proven talent for creating and expanding best practices across vastly different local markets has been critical to OMGs global growth strategy, stated Omnicom Media Group Chairman and CEO Daryl Simm. His record, and the respect he has earned from clients and agency teams speak to his energy, commitment and professionalism. Coopers executive team will include current OMG EMEA Chief Financial Officer Peter Poelzlbauer, who has been promoted to Group CFO, OMG APAC and EMEA, OMG APAC CEO Tony Harradine, stationed in Singapore and, all EMEA-based senior leadership. Coopers promotion follows word that his long-time colleague Colin Gottlieb is stepping down next month from his roles as CEO of Omnicom Media Group EMEA and Chairman OMD Worldwide. He will remain an advisor to the company into 2020. Coopers appointment is effective July 1. He will remain based in London, reporting to Simm. by Tanya Gazdik , May 7, 2019 La-Z-Boy is enlisting actress Kristen Bell as its new brand ambassador. Her mission is to raise consumer awareness of the furniture companys diverse offerings. The brand previously used actress Brooke Shields as its brand ambassador. She appeared in commercials beginning in 2010. Even though La-Z-Boy is a recognizable brand, there is a perception gap, according to the company. Many consumers associate the brand mainly with recliners and arent familiar with the companys product range. To combat this, La-Z-Boy has evolved its Live Life Comfortably campaign, launched in 2011. Instead of shying away from consumers perception of the brand, La-Z-Boy is strategically using it to fuel the campaign creative. advertisement advertisement Kristen has an authentic voice that connects with people, states Eli Winkler, La-Z-Boy vice president, marketing. Her warmth and style combined with relatable humor about work, relationships and family make her a great fit for La-Z-Boy. The goal of introducing Bell in the campaign, from RPA, is to draw in a diverse base of consumers, according to the company. Bell is no stranger to La-Z-Boy. in 2017, she and her husband, actor Dax Shepard, engaged in a loving dispute that played out across social media about where to place the familys recliner. Similar to other consumers, Bell was surprised to learn about the wide variety of stylish furniture available at La-Z-Boy. Because her experience mimics that of the average consumer, she is able to effectively communicate all that the brand has to offer in a way that is authentic and believable to consumers. The integrated marketing campaign includes two national spots and five digital shorts launching on May 6. Additional spots are slated for later this year. The effort also includes print, La-Z-Boy social media and in-store. We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Heres our process. An allergy, the common cold, the flu, and other infections can cause a sore throat. In addition to pain, there may be irritation, scratchiness, and swelling. Identifying the cause of a sore throat is the first step toward treating it effectively. If an allergy, a cold, or the flu is responsible, a sore throat generally responds well to home care. However, issues such as mononucleosis, tonsillitis, and a more severe flu can cause soreness that requires professional treatment. A sore throat can be a symptom of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), but this is uncommon. The main symptoms of COVID-19 are a fever, a cough, and shortness of breath. How to tell the difference between COVID-19, a cold, an allergy, and the flu? Find out here. In this article, learn to differentiate between a sore throat caused by an allergy and one caused by a viral upper respiratory infection, such as the common cold or the flu. We also describe treatment and prevention strategies and when to see a doctor. An allergy, a cold, or the flu? Share on Pinterest Colds, allergies, and the flu can each cause a sore throat. Bacterial infections, allergic reactions, and viral infections including a cold or the flu can each cause a sore throat. Some people experience this regularly as a result of seasonal allergies. To get a better idea of the underlying cause, take note of any other symptoms that appear. Symptoms common to both colds and allergies include: a runny or stuffy nose fatigue coughing and sneezing Symptoms of a cold, the flu, and other infections but not usually allergies include: a fever muscle and body aches swollen lymph nodes in the neck If a person has itchy, watery eyes and a sore throat, the cause is most likely an allergic reaction, because these eye symptoms do not tend to occur with a cold or the flu. Another important clue is how long a sore throat lasts. A cold or the flu tend not to last longer than 2 weeks. However, an allergic reaction can last as long as the person is exposed to the allergen. For example, someone with a pollen allergy may have symptoms of a reaction for around 6 weeks, depending on the season. Some people with seasonal allergies develop oral allergy syndrome after eating certain foods. Raw fruits, vegetables, and some tree nuts contain proteins that are similar to pollen, and these trigger symptoms of the allergy. Oral allergy syndrome can cause: an itchy mouth a scratchy, irritated throat redness and swelling of the lips and mouth other seasonal allergy symptoms Anyone who experiences a sore throat or other allergy symptoms after eating raw fruits or vegetables should speak to a healthcare provider, such as an allergist. Allergies are very common more than 50 million people in the United States alone have at least one allergy. According to research from 2015, 15% of people in the U.S. have received a diagnosis of seasonal allergies, also called allergic rhinitis, and up to 30% of the population have self-reported nasal allergy symptoms. Allergy treatment Treatment of allergies depends on the severity of the symptoms. The first step involves avoiding exposure to the allergen entirely, if possible. There are usually several ways to minimize exposure to allergens, which we describe in the next section. A healthcare provider can give specific recommendations. Next, if allergy symptoms are milder, a person may find relief from over-the-counter antihistamines, decongestants, and nasal steroid sprays. A person with more severe allergy symptoms may need to take prescription medications including methods of immunotherapy, such as allergy shots. If a person pursues immunotherapy, it may involve attending a series of sessions with an allergist, who gradually exposes the person to increasing amounts of an allergen. Over time, this desensitizes the person, reducing their allergic response. Many people use alternative therapies to treat allergies. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health , the following may help relieve symptoms: saline nasal irrigation acupuncture probiotics some herbal remedies, such as butterbur extract Allergy prevention tips Avoiding allergens is the best way to prevent the upper respiratory allergy symptoms, including a sore throat. However, completely avoiding an allergen is not always possible or practical. Common allergens include: grass or tree pollen pet and animal dander mold spores dust mites Some general tips to reduce allergen exposure include: keeping the windows closed during pollen season staying indoors, as much as possible, when the pollen count is high wearing sunglasses outdoors to protect the eyes from pollen showering and changing clothes after spending time outdoors during pollen season avoiding foods that trigger symptoms using dust-proof covers on furniture and bedding to reduce exposure to dust mites using a dehumidifier and cleaning the bathroom and kitchen frequently to reduce mold exposure washing the hands immediately after petting dogs and cats to reduce exposure to pet dander washing pets frequently to reduce dander buildup If a sore throat is not from an allergy When the cause of a sore throat is unlikely to be an allergy, a person can still take steps to relieve the issue, and any other symptoms, at home. To ease a sore throat, a person should: Get some rest: The body needs it to fight the infection. The body needs it to fight the infection. Drink more fluids: These should be any temperature that feels best the main goal is hydration, which helps combat the infection. These should be any temperature that feels best the main goal is hydration, which helps combat the infection. Suck on throat lozenges: These help minimize pain and keep the mouth from becoming dry. These help minimize pain and keep the mouth from becoming dry. Try Chloraseptic: This common, over-the-counter brand of oral analgesics helps numb the back of the throat, easing pain. This common, over-the-counter brand of oral analgesics helps numb the back of the throat, easing pain. Take ibuprofen or acetaminophen: These and other over-the-counter pain relief medications may help, but only if used as directed. When to see a doctor Whether a mild infection or an allergic reaction is causing a sore throat, a person can often ease the symptom at home. Some home care strategies for a sore throat, regardless of the cause, include: sucking on ice chips or frozen fruit juices drinking hot tea with honey gargling with salt water several times a day using over-the-counter pain relief medication Read about more natural remedies for a sore throat here. However, if home remedies are not effective, consult a doctor or another healthcare provider. A person should seek medical attention if a sore throat lasts longer than a week or two, and they experience any of the following: difficulty breathing or swallowing a high fever drooling a rash blood in the saliva swelling or lumps in the face or neck If a doctor suspects that an allergy is responsible for the symptoms, they can identify the specific allergen with testing. Researchers at the University of Nottingham in United Kingdom have reviewed dozens of articles analyzing the helpfulness of other peoples recovery narratives and found that they can help people overcome their own mental health problems. Share on Pinterest Hearing others recovery stories can help us cope with our own mental health issues. Increasingly, mental health professionals are considering the pros and cons of using recovery narratives as part of the therapy process. Some researchers define the recovery narrative as a particular kind of story produced within specific sites: commissioned by or facilitated within mental health services; championed by charities and in mental health campaigns; presented formally at mental health conferences; and promoted by alternative or activist movements. Regardless of its delivery context, a recovery narrative is one that recounts an individuals personal reckoning with adversity, which the person has overcome and thrives in spite of. While recovery can occur in relation to many different health events, some of the most prominent recovery narratives refer to peoples experiences with mental health issues, ranging from depression to eating disorders. So, from the perspective of a person facing mental health problems, does it help to have access to other peoples recovery stories? A new systematic review conducted by researchers from the University of Nottingham in the United Kingdom, in collaboration with specialists from other institutions, suggests that the answer may be yes though not for everyone. Others stories can reduce isolation This new research, which forms part of the Narrative Experiences Online study, screened hundreds of books and articles from 20002018 and identified 45 studies that focused on the therapeutic impact of 629 recovery narratives. Study author Stefan Rennick-Egglestone explains that he and his team were interested in determining whether accessing other peoples stories of recovery following an experience of ill mental health would be useful in helping another individual progress on their own healing process. More specifically, the scientists assessed how people might respond to others recovery narratives, and whether such stories would allow them to feel seen and included as well as better understand facts related to mental health and therapy. Many initiatives have made a range of recovery stories freely available online. This often occurs as part of campaigns aiming to put an end to the misconceptions surrounding mental health and the widespread lack of support and awareness when it comes to these issues. The research, the results of which appear in the journal PLOS One , concludes that such personal narratives can be helpful to practiced mental health professionals offering support to their clients. Also, they can be particularly helpful to people facing mental health issues who are isolated and have limited access to appropriate resources. This includes people from isolated rural areas or minority communities. We wondered whether stories of recovery might help people who find it difficult to access other forms of mental health treatment, says Rennick-Egglestone, such as people living in rural locations or experiencing social anxiety. And, he goes on, we found that they can, as long as possible negative impacts are managed carefully. Researchers have previously shown that a type of light therapy could potentially reduce toxic proteins that build up in the brain in Alzheimers disease. Now, the same team has identified what happens at cell level to achieve this result. Share on Pinterest A recent study asked why flickering light might help fight Alzheimers. In 2016, scientists at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge found that shining a flickering light into the eyes of mice could reduce the toxic buildup of amyloid and tau proteins that occur in the brain with Alzheimers disease. Light therapy boosts a form of brain wave called gamma oscillation, which research suggests is impaired in people with Alzheimers disease. More recently, the MIT team revealed that combining light therapy with sound therapy extended the beneficial effects even further. Those studies also saw that light therapy can improve memory in mice genetically predisposed to develop Alzheimers disease and spatial memory in older mice without the condition. The most recent investigation, which now features in the journal Neuron, has shown that boosting gamma oscillations can improve the connection between nerve cells, reduce inflammation, and preserve against cell death in mouse models of Alzheimers. It also shows that the treatments far-reaching effects involve not only nerve cells, or neurons, but also a type of immune cell called microglia. It seems, says senior study author Li-Huei Tsai, a professor of neuroscience and director of the Picower Institute for Learning and Memory at MIT, that neurodegeneration is largely prevented. Alzheimers and toxic proteins Alzheimers is a condition that gradually destroys brain tissue and associated function through the irreversible loss of cells. A 2018 report by Alzheimers Disease International reveals that 50 million people worldwide have dementia, and that for two-thirds of them, Alzheimers disease is the cause. Although some treatments can slow Alzheimers symptoms down for a while, none, as yet, can cure the condition. In people with Alzheimers disease, the brain begins to change a long time before they experience symptoms of dementia. Such symptoms include difficulties with thinking and remembering. Two changes in particular are the development of toxic deposits, or plaques, of beta-amyloid protein between nerve cells, and the formation of toxic tangles of tau protein inside the cells. Prof. Tsai and her colleagues explain that people with Alzheimers disease also show another alteration in the brain: reduced power of oscillations in the gamma frequency band. Scientists have proposed that gamma oscillations are a type of brain wave important for functions such as memory and attention. In their earlier work, the researchers had shown that exposure to light flickering at a rate of 40 cycles per second, or hertz, stimulated gamma oscillations in the visual cortex of the brain in mice. Adding sound tones beating at the same frequency enhanced the plaque-reducing effect of the light therapy and extended it beyond the visual cortex into the hippocampus and some of the prefrontal cortex. Gamma oscillations from both treatments also led to improvements in memory function in mouse models of Alzheimers disease. Remarkable level of neuroprotection With the new study, the researchers wanted to find out more about the underlying mechanisms that led to these benefits. To do so, they used two mouse models of Alzheimers: Tau P301S and CK-p25. Prof. Tsai says that both types of mice experience much greater loss of nerve cells than the model that they used in the earlier light therapy studies. Tau P301S mice produce a mutant tau protein that forms tangles inside cells such as those that occur inside brain cells of humans with Alzheimers disease. CK-p25 mice produce a protein called p25 that causes severe neurodegeneration. The team saw that daily light therapy that began before the anticipated start of neurodegeneration produced remarkable effects on both types of mice. Tau P301S mice that received 3 weeks of treatment showed no signs of neuron degeneration, compared with 1520% of neuron loss in the untreated mice. The result was the same in the CK-p25 mice, which underwent 6 weeks of treatment. Prof. Tsai claims that she has been working with p25 protein for over 20 years, and the protein is very toxic to the brain. However, she has never seen anything like this result before. Its very shocking, she adds. We found that the p25 transgene expression levels are exactly the same in treated and untreated mice, but there is no neurodegeneration in the treated mice, she explains. When the researchers tested the mices spatial memory, they also found surprising results: Light therapy improved performance in older mice that were not genetically programmed to develop Alzheimers disease, but it had no effect on younger, similar mice. LONDON May 7, 2019 North America's August 2017 Tim Peacock Paul Lem United Kingdom 23M England September 13 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Landsec and Spartan Bioscience today announced they will trial the world's first on-site Legionella DNA test in the UK.In May, Landsec will undertake trials using Spartan's innovative Legionella test. Spartan's test provides highly accurate qPCR Legionella results in 45 minutes, enabling operators to take corrective action within hours instead of weeks. This test, if approved, could replace the need to send samples to laboratories and ensure enhanced levels of water safety.Spartan's Legionella test is widely used byleading real estate companies, data facilities, and healthcare organizations. In addition, it is validated according to ISO/Technical Standard 12869:2012. Landsec is the first company to trial Spartan's technology in the UK.Legionella is a common bacterium that can infect the water systems of large buildings. When infected water systems release aerosolized water droplets contaminated with Legionella, building occupants can breathe in the contaminated air and contract Legionnaires' disease, a potentially fatal pneumonia. There are dozens of high-profile Legionnaires' disease outbreaks in the UK each year.(1) For example, in, a woman died from a Legionella outbreak that was traced back to a contaminated water system in a Ludlow hotel.(2)The traditional Legionella testing method, bacterial culture, takes 10-14 days to provide results. But this turnaround time can be too slow because Legionella can grow to outbreak levels in as few as 7 days.(3) In comparison, Spartan's test provides results in 45 minutes. Additionally, Spartan's Legionella test uses a Nobel-Prize winning chemistry called quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR). qPCR is commonly used for medical diagnostics because of its highly-improved accuracy compared to traditional testing methods."Landsec is always looking for innovative solutions that can make our buildings and their occupants safer," said, Innovation Director at Landsec. "We look forward to working with Spartan to bring this technology to the UK and investigating methods to further reduce the risk of Legionnaires' outbreaks in our buildings.""Landsec is one of the leading property management companies in the UK and we are excited to have them onboard with this trial. With support from businesses like Landsec, we hope to eventually eradicate Legionnaires' outbreaks around the world," said, M.D., CEO of Spartan Bioscience.About Spartan Bioscience Spartan Bioscience is the leader in on-demand DNA testing.(5) Spartan's technology fully integrates DNA collection, extraction, and analysis, with an intuitive interface that is easy to operate. The Spartan Cube, the world's smallest DNA analyzer, enables unprecedented portability and convenience in applications such as infectious disease, pharmacogenetics, and food and water safety testing. Spartan created the first on-site Legionella DNA test to reduce the risk of Legionnaires' disease outbreaks in buildings. It consists of a coffee-cup-sized, portable DNA analyzer called the Spartan Cube and a single-use disposable test cartridge. https://www.spartanbio.com/About Landsec Landsec is one of the largest commercial property development and real estate investment companies in the, with more thansq. ft. and 14B under management. Landsec's portfolio includes landmark buildings such as Piccadilly Lights and the Zig Zag Building. Landsec is highly committed to improving health and safety through innovation solutions.References 1. Public Health England. (2018). Legionnaires disease in residents ofand Wales2016. 2. BBC. (2017). Fatal Legionnaires' outbreak at Ludlow hotel.. 3. Marshall AG, Bellucci EC. (1986). Hospitality Review. 1(4): Article 2. 4. Ahmed S et al. (2019). Journal of Water and Health. 17(2): 237253. 5. Roberts JD et al. (2012). Lancet. 379:170511.SOURCE Spartan Bioscience Inc. IRVINE, Calif. May 7, 2019 Steven C. Bilt Crystal Strait $3 million $16 million Tuesday, June 11 New York City Irvine California the United States Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Florida Illinois Indiana Maryland Ohio Oregon Nevada Pennsylvania Tennessee Texas Utah Virginia Washington San Francisco, CA. /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Smile Brands Inc. and its Smiles for Everyone Foundation have been honored with a Silver Stevie Award in the category of Corporate Social Responsibility Program of the Year - At Organizations With More Than 2,500 Employees. Smile Brands Inc., a leading dental support organization with over 400 affiliated practices across 17 states, has a mission to deliver Smiles for Everyone by creating win-win relationships with patients, affiliated providers, employees, suppliers and the communities they serve.In partnership with the Smiles for Everyone Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to deliver free dental care to people in need both at home in the U.S. and around the world, Smile Brands Inc. affiliated offices and team members engage in Corporate Social Responsibility programs year-round.The Smiles for Everyone Foundation was started by Smile Brands Inc. Founder and CEO,, who recognized that the best way for his team to make a lasting impact to the community is by leveraging the skills of Smile Brands employees and affiliated providers. Through the Foundation's programs, Smile Brands volunteers are given the opportunity to give back by providing pro bono dentistry to both their local communities, as well as internationally at the Foundation's International Outposts."The Foundation's programs create an opportunity for dentists and their support staff to give back to their local communities as well as underserved communities globally in a truly meaningful way. By donating their personal skills and time, they are able to have an exponential impact on the communities that we serve," says Executive Director. "Smile Brands Inc.'s dentists and support staff really deliver service with their hearts. In addition to providing healthy smiles, our teams have a lasting impact on the communities we serve with their kindness and compassion."In 2018 alone, Smile Brands Inc. affiliated team members helped the Smiles for Everyone Foundation deliver overin donated dentistry to over 4,500 patients. Since its inception, the Foundation has delivered smiles to over 21,000 individuals in need, donating overin dentistry.The winners of the Stevie Awards were determined by the average scores of more than 200 professionals worldwide in the two-month judging process. The awards will be presented at The 17th Annual American Business Awards banquet onat the Marriott Marquis Hotel in. The complete lists of Gold, Silver, and Bronze Stevie Award winners by category can be found on the ABA website at http://www.StevieAwards.com/ABA.About Smile Brands Based in, Smile Brands Inc. is one of the largest providers of support services to dental groups in. Recently ranked #25 on Glassdoor's 2018 Best Places to Work list, Smile Brands Inc. provides comprehensive business support services through exclusive long term agreements with affiliate dental groups, so dentists can spend more time caring for their patients and less time on the administrative, marketing, and financial aspects of operating a dental practice. Smile Brands supports nearly 400 Bright Now! Dental, Monarch Dental, Castle Dental, A+ Dental Care, OneSmile Dental, Johnson Family Dental, P3 Dental Group, and DecisionOne Dental Partners offices in 17 states, including, and. Smile Brands is a portfolio company of Gryphon Investors, a leading middle-market private equity firm based inFor more information, visit http://www.smilebrands.com.About the Smiles For Everyone Foundation The Smiles for Everyone Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with the mission of delivering smiles for everyone by providing free dental care for those in need, both at home in the U.S. and around the world. Since 2011, the Smiles for Everyone Foundation has delivered over 21,000 smiles and $16.2 million in donated dentistry. The foundation currently supports programs which provide free dental care to those in need in Cambodia, Ghana, Laos, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Thailand, and the United States. For more information or to make a donation, visit http://www.smilesforeveryone.org.About the Stevie Awards Stevie Awards are conferred in seven programs: the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, the German Stevie Awards, The American Business Awards, The International Business Awards, the Stevie Awards for Women in Business, the Stevie Awards for Great Employers, and the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service. Stevie Awards competitions receive more than 10,000 nominations each year from organizations in more than 70 nations. Honoring organizations of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide. Learn more about the Stevie Awards at http://www.StevieAwards.com.SOURCE Smile Brands Themed parties can be exciting but exhausting at the same time, as dressing up can be big fun or a useless chore. But just like any other themed party that you've been to, there are always people who don't feel like dressing up at all. They make a statement by turning up in their PJs. To be fair, we've been in those scenarios too, haven't we? Turns out, Trevor Noah is just like us. via GIPHY For those of you who don't know, Trevor Noah is a South African comedian among other things, a writer, producer, political commentator, actor, and a television host for 'The Daily Show'. He's known to introduce satire in political commentary in his presentation. via GIPHY However, he clearly doesn't restrict the satire just to the show, as he extends it to life and sometimes, even the parties that he goes to. Trevor Noah made a statement about this by way of his outfit at the Met Gala 2019. Take a look: Getty Images While it doesn't align with the theme of camp at all, it's still the most relatable outfit from this year's Met Gala probably. And here's why it stands out: The Met Gala is a fundraising event which is also otherwise known as 'fashion's biggest night out' wherein the most iconic looks are seen on celebrities each year. The Met Gala is organised by Vogue Editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, who with her team, meticulously prepares a guest list of all the people who should be invited to the Met. Each year, a powerful theme is set that the invitees have to keep in mind while choosing their outfit for the Met. This is no easy task, considering celebrities can easily be mocked for what they wear at the Met. The theme is central to the Met Gala. And then we have Trevor Noah, saying what he believes out loud and clear. Getty Images Google announced the much-awaited Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL at I/O today in San Francisco and the smartphone is said to be a cheaper alternative to the flagship variant. The Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL come with many features borrowed from the Pixel 3, including computational photography, exclusive software features and other technical specification updates. Here are all the details announced today at Google I/O: Design & Specifications MensXP_Akshay Bhalla The Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL come with a 5.6" and 6.0 display respectively. The Pixel 3a has a full HD+ screen and a resolution of 2220 x 1080 while the Pixel 3a XL has a resolution of (2160 x 1080. Both smartphones come with what Google calls gOled panels and have an aspect ratio of 18.5:9 (Pixel 3a) and 18:9 (Pixel 3a XL). The display also has always-on functionality and can also display identified music playing in the background. The Pixel 3a comes with 3,000 mAh battery while its larger brother comes with 3,700 mAh battery. Both devices come with fast-charging capabilities and Google claims users can get 7 hours of battery life in a 15-minute charge. These specifications are powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 670 processor clocked at 2.0GHz and 1.7GHz. The SoC has been paired with 4GB of RAM and comes with Adreno 615 GPU. In terms of design, both smartphones use a polycarbonate body that looks identical to the Pixel 3 series with minor differences in quality. In terms of audio, the Pixel 3a/3a XL comes with Stereo speakers (1 front firing, 1 bottom firing). Both smartphones come with a 3.5mm headphone jack and a USB Type-C port for charging. At the back, the Pixel 3a/3a XL has a single camera setup and a fingerprint sensor. As for the front, the Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL come with a noticeable top and bottom bezels and does not have a notch design. Cameras MensXP_Akshay Bhalla The Pixel 3a and 3a XL have a single 12.2MP Dual-Pixel Sony IMX363 primary camera with an aperture of /1.8. The camera sensor has a field of view of 76 and 1/2.55" Sensor Size. The primary sensor has autofocus with dual pixel phase detection and optical + electronic image stabilisation. As for the selfie camera, the devices have an 8MP with an aperture of f/2.0. It has a field of view of 84 for wider selfie shots. The marquee feature of a Pixel smartphone is computational photography and the Pixel 3a series comes with the same features as the flagship counterparts. Notable features include Night Sight (Google's night mode), Top Shot, Super Res Zoom, Portrait Mode, HDR+ shots and a new Time Lapse mode. The Time Lapse mode will let users capture an entire sunset in just a few seconds of video that's great for posting on social media. According to Google Time Lapse records a video by capturing anywhere from 6 frames per second to one frame every 4 seconds, to create the effect of a sped-up video at 30 frames per second. Features MensXP_Akshay Bhalla The Pixel 3a and 3a XL come with exclusive Google Lens features that we have already seen on Pixel smartphones before. With Lens, users can find similar clothing and home decor, copy and translate text, and identify landmarks, plants, and animals in real time from the camera app. Pixel 3a and 3a XL also come with Active Edge where users can squeeze the sides of the smartphone to launch Google Assistant. It works in addition with Hey, Google or Ok, Google and is an exclusive feature on the Pixel series. Users can also adjust Active Edge sensitivity when you first activate the feature (the first time you squeeze), or by telling the Assistant to Increase Active Edge sensitivity Pixel 3a and 3a XL also come with unlimited storage for images at high quality however it does not store images of the original quality. You will need to be a paying member of Google Drive in order to store the original file size of gallery images. India Pricing Details The Google Pixel 3a and 3a Xl will retail in India for Rs 39,999 and Rs 44,999 respectively. Pixel 3a users will get 3 months of Youtube Music Premium for free that is only valid for new Music/Premium users on Pixel 3a and 3a XL devices activated by September 30, 2019. Both Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL will be available in India on Flipkart from 15th May 2019 and will be availabel for registrations on 8th May. The Pixel 3a and 3a XL will be available in three colours i.e. Just Black, Clearly White and Purple-ish. We've been using the Pixel 3a XL for a few days and will be publishing our initial experience and a full review soon. Going Down to Your Local Spot with Enter Night All Summer Long Jul 3, 2019 Perhaps it has already happened to you during these early dates on the European WorldWired Tour. Youve been wandering the windy late night streets of Lisbon or Madrid lost, lonely, and thirsty seeking a little company and comfort, craving a nice, cold pilsner, pining for the good vibes that come when you can hang in a familiar place with family well, FEAR NOT GOOD PEOPLE AND LOYAL METALLICA FAMILY! Your prayers have been answered and will continue to be answered on a nightly basis thanks to Enter Night Pilsner and Stone Brewing. Starting a couple of weeks ago, in each European city the eve before the gig, Enter Night has been throwing a pretty rockin pre-party. Led by Stone honcho Greg Koch, and managed by Stones European logistics maestro Christoph Becher, the Enter Night pre-parties are all about giving the Metallica family somewhere fun to commune. We wanted to give the fans their very own local to hang out in every night with their fellow Metallica friends and family, explains Greg. Whether youre a casual fan, an average fan, a Black Ticket holder or whatever kind of fan you are, come and join us every night before a gig and lets hang out! We enjoy helping to create a cozy, friendly vibe, furthers Cristoph. Were selecting the venues based on conversations with the local distributor, and some of them have some great history. For example, in Milan, the brewery were at opened in 1996, same year we started ours, continues Greg. We became friends in 2000; they are metalheads just like us, they make great beer, they share our beer, so these are events you need to come, be a part of and enjoy. One of Gregs biggest missions in his social forays is to learn about others, exchange tales and create an environment conducive to such things. Its all about fostering that human experience and old school vibe, about sharing things with each other you have mutual admiration and appreciation for, he explains. I recently met the St. Germany [Metallica Club] Chapter again, who helped us kick off Enter Night in Berlin, and it was great to see them. As much as I think I know about Metallica, they know so much more. Just last night [in Barcelona] I met folks from Germany, Brazil, Ireland, Poland, the UK, and the US, all sharing cool stories and insights. I think its really important to have a conversation with someone you dont know [at these events because] you will probably find out some fascinating things and make new friends. One further thing to consider? Seeing as were talking about your cozy local vibe, who knows who might pop down for a swift one or few? You never know who might show up, agrees Koch. The other night in Barcelona Marc Reiter from Metallica's management stopped by, he's been with them for many years, and a great guy with phenomenal stories. And while theres certainly no wrong way to see Metallica, theres some even more right ways. One of those is from the Snake Pit, and at the pre-party the night before [the show], well be raffling off two Snake Pit passes every single time. If you get one, Ill see you in there and be sure to find me and say hi! More than anything, these Enter Night pre-parties should be your home-away-from-home and your consistent, good-vibe social hang, much like your regular watering hole at home. This is em>your opportunity to continue building out the tremendous family and Metallica communities which continue to blow everyone away on this WorldWired adventure, and Enter Night is delighted to be a warmly enthusiastic facilitator and host. The night before [each gig], you always want to get together with like-minded people, says Greg, and the perfect place to do that is at your local. Theres always [going to be] some sort of surprise lurking around the corner no doubt. Come one, come all, and even then, bring a few buddies! Enter Night Parties For Leg 4 BUKAREST Where: Fabrica de Bere Buna, Calea Victoriei 91-93 Bucuresti 010091, Romania When: Starting at 6:00 PM What: Enter Night Pilsner Pre-Party with Snake Pit Raffle Where: La 100 de Beri, Strada Covaci 8, Bucuresti 030167, Romania When: Starting at 8:00 PM What: Enter Night Pilsner Pre-Party with Snake Pit Raffle WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14 Where: Fabrica de Bere Buna, Calea Victoriei 91-93 Bucuresti 010091, Romania and La 100 de Beri, Strada Covaci 8, Bucuresti 030167, Romania When: Starting at 12:00 PM before the show & resuming after the show What: Enter Night Pilsner Warm-Up and After Parties VIENNA Where: Kolariks Luftburg, Waldsteingartenstrae 128, Prater , A-1020 Wien When: 4:00 PM - 11:00 PM What: Enter Night Pilsner Pre-Party with Snake Pit Raffle FRIDAY, AUGUST 16 Where: Kolariks Luftburg, Waldsteingartenstrae 128, Prater , A-1020 Wien When: 12:00 PM - 2:00 AM What: Enter Night Pilsner Warm-Up with Snake Pit Raffle and After Party PRAGUE Where: Pivovar Dva Kohouti, Sokolovska 81/55, 186 00 Praha 8 Karlin When: Starting at 5:00 PM What: Enter Night Pilsner Pre-Party with Snake Pit Raffle WARSAW Where: Klub Proxima, ul. Zwirki i Wigury 99A, 02-089 Warszawa When: Starting at 6:30 PM What: Enter Night Pilsner Pre-Party with Snake Pit Raffle WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21 Where: Mikkeller Bar Warsaw, ul. Chmielna 7/9, 00-021 Warszawa When: Starting at 12:00 PM What: Enter Night Pilsner Warm-Up and After Party MUNICH Where: Hard Rock Cafe Munchen, Platzl 1, 80331 Munchen, Germany When: Starting at 8:00 PM What: Enter Night Pilsner Pre-Party with Snake Pit Raffle Where: Backstage Munchen, Reitknechtstrae 6, 80639 Munchen, Germany When: 12:00 PM pre-show & 11:00 PM post-show What: Enter Night Pilsner Warm-Up with Snake Pit Raffle and After Party MANNHEIM Where: Bolands Taphouse, O4, 3, 68161 Mannheim When: Starting at 6:00 PM What: Enter Night Pilsner Pre-Party with Snake Pit Raffle Greg also encourages you to connect with him via Instagram, @stonegreg. And of course, stay tuned to @Metallica on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to stay up to date on all pre-party announcements. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Markos Bolaris today received the United States Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, Samuel Dale Brownback, former Minister of Agriculture as well as the Governor of Kansas, in the context of the latters visit to Greece which, as he himself stressed, aims at forging bonds between the US and the Christian Orthodox world. The Deputy Minister welcomed the State Departments initiative to encourage cooperation between countries that are interested in safeguarding religious freedoms and eradicating persecution based on religion, which is included, as Ambassador Brownback noted, in the political decision by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to strengthen the role of the US in the areas in question. There was an exchange of views on the situation of Christians in Middle Eastern countries, the difficult conditions that the Patriarchates of Jerusalem and Antioch face in caring for their flock and the sustainability of their functioning, as well as the pressures experienced by the Syriac Orthodox communities, the Assyrians and the Yezidi. Opportunities for cooperation were confirmed for reconstructing regions where Christian communities flourished for centuries or constitute cradles of civilisation, in countries plagued by war and terrorist attacks. Recent developments in current ecclesiastical issues, in Europe and America, were also discussed, which are also of interest to the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Ambassador Brownback informed the Deputy Minister that the 2nd Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom will take place in Washington in July, voicing his hope that our country will again be represented on a ministerial level. In addition, he briefed the Deputy Minister that an invitation has also been sent to His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. The Deputy Minister assured his interlocutor that he will participate. The Deputy Minister briefed Ambassador Brownback on Greeces actions to promote religious freedom, both domestically and abroad. The successful organisation of a two-day conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (29 Feb- 1 March 2019) on issues of religious and ecclesiastical diplomacy drew the attention of Mr. Brownback, in which representatives of churches and religious communities in Greece participated, with an aim to promote dialogue and submit proposals for forging an integrated strategy on the part of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs related to the agenda of the two-day conference. The Special Secretary for Religious and Cultural Diplomacy, Dr. Efstathios Lianos Liantis, met today with US Ambassador Geoffrey R. Pyatt, who congratulated him on assuming his new duties as Special Envoy for Combating Anti-Semitism and Safeguarding the Memory of the Holocaust. During the meeting, the prospect of cooperation between Greece and the US in the effort to eradicate anti-Semitism was discussed, which constitutes a top priority for both countries. In addition, they had the opportunity to exchange views related to the geopolitical role of religion and incidents of religious extremism, which have recently been observed on a global level. The observation was mutual that cooperation is required both on a political as well as an academic level, in order to shape the framework of cooperation and the content of the policies aimed at tackling intolerance and adopting the human values of religious freedom, pluralism, and respect of religious beliefs and traditions. CASS CITY A new grocery store in Cass City is moving forward, but not at the pace originally expected. Bens Fresh Neighborhood Market will be located at 6233 Church St., the site of the former Erlas Food Center. According to village Trustee Tom Herron noted a meeting was held last week to conduct a site plan review of the store. "That was not done before, explained Herron, noting store owner Jim Zyrowski had to work out issues with DTE. Thats done now, so he can move ahead. He is going to put on another crew to get the store done faster. The plan is to open in July. Initial hopes had been to have the store open in January. According to Zyrowski, when the store opens, it will have groceries, a deli, bakery, hardware area, pharmacy, and an ATM machine. There was a tax abatement hearing for Zyrowskis store in September for a Commercial Redevelopment District, and for a Commercial Facilities Exemption Certificate. Zyrowski is in the process of doing about $2 million in renovations to the 20,581-square-foot building that was built in 1948 and renovated in 1993. The community has been without a grocery store since Erlas closed about five years ago. The lack of a grocery store is felt by everyone in the community. When I look around Cass City, I see firsthand the toll living in a food desert takes on our community. Driving for 15 miles to buy groceries takes an economic toll on even our wealthiest residents, but for a low-income family, it means all the difference for whats in the fridge, said Cass City resident Addy Battel, a high school junior, who attended the meeting. Battel and Pearl Daskam, who are both 16-years old, understand the basic need of food, so in 2015, they spearheaded Meating the Need for Our Village, and organized a hunger summit in April that was well attended. For the last five years, since we founded Meating the Need for Our Village, we have been promised a grocery store off and on repeatedly. Im happy to see progress, said Battel. I remain cautiously optimistic that we may soon have a grocery store to call our own. In the meantime, we will continue efforts to bring nutrient-dense food to local food pantries and continue exploring other options for bringing groceries to our village. To help with the food issue, Cass Citys Farmers Market will be opening on May 9. It will be open from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. every Thursday through Oct. 17. Vendors can sign up by calling 989-872-4311. The cost for a site is $10. This will be the second year for a farmers market in downtown Cass City. STAMFORD Connecticut Attorney General William Tong released Tuesday an unredacted version of the states lawsuit against OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma, revealing emails from 2001 that he said showed company co-owner and former CEO and President Richard Sacklers shocking and offensive disregard for victims of the opioid crisis an assertion contested by Sacklers attorney. The latest version of the complaint ratchets up the already-intense pressure on Purdue and, particularly, Dr. Richard Sackler, who is accused of describing opioid abusers as victimizers. While seven other Sackler family members who own the firm are also named in the lawsuit, he has emerged as an especially controversial figure because of the proliferation of allegations that he orchestrated the fraudulent and reckless marketing of OxyContin practices that Tong and other prosecutors blame for fueling the opioid crisis in their states. These emails are far more than a momentary lapse in judgment between friends they encapsulate the depraved indifference to human suffering that infected Purdues entire business model, Tong said in a statement. Purdue and defendant members of the Sackler family knew people were dying, but they continued to push their opioids in blind pursuit of profit. Purdue and the Sacklers must be held accountable. Richard Sacklers attorney, David Bernick, disputed the lawsuits characterization of his client. Dr. Sackler has apologized for using insensitive language that doesnt reflect what he actually did, Bernicks statement said. These emails were written two decades ago following news reports about criminal activity involving prescription opioids, such as drug-store robberies. Dr. Sackler was expressing his worry that this news coverage would stigmatize an essential FDA-approved medication that doctors feel is critical for treating their patients in pain. Purdue, as a company, re-issued an earlier statement that denied the lawsuits allegations and described the litigation as part of a continuing effort to try these cases in the court of public opinion rather than the justice system. Alleged leader of misconduct The previously undisclosed 2001 emails were sent about midway through Richard Sacklers four-year stint as CEO and president of Purdue, according to the lawsuit. Their implication that addiction is not caused by opioids, but by the patient, is consistent with a long-held position of Richard Sackler, the lawsuit said. Among the communications referenced in the litigation is an exchange between Richard Sackler and an unnamed acquaintance, in which the acquaintance said that abusers die; well, that is the choice they made. I doubt a single one didnt know of the risks. Richard Sackler responded that abusers arent victims; they are the victimizers. In a separate 2001 email correspondence with the same acquaintance, Richard Sackler sought the persons reaction to a Time magazine article on OxyContin, the lawsuit said. The associate said the whole thing is a sham, and if people die because they abuse it, then good riddance. Unfortunately, when Im ambushed by 60 Minutes, I cant easily get this concept across, Richard Sackler replied. Calling drug addicts scum of the earth will guarantee that I become the poster child for liberals who want to do just want (sic) to distribute the blame to someone else, as you say. Parts of the lawsuit were initially redacted due to a federal judges order requiring that the information be kept confidential unless the producing party agreed that the information could be disclosed. Connecticut has since obtained an agreement to release those communications. Richard Sackler testimony The unredacted lawsuit also cites a deposition taken in March of Richard Sackler that it said exemplifies his and the other defendants callous indifference to the truth of their deceptions and the public health impact. He gave the deposition for a group of Multidistrict Litigation cases, consolidated in a federal court in Cleveland, involving about 1,700 cities and counties across the country that have sued Purdue and other opioid makers. In the deposition, Richard Sackler repeatedly said I dont recall when asked questions such as whether the company had ever tried to quantify the number of deaths resulting from OxyContin prescriptions. He gave a more expansive answer when he was asked whether Purdue should have conducted before OxyContin was approved in 1995 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration studies on addiction rates following treatment. This was not part of the approved plan for studies that would lead, if successful, to approval, Richard Sackler said. With the fullness of time, maybe that would have been a good idea. Maybe it would have prevented some some misfortune. But thats speculative. He expounded on the 2001 emails saying that he probably was quite emotional when he wrote them according to additional testimony excerpts, which were provided by a Sackler spokesman and not included in the lawsuit. Ive gotten a lot more information about addiction, in general ... or opioid addiction, in particular, and, of course, my views have evolved and changed, Richard Sackler also said in the deposition. At that time, I was very concerned that the balance that had been struck by the FDA between the benefits and risks of strong opioids might be upset, perhaps with terrible consequence for patients and for doctors, who wanted to treat them. Richard Sackler was also deposed in 2015, as part of Kentuckys then-lawsuit against Purdue, in what has been described as the only time not including the MDL deposition that a Sackler family member had been questioned under oath about OxyContin marketing. Health-and-science news site STAT waged a long legal battle to unseal the 337-page Kentucky deposition. It remained under seal, but ProPublica recently obtained a copy of the document. Other lawsuits, including Massachusetts complaint, have also accused Richard Sackler of instigating deceptive opioid marketing. At a launch party for OxyContin, which went on the market in 1996, he predicted a blizzard of prescriptions that will bury the competition, according to the Massachusetts suit. Richard Sackler comprises one of eight Sackler family members who own Purdue and are named in Connecticuts, Massachusetts and New Yorks lawsuits. The others are Beverly Sackler, David Sackler, Ilene Sackler Lefcourt, Jonathan Sackler, Kathe Sackler, Mortimer D.A. Sackler and Theresa Sackler. Since 1979, Richard Sackler has owned a home in Greenwich, according to Connecticuts lawsuit. He now lives in Connecticut and Florida. As the litigation has burgeoned against Purdue more than 1,000 municipal, county and state lawsuits have been filed Richard Sackler and the other Sackler defendants have resigned from Purdues board. The last of the Sacklers on the panel stepped down at the beginning of this year, according to the company. Aside from the Sackler emails, the unredacted Connecticut complaint is largely similar to the previous version filed April 22. The complaint includes a litany of other allegations focused on Purdues opioid marketing and also accuses the Sackler defendants of trying to avoid personal liability through hundreds of millions of dollars in fraudulent transfers. Next steps Tong has reiterated his intent to take the case to trial, despite Oklahoma reaching in late March a $270 million settlement with Purdue to resolve a similar lawsuit. Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter made a judgment that $270 million was the right deal for the people of Oklahoma. It would not be the right deal for the people of Connecticut, Tong said in a recent interview. In my view, this is a national public health crisis, and the damages are extensive and significant and go far beyond any dollar (amount) I can put on it right now. They go far beyond $270 million. A prospective Purdue bankruptcy would not deter the states push for accountability, Tong has also said. Meanwhile, the Sacklers have indicated that they want to avoid a trial. An attorney for four of the Sackler defendants has said that her clients would prefer to settle and reach a global resolution of the pending litigation. Depending on how widely these statements in these emails from Richard Sackler are publicized, they could impact the context of a settlement, said Robert Bird, a professor of business law at the University of Connecticut. And if presented to a jury, these statements could certainly inflame the sentiments of a jury against the Sacklers and Purdue. pschott@stamfordadvocate.com; 203-964-2236; twitter: @paulschott Just a few minutes into the Met Gala red carpet and Lady Gaga had already stolen the show, all the while giving slack-jawed viewers a permanent definition of the slippery concept of "camp." Gaga began the evening themed "Camp: Notes on Fashion" in a flowing hot pink dress and bow headdress before disrobing to reveal a strapping black evening gown beneath the first ensemble. She accessorized the look with a black umbrella and platinum blonde bob. ALSO: Kendall Jenner spotted wearing expensive, ugly Cal gear The theatrics were far from over for the pop provocateur: moments later, she undressed again to unveil a slinky pink gown. You can guess what happened next: The pink dress came off, too, with the final look being a bedazzled lingerie set accompanied by sky-high pumps and fishnets. Brandon Maxwell reportedly designed the ensemble, having previously robed Gaga in that infamous meat dress at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards. Do we need to even bother talking about the other looks? We think not, though you can view them in the above gallery. Every first Monday of May, the Metropolitan Museum of Art hosts its annual gala put on by the Costume Institute, inviting A-listers to dress up according to the exhibition's theme. The show, curated by Andrew Bolton, opens to the public on Thursday. Read Michelle Robertson's latest stories and send her news tips at michelle.robertson@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. EAST HAMPTON School officials are considering arming a high school security officer, according to WFSB. The Board of Education will host a meeting on the topic at 6 p.m. Monday at the high school. The school currently has a retired state trooper serving as a security guard, but he is not armed, WFSB said. The district is looking at whether the guard should be armed. The armed guard would have to be a retired police officer who worked in Connecticut and has undergone a background check, school officials said. There also would be other stipulations, including required training and updated certifications. There has been no incident at the high school that prompted consideration of an armed guard, Superintendent of Schools Paul Smith told WFSB. Nothing is predicating this, there is no issue, but we felt if this is something we wanted to start in the fall, we needed to start the process now, Smith said. High school parents are encouraged to attend the meeting. MIDDLETOWN A community activist, mother of three, and recent graduate of the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce business leadership and development program has joined the ranks of Democrats running for mayor. At my core, Im not a politician, I am a humanitarian, and Im for people on all issues that plague our city, said seven-year city resident Valeka Clarke. Middletown Parking Director Geen Thazhampallath, Common Councilwoman Mary Bartolotta and Public Works head Bill Russo are also vying for their partys nomination. No other candidates have yet stepped forward. When I become mayor, I know I will be working for the people with transparency. Its not a title, or it shouldnt be viewed as another position thats just placed on my resume, Clarke said. If elected, the political newcomer will be intent on making sure laws apply to everyone in the same fashion. Im not politically connected to anyone. I will be a fresh face and voice of the people, she said. My platform is equality and social justice, making sure the LGBTQ community is actually included, as well as every other group of people who are currently marginalized. I want to remove those barriers, Clarke said. I want to make sure every law works for everyone, not just a select group of people. In April, she completed the year-long Side Street to Main Street program, which provides training to minority entrepreneurs. Clarke got involved in the chamber initiative after inquiring about opening up a teen drop-in center. All along, Clarke has used her Instagram account to advocate for youth 13 to 18, the largest underserved population in Middletown, she said. When Wesleyan University closed the downtown Green Street Teaching and Learning Center last July, youth who attended those programs lost a place to gather. If you go to the North End, and ask them what they know about any resources for their teens after age 13, parents dont have a clue what their children can do, she said. The grandmother of one holds an educators certification in Connecticut. Since 1996, shes worked for various school boards in Bridgeport, Trumbull, Meriden, Wallingford, and briefly in Middletown, as a substitute teacher and doing administrative work. Clarke also worked for Action for Bridgeport Community Development anti-poverty agency for more than 15 years. This Middletown NAACP member was also a per diem counselor for the Regional Network of Programs, now known as the Working Recovery Network of Programs. There, she also entered demographic data into a state database for homeless clients afflicted with co-occurring psychiatric disorders, Clarke said. Those positions alone have prepared me to be able to advocate for individuals to have their rights protected and their voices heard, she said. The candidate appeared twice on The Edge on Comcast Channel 15 with host Jon Pulino, Middletown Board of Education member, in March and April. She will be able to work well with all types of people and she is an amazing listener, Pulino said. She has a very good grip on what the youth of Middletown are looking for, and, as newer candidate, will offer fresh and exciting ideas. She agreed to share the roundtable on television with the Rocky Hill GOP the other night, and both people were able to exchange thoughts and ideas in a positive manner, Pulino added. The Democrat spoke before the common council in support of the resolution to establish the Middletown Pride Festival scheduled for June 15. The cause is close to her heart, because her daughter, who identifies with the LGBTQ community, has encountered issues relating to her sexual identity, Clarke said. She strives hard to set a strong example for both her daughters and son. Im a marginalized person. Im a black woman. History has proven theres a lot I have to work hard for to be able to have. Im discriminated against because Im a woman; black. You add the two together: I had to learn to adapt, Clarke said. She feels very strongly that anyone in political office or other position of power is not above the law. You cant have people protected because of the office that they hold, and you cant disenfranchise people because of where they live or their economic status. You cant marginalize them for their sexual orientation or race or any other reason. Its just wrong, she said. Clarke is continually educating herself, and fostering relationships in her community that will help her children gain confidence to do the same, doing so by giving them the tools and connections to people to be able go out into world and be an asset rather than a drain. I was able to remove barriers for my own children to function in this world, and learn their role, and be connected to a sense of purpose. Before I could do that for them, I had to learn to do that for myself, Clarke said. Her favorite quote is from Martin Luther King Jr. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. FOUND: Phil Goldstein of Bethany wrote, Is it possible to get the recipe for Lenders salmon chowder you wrote about in 2008? His wife grew up in New Haven and the Lenders chowder was a favorite childhood memory. He also requested the Babkamans babka recipe. Phil, you mentioned when we spoke that your wife found the recipe tucked in a drawer; however, I thought others who missed that column or are new to the area might enjoy the recipe. Lenders Bakery Restaurant might be gone, but one of their recipes lives on. As for the babka recipe, another column from way back came to mind. Phil Weinberger, aka Babkaman, who owned the Westville Kosher Bakery, was featured in that column. Although not his recipe, he prepared the Babka Muffins with the baking class he taught at Gateway Community College in 2010. It is a dessert I enjoy at 3Gs Gourmet Deli, a New York-style deli in Delray Beach, Fla., where I always dine during visits to my parents. A couple of these treats are taken back with me each time I visit. Owner Bruce Gannett had given me the OK to share the recipe, which appeared in the Sun-Sentinel a couple of years prior to my column. I think this recipe will fit the bill. Please let me know if you like them as much as I do. You wont be able to eat just one. Curious to know the history about babka, I did a bit of research. Babka bread originated from Poland and Ukraine, and is derived from babcia, a Slavic word for grandmother perhaps since grandmothers liked to bake. Originally, babka filling was cinnamon, but evolved with several variations: cheese, raisins, nuts and, my favorite, chocolate, which supposedly was used when Jews arrived in New York from Eastern Europe. It is a time-consuming process but worth the effort having to roll the dough, waiting for it to rise a couple of times, filling it, braiding it you get the idea. The sweet yeast bread-like dough sometimes is topped with streusel, like the babka muffins. The Polish babka is often baked in a bundt pan and filled with dried fruit soaked in brandy, rum or other liquor. Jewish babka is baked in a loaf pan. Babka can be found in Trader Joes, and I recently saw it at Stop & Shop. If you are in New York City, you must pick one up at Breads Bakery or Russ & Daughters; they ship, too. The humble cake was featured on television. Seinfeld fans might remember the episode where chocolate babka played a leading role. If you bake the babka muffins, you might want to double the recipe, because they wont last long. Salmon chowder ala Lenders 1 stick unsalted butter 3/4 cup onion, chopped 1/2 cup celery, diced 1 cup flour 4 tablespoons paprika 1 teaspoon thyme 1 teaspoon white pepper 1 teaspoon garlic powder 3 tablespoons sugar 4 tablespoons chicken base (or 6 individual serving envelopes Herb-Ox dried chicken base) 23/4 quarts hot water 11/2 cups half and half 1/2 cup sherry 11/2 15-ounce cans canned salmon, bones and skin removed, chopped 1 pound cooked potatoes, 1/4-inch dice Melt butter in a large stockpot and then add the onion and celery. Saute until onion is translucent, about 10 minutes. Add flour, stirring occasionally for about 10 minutes. Add paprika, thyme, white pepper, garlic powder, sugar and chicken base and mix well. Add hot water and stir mixture until it thickens. Gradually add the half and half, stirring well. Add the sherry and stir. Add salmon and cooked potatoes to the soup. Adjust spices to taste. Makes 12-16 servings. Babka muffins Yeast dough 1 cup cake flour, additional as needed 21/2 cups bread flour, additional as needed 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons warm milk 1/3 cup plus 2 teaspoons sugar, divided 11/4-ounce package dry yeast 2 large eggs, divided 1 large egg yolk 1/4 cup sour cream 5 tablespoons butter, room temperature 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon real vanilla extract 1/2 teaspoon lemon extract 1 tablespoon light cream Chocolate and raisin filling 6 tablespoons chocolate syrup 1/2 cup raisins 2/3 cup chocolate cookie crumbs or cake crumbs 1 teaspoon cinnamon 2/3 cup chocolate chips Streusel topping 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 6 tablespoons light brown sugar, packed 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/4 cup cold butter 1/4 cup chocolate syrup 2 tablespoons confectioners sugar Yeast dough: In large mixing bowl, whisk cake and bread flours. Move flours to a piece of wax paper. In same bowl, stir together milk and 2 teaspoons of sugar. Sprinkle yeast over milk mixture and let stand 5 minutes, until foamy. Add 1/2 cup of flour mixture to yeast mixture and beat with electric mixer, medium speed, until combined. Add remaining 1/3 cup sugar, 1 egg, egg yolk, sour cream, butter, salt, vanilla and lemon extract, beat until combined. Add remaining flour mixture in batches and beat well with wooden spoon to combine after each addition. Add more flour if necessary to make a dough that is soft but not sticky, using proportion of 1 part cake flour to 2 parts bread flour. Scrape dough onto lightly floured surface and knead about 4 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place in well-oiled bowl turning to oil all sides. Cover with plastic wrap and let stand in a warm place, 1 hour or until doubled in size. Butter 12 regular-size muffin cups. Punch down dough and divide in half, keeping one-half covered. On a lightly floured surface, roll 1 piece of dough into a 12-in by 8-inch rectangle. Beat the other egg and light cream together. Brush the rolled dough with the mixture. Sprinkle half of the filling ingredients in the order given over the dough, leaving a 1/2-inch margin on both long sides. Carefully, but firmly and lightly as possible, roll up the dough from the long side, jellyroll fashion, and pinch to seal well. Cut with sharp knife into six 2-inch-thick slices and press each firmly into prepared muffin cups. Repeat process with second half of the dough. Cover the filled muffin cups with plastic wrap and allow to rise for 30 minutes. Streusel: Combine flour, sugar and cinnamon in a bowl. Using a fork or pastry blender, cut in the butter until mixture is crumbly. Uncover muffins and brush the tops lightly with remaining egg wash and divide the topping among them, pressing down slightly so it adheres to the muffin tops. Preheat oven to 375 degrees and place muffins on center rack. Bake 20-22 minutes until firm to the touch and lightly browned. Remove and place on wire rack to cool for 10 minutes, then remove gently from pan. Drizzle top of each muffin with 1 teaspoon chocolate syrup and sift confectioners sugar over each. Makes 12 muffins. Desperately seeking Liz Larocque wrote, I am a regular at Jakes in Wallingford just an awesome bar. The food has always been good but recently they hired a new chef, Steve Allegra. OMG from presentation to taste to creativity, its all amazing. The funny thing is, since he started, I see so much more food coming out of the kitchen and I can see why the owners love him. I wouldnt even know what to suggest. Maybe the short rib or pork belly or he has a special CT Chowder. He reinvented the menu and has awesome specials. The other night I had the shrimp ramen it was on point. I think this is a chef you would like to interview. Liz, thank you for the suggestion. I will contact the chef to see if he would like to be featured in an upcoming column. Culinary calendar Passport to CT Farm Wineries began its season May 3, Collect a minimum of 12 stamps from each of the 40 participating wineries and the Connecticut Wine Festival in Goshen in July, through Nov. 3 to be eligible for one of more than 60 prizes, including a two-week trip for two to Malaga, Spain. Passports are available free of charge at each participating location, and through a new downloadable CT Farm Wine app. More details at passporttoctfarmwine.com. Chefs Table Dinner Series No. 1: May 10, 6:30-9 p.m., Chefs Emporium, 449 Boston Post Road, Orange, $75. Reservations 203-799-2665, Have a front row seat while Chef Daniel Brelsford prepares a four-course meal consisting of cream of mushroom soup with Porcini oil, risotto with bay scallops, spring peas, asparagus and chives, filet mignon with watercress, bell onions, shaved parmesan, garlic crostini and lemon vinaigrette, chocolate budino with smoked caramel and orange whip cream. Feel free to bring your favorite bottle of wine or beverage to enjoy while you dine. Tickets at https://bit.ly/2LjvSRg. Brewfest at the Beach: Sponsored by the Rotary Club of New London. May 10, 6-9 p.m., Ocean Beach Park, 1225 Ocean Ave., New London, $25 proceeds benefit Camp Rotary. Tastings of more than 150 beers, brew-friendly food, pizza, chili, wine tasting and live music. More info and tickets at https://bit.ly/2IVIcnV. Consiglios Murder Mystery Dinner: Mother, Mother May 10, 7 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.), Consiglios Restaurant, 165 Wooster St., New Haven, reservations at 203-865-4489 https://bit.ly/2O3TQzQ, $65 includes dinner and show (beverages, tax and gratuity not included). An interactive comedy show that goes on throughout the evening during a 3-course meal. Cast mingles table to table, dropping clues for a mystery only you can solve. Wine Dinner, French/American Challenge: Our version of the 1976 Judgment of Paris, May 13, 6:30-9 p.m., Tre Scalini, 100 Wooster St., New Haven, 203-469-4218, $87. It was the tasting that revolutionized the wine world. Forty-three years ago on May 24, 1976, the top people of the French wine establishment participated in a blind tasting that pitted some of the finest French wines against unknown California wines. The final results startled everyone: not one French wine came in first; they were all surpassed by the California wines. We offer our own version on the 43rd anniversary of the Judgment of Paris: 6 pairs of wines, tasted blind. Tickets at https://bit.ly/2Jaub5J. Surf & Turf Cooking Class: May 17, 6:30-9 p.m., Chefs Emporium, 449 Boston Post Road, Orange, $89. Reservations 203-799-2665. In this fun, hands-on class, you will enjoy exploring new twists on a classic pairing. Our instructor will walk you through techniques for creating a surf and turf dinner using the freshest, most flavorful ingredients from land and sea. Youll work alongside other students learning secrets for grilling steak to perfection every time. Each student will also take home a small bottle of our Truffle oil. Menu: Bone in Ribeye with Lobster Butter, Crab Gratin, Cast Iron Carrots, Truffled parmesan polenta fries. Please feel free to bring your favorite bottle of wine or beverage to enjoy during this class. Tickets at https://bit.ly/2ZQ3HMR. Chefs of Our Kitchen (C.O.O.K.) Series: Francesco dAmuri Chef and owner and his wife Allison De Renzi of LOrcio in New Haven. June 5, 6 p.m., Gateway Community College, 20 Church St., New Haven, 203-285-2617, $65 includes pre-event reception and three-course dinner featuring classic Italian dishes from their award-winning restaurant, with wine pairings. Mingle with Chef Francesco and Allison at the reception and then watch the demonstration of the dishes being prepared as you enjoy dinner. Reservations required. Validated parking (bring parking ticket to event) at the Temple Street Garage. Proceeds benefit Gateway students, faculty and staff. Tickets and series information at https://www.gatewayfdn.org/cook-tickets. Cooking questions? Send them to Stephen Fries, professor and coordinator of the Hospitality Management Programs at Gateway Community College, at gw-stephen.fries@gwcc.commnet.edu or Dept. FC, Gateway Community College, 20 Church St., New Haven 06510. Include your full name, address and phone number. For more, go to stephenfries.com. The hand-launched small drones used by small-unit commanders for frontline surveillance are now available with upgrades offering better cameras, and they're easier to throw, according to manufacturer AeroVironment Inc. The improvements available on AeroVironments new Puma 3 AE model include new camera technology on a gimbaled sensor payload to allow for better imagery, Errol Farr, director of business development for AeroVironment, said Monday at the annual Sea-Air-Space exposition in National Harbor, Maryland. "It can get troops further away from the bad guys and still give them clarity" with higher-resolution imagery from the unmanned aircraft system, he said. Farr said the new system has seven times better resolution, adding that the initial heave to launch it will be easier with an improved battery. AeroVironment, whose promotional material says it is the "largest supplier of small, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) to the Pentagon," announced in March 2018 that it was beginning to take orders for improvements that had been incorporated on its Puma 3 AE small UAS model. At an Association of the U.S. Army event at the time, David Sharpin, vice president of AeroVironment's Tactical UAS business, said in a company news release that upgrades to the airframe would allow for "operation in even more rugged environments than before." He also said new software would give greater "reliability in challenging electronic warfare/cyber environments where interference is prevalent." The Army has been seeking enhancements to make its small UAS fleet more "rucksack-portable." Farr said AeroVironment has made improvements along those lines. He said the new "grab and go" features include reducing the number of transport cases for the UAS systems from six to four, and a flyable configuration in a single transport case with luggage-type handles. According to Farr, the military use model, which can operate autonomously or with command control, has a wingspan of 4.5 feet, weighs 4.2 pounds and features a flight time of 60-90 minutes and a top speed of about 50 mph. Editor's note: This story has been updated to correct the name of the drone. -- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com. NATIONAL HARBOR, Maryland -- Weapons testing is now in full swing for the Navy's new Zumwalt class of giant guided-missile destroyers. As construction nears completion on the third and final ship in the class, the service is putting the Zumwalt's combat system through its paces, Capt. Kevin Smith, program manager for the class, explained Tuesday at the Navy League's Sea-Air-Space Expo. Smith said the Zumwalt's combat system successfully conducted its first live missile firing with the RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile in late April, using the Navy's remote-control optional Self-Defense Test Ship to aid in simulating various threat profiles. "We're going through all our unmanned firing testing," he said. Related content: No missiles have been fired yet from the ships themselves, but a test off the lead ship is coming, Smith said. The Navy plans to fire the Standard Missile-2 off the lead ship, the Zumwalt, sometime in the 2020 timeframe, he added. "This is another way for us, very affordably, to try to get as much integration done in the hardware before we move to the ship and have all that maturity," he said. Meanwhile, work and decision-making continues regarding the other weapons systems the ship will carry. The ships are set to carry the Tomahawk Land Attack Missile, but Smith said officials are looking at installing the Maritime Strike Tomahawk, capable of tracking moving targets at sea, as a modernization upgrade. Program managers are also looking at adding the Standard Missile-6 Block IA, an enhanced precision-guidance missile system. As was widely reported, the custom 155mm Advanced Gun Systems designed for the Zumwalt hit a roadblock in 2018 when procurement for the Long Range Land Attack Projectile rounds the guns were supposed to fire was canceled due to cost concerns. Smith said the guns remain "in layup" as the Navy explores its options. "We're waiting for that bullet to come around to give us the longest range possible," he said. "Given that this is offensive surface strike, the land-attack part, we're going to look to the other capabilities potentially that we could use in that volume." -- Hope Hodge Seck can be reached at hope.seck@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @HopeSeck. Isaak Olson was two months from graduating in 2014 when he disclosed that his fiancee had given birth several months earlier... Some men and women attending Marine Corps boot camp are training more closely together than ever, but the training is unlikely to be fully integrated, the service's top general said this week. Marine Corps leaders are currently reviewing the performance of the first-ever coed company that lived, trained and graduated together in March. In some areas, they performed better than other companies and in other areas worse, Commandant Gen. Robert Neller told Military.com at the Sea-Air-Space conference outside Washington, D.C. That has led to a look at where there's opportunity for training to be further blended, Lt. Gen. David Berger, the general officer nominated to replace Neller as commandant, told lawmakers last week. But it's not possible for Marine Corps boot camp to ever be 100% coed, Neller said Monday. "In the summertime, when we have the maximum number of recruits, both men and women, going through recruit training, the facilities don't support having them live in the same barracks," he said. Related content: The women who joined the previously all-male company earlier this year lived in barracks where men also stayed, but the female recruits had their own squad bay. Despite long-term housing limitations, Neller stressed that men and women at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina, spend much of their time training together. "It's not like we're trying to keep women over here and men over there," he said. "After the first phase, almost everything male and female recruits do at Parris Island is together." The Marine Corps is the only service that separates male and female recruits during portions of their boot camp training. Some have said the move creates a gender divide that can last long into Marines' careers as the service fights to end gender bias. Neller pushed back on that idea, though, saying 65% of the training Marine recruits at Parris Island get is coed. Men and women go to the rifle range together, conduct field training together, and sit in a squad bay together while they're mentored by senior drill instructors, he said. "I think this idea that we're trying to disadvantage women is inaccurate," Neller said. "I think what we're trying to do is give all recruits every advantage to have the best opportunity to earn the title of Marine." -- Gina Harkins can be reached at gina.harkins@military.com. Follow her on Twitter @ginaaharkins. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 7) Government agencies are ready for the 2019 midterm polls that are less than a week away, a senior official said Tuesday. Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Cabinet officials have assured they are prepared to provide security and ample power supply on Election Day on May 13. According to the Department of Interior and Local Government and the Defense Department, police and military officers have already been deployed to secure the polling centers. Philippine National Police Chief Oscar Albayalde said all 36,000 polling centers will have at least two uniformed police officers on guard. Hotspots in Mindanao will be secured by the armed forces while the PNP will protect Luzon and parts of Visayas, he added. There are currently 946 election hotspots in the country. Last week, PNP Spokesperson Bernard Banac said they had begun deploying 160,000 police officers in the country. Panelo added that the Department of Energy has made sure there will be sufficient supply of power in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. The Education Department also reiterated that teachers who will serve on Election Day will receive honoraria and travel allowance. On Monday, the Alliance of Concerned Teachers implored internal revenue officials to scrap the five percent withholding tax to the honoraria. The deduction amounts to 300 pesos per person. Panelo also said that the foreign affairs department expects a high voter turnout for Overseas Absentee Voting. here are 1,822,739 registered Filipino voters overseas, with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia having the most at 326,551. NATIONAL HARBOR, Maryland -- The Marines are looking to solve a budget shortfall by trying something totally new. The Navy's Information Warfare Research Project consortium has published a new solicitation asking industry to use advanced and innovative manufacturing technologies to develop a boat or barge that can transit from ship to shore or even from one shore to another. "We don't have any ship-to-shore connectors coming up in the budget; they all got canceled," Maj. Matthew Friedell, a member of the Marines' Advanced Manufacturing Operations Cell, told Military.com. "So, what if the Marine Corps needs them very quickly?" The Other Transaction Authority solicitation keeps requirements broad; Friedell said the result will likely be 40-foot ship-to-shore connectors, but the material they're made from is not specified, nor is where they're made. "We're thinking additive [manufacturing] might be a big part of it," Friedell said, referring to a process also known as 3D printing. "But the traditional manufacturing process for making ships is pretty well proven. So we're not sure yet." The nominee for next commandant of the Marine Corps, Lt. Gen. David Berger, has cited the Marines' need for new connectors in recent testimony on Capitol Hill, saying that the service's plan for the future fight requires investment in amphibious ships and vessels that can carry troops and gear to and from them. "We need to fight distributed," he said. "We need connectors that we don't have right now, that will allow us to move the force from amphibious ships to the shore, spread them out shore-to-shore to the family of surface and aerial connectors. That's got to change. That's got to grow." Friedell compared the effort to the "Higgins Boats" of the 1930s and 1940s, a commercial landing craft pursued by the Marine Corps amid frustration with the larger Navy that it was not meeting the service's small boat requirements. "We're envisioning, if big Navy might not do this, how could we do this ourselves?" Friedell said. "How could we use advanced technologies to plug a gap that is very critical in the Marine Corps' mission?" The solicitation calls for a rapid turnaround, with concepts submitted within 12 months. Testing with smaller-scale models will follow, then assessment of a full-sized design. The recent effort follows a number of ambitious Marine Corps projects featuring additive manufacturing and other innovative concepts. Earlier this year, the service 3D printed a rugged concrete bridge in California -- the first of its kind in the United States. -- Hope Hodge Seck can be reached at hope.seck@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @HopeSeck. U.S. Southern Command announced Tuesday that the Norfolk, Virginia-based Navy hospital ship Comfort will deploy next month to the Caribbean region and Central and South America to provide humanitarian assistance, including assisting refugees affected by the political crisis in Venezuela. The announcement came as the Pentagon and other South American countries increased calls for Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to step down. On Tuesday, Acting U.S. Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan and Colombian Vice President Marta Lucia Ramirez issued a joint statement following a meeting at the Pentagon, calling for a peaceful transition of power to opposition leader Juan Guaido. "Today, our nations confirmed our mutual commitment to the freedom-loving people of Venezuela. ... Juan Guaido [is] the legitimate leader of Venezuela who is officially recognized by 54 countries around the world," they said. "Together, we stand committed to resolving the humanitarian crisis in our hemisphere, in stark contrast with malign foreign attempts to interfere militarily." U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters Friday that his administration is interested in getting humanitarian aid to those affected by the economic and political upheaval over the Venezuelan presidency. Trump downplayed any military response after spending time on the phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin. He said he "feels the same way" as Putin, who Trump said "is not looking at all to get involved in Venezuela other than he'd like to see something positive happen for Venezuela." The 1,000-bed Comfort will be gone for five months, making visits to several yet-to-be-named countries in "support of regional partners and in response to the regional impacts of the Venezuela political and economic crisis," SOUTHCOM said in a news release. The ship's contingent of U.S. military medical personnel will provide medical assistance based on the needs and requests of host countries and health ministries, the release notes. "The USNS Comfort represents our enduring promise to our partners in the Western Hemisphere -- our shared neighborhood," said Navy Adm. Craig Faller, SOUTHCOM commander. "U.S. Southern Command is committed to the region in support of our Caribbean and Latin American partners, as well as displaced Venezuelans who continue to flee the brutal oppression of the former Maduro regime." Shanahan met last week with senior Trump administration officials, including Secretary of State Michael Pompeo and National Security Adviser John Bolton to discuss military options in Venezuela. In a statement on Twitter on Friday, Bolton said the U.S. will not tolerate foreign military interference in the Western Hemisphere. "President Trump has made it clear there will be costs for those who further Maduro's usurpation and repression," he wrote. For now, however, the response is limited to humanitarian and medical aid. The deployment will be the Comfort's seventh in the region since 2007 and the second in the last six months. Some members of Congress have expressed support for military intervention in Venezuela. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina, met this week with Fabiana Rosales de Guaido, wife of Juan Guaido, and referred to her as the first lady of Venezuela. On Twitter, Graham called for a military response in the region. "Cuba, Russia send troops to prop Maduro up in Venezuela while we talk/sanction. Where is our aircraft carrier?" he wrote. Hoping to assert congressional oversight of any response, Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, introduced a bill Monday that would limit the president's ability to use humanitarian crises to circumvent the War Powers Act. Lee's bill, the Military Humanitarian Operations Act, would require the president to obtain congressional authorization before deploying U.S. troops for a humanitarian operation. Military rescue missions of U.S. citizens and responses to natural disasters would be exempt. "The founders placed the power to declare war squarely on the legislative branch so that it would reside in the body most accountable to the people," Lee said. --Patricia Kime can be reached at Patricia.Kime@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @patriciakime. A Navy command master chief who inadvertently made headlines with a raunchy direction to sailors ahead of a visit from the vice president has resigned, the service announced Tuesday. Command Master Chief Jonas Carter, of the carrier Harry S. Truman out of Norfolk, Virginia, stepped down from his position as the ship's senior enlisted leader and will retire, the Truman's commanding officer, Capt. Nick Dienna, said in a public Facebook post. Carter told sailors assembled aboard the carrier April 30 to hear a speech from Vice President Mike Pence to "clap like we're at a strip club" when Pence arrived. The remark was reported by multiple news outlets present to cover the visit, and was quickly condemned by carrier leadership. "This statement was inappropriate, and this issue is being addressed by Truman's leadership," spokeswoman Lt. Cmdr. Laura Stegherr said at the time. Carter made his farewell in the statement posted by Dienna on Tuesday. "I want one last chance to tell the extraordinary men and women of TRUMAN how blessed and thankful I am to have served as your Command Master Chief," Carter said. "When you find yourself making a mistake, own it, accept responsibility and learn from it. Today, I want each of you to know that I have taken full responsibility of my mistake last week and, together with my family, I have decided to retire." Dienna noted that Carter had served in the Navy nearly 30 years, including in leadership positions aboard three aircraft carriers and as command master chief of the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser Chancellorsville. "I've seen firsthand -- and the more than 3,000 Sailors aboard Truman can testify to -- the incredible impact he's made to our command," Dienna wrote. "Whether it was a complex shipboard evolution, or a check-in with a new Sailor, Master Chief Carter took every tasking on with a fervent heart, a broad smile and a true sense of purpose. He left no doubt as to what kind of leader he is, or the kind of leader he wanted us all to be. The commanding officer added that he wished Carter the best as he moved forward into retirement. "Onboard USS Harry S. Truman, we measure ourselves by the highest standards of professionalism and personal integrity," he wrote. "I command Master Chief Carter for having the forthrightness and the courage to uphold this ethos by taking responsibility and holding himself accountable for his comments." Pence appeared aboard the Truman to announce that President Donald Trump was reversing plans to retire the carrier early, adding that the ship would continue to fight for years to come. -- Hope Hodge Seck can be reached at hope.seck@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @HopeSeck. Four B-52 Stratofortress bombers are being sent to the Mideast to support the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln in moves aimed at countering threats from Iran, U.S. Central Command said Tuesday. The B-52s, from Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, are deploying to Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, a hub for U.S. air operations in the region, CBS News reported. The U.S. has only occasionally been without a bomber presence in the Mideast since 9/11, but the last bombers that had been in the region -- B-1 Lancers from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas -- returned home in March, according to the Air Force. Navy Capt. Bill Urban, a CENTCOM spokesman, said in a statement that "the Air Force is deploying B-52s to the U.S. Central Command" area of operations, adding, "We are not going to provide a specific timeline for that deployment." Related: CNO: Navy's Response to Iran Proves New Unpredictable Deployment Model Works On Sunday, White House National Security Adviser John Bolton announced that a bomber task force and the Lincoln would be deployed to the Mideast to guard against renewed but unspecified threats from Iran about mounting attacks, possibly through proxies, against U.S. troops and interests in the region. The deployments would "send a clear and unmistakable message to the Iranian regime that any attack on United States' interests, or on those of our allies, will be met with unrelenting force," he said in a statement. "The United States is not seeking war with the Iranian regime, but we are fully prepared to respond to any attack, whether by proxy, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, or regular Iranian forces." The Lincoln had been in the eastern Mediterranean. Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson said Monday at the annual Sea-Air-Space exposition in Washington, D.C., that sending the carrier to the Gulf region had been planned "for some time now" as part of a routine deployment. However, at the direction of the White House, Marine Gen. Kenneth McKenzie, the new commander of CENTCOM, requested that the deployment of the Lincoln to the Gulf be accelerated, The New York Times reported. Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan said via Twitter on Monday that he approved the request as a "prudent repositioning of assets in response to indications of a credible threat by Iranian regime forces." "This is the beauty of having a dynamic force," Richardson said on Twitter. "The U.S. Navy can easily maneuver to protect national interests around the globe." Tensions between the U.S. and Iran have heightened since President Donald Trump last year withdrew the U.S. from the landmark 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) negotiated by the Obama administration, which was aimed at limiting Iran's development of nuclear weapons. The deal had been worked out by the U.S., Britain, France, China and Russia, plus Germany, the so-called "P5 + 1." Other signatories remain in the JCPOA. Trump later imposed tougher sanctions on Iran intended to force political change in the regime. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani is expected to make a speech Wednesday outlining Iran's intent to "diminish its commitments" to the JCPOA, according to Iran's state news agency IRNA. -- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com. "Black Hawk Down," the classic combat movie about the 1993 battle in Mogadishu, Somalia, has just been restored for a spectacular new 4K UHD home video release. Eric Bana, who plays Sgt. 1st Class Norm "Hoot" Gibson in the movie, joined us for a conversation about the film's lasting legacy. Director Ridley Scott's "Black Hawk Down" got a limited release at the tail end of 2001 and went into nationwide release in early 2002. That makes it the first great war movie released after 9/11 and the last great war movie filmed before the attacks. The movie won Oscars for Best Editing and Best Sound Mixing. It was also the most recent of Scott's three Best Director nominations after "Thelma & Louise" and "Gladiator." It's hard to believe that Ridley's never won an Academy Award. There was also a nomination for Sawomir Idziak's cinematography. "Black Hawk Down" (Sony) In 1993, U.S. troops participated in a U.N. task force that aimed to restore order in Mogadishu and remove a government that was killing its own citizens. What was intended as a simple raid and capture of warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid went wrong when Somali fighters shot down two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters and the extraction became a rescue mission. Over the course of the battle, 18 American soldiers were killed and 73 were wounded. Images of American bodies dragged behind pickup trucks dominated CNN (we only had CNN then) and provided a stark contrast to what civilians perceived as the cakewalk of the first Gulf War. Journalist Mark Bowden set out to tell the story of the mission, and his book became the source material for "Black Hawk Down." This 4K release is on par with the outstanding upgrades done for Ridley Scott's other movies "Alien," "Blade Runner" and "Gladiator." If you've invested in a 4K UHD TV, these titles make a strong case for getting a 4K disc player to take full advantage of the technology. If I ran a home theater store, this would be the disk I'd use when trying to sell you one of those $10,000 TV sets. As with so many Ridley Scott movies, there's an Extended Cut of the movie that's eight minutes longer than the theatrical cut. Unlike a lot of those other recuts, this one doesn't change much about the movie. It's exclusively on the 4K disc. The release is also loaded with bonus content, and there's a complete list of the extras at the bottom of this post. The movie features a great cast, a showcase for the next generation of actors. Sam Shepard, Tom Sizemore and Ewan McGregor were already well-known, but Josh Hartnett, Tom Hardy, Orlando Bloom, Ioan Gruffudd, Hugh Dancy, Ty Burrell, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau and Eric Bana had their first high-profile roles in this film. Eric Bana's performance as Hoot in "Black Hawk Down" led to the lead as Bruce Banner in Ang Lee's "Hulk." He's had a long and successful career since, highlighted by roles in "Lone Survivor," "Munich," "Star Trek," "The Finest Hours" and, most recently, the acclaimed TV series "Dirty John." We talked about the making of "Black Hawk Down," why it resonates with veterans and how he contributed to the movie's most famous lines. When did you first realize how important "Black Hawk Down" is to people in the military community? I think it really dawned on me at the premiere, seeing the reaction from members of the military afterward. That was probably the first time it landed. Then most definitely when I started to travel internationally, and I would get randomly approached at an airport or by customs officials on a pretty regular basis. And I suddenly realized that, well, maybe we did do a slightly different job on this film and maybe it's landed in a particular way. Do you have any memories of the experience of making the film, how you were cast, how everyone came together? The whole experience was really quite incredible. We had the most amazing cast, which only in the passage of time can people look back at that cast list and have their mind blown as to how many incredible actors were brought together. Most of us were at the very beginning or close to the beginning of our careers. Obviously, some actors were well and truly on their way but, for a lot of us, it was our introduction to a lot of audience members. It had a really exciting, fresh, adrenaline-filled, adventurous vibe. We were sort of in mini groups, like myself and Bill Fichtner and Kim Coates were off doing some Delta stuff. We were separate from the guys who were playing Rangers, so it wasn't until we really started shooting that we all started mixing together. Even then, because the cast was so big, there [were] little enclaves of four and five, as you would have in normal life, groupings of people hanging out and eating together and whatever. The shoot was insane and fun. It was long, and I think the location really added to the intensity of the experience. The chaos around the shooting schedule and the fragmented way that we put the film together added to it as well. We all found ourselves on the streets of Rabat, Morocco, running around making noises. You're also in "Lone Survivor." There seems to have been a real change in the culture of how military movies were made in recent years. "Lone Survivor" director Peter Berg loves having military consultants on set who've actually had the experiences. With "Black Hawk Down," did you have people on set who [had] lived through the actual battle? Did you have military advisers that you worked with back at the turn of the century or was it a different experience from making Lone Survivor, if that makes sense? No, it was kind of similar. No, we had a lot of military people working with us. I worked really closely with [retired Army Col.] Lee Van Arsdale. [Former Navy SEAL] Harry Humphries was on the shoot, and obviously we had a lot of active airborne who were flying the birds and so forth. Did you met people who lived through the battle at the time or have you met them since the film came out? [Retired Army 1st Sgt.] Matt Eversmann came to visit us on set in Morocco. "Black Hawk Down" (Sony) You got your start in comedy and then been in all these action and military movies, like "Black Hawk Down," "Munich," "The Finest Hours" and "Lone Survivor." Did you anticipate this or did it just sort of happen to you? I think if I had come up with this plan, I would have failed miserably. So it was definitely a case of improvising every step of the way. Let me ask you, what is it about the film that means so much to people? Is it the point of view or is it the way that it was technically shot that is of use to people who have a military background? What is the point of difference about this film that makes guys love it so much? "Black Hawk Down" (Sony) Part of it is a mystery to me. You were in "Munich," another great film that has a lot of attention to detail and has a great sense of the process of Israeli intelligence agents work. But, for whatever reason, it doesn't quite resonate like "Black Hawk Down." "Black Hawk Down" is just a brutally efficient action movie as well. As hard as parts of it are to watch, it's exciting to watch it every single time. But it's not about a military situation that would've garnered much attention if things hadn't gone wrong. It's not a mission that's part of an action that a lot of veterans were part of. I think a big part of it is that "Black Hawk Down" came out as a new generation was fighting in Afghanistan and preparing to go to war in Iraq. It's the first movie that spoke to their generation about the experience of battle. As with everything in movies, it's just all timing and quality and magic come together at the same time to make something like this happen. A lot of us are very, very close friends still in groupings. And one of the things that we talk about a lot is how lucky we are with the timing because it was right before September 11th that we wrapped the film. There really was a sense that it just would not have been possible to make that film 12 months later in the way that we did. The message that we used, the hardware that we used, politically, physically, even just down to what we were allowed to do with actors. After 9/11, there's no way someone is gonna allow me to sit on the outside of a Little Bird with just a carabiner around my belt loop. It just wasn't going to happen any other time and place ever than that year in Morocco. And that was happening every second or third day. There were just so many things that occurred at that time that can't be replicated. Something else comes to mind as to why the movie resonates for viewers. That's the speech you give to Josh Hartnett at the end of the movie. That's probably on the short list of great military movie speeches. Well, you know the line was originally different, right? The line was written as, "People ask me why I do it, I tell 'em it's about duty, honor, and love of country." We filmed it at a point in the shoot where I felt like I had gotten to know all our military advisers really well and fortunately [screenwriter] Ken Nolan was on set. And I said to Ridley, "I don't believe this. I don't believe this line, I don't believe this is what someone like him would say at this point in time." And he says, "Well, why?" And I said, "I just think it's about each other. It's about that." And he said, "All right, mate, well, f**king try it out." So that actually just came out of an observation that I didn't believe, and Ken felt the same way. You know it's like, "Ken, do you mind if I try this?" He's like, "No, absolutely, that makes sense to me too." I was thrilled when it ended up that way in the film because that's what felt like the truth at the time. It's one of those things as an actor where you know you get a piece of dialogue at one stage and it makes sense, and then you get there on the day and you go, "This doesn't make any sense. I don't believe this, and it feels wrong to say this." You know, "This feels like the movie version of the movie; this doesn't feel like the real version of the movie. The other one is what feels real." I have Ridley to thank because a lot of directors would say, "No, mate, just say it as written. I don't want to get my ass kicked." And hats off to Jerry [Bruckheimer, the producer] as well because I'm sure it was a line that would have made sense to everyone at the time when the script came out, and he allowed the line to be changed in the final cut. So yeah, I'm really glad that happened. "Black Hawk Down" (Sony) Maybe you take get some credit for the line as well, because I really do think that's a big part of what ties the movie together. I can't take any other credit for any of the dialogue, other than it's just that tiny point of view. Ken did really an amazing job of adapting Mark [Bowden]'s book. The two biggest gifts for all of us as actors were, A, the opportunity to do the film, and then, B, the hugely unusual very, very, very close friendships that exist amongst everyone still to this day. I just had a cup of coffee with Ken Nolan this morning just because I'm in LA. Three-quarters of my closest friends are from the shoot, and everyone is the same. Every little enclave has their own little two or three grouping of really, really close friendships. That's definitely not normal. We're all really grateful, and I think the film and the subject matter had a lot to do with that. I always consider "Black Hawk Down" and "Dazed and Confused" as the most clairvoyant casting jobs of all time. Almost no one in the cast is famous yet, and just about everybody went on to be incredibly successful. Even now, when the film comes up and I watch, I just am mind-blown because you'll come across some other actor who has since, even the last two or three years, broken through again. You go, "Well, there's another one." It's just crazy. I don't think when Orlando Bloom was cast, that anyone had any idea that he was about to blow up from "Lord of the Rings." The fact that he dies so early seems like a shock with a guy who was so famous. Exactly, exactly. Ridley Scott on the set of "Black Hawk Down." (Sony) Ridley Scott has been on this 45-year tear of making consistently interesting and usually great movies. You've worked with a lot of amazing directors like Ang Lee, Steven Spielberg, Peter Berg, J.J. Abrams, Jim Sheridan and Guy Ritchie. What was the experience like working with Ridley? He was wonderful, just really accommodating and patient and really took pride in explaining things if he had the time to. There was a little twinkle in his eye at the time. I think he enjoyed showing a lot of us young guys the way. I remember him saying in pre-production, "I've already made the movie in my head, now I just have to go and shoot it." Were there charted-out storyboards or was he just telling you what to do because he sees it in his head already? No, he was describing it, and then sometimes he would do little cartoon sketches and show different people things that he wanted, whether it was the first assistant director or a stunt guy or a pilot or something. He would just do a little drawing. You just wanted to steal them because they were little Ridley Scott drawings. He was very visual in the way he would explain things. It was amazing. ----- Here's the full list of bonus material included on the Blu-ray discs that come with this release: Included on Blu-ray movie disk Audio Commentary by Director/Producer Ridley Scott & Producer Jerry Bruckheimer Audio Commentary by Author Mark Bowden & Screenwriter Ken Nolan Audio Commentary by Task Force Ranger Veterans "The Essence of Combat: Making Black Hawk Down" Documentary (included on Blu-ray movie disk) Included on Blu-ray bonus disk Youve probably seen the shirt at some point. You may even own one yourself. The one with the beer mugs on it that reads Zukey Lake Tavern." People whove never even been to the popular Hamburg Township bar have that same T-shirt as its something of a Michigan wardrobe staple. Its also a shirt thats been in the closet of actor Ryan Reynolds for nearly two decades according to a story in the New York Times. Reynolds discussed his wardrobe -- rather his lack thereof -- and mentioned his favorite clothes. I have an old T-shirt that Ive had for maybe 18 years. It was black, but is gray now. And on the front it says Zukey Lake Tavern. I dont even know where that is, but its a real tavern somewhere in the United States, Reynolds said. Those of us here in Michigan know the lakeside bar has been a staple of summertime parties and gatherings in Livingston County for decades. Still, it appears Reynolds has never actually been to the bar itself. Ive had a couple of people say, No way! Thats from my hometown. I got it at a vintage store shortly after I moved to Los Angeles from Vancouver, way the hell long ago, Reynolds said. Maybe this was in 1998 when everything in vintage stores was like four bucks. The bar still sells the shirts and many other pieces with the bar logo on it. To see the shirt or buy your own, visit the Zukey Lake Tavern website. LANSING, MI -- Hours after the Senate voted to make sweeping changes to Michigans auto insurance system, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said she would veto the bill. Todays action by the Senate creates more problems than it solves. It preserves a corrupt system where insurance companies are allowed to unfairly discriminate in setting rates and the only cuts it guarantees are to drivers coverage," Whitmer said in a statement. "I am only interested in signing a reform bill that is reasonable, fair and protects consumers and this is not it. If this bill comes to my desk, I will veto it. The bill, which passed 24-14 earlier Tuesday, would make fundamental changes to the way auto insurance works in Michigan. It would let drivers choose levels of medical coverage instead of automatically getting unlimited coverage, create an auto insurance fraud authority housed in the Michigan State Police, wind down the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association and standardize how much hospitals could charge auto insurers for care by tying rates to the fee schedule for workers compensation. The plan was lauded by Republicans but opposed by most of the chambers Democrats, who have long wanted guaranteed rate relief and to prohibit insurance companies from using non-driving factors when determining rates. The bill has only passed one chamber and will land in the House, where representatives are still crafting a plan of their own. Amber McCann, a spokesperson for Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey, R-Clark Lake, responded to Whitmers veto threat. Its time for the Governor to get on board with fixing the damn auto insurance so we can deliver savings to Michigan drivers, McCann said. Long a priority for Republican lawmakers, Whitmers position on and prioritization of changes to the states auto insurance system has been less clear. It merited a one-line mention in her State of the State address, where she said she was eager to engage with people on the subject. In her first few months as governor, she also ordered a review of auto insurance pricing and ordered an audit on the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association. Honda is recalling nearly 94,000 newer models across its main and Acura brands for the risk that the teeth could separate from the timing belt. If this defect were to occur, it could lead to the engine stalling and increase the risk of a crash. The recall specifically covers the 2018-2019 Acura MDX and Honda Pilot, and the 2019 Acura RLX, RLX Sport Hybrid, TLX, and Honda Odyssey and Ridgeline models. Supplier manufacturing records identified specific timing belt production lots that were affected by an improper manufacturing process, documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration read. Timing belts used in mass production have lot traceability, which allow similar vehicles to be excluded from the recall as these vehicles were equipped with parts manufactured using a proper process. Related: Honda recalls 360K Acura SUVs due to risk tail lights stop working The automaker reports in these federal documents that it has received 15 warranty claims, 15 field reports and clarifies it has not received any word on related crashes or injuries. Affected owners should start to receive notification of the recall starting June 1 via the mail. Once this happens, Honda and Acura dealers will inspect the lot number on the timing belt and make any necessary repairs free of charge. Owners can contact the automaker at 888-234-2138 with reference number L4M for Hondas and Z4L for Acuras. The NHTSAs hotline can be reached at 888-327-9153. To search active recalls, use the NHTSAs website to search your 17-character VIN at this link. VIN numbers are typically located under the drivers side windshield, or along the inside of the doors behind the seat or under the steering wheel. To sign up for NHTSA safety alerts for a specific vehicle, sign up at this link. Sweeping proposed changes to Michigans auto no-fault insurance law were ushered through a Michigan Senate committee Tuesday, including options for drivers with eligible health insurance to opt out of personal injury protection and winding down the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association. The Senate Insurance and Banking Committee approved the substitute for the main bill in the package, Senate Bill 1, in a 7-3 vote along partisan lines Tuesday. The Senate is expected to take up the legislation on the floor later Tuesday. As passed, the legislation would require insurers to provide at least three levels of personal injury protection, or PIP, coverage: $250,000, $50,000 with an additional $200,000 rider for emergency room care and no personal injury protection coverage if the drivers health insurance covers auto-related accidents. The legislation would also create an auto insurance fraud authority housed under the Michigan State Police to monitor and prosecute potential abuse in the system, and base fees charged by hospitals and doctors treating auto-related accidents on the states workers compensation fee schedule. The Senate plan would also wind down the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association - existing MCCA beneficiaries would continue to have coverage, but no one new would be added to the rolls, and require additional audits of the MCCAs operations. Under Michigans current no-fault auto insurance system, every driver is required to buy auto insurance. When an accident results in serious injury, lifetime medical expenses over $555,000 are covered by the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association, which reimburses the persons auto insurer for those costs. To provide that, the MCCA currently assesses a fee of $192 per vehicle, although thats set to increase to $220 per vehicle starting July 1. Lawton Republican Sen. Aric Nesbitt, the bills main sponsor, said the proposed changes would drop that fee to about $40 per vehicle when taking existing liabilities into account. Taken together, Nesbitt said the proposed changes would lead to big reductions in existing auto insurance rates, adding rates will continue to increase if nothing is done. I think were in a full death spiral right now, he said. Senate Democrats were critical of the bills lack of mandatory rate reduction and were concerned the legislation didnt attempt to address non-driving factors, such as gender, zip code, marital status or education level. I dont think anybody in the state benefits if we reduce the coverage and your costs stay the same, especially for such a drastic reduction, said Sen. Mallory McMorrow, D-Royal Oak. If we are going to game out each of these things, Id like to see what each of those elements cost savings should be, and then mandate that from our insurance providers. The Coalition Protecting Auto No-Fault slammed the proposal as a giveaway to the auto insurance industry that would ultimately shift the cost of care from auto insurance companies to taxpayers. SB1 is a great deal if youre an auto insurance company CEO. Its a bad deal if you are anyone else, the coalitions president, John Cornack, said in a statement. ANN ARBOR, MI If the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency leads a Superfund cleanup of the Gelman dioxane plume, Ann Arbors polluted groundwater could be restored to drinking water standards. Thats the federal governments expectation for Class-1 drinking water aquifers to restore them to beneficial use, an EPA official from Chicago told local officials Monday morning, May 6. Its also expected the polluter would pay for any cleanup, and the EPA has strong enforcement tools to compel compliance, said Michael Berkoff, an EPA scientist whos been studying and keeping tabs on the toxic chemical plume since 2017. Michigans lax environmental laws allow pollution to fester in the environment as long as the risk of human exposure is mitigated, so theres currently no aquifer-restoration objective. Under state law and court orders, Gelman Sciences is allowed to let its pollution spread to the Huron River through a groundwater-use prohibition zone, while doing limited pump-and-treat cleanup. Unhappy with the status quo and concerned the plume could someday reach Barton Pond, the citys main drinking water source, Ann Arbor officials are considering asking Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to support having the EPA place the Gelman plume on the National Priorities List for a Superfund cleanup. Thats a process Ann Arbor and Scio townships, along with the local Sierra Club, got started in 2016. Their Superfund petition led to a preliminary assessment by the EPA in 2017, but without a letter of support from then-Gov. Rick Snyder, the listing process stalled. If a Superfund cleanup is what local officials want, a letter from Whitmer is needed to move the process forward now. Ahead of the City Councils expected vote on the issue Monday night, U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Dearborn, convened a stakeholder meeting Monday morning at Scio Township Hall. Unity is going to get us to where we need to go, Dingell told the officials in the room. In attendance were local state lawmakers, concerned residents and representatives from the EPA, Ann Arbor, Washtenaw County, Scio and Ann Arbor townships, Huron River Watershed Council, Coalition for Action on Remediation of Dioxane and the state Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy. A crowded Scio Township Hall for a Gelman dioxane plume stakeholders meeting hosted by U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell on Monday, May 6, 2019.Ryan Stanton | The Ann Arbor News The EPAs initial assessment of the Gelman plume is that no one is currently being exposed to dioxane at levels that pose an unacceptable risk, whether thats through drinking water, vapor intrusion into homes or otherwise. Berkoff said his impression is that EGLE has been trying to implement the best remedy it can. The state, city and other parties are trying to negotiate a new cleanup plan via litigation in Washtenaw County Circuit Court. Unless the EPA receives a letter from the governor in support of going the Superfund route, the agency will be shifting its resources to sites on the National Priorities List, Berkoff said. Ann Arbor officials acknowledge theyre at a pivotal point in the decades-long history of the Gelman plume, deciding on taking a new path to get the kind of cleanup the community wants. Council Member Jack Eaton, D-4th Ward, said hes still convinced after Mondays meeting a Superfund cleanup is the way to go. The plume that has plagued Ann Arbor for decades originated on the citys west side, on the border between Ann Arbor and Scio Township, between the 1960s and 1980s. Gelman Sciences used dioxane in its filter-manufacturing processes and discharged massive of amounts of it on the companys Wagner Road property. Theres tremendous fear in the community about threats to Ann Arbors water supply, said Kathy Griswold, one of the City Council members in favor of a Superfund cleanup. Another fear is the threat of vapor intrusion into homes where theres dioxane in shallow groundwater. Its time for a full-court press, looking at every available option to address the problem, said Griswold, D-2nd Ward. A state Department of Environmental Quality official estimated in 2016 that the expanding northern edge of the Gelman plume might be about 30 years away from reaching Barton Pond. State Rep. Yousef Rabhi, D-Ann Arbor, said at Mondays meeting he expects to still be living here then and he doesnt want dioxane in the citys drinking water. Trace amounts were detected this year. We need to take some aggressive action, he said. Just relying on the old systems that we have in the past, it hasnt worked. Rabhi has been arguing for bringing in the EPA for several years, saying it has stronger enforcement tools. Lets try something new and hopefully that will work, he said. Even if it takes two years to do the study, even if it takes seven years. Its been 40 years that weve been waiting, longer than Ive been alive. The supervisors of Ann Arbor and Scio townships reiterated their support for a Superfund cleanup. Ive been involved in this for about 15 years, said Ann Arbor Township Supervisor Mike Moran. The plume continues to spread with little effective enforcement by EGLE. Gelmans current rate of pumping and treating is down to less than 500 gallons per minute, EGLE acknowledges. County Board Chairman Jason Morgan, D-Ann Arbor, expressed hopes that local officials from different jurisdictions can be unified in their efforts going forward, whatever path is chosen. I think all of us are hearing an incredible sense of urgency and fear from our residents about whether they are safe in their homes and drinking their water, so our frustration is that of our residents, he said. Putting the plume in the hands of the EPA may still be a roll of the dice, as there are no guarantees how it would play out, officials acknowledge. Berkoff told local officials he couldnt answer certain questions they had about the process and said it would be speculative to talk about details of what a Superfund cleanup might entail. It sounds like theres no clear answer to hardly anything up here at this point, Morgan said at the meetings conclusion. It could take up to two years to get the plume on the National Priorities List, and it takes on average about seven years to do remedial investigation and feasibility study, Berkoff said. The EPA wouldnt want current cleanup efforts to halt during that process, Berkoff said. CARD Chairman Roger Rayle suggested a Superfund cleanup would be well worth the wait. Hes been fighting for a better cleanup for years and said the community may still be dealing with the plume in 200-300 years. The timescale on this, everybody needs to realize, is a game changer. Dioxane is one of the forever chemicals like PFAS, he said. We all have to work together in this. It cant be relying on the EPA by itself. All the local units have to do their due diligence for as long as it takes to match the scale of the problem. ANN ARBOR, MI Two new bubble tea shops have opened their doors near the University of Michigan, and both are already attracting long lines of customers. Chatime, a Taiwan-based chain established in 2004, has moved into a 900-square-foot space at 340 Maynard St., at the base of Ann Arbors tallest building, Tower Plaza. Correction: An earlier version of this story reported Chatime was based in Toronto in 2011. It has been changed to the accurate location and year. We actually started to brainstorm about two years ago, franchise owner Angel Chan said. "There was no good bubble tea place in general in Michigan. Theres a few places that are not really authentic. My partner is from Taiwan and Im from Hong Kong. We both grew up in an environment with authentic bubble tea and were quite disappointed with the places over here. Chatime tea is brewed fresh daily, she said. Our bubble tea is not only bubble tea mix. (Theres) real tea in it, Chan said. The menu also includes various tea lattes, smoothies, fresh premium tea, fruit tea and milk tea. Chan and her partner are running their first business after spending several years in the automotive industry, following their graduation from Wayne State University in 2014. The two wanted to create something of their own and felt Ann Arbor was the perfect place. We want to be more convenient for students and people who actually work in downtown. I think its worth it," Chan said. The shop hosted a grand opening May 3. Its open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday to Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday. Taiwan-based CoCo Fresh Tea and Juice opened a 1,200-square-foot shop April 22 at 1731 Plymouth Road, near the UM North campus. Albert Lin, managing director, graduated from UM and later worked as a senior executive at the CoCo headquarters in Taiwan. He said the chain has 3,500 stores worldwide. I always (thought) that Ann Arbor should have a place for people to go for genuine bubble tea, Lin said. "This store is the first in the Midwest ... our first store was started in 1997 (in Taiwan). It was one of the first bubble tea shops. The brand is particularly popular in areas around New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco, he said. The menu is mostly tea-based beverages, some of which are blended with fresh fruit juice. CoCos ingredients are also imported from Taiwan. We use only fresh ingredients in a lot of our materials, Lin said. When we come to a city like Ann Arbor, we would try to connect with the local community and even cater our menu items to fit local taste. We dont want people just to like our drink, we want to make them feel like they are part of our lives. CoCo is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week. FLINT, MI -- General Motors retiree Albert Ballard taught his children to fight for what was just. On Monday, May 6, one of his daughters faced four men accused of breaking into her fathers home, robbing him at gunpoint and shooting him to death. He fought for my mom. He fought for his home. He fought for what was right," April Bigelow told Genesee Circuit Court Judge Elizabeth Kelly. He fought for his own life, but it wasnt enough. He was out-numbered and out-matched, and we never even got a chance to say good-bye to him. Kelly sentenced four Flint area men on Monday for their roles in Ballards killing, the invasion of his home in the citys College Cultural area and firearm crimes, saying she went above sentencing guidelines and required sentences to be served consecutively where the law allowed it because of the impact of the crimes on the Ballard family and an entire community. Jordan William Alexander, Zicary Lamar Carpenter, Tyler Jameil Pagel and Joshua Jeremiah Eubanks were all sentenced to spend at least 23 years in prison for their parts in the home invasion, armed robbery and killing. Kelly detailed how Ballards wife, who was home when her husband was killed, was so traumatized that she never returned to the house on South Cumberland Street -- "the house that she had lived in for over 40 years, that she had bought with her husband and raised her girls in, had her grandchildren over to and celebrated holidays in. She could never step foot back in there because of what was done ..., Kelly said before making one of the sentences. They were victimized in the place that they should have felt the safest -- in their own home ... It shook that neighborhood to its core." Ballard, 63, was shot and killed around 5 a.m. on July 11, 2017, during a home invasion -- found with a single gunshot wound to the chest. Testimony during a jury trial revealed that Ballard was asleep on a couch on the first floor of the home when five men in their late teens or early 20s entered the house through an unlocked door. Inside the home, Ballard was held at gunpoint by one of the men -- Zicary L. Carpenter, 22, -- and ordered to give them all his money. Three of the men went to the second floor of the home where Ballards wife was sleeping, and she was struck in the face with a gun and told to hand over her money, according to MLive-Flint Journal files. Ballard retrieved a gun he kept in a kitchen cupboard and shot one of the men in the chest before he was fatally hit in an exchange of gunfire. Alexander, 20, was sentenced to life in prison without parole for charges of first-degree murder, first-degree home invasion, conspiracy to commit first-degree home invasion, assault with intent to rob while armed, armed robbery and five counts of felony firearm. The entire situation is a tragedy and no amount of words will ever right this or make it better, Alexander said before he was sentenced. He maintained he did not kill Ballard and that prosecutors targeted him for the harshest treatment of five men charged with related crimes. Carpenter, 22, was sentenced to a minimum of 45 years in prison for two counts of both first-degree home invasion and felony firearms. Like others sentenced Monday, he apologized for Ballards death and other crimes that occurred on what Kelly called a five-man, all-night crime spree. I didnt mean for any of this to happen. It wasnt part of my plan, Carpenter said. Pagel, 19, was sentenced two counts of home invasion and armed robbery and sentenced to a minimum of 36 years in prison. The youngest among those sentenced, Pagel said he was sorry for his involvement, telling the Ballards, I hope you can find it your hearts to forgive me" and apologizing to his family. Eubanks, 22, was sentenced to a minimum of 23 years in prison for two counts of first-degree home invasion. Eubanks attorney Douglas Theodoroff told Kelly that the six-week trial that resulted in Mondays sentencing has probably been the most extraordinary trial Ive ever been involved in," partly because the crime took place in a neighborhood where he once lived. My wife and I bought our first house in that neighborhood and lived there for several years ..., Theodoroff said. The sheer senselessness of this is what is so disquieting to me. Mondays sentencing follows the sentencing of a fifth defendant in the case -- Dre Shavon Jones, 20, who pleaded guilty in August 2018 to second-degree murder, three counts of felony firearm, two counts of first-degree home invasion, armed robbery and assault with intent to rob while armed. Jones testified at trial against Alexander, Carpenter, Pagel and Eubanks and received a sentence of a minimum of 27 years in prison. Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton initially sought murder convictions for all five defendants but a jury dismissed several of the initial charges against the men. Ballard was described in court Monday as a man of many interests, and a loyal family man. A pipefitter by trade, Ballard trained to become a Mass Transportation Authority bus driver after retiring from GM, and learned the violin in his 50s. He became a part of the Lapeer Symphony Orchestra, which left his chair empty except for flowers in a concert following his death. Our entire world changed that day (of the home invasion), Bigelow said in court Monday, often turning and speaking directly to the men convicted of crimes tied to her fathers death. "Our father had been shot. Our mother had been beaten. Our family home looked like a war scene. Everything that we knew and felt sure of changed in an instant. When you went into that house you took more than his life. You took my parents from their home. You robbed me of my family home, (and) my mom lost her sense of security. Retired or not, she said, her father was active and happy. Our dad wasnt sick. He was far from it, she said. He was retired ... but he was working hard ... He was one of those guys who got down on the floor with his grandkids. He jumped into the pool. He (jumped on the) trampoline still. He was full of life. Until we wasnt. FLINT, MI -- Thetford Township police Chief Robert Kenny made an appearance in a courtroom as part of the ongoing case against him for allegedly pocketing money received through the sale of surplus military equipment. Among those in Genesee District Court Judge Vikki Bayeh-Haleys courtroom for a May 3 preliminary exam included a former manager at Monster Auto and Scrap where Kenny allegedly took some of the equipment he acquired through the federal Law Enforcement Support Office program. An investigation was launched by the Genesee County Sheriffs Office into the matter, with Sheriff Robert Pickell previously stating Kenny received almost 4,000 items that had a retail value of more than $2.7 million since 2012. Those items included parachutes, mine-detecting devices, excavators, hydro seeders and other equipment. Pickell said Kenny took several heavy-duty metal storage containers obtained through the support program to a Vienna Township scrapyard in 2012 and 2013 and allegedly received more than $5,000 in three different checks and deposited the money in his own account or took it in cash. Kenny was arrested in August and charged with obstruction of justice and embezzlement over $1,000 and less than $20,000. Each charge is a 5-year felony. Larry Goerge, the states LESO program coordinator, testified that items obtained through the program can be sold off after one years time from when theyre received if the money is used toward improving the police department. Frank Manley, Kennys attorney, said the former scrapyard employee testified Kenny received a check for $1,779 made out to the chief for some items thatd been scrapped, but it took place only after former Thetford Township Supervisor Eileen Kerr told the business to make the move. While on the witness stand, Manley peppered current Thetford Township Supervisor Gary Stevens about how many times hed gone to state police and the sheriffs office with complaints about Kenny, the program and wanting to get the chief fired. Pieces of equipment wound up outside the township hall in late April. Around that same time, a recall effort against Stevens and township trustee Stan Piechnik was brought forth but fizzled out. Stevens testified he did tell Goerge at one point that he did not like the LESO program after questioning by Manley and that he had ordered Kenny to have all the items returned to the township hall grounds after calling for an inventory list. Kenny remains on unpaid leave by the township. Stevens testified that Kenny was placed on leave because he didnt perform his duties at the township. A continuation of the preliminary exam is scheduled to take place in early June with Kerr and a Department of Treasury employee expected to be called upon to testify before the judge decides whether to send the case to trial or not. FLINT, MI- Morgan Findley, a Mott Middle College High School student, first noticed what a difference small acts of kindness can make when she held a door open for a woman whose arms were full of textbooks. The woman kept smiling as she walked away, and when Findley held the door open for the next person, she noticed they walked away smiling, too. She thought it was strange that something which seemed so insignificant to her made other people smile for a few extra seconds. That got me thinking, Findley wrote in an essay for the Blueberry Ambassador Program. Its a minor inconvenience for you, but a mood lifter for them. It makes me feel good that I can do something so small and have it have such a big impact on someone else. It was for these everyday acts of kindness and thoughtfulness that businessman and philanthropist Phil Shaltz awarded Findley with the Founders Award at the sixth annual Blueberry Ambassador awards ceremony. Mott Middle College was awarded $500 for Findley being selected and will get to award a $12,000 scholarship to University of Michigan-Flint. Kindness is a choice, Findley said. When you can, choose kindness. The 15-year-old said she wants to be a writer one day and use her writing to make other people happy and make a difference in their lives. About 1,400 students from throughout Genesee County enjoyed a pizza party and tossed around inflatable beach ball blueberries during the awards ceremony on May 7 at the Riverfront Banquet Center in downtown Flint. Awards were given out to 20 students during the ceremony. Courtney Emerick from Kearsley Armstrong Middle School was awarded the Inspirational Teacher Award. Her school will get to award a $6,000 scholarship UM-Flint. Posters with quotes from the children decorated the walls, like from Carman-Ainsworth Middle School student Celia Peters who said, Just look closer at the world around you and you can find the smallest acts of kindness. The Blueberry Ambassador program began in 2013 with a mysterious billboard Shaltz launched along I-69 in Flint that read, "Im Concerned About The Blueberries. After gaining nationwide attention, Shaltz explained the campaign encourages random acts of kindness. He then founded the Blueberry Ambassador program to demonstrate that anyone has the power to make a difference in their community. Shaltz said the biggest reason he is so passionate about the program is because in a world where everybody is consumed by their smartphones, people tend to forget to look around their community and think about what they can do to make it better. He wanted to change this, and thought the best way was with children. Im trying to change their DNA, he said. Were always going to keep looking at our phones, but I want them to look outside the phone and look at how they can interact with people and take care of their little blueberries, the little concerns or worries, or small things they can do to make someones day a little brighter. GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Grand Rapids police are investigating a drive-by shooting that was reported shortly after noon Tuesday, May 7, in a neighborhood in Southeast Grand Rapids. Police said a house and a vehicle were struck by gunfire around 12:15 p.m. but no one was injured during the shooting in the 700 block of Bates Street SE, west of Eastern Avenue. Investigators determined that two males were walking on sidewalk in the area when they were shot at by an individual in a vehicle. The vehicle fled the scene before police arrived. Neither pedestrian was hit by gunfire. At least one shot hit a vehicle parked on the street, and another shot broke a window at a nearby house. Police said there were no suspects in custody Tuesday afternoon, and the incident remains under investigation by the Grand Rapids Police Department. Police ask anyone with information regarding the incident to contact the police department at 616-456-3400. BARRY COUNTY, MI -- A 32-year-old Clarksville man died when the vehicle he was driving left the roadway and crashed into a tree in Barry County. Police identified the driver of the pickup truck as James Timothy Flynn. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Deputies from the Barry County Sheriffs Office were dispatched at 2:51 p.m. Monday, May 6, to a single-vehicle crash along Usborne Road, north of Brown Road, in Carlton Township. First-responders arrived to find a 2003 Ford F250 pickup truck fully engulfed in flames. Investigators determined that the truck was southbound on Usborne Road when it drifted across the left side of the roadway, traveled about 150 feet, and struck a tree. Police said Flynn was the lone occupant of the vehicle. Deputies were assisted on scene by members of the Freeport Fire Department, Woodland Township Fire Department, and Hastings Mercy Ambulance. The crash remains under investigation by the Barry County Sheriffs Office. WALKER, MI MOD Pizza, a fast-casual pizza chain, is opening in the city of Walker. The restaurant, 3300 Alpine Ave. NW, will open at 11 a.m. on May 14, according to a news release from Team Schostak Family Restaurants. The 2,600-square-foot restaurant will be the second MOD Pizza location in West Michigan. Team Schostak Family Restaurants opened a MOD Pizza location in Kalamazoo in December. A second MOD Pizza restaurant in the Grand Rapids area is expected to open in late summer at 3563 28th St. SE. Our expansion into West Michigan is a major milestone for Team Schostak Family Restaurants and we are excited to bring the original, super-fast pizza to Grand Rapids, Jake Schostak, MOD Pizza brand leader at Team Schostak Family Restaurants said in a statement. MOD Pizza was founded in Seattle in 2008 and is known for its individual, artisan-style pizzas, which are prepared in a matter of minutes, according to the company. TSFR introduced the brand to Michigan in mid-2015 with plans to open 25 locations throughout metro Detroit within five years. Other Michigan MOD Pizza locations are Livonia, Northville, Rochester Hills, Woodhaven, Brighton, Troy, Canton, Chesterfield and three in Shelby Township. Another is planned for Southgate. GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- The Michigan Department of Civil Rights has officially opened an investigation into the Grand Rapids Police Department after receiving 23 complaints of discrimination. The state department announced its decision Tuesday, May 7, almost a month after representatives visited Grand Rapids for a pair of listening sessions to determine if there was enough evidence to open an investigation. In his four years as director of the Department of Civil Rights, Agustin Arbulu said he is not aware of another case of a police department having this many complaints of discrimination filed against it. While the number of complaints alone does not indicate discriminatory patterns and practices at play, Arbulu said, we do believe, and I mean this, we do believe they warrant a thorough investigation. Arbulu also said his department will conduct a neutral investigation to see if there is evidence of any systematic discrimination or pattern of such within the police department. The investigation is expected to take months, but Arbulu said there is no time limit because we want to be thorough and we cant predict the outcome. Our concern is in the future, that discriminatory practices be retracted or be stopped, and new policies to address these practices be put in place, if that is found to be the case, Arbulu said. A spokesperson for the Grand Rapids Police Department said the department will be transparent and cooperative, and welcomes any investigation. City communications staff said City Manager Mark Washington does not plan to issue a statement separate from the police department. The Michigan Department of Civil Rights made the announcement Tuesday afternoon during a press conference at its Grand Rapids office. The decision came more than five weeks after the department hosted a pair of fact-finding hearings at the Greater Grand Rapids NAACP office at 1530 Madison Ave. SE. During the two three-hour March 28 sessions, the MDCR representatives heard allegations of police intimidation, disrespect and racial-profiling. More than 130 community members attended the first session, and at least 30 shared their stores with the panel members. Others submitted written statements, and Arbulu invited email submissions as well. Arbulus visit to Grand Rapids in March was a response to two videos that emerged that month involving the Grand Rapids Police Department. In one, an officer punched a black man in the thigh up to 30 times to force his compliance following a traffic stop. In the second video, an officer held two Latino teens at gunpoint after they repeatedly refused to show their hands when demanded during a stop for walking in the street. Given the number of complaints, it gives us an opportunity to study not only the individual claims but if there are entrenched discriminatory practices at play, Arbulu said. Weve listened to the community and will look at every complaint and look to see if there are patterns and practices of discrimination. On Tuesday afternoon, Interim Police Chief David Kiddle released a statement that said: Our police department is committed to transparency and we welcome a review by the Michigan Department of Civil Rights. Our doors are always open for anyone who wants to see how we are doing our job and offer ideas for how we can better serve our community. "We take all concerns brought forward by community members very seriously whether its through our Internal Affairs process or an outside agency. We have clear expectations for how our officers conduct themselves and interact with community members. "We take our impartial policing policy very seriously and, as such, we do not tolerate discrimination of any kind in our department. We look forward to continuing to work with our community to build and strengthen relationships. We want to be a trusted community partner for everyone who calls Grand Rapids home. Update: Stay tuned to this story, which will be updated as election results start coming in after the polls close at 8 p.m. Winners will be noted in bold. JACKSON COUNTY, MI Voters in a trio of school districts are tasked with deciding on their future millage rates during the Tuesday, May 7 election. The polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. Check back to this story after the polls close for live election results as they come in. Concord Community Schools is proposing a millage renewal while East Jackson Community Schools and Hanover-Horton School District are proposing bonds. None of the three would increase taxes, since they all renew, replace or extend current and former millages and bonds. Here's a look at all the proposals on Tuesday's ballot in Jackson County. Concord Community Schools millage renewal (4 of 4 precincts reporting) Yes: 330 No: 186 East Jackson Community Schools bond (6 of 6 precincts reporting) Yes: 291 No: 220 Hanover-Horton School District bond (7 of 7 precincts reporting) Yes: 447 No: 272 CONCORD TWP., MI A Louisiana man died Monday after he was ejected from a seal-coating tanker truck that took a fast turn and rolled into a ditch, according to police. State troopers were called at 7:45 p.m. Monday, May 6 to Concord Road north of King Road to check on a small tanker truck seen upside down in a ditch by a passerby, according to Michigan State Police. Investigators determined the truck was leaving a nearby job site after seal-coating a residential driveway when the driver took a curve in the road too fast and lost control of the truck, rolling it into the ditch, police said. One of two occupants of the truck, the 29-year-old Louisiana man was ejected from the truck during the crash and was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. The other occupant, a 23-year-old Missouri man, was not ejected and was taken to Henry Ford Allegiance Health to be treated for minor injuries, police said. Neither man was wearing a seatbelt, police said. The crash remained under investigation. The Concord Fire Department and Jackson Community Ambulance assisted at the scene. KALAMAZOO, MI Relieving yourself in downtown Kalamazoo could feel a little more like Portland with the approval a recommendation to buy a Portland Loo," a public toilet that originated in the Oregon city. The Kalamazoo City Commission voted to approve a Kalamazoo City Manager James Ritsemas recommendation for the purchase of a Portland Loo brand public restroom at a cost of $107,440, during the city commissions May 6 meeting. The lack of available public restrooms in downtown Kalamazoo has proven an impediment to visitors, shoppers, and residents, according to the recommendation, and many are not easily located, and are closed during the evenings, overnights, and weekends. The lack facilities is inconvenient and unwelcoming to visitors and residents and can lead to unsanitary actions, the recommendation states. The challenge is not unique to Kalamazoo and impacts communities across the country, Ritsema said in the recommendation, including Portland, Oregon. The city of Portland chose to have a public restroom designed and built, and the design has since been licensed for sale as the Portland Loo," Ritsema said in his written recommendation. The Downtown Economic Growth Authority has proposed installation of one Portland Loo in the downtown area as pilot project, with additional installations possible if the first one works out well. The Downtown Economic Growth Authority is working with Public Safety and Public Services to find an appropriate location for the restroom, Ritsema said. The Portland Loo would support the Imagine Kalamazoo strategic goal to create inviting public places, Ritsema said in his recommendation. The purchase of the restroom totals $107,440, and would be funded through the initial allocation of Foundation for Excellence funds for downtown projects and investments. Connection to utilities is to be handled by the Public Services Department. The Downtown Kalamazoo Economic Growth Authority will fund maintenance and cleaning, projected to total approximately $15,000 per year, the City will cover ongoing utility costs, Ritsema said. The loo would include a handwash basin, baby changing table, sharps container and an upgrade for a cold-weather toilet. KALAMAZOO, MI The Kalamazoo City Commission heard from dozens of citizens speaking about how commissioners should vote on a proposal to support ending U.S. military aid to Israel. The city commission voted to defeat the proposed resolution during the May 6 meeting that stretched on past midnight. Commissioners Don Cooney and Shannon Sykes Nehring voted in favor of the resolution. Voting against the resolution were: Mayor Bobby Hopewell, Vice Mayor Erin Knott, and Commissioners David Anderson, Eric Cunningham and Jack Urban. Before the vote, several people spoke out, both in support and against the resolution. More than 25 people lined up to speak, and each was allowed to speak for up to four minutes. The defeated proposal was for a resolution that the city of Kalamazoo condemns Israels misuse of U.S. weapons to commit grave human rights abuses of Palestinians living under its 51-year military occupation of the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip. The defeated proposal also stated that the city of Kalamazoo calls upon Members of Congress to end U.S. military aid to Israel and redirect that money to unmet community needs until Israel abides by international law, stops engaging in human rights abuses against Palestinians and ends the military occupation of Palestine" and would have called on members of Congress to support the right of both Israelis and Palestinians to live in safety and security, condemning violence by either side. Some criticized the commission for spending time on the issue. I oppose this resolution, its way above your pay grade, Dean Thomas said. "Why not protest the deforestation of the Amazon? Its not the commissions task to take this on, he said. Commissioner Anderson said he was very strongly opposed to the resolution for a variety of reasons. Were getting maybe like a two-hour class in middle eastern politics and were being asked to make a decision based on that, Anderson said. To an idea of tabling the issue and making changes, including other viewpoints, Anderson said, Bring it on. Sykes disagreed with Anderson and said she would vote for the resolution. How is it that we do not know it is not OK for children to walk to school safely and not be attacked?" Sykes said. "How do we not know where we should be on this? She said she also supports a plan to write different language, but said she fully supports the call to ending the federal government to stop funding human rights abuses. Commissioner Jack Urban suggestion to table the issue and proposed joint authorship on an updated resolution, including other members of the community. Its a complicated issue, Urban said. Commissioner Eric Cunningham agreed on the idea to take up the issue at a later date to have a deeper dialog on the issue. There are a lot of strong feelings in this room right now and they are valid, Cunningham said. Vice Mayor Erin Knott recommended bringing both sides of the table together, recommending to postpone it to encourage other voices to be included. KALAMAZOO, MI Police are searching for a suspect in the robbery of a credit union in Kalamazoo. After 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 7, Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety officers responded to the 1600 block of East Cork Street, to Omni Credit Union, for a report of a robbery in progress. Employees told police that an unknown female, possibly in her 40s, entered the bank at about 2 p.m., demanding money from the teller, KDPS said in a prepared statement. The suspect was wearing a dark colored zip-up coat, dark glasses, surgical mask, brown stocking cap, and gloves. The suspect implied she had a gun, and demanded money from the teller and a small amount of cash was turned over to the suspect, police said. The suspect left on foot a short time after entering the business and a canine from the Kalamazoo County Sheriffs Office was brought in to assist with the track, police said. No injuries were reported during the robbery. The suspect is still being sought by authorities, police said in a news release sent after 4 p.m. Tuesday. Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety Patrol, Criminal Investigations Division, Forensic Lab, and Kalamazoo County Sheriffs Office are working in conjunction with the Federal Bureau of Investigations in attempts to identify the suspects in this case. Police attached photos showing the suspect inside the bank during the robbery. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Kalamazoo Public Safety at 269-488-9111, or Silent Observer at 269-343-2100. KALAMAZOO, MI The Kalamazoo City Commission accepted on first reading changes to an ordinance and an accompanying map to label parts of the city as natural features areas, and provide additional oversight of development in those areas. The commission voted unanimously to accept the proposed changes on first reading during its Monday, May 6, regular meeting, and set a public hearing and vote on the issue on May 20. The proposed Natural Features Protection Overlay District defines natural features that exist in Kalamazoo and sets standards to better protect and manage the features during site development, according to a recommendation from city staff on the issue. Several citizens and business owners gave their opinions to the commission Monday. The two action items were originally on the consent agenda, and were removed from the consent agenda after a citizen said he wanted to comment on them. Overlay districts are intended to apply additional standards to zoning districts and would require developers to complete an analysis of a sites natural features and mitigate potential negative impacts. The features considered for the designation include wetlands, woodlands and slopes. Matthew Van Dyk of Miller Johnson Attorneys, representing Haji Tehrani and DNS Stadium Drive, LLC, asked the commission to make changes to the plan before moving it forward. The changes could impact property adjacent to the Asylum Lake Preserve, a 274-acre property owned by Western Michigan University located just south of its main campus along Drake Road, where DNS Stadium Drive is planning a a possible commercial development. Tehrani of South Bend, Indiana, owns 18 acres of land on the southeast corner of Stadium Drive and South Drake Road, directly north of the Asylum Lake Preserve. The inclusion of the parcels in the NFP Overlay would unfairly single out and impose a substantial economic burden on Tehrani, Van Dyk said. Tehrani told the commission on Monday that the ordinance change would render his property useless for commercial development. Rick Schell Jr., a developer representing other businesses on Stadium Drive that would be included in the NFP overlay district, said there was no basis to include them. I believe these parcels are only included because there was a squiggly line drawn on the master plan, Schell said, asking for changes. Tom Holmes, a member of the technical advisory committee on the issue, said it was a wonderful cooperative process to create the proposed changes and spoke in support of the agenda item. Paul MacNellis thanked the commission for their efforts to be transparent with citizens, and said the Natural Features Protection overlay is an important issue. He said the proposal is sufficient in protecting Asylum Lake and other major areas. Lauri Holmes said the natural features protection overlay district is an important first steps in protecting trees, lakes and other natural features. These preserves provide the kind of nature, the kind of natural place people now need, she said. Mondays meeting was standing room only with more than 140 people there at one point, and Mayor Bobby Hopewell announced the room was over capacity, asking some people to watch the city commission meeting displayed on monitors in an adjacent room. About 10 people spoke about the natural features issue. The city recently accepted applications for members of the Natural Features Protection Review Board, an advisory group tasked with reviewing plans for new developments on natural areas within the city. On April 9, the city planning commission held a public hearing about the natural features protection area, before voting to recommend the city commission approve the changes meant to guide the development of land on or near areas identified as natural features. The planning commission also voted to recommend the city commission approve the map of the proposed natural features protection overly district. The Natural Features Protection Review Board would function similarly to existing boards for downtown development and historic preservation districts, City Planner Christina Anderson said previously. Once the board is established, a recommendation from the board is required as part of the site plan review process. Failure to follow the standards would be punishable by a civil infraction, including a fine of up to $2,500 and court order to restore natural features damaged by construction. Developers are also required to issue a bond held by the city to cover costs of repairing the site, if needed. MUSKEGON, MI - An 18,000-pound, anti-aircraft gun is the newest addition at the USS LST 393 Veterans Museum in Muskegon. This summer, the gun will add another layer of authenticity to the World War II landing ship tank that serves as a veterans museum and is moored at Mart Dock, 560 Mart St. near downtown Muskegon. It took the help of an Illinois veterans group, two cranes and a semi-truck with a flatbed trailer to get the Bofors 40mm twin-barreled anti-aircraft cannon from a park in Illinois to the Mart Dock where its being restored. The museum opened for the 2019 season at the end of April for weekends only, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Starting Saturday, May 18, the museum will be open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. The ship would have carried multiple Bofors cannons when entering battle during World War II, which it did three times. It had a confirmed kill against an Axis dive bomber during the invasion of Sicily, Italy, and was part of the Omaha Beach invasion on D-Day in Normandy, France, on June 6, 1944. The museum board has searched for a Bofors since 2005, said John Stephenson, museum board member. The gun was transported to Muskegon during fall 2018. Were ecstatic, he said. The goal is to lift the gun onto the ship in time for the celebration of the 75th anniversary of D-Day on Saturday and Sunday, June 1-2, Stephenson said. The gun sat outdoors since the 1970s with little maintenance, he said. With some rusted areas, the weapon needed parts, welding and paint. Built to take down airplanes, the gun is more than 12 feet long, more than 8 feet tall and over 8 feet wide. Restoring it is a work in progress, Stephenson said. The Bofors was built at York Lock and Safe Co. in York, Pennsylvania, in 1942 - the same year as the ship, according a news release from the museum. Its naval history is still being researched. At some point, the gun ended up in U.S. Navy surplus and then was placed in a park in Oak Forest, Illinois, in 1976 with other military surplus items in celebration of the countrys bicentennial. The gun was donated to the USS LST 393 Veterans Museum by the Oak Forest Park District in 2018. USS LST 393 Veterans Museum volunteers worked with The Veterans Garage, a Chicago-area military history preservation group, to bring the artifact to Muskegon. The LST also was a Navy surplus item before coming to Muskegon. The ship was purchased as Navy surplus after the war. She was stripped of her military gear and served as a Great Lakes freighter for 25 years. The ship was then converted into the museum. The museum includes exhibits on all six decks that honor American veterans and inform the public about their roles. Exhibits include uniforms, equipment and tributes to all of Americas armed forces and veterans, even four-legged ones in the War Dog Memorial. Displays inside the ship tell the stories of the soldiers, sailors, Marines and Coastguardsmen who served aboard Americas landing ship tanks. ROOSEVELT PARK, MI The city of Roosevelt Park is being investigated by the state after an elderly resident who is hard of hearing filed a formal discrimination complaint, according to the Michigan Department of Civil Rights. The investigation began late last year after Florence Shriver, 83, said she couldnt participate during public meetings because she was unable to hear members of the Roosevelt Park City Council. She filed a complaint with the city and later the state when she said Roosevelt Park officials ignored her calls to increase accommodations for people with disabilities, specifically those who are hard of hearing. Civic engagement is a civil right and responsibility and many other seniors in my small city are excluded because of the poor sound quality, Shriver wrote in her complaint to the state. There may be many factors that make it difficult; including the shape of the room, the speech habits of council members and/or the type of and location of the equipment selected. The fact remains I cannot hear the council and am excluded from participating at public meetings. Roosevelt Park City Manager Jared Olson said the city was cooperating with the investigation and has in the past 16 months spent nearly $11,000 on new microphones and equipment to amplify sound in the councils chambers at Shrivers request. However, Shrivers advocates say the city continues to ignore her and other disability rights activists. On April 24, Muskegon resident Darma Canter filed a separate but similar complaint against the Roosevelt Park City Council with the Michigan Department of Civil Rights to help expedite Shrivers case. Canter is a member of the Disability Justice League of West Michigan and has been acting as Shrivers advocate throughout the investigation. Shriver gave Canter permission to share documents and details of her case with MLive. Shriver also has been working with the Disability Network of West Michigan, according to documents provided by Canter. Vicki Levengood, the communications director with the Michigan Department of Civil Rights, confirmed that Shrivers case was still under investigation. She added that the department has not reached a conclusion on whether discrimination had occurred at Roosevelt Parks public meetings. Levengood also confirmed that her department received a web inquiry from Canter on April 24 and would evaluate it to see if another investigation was necessary. Olson said he was unaware of Canters inquiry but said he would continue to work with the state to make accommodations. Were excited to work through this process and to make sure were doing the right thing, Olson said. We are openly working with the department to have them come in to look at it our system and experience it for themselves. Shriver filed a formal complaint with the Michigan Department of Civil Rights in September 2018 after submitting a complaint to the city in May 2018. According to the complaint, Shriver and the Disability Network of West Michigan attended several city council meetings between January and February 2018 to inform the body that it had a federally-mandated responsibility to offer reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities. The city reached out to the Kentwood-based Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services organization soon afterward for recommendations on assistive technology, Olson said. Based on those recommendations, Olson said he and city staff purchased and installed a special sound system for use by people with hearing aids known as a hearing loop. The system creates a magnetic, wireless signal that gets picked up by a hearing aid when it is set to the T or telecoil setting. Olson added that the city also bought two special receivers for the system, which are available for public use before each city council meeting. In April 2018, Shriver attended a city council meeting and attempted to use the hearing loop, but her hearing issues persisted, according to the complaint filed with the city. Olson and city council recommended Shriver purchase her own wireless headphones to connect to the loop. She did, but Shriver said the meetings were still impossible to hear and understand, according to the complaint filed with the city. It is still my desire to resolve the problem locally, but continuing the pattern of exclusion is unacceptable, Shriver wrote. I am available to work with staff to improve the sound delivery. If an appropriate accommodation is not in place and functioning by the next council meeting June 4, 2018, I will file complaint with the Michigan Department of Civil Rights and with the U.S. Department of Justice. The issue of equal access and civic participation at your public meetings is vital to many residents have hearing difficulties. Following the May 2018 complaint, Olson said he and the city council attempted to upgrade the system to amplify sound through its overhead speakers. The city also bought five goose neck microphones for the dais where seven council members, Olson, the city clerk and the city attorney sit at regular meetings. Olson said the city only bought five so two officials can share one each. Canter told MLive that she and Shriver believed purchasing five microphones was a poor solution, since the coil loop system is dependent on catching a clear audio signal to amplify it. Even with the microphones in place, Canter said, the council members dont use them or refuse to lean close enough so they can be heard. Olson said that he doesnt agree with Canters assessment and that officials have been using the microphones. The states civil rights department has been in contact with Shriver and her advocates several times since the investigation began, Levengood said. However, Levengood declined to say if an investigator with her department had traveled to Roosevelt Park to evaluate its new accommodations. Eleanor Canter, Darma Canters daughter and fellow activist, said she and the West Michigan Disability Justice League will continue to show up to meetings to voice their concerns until the problem is resolved. Lecturer, best-selling author and Democratic presidential hopeful Marianne Williamson will hold two town halls in metro Detroit this weekend. Williamson, known nationally for penning more than a dozen faith-based self-help books, launched her campaign for the Democratic Party nomination by calling for a moral and spiritual awakening in the United States. She will hold town halls at two churches in Southeast Michigan Saturday. The 66-year-old Houston, Texas native led Renaissance Unity church, a non-denominational Warren megachurch, from 1997 until 2002. She briefly lived in Grosse Pointe Farms. Williamson, who has never held public office, finds herself near the bottom of the vast Democratic presidential field, according to early polling. She has yet to qualify for the Democratic National Committee debates, scheduled for June 26-27 in Miami and July 30-31 in Detroit. The motivational speaker raised $1.5 million in the first quarter of 2019, sitting near the bottom of Democrats running for president. She raised slightly less than Andrew Yang, a entrepreneur and venture capitalist who appeared in Detroit on May 3, but pulled in $12,670 from Michigan donors. Though she doesnt have any experience in holding office, Williamson has a long-career of political activism. In 1989, Williamson founded Project Angel Food, a meals-on-wheels program that serves homebound people with AIDS in the Los Angeles area. She also founded The Peace Alliance, a nonprofit organization advocating for U.S. Department of Peace. In 2014 Williamson mounted an unsuccessful run to represent the 33rd Congressional District of California as an independent candidate. Alanis Morrisette, who wrote her campaign theme song, is just one of Williamsons influential associates, including Oprah Winfrey, Katy Perry, Cher and Laura Dern. Former Michigan Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm also endorsed Williamsons 2014 campaign. According to her campaign website, Williamson supports the Green New Deal, Medicare for All, immigration reforms that include a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants and rejoining the Paris Climate Accords. Her campaign website outlines other progressive policy platforms, including $200 billion to $500 billion in reparations for slavery. Williamson will hold a town hall at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 11 at Rhema International Church in Harper Woods. She will participate in another town hall scheduled for 7 p.m. at Detroit Unity Temple. She returned to metro Detroit while on a national speaking tour last year. Amid the worst measles outbreak since the eradication of the disease, more US states are scrambling to amend the laws allowing for religious and other exemptions from vaccination. Oregon is the latest to join the push. Faced with a health scare in the form of measles, a highly contagious and easily transmitted respiratory infection, lawmakers have been in a hurry to pass laws that would limit or outlaw any exemptions from vaccination that are not rooted in medical reasons. Also on rt.com Measles outbreak set to smash 10-year yearly record in first months of 2019 On Monday, a bill aimed at ending non-medical exemptions passed the Oregon House after weeks of fierce debate. The bill will now have to go through the Senate before it can be signed into law. Oregon has not been at the center of the outbreak, with only 14 reported cases as of April 22, but it did not stop lawmakers from sounding an alarm over the issue, amid the general spike in cases. Out of 764 reported cases in the US, the majority originated from the state of New York, having hit predominantly Orthodox Jewish communities in Brooklyns Williamsburg County, Rockland County and Queens where residents are averse to vaccinations. New York City and nearby Rockland County have declared emergencies over the outbreak, which saw officials shut down schools and introduce a range of punitive measures, including fines and public bans in a bid to combat the rapid spread of the disease. Bills to limit vaccination exemptions to various degrees have been introduced in Washington, Colorado, Arizona, New Jersey, New York, Maine and Connecticut. In Connecticut, draft legislation by House Majority Leader Democrat Matt Ritter, that outlaws religious exemptions, received a nod from the states Attorney General. William Tong, Connecticuts Attorney General, issued a ruling on the proposed law on Monday, stating that the law is clear that the State of Connecticut may create, eliminate or suspend the religious exemption. Although non-binding, Tongs blessing might come in handy to Ritter as he faces tough opposition from advocates of the freedom of religion and anti-vaxxers. Speaking in March Ritter vowed that the Connecticut General Assembly would vote on the bill in the next 12 months. Its unclear if the vote will take place in the ongoing session that wraps up on June 5. The chances of his bill becoming law are difficult to evaluate since there is a strong opposition to getting rid of the religious objections clause. In Maine, an attempt by Democrats to streamline a bill that would have outlawed all non-medical exemptions failed last week after the state Senate voted against eliminating religious grounds, while agreeing to end exemptions for philosophical reasons. While opposition to the legislation has been mostly partisan, some prominent Democrats such as New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo have raised concerns about whether removing the religious exemption would be in line with the First Amendment. "(Does) government have the right to say you must vaccinate your child because I'm afraid your child can infect my child even if you don't want it done and even if it violates your religious beliefs?" Cuomo told WAMC-FM in an interview in April, noting that it was "a serious First Amendment issue." Despite a renewed push to scrap non-medical exemptions, only three states California, Mississippi and West Virginia have so far outlawed the practice. Think your friends would be interested? Share this story! New Delhi is committed to eliminating the current trade restrictions preventing American companies from doing profitable business in India, US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said at a trade forum in the Indian capital. Our role is to eliminate barriers to US companies operating here, including, data localization restrictions that actually weaken data security and increase the cost of doing business, the top official said. According to the commerce secretary, the countrys state regulations on localization of data and price caps on medical devices imported from the US are among the major hurdles for American corporations working in India. The parties are also involved in trade disputes over tariffs, and rules banning firms from selling their produce through enterprises in which they have an equity interest. Also on rt.com Global gold fever: India follows Russia & China by boosting bullion reserves In 2018, major global payments players, such as Mastercard, Visa and American Express failed to lobby relaxation of the rules imposed by Indias central bank, requiring all data on domestic transactions to be stored locally. After meeting with Ross, Indian Commerce and Industry Minister Suresh Prabhu said that Delhi and Washington would engage regularly to resolve the current trade issues. We applaud India's commitment to addressing some of these barriers once the government is re-formed, probably starting in the month of June, Ross added. Also on rt.com Pepsi to drop cases against Indian farmers accused of infringing potato patent The top official highlighted that the Indo-US trade is currently imbalanced. American goods and services trade with India reportedly reached $142.1 billion in 2018, with the US running a deficit of more than $24 billion. According to Ross, gradual growth of the middle class in India and the Indo-Pacific region is expected to make the country the world's largest consumer market in as soon as 10 years. At the same time, the US is currently India's second-biggest trade partner after China. For more stories on economy & finance visit RT's business section A new war memorial in Chicago honors a Lithuanian anti-Soviet fighter, who is also credibly accused of playing a part in the Nazis extermination of Jews in the Baltic state. It was hardly noticed by US anti-Semitism watchdogs. The monument to Adolfas Ramanauskas was unveiled in Lemont, a village in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois, last Saturday, just days after Jews throughout the world commemorated the victims of the Holocaust. It was presented by the local Lithuanian diaspora and officials from the Baltic nation itself. Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius took part in the unveiling ceremony and also in the presentation of a documentary about Ramanauskas. The Lithuanian fighter, who is also known by his nom-de-guerre Vanagas (Hawk), is a revered figure in his home country due to being part of the anti-Soviet guerrilla force, which fought tooth and nail after World War II. This heroic official story however omits Ramanauskas earlier years, which was the reason for objections voiced by the Simon Wiesenthal Center to honoring the man. The Lithuanian national hero was a leader of a gang of local vigilantes which persecuted the Jewish community of Druskininkai during the initial weeks following the Nazi invasion of Lithuania in June 1941. In fact, Ramanauskas himself mentioned these activities in his own memoirs, the center said. Also on rt.com My grandfather, Lithuanian hero & Jew-killer: US authors journey to discover dark family past Lithuania holds the grim record of losing the largest percentage of its Jewish population to the Holocaust. Of an estimated 210,000 Jews, some 95 percent were killed, most of them in the first months of the occupation. Many local collaborators actively helped the Nazis in committing those atrocities, an uncomfortable fact that both the Soviet Union and independent Lithuania were reluctant to acknowledge. Where the Soviets and the Lithuanians differ is their attitude to the anti-Soviet guerrillas. Moscow was eager to blame them for war crimes, painting them as a few rotten apples among the otherwise class-conscious populace. Vilnius prefers to whitewash them as freedom fighters. Ramanauskas, for example, is depicted as a mere commander of an unarmed insurgent group guarding property left by retreating Soviets in Druskininkai, who had nothing to do with the persecution of local Jews, despite contemporary accounts to the contrary. Also on rt.com Tug of tags: Moscow aims to hijack Lithuanian hashtag campaign in spat over Nazi collaborators The Simon Wiesenthal Centers rebuke seems to be a lonely voice against the Ramanauskas monument among organizations meant to preserve the memory of the Holocaust. The objection however was not mentioned on its Twitter or Facebook pages, which may explain the lack of publicity. Well, maybe they could share their concern about the Lithuanian hero with Nikki Haley, when she arrives in Chicago later this month to get an award from the center? Think your friends would be interested? Share this story! The decision to rerun a local mayoral election in Istanbul has sparked scathing criticism in Brussels ironically, from none other than the EUs Brexit negotiator Guy Verhofstadt. Tweeting about the move, which was branded a coup by a Turkish opposition newspaper, Verhofstadt said it highlighted that Turkey was drifting towards a dictatorship and offered full support to the Turkish people protesting for their democratic rights. Along with the verbal slap on the wrist, he said that under President Recep Tayyip Erdogans leadership, talks on Turkey joining the EU are impossible. Also on rt.com Turkish opposition says electoral board decision to re-run Istanbul mayoral vote is coup The irony in Verhofstadts outrage, is that the EU itself has a long history of either totally ignoring referendum votes or just making people vote again until the correct result is achieved. But that, of course, does not make the EU a dictatorship. Its still a bastion of hope, freedom, prosperity & stability (as per another recent Verhofstadt tweet). Twitter users wasted no time in pointing out the irony and hypocrisy. How dare [Erdogan] use EU tactics, one irritated Verhofstadt follower responded, with another saying that the UK itself was currently battling for its democracy a reference to EU officials (including Verhofstadt) who have frequently voiced their personal opposition to Brexit and the Remain factions in Britain who have been calling for a re-run of the 2016 referendum. While there may be at least some merit to the idea of Brexit referendum re-run after two years of failed negotiations and with more accurate information now available to British voters, the idea of simply re-doing EU-related votes is hardly a one-off. Maybe Verhofstadt should take a trip down memory lane. France voted no to accepting a proposed EU Constitution by 54.9 percent in 2005, but the outcome was ignored. The same thing happened in the Netherlands, which rejected it by 61.5 percent. The EU Constitution was later repackaged into the Lisbon Treaty and presented to the French parliament where it was adopted, without being put to the people this time (much easier!). This new Lisbon Treaty was then rejected by Irish voters in 2008, once again sending Brussels into meltdown mode, as the pact needed to be ratified by all member states before taking effect. So, of course, they made some tweaks and asked people to vote again and got the right result the next time. It wasnt the first time Ireland was asked to re-vote after giving the wrong answer, either. The country also rejected the Nice Treaty in 2001 and accepted it in a second vote a year later. Greece voted overwhelmingly to reject severe austerity measures desired by the EU in 2015 in exchange for a multi-billion euro bailout. Not long after, under pressure from Brussels, the countrys government agreed to implement even harsher methods totally ignoring the will of the Greek people. But way before all that in 1992, Danes, displeased with plans for a single currency, common European defense policies and for joint rules on crime and immigration, rejected the Maastricht Treaty and were asked to vote again. Ironically, many European voters voted no to these treaties because they were worried that the EU would be turned into some kind of undemocratic superstate where the wills of individual countries and people would be ignored. Being forced to vote until you give the right answer doesnt exactly put those worries to bed. Its part of the reason why the British voted for Brexit in the first place. READ MORE: After Catalan crackdown, EU will look hypocritical preaching about democracy Irish MEP Then theres Catalonia, where pro-independence leaders were thrown in jail for their role in holding an independence referendum in 2017. One tweeter scolded Verhofstadt and other EU leaders for believing that they have some moral authority over Turkey while abuse of pro-independence forces in Catalonia is ignored. Our leaders are still in prison because they let citizens vote, they wrote. With a history like that, maybe its a bit rich for Verhofstadt to be going around lamenting the lack of democracy in other countries. If you liked this story, share it with a friend! German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas has condemned Turkeys decision to re-run the contentious Istanbul mayoral election amid a long-running diplomatic dispute between the two countries. Turkeys election commission ordered a do-over of the March 31 Istanbul mayoral election in a move which Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan described as the best step for the country. Istanbul is a key economic region in Turkey and accounts for a sizeable chunk of public spending. Also on rt.com Turkeys election board begins evaluating Erdogans AK Party re-run appeal in Istanbul We see this decision as the best step that will strengthen our will to solve problems within the framework of democracy and law, Erdogan told his Justice and Development Party (AKP) members in parliament, following widespread allegations of irregularities and corruption in the voting process leveled against opposition candidate Ekrem Imamoglu. The main opposition party CHP has stated that it will not boycott the June 23 election re-run despite its candidate Imamoglu winning the majority of votes by a narrow margin in March, according to Turkish broadcaster NTV. However, German Foreign Minister Maas said the will of the Turkish voters was being ignored in Mondays decision to re-run the election. The decision of the High Election Board to annul the local election in Istanbul and order a re-run is in our view not transparent and not comprehensible, Maas said. Also on rt.com Europe living in peace thanks to Turkey hosting millions of refugees Erdogan It marks the latest face-off in the long-running row between the two nations, whose relationship deteriorated greatly after a failed coup attempt in Turkey in 2016. In the ensuing crackdown on opposition in the country, Germany accused Erdogan of human rights abuses, including the arrest of dual German-Turkish citizens, whom Ankara has labeled suspected terrorists. Germany is home to more than three million people of Turkish ancestry and the two countries have often exchanged rhetorical barbs over diplomatic relations and political practices. A frequent source of conflict has been Germanys controversial stance on allowing refugees to settle across Europe. Many of the migrants pass through Turkey en route to Europe with some opting to stay there longer term. Think your friends would be interested? Share this story! An Italian secret service operative was found dead in a Paris hotel on Sunday night with a business card from the Presidency of the Council of Ministers the highest public office under the control of Italys prime minister. The agent was discovered lying in a pool of vomit with blood under his chin. The business card that was found on the deceased bore his name, Massimo I., and the employers name: Presidenza del Consiglio dei Ministri. Neither Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte nor any other public official in Italy has yet released a public statement on the incident. The local scientific police have determined that an investigation is needed to establish the cause of the mans death, but embassy sources have already said that the agent died of natural causes, Italian newspaper La Repubblica reported. French police also found an encrypted security key in a safe, along with with a folder containing 85 tickets for 20 ($22.40), a USB key, an SD card, and an adaptor. The man had arrived at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris from Rome on May 3, and was staying at a residential hotel in Montmartre. Italian secret service agent with Presidency Council business card found dead in Paris hotel Italian secret service agent with Presidency Council business card found dead in Paris hotel Source : RT - Daily news Tokyo plans to propose to North Korea a summit without asking for a guarantee of progress on the issue of Pyongyangs past abduction of Japanese nationals, Kyodo reported, citing government sources. The plans are based on Prime Minister Shinzo Abes apparent shift in stance. The PMs message that he is ready to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un without conditions could be conveyd through the Japanese Embassy in Beijing and other various channels, according to the sources. They say Kim told US President Donald Trump during their second summit in Hanoi in February that he acknowledged the abduction issue is pending between North Korea and Japan and that he will meet with Abe at some stage. Japan may propose to N. Korea summit without conditions sources Japan may propose to N. Korea summit without conditions sources Source : RT - Daily news Despite the Trump administrations pressure on Cuba and threats to impose a full and complete embargo, US tourists have been flocking to the country in record numbers, according to data provided by Cuban authorities. Washington is working hard to portray Cuba as a villain that impedes the ascent of democracy in Venezuela by keeping the crisis-hit country under occupation. However, that doesnt seem to do much to discourage US tourists from swarming the islands world-famous white sand beaches. Also on rt.com Trump threatens Cuba with 'full embargo and highest-level sanctions' over Venezuela Michel Bernal, commercial director at Cuba's tourism ministry, said Monday that there has been an almost twofold increase in visitors from the US in the first four months of the year. 93.5 percent more US citizens visited Cuba from January to April than during the same period of last year, he said, as quoted by Granma, the official newspaper of Cubas communist party. That has made the US one of the top two countries that supply tourists to Cuba. The US only trails behind its northern neighbor, Canada. Cuba saw a seven percent increase in total tourist arrivals compared to the previous year. Bernal noted that, while choosing their holiday destination, visitors apparently paid no heed to Washingtons hostile rhetoric. Despite defamatory campaigns against Cuba, 13.5 percent of tourists that visit us say they chose the island for its safety, he said. A total of 1.93 million foreign visitors came to the country in the first quarter of 2019. While the number of tourists to Cuba in on the rise, there has been a mild setback in terms of European arrivals. The number of visitors from Germany, Italy, Spain and Britain decreased on average by 10-13 percent, while the number of tourists from Russia grew. As its quest to oust Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro from power stalls, the Trump administration has been piling pressure on Cuba and Russia, the main allies of Caracas. US special representative for Venezuela Elliott Abrams has indicated that Washington plans to slap new sanctions on Havana and Moscow if they do not cease backing the Venezuelan leader. We will have more sanctions, Abrams told the Washington Free Beacon, in an interview on Monday, adding that the new measures might be unveiled over the next weeks. There is a long list and we are basically going down the list, Abrams said. Reversing the Obama administrations detente with Cuba, Trumps White House has employed arm-twisting tactics against the island. Last week, it allowed US citizens to sue foreign companies profiting from properties that Cuba seized or nationalized after the 1959 revolution, by refusing to renew the decades-old suspension of the 1996 Helms-Burton Act, which had reinforced the embargo. Cuba denounced the law as illegal and a miscarriage of justice. It also drew ire from the EU, that said it runs counter to international law and US-EU agreements. Earlier, Donald Trump threatened to impose a full and complete embargo, together with highest-level sanctions on Cuba if it does not withdraw its support from Maduro. Think your friends would be interested? Share this story! As Pakistani healthcare workers fight to eradicate Polio in the country, mass hysteria has gripped many communities as fake news and malicious rumors are shared on social media, prompting calls for action by the tech giants. The parental refusals due to propaganda on Facebook regarding the vaccine is emerging as the major obstacle in achieving complete eradication of the virus, Babar Atta, who helps to oversee the Pakistans vaccination drive, said in a statement as cited by NDTV. Atta has requested that Facebook block and/or manage the dissemination of such anti-vaccination propaganda. Also on rt.com Toxic reaction: Anti-vaxxers may be wrong, but Facebook censoring people for being wrong is worse At least five people were killed during the last anti-polio vaccination drive in April. Vaccination worker Abdullah Jan, 35, was shot in the head repeatedly Saturday, the fifth gun attack against healthcare officials in the space of a month. Mobs recently burned a village health center in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and pelted medical workers vehicles with stones. Mosques reportedly aired warnings that children were suffering cramps, vomiting and diarrhoea after being dosed with poisonous anti-polio drops. These claims were soon followed by rumors of child deaths as a result of being vaccinated. In the Peshawar province, some 45,000 children were hospitalized complaining of nausea and dizziness, though health officials stated there were no confirmed deaths amid what they described as a mass hysteria. The mistrust in one segment of society, that refuses vaccinations due to religious beliefs, is translating into the rest of the country, which is something not seen in the past, Atta added. In Islamabad alone some 10,000 refusals per day were recorded, skyrocketing from just a few hundred in previous campaigns. Vaccination efforts have been plagued for years by intractable resistance from certain elements of society particularly following a CIA-organized fake vaccination drive to help track down former Al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden in Abbottabad in 2011. Also on rt.com CIA barred from using vaccinations as cover after dozens of doctors killed Thousands of parents have refused to vaccinate their children as a result, jeopardizing future vaccination initiatives aimed at eradicating the disease. Ultra-conservative religious leaders and Taliban authorities have been known to spread rumours that vaccines contain ingredients that are haram (forbidden in Islam) or that they cause infertility as part of some population control conspiracy. Militants have also attacked vaccination teams in recent years resulting in some 100 killings since 2012. Despite such setbacks and an increasingly skeptical populace, vaccination proponents have reported a 96 percent drop in reported cases of polio since 2014 as tens of millions of children were successfully vaccinated. Polio has persisted in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Nigeria despite international efforts to eradicate the disease throughout the 20th century. Think your friends would be interested? Share this story! Pope Francis on Tuesday implicitly blessed efforts by North Macedonia and other Balkan countries to join the European Union. Skopje could look to its most famous daughter, Mother Teresa, as a stimulus to build a common destiny, he said. After two days in Bulgaria, Francis arrived in the North Macedonian capital for a 10-hour stop, Reuters reported. He become the highest profile international figure to visit since the country changed its name from Macedonia in January. Addressing authorities in Skopjes presidential palace, Francis praised the newly named countrys crucible of cultures and ethnic and religious identities that could serve as an example to others. Six Western Balkan states Albania, Bosnia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia are in various stages of accession process to join the EU. Pope Francis encourages N. Macedonias bid to join EU on Skopje visit Pope Francis encourages N. Macedonias bid to join EU on Skopje visit Source : RT - Daily news The pilot of a fighter jet shot down south of Tripoli by the Libyan National Army is allegedly a Portuguese fighting in Libya as a mercenary, Haftars forces claim, as photos of the captured pilot covered in blood emerge online. Portuguese pilot shot down in Mirage jet by General Haftars forces in Libya reports Portuguese pilot shot down in Mirage jet by General Haftars forces in Libya reports Source : RT - Daily news In a dramatic departure from its usual reliability it appears the media has got the Russian spy whale story all wrong. Far from being a secret agent a new report suggests the whale actually provides therapy to troubled children. The, seemingly slandered, white beluga whale was the subject of countless newspaper articles and news packages last week as Western media outlets fell over themselves to engage in their latest round of Russia bashing. Also on rt.com Well done, Comrade Belugov! Did Russian Navy whale trick Norwegians into seizing spy harness? Many of the breathless reports noted that the whale, who was dubbed Hvladimir in Norwegian media, had a very playful disposition and was friendly towards humans. Now a fresh report from Norways Fiskeribladet newspaper suggests theres a good reason for that: the whale was trained to entertain and offer comfort to children suffering from mental health problems. Morten Vikeby, a former journalist at the newspaper, did a story on whales trained for therapy purposes near Russias border with Norway back in 2008. He said he believes the tame whale which appeared off the eastern coast of Norway is called Semion as he recognized it from his visit to the facility. The newspaper published archived video footage from the visit on Tuesday. Vikeby said the harnesses found on the whale were probably used to tow small boats with children on board. Thats also the reason the whale is so social, he said. He thrives among people. Several of the tricks performed by the whale in the video are similar to those performed by Hvladimir, where it currently resides in Norway. The new theory about the whales origins was welcomed by Norways fisheries inspectorate, which currently has responsibility for the whale. We had thought along the lines of espionage or war, but now it looks like this is a whale trained to do good, spokesperson Jrgen Ree Wiig told Fiskeribladet. Thats fantastic. Like this story? Share it with a friend! A St. Petersburg court has reduced the sentence of Russian video blogger Ruslan Sokolovsky on Tuesday, retroactively sentencing him to six months of suspended time. The blogger came into the media spotlight back in 2016 after posting a video of himself playing Pokemon GO in a church, while making controversial remarks about Christianity. The remarks led to Sokolovsky being found guilty of inciting hatred towards religion and insulting religious beliefs in May 2017. He originally received three and a half years of a suspended sentence, which was later downgraded to two years and three months. At the same time, he was added to a list of extremists. As first-time offenses under Russias extremism law were decriminalized by order of President Vladimir Putin late last year, Sokolovskys lawyers filed an appeal, although by now the blogger has already served much of his suspended sentence. Sentence cut for Russian church Pokemon catcher, convicted for inciting hatred against Christians Sentence cut for Russian church Pokemon catcher, convicted for inciting hatred against Christians Source : RT - Daily news Ukrainian national oil and gas firm Naftogaz said it filed a complaint to the European Commission accusing Russian energy giant Gazprom of anticompetitive practices in relation to the Nord Stream 2 pipeline which bypasses Ukraine. Via the complaint, the Ukrainian state-run company proposes a series of remedies that would mitigate Gazproms anticompetitive behavior, the statement reads. Naftogaz wants the Russian corporation to make gas available to European purchasers on Ukraines Eastern and Western borders at a price equal to the price offered to Nord Stream 2 customers adjusted for relevant transportation costs. Also on rt.com Ukraine vows 'merciless war' to secure Russian gas transit to Europe The document was prepared in close cooperation with European best experts and lawyers, Naftogaz executive director Yuriy Vitrenko posted on Facebook. The Ukrainian company says that the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which is currently being constructed by Gazprom in partnership with five European energy majors, will change the direction of gas flows, making virtual reverse flows through Ukraine impossible. According to Naftogaz, virtual reverse flows represent a scheme of gas deliveries that allows Ukraine to purchase the Russian fuel from European buyers by acquiring its share during the process of transiting. In other words, after rejecting gas purchases from Russia, Kiev still wants to buy Russian gas which is intended for Gazproms European customers, but physically doesnt reach them. The Ukrainian corporation also accuses Gazprom of entirely bypassing the Ukrainian gas transmission system, which would be left stranded, or at least significantly marginalized. Also on rt.com Berlin says crisis in Ukraine & Nord Stream 2 pipeline are two separate issues According to Vitrenko, if the complaint is addressed by the European lawmakers, Kiev will be able to retain earnings from transits of Russian gas through Ukrainian territory, as well as reduce the cost of its own gas imports from Russia. The Nord Stream 2 pipeline, running from Russia to Germany under the Baltic Sea, is expected to be finished by the end of the year. After the full overdrive launch, the project will double the existing pipelines capacity of 55 billion cubic meters annually. The pipeline is a joint venture involving Gazprom, German oil and gas firms Wintershall and Uniper, French multinational Engie, British-Dutch energy corporation Royal Dutch Shell, and Austrian energy company OMV. For more stories on economy & finance visit RT's business section A US aircraft carrier group and bomber task force were deployed to the Middle East after a tip-off on a credible threat from Iran, which came, conveniently vague and timely, from Israeli spy agency Mossad, it has been reported. At an April 15 meeting in Washington, Israeli National Security Council chief Meir Ben-Shabbat passed along a warning to US National Security Advisor John Bolton, senior Israeli officials told Axios. The information Bolton received was left vague: the attack could hit a US target in the Persian Gulf, or maybe Saudi Arabia, or maybe the UAE. It is still unclear to us what the Iranians are trying to do and how they are planning to do it, one of the senior officials said, but added it was clear that an unspecified event would take place sometime in the future, which would have unstated consequences. Also on rt.com US deploys aircraft carrier & bombers to Middle East in message to Iran Bolton The Axios report was corroborated by a separate report from Israels channel 13 journalist Barak Ravid, who claimed that Israel had handed over information to the US about an alleged Iranian plot to target US interests in the Gulf. However elusive the bait, Washington eagerly dashed to bite, deploying the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group and a bomber task force to the Middle East, in a maneuver that just happens to play right into Israels hands. READ MORE: 'Lured into war'? Iranian FM warns Trump could be duped into crisis by hawkish 'B-team' Under the Trump administration, the US has been parroting Israels hardline policies towards Iran, the Jewish states regional archrival, first withdrawing from the landmark 2015 nuclear deal and then hitting Tehran with fresh rounds of sanctions. Last month, Washington went as far as to formally designate the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) a terrorist organization. Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu laid bare his relationship with US President Donald Trump, saying the terrorist listing was done at Netanyahus request. Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan did not specify from where he received the valuable intelligence, tweeting only that the deployment of the strike group represents a prudent repositioning of assets in response to indications of a credible threat by Iranian regime forces. The Mossad doesnt have the most trustworthy record when it comes to intelligence on Iran. It was likely the Mossad who, in 2004, passed fabricated documents to Iranian opposition group the Mujahedin-e-Khalq (MEK) which falsely portrayed Irans civilian nuclear energy program. Think your friends would be interested? Share this story! US President Donald Trump is facing heavy criticism for pardoning a former US soldier, once sentenced to 25 years in prison for murdering an Iraqi prisoner in 2009. The White House announced on Monday that Trump signed an executive grant of clemency, a full pardon, for Michael Behenna. The 35-year-old was convicted and sentenced to 25 years in prison by a military court for the killing of an Iraqi prisoner suspected of being part of Al-Qaeda. Behennas sentence was later reduced to 15 years by the army clemency and parole board. He was released as soon as he was eligible for parole in 2014 and ordered to remain on parole until 2024. READ MORE: 'Our property now': (Most) US lawmakers rejoice over Assange arrest Behanna shot and killed Ali Mansur Mohamed in 2008 after he took him to a railroad culvert for questioning without authorization, instead of taking him home as instructed. Behenna stripped and questioned the prisoner at gunpoint about a roadside bombing that killed two members of a platoon under his command. Behenna claimed he shot Mansur in self defence after the prisoner moved towards him and the soldier thought he might reach for his weapon. Afterwards, Behenna didnt inform anyone of the killing, according to the Washington Post, and Iraqi police found Mansurs body the next day. Not only does the presidential pardon free Behenna of the restrictions of parole for the next five years, it also clears his record of the conviction. In a statement, Sarah Sanders said Behennas case has attracted broad support from the military, Oklahoma elected officials, and the public. Behenna is entirely deserving of this Grant of Executive Clemency, Sanders wrote. READ MORE: British student released from jail despite life sentence in UAE over spying for UK government However Sanders enthusiasm for the former model prisoner is not shared by human rights groups, including the ACLU who lambasted the president for pardoning a convicted murderer and war criminal. Many critics took to Twitter to share their dismay at the presidential pardon, and highlight particularly gruesome details pertaining to the killing and Behennas subsequent statements. Behennas case has been aided greatly thanks to family ties and legal expertise. His father is Scott Behenna, who has worked for both the FBI and Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. While his mother, Vicki Behenna, is an attorney and former longtime federal prosecutor in Oklahoma City, reports NPR. Like this story? Share it with a friend! The moment an activist attempted to crack an egg on the head of Australian PM Scott Morrison has been captured on video. Both Morrison and the egg survived intact, though an elderly woman got knocked over in the ensuing scuffle. Morrison was ambushed by a young female protester as he campaigned at the Country Womens Association State Conference in Albury, New South Wales, on Monday. After Morrison delivered his speech, he went into the crowd, blending in with the predominantly female attendees. As he was chatting the voters up, a woman approached from behind in what looked like an attempt to smash an egg on Morrison's head. It is unclear if it went according to plan, as the egg appeared to either have bounced off Morrisons head or to have missed it by an inch. In any case, it apparently landed on the floor, fully intact. A photo posted by ABC News reporter Dan Conifer shows presumably the same egg without a hint of a scratch or a crack. The woman was immediately rounded-on by Morrisons security detail. In the chaos that ensued, an elderly woman got knocked down and had to be helped up by Morrison himself. The Daily Telegraph reported that the protester showed no remorse as she voluntarily headed to a police station. The young woman, whose identity was not revealed, was allegedly protesting the Morrison governments migration policy, in particular the infamous Manus Island migrant detention camp. Also on rt.com 'Did anyone bring an egg for this guy?' Australian PM gives places of worship $55mn for fence & CCTV Detention facilities on Manus Island and Nauru have become symbols of Australias controversial practice of outsourcing the detention of asylum seekers to third parties with questionable human rights records. The facilities have long been associated with mistreatment, torture and abuse. Last month, there were reports of a fatal typhoid fever outbreak among asylum seekers and refugees on Manus Island. READ MORE: Australia to reopen notorious migrant detention center after govt. fails to block medevac bill In a string of tweets following the incident, the PM chose to focus on the older lady who was knocked out off her feet and how he helped her up and gave her a hug, while denouncing the protester as a cowardly activist and her act as thuggery. An egging trend in the Australian politics was set off by a teenage protester in March, who egged an Independent Senator after he appeared to blame Muslims for the attacks on New Zealand mosques. Think your friends would be interested? Share this story! Nadia People wait in queues to cast their votes at a polling station at Gayeshpur in Bangaon parliamentary constituency, during the fifth phase of Lok Sabha elections, in Nadia district, Monday, May 6, 2019. (PTI Photo) The 2019 Lok Sabha elections have provided an opportunity for image-makeover companies, political slogan writers and experts in bullet-proofing vehicles, according to a Bloomberg report. Held in seven phases, India's general election is the world's costliest. The current election is expected to cost almost $8.6 billion, according to the Centre for Media Studies. Helicopters are in high demand, with companies charging Rs 1.5 lakh per hour for single-engine helicopters and Rs 2.5 lakh for twin-engine helicopters, the report said. Moneycontrol could not independently verify the news. The cost of hiring business jets is even higher, with the price going as high as Rs 4.6 lakh, the report added. Jalandhar-based Laggar Industries, which specializes in armouring vehicles, has been receiving a good number of orders. "So far, we have armored 30 to 35 vehicles during this election and its a good number," Sanchit Sobi, Laggar Industries director, told Bloomberg. The companys staff has been working overtime to complete orders, customizing vehicles to handle gunfire and grenade attacks. Such modifications and additions to vehicles cost Rs 6 lakh to Rs 40 lakh, and an order takes about two to three months to complete, the report said. Politicians and political parties also hire strategic consultancies and advertising agencies. "In terms of volumes, the advertisement business is around 25 billion rupees (Rs 2,500 crore) for this years election. And some 20 to 25 agencies must be working with political parties," Raaj Hiremath, the managing director of Ushak Kaal Communications, told the news agency. Strategic consultants typically assist politicians with speeches, slogans and social media, which helps improve their image in the public eye. "Every image is carefully crafted. It depends on the objective the client has. If he wants to portray himself as an educated politician, all publicity material will be designed that way." Sudhanshu Rai, the founder of communication firm Saints Art, told Bloomberg. But, there are some businesses of which prospects are not bright this election season. Selling traditional campaign material has become less lucrative because the focus has shifted to social media. National Aviators Guild (NAG), the union of Jet Airways pilots, has approached the Supreme Court asking it to intervene and effectively rescue the airline, just days before the deadline for its bidding expires. May 10 is the last day to submit bids, and four bidders -- Etihad Airways, TPG Capital, Indigo Partners and the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) -- have envisaged interest. But there is an increasing concern that none of the bidders may bid, and that may have prompted the NAG to approach the Court. Blaming the banks for circumstances that forced the airline to suspend operations on April 17, the petition asked the Court to direct the lenders to release money and restart operations. The union said banks had failed to fulfil their promise to inject Rs 1,500 crore into the airline. The petition lists eight respondents, including the Indian government, State Bank of India - the lead lender, industry regulator DGCA and Jet Airways itself. The Union has also asked the Court to prevent the government and the DGCA from allotting Jet Airways' slots in airports to its competitors, "on a permanent basis." The government last month said it will allot 440 Jet Airways slots in Mumbai and Delhi airports to other airlines for three months. Through the petition, they also asked the Apex Court to intervene and prevent the government from allotting seats under bilateral agreements on international sectors to other airlines. They also highlighted the worry that Jet Airways aircraft are being de-registered and given to competition. NAG said, giving away these assets "are totally inexplicable decisions taken without having regard to its effect on the future of 22,000 employees of Jet Airways." With fewer slots and aircraft, Jet Airways employees fear that none of the bidders will find the airline attractive as an asset. Consequently, another group of employees had approached SBI Caps, which is overseeing the process, and had offered to take over the airline. The senior management at Tata Steel's UK unit is expected to meet representatives of labour unions later this week in a crucial meeting amid concerns over the European Commission's probe into the proposed joint venture with thyssenkrupp. The meeting, which could be held on May 10, is important for the management to address employee concerns. Employees are worried that the two partners will offer to sell or close down units in the UK for receiving the commission's nod to clear the joint venture. The commission is probing if the JV, which was finalised in 2018, will hamper competition and pricing in some key steel segments in the European market. "There is a meeting with the European workforce representatives. Some news can be expected," said an industry executive based in London. The meeting will be a follow up of a similar one between union representatives and Tata Steel Chairman N Chandrasekaran in Mumbai last month. Officials of European Works Council and Community were present in the meeting. The unions have have been unhappy about Tata Steel and thyssenkrupp not consulting them before presenting remedies to the Commission. Responding to queries from Moneycontrol, a Tata Steel spokesperson said: "Tata Steel and thyssenkrupp believe the comprehensive package of solutions proposed do address the concerns expressed by the European Commission, while also supporting the industrial logic of the joint venture and the interests of all our stakeholders. "We believe the proposed joint venture would help both companies address the structural challenges the European steel industry continues to face, offering the greatest potential to safeguard jobs and steelmaking for generations to come." New concerns cropped up after Financial Times in a report earlier this week said that the commission could block the JV. Executives separately told Moneycontrol that it is possible that the commission will ask for further remedies from the two partners. The commission had identified three industry segments -- automotive steel, coated steel used for packaging and electrical steel -- where the JV may harm competition. But thyssenkrupp said there is 'scope for agreement.' A Reuters story, quoted a thyssenkrupp spokesperson saying: "The Competition Commission has taken the reworked commitments proposed by ThyssenKrupp and Tata Steel as an opportunity to conduct another market test. There are still a number of ways to adjust our commitments without compromising the commercial logic of the joint venture." Given the new concerns, it will be important for the Tata Steel Europe management to convince unions of its proposals, especially if more concessions are to be offered to the commission, which is expected to deliver its verdict by June 17. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Lenders of Asian Colour Coated Ispat may later this week vote on the bid from JSW Steel, which has twice tweaked its proposal for the bankrupt company. The Sajjan Jindal-led steelmaker, which was the sole bidder for Asian Colour Coated, has raised its earlier bid of Rs 1,200 crore to Rs 1,500 crore. This includes Rs 1,100 crore for the secured lenders, and Rs 400 crore for the unsecured ones. "The lenders had met in Delhi last week, and the unsecured ones had asked for a higher share," said a senior executive from the industry. Consequently, JSW Steel further tweaked its proposal and is said to have hiked the amount meant for the unsecured lenders. The exact breakup couldn't be ascertained. The vote by lenders marks a change in the stance by the Committee of Creditors and the resolution professional, who earlier had moved the NCLT to extend the bid submission deadline. The Resolution Professional, Kuldip Kumar Bassi, had filed the petition, which was to be heard on April 10. Later, the hearing was postponed to May 13. "If the lenders do vote for on the JSW Steel bid this week, then the RP could withdraw the petition," said the executive. Bassi refused to comment. Asian Colour Coated, which has a debt of Rs 4,900 crore, specialises in downstream, galvanised and colour coated products. Asian Colour Coating Ispat has manufacturing facilities close to Delhi and Mumbai, and specialises in downstream, galvanised and colour coated products that it exports to Europe, Latin America and Africa. It has an annual capacity of one million tonne. Steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal is also expected at the star-studded ceremony in the city. (Image: Reuters) Raking up LN Mittal's association with his brothers' bankrupt companies, Essar Steel Asia Holdings filed a petition at the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) on May 7, seeking rejection of ArcelorMittal's proposal to acquire Essar Steel. "Lakshmi Mittal and Arcelor Mittal India Ltd (AM) had 'conspired to suppress vital facts' and misled the Committee of Creditors, the Honble Supreme Court and the Appellate Tribunal into believing that Lakshmi Mittal and AM had ceased to have any business association with his brothers Pramod Mittal & Vinod Mittal and their companies," said a release from Essar Steel Asia Holdings, which is a shareholder in Essar Steel. But instead, the petition alleged, Mittal had continued to have business relations with his brothers, "and accordingly AM was ineligible to submit a resolution plan under Section 29A of the IBC." The Section prevents the promoters of defaulting companies from bidding for stressed assets. With the petition, which was filed on behalf of Essar Steel director Prashant Ruia, the promoters of the company are making a last-ditch attempt to wrest back the family jewel. ArcelorMittal spokesperson couldn't be reached for comment. Earlier this year, the Tribunal had cleared the way for ArcelorMittal's Rs 42,000 crore bid for Essar Steel. But at present, operations creditors have challenged the way the money will be distributed, asking for a bigger share compared to the financial creditors. Standard Chartered Bank has also moved the Tribunal on similar grounds. Essar Steel Asia Holdings put in a proposal to invest Rs 54,000 crore, but this was not taken up by the banks. In its petition, Essar Steel Asia Holdings alleged that Gontermann Peipers and GPI Textiles, owned by Pramod and Vinod Mittal, are classified as NPA. Pramod Mittal may have cleared at least some part of the dues. In March, he cleared dues of Rs 2,200 crore owed to State Trading Corporation of India. But an industry executive said these dues could be of different companies, from those mentioned in the petition by Essar Steel Asia Holdings. ArcelorMittal's response to the allegations This is the latest in a long line of frivolous attempts by the defaulting promoters of Essar Steel to distract from the central fact that Indian lenders have declared ArcelorMittal as the most credible owner of Essar Steel. Following the Supreme Court judgement of October 2018, ArcelorMittal paid Rs7,500 crores to the lenders of Uttam Galva and KSS Petron to become eligible to bid for Essar Steel. In contrast, the promoters of Essar Steel, who are responsible for leading the company into insolvency, have failed to repay any amount to lenders and reverse their ineligibility as required by the Supreme Court. ArcelorMittal has stated on numerous occasions that there is absolutely no business connection between Mr Lakshmi Mittal and his brothers. Allegations regarding ArcelorMittals ineligibility on account of companies associated with Mr Mittals brothers have already been raised by the promoters of Essar Steel before the Supreme Court, which refused to even entertain such assertions. The latest allegations of the Essar Steel promoters are yet another attempt to subvert the directions of the Supreme Court and the IBC, critical government legislation. Their assertions are irrelevant, misleading and will be rebutted in the strongest possible terms. ArcelorMittal has reiterated to the courts its commitment to make an upfront payment of Rs 42,000 crores to Essar Steels creditors. This article has been updated with the latest developments live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Rocked by allegations of questionable corporate governance practices, Sun Pharma said it will constitute a corporate governance and ethics committee to oversee corporate governance related matters. The company said that it will formalise the corporate governance and ethics committee in the upcoming board meet. "Our learning is that apart from being rightlegally and technicallywe also have to take into consideration how the transaction would be perceived by the world outside. Even though our actions were legal and in the best interests of the company, we thought it is important to address investor concerns," said Sun Pharma's Managing Director Dilip Shanghvi in an interview to The Economic Times. Shanghvi further added that the company will remain committed to creating long-term value for shareholders . On Sudhir Valia, Shanghvi said he continues to be a valuable resource for the company, but over the last couple of years, he has decided to focus more on pursuits outside Sun Pharma. Sudhir Valia, promoter-director and brother-in-law of Shanghvi, has come under lens for alleged diversion of funds to his real estate firm Suraksha Realty from Sun Pharma. Sun Pharma has denied these allegations. India's largest drugmaker's corporate governance practices are under scanner on reports of a whistleblower's complaint to SEBI highlighted Sun Pharma's dealing with subsidiary AML. It also made allegations of money laundering and lending by AML to Suraksha Realty. Market regulator SEBI has swung into action, and has raised queries on Sun Pharma seeking details of those alleged transactions. Moneycontrol was unable to independently review the whistleblower's complaint. The report alleged the Sun Pharma's payment to Aditya Medisales was transferred to the promoter and group companies between 2014 and 2017. In another complaint last year, the whistleblower is said to have alleged irregularities involved two or three major rounds of foreign currency convertible bonds (FCCBs) issues by Sun Pharma during 2002-2007, which was managed by Jermyn Capital, that had links with banned traders Ketan Parekh and Dharmesh Doshi. They were also allegations related to insider trading and loans to third parties without proper disclosures. Damage control mode Sun Pharma's stock that saw rally last year on resolution of US FDA warning letter on its key Halol manfucturing site in Gujarat, however lost steam towards the end of the year. The company's shares plunged 33 percent from 52 week high and were trading at Rs 454.35, in the process the company lost close to five billion dollars in market value. Some foreign brokerage firms have downgraded the stock, while others have exited raising concerns over governance. Alarmed by these developments, Sun Pharma's management has swung into action. To limit the damage, the company had discontinued the super stockist arrangement with AML and also announced unwinding of loans given to third parties. The management in January had met foreign institutional investors (FIIs) like Goldman Sachs and Temasek, and apprised them of actions taken and company's growth story. On the business front, Sun Pharma is facing pricing pressure in US and a antitrust litigation settlement related to a generic drug called Modafinil. The payoff related to the company's bet on specialty pipeline, with launches of three specialty drugs in US, may take longer time than anticipated. China focus Shanghvi said he is focusing on entering new growth markets like China. Sun Pharma earlier tried to get into China but had to exit to difficult conditions to operate in that market. Currently, the presence of Indian drugmakers in Chinese market is miniscule. It used to take around five years to get an approval in China to get marketing authorisation even for a generic drug. It takes around 10 months in US and 3-6 months in India for a similar approval. Commerce Ministry data shows that India exported around $27.11 million worth of pharmaceutical products to China during FY17, while its total Indian pharma exports during the same period stood at $16.84 billion. On contrast, India imported close to $2 billion worth of active pharmaceutical ingredients and intermediates in FY17 from China. But drug makers say things have started easing in China, with Chinese government's focus on improving overall quality of drugs sold in their country. China had earlier said it will not take much time to approve drugs filed from US FDA compliant facilities and reduced tariffs on many cancer drugs. The after-effects of Cyclone Fani is still being felt in Odisha four-days after it made landfall on May 3 with several areas reporting severe damage to land and property. Insurers said losses have already touched Rs 2,000 crore with majority of claims coming in from crop and property insurance holders. We are still assessing the damage. However, initial reports peg the losses around Rs 2,000 crore. This could well be revised upwards since several claims of property destruction are coming up, said the claims head at a mid-sized private life insurer. A single-point helpline will soon be set up by individual insurance companies to ensure that claims are filed on one single platform. Nodal officials will also be deployed to Odisha for this process. More than 500 building structures and over 300 factories including those of core manufacturing companies are said to have been destroyed by the impact of Cyclone Fani. The Odisha Airport also saw structural damage due to wind speeds of over 200 km per hour. Insurance companies are in the process of deploying surveyors to Odisha to assess damage to the properties insured. Crop damage will be assessed using satellites and drones. This will be cross-checked with the information provided by farmers. There will also be a process of simplification of the claims settlement process. Till date, 35 people have died from the impact of Cyclone Fani. Last year, insurance companies received claims of about Rs 3,200 crore from the Kerala floods. Here, a majority of claims were from the motor insurance segment since several cars/bikes were submerged in water for days on end after incessant rains lashed the state in July and August 2018. Insurance claims from natural catastrophes have seen a big jump. In the past five years, cyclones including Hudhud and Phailin as well as flash floods in Uttarakhand have led to almost Rs 17,000 crore in insurance claims. Claims from global natural catastrophes in 2018 were pegged at $76 billion, according to the Swiss Re sigma report. The combined insurance losses from natural disasters in 2017 and 2018 were $219 billion, the highest-ever for a two-year period. India and the US are engaged in talks to iron out thorny issues that have dogged trade relations between the two countries. US commerce secretary Wilbur Ross is currently in India to attend Trade Winds, the annual trade mission programme of the US department of commerce. Ross met commerce and industry minister Suresh Prabhu on Monday, May 6, 2019 to discuss issues where disagreements persist. Heres a lowdown: What are the reasons behind the fissure? On June 10, 2018, US president Donald Trump accused India of charging 100 percent tariff on some imports, after leaving the G-7 summit in Canada. He threatened to cut down trade ties with countries that were robbing America. Whats Trumps biggest objection? Year India-US trade surplus in $ bln 2013-14 16.6 2014-15 20.6 2015-16 18.5 2016-17 19.9 2017-18 21.3 Trumps biggest objection is the growing trade imbalance. India enjoys a trade surplus with the US, which Trump wants to be reversed. Indias exports to the US in 2017-18 stood at $47.9 billion, while India imported goods worth $ 26.6 billion during the year. The trade surplus stood at $21.3 in Indias favour. Whats the Trump administrations main argument on trade with India? Trump has argued that exports at zero or very low duties under the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) is hurting the US. GSP allows market access to about 3,500 products to the US. In April 2018, the Trump administration had said it was reviewing the GSP eligibility of India, Indonesia and Kazakhstan. Whats status of the GSP review? On March 4, 2019, the Trump administration announced that it was withdrawing the GSP benefits for India, along with Turkey, from May 1, 2019. Under the GSP programme, certain products are given duty free access to the US market if beneficiary developing countries meet the eligibility criteria established by the US Congress. GSP criteria include, among others, providing the US with equitable and reasonable market access. What are the main issues with GSP benefits extended to India? The US launched an eligibility review of Indias compliance with the GSP market access criterion in April 2018. According to the USTR India has implemented a wide array of trade barriers that create serious negative effects on United States commerce. Despite intensive engagement, India has failed to take the necessary steps to meet the GSP criterion. Have the GSP benefits been withdrawn following the announcement in March? Not yet. By statute, these changes may not take effect until at least 60 days after the notifications to US Congress and the Indian government, and will have to be enacted by a Presidential Proclamation. That hasnt happened yet. India's total GSP benefits were to the tune of only USD 190 million last year. What are the other main problem areas in Indo-US trade relations? The Trump administration has repeatedly said that it wants lowering of duties on several products including Harley Davidson motorbikes. In February, 2018, India had cut the import duty on heavier motor bikes such as Harley Davidson to 50% from 75%. The US wants it lowered even further. It also wants India to reduce price caps on medical implants such as stents and knee caps. The US also wants lower tariffs and greater access to the Indian market for its dairy products. In March 2018, Trump imposed tariffs on foreign made steel (25%) and aluminum (10%). India is the worlds 14th-largest steel exporter. It exported iron and steel worth $320 million and aluminium worth $350 million to the US in 2016-17. The US ranked seventh as a destination for Indias steel exports, accounting for 5% of exports. Aluminum and steel together account for around 3% of Indias exports to the USA. These were aimed at getting US companies to buy local products and boost domestic metal industry. Trump has justified the tariffs as a way to fight back against an assault on USA by foreign competitors. The Trump administration has time and again insisted that India is resorting to discriminatory trade practices. It has challenged Indias export subsidies at the WTO. It has threatened to increase import tariff on thousands and thousands of Indian motorcycles to the US. How has India responded to the Trump administrations move to raise tariffs on steel? On June 20, 2018, India announced that it will raise tariffs on imports of 29 products from the US, including almonds, apples and phosphoric acid, worth $10.6 billion. This was in retaliation to the steel and aluminium tariff hikes by the US in March 2018. This higher tariffs implementation, however, have been delayed multiple times. On May 2, 2019 India further pushed back the implementation by 14 days to May 16, awaiting more clarity on from the US on its decision to withdraw duty-free benefits under GSP to Indian exporters. What has been main points of discussion between Indian and US officials during Wilbur Rosss ongoing visit? US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross held bilateral discussions with Commerce and Industry Minister Suresh Prabhu on May 6 on a raft of issues. The US wants India to review its decision to cap prices on medical devices such as knee implants. The US is also pressing India to review its recent ecommerce policy and the Reserve Bank of Indias (RBI) insistence on financial services companies to store data in local servers. Whats the issue with Indias e-commerce policy? In a tweaked policy for the e-commerce sector that kicked in from February 1, 2019, India has barred online retailers such as Flipkart (now owned by Walmart) and Amazon from selling products of companies in which they own stakes. According to the new rules, a vendor/seller will be deemed to be controlled by an e-commerce marketplace entity if more than 25 percent of its total sales are to one specific online market place. The new rules are predicated on the assumption that these will level the field among online and offline retailers. Local offline retailers have been lobbying with the government that online market places, flush with foreign money, are driving brick-and-mortar stores out of business. The US is of the view such policies are discriminatory and distorts trade. Whats with the RBIs data localisation policy that has upset the US? On April 6, 2018, the RBI notified that payment companies will have to store transaction data of Indian customers within India. This rules will apply to all payment firms, including Mastercard, Visa, American Express, Paypal, Google Pay, WhatsApp, PayTM and PhonePe among others. RBI wants unfettered access to all data on full end-to-end transaction details, information collected, carried and processed as part of the message or payment instruction to be stored in local servers in India. This will also include data stored with third party vendors and other entities in the payment ecosystem. The data for the overseas leg of a transaction, however, can be stored in a foreign country. Many global companies had sought more time to comply with the rules. The Trump administration is not happy with these rules and Ross has raised it with Prabhu during the bilateral meeting on May 6. In 2018, two US Senators John Cornyn and Mark Warner have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to adopt a softer stance on data localisation. Whats happening US-China trade front? Just as it was appearing that the US and China were close to a deal, President Donald Trump's tweets hinted that the talks are at a risk of a breakdown. On Sunday, May 5, Trump tweeted that tariffs of 10% on certain goods would rise to 25% on Friday, and $325bn of untaxed goods could face 25% duties "shortly". The Trade Deal with China continues, but too slowly, as they attempt to renegotiate. No!" he tweeted. He followed that on Monday, May 6 by tweeting that the US had been "losing" $500bn a year on trade with China. "Sorry, we're not going to be doing that anymore!" his tweet said. Markets across the world, including India, saw this as an impending possibility of a full-blown trade battle between the worlds two largest economies that can potentially snowball into a global trade war. What does this mean for the global economy, given that it trade flows are subject to a rules-based regime under the World Trade Organisation (WTO)? While, it is tempting to simplify US President Donald Trumps trade combat with China as a matter only between the worlds two biggest economies, the consequences actually spread across continents. Since March 2018, both the countries have erected tariff walls to check goods a entering each others territories. In the last 14 month, between them, Washington and Beijing have imposed import taxes worth about $400 billionan amount approximately equivalent to Indias current foreign exchange reserves. This has left the rest of world, including India, as stranded bystanders, giving the feeling of being crushed over by two mammoths who want to alter global trade rules, but on their own terms. In all of this, WTO, the worlds trading cop, has been found wanting on its policing responsibilities in helping hammer out a solution. The head of the International Monetary Fund said on May 7 that fresh trade tensions between the United States and China were the main threat to the world economy. "Clearly the tensions between the United States and China are the threat for the world economy," Christine Lagarde told journalists at a conference in Paris, adding that recent "rumours and tweets" made an agreement between the countries less likely. President Donald Trump jolted global markets on May 6 by threatening on Twitter that tariffs already imposed on $200 billion in Chinese exports to US would more than double to 25 percent on May 3 from their current level of 10 percent. Also speaking at the Paris Forum event, French Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire warned about the impact of a trade war between the world's two biggest economies. "We are following the current negotiations very closely between China and the United Staters and we want them to respect the principals of transparency and multilateralism," he said. He called on the two sides to "avoid taking decisions that would threaten and would undermine global growth in the months ahead." "Increasing tariffs is always a dead-end and a negative decision for the whole world, for the United States, for China, for the eurozone, for Europe and world growth," he said. China said on May 7 its top trade negotiator will visit the United States for talks with his American counterparts this week. The countries have been locked in talks to resolve tensions that have seen both of them impose tariffs on goods worth $360 billion. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has described the negotiations as 90 percent complete but told reporters that in recent days the talks went "substantially backward", which he blamed on China reneging on previous commitments. Representative Image Delhi International Airport Ltd, a GMR group company, plans to raise USD 350 million through 10 year senior secured bonds for the airport expansion programme and Moody's has assigned a Ba2 rating for the proposed bonds. Proceeds from the proposed bond would be used to help fund a major expansion to increase the passenger handling capacity of Indira Gandhi International Airport to up to 100 million passengers per annum, which the company expects would cost up to Rs 98 billion ( Rs 9800 crore) over a three-year development phase, Moodys said. "Moody's Investors Service has assigned a Ba2 senior secured rating to Delhi International Airport Limited's (DIAL, Ba2 stable) proposed 10 year senior secured bond of up to USD350 million," the rating agency said. The proposed bond's Ba2 senior secured rating reflects the airport's strong market position and robust passenger traffic, which would likely grow at a high single-digit percentage per annum over the next 18 months under Moody's base case scenario, it said. The rating agency however, said Delhi Airport's ratings are constrained by its planned capacity expansion, which would exert downward pressure on its financial metrics, the evolving regulatory environment in India and its obligation to pay 45.99 per cent of its revenue to the Airports Authority of India as a concession fee. After accounting for the proposed USD notes, Moody's expects that DIAL's funds from operations/debt would remain weak over the next 2-3 years, with a very limited buffer above the minimum tolerance level of 3-4 per cent Moody's said. Moody's base case financial projections assume that aeronautical tariffs would stay at the current level during the third regulatory period between April 2019 and March 2024 and there was no material uplift to the airport's financial position arising from its arbitration proceedings with the Airports Authority of India on the calculation of the 45.99 per cent concession fee. Despite its elevated leverage position, DIAL's liquidity position is strong, with cash holdings and short-term investments totaling Rs 2600 crore as in March 2019 and these assets provide the airport with additional financial flexibility over the next 12-18 months, the agency opined. DIAL is the concessionaire for Indira Gandhi International Airport, under an Operations, Management and Development Agreement, entered into in 2006 with the Airports Authority of India. Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime in India is not likely to reduce the deficits of state governments significantly, amid large and growing expenditure mandates for the social sector as well as capital spending, says a report. According to S&P Global Ratings the institutional framework for Indian states is evolving, but there is structural deficits due to persistent revenue expenditure mismatch. S&P Global Ratings credit analyst YeeFarn Phua in the report titled "Public Finance System Overview: Indian States" noted that the passage of the GST bill in 2017 is a major overhaul of tax structure and will help to widen the tax base and improve revenues of state governments. "However, states will continue to run large deficits because a significant part of this imbalance is from the expenditure side. States are unable to cut expenditures because of large and growing expenditure mandates for the social sector as well as capital spending. Therefore, the revenue-expenditure gap will remain large," said Phua. Further, policy implementation remains sub-par in India, the report noted. Another significant development in recent years has been the adoption of an amended Fiscal Responsibility Management (FRBM) Act, which forms the fiscal framework, in March 2018, the report noted. Under the amended FRBM Act, the government will target a debt-to-GDP ratio of 60 per cent with the split being 40:20 for central government and states. Further, the government will use fiscal deficit as the key operational target, the report said but added that the FRBM committee lacks the authority to mandate its core recommendations. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Astec Lifesciences shares fell 4.8 percent intraday on May 7 after the company decided not to pursue merger with Godrej Agrovet. The stock was trading at Rs 509.25, down 3.22 percent on the BSE, at 11:27 hours IST. Godrej Agrovet was up 0.29 percent at Rs 517.05. The company (Astec Lifesciences), at its board meeting on May 6, reviewed the proposal and decided not to pursue the scheme of amalgamation, on the basis of its interaction with multiple stakeholders across the company and Godrej Agrovet. In September 2018, Godrej Agrovet and Astec had approved draft scheme of amalgamation. The proposed scheme was aimed at ensuring a streamlined group structure; reducing the multiplicity of legal and regulatory compliances; and simplification of the management structure processes. Godrej Agrovet holds 57.39 percent stake in Astec that primarily involves manufacturing of active ingredients and intermediates for agrochemicals. Promoter has 68.95 percent shareholding in Godrej Agrovet by end of March 2019 and Singapore state investment firm Temasek holds 12.87 percent stake in the same. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Lemon Tree shares rallied 2 percent intraday on May 7 after opening a Red Fox Hotel in Rajasthan. The stock was trading at Rs 73.50, up 0.82 percent on the BSE, at 11:58 hours IST. The mid-priced hotel sector chain informed exchanges that it opened a hotel under brand name Red Fox Hotel which is located at Alwar, Rajasthan. "This is our second managed hotel in Alwar, Rajasthan," the company said, adding the hotel has 49 rooms with a conference facility, multi-cuisine coffee shop, bar, fitness centre, etc. With the opening of this hotel, it presently operates 56 hotels including managed properties across 33 cities in India. Sumit Agrawal Last week, in a series of orders, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has charged the National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) and certain officials with providing unfair access to bourses co-location facility to some trading members, corporate governance violations, providing dark fibre/leased line connectivity to certain trading members and so on. The orders are a result of a long-drawn out investigation after a whistle blower complained to the markets regulator in 2014-15. However, the orders are still wanting on many counts; they havent fully determined ill-gotten profits, they havent examined SEBIs own mechanism to review systems of stock exchanges even when it does periodic inspections, and they havent streamlined the process of dealing with growing whistle blower complaints in regulatory enforcement. It is unknown how disgorgement is going to be used to compensate the victims, if they are identifiable. In some instances, SEBI seems to have inflicted self-goals, passed creative directions and it is unlikely that they will stand up to the test of legal scrutiny. Issues in the co-location order In the co-location matter, SEBI has not been able to find sufficient evidence to conclude that NSE has violated the regulators unfair trade practices regulations. However, SEBI said that that there was enough evidence to show that NSE did not exercise the requisite due diligence while putting in place the TBT (tick-by-tick) architecture. In other words, NSE failed in its primary duty as an exchange to ensure equal and fair access to all trading members. Accordingly, SEBI has banned NSE from accessing the securities markets for 6 months (essentially postponing its initial public offer), directed the exchange to disgorge Rs 625 crore (with 12 percent this becomes close to Rs 1000 crore), and asked the bourse to initiate an inquiry under its Employees Regulations against two employees for failing to discharge their duties. There are several issues here. One, while the penalty for NSE seems large at Rs 1000 crore note that it is only about half of the Rs 1,994.77 crore revenues earned from co-location (and disclosed in quarterly results) that were kept in an escrow account pending investigation. Two, SEBIs order seeking an inquiry tells NSE to fix(ing) accountability on the employees. That prejudges the outcome of such an inquiry at NSE. Moreover, in an unprecedented move, SEBI has asked Ravi Narain and Chitra Ramkrishana, both former MDs and CEOs, to disgorge 25 percent of their salaries from the financial years 2010-11 to 2012-13 and 2013-14 respectively to its investor education and protection fund. There are questions about the applicability of clawback provisions (contrary to standards applicable in service law) as also the lifting the corporate veil to determine vicarious liability when no case of fraud has been established. It is unusual and SEBI needs to resist passing creative directions. Corporate governance and the Ajay Shah issue A related issue was that of NSE providing some data to Ajay Shah and Infotech Financial Services to create a liquidity index. This said data was alleged to have been misused for developing commercial algorithm-based trading software. SEBIs order held that Narain and Ramkrishna overlooked conflicts of interest, were negligent, and did not ensure fairness and transparency. It said that NSE provided this data without initially even putting in place a policy to share data. The order noted that Infotech was not even trying to recover the fees payable to it by NSE which made it clear to SEBI that gaining access to the exclusive data was the key consideration for the company. That said, the order also confirmed that there was no concrete evidence to establish collusion of NSE with Ajay Shah or Infotech in their plan to misuse the data. Ajay Shah, Infotech, and certain officials of NSE have been barred from accessing the markets for certain periods of time. All that is well, but from a legal standpoint, it is rare for a regulator to enter into a private agreement between the parties to the contract, and determine its breach and ask for its enforcement by one of the parties. Could a statutory power be used to repudiate a contract, which itself is not regulated by the regulator? SEBIs contention seems to be that when a data sharing agreement meant purely for research assumes the colour of a commercial agreement and a few people exploit this privileged data, it leads to serious issues leading to compromise of market integrity. But does it prove that SEBIs fraudulent and unfair trade practice regulations have been breached? That will be the orders litmus test when it is appealed at the Securities Appellate Tribunal. OPG and the dark fibre There are some issues from a legal standpoint in the order pertaining to OPG which is alleged to have gained preferential and unfair access to tick-by-tick data. SEBI calculated that OPG Securities made unlawful gains of Rs. 15.57 crore, which it has been directed to disgorge along with interest. OPG has also been held to have violated SEBI regulations on prohibiting fraudulent and manipulative practices as well as the Code of Conduct applicable to a Stock Broker. SEBI has not only prohibited OPG from accessing securities in its proprietary account for five years, but also not take any new clients for one year in its capacity as stock broker, both from the date of the order. Firstly, it is perplexing how an order inflicting sanctions is implemented immediately vitiating a right to appeal. Later, pending an appeal at SAT, SEBI comes up with a relaxing order to allow the broker to close out its open positions in the market. From a strategic point of view, SEBI committed - an error, if not hara kiri - by passing an addendum order and loosening its stand, just two days after passing the final order. Conclusion It is unfortunate that this episode has questioned the credibility of stock exchanges and the way information is stored, reviewed, and shared, notwithstanding the regulatory review of Ministry of Finance and SEBI. However, whats more perplexing is the loopholes in some of the orders as mentioned earlier. While some parties have approached SAT and have also obtained interim relief, the complete story of unequal colocation and unfair access remains a mystery. (The author is Founder, RegStreet Law Advisors and a former SEBI Official. Views are personal. sumit@regsla.com Brent crude rose on Monday, briefly hitting an eight-month high above USD 121 a barrel, as Iran halted exports to British and French companies ahead of a European Union embargo. Policy easing by China and hopes for a Greek bailout also buoyed prices. Brent crude was up 47 cents at USD 120.10 a barrel by 1455 GMT, having hit a session high of USD 121.15 earlier. The level was the highest since mid-June last year. In euro terms, Brent crude is nearing its record high hit in summer 2008, according to Reuters data. US crude hit USD 105.44 a barrel, its highest since May last year. It was up USD 1.69 at USD $104.93 around the same time. Volume was moderate due to a public holiday in the United States. Iran, OPEC's second-largest producer, ordered a halt to its oil sales to British and French firms on Sunday in retaliation against tightening EU sanctions as ties with the West remained strained over its disputed nuclear programme. But the announcement came after European oil buyers had already made big cuts in purchases from Iran months ahead of the sanctions. "Banning the tiny quantities of exports to the UK and France involves very little risk for Iran - indeed quite the opposite, it catches the headlines and leads to a higher global oil price, which is something Iran is very keen to encourage," said Caroline Bain, commodities analyst at the Economist Intelligence Unit. Fears of supply disruption in Iran and upbeat economic data from the world's largest oil user, the United States, have pushed oil prices up over the past month. JP Morgan Chase raised its 2012 price forecast for Brent crude by USD 6 to USD 118 a barrel on supply risks and rising economic growth. It also raised its forecast for 2013 to USD 125 a barrel, up from USD 121. Political issues in Iran, Syria, Sudan/South Sudan, Nigeria and elsewhere are creating increased demand for crude stocks, analysts led by Lawrence Eagles said in a February 19 note. Speculators sharply raised their net long positions in the week to February 14, data from the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission showed on Friday. China easing, Greece bailout Investors' appetite for riskier assets rose after China's central bank on Saturday cut banks' required reserve ratio (RRR), boosting lending capacity by more than USD 50 billion and supporting the demand outlook for commodities from the world's second-largest economy. "The RRR cut will most likely result in an acceleration of economic activity and that China's first-quarter growth is likely to surprise us on the upside," ANZ analysts wrote in a note. Expectations Greece will secure a debt bailout this week also supported oil prices. Euro zone finance ministers are expected to approve a second rescue package for Greece at a meeting on Monday, a move to put the country on a more stable financial footing and keep it inside the single currency region. March U.S. gasoline futures rose to slightly above USD 3 a gallon on Monday after a fire idled BP Plc's 225,000 barrel per day (bpd) Cherry Point, Washington, refinery. Market analysts expect the outage to lift gasoline prices on the US West Coast in the coming weeks. Oil prices were under pressure on Tuesday from concerns the escalating Sino-U.S. trade dispute could slow the global economy, while U.S. sanctions on crude exporters Iran and Venezuela helped keep the market on edge. Brent crude oil futures were at $71.09 per barrel at 0341 GMT, 15 cents, or 0.2 percent, below their last close. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were at $62.20 per barrel, 5 cents below their last settlement. Analysts said there were a number of factors driving oil prices. One is a concern that global economic growth is threatened by the intensifying trade dispute between the United States and China. Talks between the world's two biggest economies hit a wall over the weekend, when U.S. President Donald Trump announced a raft of new import tariffs on Chinese goods. "U.S.-China trade tensions are set to be at the forefront of the market's collective mind this week, as any nuance out of discussions in Washington could trigger knee-jerk moves by traders," said Han Tan, analyst at futures brokerage FXTM. Tanker brokerage Eastport said in a note that "worsening trade friction between Washington and Beijing poses a downside risk to our forecasts" for petroleum products. On the supply-side, oil markets remain tense as the United States tightens sanctions on Iranian oil exports, saying on Monday it was boosting its military presence in the Middle East. Iran has threatened "reciprocal actions" against U.S. sanctions, which could mean restarting some of its nuclear programme. The U.S. sanctions have already halved Iranian crude oil exports over the past year to below 1 million barrels per day (bpd), and shipments to customers are expected to drop as low as 500,000 bpd in May as sanctions tighten. Beyond Iran, the crisis in Venezuela has also disrupted oil supplies from this OPEC member, with Washington placing oil sanctions on the Venezuelan government under President Nicolas Maduro. "As the White House raises the stakes on Iran and Venezuela, what is the oil endgame?" asked Bank of America Merrill Lynch in a note. "The Venezuelan political situation seems untenable but oil exports could continue to contract until the industry receives a capital injection, a dim prospect for now," the bank said. "In addition ... Iran oil exports could collapse further over the coming months. While America's maximum pressure policy on these two regimes may pay off, additional oil supply losses cannot be ruled out," it added. Bank of America said it expected Saudi Arabia "to bring back oil production slowly as Iranian barrels exit the market", adding that overall it saw Brent crude oil prices having a floor at $70 per barrel in current market conditions. you are here: The Indian economy is in the grip of a slowdown and things are likely to worsen. Rising oil prices and the inability to boost exports puts the balance of payments at risk. That in turn will compel India to do one of two things. One, find ways to cut the import bill, as discussed earlier. Two, move quickly to woo foreign investments. The latter is easier said than done because the government has not made investors feel that their investments are safe. Foreign Direct Investments during April- December decreased 7 percent compared to a year ago and is unlikely to pick up anytime soon. The issue of arbitration still rankles foreign investors. A bit of context is in order here: In 2014, the government cancelled all bilateral investment treaties (BITs) India had with 58 countries. The Centre wanted these countries to sign a modified BIT which forbade foreign investors from approaching international arbitration tribunals without first exhausting legal remedies in India. Given the abject rate of dispute resolution in India, no country has signed these amended provisions barring Cambodia and Belarus with whom India has little foreign trade. As a consequence, a significant part of foreign direct investment flowing into India now is funds from companies which have already invested heavily in India and need to keep their investments profitable and relevant. That could explain investments by entities like Vedanta (and Cairn) and Vodafone making substantial investments even while they have challenged certain decisions of the government before international arbitration tribunals. Typically, international arbitration is the most sought after remedy in BITS, according to a report from Nishith Desai Associates. Half the bilateral treaties in existence offer investors the choice of at least two arbitration fora. The report adds that the number of such fora that treaties offer has only increased over time. Unfortunately, India has shown little interest in offering this flexibility to foreign investors. Moreover, the passage of existing cases before international tribunals has not been easy, mostly on account of objections and arguments presented by the government of India which is the major disputant in most cases. Indeed, the National Law Commission has described the Indian government as a compulsive litigant, a view ratified by the Supreme Court. The Nishith Desai report said that India is a respondent in at least 15 cases involving investment treaties, the highest number of suits filed against a host state. Eleven of them are listed in the chart alongside. Some of them have been pending since 2012. In one case, involving Dewas Multimedia, the government has even gone about filing criminal charges against Indian officials who entered into the agreement with the litigant company. Clearly, if the government wants to invite more FDI, it will have to create rules quickly to convince investors that their investments are safe. One contentious clause is what constitutes an investment. According to existing rules, pre-operative investments -- where the project is not complete -- are not regarded as investments. But how does one protect investments involved in building a road, or a bridge or even a steel plant, which will generate profits and go into operation only after the entire work is completed? Is the entire investment to be dismissed as being without protection because it is pre-operative investment? What happens to the investments made when disputes arise even while construction work is midway? The need to address these issues is extremely urgent. As Nishith Desai points out, With rising state regulation in diverse areas such as public health, environment, economic reforms and security amongst others, international investment treaty law is striving to balance investor protection with state interests. Further, the diminishing distinction between traditionally capital importing and capital exporting states has called for a re-look at BITs and investment protection standards. India has been notoriously lax in effective dispute resolution. That is where institutions like Singapore International Arbitration Centre have stepped in as the ideal seat for arbitration, saving litigants cost and time. India even refuses to pass a binding law that decisions by the tribunal -- based in the new arbitration centre just created in Mumbai -- will not be reopened by Indian courts. Just look at the way in which the Ranbaxy case has continued to drag on, with compensation not being paid to Dai-ichi even after clear and unambiguous rulings by the arbitration tribunal in May 2016. Clearly, the government seeks to protect its own interests over that of investors. That is truly unfortunate. With political pressures rising to create more jobs, which in turn will require more spending on infrastructure and industry, the need for FDI will become more urgent. Expect political pressure to do the trick that common sense was unwilling to accept. That unfortunately has invariably been Indias bane. Most legal redressals are based on political pressure, not on long-term planning based on sagacity and discussion. If India has to gain a place among the best in the world, it has to focus on dispute redressal on a war footing. May 07, 2019 / 09:08 AM IST Here are the stocks that are in news today: Results Today: RCF, Vedanta, Escorts, Ceat, 3i Infotech, ABB India, Brigade Enterprises, Elecon Engineering, Jyothy Laboratories, Sanofi India, Star Cement, VIP Industries Marico Q4: Adjusted net profit up 18.6% at Rs 217 crore versus Rs 183 crore, revenue up 8.7% at Rs 1,609 crore versus Rs 1,480 crore, YoY ICICI Bank Q4: Net profit down 5% at Rs 969 crore versus Rs 1,020 crore, NII up 26.5% at Rs 7,620 crore versus Rs 6,021.7 crore, YoY. Gujarat Gas Q4: Net profit down 15.6% at Rs 116.5 crore versus Rs 138 crore, revenue down 9.9% at Rs 1,907.5 crore versus Rs 2,117.4 crore, QoQ Navin Fluorine Q4: Net profit down 8.7% at Rs 35.9 crore Vs 39.3 crore; revenue up 17.2% at Rs 244.3 crore versus Rs 208.4 crore. Godrej Agrovet Q4: consolidated net profit at Rs 121 crore against Rs 32 crore, revenue up 12.5% at Rs 1,343 crore versus Rs 1,195 crore. Bharti Airtel Q4: Net profit up 24 percent at Rs 107.2 crore, revenue was at Rs 20,602 crore Wockhardt Q4: Net loss at Rs 14.5 crore against loss of Rs 154.5 crore, revenue down 3.8% at Rs 979 crore versus Rs 1,018 crore, YoY L&T Technology Services appoints Abhishek Sinha as chief operating officer w.e.f. May 6, 2019 Capgemini has signed an alliance partner agreement with Majesco for insurance business transformation Hughes and Airtel to combine their India VSAT operations TCS BaNCS Digital Enables Omni-channel Customer Experience at Bank Yahav HDFC Bank to mull 2-for-1 stock split on May 22 HDFC to consider issue of NCD on private placement basis on May 13 Great Eastern Shipping Corporation approved issue of NCDs upto Rs 1000 crore during the year. Lemon Tree Hotels opened a 49-room property in Alwar, Rajasthan Sterlite Technologies - the promoters have informed that they have reached an "in-principle" agreement with their lenders, basis which they expect the removal of Pledge of Shares of the company to get completed by end of July, 2019 CG Power: Agreement terminated with Ganz Villamossagi Zrt and Alester Holdings with respect of the sale of assets and shares of the company's businesses in Hungary owned by the company's subsidiary, CG Electric Systems Hungary Zrt Prabhat Telecoms approved re-appointment of Vishwamani Tiwari as Managing Director of the company till March 2024 Mcleod Russel completed the sale transaction for sale of the equity stake held by Borelli Tea Holdings Ltd, UK, (a wholly owned subsidairy) in Pfunda Tea Company, Rwanda Dhanuka Agritech launches LARGO for cotton and chilli crop protection in India IOB has identified 32 properties for sale including prime properties in Singapore and Hongkong aggregating in value to Rs 900 crore PNC Infratech announces execution of share purchase agreement for divestment of stake in Ghaziabad Aligarh Road Project Indias rules on localisation of data and price caps on medical devices imported from the United States are barriers to trade but New Delhi is committed to addressing them after the countrys elections, US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said on May 7. Speaking at a business conference in New Delhi, Ross said there were still overly restrictive market barriers in India. The United States is Indias second-biggest trade partner after China. We applaud Indias commitment to addressing some of these barriers once the government is re-formed, probably starting in the month of June, Ross said in a speech. Indias 39-day general election ends on May 19, and votes will be counted four days later. Ross met his Indian counterpart Suresh Prabhu on May 6, after which New Delhi said that the two countries would engage regularly to resolve outstanding trade issues. India and the United States are locked in disputes over tariffs, price caps India has imposed on imported US medical devices, and rules banning companies from selling products via firms in which they have an equity interest. Ross said Indias recent push to force foreign companies to store more of their user data locally was a hindrance to trade. Our role is to eliminate barriers to US companies operating here, including, data localisation restrictions that actually weaken data security and increase the cost of doing business, he said. Last year, global payments companies including Mastercard, Visa and American Express unsuccessfully lobbied India to relax central bank rules requiring all payment data on domestic transactions to be stored locally. Ross said Indias 2017 decision to cap prices of medical devices made in the United States was also an issue. US President Donald Trump announced in March that he would end preferential trade treatment for India that allows duty-free entry for up to $5.6 billion worth of its exports to the United States. As President Trump has said, trade relationships should be based and must be based on fairness and reciprocity. But currently, US businesses face significant market access barriers in India, Ross said. These include both tariff and non-tariff barriers as well as multiple practices and regulations that disadvantage foreign companies. US goods and services trade with India totalled an estimated $142.1 billion in 2018, with the United States running a deficit of $24.2 billion. Our job is to try to get a more level playing field for American companies, US commerce secretary Wilbur Ross told CNBC-TV18 in an exclusive interview. Present in India to participate in a US-government sponsored trade forum, Ross said, "The whole treatment of Walmart after their acquisition of Flipkart is an important issue. Walmart is continuing to expand here. Similarly, MasterCard, there are problems with data localisation where MasterCard is still continuing to invest. So the American companies are showing goodwill and cooperative attitude towards Make in India and the other programs, but there is a limit to (India's) discriminatory behaviour." Ross further said the US is the largest source of foreign direct investment into India, and therefore hopes that India's 'fundamental philosophy' of favouring Indian business over foreign ones would gradually change. On the trade event, he said, "We had to turn down some of the people who applied late," adding, "This year, we will have over a 100 companies participating." On talks with commerce minister Suresh Prabhu, Ross said, "We had very constructive discussions and I met not just with (commerce) minister Prabhu but also with (finance) minister Jaitley and it has been about an hour with the Prime Minister earlier today. So we had very good, very extensive, very far reaching discussions." Ross was supposed to be in India for the US-India commercial dialogue in February this year but had to cancel due to scheduling issues. The US in March this year had announced withdrawal of GSP benefits for Indian exporters beginning May 2nd through a presidential proclamation. US president Donald Trump has called India 'Tariff King". India has postponed her plans of imposing retaliatory tariffs on 29 US products till May 16th. Government sources, responding to this allegation, said the Tariff King labeling is not appropriate as US and other countries charge higher duties on some products. They further said, average tariffs imposed by India on american goods are at 13.7 percent which are closer to that of South Korea (13.7 percent) and China (9.8 percent). The interview has been edited for clarity and brevity. Source: CNBC-TV 18 The much-publicised US-China rivalry is not just confined to trade. It is spilling over to other areas as well. Indias digital payment space is fast emerging as a battlefield of sorts as US and Chinese companies lock horns to assert their supremacy. California-headquartered Facebooks WhatsApp is reportedly testing waters for its payment service WhatsApp Pay in India. Stakes are clearly high as it is up against the mighty opposition of Paytm, which is backed by Chinas Alibaba. What is worth noting is the start for the US company on the payment turf has been anything but smooth. It has already hit a regulatory wall even before the announcement of the launch date. A petition filed before the Supreme Court alleged that WhatsApp does not comply with the governments data localisation and protection norms. The Reserve Bank has already mandated that WhatsApp cannot store payments data outside India even at the trial stage, which the company has agreed to comply with. That means WhatsApp Pays debut in India is going to be a costly affair. The company can launch its payments service after setting up its data centres in India, which will require fresh investments. Additionally, it will have to pass all regulatory tests, which may take a few months. In India, Paytm still retains its first-mover advantage. It is by far the largest mobile payment company with around 33 percent market share and an estimated user base of more than 300 million. Digital payments got a fillip after the government decided to ban high-value notes in November 2016. More or less every digital wallet company gained business during demonetisation, but it was Paytm that walked away with the cake, with the app catching the fancy of nearly every Indian with a smartphone to carry out small transactions. The digital boom even got international players hooked to the India story. It was not long before biggies such as Google came out with its payment app Google Pay and Amazon with its wallet Amazon Pay. Battle lines are clearly getting drawn. And WhatsApp Pay is staring at a formidable list of rivals including Google Pay, Amazon Pay and Walmart-Flipkarts PhonePe. Also, sooner or later, Apple will bring its wallet Apple Pay to India. Google is clearly playing a catch-up game. It launched its payments service Google Pay in India in September 2017. Things could have been way different had the search giant launched the service before the cash ban. Till March, it had around 45 million monthly active users, more than three times the 14 million a year ago. Given the dominant position of Paytm, its only natural that WhatsApp Pay, when launched, will run into a Chinese roadblock. The script for e-commerce companies such as Amazon and Walmart-Flipkart is a little different. Their payments wallets are used only by their own customers, mainly for cashbacks. Even wallets owned by telecom companies are used the same way. What is working in favour of WhatsApp is its wide reach and acceptance. The social network firm already has some 300 million users in India where even political parties use the app as a key tool to reach out to voters, given its popularity in the country. WhatsApp Pay would do well not to lose sight of the fate of mobile wallets firms. India had more than 60 mobile wallets by 2017- end, which is down to less than 50 as cash slowly made its way back into the system. No doubt, WhatsApp is a late entrant. But it is coming to a market where mobile wallet transactions are projected to cross Rs 275 trillion by 2022, from Rs 1.54 billion in 2016, according to a study by Assocham-RNCOS. Meanwhile, the governments Unified Payments Instrument (UPI), which is used by mobile wallets and banks to facilitate digital transactions, is gradually making its presence felt. There were 781.79 million transactions through UPI amounting to Rs 1.42 trillion in April, up from Rs 1.33 trillion in March, data from the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) showed. Total value of transactions stood at Rs 27,022 crore alone in April 2018. The field is wide open, but challenges are galore. Can WhatsApp crack the payments code in India? Well, thats a billion dollar question. In the pocket borough of the Badal family here, their 'bahu' and Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal is facing an electoral challenge from two sitting Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) and an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) rebel as she seeks to retain the Bathinda parliamentary constituency for the third time. Traditionally, Bathinda seat, which is also known as Punjab's cotton belt, has been considered as the stronghold of the Akali Dal as its candidates have won from here on eight occasions. The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has reposed confidence in Harsimrat Kaur Badal, the daughter-in-law of Akali stalwart Parkash Singh Badal, from Bathinda despite earlier speculations that she could be fielded from Ferozepur seat. The SAD patron and five-time chief minister Parkash Singh Badal has been campaigning for his daughter-in-law. The ruling Congress has given ticket to sitting MLA from Gidderbaha Amrinder Singh Raja Warring while the Aam Aadmi Party has fielded Talwandi Sabo legislator Baljinder Kaur. Rebel AAP leader and Punjabi Ekta Party chief Sukhpal Singh Khaira is also in the fray. He had last month resigned as MLA for contesting the parliamentary elections. As the poll campaign picks up in Bathinda, the candidates are targeting each other with Harsimrat Kaur Badal calling her opponents as "fugitives" and Warring attacking the Badal family for the 2015 sacrilege and police firing incidents. "Three fugitives have been fielded against me. One belongs to ruling party and two others are in opposition, said Harsimrat Kaur Badal while addressing public meeting in her constituency. Wife of the SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal, Harsimrt Kaur Badal had first contested from Bathinda in 2009 but lost to Raninder Singh, son of chief minister Amarinder Singh by 1.20 lakh votes. In 2014 Lok Sabha polls during Modi wave, the winning margin of Harsimrat Kaur Badal was just over 19,000 votes as she defeated Manpreet Badal, the estranged cousin of Sukhbir Badal. Bathinda parliamentary constituency has nine assembly segments of which five seats are represented by the AAP and two each by the Congress and the Akali Dal. It has a total 15.89 lakh voters. Also read: Opinion | Amarinder Singh has the Congress safely placed in Punjab To win over support of the voters for the third time, Harsimrat Kaur Badal, also called 'Biba ji', is banking on the "unprecedented" development in the constituency and at the same time, she is hitting out at her political opponents by raising the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, operation Bluestar and unkept poll promises by the Congress government. "The Congress party is one of the biggest liars as it made false poll promises (during 2017 assembly polls). Is there any single farmer whose debt has been completely waived off? Rather 1,500 farmers have committed suicides (in last two years)," she had said at the rally. She also reminded people of the development projects carried out during the 10-year rule of the SAD-BJP regime and launched an offensive against the Congress government for stalling development in the state. "I seek your support for third time to take the development works forward. There is no doubt that the Modi government is going to repeat again at the Centre," she said. She termed Warring a 'dramebaaz' for spending a night at a Dalit's house, who resided near the residence of the Badal family. Lashing out at Harsimrat, the Punjab chief minister said voters would punish her for her "arrogance" and the sacrilege incidents under the previous SAD-BJP rule. Amarinder Singh was also of the view that Harsimrat as Union minister failed to support Punjab on various issues with the Centre. Warring dubbed his electoral battle as fight between "commoner and rich" and lambasted the Badal family for allegedly looting Punjab for 10 years. In his public address, he also attacked Badals for the 2015 sacrilege and police firing incidents and asked voters to oust Harsimrat Kaur Badal from Bathinda seat. Warring is also being supported by his better half Amrita Warring who has been aggressively campaigning in the constituency. "If Harsimrat, who has food processing ministry, had wanted she could have created 15,000 to 20,000 jobs here," Amrita Warring said. PEP nominee and AAP rebel Sukhpal Singh Khaira criticised both the Congress and the Akali Dal for "destroying" Punjab. "I hold the Congress and the Akali Dal responsible for destroying Punjab. In Bathinda, the government schools, dispensaries are in pathetic condition," he said. File image The BSP and the SP May 7 termed Prime Minister Narendra Modi "chowkidar (watchman) of capitalists" and asserted the two alliance partners will "shake the roots" of the ruling party. Addressing an election rally in favour of alliance candidates of Jaunpur and Machhlishahr seats, the alliance termed the Congress "anti-dalit"and alleged that the grand old party wants people to stay poor. "Both the BJP and Congress are anti-dalits... the Congress, which is claiming to provide Rs 6,000 (under its proposed 'Nyay' scheme) only wants people to remain poor and helpless," BSP chief Mayawati told the gathering. Terming Modi the "chowkidar (watchman) of capitalists", she alleged that he helped the rich become richer. "BJP is going out of power in these elections... it has failed to fulfil the promises made in 2014 to the poor and middle class... despite all this, how can the prime minister seek votes again," Mayawati said and termed GST and demonetisation the cause of corruption. "Terror attacks are taking place and the government is busy taking mileage out of the Army's valour," she claimed. She alleged that farmers in Uttar Pradesh are facing immense hardship because of stray cattle and blamed the Yogi Adityanath government for it. In his address, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav said, "The BJP is standing on a foundation of lies and our alliance will shake its very roots... perhaps the BJP is not aware of the alliance storm." "This time, people will snatch the chair of the chaiwala-turned-chowkidar," he said, and asked, "How can the prime minister, who got scared of a jawan in Varanasi, face terrorism and naxalism." Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 7) The chapter of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) in President Rodrigo Dutertes hometown of Davao City is not taking the surfacing of a man claiming to be Bikoy sitting down. In a statement on Tuesday, the IBP Davao City chapter scored IBP National for supposedly going against the core purpose of the mandatory lawyers organization in letting itself become a staging area for Bikoys show. Bikoy's storyline is polluted and it's source comes from the very mouth of an alleged suborner himself, IBP Davao City said. It added that it will not tolerate any statements from the leadership of the IBP National that will result in the politicization of the organization. Peter Joemel Advincula appeared yesterday at the IBP headquarters in Pasig City to ask for legal aid as he eyes filing charges against members of the drug syndicate which he said he was part of. Advincula also revealed himself to be Bikoy the hooded figure in the Ang Totoong Narcolist videos which tagged Dutertes family members and his close allies to be deep into the illegal drug trade. The IBP has repeatedly disowned the press conference, saying that they had no hand in organizing it and did not invite members of the media to come to their headquarters. If he is yet to be vetted and he is still, up this moment, an applicant, I personally find impropriety in staging a press conference at IBP. He can call a press conference in any other venue, incoming IBP President Domingo Egon Cayosa told CNN Philippines The Source. Cayosa said he is clueless as to who let Advincula hold a press conference at their headquarters. He added that he does not think that outgoing IBP President Abdiel Fajardo would allow a presser like that. Fajardo was present during the press conference and answered questions from the media after Advincula read his prepared statement. Cayosa said they are still asking around to determine how and why this happened. Asked if he thinks the IBP was used in the surfacing of Bikoy, Cayosa said, Its possible. The IBP has received flak from Dutertes son, former Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte, who was among those tagged in the Ang Totoong Narcolist videos. "Nakakawala ng respeto ang IBP. Mga abogado kayo, matatalino sana kayo, pero, nakapagtataka lang na ang bilis ninyong paniwalaan ang sinasabi ng isang kilalang scammer na nagpakilalang si Bikoy," said the younger Duterte in a Facebook post. [Translation: I have lost my respect for the IBP. You are lawyers, you are supposed to be smart, but it is strange that you immediately believe a statement of a known scammer who introduced himself as Bikoy.] LOOK: Bong Go bares back again after Bikoy surfaces But Cayosa debunked this, saying they have not issued any statement saying they believe the claims made by Advincula. We understand the concern and the sentiment of the Presidents son. These are serious allegations. But we assure everyone, not only him, but the whole membership of IBP and the Filipino people that this will be looked into. Well be very transparent of he result of our fact finding, Cayosa said. Cayosa said the IBP is vetting Advincula to see if he is qualified to receive free legal aid. Among the things they are checking is if he cannot afford a lawyer, if his case is similar to previous cases handled by the IBPs National Committee for Legal Aid, if his motivations are pure, if it serves the public good and the interest of the marginalized, if he has enough evidence, and if he is not being used by anyone. Advincula has denied any links to any candidate, especially the opposition coalition Otso Diretso. Cayosa said their vetting might take some time. I think for this controversial case, it wont be done overnight, he said. Aside from Paolo, Special Assistant to the President Christopher Bong Go and others tagged in the Ang Totoong Narcolist videos have denied the allegations against them. Malacanang also called it black propaganda against the government. Ang problema kasi eh sirang-sira na itong si Bikoy eh. [The problem is Bikoy has no credibility,] Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a media briefing on Tuesday. Panelo hinted of a bombshell from the police who are probing Advincula, but refused to disclose details. Very obvious na [that] its a black propaganda and its also obvious that hes [like a] pawn, ginagamit [being used,] Panelo said. Advincula reiterated his claim that Paolo and Go have tattoos on their backs that he has scanned to verify transactions within the syndicate. Following his surfacing yesterday, Go bared his back again to show that he has no tattoos. Paolo has refused to do the same. 9 | India - 618.17 (Image source: moneycontrol) Indians could buy at least 10 percent more gold during the annual Hindu and Jain holy festival of Akshaya Tritiya than a year ago, industry officials said, as a dip in prices prompted consumers to increase purchases. A rise in consumption by the world's second-biggest gold consumer could help global prices which are currently hovering near a 4-month low, but could widen India's trade deficit and put pressure on the rupee. "Demand is picking up across the country. We will end up with at least a 10 percent rise over last year," Anantha Padmanabhan, chairman of the All India Gem and Jewellery Domestic Council (GJC) told Reuters. Indians were celebrating Akshaya Tritiya on May 7, one of the most auspicious times to buy gold, along with Diwali and Dhanteras, which fall in October or November. "Buying gold is a must for me on Akshay Tritiya," said Deepti Mascarenhas as she tried on gold jewellery at a showroom in Mumbai. "This year it is more attractive as jewellers are offering discounts on jewellery making charges." Sudheesh Nambiath, head of the India Gold Policy Center, an industry think tank based at Ahmedabad in western state of Gujarat, estimated that gold sales during Akshay Tritiya account for around one-third of second quarter sales in the country. Gold futures in India fell to 31,240 rupees per 10 grams on Friday, the lowest level in more-than four months and down 8.2 percent from a 2019 high of 34,031 rupees hit in February. The price correction was boosting demand and individual customers were buying more than last year, saidA Ishu Datwani, owner of Mumbai-based Anmol Jewellers. Dealers were charging a premium of up to $2.5 an ounce over official domestic prices this week, up from last week's $2. The domestic price includes a 10 percent import tax and 3 percent sales tax. "In spite of the elections, all the indicators point towards a good buying season this Akshaya Tritiya in comparison to the previous year," said Somasundaram PR, the managing director of the World Gold Council's Indian operations. With voting underway in a general election that began on April 11 and ends on May 19, the Election Commission has made it mandatory for people to show valid documentation if they are carrying more than 50,000 rupees ($722) in cash, or else it could be seized. The ruling has hurt the jewellery industry, especially in rural areas where more than half of gold is bought in cash, said GJC's Padmanabhan. May 07, 2019 / 07:14 AM IST The fifth phase of voting will happen in 51 Lok Sabha constituencies across seven states today, May 6. Nearly nine crore voters will decide the fate of 674 candidates, including political bigwigs Rajnath Singh, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Smriti Irani. Voting will take place in 14 seats in Uttar Pradesh, 12 in Rajasthan, seven seats each in West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh, five in Narendra Modi has been working 18 hours a day for around two decades without taking a leave, while Congress president Rahul Gandhi dashes off to undisclosed foreign destinations at the slightest discomfort, BJP president Amit Shah claimed here on Tuesday. Alleging that Gandhi is in love with the terrorists, he asserted that under Prime Minister Modi, their every 'goli' (bullet) will be retaliated with a 'gola' (mortar shell). "I have known Modi for a long time. For the past 20 years he has not taken a leave. He works 18 hours a day for the people," Shah told an election rally at Masaurhi that falls under Pataliputra Lok Sabha seat. Modi was the chief minister of Gujarat from 2001 till 2014, the year he became the prime minister. "We also have Rahul Baba. Whenever the mercury rises a bit, he runs away to some country of his choice, often leaving even his mother wondering where his son is," Shah claimed. He flayed Gandhi for promising abolition of the sedition law and abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution in the Congress' poll manifesto. The Article grants special status to Jammu and Kashmir and limits Parliament's power to make laws concerning the state. Shah said, "Rahul baba, you are free to croon Ilu Ilu with the terrorists. But under Narendra Modi, every goli fired by them will be retaliated with a gola." "Ilu" is an acronym for "I Love You" popularized by a Bollywood song in the 1990s. "The world has started looking at India differently ever since we taught Pakistan sponsored terrorists a lesson by the surgical strike and, recently, the Balakot air strike. We are now considered as being in the same league with the US and Israel," the BJP president claimed. Urging the people to support BJP nominee Ram Kripal Yadav in the May 19 poll, Shah said, "On the one hand you have the leadership of Narendra Modi who is committed to national security and working tirelessly to improve the lives of ordinary Indians. On the other hand, you have an alliance whose members are interested only in their dynasties." Shah also remembered Sanjay Kumar Sinha, one of the 40 CRPF jawans who were killed in terror attack at Pulwama in Kashmir on February 14. He was a resident of Masaurhi. "Please remember that it was Modi who ensured that Sinha's sacrifice did not go in vain and made the perpetrators of the dastardly attack pay the price. The vote that you will cast in favour of Ram Kripal Yadav, will help Modi," he said. Comprising mostly rural areas of Patna district, Pataliputra is currently represented by Union minister Ram Kripal Yadav whose re-election bid is being challenged by Lalu Prasad's eldest daughter and Rajya Sabha member Misa Bharti. Formed after the 2008 delimitation, the seat has become a prestige issue for the family of the jailed RJD supremo, who had himself lost it to JD(U)'s Ranjan Yadav in 2009 followed by Bharti's defeat at the hands of Ram Kripal Yadav in 2014. Both Ram Kripal Yadav who joined the BJP ahead of the last general elections, and Ranjan Yadav had previously been close aides of Lalu Prasad. Jabin T Jacob For a party that claims to be the best defender of Indias national security interests, it is strange that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) does not have a separate dedicated document on the subject of national security like the Congress does. The BJPs election manifesto, Sankalp Patra, mentions China all of once while referring to the Russia-India-China trilateral framework for multilateral cooperation in the same breath as the Japan-America-India trilateral. China, does, however, appear by implication in a number of instances in the reference to the Act East Policy and the commitments to seeking permanent membership of the United Nation Security Council, increasing the strength of the diplomatic corps as well as setting up of a University of Foreign Policy. Clearly, in the Act East Policy, India faces China as the biggest challenge to its ambitions and activities in East Asia. The call to expand the numerical strength of Indias diplomatic cadre appears to acknowledge the fact that Chinas foreign ministry is one of the largest in the world, while Indias is one of the smallest and simply not up to the task of meeting the multiple demands of modern-day diplomacy and the countrys international security objectives. Read: Congress manifesto falls short on national security, China Perhaps the somewhat crudely named University of Foreign Policy is inspired by the Chinese Foreign Affairs University that trains both Chinese and foreign diplomats? Nevertheless, the real objective should be to develop departments and centres for the study of international relations and area studies in major universities and cities throughout India, not limit it to a single institution. Chinas current international outreach has been built on the back of strong central government, and even provincial government and city government-level funding, for precisely this sort of development of academic institutions and think-tanks across the country over the past couple of decades. In India, however, the policy hitherto vis-a-vis academic and research institutions, has been to rob Peter to pay Paul. Overall, the BJP manifesto is short on any details about policies towards China and the wider region or on how these might be operationalised. There is also the rather large claim that the BJP had [n]ot only succeeded in strengthening our Armed Forces with state-of-the-art defence technologies, but [India had] also become self-reliant in this field. It is hard to believe this is the case except in a select few sectors and especially when compared to the fact that China is one of the worlds largest exporters of military equipment while India remains one of its largest importers. The Congress manifesto points out that under the BJP government spending for national defence as a percentage of the GDP has actually fallen reaching its lowest in 57 years in 2019. If the Chinese effort is in trying to hide the significance of their high military spending through rhetoric that claims China is a peaceful country, in India, the BJP appears to have substituted for the slack in spending with rhetoric of the opposite nature. Glibly threatening the use of nuclear weapons against Pakistan as the Prime Minister has done during the election campaign is a case in point. In the process, India will lose the support of countries that value responsible international behaviour and which have a say in Indias entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG). Thus, on the one hand, we have the Chinese giving the impression of being a responsible power ready for global leadership, even as it consistently undermines international order and regional stability through its actions in the South China Sea. On the other hand, there is India that has since Independence contributed militarily and economically to regional and global stability but which might now be viewed as jingoistic and irresponsible. Loose talk about nuclear weapons also draws greater attention to Indias conventional military capabilities. The fact is that since World War II conflicts, including between India and Pakistan, have been decided on the basis of superiority in conventional weapons and here, Indias lack of indigenisation and heavy dependence on foreign weapons supplies raises increasingly uncomfortable questions. Meanwhile, on the issue of Chinas Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) that has occupied much of Indias and the worlds attention over the past five years, it is appropriate to look at just what the BJP has offered by way of alternatives to countries in Indias neighbourhood and further afield. In May 2017, India had made a strong case against Chinas BRI investments on the grounds that they lacked transparency, accountability, financial viability and environmental standards among other things. However, New Delhi has since then offered precious little either by way of replacing China in important infrastructure projects in the affected countries or in developing their capacities in the aforementioned areas in order to help them negotiate better with the Chinese. None of Indias even lower-scale rivals to the BRI, such as the Asia-Africa Growth Corridor or the Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal network have shown tangible results yet. Despite the constant din around national security in these general elections, the fact is India has been rather poorly served by the BJP government on longer-term issues of national security, and especially, on the challenges posed by China. (This is the second in a two-part series looking at what the manifestos of the Congress and the BJP say about China and national security) Jabin T Jacob is associate professor, Department of International Relations and Governance Studies, Shiv Nadar University, and adjunct research fellow, National Maritime Foundation, New Delhi. Twitter: @jabinjacobt. Views are personal. For more Opinion pieces, click here Rajeev Sharma Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev famously said: Politicians are the same all over. They promise to build bridges where there are no rivers. Can this remark apply to Congress President Rahul Gandhis ambitious scheme called Nyuntam Aay Yojana (NYAY) which he announced on March 25? Much like former Prime Minister Indira Gandhis Garibi Hatao in the seventies and Prime Minister Narendra Modis promise of 15 lakh rupees for every Indian once black money was recovered from foreign accounts, Rahul Gandhis NYAY faces the risk of promising the moon to the electorate during elections. NYAY is a huge scheme, even by global standards and might not have a global parallel. It involves uniform cash transfers of Rs 72,000 a year, or Rs 6,000 a month, to the poorest 20 per cent households, or about 50 crore households based on 2011 census data. It requires mind-boggling Rs 360,000 crore a year, or close to 2 per cent of Indias current GDP. Clearly, this is the biggest announcement made by any political party to the voters this election season. However, has the grand old party managed to take the message of NYAY to the 20 per cent households it is meant to benefit? The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has dubbed Congress NYAY has a bluff and a mere poll gimmick. That said, there is reason to assume that if the BJP had announced this scheme, without doubt the message would have reached the intended beneficiaries. The same cannot be said about the Congress, and for obvious reasons. The BJP has the financial heft and a massive cadre base that would have worked towards popularising the scheme. The Congress is wanting on this front. The Congress also missed an opportunity of running a pilot in a select area in any of the states it is ruling it would have been a tough task but this would have reflected as a testament of its will to implement it across India if it came to power. This would have been possible had the scheme been announced well before the Model Code of Conduct came into effect on March 10. Another big challenge for NYAY would be data about rural households who qualify for the scheme. According to three national surveys, about half of all poor households in rural India did not have a BPL card in 2004-2005. Rohit Tripathi of US-based policy advocacy group Young India has been visiting several Lok Sabha constituencies across India. During his visits he found that Congress candidates were highlighting the benefits of NYAY and juxtaposing it with Modis farm assistance of Rs 6,000 a year and the Rs 15 lakh promise. Tripathi was of the view that in many places people viewed such financial grants with suspicion because of the poor track record of political parties implementing it. In Madhya Pradesh, for example, people were more concerned about whether the Congress-led state government would implement the farm loan waiver it had promised before the assembly polls in December. I dont think policies sway people before implementation when it comes to votes. At least the amount proposed by the Congress makes sense. I dont think that NYAY alone will win them any seats but when put together with other policies, especially in MP, it gives voters a sense of seriousness about the economic challenges of the people, said Tripathi. Without doubt, Congress NYAY scheme has given the party an upper hand over the BJP. When seen together, Rahul Gandhis Rs 6,000 a month is much bigger than Modis Rs 6,000 a year. Moreover, since the NYAY money will be put in the account of the woman in the beneficiary families, the concomitant effect would be women empowerment. A public interest litigation has been filed in the Allahabad High Court contending that the NYAY amounts to bribery and violates the Representation of the People Act, 1951. The case will come for hearing on May 13, but even in the unlikeliest scenario of an adverse court order, it wouldnt create much political impact as by then only one phase (59 seats) of polling will remain. Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav has said that he wants a prime minister from Uttar Pradesh and also hinted that he is ready to back Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati as Opposition's prime ministerial face, without taking her name. According to a report in The Times of India, the SP chief said that the next prime would come from the gathbandhan (alliance) and that he would be happy if it is a woman. SP and BSP are contesting the general election in an alliance. "Desh ka agla pradhan mantri gathbandhan dega aur hum to chahenge ki koi agar aadhi aabadi se ban jaye to usse achchhi koi baat nahi hogi (The alliance will give the country its next Prime Minister and I would be very happy if it comes from the other half of the population," Akhilesh said. Talking to NDTV, the former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister said he wanted the next prime minister to come from the state. He, however, rejected the possibility of a prime minister coming from Varanasi. "It should not be the Banaras (Varanasi) people... He has greatly harmed the country," Akhilesh said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seeking re-election from Varanasi Lok Sabha seat. Akhileshs comment came after PM Modis election rally in Pratapgarh on May 4, in which the prime minister had alleged that the Samajwadi Party was "going soft" on the Congress, as opposed to the BSP, which was attacking the grand old party. Mayawati also rubbished PM Modi charge, saying that he was trying to drive a wedge between SP and BSP by highlighting their different approaches towards the Indian National Congress. The BSP chief also said that the "frustrated" leaders of the BJP were trying to create fissures in the SP-BSP alliance in Uttar Pradesh. "The BJP is frustrated and is trying to create fissures in the alliance," she said, claiming that the joint candidates of the alliance were way ahead of the saffron party nominees in the four phases of polling that had concluded then. Akhilesh, who had earlier floated the idea of his father and SP patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav as the prime ministerial face, has now shown full support to Mayawati. SP and BSP have forged a pre-poll alliance for the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. Of the 80 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh, the BSP is contesting 38, the SP 37 and the Ajit Singh-led Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) three. No candidate has been fielded by the Mahagathbandhan in Amethi and Rae Bareli where Congress president Rahul Gandhi and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi are contesting, respectively. File image Home Minister Rajnath Singh accused the Congress of weakening the fight against terrorism in the country. He also raised the issue of review of articles 370 and 35A. Singh that when former chief minister Omar Abdullah had demanded a separate prime minister for Jammu and Kashmir, the BJP had promptly responded by saying that time had come for their review. "I was shocked when the former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir said that there must be two prime ministers in India. One should be for Jammu and Kashmir and the other for rest of the nation," Singh said. "We responded promptly saying that time has come to review Article 370 and 35A, which give special rights to Jammu and Kashmir and whether we need to remove it or not. The time has come to review it," Singh said. He was addressing a rally here to canvass support for party's West Delhi candidate Parvesh Verma, Singh asserted that Naxalism will be eliminated by 2022-23, and the Modi government is capable of protecting the nation. "The Congress has weakened our fight against terrorism," the Union home minister said. He also lashed out at political parties for questioning the Indian Air Force over the number of terrorists killed in Balakot air strikes in Pakistan that were carried out after the Pulwama terror attack in which 40 CRPF jawans were killed. "...Only vultures count bodies, not the warriors," Singh said. How can one give the number of terrorists killed in an air strike when the figure is too big, Singh asked. "We would tell if one or two persons were killed, how can I answer if the numbers are so big," he said. He asked the Congress why Prime Minister Narendra Modi should not be credited for successful surgical strike and air strike against terrorists as former prime minister Indira Gandhi was feted for the 1971 war by everyone, including former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Citing the achievements of the Modi government, the BJP leader said India is poised to become the third largest economy of the world. It is for the first time after 2004 that price rise has not become a poll issue in general elections, he said. "The rate of price rise in Pakistan is more than 9-10 per cent while it remained in the 2-3 per cent range in India. We have not allowed price rise to cross Wagah border due to our effective fiscal management," he said. File Image Congress president Rahul Gandhi on May 7 said his party will safeguard the forests, land and water of the tribals, if voted to power. The standard of living of the poor would also be improved through the 'NYAY' scheme, he said at an election rally here in support of Congress and 'Mahagathbandhan' candidate Gita Koda from the Singhbhum (ST) Lok Sabha constituency. "We will protect the jal, jungle, zameen (water, forest and land) of tribals," Gandhi said. Asserting that the 'NYAY' scheme would act as a "surgical strike" in eradicating poverty from the country, Gandhi said, "A sum of Rs 72,000 per annum will be deposited in the bank accounts of the tribals, the poor, farmers, small traders." The Congress chief also said 22 lakh government posts are lying vacant, which would would be filled up if the party came to power. Gita Koda, the wife of former Jharkhand chief minister Madhu Koda, is fighting against BJP MP and its state unit president Laxman Gilua from the Singhbhum seat. The northern state of Haryana sends 10 MPs to Lok Sabha. All the 10 constituencies are set to vote in the sixth phase of the ongoing elections, with a total of 1.8 crore voters. Of these, 6 lakh are new voters. In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP had polled 34.8 percent votes, winning seven seats, while the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) won two seats and the Congress finished third with one seat. This time, in the fray, is also Arvind Kejriwals Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which has entered into an alliance with Dushyant Chautalas Jannayak Janta Party (JJP). According to their seat-sharing strategy, the AAP is going to contest on three seats, leaving seven for JJP. At the joint press conference, Dushyant had said the two parties will fight together in the Haryana sssembly polls too. The JJP is a progeny of the two-month-long power struggle among the Chautalas and infighting in the INLD. After being expelled from the party for alleged indiscipline, Hisar MP Dushyant, along with younger brother Digvijay and father Ajay, broke off from INLD and commissioned the JJP in December 2018. Dushyant is the grandson of former Haryana chief minister Om Prakash Chautala, who along with son Ajay is lodged at Delhis Tihar Jail over the junior basic teachers (JBT) scam. Meanwhile, the INLD is under the supervision of Om Prakash Chautalas younger son, Abhay Chautala. This fallout will definitely affect the INLD, which is the biggest Opposition party in the state and polled 24.4 percent votes in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. The impact will be heightened in Jat-dominated seats like Rohtak, Sonipat, Bhiwani and Hisar. According to a recent survey conducted by the Association of Democratic Reforms (ADR), better employment opportunities (44.61 per cent), agricultural loan availability (40.36 per cent) and higher price realization for farm products (33.80 per cent) were the top three voter priorities in the state. Let's take a look at some of the important battles in Haryana. Kurukshetra Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has maneuvered extensively through the constituency, with elaborate campaigns and public speeches from the campus of the Kurukshetra University. The seat gives an edge to BJP with over three lakh Jat voters, 1.25 lakh Brahmins, nearly 1 lakh Sainis and as many from Ror community, the descendants of Maratha soldiers who had fought in the historic battle of Panipat. The BJP has fielded Nayab Saini from the seat, for whom Khattar has campaigned extensively, with the mantra: Mayi baara (May 12), BJP dobara and Teyees mayi (23 May), Congress gai. The only threat facing the BJP in Kurukshetra is a challenge from a breakaway faction called the Lok Suraksha Party, headed by rebel Kurukshetra MP Rajkumar Saini. Saini is looking to mobilise Dalit and minority votes, which will upset the BJPs applecart. Hisar Hisar is going to witness a triangular clash of the dynasts. The BJP has fielded Brijendra Singh, an IAS officer and son of Birender Singh, Steel Minister in Prime Minister Narendra Modis cabinet. Both PM Modi and Birendra Singh have campaigned for his son. Brijendras great-grandfather was Sir Chotu Ram, the great peasant leader from Haryana, and this lineage could help him. Against him in the fray are sitting MP Dushyant Chautala of the JJP and Congress Bhavya Bishnoi. Also Read: Dynasty Watch| The Chautalas of Haryana battle infighting and hurt egos going into LS polls Bhavya is the son of Kuldeep Bishnoi who has a reputation of joining and abandoning parties, living up to his father and former Haryana chief minister Bhajan Lals epithet of Aya Ram, Gaya Ram. Sonipat With the BJP winning the high-decibel Jind assembly bypoll, the saffron party is confident of winning the Sonipat parliamentary constituency. The Jind bypoll, which concluded in January this year, is also an indication of a weak Congress in the seat with party national spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala finishing third after JJPs Digvijay Chautala. Again, the Jind bypoll victory was significant for the BJP, which won the seat for the first time ever, wresting it from the INLD and Congress. At stake is the political career of two-time former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, who is contesting from Sonipat. Rohtak Meanwhile, Bhupinder Singh's son, Deepender Hooda, is in the fray from Rohtak, and is seeking a fourth straight victory from the Hooda citadel. The Jat leader is facing competition from former MP Arvind Sharma, a prominent Brahmin leader. Bhiwani Bhiwani will see a tight contest between sitting BJP MP Dharambir and Congress Shruti Choudhry. Former MP from Haryana, Shruti is the granddaughter of former state chief minister Bansi Lal and daughter of Tosham MLA Kiran Choudhry. In 2014, Shruti had finished third, losing out to Dharambir by a margin of 1.3 lakh votes and Rao Bahadur Singh of INLD by a meagre 7,000 votes. The infighting in the INLD might cost them their bastion with the Jat votes splitting and going to the Congress. In the Bhiwani constituency, Jats form the largest majority followed by the Yadavs, Brahmins, Gurjars, Mahajans and Punjabis. With the INLD in shambles and week campaigning by its offshoot, experts suggest that Jat votes will go to the Congress and the non-Jat votes will go to the BJP. Gurgaon Three assembly constituencies of the Mewat region Punhana, Ferozepur Jhirka and Nuh are a part of the Gurgaon parliamentary constituency. The Mewat region is dominated by Meo Muslims and pans across north-western India, in Haryana and Alwar and Bharatpur in Rajasthan. The INLD, which had won two assembly seats in 2014 from Mewat district, are now facing a grim situation with its Meo Muslim legislators defecting to the Congress. Meanwhile, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi campaigned on the Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) grounds in Gurugram in an attempt to mobilise urban voters from the Gurgaon constituency, who overwhelmingly voted for the BJP in the previous elections. This has also made the fight largely bipolar between Congress candidate Captain (retd) Ajay Singh Yadav and BJPs sitting MP Rao Inderjit Singh both strong Ahir (Yadav) leaders. As a result, the Yadav vote is expected to split in this seat. Faridabad While the AAP did not win a single seat in the 2014 general election, it managed to garner 50,000-60,000 votes on almost all seats. Even if the party is not able to wrest any seat, it is bound to pose a serious threat to contenders in Gurgaon, Faridabad, Ambala and Sirsa. AAP has fielded state party chief Naveen Jaihind from Faridabad. File Photo Three phases of Lok Sabha elections in Madhya Pradesh are over. In the last phase, scheduled to take place on May 12, the central and northern regions of the state will head for polling. Polling in this phase will happen in Bhind, Bhopal, Dewas, Guna, Gwalior, Morena, Rajgarh and Sagar. Similar to Gujarat, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, it is expected to be a direct contest between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Indian National Congress. Out of these eight seats, the BJP had failed to win only Guna in 2014. In fact, the BJP had won 27 out of the 29 seats in the state. Except for Gwalior, BJP won all seven seats with margins of over 1 lakh votes. In some seats, the victory margin was more than 2 lakh votes. However, the political landscape in the country has changed since. Most political observers suggest that Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led BJP is expected to make losses in north India. In December 2018, the Congress wrested power from the BJP in the Assembly election and is hopeful of capitalising on the gains it made there. Heres how the Congress performed in the Assembly segments of these eight constituencies, in the 2018 state polls: Bhind: Five out of the eight Assembly segments of this constituency were won by the Congress in the state polls. BJP and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) won two and one seat each. Bhopal: This urban seat is a BJP stronghold, where the party managed to win five out of eight segments. Congress won the remaining three. This time, the saffron party has fielded Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur against Congress leader and former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Digvijaya Singh. Pragya Thakurs nomination has drawn criticism as she is a terror accused. Also watch | I am proof that Congress has anti-women mentality: Sadhvi Pragya Dewas: The BJP and the Congress were evenly stacked here, winning four segments each. Guna: The saffron party won three out of the eight segments in this Congress bastion. The remaining five were clinched by the Congress. This is the bastion of Gwaliors erstwhile royal family the Scindias. It is currently held by Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia (who has been fielded again) and was earlier represented by his father Madhavrao and grandmother Vijaya Raje. While the BJP lost this seat in 2014, it managed to cut Jyotiradityas victory margin to around 86,000 votes, from what was over 4 lakh votes in 2009. Gwalior: Gwalior is one of the Lok Sabha constituencies where the Congress is hoping to turn the tide. It lost the seat by around 26,000 votes in 2014 a margin significantly lower than other seats. It also won seven segments here. The BJP won the remaining one, down from the three it won in 2013. Morena: The Congress won seven out of the eight segments here while the BJP won the remaining one. In 2013, the Congress and the BSP had won three each while the BJP had won two. Rajgarh: Congress and BJP won five and two out of the eight segments, respectively. One segment was won by an Independent candidate. Sagar: The BJP won seven out of the eight segments here while the Congress won one. Interestingly, the Congress had lost the seat with a margin of 1.2 lakh votes despite having won seven out of eight segments around six months before the Lok Sabha polls. Opinion Polls The two major opinion polls released in early April IndiaTV-CNX and Republic TV-Jan ki Baat before the first phase of voting also suggest that the Congress could win average of six seats, up from two it won in 2014. Some of the earlier opinion surveys released soon after the Assembly polls had pegged Congress tally at 11. The Rahul Gandhi-led party is optimistic about making gains in the state, especially in areas heading for voting on May 12. The regions of Gwalior-Chambal is key for the Congress. The erstwhile royal family of Gwalior is considered an influential factor in the polls there. The family is now headed by Jyotiraditya Scindia, Congress incumbent Member of Parliament (MP) and candidate from Guna. In 2013, BJP won 20 seats in the Gwalior-Chambal region while the Congress won 12. The BSP had managed to win two seats here. This reversed in 2018 when the Congress won 26, BJP won 7 and the BSP one. However, it remains to be seen if they are able to clinch majority of the seats in the state or merely improve its tally. Estranged partners McDonald's and Vikram Bakshi told the NCLAT that they are working towards an out-of-court settlement to end their over five-year-old dispute. Counsels for McDonald's India Pvt Ltd and Vikram Bakshi told a two-member National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) bench, headed by Chairperson S J Mukhopadhyay, that they are trying to work out a settlement. The bench directed that either of the parties may file an affidavit including the terms of the settlement being arrived at on the next date of hearing on May 13. "... parties submit that they are negotiating for settlement but the impugned order may come in their way of settlement. In the facts and circumstances, we allow the parties to reach settlement uninfluenced by any of the order passed by the Tribunal or this Appellate Tribunal," said NCLAT. The Tribunal also gave them additional time to file the affidavit. "Post both the appeals 'for orders' on 13th May, 2019 and earlier date (8th May) fixed stands modified," it said. The bench also said: "In the meantime, if any settlement is reached, any of the party may file affidavit giving the date of settlement." McDonald's and Bakshi in 1995 had signed a partnership agreement to open outlets of the US fast food chain in India. It was for a period of 25 years. The two partners had formed a 50:50 joint venture -- Connaught Plaza Restaurant Ltd (CPRL) -- which was responsible for outlets of the fast-food chain in the country's northern and eastern regions through the franchise route. In 2017, McDonald's terminated CPRL's franchise agreement citing non-payment of royalties. A long-winding legal tussle and battle for control of the business ensued afterwards with Bakshi keeping around 165 McDonald's branded outlets operational in northern and eastern regions of the country. In southern and western regions, McDonald's outlets are run by Amit Jatia-led Westlife Development. In August 2017, McDonald's had told the NCLAT that settlement of dispute with its estranged partner Bakshi was not possible. The tussle started after Bakshi was ousted as the managing director of Connaught Plaza Restaurants (CPRL) in 2013, following which he approached the NCLT, which reinstated him to his position. McDonald's has challenged the same in the appellate tribunal NCLAT. Subir Roy Nirmala Sitharaman, union defense minister, told an election rally a month ago, The people have to vote for Modiji, not the candidate. When you choose the lotus, it is your direct vote to elect Modiji .It assures that Modi wins and the Modi government is formed once again. GVL Narasimha Rao, BJP MP and national spokesman, told a correspondent, It will be a presidential contest. The key issue in 2019 will be, Modi versus who?. Do you want Modi or do you want an alternative to Modi? These observations formally acknowledge what is widely perceived, that the BJP is running the current parliamentary election campaign as a US-style presidential one which turns it into a referendum on him. The entire party hierarchy is geared to projecting Modi and all the candidates in the field are seeking not so much a vote for themselves as a vote for prime minister Modi. The Westminster style of parliamentary democracy which the constitution mandates does have space for charismatic leaders who can overshadow all others in their respective parties. But this is within limits and when the limits are crossed posterity does not forgive. India is Indira, and Indira is India, Congress president Dev Kant Barooah famously said in 1976 during the height of the Emergency. Giani Zail Singh, who became rashtrapati later, solely courtesy Indira Gandhi, spoke in the same vein when he said he would gladly sweep the ground that Indiraji walked upon. These statements and the sentiments they reflected have almost universally been condemned as unacceptable sycophancy in a democracy. The Jana Sangh, which suffered much during the emergency with many of its leaders incarcerated, joined in the condemnation. However, the current exclusive focus on Modi in the BJP is not being seen as sycophancy but as a strategic choice which is endorsed by all within the party, with the exception of a few old timers who are seen to be resentful of being left on the shelf. It is useful to try and trace how the current situation has evolved as that will help us see the logic of present realities. Firstly, Modi personally is the foremost asset of the BJP. Successive opinion polls have put him way ahead of all the opposition party leaders. The best that the front-runner among the Opposition leaders, Rahul Gandhi, has done is secure 35 per cent of the votes in the PSE India Today poll conducted in January. His worst score is 22 per cent in the CVOTER IANS poll conducted in April. As opposed to this Modi has scored the best in the TimesMega Poll conducted in February securing 84 per cent of the votes. His worst is securing 46 per cent in the PSE India Today poll conducted in January. Quite simply, if the BJP has such an asset in Modi it would be foolish not to use it to the hilt by projecting him as much as possible. The second reason for focusing solidly on Modi personally is that the party has decided not to shout too loudly (some claims are of course being routinely made) about its achievements as they are a mixed bag. If you tom tom your achievements overmuch then the Opposition will pounce and make much of the non-achievements. The many schemes that the government has launched are indeed being highlighted. Modis face beams down from government websites, billboards and full page newspaper advertisements highlighting many government programmes such as Mudra loans, subsidized cooking gas and most recently income support benefit transfers. But then these give the Opposition a chance to retort: What about demonetization, the GST fiasco and missing jobs? The third reason why the personal projection of Modi has taken place the way it has, is the dynamics of the last few months. Modis popularity was in fact waning and Rahul Gandhis catching up till January. And then came the Pulwama attack and the Balakot hit-back against Pakistan. These took Modis popularity on the upward curve again. To build on this the BJP has focused on national security and given it a face -- saying the nation will be safe in Modis hands. To all this needs to be added the nature of Modis personality. His style is to concentrate power in his own hands and maybe have a functionary like Amit Shah work out and put in place the nuts and bolts forgetting done what needs doing. Modi, quite simply, does not believe in taking as many as possible along with him in the manner of Vajpayee. Modi ruled in Gujarat in this fashion, not tolerating any inner party dissent. In the 2007 polls he sought reelection as chief minister on the basis of his personality and leadership qualities, not on any social,political or economic issues. The polls were described as not as a Congress versus BJP battle but a Congress versus Modi one. In keeping with this, these elections are a vote for or against Modi, a referendum, so to speak, on him, in the manner in which US presidential elections take place. Subir Roy is a senior journalist and author. The views expressed are personal. The AIADMK in Puducherry on May 7 charged Chief Minister V Narayanasamy with "intimidating" officials to implement government orders lest they should face contempt of court proceedings. Addressing reporters here, the AIADMK legislature wing leader A Anbalagan said the Chief Minister was adopting "intimidatory tactics" after the Madras High Court had held that Lt Governor Kiran Bedi "cannot interfere" in the day-to-day affairs of the elected government of the Union Territory. Anbalagan also termed as "amusing and untenablem" the Chief Minister's stand that Lt Governor Kiran Bedi could not go on appeal against the High Court order. "It is the right of any individual to go on appeal and the stand of the Chief Minister that Lt Governor could not go on appeal without prior concurrence of the government is utterly unacceptable and amusing." In the wake of the order of the High Court the Chief Minister had been telling officials that they would face contempt proceedings if they did not fall in line with the decisions of the government, he said adding "this is a clear case of intimidating the officials." Referring to the statement of Narayanasamy that the K Palaniswami-led government in neighbouring Tamil Nadu would fall after the results of the by elections to 22 Assembly seats in the state are aout, the AIADMK leader said, "Narayanasamy has no right to speak about the neighbouring State as all the matters pertaining to the AIADMK are utterly internal issues." Anbalagan further said Narayanasamy should concentrate on keeping Congress legislators together as after the announcement of the Lok Sabha poll results on May 23, the Congress government here would fall like a pack of cards. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal asked voters not to deny money given to them by other political parties, but vote for the Aam Aadmi Party. "On the night of election, do they [other political parties] come to give money or not?" Kejriwal asked, without mentioning the BJP or Congress. without mentioning the BJP or Congress said. "What will you do? Take it, don't deny it, but vote for jhadu (broom, AAP's election symbol)," the AAP chief said at a roadshow in support of South Delhi candidate Raghav Chadha. Kejriwal had made a similar comment in Chandni Chowk earlier, following which he was sent a showcause notice by the Election Commission. Chadha, meanwhile, said the youth would reject the politics of hooliganism. "To all the political goons in South Delhi, I want to say that for a very long time, you all have imposed politics of fear and muscle in South Delhi," he said. "But no longer. Now, the youth of this country will reject the politics of hooliganism and instate politics of honesty and decency." "Stop intimidating and insulting the people of South Delhi and pay heed... we will neither be scared nor let you scare people any longer," Chadha said. The roadshow started from Gautampuri, moving on to Pul Prahladpur, Lal Kuan, Tekhand Gaon, Indira Kalyan Camp, New Sanjay Camp, Harkesh Nagar (Sabri Camp), Transit Camp, Navjeevan Camp, Vayusenabad (MB Road), Mahila Mangal, Harijan Camp before ending at MB Road. The roadshows come two days after Kejriwal was slapped by a man in New Delhi constituency. With a week to go for the elections in Delhi, the AAP has intensified its campaigning by holding multiple roadshows of Kejriwal and adding star power to its campaign through participation of Gujarat MLA Jignesh Mevani and actor-politician Prakash Raj. A United Front-type government of regional parties supported by the Congress is the "only likelihood" after the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, a key TRS leader said on May 7. B Vinod Kumar, sitting Lok Sabha member from Karimnagar and a confidant of TRS President and Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, claimed that regional parties would win more seats than BJP-led NDA or Congress-anchored UPA. "United Front experiment was...Congress supporting from outside. This time also there is every likelihood of such a proposition. No doubt," Kumar, the deputy floor leader of TRS in Lok Sabha, told PTI. On his assessment of the Lok Sabha election results, he said, "Congress crossing 100 (seats) and reaching 120-130 will be a herculean task for them (Congress). And BJP definitely not more than 170 (seats)". According to him, the idea of United Front "surfaced" after the election results in 1996, but "now I hope that even before the results (on May 23), that talk is on". "I think that (a UF government with Congress supporting from outside) is the only likelihood", Kumar said. The TRS had been pitching the idea of a non-Congress, non-BJP federal front of regional parties for several months now. Chandrasekhar Rao met his Kerala counterpart, Pinarayi Vijayan, heading the CPI-M-led LDF government, yesterday in Thiruvanathapuram, as part of his outreach to opposition parties. Kumar had accompanied him. The Chief Minister's daughter and sitting Nizamabad Lok Sabha member K Kavitha told PTI recently that regional parties may hold the key for goverment formation. She had said the TRS is in touch with with various parties not part of the BJP-led NDA and Congress-anchored UPA on its efforts to forge a federal front of regional outfits. A federal front would take good shape after the Lok Sabha election results are out, Kavitha had said. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Tata Motors, Indias largest commercial vehicle manufacturer, will launch a compact truck called Intra to address the need for a performance vehicle for intra-city and rural application. Developed on an all-new platform, the Intra has a payload of 1100kg which is a step above the Ace range of mini trucks. The Intra plugs the gap between the Ace range and the Tata 207, which is a pick-up truck. The new Tata vehicle will compete with the bigger Ashok Leyland Dost, Piaggio Porter and Mahindra Supro Maxitruck each priced in the range of Rs 4.8-6 lakh. While the Ace range, with starting price of Rs 2.3 lakh for the Zip variant, has a payload of 0.6 tonne to a tonne, the Tata 207 has a payload of a tonne and prices starting at Rs 6 lakh. The Intra has a payload of 1.1 tonne and will be positioned between the Ace and the 207. Tata Motors' officials refused to divulge pricing details which they said would be made public at the time of the Intras commercial launch, expected by the end of this month. The micro and mini truck segment have seen doubling of volumes since 2016-17, according to data supplied by Tata Motors. The segment ended 2016-17 with volumes of 116,353 units but 2018-19 ended with 233,707 units. The Intra will be launched in a Bharat Stage IV (BS-IV) version but will be upgraded to BS-VI when the required fuel is made available, said RT Wasan, Sales and Marketing (commercial vehicles) Tata Motors. The Intra, to be manufactured at the Pantnagar facility in Uttarakhand, will sport a direct injection 1.4-litre diesel engine that generates 70hp of peak power. While the platform is new, the engine has been borrowed from the Super Ace. The engine is mated to a speed gearbox. The Intra is also the first commercial vehicle to have a gear shift advisor which guides the driver to select the correct gear to get optimum fuel efficiency. The Intra has got a series of features including power steering, mobile charging point, lockable glove box, dashboard and door trims' storage spaces, electronic cluster and optional air conditioning. The Intra comes with a driver plus passenger seating configuration and has a maximum speed of 80 km per hour. According to company officials, the Intra can be used for a variety of purposes such as mineral water distribution, fruits and vegetables, food grains, industrial goods, construction materials, LPG distribution and plywood. The Intra was first showcased at the 2018 Auto Expo in Greater Noida where Tata Motors had also showcased an additional variant of the vehicle with a smaller 800cc engine having a payload of a tonne. The focus this election has been around grand alliances and federal fronts, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi having pitched his campaign as one man's battle against many parties. These parties, the Prime Minister has been saying in his campaign rallies, want to get rid of him by coming together. Firming up the NDA While that is partially true, observers have pointed out that PM Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are not without their fair share of alliances. In fact, the BJP had been at the forefront of stitching alliances and mending fences with disgruntled allies months before the start of campaigning for Lok Sabha polls. These allies are a part of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). In Uttar Pradesh, the BJP has tied up with relatively small parties, most of them bickering. The Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party, Nishad Party and Apna Dal are parties controlled by single leaders and have only pockets of influence. But, according to observers in UP, the BJP faces a tough challenge from the Samajwadi Party (SP)-Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP)-Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) alliance. Which is why the saffron party had tried placating its sulking allies by providing its leaders positions on autonomous boards. Experts believe that the BJP bowing down to the demands of its smaller partners is a telling indication of how important even small pockets are to the party this election. BJP had won 71 out of UP's 80 Lok Sabha seats in the last election, and had continued its performance in the 2017 assembly polls in the state, winning 312 of the state's 403 assembly seats. Also Read: Know Your Leader | Chandrashekhar Azad: A revolutionary standing up for Dalit rights and taking on Modi in Varanasi "We need every seat that we can get," admitted a UP BJP leader, adding that it had always been the party's approach to accommodate its partners. Apna Dal and SBSP have influence on the OBC vote in important sections of the state like Varanasi and Mirzapur, while the Nishad Party wields influence in Gorakhpur. Notably, SBSP chief OP Rajbhar resigned from the Yogi Adityanath cabinet on May 6, stating that his party's name and flags were being used by BJP. Rajbhar was a Minister for Backward Classes Development in the state. The same logic applies to BJP's strategy in Maharashtra. The western state has 48 Lok Sabha seats, the second highest in the country. It also has Shiv Sena, one of NDA's oldest partners and a sulking ally until recently. BJP and Sena had fought separately during the BMC elections in 2017, but came together for Lok Sabha polls. The two parties announced a 25-23 seat-sharing arrangement, with BJP having the slightly greater share. However, as Sena leaders pointed out repeatedly, it was BJP that had to step down. Also Read: Know Your Leader | Uddhav Thackeray: With strong legacy to shoulder, astute Sena chief balances ideology with realpolitik Similarly, in Bihar, the BJP had announced that it would be contesting half of the state's 40 Lok Sabha seats, leaving the other half for its partner, the Janata Dal (United). This had reportedly shocked the state BJP unit, which had hoped that the saffron party would get the upper hand. The other key states where the BJP has struck alliances include Tamil Nadu and Punjab, where it is in alliance with the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) respectively. UPA's faded rainbow? Even as the BJP went about securing alliances, the Congress seemed confused and slighted in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh respectively. Congress' alliance with the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) was announced after a lot of back-and-forth. According to party leaders, the delay was over who should and should not be included in the alliance. As for Uttar Pradesh, with the announcement of the SP-BSP alliance, almost no room was left open for Congress. The Grand Old Party decided to go it alone in the all-important heartland state, even though it was hoping for space within the gathbandhan. Also Read: Neta Priyanka Gandhi: A masterstroke for Congress or a case of too little, too late? The state where the Congress has managed to stitch a rainbow coalition is in Bihar. It is contesting on nine seats in the state. The Grand Alliance, made up of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and smaller parties such as the Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP) and the Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM), is hoping to attract newer social base. In Tamil Nadu, according to experts, the Congress-DMK alliance is on a better wicket. Issues such as farmers' distress, NEET and caste arithmetic will benefit the UPA. Also Read: Opinion | DMK-Congress combine is decisively ahead in Tamil Nadu These alliances are important for the Congress, which cannot hope to come to power going it alone in states like Tamil Nadu or Bihar. Similarly, for the BJP, in a state like Maharashtra, going alone would have meant allowing votes to be divided, ditto for Congress without the NCP. Notwithstanding the narrative around one man versus many this election, experts have argued that both the BJP and Congress are relying heavily on their allies to deliver them particular states. File Image Bharatiya Janata Partys Amethi candidate and union minister Smriti Irani lashed out at Congress President Rahul Gandhi after he had cancelled his scheduled visit to his home turf on Monday. Dubbing the scion a proudy, she said she never thought he would ditch his own constituency, that too on the day it went to polls. The Congress presidents ardent rival Smriti Irani declared him to be the "missing MP". Notably, Rahul Gandhi is a sitting Member of Parliament from this coveted constituency in Uttar Pradesh, and he is looking at being elected for the fourth time. He won from this constituency in 2004, 2009, and 2014; Amethi went to polls with 13 other constituencies in the state in the fifth phase of the national general elections on Monday. However, while balloting was going on in his constituency, Rahul chose to hold an election rally in Haryana's Bhiwani instead, reported News 18. Meanwhile, Smriti Irani, who is trying for the second time to wrest power from the AICC chiefs family bastion, was found to be active in Amethi throughout the day. A Congress party worker justified the party president's absence during polling, saying he was more than just an MP. He is also the leader of the party and needs to shoulder additional responsibilities including major party activities held across the length of the country, the worker said. This did not stop Irani from calling Rahul the laapata sansad (missing MP), referring to the sitting MPs decision to remain absent from his constituency even on the D-Day. She even told the media that Rahul cheated his own people even on the election day. I didn't know that he (Gandhi) could be so arrogant that he won't turn up in Amethi even on the polling day, she said while making allegations of booth capture in her constituency. Gandhi and Irani are engaged in a duel this election as the alliance of Samajwadi Party-Bahujan Samaj Party did not field any candidate from Amethi this time. Amethi, which has always been a stronghold of the Gandhi family, saw one of the most high-profile battles of ballots in 2014 when the Congress head defeated the BJP minister by more than a lakh votes. Tipu Sultan (Image: Wikimedia) Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan was praised by senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Tuesday for remembering Indian ruler Tipu Sultan on his death anniversary, i.e., May 4. One thing i personally know about @imranKhanPTI is that his interest in the shared history of the Indian subcontinent is genuine & far-reaching. He read; he cares. It is disappointing, though, that it took a Pakistani leader to remember a great Indian hero on his punyathithi. https://t.co/kWIySEQcJM Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) May 6, 2019 Today 4th May is the death anniversary of Tipu Sultan - a man I admire because he preferred freedom and died fighting for it rather than live a life of enslavement. Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) May 4, 2019 Impressed with the Pakistan PMs Twitter post, Tharoor wrote: One thing I personally know about Imran Khan is that his interest in the shared history of the Indian subcontinent is genuine and far-reaching.Imran Khans tweet posted on Saturday read: Today, 4th May, is the death anniversary of Tipu Sultan -- a man I admire because he preferred freedom and died fighting for it rather than live a life of enslavement. Imran Khan was referring to Tipu Sultan's famous words: "It is better to live one day as a tiger than a thousand years as a sheep", which he told French military advisers who asked him to escape through a secret passage to save him from being slaughtered by the British. Notably, this is not the first time that Khan has praised the monarch of Mysore. A few months ago, in February, he had lauded the Tipu Sultan's chivalry at a joint parliament convened to address the increased tension between India and Pakistan after the Pulwama terror attack. However, Tharoor did not seem too happy about the fact that it took a Pakistani politician to remember a great Indian hero on his death anniversary. The former ruler is remembered for fighting the British and is believed to be the first person to make use of rocket artillery. Apple iPhones are well known for their excellent power efficiency and battery life, despite their relatively smaller sizes. While Apple's iPhones might feature remarkable battery life; it may not be as good as Apple claim. According to Which?, a UK consumer advocacy group, Apple is overstating the battery life of several models of the iPhone. Which? also claimed to have tested nine different iPhone models, all of which fell short of Apple's official numbers by 18 to 51 percent. The group alleged that the iPhone XR recorded major discrepancies in real-world tests as compared to other Apple handsets, delivering 16 hours and 32 minutes of talk time as opposed to the 25 hours Apple claims it offers. Apple responded to the report telling Business Insider: "We rigorously test our products and stand behind our battery life claims. With tight integration between hardware and software, iPhone is engineered to intelligently manage power usage to maximize battery life." Which? carried out tests on smartphones from several brands including Nokia, Samsung, Apple, Sony and HTC. While the tests on handsets from Sony, Samsung and Nokia all yielded positive results, HTC joined Apple with its inflated talk time figures. The UK watchdog claimed that a small percentage of HTC phones that featured an average talk time of 20.5 hours only offered 19.6 hours, a 5-per cent difference. Which? also claim that Samsung, Nokia, and Sony underestimate the average talk time of their smartphones. The group stated that all tests were carried out on fully charged handsets, recording battery life by making continuous calls. Which? Hasn't mentioned any details on screen brightness at the time, app use, cell coverage or what processes may have been running in the background. All tech companies have to watch their step in Europe, one of the toughest regulators of Silicon Valley giants. The European Competition Commission has built a comprehensive set of regulations to protect citizens from exploitation at the hands of corporations in the past five years. This has eliminated fake news, violent content and hate speech. However, now some are questioning whether these measures are now bordering on censorship, as per a report by The New York Times. The ECC's rules may provide an unintended cover to governments trying to suppress dissent. Many laws also put too much restriction on what can be shared online. In April, Britain appointed a regulator to bar websites it considers 'harmful' which can be viewed as biased. These rules are questioned when they compromise an individual's right to expression. Not just in Europe, similar debates are taking place in many countries. After the deadly terrorist attacks last month, the Sri Lankan government shut down the whole country's social media networks. Tech companies are also facing restrictions in New Zealand and Australia after a deadly shooting was live streamed on Facebook. Even India is clamping down on tech companies, especially social media companies, over privacy concerns and misinformation. David Kaye, a law professor at the University of California, said reining in, to this extent could lead to lowered standards for the protection of freedom of expression, adding that the EU's rules go against the notion of freedom of speech that the US and other economies of the West believe in. Mark Zuckerberg, Founder of Facebook, asked Congress to make rules for social media to follow. "It would be useful to spell out clearly what the responsibilities that we want companies and people and governments to have," he said. In January 2018, a social worker and political activist Jorg Rupp posted a tweet with lyrics to a German song 'The Anarchist Pig', tweaked in a way that they commented on Chancellor Angela Merkel. His Twitter account was banned within 3 hours. In Germany, social media companies have to remove hate-filled messages within 24 hours or they could face fines of about $56 million. Rupp said that it is not a good time to be ironic in Germany. In April, the European Parliament passed a law which requires companies to pay 4 percent of their global revenue if they do not remove terrorism-related content from their websites within 24 hours. It has come under fire as it does not define with much clarity what constitutes harmful content. UN representatives also voiced concerns that this may infringe upon the right to access information, freedom of opinion and association. Public sector Air India's New York office transferred $300,000 to a bank account in Nigeria instead of remitting the sum to a US-based firm Pratt & Whitney for supplying spare parts. The incident is learnt to have taken place in June, 2017 but the airline has failed to get the amount retrieved from the Nigerian bank account. "The officers involved in the lapse were never punished. They have in fact been allowed to rise in their career," said an executive. In response to an email query, Air India said the matter is currently under investigation. "It was a case of cyber fraud. The matter is being investigated," an airline spokesperson said. A large number of cyber frauds worldwide have been traced to Nigeria and Air India could have also fallen victim to it. Air India has a large fleet of Boeing aircraft including B777s and Dreamliner that it flies to various destinations in the US and Europe. The local office in the US makes payments for various ancillary works. It operates flights to San Francisco, New York and Newark in the US. Some of the airline's aircraft in India are grounded for want of spare parts. In the face of severe cash crunch, the airline has failed to put the grounded aircraft back into operation. 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. The share price of Domain Holdings Australia Ltd [ASX:DHG] is up strongly today. At the time of writing, shares are changing hands at around $3.05 each. That means the price is up 14 cents or 4.81% on yesterdays close. Domain Holdings is a digital property listings advertiser. It made its debut back in November 2017, the result of a spin-off from parent company Fairfax Media. Related: How to Invest in the Massive Infrastructure Boom. Click here for your free guide. Whats driving the share price higher over the last few months? Half-year results posted back in February revealed earnings and profits were well down. Though we could note that revenues were holding steady, up marginally at 0.3%. Not surprisingly, that news has brought in the low, so far. But what is driving the share price higher from there? Often the news to justify the move comes out later. As a forecast, full year earnings due in August are likely to come in somewhat better. Lets wait and see. What now for Domain Holdings shares? As always, consult the company price chart. Key levels to watch are around $2.65 and $3.10 or so. A break to either the upside or downside will tell you which way the wind is blowing. That said, heres just a few things to keep in mind Last year would have been a tough one for Domain. A cooling housing market saw a decline not only in house prices, but also a decline in auctions and new property listings. That impacts the bottom line. But despite what you may read contrary, Im not expecting any more major price falls. Some of the comments in this area has been overdone. House prices doubled over the last seven years or so. That cant realistically go on forever. House prices were due for a slight fall. Also, for house prices to fall further, youd want to see some distressed selling. Last time I checked, Australias unemployment rate is hovering around eight-year lows, and loan arrears for Australias largest home lender actually fell slightly recently. None of that is ringing any warning bells. Not to mention population growth and the huge infrastructure spend going on presently. Which should all provide some support for house prices going forward. And heres another reason house prices can go higher still Remember, its what the bank allows you to borrow that sets house prices. Tighter lending standards in the wake of the Royal Commission into banking have impacted house prices a lot. This is something to watch. A crackdown in investment loans has curtailed development. This could lead to bit of a housing shortage in a few years time. And should credit start to loosen once more, the combination of a potential housing shortage and looser lending will all feed into the bidding up of house prices. That might provide a nice tailwind for stocks like Domain over the longer journey. Regards, Terence Duffy, For Money Morning PS: In this just released report, Matt Hibbard shows you his top five dividend picks for 2019. Click here to claim your copy today. May 06, 2019 How The U.S. Is Pressing Iran To Breach The Nuclear Deal 363 days ago the U.S. left the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the 'nuclear deal' with Iran, and reintroduced sanctions against trade with Iran. When the U.S. reintroduced sanctions on Iran it provided sanction 'wavers' for some customers of Iranian oil. Two weeks ago the extremists in the Trump administration won out and the those waivers were eliminated. Some of Iran's customers, Iraq, Turkey and China, will continue to buy Iranian oil and will face U.S. sanctions. The declared aim of the Trump administration's 'maximum pressure campaign' is to bring all trade with Iran to zero and the country to its knees. On Wednesday May 8, one years after the U.S. breached the deal, it will announce additional sanctions against the country: The Wall Street Journal reported last week that new sanctions would target petrochemical sales. I'm told the administration will likely impose those sanctions soon, but the new sanctions planned for this week will target a different sector of the Iranian economy. The only European response to the new announcements was a lame statement. The EU should fight for the JCPOA deal as it is in its interest. But instead it is slow-walking its badly designed INSTEX mechanism that would allow for only very limited sanction free trade with Iran. Iran will use the anniversary of the U.S. breach of the deal to announce that it will no longer stick to some of the restrictions of the JCPOA. The U.S. is not only sanctioning Iranian trade that was promised to be opened under the JCPOA deal, it is also trying to eliminate all other beneficial elements of the deal. The Trump administration wants to force Iran to come into breach of the deal to then use that as an excuse for further action against the country. The U.S. provided waivers for several nuclear trades that were part of the JCPOA deal. Some of these were now eliminated, others were put under time restrictions. Iran is allowed to enrich Uranium under the deal, but it is not allowed to hold large amounts of ready enriched Uranium. Enriched Uranium is valuable and Iran found a customer who bought it. Iran also produces heavy water, needed to cool some types of reactors, and exports it. These trades were previously provided with waivers. The Trump administration did not renew those wavers and the export of those products will end. Iran will have to either stop all enrichment and heavy water production or it will have to store what it produces and thereby come into breach of the JCPOA agreement. Another nuclear trade was about the revamping of the Arak heavy water reactor. Running that reactor in its original form would have produced some plutonium as a byproduct. After the JCPOA agreement Iran contracted a Russian company to convert the Arak reactor into a type that could produce isotopes for medical purposes. The U.S. waiver for that deal has now been time restricted to 90 days. The Russian company is now under a 90 day threat of U.S. sanctions for a project that takes years of design and construction. Iran is starting to counter the U.S. moves. On Wednesday the Iranian president Rouhani will announce that Iran will take measures based on paragraphs 26 and 37 of the nuclear deal (pdf). Paragraph 26 says that the the EU and the U.S. will lift all nuclear related sanctions and will refrain from re-introducing any. It continues: Iran has stated that it will treat such a re-introduction or re-imposition of the sanctions specified in Annex II, or such an imposition of new nuclear-related sanctions, as grounds to cease performing its commitments under this JCPOA in whole or in part. Paragraph 37 is part of the "Dispute Resolution Mechanism" which ends with an involvement of the UN Security Council where the U.S. can block the process. It therefore includes at its end: Iran has stated that if sanctions are reinstated in whole or in part, Iran will treat that as grounds to cease performing its commitments under this JCPOA in whole or in part. Iran will use these clauses to 'breach' some of the provisions of the deal while keeping the deal intact. It will continue to allow the IAEA free access to all elements of its nuclear facilities. Iran will not cease enrichment. It will begin to store enriched uranium above the level that is above the one allowed under an intact JCPOA. The same will apply to the heavy water Iran produces. It will probably also announce the construction of a new self developed reactor that is designed to produce radioactive isotopes for medical purposes. The EU, Russia and China have been unofficially informed about the steps Iran is going to take. Tomorrow there will be expert level talks over JCPOA between Iran, Germany, UK, France, Russia and China in Brussels. That Iran is forced to temporarily accumulate products above the level allowed in the deal is solely caused by the U.S. breach of that deal, i.e. its new sanctions. It is unlikely that the other JCPOA signers will regard Iran's as being in breach of the JCPOA. The U.S. will of course scream bloody murder and will continue to do what it would have done anyway - ratchet the tensions further up Yesterday National Security Advisor John 'Stache' Bolton announced that an aircraft carrier and U.S. long range bombers would be send to Gulf to counter and imminent threat from Iran. That was empty bluster. Micah Zenko @MicahZenko - 1:07 utc - 6 May 2019 Bolton framing a routine deployment of the Lincoln to CENTCOM AOR as an attempt to frighten Iran is an especially weak and hollow threat. The carrier deployment to the Gulf is routine. It had been announced on April 8. The U.S. has bombers on rotation in the Middle East since 2001. Moreover - a carrier in the Persian Gulf is a sure sign that the U.S. will not attack Iran. Within the restricted waters of the Persian Gulf a carrier is a too easy target. The idea though may be to provide for an 'accident' as Iran's Foreign Minister described it in a recent CBS interview: FOREIGN MINISTER ZARIF: I don't think military confrontation will happen. I think people have more prudence than allowing a military confrontation to happen. But, I think the U.S. administration is putting things in place for accidents to happen. And there has to be extreme vigilance, so that people who are planning this type of accident would not have their way. MARGARET BRENNAN: What do you mean? What kind of accident are you talking about? FOREIGN MINISTER ZARIF: I'm talking about people who have- who are designing confrontation, whose interest-- MARGARET BRENNAN: Who's doing that? FOREIGN MINISTER ZARIF: My 'B' team. I call-- MARGARET BRENNAN: What do you mean 'B' team? FOREIGN MINISTER ZARIF: I call the group 'B' team who have always tried to create tension, whose continued existence depends on tension. Ambassador Bolton, one 'B,' Bibi Netanyahu, second 'B,' Bin Zayed, third 'B,' Bin Salman, fourth 'B.' And I'm not just making accusations. ... The Trump administration is hoping that its new sanctions will not raise the oil price. That is unlikely to hold as the oil market is stretched: Trying to take out Venezuela and Iran simultaneously tightens the oil market. Additional upsets in Libya or a less expected area such as Algeria or Nigeria could exceed available spare capacity. The US production will expand with higher prices but cannot switch on and off at command like a true strategic producer. Its predominantly very light crude is not a good replacement for diesel-rich medium-heavy barrels, like those from these two countries. This issue may become more acute at the end of this year when as much as 1 million barrels of diesel may be required worldwide to meet new shipping fuel regulations. The lighter U.S. and Arab variants of oil can not replace the heavy types. One can crack the long hydrocarbon chains of heavy oil into lighter types but one can not easily make long chains from short ones. Rising oil prices may be the only factor that could press Trump to change his confrontational strategy towards Iran. But the big danger now is that the extremists in his administration will ratchet up the various conflicts in the Middle East until they explode and make it impossible to change course. They are only waiting for the 'accidents' to happen. Posted by b on May 6, 2019 at 19:16 UTC | Permalink Comments next page next page One young girl in the US has proved she already has some outstanding entrepreneurial skills after she came up with an idea to help out her less fortunate classmates. The 9-year-old, Bella, has always been lucky enough to have awesome parties growing up and knows how much joy they bring. But when the youngster heard that some of her classmates weren't able to celebrate in the traditional way, without a party or even a cake and balloons, she decided to do something about it. Bella launched "Bella's Boxes" after hearing that some of her classmates were unable to celebrate their birthdays because their families simply couldn't afford it. A Sydney preschool has caused a bit of controversy over reports that they have banned Mother's Day celebrations for their attendees. The Learn and Laugh early childhood centre in Drummoyne reportedly sent an email to parents that Mother's Day won't be celebrated because there could be children in single-parent families, gay families, or raised by guardians. "We have spent a lot of time discussing and reflection on this and believe we want to be a more inclusive centre." "We want to include all families here at Learn and Laugh regardless of their family dynamics." "Instead, we have decided to do family and friends day at different times throughout the year. That way anyone close to the children can come and take part." On March 8, City Manager Sally Sandy said she was aware of the issue with the award. She said Smith received a card in the mail and, in his excitement, assumed the award notification was from South Arts because CoMMA often works with that group. She said no one questioned Smith at the time about the award because they took him at his word as a department head. She later questioned Smith about the award. Sandy also said she had known about Smiths lack of a doctoral degree for quite some time. She later confirmed through text message to a News Herald reporter that she had known since Smith was hired as CoMMA director that his alleged doctoral degree was from an unaccredited institution. But she said said she was not aware that Smith had never completed his masters degree. She also said the theology work Smith did had no relevance to what the city needed in a CoMMA director. She said neither a doctoral degree nor a masters degree is required for the position. She said the degrees Smith claimed didnt seem that critical. Does the Morganton Mayor and Council response in Sundays News Herald regarding a fraudulent employment application sound like the hand-washing that that made Pontius Pilate infamous, some 2100 years ago? It states, To be perfectly clear: the members of the city council were not involved in any way with employee hiring Their letter went on to explain that these elected leaders hire and fire only the city manager and city attorney. Their rationalization both omits and states positions that should concern all readers. The omission is, where is the accountability of a city manager and attorney who prepare an employment application form with the standard human resources warning, you swear that the information you provide is true andif you lie, you are subject to dismissal, but fail to enforce it. Are the mayor and council holding the city manager accountable for not fulfilling her responsibility? The stated position of the mayor and council is symptomatic of whats going wrong at all levels of government today, from Congress down to town councils. In this case, the apparent message is, if an employee is a well-liked, if he would have been paid the same whether he lied to get the job or not, and if he did satisfactory work during the three years that he hid the lies even though one lie had to do with a phony award to embellish his performance then the normal termination-for-cause outcome gets commuted to a slap on the wrist. Do you wonder how this would have played out if the employee who falsified his application had been in a lower-level position, or if he had been of minority race? In light of Uber Technologies UBER S-1 filings and upcoming IPO, weve updated our views on the companys competitive position and financial prospects, which we initially published in July 2018. After reviewing the additional metrics and disclosures in the S-1, we have even greater confidence in our narrow economic moat rating and $110 billion valuation estimate for Uber. Despite Ubers market leadership and high penetration in ride-sharing, it appears that its growth in that space is decelerating faster than we initially anticipated, and the same may be true for its peers, such as Lyft (LYFT) . On the upside, Uber has grabbed market share in food delivery much more quickly than we expected, and we think strong growth potential for that service remains. We now estimate a $650 billion total addressable market for Uber by 2022, which may grow to over $1 trillion in 10 years, up from our July 2018 estimate of $630 billion. We continue to expect the company to become profitable and generate excess returns on invested capital on the back of moat sources such as network effects and intangible assets associated with user data. While CEO Dara Khosrowshahi has righted the ship after Travis Kalanicks departure, we maintain our very high fair value uncertainty rating as Uber continues to face various regulatory and legal matters. For a lot of other First Nations across the country, natural resources is the one option they have for growing their economies. Whereas for us, the land has been completely impacted [by the citys growth] and so real estate is really the one thing we can get involved in that will make sense to generate revenue, he stated in an interview with CBC News. [The First Nation is] seeing the significant profits that everyone else is making. Were right in the middle and were not doing anything, so I think theres reasonable impatience that we should be getting involved, the leader added. Currently, Squamish Nation is discussing various proposals with a developer, with the most favoured being a primarily rental housing development, while also offering affordable homes for the nations members. Vancouver mayor Kennedy Stewart welcomed the plan as a natural continuation of the close alliance that the city and the First Nation have built against the controversial expansion of the Trans Mountain Pipeline. The thing about reconciliation is you dont really know what it looks like until youre in the middle of it. So I think this will set some parameters as to what us, Vancouver, being a city of reconciliation, looks like. Im very keen to make sure this has the best chance of success, the mayor noted. In an unexpected move, Live Well Financial has halted originations. A notice on the companys home page announced the change, and some of the companys account executives were reportedly informed on Thursday and Friday of last week. Otherwise, the move seems to have come out of nowhere. Due to unexpected circumstances, as of May 3, 2019, Live Well Financial, Inc., will cease to originate mortgage loans, the company posted on its homepage. No reason was given, but customers with questions about their mortgages were directed to a customer service phone number. A former Live Well employee told Reverse Mortgage Daily that the company ceased operations as of Friday, halting both fundings and loans in process. (Bloomberg) -- Anadarko Petroleum Corp.s fleet of corporate jets is high on Occidental Petroleum Corp.s list of things to sell if its takeover bid for the shale explorer succeeds. Occidental executives racked up more than 11,000 miles (17,700 kilometers) on the corporate jet in the past two weeks hopscotching between Houston, Paris and Omaha, Nebraska, to line up support for its $38 billion buyout. Even so, Anadarkos four-plane fleet may be a tad excessive. Google maps An Andrews High School senior is one of five Texas students who have been named U.S. Presidential Scholars for 2019. Jordan H. Barton and the other honorees will receive a Presidential Scholar Medallion in a ceremony June 23 in Washington, D.C. Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 1 anno fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili. May 07, 2019: The global liquid analytical instrument market size is expected to reach USD 606.2 million by 2025, according to a new study conducted by Grand View Research, Inc., registering a 5.5% CAGR during the forecast period. Increasing demand for liquid analytical instruments in food and beverage processing units for control and measurement of chemical composition of fluids is expected to drive the market. Liquid analytical instruments are largely used in industrial manufacturing processes as they provide bias-free outcomes and rapid and accurate measurements. Increasing adoption of automated liquid analytical instruments in the pharmaceutical industry helps decrease human interferences and enable effective data control and monitoring. This is further anticipated to propel market growth over the forecast period. Download sample Copy of This Report at: https://www.radiantinsights.com/research/liquid-analytical-instrument-market/request-sample Rapid and extensive development of the biotechnology industry, coupled with high adoption rate of precise analytical instruments, is expected to drive the market through 2025. Emergence of advanced technologies such as high-frequency liquid analysis and stream selection technology is further expected to fuel market growth. Increasing demand for liquid analytical instruments for real-time data monitoring in end-use industries such as water treatment to enhance overall process efficiency is further contributing to market growth. Moreover, focus on protecting the environment and stringent environmental policies has propelled the adoption of liquid analytical instruments in various end-use industries such as chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare and biotechnology. View summary of this report @ https://www.radiantinsights.com/research/liquid-analytical-instrument-market Further key findings from the report suggest: By instrument, infrared analyzers are expected to emerge as the fastest-growing instrument segment, registering a CAGR of over 6.5% over the forecast period. This can be attributed to benefits such as high-speed measurements and non-destructive analysis Liquid analytical instruments are widely adopted in wastewater management applications as a result of increased demand for real-time data monitoring and growing awareness about environmental protection measures across the world Liquid analytical instruments are widely used in the food and beverage industry to analyze liquid levels in non-alcoholic beverages, alcoholic drinks, and infusion beverages among others North America is expected to retain its dominance in the market over the forecast period and is anticipated to reach USD 189.6 million by 2025. Market growth is fueled by increasing adoption of liquid analyzers in water management and biotechnology industries, in addition to stringent government regulations about environmental protection Key industry participants include Honeywell International Inc.; Yokogawa Electric Corporation; ABB Ltd.; and Emerson Electric Co. About Radiant Insights Radiant Insights is a platform for companies looking to meet their market research and business intelligence requirements. We assist and facilitate organizations and individuals procure market research reports, helping them in the decision making process. We have a comprehensive collection of reports, covering over 40 key industries and a host of micro markets. In addition to over extensive database of reports, our experienced research coordinators also offer a host of ancillary services such as, research partnerships/ tie-ups and customized research solutions. For More Information, Visit Radiant Insights Contact: Michelle Thoras Corporate Sales Specialist, USA Radiant Insights, Inc Phone: 1-415-349-0054 Toll Free: 1-888-202-9519 Email: sales@radiantinsights.com Blog URL: http://ictmarketforecasts.wordpress.com By The best thing I read today was definitely Charlie Munger, Unplugged, the full transcript of a 6-hour interview with Charlie Munger about his philosophies on business, investing and life, as conducted by Jason Zweig and Nicole Friedman of the Wall Street Journal. (Ive tried to share a link via my paid WSJ subscription, but there may still be a paywall. Articles like this definitely help make me feel that my subscription is worth the money.) I enjoy Mungers direct and open take on many things. Honestly, I think reading his advice helps make me a better person, not investor. Also, hes a 95-year-old billionaire can you imagine anyone more incentivized to do exactly what they want with their remaining time? The article is rather long, so while I recommend reading the entire thing for yourself, here are some selected highlights. How do you spend your day? Well, I have always sought, since I quit law practice [in 1965], to have a lot of time in every day to read and think. And talk to a few friends about this or that. And I dont do that because it will make me more money, I do it because its my nature. And I had to use that nature because I needed a living for a big family. But its just my nature. Warrens the same way. We both hate too many appointments in one day. We both have long segments [of free time]. The lives we live would look to anybody else like academics. Will Berkshire Hathaway beat the S&P 500 in the future? I think it well beat it a little. But thats not bad with a market cap of over $600 billion. Thats difficult! Most people wont do as well as we will. I talked to Warren today. Were buying one little companyas we sit here. And we havent bought anything big for a long, long time. Its really getting hard for us. These other people will pay a lot more. Q: If there were one company other than Berkshire you would recommend for the next decade or two, what would it be? In America it would be Costco. Other than in America, buy the strongest companies in China. Q: A lot of young Americans seem to be turning against capitalism, on the grounds that income inequality is out of control. What can be done about that? The world as I know it, from personal experience and from reading, has always concentrated power. Without the inequality, you dont get modern private-ownership capitalism, which is what produces the plenty. And so even your kids, if they tried to make an equal civilization, and farm the land that way, would end up with not enough to eat. Youve got to have individual ownership of a lot of things, with somebody getting and gaining for himself, because otherwise you dont get the plenty. And the only option you have is to make the social safety net big or small, and you can make it stupid or [you can make it] wise[r], the richer you are. In other words, the better your inequality-producing civilization that produces the plenty is, the more youve got to put into the social safety net. Now if you get a place like Denmark or Sweden or something, a lot of these modern students would like it better, free education, free medical care and so forth. And if you have to bet, the United States will be way more like Canada pretty soon, in terms of more free education at the university level and more Medicare and some kind of medicine for all. And that we can afford without ruining the productivity of the civilization. . We can afford [a higher minimum wage]. If you make it too high it will be counterproductive but yes, a prosperous civilization can have a higher minimum wage the way it can have a social safety net. Dont make it too great and you can afford it. I have more Democratic children than I have Republican children. Ive got both. On Jack Bogle. Youve got to remember, Bogle happened to be right about something important. But that [was] his only advantage. He was a monomaniac. And so thats an odd characteristic. I would not pick Bogle to have the run of the place. He just was very right on one very important subject [the importance of minimizing investment costs], and therefore hes been very useful. On payday lenders, the lottery, and legalized gambling. These goddamn payday lenders, theyre the scum of the earth. Everybodys working on it but not hard enough. Thats a group that ought to be forced out of existence. And the way we abuse the poor with the lottery! Think of how contrary it is to the interests of the poor to play the lottery. Its like a tax on ignorance. Theyre vulnerable. I dont think we should be doing that, but of course everything like it Im voting against. I always vote against legalized gambling. I just lose all the time. I feel like Im pushing on a straw and somebody is just pushing back harder every time. On selfishness and the value of a good reputation. Another thing that really helps is people, a lot of people think that real selfishness, very extreme, is what works. But it doesnt. If you have a reputation for being decent to work with and unselfish, you make more money, not less. And at Berkshire, I cant tell you the things that we have bought where the people wanted a good home for something that they love and they trusted us to take care of their loved one. That sounds ridiculous to talk about, in that language about businesses. But why wouldnt you love something you spent your life building up? Its very natural to love it its your own creation. Of course you want it in good hands. On his ability to delay gratification (aka frugal cred). The first 13 years I practiced law, my income [from practicing law] was $300,000 total. At the end of that 13 years, what did I have? A house. Two cars. And $300,000 of liquid assets. Everyone elsed have spent that slender income, not invested it shrewdly, and so forth. I just think it was, to me, it was as natural as breathing, and of course I knew how compound interest worked! I knew when I saved $10 I was really saving $100 or $1,000 [because of the future growth of the $10], and it just took a little wait. And when I quit law practice it was because I wanted to work for myself instead of my clients, because I knew I could do better than they did. On opportunities. You only get a few opportunities, and you have to grab them aggressively when they come because even in the most favored life, theyre really rare. My mother listened to all this stuff, and it meant nothing to her. She was never interested in money or worldly success, but she just appropriated the stories to me because theyd amused her. I always feel that the opportunities are rare. I only get a few and then I have to seize them aggressively. This last quote is definitely something that I strongly associate with Munger. Even in this interview, you notice he says it twice. Its something to keep in the back of your mind, whether is applies to an investing opportunity, a career opportunity, or even finding a life partner. Work hard, do your analysis, but in the end youll have to take action to get the big results. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 7) The police officer, who has been alleged as the mastermind behind the 2016 kidnap-slay of South Korean businessman Jee Ick-Joo, has been allowed to post bail. In a resolution dated April 24 and released Tuesday, the Angeles City Regional Trial Court Branch 56 said it granted the petition of Supt. Rafael Dumlao III to bail, as the evidence of guilt was not strong. The court allowed Dumlao to post bail of 300,000 for each case hes facing. Dumlao, a former official of the Philippine National Police's defunct Anti-Illegal Drugs Group, was arrested in April 2017 for supposed links to the kidnapping and killing of Jee. His co-accused SPO3 Ricky Sta. Isabel and Jerry Omlang will remain in detention after their bail applications were denied. The 53-year-old businessman Jee was taken by suspects on October 18, 2016 from his home in Pampanga on charges that he was involved in trading illegal drugs. Investigators said Jee was strangled to death in Camp Crame before he was cremated at a funeral parlor owned by a former police official. Initial trial for the case is set on June 19. Prosecutors meanwhile asked the court to issue a hold departure order against Dumlao. During the Democratic Weekly Address, House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis Chair Kathy Castor (D-FL) stated that we dont have any more time for denial or delay in stopping the accumulation of carbon pollution. Castor was Tuesdays KVML Newsmaker of the Day. Here are her words: Hello, Im Representative Kathy Castor from Florida, and I chair the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis. This week, the House passed the first major legislation to address the climate crisis in nearly 10 years. And it wont be the last, because we are committed to passing climate legislation that works for The People, not the corporate polluters. The Climate Action Now Act is a straightforward bill I sponsored that prevents the Trump Administration from breaking Americas commitment and leaving the Paris Climate Agreement. We need to stay in this agreement because it was a major breakthrough. After years of finger-pointing, the United States, China, India, Europe and countries all around the world came together and agreed to cut carbon pollution dramatically. Support for the landmark agreement is overwhelming. A bipartisan group of 23 Governors, nearly 300 cities, and more than 2,000 businesses pledged to honor the Paris climate goals. Now theyve been joined by the U.S. House of Representatives. But we know this is just a first step. To address the climate crisis, we need to stop carbon pollution from accumulating in our atmosphere. That requires action. Urgent action. Ambitious action. We simply dont have any more time for denial or delay. An entire generation has grown up in a rapidly warming world and we are personally experiencing the harm. Scientists say it will get worse, unless we act. I know. A year and a half ago, I boarded up my home, packed my belongings and fled with my family as that monster Hurricane Irma loomed off the coast of Florida. We were petrified of a devastating storm surge from the Gulf of Mexico and Tampa Bay. We were lucky because we had time to get out of the way. But for too many Americans, the climate crisis is inescapable. Seas are rising. Americas heartland and coasts have suffered unprecedented floods. Snowpack is shrinking and droughts are getting worse. Hot, humid heat waves are becoming more intense, with more days where people cannot safely work outside or play outside. And higher temperatures mean that other pollutants, like ground-level ozone from car exhaust are growing even more damaging to our health. The bottom line is that the climate crisis is costing us. Its increasing the cost of our health care, our flood and fire insurance, and its making costly weather disasters even worse. So we need to cut carbon pollution for the people in our communities, and because we need to do it to create incredible economic opportunities. Already, more than 3.2 million Americans are working in clean energy jobs. We can do more and make those quality, family-sustaining jobs that are accessible to everyone. And we can save people money on energy. Efficiency standards will save us $2 trillion by 2030. And fuel economy standards for our cars are saving the average household $2,800 a year at the pump. I believe in American ingenuity and leadership. When America leads, people, countries and businesses across the globe are inspired to do more. But the Trump Administration has been a revolving door for powerful special interests in the fossil fuel lobby. Thats why the President said he wants to take us backwards and cut and run from our commitments. But America doesnt cut and run. America keeps its commitments. So despite what the Trump Administration says, we are still in this agreement. We have not formally withdrawn. And if and when this bill becomes law, we never will. Because we need climate policy that works For The People, not well-connected corporate polluters in the Trump Administration. Thats why were going to cut carbon pollution, protect the people and places we love, advance climate justice, and create a clean energy economy that works for everyone. This is just the start of climate action in this Congress. 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. Several West Texas school districts took some of the top spots on a new ranking of the best districts in Texas for 2019. Online records website backgroundchecks.org analyzed data from 10,728 districts to compile its list of the top 25 school districts in the state. Student population, graduation rates, teacher quality, school funding, student to teacher ratios and standardized test results were weighted factors used to rank schools, according to the report's methodology. PLAINVIEW Sara Diaz had her heart set on attending a Baptist university, but didn't think she would be able. "I've always wanted go to a Baptist school," said Diaz, who was looking at a different university. "It didn't work out. I didn't get enough money." As a senior in high school and future plans hanging in the balance, Diaz began making plans to attend her local community college in Midland when she heard about the Hispanic Leadership Scholarship offered by Wayland Baptist University. The daughter of Lazaro Diaz and Eva Rangel, both Wayland graduates, Diaz said her father got a call from friends who told him about the scholarship. "I applied," she said. "I didn't think anything of it because, who am I to get that?" Dean of the School of Religion and Philosophy Dr. Stephen Stookey said Diaz was one of many applicants, and when the vetting process was complete, she stood out as the obvious candidate. The Hispanic Leadership Scholarship is for a student who is a member of a church affiliated with the Hispanic Baptist Convention of Texas or the Texas Baptists. Students are required to complete an application, plan to attend Congreso, a Hispanic Baptist student conference, and plan to attend the annual meeting of the Hispanic Baptist Convention. A letter of recommendation from the student's pastor is also required. Students, however, do not have to major in religion or Christian studies in order to qualify. Diaz is planning to earn a degree in sociology and use it to help victims of human trafficking. "Originally I was just going to study education because I didn't know what to do," Diaz said. "But it never really felt right." She then attended the Passion Conference in Georgia where she was introduced to the International Justice Mission. "They talked about what they did, and they help people who are 'the least of these,'" Diaz said. "I realized that's what I want to do." Diaz will attend Wayland beginning in the fall of 2019. Wayland is again taking applications for the Hispanic Leadership Scholarship. More information and an application can be found on the Wayland website, wbu.edu, by searching "Hispanic Leadership Scholarship," or email Donnie Brown, director of the Wayland Mission Center, at brownd@wbu.edu. Stock Photo FRIDAY: Brooks Terrell flew in from McKinney for fuel, had breakfast with his parents, Donald Lee and Corky Terrell, and later flew to Taos, New Mexico in his Cessna 400 Columbia. A customer flew in from Amarillo for fuel, then flew back to Amarillo in his Mooney. A customer flew in from Denver, Colorado for fuel, then flew on to San Antonio in his Cirrus SR-20. Jim Roberts flew in from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma in his Bellanca Viking to leave for annual inspection. Ian Kirk drove Jim to Lubbock for his airline connection back to Oklahoma City. A customer flew in from Rifle, Colorado for fuel, then flew on to Granbury in his Experimental RV-8. Dave Zink, pilot for Barr Air Patrol, flew in from Bartlesville, Oklahoma in the Cessna 182 Skylane for fuel and to spend the night. A customer flew in from Addison in his Cessna 177RG Cutlass for fuel, maintenance and to spend the night. A customer departed for Graham in his Beech V-35B Bonanza. SATURDAY: John Grande flew locally in his Cessna 172 Skyhawk. Barr Air Patrol departed out to Libby, New Mexico to pick up the pipeline to patrol. Bill Anton flew to Hereford and back in his Mooney. A customer departed for Belen, New Mexico in his Cessna 177RG Cutlass. A customer flew in from McKinney for fuel, lunch, then headed for Santa Fe, New Mexico in his Cirrus SR-22. A customer flew in from Amarillo for fuel, then flew to Midland in his Twin Beech H18. As Permian Basin energy production attracts national and international interest to our region, our beloved Midland, Texas, is getting a bad rap right now. And lets be fair much of that bad rap, we earned it. From the roads to the schools to the health care to the affordable housing market to the looming generation gap to the general feel around town, most Midlanders agree: we have problems to address. Many of us also know that various businesses, politicians, nonprofits and other civic entities are working hard to develop progressive plans for the benefit of our city. But even some of the most engaged residents among us are functionally uninformed and ignorant about the happenings behind the closed doors of these decision-makers. In the past few months, in conversations at my own kitchen table and in meetings across several boardroom tables, I have listened with growing concern about the problems Midland is facing today. My own sense of concern for Midland has reached a boiling point, and I am no longer content to merely sit at my kitchen table and grumble in ignorance about what is taking place around me. I am a native Midlander, born and raised in our little boomtown. As a Class of 2000 graduate of Midland public schools, a taxpayer, a parent of three school-aged children and a small business owner, my life is invested here. Just like many of you, I have so much to gain or to lose in these popular debates regarding our trajectory as a city. Let it be known: I can speak positively and genuinely about Midland, too. I am fully a product of Midland, and I am proud of the way I have been shaped by the unique personality of our bipolar little oil city. I deeply love this town and I love the people here. We have a heart and a sense of community which have carried us through some of the ugliest economic times the oil business has seen. We know what it is to face drought in the desert and stalled energy in a downturn but we have always been able to pull together as a community, to find common ground and solutions for our issues. We have a community full of some of the most ingenious, out-of-the-box minds in our entire nation, as the Permian shale revolution and drilling renaissance of this century have proven. Our little oasis is a place many outsiders eschew, but it is nevertheless a place where our nerds and roughnecks, our geologists and bit-salesmen, our mothers and fathers, our housewives and career women, our executives and dayworkers have always been happy to work together, getting grease under our collective fingernails, to find solutions to the problems that plague us. I drank the Midland Kool-aid as an infant and I still carry the flag of allegiance with West Texas pride. But today? We have some problems and it is now past time to address them as a community, before we lose some of the best of our citizens in a brain-drain of those who are weary of the fight. There are easier places to live and work and educate our children. But this is the place we have chosen, the place where God has planted us and the place we have been entrusted to steward into a new era of leadership and strength. Let us turn our innovative, ingenious minds toward solutions. Certainly, no one of us has all the answers. With polarizing politics staring us down on the national stage, we here in Midland are facing some dramatic polarities of our own making. The mouthpieces of our local politics seem to swing violently between those who speak only in criticisms of our fair city and those who speak only through the rose-colored veneer of public platforms or social media presence. I propose to you: we must find a middle way, between the polarities. The moderate voice often goes unheard. The moderate, collaborative call to action too often goes unanswered. But hear me! Collaboration is the only way out of the mess we face in our community, and we must not leave the work of collaboration only to elected officials and prominent business people. Work is already being done to press forward into a new era of promise for Midland and the Permian Basin but we average residents must not remain content in our ignorance and grumblings. Let us all step forward to inform ourselves, join the larger conversation and press into the work of meaningful collaboration. A middle way always exists. Now is the time we must search until we find that middle way. The future of my children and yours depends upon it. In the coming days, look for my series on this topic, as I continue to share what I am learning in this collaborative conversation. Stay tuned More Information Out here in the Permian Basin, seeing a doctor when you're sick is becoming more difficult. We have always had a shortage of primary care physicians, but this is different. The latest oil boom is great for business in West Texas, but it comes with a population boom that threatens to wreck our struggling primary care infrastructure. If we're going keep up, we must find ways to attract more primary care physicians to our part of the state. This problem isn't unique to us. Texas ranks 47th among states in the ratio of primary care physicians to total population, with rural and border areas suffering much greater shortages than their metropolitan counterparts. And it's not likely to improve any time soon. A recent report from the Texas Department of State Health Services estimates "the shortage of primary care physicians in Texas will grow from 2,002 full-time equivalents in 2017 to 3,375 in 2030, an increase of 67 percent." The Texas Legislature has three simple policy options available that will result in more primary care physicians caring for patients in rural communities: restoring support for family medicine residency programs, creating more rural medicine training opportunities and boosting our investment in the Physician Education Loan Repayment Program. Our state's 33 family medicine residency programs are the lifeblood of our primary care physician workforce, preparing more than 300 new family physicians for practice each year. Most family doctors who complete their residency training in Texas remain in the state to practice. The Legislature has long recognized the importance of investing in our state's family medicine residency programs through a funding strategy aptly named the "Family Practice Residency Program." Because of this budgetary line item, most family medicine residencies receive funds based on the number of residents they have in training. Last session, legislators cut the program by 40 percent. Restoring that funding would cost the state only $10 million a year, but the investment would protect the residency programs that produce the doctors who make up our primary care infrastructure. So how do we get these new physicians to practice in rural areas? We train them there. At Texas Tech University Health Science Center, I oversee a relatively new rural training track in which family medicine residents spend one year training in Odessa, then two years living and working in one of a number of rural sites in the Permian Basin. Four of the program's five graduates now practice in rural Texas towns and two future graduates have already signed contracts with rural hospitals. Rep. Trent Ashby, R-Lufkin, and Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham, are currently carrying bills in the Legislature that would create a Rural Resident Physician Grant Program designed to help launch rural residency training tracks like ours. HB 1065 and SB 1084 contain smart policy targeted to improve access in areas that need it most by introducing a generation of new physicians to life and medicine in rural Texas. Finally, the Texas Physician Education Loan Repayment Program is designed to encourage physicians to practice in underserved communities by helping them pay their student loans in return for a four-year commitment. In the past five years, the program has enrolled more than 750 physicians who are now caring for patients in rural communities, urban centers, community health centers, and correctional facilities - all places where Texans suffer a lack of access to care. Last session the Legislature cut this program by 25 percent. This time around, legislators should restore that funding and strengthen the program by increasing the amount participating physicians can receive to reflect the growth in educational debt. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, 76 percent of medical students graduate with debt. In 2011, the average educational debt for graduating medical students was $173,000. By 2016, it had grown to $190,000. HB 2261 by Rep. Armando Walle, D-Houston, and Rep. Matt Schaefer, R-Tyler, and SB 998 by Sen. Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa, D-McAllen, would raise the total amount of available loan assistance for doctors in the program from $160,000 to $180,000, sweetening the deal for physicians to begin their careers where we need them most. As our population grows and ages, we must ensure that all Texans have access to high-quality primary care, and the most effective way to meet that goal is to recruit and train family physicians here at home. These three measures not only increase our primary care workforce, but they work to encourage new physicians to live and practice in underserved communities. That's good public policy. Dr. Timothy Benton is the regional chair of the Department of Family and Community Medicine and associate dean for clinical affairs at the Texas Tech University Health Science Center - Permian Basin School of Medicine, and medical director for the Physician Assistant program at TTUHSC School of Health Professions. This article, Amazon fired these 7 pregnant workers. Then came the lawsuits, originally appeared on CNET.com. When Beverly Rosales found out she was pregnant in October, one of the first people she knew she had to tell was her manager at Amazon . Rosales knew she'd have to start taking more restroom breaks, and she was already worried that her bosses at Amazon's Golden State Fulfillment Center would have an issue. During her 10-hour shift as a tote auditor, she would scan items and fill up a bag, and send them along to the next person. She claims those fears were justified. She said her bosses hassled her about how much time she was taking to use the bathroom and how her work pace slowed during her pregnancy. Nearly a week after Amazon's Cyber Monday rush in November, its biggest shopping day ever, the world's largest online retailer fired Rosales, ending her two-year tenure at the 950,000-square-foot San Bernardino, California, facility. Less than two months had passed since she told her managers she was pregnant. Similar to at least a half dozen other women who've worked at Amazon's warehouses, Rosales, who earned $15 an hour, is now suing the tech giant, claiming she was discriminated against because of her pregnancy. CNET reviewed seven lawsuits against Amazon filed by pregnant warehouse workers who were fired over the last eight years and alleged that the company failed to accommodate their needs. The requests included longer bathroom breaks and fewer continuous hours on their feet, according to the lawsuits, but in all of the cases the expectant mothers were fired after telling their managers they were pregnant. Six of the cases were settled out of court. These cases fuel the perception that Amazon and CEO Jeff Bezos have created grueling conditions at their US fulfillment centers in the rush to build the online marketplace for everything. Community activists and unions trying to organize warehouse employees have long raised concerns that the company was pushing employees to work tough jobs and closely monitoring their productivity. A years-long stream of news reports and employee complaints about poor treatment has added to the dim view of these jobs. As the company introduces consumer benefits like cutting Amazon Prime two-day shipping down to a single day, these incidents raise questions about the human cost for such conveniences. "Amazon wants to push out as much product as possible," said Rosales, who filed her suit in January and is due in June. "They need as many people that don't need accommodations to work there. They care more about the numbers than their employees." Rebecca Kolins Givan, an associate professor at the Rutgers School of Management and Labor Relations, echoed that sentiment. She wasn't surprised to hear about pregnant workers being fired at Amazon warehouses, saying those jobs are fast-paced and taxing, and require workers to consistently hit their goals. Amazon has been the subject of multiple lawsuits by workers in its warehouse. The company has settled many of them. Sarah Tew/CNET "The system is designed to not accommodate anything that diminishes your productivity, whether that's pregnancy or anything else," said Givan, who's researched the changing nature of work for the last 20 years. Amazon says it doesn't monitor the length of bathroom breaks, in contrast to employees in multiple lawsuits saying the company did. "It is absolutely not true that Amazon would fire any employee for being pregnant; we are an equal opportunity employer," an Amazon spokeswoman said in a statement. "We work with our employees to accommodate their medical needs including pregnancy-related needs. We also support new parents by offering various maternity and parental leave benefits." Amazon said it wasn't able to discuss the specifics of Rosales' lawsuit or the prior lawsuits. The Seattle-based retail giant has made several efforts in the past year to improve its public image and promote the benefits it offers warehouse employees. In November, it raised its starting pay to $15 an hour and said it'd start advocating for a higher federal minimum wage, which is $7.25. But that hasn't silenced critics who argue that Amazon, an employer of over 600,000 people and one of the world's most valuable companies, with a market cap of almost $1 trillion, still needs to change. Case by case In November 2015, Amber Sargent told her bosses that her doctor warned her against climbing ladders or lifting anything weighing more than 20 pounds. Amazon put her on a working freeze until they could make proper changes and told her to wait for a call, according to her lawsuit. She claims she didn't get paid for more than a month, and every time she called, her managers told her to keep waiting. She returned in December of that year, and found that nothing had changed -- she was still in her same department and required to do everything her doctor said she couldn't do. Another month passed before Amazon fired Sargent, her suit stated. "They need as many people that don't need accommodations to work there. They care more about the numbers than their employees." Beverly Rosales, former Amazon warehouse worker Sargent's story is one of seven lawsuits filed against Amazon in the last four years by pregnant full-time employees for wrongful termination. CNET reviewed the suits and contacted the women's attorneys. Two didn't respond to requests for comment, while the others declined to speak because it'd risk violating their settlements with Amazon. Amazon denies any wrongdoing. "Amazon accommodates work restrictions for pregnant employees within our fulfillment centers; typically, these accommodations vary including based on the employee's particular needs," said a spokeswoman. Yet court records showed Amazon often ignored these requests from pregnant workers despite doctors' notes. When Cathleen Stewart, an Amazon worker in Pennsylvania, told her bosses she was pregnant in 2011, she had a doctor's note saying she needed to use the bathroom more often and, like Sargent, she shouldn't lift anything heavier than 20 pounds. After she was reassigned to a different department, a human resources manager made an off-hand comment to Stewart, disparaging her pregnancy and saying, "I'd like to go to the bathroom a lot, too," court documents said. In another meeting, after a late return from a bathroom break, an Amazon manager told Stewart, "being pregnant is no excuse for being late," according to her settled lawsuit. Trudy Martinez worked at the Amazon fulfillment center in Florence, New Jersey, and had the flu while pregnant in January 2017. Martinez visited the emergency room, where a doctor told her there were difficulties detecting her baby's heartbeat. She was advised to take three days off work to rest. According to the lawsuit, an Amazon human resources manager told her the company "does not accept doctor's notes" and fired her four days later. Brittany Hagman told her bosses she was pregnant in November 2016, offering a note saying she couldn't lift heavy objects or run up and down stairs. She found herself doing exactly that, and was fired two months later, after calling in sick because of a high fever. Hagman is now part of a broader class action suit against Amazon filed by both male and female employees, accusing the company of failing to pay due wages and providing lawfully required breaks during the day. "It is wrong for any employer no matter how large or small to discriminate against pregnant employees," said Gavin Kassel, an employment lawyer who represented four of the women in these pregnancy cases against Amazon. Amazon's track record Amazon is far from the only company to face scrutiny for alleged mistreatment of pregnant employees. While the federal Pregnancy Discrimination Act forbids companies from discriminating against pregnant women in hiring, layoffs or job assignments, many major US companies, including Walmart and AT&T , have been accused of unfairly treating their pregnant employees. The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in 2018 registered 2,790 pregnancy discrimination claims and since 2010 has averaged about 3,520 charges a year. In May 2018, two former AT&T workers sued the company in a federal class action lawsuit, alleging they were fired after missing work due to pregnancy-related medical care. The EEOC sued Walmart in September over pregnancy discrimination issues, claiming the retail giant violated federal law for refusing to accommodate workers' pregnancy restrictions. Walmart and AT&T didn't respond to a request for comment. Last May, the GMB union, which organized protests for Amazon warehouse workers in the UK, said it found in a survey a pregnant woman who was forced to stand for 10-hour shifts. "They are telling me to work hard even though they know I am pregnant. I am feeling depressed when I am at work," the woman told GMB, according to The Guardian. "It's been increasing," Yana Rodgers, faculty director of the Rutgers Center for Women and Work, said of EEOC pregnancy discrimination claims. "That being said, there are many women who don't file a lawsuit, because they can't afford a lawyer or they are afraid of retaliation." Amazon's reputation for poor treatment of warehouse workers goes beyond pregnancy cases. In April 2018, an undercover author and whistleblower found that Amazon workers in the UK developed a "toilet bottle" system because they worried about penalties over bathroom breaks. This February, a former Amazon worker in Kentucky sued the company, claiming he was fired for taking frequent trips to the bathroom. The worker said in his lawsuit that he suffered from the digestive disorder Crohn's disease and that the company discriminated against his disability. "That being said, there are many women who don't file a lawsuit, because they can't afford a lawyer or they are afraid of retaliation." Yana Rodgers, faculty director of the Rutgers Center for Women and Work After an Amazon warehouse worker in Staten Island raised concerns about poor working conditions, he was fired in February. Amazon said the worker was fired over a safety violation, not for speaking out against the company. Amazon has touted its "comprehensive benefits package," which includes up to 20 weeks of paid leave, disability insurance and health insurance. It also offers benefits called LeaveShare, which allows employees to share their paid leave with their spouse, and RampBack, which offers new moms several weeks of flexible reduced work hours. It has said it offers employees "a climate controlled, safe workplace" and has invited politicians who've criticized working conditions at its warehouses -- including US Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez -- to visit its facilities. Limited bathroom breaks Several key policies for Amazon workers were repeatedly cited in these lawsuits. The biggest issue is with Amazon's "Time Off Task" policy -- essentially time allowed for staffers to take regular breaks like going to the bathroom or to lunch. While an office worker might have the leisure to go to the bathroom as many times as needed, Amazon warehouse workers are only given a few minutes a day, details from lawsuits show. It's varied across different cases, but they average about 30 minutes a day for 10-hour shifts. There's no federal requirement for meal and rest breaks, but in California, where many of the women who filed the lawsuits worked, employees are mandated a 10-minute rest break every four hours. Amazon workers routinely have to plan when they use the bathroom, often choosing to just hold it rather than risk getting fired, Rosales said. But for pregnant workers like her, that wasn't an option. Workers say they don't have enough time to walk to the bathrooms in Amazon's massive warehouses, like this one in Massachusetts. Ben Fox Rubin/CNET She said she showed her managers a doctor's note that said she'd need to use the bathroom more frequently, but it was ignored. "I said, 'I'm telling you this because I'm going to have to use the bathroom more,' and she said, 'It's still against the rules,'" Rosales said. "We can't control our bladders. If we have to go, we have to go." Rosales said she had 30 minutes of "Time Off Tasks" for the day, which meant only three 10-minute bathroom breaks. It was a five-minute walk to and from the bathrooms in the massive warehouse where she worked, and she couldn't transfer to a part of the warehouse that was closer, she said. By the time she arrived at the bathroom, she would have seconds to use it before she had to rush back to her station, Rosales said. Every time she got back, her boss would confront her. "When I had to go to the restroom, she literally stayed in that spot and waited for me to come back so she could talk to me about it," Rosales said. "After that, I would just hold it towards the end of the day because I didn't want to get fired." Amazon workers also had to make "rate," a term that describes how productive they were. Going to the bathroom, having conversations and not meeting your packing quota for the day would lower your rate. For some, that meant having to pack 125 items an hour to meet Amazon's demands. Amazon would use rate figures to justify firing warehouse workers, lawsuits showed. Pregnant workers often found that their rate would drop, as they were making more trips to the bathroom, and also unable to lift heavy objects like they used to. Rosales was still meeting her daily requirements for Amazon, but managers took issue with her going to the restroom a lot more, she claims. She adds that Amazon was unwilling to make accommodations for her, like transferring her to a different department or allowing for longer breaks. When Amazon fired her, the company told her she had been taking too much time off, without acknowledging her pregnancy, she said. 'Amazon is not understanding' Rosales has seen some colleagues who were pregnant at Amazon warehouses and able to return without any issues. But unlike Rosales, and the many women who've sued Amazon, these colleagues often had managerial roles or supervisory positions. They weren't subject to timed bathroom breaks, and were not judged based on their "rate." Rosales said she didn't have that privilege, and would have liked to continue working at Amazon. Despite the long hours and short breaks, she didn't have any other issues working at the warehouse -- until she was expecting. She wishes that pregnant workers could get an hour of break time instead of the 30 minutes she had for 10 hours of work. She hasn't found a job since Amazon fired her in November. "Nothing was changed," she said. "Amazon never accommodated me. Amazon is not understanding." 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. Hidden among the busy stretch of strip malls along Bandera Road through Leon Valley lies an Andean retreat in the restaurant Machu Picchu Peruvian Grill. The space has hosted the flavors of ceviche, anticuchos and lomo saltado for a few years now, formerly under the banner of Festejo Peruvian Grill. The new outfit, which debuted in April, features a similar menu of bold and robust classics. Machu Picchu grabs customers at the door. The air inside, which makes an immediate impact, is heady with the appetizing aromas of onion, chile and beef. Take a seat, place an order and get ready for a satisfying dose of South America. RELATED: Bobby Flay beat San Antonio chef Johnny Hernandez on Food network show On the menu: Ceviche is widely considered the national dish of Peru, and its a good place to start at Machu Picchu. Its version, listed as Ceviche de Pescado ($15.99), features a chunky dice of tilapia marinated in lime juice, cilantro, limo chile and red onion, accessorized with corn kernels two ways both tender and hominylike, and toasted into crunchy corn nuts. And because they can, they add a couple slices of sweet potato for good measure. Tilapia will never be a showstopper of a fish, but Machu Picchus tastes fresh, has a good texture and is served in a generous quantity, which makes this order feel like a value. Vital info Location: 7007 Bandera Road, Suite 12, 210-975-7918, Facebook: Machu Picchu Peruvian Grill Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday See More Collapse Anticuchos ($6.99) are a great introduction to beef heart if youre not a regular offal eater. Machu Picchus version is well marinated in a savory sauce spiked with panca chiles for a big beefy flavor with the tender chew of a good steak. The Tamales de Guatemala ($5.99) were chubby, packed with tender roasted pork and wrapped in banana leaves. I found them to be a respectable diversion from the slim, sparsely filled and corn husk-wrapped variety more commonly found in San Antonio, especially with the briny pickled red onions served alongside. RELATED: James Beard Award eludes San Antonio chef Steve McHugh for fourth time Machu Picchus lomo saltado ($12.99) was a largely inelegant and unmemorable mound of tough hangar steak and coarsely chopped onions and tomatoes in a thin and salty brown sauce over soggy french fries. The Cau-Cau ($12.99) and Aji de Gallina ($12.99) both proved more interesting. The former is a stew of tripe and chile with a mild barnyard funk that will appeal to any menudo lover. The latter is a tangle of shredded chicken in a silken sauce tasting of nuts, chile and and other spices. Theyre both traditional comfort foods in Peru and are given a slightly upscale touch here. Machu Picchu Peruvian Grill doesnt serve alcohol, but diners are welcome to bring their own beer or wine. 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 Vaccine advocate Dr. Peter Hotez is accustomed to verbal attacks from anti-vaxxers, but on Tuesday the abuse came from an unexpected source: a Texas legislator. In response to a Hotez tweet that the latest increase in vaccine exemptions in Texas shows its children have been "placed in harm's way for the financial gain of special and outside interest groups," Rep. Jonathan Stickland, R-Bedford, let loose. "You are bought and paid for by the biggest special interest in politics," tweeted Stickland. "Do our state a favor and mind your own business. Parental rights mean more to us than your self enriching 'science.'" On HoustonChronicle.com: Houston mayor proposes plan with 300 layoffs to help solve city's massive budget gap Stay Informed Text CHRON to 77453 to get breaking news alerts by text | Sign up to receive breaking news alerts delivered to your email here. See More Collapse When Hotez replied that he doesn't take a dime from the vaccine industry and that as a Texas pediatrician-scientist who develops neglected disease vaccines for the world's poorest people, it is "most certainly my business," Stickland dug in even deeper. "Make the case for your sorcery to consumers on your own dime," tweeted Stickland. "Like every other business. Quit using the heavy hand of government to make your business profitable through mandates and immunity. It's disgusting." Hotez, a Baylor College of Medicine professor of infectious disease, bowed out at that point. But Stickland continued the onslaught with others happy to engage the fight. In a span of an hour, he tweeted that vaccines are "dangerous," that a doctor concerned about the child's vulnerability to disease is a "brainwashed commie" and that a defender of science is a "typical leftist trying to take credit for something only The Lord God Almighty is in control of." The twitter tussle was triggered by a Houston Chronicle story reporting on the latest and continuing increase in the number of Texans vaccine exemptions by parents claiming a conscientious objection to the state requirement. Todd Ackerman covers medicine for the Houston Chronicle. He can be reached at todd.ackerman@chron.com or twitter.com/ChronMed. More than 370 former federal prosecutors who worked in Republican and Democratic administrations have signed on to a statement asserting special counsel Robert Mueller's findings would have produced obstruction charges against President Donald Trump - if not for the office he held. The statement - signed by myriad former career government employees, as well as high-profile political appointees - offers a rebuttal to Attorney General William Barr's determination that the evidence Mueller uncovered was "not sufficient" to establish Trump committed a crime. Mueller himself had declined to say one way or the other whether Trump should have been charged, citing a Justice Department legal opinion that sitting presidents cannot be indicted, as well as concerns about the fairness of accusing someone for whom there can be no court proceeding. "Each of us believes that the conduct of President Trump described in Special Counsel Robert Mueller's report would, in the case of any other person not covered by the Office of Legal Counsel policy against indicting a sitting President, result in multiple felony charges for obstruction of justice," the former federal prosecutors wrote. "We emphasize that these are not matters of close professional judgment," they added. "Of course, there are potential defenses or arguments that could be raised in response to an indictment of the nature we describe here . . . But, to look at these facts and say that a prosecutor could not probably sustain a conviction for obstruction of justice - the standard set out in Principles of Federal Prosecution - runs counter to logic and our experience." The statement is notable for the number of people who signed it - 375, as of Monday afternoon - and the positions and political affiliations of some on the list. It was posted online Monday afternoon; those signing it did not explicitly address what, if anything, they hope might happen next. Among the high-profile signers are Bill Weld, a former U.S. attorney and Justice Department official in the Reagan administration who is running against Trump as a Republican; Donald Ayer, a former deputy attorney general in the George H.W. Bush Administration; John S. Martin, a former U.S. attorney and federal judge appointed to his posts by two Republican presidents; Paul Rosenzweig, who served as senior counsel to independent counsel Kenneth Starr; and Jeffrey Harris, who worked as the principal assistant to Rudolph Giuliani when he was at the Justice Department in the Reagan administration. The list also includes more than 20 former U.S. attorneys, and more than 100 people with at least 20 years of service at the Justice Department - most of them former career officials. The signers worked in every presidential administration since that of Dwight D. Eisenhower. The signatures were collected by the nonprofit group Protect Democracy, which counts Justice Department alums among its staff and was contacted about the statement last week by a group of former federal prosecutors, said Justin Vail, an attorney at Protect Democracy. "We strongly believe that Americans deserve to hear from the men and women who spent their careers weighing evidence and making decisions about whether it was sufficient to justify prosecution, so we agreed to send out a call for signatories," Vail said. "The response was overwhelming. This effort reflects the voices of former prosecutors who have served at DOJ and signed the statement." A spokesman for the special counsel's office declined to comment. A spokeswoman for the Justice Department referred a reporter to Barr's previous public statements on the subject. Many legal analysts have wondered since Mueller's report was released whether the special counsel believed he had sufficient evidence to charge Trump and was just unwilling to say it out loud. By the report's account, Trump - after learning he was being investigated for obstruction - told his White House counsel to have Mueller removed. And when that did not work, according to Mueller's report, Trump tried to have a message passed to Attorney General Jeff Sessions to limit the scope of Mueller's authority. Of that episode, Mueller's team wrote there was "substantial evidence" to indicate Trump was trying to "prevent further investigative scrutiny" of himself and his campaign. "All of this conduct - trying to control and impede the investigation against the President by leveraging his authority over others - is similar to conduct we have seen charged against other public officials and people in powerful positions," the former federal prosecutors wrote in their letter. They wrote that prosecuting such cases was "critical because unchecked obstruction - which allows intentional interference with criminal investigations to go unpunished - puts our whole system of justice at risk." Mueller's team, though, wrote that they determined not to make a "traditional prosecutorial judgment" in part because of the Justice Department opinion on not indicting sitting presidents, and that the evidence obtained "presents difficult issues that would need to be resolved" if they were to do so. "At the same time, if we had confidence after a thorough investigation of the facts that the President clearly did not commit obstruction of justice, we would so state," Mueller's team wrote. After receiving Mueller's report, Barr said he and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein reviewed the case themselves and determined the evidence was not there. He offered a robust defense of that decision at a recent congressional hearing, detailing for lawmakers possible defenses Trump could have raised in each episode. "The government has to prove things beyond a reasonable doubt," Barr said. "And, as the report shows, there's ample evidence on the other side of the ledger that would prevent the government from establishing that." TOP GUN and other elite U.S. Military aerial combat schools are getting some getting some major air support from one Texas private defense contractor. The U.S. Air Force, U.S. Marines and U.S. Navy use elite fighter jets such as the Super Hornet and the F-35 Joint Strike fighter. But those military branches do not have enough aircraft to simulate aggressor planes when training their elite pilots in live-combat exercises, according to a report from foxtrotalpha.jalopnik.com. On HoustonChronicle.com: Oil and gas exec raises more questions about $580M tax break program So, Airborne Tactical Advantage (ATAC), a company headquartered near Fort Worth, contracts out more than 90 fighter and attack jets to fill the void. Those training jets often come with retired military pilots to fly them. ATAC is a Private Military Contractor (PMC), which the armed forces are using increasingly for aviation training. According to Jane's Defense Weekly, ATAC executed one of the largest government-to-private fighter jet transfer in U.S. history a little over a month ago when it purchased 63 Dassault Mirage F1 fighter jets from the French Air Force Other jets ATAC jets include Israeli-made F-21 Kfir jets and the L-39 Albatross jet trainer. Airborne Tactical Advantage is a subsidiary of U.S. defense contracting company Textron. Chron.com reached out to ATAC about the price of the transactions described above. But a spokesperson said the company was unable to comment at this time. The Foxtrot Alpha report cites cost as the main reason behind the process. The Navy's Super Hornet cost $15,000 per flight hour and the F-35 Joint Strike fighter costs even more at $35,000 an hour. At this time, neither records, nor reports say how how much ATAC jets cost to fly per hour. The report states that while jets like the F1 aren't capable of the same maneuvers as the top jets if Russia and other potential enemies, ATAC's jets can still give military pilots valuable flying experience. ATAC's fleet gives pilot experience flying against other types of airplanes, according to the report. They can also be used to simulate incoming missiles. In conclusion, the report says, "Hiring private contractors is also cheaper than having the latest and greatest fighters sparring against one another." 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. The San Antonio Fire Department is mourning the loss of Kai, an Acceleration Detection K-9. Kai, who was with department for 9 years, "will forever be remembered as a loyal, hardworking, loving canine," SAFD shared in a Facebook post Tuesday morning. Before Kai came to San Antonio, the Labrador retriever was placed in an animal care services facility in Central Illinois where she "faced certain death" after she was abandoned. When a representative from the county's humane society visited the facility, Kai's energy was hard to miss, according to San Antonio Express-News archives. RELATED: SAFD's arson K-9 named 'Hero Dog' finalist "Her drive was obvious and with one phone call, her career in Fire Investigation began," a 2014 biography posted for her nomination for American Humane Hero Dog of the Year, an accolade she later won, reads. Along with the 2014 national distinction, Kai was also featured in two National Geographic books, according to the post. She also traveled to schools to help the department educate children about fire safety. SAFD Arson Investigator Justin Davis and K-9 Kai were partners since July 2010. SAFD asked for prayers for Davis, his family and the department as they mourn the loss of Kai. Madalyn Mendoza is a breaking news reporter and general assignment writer. Read her on our breaking news site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com | mmendoza@mysa.com | @MaddySkye An Amber Alert was discontinued Tuesday afternoon after police found a 3-year-old San Antonio girl who they say was kidnapped. Zanyah Rita Lucio, 3, was taken from her home on Monday night, according to the San Antonio Police Department. Gabriela Lucio, 20, the girl's mother, was arrested by police and U.S. Marshals around 1 p.m. Tuesday in the 2100 block of Northeast Loop 410, Chief William McManus said. UPDATED: Tip leads police to mother suspected of kidnapping 3-year-old girl in San Antonio Police identified a suspect in connection to the abduction as 20-year-old Gabriella Kathleen Lucio. She has an active arrest warrant for kidnapping, police said. It's unclear whether she was found with the child and taken into custody as of Tuesday afternoon. Investigators believe Gabriella Lucio entered the girl's home through a window around 9:24 p.m. She allegedly knocked down a 57-year-old woman before taking Zanyah Lucio and fleeing the home on foot, police said. FIND OUT FIRST: Get San Antonio breaking news directly to your inbox Officers initially searched with helicopters and K-9 units, but were unsuccessful. Text "NEWS" to 77453 for breaking news alerts from mySA.com. Fares Sabawi covers crime in San Antonio and Bexar County. Read him on our breaking news site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com | fsabawi@mysa.com|@FaresInSA A man accused of killing another man in 2017 over drugs and an alleged burglary was brought into custody Monday by San Antonio police. Richard Ramirez, 39, was arrested on suspicion of murder, jail records showed. His bail was set at $100,000, according to jail officials. FIND OUT FIRST: Get San Antonio breaking news directly to your inbox Police allege that Ramirez fatally shot Robert Reyes Jr., 24, outside an apartment complex in the 8200 block of South Flores Street on June 10, 2017. Emmanuel Mendoza, 37, was initially arrested in December 2017 on suspicion of murder in connection to Reyes' death. An arrest affidavit showed that a phone number connected to Mendoza was used to call Reyes about 14 times in a 30-minute span prior to the shooting and set up a drug deal. However, the charges against Mendoza were dismissed later that month. Court records show that the case was dismissed for further investigation. Detectives arrested Ramirez after another witness, who is not named in the affidavit, told police that he helped set up a drug deal with Reyes to lure him out. READ ALSO: Teen accused of ambushing, shooting SAPD officer indicted by grand jury The witness allegedly met with Ramirez and his brother at a taco house before the fatal shooting, according to police records. Ramirez's brother told the witness that he loaned crystal meth to Reyes and that he suspected Reyes burglarized his apartment. Reyes had allegedly begun blocking calls from Ramirez's brother, who has not yet been charged in connection to the shooting, so the witness was asked to call Reyes from a friend's cell phone to set up a drug deal. The witness said when Reyes noticed Ramirez and his brother in the parking lot, he took off running. That's when, police allege, Ramirez got out of his car and shot Reyes, while his brother drove up on him and took the narcotics, along with Reyes' handgun and money. Ramirez's criminal record includes a family violence, violating a protective order and evading detention convictions. Text "NEWS" to 77453 for breaking news alerts from mySA.com. 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 Police on Tuesday identified the eight people who were shot and killed Sunday at a Dallas Cowboys watch party in Plano, Texas. The eight victims were gunned down by 32-year-old Spencer James Hight around 8 p.m. at the home of his ex-wife, 27-year-old Meredith Emily Hight, in the 1700 block of West Spring Creek Parkway. RELATED: Possibly sleeping driver killed after sports car 'tumbled end over end,' burst into flames Several neighbors reported the shooting to police, and an officer was dispatched to the Hight home. He heard gunshots and entered the property through the back. "He observed shooting victims down in the backyard and immediately understood what was occurring," said Plano Police Chief Gregory Rushin. The officer, who has not been identified, entered the home, found Spencer Hight and fatally shot him, ending the attack. In total, Hight killed eight people and injured one other. Plano police identified the victims as Hight's ex-wife, Meredith; 33-year-old Anthony Michael Cross; 24-year-old Olivia Nicole Deffner; 29-year-old James Richard Dunlop; 22-year-old Darryl William Hawkins; 31-year-old Rion Christopher Morgan; 28-year-old Myah Sade Bass and 25-year-old Caleb Seth Edwards. The surviving shooting victim has yet to be identified. Meredith Hight's mother told The Associated Press that her daughter owned the home and had recently divorced Spencer Hight following six years of marriage. RELATED: Police searching for suspects who stole hot rod, El Camino from North Side business According to posts on Meredith Hight's Instagram, the couple had a wedding ceremony in Jamaica in May 2012. "Pretty much what I live for," reads the caption of a photo of Spencer and Meredith from January 2015 on Meredith's Instagram. But by April of this year, Spencer Hight referred to Meredith as his ex-wife in Facebook posts. Plano police said the investigation into the shooting has been handed over to the Texas Rangers. Text "NEWS" to 77453 for breaking news alerts from mySA.com cdowns@mysa.com Twitter: @calebjdowns San Antonio-area law enforcement agencies arrested 44 people on felony drunken driving charges in April 2019, court records showed. Suspects were arrested on charges that include intoxication assault, intoxication manslaughter, driving while intoxicated with a child and a third or more DWI offense. FIND OUT FIRST: Get San Antonio breaking news directly to your inbox Joseph Robles, 38, faces the most serious charges. On April 20, Robles was allegedly involved in a fatal crash on Highway 181 near Green Lake Street. Three were killed in the crash while one person was seriously injured. Robles is charged with three counts of intoxication manslaughter and one count of intoxication assault. Here are the number of charges broken down for March. Some people may be facing multiple charges: Intoxication assault (third-degree felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison): 3 Intoxication manslaughter (second-degree felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison): 3 Driving while intoxicated with child passenger under 15 years old (state jail felony punishable by up to two years in prison): 12 Driving while intoxicated third or more (third-degree felony): 29 MySA.com has tracked the felony DWI issue in Bexar County since 2015. A mugshot for Alejandra Ortega, who was charged on April 5 with intoxication assault, was not available, according to Bexar County Jail officials. 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 Police arrested a mother Tuesday who allegedly kidnapped her daughter and triggered an Amber Alert. Gabriela Lucio, 20, was arrested by police and U.S. Marshals around 1 p.m. in the 2100 block of Northeast Loop 410, Chief William McManus said. Her daughter, Zanyah Lucio, was found safe at the same address. Gabriela Lucio allegedly broke into the child's grandmother's home around 9 p.m. Monday night, entering the through a window. FIND OUT FIRST: Get San Antonio breaking news directly to your inbox When the child's 57-year-old grandmother tried stopping her, Gabriela Lucio allegedly knocked her down before fleeing the scene with her daughter. The grandmother remained on the ground until first responders helped her up, McManus said. Although Gabriela Lucio is the child's mother, she does not have custody, McManus said. Because of that, authorities believed the child was in danger. Police found the two around 1 p.m. Tuesday after acting on a tip they received. The child was recovered and Gabriela Lucio was taken into custody without incident. AS IT HAPPENED: Abducted 3-year-old San Antonio girl found safe Gabriela Lucio did not speak to reporters as she was taken from police headquarters to the Bexar County Jail, but she did smile during her walk to the police car. The child remained in Child Protective Services custody Tuesday, and where she goes next will "have to be worked out," McManus said. 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 The worst thing that Attorney General William Barr did last week arguably had nothing to do with possible contempt of Congress or the Mueller report. It had to do with health care. On May 1, amid the circus over alleged special counsel snittiness, the department that Barr oversees formally asked a federal appeals court to strike down the entire Affordable Care Act, jeopardizing access to health care for tens of millions of Americans. If the Trump administration prevails, everything in the law would be wiped out. And I do mean everything: the protections for people with preexisting conditions, Medicaid expansion, income-based individual-market subsidies, provisions allowing children to remain on their parents insurance until age 26, requirements that insurance cover minimum essential benefits such as prescriptions and preventive care, and so on. The administrations rationale was laid out in a policy brief supporting a lawsuit challenging Obamacare by 20 red states. Their logic: When Congress, as part of President Donald Trumps 2017 tax cuts, set the penalty for not carrying health insurance to zero, that effectively made it no longer really a tax, and therefore made it unconstitutional. Somehow, that rendered the rest of the law unconstitutional, as well including lots of provisions having nothing to do with the mandate. This reasoning has been rejected even by conservative legal scholars otherwise opposed to the law. But legal merits (and demerits) aside which are likely to be ultimately adjudicated by the Supreme Court its also not clear what political upside Republicans could possibly see in mounting yet another overt attack on Obamacare. The GOPs November congressional losses were largely motivated by voter rage over the partys attacks on Obamacare, after all. Trump has, of course, more recently proclaimed the GOP the party of health care, and he and other party leaders continue repeating the obvious fiction that theyre cooking up something terrific to replace the ACA. Yet Trumps party has never been able to come up with (let alone pass) a viable replacement plan, even when it had unified control of government. There are more productive things Trump and lawmakers could do to improve the health care system that dont involve dismantling the ACA. In fact, if Republicans are looking for more fruitful areas for improvement, they might contemplate a survey focused on employer-sponsored insurance plans that was released Thursday by the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Los Angeles Times. About half of the U.S. population has employer-based coverage, including 60 percent of nonelderly adults. While most say they are generally satisfied with these health plans, many nonetheless struggle with the financial burden they impose particularly the high-deductible plans that cover 4 in 10 people with employer-sponsored insurance. Deductibles have nearly quadrupled over the past 12 years and now average $1,350 for a single-person plan. But separate survey data show that only half of nonelderly, one-person households report having at least $2,000 in savings available. Its no wonder, then, that many with good health coverage still report trouble paying for care. Figuring out how to reduce out-of-pocket costs including deductibles so high that theyre tantamount to not having insurance at all turns out to be much more challenging than simply burning down the entire system. After all, requiring employers to spend more on health insurance might just end up hitting workers in the form of lower wages. Even so, there are promising paths forward. For instance, the latest version of a plan known as the Medicare for America Act introduced last week by Reps. Rosa L. DeLauro, D-Conn., and Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill. would create an expansive public insurance option to compete with the employer-sponsored system. The public option would cap premiums and out-of-pocket costs and have no deductibles. The bill would allow employer-sponsored plans to continue, as long as they covered a minimum average share of enrollees health expenses. Other options might include refundable tax credits to offset out-of-pocket spending, as have been proposed by Democrats before. Trump administration officials may not like these alternatives. But if theyre going to persist in trying to blow up the current system, the onus remains on them to propose better ways to rebuild it. crampell@washpost.com Whats the matter with Washington? Where should we start? The Senate Judiciary Committee put on a three-ring circus recently, with the spotlight fixed on Attorney General William Barr, who testified about his interpretation of the Mueller report. Some of this is complicated, but what led us here is simple: In Washington, no one stays in their lane. Public officials often try to play a role assigned to someone else, grabbing as much power as they can with little or no restraint. The latest person to get grabby was Robert Mueller. A former FBI director who is now an attorney in private practice, Mueller was named special counsel and tasked with investigating Russian interference in the 2016 election. What seems to have most interested him and his team of lawyers many of whom worked in the Clinton or Obama administrations was the possibility that Russia colluded with Donald Trumps campaign. They were not so interested in any Russian interference that might have helped Hillary Clintons campaign. This exercise was always about jamming up Trump. Now that the investigation is over, Mueller apparently wants to branch out and act as attorney general, a post to which he was not nominated or confirmed. After the actual attorney general, William Barr who was nominated and confirmed offered up a summary that Mueller felt misrepresented the findings of the report, Mueller fired off a letter to Barr. The special counsel essentially told the attorney general how to do his job a job that Barr actually did once before, under President George H.W. Bush, and a job that Mueller has never done. What do you know? Muellers ego is almost as big as Trumps. As Barr told the senators, Mueller was exercising the powers of the attorney general, subject to the supervision of the attorney general. Barr was Muellers boss, and a supervisor doesnt have to explain himself to a subordinate. Its usually the other way around. Miraculously, Muellers letter found its way to the Washington Post before Barr testified. What are the odds? In his opening remarks, committee Chairman Lindsey Graham said: On the Republican side, we all agreed that Mr. Mueller should be allowed to do his job without interference. How about giving Barr the same courtesy? Mueller should stop interfering and let him do his job. Thats only fair and poetic. Certainly, Mueller isnt the only person in Washington who is meddling in things that go way beyond his portfolio. This whole thing started because Jeff Sessions, while serving as senator from Alabama, decided to moonlight as a top adviser to the Trump campaign. He also wanted to be attorney general, and Trump granted that wish. During the campaign, while acting as a representative for Trump, Sessions met more than once with the Russian ambassador. Those meetings ultimately forced him to recuse himself from the Russia investigation. That recusal led to the appointment of Mueller. And, well, you know the rest of the story. Then there is James Comey, who sealed his fate when he angered both Republicans and Democrats by dabbling in politics leading up to the 2016 election. While serving as FBI director, Comey also apparently wanted to go back to his Justice Department roots by playing prosecutor. He concluded that no prosecutor would have brought a case against Hillary Clinton for her reckless use of government email, a determination that wasnt his to make and only fed the suspicion by conservatives that the very same FBI that was being super hard on Trump was also being extra soft on Clinton. Finally, lets not forget Rod Rosenstein, who has now resigned. As deputy attorney general, he urged that Comey be fired and oversaw both the Trump-Russia and Clinton-email investigations. During the Senate hearing, Kamala Harris a 2020 Democratic presidential hopeful who grilled Barr and then sent out a fundraising email based on her performance insisted that Rosenstein should not have been in a position to help decide whether Trump could be charged with obstruction of justice for firing Comey since he was among those insisting that Comey be fired. Harris nailed it. When people try to wear more than one hat, they cook up conflicts of interest. Thats the real problem. Teach your children well, folks. Tell them that the secret to a happy life is to always do their jobs and never try to do someone elses. Its a valuable lesson that many folks in the nations capital refuse to learn. ruben@rubennavarrette.com PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday pledged to provide decent accommodation for all Zimbabweans after visiting Mbares Matapi flats, which are being renovated under a joint deal between government and Harare City Council. Renovations at the flats, which had become an eyesore and a potential health disaster, started after one block was gutted down by fire last year. Remember that last year, when one block was burnt, I visited the place and promised residents that I will look into renovations there, particularity that block and the rest of other blocks around that place, Mnangagwa said. When I visited the place, I discovered that they were very dilapidated so I made arrangements that they are fixed. The company that is working there has so far attended to about three or four blocks, but they are going to do all the blocks around there. He said government, using funds raised through the Transitional Stabilisation Programme, together with Harare City Council contracted a Singaporean company, FCG, which is leading the renovations. Mnangagwa said the Matapi renovations were the beginning of bigger things to come. The renovations at Matapi include replacing the obsolete sewer reticulation system and upgrading communal toilets and laundry rooms, which were build during the colonial era. NewsDay Breaking News via Email Loading... Related Zimbabwe Latest News Leaders of political parties involved in the national dialogue yesterday met at State House in Harare to deliberate on the basic conceptual structure for the national dialogue coined Political Actors Dialogue (POLAD). Secretary for Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Mr Nick Mangwana last night told The Herald that the meeting adopted a programme content for POLAD launch slated for May 17. The political leaders who are participating in the national dialogue adopted a code of conduct drafted by their working committees. One of their adopted resolutions was the co-option of Mrs Margaret Mukahanana-Sangarwe as a co-convenor with National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) chairperson Justice Selo Nare, said Mr Mangwana. Mrs Mukahanana-Sangarwe, who chairs the Gender Commission, was appointed last month, just before the political parties toured the Cyclone Idai-ravaged areas of Chimanimani and Chipinge. Seventeen political leaders participating in the national dialogue, together with President Mnangagwa, toured the areas and inspected damaged infrastructure like bridges and roads, among others. President Mnangagwa initiated the dialogue by inviting parties that participated in last years harmonised elections and held their first meeting in February. The dialogue is part of wider efforts to cement national healing and nation-building. Out of 23 parties that fielded candidates in the presidential elections, 21 were represented at the inaugural meeting. At yesterdays meeting, parties were hailed for putting aside their differences and not dwelling on what divides the people, but focus on ongoing reforms and the economy. The parties have since agreed that there should be no pre-conditions for dialogue and that there should be no sacred issues during the discussions. Further, previous meetings have agreed that both political and economic reforms should be implemented while politically-motivated violence should be shunned. Other salient issues such as the continued imposition of sanctions on the country by the West rallied the Zimbabwean leaders. Herald Breaking News via Email Loading... Related Zimbabwe Latest News MDC-Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa has claimed that he is willing to have a dialogue with President Emmerson Mnangagwa, but he (Mnangagwa) has now become a crook, who locks out dialogue envoys from the MDC. The Daily News quotes Chamisa Saying although Mnangagwa has locked himself inside, the MDC shall continue knocking for the sake of the suffering masses. Chamisa said: We have sent letters to him (Mnangagwa); we have sent emissaries; I have sent several people to his offices but they have found the doors locked and iron walled, but we will keep knocking because what moves us is the suffering of the people. Zimbabwe is polarised and people are too angry my plea and request to Mnangagwa is to come down from his high horse. Pride has never been known to be a progressive disposition people need to be united (and) not put asunder, the youthful leader told the paper. I have listened to the testimonies of villagers, old women who told me about their bitterness, their hunger and anger with the economy and the politics. The national question has to be addressed. There are ways of dialoguing that are genuine you dont invite me to a crowd and say that is dialogue. You dont invite somebody to your rally, he fumed. Breaking News via Email Loading... Related Zimbabwe Latest News In the last few days, the press has published more accounts on the 737 Max and broader issues on Boeings safety culture, or more accurately, the increasing lack thereof. Although all stories paint a broadly similar picture, that of a company that was relentlessly profit-oriented to the detriment of safety and adequate disclosure to regulators and customers, the most damning is a detailed piece at the Seattle Times, Engineers say Boeing pushed to limit safety testing in race to certify planes, including 737 MAX . I strongly urge you to read it full. The article gives an incriminating account of how Boeing got the FAA to delegate more and more certification authority to the airline, and then pressured and abused employees who refused to back down on safety issues. On Monday, the Post and Courier reported about the South Carolina plant that produced 787s found with tools rattling inside that Boeing SC lets mechanics inspect their own work, leading to repeated mistakes, workers say. Oops! Another report at Reuters described how Boeing weakened another safety check, that of pilot input. A new piece in the Wall Street Journal described how Boeing knew of 737 Max software problems a full year before it told the FAA, and how it also gave inconsistent accounts to important customers. Boeing Undermines Safety Based on how the FAA greatly weakened supervision in 2004, its a testament to the airline industys deeply internalized safety culture that Boeing-like results didnt occur till recently. And by Boeing-like results, I mean corners-cutting opposed by the very personnel who were tasked with safety oversight. As the Seattle Times described, the problems extended beyond the 737 Max MCAS software shortcomings; indeed, none of the incidents in the story relate to it. In 2004, the FAA changed its system for front-line supervision of airline certification from having the FAA select airline certification employees who reported directly to the FAA to having airline employees responsible for FAA certification report to airline management and have their reports filtered through them (the FAA attempted to maintain that the certification employees could provide their recommendations directly to the agency, but the Seattle Times obtained policy manuals that stated otherwise). Some readers might see the old Designated Employee Representative or DER system as pretty dodgy too, as in why wasnt the FAA doings all the work? As the article explains, people who stay at the FAA for more than a very few years get out of date on current airline technology. The old DER system reportedly worked well. Despite the obvious potential for abuse, the Authorized Representatives (ARs) were treated with respect at manufacturesexcept for Boeing. The Seattle Times article describes how a Boeing AR was thrown off his job duties after refusing to back down on the need for more testing of fire-suppression equipment for the LEAP engines on the 737 Max even after other ARs confirmed his call. From the story: The ARs have nobody supporting them. Nobody has their backs, said one former Authorized Representative who worked on the 737 MAX and who provided details of the engineers removal from the program. The system is absolutely broken. FAA-designated oversight engineers are supposed to enjoy protection from management pressure. Removing one who proves a stickler for safety regulations will inevitably produce a chilling effect on others who see the consequences of being too rigid about safety concerns, said John Goglia, former member of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). It negates the whole system, said Goglia. The FAA should have come down on that really hard. While a few former employees involved in certifications said they handled the pressure as a regular part of the job, others described the work environment as hostile, focused on achieving FAA approval within schedule and cost targets. And this want the only incident. The Seattle Times found five other areas where Boeing muscling ARs in addition to the one above. Industry consultant Mike Levenson, who certified airline repairs for Boeing. Out of roughly 500 he reviewed, he refused to certify three. The first two objections led to him being called in by a supervisor for a chat. Then: On the third occasion, in June 2013, a proposed repair clearly did not meet all FAA requirements, he said. After he declined to approve it, Levenson said, his manager told me to go back and find compliance or my contract would not be extended. Mike Levenson, who has worked as an FAA representative at several companies and served in an AR role at Boeing for five years until 2013. He said that while theres always a pressure on FAA representatives in an aviation world full of deadlines and cost considerations, most industry managers are able to find a balance to ensure the ARs have independence. He said he didnt find that to be the case at Boeing. Levenson worked on certifying aircraft repairs at Boeing and said he certified more than 500 in his time there, though he did not work on the MAX. On three occasions, he declined to certify repairs. The first two times, Levenson said, he got called into a supervisors office. On the third occasion, in June 2013, a proposed repair clearly did not meet all FAA requirements, he said. After he declined to approve it, Levenson said, his manager told me to go back and find compliance or my contract would not be extended. Levenson agreed to do additional work and consulted with other colleagues but still couldnt certify the repairs compliance. When I reported this to my manager, I was told this was unacceptable and was summarily dismissed the following day, Levenson said. The Seattle Times had learned about the removal of the engineer who had raised red flags about the LEAP engines via a 2017 report filed by three unions representing Boeing technical employees. Again from the story: .the incident was listed among a long series of problematic decisions made under the current system of delegating FAA certification and oversight to Boeing. Four additional concerns specific to the 737 MAX were listed in the 2017 report. All were related to certification of legacy systems inherited from the earliest 737 models that were found by FAA technical staff to be noncompliant with the latest safety regulations. These involved a lack of redundancy in the rudder cables; a too-high surface temperature allowed in the fuel tank; insufficient fireproofing around the planes auxiliary power unit in the tail; and using high-power wiring to connect to a switch inside the fuel tank. All these issues were flagged by safety engineers working at the FAA as requiring fixes before the MAX could be certified. The MAX won certification anyway after managers on the Boeing side of certification insisted that these were non-issues and managers on the FAA side agreed to let it move ahead with these shortcomings unaddressed. And if that isnt troubling enough: The (older) DER approach worked extremely effectively, [John] Cox [chief executive of Safety Operating Systems and formerly the top safety official for the Air Line Pilots Association] said. If engineers are working on behalf of the FAA, they should have a direct technical liaison with the FAA.. Yet before the MAX crashes, the FAA was heading in exactly the opposite direction: toward more delegation of oversight, with FAA participation reduced to a bare minimum. A 2012 report to the FAA by a committee co-chaired by a Boeing representative and the FAAs top aviation safety official, Ali Bahrami, recommended increased delegation of oversight to industry, working toward a future state beyond ODA with another deliberately obscure bureaucratic name: Certified Design Organization, or CDO. If Boeing were to achieve CDO status, its employees could certify their own designs. Employees doing the certification work would not be designees technically working on behalf of the FAA, just Boeing engineers working for Boeing. This would be true self-certification, but has not yet been implemented. But actually, aAt the South Carolina 787 Dreamliner factory, 90% of the aircraft were self-inspected. Now technically, this probably would not be considered self-certification since the self-inspection is taking place on a mature airplane design. As the Post and Courier tell us: Some of the mistakes are serious safety hazards, like debris being left in the sensors that measure air speed while a plane is in flight. More common problems, workers say, range from surplus rags and bolts left in planes to loose cabin seats and unsecured galley equipment. Workers say many of those production problems can be traced to the relatively new self-inspection program now spearheaded by Boeing Vice President Ernesto Gonzalez-Beltran, a former automobile executive with no previous aviation manufacturing experience. The lean manufacturing approach Gonzalez-Beltran is working to incorporate at Boeing drew similar complaints and a lawsuit at a California auto plant he once helped manage. Im always finding cases where jobs are signed off and the parts arent installed, said a Boeing worker, who asked not to be named for fear of reprisal. It happens a lot. One worker said planes have been moved out of final assembly with cut tires, cooling fluids that havent been serviced, gears that havent been tested and hydraulics that arent fully functional. They are rolling them out on the day scheduled no matter the condition, an employee said. The schedule on paper drives everything here now. Even though Boeing has succeeded in reducing the time in final assembly considerably at this plant, the average number of days from final assembly to first flight has increased by even more days, so its not clear that all of this corners-cutting is leaving Boeing net ahead. The story describes at length how managers press workers not to submit reports of quality problems, and when they do, they are often ignored or cancelled. And Boeing plans to slash the number of inspectors at this and other plants: Boeing plans to eliminate 451 inspectors at West Coast plants this year and a similar number in 2020. About 100 inspection jobs are on the line in North Charleston. Recall how, last week, the Wall Street Journal described a Boeing 737 Max safety shortcut, that of limiting pilot input: Boeing Co. limited the role of its own pilots in the final stages of developing the 737 MAX flight-control system implicated in two fatal crashes, departing from a longstanding practice of seeking their detailed input, people familiar with the matter said. As a result, Boeing test pilots and senior pilots involved in the MAXs development didnt receive detailed briefings about how fast or steeply the automated system known as MCAS could push down a planes nose, these people said. Nor were they informed that the system relied on a single sensorrather than twoto verify the accuracy of incoming data about the angle of a planes nose, they added. Boeing Plays Cover Up We described early in the 737 Max fiasco how Boeing was breaking the well-known rules of crisis management by doubling down on its claim that nothing serious was amiss. As we wrote: Boeing is breaking the rules of crisis management and making what may well prove to be a bad bet the company wager. Boeing is taking steps that look designed to be adequate, when given the damage done to the 737 Max and its brand generally, this isnt adequate. No one has any reason to give Boeing the benefit of the doubt. The scale of this failure is so large that its called the adequacy of FAA certifications into question. Until this fiasco, aviation regulators deferred to the judgment of regulator in the country where the manufacturer was headquartered. But with China embarrassing the FAA by (correctly) being the first to ground the 737 Max, foreign regulators will make their own checks of Boeings 737 Max fixes.and that practice may continue with other US-origin planes unless Boeing and the FAA both look to have learned a big lesson. So far, Boeings behavior says not. Its now clear that Boeing has been in minimal disclosure mode on the 737 Max for some time. ,The Wall Street Journal this Sunday described how Boeing couldnt be bothered to be truthful with its customers or the FAA: Boeing Co. didnt share information about a problem with a cockpit safety alert for about a year before the issue drew attention with the October crash of a 737 MAX jet in Indonesia, and then gave some airlines and pilots partial and inconsistent explanations, according to industry and government officials. It was only after a second MAX accident in Ethiopia nearly five months later, these officials said, that Boeing became more forthcoming with airlines about the problem. And the company didnt publicly disclose the software error behind the problem for another six weeks, in the interim leaving the flying public and, according to a Federal Aviation Administration spokesman, the agencys acting chief unaware. The Journal restrained itself, waiting till close to the end of the article that the acting head of the FAA, Daniel Elwell, didnt know that Boeing had been shipping 737 Maxes with inoperative angle of attack disagree alerts prior to reading it about it in the Journal. The New York Times and ABC (Australia) also investigated how Boeing misinformed Southwest. Lambert graciously added footnotes to ABCs account: In manuals[1] that Boeing gave to Southwest Airlines the biggest operator of both the MAX and 737s in general the warning light was depicted as a standard feature just as it is on older 737s, according to Southwest spokeswoman Brandy King. After the Lion Air crash, Ms King said, Boeing notified Southwest that it had discovered[2] the lights did not work without the optional angle-of-attack indicators, so Southwest began adding the optional feature too. That allowed the airline to activate the sensor-disagree warning lights on its 34 MAX jets earlier this year, she said. Ms King described both features as supplemental and advisory to other information provided to pilots during flights. The indicator was designed to tell pilots when sensors that measure the pitch of the planes nose appeared to conflict, a sign that the sensor information is unreliable. Boeing told airlines that the warning light was standard equipment on all MAX jets. Boeing engineers quickly learned[3], however, that the warning light only worked if airlines also bought an optional gauge that told pilots how the planes nose was aimed in relation to the onrushing air. Boeing said the problem stemmed from software delivered to the company.[4] Needless to say, some customers are not very happy: Dubai's top aviation official slams Boeing for its handling of the 737 Max grounding https://t.co/VkmVKzKCEQ Bloomberg (@business) May 4, 2019 And it is hard to see how Boeing recovers its reputations with coverage like this. Watch the opening segment of this 60 Minutes Australia show, which starts with a 737 pilot narrating what happened in the Lion Air crash in a 737 simulator: Shorter: Boeing is in a very deep hole and just keeps digging. ____ [1] There has already been discussion about documention and manuals being out of synch (a constant danger in the tech doc world) but if they are out of synch due to Boeing self-certification thats an issue https://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2019/03/boeing-crapfication-737-max-play-by-play-regulatoru-capture-and-when-will-ceo-muilenburg-become-the-sacrificial-victim.html [2], [3] If this is true, then the product versioning theory shared by Lambert and some readers is not true [4] It had appeared that Boeing outsourced the MCAS software to Rosemount, but apparently they only built the AoA sensor and the software was outsourced to Collins. This is from April 5: https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/boeings-737-max-design-contains-fingerprints-of-hundreds-of-suppliers/2019/04/05/44f22024-57ab-11e9-8ef3-fbd41a2ce4d5_story.html Yves here. This post takes up a theme weve argued: that the only way to greatly reduce greenhouse gas emissions is radical conservation. No other approach could make enough of a difference quickly enough. Ilargi makes a more radical version of the argument that reduced energy use is ultimately the only remedy. By Raul Ilargi Meijer, editor at Automatic Earth. Originally published at Automatic Earth If Ive said once that those among us who tout renewable energy should pay more attention to the 2nd law of Thermodynamics, I must have said it a hundred times. But I hardly ever get the impression that people understand why. And it seems so obvious. A quote I often use from Herman Daly and Ken Townsend, when I talk about energy, really says it all: Erwin Schrodinger (1945) has described life as a system in steady-state thermodynamic disequilibrium that maintains its constant distance from equilibrium (death) by feeding on low entropy from its environment that is, by exchanging high-entropy outputs for low-entropy inputs. The same statement would hold verbatium as a physical description of our economic process. A corollary of this statement is that an organism cannot live in a medium of its own waste products. Using energy produces waste. Using more energy produces more waste. It doesnt matter -much- what kind of energy is used, or what kind of waste is produced. The energy WE use produces waste, in a medium of which WE cannot survive. The only way to escape this is to use less energy. And because we have used such an enormous amount of energy the past 100 years, we must use a whole lot less in the next 100. We use about 100 times more energy per person, and a whole lot more in the west, than our own labor can produce. We use the equivalent of what 500 billion people can produce without the aid of fossil fuel-powered machines. We wont solve this problem with wind turbines or solar panels. There really is one way only: cut down on energy use. Because its exceedingly rare to see this discussed, even among physicists, who should know better since they know thermodynamics, its good to hear it from someone else. An article in Forbes today discusses a May 3 article in German magazine Der Spiegel on the problems with the Energiewende, the countrys drastic turn towards renewables. The Forbes article is written by Michael Shellenberger, President of Environmental Progress and Time Magazine Hero of the Environment. (sigh..) Lets take a walk through it: The Reason Renewables Cant Power Modern Civilization Is Because They Were Never Meant To Over the last decade, journalists have held up Germanys renewables energy transition, the Energiewende, as an environmental model for the world. Many poor countries, once intent on building coal-fired power plants to bring electricity to their people, are discussing whether they might leapfrog the fossil age and build clean grids from the outset, thanks to the Energiewende, wrote a New York Times reporter in 2014. With Germany as inspiration, the United Nations and World Bank poured billions into renewables like wind, solar, and hydro in developing nations like Kenya. Oh well, perhaps we shouldnt expect journalists and politicians to understand the world they live in. Theyre mostly into feel-good items, thats a job requirement. But then, last year, Germany was forced to acknowledge that it had to delay its phase-out of coal, and would not meet its 2020 greenhouse gas reduction commitments. It announced plans to bulldoze an ancient church and forest in order to get at the coal underneath it. After renewables investors and advocates, including Al Gore and Greenpeace, criticized Germany, journalists came to the countrys defense. Germany has fallen short of its emission targets in part because its targets were so ambitious, one of them argued last summer. If the rest of the world made just half Germanys effort, the future for our planet would look less bleak, she wrote. So Germany, dont give up. And also: Thank you. But Germany didnt just fall short of its climate targets. Its emissions have flat-lined since 2009. The stage is set: everybodys favorite renewables producer has fallen flat on its face. And dont forget, Angela Merkel, the Mutti behind the Energiewende, is a physicist by training. Thermodynamics must have been a class she missed. Now comes a major article in the countrys largest newsweekly magazine, Der Spiegel, titled, A Botched Job in Germany (Murks in Germany). The magazines cover shows broken wind turbines and incomplete electrical transmission towers against a dark silhouette of Berlin. The Energiewende the biggest political project since reunification threatens to fail, write Der Spiegels Frank Dohmen, Alexander Jung, Stefan Schultz, Gerald Traufetter in their a 5,700-word investigative story (the article can be read in English here). Germany has already spent $180 billion on its switch to renewables, only to find it doesnt work. And much much more will be needed. But for what exactly? Over the past five years alone, the Energiewende has cost Germany 32 billion ($36 billion) annually, and opposition to renewables is growing in the German countryside. The politicians fear citizen resistance Der Spiegel reports. There is hardly a wind energy project that is not fought. In response, politicians sometimes order electrical lines be buried underground but that is many times more expensive and takes years longer. As a result, the deployment of renewables and related transmission lines is slowing rapidly. Less than half as many wind turbines (743) were installed in 2018 as were installed in 2017, and just 30 kilometers of new transmission were added in 2017. Solar and wind advocates say cheaper solar panels and wind turbines will make the future growth in renewables cheaper than past growth but there are reasons to believe the opposite will be the case. Der Spiegel cites a recent estimate that it would cost Germany 3.4 trillion ($3.8 trillion), or seven times more than it spent from 2000 to 2025, to increase solar and wind three to five-hold by 2050. A total expenditure of some $150 billion per year, every year from 2025 to 2050. On a rapidly failing project. Note: the numbers are flexible: just above, it says Over the past five years alone, the Energiewende has cost Germany 32 billion ($36 billion) , and seven times that is much more than $150 billion annually. Later in the article, the author says Germans, who will have spent $580 billion on renewables by 2025 .. General rule of thumb: it will cost much more than any estimate will tell you. Between 2000 and 2018, Germany grew renewables from 7% to 39% of its electricity. And as much of Germanys renewable electricity comes from biomass, which scientists view as polluting and environmentally degrading, as from solar. Of the 7,700 new kilometers of transmission lines needed, only 8% has been built, while large-scale electricity storage remains inefficient and expensive. A large part of the energy used is lost, the reporters note of a much-hyped hydrogen gas project, and the efficiency is below 40% No viable business model can be developed from this. Meanwhile, the 20-year subsidies granted to wind, solar, and biogas since 2000 will start coming to an end next year. The wind power boom is over, Der Spiegel concludes. Think Mutti Merkel has read this? .The earliest and most sophisticated 20th Century case for renewables came from a German who is widely considered the most influential philosopher of the 20th Century, Martin Heidegger. In his 1954 essay, The Question Concerning Technology, Heidegger condemned the view of nature as a mere resource for human consumption. The use of modern technology, he wrote, puts to nature the unreasonable demand that it supply energy which can be extracted and stored as such.. But then starting around the year 2000, renewables started to gain a high-tech luster. Governments and private investors poured $2 trillion into solar and wind and related infrastructure, creating the impression that renewables were profitable aside from subsidies. Entrepreneurs like Elon Musk proclaimed that a rich, high-energy civilization could be powered by cheap solar panels and electric cars. Journalists reported breathlessly on the cost declines in batteries, imagining a tipping point at which conventional electricity utilities would be disrupted. But no amount of marketing could change the poor physics of resource-intensive and land-intensive renewables. Solar farms take 450 times more land than nuclear plants, and wind farms take 700 times more land than natural gas wells, to produce the same amount of energy. Note: these issues only arise when you talk about large-scale projects, but then those are the only ones even considered. Efforts to export the Energiewende to developing nations may prove even more devastating. The new wind farm in Kenya, inspired and financed by Germany and other well-meaning Western nations, is located on a major flight path of migratory birds. Scientists say it will kill hundreds of endangered eagles. Its one of the three worst sites for a wind farm that Ive seen in Africa in terms of its potential to kill threatened birds, a biologist explained. We are incapable of seeing an ecosystem as a whole and functioning entity, because we have never learned to look at things that way. So we see a landscape as containing an X-amount of animals and plant life, and cant figure out why we must be careful with its balance. Landscapes to us look, first, empty, unless theres -lots of- human activity. Heidegger, like much of the conservation movement, would have hated what the Energiewende has become: an excuse for the destruction of natural landscapes and local communities. Opposition to renewables comes from the country peoples that Heidegger idolized as more authentic and grounded than urbane cosmopolitan elites who fetishize their solar roofs and Teslas as signs of virtue. Germans, who will have spent $580 billion on renewables by 2025, express great pride in the Energiewende. Its our gift to the world, a renewables advocate told The Times. Tragically, many Germans appear to have believed that the billions they spent on renewables would redeem them. Germans would then at last feel that they have gone from being world-destroyers in the 20th century to world-saviors in the 21st, noted a reporter. Germany to save the world. Yeah, they would love that. Better find another project for that, though. Germany has an enormous car industry, and electric cars, as this article should by now have shown, wont save the environment. They cant. Only not driving a car can. Shellenberger then finishes with a nice, almost philosophical conclusion, which is also his headline: Many Germans will, like Der Spiegel, claim the renewables transition was merely botched, but it wasnt. The transition to renewables was doomed because modern industrial people, no matter how Romantic they are, do not want to return to pre-modern life. The reason renewables cant power modern civilization is because they were never meant to. One interesting question is why anybody ever thought they could. The reason why anyone ever thought renewables could power modern civilization is the same that Angela Merkel thought that: we all learn from failing education systems and have a very poor understanding of even the most basic principles of physics, including by physicists. We want to feel good more than we want reality. Schools, universities, media and politics are all geared towards believing in growth and progress, in unlimited quantities. Because we all want to believe that there will be energy in unlimited quantities, its in our genes. But look at it this way: in Nate Hagens presentation Earth vs. The Amoeba, which I posted a few days ago, theres a slide that says fossil fuels provide us with a labor subsidy of the equivalent of some 500 billion people, 100 people (energy slaves) for each of us in the global workforce, and many more in the west. Is there anyone amongst you who thinks wind and solar could ever do the same, even in the most ideal conditions imaginable? If not, it would seem to be time to reconsider a few things. First of all: stop advocating renewables, start advocating the use of less energy. Im not saying it will be much use, I have this deep-seated fear that we, as a species, wont be able to stop until nature itself stops us. What you dont use, someone else can and will. But renewables are now dead. So there. Thanks for making that clear, Mutti, even if you didnt mean to. Wandering horse: Strolling mare causes stir in Frankfurt Associated Press (Robert R) 11 ocean-friendly companies like Patagonia and Adidas that are removing plastic from our seas and transforming it into cool new products Business Insider (David L) Organisms That Breathe Arsenic Discovered In the Pacific Ocean New Atlas Found this, thought it was pretty good for people who dont realise whats going on r/collapse (NP). Important. Rapid permafrost thaw unrecognized threat to landscape, global warming researcher warns Science Daily (guurst) BBC (resilc, David L) U.S. doctors use medical records to fight measles outbreak Reuters (EM) Data Isnt Truth Forbes (Kevin W). Important. German parents may face fine for refusing measles vaccination Guardian (resilc) Mechanics, chemistry and biomedical research join forces for noninvasive tissue therapy PhyOrg (Chuck L) Why a safe and effective dengue vaccine is proving elusive Scroll (J-LS) Aging baby boomers are about to push Alzheimers disease rates sky high USA (resilc) China? Hands off the Arctic: US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warns China & Russia away from the north RT (Kevin W) North Korea Brexit Tory MPs will move to oust Theresa May this week if she agrees Brexit deal with Labour Telegraph EU elections to be NEW Brexit referendum in WARNING to Tories say experts Express Senior Labour strategist warns against a shift to Remain after the local elections Guardian Angry Grenfell Tower survivors and grieving families claim public inquiry failed them and showed a total lack of respect for the 72 people killed Daily Mail Madrid court allows exiled Catalans to run in EU election Politico Venezuela Syraqistan Big Brother is Watching You Watch Trump Transition How US and Foreign Intel Agencies Interfered in a US Election Consortiumnews (UserFriendly) 2020 Hedge fund firms accused of cheating public sue Kentucky pension agency over fraud suit Lexington Herald-Ledger (j3). This is sure to be thrown out, since the Kentucky Retirement System isnt party to the suit and even declined a request to join the plaintiffs (although the filing gave air kisses to it). As one attorney noted: Dragging a non-party into court is a real stretch, but this move is clearly aimed at chilling other funds from supporting similar litigation in different states. The Ruthless, Secretive, and Sometimes Seedy World of Hedge Fund Private Investigators Institutional Investor (Paul R) Short positions on Lyft cast shadow over Uber IPO Financial Times (David L). Musk has been shameless in making shit up to squeeze Tesla shorts. With so much at stake in the Uber IPO, one can expect move adept measures to achieve similar results. Class Warfare Antidote du jour. Bob: According to the former couch owners, it just wanders over from next door to sit in the sun. And a bonus from guurst: See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here By Vijay Prashad, an Indian historian, editor and journalist. He is a writing fellow and chief correspondent at Globetrotter, a project of the Independent Media Institute. He is the chief editor of LeftWord Books and the director of Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research. He has written more than twenty books, including The Darker Nations: A Peoples History of the Third World (The New Press, 2007), The Poorer Nations: A Possible History of the Global South (Verso, 2013), The Death of the Nation and the Future of the Arab Revolution (University of California Press, 2016) and Red Star Over the Third World( LeftWord, 2017). He writes regularly for Frontline, the Hindu, Newsclick, AlterNet and BirGun. Produced by Globetrotter, a project of the Independent Media Institute On Sunday, May 5, U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton announced that the USS Abraham LincolnCarrier Strike Group and a bomber task force had begun to make their way from the Mediterranean Sea toward the coastline of Iran. Iran, Bolton said, had made a number of troubling and escalatory indications and warnings. He was, characteristically, not specific. It was enough that Boltonwho has a history of making hazardous statementshad made these comments from the perch of the White House in Washington, D.C. The United States is not seeking war with the Iranian regime, he said rather incredulously. After all, what is the arrival of a massive war fleet on the coastline of a country but a declaration of war? On his way to Europe, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that the indications and warnings included actions by the Lebanese political formation Hezbollah. Once more, Pompeo said he would give no evidence. I dont want to talk about what underlays it. The journey of the USS Abraham Lincolnthrough the Red Sea comes as the U.S. government tries to tighten its sanctions regime against Iran. Any country that buys Iranian oil, the United States now says, will be liable to have sanctions placed against it. The five countries most vulnerable to further U.S. sanctions are China, India, Japan, South Korea, and Turkey. India, Japan, and South Korea have said that they would try and abide by the new, and harsh, U.S. sanctions. China and Turkey have made it clear that they will not follow the U.S. lead. Irans Economy Irans deputy oil minister Amir Hossein Zamaninia toldIranian state media that his ministry will oversee the sale of Irans oil into the gray market. The U.S. sanctions, Zamaninia said, are illegal, and therefore Iran is entitled to use all kinds of methods to circumvent them. The gray market includes loading tankers with Iranian oiloften sold at deep discountsand then allowing them to alter their signals as they go out into open water. Congestion of tankers on the worlds waters makes it difficult to monitor which tanker has actually come from which port. But even if Iran sells oil on the gray market, the volumes will drop significantly, and this will impact Irans external revenues. In April, the International Monetary Fund projectedthat Irans economy would likely slide downhill by 6 percent in 2019. The main reason for this continued slide is of course the U.S.-led sanctions that have whittled away at Irans budget and at the confidence of its people. Irans macroeconomic situation is hurt by large-scale budget deficitsprojected to reach over $14 billion this yearand the flooding of the market with Iranian rialsso that money supplied grew by over 20 percent. Serious problems of capital flight and of tax evasion dog Irans prospects. Kazem Delkhosh, the deputy head of the Iranian parliaments economic commission, estimatesthat about 40 percent of the countrys income is hidden from the tax authorities. It did not help that last month Iran faced devastating floods in the countrys northeast and southwest. The damage is estimated to cost $2.5 billion. Countries that want to send financial support toward the flood victims cannot do so as a result of the U.S. sanctions on financial systems, says the Iranian Red Crescent Society. This is why in-kind aid has been the only thing that has been permitted into the country, with China sending tents and Austria sending blankets. But even in-kind aid, including from Saudi Arabia and the UAE, was blocked due to the U.S. sanctions. Irans Foreign Minister Javad Zarif wrote onTwitter, Iranian Red Crescent cant receive any funds due to illegal US sanctions. US should own up to its ECONOMIC TERRORISM. Tensions On Wednesday, May 8, Irans President Hassan Rouhani will go on television and the radio to announce his countrys response to the U.S. withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal and to the harsh new sanctions regime. The United States had permitted Russian and European firms to do work on Irans nuclear energy sector. Five waivers had been given to help four Iranian facilitiesat the Bushehr nuclear power plant, the Fordow enrichment facility, the Arak nuclear complex and the Tehran Research Reactor. Pompeo allowed three waivers to be extended for 90 days (half the length of the previous waivers) but disallowed two. The two that were not renewed include one to Russia, which had swapped Iranian enriched uranium for Russian raw yellowcake, and one to companies that operate in Oman to store heavy water from Iran. Both Russia and Europe are not happy with this situation. Iran has refused to stop enrichment, which is essential to its nuclear energy programlegal under the terms of the 2015 agreement. It is likely that Rouhani will affirm Irans right to continue to enrich uranium for its power reactors. Last month, Irans senior leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei urged his Iraqi counterparts to make sure that the Americans withdraw their troops from Iraq as soon as possible because expelling them has become difficult whenever they have had a long military presence in a country. Iran and Iraq havesince the U.S. war against Iraq in 2003deepened their ties. Close economic links, including roadways and a potential train, have made both countries dependent on each other (Iraq, despite U.S. pressure, imports Irans oil). Khamenei referred to the 5,200 U.S. troops who remain in Iraq. Bolton has said that these troops are there to watch Iran, a phrase that has been widely mocked after Trump used it earlier this year. The war of words has escalated into dangerous territory. In April, Trumps government called Iranian military forces terrorists. In response, the Iranian parliament retaliated. Defense Minister General Amir Hatami put a bill forward that would allow Irans government to respond to the terrorist actions of U.S. forces. It was not clear how Iran would respond, although the bill suggested that the response could be political and diplomatic rather than military. The U.S. government has said that Iran might target U.S. troops in Iraq or elsewhere in the region. These are likely the indications and warnings of Bolton. There are tens of thousands of U.S. troops in Afghanistan, Iraq and the Gulf. The U.S. military hardware that encircles Iran is lethal. Late last year, the Iranian governmentfeeling hemmed in by this military nooseproposed that it could strike U.S. forces at al-Udeid Air Base (Qatar), al-Dhafra base (United Arab Emirates) and Kandahar base (Afghanistan). They are within our reach, said Amirali Hajizadeh, who heads Irans Revolutionary Guards air brigade. As if to provoke Iran further, in March of this year, the United States signed a deal with Oman to use its ports at Salalah and Duqm for military purposes. Endless Wars In his state of the union address, Trump said, Great nations do not fight endless wars. The United States has tried to push a new deal in Afghanistan and has tried to withdraw from the conflict in Syria. Neither of these withdrawals will be easy. But if the United States strikes Iran, there is no doubt that the wars from Lebanon to the border of India will become endless. There is no question that Iranmuch weaker militarily than the United Stateswill use its advantages to strike the United States inside Afghanistan and to urge its allies to strike U.S. forces in the Gulf and across North Africa. Irans population is deeply patriotic and would see any U.S. strike as one against the Iranian people and not just against the Iranian government. It is unlikely that the United States will find any significant allies amongst the Iranians. A war against Iran at this time would be a war against a stretch of the world that has seen too many wars in recent times, that would like to open the door to peace. Trumpwith Bolton and Penceseek to provoke a war. These are dangerous men with a dangerous agenda. On 6 May 2019, a high-level delegation of the United Nations Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee and its Executive Directorate visited NATO Headquarters in Brussels to discuss the latest emerging threats of terrorism, foreign terrorist fighters and returnees, as well as possible areas for enhancing cooperation. Ambassador Gustavo Meza-Cuadra (Chair of the Counter Terrorism Committee, or CTC) and Michele Coninsx (Assistant Secretary-General and Executive Director of the UN Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate, or CTED), accompanied by CTEDs Chief of Section for Europe, Middle East and Central Asia, A.E. Seif El-Dawla, briefed NATO diplomatic representatives and officials, including Dr. Antonio Missiroli (Assistant Secretary General for Emerging Security Challenges), Robert Weaver (Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Emerging Security Challenges) and James Appathurai (Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs and Security Policy). They highlighted lessons learned from more than 150 assessment field visits, as well as UN tools and guidelines that aim at supporting the efforts of member states and international partners in addressing challenges related to countering terrorism. They recalled the Counter-Terrorism Committee special meetings held with representatives of member states, UN partners and international organizations on relevant UN Security Council resolutions, including the Addendum to the Madrid Guiding Principles on stemming the flow of foreign terrorist fighters and returnees. The full and effective implementation of the relevant Security Council resolutions by member states and effective cooperation at the international level are of critical importance to address the evolving threats posed by terrorism, foreign terrorist fighters, and returnees, said Amb. Meza-Cuadra. It is vital that states continuously monitor, evaluate and review the effectiveness of their prosecution, rehabilitation and reintegration strategies and programmes with due regard to the protection of international human rights and taking into consideration age and gender sensitivities, highlighted ASG Coninsx. The high-level visit provided also an opportunity to reconfirm the commitment by NATO and the United Nations to boost their political dialogue and practical cooperation in different realms, in the spirit of complementarity, including information sharing on emerging threats and regional terrorist challenges, capacity building programmes designed to improve states counter-terrorism capabilities, joint briefings, and sharing of best practices, including with respect to the use of biometrics, battle-field evidence and countering drones. (Natural News) We have now reached the point of total insanity when it comes to the extreme censorship of the tech giants. In what actor Rob Schneider calls a real world Orwellian nightmare, Facebook has now issued a gag order on 2.2 billion users, demanding that they must HATE certain selected individuals who are named as targets of censorship. Those individuals include Paul Joseph Watson, Laura Loomer (see FreeLoomer.com), Louis Farrakhan, Milo Yiannopoulos and others. From this point forward, you are only allowed to post content from these individuals if you express hatred toward them in your Facebook post. This is mandatory hate speech by Facebook. Thats how insane all this has become now, which is why I have openly announced that every nation on Earth must declare war against Big Tech (or be destroyed by it). (Follow more news about the dangers of Big Tech at BigTech.news.) Then Facebook came for Paul Joseph Watson Breitbart News writer James Delingpole has posted an extremely important articles about all this that you absolutely must read. Im re-publishing it here with credit and a link to Breitbart News, which is also fighting for survival in an age of outrageous Orwellian censorship. Heres Delingpoles article: President Trump has retweeted a Breitbart News story headline about Facebooks blacklist of prominent conservatives including Paul Joseph Watson and Laura Loomer. Good. Lets hope this is a sign that he intends to take this problem seriously because right now Id say Silicon Valley censorship poses one of the biggest threats to Western Civilisation in the world today. Of course there are other threats at least as dangerous: fundamentalist Islam, China, eco-fascism, neo-Marxism, and so on. But whats particularly insidious about Silicon Valley censorship is that it makes all those other threats more pressing and real by making it impossible to speak out against them. How, after all, are we going to address the issues of rape gangs and church desecrations and terror plots and homecoming Islamic State terrorists if every time anyone tries to discuss them on social media, Silicon Valley decides to close them down for being racist or Islamophobic? How are we going to face up to the growing menace of hard left outfits like Antifa and Hope Not Hate and Black Lives Matter when Silicon Valley gives them a free pass to spew out their hate while banning all their opponents? Facebook drops the ban hammer on @PrisonPlanet and other conservatives.https://t.co/sG6mFaLMjw Breitbart Tech (@BreitbartTech) May 2, 2019 President Trump urgently needs to get on top of this because the people being silenced are his base. And because social media is often the only place left where they are free or rather, where they were free to exchange the kind of conservative thoughts, jokes, ideas, and memes the world so badly needs if it is to counter the creeping menace of identity politics, post-modernism, and Cultural Marxism. Lets call out what Facebook is doing for what it is: fascism. It is abusing its extraordinary global power as a publishing platform used by more than 2 billion people in order to impose on all of us its totalitarian leftist new world order. It justifies its fascistic behaviour by pretending it is protecting the world from hate. A Facebook spokesperson has claimed: Weve always banned individuals or organizations that promote or engage in violence and hate, regardless of ideology. The process for evaluating potential violators is extensive and it is what led us to our decision to remove these accounts today. But today violence and hate are almost overwhelmingly the preserve of the angry, aggressive, radical left, not the playful, irreverent, meme-generating right. While Antifa are busily laying into Trump supporters with bicycle locks and punching conservatives because, hey, anyone to the right of Bernie Sanders is a Nazi, their opponents are fighting back with facts and logic and arguments and wit and jokes. Take Paul Joseph Watson one of the victims of Facebooks latest censorship drive. What Paul Joseph Watson does is make what he calls meme videos laughing at Social Justice Warriors. For these crimes he has now had his Facebook account permanently erased. As Watson says on his latest video My final ever video? this is totally political. This is nothing less than election meddling. Everyone Facebook has banned was instrumental in getting Trump elected. This is punishment. This is a political purge. This has nothing to do with hate or violating terms of service. No indeed. Perhaps the most terrifying threats to civilised political discourse today are the asymmetric standards of behaviour between those on the left and those on the right. Though the left loves to seize on every scrap of opportunity it can the senseless murder of MP Jo Cox, for example, by a loner with serious mental health issues; the largely misreported events at Charlottesville to promote the narrative that the far right is on the march. This is pure projection. Its the Social Justice Warriors of the radical left and their allies in Big Government, from the Maduro regime in Venezuela to the increasingly brutal Macron presidency in France, who are promulgating and enacting most of the hate and violence. Facebook is not doing anything meaningful to stop hate and violence. Hate is term so nebulous its meaning so entirely dependent on the mindset of the beholder, and so debased by cry-bully progressives that it cannot reasonably be used as any kind of objective criterion for a censorship policy. Violence is or at least was, till the left cynically redefined it in order to expand its potential number of victimhood categories a physical act and therefore quite beyond the proper purview of a site dedicated to words and images. Facebook is Big Brother. ### See free speech videos at Brighteon.com, the pro-liberty alternative to YouTube. Share my urgent warning video for humanity: (Natural News) The news that quickly reverberated across the independent news on Thursday afternoon after the Drudge Report linked to this story at CNN (saved on Archive) reporting that faces-of-death-book (credit Steve Quayle) and its spawn, instagram, had banned Alex Jones, Paul Joseph Watson, Laura Loomer and gay Conservative commentator Milo Yiannopoulos after determining their posts had engaged in violence and hate. (Article by Stefan Stanford republished from AllNewsPipeline.com) Just the latest attacks upon independent media that keep on ramping up as we steamroll towards the 2020 election, as Susan Duclos had reported on ANP on May 1st, one of those attacks was another fake fake news list by a globalist linked conglomerate sponsored by none other than global terrorist George Soros. (Interestingly, following viral backlash, the Poynter Institute has shelved their entire fake news websites list and story!) Yet as well see within this ANP story, with a very real war upon free speech and the US Constitution going on all across big tech and throughout college campuses and news organizations across America, a very real push towards socialism and the banning of criticism, only YOU, the independent media readers, are preventing the globalists from fully carrying out their kill shot that would leave America a meer shell of our former Constitutional Republic. And as weve reported time and again on ANP, where Europe goes, there goes America should wide awake Americans not stand up and fight (peacefully, of course, while we still can) against progressive tyranny and the fall into the deep abyss that comes along with forced progressive politics upon a huge number of people unwilling to sell our souls away to the socialist devil. As were seeing right now in Venezuela, socialism kills, and the Venezuelan people are seeing it up close and personal with Nicolas Maduros death squads adding a terrifying new level of violence and intimidation against the Venezuelan people. Think that Democrats wouldnt attempt to do the same to Christians and Conservatives in the right situation? As well read in the next section below, one Protestant Reverend is now warning of just that! As Infowars had reported in this recent story that Steve Quayle had linked to on his website, much more than the future of liberty is at stake in this very real war upon freedom, free speech and the US Constitution that Democrats, the mainstream media and the leftist colleges and intelligence agencies have launched upon America. At stake is the very survival of the human race as heard in the only video at the bottom of this story. As Susan had concluded in her May 1st story, this is war!. According to the Reverend E.W. Jackson as was reported in this new story over at CNS News, under the right circumstance, the left would kill Christians today because, like the Communists, their hatred is profound and they rationalize that in killing Christians, they are doing the world a favor. Reverend Jackson, a former Marine and Harvard Law graduate as well as the great-grandson of Virginia slaves, added I really believe this with all my heart Im serious. I believe that if the right circumstance presented itself, people on the left would kill us. We thank Reverend Jackson for not only holding back no punches but showing us just what were up against. Im not saying all of them, he added, but I think many of them would kill us because their hatred is so deep. It is so profound, it is so toxic that I think they would rationalize it to themselves that the world would be a better place [without Christians], which is what Communists always do. Thats what Communists always do, he said. They say, well, the world would be a better place without them. And so, in killing them, we do the world a favor. We know we as Christians, we couldnt do that, said Rev. Jackson. We just wouldnt. We couldnt. We love them, and we dont want to kill anybody, we dont want to harm anybody, we dont want to hurt anybody. He continued, I couldnt see myself doing that for anything in the world, unless Im attacked and thats a different matter. If attacked, Im going to protect myself. But no because God cannot be glorified by inglorious means. Yet as Dr. Peter Vincent Pry, himself a retired CIA agent, had reported on ANP on April 27th, the US intelligencies still have a red thread running through them despite the firings that President Trump has undertaken. As the New American had reported on April 22nd, US intelligence agencies are heavily dominated by the left and Dr. Pry had urged within his story that President Trump carry out a full-scale purge of those agencies to weed out their institutionalized bias towards the left. And as Susan Duclos reported in this May 2nd ANP story, American universities are being slaughtered by leftist policies with free speech now under attack virtually nationwide with an entire generation of snowflakes being created before our eyes. With the mainstream media, American universities and US intelligence agencies already completely dominated by the left, and very real moves taken by them to censor and penalize any speech they disagree with, especially on the internet via big tech, how far are we away in America from Reverend Jacksons warnings coming to fruition before our eyes? Maybe only the 2020 election. And as we saw in Susans May 1st story about the Poynter Institutes already discredited and deleted fake news websites list, if anyone still had any doubt that the national news networks were completely dominated by leftists and their insane ideals, we see that Poynter, which calls itself a global leader in journalism which believes it is the worlds leading instructor, innovator, convener and resource for anyone who aspires to engage and inform citizens, was betraying its own standards by quite literally attempting to blacklist some of the best Conservative news outlets on the internet. So, should the mainstream media be held accountable for their actions, potentially treasonous, if it is determind in DOJ investigations that they aided and abetted the deep state in their attempted overthrow/coup of President Trump? As Infowars had reported recently, big techs censorship of the independent media is absolutely at the forefront of the globalists attempted takeover of America with the cutting off of ones enemies communications long a tactic of war going back hundreds of years. As this new story over at Infowars that Steve Quayle had linked to on his website Friday morning reported, this is Chinese-style social credit censorship and throughout history, such blackballing and demonization has led to full-scale cullings. As J.D. Heyes had reported in this April 29th story over at Natural News, were now witnessing the complete de-platforming of all voices that dont worship Democrats, abortions and open borders. If you dont run with the insane, they simply dont want you to have a voice. From the Natural News story.: The Democrat Party has joined the globalist Left in their quest to wipe out all remaining bastions of freedom and liberty throughout the West which, if they are successful, will plunge the world into chaos, war, and destruction. In Europe, freedom fighters like Tommy Robinson and Carl Benjamin are fighting Leftists in Britain and throughout the European Union as they attempt to build political opposition to what is very obviously an anti-libertarian and anti-democratic campaign of suppression and censorship. The silencing of political opponents, Jake Lloyd of Infowars noted, is nothing new, as its been happening throughout world history. But typically, suppression of speech, political points of view, and expression have been associated with authoritarian governments and tyrannical leaders like kings and dictators not havens of democracy like Britain and the U.S. Lloyd said that in Benjamins case, he has made some controversial comments in the past, though in reality, theyre really not that controversial that he should be banned from the public square. Indeed, Americas founding fathers were so offended by such tactics that, in the very first amendment to the Constitution, they recognized an inalienable right for humans to speak, think, and express themselves freely without having to be approved for certain speech while other speech is bannedbecause its been deemed offensive or wrong-headed. Despite complaints by consumers and platform users throughout the Western world, however, the social media behemoths arent budging: Like Democrats and the global Left, they are demanding groupthink, conformity of speech and thought, and the quashing of dissenting voices. They are anti-Democrats, in other words, and they wont stop until they shut down all opposition. Yet as Steve Quayle has warned us in a warning that echoes Reverend Jacksons, first they take away our voices, then they take away our lives. Who is to say that even in 2019, history cannot repeat itself once again? Read more at: AllNewsPipeline.com (Natural News) My name is Laura Loomer. I am a 25-year-old American Jewess. Today I was censored by the most powerful corporation in the world for defending my people and exercising my rights. (Article by Laura Loomer republished from LauraLoomer.us) Self hating Jew Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Facebook, is an evil man. He fired Palmer Luckey for supporting Donald Trump and nothing happened. While other scandals at Facebook dont touch Zuckerberg directly, that one does. The Trump administration has done nothing about social media censorship. Its all talk, talk, talk and a photo op with Jack Dorsey in the oval office. Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey censors President Trumps biggest supporters, and Trump does nothing. He is allowing for all of us to be slaughtered in his name. How does President Trump expect to win reelection in 2020 is his biggest advocates and supporters are all banned? Today I was silenced by Mark Zuckerberg. I woke up this morning and found out I was banned on Facebook and Instagram by Left wing reporters who were tipped off about my ban before I was even banned. News reports about my ban from Facebook and Instagram were published before I was actually banned from the platforms. In fact, I was able to post that I was banned from Instagram, on my Instagram, 30 minutes before I was banned. How is it not obvious that big tech social media companies are conspiring with the Left to ban Conservatives? In a world where bias wouldnt exist, I would have known I was banned before anyone else. Yet it seems like I was the last person to know. I never even received an official notice from Facebook explaining why I was banned. I had to find out from radical left wing reporters via texts. I probably would have known earlier, but I am banned on Twitter as well, and dont have access to social media, which is where news tends to break first these days. Mark Zuckerberg has defended the rights of the lowest Holocaust deniers on his social media platform, but today he banned a female activist and journalist for being a pro-Israel Jew. All on Holocaust Remembrance Day. I am a fierce advocate for Israel and the Jewish people, and yet when I go outside, people know me as that Nazi bitch banned on Twitter. Now, thanks to Mark Zuckerberg, my life is now in danger because he labeled me as a dangerous person today. I have never committed a crime. I have never advocated for violence. I am just a conservative Jew who voted for Donald Trump. Thanks, Jack. Thanks Mark. A quick observation of the behavior of the average employee in Silicon Valley will reveal that they will happily endorse de-platforming and excommunicating wrong thinkers to digital gulags controlled by Marxists and jihadists in Silicon Valley. They call me a Nazi, but their behavior proves they are in fact the Nazis. They are in fact the dangerous people. Not me. Their behavior is fascism, which makes leftists in Silicon Valley classic projectors. On April 30,2019, I went to Jack Dorseys house in San Francisco where I used a projector and projected the names of every prominent conservative and one liberal banned from Twitter onto a wall at his $10 Million house. Jack Dorsey told members of the US Congress that Twitter is a public square, and he told Joe Rogan that social media is a human right. Thus, by banning me and many other conservatives, Jack Dorsey is preventing me from existing and communicating in the digital public square, and he is committing human rights violations against Conservatives. Jack Dorsey wont let me post on my Twitter wall. So I made his wall at his house my very own social media wall. Jack Dorsey told Rolling Stone Magazine that he loves activism and protest, so I took the protest to his front door. Jack Dorsey wont let me tweet, so I posted my would be tweets on his house in real time. I ended my protest at Jack Dorseys house at midnight, marking Holocaust Remembrance Day on May 1, 2019 out of respect for all the Jews exterminated by the Nazis during the Holocaust. Jack Dorseys neighbors didnt like the sound of the loud projector. And Jack Dorsey himself didnt enjoy the protest, because before midnight struck, the account and livestream on which my protest was being streamed were both banned. With the click of a button, the world was cut off from my #StopTheBias protest in which I was fighting for an end to censorship and social media bias of conservatives. I suppose he also made a few phone calls too his buddy Mark Zuckerberg, because just two days later, I was banned on Facebook and Instagram, where I had posted pictures and videos of my protest from Dorseys home. MUST WATCH: #LauraLoomer went to Twitter CEO @jack Dorseys house last night and projected the names of all banned conservatives onto his wall, making his wall her own social media wall. Twitter banned her livestream of the protest while she was at Jacks house. #StopTheBias pic.twitter.com/Cpgbk2llIl theJewish Voice (@JewishVoice) May 1, 2019 Jack exterminated my Twitter account for calling out antisemitism. I outed that Jew hater Ilhan Omar months before everyone else did, and for calling out a pro-terror member of Congress, I lost my Twitter account forever. My fellow Jews have now followed my lead, nearly two years too late, but they do not give me credit or support. Looking at you, Bari Weiss and Ben Shapiro. You are talking Jews, but Im a fighting Jew. When the talking Jews were busy talking shit about President Trump and calling him a white supremacist, I was fighting to elect him. I spent a month in Israel last May reporting on Trumps recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, and I reported on the official opening of the US Embassy in Jerusalem, Israel. I guess its easier to write about fighting anti-semitism than it is to fight it face to face. Those who want to join my fight are welcome. This week the Trump administration announced it wants to designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization. Council on American Islamic Relations CAIR is a Muslim Brotherhood organization in America that supports Hamas. You know, the Islamic terrorist organization that kills Jewish people and works to eradicate Israel. Today I was branded as a dangerous person by Facebook, who accused me of promoting hate and violence on Facebook and Instagram. Yet, Hamas and Muslim Brotherhood both still have their Twitter and Facebook accounts. Imagine that HAMAS and Muslim Brotherhood are terrorist organizations that kill people. Yet I am the dangerous one? Fuck you Mark Zuckerberg. Fuck you Jack Dorsey. You can either join my fight or get sent to the gas chambers when you also get caught up in this digital shoah. As of May 2, 2019, I am now banned on every single social media platform and major payment processor in the world: Twitter Facebook Instagram PayPal Venmo GoFundMe Uber Uber Eats Lyft Medium TeeSpring In February, Chase Bank temporarily suspended access to my online banking and canceled my debit card. Last week I filed a lawsuit in a Florida court for harm caused by my November 2018 ban from the social media platform Twitter. As reported in the Wall Street Journal, my ban came at the instigation of CAIR (Council on American Islamic Relations) and was carried out shortly after CAIRs meeting with Twitter executives. Im suing Twitter and CAIR. Are you a fighter, or a talker? If youre a fighter, you can support my lawsuit at FreeLoomer.com. Read more at: LauraLoomer.us (Natural News) Many Americans believe that California is the nations trend-setting state, but in many ways Texas should have that honor. In addition to being a leading driver of our nations economic growth, the Lone Star State is a leader in reclaiming freedom and liberty while pushing back against Left-wing authoritarianism, as evidenced by new legislation aimed at holding the social media giants accountable. As The Texas Tribune reports, the Texas Senate last month approved a measure Senate Bill 2373, sponsored by Sen. Bryan Hughes (R-Mineola) that holds social media platforms acceptable for restricting users speech based on personal opinions. The site noted further: Hughes said the bill applies to social media platforms that advertise themselves as unbiased but still censor users. The Senate State Affairs Committee unanimously approved [in April]. A search of the Texas legislatures website shows that SB 2372 was referred to the Texas House on April 25, but no further action has been taken as of yet. If approved, however, Texas would become the first state that specifically passed a law authorizing lawsuits against social media behemoths like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube over their efforts to ban or otherwise censor individuals, groups, news sites, or other entities over their content or political opinions. Senate Bill 2373 tries to prevent those companies that control these new public spaces, this new public square, from picking winners and losers based on content, Hughes said in the committee hearing. Basically if the company represents, Were an open forum and we dont discriminate based on content, then they shouldnt be able to discriminate based on content. During a hearing last month, Hughes cited a recent advertisement on Facebook by the Texas Senate Republican Caucus that supported an anti-abortion bill; the ad was flagged, he said, because it was deemed a potential negative experience by the Facebook speech Nazis. Hughes said a Facebook official told him that the company objected to the ad because it sought to have users share it. But, he continued, the same Senate GOP caucus ran an ad regarding the chambers property tax bill that users were also asked to share, and the company had no problem with it. No citations of a negative experience. (Related: YOU ARE NEXT.) The bills sponsor thinks itll pass constitutional muster The Texas Tribune said it contacted Facebook to find out what was going on and reported that a company official said the platform was attempting to reduce clickbait. The official said any post asking readers to like or share it matches the definition of clickbait. But of course, thats one of purposes behind social media; being sociable with others posts, which includes (anyone?) sharing them. Some legal experts think the Texas legislation would not pass constitutional muster. One of them is Kendra Albert, a lecturer at Harvard Law School. The federal law contains what we would call a subjective standard, Albert, a technology law specialist, told the Tribune. Its based on whether the provider thinks that this causes problems, whereas the Texas bill attempts to move it to an objective standard. Federal law protects social media platforms under a good Samaritan policy that permits them to monitor (and ban/censor) content however they choose, on a subjective basis. But Hughes, a lawyer himself, along with other attorneys looked over his legislation and determined that it would not supersede federal law. They say it would apply under the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Consumer Protection Act, which protects state citizens from misleading or otherwise bad practices by companies. Anyone who believes they are being unfairly censored by a platform could file a complaint with the Texas attorney general, who would then decide whether to move forward with a case. Either way, the social media platforms are taking their censorship to whole new levels. In recent days, Alex Jones and his Infowars, along with Paul Joseph Watson, Laura Loomer, and even Obama supporter and Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan have all been banned by Facebook. Read more about the tech giants burgeoning suppression of conservatives at TechGiants.news and Suppressed.news. Sources include: TexasTribune.org NewsTarget.com (Natural News) After getting bitten on the foot by a bug while in Africa, a U.K. man developed an infection that caused his flesh to rot away. However, doctors were able to save his foot from amputation by using maggot debridement therapy to eliminate the festering flesh. While doing volunteer work in Gambia in December 2017, Matthew Blurton developed a high fever. His foot also developed a painful blister that made it difficult for him to stand up. Initially, Blurton dismissed these symptoms as those of sunstroke. However, the rest of his foot swelled up, and the rest of his leg soon followed. He was rushed to the nearest hospital, where local doctors diagnosed him with both cellulitis and sepsis. Cellulitis is a common skin infection caused by bacteria, while sepsis is a deadly illness where the immune system overreacts to an infection and causes inflammation through the entire body. Sepsis can cause serious damage to tissues and vital organs. In Blurtons case, much of the flesh in his foot was already rotting by the time he arrived at the hospital. The rotting flesh reached all the way to the bone. (Related: U.K. government to roll out Project Maggot: Unusual treatment will clean the wounds of people in war zones like Syria and Yemen.) Maggot debridement therapy is a modern take on a traditional medical practice After an initial, 10-day-long antibiotic treatment in the African hospital, Blurton was flown back to the U.K. Once back home, he underwent maggot debridement therapy, where hundreds of sterilized maggots were applied on his wound. Maggots were traditionally used to clean infected wounds. The bottle fly larvae will eat dead flesh while usually ignoring healthy tissue. Their saliva contains enzymes that dissolves the rotting flesh for ingestion. The saliva possesses antibacterial properties that kill harmful microbes, including drug-resistant bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus. It also encourages the production of fibroblasts, which naturally spesds up the healing process. In sum, maggot debridement therapy could help prevent the need for surgical amputation of a rotting limb. The practice underwent a revival in recent years. Medical maggots were bred in a sterile environment to reduce the risk of further infection. They were either applied directly on the wound or placed inside a bandage bag. After a few days, the maggots would be removed from the wound to prevent them from dying inside the body of the patient. Medical maggots saved mans foot by eating away rotting flesh Blurton was successfully treated for both cellulitis and sepsis. He reported that he could feel the maggots eating the rotten flesh around his veins as an itchy sensation. The maggots ate through the dead flesh so quickly that half of the bugs could be removed after just two days. Some of the maggots got underneath Burtons healthy skin, which required the use of forceps. At the end of the treatment, 20 or so maggots remained inside Blurtons foot. They had gotten so deep inside his flesh that removing them proved too painful. These maggots did not cause any complication after they died and decomposed. Blurton believed he developed cellulitis and sepsis after he got bitten by a bug while volunteering in Africa. Before he developed the infection, he recalled seeing a tiny puncture wound on his foot that he attributed to a flea or spider bite. I was wearing sandals and theres a lot of things in the sand that can bite that I didnt know about, such as poisonous spiders, he shared. If I did go back I would have proper walking boots to keep my feet covered and I wouldnt wear shorts either. Sources include: DailyMail.co.uk Journals.LWW.com (Natural News) Regular visitors to the Drudge Report in recent weeks have noticed a change in the news fare offered by the aggregate master: A distinct, if not yet overt, anti-Trump bias creeping into the stories that Matt Drudge and his staff post. It was subtle at first, but then became more pronounced throughout the winter and into spring: Stories reflected negatively on the Trump administration and the president himself as compared to the first two years of his term. Some have attributed the Drudge Reports change in tone regarding President Trump to a very public, nasty falling out with conservative author and pundit Ann Coulter, a close friend of Matt Drudge (they were seen together attending one of the GOP debates in 2016 and had been spotted together in 2014 attending an NBC playoff game). Coulter and Drudge were early supporters of President Trump. But after a nasty public spat over the presidents lack of progress for his promised border wall (for which he can thank Congress), Coulter seems to have written off the Trump presidency. And he, her. Well, never fear, conservative news hounds: A viable alternative site has emerged that not only features the best independent media reporting, but is turning heads for its comprehensive inclusiveness to all ideas. (Related: Twitter censors Drudge as outrageous scorched earth campaign against conservative voices accelerates.) Whatfinger News, according to Mike, one of its creators, is a news aggregate site started just as a blog where three soldiers sat around and gave a thumbs up, [thumbs] down or a middle finger for products, news and such, he said in an interview. People liked seeing the comments, we posted more, they said post news, we did, more people came, and here we are. That simple. That fast. All word of mouth, he noted. Just the beginning By any measure, Whatfinger News is now a news aggregate player. According to Similar Web, a website ranking firm, the site unofficially attracted around 4.3 million visits in March (the latest month figures available). That means the site is already sending some serious traffic to sites fortunate enough to be featured. And its just the beginning. Our goals is to grow, we are tiny and a new site, Mike says, adding that Whatfinger News has only been up and running officially for about 18 months. Were motivated. Just wanting the news at our fingertips and not just from fake news which dominates media, he continued. As for the sites goals, Mike says many of them are yet to be realized, but progress is being made nonetheless. The site will incorporate soon, other legalities will be taken care of, and an intense expansion phase that has been delayed while he and others work through issues will be starting soon, finally. So that will be fun to watch it grow, and readership expand, he said. What kind of stories are featured? We show all news and from all links and label them so no one is tricked into clicking what they do not want to visit, he said. For instance, if a news source is known to lean Left, politically, readers will be shown that. That happens often on other aggregates, said Mike of news sites that sort of trick readers into visiting a link that contains material they dont want to read or patronize. Also we show all sources and more of it than other aggregates, he added. Whatfinger News does link to more well-known conservative and independent sources such as Breitbart News, the Washington Examiner, and The Epoch Times. But youre just as likely to find a link to a story from an up-and-coming indy publisher as well. So long as the story itself has been given a thumbs-up from Mike and his crew. Read more about the bias news media cartels at Bias.news and NewsCartels.com. Sources include: Whatfinger.com TheNationalSentinel.com Three family members sleeping in their trailer home were killed and a girl was seriously injured after a suspected drunk driver plowed his pickup truck into the home, police said Monday. The California Highway Patrol said Ismael Huazo-Jardinez was driving "at a high rate of speed" when his truck crashed into the trailer Saturday night in the agricultural community of Knights Landing near Sacramento. A 38-year-old man, a 34-year-old woman and a 10-year-old boy were killed. An 11-year-old girl was flown to a hospital with major injuries, NBC-affiliate KCRA-TV reported. Huazo-Jardinez, 33, faces charges of vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and felony driving under the influence of alcohol, said Sutter County Undersheriff Scott Smallwood. He was released after posting $300,000 bail, Smallwood said. It wasn't immediately known if Huazo-Jardinez has an attorney who can comment on his behalf. He is due back in court on June 10. Authorities have not identified the family but the landlord of the trailer home, Frankie Gonsalves, told KCRA-TV the parents were farmworkers. "Model family. Two very hardworking parents, farmworkers, well-behaved kids. They are, were, I would say, (among) my top five tenants here. Really good people, pay their rent on time," Gonsalves said. What to Know As U.N. ambassador, Kelly Craft would represent the United States on climate change, one of the U.N's top global priorities Craft said in 2017 that "both sides of the science" had merit in the climate debate Craft has invested more than $60 million in oil companies and other fossil fuel interests, Democrats say Three Democratic senators are calling on President's Donald Trump's nominee for U.N. ambassador to clarify that she will put U.S. interests ahead of her own financial interests when it comes to climate change. The Democrats say Kelly Craft, who was nominated as U.S. ambassador to the U.N. last week, has invested more than $60 million in oil companies and other fossil fuel interests. Her husband, Joe Craft, is CEO of Alliance Resource Partners, one of the largest U.S. coal producers. As U.N. ambassador, Craft would represent the United States on climate change, one of the U.N's top global priorities. Sens. Ed Markey of Massachusetts, Jeff Merkley of Oregon and Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island urged Craft in a letter to provide "assurances" that she will avoid any conflicts of interest. The senators also asked Craft to clarify whether she thinks human-caused climate change is real, citing comments she made in 2017 that "both sides of the science" had merit in the climate debate. "Why have you said that there are 'both sides' to the scientific debate in climate change?" the senators asked Friday in a four-page letter to Craft. "Please describe in detail your understanding of the 'sides' and their positions on climate change, including the evidence and the sources of this information." Markey and Merkley serve on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which will consider Craft's nomination to replace Nikki Haley as U.S. ambassador to the U.N. Craft currently serves as U.S. ambassador to Canada. She and her husband are prominent Republican donors, and Joe Craft donated $1 million to Trump's 2017 inauguration, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, a watchdog group. Craft, a Kentucky native, was backed for the U.N. post by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. McConnell and his wife, Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, are longtime family friends of the Crafts. McConnell praised Kelly Craft as "an exceptional choice for this critical post" and said her "long record of service to her state and the nation" will enable to "serve with distinction as America's voice to the world at the United Nations." As U.S. ambassador to Canada, Craft played a role in facilitating the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement, a revamp of the North American Free Trade Agreement, which Trump has criticized. Craft has been ambassador to Canada during a low point in relations between the two counties. Last year, Trump called Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau weak and dishonest, words that shocked Canadians. A spokeswoman for the foreign relations panel said a hearing on Craft's nomination has not been scheduled. A bill imposing one of the most stringent abortion restrictions in the nation was signed into law in Ohio on Thursday, banning abortions after a detectable heartbeat in a long-sought victory for abortion opponents that drew an immediate constitutional challenge. In signing the heartbeat bill, Republican Gov. Mike DeWine broke with his predecessor, Republican John Kasich, who had vetoed the measure twice on grounds that it was unconstitutional. But DeWine defended Ohio Republicans' decision to push the boundaries of the law, because "it is the right thing to do." "Taking this action really is a kind of a time-honored tradition, the constitutional tradition of making a good faith argument for modification or reversal of existing legal precedents," he said. "So that is what this is." He said it's the government's job to protect the vulnerable. The bill outlaws abortions once a fetal heartbeat is detected, which doctors say can be as early as five weeks into pregnancy, before many women know they are pregnant. Ohio's closely divided politics had slowed the progress of the bill as it has caught momentum elsewhere , forcing years of debate in the state where the movement originated. Of five previous states that have passed heartbeat bills, three have seen their laws struck down or blocked by the courts, another faces a legal injunction and the fifth is awaiting governor's action. DeWine's action came a day after the latest version of the bill cleared the Republican-controlled Legislature. Even before the bill was signed, the ACLU of Ohio said it was preparing a constitutional challenge to the law on behalf of Pre-Term Cleveland and three other Ohio abortion clinics. The legal challenge is what the bill's backers have always wanted. They hope to provoke a legal challenge with the potential to overturn the U.S. Supreme Court's 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling that legalized abortion up until viability, usually at 22 to 24 weeks. "The heartbeat bill is the next incremental step in our strategy to overturn Roe v. Wade," said Ohio Right to Life President Mike Gonidakis. "While other states embrace radical legislation to legalize abortion on demand through the ninth month of pregnancy, Ohio has drawn a line and continues to advance protections for unborn babies." Kellie Copeland, director of NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio, said lawmakers and the governor have plunged the state into "a dystopian nightmare where people are forced to continue pregnancies regardless of the harm that may come to them or their family." The law makes no exceptions for pregnancies resulting from rape or incest. EMILY's List, a national group that supports candidates who favor abortion rights, also decried the Ohio bill, as did the Democratic National Committee. DNC CEO Seema Nanda called it "the latest example of how the Trump administration's extremist, anti-women policies have emboldened legislators across the country to attack women's access to health care." DeWine said his administration is committed to supporting pregnant women. "I just want to make it very, very clear, our concern is not just for the unborn, our concern is for all individuals who need protection," he said. "It is our duty, I believe, and an essential function of government, to protect those who cannot protect themselves." Members of the East Bay's Asian and Pacific Islander community held a news conference Monday morning in Oakland to call out a Lunar New Year card sent out by the Alameda County Fire Department. Organizers of the news conference, scheduled for 11 a.m. at the Oakland Asian Cultural Center listed at 388 Ninth St., are calling for an investigation after personnel at Station 22 in San Leandro distributed a holiday card that they say depicts firefighters acting out racist stereotypes. The card features an image of three firefighters wearing conical bamboo hats, sometimes known as rice hats or paddy hats, and posing in a classic open-top fire engine parked inside the station. "That is shocking to the community," spokesman Carl Chan said in an interview just before the news conference Monday morning. "It also hurts the reputation of many firefighters who are saving lives every day," Chan said. Chan also said that in late April his organization received anonymous allegations of racial discrimination and harassment at the fire department's dispatch center, and they want county leadership to make sure those issues get addressed. Fire Chief David Rocha declined to be interviewed on the controversy, but a spokesman for the department issued a statement on his behalf saying that Alameda County Fire is taking the allegations seriously. "It is inconsistent with our values and the respect we demand our employees demonstrate toward the communities we serve," Rocha said. "The matter is under investigation as a personnel matter; as such, we have no further comment." The California Highway Patrol issued a warning over the weekend after a recent DUI arrest of a rideshare driver in Contra Costa County: Make sure your driver is sober and wont put you or others in danger. Arnaldo Cuba, who was arrested at a gas station in Martinez, said he had no intention of picking up any passengers. "I havent been convicted of anything. Just happened," Cuba said. But the CHP told a different story. It all started with someone calling to tell officers Cuba was stumbling to his car. The CHP investigated and arrested Cuba, and then posting a warning on Facebook: "My rideshare is here, wait, hes DUI ... Although you may be a sober passenger, be aware of who is driving you, and if they may be impaired." The CHP said during the investigation, Cuba said he was waiting to pick up a passenger and was actively working for his rideshare company. "I wasnt driving anybody and havent for a month," Cuba said. Both Uber and Lyft said they didt have any drivers with his name. And both have a zero tolerance drug and alcohol policy. The CHP said a driver can be arrested for DUI even if they're sitting in the car, not driving. "In this particular case, he was impaired and above the limit for alcohol," the CHP said. Cuba said hes sorry and is getting help for his drinking problem. A 46-year-old man involved in a deadly crash on Highway 4 has been arrested on suspicion of felony DUI, according to the California Highway Patrol. The head-on collision involving a Honda SUV and Toyota Corolla was reported at 4:34 p.m. Monday on the highway in Brentwood, east of Balfour Road. The crash shut down both directions of Highway 4 for hours while emergency crews responded and police investigated. Police said the Honda drove across solid double yellow lines and into oncoming traffic, crashing head-on into the Toyota. The man in police custody was driving the Honda and is identified as a Concord resident. He was not injured in the crash, police said. The driver of the Toyota was the only occupant of the car and was identified as a 51-year-old man from Ripon. He was pronounced deceased at the scene. Highway 4 reopened at 6:25 p.m. Anyone who witnessed the collision is asked to contact Contra Costa CHP in Martinez at 925-646-4980. A judge on Monday scheduled a trial to begin July 29 on the mental competency of a transient who's charged with murder in the fatal stabbing of 18-year-old Nia Wilson at the MacArthur BART station in Oakland last July. At a brief hearing, Alameda County Superior Court Judge James Cramer also turned over some of John Lee Cowell's psychiatric records to the prosecution. The prosecution wants its expert, Dr. Jason Roof, to be able to review the records before he examines John Lee Cowell, 28, for three to four hours on May 30 at the Santa Rita Jail in Dublin, where Cowell is being held without bail for the stabbing at the MacArthur station at about 9:36 p.m. on July 22. At Cowell's previous hearing on April 24 Cramer ordered Cowell to cooperate with the examination by Ruth, who is an associate professor of clinical psychiatry at the University of California Davis Medical Center and has been qualified as an expert witness and testified about mental disorders, sanity and competence to stand trial. Cramer suspended the criminal proceedings against Cowell on Dec. 27, saying there is "substantial evidence" that he's mentally incompetent to stand trial. Cramer appointed two psychiatrists to examine Cowell and submit reports to the court on their findings about his mental competence but their conclusions differed. One expert said he believes Cowell is incompetent to stand trial but the other expert said he was unable to arrive at a conclusion about Cowell's competency. Although Cramer is allowing Ruth to examine Cowell and review his psychiatric records, he said anything that Cowell says to the psychiatrist can only be used at his competency trial and can't be used at a potential criminal trial if he ultimately is found to be competent. Cowell is charged with murder and attempted murder for allegedly stabbing Wilson and her sister, 26-year-old Letifah Wilson, as well as a special circumstance allegation that he killed Wilson while lying in wait, an allegation that could result in the death penalty or life in prison without parole if he's convicted. Cowell is scheduled to return to court on Friday for a hearing on a motion by his lawyers to bar Roof from conducting one of the tests he wants to perform on Cowell. San Francisco's mayor believes more work needs to be done in order to protect the city before the next large earthquake rattles the region. Mayor London Breed on Tuesday is expected to introduce a bond calling for more than $600 million to strengthen the city. Just over 60 percent of the bond would be used for retrofitting neighborhood fire stations and training facilities. About a quarter would be used for an emergency firefighting water system. The remainder of the money would be used for response facilities and emergency management, such as the 911 call center. Voters could get the chance to vote on the bond in March of 2020. Breed is expected to introduce the bond to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors at 2 p.m. What to Know A student was killed and eight more were injured Tuesday when 2 gunmen opened fire at a Colorado charter school The suspects, both students, were taken into custody after a struggle with sheriff's deputies The school is not far from Columbine High School, site of a notorious school shooting Two high school students used at least two handguns in the shooting at a charter school that killed one of their classmates and injured eight others in a Colorado community that just weeks ago marked the 20th anniversary of one of the nation's worst school shootings, authorities said Wednesday. The shooting's lone fatality was Kendrick Castillo, a friendly 18-year-old who leaped from his desk in a literature class and charged the two attackers, sacrificing his life to buy classmates time to escape. Distraught dad John Castillo told NBC News he can't fathom how life will go on without his teenage son. "I dont know what Im going to do without him in our lives," John Castillo said. "Its never going to be the same." He added: I dont know why this happened to such a good kid." Brendan Bialy, also 18 and a senior who was enrolled in a delayed-entry program for the Marines, charged the shooters as well, helping fight them off, according to authorities and witnesses. "His decisive actions resulted in the safety and protection of his teachers and fellow classmates," Marine Capt. Michael Maggiti said. The community of a Denver suburb is processing the fear that struck home when two people opened fire at a school in Colorado. Kendrick Castillo, 18, died when he rushed at one of the attackers that entered his class at STEM School Highlands Ranch. Then, as the shooters moved through the 1,800-student campus, an armed security guard detained one of them, Spurlock said. The guard was employed by Boss High Level Protection, a company started by a former SWAT team leader who responded to the 1999 Columbine High School shooting. The owner, Grant Whitus, told The Associated Press the security guard is a former Marine who ran to the area of the shootings and confronted one of the armed students in a hallway. The guard drew his weapon and apprehended the person, Whitus said. "He doesn't even realize how many lives he saved by stopping a school shooting," Whitus said. Authorities said these acts of bravery helped minimize the bloodshed from the attack, which also wounded eight people. Rachel Short via AP "We're going to hear about very heroic things that have taken place at the school," Douglas County Sheriff Tony Spurlock said Wednesday. That Tuesday afternoon's attack at STEM School Highlands Ranch happened just miles from Columbine High School was sure to raise questions about whether it was inspired by the 1999 massacre, but the answer was not immediately clear. Douglas County sheriff's officials said Devon Erickson, 18, and a younger student who is a juvenile and was not identified walked into the STEM School Highlands Ranch through an entrance without metal detectors and opened fire on students in two classrooms. Spurlock told reporters that the suspects had a "number of weapons." They included two handguns that Spurlock said the suspects were not old enough to buy or own. He also told reporters that the juvenile suspect is a girl, but an attorney for the suspect said the juvenile uses male pronouns. NBC News is not identifying the underage suspect, who has not yet been charged. As gunfire echoed through the school, students hid or ran through the halls, some shouting. At least 7 people were injured Tuesday in a Colorado school shooting. Two suspects were taken into custody, officials said. "No one really knew what was going on so I didn't know they were bullets," said seventh-grader Sophia Marks. "I just kind of saw like flashes and we heard bangs." Student Nui Giasolli told NBC's "Today" show she was in her British Literature class when Erickson came in late. "He walked to the other side of the classroom where we also had another door, and he opened the door. He walked back as if he was going to go back to his seat, then he walked back to the door and he closed it. The next thing I know he's pulling a gun and he's telling nobody to move," she said. Within minutes, deputies at a nearby sheriff's department substation entered the school and arrested the two suspects without exchanging gunfire. One of the suspects was detained by the school's security guard, Spurlock said. Both suspects were students at the school and they were not previously known to authorities, Spurlock said. Erickson made his first court appearance Wednesday, bowing his head during much of the proceedings with his dark hair streaked with purple covering his eyes. The 18-year-old nodded frequently in answering the judge's questions but at one point the judge requested a verbal answer to whether he had any questions. He simply replied, "No." !function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var e in a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var t=document.getElementById("datawrapper-chart-"+e)||document.querySelector("iframe[src*='"+e+"']");t&&(t.style.height=a.data["datawrapper-height"][e]+"px")}})}(); Josh Dutton, 18, told The Associated Press that he was close friends with Erickson in middle school but hadn't seen him for four years as he went to a different high school. On Sunday, he spotted Erickson at a local light rail station and said he was shocked at how much his friend had changed. Erickson wore all black, a hat and sunglasses, was significantly skinnier and didn't seem interested in talking. "He said he'd just turned 18 and he owned rifles," Dutton said. A message left at a phone number listed for Erickson's home was not immediately returned. It was not immediately clear when the younger suspect, who has not been identified, would appear in court. The shooting took place exactly a week after a gunman killed two students and wounded four at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte. It also comes nearly three weeks after neighboring Littleton marked the grim 20th anniversary of the Columbine school massacre that killed 13 people. The two schools are separated by about 7 miles in adjacent communities south of Denver. "Tragically, this community and those surrounding it know all too well these hateful and horrible acts of violence," White House spokesman Judd Deere said in a statement. President Donald Trump had been briefed on the shooting and was in touch with state and local officials, Deere said. [NATL] Top News Photos: Pope Visits Japan, and More "The heart of all Colorado is with the victims and their families," Gov. Jared Polis said in a statement. STEM is a public charter school with a focus on science, technology, engineering and math. It has more than 1,850 students in kindergarten through 12th grade. As the gunfire rang out, students ran through the halls shouting "School shooter!" Some wondered at first if it was a joke or a drill. Chris Elledge, 15, said his teacher told the class to hide behind weight equipment in the room, where they stayed until police arrived. "They busted in the room, and they were asking if there was any suspects in the room, if we were OK, and they escorted us out to go out to the front of the building," Elledge said. Frantic parents used their cellphones to find their children as news of the shooting spread. Sophia Marks' mother, Sara Marks, said she has two other children who also go to the school. "When you have no idea what's going on and the children are texting you that they're hiding under a desk and bullets are hitting their window, or things are hitting their window, it's a horrible feeling," she said. Three hospitals reported treating eight people in connection with the attack. Five had been released by Wednesday morning but three remained hospitalized in intensive care, Spurlock said. Fernando Montoya told television station KMGH that his 17-year-old son was shot three times but was expected to make a full recovery. "Thank God he is fine," Montoya said. "Even though he got shot, he's OK. He's going to walk out on his feet, so I'm glad. We're so lucky." ___ Associated Press writer Nicholas Riccardi in Denver contributed to this report. A former White House lawyer defied a congressional subpoena Tuesday, setting the Trump administration on course for another collision with the Democratic-led House over its pursuit of documents related to the Russia investigation. Don McGahn's refusal to provide the documents to the House Judiciary Committee came at the instruction of the White House, which suggested the documents could be subject to executive privilege. Such a claim can shield some presidential material from disclosure. President Donald Trump has defied requests from House Democrats since the release of special counsel Robert Mueller's report last month. Republicans have largely united behind the president, with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Tuesday declaring "case closed" on Mueller's Russia probe and potential obstruction by Trump. McConnell said Democrats are "grieving" the result. Mueller said he could not establish a criminal conspiracy between the Trump campaign and Russia, but he did not reach a conclusion on whether Trump obstructed justice. Mueller didn't charge Trump but wrote that he couldn't exonerate him, either. Democrats say the case is anything but closed and are conducting their own review of Mueller's investigation of Russian election interference. The Judiciary panel wants to speak to McGahn and review certain documents, in part because he was a vital witness for Mueller, recounting the president's outrage over the investigation and his efforts to curtail it. White House counsel Pat Cipollone said McGahn does not have any "legal right" to the materials because they are controlled by the White House. Cipollone did not invoke executive privilege in a letter to House Judiciary Chairman Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., but strongly signaled the option is on the table. He said the records Democrats are seeking "remain legally protected from disclosure under longstanding constitutional principles." In a letter to McGahn's lawyer Tuesday evening, Nadler rejected the argument that McGahn has no right to turn over documents to the committee. He said the "blanket suggestion of potential privilege is entirely insufficient." Executive privilege is the president's power to keep information from the courts, Congress and the public to protect the confidentiality of the Oval Office decision-making process. There is no reference to executive privilege in the Constitution, but the Supreme Court has held that it derives from the president's ability to carry out the duties the commander in chief holds under the Constitution. Nadler also threatened to hold McGahn in contempt of Congress if he doesn't testify before the committee later this month. Trump has signaled he will try to block McGahn from appearing, despite a committee subpoena. McGahn's lawyer said that he will "maintain the status quo" and wait for the White House and the committee to reach an agreement. "As you will appreciate, Mr. McGahn, as a former assistant to the president and the most senior attorney for the president in his official capacity, continues to owe certain duties and obligations to the President which he is not free to disregard," wrote attorney William Burck. The struggle over McGahn's testimony is playing out against the backdrop of a larger debate on Capitol Hill about what action if any to take following the conclusion of Mueller's investigation. McConnell, in his most significant public comments yet on the investigation, opened the Senate on Tuesday with a speech discussing how Mueller's "exhaustive" probe is now complete. "It's finally over," the Kentucky Republican said. He called Mueller's findings "bad news for the outrage industrial complex but good news for the rest of the country." The speech drew swift rebuttals from Democrats. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer issued a joint statement calling it "a stunning act of political cynicism and a brazen violation of the oath we all take." After McConnell's speech, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a Democratic presidential candidate, made her own trip to the Senate floor to say the House should begin impeachment proceedings a step that Pelosi has so far resisted. Yet Pelosi also said Trump seems to be "making the case" for his impeachment by brazenly obstructing investigations. "He's just trying to goad us into impeachment," Pelosi said in a talk at Cornell's Institute of Politics and Global Affairs. The dispute with the White House over McGahn is among several requests being resisted by the administration. The Judiciary Committee is also negotiating with the Justice Department over obtaining a full, unredacted version of Mueller's report. Attorney General William Barr released a redacted version to the public last month, but Democrats want to see the full document, plus underlying documents, and have scheduled a committee vote Wednesday to hold Barr in contempt for not providing it. With the contempt vote looming Wednesday, staff members from the House Judiciary Committee met with Justice Department officials on Tuesday afternoon. Negotiations went into the evening as the two sides traded offers on how many lawmakers would be able to view the report, how many staff, and whether the department would work with the committee to gain access to secret grand jury material. But talks stalled late Tuesday evening when the two sides couldn't agree on any of those terms. In another development, Assistant Attorney General Stephen Boyd told the committee in a letter late Tuesday that, in the face of a contempt vote, Barr would be compelled to request that the president invoke executive privilege with respect to the materials subject to the subpoena. It was not immediately clear how a claim of executive privilege would work given that Mueller's report has already been released to the public in redacted form. Nadler dismissed the idea, saying in a statement in response to Boyd's letter to the committee that "this is, of course, not how executive privilege works." "The White House waived these privileges long ago, and the Department seemed open to sharing these materials with us earlier today. The Department's legal arguments are without credibility, merit, or legal or factual basis," Nadler said. If the committee approves a contempt resolution against Barr, it would head to the full House for final approval. But that step is unlikely to lead to criminal charges. A House vote would send a criminal referral to the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, a Justice Department official who is likely to defend the attorney general. Democratic House leaders could also file a lawsuit against the Justice Department to obtain the Mueller report, an option that could take months or even years to resolve. Some committee members have suggested they also could fine Barr as he withholds the information. Associated Press writer Eric Tucker contributed to this report. An Uber driver accused of raping a passenger after picking her up from a party in Massachusetts faced a judge Tuesday. Melvin Guerrero-Encarna, 33, of Lynn, was charged with two counts of rape and arraigned in Wrentham District Court on Tuesday. He pleaded not guilty to the charges. Guerrero-Encarna was arrested after he allegedly sexually assaulted his passenger April 28 in Franklin. A woman reportedly told officials the assault happened about 2:30 a.m. after he picked her up from a party and requested a ride about three miles to Wrentham. The victim told police she had been drinking at the party and told her Uber driver that she was drunk. Thats when Guerrero-Encarna allegedly stopped a short distance before her destination and assaulted the woman. The woman was evaluated at Milford Regional Center and told staff she was assaulted. Medical officials then reported the rape to local authorities as mandated by law. Guerrero-Encarna is reportedly a Dominican Republic national who is in the U.S. on an immigrant visa, the Sun Chronicle reports. The visa allows him to stay with his wife, who is a U.S. citizen. His attorney Robert Carmel told NBC10 Boston that Guerrero-Encarna is innocent. "There's a predator in this case. But it's not the man behind bars," said Carmel. "My understanding is that there was a conversation that lasted for about 45 minutes between the young woman and my client. And my understanding is that she was discussing all of her problems with him." Carmel claims there are several pieces of evidence that show the victim's story doesn't add up. "She left him her phone number at the very end of their interaction," said Carmel. "I think her credibility will be challenged at every step of he proceedings." Guerrero-Encarna, who has no criminal record, is due back in court Thursday. Uber has not responded to NBC10 Bostons request for a comment. Illinois lawmakers stepped up on Tuesday to take aim at failures in the state's child-welfare agency, haunted for decades by deaths wrought of abuse and neglect that state officials too often are too poorly resourced or too poorly managed to prevent. Rep. Sara Feigenholtz stood with more than a dozen other House and Senate members of a newly formed child-welfare reform caucus with legislation to bolster checks and balances in the Department of Children and Family Services. Reeling from criticism of its handling of cases in which three children under its watch have died this year, DCFS took another hit on Tuesday. Auditor General Frank Mautino issued a review of the agency's investigative practices from 2015 to 2017, finding that while abuse and neglect complaints jumped 11%, its hotline put callers into voicemail more than half the time, caseloads of investigators regularly exceeded limits set by a federal consent decree, and in more than three of five cases reviewed, there was a lack of documentation showing that when a child stayed with a family, there were proper social services provided for the family. Feigenholtz's measure would set up an ongoing review of allegations of neglect or abuse in which DCFS investigators concluded there was insufficient evidence to sustain the claim, making sure all the boxes are checked. "We want to make sure that there are other sets of eyes on these cases that are so difficult," said Feigenholtz, a Chicago Democrat. It was a key missed piece in the case of Andrew "AJ" Freund of Crystal Lake, the 5-year-old whose parents are charged with murder after his body was found April 24 wrapped in plastic in a shallow grave near Woodstock in suburban Chicago. Records in AJ's case show he confided to an emergency-room doctor in December that he was beaten by a belt, but a DCFS administrator conceded last week that the information was missed when the agency ascribed AJ's bruising to a playful family dog and closed the complaint in January. "Our mission is to take all the necessary steps to overhaul longstanding policies and procedures that have failed Illinois' children and these recommendations are an important element of our path forward," DCFS Director Marc Smith said of Tuesday's developments in prepared statement. Even before AJ's death, Gov. J.B. Pritzker ordered a review by the University of Chicago's Chapin Hall research center to recommend DCFS improvements. That came after the deaths of a 2-year-old Decatur girl whose mother is charged with her murder after the girl was returned to her from foster care and a 2-year-old Chicago boy whose autopsy showed bruises and rib fractures never reported despite numerous DCFS visits with the boy. For years, DCFS has emphasized keeping biological families intact, when possible, but given the recent record, a change of focus might be in order, said Rep. Anna Moeller. Like AJ Freund, the 47-year-old Elgin Democrat was born with opiates in her system but was taken from her biological mother and reared by her grandparents. "Our main priority must be what is best for the child, even if that means removing him or her from their parents," Moeller said. "We need to support and improve our foster care system and our adoption care programs. We need to provide appropriate resources so DCFS can do its job." The audit, ordered by the House in June 2017 because of similar problems, suggests that DCFS has repeatedly failed in following through on a key step to keeping troubled families intact providing the social services necessary to help those families past problems drug addiction, joblessness, or a lack of parenting skills, for example. The audit reported that investigators often did not follow DCFS rules by recording the "Level of Intervention" accorded to families they visit. Of the cases auditors reviewed where there was credible evidence of abuse or neglect, 43% involved inaccurate intervention levels. There was no listing for services recommended in 11% of cases and in 26%, the listing was "No Service Needed," a statistic which James McIntyre, co-founder and board president of the Illinois chapter of Foster Care Alumni of America, said is telling. "What that says in normal-people talk is we left families alone, we left families stranded," McIntyre said. "We let that kid know that their voice does not matter, and that although yes, abuse is wrong, we as a state said, 'OK, we don't need to offer services. We don't need to offer support." The identities of two workers found in the rubble of a Waukegan plant following an explosion last week have been released. Jeff Cummings, 57, of Kenosha and Byron H. Biehn, 53, of Brighton Township, Wisconsin were both killed in the blast at AB Specialty Silicones plant Friday. Autopsies were conducted Monday but the results were still pending toxicology, according to Lake County Coroner Howard Cooper. Authorities had already identified Allen Stevens among the victims after the 29-year-old passed away at an area hospital following the explosion. We are heartbroken by this tragedy," Biehn's family said in a statement. "Byron was a beloved husband, father, son (in-law), bother (in-law), Godfather, uncle, and friend to many. We are so very grateful for the outpouring of prayers and support for Byron and our family. We ask that you keep the victims, their families, and the first responders in your prayers." The family said Biehn was a longtime employee with the company. Crews were still sifting through the building's crumbled facade Tuesday as they searched for another worker who remained missing but was presumed dead. "This is by no means over until we've located all victims," Waukegan Fire Marshal Steve Lenzi said. An investigation into what happened remained ongoing and an exact cause had not been determined as of Tuesday. An explosion in Waukegan has now claimed three lives, and one person remains missing at the site of the blast. NBC 5s Lexi Sutter has all the latest details. A charred metal frame and piles of debris are all that remain after the deadly explosion Friday night. "The biggest problem here is this is a very unstable building so we had to take it down piece by piece," Cooper said. "Its a really slow process and its very dangerous." Those who died are being hailed as heroes. Investigators said they noticed a problem and were helping their coworkers exit the building when it burst into flames. The explosion was so intense it even damaged a neighboring plant. Officials say that when firefighters arrived at the scene, they noted heavy damage and a massive fire. Rescue workers also encountered injured workers from the plant and transported them to local hospitals. Other neighboring fire departments were called in to help battle the massive fire. An investigator from the Illinois State Fire Marshals office has been at the scene to evaluate the cause of the explosion, but has not released any findings at this time. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has also announced that after extensive air quality and water monitoring tests that there is no danger posed to the public by the aftermath of the explosion. OSHA investigators have also been called to evaluate the incident. "We are shocked and heartbroken by the tragedy that occurred in our plant last night," AB Speciality Silicones GM Mac Penman said in a statement. "We have spent the day trying our best to support all of the members of our AB family as we attempt to process this terrible loss together. "We want to express our extreme gratitude to all the first responders who arrived at the scene. We continue to work closely with the Waukegan Fire Department and the Illinois Fire Marshal as they secure the scene and complete their investigation," he added. The Secret Service is now investigating after a hazardous materials situation Tuesday at Chicagos Trump Tower. Police said they were called to the 400 block of North Wabash Avenue just after 10 a.m. for a suspicious substance received in a letter. Police and fire officials responded to the scene. By 2 p.m., Chicago police said the Secret Service had taken over the investigation. The Secret Service could not immediately be reached for comment on the investigation. Details on what substance was inside the letter werent immediately released. A Coast Guard lieutenant accused of stockpiling firearms and drafting a hit list of prominent Democrats and journalists can be released from custody and supervised by relatives in Virginia while awaiting trial, a federal magistrate judge said Tuesday. U.S. Magistrate Judge Charles Day stopped short of ordering 50-year-old Christopher Hasson's immediate release after a hearing in Greenbelt, Maryland. The magistrate is giving prosecutors time to appeal his decision to a district court judge. Day said Hasson must be subject to 24-hour home detention at one of two Virginia homes: either his mother-in-law's rental home or a house owned by his father-in-law. The magistrate also agreed to using global positioning equipment to monitor Hasson. Court officials in Virginia must inspect the two homes and set up the monitoring equipment before Hasson can be released. Prosecutors have portrayed Hasson as a domestic terrorist and a racist extremist intent on carrying out massive killings. Hasson's attorney says prosecutors haven't filed terrorism-related charges since his Feb. 15 arrest because they haven't found any evidence to back up those allegations. Day said during a hearing last month that Hasson is entitled to be freed pending trial on firearms and drug charges. Defense attorney Liz Oyer proposed several pretrial release options for Day to consider during Hasson's detention hearing, the third since his arrest. Federal prosecutors oppose Hasson's release under any conditions. Their appeal likely keeps Hasson detained pending a district court judge's review of the matter. "The Government continues to believe that the defendant poses a serious danger and must be detained pending trial," Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Windom wrote in a court filing Sunday. Hasson is a self-described white nationalist who espoused extremist views for years and "intends to murder innocent civilians on a scale rarely seen in this country," Windom wrote in a previous court filing. Prosecutors said Hasson compiled what appeared to be a computer-spreadsheet hit list that included Democratic presidential hopefuls Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand, Elizabeth Warren, Cory Booker and Kamala Harris. Also mentioned were such figures as MSNBC's Chris Hayes and Joe Scarborough and CNN's Chris Cuomo and Van Jones. Prosecutors also say Hasson targeted two Supreme Court justices and two social media company executives and searched online for their home addresses in March 2018, within minutes before and after searching firearm sales websites. During last month's hearing, Day said he still has "grave concerns" about Hasson based on information prosecutors have presented. But the magistrate also took into account the defense's argument that he hasn't been charged with any terrorism-related offenses since his arrest. Oyer, an assistant federal public defender, has said Hasson's mother-in-law and father-in-law in Virginia are willing to have him stay with them under their supervision. So are Hasson's parents and brother in Arizona, according to Oyer. Hasson's wife has moved out of a Maryland apartment and is living in Virginia with her mother. Windom said none of those custodian options are viable or meet what Day said was the goal of ensuring that someone has "eyes and ears" on Hasson "like nobody's business." "The only way to ensure that goal is met is to keep the defendant detained in the custody of the United States Marshals Service," the prosecutor wrote. Oyer said conditions of Hasson's release should include home detention with electronic location monitoring, as well as no access to firearms, a computer or other internet-capable devices. Oyer has said her client hadn't made any direct or specific threats to harm anyone. Prosecutors are seeking to punish Hasson for "private thoughts" that he never shared, she said. "They have not come forward with evidence that Mr. Hasson is a domestic terrorist because he is not," she told Day last month. Hasson has pleaded not guilty to charges of illegal possession of firearm silencers, possession of firearms by a drug addict and unlawful user, and possession of a controlled substance. Investigators found 15 guns, including seven rifles, and more than 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. Hasson, a former Marine, worked at Coast Guard headquarters in Washington on a program to acquire advanced new cutters for the agency. North Korea appears to have tested a new short-range missile and President Donald Trump's resolve to keep it from doing more of the same in the future. The test early Saturday was quickly played down by Trump and his top advisers, who noted it was not the kind of long-range missile leader Kim Jong Un has refrained from launching since 2017. But the sudden activity on the North's east coast, complete with fiery photos of a purported bull's eye out to sea, alarmed Washington's regional allies and suggests that Kim's missiles are improving even as the Trump administration wrestles with how to get him back to the negotiating table. Kim personally supervised the test of what experts believe was a short-range ballistic missile first displayed by North Korea at a military parade early last year, along with a drill involving 240 millimeter- and 300 millimeter-caliber multiple rocket launchers. There remains some uncertainty over what was tested. South Korea's military reported that various "projectiles" flew from 44 to 149 miles before splashing harmlessly into the Pacific. The activity prompted the 35th Fighter Wing at Misawa Air Base in northern Japan to tweet on its official account in all capital letters "MISSILE INBOUND." The tweet was soon followed by an all clear, and an "enjoy your Saturday." Trump moved quickly to minimize the significance of the test on his efforts to strike a nuclear deal with North Korea, tweeting that Kim "knows that I am with him & does not want to break his promise to me." Both leaders continue to claim they have a good personal relationship. But tensions have grown since they failed to make any deals during their most recent summit, in Hanoi in February. Kim and senior North Korean officials have since expressed open frustration with what the North claims is an inflexible and unrealistic posture at talks by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and National Security Adviser John Bolton. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres believes North Korea's recent launches only "increase tensions in the region" and calls for continued dialogue to advance peace and denuclearization of the Korean peninsula, U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said. Kim suggested last month that he intends to give Washington until the end of the year to change its negotiating strategy. If it doesn't, he has warned, he will seek a different path. His position has created a dilemma for South Korean President Moon Jae-in, who has tried to act as a middleman. Seoul called an emergency meeting Saturday of top officials at its presidential Blue House and urged North Korea to stop committing acts that would raise military tensions. But such calls ring hollow in North Korea since the South has decided to go ahead with joint military exercises with the U.S. that the North sees as provocative. North Korea strongly condemned a drill of a South Korea-based THAAD air-defense system by U.S. troops just two weeks ago. The North's missile test also came just days after the United States tested its Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile from Vandenberg Air Base in California. Though such launches are planned well in advance and not directed at any specific country, they are seen by North Korea as highly provocative. North Korea last conducted a major missile test in November 2017 when it flight-tested an intercontinental ballistic missile that demonstrated the potential capability to reach deep into the U.S. mainland. During the diplomacy that followed those weapons tests, Kim said the North would not test nuclear devices or ICBMs. The latest missile, which the North's media referred to only as a "tactical guided weapon," fell well below that threshold. It is believed to be modeled after Russia's 9K720 Iskander mobile short-range ballistic missile system. The solid-fuel missile, first revealed in a military parade in Pyongyang, North Korea's capital, in February last year, is designed to be maneuverable during flight to boost its accuracy and thwart interception. Experts noted that despite its physical resemblance, the North Korean missile may be a less capable version of the Russian Iskander, which can carry a nuclear warhead and strike targets as far away as 500 kilometers (310 miles). A less capable version is still a clear danger to U.S. allies and American troops stationed in the region. The distance between Wonsan, where the launch was held, and the South Korean capital of Seoul is roughly 200 kilometers (124 miles). More than 20,000 U.S. troops are based in the South and another 50,000 in Japan. All are within range of the North's short- or medium-range missile arsenal. Trump tweeted Monday that he had spoken with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe "concerning North Korea and Trade." He did not provide additional information, but said "Very good conversation!" North Korea's state-run media had a propaganda heyday with the launch. The ruling party newspaper showed Kim supervising the drill from a camouflaged tent with a desk and computer screens monitoring a rocky offshore outcropping that was used as a target. One photo has him smiling broadly while a screen shows the top of the crag enveloped in a ball of flames. It also showed the missile rising from a mobile launcher and stressed how the drill was "organized without an advance notice" to underscore the need for realistic combat readiness. North Korea's coverage of the developments over the past year presents a sharp contrast to the focus outside of the country on denuclearization. The North's media has centered its attention on the portrayal of Kim as a strong leader on the global stage seeking to free the country of what the North calls unjustified sanctions so that it can develop its economy. Denuclearization is almost never the main topic of its reports. That was the official message yet again on Sunday. In its report on the drills, the state media stressed the need for the military to be on high alert to "defend the political sovereignty and economic self-sustenance of the country ... bearing in mind the iron truth that genuine peace and security are ensured and guaranteed only by powerful strength." President Donald Trump said Sunday that special counsel Robert Mueller should not testify before Congress, abandoning his previous declaration that he would leave that decision to his attorney general. Escalating tensions with House Democrats as they seek to bring Mueller before the House Judiciary Committee, Trump tweeted: "Bob Mueller should not testify. No redos for the Dems!" Democrats are seeking more information about Mueller's report on his Russia investigation. Senate Judiciary Chairman Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., has said he doesn't plan to invite Mueller to testify on the report. Trump told reporters in the Oval Office last week that testimony from Mueller was "up to our attorney general." William Barr has said he has no objection to Mueller testifying. Trump again asserted on Twitter Sunday that Mueller's report revealed "NO COLLUSION" and argued that there was "NO OBSTRUCTION." On collusion, Mueller said he did not assess whether that occurred because it is not a legal term. He looked into a potential criminal conspiracy between Russia and the Trump campaign and said the investigation did not collect sufficient evidence to establish criminal charges on that front. Mueller didn't charge Trump with obstruction but wrote that he couldn't exonerate him, either. Trump did not indicate if he would take any steps to block Mueller, who is a Justice Department employee. The president tweeted Sunday after a Democrat on the committee said he was hopeful Mueller would testify, noting that May 15 has been proposed. Rhode Island Rep. David Cicilline told "Fox News Sunday" that "we hope the special counsel will appear" at that time and that "we think the American people have a right to hear directly from him." Cicilline later tweeted that "nothing has been agreed to yet." The House Judiciary Committee chairman, Democratic Rep. Jerrold Nadler of New York, said last week the committee was "firming up the date" for Mueller's testimony and hoping it would be May 15. Cicilline said on Fox that "obviously until the date comes, we never have an absolute guarantee" and in his tweet later, said that "we hope the Special Counsel" will agree to the proposed date for his testimony. Spokespeople for the Justice Department and Mueller declined to comment on Cicilline's remarks and on Trump's tweet. Democratic lawmakers expressed their displeasure with Trump's position. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer tweeted, in part: "Now he's trying to silence Mueller. For a man who constantly proclaims his innocence, @realDonaldTrump is acting awfully guilty. Mueller must testify publicly before Congress." Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff, the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, noted in a tweet that Trump's opposition to Mueller testifying follows his opposition to having a former White House counsel testify. "Barr's testimony alone designed to protect Trump isn't going to cut it. They will testify. The American people deserve the truth," said Schiff, who has previously stated that he would like Mueller to appear before his panel. First they cooperated. Then they stonewalled. Their television interviews were scattershot and ridiculed, their client mercurial and unreliable. But President Donald Trump's legal team, through a combination of bluster, legal precedent and shifting tactics, managed to protect their client from a potentially perilous in-person interview during special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation. His lawyers are taking a victory lap after a redacted version of Mueller's findings revealed politically damaging conduct by the president but drew no conclusions of criminal behavior. "Our strategy came to be that when we weren't talking, we were losing," Rudy Giuliani, one of Trump's lawyers, told The Associated Press in a recent interview. Given that Mueller could not indict a sitting president, Giuliani said, the team kept its focus on Mueller's "capacity to report, so we had to play in the media as well as legally." The aftershocks from the Mueller report released Thursday will help shape the next two years of Trump's administration. But while the report may cause some Democrats to take a renewed look at impeachment despite long odds of success in Congress, the legal threat to Trump that seemed so dangerous upon Mueller's appointment in May 2017 has waned. At the outset, that appointment led Trump to predict "the end of my presidency." The White House struggled to recruit top Washington attorneys, many of whom were reluctant to work for a temperamental, scandal-prone president who repeatedly claimed he would be his own best legal mind. The initial strategy of the Trump legal team, including White House attorney Ty Cobb and personal defense lawyer John Dowd, was to be as cooperative as possible with Mueller's prosecutors and ensure that investigators got access to the documents they requested and the witnesses they wanted to interview. The Trump lawyers hoped to bring about a quick conclusion to the investigation. Believing he could exonerate himself, Trump initially expressed a willingness to sit for an interview with Mueller's team. A date was set for that to take place at Camp David. But then the president's lawyers moved away from the plan, in part by arguing that the special counsel already had gotten answers to his questions. "It became the most transparent investigation in history," Jay Sekulow, one of the president's personal lawyers, said in an interview. Still, there was internal tumult along the way, including the March 2018 departure of Dowd, a veteran and experienced criminal defense attorney, and the additions of Giuliani and the husband-wife team of Martin and Jane Raskin. Even as the legal team professed cooperation with Mueller's prosecutors, the lawyers expressed impatience, frustration and skepticism in a series of private letters that challenged the credibility of the government's witnesses and the demands to interview the president. In a November 2018 correspondence, one of a series of letters obtained by news outlets, the president's legal team attacked the questions Mueller wanted to ask the president as "burdensome if submitted to a routine witness, let alone presented to the president of the United States, more than two years after the events at issue while he continued to navigate numerous, serious matters of state, national security and domestic emergency." Those private complaints were dwarfed by louder public protests. Trump spent months engaging in daily, sometimes hourly, attacks on Mueller's team, declaring the investigation a "Witch Hunt" and questioning the integrity of the investigators. Giuliani, in many ways more of a television spokesman than conventional lawyer, amplified those attacks. He went so far as to accuse the investigators of misconduct and to portray Mueller, who as a Marine officer had led a rifle platoon in Vietnam, as unpatriotic. The former New York City mayor became a human smoke screen, making accusations and offering theories often meant to distract and obfuscate. He was a punch line on cable news channels, and his interviews were mocked as blunder-filled performances. But there was a method to Giuliani's shtick, at least at times. More than once he let slip revelations that initially were perceived as gaffes but later were recognized as efforts to get out ahead of potentially damaging news stories. Two examples include payments to Stormy Daniels, a porn actress who claimed an affair with Trump, and a letter of intent to build a Trump Tower Moscow. There were missteps, too. The interviews granted by White House staffers filled the pages of the Mueller report with stories of West Wing chaos. At least one interaction caught Mueller's attention as a possible effort to discourage a witness from cooperating against the president. Trump's lawyers communicated regularly with attorneys for other people under scrutiny in the investigation as part of a joint-defense agreement that enabled them to swap information. But the report reveals that after former national security adviser Michael Flynn withdrew from the agreement and began cooperating with the government, an unidentified Trump lawyer left a message with Flynn's attorneys reminding them that the president still had warm feelings for Flynn and asking for a "heads-up" if Flynn knew damaging information about the president. While Giuliani, with an eye toward the members of Congress who might eventually decide the president's fate, focused on the public relations battle, the legal team also worked behind the scenes to argue that Mueller could not use a subpoena to compel Trump to give an in-person interview, which carried potentially grave risks for a president prone to making false statements. "I think they were right to think that it would hurt him to speak to Mueller's team, and as it turns out, they were right to think that he could get away with refusing to speak with Mueller's team," said Stanford law school professor David Alan Sklansky. Mueller's team, which spent about a year negotiating with Trump's lawyers over a potential interview, ultimately agreed to accept written answers on Russia-related questions but never spoke with the president in person. Making the move to block an interview was "defense lawyering 101" because defense lawyers as a matter of course don't like to let clients in legal jeopardy speak to investigators, said Duke law professor Samuel Buell. Mueller never acted to subpoena Trump. The special counsel did not conclude that Trump's campaign colluded with Russians. With an eye on following a Justice Department legal opinion that prohibits indicting a sitting president, Mueller did not rule on whether Trump obstructed justice. Attorney General William Barr and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein declared that Trump did not. "We're very, very happy. I mean, it's a clear victory. I think any lawyer would say when you get a declination, you just won," Giuliani told Fox News after the report came out. Buell said it is hard to know how much credit belonged to Trump's lawyers. "I think that's where the real lawyering in a situation like this goes on, is the client management piece," he said. "Trump doesn't like to be managed, clearly ... but the Mueller report won't tell you what went on with the president's private lawyers and the president." Associated Press writer Jill Colvin contributed to this report. Prosecutors say a Bridgeport, Connecticut woman who was imprisoned for mailing cookies laced with rat poison to Supreme Court justices, FBI officials and military leaders has pleaded guilty to escaping from federal custody. Seventy-three-year-old Barbara March signed out of a halfway house in Washington, D.C., where she was completing her sentence in April 2018 and did not return as scheduled. She was arrested in Bridgeport in October. In October 2006 she was sentenced to 15 years in prison for sending the poisoned baked goods. Prosecutors said March pleaded guilty Friday to escaping from federal custody in federal court in Bridgeport. She faces a maximum prison term of five years. Two of the top Democrats in the Connecticut General Assembly said Tuesday that the state has an obligation to consider ending religious exemptions from vaccinations for public school students. I think we have to have some conversations now, said Rep. Matt Ritter, (D Hartford), the majority leader of the Connecticut House of Representatives. The discussion is happening now because of the measles outbreak around the country thats seen more than 760 confirmed cases, with fewer than half a dozen of them in Connecticut. Connecticut lawmakers have a measure before them that would modify who could sign off on exemptions, but a prohibition on the religious exemption, Ritter admits, would be an aggressive step forward. He said that step may be necessary. If you change the law and you get rid of the religious exemption like West Virginia, Mississippi and the state of California, youre not forced to vaccinate your children, but youre not allowed to enroll in public schools. Opponents to the idea argue the state of Connecticut has no place making such demands of parents. Rep. Vincent Candelora, (R North Branford), says because the state is so highly vaccinated on the whole, Democrats are searching for a problem to solve. We have the highest vaccination rate in the country, so Connecticut doesnt have these issues of outbreaks that other states have, which is why I feel like rushing to address something where we dont see evidence of an issue is a mistake. The Connecticut Department of Public Health unveiled data from the 2017-18 school year last week that showed some school districts had vaccination rates for measles and rubella below 95 percent. The question of religious exemptions and the states ability to limit them was then posed to Attorney General William Tong for an opinion on the matter. He responded saying the state is well within its right to limit exemptions for parents. Tong said Tuesday, The Supreme Court spoke more than 100 years ago, and so did the Connecticut Supreme Court that the state clearly has the authority to require and regulate immunization here in this state and across the country. He added, Its frankly one of the first things we learn in law school, any states authority to take steps to protect public health and safety. That power is very broad and it always has been. If Connecticut is going to move on the issue, it will have to happen quickly, since the legislature adjourns next month. Thats a reason, Rep. Joe Aresimowicz, (D Berlin), the House Speaker says, to move on the issue. Do we want to wait until theres an outbreak? I mean, thats not the best argument, he said. Governor Ned Lamont highlighted some of the state's economic achievements at a news conference in Milford on Tuesday and also discussed the need for fiscal reforms and different spending habits. "I'm looking at the most innovative state, the fourth most innovative and you know, you think of this state as you know, we've got some great old businesses. We make helicopters, we make submarines, we make tools. A, they are all retooling right now. You wouldn't believe how they're updating and computerizing everything they do," Lamont said. It was also announced that the state has been upgraded by a national bond rating agency. "The State of Connecticut, the nation's premiere bond rating agencies have upgraded our state for the first time in a while." said Milford Mayor Ben Blake. Blake said Milford has seen the economy get better in their town firsthand. "We are right in the middle of an economic renaissance. We've had an explosion of new businesses come into town, businesses that already exist here expanding. Last year alone, we had 465 new businesses that have made Milford our home. Obviously that is good for our tax base, but it also is a good opportunity and it leverages other economic opportunities," Blake said. Milford and New Haven have also seen more millennial relocate there compared to everywhere else in the nation, according to new research. "One of the things that we've recently seen it leverage was put out last week in Bloomberg Business, where research shows that more millennials are moving to Milford and New Haven than anywhere else in the nation," Blake added. He said there's a whole host of factors, but believes it's because Milford has jobs, there are businesses coming in and it's a great place to work and live. Blake also said there are numerous institutions of higher learning that surround the town like Yale University and University of Bridgeport and there's easy access to transportation including by boat, train and cars. "It is a great place if you want to get to New York in an hour and a half or Boston in two hours, but most importantly we're in downtown Milford right now. There is a lot of hustle and bustle. The City of Milford has more coastline than anywhere else, 70 and a half miles of pristine shore front. This is the place that people want to be," Blake said. "I love the fact that U.S. millennials, a generation later, still find this is a wonderful place to be, to live, the quality of life," Lamont added. At the news conference, Lamont also discussed the need for fiscal reforms and spending within the state's means, as well as how to responsibly invest in the infrastructure. "We're trying to get our fiscal house in order, get our structural cost fixed so this next generation of folks right here knows what Connecticut is going to look like in 20 years and knows that we have an economy that invests in the future, a budget that invests in the future, doesn't borrow from the future," Lamont said. Lamont added that he's talked to business leaders asking what it takes for them to grow here and how to attract the next generation of talent. "They [business leaders] told me two things: they said one...Connecticut, you've gotta get your fiscal house in order. Connecticut, you've been addicted to debt for a long time and that's what we've done in our budget," Lamont said. He said the other issue that business owners complained about was traffic and congestion on roads. "The other thing I heard from every business owner is the gridlock is killing us. The congestion on our roads, the slowing rail and that's why I've tried to do, in a very appropriate way, not borrowing more, which is what the legislature wants to do to, some of the legislature want to do to fix the transportation, but invest in our future...having users pay for that through electronic tolling," Lamont added. Lamont said he plans to have a lot of the cost be picked up by people who are from out of state or companies who drive tractor-trailers through the state. "Over half of that cost would be born by out of staters and big tractor trailer companies. So that we can not have Connecticut taxpayers have to pick up the burden, but those that use the roads to do it. It's the most important thing we can do to get this state going again, to get this state growing again," he said. Lamont said he is working collaboratively with his friends in the legislature to form a budget and has about 30 days to go. When the Piper single-engine aircraft landed at Sikorsky Airport in Stratford in June 2017, authorities were waiting and found 400 pounds of marijuana on the plane, according to federal authorities. They said that was just part of a drug trafficking operation that earned millions of dollars for the people involved. Federal officials said the marijuana found on that plane was destined for several people to distribute in Connecticut. Now three men have pleaded guilty to being involved in what officials call a large-scale marijuana trafficking ring, according to John Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut. His office said 40-year-old Scott Bodnar, of Ansonia, 34-year-old Terrell Givens, of Beacon Falls, and 60-year-old Donald Burns, of Milford, have pleaded guilty to federal offenses. It was 2016 when the Federal Aviation Administration began investigating Burns plane, which was making regular flights between Stratford, Connecticut, and northern California via the southwest United States according to federal authorities. The drug seizure happened after Burns flew from northern California to Lubbock, Texas on June 28, 2017 and the next day flew from Texas to Arkansas, and then to West Virginia and Connecticut, according to federal authorities. When the plane landed at Sikorsky Airport in Stratford, investigators found around 400 pounds of marijuana in vacuum-sealed packages, federal officials said. They said the drugs were intended for Bodnar, Givens and others to distribute in Connecticut. Investigators determined that the people involved in the ring had earned millions of dollars by trafficking nearly two tons of marijuana from California to Connecticut over two years, according to a news release from Durhams office. Authorities said Bodnar, Givens and others also laundered around $6 million to buy marijuana in California, pay for their travel to and from California and to pay Burns to transport the marijuana. On May 2, Bodnar pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute, 1,000 kilograms or more of marijuana, and one count of conspiracy to launder monetary instruments. Givens pleaded guilty to the same charges on May 3. On May 6, Burns pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, 1,000 kilograms or more of marijuana. The three defendants agreed to forfeit cash as well as Burns Piper aircraft, a 2012 Toyota Camry belonging to Bodnar, a 2009 Jaguar XF and approximately $8,000 in jewelry belonging to Givens. Hastily written executive orders. Declarations by tweet. President Donald Trump's White House hasn't been known for its careful crafting of policy. But Jared Kushner, the president's son-in-law and senior adviser, has spent months drawing up a long-awaited immigration overhaul plan that the White House began to roll out Tuesday. Frustrated by congressional inaction and stinging Republican defeats, Kushner has been meeting with GOP groups and speaking with lawmakers to try to fashion a plan that the president and his party might be able to unite behind. He's been assisted by a team that includes experts in drafting legislation so that he can be less reliant on Capitol Hill, according to people familiar with the efforts. It's a new approach for an administration with few legislative achievements and facing the challenges of navigating a hostile Democratic House, where many legislators are more intent on investigating the president than working with him, especially in an area as contentious as immigration. "The fact is this president is taking the lead. He's not waiting on Congress," White House spokesman Hogan Gidley told Fox News on Tuesday. Officials stressed that the plan could evolve in response to feedback. But so far it includes two prongs: A border security bill that would focus, in part, on modernizing ports of entry, and a package of revisions to legal immigration that aims to create a more "merit-based" system giving preference to those with job skills rather than relatives of immigrants already in the country. A senior administration official told reporters that the total number of immigrants allowed into the country would not change under the plan only the types of immigrants admitted. The White House is also working with Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., on additional legislation that would address the nation's asylum system, in an effort to stem the flow of migrants across the border, according to the official, who outlined the plan on condition of anonymity because public discussion was not authorized. It's not the first time the White House has tried to sell Congress on Trump's immigration priorities and it's unclear whether Republicans let alone Democrats will be on board. There is deep doubt in Washington that there is any appetite on Capitol Hill for a wide-ranging agreement. Trump and Kushner met Tuesday afternoon with a dozen Republican senators who seemed largely receptive to the effort. But several said they were awaiting more details. Kushner's team began meeting in January with conservative, business and other groups, soliciting input on a subject Congress has struggled for decades to address. Though he had no previous background on the contentious subject, Kushner has tried to replicate the playbook he used to help push bipartisan criminal justice reform legislation across the finish line last year. Unlike that effort, however, this time the White House has made no outreach to Democrats, with Kushner instead looking to draft a plan that Republicans can rally around to make clear what the party is "for" as Trump heads into what is expected to be a brutal re-election campaign. Jessica Vaughan, director of policy studies at the Center for Immigration Studies, which advocates for lower rates of immigration and has provided input on the plan, said that, as part of the effort, Kushner's team was working to craft legislation in-house instead of leaving it to Congress. Several weeks ago, the team added staff with experience in legislation-writing, including George Fishman, deputy general counsel at the Department of Homeland Security. "It's not just talking points or goals at this point," Vaughan said. It's unclear, however, how members of Congress might respond to that approach. A big legislative package coming from the White House could be panned by lawmakers unless they had a role to play in the sausage making. Trump's signature legislative achievement the Republican tax cut bill was the product of careful collaboration between the White House, Treasury and Republican leaders in Congress, who agreed on a broad framework and then left the details to the Senate Ways and Means and Finance committees. One person briefed on the immigration plan, who spoke on condition of anonymity to reveal internal discussions, said White House officials had made clear that they had grown tired of waiting on Congress and did not want a repeat of their last, much-hyped immigration push a "four pillars" plan rolled out in early 2018 that failed to gain traction. But some Republican members question Kushner's broad-ranging approach. Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, a member of GOP leadership, said Kushner had been "vetting ideas with the president, making progress there, and also with members of the Senate. I've been encouraging him to do that." But he suggested more narrowly tailored bills might more successful. "Having seen our experience, going big and ending up nowhere," he said, "I think we're better off trying to address this in a targeted sort of way." Vaughan, whose group is concerned that Kushner's proposal will be too accommodating to business groups that want more immigrant workers, urged Trump to prioritize the southern border, where a surge in Central American migrant families has been overwhelming federal resources. She also cautioned against a top-down approach, saying that "it's very unlikely that members of Congress are going to just accept something that comes over from the White House." AP Congressional Correspondent Lisa Mascaro contributed to this report. Trump has signed off on Kushner's immigration plan By JILL COLVIN Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) President Donald Trump has signed off on a new immigration plan being spearheaded by senior adviser and presidential son-in-law Jared Kushner that appeared to receive a positive reception from Republican senators briefed on it Tuesday. A senior administration official told reporters after the meeting that the president had approved the effort to overhaul America's immigration system and increase border security last week and that it should now be considered "the President Trump plan." Kushner is working to finalize a plan with two major components: Border security measures that would include efforts to secure ports of entry and a package of immigration proposals that would create a more "merit-based" system giving preference to those with job skills rather than relatives of immigrants already in the country. Under the plan, the same number of immigrants would be permitted to enter the country, but the composition would change. The White House is also working with Sen. Lindsey Graham on additional legislation that would address the nation's asylum system in an effort to stem the flow of migrants across the border, according to the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to outline the plan. Several GOP senators who attended complimented the effort, which the White House deemed "productive." Democrats were not in attendance. "The president and senators discussed a potential plan that would secure the border, protect and raise wages for the American worker, and move toward a merit-based immigration system," White House spokesman Hogan Gidley said in a written readout of the meeting. Sen. Martha McSally of Arizona complimented Kushner and the White House. "They have done substantial work," she told Fox News in an interview at the White House after the meeting. After he returned to the Capitol, Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas described a "very good productive conversation. ... I heard large areas of agreement from everyone in the room." Cotton said he still needs to see the details but things are "moving in the right direction." And Sen, Senator Kevin Cramer of North Dakota called it a "good starting point" that could be appealing to Democrats in the right situation. "I think the environment right now with the booming economy, workforce demands, a crisis at the border that's no longer deemed manufactured presents an opportunity for discussion," he said. Any immigration plan will be an uphill challenge on Capitol Hill where lawmakers have struggled for decades to pass comprehensive immigration legislation. Conservative Republicans are likely to oppose a plan that does not cut rates of legal immigration, while Democrats have made clear they will not accept changes without new protections of "Dreamer" immigrants brought to the country as children and are here illegally. Some Republicans, especially those from election swing states, would like to see protections for Dreamers as well. Some have also reacted skeptically to Kushner's involvement, given he has no previous background on the contentious subject. Kushner has nonetheless spent months meeting with various Republican groups, hoping to put together a proposal he believes can unite party members, following the playbook he used to help pass bipartisan criminal justice reform legislation last year. Grassley, who favors stricter immigration enforcement, kept expectations in check before the meeting. "Well I think anything I'm looking for they probably won't have any chance of getting passed," he told reporters. Kushner said during an interview at the TIME 100 Summit two weeks ago that he would present a revised version to Trump "probably at the end of this week, next week" and that the president would then "make some changes, likely, and then he'll decide what he wants to do with it when he wants to do with it." "My hope is that we can really do something that unifies people around what we're for on immigration," he said. White House counselor Kellyanne Conway on Tuesday described the plan as "fairly comprehensive" and said it could include changes to the diversity visa lottery, which Trump has long criticized. She also told Fox News Channel that Trump might be open to a deal that would address the plight of hundreds of thousands of "Dreamer" immigrants who were brought to the country as children and are here illegally. "We'll see," she said, later telling reporters, "The president made very clear in January 2018 in the Cabinet Room that he was willing to do a deal on DACA and the Dreamers." A previous attempt by Trump to reach a comprehensive immigration deal with Congress collapsed last year and there is deep skepticism in Washington that there is any appetite on Capitol Hill for a wide-ranging agreement. Trump put immigration at the center of his presidential campaign, including a promise to build a wall along the U.S-Mexico border. He is expected to continue to hammer the issue in his re-election campaign as he tries to energize his base of supporters. At a lunch meeting of GOP senators, Vice President Mike Pence said support is growing for the White House's approach on border security. "He thinks that's really turned in our favor," said Sen. Mike Braun of Indiana. ___ Associated Press writers Lisa Mascaro and Darlene Superville contributed to this report. ___ Vice President Mike Pence said the United States will consider sanctions relief for Venezuelan officials who break their support of the Maduro regime and announced the lifting of sanctions against a general who last week broke ranks with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, NBC News reports. The U.S. has sanctioned more than 150 government officials and state-owned businesses loyal to Maduro. Pence announced the U.S. was removing sanctions on Venezuelan Gen. Manuel Cristopher Figuera, the former chief of the countrys intelligence service, effective immediately, during a speech at the Conference on the Americas at the State Department Tuesday afternoon in Washington. The vice president also announced the Navy hospital ship the USNS Comfort will be deployed to the Caribbean, Central America and South America in June for a 5-month mission to address the crisis in Venezuela. Pences remarks come after a failed attempt from opposition leader Juan Guiado to oust Maduro from power. In the end, the majority of the military appeared to stand with Maduro and he remains in power. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has made it official: The administration won't be turning President Donald Trump's tax returns over to the Democratic-controlled House. Mnuchin told Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal, D-Mass., in a Monday letter that the panel's request "lacks a legitimate legislative purpose" as Supreme Court precedent requires. In making that determination, Mnuchin said he relied on the advice of the Justice Department. He concluded that the Treasury Department is "not authorized to disclose the requested returns and return information." He said the Justice Department will provide a more detailed legal justification soon. The move, which was expected, is sure to set in motion a legal battle over Trump's tax returns. The chief options available to Democrats are to subpoena the IRS for the returns or to file a lawsuit. Last week, Neal promised "we'll be ready" to act soon after Monday's deadline. Treasury's denial came the same day that the House Judiciary panel scheduled a vote for Wednesday on whether to find Attorney General William Barr in contempt of Congress for failing to comply with a subpoena for a full, unredacted copy of special counsel Robert Mueller's report. Fights with other House panels are ongoing. "I will consult with counsel and determine the appropriate response," Neal said in a statement Monday. Neal originally demanded access to Trump's tax returns in early April under a law that says the IRS "shall furnish" the returns of any taxpayer to a handful of top lawmakers, including the chair of the tax-writing Ways and Means Committee. He maintains that the committee is looking into the effectiveness of IRS mandatory audits of tax returns of all sitting presidents, a way to justify his claim that the panel has a potential legislative purpose. Democrats are confident in their legal justification and say Trump is stalling in an attempt to punt the issue past the 2020 election. The White House and the president's attorneys declined to comment on the deadline to turn over Trump's returns. Mnuchin has said Neal's request would potentially weaponize private tax returns for political purposes. Trump has privately made clear he has no intention of turning over the much-coveted records. He is the first president since Watergate to decline to make his tax returns public, often claiming that he would release them if he was not under audit. "What's unprecedented is this secretary refusing to comply with our lawful ... request. What's unprecedented is a Justice Department that again sees its role as being bodyguard to the executive and not the rule of law," said Rep. Bill Pascrell, D-N.J. "What's unprecedented is an entire federal government working in concert to shield a corrupt president from legal accountability." But the president has told those close to him that the attempt to get his returns was an invasion of his privacy and a further example of what he calls the Democrat-led "witch hunt" like Mueller's Russia probe meant to damage him. Trump has repeatedly asked aides as to the status of the House request and has not signaled a willing to cooperate with Democrats, according to a White House official and two Republicans close to the White House. He has linked the effort to the myriad House probes into his administration and has urged his team to stonewall all requests. He also has inquired about the "loyalty" of the top officials at the IRS, according to one of his advisers. Trump has long told confidants that he was under audit and therefore could not release his taxes. But in recent weeks, he has added to the argument, telling advisers that the American people elected him once without seeing his taxes and would do so again, according to the three White House officials and Republicans, who were not authorized to speak publicly about private conversations and spoke on condition of anonymity. At a Senate Committee hearing in Austin Tuesday, a state senator offered some insight into a lingering question at the capitol: What does Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R) think about efforts to legalize CBD oil? State Sen. Charles Perry (R-Lubbock) said he has spoken to the lieutenant governor about the issue directly and that Patrick had some concerns about legal issues related to hemp and CBD. "But mostly," Perry said, "he was wanting quality and consistency in product. And his comment to me directly was, 'I want to make sure what consumers are buying is the real deal.'" Patricks press office said Tuesday it would provide a statement later regarding his position. A spokesperson noted that throughout the discussion on the bill there has been a lot of interest in ensuring the safety of any CBD products sold to consumers. Some supporters of CBD oil and hemp legalization are concerned that Patrick might try to block the bill (HB 1325) which has unanimously passed in the House. Patrick had previously stated opposition to widening access to medical marijuana. But his position on CBD oil is unclear. In recent weeks, his spokesperson did not respond to questions from NBC 5 Investigates regarding the issue. CBD oil from hemp contains very low levels of THC, and experts say it does not provide a high like marijuana, which has significantly higher THC levels. On Tuesday, experts, including a representative of the state's Agriculture Department, testified that the bill under consideration would strictly regulate hemp production. It would also require QR codes on CBD products, giving Texas consumers the ability to scan the code and access independent lab results for each product. Across the country, the rapid growth of CBD sales has raised concerns that some producers are not being straightforward about what is in some CBD products. Our NBC sister station in Miami recently tested CBD products at a certified lab and discovered some contained little or no CBD at all. Others contained pesticides. And in one case, a very high level of lead was detected. CBD industry organizations said some producers may buy CBD extracts from countries overseas, which do not regulate hemp growing as strictly as hemp producing states in the U.S., where the presence of heavy metals and pesticides are prohibited. At Tuesday"s hearing, all of the witnesses spoke in favor of the bill. The committee took no action, leaving a vote for another day. The boyfriend of Zuzu Verk, the college student whose remains were found in a shallow grave in West Texas in 2016, was found guilty Tuesday of killing her. A Caldwell County jury found Robert Fabian, 28, guilty on charges of first-degree murder and tampering with or fabricating evidence in the 22-year-old's death, KMID-TV reported. Fabian had been indicted on the charges in March 2017. You can read the full story from our media partners The Dallas Morning News by clicking here. Grapevine police are asking for the public's help in locating a missing 66-year-old woman who was last seen Friday. Joyce Payne left her home that morning in a 2003 silver Chevy Trailblazer with Texas license plate DV1 5449, police said. She left her purse, phone and medications, police said. She is described as a white woman with short blonde hair and blue eyes. She is 5-foot-4 and 100 pounds. Anyone with information is asked to call Grapevine police at 817-410-8127. What to Know 6 correction officers face charges over alleged illegal strip searches during NYC jail visits, an issue the I-Team has reported on for years All six officers are women; they pleaded not guilty to charges including conspiracy, official misconduct and unlawful imprisonment on Monday Union prez pointed to number of contraband arrests at the Manhattan facility; watchdog says that's crucial but not at civil rights' expense Six female correction officers have been indicted amid allegations that women endured invasive body cavity and strip searches when they tried to visit loved ones in jail, horror stories that were unearthed in a series of I-Team reports. The half-dozen suspects, including Leslie-Ann Absalom, a 53-year-old former Department of Correction captain, are accused of illegal searches at the Manhattan Detention Complex. They pleaded not guilty to charges including official misconduct, unlawful imprisonment and conspiracy at their arraignment early Monday afternoon. Aside from Absalom, the indicted include officers Daphne Farmer, 49, Jennifer George, 32, Lisette Rodriguez, 51, Alifoa Waiters, 45 and Latoya Shuford, 36. According to court documents, the correction officers routinely unlawfully strip-searched female visitors, including forcing them to remove their pants and underwear, touching their breasts and examining their genital areas. Four of the officers allegedly filed false paperwork to justify the illegal searches, prosecutors say. Ultimately, three visitors were arrested on the basis of charges stemming from those unlawful searches, prosecutors said. Names of attorneys for the women weren't immediately available. In a statement, Correction Officers' Benevolent Association President Elias Husamudeen said officers assigned to the visitors' area at the Manhattan facility arrested more than 50 guests last year alone for allegedly trying to smuggling in drugs, razors and other contraband. "Every day they do everything they can to keep this jail safe for visitors, inmates and correction staff," Husamudeen said. "They deserve more public support for the diligent professionalism they exude every day." Department of Investigation Commissioner Margaret Garnett said stopping contraband from getting into city jails is critically important, but not at "the expense of visitors' dignity, the law and the Correction Department's rules." According to DOC protocol, officers should conduct "pat frisk" searches of visitors who are suspected of having contraband and must get written consent for the searches in advance. Should a visitor refuse to consent, DOC officers can suggest a "non-contact booth visit" or the officers may deny the visit entirely. The I-Team has been reporting on illegal strip search complaints in city jails for years. Last summer, three women filed notices of claim against the DOC, claiming they were sexually abused by correction officers during visits. One woman described being touched inappropriately and threatened that child welfare authorities would be called to take her kids away if she complained. Another said she was so traumatized by a strip search she couldn't go back. "By the time she was finished touching the top, like my breasts werent even in my bra. My bra was all the way up to my neck," the woman said. "She (the officer), went in, she went inside, she moved around, touched my private area. And I just had to stand there. I was in shock." In February 2018, the I-Team interviewed two other women who said they had been improperly searched in bathrooms on Rikers. At the time, the DOC claimed that bathrooms had been used because of space limitations, but promised the practice had been stopped. About 14 months before that, the Department of Investigation sent a letter to DOC making sweeping recommendations to the department on improving visitor procedures. It wasnt until June 2018 that DOC updated its policy directive. The Department of Investigation released a new report Monday following the indictments assessing the need for further changes to DOC policies, practices and training protocol. (You can view the full 120-page report here.) Among the department's findings: DOC increased video surveillance coverage after a DOI follow-up investigation last year, but does not review it in real-time or spot-check it regularly. DOI also found that DOC often conducts the strip searches with a single officer in a place hidden from public view "in what appears to be a misplaced emphasis on privacy." DOI suggests officers default to public area searches unless the visitor requests a private search. Searches should also be conducted with a captain's supervision and video recording, but those measures, along with the consent requirement, are at times ignored. DOI says DOC incorporated most of the suggestions it made in its 2016 report, but says there is a clear need for more staff training. Enhanced video and staff surveillance is also critical moving forward, DOI said. The watchdog also issued new policy and procedure recommendations in the report it released Monday. Those include: stopping a visitor search as soon as contraband is found, prohibit bathroom searches, post clear signs and illustrations in English and Spanish explaining visitor search policy and procedure, develop a demo video for staff training and assign an on-call DOC attorney to help visitor area officers with questions, among other suggestions. Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance urged DOC to quickly adopt and implement the watchdog agency's recommendations. "There is no excuse for violating the human rights of New Yorkers visiting our Citys jails. As alleged, these officers flagrantly abused their power when they ignored their training and subjected visitors to humiliating and unlawful searches," Vance said in a statement. "Further, they attempted to cover up their actions by forcing visitors to sign consent forms under false pretenses, and repeatedly lying in official documents." Attorney Alan Figman, who represents nearly 40 women who have made accusations of sex abuse, told the I-Team in August it was clear the most recent set of DOI guidelines were not being put into practice. I look at DOC as a department that is totally out of control. The only way to achieve any sort of regulation is to bring in federal monitors, he said. Residents seeking compensation after their Houston-area homes and businesses were flooded by two federally owned reservoirs during Hurricane Harvey say authorities knew for decades that such an inundation was inevitable but did nothing to prevent it, an attorney for the property owners said in court Monday. The two-week trial will focus on claims by residents who lived and worked upstream of the Addicks and Barker reservoirs. The lawsuits allege the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which maintains the dams, knew their capacity would exceed federal land and inundate homes and businesses on adjacent private property. The trial focuses on 13 properties as test cases to determine whether the federal government would be liable for damage to flooded homes. "People lost everything. People lost possessions, memories," said Daniel Charest, one of the attorneys for the residents and business owners, who are among hundreds of lawsuits filed in connection with flooding from the two reservoirs. Charest said his clients are not questioning the actions of the Corps of Engineers, but they are due just compensation for the taking of their property. He said the Corps of Engineers knew for decades such flooding would happen. But Harvey was a "historically large rainfall event" that was unprecedented, said William Shapiro, an attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice, which is representing the Corps of Engineers. "Flooding in a storm of this size was inevitable," Shapiro said. Harvey, which made landfall as a Category 4 storm on Aug. 25, 2017, killed 68 people and caused an estimated $125 billion in damage in Texas. In the Houston area, Harvey caused 36 deaths and flooded more than 150,000 homes. Around the reservoirs, located about 20 miles west of downtown Houston, more than 10,000 properties flooded. Houses downstream of the dams also flooded when officials released water after concerns the reservoirs could fail. Homeowners who were flooded downstream have also sued and their lawsuits are being handled separately. When it doesn't rain, land around the two dams, built more than 70 years ago, is dry, green space with parks. Many residents who flooded said they were unaware their homes were built on land used as a reservoir. During heavy rainfall events, the dams are closed to collect water from local bayous and creeks and ensure it doesn't flow at an uncontrolled rate downstream to downtown Houston and the Houston Ship Channel. Shapiro said that during Harvey, the federal government's actions in operating the dams and controlling releases from it were done to prevent the loss of life and destruction of property downstream of the reservoirs. Todd Banker, whose home is one of the 13 test properties, said his house was flooded for about a week. His family didn't have flood insurance and they had to use their savings, which has hurt their efforts to save money to provide for their 10-year-old daughter who has special needs. "That's where it's really hit us," Banker said outside the courthouse during a break in testimony. "So, we just want to be back to where we thought we were. So, we know where we are for her future." Banker and others who live upstream of the reservoirs allege the federal government violated the takings clause of the Fifth Amendment, which states that private property can't be taken for public use without just compensation. Their lawyers say structures upstream of the reservoirs were built in areas known as flood pools, where water collects as the dams fill up. Their attorneys say the federal government doesn't own all the land that encompasses this flood pool and a portion of the flood pool is on private property. The case is before Judge Charles Lettow on the U.S. Court of Federal Claims in Washington. D.C. His ruling on the issue of liability was expected to be issued sometime after the trial. After much heated debate and discussion, the Texas Department of Transportation revealed its plan for easing congestion along U.S. Highway 380 through Collin County. In McKinney, TxDOT considered several options, including what's known as the "red" bypass and a "green" option that would widen the existing highway. At a packed public meeting Monday night, TxDOT announced it would move forward with what's known as the "red A" alignment, which includes a north bypass in McKinney that starts between an area west of Ridge Road and east of Stonebridge Road. The Dallas Morning News TxDOT's deputy district engineer explained that the agency tried to minimize impacts to homes, businesses and future development. The option would affect fewer acres of planned development, would not go through an existing neighborhood and would not displace ManeGate Therapeutic Horsemanship -- a horse therapy center for veterans and children -- TxDOT said. TxDOT said it might tweak the plan, but it was close to what would be built. "It's been an emotional roller coaster because there have been so many options that have come out," said Janet Anders -- part of a group that has opposed any bypass option. The alignment picked by TxDOT would spare her Walnut Grove neighborhood in an unincorporated part of Collin County, but Anders said other neighbors would feel the effects of a bypass. "Personally, I think it is one of the worst options," Anders said. "It impacts so many neighborhoods, not only in the city but also in the ETJ (extraterritorial jurisdiction)." Just south of U.S. 380, in the Stonebridge Ranch community in McKinney, the community association board president wasn't happy with the "red A" plan either. Jon Dell'Antonia said he supported the "red B" alignment, which puts a bypass well past his neighborhood. "There is no perfect route," DellAntonia said. "But that one, appears to us, to be the least disruptive." Dell'Antonia said the "red A" option comes close to the northern edge of the neighborhood, where he said he worried about traffic cutting through Stonebridge Ranch. "It appears to us they're going to need to have a major interchange there of some sort," he said. "The traffic and the noise obviously concerns us." It will be years before construction begins on any U.S. 380 changes. A TxDOT spokesman told NBC 5 that an environmental study would take at least four years and construction wouldn't begin for another 10. TxDOT plans two additional meeting to prove the same information about its preferred alignment. The next meeting is Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Princeton High School in Princeton. The final meeting is Thursday at 6 p.m. at Rogers Middle School in Prosper. TxDOT will present its findings for approximately 30 minutes, then staff will remain available to answer questions. A man from Argentina convicted in an international extortion scheme against people seeking romance through witchcraft and magic spells was sentenced Monday. According to the Office of the U.S. Attorney, Ariel Boiteaux, is the mastermind behind the scheme that defrauded women in the United States, South America, and Europe. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Boiteaux used the website, Amarres Inmediatos, to perform remote love spell rituals. He instructed women to buy and drink alcohol during the rituals. Once the women were intoxicated, he would tell them to take pictures and videos of sexual acts, the U.S. Attorney wrote in a sentencing memo. Amarres Inmediatos would then threaten to post the sexually explicit recordings online unless the client paid money to keep them private. One victim was extorted for over $320,000 by Amarres Inmediatos in the beginning of 2017, according to court documents. In the fall of 2017, an undercover agent from Homeland Security Investigations reached out to the service. Boiteaux offered to sell the agent some of the sexually explicit recordings of clients. Boiteaux was arrested in Paraguay by officers. Boiteaux was wheeled into the downtown San Diego courtroom in a wheelchair Monday with a long beard past shoulder-length. Federal Judge Marilyn Huff sentenced Boiteaux to 24 months in prison with credit for a year and a half served in a Paraguay prison. After serving six months in a United States prison, Boiteaux will be deported to Argentina. He is also ordered to pay $7,200 in restitution. One of the victims was on the phone during the sentencing hearing. She told the judge the sexually explicit images of her are still up on social media sites. The judge said it was outside the court's authority to make the websites take the images down. However, the U.S. Attorney's Office said they would work with the victim to try to remove the images. A police chief briefly scolded California lawmakers Monday for "making it more difficult for us" as he honored an officer whose slaying entered the national debate over immigration last year. Newman Police Chief Randy Richardson spoke while praising Cpl. Ronil Singh, who immigrated from Fiji and was fatally shot early Dec. 26 after stopping a suspected drunk driver. Authorities say the gunman arrested after a two-day manhunt was in the country illegally and was preparing to flee to Mexico. President Donald Trump cited Singh's killing in calling for tougher border security. The shooting reignited a debate over California's sanctuary law that limits cooperation by local authorities with federal immigration authorities. AP "Ron knew he was the protector between good and evil -- that evil could only thrive when good men and women do nothing. And the policies that are coming from across the street are making it more difficult for us to do things," Richardson said at the annual California Peace Officers' Memorial Ceremony across from the Capitol. "But yet I know, looking out at the sea of green and blue, that we will never stop." Richardson would not elaborate after the emotional two-hour ceremony that also honored seven others killed in the line of duty last year and two who died decades ago. They include Ventura County Sheriff's Sgt. Ronald Helus, accidently shot by a fellow officer while he responded to a mass shooting at the Borderline Bar & Grill in Thousand Oaks in November. The sanctuary law is among numerous laws passed in recent years to safeguard immigrants. Other recent laws passed by voters and lawmakers have reduced criminal penalties, while legislators this year are debating whether to toughen the standard for when police can legally use deadly force. A pending Assembly bill spurred by the fatal police shooting of unarmed vandalism suspect Stephon Clark in Sacramento last year would allow police to kill only if they have exhausted non-lethal efforts to resolve or defuse a situation. Also without elaborating, California Supreme Court Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye, whose husband is a retired Sacramento police lieutenant, praised officers as "first to be on scene and almost always the second to be questioned." Gov. Gavin Newsom did not take questions and spokesman Brian Ferguson declined comment after the ceremony filled with color guards, a pipe and drum corps playing "Amazing Grace," taps and a 21-gun salute. Hundreds of saluting officers and dozens of police horses and motorcycles jammed the outdoor ceremony where Newsom praised law enforcement as "one of the most noble of professions." Democratic state Sen. Cathleen Galgiani of Stockton, who opposes currently proposed changes to the lethal force standard, said afterward that it is incumbent on lawmakers to be "very thoughtful and balanced" in trying to limit shootings by police while recognizing that officers are protecting communities. It's important, she said, that "we consider whether there is need for change, but we also look at the cumulative effect of the policies that we're putting into place." Actor Nicholas Brendon, best known for his work on TV's "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," was charged with one felony count of domestic violence Monday stemming from an alleged attack on his girlfriend at a Palm Springs hotel. Brendon, 48, was with his girlfriend in the bar of a hotel in the 180 block of East Palm Canyon Drive on Oct. 17, 2017, when the pair got into an argument and he allegedly pulled her arm and "violently" pulled her by her hair, Palm Springs police Sgt. William Hutchinson said. On Monday, Brendon was charged with one felony count of corporal injury to a spouse stemming from the alleged attack, according to Riverside County District Attorney's Office spokesman John Hall. If convicted, Brendon could face up to four years in prison. According to the criminal complaint, the alleged attack resulted in "a traumatic condition upon Jane Doe." Law enforcement were alerted to the suspected altercation by hotel employees, and Brendon was arrested at the scene on suspicion of felony domestic violence and violating an active protective order. The order, which Hutchinson said was issued in another state, allowed him to be near the woman, but prohibited him from harassing, threatening, injuring or assaulting her, the sergeant said. Brendon was booked into the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility in Banning and was released on $50,000 bail the following day, jail records show. The alleged 2017 attack was not Brendon's first brush with the law. He has prior arrests for grand theft, resisting arrest, battery against a peace officer and vandalism in Los Angeles; Boise, Idaho; and Fort Lauderdale, Florida. According to his IMDB.com biography, he appeared twice on the "Dr. Phil" show to discuss his battle with alcoholism. Brendon portrayed Xander Harris on "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" during the entirety of its seven-season run, which ended in 2003, and as Kevin Lynch on "Criminal Minds" from 2007 to 2014. What to Know The Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood May 10-12, 2019 $25 screenings, but day and weekend-long badges are available That air of letdown on a Sunday evening? The feeling that the fun is done when a vacation concludes? Both sensations are not dissimilar to what a cinephile experiences when the TCM Film Fest, an Apriltime extravaganza, comes to a close. For all of those great flicks, those starry chitchats, and the chance to be among film lovers have to come to an end, and the real, off-screen world awaits. But there's something marvelously movie-ish on the near horizon, and it has "Maltin" in its name, which means that celluloidians of Southern California can expect the first family of film enthusiasm to be involved. And, indeed, MaltinFest, which is on at The Egyptian Theatre from May 10 through 12, 2019, is all about loving movies, and hearing from filmmakers, and being among those fans eager to have a conversation about noir, the zany musicals of the 1970s, or modern-day dramas. Or some quirky combo of all three. Leonard Maltin, his wife Alice, and his daughter Jessie are at the knowledgeable helm of the happening, which is billed as "a film festival dedicated to movie lovers." That means in-depth Q&As, "live podcast recordings" (the Maltins are famous for their film-deep chitchats), and a host of screenings covering several eras and forms. The charming "Sing Street" is on the schedule, and the vintage scarer "Bela Lugosi Meets a Brooklyn Gorilla," too. Actor Catherine Keener and writer/director Nicole Holofcener will be in the house to talk about "Please Give," while actor Laura Dern and writer/director Alexander Payne will appear at a "Citizen Ruth" screening. A screening ticket? You can go a la carte with your purchase, if you like a movie is $25 or choose a pass that covers a day or the whole weekend. Information may be found at the MaltinFest HQ. Be gladdened, then, aficionados of film, for this isn't Sunday evening or the end of a vacation: A film festival is just ahead, one that celebrates both film fandom and film creation, with the ever-affable, oh-so-cinesmart Family Maltin in the proverbial projector booth. Two Reuters journalists who were imprisoned for breaking Myanmar's Official Secrets Act over reporting on security forces' abuses of Rohingya Muslims were pardoned and released Tuesday. The convictions of Wa Lone, 32, and Kyaw Soe Oo, 28, had drawn condemnation from rights groups, Western governments and press associations, and the two journalists had garnered several awards and other honors. In April, they shared with their Reuters colleagues the Pulitzer Prize for International Reporting, one of journalism's highest honors. The two were freed after President Win Myint issued a blanket pardon for 6,520 prisoners, said Zaw Zaw, chief of Insein Prison in the country's largest city, Yangon. Myanmar's Supreme Court on April 23 had rejected the journalists' final appeal against their seven-year prison terms. Their convictions were related to reporting on security forces' abuses of the Muslim Rohingya minority. The reporters contended they were framed because of official displeasure over their reporting. "I want to say that I am very happy today," Wa Lone said to reporters who had gathered in front of the prison. "I want to thank our friends and families who were trying for our freedom and also to those from all over the world who sympathized with us." "I am really excited to see my family and colleges. I can't wait to go to my newsroom," he said. Myanmar's military launched a brutal counterinsurgency campaign in the western state of Rakhine in 2017, driving more than 700,000 Rohingya to flee to Bangladesh. U.N. officials and others charge the campaign amounted to ethnic cleansing, and even genocide. The military has said its actions in Rakhine state were a response to attacks by Rohingya guerrillas, and it did not have a policy violating human rights or the laws of war. The Reuters reporters had worked on an investigation of the killings of 10 Rohingya villagers in Inn Din village, for which the government last year said seven soldiers were sentenced to up 10 years in prison with hard labor. The two reporters were arrested in December 2017 and sentenced last September after being accused of illegally possessing official documents, a violation of the colonial-era Official Secrets Act. "We are enormously pleased that Myanmar has released our courageous reporters, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo," said a statement issued by Reuters Editor-in-Chief Stephen Adler. "Since their arrests 511 days ago, they have become symbols of the importance of press freedom around the world. We welcome their return." The case drew attention not only as a media freedom issue but also as an example of how democratic reforms in long-isolated Myanmar have stalled under Nobel Peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi's civilian government, which took power in 2016. The military maintains control of key ministries including those handling security, but Suu Kyi wields executive power and her stance on the Rohingya crisis has disappointed many admirers and dampened hopes for greater democracy in the country. The United Nations office in Myanmar said it welcomed the journalists' release. "The U.N. in Myanmar considers the release of Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo a step toward improving the freedom of the press and a sign of Government's commitment to Myanmar's transition to democracy," it said in an emailed statement. Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director of New York-based Human Rights Watch, also applauded the release, but noted Myanmar is prosecuting other bloggers and journalists for their reporting on the military and the government. "Myanmar's faltering respect for media freedom indicates the dire situation facing human rights and democracy as the country moves toward national elections in 2020," he said in an emailed statement. Family members of the two reporters were elated. Chit Su Win, the wife of Kyaw Soe Oo, said just before their reunion that she doesn't know how to express her feelings, but "Now the three of us can hug each other and we are so happy for that." Maung Saung Kha, director of "Athan"- Freedom of Expression Movement from Myanmar - said he still has concerns about freedom of expression in Myanmar, because there are still trials of journalists. The online magazine The Irrawaddy and other media outlets have been sued by the army for their coverage of recent fighting between the government and the Arakan Army ethnic rebel group, which also operates in Rakhine state. Authorities in Curacao say 318 people aboard a Church of Scientology ship docked in the Dutch Caribbean island will remain quarantined at least until Wednesday while they determine how many might be infected with measles. Dr. Izzy Gerstenbluth told The Associated Press late Sunday that a team of health officials took 277 blood samples and sent them to the Netherlands. He said he expects results on Tuesday or Wednesday, adding that the atmosphere on the boat is good and that everyone is cooperating. Gerstenbluth said 31 crew members and 10 passengers provided a vaccination certificate, and that the remainder were vaccinated. "But that is for the future, it will not help them now," he said. The 440-foot Freewinds ship was previously quarantined in St. Lucia after a crew member was diagnosed with measles. Authorities have said she arrived in Curacao on April 17 and visited a doctor April 22 for cold symptoms. A blood sample was taken and sent to nearby Aruba, where officials confirmed it was measles on April 29, a day after the ship had departed for St. Lucia. Curacao health officials then alerted authorities in St. Lucia. The former cruise ship returned to its home port of Curacao early Saturday. Gerstenbluth said the decision to release passengers and crew members will be made after consulting with health officials in the Netherlands and the Pan American Health Organization. Measles has sickened more than 700 people in 22 U.S. states this year, with federal officials saying the resurgence is driven by misinformation about vaccines. Symptoms include runny nose, fever and a red-spotted rash. Most people recover, but measles can lead to pneumonia, brain swelling and even death in some cases. Church officials have not returned calls for comment. According to the church's website, the ship is the home of "a religious retreat ministering the most advanced level of spiritual counseling." It says religious conventions and seminars also are held aboard. China confirmed Tuesday its economy czar will go to Washington for trade talks despite fears he might cancel after President Donald Trump threatened to escalate a tariff war over Beijing's technology ambitions. The announcement suggests President Xi Jinping's government is putting its desire to end a conflict that has battered Chinese exporters ahead of the political need to look tough in the face of U.S. pressure. The decision to have Vice Premier Liu He, Xi's top economic adviser, take part in talks due to start Thursday might keep alive hopes the two biggest global economies could make peace as early as this week. The Trump administration is pressing Beijing to roll back plans for government-led development of Chinese global competitors in robotics, electric cars and other technologies. Washington, Europe, Japan and other trading partners say those violate China's market-opening commitments and are based in part on stolen technology. Trump's announcement Sunday that he would increase tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese imports to 25% from 10% caused global stock markets to plunge. Markets steadied after a Chinese spokesman said Monday that envoys still were preparing to go to the United States, though there was no word then whether Liu would take part. On Tuesday, the Shanghai Composite index surged 0.7% and most other regional markets also rebounded. The American side is led by Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. A Commerce Ministry statement announcing Liu's plans gave no indication whether other details such as the size of his delegation might change. Washington and Beijing have raised tariffs on billions of dollars of each other's exports, disrupting trade in goods from soybeans to medical equipment. Estimates of lost potential sales so far range as high as $25 billion. Both governments have said negotiations were making progress, but Trump expressed frustration Sunday at the pace. Mnuchin said Monday that Chinese officials "were trying to go back on some of the language" that had been negotiated in 10 earlier rounds of talks. In response, a foreign ministry spokesman, Geng Shuang, said Beijing "is sincere in continuing consultations." Asked whether China took Trump's threat seriously, Geng said similar situations had happened "many times before." "We hope the United States can still work together with China," Geng said at a news briefing. "On the basis of mutual respect and equality, we will resolve each other's legitimate concerns and strive to reach an agreement of mutual benefit and win-win." The conflict is testing how far Beijing is willing to go in changing a state-led economic model it sees as the path to prosperity and global influence and how much power Washington will have to enforce any agreement. The United States accuses Beijing of pressing foreign companies to hand over technology in exchange for market access, improperly subsidizing Chinese firms and stealing American trade secrets. No details of the talks have been released. But private sector analysts say Beijing is willing to change details of its plans so long as it preserves the ruling Communist Party's dominant economic role. The Trump administration has imposed 10% tariffs on $200 billion in Chinese imports and 25% tariffs on another $50 billion. The Chinese have retaliated by targeting $110 billion in U.S. imports. Trump said Sunday he also planned to impose 25% tariffs on another $325 billion in Chinese products. That would extend penalties to everything China ships to the United States, its biggest foreign customer. A stumbling block in the talks is U.S. insistence on an enforcement mechanism with penalties if Beijing fails to keep its promises. The Trump administration wants to keep tariffs on Chinese imports to maintain leverage over Beijing. An American Airlines plane had to make an emergency landing in Miami Tuesday after the aircraft blew a tire. American Airlines flight 2370 from Kingston, Jamaica landed safely at Miami International Airport, airline officials said. The Boeing 737-800 was towed to the gate. There were 172 passengers and six crew members on the plane. Officials didn't say what caused the blown tire. A Florida man is facing DUI charges after authorities say he was "heavily intoxicated" when he crashed a riding lawnmower into a police cruiser. Gary Wayne Anderson, 68, was arrested Saturday night following the crash in Haines City, near Tampa, according to WFLA. Police said the officer was inside a store when he heard a loud noise come from where his cruiser was parked. When he walked outside, he spotted Anderson on a lawnmower with an attached trailer and his cruiser's rear bumper was damaged. Anderson couldn't complete field sobriety tests and the officer wrote in an arrest report that his demeanor "ranged from laughing to aggressive." He also claimed he had been poisoned by police, officials said. Officers took Anderson to a nearby hospital where he gave a breathalyzer sample, which determined his blood-alcohol level was .241, more than three times the legal limit in Florida, the report said. Anderson also had cocaine in his system, but accused police of putting it in his system, the report said. During his arrest Anderson was "directing profane language and racial slurs at the officer," the report said. Police said Anderson's driver's license has been suspended since March 1978, and he has two prior DUI convictions. "I'm proud of the professional demeanor our officers showed when dealing with this heavily-intoxicated, belligerent offender," Haines City Police Chief Jim Elensky said in a statement. "It's never a good idea to get behind the wheel drunk, even if that wheel is to a Craftsman, Massey Ferguson or John Deere." Anderson was being held on $3,000 bond Tuesday, jail records showed. Attorney information wasn't available. Call this a classic "only in Florida" moment. Deputies in Charlotte County found dozens of reptiles in a man and woman's possession early Monday morning during a traffic stop in Punta Gorda, NBC affiliate WBBH-TV reports. After being stopped for running through a stop sign, the couple told deputies they were coming from collecting frogs and snakes at an underpass nearby. When deputies asked what kind of animals they collected, the woman opened her backpack at her feet, where there were over 40 small, three-striped turtles, according to WBBH. When asked if she had anything else, the woman pulled a foot-long alligator from her yoga pants, Charlotte County Sheriff's officials said. The two were cited for possessing the reptiles, according to the Florida Fish Wildlife and Conservation Commission. The animals were seized and then released. As U.S. trade talks with China drag on, President Donald Trump falsely claimed that the U.S. has never taken in 10 cents from China in tariffs, but now were taking in billions and billions of dollars. The U.S. has collected billions in customs duties on Chinese imports for years, although the amount has increased greatly since the trade war with China began. Trump also exaggerated the total trade deficit with China, as he has been doing for years. The U.S. and China have been trying to negotiate a trade agreement since last year, when Trump initiated a trade conflict with China by imposing tariffs on $250 billion worth of Chinese goods. China responded with tariffs on $110 billion of U.S. goods. While chairing the U.N. Security Council for the first time, President Donald Trump accused China of attempting to interfere in America's upcoming midterm elections. U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin traveled to Beijing last week for the latest round of trade talks, and Chinese Vice Premier Liu He is expected in Washington this week. Ambassador Lighthizer and I just concluded productive meetings with Chinas Vice Premier Liu He. We will continue our talks in Washington, D.C. next week, Mnuchin tweeted on May 1. Two days later, at a bilateral meeting with the prime minister of the Slovak Republic, Trump spoke about the status of the ongoing trade talks with China. -- Trump, May 3: Were taking in billions of dollars from China in the form of tariffs, as you know. Were charging China tariffs. Weve never taken in 10 cents from China, and now were taking in billions and billions of dollars. Thats had a very positive effect on things. -- The president distorts the facts about tariffs again. As we have written before, tariffs are paid by U.S. importers in the form of customs duties, and to some extent by U.S. consumers in the form of higher prices. They are not paid by China. In an interview that aired May 7 on NPR, former White House economic adviser Gary Cohn said: For every dollar of tariff thats collected, its coming out of disposable income of the United States consumer today. This time, the president compounded his false claim by stating that the U.S. has never taken in 10 cents from China, and now were taking in billions and billions of dollars. In fact, the U.S. has collected billions in tariffs on Chinese imports for years. Below is a chart we created from the U.S. International Trade Commission DataWeb, which uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau. As the chart shows, tariff revenue has increased substantially as a result of the increased tariffs on Chinese imports up 70 percent in 2018 over the previous calendar year. But revenue was already in the billions before Trump took office contrary to the presidents claim. Trump also claimed that the increased tariffs he has imposed on China have had a very positive effect on things. It is true that the increase has raised more in revenue, as weve shown. However, Chinas retaliatory tariffs on U.S. agricultural and food products threaten to reduce the U.S. agricultural trade surplus in fiscal year 2019 to the lowest level since 2007, partly because of significant declines in projected exports to China, according to the U.S. Department of Agricultures Economic Research Service. China has placed tariffs on more than 800 U.S. products, including soybeans, pork, dairy products, fruits and nuts, seafood, and processed products, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service. China has fallen from the leading export market for U.S. agricultural products in FY2017 to the third-leading export market in FY2018 due to the retaliatory tariffs, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). USDA forecasts that China will fall to the fifth-leading market for those products in FY2019, CRS said in a Dec. 31, 2018, report. The report goes on to say: In November 2018, USDA forecast that U.S. agricultural and food exports to China would decline to $9 billion in FY2019 from $16.3 billion in FY2018 and $21.8 billion in FY2017, citing reduced exports due to the trade tensions between the United States and China. Trump has expressed concern in recent days about the pace of negotiations with China. On May 5, Trump threatened to impose more tariffs on China, complaining that the trade talks have moved too slowly. A day later, Trump falsely tweeted: With China we lose 500 Billion Dollars. Trump commonly distorts the facts about trade deficits. In fact, the U.S. had a total trade deficit with China in goods and services of nearly $379 billion in 2018. The U.S. had a deficit in goods of about $419 billion with China, but that was offset by a $40.5 billion trade surplus in services. In his remarks on May 3, the president also said this about the European Union: Were losing $181 billion a year. We have been for many years. The U.S. had a $110 billion total deficit in goods and services with the EU in 2018, up 20 percent since Trump took office. The U.S. deficit in goods was $170 billion, but the U.S. had a $60 billion surplus in services. What to Know At least one person was hurt after a car crashed into a building in Brooklyn that then collapsed, officials say More than 100 firefighters rushed to the the building collapse on Avenue P, near East Fifth Street, in Midwood at around 11:30 p.m Monday Fire officials say the 20-year old driver was taken to an area hospital with minor injuries, charges are pending against him A car crashed into a building that then collapsed into a pile of rubble in Brooklyn late Monday, injuring at least one person, officials say. More than 100 firefighters rushed to the building collapse on Avenue P, near East Fifth Street, in Midwood at around 11:30 p.m, according to the FDNY. Fire officials say one person, the 20-year-old driver of the car that crashed into the building, was taken to a hospital with minor injuries. Officials say the driver, identified by police as Andrew Baird, tried to flee the area after the crash, but was quickly caught. Baird faces charges including criminal mischief, reckless endangerment, DWI and leaving the scene of an accident, according to police. His attorney information wasn't immediately available Tuesday. No other injuries to residents or bystanders were reported. A now-closed business was on the first floor with apartments on the second floor, but nobody was home. Photos on social media show the building completely crumpled. The Red Cross said they provided housing assistance for one family in the building. News 4 has reached out to the Department of Buildings for comment. What to Know Funeral for prosecutor and judge whose 40+ years in criminal justice stretched from the gritty "Mean Streets" era of the 70s held Tuesday Brown was first appointed district attorney in 1991 by then-Gov. Mario Cuomo, a Democrat; He was re-elected to six terms, running unopposed He was a judge for 18 years before serving as a prosecutor and was known universally as "Judge Brown" - Elected officials, community leaders and members of the criminal justice community gathered on Tuesday for the funeral of Richard A. Brown, a prosecutor and judge whose four-decade career stretched from the gritty "Mean Streets" era of the 1970s to the current opioid crisis. Brown was first appointed district attorney in 1991 by then-Gov. Mario Cuomo, a Democrat. He was re-elected to six terms in office, running unopposed. He was a judge for 18 years before serving as a prosecutor and was known universally as "Judge Brown." Brown, who was 86 when he died last Friday, had planned to step down June 1 because of health problems caused by Parkinson's disease. "Richard Brown made a profound difference," Democratic Mayor Bill de Blasio told mourners. "When we celebrate our progress as a city, he is one of the architects of that progress." Brown announced in January that he would not seek re-election but would serve out the end of his term. Then in March he said he would step down on June 1 because of health problems associated with Parkinson's disease. In a statement, Queens District Attorney Richard Brown, who was appointed in 1991, said that although the hoped he would be able to finish out his term in office, that is not to be. It was earlier this year that the 86-year-old, who has been battling Parkinson's disease for the past few years, said he would retire at the end of his term and came to the decision "after careful thought and consideration." In a statement at that time, Brown said he was "deeply appreciative and humbled to have had the trust and confidence" of voters for so long. Brown, a 1956 graduate of New York University's law school, worked for the state assembly and was Mayor John Lindsay's legislative representative in Albany before being appointed as a criminal court judge in 1973. On Brown's first day as a judge, a defendant pulled out a gun and started shooting in the courtroom. Brown saved himself by dropping to the floor behind his bench. Brown presided over "Son of Sam" killer David Berkowitz's arraignment in 1977 under heavy security and intense public interest. Brown served on the bench for 18 years, interrupting his tenure in 1979 to serve as Gov. Hugh Carey's chief legal adviser. He returned to the courtroom in 1981. Brown oversaw the creation of programs including drug courts, a domestic violence bureau, an office of immigrant affairs and most recently the Queens Treatment Intervention Program, intended to help addicts avoid prosecution. Violent crime rates plummeted during Brown's 28 years as district attorney. The number of homicides in New York City fell from more than 2,100 in 1991 to fewer than 300 last year. While Brown and his fellow prosecutors were credited with helping make the city a far safer place, critics said his tough-on-crime policies contributed to unjustly high incarceration rates for black and Hispanic New Yorkers. Protesters chanted "Take down Dick Brown" last fall as they rallied outside a courthouse against what they called his "uniquely punitive policies." Brown would have faced opposition if he had sought re-election this year, with several potential candidates vowing to reform the office. Brown continued to come in to the office as his health failed, associates said. "His mind was 100 percent sharp," said Arnie Kriss, a lawyer who ran Brown's first campaign for district attorney and spoke with him often over the years. Kriss added, "He has given the city of New York and the state of New York 60 years of service that can be only classified as outstanding." Brown is survived by his wife, Rhoda, two daughters, a son and two granddaughters. What to Know A man has been arrested in connection with a shooting at an NJ home early Sunday that killed one person and wounded three others Jonathan Haughey-Morales, a 27-year-old from West New York, was taken into custody in Pennsylvania, a law enforcement source said He faces charges of murder, aggravated assault and weapons crimes; a motive remains under investigation A man wanted in connection with a shooting at New Jersey home that killed one person and wounded three others over the weekend has been arrested in Pennsylvania, a law enforcement source familiar with the case said Tuesday. Jonathan Haughey-Morales, a 27-year-old from West New York, was taken into custody in South Whitehall Township in connection with Sunday's shooting in North Bergen, the source said. Additional information is expected later Tuesday. Carlos Garcia, 40, died when gunfire broke out at the home on 46th Street in New Durham around 3:30 a.m. Sunday. A woman and two men were wounded in the fray; one of the men was listed in critical condition. Neighbor Ana Vaca heard screams and gunshots. First a scream, like a really loudly scream and then a couple of shots and then another scream and a couple of shots again," she told NBC 4 New York. The house was covered with bullet holes and evidence markers. Police were seen taking photos in the doorway and a car outside was towed. A motive for Sunday's shooting remains under investigation, but the source said Haughey-Morales had been going to the house for a party. Authorities had said the man who was killed didn't live at the home where shots were fired. Haughey-Morales faces charges of murder, aggravated assault and weapons crimes. It wasn't immediately clear if he had an attorney. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 7) A local court on Tuesday allowed detained Senator Leila de Lima to exercise her right to vote during the May 13 midterm elections. The Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court Branch 205 responded to the Urgent Motion for Furlough filed by de Lima. The court said the senator is not allowed to talk to the media at her polling precinct in Paranaque City, where she is registered. "The accused Leila M. De Lima is ordered to refrain from giving interviews before and after she casts her vote," the April 30 decision read. The court allowed her to vote between 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at her voting precinct in Santa Rita School in Paranaque through the Commission on Elections' Escorted Detainee Voting System. It said the senator will shoulder the expenses of her transport from her detention cell in the Philippine National Police (PNP) Custodial Center in Camp Crame in Quezon City to her polling place. De Lima, a staunch critic of President Rodrigo Duterte, faces charges for her alleged links to illegal drug circulation in the New Bilibid Prison, as Justice chief from 2010 to 2015. She was arrested in February 2017 and remains in detention. What to Know Marilyn Cotto Montanez, 18, died after she was shot in the head in Yonkers last month; police say she was an innocent bystander The 15-year-old suspect wanted in her shooting turned himself in to Yonkers police early Tuesday, accompanied by his mother and attorney Cotto Montanez was walking to the corner store with her 9-year-old sister when she was hit by gunfire; she wanted to be a surgeon A 15-year-old boy wanted in the shooting death of an 18-year-old Yonkers student who was caught in the crossfire turned himself in to police, accompanied by his mother and attorney, early Tuesday after nearly two weeks on the run. The teenager, also of Yonkers, was arraigned on second-degree murder charges as a juvenile defender in the April 25 death of high school junior Marilyn Cotto Montanez, an AP student at Lincoln High School who dreamed of becoming a surgeon. Cotto Montanez was walking to the corner store near her home with her 9-year-old sister when she was hit by gunfire, police said. Authorities said the 15-year-old suspect had allegedly stolen a gold chain from someone shortly before that, which prompted a chase. At some point, the boy allegedly pulled out a gun and fired at least one shot. That bullet hit Cotto Montanez in the head. Prosecutors described the teen suspect as a gang member and said other gang members helped him flee the city. He was in North Carolina with his mother as recently as Friday, prosecutors said, and accused his family of obstructing the investigation. The boy's attorney said the family was afraid to turn him in over concerns of police abuse. They haven't been charged, though according to the defense attorney, when the family brought the boy in to surrender, one police officer yelled at his mother, "We're coming for you next!" The attorney declined to address the specifics of the allegations at the boy's hearing Tuesday, saying she wasn't going to try the case during arraignment. Police had searched for the young suspect in multiple states and as far away as Florida. He has a juvenile record for crimes including petit larceny, robbery, weapons possession and assault. The boy is due back in court next month. Cotto Montanez was laid to rest last week, when she was remembered her as a "courageous" and "kind" person. Many of the mourners wore pink Cotto Montanez' favorite color to pay tribute to her. A woman says Vallejo, California, police used a taser on her last month after she and her friends were pulled over because the officers incorrectly thought they were making gun gestures with their hands, in an incident captured on chaotic cellphone video. It's the latest accusation of excessive force against the Vallejo Police Department, following the deadly shooting in February of a man who'd been sleeping in his car at a fast food drive-thru. He was the uncle of the woman now alleging excessive force in her own case, Deyanna Jenkins. Jenkins, 20, said she and her friends were riding down Tennessee Street April 16 when they were pulled over by Vallejo police. "As they were coming to the car, I heard them: 'Roll down the windows, roll down the windows,'" Jenkins recalled, adding, "They had the guns. She said an officer told her, "Oh, you guys think this is a game or something?" and then asked to see license. Jenkins said she left her driver's license in another bag and then the officer grabbed her arm through the car window, telling her she was resisting arrest. That's when one of the passengers started recording. In the video, an officer said they saw passengers making gestures towards them, pointing fingers at them in the form of a gun. "You guys want to drive by and put your hand out the window and say, 'Bang, bang, bang,'" an officer says in the video. But Jenkins said that's not what happened. "We were listening to music," she said. "They were Snapchatting ... on the phones. It was never, like, hands out the window." Jenkins said she was taken out of the car. Screaming can be heard in the video, which is dark and hard to make out. Two months before the incident, Jenkins uncle, aspiring rapper Willie McCoy, was shot and killed by Vallejo police in a Taco Bell, where police had discovered him unresponsive with a gun in his lap. Jenkins says she doesnt know why she was pulled over. Vallejo police say they can't go into detail about this case. "The chief did an internal investigation," Capt. Lee Horton said. "We're not providing any further statements at this time. Its a personnel matter thats ongoing now." Civil rights attorney Melissa Nold, who has represented the family in the McCoy case, said the Vallejo Police Department needs to be reviewed by an outside agency. "They've been reviewing themselves, supervising themselves, training themselves, and it seems to be getting worse," Nold said. The city of Vallejo is asking the Department of Justice to come in and review the police department and help with community relations. It was uncertain if and when that would happen. A White House decision to dispatch an aircraft carrier and other military resources to send a message to Iran followed "clear indications" that Iranian and Iranian proxy forces were preparing to possibly attack U.S. forces in the region, a defense official told the Associated Press. The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive information, said that the Pentagon approved the deployments and that U.S. forces at sea and on land were thought to be the potential targets. The official declined to be more specific. White House national security adviser John Bolton said in a statement Sunday night that the U.S. is deploying the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group and a bomber task force to the U.S. Central Command region, an area that includes the Middle East. Bolton said the move was in response to "a number of troubling and escalatory indications and warnings." He didn't provide details, but said the U.S. wants to send a message that "unrelenting force" will meet any attack on U.S. interests or those of its allies. "The United States is not seeking war with the Iranian regime, but we are fully prepared to respond to any attack, whether by proxy, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, or regular Iranian forces," he said. The Pentagon had no immediate comment on the Bolton statement. The Abraham Lincoln and its strike group of ships and combat aircraft have been operating in the Mediterranean Sea recently. Last Wednesday a group of senior Albanian government officials visited aboard the Lincoln as it sailed in the Adriatic. Bolton's reference to the Central Command area would mean the Lincoln is headed east to the Red Sea and perhaps then to the Arabian Sea or the Persian Gulf. The U.S. Navy currently has no aircraft carrier in the Persian Gulf. Bolton's mention of deploying a bomber task force suggests the Pentagon is deploying land-based bomber aircraft somewhere in the region, perhaps on the Arabian Peninsula. Speaking to reporters while flying to Europe, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the actions undertaken by the U.S. had been in the works for a little while. "It is absolutely the case that we have seen escalatory actions from the Iranians and it is equally the case that we will hold the Iranians accountable for attacks on American interests," Pompeo said. "If these actions take place, if they do by some third-party proxy, a militia group, Hezbollah, we will hold the Iranian leadership directly accountable for that." Asked about "escalatory actions," Pompeo replied, "I don't want to talk about what underlays it, but make no mistake, we have good reason to want to communicate clearly about how the Iranians should understand how we will respond to actions they may take." Asked if the Iranian action were related to the deadly events in Gaza and Israel militants fired rockets into Israel on Sunday and Israel responded with airstrikes Pompeo said, "It is separate from that." The Trump administration has been intensifying a pressure campaign against Iran. Last month, President Donald Trump announced the U.S. will no longer exempt any countries from U.S. sanctions if they continue to buy Iranian oil, a decision that primarily affects the five remaining major importers: China and India and U.S. treaty allies Japan, South Korea and Turkey. The U.S. also recently designated Iran's Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist group, the first ever for an entire division of another government. Trump withdrew from the Obama administration's landmark nuclear deal with Iran in May 2018 and, in the months that followed, reimposed punishing sanctions including those targeting Iran's oil, shipping and banking sectors. Bolton and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo have in recent months spoken stridently about Iran and its "malign activities" in the region. AP Diplomatic Writer Matthew Lee contributed to this report. What to Know A man, who witnesses say was high on PCP, attacked a baby outside an Atlantic City apartment building, police say. Stephon Whitfield faces aggravated assault, child endangerment and disorderly conduct charges. The boy was treated for non-life-threatening bruises, scratches and swelling, police say. A naked man, who investigators at the Jersey Shore say was under the influence of drugs, is accused of assaulting a baby boy being strolled by his mother. Stephon Whitfield faced aggravated assault, child endangerment and disorderly conduct charges for the Monday night incident along Caspian Avenue near South Carolina Avenue in Atlantic City. Officers responded to the area around 9:20 p.m. originally for a call of a naked man knocking on the front door of an apartment building, Atlantic City police said. When the officers arrived, they found 28-year-old Whitfield naked, yelling and bleeding, police said. Witnesses told officers that Whitfield first tried to get into a mans car and steal his money but was turned away, investigators said. He then approached a woman strolling her 9-month-old and began to attack the infant, lifting the boy out of his stroller and slamming him back down, according to a criminal complaint obtained by NBC10. NBC10 obtained video showing residents pulling a man, who police identified as Whitfield, off of the baby. Another man then kicks and punches him repeatedly. Doctors treated the baby for non-life-threatening scratches, bruising and swelling to his mouth and face, police said. One of the boy's teeth was displaced. Witnesses told the responding officers that Whitfield was under the influence of PCP at the time, the criminal complaint said. Officers arrested Whitfield without incident and took him in for medical evaluation. Whitfield's mugshot showed noticeable facial injuries, including a swollen left eye. Whitfield remained jailed in Atlantic County Tuesday. It is unclear if he has an attorney who could comment on his behalf. What to Know Pa. Rep. Brian Sims of Philadelphia has drawn criticism for posting a video of himself sparring with a anti-abortion protester. The video, posted over the weekend, shows Sims yelling at an older woman outside Planned Parenthood. The state GOP is calling for him to apologize. A Democratic Pennsylvania state lawmaker is drawing criticism for recording himself berating a woman demonstrator at length outside an abortion clinic in Philadelphia, calling her an "old white lady" and her protest "grotesque." The video drew condemnation from the state GOP, which called for a criminal investigation into the behavior. State Rep. Brian Sims posted an eight-minute-plus video on social media that showed him peppering the woman with questions and criticism. "Shame on you. What you're doing here is disgusting. This is wrong. You have no business being out here," he told the unidentified woman. The video was apparently shot several days ago at a Planned Parenthood health center in his district. As she studiously ignored him, Sims told viewers the woman had been confronting the people who were walking into the clinic. The woman said little in response as Sims attacked her protest as "racist" and "shameful." At one point she took a rosary from her bag and clutched it. "Get your camera out of my face," she told Sims after about four minutes of confrontation. He told her no and suggested that protesters target her home. Replies to Sims' Facebook account accused him of bullying the woman and harassing her as she prayed in a public place. State Republican Party Chairman Val DiGiorgio said the video shows extremism and hypocrisy and called on Sims to apologize. "People are entitled to exercise their First Amendment rights and should be free from intimidation and harassment," DiGiorgio said. On Tuesday, DiGiorgio sent a letter to U.S. Attorney William McSwain, Pa. Attorney General Josh Shapiro and Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner asking for a criminal investigation into Sims' conduct. A spokesperson for Krasner confirmed that the office received the letter and said that it is being reviewed. Sims asked viewers who support his position in favor of abortion rights to donate to Planned Parenthood. "You're out here shaming people for doing what they have a constitutional right to do," Sims told the protester, calling her "an old white lady" multiple times. He asked her whether she has protested the revelation last year in a grand jury report that hundreds of Catholic priests had molested at least 1,000 children in Pennsylvania dioceses over 70 years. Sims told viewers "this is what they deserve," and that protesters should not be telling others what to do with their bodies. In a Twitter post on Sunday, Sims responded to an online critic: "Bring it, Bible Bullies! You are bigots, sexists, and misogynists and I see right through your fake morals and your broken values." Sims posted a follow up message on Tuesday in which he said he "can do better and will do better" for the women of Pennsylvania. Twenty-five years after the start of a genocide that killed some 800,000 people, Rwanda is rebuilding with hope and shines with a new light, President Paul Kagame said at commemoration services Sunday. He said Rwandans would never turn against each other again. "Our bodies and minds bear amputations and scars, but none of us is alone," Kagame said at a ceremony attended by several heads of state. "We Rwandans have granted ourselves a new beginning. We exist in a state of permanent commemoration, every day, in all that we do ... Today, light radiates from this place." Earlier in the day, Kagame and his wife laid wreaths and lit a flame at the mass burial ground of 250,000 victims at the Kigali Genocide Memorial Center in the capital, Kigali. Those attending the ceremonies included the leaders of Chad, Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Niger, Belgium, Canada, Ethiopia, as well as the African Union and the European Union. "I am moved beyond words at this memorial to tragedy," said Jean-Claude Juncker, president of the European Commission. "Time can never erase the darkest hours in our history. It is our duty to remember." Songs, poems and plays about the rebirth of Rwanda after the genocide the new nation were later performed at the Kigali convention center. Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel said "the duty of remembrance must be a sacred requirement." Belgian peacekeepers were among those killed in Rwanda during the genocide. Ethiopian Prime Minister expressed solidarity with Rwandans and said under Kagame's leadership, seeds of unity and never again had been sowed. Kagame and other leaders joined in a procession later Sunday through the capital to the National Stadium, where thousands joined in an evening candlelight ceremony. "Twenty-five years ago, Rwanda fell into a deep ditch due to bad leadership, today, we are a country of hope and a nation elevated," Agnes Mutamba, 25, a teacher who was born during the genocide, told The Associated Press in Kigali. "Today, the government has united all Rwandans as one people with the same culture and history and is speeding up economic transformation," said Oliver Nduhungihere, Rwanda's state foreign affairs minister. The mass killing of Rwanda's Tutsi minority was ignited on April 6, 1994, when a plane carrying President Juvenal Habyarimana was shot down and crashed in Kigali, killing the leader who, like the majority of Rwandans, was an ethnic Hutu. The Tutsi minority was blamed for downing the plane and the bands of Hutu extremists began slaughtering the Tutsi, with support from the army, police, and militias. Kagame's government has previously accused Hutu-led government of 1994 of being responsible for shooting down the plane and has blamed the French government for turning a blind eye to the genocide. On Friday, French President Emmanuel Macron ordered a government study into the country's role in Rwanda before and during its 1994 genocide. Macron ordered a commission of researchers and historians to investigate the "role and involvement of France" in Rwanda from 1990-1994. It is to make conclusions within two years. Kagame has won praise for ending that violence and making advances in economic development and health care. Ethnic reconciliation is a cornerstone of the rule of Kagame, Rwanda's de facto leader since the genocide ended in 1994 and the country's president since 2000. He is credited with bringing Rwanda stability, economic growth, and improved health and education. However, Kagame's critics charge that he is intolerant of criticism and his government is repressive, jailing opposition leaders. A quarter-century after the genocide, bodies of victims are still being found. Last year, authorities in Rwanda found discovered mass graves they said contain 5,400 bodies of genocide victims. "Twenty-five years on, the victims and survivors should remain the center of everyone's thoughts, but we should also take stock of progress and the need to ensure accountability for all those who directed these horrific acts," Human Rights Watch said. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is declaring "case closed" on the Russia probe and potential obstruction by President Donald Trump, deriding Democrats who he says are "grieving" the result. Democrats immediately pushed back. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi directly refuted McConnell's assertion, saying in a talk at Cornell's Institute of Politics and Global Affairs, "That's just not a fact. The case is not closed." McConnell's most significant public comments yet on the investigation came as the Trump administration stymied House Democrats' attempt to acquire documents related to Mueller's investigation, as the current White House counsel replied to a subpoena that the documents remain under executive privilege. Also Tuesday, FBI Director Christopher Wray broke with another member of the Trump administration on whether the Trump campaign had been spied on during the 2016 election. McConnell opened the Senate Tuesday with a speech discussing how special counsel Robert Mueller's "exhaustive" probe went on for two years and is now complete. The remarks, which are certain to please the president, are being billed as his final thoughts on the topic. "It's finally over," McConnell said. Republicans, taking their cues from Trump, are eager to push past the investigation. But the case is anything but closed for Democrats, who are pressing for further oversight of the White House and the president's handling of the Mueller probe. McConnell questioned if others are ready to move on from the "breathless conspiracy theorizing." Mueller's results are "bad news for the outrage industrial complex but good news for the rest of the country," the Kentucky senator said. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer shot back in his own speech immediately afterward, calling McConnell's words an "astounding bit of whitewashing." He challenged McConnell to move legislation that would improve election security and be tougher on Russian sanctions. "What we have here is a concerted effort to circle the wagons, to protect the president from accountability," Schumer said. As McConnell says the Senate is moving on, the Democrat-led House is aggressively pursuing a copy of the full, unredacted Mueller report. Mueller released a redacted version to the public last month, but Democrats want to see the full document, plus underlying documents, and have scheduled a committee vote for Wednesday to hold Attorney General William Barr in contempt for not providing it. Pelosi said in her speech at Cornell that Congress "would be delinquent" if it failed to pursue its constitutional duty of oversight. "It's about protecting our democracy," Pelosi said. Another controversy involving Barr came up at a Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing Tuesday. Wray, the FBI director, was asked Tuesday at a Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing whether he believes that the FBI is involved in spying when it conducts surveillance with a warrant. Barr asserted last month that the Trump campaign had been spied on. "That's not the term I would use," Wray replied, adding that different people use different language, but that the key question for him is "making sure it's done by the book." Wray declined to discuss the FBI's investigation into the Trump campaign because it's part of an ongoing Justice Department inspector general investigation. On Tuesday, House Judiciary Committee staff are set to meet with Justice Department officials for final negotiations before the contempt vote. Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler said late Monday that he hopes to make "concrete progress" toward resolving the dispute over gaining access to the report. The contempt vote would be the opening salvo in what could be a lengthy, acrimonious court battle between House Democrats and the Trump administration over Mueller's findings. The movement to hold Barr in contempt reflects the deepening rift between Democrats and Barr, whom they accuse of spinning the results of Mueller's investigation to Trump's benefit. Barr, in a memo summarizing Mueller's investigation, said there was insufficient evidence that Trump obstructed justice, a conclusion Democrats fiercely dispute. Nadler said the version of Mueller's report that has already been released to the public offered "disturbing evidence and analysis that President Trump engaged in obstruction of justice at the highest levels." Now, he said, lawmakers need the full version and the underlying evidence "to determine how to best move forward with oversight, legislation and other constitutional responsibilities." Justice Department spokeswoman Kerri Kupec said that the department has "taken extraordinary steps to accommodate the House Judiciary Committee's requests for information" regarding Mueller's report but that Nadler had not reciprocated. She noted that Democrats have refused to read a version of Mueller's report with fewer redactions that has already been provided to Congress. If the committee approves the contempt resolution against Barr, it would head to the full House for final approval. But that step is unlikely to lead to criminal charges. A House vote would send a criminal referral to the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, a Justice Department official who is likely to defend the attorney general. Yet by pursuing contempt, Democrats hope to send a message to the Trump administration about their willingness to invoke congressional powers in the majority. Beyond Mueller's report, House Democrats have, so far mostly unsuccessfully, subpoenaed administration witnesses and made efforts to gain access to Trump's personal and business financial records. Trump has said he will block those efforts, declaring he will "fight all the subpoenas." Democratic House leaders could file a civil lawsuit against the Justice Department to obtain the Mueller report, an option that could take months or even years to resolve. Some committee members have suggested they also could fine Barr as he withholds the information. They could also open impeachment proceedings against Trump, though House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has said she's not interested in doing that, for now. In another subpoena fight, Trump's current White House counsel, Pat Cipollone, told the House Judiciary Committee chairman Tuesday that former counsel Don McGahn doesn't have the right to disclose documents requested by the committee. "The White House records remain legally protected from disclosure under longstanding constitutional principles, because they implicate significant Executive Branch confidentiality interests and executive privilege," Cipollone told Re. Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., according to a letter acquired by NBC News. The refusal sets up a new legal battle between the House of Representatives and the White House over executive oversight. On Monday, Trump's Treasury secretary refused to hand over Trump's tax returns, despite a law that requires the IRS to maek them available to a handful of top lawmakers if requested. Republicans have lambasted the Democratic tactics as overreach and defended Barr. The top Republican on the Judiciary Committee, Rep. Doug Collins of Georgia, said "Democrats have launched a proxy war smearing the attorney general" when their anger actually lies with the president. There is precedent for sitting attorneys general to be held in contempt of Congress. In 2012, the House held then-Attorney General Eric Holder in contempt over a botched gun-tracking operation known as Fast and Furious. Republicans cited the Justice Department's failure to turn over, without any preconditions, documents related to the risky operation. The Justice Department took no action to prosecute the attorney general. Mueller's report now a best-seller even in redacted form states that his investigation could not establish a criminal conspiracy between the Trump team and Russia. However, it did not reach a conclusion on whether Trump obstructed justice. Mueller didn't charge Trump but wrote that he couldn't exonerate him, either. House Judiciary Democrats say Congress is "the only body able to hold the president to account" since the Justice Department has a policy against indicting a sitting president. A Massachusetts man freed from prison after serving three decades for a rape he says he did not commit pleaded not guilty Monday to new rape charges. George Perrot, 50, was held without bail after a hearing in Essex Superior Court in connection with the allegation that he raped a woman in January. He is accused of sexually assaulting an unconscious woman on a sidewalk in Lawrence. "The person on the floor wasn't moving at all," said witness Justin Khalil. "I assumed he or she was unconscious, overdosed. I figured I was going to call the police for that reason and then I noticed what he was doing." The woman who had to be revived using Narcan told investigators the last thing she remembers is Perrot telling her to snort something. Authorities said that's when he was arrested. Perrot also threatened to kill the arresting officers and their families. Perrot was convicted of raping 78-year-old Mary Prekop in her Springfield home in 1985 based, in part, on one strand of hair. He was freed in 2016 after a judge found an FBI agent's testimony about microscopic hair evidence was flawed. The judge who released Perrot said he is "reasonably sure" that the man didn't rape Prekop. Prekop repeatedly said the man who beat and raped her didn't have any facial hair. On the night of the attack, Perrot had a beard and a mustache. Prosecutors dismissed the charges in 2017. Perrot said in an emailed statement at the time that he was now "truly free." Defense attorney Thomas Torrisi said Monday that Perrot maintains that he is innocent of both the new allegations and the previous charges. Torrisi said his client was given "no direction" after he was released from prison and "fell into what would be expected, a life of living on the street, of drugs and alcohol," MassLive.com reported. "It's just terrible circumstances that have developed that he has found himself in again partly to his own doing, but again, I think he's going to become a better man at the end of this," said Torrisi. Another hearing has been set for June. Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni, whose office prosecuted Perrot's first case, said in a statement that they continue to "maintain the position that George Perrot committed several heinous offenses of elderly female victims." "Not only was the motion requesting a new trial in 2016 vigorously fought by the Hampden District Attorney's Office, but so were the first two jury trials, three appeals, and multiple motions for post-conviction relief since his arrest on these matters in the 1980s. Regrettably, there is another victim who has now allegedly suffered at his hands, three decades later," Gulluni said in the statement. A man accused in six separate violent sex assaults, four of which date back more than 23 years, was extradited Monday from Arizona to San Diego County where the first of the alleged knife-point assaults occurred. The break in the decades-old case came when the SDPD Sex Crimes Unit reached out to the FBIs Forensic Genetic Genealogy Team for help identifying a nameless DNA sample. SDPD has been trying to track down the man behind the sample since he committed his first alleged knife-point sex assault on August 18, 1995. In that case, and in three more knife-point attacks between then and Nov. 17, 1995, victims agreed to participate in sexual assault examinations that produced four DNA samples of the same suspect. The suspect was unidentifiable immediately following the attacks, and SDPD was unable to find a match for its samples when it began participating in the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) in 1999. In March 2002, and again in November 2004, DNA samples were retrieved from two sexual assault victims in Riverside County, both of whom were attacked at knife point, that matched SDPDs mystery sample from 1995. Then in February 2019, SDPDs Sex Crime Unit reached out to the FBI for help. The two agencies worked together and, with the help of public access genealogical databases, were able to identify a potential suspect. Through their investigation, they identified direct family members of the suspect whose DNA was then compared to the samples developed from evidence at the scenes. The investigation led SDPD to identify Christopher VanBuskirk, 46, as a suspect in the assaults. The District Attorneys Office issued an arrest warrant for VanBuskirk, who at the time lived in Goodyear, Arizona. He was taken into custody on April 29 and was extradited to San Diego on Monday where he will be charged for the four cases from 1995. VanBuskirk's arraignment is scheduled for Tuesday. He faces five felony counts, including rape, oral copulation, and sex with a foreign object with force. Anyone with information on these cases or similar cases is asked to call the SDPDs Sex Crimes Unit at (619) 531-2210 or the Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line at (888) 580-8477. No other information was available. Please refresh this page for updates on this story. Details may change as more information becomes available. An employee of the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department pleaded not guilty Monday to allegations of sex crimes against a 17-year-old girl. Justin Curtis Price, 35, was booked into San Diego County Jail April 29 on three felony charges of oral copulation with a person under 18, sex with a minor and sex with a foreign object. The final charge involves a victim who was at the time incapable, because of a mental disorder or developmental or physical disability, according to the criminal code on the booking information. Prosecutors claim all the alleged sex crimes occurred on the same day. They also say Price has known the victim since she was a little girl. "She did trust him and he took advantage of that trust and her vulnerability in committing these sex offenses against her," Deputy District Attorney Jessica Coto said. Price was on unpaid leave from his position with the department where he has worked for 10 years. He was most recently assigned to emergency operations. Hours after NBC 7 reported on Price's arrest, San Diego Fire-Rescue Chief Colin Stowell issued a statement that said, in part, "I strongly condemn the alleged behavior and will not tolerate any actions that compromise the high standards required of all Fire Department employees." Price was released on $100,000 bond and ordered to return to court on May 6. He remains free on bail after his arraignment, but the judge ordered him to stay away from the victim and his own wife, who filed for divorce last Friday. Court documents say the divorce filing was a direct result of his arrest. Price's preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 31. If convicted on all charges, he could face five years in prison. Two sources have confirmed, the accused San Diego firefighter is the nephew of Mark Raymond Price, 56, a former Coronado firefighter sentenced to 10 years in prison last month for molesting a girl who thought of him as a grandfather. The sentencing hearing was held in Kauai County, Hawaii. Mark Raymond Price faces similar charges in San Diego on accusations of prior assaults in 2013 and 2015 with the same victim at his home in La Mesa. A San Diego High School special education teacher has been arrested for alleged sex crimes involving a teenage student, officials confirmed Monday. Juan Carlos Herrera, 49, was taken into custody by the San Diego Police Department's Sex Crimes Unit on Sunday, according to SDPD. He faces charges of lewd and lascivious conduct, oral copulation, sex with a minor, attempted sodomy with a person under 18, and luring a minor for a sex offense. He is accused of having an inappropriate relationship with female student, which SDPD said began when she was 15 years old. At this time, it is not clear if the victim was a student of Herrera. Detectives launched the investigation Wednesday when the victims mother contacted the department after she reportedly found "inappropriate text messages" on her daughters phone from the teacher. San Diego High School released the following statement to its students' parents: "At San Diego High School, our first priority is to provide a safe and secure learning environment for your students. We also believe in communicating openly with our students, parents, and staff about incidents that affect our campus. "Following an investigation by the San Diego Police Department, special education teacher Juan Carlos Herrera was arrested yesterday on charges that include lewd and lascivious acts with a teenage student. The San Diego Unified School District and its police department are assisting in the investigation. "If you have any concerns about your students interaction with this teacher, please contact the school immediately. "Please rest assured that we are doing everything possible to continue our focus on your students education while supporting them during this difficult situation. I will be visiting the teacher's classes to speak with the students and let them know that learning will not be disrupted. There is already an experienced substitute teacher that has been working in the affected classes. "Our school counselors and I will be monitoring the situation at San Diego High carefully over the next few days. If needed, we can receive additional support from the district's Counseling and Guidance Department. Additionally, please know that we continue to work with all of the appropriate authorities to ensure the safety of your child. If you have any concerns, please contact me at fdelcarmen@sandi.net or call the districts Quality Assurance at 619-725-7211, SDPDs Sex Crimes Unit at (619) 531-2210, or the Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line at (888) 580-8477." No other information was available. Please refresh this page for updates on this story. Details may change as more information becomes available. A North County woman who punched a great white shark in the eye following a nearly-deadly attack spoke exclusively with NBC 7 about her road to recovery. Two years ago, Leeanne Ericson was swimming with her boyfriend at a popular surf spot called Church -- just north of the now-closed San Onofre power plant -- when every beachgoers worst fear happened. A 10-foot-long great white shark took a significant bite out of Ericsons right leg. Ericson said she tried to push it off her and then punched it straight in the eye. As soon as I felt the teeth go into my leg, I knew exactly what it was, she told NBC 7. I just saw a black circle and my brain went, Well, thats soft. I can hurt that. NBC 7 was there when Ericson met and thanked the surfers and bystanders who rushed to help her after she was dragged under the water by the great white. Leeanne Ericson and her family thanked surfers and bystanders who came to her aid when she was dragged under by a shark at San Onofre Beach. NBC 7s Astrid Solorzano reports. She lost a section of her upper right leg and suffered significant blood loss. Ericson was rushed to the hospital where she went into a coma. Doctors later considered amputation, but the strong North County woman proved them wrong by moving her leg. And they just went as white as their coats because they didn't think I'd ever use it, Ericson said. She was initially told that walking would be a challenge for her. But since the April 2017 attack -- and with multiple procedures to repair extensive injuries -- Ericson has made an incredible recovery. In addition to physical therapy, Ericson returned to a therapeutic exercise she loved before the shark attack -- Pilates. I just remember when she said, you know, Do you think I can even do this? I thought, How could you not do it? You fight off a great white shark and you survived! she told NBC 7. Since I've started Pilates my leg has gotten much stronger. Ericson built up more strength, balance, and flexibility through the exercises modified especially for her. And soon after, she was on her way to become a trainer at the very same studio that helped her heal. Leeanne Ericson was in a medically induced coma Sunday night at Scripps Memorial Hospital, her mother Christine McKnerney Leidle said. She and Ericsons step-father spoke with NBC 7 about the moments after their daughter survived a shark attack on San Onofre State Beach. It's just incredible where I've come from, and I'm almost, like, Well, where can I go now? What can I do now? Ericson got a tattoo of an elephant on her right foot with two tiny sharks in the animals large ears. NBC 7 The tattoo serves as a reminder of everything shes been through. Though, Ericson said an even bigger motivated for her recovery is her three children -- two of whom are twins about to turn 6 years old. But as for the great white shark? I'm waiting for pictures of a one-eyed shark to start surfacing, so then I'm like, That's my shark! The White House is sending a military message to Iran with a show of naval and aviation force headed to the Persian Gulf. President Trump's national security team claimed Monday that there are troubling and escalatory indications and warnings of a possible Iranian attack on U.S. interests. Exactly what prompted the action was unclear, but it marked a further step in sharply rising tensions between the Trump administration and the Islamic Republic. "The United States is not seeking war with the Iranian regime, but we are fully prepared to respond to any attack," said National Security Advisor John Bolton. In response to that alleged threat, the Pentagon dispatched the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln and its strike force to the Persian Gulf, intending to show that unrelenting force will meet any attack on American forces or allies. Neither Bolton nor other officials would provide any details about the supposed threat, which comes as the Trump administration wages a campaign of intensifying pressure against Iran and nearly a year after it withdrew from an Obama-era nuclear deal with Tehran. In Iran, the semi-official ISNA news agency on Monday quoted an anonymous official as saying that Iranian President Hassan Rouhani planned a broadcast address Wednesday and might discuss counteractions Tehran will take over Americas withdrawal from the international nuclear deal. The agreement limited Irans enrichment of uranium amid Western concerns that Tehrans program could allow it to build nuclear weapons. Iran insists its program is for peaceful purposes. Our objective is to get the Islamic Republic of Iran to behave like a normal nation, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told reporters during a visit to Finland. When they do that, we will welcome them back. The USS Lincoln was on a training exercise in the Mediterranean Sea and, with the White Houses order, it will arrive in the Middle East two weeks earlier than initially planned. It forces the ships to cancel a planned stop in Croatia. For years, the U.S. maintained a carrier presence in the Persian Gulf and Middle East region. During the height of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, there were two carriers in the area, but that was reduced to one. Last year, the administration decided to end the continuous carrier presence and send a strike group only intermittently into the region. The U.S. Navy currently has no aircraft carrier in the Persian Gulf. Jon Alterman, senior vice president at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, questioned whether the U.S. adequately understands Iranian motivations and actions, and whether the military move was warranted. I dont think we should let the Iranians pull our chain at the time and place of their choosing, he said. You can communicate seriousness to the Iranians without moving a lot of assets around, because moving assets is expensive and keeps assets from being in other places. He added, however, that Iran has the capability to harm Americans, but its difficult to assess the situation without knowing more about the intelligence that prompted the move. Mark Dubowitz, who studies Iran for the Washington-based policy institute Foundation for Defense of Democracies, said a credible threat of overwhelming force will make war less likely. If past is prologue, the regime will always move aggressively forward when it senses American weakness and recoil when it sensed American strength, Dubowitz said. Along with the Lincoln, Bolton mentioned a bomber task force, which suggested the Pentagon is deploying a land-based bomber aircraft somewhere in the region, perhaps on the Arabian Peninsula. Its a very competent strike force, said Mark Balmert, a retired Navy Rear Admiral who now heads the San Diego Military Advisory Council. "You send a very strong signal right away (to Iran) that we can act and respond on a moment's notice to something that you're doing. It's a great deterrent." The retired Rear Admiral said combined U.S. sea and air power is the best available military option because it would take much longer to mobilize and equip U.S. ground troops in the Middle East. Balmert also said the use of ground troops pose a potential political problem for the U.S. and its Middle East allies. We need a host nation (in the Gulf area) that will permit the build-up of our ground forces, Balmert said. And when that host nation does that, they're taking a side, they're being drawn into the matter." The Trump administration has been intensifying its pressure campaign against Iran. Last month, President Donald Trump announced the U.S. would no longer exempt any countries from U.S. sanctions if they continue to buy Iranian oil, a decision that primarily affects the five remaining major importers: China and India and U.S. treaty allies Japan, South Korea and Turkey. The U.S. also recently designated Irans Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist group, the first ever for an entire division of another government. Trump withdrew from the Obama administrations landmark nuclear deal with Iran in May 2018 and, in the months that followed, reimposed punishing sanctions including those targeting Irans oil, shipping and banking sectors. Associated Press writers Robert Burns and Matthew Lee contributed to this report. An Indianapolis-based company has issued a recall for melon products sold in 16 states after being linked to a salmonella outbreak. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Friday that the recall includes cut watermelon, honeydew and cantaloupe produced by Caito Foods LLC. The fruit has been sold under various brands or labels at Kroger, Walmart, Trader Joe's, Target and Whole Foods. The affected states are Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, West Virginia and Wisconsin. Click here for a full list of products included in this recall. Health officials advise consumers to check packaging to determine if the melon was distributed by Caito Foods, and, if so, not to eat it. They advise stores to pull the products from shelves. Authorities say 93 people have been sickened, 23 of whom were hospitalized. No deaths have been reported. Salmonella Carrau is described as rare. Symptoms include diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps. A federal judge has struck down a Virginia law that says only physicians can perform first-trimester abortions. U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson issued his ruling Monday, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported. His opinion could increase access to abortions in the state by allowing more medical providers to perform the procedure. Hudson wrote that the law "is unnecessary and provides minimal medical benefits with respect to first trimester abortions." He added that such regulations present an undue burden to women seeking an abortion. The lawsuit challenging that law and others was filed by a medical center and reproductive rights groups. A trial over other state abortion laws is still scheduled for May 20. Those laws include a requirement for ultrasounds and a 24-hour delay for an abortion in some circumstances. Three suspects, including a mother and her teenage son, have been identified in connection with the killing of a man whose body was discovered near a bus stop in an affluent Maryland neighborhood in February, police said. Jenny Jaimes, 37, Juan Rivera-Ingles, 18, and Jose Perdomo-Jaimes, 17, have been charged with first degree murder for the death of 25-year-old Francisco De La O De La Cruz, the Prince Georges County Police Department said. Rivera-Ingles is currently in custody in Montgomery County and is awaiting transfer to Prince George's County. Police said Jaimes and her son Perdomo-Jaimes are on the run. Rivera-Ingles is an acquaintance of theirs. A woman who takes the bus to work discovered the body of De La O De La Cruz along the side of Old Georgetown Road near Lone Oak Drive about 5:30 p.m. Feb. 25 and called police. The body was covered by a bag or tarp and was partially open, the woman said. When she pulled it back, she saw two legs. A police investigation revealed that De La O De la Cruz and Jaimes were in a romantic relationship, and that they got into a domestic dispute prior to the killing. Police said he was killed inside a home where he lived in the 9000 block of Rhode Island Avenue in College Park and his body was then dumped in Bethesda. The bus stop where De La O De La Cruz was found isn't far from the popular Wildwood Shopping Center. Three churches and a child care center are also nearby. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Jaimes and Perdomo-Jaimes were asked to call Prince Georges County detectives at 301-772-4925. Police confirm they arrested three suspects after an incident at a Silver Spring 7-Eleven store and a police chase that led to a crash on the Capital Beltway early Tuesday. Surveillance video from the 7-Eleven at 11303 Lockwood Drive shows two people in dark clothing running into the store and spray-painting and tampering with the surveillance cameras. Store employees say it happened around 4 a.m. The suspects then ran out of the store. It doesn't appear that they took anything from the store. #FIRSTON4: @darcyspencer has obtained surveillance video showing suspects spray painting cameras at a Silver Spring 7-Eleven. Minutes later Montgomery County Police began a pursuit nearby that ended in a crash on the beltway. Multiple suspects in custody @nbcwashington pic.twitter.com/lz1kUfEnSM Tom Lynch (@TomLynch_) May 7, 2019 Two suspects were arrested after a foot chase from the 7-Eleven, and a third suspect fled the area in a pickup. Montgomery County Police pursued the pickup into Prince George's County, where Maryland State Police got involved. The third suspect was apprehended after the pickup crashed on the Beltway. The vehicle was seen with significant damage. The crash shut down the Outer Loop of the Beltway near Kenilworth Avenue (Route 201) in Greenbelt. All lanes have since reopened. Montgomery County police sources stell News4 that police are investigating whether this incident may be tied to a string of ATM thefts in the area. The FBI was involved in an investigation into the thefts. What to Know FBI Director Christopher Wray broke from Attorney General William Barr during testimony at Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing Wray declined to discuss in detail the FBI's investigation into the Trump campaign FBI Director Chris Wray said Tuesday that he does not consider court-approved FBI surveillance to be "spying" and said he has no evidence the FBI illegally monitored President Donald Trump's campaign during the 2016 election. His comments at a Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing broke from Attorney General William Barr, who has described as "spying" FBI surveillance during its investigation into potential collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia. Barr has not said such surveillance was necessarily improper, but Trump nonetheless seized on those comments to suggest his campaign was spied on in an illegal and unprecedented act. Asked by Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., if he would say that the FBI is "spying" when it investigates suspected terrorists and mobsters while following "investigative policies and procedures," Wray replied, "Well, that's not the term I would use." He added: "I believe that the FBI is engaged in investigative activity, and part of investigative activity includes surveillance activity of different shapes and sizes. And to me, the key question is making sure that it's done by the book, consistent with our lawful authorities. That's the key question. Different people use different colloquial phrases." Wray declined to discuss in detail the FBI's investigation into the Trump campaign because of an ongoing Justice Department inspector general probe into the origins of the Russia inquiry. Barr has said he expects the watchdog report to be done in May or June. But asked whether he was aware of evidence that the FBI had illegally spied on the Trump campaign, Wray said, "I don't think I personally have any evidence of that sort." Barr is investigating whether there was a proper basis for the FBI to open a counterintelligence investigation into ties between the Trump campaign and Russia. The recently concluded investigation from special counsel Robert Mueller did not find a criminal conspiracy between the campaign and the Kremlin to tip the outcome of the 2016 presidential election. "The attorney general is seeking to understand better the circumstances at the department and the FBI relating to how this investigation started, and we're working to help him get that understanding," Wray said about the Justice Department's review. "I think that's part of his job and part of mine." Barr didn't specify what he meant when he said he believed there had been spying on the Trump campaign, though he also said that he did not mean the word in a negative way. At a hearing last week, he described "spying" as a "good English word" encompassing "all forms of covert intelligence operations" and said he wouldn't back away from using it. The FBI obtained a secret surveillance warrant in the fall of 2016 to monitor the communications of former Trump campaign aide Carter Page, whose interactions with Russians several years earlier had raised law enforcement suspicions even before he joined the campaign. The New York Times reported last week that the FBI sent a female government investigator posing as a research assistant to speak with ex-Trump campaign adviser George Papadopoulos, who was told by a Maltese professor in the spring of 2016 that Russia had "dirt" on Democrat Hillary Clinton in the form of stolen emails. In his book about his entanglement in the Russia probe, "Deep State Target," Papadopoulos wrote that the woman, who identified herself as Azra Turk, asked him about his work with the Trump campaign. "She wants to know: Are we working with Russia?" he wrote. He described her question as "creepy" and said he told her he had "nothing to do with Russia." Papadopoulos later pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his interactions with the professor, Joseph Mifsud, and was sentenced to 14 days in prison. Federal agents on Tuesday broke up a billion dollar Medicare scam that peddled unneeded orthopedic braces to hundreds of thousands of seniors. Two dozen people were charged, including doctors accused of writing bogus prescriptions. The Justice Department said the scheme relied on overseas call centers to pry Medicare numbers from beneficiaries. Authorities also announced charges against owners of call centers, telemedicine firms and medical equipment companies that shipped unneeded back, shoulder, wrist and knee braces. Profits from the scheme were laundered through offshore shell companies and then used to buy high-end cars, yachts and luxury homes here and abroad, officials said. Medicare's anti-fraud unit said it's taking action against 130 medical equipment companies implicated. The companies billed the program a total of $1.7 billion, but not all of it was paid out. The loss to Medicare was estimated at more than $1.2 billion. The Health and Human Services inspector general's office said the fast-moving scam was fueled by kickbacks among the parties involved. The FBI, the IRS and 17 U.S. attorney's offices took part in the crackdown. "The telemedicine we are talking about is basically a tele-scam," said Gary Cantrell, who oversees fraud investigations for the HHS inspector general's office. "We are not talking about the use of advanced technology to provide better access to care." Officials said the scam was detected last summer as complaints from beneficiaries poured in to the Medicare fraud hotline. They said telemarketers would reach out to seniors offering "free" orthopedic braces, also touted through television and radio ads. Interested beneficiaries would be patched through to call centers, part of what officials described as an "international telemarketing network" with operations in the Philippines and throughout Latin America. After verifying Medicare coverage, the seniors would be transferred to telemedicine companies for consultations with doctors, who wrote prescriptions for orthopedic braces, regardless of whether the patients needed them or not. Sometimes the same patient would get several braces. The call centers would collect prescriptions and sell them to medical equipment companies, which would ship the braces to beneficiaries and bill Medicare. Medical equipment companies would get $500 to $900 per brace from Medicare and would pay kickbacks of nearly $300 per brace. Officials said it's one of the biggest frauds the inspector general's office has seen. Charges were being brought against defendants in California, Florida, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Texas. Cantrell said federal agents had gained cooperation from people familiar with the various schemes. "The breadth of this nationwide conspiracy should be frightening to all who rely on some form of health care," IRS criminal investigations chief Don Fort said in a statement. "The conspiracy ... details broad corruption, massive amounts of greed and systemic flaws in our health care system that were exploited by the defendants." Attempts to reach defendants named by the Justice Department were unsuccessful. In several cases telephone numbers associated with the individuals were disconnected. Others did not respond to messages. The investigation is continuing. Authorities asked doctors who have been involved with telemedicine and medical equipment fraud to voluntarily come forward. Health care fraud is a pervasive problem that costs taxpayers tens of billions of dollars a year. The true extent of it is unknown, and some cases involve gray areas of complex payment policies. Experts say part of the problem is that Medicare is required to pay medical bills promptly, which means money often goes out before potential frauds get flagged. Investigators call that "pay and chase." In recent years, Medicare has tried to adapt techniques used by credit card companies to head off fraud. Law enforcement coordination has grown, with strike forces of federal prosecutors and agents, along with state counterparts, specializing in health care investigations. Officials said the government has options to recoup at least some of the money lost to Medicare, including seizing fraudsters' assets and accounts, as well as property purchased with the proceeds of the scam. The Medicare beneficiaries drawn into the orthopedic braces scam didn't have to pay anything up front, but Cantrell said they have been harmed as well: A beneficiary's private information, once in the hands of fraudsters, can be resold for many illegal purposes. Additionally, if a beneficiary whose information was misused ever does need an orthopedic brace, he or she may encounter waiting periods from Medicare. The program limits how often it pays for certain supplies and equipment. "It can be very attractive to receive equipment," Cantrell said. "But after giving out your identifying information, it could be compromised to perpetuate additional fraud. There is no fraud without the ID number of a Medicare beneficiary." A Boston police officer who allegedly had his gun stolen from him by two exotic dancers earlier this year has been fired. Boston police confirmed Monday that Officer Emanuel Brandao was terminated as of March 31. He was placed on leave immediately following the incident. No further details were released. Brandao's firing stems from an incident in February where two exotic dancers were for allegedly stealing his gun after a night out at a Rhode Island strip club. Neish Rivera, 25, of Pawtucket, and Melissa Dacier, 22, of Providence, were charged with felony larceny of a firearm and conspiracy. A third person, 24-year-old Kyle Benford, was later charged in connection with the theft. It's unclear if they have an attorney. Brandao told police he met the two women at a club and later went to a Hampton Inn in Pawtucket with them. He claimed one of the women stole the gun from his glove compartment. The officer told authorities he was introduced to Rivera by a cousin and communicated with her via Instagram. He met with her at the Hampton Inn bar before the two left for a lounge in Providence. At the lounge, the two met with Dacier and the trio left for a strip club before returning to the Hampton Inn, according to police documents. Dacier asked if the officer had a phone charger and he gave the woman his car keys to get it from inside his vehicle, documents stated. Dacier returned, then later stepped out of the hotel room to make a phone call and Rivera said she needed to leave. Documents said Dacier never returned and the officer went to check on his vehicle, where he noticed the glove compartment that had contained his gun was open. The off-duty officer then called authorities to report the stolen firearm. Responding officers were shown Rivera's Instagram account and recognized her as one of the three women charged with prostitution following a raid at the Foxy Lady in Providence. Officials in Massachusetts are searching for the owner of a vehicle that was found abandoned in the Charles River around sunrise on Tuesday. Cambridge firefighters responded to a report of a car in the water at about 5 a.m. near Memorial Drive. At the scene, they found a door of the vehicle open. Divers checked the water while fire crews scoured the area for the vehicle's owner, but to no avail. "We checked around the vehicle and underneath the vehicle, but not victims found," Cambridge Fire Department Deputy Chief Peter Donovan said. "We had the vehicle removed by the tow." State police are now investigating to determine who the car is registered to. Details on how the vehicle ended up in the water were not immediately clear. The investigation is ongoing. After years of construction and public scrutiny, the $2 billion Everett casino will finally open in June. But to make sure they are ready, representatives of Encore Boston Harbor had to face the Massachusetts Gaming Commission Monday. During a meeting that lasted nearly three hours, Encore's team said it is prepared to handle the rush of crowds anticipated for its June 23 opening. "It's hard to say you think of everything, but we put a lot of effort into making sure that we could have as good of a situation as possible," said Encore President Robert DeSalvio. With roughly 8 million people expected to visit the new casino annually, DeSalvio spent part of the morning detailing the company's traffic plan for commissioners. Thus far, they have spent $70 million to improve roadways into the area and will launch new services to encourage customers to take public transit. For example, shuttle buses will be available to take anyone from MBTA stations at Wellington and Malden Center. "We know it's going to be extremely busy," explained DeSalvio. State and local police agencies will be in the vicinity to help direct traffic and ensure public safety on opening day. However, the casino still has hurdles to clear. Commission members still have to consider a key portion of their proposal extended alcohol service. Encore executives have asked that they be allowed to serve alcohol two hours later, until 4 a.m. The request would only apply to the gaming floor and for customers who are actively playing, not watching. The move would be allowed thanks to a change to state law in 2017. Last year, the commission approved a similar request for the MGM casino in Springfield. While executives gave every indication the casino will open on schedule, Wynn Resorts has yet to resolve the $35 million fine state regulators announced it would have to pay for its handling of sexual misconduct allegations against Steve Wynn. Commissioners said the company has until May 31 to pay the fee. "I'm not going to take any questions on that," said DeSalvio. The state has opened a public comment portal for residents to weigh in on the proposal to extend drinking hours. A link can be found here. Officials in Maine's largest city say dozens of arrivals of asylum seekers are straining a shelter system that's already overcrowded. The Portland Press Herald reports nearly 50 people have arrived seeking asylum in Portland in the past few weeks. Portland officials say the shelter system's facing a new burden from immigrants arriving through the U.S.-Mexico border and attempting to make their way to the coastal Maine city. The arrivals come after a year in which Portland officials warned that the city's family shelter was nearing a crisis of overcrowding. The crowding was partly due to new families from African countries who've sought asylum here. Portland Mayor Ethan Strimling said at a public meeting last week that he believes "the people of this city want us to welcome immigrants without question." The utility blamed for a series of natural gas explosions in Massachusetts in September has agreed to pay $80 million to three communities to cover road repairs and other associated costs of the disaster, officials announced Tuesday. The explosions and fires Sept. 13 in Lawrence, Andover and North Andover were triggered by over-pressurized gas lines. One person died, dozens were injured, and more than 100 structures were damaged. Thousands of customers were left without natural gas service, including heat and hot water, during the winter months. Andover Town Manager Andrew Flanagan, Lawrence Mayor Dan Rivera, and Interim North Andover Town Manager Lyne Savage joined representatives from Columbia Gas at the Andover Public Safety Building to announce the settlement. Flanagan said $57.1 million of the settlement will be divided between the three communities and go toward road restoration. Lawrence will receive $31.91 million, Andover $13.965 million and North Andover $11.3 million. Ten million dollars for expense reimbursement toward municipal claims will be divided into $5 million for Lawrence, $3 million for Andover and $2 million for North Andover. The remainder of $12.8 million will be divided between the three communities and go toward claims and losses. Rivera said he wished the amount was greater but that it "represents the best effort of the municipalities to get the most dollars from Columbia Gas." "It provides much-needed money to pay the bills that would otherwise fall to the taxpayers to support the recovery and restoration and settle claims," said Rivera. "We all wish the number was higher, but if you take into account the time value of money and the cost of lengthy litigation into account, this is a good deal." Flanagan said he was pleased with the amount of the settlement, saying the resolution "will improve the quality of life for residents and businesses impacted by the gas disaster." "The settlement not only compensates Andover for the full cost of its response to the disaster, it also positions our community well for the future," he said. Savage said her community was especially impacted by the disaster, citing an increase in public safety departments and overtime costs. "On top of all that, it will cost more than $500,000 to repair the damage caused by having to place 60 recreational trailers on Grogans Field. This settlement will cover all of those costs and more making the town financially whole," said Savage. Fifty miles of roadways in the Merrimack Valley were dug up to replace gas mains and Columbia Gas said all three communities will be paid back for the enormous expense that came with all the work. Columbia Gas President Mark Kempic called the settlement the "best possible outcome" and thanked the communities for their "strength, patience and resilience." "We wish this didn't happen, obviously. However, our goal now is to put people back into the position they would have been if it didn't happen," Kempic said. NiSource Inc., the parent company of Columbia Gas of Massachusetts, said in a quarterly report to investors last week that the potential financial costs of the disaster have jumped to more than $1.6 billion. Authorities in New Hampshire announced Tuesday that a body pulled from the Lamprey River in Epping is that of a missing 25-year-old Manchester woman. Raymond Police Chief Michael Labell said volunteers searching for Nicole Davis found her body Tuesday afternoon, and authorities were able to confirm her identity. Davis was last seen around 11 p.m. Saturday after she walked away from the Pine Acres Campground on Freetown Road in Raymond. "Our investigation at this point indicates that she was a camper, she was with her friends. We have information that she had been consuming alcoholic beverages," said Labell. "At some point, she went for a walk, and then it was reported, when she didn't return, to us, and that's when we started to search." Davis' death has been ruled accidental. "At this point, the nature of her death appears to be an accidental drowning," Labell said. State and local officials had been searching the area since Sunday in hopes of finding Davis. Davis' two older brothers stood in disbelief after the announcement. "She's very lovable. She's the best sister you could ask for," said Davis' brother Patrick Feddersen. "I gave her a nice big hug on Easter and said, 'I'll talk to you soon' and 'We will make some plans for Mother's Day.'" An autopsy is scheduled for Thursday. "Our condolences go out to Nicole's family and friends. We understand that this is not an easy time for them," Labell said. Connecticut's attorney general has given state lawmakers the legal go-ahead to pursue a measure that would keep parents from exempting their children from vaccinations for religious reasons. Attorney General William Tong offered no stance Monday on whether the General Assembly should scrap the state's religious exemption. But the Democrat's formal opinion released Monday says Connecticut may "create, eliminate or suspend" the exemption. He says it is within the state's "well-settled power to protect public safety and health." Immunization Exemption Rates by School Data released by the State Department of Public Health shows the percentage of the student body currently exempt from immunizations for either medical or religious reasons by school. Click on a school to find the percentage breakdown. A top legislative Democrat had requested the nonbinding opinion, concerned that a growing number of families have sought the exemption in recent years. Critics say their constitutional rights would be violated. Also Monday, some New York health officials urged lawmakers to pass similar legislation to end that state's religious exemption, given the uptick in measles cases. New Hampshire authorities announced Tuesday afternoon they were investigating a suspicious death in Newport. The announcement was made by the attorney general's office and did not provide any further details. Authorities said additional information would be released when it became available. A police officer was hospitalized Tuesday morning in Massachusetts after another driver hit her cruiser in Tewksbury. The incident happened at about 6:45 a.m. on Route 133 near Cooney Road after a driver allegedly crossed the center median and crashed head-on with the officer. "We woke up to the crash," resident Adam Moldawer said. "We heard a couple of bangs as things bounced into each other." The officer and the other driver, who was identified as 21-year-old Jorge Joel Gomez Guzman of Lawrence, were taken to area hospitals for their injuries. Aerial footage of the scene showed a police cruiser with damage to its hood and a white van nearby crashed into a pole. It is unclear if the officer was the person who was injured. Guzman was charged with negligent operation of a motor vehicle, a marked lanes violation and having an improperly registered vehicle. An arraignment has not yet been scheduled, according to officials. The investigation is ongoing. Hundreds lined the banks of the canal to cheer on competitors today THE winners of this year's Crafty Craft race have been announced. A total of 15 teams set off from the start line opposite the Dundas Arms in Kintbury from 8.30am this morning, with 13 managing to finishing the six mile race. The crowds who had lined the banks of the Kennet and Avon Canal cheered as the first teams crossed the finish line at Newbury's Victoria Park just before 10am. The fastest pedalled prize went to 'The Crews Missile', which was operated by the East Woodhay Society. The crew finished in a time of one hour and 21 minutes. The fastest adult award went the Elevation craft, which completed the race in one hour and 33 minutes. The fastest junior prize went to Friends of 1st Newbury Scouts, who completed the race in one hour 44 minutes. Best fancy dress prize was awarded to the Newbury Air Cadets, while best corporate team went to Norma (n) Conquest. Meanwhile, Kingsclere-based dentists Imogen Dental - who took more than six hours to complete the race - received Marcus Franks "spirit of Crafty Craft" award. The prize was named after Newbury Round Table member and councillor Marcus Franks - who died last month. Mr Franks played a key part in the organisation of the race over the years. The winners were presented with their prizes in the Victoria Park bandstand this afternoon. Big crowds enjoyed the fun in the park, where there were a number of stalls, raffles, dance demonstrations, music, rides and a fun. For all the pictures and reaction from the day, pick up a copy of next week's Newbury Weekly News. Development officials in Connecticut say they are expecting to making substantial progress by the end of 2019 in marketing the states 72 federally-designated Opportunity Zone sites. The IRS recently released an updated set of regulations for investors in Opportunity Zone sites that clarify procedures under a tax benefit program established by the White House in 2017 as part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The program is designed to encourage private investment in lower-income areas around the country. Connecticut has Opportunity Zone sites in 27 towns from the largest cities like Hartford, New Haven and Waterbury to mid-sized and small communities like Meriden, Windham and Putnam. There is still more to be clarified at the federal level, but the state is preparing new materials to show what the sites have to offer and how they can add value for a private investor, David Kooris, deputy director of the state Department of Economic and Community Development, said. Our intent from the public sector in Connecticut is to really demonstrate why our zones make sense for investment, Kooris said. These 72 tracts are oriented toward our key assets and key strengths for growth that we have in the state. Theyre in our downtowns and in theyre in our transportation corridors. We can say with confidence that youre not going to be out there on your own in the wilderness, youre going to be right there alongside us implementing our core strategies for economic growth. Kooris said the DECD has been meeting with officials in the 27 towns to talk about ways to make infrastructure investments and institute proper zoning to remove any impediments to smart development. Residents shouldnt expect the Opportunity Zone designations to be a magic pill, but the tax incentives involved could make a difference in projects that involved just a little bit too much financial risk for investors, he said. Municipal leaders look at the Opportunity Zone regulations as a new tool to market existing development-ready sites. Properties like the old Showcase Cinemas in East Hartford and the town-owned Parkade site on Broad Street in Manchester could get the bump they need from a new way for private investors to raise money. In Manchester we feel like our Opportunity Zones cover two of our greatest areas of potential, economic-development wise, said Gary Anderson, director of planning and economic development in Manchester. It makes investment in a certain project more feasible, and it ramps up the incentive to make them even more financially-viable. The state isnt expected to be a player in any Opportunity Zone development unless there are brownfield funds involved or needed permitting, but officials will work to encourage growth for the entire state, Kooris said. Opportunity Zones have also been receiving attention from the state legislature recently. A bill proposed by state Sen. James Maroney, D-Milford, would require the DECD to host five regional workshops by Jan. 1, 2020 and conduct an extensive study of potential participants in OZ projects. The bill received a favorable vote from the Commerce Committee, and is expected to get a vote before the end of the June 5 end of the 2019 session, Maroney said. The bill would also direct the DECD to incentivize mixed-income housing development with low-interest state loans alongside the Opportunity Zone program. This year is an important year for investment in the Opportunity Zones, Maroney said, because of the way the incentives are structured to encourage early investment. We know that our cities and towns are critical to the growth of our state, and [Opportunity Zones] will help us attract development in critical areas and fill critical needs like housing. The recent IRS regulations solidified performance metrics and answered major questions about revenue production in OZ sites, said Liddy Karter, managing director for Connecticut at Enhanced Capital, a national investment consulting firm with a Stamford office. People are paying attention to this benefit and they seem to be interested in acting on it, Karter said. Existing plans and existing strategies were reinforced by the Opportunity Zone designations, and consequently its easier for investors and developers and businesses to want to be in these places. Karter said her firm is helping developers and investors learn about how to raise funding for projects in Opportunity Zones, and Enhanced Capital could potentially be an investor itself. Enhanced Capital has a whole history of investing in underserved communities, and we do that by leveraging tax incentives, Karter said. Its a different benefit than weve had before, but we expect it to be a very different opportunity than we had before. STRATFORD An FAA investigation of an airplane owned by a Milford man led to a 2017 bust of 400 pounds of weed at Sikorsky Airport and guilty pleas this month in a multi-million dollar marijuana trafficking operation, according to federal prosecutors. In a prepared statement, U.S. Attorney John H. Durham said the Milford man 61-year-old Donald Burns and two other state residents now face life in prison after pleading guilty to federal drug dealing charges. Durham said the investigation began in 2016 when the Federal Aviation Administration began investigating a Piper single-engine aircraft, owned by Burns, that was making regular flights between Stratford, Connecticut, and northern California via the southwest United States. On June 28, 2017, Burns flew the plane from California to Lubbock, Texas, and then to Arkansas, West Virginia and Connecticut, where he landed at Sikorsky Airport. After it landed, a law enforcement search of the plane revealed approximately 400 pounds of marijuana in vacuum-sealed packages, Durham said. Investigators determined the weed was intended for distribution by 34-year-old Terrell Givens, of Beacon Falls, and 40-year-old Scott Pep Bodnar, of Ansonia. The investigation revealed that, over a period of approximately two years, members of the conspiracy earned millions of dollars by trafficking nearly two tons of marijuana from California to Connecticut, Durham said. Bodnar, Givens and others also laundered approximately $6 million to purchase marijuana in California, pay for their travel to and from California, and pay Burns to transport the marijuana. Bodnar pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, 1,000 kilograms or more of marijuana, and one count of conspiracy to launder monetary instruments May 2. Givens pleaded guilty to the same charges on May 3. On Monday, Burns pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, 1,000 kilograms or more of marijuana. Though the charges carry a maximum punishment of up to life in prison, plea agreements indicate the defendants will likely be sentenced to 10 years each the mandatory minimum prison terms for the charges. Charges remain pending against a fourth man charged in the case, Robert Capelli. According to the plea deals, the defendants agreed to forfeit cash and various items, including Burns Piper aircraft, a 2012 Toyota Camry belonging to Bodnar and a 2009 Jaguar XF and approximately $8,000 in jewelry belonging to Givens. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Aviation Administrations Law Enforcement Assistance Program (LEAP), the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation Division, and the Stratford, Bridgeport and Derby Police Departments. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rahul Kale and Marc Silverman. Members of the Willoughby Arts Collaborative and students of South High School recently painted special message on the storm water drains along Erie Street. In an effort to promote clean water drainage into Lake Erie, storm water drains were marked with the words Lake Erie starts here, with an arrow pointing toward the drain. The message is to remind residents that the storm sewers in Willoughby empty into the lake. Lots of times, especially when we have so many events in the city throughout the summer, things that shouldnt be thrown in the storm sewers get thrown in there, and that goes right into our watershed, our water system, said Pat Carroll Bonander, a member of the Willoughby Arts Collaborative. She added that she had reached out to South High School after the arts collaborative initiated the project. The Lake Erie starts here message was painted using a stencil provided by Lake County Soil and Water Conservation District, where the project was set in motion. The idea had come from the Doan Brook Watershed Partnership, according to Natalie Gertz-Young, the districts education/information coordinator. This is the first time weve done the storm drain stenciling in Lake County, Gertz-Young said. She added that the stencils are owned by the district, but they can be loaned to any community wanting to make use of them. Every storm drain you see drains into a storm drain or a ditch those storm drains and ditches run straight into your nearest creek, stream or river, she continued. And that ends up in the lake, untreated. A lot of people think storm water gets treated and it doesnt. While this is the first time the message of conservation has been stenciled in Lake County, Gertz-Young said that the broader goal is to preserve the Northeast Ohio watershed as a whole. We want people to recognize that Lake Erie starts here logo and kind of take that with them wherever they go, she said. Not only is this about storm drain and storm water awareness its also just about water shed health in general. She added that people could possibly see the same Lake Erie starts here message in downtown Willoughby as well as in downtown Cleveland, indicating that all of that land is part of the Lake Erie watershed. All our water ends up in Lake Erie, and that impacts all of us, she said. Students and professionals in Mentor joined together on the morning of May 6 to kick off In-Demand Jobs Week by sharing breakfast and conversation. The week, which is promoted by OhioMeansJobs, celebrates jobs, industries and skills that are in demand. The organization defines an in-demand job as one that has a sustainable wage and positive potential based on its estimated number of openings and its growth. The breakfast, which was attended by Mentor High School staff and students and area businesses, is part of a larger collaborative effort to connect potential employees with existing employers. We knew that we wanted this event to accomplish two things: Take business and take students and put them together, and aligning those pathways with those students and having conversations, Joe Glavan, coordinator of Mentor Schools career technical education, said during the breakfast. The event was a collaboration between the Mentor Area Chamber of Commerce, Mentor Public Schools and the City of Mentor. Glavan said that there are currently over 385 senior students who are involved at local organizations and businesses for a capstone or senior project. Scott Brown, president of Pickands Mather Group in Kirtland, said that this was his first time attending to collaborative breakfast. Its a fun event. You sit here with a bunch of enthused kids; its fun to watch, he said. Brown highlighted that he picked up on the social skills of one student after listening to him during the breakfast. He seems to be able to control a whole group of people, Brown said. Hell do well. (Hes) got a great future. Brown added that he was interested to see how the process worked and how the City of Mentor was involved, and a friend of his who works for Lakeland Community College invited him. Kelly Conrad, Mentors economic development administrator, also spoke to attendees about the citys role within the partnership. The collaborative partnership between the city, the schools and the area businesses is like none other that Ive seen, Conrad said. The students have so many resources and thats wonderful. After the event, she said that one benefit the city sees from the collaboration is the workforce needs in the Mentor community. We do visits with our companies often, just to see where we can help and what their need is, if they need anything at all, Conrad said. For the most part, most companies do have a workforce shortage. She said that events like the breakfast can help students see the career opportunities within their own community. Career pathways could include internships and employment for career technical education students and/or job openings for college graduates. Hopefully that will bring some of the college kids back after they go to college and keep them in our area, Conrad said, adding a community that works together stays strong and stays together. And Mentor definitely has that. According to a March report from OhioMeansJobs, the highest number of job postings in Northeast Ohio included positions such as first-line supervisors of retail sales workers, registered nurses, customer service representatives and first-line supervisors of food preparation and service workers. A machine learning algorithm can detect signs of anxiety and depression in the speech patterns of young children, potentially providing a fast and easy way of diagnosing conditions that are difficult to spot and often overlooked in young people, according to new research published in the Journal of Biomedical and Health Informatics. Around one in five children suffer from anxiety and depression, collectively known as "internalizing disorders." But because children under the age of eight can't reliably articulate their emotional suffering, adults need to be able to infer their mental state, and recognise potential mental health problems. Waiting lists for appointments with psychologists, insurance issues, and failure to recognise the symptoms by parents all contribute to children missing out on vital treatment. "We need quick, objective tests to catch kids when they are suffering," says Ellen McGinnis, a clinical psychologist at the University of Vermont Medical Center's Vermont Center for Children, Youth and Families and lead author of the study. "The majority of kids under eight are undiagnosed." Early diagnosis is critical because children respond well to treatment while their brains are still developing, but if they are left untreated they are at greater risk of substance abuse and suicide later in life. Standard diagnosis involves a 60-90 minute semi-structured interview with a trained clinician and their primary care-giver. McGinnis, along with University of Vermont biomedical engineer and study senior author Ryan McGinnis, has been looking for ways to use artificial intelligence and machine learning to make diagnosis faster and more reliable. The researchers used an adapted version of a mood induction task called the Trier-Social Stress Task, which is intended to cause feelings of stress and anxiety in the subject. A group of 71 children between the ages of three and eight were asked to improvise a three-minute story, and told that they would be judged based on how interesting it was. The researcher acting as the judge remained stern throughout the speech, and gave only neutral or negative feedback. After 90 seconds, and again with 30 seconds left, a buzzer would sound and the judge would tell them how much time was left. "The task is designed to be stressful, and to put them in the mindset that someone was judging them," says Ellen McGinnis. The children were also diagnosed using a structured clinical interview and parent questionnaire, both well-established ways of identifying internalizing disorders in children. The researchers used a machine learning algorithm to analyze statistical features of the audio recordings of each kid's story and relate them to the child's diagnosis. They found the algorithm was highly successful at diagnosing children, and that the middle phase of the recordings, between the two buzzers, was the most predictive of a diagnosis. "The algorithm was able to identify children with a diagnosis of an internalizing disorder with 80% accuracy, and in most cases that compared really well to the accuracy of the parent checklist," says Ryan McGinnis. It can also give the results much more quickly - the algorithm requires just a few seconds of processing time once the task is complete to provide a diagnosis. The algorithm identified eight different audio features of the children's speech, but three in particular stood out as highly indicative of internalizing disorders: low-pitched voices, with repeatable speech inflections and content, and a higher-pitched response to the surprising buzzer. Ellen McGinnis says these features fit well with what you might expect from someone suffering from depression. "A low-pitched voice and repeatable speech elements mirrors what we think about when we think about depression: speaking in a monotone voice, repeating what you're saying," says Ellen McGinnis. The higher-pitched response to the buzzer is also similar to the response the researchers found in their previous work, where children with internalizing disorders were found to exhibit a larger turning-away response from a fearful stimulus in a fear induction task. The voice analysis has a similar accuracy in diagnosis to the motion analysis in that earlier work, but Ryan McGinnis thinks it would be much easier to use in a clinical setting. The fear task requires a darkened room, toy snake, motion sensors attached to the child and a guide, while the voice task only needs a judge, a way to record speech and a buzzer to interrupt. "This would be more feasible to deploy," he says. Ellen McGinnis says the next step will be to develop the speech analysis algorithm into a universal screening tool for clinical use, perhaps via a smartphone app that could record and analyze results immediately. The voice analysis could also be combined with the motion analysis into a battery of technology-assisted diagnostic tools, to help identify children at risk of anxiety and depression before even their parents suspect that anything is wrong. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released new statistics on autism. They estimate that there has been a 15% increase in the prevalence of autism across the USA, from 1 in 68 in 2012 to 1 in 59 in 2014. Veja | Shutterstock The findings were based on an analysis of data from 2014 medical and education records for children aged 8 years across 11 monitoring sites. However, the estimates varied widely between states, depending on the degree of access that researchers had to school records. Numbers were significantly higher in areas where researchers had full access, suggesting that the new estimates reflect an underrepresentation of the true prevalence of autism. In New Jersey, for example, where access to education records was better, the figure was as high as 1 in 34, whereas in Arkansas the estimated prevalence was only 1 in 77. Thomas Frazier, Chief Science Officer of Autism Speaks, says this suggests that the new estimate of 1 in 59 is likely to be a significant undercount of autisms true prevalence in the USA. Without more and better research, we cant know how much higher it really is, he adds. 38 black children with autism are supposed to represent our entire country The report is supported by research presented at the International Society for Autism Research (INSAR) annual meeting, which took place between 1-4th May 2019. Research presented at INSAR suggests that autism estimates are wildly inaccurate as they do not involve sufficient data on families from ethnic minority backgrounds. For this study, the researchers conducted the 2016 National Survey of Childrens Health, which asked parents about the health of children within their household. From the data the researchers estimated the prevalence of autism to be 2.5% in 2016, almost 1% higher than the estimates made by the CDC during the same year (1.7%). The study also offered a breakdown by race, which found a 2.8% prevalence among black children and a 2.6% prevalence among white children. However, the estimate for black children was only based on surveys of 80 families and in a 2017 survey, the number of black families surveyed was even smaller just 38 families where a child in the household had autism. When you look at the numbers, 38 black children with autism are supposed to represent our entire country. This is ridiculous. Meredith Pecukonis, Center for Autism Research Excellence, Boston University President and Chief Executive of Autism Speaks, Angela Geiger, says that whilst progress in autism research has been made on some fronts, there is still a lot more work to do. The findings suggest there needs to be a significant increase in life-enhancing research and access to high-quality services for people with autism across the spectrum and throughout their lifespan. Autism Speaks is now calling on public health organizations, legislators and the National Institutes of Health to ensure research is conducted that improves understanding of the increased prevalence and the medical needs that frequently accompany autism. The organization suggests that policymakers follow the U.S. Interagency Autism Coordinating Committees recommendation to double the funding for autism research. Autism rates are alarming in Qatar Other research presented at INSAR found that autism affects 1.4% of school-aged children in Qatar, which is above the global average, but below than the average reported for the US. The researchers say their findings represent the first reliable epidemiological study of autism prevalence in Qatar. Senior scientist at Qatar Biomedical Research Institute, Fouad Alshaban, says previous research had suggested that autism prevalence among children in Qatar was around 5 in 10,000, but that those estimates were based on inaccurate and unreliable survey methods. The results from the new survey serve as a wake-up call to government officials, he says. This is very alarming to the authorities. They are working very hard to provide the facilities for intervention for that number [of children with autism]. Rates of diagnosis are improving but progress is slow One key finding from the CDC report was that the gender gap in autism diagnosis has narrowed. In 2014, boys were four times more likely to be diagnosed than girls, whereas in 2012, boys were 4.5 times more likely to be diagnosed. This suggests improved diagnosis among girls many of whom do not demonstrate the same symptoms as boys. The ethnicity gap in diagnosis has also narrowed. Although white children were still more likely to be diagnosed than their ethnic minority peers, the gap has narrowed since 2012, especially between black and white children. This suggests that screening for autism has improved among minority communities, although diagnosis among Hispanic children was still significantly lower than among non-Hispanic children. One disappointing finding was that there was no overall decrease in age of diagnosis, with most children still only being diagnosed after the age of 4 in 2014. Considering that autism can be reliably diagnosed from as early as 2 years, ensuring an earlier diagnosis is essential because intervention can provide children with the support they need for healthy development and benefit them for a lifetime. Its encouraging to see evidence of improved identification of autism in girls and minority groups. We must continue to narrow this gap while greatly speeding up the time from first concerns about a childs development to screening, diagnosis and intervention. If most children arent being diagnosed until after age 4, were losing months if not years of intervention that can deliver benefits throughout their lives. Thomas Frazier, Autism Speaks Resources for recognizing early signs of autism and for accessing support services are available at AutismSpeaks. The organization is also encouraging people to access the site, volunteer and donate so that people can come together to make a difference for the millions of people living with autism worldwide. A discovery opens the possibility of one day restoring loss of vision by activating the retina's ability to regenerate. Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine, the Cardiovascular Research Institute and the Texas Heart Institute reveal in the journal Cell Reports that although the mammalian retina - a layer of specialized nerve cells that mediates vision and is located on the back of the eye- does not spontaneously regenerate, it has a regenerative capacity that is kept dormant by a cellular mechanism called the Hippo pathway. The discovery opens the possibility of activating the retina's ability to restore lost vision by manipulating this pathway. "Damage to the retina can lead to irreparable loss of vision in humans and other mammals because their retinas do not regenerate," said lead author Dr. Ross A. Poche, assistant professor of molecular physiology and biophysics and member of the Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center at Baylor. "However, other animals such as zebrafish can reverse blindness thanks to specialized cells in the retina called Muller glial cells. When the retina is damaged, Muller glial cells proliferate and differentiate into the lost retinal neurons, effectively replacing injured cells with fully functional ones." Although Muller glial cells in injured mammalian retina do not restore vision as their counterpart in zebrafish do, other researchers have shown that, when the mammalian retina is injured, a small subset of Muller glial cells takes the first steps needed to enter the proliferation cycle, such as acquiring molecular markers scientists expect to see in a proliferating cell. "But this attempt to proliferate is transient; after acquiring some of the cell markers the cells shut off," said Poche, who also is affiliated with the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center and the Cullen Eye Institute, both at Baylor. "These observations suggested that the mechanism that drives cell repair in zebrafish also might be present in mammals, but it is actively suppressed. For years, the suppressing mechanism was unknown." Searching for the proposed suppressing mechanism, the Poche lab combined forces with the lab of co-corresponding author Dr. James Martin, professor of molecular physiology and biophysics, Vivian L. Smith Chair in Regenerative Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine and director of the Cardiomyocyte Renewal Lab at the Texas Heart Institute. The researchers focused their attention on the Hippo pathway, a network of molecular events that contributes to organ growth during development and to the regulation of heart tissue regeneration in response to myocardial infarction. The Martin lab previously showed that the Hippo pathway acts like a 'break' on cardiomyocyte proliferation by inhibiting the activity of another pathway called YAP. In this study, the researchers first determined that the Hippo pathway is expressed in mammalian Muller glial cells. Then, they investigated whether altering the Hippo pathway in these cells would affect their ability to proliferate. Creating a malfunctioning Hippo pathway by eliminating two of its molecular steps resulted in modest cell proliferation. And when the researchers genetically engineered Muller glial cells to carry a version of YAP called YAP5SA that is impervious to the inhibitory influence of Hippo, the cells showed major proliferation and acquired a progenitor cell identity. Importantly, a small subset of these Muller glia-derived progenitor cells showed signs of spontaneous differentiation into new retinal neurons. "Up to this point researchers did not know what endogenous blocking mechanism prevented Muller cells from entering a regenerative state. The Hippo pathway is a new molecular entry point to that mechanism," said Poche. "Our next step is to develop a strategy to guide proliferating Muller glial cells into differentiation pathways leading to retinal cells capable of restoring vision." A new clinical trial at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and two other sites is testing an innovative procedure that may provide hope in the fight against Alzheimer's disease. The non-invasive procedure uses low-intensity focused ultrasound to open the blood-brain barrier, a protective layer that protects the brain from infections or pathogens in the blood. However, this barrier also makes it nearly impossible to deliver therapeutics to the brain to treat neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's. "While it's protective and beneficial for day-to-day brain function, when we think about therapeutics, the blood-brain barrier poses a significant challenge," said Dr. Vibhor Krishna, a neurosurgeon at Ohio State Wexner Medical Center. "The focused ultrasound procedure allows us to non-invasively access the brain tissue so treatment can be administered straight to the site of pathology." During the surgery in an intraoperative MRI-surgical suite, patient David Shorr of Bexley, Ohio, was awake and alert, giving real-time feedback to the treatment team of neurosurgeon, neurologist, neuropsychologist, researchers and nurses. MRI-guided imaging allows doctors to target a specific area of the brain where there is a buildup of toxic proteins called amyloid. A head frame holds the patient's head still during the treatment. The ultrasound transducer - essentially a helmet housing the ultrasound beams - is attached to the head frame. Surrounding the patient's head is a water bath where cold, degassed water is circulated. This setup helps transmission of 1,000 focused ultrasound beams from the machine through intact skull focused at the exact brain tissue that is being targeted. During the procedure, the patient's bloodstream is infused with microbubbles. The focused ultrasound waves are delivered through the helmet-like device, which causes microbubbles in the blood to oscillate and open the blood-brain barrier. "In this research study, we are not delivering any medications. Our hypothesis is that, by opening the blood brain barrier, a patient's own immune defense may clear some of those harmful amyloids," said Krishna. "If we determine this to be safe, in the next steps we would want to understand the effectiveness and the impact of opening the blood-brain barrier in improving cognitive decline." The procedure is performed three times at two-week intervals to allow for as much amyloid clearance as possible. In the future, this method of opening the blood-brain barrier may also be applicable in developing new treatments for brain tumors and epilepsy. "With 5.8 million Americans living with Alzheimer's, there's a critical need to develop novel therapies to treat this devastating disease. With this innovative clinical trial, Ohio State researchers are pioneering potential new treatments," said Dr. K. Craig Kent, dean of the College of Medicine. The research team at Ohio State's Center for Neuromodulation will monitor the patients closely, using neurological exams and neuro-psychological exams to assess language, memory and executive functioning at various intervals for one year following the surgery. The clinical trial, sponsored by Insightec, will enroll up to 10 patients at Ohio State Wexner Medical Center, Weill Cornell Medicine and West Virginia University Rockefeller Neuroscience Center. "We're hopeful it can help him, but we also know maybe it will help somebody else," said Shorr's wife, Kim Shorr. Kim had been wine tasting with a friend in Sonoma, Calif. They got into an argument in the car that night and Kim thought someone was following them. She was utterly convinced. And she had to get away. I jumped out of the car and started running, and I literally ran a mile. I went through water, went up a tree," she said. "I was literally running for my life. Kim was soaking wet when she walked into a womans house, woke her from bed and asked for help. When the woman went to call the police, Kim left and found another womans empty guesthouse to sleep in Goldilocks-style. But then I woke up and stole her car, said Kim, who is 47 and now in recovery. (KHN is using her first name only because she has used illicit drugs.) Kim had been high on Xanax and methamphetamine. I was crazy. Meth causes people to act completely insane. While public health officials have focused on the opioid epidemic in recent years, another epidemic has been brewing quietly, but vigorously, behind the scenes. Methamphetamine use is surging in parts of the U.S., particularly the West, leaving first responders and addiction treatment providers struggling to handle a rising need. Across the country, overdose deaths involving meth more than quadrupled from 2011 to 2017. Admissions to treatment facilities for meth are up 17%. Hospitalizations related to meth jumped by about 245% from 2008 to 2015. And throughout the West and Midwest, 70% of local law enforcement agencies say meth is their biggest drug threat. But policymakers in Washington, D.C., havent kept up, continuing to direct the bulk of funding and attention to opioids, said Steve Shoptaw, an addiction psychologist at UCLA in Los Angeles, where he hears one story after another about meth destroying peoples lives. But when youre in D.C., where people are making decisions about how to deploy resources, those stories are very much muffled by the much louder story about the opioid epidemic, he said. Even within drug treatment circles, theres a divide. Opioid addiction advocates are afraid their efforts to gain acceptance for measures like needle-exchange programs and safe injection sites will be threatened if meth advocates demand too much. The bottom line is, as Americans, we have just so much tolerance to deal with addiction, Shoptaw said. And if the opioid users have taken that tolerance, then theres no more. So, lawmakers in San Francisco are trying to get a grip on the toll meth is taking on their citys public health system on their own. The mayor recently established a task force to combat the epidemic. Its something we really have to interrupt, said Rafael Mandelman, a San Francisco district supervisor who will co-chair the task force. Over time, this does lasting damage to peoples brains. If they do not have an underlying medical condition at the start, by the end, they will. Since 2011, emergency room visits related to meth in San Francisco have jumped 600% to 1,965 visits in 2016, the last year for which ER data is available. Admissions to the hospital are up 400% to 193, according to city public health data. And at San Francisco General Hospital, of 7,000 annual psychiatric emergency visits last year, 47% were people who were not necessarily mentally ill they were high on meth. They can look so similar to someone thats experiencing chronic schizophrenia, said Dr. Anton Nigusse Bland, medical director of psychiatric emergency services at San Francisco General. Its almost indistinguishable in that moment. They have methamphetamine-induced psychosis. "Theyre often paranoid, theyre thinking someone might be trying to harm them," he said. "Their perceptions are all off. If the person is extremely agitated, doctors might administer a sedative or even an antipsychotic medicine. Otherwise, the treatment is just waiting 12 to 16 hours for the meth to wear off. No more psychosis. Their thoughts are more organized, theyre able to maintain adequate clothing. Theyre eating, theyre communicating, Nigusse Bland said. The improvement in the person is rather dramatic because it happens so quickly. Trends In Drug Use Come In Waves The trend in rising stimulant use is nationwide: cocaine on the East Coast, meth on the West Coast, said Dr. Daniel Ciccarone, a professor of medicine and substance use researcher at the University of California-San Francisco. It is an epidemic wave thats coming, thats already here, he said. But it hasnt fully reached our public consciousness. Drug preferences are generational, Ciccarone said. They change with the hairstyles and clothing choices, like bell-bottoms or leg warmers. It was heroin in the 1970s, cocaine and crack in the 80s. Then opiate pills. Then methamphetamine. Then heroin. And now meth again. The culture creates this notion of lets go up, lets not go down, Ciccarone said. New people coming into drug use are saying, Whoa, I dont really want to do that. I hear its deadly.' Kim has been with meth through two waves. When she got into speed in the 1990s, she was hanging out with bikers, going to clubs in San Francisco. Now what I see, in any neighborhood, you can find it. Its not the same as it used to be where it was kind of taboo, Kim said. Its more socially accepted now. Dying From Meth A hint about who uses meth now comes from the data on deaths. Meth is not as lethal as opioids: 47,600 people died of opioid-related overdoses in 2017 compared with 10,333 deaths involving meth. But the death rate for meth has been rising. Meth-related deaths in San Francisco doubled since 2011, another indication that more people are using meth and that todays supply is very potent, said the UCSFs Ciccarone. Another hypothesis to explain the growth in meth-related overdoses is that meth users are aging. Most meth deaths are from a brain hemorrhage or a heart attack, which would be unusual for a 20-year-old. Because your tissue is so healthy at that age, said Dr. Phillip Coffin, a physician and the director of substance use research at the San Francisco Department of Public Health. Whereas when youre 55 years old and using methamphetamine, you might be at higher risk for bursting a vessel and bleeding and dying from that. Another explanation for the rising death rate is that meth has become contaminated. And that affects everyone, old and young. Last year, three young people in San Francisco died after smoking meth together. It turns out the meth had fentanyl in it. The synthetic opioid has been causing waves of heroin overdoses across the country, but now its showing up mixed into cocaine and meth. Most researchers believe the contamination happens accidentally, when a dealer uses the same equipment to bag fentanyl and later meth, Ciccarone said. Relapses Are Common Over her two decades of meth use, Kim has been through drug treatment more than a dozen times. Relapse is part of recovery, and among meth users, 60% will start using again within a year of finishing treatment. Unlike opioids, there are no medication treatments for meth addiction, which makes it particularly hard to treat. In April, Kim completed a six-month residential treatment program for women in San Francisco called the Epiphany Center. She came directly from jail, after serving time for her housewarming-and-car-theft spree in Sonoma. She said that in the first 30 days all she could do was try to clear the chaos from her mind. You have to get used to sitting with yourself, which is essential for life, is to get along with your own self, she said. Kim, who has four children, is hopeful that this round of treatment will stick. She is living in transitional housing now, has a job and has been accepted to a program at the University of California-Berkeley to finish her college degree. Ive gone through 12 different programs and its been for my children, for my mom, for the courts. Ive never come to be there for myself, Kim said. So its like Ive come to a place where it has to be for me. This story is part of a partnership that includes KQED, NPR and Kaiser Health News. The Australian Self Medication Industry (ASMI) today reassured Australians that sunscreens are safe and effective to use as a line of defence against skin cancer. The results of the study released yesterday should not undermine public confidence in sunscreens. The study did not replicate real-world conditions and was based upon a very small sample size of just 24 people. Mr Steve Scarff, ASMIs Regulatory & Legal Affairs Director As noted in the study, these results do not indicate that individuals should refrain from the use of sunscreen In Australia, sunscreens are regulated as medicines and must comply with the high standards set by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). Active ingredients must be evaluated for their safety by the TGA before they are approved for use in sunscreens and the emerging evidence is regularly reviewed to confirm their continued safety. Sunscreen is proven to reduce the incidence of melanoma and other skin cancers if applied regularly and liberally as directed on the label, alongside other skin protection measures. Ground-breaking University of Queensland research found that regular sunscreen use resulted in reduced melanoma rates. And recently, experts recommended that Australians should wear sunscreen every single day and apply it as part of their morning routine. Source: http://www.asmi.com.au/news-information/news-media-releases/sunscreens-safe-effective.aspx The effects of climate change are evident. Significant changes in weather patterns, landscapes, and wildlife behaviors have become all too common in recent years. Now, a report by the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) suggests that climate change is affecting those with asthma, too. wavebreakmedia | Shutterstock The report, which was published in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, explored the link between changing environmental conditions and cases of asthma and allergies. The report was published just a few weeks before, World Asthma Day (7th May 2019), where the focus is on symptom evaluation, test response, observation and assessment, and proceeding to adjust treatments. The effects of climate change will be unevenly distributed In the present study, the researchers explain that natural system changes such as climate and weather change may not be having a significant direct impact on a large number of human populations as of yet, but there are increasing observations in which the results of climate changes are devastating individual populations. When considering pollution created by human industry, the paper also predicts that such devastations will be unevenly distributed and affect disadvantaged populations most, citing those with pre-existing conditions, especially pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases will be most at risk, among other vulnerable groups such as children or the elderly. The researchers emphasize that the allergy community should be knowledgeable about issues surrounding increased risk from climate change, and understand the effect on allergy and asthma, and be well-versed in possible means to mitigate adverse health consequences. How does the environment affect asthma? There are a huge number of environmental factors that can worsen a persons asthma symptoms, and internet searches including climate change, weather change, air pollution, particulates, greenhouse gases, traffic, and insect habitats all show that these issues are at the forefront of many peoples minds. Pollen count The duration of pollen seasons has been increasing, resulting in larger amounts of pollen being produced by plants and the earlier onset of pollination seasons. This stretch in pollination seasons has been linked to increasing global temperatures and higher levels of atmospheric CO 2 . Studies show that the ragweed season in certain Canadian cities has increased from 44 days to 71 days in 14 years. Longer pollen seasons have also been observed in Europe with British studies finding the average first flowering dates have advanced by almost five days in a decade. Italy has also seen increases in pollen season duration and pollen load. In one Italian study, the number of patients becoming sensitized to pollen increased in line with pollination season duration. Air pollution The new AAAAI report states that it may be possible that people living in urban areas may be more likely to seek treatment for allergic asthma in the future due to the higher levels of CO 2 in urban areas, as plants that thrive in high-CO 2 environments sometimes produce higher amounts of allergens due to changes in their growth mechanisms. Weather changes are also closely linked to levels of air pollution. The American Lung Association State of the Air 2017 report did find improvements in air quality in monitoring sites between 2013 to 2015, but the amount of people exposed to dangerous amounts of air pollution is still over 125 million, 38.5 percent of which are living with unhealthy levels of either ozone or particle pollution. Polluted air can cause serious problems for those living with asthma, with particulate matter, especially PM 2.5 being a significant concern. PM 2.5 is a mixture of airborne particles that can come from a number of commonly encountered sources, from vehicles, power plants, and heating systems, to burning of fossil fuels, wildfires, and dust. There should be continual awareness and research of not only the traditional fossil fuel combustion products, but also other air pollutant sources, such as ultrafine particles and [secondary organic aerosols], and their interplay with climate change and asthma. Pollution causes airway hyperreactivity The burden of asthma on healthcare facilities can be immense. Air pollution not only increases hospitalization and emergency department visits for those with asthma, along with rising pollen counts, it is also increasing the incidence of asthma. The report summarises the potent effects of pollution, stating: Mechanistic studies have demonstrated a role for pollutants in inducing airway inflammation, neutrophil influx, cytokine/chemokine release, production of white blood cells, oxygen free radical production, endotoxin-mediated cellular and tissue responses, stimulation of irritant receptors, and covalent modification of key cellular enzymes. Pollutant exposures can also alter mucus production, damage the airway epithelium [] and trigger airway hyperreactivity. Additionally, air pollution can progress asthma cases to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a debilitating set of progressive lung diseases. However, measures are being taken to reduce the effect changing environmental conditions are having on respiratory health. World leaders are taking action Fairbanks North Star Borough in Alaska suffers from spikes in air pollution from wildfires and energy sourced from wood and coal. A number of changes were brought into place when the Fairbanks community voiced concerns about their respiratory health, and residents of the borough were offered lower-cost alternatives to oil and firewood for heating and cooking. Alternative energy sources are also being investigated to supply the community with greener energy. In India, where women are far more likely to report cases of asthma than men due to exposure to pollutants from cooking with gas or solid fuels indoors, the 2016 Ujjwala scheme was created to provide cleaner fuel alternatives to those living under the poverty line to improve respiratory health. The scheme has since been praised by the World Health Organisation. Climate change is an intensely politicized issue, and governments face significant challenges when developing and running environmental movements because of differing opinions on economic and political priorities, but efforts already taken may help to pave the way for officials to take further action and protect people from pollutants, irritants, and allergens. While the AAAI 2019 report does not highlight one single source as a particular challenge for those with asthma, climate change, air pollution, and asthma severity and incidence are connected. Community efforts can significantly reduce air pollution, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emission and improving air quality, and that the allergy and scientific community should continue to adapt our practices to meet the needs of our patients in the face of ever-changing patterns and presentation of disease that might result from weather and climate changes. The Bedford County School Board approved the school divisions 2019-20 fiscal year budget, which includes a 4 percent increase in salaries for school employees and funding to provide Chromebooks for the approximately 5,330 middle and high school students in Bedford County. The board approved the budget during a special session last Wednesday to discuss the budget and vote on awarding a contract for an upcoming school renovation and expansion project. I am thrilled with the decisions that our board made Wednesday evening in support of the young learners of Bedford County, Superintendent Doug Schuch said Thursday in a statement released by Bedford County Public Schools. This years budget sets Bedford County Public Schools operating fund at about $107.8 million for the 2019 fiscal year, an increase of more than $3 million from last years budget of $104.4 million. Some of the school systems expected revenues and expenses for the budget for the upcoming fiscal year include: Revenues More than 50 percent of Bedford County Public Schools income for the 2019 fiscal year will come from the $60.5 million allocated by the state, a $2.2 million increase from last year. Other revenue sources for Bedford County Schools include: $5.1 million from the federal government, a $300,000 increase from last year; and $36.4 million from Bedford County, about $744,000 more than the $35.6 million the division received from the county in 2018. We are all very grateful to Governor [Ralph] Northam, as well as the members of the Virginia General Assembly and our Bedford County Board of Supervisors, for making teacher compensation a priority in this budget cycle, Schuch said. If we can match that commitment to our schools locally, Bedford County can send a clear message to our community about how much we truly value education. District 7 Supervisor Kevin Willis confirmed on Monday the Bedford County Board of Supervisors directed staff to allocate the additional funding to the school division in the countys upcoming budget and the board also has included a 3 percent pay increase for county employees in the budget, which is scheduled to be approved during the boards June 10 meeting. We have the money for the schools in the budget we are working on, Willis said. The school board needed to go ahead and approve their budget because they have contracts that they had to get out. Expenses More than 70 percent of expenditures for the division next year, $76 million, are instruction costs, which include salaries and benefits for teachers, guidance counselors and special education instructors. Randy Hagler, the divisions chief financial officer, said the budget approved Wednesday includes a 2.68 percentcost-of-living increase for division employees as well as step increases for employees based on merit and longevity in the school system. It equals out to a 4 percent increase, Hagler said on Thursday. The step increases will be different for some employees that have not been in the school system as long but it averages out to 4 percenton average. Other expenditures in the budget include $6.3 million in technology spending, a more than $400,000 increase from the current budget, which will be used to accelerate the divisions initiative to issue Chromebooks to middle and high school students. The division originally planned to provide devices for all middle and high school students over a multiple-year cycle by the 2021-22 school year. Schuch said the school system now plans to issue Chromebooks to all learners in grades six through twelve during the next school year. We are excited that all of our young learners will be able to learn more effectively through the support of Chromebooks next school year, Schuch said Thursday. With the broadband initiative the county is implementing, the timing seemed right to accelerate the 1:1 initiative. Division spokesman Ryan Edwards said Bedford County Public Schools already has issued about 2,000 Chromebooks during the past two school years and are planning to issue approximately 3,400 additional devices next year. Thats what we need to do to make it a true 1:1 program, Edwards said. Also during Wednesdays meeting, the school board awarded a contract to Jamerson-Lewis Construction of Lynchburg for the $24.2 million expansion and renovation project at Forest Middle School. The expansion of the school located at 100 Ashwood Drive in Forest will increase the facilitys square footage by more than 60 percent to 162,000 square feet and would renovate existing parts of the school. The project will allow the school to accommodate about 1,200 students. The school currently has about 950 students enrolled and is about 100 students over capacity, according to division officials. Construction is scheduled to begin in June and is expected to be complete before the start of the 2020-21 school year. The start of the Forest Middle School expansion project next month represents our renewed commitment to providing facilities that support learning in the future, Schuch said. Just as we saw in our new Liberty Middle School that opened its doors to young learners 10 months ago, we expect the expanded space at Forest Middle School to push the boundaries of conventional school design parameters by focusing on a more learner-centered approach to education. Mac Duis, the divisions chief operations officer, said three bids were submitted to the school system for the project. The $22.2 million bid submitted by Jamerson-Lewis was the lowest of the three. However, Duis said in an email Thursday the bid was about $600,000 higher than the $21.6 million construction cost budgeted for the project. The board approved the bid and directed staff to negotiate with the contractor on the construction costs. We will work with Jamerson-Lewis, the low bidder, to reach the budgeted construction cost of $21.6 million, Duis said. RICHMOND, Va. -- State Sen. Jennifer McClellan has launched a political action committee intended to help Democrats win control of the state House and Senate in the fall -- and perhaps advance her own chances in a potential bid for statewide office in 2021. McClellan, D-Richmond, formed Virginia United PAC late last month and intends to formally announce its creation Tuesday. "I've been in the minority party my entire time in the General Assembly, and even though we made historic gains last year, I keep seeing bills that a majority of Virginians care about dying in party-line votes in committees," she said in an interview Monday, referring to legislation to promote solar power, tighten gun control, and outlaw discrimination against gay people in housing and public employment. "I just feel like I need to step up and do all I can to help make that happen." McClellan's announcement comes at a time when the closely divided state House and Senate appear to be up for grabs in November. It's also a moment when the two leading Democrats long expected to vie for the gubernatorial nomination in 2021, Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax and Attorney General Mark R. Herring, are mired in separate scandals. Fairfax is accused by two women of sexual assault in the early 2000s, which he denies, and Herring has admitted to wearing blackface at a party when he was a college student. Some Democrats say their scandals, rooted in race and sexual assault, have created an opportunity for McClellan or another black woman to emerge as a nominee for governor, attorney general or lieutenant governor. Only one woman has ever been elected statewide in Virginia: Mary Sue Terry as attorney general in 1985, and she is white. McClellan and Del. Jennifer Carroll Foy, D-Prince William, have both said they are considering statewide runs. Carroll Foy, a freshman delegate, has not yet created a PAC. McClellan's Virginia United is a "leadership PAC," which high-profile politicians typically create to support other candidates and boost their own prospects. "Leadership PACs are designed for two things: to make money and to make friends, both of which are crucial to ambitious politicians looking to advance their careers," as the Center for Responsive Politics puts it. Sometimes legislators create leadership PACs to gain more influence in the General Assembly, but McClellan seems to be positioning herself for a run for governor, said Bob Holsworth, a veteran Richmond political analyst. "She certainly has to be considering a statewide run, probably a run for governor, given what has befallen the other two statewide candidates who have an interest in running for governor," he said. "McClellan increasingly looks like a very appealing alternative." Fairfax and Herring were swept up in separate scandals in early February, as was Gov. Ralph Northam, D, who admitted to wearing blackface for a dance contest in 1984 and whose medical school yearbook page that same year included a racist photo. All three remain in office. Since the state constitution prohibits the governor from serving back-to-back terms, Northam cannot run in 2021. Before the scandals broke, Herring announced plans to run for governor, and Fairfax was widely expected to do so. Neither has ruled out a run, but public opinion polls show that both men have lost ground with voters. State Sen. T. Montgomery "Monty" Mason, D-Williamsburg, said the new PAC was promising for Democrats, both in terms of fundraising and McLellan's statewide aspirations. He recalled a middle school girl telling him recently that she wanted to become Virginia's first female governor. "I said, 'My friend Jennifer McClellan just might beat you to it,' " Mason recalled telling her. " 'You need to move fast.' " McClellan, 46, has been considered a rising Democratic star since she entered the legislature as a delegate in 2006. She won a Senate seat in a 2017 special election. A Verizon corporate lawyer, she has not discouraged speculation about her future but has always said the time was not right for a statewide run. In an interview Monday, McClellan sidestepped questions about whether the formation of the PAC signals a plan to run for higher office. Virginia is one of just four states with legislative races this year - and the only one considered competitive because Republicans control the House and Senate by just a few seats apiece. The general sentiment of mankind is that a man who will not fight for himself, when he has the means of doing so, is not worth being fought for by others, and this sentiment is just, Frederick Douglass said in 1857. The poet was as true to common sense as to poetry when he said, Who would be free, themselves must strike the blow. Do not call for a battle that you are not willing to fight for. To do otherwise is to earn contempt. For three years, congressional Democrats repeatedly took to the nations airwaves and prose media outlets to tout the Mueller report and their certainty that the former FBI directors team would uncover proof that Donald Trump and his team were traitors because they conspired with a foreign adversary, the Russian Federation, to steal the 2016 presidential election from Hillary Clinton. Mueller would provide the evidence needed to justify impeachment. Though Democrats dropped the I-word from their rhetoric near the end of the campaign, Democratic voters support for impeaching Trump motivated voter turnout in the 2018 midterms and led to Democratic gains. A June 2018 NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll found that 70 percent of Democratic voters wanted Democrats to retake the House of Representatives so they could hold impeachment hearings. Like a dog who caught a car (like Trump caught a presidency he reportedly didnt want), Democrats captured the House. But they dont want to impeach. Nancy Pelosi and other party leaders say impeachment would divide the country, turn off swing voters and risk the kind of backlash Republicans suffered in 2000 after they voted to impeach Bill Clinton. As New York Times columnist Gail Collins, a Democrat, advises, Lets just vote the sucker out next year. Refusal to impeach is a serious tactical error. It could cost them the 2020 election. Like most bad tactical decisions, this one follows a faulty analysis of the past and applies historical lessons to a present under which conditions have changed. First, Republicans hardly got destroyed in 2000. They won the presidency (albeit via a judicial coup detat) and held on to the House following the net loss of one seat, and the Senate went to a tie following a net four-seat loss. Second, polarization has resulted in the virtual extinction of the once mighty swing voter. Third, there was no bipartisan consensus that lying about receiving oral sex was impeachable. Trump didnt collude with Russia, but even many Republicans have trouble with Trumps WWE temperament, early morning tweetstorms and overall erratic personality (personality, not politics, would form a solid foundation for impeaching the current president). Trump is in a much better position than he was in 2016. Now, he leads a united GOP. He probably wont face a significant primary challenger. His base adores him. Though many have been left behind, by most measures, the economy is booming. And he hasnt started any big new wars. By historical standards, this feels something like peace. Democrats should not underestimate him again. Presidential elections are referenda on the incumbent. Incumbent Trump is sitting pretty, especially now that he can credibly claim exoneration on allegations of Russian collusion. Unless something big happens, inertia rules; enough Americans go if-it-aint-broke-dont-fix-it to reelect him. As the party out of power, the Democrats they have to promise a future thats dramatically more appealing as well as practical to create. Its their only chance. Most of the major Democratic presidential contenders have embraced Bernie Sanders holy trinity: Medicare for All, a $15 minimum wage, free public college tuition. Improvements, to be sure, but exciting enough inducements to defeat a strong incumbent? I doubt it. This is where Frederick Douglass comes in. Democrats have a well-earned reputation for snatching defeat out of the jaws of victory, often due to a failure of nerve. Democrats whine. They preen. But they dont fight. The Republican Senate guarantees Trump wouldnt be removed from office, yet impeaching the president would help assure the Democrats repeatedly disappointed progressive base that the partys long run of appeasing Republicans had finally come to an end. Democrats dont stand a chance against a unified Republican party without firming up their base, too. Moreover, Democrats have painted themselves into a corner. They pimped the Mueller report and Russian collusion as the road to Trump-B-Gon only to have that narrative evaporate in light of the facts. Douglass was right. Asking the voters to do next year what theyre not willing to do themselves this year get rid of Trump is an invitation for nothing but the brutal contempt of mass indifference. Rall is a political cartoonist and columnist. Follow him on Twitter @TedRall. Left still obsessed with Trump The liberals need to forget about Trump/Russian collusion and obstruction of justice because, oops, there was none. Special Counsel Robert Mueller told us there was no collusion, so how could President Trump obstruct something that never happened? I think the Democrats need to move on and investigate more important things in life, like Trumps tax returns in the 1990s or if Trump (personally) removed the mattress tags on all of the hotel beds in his resort at Mar-a-Lago. I heard Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif. or was it Rep. Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y. assure us that the mattress tag issue is an impeachable offense. Lets see where that goes. Now last week, I saw the Democrats in the House of Representatives were having a Chicken Fit and were reduced to eating KFC, because Attorney General William Barr (no relation) didnt show up to testify to the Judiciary Committee. No word if it was Original Recipe or Extra Crispy. Instead, maybe they should be eating crow. RICHARD BARR Forest Legal Aid is there for all I am writing in response to the April 25 letter to the editor Landlords, stand up to Legal Aid from Gina Smith. I thank her for the opportunity to describe some of the housing work of Virginia Legal Aid Society (VLAS) and why it is important. As described in William Adams letter to the editor of April 28, Virginia law makes it very easy for landlords to evict tenants for nonpayment or any other reason when the tenant does not have a lease or housing subsidy. That is one of the reasons that Virginia is a national leader in the rate of evictions: In 2016, eviction data published by the Eviction Lab at Princeton University, five Virginia cities are in the top 10 large cities nationally for rates of evictions, and three Virginia cities are in the top five mid-sized cities nationally in rates of evictions. Evictions are devastating financially and emotionally to evicted families in a number of ways, see bit.ly/EvictionLab-Impact, so stopping illegal evictions has been an important strategy in Virginia Legal Aid Societys work on housing safety and accessibility for decades. Another strategy has been to challenge severely unsafe housing conditions in court; see our strategic plan at bit.ly/VLAS_StrategicPlan. We have also helped homeowners refinance mortgages they cannot afford and helped community groups increase the stock of affordable safe housing. VLAS sued Smith for damages suffered by our client after Smith engaged in an illegal self-help eviction instead of seeking a court order, which is the legal process for eviction in Virginia and every other state. Smith lost in General District Court, appealed to Circuit Court, lost again and did not pay the amount of damages ordered by the court, so VLAS was forced to garnish her bank account. VLAS exists to enforce the rule of law in housing and many other areas for low-income individuals and families, and we are pleased to have the support of many individuals and institutions in the community in doing so. DAVID NEUMEYER Executive Director Virginia Legal Aid Society, Inc. Table short-term rental rules When I first heard that the city was going to address problems associated with Airbnb rentals, my first thought, as a real estate agent, was, the citys time and resources could be so much better used if they would work to rectify the deplorable living conditions so many in our community must endure. I have been in homes where the plumbing is leaking sewage, there are holes in the roof, steps are uneven and broken and yet the tenants must pay the rent or be evicted. I know this is nothing new to the city. You are well aware of the problem and are trying to turn things around. One way to do this is to grow the tax base/revenue coming in to the citys coffers, which would provide income to regulate and build clean affordable housing for those who need it. By collecting a lodging tax, you would generate funds which could be used to meet the needs of the under-served in our community. Airbnb rentals are kept in pristine condition and managed to a high standard. For a minor infractions, we have regulations already in place to deal with them. As to neighborhood safety, there is no such thing as a protected neighborhood. Troublemakers can drive into any neighborhood at any time to cause problems. They dont need a reservation to do so. Our world will never be perfect for everyone, but lets concentrate our efforts on problems that exist and that most need to be turned around. Lets table the issue and deal with the real problems. NINA DAVENPORT Lynchburg The MCU future of the Kingpin may be a mystery, but Marvel Comics has an answer Marvel Comics has already provided the perfect way for Kingpin to keep going in the MCU GamesRadar+ is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more Bend Brewing Company will host their 2nd annual Sour Fest on Saturday, May 18th and is also releasing Razztafari Sour Ale in 16oz cans. More from a press release: Razztafari begins as a traditional Berliner-weisse that is kettle soured with BBCs unique house lactobacillus culture. Lemon zest is added in the whirlpool before massive amounts of raspberry puree are added to the fermenter. The resulting beer pours bright red with the aroma of raspberry pie filling and notes of lemon. Sweet, tart and refreshing at the same time, Razztafari is the perfect complement to a lazy summer day. Available now in Oregon through Bigfoot Beverages and Running Man Distribution and in Colorado from Colorado Craft Distributors. Bend Brewing Co. will host their 2nd annual Sour Fest on Saturday, May 18th, 2019 from noon to 7pm. Sour Fest tasting packages start at $12 for a souvenir stemmed glass and 2 tokens or $23 for a souvenir stemmed glass and 6 tokens. Tokens are good for a 6oz pour or a full pour for 2 tokens. Participating breweries and beers were hand selected by the Bend Brewing Company team and feature some of the Northwests most renowned sour beer producers. Full list of participating breweries includes: Bend Brewing Company Block 15 Boneyard Beer Breakside Brewery Buoy Beer Coldfire Brewing Culmination Brewing Crux Fermentation Project Deschutes Brewery Ecliptic Brewing Ex Novo Brewing Immersion Brewing Little Beast Brewing Logsdon Farmhouse Ales Mazama Brewing Oakshire Brewing Silver Moon Brewery 10 Barrel Brewing Urban Family Brewing Von Ebert Brewing Wild Ride Brewing Zoiglhaus Brewery (Newser) Stories about egg donations for couples who can't conceive typically focus on the couples. A story at Wired takes a look from the perspective of the donorsthink healthy women in their 20s, often college students who are tight on cash. As it turns out, the pay can be relatively lucrative. One woman in the story donated eggs six times over four years and earned $61,000. And women who hit certain check markssay, Ivy Leaguers who could pass for models or those with certain ethnic backgrounds (Indian, East Asian, and Jewish donors are mentioned)can make $20,000 to $50,000 per donation. The catch? As Paris Martineau explains, the procedure is generally more rigorous and painful than the marketing suggests, and donors complain that fertility clinics gloss over the negatives. story continues below The donation process "involves injecting yourself with hormone-filled syringes for 10 days or more, until a doctor pierces your vaginal wall with thick needles to suck out the extra eggs you've produced," writes Martineau. Some donors react poorly to the injections, with side effects that include sudden weight gain, abdominal pain, and nausea. The woman who made $61,000, for example, once became so painfully bloated she ended up in the hospital to have fluid drained from her abdomen. The story explains how social media has allowed donors to form support groups for the first time, to share stories and advice and guide newcomers. And it notes one key factor in why so many overseas couples come to the US to receive eggs: The laws here are far less restrictive on the practice here than abroad. Click to read the full story. (Read more Longform stories.) (Newser) More than 30 years after an 80-year-old woman was fatally stabbed in her South Carolina home, authorities say they have arrested her killer. Greenville Police Chief Ken Thomas says more sophisticated DNA testing combined with more than two years of interviews led to the arrest of a registered sex offender from Americus, Georgia, the AP reports. Thomas said at a news conference Monday that 51-year-old Brian Keith Munns is charged with murder, burglary, and armed robbery. Thomas says Alice Haynsworth Ryan was found stabbed to death in her home in 1988 after her daughter brought her home from chemotherapy. The chief says Munns lived within 2 miles of Ryan but did not say why he may have killed her. story continues below In Indiana, police say DNA evidence has been used to identify the killer of a college student in 1972. Terre Haute police chief Shawn Keen said that a DNA sample from a son of Jeffrey Lynn Hand was used to connect him to the slaying of 19-year-old Pamela Milam, a student at Indiana State University, the AP reports. Milam's body was found in the trunk of her car on Sept. 1, 1972. She had been bound and gagged. An autopsy determined she died of strangulation. Keen says Hand, then 23, didn't live in the area but made deliveries for a record company and likely cruised the Indiana State campus when work brought him to the city. Keen says Hand died in 1978 in a shootout with police during an attempted abduction in the Indianapolis area. (Read more DNA evidence stories.) (Newser) Attorney General William Barr said there isn't the evidence to charge President Trump with a crime. Hundreds of former federal prosecutors disagree. They've signed a letter saying that the findings of Robert Mueller's investigation would have resulted in charges against anybody who wasn't president, the Washington Post reports; Justice Department policy prevents charging a sitting president. Trump's behavior concerning potential obstruction of justice, the letter says, "is similar to conduct we have seen charged against other public officials and people in powerful positions." The statement was released by Protect Democracy, a frequent critic of the Trump administration. story continues below By late Monday afternoon, more than 450 former career government employees and political appointees had signed, per the Post; they worked in every administration since Dwight Eisenhower's. Not only would anybody but a president be charged, Vanity Fair points out, but the letter says similar evidence would "result in multiple felony charges." Despite Barr's statements, the letter adds that it's not a tough call: "We emphasize that these are not matters of close professional judgment." (The attorney general could be held in contempt by the House on Wednesday.) (Newser) US-China relations took another hit Monday after American officials accused Beijing of backtracking on trade commitmentsand confirmed that the US will go ahead with the tariff hikes threatened by President Trump. "Over the course of the last week or so we have seen an erosion in commitments by China. That in our view is unacceptable," US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said after the markets closed Monday. He said trade talks with China will resume Thursday, but "come Friday there will be tariffs in place," the BBC reports. Lighthizer, who was joined by Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and other top administration officials at Monday's briefing, said the tariffs on $200 billion in Chinese products will rise to 25% from 10% at 12:01am Eastern time on Friday. story continues below Analysts say it could be some time before trade talks are back on track. "The level of brinkmanship on both sides and their obvious mutual distrust has made the path to even a temporary cease-fire a lot murkier than just a few days ago," Cornell University professor of trade policy Eswar Prasad tells the Wall Street Journal. "It is likely a cooling-off period will be needed to get the talks back on track, but the imposition of additional tariffs by the US later this week could keep the talks derailed for a while to come." China confirmed Tuesday, however, that Vice Premier Liu He, President Xi Jinping's top economic adviser, will still travel to Washington for trade talks this week. (Stock markets dropped sharply after Trump's tariff threat, though the sell-off eased after China confirmed trade talks would go ahead.) (Newser) President Trump has granted a full pardon to a former US soldier convicted of killing a suspected al-Qaeda terrorist in Iraq. Press secretary Sarah Sanders described former Army 1st Lt. Michael Behenna as "entirely deserving" of the executive grant of clemency in a Monday statement, noting he was a "model prisoner" with "broad support" from the public and military, per the AP. The Oklahoma native was sentenced by military court to 25 years in prison, later reduced to 15 years, for unpremeditated murder in a combat zone in 2009. At trial, Behenna admitted he acted against orders when he shot Ali Mansur in a railroad culvert in 2008 after questioning him about a roadside bomb that had killed two of his platoon members. Behennapresent for the bombing, per the Washington Postsaid he opened fire as the man moved, in what Behenna claimed was maybe an effort to grab the gun. story continues below Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter last month renewed his February 2018 request for a pardon, arguing prosecutors failed to turn over evidence that Behenna acted in self-defense. Though the Post reports that Behenna went to interrogate Mansur on his own, "without authorization," Sanders said the Army's highest appellate court also noted concern about how the self-defense claim was handled. "Thirty-seven generals and admirals, along with a former Inspector General of the Department of Defense, signed a brief in support of Mr. Behenna's self-defense claim," she said. Describing Mansur as naked and unarmed, however, Hina Shamsi of the ACLU National Security Project calls the pardon "a presidential endorsement of a murder that violated the military's own code of justice," per CNN. Paroled in 2014, Behenna was to remain on parole until 2024. (Read more President Trump stories.) (Newser) On Valentine's Day, Ebonee Hill's 12-year-old son was injured by gunmen firing indiscriminately as he left a playground in Washington, DC, to buy candy. On Saturday night, she received the horrifying news that her 13-year-old son had also been shot and might be paralyzed from a bullet that lodged near his spine. "I'm just numb right now," Hill tells the Washington Post. "I havent gotten over my first son being shot, and now I have to go through this again. He was laughing, playing, joking, riding a bike, running, and now he could be in a wheelchair." Police say that in the Saturday shooting, two gunmen fired at least 13 bullets at a group of adults and children who had been standing outside around 9:30pm. story continues below Police do not believe the shootings of the two brothers are related. Hill says her younger son has made a full physical recovery and has returned to school, but is still afraid to play outside. The DC Housing Authority says it approved a request for relocation the mother made after the February shooting, but it has been unable to find a suitable apartment for the family. The 13-year-old was one of two juveniles injured in a spate of shootings Saturday night that also left one adult dead and another wounded, WTOP reports. DC Police Chief Peter Newsham described the shootings of the brothers as "mind-boggling." "I think it says there are people in this community that will fire a weapon with no regard to where the bullet goes," he told reporters Monday. "They just don't care." (Read more Washington, DC stories.) (Newser) Two Reuters journalists who were imprisoned for breaking Myanmar's Official Secrets Act over reporting on security forces' abuses of Rohingya Muslims were pardoned and released Tuesday, the prison chief and witnesses said. Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo were freed after President Win Myint issued a blanket pardon for 6,520 prisoners, said Zaw Zaw, chief of Yangon's Insein Prison. Myanmar's Supreme Court on April 23 rejected the journalists' final appeal against their seven-year prison terms. The reporters and their supporters had said they were framed because of official displeasure over their reporting, the AP reports. story continues below "We are enormously pleased that Myanmar has released our courageous reporters," said a statement issued by Reuters Editor-in-Chief Stephen Adler. "Since their arrests 511 days ago, they have become symbols of the importance of press freedom around the world. We welcome their return." Last month, the pair shared with their Reuters colleagues the Pulitzer Prize for International Reporting. The Reuters reporters had worked on an investigation of the killings of 10 Rohingya villagers during the brutal counterinsurgency campaign in Rakhine state in 2017 for which the government last year said seven soldiers were sentenced to up 10 years in prison with hard labor. The reporters were arrested in Dec. 2017 and sentenced last September after being accused of illegally possessing official documents, a violation of the colonial-era Official Secrets Act. (Read more Myanmar stories.) (Newser) Maleah Davis, 4, was removed from her home along with her two brothers last August after allegations of physical abuse and a head injury Maleah had suffered. In February, a judge ordered the siblings returned to their home, with CPS maintaining temporary conservatorship and visiting the home at least once per month. On Saturday, Maleah went missing, and her stepfather was just named a person of interest in the case, per Click2Houston. Previously, a Houston police sergeant told CNN the stepfather's account of what happened had "a lot of blanks" and authorities were hoping the public would help "fill in the blanks" as the search for the girl continues. Her stepfather, Derion Vence, claims three Hispanic males abducted Maleah, and police are searching for the blue Chevy pickup truck Vence says they were driving as well as Maleah's mother's own missing silver Nissan Altima. story continues below Vence says he was driving that Altima on Friday night, headed to the airport to pick up Maleah's mother with his son (variously reported as 1 or 2) and Maleah in tow. He heard a popping sound and pulled over to make sure the tires were OK, and that's when he says the truck with the men inside pulled up behind the family and two men got out. One said Maleah looked "very nice, ... very sweet," Vence says, and the other hit Vence, knocking him unconscious. He says he woke up at one point and was in the truck with the kids and the three men, but was in and out of consciousness until 6pm Saturday, at which point he says he woke up on the side of the highway with just his son by his side. He walked to a hospital to get treatment for his own injuries and reported Maleah missing. The girl's mother and grandmother have pleaded for the girl's safe return, NBC News reports. Police are asking anyone with information to call 713-308-3600. (Read more missing child stories.) Sorry! This content is not available in your region Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 7) After a two-year delay, the construction of the Light Rail Transit (LRT-1) Cavite extension finally began Tuesday. The LRT-1 currently has 20 stations from Roosevelt in Quezon City to Baclaran in Pasay City. In the extension project, eight new stations will be built in Aseana, Manila International Airport, Asia World, Ninoy Aquino, and Dr. A. Santos stations in Paranaque City, Las Pinas and Zapote stations in Las Pinas City, and Niog station in Bacoor, Cavite. The 11.7-kilometer extension is expected to increase the entire LRT-1 passenger load from 300,000 to 800,000 daily. Once operational, it will cut travel time from Bacoor, Cavite to Metro Manila by two hours and 40 minutes. The Department of Transportation (DOTr) said the railway project will be partially operational in 2021. Government officials previously announced that the construction would start on June 2017, a month after they broke ground for the project. The DOTr explained that right of way issues impeded work on the P64.9-billion railway. "Si president mismo sinabi niya na no demolition without relocation ... meron nang relocation, 'yung iba na-relocate na. Naayos ho 'yun. Noon zero percentage noong nag-umpisa kami in 2016, ngayon lumalagpas na sa 90 percent na," Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said. [Translation: The President himself ordered no demolition unless there's relocation. Some have been relocated already, we've addressed that. We have surpassed 90 percent relocation already.] The concept of the railway project was approved in 2002. During the administration of former President and now House Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in 2007, the initial budget for the right of way acquisition was released. The previous administration spent its six years securing legal right to build the rail structures in communities along its route. While the Duterte government broke ground for construction in 2017, it had to take on the remaining task of sorting out problems related to right of way. CNN Philippines' Correspondent Makoi Popioco contributed to this report. Chennai: The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers would hold the fourth edition of HR Automotive Conclave in Chennai on May 10 focussing on the capabilities and skills required for the industry in future. The conference would also dwell on understanding the ways in which the ecosystem would have to come together and skills for the organisation. The one-day conclave would be held by SIAM in association with the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India and the Federation of Automobile Dealers' Association, a press release said. "In an era where change is driven by technology and rapidly changing people preferences, it is imperative for HR to keep pace with dynamic shifts in the landscape of Indian Automotive industry", SIAM Deputy Director General Sugato Sen said. "SIAM is working to support the young professionals to make them the leaders of tomorrow. We believe that successful mentoring relationship reinforces young HR professionals to meet the challenges and demands of workplace by developing the right skill competencies," he said. The conference would be on the theme 'Digitization and Disruption: HR Re-imagined and Redefined, the release said. The deliberations during the day would focus on informal transmission of knowledge, skills by leading professionals from the industry, it added. New Delhi: Air India, the embattled national carrier, has finally found the buyer for its iconic sea-facing Mumbai building, a latest media report said on Tuesday. The deal, if materialise, may help the Air India to ease its fund crunch. According to an Indian Express report, the Maharashtra government has offered Rs 1,400 crore to Air India for its Mumbai building. Earlier, the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) and the Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) had quoted Rs 1,375 crore and Rs 1,200 crore for the building. The deal is one of its kind with the state buying back the land it had leased out for a commercial activity. It was in 1970 that the then Maharashtra government had leased the building to Air India for 99-year term. We have asked Air India to ensure there is no renewal of rental agreements after the expiry of the current period. Due to a paucity of space in Mantralaya, offices of the state secretariat operate from various locations currently. Were paying high rentals and face efficiency related issues. All these offices can be accommodated in the Air India building, Maharashtra Chief Secretary UPS Madan was quoted as saying. However, Air India has not issued any statement regarding the impending deal. The sale of Air Indias 23-storey building at Nariman Point, Mumbai, which was also once the airlines headquarters, was seen as way for getting more funds. The Air India is currently running with debt of Rs 50,000 crore. Earlier, speaking about the Air India's woes, Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu had said that future revenues of the company cannot service its "massive" debt and this legacy issue has to be segregated from the current challenges of national carrier. "If you feel that future revenues can actually service the debt, it is not possible for the simple reason that the debt is so massive," Prabhu had said during a livestream held on 'Flying for All: Global Aviation Summit 2019'. Air India earns 65 per cent of its revenues from international routes, while the remaining comes from domestic network. "Also, the cost of interest on the debt, when you try to service it from your revenues, Air India can never be in profit. Therefore, we have to address the debt issue. We are proactively working with the Ministry of Finance to make it happen," Prabhu added. Air India has been making losses since the merger with Indian Airlines in 2007. The airline has a fleet size of around 122 aircraft currently. For all the Latest Business News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) declared the ICSE Class 10th and ISC Class 12th Result today on its official website. Candidates can visit the official website of the CISCE i.e. cisce.org to check and download their ICSE Class 10th and ISC Class 12th Result. Alternatively, the candidates can also click on the link given below to check their ICSE and ISC Result 2019. Last year, the ICSE 10th Result was declared on May 14 along with the ISC 12 Board Results. Click here for CISCE Result 2019 LIVE UPDATES: 03.20 pm: This year, 98.54% students qualified for ICSE result 2019, while 96.52 % qualified for ISC Result 2019. 03.07 pm: CISCE has declared the ICSE Class 10th and ISC Class 12th Result on its official website. 02.53: The official website of the CISCE Board is currenttly not working. We request students to not panic and wait for the website to resume. 02.52 pm: ICSE Class 10 and ISC Class 12 students will get their results in a few minutes. 02.49 pm: The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations, which is popularly known as, CISCE, will declare the ICSE, ISE result 2019 in New Delhi today. 02.43 pm: The online module for submitting the requests for a recheck of the results will remain open for only 7 days from the day of declaration of results. 01.44 pm: Candidates will be able to watch the press conference in the live screening on CISCE website. 01.26 pm: ISC and ICSE Candidates can check their 12th and 10th result respectively through SMS. Type ISC>your unique ID> and send it to 09248082883. 01.04 pm: A career portal will be made available at the CISCE website. Schools can download the results from this portal by using the principals user ID and password. 12.50 pm: In 2018, a total of 2,66,011 students appeared for class 10th and 12th examination conducted by the CISCE Board. 12.35 pm: Here is the list of websites to check your ICSE and ISC Result 2019: 12.10 am: Candidates shall obtain 35 percentage for passing ICSE. For passing class 12, students need to score 35 percent instead of 40 per cent. 11.47 am: The council has made provisions for the candidates to apply for rechecking directly through the councils website. 11.36 am: According to the latest reports, the ICSE and ISC results will be announced at 3 pm. 11.09 am: Last year, the ICSE 10th Result was declared on May 14 along with the ISC 12 Board Results and the Certificate of Vocational Education Examination Results. 10.55 am: This year, ICSE 10th exam 2019 was held from February 22 to March 25, 2019, whereas the ISC exams 2019 were held from February 4 to March 25, 2019. 10.34 am: Mumbai's Swayam Das was the Class 10 all-India topper with a score 99.4 per cent. Seven students have topped the Class 12 exam with an identical score of 99.5 per cent. 10.32 am: In 2018, the result for classes 10 and 12 were declared on May 14. Class 10 results recorded a pass percentage of 98.5 per cent, while 96.21 per cent of the students passed Class 12 exam. For the convenience of the students, we have mentioned the steps through which the candidates can download the results: Step 1: Visit english.newsnationtv.com/board-results Step 2: Click on the ICSE Result page Step 3: Click on the result link Step 4: Enter all the relevant details and click on the submit button Step 5: Check your scores About the council The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) was established to replace the Cambridge School Education Certificate and it took over three decades to reach its current form. The first ICSE (Class 10th) and ISC (Class 12th) examinations were conducted in the year 1986, in accordance with the New Education Policy 1986.The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) also conducts Certificate of Vocational Education Examination at the higher secondary level. The Joint Council of Higher Education under the aegis of the CISCE was established complying with the National Policy of Education 1986 on the recommendation of the Ministry of Human Resource Development. New Delhi: Kerala Plus 2 Results 2019: The Kerala Higher Secondary Examination Board will announce the plus 2 or Class 12 board examination results on Wednesday, May 8. Soon after the formal declaration of the results, the scorecards will be available on the official websites of the board i.e. keralaresults.nic.in and dhsekerala.gov.in. The candidates must note that the candidates can also check the results by clicking on the link given below. We here at News Nation are in close contact with the board officials and will be updating all the reports here. Hence, we request the candidates to bookmark this page and check it regularly for all the latest news. This year, the Kerala HSE examination was held in the month of March in which a total of 3.60 students appeared for the examination. CLICK HERE FOR DHSE CLASS 12 Results 2019 We here at News Nation understand the amount of pressure candidates go through during result hours. Hence, we have kept the result checking process extremely easy and simple. For the convenience of the students, we have mentioned the steps through which the candidates can check the results: Step 1: Visit english.newsnationtv.com/board-results Step 2: Click on the direct link for DHSE Result 2019 Step 3: Enter your Admit Card / Roll Number and other details Step 4: Click on Submit Button Step 5: Check Kerala Plus Two Result 2019 online Step 6: Take Printout / Download Kerala 12th Result 2019 scorecard Last year, 83.75% students passed the Kerala Board Class 12 exams. Out of 3.69 lakh students who appeared in the exam in 2018, 3.09 lakh passed. Among 14 districts, Kannur topped in pass percentage while Pathanamthitta stood last. At least 180 students scored 100% in all subjects. Seventy nine schools recorded hundred percent pass percentage. About the DHSE, Kerala The Directorate of Higher Secondary Education i.e. DHSE, Kerala manages the Higher Secondary, Secondary and Vocational Higher Education in the state. DHSE, Kerala was setup in the year 1990 in line with the National Education Policy. The key goal of DHSE was to segregate the pre-degree courses from the university education and integrate them under the one single authority. The Vocational Higher Secondary Education scheme was started in 1983-84 with a limited number of courses in 19 selected schools. Later through the gradual expansion over the period of three decades, the number of associated schools has grown to 389 and more than 45 modernised courses are on offer now. Over the years, the Directorate has also been entrusted the responsibility of conducting the SSLC and Plus Two or HSC Exams every year. New Delhi: Due to the sweltering heat conditions, the Patna district administration today declared summer vacation in all schools from May 10. All public and private schools in Patna will be closed for summer vacation from May 10 in view of the heat wave prevailing here. Last year in June 2018, the Bihar government had ordered suspension of academic activities upto standard 8th in all schools in Patna in voew of the prevailing hot weather conditions. Private schools in the state capital were slated to open on June 18 but it was extended due to prolonged heatwave conditions arising out of the delay in the arrival of the monsoon. Patna District Magistrate Ravi Kumar had ordered summer vacation of students from class 1 to 8 be further extended till June 23 in view of heat wave conditions here. New Delhi : The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Tuesday issued clean chit to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his 'Bhrashtachari No1' (corrupt no. 1) remark against former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi at a poll rally in Uttar Pradesh last week.A aPrima facie, we did not figure out any literal violation of MCC as given in Election Commission of India instructions. Case is therefore disposed off,a the poll panel said while giving clean chit to the prime minister.A A EC on complaint against PM over 'Bhrashtachari No1' remark against Rajiv Gandhi: Prima facie, we did not figure out any literal violation of MCC as given in Election Commission of India instructions. Case is therefore disposed off. pic.twitter.com/flRb6uzoVL a ANI (@ANI) May 7, 2019 Addressing a poll rally in Uttar Pradesh on Saturday, PM Modi had targeted former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi while attacking Rahul Gandhi. "Your father (Rajiv Gandhi) was termed Mr Clean by his courtiers, but his life ended as bhrashtachari number 1 (corrupt number 1)," the prime minister had said. The Congress had demanded that PM Modi be barred from election campaigning for calling the former prime minister acorrupta. Senior Congress leaders Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Salman Khurshid, Rajeev Shukla met Election Commission on Monday evening to lodge a complaint against him. "The comments of Prime Minister Modi about Rajiv Gandhi ji are serious in nature. The language he used is shameful, which cannot be uttered again," Singhvi told reporters outside the Nirvachan Bhavan, the EC headquarters. "We have asked the commission officials to bar Modi ji from further campaigning this election." In an additional affidavit filed before the court, Congress MP Sushmita Dev, said that by making extremely derogatory comments on Rajiv Gandhi, the Prime Minister has committed an "act unbecoming of the high office he holds; made unprecedented obscene/ derogatory remarks in a speech on May 6 by referring to present Congress President Rahul Gandhi's late father and former Prime Minster of India Rajiv Gandhi, in Pratapgarh, Uttar Pradesh." The Congress also attacked the lack of transparency in the functioning of the EC, and claimed that dissent on record by one of the Election Commissioners has not been provided with the order. New Delhi: BJP chief Amit Shah on Tuesday tore into Trinamool Congress over its chief Mamata Banerjees expiry PM jab at Narendra Modi during a poll rally in West Bengal today. Do you believe in Indias Constitution or not, Shah said while attacking Banerjee. The comment was in response to the West Bengal Chief Ministers reported comment that she doesnt consider Narendra Modi as the Prime Minister of the country. Banerjee had reportedly refused to meet PM Modi for a review meeting over Cyclone Fani. Slamming Banerjee, Shah also added that, it doesnt matter what you think. (PM) Modi is coming back to power. Yesterday, Banerjee had attacked PM Modi after he claimed that she didnt return his calls over Cyclone Fani relief work. Alleging that PM Modi was trying to do politics over Cyclone 'Fani', Banerjee said "If you (Modi) think you will politicise it (cyclone) you must remember that I too understand politics." The chief minister said that in 2015, 2016 and 2017 there were floods in the state but no relief was given to it by the Modi government despite several demands by her. "He (Modi) wants us to go to Jhargram (where he held a public meeting Monday) to discuss the situation related to the cyclone. He will sip tea and I will have to sit beside him and have pictures clicked. Why should I go," she asked. According to news agency PTI, Banerjee reportedly said that she was in Kharagpur when there was calls from Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on Saturday tried to contact West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to discuss cyclone Fani but could not do so as his calls were not returned, a top government official has said. The prime minister then spoke to state governor Keshari Nath Tripathi, the official said. "Two attempts were made by the prime minister's staff to connect Modi with Banerjee over phone. On both the occasions they were told that the call would be returned. On one occasion they were told that the CM is on tour," the official said. The statement came after the Trinamool Congress hit out at Modi for not talking to Banerjee about the ground situation in the state in wake of the cyclone. The prime minister had tweeted about his discussion with the Governor. During the Haldia rally, PM Modi alleged that, People who hail Jai Shree Ram in Bengal are put behind the bars. Your one vote will pressurize Didi. Your one vote will show dynastic parties, Leftist and a tyrannical govt their right place. Your one vote will bring back the pride of Haldia. In West Bengal, people have to to pay Trinmool Tolabazi Tax. No one dared to challenge this tax and it only emboldened TMC. But now it won't last long in Bengal, the Prime Minister added. New Delhi : Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati and Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav addressed a joint rally in favour of alliance candidates of Jaunpur and Machhlishahr Lok Sabha seats and asserted that the grand alliance of Uttar Pradesh will "shake the roots" of the ruling party. Launching a scathing attack at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, former chief minister Mayawati said that he is the "chowkidar (watchman) of capitalists" and alleged that he helped the rich become richer. "BJP is going out of power in these elections... it has failed to fulfill the promises made in 2014 to the poor and middle class... despite all this, how can the prime minister seek votes again," the BSP chief said and termed GST and demonetisation the cause of corruption. "Terror attacks are taking place and the government is busy taking mileage out of the Army's valour," Mayawati claimed. Targeting Yogi government for the menace of stray animals in Uttar Pradesh, she alleged that farmers in the state are facing immense hardship because of it. She also targeted the Congress and alleged that the grand old party wants people to stay poor. "Both the BJP and Congress are against the lower caste... the Congress, which is claiming to provide Rs 6,000 (under its proposed 'Nyay' scheme) only wants people to remain poor and helpless," BSP chief Mayawati told the gathering. In his address, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav said, "The BJP is standing on a foundation of lies and our alliance will shake its very roots... perhaps the BJP is not aware of the alliance storm." "This time, people will snatch the chair of the chaiwala-turned-chowkidar," the former chief minister said, and asked, "How can the prime minister, who got scared of a jawan in Varanasi, face terrorism and naxalism." highlights Jaitley terms Congress the 'cry baby' of 2019 elections. FM attacks the party for alleging violation of MCC by BJP again and again. However, the poll body issued clean cheat to the rulling party in all the cases. New Delhi: In yet another hard-hitting Facebook post, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Tuesday described the Congress as the "cry baby" of this election, saying the party has recently developed a new tendency to excessively allege a violation of the model code of conduct (MCC) by its opponents. The senior BJP leader also reminded the grand-old-party that the model code of conduct cannot encroach someone's right to free speech in any way. "Of late, a tendency has developed amongst the political parties to excessively allege a violation of the MCC by their opponents. The Congress Party as the 'Cry Baby' of this election, is leading the pack," Jaitley wrote in the blog post titled 'Model Code of Conduct Does Not Take Away the Right to Free Speech'. "The MCC cannot encroach the right to free speech. The two have to exist harmoniously," he added. In a reference to Article 324 of the Indian Constitution, Jaitley said, any power exercised by the Election Commission under the act cannot relate to areas which are covered by the legislation or regulation but will be confined to areas where legislation does not occupy any space. Article 324 empowers the Election Commission to take all necessary steps in order to ensure the conduct of free and fair elections. Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal to first-time voters that they should keep in mind the sacrifice of martyrs while casting vote, Jaitley said: "no party or candidate was mentioned". Addressing a public rally in Maharashtra Modi had on April 9, said, "Can your first vote be dedicated to those who carried out the air strike in Pakistan". Citing Modi's another statement in Wardha about Rahul Gandhi contesting from Wayanad, Jaitley said the prime minister only commented on the demographic composition of the constituency. "If such speeches are considered by anyone as violative of the MCC, that may actually run the danger of the MCC's constitutionality in relation to free speech being called into question," he said. Last month, the Congress had knocked the Election Commission's door, asking the poll panel to take action against Modi's "divisive" speech on Gandhi. In an election rally in Wadhara, Modi had on April 1 reportedly said the opposition party was "scared" to field its leaders from constituencies where the majority dominates. Modi's statement indicated that Kerala's Wayanad constituency had more voters from the minority community which led the Congress chief to file his nomination from the seat. In a first, Gandhi, this year, is contesting from Kerala's Wayanad, as a second parliamentary constituency, in addition to his traditional stronghold in Uttar Pradesh's Amethi. However, the Election Commission did not find any violation of its instructions in Modi's speech during his Maharashtra and Wardha rallies and issued him a clean cheat on the basis of the Congress' complaint against him. On the latest incident of the Congress approaching the EC, the finance minister said, "they can call even an honest Prime Minister a 'Chor'. Others don't possess that right". At a rally in Uttar Pradesh, Modi had last week launched a blistering attack on Rahul Gandhi, saying that his father (Rajiv Gandhi) was termed Mr Clean by his courtiers, but his life ended as "bhrashtachari no 1". Though the prime minister was issued a clean cheat by the Election Commission for his "bhrashtachari no 1" remark on Rajiv Gandhi yet again on Tuesday, the comment evoked a widespread criticism from politicians across party lines. New Delhi: Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Monday blamed Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convenor Arvind Kejriwal for the failed alliance between their parties in Delhi for the Lok Sabha Elections 2019 and said that the AAP chief took a "U-turn" from an agreed position and wanted a tie-up beyond the national capital. "I clearly told Kejriwal ji that we have to win all seven seats in Delhi. You contest on four seats and we will contest on three. First, he agreed. Even I concurred with the proposal. But then he brought in talks on Haryana and Punjab. Then he took a U-turn," Gandhi said. Gandhi was addressing a rally in the Chandni Chowk constituency where he asserted that only the Congress could stop Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the BJP and the RSS. He asserted that the Congress is the only party in the last five years to fight Modi across the country. He accused Kejriwal of "opening the doors" for BJP's victory in 2014 by spreading "lies" about the Congress. "The BJP alone did not spread lies about the Congress," Gandhi said. "It is you who has to understand this. In Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Punjab, Karnataka...wherever Narendra Modi went, the Congress party defeated him. I will not allow Narendra Modi, BJP and the RSS to move ahead even by an inch," he said. The Congress president said that even in Parliament, the party MPs battled the BJP. The AAP and the Congress have been at loggerheads ever since their alliance to fight the BJP failed. While the AAP was not ready to have a tie-up in Delhi alone, the Congress was reluctant to have an alliance beyond the national capital. The Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP has proposed to give two seats to Congress which has instead demanded three - New Delhi, Chandni Chowk and North East Delhi, sources in both the parties claimed. The rationale behind an alliance between the two parties is that together they polled more votes than the BJP which swept the 2014 Lok Sabha elections winning all the seven seats in Delhi. New Delhi : Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Tuesday alleged that South India received step-motherly treatment under the Modi government and added that the south will play a key role in voting out the BJP-led NDA government and overwhelmingly side with the Congress. Tharoor also emphasised that party president Rahul Gandhis decision to contest from Kerala's Wayanad was to send a message that under Congress rule, the concerns and aspirations of southern states will not be ignored at the Centre. "I think the south will definitely play an instrumental role in deciding the political fate of the country, particularly in the context of voting out the present ruling dispensation, under whose tenure, the south has an understandable case of step-motherly treatment under the Centre," Tharoor told PTI in an interview. The Thiruvananthapuram MP also alleged that in the last five years of BJP rule, there has been a widespread assault on the spirit of cooperative federalism which has held the country together since Independence. "This is partly on account of cultural factors such as the beef ban and the drive to impose Hindi as a national language, but also because of larger issues such as the uproar regarding the terms of reference of the 15th Finance Commission which has implications on the financial and political security of the southern states," he said. Tharoor, who is seeking a third straight Lok Sabha term from Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha seat, also asserted that there will be a coalition government at the Centre after the elections and that the coalition is more likely to be UPA-3 rather than an NDA-3. Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha seat went to polls on April 23. "The fundamental fact that the performance of the BJP in 2014, where they secured 282 seats, is based on simple mathematics, a performance that is impossible for them to repeat, even if they had been highly successful in government, which they were lamentably not," he said. "Given how poorly they performed in government, the scale of the frustration and disappointment with their performance is immense and is likely to result in a significant reduction in their seats," he claimed. Tharoor contended that the BJP will be forced to turn to regional parties for support to form a government, but most of those potential partners would be unwilling to offer their support, given how their concerns and voices were "diminished and marginalised" under the Modi-Shah regime of the last 5 years. "Many of those who had joined the NDA got their fingers burned -- many subsequently left their erstwhile alliance with the BJP or openly bickered with them. This sends a clear signal that allying with the BJP comes at a heavy price," he claimed. Meanwhile, Tharoor has sparked a controversy by showering praise on Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan for his genuine and far-reaching interest in Indian history, saying that it was disappointing that it took a Pakistani leader to remember Tipu Sultan. On May 4, Khan had paid tribute to Tipu Sultan, praising the 18th-century ruler of Mysore for preferring to die for freedom rather than "live a life of enslavement". Today 4th May is the death anniversary of Tipu Sultan - a man I admire because he preferred freedom and died fighting for it rather than live a life of enslavement, the Pakistan PM had tweeted. Responding to his tweet, Tharoor tweeted: One thing I personally know about @imranKhanPTI is that his interest in the shared history of the Indian subcontinent is genuine & far-reaching. He read; he cares. It is disappointing, though, that it took a Pakistani leader to remember a great Indian hero on his punyathithi. With PTI Inputs New Delhi: In his efforts to gather support for a non-Congress, non-BJP federal front, Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao met his Kerala counterpart Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday. Divulging details about the two-hour long closed door meeting which comes with two more rounds to go in the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections, Vijayan said: "Yesterday's meeting with KC Rao was significant. We discussed the national political scenario. According to KC Rao, both the fronts may not get a majority. So, the regional parties will play a prominent role. There were no discussions about the PM candidate." But, NDTV quoted sources saying that during the meeting, Rao proposed a prime minister preferably from south India but took no names. The outreach to the Left is a first by the Telangana Chief Minister, who has often been seen backing the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on several issues. The Congress has dubbed Raos Telangana Rashtra Samithi as the B team of BJP and has said that his efforts to form a federal front will only help the BJP. A statement from the Telangana Chief Minister's Office (CMO) earlier said, Rao will meet Vijayan at Thiruvananthapuram Monday evening, while he will call on DMK president M K Stalin at his residence in Chennai on May 13. Discussing the Rao-Stalin meeting, it said, "Both the leaders are likely to discuss current political scenario in the context of ongoing Parliamentary elections." However, PTI on Tuesday quoted sources close to Stalin saying that the DMK President was 'busy' with his campaign schedule for the May 19 by-polls to four constituencies in the state, indicating that he may not meet Rao. Learning about his visits to Kerala and Tamil Nadu, Karnataka chief minister H D Kumaraswamy also had a telephonic talk with Rao, the statement said. Ever since floating the idea of a federal front a year ago, KCR has met a series of party leaders to push for the front, including Mamata Banerjee, Deve Gowda of Janata Dal (Secular), M K Stalin of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), Akhilesh Yadav of Samajwadi Party and Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy of YSR Congress Party (YSRCP). However, the only leader who has openly backed KCR is Reddy. The chief minister's daughter and sitting Nizamabad Lok Sabha member K Kavitha told PTI recently that regional parties not aligned with the Congress and the BJP will get 120-plus seats in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, and may hold the key to government formation. She said the TRS is in touch with various parties not part of the BJP-led NDA and Congress-anchored UPA in its efforts to forge a federal front of regional outfits. A federal front will take good shape after the Lok Sabha election results are out, Kavitha said. New Delhi: Cyclone Fani that ravaged through Odisha caused untold devastation in the state. The state and the central governments have come together restore normalcy in the state. Amid all the relief and help, reports have emerged that Bollywood star Akshay Kumar has contributed a sum of Rs 1 crore to the Chief Ministers Relief Fund in Odisha. This truly shows that Akshay has a heart of gold and he doesnt just restrict his heroism to the screens. "This is not new. Akshay has always been contributing for causes, be it his Bharat ke Veer initiative for the armed forces, or his contribution to the Kerala Floods or Chennai floods earlier," an industry source told Hidustantimes.com. Earlier, the reports of Akshay Kumar vowing to donate a5 crore through Bharat Ka Veer a fund-raising initiative of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs also made rounds and this is not it, the actor had also extended a helping hand to the rain Chennai in 2015 by donating Rs 1 crore for relief work. Over the past few days, Akshays citizenship status has been a debatable topic. Amid questions being raised over his citizenship status, particularly over his absence from the polling booths, Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar on Friday admitted to holding a Canadian passport. Really dont understand unwarranted interest and negativity about my citizenship. I have never hidden or denied that I hold a Canadian passport. It is also equally true that I have not visited Canada in the last seven years. I work in India, and pay all my taxes in India, Akshay tweeted his statement. While all these years, I have never needed to prove my love for India to anyone, I find it disappointing that my citizenship issue is constantly dragged into needless controversy, a matter that is personal, legal, non-political, and of no consequence to others, he added. For all the Latest Entertainment News, Bollywood News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: In a major move towards modernisation of the armed forces and to bolster its combat prowess along the border with Pakistan, the Indian Army will induct an additional 464 Russian-origin upgraded T-90 Bhishma battle tanks at a cost of Rs 13,448 crore in the period 2022-2026, according to a Times of India report. The report quoted Defence ministry sources saying that the indent to produce the T-90 tanks would soon be placed on the Avadi Heavy Vehicle Factory (HVF) under the Ordinance Factory Board. Notably, the cabinet committee on security has cleared the licence acquisition from Russia over a month ago. The contract will also include a Make-in-India element for integration at the Heavy Vehicles Factory in Avadi near Chennai. The new acquisition will increase the new T-90 regiments by 10 more units and would be equipped with thermal imaging night sights to allow the tank commander to strike enemy locations during night battles. The new inductions will also strengthen the Army's fire-power along the land border stretch with Pakistan -- from Jammu in the north till the western flank in Gujarat. India has already inducted 18 regiments of T-90 tanks which are deployed in Rajasthan and Punjab on the Pakistan front. However, the Indian Army's 4000- strong tank fleet has been battling with night blindness in the past and these new tanks would help in doing away with that, sources said. The move comes at a time when Pakistan has drawn up an ambitious plan to procure close to 600 battle tanks including T-90 tanks from Russia. PTI quoted sources saying that Pakistan was eyeing to buy from Russia a batch of T-90 battle tanks- the mainstays of the armoured regiments of the Indian Army, and that the move reflects Islamabads intent to forge a deeper defence engagement with Moscow which has been Indias largest and most trusted defence supplier post-Independence. As of now, the Indian Army has around 1,070 T-90 tanks as well as 124 Arjun and 2,400 older T-72 tanks in its 67 armoured regiments. The Indian Army had drawn up a mega plan to modernise its infantry and armoured corps. However, almost all the procurement projects including the a 60,000 crore Futuristic Infantry Combat Vehicle (FICV) programme are stuck due to a variety of reasons. At present, Indias armoured regiments, comprising mainly T-90, T-72 and Arjuna tanks, have much more superiority over Pakistan, but sources said Islamabad was seriously planning to bridge the gap at the earliest. As against around 67 armoured regiments of Indian Army, the number of similar regiments in Pakistan Army is around 51, the sources said. At present, over 70 per cent of the tanks in Pakistans armoury have the capability to operate during night which, they said, was a matter of concern. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday allowed Karti Chidambaram, who is the son of former finance minister P Chidambaram, to travel to the United States, Spain and Germany in May and June. He is facing trial in the INX Media money laundering case. A Bench headed by the Chief Justice of India. Ranjan Gogoi, asked Karti Chidambaram to deposit a security deposit of Rs 10 crore. Karti has been questioned on several occasions in the case being probed by the ED as well as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The agencies are probing how Karti managed to get clearance to the tune of Rs 305 crore from the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) in 2007 when his father was the finance minister. The agency had registered the FIR against Karti, his company Chess Management Services, Peter Mukerjea and Indrani Mukerjea, INX Media, Advantage Strategic Consulting Services and its Director Padma Vishwanathan. Both CBI and the Enforcement Directorate are investigating the foreign investment clearance granted to the Aircel-Maxis deal in 2006 and the INX Media in 2007 when Chidambaram was the finance minister in the UPA government. The government has already given sanction to prosecute him in Aircel Maxis case. Chidambaram had denied allegations of any wrong doing in clearing the foreign investment proposals of these companies. According to the CBI, INX Media stated in its records that Rs 10 lakh was given to Advantage Straetgic Consulting (P) Limited, a firm "indirectly" owned by Karti, for management consultancy charged towards FIPB notification and clarification. The FIR also alleges that invoices of approximately Rs 3.5 crore were raised in favour of the INX group in the name of other companies in which Karti had substantial interests "directly or indirectly". The allegations levelled by the CBI are based on the information given by "source", the FIR has claimed. INX Media was seeking investment from Mauritius, an official explained. The investment was allowed by the FIPB board and the finance minister with the condition that only Rs 4.62 crore could be received. For investment in INX News Pvt Ltd a separate proposal was required. The company allegedly violated the conditions set by the FIPB and received investment to the tune of 26 per cent in the capital of INX News which included foreign investment. It allegedly generated more than Rs 305 crore of FDI in INX Media against the approved inflow of Rs 4.62 crore by issuing shares to foreign investors at a premium of more than Rs 800 per share. The violation prompted an Income Tax department probe. INX Media claimed that the investment was done as per FIPB conditions. In order to wriggle out of the situation without any punitive action, INX Media entered into criminal conspiracy with Karti whose father was the finance minister of the country, the agency has alleged. Officials, by virtue of the influence exercised over them by Karti, not only ignored serious illegalities on the part of INX Media but also showed undue favours by abusing their official position and advised the company to file for a fresh clearance, the FIR claimed. The officials of the FIPB unit ignored the request of the Revenue Department to investigate how the investment was made by the company without FIPB approval, it alleged. The company, on the advice of FIPB officials, allegedly filed a fresh request which was cleared by the Finance Ministry and the finance minister. "Such deceitful and fallacious proposal was favourably considered by the officials of Finance Ministry and approved by the then Finance Minister," it has alleged. Chidambaram had issued a strong rebuttal to the allegations after the FIR was filed and searches were carried out on May 16, 2017. His said the government was using the CBI and other agencies to target his son. FIPB approval was granted in "hundreds of cases", the senior Congress leader had said. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Several lawyers and women activists were detained for their protests against the clean chit given by the Supreme Courts in-house panel to Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi in New Delhi on Tuesday. The Delhi Police has imposed Section 144 in the area. The protestors were detained and taken away to Mandir Marg police station. The police said that the situation is under control. The protests were bit unprecedented in a way that on any given day, any kind of agitation are not allowed outside the Supreme Court or even the gathering. Only litigants, lawyer and media person are allowed to enter the apex court. There are various reports, which said that as many as 300 activists were detained by the police. Today we are facing an unprecedented crisis of credibility vis-a-vis the Supreme Court. In dealing with a complaint of sexual harassment against the Chief Justice, the court has failed to give the complainant a fair hearing. Disregarding her request for a special enquiry committee, the Supreme Court instead set up an in-house Committee comprising three judges who are junior to the Chief Justice. Not surprisingly, on May 6, 2019, it declared that there is no substance in the allegation contained in the complaint, the 350 signatories said in a statement released to the press today. In a response to the development, the complainant said that she was highly disappointed and dejected. A statement issued by her reads, I, the woman complainant, a former SC employee, am highly disappointed and dejected to learn that the In-House Committee has found no substance in my complaint and feel that gross injustice has been done to me as a woman citizen of India. I am now extremely scared and terrified because the In- House Committee, despite having all material placed before them, appears to have given me no justice or protection and said nothing about the absolutely malafide dismissals and suspensions, indignities and humiliations suffered by me and my family. I and my family members remain vulnerable to the ongoing reprisals and attack. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: The Islamic holy month of Ramzan or Ramadan has started from Tuesday, i.e. May 7, 2019. Ramzan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar when Muslims abstain from food and water from sunrise to sunset. The fast or roza starts after the moon is seen in New Delhi and Lucknow. The moon was not sighted Sunday night and, therefore, fasting has started on Tuesday, according to a spokesperson of Delhi's Jama Masjid. The festival celebrates the first revelation of the Quran to Muhammad across the globe. The fasting month, which lasts for 30 days based on the visual sightings of the crescent moon, will be culminated with the celebration of Eid-ul-Fitr in the first week of June. However, the Sehri and Iftar timings are different in different states across India based on the sunrise and sunset that change everyday. Let's have a quick look at the Sehri and Iftar timings of Hyderabad based on Islamic Month and Gregorian Calendar. READ | Ramadan Timetable 2019: Iftar and Sehri Timings in Jammu and Kashmir reference Ramzan 2019 Timetable: Iftar & Sehri Timings in Hyderabad, India: Ramadan Calendar 2019- Hyderabad, India RAMADAN DATE SEHRI IFTAR 1 Mon 06 May 04:30 AM 6:39 PM 2 Tue 07 May 04:29 AM 6:39 PM 3 Wed 08 May 04:29 AM 6:39 PM 4 Thu 09 May 04:28 AM 6:40 PM 5 Fri 10 May 04:28 AM 6:40 PM 6 Sat 11 May 04:27 AM 6:40 PM 7 Sun 12 May 04:27 AM 6:41 PM 8 Mon 13 May 04:26 AM 6:41 PM 9 Tue 14 May 04:25 AM 6:41 PM 10 Wed 15 May 04:25 AM 6:42 PM 11 Thu 16 May 04:24 AM 6:42 PM 12 Fri 17 May 04:24 AM 6:42 PM 13 Sat 18 May 04:24 AM 6:43 PM 14 Sun 19 May 04:23 AM 6:43 PM 15 Mon 20 May 04:23 AM 6:44 PM 16 Tue 21 May 04:22 AM 6:44 PM 17 Wed 22 May 04:22 AM 6:44 PM 18 Thu 23 May 04:22 AM 6:45 PM 19 Fri 24 May 04:21 AM 6:45 PM 20 Sat 25 May 04:21 AM 6:45 PM 21 Sun 26 May 04:21 AM 6:46 PM 22 Mon 27 May 04:20 AM 6:46 PM 23 Tue 28 May 04:20 AM 6:46 PM 24 Wed 29 May 04:20 AM 6:47 PM 25 Thu 30 May 04:20 AM 6:47 PM 26 Fri 31 May 04:19 AM 6:47 PM 27 Sat 01 June 04:19 AM 6:48 PM 28 Sun 02 June 04:19 AM 6:48 PM 29 Mon 03 June 04:19 AM 6:49 PM 30 Tue 04 June 04:19 AM 6:49 PM Fasting is aimed at drawing worshippers closer to God through self-control, remembrance and humility. The challenge of fasting for many is also a chance to reset spiritually and physically, kick bad habits and purify the heart. During the day, Muslims must also abstain from sex, gossip and cursing, and are encouraged to focus on meditative acts like prayer, reading the Quran and charity. It's common practice across many Muslim-majority nations for liquor stores and hotels to curb the sale of alcohol during Ramadan. Often, restaurants shutter their doors during the day. Those exempt from fasting include children, the elderly, the sick, women who are pregnant, nursing or menstruating, and people travelling. The Ramadan fast begins with a pre-dawn meal called "suhoor" to prepare hungry stomachs for the long day ahead. A typical suhoor often includes bread, vegetables, fruits, yogurt, tea, as well as lentils and beans. At sunset, when it's time to mark the end of the daylong fast, families and friends gather for an evening meal known as "iftar." Muslims typically break their fast as the Prophet Muhammad did some 1,400 years ago, by eating sweet dates and drinking water, followed by a sunset prayer. Then, the iftar meals are enjoyed. These are often lavish affairs of home-cooked platters of rice, stews and meat, as well as spreads of desserts and other sweets. While Muslims around the world welcomed the start of Ramadan with traditional greetings and messages of peace, the start of the Muslim holy month in the Gaza Strip was marked by sounds of outgoing Palestinian rockets and incoming Israeli airstrikes. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: In what may provide enough fodder to the BJP to attack the Congress over nationalism and national security, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has showered praise on Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan for his agenuine and far-reaching interesta in Indian history, saying that it was adisappointinga that it took a Pakistani leader to remember Tipu Sultan. On May 4, Khan had paid tribute to Tipu Sultan, praising the 18th century ruler of Mysore for preferring to die for freedom rather than "live a life of enslavement". aToday 4th May is the death anniversary of Tipu Sultan - a man I admire because he preferred freedom and died fighting for it rather than live a life of enslavement,a the Pakistan PM had tweeted. Responding to his tweet, Tharoor tweeted: aOne thing i personally know about @imranKhanPTI is that his interest in the shared history of the Indian subcontinent is genuine & far-reaching. He read; he cares. It is disappointing, though, that it took a Pakistani leader to remember a great Indian hero on his punyathithi.a One thing i personally know about @imranKhanPTI is that his interest in the shared history of the Indian subcontinent is genuine & far-reaching. He read; he cares. It is disappointing, though, that it took a Pakistani leader to remember a great Indian hero on his punyathithi. https://t.co/kWIySEQcJM a Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) May 6, 2019 Khanas tweet trigerred a war of words between senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah and BJP's Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Sunday, with the former saying he was not the one to "eat biryani" with the premier of an enemy country. Retweeting Khan's message, BJP MP Chandrasekhar wrote, "Dear @siddaramaiah avare - time for u (you) to hug Imranji n (and) Bajwaji - @sherryontopp! Thts (That's) quickest way to bcm (become) @RahulGandhi n (and) @priyankagandhi's favourite! #JustDoIt." His jibe was aimed at Siddaramaiah's reverence for Tipu Sultan. The Congress leader had started the tradition of celebrating Tipu Jayanti as then chief minister of Karnataka three years ago. Slamming Chandrasekhar, Siddaramaiah tweeted, "Mr @rajeev_mp, Think before you tweet. I am not like your Chor @narendramodi to eat biryani with the PM of our enemy country & also not like you to compromise on ethics to please your bosses. "It is better to lead a life of Tipu Sultan than like a slave of your bosses like you." The Congress leader's attack was in reference to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's surprise visit to Nawaz Sharif, the then prime minister of Pakistan, in Lahore in 2017. Opposing Tipu Jayanti, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has held protests. The saffron party has been accusing the Congress of ignoring the "genocide" carried out by the erstwhile ruler of Mysuru, including the killings of Kodavas in Kodagu district and Mandyam Iyengars of Melukote. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: The Defence Ministry said it has no information about any surgical strikes conducted by the Indian Army between 2004 and 2014, and only one surgical strike took place on September 29, 2016 after the Uri terror attack in Kashmir. The information came to light in a reply to an RTI filed Jammu-based activist Rohit Chaudhary. India Today reported that the activist had sought the information months before the Congress has recently claimed that there were as many as six surgical strikes conducted during the UPA government between 2008 and 2014. The ministry through the DGMO has said it only have data about one strike that was conducted by the Army along the Line of Control on September 29, 2016. The report added that the RTI was filed by the activist in 2018. Chaudhary told India Today that the Congress was lying to the people and that no such strikes took place during the UPA regime. The war of words between the Congress and the BJP came after former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, in an interview to Hindustan Times, said multiple surgical strikes took place during UPA rule. Attacking the Congress, Jaitley said the Manmohan Singh government did not act against terrorists after the Mumbai terror attack in 2008 even as security forces were ready to target them. The UPA government in fact released 25 terrorists as a "goodwill gesture" and one of them was later involved in the Pathankot terror attack, he alleged. The Congress later came out with a list of six anti-terror surgical strikes carried out during UPA rule, asserting that it never tried to take political advantage from military operations. The Congress released the list at a press conference after BJP leader Jaitley took a jibe at the opposition party, saying its surgical strikes were "invisible and unknown". The UPA government carried out six surgical strikes -- Bhattal sector in Poonch (June 19, 2008); Sharda sector, across Neelam River Valley, in Kel (August 30-September 1, 2011); Sawan Patra checkpost (January 6, 2013); Nazapir sector (July 27-28, 2013); Neelam Valley (August 6, 2013); and one on December 23, 2013, Congress spokesperson Rajeev Shukla said. He also listed two surgical strikes carried out under the previous BJP-led NDA government of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. These were Nadala Enclave, across the Neelam River (January 21, 2000) and Baroh sector in Poonch (September 18, 2003), Shukla said. Congress president Rahul Gandhi also took a potshot at PM Narendra Modi and said that when he talks about UPA government's surgical strikes and says that they were done in video games, he is insulting the Indian Army. "The Army, Air Force or Navy are not personal properties of Narendra Modi ji like he thinks. When he says that surgical strikes during UPA were done in video games then he is not insulting Congress but the Army," said Gandhi. Several BJP leaders, including PM Modi and Amit Shah, have time and again slammed the Congress for failing to act against terror whereas BJP conducted surgical strikes and airstrikes inside Pakistani territory. Lt General (Retd) DS Hooda, a former Northern Army commander and main architect of the 2016 surgical strikes on terror launch pads in PoK, also said several cross border operations were carried out by the Indian Army in the past. Call it surgical strikes, call it cross border operations, they have been carried out in the past by the Army. Im not aware of exact dates and areas that have been brought out, News agency ANI quoted Lt General Hooda as saying. Interestingly, Lt General Hooda's statement came hours after former Army General and Union Minister VK Singh accused the Congress party of lying about its claims of multiple surgical strikes during the UPA government. "The Congress has a habit of lying. Will you please let me know which So called Surgical Strike are you attributing to my tenure as COAS," the BJP leader asked. (With PTI inputs) For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: NASA, the US space agency, gave details about its Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART)s plan to hit a small moonlet target in a double asteroid system with a spacecraft in 2022, its first mission to demonstrate a planetary defence technique. The asteroid, called Didymoon or Didymos B, is a moon asteroid around 150 meters tall orbiting a larger body Didymos A, the most accessible asteroid of its size from the Earth, the Xinhua news agency reported. The asteroid poses no threat to Earth and is an ideal test target: measuring the change in how the smaller asteroid orbits about the larger asteroid in a binary system is much easier than observing the change in a single asteroid's orbit around the Sun. Work is ramping up at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Maryland, and other locations across the country, as the mission heads toward its summer 2021 launch and attempts to pull off a feat so far seen only in science fiction films. The Didymos system is too small and too far to be seen as anything more than a point of light, but we can get the data we need by measuring the brightness of that point of light, which changes as Didymos A rotates and Didymos B orbits, said APLs Andy Rivkin, DART investigation team co-lead, who participated in the observations. The brightness changes indicate when the smaller moon, Didymos B, passes in front of or is hidden behind Didymos A from our point of view. These observations will help scientists determine the location of Didymos B about Didymos A and inform the exact timing of DARTs impact to maximize the deflection. The investigation team will observe Didymos again from late 2020 into the spring of 2021. Final ground-based observations will occur as the spacecraft travels toward the asteroid, as well as after impact occurs. But the NASA team will eventually see the asteroid system close-up thanks to an Italian-made imager. The shoebox-sized cube satellite will record the spacecraft's impact and its aftermath. DART will carry an optical navigation system to capture images that help the spacecraft reach its target. In its latest design, DART spacecraft will be able to move by relying on small hydrazine thrusters while utilising the electric propulsion system, which will push the start of the primary launch window to July of 2021, shortening the mission flight time. Its previous planned launch time was December 2020. The DART spacecraft will crash itself into the asteroid at a speed of approximately six kilometer per second and the collision will change the speed of the moonlet in its orbit around the main body by a fraction of one per cent, enough to be measured using telescopes on the Earth, according to the NASA. (With agency inputs) For all the Latest Science News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi : A gunman is holding several people hostage in the Blagnac suburb of Toulouse in Southern France. Police source said that it appeared to be a botched armed robbery. According to reports, the gunman fired at least one shot over the heads of elite RAID officers and had demanded a negotiator, the source said, adding that the incident did not appear to be terrorism-motivated. Police believe five individuals are being held by the armed man, the source said. Police told neighbours to stay indoors and set up a 300 metre security perimetre around the store. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: An Egyptian court on Tuesday upheld the death sentences of 13 Islamic militants for attacks against security forces. It is to be noted that all the 13 militants had appealed to the Court of Cassation after a Cairo criminal court handed them the death penalty in 2017. The 13 were members of Ajnad Misr, or Soldiers of Egypt, had claimed responsibility for lethal attacks on security forces in and around the capital Cairo. Ajnad Misr militant group in January 2014. During the hearing, the Cassation Court rejected an appeal against initial rulings passed by a Giza criminal tribunal in December 2017. All the accused were found guilty of "making and possessing explosive materials, bombs and firearms, and of receiving training outside the country". They were also convicted of terrorist acts against police forces and public facilities from late 2013 to May 2015. Apart from the 13 death sentences, 17 other defendants were handed life prison terms and nine to between five and 15 years in jail. However, five defendants were acquitted. Talking about Ajnad Misr, the Islamic militant group had claimed several deadly attacks against security forces and bombings outside key buildings such as the Supreme Court and the cabinet offices. The group's leader Hammam Mohamed Attiyah was killed by security forces in 2015 in Cairo and many of its remaining members are held in custody. Security forces had said that Attiyah belonged to Ansar Beit al-Maqdis, the Egyptian branch of the Islamic State group, before he broke away in 2013 to found Ajnad Misr. Egypt has been battling an insurgency affiliated with IS in the restive North Sinai region since former Islamist president Mohamed Morsi was ousted in 2013. The government in February 2018 launched a large-scale military operation against IS in the Sinai Peninsula of eastern Egypt. Around 600 suspected militants and 40 soldiers have been killed so far, according to official figures. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Beirut: An escalation in attacks on northwest Syria has displaced more than 150,000 people in the past week, the UN said on Tuesday, as the Assad regime forces and Russia stepped up bombardment. "We are alarmed by ongoing reports of aerial attacks on population centres and civilian infrastructure, resulting in hundreds of civilians dead and injured," said David Swanson of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, or OCHA. "More than 152,000 women, children and men have been displaced in Aleppo and Idlib governorates over the past week alone," he told AFP. The northwestern part of Syria controlled by jihadists is made up a large part of Idlib province, as well as adjacent parts of the Aleppo and Hama provinces. The Idlib region has been protected from a massive regime offensive by a September deal inked by Damascus ally Russia and rebel backer Turkey. But the region of some three million people has come under increasing bombardment since the jihadist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, a former Al-Qaeda affiliate, took full control of it in January. The UN humanitarian agency on Tuesday expressed alarm at health facilities being hit in the bombardment. "Between 29 April and 6 May, at least 12 health facilities were hit by airstrikes in northern Hama and Idlib governorates, damaging health infrastructure that provided essential health services to over 100,000 people," OCHA said in a statement. All 12 were out of service, Swanson said, while three health workers had been killed in the bombardment. "Ongoing reports of attacks on health facilities in the region reflect a worrying trend, depriving thousands women, children and men of life-saving medical assistance," he said. The civil war in Syria has killed more than 370,000 people and displaced millions since it began. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Batelco said it has signed an agreement to become one of the founding partners of the Bahrain Chapter of the Middle East Investor Relations Association (MEIRA). MEIRA has officially launched a new chapter in Bahrain, to further develop and enhance best practices in Investor Relations (IR) across Bahrain. The MEIRA Bahrain Chapter founding members include ALBA, Bank ABC, National Bank of Bahrain, SICO Bank, Ithmaar Holding as well as Batelco. Bahrain Bourse will lead the MEIRA Bahrain Chapter. The signing ceremony took place at the Bahrain Bourse premises with Batelco Chief Financial Officer Faisal Qamhiyah singing on behalf of Batelco. The ceremony was followed by an IR seminar attended by more than 30 representatives from local listed companies. Commenting on the new chapter, Andrew Tarbuck, MEIRA Chairman said: We look forward to collaborating with our Chapter Members and with Bahrain Bourse as the Chapter Head to increase the effectiveness and quality of the IR function among the organisations in the Kingdom through our wide range of activities and training programmes. Faisal Qamhiyah, Batelco Chief Financial Officer added, This is a great opportunity for Batelco to be part of this initiative to promote and raise awareness relating to investor relations best practices across the Kingdom of Bahrain. Shaikh Khalifa Bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, Chief Executive Officer of Bahrain Bourse, commented: The establishment of the Bahrain MEIRA Chapter sets the ground for establishing a solid network of IR professionals in the Kingdom of Bahrain, and will certainly help in advancing the IR function and promoting international best practices among listed companies in the capital market. Bahrain Development Bank (BDB) co-hosted a luncheon at the Capital Club for visiting members from the Business Families Institute (BFI) of Singapore for a GCC tour organised by Investcorp. Investcorp organised a week-long tour for the BFI delegates across three GCC cities which started in Bahrain and included Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The purpose of this tour was to provide the BFI members with an opportunity to interact with the local business community, experience the art & culture and be exposed to the various focus sectors of the economy including startups and SMEs. The visit included meetings with business families, government stakeholders, and key organizations that support business and culture in Bahrain. The luncheon featured a panel discussion between two founders of Bahrain based startups that are part of the BDB Seed Fuel-Rowad programme portfolio Hussain Haji, Inagrab and Amjad Puliyiali, Get Baqala and moderated by BDBs Head of Development Services & Senior Vice President Areije Al Shakar. BDB Group Chief Executive Officer Sanjeev Paul stated, We are proud of our ongoing partnership with stakeholders to support entrepreneurs in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Investcorp Co-CEO Hazem Ben Gacem said: Thanks to our presence in Singapore, we have developed close ties with BFI and given we have deep connections with the Bahraini financial institutions, including Bahrain Development Bank, because of our near 40-year presence in the kingdom, we were able to successfully link those two groups together. North Koreas state media said yesterday that leader Kim Jong Un had overseen a rocket and tactical guided weapons test, after the drill Saturday raised concerns Pyongyang was escalating provocations with US nuclear negotiations deadlocked. The North last carried out a missile test in November 2017, before a rapid diplomatic rapprochement saw tensions ease on the peninsula and a series of summits. A return to missile launches would be likely to infuriate US President Donald Trump, but the Norths official KCNA news agency shied away from the term in its report, saying Kim had ordered a strike drill involving long-range multiple rocket launchers -- which are not targeted by UN sanctions resolutions -- and unspecified tactical guided weapons. Seouls defence ministry said yesterday an analysis of the launch indicated Pyongyang had tested 240-mm and 300-mm multiple rocket launchers and a new type of tactical guided weapons with a range of around 70 to 240 kilometres (45 to 150 miles). The United States and North Korea have been at loggerheads since the collapse of a TrumpKim summit in February, when the two sides clashed over sanctions and the extent of Pyongyangs concessions on its atomic arsenal. But despite the latest sabre-rattling from Pyongyang, Trump insisted that a breakthrough was possible. Kim Jong Un fully realizes the great economic potential of North Korea, & will do nothing to interfere or end it, Trump tweeted. He also knows that I am with him & does not want to break his promise to me. Deal will happen! The US leader did not elaborate on Kims promise. During Saturdays drill Kim urged his troops to remember the iron truth that genuine peace and security are ensured and guaranteed only by powerful strength, KCNA said. The state-run Rodong Sinmun newspaper on Sunday carried 16 photos of the weapons test on its front page, including a picture of a grim-looking Kim clutching his binoculars in an observation post as well as several images of projectiles shooting skywards. Broken promises? Trump proclaimed that the North Korean nuclear threat was over after the two sides historic first summit in Singapore in June, when Kim pledged to work towards complete denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula. The two have since disagreed over what that means, but Trump has insisted the leaders remain close even after their follow-up meeting in Vietnam broke up without a deal or even a joint statement, and that Kim would maintain his moratorium on long-range missile and nuclear tests. But with negotiations lagging, the North appears to be testing the US while staying below that threshold. The Saturday drill followed last months test-firing of very short-range tactical weapons, and came days after a senior North Korean diplomat chastised US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for making foolish and dangerous comments during nuclear talks. Analysts said Pyongyang appears intent on raising pressure on Washington. Kim wants to ensure the world knows it is upset with the US hardline stance on denuclearisation and will not bow to external pressure, said Scott Seaman of the Eurasia Group. Unwanted outcome But Ankit Panda of the Federation of American Scientists stressed that the projectile launch does not violate Kim Jong Uns self-imposed missile-testing moratorium, which only applied to intercontinental-range ballistic missiles. Even so, a statement from Seouls presidential Blue House said it was greatly concerned, calling it a violation of a military agreement signed by both Koreas last year. On Friday, South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha said Pyongyang should show visible, concrete and substantial denuclearisation action if it wants sanctions relief -- the issue at the centre of the Hanoi debacle. Earlier this week, North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui warned Washington of an unwanted outcome if it did not adjust its stance on economic sanctions. Biegun visit Since the collapse of the Hanoi summit, South Korean president Moon Jae-in -- who brokered the first meeting between the mercurial US and North Korean leaders -- has tried to salvage diplomacy, but Pyongyang has remained largely unresponsive. Last week, on the anniversary of the first Panmunjom summit between Moon and Kim, KCNA said Washington and Seoul keep pushing the situation of the Korean peninsula and the region to an undesirable phase, criticising their joint military exercises. The North Korean drill comes just days before US special representative Stephen Biegun is to visit Japan and South Korea for talks on Pyongyangs nuclear arsenal. The hardline policies of US President Donald Trumps administration on Venezuela and Iran are becoming clearer, with the White House now openly talking about military force as an option. The coming days may thus see a shift in US attitudes and measures against the two countries, unless peaceful transition takes place in Caracas, and Tehran decides that its interests require co-operation, rather than escalation in response to Washingtons oil embargo. Another tough stance emerging from Washington relates to the potential designation of the Muslim Brotherhood as a terror group. Already, this has antagonised Turkey and could lead President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to engage in further grandstanding, for example by supporting his friend in Caracas, President Nicolas Maduro. Maduro, whose regime has managed to impoverish what was once the regions richest nation also counts among his friends Bashar Al Assad, the Iranian regime and the leaders of Bolivia, Nicaragua and Cuba. The Colombian president Ivan Duque has called on Venezuelas armed forces to join the opposition leader Juan Guaido, who is backed by most South American governments, as well as the US and other major western nations. Calling the army to back the civilian movement led by Guaido is practical, because moving from authoritarianism to civil rule now seems impossible without it. This has been the case in Algeria, and in Libya, where a military settlement seems a prerequisite, as well as Sudan, where there is now a valuable opportunity to achieve an accord between civilians and military. In the folds of all these developments, especially as it relates to Venezuela, lies the strained relationship between Washington and Moscow, as the two powers exchange accusations and warnings. Inside the US, meanwhile, the presidential campaigns have started in earnest, amid deep divisions and structural weakness in the Democratic Party. In this febrile climate, there has been a lot of posturing about foreign policy issues, including Venezuela, the Muslim Brotherhood and Yemen, which former vice president Joe Biden has used to attack Trump. In truth, Biden himself backed the rise of the Muslim Brotherhood to power and supported its hijacking of the Arab uprisings, not to mention having called for the partition of Iraq. According to informed sources, US-Iranian escalation could come to a head this week. Trump intends to announce strict measures against countries that violate the US oil embargo on Iran by continuing to purchase Iranian crude after the expiry of sanctions waivers. According to sources, he will also issue a stern warning to Tehran not to take any retaliatory measures, especially in the Strait of Hormuz or against Saudi and other Arab Gulf oil exports. The same sources say that there is a strong Iranian inclination to retaliate against US oil restrictions, with preparations being made to hit pipelines that feed into Saudi refineries. Despite these gloomy predictions, there remain two views on what is about to happen. One is that Tehran will never escalate, because it is aware that Trump will not hesitate to take military action against it. The other, however, is that Trumps measures will lead to the collapse of the Iranian regime, so the hardliners will not hesitate to act. In the past, Washington extended security cover to Lebanon, making it clear that the failure of this small country was a red line. According to officials, the US has run out of patience. Now, they say, there is a real chance the US may end its security guarantees if the Lebanese do not stand up to Hezbollah and stop it from putting Iranian interests ahead of those of Lebanon itself. Meanwhile, some circles in New York and Washington are raising questions about the prospects of Trump opening the door to military action in Iran and Venezuela. The US is divided here too. Democrats are automatically opposed to everything that Trump decides, and they will be placing their bets on popular opposition to any military involvement. On Venezuela, the Trump administration has a coherent policy. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, National Security Adviser John Bolton, Special Envoy Elliott Abrams, and Vice President Mike Pence all agree on being robust, even if that requires military intervention for a limited transitional period, in order to secure civilian rule with the help of the countrys armed forces. Pompeo and Bolton have both accused Moscow of meddling in Venezuela. They say that the Kremlin is resisting transition in Caracas and has convinced Maduro not to leave for Cuba. Russias foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, has said that Washingtons interference in Venezuelan affairs violates international law and that such aggressive moves will have serious ramifications. Pompeo has said that his boss prefers peaceful transition but that he was clear and firm that military action remains an option. At present, it seems that peaceful transition is unlikely, unless the Venezuelan military overthrows Maduro, or Maduros friends abandon him and convince him to step down. However, it is the Kremlin that matters most here. If Russian President Vladimir Putin decides that Venezuela is an asset given its strategic location and vast oil reserves worth risking relations with Washington for, then the crisis is set to escalate. To some extent, it seems that the solution is in the hands of the Venezuelan military, which can side with the people against Maduro and back Guaido as an interim president. Some have accused the Trump administration of supporting military takeovers around the world, including in Algeria, Libya, and Sudan. But the Obama administration supported Islamist takeovers, based on the Turkish model, and backed the Muslim Brotherhood, despite its rejection of the separation of powers and its quest to impose its will on the constitution and state. If the choice is between this and temporary military rule, it would seem that temporary military rule is the lesser evil. Sri Lanka has expelled over 600 foreign nationals, including around 200 Islamic clerics, since the Easter suicide bombings blamed on a local jihadi group, a minister told AFP Sunday. Home Affairs Minister Vajira Abeywardena said the clerics had entered the country legally, but amid a security crackdown after the attacks were found to have overstayed their visas, for which fines were imposed and they were expelled from the island. Considering the current situation in the country, we have reviewed the visas system and took a decision to tighten visa restrictions for religious teachers, Abeywardena said. Out of those who were sent out, about 200 were Islamic preachers. The Easter Sunday bombings that killed 257 people and wounded nearly 500 were led by a local cleric who is known to have travelled to neighbouring India and had made contact with jihadists there. The minister did not give the nationalities of those who have been expelled, but police have said many foreigners who have overstayed their visas since the Easter attacks were from Bangladesh, India, Maldives and Pakistan. There are religious institutions which have been getting down foreign preachers for decades, Abeywardena said. We have no issues with them, but there are some which mushroomed recently. We will pay more attention to them. The minister said the government was overhauling the countrys visa policy following fears that foreign clerics could radicalise locals for a repeat of the April 21 suicide bombings, which targeted three Christian churches and three luxury hotels. Sri Lanka has imposed a state of emergency since the attacks and given wide powers to troops and police to arrest and detain suspects for long periods. House-to-house searches are being carried out across the country looking for explosives and propaganda material of Islamic extremists. Social Democrat Laurentino Cortizo won Panamas presidential election Sunday in a close race that saw a large number of voters turn out amid concerns over corruption scandals and the countrys image as a money-launderers paradise. I feel very happy. I won. We won. What we have to do now is join forces as a country, Cortizo told reporters shortly before the electoral tribunal confirmed his victory. Cortizo was favored to win, with pre-election polls giving him a 10-point lead over his closest challenger, former foreign minister Romulo Roux of the Democratic Change party. With ballots counted in 92.5 percent of polling stations, Cortizo had won 33.08 percent of the vote against 31.06 for his right-wing opponent Roux, a lead the electoral tribunal said was irreversible despite the close margin of fewer than 40,000 votes. Turnout was nearly 73 percent. Trailing well behind the pair was surprise independent candidate Ricardo Lombana, a lawyer and journalist who took 19.34 percent after campaigning on an anti-corruption ticket. Cortizo will succeed Juan Carlos Varela, whose popularity was hit by the decline in economic activity, rising cost of living, corruption scandals and crises in the health and justice sectors. Cortizo, a 66-year-old former agriculture minister known popularly as Nito, said he wanted to rescue and transform Panama and leave a legacy untainted by corruption. His supporters chanted Nito, Nito! as he cast his ballot in Panama City. Corruption scandals played a significant role in election campaigning in a country struggling to shed its image as a money-laundering paradise following the Panama Papers scandal three years ago. Equally damaging was the admission by Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht that it had paid $59 million in bribes in Panama between 2010 and 2014 to secure major public works contracts. Panama is home to the strategic canal that links the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, making it a key conduit in the global maritime trading system. Independent candidate Lombana, a 45-year-old former Panamanian consul to Washington, had hit out at the traditional parties, a popular tactic at a time when public confidence in the political establishment has been eroded by numerous scandals. Independent candidates have surged because citizens are fed up with what partisan politics have brought the country; they are fed up with corruption, he told reporters before casting his ballot. DANBURY Major crime is down 11 percent for the first three months of the year, according the latest monthly report by the city police department. Crime in eight categories from arson to theft decreased in the first quarter of 2019 over the same three-month period last year. A total of 252 major crimes were reported in the first three months of 2019, compared to 285 major crimes in the first quarter of last year. One individual crime category to watch continues to be motor vehicle theft, which is up 53 percent over the same three-month period in 2018. Motor vehicle theft rose from 15 the first three months of 2018 to 23 in the same period in 2019, police said. Motor vehicle theft does continue to be a problem statewide, and some of it is attributable to juveniles, police Chief Patrick Ridenhour said. But we are still having problems with vehicles being left unlocked with keys or key fobs inside. Last year, a rise in motor vehicle thefts drove the major crime rate up 5 percent over 2017. It was an unusual year for a city often cited as one of Connecticuts safest. Danburys crime numbers are remarkably stable, even though individual categories may go up and down, Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton said on Tuesday. We are the safest city with a population over 60,000 in Connecticut. Danbury is among the states fastest-growing cities, at 85,000 people. Each month, the police department submits to the City Council the number of homicides, rapes, robberies, assaults, burglaries, thefts, motor vehicle thefts and arsons. The numbers are not final until they are submitted to the state at the end of the year. The first-quarter statistics show that rape, robbery and assault were all down compared to last year during the same period. Among property crimes, theft was down substantially from 225 theft crimes in the first three months of 2018 to 185 in the first quarter of 2019, a decrease of 18 percent. This is good news, but we will continue to do our best to stay on top of things, Ridenhour said. rryser@newstimes.com203-731-3342 DANBURY A Danbury woman has been accused of beating her son after the 5-year-old showed up at school with blood on his coat, police said. The 26-year-old mother was charged last week with intentional cruelty to persons/unlawful punishment a class D felony following a police and state Department of Children and Families investigation. Hearst Connecticut Media is withholding the womans name to protect the childs identity. The boy and an infant have been removed from the home, according to the mothers arrest warrant affidavit. Police said the boy went to his Danbury elementary school on Feb. 5 with blood on the sleeve of his coat. A nurse contacted DCF after police said the child told school staff that the blood was from his face because his mother hit him, according to the affidavit. The boy told the school nurse that before dropping him off at school, his mother hit him on the mouth with her hand and across the back of his legs with a belt because he dropped a phone at a friends house that morning, according to the affidavit. The nurses DCF referral noted several marks found on the boys body a small bruise on his right arm, small scratches on his left cheek, two marks across the back of his left leg and three marks across his right leg, the affidavit said. The nurse told a DCF investigator the boy appeared to have dried blood under his lower lip when he came into her office, and she had cleaned it up before DCF arrived, according to the affidavit. The mother told police that her son started acting up and broke something inside a neighbors house shortly after she dropped him off there on her way to work, according to the affidavit. She said the babysitter called her, so she went back and picked up her son, took him home and hit him with a belt before bringing him to school, according to the affidavit. The mother told detectives that her son has behavioral problems and she admitted to hitting him with a belt other times, the document states. Police later retrieved the black leather belt from a crib inside the boys bedroom, according to the affidavit. She admitted to splashing cold water on him at times because he hates it, according to the affidavit. The mother denied doing anything to her sons face and told police she didnt see any blood on him prior to dropping him off at school, according to the affidavit. She said her son has a problem with frequently getting nose bleeds, the affidavit said. The mother was released on $2,500 bond and is scheduled to enter a plea on May 30 in state Superior Court in Danbury. kendra.baker@hearst.com A fire at Lakeside Drive Extension in Ridgefield last week was caused when the homeowner fueled a lawn mower inside his garage and attempted to start it, Fire Chief Jerry Myers said. He reported that it burst into flames, Myers said Tuesday, May 7. The very fast moving fire caused significant damage to the garage, the bedroom directly above the garage, and the attic space. It appears that the fire from the garage extended up the outside of the home and reached the eaves and into the attic space. The other parts of the structure received smoke damage but were not burned, according to the fire chief. The first firefighters on the scene were met with zero visibility and high heat, Myers said. Their aggressive attack on the fire resulted in most of the structure being saved, he added. Credit should be given to the homeowner who had the foresight to close the door between the basement and the main floor, which significantly reduced the ability of the fire to spread. Danburys Miry Brook Volunteer Fire Department sent mutual aid to the scene, and it took firefighters about 30 minutes to knock down the flames, Myers said. The homeowner was transported to the hospital for burns, the severity of which was not disclosed. On Monday, the American Red Cross said it was helping assist the family of four. The Red Cross said it was providing comfort kits containing personal care items, such as toothbrushes, deodorant; shaving supplies and other items a resident might not have been able to gather in the rush to escape the fire. In addition, a recovery envelope containing information helpful to families recovering from a fire, including tips on cleanup; notification of important contacts; dealing with damaged items and more was provided. HARTFORD Three bills aimed at encouraging more transparency and accountability after police shootings have failed to get out of committee. But a recent shooting during which officers from both Hamden and Yale University fired on an unarmed couple, wounding a woman, may lead to some version of the bills being resurrected before the end of the legislative session June 5. Based on a 911 call, the officers believed the man, Paul Witherspoon, had tried to rob a newspaper delivery man with a gun on April 16. A detailed search warrant released last week indicated that Witherspoon told police he was unarmed and was getting out of his car with his hands up as Hamden officer Devin Eaton and Yale University officer Terrance Pollock opened fire. Eaton fired 13 bullets, striking Witherspoons passenger, Stephanie Washington. Witherspoon has not been charged. Less than a week later, Wethersfield officer Layau Eulizier shot 18-year-old Anthony Jose Vega Cruz, known as Chulo, as the teen tried to avoid being pulled over for a license plate violation. Vega Cruz died a few days later. Both shootings have drawn loud protests calling for the release of dashboard camera or body camera video recordings a practice that State Police and the states attorneys who investigate police shootings rarely allow until an investigation is complete. In an unprecedented move, state Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection Commissioner James Rovella released the body camera footage of the New Haven shooting to the public about a week after the incident occurred. Hartford States Attorney Gail Hardy, who is investigating the Wethersfield shooting, said she will release what she can as her investigation moves forward. Theres more and more demand from the public for the early release of the videos, Chief States Attorney Kevin Kane said. Weve given this issue a lot of thought in the past year. Kanes office submitted public testimony on all three bills, expressing reservations at the concepts as suggested. But his office officially took no stance on the bills since the specific language of the proposed legislation had yet to be written. Kane conceded last week that he and other law enforcement officials throughout the state are now considering releasing more information based on the public outcry. Were going to be making decisions about releasing information before the investigation is complete, Kane said. We want to explore this and see what happens and well do some other cases, too. The move may circumvent the calls for legislative changes that would make the investigations more transparent, he also conceded. House Bill 5757 was proposed by Rep. William Petit, R-Plainville, after New Britain officials struggled with angry protests for more than a year while a states attorney investigated the fatal shooting of 20-year-old Bloomfield carjacking suspect Zoe Dowdell, who tried to flee city officers by nearly running them down. Shocking dash camera videos of the shooting were released 13 months after Dowdell died and the States Attorney for the Judicial District of Fairfield concluded that the officers were justified in using deadly force. The bill had a public hearing before the Public Safety and Security Committee in February. But the proposal, which sought to expedite the often lengthy investigations into deadly police shootings, was never reported out of committee. Senate Bill 402, which would have created a state office to investigate complaints against police officers, suffered a similar fate, as did HB 5922, which would have required police departments to submit use-of-force reports for shootings and serious injuries. Sen. Gary Winfield, D-New Haven, said Thursday that hes looking to make police videos available sooner than they normally would be available under current law and is still looking at use-of-force reporting. I havent nailed down the language, but Im looking whether the use of force was appropriate for the given situation as well, Winfield said. He said the specific bills might be dead, but theres still plenty of opportunity to raise and vote on these concepts. Rovella said Thursday hes hoping to create a statewide standard for transparency and the release of information, which he added, may require legislation. New Haven States Attorney Patrick Griffin, who worked under Rovella at the Chief States Attorneys Office, agreed to the release of the Witherspoon shooting videos after some appropriate investigative steps were taken, Rovella said. We were in contact quite a bit that week, Rovella said. The protestors didnt influence us. There were some steps that had to be taken, but once we did that, we were prepared to talk about the case. During a press conference Rovella strung together some of the facts of the case including that the officers didnt turn on their body cameras until after the shooting occurred, which he indicated was a violation of policy. Pat allowed me to stitch together the case which works to reduce questions, not increase them, Rovella said. Rovella, a former Hartford police chief, also pointed out that during investigations that involve communities of color the issue of trust is at the forefront. The more information you put out in a timely manner the better, he said. A Florida woman pulled an alligator out of her yoga pants during a traffic stop Monday morning in Punta Gorda. The gator appeared after deputies asked the 26-year-old woman, "Do you have anything else?" Terra Nova National Park and Signal Hill National Historic Site will be Twinned with Connemara National Park and the Marconi Station in Ireland GATINEAU, QC, May 6, 2019 /CNW/ - On the eastern reaches of Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador boreal forest meet the Atlantic and across the sea Ireland's green hills rise up on the east. Our most easterly province has long been a place that connects Canada with the world. In 1901, the first wireless signal travelled across the Atlantic to Signal Hill, where it was received by Guglielmo Marconi and reshaped our world, bringing us closer together than ever before. Today, on behalf of the Government of Canada, the Honourable Seamus O'Regan, Minister of Indigenous Services and Member of Parliament for St. John's South Mount Pearl, attended a signing ceremony with Trevor Donnelly, National Director, National Parks and Wildlife Service and H.E. Jim Kelly, Ambassador of Ireland to Canada, representing the Government of Ireland to mark the twinning agreement between Terra Nova National Park and Signal Hill National Historic Site in Newfoundland and Labrador with Connemara National Park and The Marconi Station in Ireland. The Government of Canada, through Parks Canada and the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht of the Government of Ireland have reaffirmed the strong cultural connection between our countries, and our mutual goals in the areas of conservation and history. The twinning arrangement will promote cooperation and knowledge exchanges for the mutual benefit of these national parks and historic sites, which have an important role in habitat protection and the conservation of wildlife, as well as in the cultural heritage of both countries. Canada's Terra Nova National Park and Ireland's Connemara National Park are both filled with bogs, wetlands and woodlands and share common species including the pine marten. There is also a strong historical cultural connection between the east coast of Newfoundland and Ireland. Signal Hill National Historic Site in St. John's played an important role in Canada's communications and defence history. The Marconi Station in Ireland opened in 1907 when commercial signalling started between Ireland and Canada. Parks Canada manages one of the finest and most extensive systems of protected natural and cultural heritage areas in the world. Parks Canada is responsible for protecting nationally significant examples of Canada's natural and cultural heritage and sharing the stories of these treasured places. Quotes "Newfoundland has been described as the most Irish place in the world outside of Ireland. Lying some 1800 miles to the west, Newfoundland is the only place outside Europe with its own distinctive name in the Irish language - Talamh an Eisc, Land of the Fish. This twinning arrangement deepens an old and abiding friendship between Ireland and Canada. It strengthens our common desire to protect nature, preserve our heritage and promote natural and cultural tourism." The Honourable Seamus O'Regan, Minister of Indigenous Services and Member of Parliament for St. John's South Mount Pearl "I am delighted that my Department through the National Parks and Wildlife Service is entering into a twinning arrangement with Parks Canada. Both parties aim to capitalise on the significant networking and knowledge sharing opportunities given the natural and cultural resources protected and presented by both organisations, as well as our respective mandates. The connections between the people, culture and history of Ireland and the provinces of Newfoundland and Labrador in particular further enhance the opportunity for success in working together." Josepha Madigan TD Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Quick Facts Terra Nova National Park protects the area where the North Atlantic Ocean touches the Island boreal forest of Eastern Newfoundland . The landscape of the park varies from the rugged cliffs and sheltered inlets of the coastal region to the rolling forested hills, bogs and ponds of the inland. protects the area where the North Atlantic Ocean touches the Island boreal forest of . The landscape of the park varies from the rugged cliffs and sheltered inlets of the coastal region to the rolling forested hills, bogs and ponds of the inland. Signal Hill National Historic Site celebrates the rich communications and military history of Signal Hill and sits amidst a spectacular view of St. John's and the surrounding coastline. Along with its link to telecommunications history, the national historic site was part of harbour defences for St. John's from the 17th century to the Second World War when soldiers of The Royal Newfoundland Regiment manned fortifications. and the surrounding coastline. Along with its link to telecommunications history, the national historic site was part of harbour defences for from the 17th century to the Second World War when soldiers of The Royal Newfoundland Regiment manned fortifications. Situated in the West of Ireland in County Galway , Connemara National Park covers some 2,000 hectares of scenic mountains, expanses of bogs, heaths, grasslands and woodlands. Some of the Park's mountains, namely Benbaun, Bencullagh, Benbrack and Muckanaght, are part of the famous Twelve Bens or Beanna Beola range. The iconic Diamond Hill or Bengooria also lies within the park. Western blanket bog and heathland are the predominant vegetation types to be found in the park. The park has a strong association with the Red Data Book species, St. Dabeoc's Heath (Daboecia cantabrica), a species which in Ireland is restricted to Connemara and south Mayo. The Park also maintains a farm of traditional breeds of livestock, including Connemara Ponies and Irish Moiled "Maol" Cattle. Connemara National Park was established and opened to the public in 1980. in , Connemara National Park covers some 2,000 hectares of scenic mountains, expanses of bogs, heaths, grasslands and woodlands. Some of the Park's mountains, namely Benbaun, Bencullagh, Benbrack and Muckanaght, are part of the famous Twelve Bens or Beanna Beola range. The iconic or Bengooria also lies within the park. Western blanket bog and heathland are the predominant vegetation types to be found in the park. The park has a strong association with the Red Data Book species, St. Dabeoc's Heath (Daboecia cantabrica), a species which in is restricted to Connemara and south Mayo. The Park also maintains a farm of traditional breeds of livestock, including Connemara Ponies and Irish Moiled "Maol" Cattle. Connemara National Park was established and opened to the public in 1980. The Marconi Station Historic Site is located at Derrigimlagh Bog, near Clifden, in the West of Ireland and was officially opened October 17, 1907 when commercial signalling commenced between Clifden and Glace Bay, Nova Scotia . Named after famed communications pioneer Guglielmo Marconi , the site commemorates significant advances in communications technology during this era. The station originally consisted of a huge condenser house building, a power house with six boilers and a massive aerial system consisting of eight wooden masts. In 1911, Marconi opened a second radio station seven miles away in the village of Letterfrack, installing a separate directional antenna system. The site of this radio station and some of the masts lies within the Connemara National Park. The receiving room is now the Park Manager's office. The Derrigimlagh site is owned by the National Parks and Wildlife Service, but is managed by the Connemara Chamber of Commerce. Associated Links Terra Nova National Park Signal Hill National Historic Site Connemara National Park The Marconi Station @parkscanadaNL ww.facebook.com/TerranovaNP SOURCE Parks Canada For further information: Ray Kenny, A/External Relations Manager, Newfoundland East Field Unit, Parks Canada, 709-772-2587, [email protected]; Media Relations, Parks Canada Agency, 855-862-1812, [email protected] Related Links www.pc.gc.ca "Commercial hunting for Sei Whales only ceased in the 1970s, less than a lifetime ago for these large animals," noted Hal Whitehead, a whale expert and a Co-chair of the COSEWIC Marine Mammals Specialist Subcommittee. Fin Whales may be faster, and stay closer to shore than Sei Whales, but individuals can range from Canada to the US, and even over to Greenland. Populations in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans were considered at the COSEWIC meeting to be of Special Concern. The slower, smaller, deep-water Sowerby's Beaked Whale, found in the Atlantic, was also assessed as being of Special Concern. It is a member of a little-known family that is making the news as a result of fatal strandings. Like the Blue Whale and the North Atlantic Right Whale, all three of the whales recently considered by COSEWIC are threatened by human activity. All get tangled in fishing gear, and all are struck and killed by the ever-increasing number of large ships. And, because all evolved in a quieter sea, the noise from ships, naval exercises, and ongoing seismic exploration impedes their communication and survival. Sowerby's Beaked Whale seems to be particularly susceptible to noise pollution. Much like bats, it uses sound to navigate and hunt, and human-generated noise impairs its ability to find its way. Increased noise from seismic exploration and military exercises is linked to injuries and death of other beaked whales. Sightings of Sowerby's Beaked Whale have increased in the Gully submarine canyon off the coast of Nova Scotia since it was made a Marine Protected Area in 2004. "Noise levels are now likely lower in the Gully since it was protected," suggested Whitehead. "These refuges offer some hope for all these species and should be expanded, even into international waters." Indeed, the future of wide-ranging species like whales relies on decisions and practices in many countries. Shared responsibility calls for shared action. According to John Reynolds, Chair of COSEWIC, "Species don't care about borders. We need to address threats as a global community. No country can save these species on its own." Further details on all wildlife species assessed at this meeting can be found on the COSEWIC website (https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/committee-status-endangered-wildlife.html). Next meeting COSEWIC's next scheduled wildlife species assessment meeting will be held in November 2019. About COSEWIC COSEWIC assesses the status of wild species, subspecies, varieties, or other important units of biological diversity, considered to be at risk in Canada. To do so, COSEWIC uses scientific, Aboriginal traditional and community knowledge provided by experts from governments, academia and other organizations. Summaries of assessments are currently available to the public on the COSEWIC website (https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/committee-status-endangered-wildlife/assessments.html) and will be submitted to the Federal Minister of the Environment and Climate Change in fall 2019 for listing consideration under the Species at Risk Act (SARA). At that time, the status reports and status appraisal summaries will be publicly available on the Species at Risk Public Registry (https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/species-risk-public-registry.html). At its most recent meeting, COSEWIC assessed 20 wildlife species in various COSEWIC risk categories, including 9 Endangered, 3 Threatened, and 4 Special Concern. In addition, COSEWIC assessed 4 additional wildlife species as Extirpated from Canada. COSEWIC comprises members from each provincial and territorial government wildlife agency, four federal entities (Canadian Wildlife Service, Parks Canada Agency, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and the Canadian Museum of Nature), three Non-government Science Members, and the Co-chairs of the Species Specialist and the Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge Subcommittees. Definition of COSEWIC terms and status categories: Wildlife Species: A species, subspecies, variety, or geographically or genetically distinct population of animal, plant or other organism, other than a bacterium or virus, that is wild by nature and is either native to Canada or has extended its range into Canada without human intervention and has been present in Canada for at least 50 years. Extinct (X): A wildlife species that no longer exists. Extirpated (XT): A wildlife species that no longer exists in the wild in Canada, but exists elsewhere. Endangered (E): A wildlife species facing imminent extirpation or extinction. Threatened (T): A wildlife species that is likely to become Endangered if nothing is done to reverse the factors leading to its extirpation or extinction. Special Concern (SC): A wildlife species that may become Threatened or Endangered because of a combination of biological characteristics and identified threats. Not at Risk (NAR): A wildlife species that has been evaluated and found to be not at risk of extinction given the current circumstances. Data Deficient (DD): A category that applies when the available information is insufficient (a) to resolve a wildlife species' eligibility for assessment or (b) to permit an assessment of the wildlife species' risk of extinction. Species at Risk: A wildlife species that has been assessed as Extirpated, Endangered, Threatened or Special Concern. SOURCE Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada For further information: Dr. John Reynolds, Chair, COSEWIC, Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Telephone: 778-782-5636, [email protected]; For general inquiries: COSEWIC Secretariat, Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 351 St. Joseph Blvd, 16th floor, Gatineau, QC, K1A 0H3, Telephone: 819-938-4125, Fax: 819-938-3984, [email protected], https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/committee-status-endangered-wildlife.html; For inquiries on arthropods (Frosted Elfin, Karner Blue): Dr. David McCorquodale, Cape Breton University, Telephone: 902-574-1547, [email protected]; For inquiries on birds (Hudsonian Godwit): Dr. Marcel Gahbauer, Canadian Wildlife Service, [email protected]; For inquiries on freshwater fishes (Gravel Chub, Paddlefish), Dr. Nicholas E. Mandrak, University of Toronto (Scarborough), Telephone: 416-208-2248, [email protected]; For inquiries on lichens (Cryptic Paw Lichen, White-rimmed Shingle Lichen): Dr. David H. S. Richardson, Saint Mary's University, Telephone: 902-496-8174, [email protected]; For inquiries on marine fishes (Shortfin Mako (Atlantic population)): Dr. John D. Neilson, Telephone: 250 465-1728, [email protected]; For inquiries on marine mammals (Fin Whale, Sei Whale (Atlantic population), Sowerby's Beaked Whale): Dr. Hal Whitehead, Dalhousie University, Telephone: 902-494-3723, Telephone: 902-414-6140, [email protected]; For inquiries on mosses (Carey's Small Limestone Moss, Dalton's Moss, Drooping-leaved Beard-moss): Dr. Rene Belland, University of Alberta, Telephone: 780-492-0801, [email protected]; For inquiries on terrestrial mammals, (Vancouver Island Marmot): Dr. Chris Johnson, University of Northern BC, Telephone: 250-960-5357, [email protected]; For inquiries on plants (Dwarf Hesperochiron, Goldenseal, Hairy Paintbrush, Columbian Quillwort): Dr. Jana Vamosi, University of Calgary, Telephone: 403-210-9594, [email protected]; For inquiries on Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge: Roger Gallant, Telephone: 709-638-4343, [email protected] Related Links https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/committee-status-endangered-wildlife/assessments.html BRIDGEPORT Residents of a city condo complex have agreed to cover the $235,000 cost for repairs made after flooding damaged units last September. There was a lot of discussion, a lot of anger and they voted to approve it, said Cartright Towers resident Judith Rudikoff after a meeting of the condos residents and members of the condo associations management last week. Rudikoff said the vote was 42 approving and 16 against having the residents pay the cost. The vote needed to be a simple majority, so even if 15 proxy votes counted in the polling were against, it still wouldnt change the outcome. Rudikoff said she has been told the condo residents must pay for the repairs under certain state statutes. Now, Rudikoff said, herself and a few others living in the condo are looking into retaining their own lawyer. On Sept. 25, 2018, between 5 and 7 inches of rain fell across the city in roughly two hours. Some Bridgeport residents said their house foundations cracked, their flooded basements became layered in mud and, in some cases, damage cost tens of thousands of dollars. Some neighboring Fairfield residents suffered a similar fate. Among the areas hit worst in Bridgeport were Cartright Street, Wallace Court and Renwick Drive. Eight months later, those living in the affected area said they are still fighting to get back to what they knew as normal. Residents of Cartright Towers, 80 Cartright St., were told they must pick up the $235,000 costs that insurance didnt cover. In Cartright Towers, the flooding affected the basement level of the building ruining the laundry room, several condo units, the media room/lounge area and the elevator. Rudikoff said, as far as she knows, most of those problems have been repaired, except for some damage remaining in the basement-level condo units. She said meetings began about a month ago, talking about the flooding and who would pay the the cost of repairs. They claim they have looked at money in grants and various other places and nothing can help, she said. Even the city turned to the state and the federal government for aid after the Sept. 25 downpour. Scott Appleby, director of emergency management and homeland security for the city, and his staff have been fighting to get help from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The city saw more than $3 million in damages and six homes were deemed uninhabitable. On Tuesday, Appleby said he and his staff are working with 4th District Rep. Jim Himes office, asking FEMA to reconsider denying assistance to Fairfield County. He said nothing has come of that so far. We as a city are very frustrated that our home and business owners impacted are not eligible for assistance and are trying to find other avenues to assist if applicable and available, Appleby said in a prepared statement. We are still fighting! Rudikoff said that there was talk of an additional meeting of the condo residents and management in the near future about what to do moving forward. Theres talk of insurance increases as a possibility, but I dont know if itll happen, Rudikoff said. With global warming, there is a great chance that this is going to happen again ... Were so discouraged by it. Rudikoff said she has lived in her condo at Cartright Towers for more than a decade. In all that time, she has never seen anything near what happened on Sept. 25. This has never happened before, she said. I heard there was a flood years before I moved in, but since Ive been here, no, nothing like this. With spring in full swing, Connecticut residents can expect to start seeing newborn wildlife across the state in the coming months. But what should you do if you see a young bird or mammal the seems to be injured or orphaned? In many cases, human intervention can cause more harm than good, according to the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. It is normal for many animals to leave their young alone for long periods of time, so your help may not be needed, DEEP said. In all likelihood, the adult is nearby watching and waiting to return. But encountering an animal showing clear signs of distress is a different situation. Then, DEEP suggests calling DEEP or a volunteer wildlife rehabilitator of which there are currently about 300 in Connecticut. Howard Kilpatrick, a supervising wildlife biologist fof DEEPs Wildlife Division said a female deer will only be found with a fawn is during feeding times, which happen three to four times per day for about 15 minutes each feeding. In between those feedings, newborn fawns are often left alone and will instinctively freeze and sit motionless when approached by humans. If you come across a fawn, it is best to leave it alone for at least 48 hours to determine whether the adult is returning for feedings, Kilpatrick said. While waiting for the doe to return, it is important that both people and dogs stay away from the fawn. A truly orphaned fawn may show signs of distress by walking around aimlessly and calling out for several hours. Connecticut residents might also encounter fox kits, especially if a fox has created a den near residential property. The den is no cause for alarm, DEEP said. Foxes only use the den for a short period of time and its not unusual for them to be out and about during the day. As cute as fox kits are, it is critical to not feed them or initiate contact so they do not lose their fear of humans, DEEP said. Instead, they should be left alone. Since both parents raise the young, kits have both parents able to look out for them, making it less likely for them to be orphaned. However, any sick or injured foxes should be reported to local animal control and police or the DEEP Environmental Conservation Police at 860-424-3333. Another animal residents might see hopping around are baby rabbits. Although these are one of the wild animals rescued most often, DEEP said, they often dont need human help. Mother rabbits will only be found at the nest to feed their young twice a day for about five minutes each feeding. Typically these feedings will happen at dawn and dusk. Often rabbits will nest in the middle of a backyard or open area to keep an eye out for predators. Baby rabbits are typically in the nest for two to three weeks before they become independent. If a nest is disturbed, residents should return the babies to the nest and re-cover them unless they are injured or seem to show signs of distress, like being cold. A small rabbit that looks alert likely does not need help, according to DEEP. But any rabbit bitten or scratched by a cat should be taken to a wildlife rehabilitator. Then, of course, there are baby birds. Young birds typically start fluttering around in June and July. By that point, most birds are old enough to leave the nest and just arent fully-developed, efficient fliers yet. If a resident finds a fully-feathered, young bird with a short tail unable to fly, DEEP said its best to leave the bird where it was found since the adult birds are likely still caring for it. DEEP asks people to ensure their pets are kept away from birds. If a young bird is seen on the ground without feathers, DEEP said, residents should look around for a nest. If the nest is nearby and the bird feels warm to the touch, safely put the bird back into its nest. If the next is fallen to the ground, residents can make a new one out of a wicker basket and some dry grass. Most birds have a poor sense of smell and will not be scared off by the scent of humans. But residents should keep an eye on the nest for at least an hour to ensure an adult bird returns to feed the baby. Finding animals Anyone who spots an injured or definitely orphaned animal should avoid direct contact with the animal and keep pets and children at a distance. DEEP said its best to put on heavy gloves to pick the animal up and put it in a cardboard box or escape-proof container. The animal should be kept in a warm, quiet place while residents contact an authorized wildlife rehabilitator who can take in the animal. Connecticuts authorized wildlife rehabilitators care for more than 11,000 animals each year, said DEEP Wildlife Division biologist Laurie Fortin. Most of these are young wild animals that were brought in by well-intentioned individuals. However, many did not need to be rescued. Keeping wild animals as pets is strongly discouraged by DEEP. In some cases, it may be illegal; and when it is legal, the owner is subject to state and federal regulations. Raising wild birds and mammals for successful return to the wild requires knowledge of correct feeding formulas, countless hours of care and appropriate outdoor caging areas as needed all knowledge that rehabilitators possess that the average resident might not. Although it may be natural to want to assist young animals, caring for them may actually do more harm than good, Fortin said. Any improper care to wild animals can result in undernourished and underweight animals, or animals that can no longer be released back into the wild because theyve grown too accustomed to people. It may be dangerous too, as direct contact may result in exposure to rabies or other diseases carried by wildlife, Fortin said. Be aware that even young mammals can carry and transfer the rabies virus in their saliva. Handling a potential rabies carrier, such as a baby raccoon, without proper precautions may require that the animal be euthanized for rabies testing. Connecticut has about 300 authorized volunteer wildlife rehabilitators with the skills and required training to care for sick, injured and orphaned wildlife. To look up rehabilitators in the area, go to www.ct.gov/deep/wildlifeproblems and choose dealing with distressed wildlife. To get in touch with the DEEP Wildlife Division, call 860-424-3011 Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The DEEP emergency dispatch center can be reached after-hours and on weekends at 860-424-3333. Anyone interested in becoming a wildlife rehabilitators can visit the DEEP website at www.ct.gov/deep/wildlifeproblems and select how to become a wildlife rehabilitator. HARTFORD The House is expected to debate an increase in the minimum wage Wednesday, but theres still a lot to be negotiated, including whether tipped workers should receive an increase too. The Appropriations Committee sent a bill to the House Tuesday that increases the state minimum hourly wage from $10.10 to $12 on Jan. 1, 2020; from $12 to $13.50 on Jan. 1, 2021; and from $13.50 to $15 on Jan. 1, 2022. It would also increase the wage tipped workers and bartenders receive and then index it in future years. The contentious debate Tuesday held up the start of the House session. Republicans opposed the legislation, but a number of Democratic lawmakers expressed concern and asked for negotiations to continue. It passed committee by a 32-19 vote. Sen. Craig Miner, R-Litchfield, said he cant imagine operating a full family on a minimum wage, but he cant support the bill. He said the bill is exactly the same one approved by the Labor Committee. He said not one word was changed to accommodate the concerns of small businesses or restaurants. He said he doesnt believe there will be changes to the legislation before the House or the Senate vote. Rep. Toni Walker, D-New Haven, said if people are earning slightly above the minimum wage, $12 an hour, and are working 35 hours per week, they are making $420 per week. An increase to $15 an hour, that same person will be making $525 per week in three or four years. She said based on the cost of living in Connecticut, someone needs to make $19 an hour to make it and afford it. The quality of life should be afforded for all, Walker said. I am very saddened by many of the conversations today because we spend more time talking about what we shouldnt do for the people of Connecticut as opposed to what we should do, she added. Sen. Paul Formia, R-East Lyme, said small business owners like himself are not the enemy. He said his workers earn their wages at his restaurant and improve their lives. In business, the most important asset you have is the people on the frontline, Formica said. He said servers can earn between $19 and $40 an hour. I take exception when people say business doesnt provide for quality of life, Formica said. House Speaker Joe Aresimowicz, D-Berlin, said the tipped credit is still an outstanding issue and he needs to talk with his members about it. Aresimowicz said its his understanding that they would increase the minimum wage over four years instead of three years and allow for a youth employment wage. He said 16- and 17-year-olds will be able to work for up to 85 percent of the minimum wage for up to 90 days. The tipped credit has still yet to be determined, Aresimowicz said Tuesday during his pre-session briefing. He said they could decouple the tipped credit from the minimum wage. Sen. Cathy Osten, D-Sprague, said she thinks they need to take into consideration the small restaurants. She disagreed with her co-chair on the issue. This is not a living wage, Osten said. This is not going to stop someone from working two jobs. MILFORD A serial rapist accused of assaulting his wife and then harassing her after being arrested received a suspended prison sentence Tuesday under a plea deal. David Pollitt, 66, was convicted in a half dozen rapes in the Rocky Hill and New London areas in the 1980s and was sentenced to 45 years in prison. He was released after serving 24 years and initially lived with his sister in Southbury despite protests from neighbors. He eventually married an Ansonia woman and lived there, but the relationship quickly unraveled. In June 2017, Ansonia cops charged Pollitt with third-degree assault and disorderly conduct after he allegedly threw a computer at his wife during an argument, hitting her in the foot. He briefly moved to Georgia after divorce proceedings began, but moved back to Connecticut where he was charged by Shelton police in October 2017 with failing to register as a sex offender after police said he moved there and didnt notify authorities of his new address. Meanwhile, he was charged with violating protective orders against his ex-wife by having a mutual friend contact her while their divorce case was pending. He pleaded guilty under the Alford doctrine April 3 to third-degree assault and two counts of violating protective orders. A plea deal in the case called for Pollitt to receive a five-year suspended prison sentence and a three-year conditional discharge, on the conditions that he comply with sex offender registration rules and with a protective order barring him from contacting his ex-wife for the next 50 years. In court Tuesday, the woman told Judge Donna Wilkerson Brillant that she disagreed with the plea deal, but still forgave Pollitt. Forgiveness does not mean forgetting, nor does it mean condoning or excusing the offense, she said. The prosecutor in the case, Charles Stango, said he understood the victims frustration, which was understandable given what she had gone through, but felt the disposition was appropriate based upon the facts in these particular cases. The woman said afterward that the resolution of the case sends a terrible message. Hes not doing any jail time, she said. Its basically a slap on the wrist. Still, she said shes grateful that all this happened, because it made me who I am. It made me stronger, she said. From everything bad, something good comes out of it. That was a really bad situation, but a lot of good came out of it. Pollitt did not speak during his sentencing. Hearst Connecticut Media left a message with his lawyer Tuesday afternoon. CHESHIRE The Town Council has approved a $114.15 million budget for fiscal 2019-20, a $2.94 million or 2.65 percent increase over current spending. With the new budget, which takes effect July 1, the towns tax rate is set at 33.22 mills, an increase of 0.60 mill or 1.84 percent. The average homeowner whose house has an assessed value of $230,090 with two cars would see their annual tax bill increase by $179 to $7,782. Town Manager Sean Kimball proposed a $115.68 million municipal budget in March. After making cuts, the council voted nearly unanimously last week to approve the budget, with only Republican Tom Ruocco voting against it. Ruocco said he voted against the budget because it should be cut even further. He said town officials should considering school redistricting in the future, so that schools with low enrollments could be consolidated and closed. Jamie Ferguson, a Copper Beach Drive resident, said it seems as though councilors approach their review of the school budget request by picking a tax rate and reducing the the boards budget and that of other municipal apartments accordingly. One of the ways Kimball and Finance Director James Jaskot were able to achieve the additional cuts the council requested was by reducing the number of dispatchers that will be hired in the next fiscal year. Seans proposed budget had originally called for adding five dispatchers, but it was ultimately decided that three dispatchers will be hired, Jaskot said Monday. Two of them will start right away and a third will start mid-year. Hiring three dispatchers rather than five and delaying one of the new hires until mid-year saved more than $100,000. The council also reduced the amount of money the Board of Education will receive to run the towns schools in the coming fiscal year. Kimball had left the amount the school board had requested $74.30 million, or a $2.66 million increase unchanged. But the council reduced the funding for schools by almost $1 million. Superintendent of Schools Jeff Solan was not immediately available for comment Monday on how the district might make up for the difference between what the board had requested and the amount approved by the council. luther.turmelle@hearstmediact.com EAST HAVEN Mayoral candidate and Town Councilman Big Steve Tracey isnt going to sue the town after all, over the wrecked wall in front of his Main Street bail bonds office. At Steve Traceys request, I have withdrawn the action against the Town of East Haven, Traceys lawyer, Michael Dolan, said Tuesday in a news release. Steve is withdrawing the suit because he does not want the taxpayers of East Haven to bear the burden of another broken promise by the (Mayor Joseph) Maturo (Jr.) administration, Dolan wrote. Tracey, R-4, initiated a lawsuit last week against the town as a result of damage to a concrete wall in front of his office, DiAdamo and Tracey Bail Bonds, after a police car struck it while engaged in a motor vehicle pursuit on June 3, 2018. The office is at 575 Main St. The actual cost of the damage was $2,446, although Tracey, who on March 5 became the first candidate to declare in the 2019 mayoral race, acknowledged that he had the contractor who did the work do additional work to upgrade the wall. All parties agree town personnel damaged Mr. Traceys property. At the administrations suggestion, he had the repairs completed and presented the administration with the invoice for repairs for the damage done by Town of East Haven personnel, Dolan said in the release. While additional work was performed at the time the repair work was completed, that work was invoiced separately and that second invoice was never presented to the town for payment, he wrote. While Mr. Tracey is withdrawing his civil claim, he hopes the mayor makes good on his promise and authorizes payment for the damage caused by town personnel, Dolan wrote. That didnt sound likely, based on Maturos reaction. Mr. Dolan is a liar, said Maturo, who has yet to announce whether he will seek another term. I never promised to pay anybody anything especially for that wall. If Mr. Dolan and Mr. Tracey want to build a wall, let them go build one on the border with Mexico. Who did I promise? he asked repeatedly. No taxpayer has a right to hire a contractor, have them do work that goes beyond putting back what originally was there and then charge the town for it, he said. Asked for more details, Dolan said, After Steve told the town attorney who was doing the work and the cost, he was told he could go forward with the work and he would be paid within three months. Maturo responded later, after checking with Town Attorney Joseph Zullo, that at one point (Zullo) agreed to pay half. We submitted it in a letter and it was rejected. The candidate (Tracey) is already being disingenuous with the taxpayer and the voter by not telling the full story, Maturo said. Theres a procedure, Maturo said. If you dont follow the procedure, it doesnt work. ... A taxpayer cannot hire an outside contractor on his own. He acknowledged, as he did Monday, that the town damaged the wall, but said Tracey cannot get the money because he did not follow the process. If you dont follow the procedure, take me to court. The lawsuit stated that Tracey was seeking damages in excess of $15,0000, but Dolan later said that was a clerical error. Tracey said the actual cost of the damage was $2,446. Tracey, a onetime professional wrestler who once fought Hulk Hogan in the ring, said on Monday that he was suing because we put a claim into the town and they wont pay me, said Tracey. Tracey said he called Town Attorney Joseph Zullo and he told me what to do. Then it sort of went sideways. He said he even had the towns own contractor give him a price, but was unable to work the issue out, which is why the lawsuit was served on Town Clerk Stacy Gravino last Wednesday. Maturo said Monday that its very disingenuous for a guy whos running for mayor, whos complaining about how the town is portrayed in the press ... and who himself is a candidate for mayor, and he creates more bad press by suing the town for $3,000, Maturo said. Asked why the town doesnt just pay Tracey for the damage, Maturo responded, As a councilman and as a candidate for mayor, he should know the procedure for filing a claim. He called Traceys lawsuit a frivolous claim. NEW HAVEN Family members, city officials and a host of New Haven firefighters came together Tuesday to mark the passing of George Browne, a longtime member of the department who died April 26 at the age of 46, commemorating his life with joy and pain, laughter and solemnity. Browne was remembered as a generous, kind man a presence that brought light and levity into the lives of his family, co-workers and friends a dedicated, skilled firefighter and a beloved family member. As told Tuesday, Browne raised an adopted daughter with a co-parent; he brought his family together for Thanksgiving. He rooted for the Knicks and Ravens; he fixed up bikes for children. Among all of Georges gifts he so freely shared, I believe the greatest gift he gave was a selfless love for all he knew, all he encountered, all he did, said Mayor Toni Harp, who offered remarks at the service and a proclamation expressing the sorrow of the city. Today, we are filled with sorrow at the loss of George Browne from our midst. But at the same time, we are filled with joy, knowing we had Georges good company and public service here in New Haven for as long as we did. Fire Chief John Alston, in addition to sharing his thoughts, read from the statement Browne gave as he applied to join the New Haven Fire Department. Browne said, at the the time, that being a New Haven firefighter had been the greatest dream of my life ever since his class went from the Helene Grant School went to visit the Dixwell station. Alston said that, among the many things that come with the profession, mourning the loss of a colleague a member of the departmental family is particularly difficult. He offered condolences to the family. Larry Lawler and Michael Neal, fellow firefighters, said Brownes presence in their lives would be missed. My brother was a fearless, caring, happy soul we were lucky to call a friend, said Lawler. Heaven has gained a hall-of-fame guardian angel. Continue to watch over us, George, until we meet again. We love you. Neal said the weight on his heart after Brownes passing had lifted as he stepped into the church. Instead, fond memories of his time with Browne had come to the fore. Im not sad any more. Take your rest, my brother. You have earned this completely, said Neal. Brownes father, George Edwards, said Browne had been born into the New Haven chapter of the Black Panthers and named for George Jackson and Nelson Mandela. Edwards told stories about his time with the Panthers, about Brownes birth and moments in his childhood Browne announced his desire to be a firefighter at the age of four, at which point he promptly sprayed him with a hose and, in the midst of it all, offered a word of advice on the occasion. Treasure a moment today. With all the acknowledgements, reflections and the good feelings and all of that were having a good time up in here, said Edwards. Take these memories with you. Pass them on to your children and the children of the world. The Rev. Frederick J. Streets urged those in attendance to take Brownes life as an example moving forward. Brownes works on this Earth, he said, fit the lyrics of If I Can Help Somebody If I can help somebody, as I pass along / If I can cheer somebody, with a word or song / If I can show somebody hes traveling wrong / Then my living shall not be in vain. As we leave this place, as our mayor said, people will cry a tear of loss, yes, said Streets. But we pray that they have a memory of joy of how we helped them to also live because they lived their life not in vain. After the service concluded, members of the New Haven Firebirds took Brownes casket out of the church. They walked through a crowd of firefighters offering salutes and onlookers bearing witness to the moment, family members and city officials behind them, flowers carried before them, and placed Brownes remains into a fire truck bearing his image. With lights flashing and sirens calling, police and fire officials led Brownes family from the church, escorting them to where he would be placed to rest. william.lambert@hearstmediact.com MILFORD There will be a noticeable void at the upcoming Milford-based Lustgarten walk to raise money for pancreatic cancer research. Sharon Varga, who founded the walk seven years ago after beating the disease, died Nov. 8 at the age of 57, 10 years after she was first diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. This years walk will be in memory of Varga, who offered hope to many people battling cancer. It will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 18, starting at Walnut Beach. Varga, who lived in Milford, actually beat pancreatic cancer, and while she eventually died from another form of cancer, she became a poster child of hope. Varga was 47 in 2008 when she learned she had pancreatic cancer. She underwent what is called a Whipple procedure, which the Mayo clinic describes as a complex operation to remove the head of the pancreas, the first part of the small intestine, the gallbladder and the bile duct. Varga was in the hospital eight days in a medically-induced coma for two days. Twelve weeks of chemotherapy followed. In 2013, at age 52, Varga had been cancer free for three years. She was a survivor. She had beaten one of the most ominous of cancers. But then during a routine follow-up visit, her doctor found spots on her lungs, according to Sharons husband, Steve, who noted that his wife never smoked. At first doctors thought the pancreatic cancer had moved to her lungs, but later determined it was lung cancer. All the while battling this second form of cancer, she remained upbeat. She worked until the middle of last year, Steve Varga said. She was always positive. But he added, Fatigue was an evil thing. Over the years, Varga talked about battling cancer: You appreciate life more; you dont sweat the small stuff. She resolved to do what she had to do without complaining. She let her family know that she wanted them to continue the walk after she died. There was no question that they would carry it forward, but her husband said its hard doing it without her. Since its inception, the Milford walk has raised more than $450,000 for pancreatic cancer research, according to the Vargas son, Daniel. The event has grown from 125 attendees up to 600 last year, he wrote in a letter announcing the event. The family, also including son Michael, set a substantial goal this year: $118,000, which is significant because it reflects the Nov. 8 date on which Sharon died. The fundraiser is organized through the Lustgarten Foundation for pancreatic cancer research. Being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer is devastating, wrote Lisa Crowley, a walk coordinator, in a Jan. 23 fundraising letter. With limited treatment options and a five-year survival rate in the single digits, we are committed to increasing the number of survivors by funding research to develop earlier detection methods and more effective treatments. Crowley said 100 percent of the money donated goes to pancreatic cancer research. The walk will start at Walnut Beach, and then run a three-mile course along the boardwalk from Walnut Beach to Silver Sands beach, and back. Local radio personality Brian Smith will emcee the event. Registration will open at 9 a.m. and the walk begins at 10. Pre-registration, $50, can be done at lustgarten.org by clicking on the Join a Walk link on the bottom of the main page. Event-day registration is $60. For information, call 1-866-789-1000, email lcrowley@lustgarten.org, or call 516-737-1561. NEW HAVEN The New Haven Free Public Library has won a 2019 National Medal for Museum and Library Service, the library announced Tuesday. The library is one of five libraries and five museums nationally to receive the award from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. It is the highest honor given to libraries and museums, according to a press release. We are thrilled to receive this award, which honors our 132-year legacy and early attributes that still ring true today: a welcoming front door for all, a fighting spirit to serve as the peoples university, a catalyst for civic improvement, a drive to innovate tempered by fiscal restraint, and a love of humanity, said Martha Brogan, city librarian, in the release. It is a pleasure to recognize the 10 distinctive recipients of the National Medal of Museum and Library Service, said institute Director Kathryn K. Matthew, in the release. Through their programs, services, and partnerships, these institutions exemplify the many ways that libraries and museums are positively transforming communities across the nation. The New Haven library was nominated by U.S. Sen. ChrisMurphy, D-Conn., who wrote that it goes above and beyond in terms of community involvement, in both the quantity and quality of its programming. In the 21st century, patrons require more and different things from their libraries than they once did. NHFPL has fully embraced this reality and established itself as an indispensable hub of culture and innovation. This is great news. This award is a true testament to the innovative work the New Haven Free Public Library (NHFPL) is providing for the New Haven community. I nominated NHFPL for this award because of their unmatched commitment and service to Connecticut residents, and for going above and beyond to offer 21st century programming to fit the diverse needs of the New Haven community, Murphy said in a release. Im excited that the Institute of Museum and Library Services has recognized them with the 2019 National Medal they rightfully deserve. The New Haven library will receive $5,000 as part of the award. Also, StoryCorps will visit the library this summer to capture stories from the community to be preserved at the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress. Brogan; Shana Schneider, library board president; and Nilda Aponte, who serves as a community ambassador in the Fair Haven neighborhood for the librarys partnership program with the Long Wharf Theatre, will receive the award June 12 in Washington, D.C. The New Haven Free Public Library includes the Ives Memorial Library, 133 Elm St., and four branches: the Fair Haven Library, 182 Grand Ave., the Mitchell Library, 37 Harrison St., the Stetson Library, 200 Dixwell Ave., and the Courtland S. Wilson Library, 303 Washington Ave. NEW HAVEN Board of Education members expressed displeasure and bemusement Monday upon learning of an unexpected $65,000 payment that never received their approval. Every five years, the state mandates that all schools be tested for radon. District staff said they had not realized and had to act fast to remain in compliance. To me it sounds excessive, said Finance and Operations Committee Chairman Joe Rodriguez. If this is mandated by the state, how can we be sure were not being taken advantage of? Facilities Manager Joe Barbarotta said the radon testing already had been done in March for $65,000 by a Meriden contractor with whom the district already had a $50,000 contract to do asbestos testing. Board member Yesenia Rivera, director of the Edgewood PTA Child Care Program, said she does radon testing in her center, and the test costs about $100. Theres paperwork and other things involved, Barbarotta said. Its not just doing tests. We have to follow up with the state. For a board committee that argued with district personnel as recently as one year ago that the change orders where the scope of pre-approved maintenance contracts grows as more work comes along, without prior school board knowledge the news that the tests had already been carried out was unwelcome. Barbarotta said the change order would ordinarily be approved by the chief operating officer, but the district learned about the need for testing during the period after former-COO Will Clark left the district and current COO Michael Pinto was hired. He shouldve come to me and did not, Birks told the committee. Although the work already has been done, the school board has not committed to paying the $65,000 until it is approved at a full board meeting. President Darnell Goldson said he would not vote in favor of the contract until he sees the invoices to know how much the district paid per school for radon testing. brian.zahn@hearstmediact.com NEW HAVEN School officials are taking to the streets this week in an effort to keep students engaged in the final weeks of the academic year. For the second time this school year, attendance and engagement specialists are canvassing the community and knocking on doors to reduce the districts chronic absenteeism rate students who miss 18 or more days of school in a year. The following are recent arrests released by the New Haven Police Department on May 7, 2019. May 2 A 43-year-old Rowe Street man was charged with possession of narcotics, non-student with drugs near a school, sale of certain illegal drugs, possession of a controlled substance, and risk of injury to a child. A 22-year-old Grand Avenue man was charged with criminal impersonation. A 45-year-old Grand Avenue man was charged with second-degree assault, first-degree unlawful restraint, first-degree reckless endangerment, violation of a protective order, second-degree breach of peace, second-degree unlawful restraint, and second-degree strangulation. A 29-year-old Elm Street man was charged with illegal possession of a weapon in a motor vehicle, illegally carrying a pistol without a permit, and violation of probation. A 35-year-old Myron Street man was charged with second-degree criminal mischief and third-degree criminal mischief. A 20-year-old West Haven man was charged with second-degree assault and violation of probation. A 29-year-old Sherman Avenue man was charged with two counts of possession of narcotics, criminal violation of a protective order, and second-degree breach of peace. A 30-year-old Bridgeport man was charged with third-degree assault, second-degree breach of peace, violation of a protective order, and second-degree threatening. A 27-year-old Read Street man was charged with third-degree criminal trespassing, second-degree breach of peace, interfering with an officer, five counts of second-degree failure to appear, three counts of violation of probation, and three counts of second-degree threatening. A 30-year-old County Street man was charged with two counts of possession of narcotics and two counts of possession with the intent to sell. A 30-year-old Dixwell Avenue man was charged with criminal possession of a pistol. May 3 A 35-year-old Clinton Avenue man was charged with risk of injury to a child and second-degree breach of peace. A 33-year-old New Haven man was charged with assault of a public safety officer, conspiracy to commit a crime, first-degree criminal trespassing, second-degree threatening, and disorderly conduct. A 33-year-old Whalley Avenue man was charged with possession of narcotics, possession with the intent to sell, illegal operation of a motor vehicle without tint inspection, operating a motor vehicle without a license, and third-degree criminal mischief. A 28-year-old Warwick Street woman was charged with six counts of risk of injury to a child, third-degree assault, and second-degree breach of peace. May 4 A 44-year-old Miller's Mews C man was charged with third-degree strangulation, breach of peace, and second-degree failure to appear. A 41-year-old Bronx, N.Y. man was charged with illegal possession of a weapon in a motor vehicle. A 31-year-old Hamden man was charged with possession with the intent to sell and possession of narcotics. A 41-year-old Kensington Street man was charged with interfering with an officer and creating a public disturbance. May 5 A 28-year-old Derby Avenue man was charged with third-degree assault of a disabled person and second-degree breach of peace. May 6 A 30-year-old Hamden man was charged with first-degree burglary, two counts of third-degree assault, two counts of second-degree criminal mischief, four counts of second-degree breach of peace, and eight counts risk of injury to a child. A 31-year-old East Grand Avenue woman was charged with interfering with an officer, possession of narcotics, possession with the intent to sell, possession of a controlled substance within 1500 feet of a school, illegally operating a motor vehicle without minimum insurance, and assault of a public safety officer. A 40-year-old Hamden woman was charged with child endangerment while operating a motor vehicle under the influence. A 21-year-old Grafton Street man was charged with two counts of possession with the intent to sell, use of drug paraphernalia, improper use of a marker, six counts of possession of narcotics, three counts of violation of probation, first-degree failure to appear, second-degree breach of peace, and risk of injury to a child. NORTH BRANFORD A man arrested in connection a weekend stabbing on Dayton Hill Road claims he acted in self-defense, according to the police case report. Police arrested Joel Arthur Hansen, 60, and according to the state judicial branch website, Hansen is charged with first-degree assault against an elderly victim. The police report says Hansen called 911 shortly before 4 a.m. Saturday and said he had stabbed a man in self-defense. When Officer Chris Miserendino arrived at Hansens residence the scene of the stabbing Miserendino saw blood on Hansens hands, he wrote in the report. The victim was on the kitchen floor, conscious but suffering from multiple wounds to his chest, stomach, shoulder and forearm, the report says. According to the report, Hansen told police that he and the victim, who were co-workers, had been drinking on the night of the incident. Hansen claimed the altercation started over an issue about work, and that Hansen took out his knife after the victim punched Hansen in the head. Investigators found blood on both floors of the house, and in multiple rooms, the report says. The victim was conscious however [the victim] was incoherent and at times not responding to me, Miserendino said in the report. Officials took the victim to Yale New Haven Hospital. After the incident, officials learned Hansen faced an active warrant for failure to appear in court, the report says. The warrant pertains to a case from 2017. A Branford police log published by Patch indicates that in 2017, authorities arrested Hansen on charges of sixth-degree larceny, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled substance. The court awaits pleas in both cases, according to the judicial branch website. Hansens next court appearance is scheduled for May 22. The investigation into the stabbing is pending, the case report notes. meghan.friedmann@hearstmediact.com Earlier this year, the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston released a report that did not get a lot of press, but is certainly worthy of attention. The paper, entitled Consequences of State Disinvestment in Public Higher Education: Lessons for the New England States, articulated what those of us involved in higher education know to be true: that funding for public colleges and universities has dropped drastically in the past decade, and that our students, and our economy in the long-term, are paying the price. In Connecticut, state investment in our public institutions of higher learning dropped by 12.8 percent between 2008 and 2017 on a per-student basis. The report notes that these cutbacks have a disproportionately negative impact on the ability of our community colleges which serve first-generation students, people of color and students of nontraditional ages to provide a quality education at an affordable cost. Connecticut is by no means alone in these cutbacks. Every other New England state except Maine cut per-student spending by more than 10 percent. But we are left to grapple with the consequences. It is no coincidence that at the same time we have witnessed significant cuts in state funding, our community colleges have moved closer and closer to financial peril and student tuition has gone up. Our elected leaders face unenviable choices as they debate the final biennial budget. Both societal and fiscal costs of disinvestment in public higher education over time are high on the list. The situation at our community colleges is dire. This year alone, despite a 2 percent tuition increase, our colleges face a combined shortfall of more than $30 million. At the same time, the colleges reserve funds continue to dwindle. Without finding new solutions or increasing the states investment, our community colleges are on a path to wipe out their reserves over the next several years, leaving at least some of them essentially insolvent. Those of us who have a community college to thank for our opportunities in life are not the only ones who know we cannot allow this to happen. As the governing body for our states public colleges and universities, the Board of Regents is doing our part to promote fiscal stability while at the same time improving student outcomes. We are moving forward with the Students First plan to consolidate our community colleges into a singly accredited institution. The plan saves significant money estimated at $23 million per year by consolidating some administrative functions and reducing redundancies at the managerial level. Students First is a necessary part of a strategy to protect our current community college campuses and satellites and the services they provide. The plan calls for zero academic cuts because we prioritize teaching and learning at accessible locations and affordable prices. Even if public funding were not declining, rethinking administrative structures and how best to respond to student, employer and community needs would be the right things to do. While we can and must change our current ways of operating, the reality is that more funding is also needed to provide a secure future. Every member of the Board of Regents believes in the principled and important moral and social arguments for education funding. But even if one is to accede to the purely financial aspects of the debate that tend to prevail during times of economic worry, the case for our public colleges and universities is crystal clear. Connecticuts top employers are depending on the workforce prepared by our colleges and universities. The Boston Fed report finds that higher student debt hinders college completion, impairs workforce readiness, increases the default rate and reduces home ownership. Employers worry about tax policy, but they worry just as much about talent when they decide where to do business. We do not want to be the state that let tens of thousands of new manufacturing jobs go empty because of a lack of investment in the readiness of our citizens to fill them. This sounds like a dramatic scenario, but it isnt. Public institutions serve half of the students who go to college in our region, and community colleges in particular are the unrivaled option for under-represented, low-income and older students retooling for todays jobs. The Connecticut Board of Regents for Higher Education is respectful of the larger challenges facing government. We are passionate, earnest and unwavering in our advocacy for increased funding for all these reasons. At the same time, we will not bet the futures of our students, faculty and staff, and institutions exclusively on the prospects of more funding. Resources may be declining, but we will make best use of those we have by focusing them on the valued campuses in communities around our state, and the quality and affordability of the services they provide our citizens. While there will always be disagreements about approach, the Board of Regents will defend these ideals with the resources we have. The Federal Reserve report, however, makes painfully clear the limitations of our condition and the risks at hand. If, as a state, we do not turn a corner and begin to increase our investment in public higher education over a sustained period, we risk further marginalizing economically challenged segments of our society, driving further reliance on public subsistence, and starving industry of desperately needed talent. On the other hand, if we buck the national trend and invest in our public colleges and universities, the potential of our economy, and the workforce that is our community, is limitless. Matt Fleury is the chair of the Board of Regents for Higher Education and president and chief executive officer of the Connecticut Science Center. The suspect arrested after authorities say he stabbed stabbed his roommate to death at their home was identified by authorities later Tuesday. Arthur Ayala, 49, faces a first-degree murder charge as well as weapons offenses, according to the Burlington County Prosecutors Office. Police were called to the East Fourth Street home around 3 p.m. Monday after receiving report of an unresponsive man in front of the house. He was pronounced dead at the scene and identified as Alfred Hanna, 37, who lived with Ayala at the home, authorities said. An initial investigation revealed Ayala stabbed Hanna multiple times, according to the prosecutors office. The motive for the attack is not yet clear. He is scheduled to appear in court Tuesday afternoon. the office said. 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. Zerica Gardner knew what she had signed up when she became a certified nursing assistants 11 years ago like the back aches and pulled muscles that come from the physical strain of lifting, bathing, dressing and feeding residents in a nursing home. She came to love her work for the way some residents look forward to seeing us. But what Gardner, a 44-year-old mother of five from Ocean County, didnt count on was how many patients would be her responsibility. Typically it is 10 to 12 or 13 residents, more if her colleagues call out sick. Gardner and her colleagues say this amounts to a staggering workload that shortchanges the residents and fuels the industrys high turnover rate. Gardner was one of about 60 nursing home aides from 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East who picketed outside the Statehouse in Trenton Monday to draw attention to legislation that could fix this problem by instituting staffing quotas. The bill, however, has stalled in the state Assembly for nearly a year. They gathered during the week leading up to Mothers Day to push the 80-member Assembly and its leader, Speaker Craig Coughlin, D-Middlesex, to stop ignoring the many mothers and grandmothers who dominate this low-paying field. Monday, May 6, 2019 - Ella Moton, of Jersey City, with 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, participates in a Statehouse Annex rally to demand Assembly action on staffing legislation in an industry where women and mothers comprise the overwhelming majority of patients and caregivers.Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Med Pass this bill so we can do a better job. We will last longer in this field, Gardner said. After work, we have to go home to our own children. I have to make dinner and take care of my family. The bill, (A382) would create minimum staffing ratios, limiting eight residents to each CNA working the day shift, 10 residents for aides on the evening shift and 16 residents for aides on the late shift. There are about 40,000 CNAs in New Jersey. They are not paid well and get hurt on the job often. More CNAs are injured each year than workers in any other profession, SEIUs Bryn Lloyd-Bollard said citing according national statistics. There were 5,700 cases of occupational injuries and illnesses in New Jersey nursing and residential care facilities in 2017an average of more than 15 injuries per day, he said. Ella Moton, a 57-year-old grandmother from Jersey City said she is a 20-year veteran in the field and earns less than $12 an hour. But she knows how important her work is. She knows which one of her residents is allergic to fish or must steer clear of sugar because of diabetes. Shes been hit before by residents with aggressive tendencies. We are the ones who are there when their families dont come, Moton said. Ive held their hands as theyve died. The bill passed the state Senate in July. It sits in the Assembly Appropriations Committee where Statehouse regulars say some bills go to die. Coughlins spokeswoman Liza Acevedo told NJ Advance Media the legislation is definitely on the speakers radar. Speaker Coughlin is currently working with the stakeholders on amendments, with the intention of passing the bill, Acevedo wrote in an email. Assemblyman Raj Mukerji, D-Hudson, a prime sponsor of the bill with Assemblywoman Angelica Jimenez, D-Hudson, said he is confident the bill will move ahead. Its a good bill. Higher staffing levels minimizes the chance for neglect and lowers mortality rates, infections and hospitalizations. While there may be a few tweaks necessary to ensure passage, I am confident that leadership will move this bill, Mukerji said. I know from past conversations, the Speaker and the sponsors have a shared commitment to patient care and our elderly, Mukerji added. if the Assembly votes on an amended bill, the Senate would need to agree to the changes, as well, before it goes to Gov. Phil Murphy, who will decide whether to sign it into law. Both houses of the Legislature passed the bill during Gov. Chris Christies tenure, but he vetoed it three years ago. With Democrats controlling both the executive and legislative branches of government, its time for the Assembly to stand with these dedicated workers and their patients, said Milly Silva, the unions executive vice-president. Two thirds of nursing home residents and nine out of ten caregivers are women, the union said. Mothers Day isnt just a moment for expressing love to the women who gave us life it is a time we should be truly honoring our mothers by making real, substantive changes to the way our society supports them," Silva said. "Its time for New Jersey to realize a higher standard of compassionate care in nursing homes by passing this legislation without further delay. Susan K. Livio may be reached at slivio@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SusanKLivio. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook. A state lawmaker is calling on the New Jersey Attorney Generals Office to investigate how a teacher fired by two school districts and caught with pornography managed to resurface as a substitute teacher after a new state law required stricter background checks for school workers. State Sen. Joseph Pennachio, R-Morris, wrote to Attorney General Gurbir Grewal on Tuesday, asking his office to find out how art teacher Shawn Cier landed work as a substitute teacher in the Woodbridge School District this school year. Cier had previously left four jobs under a cloud of controversy, including accusations he showed students pornography on his phone while teaching in Hightstown a decade ago. He was fired from a Newark charter school in 2017 after NJ Advance Media exposed his troubled past. That report led to the new law sponsored by Pennachio and designed to ensure districts know if applicants left previous jobs to avoid investigations of sexual misconduct. For the safety and security of our children, we need to do everything we can to ensure that the legislation we enact is effective, and that bad actors do not find ways to skirt around the law we pass, Pennachio wrote. He added that its currently unclear whether Cier was dishonest on his application with Insight Workforce Solutions, the substitute teaching agency that hired him, or if the agency or districts that should have been asked for references failed to comply with the law. An investigation would help determine if the state needs to prosecute anyone or close any potential loopholes in the law, Pennachio wrote. A case to revoke Ciers teaching license remains pending at the state level, according to the state Department of Education. Ciers return to teaching was revealed in an NJ Advance Media report on May 5, following a complaint on Reddit by someone claiming to be a concerned student. He was hired by Insight, which serves more than 40 districts, and employed from Oct. 12, 2018, to Dec. 5, 2018, according to the company. Insight would not say how many districts Cier worked in, but Woodbridge confirmed that Cier was a substitute in its district on a handful of occasions." The district told Insight not to place Cier in its schools after it learned of his past, Superintendent Robert Zega said. The new law requires schools and contracted agencies such as Insight to ask teachers previous employers if they were under investigation for sexual misconduct at the time they resigned or were terminated. Districts are required to share complaints against former teachers unless the cases were proven false or unsubstantiated. Applicants are also asked to disclose if investigations of sexual misconduct or child abuse were pending at the time they left previous jobs. Though never convicted of a crime, Cier has been a source of controversy throughout his teaching career. In 2007, Bridgewater-Raritan High School declined to renew Ciers contract after allegations he exchanged text messages with a student at all hours of the day, according to three former school officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss personnel matters. Two years later, he was arrested and fired from Hightstown High School after students accused him of making sexual comments and showing them pornography on his cellphone, according to media reports. The charges were later dropped and expunged, according to Cier, who has maintained his innocence. Cier then worked in Keansburg for several years only to resign after he was suspended because students found pornography on his work computer, according to district and police records. He faced no criminal charges because the women appeared to be older than 18, and he said he didnt even know the files were on his computer. Hired again at Marion P. Thomas Charter School in Newark in 2016, he was fired a year later when NJ Advance Media reported on his past troubles. Adam Clark may be reached at adam_clark@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on twitter at @realAdamClark. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. The former New Jersey yearbook adviser who was claims she was scapegoated when her school censored a students Donald Trump T-shirt will ask for an emergency court hearing if school officials dont give her permission to speak to the media, according to her attorney. Christopher J. Eibeler, the attorney for Wall Township High School teacher Susan Parsons, wrote to the district Tuesday demanding it allow her to speak to reporters and tell her side of the story. He said Parsons will ask the court for immediate relief if the district doesnt lift its gag order by the end of the business day on Wednesday. My client continues to be irreparably harmed by (the districts) refusal to provide her permission to be interviewed by the media, Eibeler wrote. Parsons sued the school district Monday claiming she was ordered to remove the Trump logo from a students 2017 yearbook photo and then forced into silence by a policy requiring employees to get district approval before speaking with reporters. Parsons, who voted for Trump, was blamed for the censorship and subsequently harassed, threatened and hit with financial losses at her personal swim business, she claimed in the suit. The district has not yet seen the lawsuit and cannot comment on the specifics of the case, Superintendent Cheryl Dyer said. However, she defended her handling of the censorship controversy, which made national headlines and even caught the attention of President Trump. Im confident that when the full facts come to light, all of the actions of this office and the Board of Education will be found to be wholly appropriate, she wrote in a statement to NJ Advance Media on Tuesday. The lawsuit has reignited a controversy that angered students and parents in Wall, a Monmouth County town where Trump carried nearly 63 percent of the vote in the presidential election. Parsons claims the district routinely forced her to edit yearbook photos to alter anything that could be controversial, from words on T-shirts to hand gestures to students not wearing shirts on a school trip. Her lawsuit says she was specifically told to edit a students navy blue TRUMP Make America Great Again shirt in the 2017 edition, the school year during which Trump took office. That has to go," the suit claims Parsons was told by a school secretary who had final say over the pages as a proxy for the school principal. Parsons, a veteran teacher, claims she regularly complained about being forced to alter photos, saying the yearbook should reflect reality. The district forbid Parsons from talking to the media when the censorship story went viral, she contends in the lawsuit. Meanwhile, district officials publicly announced Parsons was suspended, declared students were not responsible for removing the logo and said the high school administration was not aware of and does not condone censorship of political views. That left Parsons to shoulder the blame and made her the target for hate mail and death threats, forcing the township to assign a police officer to her home, the suit says. While one students photo was intentionally altered to remove the pro-Trump image, Dyer said that another photo that appeared to be censored was not. That photo was resized in the same manner as all other photos, and Trumps name was no longer visible on a students vest because of the resizing, she said then. The lawsuit claims another students Trump quote that was supposed to appear in the yearbook was accidentally omitted by a student editor. Adam Clark may be reached at adam_clark@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @realAdamClark. 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. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 7) Two opposition senatorial candidates are asking the government to disclose the "real status" of rehabilitation efforts in war-torn Marawi. Marawi civic leader Samira Gutoc and lawyer Chel Diokno of opposition slate Otso Diretso filed on Tuesday a Freedom of Information (FOI) request with Task Force Bangon Marawi, the body tasked to lead Marawi's rehabilitation. Under President Rodrigo Duterte's second executive order, the government should respond to such requests within 15 days. Gutoc and Diokno want the government to inform the public about the status and timeline of clearing operations, restoration of water and electricity, reconstruction of roads, homes, and other infrastucture, and the much-awaited return of displaced residents. "We are requesting on behalf of the thousands of Marawi residents who are still in temporary shelters today, unable to return to their homes, prevented from rebuilding their lives, and bereft of their right to decent and basic social services, Gutoc said. Over 300,000 residents were displaced by the five-month war between government forces and terrorists from May to October 2017. Houses and buildings were turned to rubble while more than 900 terrorists, 47 civilians and 165 government troops were killed. Timeline: The Marawi crisis Diokno lamented that Marawi residents and the public have been kept in the dark over a year since the government promised to restore Marawi. "Hindi namin maintindihan kung bakit hanggang ngayon parang puro salita lang, wala naman nangyayari, Diokno said. The senatorial aspirants also want the government to make public data and documents relating to the status of pledges and donations. President, we call on you and your responsibility to do what is right, to give us the proper information. Tinanggap nyo yung donasyon e. Ibalik nyo kung hindi nyo rin gagawin ang rehabilitasyon, Gutoc said. The government has set aside 67.99 billion for the city's comprehensive rehabilitation. As of February, the Finance Department said over 40 billion has been raised through concessional loans as well as international grants. Gutoc and Diokno also expressed dismay over President Rodrigo Duterte's earlier statement that he would be leaving the citys full restoration to affluent businessmen in the area. Malacanang has since clarified that the President only meant that the government will prioritize the residents and not the businessmen. However, Diokno on Tuesday said the Duterte administration seems to be "washing its hands" while Gutoc said it is a "shame" that Duterte has "forgotten" the people of Marawi. Task Force Bangon Marawi said authorities are confident the project is still within their timeline, and that they would be able to complete the rehabilitation by December 2021. A former New Jersey high school yearbook adviser who was blamed for censoring a students Donald Trump campaign shirt says she was ordered to do so by the school, according to a lawsuit filed Monday. Whats more, Susan Parsons claims she voted for Trump herself and was forced to stay silent about what happened because of a school policy that prohibited her from talking to news reporters without district permission, the suit claims. Parsons, who still works for the district, lost her position as the yearbook adviser and says she was subjected to death threats and harassment because of a false narrative fed to the media by officials in Wall Township School District in 2017. What happened to her is really just egregious, said her attorney, Christopher J. Eibeler. The district did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The suit comes two years after Parsons was blamed for a controversy that made national headlines and drew attention from President Trump himself. Changes to the yearbook drew the ire of both students and parents in Wall, a Monmouth County town where Trump carried nearly 63 percent of the vote in the presidential election. Parsons claims the district routinely forced her to edit yearbook photos to alter anything that could be controversial, from words on T-shirts to hand gestures to students not wearing shirts on a school trip. Her lawsuit says she was specifically told to edit a students navy blue TRUMP Make America Great Again shirt in the 2017 edition, the school year during which Trump took office. That has to go," the suit claims Parsons was told by a school secretary who had final say over the pages as a proxy for the principal. Parsons, a veteran teacher, claims she regularly complained about being forced to alter photos, saying the yearbook should reflect reality. When the censorship story went viral, Parsons answered a phone call from a New York Post reporter and was quoted as saying We have never made any action against any political party." The district then reminded her that all interviews must be approved by the superintendent, effectively trampling her First Amendment rights, the suit contends. A woman at Parsons Wall Township home declined to comment when NJ Advance Media attempted to interview her in 2017. The lawsuit claims Parsons received hate mail and threatening phone calls and voicemails. The situation grew so hostile that the township assigned a police officer to monitor Parsons home, the suit says. Parsons also received negative reviews of her personal swim business because of the incident and now avoids going out in public in Wall Township for fear of being recognized and harassed, the suit claims. Shes seeking damages and asking that the district policy that prevented her from telling her story in the media be struck down as unconstitutional, Eibeler said. Nothing in the high schools dress code would prevent a student from expressing political views and support for a candidate through appropriate clothing, Superintendent Cheryl Dyer said in 2017. The high school administration was not aware of and does not condone censorship of political views, she said at the time. While one students photo was intentionally altered to remove a pro-Trump image, Dyer said that another photo that appeared to be censored was not. That photo was re-sized in the same manner as all other photos, and Trumps name was no longer visible on a students vest because of the resizing, she said then. The lawsuit claims that another students Trump quote that was supposed to appear in the yearbook was accidentally omitted by a student. Adam Clark may be reached at adam_clark@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @realAdamClark. 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. Just hours after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced the birth of their son, the latest royal baby, another celebrity delivered some more baby news. Amy Schumer shared a photo of her own newborn son Monday on Instagram. 10:55 pm last night, the comedian and actress posted. Our royal baby was born. In the hospital photo, Schumer who like Markle, is 37 gets a kiss from her husband, Chris Fischer, 39, a James Beard Award-winning author (The Beetlebung Farm Cookbook") and chef from Marthas Vineyard. As with the royal baby announcement, the name of Schumers baby has not been publicly revealed. Before she gave birth Sunday night, Schumer suffered from chronic, severe nausea during her pregnancy, a symptom of hyperemesis gravidarum, a condition that can cause dehydration, electrolyte imbalance and weight loss. Another royal Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge also suffered from the condition during her pregnancies. The comedian and actress previously shared a photo of herself hooked up to an IV for treatment. Hyperemesis patients often receive intravenous fluids. Schumers Netflix comedy special Amy Schumer: Growing," which debuted in March, took on the subject of pregnancy. She had to cancel some dates on her tour during the pregnancy because her doctor ordered her not to fly. Beyond the royal baby comment, the comedian had some more fun with her pregnancy news, prefacing her baby photo with pictures of herself at the site of the Met Gala Sunday. In the photos, Schumer wore a cardigan and gray shirt and stood on the same steps that elaborately adorned celebrities would walk Monday night. Met look this year, she said. Last night on the way to the hospital. 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. Q. I am 66 years old and I bought non-qualified fixed annuities with six-year terms. I dont want to annuitize. If I withdraw all the funds in a lump sum in six years, will I need to pay any taxes other than capital gains? Retired A. We wonder why you purchased annuities if you had no interest in getting regular payments from the contracts. There are a few items to consider here. One of the benefits of a non-qualified fixed annuity is that any income is tax-deferred until the annuity is annuitized or withdrawn, said Michael Maye, a certified financial planner and certified public accountant with MJM Financial in Gillette. He said non-qualified annuities are subject to their own set of tax rules. When withdrawals are taken from non-qualified annuities purchased after Aug. 14, 1982, the earnings are considered to be distributed first, he said. More importantly, the earnings are taxed at ordinary income tax rates and not capital gains rates, he said. So in the situation the reader described, if he were to withdraw the entire balance in six years as a lump sum, all earnings would be taxed as ordinary income. Maye said depending on your tax situation, you may want to consider annuitizing instead because it would spread out the income over time. A portion of each payment would be considered a return of premium based on an exclusion ratio provided by the insurance company, he said. Taking a lump sum in one tax year could have some unintended consequences, Maye said. It could mean increased taxability of Social Security, higher Medicare Part B and Part D premiums, and if your total income is more than $100,000, you could lose the New Jersey pension exclusion, he said. Plus, you could be in a higher federal tax bracket overall. We recommend you speak to a financial advisor before taking the money as a lump sum. Email your questions to Ask@NJMoneyHelp.com. Karin Price Mueller writes the Bamboozled column for NJ Advance Media and is the founder of NJMoneyHelp.com. Follow NJMoneyHelp on Twitter @NJMoneyHelp. Find NJMoneyHelp on Facebook. Sign up for NJMoneyHelp.coms weekly e-newsletter. Hes donned splashy suits for the Emmy Awards and the Golden Globes. Hes starred in an acclaimed Netflix series. Now, Gaten Matarazzo has conquered junior prom. Stranger Things" star Matarazzo, 16, who lives in Little Egg Harbor Township and attends Pinelands Regional High School in Tuckerton, shared a set of photos from his prom on Instagram. Matarazzo plays Dustin Henderson, a character who functions as the heart of the Netflix sci-fi series. In the show, Dustin is one in a group of teenagers in the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana who face off against an alien menace from another dimension. In 2017, Matarazzo and the cast of the show, including Millie Bobby Brown (who plays Eleven), Winona Ryder (Joyce Byers) and David Harbour (Jim Hopper), won a SAG Award for best ensemble in a drama. In the pictures, he poses with his best friends and his girlfriend, fellow actor Lizzy Yu, who he called the most beautiful girlfriend ever (who has her own 282,000-strong following Instagram). In two of the photos, the group of friends can be seen in their prom attire on the Ocean City Boardwalk. The teen actor has also appeared on The Blacklist on NBC and has been featured in commercials for Verizon Fios and in Katy Perrys 2017 music video for Swish Swish featuring Nicki Minaj. Matarazzo is also in a band called Work in Progress with his sister, Sabrina Matarazzo, and other Pinelands Regional students and alumni. The band, which plays rock covers, is scheduled to perform alongside acts like the Dave Matthews Band, the Lumineers and Dropkick Murphys at the Sea.Hear.Now Festival, which will be in Asbury Park on Sept. 21 and 22. The nonprofit Matarazzo and his family helped to establish, CCD Smiles, is dedicated to awareness and research of cleidocranial dysplasia, a genetic disorder that affects bones and teeth. The actor, who has the condition, was born without collarbones and has undergone dental surgery to extract and pull his teeth down. Matarazzo has starred in Ross and Matt Duffers Stranger Things since its debut in July 2016. After the Duffer brothers wrote it into the show, it gave me a platform to bring awareness about CCD to other people who have it and may not have been able to talk about it much," he told Inside Jersey in 2017. "Thats a great feeling. My friends are pretty used to me being an actor, and the ones who have known me for a long time dont make too big of a deal out of it," he told the magazine. Since Stranger Things came out, a lot of the younger kids are excited when they see me at lunch or something, but its all good. I just take it in stride." A third season of Stranger Things is set to premiere on July 4 (see trailer above). 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. News that Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, had given birth to a son kicked royal baby name speculation and jokes into high gear Monday. Im very excited to announce that Meghan and myself had a baby boy early this morning a very healthy boy," Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, told the media, who had camped out at Windsor Castle in anticipation of the birth, which happened at 5:26 a.m. Still thinking about names, said Harry, 34, who lives near the castle at Frogmore Cottage with Markle, 22 miles west of London. Since the baby arrived after his due date, he and Meghan, 37, had more time to pick one, he said, adding that the baby (and his name) would be making a public debut in two days. Im not one to judge but thats a terrible name for the #royalbaby pic.twitter.com/LLAEoHncqR Amanda (@Pandamoanimum) May 6, 2019 On Twitter, studied and transient royal watchers, along with celebrities and public figures such as Michelle Obama, offered their congratulations to the former Suits actress and her husband of nearly a year. Their son, the first American-British baby born to the royal family, is now seventh in line for the throne, just behind Harry. (Prince Charles, Harrys father, is first in line, followed by Harrys older brother, Prince William.) Congratulations, Meghan and Harry! Barack and I are so thrilled for both of you and can't wait to meet him. #RoyalBaby https://t.co/mfE7uc6ooV Michelle Obama (@MichelleObama) May 6, 2019 The #royalbaby is here! Congratulations, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry. The baby is 7th in line for the throne, which is crazy, because right now Im 7th in line for the key-making kiosk at my grocery store. @RoyalFamily Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) May 6, 2019 The royal baby news found its way into brand content and other celebrity tweets. Maybe it's not a royal baby, but we, too, deliver. Chipotle (@ChipotleTweets) May 6, 2019 My plane landed in London literally the *moment* the new royal baby was born. Coincidence? Yes. olivia wilde (@oliviawilde) May 6, 2019 Ladbrokes, a betting company in the United Kingdom, said the name Arthur was among the top royal baby name picks Monday. Other contenders: Alexander, Albert and James. When Markles pregnancy was announced in October, the name Diana, for Harrys late mother Princess Diana, was a favorite alongside Victoria, Albert, Arthur, Phillip and Thomas. With Game of Thrones .... in the ether ... Meghan even got the royal Mother of Dragons treatment, thanks to Twitter ... plus some related tweets. They should call the new royal baby JOFFREY. RainnWilson (@rainnwilson) May 6, 2019 Some suggestions for a name for the new royal baby hewed to tradition. Others captured the imagination. Still others played off a report that Meghan and Harry would seek to somehow combine reverence for the U.S. and the U.K. with their choice of name. My royal baby name guess is Henry. They all stick to the same 10 names. Kimberly Nicole Foster (@KimberlyNFoster) May 6, 2019 I think they should name the royal baby CLIMATE CHANGE IS A PLANETARY EMERGENCY Brian Schatz (@brianschatz) May 6, 2019 My dad, whose first name is Tyrone, has put in his bid for #RoyalBaby names. Lol pic.twitter.com/cZUxNNUDFe Kaylah (@kaylahchanel) May 6, 2019 #RoyalBaby Name Shortlist: - Billy-Bob - Charming - Eric or Ernie - Jon Snow - Kanye - Princey McPrinceface - Thor Prince Charles (@Charles_HRH) May 6, 2019 Some Royal Baby name odds: 100/1 Barack 100/1 Judd 150/1 Jeremy 200/1 Donald 200/1 Nigel pic.twitter.com/jPvA1EePbv Ladbrokes Politics (@LadPolitics) May 6, 2019 The royal baby has a rad name pic.twitter.com/sCLNGWznQb Duke Silver Fan Club (@crwickler) May 6, 2019 Strange name for the royal baby pic.twitter.com/tCt2FbwHK0 Car (@Yeralikesure) May 6, 2019 name the royal baby carl, boy or girl Brian Grubb (@briancgrubb) May 6, 2019 I reckon Spencer could be potentially a middle name as a nod to Diana. #RoyalBaby Claire (@Miss_CM90) May 6, 2019 Lots of talk on James being the babys name. Id be surprised. Cant see Harry opening himself up to any James Hewitt chatter. Victoria Arbiter (@victoriaarbiter) May 6, 2019 It'll be a utter disgrace if Meghan & Harry don't name the #RoyalBaby either: Steve Tony Bruce Thor After all they've done for the world. #Endgame Eiru_Fodla (@SarahEiruFodla) May 6, 2019 CNN reporting that Meghan and Harry have named their baby Teebeeay (or TBA) which is the lamest baby name Ive ever heard. They should really change that at some point. Toure (@Toure) May 6, 2019 Congratulations on the birth of Gulf Stream Windsor. https://t.co/Uy5S3RrVc9 Scott Matthewman (@scottm) May 6, 2019 Aw. Lets all welcome little Modern Politics Utterly Destroyed By An Obsession With A Glorious Past That Never Actually Existed Windsor. https://t.co/whYMst9TUb Damien Owens (@OwensDamien) May 6, 2019 Excited to meet you, Lisa Vanderpump II https://t.co/Z38EItJoky Caroline Moss (@CarolineMoss) May 6, 2019 Have a tip? Amy Kuperinsky may be reached at akuperinsky@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @AmyKup or on Facebook. Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. Another day, another development in the fiery Wendy Williams-Kevin Hunter divorce saga. The talk show host filed for divorce from Hunter in New Jersey last month, and now he wants Williams to pay up in the form of spousal support, a new report says. According to TMZ, Hunter has formally responded to Williams divorce petition, with some requests of his own. The report states he wants her to pay him spousal support, which is intended to help the least well off divorcee get back on their feet. Prior to the divorce, he was an executive producer for Williams Wendy Williams Show." Hunter also wants Williams to pay child support for their son Kevin Jr., the report says. Kevin Jr. is 18. On top of that, the report says Hunter wants Williams to foot the bill for their sons college expenses. Williams filed for divorce after reports that Hunters alleged mistress gave birth to their love child. This comes after Williams reportedly cut off Hunter from her money. The couple previously lived together in Livingston, before Williams is said to have moved to New York City. According to CelebrityNetWorth.com, Williams is worth an estimated $40 million. Tennyson Donnie Coleman may be reached at tcoleman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram @TennysonTV. Find him on Facebook. Have a tip? Let us know at nj.com/tips. An NJ Transit bus driver returning back to their garage was taken to a hospital Sunday evening when another driver ran a red light and collided with the bus, police said. And cops said the driver who hit the bus was under the influence. It happened around 5 p.m. on Route 42 in Washington Township, police said. The driver on the South Jersey Route 400 bus had no passengers aboard, an NJ Transit spokesperson said Sunday. The bus was crossing Route 42 into the garage when a 1999 Toyota Camry ran the red light and collided with the bus. The bus operator was taken to Jefferson Washington Township Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the Camry, Zachary Kind, 24, of Turnersville, was taken to Cooper University Hospital in Camden, where he is in critical but stable condition. Kind was charged with assault by auto, drug possession (Alprazolam, commonly found under the brand Xanax) and motor vehicle summonses for DWI, reckless driving, failure to obey a traffic signal, and possessing drugs in a vehicle. He was not detained before a future court date. Anyone with information about the crash should contact Washington Township Officer Christopher Tarasevich at CMTarasevich@pd.twp.washington.nj.us. The only thing for certain is that an 8-year-old girl has made a somewhat miraculous recovery after she was struck by a car and dragged on Kennedy Boulevard last week. Everything else about the story, including whether the traffic light was green or red, is open to argument. The 8-year-old, her 6-year-old sister and their great grandmother attempted to cross Kennedy Boulevard at Sip Avenue on May 1 at 3:45 p.m., great grandmother Mary McCaskill told The Jersey Journal. The girl, who the crash report said darted ahead of the other two, was struck by a 2011 Honda Pilot, which had made a right turn from Sip Avenue onto Kennedy Boulevard, a busy four-lane road. A witness said the 8-year-old was dragged for a short distance and then her leg was run over, according to the accident report. The girl was taken to RWJBarnabas Healths Jersey City Medical Center and then transferred in critical condition to Hackensack University Medical Center. McCaskill said the girl suffered head trauma and an EMT told police at the scene that she had suffered a lung contusion. McCaskill said she wasnt sure how far the 8-year-old had been dragged, but the girls bookbag all torn up. The girl was released from the hospital Sunday and is recovering at home. The 53-year-old Honda Pilot driver, who does live far from the crash scene, told investigators that at the last minute," the 8-year-old ran between cars and was struck. McCaskill said it seemed to her that the driver was speeding, although the crash report does not indicate the driver was charged. McCaskill said they crossed at the crosswalk and the light remained red, even though she is quoted in the report as saying they crossed between cars. She claims she was misquoted in the report and that the driver was at fault for the crash. McCaskill said her great granddaughter has not yet returned to school. If I could have I would have stepped in front of her, McCaskill said. HOBOKEN Mayor Ravi Bhalla met with Gov. Phil Murphy on Monday to discuss the future of the Union Dry Dock site, but not before the city and New York Waterway traded barbs over a proposed town hall meeting to discuss the contentious issue. Bhalla and Murphy met Monday to come up with a solution that both protects mass transit, and the safety of Hoboken residents, Hoboken spokesman Vijay Chaudhuri said, adding that it was a productive meeting. Bhalla, Murphy and NY Waterway have been trying to find a solution on the Union Dry Dock in Hoboken to no avail. The ferry company, which owns the property on the Castle Point shoreline, wants to move its ferry maintenance and refueling facility from Weehawken to the Hoboken waterfront. Murphys office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on where the negotiations stand. NY Waterways founder and owner Arthur Imperatore says a new residential development on the Weehawken waterfront is forcing his company off of land it has been using temporarily while it looks for a new location for maintenance and refueling operations. The ferry company last week offered to present the city council with detailed plans of its proposed facility for the Union Dry Dock site behind closed doors, but Council President Jennifer Giattino declined the offer. The city, instead, offered to hold a town hall meeting this Thursday with a third party moderator where you can present your renderings and plans to the public so residents are given an opportunity to offer you feedback, Bhalla said in a public letter. In a letter sent to Bhalla on Monday, NY Waterway declined, saying that on multiple occasions both before and since, you have expressed your unalterable opposition to our use of our own property, and have even tried to block our access thereto. "We do indeed plan to discuss our plans openly and transparently... through our own media outreach and our own meetings," the company added. "Thank you very much, but we hardly need the feigned 'assistance' of someone who was publicly proclaimed that we will only occupy our own property 'over my dead body.'" Bhalla then took to Twitter and wrote that NY Waterway doesnt have the guts to meet with residents. Instead theyd rather continue spreading misinformation & running scared from the public, he added. We wont be fooled by a NY Waterway a morally bankrupt actor prioritizing corporate profits, ruining our environment. NY Waterway purchased the property in 2017 and has since been battled to get its facility built. Hoboken threatened to take the land via eminent domain last year but backed off after threats from NJ Transit to purchase the property itself and lease it to NY Waterway. Hoboken says the facility jeopardizes local marine life, poses "very serious public safety and environmental risks" and ruins attempts to create contiguous open public space on the Hudson River. The city has issued a stop work order to block any construction on the property. Corey W. McDonald may be reached at cmcdonald@jjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @cwmcdonald_. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook. JERSEY CITY Pressure by Airbnb hosts led the City Council on Monday to scrap the citys planned new regulations of short-term rentals and form a committee to draft a potential new set of rules. The move is seen at least as a partial victory for the Airbnb hosts, who had been arguing to the council that their planned set of regulations would put them out of business. The rules, which were up for final adoption on Wednesday, would have banned short-term rentals in any building with more than three units and capped at one the number of units in a two-family house that could be used as a short-term rental. They would also have required all Airbnb units to be located in owner-occupied homes. They were drafted after residents complained to city officials that homes in their neighborhoods have turned into unofficial hotels. Nathan Taylor, 40, who hosts Airbnb guests in an apartment he rents from someone else near Saint Peters University, called Mondays decision a small victory because it gives him and others time to convince the city to reconsider any new regulations of short-term rentals. I dont think that any regulation or ordinance should happen at all, Taylor said. I dont think the city needs to do anything. Ward D Councilman Michael Yun led to effort to postpone Wednesdays vote and set up a new committee to consider short-term rental regulations. Yun said the citys 2015 move to set a tax for these rentals led people to invest in properties here, so Airbnb hosts should be involved in drafting new rules. "Weve got to protect the people of Jersey City, but also we have to not financially jeopardize people in the Airbnb business, he said. City spokeswoman Kimberly Wallace-Scalcione said the Fulop administration is amenable to changes council members have suggested and believes a revised ordinance will be presented to the council in early June. None of the proposed revisions change the intent of the ordinance, she said. The Hotel Trades Council, the union representing local hospitality workers, supported the new regulations. Mayor Steve Fulop said last month that Airbnb has become in many situations ... the facilitator for full-time illegal hotels, rooming houses, or illegal hostels counter to existing zoning. Airbnb hosts say they have become a target because of issues loud parties, alcohol use that are not exclusively the fault of short-term renters. Airbnb hosts are being scapegoated for regular urban problems," he said. "In my neighborhood, people throw house parties. Its not always Airbnb people. Terrence T. McDonald may be reached at tmcdonald@jjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @terrencemcd. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook. JERSEY CITY A Jersey City firefighter accused of taking a city car home without permission was found not guilty on Monday, but not before a municipal judge slammed him as arrogant and embarrassing and suggested he find a new line of work. Judge Kelly Austin said prosecutors did not prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Christian Sir violated the local ordinance he was accused of violating. But credible testimony at Sirs trial showed the firefighter took a city car home, knew he had no authorization to do so and should be punished, Austin said in her withering decision read from the bench inside Courtroom No. 5 at the citys Summit Avenue municipal building. What I find most disturbing in this case is defendant Sir's clear disregard for the rules, Austin said. This defendant has the honor and privilege of being a Jersey City firefighter. That job extends far beyond fighting fires. Being a firefighter means being an upstanding citizen, a leader, someone the public can look up to, a person who knows the rules and follows them. This defendant clearly thinks the rules don't apply to him. Sirs lawyer declined to comment. Sir, who was first hired in 2005 and works as an arson investigator for $112,000 annually, may have escaped a municipal conviction but he still faces potential punishment. An internal investigation will now move forward, according to city spokeswoman Kimberly Wallace-Scalcione. Sir was arrested and charged on May 1, 2018 after he admitted to fire officials that he took a city car home on April 22, according to Austin. The car was discovered missing the next day when a fire broke out and the city needed an arson investigator to visit the scene, Austin said. The judge said the facts in Sirs case indicate he exhibited the type of arrogance that gives law enforcement officers of all kinds a bad name." She made a distinction between someone who holds the rank of firefighter and someone who is a leader and said Sir is not a leader. Maybe the defendant has no desire to be a leader, Austin said. Maybe hes OK with being average or less than. If thats the case, you should find another job. Not only do we have enough average people in this world, but your job requires more, your fellow firefighters deserve more and the city of Jersey City demands more. Sir was initially charged with unlawful taking of means of conveyance (joyriding). Thats a fourth-degree offense, handled by county prosecutors. They downgraded the charge to municipal court, where the charge became breach of the peace using a vehicle. In her Monday decision, Austin said that ordinance does not prohibit someone taking home a city car without permission, an action Austin called theft. "Should defendant Sir be punished? Absolutely, she said. Should he be embarrassed? Most definitely. Is he guilty of ordinance 242-7? No, he is not. Wallace-Scalcione said Sir has been on modified duty and his employment will be reviewed based on Mondays ruling. Theft of a city-owned vehicle is unacceptable, and we expect to implement penalties where warranted," she said. Terrence T. McDonald may be reached at tmcdonald@jjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @terrencemcd. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook. JERSEY CITY A Hudson County Superior Court judge last week ordered Jersey City to pay $95,850 to lawyers for Kushner Companies after the developers won a records dispute with the city in December. The ruling is another setback for the city in its battle with Kushner Companies, the real estate firm run by the family of President Trumps son-in-law, Jared Kushner. The two sides are clashing over the developers stalled One Journal Square project, a two-tower plan set for a long-vacant site near the Journal Square PATH station and transit hub. Judge Francis B. Schultz said in his five-page order that the Kushner firms lawyers spent a great deal of time preparing for the case. The award represents 192 hours 140 hours more than the city believed was reasonable at $500 per hour. "The court cannot find any item of time that is obviously excessive or unreasonable," Schultz said in the April 29 order. The firm and its partner, KABR Group, have a separate action pending in federal court, where they claim the city is blocking One Journal Square because of Fulops animus toward Trump, a claim Fulop, a Democrat, has denied. Fulop said last year he will not support a long-term tax abatement for the project, a decision that would deny the developers millions in city subsidies. The city has also said the developers are in breach of their redevelopment agreement with the city because construction on the project has not started yet. The records dispute stems from document requests Kushner Companies filed with the city last year, seeking numerous records related to city tax abatements. After the city did not hand over the requested documents, the developers sued and in December Schultz ruled in the developers favor. The city intends to appeal that ruling. The state Open Public Records Act allows prevailing parties in records disputes to seek attorneys fees. Kushner Companies had been seeking $113,659 from the city. The courts award of $95,850 in attorneys fees and costs represents a warning to Mayor Fulop that there will continue to be repercussions for his unlawful acts, said Kushner attorney Joseph B. Fiorenzo. We are gratified that the court saw through the citys smokescreen and enforced the statutory requirements. The judges decision came a day after the developers filed another lawsuit against Jersey City regarding the public-records request. In that complaint, the developers ask a judge to find the city in contempt of court for not complying with Schultzs order to hand over the documents. Most of the documents they have requested have not been delivered, the developers say. Terrence T. McDonald may be reached at tmcdonald@jjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @terrencemcd. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook. Jersey City police have arrested a man they believe torched four cars on Monday afternoon by stuffing burning napkins into windows and under hoods. It looks like the individual was just bent on random destruction, Jersey City Police Chief Michael Kelly said as he stood on Broadway beside one of four vehicles set on fire within a five-block area around 2 p.m. Four cars are bad enough, but he was certainly bent on doing more than that," Kelly added during the 4 p.m. press conference. Jersey City Fire Chief Steve McGill said police arrived at that area before firefighters got there and took the alleged arsonist into custody based on descriptions of the man, who was said to be carrying a bag full of napkins. Rashaun Washington, who was born in 1990 and had a last known address on Dales Avenue in the Marrion Section, has been taken to the Jersey City Medical to be evaluated. Once cleared for incarceration, he will be processed by police. Kelly said Washington was found with paper in his hands and he had a lighter and was trying to set as many cars on fire as he could as he walked down the street. The Jeep at the curb on Broadway had been completely gutted by fire, as had another vehicle set ablaze at Garrison and Pavonia avenues. The owner of the Jeep watched as her vehicle was towed away. She chose not to comment. McGill said the fire and police departments will conduct a joint investigation and will then determine if and what Washington will be charged with. Kelly thanked the numerous residents who dialed 911 about the incident. Kelly said Washington is not known to us but that doesnt say anything other than we havent had him in custody recently. Come May 14, North Bergen voters will pick from 10 names on the ballot when voting in the townships municipal election. In North Bergens commission form of government, five commissioners are elected and then select a mayor among themselves. Heres a look at whos running: Leading Our Community Forward slate Nick Sacco, 72* Occupation: North Bergen mayor, state senator, retired school administrator and teacher Education: bachelors degree from Rutgers University, masters from Seton Hall Years in North Bergen: 45 Children: One adult son who attended North Bergen schools. One grandson who attends North Bergen pre-K Hugo Cabrera, 54* Occupation: North Bergen School District Board Secretary Education: school facilities, safety and finance certifications and licenses, Rutgers University Years in North Bergen: 36 Children: Three adults who graduated from North Bergen schools. Two grandchildren, with one in North Bergen pre-K Frank Gargiulo, 79* Occupation: superintendent of the Hudson Schools of Technology Education: bachelors degree from Notre Dame, masters degree from Seton Hall Years in North Bergen: 65 Children: Four adult children, 13 grandchildren Allen Pascual, 55* Occupation: director of curriculum and instruction at North Bergen High School District Education: masters degree in education from Rider University Years in North Bergen: 42 Years Children: three children attending local schools Julio Marenco, 45* Occupation: associate member of the State Parole Board, adjunct professor Education: juris doctorate degree from Seton Hall University Years in North Bergen: 30 Years Children: None Time for Change slate Larry Wainstein, 48 Occupation: Business owner Education: bachelors degree in business and economics from Saint Peters Years in North Bergen: six Children: Three children, two children attend Catholic school in Fairview Juan Almanzar, 53 Occupation: clinical social worker Education: masters degree in clinical social work and mental health from Hunter College Years in North Bergen: 30 Children: one adult and one child in a North Bergen public school Diana Ortiz, 49 Occupation: N/A Education: law degree from Colombia Years in North Bergen: 13 Children: One in North Bergen public school Franklin Fabre, 46 Occupation: business owner Education: Lehman College, bachelors degree in computer information systems; NJIT, MBA Years in North Bergen: 14 Children: Two children attending North Bergen public schools, two adults in college Alcides E. Siri, 58 Occupation: mechanical engineer Education: UTU College, mechanical engineering Years in North Bergen: 25 Children: one daughter attending a Catholic high school in Wayne, one adult son * - incumbent Aya Elamroussi may be reached at aelamroussi@jjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter @aya_elamroussi. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook. Lets say drug dealers have taken over your block. Theyve moved in all around you, killed your brother and threatened your children. Theyve robbed your money, destroyed your property, and keep ogling your attractive wife. You know youve got to get out of there. One night they come banging up on your porch, waving machetes, and you have no choice but to run. You grab your wife and kids, climb out the back window and race across some yards to a wealthy neighbors house for help. Breathlessly, you knock on his door and beg for help. He opens the door just a crack, sticks out his hand, and tells you how much he wants to let you in. Not much of a neighbor, huh? On a larger scale, thats exactly the kind of neighbor President Trump wants the US to be. Now that hes forced out Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen and replaced her with someone with an even colder heart, hes scheming up ways to further discourage asylum seekers by charging them a fee to be able to beg us for mercy. People fleeing terror in their home countries traditionally head to a neighboring country to ask for asylum, for safety, for another chance at life. Of course, they have to make a good case before the courts, but when the seekers come from places like Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador where ordinary people are persecuted and killed daily, its a given they need asylum. Twenty years ago, things were different along our southern border. Then it was mostly young men coming here only to find work, and they could be quickly and easily deported. But things have worsened dramatically in Central American and some South American countries, and now its chiefly families running from gangs and seeking asylum here. Its not so easy to deny them asylum and send them back to almost certain death. While seekers are waiting for their cases to be heard, many are released into communities and allowed to get work permits for jobs. Thats so they can support their families while they endure long, long waits for court time. Theres a backlog of 800,000 cases and its taking about two years from the time they arrive till the time a judge decides whether they can stay. Those who are not released pending decision are held in ICE custody, and despite a ruling that families cannot be separated, children are frequently held in one detention center and their parents in another, often states apart. Theres no more room in current detention centers, so last month the President suggested releasing asylum seekers into sanctuary cities. To his surprise, many civic leaders welcomed that idea, so he quickly dropped it. Instead, in an incomprehensible move that can only make the situation worse, he instructed his new Homeland Security Secretary to draw up regulations to require those same backlogged courts hear immigration cases within 180 days but not allow asylum seekers to get work permits while waiting. So If they cant work, they starve or willingly shelter in government detention centers, (the ones with no more room.) Somehow President Trump reasons the terrified families in besieged southern countries are going to learn they need cash to apply for asylum and they cant work when they get here. He hopes theyll just decide, Oh, ok, well stay and work things out with the gangs and hope our wives arent raped, our kids dont become addicted, and we dont get killed. Somehow, I dont think thats gonna happen. Whether or not you like immigrants, you must admit this plan defies common sense. A former assemblywoman from Jersey City, Joan Quigley is the president and CEO of North Hudson Community Action Corp. Submit letters to the editor and guest columns at jjletters@jjournal.com The man wanted for Sundays quadruple shooting that left a North Bergen man dead was arrested in Pennsylvania , authorities said, when police found him with gunshot wounds. Jonathan Haughey-Morales, a 27-year-old West New York man, was arrested by local police in the Lehigh Valley area of Pennsylvania, the Hudson County Prosecutors Office said in a tweet Tuesday morning. Haughey-Morales was seen injured on the side of the road by a passing motorist in South Whitehall Township near Allentown around 6:30 a.m. Monday, more than 24 hours after the North Bergen shooting. Police responded and found that he had multiple gunshot wounds to his lower body, police told WFMZ-TV and a law enforcement source confirmed. A dark-colored SUV was seen dropping off the victim on the sidewalk, then driving away before police arrived, the station reported. The wanted man was brought to a local hospital, authorities said. Police investigating the incident told WFMZ-TV that Haughey-Morales was not shot in South Whitehall and the wounds appeared to be at least a few hours old. Haughey-Morales was charged with murder after authorities said he fatally shot Carlos Garcia, 42, and three others in a North Bergen home on 46th Street Sunday. Garcia was found unresponsive with a gunshot wound to the chest in the vestibule of 2033 46th St., while two other men and a woman from North Bergen were also found with gunshot wounds. Bullet holes could be seen in the front window of the home. The 42-year-old was rushed to Jersey City Medical Center, but he was pronounced dead just after 4 a.m. Another man remains in critical condition, while the two others were treated and released. It is unclear who among the four people shot was a resident of 2033 46th St. Authorities said Garcia did not live there. No information was provided on the circumstances surrounding the shooting. Haughey-Morales was additionally charged with three counts of aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a weapon, and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, law enforcement said. He has previous convictions for aggravated assault, receiving stolen property, and terroristic threats, court records indicate. This report was updated with new information at 2:15 p.m. Corey W. McDonald may be reached at cmcdonald@jjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @cwmcdonald_. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook. A student at The College of New Jersey has been arrested and charged with attempted homicide after stabbing his roommate during an altercation off campus, police allege. Joseph T. Walsh Jr., 21, of Hazlet, faces additional charges of aggravated assault with a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, making terroristic threats, criminal mischief and possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia, according to the Ewing Police Department. Just before 7 a.m. Monday, police received a call from someone in a Crescent Avenue home reporting a man had knocked on their door for help after he had been stabbed by his roommate when a confrontation between the two escalated. The street is two blocks south of the campus. The victim was treated for injuries that were not considered to be life-threatening and released, police said. Officers later arrested Walsh, who was turned over to the Mercer County Correction Center. A spokesman for TCNJ confirmed Tuesday morning Walsh is a student at the college, but noted he is on a voluntary leave of absence for this semester. 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. NJ Transit Police have arrested a Union County man who allegedly threatened a train conductor with a pair of scissors. A conductor working on North Jersey Coast Line train 3250 on Friday reported that a rider who got off at the Perth Amboy station brandished a pair of scissors and threatened to harm him before running off, police said. The employee was not injured. Authorities were contacted and the conductor shared a photo of suspect on social media. Another NJ Transit employee in Hoboken recognized the suspect and contacted transit police. Prudencio Cruz, 65, of Fanwood, was arrested Sunday afternoon and charged with aggravated assault, making terroristic threats, unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, police said. He was later taken to the Middlesex County jail pending court appearances. NJ Transit remains committed to prosecuting assailants to the fullest extent of the law, Executive Director Kevin Corbett said in a statement. The safety of our employees and customers is our top priority. The swift arrest in this case should remind anyone intending to harm a train crew member or bus operator that you will be caught and held accountable. 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. A Middletown man has been charged with burglarizing a home wearing nothing but a sweater, but he was fully nude when police put the handcuffs on him. Jacob S. Gerges, 35, led police on a foot chase early Tuesday that ended in him being arrested fully naked, Middletown police Detective Lt. Paul Bailey said Tuesday in a statement. Around 5:45 a.m., Gerges allegedly attempted to break into a home on Phillips Mills Drive, naked from the waist down and sporting only the sweater, police said. When officers responded to the reported burglary, Gerges was seen running toward Hunters Point, where he also attempted to gain entry into another home. Officer Stephen Greenwood and his K-9, Koda, began tracking the suspect and found him hed ditched the sweater hiding under the deck of a house, police said. Gerges, from the Leonardo section of town, was charged with two counts of burglary and attempted burglary, and one count each of theft, lewdness and resisting arrest. Gerges is a burglar whos been busted before. In 2011, he smashed the locked door of the Blue Swan Diner on Route 35 in Ocean Township and stole a stand-alone ATM. He was convicted of burglary and robbery in 2012 and released from prison in 2016, state records show. He is currently being held in the Monmouth County jail pending a court appearance. Police ask anyone with additional information about him to call Detective Keith Hirschbein at 732-615-2120. Sophie Nieto-Munoz may be reached at snietomunoz@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her at @snietomunoz. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. Dear Annie: Recently, I met Todd through a friend of a friend. I went back to school to study graphic design a couple years ago and will be graduating this fall. Todd is also a graphic designer, so our mutual friend introduced us so that Todd could give me career advice and maybe even get me a job or apprenticeship at the company where he works. When I met Todd, instantly, sparks flew. We met at a coffee shop and it was only supposed to be a half-hour chat about graphic design, but we ended up talking for more than two hours about our favorite artists, our backgrounds -- pretty much everything. He has the most beautiful eyes and made a lot of prolonged eye contact as we talked. Though it was supposed to just be a professional advice-giving session, it felt to me more like a first date. I really want to pursue something with Todd, but the only problem is he's married. I met his wife, "Margaret," a few weeks ago at our mutual friend's (the one who introduced us) birthday party. Margaret was very frosty toward me. She does not seem nearly as fun as me; she was really just a dour person. She's also about 10 years older than me and not as pretty. (I'm 32 and have never had trouble getting attention from men.) I can tell Todd and I have chemistry and just get the feeling that he'd rather be spending time with me than his plain wife. He's invited me to a mixer with graphic design industry folks to ostensibly "help my career," but I know that's just a guise. I want to make a move after we leave. I talked to a friend about this and she told me that homewrecking is a sin. Well, in my view, you can't wreck a home that isn't already on shaky ground. If Todd strays with me, I won't be the cause of their breakup. I'll just be the straw that broke the camel's back. Do you agree? For what it's worth, they don't have any kids and have only been married a few years. -- Ready to Pounce Dear Ready to Pounce: Keep your paws to yourself. Yes, good relationships should be able to withstand adversity, but that doesnt mean its your job to deliberately dole it out. On top of that, I think youre setting yourself up for embarrassment. Prolonged eye contact is a thing that people sometimes do in conversation. Todds only interactions with you so far have been in the context of career help -- help youll lose if you lust after him. Limit your communication with Todd to strictly professional inquiries, and if you can't manage that, then discontinue contact altogether. Lastly, take a good long look in the mirror and do some serious reflecting, because your comments about his wife's appearance only make you look ugly. Dear Annie: On the subject of people resisting change -- whether its bad or good -- I would like to offer the following statement: The end of the world as we know is also the beginning of the world as we dont know it. It might be better. It seems a simple enough idea, but whenever I mention it to another person, that person says something along the idea of: Youre RIGHT! I never thought of THAT! Im not sure why, but trying to figure out what will probably happen next is sometimes not intuitive. -- Sara P. Dear Sara P.: Thank you for this beautiful sentiment and salient reminder to embrace uncertainty rather than shy away from it. As Deepak Chopra said, All great changes are preceded by chaos. Ask Me Anything: A Year of Advice From Dear Annie is out now! Annie Lanes debut book -- featuring favorite columns on love, friendship, family and etiquette -- is available as a paperback and e-book. Visit http://www.creatorspublishing.com for more information. Send your questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@creators.com. Annie Lane grew up in California and headed east to graduate with honors from New York University, where she majored in English literature and specialized in psychology. She earned her Juris Doctor from New York Law School. Since July 2016, Annie has offered common-sense solutions to everyday problems in her column, Dear Annie. Her advice is unusually perceptive. She is firm, funny and sympathetic, echoing the style of her biggest inspiration, Ann Landers. Annie lives outside Manhattan with her husband, two kids and two dogs. When not writing, she devotes her time to play dates and Play-Doh. COPYRIGHT 2019 CREATORS.COM The Jackson Board of Education has until May 15 to pay nearly $400,000 in attorneys fees to a parent who won a state lawsuit charging that district officials failed to accommodate her childs allergies and then had to go to federal court to have that decision enforced. The $388,837 in legal fees awarded by U.S. Magistrate Judge Tonianne J. Bongiovanni last week totaled more than four times the $90,000 figure that the Jackson school district had agreed to pay to the family for the students 31 months of lost schooling, after a state judges ruling that the district had improperly failed to provide a learning environment free of the nuts and cornstarch to which he is severely allergic. The familys lawyer, John Rue of John Rue & Associates of Sparta, said the districts costly court battle against the family was a reflection of its misplaced priorities. When school districts like Jackson choose to spend their money on lawyers instead of students, the people running those districts are sending a clear message to their communities about where their priorities truly lie, Rue wrote in an email. The school districts special education council, Robert Pruchnik of Campbell & Pruchnick in Jackson, said the district and its insurance company are still weighing an appeal. No decision has been made yet, Pruchnik said. As Bongiovannis decision noted, the nearly $400,000 in attorneys fees was calculated based on a discounted hourly rate of $318 per hour billed by the mothers lawyer, Rue, for the services of partners, associates and paralegals at his firm, multiplied by the 1,227 hours the firm had spent on the case. The students mother, identified in the ruling as D.O. on behalf of M.O. to shield her sons identity, had asserted in her 2015 administrative complaint that school officials violated the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act by failing to accommodate her sons allergies. Even though the district was aware of the allergies, their son was assigned to classrooms with kitchens that Rue said could have contained traces of the potentially deadly allergens. The only placements that Jackson offered him were in classrooms where a kitchen was present, Rue wrote in an email. So these placements would have placed M.O. in medical risk, risking anaphylactic shock from exposure to food products that are virtually omnipresent in kitchens. Administrative Law Judge Robert W. Bingham ruled in September 2016 that the districts failure to address the students allergies in his individualized education program, or IEP, kept him out of school for 31 months from March 2013 to October 2015, depriving him of the education to which he was entitled. The district cannot possibly provide a FAPE (free and appropriate public education) if it is placing M.O. in constant danger of a severe allergic reaction, Bingham wrote in his decision. When by March 2017 the district had not complied with that administrative decision and had not paid the $90,000 settlement amount, the mother filed the federal suit seeking payment of the settlement, as well as attorneys fees, resulting in last weeks ruling. Rue said if the district continues refusing to pay up, it could cost taxpayers still more money. Our most significant remaining concern in this case is that Jackson will defy the court order, as it defied the administrative order almost two years ago, Rue said. That would only force us to seek sanctions for contempt against it. Steve Strunsky may be reached at sstrunsky@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SteveStrunsky. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips. Customers of one the countrys oldest department stores, Lord & Taylor, might soon have to find another place to shop, its parent company announced this week. Hudsons Bay Co., which owns Lord & Taylor, announced it hired a financial adviser to review the brands business. The advisor is pursuing strategic alternatives for the Lord & Taylor operating business, which could mean a sale or merger, the company said in a press statement. This review of strategic alternatives for Lord & Taylor is another example of how we are exploring options to position HBC for long-term success, Helena Foulkes, Hudsons Bay CEO said. Foulkes called the brand storied," saying Lord & Taylor has stood for quality, style and service for many years and serves a highly engaged, loyal customer base through a dedicated team of associates. Lord & Taylor, which is headquartered in New York City, has 12 New Jersey locations, many of which are in malls in North Jersey. Hudsons Bay has closed some of its stores, including Lord & Taylors flagship store on New Yorks Fifth Avenue, which was shut for good earlier this year after more than a century in the 11-story building, the Associated Press reported. Hudsons Bay also owns Saks Fifth Avenue, Saks Off 5th and other namesake department stores. Throughout the review of options, Foulkes said, Lord & Taylor, "remains committed to serving customers across our stores and digital channels. Paige Gross may be reached at pgross@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @By_paigegross. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip?Tell us. nj.com/tips. THE LATEST: Murphy offer of $250M in N.J. property tax relief if the gov gets his millionaires tax is flatly rejected by top Dem. Stop the gimmicks,' Sweeney says. Gov. Phil Murphy announced Monday that an unexpected surge in tax collections means New Jersey will be able to offer an additional $250 million in property tax relief to residents next year but only if the state Legislature agrees to hike taxes on millionaires. The announcement adds a twist to state budget negotiations between the Democratic governor and Democratic-controlled Legislature that will begin in earnest in the coming weeks. It also amounts to a reversal of fortunes, of sorts, for the state, which was at risk of a shortfall this year. Murphy said Monday night at a town hall at a Ewing firehouse that the state had seen an unanticipated increase in tax collections that will also give his administration more money to work with next fiscal year. He said the new money would go right into direct middle-class property tax relief," but only if the state budget scheduled to begin July 1 is infused with the $447 million he expects to generate by taxing gross income on $1 million or more at $10.75 percent. Without a millionaires tax, his office said, Murphy would need the $250 million in unexpected tax collections to go toward filling that hole in the budget. Property taxes in New Jersey are the highest in the nation and often a major concern for residents. The states average property tax bill hit $8,767 last year, a new record high. Murphys current budget proposal includes $283 million for the Homestead property tax credit program and $202 million for Senior Freeze. His office said the governor would pour the additional $250 million into those popular programs. Murphys administration is hoping the promise of more property tax relief will help win support within the Legislature, where Democratic leaders have voiced strong opposition to the millionaires tax. Legislative Democrats blocked Murphys efforts to install a millionaires tax last year and instead raised the marginal tax rate on income over $5 million to 10.75 percent. Murphys second proposed budget once again seeks to raise taxes on income over $1 million. He says the state needs the extra revenue to increase spending on transit, education and public-worker pensions. The governor and lawmakers have less than two months to come to an agreement. Under the state constitution, the Legislature must pass a budget and Murphy must sign it into law by July 1. Otherwise, Murphy could shut down parts of state government. Murphy, who is a more progressive Democrat than legislative leaders, entered the town hall Monday night to a crowd chanting Millionaires tax! Millionaires tax! The governor told the audience the expected uptick in tax revenue was a pleasant surprise and that his property tax relief plan sweetens the pot on the millionaires tax. Murphy said hes not playing class warfare." Hes simply asking millionaires to pay their fare share. We have to grow the pie and make sure everybody gets a piece of the pie, the governor told the crowd. Today, at our town hall in Ewing, I shared some good news: State revenue collections are running more than $250 million over our budget projections. Proud to announce that we will work to invest this revenue in property tax relief for our middle-class families and seniors. Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) May 6, 2019 Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @johnsb01. Samantha Marcus may be reached at smarcus@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter@samanthamarcus. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. A 19-year-old Middlesex County man broke into as many as 18 vehicles in his hometown during April, authorities said. Sean M. Sweeney, of Edison, stole cash and personal items from cars on Stony Road, Kenlen Drive and Adele Court, township police said Tuesday. Sweeney was arrested as he walked toward the Edison Motor Lodge on April 30 after an recognized him from a surveillance video recorded at a home. Sweeney was temporarily staying at the motel on Route 1, according to police. Sweeney had been previously arrested on April 6 in connection with other burglaries before being released. He was also wanted by the Middlesex County Prosecutors Office for a separate burglary. He is now being held at the Middlesex County jail in North Brunswick. Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Police said they were investigating the Monday death of a young child in Lakewood. Capt. Gregory Staffordsmith said police were alerted around 2:20 p.m. He did not immediately have more information on the circumstances surrounding the death. The child died after being left in a car, NBC New York reported, citing law enforcement sources. There was reportedly a misunderstanding between the toddlers mother and father over who would bring the child in from the car. Ocean County Prosecutors Office spokesman Bryan Huntenburg said there was an ongoing investigation and declined further comment. It was not clear if investigators considered the death to be suspicious. 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 A former chiropractor who admitted evading more than $500,000 in income tax and failing to report a Russian bank account he kept for his family was sentenced to five years in prison on Tuesday. Carlo Amato, 57, of Beachwood, will also face three years probation upon release, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito said in a news statement. In September, Amato pleaded guilty in federal court to tax evasion and failing to report a foreign bank account. Amato ran Chiropractic Care Consultants Inc. and Accident Recovery Physical Therapy in Lakewood from 2012-2015, federal authorities said. During that time, several checks for chiropractic services were deposited into accounts in his childrens names, and not reported on his income tax returns. In 2014, he reported $0 in income and $0 in tax owed, despite making $561,258 that year and owing the IRS nearly $200,000 in taxes. That year, Amato had an account at UniCredit Bank in Russia, and wired more than $1.5 million to accounts in that country, including his own. Those funds were not reported, and were part of a scheme he admitted to in April in Ocean County Superior Court, in which he overbilled six insurance companies for services not performed. In that case, he also admitted collecting disability while working and hiding $182,000 in cash a wall of his home. Todays sentencing should send a clear message," said John Tafur, who leads the IRS Criminal Investigation divisions Newark office. "Tax evasion is a serious crime with real consequences, including being branded a convicted felon with a prison sentence to serve. U.S. District Judge Michael Shipp handed down the sentence in his Trenton courtroom. Joe Brandt can be reached at jbrandt@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JBrandt_NJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. Police in Ocean County are investigating whether the parents of a 21-month-old girl left her alone in a car seat, where she was found unresponsive and later died, an official said. A neighbor found the child unresponsive and attempted CPR, Lakewood Committeeman Meir Lichtenstein said Tuesday morning. The child was taken to the hospital but unfortunately there was nothing they could do. The neighbor found the girl about 2 p.m. on Lewin Avenue, Lichtenstein said. He said Lakewood police and detectives with the Ocean County Prosecutors Office are investigating the babys death. Temperatures in Lakewood on Tuesday afternoon were around 70 degrees and the child could have succumbed to the heat, Lichtenstein said. He pointed out a cause of death has not been determined. The police and prosecutor are still piecing together what happened and gathering details, Lichtenstein said. Additional information is probably going to come from the county level. Lichtenstein said he didnt know how long the child had been inside the vehicle and that it was his understanding through speaking with law enforcement the parents left her alone by mistake. There apparently was some misunderstanding, he said. Lichtenstein said he went to the hospital and met with her parents for the first time. They started to tell me what happened but then they just couldnt. They were beside themselves with grief, he said. Police and a spokesman for the county prosecutors office were not immediately available for comment Tuesday. Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. Maine just beat us to the finish line, becoming the first state in the country to ban Styrofoam. But while New Jersey wont be first, lets hope we are the fiercest. In this war on carry-out bags and food containers, Sen. Bob Smith wants the worlds toughest bill. Were with him, and Maine. A total ban is all that works. Putting a five or ten-cent fee on this stuff isnt enough, because shoppers almost always pay for the convenience. Using paper is just switching from one form of pollution to another, that isnt actually much better. Our best bet is a complete ban on Styrofoam, carry-out bags of plastic or paper and disposable straws -- though a store could keep a few on request, for people with disabilities. If you go to a grocery store or pharmacy, bring your own bag, or buy a truly reusable one in a pinch. Thats the tote you get for around $1 that can be refolded, washed and used again. Want to walk the dog or put a liner in your bathroom garbage? Buy small plastic bags sold specifically for that purpose. Supermarkets are on board, Smith says, because its a chance for them to sell their own branded totes. But what about the shoppers? If the autopsy photos of dead sea creatures, like the whale filled with 88 pounds of plastic trash in the Philippines, or the bags blowing across our windy beaches arent enough to convince you, maybe this will: Were all eating this stuff, too. It breaks up into invisible plastic particles that we ingest through our meat and fish, the tap water we drink and the air we breathe. Even on top of the Alps, the Guardian reports, The hills are alive with the signs of plastic. Having these particles in our bodies is bad enough, but scientists say they may actually be carcinogens. A common class of chemical called endocrine disruptors, found in plastics, will feminize male fish. Researchers dont yet know exactly how much harm this does in humans. But it is less than reassuring. When fish are getting intersex, its probably a good indication that something is wrong in the environment, Vicki Blazer, a U.S. Geological Survey biologist, told National Geographic. Better to curb our destructive plastics addiction now, than wait to find out. Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook. By Jon Bramnick Doctors should be making medical decisions not insurance companies. Historically, doctors would order tests or prescribe medicine and patients would take it as directed. Now, a myriad of bureaucratic obstacles required by insurance companies makes patients and doctors wait for approvals for necessary medical tests, procedures and medicine. It puts insurance clerks, without any medical background, in charge of your treatment not your doctor. And, it is a nightmare for patients. Up to 92 percent of doctors say the process significantly delays patients from getting treatment. According to a 2018 American Medical Association survey of 1,000 doctors, 28 percent of physicians said that the prior authorization process had life-threatening consequences for their patients. Approximately 65 percent of physicians waited at least one business day for a decision and 26 percent said they waited for three or more. Three quarters of patients end up abandoning their treatment plans as a result of prior authorization requirements. Even cancer patients are put on hold while an insurance company decides their fate. Radiation oncologists named prior authorization as the greatest challenge facing the field. Doctors are reporting an increase in prior authorizations. They even exist for many generic medications that have been around for years. If a prior authorization is denied, the appeal process can take up to thirty days. During this time, patients are unable to start treatment, which doctors believe affect clinical outcomes for 9 out of 10 patients. While most claims are ultimately approved, it is not without recurring paperwork and multiple phone calls. This further supports the argument that these prior authorizations are unnecessary, burdensome and a waste of time. It is not even clear whether insurance companies save money. A study that examined the records of more than 4,000 Type 2 diabetes patients, found that those who were denied medication that required prior authorization actually ended up having higher overall medical costs in the end. It is easy to assume that their medical issues worsened due to the fact they were unable to obtain the medication they needed to control their diabetes. The pre-authorization paperwork can eat up approximately 15 hours each week for a standard medical practice. Researchers estimate that the pre-authorization process wastes nearly $70,000 of a physicians time every year on paperwork and phone calls instead of using that time to treat patients. Altogether, its estimated to waste at least $23 billion (and up to $31 billion) every year nationwide. Most recently, certain insurance companies in New Jersey started to require preapproval for both pregnancy and non-pregnancy related ultrasound testing. Ultrasounds are used to diagnose conditions like heart disease, and pancreatic, prostate and thyroid cancer, among others. A doctor orders an ultrasound if there is reason to believe a baby may have a problem with how their hips are developing. Most commonly, expectant mothers rely on ultrasounds to monitor their unborn babys health. Now, there may be a delay in care because insurance companies think they know better than a medical doctor. Patients well-being should take precedence over the bottom line. A doctors prescription should be all the approval a patient needs. I introduced a bipartisan bill last year, with Assemblyman Paul Moriarty, the Assembly Consumer Affairs committee chairman, which would ban mandated pre-approvals for tests, treatments and prescriptions normally covered by health insurance. It is time we put patients first. It is time we remove the obstacles for patients who are ill and their medical doctors who studied for years to be able to knowledgeably prescribe treatment. Assemblyman Jon Bramnick is the Republican leader in the Assembly. Representing parts of Union, Somerset and Morris counties in New Jerseys 21st District, he has served in the General Assembly since 2004. Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow us on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and on Facebook at NJ.com Opinion. Get the latest news updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. Authorities are investigating multiple New Jersey police officers who reported using high rates of physical force against suspects following NJ.coms release of a statewide database of police use of force, according to the states top law enforcement official. Attorney General Gurbir Grewal on Monday acknowledged that his Office of Public Integrity and Accountability had launched the probes after obtaining the dataset that formed The Force Report, an NJ Advance Media investigation published last year. The attorney general declined to name the officers or departments the office was examining, saying a statewide review was ongoing. The Attorney Generals Office as a matter of policy does not typically confirm or deny the existence of investigations into specific people or entities. I will say this: We have identified individuals that were investigating based on the dataset from the Force Report, Grewal said during a wide-ranging interview with The Star-Ledger editorial board in Newark. His comments on Monday were the first public acknowledgment that state authorities were investigating specific law enforcement officers. If their conduct is criminal, well hold them accountable criminally," he said. "If their conduct could be fixed with re-training, well do it that way. The Force Report, a 16-month investigation, found major disparities in how police officers use force and who they use it against, as well as paltry oversight and no standard reporting practices. The database included every reported instance of use of force between 2012 and 2016 turned over by police departments in response to hundreds of Open Public Records Act requests. The attorney general said the series highlighted serious issues, including widespread racial disparities and departments and individual officers that used high rates of force during arrests. But he stressed that the data also showed that the overwhelming majority of police officers reported using force at or below the average rate. What gets lost in this is the vast majority of police interactions go off without a hitch, Grewal said. It is a rare, rare instance where force is used. Its even more rare when that force is used without justification. Shortly after the investigation was published, Grewal and other New Jersey law enforcement leaders pledged to overhaul how the state tracks and monitors police use of force. On Monday, Grewal acknowledged the investigations finding that police officers have been required to log every compliance hold, punch, kick and baton blow since the early 2000s but the documents were not being used for oversight. We had 17 years of data, more or less just sitting there, he said. The state is now developing an online portal for departments to report use-of-force data into a central tracking system. Grewal said he hoped New Jerseys new system would become a national model. Last month, Grewal told state lawmakers his office purchased the data from NJ Advance Media, which spent more than $30,000 compiling it from 72,000 paper records. The data was made available for sale through ProPublica, a nonprofit, investigative news organization, for $2,000 to academic institutions and government agencies. S.P. Sullivan may be reached at ssullivan@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips The 11-year-old girl, Pooja, died after she hung herself to a wall hanger using a towel at her house in Mallasandra. She was a fifth standard student of a private school. Bengaluru: In a bizarre incident a minor girl allegedly ended her life while enacting a suicide scene from a teleserial she was watching in Bagalagunte police station limits on Sunday night. The 11-year-old girl, Pooja, died after she hung herself to a wall hanger using a towel at her house in Mallasandra. She was a fifth standard student of a private school. She was the daughter of Rangegowda and Sharada, who run a roadside eatery near their house. Pooja was home alone when the incident happened, the police said. According to the police, Pooja who had gone to the shop with her mother and younger brother, but later returned home for dinner. She went to a nearby shop to buy curd at around 7 pm and returned home. One of her neigbours claimed Pooja was alive around 8 pm and watching a serial. However, when her parents returned home around 9:30 pm, they found Pooja hanging to a wall hanger. The couple got Pooja down and rushed her to a nearby hospital where the doctors declared her brought dead. The police rushed to the spot examined the house and said that preliminary investigation revealed no foul play in her death. Their house was located in a densely populated area, but the neighbours claimed they did not hear anything suspicious. Police suspect that Pooja was trying to enact a suicide scene and ended her life. The Bagalgunte police have taken up a case and are awaiting parents to finish her last rites, to resume questioning. WASHINGTON President Donald Trump wont release his tax returns. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin rejected the request from House Ways and Means Chairman Richard Neal, D-Mass., who sought six years of returns under a 1924 federal law enacted in response to the Teapot Dome scandal. Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr., a member of the committee, said the effort would continue to obtain the tax returns of Trump, the first president in 40 years to refuse to release them voluntarily. Were not going anywhere, said Pascrell, D-9th Dist., who has led the fight for the returns, which he said could show whether the president was financially beholden to Russia, and how he personally benefitted from the Republican tax law. Neal said he would consult with the committees lawyers and decide how to go forward. Mnuchin, in a letter to Neal, said the Treasury Department, which includes the Internal Revenue Service, may not lawfully fulfill the committees demand. He said a congressional request must serve a legitimate legislative purpose and this one does not. The committees request is unprecedented, and it presents serious constitutional questions, the resolution of which may have lasting consequences for all taxpayers, Mnuchin wrote. Pascrell said the response, not the ask, was unprecedented. This absurd letter calls Congress doing its job unprecedented,'" Pascrell said. Whats unprecedented is this secretary refusing to comply with our lawful, Article I request. Whats unprecedented is a Justice Department that again sees its role as being bodyguard to the executive and not the rule of law. Whats unprecedented is an entire federal government working in concert to shield a corrupt president from legal accountability. Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JDSalant or on Facebook. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips. Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. Gov. Phil Murphy has moved off his controversial proposal to take $33 million from a hardship fund for New Jersey firefighters following pushback from state lawmakers and first responders. In a letter to the state Senate president and Assembly speaker Tuesday, Murphy said he was eliminating the proposed fund diversion. He reversed course just two days after NJ Advance Media reported the Democratic governor wanted to siphon $33 million from the New Jersey State Firemens Association for his $38.6 billion spending plan. The administration remains committed to ensuring that no family of a fallen New Jersey firefighter will go without help during their greatest time of need," Murphy said in a statement. His proposal sparked outrage among firefighters and lawmakers from both parties. And importantly, the most powerful Democrat in the state Legislature, Senate President Stephen Sweeney, warned earlier Tuesday that it stood no chance of getting past the state Senate. Ed Donnelly, president of the New Jersey Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association, a union, said without support from lawmakers and firefighers vocal opposition, the outcome could have been different. I really think that if we didnt make the noise that we made on this, we could have been in a bad spot, Donnelly said. The governor previously defended the under-the-radar move, saying the fund had money to spare. Folks need to understand, this fund has a fund balance six times the amount it needs. Six times," Murphy said Monday. A December state comptroller report found the state and local relief organizations were sitting on $245 million in unspent funds and that inadequate oversight left the money vulnerable to waste and abuse. About $180 million of that belonged to 538 local relief groups. The New Jersey State Firemens Association was created 134 years ago to assist firefighters and their families in times of need. About 80 percent of New Jerseys 38,000 active firefighters are volunteers. The relief organizations receive proceeds of a 2 percent tax on insurance premiums written by out-of-state insurers for New Jersey properties. The state association took in about $33 million last year and passed on about half to the Local Relief Associations. By law, the money can only be spent on burial benefits, a retirement home for firefighters, conventions, operational costs and financial assistance to firefighters in need. The comptroller said overly strict rules for allowable expenses left the local organizations sitting on cash that could be spent on firefighter training, equipment or scholarships. Collectively, the hundreds of Local Relief Associations spent more on administrative costs and conventions than on financial assistance for their members, according to the comptroller report. In a statement, Murphy said is willing to work with the Legislature to possibly expand the permissible uses so we can provide greater assistance for firefighters and their families. Samantha Marcus may be reached at smarcus@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter@samanthamarcus. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. A special hotline to report sexual abuse by clergy has generated hundreds of possible leads for criminal investigators, according to New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal, who said the states five Catholic dioceses have been cooperating with his office. At the same time, he said that in some of those cases where the statute of limitations may have run out, his office intends to continue to pursue those who may have facilitated criminal conduct such as church officials who allegedly did nothing when they learned of sexual abuse. Grewal made his comments during an editorial board meeting with The Star-Ledger. New Jersey officials in September set up a special task force to investigate allegations of sexual abuse by members of the clergy within the Catholic dioceses of New Jersey, in the wake of a report by a Pennsylvania grand jury which graphically detailed the abuse by priests who preyed upon children for decades. Were going to be publishing a report similar to the Pennsylvania report, Grewal said. The people of this state have a right to know. While the attorney general said the calls received so far have generated a number of leads they have been pursuing, he would not disclose whether there are any active criminal cases. So far, only one priest has been charged as a result of a call to the task force. In January, Rev. Thomas P. Ganley was arrested on sexual assault charges just two days after the victim in the nearly 30-year-old case made a call to the states clergy abuse hotline. Ganley, a parochial vicar at St. Philip and St. James Catholic Church in Phillipsburg, later pleaded guilty to the charges. The state hotline (855) 363-6548 has gotten calls regarding other religions, not just Catholics. According to Grewal, the vast majority of the calls have been clergy related. On Monday, meanwhile, more than 300 New Jersey priests, nuns, monks and other clergy accused of sexual misconduct, including many not included in the Catholic Churchs official list, were named by lawyers representing an alleged victim suing the states dioceses. Those names were part of a report by a Minnesota-based law firm created in connection with a lawsuit filed by Edward Hanratty, an alleged sexual abuse victim from New Jersey. That lawsuit claims New Jerseys five Catholic dioceses created a public hazard by not naming all clergy members accused of sexually abusing children. The 311 names in the report come from lawsuits, legal settlements, news reports and other public accounts of alleged abuse, the attorneys said. While the Archdiocese of Newark and the states four other dioceses Camden, Metuchen, Trenton and Paterson released the names of 188 priests and deacons credibly accused of sexual abuse of children in February, victims rights groups charged that the list left off numerous names. Those left off included priests, nuns and monks accused of abuse while working in Catholic schools and other institutions run by religious orders not under the authority of the Catholic bishops in New Jersey, the groups contend. In a statement, the Archdiocese of Newark said it continues to report abuse allegations to law enforcement officials and the church encourages victims to come forward. The Archdiocese of Newark is committed to the ongoing support and healing of victims and the acknowledgement of those accused of the sexual abuse of minors. We continue to focus on transparency and accountability and to reinforcing established reporting and prevention policies and programs to protect minors and support victims in our parishes, schools and ministries, the archdiocese said in a statement. Grewal said the states task force has been overwhelmed by calls to the abuse hotline. The phones were literally ringing off the hooks, he said. Leads generated by the task force, he said, are handed off to law enforcement agencies to run them out. In the case of Ganley, the attorney general noted, the matter was handled by the Middlesex County Prosecutors Office. In April, Ganley admitted that he abused a teenage girl in the 1990s, during a time when he had supervisory authority over her while he was a priest at Saint Cecelia Church in Woodbridge. He had been the head of the youth ministry for the parish at the time, according to the attorney generals office. Ted Sherman may be reached at tsherman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TedShermanSL. Facebook: @TedSherman.reporter. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Kelly Heyboer may be reached at kheyboer@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @KellyHeyboer. Find her at KellyHeyboerReporter on Facebook. 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. UPDATE: Murphy backs off his plan to take $33M from needy firefighter relief fund New Jerseys highest-ranking state lawmaker on Tuesday pledged to block Gov. Phil Murphy from taking $33 million from a hardship fund for firefighters in the state, a proposal that sparked outrage among first responders. State Senate President Stephen Sweeney, D-Gloucester, said in a statement that he is forcefully rejects Murphys proposed fund diversion and guaranteed" it wont be part of the state budget that is approved by the Senate. There is no reason and excuse for denying firefighters support and assistance in their time of need, said Sweeney, who is often at odds with Murphy, a fellow Democrat. Refusing or reducing emergency responders and their families the care they deserve in order to prop up the budget is unacceptable." NJ Advance Media reported Sunday that Murphys administration wants to shift $33 million from the New Jersey State Firefighters Association, which, along with 538 local relief groups, provides burial benefits, financial assistance, a retirement home and in-home medical care for New Jerseys firefighters. The New Jersey State Firemens Association was created 134 years ago to assist firefighters and their families in times of need. The vast majority of New Jersey firefighters are volunteers; fewer than 20 percent are career firefighters. The organizations receive the proceeds of a 2 percent tax on insurance premiums written by out-of-state insurers for New Jersey properties. The state association took in about $33 million last year, and half went out the door to the Local Relief Associations. But a December state comptroller report found the associations were sitting on $245 million in unspent funds because of overly strict rules on allowable expenses and that inadequate oversight left the money vulnerable to waste and abuse. About $180 million of that belonged to the 538 local relief groups. It also found that collectively, the hundreds of Local Relief Associations spent more on administrative costs and conventions than on financial assistance for their members and that the interpretation of need and hardship varied from one association to another. The head of the statewide association, Robert Ordway, said he believed that investigation put a target on the associations back. But the state organizations annual income is not even enough to cover the $10 million in burial benefits it distributed last year, the more than $10 million sent to the Firemens Home, a Boonton retirement home for retired firefighters, more than $3 million on administrative expenses, $360,000 in direct financial relief to members and $142,000 on in-home medical care, he said. The potential change is a one-sentence proposal in Murphys fiscal year 2020 state budget plan, where his administration recommends taking the money currently dedicated to the New Jersey State Firemens Association and transferring it into the states general fund, where it can be used to pay for anything the state sees fit. Murphy on Monday didnt back down from his proposal, but offered to sit with firefighters and figure this out. I hold them, along with our educators and other public servants, up on a pedestal. Period. And they deserve that," the governor said. Were very much open-minded to sitting with them on this." But folks need to understand, this fund has a fund balance six times the amount it needs," he said. "Six times. State Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, D-Middlesex, declined to comment on the fund raid. NJ Advance Media staff writer Brent Johnson contributed to this report. Samantha Marcus may be reached at smarcus@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter@samanthamarcus. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips Get the latest upd NEW YORK -- Miguel Andujar will get another game at third base at some point this week, but for the time being, expect to see a lot of Gio Urshela at the hot corner. Urshela will play there for the second straight game when the Yankees host the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday at Yankee Stadium, with Andujar serving as DH again. Coming off another stellar night in the field, Urshela has given the Yankees plenty of reason to keep him there. You kind of want both guys in the lineup right now, Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. This is the alignment that makes the most sense at this point. It will probably be something that evolves a little bit, but its a way right now with how were constructed, with some of the injuries we have, to get both those guys in there. Andujars two-error performance in his return to the lineup on Saturday didnt help his cause to take over for Urshela full time at third base, and the Yankees can use him at designated hitter more often than not for the time being, with outfielders Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Hicks still out with injuries. Boone was asked about how Urshelas defense stacks up against some of the other Gold Glove caliber play around the league. The manager wasnt ready to hand him the award, but he compared him to some of the leagues elite defenders. Buy Yankees tickets: StubHub, SeatGeek, PrimeSport, Ticketmaster "Hes every bit performed at an extremely high level," Boone said. Gold Glove caliber? Certainly. Whether hes the Gold Glove (third baseman), all that. Were sitting here in early May. Bottom line, hes a premium defender at the position. No innings limit discussed for German yet Boone and Yankees management havent had any talks on a potential innings cap for started Domingo German during the 2019 season. No, we havent had those conversations, Boone said. German is 6-1 with a 2.35 ERA in seven games and six starts, pitching 38.1 innings in those appearances. German is slated for his next start on Friday when the Yankees visit the Tampa Bay Rays for the start of a three-game weekend series. Jonathan Loaisiga will be recalled to start on Wednesday against the Mariners, serving as the teams fifth starter with James Paxton on the IL. The team has not announced a corresponding roster move. Chris Ryan may be reached at cryan@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @ChrisRyan_NJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook. A Metairie man pleaded guilty to manslaughter Monday (May 6) for fatally shooting his mother with a shotgun after an argument. 5-year-old boy steering for dad involved in Terrytown hit-and-runs: JPSO Chad McAvoy, 22, was sentenced to the maximum punishment for manslaughter, 40 years in prison, according to the Jefferson Parish district attorneys office. McAvoy had been charged with second-degree murder in the death of his mother, Connie McAvoy, 42. Prosecutors agreed to the reduced charge but demanded he receive the 40-year-sentence, the district attorneys office said. Relatives who gave victim impact testimony, including Connie McAvoys older son, mother and daughter, were in favor of the plea agreement and called it best for the whole family, according to the district attorneys office. The shooting occurred at the McAvoys Loveland Street home on March 1, 2018. Connie McAvoy got into an argument with her husband shortly after she arrived home that afternoon, authorities said. Hate, love and grief after Metairie man accused of murdering his mother 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 She also argued with Chad McAvoy in his bedroom. As she was leaving, Chad McAvoy fired a single shotgun blast at his mothers back, authorities said. Connie McAvoy was pronounced dead at the scene. The Jefferson Parish Sheriffs Office received a 911 call around 3:32 p.m. from Connie McAvoys husband reporting that shed committed suicide. But detectives quickly surmised that she couldnt have pulled the trigger herself, not with a gunshot wound to the back, between her shoulder blades, the Sheriffs Office has said. Chad McAvoy and his father told investigators each was in another room when they heard a gunshot, the Sheriff's Office said. Both told investigators they believed Connie McAvoy had shot herself before Chad McAvoy tried to place the blame on his father, according to the district attorneys office. Chad McAvoy eventually confessed to shooting his mother, the Sheriffs Office said. In court Monday, McAvoy cried and sat slumped in his chair as relatives testified before Judge Conn Regan of the 24th Judicial District Court. He told the court he had regret for killing his mother. Assistant District Attorneys Kellie Rish and Molly Massey prosecuted the case. The manhunt has ended for the 19-year-old accused of fatally shooting Biolxi patrolman Robert McKeithen in the police station parking lot Sunday night, according to local TV affiliate WLOX. Darian Tawan Atkinson was arrested in Wiggins, Mississippi, Monday night (May 6), less than 24 hours after McKeithen was shot. He smiled as officers escorted him into Biloxi police headquarters on a charge of capital murder. Investigators say Atkinson approached Officer McKeithen outside the building in the parking lot, opening fire and shooting the officer several times. McKeithen was on-duty and in uniform at the time. The officer died in the emergency room. Read the full report from WLOX. Kim Peretz survived middle school. Now shes a ninth-grader at Torrey Pines High School and has written a book called Danis Diary: 7th Grade in a Nutshell. The fictional story follows student Dani Gilbert whom Peretz calls no ordinary 7th grader through the trials and tribulations of middle school. The front cover of Dani's Diary. Courtesy Peretz explains how she came to write the book. I remember looking back at how nervous I was the few days before starting middle school. For me, my middle school experience was wonderful. It may have had its ups and downs, but I truly felt that I grew as an individual and discovered myself through this time. Always acquiring the passion to write, I looked for inspiration to spark my writing. Shortly after 7th grade began, I realized what story I wanted to tellDanis story. The first year of middle school is not a piece of cake or as Dani might say a slice of schnitzel. It requires much patience and kindness but is full of lots of memories and joy. The character of Dani goes through similar life experiences to those of Peretz, but she says the character of Dani was not based on herself. Dani and I are very different. In fact, I think that when I developed her character, it helped me see many things in another persons perspective. Overall, at this age, it may seem difficult to share your inner thoughts and feelings, but what made it easier is that I wrote this book about middle school through Danis eyes and her own experiences. It allowed me to be the observer through Danis perspective, which made it easier to develop Danis feelings and innermost thoughts. If I had written this story about my own inner feelings and thoughts, it would have been more difficult. Peretz kept her own diary during that time, which she used to inspire her fictional character. Another big inspiration was her parents, who have published several books themselves. My mom, Nili Peretz, is the most intelligent, kind and well-rounded individual I know. She was the one who always recognized my love for writing and influenced me to write a positive, uplifting story. As for my dad, Gil Peretz, he mentored me post the writing process. He assisted me with all the logistics of publishing a book. The process of writing was slow but steady for Peretz. She carved out an hour of writing time every couple of days, working around her homework and extracurricular activities. She says dividing it into sections and chapters kept it from becoming an overwhelming task. But still, Peretz says the hardest part was the middle. I find it ironic in my case because just as the middle of writing a book may seem the hardest, middle school feels exactly that way sometimes, too. Nevertheless, the middle of something is always the most eventful place for growth because it is the place you realize it is up to you to grandly finish what has begun. The hardest part taught me that when you are starting any journey, whether it is writing a book or surviving middle school, keep your head up and finish it off right. As for the secrets of surviving middle school, Peretz has her own insightful list which includes a measure of wisdom beyond her 15 years. They are: Be kind and spread love, forget others opinions, stay true to yourself, distinguish real friendships and hold on to them, and remember a smile is the fastest way to connect to people. Although she does see more books in her future, Peretz says that right now she wants to focus on her other passions which include public speaking and improving human welfare. Shed like to devote the rest of her teen years to some pretty lofty goals the rise of education for children around the world and stopping global poverty and hunger. I hope to be able to work with other teens around the globe to make our society and world the best, most positive place it can be. A lawsuit over the Sophie B. Wright Charter Schools decision to bar students from their May 13 graduation ceremony has been put on hold in order to move the case to federal court. Wright and its school leaders are being sued by 18-year-old Lyric Naje Fernandez because she claims that Wright violated her due process rights by not properly giving her a chance to appeal her punishment. Fernandez says she, along with a dozen other students, were accused of participating in a senior prank day last month. Wright suspended several students for a week after school officials said the teens used water guns, eggs, vinegar, mustard and water balloons on the Uptown campus on April 5. Tracie Washington, Wrights school attorney, said the prank damaged public property, and school principal Sharon Clark said water on the first and third floors caused two teachers and a student to slip. Officials have said students were warned several times beforehand not to participate. The students had their privileges revoked, including walking at graduation, senior prom, senior picnic and activities on their last day of school. Wright has since rescinded the suspensions, and some students will be allowed to join the graduation ceremony if they can prove theyve completed 20 hours of community service by Monday. Wrights school leaders were initially ordered to appear in Orleans Parish Civil District Court on Monday. However, Washington on May 5 successfully filed a motion to move the case to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana effective Monday. [Fernandez filed] this action because she was not allowed to participate in senior activities, including the Senior Prom, the Senior Picnic, and the Senior Commencement Ceremony. These activities are not constitutionally protected fundamental rights; they are privileges forfeited by bad behavior, Washingtons motion stated. In her motion, Washington argued the lawsuit alleges Wright committed federal violations for improper disclosures of student personal information in violation of FERPA. Documents provided in Fernandezs April 26 complaint not only showed Wright denied Fernandezs request for senior privileges, but Wright had also disclosed to Fernandez the identity of another student disciplined for the prank. Fernandez wanted the court to issue an injunction against Wright, to reverse the schools decision barring her from the graduation ceremony. Nuestra Voz (Our Voice), an educational equality advocacy group that has criticized Wrights discipline practices, in a released statement Tuesday (May 7) said Wrights stall tactics suggest the school knows a judge will not rule favorably for them. 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 Student sues Sophie B. Wright school over graduation privileges Federal court can take more than 30 days to hold a hearing and send it back to the district court, Nuestra Voz stated. This could delay the case until after Wrights ceremony, which would make the case moot, Nuestra Voz added. Fernandezs lawyer, Macy Ledet, told Nuestra Voz she plans to file a temporary restraining order to prevent further interference in the case by Wright. If this gets removed to federal court, and the TRO is not granted in federal court, Ms. Fernandez is not going to walk. And they know this. This was a stall tactic, according to Macy Ledet in a released statement. Nuestra Voz stated Fernandez and at least six other students are currently not being allowed to walk at the graduation ceremony. Fernandezs father told Nuestra Voz that the ceremony is a moment I want to see with my child. Several community members and organizations came together to hold a prom event May 4 for all Wright seniors, in support of the seniors who had been disciplined. The 1881 Institute of Technology provided a venue for the event, during which a prom queen and king were crowned. Jaheim Evans, a 17-year-old Wright senior who told NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune last month that Wright never gave them an opportunity to have fun as kids, was crowned king. The community members and organizations involved with the prom are also working to provide seniors a picnic and graduation ceremony this month. 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. Katherine Gividen of Baton Rouge, president and founding member of the Louisiana Master Naturalists of Greater Baton Rouge, was presented the Louisiana Wildlife Federations Governors Award, honoring her as conservationist of the year for 2018 for her volunteer work in conservation education. The Governors Award is presented each year to the person, business or organization making the most outstanding contribution to the protection, wise use and enjoyment of Louisianas natural resources. Taste fish, fowl and game from our vanishing wetlands at Cook-Off for the Coast The federation presented six other annual awards to individuals and organizations for their conservation efforts during an April 27 awards banquet in Baton Rouge. The awards were presented jointly by both the Louisiana federation and its parent organization, the National Wildlife Federation. Gividen has been a coordinator and facilitator for master naturalist workshops in addition to being a board member for the naturalist organization for several years. Shes a certified FrogWatch volunteer, a teacher for the Discover Nature series at Hilltop Arboretum and an instructor for the Becoming an Outdoors Woman Workshop hosted annually by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries. She also has been a board member with the Louisiana Hiking Club and is a volunteer with Wings of Hope Wildlife Sanctuary. Katherine Gividen works a full-time job as director of food and nutrition at a Baton Rouge health care facility and still makes time to volunteer for environmental and outdoor recreation organizations in her community, said Rebecca Triche, executive director for Louisiana Wildlife Federation. Sharing her knowledge of wildlife and habitat and her enthusiasm for being outdoors has benefited many others and she is worthy of this distinguished recognition. CITGO Petroleum Corp., owner of the CITGO refinery in Lake Charles, was named Corporate Conservationist of the Year for its Caring for Our Coast Program in Louisiana. That program, which began in 2014, was launched in remembrance of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita to focus on conservation and restoration along the Gulf Coast. The refinery, The Nature Conservancy and community volunteers conducted restoration work at the Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge in March 2018, and planted cypress trees in Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes as an Earth Day project in April 2018. The company also contributed $100,000 to Restore the Earth, part of that groups effort to restore a million acres of degraded land in the Mississippi River basin. The company has donated more than $4.7 million to Louisiana conservation efforts in recent years. Environmental news in your inbox Stay up-to-date on the latest on Louisiana's coast and the environment. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up This award is a testament to our passion for environmental protection and restoration. It is also a reflection of our commitment to supporting the communities in which we live and work, especially in Southwest Louisiana where this year, CITGO celebrates 75 years of operations at the Lake Charles Manufacturing Complex," said CITGOs Larry Elizondo in a news release announcing the award. The Youth Conservationists of the Year award was given to the Audubon Nature Institutes Youth Volunteer Corps in New Orleans for creating six youth volunteer programs providing opportunities for youngsters between 11 and 19 to work in environmental community service learning projects. In 2018, 268 volunteers contributed more than 26,000 hours of service. Baton Rouge Zoos FrogWatch USA won the Conservation Organization of the Year award for its efforts in providing insights to conservation challenges impacting amphibians through collaboration between scientists and volunteers in collecting scientific data. The program partnered with Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center, enrolling 49 volunteers in 2017 and 48 volunteers in 2018. Sherrill Sagrera of Abbeville was named Volunteer Conservationist of the Year for his contributions to coastal restoration planning in southwest Louisiana and her work as a conservation advocate for more than 20 years. Sagrera has been a member of the Vermillion Parish Coastal Protection/Restoration Advisory Committee, Rainey Conservation Alliance board of directors, and Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana. Sagrera also worked on Giant Salvinia control and sponsored wetland restoration plantings in 2018. Thomas Christian Chris Pearce of Many was named Conservation Educator of the Year for his wildlife education carreer, his work at the LSU AgCenter. As a 4-H agent, he has worked with youngsters at Mini Marsh Maneuvers at Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge and Marsh Madness at Palmetto Island State Park. Pearce also organizes and teaches outdoor training sessions for youth and gives wildlife demonstrations. State Sen. Dan W. Blade Morrish, R-Jennings, was named Elected Official Conservationist of the Year for his 2018 legislative efforts to protect and conserve the Sabine Lake oyster reef, which might be the largest unharvested shellfish reef in any temperate marine climate in the world. The Louisiana federation was established in 1940 and represents a broad constituency of conservationists, including hunters, anglers, campers, birders, boaters, and other outdoor enthusiasts. Mark Schleifstein covers the environment and is a leader of the Louisiana Coastal Reporting Team for NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune. Email: mschleifstein@nola.com. Facebook: Mark Schleifstein and Louisiana Coastal Watch. Twitter: MSchleifstein. The Army Corps of Engineers is again reviewing whether to reopen the Bonnet Carre Spillway to reduce the flow of water past New Orleans, after National Weather Service forecasters said the river will rise to 16.9 feet at the Carrollton Gage on May 25, and stay at that level for six days, a corps spokesman said Tuesday (May 7). On Tuesday, the river had again risen to 16.6 feet in New Orleans, less than a half foot below the official flood stage of 17 feet. Levees and floodwalls protect the city from water levels of between 20 and 22 feet. We are reviewing probable operation (of the spillway) as this forecast indicates surpassing the Bonnet Carre Spillway trigger, said Ricky Boyett, spokesman for the New Orleans District office of the corps. The trigger for opening the spillway is linked to the flow of water moving past the Carrollton Gage at greater than 1.25 million cubic feet per second, rather than just nearing the 17-foot flood stage. If it were to reopen, it would be the first time that the spillway was operated more than once in the same calendar year, and the fifth time it was opened in a single decade. Mississippi rising again, could cause 2nd spillway opening The corps raised similar concerns about the potential of opening the spillway a second time at the end of April, when another series of weather fronts dropped heavy rain in the upper river basin. But the water flow rate was less than the trigger level by the time it made its way to New Orleans. The spillway was opened on Feb. 27, the 13th time since it was built in the aftermath of the historic 1927 Mississippi River flood, and was shut down on April 11. Officials opened 206 of the spillways 350 bays, with the peak flow reaching 213,000 cubic feet per second of water diverted into Lake Pontchartrain. This is what the open Bonnet Carre Spillway looks like from the air The weather services Lower Mississippi River Forecast Center also predicts that at the end of its 28-day forecast, June 4, the water level will only have dropped to 16.8 feet in the city. The forecast is based on past rainfall in the Mississippi River watershed, plus forecast rainfall expected during the following 48 hours. However the weather services Weather Prediction Center actually is predicting more rain in key areas along the Mississippi and Ohio rivers through seven days, with some locations expecting to receive between 5 to 7 inches of rainfall. Environmental news in your inbox Stay up-to-date on the latest on Louisiana's coast and the environment. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Last week, officials with the corps Mississippi Valley Division office, which oversees the entire river, warned that forecast models were indicating a pattern of frontal systems moving through the central river valley area through at least the middle of May. The river has been above 11 feet in New Orleans, considered bank full, since Dec. 12, and has been at 15 feet or above since Feb. 24. At 11 feet, the corps begins the first phase of its flood fighting program, which includes increases in inspections and some restrictions on work occurring on or near river levees. At 15 feet, the second phase of the corps flood fighting program kicked in, including bans on work on or within 1,500 feet of levees without obtaining permission from the corps and local levee districts, and daily inspections. One casualty of those restrictions has been the second phase of the city of New Orleans plan to rebuild Bourbon Street in the French Quarter. In February, Hard Rock Construction LLC backfilled open trenches and demobilized its labor force and materials in advance of Mardi Gras, and has been unable to resume construction since then because of the high water restrictions. Subsurface work associated with the redesign and reconstruction of Convention Center Boulevard in the Warehouse District also has been suspended because of its closeness to the river levees, though surface work on that street has continued. Boyett said corps officials are reviewing both projects to determine if there are ways some of their work can resume. We are evaluating for work that could threaten the integrity of the levee, i.e., subsurface, digging, or areas with lower factors of safety, Boyett said. Work above ground with low risk is generally permissible, which should be the work you see underway at the Convention Center now. The corps is tracking 260 locations along Mississippi and Atchafalaya river levees in Louisiana, which is less than during the Mississippis 2011 high river event, when more than 400 locations were being tracked, Boyett said. This years problem locations include 125 seepage sites and six sand boils -- locations where water leaking through a levee creates a bubbling circle of sand on the protected side. Officials also are tracking locations with erosion, encroachments from construction jobs, rutting by animals such was wild boars, debris left on levees by the high river, and actual slides of levee soils. Boyett said two locations are considered high priority and 38 are medium priorities. Corps officials do not release the location of problem areas because of security concerns. Mark Schleifstein covers the environment and is a leader of the Louisiana Coastal Reporting Team for NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune. Email: mschleifstein@nola.com. Facebook: Mark Schleifstein and Louisiana Coastal Watch. Twitter: MSchleifstein. Erin Rushons life had been hell for a long time. The bad relationships, the failed attempts to get clean, the depression, the heroin. Each time she thought she had bottomed out, she would realize things really could get worse. She was exhausted. She was tired of running. I was a runner, she said. I ran from problems. I ran from everything. Now Rushon, 27, hopes she can put that life behind her for good. For the past few months, shes been able to find peace in the quiet, pastoral setting of the Lynhaven Retreat near Hammond, a womens center run by the New Orleans Mission. Rushon is among the couple dozen women who live at the retreat, taking part in a faith-based program that tries to help them reassemble broken lives. The residents come from backgrounds of substance abuse, domestic abuse, human trafficking and homelessness. They arrive at Lynhaven through New Orleans Mission referrals. All backgrounds, all different faiths, director Ginger Jones said. Some of them came to New Orleans only to find themselves homeless. Some of the stories, its heart-wrenching. Lynhaven for years had been a venue in the piney woods of eastern Tangipahoa Parish that played hosts to countless wedding receptions and corporate gatherings. The 18-acre site, like much of the region surrounding it, flooded in 2016. The New Orleans Mission became the owner of the retreat through a purchase-donation, said David Bottner, the organizations chief executive officer. The first group of women began living at the site in April 2018. Jones, a long-time Metairie resident who now lives there with her husband, recalls the first time she saw it. I remember thinking, This is not only a safe haven. This is a slice of Heaven. The Lynhaven Retreat acts as the womens counterpart to the Missions Giving Hope Retreat in Lacombe, which opened for men in 2015. The mission also runs a food pantry in Lacombe. Lynhaven greatly expands the North Shore footprint of the New Orleans Mission, the largest faith-based private sector provider for the homeless population in the metro area. Giving Hope The women live two to a room in cottages at the site. Two cottages are complete; a third is being built with labor from Quad Youth Group, a Volunteers of America program that trains at-risk youth ages 16-21 carpentry and construction skills. 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 Rushon and the other women come to Lynhaven after an evaluation period at the missions headquarters in New Orleans. The program lasts from three to 12 months, depending on the women and their situations, Jones said. For the first 30 days, we really just want them to be still, Jones said, adding that most of the women have come from lives where there was never time to stop, take a deep breath and reflect. The women have chores such as cooking and helping take care of the grounds. They take part in counseling sessions, Bible study and help run the event business still operating at the site. They are paid for the work they do and can leave the program any time they wish. Women who are married or have children are allowed visiting days on weekends so that they can try and rebuild those relationships. Rushon, whose mother keeps her four children, said she has made great strides in repairing vital family relationships. The rules are explained to the women before they agree to entering the program, Jones said. All faiths are welcome, she said. We just ask that they be receptive to the Scriptures. Religion was never personal or important for Trish Trombley, who calls herself a lapsed Catholic. She arrived at Lynhaven after fleeing an abusive relationship in her home state of Rhode Island. Trombley, 38, had stops in Florida before heading to New Orleans, where she eventually found herself penniless and homeless. I walked into the New Orleans Mission. It was the best decision I never made myself, she said. It was all God. Theres no question about that. Every day Im here, Im getting a little closer to God. Like Trombley, Rushon also has found peace. She knows the road ahead is long. It hasnt been easy and she doesnt expect it to be. Ive gotten a lot, she said. My family has been restored. Ive become a believer. Hes making me a new person. New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell appears to have put the pieces together for a deal that will pay for much-needed repairs and maintenance for the citys decaying sewerage and water systems. And in keeping with the finest tradition of Louisiana politics, most of the money will be plucked from the pockets of out-of-towners. The package includes a one-time payment of $50 million to help keep the Sewerage & Water Board from running out of cash this year and $26 million a year in recurring revenue for future projects and long-term upkeep. Mayor Cantrell treading water after 1 year in office That recurring money will largely come from higher taxes on hotels and short-term rentals, and higher property taxes in the Central Business District. We have a deal and we are being true to our word: The people of New Orleans are getting more of their fair share, with critical revenue being directed towards our infrastructure at a time when the need is dire, Cantrell said in a statement released by her office Monday (May 6). Im proud to say we found a way to get to a win-win that secures vital funds and unprecedented recurring revenue, without ever losing sight of the Citys best interests in the long run. It wasnt an easy road to get here, but it was far more important that we get this deal done right than that it get done in a hurry." Cantrell said the plan would generate $200 million for city infrastructure over the next five years. The mayor's wording suggests that the city still isn't getting everything it's owed. When it comes to our "fair share," residents will only be "getting more" of it, not the whole thing. In fact, Cantrell originally wanted a $75 million one-time payment and $40 million in annual revenue. She ended up getting about two-thirds of each, which isn't bad given the forces aligned against her in the tourism industry and by anti-tax lawmakers. In exchange, she apparently had to give up her opposition to a controversial new hotel that would be subsidized by the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center and include a tax on short-term rentals that forestalls plans by the City Council and raises concerns from advocates who wanted a share of that money directed to affordable housing plans. Council members wanted to apply short-term rental fees to raise at least $20 million annually for the citys Neighborhood Housing Improvement Fund, which can be used to subsidize affordable housing development. The agreement to merge the New Orleans Tourism and Marketing Corp. into New Orleans & Co., formerly the New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau, also raises some red flags. New Orleans & Co. operations and spending are more shielded from public scrutiny, which became obvious when the mayor first raised the issue of "fair share." The details and long-term impact of the changes will determine how good a deal Cantrell landed. If you believe that the citys aged streets and water lines should be the mayors top priority, then the agreement may be worth it. And after last weeks flooded streets and boil-water advisory, its hard to argue otherwise. But its also overly optimistic for Cantrell to claim a win-win. In government, there are never solutions, only tradeoffs. Ignore the senator, vaccines save lives Key parts of the agreement still have to clear the Legislature and an eventual vote of the people in New Orleans. House Bill 589, sponsored by state Rep. Walt Leger III, D-New Orleans, would authorize the convention center hotel. House Bill 522 would increase the tax on hotel guests by 1 percentage point and raise $12 million per year. House Bill 43 would increase the tax on Airbnb and other short-term rentals by up to 6.75 percent to equalize the rate with the hotel tax rate. The short-term rental tax, if approved by the Legislature, would then go to the City Council to be put on the October ballot for parish voters. The tax is expected to raise up to $10.5 million a year, with 75 percent going to the city's infrastructure and 25 percent to tourism marketing programs in New Orleans. We were told it couldnt be done," Cantrell said in her statement. "We were told not to try. And we stand here today with a commitment of $200 million more than we have ever had to invest in the infrastructure our people and all of our industries depend on. And like all deals, the devil is awaiting more details. Tim Morris is a columnist on the Latitude team at NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune. Latitude is a place to share opinions about the challenges facing Louisiana. Follow @LatitudeNOLA on Facebook and Twitter. Write to Tim at tmorris@nola.com. As a scientist at LSU, Dr. Catherine O'Neal knew the COVID-19 vaccines had undergone rigorous safety testing before they were made available for children. But when the time came to sign her own kids up for the jab, the mother of three experienced Council Bluffs police say one person is dead following a chase involving three cars. Ethan B. Edgar, 18, of Hutchinson, Kansas, died after being shot Monday night at the corner of South Main Street and Ninth Avenue, police said in a statement this afternoon. The investigation, which is still ongoing, indicates that the owner of a stolen black 2009 Nissan 370Z, along with several friends, in multiple cars, were in Council Bluffs actively searching for the car, as they had information that it was seen at different locations in Council Bluffs throughout the day. The Nissan had been reported stolen to the Omaha Police Department just after 2 a.m. Monday morning. Edgar was behind the wheel of the stolen Nissan, parked on the gas station lot, at South Main Street and Ninth Avenue, when it was located by some of the owners friends, who were in two separate cars, police said. One of these cars, a blue Honda Civic, pulled directly in front of the Nissan, blocking its forward path, as the second car, a silver Toyota Camry pulled in directly behind the Nissan, blocking it from backing out of the area. Edgar, the lone occupant of the Nissan, put the car in reverse and accelerated, slamming the rearend of the Nissan into the front passenger side door of the Camry, police said. As Edgar then began to drive forward, a male sitting in the front passenger seat of the Camry fired multiple shots at the Nissan through his open car door window. The three cars proceeded to ram into each other several times, with the male in the Camry firing additional rounds at the Nissan. A total of 12 9mm shell casings were recovered at the scene. Edgar was able to drive the Nissan off the gas station lot, heading north on South Main Street, with the Honda Civic and Toyota Camry chasing after it. Edgar lost control of the Nissan at the intersection of South Main Street and Fifth Avenue, crashing into a tree. Paramedics transported Edgar to UNMC, where he died from his injuries. He had been struck by gunfire twice, once in the upper right back and another time on the right thigh, police said. The people inside the Honda Civic and Toyota Camry remained on the scene and were taken in for questioning. After reviewing all the known evidence with the Pottawattamie County Attorneys Office, it was decided that no one would be immediately arrested. It is expected the county attorney will present the evidence to a grand jury to determine if the male who fired the shots, identified as Jonathan Echtinaw, 25, of Omaha, will face any criminal charges. Participants will paddle the West Nishnabotna River while learning about conservation and habitat practices along the river and looking for birds and other wildlife. Nic Salick with Pheasants Forever will lead the program. There will be an optional tour of Stempel Bird Museum in Macedonia afterwards. Pre-registration is required for the float as space is limited. Fee for the float is $15, which includes canoe, paddle and life jacket rental. Register online at goldenhillsrcd.org/exploreyourwatershed. The float will begin at 9 a.m. Participants will meet at Old Town Park west of Macedonia. Paddlers will be shuttled to Carson and paddle back to their vehicles at Old Town, discussing riparian habitat and wildlife along the way. Participants should expect to spend up to two hours paddling. The event will be postponed if weather is not cooperative. Full details and registration available online at goldenhillsrcd.org/exploreyourwatershed or Facebook.com/goldenhillsrcd. Contact Project Coordinator Lance Brisbois at Golden Hills RC&D at lance@goldenhillsrcd.org or 712-482-3029. The following editorial was published in the Des Moines Register on May 1: Iowans should consider sending thank-you notes to U.S. Sen. Robert Casey. The Pennsylvania Democrat is doing what Iowas senators have failed to do: Request a federal investigation into privatized Medicaid health insurance. Former Gov. Terry Branstad turned over Iowas program to for-profit companies three years ago. Despite life-threatening and costly problems, Gov. Kim Reynolds has refused to return control to the state. Now a senator who doesnt directly represent Iowans is getting involved. Casey requested an investigation by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). He cited media reports about for-profit insurers refusing to cover health care for vulnerable people and referenced a Des Moines Register investigation about care denials and endless appeals. Due to concerns that some MCOs are putting their bottom line ahead of patient health and safety, I am requesting that you open an investigation into this industry to shed light on whether all patients enrolled in Medicaid managed care can successfully access the services to which they are entitled, wrote Casey. Among the specific questions he wants the investigation to address: Have private insurers knowingly denied care that should have been covered? Are children, people with disabilities, older adults and others facing hurdles? What type of data should the federal government require states to collect to ensure patients are not inappropriately denied care? The HHS Office of Inspector General agreed to conduct an investigation, and findings are expected in 2020. The federal agency, which largely funds Medicaid for more than 70 million Americans, certainly should be interested in this issue. So are Iowans. Also noteworthy is Caseys mention of a subsidiary of the health insurer Centene, which Iowa recently contracted with after the abrupt departure of another Medicaid insurer. Centene denied round-the-clock nursing care to a child who needed a tracheotomy tube to help him breathe. The toddler needed continual supervision to prevent him from removing the tube. After the insurer refused to pay, the boy pulled it out, was deprived of oxygen and was left with limited brain function. Lets hope such reprehensible care denials are not on the horizon for Iowa children. Caseys request for an investigation raises an obvious question: Why didnt Iowas members of Congress make it? Sen. Chuck Grassley regularly expresses interest in potential Medicaid misspending and he hasnt been shy about investigating misuses of public money. He must know hundreds of millions of Iowas Medicaid dollars are being funneled to for-profit companies for administration instead of paying for Iowans health care. He must have heard at least some of the many complaints from Iowa patients, doctors, and hospitals. His staff, which closely follows news in Iowa, must know per-patient costs have tripled under privatization. A Register editorial writer asked Grassleys office for a comment from the senator. Its always worthwhile to conduct an independent review to make sure taxpayer dollars are being well-spent and government programs are achieving their intended effect, said Grassley. He expressed support for Reynolds and hopes a review can help inform policymakers on ways to improve Medicaid even further. There is no evidence Medicaid has been improved at all by privatization. Just the opposite. It will, however, be interesting to see what, if anything, Grassley has to say if the inspector general finds problems. For three years, he has largely ignored the hurtful impact of privatization in Iowa. Fortunately, a senator from Pennsylvania didnt. A registered sex offender out of North Augusta, who is known in Aiken County for having a strange foot fetish that gets him in trouble, was arrested again last week. Joey William Leaphart, 50, of 100 block of Chalet North Court, is charged with disturbing or interfering with adults or children, according to jail records. On May 2, North Augusta Public Safety officers responded to 400 block of E. Martintown Road around 1:30 p.m. in reference to reports of a man taking pictures of a woman and her young daughter. Officers reported they located the suspect outside a nearby fast-food restaurant and identified him as Leaphart. Leaphart told police he did not take any pictures of anyone and was just walking through the area, police said. Accused toe sucker jailed Man cited for asking to smell, kiss woman's feet The man accused of tricking an 18-year-old woman into letting him suck her toe in a Wal-Mart store was arrested last week for failure to register as a sex offender, according to the Aiken County Sheriff's Office. Investigators then spoke with the victim, and she claimed Leaphart approached her and her daughter after they left a nearby Mexican restaurant. She said he had his phone in his hand, but she ignored him and continued walking to her vehicle, the report states. Leaphart allegedly started running after the victims through the parking lot, saying he just wanted to take pictures, the victim stated. Officers arrested Leaphart and took him to the Aiken County detention center, where he is still being held Tuesday. Leaphart was convicted in 2000 of committing a lewd act upon a child, an offense that required him to register as a sex offender, according to court records. He pleaded guilty in 2000 to an incident in which he sucked and licked the toes of a juvenile, and was incarcerated from March 2004 to October 2009. He's been arrested multiple times since then for a variety of charges. Microsoft has revealed some of its upcoming plans for the new Chromium-based Edge browser at Build 2019. Future builds of the new Edge browser will offer a Collections pane to neatly organize and export research, a new user-friendly privacy dashboard, a built-in IE mode, and improved developer tools for working with WebView and PWAs. These features are yet to make their way to public builds, but users can try out existing builds from the Dev and Canary channels to get a feel of the new browser. 4 Reviews , News , CPU , GPU , Articles , Columns , Other "or" search relation. 3D Printing , 5G , Accessory , AI , Alder Lake , AMD , Android , Apple , ARM , Audio , Biotech , Business , Camera , Cannon Lake , Cezanne (Zen 3) , Charts , Chinese Tech , Chromebook , Coffee Lake , Comet Lake , Console , Convertible / 2-in-1 , Cryptocurrency , Cyberlaw , Deal , Desktop , E-Mobility , Education , Exclusive , Fail , Foldable , Gadget , Galaxy Note , Galaxy S , Gamecheck , Gaming , Geforce , Google Pixel , GPU , How To , Ice Lake , Intel Evo / Project Athena , Internet of Things (IoT) , iOS , iPad Pro , iPhone , Jasper Lake , Lakefield , Laptop , Launch , Leaks / Rumors , Linux / Unix , Lucienne (Zen 2) , MacBook , Mini PC , Monitor , MSI , OnePlus , Opinion , Phablet , Radeon , Renoir , Review Snippet , Rocket Lake , Ryzen (Zen) , Science , Security , Single-Board Computer (SBC) , Smart Home , Smartphone , Smartwatch , Software , Storage , Tablet , ThinkPad , Thunderbolt , Tiger Lake , Touchscreen , Ultrabook , Virtual Reality (VR) / Augmented Reality (AR) , Wearable , Windows , Workstation , XPS , Zen 3 (Vermeer) Ticker Microsoft announced the decision to move the Edge browser to a Chromium code base late last year. Dev and Canary builds of the browser are now available to everyone for testing and the initial reception has been pretty good for work-in-progress software. At Build 2019, Microsoft detailed on some of the new features that it is working on for the new Chromium-based Edge (or Edgium in geek speak). One of the new additions that will soon make its way to the new browser is Collections. Collections are a neat way to collect, organize, and share content. It leverages cloud-powered intelligence to export your research to online Office apps and arrange the information automatically in a logical way. Also on the anvil is a new privacy dashboard that offers more clarity to users on things like tracking protection and cookies that are allowed and blocked. Users can now choose how much of an exposure they'd like to give to a third-party website. Up till now, Windows 10 users in the enterprise had to manually invoke Internet Explorer for compatibility with intranet sites necessitating working between multiple browsers. The new Edge will offer a built-in Internet Explorer mode for those wanting to access legacy IE-only content within Edge itself. IT admins can use an Enterprise Mode list and Edge will automatically use IE mode whenever such sites are invoked. Therefore, IT Pros need to target only one browser instead of managing and training users on multiple ones. Build is all about developers so Microsoft shared information on improvements to developer tools in the new Edge. The updated dev tools can now inspect and debug web content whether it is in the browser, PWAs, or WebView. Developers working with PWAs can now target their app for Windows and macOS given that Edge is now a cross-platform browser. Windows devs also get to have a first look at the new Edge-powered WebView that enables development of hybrid Chromium and Win32/UWP apps for the best combination of native functionality and up-to-date web versions. Although many still prefer that Edge had stuck to its roots, given the increased acceptance of Chromium-based browsers, it makes perfect business sense. We did take 'Edgium' for a test ride and are happy at how things are shaping up. We'd recommend you try it out as well. Forward-thinking Kemin Animal Nutrition and Health operations Kemin Animal Nutrition and Health is extending its operational strengths in the feed sector to the farm sector, shares Kelvin Wong, Operations Director at Kemin Animal Nutrition and Health, Asia Pacific, in an interview with eFeedLink at their Singapore plant. According to Kelvin, in the feed sector, Kemin has long established its unique value proposition in programme selling based on customers' requirements. Kemin adds value to its products by recommending the best fit solution for each respective customer. "Our programmes are supported by a team of experienced professionals throughout the purchase cycle, which includes knowledgeable subject matter experts, approachable sales representatives and upright customer laboratory services team," highlights Kelvin. To further increase its competitive advantage, Kemin has embarked on recent initiatives to expand its production capabilities, shortening the lead time of product delivery for customers. Moreover, as part of Kemin's strategy to venture into its unexplored market segments, Kemin is extending its operational strengths in the feed sector to the farm sector. One area is by making small product packagings (100g and 1kg) commercially available for the needs of the farm sector, including smaller, independent farms. As part of Kemin's Global initiative, it aims to be proactive in its efforts towards sustainability, environmental protection, and occupational health and safety (OH&S). These initiatives go beyond just productivity or product quality improvements, Kelvin stresses. As examples, filling and packaging automation and scrubber technologies adopted by Kemin are not only hygienic and user-friendly but also protect the environment. Responding to digitalisation needs of the industry and customers, Kemin is progressively adopting relevant solutions. Kelvin shares that the company has recently implemented barcode technology in its warehouse operations, and more specifically even QR codes for some of its product brochures and packagings which customers can scan for more information. These are part of Kemin's global "procurement to sales initiative", which Kelvin describes to be in the near future similar to an online courier service platform, where customers can order and check products, and track their delivery status online. "We are currently mapping out milestones for this project, and we aim to link our barcode technology with our global initiative," says Kelvin. Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) is another area whereby forward thinking is critical. Kemin's Singapore plant has attained the "bizSAFE Level 3" certification which is recognised by the Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Council. Workplaces that attained "bizSAFE Level 3" would have their Risk Management (RM) plan implemented, in compliance with the requirements under the Workplace Safety and Health Act (WSHA) and its subsidiary legislation. Companies require a third party, Ministry of Manpower-approved WSH auditor to evaluate their implementation of the risk management plan and for the risk management plan to include initiatives against terror threats at the workplace, to attain "bizSAFE Level 3" certification. Kelvin shares some illustrative examples for WSH: 1) All work facilities are inspected regularly to meet specific lighting standards which ensure good visibility and safety conditions are maintained. 2) Kemin has recently rebuilt the shop floor flooring which is made with a highly chemical-resistant and mechanically-durable material which has improved the overall hygiene and safety conditions at the shop floors. 3) Additional safety measures towards work-at-height activities are emphasised, such as the railing structures which are built around the cooling tower, help to eliminate the risk of falling from a height. 4) Equipping our forklifts with an additional 'blue light' warning feature helps to alert the pedestrians in advance on a reversing forklift. 5) Our recent campus upgrading includes improving the traffic management of export containers within the campus to enhance traffic safety significantly. At Kemin's Singapore campus, employees strive to make the premises a safe and healthy one, with the aim that people will return home safe and healthy at the end of a day's work. We are embarking on the following WSH initiatives: 1) Implement 5S Plan to create a Safe, Visual and Clean factory to facilitate cleaner and safer work areas so that tripping hazards and other common dangers are eliminated. 2) Create better WSH awareness by watching online safety videos. Employees are encouraged to watch these videos to better know about their workplace hazards and control measures. 3) Develop and implement a behavioural safety and intervention program to curb unsafe work behaviour and promote safe working practices in the workplace. Importantly, Kelvin points out that employees are advocated continuously to report on near miss incidents and potential hazards immediately; this ultimately helps to reduce the likelihood of a potential hazard leading into a full-blown accident. To date, the Singapore plant supports the Asia Pacific region of Kemin Animal Nutrition and Health business (excluding China and India), supplies to 15 countries, and is supported by eight distribution centres within the region. The Spectre and Meltdown vulnerabilities proved that most of the CPUs made by Intel and AMD in the past 10 years are susceptible to code-based attacks and the current security model of bugs and patches needs to change at a fundamental level. Researchers at the University of Michigan might have the solution with the Morpheus CPU security architecture that renders processors virtually invulnerable even to the fastest electronic hacking techniques. 4 Reviews , News , CPU , GPU , Articles , Columns , Other "or" search relation. 3D Printing , 5G , Accessory , AI , Alder Lake , AMD , Android , Apple , ARM , Audio , Biotech , Business , Camera , Cannon Lake , Cezanne (Zen 3) , Charts , Chinese Tech , Chromebook , Coffee Lake , Comet Lake , Console , Convertible / 2-in-1 , Cryptocurrency , Cyberlaw , Deal , Desktop , E-Mobility , Education , Exclusive , Fail , Foldable , Gadget , Galaxy Note , Galaxy S , Gamecheck , Gaming , Geforce , Google Pixel , GPU , How To , Ice Lake , Intel Evo / Project Athena , Internet of Things (IoT) , iOS , iPad Pro , iPhone , Jasper Lake , Lakefield , Laptop , Launch , Leaks / Rumors , Linux / Unix , Lucienne (Zen 2) , MacBook , Mini PC , Monitor , MSI , OnePlus , Opinion , Phablet , Radeon , Renoir , Review Snippet , Rocket Lake , Ryzen (Zen) , Science , Security , Single-Board Computer (SBC) , Smart Home , Smartphone , Smartwatch , Software , Storage , Tablet , ThinkPad , Thunderbolt , Tiger Lake , Touchscreen , Ultrabook , Virtual Reality (VR) / Augmented Reality (AR) , Wearable , Windows , Workstation , XPS , Zen 3 (Vermeer) Ticker Even though there are no reports of real-world disasters caused by hackers taking advantage of the inherent Spectre and Meltdown vulnerabilities that plague most CPUs released in the past 10 years, the flawed architectures employed by Intel and AMD clearly need to be updated with improved security features. Both chip makers are now trying to provide hardware-level patches and fixes, but hackers already found more Spectre and Meltdown variants, so maybe this security model of bugs and patches needs to be replaced. Enter the unhackable Morpheus CPU security architecture developed by researchers at the University of Michigan. Morpheus uses a pro-active security system that encrypts and randomly reshuffles bits of its own code 20 times per second. According to Todd Austin, one of the engineers and developers of the architecture, even if a hacker finds a bug, the information needed to exploit it vanishes 50 milliseconds later. Its perhaps the closest thing to a future-proof secure system [] Imagine trying to solve a Rubiks Cube that rearranges itself every time you blink. Thats what hackers are up against with Morpheus. It makes the computer an unsolvable puzzle. It looks like the U.S. Army is also interested in this new architecture, as a working Morpheus prototype was funded by DARPA. The prototype managed to defend against every known variant of the control-flow attack, which is currently the most efficient way to compromise CPUs. The research team lead by Austin is confident that the Morpheus processor can fend off even the fastest electronic hacking techniques and can increase the randomization speed if it detects an increased rate of attacks. The default 50 millisecond randomization speed only has a 1% performance impact. The demo chip was built using the RISC-V architecture, which is common for open-source research of this kind. This shows that security systems similar to Morpheus can eventually be implemented in consumer chips like desktop CPUs or IoT devices, and Austin is already looking to commercialize the technology via its Agita Labs startup company. County Court Judge Designate Joel Jay was introduced to the Lincoln County commissioners Monday. County Judge Kent Turnbull said he was pleased to be able to serve with Jay. Jay announced that the ceremonial swearing in will be May 31, the same day as his parents 50th wedding anniversary. On April 18, Gov. Pete Ricketts announced Jays appointment to the 11th Judicial District seat that was vacated when Judge Michael E. Piccolo was appointed to the district court. Jay had been serving as Deuel County attorney. Turning their attention to roads, commissioners set a time to accept bids for armor coating for Project LCDOR 2019-02 10 a.m. May 28. The roads are on the countys one- and six year-road plans. Commissioners also voted to have Chairman Joe Hewgley sign an agreement with Western Engineering Co., Inc., for Project LCDOR 2019-01. They accepted the bid two weeks ago for overlay projects to be paid for by the road improvement bond. Chad Lyons, vice president of operations for Western Engineering, was there to sign the agreement. Commissioners also: Theres no doubt he has the intelligence but not the experience to do so, Gillett told Birch, who appointed him as standby counsel in case Burton needs help with legal questions. Chuckles arose from court officers, members of the public and other defendants awaiting their cases when Birch asked Burton when he next would be ready to appear in court. The next motion day (May 20) would be fine, Burton said. My schedules fairly open. I think we can make that, said Deputy County Attorney Kortnei Hoeft, joining in the levity. In other district court action (defendants are from North Platte unless otherwise noted): Birch heard motions by attorneys for a man and a woman from Porterville, California, seeking to suppress drug evidence in a Nov. 9 traffic stop that resulted in their arrests. Birch took under advisement the motions by Douglas M. Coons, 61, and Michelle H. Hicks, 48, who each have pleaded not guilty in separate cases to felony possession of 140 grams or more of methamphetamine. NebraskaLand Bank to host shred day NebraskaLand National Bank will host a Free Comm(unity) Shred Day on Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the banks main branch, 1400 S. Dewey St. All are invited for a free lunch and secure paper shredding. Donations will be accepted for the Lincoln County Law Enforcement Memorial. The bank will match donations up to $500. One Book for North Platte to discuss novel A Warrior of the People: How Susan La Flesche Overcame Racial and Gender Inequality to Become Americas First Indian Doctor will be the topic of a book discussion at 7 p.m. Wednesday at A to Z Books, 115 W. Fourth St. The event will be hosted by members of the One Book For North Platte committee, who chose A Warrior of the People as their first annual selection. The book was written by Joe Starita, a Nebraska native, and professor at the University of Nebraska College of Journalism and Mass Communications in Lincoln. Discussion questions will be available and books will be sold. Refreshments will be served. Japanese cultural traditions trace back to the early 1200s. Yoko Lawing and her father, Katsumi Kato, are sharing them throughout May at the Japan Expo 2019 hosted by the Prairie Arts Center. Lawing now lives in North Platte. Her father has come to visit and will be joining her to teach pottery making and other art forms. There is also a display of various Japanese cultural items set up in the main gallery at the PAC. What Im going to be focusing on is now and then, from the past to the modern world, Lawing said. I found out there are so many second-generation Nisei Japanese folks living in this community. She said although there are fewer Japanese folks here now than in the past, they are still a vital part of area communities. Most of them came from Japan to try to get a piece of land here in Nebraska, Lawing said. They started farming, they did sugar beets and they are mostly working in the farmland. A visit to the Lincoln County Historical Museum brought photos and clothing to light from the Japanese culture in the area. The staff of the North Platte/Lincoln County Visitors Bureau say they are bubbling with enthusiasm for the tourism community in North Platte. This week, Visitors Bureau staff will be visiting nearly 100 attractions, lodging properties, restaurants and retail locations to say thank you and to encourage everyone from the frontline staff to the managers to keep up the good work and show the utmost hospitality and professionalism to visitors, according to a press release. Attracting visitors to a community and keeping them in town isnt the job of a single organization or attraction, said Lisa Burke, the executive director of the Visitors Bureau. It takes an entire community effort to be welcoming to visitors so they will return again and again and tell their friends. According to the release, a recent speaker at the annual Nebraska Tourism Conference recounted that a visitors experience in a community is only as good as their interaction with the server at the restaurant, the clerk at the service station or the front desk attendant at their hotel. Safety issues were at the forefront of the second annual Workers Summit in North Platte on Monday at the Ramada Inn & Suites. The summit featured several speakers who talked to AFL-CIO union members about issues facing them in their disciplines. Were trying to do this every year just for information, said event organizer Terry Sigler, who is retired from Union Pacific. Were so lacking in information about whats really going on, and now with with the Precision (Scheduled) Railroading 2020, people are concerned about their jobs. He said workers dont know whats going on. We try to bring in a diverse group of labor leaders, Sigler said. If it turns out well, we can go higher up in our union leadership. Sigler said more memberships strengthen the unions. Susan Martin, president/secretary/treasurer of the Nebraska State AFL-CIO, shared some of her thoughts about the purpose of the summit before the meetings began. What were doing is trying to build on our labor movement, Martin said, building the solidarity that we need to help with working-family issues. Curtis, Richard L., 90, of North Platte, died May 6, 2019, at Centennial Park Retirement Village. Services are pending at Carpenter Memorial Chapel. Humphrey, Elizabeth Betty M., 85, died May 1, 2019, at Mercy Hospital, Springfield, Missouri. Betty requested no services. Cards may be sent to her home at 11791 Vernon Lane, Mountain Grove, MO 65711. Ryschon, Thomas D., 73, of North Platte, died May 3, 2019, at the Sutherland Care Center. Services are pending at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home. Jensen, Mildred, 95, of Ogallala, died May 2, 2019, at Indian Hills Manor. Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 8, at Prairie Hills Funeral Home, Ogallala, with Bobby Brueggeman officiating. Cremation will follow and inurnment will be at Fort McPherson National Cemetery, near Maxwell. Visitation will be from 1-6 p.m. Tuesday, May 7, at Prairie Hills Funeral Home. Memorials are suggested to WEL-Live Assisted Living in Ogallala. Online condolences may be shared at prairiehillsfuneralhome.com. Prairie Hills Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Ray, Arthur Lee III, 75, of North Platte, died on May 5, 2019, at Great Plains Health. In keeping with his wishes, cremation was chosen and there will be no service. Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements. Indiana has been ranked the fifth best state in the nation for business, and first in the Midwest, by Chief Executive magazine. The Hoosier state's position remained unchanged from last year when it was also fifth in the Connecticut-based trade publication's ranking. Nationwide, Indiana trailed only Texas, Florida, Tennessee and North Carolina. From home-grown businesses to international Fortune 500 companies, organizations of all sizes are choosing to invest in Indiana because of our best-in-the-Midwest job climate and a Hoosier workforce thats second to none," Gov. Eric Holcomb said in reaction to the ranking. Indiana is a top state for manufacturing, agriculture and logistics that's expanding into new sectors, according to Chief Executive. "In October, Indianapolis hosted the Cybertech Midwest week, partly to help propel the state further into the cybersecurity industry," the magazine wrote. "Infosys, a global leader in consulting, technology and next-generation services, recently announced it will establish a U.S. Education Center in Indianapolis to train its U.S. workers. And Geico said in February an expansion of its customer service center will add more than 1,350 new jobs." For more than a half century, the United States has celebrated Small Business Week, shining a light on the businesses that employ more than half of Americans and create an estimated two out of three new jobs in the United States every year. This year, Small Business Week started Sunday and runs through Saturday. "This week we join Hoosiers in recognizing the important role small businesses play in driving Indiana's economy forward, Gov. Eric Holcomb said, noting Indiana has more than 508,000 small businesses that employ more than 1.2 million people in Indiana. With ingenuity, perseverance and a spirit of entrepreneurship, small business owners are championing 21st century developments, launching new ventures, and supporting good jobs and opportunities that are integral to every one of our communities." Training opportunities for small business owners and entrepreneurs abound, both in the Region and online. MERRILLVILLE The Catholic Foundation is announcing the availability of grant funding through the Mercy Fund. In recognition of Pope Francis' Jubilee of Mercy in 2016, a grant-making endowment within the Catholic Foundation for Northwest Indiana was instituted. Through donations of more than $100,000, the Mercy Fund will make its 2019 grant awards for projects that embody spiritual and corporal works of mercy in the Gary Diocese. To be considered, eligible candidates should visit catholicfuture.org for guidelines and applications for grant awards up to $5,000. Applications will be accepted up to June 1. Winners will be announced in August. The Mercy Fund is one of more than 30 funds endowed with the Catholic Foundation, whose mission is to empower people to express their faith by providing perpetual financial support for diocesan ministries, parishes and schools. The Catholic Foundation has acquired close to $10 million in assets and has created endowments to perpetually support parish ministry, Catholic education, Catholic support services and vocations. For more information, visit catholicfuture.org Love 1 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 GARY A Gary man was killed Saturday in a two-car crash on Ridge Road. Robert Bermingham, 62, was pronounced dead at Methodist Northlake Hospital Saturday evening, according to the Lake County Coroner's office. According to Gary police, a 2000 Toyota Camery driven by Bermingham and a 2007 Toyota Camry, driven by an 88-year-old Gary woman, were involved in the crash in the 4800 block of Ridge Road just before 5 p.m. The 2007 Toyota Camry sustained heavy front end damage. Both cars were towed from the scene. Bermingham was transported to Methodist Northlake but died before he could be airlifted to a Chicago hospital. The woman was treated, but police were unsure if she was transported to a hospital. Love 0 Funny 2 Wow 1 Sad 7 Angry 2 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. HAMMOND A Missouri man was arrested Sunday afternoon on drug and fraud-related charges after police stopped him for weaving along Interstate 94. Marcus R. Jester, 23, was allegedly driving his Oldsmobile westbound on the interstate near Indianapolis boulevard in the center lane well below posted speed limits, according to Indiana State Police. The car was also weaving and making unsafe lane movements. When the Trooper began talking to Jester, he acted nervous according to police, giving varied statements as to where he was coming from, why he was nervous and how much alcohol he had consumed. The Trooper also detected a strong odor of raw marijuana. A search of the car uncovered several large bags of marijuana, several bags of edible marijuana snacks, a credit card skimmer with several credit/debit cards with names on them other than the driver's and four pills identified as Adderall, a schedule II controlled substance. Several cell phones as well as a laptop were also recovered. Jester was transported to the Lake County Jail where he submitted to a certified breath test, the result of that test being .09% blood alcohol content. "I've seen things 10 times worse in the old days," Wieser said of the dispute. About 15,600 voters had cast ballots in Lake County as of 1 p.m., which was down from last year, Fajman said. In Porter County, about 5,300 voters had cast ballots as of 2:45 p.m., officials said. When added to the 2,514 early votes already cast, turnout in Porter County was a bit more than 6 percent so far. Absentee ballots were being prepared at 3 p.m. Counting will start at 6 p.m. Staff assisting Porter County Clerk Jessica Bailey sent out five updates about conditions at the polls before 12:30 p.m., as the county worked to make improvements following last year's election debacle. A survey of all Porter County precincts some of which are located at the same polling sites showed eight opened late, resulting in several voters being turned away of choosing to leave without casting their ballots. An inspector at Northview Elementary School in Valparaiso, the voting site for Center Township Precincts 6 and 9, was removed after elections staff arrived and found she was incapable of performing her duties, officials said. They said elections staff will be at their office phones in Crown Point to answer any questions. They said voters can also go online at indianavoters.in.gov to the Indiana Secretary of States website, which will supply the address to their polling place Tuesday. Fajman said a voter can also go to any polling place in the county and poll workers their will located their new precinct and polling place. The impact will be felt most keenly in Gary, Hammond and East Chicago where most of the precinct and polling place cuts took place. Those cities' active voters likely migrated to the suburbs and beyond over the decades since Lake Countys old precinct map was drawn. This is now the law, and we have to move forward," said Lake County Republican Chairman Dan Dernulc, who helped push for the consolidation. "I feel everything will be just fine. I expect this will be a very normal municipal election. Lake County Democratic Chairman James Wieser said he cant gauge the impact now. I think there will be a decent turnout, although that could depend on the weather, he said. The National Weather Service predicts a 60% chance of showers Tuesday, diminishing by evening. VALAPRAISO Two new sidewalks built under the city's community grant program opened Monday night as more projects, ranging from streetlights to volleyball courts, will finish up later this year. The city's community engagement department held a ribbon cutting for the new walkways on Brown Street and Vale Park Road. Homeowner or neighborhood associations worked with residents who applied for the city's new neighborhood improvement grant last year. The program allows neighborhood groups or an HOA to really decide what they want to see in their neighborhood, Valparaiso Community Engagement Director Maggie Clifton said. Brown Street was prioritized by a group of neighbors, while with Vale Park, the association approached us. The program started in 2018. Grants of up to $15,000 were available to neighborhood groups in 2019, with a total of $60,000 available. The grant funds were provided by the Redevelopment Commission. The program is run by the community engagement department. Thankfully, we found a more hopeful report. The Renewable Fuels Association last month released a report, Drivers of Gasoline Prices in 2019, aimed at clarifying the role of ethanol in rising gasoline prices in late winter/early spring 2019. The paper cited the causes for the price hike as a surge in crude oil prices since the start of the year; typical seasonal patterns in gasoline pricing, partially reflecting the changeover to summer specifications and refinery maintenance and unplanned outages. The reality is, the price of crude oil 70% to 80% of which is imported in the U.S. has historically been and remains the strongest influence on gasoline prices. The RFA report indicates crude oil futures increased by 40% since December 2018 and gasoline futures rose by 50% while ethanol futures prices increased by only 5%. Seasonal changes in gasoline prices for summer-grade gasoline occur annually as well, when refineries switch production to the pricier summer-grade gasoline in February and March. There is no question the Midwest floods impacted the infrastructure used for the transportation of ethanol products in some areas, but the RFA report shows the ethanol inventories were at record levels when the mid-March floods hit. Stalin during the Korean War also saw a way to tie down American forces while expanding and solidifying Soviet power in eastern Europe. After Stalins death in March 1953 the Kremlin, under Nikita Khrushchev, got serious about peace though the Soviet Union was not a signatory to the truce that ended the war four months later. Russian President Vladimir Putin now sees himself as leading a resurgent Russia, reasserting Russian power and influence in eastern Europe, notably Ukraine, and eager to counterbalance China and the United States in Asia. The fact that he would finally sit down for his first summit with Kim Jong Un shows his desire to expand Russian power eastward. Hes undoubtedly as anxious to counter Chinese influence as he is to remind the United States of Russian strength in the region. The Russian navy operates out of Vladivostok, a city and port that was largely closed to non-Russians before the Cold War ended nearly 30 years ago. But why, considering Russias stake, did it take so long for their emissaries to talk up a Putin-Kim summit? Thats an important question considering that Kim, an international recluse after the death of his father, Kim Jong Il, in December 2011, for the past year or so has made summitry a hallmark of his rule. Early voting numbers are up, in some cases way up, in Northwest Indiana as the traditional polls open today for the municipal primary election. Anyone who hasn't joined the ranks of early voters should follow through on their civic right and duty to vote today. We all should be encouraged that in Lake County alone, the number of voters casting walk-in early ballots has more than doubled from the same period in 2015. But it can't end there. Early voting totals account for a small fraction of all eligible voters in Lake, Porter and LaPorte counties. The stakes are high for voters' voices to be heard this year. The Porter County cities of Portage and Valparaiso will see a new mayor elected in 2019, regardless of the outcome of today's primary election. Portage is reeling from the scandal of former Mayor James Snyder, who was removed from office in disgrace following a felony bribery conviction earlier this year. Portage must be looking to fresh leadership to heal public trust and move the city forward. San Pedro Sula is one of the deadliest cities in the world. Times journalists spent weeks there, recording the struggle of a group of young men trying to protect their patch of turf from other gangs, including MS-13. Their fight to protect the neighborhood encapsulates the violence that both entraps and expels millions of people across Latin America. Heres what else is happening Myanmar: Two prizewinning Reuters journalists were released from prison on Tuesday after more than a year in detention for covering the countrys deadly crackdown on the Rohingya minority group. Moscow: Investigators looking into Sundays fiery Aeroflot crash, which killed at least 40 people, are focusing on pilot error, equipment failure and bad weather. U.S.-China trade tensions: President Trumps sudden threat on Sunday to expand tariffs on Chinese goods, aimed at forcing Beijing to agree to a trade deal, sent global markets reeling on Monday. Mueller report: The House Judiciary Committee will vote on Wednesday on a recommendation to hold Attorney General William Barr in contempt of Congress after he appeared to miss a congressional subpoenas Monday deadline to negotiate the delivery of the full report with key evidence. Brunei: The country has said that it will not carry out executions by stoning for people convicted of adultery and gay sex, after widespread protests over the brutality of the Shariah-inspired measures that the sultanate put in place last month. [What you need to know to start the day: Get New York Today in your inbox.] A woman who arrived at the jail next to Manhattan criminal court to visit a detainee last August was given a curt instruction: sign a consent form and undergo a search. Believing that she had no choice, the woman complied, a prosecutor said in court on Monday. A correction officer told her to pull down her pants and spread her legs, while other officers stood nearby and watched. She was then instructed to lower her underwear and remove a sanitary napkin. The officers found no contraband, the prosecutor said. This search was one of five illegal searches described in a 27-count indictment unveiled on Monday against five guards and a former supervisor who worked at the Manhattan Detention Complex on Centre Street, a jail known colloquially as the Tombs. [What you need to know to start the day: Get New York Today in your inbox.] Nearly four years after an 83-year-old socialite was found bludgeoned to death at her home in North Salem, N.Y. a crime that unnerved residents of the quiet, pastoral town in Westchester County a former worker on the estate pleaded guilty on Monday to second-degree murder. The former worker, Esdras Marroquin Gomez, 34, had been a day laborer on the 300-acre horse farm owned by the woman, Lois Colley, whose body was discovered in a laundry room of her home on Nov. 9, 2015. The police said that she had blunt trauma to the skull, and that there was no sign of forced entry. Mr. Gomez, who was arrested in November 2017, will face a maximum penalty of 25 years to life in prison when he is sentenced on June 13. In a news conference on Monday, Anthony A. Scarpino Jr., the district attorney for Westchester County, said Mr. Gomez used a fire extinguisher to crush Ms. Colleys head. The extinguisher was eventually found in a plastic bag in a pond near the home, and DNA tests confirmed it had been used as a murder weapon. What Momentums investors and clients and the taxpayers who help foot the bill for its operations do not know is that the management at the companys New York-based warehouse fostered a work environment permeated with vile racism, the complaint stated. The former employees are represented by Michael J. Willemin of the Wigdor law firm in Manhattan. One of the former Momentum workers, Shaddon Beswick, said in an interview that he was subjected to frequent use of the N-word and called panel boy as he lugged 50-pound solar panels up a 40-foot ladder to the roofs of two-story houses. It was just random racism, said Mr. Beswick, who is an electrician. He said he put up with it for a while because he had a baby daughter and bills to pay. But when he noticed that white workers were getting better assignments while he was consistently given grunt work, he complained to his manager, he said. The manager dismissed his complaints, telling him that there were always three sides to a story: your side, his side and the truth, Mr. Beswick recalled. A day after lodging one of these complaints, he said he was fired and told, It just didnt work out. Tevin Brown, one of the plaintiffs, said he started out at $15 an hour and never received a raise in his five months with Momentum. One day, a new white employee with no experience in solar installation told Mr. Brown that he was receiving $22 an hour. Mr. Brown said he eventually told a foreman that he was tired of being called boy at work. He was abruptly shifted from that crew and, within weeks, was fired, he said. His replacement: the inexperienced white worker who was earning $7 an hour more, he said. Another plaintiff, Garreth Murrell, said he left a job with Tesla and took a pay cut to join Momentum, believing that he would receive a raise after I show them how I work. Mr. Murrell was promoted to a foreman position, overseeing an all-black crew of installers, but he was shamelessly paid less than his white counterparts, according to the complaint. There is no question that the American public needs to hear from Robert Mueller, the special counsel, directly. Mr. Mueller delivered his 448-page report on his investigation into Russian election interference to Attorney General William Barr in late March. That did little to clarify his findings. Mr. Barr, for his part, has repeatedly tried to muddy Mr. Muellers conclusions. He quickly released a summary of the special counsels report prompting Mr. Mueller to take the extraordinary step of writing the attorney general to make clear his displeasure at how Mr. Barr had spun his teams nearly two years of work. Mr. Barrs actions since then, including his performance before the Senate Judiciary Committee last week, have hardly clarified matters. Mr. Mueller has tentatively agreed to testify before Congress on May 15. That led President Trump, who has said he could have long ago fired the special counsel, to protest on Twitter on Sunday that Mr. Mueller should not testify, a reversal from his position just days earlier, when he said it would be up to Mr. Barr. It is the job of government to prevent a tragedy of the commons. That includes the commons of shared values and norms on which democracy depends. The dominant digital platform companies, including Facebook and Google, make their profits using business models that erode this commons. They have created a haven for dangerous misinformation and hate speech that has undermined trust in democratic institutions. And it is troubling when so much information is controlled by so few companies. What is the best way to protect and restore this public commons? Most of the proposals to change platform companies rely on either antitrust law or regulatory action. I propose a different solution. Instead of banning the current business model in which platform companies harvest user information to sell targeted digital ads new legislation could establish a tax that would encourage platform companies to shift toward a healthier, more traditional model. The tax that I propose would be applied to revenue from sales of targeted digital ads, which are the key to the operation of Facebook, Google and the like. At the federal level, Congress could add it as a surcharge to the corporate income tax. At the state level, a legislature could adopt it as a type of sales tax on the revenue a company collects for displaying ads to residents of the state. There are several advantages to using tax legislation, rather than antitrust law or regulation, as a strategy. Senator Elizabeth Warren, for example, has called for breaking up big tech companies. But the antitrust remedies that Ms. Warren and other policy experts are suggesting ask prosecutors and judges to make policy decisions best left to legislatures. Existing antitrust law in the United States addresses mainly the harm from price gouging, not the other kinds of harm caused by these platforms, such as stifling innovation and undermining the institutions of democracy. In 2017, the Canadian right-wing activist and filmmaker Lauren Southern joined a group of young European nationalists on a boat in Mediterranean waters. Their mission was to interfere with humanitarian groups that rescue migrants at sea. The next year Southern released a documentary about the threat of white genocide in South Africa. Shes a proponent of the great replacement theory, which holds that white Europeans are being systematically supplanted by Muslim migrants. On Friday, her public profile got a boost from Donald Trump when he retweeted her. Last week, Facebook announced that it was banning a group of extremist figures from the platform. Among them were the conspiracy theorist Alex Jones; Louis Farrakhan; and Paul Joseph Watson, a British former editor at large for Joness website, Infowars, who now makes anti-Islam and anti-feminist YouTube videos like Why Are Feminists Fat & Ugly? It was the latest wave of bans for Facebook, which last year kicked white nationalist Richard Spencer off the site. People on the far right have been incensed about losing access to technology platforms, and some, like Spencer, have been publicly angry Trump hasnt done more to help them. As if to assuage this anger, Trump went on a Twitter tear on Friday night. He retweeted a squib from Southern jeering at establishment conservatives who arent concerned by the bans. Trump tweeted that he was surprised to see Conservative thinkers like Watson de-platformed, and retweeted Watsons call for solidarity: The support for me has been incredible. This could actually lead to some genuine change. Keep up the pressure. Dont let it rest. A Massachusetts man who served nearly 30 years in prison after he was wrongly convicted of rape was arraigned on new rape charges Monday in an unrelated case after the police said he assaulted an unconscious woman on a sidewalk. The man, George Perrot, 51, made headlines in 2016 when he was released from prison after his legal team demonstrated that his conviction in a 1985 attack was based on hair analysis testimony that was scientifically flawed. Mr. Perrot was arrested again on Jan. 4 after the police responded to a report of a person lying on the sidewalk in Lawrence, Mass., and found him lying unconscious on top of a partly naked, unconscious woman, the Essex County District Attorneys Office said in a statement. Mr. Perrot is alleged to have raped the woman orally, charged at the police officer when he woke him up, and was combative during the booking process, the prosecutor, Jonathan W. Blodgett, said in a statement. The N.S.A. used sophisticated malware to destroy Irans nuclear centrifuges and then saw the same code proliferate around the world, doing damage to random targets, including American business giants like Chevron. Details of secret American cybersecurity programs were disclosed to journalists by Edward J. Snowden, a former N.S.A. contractor now living in exile in Moscow. A collection of C.I.A. cyberweapons, allegedly leaked by an insider, was posted on WikiLeaks. Weve learned that you cannot guarantee your tools will not get leaked and used against you and your allies, said Eric Chien, a security director at Symantec. Now that nation-state cyberweapons have been leaked, hacked and repurposed by American adversaries, Mr. Chien added, it is high time that nation states bake that into their analysis of the risk of using cyberweapons and the very real possibility they will be reassembled and shot back at the United States or its allies. In the latest case, Symantec researchers are not certain exactly how the Chinese obtained the American-developed code. But they know that Chinese intelligence contractors used the repurposed American tools to carry out cyberintrusions in at least five countries or territories: Belgium, Luxembourg, Vietnam, the Philippines and Hong Kong. The targets included scientific research organizations, educational institutions and the computer networks of at least one American government ally. One attack on a major telecommunications network may have given Chinese intelligence officers access to hundreds of thousands or millions of private communications, Symantec said. Symantec did not explicitly name China in its research. Instead, it identified the attackers as the Buckeye group, Symantecs own term for hackers that the Department of Justice and several other cybersecurity firms have identified as a Chinese Ministry of State Security contractor operating out of Guangzhou. Because cybersecurity companies operate globally, they often concoct their own nicknames for government intelligence agencies to avoid offending any government; Symantec and other firms refer to N.S.A. hackers as the Equation group. Buckeye is also referred to as APT3, for Advanced Persistent Threat, and other names. President Trump on Monday granted a full pardon to a former Army lieutenant who previously served five years in prison for fatally shooting an Iraqi man in American custody. During a deployment in Iraq in 2008, First Lt. Michael Behenna and his platoon believed the man, Ali Mansur, was a terrorist linked to Al Qaeda. They took him to a remote part of the Iraqi desert to question him about a previous attack that left two American soldiers dead, according to court filings. During the interrogation, Lieutenant Behenna shot Mr. Mansur in the head and chest. Mr. Behenna has said he acted in self-defense and that Mr. Mansur had thrown a piece of concrete at him and reached for his gun. In 2009, the military court found him guilty of unpremeditated murder in a combat zone, and he was sentenced to 25 years in prison, the White House said in a statement Monday. He was released on parole in 2014. HONG KONG Two prizewinning Reuters journalists were released from prison in Myanmar on Tuesday after more than a year in detention for covering the countrys deadly crackdown on the Rohingya minority group, ending a drama that had brought global scrutiny upon the countrys de facto civilian leader, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. The two reporters, U Wa Lone, 33, and U Kyaw Soe Oo, 29, were arrested in December 2017. They were sentenced in September to seven years in prison under the colonial-era Official Secrets Act for receiving documents from a police officer as part of their investigation into a 2017 massacre of 10 Rohingya villagers. The men, along with their Reuters colleagues, were awarded in April the Pulitzer Prize for international reporting, one of journalisms most coveted and prestigious honors. On Tuesday morning, they were mobbed by reporters as they emerged from Insein Prison in Yangon, the countrys largest city. They were both smiling as they walked away from the prisons gates in the sunshine. Mr. Wa Lone flashed a thumbs-up sign. JERUSALEM More than two dozen people were killed and homes and businesses destroyed in the weekends fighting between Israel and Gaza, but on Monday leaders on both sides declared themselves satisfied with the outcome. The cycle of violence-ceasefire-repeat that keeps verging on all-out war may look like pointless destruction to the outside world. But analysts say it is amply serving the interests of the two main antagonists. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel gets to batter Hamas, the militant group that controls Gaza, while bolstering his argument that the Palestinians are not ready for peace and that a two-state solution is impossible. Hamas, which sought and apparently received renewed assurances of a loosening of the Israeli blockade of Gaza, gets to show skeptical, impoverished Gaza residents that its strategy of armed resistance is working. 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. Trump Can Hear Putin Smiling President Trump called Vladimir Putin on Friday, and they talked for an hour and a half. Trump told the news media that they discussed, among other things, Robert Muellers findings on Russias interference with the 2016 election and the allegations that it conspired with the Trump campaign. To Seth Meyers and Stephen Colbert, it seemed like a bizarre call to make. So as soon as he thinks hes cleared the witch hunt, the first thing he does? Call the witch. STEPHEN COLBERT "Man, this isnt even like buying a Ferrari a week after you rob the bank. This is like robbing a bank and then trying to open a new account during the robbery. SETH MEYERS Meyers and Colbert also found it funny that Trump said Putin had been smiling during their call, when presumably he wasnt able to see his face. Putin doesnt seem like the kind of guy who would FaceTime unless hes beaming into the U.N. on a giant screen demanding a billion dollars or hell kill James Bond. SETH MEYERS The White House explains the smiling he was openly laughing at us. [As Putin:] Russian hoax! Good one, Donald. Ha ha ha, Boris! Get over here. You got to hear this. He thinks its a hoax! You are a funny guy! You are a funny guy! You make me slap someone elses knee. STEPHEN COLBERT Theres One on Every Corner of the Seven Kingdoms Late-night hosts leaned into the most talked-about gaffe from Sunday nights Game of Thrones: a visible Starbucks cup on the table during a tense conversation between Daenerys Targaryen and Jon Snow. The Late Show opened by imagining Daenerys waiting for her low-foam triple-shot hazelnut latte. Two decades later, as an ambassador to the United Nations, Holbrooke would cajole Indonesia into stopping its genocidal campaign in East Timor; in the late 1970s, however, he was overlooking Indonesias brutal repression of the East Timorese in order to push for its purchase of American fighter jets. Its a remarkable trajectory that Packer never fully elucidates, except by suggesting that Holbrookes Indonesian contacts in the 1970s meant that he could be more effective in the late 1990s, when his transformation into a stalwart humanitarian was complete. Or almost complete. Later, in 2002, Holbrookes reasons for supporting the impending war in Iraq had to do with fear not just of Saddam Hussein but also of the possibility that a soft Democrat was politically doomed. He persuaded Senator John Kerry to vote for the war resolution by warning him of how perilous it was to look weak on national security. If that was Holbrookes main reason for supporting the war, Packer writes, it might have been better to be stupidly, disastrously wrong in a sincerely held belief like some of us. Better? How so? Intentions seem to matter a lot to Packer which might explain why, despite his moments of discomfort when writing about the more unseemly displays of Holbrookes grasping ambition, he wills himself into giving Holbrooke the benefit of the doubt. Theres plenty of grasping to contend with, especially after Holbrooke started making money in the private sector between Democratic administrations, working as a consultant to companies like Nike and landing cushy gigs as an (ineffectual) investment banker. Holbrooke and his third wife, Marton, strategized the seating charts for their glitzy dinner parties as if they were drawing up battlefield plans; they obtained a sweetheart loan from Countrywide Financial which later collapsed in the subprime mortgage crisis to pay for several of their nine properties (including not one but two houses in Telluride); they both carried on affairs in a class where affairs were practically expected, with Holbrooke moving in to kiss a younger woman he worked with without waiting for her explicit consent. He claimed her in the way of an entitled great man, Packer writes. Elite decadence doesnt seem to be the story Packer set out to tell, but hes too gifted a writer to fail to notice it (A whole class of people in Washington and New York sent other peoples children to fight in Afghanistan and Iraq while they found ways to get rich), even if his affection for his protagonist means that Holbrooke emerges in this account as flawed, yes, and fallibly human, of course, but ultimately meaning well. I never knew a man who had better motives for all the trouble he caused the line is from The Quiet American, Graham Greenes 1955 novel about noble intentions gone awry in Vietnam. Packer quotes it, grudgingly, before adding: My god, Greene loathed Americans. Its a strange, drive-by generalization to make about an author who infused his novel with an intractable ambivalence. But then such knee-jerk moralizing is, as Packer admits, an American tradition: We swing wildly between superhuman exertion and sullen withdrawal, always looking for the answers in our own goodness and wisdom instead of where they lie, out in the world. DEMOCRACY MAY NOT EXIST, BUT WELL MISS IT WHEN ITS GONE By Astra Taylor Dismay over recent electoral outcomes including the victory of Donald Trump in the United States, the choice of Brexit in the United Kingdom and the selection of Jair Bolsonaro in Brazil has occasioned a torrent of commentary about the state of democracy in the world. Some observers fear that these developments represent not simply troublesome episodes but harbingers of tendencies that will overwhelm or corrupt key features of good democratic governance: an independent judiciary whose decisions are enforced; institutions such as schools and news media that enable voters to have access to accurate, pertinent information; fair electoral processes; and sensible, decent policies. An impressive contribution to this anxious re-examination of political assumptions and practices is Astra Taylors Democracy May Not Exist, but Well Miss It When Its Gone, an idiosyncratic rumination on problems associated with popular self-government. For most of my life, she writes, the word democracy didnt hold much appeal. Words such as justice, equality, freedom, solidarity, socialism and revolution resonated more deeply. A big part of the problem is a definitional vacuum that leaves democracy vulnerable to the sloganeering of just about anyone. After all, notes Taylor, a Canadian documentary filmmaker and author, the horrendously dictatorial regime of North Korea calls itself a Democratic Peoples Republic. She sets out to impart some coherence and substance to the term in order to rescue it from ignorance and obfuscation. Her book, she declares, is an invitation to think about the word democracy from various angles, looking back through history and reflecting on the philosophy and practice of self-rule in hopes that a more contemplative view will shed useful light on our present predicament. Taylor manages to avoid the complacencies inculcated by the unceasingly propounded message that American methods of democracy are, of course, the best ones. Recall that President Bill Clinton withdrew the nomination of Lani Guinier to head the Civil Rights Division of the Justice Department because she had the temerity to argue that winner-take-all majoritarianism a staple American practice is, in important respects, anti-democratic inasmuch as it negates the influence of minorities. Image Astra Taylor Credit... Deborah DeGraffenreid Today, the most consequential manifestation of American political narcissism is the extent to which the United States Constitution is exempted from critique. Many observers rightly condemned Trumps demagogic charge that Barack Obama was ineligible for the presidency because, supposedly, he was born abroad. All too few went on to question the constitutional provision on which the birther allegation parasitically hung the provision that reserves the presidency for natural born citizens, thereby excluding from eligibility for no good reason millions of naturalized citizens. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 7) A lawyers group on Tuesday said it plans to press charges against those behind the controversial ouster plot matrix, which linked its members to the alleged plan to unseat President Rodrigo Duterte. The National Union of Peoples' Lawyers (NUPL) said it is still studying which case to file, but insisted the lawyers will definitely run after the people who implicated them. The public vilification was made officially by the Office of the President and the PNP immediately operationalized it by immediately ordering an investigation, said NUPLs Ephraim Cortez during a forum at the University of the Philippines Diliman. The matrix now serves an order of battle. It must be noted that General (Oscar) Albayalde ordered an investigation even before he had the opportunity to determine the existence and authenticity of the matrix, he added. Malacanang on April 22 tagged the NUPL, several journalists and news-related organizations as among those involved in the supposed ongoing destabilization plot against Duterte. The other journalists who were implicated have also denied and condemned the allegations. News organization VERA Files slammed the matrix released by the Palace, and pointed out the lack of concrete evidence to back up the allegations. Malacanang, however, said it is not its responsibility to show proof for the claims. READ: Bikoy not linked to alleged ouster plot? Questions pile up over source, veracity of govt matrix CNN Philippines Correspondent Gerg Cahiles contributed to this report. BOY SWALLOWS UNIVERSE By Trent Dalton Hidden behind a sliding-glass door in a built-in wardrobe of Trent Daltons childhood home was a secret room, and a red phone. Dalton was 6 when the space was revealed to him by one of his three brothers. Many years later, he realized this was his familys escape room. This incident is recounted as fiction in Daltons debut novel, Boy Swallows Universe. His three brothers are embodied in one a mute savant named August and Daltons alter ego is the 12-year-old Eli Bell. The fabricated setting is the same as his biographical one: a suburb of Brisbane, the sprawling city in the eastern Australian state of Queensland. Elis mother, like Daltons, is a drug addict who is romantically involved with a career criminal. Lyle is a second-tier heroin dealer, which explains the escape room. (Dalton and his mother agree the book is a 50-50 mix of fact and fantasy.) Dalton is a celebrated magazine journalist in Australia, known for his lyrical prose, so it comes as a shock to learn of the sometimes brutal circumstances in which he was raised. This coming-of-age story begins in 1985 and ends a few years later with Elis budding career as a newspaper reporter. In between, while seeking to avenge a murder, Eli infiltrates a womens prison on Christmas Day, uncovers an organized crime syndicate and falls in love with an older woman. Yet while theres plenty of action, and much of it suspenseful, this is not a straightforward crime caper. The red phone comes to play an important role: In a streak of magical realism, a mysterious voice on the other end of the receiver dispenses cryptic yet prescient advice to Eli. Image Credit... - Somehow this device is not annoying. Eli is, in his own words, a rolling tumbleweed of confusion and despair, and the phone is a tool by which his mind makes sense of trauma. Like all children, Eli must live with the consequences of decisions made by others. His father, who tried to drive him and August off the road when they were little boys, is largely absent, or else consumed by alcohol-fueled rage. His mother is frequently out of it. As Susan Sontag has written, to remember is to voice to cast memories into language and is, always, a form of address. This raises an obvious question: To whom is Lins deracinated narrator addressing his homesick telling and retelling of his familys history? Strikingly, the only character who remains unnamed throughout the novel is Gavins mother, who represents both his origin and the implied endpoint of his trip down memory lane. Although discomfiting and unreliable, memories promise comfort and self-discovery, and it is hardly coincidental that an adult Gavin returns to his birthplace in search of home: I went to Taiwan, trying to find the village that lived in my memory of my mothers memory. But he comes to realize his relationship to the place is ambiguous, both distinctly of it and separate from it. It is a hard-won, elegiac truth about an unsalvageable past, this Sebaldian secondhand memory, the eventual recognition that he cannot step into the same river twice, which he presages at the very beginning of his narrative: Although we tried, each in our own way, no one was able to go back even one step. Wisdom in hindsight is, after all, one of maturitys age-old graces. If the novel seems unrelentingly cheerless at times, its tone reflects Gavins struggle to come to terms with his familys particular history of displacement and loss. Immigrants, just like Joseph Brodskys exiled writers, are often retrospective and retroactive beings. Nevertheless, Gavins articulation of his familys circumstances bears the inexorable imprint of an American collective memory that is variously functional and symbolic. Punctuating his thoughts are neither contemporary Taiwanese nor Asian cultural references, but rather the Space Shuttle Challenger explosion, Time magazine and the Exxon Valdez oil spill off the Alaskan coast. His mottled identity creates familial strains: Disappointed with his visit to Taiwan, Gavin remonstrates: It was a kind of violence, what my father had done. He had brought us to a place we didnt belong, and taken us from a place we did. Now we yearned for all places and found peace in none. For all of its pathos, its themes of cross-cultural intermingling, its stories of immigrant arrival, marginalization and eventual accommodation, The Unpassing is a singularly vast and captivating novel, beautifully written in free-flowing prose that quietly disarms with its intermittent moments of poetic idiosyncrasy. But what makes Lins novel such an important book is the extent to which it probes Americas mythmaking about itself, which can just as easily unmake as it can uplift. Before he revisits Taiwan, Gavin heads back to his Alaskan house his fathers old dream. My father fancied himself some kind of pioneer, he reflects, but the expanse made him totally unfettered. The distance stripped his words. There was no self-consciousness, only sentiment. If the United States is merely an idea that it forms of itself, then let the nostalgic among us be warned: We may be longing to return to a time that no longer exists or perhaps never did. But the news barely moves the needle for freedom of expression in the country, analysts and activists said. By the numbers: Twenty-five political prisoners are still behind bars and 283 others are facing trial, according to one advocacy group. Context: Myanmar emerged from decades-long military rule in 2015 but has since been run by an awkward power-sharing agreement between the military and elected civilian leaders. The civilian government leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, has frequently sided with the military even as it carried out what the U.N. called genocide against the Rohingya. White House ramps up clash with Congress The Trump administration stepped in to stop Donald McGahn, the former White House counsel, from sharing documents with congressional investigators and suggested that the president could assert executive privilege over the records. Britains royal baby: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and the wife of Prince Harry, has given birth to a boy. A name has not yet been announced for the baby, who is seventh in line to the British throne. Kentucky Derby ruling: An appeal by the owners of the disqualified winner, Maximum Security, has been denied by state regulators. The horses co-owner said he would skip the Preakness Stakes, the second race in the Triple Crown competition. Restaurant awards: Kwame Onwuachi of the Washington restaurant Kith and Kin was named Rising Star Chef at the James Beard Foundations annual awards ceremony. Frenchette, a popular brasserie in New York, was named Best New Restaurant. Late-night comedy: The hosts were puzzled after President Trump called President Vladimir Putin last week and discussed, among other things, the special counsels report on Russias election interference. This is like robbing a bank and then trying to open a new account during the robbery, Seth Meyers said. What were reading: This consideration of John Singleton in The Atlantic. Caryn Wilson, a senior editor for politics, recommends its argument that Mr. Singletons film Poetic Justice was an answer to critics who said his portrayal of black women in the Oscar-nominated film Boyz N the Hood was one-note and reductive. Mr. Rogers knows the arguments: The last time venture capitalists invested heavily in environmentally focused technology during the so-called clean-tech boom of the 2000s, they lost a lot of money. Getting one of these companies off the ground can be expensive, as investors learned a decade ago. But he is not swayed by their caution. Sitting on your pile of money while the oceans are rising may not help you stay dry, he said. It is common wisdom in the tech industry that it is much easier to raise money for a software company than it is for a start-up that wants to work in biotechnology or energy. The current wave of internet-focused start-ups going public, and reaping billions of dollars for investors, has hardened the bias against so-called hard technology. Total funding for clean-tech start-ups fell during most of the past decade, according to data from the research firm Pitchbook. In 2018, $6.6 billion was invested in clean tech, about 15 percent of what went to software start-ups. Carbon-removal start-ups got a tiny sliver of that. The lack of investment in carbon-focused start-ups poses a particularly existential problem. Two major scientific organizations said last fall that even if greenhouse-gas emissions were reduced significantly, stopping drastic global warming would require technological breakthroughs that allowed for the removal of billions of tons of carbon dioxide already in the atmosphere. Chinas top trade negotiator is heading to Washington for two days of trade talks, despite President Trumps threat to impose new tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars worth of Chinese goods. Chinas Commerce Ministry announced on Tuesday that Vice Premier Liu He, one of the countrys leading economic policymakers, would join a delegation of Chinese officials who will hold further trade talks on Thursday and Friday with the Trump administration. Mr. Liu is a close adviser and confidant of President Xi Jinping, Chinas top leader, and his participation could improve the chances of striking a deal. Still, the atmosphere surrounding the trade talks has shifted dramatically since a week ago, when this weeks discussions were seen as a possible last round before the two sides halted a trade war that has made world markets shudder and thrown a damper on the global economic outlook. Mr. Lius participation was thrown in doubt after Mr. Trump announced in two tweets on Sunday that he would raise American tariffs on Friday to 25 percent from 10 percent for $200 billion a year in Chinese goods. The Trump administration cited what it called backpedaling by Chinese officials during talks held last week in Beijing. Want climate news in your inbox? Sign up here for Climate Fwd:, our email newsletter. ROVANIEMI, Finland Under pressure from the United States, the Arctic Council issued a short joint statement on Tuesday that excluded any mention of climate change. It was the first time since its formation in 1996 that the council had been unable to issue a joint declaration spelling out its priorities. As an international organization made up of eight Arctic countries and representatives of indigenous groups in the region, its stated mission is cooperation on Arctic issues, particularly the protection of the regions fragile environment. According to diplomats involved in the negotiations, at issue was the United States insistence not to mention the latest science on climate change or the Paris Agreement aimed at averting its worst effects. The omission is especially notable because scientists have warned that the Arctic is heating up far faster than the world average because of rising greenhouse gas emissions. Foreign Minister Timo Soini of Finland, the councils outgoing chairman, made it clear, without naming names, that resistance to climate action was a minority opinion. When Hominy Grill opened in 1996, the citys Navy base and shipyard was closing. Civic leaders turned with new dedication to tourism. To say they succeeded is an understatement. More than seven million tourists a year crowd Charlestons charming streets, some with homes that date to the early 1700s. Even on a weekday night, the city seems filled with bachelorettes tumbling out of Uber cars, culinary tourists angling for tables and wide-eyed cruise ship passengers, 225,000 of whom arrived in 2018. The feel-good machine doesnt seem to stop. The Charleston Wine & Food Festival, which Ms. Dupree helped start in 2006, packs in 30,000 people each year, and is so popular that NBCs Today show broadcast live from the event in March. For eight years in a row, the city has topped Conde Nast Travelers list of the best small American cities. Southern Living readers picked it as the Souths best city for 2019. It has held the top spot on Travel & Leisure magazines best-cities list for six years in a row. As a result, the city is in the middle of the biggest hotel and restaurant boom in its history. The restaurants Mr. Brock once presided over have changed, too, even though the same restaurant group still owns them. Husk has spawned sister restaurants in Greenville, S.C., and Nashville , neither of which he is involved with anymore. McCradys, a historic restaurant that Mr. Brock helped reinvent in 2006, used to feature dishes like his beet au poivre, in which the vegetable was pressure-cooked, dehydrated and coated in peppercorns so it presented like dry-aged New York strip steak. Now the only beet dish on the menu is a salad dressed in raspberry vinaigrette. Next door at Minero, the Mexican restaurant he started, a sandwich board on the street beckons customers with the promise of tequila and TV, not the nixtamalized masa handmade from heirloom corn. You look at the number of restaurants and the amount of people who are coming and the size of the talent pool, and it doesnt add up anymore, Mr. Brock said. He is not as concerned as some. The great adjustment happening in Charleston isnt necessarily a bad thing, he said. It will be easier to sift through the ashes and see whats important. Whats left will be the thing that moves it forward. The sorullitos, Puerto Ricos answer to hush puppies, are an exception; they are dense and dry, as if the cornmeal hadnt absorbed enough water. Mr. Lopezs alcapurrias, though, are very good, even if the picadillo that runs down the middle of a tube of mashed fried plantains like the graphite in a pencil could be seasoned a little more forcefully. And his pasteles are exceptional. Pasteles are structured like tamales. Where the masa would be, Mr. Lopez makes a sweet, enjoyably gummy mash of green plantains, taro root and kabocha squash. The filling is a soft, rich vein of stewed pork shoulder with ham, bacon, red peppers and green olives. Rolled up in a banana leaf, these pasteles probably deserve their own float in the Puerto Rican Day Parade. Mr. Lopez fries chicken in two styles. One, the chicharrones de pollo, is traditional. The other, the Freakin Crispy Wings, is not. Each has its rewards. The chicharrones, hacked into three-bite hunks, taste of cider vinegar and garlic powder and have a smooth, achiote-tinted buttermilk crust that breaks open with a pleasing crackle. The Freakin Crispy Wings are spicier, and the shell is thicker and more deeply crevassed. These wings may owe more to Atlanta than to Mayaguez, although you can get them with a guava barbecue sauce thats reasonably tropical. Leave behind these appetizers, the core of the street-fair business, and the menu can start to appear unsteady. At dinner, the main courses tend to be fairly plain fried or grilled meat. Grilled pork chops splashed with mojo can be dry and dull, and the grilled chicken breasts are not much more interesting. Baked pork ribs in a sweet barbecue sauce are tender enough, but they arent very persuasive. On several nights, I found myself gazing longingly at the lunch specials on the back of the menu, wondering why I couldnt have a brick of pastelon for dinner. (I came back for it one Thursday afternoon, and was glad I did.) Until more long-cooked dishes like it appear at dinnertime, consider a bowl of sancocho. Listed as vegetable root soup for $7, it doesnt sound like much of a meal. But it is a grab bag of a stew with at least two kinds of meat, great hunks of taro and yuca, a couple of inches of corn on the cob and a magical squash broth that has the consistency of heavy cream and the color of very ripe mango. In the unlikely event that you finish it and the bowl of rice that comes with it and then cry out for more, the Freakin Rican has just the thing for you: mofongo. A dome of mashed plantains possessed by garlic, the mofongo is cooked to order to keep the crunchy bits crunchy and the whole thing from getting boggy. You can have it with chicharrones or sliced roast pork, which leaves behind a happy impression of garlic, oregano and salt. If you have come for a birthday, a candle stuck in the meringue icing of a tres leches cake is probably in your future. If not, flan and espresso will do, and a bag of pasteles for tomorrow. Follow NYT Food on Twitter and NYT Cooking on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and Pinterest. Get regular updates from NYT Cooking, with recipe suggestions, cooking tips and shopping advice. There was a time when Ozwald Boateng chose to play down his African heritage. There was a political correctness, he told a reporter only last year. You wouldnt talk about race. But during the interval between rehearsals and his fashion show at the storied Apollo Theater on Sunday, Mr. Boateng performed a striking and timely about-face. Ive never been vocal about my African roots, he said. Now I can be. The world is an interesting place where cultural roots have become more important. African-American, Native American and Alaska Native women die of pregnancy-related causes at a rate about three times higher than those of white women, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported on Tuesday. The racial disparity has persisted, even grown, for years despite frequent calls to improve access to medical care for women of color. Sixty percent of all pregnancy-related deaths can be prevented with better health care, communication and support, as well as access to stable housing and transportation, the researchers concluded. The bottom line is that too many women are dying largely preventable deaths associated with their pregnancy, said Dr. Anne Schuchat, principal deputy director of the C.D.C. We have the means to identify and close gaps in the care they receive," she added. While not all of the deaths can be prevented, we can and should do more. Have you ever seen or heard of Bigfoot? An apelike creature about 6 feet 9 inches, covered in black, dark brown or dark reddish hair, who enjoys roaming remote parts of North America? Or so it is said. How about the chupacabra in Latin America? Or the Loch Ness monster in Scotland? Late last month, mountaineers from the Indian Army in Nepal found mysterious large footprints in the snow that they identified as belonging to Bigfoots Himalayan cousin, a yeti. You can watch this short video. What do you think: Are the footprints real? Or are they the stuff of legends and hoaxes? In Yeti Footprints Found in Nepal Are Maybe (Definitely) From a Bear, Sandra E. Garcia writes: Someone found the footprints of a yeti, yet again. Mountaineers from the Indian Army spotted the 32-inch footprints near the Makalu Base Camp in Nepal, the army said Monday on Twitter. It is unclear if the expedition team was serious about its findings or conducting a trolling experiment on its followers. Photos the team posted show several long prints in the snow, one directly in front of the other. Twitter users immediately responded to the tweet, calling the footprints a yeti catwalk or saying that the yeti was hopping because the footprints were in a line instead of side by side. Others tweeted that it was a mythological one-legged creature. One asked the army to please delete this tweet to avoid international embarrassment of India. But what is a yeti? Could these footprints have been from one? And if yetis are real, how could they have existed for so long without posting a single selfie? The yeti is the mysterious cousin of Bigfoot, both part of the same extremely elusive family. They are part human and part creature the best of both worlds, if you will. Legends of hairy, oversize hominids lurking at the outer reaches of civilization have been around for centuries and are part of the folklore of several cultures. The extraordinary thing about the footprints is that they are 32 inches long, Daniel C. Taylor, author of Yeti: The Ecology of a Mystery, said. The only animal that has made a footprint that long is a dinosaur. Because a single, lonely animal cannot survive on its own, according to Mr. Taylor, there are two possibilities. Either there is a population of dinosaur-size creatures roaming the mountains of Nepal, or and this idea is supported by basic logic the footprints were created by a bear and its cub. The article continues: In his research, Mr. Taylor discovered what he considers the three types of yetis. The first yeti Mr. Taylor identified is the legend. That yeti is very much like Santa Claus, he said. The second yeti is the yeti that lives inside of people, Mr. Taylor said. That yeti is fueled by humans need to be closer to nature. As humans increasingly live in cities, and as climate change begins to endanger Earths least populated, most remote natural places, humans indulge their inner yeti to be closer to nature, according to Mr. Taylor. We are seeing more yeti sightings now or footprints now than we did 20 years ago, he said. The third and final yeti is the one that actually made the footprints, Mr. Taylor said: the mama bear and her cub. I would love for the yeti to exist, but I have never found any yeti evidence that I cant explain, he added. Nothing would make me happier than to find a yeti. Perhaps the most likely possibility? That the footprints lead to the yeti inside of everyone. Students, read the entire article, then tell us: What legends and myths do you believe in? If none, why not? What do you think about the Indian Armys discovery of 32-inch footprints? Do you think they might be real? Which explanation explored in the article do you think is most likely? Have you or anyone you know ever seen a strange or mysterious creature, object or phenomena? How would you explain what happened? What (or who) do you think might be responsible for the strange occurrence? Why do some myths and legends persist despite the lack of conclusive evidence or proof? What does the author mean by her statement that the footprints likely lead to the yeti inside of everyone? Do you agree? Mr. Martinez set out to document the rituals, collaborating with a small team to produce La Sangre y La Lluvia, or The Blood and the Rain. Funded by the Magnum Foundation, the project uses photos that are sometimes combined with illustrations by Orlando Velazquez, Mr. Martinezs brother, and commentary by Julio Glockner, an anthropologist who has extensively studied indigenous rituals. He also enlisted the help of Rene Tlacotempa, a local man who participated in ritual combat, as a guide. Before embarking on this journey, Mr. Martinez had worked on, among other projects, a deeply personal series looking at the murder or disappearances of several relatives in the same town where 43 Mexican students were later abducted and presumed killed. To him, exploring indigenous beliefs was a way of grounding himself. I had been working in the mountains on the families of the disappeared, he recalled. I already knew some of the rituals. What I was trying for was a spiritual cleansing for myself after covering the forced disappearances. I recently put the condominium I lived in as a graduate student on the market. I moved out in 2007, not the best time to sell real estate. During all these years, the condo board allowed me to rent out my unit. When the condo hit the market, I received an offer on the first day. The offer was good: 95 percent of my asking price with a preapproved buyer. It was not perfect, as it involved an F.H.A. loan, a mortgage insured by the Federal Housing Administration, which requires buyers to jump through more hoops and thus tends to be more involved than a conventional loan. I was still ready to make a counteroffer, however, and would have gone forward if we could have reached a middle ground on some concerns I had. We never got to that stage, though. When I Googled the name of the prospective buyer, I learned that the person was charged with attempted sexual assault in 2016 while in college. The gist of the charge is that he kissed a fellow student against her will, refused to leave her room, attempted to touch her sexually and exposed himself to her. I am 99 percent sure this is the person who wants to buy my condo. The person has very unusual first, last and middle names, and someone with that name was arrested last year on charges of disorderly conduct in the city where I own the condo. I looked up the court calendar, and his trial for the attempted sexual assault was set for this spring. In the abstract, I do believe that people who are charged with a crime should not be barred from purchasing real estate. But I also like the people who live in my building, and they have always been generous to me in letting me rent out my unit. There are quite a few single women living in the building who will find the same information I did when they Google this persons name. I know they wouldnt like having this person as a neighbor. At the end of the day, I didnt want to sell my place to this man and decided to reject the offer, much to the chagrin of my real estate agent, who claimed I need only look at the terms of the offer and nothing else. Was such a decision justified? Name Withheld, Chicago Lets suppose your identification was correct. People will complain that your making the decision before he was tried means that you were ignoring the presumption of innocence. But the presumption of innocence is a legal standard: The state shouldnt punish someone unless it can prove he has done something beyond a reasonable doubt, and that isnt established until a conviction is secured. We can make reasonable judgments as individuals, however, on the basis of the total evidence available to us. So lets ask what wed think if you had been dealing with someone who had been convicted of the offense in question. There are various considerations here. The federal government, in 2016, warned that a blanket policy against providing housing to people with criminal records could violate the Fair Housing Act, because of its disparate impact on minority applicants. Thats presumably not the issue here. Its also the case that most sex offenders, so far as we can tell, dont reoffend; and there are good reasons to be wary of sex-offender registries, which arguably increase homelessness among former offenders without seeming to reduce recidivism. Still, the recidivism rate of sex offenders means that they pose a greater risk than do people taken at random. Once again, a clash between values presents itself in this case, between giving proper weight to sexual assault and giving proper weight to the welfare of the accused. Theres no algorithm for action here. But in siding with a community you were once a part of against the interests of a stranger, you did nothing wrong. You could make a case that you protected your building from the prospect of housing a convicted sex offender whose propensity to assault women was higher than that of the average person. The arrest on charges of disorderly conduct provides further reason for concern. I understand that you dont want to be rendering a judgment on a fellow citizen, but you were perfectly entitled to have made the choice that you did. The boards five members are appointed by the mayor and approved by the City Council. Four of the five current members were appointed or reappointed by Mr. de Blasio. One of them, Fernando A. Bohorquez, a lawyer, contributed $2,675 to the mayors election campaign in 2013. After Mr. de Blasio won that election, he named Mr. Bohorquez to his inaugural committee, a ceremonial position conferred on many other donors, including two who have since pleaded guilty to using contributions to bribe or seek favors from the mayor. Mr. Bohorquez and a fellow member, Erika Thomas, are lawyers at Baker & Hostetler, a firm that has additional ties to the mayor. Ms. Thomas was appointed by Mr. de Blasios predecessor, Michael R. Bloomberg, and remains on the board as a holdover even though her term expired in 2016. That means that she serves essentially at the discretion of Mr. de Blasio, who could replace her at any time. Employees of Baker & Hostetler have given Mr. de Blasio contributions totaling $17,515 during his two mayoral races, according to city records. Campaign finance records also show that the law firm was involved in two fund-raising events for Mr. de Blasio while he campaigned for mayor in 2013, both apparently held at its Rockefeller Center offices and organized with the help of Mr. Bohorquez. The boards monthly meetings are frequently held in a conference room at the Baker & Hostetler offices as well. Mr. Bohorquez said in an email that the law does not require a public servant to be recused from matters involving an elected official to whose campaign that public servant has donated. He refused to say if he had recused himself from the mayors case, because doing so would disclose that such a case exists, in violation of the strict confidentiality restrictions in the citys conflicts of interest law. Ms. Thomas did not respond to phone and email messages. Ritchie Torres, a Bronx councilman who leads the Council Committee on Oversight and Investigations, took issue with Mr. Bohorquezs position on the conflicts board. When Uber starts selling its shares to the public for the first time on Thursday, the ride-hailing app could be worth as much as $91 billion. Those who already have a stake in the company could become very, very rich. But the drivers who rely on the app for income wont. Drivers in New York and other cities have complaints about the company, and theyre planning a strike tomorrow morning to raise awareness about their grievances. How will drivers strike? Drivers who work for Uber and similar ride-hailing apps, like Lyft, Juno and Via, plan to sign off the apps from 7 to 9 tomorrow morning. Customers will be able to log on to the apps, but they may not find many drivers nearby. After 9, drivers will resume picking up passengers. What are the drivers protesting? In short, they want better pay and working conditions. The drivers demands were outlined in a statement from the New York Taxi Workers Alliance. One request is a limit on how much money drivers have to share with the apps per ride. The group also opposes what it says is Ubers practice of arbitrarily removing drivers from the app, effectively terminating them. [What you need to know to start the day: Get New York Today in your inbox.] A former member of a cultlike group called Nxivm offered the first graphic details on Tuesday about how women were manipulated into becoming slaves who provided sexual favors to its leader. The testimony of the former member, a 32-year-old British woman identified only as Sylvie, came on the first day of the racketeering and sex trafficking trial of Keith Raniere, Nxivms former leader, in federal court in Brooklyn. It gave jurors a glimpse into a group in which prosecutors say women were branded and humiliated. Sylvie said she had been involved with Nxivm for about 13 years, taking self-help courses, when she was invited to join a secretive sorority within the organization. But to join, Sylvie said, she first had to prove her dedication by providing collateral to the woman who had invited her, Monica Duran, in the form of nude photographs and a stamped letter to her parents saying she was a prostitute. [What you need to know to start the day: Get New York Today in your inbox.] ALBANY As the standoff over President Trumps federal tax returns deepens in Washington, New York State lawmakers say they intend to advance a bill on Wednesday to allow congressional committees to see Mr. Trumps New York State returns. State Senator Brad Hoylman, a Manhattan Democrat, confirmed on Tuesday that the State Senate had enough votes to ensure passage of a bill allowing the commissioner of the New York Department of Taxation and Finance to release any state tax return requested by a leader of one of three congressional committees for any specified and legitimate legislative purpose. A tax return from New York the headquarters of the presidents business empire and his home state could contain much of the same financial information as a federal return, which Mr. Trump has steadfastly refused to release. On Monday, the Treasury Department denied a request from House Democrats for six years of the presidents federal returns, setting up a likely court battle that could reach the Supreme Court. The news of yesterday makes New Yorks role even more crucial, Mr. Hoylman said. He has described his bill as assisting Congress in its oversight role. Jean Vanier, who dedicated his life to improving conditions for people on the margins and founded two worldwide organizations for those with developmental disabilities, died on Tuesday in Paris. He was 90. LArche, one of the international organizations he established, said the cause was thyroid cancer. Mr. Vanier (pronounced van-YAY), was a teacher and moral leader who converted his desire to help people into a worldwide movement. The turning point in his life came in 1963, with his first visit to an institution for people with intellectual disabilities. He was so moved by their pleas for help that he bought a house and invited two male residents to live with him. It was the beginning of LArche. He helped found a similar group, Faith and Light, a few years later. Today LArche, rooted in the Roman Catholic Church, has 154 communities in 38 countries; Faith and Light has 1,500 communities in 83 countries. Through both organizations, people with and without intellectual disabilities live together in a community where they can feel they belong. His work served as a model for several other organizations. An apple falls from a tree and misses a seated Isaac Newton. A letter from The Sublime is addressed to The Ridiculous. Two doves fight over an olive branch. Nurit Karlins simply drawn cartoons, mainly for The New Yorker magazine, were subtle sight gags, rendered largely without captions. It was a familiar approach to New Yorker readers, who had long known the work of Saul Steinberg. But in Ms. Karlins case it was coming from an unusual source: When she began contributing to the magazine in 1974, she was the only woman in the ranks of its cartoonists, long a largely male preserve. She told me once, I used to doodle. And then something would be there, Liza Donnelly, a New Yorker cartoonist whose book, Funny Ladies (2005), examined the history of female cartoonists at the magazine, wrote in an email. Hearing that, it was like her pen line came directly from her brain. You can see it in her drawings. Her ideas did not feel contrived, never like a crafted joke. Ms. Karlin drew whimsical but thoughtful cartoons: an office worker sitting in what is actually one of his desks drawers; a lumberjack peering at a heart pierced by an arrow carved inside the rings of a felled tree; a harpist taking his bows on a concert stage with the strings of his instrument dangling from one hand. This article is part of David Leonhardts newsletter. You can sign up here to receive it each weekday. The version of free college that I find most promising is free community college. Eliminating tuition at two-year colleges would send a message that Americans are supposed to continue their education beyond high school. It would also avoid a major weakness of the free four-year college plans that some Democrats are now pushing namely, giving a big handout to upper-middle-class families, most of whom dont send their children to community colleges. Several places around the country have started free community-college programs, the most prominent being Tennessee (under a Republican governor) and Chicago (under a Democratic mayor). Yesterday, that mayor Rahm Emanuel, who leaves office later this month announced he was expanding the program to graduates of 12 Catholic high schools; it had previously applied only to public-school graduates. Its a good move, because Catholic schools have long helped launch working-class Americans, and not just Catholics, into the middle class. [Listen to The Argument podcast every Thursday morning, with Ross Douthat, Michelle Goldberg and David Leonhardt.] The stakes could not be higher for Congress as President Trump tries to undermine its constitutional right and responsibility to oversee the executive branch. The president has said he will refuse all subpoenas, has sued banks to stop them from providing information to Congress, has said the special counsel Robert Mueller should not testify and has sought to deny Congress access to the records of the former White House counsel, Don McGahn. At the same time, Attorney General William Barr is refusing to testify before the House Judiciary Committee if questioned by the panels lawyers, and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin says he wont give Congress the presidents tax returns despite a law giving the tax-writing committees access to any tax return. The broad sweep of these efforts threatens the countrys history of accommodation between the two branches and the checks and balances that are the cornerstone of our democracy. Congress is vested by the Constitution with oversight of the executive branch. The Supreme Court, moreover, has been explicit that Congress has broad power to seek information connected to a legislative function and to enforce its demands through its inherent contempt authority. This can include imprisoning someone who declines to comply with a subpoena. But it was the images of the vans that drew me to him. He documented one van, then another, and a third, posting the videos to his Facebook page. The engine of one van was still running, he showed us, the coffee still warm. Ladders were strapped to the roof. Once engines of economic opportunity, the vans are now tombstones for the disappeared. In the counties that make up metropolitan Atlanta, immigration-related arrests have spiked over the last two years, as ICE and local law enforcements agencies have moved to vigorously enforce immigration law at the behest of the Trump administration. As Mr. Guevaras videos reveal, a predator does indeed stalk these quiet corners and busy streets. The wolf arrives in the form of an unmarked car, or cars. The human target is quickly ushered into an S.U.V. by immigration agents wearing body armor. Mr. Guevaras job, and his obsession, is to stalk the wolf. Doing that is hard. He was up at 5 a.m. when I joined him, on the dark roads of Gwinnett County, prowling the housing projects and gas stations that were just coming to life. He rolled down his window and asked for tips. He checked his phone for Facebook messages. His followers provide valuable crowdsourced intel. Often, he arrives too late, after ICE has come and gone, receding with its prey into the sprawling but largely invisible apparatus of detention and deportation. If he is fast enough, he can capture an arrest as it happens. PARIS Two days after he took office as Frances president, Emmanuel Macron flew to Berlin. It was May 16, 2017, and France and Germany needed a reset. Joined at the hip, the two nations cannot make Europe work if they dont work together. Mr. Macron had been elected to transform France, and he was convinced that real change in his country would happen only through better European integration. Hope was in the air as the young, ambitious but untested French president met Angela Merkel, the stern three-term German chancellor. Ms. Merkel quoted the German poet Hermann Hesse: A magic dwells in each beginning. Ever the realist, however, she cautiously added, Charm lasts only if there are results. Two years on, the results are nowhere to be seen and the charm has given way to exasperation. When Ms. Merkel and Mr. Macron met on the sidelines of a Berlin summit on the western Balkans, on April 29, their talk was kept to a strict minimum 15 minutes. Asked at a news conference about the French-German relationship four days earlier, Mr. Macron answered in unusually blunt terms. He openly admitted for the first time that France disagreed with Germany on Brexit strategy, energy policy, climate change, trade negotiations with the United States and the list could have been longer. Though he chose to stop there, he vowed to voice his differences firmly for the sake, he said, of fruitful confrontations. Mr. Macron went on to suggest that the German growth model has perhaps run its course. In his view, Germany, having made belt-tightening reforms that were right for its own economy, had fully benefited from the imbalances created within the eurozone; especially hard hit were the Southern economies like Spain, Greece and Italy , for which austerity was bitter and destabilizing. These imbalances have worsened, Mr. Macron pointed out, and they now run counter to the social project he supports. Unlike his predecessor, Mr. Ramaphosa has an energetic plan to revive South Africas stagnant economy an absolute necessity as unemployment is at 27 percent. In the 15 months he has been in power he has not yet managed to stimulate economic renewal. But he has made significant progress in fighting corruption. Mr. Ramaphosa cannily appointed independent commissions of inquiry and used their findings to fire the leadership at the South African Revenue Service and the National Prosecuting Authority, which were seen as two of the most captured critical organs of state. He chose competent technocrats as replacements. Although there is not, yet, much to show for it, their credibility and Mr. Ramaphosas own rests on their ability to investigate and prosecute Mr. Zuma, his cronies and their enablers. And Mr. Ramaphosa has appointed Raymond Zondo, the deputy chief justice, to head the Commission of Inquiry Into State Capture, Corruption and Fraud. South Africans are transfixed by the proceedings of the commission, which are broadcast live almost every day. The revelations run from tawdry micro-seductions (a Louis Vuitton handbag stuffed with cash) to macro-estimates (the calculation that Mr. Zumas 2015 attempt to appoint a lackey as finance minister cost the economy $34 billion). A former deputy finance minister, Mcebesi Jonas, recounted how the Gupta brothers tried to bribe him, but he cautioned the commission not to over Zuma-nise its investigations. To do so would be to miss the point, which is that the systems of patronage and corruption exemplified by Mr. Zuma are deeply embedded in government and in the A.N.C. The rot starts at the municipal level, where it seems to have become the norm to obtain state tenders through bribery. In How to Steal a City, Crispian Olver, an A.N.C. insider, describes the way competing political factions in the city of Port Elizabeth were criminal cartels vying for government gravy. One of these factions comprises Mr. Ramaphosas strongest supporters in the Eastern Cape Province. And the A.N.C.s own integrity commission has reportedly found fault with 22 of the candidates on the partys electoral list. This is why I am holding my nose. Others are simply turning away from a contest that offers no attractive alternative to the A.N.C. and Mr. Ramaphosa. His opponent to the right is Mmusi Maimane, a smooth but shallow preacher whose party, the Democratic Alliance, cannot break out of an ethnic ghetto: Its supporters are members of the white, Indian and colored minorities. His opponent to the left is Julius Malema, a gifted populist, who calls for land invasions and the nationalization of the economy. The growing constituency of Mr. Malemas Economic Freedom Fighters party consists of the marginalized urban poor. Most of those who vote will, still, cast their ballots for the A.N.C. Some will do so because, like me, they wish to give Mr. Ramaphosa a chance. Others will do so for reasons more atavistic (this is the liberation party) or pragmatic (this is the party that runs the show). Polls suggest, however, that the A.N.C. majority will drop down a few points from the 62.2 percent it garnered in 2014. The beneficiary will be Mr. Malemas Economic Freedom Fighters party. Delay is itself a win for Mr. Trump and fits into his broader strategy of trying to avoid oversight and scrutiny not only by filing this lawsuit but also by resisting other congressional subpoenas and, most recently, speaking out against congressional testimony by Robert Mueller that even Attorney General Bill Barr had publicly accepted. Opinion Debate Will the Democrats face a midterm wipeout? Mark Penn and Andrew Stein write that "only a broader course correction to the center will give Democrats a fighting chance in 2022" and beyond. write that "only a broader course correction to the center will give Democrats a fighting chance in 2022" and beyond. Matthew Continetti writes that time and again, the biggest obstacle to a red wave hasnt been the Democratic Party. Its been the Republican Party. writes that time and again, the biggest obstacle to a red wave hasnt been the Democratic Party. Its been the Republican Party. Ezra Klein speaks to David Shor, who discusses his fear that Democrats face electoral catastrophe unless they shift their messaging. speaks to David Shor, who discusses his fear that Democrats face electoral catastrophe unless they shift their messaging. Michelle Cottle examines two primary contests that will shake the parties well beyond the states in play. Whatever the outcome of Mr. Trumps legal argument, we urge the judge to move on the merits quickly. The issue appears to be straightforward. There are no privileges involved, and Mr. Trumps major argument seems to be that Congress lacks the authority to investigate him. In our view, the case could be resolved by the district court within weeks, not months. The same rationale applies to the other subpoena litigation that is or will shortly be pending in the district courts, and it applies to Congresss own efforts to obtain subpoenaed materials and secure witnesses for testimony. Delay Till After 2020 should not be allowed to thwart legitimate oversight. If Congress and ultimately the American people are to see Mr. Trumps financial records, they should see them as soon as possible, as American voters are already considering whether they want to give the president four more years. Moving forward the litigation so that its resolved, one way or the other, soon or certainly well ahead of Election Day is a matter of judicial responsibility. Thats exactly how a federal judge handled the litigation surrounding Mrs. Clintons emails in the 2016 campaign. When it emerged that she had used a private email address and server to conduct official business as secretary of state, it became clear that documents previously provided to the public in response to requests for State Department records hadnt included the privately held emails. Consequently, some people who had made those previous requests went to court demanding that the privately held emails be released quickly. The federal judge overseeing the litigation agreed, rejecting the State Departments proposed timeline for reviewing and releasing the emails and ordering the government to accelerate. He didnt need to say out loud what everyone knew: Voters were assessing Mrs. Clintons fitness for office, and these emails could inform that assessment. It was obvious that the litigation should move swiftly and, in particular, should yield public releases of the emails before Election Day. It was a sense of the undeniable stakes of moving quickly when the litigation had such clear bearing on a coming presidential election. The endgame in the trade war between China and the United States seems near. President Trump, betting with real currency American strength apparently has the upper hand, and the concessions President Xi Jinping is likely to make wont be mere tokens. When if? an agreement is finally announced, Mr. Trump will surely fire off bragging tweets, partly to shore up his credentials for a second term, amid personal and policy troubles. For Mr. Xi, almost any deal could mean a very serious loss of face. Mr. Xi assumed power when China was still riding high on its so-called economic miracle (and the United States remained mired in the aftereffects of the 2008-9 recession). He became general secretary of the Chinese Communist Party (C.C.P.) in late 2012 and president of the Peoples Republic in early 2013. His anticorruption campaign was instantly popular. He championed the Chinese Dream, a vague vision of prosperity, strength and well-being for the country and its people, that seemed to fire up many citizens. His proposal to President Barack Obama to establish a New Model of Major Country Relations could only please Han-majority Chinese with imperial yearnings. But those were easy stunts, performed in a country with no audible opposition and that bans reckless talk about the government. The trade war, on the other hand, is the first real occasion to assess Mr. Xis leadership capabilities. And his performance might not look so good, even if one discounts the setbacks related to the trade war. First and foremost, Mr. Xi has utterly failed to manage the United StatesChinese relationship. In contrast, every Chinese leader since the founding of the communist state in 1949 had recognized the paramount importance of those ties, worked hard to improve them and reaped huge benefits. Unlike most other Stone Age rock carvings around the world, these images are not drawn on walls or standing rocks, but cut into the exposed stone of flat hilltops along what is called the Konkan coastal plateau. Their style is realistic for the animals, and more stylized for humans. Most of the animals, including elephants, are life-size and one site with multiple carvings is the largest in South Asia, Dr. Garge said. He believes it should be a national monument. The discovery so far has not received a great deal of academic attention, but Jean Clottes, an expert on cave art and the editor of the International Newsletter on Rock Art, said in an email that the collection of images is an important discovery, no doubt. He said well-preserved carvings on the ground have been found elsewhere, but are unusual. Meenakshi Dubey-Pathak, a freelance researcher and artist who has published extensively on Indian rock art said the carvings share imagery with other Indian rock art and rock art worldwide. These were hunter gatherers, she said and the carvings were not art for arts sake. They had meaning and purpose, she said. Indian tourists have been visiting the sites, since published reports of the epic journey of discovery by Mr. Risbud and Mr. Marathe first appeared last fall. But the sites are not easy to locate. You can find images on the tourism website for Ratnagiri, but there are no directions to or GPS locations for the various sites. To find the carvings, a tourist needs to ask local town and village residents; Dr. Garge, Mr. Risbud and Mr. Marathe would like to keep it that way. Most of the carvings are on private land, and it would be costly to buy all the sites to preserve them. Dr. Garge hopes to make the sites a source of income to local residents. He described an encounter with a tea seller who had a small stall at a crossroads near one of the sites. The state had considered putting up signs with directions, Dr. Garge said, but the tea seller asked him not to do so. Ms. Sellers, Mr. Dzekciorius and Mr. Benda all noted that the start of these designers careers coincided with the rise of design galleries, which helped launch more than a few of them, and which provide a valuable incubator for their experimental work. And since this is a gallery exhibition, only scarce or limited-edition pieces are on display. But one of the hallmarks of this generation of designers is that they move fluidly between limited-edition work for galleries, and objects designed with just as much innovative thinking for production by companies like Vitra, Flos, Magis or Hay. So it would be illuminating to see an exhibition that reflected this polyvalence. Then we might, for example, see what are arguably Mr. Boontjes two most influential designs: his Blossom chandelier for Swarovski, a sparkling spray of branches laden with rosy crystals; and the more affordable Garland light, a swath of photo-etched metal leaves and flowers that wrap around a hanging light bulb, casting fairy-tale shadows. Both were notable for giving minimalism-weary design aficionados permission to love pattern, petals and sparkle (and pink). As Murray Moss, of the late, lamented design store that bore his name, pointed out: As a result of technological innovation, industry can do things so much better that its dissolving the distinction. On the other hand, the speed of technological change may create an ambiguous future for the next generation. Ms. Somers said that younger designers tend to reinvent the discipline. Same questions, new answers. But Mr. Pot wonders if designs importance will diminish, because its not designers who are changing the world; maybe its scientists. It could be, as Ms. Sellers writes in the overview, that perhaps the designers of Generation X will be the last to have had a foot in each camp, as makers, storytellers and cultural commentators. Through May 20 at 475 10th Avenue; fritzhansen.com ICFF Featuring more than 900 exhibitors and attracting more than 38,000 visitors each year, the international contemporary furniture fair is the largest event of NYCxDesign. Featured areas include ICFF Studio, a showcase of furniture prototypes by emerging designers; the Milk Stand, a pop-up shop by Design Milk; and Ventura New York the Dutch edition, which presents the work of 17 Dutch studios. Through May 22 at Jacob K. Javits Convention Center; icff.com TimesTalks x T Magazine Tom Delavan, a New York Times design editor, moderates a conversation with Ian Schrager, and Robin Standefer and Stephen Alesch of Roman and Williams about breaking creative boundaries and the next big ideas in modern design and interiors. One night only, 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. at The Times Center, 242 West 41st Street; timestalks.com May 20 Day of Design at New York Design Center Showrooms throughout the 16-story New York Design Center will host tours, events with notable designers, product launches and other activities. One day only at 200 Lexington Avenue; nydc.com Interlude at Apparatus The design firm Apparatus opens its studio to present a new, limited-edition collection of furniture and lighting in materials including alabaster, eel skin and Carpathian burl. Through May 22 at 124 West 30th Street, fourth floor; apparatusstudio.com May 22 Egg Collective Showroom Opening She is still putting together the new series, which will have seven episodes, so she doesnt yet have a favorite folly. But Ms. Trufelman said what most intrigued her about her reporting was the idea that failure is in the eyes of the beholder. I live in the Bay Area, Ms. Trufelman said, where we worship at the altar of failure. I feel like a lot of what these stories tell us is that its a continuum: Things rise and fall and get perverted and they change. I love that were starting the story with Jamestown. And thats how we end that episode, by asking: Was it a failure? Failure for whom? And what about that even grander experiment, the United States, for which Jamestown is a proxy? A failed utopia? I think theres still hope, she said. I think America has time to redeem itself. Nice Try is to begin May 30, and can be found each week on Curbed, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Stitcher. PENELOPE GREEN The designers described what they created as an ode to the Pacific Northwest. That meant lots of rich wood, including Western walnut countertops and Oregon white oak floors; leafy wall patterns; and a lush, moody palette dominated by mossy greens and cloudy grays. (Notably, there are a few choice hits of pink, adding a little bit of dawn or dusk, as Ms. Helgerson put it.) Located on a tree-lined block at the edge of Portlands Northwest Alphabet district, the house isnt far from 5,200-acre Forest Park, which is crisscrossed with hiking trails and home to firs, cedars, hemlocks and ferns. The family spends a lot of time in the park and embraced the decor as an extension of the natural surroundings. The ultimate expression of that theme and the homes showstopping moment comes in the kitchen. There, the walls are clad in hundreds of shimmering celadon tiles, hand-painted by Ms. Eng-Goetz with wispy, curling ferns that scroll across the space, even the integrated refrigerator. Sword ferns seemed like a perfect muse for this project, she said. I love their strong sculptural shapes, and Ive certainly tromped through them many times while mushroom hunting in Oregon and Washington. Tiling the refrigerator was also a rare feat of engineering, Ms. Helgerson noted. I feel like Miras ferns are the most beautiful thing our office has ever done, and Im grateful to the clients for letting us do something so weird and wonderful. In January, the New York City Economic Development Corporation, N.Y.C.E.D.C., announced it would turn over operations of New Yorks design week organization, NYCxDesign, to Sandow in 2020 through a multiyear, renewable contract. Sandow, a media company and consultancy, owns the design magazines Interior Design, Luxe Interiors + Design, and Galerie, and the materials research library, Material Connexion, prompting questions from some in the design industry about favoritism and privatization of the previously city-run event. In 2013, the city and an informal group of designers, educators, museum representatives, showroom and brand representatives and others jointly introduced NYCxDesign to raise the profile of New Yorks design week and encourage collaboration among different groups and across design disciplines. The group eventually became NYCxDesigns steering committee. NYCxDesign runs from early to mid-May, and functions as an umbrella organization and information clearinghouse for hundreds of design-related events that run in tandem with several independently operated design trade fairs. According to the economic development corporation, the event drew more than 336,000 people in 2018. It needed to move outside of city operations to grow and build new audiences, said Alex Costas, the senior vice president of marketing for N.Y.C.E.D.C. Sandow has a large global audience, a proven track record with producing events and relationships with leading design firms around the world, he added. We Werent Dreaming Our lives aligned for 22 days. For different reasons, it was not meant to be. She had to leave Lebanon and return to school in the Netherlands. Soon, it will be time for me to return to school in Spain. Strangers in Beirut, we walked around, stopping for coffee, tea, beer or wine. We could barely stop talking but, in retrospect, my favorite moments were the few silent ones. One wintry night, she lit the wrong end of a cigarette at my window . We laughed, but I kept it. I wanted a reminder, after leaving the city (our city), that we were not dreaming. Alvaro Fernandez Cruz, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Spain While most of the apartments colors are somewhere between a pastel and a muted bright, the faucets came in hot a bit of a Tabasco thrown on. Luckily Japanese manufacturers are more liberal with rainbow hues than American or British ones; the matching heated towel racks are from a standard catalog, as are the peachy toilets. In the U.K. it is so hard to find colored sinks and toilets, they tend to be vintage from the 1970s, he said. These, by Lixil, are more affordable than Toto, and come in a range of Easter egg tones. While Mr. Furman is drawn to artificial materials like vinyl (the kitchen floor) and melamine (the dotted and arched doors), his clients wanted some natural elements as well. The connected kitchen-living-dining rooms revolve around a large custom-made cabinet built from spruce, while the variegated aqua backsplash tile is from Nagoya Mosaic. I wanted to find a place that produced ceramics that have a wonkiness to them that offsets the hard surfaces, Mr. Furman said. He gained money in the budget for the bespoke cabinet by saving on the bath-and-shower units, which came off a truck as one integrated piece. You Call That a Vase? Containers for blooms can stretch the imaginations of designers and florists alike. May 7, 2019 Vases are vessels meant to hold cut flowers or other foliage. But they often work as decorative objects even when empty. What I think is appealing about a vase shape is its a little miniature piece of table architecture and really open to wild interpretation, said Richard Wright, the Chicago-based auction house president and specialist in 20th- and 21st-century design. I also think its the type of piece where a designer feels a lot of freedom. It doesnt have to hold up a human being, it doesnt have to bear a lot of weight, it just has to hold some water. (And it doesnt even have to do that.) Sheriff Spurlock said neither suspect had been on law enforcements radar before the shooting and that the motive was unknown. The sheriff said the injured students were age 15 or older. Students who were not injured were taken to Northridge Recreation Center in Highlands Ranch, where hundreds of anxious parents gathered to look for their children on Tuesday afternoon. I heard a gunshot, said Makai Dixon, 8, a second grader who had been training for this moment, with active shooter drills and lockdowns, since he was in kindergarten. Id never heard it before. Makais parents said they joined thousands of others in rushing to the school as news blazed through this suburban community. Were more messed up than they are, Makais mother, Rocio, said as they walked to their car. The shooting at the Highlands Ranch charter school is the latest at an educational institution, rattling communities nationwide because young people have been put in mortal danger in places long considered safe havens. One week earlier, a man with a pistol shot six people on the last day of spring classes at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, killing two. Voters in Denver, a city at the forefront of the widening national debate over legalizing marijuana, will decide on Tuesday whether to be the first in the nation to effectively decriminalize another recreational drug: hallucinogenic mushrooms. The local ballot measure would not quite legalize magic mushrooms, the ones that contain psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychedelic compound. State and federal regulations would have to change to accomplish that. But if it passes, the measure would make the possession, use or cultivation of the mushrooms by people aged 21 or older the lowest-priority crime for law enforcement in the city of Denver and Denver County. Arrests and prosecutions, already fairly rare, could all but disappear. Adoption of the measure could signal fledgling public acceptance of a mind-altering drug, outlawed nationally for nearly 50 years, that recent research suggests could have beneficial medical uses. A similar effort failed to get on the ballot in California last year, but it could come up again in 2020; Oregon voters may also vote on a comparable measure next year. Scientists have attributed the uptick in flooding to increased rainfall in the Midwest, an effect of climate change, and the continuing efforts to constrict the river. In an ever changing patchwork of protection, cities and towns have long sought new ways to keep the water away. Burlington, Iowa, has worked in recent years to install a floodwall. In Illinois, some rural levee districts have been accused of building beyond their authorized height, a point of bitterness for those downstream. Theres always going to be winners and losers when it comes to levees, said Jonathan Remo, an associate professor of geography at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. When you create big levees, youre pushing water onto somebody else. Heavy rains expected this week could worsen problems along the Mississippi River, which has already been above flood stage for well over a month in some areas. Some people who live along the river said they believed they were at a tipping point a moment when the entire region needed to rethink the wisdom of having so many levees, especially in rural areas with few people. Youve got hundreds of miles of waterway leveed off that probably cant stay like that, said Colin Wellenkamp, the executive director of the Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative, which represents municipal governments on the river. Graftons laissez-faire approach to flood control is part fiscal necessity and part business strategy. Spending tens of millions of dollars on a floodwall is not practical, Mr. Eberlin said, and doing so would jeopardize Graftons main appeal to tourists, many of whom come from St. Louis, about 40 miles to the south, to be near the water. The towns strategy also has environmental benefits, according to experts who warned that the competition to build bigger levees elsewhere is dangerous and expensive. The Georgia legislation is but the latest front in a wide-ranging battle over abortion rights being waged this year across Republican-controlled state legislatures in the Midwest and South. Conservative lawmakers see the realignment of the Supreme Court as presenting their best opportunity to overturn Roe v. Wade, the case that recognized a womans constitutional right to an abortion. How will this new law affect Georgia? The Georgia law, which would take effect in 2020, prohibits most abortions once doctors can discern a fetal heartbeat, a milestone that occurs before some women know they are pregnant. In practice, the limit on abortion in Georgia will now be six weeks of pregnancy, instead of 20 weeks. Exceptions are allowed to prevent death or serious harm to the woman, and in cases of rape or incest in which a police report has been filed. Mr. Kemp was narrowly elected last November, and the bill he signed on Tuesday was seen as crucial in maintaining the conservative support that led him into the governors office. Mr. Kemp and the laws other supporters have brushed aside the risks of any political backlash. This is a historic day for Georgia, Catherine Davis, an anti-abortion rights activist, said at Mr. Kemps signing ceremony. This is a day that many of us who have been in the pro-life fight for years and years and years didnt really think it would be possible, in light of the politics of the issue. Whats happening politically, particularly on the left, is a desire to see leaders who reflect the family structures that are becoming increasingly common, said Charlotte Alter, a national correspondent for Time who wrote the Buttigieg cover story whether that be acceptance of gay marriage, women leading in the workplace or blended families. Kamala Harris, the California senator vying for the Democratic nomination, for example, is a stepmother to two children. (Shes also biracial and a daughter of immigrants.) While there are still plenty of Americans who long for the days of two-point-five kids, mom doesnt work, dad has a briefcase, Alter said, the reality for many American families has moved far beyond that era. That said, is Warrens defining herself as a wife and mother even if the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is listed as one of her children actually progress? Alter said the reference ultimately works both ways: as a way to tell more traditional voters that Warren still shares these values, while also sending a message to more progressive voters that she is proud of her gender, and that it is significant. At the end of the day, candidates with strong family ties are still highly valued by voters, Alter said. Male candidates included. Recalling the campaign of President Trump, whose family is blended, Alter said she would hear the same statement over and over from his supporters: Hes such a good dad. People want to see a family living in the White House, Alter said, even if its a family that looks a little different than theirs. WASHINGTON The F.B.I. director, Christopher A. Wray, defended the bureau on Tuesday amid another round of accusations that agents abused their powers in investigating the Trump campaign, saying he was unaware of any illegal surveillance and refusing to call their work spying. Mr. Wrays defense of his agency put him in direct conflict with Attorney General William P. Barr, who told lawmakers last month that he believed the F.B.I. engaged in spying on the Trump campaign. Thats not the term I would use, Mr. Wray told senators during a budget hearing when asked about the attorney generals testimony. Mr. Wray also added that he would help Mr. Barr understand the origins of the investigation into Russias election interference and possible ties to the Trump campaign, which the attorney general has said he is reviewing. Mr. Barrs politically charged description of lawful F.B.I. tactics has helped stoke claims that agents might have been acting wrongfully. Mr. Barrs use of the fine English word, as he put it recently, echoes accusations made by the president and his allies. Typically, law enforcement officials do not refer to surveillance as spying. FORT MEADE, Md. American officials are pushing ahead on efforts with allied nations to counter Russias interference in democratic elections and other malign activities, military cybercommanders said on Tuesday, an effort intended to allow the United States to better observe and counter Moscows newest cyberweapons. American officials deployed last year to Ukraine, Macedonia and Montenegro, and United States Cyber Command officials said that their missions included defending elections and uncovering information about Russias newest abilities. Cyber Command will continue some of those partnerships and expand its work to other countries under attack from Russia, officials said Tuesday. The deployments, officials said, are meant to impose costs on Moscow, to make Russias attempts to mount online operations in Europe and elsewhere more difficult and to potentially bog down Moscows operatives and degrade their ability to interfere in American elections. We recognize and understand the importance of being in constant contact with the enemy in this space, especially below the level of armed conflict, so we can defend ourselves and we can impose costs, Maj. Gen. Charles L. Moore, the director of operations for Cyber Command, said Tuesday. That is it in a nutshell. Ms. Pelosi, in her own remarks on Tuesday, conceded that Democrats were unlikely to see a change of heart from Republicans anytime soon. Still, she argued that a pattern of obstruction of justice by the president was becoming clearer by the day. Trump is goading us to impeach him, she said at a Cornell University event in Manhattan. Thats what he is doing; every single day he is just, like, taunting, taunting, taunting. Because he knows that it would be very divisive in the country. But he doesnt really care; he just wants to solidify his base. Ms. Pelosi said she was pushing her caucus not to take the bait, but instead to try to line up the facts and build a public case. But nearly three weeks after the release of a redacted version of Mr. Muellers 448-page report, that is proving more difficult than Democrats anticipated. As the Judiciary Committee received word from Mr. McGahn and the White House that he would not comply with its subpoena, committee staff members were preparing for a Wednesday morning vote on contempt for Mr. Barr. Justice Department officials and lawyers for the committee met once again on Tuesday to try to hash out a compromise to dial back the escalating tensions. They traded counteroffers, but ultimately the discussions ended acrimoniously. The Justice Department was also in a standoff with the House Intelligence Committee over a bipartisan request by its chairman and top Republican for access to all intelligence and counterintelligence information collected in the course of Mr. Muellers work. A committee aide indicated on Tuesday that discussions with department officials did not appear to be progressing and that the Democrat-led panel would soon turn to a subpoena. The case of Mr. McGahn, who is cited more than any other witness in the Mueller report, was narrower, but the White House actions threatened to wall off a central witness. WEST COLUMBIA, S.C. In most respects it was a typical first Sunday at Brookland Baptist Church. The minister delivered a raucous sermon, communion was distributed and the choir closed the service with the gospel classic Order My Steps, which admonishes Christians that Satan is busy, God is real. But when the benediction was completed, the rush of congregants to the front pew signaled that this Sunday was unique: The honored guest was former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr., and everyone wanted a photo. He was with President Obama and you know what that means, he has a head start in my book, said Barbara Cain Seabrook, a 58-year-old member of Brookland Baptist. I think he has the community at heart. Nearly every Democrat in South Carolina agrees that Mr. Biden is the early pacesetter in the states critically important primary, buoyed by his longstanding relationships with elected officials here and support from black voters, who make up almost 60 percent of the Democratic electorate. WASHINGTON Senator Mitch McConnell, the majority leader, called on Congress on Tuesday to move on from the Mueller report and issued his own verdict from the Senate floor: Case closed. With an exhaustive investigation complete, would the country finally unify to confront the real challenges before us? Mr. McConnell said. Or would we remain consumed by unhinged partisanship, and keep dividing ourselves to the point that Putin and his agents need only stand on the sidelines and watch as their job is done for them? Regrettably, he continued, the answer is obvious. Mr. McConnells speech pointed up the profound gap between the Republican-controlled Senate and the Democrat-controlled House. House Democrats are locked in an escalating fight with President Trump, who is trying to slam shut House investigations of all sorts. The House Judiciary Committee is preparing to hold Attorney General William P. Barr in contempt of Congress on Wednesday for ignoring a subpoena for the full report of the special counsel, Robert S. Mueller III, and his underlying evidence. The Treasury secretary, Steven Mnuchin, told the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, Richard E. Neal of Massachusetts, that he would not turn over six years of Mr. Trumps personal and business tax returns, as demanded by Mr. Neal under the federal tax code. And on Tuesday, the White House instructed Donald F. McGahn II, the former White House counsel, to hold onto documents subpoenaed by House investigators because Mr. Trump might want to assert executive privilege over them. Barr is trying to avoid getting himself into a position of defying the president even though he doesnt want to keep Mueller from testifying, Mr. Buchanan added. He would prefer not to do it frontally and baldly, and yet still find a way to squirm out of the situation. But that solution to Mr. Barrs dilemma is fragile. It would collapse if Mr. Trump, who tweeted his objection to Mr. Muellers potential testimony over the weekend, were to decide to press the issue by explicitly ordering Mr. Barr to gag the special counsel. Mr. Barrs handling of the Mueller report so far has prompted critics to accuse him of acting more like the presidents lawyer than an honest broker. But if Mr. Barr ignores Mr. Trumps statement because it fell short of a formal and direct order, that would be the behavior of an attorney general who sees his client more as the presidency as an institution than Mr. Trump, said Harold Bruff, a University of Colorado emeritus law professor and co-author of a separation-of-powers casebook. Who is his client? Mr. Bruff said. Is his client the person who is the president? If so, then the merest suggestion is as close to an order as you need. Its a little like being married. Whether Mr. Mueller testifies is a decision that Mr. Barr and perhaps Mr. Trump can control because the special counsel remains a Justice Department employee. It is not clear when Mr. Mueller will return to life as a private citizen; a spokesman has said for weeks that Mr. Mueller would be leaving in coming days. If Mr. Trump does decide to insist that Mr. Barr gag Mr. Mueller, the attorney general could seek to resolve his dilemma by slow-walking any official change in position until Mr. Mueller is no longer his subordinate. [music playing] michael barbaro From The New York Times, Im Michael Barbaro. This is The Daily. Today, the House Judiciary Committee votes to hold the attorney general in contempt of Congress for refusing to release the full Mueller report. Nothing is likely to happen. Why Congress is running out of options for how to investigate the president. Its Thursday, May 9. archived recording 1 Judiciary Committee will please come to order. [INAUDIBLE] being present michael barbaro Adam Liptak, what was the mood at this meeting of the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday? adam liptak It was tense. Chairman Nadler was very unhappy with the administrations general attitude toward complying with requests for information from Congress. archived recording (jerrold nadler) As a coequal branch of government, we must have access to the materials that we need to fulfill our constitutional responsibilities in a manner consistent with past precedent. adam liptak The House Democrats have, of course, asked for testimony from Bob Mueller the special counsel, William Barr the attorney general, Don McGahn, the former White House counsel and all kinds of documents, including tax returns and business records of President Trump, and most pointedly, at the moment the Mueller report and the documents underlying it. [music] archived recording (jerrold nadler) The Mueller report is no ordinary run of the mill document. It details significant misconduct involving the president, including his campaigns willingness and eagerness to accept help from a hostile foreign government, numerous misstatements, if not outright lies concerning those acts and 11 separate incidents of obstructive behavior by the president that more than 700 former prosecutors have told us warrant criminal indictment. If Congress is not entitled to the full unredacted Mueller report, one must wonder what document we would be entitled to. adam liptak And on the other side, a categorical refusal to cooperate at all by the executive branch. archived recording (donald trump) Well, were fighting all the subpoenas. Look, these arent like impartial people. The Democrats are trying to win 2020. adam liptak So there are these enormous requests from the house that have been met so far by the administration with a blanket refusal to engage, which legal scholars say is unprecedented. And then Wednesday morning, President Trump invoked executive privilege over the entire Mueller report and the documents underlying it, which, again, is a kind of maximalist position. archived recording (mike johnson) This is not about seeking the truth as weve heard this morning. Its about raw partisan politics. Our Democrat colleagues have weaponized our critical oversight responsibilities. And moving today to hold the A.G. in contempt is not only premature, unprecedented and unwarranted. Frankly, it is shameful. I think, we believe, the American people deserve better. adam liptak So what youre hearing at the hearing is the opening salvo in what looks to be quite a war between two branches of government. archived recording (jerrold nadler) Our fight is not just about the Mueller report. Our fight is about defending the rights of Congress as an independent branch to hold the president, any president accountable. This is unprecedented. If allowed to go unchecked, this obstruction means the end of congressional oversight. michael barbaro Adam, what does it mean for the president to assert executive privilege in the way that he did on Wednesday? adam liptak So executive privilege is kind of a mushy concept. Its not in the Constitution, but the Supreme Court has said that there are at least some kinds of things that the president is allowed to keep secret, typically, his consultations with his closest staff so he can get candid advice, stuff relating to national security to his duties as commander in chief. Theres a zone of privacy the president has, even against a legitimate request from Congress. But here, in applying it to the Mueller report, which doesnt fit neatly with any of the things Ive just sketched out, but was in fact an investigation commission to be an investigation of the president, executive privilege doesnt fit that concept very neatly at all. Now their assertion here was tentative. They called it protective. They say they may still come back, so theres some play in the joints and some creativity going on. But the general attitude is and this is consistent with what the Trump administration has been saying in all kinds of settings is that you, Congress, get nothing. michael barbaro And so the administration is basically arguing that this concept of executive privilege applies not just to private conversations that the president has, advice hes given, that kind of thing, but basically to anything, at this point, related to the Russia investigation that Congress might want get its hands on. adam liptak More than that. Its basic position is maximalist, totalist, that whatever we know and you dont know, we can keep from you and were allowed to keep secrets. michael barbaro Even if its requested by subpoena. adam liptak Thats their position. archived recording (sarah sanders) Chairman Nadler is asking the attorney general of the United States to break the law and commit a crime by releasing information that he knows he has no legal authority to have. Its truly outrageous and absurd what the chairman is doing, and he should be embarrassed that hes behaving this way. adam liptak They think these subpoenas are illegitimate tools of political harassment and not consistent with what Congress ordinarily issues subpoenas for, which is to help it carry out its constitutional responsibilities. And why Chairman Nadler is so unhappy is because he can see that we are on the precipice of a constitutional impasse, where Congress tries to do what it needs to do, which is to gather information to fulfill its responsibilities, and is being met with a wholesale Stonewall from a presidential administration. And that, as far as I can tell, is unprecedented. michael barbaro You keep using that word, unprecedented. Just how unusual is it for any White House to basically put up a wall when it comes to a broad set of issues and say youre just not getting anything from us when it comes to this subject? adam liptak Skirmishes between Congress and presidential administrations are commonplace. But as far as an administration saying, theres no subpoena were going to comply with, were going to fight all the subpoenas, you get nothing, that seems to me unknown in the history of the United States. michael barbaro O.K., so once executive privilege is invoked in this way, and basically the Trump administration walls off all things Russia, Mueller and this entire episode from Congress and its investigations, what are the options for Democrats if they want to get all the things that theyre asking for: The unredacted Mueller report; compelling Don McGahn, the former White House counsel, to testify; forcing Bob Mueller to come before these committees; getting the Treasury Department to give up the presidents tax returns; to carry out all these investigations that it wants to. How does it now do that in the face of this kind of resistance? adam liptak So the Democrats have four basic options. Back in the day, what they would do is send the Sergeant at Arms and detain the person they want to testify and not let him out of the pokey (MICHAEL LAUGHS) Presumably in the basement of the Capitol until theyre prepared to testify, but that method has not been used since 1935. michael barbaro And just to be clear, Adam, this is not a reference to your generation, but the pokey is the prison. adam liptak (LAUGHS) Yeah, the pokey is a detention cell, yes. michael barbaro Got it. O.K. So thats number one, is extremely unlikely. adam liptak I dont see that happening. michael barbaro O.K., so whats the second option? adam liptak So the second option is to hold a witness in contempt and thats what the Judiciary Committee did on Wednesday to Attorney General Barr. They said that not turning over the Mueller report violated a legitimate subpoena and constituted contempt. The full House is likely to vote the same way. And then the next step, ordinarily, is to go to the Justice Department and say, hey a crimes been committed, you guys should please prosecute the witness for criminal contempt. michael barbaro But wait, thats complicated, because Bill Barr runs the Justice Department. adam liptak Yeah, so thats an interesting idea. But its never going to happen, right? Because D.O.J. and this is not a Trump D.O.J. idea only, this has happened in many earlier administrations takes the view that its not going to cooperate in a congressional request to try to go after executive branch officials for contempt. michael barbaro So if the Department of Justice refuses to prosecute Barr, as is likely in this option, then what can Democrats do to get the unredacted report and everything else that it wants? adam liptak It can go to court itself. It can file a civil lawsuit, ask a judge to order the executive branch or the witness to comply and that could result in a contempt of court citation, and the courts will make judgments about whos right. michael barbaro And what argument would Congress make and this third option if they go to court? adam liptak Congress would say and would have a lot of Supreme Court precedent supporting it that its right to information is quite broad. The Supreme Court has repeatedly said that Congress cant do its job well without access to information. It cant legislate wisely. It cant perform its oversight responsibilities. As a general matter, the starting proposition is that Congress is entitled to information. It supervises, in many respects, the executive branch. The executive branch executes what Congress tells it to. So in the ordinary scheme of things, absent some privilege or other good argument, Congress does and should win usually. michael barbaro So in this argument, Congress would be rejecting the idea, proposed by the Trump administration, that under executive privilege it can keep all of these matters secret, because it will argue Congress has this broad authority to get this information to do its oversight work. adam liptak Right. And we know from the Nixon tapes case, that executive privilege exists. That was the case, of course, where President Nixon invoked executive privilege to try to withhold tapes of himself in the Oval Office talking to aides from a criminal inquiry. The court said, yes, thats right, such a thing exists, but its not powerful enough in this case to allow you to withhold those tapes from a criminal inquiry. But its not categorical. Its a balancing test, and you take account of why the information was sought, you take account of why the administration thinks something needs to be kept secret and you do some balancing. And while its hard to predict what any court will do, and it might well go to the Supreme Court, Congress starts out with the better of the argument most of the time. michael barbaro Because of its place in the Constitution. adam liptak Yes, and because the Court has recognized over and over again that they have a legitimate need for information. They cant do their jobs without it. michael barbaro O.K., so if theres Supreme Court precedent for this argument, what is likely to happen if House Democrats pursue this court option? adam liptak Well, the one thing we know pretty much for sure is that it will take a long time. Courts mull over these questions carefully. There are substantial arguments on both sides. And the most recent example of this is a subpoena to Attorney General Eric Holder, President Obamas attorney general, for some documents concerning a botched gun buying program called Fast and Furious, where he was held in contempt. And the lawsuit over that took years. It was ongoing even after the Trump administration took office. michael barbaro So basically, that option is so slow that it might pass the point of being relevant for Democrats. And of course, it might not even result in the Democrats getting what they want from the courts. adam liptak Yeah, thats right. michael barbaro O.K. So if what the Democrats did on Wednesday is likely not to lead anywhere, and if the next option, which is go to the courts, is also not all that productive or fast, what other options are left? adam liptak The option the Constitution contemplates for a president who runs afoul of Congress is impeachment. And I want to unpack what I mean by impeachment a little bit, because people compress into kicking somebody out of office. michael barbaro Right. adam liptak What impeachment really means, for starters, is you can open impeachment proceedings and issue subpoenas in aid of those proceedings to figure out whether you actually want to impeach the president. Impeachment means to accuse him of wrongdoing, sort of like an indictment, and then if there is impeachment, it goes to the Senate for trial and possible removal. But opening an impeachment proceeding actually helps the Houses case, because while you could argue about whether a given subpoena for certain kinds of information helps them perform their legislative lawmaking duties, theres really no argument that Congress is entitled to subpoena information to try to figure out whether the president ought to be impeached. So opening an impeachment proceeding and issuing subpoenas in aid of that proceeding heightens congressional power to obtain the information it wants. michael barbaro So in the absence of impeachment proceedings being open, these subpoenas, they have a certain amount of power, but as you just explained, they can get swatted away. But once impeachment proceedings begin, those subpoenas are kind of turbo charged. They have a greater power than they did before. adam liptak I agree with the second point. I dont want to undersell the ordinary congressional subpoena which is a powerful tool and the courts ordinarily uphold them, but certainly a subpoena issued out of an impeachment proceeding has yet more power. michael barbaro And why is that exactly? adam liptak Because you can argue about we want to see his tax returns. Why? Because we want to enact good tax policy. You know, maybe. But at least that allows lawyers to argue about whether theres a legitimate legislative purpose involved as a predicate for that subpoena. But theres no argument that potential misconduct by the president is grounds for an impeachment inquiry and a subpoena in aid of an impeachment inquiry just has that much more power. michael barbaro So once you open impeachment proceedings, you have much more leeway to subpoena people and documents. And you no longer have to justify them with any kind of legislative rationale in order to issue it. If youre impeaching, youre looking into the president broadly and in an investigative way. And so its no longer at all about legislation. adam liptak Thats right. And theres no question that considering impeachment is at the very core of one of the duties the Constitution assigns to the House of Representatives. michael barbaro Got it. So impeachment in this sense just means that Congress has increased leverage and authority to investigate beyond what they ordinarily have, so theres a scenario in which the Democrats open impeachment proceedings just to pry loose all these things that weve been discussing that they cant seem to get their hands on right now, and they dont really think about the possibility of removing the president at all. adam liptak Right. So just as a prosecutor doesnt wake up one morning and say Im going to indict somebody, nor should the House think about impeaching the president till its gathered up all the information so it can make a sound and sober judgment and that investigation is part of the impeachment process. And subpoenas arising from that inquiry, as you were saying before, Michael, are turbo charged. archived recording (nancy pelosi) I do believe that impeachment is one of the most divisive forces, paths that we could go down to in our country, but if the fact finding takes us there, we have no choice but were not there yet. michael barbaro All of that makes complete sense in the abstract, Adam. But we know that the Democratic leadership has been very reluctant to touch the subject of impeachment because although they must understand it to be a very powerful investigative tool, they also know that in the broader world it means that they have declared political war on the president, and that they would then be open to the accusation which has already been leveled at them; that theyre conducting a witch hunt and that this is an extreme step. So wouldnt that likely discourage them from doing this? adam liptak Yes. So the political calculations and the legal calculations are different. You almost have the sense that in his maximalist approach, President Trump is almost taunting the House into impeaching him. archived recording 1 Are you worried about impeachment, Mr. President? archived recording (donald trump) Not even a little bit. adam liptak Perhaps because he thinks it would be good politics for him and perhaps it would. archived recording (nancy pelosi) Trump is goading us to impeach him. Thats what hes doing. Every single day, hes just like taunting, taunting, taunting, because he knows that it would be very divisive in the country, but he doesnt really care. adam liptak The last time we did that with President Clinton, those proceedings were not popular with the American public. So how the House approaches this question is a balancing act between its real desire to get information to which it thinks its plainly entitled, as Chairman Nadler was saying, but also not to step into a political trap that Democrats may be afraid will backfire. archived recording (bernie sanders) If for the next year, year and a half, going right into the heart of the election, all that the Congress is talking about is impeaching Trump and Trump, Trump, Trump and Mueller, Mueller, Mueller. And were not talking about health care. Were not talking about raising the minimum wage to a living wage. What I worry about is that works to Trumps advantage. michael barbaro So in this scenario, the president may be kind of goading House Democrats by saying no to everything theyre asking for into using this investigative tool of impeachment in ways that theyre not all that comfortable, knowing that it might backfire on them politically if they eventually turn to it out of frustration. adam liptak Yeah, the political calculations are really complicated. So that kind of scrambles some of the legal arguments we were talking about. michael barbaro Where does that leave the Democrats? adam liptak Well, where that leaves the Democrats and the nation is at a real ugly constitutional impasse where our ordinary system of the separation of powers and checks and balances falls away, where you have one branch, Congress, with a legitimate right to information, another branch, the executive branch, taking a maximalist approach and saying, you get nothing, and thats a dangerous place for the nation to be in. michael barbaro I guess Im surprised that there isnt a fifth option because these scenarios that we have just outlined, they would all seem somewhat predictable. Courts just take time. The Department of Justice was never going to enforce a contempt charge against its own boss. And impeachment is a pretty extreme step. So thats just it? adam liptak Theres a fifth option. michael barbaro Whats that? adam liptak Its an election. Some of these matters maybe properly to be decided by the voters. Theyre highly aware of these disputes, and soon enough, the American people will get to speak again. [music] michael barbaro Adam, I wonder if the framers ever anticipated that the House would ever choose to refuse the use of its biggest and most powerful tool when it comes to investigating the executive branch, impeachment, because it was worried about the way it would look because of the political consequences. adam liptak I dont think the framers imagined partisan politics. They were wary of what they called factions. They thought people would be loyal to their institutions, that Congress would take its responsibilities, both House and Senate, seriously to oversee the executive. And if they determined there was presidential misconduct, they would unite in first impeaching and then removing such a president. So this whole world in which we live in where one House is controlled by one party which sees the world one way, the other by the other, and that seems to inflect everyones constitutional responsibilities would be quite foreign to the founding generation. michael barbaro But yet here we are. adam liptak Indeed. michael barbaro Adam, thank you very much. adam liptak Thank you, Michael. michael barbaro Now that the House Judiciary Committee has voted to hold William Barr in contempt, the full House of Representatives is expected to do the same in an upcoming vote, a move that the Trump administration called politically motivated and unnecessary. Well be right back. [music] michael barbaro Heres what else you need to know today. archived recording 1 The president and his administration has repeatedly shown a true hostility to the rule of law and presidential customs. Today we are sending a message. No one is above the law. michael barbaro On Wednesday, lawmakers in New York passed an unusual set of bills that would allow congressional committees to seek President Trumps state tax returns. The legislation, adopted by the Democratically controlled New York Senate, does not mention the president by name, but authorizes the states taxation department to release any state tax return requested by three congressional committees, all of which are now investigating Trump. archived recording 2 Washington has failed to act on this issue. The administration is stonewalling the coequal branch of government. If they wont do it, New York can. michael barbaro The bill now heads to the New York State Assembly, where it is expected to pass and then to Governor Andrew Cuomo, who has vowed to sign it despite strong opposition from New York State Republicans, who called it a legally dubious partisan attack on the president. archived recording 3 Maybe even for the president, theres going to be a lot of collateral damage. Today its the president. Tomorrow its the rest of us. michael barbaro And exactly one year after the United States withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal, Iran pulled out of major elements of the deal and threatened to quit the deal entirely in 60 days. archived recording 1 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] michael barbaro After those 60 days, Irans president Hassan Rouhani said that Iran would violate key terms of the deal by enriching uranium, unless European countries that signed the deal agreed to purchase its oil in violation of U.S. sanctions. That will force those countries to choose between Iran and the U.S. archived recording (mike pompeo) I am confident that as we watch Irans activity that the United Kingdom and our European partners will move forward together to ensure that Iran has no pathway for a nuclear weapon system. michael barbaro The district is predominantly made up of Hispanic students, he said. Issues of immigration are pretty sensitive, Mr. Mercado said. If they do not have a family member who is in that situation, they know of somebody somewhere whose documentation might have a different status. It is a sensitive issue. Image Mr. Torres-Maytorena before attending prom in April. Credit... Lorena Rodriguez, via Associated Press Mr. Mercado said that Mr. Torres-Maytorenas hearing for the traffic citation was scheduled for May 22 in Pima County Justice Court, but that he did not know when there might be a hearing regarding immigration charges. Mr. Torres-Maytorena was released on Tuesday and returned to classes on Wednesday, Mr. Mercado said on Thursday. It was not immediately clear whether Mr. Torres-Maytorena had a lawyer. The protest by the students highlighted tension with the roles played by local law enforcement in the work of federal immigration authorities. The statement from Sheriff Mark D. Napier said that the department wanted to prevent what was described as possible misinformation about the traffic stop before a vote on Tuesday of the Pima County Board of Supervisors on whether to approve federal funds to support coordination between border agents and local law enforcement. Last year, community outrage over new federal border policies and family separations prompted the board to reject those funds, The Arizona Daily Star reported. According to the sheriffs incident report, a deputy was conducting a traffic stop for driving under the influence just before 10 p.m. on Thursday in Tucson. Mr. Torres-Maytorena was driving, and two other Hispanic men were inside the vehicle, the report said. Mr. Torres-Maytorena was given civil citations for having expired plates and for not having a drivers license, registration or insurance papers, it said. The vehicle was registered to Lorena Rodriguez, whom Mr. Torres-Maytorena described in the report as his stepmother. Relatives were allowed to speak with him after he was placed, without handcuffs, in the back of a patrol vehicle, the statement said. Mr. Torres-Maytorena passed a sobriety test, it said. He bought the Eastern Airlines shuttle for $365 million; it never made a profit, and he spent more than $7 million a month to keep it flying. His new Trump Taj Mahal Hotel and Casino, opened in 1990 with more than $800 million in debt, sucked revenue from his other casinos, pulling them along into the red. And so, year after year, Mr. Trump appears to have lost more money than nearly any other individual taxpayer, according to the I.R.S. information on high earners a publicly available database with taxpayers identifying details removed. Indeed, in 1990 and 1991, his core businesses lost more than $250 million each year more than double those of the nearest taxpayers in the sampling for those years. The tax code allows owners of commercial property to write down the cost of their buildings a valuable tax shelter known as depreciation. In The Art of the Deal, Mr. Trump cited one of his Atlantic City casinos to show how it works. Built for $400 million and depreciated at a rate of 4 percent a year, he said, it could allow him to shelter $16 million in taxable income annually. But Mr. Trumps example, meant to demonstrate the magic of depreciation, shows something else: Depreciation alone cannot account for the hundreds of millions of dollars in losses he declared on his taxes. 3. He paid no federal income taxes for eight of the 10 years Business owners like Mr. Trump may also use their losses to avoid paying taxes on future income. Over the years, those losses rolled into a $915.7 million free pass, known as a net operating loss, that appeared on his 1995 tax returns, pages of which were mailed anonymously to The Times during the 2016 campaign. The new tax information shows how Mr. Trumps net operating losses snowballed, reaching $418 million in 1991. That was fully 1 percent of all the losses that the I.R.S. reported had been declared by individual taxpayers that year. And the red ink continued to accumulate apace. In all, Mr. Trump lost so much money that he was able to avoid paying any federal income taxes for eight of the 10 years. 4. He made millions posing as a corporate raider until investors realized he never followed through For a time, Mr. Trump was able to stave off his coming collapse with the help of a new public role: He traded on his business-titan brand to present himself as a corporate raider. He would acquire shares in a company with borrowed money, suggest publicly that he was contemplating a takeover, then quietly sell on the resulting bump in the stock price. An occasional quote from a high-profile associate helped burnish the myth. When a woman goes into labor, many things can go wrong. Black women like Ms. Jackson are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy complications as white women, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And jails are not necessarily equipped to handle an inmate in need of medical care, according to Jens David Ohlin, the vice dean and a law professor at Cornell Law School. It is a little bit different when you have someone in a jail or someone in temporary custody as opposed to someone in a prison, Mr. Ohlin said. If someone is in a prison, there is infirmary staff and well-developed services and care would be readily available then. Things are complicated when someone is in a jail. Mr. Weekes said that Ms. Jackson told him that while she was in labor, she was worried that she was not going to deliver using the appropriate birthing method because she had had a cesarean section in the past. Mr. Weekes added that Ms. Jackson also said her biggest fear was that the pressure from her attempts to push the baby out vaginally would rip her C-section scar open. She beared down and knew that she had to do something, Mr. Weekes said, adding that Ms. Jackson could feel her C-section scar stretching. She was trying to figure out how she is going to survive this and how the baby will survive. She just beared down and found a way. Guards at the jail did not notice that Ms. Jackson had given birth until they found her in her cell holding the baby at 10 a.m., according to her lawyers. It sounds to me that they did not handle the situation appropriately, because if they couldnt get the doctor to come more promptly, they should have gone back and assessed the situation, Mr. Ohlin said, and if necessary, they could have called 911 and they didnt do that. The case drew national attention. Senator Kamala Harris, a Democratic presidential candidate, called it outrageous. A recent study in the Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation found as many as 48 percent of nurses working in a critical care transplant unit met the criteria for PTSD symptoms included upsetting dreams about a traumatic event, difficulty falling asleep, irritability or outbursts of anger, and upsetting memories about the event that arose against the persons will. Rates of burnout among nurses in some specialties may be even higher. High rates of burnout and PTSD in the nursing profession are likely to contribute to a high rate of nurse turnover, which ranges from 13 to 21 percent, depending on the region of the country. The south and west are expected to experience continued nursing shortages through 2030, according to a 2012 study in the American Journal of Medical Quality. We know PTSD is present, and it drives nurses away from the bedside, Ms. Peterson said. We dont treat nurses very well, and the work environment is very challenging. PTSD and burnout are not unique to nurses; doctors, medical students and other health care professionals also suffer relatively high rates compared to many other professions. Organizations including the American Nursing Association and other medical societies are calling for more research into the topic, in the hopes of better identifying who is at risk. Effective treatments are also often lacking. Dr. Mealer is studying resilience in nurses and said preliminary research is finding that psychological characteristics associated with resilience, such as humor, optimism and social support, can be taught to help nurses cope with the stresses of the job. We approach resilience as something we can bolster with behavioral changes, she said. Such support never came for Dorothy Still or the other Navy nurses who were prisoners of war. She received an honorable discharge from the military shortly after the psychiatrists appointment. She married a naval officer and moved home to Southern California. She had three children and eventually returned to nursing. She spoke little of her experience for decades, but she began opening up in the 1990s and agreed to interviews with historians. When she died in 2001, her family arranged for her to be buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Following the ceremony, the Navy Nurse Corps arranged for a Passing of the Flag in her honor. Although the ceremony is reserved for officers of a certain rank, her successors in the corps respected her ordeal and deemed her worthy of the honor. The studios founders and owners, Johnny Adamic, who worked on Mayor Bloombergs obesity task force, and Jimmy Martin, a certified personal trainer and former college wrestler, said that the idea to open their cool temperature studio in 2013 came from Mr. Martins experience training a client. We were in a gym where it was pretty hot, and she got faint and had to stop, Mr. Martin said. She told me that she was from Boston and loved exercising in cold weather because she found it easier. As a former wrestler used to competing in matches in non-air-conditioned settings, Mr. Martin had long thought that profuse sweat equaled a more challenging workout. I was intrigued by her reaction to the heat and by what she said but started researching cold temperature workouts and found lots of evidence to support how she felt, he said. Dr. Ira Jacobs, a professor of kinesiology at the University of Toronto, for one, has researched the phenomenon of cold weather workouts and found that people can exercise for longer and harder, and thereby burn more calories, if they can slow down the rate at which their body temperature increases. When you work out, you produce heat, but your rate of perceived exertion is less when its colder, making exercise seem easier, he said. BANGKOK Tuesday brought rare good news from Myanmar: Photographs and videos of two beaming journalists, reunited with their wives and young children after spending 16 months in prison. The release of the journalists, U Wa Lone and U Kyaw Soe Oo, who were detained for covering Myanmars deadly crackdown on the Rohingya minority group, is likely to relieve immediate pressure on the countrys quasi-democratic government from world leaders, rights organizations and others who had rallied to their cause. But the act does not otherwise move the needle for freedom of expression and other rights that are in jeopardy in Myanmar, analysts and activists said. Dozens of political detainees are languishing behind bars, and dozens more face criminal defamation charges. It is something to celebrate that these two were released, said David Mathieson, an independent analyst in Yangon, Myanmars largest city. But the picture remains quite bleak when it comes to press freedom. North Korean and American officials have since been unable to resume negotiations. By launching short-range projectiles only, Mr. Kim appeared not to give up dialogue with the United States anytime soon, analysts said. Mr. Trump has repeatedly cited Mr. Kims moratorium on nuclear and long-range missile tests as a reason to continue diplomatic negotiations with North Korea. Both Washington and the South also remain eager to keep North Korea on the diplomatic track. They have been unusually reserved in their responses to North Koreas weapons tests, calling the Norths new projectile a guided weapon even though the photos released in the official news media appeared to leave little doubt that it was a missile. Defense analysts in South Korea said the new projectile may have been based on the design of the Iskander, a solid-fuel short-range ballistic missile from the Russian military. After the North Korean launches Saturday, Mr. Trump said that Mr. Kim knows that I am with him & does not want to break his promise to me. Deal will happen! South Korea has yet to announce a plan to ship humanitarian aid to North Korea. But Mr. Moon is desperate to revive his role as a facilitator of dialogue between Washington and Pyongyang, the Norths capital, even if it entails providing humanitarian aid. Both South Korea and the United States had used humanitarian aid shipments in the past as an incentive for North Korea to reduce tensions and return to dialogue. In recent years, American officials have been increasingly skeptical about the approach, arguing that the North should have bought food for its own people with the money it spent on building nuclear weapons. Nor did humanitarian aid help persuade North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons development, they said. But Mr. Trump has recently hinted at flexibility. When Mr. Moon met him at the White House on April 11, Mr. Trump said he and the South Korean leader were discussing humanitarian aid for the North. Im O.K. with that, to be honest, he told reporters at the time. South Korea is doing certain things to help out with food and various other things for North Korea. United Nations sanctions against North Korea do not ban humanitarian aid for the country. But after North Korea launched a ballistic missile over Japan in 2017, South Korea was forced to shelve its plan to donate $8 million to the World Food Program and United Nations Childrens Fund to help North Koreas malnourished children and pregnant women. VIENNA As well as anyone, Sybille Geissler knows the threats from Austrias far-right extremists, who in recent weeks have likened migrants to rats and blithely defended campaign material that evokes Nazi propaganda. For over 12 years, she has led the anti-extremism unit of the domestic intelligence service, and recently testified in a parliamentary inquiry into whether the far right was trying to undermine her agency. Her biggest challenge these days, her testimony suggests, is that the far right is part of her own government. Shortly after the far-right Freedom Party joined the government 17 months ago, taking over the powerful Interior Ministry, the ministrys top official asked Ms. Geissler and her boss to turn over the names of informants who had infiltrated the far-right scene. BERLIN Germanys health minister has proposed a fine of up to 2,500 euros, or about $2,800, for parents who refuse to immunize their school-age children against measles, part of efforts to combat a disease that has surged after decades of decline. The fine is part of a draft bill that the minister, Jens Spahn, submitted to Chancellor Angela Merkels government for debate this week, but the proposal has prompted a wider discussion about whether mandating vaccinations is an infringement on personal freedom. Germany has seen 300 cases of the disease already this year, after more than 500 cases in 2018. Outbreaks of measles have increased around the world, in part because of the anti-vaccination movement. Under the proposed draft, toddlers and young children in Germany who have not been immunized would not be allowed to enter preschool. But German law mandates school attendance starting at age 6, so parents whose children have not had their scheduled shots would face a fine. LONDON After the camera crews have packed up, and Baby Sussex is no longer driving the news cycle, where will we be able to find the charismatic young family? If the British newspapers have it right, the answer is: Africa. A series of reports last month suggested that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and their infant son may be dispatched by the palace for a stint in Africa, where they would serve as ambassadors to the Commonwealth of Nations, a loose organization of 53 countries that evolved out of the British Empire. The Times of London reported that the assignment might keep them away from Britain for two or three years, but Harpers Bazaar, a few days later, dialed it down to a few months. Buckingham Palace has not confirmed or denied either report. This sort of assignment has been given to royals before, and it serves two purposes: to shore up the Commonwealth, a voluntary grouping chiefly made up of former colonies that has been one of Queen Elizabeths lifelong projects; and to occupy royals who want a break from the United Kingdom, or prove too attention-grabbing or too restless. Mr. Pompeos visit, shrouded in secrecy until after it was over, came on the eve of the one-year anniversary of Mr. Trumps repudiation of the 2015 nuclear agreement with Iran and the reimposition of American sanctions, which have been increasingly squeezing Irans economy. Iran said Monday it would no longer comply with parts of the agreement, alarming European officials who have hoped to preserve the accord, meant to ensure Irans peaceful use of nuclear energy. The choreography of Mr. Pompeos Iraq stopover also appeared designed to send a message to Iran. Before he flew to Baghdad, the State Department said Mr. Pompeo, who had been in Finland, had abandoned a scheduled meeting in Berlin with Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany because of unidentified pressing issues. The Trump administration has not provided specific details about what it has called the new threat from Iran, which has drawn some skepticism, given the history of faulty intelligence that led to the Iraq war. But officials have told The New York Times that new intelligence has raised concerns about Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps and its connections to some of Iraqs Shiite Arab militias. Asked by reporters to elaborate, Mr. Pompeo said, I just dont want to go into the details of that anymore. But he also reiterated his contention that the Revolutionary Guards is a terrorist organization. This was just calling out the truth, he said. It was Mr. Pompeo who last month placed the Revolutionary Guards on the State Departments list of foreign terrorist organizations, against the advice of American intelligence and Pentagon officials, who warned that Irans clerical government could reciprocate and put United States personnel at risk in the Middle East. Last week, President Hassan Rouhani of Iran declared all American forces in the Middle East terrorists and labeled the United States government a state sponsor of terrorism. To counter what the Trump administration has described as the new threat, the Pentagon has expedited an already-scheduled deployment of the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group to the Persian Gulf. SKOPJE, North Macedonia With its bitter naming dispute with Greece finally settled and NATO membership expected by the end of the year, North Macedonia on Tuesday received another sign that its nearly three decades of international isolation are ending: the countrys first papal visit. At a gathering with senior government figures, Pope Francis praised North Macedonia as a bridge between the East and West, said that its history of diversity would serve it well in a closer relationship with European nations. He also expressed hope that integration will develop in a way that is beneficial for the entire Western Balkans. The country declared independence from Yugoslavia in 1991 as the Republic of Macedonia, but its diplomatic aspirations were long blocked by neighboring Greece, which considered that name a potential claim to its own northern province. Both sides agreed to the name North Macedonia this year as part of a deal to normalize relations and potentially to ease the countrys path into the European Union. MOSCOW Like cans of Spam and Harley-Davidson motorcycles, American-made Douglas airplanes became symbols to Soviet people of World War II-era cooperation between their country and the United States. During the war, the United States sent 705 Douglas transport planes to the U.S.S.R. under the Lend-Lease program, flying them from Alaska across Siberia. Some were shot down or crashed, others were returned to the United States after the war, and some remained in use in the Soviet Union for years after the fighting ended. Only one remains in Russia today, a Russian historian of Lend-Lease said, preserved by a quirk of fate: The twin-engine C-47 made an emergency landing on a patch of Arctic tundra so remote that for almost 70 years, nobody ever stripped it for scrap metal or bothered to retrieve it. Now, the plane may have a future that is no less improbable than its past. Relations between the United States and Russia are at an ebb today over Moscows election interference and the wars in Ukraine and Syria. Even so, a group linked to the Russian government plans to restore and exhibit the American aircraft as a centerpiece in a new museum a reminder of a time when the two powers set aside their differences and worked closely together. Slide 1 of 9, After you identify yourself as a paying guest, a click of the switch at the front desk slides the ryokans doors open for you to enter. Buston said the CDBG project also could fund the maintenance and repair of infrustructures such as sidewalks and roadways in these low- to moderate-income areas. There are different ways to resurface or maintain, Buston said. When a surface starts to crack, we do the crack sealant. You see those squiggly lines all over the place? That helps to maintain the surface for a longer period of time. At some point, it may need to have another service coat put down on it, and thats what I think is being done here. A service coat is distributed by the contractor on the surface of the roadway, but after a few years, the road will be completely replaced from the ground level, Buston explained. The project includes resurfacing the pavement surface and repairing the failing concrete infrastructure in the public right of way, Cummings said. To accomplish this, deteriorated curb through some driveways and storm structures on the streets will be removed and replaced before the street is resurfaced. Cummings said the resurfacing project derives from the citys Annual Action Plan for the Community Development Block Grant Program Year of 2018, and the project could resolve a crucial need for Auburn residents residing on those thoroughfares. Offaly County Council Cathaoirleach and Fianna Fail Local Election Candidate in the Tullamore Electoral Area, Danny Owens, has said that the Government and the EU must be more proactive in supporting the agri-sector in Offaly as the crisis in the industry continues. He explained: While everyones attention has been turned as Brexit quietens down for a short while, the beef sector and suckler farmers are at their wit's end. Prices are on the floor and they are still facing into potential armageddon if a no deal Brexit happens. The government must immediately take swift action to safeguard the sector." Whether its a deal or no-deal Brexit, the outcome is bad for an industry already on their knees. Beef farmers have incurred severe losses since last Autumn and require direct EU and State assistance now. The IFA has estimated that beef farmers have already incurred price losses approaching over 100 million as the impact of Brexit has hit." Fianna Fail is continuing to put forward meaningful solutions and has long advocated for a request for Brexit mitigation funding for farmers, specifically exceptional and market disturbance aid for beef and other vulnerable sectors under CAP's Common Market Organisation Regulation. The farmers in my area are crying out for help and all reasonable solutions should be examined by the Government." Recent reports that the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has lodged an EU submission for a multi-million euro fund for beef farmers are welcome but why wasn't this done sooner? As it stands they have been very slow off the mark and are ignoring the plight of farmers in every village and town across the country. This disregard will not be forgotten, Owens concluded. The Academy of Music Tullamore has once again triumphed at this years Sligo Feis Ceoil which was held over the recent Easter holidays. For the past number of years, The Academy of Music Tullamore has done remarkably well, with their hardworking students greatly impressing a team of vastly experienced adjudicators. This year was certainly no exception with three school students picking up prizes including Tullamore girl Eva Henry who won in the Junior Vocal Solo Under 16 category. Also, seven-year-old Michael Finan from Castledaly took second place in the Junior Vocal Solo Under 9 category, and Lauren Finan from Castledaly took third place in the Vocal Solo Under 14 category. ABOVE: Lauren Finan, Castledaly, Moate, Co. Westmeath BELOW: Michael Finan, Castledaly, Moate, Co. Westmeath This is a marvellous achievement for each and every participant and a clear reflection of their dedication and hours of practising. As The Academy of Music Tullamore approaches its end-of-year examinations, this is already proving to be a hugely fruitful year for the Academy as it continues to nurture the ever-growing talent of Midland musicians. In its 115-year illustrious history, Sligo Feis Ceoil has welcomed and rewarded the finest musicians, artists and thespians from the length and breadth of Ireland. Boasting a wide range of categories, often with 20-25 participants per competition, Sligo Feis Ceoil is a renowned platform for budding artists and established talent to compete against like-minded and gifted individuals. Details of a new housing development at Kearney's Field in Tullamore have been revealed by the company behind the development, Oaklee Housing. The partnership between Oaklee and Offaly County Council was given the green light in recent weeks, paving the way for 41 new homes at the prominent site. The new 9.5 million construction project will see construction begin in November 2019. The delivery of the homes is expected early in 2021. The development will accommodate up to 170 people in a mix of one to four bedroom general needs homes, including two wheelchair-accessible houses. The development will comprise of two four-bed units, 22 three-beds, five two-storey two-beds, eight single-storey two-beds and four one-bed units. The site, previously owned by Offaly County Council is one of two sites which Oaklee Housing will be purchasing from the Council, further committing to building quality social homes. Sharon Cosgrove, Chief Executive Officer of Oaklee Housing said: There is real housing need right across Offaly and we have seen particular demand in the Tullamore and surrounding areas. This project, which we anticipate completing within 18 months of starting the build, will go a long way to getting people on the social housing waiting list or in temporary accommodation into secure permanent housing. Oaklee Housing is committed to investing in the area to offer secure sustainable options for those in need of homes. To finance the development, the project is funded through the Housing Finance Agency, the Capital Advance Leasing Facility (CALF) and with the support of Offaly County Council. Established in 2000, Oaklee Housing has rapidly grown their presence across Ireland, delivering high-quality modern homes for older people, families, mature single people and people with complex needs. Oaklee has engaged MCOH Architects, Mitchell & Associates Landscape Architects, Downes Associates Engineers, and Semple McKilop to deliver this ambitious project. To find out more about Oaklee visit: www.oaklee.ie. An 18-year-old man who police say was driving a stolen car was fatally shot by a friend of the cars owner Monday in Council Bluffs. Ethan B. Edgar of Hutchinson, Kansas, was struck twice in the upper back and on the right thigh after friends of the cars owner encountered him at a gas station. Jonathan Echtinaw, 25, of Omaha was the only person to fire shots during the altercation, Council Bluffs police said. Matt Wilber, the Pottawattamie County attorney, will present the case to a grand jury to determine whether Echtinaw will face criminal charges. According to Council Bluffs police, Edgar was driving a black 2009 Nissan 370Z, which was reported stolen to Omaha police about 2 a.m. Monday. The owner of the Nissan and many friends in other vehicles were looking for the car and had information that it was in various spots around Council Bluffs. Friends in two separate cars, a blue Honda Civic and a silver Toyota Camry, encountered Edgar and the Nissan parked at the Fas Mart near South Main Street and Ninth Avenue shortly before 5:20 p.m. Monday. Two high school seniors who attend schools in Omaha have been named U.S. Presidential Scholars. Ethan Chen of Millard North High School and Sukanya Kennamthiang of Brownell Talbot School were the Nebraska students selected. A total of 161 seniors were recognized for their accomplishments in academics, the arts, and career and technical education fields. For the annual award, one female and one male student were selected from every state; Washington, D.C.; Puerto Rico; and U.S. families living abroad, as well as 15 at-large students, 20 students to represent the arts and 20 students in career and technical education. Students are selected each year based on their academic success, artistic and technical excellence, essays, school evaluations, transcripts, community service, leadership and demonstrated commitment to high ideals, according to a press release from the U.S. Department of Education. Since its inception in 1964, the scholars program has honored more than 7,500 students at a ceremony in D.C. A ceremony will be held June 23, and each honoree will be given a Presidential Scholar Medallion. 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. Train and history buffs can celebrate a milestone of modern engineering and transportation this week: Friday marks the 150th anniversary of the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad. On May 10, 1869, the Golden Spike ceremony was held in Promontory Summit, Utah, to symbolize the joining of the Union Pacific and Central Pacific railroad routes. With more than 1,700 miles of tracks, the Transcontinental Railroad connected the coasts of the United States. It revolutionized travel and transportation of goods and hastened development of the rugged west. And Union Pacifics Mile 0 starts in Council Bluffs. Throughout the next several months, the Council Bluffs Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Union Pacific Museum will hold numerous commemorative events to reflect on the citys role in the railroad, the workers who toiled away laying track and the Native American tribes displaced by railway construction and the settlement that followed. Taxing more services, Linehan added, is recommended by many think tanks because it reflects a shift in the economy toward buying more services. Ricketts has repeatedly criticized the idea, saying that raising a slew of taxes to cut other taxes is a tax shift and not tax relief. He has also said that it amounts to reverse Robin Hood because many of the new taxes would hit low-income people harder because a larger portion of their income goes toward buying things like pop and toward fixing cars and homes. Ricketts maintains that the only way to deliver real property tax relief is to cut spending. One veteran of past tax wars in the state, former Gov. Ben Nelson, a Democrat, said Ricketts, a conservative Republican, has a point. When you shift taxes, there are winners who pay less in taxes and losers who pay more, Nelson said. There are shifters and shiftees, and the question is does the shiftee get the shaft? Nelson said. Frank Brown became a familiar face to many while covering news as a reporter on Omaha television. He parlayed that appeal and understanding of his community into a seat on the Omaha City Council, where he served from 1997 to 2009. He was known as a force that helped create housing options for the poor. This week, Brown was remembered as that champion for the turf where he was raised and as a man dedicated to family and a fan of Marvel comics. He died Thursday at age 65 after a lengthy battle with diabetes and complications from strokes. Frank was a strong advocate who cared about his district, former Omaha Mayor Mike Fahey said. He was tough when he had to be. He could be stubborn, in a good way. He was very forthright about his positions and tried to get as many things as possible for that district. Born and raised in north Omaha, Brown maintained a focus on the streets where he grew up watching his father manage a lounge and his mother work at an ice cream parlor. During interviews over the years, Brown recalled the bustle on North 24th Street as people shopped and mingled. As a teen in the 1960s, he worked odd jobs, including painting and finishing garages and cutting down noxious weeds. No one ever complained about any of the meals Every Pan Fran put on the table at the Stephen Center homeless shelter. Fran Held began working at the shelter near 27th and Q Streets when it opened in 1992 and was in the kitchen when former director Del Bomberger arrived in 2002. She was still there when he retired in 2015. In 2012, the shelters cafeteria was named Frans Diner in her honor. She also received the Heart and Soul award from the Stephen Center Guild that same year. They called her Every Pan Fran because she used every pan in the kitchen and cooked amazing meals, Bomberger said from his home in Arizona. Fran was a volunteer, but she was really a full-time (employee) because she was there every day lining up the kitchen help, telling them what meals to cook and what she was cooking. Held, a longtime Bellevue resident, died Friday at age 95 with her family by her side. Her body was donated to the Nebraska Medical Center. A celebration of life will be held this summer. In a cold drizzle Monday evening, about a dozen people gathered to mark the death of 24-year-old Tyler Johnson, the citys fifth homicide victim of the year and the fourth to die by gunfire. Johnson died Saturday morning outside a home near 46th Street and Camden Avenue. According to police, no one called to report the shooting. Instead, police were drawn to the scene by the departments ShotSpotter network, which picks up the sound of gunfire and determines the location. Several of Johnsons friends joined ministers and community members Monday in their prayers to stop the violence on Omahas streets. He didnt deserve this, said a woman whose children were friends with Johnson. He was a good kid. You just dont know whats going to happen when you step outdoors. The woman, who declined to provide her name, said two of her family members have also been slain. You get tired, but you just keep going, she said. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 7) The spokesperson for the opposition senatorial slate Otso Diretso admitted that they have long expected that only Senator Paolo Benigno Bam Aquino IV and former Interior Secretary Manuel "Mar" Roxas II will win in the midterm polls next week. From the start, alam naman namin na ganun ang mangyayari [we knew that would happen.] Thats why we were relying very heavily on volunteers and citizens participation, Otso Diretso spokesperson Barry Gutierrez told CNN Philippines The Source on Tuesday. Ever since private independent pollsters started doing surveys on senatorial candidates for the May 13 elections, only Aquino and Roxas have managed to break through the list of possible winners. But the two have also dropped from the so-called winners circle several times. The latest poll released by Pulse Asia Research showed only Aquino statistically tied with four other bets in the 10-14 rank, while Roxas figured in the 14-17 tier. Other Otso Diretso bets are eating dust way behind the administration-aligned and backed candidates of the two slates identified with President Rodrigo Duterte. The reality is, no matter how optimistic we may be and no matter how much we take place a premium on volunteerism and citizens participation and volunteerism, that can only take you so far, particularly when you talk about surveys, where name recall is really the key thing, Gutierrez said. He said the key difference between the opposition candidates and the administration candidates is resources. The opposition has less, while the administration has too much, he said. However, mock polls in various universities tell a different story. Otso Diretso bets have topped them, while hardly a single administration-backed candidate has made it to those surveys. It tells me that theres a bright future for this country. Yung mga batang Pilipino na nagaaral eh maganda yung tingin sa [Young Filipinos who are studying have a good impression of] Otso Diretso, Gutierrez said. He said that despite them lagging behind in national surveys, they are still hoping for a surprise win less than a week before the polls. Tanggap namin na [We accept that] the surveys are telling us that. Although historically there have been surprises. There have been people who have come from behind sa surveys, he said. Former Presidential spokesperson and opposition group Tindig Pilipinas convenor Edwin Lacierda has also admitted to CNN Philippines that the chances of the Otso Diretso candidates are slim, as seen in recent surveys. After coordination at Eurojust, Belgian and French authorities today dismantled a criminal network that committed large-scale fraud in the purchase of second-hand luxury cars. Eurojust, the EU's Judicial Cooperation Unit, served as a platform to exchange information and contacts between the national authorities involved, leading to over 30 arrests. The criminal network members presented themselves to the owners of the cars, offered for sale on a Belgian website, as potential buyers. They conned more than 600 owners into supposedly selling their vehicles to them, when, in reality they only made fake down payments. The members of the criminal network also occasionally used violence or the threat of violence to gain possession of cars for alleged test drives, after which the vehicles were never returned to the owners. Upon the request of the Belgian Desk at Eurojust, one coordination meeting was held at Eurojust to actively support cooperation between the Belgian and French authorities and facilitate the coordination of the cross-border operations. In a massive operation carried out this morning, the Belgian judicial and law enforcement authorities performed approximately two hundred simultaneous searches across Belgium. The French Gendarmerie deployed forces at seven locations near the Belgian frontier. Following today's successful action, the criminals, who are accused of internet fraud and participation in a criminal organisation, were brought to the investigative judge in Brussels for further measures. Photo Shutterstock Those include Omahan April Kielion, whose husband, Marine Corps Cpl. Shane Kielion, was killed in Iraq on Nov. 15, 2004, the same day his son Shane Jr. was born. Like Bock, she put the survivor benefits in their sons name. And she had a nasty shock when she sat down to file her taxes this year and found out that the rate on their benefits had skyrocketed. Even my tax preparer she had no idea that there was a change in the tax laws for us, Kielion said. She said she was fortunate that she had some money set aside to cover the tax bill, unlike other families. Theres a lot of people that I know that, because of this, its like Well, am I going to pay my mortgage this month? she said. Advocates say that congressional efforts to fix the immediate tax hit are welcome but that policymakers need to address the underlying problem that stems from how survivor benefits are paid out. There are two chief sources of money for surviving spouses. The Survivor Benefit Plan is a Defense Department program created in 1972 to provide income to survivors of retired service members. They said the evidence comes from cases reported by a California doctor in 2018, not from rigorous scientific studies, and questioned whether the treatment actually makes a difference. An estimated 25% to 50% of women who do not take the second abortion pill remain pregnant. Patients who want to continue their pregnancy should not be guinea pigs, and the Nebraska Legislature should not sanction that, said Sen. Megan Hunt of Omaha. As advanced, LB 209 would require that women be told that mifepristone may not end a pregnancy and that it may not be too late to continue their pregnancy. The bill refers women to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services website for help finding treatment. Medication abortions can be done during the first 10 weeks of a pregnancy. Typically, women take the first medication in a clinic and are directed to take the second one at home, anywhere from 6 to 48 hours later. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. This Page Is Under Construction - Coming Soon! Why am I seeing this 'Under Construction' page? Fat Shack Barbecue, which was one of the winners of The World-Heralds 2015 barbecue food prowl, has closed. The restaurants owners said on Facebook that they plan to move to Oceanside, California, and reopen the restaurant there. The phone number has been disconnected. Fat Shack began as a food truck and transitioned to a bricks-and-mortar restaurant at 7419 N. 30th St. The restaurant took home several Omahas Choice awards for its barbecue, including for its brisket, which the Food Prowl team named the best in Omaha. A nice man stopped and offered to help. Then a police officer stopped and offered to help. Then two men with the Omaha Rescue Squad emblem on their shirts offered to help. A lady stopped and offered us her jack, as mine wouldnt work, but neither would hers. A man pulled up next to us and said he worked on cars and had a jack and jumped in to help also. I told them all that I had to get to a family visitation and a funeral in South Omaha at 10 a.m. In no time, the spare time was on. The police officer took my granddaughter to her school, the rescue squad men directed me to go to a nearby tire shop. As I was sitting in the waiting room another man who was waiting noted how cold I was and went and got me a cup of coffee. I was so grateful for all the people who stopped to help me. I was very impressed with all of them. With their help, I made it to the visitation and funeral on time LaMae Hamblen, Omaha Citizen involvement The following editorial appeared in the Washington Post. To hear Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., say it, one would think that creating a single-payer, Medicare for All health-care system is easy. Every other developed country in the world guarantees health coverage to its people, the democratic socialist argues, and so can the United States. If the United States were creating a health-care system from whole cloth, Sanders would have a better point. But in reality, Medicare for All is not the only way to get to universal coverage; it is just the highly disruptive one Sanders prefers. In doing so, he deeply mischaracterizes how difficult adopting it would be. A Congressional Budget Office analysis released last week underscores why. The CBO reported that 29 million people under the age of 65 lacked health insurance last year. Even accounting for uninsured, undocumented immigrants, the number was still far too large. The nation as a whole devotes $3.5 trillion a year, split about evenly between private and public spending, on health care. Thats about a sixth of the economy. It is fair to expect better outcomes given the size of the national tab. Near-record runoff in the upper basin of the Missouri River last month means that releases from Gavins Point Dam will remain higher than usual into the foreseeable future. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on Monday reported that last months runoff was the third-highest April amount in 121 years of records. A total of 7.8 million acre-feet of water, which is almost three times normal, poured into the upstream reservoirs. The combined March and April runoff, at 18.7 million acre-feet, was the highest for those two months since record-keeping began in 1898. The previous record for the two months was set in 1952. Runoff for the year is on pace to be the third-highest on record, according to the Corps, exceeded only by 2011 and 1997. But for now, last years runoff holds the third-place spot. Discharges from Gavins Point, the farthest downstream of six massive dams on the Missouri River, are running at 55,000 cubic feet per second, not quite double the average for this time of year, which is about 30,000 cfs. 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. Should Congress accept Modis challenge to fight last two phases in the name of Rajiv Gandhi? Debates oi-Vikas SV New Delhi, May 07: Over two-and-a-half decades after Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated, the former prime minister's name has been dragged into the present day politics, and inevitably when that happens, the murmurs of Bofors scandal also begin. But the startling issue here is that Rajiv Gandhi's name was invoked by none other than Prime Minister Modi and not some local leader. Modi challenged the Congress to fight polls in the name of the 'Bofors-accused former PM'. Does it show that PM Modi has been rattled by the Congress' Rafale allegations? If the BJP's attempt is to make this a 'your defence deal' vs 'our defence deal' fight, then the Congress is at an advantage here. Congress has a chance to build a narrative that the BJP was so spooked by Rafale allegations that they had to go back over two decades to come up with an argument to counter the Congress' charges. But then, over 75% of the polling in Lok Sabha election is over, and at this point would it be prudent for the Congress to hit back in the same breath. Because that would bring back nuances of Bofors scandal which have been forgotten now back. Rajiv Gandhi eventually did get a clean chit, but allowing details of Bofors scandal to emerge again could prove counterproductive for the Congress. What is your say on the entire matter? Was it right on part of PM Modi to talk about a former PM who was killed 27 years ago? Does it show BJP's desperation? Should the Congress accept the challenge and come out all guns blazing with the facts of Bofors? What are your views on this? Please express below For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, May 7, 2019, 8:40 [IST] Kerala hit by another Islamic radicalisation wave: Time to act, its now or never 46 still missing: The Islamic State story in India and how it stands India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, May 07: The suicide bombings in Sri Lanka have raised major concerns in India, especially down south, where the agencies have found a large number of radical elements. The rise of the Islamic State took place largely in 2014 and since then there has been a constant effort to radicalise several elements in India. The Indian agencies had launched "Operation Chakravyuh," to track the online activities on the group. In 2014, the interest levels among several Indian youth was high and at the time this operation was launched there were 3,000 on the radar. However effective tracking over the years, brought down the numbers considerably. Barely a year later, the numbers dropped to 140 and at that time the agencies were effectively tracking these elements. However many who were already radicalised managed to slip out of the country. According to a dossier prepared by the intelligence agencies, 34 reached the Nangarhar province in Afghanistan and 84 reached Syria. Out of the 115, 34 have been deported to India, while 24 and 11 died fighting in Syria and Afghanistan. Rs 7 billion assets, Rs 140 million cash was what group that bombed Sri Lanka had Currently the agencies are tracking around 140 persons, who have shown inclination to join the Islamic State. An officer with the Intelligence Bureau tells OneIndia that the operation that they launched in 2014 continues till date. These numbers are important in the context of the investigations that are ongoing both in Sri Lanka and India. Sri Lanka said last week that the chief of the National Towheed Jamath, Zahran Hashim had travelled to Karnataka, Kerala and Kashmir. It was said that Hashim could have visited India to build links with radical groups and also to undergo training. The intelligence says that there was a lull in the activities of the ISIS in India, but following the Easter bombings, the buzz on the online channels have increased. The ISIS has been tapping local radical outfits, like the way it did in the case of the NTJ in Sri Lanka. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, May 7, 2019, 13:11 [IST] NRC fiasco has exposed those who used it for political mileage: Mamata Didi asking Muslims to back her reflects minority votes slipping away: PM Modi Bengal BJP leaders Dilip Ghosh, Sarma's convoy attacked by 'TMC-backed goons' India pti-PTI Kolkata, May 07: The convoy of the BJP's Bengal unit president Dilip Ghosh and Assam Deputy Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma was attacked at Khejuri in East Midnapore district on Tuesday. According to reports, two cars of the convoy were completely broken down even as supporters of the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress allegedly surrounded the convoy from all sides. The two leaders escaped unhurt, but their vehicles were vandalised. "The attack on us shows clearly that there is no law and order as well as democracy in the state," said Dilip Ghosh. The incident took place around 7 pm at a place about 125 km away from Kolkata. Soon after the attack, Himanta Biswa Sarma, finance minister of Assam, tweeted: "TMC goons have blocked the roads on both sides, even as West Bengal Police personnel standing like mute spectator. I am appalled at such brazen use of power by @MamataOfficial whose people have thrown all democratic norms to gutter." TMC supporters damaged more than 20 motorcycles, said BJP leaders. The incident happened at Khejuri in Contai Lok Sabha constituency where the BJP leaders had gone to campaign in favour of the party's candidate Debasish Samanta. "While reinforcement from @crpfindia has arrived, the violent #TMC goons are not allowing the forces to rescue us. @AITCofficial cadres shouting and abusing everyone. Scene here is scary," the Assam minister also tweeted. PTI Can Congress once again breach BJP's Mandsaur fortress? India oi-Deepika S Bhopal, May 07: Mandsaur Lok Sabha seat, a place where farm distress took centre stage a two years ago is set to see yet another Congress-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) slugfest with old rivals Meenakshi Natarajan and the saffron party's sitting MP Sudheer Gupta coming face to face once again. Though farm distress and farmers' anger cast a long shadow on elections in the country's Hindi belt, the BJP fared well in the Mandsaur Lok Sabha constituency, the centre of farmers' unrest. Would BJP have preferred solo or allied fights by APP and Congress in Delhi In June 2017, Mandsaur saw clashes between farmers and the police, leading to the death of six protesters. While the authorities struggled to restore normalcy, Congress president Rahul Gandhi tried to reach the trouble site to "pay homage" to the deceased, but was detained. Thereafter, the Congress kept the farm distress issue alive. How Mandsaur voted? Traditionally, Madsaur is a BJP seat since 1989 barring 2009 polls when Natarajan won it for Congress. Gupta may face anti-incumbency and is trying again this time; Natarajan has also not shifted her focus from seat despite losing. It is again must win battle for both the candidates. Also, Pandey had won the seat in 1998, 1996, 1991 and 1989. He had earlier won the seat as Jan Sangh candidate in 1971, and later as Lok Dal candidate in 1977. It was in 1984 that Congress' Balkavi Bairagi had last won the seat for the party, and it took Meenakshi Natrajan, a good 25 years, to defeat the BJP. How political parties and their election symbols are amusing voters In the 2013 Madhya Pradesh election, the BJP had won seven of these eight seats under Mandsaur Lok Sabha constituency with the Congress winning Suwarsa assembly segment. In the 2018 Madhya Pradesh assembly election, the seat tally under Mandsaur Lok Sabha seat remains the same despite farmers' anger, Congress' campaign on farm issues and death of six farmers in police firing. Can loan waiver help Congress in Mandsaur? The BJP has suffered a major blow in the Hindi heartland losing power in all three states that went to polls Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. Among its most prominent campaign promises was a loan waiver of up to Rs 2 lakh for farmers, with the party vowing to deliver on this count within 10 days of assuming charge. It ended up within striking distance in Madhya Pradesh election. In battle of Olympians, Congress confident Poonia will defeat Rathod To the BJP's credit, the party gave the strongest fight in Madhya Pradesh, a state where farm distress and anger of farmers were the talking points during the election campaign. Political observers say national and local issues will play an equal role in influencing the voters this time around. Clearly, BJP has the advantage here but as the 2009 victory suggested, it may not be a cakewalk for the party. Danger lurking: ISIS has become primary sponsor for radical groups in Bangalore, Kerala India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, May 07: The bombings in Sri Lanka have shown that the Islamic State which lost ground in Iraq and Syria has gone on to become a sponsor of terror. Intelligence agencies who have been analysing the attacks in Sri Lanka tell OneIndia that the manner in which strikes were carried out clearly suggest that neither the National Towheed Jamath (NTJ) or the ISIS could have carried out the attack on its own. It was clearly an attack that was carried out by the NTJ with the full support of the ISIS. Who did the Sri Lankan bombers pay a visit to in Bangalore, Kerala, Kashmir This being the case, India has a lot to worry about. The Islamic State threat that had remained under control in India, could well spin out of control. In order to keep this under check, the agencies are closely monitoring local radical groups especially in Southern India, who could be deriving support from the ISIS. First and foremost there is now confirmation that the Sri Lankan bomber Zahran Hashim had visited Bangalore and Kerala. It is also said that he visited Kashmir, where he may have undergone training. Down south there are several radical outfits such as the Popular Front of India (PFI), which follow a very similar ideology of the ISIS as well as the NTJ. The ISIS which has made inroads in southern India could extent support to several radical groups like it did in Sri Lanka, a senior official with the Intelligence Bureau said. While there has been a considerable build up on the ground, the agencies have tracked the online activities and say that it has been menacing. Radicalisation largely happens through groups on Facebook. Most of the pro-ISIS accounts of Malayalee groups are operated from the Gulf. Why Kerala must be on guard for the silent returnees of the Islamic State These groups specifically target Muslims from Kerala. The target audience is not restricted the residents of Kerala alone, but to those Malayalee youth working abroad. The NIA which is currently investigating this case says that there are many such accounts that specifically target those from Kerala. It is a menace and a huge racket, due to which several youth have gone missing and later joined the ISIS. In 2016, the NIA busted a module comprising six members running an ISIS module. During the probe it was found that these persons had been active on the social media and would use fake identities. They would frequently change their profiles to escape scrutiny. They were even running a group on Telegram called kudumbam, which means family. During the probe, the NIA learnt that two persons were working with a Malayalee daily Thejas, which is the mouthpiece of the PFI. One of them Safwan was said to be active in the SDPI, which is the political arm of the PFI. The NIA suspected that the module was headed by one Manseed, a resident of Panur. He was working as an office assistant in Qatar and had come to Kerala after applying for leave. He is said to have organised a meeting of the module, the NIA learnt. More recently the NIA arrested on Riyas Aboobacker and during the investigation, he revealed that he was plotting suicide bombings in Kerala. In 2016, the NIA busted a module comprising six members running an ISIS module. During the probe it was found that these persons had been active on the social media and would use fake identities. They would frequently change their profiles to escape scrutiny. They were even running a group on Telegram called kudumbam, which means family. During the probe, the NIA learnt that two persons were working with a Malayalee daily Thejas, which is the mouthpiece of the Popular Front of India. One of them Safwan was said to be active in the SDPI, which is the political arm of the PFI. The NIA suspected that the module was headed by one Manseed, a resident of Panur. He was working as an office assistant in Qatar and had come to Kerala after applying for leave. He is said to have organised a meeting of the module, the NIA learnt. The NIA said that during interrogation, he has disclosed that he has been in online contact with absconding accused Abdul Rashid Abdulla alias Abu Isa for a long time and has been following his audio clips including the clip which he had circulated on social media platform instigating others to carryout terror attacks in India. ISIS operative plotted Sri Lanka styled bombings in Kerala With regard to the claim that Hashim had visited Bangalore and Kerala, an NIA official informed that they are now examining the possible links to the Islamic State. The NIA is questioning several persons in connection with the case and is trying to ascertain if there were links between some members of the PFI and the ISIS. NIA officials say probing this link is necessary as the ISIS is known to tie up with regional outfits. This was seen during the Sri Lanka blasts, where the ISIS had aligned with the National Towheed Jamath. Delhi HC asks Centre, Google to respond to mans plea to remove articles on his conviction in criminal case Who is Saurabh Kirpal? Indias likely to get its first openly gay judge of Delhi high court Delhi HC dismisses plea to stop publication, sale of Salman Khurshid's book : 'Ask people not to buy it' Delhi HC gets six new judges India oi-Oneindia Staff By Anuj Cariappa New Delhi, May 07: The Supreme Court collegium has recommended six names for appointment as judges in the high courts of Delhi, Kerala and Uttarakhand. A three-member collegium headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi recommended to the Centre the names of four judicial officers for appointment as judges of the Delhi High Court. "The Collegium resolves to recommend that Talwant Singh, Rajnish Bhatnagar, Asha Menon, and Brijesh Sethi, Judicial Officers, be appointed as Judges of the Delhi High Court," it said. The collegium also comprises Justices S A Bobde and N V Ramana. The Supreme Court website also said the collegium recommended appointment of judicial officer Alok Kumar Verma as a judge of the Uttarakhand High Court. The collegium concurred with the view of the Delhi High Court's collegium on not recommending a senior judicial officer for elevation as a judge to the Delhi HC. 2018 IAS, IPS cadre allocation quashed by Delhi HC "We have also taken note of the fact that the above proposal involves non-recommendation of a senior Judicial Officer. In this regard, the High Court Collegium has duly recorded reasons for not recommending name of a Judicial Officer who is senior to the recommendees. We are fully in agreement with the justification given by the High Court Collegium for not recommending the senior Judicial Officer," it said. It also agreed to the view of the Uttarakhand HC's collegium on not recommending the names of some senior judicial officers for elevation as judgs to the HC. The collegium also recommended the appointment of advocate Viju Abraham as a judge in the Kerala High Court. It said that the collegium of the Kerala High Court had recommended Abraham's name on March 7, 2018, which was considered by the court on October 9, 2018. Did SC panel cite a pre-RTI verdict while concealing findings in CJI harassment case India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, May 07: On Monday, an in-house panel of the Supreme Court rejected a complaint accusing Chief Justice of India of sexual harassment. The committee which put out a short notice however cited a Supreme Court judgment while stating that the findings would not be disclosed in public interest. "Please take note that in the case of Indira Jaisingh vs Supreme Court of India and And (2003) 5 SCC 494, it has been held that the report of a committee constituted as a part of the in-house procedures not liable to be made public," the Secretary General had said while announcing the clean chit to Justice Gogoi. The question is could the committee have cited this verdict which is a pre-RTI case. Reacting with the hashtag, NotInMyName, Indira Jaisingh took to Twitter to demand the disclosure of the findings by the inquiry committee. "This is a scandal, Indira Jaising v Supreme Court of India was also a case of sexual harassment by a sitting High Court of Karnataka. It is a pre RTI case and is bad in law Demand the disclosure of the findings of the enquiry committee in public interest," Jaisingh tweeted. #NotInMyName This is a scandal Indira Jaising v Supreme Court of India was also a case of sexual harassment by a sitting High Court of Karnataka. It is a pre RTI case and is bad in law Demand the disclosure of the findings of the enquiry committee in public interest https://t.co/Saw07mBPhV indira jaising (@IJaising) May 6, 2019 In the 2003 verdict was delivered by a two judge bench of the Supreme Court comprising Justices Rajendra Babu and G P Mathur. It rejected a petition filed by Jaisingh in which the disclosure of the final report of a three judge committee which had inquired into complaints allegedly involving three sitting judges of the Karnataka High Court was sought. The panel had given the judges a clean chit. SC panel finds no merit in sexual harassment charges against CJI The court had held that an in-house inquiry conducted to probe complaints filed against the Chief Justice of judges of the High Court is for the purpose of his own information and satisfaction and a report made on such inquiry if given publicity will only lead to more harm than good to the institution as the judges would prefer to face inquiry leading to impeachment. Former judge of the Supreme Court Justice Santhosh Hegde had told OneIndia that the Vishaka guidelines should be made applicable to judges as well. "According to me the CJI does not have immunity in such cases. He is probed in a manner different from the other owing to his constitutional authority. Fair enough, he holds an important position and should be probed in a different manner," Justice Hegde also said. Reacting to the verdict of the panel, the complainant raised a couple of points while saying that she was shattered and dejected. In a statement she said, "I, the woman complainant, a former SC employee, am not just highly disappointed and dejected to learn that the In-House Committee 'has found no substance' in my complaint, but feel that gross injustice has been done to me as a woman citizen of India." "I am now extremely scared and terrified because the in-house committee, despite having all material placed before them, has given me no justice or protection and said nothing about the absolutely malafide dismissals and suspensions, indignities and humiliations suffered by me and my family," she also said. She had also said that she was denied access to a lawyer and was also not aware if the SHO who took her to the CJI's wife was called. I will consult my lawyer on the next steps, she also said. Air Pollution: You want to ban industries in Pakistan? Court asks UP govt Govt returns to Collegium 2 names recommended for elevation as SC judges: Report India oi-PTI New Delhi, May 07: The government is learnt to have returned to the collegium names of two high court chief justices recommended for elevation as judges of the Supreme Court, sources aware of the development said on Tuesday. On April 12, the Supreme Court collegium had recommended the names of Jharkhand High Court Chief Justice Aniruddha Bose, and Gauhati HC Chief Justice A S Bopanna for elevation to the top court. Seniority and representation of regions have been cited as reasons behind the government's decision, the sources said. While Justice Bose whose parent high court is Calcutta, is at number 12 in all-India seniority of judges, Justice Bopanna, whose parent high court is Karnataka, stands at number 36. Last year, the government had returned Justice Bose's name to the collegium when he was recommended to head the Delhi high court. "While recommending the names of Mr Justices Aniruddha Bose and A S Bopanna, the collegium has taken into consideration, apart from their merit and integrity, combined seniority on all-India basis of chief justices and senior puisne judges of high courts. "The collegium has also kept in mind the desirability of giving due representation on the bench of the Supreme Court, as far as possible, to all the high courts," the collegium resolution had read. The Calcutta High Court is represented in the Supreme Court by Justice Indira Banerjee. Justices S M Mallikarjnagouda and S Abdul Nazeer represent the Karnataka HC. At present, the Supreme Court has a working strength of 27. Its sanctioned strength is 31 judges, including the chief justice. PTI For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, May 7, 2019, 23:22 [IST] Has Congress fallen into Rajiv Gandhi trap of PM Modi India oi-Hardeep Singh Bedi New Delhi, May 07: It seems that the Congress has fallen into the trap of Prime Minister Narendra Modi by accepting his challenge to fight remaining two phases of the Lok Sabha elections in the name of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, whose name had figured in the infamous Bofors scandal. Addressing a rally in Jharkhand on Monday, Prime Minister Modi dared the Congress to a debate on the Bofors scandal and other issues. "How a family looted the country in the 20th century, destroyed it - the youth of the country should know. I am challenging the Congress from this dais that when polling takes place in the remaining phases in Punjab, Delhi, and Bhopal, let it fight the elections in the name of Rajiv Gandhi. I am hopeful that the Congress will accept this challenge," he said. Also Read | Can Congress once again breach BJP's Mandsaur fortress? The Prime Minister had earlier said that Rajiv Gandhi ended his life as "Bhrashtachari No 1" (Corrupt No. 1). The comment invited sharp criticism from the opposition leaders, including West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. According to the sources, Congress high command has decided to accept Modi 's challenge and started projecting it as an insult to the former prime minister. The party high command has given directions to the state units and candidates where elections are due to aggressively defend Rajiv Gandhi and target Prime Minister Modi over Rafale deal, says an insider. "The candidates have been told to highlight a fact in their campaigning that Prime Minister Modi has insulted Rajiv Gandhi despite he was given a clean chit by the court in the Bofors scandal. The directions are that the Congress must avenge the insult, " says a source. "It has also been decided that the Congress spokesperson will highlight Rajiv Gandhi issue in their press conferences that they would be addressing till May 16 in those states where the elections are due, " adds the insider. The Congress has filed a complaint with the Election Commission in this regard as it is eyeing to make it an emotional issue. According to the sources, senior Congress leaders of Sonia Gandhi camp have told Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi that the party must counter Prime Minister Modi over Rajiv Gandhi. In battle of Olympians, Congress confident Poonia will defeat Rathod The Congress leaders believe that Prime Minister Modi has given them an issue that can benefit the party. However, political analysts say that Prime Minister Modi knows it very well that discussion about Bofors scandal at this juncture will actually hurt the Congress and that is why he laid the trap. A political analyst tells OneIndia that is why Prime Minister Modi deliberately put Congress in a catch-22 situation over Rajiv Gandhi. "Rajiv Gandhi lost 1989 elections over the Bofors scandal and was named in the chargesheet that was filed in 1999. Though he has been given a clean chit, but even former Swedish police chief Sten Lindstrom, who investigated the case, said that Rajiv Gandhi was guilty of knowing about the kickbacks and not taking action on them. Therefore, the more Bofors scandal is discussed the more it will hurt the Congress, and that is exactly what Prime Minister Modi wants," says the analyst. He is of the opinion that Congress' plan of drawing a comparison between the Bofors scandal and Rafale deal is unlikely to help the grand-old party. "While it is a fact that bribes were paid in the Bofors deal, there is no such evidence in the Rafale deal. Moreover, Congress started terming Prime Minister Modi as a chor (thief) without going into the literal meaning of the word. If one goes by the Congress' charge that Modi helped Anil Ambani in securing the deal then also he can't be termed as a thief. If Congress ' charge is proved in the future then also Modi won't be called a chor but the one who favoured an industrialist, " says the analyst. Should Congress accept Modi's challenge to fight last two phases in the name of Rajiv Gandhi? Voting for the 16 seats of Madhya Pradesh, 13 of Punjab, 10 of Haryana, 07 of Delhi, 04 of Himachal Pradesh, 27 of Uttar Pradesh, 17 of West Bengal, 16 of Bihar, 07 of Jharkhand, and 01 of Chandigarh is due in the sixth and seventh phase of Lok Sabha elections. Out of these, Madhya Pradesh and Punjab are the Congress-ruled states where the party has pinned hopes of winning maximum seats. However, Congress is in doldrums in Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, and Jharkhand. Explainer: All you need to know about vote counting How VVPAT can decide countrys next govt Feature oi-Mousumi Dash New Delhi, May 07: The Supreme court on Tuesday turned down the review petition filed by twenty one opposition party leaders demanding the Election Commission of India to increase random matching of at least 50 per cent of the VVPAT (Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail) slips with EVMs (Electronic Voting Machine) from one to five polling booth per assembly segment in every Lok Sabha constituency. There were many prominent leader who camped in Delhi including Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, Chandrababu Naidu, CPI's D Raja and many. But, what is VVPAT? And how is it related to the Lok Sabha Polls 2019. Will this decide which government is going to rule in India next? VVPAT Or Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail is a method of providing feedback to voters using a ballotless voting system. VVPAT machine is not a separate voting system. It is only an extended feature of EVM. VVPAT is attached to the EVM. Once a voter presses a button on the EVM, VVPAT prints the details on a paper slip. No 50 per cent VVPAT matching says Supreme Court The VVPAT offers some fundamental differences as a paper, rather than electronic recording medium when storing votes. A paper VVPAT is readable by the human eye and voters can directly interpret their vote. Computer memory requires a device and software which potentially is proprietary. VVPAT allows the voter to check whether his/her vote has been recorded with the candidate he/she had wished to vote for in the EVM. In India, the VVPAT system was first used in September 2013 during the by-elections in Noksen Assembly constituency in Nagaland. Later, it was introduced in 8 of 543 parliamentary constituencies as a pilot project during Indian general election, 2014. Jaitley labels Cong cry baby, says poll code does not limit free speech India oi-PTI New Delhi, May 07: Calling the Congress party the "cry baby" of this election, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Tuesday said the model code of conduct cannot encroach the right to free speech. He said that political parties have developed a new tendency to excessively allege violation of the model code of conduct (MCC) by their opponents. Those complaining to the Election Commission about violation of model election code must keep in mind that right to free speech has not been diluted by the MCC in any way, Jaitley noted. "The MCC cannot encroach the right to free speech. The two have to exist harmoniously," Jaitley wrote in a blogpost titled 'Model Code of Conduct Does Not Take Away the Right to Free Speech'. No literal violation of MCC: EC clears Modi's 'Corrupt No.1' speech Any power exercised by the Election Commission under Article 324 cannot relate to areas which are covered by the legislation or regulation but will be confined to areas where legislation does not occupy any space, he said. Article 324 of the Constitution gives to the Election Commission the power to take all necessary steps in order to ensure the conduct of free and fair elections. "Of late, a tendency has developed amongst the political parties to excessively allege violation of the MCC by their opponents. The Congress Party as the 'Cry Baby' of this election, is leading the pack," Jaitley said. He said that while submitting memorandums on violation of the MCC with regard to political speech, the parties must bear in mind that the MCC cannot dilute the Right to Free Speech. Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal to first time voters that they should keep in mind the sacrifice of martyrs while casting vote, Jaitley said "no party or candidate was mentioned". Modi, during an election rally in Maharashtra on April 9, had said, "Can your first vote be dedicated to those who carried out the air strike. I want to tell the first-time voters: can your first vote be dedicated to the veer jawans (valiant soldiers) who carried out the air strike in Pakistan. Can your first vote be dedicated to the veer shaheed (brave martyrs) of Pulwama (terror attack)". The Election Commission did not find any violation of its instructions on invoking armed forces in poll campaigns under the MCC in Modi's speech. Referring to Modi's comment in Wardha about Rahul Gandhi contesting from Wayanad, Jaitley said the Prime Minister only commented on the demographic composition of the constituency. "If such speeches are considered by anyone as violative of the MCC, that may actually run the danger of the MCC's constitutionality in relation to free speech being called into question. To avoid such a situation, the memorialist must keep in mind that the Right to Free Speech has not been diluted by the MCC in any way," he said. The Congress had last month approached the EC seeking action against Modi's "divisive" speech in Wardha on April 1 where he had reportedly said the opposition party was "scared" to field its leaders from constituencies where the majority dominates, indicating that the Kerala's Wayanad constituency had more voters from the minority community. He made the remark in reference to Congress chief Rahul Gandhi's decision to contest from a second Lok Sabha seat Wayanad in Kerala, in addition to his traditional constituency of Uttar Pradesh's Amethi. The Election Commission has given a clean chit to Modi for his comments on demographic composition of Wayanad. Another illustration of Congress approaching Election Commission, Jaitley said, relates to the Gandhi family principle of "restrictive free speech". "They can call even an honest Prime Minister a 'Chor'. Others don't possess that right," he said. At a rally in Uttar Pradesh on Saturday, Modi in his speech attacked Rahul Gandhi by invoking his father former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi. "Your father was termed Clean by his courtiers, but his life ended as bhrashtachari no 1," Modi had said, drawing sharp criticisms from opposition leaders. PTI For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, May 7, 2019, 22:19 [IST] Karti Chidambaram granted permission to travel abroad, should deposit Rs 10 cr security India oi-Vikas SV New Delhi, May 07: The Supreme Court today allowed former finance minister P Chidambaram's son Karti Chidambaram, who is facing a probe in the INX Media case, to travel abroad in May and June this year. Karti will, however, have to deposit a security amount of Rs 10 Crore, said reports. Karti had earlier sought permission to travel to United States, Spain and Germany in May and June. Karti Chidambaram has been facing criminal cases being investigated by the ED and the CBI. One of the cases relates to FIPB clearance to INX Media for receiving foreign funds of R s. 305 crore when his father was the finance minister. Karti Chidambaram travelling abroad not so important says CJI while refusing early hearing Even in January this year, the Supreme Court had allowed Karti Chidambaram to travel abroad but had warned him that the court will be "forced to take steps" if he does not cooperate with the probe agencies. Karti has already been questioned by the ED on several occasions in the case. The Central Bureau of Investigation is also investigating the case. The agencies are probing how Karti managed to get clearance from the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) in 2007 when his father was the Finance Minister. Karti was arrested on February 28, 2018 by the CBI for allegedly accepting money to facilitate the FIPB clearance to INX Media. He was later granted bail. Karti's chartered accountant S. Bhaskararaman was also arrested and released on bail later. What is the INX Media case? How Karti, Indrani and Peter Mukerjea are linked It has been alleged that Karti Chidambaram took money from INX Media and used his influence and power to manipulate a tax probe against the company regarding a case of violation of FIPB conditions to get investments from Mauritius. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, May 7, 2019, 11:17 [IST] Will always be with you to fight injustice: Rahul Gandhi to media Lok Sabha Elections 2019 updates: Anti-BJP front gains momentum, Naidu meets Sonia Gandhi India oi-Oneindia Staff By Anuj Cariappa New Delhi, May 19: Andhra Pradesh Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday met BSP chief Mayawati and Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav in Lucknow, continuing his efforts to put together a coalition to form the next government at the Centre. He reached Lucknow after meetings in New Delhi with Congress president Rahul Gandhi, CPI leaders G Sudhakar Reddy and D Raja, NCP chief Sharad Pawar and LJD leader Sharad Yadav. The Telugu Desam Party chief has already held several rounds of discussions with various opposition leaders, including TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee, AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal and CPI (M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury. Prime Minister Narendra Modi began his two-day visit to Uttarakhand today with a visit to Kedarnath shrine. The prime minister is also expected to offer prayers at Badrinath tomorrow before returning to Delhi in the afternoon. The prime minister's visit to the holy shrine came a day before the last phase of the marathon Lok Sabha elections. Fifty nine parliamentary constituencies, including Varanasi, will go to polls in the seventh and final phase of the Lok Sabha elections and the results will be announced four days later, on May 23. Stay tuned for the Lok Sabha elections 2019 UPDATES: List of which have and which have not started NEET UG Counselling 2021 NEET Re Exam 2019: New NEET date out for Karnataka, Odisha students who missed on May 5 India oi-Vikas SV New Delhi, May 07: NEET Re-Exam 2019 date for the students of Karnataka, who missed the national level exam due to a train delay, and of Odisha, which was hit by cyclone Fani, is out. NEET 2019 re-exam for these students would be held on May 20. The National Eligibilty cum Entrance Test or NEET exam 2019, conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for admission to professional medical courses, was conducted on Sunday (May 5) which more than 1.5 million students wrote. The exam is a basic requirement for admission to MBBS and BDS courses. Cyclone Fani kills 16 in Odisha, restoration effort begins But hundreds of students who were heading from north Karnataka to take the exam in Bengaluru could not make it in time due to a delayed train, the Hampi Express. Union Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javadekar said the NEET exam would be held on May 20. The HRD Ministry has earlier assured the Karnataka government that it would soon decide on their request to allow the students to write it again, the chief ministers office said on Monday. Cyclone Fani: PM conducts aerial survey in Odisha grants Rs 1,000 cr more for relief work Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy had requested the Prime Minister, the Railways Minister and the HRD Minister to intervene and ensure that students who have missed the opportunity today get another chance to write the NEET 2019 Exam. Union Minister, Sadananda Gowda, has also written to his colleague, HRD minister Prakash Javdekar, asking him to give the students another opportunity. NTA has already fixed a fresh date for Odisha students whose exams were postponed due to cyclone Fani. The exam for Odisha students will be held on May 20. NEET exams were postponed in Odisha due to Cyclone Fani, that made a landfall in the coastal state on Friday. 'It's ok to be mediocre': This is what Copter crash lone survivor wrote to school No data on surgical strikes before 2016: Army refutes Congress claim India oi-Deepika S New Delhi, May 07: Refuting Congress claims that there were six surgical strikes during the Manmohan Singh led UPA government, a Right to Information (RTI) reply from the Ministry of Defence confirmed that no such army expeditions took place before 2016. "This section does not hold any data pertaining to surgical strikes if carried out before September 29, 2016," stated the Director General Military Operations (DGMO) of the Indian Army in response to an RTI filed by Jammu-based activist Rohit Choudhary. According to a report in The Indian Express, applicant Rohit Choudhary had sought information about how many surgical strikes on Pakistan were carried out between 2004 to 2014 and after September 2014, and how many of them were successful. Habit of lying: VK Singh slams Congress claim of 6 surgical strikes This came out after UPA leader claims that the Congress-led government had conducted around 6 surgical strikes in their term but never revealed them to seek votes. The BJP, however, questioned the claims made by Singh. Alleging that the Congress has a "habit of lying," Union minister General VK Singh asked, "Will you please let me know which 'So-called Surgical Strike' are you attributing to my tenure as COAS. Am sure you must have hired some Coupta to invent another story." Union minister Prakash Javadekar on May 2 tweeted about the RTI, saying, "Till recently, Congress was asking for proof of surgical strike. Now they say they have conducted 6 such strikes! An RTI enquiry has revealed that the first #SurgicalStrikes happened in 2016 and NOT before. One more false claim by Congress!" The 2016 surgical strikes were carried out by Indian forces on terror camps across the Line of Control, 11 days after militants attacked an army camp at Uri killing 19 soldiers. Terror launch pads were destroyed and huge casualties inflicted among militants by Indian soldiers during the surgical strike. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, May 7, 2019, 21:34 [IST] Power employees call off strike in J&K as govt agrees to all demands; restoration underway Number of votes cast in Burhan Wanis village- 0 India oi-Vicky Nanjappa Srinagar, May 07: The number of votes cast from the village of Burhan Wani was zero in the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections. In the native place of the Pulwama suicide bomber, the voting percentage stood at 15. Zero polling was witnessed from the villages of other top terrorist commanders in south Kashmir, the hotbed of militancy in the valley. Wani's Shareefabad village in the Tral area decided to give a miss to the elections as no one from the village went to exercise their franchise. Just 15 votes (of the total 350) were polled In Gundibagh, a village that hit the international headlines on February 14 after one of its residents Adil Dar became a suicide bomber for Jaish-e-Mohammed terror group and triggered a blast in an explosive-laden car near a CRPF convoy killing 40 personnel, the officials said. The incident on February 14 dramatically escalated the tension between India and Pakistan. Latheef Tiger killed: The entire Burhan Wani gang stands eliminated Also, zero voting was recorded from Noorabad, the village of Zakir Musa, the so-called chief of Ansar-Gazawat-ul-Hind terror group; Beighpora, the village of the incumbent Hizbul Mujahideen commander Riyaz Naikoo; and Sheikhpora, the village of Mudassir Khan, the mastermind of February 14 terror strike, said the officials. Wani's killing in an encounter with security forces in 2016 had triggered a massive unrest in the valley that left nearly 100 people dead and thousand others, including security forces, injured. Elsewhere, deserted roads and the overwhelming presence of security personnel marked elections in the militancy strongholds of Shopian and Pulwama districts, part of the Anantnag Lok Sabha seat, that recorded three per cent voting with over 25 per cent stations not recording any polling at all. Priyanka likens Modi to 'Duryodhana', hits back at PM for insulting 'martyr' Rajiv Gandhi India oi-Vikas SV Ambala, May 07: Stressing that the BJP leaders never talk about the development carried out by them or the promises fulfilled, Congress' Priyanka Gandhi on Tuesday hit back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his remarks of former prime minister and her father Rajiv Gandhi. Priyanka also likened PM Modi to Duryodhana, a character from epic Mahabharata who denies right to his brothers by unscrupulous means. On Saturday at a poll rally in Uttar Pradesh, Prime Minister Modi said that the life of Congress chief Rahul Gandhi's father and former PM Rajiv Gandhi had ended as "bhrashtachari number 1" (Corrupt). PM Modi's was referring to Bofors pay-off scam of the 1980s. Modi dares Congress to fight polls in Rajiv Gandhi's name Modi drew falk for his remarks and was condemned not just by Rahul Gandhi's sister Priyanka Gandhi and former union minister P Chidambaram, but also other opposition leaders like Akhilesh Yadav and Arvind Kejriwal. "The BJP leaders never in their poll campaign say whether they fulfilled their promise or not. They seek vote in the name of martyrs or the martyr (Rajiv Gandhi) of my family. Duryodhan had also lots of ego and his ego was the reason of his defeat," she said in Ambala, Haryana, today. "The talk about the martyr (Rajiv Gandhi) of my family. This election is not about one family. This election is about BJP's failure. Prime Minister has no time to listen to the farmers but has time to ask for votes by taking the name of martyr of my family," she added. On Sunday, Rahul Gandhi responded to PM Modi's comments on his father with a tweet - and a hug. "Modi Ji, The battle is over. Your Karma awaits you. Projecting your inner beliefs about yourself onto my father won't protect you. All my love and a huge hug. Rahul," read the tweet from the Congress chief. "Today the biggest challenge in front of country is job opportunity, farmer development, women security. During 2014 election there was lots of hope. People of Haryana had lots of hope in Centre but in the last five years, there was a decrease in job opportunity," Priyanka said today. PM Modi's was referring to Bofors pay-off scam of the 1980s. Rajiv Gandhi's name had cropped up in the case which pertained to a defence contract that India signed with Swedish arms manufacturer AB Bofors for the supply of 155 mm howitzer guns for the Army. Signed in March 1986 for Rs 1,437 crore, the Bofors deal was for the supply of 400 howitzers to India. 'Hurt by what PM said about Rajiv Gandhi', says Sam Pitroda The Bofors deal ran into controversy in 1987, when a Swedish radio channel alleged that the arms manufacturer paid bribes to top Indian politicians and defence officials through middlemen. The then defence minister V P Singh resigned putting the Rajiv Gandhi government in the dock. V P Singh built his campaign for the 1989 Lok Sabha election on Bofors pay-off scam. His Janata Dal came to power as the Congress lost the national election with Rajiv Gandhi's image getting a serious beating in the public. The Congress approached the Election Commission on Monday, seeking action against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, including a ban on his campaigning, for his remarks against former PM Rajiv Gandhi. Section 144 imposed outside SC after protests against clean chit to CJI India oi-Vikas SV New Delhi, May 07: A group of activists on Tuesday staged a protest outside the Supreme Court in New Delhi over a clean chit to Chief Justice of India (CJI) Ranjan Gogoi in a sexual harassment case. Section 144 has been imposed outside the SC following the protest by lawyers and women activists against the procedure adopted to deal with sexual harassment case against the CJI, reported ANI. About 30 women were detained during the demonstration where protesters demanded a fair probe into the allegations levelled by a former Supreme Court staffer, reports said. On Monday, a three-judge in-house committee probing the allegations of sexual harassment against Justice Gogoi gave a clean chit to the Chief Justice of India, saying it found "no substance" in the sexual harassment allegations. Did SC panel cite a pre-RTI verdict while concealing findings in CJI harassment case The former Supreme Court woman staffer, who had levelled allegations of sexual harassment against CJI Ranjan Gogoi, had then reportedly said that her worst fears have come true and all her hopes of justice have been shattered. According to reports, the committee, comprising justices S A Bobde, Indira Banerjee and Indu Malhotra, wrapped up the inquiry in sittings over four days - three days were devoted to the questioning and recording the statement of the woman complainant who withdrew from the proceedings on the third day, April 30, saying she was being denied access to a lawyer and was "not likely to get justice from this committee", and the fourth day had the CJI appearing before the panel. Sushma Swaraj slams Priyanka Gandhi, Mamata for comparing PM Modi to Duryodhana India oi-Deepika S New Delhi, May 08: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Tuesday slammed Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for comparing Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Duryodhana, the evil prince from Mahabharata. Swaraj responded to the Congress leader by saying that even her brother, Rahul Gandhi, had displayed egoism. "Let me remind you that the limits of ego culminated on the day when Rahul ji insulted his own prime minister, Dr Manmohan Singh ji, and tore up and threw out the ordinance issued by the President. Who is telling whom?" the BJP leader wrote on Twitter. Priyanka likens Modi to 'Duryodhana', hits back at PM for insulting 'martyr' Rajiv Gandhi "Mamataji, you crossed all limits today. You are the Chief Minister of a state and Modiji is the country's Prime Minister. You have to talk to him tomorrow. This is why I would like to remind you of a couplet written by Bashir Badr: Rage all you want but I just have this one request from you, do not feel ashamed when we have to become friends again someday," she tweeted. "Money does not matter to me. That is why when Narendra Modi came to Bengal and accused my party of being tolabaaz, I wanted to give him a tight slap of democracy," she said. On Monday, the West Bengal Chief Minister had said that she did not return PM Modi's calls to discuss the effects of Cyclone Fani because she "does not want to share the dais with an expiry PM". "I do not consider him a Prime Minister now. When the new prime minister comes, we will speak with that person," she added. The war of words took a turn for the worse after PM Modi made the extortionist reference. "If I am a tolabaaz, what are you? Your entire body - from head to feet - is drenched in the blood of people. Only riots, only riots and only riots," she thundered at a rally in West Bengal's Bishnupur. In a veiled attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday said the Mahabharata character Duryodhana too had "such arrogance". For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Wednesday, May 8, 2019, 1:13 [IST] Tharoor on Twitterati's crosshair for lauding Imran Khan who paid tribute to Tipu Sultan India oi-Vikas SV New Delhi, May 07: Congress leader Shashi Tharoor's tweet praising Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has not left the Twitterati pleased. Reactions poured in on the micro-blogging site belittling Tharoor for lauding Khan who had paid tribute to erstwhile Mysore Tipu Sultan on his death anniversary on May 4. Paying tribute to the 18th century ruler, Khan tweeted on Saturday, saying he admired him because "he preferred freedom and died fighting for it rather than live a life of enslavement". "Today 4th May is the death anniversary of Tipu Sultan - a man I admire because he preferred freedom and died fighting for it rather than live a life of enslavement," Khan's tweet said. When you are sick, you need 'khichdi': Tharoor on BJP's 'khichdi govt' jibe Tharoor lauded Khan for remembering Tipu Sultan but expressed disappointment that "it took a Pakistani leader to remember a great Indian hero" on his death anniversary. "One thing i personally know about @imranKhanPTI is that his interest in the shared history of the Indian subcontinent is genuine & far-reaching. He read; he cares. It is disappointing, though, that it took a Pakistani leader to remember a great Indian hero on his punyathithi (sic)," Tharoor tweeted today. One thing i personally know about @imranKhanPTI is that his interest in the shared history of the Indian subcontinent is genuine & far-reaching. He read; he cares. It is disappointing, though, that it took a Pakistani leader to remember a great Indian hero on his punyathithi. https://t.co/kWIySEQcJM Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) May 6, 2019 Earlier, retweeting Khan's message, BJP MP Chandrasekhar wrote, "Dear @siddaramaiah avare - time for u (you) to hug Imranji n (and) Bajwaji - @sherryontopp! Thts (That's) quickest way to bcm (become) @RahulGandhi n (and) @priyankagandhi's favourite! #JustDoIt." Court summons Shashi Tharoor over his 'scorpion' remark on PM Modi Tipu Sultan is a controversial ruler as some regard him as a patriot while others see him as a bigot. The BJP has long opposed the Karnataka government organising the official birth anniversary celebrations of Tipu Sultan, the 18th century ruler of Mysore, saying the annual event is a gimmick to appease the Muslim community. Tharoor's tweet drew strong reactions on Twitter: Here's what some tweets said- "U r indeed one of a kind, Mr Tharoor. U didn't even wait for the elections to get over to show ur true color. The Pak PM is now a well read & caring person to u? Forgot #Pulwama so soon? And Tipu a Hero? Punya Tithi? No wonder, Congress has lost it's relevance in India," one tweet said. "It is very disappointing for a Keralite to hail Tipu Sultan in such a manner, despite knowing about his atrocities in the Malabar region, and that he ceded the region to the British. Not a hero by any stretch of imagination," said another tweet. Kerala: Shashi Tharoor injured while offering prayers at temple "Those who support deceitful killing and conversion of local communities as part of strategy to expand their rule will admire such men. Others know why the brave, strong and proud tribals of South India, the Kodavas, hate Tipu," a tweet read. "We have a shared history spanning thousands of years. Borders and alliances keep changing. Our legacies will remain. We can chose to learn from the past or remember only what suits our narrative. My hope is we can start tolerating each other's existence," one tweet read. 14 with criminal record and 28 crorepatis in new Rajasthan Cabinet Will never topple govt, says Amit Shah; dares Cong to call early polls in Rajasthan Woman gangraped in Alwar: BJP calls it worse than Nirbhaya case India pti-PTI Jaipur, May 07: Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Tuesday condemned the incident of gang rape in Alwar district and directed officials to take stern action against the accused. "The state government is committed for women safety. Nearly a dozen police teams have been formed to arrest the accused and one arrest has been made. The victim and her family are given protection," Gehlot said in a statement. The chief minister said action would also be taken against the police officials if any lapses were found. The woman was allegedly raped by five men in front of her husband in Thanagazi area. She was going with her husband on a motorcycle when the accused stopped them and committed the crime. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) attacked Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot who holds the home department for conspiring to suppress the brutal crime given the elections in the region. Madan Lal Saini, Rajasthan BJP president, said that Ashok Gehlot must take responsibility for the crime and failure of the police to act promptly. The BJP has described the gang rape worse than Delhi's Nirbhaya rape case. Would BJP have preferred solo or allied fights by AAP and Congress in Delhi India oi-Vikas SV New Delhi, May 07: The electoral battle in all the seven Lok Sabha seats of Delhi would be three cornered and this makes the contest interesting as the voters of the national capital are known to surprise even the most experienced political analysts. The way Delhiites voted barely eight months after sending seven Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MPs to the Lok Sabha in 2014 is a testimony that a typical Delhi voter is aware, politically astute and in a way very demanding. In 2015 Delhi assembly elections, residents of Delhi overwhelmingly voted for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Arvind Kejriwal-led party won a whopping 67 of 70 seats. Here is another angle of Congress, AAP alliance in Delhi Delhiites clearly know whom they want at the Centre and who may govern the city state well. One may say that AAP is in a strong position because they won 67 of the 70 seats in Delhi assembly polls, but then the way Kejriwal-led party pressed the Congress for alliance in the last two months, did not show that AAP is all that confident. A political observer who follows Delhi politics closely told OneIndia that Kejriwal is aware that AAP's support base in Delhi is eroding. The party is not as popular as it was in 2015 when they were seen as a political party with 'a difference' made up of anti-corruption crusaders. They stormed to power in 2015 because people could relate to Kejriwal and co. who seemed like one of them, the true 'Aam Aadmis'. Congress and AAP owe reply to people of Delhi: Gautam Gambhir That perception has now however changed and Kejriwal, by openly showing desperation to ally with the Congress, further antagonised those voters who switched their loyalties from the Congress to AAP in 2015. And such voters (preferring AAP over Congress) are in large numbers, and these numbers make it crystal clear. Looking at the vote shares between 2013 to 2015, the AAP's vote share grew sharply, the BJP's fluctuated within a limit, but the Congress' plummetted sharply. In Delhi assembly elections 2013 and 2015, the AAP's vote share rose from 29 per cent to 54 per cent, BJP's was down from 33 per cent to 32 cent, but Congress' vote share fell from 25 per cent to 10 per cent. AAP's thumping performance in 2015 was due to loyal Congress voters switching over to AAP, and not BJPs. BJP's core voters remain intact. Given this, if Kejriwal reaches out to Congress, then it is bound to leave those who chose AAP over Congress irked. What will the BJP prefer? For the BJP, both AAP and Congress fighting seperately is a favourable situation. The above mentioned numbers show that despite AAP's landslide win in the 2015 Delhi elections, the BJP's core voter base has more or less remained intact. The section of voters divided between Congress and AAP will remain divided now that both are contesting seperately. When the Congress and AAP leaders sent mixed signals over the alliance in April, the BJP kept silent and watched with bated breath because the outcome would have had a bearing on their performance. How political parties and their election symbols are amusing voters "The BJP would prefer a three way fight. See, Congress voters will not go to the BJP, but they may not be averse to vote for the AAP. It the case of alliance also, an AAP loyalist, for example, may even skip voting in places where Congress would have fielded theirs or vice versa. A three way fight is beneficial to the BJP. By AAP and Congress not joining hands, they (BJP) got what they wanted," a veteran journalist from Delhi said. When asked how many could the BJP win in Delhi in 2019 polls, he said, "It is going to be 6-1. Sheila Dikshit will definetely win one seat for Congress and in rest of the constituencies, Congress may end up in third place." All not well in Delhi's BJP unit: Manoj Tiwari is the Delhi BJP president currently. A veteran journalist who has been following activities of the Delhi BJP closely, says that a rebellion of sorts is brewing againt Tiwari who was instated as Delhi BJP chief from the top leadership. After Tiwari was made the head, Satish Upadhyay, a former BJP Delhi president, was sidelined. Upadhyay's supporters, who are in fairly good numbers, do not entirely back Tiwari. Upadhyay used to pe popular among BJP's top leadership, but the relationship turned sour when he opposed the move to project Kiran Bedi as the chief ministerial candidate in 2015. UN calls for urgent action as Myanmar may spiral into a catastrophe Myanmar: Jailed journalists - Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo - released from prison, say reports International oi-Vikas SV Kuala Lumpur, May 07: The two reporters, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, who were senenced to seven years jail in Myanmar for allegedly violating a state secrets law while reporting on the Rohingya crisis, have reportedly been freed. They were arrested in December 2017 and sentenced in September to seven years in prison under the colonial-era Official Secrets Act. Two Reuters journalists jailed in Myanmar walked free from a prison on the outskirts of Yangon on Tuesday after spending more than 500 days behind bars, a Reuters report said while quoting a witness. Reuters journalists case: Scribes lose appeal against 7-year sentence A Myanmar Court had on September 3, 2018, sentenced two Reuters journalists to seven years jail. The report published in Reuters today also states that it is customary in Myanmar for authorities to free prisoners across the country around the time of the traditional New Year, which began on April 17. In January this year, a Myanmar judge dismissed an appeal by two journalists, dashing slim hopes that the pair could be freed early. The Prosecutors had then said the two had classified information regarding security operations in Rakhine state, from where hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslims fled during an army-led crackdown the United Nations has dubbed "ethnic cleansing". Myanmar sentences 2 Reuters reports to 7 years in jail Aung Naing, a judge at the Yangon Regional High Court, had in January said the original verdict was "not wrong according to the law" and was a "reasonable decision". For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, May 7, 2019, 8:52 [IST] Seen viral NASA Diwali photo? Here's the truth about it NASA is launching a spacecraft to smash an asteroid: Here is when and where to watch Who is Anil Menon? One among the 10 selected for future moon mission by NASA Bad weather forces delay in launch of NASA's James Webb Space Telescope: When and where to watch Not NASA, we sent Hubble Space Telescope to space: Pak ministers hilarious claim International oi-Oneindia Staff By Anuj Cariappa Islamabad, May 07: Pakistan's Science and Technology Minister Fawad Chaudhry was trolled online after he said that the Hubble Space Telescope was sent into space by the country's space agency Suparco, instead of NASA. Chaudhry, speaking in a talk show on Geo News, claimed that "The world's biggest telescope was sent by Suparco [Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission]". " one of the ways to see is the Hubble Telescope, which is the world's biggest telescope and was sent [into space] by Suparco, which is installed in a satellite," he said. 'Marsquake': NASA's InSight Lander records first tremor on the Red Planet The Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) is responsible for Pakistan's public and civil space programme and for aeronautics and aerospace research. He went on to add, "Then there are other satellites, and there are other (types of) technologies." The minister's gaffe triggered hilarious reactions and memes on Twitter. "May be NASA head will resign and also join the Ministry of @fawadchaudhry as head of Suparco," one user tweeted. "You have really surpassed all your predecessors. Just a few days under your patronage we realized that SUPARCO has sent 'hubal' telescope into space.. Incredible. Mr. PM @ImranKhanPTI should send such discoverer into space as a reward..! #Pakistan @MaryamNSharif," another user tweeted. Interestingly, Chaudhry in November last year when he was the minister of information said there are some politicians who are creating chaos on the ground and should be sent to space. NASA satellites track Cyclone Fani along India's coastline I will ask SUPARCO to ensure that once these politicians go to space, they cannot return, he had said. Hubble Space Telescope was launched into low Earth orbit in 1990 and remains in operation. It is named after astronomer Edwin Hubble and is one of NASA's great observatories. Hubble's launch marked the most significant advance in astronomy since Galileo's telescope. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, May 7, 2019, 7:00 [IST] How an Arabic to Malayalam book on Jihad led to Islamic fanaticism in Kerala Rs 7 billion assets, Rs 140 million cash was what group that bombed Sri Lanka had International oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, May 07: Rs 140 million in cash and assets worth Rs 7 billion is that the Islamic State radical group involved in the Sri Lanka bombings had. The police said that the during the investigations, they had found huge amounts of cash that belonged to the National Thowheed Jamath. Police spokesperson S P Ruwan Gunasekara said that the assets and cash were found during the probe conducted by the CID. While half the cash was taken into possession by the CID, the remaining was found to be deposited in various bank accounts. Measures are now being taken to suspend the account. Who did the Sri Lankan bombers pay a visit to in Bangalore, Kerala, Kashmir Gunasekara further said that so far 73 members of the NTJ have been arrested and are being questioned. In CID custody are 54 suspects including 7 women, while the rest are being questioned by the Terrorist Investigation Department (TID). Over 250 persons were killed in a series of suicide bombings that targeted Churches and hotels last month. The attacks were claimed by the Islamic State, but the police said that it was a coordinated operation along with the NTJ. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, May 7, 2019, 9:07 [IST] WBJEE 2022 registrations to begin today: Here is how to apply Govt job in hospital: VMMC recruitment 2019 underway, 310 Junior Resident Vacancies announced New Delhi oi-Vikas SV New Delhi, May 07: VMMC recruitment 2019 process has begun and job openings for of 310 Junior Residents posts for those with MBBS degree have been announced on the official website. VMMC has announced a fairly large number of vacancies for MBBS and it is a good chance for fresher doctors to land with a govt job in hospital. Last date to apply for VMMC jobs of junior residents in May 21, 2019. Vardhman Mahavir Medical College or VMMC job openings for Junior Residents is for those with MBBS degree who have not done post graduation (MD). It is a promising oppurtunity for fresher MBBS degree holders who want to start their career with a government hospital. VMMC in South Delhi is a medical college attached to Safdarjung Hospital , one of the prominent hospitals in the national capital. VMMC recruitment 2019 official notification for junior resident openings: Click Here VMMC junior resident opening criteria, eligibility and VMMC recruitment process: The selection will be done through a written examination. Candidates must have completed their Internship on or after July 1, 2017. Application fees is Rs. 500 for general candidates, Rs. 250 for EWS or OBC candidates, while there is no fee for SC/ST/PWD candidates. who want to apply for Junior Residents (non-PG) MBBS posts must have completed MBBS Degree from a Recognized University & must be registered with Delhi Medical Council (DMC). Download VMMC recruitment 2019 application form for junior resident opening: Click Here Steps to apply For VMMC recruitment 2019 : Visit www.vmmc-sjh.nic.in/ Under the recruitment section, click on the link "Advertisement for the post of JUNIOR RESIDENT (Non-PG) MBBS." On this page you will find both the official notification and application form. Read all the instruction in the official notification carefully. Download VMMC junior resident vacancies application form by Clicking Here Take printout and fill up the form Make the payment as mentioned in the official notification. Attach payment receipt (UTR no.) with the application. Application should be submitted in DIARY and DISPATCH SECTION of this institution (near Gate no. 2 and near Bank of Baroda Safdarjung Hospital Branch). The application send by post must be having written prominently on the top of the envelope "Application for the post of Junior Resident (Non-PG) MBBS." For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, May 7, 2019, 15:37 [IST] WBJEE 2022 registrations to begin today: Here is how to apply Notorious gangster Paramjeet Dalal injured in encounter; Who else are most wanted in Delhi New Delhi oi-Vikas SV New Delhi, May 07: An exchange of fire took place between notorious gangster Paramjeet Dalal and a team of NR Special Cell on Tuesday morning in which the wanted criminal was injured, said reports. The encounter took place near Sector 37 in West Delhi's Rohini locality. Dalal has reportedly sustained a bullet injury, he is currently receiving medical treatment at a hospital. Dalal is wanted in connection with abduction, robberies and murders. In 2016, he had abducted a businessman from Vijat Vihar area and demanded a ransom on Rs 25 lakh. Reports say that eventually, some 90 lakh rupees had to be paid to free the businessman. In 2017, a sharpshooter called Pradip Rana was arrested following a tip-off from DND Flyway in Delhi. During interrogation, he had admitted to his role in abduction of a real-estate developer, Ram Pratap, from Rohini Sector 24. He named his accomplices as Paramjeet Dalal, Deepak Chauda and Mohit Chhabra. Delhi: Two members of 'Thak-Thak' gang held Paramjeet Dalal was one of the criminals who was in the top-ten wanted persons list released by Delhi Police's Special Cell in 2017. Who else are there in Delhi's top 10 most wanted criminals: Jitender Gogi was on top of the list released by Delhi Police's Special Cell in 2017 followed by Sandeep Dhillu and Amit Tajpuria at second and third places, respectively. Kuldeep Fajja, Hashim Baba and Rohit Moi were then at fourth, fifth and sixth places, respectively. Paramjeet Dalal was at eight place, while Sanjay Lakra and Samunder Khatri were at ninth and tenth places, respectively. At one point, Rajesh Bharti gang was also a menace in Delhi. But in June 2018, four memers of the Rajesh Bharti gang were gunned down by Delhi Police's Special cell. Six police personnel and one gang member were also injured. The gang leader Rajesh Bharti was also shot dead by the police. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, May 7, 2019, 10:59 [IST] Bailey McCann, Opalesque New York: Big name hedge fund managers gathered at the Sohn Investment Conference in New York to share their best ideas. Presenters this year offered a diverse set of opportunities from hotel chains to emerging markets. Here are the top calls. Longs: Lauren Taylor Wolfe, of Impactive Capital got things started with a long call on Wyndham Hotels. "There's no hotel we'd rather own," she said of the chain. Despite the upbeat sentiment, Wolfe is taking an activist stance on Wyndham. In her presentation, she listed several things the hotel could do to improve shareholder value and sustainability. Wolfe sees more than 50% upside for the stock and plans to be a long-term investor, pushing for changes at the hotel including an improved environmental record and greener operations. Matthew Smith of Deep Basin Capital is long Cabot Oil & Gas. Cabot is primarily focused on the Marcellus Shale region and says that the company's production and infrastructure will make it one of the last independent players in the region. Smith expects that the stock will double from its current price of approximately $25. The company could also become an acquisition target given its position in the Marcellus Shale. David Einhorn of Greenlight Capital said he is long AerCap Holdings (AER), an airplane leasing company. Einhorn argued that investor sentiment has been negative toward AerCap but he thinks "the market has it wrong." He added that Ae...................... To view our full article Click here Opalesque Industry Update - The Securities and Exchange Commission announced that Adam S. Aderton has been named Co-Chief of the Division of Enforcement's Asset Management Unit, a national specialized unit that focuses on misconduct by investment advisers, investment companies, and private funds. He succeeds Anthony Kelly, who left the agency in November 2018. Mr. Aderton has brought or supervised enforcement actions that addressed a wide range of misconduct and investor harm across the asset management industry, including the SEC's actions against: Two J.P. Morgan wealth management subsidiaries for failing to disclose conflicts of interest to retail clients Two UBS advisory firms for failing to disclose a change in investment strategy by a closed-end fund they advised Gustavo A. Altuzarra, Christopher R. Chase, and three entities they controlled for using client funds to make unauthorized loans and concealing those loans through fraudulent straw purchaser transactions Crypto Asset Management LP and its principal, Timothy Enneking, for making misrepresentations to investors and causing its advised fund's violations "Adam is a highly respected leader and his broad experience and strong judgment are a tremendous asset. We look forward to working closely with him as co-chief of the Asset Management Unit," said Stephanie Avakian, Co-Director of the SEC's Division of Enforcement. "I am confident that Adam and his Co-Chief, Dabney O'Riordan, will together provide strong leadership of the Asset Management Unit and continue to deliver results for investors harmed by asset manager misconduct," said Steven Peikin, Co-Director of the SEC's Division of Enforcement. "I am honored to lead the Asset Management Unit with Dabney," said Mr. Aderton. "I have been with the Unit since its inception, and I have tremendous pride in its people, its work, and all it has accomplished so far. I look forward to working with our talented and dedicated colleagues across the country as we continue our work protecting investors in this critical industry." Mr. Aderton joined the SEC in 2008 as a staff attorney in the Division of Enforcement. He joined the Asset Management Unit in 2010, and was promoted to Assistant Director in 2013. Mr. Aderton received the Ellen B. Ross Award in 2013, which recognizes exemplary commitment, enthusiasm, and performance in the fair and effective enforcement of the federal securities laws. Before joining the SEC, Mr. Aderton served as a law clerk to the Honorable J. Frederick Motz on the U.S. District Court in Maryland and then was a securities associate at Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP in Washington, D.C. He received his law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law where he was Order of the Coif and his undergraduate degree with highest honors from Truman State University. Press release Bg Article source - Opalesque is not responsible for the content of external internet sites Two Wheeler Tyres Market to Witness Robust Expansion by 2024 Top Key players like Bridgestone,Dunlop,Continental,Inc. https://www.marketresearchreportstore.com/reports/607786/global-united-states-european-union-china https://www.marketresearchreportstore.com/reports/607786/global-united-states-european-union-china https://www.marketresearchreportstore.com Market Research Report Store offers a latest published report on Two Wheeler Tyres Market Analysis and Forecast 2019-2025 delivering key insights and providing a competitive advantage to clients through a detailed report. The report contains 91 pages which highly exhibit on current market analysis scenario, upcoming as well as future opportunities, revenue growth, pricing and profitability.Click to view the full report TOC, figure and tables:In 2019, the market size of Two Wheeler Tyres is million US$ and it will reach million US$ in 2025, growing at a CAGR of from 2019; while in China, the market size is valued at xx million US$ and will increase to xx million US$ in 2025, with a CAGR of xx% during forecast period.In this report, 2018 has been considered as the base year and 2019 to 2025 as the forecast period to estimate the market size for Two Wheeler Tyres.This report studies the global market size of Two Wheeler Tyres, especially focuses on the key regions like United States, European Union, China, and other regions (Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia).Market Segment by Manufacturers, this report coversBridgestoneDunlopContinentalCeatMRFMichelinMetzelerPirelliSpeedwaysTVSHeidenauJK TyreMarket Segment by Type, coversMotorcycle TypeBike TypeOtherMarket Segment by Applications, can be divided intoMotorcyclesMopedsScootersSelf Balance ScootersOthersFor More Information On This Report, Please Visit @Related Information:North America Two Wheeler Tyres Market Growth 2019-2024United States Two Wheeler Tyres Market Growth 2019-2024Asia-Pacific Two Wheeler Tyres Market Growth 2019-2024Europe Two Wheeler Tyres Market Growth 2019-2024EMEA Two Wheeler Tyres Market Growth 2019-2024Global Two Wheeler Tyres Market Growth 2019-2024China Two Wheeler Tyres Market Growth 2019-2024Customization Service of the Report :Market Research Report Store provides 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 Us:Market Research Report Store (MRRS) is a professional organization related to market research reports in all directions .To provide customers with a variety of market research reports, MRRS cooperates with a large of famous market report publishers all over the world. Owing to our good service and the professional market reports in the wide range, MRRS enjoys a good reputation in the market. In pace with the development of MRRS, more and more customers and market report publishers choose to cooperate with us. As a specialized platform, MRRS upholds the supremacy of customers and aims to provide customers with better service and richer select.Contact USMarket Research Report StoreE-mail: info@marketresearchreportstore.comTel: +86-15521064060 00852-58197708(HK)Add: 17890 Castleton Street Suite 218 City of Industry CA 91748 United StatesWebsite: Trimethoprim (TMP) Market Size, Share, Development by 2024 Top Key players like Alphapharm,Kojar,Swiss Pharm,Inc. https://www.marketresearchreportstore.com/reports/607806/global-united-states-european-union-china https://www.marketresearchreportstore.com/reports/607806/global-united-states-european-union-china https://www.marketresearchreportstore.com Market Research Report Store offers a latest published report on Trimethoprim (TMP) Market Analysis and Forecast 2019-2025 delivering key insights and providing a competitive advantage to clients through a detailed report. The report contains 91 pages which highly exhibit on current market analysis scenario, upcoming as well as future opportunities, revenue growth, pricing and profitability.Click to view the full report TOC, figure and tables:In 2019, the market size of Trimethoprim (TMP) is million US$ and it will reach million US$ in 2025, growing at a CAGR of from 2019; while in China, the market size is valued at xx million US$ and will increase to xx million US$ in 2025, with a CAGR of xx% during forecast period.In this report, 2018 has been considered as the base year and 2019 to 2025 as the forecast period to estimate the market size for Trimethoprim (TMP).This report studies the global market size of Trimethoprim (TMP), especially focuses on the key regions like United States, European Union, China, and other regions (Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia).This study presents the Trimethoprim (TMP) sales volume, revenue, market share and growth rate for each key company, and also covers the breakdown data (sales, revenue and market share) by regions, type and applications. history breakdown data from 2014 to 2019, and forecast to 2025.Market Segment by Manufacturers, this report coversAlphapharmKojarSwiss PharmIpca LaboratoriesJohnsonGlaxoSmithKlineLannacherShilpa Medicare Limited (SML)Shouguang Fukang PharmaceuticalNanjing Pharmaceutical FactorySouthwest Synthetic Pharmaceutical CorpShandong Xinhua PharmaceuticalMarket Segment by Type, coversTrimethoprim hydrochlorideTrimethoprim sulfateMarket Segment by Applications, can be divided intoBladder Infections.Middle Ear InfectionsTravelers' DiarrheaPneumocystis PneumoniaFor More Information On This Report, Please Visit @Related Information:North America Trimethoprim (TMP) Market Growth 2019-2024United States Trimethoprim (TMP) Market Growth 2019-2024Asia-Pacific Trimethoprim (TMP) Market Growth 2019-2024Europe Trimethoprim (TMP) Market Growth 2019-2024EMEA Trimethoprim (TMP) Market Growth 2019-2024Global Trimethoprim (TMP) Market Growth 2019-2024China Trimethoprim (TMP) Market Growth 2019-2024Customization Service of the Report :Market Research Report Store provides 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 Us:Market Research Report Store (MRRS) is a professional organization related to market research reports in all directions .To provide customers with a variety of market research reports, MRRS cooperates with a large of famous market report publishers all over the world. Owing to our good service and the professional market reports in the wide range, MRRS enjoys a good reputation in the market. In pace with the development of MRRS, more and more customers and market report publishers choose to cooperate with us. As a specialized platform, MRRS upholds the supremacy of customers and aims to provide customers with better service and richer select.Contact USMarket Research Report StoreE-mail: info@marketresearchreportstore.comTel: +86-15521064060 00852-58197708(HK)Add: 17890 Castleton Street Suite 218 City of Industry CA 91748 United StatesWebsite: Global Blood Analyzers Market to Witness a Pronounce Growth During 2024 Top Key players like Abbott Laboratories,Sysmex Corporation,Fisher Scientific,Inc. https://www.marketresearchreportstore.com/reports/607811/global-united-states-european-union-china https://www.marketresearchreportstore.com/reports/607811/global-united-states-european-union-china https://www.marketresearchreportstore.com Market Research Report Store offers a latest published report on Blood Analyzers Market Analysis and Forecast 2019-2025 delivering key insights and providing a competitive advantage to clients through a detailed report. The report contains 91 pages which highly exhibit on current market analysis scenario, upcoming as well as future opportunities, revenue growth, pricing and profitability.Click to view the full report TOC, figure and tables:In 2019, the market size of Blood Analyzers is million US$ and it will reach million US$ in 2025, growing at a CAGR of from 2019; while in China, the market size is valued at xx million US$ and will increase to xx million US$ in 2025, with a CAGR of xx% during forecast period.In this report, 2018 has been considered as the base year and 2019 to 2025 as the forecast period to estimate the market size for Blood Analyzers.This report studies the global market size of Blood Analyzers, especially focuses on the key regions like United States, European Union, China, and other regions (Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia).This study presents the Blood Analyzers production, revenue, market share and growth rate for each key company, and also covers the breakdown data (production, consumption, revenue and market share) by regions, type and applications. history breakdown data from 2014 to 2019, and forecast to 2025.Market Segment by Manufacturers, this report coversAbbott LaboratoriesSysmex CorporationFisher ScientificBeckman Coulter,Inc.Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics IncBayerRocheHoriba Abx SasA.S.LBoule Medical ABMindraySinnowaHui ZhikangJinan HanfangGeliteSinothinkerMarket Segment by Type, coversAutomatic Blood AnalyzersSemi-automatic Blood AnalyzersMarket Segment by Applications, can be divided intoHospitalsResearch InstitutesOtherFor More Information On This Report, Please Visit @Related Information:North America Blood Analyzers Market Growth 2019-2024United States Blood Analyzers Market Growth 2019-2024Asia-Pacific Blood Analyzers Market Growth 2019-2024Europe Blood Analyzers Market Growth 2019-2024EMEA Blood Analyzers Market Growth 2019-2024Global Blood Analyzers Market Growth 2019-2024China Blood Analyzers Market Growth 2019-2024Customization Service of the Report :Market Research Report Store provides 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 Us:Market Research Report Store (MRRS) is a professional organization related to market research reports in all directions .To provide customers with a variety of market research reports, MRRS cooperates with a large of famous market report publishers all over the world. Owing to our good service and the professional market reports in the wide range, MRRS enjoys a good reputation in the market. In pace with the development of MRRS, more and more customers and market report publishers choose to cooperate with us. As a specialized platform, MRRS upholds the supremacy of customers and aims to provide customers with better service and richer select.Contact USMarket Research Report StoreE-mail: info@marketresearchreportstore.comTel: +86-15521064060 00852-58197708(HK)Add: 17890 Castleton Street Suite 218 City of Industry CA 91748 United StatesWebsite: Unified Communications & Collaboration Market Overview and Growth Rate Analysis 2025 by Leading Companies: ALE, Avaya, Cisco, Genesys, Huawei, IBM, Microsoft, Mitel, Verizon, West https://www.marketstudyreport.com/request-a-sample/467684/?utm_source=openpr.com-AN https://www.marketstudyreport.com/check-for-discount/467684/ https://www.marketstudyreport.com/reports/unified-communications-market-by-platform-telephony-unified-messaging-conferencing-others-by-deployment-model-on-premise-cloud-based-by-end-user-bfsi-it-telecom-healthcare-retail-education-travel-and-hospitality-others-by-region-market-size-forecast-2017-2026/?utm_source=openpr.com-AN https://www.marketstudyreport.com https://www.marketstudyreport.com/blog MarketStudyReport.com Adds New Unified Communications & Collaboration Market 2019 2025 research report providing information and data By Platform, By Deployment Model, By Application, Industry Analysis, Regional Outlook, Growth Potential, Competitive Market Share & Forecast spreading across 300 Pages with table and figures in it.The Asia Pacific UCC market is expected to grow at a CAGR of over 12% during the forecast timeline. The market growth is driven by the adoption of cloud-based UCC solutions and various government initiatives for modernizing ICT infrastructure. For instance, the South Korea Ministry of Science and ICT along with the major carriers in the country have drafted a plan to set up a nation-wide infrastructure by 2020. The huge penetration of low-cost smartphones in countries including China and Japan will also contribute toward market growth.Request a sample of this premium report at:With the increase in digitization, organizations are now focusing on geographic expansion due to which managing business communication processes has become a difficult task. The need for the UCC system is to consolidate communication processes under a unified framework that can be managed easily. This reduces operational cost for organizations and their expansion globally. With the rapid adoption of cloud computing, they are constantly involved in modernizing their communication infrastructure to enable business communication across diverse geographical business units.Unified Communications & Collaboration (UCC) market is projected to surpass USD 60 billion by 2025. The market growth is attributed to factors such as penetration of smartphones and the growing need among organizations to streamline their business communication process flows. The rising usage of smartphones globally has compelled the UCC vendors to create mobile unified communications that will enable enterprises to access UC applications through a single interface. Moreover, the growing investments in 5G networks will also support the adoption of modern enterprise communication solutions.Another factor driving the UCC market growth is the rising trend of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD). The trend has added to the complexity of handling different communication channels in enterprises. To address this challenge, UCC solutions are widely being deployed by organizations to streamline communication functions easily.Conferencing platforms are expected to witness the highest growth of over 12% during the forecast period. The platforms, such as audio and video conferencing, ease communication process among businesses and provide various benefits such as improved competitive advantage, improved productivity & employee satisfaction, and improving the demand for these platforms over the forecast period.In the telephony market, the IP PBX market is projected to witness the fastest growth rate with a CAGR of over 8% from 2019 to 2025. The major factor driving the market is its easy support and reduced network latency. The majority of the hosted IP PBX providers have already started offering customized services, allowing users to connect to other servers without getting disconnected.Request a discount on standard prices of this premium report at:The on-premise deployment model held a dominant UCC market share of over 55% in 2018 and is expected to maintain its dominant share by 2025. As the on-premise model offers enterprises with the complete software and hardware service control, enterprises are widely using this model to have accessibility to equipment anytime for troubleshooting while managing disaster recovery.Furthermore, in November 2017, Beijing 263 Enterprise Communications Co., Ltd., one of the leading providers of enterprise SaaS services in China, and Arkadin, a provider of cloud communications (including UCC solutions), entered into a partnership to provide improved cloud communication solutions in the Chinese market. By joining forces to combine their respective expertise, the companies offer high-quality services including video/audio/web conferencing, unified communications, and web events. In October 2017, Ricoh, a global unified communications provider, partnered with Videxio, a provider of cloud-based video conferencing solutions, to extend its ?Ricoh Unified Communication System (Ricoh UCS) Advanced? to the Japanese market.The BFSI market is expected to register the fastest growth rate from 2019 to 2025 with a CAGR of over 11% due to the rapid adoption of UCC solutions to improve their profitability and way of conducting business. The financial institutions are using tools, such as mobile messaging and video conferencing, to personalize their relationships with customers to improve customer satisfaction. The growing use of such tools to facilitate seamless communication process and benefit from multichannel communications internally & externally will foster the UCC market growth in the BFSI sector.Table of content:Chapter 1. Methodology & ScopeChapter 2. Executive SummaryChapter 3. UCC Industry InsightsChapter 4. Competitive Landscape, 2018Chapter 5. UCC Market, By PlatformChapter 6. UCC Market, By Deployment ModelChapter 7. UCC Market, By ApplicationChapter 8. UCC Market, By RegionChapter 9. Company ProfilesRelated Report:Unified Communications Market [By Platform (Telephony, Unified Messaging, Conferencing, Others); By Deployment Model (On-Premise, Cloud-Based); By End-User (BFSI, IT & Telecom, Healthcare, Retail, Education, Travel and Hospitality, Others); By Region]: Market Size & Forecast, 2017 ? 2026North America generated the highest revenue in the market in 2017, and is expected to lead the global market throughout the forecast period. The presence of established telecom and cloud infrastructure in this region, and growing trend of BYOD drive the market growth in the region. The growing demand of mobile devices, and technological advancements further support market growth in the region. Asia-Pacific is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period owing to growing demand of effective enterprise communication technologies in the developing countries of the region.About Us:Marketstudyreport.com allows you to manage and control all corporate research purchases to consolidate billing and vendor management. You can eliminate duplicate purchases and customize your content and license management.Contact Us:Market Study Report LLC4 North Main Street,Selbyville, Delaware 19975USAPhone: 1-302-273-0910US Toll Free: 1-866-764-2150Email: sales@marketstudyreport.comWebsite:Blog: Frozen Bakery Products Market Future Trends from 2019 to 2027: General Mills, Vandemoortele, ARYZTA, Flowers Foods & Subsidiaries, Lantmannen Unibake and TreeHouse Foods Frozen Bakery Products Market http://bit.ly/2WstSao http://bit.ly/2Wrw2qR http://bit.ly/2Wsu4GL https://www.theinsightpartners.com/ Frozen Bakery Products Market will register a noticeable growth during the forecast period owing to increasing demand for processed food products and the shift in consumer preferences towards baked products. These products can be stored and preserved for a longer time period as compared to the traditional bakery goods which further augment the demand for frozen bakery products. Changing lifestyle of people coupled with a surge in the number of working women will lead to rapid growth in frozen bakery products market. However, growing competition among large companies are the key restraining factors for frozen bakery products market growth in the coming years.Leading Frozen Bakery Products Market Players: General Mills Vandemoortele ARYZTA Flowers Foods & Subsidiaries Lantmannen Unibake TreeHouse Foods Associated British Foods plc Dawn Meats Dawn Foods Europastry | Wenner Bakery Patagonia BakersGet Sample Copy of this Report at Frozen bakery products are refrigerated and frozen at a very low temperature so as to preserve the products for more timeframe. Along with preserving bakery products, low-temperature storage preserves the organoleptic components of the products that are baked including texture, flavor, and color. Some of the frozen bakery products include frozen pastries, frozen pizza crust, bread rolls, frozen cakes, frozen bread, and frozen pastry. In the bakery world, frozen products often compete with fresh for market share.Market Segmentation By Product: Breads Pizza Crust Cakes & Pastries Waffles Donuts CookiesMarket Segmentation By Source: Corn Wheat Barley RyeMarket Segmentation By Distribution Channel: Artisan Baker Retail Catering Online ChannelThe "Global Frozen Bakery Products Market Analysis to 2027" is a specialized and in-depth study of the food and beverages industry with a special focus on the global market trend analysis. The report aims to provide an overview of the frozen bakery products market with detailed market segmentation by product, source, end use, distribution channel and geography. The global frozen bakery products market is expected to witness high growth during the forecast period. The report provides key statistics on the market status of the leading frozen bakery products market players and offers key trends and opportunities in the market.Make an Enquiry before Buying at-The report provides a detailed overview of the industry including both qualitative and quantitative information. It provides an overview and forecast of the global frozen bakery products market based on various segments. It also provides market size and forecast estimates from the year 2018 to 2027 with respect to five major regions, namely; North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific (APAC), Middle East and Africa (MEA) and South America. The frozen bakery products market by each region is later sub-segmented by respective countries and segments. The report covers the analysis and forecast of 18 countries globally along with the current trend and opportunities prevailing in the region.TABLE OF CONTENTS1. INTRODUCTION2. KEY TAKEWAYS3. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY4. FROZEN BAKERY PRODUCTS MARKET LANDSCAPE5. FROZEN BAKERY PRODUCTS MARKET - KEY MARKET DYNAMICS6. FROZEN BAKERY PRODUCTS MARKET - GLOBAL MARKET ANALYSIS7. FROZEN BAKERY PRODUCTS MARKET - REVENUE AND FORECASTS TO 2027 TYPE8. FROZEN BAKERY PRODUCTS MARKET - REVENUE AND FORECASTS TO 2027 APPLICATION9. FROZEN BAKERY PRODUCTS MARKET REVENUE AND FORECASTS TO 2027 - GEOGRAPHICAL ANALYSIS10. INDUSTRY LANDSCAPE11. FROZEN BAKERY PRODUCTS MARKET, KEY COMPANY PROFILES12. APPENDIXFor Additional Insights Click to Access Complete Report at -About Us:The Insight Partners is a one stop industry research provider of actionable intelligence. We help our clients in getting solutions to their research requirements through our syndicated and consulting research services. We are a specialist in Technology, Healthcare, Manufacturing, Automotive and Defense.Contact Us:Call: +1-646-491-9876Email: sales@theinsightpartners.comWebsite: North America In-vitro Diagnostic Market Growth Analysis and Forecast 2024 | Key Players Abbott, Qiagen, Becton Dickinson, BioRad, Cephied, Johnson & Johnson, Roche In-vitro Diagnostics Market https://www.graphicalresearch.com/request/1033/sample https://www.graphicalresearch.com/request/1033/inquiry-before-buying https://www.graphicalresearch.com/industry-insights/1033/north-america-in-vitro-diagnostics-market www.graphicalresearch.com/ Graphical Research provides a detailed overview of North America In-vitro Diagnostic Market with respect to the pivotal drivers influencing the revenue graph of this business sphere. The current trends of In-vitro Diagnostic Market in conjunction with the geographical landscape, demand spectrum, remuneration scale, and growth graph of this vertical have also been included in this report.Integration of advanced technology within the diagnostic devices will improve accuracy and efficiency of these devices that should have a positive impact on in-vitro diagnostics industry growth. Technologically advanced countries such as the U.S. and Canada focus their efforts on R&D to manufacture automated laboratory diagnostic machines and equipment for accurate detection of diseases.Request for a sample of this research report @Key Profiles: Abbott Becton Dickinson BioRad BioMerieux Cephied Danaher Grifols Johnson & Johnson Luminex Roche Diagnostics Siemens Sorin Thermo Fisher QiagenFor instance, companies such as Qaigen, provides point of care molecular diagnostic devices possessing highest accuracy and the results are displayed on the computers for complete analysis escalating its preference in the coming years over other conventional options available.In-vitro diagnostics market should grow significantly as a result of increasing prevalence of chronic diseases such as diabetes and cancer. As reported by National Cancer Institute, in 2018, there will be 1,735,350 cases of cancer that will escalate the business growth significantly in the near future. However, high costs associated with the diagnostic devices may affect industry growth.Reagents & kits segment will grow at 6.6% during the forecast timeframe owing to escalating demand for such product types used in diagnosis of viral, fungal and bacterial diseases. Moreover, manufacturers have improvised on product offerings by providing molecular reagents and kits of better quality. For instance, development of superior quality SDS PAGE electrophoresis reagents for a better analysis and detection of diseases at gene level will upsurge the segmental growth.Make an inquiry for purchasing this report @Data management software segment accounted for 20.7% revenue share in 2017 and the segmental growth can be accounted to high efficiency of software available that are reliable and proficient in managing the patient data. Above-mentioned will increase its preference over other software available for keeping track of diseases thereby, should favor segmental growth.Molecular diagnostics technology segment will grow at 8.3% CAGR over the forecast timeframe. The high segmental growth can be accounted to increasing prevalence of genetic diseases demanding critical monitoring and novel target therapy at gene level. Moreover, growing use of molecular diagnostic devices in process of drug discovery will augment business growth in the upcoming years.Diabetes segment was valued at USD 3.9 billion in 2017 and is expected to have high growth rate as a result of growing prevalence of diabetes in developed countries due to increasing incidences of obesity amongst the individuals. Availability of superior quality glucose detecting diagnostic devices enabling quick and reliable results will escalate business growth.Browse Complete Report Summary @Point-of-care segment had enormous market size of USD 6.2 billion in 2017 and the high growth of the segment can be accounted to the growing use of point-of care molecular diagnostic devices for detecting blood glucose levels even at home. Hospitals have also adopted the point-of-care diagnostic devices that will impact the segmental growth positively.U.S. in-vitro diagnostics market should witness high growth and held a momentous share of USD 23.9 billion in as a result of high prevalence of viral infections in the U.S. population including Zika virus leading to increasing demand for in vitro diagnostics. According to CDC 2017 reports statistics estimated that 5,710 people were suffering from Zika virus infection. These infected people need an advanced diagnostic testing to diagnose the disease, thereby augmenting the in-vitro diagnostics market growth.Key industry competitors operating in North America in-vitro diagnostics market are Abbott, Becton Dickinson, BioRad, BioMerieux, Cephied, Danaher, Grifols, Johnson & Johnson, Luminex, Roche Diagnostics, Siemens, Sorin, Thermo Fisher and Qiagen. Strategic initiatives adopted by prominent industry players will help them to sustain the market competition. For instance, in September 2016, Becton Dickinson launched next-generation wireless diagnostic system for detection of influenza A and B, thereby expanding its product portfolio.About Graphical Research:Graphical Research is a business research firm that provides industry insights, market forecast and strategic inputs through granular research reports and advisory services. We publish targeted research reports with an aim to address varied customer needs, from market penetration and entry strategies to portfolio management and strategic outlook. We understand that business requirements are unique: our syndicate reports are designed to ensure relevance for industry participants across the value chain. We also provide custom reports that are tailored to the exact needs of the customer, with dedicated analyst support across the purchase lifecycle.Contact Us:Prikhit B.Corporate sales,Graphical ResearchEmail: sales@graphicalresearh.comWeb: Hydraulic Thermoplastic Hose Market to Witness Robust Expansion by 2024 Top Key players like Gates Corporation,Eaton Corporation,NRP Jones,Inc. https://www.marketresearchreportstore.com/reports/607835/global-united-states-european-union-china https://www.marketresearchreportstore.com/reports/607835/global-united-states-european-union-china https://www.marketresearchreportstore.com Market Research Report Store offers a latest published report on Hydraulic Thermoplastic Hose Market Analysis and Forecast 2019-2025 delivering key insights and providing a competitive advantage to clients through a detailed report. The report contains 91 pages which highly exhibit on current market analysis scenario, upcoming as well as future opportunities, revenue growth, pricing and profitability.Click to view the full report TOC, figure and tables:In 2019, the market size of Hydraulic Thermoplastic Hose is million US$ and it will reach million US$ in 2025, growing at a CAGR of from 2019; while in China, the market size is valued at xx million US$ and will increase to xx million US$ in 2025, with a CAGR of xx% during forecast period.In this report, 2018 has been considered as the base year and 2019 to 2025 as the forecast period to estimate the market size for Hydraulic Thermoplastic Hose.This report studies the global market size of Hydraulic Thermoplastic Hose, especially focuses on the key regions like United States, European Union, China, and other regions (Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia).This study presents the Hydraulic Thermoplastic Hose production, revenue, market share and growth rate for each key company, and also covers the breakdown data (production, consumption, revenue and market share) by regions, type and applications. history breakdown data from 2014 to 2019, and forecast to 2025.Market Segment by Manufacturers, this report coversGates CorporationParker Hannifin CorporationEaton CorporationTransfer Oil S.p.ANitta CorporationPolyhose India Pvt. LtdRYCO Hydraulics Pty Ltd.NRP JonesDyna Flex, Inc.Kurt Manufacturing Co., Inc.MAC Tubi S.p.AZEC S.p.A.Piranha Hose Products, Inc.Market Segment by Type, coversGeneral Hydraulic Thermoplastic HoseSpecialty Hydraulic Thermoplastic HoseMarket Segment by Applications, can be divided intoAgricultureConstructionIndustrial and Material HandlingPowerOther ApplicationsFor More Information On This Report, Please Visit @Related Information:North America Hydraulic Thermoplastic Hose Market Growth 2019-2024United States Hydraulic Thermoplastic Hose Market Growth 2019-2024Asia-Pacific Hydraulic Thermoplastic Hose Market Growth 2019-2024Europe Hydraulic Thermoplastic Hose Market Growth 2019-2024EMEA Hydraulic Thermoplastic Hose Market Growth 2019-2024Global Hydraulic Thermoplastic Hose Market Growth 2019-2024China Hydraulic Thermoplastic Hose Market Growth 2019-2024Customization Service of the Report :Market Research Report Store provides 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 Us:Market Research Report Store (MRRS) is a professional organization related to market research reports in all directions .To provide customers with a variety of market research reports, MRRS cooperates with a large of famous market report publishers all over the world. Owing to our good service and the professional market reports in the wide range, MRRS enjoys a good reputation in the market. In pace with the development of MRRS, more and more customers and market report publishers choose to cooperate with us. As a specialized platform, MRRS upholds the supremacy of customers and aims to provide customers with better service and richer select.Contact USMarket Research Report StoreE-mail: info@marketresearchreportstore.comTel: +86-15521064060 00852-58197708(HK)Add: 17890 Castleton Street Suite 218 City of Industry CA 91748 United StatesWebsite: What are the factors affecting Middle East Gas Turbine Market growth? Centrax, Siemens AG, Wartsila, GE, Toshiba, Capstone Turbine Middle East Gas Turbine Market https://www.graphicalresearch.com/request/1031/sample https://www.graphicalresearch.com/request/1031/inquiry-before-buying https://www.graphicalresearch.com/industry-insights/1031/middle-east-gas-turbine-market www.graphicalresearch.com A comprehensive research study on Middle East Gas Turbine Market introduced by Graphical Research provides insights into the market size and growth trends of this industry over the forecast timeline. The study evaluates key aspects of the market in terms of the demand landscape, driving factors and growth strategies adopted by market players.Middle East Gas Turbine Market was over USD 900 million in 2017 and is anticipated to exceed annual deployment of 4 GW by 2024. Strengthening government measures toward renewable energy integration along with restructuring of trade policies and investment flow will stimulate the Middle East gas turbine market growth. Refurbishment and retrofitting across the key power markets in line with technological enhancements across the materials, combustion, cooling and aerodynamics industries will further drive the industry landscape.Request for a sample of this research report @Key Profiles: Centrax Siemens AG Wartsila General Electric MAPNA Toshiba Capstone Turbine Solar Turbines Score Group Ansaldo EnergiaRising energy demand from manufacturing plants coupled with paradigm shift toward the integration of effective energy mix will drive the gas turbine market size. The industry growth is further attributed to the implementation of effective energy utilization policies toward the expansion of combined cycle power plants.Ongoing installation of co-generation units to withstand energy consumption in commercial, small industrial and isolated transmission & distribution networks will propel the gas turbine market. In addition, ongoing expansion of effective re-generation units to withstand minimal heat requirements will further boost the industry landscape.Make an inquiry for purchasing this report @Operational efficiency, lower overall operational cost, effective environmental proximity, and effective waste heat utilization are the key factors justifying the product demand. In addition, growing industrial headway along with increasing demand for energy & stability in gas prices will further develop a positive scenario for the gas turbine market.Increasing deployment of gas turbines across process industries by replacement of coal by gas in a host of small-scale industrial applications will further enhance the growth prospects of Middle East gas turbine market. In addition, government reforms to curtail emissions along with stalling of gas prices in the current industrial regime will further pose immense potential for gas turbine deployment.Middle East gas turbine market will witness robust growth on account of government funding and extensive R&D reforms toward installation of efficient combined cycle generation units. For instance, in 2015, European Investment Bank granted a loan of USD 600 million to the Government of Egypt for the establishment of Damanhour Power Station of 1,800 MW capacity.Browse Complete Report Summary @Shifting trends toward energy-efficient technologies coupled with increasing focus toward replacement of inefficient coal fired power plants will drive the Middle East gas turbine market. Increasing efforts for power capacity augmentation to meet the constantly increasing power demand will further provide a thrust to the industry dynamics. As per OPEC 2016, Saudi Arabia depends on oil exports for about 85% of its annual revenues and is expected to replace oil power plants by gas fired generating stations in the country.Notable participants across the gas turbine market in Middle East include Centrax, Siemens AG, Wartsila, General Electric, MAPNA, Toshiba, Capstone Turbine, Solar Turbines, Score Group and Ansaldo Energia.About Graphical Research:Graphical Research is a business research firm that provides industry insights, market forecast and strategic inputs through granular research reports and advisory services. We publish targeted research reports with an aim to address varied customer needs, from market penetration and entry strategies to portfolio management and strategic outlook. We understand that business requirements are unique: our syndicate reports are designed to ensure relevance for industry participants across the value chain. We also provide custom reports that are tailored to the exact needs of the customer, with dedicated analyst support across the purchase lifecycle.Contact Us:Prikhit B.Corporate sales,Graphical ResearchEmail: sales@graphicalresearh.comWeb: Europe Air Source Heat Pump Market to witness hefty gains by 2024 | Bosch, BDR Thermea Group, NIBE, Danfoss, Viessmann, Climaveneta, Vaillant Group Europe Air Source Heat Pump Market https://www.graphicalresearch.com/request/1025/sample https://www.graphicalresearch.com/request/1025/inquiry-before-buying https://www.graphicalresearch.com/industry-insights/1025/europe-air-source-heat-pump-market www.graphicalresearch.com Graphical Research presents an extensive report on Europe Air Source Heat Pump Market that offers qualitative information about prevailing trends and a detailed analysis of the growth trajectory of this industry. It also includes a study of the historical data and detailed statistics that will help determine the future scope of the industry in terms of commercialization opportunities.Europe ASHP Market is predicted to surpass USD 7 billion by 2024. Government efforts toward modernization and renovation of existing infrastructure coupled with rising demand for space heating across polar climate regions will drive the business growth. Furthermore, financial support for the development of sustainable buildings will encourage the product demand. The European Investment Bank (EIB) approved funds of around USD 100 million for the construction of zero emission buildings in 2018.Request for a sample of this research report @Key Profiles: Bosch Thermotechnology BDR Thermea Group NIBE Danfoss Viessmann Husky Heat Pumps Glen Dimplex Climaveneta Swegon Group Vaillant Grant Engineering Trane Finn Geotherm UK Systemair AB Stiebel EltronFavorable government initiatives and norms toward reduction of GHG emissions by the use of renewable technologies will stimulate the air source heat pump market size. The Government of UK introduced Renewable Heat Incentive scheme with an aim to encourage the adoption of renewable heat technologies amongst communities, businesses, and householders through financial incentives.Low maintenance, ease of installation and low cost are some of the prominent features which will drive the Europe ASHP market growth. Rising adoption of energy efficient units coupled with green building standards and codes will further complement the product deployment. For instance, the European Union introduced the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) to strengthen the energy performance of new constructions through the deployment of energy efficient units.Make an inquiry for purchasing this report @Denmark ASHP market will grow owing to the government policies in support of decarbonization of the energy systems along with modernization of existing infrastructure to sustainable establishments. In 2014, the Danish Ministry of Climate, Energy and Building developed a strategy with an aim to reduce 35% of the heat consumption from existing buildings by 2050.Air to air heat pump market size will grow on account of its key features including cost effectiveness, ability to purify air, high energy efficiency, and zero ground work expense. In addition, rising focus to reduce electricity bills coupled with ongoing technological progressions to meet the rising demand across residential sector will complement the business landscape.Commercial air source heat pump market size is predicted to witness growth owing to growing demand for HVAC systems that are easily integrable with the conventional system across new and existing buildings along with retrofit & replacement of cooling & heating systems.Browse Complete Report Summary @Norway ASHP market size is projected to surpass USD 600 million by 2024. Government targets to phase out fossil fuel fired boilers coupled with national schemes including Enova Subsidy, to promote the use of heat pumps will augment the product deployment.Key players operating across the Europe air source heat pump market include Bosch Thermotechnology, BDR Thermea Group, NIBE, Danfoss, Viessmann, Husky Heat Pumps, Glen Dimplex, Climaveneta, Swegon Group, Vaillant, Grant Engineering, Trane, Finn Geotherm UK, Systemair AB, and Stiebel Eltron.About Graphical Research:Graphical Research is a business research firm that provides industry insights, market forecast and strategic inputs through granular research reports and advisory services. We publish targeted research reports with an aim to address varied customer needs, from market penetration and entry strategies to portfolio management and strategic outlook. We understand that business requirements are unique: our syndicate reports are designed to ensure relevance for industry participants across the value chain. We also provide custom reports that are tailored to the exact needs of the customer, with dedicated analyst support across the purchase lifecycle.Contact Us:Prikhit B.Corporate sales,Graphical ResearchEmail: sales@graphicalresearh.comWeb: California forklift dealer puts the fun back in fundraising for childrens organizations. https://www.raymondhandlingsolutions.com SANTA FE SPRINGS, CA May 7, 2019 --Fighting childhood poverty is serious business, but raising money for children doesnt have to be. While many local businesses choose to run annual fundraisers for charities, few have more fun with it than Raymond Handling Solutions, one of Californias largest forklift suppliers.Each year, they participate in the annual observance of Red Nose Day, where employees wear comical plastic red noses throughout their workday. From executives in their corporate offices to their technicians dispatched throughout the state, Raymond Handling Solutions employees are encouraged to wear bulbous red noses throughout the day in an effort to raise awareness and money for childrens charities.With the generous support of corporate partners, millions of Americans and dozens of celebrities, Red Nose Day launched in the U.S. in 2015 and has raised nearly $150 million for childrens charities since its inception. Funds raised are allocated to several national and international childrens organizations to promote the health, food security and safety of children throughout the world.Fundraising begins in early May and culminates with Red Nose Day, which falls on Thursday, May 23 this year. We like to say it puts the fun back in fundraising said James Wilcox, CEO of Raymond Handling Solutions. Its always a day that our employees look forward to, not only because its lighthearted, but it gives us a chance to give something back to our own community and children around the world.In the last four years, funds raised through Red Nose Day have benefited more than 16 million children in all 50 U.S. states and around the world. Red Nose Day has so far helped to provide: Educational services to more than 960,000 children; More than 13 million essential medical services for children; Care for over 75,000 homeless and street children; Over 36 million meals to feed hungry American children.Raymond Handling Solutions has offices throughout California and the Western U.S., and employees at all of its locations take part in Red Nose Day festivities. It really is a lot of fun for our team, said Wilcox, and the pictures are priceless.Anyone can take part in Red Nose Day on May 23. The red plastic noses can be purchased at CVS locations throughout the U.S. and all proceeds go to childrens charities.Raymond Handling Solutions is headquartered at 9939 Norwalk Blvd, Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670. For inquiries, you can reach them at (562) 944-8067.Raymond Handling Solutions will be raising money for Red Nose Day, an annual childrens charity event happening on May 23, 2019.Contact: Tracey MeyersRaymond Handling Solutions9939 Norwalk BlvdSanta Fe Springs, CA 90670(562) 944-8067 |tracey.meyers@raymondhs.net Global Cyanuric Chloride Market Expected to Witness a Sustainable Growth over 2024 Top Key players like Top Key players like Syngenta,Volochem,Lonza,Inc. https://www.marketresearchreportstore.com/reports/607854/global-united-states-european-union-china https://www.marketresearchreportstore.com/reports/607854/global-united-states-european-union-china https://www.marketresearchreportstore.com Market Research Report Store offers a latest published report on Cyanuric Chloride Market Analysis and Forecast 2019-2025 delivering key insights and providing a competitive advantage to clients through a detailed report. The report contains 91 pages which highly exhibit on current market analysis scenario, upcoming as well as future opportunities, revenue growth, pricing and profitability.Click to view the full report TOC, figure and tables:In 2019, the market size of Cyanuric Chloride is million US$ and it will reach million US$ in 2025, growing at a CAGR of from 2019; while in China, the market size is valued at xx million US$ and will increase to xx million US$ in 2025, with a CAGR of xx% during forecast period.In this report, 2018 has been considered as the base year and 2019 to 2025 as the forecast period to estimate the market size for Cyanuric Chloride.This report studies the global market size of Cyanuric Chloride, especially focuses on the key regions like United States, European Union, China, and other regions (Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia).This study presents the Cyanuric Chloride production, revenue, market share and growth rate for each key company, and also covers the breakdown data (production, consumption, revenue and market share) by regions, type and applications. history breakdown data from 2014 to 2019, and forecast to 2025.Market Segment by Manufacturers, this report coversJacquard ProductsDyStarSam Vegetable Colours PvtKirpal Export OverseasTaiFeng Chemiacl IndustrialZhejiang RuntuBeijing Dyestuff FactoryLiyang Brother ChemicalJihua GroupChongqing huacai ChemicalHebei Youhao ChemicalAnping Wuxin Chemical DyesruffPRO Chemical & DyeMarket Segment by Type, coversCyanuric Chloride 98%Cyanuric Chloride 99%Market Segment by Applications, can be divided intoPesticideDyeTextile IndustryChemical AdditivesOtherFor More Information On This Report, Please Visit @Related Information:North America Cyanuric Chloride Market Growth 2019-2024United States Cyanuric Chloride Market Growth 2019-2024Asia-Pacific Cyanuric Chloride Market Growth 2019-2024Europe Cyanuric Chloride Market Growth 2019-2024EMEA Cyanuric Chloride Market Growth 2019-2024Global Cyanuric Chloride Market Growth 2019-2024China Cyanuric Chloride Market Growth 2019-2024Customization Service of the Report :Market Research Report Store provides 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 Us:Market Research Report Store (MRRS) is a professional organization related to market research reports in all directions .To provide customers with a variety of market research reports, MRRS cooperates with a large of famous market report publishers all over the world. Owing to our good service and the professional market reports in the wide range, MRRS enjoys a good reputation in the market. In pace with the development of MRRS, more and more customers and market report publishers choose to cooperate with us. As a specialized platform, MRRS upholds the supremacy of customers and aims to provide customers with better service and richer select.Contact USMarket Research Report StoreE-mail: info@marketresearchreportstore.comTel: +86-15521064060 00852-58197708(HK)Add: 17890 Castleton Street Suite 218 City of Industry CA 91748 United StatesWebsite: Intraoperative Neuromonitoring (IONM) Market top key players | NeuroMonitoring Technologies, LLC, Accurate Monitoring, Medtronic, Sentient Medical Systems, and NuVasive Inc https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=B&rep_id=2591 https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=T&rep_id=2591 Global Intraoperative Neuromonitoring (IONM) Market: OverviewOn account of the increasing care toward patient safety, the demand for intraoperative neuromonitoring has continued to rise at a steady pace. The burden of healthcare costs on patients and their desire to avoid readmission have upped the adoption of intraoperative neuromonitoring around the world. Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM) uses electrophysiological techniques such as electromyography (EMG), electroencephalography (EEG), and evoked potentials to effectively monitor the integrity of neural structures such as spinal cords, nerves, and certain parts of brain. IONM is mostly conducted to provide functional guidance to surgeons besides reducing risk to patients suffering from iatrogenic damage.Request Sample Copy of the Report @Global Intraoperative Neuromonitoring (IONM) Market: Key TrendsAs per findings of the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 80% of disorders leading to disabling conditions are neurological. Intraoperative monitoring has thus become imperative in neurosurgery as it offers early warning with regards to sensory & motor functions during a surgery. It has therefore enabled surgeons yield better results by eliminating post-operative neurophysiological deficits. Safer surgery consequently results in reduced risk and intervention time. On account of these benefits the demand for intraoperative neuromonitoring has surged exponentially across the healthcare sector.This, coupled with, favorable reimbursement scenario especially in developed nations is augmenting market prospects for the future. Also the market players are focusing on strategic collaborations to expand their footprint and offer innovations. These calculated steps witnessed in the global intraoperative neuromonitoring market will act in favor of its growth in the coming years.Global Intraoperative Neuromonitoring (IONM) Market: Market PotentialRecently, SpecialtyCare renowned as a leading provider of surgical services, perfusion, and intraoperative neuromonitoring acquired Sentient, a prominent IONM provider in October 2016. With this transaction SpecialtyCare was able expand their leadership as one of the most comprehensive providers of patient-centered outsourced IONM services to hospitals, surgeons, health systems, and surgery centers.Following the acquisition, SpecialtyCare has increased the overall number of intraoperative neuromonitoring associates to support cases in the U.S., which is also its existing market, besides expanding coverage across the Atlantic States. Such mergers and acquisitions will have a positive impact on the market in letting it expand its distribution network across markets yet to be explored. Leading players in the global intraoperative neuromonitoring market are also looking to extend strategic collaboration with counterparts across emerging nations to expand their overall footprint.Request TOC of the Report @Global Intraoperative Neuromonitoring (IONM) Market: Regional OutlookRegionally, opportunities witnessed by the intraoperative neuromonitoring market in North America are highly lucrative. Besides this, considerable growth potential exists for the market in Europe as well. Considering improving reimbursement scenario across North America and Europe, these regions are expected to remain at the global markets fore also in the coming years. Besides this, a majority of developed countries have clearly defined procedure and codes for patients and insurance companies, which have made reimbursement processes easier and more convenient. Such well-defined guidelines has resulted in better outcome, thus benefiting hospitals and patients alike and accelerating the pace of gains for intraoperative neuromonitoring market in turn.A large number of neurological centers in the U.S. are recommending the use of intraoperative neuromonitoring in order to bridge the manpower gap and cater to the rising demand. Hospitals are encouraging physicians besides the doctorate-level IONM providers to get trained and certified from institutions such as the American Board of Nuclear Medicine. With the healthcare system making an effort to encourage the use of IONM, its demand is expected to surge further in the coming years. In addition, the market is expected to witness rising opportunities in Asia Pacific in the near future.Global Intraoperative Neuromonitoring (IONM) Market: Competitive LandscapeSome of the most prominent enterprises operating in the global intraoperative neuromonitoring market are Biotronic NeuroNetwork, Natus Medical Incorporated, SpecialtyCare, NeuroMonitoring Technologies, LLC, Accurate Monitoring, Medtronic, Sentient Medical Systems, and NuVasive Inc.About TMR ResearchTMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to business entities keen on succeeding in todays supercharged economic climate. Armed with an experienced, dedicated, and dynamic team of analysts, we are redefining the way our clients conduct business by providing them with authoritative and trusted research studies in tune with the latest methodologies and market trends.Contact:TMR Research,3739 Balboa St # 1097,San Francisco, CA 94121United StatesTel: +1-415-520-1050 Concentrated Solar Power(CSP) Market Insights, Outlook And Forecast Up To 2025:Acciona, Abengoa Solar, GE Renewable Energy, Enel Green Power, TSK Flagsol, Suntrace, BrightSource, Atlantica Concentrated Solar Power Market https://www.gminsights.com/inquiry-before-buying/1164 https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/1164 https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/concentrated-solar-power-market https://www.marketwatch.com/press-release/solar-street-lighting-market-2019-by-industry-trend-growth-and-regional-forecast-2019-05-06 https://www.marketwatch.com/press-release/solar-energy-market-2019-2024-by-industry-growth-trend-and-forecast-2019-05-06 www.gminsights.com The report. Concentrated Solar Power Market , By Technology (Parabolic Trough, Linear Fresnel Reflector, Power Tower),By Capacity (50 MW, >50100 MW, >100 MW), By Storage(With Storage {Molten Salt, Others}, Without Storage), Industry Analysis Report, Regional Outlook (U.S., Canada, Mexico, Spain, Greece, China, India, Australia, Israel, UAE, Kuwait, Morocco, South Africa, Chile, and Brazil), Growth Potential, Price Trends, Competitive Market Share & Forecast, 2019 2025Concentrated Solar Power Market is predicted to exceed USD 4 billion by 2025. Stringent environmental regulations along with increasing adoption of renewable energy sources will stimulate the business growth. For instance, the National Development & Reform Commission of China in 2017, introduced a policy to increase the renewable energy generation capacity target from 20% to 35%. Moreover, shifting regulatory landscape to reduce carbon footprint along with stringent emission norms will further fuel the industry growth in coming years.Request for a sample of this research report @Escalating electricity demand coupled with rising investments toward improvement of efficiency index will significantly influence the CSP market growth. For instance, according to the Australian Energy Council, the global electricity demand by 2030, will witness a growth of over 30% when compared to 2017 level. In addition, increasing demand for decentralized electricity production across remote locations will enhance the industry outlook.Reduction in Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE) primarily driven by reverse auction of projects along with reduced operations and maintenance costs will stimulate the CSP market. For instance, as per the International Renewable Energy Agency, by 2020, the LCOE of concentrated solar power projects are predicted to fall under the range of USD 0.06 - 0.10 per kWh. Nevertheless, high capital cost when compared to solar photovoltaic project with comparable capacity may hinder the industry growth in coming years.Make an Inquiry for purchasing this report @Favorable government initiatives coupled with rising adoption of energy efficient systems will drive the power tower concentrated solar power market share. The technology is set to gain prominence on account of its ability to offer less energy transfer steps, lower thermal loss and high working temperature when compared to other alternatives. Moreover, rising focus toward thermal energy storage system along with its enhanced suitability with power tower systems will augment the technology deployment.Middle East and Africa CSP market will witness robust growth on account of increasing investments to meet the needs of the stagnation across the North America and Spain solar industry. Rising focus of the eminent industry players toward the development of new associations with the regional players with an aim to expand the market penetration will significantly contribute toward industry growth. Countries comprising South Africa, China, Saudi Arabia, Morocco and the UAE will promote the requirement of local content across the regional concentrated solar power programs.Browse Complete Summary of this report @>100 MW concentrated solar market is set to witness robust growth on account of growing demand for electricity along with relatively lower specific cost distinguished by economies of scale. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency, the cost of a 100 MW concentrated solar power project is approximately 12% lower than a 50 MW project deploying the same technology. Furthermore, larger reflecting area associated with the large project provide higher operating temperatures resulting in an improved overall efficiency of the plant.Key industry participants operating across the concentrated solar power market comprise of GE Renewable Energy, Suntrace, BrightSource, Acciona, Enel Green Power, Abengoa Solar, TSK Flagsol, Shams Power, Atlantica Yield, SolarReserve, CSP Services, ACWA, Therminol and Chiyoda Corporation amongst others.Related Report:Solar Street Lighting MarketSolar Energy MarketAbout Global Market Insights:Global Market Insights, Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider; offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy and biotechnology.Contact Us:Arun HegdeCorporate Sales, USAGlobal Market Insights, Inc.Phone: 1-302-846-7766Toll Free: 1-888-689-0688Email: sales@gminsights.comWeb: Amniocentesis Needle Market Competitive Analysis and Business Outlook to 2025: Medtronic, BD, Integra LifeSciences, Smiths Medical, Medline Industries, Inc., Cook Medical, and Laboratoire Puressentiel Amniocentesis Needle https://www.researchformarkets.com/sample/global-amniocentesis-needle-market-330390 https://www.researchformarkets.com/reports/global-amniocentesis-needle-market-330390 https://www.researchformarkets.com/inquiry/global-amniocentesis-needle-market-330390 According to Research for Markets, the Amniocentesis Needle Market report delivers a detailed study with present and upcoming Opportunities to clarify the future investment in the market. The report provides with CAGR value fluctuation during the forecast period of 2019 - 2025 for the market. This study also analyzes the market status, market share, growth rate, future trends, market drivers, opportunities and challenges, risks and entry barriers, sales channels, distributors and Porter's Five Forces Analysis.The base year for calculation in the report is taken as 2017 the historic year is 2016 which will tell you how the Amniocentesis Needle market is going to perform in the forecast years by informing you what the market definition, classifications, applications, and engagements are.The Key Players In Global Amniocentesis Needle Market Are: Medtronic BD Integra LifeSciences Smiths Medical Medline Industries, Inc. Cook Medical Laboratoire Puressentiel Laboratoire Aguettant CooperSurgical Cook Medical Europe BiopsybellRequest Sample Copy of the Report @This report studies the global Amniocentesis Needle market status and forecast, categorizes the global Amniocentesis Needle market size (value & volume) by manufacturers, type, application, and region. This report focuses on the top manufacturers in North America, Europe, Japan, China, and other regions (India, Southeast Asia).Market by Type: Amniocentesis Needle Market Smaller Than 100 mm 100 - 150 mm Larger Than 150 mmMarket by Application: Amniocentesis Needle Market Hospitals Diagnostic Centers Clinics Other End UsersRequest for Report Brochure for Latest Industry Insights @Major Table of Contents: Amniocentesis Needle Market1 Amniocentesis Needle Market Overview2 Global Amniocentesis Needle Market Competition by Manufacturers3 Global Amniocentesis Needle Capacity, Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2013-2018)4 Global Amniocentesis Needle Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Region (2013-2018)5 Global Amniocentesis Needle Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by Type6 Global Amniocentesis Needle Market Analysis by Application7 Global Amniocentesis Needle Manufacturers Profiles/Analysis8 Amniocentesis Needle Manufacturing Cost Analysis9 Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers10 Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/Traders11 Market Effect Factors Analysis12 Global Amniocentesis Needle Market Forecast (2018-2025)13 Research Findings and Conclusion14 AppendixInquire More or Share Questions if any before the Purchase on This Report @Report highlights To analyze the market size of the market and infer the key trends from it. Major players and brands Drivers and restrains of the market Industry Chain Suppliers of Amniocentesis Needle market with Contact Information To inspect the market based on product, market share and size of the product share. The various opportunities in the market.Note: Any special requirements about this report, please let us know and we can provide custom report.About Us:Research For Markets indulge in detailed and diligent research on different markets, trends and emerging opportunities in the successive direction to cater to your business needs. We have established the pillars of our flourishing institute on the grounds of Credibility and Reliability. RFM delve into the markets across Asia Pacific, North America, South America, Europe, Middle East And Africa.Contact:Mr. A NaiduResearch for MarketsTel: +44 8000-4182-37 (UK)Email: alan.naidu@researchformarkets.com Truck Mixed Concrete Market Size, Share, Development by 2024 Top Key players like Cemex,LafargeHolcim,HeidelbergCement,Inc. https://www.marketresearchreportstore.com/reports/607890/global-united-states-european-union-china https://www.marketresearchreportstore.com/reports/607890/global-united-states-european-union-china https://www.marketresearchreportstore.com Market Research Report Store offers a latest published report on Truck Mixed Concrete Market Analysis and Forecast 2019-2025 delivering key insights and providing a competitive advantage to clients through a detailed report. The report contains 91 pages which highly exhibit on current market analysis scenario, upcoming as well as future opportunities, revenue growth, pricing and profitability.Click to view the full report TOC, figure and tables:In 2019, the market size of Truck Mixed Concrete is million US$ and it will reach million US$ in 2025, growing at a CAGR of from 2019; while in China, the market size is valued at xx million US$ and will increase to xx million US$ in 2025, with a CAGR of xx% during forecast period.In this report, 2018 has been considered as the base year and 2019 to 2025 as the forecast period to estimate the market size for Truck Mixed Concrete.This report studies the global market size of Truck Mixed Concrete, especially focuses on the key regions like United States, European Union, China, and other regions (Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia).This study presents the Truck Mixed Concrete production, revenue, market share and growth rate for each key company, and also covers the breakdown data (production, consumption, revenue and market share) by regions, type and applications. history breakdown data from 2014 to 2019, and forecast to 2025.Market Segment by Manufacturers, this report coversCemexLafargeHolcimHeidelbergCementBuzzi UnicemUS ConcreteVotorantimSiam Cement GroupCRH plcCimporChina Resources Cement LimitedSikaMarket Segment by Type, coversBelow 2 m Type2-10 m TypeAbove 10 m TypeMarket Segment by Applications, can be divided intoResidential UseCommercial UseInfrastructure UseIndustrial UseFor More Information On This Report, Please Visit @Related Information:North America Truck Mixed Concrete Market Growth 2019-2024United States Truck Mixed Concrete Market Growth 2019-2024Asia-Pacific Truck Mixed Concrete Market Growth 2019-2024Europe Truck Mixed Concrete Market Growth 2019-2024EMEA Truck Mixed Concrete Market Growth 2019-2024Global Truck Mixed Concrete Market Growth 2019-2024China Truck Mixed Concrete Market Growth 2019-2024Customization Service of the Report :Market Research Report Store provides 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 Us:Market Research Report Store (MRRS) is a professional organization related to market research reports in all directions .To provide customers with a variety of market research reports, MRRS cooperates with a large of famous market report publishers all over the world. Owing to our good service and the professional market reports in the wide range, MRRS enjoys a good reputation in the market. In pace with the development of MRRS, more and more customers and market report publishers choose to cooperate with us. As a specialized platform, MRRS upholds the supremacy of customers and aims to provide customers with better service and richer select.Contact USMarket Research Report StoreE-mail: info@marketresearchreportstore.comTel: +86-15521064060 00852-58197708(HK)Add: 17890 Castleton Street Suite 218 City of Industry CA 91748 United StatesWebsite: Steel Rebar Market 2019 Trend & Growth Forecast By Key Players are - Gerdau, ArcelorMittal, Essar, Tata Group, Jindal Steel & Power Ltd. Steel Rebar Market https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/2081 https://www.gminsights.com/inquiry-before-buying/2081 https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/steel-rebar-market https://www.gminsights.com/ Global Steel Rebar Market share is competitive in nature. Key industry participants are Acerinox, ArcelorMittal, Gerdau, SAIL, Nippon & Sumitomo Metal Corporation, Tata, Hyundai, Essar, Jindal. Other prominent players are Daido, Kobe, NJR and Byer. Manufacturers are anticipated to upgrade existing production capacity and adopt new solution through extensive R&D to attain competitive advantage.Deformed steel rebar dominated the overall industry and expected to witness growth over 4.5% up to 2024. Key properties such as minimum slippage and improved mechanical anchoring supporting product penetration. Increasing demand for reinforced concrete cages, columns, slabs, prefabricated beams, will foster industry growth. Strong application outlook to refurbish old structures will propel steel rebar market.Request for a sample copy of this report @Rapid construction of highways, bridges & buildings, and public utilities owing to shifting economic and demographic trends will drive Steel Rebar Market Increasing smart city projects financed by public-private partnership will propel product application scope. As per industry estimates, global infrastructural spending was over USD 4.5 trillion in 2016.Residential building application witnessed demand over 95 million tons in 2016. Surge in public-private partnership projects will provide lucrative business opportunities for manufactures. Increasing government spending on construction of smart cities will drive steel rebar market growth. Emerging economies such as India, China, Japan and South Korea expected to invest in smart city projects over the forecast period. For instance, Indian government is expected to invest USD 15 billion for development of 100 cities in coming years.Steel Rebars Market By Product Deformed MildSteel Rebar Market By Process Basic oxygen steelmaking Electric arc furnaceSteel Rebars Industry By Application Residential buildings Public infrastructure IndustrialMake an Inquiry for purchasing this Report @Public infrastructure estimated to witness CAGR over 4.5% up to 2024. Increasing necessity to build and upgrade bridges, roads, government institutions, airports, water treatment infrastructure and rail services fueling product demand. Changing consumer trends and rising disposable income will drive the construction of new commercial buildings, shopping malls, and sports complexes over the projected timeframe.Electric arc operations accounted for over 40% of the overall industry demand in 2016. Rising carbon and alloy steels production by recycling ferrous scrap fostering the segment growth. Factor such as quality control, reduced costs, low CO2 emission and better energy savings potential will support steel rebar market growth. Globally, increasing demand for finished structural products and falling scrap prices are expected to further influence segment growth.Asia Pacific will generate revenue over USD 110 billion by 2024. The region already accounts for 60% of the world population and increasing necessity to accommodate rising inhabitants will enhance regional construction spending. In addition, regional technology services sector expansion will also propel telecommunications infrastructure investments. Presence of key manufactures such as Tata, SAIL, Essar and Jindal will also play a key role in promoting regional industry growth.Browse Report Summery @Rising government budgets on renovation of structurally deficient buildings in the emerging economies has positively influenced steel rebar market share. For instance, China 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-20), for green building construction and renovation by 2020 will enhance product demand. Rapid urbanization and industrialization likely to augment construction of new manufacturing facilities and upgradation of existing structure.About Global Market Insights:Global Market Insights, Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider; offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy and biotechnology.Contact Us:Arun HegdeCorporate Sales, USAGlobal Market Insights, Inc.Phone:1-302-846-7766Toll Free: 1-888-689-0688Email: sales@gminsights.comWeb: MilSatCom USA 2019 organisers release 5 Key Reasons to attend this years conference MilSatCom USA 2019 http://www.milsatcom-usa.com/openpr http://www.milsatcom-usa.com/openpr http://www.smi-online.co.uk SMi Reports: In the run up to this years 4th annual MilSatCom USA conference, organisers SMi Group have released a list of 5 key reasons why the MilSatCom USA community needs to meetThe 4th annual MilSatCom USA conference () is returning to Arlington, Virginia on 26th - 27th June.This year's two-day conference will provide attendees with a platform to identify and explore next-generation SATCOM capabilities with US military and senior policy makers, as well as their long-standing partners.Delegates will also hear international perspectives from Canada, Belgium, and NATO on collaboration between nations, coordinating SATCOM activities across partner forces, and the challenges faced by small countries.Key Reasons for the MilSatCom Community to meet: Understand how the new space COCOM will change force provision in the domain and make way for next generation secure satellite communications Learn how the proposed space force will reform the training and equipping of deployable assets and servicemen, as well as contest with increasingly sophisticated adversaries Engage with industry experts leading on AEHF and WGS, and examining project development as WGS-10 and AEHF-5 and 6 come into place Follow transformative - "go fast" procurement processes lead by the SDA Explore future network solutions from providers and innovators like DISA and Kepler CommunicationsThis years Gold Sponsors Airbus and Lockheed Martin are set to showcase their solutions by exhibiting and speaking at the 4th annual conference. Airbus' Tim Deaver, Director US Space Systems will on day two present on "Pivot to LEO", focusing on leveraging the potential of large commercial LEO constellations, enabling new missions and extend existing systems by increasing capabilities across many satellites and multiple orbit regimes, as well as updating on Airbus OneWeb Satellite manufacturing capability and DARPAs Blackjack program. Airbus will also be hosting an evening networking reception on Wednesday 26th June at the Hilton Arlington Virginia Hotel.In addition, a senior representative from Lockheed Martin is also set to present on day one, whilst Airbus, Lockheed Martin and SES Government Solutions will be participating in the industry panel discussion on "Industry Perspectives on SATCOM Developing the Resilient Architectures of the future".The two-day event will provide a refined focus on the US communications market, and address how these critical programmes are developing, as well as explore the resiliency of systems, their integration to ground terminals, and wider efforts to optimise bandwidth utilisation via international partnerships.Download the latest brochure atand view the latest updates of this years still expanding agenda.Any commercial organisations who wish to attend and/or sponsor the event should contact Alia Malick, Director by phone: +44 (0) 207 827 6168 or by email: amalick@smi-online.co.uk or submit a Sponsor Enquiry.All active federal employees, to include Military Personnel, will be granted FREE ADMISSION to the event. However, in order to attend this event PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED, which is subject to final approval by the conference organizer.4th Annual MilSatCom USA26th 27th June 2019Arlington, Virginia, USAGOLD SPONSORS: Airbus & Lockheed MartinSPONSOR: SES Government SolutionsEXHIBITOR: Kepler Communications, SKY Perfect JSAT & XTARAbout SMi Group: Established since 1993, the SMi Group is a global event-production company that specializes in Business-to-Business Conferences, Workshops, Masterclasses and online Communities. We create and deliver events in the Defence, Security, Energy, Utilities, Finance and Pharmaceutical industries. We pride ourselves on having access to the worlds most forward-thinking opinion leaders and visionaries, allowing us to bring our communities together to Learn, Engage, Share and Network. More information can be found atSMi Group Ltd, India House, 45 Curlew Street, London, SE1 2NDmmandic@smi-online.co.ukMaria Mandic Cottonseed Oil Market Insights, Trends & Future Development Status Recorded during 2017-2022 | Key Players are Associated British Foods plc, Archer Daniels Midland Company, Bunge Limited, etc. https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=S&rep_id=131 https://www.factmr.com/report/131/cotton-seed-oil-market https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=AE&rep_id=131 https://www.factmr.com/ The purpose of this rich study presented by FactMR is to elaborate the various market projections impacting the global cottonseed oil market during the period until 2022. This assessment delivers high-end statistics concerning market size (touch a value of US$ 2,774.4 Mn in the year 2022), Y-o-Y growth and revenue share linked to different geographies and segmentation types. Readers can acquire precise insights about growth trends along with opportunities that are expected to reshape the overall structure of the cottonseed oil market during the forecast period.Request a Free Sample Report from Here Cottonseed oil is extracted from the seeds various species of cotton. There are many inherent advantages of cottonseed oil that have made it popular all across the world. Some of the advantages of using cottonseed oil are that it has a high smoke point and therefore can be used for deep frying and cooking where high temperature is required. Cottonseed oil is neutral in taste and can acquire the taste of whatever ingredient it is added to. This makes using cottonseed oil beneficial as it does not mask the flavor of the ingredients in the food and thus the flavor of the food doesnt change. Due to the presence of high amounts of tocopherols in it, the shelf life of food containing cottonseed oil is quite long. One of the other distinct advantages of using cottonseed oil is that it is cheaper than other organic oils like canola oil or olive oil. Besides, cottonseed oil contains adequate amount of saturated fatty acids, making it a much more stable cooking oil. Cottonseed oil is also healthy for the heart as it contains many unsaturated fatty acids. Also, cottonseed oil is a much healthier option than other oils because it doesnt need to go through the process of hydrogenation, hence there is no cholesterol in it.Cottonseed oil is derived from the seeds of various species of cotton. Seeds of the Gossypium herbaceum and Gossypium hirsutum species of cotton are most commonly used to extract cottonseed oil. The oil content in cottonseeds is generally in the 18% range. The color of cottonseed oil is pale yellow and is mostly used for cooking.This FactMR report on the global cottonseed oil market forecasts that the global cottonseed oil market will touch a value of US$ 2,774.4 Mn in the year 2022 and grow at a moderate CAGR during the assessment period.For Additional Insights Click to Access Complete Report -The market in Europe is set to dominate the global cottonseed oil market in terms of value and this trend is projected to sustain itself throughout the assessment period. Europe cottonseed oil market is the most attractive market, growing at a robust CAGR over the assessment period.As per the forecast of FactMR, the processed oil segment is expected to reach a value of US$ 1,919.2 Mn in the year 2022. This represents a moderate CAGR during the forecast period of 2017-2022. The processed oil segment is expected to account for more than two-third of the revenue share of the product type segment by the year 2017 and is expected to gain market share by the end of the year 2022.As per the forecast of FactMR, the food service segment is slated to touch a figure of US$ 1,080.3 Mn in the year 2022. This represents a CAGR of 4% during the assessment period from 2017 till the year 2022. This segment is expected to possess nearly same market share by the end of the year 2022. The food service segment is expected to account for more than one-third of the revenue share of the end-user segment by the year 2017.Competition TrackingThe report also profiles companies that are expected to remain active in the expansion of global cottonseed oil market through 2022, which include The Adani Wilmar Ltd, Ruchi Soya Industries Limited, Associated British Foods plc, Cargill Inc, Archer Daniels Midland Company, Bunge Limited, Adams Group Inc., American Vegetable Oils, Inc., Grief Inc. (Olympic Oils Limited), Borges International Group S.L.U, Marico Limited, Fuji Oil Holdings Inc. and Louis Dreyfus Company.For Any Query or Concern, Access this Link -About FactMRFactMR is a fast-growing market research firm that offers the most comprehensive suite of syndicated and customized market research reports. We believe transformative intelligence can educate and inspire businesses to make smarter decisions. We know the limitations of the one-size-fits-all approach; that's why we publish multi-industry global, regional, and country-specific research reports.Contact UsFactMR11140 Rockville PikeSuite 400, Rockville, MD 20852United StatesEmail: sales@factmr.comWeb: What's driving the Masterbatch Market trends? Clariant, Cabot Corporation, PolyOne, RTP Company, Ampacet Corporation, Plastika Kritis S.A., Tosaf Group, A Schulman, Inc. Masterbatch Market https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/2362 https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/masterbatch-market https://www.gminsights.com/inquiry-before-buying/2362 www.gminsights.com Global Masterbatch Market report 2024 focuses on the major Types and Applications for the key players. The market forecast report also provides analysis of the market share, segmentation, revenue forecasts and geographic regions of the market. The research report is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of global Industry.Latin America holds a significant share of the masterbatch market which made a revenue of more than USD 250 million in 2024. Increasing demand for the product from Brazil and Mexico would augment the masterbatch market development in the study period. Growing production of automotive parts and components in Latin America owing to local as well as international demand will positively influence the regional masterbatch demand over the coming years.Request for a sample copy of this report @Masterbatch market would witness a significant gain in the upcoming years due to the advancements in the automotive industry. Innovation in the automotive industry has led to replacement of metal auto parts for plastic ones. This would drive the demand for polymers in automotive industry, promoting masterbatch market growth by the end of forecast period.Government investment proposals and stable policy outline for automobile manufacturers in Asia Pacific along with shifting customer preferences toward better living standards with increasing per capita income in the region will significantly impact market growth by 2024. Rising demand for biodegradable products could be another driver supporting this growth.Advances in the electronics industry will enhance the demand for masterbatches as it offers required aesthetic and performance characteristics to electronic devices. Rapid urbanization coupled with rising disposable income of consumers in developing countries would elevate the requirement for consumer goods which would further elevate the demand in the masterbatch market in the study period. But issues like expensive raw materials, strict government regulations and widening supply-demand gap could deter the masterbatch market progress in the forecast period.Company profiled in this report based on Business overview, Financial data, Product landscape, Strategic outlook & SWOT analysis: Clariant Cabot Corporation PolyOne RTP Company Ampacet Corporation Plastika Kritis S.A. Tosaf Group A Schulman, Inc. Hubron International Penn Color, Inc. PlastiblendsBrowse Complete Report Summary @White product type holds a significant share in the masterbatch market due to its wide usage in various applications. They are primarily composed of titanium dioxide (TiO2) and provide brilliant whiteness to plastic goods. It can resist extreme processing conditions, including sheet & film extrusion, blow/injection molding, preventing strong odor, die build up and heavy smoke that could be initiated by high processing temperatures.The major packaging applications of this product are laminations, coating, agriculture, protective films, thin wall packaging, fibers and non-woven, labels, bottles, injection molded articles, etc. This product segment is most likely to exhibit a growth rate of approximately 5% in the forecast period.Masterbatch Market Product by End-user- Black Automotive Consumer goods Packaging Agriculture Construction Others- White Automotive Consumer goods Packaging Agriculture Construction Others- Color Automotive Consumer goods Packaging Agriculture Construction Others- Additive Automotive Consumer goods Packaging Agriculture Construction OthersMake an inquiry for purchasing this report @Construction is an important end-user section owing to the product usage in plumbing systems such as pipes, valves, tanks; electrical systems such as switches, wires & cables; insulation materials, etc. The product is an ideal fit for these applications as it offers various performance features like UV resistance, color fastness, mechanical stability, flame retardancy puncture and tear resistance. This sector would propel at a rate of more than 5% in the study period.Major companies of the masterbatch market are A. Schulman, Inc., Plastiblends, DIC Corporation, Hubron International, Tosaf Group, Penn Color, etc.About Global Market Insights:Global Market Insights, Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider; offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy and biotechnology.Contact Us:Contact Person: Arun HegdeCorporate Sales, USAGlobal Market Insights, Inc.Phone:1-302-846-7766Toll Free: 1-888-689-0688Email: sales@gminsights.comWeb: Global Next Generation Implants (NGI) Market Key Market Manufacturers, Suppliers and Forecast 2019-2025: Abbott Laboratories, Arthrex, Biotronik SE & Co. KG, BOSTON SCIENTIFIC CORPORATION, C. R. BARD, INC. Global Next Generation Implants (NGI) Market Size, Status and Forecast 2019-2025 https://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=2278271 https://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=E&repid=2278271 https://www.researchmoz.us/ http://marketresearchlatestreports.blogspot.com/ The report, titled Global Next Generation Implants (NGI) Market Size, Status and Forecast 2019-2025, gives a thorough account of the present state of the global Next Generation Implants (NGI) Market and the industry concerning it. The report presents an expansive account of the crucial elements of the market, the macro and micro factors that are essential for companies to gain competitive advantage in the market, the key factors that will have the most significant influence on the growth trajectory of the market, and several other aspects of the Next Generation Implants (NGI) Market from a regional as well as a global perspective.Download Exclusive Free Sample Of This Report:In 2018, the global Next Generation Implants (NGI) market size was million US$ and it is expected to reach million US$ by the end of 2025, with a CAGR of during 2019-2025.This report focuses on the global Next Generation Implants (NGI) status, future forecast, growth opportunity, key market and key players. The study objectives are to present the Next Generation Implants (NGI) development in United States, Europe and China.The key players covered in this studyAbbott LaboratoriesArthrexBiotronik SE & Co. KGBOSTON SCIENTIFIC CORPORATIONC. R. BARD, INC.DANAHER CORPORATIONDENTSPLY SIRNA Inc.Edwards Lifesciences CorporationGlobus Medical Inc.Integer Holdings CorporationIntegra LifeSciences CorporationInstitut Straumann AGLifeNet Health, Inc.LivaNova PLCNovartis International AGMarket segment by Type, the product can be split intoMetals & Metal AlloysCeramicsPolymersBiologicsOthersMarket segment by Application, split intoOrthopedic ImplantsCardiovascular ImplantsOcular ImplantsDental ImplantsMarket segment by Regions/Countries, this report coversUnited StatesEuropeChinaJapanSoutheast AsiaIndiaCentral & South AmericaContact For Any Query or to Get Customized Report:The study objectives of this report are:To analyze global Next Generation Implants (NGI) status, future forecast, growth opportunity, key market and key players.To present the Next Generation Implants (NGI) development in United States, Europe and China.To strategically profile the key players and comprehensively analyze their development plan and strategies.To define, describe and forecast the market by product type, market and key regions.In this study, the years considered to estimate the market size of Next Generation Implants (NGI) are as follows:History Year: 2014-2018Base Year: 2018Estimated Year: 2019Forecast Year 2019 to 2025About ResearchMozResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.ResearchMozState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesEmail: sales@researchmoz.usWebsite @Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Tel: +1-518-621-2074For More Reports Visit @ Global Dairy Whitener Market Revenue Growth Predicted by 2017 to 2022 | Key Players are Britannia Industries Limited, HATSUN AGRO PRODUCT LTD, Schreiber Foods Inc., etc. https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=S&rep_id=144 https://www.factmr.com/report/144/dairy-whitener-market https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=AE&rep_id=144 https://www.factmr.com/ The purpose of this rich study presented by FactMR is to elaborate the various market projections impacting the global dairy whitener market during the period until 2028. This assessment delivers high-end statistics concerning market size (US$ 12 Billion by the end of 2022), Y-o-Y growth and revenue share linked to different geographies and segmentation types. Readers can acquire precise insights about growth trends along with opportunities that are expected to reshape the overall structure of the dairy whitener market during the forecast period.Request a Free Sample Report from Here As per a recently presented report by Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Intergovernmental Group (IGG), the global consumption of tea, particularly in China, India, and other emerging economies is anticipated to rise over the next decade, thereby creating more income opportunities for tea-producing nations. FactMR foresees this global trend to expand the demand for tea whiteners- both dairy and non-dairy in the coming years. Increasing awareness about the anti-inflammatory and weight-loss benefits of tea and the health risks associated with carbonated drinks and sweetened juices, will result in a notable consumption of dairy whiteners with tea.Growing preference for other beverage alternatives, containing lesser dairy content, is projected to impact the dairy whitener marketsignificantly, resulting in a sluggish consumption in United States and Europe. Increasing market share of other beverages like coffee and bottle water, as a result of increased public health consciousness, coupled with the lactose-intolerance factor is resulting in a decline in consumption levels. However, manufacturers of dairy whiteners could reverse the declining curve in Western countries with new product innovations including organic and specialty variants.Improved shelf-life, ease of handling, and ready-to-consume formats of dairy whiteners are key factors driving the consumption. Moreover, increasing demand for enhanced milk protein and fat content, is projected to present innovation opportunities to manufacturers of dairy whiteners and develop technologies for new products. Manufacturers have been exploring the ultrafiltration technique using buffalo milk to produce protein-rich, medium-fat dairy whiteners for enhanced texture and organoleptic quality.Browse Dairy Whitener Market Report with TOC Here -Powdered or dried milk have been gaining prominence among consumers owing to its low sugar and moisture content. Moreover, unhealthy additives including palm oil, hydrogenated oils, and Carrageenan emulsifier present in dairy whiteners will result in sluggish product adoption. Most importantly, powdered milk have found acceptance in infant foods by virtue of its nutritional profile. Nutrients added to infant formulas to enrich it with iron, calcium and vitamins is anticipated to drive the fortified commercial powdered or formula milk.Considering the changing landscape of the global dairy products market, largely owing to the imposition of retaliatory tariffs, has led to a shift in the market strategies adopted by key players in the global dairy whitener market. For Danone, a leading player in the global dairy whitener market, product innovation will remain the key driver to continually adapt to consumers need. Moreover, Danone is strategically moving towards plant-based foods and drinks to cater to the wide choices of consumers looking to broaden their protein sources and overall dietary preferences.Arla Food, a farmer-owned dairy cooperative, is likely to invest nearly 527 Billion Euros for its sustained growth and cater to the growing demand for dairy. The investment plan would also take care of the companys key categories and geographic expansion, majorly targeted in strategic markets including United States, Middle East and North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, and China and Southeast Asia. Nestle, Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group Co., Ltd, Morinaga Milk Industry Co., Ltd., Britannia Industries Limited, HATSUN AGRO PRODUCT LTD, and Schreiber Foods Inc are some more top companies included in the report on global dairy whitener market.For Any Query or Concern, Access this Link -About FactMRFactMR is a fast-growing market research firm that offers the most comprehensive suite of syndicated and customized market research reports. We believe transformative intelligence can educate and inspire businesses to make smarter decisions. We know the limitations of the one-size-fits-all approach; that's why we publish multi-industry global, regional, and country-specific research reports.Contact UsFactMR11140 Rockville PikeSuite 400, Rockville, MD 20852United StatesEmail: sales@factmr.comWeb: Future Armored Vehicles Active Protection Systems USA conference to discuss Active Protection Systems for Army Aircraft www.fav-aps.com/openpr www.fav-aps.com/openpr http://www.smi-online.co.uk SMi reports: US Army Futures Command to discuss Active Protection Systems for Army Aircraft at Future Armored Vehicles Active Protection Systems USA conference in JuneSMi groups Future Armored Vehicles Active Protection Systems USA conference will commence on the 11th and 12th June 2019, at the Hilton Arlington, Virginia, USA.This year, experts from the most forward-thinking nations will discuss the latest modular technology, hard/soft kill systems, sensors, threat data management, high performance computing, countermeasures, munitions, layered and integrated protection system, architecture service strategies and capability concerns and much more!Active Protection Systems are increasingly becoming a feature for ground combat vehicles; however, these are not the only platforms that will take advantage of these maturing technologies.Rotary platforms such as the AH-64, are also vulnerable to weapons that Active Protection Systems are able defend against. Helicopters will be able utilize the architecture and modular systems to protect themselves from ballistic threats in mission specific configurations. This capability will allow US Army helicopters to sustain operational effectiveness in increasingly hostile environmentsTo hear more about Active Protection Systems and how they are being adopted for Army Aircraft, attend the conference next month and listen to an exclusive presentation from Colonel Michael Best, Director, Capability Development and Integration Directorate, US Army Futures Command as he presents: Adopting and implementing Active Protection systems for Army Aircraft. Colonel Bests presentation will discuss Examining future aircraft survivability requirements Maximising sustained Army Aviation operations with active protection Safety obstacles for hard kill defence solutions Mission specific adaptations through the adoption of modular active protection systems for aircraftFor the comprehensive agenda with the full speaker line-up download the conference brochure atOther conference discussions not to miss include: The CCDC Roadmap for Producing Modular Integrated Active ProtectionSystems The Army Futures Command Vision for Modernizing Future ArmoredGround Systems Resilience through Active Protection Systems and Vehicle ProtectionSystems, for Current and Future Platforms in the US Army Adopting Networked Vehicle Sensor Technology to Detect and ProtectAgainst CBRN threatsThose who register will also benefit from International Perspectives from the UK, Israel, the Netherlands, Norway and many more!For those who would like to attend, there is a $100 early bird discount which expires on May 31st 2019, secure your discounted rate by registering atGold Sponsor: Leonardo DRS Sponsor: Collins Aerospace, Microflown Avisa, Rheinmetall DefenceFor details on tailored sponsorship and branding packages, please contact Sadia Malick on +44 (0) 20 7827 6740 or email: smalick@smi-online.co.ukFor media enquiries, please contact Natasha Boumediene on email: nboumediene@smi-online.co.uk_______________________________________________About SMi Group:Established since 1993, the SMi Group is a global event-production company that specializes in Business-to-Business Conferences, Workshops, Masterclasses and online Communities. We create and deliver events in the Defence, Security, Energy, Utilities, Finance and Pharmaceutical industries. We pride ourselves on having access to the worlds most forward-thinking opinion leaders and visionaries, allowing us to bring our communities together to Learn, Engage, Share and Network. More information can be found atGround & First Floor , 1 Westminster Bridge Road Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) Market Is Booming Worldwide with Key Players : Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Aurobindo Pharma, Pfizer Inc., Merck & Co., Inc. https://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=177964 https://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=E&repid=177964 https://www.researchmoz.us https://blogreportstudy.blogspot.com/ Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) Market OverviewBiotech/biological APIs have witnessed constant technological evolution, owing to a shift from synthetic chemical APIs to biotech/biological APIs in the global active pharmaceutical ingredients market.Rise in demand for new drugs at a low cost and entry of domestic and global companies in the APIs market have led to innovative product offerings with new and advanced techniques. Any substance or combination of substances used in a finished pharmaceutical product (FPP) is known as active pharmaceutical ingredients (API). A finished dose of any drug is a combination of active pharmaceutical ingredients and excipients. An excipient is an inactive substance in a drug dose.Get Free PDF Sample of the Report at:High-potency active pharmaceutical ingredients (HPAPIs) and antibody-drug conjugates are recent innovations in the market and require a special manufacturing set up. Most of these drugs are used in oncology. A large number of patents for small molecule APIs are expected to expire in the next few years, with many drugs losing patent protection in 2018. This is estimates to unlock a significant market opportunity for generic drug manufacturers, resulting in augmented demand for APIs. Large pharmaceutical companies are scaling down their small molecule manufacturing facilities to focus on biologic drugs, thereby presenting greater opportunities for contract manufacturing companies, particularly in Asia.A key trend of collaborations and acquisitions of related companies to increase geographic presence has been observed in the last few years. For instance, in July 2017, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. entered into a long-term manufacturing agreement with Samsung BioLogics for the manufacture of Ilumya.The global active pharmaceutical ingredients market has been broadly segmented based on manufacturer, APIs, drug, therapeutic, and region. In terms of manufacturer, the global market has been classified into in-house API manufacturing and API contract manufacturing. The in-house API manufacturing segment accounted for a key share of the global market, in terms of revenue, in 2017. The API contract manufacturing segment is estimated to expand at a significant growth rate during the forecast period. Consequently, the segment is estimated to gain significant market share by the end of 2026.In terms of region, the global active pharmaceutical ingredients market has been segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa. North America dominated the global market and is projected to lose market share by the end of 2026. The market in North America is primarily driven by a rapid increase in the geriatric population, high adoption of new drugs, and rise in group dental practices in the U.S.. The market in Asia Pacific is projected to expand at a rapid pace during the forecast period. In Asia Pacific, Japan dominated the active pharmaceutical ingredients market, while the market in China is estimated to expand at a prominent CAGR during the forecast period. The report also profiles major players in the market based on various attributes such as company overview, financial overview, SWOT analysis, key business strategies, product portfolio, and recent developments. Major players operating in global active pharmaceutical ingredients market include Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Aurobindo Pharma, Pfizer Inc., Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH., Merck & Co., Inc., Novartis AG, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, and Bayer AG..Make an Enquiry at:The global active pharmaceutical ingredients market has been segmented as given below:Global Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) Market, by ManufacturerIn-house API ManufacturingAPI Contract ManufacturingGlobal Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) Market, by APIsSynthetic Chemical APIBiotech/Biological APIPlant Extracts APIHigh-potency APIClassical Fermentation APIGlobal Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) Market, by DrugBranded or Innovative Prescription DrugsGeneric Prescription Drugsover-the-counter (OTC) DrugsOthersGlobal Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) Market, by TherapeuticAnti-infective DrugsMetabolic Disorders DrugsCardiovascular DrugsOncology DrugsCentral Nervous System DrugsRespiratory Diseases DrugsOthersGlobal Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) Market, by RegionNorth AmericaU.S.CanadaEuropeU.K.GermanyFranceItalySpainRest of EuropeAsia PacificChinaIndiaJapanAustralia & New ZealandRest of Asia PacificLatin AmericaBrazilMexicoRest of Latin AmericaMiddle East & AfricaGCCSouth AfricaIsraelRest of Middle East & AfricaResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.Mr. NachiketState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesEmail: sales@researchmoz.usWebsite:Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Follow us on LinkedIn @ bit.ly/1TBmnVGBlog: Future Scope of Nursing Pads Market 2019 | Estimated to Grow CAGR Rapidly |Global Key Players Dacco, AVENT, LilyPadz Nursing Pads, Bamboobies, Ameda, Medela | Business Outlook till 2023 Nursing Pads Market https://www.businessindustryreports.com/sample-request/150125 https://www.businessindustryreports.com/check-discount/150125 Nursing Pads Market report includes - Industry Future Trends, Growth Opportunity, Experts reviews and forecast period (2019-2023). A wide range of Applications, Utilization Ratio, Supply and Demand analysis are also consist in the Report. At the end report introduced new project SWOT analysis, investment feasibility analysis.Global Nursing Pads Market overview:Detailed Study on Nursing Pads is growing at a CAGR during Forecasts year 2023. 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.Available Exclusive Sample Copy of this Report @The Global Nursing Pads are small circles made from cotton-like fabric that are worn inside the bra. These Pads absorb any leaking breastmilk and prevent it from reaching the Nursing bra or shirt, thereby helping lactating mothers stay dry. Post-delivery nearly all new mother experiences some discomfort during breastfeeding. Nursing Pads help prevent milk from leaking by applying gentle pressure to the breasts. Nursing pads are often used during last days of pregnancy and throughout Nursing until the mother stops making milk. There are various types of nursing pads are available in the market. Demand for disposable Nursing Pads is rapidly increasing as these pads are convenient and hygienic.The Global Nursing Pads Market is segmented on the basis of Product Type, Application and Region. On the Basis of Product Type segment, the Nursing Pads Market is sub segmented into Polyester, Brushed Cotton, Cotton, Non-Woven Fabric, Wood Pulp, Thin Film.Based on Application segment, the Nursing Pads Market is sub segmented into Washable Nursing Pads, Disposable Nursing Pads. The disposable nursing pads segment is expected to expand at significant pace owing to its benefits such as waterproof back, convenient for use, comfortable, long staying power and cost-effective. Demand for silicone pads is also increasing exponentially as they are easy-to-use, there are no special instructions that need to be followed, and also gives artificial look.Grab Your Report at an Impressive Discount @In terms of the geographic analysis, Asia Pacific the adoption rate of Nursing Pads in developed economies is high owing to the increasing awareness regarding such products. Europe is expected to hold significant share of the Global Nursing Pads Market due to the large number of working mothers and increasing disposable income. Emerging economies presently have moderate adoption of these Pads due to lack of awareness.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.Some of the major players that operate in the Global Nursing Pads Market are Pigeon NUK, Dacco, AVENT, LilyPadz Nursing Pads, Bamboobies, Ameda, Medela, CHUCHU, Dry Mama, Milkies, Lanacare, Ivory, Kaili, Rikang, Zhejiang Huilun, Piyo Piyo, Good Boy,Xi Kang Ying.Market segment by Regions/Countries, this report covers:1 North America Country (United States, Canada)2 South America3 Asia Country (China, Japan, India, Korea)4 Europe Country (Germany, UK, France, Italy)5 Other Country (Middle East, Africa, GCC)Table of Contents:Global Nursing Pads Market Report 20191 Nursing Pads Definition2 Global Nursing Pads Market Major Player Share and Market Overview3 Major Player Nursing Pads Business Introduction4 Global Nursing Pads Market Segmentation (Region Level)5 Global Nursing Pads Market Segmentation (Product Type Level)6 Global Nursing Pads Market Segmentation (Industry Level)7 Global Nursing Pads Market Segmentation (Channel Level)8 Nursing Pads Market Forecast 2019-20239 Nursing Pads Segmentation Type10 Nursing Pads Segmentation Industry11 Nursing Pads Cost Analysis12 ConclusionAbout usBusinessindustryReports.com is digital database of comprehensive market reports for global industries. As a market research company, we take pride in equipping our clients with insights and data that holds the power to truly make a difference to their business. Our mission is singular and well-defined we want to help our clients envisage their business environment so that they are able to make informed, strategic and therefore successful decisions for themselves.Media ContactBusiness Industry ReportsPune Indiasales@businessindustryreports.com+19376349940 Failte Irelands May the 4th Be With You festival wraped up on Sunday after three days of events across the Kerry villages of Ballyferriter, Portmagee and Valentia Island and Donegals Inishowen Peninsula. Celebrating May the 4th (the day when fans across the globe commemorate the Star Wars Universe), the festival included a host of fun activities for all ages and sought to capitalise on the enthusiasm for the movie series, following filming for recent Star Wars films in locations along the Wild Atlantic Way.Highlights over the weekend included an epic lightsaber battle on the streets of Portmagee, a performance from Dingle native and five time World Champion Dancer David Geaney, who brought his hit Broadway show, Velocity, to Ballyferriter and Yoda Yoga on Port Ronan Beach.Speaking about the festival, Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross said:The May the 4th Be With You festival was designed to attract visitors to explore the Wild Atlantic Way, not only over the May the 4th weekend but throughout the year. With the addition of Donegal as well as Kerry as a location, this years festival highlighted all that the wonderful West Coast has to offer visitors.Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Brendan Griffin said:The second May the 4th Be With You festival was a great success with a range of exciting events returning to Kerry and taking place in Donegal for the first time. The inclusion of iconic Irish landscapes in the Star Wars films has given the Wild Atlantic Way fantastic exposure around the world and the festival is a brilliant opportunity to promote the West Coast of Ireland and the country as a whole.Failte Irelands Head of Festivals, Ciara Sugrue said:It has been a truly amazing weekend across Kerry and Donegal and Id like to thank the local tourism businesses and all those involved in both areas for coming together to help us make the festival bigger and better this year. Star Wars has created a curiosity around the Wild Atlantic Way and raised its profile amongst fans both domestically and internationally and this festival and the content we have been able to capture over the last few days will only raise the profile of the region further, attracting more visitors throughout the year.Speaking about the festival, Gerard Kennedy, owner of The Moorings in Portmagee said:The May the 4th Be With You festival has had a very positive impact on local businesses and the community here. Star Wars created a huge amount of excitement for the area. The May the 4th Be With You festival has really helped sustain this excitement and attract more visitors year round and since the inaugural festival took place last year, weve seen a real uplift in bookings. This weekend was another great success, highlighting all we have to offer here and were looking forward to welcoming more visitors this year on the back of the coverage weve received.Following the success of Failte Irelands first May the 4th Be With You festival in Kerry in May 2018, the festival also took place on the Inishowen Peninsula, Donegal this year.For more information, please visit: www.wildatlanticway.com/may-the-4th Jump to top Solid Tumors Treatment Market with Growth And Revenue Analysis By 2026 | Abbott Laboratories, Biogen Idec Incorporated, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson Solid Tumors Treatment Market www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-pdf/793 www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-sample/793 A solid tumor is an abnormal mass or lump of tissues without liquid or cysts. It is not necessary that tumor should always be cancerous. On the basis tumor nature, it can be classified as the malignant tumor (cancerous) and the benign tumor (non-cancerous). Based on the cell type, tumors can be classified as carcinomas, sarcomas, and lymphomas. The Solid tumors might occur in several places such as muscle, bone, and organs. Treatments for solid tumors include prevention of tumor and combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. However, new forms of treatment are emerging in the market.Download The PDF Brochure:Emerging trend of Biosimilars therapy is expected to propel the growth of solid tumors treatment marketAccording to data published in International Journal of Pharma Sciences and Research (IJPSR) in 2011, there were around 9 million deaths due to cancer. In 2015, 11.4 million people are expected to die in 2030, among this prevalence of cancer maximum is due to solid tumors. Growing prevalence of solid tumors is the major driving factor for the growth of solid tumors treatment market. Additionally, some other factors fuelling the growth of solid tumors treatment market include unmet demand for cancer treatment and rising investment in the research and development of cancer drugs. However, increase in the volume of generic therapeutic products, the high cost of cancer therapy, and growing drug patent cliff are some of the restraints that might hinder the growth of solid tumors treatment market.Moreover, the emerging trend of biosimilars is contributing to the growth of solid tumors treatment market due to their low cost and their similarity to originator compound. For instance, some of the biologics available for solid tumors treatment includes Herceptin, MabThera, Avastin, and Erbitux. The advantages of this biosimilars to overcome the limitations of generic drugs in the treatments is expected to propel the growth of solid tumors treatments market.Chemotherapy segment holds the maximum share in solid tumor treatment market due to its efficacy by combining with some other therapies to treat solid tumors.Rising incidences of solid tumor cases in North America is the factor contributing to the growth of solid tumor treatment marketRegional segmentation of Solid Tumors Treatment market by Coherent Market Insights comprises of North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Africa, and the Middle East. North America dominates in the solid tumors treatment market due to the presence of well-established healthcare infrastructure, and rise in the number of solid tumor cases. For instance, According to the data provided by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2013 around 230,815 females and 2109 men in the U.S. were diagnosed with breast cancer.Advanced drug therapy is expected to help the industry players to sustain in the solid tumors treatment marketKey industry players operating solid tumors treatment market include Abbott Laboratories Inc., Biogen Idec Incorporated, AstraZeneca Plc., Johnson & Johnson Company, Amgen Inc., Bristol Myers Squibb Company, GlaxoSmithKline Plc., Sanofi, and Baxter International Incorporated. Advancements in the cancer therapy such as nanomedicines used for the treatment of cancer might help the industry players to provide effective patient care in the solid tumors treatment. Whereas, stringent regulatory policies for drug manufacturing may restrain the growth of the market. For instance, by regulations provided by the Indian government in late 2012, there are cap prices of 348 drugs on Essential Drug List (EDL), and drug manufacturers need to keep the cost of their drugs below the ceiling price.Request For Sample Copy of This Research Report:About Coherent Market Insights:Coherent Market Insights is a prominent market research and consulting firm offering action-ready syndicated research reports, custom market analysis, consulting services, and competitive analysis through various recommendations related to emerging market trends, technologies, and potential absolute dollar opportunity.Contact Us:Mr.ShahCoherent Market Insights1001 4th Ave,#3200Seattle, WA 98154Tel: +1-206-701-6702Email:sales@coherentmarketinsights.com Mobile Resource Management (MRM) Solution Market Enhancement in Healthcare Sector 2018 to 2026 Mobile Resource Management https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/ongoing-insight/mobile-resource-management-solution-market-642 https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-sample/642 https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/talk-to-analyst/642 Mobile Resource Management (MRM) Solution market is rapidly gaining application importance as powerful business productivity tool owing to its ability to integrate wireless connectivity, location technologies, hardware, data interoperability server, and transaction processing onto single platforms. This system and services also known as commercial telematics, finds major applications in asset, workforce and fleet monitoring and tracking systems, is expected to considerable demand growth over the forecast period.For More Information @Transportation and logistics application segment is expected to remain the primary growth driverTransportation and logistics are the prominent application segments owing to requirement of these systems and services to monitor fleet vehicles and assets such as heavy equipment and trailers. Moreover, proliferation of GPS enabled smartphones and tablets have found increased applications for management of mobile workers. According to Coherent Market Insights, the MRM applications in the segment contributes to around 10 million units, in the U.S. alone.Reduction in costs achieved and high rate of return on investments (ROI) is anticipated to be the prominent industry growth driverUtilization of these systems allows end use industry to enable efficient means of managing data, costs and increased accountability. The data received from these systems is stored in standardized database, which is easily accessible on demand. This enables end user to create meaningful reports regarding the performance of the workforce, and plan decisions accordingly. Moreover, reduced paper work related expenses, low overtime labor costs, accurate job evaluation, and high job completion rates enables increased profit margins. These factors are expected to garner increased adoption rates and propel the mobile resource management solution market over the forecast period.High initial cost and reluctance of SMBs towards the mobile resource management solution is expected to present major growth challengeSignificant number of small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) have reported lack of requirement of these solutions for their operations. Moreover, substantial initial costs of these system deployments is a major concern, even for the large organizations can present potential growth challenge to the industry growth. High upfront costs are primarily associated with the hardware expense and the requirement for backend integration and customization costs.For In depth Information Get Sample Copy of this Report @U.S. held the major industry share, whereas Asia Pacific is expected to witness highest growth during the forecast periodAccording to Coherent Market Insights research, even though U.S. held the major industry share in 2016, the industry penetration was still around 40% in the region. Owing to this factor, even U.S. is expected to witness significant growth potential over the forecast years. Asia Pacific has witnessed significant increase in trade activities over the past few years, primarily owing to outsourcing of production activities in the region. China, Japan, India, South Korea and Indonesia are among the major countries that may offer significant growth opportunities owing to rampant growth of end-use industries. Moreover, requirement to monitor the export of manufactured goods and amenities, will help the industry participants establish strong foothold in the region.Chief industry participants in the mobile resource management solutions market include AppLocation Systems, Inc., AT&T, CalAmp Corporation, Garmin International, Masternaut, PeopleNet Communications Corporation, SkyBitz, Inc., and Spireon, Inc. Industry participants are increasingly making efforts to provide cutting edge solutions to enhance its applications and expand their regional presence in order to strengthen their foothold in the market. For instance, CompassCom announced it plans to introduce its MRM solutions to leverage their investments in ArcGIS. Their solutions are featured with real time monitoring and asset tracking, improved safety, accountability and efficiency for assets and personnel, in June 2017.Mobile Resource Management (MRM) Solution Market TaxonomyOn the basis of technology, the global mobile resource management solution market is classified into: Field force management Field service automation Mobile sales force automationOn the basis of components, the global mobile resource management solution market is classified into: Hardware Connectivity Data Interoperability Server Geographic information system (GIS) Data Decision making, Viewing and Reporting SoftwareOn the basis of end users, the global mobile resource management solution market is classified into: Transportation & Logistics Energy & Utilities Healthcare Construction OthersInquire Here Before Purchase of Research Report @About Coherent Market Insights:Coherent Market Insights is a prominent market research and consulting firm offering action-ready syndicated research reports, custom market analysis, consulting services, and competitive analysis through various recommendations related to emerging market trends, technologies, and potential absolute dollar opportunity.Contact Us:Mr. ShahCoherent Market Insights1001 4th Ave,#3200Seattle, WA 98154Tel: +1-206-701-6702Email: sales@coherentmarketinsights.com Batten Disease Treatment Market Growth, Industry Outlook and Overview up to 2026| Seneb BioSciences, BioMarin Pharmaceuticals and ReGenX Biosciences Batten Disease Treatment Market www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-pdf/831 www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-sample/831 Batten disease is a rare, inherent, and fatal autosomal recessive neural disorder that begins in the childhood but may take a few years to show symptoms. Batten disease is one of the approximately 50 diseases that fall under the category of lysosome shortage disorders. The batten disease also referred as Neuronal ceroid Lipofuscinoses (NCLs), which is a class of life-limiting genetic neurogenerative diseases that are caused due to abnormality of genes resulting in their inability to synthesize required protein. This disease is characterized by malfunctioning of body, which usually appears around the age of 2-10 with symptoms, such as seizures or gradual onset of vision problem.Download The PDF Brochure:The early signs may show subtle changes in behavior and learning, however over time, the child suffers from mental impairment, progressive loss of sight, speech and motor reactions, worsening seizures, eventually leading to blindness dementia, and finally death. These disease is diagnosed with the help of certain tests, such as blood or urine tests, skin or tissue dampening, brain scans, and imaging techniques, which includes, computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The batten disease is characterized into four types as follows:Attempts by collaborations of research bodies for introduction to reliable treatment options for batten disease giving hopes to commonersThe batten disease treatment market is not dense on the global level, however the developed economies of North America and Europe are expected to contribute to the growth of the market. This attributes to the increasing incidence of batten disease and high prevalence rates in American as well as European countries. For instance, a joint study between Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Childrens Hospital, and Kings College London have discovered a treatment that has helped to improve the neurological symptoms in the mouse model of juvenile batten disease. This research held a novel approach of counteracting the accumulation of the cellular waste in Batten disease by acting on TFEB, which is a master transcription factor that stimulates the production of lysosomes by the cell body and directs cellular apoptosis. This has brought a ray of hope to patients and families affected by battens disease.Improper treatment facility for batten disease responsible to attract the attention of various players to enter the untapped potential batten disease treatment marketThe rising incidence of the batten disease without effective treatment option for the prevention and cure of the disease is the primary driver for batten disease market, due to which several companies are vying to enter into the untapped global batten disease treatment market. However, the lack of awareness among manufacturers and patient population as well as unavailability of treatment for this disease are greatly hampering the growth of the global batten disease treatment market.Although, the global batten disease treatment market is very scarce, few key players offering cell regeneration therapies and few other forms of medication include Seneb BioSciences, Inc., BioMarin Pharmaceuticals and ReGenX Biosciences LLC. The U.S. FDA has recently approved BioMarins first ever drug to treat batten disease known as Brineura in 2017.Request For Sample Copy Of this Research Report:About Coherent Market Insights:Coherent Market Insights is a prominent market research and consulting firm offering action-ready syndicated research reports, custom market analysis, consulting services, and competitive analysis through various recommendations related to emerging market trends, technologies, and potential absolute dollar opportunity.Contact Us:Mr.ShahCoherent Market Insights1001 4th Ave,#3200Seattle, WA 98154Tel: +1-206-701-6702Email:sales@coherentmarketinsights.com Penetration Testing Market Business Development Analysis to 2023 WhiteHat Security, Rapid7, Acunetix, Trustwave Holdings, Veracode, IBM Corporation, Checkmarx, Cigital, Qualys, Hewlett Packard Enterprise https://www.qurateresearch.com/report/sample/CR/QBI-MR-CR-146346 https://www.qurateresearch.com/report/enquiry/CR/QBI-MR-CR-146346 https://www.qurateresearch.com/report/buy/CR/QBI-MR-CR-146346/ https://www.qurateresearch.com/ A report added to the rich database of Qurate Business Intelligence, titled Penetration Testing Market - Global Industry Analysis and Forecast to 2023, provides a 360-degree overview of the Global market. Approximations associated with the market values over the forecast period are based on empirical research and data collected through both primary and secondary sources. The authentic processes followed to exhibit various aspects of the market makes the data reliable in context to particular time period and industry.Request Free Sample Copy of Penetration Testing Market Report@Major market players in Penetration Testing Market are WhiteHat Security, Rapid7, Inc., Acunetix, Trustwave Holdings, Inc., Veracode, IBM Corporation, Checkmarx, Cigital, Inc., Qualys, Inc., Hewlett Packard Enterprise.This report is highly informative document with inclusion of comprehensive market data associated with the significant elements and subdivision of the Global Penetration Testing Market that may impact the growth scenarios of the industry. The report may commendably help trades and decision makers to address the challenges and to gain benefits from highly competitive Global Penetration Testing Market.Global Penetration Testing Market is research report of comprehensive nature which entails information in relation with major regional markets, current scenarios. This includes key regional areas such as North America, Global, Asia-Pacific, etc. and the foremost countries such as Global, Germany, United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea, Global and China.Query Discussion with Analyst@The Global Penetration Testing Market report attempts to build familiarity of the market through sharing basic information associated with the aspects such as definitions, classifications, applications and market overview, product specifications, manufacturing processes, cost structures, raw materials and more. Furthermore, it strives to analyze the crucial regional markets, including the product price, profit, capacity, production, supply, demand and market growth rate. It also discusses forecast for the same. The report concludes with new project SWOT analysis, investment feasibility analysis, and investment return analysis.In addition, this report identifies pin-point analysis of competitive dashboard and helps readers to develop competitive edge over others. It delivers a noteworthy data and insights associated with factors driving or preventing the growth of the market. It brings a nine-year forecast evaluated on the basis of how the market is expected to perform.It assists readers in understanding the key product sections and their future. Its counsels in taking well-versed business decisions by giving complete intuitions of the market and by forming a comprehensive analysis of market subdivisions. To sum up, it also provides confident graphics and personalized SWOT analysis of foremost market subdivisions.Purchase Penetration Testing Market Report@This statistical surveying report presents comprehensive assessment of the Global market for Penetration Testing Market, discussing several market verticals such as the production capacity, product pricing, the dynamics of demand and supply, sales volume, revenue, growth rate and more.Table of Content:Global Penetration Testing Market Research Report 2019-2023Chapter 1: Industry OverviewChapter 2: Global Penetration Testing Market International Market AnalysisChapter 3: Environment Analysis of Global Penetration Testing MarketChapter 4: Analysis of Revenue by ClassificationsChapter 5: Analysis of Revenue by Regions and ApplicationsChapter 6: Analysis of Global Penetration Testing Market Revenue Market Status.Chapter 7: Analysis of Global Penetration Testing Market Industry Key ManufacturersChapter 8: Sales Price and Gross Margin AnalysisChapter 9: Marketing Trader or Distributor Analysis of Penetration Testing MarketChapter 10: Development Trend of Penetration Testing Market Industry 2019-2023Chapter 11: Industry Chain Suppliers of Penetration Testing Market with Contact InformationChapter 12: New Project Investment Feasibility Analysis of Penetration Testing MarketChapter 13: Conclusion of the Global Penetration Testing Market Research ReportAbout Us:Qurate Business Intelligence delivers unique market research solutions to its customers and help them to get equipped with refined information and market insights derived from reports. We are committed to providing best business services and easy processes to get the same. Qurate Business Intelligence considers themselves as strategic partners of their customers and always shows the keen level of interest to deliver quality.Runwal Platinum,Ramnagar Colony, Bavdhan,Pune, Maharashtra, India-411021IN +919881074592info@qurateresearch.com Newborn Screening Market Opportunities, Drivers, Challenges and Top Player Agilent Technologies, AB SCIEX, Bio-Rad Laboratories, Covidien PLC, GE Life Sciences, Masimo Corporation Newborn Screening https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-sample/2192 https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-pdf/2192 Newborn screening describes various tests that are performed during first few hours or days of an infants life. These tests have the potential for preventing severe health problems, including death. Newborn screening has evolved from a simple urine or blood screening test to a more comprehensive and complex screening system capable of detecting over 50 different conditions. Newborn screening tests measure a number of markers in infants blood that can be either decreased or increased if an infant has certain diseases. Currently, conditions such as cystic fibrosis (CF), congenital hypothyroidism, phenylketonuria (PKU), and around 22 other metabolic conditions that affect protein or fat metabolism can be diagnosed through newborn screening tests.The global newborn screening market size was valued at US$ 561.5 million in 2018, and is expected to witness a CAGR of 12.4% over the forecast period (2018 2026).Several governments are taking initiative in increasing awareness about newborn screening tests and are offering free screening services in some regions. For instance, in September 2018, the Florida Department of Health launched the Newborn Screening (NBS) Web Order Application. This statewide initiative has been developed to ensure efficiency and accuracy of newborn screening information submitted to the Bureau of Public Health Laboratories.Moreover, novel biomarkers and analytical technologies are driving the evolution of Newborn Screening (NBS) programs. For instance, a rapid and highly sensitive point-of-care testing device has been developed and commercialized for the diagnosis of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD). According to a BMC Medicine Journal study 2015, SCD test demonstrated 99% specificity and 99% sensitivity for the diagnosis of several hemoglobin (Hb) variants: sickle cell trait (Hb AS), sickle cell anemia (Hb SS), Hb AA, Hb AC, and Hb SC, and requires only 5 L of blood. Similarly, Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) technologies are expected to impact newborn screening in the near future.Request For Sample Copy:Newborn Screening Market RestraintsHowever, lack of consensus for screening is a major restraining factor for newborn screening market growth. There is little agreement among countries on which specific disorders should be included in NBS programs. Although some countries screen for only one Inherited Metabolic Disorders (IMD), others screen for over 30 conditions. For instance, according to the Nature Medicine Journal 2012 study, screening strategies in Europe vary between countries. Moreover, in some countries such as Belgium, Italy, and Spain, policy-making is decentralized to regions or provinces that have separate NBS programs.Similar conditions are observed in the U.S. where one state may result in screening a different set of disorders compared to a neighboring state. This absence of agreement on screening tests is due to the lack of high-quality observational evidence for most disorders. Furthermore, multiple challenges need to be confronted including false negative and false positive results of screening tests, inadequate information about the natural history of disease, limited access in some geographic areas to advanced technologies, and treatment of conditions with various phenotypes.New Born Screening Test Market - Regional InsightsOn the basis of region, the global newborn screening market is segmented into North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa. By 2026, North America and Europe are expected to generate major revenue share in the global newborn screening market, owing to the presence of a better reimbursement structure, development of well-equipped healthcare infrastructure, and availability of trained medical professionals. According to the U.S. government, for the 2018 fiscal year, the Newborn Screening Quality Assurance Program at the CDC is funded at US$ 8.4 million and the Heritable Disorders program at Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is funded at $13.88 million. The most common newborn screening tests in the U.S. include, hypothyrodism, galactosemia, PKU (phenylketonuria), and sickle cell disease. Increasing government funding in Europe for NBS within a national health service or a statutory health insurance, is expected to drive newborn screening market growth in Europe.Asia Pacific newborn screening market is expected to foresee highest growth rate during the forecast period, owing to increasing incidences of premature births, high birth rates in countries such as China and India, and increasing healthcare awareness among regional population. According to WHO, 2012 report, most neonatal deaths occur in Asia, which accounted for 40% of the global neonatal deaths. Moreover, in India, less than 1% of infants are screened and over 1.6 million infants are born with birth defects, annually. These factors are expected to propel growth of the global newborn screening market in the region.Download the PDF brochure:About Coherent Market Insights:Coherent Market Insights is a prominent market research and consulting firm offering action-ready syndicated research reports, custom market analysis, consulting services, and competitive analysis through various recommendations related to emerging market trends, technologies, and potential absolute dollar opportunity.Contact Us:Mr.ShahCoherent Market Insights1001 4th Ave,#3200Seattle, WA 98154Tel: +1-206-701-6702Email:sales@coherentmarketinsights.com Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare Market Explore Growth and Analysis Top Players IBM Corporation, Google, Inc., NVIDIA Corporation, Microsoft Corporation, iCarbonX, Next IT Corp., CloudMex Inc., Atomwise Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-sample/436 https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-customization/436 www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-discount/436 Increasing application of AI technologies, from pharma drug development to patient care is expected to support growth of artificial intelligence in healthcare market. Moreover, increasing number of collaborations among leading AI vendors and life sciences companies may help in rapid introduction of AI in medical devices and drug development. Pharmaceutical organizations can speed up the process of drug development, from drug discovery to commercialization, by using artificial intelligence. It can aid in development of personalized medicine. It is also increasingly being used for applications in advanced disease management such as cancer diagnosis and treatment, as studies have suggested that artificial intelligence may detect breast cancer spread to lymph nodes.Get a Request Sample of Research Report @For instance, Researchers from MITs Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL), Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital collaborated to apply AI in detection and diagnosis of breast cancer. The model developed by these scientists correctly diagnosed 97% of the cases. Artificial intelligence holds major potential in medical imaging and diagnosis of the diseases. Therefore, government organizations are increasing research in this field. For instance, In October 2017, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer (NCRCC) in China signed a deal with the Institute of Computing Technology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), in order to use artificial intelligence in medical imaging.Increasing research and development by leading players in In AI for healthcare application is expected to support growth of the artificial intelligence in healthcare market. IBM Corporation partnered with University of California, in order to enhance quality of life through artificial intelligence in October 2017. Moreover, IBM Watson and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) collaborated for joint research in artificial intelligence in September 2017. Two Israel based startups CLEW Medical and Viz.ai launched predictive analytics platform and direct-to-intervention system to automatically analyze brain CTs respectively, in January 2018.Request for Customization of Research Report @Furthermore, Seegene, Inc. successfully developed molecular diagnostic assays by using artificial intelligence-based assay development system in January 2018. In May 2017, CJ Healthcare Corporation a South Korea-based company partnered with Syntekabio, Inc. to co-develop a new anticancer immunotherapy using artificial intelligence model.Key players in the market are focusing on partnership and new product launch strategies, in order to enhance their market share. For instance, in 2017, NVIDIA Corporation partnered with GE Healthcare and Nuance to integrate NVIDIAs deep learning platform with GE Healthcare medical imaging devices. Atomwise, Inc. launched a research program to accelerate drug discovery by using artificial intelligence in April 2017. Partners Connected Health and Hitachi Ltd. developed an artificial intelligence (AI) technology, which can predict hospital readmissions within 30 days for heart failure patients.Manufacturers are focusing on integrating artificial intelligence with healthcare systems through natural language processing, machine learning, and algorithms. For instance, ExcelMedical received approval from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) for Wave Clinical Platform in January 2018. This is an algorithm, which can predict sudden heart attacks and respiratory failure based on patients vitals. Deep Genomics, Inc. raised US$ 13 million in September 2017, to develop genetic medicines by using their artificial intelligence technology. Oncora Medical raised US$ 1.2 million to further develop its radiation oncology platform in 2016 using AI.Inquire about Discount on this Report @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.1001 4th Ave,, #3200, Seattle, WA 98154 Smart Textiles in Military Market: Emerging Trends, Highlights and Challenges Forecast 2027 | Top Key Players - BAE Systems, E. I. du Pont de Nemours, Mide Technology, Milliken & Company, Ohmatex, Outlast Technologies, etc Smart Textiles in Military Market http://bit.ly/2WvWDD8 http://bit.ly/2WAFKY5 http://bit.ly/2Ws3ygs Smart textiles are rapidly penetrating every segment of the market. The latest and most promising among these could be the military sector. Smart textiles in the military focus on improving the performance and capabilities of the soldier in the battleground. Incorporation of actuators, sensors and control units into the military fabric enable various function such as communication, survivability and mobility to the soldiers. In addition, certain smart military textiles are engineered to optimally respond to external stimuli including temperature, vibration and light intensity.Worldwide Smart Textiles in Military Market Analysis to 2027 is a specialized and in-depth study of the Smart Textiles in Military industry with a focus on the global market trend. The report aims to provide an overview of global Smart Textiles in Military market with detailed market segmentation by product/application and geography. The global Smart Textiles in Military market is expected to witness high growth during the forecast period.Leading Smart Textiles in Military Market Players:BAE Systems Plc, E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, Mide Technology Corp., Milliken & Company, Ohmatex A/S, Outlast Technologies LLC, Schoeller Textil AG, TenCate Protective Fabrics - US, Texas Instruments Incorporated, W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.Get Sample Copy of this Report atThe Insight Partner's dedicated research and analysis team consist of experienced professionals with advanced statistical expertise and offer various customization options in the existing study.An exclusive Smart Textiles in Military market research report created through broad primary research (inputs from industry experts, companies and stakeholders) and secondary research, the report aims to present the analysis of Global Smart Textiles in Military Market By Type - Active Smart, Passive Smart, Ultra Smart, By Application - Energy Harvest, Thermal, Protectiona and mobility, Health Monitoring, By Region - North America, Europe, South America, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa. The report intends to provide cutting-edge market intelligence and help decision makers take sound investment evaluation. Besides, the report also identifies and analyses the emerging trends along with major drivers, challenges and opportunities in the global Smart Textiles in Military market.Additionally, the report also highlights market entry strategies for various companies across the globe.The report provides a detailed overview of the industry including both qualitative and quantitative information. It provides overview and forecast of the global Smart Textiles in Military market based on product and application. It also provides market size and forecast till 2027 for overall Smart Textiles in Military market with respect to five major regions, namely; North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific (APAC), Middle East and Africa (MEA) and South America (SAM), which is later sub-segmented by respective countries and segments. The report evaluates market dynamics effecting the market during the forecast period i.e., drivers, restraints, opportunities, and future trend and provides exhaustive PEST analysis for all five regions.Get discount on Purchase report atAlso, key Smart Textiles in Military market players influencing the market are profiled in the study along with their SWOT analysis and market strategies. The report also focuses on leading industry players with information such as company profiles, products and services offered, financial information of last 3 years, key development in past five years.Key Benefits of Buying this Research Study:Save and reduce time carrying out entry-level research by identifying the growth, size, leading players and segments in the global Smart Textiles in Military MarketHighlights key business priorities in order to assist companies to realign their business strategiesThe key findings and recommendations highlight crucial progressive industry trends in the Smart Textiles in Military Market, thereby allowing players across the value chain to develop effective long term strategiesDevelop/modify business expansion plans by using substantial growth offering developed and emerging marketsScrutinize in-depth global market trends and outlook coupled with the factors driving the market, as well as those hindering itExamine the political, economic, social and technology impact of the five regions namely: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa and South America.Table of ContentsINTRODUCTIONKEY TAKEAWAYSRESEARCH METHODOLOGYSmart Textiles in Military MARKET LANDSCAPESmart Textiles in Military MARKET- KEY INDUSTRY DYNAMICSSmart Textiles in Military MARKET- GLOBAL ANALYSISSmart Textiles in Military MARKET REVENUE AND FORECASTS TO 2027 TYPESmart Textiles in Military MARKET REVENUE AND FORECASTS TO 2027 - ApplicationSmart Textiles in Military MARKET REVENUE AND FORECASTS TO 2027 - GEOGRAPHICAL ANALYSISINDUSTRY LANDSCAPESmart Textiles in Military MARKET, KEY COMPANY PROFILESAPPENDIXPurchase a Copy of Report atAbout Us:The Insight Partners is a one stop industry research provider of actionable intelligence. We help our clients in getting solutions to their research requirements through our syndicated and consulting research services. We are a specialist in Technology, Healthcare, Manufacturing, Automotive and Defense.533, 5th Floor, Amanora Chambers,Amanora Township, East Block,Kharadi Road, Hadapsar, Pune-411028Contact Us:Call: +1-646-491-9876Email: sales@theinsightpartners.com Aperture Bio Ready to Introduce its Diagnostic Platform to Combat Antibiotic Resistance Through Rapid Detection of Bacterial Infections & Antibiotic Profiling within Hours www.Aperturebio.com (Dallas, TX - 4/1/19) -. After more than two-years of clinical evaluations conducted at Northwestern, Washington University and University of Vermont Medical Center, Aperture Bio has announced it is ready to introduce its proprietary testing platform, the RAPID-BTM, and the empiriSTAT-UTI, for the rapid detection of uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) and antibiotic profiling performed within hours.Utilizing highly customized and fully robotic next-gen flow cytometric technology (nFC), coupled with proprietary chemistry and customized platting, the RAPID-BTM platform can discriminate live uropathogen bacteria from those that are dead/damaged, as well as, normal urogenital contaminants, which could result in false positives and lead to unnecessary treatment.Centered around a sensitive array of lasers, the system enumerates only viable bacteria and white blood cells within minutes and provides Antibiotic Predictive Profiling (APP) within hours. Specifically knowing which patients to treat and providing a rapid, categorical assessment of treatment options could both greatly reduce the risks for millions of patients being unnecessarily overexposed to antibiotics and save millions in healthcare costs.Achieving 98% sensitivity and 88% specificity, the empiriSTAT-UTI is the first in a series of in vitro tests developed to increase the speed and accuracy of identifying bacterial infections from both urine and blood. The speed and accuracy of the test will reduce turn-around-times with actionable results from days to hours when compared to current screen, culture and reflexed Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing (AST.) By rapidly isolating those patients that are negative vs. positive aids healthcare professionals to quickly and accurately identify not only those patients that may require further treatment, but equally as important, those that do not require antibiotic treatments.The urgent need to reduce the overuse and misuse of antibiotics through empirical prescribing is at the forefront of the world's public health agencies;The United Nations (U.N.'s) Interagency Coordination Group on Antimicrobial Resistance released a report in 2019 stating that "drug-resistant infections will kill 10 million people annually by 2050? and specifically calls for "more initiatives aimed at limiting unnecessary antibiotic use."The World Health Organization (WHO) states, "Antibiotic resistance is rising to dangerously high levels in all parts of the world. New resistance mechanisms are emerging and spreading globally. Without urgent action, we are heading for a post- antibiotic era in which common infections and minor injuries can once again kill."The Commissioner of the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) stated that "Antimicrobial resistance is a global public health challenge. Combating antimicrobial resistance continues to be a top priority. Our aim is to reduce overuse of antimicrobial drugs and combat the rising threat of resistance."The Infectious Disease Society of American (IDSA) stated "Because treatment of acute uncomplicated cystitis is usually empirical, it is likely that some women will be treated with a drug that does not have in vitro activity against the uropathogen. As the population resistance prevalence of a specific agent increases, the likelihood of failure outweighs the benefits of using the drug empirically."The unintentional overuse and misuse of antibiotics is, in great part, due to the empirical over-prescribing in a partially 'blind,? defensive response by caregivers as they await lab results. With reports suggesting that +/-90% of blood and +/-60% of urine cultures come back negative, the ability to accurately and rapid discriminate positive vs. negative patients within minutes for urine, and a few hours in blood, could significantly reduce this overuse and misuse, which is at the foundation of the antibiotic resistance pandemic.The speed and accuracy of the empiriSTAT test has demonstrated to out-perform other screening methods including chemical strips, microscopy and PCR. Even standard urinalysis screening, which is semiquantitative and lacks precision and standardization, results in a high rate of misinterpretation, which can lead to under-treatment, or more often, over-treatment with empirical antibiotics. When compared to current screening and culture methodology accompanied with follow through AST testing, which all can take days, the RAPID-BTM could change how bacterial infections are detected and treated, disrupting the multi-billion-dollar laboratory testing industry.In a statement from Matthew Gombrich, MD, M.S, Chief Medical Officer at Aperture Bio, 'in an era of alarming rates of antibiotic resistance, the negative predictive value of what we have achieved cannot be overstated. Reducing the overuse and misuse of antibiotics through new technology like the RAPID-B could help save millions of lives and billions of dollars ...and should be in the hands of healthcare providers today."Aperture Bio is a privately held laboratory diagnostic company whose focus is to bring emerging technologies to market aimed at addressing antibiotic resistance and other world health issues. The company is currently seeking B Series investors to further expand its product offering and the commercialization of its proprietary RAPID-BTM platform. For investment opportunities, please contact Mr. David Potenza dpotenza@aperturebio.comAperture Bio, LLC20 Winter Sport LnSte 150Williston, VT 05495David PotenzaPresidentdpotenza@aperturebio.com214-707-8710 E-pharmacy Market Size Detail Analysis focusing on Key Players like DocMorris (Zr Rose Group AG),Express Scripts Holdings Company, Giant Eagle, Inc.Rowlands Pharmacy https://www.marketstudyreport.com/request-a-sample/1694971/?utm_source=openpr.com&utm_medium=Deepak https://www.marketstudyreport.com/check-for-discount/1694971/?utm_source=openpr.com&utm_medium=Deepak https://www.marketstudyreport.com/reports/e-pharmacy-market-by-regions-north-america-u-s-canada-europe-germany-uk-france-italy-russia-asia-pacific-china-india-japan-australia-latin-america-brazil-mexico-middle-east-africa-uae-saudi-arabia-south-africa-market-size-forecast-2017-2026/?utm_source=openpr.com&utm_medium=Deepak www.marketstudyreport.com www.marketstudyreport.com/blog Market Study Report has added a new report on E-pharmacy market that provides a comprehensive review of this industry with respect to the driving forces influencing the market size. Comprising the current and future trends defining the dynamics of this industry vertical, this report also incorporates the regional landscape of E-pharmacy market in tandem with its competitive terrain.According to a new research the global E-pharmacy market is anticipated to reach more than USD 129 billion by 2026. Increment in predominance of unending conditions and illnesses over the globe is bringing about steady development popular for different medications and medicinal services items. High cost of treatment is demonstrating the need to decrease medicinal services cost. Comfort, reasonableness, and simplicity in accessibility of prescriptions are powering market development.Request a sample of this premium report at:High growing needs for pharmaceutical products in developing economies is one of the key driving factors for the E-pharmacy market. Government activities, increment in ventures, evolving controls, and expanding entrance of web and broadband in urban and village areas are adding to its development. Numerous new players are entering into this market as the social media is putting forth immense potential to the online retailers who are consistently developing interest for medicinal services items and administrations.Online drug stores are picking up pace attributable to lucrative offers, for example, value rebates that result in cost cutting funds. Additionally, increment in use of e-remedies in doctor?s facilities and other medicinal services clinics is additionally anticipated to support development.The U.S. is the biggest market in North America inferable from the nearness of different key players and a huge well-informed population. Asia Pacific is expected to be the fastest developing section because of its rising economies such as China and India. North America held dominant part of the offer in 2017 because of increment in online buys, developing elderly population, and high appropriation of IT in social insurance.Request a discount on standard prices of this premium report at:Table of Contents1. 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-aways1.5. Stakeholders2. Executive Summary2.1. Market Definition2.2. Market Segmentation3. E-pharmacy Market Insights3.1. E-pharmacy ? Industry snapshot3.2. E-pharmacy - Ecosystem analysis3.3. E-pharmacy market dynamics3.3.1. E-pharmacy ? Market Forces3.3.1.1. E-pharmacy Market driver analysis3.3.1.2. E-pharmacy Market restraint/challenges analysis3.3.1.3. E-pharmacy Market opportunity analysis3.3.2. Industry analysis - Porter's five force3.3.2.1. Bargaining power of supplier3.3.2.2. Bargaining power of buyer3.3.2.3. Threat of substitute3.3.2.4. Threat of new entrant3.3.2.5. Degree of competition3.3.3. E-pharmacy market PEST analysis, 20173.3.4. E-pharmacy Industry trends3.3.5. Competitive Ranking Analysis4. E-pharmacy Market Size and Forecast by Regions4.1. Key findings4.2. North America E-pharmacy market, 2017 - 20264.2.1. U.S. E-pharmacy market, 2017 - 20264.2.2. Canada E-pharmacy market, 2017 - 20264.3. Europe E-pharmacy market, 2017 - 20264.3.1. Germany E-pharmacy market, 2017 - 20264.3.2. UK E-pharmacy market, 2017 - 20264.3.3. France E-pharmacy market, 2017 - 20264.3.4. Italy E-pharmacy market, 2017 - 20264.4. Asia Pacific E-pharmacy market, 2017 - 20264.4.1. China E-pharmacy market, 2017 - 20264.4.2. India E-pharmacy market, 2017 - 20264.4.3. Japan E-pharmacy market, 2017 - 20264.4.4. Australia E-pharmacy market, 2017 - 20274.5. Latin America E-pharmacy market, 2017 - 20264.5.1. Brazil E-pharmacy market, 2017 - 20264.5.2. Mexico E-pharmacy market, 2017 - 20264.6. Middle East & Africa E-pharmacy market, 2017 - 20264.6.1. UAE E-pharmacy market, 2017 - 20264.6.2. Saudi Arabia E-pharmacy market, 2017 - 20265. Company Profiles5.1. CVS Health5.1.1. Overview5.1.2. Financials5.1.3. Product Benchmarking5.1.4. Recent Developments5.2. DocMorris (Zur Rose Group AG)5.2.1. Overview5.2.2. Financials5.2.3. Product Benchmarking5.2.4. Recent Developments5.3. Express Scripts Holdings Company5.3.1. Overview5.3.2. Financials5.3.3. Product Benchmarking5.3.4. Recent Developments5.4. Giant Eagle, Inc.5.4.1. Overview5.4.2. Financials5.4.3. Product Benchmarking5.4.4. Recent Developments5.5. Optum Rx, Inc5.5.1. Overview5.5.2. Financials5.5.3. Product Benchmarking5.5.4. Recent Developments5.6. Rowlands Pharmacy5.6.1. Overview5.6.2. Financials5.6.3. Product Benchmarking5.6.4. Recent Developments5.7. The Kroger Co.5.7.1. Overview5.7.2. Financials5.7.3. Product Benchmarking5.7.4. Recent Developments5.8. Walgreen Co.5.8.1. Overview5.8.2. Financials5.8.3. Product Benchmarking5.8.4. Recent Developments5.9. Walmart Stores, Inc.5.9.1. Overview5.9.2. Financials5.9.3. Product Benchmarking5.9.4. Recent DevelopmentsMore Details on this Report:About Us:Marketstudyreport.com allows you to manage and control all corporate research purchases to consolidate billing and vendor management. You can eliminate duplicate purchases and customize your content and license management.Contact Us:Market Study Report LLC4 North Main Street,Selbyville, Delaware 19975USAPhone: 1-302-273-0910US Toll Free: 1-866-764-2150Email: sales@marketstudyreport.comWebsite:Blog: Global District Heating Pipeline Network Market Size Brief Analysis by Top Key Players - REHAU, Uponor, BRUGG, Logstor, Perma Pipe, CPV Ltd, Microflex, Flender, Thermaflex, Huntsman, Smithline, Aquatherm and Golan Plastic https://www.marketstudyreport.com/request-a-sample/859976/?utm_source=open&utm_medium=Santosh https://www.marketstudyreport.com/check-for-discount/859976/?utm_source=open&utm_medium=Santosh https://www.marketstudyreport.com/reports/district-heating-pipeline-network-market/?utm_source=open&utm_medium=Santosh www.marketstudyreport.com www.marketstudyreport.com/blog MarketStudyReport.com adds District Heating Pipeline Network Market Report provides an analytical assessment of the prime challenges faced by this Market currently and in the coming years, which helps Market participants in understanding the problems they may face while operating in this Market over a longer period of time.District Heating Pipeline Network Market will exceed USD 600 billion by 2024, according to a new research report.Growing concerns pertaining to green house emissions coupled with increasing demand for space heating systems will stimulate the district heating pipeline network market. Extreme climatic conditions across Europe, China and the U.S. will further stimulate the product demand. According to Norwegian Meteorological Institute, the average temperature in Southern Finland during winter season ranges between 00 to -40 Celsius.Request a sample of this premium report at:Eminent players across the district heating pipeline network market include REHAU, Uponor, BRUGG, Logstor, Perma Pipe, CPV Ltd, Microflex, Flender, Thermaflex, Huntsman, Smithline, Aquatherm and Golan Plastic.The U.S. market is set to reach over 5 thousand Km by 2024. Growing district heating systems penetration across residential and commercial establishments along with ongoing adoption of clean energy technologies will foster the industry growth. According to the International District Energy Association (IDEA), out of 601 heating systems installed in the U.S., 289 are district energy-only systems.Ongoing legislative reforms pertaining to sustainable energy technologies along with modernization and expansion of existing heating networks will foster the district heating pipeline network market. Government focus toward energy efficient buildings will further propel the industry growth. The European Union's Renewable Energy Directive has introduced standards toward reduction and limitation of emissions caused by the industrial establishments.Rapid urbanization and industrialization across the developing nations along with favorable government initiatives toward zero emission buildings will drive the global market. As per Knoema in 2016, the people residing in urban areas in Japan constituted 94.3% when compared with 93.9% in 2015.Polymer pipes is set to witness strong growth on account of increasing usage as a service pipe in DH systems. Rapid development of thermoplastic technologies along with ongoing innovations toward pipe material will drive the business growth. Corrosion free, ease of transport and low carbon emissions are some of the prominent features which will stimulate the product penetration.Request a discount on standard prices of this premium report at:Growing adoption of small scale heating technologies across the residential establishments along with government-backed research and development initiatives toward development of more efficient insulating materials will propel the 20 mm -100 mm diameter pipes. Increasing use as a service pipe as these can be easily transported, rolled, and installed in the constructions will stimulate the product penetration.Increasing suburban population owing to rapid urbanization across the evolving economies will stimulate the market from residential applications. Government assisted renewable technology targets coupled with ongoing investments toward real-estate sector will foster the industry outlook. According to World Bank, people residing in urban areas of India accounted for 33.14% in 2016 when compared with 32.37% in 2014 across India.China district heating pipeline network market is predicted to grow owing to increasing suburban population coupled with increasing investments toward residential and commercial establishments across the nation. Ongoing government initiatives toward adoption of energy-efficient systems will further propel the industry outlook. The Government of China with the support of European Union launched EU-China 2020 strategic agenda and China-EU partnership to strengthen the nations urban infrastructure.More Details on this Report:About Us:Marketstudyreport.com allows you to manage and control all corporate research purchases to consolidate billing and vendor management. You can eliminate duplicate purchases and customize your content and license management.Contact Us:Market Study Report LLC4 North Main Street,Selbyville, Delaware 19975USAPhone: 1-302-273-0910US Toll Free: 1-866-764-2150Email: sales@marketstudyreport.comWebsite:Blog: Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 7) The Philippine National Police (PNP) has uncovered two more criminal charges against Peter Joemel Advincula, the man who claims to be the hooded figure in the Ang Totoong Narcolist videos accusing President Rodrigo Dutertes family and close allies of being deep into the drug trade. PGen. Oscar Albayalde, PNP chief, told reporters Tuesday that in their profiling of Advincula, they have discovered that he was convicted over a large-scale illegal recruitment case, for which he served six years in jail. Advincula said Monday he was jailed for six years, but for an estafa charge. Albayalde said Advincula has a pending estafa case before the National Bureau of Investigation. The police chief said an arrest warrant for Advincula may be sought if this charge prospers. Mukhang magaling siyang mang-estafa at magaling siyang magsalita. Just could just imagine you'll be charged for large-scale recruitment. Ibig sabihin, ang dami niyang naloko, he said. [Translation: It seems like hes good at estafa and he speaks well. Just imagine, youll be charged for large-scale recruitment. That means he has fooled a lot of people.] Advincula surfaced at the headquarters of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines in Pasig City following the arrest of Rodel Jayme, the self-confessed webmaster of Metrobalita the site where the Ang Totoong Narcolist videos were supposedly first posted. READ: DOJ to file inciting to sedition case vs. Rodel Jayme Advincula claimed he is Bikoy featured in the videos and stood by his claims that he was once a member of a drug syndicate led by former Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte, Special Assistant to the President Christopher Bong Go and Davao City Mayor Sara Dutertes husband, Manases Carpio. The PNP is still checking to see if Advincula is truly Bikoy. If his claim is proven, Albayalde said Advincula could face a cyberlibel complaint. But then again, wala pa tayong [we don't have a] complainant. Pwede kasi siyang [He could be charged with] cyberlibel, Albayalde said. Meanwhile, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said he has spoken with police who are probing Advincula and hinted that they will come out with a bombshell. He, however, refused to give out any further details. Very obvious na [that] its a black propaganda and its also obvious that hes [like a] pawn, ginagamit [being used,] he said. Recycled revelation? In a media briefing with re-electionist senators in Laguna on Monday, Senate President Vicente Tito Sotto III said he was approached by a man who also had a surname Advincula with the same allegations in 2014. But he said that at the time, this Advincula had drug trade allegations against then-President Benigno Noynoy Aquino III and then-Vice President Jejomar Binay. Sotto said he did not push for a probe on the two top officials as he did not find enough evidence to substantiate the mans claims. Believable sa umpisa pero pag na-analyze mo at research mga sinasabi then you realize it's a tall story. Buti hindi ko pinatulan noon, Sotto told reporters in a text message on Tuesday. [Translation: Its believable at first, but if you analyze it and you do research on the things he was saying, then you realize its tall story. Good thing I didn't pay attention to it before.] Sotto said he is still unsure if the Advincula who supposedly approached him five years ago is the same Advincula who is now claiming to be Bikoy. He said he has asked his political officer to look for all the documents and letters he received from the man. He said he will confirm if the man behind Bikoy and the man who approached him years back are the same person. CNN Philippines Gerg Cahiles, Joyce Ilas and Xave Gregorio contributed to this report. In 2018, the UK Prime Minister launched the cross-government Business Integrity Initiative, which provides practical guidance to to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) on issues such as bribery and human rights concerns to help businesses trade with and invest in new markets. For one element the Business Integrity Consultancy Service the Basel Institute on Governance has been mandated to provide cost- and time-effective anti-corruption guidance to MSMEs in the following three areas: Prevention guidance: Services can include consultation on how to assess a companys bribery and corruption risks and the status of current controls, as well as information on corruption risks in specific countries or sectors. Compliance guidance: Services can include training and guidance on how to comply with the UK Bribery Act and other relevant anti-corruption laws and regulations. The aim is to reduce the risks of legal liability and penalties for firms and individuals, and guide on remedial strategies to address situations when things go wrong. Collective Action guidance: Anti-corruption Collective Action involves multistakeholder collaboration to promote fair competition and tackle corruption risks in overseas markets. Services can include hands-on support for launching new anti-corruption Collective Action Initiatives, engaging in existing Initiatives and setting up sustainable public-private dialogue mechanisms to advocate for policy reforms in target countries. The UK government will provide match funding between 60 percent and 80 percent, depending on company size, for up to five days of consultancy guidance (or ten days in the case of Collective Action). To be eligible for these services, a business should qualify as an MSME (up to 250 employees with a turnover of up to 44 million) and invest in or trade with countries that receive official development assistance. Preference might be given to companies operating in Africa or Asia. MSMEs interested in learning more about the available anti-corruption guidance services are encouraged to review the eligibility criteria and download an application form through the Business Integrity Consultancy Service website. Other elements of the Business Integrity Initiative include online guidance for exporters highlighting integrity risks to be aware of when doing business abroad and forthcoming market-specific information for the pilot markets of Kenya, Pakistan, and Mexico. The pilots will test how the UK government can effectively deliver business integrity support through UK missions or British Chambers of Commerce. In addition to the Basel Institutes anti-corruption mandate, the initiative has also appointed the Ethical Trading Initiative to provide MSME guidance services on how to manage human rights risks in overseas markets and promote compliance with the UK Modern Slavery Act. The Business Integrity Initiative is managed by the Business Integrity Hub ([email protected]) within the UK Department for International Development (DFID). While it has received seed funding in the value of 1.4 million from DFIDs International Action against Corruption (IACT) programme, it is being jointly implemented in partnership with other UK government departments, in particular the Department for International Trade and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. This unique cross-government collaboration demonstrates how promoting business integrity can lead to increased and sustainable trade and investment that benefits industrialised and emerging markets alike. The initiative is also an innovative step in promoting anti-corruption compliance and Collective Action in line with the UK Anti-Corruption Strategy. Our thanks to the FCPA Blog and its readers for helping to spread the word and encourage MSMEs to use these resources and apply for cost-effective guidance from the UKs Business Integrity Consultancy Service. _____ Mirna Adjami is Project Manager, Anti-Corruption Collective Action at the Basel Institute on Governance. She can be contacted here. Jason Paul Schaefer, the 27-year-old charged with igniting explosives in a cigarette pack as two members of the FBI-led Joint Terrorism Task Force moved in to arrest him in October 2017, directly questioned the lead agent in the case as his trial got underway Monday. FBI agent and bomb technician Wade Mutchler testified that he believed Schaefer intended to kill himself and harm two officers when they moved in to arrest him on Oct. 11, 2017. Were all going to die today, Schaefer reportedly told the two officers before he ignited a Camels cigarette pack filled with the explosive Triacetone Triperoxide, or TATP, in the front seat of his white Honda CRV, federal prosecutor Natalie Wight told jurors in her opening statement. The explosion tore off two fingers on Schaefers left hand. Part of Schaefers blown-off fingers hit Washington County Sheriffs Detective Jeremy Chedester, who was temporarily deafened from the blast, according to Wight. Schaefer has pleaded not guilty to two counts of assaulting a federal officer, using a destructive device, using an explosive to commit a federal felony, carrying an explosive during the commission of a federal felony, unlawful transportation of explosive materials, possessing an unregistered destructive device and being a felon in possession of explosives. Mutchler was the first government witness called in the jury trial, which is expected to last about eight days. Schaefer is representing himself, with two standby attorneys. On opening day, Schaefer wore a white button-down shirt and dark slacks. Schaefer has signaled that he intends to argue that the chemicals found at his Rock Creek apartment were part of his home lab where he was working to make a drug called ibogaine to treat opioid addiction. Mutchler testified that he sought a federal search warrant for Schaefers Rock Creek home in the fall of 2017 after the FBI was informed by an online retailer that Schaefer had ordered a large number of hazardous chemicals. Mutchler said he was particularly concerned that Schaefer, a convicted felon, had ordered electric match igniters, which are regulated and require licenses to hold, and remote firing detonators, which are commonly used in homemade bombs. Before the task force executed the search warrant on Oct. 11, 2017, Mutchler had arranged for Schaefer to be at an 11 a.m appointment with his Washington County probation officer that day. When Schaefer arrived at the appointment, Mutchler informed him of the search warrant and asked if there were any booby-traps in his unit. Schaefer said there were not and soon left the appointment. Members of the FBI task force and bomb technicians began searching Schaefers apartment. They found Schaefer had converted a bedroom into a makeshift chemistry lab, Wight said. In a hallway closet, they found a red locker-type cabinet with black explosive powder inside, an electric match igniter and an antenna protruding from the cabinet. Mutchler described the discovery as an incinerator that could be remotely detonated to set a fire. Since Schaefer was a convicted felon, he wasnt allowed to have the electric match, so Mutchler instructed Schaefers probation officer to obtain a warrant to arrest him. While the task force officers were still searching the apartment, Schaefer returned. Chedester and Oregon State Police Officer Dan Diamond, also a task force member, were outside, and attempted to stop Schaefer, but Schaefer drove off. Chedester and Diamond followed Schaefer in two vehicles. Chedester pulled behind Schaefers SUV on Northwest 185th, south of Northwest Rock Creek Boulevard. Diamond pulled to the side of the Honda. The two officers approached the car and ordered him out. Were all (expletive) dying today! Schaefer reportedly yelled, before he lifted his hands just above the drivers door and held a cigarette pack and what looked like a lighter, according to the prosecutor. Mutchler testified that he had just emerged from Schaefers apartment to put on a chemical protective suit when he heard over the FBI radio there had been an explosion, and a Code 3 emergency dispatch to respond. He raced to the scene and saw Schaefers head and bloodied arms dangling out of the drivers window. Mutchler said he was concerned a second explosion might occur or that the Honda CRV would blow up. He ordered Schaefer to show his hands and then reach out his car window, open his drivers door and lay down on the street. Schaefer did so. Once he was on the street, Mutchler ordered him to lift his shirt, concerned there might be explosives concealed under his clothing. I did not want responders to get killed trying to save Mr. Schaefers life, Mutchler testified. Using a deputys ballistic shield for cover, Mutchler and others approached Schaefer and walked him to an ambulance. You shot me. You did this to me, Schaefer reportedly told Mutchler when he approached, Mutchler said. Jurors were shown a photo of Schaefer, wearing a white sweatshirt and black shorts, his face, arm and hands bloodied, before he was placed in an ambulance and taken to a local hospital. Jason P. Schaefer. On left, after his October 2017 arrest, accused of igniting a cigarette pack in his car as two members of the FBI-led Joint Terrorism Task Force moved in to arrest him in his white SUV. On right, another mug shot from Columbia County jail. By days end, authorities had found 96 other electric matches in Schaefers apartment, hazardous chemicals and a book on his living room table that contained a recipe for the hallucinogenic drug LSD. They also raided two storage units Schaefer had. One held a single red box, which contained two bags of the TATP explosive, Mutchler said. In phone calls to his father from jail, Schaefer admitted igniting the cigarette pack but said he didnt want to hurt officers, Wight told jurors. He also said officers should have known not to approach his car. Schaefer also told his father, I decided to die because I wanted to get on the news, according to Wight. He shared with his father that hed been running a large-scale drug lab out of his apartment to create a drug to cure opioid addictions, Wight added. During his cross-examination of Mutchler, Schaefer asked if it was proper protocol for officers of the FBI-led task force to approach someone suspected of having explosives. Wouldnt best practice to be protection? Schaefer asked. After you exploded that device in your hand Mutchler testified, I did everything in my power to keep you and those around you safe. Schaefer asked if electric matches are regulated explosives and require a license to possess. Mutchler said they are. Yet these regulated explosives are being sold on Amazon and eBay without licenses, Schaefer continued. Obviously, I purchased them from eBay, right? Mutchler said Schaefer bought them via eBay from China. Are they still being sold on Amazon and eBay? Schaefer asked. Mutchler said that matter is something a local ATF agent was told to investigate further. Schaefer had Mutchler review a September 2017 FBI report, which said Schaefer wasnt a threat to national security and was believed to be making drugs. Mutchler testified that the report stemmed from an April 2017 encounter with Schaefer, after he had dumped about a half-pound of mercury on the ground near his Beaverton apartment and threatened to harm property managers who he had said were entering his garage. When officers arrived, they found Schaefer, a convicted felon, wearing body armor in violation of state law. Beaverton police arrested him, and he was prosecuted in Washington County. That April 2017 FBI assessment didnt take into account the new information about all the chemicals Schaefer had purchased online, Mutchler said. Schaefer asked if his probation officer had shared with Mutchler that he was producing chemicals related to the narcotic ibogaine, which he believed was a cure for opioid addiction. She told me you were interested in ibogaine, Mutchler said. She never told you I had a laboratory? Schaefer asked. She told me she was afraid to go in your apartment. -- 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. The U.S. government has revoked the U.S. citizenship of the former imam of Portlands largest mosque after he arrived in Somaliland last week. Mohamed Sheikh Abdirahman Kariye is on the governments no-fly list, but the government arranged for him to travel back to his homeland after reaching a settlement with Kariye in January. Under the deal, Kariye agreed not to challenge an order revoking his citizenship and acknowledged having provided false information to immigration officials in July 1997 when he had applied for U.S. naturalization. The settlement appeared to be briefly in jeopardy Monday morning, when Kariyes lawyers asked to rescind it after learning that Kariye had been detained during a stopover at the Dubai airport. Kariye, 57, boarded a flight last Wednesday from Seattle for a 14-hour flight to Dubai and a planned flight four days later to Somaliland. He arrived in Dubai as scheduled, according to court records, but soon sent his Oregon-based lawyers a text from the airport that read, some thing is wrong. Kariye was detained and interrogated for seven hours in the Dubai airport by United Arab Emirates officials and questioned about the Portland Seven, the As-Saber Mosque in Southwest Portland and others who may have attended services there, according to his lawyers. He wasnt allowed to contact his attorneys during the questioning and all his personal belongings were seized, according to his lawyers, Philip Smith and Nicole Nelson. In October, federal government lawyers told a federal appeals court that Kariye was placed on the no-fly list based on his history as a "mujahedeen fighter in Afghanistan against the Russians,'' as well as his expressed support for "violent jihad'' in conversations recorded between a cooperating informant and two members of the Portland Seven. They were a group of American Muslims from the Portland area who were prosecuted and convicted of trying to join al-Qaida forces in their fight against the United States military and coalition forces in Afghanistan. The U.S. sought to strip Kariye of his U.S. citizenship because he "provided false information and both willfully misrepresented and concealed material facts' when applying for naturalization to the United States. During the process, the FBI informed U.S. Justice Department attorneys that Kariye had coordinated with Osama bin Laden and other known terrorist leaders and was associated with terrorist organizations including Makhtab Al-Khidamat, or MAK, a designated terrorist organization and pre-cursor to al-Qaida. "The parties agreed denaturalization was appropriate, following which Kariye agreed to depart the United States,'' said Kevin Sonoff, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorneys Office and the U.S. Department of Justice. Kariye ultimately was able to fly to Hargeisa, Somaliland. He arrived last Friday. His lawyers alleged the questioning in Dubai amounted to a breach by the government. "It is inconceivable that UAE officials would have interrogated Defendant about the Portland Seven and activities at the As-Saber Mosque in Portland without having received information directly from'' the government, Smith wrote to the court. Kariyes lawyers urged the court either to compel the government to explain why Kariye was detained Dubai or allow him to renounce his U.S. citizenship, instead of having it revoked, and withdraw his admission that he had lied previously to U.S. immigration officials when he obtained his naturalization certificate. In a brief hearing before U.S. District Judge Robert E. Jones, attorney Christopher W. Hollis of the U.S. Department of Justice said by phone that he had no communication with the United Arab Emirates about Kariye. Kariyes lawyer said Hollis could have been kept in the dark, but the U.S. government still could have communicated with the United Arab Emirates about their client. Smith noted that the government had three months of advance notice of Kariyes scheduled flight and itinerary. "Plaintiff had a responsibility to not simply be silent but to inform the UAE that he is coming through and it is OK for him to fly,'' Smith argued. Jones denied Kariyes motion. The judge ordered the settlement to stand and signed an order revoking Kariyes U.S. citizenship. The judge said it was "unfortunate'' that Kariye was interrogated in Dubai, but that didnt negate the settlement agreement. Jones said it appeared that the United Arab Emirates interrogation of Kariye was "done unilaterally'' and that the "U.S. government played no role.'' When Kariye had first sought citizenship, he had lied on his application to federal immigration officials about not being arrested in the past, failing to acknowledge a 1993 arrest in Pakistan, according to court documents. Under the settlement, Kariye is forever prevented from claiming any rights or benefits under any document that shows he had obtained U.S. citizenship on Aug. 14, 1998. Hes also been ordered to complete a form abandoning any lawful resident status in the United States and must send his U.S. passport by DHL Express to the government lawyer, no later than five days after his arrival in Somaliland. The revocation of Kariyes U.S. citizenship falls at the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Calls to the Islamic Center of Portland were not returned on Monday. -- 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. The long-running debate about the future of Portland State University President Rahmat Shoureshi could come to an end within days. The universitys Board of Trustees tentatively plans to vote on whether to fire or retain Shoureshi, whos been on the job for less than two years. There remains some uncertainty about the timing. As of 6 p.m. Monday, the meeting was still not posted on the PSU boards schedule. If Shoureshi is voted out, it could be quite expensive for the financially strapped university. Trustees took no action last Sunday after meeting for more than two hours. It was the boards third emergency meeting in two weeks on the issue all held entirely in executive session. Oregon law allows reporters to attend executive sessions but prohibits them from reporting on them. The universitys 14-member board needs a two-thirds majority vote of the trustees to remove Shoureshi. Some board members have become deeply unhappy with his performance. Hes accused of misleading trustees, mistreating some Portland State workers and of putting his own financial interest ahead of the colleges. Shoureshi appeared before the board last week to plead his case. He has steadfastly refused to leave the job, despite suggestions from some board members that he consider it. After the news of the boards dissatisfaction with Shoureshi hit the headlines, the board commissioned two investigations into his behavior. The university has yet to release any findings. Dismissing Shoureshi would not come cheap for PSU. The presidents contract calls for a severance payment in the neighborhood of $800,000 if he is fired without cause. Such a hefty severance would be eye-popping any time. But it may come into play just as the university has taken initial steps to raise tuition by 11 percent. A committee of the board of trustees recommended the increase last Friday due to declines in state funding and falling enrollment. Its going to force a lot of students to quit school, said Luis Balderas-Villagrana, president of the Associated Students of Portland State. Compared to that pocketbook issue, he said, Shoureshis uncertain fate is not something that most students are tuned into. I dont have a position on Pres. Shoureshi, he said. What I do hope is that whatever the university does, it will be transparent with the process. They need to release the investigators findings and they have to help the students understand why the decision was made. Students have a stake in this, he added. Its their money. The full board of trustees is expected to vote on the tuition hike at a meeting on May 13. The 1 p.m. meeting will be held in suite 515 of the PSU Academic & Student Recreation Center. By CAROLYN HAX (Adapted from a recent online discussion.) Dear Carolyn: We live in a community that is FULL of young families. There is a strong clash between working moms vs. stay-at-home moms, with groups that socialize together on each side but a lot of disdain and defensiveness between the two. I stayed at home with my son for the first three years of his life, and then a few months ago I returned to working part time; Im in an office three days a week. My social life has changed radically, with the moms in both groups wanting nothing to do with me. I have no interest in judging anyone else's choices or holding mine out as superior -- I just want to be able to hang out with the moms and kids I like without feeling that I am distrusted by both the working and the at-home moms. How do I get there? Do I need to wear a banner proclaiming that I respect all lifestyles? -- A Bat Amongst Beasts and Birds Hax: They all sound awful. I wanted to write something funny, but I don't have any. Does anyone live there who doesnt have (young) kids, and who could use a friend? Or who also doesnt want any part of this aggressively petty, self-important, narrow-minded bleep-show? I mean, sure, call up the actual people you actually like in a saucy attempt to be a normal friend. But if any of them resist you as not tribally approved, then consider yourself backhandedly blessed and seek your companionship elsewhere. It'll take time, a lot of it lonely, but I suspect it'll pay off -- and being with fools is lonelier still. Who knows, you may inspire some fellow bats. Dear Carolyn: I recently turned down a management opportunity at my company. I had several reasons, but the chief one was that I have no desire to be a manager. The boss accepted my decision but suggested that I be careful not to stay in a role simply because it was comfortable. I'm confident I made the right decision -- for me at this time, anyway -- but how do you tell the difference between making a decision based on self-knowledge vs. fear or inertia? -- Not a Manager Hax: Im not sure you can ever be certain except in hindsight. But, one way to pre-empt regrets is to look at your life in whole, vs. just one piece of it, like your job. Then, ask a few tough questions, and don't lie to yourself with your answers: "Am I challenging myself in a meaningful way, or am I coasting through life?" "If I am coasting, do I have a good reason to?" Say, you're raising small children; recovering from an illness; grieving a loss; serving as someone's caregiver; soaring way ahead of the rest of us on the idea that life doesn't have to be a series of arbitrary self-imposed challenges; or just coasting without apology after a perfectly respectful amount of hard work, thank you very much. What things matter to you? You also don't need to jump through any hoops to justify not wanting to be a manager. Your boss gave you good advice for being his or her employee, but that doesn't make it good life advice for you. Email Carolyn at tellme@washpost.com, follow her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/carolyn.hax or chat with her online at 9 a.m. Pacific/noon Eastern time each Friday at www.washingtonpost.com. (c) 2019, Washington Post Writers Group The Oregon Shakespeare Festival, already one of the largest theater companies in the United States with a $44 million operating budget, just got a 10% raise. Roberta Bertie Bialek Elliott, a philanthropist who has served on the Ashland-based festivals board of directors, has given an unrestricted gift of $4.5 million, artistic director Bill Rauch said Tuesday. Elliott, of Carmel, California, is a co-founder of the Berkshire Foundation and sister of billionaire Warren Buffett, chief executive officer of Berkshire Hathaway. By theater standards, its a substantial gift. When Portlands Artists Repertory Theatre received an anonymous, unrestricted $7 million gift in 2018, Teresa Eyring, executive director of the national theater organization Theatre Communications Group, said that a multimillion-dollar gift for any theater of any size is remarkable. Rauch said Elliotts gift was prompted by his impending departure for a new job in New York City and the arrival of the festivals sixth artistic director, Nataki Garrett. Elliott wanted to honor my 12 years of service and wanted to launch Nataki Garretts tenure on as firm ground as she could, Rauch said. Shes very excited about Nataki and shes appreciative of all that the festival has done in these past 12 years. Shes been very generous with the company over the years, Rauch said of Elliott. She deeply loves and gets what the Oregon Shakespeare Festival is about. Elliott was among a group of festival supporters who made a $4.5 million donation in 2012 to secure the naming rights to what is now the Thomas Theatre, the festivals 360-seat black box theater. While Elliott is not requiring the festival to match her latest gift, we are going to challenge ourselves to raise money to match it and to really use those resources as a kind of transformational investment in the organization as we pass the baton from myself to Nataki, as we continue to deal with the challenges of wildfire smoke, Rauch said. He said the festival plans to use the gift over three fiscal years to strengthen its marketing, development and human resources departments. The gift will really position the company to be in an even stronger position financially, Rauch said. Oregon Shakespeare Festivals 2019 season, which opened at the start of March and continues through late October, follows a 2018 season plagued by wildfire smoke that forced the cancellations of 26 performances and ended with $2 million in losses and 16 layoffs. This is a developing story; check back for more details. James Nash, a retired marine and Eastern Oregon rancher, is no longer being considered for a seat on the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife commission after environmental advocates raised concerns over his history as a big game hunter and potential conflicts of interest. The Senate Rules Committee, which is set to vote on the nominees this week, released its agenda Wednesday. The four other nominees are listed, but Nashs name was not. A spokesman for Sen. Ginny Burdick, who serves as chair of the Rules Committee, said Nashs nomination would not be moving forward, but did not comment further. A spokeswoman for the Gov. Kate Brown, who put forth the list of nominees, said Brown had nothing to do with the removal of Nash from consideration. Nash quickly came under fire after his name was revealed for years-old posts on his Instagram account that showed him posing next to exotic wildlife hed killed during trophy hunts in Africa. Among the animals depicted were a hippopotamus, an enormous crocodile and a zebra. Environmentalists also took issue with his relationship to Todd Nash, his father, who serves as Treasurer of the Oregon Cattlemens Association, an industry group that frequently comes before the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife to argue for looser restrictions on when wolves can be killed for attacking livestock. Governor Kate Brown handed the Senate a mess, said Arran Robertson, a spokesman for Oregon Wild, one of the groups that originally raised concerns over Nashs nomination. While we support this decision, it sadly does little to address the agencys underlying issues. As long as the individuals appointed to state boards and commissions are selected from the very industries and interest groups they regulate, Oregon will continue to fall further and further behind when it comes to protecting our wildlife, clean water, and public lands. Reached by email Monday afternoon, Nash declined to comment. -- Kale Williams kwilliams@oregonian.com 503-294-4048 @sfkale Visit subscription.oregonlive.com/newsletters to get Oregonian/OregonLive journalism delivered to your email inbox. SEATTLE Health officials in Washington state are warning residents about a Canadian who traveled to the Seattle area and has been diagnosed with measles. King County health officials say the man in his 40s from British Columbia traveled to the Seattle area in late April and has since recovered from his illness. Before arriving in King County, he spent time in Japan and New York City, where there are currently measles outbreaks. Officials say this case isnt connected to a recently ended outbreak in Clark County. While the man was infected, he visited several Seattle locations, including the Space Needle, the Museum of Pop Culture, coffee shops, the Pink Door restaurant and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, public health officials said. He also took the monorail, they said. Officials warn that anyone who doesnt have immunity through vaccination or a previous infection is at risk. Measles is a highly contagious disease. -- The Associated Press and staff reports The highly controversial bill to eliminate loopholes in the states vaccination law passed the Oregon House on Monday and is on its way to the Senate. Gov. Kate Brown has already said she plans to sign House Bill 3063. The 35-25 vote fell largely along party lines, with two Republicans -- including Bend Rep. Cheri Helt, who introduced the bill -- voting in favor of its passage. Four Democratic representatives voted against it. The bill would allow parents to opt out of vaccinating their children only for documented medical reasons. Currently, most parents who refuse to vaccinate their children use religious and philosophical exemptions. Children could still be unvaccinated only if they attend online or home school. The bill includes day care and Headstart programs, among other school-related activities. House Bill 3063 has brought intense, emotional debate to every step of its progress. Opponents have packed public hearings to claim the bill strips parents of their right to make decisions about their children. Most of their argument is based on a debunked theory that vaccines cause autism or other medical problems. Few people have long-term or dangerous responses to vaccines and the majority of the medical health community says vaccines are safe and effective. Spectators -- nearly all opponents -- loudly cheered and heckled occasionally during Mondays floor hearing. They were censured once by House Speaker Tina Kotek, D-Portland. Most of the opposition voiced Monday hinged on the idea that parents will be forced to choose between sending their children to school and refusing vaccines. Some argued that Oregons record-setting low vaccination rates are fine and others said, if there is a problem, the way to fix it is not through the legislature. "The Oregon Health Authority and the public health departments have done such a poor job convincing the residents of Oregon on the value of vaccines that they need the power of the government to come in and mandate it, said Rep. Bill Post, R-Keizer. Rep. Andrea Salinas, D-Lake Oswego, said that public health campaigns have indeed not worked well in Oregon. She and others attributed this to a particularly strong belief in debunked theories that vaccines are harmful and that only relying to education wont work. Salinas pointed to a prior attempt to boost vaccination rates as an example of that failure. In 2015, the Oregon Legislature voted to require parents to either meet with a doctor or watch a video online before opting out of vaccinating their child. Exemption rates only increased. The Portland area just came out of a measles outbreak that sickened more than 80 people between Oregon and Washington. Hospital systems, public health agencies and medical groups have backed the bill, pointing to the people who contracted measles as proof that its needed. The vast majority of people who got measles were unvaccinated children, most under 10 years old. Some lawmakers criticized the urgency attached to the bill because it declares an emergency. But supporters pushed back. Our role in public health is to address problems before they become a crisis, Salinas said. WASHINGTON - Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Monday told House Democrats he would not furnish President Donald Trumps tax returns despite their legal request, the latest move by Trump administration officials to shield the president from congressional investigations. Mnuchin, in a letter to House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal, D-Mass., said he had consulted with the Justice Department and that they had concluded that it would not be lawful for the Trump administration to turn over the tax returns because of potential violations of privacy. Mnuchin added that requests from Congress "must reasonable serve a legitimate legislative purpose" and that the request from Democrats does not. A number of legal experts have said it would be unprecedented for Mnuchin to refuse to turn over the tax returns, as the power for lawmakers to seek the returns is written explicitly in a 1924 law. But Mnuchin, Trump's former campaign finance chairman, has fought to protect the returns from public disclosure and said it would create a dangerous precedent if the returns are released. Mnuchin's announcement on Monday appears to be his final decision in the matter, though he has hinted for weeks that he would not allow the release. On April 23, Mnuchin notified House Democrats that he would be consulting with the Justice Department about the request for Trump's tax returns and planned to reach his final decision on May 6. In his new letter, he said that "In reliance on the advice of the Department of Justice, I have determined that the Committee's request lacks a legitimate legislative purpose, and . . . the Department is therefore not authorized to disclose the requested returns and return information." He said the Justice Department plans to make public its legal reasoning in finding that Mnuchin didn't have to furnish the requests. Alexei Woltornist, a spokesman for the Department of Justice, referred a request for a copy of the department's opinion to the Treasury Department. House Democrats have insisted they are on strong legal footing in their request for the tax returns, and several lawmakers said they expect to file a lawsuit so that a federal judge will rule on the matter. This process could take months, though, and ultimately end up before the Supreme Court. Neal first requested six years of Trump's business and personal tax returns in March, and Mnuchin has twice requested deadlines set by Democrats and said he needed more time to review the law. In his latest rejection, Mnuchin cited his consultations with the Justice Department, though he did not provide more information about their reasoning. Democrats have said obtaining the tax returns is necessary for them to perform their oversight duties, but Mnuchin has said repeatedly that their request for these records could be an invasion of Trump's privacy and become a fishing expedition. In April, Mnuchin revealed that Treasury officials had conferred with White House lawyers about Trump's tax returns before Democrats sent their formal request to the Internal Revenue Service. At the time, Mnuchin said he had not discussed the matter personally with the president. "It looks like Mnuchin is ready for the fight - this is a plain rejection," said Steve Rosenthal, an expert at the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center, who has briefed Congress on the matter. "He's not delaying any further." The chairmen of the House Ways and Means Committee and the Senate Finance Committee have had the authority since 1924 to obtain the tax returns of any American, and the law stipulates that the Treasury secretary "shall furnish" the information once it is requested. This law was put in place during the Harding administration because of financial improprieties that stemmed from the Teapot Dome scandal. Trump is the first president since the Nixon administration to refuse to provide his tax returns. Democrats have accused Trump of shielding embarrassing information, but Republicans have said Trump is under no obligation to provide financial records and that voters decided the records were not important when they elected him to office. -- The Washington Post Damian Paletta, Jeff Stein WASHINGTON President Donald Trump has pardoned a soldier who was convicted of murdering an Iraqi detainee, the White House said on Monday. Former 1st Lt. Michael Behenna was convicted in 2009 of the murder of Ali Mansur Mohammed, an alleged al-Qaeda operative who was suspected of involvement in a deadly bomb attack on Behenna's platoon a year earlier. "Mr. Behenna's case has attracted broad support from the military, Oklahoma elected officials, and the public," the White House said in a statement. "Thirty-seven generals and admirals, along with a former inspector general of the Department of Defense, signed a brief in support of Mr. Behenna's self-defense claim In light of these facts, Mr. Behenna is entirely deserving of this grant of executive clemency." Behenna was accused of shooting Mansur after being ordered to release him and take him home due to a lack of evidence. In his defense, the lieutenant said he attempted to question Mansur himself about the April 2008 attack in which two of his colleagues were killed, but Mansur attacked him and tried to take his gun. Behenna's initial 25-year sentence was later reduced to 15 years and he was paroled in 2014 after serving five years. Without a pardon he would have remained on parole until 2024 and a felon for life. On the "Pardon Michael" campaign webpage, his family said he "struggles daily with the gravity of having taken another man's life" despite "knowing he acted in self-defense." "He has expressed full remorse for his actions," they added. -- Deutsche Presse-Agentur GmbH (Hamburg, Germany) Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. By Quinn Read and Danielle Moser Read is Northwest program director for Defenders of Wildlife. Moser is wildlife coordinator for Oregon Wild. We are in the midst of a worldwide extinction crisis of our own making. According to a sweeping United Nations report released Monday, one million plant and animal species are on the verge of extinction, with alarming implications for humanity. Yet in Oregon, a state with a green reputation and a Democratic supermajority in both chambers of the Legislature, wildlife is often treated as little more than political trading stock. Victories can only be found for fish and wildlife where the political cost is minimal. This dynamic exists at every level of our state government. Gov. Kate Brown recently announced her slate of Fish and Wildlife Commission appointments. We advocated for the appointment of thoughtful, diverse candidates who will prioritize science. Yet again, wildlife fell prey to political deal making. The governors nominees included a trophy hunter and wolf hunting advocate who said he would not recuse himself from votes that pose a conflict of interest; a gillnetting supporter; and a former county commissioner who helped launch a $1.4 billion lawsuit against the state on behalf of the timber industry. The Fish and Wildlife Commission will make crucial decisions in the coming months on the Oregon Wolf Plan and California condor recovery. The commission is supposed to represent the interests of all Oregonians, but Gov. Browns proposed slate continues the broken model that allows industry to drive fish and wildlife policy at the expense of science and conservation. With five vacancies, this is a rare opportunity to transform a commission that has actively worked against its own conservation mission. There is still time to correct course. Gov. Brown has shown commendable leadership on climate change -- a key driver of the mass extinction we face today. We understand and respect her broader agenda, which also includes vital public policies related to revenue, education and housing. But we reject the either/or narrative that protections for our wildlife and their habitats must be traded away to advance other projects. Unfortunately, these commission appointments are just the latest in a string of disappointments on wildlife conservation. We hoped that Gov. Brown would fight the Trump administrations efforts to roll back our nations bedrock environmental laws. Unfortunately, her Oregon Environmental Protection Act, introduced earlier this year, failed to include any provision for maintaining federal Endangered Species Act protection standards in place before President Trump took office. In 2016, Gov. Brown supported a controversial bill to delist wolves from the state Endangered Species Act. Despite broad public opposition to the bill, she appears to have used it to trade for other items on her agenda. In 2017, the Western Governors Association announced a resolution to open the federal Endangered Species Act to revisions that would weaken protections for imperiled species. Governor Brown declined to stand publicly with governors from our neighboring states of Washington and California to protect the law from rollbacks. In 2018, the Fish and Wildlife Commission voted to list marbled murrelets as endangered under the state endangered species act. Under pressure from timber industry lobbyists, the commission allowed a rehearing just a few months later in which the members reversed their earlier decision. In addition, commission chairman Mike Finley engaged in a shouting match with members of the public who wanted the opportunity to testify. Governor Brown failed to address her Commissions flagrant disregard for public process and took no corrective or disciplinary action. These actions dont square with Gov. Browns vision for conserving the beauty and bounty of Oregon for generations to come. How do we tally the ecological, spiritual and moral cost of an extinction crisis? Oregonians care about wildlife. Poll after poll demonstrates broad support for the conservation of imperiled species and their habitat. We implore Governor Brown and our leaders in the legislature to look polluting interests, corporate lobbyists, and the extinction crisis itself in the face, and say Not in Oregon. Regarding Debi Baskins pride in her daughters paramedic career, (Paramedics lives matter, April 29),she had better get used to worrying about her daughter on the job or develop a more stoic attitude. As a former paramedic for New York Citys Emergency Medical Service for 10 years, I can assure Ms. Baskins that you cannot legislate reasonable punishment to deter violent acts against paramedics, or any other emergency personnel, any more than you can outlaw paranoid schizophrenia. Judge Kathleen Dailey summed it up: Walk the streets of downtown Portland to understand the mental health crisis. I could tell stories that would make the stabbing of that paramedic in downtown Portland seem like a minor offense. Accept the fact that law officers, district attorneys and judges do not have your daughters back and never will. If your daughters value as a paramedic equaled that of a police officer or fireman, they would have to pay her a similar salary. Youll never see it in Portland or any other city in this country. Steven Romano, Vancouver A Maryland man who crashed Oregons Medicaid system for eight hours in 2016 because he was upset over losing his job pleaded guilty to fraud Monday in federal court. Hossein Heydari, 61, of Gaithersburg, Maryland, also agreed to pay about $76,000 in restitution. Heydari will be sentenced Aug. 12 in U.S. District Court in Portland. He faces up to 10 years in prison. Prosecutors said Heydari worked at Hewlett-Parkard providing technical support for Oregons Medicaid Management Information System and similar systems in three other states. He was laid off on Oct. 28, 2016. Prosecutors said Heydari retaliated by causing the systems servers in Salem to fail a few days later. The system, managed by the Oregon Health Authority, allows physicians, pharmacies and patients to exchange eligibility information for care, prescriptions and benefits. The temporary system crash posed a threat to public health and caused more than $5,000 in losses to the Oregon Health Authority and Hewlett Packard Enterprises, prosecutors said. The restitution money will go to both the state and to his former employer. -- 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. A Portland man who offered four times to pay a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent thousands of dollars to have his estranged wife and daughter deported last year was sentenced Monday to four months in prison. Antonio O. Burgos, 48, and his wife were in the process of divorcing when he followed an ICE deportation officer from the agencys Portland office to Vancouver last May, offered the agent money to deport his family to El Salvador after the officer pulled over and confronted him and gave the officer his contact information after he was turned down, federal prosecutors said. Burgos and his wife married in El Salvador. He later brought his wife and daughter to the U.S. The couples marriage and his wife moved into another home with their child, prosecutors said. The federal officer who was followed by Burgos reported their interaction to ICE, called Burgos a week later and recorded the conversation. At the time, Burgos offered $3,000 to have his wife removed from the country. Burgos again made the $3,000 offer during another recorded conversation in early June, met the federal officer in Oregon the next day and increased the payment to $4,000 for the deportation of his wife and daughter, according to prosecutors. Burgos gave the officer half of the money on that day and agreed to provide the rest after his family was removed from the U.S. He was arrested at the end of June when he met the officer again and was carrying the other $2,000 at the time, authorities said. Burgos pleaded guilty in November to bribery of a public official. Prosecutors sought a six-month sentence and the defense was looking for six months of home detention, court records show. The U.S. Attorneys Office in Oregon said in a sentencing memo that prison time would show the community that the United States Government will not sit idly by while someone attempts to trample another persons individual rights. This is a nation that respects and upholds its laws and Constitution, not the conceit of angry men. -- 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. SALEM Oregon Senate Democrats plan to try again on Wednesday to hold a vote on a plan to raise business taxes, after Republicans prevented a scheduled vote on Tuesday by skipping the floor session. The Democrats bill would raise billions of dollars in new taxes to boost spending on public schools and early childhood education, which some Republicans have said is a worthy goal. But they object to getting the money by raising business taxes. No Senate Republicans showed up for the morning floor session, and they remained absent when Senate President Peter Courtney, D-Salem, reconvened lawmakers at 2:30 p.m. By the end of the day, however, it appeared Senate Republicans absence was largely symbolic and failed to leverage any changes to the tax. The states largest business lobbying organization, Oregon Business & Industry, issued a statement reaffirming its neutral stance on the bill under a deal announced last week. And a spokeswoman for the caucus declined to say whether Republicans plan to show up for the vote on the education funding plan now re-scheduled for Wednesday. House Bill 3427 has been on a fast track since Democrats voted it out of committee, and subsequently out of the House, last week. The bill would raise an estimated $1 billion a year by taxing businesses at a rate of 0.57 percent on their sales above $1 million a year. Businesses could subtract 35 percent of their labor or capital costs from their total sales before calculating the tax. It was unclear exactly what Senate Republicans hoped to achieve through the tactic, beyond delaying passage of the bill. Democrats hold a three-fifths supermajority in the chamber, meaning they can raise taxes simply by a party-line vote. But they need two Republicans present in order to achieve the quorum of 20 senators necessary to conduct business. In a press release Tuesday morning, Republican Leader Sen. Herman Baertschiger. Jr., of Grants Pass, said, My job is to get this horribly written bill back to committee and its the business leaders jobs to fix it. Baertschiger did not specify which business leaders he wants to come up with changes to the bill. The legislation has highlighted fractures in Oregons business lobby with the states largest company, Nike, working with public employee unions and Democratic leaders to push the business tax and education funding plan through the Legislature. They are working together under the name Coalition for the Common Good, and their group also includes the long-term care industry. Last week, Oregon Business & Industry reached a last-minute deal with Democrats in which the group agreed not to support a referral of the plan to voters. A third group, Oregon Manufacturers and Commerce, was part of the negotiations with Democrats and Oregon Business & Industry but did not agree to the deal, according to the Oregon Capital Bureau. Republicans did leave large signs on their desks Tuesday calling for real PERS reform now, a reference to their insistence that any tax increase should be accompanied by a plan to control Oregons rising public pension costs. Last month, an analysis by the Oregon Business Council revealed that pension costs would eat up a quarter of the new taxes right away and more than half of it within a decade. Gov. Kate Brown has acknowledged the need to protect new education funding and she laid out a plan to specifically address pension costs for schools. Courtney and House Speaker Tina Kotek, D-Portland, are working on their own plans to do something about pension costs, although they have not said what they want to do. In a press release Tuesday, Senate Democratic Leader Ginny Burdick, D-Portland, repeated a comment she made Monday to The Oregonian/OregonLive that elected lawmakers ought to show up for work. Meanwhile, Oregon teachers are planning a statewide walkout tomorrow to pressure lawmakers to pass the plan and more than a dozen school districts in the Portland area have already decided to close for the day. Teachers had planned the Wednesday walkout well before Senate Republicans decided not to show up for the scheduled floor vote on Tuesday. Jim Moore, director of political outreach at Pacific Universitys Tom McCall Center for Civic Engagement, said it could be politically difficult for Republicans to stay away from the Capitol again on Wednesday, given that teachers plan to rally there for them to pass the funding plan. "The problem with doing a walkout like this is eventually youre going to come back and unless youve got some kind of a fissure you can work with in the Democratic caucus, its going to go through and theres nothing you can do about it, Moore said of Republicans. "Tomorrow all these people from schools are going to show up ... Basically youre avoiding your constituents. Hillary Borrud | hborrud@oregonian.com | 503-294-4034 | @hborrud Visit subscription.oregonlive.com/newsletters to get Oregonian/OregonLive journalism delivered to your email inbox. Oregon lawmakers are moving quickly to approve a new business tax to support $2 billion in additional school spending over each two-year budget cycle. The bill won approval in the House last week and could come before the Senate as early as Tuesday, though Republicans are threatening a delay. Even if the bill passes promptly, it will be many months before it becomes clear just how that money will be spent and likely years before its clear whether it made a difference. The first big chunk of money, a little less than $1 billion, is forecast to arrive in the fall of 2020. Gov. Kate Brown pledged in her budget proposal last November to commit money from the pending tax hike to extend the school year and reduce class size, but House Bill 3427 doesnt actually require school districts to do either. Instead, the largest share of the money would go to individual districts and give them a menu of options from longer school years to additional course offerings to health and safety programs. The bill gives a lot of responsibility to the state Department of Education to determine how districts spend the money and to evaluate the results they get. To supporters, thats a flexible approach that enables districts to set their own priorities to meet their own distinct needs. Critics, though, fear it gives districts too much latitude and doesnt offer any guarantees for holding down soaring pension costs that may consume much of the new money. Im looking at this legislation and I am not seeing anything but broad strokes, said Jennifer Niemann, who has a fifth-grader in a private school in Portland after her family left Portland Public Schools, frustrated by interactions with the district. The bill requires annual financial audits, for example, and reading proficiency standards for third graders. But Niemann said the bill fails to explain what those audits should focus on or set benchmarks for the new reading standards. Its a little easier to move the money around because it doesnt have to go into a specified account, she said. Spending the money Lawmakers are targeting $2 billion in each two-year budget cycle for schools. The tax wont kick in right away, though, and forecasters expect it will generate a little less than $1 billion in the upcoming budget then more than $2 billion in subsequent biannual cycles as the states economy grows. They plan to divide the money into three buckets to address specific education needs: School districts: 50% for grants to districts based on student enrollment with extra funds going to districts with students below the poverty line. Districts would have broad discretion to use the money for more instructional time, student health and safety, broadened course offerings or smaller classes. Early learning: 20% for early childhood special education, early intervention services, expanded preschool for low-income children and similar programs. Statewide initiatives: 30% to improve high school graduation rates, career training, school meals and other programs. Niemann said she would like Oregon to set specific standards for financial oversight, guarantees that class sizes will be smaller and steps to contain the impact of the states $27 billion deficit in the states pension program, known as PERS. I think its another PERS bailout, frankly, she said. Brown and the Legislature are each considering plans to insulate schools from the soaring pension costs. Options include earmarking some state revenue to address the pension crisis, limiting tax rebates, and requiring public employees to contribute to their own pension benefits. None of those proposals are in the tax bill, though, and their prospects during this legislative session are highly uncertain. An analysis by the Oregon Business Council last month found rising pension costs would eat up a quarter of the new, $2 billion in taxes right away and more than half of it within a decade. Rep. Lynn Findley, R-Vale, said his no vote on the bill last week came even though he agrees that Oregon education funding isnt adequate. He wants to see education reform that removes burdens on educators and administrators and he doesnt accept the new tax on Oregon business. If Oregon wants to purse stronger schools, Findley said, the state should look for the money within its existing budget and take steps to contain public pensions before they take more money from classrooms. If you want to talk about education policy I think its a great thing. Were going to fund it better, Findley said. But if we dont get the cost control were not going to fund it better for very long. Toya Fick, executive director of the Oregon chapter of education advocacy group Stand for Children, said the pension crisis must be addressed. But she said Oregon doesnt have to wait for pension reform to start improving schools. We can take one step at a time and not forget we need to take that other step, too, Fick said. Stand for Children worked closely with lawmakers to set priorities that have demonstrated educational effectiveness. Fick said the resulting bill gives Oregons 198 school districts the flexibility to select their own path within carefully considered parameters. We wanted to be clear as far as what the guardrails really are, she said. Oregons education department will be responsible for helping build those guardrails and make sure school districts stay in their lanes. The department fared poorly in a 2017 audit by the Secretary of State, which concluded it didnt do enough to help schools anticipate which students are most at risk for dropping out. The agency had improved little when auditors reviewed its progress in a report last month. Fick said the bill is cognizant of the departments limitations and sets aside resources and guidance so the department will do better. I think that was purposely done with a lot of understanding of where the department is, she said, and where it needs to go. Jim Green, executive director of the Oregon School Boards Association, is satisfied with the level of accountability in the new bill. He said the legislation currently adds close to two-dozen staffers to the department to help administer the bill and requires school boards to be transparent about how theyre spending their money. To Green, that distinguishes the pending $2 billion spending plan from Measure 97, the $6 billion tax hike Oregon voters emphatically rejected in 2016. With Ballot Measure 97 the money just went into the general fund and gave the Legislature wide discretion on how to spend it, Green said. This is targeted investment in K12 learning. -- Mike Rogoway | twitter: @rogoway | 503-294-7699 Four additional defendants have been named in a $1 million lawsuit filed against Joey Gibson, the founder of a group involved in a clash outside a Northeast Portland cidery last week. Cider Riot owner Abram Goldman-Armstrongs lawsuit claims Gibson and several other right-wing protesters showed up at his business Wednesday and fought with customers, causing mayhem and physical injury to at least one person. An amended complaint also wages a new allegation: intentional interference with economic relations. The suit now names Christopher Ponte, a Portland cop watcher; David Willis, founder of the Oregon-based Patriots United group; Mackenzie Lewis; and Matthew Cooper. Patriot Prayer, Gibson, Ian Kramer and 25 others allegedly involved in the May Day incident are also mentioned. Kramer, Ponte, Cooper and Willis are described in the suit as having attended Patriot Prayer activities since the groups inception. Gibson and Lewis allegedly battered someone in an effort to demask them. The economic relations count alleges the defendants tried to interfere with Cider Riot business by harassing investors and people at the Northeast Portland cidery and tasting room as well as through calls to file frivolous Oregon Liquor Control Commission complaints. The remaining claims regard negligence, trespass and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Cider Riot on Wednesday hosted a May Day celebration, at which people who had participated in demonstrations earlier in the day gathered to listen to live music. About 20 right-wing protesters, including Gibson, arrived at the business, and a clash between them and patrons of Cider Riot ensued. Video of the incident shows people deploying pepper spray, and several people fighting. According to the lawsuit, Kramer, a frequent Patriot Prayer rally participant, hit a female Cider Riot patron on the head with a baton and knocked her unconscious. In response to the suit, Gibson said he was the one who was assaulted while standing on a public sidewalk. I walk into dangerous situations, I never fight back, he told the Oregonian/OregonLive last week. He said his intention in going to Cider Riot that day was to take video and show the event that Cider Riot was hosting. He said the event was co-hosted by Rose City antifa. He said when he got there, people were drinking on the patio and wearing masks, and several had cans of bear spray. He said neither he nor the people he came with had spray or any sort of weapons, although video footage shows people from both groups deploying bear spray, and members of the group that came with Gibson throwing projectiles at the bar patrons. Warning: Video contains graphic language. breaking: far-right protesters and Proud Boys have arrived at Cider Riot. Cider Riot has done benefits for antifa and has also been vandalized in the past. RIOOOT. huge fight! pic.twitter.com/PKeRdYCF6d Mike Bivins (@itsmikebivins) May 2, 2019 The Oregonian/OregonLive Visit subscription.oregonlive.com/newsletters to get Oregonian/OregonLive journalism delivered to your email inbox. Portland-area rivers and lakes may look like an enticing way to beat the heat. But water temperatures are still chilly, and that can present danger to anyone looking to take a dip. Entering cold water can cause swimmers to gasp, inhale water then go under. Currents can keep swimmers from reaching safety. This weekend, a Portland man went missing after falling out of an inner tube during a weekend floating trip on the Washougal River, according to the Clark County Sheriffs Office. Authorities searched for him Sunday, but he remains missing. Early-season swimming and other water activities can be more dangerous because of colder water temperatures and river currents quickened by snowmelt. If you swim, officials urge awareness of water temperatures and hazards, wearing life jackets and refraining from drinking alcohol. Swimmers should also keep an eye on children near the water, abide by posted rules, swim with others and be aware of their swimming skill, officials say. "Wearing a properly fitting life jacket, that would be the No. 1 thing" to stress when teaching people about water safety, Sgt. Bob Ray of the Washington County Sheriff's Office previously told The Oregonian/OregonLive. That's in addition to not overestimating your swimming ability and refraining from drinking or smoking marijuana while enjoying the Northwest's waterways. Such warnings are commonplace as temperatures rise and lakes and rivers exert a seemingly gravitational pull on swimmers. Cold water -- which can seem warm near the surface -- can quickly and unexpectedly cause a lack of muscle function in limbs. And while highs are expected to crest near 89 degrees this week, river temperatures are much colder. The Willamette River in Portland, for example, was about 57 degrees Monday afternoon. The Clackamas River near Oregon City -- not far from Gladstone's popular High Rocks Park -- was under 53 degrees. And the Columbia River in Washougal was less than 56 degrees. The nonprofit National Center for Cold Water Safety advises people to treat any water temperature under 70 degrees with caution. -- Jim Ryan; jryan@oregonian.com; 503-221-8005; @Jimryan015 Visit subscription.oregonlive.com/newsletters to get Oregonian/OregonLive journalism delivered to your email inbox. Cruise, a San Francisco, CA-based maker of self-driving, all-electric vehicles, received a $1.15 billion equity investment. Backers included a group comprising institutional investors, including funds and accounts advised by T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc., and existing partners General Motors, SoftBank Vision Fund and Honda. This investment increases the companys post-money valuation to $19.0 billion, inclusive of SoftBank Vision Funds previously announced investment commitment. In the last year, it has secured capital commitments totaling $7.25 billion. Founded in 2013 and led by CEO Dan Ammann, Cruise is building advanced self-driving, all-electric vehicles that safely connect people to the places, things, and experiences. The company also has offices in Seattle, Pasadena, and Phoenix. FinSMEs 07/05/2019 This week, May 6-11, is National Economic Development Week, and as such, the Midland Business Alliance requested a proclamation from the city, officially recognizing the week in Midland. Economic Development Week was first established by International Economic Development Council in 2016 and serves to "increase awareness of local programs that create jobs, advance career development opportunities and increase the quality of life in communities everywhere." Monday night at the Midland City Council meeting, the council officially established the awareness week, locally. "Celebrating National Economic Development Week is not just about celebrating the work the MBA does to support Midland's businesses every day, but celebrating our entire community," said Tony Stamas, president and chief executive officer of the MBA in a company statement. "Positive economic development relies on strong community support of local businesses as well as a strong workforce to develop those companies." According to MBA, it is the only agency in Midland County devoted solely to the economic development of the community. MBA offers local business support by boosting innovation and entrepreneurship, attracting, retaining and expanding business, attracting and developing talent and advocating for business by being the voice of Midland businesses. In 2018 alone, nearly $16 million of new investment in 154 projects was recorded by MBA's economic development agency, resulting in 127 new jobs and 104 retained jobs, according to MBA. This was due in part by things like staff-assisted client visits, free on-site recruitment service events, assisting companies with on-the-job training grants and assisting businesses with IT services, among many other efforts. "The MBA's economic development arm, formerly known as Midland Tomorrow, has been focused on working to increase business investment in Midland County for more than 50 years," said Becky Church, vice president of economic and business development for the MBA. "We are excited to focus on sharing what economic development is all about with the community during Economic Development Week." Church said in recognition of Economic Development Week, MBA will post social media campaigns highlighting incentives that businesses can take advantage of, such as the Michigan Business Development Program, Jobs Ready Michigan and Community Development Brownfield Program. The Jobs Ready Michigan program helps meet talent needs of companies that are expanding or relocating to Michigan, while the Brownfield Program encourages development in Midland on properties that are contaminated, functionally obsolete, blighted or historic. An example of a Midland business that has already taken advantage of the Brownfield Program is the H Residence downtown. In addition, the Michigan Business Development Program is designed to provide grants, loans or other economic assistance to businesses for highly competitive projects in Michigan that create jobs and/or provide investment, in cooperation with the Michigan Economic Development Corp. The community can follow MBA on social media @MBAMidland on Twitter and Facebook or online at midlandbusinessalliance.org. OSF Commerce, a Quebec City, Canada-based provider of Salesforce Commerce Cloud as well as multi-cloud and B2B commerce solutions, raised $23M in equity funding. The round was led by Delta-v Capital with participation from Salesforce Ventures. Led by Gerry Szatvanyi, CEO, OSF Commerce is a global leader in Salesforce Commerce Cloud as well as multi-cloud and B2B commerce solutions, including OSF UnifyCOMMERCE (patent pending), a commerce solution that integrates customer data across Salesforces diverse Clouds and from multiple sales channels, online as well as offline, for a centralized view of the customer data. A Platinum Salesforce Partner, The company works with many of the premier brands across North America, Europe, and Asia; including Ubisoft, Bouclair, Geox, Kal Tire, Markwins Beauty, and Urban Barn. FinSMEs 07/05/2019 Pitchboy, a New York and Paris, France-based virtual reality training company, closed a $675K seed funding round. Backers included Philippe Joffard, ex-CEO of Lafuma (Euronext LAF) and Christophe Cremer, founder of meilleurtaux.com bought by Goldman Sachs-owned fund in 2017. The company intends to use the funds to invest in its technological road map and hire talent. Founded in 2019 by Homeric de Sarthe, CEO, Pitchboy provides a virtual reality platform which offer customized training for sales and customer representatives by combining three main technology building blocks: virtual reality, speech to text and a proprietary natural language understanding algorithm. This enables the user to speak to the virtual customer, who is able to respond like in a real-life scenario. Text prompts can guide the user throughout the session, and every scenario is filmed with real actors at the clients store or office space for a more realistic feel. Pitchboys customer portfolio includes Orange (4th largest telecommunications provider in Europe), Credit Agricole (3rd European Banking Group) and Sixt, car rental leader. The company now has a team of 10 in Paris, France and New York City. FinSMEs 08/05/2019 Abuja, Nigeria (PANA) The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Tuesday said that its Air Task Force (ATF) in the northwest has recorded a major success against armed bandits near Rugu Forest, Zamfara State, destroying the camp of a major kingpin and killing 20 of his fighters Harare, Zimbabwe (PANA) - Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz) director-general Gift Machengete has told Parliament that rising mobile data costs are due to operators removing promotional bundles PEORIA New York States highest court has ruled against the New York Archdioceses latest effort to keep Archbishop Fulton J. Sheens remains from being moved to Peoria. The Court of Appeals New Yorks equivalent of the Illinois Supreme Court has rejected an archdiocese argument claiming that lower courts had made constitutional errors in repeatedly giving permission to a Sheen relative to transfer his remains to Peoria, where he was ordained as a priest 100 years ago. The ruling, released Friday, severely tightens the legal window for any further appeals by the New York Archdiocese, giving the Peoria Diocese greater hope of seeing the remains interred at St. Marys Cathedral. After almost three years of litigation, the New York Archdioceses legal arguments have now been rejected at all three levels of the New York state court system, said Monsignor James E. Kruse, vicar general for the Peoria Diocese. Although the New York Archdiocese may technically have legal options remaining, they are contrary to the wishes of Archbishop Sheen and his family, and would serve no genuine purpose except to delay the eventual transfer of Archbishop Sheens remains. We call on the Archdiocese of New York to end its litigious endeavors. Born in El Paso in 1895, Sheen went on to a celebrated career in New York as host of the national-television program Life Is Worth Living. Five days before his death, in 1979, Sheen signed a will seeking burial in the Archdioceses graveyard, Calvary Cemetery. But the Archdiocese instead sought and won permission from Sheens closest living relative, niece Joan Sheen Cunningham, to inter him in a place of honor: St. Patricks Cathedral. The matter rested quietly until 2002, when the Peoria Diocese began the lengthy process campaigning the Vatican for Sheens sainthood. Since 2012, Sheen has been one step beatification away from sainthood. Before beatification, church law calls for the body to be exhumed for authentication. From the Peoria Dioceses vantage, Roman Catholic tradition calls for beatification in the diocese of the origin of a sainthood effort. In 2014, the New York Archdiocese refused the Peoria Dioceses request to disinter Sheen. So, in 2016, the diocese filed a suit in New York seeking to move the remains to Peoria, citing new support from niece Cunningham. That year, a New York judge ruled the remains immediately could be moved to Peoria. Since then, however, appeals have gone back and forth, but in the last appellate court ruling, in March, judges said court testimony indicated Sheen would approve of any process that would aid canonization, including a relocation of remains to Peoria. The New York Archdiocese could make two further appeals: one, back to the states highest court; or two, to the U.S. Supreme Court, to essentially claim all of New Yorks lower courts repeatedly made legal errors. Meanwhile, the Peoria Diocese is still hoping to bury Sheens remains this year at a crypt at St. Marys Cathedral, the diocesan seat. Sheen was ordained at St. Marys on Sept. 20, 1919, and the Diocese has expressed a wish that beatification could occur on or near the 100th anniversary of his ordination. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 State Rep. Jerry Costello II, D-Smithton, is leaving the state House of Representatives for an Illinois Department of Natural Resources position, the governor's office announced. Costello, son of former congressman Jerry Costello, has been appointed to director of Law Enforcement at the IDNR. The appointment does not need to be confirmed by the state Senate, said Jordan Abudayyeh, a spokeswoman for the governor's office. Costello will earn $112,000 in his new job, Abudayyeh added. "After serving his country in the battlefields of Iraq and the people of Southern Illinois in the statehouse, I'm thrilled Jerry Costello is continuing his public service by leading law enforcement at the Department of Natural Resources," said Gov. J.B. Pritzker. "His wide-ranging experience brings much value to an important piece of state government." Costello a conservative Democrat who was re-elected last year, resigned Tuesday as state representative in the 116th District. He has been in that position since 2011. "It's an honor to lead the dedicated group of men and women who keep Illinoisans safe while they enjoy our state's natural resources," Costello said. "I'm excited to start this new chapter, and I thank Gov. Pritzker for the opportunity to serve." Costello in 2018 faced a tough challenge from Republican David Friess. Costello won by 7 percentage points as Southern Illinois has increasingly voted for the GOP. It was the first time Costello had been challenged for the seat since 2012, when he defeated Julie Bigham Eggers by 25 percentage points. While in the House, Costello was a reliable conservative vote and faced a tough hill to climb push his priorities as Democrats hold a supermajority in the chamber with 74 out of the 118 seats. Costello has been against going to a progressive income tax and legalizing marijuana both of which are two of Pritzker's top priorities. Costello also voted against minimum wage increase, which was approved by the legislature and signed by the governor in February. The district includes all of Monroe and Randolph counties and parts of St. Clair and Perry counties. The Democratic Party chairmen from those counties have 30 days to vote on who will replace Costello, under state law. The vote will be weighted based on the number of votes Costello received in each county in the November election. When that vote will take place is still unclear. Kerry Johnson, the chairman of the Randolph County Democratic Central Committee, said he is still waiting on final details of the procedure, but hopes to have someone in Costello's seat before the end of the session which is scheduled to end on May 31. Johnson said whoever is selected will need to be someone who could handle criticism, especially in today's political environment. "Today we need someone with a tough skin for sure," Johnson said. Johnson however would not comment on whether there would be an effort to find a replacement who would vote for the governor's agenda. "That would be up to the individual we select," Johnson said. "I wouldn't tell someone how to vote." Johnson also said he hasn't heard of any specific names of people who could fill the seat. "I'm sure there will several people that will put their name in the hat," Johnson said. In the state House, Costello chaired the Agriculture and Conservation committee. Costello graduated from Southern Illinois University Carbondale, and served during Operation Desert Storm as part of the U.S. Army's 82nd Airborne Division. After Costello's military service he worked as a police officer. He eventually became an assistant police chief. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 "The first thing we do, let's kill all the referees." Admittedly, that is not quite how the famous line from Shakespeare's "Henry VI" goes. As you may recall, it was actually the lawyers whose demise was proposed. But though no one is known to have uttered the words above, they still neatly encompass the strategy conservatives have long used against the so-called "liberal media." Namely, undermine them and thus, their ability to act as arbiters of truth with relentless attacks on their credibility. No less an authority than conservative pundit Charlie Sykes admitted as much in a 2016 interview with journalist Oliver Darcy. "We've basically eliminated any of the referees, the gatekeepers," he said of himself and his conservative colleagues. Sykes spoke during the 2016 campaign when people were still stunned at the barrage of untruths spewing from the Republican candidate. "We've created this monster," said Sykes, adding that, "At a certain point, you wake up and you realize you have destroyed the credibility of any credible [news] outlet out there. And I am feeling, to a certain extent, that we are reaping the whirlwind at that." In related news, Donald Trump recently told the 10,000th lie of his presidency. This, according to The Washington Post, which maintains a database of all the times Trump has exaggerated, distorted or misled. Ten thousand. Feels like there ought to be a statue, or something. And what does Trump lie about? Pretty much everything. He lies about the border wall, claiming it is now being built. It isn't. He lies about his tax cut, claiming it was the biggest in history. It wasn't. He lies about the Mueller report, claiming it exonerates him. It doesn't. Indeed, the very same time he notched his dubious milestone, Trump told a particularly gruesome whopper about supposed legislation empowering a new mother and her doctor to "determine whether or not they will execute the baby." And how did The New York Times respond to this flaming canard? It called it "inaccurate," which raised something of a stink on Twitter. That's not surprising. Calling that hogwash "inaccurate" is like saying the Titanic was "delayed." The Times is not alone; most news organizations have resisted calling Trump's lies lies. Their reasoning, it must be conceded, is thoughtful. After all, to call something a lie is to impose judgment. Sometimes, when people are incorrect it's not a lie, only a mistake. But 10,000 times in a little over two years? How gullible must you be to believe someone could be that wrong that often by accident? If any other man told you half that many untruths, you'd call him a liar. You wouldn't hesitate. Yet here, we do. It sets an extraordinary precedent, yes, for a news organization to brand a president a liar. But these are extraordinary times and a liar, brazen and inveterate, is precisely what Trump is. In their refusal to call him that, in their insistence upon giving him the benefit of nonexistent doubt, news media compromise their prime directive, which is to present a picture of the world as it is. That's something we can ill afford with the very idea of truth under attack and the need for news media to do their jobs arguably more critical than ever. This is a time for forthrightness, yet too often journalists are anything but, from coverage of race, to climate change to this, as the newspaper of record dubs a grotesque lie merely "inaccurate." It makes you wonder if all the effort conservatives put into neutering the referees was not a waste of time. Seems the referees have done a fair job of neutering themselves. Contact Pitts at lpitts@miamiherald.com. Love 2 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The 101st Illinois General Assembly convened in early January. The deadline for lawmakers to approve legislation is midnight on May 31. So why did Gov. J.B. Pritzker and lawmakers who favor legalization of recreational marijuana wait until Saturday to announce legislation they want to see enacted? That doesn't give legislators, or the public, much time to absorb, ponder and debate everything being proposed. It's almost as though those pushing the idea don't want anyone to have too much time to inspect their work, lest its approval be put in doubt. The bill is 300 pages long, befitting the challenge involved in moving to allow the possession, sale and production of a drug that has been illegal under Illinois and federal law since the 1930s -- and is certain to remain illegal under federal law for the foreseeable future. It contains rules on a host of topics, including limits on possession amounts, licensing of growing operations and dispensaries, expungement of criminal records for past cannabis offenses and tax levels for different products. It calls for helping entrepreneurs of color get into the business. The summary released last week says the governor will appoint a "Cannabis Regulation Oversight Officer" whose job will be to "make statutory and regulatory recommendations concerning the adult use program." That's an appropriate government position to create. But based on the description it also sounds like legislative supporters want to approve the general concept now and then leave many details for later, to be figured out by someone else. This is our concern with this process: The bill is in a big hurry. Of course the oversight officer would have more information to draw on once the program is in place. But we'd prefer that lawmakers spend more time gathering the information coming in from the 10 states (plus the District of Columbia) that have already legalized recreational pot. Some of them made that choice early, notably Washington and Colorado, but their experiments didn't get launched until 2014. Some of them did so recently, notably Michigan, whose voters approved a ballot initiative last year -- but the state won't actually have operating dispensaries until next year. Opponents contend that legalization has had destructive consequences. One study found that in three states that allowed recreational pot, traffic fatalities temporarily rose, and not only in those states but in neighboring ones. One major Colorado hospital saw a threefold increase in emergency room admissions by people who used cannabis. Revenue from marijuana excise taxes has run far below expectations in California. None of these developments are grounds to rule out legalization indefinitely. Making cannabis illegal, after all, has failed to prevent a huge market involving traffickers, dealers and users, which has produced a variety of grim consequences. But the apparent side effects of legalization in other states should give pause to our legislators. Illinois didn't legalize medical marijuana until 2013, and dispensaries didn't open until 2015. It didn't decriminalize personal possession of small amounts until three years ago. Part of our concern is that elected officials are so attracted to legal pot as a new source of tax revenue that they are already counting the money instead of considering the consequences. We supported both medical marijuana and decriminalization, and we are open to the possibility that the costs and harms of prohibiting recreational cannabis will prove to be greater than the costs and harms of allowing it. But this is too big and important a matter for lawmakers to jam through during a busy legislative session. Chicago Tribune Love 0 Funny 3 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Promethera Biosciences, a global innovator in cell-based medicines and liver diseases, closed a 39.7m (JPY4.94 billion) Series D financing. The round was co-led by new Japanese investors ITOCHU Corporation, who contributed 10m to this financing in January, and Shinsei Capital Partners. MEDIPAL HOLDINGS CORPORATION (Japan), Mirae Asset Capital (Korea), the family office Six Snow (Luxembourg), Korea Investment Partners (Korea), Ci:z Investment LLP (Japan) are joining the round as well as Belgian private investors. Existing investor, Mitsui & Co. Global Investment, Inc. (MGI), also participated. The company intends to use the funds to: accelerate its ongoing HepaStem clinical program in ACLF, launch its first clinical trial in NASH, and scale-up manufacturing, preclinical programs and overall operations. Led by John Tchelingerian, PhD, President and CEO, and Mutsuki Takano, Group CFO and General Manager of the Japan branch, Promethera is a global innovator in liver therapeutics whose mission is to bring patients life-saving treatments to reduce the need for liver transplantation. Its lead clinical program, derived from the patented cell technology platform HepaStem, is designed to benefit from its immune-modulatory and anti-fibrotic properties. HepaStem consists of liver stem cells that are obtained from ethically donated healthy human livers and expanded under cGMP conditions in production. The product candidate is currently being evaluated in a phase 2a clinical trial in the indication ACLF. In addition to its cell-based approaches, HepaStem and H2Stem, the company is advancing a portfolio of complementary biologics approaches including the anti-TNF-R1 antibody Atrosimab. Promethera is based We are a team of international experts operating out of facilities in Mont-Saint-Guibert (Belgium), Durham (NC, USA), Tokyo (Japan) and Basel (Switzerland). FinSMEs 07/05/2019 Chicago Tribune The possibility is sickening to contemplate: 5-year-old AJ Freund didn't have to die. His death, allegedly at the hands of his parents, could have been prevented by a well-run child welfare system. Witnesses in all corners of AJ's life saw signs of abuse or neglect. Many of them sounded alarms that were recorded by the courts and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, which once again finds itself struggling to explain why a child on its watch is now dead. Last month, the tiny victim was Ja'hir Gibbons, age 2. Two years ago, it was Semaj Crosby, 17 months, of Joliet Township. There have been too many others over the years. The failings at DCFS run right to the top of the organization. There has been a revolving door of leadership for years. Managers and investigators are tasked with the difficult job of looking into the private lives of troubled families and making responsible decisions about the welfare of children. Even the best-run agency would be challenged. DCFS is beleaguered. Of immediate concern is how DCFS weighs the risks to children against the department's desire to keep families intact. The DCFS worker and supervisor who handled AJ's case have been placed on administrative duties. On the bigger issues of how to effectively manage high-risk families, DCFS officials didn't have sufficient answers, but they remain accountable. When children are identified as being at risk, it becomes DCFS' responsibility to keep them safe. That system failed AJ Freund. The (Carbondale) Southern Illinoisan In the wake of violence, a community often asks itself as it should how did this happen? Why did this happen here? A theme has emerged in this particular conversation as our community processes the information we have so far. People have wrongly said and often incorrectly say, when it comes to gun violence in Carbondale that SIU students from Chicago are to blame. If only SIU would stop recruiting from Chicago, the violence would stop, they say. Invoking Chicago anytime a gun is fired in Carbondale helps no one. It only furthers stereotypes, and walks us two steps back as we attempt to move forward. There are plenty of legitimate questions to ask in our journey to seeking a solution to gun violence: How did the suspects get their guns? Why were they driven to use guns? Was there anything that could have been done to prevent this? Carbondale is not, as it is often called in the wake of gun violence here, "little Chicago." The violence that happens here is a product of our own community. Chicago has nothing to do with it. The issue of gun violence in Carbondale is Carbondale's to solve. This is our violence. The suspects are the young men that our community has raised. If we are to heal, if we are to find solutions, then we must ask the right questions. We must look within. The (Springfield) State Journal-Register The news earlier this month about the population in Illinois was grim, but not surprising. The state as a whole lost 0.4 percent of its population from July 2017 to July 2018, bringing the population of Illinois to 12,741,080 as of last summer. Every major metropolitan area in Illinois saw population decline during that time, and only 16 of the state's 102 counties saw an uptick in residents. Population decline in Illinois is nothing new: The population of the state as a whole declined for the fifth year in a row, according to Census data that came out last December. Some of it can be chalked up fewer children being born as one of the largest generations in history, the baby boomers, starts to die out. But the general state of affairs for Illinois unbalanced state budgets (if there is a budget at all), huge stack of unpaid bills, high overall tax burden, massive unfunded pension liabilities at the state and local levels, and a perception of being unfriendly to businesses are just a few realities that contribute to people choosing greener pastures to call home. The state has to create a new trajectory for Illinois, and that means trying a different way of conducting business. The last five scheduled weeks of this year's spring session of the General Assembly is an ideal time to start that new path. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 VanRiet Material Handling Systems has successfully installed a new parcel sorting solution at DHL Expresss new hub in Linz-Horsching, Austria. The new center represents the largest construction project in the history of DHL Express Austria. ') } // --> ') } else { console.log ('nompuad'); document.write('') } // --> VanRiet supplied its HC Sorter to the hub, which at 9,000m is capable of handling 6,000 parcels per hour. This HC system sorts the shipments that leave the parcel center via three different modes of transportation: by truck, by courier and by airplane. ') } else { console.log ('nompuad'); document.write(' ') } // --> ') } else if (width >= 425) { console.log ('largescreen'); document.write('') } else { console.log ('nompuad'); document.write('') } // --> During the tendering procedure for the sorting plant, we were not only looking for the best technical solution, but also for a partner who understands what we do, said Ken Straetman, project manager at DHL Express Austria, of why VanRiet was awarded the contract. The express business is growing rapidly and demands are increasingly complex. That is why we needed a flexible sorting solution and a supplier that could deliver the highest possible quality within the shortest possible timeframe, added Straetman. The hub, located at Linz Airport, is a combined service center, sorting facility and main handling center, with access to DHL Express aircraft that fly to the DHL air freight hubs in Brussels, Belgium, and Leipzig, Germany, four and five times a week, respectively. As such, the new parcel center required a sorting system with a high degree of flexibility and the ability to handle the complexities of simultaneously supplying a road hub, an air gateway and a courier service center. In close mutual consultation, the VanRiet engineers have managed to develop a versatile system that is ideally equipped for the future, said Straetman about the cooperation with the Dutch intralogistics company. Hundreds of former federal prosecutors have gone on record in a statement to argue that Donald Trump would have been charged with obstruction of justice based on the Mueller reports findings if he werent president. The statement was posted online on Monday, and included signatures from prosecutors who worked for Republican and Democratic administrations at all levels of the federal justice system. According to The Washington Post, the signatures were collected by Protect Democracy, a nonprofit that employs several former Justice Department employees. Each of us believes that the conduct of President Trump described in Special Counsel Robert Muellers report would, in the case of any other person not covered by the Office of Legal Counsel policy against indicting a sitting President, result in multiple felony charges for obstruction of justice, the statement reads. The prosecutors identified three specific cases in which they argue Trumps actions merited an obstruction charge based on provable corrupt intent and connection to pending legal proceedings. These included his attempts to fire special counsel Robert Mueller, limit the scope of Muellers investigation and prevent witnesses from cooperating with investigators. The statements list of signatories has ballooned to over 430, each of whom have reportedly been vetted to the best of our ability. Each prosecutor lists their name, the highest position they held in the Justice Department, the number of years they served and the administrations under which they served. However, just as Attorney General Barrs memo did not fully exonerate the president, other prosecutors are pointing out that this statement doesnt constitute the be-all, end-all proof of guilt that some might be hoping for. For example, Ken White, a former federal prosecutor who practices First Amendment law at Brown White & Osborn LLP in Los Angeles, tweeted on Monday, Im a former federal prosecutor here to tell you that you should exercise skepticism when a group of former federal prosecutors tells you a politician should or should not have been charged. Hi. Im a former federal prosecutor here to tell you that you should exercise skepticism when a group of former federal prosecutors tells you a politician should or should not have been charged. SnittyGrappleHat (@Popehat) May 6, 2019 However, a group of 400 qualified federal prosecutors is no small thing, and this statement represents yet another voice in the growing call for Congress to carry the torch passed by Robert Mueller and hold the president accountable to the fullest extent of the law. The early Democratic primary is strewn with progressive litmus tests, a minefield that resembles the North Sea in that as time goes on seemingly more and more are uncovered. Socialism. Reparations. Free trade. Military intervention. Gun bans. Abolishing the Electoral College. PAC money. Packing the Supreme Court. Impeachment. The Green New Deal. Free college tuition. And perhaps the most hotly debated and closely watched among voters, Medicare for All. But just as importantly, these issues are minefields in themselves. Though often presented as binary questionsAre you for or against X?that oversimplified framework does a disservice not just to the candidates but to voters trying to educate themselves on complex issues where each nuance presents candidates with different paths forward. Further, in a country as hopelessly divided as the United States, the binary test ignores the reality that unless Democrats win not just the Presidency but the House and Senate as wellthe odds dont look goodits not likely any Democratic candidate who passes the litmus tests will be able to pass litmus legislation by Mitch McConnell. This isnt an argument that candidates and voters shouldnt go to the mat to fight for core progressive ideals, or that progressives should forgive candidates who take positions antithetical to core progressive ideology, but that core progressive ideology is itself a mercurial concept increasingly defined not as a shared collection of ideas or valuesends in themselvesbut, somewhat ironically, as the means someone believes is the best way to achieve those ends. The litmus tests, then, only make sense if you believe these issues arent complicated, and offer only a few truly progressive paths forward. The result: In the first weeks of the 2020 primaries massive fault lines have already appeared along what were at one time relatively minute differences, creating rifts between candidates and liberal voting blocs who in the end want (often, but not always) the same things. Theres no better poster child than Medicare for All. Medicare is a government-run program that provides insurance to Americans 65 and older. In short, Medicare for All (M4A) would extend that existing plan to all Americans. Synonyms for this plan and similar onessome more squishy than othersinclude universal coverage, socialized medicine, single payer, and a public option. There are essentially two versions of M4A. The first (best exemplified in Bernie Sanders recent bill, co-sponsored by Democratic candidates Cory Booker, Kirsten Gillibrand, Kamala Harris, and Elizabeth Warren) is a single-payer (government-provided) system, which, as currently articulated, would eventually (virtually) eliminate private insurance. This bill folds all Americans under one government plan, meaning wed all have the same insurance, including theoretically all of the 8.8 percent of currently uninsured Americans. (Fairly amazing that Obamacare, flawed as it is, still got the insured rate higher than 90%as measured by people who had insurance of some kind at some point within the calendar year 2017.) Another version of M4A isnt universal coverage, but universal access. Any American who wants to buy into Medicare can access that option if they want it. Under this framework, some Americans might choose not to buy inor, given possible costs or coverage options, possibly not be able to afford itand theyd go without insurance. But this plan itself has two versions: The one just mentioned, and one that Democratic hopeful Pete Buttigieg calls Medicare for All Who Want It: Americans who like their current private plan wouldnt be forced to take a government plan, which might not offer the same breadth of coverage. Third is a government plan that doesnt cover everything, but leaves certain services to private providers. All countries with socialized medicine run it this way. For instance, Englands government plan doesnt cover dental insurance. If you want it, you have to buy it from a private provider. The Canadian system leaves home health services, prescription drugs, and dental and vision care to the private sector. Other countries have similar layouts, such as the Netherlands, which doesnt include dental and vision. In Sweden, private companies cover around 20% of public hospital care, as well as 30% of public primary care. (Candidates such as Buttigieg, Amy Klobuchar and, far as we can tell, Joe Biden support plans that look something like these last two versions.) And that will be the major sticking point: Do Americans want a healthcare system that mandates everyone accept government coverage, or do they want one that allows them to keep what theyre already paying for? And if we frame it as a progressive litmus test, is one plan more progressive than the other? At its most essential, Medicare for All (M4A) is a progressive policy: In extending the human right to healthcare to all Americans it guarantees broad benefits even to the least privileged among us, it doesnt discriminate, and healthcare providers dont fleece anyone. If we go by that definition, the above versions that guarantee everyone broad government coverage qualify, regardless of options for private coverage. With these models in mind, what does todays version of M4A look like? Sanders plan, however, is incredibly generous. In terms of benefits, it has no equal, even in countries with socialized medicine. The 2019 M4A Act would cover primary care, hospital visits, maternity care, lab work, medical devices, dental, vision, long-term care, rehab, and prescription drugs (though some prescriptions would be out-of-pocket). It eliminates all out-of-pocket healthcare spending, with the prescription drugs exception. You wont pay when you go to the doctor or emergency room. You wont pay premiums. There wont be deductibles. Amazing. As a result, there wouldnt be much elbow room for private insurance, and the industry would likely all but vanish. However, the Sanders approach doesnt immediately eliminate private insuranceor even eliminate it altogether. The M4A Act accounts for a four-year transition period. In that time, per the bill, anyone eligible for M4A benefits may opt to maintain any coverage described in section 901, private health insurance coverage, or coverage offered pursuant to subtitle A of title X. In other words, anyone can keep whatever plan they want during the four-year transition to a single-payer government system. So thats working with insurance companies, even if for a time. Further, though the Act prevents private health insurers and employers from selling coverage that duplicates government benefits, it also makes clear that [n]othing in this Act shall be construed as prohibiting the sale of health insurance coverage for any additional benefits not covered by this Act, including additional benefits that an employer may provide to employees or their dependents, or to former employees or their dependents. In other words, there might indeed be some room for private insurance to pick up things the government doesnt, even when the plan is in full swing. These details make it tough to talk about M4A on the campaign trail, even for someone who supports itor perhaps especially for someone who supports it. If you ask Sanders, Harris, Booker, Gillibrand, or Warren if they support Medicare for All, they can say, yesbecause theyre on record as co-sponsors of the M4A act. But that yes also covers the caveats of that act, and when you drill down to the details it might even appear hypocritical. On one hand the M4A Act honestly will do its best to eliminate private insurance, but at the same time the plan itself also recognizes things really might not shake out that way. For instance, it leaves open a possible future role for private insurers to offer boutique supplementary coverage. The Act also acknowledges that individual states themselves will unavoidably find wiggle room: Nothing in this Act shall prohibit individual States from setting additional standards, with respect to eligibility, benefits, and minimum provider standards, consistent with the purposes of this Act, provided that such standards do not restrict eligibility or reduce access to benefits or services. Case in point, the confusion generated from an answer Kamala Harris gave at a CNN town hall this January, in which she seemed to say she wants to get rid of private insurance, but which she was forced to clarify the next day, because the plan she supports (again: the Sanders plan) does in fact account for some role private insurance might or might not have in the future. This isnt Harris showing her true centrist colors. This is the paradox generated by our oversimplified understanding of M4A in the first place. The truth, of course, is that no candidate can honestly say this plan will eliminate private insurance. If it does, great. But its not all-or-nothing: There are caveats, and even if M4A passed today, it recognizes the future role for private companies (possibly nationally, and possibly empowered by decisions at the state level) isnt yet certain. If the universal human right to healthcare is our shared progressive goal, we have to figure out how to get from where we are to where we want to be. We cant clap-our-hands-say-yeah M4A into existence. In 2003, Barack Obama, describing a future landscape similar to that promised by M4A, said: I happen to be a proponent of a single-payer universal health care program. I see no reason why the United States of America, the wealthiest country in the history of the world, spending 14 percent of its gross national product on health care, cannot provide basic health insurance to everybody. And thats what Jim is talking about when he says everybody in, nobody out. A single-payer health care plan, a universal health care plan. Thats what Id like to see. But as all of you know, we may not get there immediately. Because first weve got to take back the White House, weve got to take back the Senate, and weve got to take back the House. Five years later, Democrats won the White House, the Senate, and the House. Obama tried to push through his single-payer, universal plan, and was blocked not by Republicans, but by Senators in his own party. The party wasnt readylet alone the countryand faced with the choice between nothing and something, Obama led Democrats in a lengthy negotiation process that resulted in the Affordable Care Act. True, liberals have moved to the left, and hardly anyone in the party doesnt want to push for some version of a universal plan. When you look at recent bipartisan polls, however, youll see the story is more complicatedand the M4A bills nuances reflect that complexity. Which lead us to think the country is in a different place now, but then again, it might not be. Recent polls reliably and repeatedly show that about seventy percent of Americansnot just Democratssupport universal healthcare. But nearly the same amountaround 65 percent of all Americanssupported a single-payer system in 2009, when Obama took office. A recent Kaiser Family Foundation survey (NOT the insurance provider; a foundation that conducts regular national surveys about healthcare) found that 56 percent of Americans support a national health plan, sometimes called Medicare for All. And even more sanguine 71 percent support a program that would guarantee health insurance as a right for all Americans. But when asked about the costs of single-payer systems, M4A support dropped fairly dramatically to less than 40 percent. The prospect of a future plan that would do away with private insurance and pay for it through higher taxes (as Sanders would) knocked support to 37 percent, and if such a plan meant possible delays in treatment, support dropped to 26 percent. In other words, its complicated, and any Democratic President pushing a M4A planespecially one such as the Bernie bill now on the table, which could cost $32 trillion over a decadewill have to appeal not just to the shared belief that all Americans have the right to healthcare, but make a convincing argument aboutyeshow we get there, and how we pay for it. Sanders himself, though hes offered specific suggestions, isnt yet clear about his plan to pay for it. And sure, the dream is good, but a President will have to sell it. (Sanders, in nearly thirty years in Congress, has gotten seven bills passed into law.) The progressive critics buzzword incrementalism, therefore, is absurd: Any policy roadmap is tautologically incremental. Though the four heinous years of a Donald Trump presidency and GOP control might indeed have created a unique opening for the left to appeal a winning now or never argument for what were once considered radical non-starters, as long as Democrats have to contend with a Republican Senate they must also cede that no policy ambitious enough to earn the truly progressive seal will be achieved at the clap of a Presidents hands, evenas Democratic courtroom challenges to Trumps most extreme orders have shownvia executive fiat. For instance, would the conservative Supreme Courtwhich only narrowly upheld Obamacare on a technicalityagree not just that healthcare qualifies as a national emergency, but that the immediate implementation of a universal plan is constitutional? Sadlyor maybe not so sadly for voters concerned about limitless expansion of executive powerthats not our reality, and even the most aggressively progressive policies recognize this: Theyre all incremental. All M4A plans on the table are paths, not commands. We must therefore shift the progressive litmus test about M4A or other universal plans to be primarily about the ends: Will all Americans be cared for, even those who cant afford to pay anything? Will no one get fleeced in the process? If so, any such plan should pass the progressive test and move on to round two: How will we get there? Patna: Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) chief and Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan, in a wide range of questioning by the media at a press conference in Patna on Sunday, supported the idea of providing reservation in education and jobs to financially-strapped upper-caste people. "Upper caste people who are struggling to meet ends should be given 15% reservation in jobs and education. This is only fair to those who are poor but are not part of any reservation group," Paswan said. On the issue of special status to Bihar, the LJP chief said he supported Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on this issue but also understood the reason why the Center was reluctant to accord special status to Bihar. "I believe Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu's decision to split from the NDA on the issue of special status was misguided and rather unfair. He was part of the NDA government for the past four years and many of his party leaders were ministers in the Narendra Modi administration. Special status is given to states only when all the conditions are met unequivocally. The Finance Minister, without saying anything about special status, had announced huge financial assistance for Andhra Pradesh in a speech in the Parliament and yet Naidu chose to sever ties with the NDA," Paswan said. On the NDA's prospect in the just-concluded Karnataka Assembly polls, the Union Minister was upbeat about the result saying NDA was poised to score majority in the state. Paswan also ridiculed the opposition of day-dreaming about having a new Prime Minister in place of Modi. "Everybody from Rahul Gandhi to Mamata Banerjee, to Sharad Pawar and Chandrababu Naidu are being projected as the next Prime Minister of India. The fact is, there is no vacancy for the post of Prime Minister. Narendra Modi is the Prime Minister of India and he will remain so even after the next Lok Sabha polls," he said. The LJP chief lauded Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's initiative to provide Rs. 1 lakh to Dalit students clearing preliminary test in the UPSC and Rs. 50,000 to those clearing preliminaries in the BPSC exam saying this would encourage more students to study hard and compete for jobs in the civil services. Paswan was one of the many politicians, including Nitish Kumar, who were present at the wedding of former Bihar Health Minister and the son of Lalu-Rabri Tej Pratap Yadav who got married to Aishwarya Rai, the daughter of RJD leader Chandrika Rai and the grand-daughter of former Bihar Chief Minister Daroga Rai. Araria: Just hours after attending the highly-publicized wedding of Lalu's son Tej Pratap Yadav with Aishwarya Rai, the grand-daughter or former Bihar Chief Minister Late Daroga Rai in Patna, four persons including three Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leaders died in a road accident on Sunday morning while returning to their homes in Araria district. According to reports coming from Araria, the driver of the vehicle near Forbesganj under Simraha police station either dozed off or otherwise got distracted by something and lost control of the vehicle going over the median on the other side of the road where it was struck head on by an oncoming truck. All four men in the Scorpio died on the spot. Based on the Adhaar Cards in their possessions, victims were identified as local RJD leaders Ikramul Haq Baghi, Intekhab Alam, and Pappu; and Sahil, the driver of the vehicle, a senior police official in Forbesganj said. Actual cause of accident remains under investigation. Bodies of the victims were sent to a hospital for post mortem to rule out if alcohol played any role in the tragedy. Party leaders in Patna, expressing their shock over the tragedy, sent their condolences to the victim's family though it was not clear if any member of the Yadav household planned to meet with them anytime soon. Radical Ventures, a Toronto, Canada-based venture capital firm investing in entrepreneurs applying deep tech to transform massive industries, launched a new USD $350m fund focused primarily on artificial intelligence. Cornerstone LPs include: Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB), the Public Sector Pension Investment Board (PSP Investments), TD Bank Group, and Wittington Investments Limited. Founded in 2017 by Jordan Jacobs, Tomi Poutanen, Benji Sucher, Maks Volkovs, Radical Ventures seeks investments in companies developing AI products or applying AI to create a competitive advantage in massive markets, concentrating on 1) pre-seed and seed investments and 2) Series A stage investments with the ability to continue making investments through the growth stages of portfolio companies. In addition to the fund launch, the firm is adding Ed Clark as a partner while McKinsey & Company Global Managing Director Dominic Barton joined as senior advisor. Clark and Barton will provide portfolio companies with mentoring and advice and access to their extensive global networks. Salim Teja, former president, Venture Services of MaRS Discovery District in Toronto, also joined Radical as partner and general manager. His responsibilities will include overseeing Radicals Impact Team, designed to help portfolio companies accelerate their global growth. Poutanen and Volkovs are also advisors to Radical Fund II. FinSMEs 07/05/2019 SUNBURY Two sovereign citizens who have been sitting in the Northumberland County Prison for seven months, refusing to be fingerprinted or sign paperwork, are headed to trial. Despite their claims that theyre not subject to any laws, A jury was selected Monday for the trial thats slated to begin Wednesday in county court. John and Jane Doe were escorted from the courtroom of Judge Charles H. Saylor after the jury was picked because they became boisterous, claiming the court did not have jurisdiction over them. The two, identified by others as Kevin Gilgeours of Queens, N.Y., and Kathleen Claxton of Brooklyn, N.Y., are representing themselves but have been assigned stand-by counsel. Saylor canceled their initial jury selection because they refused to cooperate at a pretrial conference. He wrote: Under the circumstances, jurors will not, at this time, be exposed to the defendants present attempt to make a mockery of the authority of this court, the rules of procedure and the applicable law. They are charged with criminal trespass, endangering the welfare of a child, resisting arrest and causing a public nuisance. Gilgeours and Claxton have been in jail since Aug. 29 when Mount Carmel Twp. police forced their way into a home in the village of Connorsville. They initially were jailed in lieu of $20,000 bail each but in October it was reduced to unsecured bail, meaning they could be released if they signed paperwork and agreed to be fingerprinted. It is uncertain if the two are married but their 4-year-old daughter also was found in the house, township Chief Brian Hollenbush said. She initially was placed in the custody of county Children and Youth Services but is now with relatives in New York, he said. According to the chief and arrest documents, the Does bought the property in 2015 at a tax sale and lost it at a tax sale in July. We thought they had left, Hollenbush said, explaining water and power had been turned off. Neighbors reported activity there including people taking showers in the nude outside in the rain, he said. The Wayne County man who bought the West Fifth Street property in July sought their eviction. When officers went to the house in August to evict them, the male refused to open the door and Claxton is alleged to have yelled that police had no grounds to enter the structure. Additional police units were summoned, a ram was used to make entry and officers had to use pepper spray and a stun gun to take the two into custody. Sometimes people get unwanted tickets in the mail from police. But a Pa. woman says one cop sent her nude photos of himself. As the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports, Michelle Benninger of Pitcarin, Pa., has filed a federal suit against a police officer and his Pa. department accusing him of sending her nude selfie photos after charging her with drunken driving in 2017. Benningers suit says the actions of the since-suspended officer, Dominic DeJulio, inflicted emotional distress on her. And she blames the Ohio Township, Pa., police department, where he worked, for not properly training or supervising him. The suit seeks unspecified monetary damages. Background from the Post-Gazette: Benninger was driving in Emsworth, Pa., on Aug. 25, 2017, when another officer pulled her over at a sobriety checkpoint. Then-Officer DeJulio, who was manning the checkpoint, gave her a sobriety test and charged her with drunken driving. After her preliminary hearing in October, she said, DeJulio sent her text messages in an attempt to have sex with her, according to the complaint. The messages included lewd photos of himself. The district attorneys office withdrew the drunken driving case against Benninger after detectives investigated the circumstances. It was very upsetting and frustrating. It was just disgusting, Ms. Benninger said of the texts after the charges were dropped last year. Her suit says she suffered emotional trauma and damage to her reputation. It asks for unspecified compensatory and punitive damages. (Story continues below) Pitcairn woman sues Ohio Township and ex-cop who sent her nude selfies https://t.co/Otp8wMPOKo Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (@PittsburghPG) May 6, 2019 The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette notes Benninger granted permission for her name and image to be used. The police department had no immediate comment on the suit. Sure, there are more than a few problems tied to social media giant Facebook. Controversies about sharing its users personal information, struggling to keep away white supremacists and bots sharing false information for political purposes, and even growing rates of depression among its frequent users often dog the massive corporation. But on the plus side, theyre going to get us some free cupcakes! On May 10, representatives from Facebook will be visiting 50 different bakeries across the country - one selected in each state - to promote a new feature on their website. Anna Rose Bakery in Harrisburg is one of those locations selected. The new Facebook feature is birthday stories, which will allow users to send digital birthday cards, photos or videos for their friends special days. And as it can hardly be called a birthday without some sort of baked treat, Anna Rose will help them celebrate the launch by giving out cupcakes to visitors. The event will take place from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on May 10. For more information, visit the Anna Rose Bakery website. The Hershey Co. has made up months after cookie bakers protested over the discovery of tipless Kisses. In December, members of Wedding Cookie Table Community said they noticed missing trademark tips on the chocolate morsels they were using for holiday baking and cookies such as peanut butter blossoms. Some complained directly to the company. At the time, Hershey said it was investigating the lopped-off tops. On Sunday, Hershey Co. spokeswoman Anna Lingeris addressed the group at its cookie college in Washington, Pa., according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. In a goodwill gesture, Lingeris handed out 1,000 bags of the Kisses with the refined tips to attendees. You brought an issue to us that no one had ever brought up in the past, she said. And we want to make you happy. We know that your baking items is some of the most important things in your life. Back in December hundreds of members of the group contacted Hershey. Word spread on social media and media outlets such as People, Business Insider and Fox News picked up on the story. Lingeris said the Kisses wont be available at stores for a few more months as Hershey sells the existing inventory. Shoppers can expect to see them by fall, and theyll be a little prettier in easy-to-open stand-up packaging thats more convenient for consumers, she said. In January Hershey Co. CEO Michele Buck told CNBC the company had looked at the Kiss manufacturing process and made adjustments for greater consistency. Buck said they noticed inconsistencies with the shape of the tips, but she declined to provide details about what caused the issue in the first place, only relaying that changes have been made. According to the Post-Gazette, Lingeris told the group on Sunday that the company fields inquiries daily and we pay attention. We read all the comments and hear all the phone calls. Its part of our job and we take that responsibility very seriously. Hershey produces the Kisses at its West Hershey plant in Derry Township. The plant is capable of producing 70 million Kisses per day. Sheetz freaks, heres one more reason to head to your favorite convenience store. The Pennsylvania-based chain is unveiling its first-ever craft beer, Project Coffee Hopz. The limited-edition coffee bean IPA will sell at 55 stores throughout Pennsylvania for $7.99 for a four pack of cans. Its being brewed by Rusty Rail Brewing Company in Mifflinburg using Sheetz Brothers Sumatra coffee beans. We are lucky to collaborate with Rusty Rail Brewing Company, a well-known brewery born in central Pennsylvania, to create this limited-edition craft beer, said Ryan Sheetz, AVP of Brand at Sheetz. We have worked for years to make beer available in our store locations across Pennsylvania and now, with beer in more than 140 stores across the state, we are excited to take the next step in this journey. Customers can have their first taste of the beer during a launch party 4-7 p.m. May 16 at the Sheetz store in Bethel Park near Pittsburgh. Starting May 21, it will arrive at stores including a handful in Cumberland, Dauphin, Lebanon, Lancaster and York counties. The beer will be available while supplies last and will not be restocked. Sheetz in not the first convenience store in the state to brew and sell a beer. Last year rival Wawa released a Winter Reserve Coffee Stout, brewed by 2SP Brewing Co. It sold at the companys store in Chadds Ford. Heres where you can find Project Coffee Hopz in the Harrisburg region: Cumberland County 1900 Ritner Highway, Carlisle 359 E. King St., Shippensburg Dauphin County 3695 Paxton St., Swatara Township 4651 Lindle Road, Swatara Township 6290 Allentown Blvd., Lower Paxton Township 4001 Union Deposit Road, Lower Paxton Township 7970 Linglestown Road, West Hanover Township 777 Middletown Road, Derry Township 1401 W. Harrisburg Pike, Middletown York County 2068 S. Queen St., York 160 Leaders Heights Road, York Lancaster County 1699 Oregon Pike, Manheim Township 3505 Lititz Pike, Manheim Township 1205 Lancaster Road, Penn Township Lebanon County 811 E. Main St., Palmyra TA Associates, a global growth private equity firm, closed its thirteenth private equity fund, at $8.5 billion. Launched in the first quarter of 2019, TA XIII exceeded its original $7.5 billion target. Commitments came from a group of existing investors, including public pension plans, sovereign wealth funds, foundations and endowments. The fund will focus on equity investments in middle-market growth companies, with high quality, profitable business models around the world within the technology, healthcare, financial services, consumer and business services industries, primarily in opportunities originated and led exclusively by TA. Investments will range from $75-$500m in equity. It is expected that TA XIII will commence its investment period during the second half of 2019. The fund is the successor fund to TA XII, a $5.3 billion private equity fund that began investing in March 2016, and TA Atlantic and Pacific VII, a $1.4 billion private equity fund that began investing in January 2014. The firm has a team of more than 85 investment professionals based in Boston, Menlo Park, London, Mumbai and Hong Kong. Goodwin Procter LLP served as fund counsel for TA XIII. FinSMEs 07/05/2019 What makes you smile at work? For Pennsylvanias Capitol Police, one answer may be the new puppy the department has just added to its four-legged roster. A female, brown and white pit bull mix, the pup was introduced on the forces Facebook page Tuesday through a series of adorable photos and a chance for all interested to suggest a permanent name. The dog was found in the area of the Finance Building on April 29, and according to the departments posts, was cared for by Sgt. Michael Schmidt until the decision to have something of a department mascot was reached. PennLive was awaiting some further answers about the police pups back story at press time for this story, but heres what we know so far. Unlike the agencys five dogs - Brix, Artie, Majo, Boss and Falco - that are formally trained for bomb detection and other police work, the new dogs ghost writer notes that her only official duty will be to love and be loved which I promise I will do very well. Because of the 24/7 nature of a police operation, the dog, the post goes on to promise, will be cared for 24 hours a day with 100% officer-donated funds, and I have tons of wonderful interaction with my nearly 100 owners every day! One thing the dog is missing right now is a name. Thats where you come in. Visitors to the Pennsylvania Capitol Police Facebook page are invited to scroll through the photos of the pup and suggest a permanent name. From the suggestions, the department says, five semi-finalists will be revealed. On Monday, May 13, the department will announce the winner. The department is offering a special gift for the first person who suggests the winning name. Accused of watching as two dogs mauled each other in an arranged fight, a Harrisburg man now faces a pair of felony charges. George M. Mena, 49, was one of three men watching the fight, but the other two men fled when officers arrived, according to charging documents filed by Harrisburg police. According to a criminal complaint filed against Mena, officers responded about 2:02 a.m. Wednesday to the 300 block of Evergreen Street, where they found Mena and the other men watching as two dogs were mauling each other." At some point during the fight, one of the dogs walked up to Mena, sat and wagged its tail before again attacking the other animal, police said. When the dog approached Mena, he did not make an attempt to flee, leading police to believe that the dog and Mena knew each other, according to the complaint. In the complaint, police noted that Mena made no attempt to stop the fight or to call for help. The dogs were killed at the scene of the fight due to their aggressive behavior, police said. Online court documents show that Mena faces two felony charges of animal fighting. He also faces a summary charge of public drunkenness. Police said Mena was intoxicated at the time of the fight. Mena was arraigned on his charges Wednesday morning, and he is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing at 9 a.m. May 14 before Magisterial District Judge Paul T. Zozos. Mena is free from prison after being released on his own recognizance, online court documents show. After two weekends of fights at Harrisburg Mall, police say arrests are being made and they know whats causing the problem. One family hopes thats true, but they wont be going back to the mall any time soon. A woman, who asked to remain anonymous due to ongoing threats to her family, said Monday her pre-teen daughters leg was broken during a fight at the mall. She said several members of her family were at the Harrisburg Mall on Paxton Street, Swatara Township, on Saturday, including two adults, several teen cousins and a 2-year-old. The mother said her family members went to the mall to go shopping, and was still there when stores began to close at 9 p.m. The mall closes at that time, although the theater continues to show movies. It was shortly after one movie let out, that the mothers family members became the target of what she terms some drama that led to the attack on her family. It was very upsetting, to know that that happened, the mother said. She had dropped off several family members and wasnt there, but has seen videos and photos of what happened. She returned to the mall and took her daughter to the hospital after the fight, she said. Swatara Township Director of Public Safety Darrell Reider offered some background Monday to what he believes led to the fights. Several years ago, police were having problems on weekends with some fights at the mall after the movies would let out, he said. Together with movie theater management, a rule was put into place that kids would not be allowed to go into the theater unchaperoned by an adult if the movie was ending past curfew. According to Reider, once the rule was in place they stopped having problems. The fights ceased, Reider said, because the children that were there, going to the movies, had parental supervision. We didnt have problems of mass groups of people out past curfew. Then, two weekends ago, new management took over at the theater, Reider said. At the same time, one of the biggest movies of all time, Avengers: Endgame came out. Reider said the length of the movie took everyone by surprise, and they didnt realize that for many of the evening showings, minors who were let in unchaperoned before the 11 p.m. curfew would be getting out past curfew. There were some minor problems the weekend of April 27 and 28, after the movie let out, Reider said. But police knew what to expect this weekend, and tried to prepare, he said. They didnt have any major problems, until one girl got jumped by a group of other juveniles. Reider couldnt discuss the specifics of the case because it involves minors. He did say that a fight that started in the mall spilled out into the Sheetz on Paxton Street. Police responding to the Sheetz said 15 to 20 juveniles were at the gas station. Police could not say for sure how many juveniles were involved in the mall portion of the fight, but the mother of the family members who were there said she was told up to 35 participated. Reider also knew an injury was reported from the mall fight. He said one arrest was made in the mall fight, and two juveniles were cited for disorderly conduct in connection with what happened at Sheetz. We have made efforts with mall management to make things better, as far as curfew issues, Reider said. Kids are not going to be allowed in the movies unchaperoned if the movie lets out past curfew. The mother said her daughter is in a splint and will be going to the doctor this week to figure out what they need to do next for her leg. Theyre terrified now, the mother said of her family members who were there. They wont be going to the mall anymore. Well just do online shopping. It could have happened anywhere. She said it was a learning experience for her family and that theyre going to be more cautious and mindful of where they go. She also learned a lot, she said, about the teens that attacked her family. The kids, theyre so young that the ones that were involved, are posting the stuff on social media, the mother said. You dont know what youre getting yourself caught up in. She also said she hopes that the measures taken by police and mall management work in the future. We think its going to get better," Reider said. He also said that the investigation into the fight is ongoing and that the case has been assigned to the Criminal Investigations unit. Anyone with information can contact Swatara Township Police at 717-564-2550 or through its Crimewatch website. A man had to be flown to the hospital after an early morning fire in York County. Crews were dispatched to an apartment at 2:55 a.m. Tuesday in the 400 block of Broadway Street in Hanover Borough, according to FOX43. Crews told the news agency three different apartments sustained damage from the fire that started as a result of a candle in one of them. The man who was flown to the hospital suffered burns as a result of the blaze. When a man was running around a Philadelphia neighborhood, smashing cars with a rock Monday evening, a neighbor took matters into his own hands. He shot him. The shooting occurred around 5:50 p.m. Monday in west Philadelphia on N. 57th St., Action News 6 ABC is reporting. Police say the man, whose name has not been released, was running through the neighborhood, yelling and damaging cars with a rock. A 25-year-old resident with a permit to carry shot him, reports indicate. There is no word if charges will be filed against him. The man who was shot is listed in stable condition. In a year where state officials are paying increased attention to a depressed farm economy, the Pennsylvania Senate gave unanimous approval Tuesday to a set of bills they hope can help. Different planks of the package will: Make clear that farmers who have sold off development rights for their properties are permitted to use a portion of their preserved farms for agri-tainment activities like mazes, hayrides, petting zoos and the like. Establishes a blue-ribbon panel to take a year-long look at factors hurting and future opportunities for the Pennsylvania dairy industry, with recommendations for further state policy initiatives to follow. Create a new personal income tax credit to farmers who sell or lease their land to new farmers, offering an additional incentive for retiring farmers to keep their farms in agricultural production instead of selling for real estate development. Permit farm families who rent out barns for wedding receptions or other events to not have to comply with safety code requirements that typically apply to public accommodations. Permits milk haulers to get exemptions from weather-related commercial vehicle travel bans. This bill is a recognition of the limited time farmers have to get their raw milk to dairy plants for processing. (A similar bill to this one also passed in the state House Tuesday. The bills, all of which move to the state House for further consideration, will now enter a conversation sparked this winter by Gov. Tom Wolfs inclusion in his 2019-20 budget proposal of a Pennsylvania Farm Bill" initiative. Wolfs package includes funding to tease the development of new dairy and meat processing facilities, to encourage more organic food production, for response to pest outbreaks, diseases and other agricultural disasters. Another component seeks to stimulate more notice of and interest in agricultural employment opportunities. Wolf has also proposed an exemption from the state real estate transfer tax for the sale of any preserved farm to a beginning farmer. Pennsylvania lost more than 6,000 farms between 2012 and 2017, according to the states most recent agricultural census, and now boasts a total of 53,157. That trend is believed to have only continued last year, as dairy farmers in particular were buffeted by drops in milk prices and flat demand. Most of the bills passed Tuesday did so with broad bipartisan support. Most Senate Democrats did oppose exempting barns built before 1999 from safety code provisions like sprinkler systems. Sen. Judy Wards bill, however, would still require owners to equip their facilities with smoke detectors and portable fire extinguishers before any events could be held. Ward, R-Blair County, has noted that growing interest in barn weddings and parties offers a good way for some farmers to augment their income. Being called a racial epithet might be hurtful and socially unacceptable, but it cant alone be the grounds for a lawsuit, a state appeals court stressed in upholding the dismissal of a lawsuit filed by a disgruntled pizza shop customer. And in Pennsylvania, that has been the case law for at least 34 years, Judge Mary P. Murray concluded in the Superior Court opinion denying the appeal of Reynold John. Johns legal dispute began with a burnt pizza. It arrived at his home in July 2017 after John placed an order with a Dominos Pizza store in Philadelphia. John went to the store to complain and demand a refund. According to a police report, John snapped a photo of an employee, who told him she wouldnt provide a refund unless he deleted the pic. The employee said being photographed was against her religion. In the ensuing argument, the employee called John, who is black, a racial epithet, John insisted in a lawsuit he filed against the store in court in Philadelphia. John claimed in the suit that the epithet caused him emotional distress. He appealed to Murrays court after a Philly judge dismissed his complaint on grounds that the use of a racial slur does not amount to a cause of legal liability. In agreeing with the dismissal, Murray invoked a ruling in the so-called Dawson case, which she concluded settled whether a racial slur alone can be the basis for suing. That 1980s case involved a lawsuit filed by a woman who claimed she was called a racial epithet by an employee during an argument over a lay-away ticket at a department store. Murray cited her courts decades-old ruling in the Dawson case that the racial slur did not rise to the level of extreme and outrageous conduct required to form the basis for legal action such as that brought by Johns. Legal liability does not extend to mere insults, indignities, threats, annoyances, petty oppressions or other trivialities, the Dawson ruling stated. The rough edges of our society are still in need of a good deal of filing down, and in the meantime, plaintiffs must necessarily be expected and hardened to a certain amount of rough language and to occasional acts that are definitely inconsiderate and unkind. There is no occasion for the law to intervene in every case where someones feelings are hurt. On March 27, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments on a case concerning a Vietnam veteran that could have enormous consequences for how the federal government regulates literally everything. The case, Kisor v. Wilkie, asks the Supreme Court to determine whether Auer deferencea rule that requires a court to defer to an agencys reasonable interpretation of its own ambiguous regulationought to be overruled. The plaintiff, James Kisor, contends that the Auer doctrine is not part of the lawmaking authority that Congress has delegated to agencies, but it instead circumvents the limits that Congress has placed on their authority, is inconsistent with the U.S. Constitution and lacks any policy justification. As anyone who runs a business or tried to start one knows, non-elected bureaucrats entrenched in federal agencies wield incredible power over businesses, and ordinary citizens for that matter, because of the deference federal courts give to regulators. This has led to vast volumes of regulation that make life even more difficult for small business owners who struggle to ensure compliance. Large corporations are staffed with legal teams or other compliance officers, the costs of which are passed on to the consumer in the form of higher prices. Small business, on the other hand, struggle to stay alive complying with the morass of bureaucratic red tape, and that is a big reason many of them fail. Should the court rule in Kisors favor, it is likely that our federal courts would see a surge of cases seeking to overturn many years of overreach by federal agencies. For regulations issued at the state level this case will only help if, one, the U.S. Supreme Court rules in Kisors favor and decides to strike down Auer, and two, if Pennsylvania courts then adopt that new precedent. More immediately at the state level we have the Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC). On paper, it seems the commission would be a tool for effectively preventing regulatory overreach. But the fact is that apathy with the IRRC process allows agencies to vaguely write and re-write regulations as they wish. At an informational hearing recently held by the House Professional Licensure Committee, members of the IRRC testified that very few people, which shamefully includes lawmakers, participate in the process, leaving it open to be gamed by state agencies. Which the agencies do. In fact, they have lawyers and policy gurus tasked with doing just that. That means two things lawmakers and citizens/businesses must familiarize themselves and take a vigorous role in the IRRC process, and lawmakers need to start passing bills to rollback unreasonable measures by our state agencies. On that second front, I have recently moved several pieces of legislation through the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, of which I am a member, to roll back unreasonable regulations imposed by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP): House Bills 99, 414, 534, 550 and 707. House Bill 99 would require our DEP to create and maintain a secure online permit tracking system available to applicants for tracking the status of permit applications. Here, applicants could follow along with the status of their approvals so that they may be better able to plan the different phases of their projects. House Bill 414, which has passed out of committee, would require DEP to complete its erosion and sediment permitting approval or disapproval within a reasonable 45 days so that our job creators have a predictable timeframe. The legislation also requires that any permit application submitted by a licensed engineer shall be approved within 20 days of receipt. This would then allow more DEP staff time for other projects. House Bill 534 would move Pennsylvania from one acre to five acres of earth disturbance before a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit would be needed. This reasonable reform would bring Pennsylvania back to federal EPA standards and in alignment with all the surrounding states. Managing stormwater is another area of concern for DEP. But many municipalities dont have stormwater systems. House Bill 550 would exempt municipalities that do not have a public water or sewer system from participating in the watershed storm water management plan. This will alleviate an unneeded financial hardship on municipalities across the Commonwealth. New federal water regulations as implemented by our DEP require more stringent testing to insure the safety of our public water supplies. Unfortunately, when such broad-reaching, though well-meaning, regulations get implemented, they often cause unintended consequences. In this case, our Plain communities are adversely affected. House Bill 707 is a religious exemption for churches, schools and businesses that rely on well water. This package of bills is aimed at making regulations collaborative, not punitive. Regulators should work with, not against, businesses, giving these job-creators good-faith opportunities to fix violations before suffering from fines/fees. Regulatory reform is essential to ensuring equal economic opportunity for all. Rep. David H. Zimmerman represents the 99th House district in Eastern Lancaster County, Pa. This webpage is updated regularly. If you are seeking a filing that you do not see below please check back in 24 hours. Terms of Use Contact: Kimberly Hutchison, khutchison@perkinscoie.com, 602.351.8230 Indigo-DLI Holdings I, LLC v. New Vision Health, LLC, Gilbert Hospital, LLC, and Florence Hospital at Anthem, LLC Case No. CV2018-005740 Deadline for requesting copies of patient medical records related to Gilbert Hospital, LLC; Florence Hospital at Anthem, LLC; and New Vision Health, LLC; and notice of permanent destruction of patient medical records under ARS 12-2297 New Vision Health, LLC; Gilbert Hospital, LLC; and Florence Hospital at Anthem, LLC (collectively, the Hospitals) were placed under receivership and stopped treating patients in June 2018. Under terms of the court-approved Record Request Plan, all former patients or other appropriate parties have until June 23, 2019 (Record Request Bar Date) to request copies of patient medical records related to treatment at the Hospitals. UNDER TERMS OF THE COURT-APPROVED RECORD REQUEST PLAN AND ARS 12-2297, ALL PATIENT MEDICAL RECORDS RELATED TO THE HOSPITALS WILL BE DESTROYED OR OTHERWISE BECOME PERMANENTLY UNAVAILABLE AFTER JUNE 23, 2019. TO OBTAIN COPIES OF PATIENT MEDICAL RECORDS RELATED TO THE HOSPITALS YOU MUST SUBMIT A MEDICAL RECORD REQUEST FORM ON OR BEFORE THE RECORD REQUEST BAR DATE. Copies of medical record request forms and other information may be obtained using the links below; by faxing 480.393.1781; by emailing nvhrecords@resolutecommercial.com; by calling Susan Carnall at 602.351.8412, or by mailing P.O. Box 8053, Scottsdale, AZ 85252-8053. Requested medical records will be mailed to the specified address unless other arrangements are made. Parties requesting a copy of medical records will need to provide documentation to validate identity (such as a photo ID, a power of attorney, or other similar information). For further information contact counsel for the Receiver. Bradley A. Cosman Perkins Coie LLP 2901 North Central Avenue Suite 2000 Phoenix, AZ 85012 602.351.8205 BCosman@perkinscoie.com Gilbert Hospital Authorization for Release of Patient Health Information Florence Hospital at Anthem Authorization for Release of Patient Health Information Notice of Record Request Deadline Health official: Omicron 'likely more spread than we're aware of' Portrait of Abraham Lincoln by David Bustill Bowser, an African-American artist (circa 1864-1868) at the National Constitution Center Read more It seems remarkable, but apparently it is true: There is not a single exhibition in the United States that explores the Civil War, Reconstruction, and the radical transformation they wrought on the nations governing framework and its daily life. Nothing covering the whole story from enslavement through resistance and on into brutal war, legal jockeying, constitutional amendments, and the rise of the violent and repressive backlash can be found anywhere. Its an epic of frustration and achievement brimming with heroes and unconscionable villains, a period so charged with significance it is often called the second founding. But the National Constitution Center on Independence Mall is about to end the institutional silence. On Thursday, the center opens its first new permanent exhibit in years, Civil War and Reconstruction: The Battle for Freedom and Equality. The exhibit, which contains more than 100 artifacts and interactive displays that invite deep, clarifying exploration of what might otherwise seem arcane documents, is built around many materials that once reposed in the old Philadelphia Civil War Library and Museum, a now-shuttered but storied institution founded by former Union officers in Philadelphia after the Civil War. From Dred Scotts 1846 petition for freedom, signed with his mark, an X, to a paper receipt for Lucy Ann, who was sold for $775 in 1862, to original copies of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments to the Constitution and the ominous rise of the Klan, the exhibit vividly illustrates the intractable problems clustered around brutal warfare and its aftermath. Those problems, of course, are still with us today. Racial injustice, birthright citizenship, voter exclusion and suppression, the authority of the Constitution itself, all are very much part of contemporary politics and civic life. How can anyone who learns about these struggles not be inspired? asked Jeffrey Rosen, president and chief executive of the Constitution Center. Its so unifying. If theres any hope in this country today, it is the significance of this text, which binds us. People are still fighting for it. Theyre debating what it means. But it has touched many and it is incredibly meaningful to bring it to people and inspire them to learn more about it. Even though politics seemingly engulfs the Constitution today? he was asked. The Constitution exists above politics to say not what the government should do, but what the government may or may not do," Rosen said. It is what is removed from politics. Politics may want to ban hate speech or flag burning, but the Constitution says you cant do that because there are certain rights that are so fundamental they are above politics. Now, what the Constitution means is settled by politics. Thats the whole point of the Civil War. It took the heroic sacrifices of those abolitionists and other citizens to transform the Constitution and to express that transformation in the form of constitutional amendments. Scholar and filmmaker Henry Louis Gates Jr., who just took a turn as executive producer and host of the PBS series Reconstruction: America After the Civil War, said the exhibition is a "compelling example of how our great cultural institutions can help us learn from and reconcile with our troubled past. Gates called Reconstruction a defining and dark era in our nations history" that has been undertaught in our schools and misunderstood in our society for more than a century. The exhibition, which fills a 3,000-square-foot gallery, is divided into several parts. In the Constitution Center account, the Supreme Courts infamous 1857 Dred Scott decision crystalizes the whole conflict and its aftermath. Scott was an enslaved man from Missouri who lived for a time on free soil and then sued for his freedom. In similar cases, many courts freed the enslaved. But not this time. Scotts case reached the Supreme Court, where Chief Justice Roger B. Taney wrote a sweeping denial of Scotts claims. No, Dred Scott was not a free man simply because he lived in a free state. Moreover, Scott was not a citizen. Nor could any black man, woman, or child, enslaved or free, ever be a citizen of the United States. Nor did Congress have the authority to ban slavery from the nations territories. From a constitutional perspective, the Civil War was fought to overturn the Dred Scott decision, and Civil War and Reconstruction reaches deep into the historical narrative to show why, presenting important but often-overlooked figures as actors in the national drama. John Rock, for instance, was a free African from Salem, N.J., who sought to be a doctor but was denied entrance into Philadelphias all-white medical schools. He became a dentist instead, until he was finally able to attend medical school. In 1852, Rock became one of the nations first black doctors, largely treating fugitive slaves. When Rock himself became ill and sought to travel to France for treatment, he was denied a passport because, after Dred Scott, he was not considered a citizen. Rock began studying the law, "and he is admitted to practice before the Supreme Court in 1865 the same day Lincoln signs the 13th Amendment abolishing slavery, said Sheldon Gilbert, the Constitution Centers vice president for content and development. Well-known figures like Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, and Charles Sumner make multiple appearances throughout the exhibition. Lincolns story is told with depth and color, thanks to the presence of many artifacts from the Philadelphia Civil War Library and Museum, which ultimately transferred ownership of its artifact collection to the Gettysburg Foundation. Archives from the former museum are now housed at the Union Leagues Heritage Center. The displays used to illuminate the Civil War amendments are distinctly interactive. The 13th Amendment abolished slavery. The 14th Amendment established citizenship status and guaranteed equal protection under the law. The 15th Amendment guaranteed the right to vote for all men, regardless of color. Visitors can follow the evolution of the language from draft to draft. The withdrawal of federal troops in 1876 thwarted the promise of Reconstruction, said Rosen. After that withdrawal, black people in the South faced the horrors of the mob and the terrorism of the Klan, he added. Not until the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 did Martin Luther King begin to make the promise of the [Civil War] amendments a reality, he said. In addition to the exhibition, the Constitution Center will feature daily performances in the exhibit highlighting Frances Ellen Watkins Harper, a key African American activist, poet, speaker, and writer during Reconstruction. ON EXHIBIT Civil War and Reconstruction: The Battle for Freedom and Equality New permanent exhibit opening Thursday at the National Constitution Center, 525 Arch St. Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission: Adults: $14.50, seniors and college students (with ID) $13; veterans, $11; ages 6-18, $11; free for children under 6 and active military. Information: 215-409-6600, constitutioncenter.org. In this March 5, 2014 file photograph, New Jersey Senate President Stephen M. Sweeney, D-West Deptford, N.J., right, gestures as New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, left, talks with influential Democrat George E. Norcross III, at a groundbreaking ceremony in Camden, N.J., for the KIPP Cooper Norcross Academy school that Norcross' family foundation will help fund. Norcross's high powered lawyers on Monday questioned the legitimacy of a task force investigating state tax breaks to firms in Camden. Read more South Jersey Democratic power broker and businessman George Norcross III struck back Monday at a governor-appointed task force investigating New Jersey tax breaks, after investigators publicly questioned applications for nearly $300 million in tax credits made by his firm and others at a hearing last week. Lawyers for Conner Strong & Buckelew the insurance brokerage where Norcross is executive chairman claimed the task force was unlawfully constituted, and curtailed the firms rights to respond to false accusations, according to a letter sent to task force special counsel Jim Walden. The letter also took aim at task force chair Ronald Chen, questioning his statutory authority over the beleaguered Economic Development Authority (EDA), the state agency that was the focus of a scathing audit for poor oversight of the multibillion-dollar tax credit program. The task force said last week that any company that lied to the EDA in its application for tax credits could face possible criminal exposure. Chen, a professor at Rutgers Law School and a former New Jersey public advocate, said at the hearings outset that the task force had identified nine entities of concern, but did not identify them. It is plain that [Chen] has targeted our clients but has refused to disclose anything further about this dubious designation, said the letter from lawyers representing Cooper University Heath Care, the Michaels Organization, NFI, and the Parker McCay law firm, in addition to Conner Strong. Chen, in a statement, defended the mandate and reach of the special task force, which Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy created through an executive order in January, after the state comptroller identified numerous significant deficiencies" with EDA oversight. The governor has full constitutional and statutory authority to investigate any entity within the executive branch, including the EDA, either by himself or through a delegate, Chen said. If anyone wishes to challenge that authority, they should bring an appropriate action in court and we are ready to defend it vigorously. The state approved $1.6 billion in state incentives between 2013 and 2017 to firms relocating to Camden and promising to create jobs. The task force is looking into how the related legislation was crafted behind the scenes, and has already made one criminal referral for alleged unregistered lobbying. Investigators are also examining whether grant recipients were actually considering moving out of New Jersey, as stated in their applications. Norcross has championed the tax credit legislation signed into law by his Republican ally, former Gov. Chris Christie, in the name of bringing private investment to long-struggling Camden. Companies connected to Norcross have also benefited from legislation. An investigation by WNYC and ProPublica found that organizations with ties to Norcross and one of his brothers, a lawyer and lobbyist, were granted approval for $1.1 billion in tax credits out of the $1.6 billion in incentives headed for Camden. Norcross is chairman of the board of trustees for Cooper University Hospital and Cooper Health System, which won approval for $40 million in tax credits in 2014. Conner Strong, the Michael Organization, and NFI were approved in 2017 for $245 million worth of tax incentives, toward a new office tower on the Camden waterfront. An EDA official testified last Thursday that aspects of all four applications raised concerns and would have merited further scrutiny. Testimony and evidence also focused on the role played by Parker McCay lawyer Kevin Sheehan, both in consulting on Conner Strongs tax credit application, and in making changes to drafts of the tax credit legislation, the 2013 Economic Opportunity Act. Parker McCays managing shareholder and CEO is Philip Norcross, brother of George Norcross. The firm has insisted it gave input on the bill at the request of legislators, and was not being paid to lobby on it. On Monday, Conner Strong and other organizations on the letter demanded an opportunity to present evidence and witnesses at the task forces next public hearing. The high-powered lawyers representing the various firms include Christopher Porrino, a former New Jersey attorney general, and Michael Chertoff, former secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. This one-sided investigation smacks of political retribution and undermined the credibility of your exercise, the letter said. We reserve all rights to seek full remedies to the extent any of these false and defamatory accusations were directed at our clients. Camden Democratic leaders lambasted the task force on Monday, as well, accusing Chen of having a conflict because Rutgers University has benefited directly and indirectly" from EDA tax incentives. Camden is a city on the rise, they said, "and we will not be party to nor will we tolerate any efforts to turn back the hard-fought progress that has been made over the last several years. In this November 2018 file photo, Braddock, Pa. Mayor John Fetterman talks about his run for the U.S. Senate on the Democratic ticket as his wife, Gisele Fetterman, right, listens. Read more Lt. Gov. John Fetterman is bringing his cannabis listening tour to a stop in Bucks County next Wednesday, May 15, and four weekend sessions on May 18 and 19 in Philadelphia. Fetterman has been sounding out state residents on their views about legalizing marijuana for adult recreational use since mid-February, holding town hall events in all 67 Pennsylvania counties. All are free and open to the public. State representatives and senators and county commissioners have been invited. Residents who cant attend can comment online by clicking here or going to https://bit.ly/2Wu8PEd. According to Fettermans spokesperson, overall the majority of people who show up to the sessions have supported legalization. In general, were finding what the polls have already found that about 60 to 70 percent are in favor of it, said Christina Kauffman. At the tours conclusion, Fetterman will send Gov. Tom Wolf a report. The stops are: Bucks County, 6 p.m. next Wednesday at Bucks County Community College, Zlock Performing Arts Center, 275 Swamp Rd., Newtown. Northeast Philadelphia, noon May 18 at Northeast High School auditorium, 1501 Cottman Ave. Southwest Philadelphia, 4 p.m. May 18 at University of the Sciences auditorium, McNeil Science and Technology Center, 4308 Woodland Ave. North Philadelphia, 1 p.m. May 19 at Temple University, Room 200, Gittis Student Center, 1755 N. 13th St. South Philadelphia, 5 p.m. May 19 at Horace H. Furness High School auditorium, 1900 S. Third St. Late last year, Wawa collaborated with Delaware County-based brewery 2SP Brewing Company to release an oatmeal stout infused with the beloved convenience stores Winter Blend coffee. Now, rival chain Sheetz is getting in on the action with their own brew. The Altoona-based convenience store this week announced the impending release of Project Coffee Hopz, Sheetzs first-ever craft beer. A coffee-infused IPA, the beer was created in collaboration with Mifflinburgs Rusty Rail Brewing Company using Sheetz Brothers Sumatra coffee beans, according to a release. The brew will be available at 55 Sheetz locations throughout Pennsylvania starting May 21, when it will go on sale in four-packs of 16-ounce cans for $7.99. Philly locals who want to try the beer can grab some cans at Sheetz stores New Holland and Lancaster, the companys closest area locations to stock Project Coffee Hopz. However, those among us who are not Wawa loyalists may want to act quickly upon release. Like Wawa and 2SPs Winter Reserve Coffee Stout, Sheetzs brew is a limited one, and wont be restocked after it sells out. Drinkers, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review notes, can expect light and floral notes with a subtle coffee presence from the brew. Pittsburghs The Incline, meanwhile, calls the beer a hoppy, citrusy coffee bean IPA. Wawa and 2SPs Winter Reserve Coffee Stout, on the other hand, featured flavors of sweet clove, dark chocolate, and graham crackers, according to a description from the brewery, and it sold for $12.99 per four-pack. In a review, Billy Penns Danya Henninger compared the brew to diner coffee (in a good way), and noted that it was especially good poured over vanilla ice cream. Somehow, that mixture doesnt sound as good with an IPA instead. While Wawas beer was released first, the source of inspiration for Sheetzs brew came from its customers, who asked for a beer from the company, Sheetz assistant vice-president of brand strategy Ryan Sheetz told the Tribune-Review. Any time you try a unique product like this, there are some reservations, but they are great beer experts, and that, combined with our culinary team, we feel its a win-win situation, Sheetz said. Craft beer is so hot right now. Though it may seem like Sheetz is once again encroaching on Wawas territory here, to be fair, the company has long worked to free the beer in PA, as Sheetz (the man, not the company) told The Incline. As he noted, the company has been working for more permissible beer laws in Pennsylvania over the last 15 years, seeing as our state was stuck in these nonsensical Prohibition-era laws that disadvantaged Pennsylvanians throughout the Commonwealth. Well drink to that just not with Sheetz beer. This is Wawa country, after all. And dont you go getting any ideas, Royal Farms. Television host Guy Fieri filmed at two Wilmington restaurants for upcoming episodes of Diners, Drive-ins and Dives, the long-running Food Network show that features casual neighborhood establishments around the country (and, inevitably, extreme close-up footage of Fieri chowing down on food like burgers, sandwiches, ribs and nachos). The episodes are the first to feature Delaware visits by Fieri, who has filmed at numerous Pennsylvania and New Jersey restaurants in years past. In an episode scheduled to air at 9 p.m. May 24, Fieri ate at Locale BBQ Post, described on the Diners, Drive-ins and Dives website as a righteous spot smokin up chicken salad and off-the-chain chili." In an episode to air May 31, Fieri stopped at Luigi Vitrones Pastabilities, described on the Triple D site as a funky little Italian joint where Fieri dined on veal scallopini and outrageous arancini rice balls. Since Fieri started filming Triple D in 2006, hes featured 20 Pennsylvania establishments, including Northern Liberties Standard Tap, Center Citys Good Dog, Kensingtons Memphis Taproom and the Pineville Tavern in Bucks County. Across the river, hes made stops at more than two dozen New Jersey restaurants like the Vincentown Diner, Quahogs Seafood Shack in Stone Harbor, and Mauis Dog House in Wildwood. With his outsized personality, bleached spiky hair and unapologetic love of bar food, Fieri has his share of haters and critics. In 2017, comedian Shane Torres voiced an impassioned defense of Fieri on Conan, asking, Can someone please explain to me what the hell Guy Fieri ever did to anyone? As far as I can tell, all he ever did was follow his dreams. People line up to watch the film inside the BrainDome at the American Academy of Neurology meeting this week at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Read more Most of you probably dont want to join 14,000 neurologists and other brain experts in scientific sessions like Translational Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) Modeling Strategy to Support RG6042 Dose Selection in Huntingtons Disease at this weeks meeting of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) in Philadelphia. But the AAN hasn't forgotten you. It has created an event aimed at the general public, especially neurology patients and caregivers. On Thursday, it will offer a Brain Health Fair at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, free to those who register at its website. The fair, which lasts from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., will feature talks by neurologists about specific diseases, including multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, Parkinsons disease, dementia and headache. Neurologists will be available to discuss those diseases and others. Fair goers will also get the chance to tour the BrainDome a big, round pink tent that hosts a flashy, 10-minute film on neurological ailments and their treatments. People can also hold an actual human brain, get a free bike helmet (while supplies last) and tour the Capitol Health Mobile Stroke Unit. Heres a complete schedule. Many sessions are available in Spanish. Stephanie Sena, 39, sits on her bed surrounded by a folder full of medical bills from a foot amputation she had last fall on Thursday, April 04, 2019. Sena is an adjunct professor at Villanova University with $20,000 in medical debt. Sena needed to come up with $1,900 up-front for an amputation after learning her health plan wasn't real insurance. Read more Health insurance plans that do not meet the Affordable Care Acts coverage requirements have become more accessible as President Donald Trump and Republicans loosen federal restrictions on them. A handful of states have taken different approaches to establishing their own consumer protections, according to a 50-state analysis by the Commonwealth Fund. The context Limited duration health plans are intended to cover people for short periods; for example, when someone is between jobs. These plans are cheaper than full health insurance because they have fewer benefits for example, many dont cover preexisting conditions, mental health, or maternity. Under the ACA, the duration of a short-term plan was limited to three months and it could not be renewed. Trump eliminated this rule, extending the term limit to 364 days and allowing renewal. Beginning in 2019, Republicans reduced the tax penalty to zero for not buying ACA-compliant health insurance, opening the door for short-term plans to be marketed as alternatives to the ACA for people who do not want to pay for coverage beyond what they think they will need. The problem is that, increasingly, short-term plans and other limited-benefit plans are being marketed and sold to people who are looking for full health insurance. Thats what happened to Stephanie Sena, an adjunct professor at Villanova University, who found out that her health plan wasnt what she expected when it didnt cover her hospitalization for sepsis or subsequent partial foot amputation. The study data Researchers with the Commonwealth Fund reviewed current law and newly approved regulations for short-term health plans in all 50 states. They looked at whether states offered eight potential protections: Limit the plans duration to less than the federal limit. Limit on plans renewal or ability for insurer to extend coverage duration by selling multiple plans at once. Restriction on charging higher premiums based on gender, age and other factors, Requirement to cover pre-existing conditions. Ban on rescinding coverage once issued. Requirement to cover essential health benefits. Requirement to spend a certain portion of premium revenue on medical care. External appeals process for consumers. The findings Pennsylvania is one of four states that does not offer any of the protections researchers analyzed. Florida, Georgia, and Alabama are the others. Pennsylvania insurance commissioner Jessica Altman has been outspoken about short-term health plans, and her department has been aggressive in investigating bad actors, revoking licenses from at least a dozen brokers since 2016. But unlike some other states, Pennsylvania does not give its insurance commissioner authority to issue regulations that limit short-term plans or create new consumer protections. In states where insurance commissioners dont have regulatory authority over short-term plans, any new regulations would have to be created through law, said Dania Palanker, an assistant research professor at Georgetown Universitys Center on Health Insurance Reforms and a co-author of the report. New Jersey is among four states that ban all or most short-term plans. New York, Massachusetts, and California are the others. New Jerseys protections date to health insurance reforms in the 1990s that required short-term plans to meet all the consumer protections that apply to individual market health plans and the states ongoing effort to maintain strict regulation over health insurance, Palanker said. When Republicans effectively eliminated the federal mandate that people buy health insurance or pay a penalty, New Jersey created its own. Five states and Washington, D.C., passed laws in 2018 addressing short-term plans: California, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, and Vermont. And four more states established new regulations for short-term plans in 2018: Colorado, Delaware, New Mexico, and Washington. States with new rules in 2018 took a range of approaches to restrict short-term plans, such as limiting their duration and ability to be renewed, requiring them to cover pre-existing conditions, and banning them from charging higher premium rates based on age and gender. Many states have some regulations for short-term plans that have been on the books for years. For example, in about half of states the plan duration limit is shorter than the federal limit and about two-thirds of states have an external appeals process for consumers. The next steps The market for short-term health plans is expected to grow, as people strained by rising health care and insurance costs look for ways to save money. While a short-term plan may be appropriate for some consumers, others will find out only once they receive massive bills that their plan doesnt have the coverage they expected. Researchers concluded that states will play a critical role in protecting consumers and that there are a range of policy approaches that can be tailored to their state markets specific needs. When it comes to investigating bad actors, states rely on complaints from consumers. Pennsylvanias insurance department received more than 50 complaints last year, and complaints are on the rise this year, the department has said. You can file a complaint online or by calling 877-881-6388. WASHINGTON When Joe Biden went to Philadelphia late last month for a high-dollar fund-raiser with powerful lawyers and executives on the first day of his presidential campaign, Sen. Elizabeth Warren blasted him. How did Joe Biden raise so much money in one day? Well, it helps that he hosted a swanky private fund-raiser for wealthy donors at the home of the guy who runs Comcasts lobbying shop, Warren wrote in an email to supporters the next day, April 26. The Massachusetts senator, a rival for the Democratic nomination for president, hit the same theme over and over for more than a week. Warren wrote on Friday that her schedule doesnt include fancy private fundraising events where only big donors are invited. Another message said, Our democracy is not for sale, and neither is my time. Some of Bidens top donors have bristled at the criticism, because they remember attending expensive private events for Warren in Philadelphia as recently as last year. While she has sworn off such gatherings for her presidential campaign, Warren held fund-raisers for her 2018 Senate reelection bid at a major Center City law firm last year and at the Rittenhouse Hotel in 2017. Each drew some of the same people who donated $2,800 apiece to attend Bidens April event at the home of Comcast senior executive vice president David L. Cohen. For example, former Gov. Ed Rendell and Center City lawyer Stephen Cozen were two of the main organizers for Bidens Philadelphia fund-raiser, and were also listed as hosts for the Warren event at the law firm Berger Montague on March 12, 2018. The Warren event sought donations of up to $5,400, the maximum allowed that year. Rendell donated $4,500 to her Senate campaign and Cozen gave $2,500. Daniel Berger, a managing shareholder at the firm, gave $5,400, while also donating $2,800 to Biden this year, the new maximum allowed in the primary. Kenneth Jarin, another law partner who served as a host for Biden, called Warrens attacks preposterous. I was pleased to support Sen. Warren, I think shes a terrific senator, but I think it makes no sense for her to criticize Biden for taking checks at the maximum allowed, Jarin said. I know that she took lots and lots of $2,700 checks raising money for her Senate campaigns. Jarin, who gave $2,800 to Biden and recruited others to do the same, gave Warren $500 when she came to the Rittenhouse Hotel for a 2017 fund-raiser arranged by Peter Buttenwieser, a philanthropist and political donor who died last year. Jarin said that was the typical amount for Buttenwiesers events. Anybody thats criticizing the Biden-type fund-raiser wouldnt turn down one if they were offered," said Alan Kessler, a law partner at the Philadelphia office of Duane Morris who went to Bidens fund-raiser and also attended Warrens Philadelphia event last year. His firms political committee donated $1,000 to Warren, though federal records indicate that amount was later refunded. Warren has drawn a distinction between fund-raising during a primary against fellow Democrats and in a general election against Republicans, such as her 2018 race or the 2020 campaign against President Donald Trump, when she argues that Democrats cant afford to unilaterally disarm. She has said she would rather spend her time promoting policies, interacting with voters, and taking questions than soliciting money from big donors. Elizabeth decided not to do any closed-door events with wealthy donors because special access for the wealthy and well-connected should not be how we choose the Democratic nominee for president, a spokesperson, Chris Hayden, wrote in an email. She believes that this primary is an opportunity to build the kind of grassroots movement that will win the general election and bring real structural change to our government. Even while doing some big events for her Senate race, most of Warrens donations from individuals, about 63 percent, came from those who gave $200 or less. 70 percent of the money she has raised from individuals for her presidential campaign has has come in such amounts, according to campaign filings. At the same time, she is also reaping the benefits of her big Senate haul: Warren boosted her presidential campaign with $10.4 million from her Senate account. Her criticism of Biden and the pushback from his supporters reflects some of the broader conflict between rising liberal voices and old-guard pragmatists within the Democratic Party. Warren, Sen. Bernie Sanders (Ind., Vt.), and others have stressed their appeal to small donors as a sign of their inoculation from corporate influence and the radical change they offer, contrasting themselves with Biden and others with more traditional appeals on both tactics and policies. Biden supporters argue that campaign money is a realistic requirement for beating Trump. Berger, the partner whose firm hosted Warren in March 2018, said he didnt see "any contradiction between that event and the senators current stand. He noted that his fund-raiser was for a different election, not a Democratic primary, and said it was much smaller than Bidens, 30 to 40 people. At the Biden event, there were people who genuinely support Joe, like I do, for idealistic reasons, and then there were corporate people who were giving money because they have an interest, Berger said. There were no such people at the event that I hosted for Warren. These were people who genuinely agree with her on her positions and policy issues. Berger said people seeking corporate influence dont go to a Warren event. They hate Warren. As for himself, Berger said he is ideologically closer to Warren, but wrote a $2,800 check for Biden because he thinks the former vice president has the best chance to beat Trump. He has also given the maximum allowed to two other Democratic candidates, Sens. Cory Booker of New Jersey and Kamala Harris of California. Christina Carlin-Kraft seen outside Manhattan Criminal Court in 2016. A Lyft driver testified Tuesday that she was "affectionate" with the man investigators say killed her. Read more In a hospital room in Center City, Jonathan Harris told the man in the next bed that there is nothing like squeezing somebody and feeling the last breath leave their body, the man told jurors Tuesday. Harris, 31, is charged with murder in the slaying of Main Line model Christina Carlin-Kraft, whom he told police he strangled amid a violent encounter in her Ardmore condo last summer. During the second day of testimony in Harris trial, Brandon Pearson recounted a conversation with Harris inside Penn Presbyterian Medical Center in the days after Carlin-Krafts death. Harris ended up there after fleeing into the city from the scene of the slaying, eventually getting arrested by Philadelphia Sheriffs Office deputies for acting aggressively and erratically," investigators said. Jurors listened intently as Pearson recalled Harris shocking words. Earlier in the day, another witness cast doubt on Harris version of the events that led up to Carlin-Krafts death. Harris, a Johnstown, Pa., native, said he met Carlin-Kraft in Center City and went back with her to her condo in Ardmore to sell and use an ounce of cocaine, and they ended up having consensual sex. His lawyer, A. Charles Peruto Jr., told jurors Harris snapped when Carlin-Kraft refused to pay for the drugs, which he estimated as being worth $1,200, and the dispute escalated to blows. But Khalil Wardack, the medical examiner who performed Carlin-Krafts autopsy, testified Tuesday that she had no illegal substances in her body at the time of her death. She only tested positive for alcohol, Wardack said, with a blood-alcohol content of 0.252 percent, three times the legal definition of drunken driving. In his testimony, Wardack said the numerous injuries to Carlin-Krafts body included neck fractures that would have required more than 33 pounds of pressure to inflict. He ruled that the cause of her death was strangulation, most likely with a pair of green sweatpants that investigators found inside her condo. Carlin-Kraft and Harris met each other in the predawn hours of Aug. 22, crossing paths in Center City, investigators said Tuesday. Prosecutors re-created the paths the two took that morning, leading jurors through more than 10 minutes of footage from surveillance cameras. The video showed Harris emerging from a SEPTA station near City Hall just after 2 a.m., and then walking south on Broad Street. A few minutes later, Carlin-Kraft arrived in a ride-share vehicle, and the two met outside a pizza shop on 13th Street. They walked together for about 15 minutes, at one point arm-in-arm, before getting into a waiting vehicle. Andrew Sanford was behind the wheel of that vehicle, which he drove for Lyft. He testified Tuesday that Carlin-Kraft flagged him down as he was driving on Broad near Locust Street and begged him for a ride. He said she told him she was being harassed on the street by several men, and that she wanted to get home to safety. She told Sanford that Harris had helped protect her from those men. After some coaxing, Sanford agreed, and Carlin-Kraft pulled Harris into the vehicle with her, he said. Inside the vehicle, the two passengers were affectionate," with Carlin-Kraft kissing Harris and seeming to initiate most of the contact. The ride was uneventful, he said, with Harris staying quiet and Carlin-Kraft displaying a happy-go-lucky attitude. I figured she had just gotten done partying, and wanted to go home with him and do whatever they planned on doing together, Sanford said. When they reached the Ardmore condo building, Carlin-Kraft rushed inside, saying she had to use the bathroom, he said. Harris offered the driver $100 if he waited outside, saying he didnt plan to stay long and would be back for a ride home within 10 or 15 minutes. He exchanged phone numbers with Sanford. When 20 minutes went by with no word from Harris, Sanford said, he called Harris, but the call went to voice mail, so he drove back to Center City. Mayor Jim Kenney speaks with the Inquirer editorial board during an endorsement meeting last week. Read more Another day closer to the primary, another mayoral event with no mayor. The Philadelphia Education Fund presented a forum Monday at the National Constitution Center to discuss the mayors role in public education. Mayor Jim Kenney, who is seeking a second term in the May 21 Democratic primary, skipped it. Kenneys primary challengers, State Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams and former City Controller Alan Butkovitz, spent about 90 minutes talking about education. They also used Kenneys absence to knock him for ghosting the event. This is a mayoral forum, and the mayor is missing, Williams said. So I really am annoyed. Butkovitz called Kenneys decision very disappointing. KYW Newsradio is holding a mayoral debate on Thursday. Williams and Butkovitz will again have the stage to themselves. Kenney refused to participate. The mayor has been keeping an active schedule of official events. But his campaign shrugs off almost all political events, especially if they involve interacting with challengers. In the last week, Kenney has skipped a forum for Women Connected, a coalition of African American womens groups, along with candidate events in Northwest Philadelphia and Hunting Park. Kenney has agreed to just two joint appearances with Williams and Butkovitz, an April 22 forum that was hosted by the Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists and a debate to be televised May 13 by NBC10. At this time, we will not be considering additional invitations for the mayor to participate in candidate forums or debates, said Harrison Morgan, a spokesperson for Kenneys campaign. Thats a change from four years ago, when Kenney resigned from his seat on City Council to become one of five candidates in the primary. Kenney won that race with 56 percent of the vote after more than 70 candidate forums and four debates. Kenney kept a more limited schedule during the run-up to the 2015 general election, which he won with 85 percent of the vote. One of two television debates was canceled after NBC10 and Kenneys campaign could not reach agreement on his objection to split-screen camera close-ups. His standard refrain these days for avoiding his adversaries is that being mayor is a full-time job that keeps him busy all day and most nights. I made a pledge to myself and my staff that I wasnt going to replace the mayoral stuff with campaign stuff, Kenney told the Inquirer Editorial Board last week. This makes it more complicated. My schedule is not pleasant. Kenney also said his campaigns internal polling, along with two polls from sources he declined to identify, show him polling above 60 percent in the primary, a comfortable cushion in a city where Democratic mayors seeking reelection have won for close to seven decades. Kenney acknowledged the power of incumbency in an interview last month, saying he has no obligation to help his challengers. "Its not my responsibility to provide them with face time or opportunities, Kenney said. They have to create them themselves, as I do both as a mayor and as a candidate. Gov. Brian Kemp signs House Bill 481, which outlaws most abortions once a doctor can detect a fetus' heartbeat usually around six weeks of pregnancy, on May 7, 2019. Read more Republican Gov. Brian Kemp signed a controversial heartbeat bill into law on Tuesday, outlawing most abortions once a doctor detects what some call a fetal heartbeat in the womb, usually about six weeks into a pregnancy. His signature could launch a court battle that supporters hope will challenge abortion rights all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. The bill was signed Tuesday morning in the governor's ceremonial office at the state Capitol. Kemp said he upholds his promise to enact the "toughest abortion bill in the country." "Georgia is a state that values life," Kemp said before putting his signature to the LIFE Act. "We stand up for those who are unable to speak for themselves." Kemp said he recognizes the bill will be challenged. "But our job is to do what is right, not what is easy," Kemp added. "We will not back down. We will always continue to fight for life." The bill has been called draconian by Democrats, medical lobbies and civil rights organizations along with women's rights leaders and celebrities who have opposed the measure, and protested the bill for months. "The Handmaid Coalition of Georgia," marched to the statehouse to protest the legislation, chanting "shame" and "dissent" while clad in the red cloaks and white bonnets of characters in "The Handmaid's Tale," a book and TV series that depicts a dystopian future where women are enslaved to rear children. The protesters have been an almost daily presence, along with heavy security. The #ReclaimGeorgia campaign by NARAL Pro-Choice Georgia and Planned Parenthood Southeast Advocates aims to spend six figures to mobilize activists and "put unprecedented pressure" on supporters of the measure ahead of next year's election. Laura Simmons, the NARAL state director, said it's designed to "educate voters and put lawmakers on notice that advocates for reproductive freedom will not let legislators off the hook for turning their backs on women and families by voting to criminalize abortion and punish women." With two new conservative justices on the Supreme Court, those against abortion want to test the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling that legalized abortion. Doctors who oppose the legislation, however, say what appears to be a heartbeat at six weeks is simply a vibration of developing tissues that could not exist without the mother. Georgia law now bans abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy. The ACLU and other critics have vowed they will bring a lawsuit targeting the legislation - and promised electoral payback as well. Talcott Camp, deputy director of the ACLU Reproductive Freedom Project, released the following statement in response to Governor Kemp's signing of the ban: "Governor Kemp put politics before the health and well-being of Georgia women and their families. In a state with a devastatingly high maternal mortality rate, particularly for Black women, politicians should be focused on improving health care access for all women, not banning abortion before most women know they're pregnant. This bill is part of an orchestrated national agenda to push abortion care out of reach and we won't stand for it. Governor Kemp, we will see you in court." More than 15 states have introduced similar measures and three - in Kentucky, Mississippi and Ohio - have been signed into law. A federal judge has already blocked Kentucky's law. Other courts struck down similar laws that were recently enacted in Iowa and North Dakota. Like some other versions, Georgia's law includes exceptions for incest, rape and situations of medical futility or where the health of the mother is at stake. But there is controversy in Georgia because unlike others it says a fetus as a natural person and human being once a heartbeat is detected. South Africa: Election Day 101 Mzansi takes to the polls on Wednesday for the 2019 National and Provincial Elections. Democratic national and provincial elections have taken place in South Africa every five years and are an important way for people to debate and decide on their countrys future. They also provide an opportunity for voters to put to use their constitutional rights. SAnews has compiled a list of all the things you need to know about Election Day. Voting hours Voting will take place between 7am to 9pm on Wednesday - 08 May. But all voters who are already in the queue to vote at 9pm - will be allowed to vote. The day has been declared a public holiday to enable all persons to vote. If you happen to work - government has appealed to employers to allow workers time off so they can vote. In terms of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act - overtime work is voluntary and it is unlawful for any employer to force an employee to work overtime without the employees consent, unless entities that in whole or in part have been declared essential services wherein workers on that day will be performing an essential service. Verify your voting station You first need to verify your registration status and obtain information on their voting district by visiting www.elections.org.za. You can also call the IEC helpline on 0800 11 8000, download the IEC South Africa app, or SMS your ID number to 32810 (R1/SMS) to get your registration status. What to bring? You will have to take your South African identity document (ID) either a green bar-coded ID book, smart ID card or valid temporary ID certificate to the correct voting station. Dont have one? You can still visit your nearest Home Affairs office which has extended its operating hours for your convenience. Home Affairs extended hours The Department of Home Affairs has extend it operational hours at all its offices which will be open from 8am to 7pm on Tuesday and from 7am to 9pm on Election Day. The office can help you when you apply for Temporary Identity Certificates, which are available on the same day in time for you to make your mark. Temporary Identity Certificates are available at a cost of R70 at any of their offices. Two passport size photos and your ID number must accompany your application. Voters can call Home Affairs on 0800 6011 90 toll free for more information. At the voting station At the station, you will need to present your valid identification document to the door controller at the entrance - who will zip-zip scan to verify your registration. The voting officer will also check that your name appears on the voters roll. If you are not on the voters roll but have proof that you have registered (e.g. registration sticker), the Presiding Officer must validate your proof of registration. Once the voting officer is satisfied that you have the correct ID, are a registered voter and have not already voted, your name is marked off the roll. Outside your voting province If you happen to be outside your registered province, you will still be allowed to vote only for the national government. Inked for your X You then procced and will get your identification documents stamped and your thumbnail marked with indelible ink. Since it is National and Provincial Elections, you will be given two ballot papers to choose for political parties to represent you at the different structures of government. National and Provincial Elections- what is the difference? The National Government ballot paper will allow you to make your mark for the political party that you want to make and carry out laws and policies for the whole country. It is made up of Parliament (led by the Speaker) and National Government, led by the President and Ministers. The Provincial Government ballot paper, on the other hand, will allow you to choose a party which will make and carry out laws and policies that affect the province only. It is made up of the Legislature, led by the speaker, and Provincial Government, led by the Premier and Members of the Executive Council (MECs). Your choice After being given the two ballot papers, you will then proceed to an empty voting booth to make your 'X' next to the political party of your choice - on your ballot paper. There are 48 political parties to choose from on the national ballot paper, with an additional 38 parties contesting the election in a provincial manner only. You are free to choose any party that you believe its policies represent you and the future you want for South Africa. Your vote your secret After making your mark to your choice - you will then fold your ballot papers so that your choice isn't visible and place the ballot paper in two separate ballot boxes. Several witnesses in the form of party agents and observers will also be present to keep an eye on the voting process at voting stations, the counting of votes, and the final counting, determination and declaration of results. Observers, both domestic and international, play a crucial role in ensuring that the elections are transparent, free and fair, and that the outcome is accepted by voters, political parties and candidates. The Party agents for their side check and verify the seals on the ballot boxes to ensure they are intact before the boxes are opened. They also witness the process whereby the status of questionable ballot paper is determined and witness the completion of the result forms and add their signatures. The voting stations have each been allocated law enforcement agencies - to ensure a safe voting environment. Vote counting Vote counting will begin soon after the voting station closes at 9pm. The National Results Operation Centre at the Tshwane Events Centre is where all 48 registered parties and their votes will be updated as they are tallied. The IEC anticipates that the final vote counting will be done by Saturday - when the winning party will be announced. So what happens after? After counting, political parties will be allocated seats according to the percentage each party received. South Africas electoral system is called the Proportional Representation (PR) system. The PR system awards seats to political parties according to the percentage of votes each party receives in an election. Political parties submit a list of candidates to the IEC for the National Assembly and the Provincial Legislatures. Candidates are listed in their order of preference. An advantage of this electoral system is that it makes sure that smaller political parties are included and represented. This means that the legislatures are made up of people with different interests. Other interesting facts and statistics There are 22 924 voting stations across the country. 189 000 IEC officials will be present nationwide to guide you through the voting process. About 26 744 565 South Africans are on the voters roll. Of the total people on the voters roll 14 716 879 are women (55%) which is 4% above the demographic split of the South African population, according to Statistics South Africa which is based on the 2018 Midyear Population Estimates. The provinces with the highest number of registered voters are Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape. In terms of age, the biggest category of voters are those aged 30 39 years old (6 685 472) which represents 24.99% of the voters roll. 30 532 South Africans cast their vote at one of South Africas 121 foreign missions. 774 094 citizens were approved to cast their special votes on Monday and Tuesday. These allowed those who were unable to reach a voting station due to physical infirmity, disability or pregnancy to cast their votes in the comfort of their homes. 170 000 inmates will be able to vote with the Department of Correctional Services deploying voting officials in the 243 correctional facilities around the country. The elections security plan is managed by National, Provincial, District and Local JOINTS structures of the JCPS Cluster - who will ensure that all areas will be accessible for all citizens to exercise their constitutional right to vote. 51 306 is the number of police officers which will be deployed in the voting stations on Election Day. As a force multiplier around 3 504 reservists will be deployed nationwide. 358 877 is the number of identity documents. Gauteng has the highest number of uncollected smart ID cards, at 101 787, followed by KwaZulu-Natal with 55 634 uncollected smart cards and Eastern Cape 46 504. Voting aids for visually impaired and special need voters have been catered for with modified the traditional cardboard Universal Ballot Templates (UBTs) which enable easy identification of the party of choice by the voter. For partially-sighted and sighted voters, the Commission has developed A0 posters showing the national ballot and the provincial ballot. These will be displayed in each voting station to help the voters easily distinguish the different parties on the ballot list. There will be 9 result centres in each province and TSWABAC designated for the national results. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2019-05-07. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Cebu City (CNN Philippines, May 7) Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmena wants the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to step in as he accused the local police of partisan politics. "This is the first time that the police is being used for politics. This has never happened before. Even (President Rodrigo) Duterte when he was mayor of Davao, he ran after criminals and even kills them but he never used police for politics. This is the first time, and that is why I am very very dissapointed (with the police)," Osmena said in a news forum Tuesday. He is blaming it on Cebu City Police Chief Col. Royina Garma, whom Osmena also accused of receiving payola or payoffs of up to 800,000 daily from illegal gambling activities. Osmena said he wants Garma replaced. Garma denied Osmena's accusations and urged the mayor to just file cases against her. President Rodrigo Duterte summoned her to Malacanang on Monday, but details of their meeting have not been made available. Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson earlier urged COMELEC to look into the case of Cebu City "before things get out of hand." "Cebu City is a case of the PNP (Philippine National Police) dipping their fingers into partisan local politics. The incumbent mayor has his hands full in dealing with his rival candidates and the citys own police force," Lacson said in a tweet on Monday. Osmena on Tuesday said, "When he (Lacson) makes a statement, there is a very high credibility on what he says." Resolution No. 10481 states that COMELEC can place an area under its control on the grounds of intense political rivalry, violence, use of loose firearms and serious armed threats. COMELEC can reshuffle or relieve police officers found guilty of election offenses. Moises Padilla town in Negros Occidental, Daraga in Albay, and Cotabato City have been placed under COMELEC control as violent events marred the election season. Cebu City-based journalist Dale Israel contributed to this report. FILE - In this May 8, 2018, file photo, a Waymo logo is displayed on the door of a car at the Google I/O conference in Mountain View, Calif. Google's self-driving car spinoff Waymo is teaming up with Lyft in Arizona to attempt to lure passengers away from ride-hailing market leader Uber. Read more SAN FRANCISCO (AP) Google's self-driving car spin-off Waymo is teaming up with Lyft in Arizona to attempt to lure passengers away from ride-hailing market leader Uber. The alliance announced Tuesday will allow anyone with the Lyft app in the Phoenix area to summon one of the 10 self-driving Waymo cars that will join the ride-hailing service by end of September. Waymo's robotic vehicles will still have a human behind the wheel to take control in case something goes awry with the technology. But their use in Lyft's service could make more people feel comfortable about riding in self-driving cars. Both Lyft and Uber consider self-driving cars to be one of the keys to turning a profit, something neither company has done so far. Meanwhile, Waymo has been slowly expanding its own ride-hailing service in the Phoenix area that so far has been confined to passengers who previously participated in free tests of its self-driving technology. "We're committed to continuously improving our customer experience, and our partnership with Lyft will also give our teams the opportunity to collect valuable feedback," Waymo CEO John Krafcik wrote in a blog post. Lyft president John Zimmer described the Waymo partnership as phenomenal in a Tuesday conference call. Uber didnt respond to a request for comment. The new threat to Uber is emerging as the San Francisco company pursues an initial public offering of stock that could raise $9 billion when the deal is completed later this week. Lyft raked in more than $2 billion in its own IPO in March, only to see its stock fall nearly 20% below its offering price amid concerns about its ability to make money a challenge magnified by another loss of $1.1 billion during the first three months of the year. Waymo's corporate parent, Alphabet Inc., is in line to be among the biggest winners in Uber's IPO just as it was in the Lyft IPO. Alphabet owns a 5% stake in Uber that will be worth as much as $3.6 billion if Uber realizes its goal of selling its stock for as much as $50 per share. It also holds a 5% stake in Lyft that is currently worth $761 million. Despite their financial ties, Waymo and Uber have had an acrimonious relationship since becoming entangled in a thorny case of alleged high-tech theft. Waymo accused Uber of orchestrating a scheme to steal some of its autonomous driving technology. That came after Uber's former CEO Travis Kalanick began to suspect Waymo was planning to use its self-driving cars in a rival ride-hailing service. The two sides settled that dispute last year in a deal that required Uber to give Alphabet another bundle of stock that was worth $245 million at the time the truce was reached. The agreement also requires Uber to submit to reviews by a software expert to ensure it isnt misusing any of Waymos technology in its effort to build its own self-driving cars, a process that recently uncovered some potentially problematic issues, according to disclosures made as part of Ubers IPO. Uber warned the problems could require it to pay a licensing fee to Waymo or delay its efforts to introduce self-driving cars in its service. AP business writer Cathy Bussewitz contributed to this article. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (right) walks with Acting Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs at the State Department David Satterfield (left) and Charge D'affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad Joey Hood upon arrival in Baghdad, on Tuesday, May 7, 2019. (Mandel Ngan / Pool Photo via AP) Read more BAGHDAD (AP) U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made a lightning visit Tuesday to Baghdad aimed at showing support for the Iraqi government as the United States has been picking up intelligence that Iran is threatening American interests in the Middle East. The top American diplomat's unannounced trip to the Iraqi capital began and ended after nightfall under heavy security following the abrupt cancellation of a visit to Germany. Journalists from the Associated Press and other organizations accompanying Pompeo were not told of his new destination until his plane left for Baghdad and were not allowed to report on his whereabouts until after his plane had taken off for London. The secretary told reporters on the flight that his meetings with Iraq's president and prime minister were intended to demonstrate U.S. support for "a sovereign, independent" Iraq, free from the influence of neighboring Iran. Pompeo also said he wanted to underscore Iraq's need to protect Americans in their country. "We wanted to let them know about the increased threat stream that we had seen and give them a little bit more background on that so they could ensure that they were doing all they could to provide protection for our team," he said. "They understood, too, it's important for their country." Pompeo's visit came as the Trump administration intensified its pressure campaign against Iran. The U.S. said this week that it was rushing an aircraft carrier group to the Middle East to deter or respond to any Iranian attack. U.S. officials have said there were indications Iran was planning to retaliate for the Trump administration's stepped-up sanctions on the country, although the threat information remains vague. Pompeo would not be specific about the more recent threat information involving Iran except that they involved "imminent" plans for attacks. "We're taking every action to deter them," he said. "Other than that, I just can't say any more." Before landing in Baghdad he said that he would make clear in his meetings that any attack by Iran or its proxies on American forces in Iraq would affect the Iraqi government too. The campaign to continue to prevent ISIS terror inside of Iraq itself is something thats very central to the Iraqi government, Pompeo said. In Washington, an American official said the decision to deploy the carrier group and a group of Air Force bombers to the Middle East was based in part on intelligence indications that Iran had moved short-range ballistic missiles by boat in waters off its shores. Iran, meanwhile, was expected to announced Wednesday that it would partially withdraw from the nuclear deal it struck with world powers in 2015. As tensions rise between Washington and Tehran, Baghdad in some ways is caught in the middle. Iraq has a close relationship with the U.S., which is leading the international coalition in the war against the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria. More than 5,000 U.S. troops are stationed on Iraqi soil. But Iraq is also tightly enmeshed with Iran in trade, security, and political matters, and it has been loath to antagonize its larger neighbor. Iran won the ear of many top Iraqi politicians after it stepped in to fill the political vacuum following the 2003 U.S. invasion. It also can count on the loyalty of several powerful Iraqi militias, which have fought previously against U.S. forces in the country and on the side of Irans allies in Syria in that countrys civil war. Responding to a question about whether Iraq could protect U.S. interests from attacks by Iran and its proxy forces, Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi said Tuesday that Iraq takes its responsibilities seriously. "This is an obligation that Iraq honors," he said. The Trump administration has made several recent moves to squeeze Iran. Last month, President Donald Trump announced the U.S. would no longer exempt any countries from U.S. sanctions if they continue to buy Iranian oil. The U.S. also designated Iran's Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist group, the first time it has ever taken such a step for an entire division of another government. Trump withdrew from the Obama administrations landmark nuclear deal with Iran in May 2018 and, in the months that followed, reinstated punishing sanctions, including those targeting Irans oil, shipping, and banking sectors. While Trump has sought to dismantle much of President Barack Obamas policies, he particularly criticized the Iran nuclear deal for failing to address Tehrans ballistic missile program and what he described as its malign influence across the rest of the Mideast. Associated Press writer Philip Issa contributed to this article. A man looks at his smartphone near a display showing stock prices at a brokerage house in Shanghai Monday, May 6, 2019. China's benchmark Shanghai Composite index dives on U.S. President Donald Trump threat of more China tariffs. At right is a reflection off a display board. (AP Photo) Read more WASHINGTON (AP) Accusing Beijing of "reneging" on commitments it made in earlier talks, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said Monday that the Trump administration will increase its tariffs on $200 billion in Chinese goods early Friday, a sharp escalation in a yearlong trade dispute. At the same time, a Chinese trade delegation is expected to arrive in Washington to resume negotiations on Thursday, a day later than originally planned. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, who briefed reporters with Lighthizer, said that Trump officials learned over the weekend that Chinese officials "were trying to go back on some of the language" that had been negotiated in 10 earlier rounds of talks. Mnuchin and Lighthizer offered no details of China's alleged backsliding, and there was no immediate response from Beijing. The U.S. officials said that at 12:01 a.m. Eastern time Friday, the administration will raise tariffs on $200 billion in Chinese imports from 10% to 25%. President Donald Trump had announced plans to raise those tariffs via Twitter on Sunday, expressing frustration with the pace of negotiations. The reiteration Monday of the president's threat from three high-level Trump officials reinforced the administration's determination to throw Beijing on the defensive. By threatening to raise taxes on Chinese imports, Trump is throwing down a challenge to Beijing: Agree to sweeping changes in China's government-dominated economic model or suffer the consequences. The unexpected ultimatum shook up financial markets, which had expected the world's two biggest economies to resolve a yearlong standoff over trade, perhaps by the end of the week. "It's a significant change in the president's tone," said Timothy Keeler, a partner at the law firm Mayer Brown and former chief of staff for the U.S. Trade Representative. "It certainly increases the possibility that you'll have no deal." For weeks, Trump administration officials had been suggesting that the U.S. and Chinese negotiators were making steady progress. Suddenly on Sunday, Trump said he had lost patience: "The Trade Deal with China continues, but too slowly, as they attempt to renegotiate. No!" he tweeted. Trump also said he planned "shortly" to slap 25% tariffs on another $325 billion in Chinese products, covering everything China ships to the United States. The two countries are engaged in high-stakes commercial combat over China's aggressive push to establish Chinese companies as world leaders in cutting-edge fields such as robotics and electric vehicles. The United States accuses Beijing of predatory practices, including hacking into U.S. companies' computers to steal trade secrets, forcing foreign firms to hand over technology in exchange for access to the Chinese market and unfairly subsidizing Chinese firms at the expense of foreign competitors. The Trump administration has imposed 10% tariffs on $200 billion in Chinese imports and 25% tariffs on another $50 billion. The Chinese have retaliated by targeting $110 billion in U.S. imports. Global stock markets sank Monday on Trump's tweetstorm. But shares in the United States regained some of the lost ground on news that Chinese officials were planning to go ahead with this week's meetings in Washington. Still, the Chinese government did not provide details on exactly when talks would resume and who would be on China's negotiating team. U.S. officials said they expected that China's delegation would led again by Vice Premier Liu He, a confidante of Chinese President Xi Jinping. Beijing is wrestling with an internal conflict: It is eager to end a trade fight that has battered Chinese exporters, but it doesn't want to look like it's bowing to the Trump administration's demands for far-reaching concessions. Trump's threat makes going ahead with talks "very difficult politically" for Xi's government, said Jake Parker, vice president of the U.S.-China Business Council. He said the Chinese public might "view this as a capitulation" if Beijing reached an agreement before Trump's Friday deadline. The conflict is testing how far Beijing is willing to go in changing a state-led economic model it sees as the path to prosperity and global influence and how much power Washington will have to enforce any agreement. Beijing is willing to change industrial plans that provoke foreign opposition but wants to preserve the ruling Communist Party's dominant role in directing economic development, said Willy Lam, a politics specialist at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Chinese officials have said they are willing to let foreign companies participate in plans that call for government-led creation of global competitors in robotics and other technologies. But they have yet to release details, and it is unclear whether the concessions will satisfy Trump. Xi is "adamant about party-state control over major sectors of the economy," Lam said. "If they give this up, then China in effect ceases to be a socialist country." Beijing agreed early on to narrow its trade surplus with the United States a staggering $379 billion last year by purchasing more American soybeans, natural gas and other exports. At the same time, Xi's government has announced a steady drumbeat of promises to open markets in businesses that include auto manufacturing and banking. But none of the moves directly addresses American complaints. The negotiators are also looking for a way to hold Beijing to any commitments it makes. The Trump administration wants to keep tariffs on Chinese imports to maintain leverage over Beijing. "Trump wants a certain amount of tariffs to remain in place just in case the Chinese don't honor their promises," Lam said. "The Chinese refuse to give the Americans the right to penalize them." The Chinese are also skittish about allowing Washington to dictate changes to industrial policy and subsidies, said Raoul Leering, a trade specialist for Dutch bank ING. They see that as "having another country decide your economic policy." Trump also seems to be calculating that Xi needs a deal more than he does. The Chinese economy is decelerating. "Trump believes he can bully the Chinese," Lam said. "Trump realizes the Chinese economy is facing a rough patch, and Xi Jinping is under pressure from his own people." But Trump also has an incentive to reach a deal. The trade war is creating uncertainty for businesses trying to decide where to buy supplies, locate factories and make investments. And it's been weighing on a strong U.S. stock market, which the president likes to tout as evidence that his economic policies are working. "We are optimistic generally on reaching an agreement," said Jason Oxman, president of the tech trade group the Information Technology Industry Council. "We're optimistic that an agreement can be mutually beneficial." Threats from Trump are "just the way he likes to negotiate," Leering said. "That is a risky but potentially rewarding strategy so long as the other side doesn't leave the table." ___ McDonald reported from Beijing. A former Camden Parking Authority employee has filed a whistle-blower lawsuit against the agency and her former boss, alleging public corruption, bid-rigging and payroll fraud, and saying she faced retaliation for disclosing the wrongdoing. In a civil lawsuit, Nicole Rojo of Pennsauken said she was fired in March by Willie Hunter Sr., the authoritys executive director, when she reported her concerns. She also alleges racial discrimination and said Hunter began treating her differently when he learned that she was of Greek heritage and not Hispanic, as he believed when he hired her. Hunter did not respond to telephone and email messages Monday seeking comment. Michael Ash, general counsel for the authority, did not immediately respond to a message left at his office. Brett Wiltsey, special counsel to the authority, said he had not seen the complaint and declined comment. Rojo was recruited in March 2018 from BB&T Bank by Hunter to serve as his executive assistant at a yearly salary of $52,000, according to the lawsuit filed last week in Superior Court in Camden. She was promised a promotion to project manager in three months and a $13,000 salary increase, the suit said. Two months later, the terms of her employment suddenly and drastically changed when Hunter learned that Rojo is not Hispanic, the lawsuit alleges. Job responsibilities were taken from Rojo and given to Hunters secretary, and Rojo was arbitrarily disciplined and excluded from executive meetings, the suit said. In the lawsuit, Rojo said the trouble began when she objected to acts she believed to be illegal or in violation of public policy in the procurement of contracts by the authority. Rojo said she expressed concerns to Hunter about his actions and those of others. Karl Walko, president of Communications Workers Local 1014, which represents about two dozen meter readers and office workers at the parking authority, said he, too, had concerns about alleged improprieties at the authority, and reported that to the Camden County Prosecutors Office several months ago. Walko said he did not know whether the Prosecutors Office planned to investigate. A spokesperson for the office declined comment Monday. I told them about what was going on. I left it up to them, Walko said. Walko said he reviewed documents for $16,000 in payments during a six-week period to a vendor to clean gravel parking lots last fall. He said the amount seemed excessive. Theres no way you should spend that much, Walko said. In the lawsuit, Rojo says Hunter enriched himself by directing the authority to award contracts to preselected contractors to circumvent the competitive bidding process in exchange for kickbacks. The authority favored the same contractor by splitting a single procurement into two or more purchase orders or contracts below competitive bid limits, according to Rojo. She said she learned about other contract schemes by the authority that included: accepting multiple bills for work performed only once; multiple awards for similar work; accepting the same or similar documents to support billings on different contracts; and excessive purchases of services. When Hunter learned that Rojo had knowledge of the bidding scheme, he demanded that she turn in her key to a filing cabinet that contained bidding files, the lawsuit says. A locksmith later changed the locks to the filing cabinets and Hunter had the only key, the lawsuit says. Rojo also alleges in the lawsuit that she discovered in summer 2018 that a maintenance worker was working at night off the clock painting the authoritys parking garage, in addition to working his regular job during the day. The worker told Rojo that he was being paid under the table by a contractor hired to paint the garage, the lawsuit says. She sent an email to Hunter expressing concern about the employees working off the books, but did not get a response, the lawsuit says. Rojo says she was terminated on March 1 because she blew the whistle when she refused to participate in the wrongful activity and reporting that activity to Hunter. She says Ash and Michael Alejandro, the authoritys operations manager and Hunters second-in-charge, came into her office and began screaming, Get your belongings and get out! According to the lawsuit, Rojo feared for her safety because she was alone in the room with both men behind a closed door, and they were screaming in her face and standing over her in a threatening and violent manner. Alejandro did not return a message seeking comment. Rojo saysthe authority failed to give her final paycheck in the amount of roughly $2,100. She alleges that Hunter directed payroll not to pay her. The parking authority is a public entity funded by fees and parking revenue. Her attorney, Ian M. Bryson of Philadelphia, said Monday that Rojo was a conscientious worker who took the risk of losing her job to expose government corruption. In the 40-page lawsuit, Rojo also alleges wrongful termination, civil rights violations, unlawful withholding of wages, and breach of contract. The lawsuit seeks damages for lost wages, mental pain and suffering, humiliation, and emotional distress. Hunter, a politically connected former member of the authoritys board, took over as executive director in 2012. In 2016, Hunter got a raise of about $18,000 that brought his annual pay to $115,000. At the time, he made more than then-Mayor Dana Redd, who was paid $102,000. He started with a salary of $62,500. Jonathan Harris, seen here at his preliminary hearing in the fall, is accused of murdering Christina Carlin-Kraft inside her Ardmore condo. Read more The final moments of Christina Carlin-Krafts life were brutal and excruciating, prosecutors said Monday at the start of her alleged killers murder trial a form of sick, demonic torture by a man she had met only hours before. In his opening statement to jurors in a Norristown courtroom, Assistant District Attorney Roderick Fancher said Jonathan Harris, 31, strangled Carlin-Kraft after a violent struggle in her Ardmore condo last summer. He then lied to police, Fancher said. His story was that it was over cocaine, but given the circumstances around this murder, it makes no sense that this was about drugs, Fancher said. Was it over sex? Was it over money? We wont know, because the only person who did know was killed in that bedroom that night. Harris, who confessed after his arrest, has been charged with first-, second-, and third-degree murder. Assistant District Attorney Brianna Ringwood, the lead prosecutor, has said she is not seeking the death penalty. Harris attorney, A. Charles Peruto Jr., told jurors Monday that there is no question that his client killed Carlin-Kraft, 36, a budding model whom he accompanied home from Center City. But Peruto contended that Harris went home with her without any intention of harming her, and was out of his mind" from smoking ketamine. The attorney noted that both Harris and Carlin-Kraft had been drinking throughout the night, and things escalated after Carlin-Kraft refused to pay for an ounce of cocaine Harris gave her. I want the jury to listen to the evidence and base their verdict on the evidence, and not what they saw in the press leading up to this, Peruto said after the proceedings in front of Common Pleas Court Judge William R. Carpenter. Harris was arrested in August, about a week after Carlin-Krafts body was discovered in her unit in Cambridge Square condominiums. Alex Ciccotelli, Carlin-Krafts boyfriend, testified Monday that he hadnt heard from her for about 24 hours, a break in her normal behavior that worried him. His anxiety worsened after a security system in the condo sent updates to his smartphone showing activity in the unit until 5 a.m. When he went to the condo to check on her, he found that the door had been latched from the inside. Police officers responding to the scene broke down the door and found the place in disarray, with blood splatters in the kitchen and master bedroom. On the bed, they found Carlin-Kraft, her body wrapped in a bundle of clothing and bedding that investigators likened to a cocoon. After his arrest, Harris confessed to killing Carlin-Kraft, telling investigators the two had consensual sex, drank multiple bottles of wine, and used cocaine. When Harris asked for payment for the drugs which he estimated as being worth $1,200 Carlin-Kraft allegedly refused, sparking a struggle in which she struck him with a wine bottle and he pummeled her multiple times. Peruto said that refusal enraged Harris, likening him to a mad dog." In his confession, Harris said he choked Carlin-Kraft to keep her from screaming and left the apartment by jumping over the attached balcony. Harris told police that he thought she was still alive when he left. Roberto Zurita, who has been working at Phillips Mushroom Farm for nine years, clears the stems from white button mushrooms as he works in the mushroom house in Kennett Square. Read more At Phillips Mushroom Farms in Kennett Square, business is booming and the owners would like to expand. But they cant. There arent enough harvesters, the people who rise before dawn to work in dark grow houses rapidly cutting mushrooms loose from their beds. Theres no one around, said Jim Angelucci, the farms general manager. And its not just the mushroom industry. Everyone is struggling for workers. Amid renewed federal emphasis on immigration enforcement, farmers are experiencing a shortage of labor. Its a problem for virtually all enterprises that rely on difficult manual work, but its especially pronounced in agriculture, where farmers rely largely on immigrants some of them undocumented. In Pennsylvania, the shortage of workers has disproportionately affected farmers mushroom, dairy, and others. In New Jersey, Dory Dickson, director of the Medford-based volunteer organization Migrant Worker Outreach, said local farms have substantially fewer workers this year than in previous years. Farming and mushroom harvesting is a skill, and some people just dont have it, said Megan Klotzbach, regulatory manager at Mother Earth Organic Mushrooms in Landenberg, Chester County. Beyond that, she said, fear of deportation has sent some undocumented immigrants long a staple of farmwork back to their homelands. What we really need, she said, is some immigration reform. Meanwhile, some mushroom and dairy farmers desperate for labor have begun to turn to places they may not have once considered, such as inmate work-release programs, organizations that help the visually impaired find employment, and others that help veterans find work. While the programs have been met with mixed success, overall they arent moving the needle, Klotzbach said. The job of a mushroom harvester is a hard sell, said Stephanie Chapman, director of human resource management at Phillips Mushroom Farms. Full-time positions require workers to pick six days a week, including holidays. Days start early and the work can be difficult, as workers have to bend between narrow, dimly lit wooden mushroom beds, knife in hand, and delicately cut thousands of mushrooms piece by piece. Harvesters are rewarded with a bonus an amount Chapman declined to disclose for picking extra quickly. One of the biggest problems in agriculture and dairy is that American citizens no longer want to work like that, said Christian Landis, owner of Worth the Wait Farm, a dairy operation in Stevens, Lancaster County. And immigrants illegal or legal are the only ones who are willing to step up to the plate to serve these positions. The lack of workers is so pronounced that some mushroom farms, like Phillips, cant cleanly pick their last harvest cycle. Dairy farmers, mired in a struggling milk market, have seen even thinner profit margins as they push to find workers. Its getting really bad, said Caroline Novak, deputy director of the Professional Dairy Managers of Pennsylvania, a trade association in Harrisburg. Quite honestly, theyre dirty jobs. They pay far above minimum wage, but they are dirty jobs. Youre behind cows. Youre going in and out of rain, snow, sleet, and hail. The labor shrinkage, combined with falling milk prices, she said, has forced some dairy farmers to downsize and others to postpone plans to upgrade to robotic milking machinery. Mushroom farms are managing to stay afloat, although some say operations arent what they once were. We just used to always have people coming in, and were just not seeing that in the last five years, said Klotzbach, of Mother Earth Organic Mushrooms. They [workers] are not feeling happy with the country, or theyre not feeling they want to be here. A lot of them are just going home, whether that be Mexico or somewhere else, and they dont know if theyre coming back or not. Still, mushrooms farms like Phillips have managed to retain some workers for decades, such as J. Trinidad Perez, 54, a 32-year employee who said he legally immigrated from Guanajuato, Mexico, in 1985 and now works as a harvesting supervisor. Phillips credits retention to on-site housing, retirement plans, vacation days, and medical coverage theyve invested in to remain attractive to prospective employees who have their choice of mushroom farms to work at in southern Chester County. But even so, the next generation of labor is far from guaranteed when mushroom workers children, many of whom were born and raised in the United States, want to work in another industry, Klotzbach said. As it stands, current farm laborers are shouldering more responsibility as fewer employees are available, said Kathleen Sexsmith, an assistant professor of rural sociology at Penn State-University Park who interviewed 60 Chester County mushroom farm laborers from Latin America as part of her yearlong research into the industrys labor shortage. Their workday gets very long, she said. Her research found that workers would often start their day at 5 a.m. and not finish until 5 p.m., though they were to clock out at 1 or 2 p.m. Its a similar situation for dairy workers, who work until the jobs done, said Landis, the dairy farmer. The American public as a whole does not want to work these hours anymore, he said. And quite frankly, if the immigrant labor force was not there, there would be a major void in the labor force of the agriculture industry across all sectors. William Table, 46, was sentenced Tuesday to 35 to 70 years in prison for fatally stabbing his ex-girlfriend, Teresa Priestly, last July. Read more A Bucks County man who fatally stabbed his ex-girlfriend after a bitter breakup last summer was sentenced Tuesday to 35 to 70 years in prison, authorities said. William H. Table, 46, who had pleaded guilty to third-degree murder, repeatedly apologized for killing Teresa Priestly, 43, of Bensalem, whose friends and neighbors described her as unfailingly kind and dedicated to her family. On the morning of July 9, authorities said, Table went to Priestlys home at the Village Square Apartments, where he had lived with her until she ended the years-long relationship over his violent behavior and drug use. They argued and she got into her car to leave, but, police said, Table smashed the passenger-side window to try to get in. Just before 7 a.m., Priestly called 911 and screamed into the phone that Table was trying to kill her. Three minutes later, dispatchers received a call that a Kia sedan had jumped a curb and crashed on the 3100 block of Hulmeville Road. Witnesses said they saw a man flee from the car. Priestly was found dead from multiple stab wounds in her car. Table was arrested hours later at a homeless camp in Philadelphia. At Tables sentencing, Judge Brian T. McGuffin lamented the Priestly familys profound loss. This didnt have to happen, he said. Faith Bartley make prints making posters to sell in hopes of helping raise $100,000 for the Philadelphia Community Bail Fund and the third annual Black Mamas Bailout on May 12 Read more At a printing studio in southwest Philadelphia, Faith Bartley pulled a squeegee over a screen with quiet concentration, then pried away a piece of paper sticky with fresh ink. She had to get it right: This print could mean the difference between incarceration and freedom for a woman locked up on bail in a city jail. Bartley, 55, a member of the Peoples Paper Co-op, was making posters to sell in hopes of helping raise $100,000 for the Philadelphia Community Bail Fund and the third annual Black Mamas Bailout on Sunday, when theyll bail as many women as they can out of Philadelphias city jail. The prints, designed by well-known artists in collaboration with the co-ops formerly incarcerated members, had already raised more than $10,000 in just a few days. Women are the queen bees," she said. They keep the family together. When you lock up women, you lock up the whole community. Bartley added that she knows the stakes well: A former drug user and dealer, she was herself locked up on $260,000 bail a decade ago, and lost her apartment, her job and four months with her mother, who was dying of cancer, before she was acquitted. Advocates like Bartley are willing to do this work for as long as it takes but they are hoping it wont be much longer. As public pressure has mounted, officials have expressed support for ending the use of money bail in Philadelphia, in a growing recognition that it results in unequal outcomes for those with the fewest resources. However, they have expressed radically different visions for that process. The leadership of the city court system, known as the First Judicial District or FJD, has for several years charted a course that relies on a risk-assessment tool, a sophisticated algorithm that inputs dozens of pieces of information about a defendant and spits out his risk level. Those who are not risky could be released; the rest would go before a judge to determine whether they must be detained until trial. The hope will be that it will take away implicit and explicit biases, FJD President Judge Idee Fox told City Council members at recent budget hearings. The court is convening a research advisory council to ensure the tool is accurate and effective. But critics worry it will merely perpetuate the biases already baked into the justice system by incorporating factors such as age at first arrest or previous jail stays. Thats why Philadelphias chief public defender, Keir Bradford-Grey, has pitched the FJD, the District Attorney and City Council on an entirely different proposal: a way to eliminate money bail in Philadelphia without using a risk-assessment tool. Under this process, most defendants charged with misdemeanors would be arrested but, instead of going through a bail hearing, would receive a summons to appear in court. According to Bradford-Grey, Philadelphia is the only county in the state that does not already use the summons process for lower-level offenses. Those held on more serious charges would go before a magistrate for a preliminary arraignment hearing where money bail would not even be on the table. Instead, the magistrate could decide to release the defendant on his own recognizance or impose other conditions, perhaps phone reporting or electronic monitoring. Only in cases where the defendant is a flight risk or a perceived danger to the community would the District Attorney file a detention motion which would result in a release-determination hearing, where a judge could decide to detain the defendant or to set high bail. This system allows for individualized determinations and ends the practice of incarcerating people simply because they cannot afford bail," Bradford-Grey said in her testimony to City Council. She said this shift is necessary given the impacts of money bail on her clients. Researchers have found that, in Philadelphia, those detained pretrial are 13 percent more likely to be convicted than those who are released, and serve sentences 42 percent longer. Black defendants are 25 percent more likely than white ones to remain incarcerated until trial a disparity that widens even more when bail amounts are higher. The ACLU of Pennsylvania is also suing the FJD, arguing that its current practices for setting bail are illegal. The organization cited its observations in more than 2,000 bail hearings, in which it appeared magistrates did not generally consider defendants ability to pay before assigning money bail. The hearings, conducted by video, lasted just two or three minutes, and lawyers typically warned defendants not to speak at all to avoid saying anything incriminating. The FJD and the public defender both declined to comment on their dueling blueprints for Philadelphias pretrial architecture. District Attorney Larry Krasner told City Council, We are very supportive of the public defenders efforts to change pretrial," but did not elaborate further. Either path could result in many more people going free until their cases are complete, as recent reforms have shown that many more defendants will be released if given an individualized hearing in front of a judge. After the FJD started holding early bail review hearings for those charged with nonviolent misdemeanors and held on bail up to $50,000, 87 percent of defendants were released on their own recognizance, and most of them showed up for court. Now, the FJD has expanded those hearings to include reviews of bail up to $100,000. But many reform advocates are adamantly opposed to any use of a risk-assessment algorithm, citing studies that have found such algorithms are liable to flag African-American defendants as higher risk than white defendants with similar or even far worse criminal histories. Last year, more than a hundred justice reform and civil-rights groups signed a joint statement of concern. In April, the Partnership for AI, a consortium of tech giants including Facebook, Google, Apple and Microsoft, released its own analysis, finding serious shortcomings in risk-assessment for pretrial detention. In Philadelphia, groups affiliated with the #No215Jail Coalition had advocated against a risk assessment and, more recently, were lobbying the FJD for transparency in any algorithm it does use. According to Hannah Sassaman, an organizer involved in that coalition, the FJD has told the group it will no longer be discussing the risk assessment with them. Human beings who are told their future behavior is scary based on a complex computer algorithm based on criminal justice practices that are biased at their root deserve to understand why," she said. A hearing on the state of Philadelphia's schools drew about 100 people Monday, with parents and advocates calling for increased investment in the district. Read more After coming from Indonesia a year ago, Jason Hoo said, he was surprised by the conditions at his high school in South Philadelphia. In addition to nasty mold on the walls and chipping paint, we suffer from sitting in really cold classes in the winter and really hot classes during the summer, Hoo, a junior at Furness High School, said Monday. Many students refuse to take notes because their hands are so cold. Hoo was among the students, teachers, education advocates, and parents who spoke at a hearing convened by City Councilwoman Helen Gym to call on city leaders to steer more money to Philadelphias schools. About 100 people attended the hearing in Council chambers. Many of those who spoke called for physical repairs to school buildings $170 million to fix lead and asbestos problems that have been highlighted by The Inquirer, and to replace windows, repair leaky roofs, and pay for more cleaning services to address rodent issues found in most city schools. Other requests included doubling the current number of air-conditioning units, and playground improvements. They also pushed for nonphysical improvements to schools including hiring community connectors to serve as liaisons between schools and communities, and more counselors. Currently, one counselor can be responsible for up to 949 students, according to Maura McInerney of the Education Law Center. While they focused on school needs rather than how the city might pay for them, a number of speakers singled out the citys tax abatement practices as requiring change. We cannot afford to provide handouts to huge developers when Philadelphia is already economically prospering, said Christina Jackson, a parent of twin kindergarten students at Henry C. Lea Elementary in West Philadelphia. The hearing was held ahead of the School Districts budget presentation to Council next week. We want your voices to come first," Gym, who was joined throughout the several-hour hearing by Councilwoman Jannie L. Blackwell, said to the audience. The 2019-20 budget plan includes more money for math assistance, nurses, and teachers for English language learners. The $3.4 billion proposal represents a 7.1 percent increase over current spending. The boost is being driven by increased payments to charter schools and salary increases in the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers contract. The Board of Education is scheduled to give final approval to the spending plan later this month. After 17 years of state governance, Philadelphia took back control of its schools last year. Funding, though, has remained a challenge at the city and state levels. Last year, Council increased funding for schools, though it rejected a property tax increase proposed by Mayor Jim Kenney. Meanwhile, many Pennsylvania school districts say new money theyre getting from the state doesnt cover rising costs. The state is also being sued over school funding. The Philadelphia School District is expecting a fund balance at the end of the coming year. But its current revenue stream isnt predicted to cover expenses in the long term, with a $30 million deficit projected by 2022. Just because the district is not in fiscal turmoil does not mean the district yet has the funds, infrastructure or talent to deliver a world-class education, Donna Cooper, director of Public Citizens for Children and Youth, said at Mondays hearing. Education is one of the main issues for Philadelphia voters ahead of this months primary election. More than half 56 percent of voters surveyed in a recent Inquirer poll said the citys schools were getting worse. About one in four said they are staying the same, while 11 percent said they are getting better. Correction: A previous version of this story misstated the size of the districts projected budget deficit. It is $30 million, not $300 million. A lot of focus in Philadelphias primary election campaign has been on the 28 Democrats vying for City Council at large, particularly since two seats are open, meaning there will be two newcomers. But the race on the Republican side could get interesting, too. The party isnt endorsing any candidates for Council at large, and neither incumbent will be a lock. How does the Republican Council primary work? First a short promise primer on how Republicans get elected to Council. Only the at-large Council race is contested in the primary. Step one: Get enough votes to be a top-five vote-getter in the primary. This year, seven Republicans, including the two incumbents, are vying for five nominations. Candidates are listed on the general election ballot in the order of votes received in the primary, so doing well means a better ballot spot in November. Step two: Come in sixth or seventh in the general election. OK, coming in first through fifth would work, too, but in a city where Democrats far outnumber Republicans, its almost a foregone conclusion that the five Democrats who win the primary will be successful in the general election, and the two Republicans who trail the closest behind will join them on the fourth floor of City Hall. Thats not to say an independent several are running in November couldnt win one of the minority seats, though its never been done. GOP isnt endorsing anyone The party has two incumbents, David Oh and Al Taubenberger, trying to keep their seats, but the GOP City Committee declined to endorse anyone in the primary. I was actually stunned by the fact they decided not to endorse, said party Chair Mike Meehan, who is not a ward leader, so has no voting power on the committee. To me, that was a little odd. Its an odd year, to tell you the truth. We have seven candidates, each interesting in their own different way, and theyre all trying to hit their lottery ticket and try to get elected. Even more curious, Oh, 59, a ward leader himself, voted against endorsing candidates. Oh said he looked at a field that included four ward leaders who would almost certainly get party backing and didnt want newcomers to be shut out. I thought it was a good idea that we not endorse the five old guys and give a chance to the new folks, Oh said. Meehan said that while he likes both incumbents, neither is a lock. He said some dissatisfaction with the incumbents could have played into the non-endorsement vote. Sanctuary city a big GOP issue While the majority of Philadelphians favor remaining a sanctuary city, Republicans are generally opposed. A recent Inquirer poll found 59 percent of registered voters approved of the policy. Seventy percent of Republicans polled thought it should change. And among GOP voters, immigration was the third biggest issue facing the city, after crime and taxes. Oh and Taubenberger have both taken some flak on the issue. Both oppose Mayor Jim Kenneys 2016 executive order barring city police from complying with detainer requests from Immigration and Customs Enforcement. But when State Rep. Martina White (R., Phila.) introduced a bill to bar the city from state grant money, Oh responded with a resolution denouncing the threat. Ive heard people say the mayor would have backed down, but to me, its about funding the city," Oh said. "In my role as an at-large Council person, its my job to make sure that in Harrisburg, they understand its not just Democrats who oppose the cutting off of funds its also Republicans like me. Taubenberger, 66, has also been criticized by members of his party for a resolution he cosponsored that praised Kenneys sanctuary city policy. He said it was his first Council session after he was elected and he wanted to show bipartisanship. Im also the child of immigrants, my parents both came over from Germany in the 1930s, he said. Now that we know what its like, I dont [support the policy], but it was early on and I was trying to reach across the aisle. Their rivals have pounced on them for their seemingly soft stances. You walk around and talk to voters, at least Republican voters, and its things like this that just drive them up a wall, said Matt Wolfe, who is running as a Republican for an at-large seat. You see Bobby Henon under federal indictment, still the majority leader of Council. No Democrats have called for his resignation or his removal as majority leader. No Republican has either. Whats wrong with this picture? Who are the challengers? In addition to Wolfe, 63, a ward leader and lawyer from West Philadelphia, four other challengers are on the May 21 ballot. Four of the seven candidates are also from the Northeast. Four are ward leaders. There is one female challenger, Irina Goldstein; otherwise the slate is six men, five of them white. I was hoping for a little bit more dynamism, a little bit more alternative for voters that will reach beyond where the Philly GOP has been, said Albert Eisenberg, a Republican political consultant who has worked for the city party. Its terrible optics. This is an urban GOP, and youre looking at the people and its not representative," Eisenberg said. He also said he hasnt seen either incumbent use the "bully pulpit to further a conservative agenda that will appeal to Philadelphians. Dan Tinney is the best-funded challenger, and has high-profile endorsements from several labor unions, the Fraternal Order of Police, and White, the citys lone Republican legislator in Harrisburg. Tinney, 37, also heads the 66th Ward, a GOP stronghold. He ran unsuccessfully in 2015 and has experience in business and organized labor, which he touts as a unique perspective. Goldstein, 35, is an immigrant, with a background in the fashion industry, who hopes to stand out in a field of mostly older white men. People hear my story, they say, Youre an immigrant, you lived in refugee camps. Your whole story sounds like you should be a Democrat. Yeah, but theyre too far left, said Goldstein, who switched her registration from Democratic to Republican last August. The great thing about most people in Philadelphia is they are in the middle. Goldstein has criticized Trump and ICE in Facebook posts, which she told The Inquirer were meant as satire. Bill Heeney Sr., 60, who owns a courier business and lives in Torresdale, heads the 62nd Ward and is an outspoken critic of the incumbents. Hes also taken heat for a string of racist and misogynistic Facebook posts unearthed and published by the news site Billy Penn. Drew Murray, the only candidate from Center City, became a Republican four months ago. Murray, 47, is the head of the Logan Square Neighborhood Association. Ive always been very middle of the road," Murray said. "When I was a Democrat, I described myself as a conservative Democrat. Now that Im a Republican, I say Im a moderate Republican. The Black Clergy of Philadelphia and Vicinity announces its endorsement of State Sen. Anthony Williams, left, for mayor of Philadelphia during a news conference at Calabash Restaurant in Philadelphia, PA on May 7, 2019. Williams speaks as Rev. Jay Broadnax, right, president of the Black Clergy of Philadelphia and Vicinity, listens along with members of their cabinet. Read more The Rev. Jay Broadnax, president of the Black Clergy of Philadelphia and Vicinity, said his group had high hopes for Mayor Jim Kenney when he first took office in 2016. Three years later, its disappointed and unsatisfied, he said Tuesday morning as the group of pastors endorsed State Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams in the May 21 Democratic primary for mayor. Broadnax said that Kenneys administration and the contracts it gives to vendors do not reflect the diversity of the city, and that he finds the mayor inaccessible and defensive about his record. The pastors also cited a long list of city issues violence and guns, gentrification and real estate taxes, the continuing use of stop-and-frisk tactics by police, poverty and jobs, the sweetened beverage tax, and education as concerns on Election Day. In addition to Williams, they interviewed Kenney and the other Democratic challenger, former City Controller Alan Butkovitz, before reaching a consensus, Broadnax said. Kenney, though a campaign spokesperson, said he respected the decision. We appeal to those in our community and in all communities: Do not stay home this election, Broadnax said during a news conference at an Overbrook restaurant. In accepting, Williams accused Kenney and his allies of trying to suppress primary voter turnout by acting as if there is no election campaign underway. He later cited Kenneys limited campaign schedule as proof. Theres a strategy that turnout should be low, Williams told the assembled clergy, who gathered with candidates for judge, City Council, sheriff, and other offices. I want to be very clear. Our Democratic friends are participating in that process. Williams won the Black Clergy endorsement four years ago, when he and Kenney were among five candidates in the Democratic primary. But the organization faced a public rift in that decision, with some clearly supporting Kenney, who ultimately finished in that primary nearly 30 percentage points ahead of the second-place Williams. Now, Williams said, the pastors are unified behind him for two reasons. First, he said, Kenney has run the city as though he is above and disconnected from its residents. How he is campaigning is similar to how hes governing, Williams said. And second, Williams said, he is running a different kind of campaign this year, with fewer financial resources but more grassroots community contact. He reached back to the story of David and Goliath to describe his appeal to the clergy members. People told me, Tony, last time you werent connected to us, Williams said. You didnt resonate with us. God humbled me to bring me here today. The inaugural knit-in, on April 23, for Philadelphia's"Tempestry" chapter at the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education. Local organizer Christina Catanese is second from the left, in the patterned shawl. Read more The Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education in Roxborough has been teaching Philadelphians about the natural world since 1965 but never like this. On a Tuesday night in late April, 30 activist crafters convened there for the first Philly chapter meeting of a nationwide initiative that is sounding the alarm on global warming. With science. And yarn. One lively group sat around a large table weighing fibers on electronic balances. A smaller contingent worked diligently in a corner, winding colorful skeins with names like Peapod and Firecracker. All are volunteers for the Tempestry Project, an initiative founded in Washington state two years ago that now has chapters coast to coast and abroad. Tempestry is short for temperature tapestry. Group members knit or crochet scarflike banners designed as bar charts of local temperature data over time, with bands of color progressing from cool blues and greens to hot oranges and reds. The new Philly group is the largest outpost of the project to date. I think [the response] is a testament to the power of the project," said local Tempestry organizer Christina Catanese,"giving people something tangible to do and using the craft for a bigger cause than making hats or blankets. Catanese is the Schuylkill Centers director of environmental art. For local temperature data, she reached out to the Franklin Institute, which has been measuring the citys daily temperature since 1872. The local groups Tempestry tapestries will represent local temperatures from 1875 to 2018. Where Tempestries come from The first Tempestry was based on 2016 data taken from the Naval Air Station on Whidbey Island, Wash. Project founders Emily McNeil, Justin Connelly, and Marissa Connelly were inspired by scientists and hackers who were taking measures to preserve climate research data before the Trump administration took office. We were just sort of joking one night about how we should return to more concrete forms of data storage, like tapestries, because you cant just get rid of them on the internet, McNeil said by phone from Anacortes, Wash., where she manages Fidalgo Artisan Yarn & Clothing. Word about the venture quickly spread via social media. McNeil and her partners started assembling Tempestry kits for those who wanted to get involved. Demand soared. In 2017, they sold 40 kits. In 2018, 500 people bought them. Were not knitting [Tempestries] ourselves anymore, but we have people in every state except Delaware, she said. Crafters in Mexico City are also developing a Tempestry collection similar to Philadelphias. Philly joins the cause Catanese first reached out to McNeil in January about getting the Schuylkill Center involved. Some climate change art "feels very distant and disconnected, she said. To counter that, the center likes to ask, What are climate change impacts in Philadelphia? and seek out artists who are exploring those ideas. Previous climate-focused art projects there have ranged from sculptures that manage storm water to a hybrid nature walk/dance performance. Catanese has a masters degree in applied geosciences from the University of Pennsylvania and previously worked at the Environmental Protection Agencys Philadelphia office. Shes also a dancer and choreographer, and a hobbyist whos been knitting for about 10 years. My grandma knitted a lot when I was growing up [in Pittsburgh], but I never learned from her, she said. When Catanese put out a call for volunteers on the Schuylkill Centers website, she received about 100 replies. Her original goal was to make Tempestries that illustrated changes in Phillys annual temperature over 10-year intervals from the late 1800s to 2018. Thanks to the enthusiastic response to the initiative, the project will represent data from every five years within that period. Thirty knitters and crocheters have each been assigned a different year, with additional participants serving as alternates who will assist the core group. The local project has all the crafters it needs right now, but would-be volunteers can sign up for a wait list. Chris Arnott, 40, has the assignment to crochet Phillys weather from 1945. Shes a biologist with the National Park Service and has been crocheting for eight years. Arnott, who lives in Mount Airy with her husband and 2-year-old son, learned about the project through the Schuylkill Centers Facebook page. It appealed to her because she could complete it while staying home with her son. Volunteers are also invited to join monthly knit-ins at the center. Nora Trejos, 31, of West Philly, will be making a Tempestry for 1915. She heard about the project from a friend who works for the city. Maureen Keeney, 55, of Broomall, is an alternate, and this is her second experience with a wide-scale fiber art project. In June 2018, she crocheted blocks for Love Across the USA: Marian Anderson, a tapestry that was part of a series celebrating strong women. Its now on display at Phillys Marian Anderson Recreation Center. She was drawn to the Tempestry Project because "it really helps when people can get a visual representation of what is going on with climate change, she said. To see the progression over time will be really impactful. Kindergarten teacher Ann Ward is a knitting newbie. Her Tempestry will show temperature data from 1965, the year she was born. Next year, she hopes to start a companion project with her class. Each tapestry takes about 20 hours to complete. The goal, Catanese says, is to have the Philadelphia collection finished by fall. View from the roof of 30th St. Station, Philadelphia on April 24, 2019 shows area to the west of 30th St. slated for the Schuylkill Yards development. The new Drexel Square park is in the foreground. Photo by Jon Snyder / Staff Read more The vision for Phillys Schuylkill Yards project is on its way to becoming a reality. The area will help unite Philadelphias traditional Center City business district with University City. The Inquirers Inga Saffron believes a similar project in New York can serve as a cautionary tale. Mayor Jim Kenney is certainly learning from the past as he seeks reelection. Hes employing a similar strategy that helped him win in 2015 while his challengers are mixing things up by attacking one of his signature achievements. Reading this online? Sign up here to get this newsletter delivered to your inbox every morning. Ray Boyd (@RayBoydDigital, morningnewsletter@philly.com) Hudson Yards was once a rare empty space in New Yorks landscape which is typically hungry for real estate development. Seven years later, the area is filled with high rises and more are set to be completed by 2026. A similar vision is planned for West Phillys Schuylkill Yards. Inquirer architecture critic Inga Saffron believes there is a lot the Philly project can learn from its New York counterpart. For example, among Hudson Yards missteps was not becoming a natural extension of Manhattans street grid, thus feeling separated from the rest of the area, Saffron writes. Schuylkill Yards has the chance to avoid that and other mistakes. In Philadelphia, no incumbent who has sought a second term for mayor has been denied in the last seven decades. So its safe to say that history is on Mayor Jim Kenneys side as he seeks reelection by employing a prevent defense strategy that helped him win in 2015. Among Kenneys challengers for the upcoming primary is State Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams, who ran against Kenney in 2015. Williams was the favorite then and had backing and money on his side. Things look very different for him this time around. Kenneys other challenger, much like Williams, is attacking the mayor on crime, economic opportunity, and taxation. Former City Controller Alan Butkovitz has knocked Kenney for his soda tax and hoped for the support of the beverage industry, but so far that effort has fizzled. The James Beard Awards are the Academy Awards of restaurants. Outstanding restaurant is the equivalent of best picture. Zahavs win in that category last night marked a first for Phillys restaurant scene. Chef and co-owner Michael Solomonov has helped to rewrite the script for Israeli food in the United States. Zahav earned the honor in the first year it was nominated for the award though the eatery is no stranger to taking home hardware. Solomonov and his business partner Steve Cook have expanded their Philly empire to include several popular restaurants and plan to open three more restaurants this year. What you need to know today How about some good news for a change? We just introduced a brand new special section called the UpSide, filled with positive and uplifting stories. Hear from some of the people behind the pages, live in conversation with UpSide editor Ronnie Polaneczky, tonight at The Inquirers office. Register for free here. Through Your Eyes | #OurPhilly Lets all get lost in some wonderful music today . Thanks for the inspiration, @inspiredbytai. Tag your Instagram posts or tweets with #OurPhilly and well pick our favorite each day to feature in this newsletter and give you a shout out! Thats Interesting Opinions I was horrified by Sims video, because, as a Catholic and a defender of the unborn, I believe it is this womans right to pray anywhere she wants. ... I am extremely troubled by the fact that a man who is paid by our tax dollars feels it is appropriate to publicly shame one of those taxpayers just because he disagrees with her. Columnist Christine Flowers on an interaction between State Rep. Brian Sims and a woman praying outside Planned Parenthood. Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid are playing just fine in the Sixers series against the Raptors, writes Columnist David Murphy. He adds that its another key player who needs to step up his game. New Jersey state tax breaks for businesses moving to or expanding in Camden are important. But small businesses in the city might be more deserving, writes The Inquirer Editorial Board. What were reading Philadelphia has a rich mural landscape that will soon add a new work from the artist who painted Michelle Obamas official portrait for the Smithsonians National Portrait Gallery, Amy Sherald. PhillyVoice unpacks whats known about the project set for Phillys Gayborhood. Could a driveway threaten the Italian Markets walkability? A debate over an impending curb cut has now reached City Hall and a new bill aims to put an end to it, PlanPhilly reports. Conversation around Democrats ambition to end the Trump presidency in 2020 focuses on candidates abilities to win midwest states. But when it comes to that region, Sen. Kamala Harris says certain voters are being ignored, BuzzFeed News reports. A Daily Dose of | Family Cassie Gaffney is the longest-serving waitress at Phillys oldest bar. Thanks to her granddaughter, the Friday lunch shift at McGillins is now a family affair. Former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden speaks at a campaign rally at Teamsters Local 249 Union Hall April 29, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pa. Biden began his first full week of campaigning for president by speaking on how to rebuild America's middle class. Read more A few weeks ago, Joe Biden rolled out his 2020 presidential campaign in Pittsburghs Lawrenceville neighborhood, in a fitting venue: a Teamsters hall packed with card-carrying union workers. For Biden, Pittsburgh (population 302,407) represents the cities and towns that make up hard-working, middle-class Americans who are the backbone of this nation. He declared: If Im going to be able to beat Donald Trump in 2020, its going to happen here. Bidens political destiny runs through Pennsylvania and its 20 Electoral College votes. In 2016, the state delivered Trumps presidential victory, with the anthracite coal region fueling his winning margin. Biden, then vice president, understood the Democrats disadvantage when viewing footage of a Trump rally in Wilkes-Barre. Son of a gun. We may lose this election, Biden recounted to the Los Angeles Times. Trump won by 44,000 votes. Now a free agent, Biden hopes to establish himself as the front-runner, one capable of returning Pennsylvania, along with Michigan and Wisconsin, to the Democratic fold. A relentless primary schedule looms, with the Keystone State standing as Bidens ultimate prize. Facing a wide-ranging cast of primary opponents, Biden alone claims Pennsylvania roots. Born in Scranton, Biden, now 76, spent his early childhood in the Green Ridge neighborhood. His family, facing temporary financial hardship, lived with Bidens maternal grandparents in a bungalow near Marywood University, once an all-girls Catholic college. The eldest child, Biden inherited the family political genehis maternal-great-grandfather, Edward Francis Blewitt, was a state senator and one of the first Irish Catholics to hold public office in Pennsylvania. Though the family moved to his fathers native Wilmington by 1952, Biden has spent his public career referencing Scranton, his own working-class Eden. Will voters buy Bidens Middle-Class Joe presentation? At the kickoff rally, Biden proclaimed himself a union man and discussed the dignity of work. In looking ahead to a battle with Trump and fashioning himself as the presumed Democratic nominee seeking a message of unity, rather than division he might be forgetting how Trumps description of working-class carnage resonated with heartland voters. For now, Biden engages in a 2020 version of Democratic triangulation he hopes to secure suburban moderates, inspire urban voters, and return blue-collar Trump supporters to their former political home. An examination of Bidens nearly half-century-long political career casts doubt on this strategy. On social-media platforms, the Democrats aggrieved digital base censures Biden for his Senate record, which includes taking tough positions on crime and expressing reservations about Anita Hills testimony. His primary opponents, meantime, question Bidens delicate balance of corporate interests with middle-class causes. Biden is busy trying to make amends for everything from his allegedly unfair treatment of Hill to his overly affectionate personal style. Yet his first major fundraiser, hosted by Philadelphias bipartisan power brokers, suggests that his contrition will only go so far. In Pennsylvania, though, such establishment support, combined with the Democrats 900,000-voter advantage, creates an opening for Biden. His statewide base, historically working class, now resides mostly in Philadelphias suburbs. According to The Inquirer, the number of registered Democrats in the citys four collar counties has increased by 75 percent since 1998. In last years midterms, Sen. Bob Casey won reelection, and the party picked up five House seats four from Montgomery County and Delaware County, both former Republican strongholds. At the state level, incumbent Gov. Tom Wolf prevailed, and in the Philadelphia area, statehouse Democrats flipped 14 seats the most since 1974. An affluent suburban population fiscally conservative, socially liberal, and formerly Republican carried the night. Republicans understand that the state party is in critical condition last week, the Trump campaigns senior advisers met with top GOP officials in Harrisburg. In 2016, the party benefited from disaffected Democrats in the states northeast, southwest, northwest, and Lehigh Valley. Trump won Luzerne County by 20 points, and he barely lost neighboring Lackawanna County, home to Scranton. (In 2012, Barack Obama won the county by over 27 points.) The regions voters, while loyal to Trump, still vote Democratic at the state and local level, as a recent special House election showed. This working-class, semi-urban population fiscally liberal, socially conservative, and still Democratic constitutes an unreliable voting base. Biden aims to win them back. In 1948, Harry S. Truman became the last Democratic presidential candidate to win the general election and lose Pennsylvania. Biden was enjoying his idyllic youth in Scranton back then. He lived among New Deal Democrats voters hopeful for their future, secure in their employment, and proud of their communities. Does the same description apply to their descendants? Biden believes that he can secure their support, but nostalgia is a fleeting political strategy, and voters may reject his Middle-Class Joe image as contrived. It remains to be seen whether the Democrats second-oldest candidate is a herald for a better America or a tone-deaf anachronism. Charles F. McElwee is the assistant editor of City Journal, where this piece originally appeared. According to its mission statement,the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations resolves community conflicts, and promotes equality and understanding" throughout the city. Since its establishment in 1951, the PCHR has investigated numerous people and organizations for purportedly discriminatory acts, including the late Joey Vento for posting a sign at his cheesesteak shop advising customers This is America. When ordering, please speak English; Philadelphia Magazine for recklessly endangering race relations by publishing an article titled Being White in Philly, which discussed the racial attitudes of white Philadelphians; SEPTA for gender identity discrimination, based on its policy of requiring that a persons gender be specified on their TransPass. These are but a few examples of the types of matters that historically have been of concern to the PCHR. As you can see, these are hardly the stuff of Nazi marches or Ku Klux Klan cross burnings, but rather deal with possible hurt feelings or sensitivity to perceived prejudice. Accordingly, whether the PCHRs investigations of these and similar cases served a useful civic purpose has been a matter of debate. But now an incident has occurred that affords the PCHR an opportunity to render a vitally important public service. According to the Middle East Media Research Institute, last month the Muslim American Society Islamic Center in Philadelphia uploaded to its Facebook page a video of a Ummah [Community] Day celebration in which young children wearing Palestinian scarves sang (my emphasis added in bold): Glorious steeds call us and lead us [to] the Al-Aqsa Mosque. The blood of martyrs protects us Take us, oh ships until we reach our shores and crush the treacherous ones Flow, oh rivers of martyrs! In the video, a young girl reads a poem praising martyrs who sacrificed their lives for Palestine and then asks, Will [Jerusalem] be a hotbed for cowards? Another young girl reads, We will defend [Palestine] with our bodies We will chop off their heads We will lead the army of Allah fulfilling His promise, we will subject them to eternal torture. The Philadelphia center that uploaded the video is operated by the Muslim American Society, whose website declares that its mission is to move people to strive for God-consciousness, liberty, justice, and to convey Islam with utmost clarity and that it seeks a virtuous and just American society. The Muslim American Society has publicly condemned the words used in the video and stated that its investigation revealed that the [unnamed] school that organized the event is a separate entity renting space from MAS Philadelphia. The school board informed us that it has taken immediate actions and dismissed the person in charge of the program. This was an unintended mistake and an oversight in which the center and the students are remorseful. MAS will conduct an internal investigation to ensure this does not occur again. MAS explanation raises many questions. Is its denunciation of the event sincere or is it simply deflecting blame because it got caught in the act of orchestrating a pint-size hate fest? If MAS is telling the truth, what school organized the event and who is on that schools board? Is this a publicly funded school? Who does it employ, and who got fired? Has it engaged in similar activities in Philadelphia? How did it come about that MAS rented its facility to such an organization? Are we to believe that MAS had no idea about the alleged renters purpose or what type of event was about to take place at the center? Was this a one-time only unintended mistake or have other similar activities taken place at the center? What other activities have MAS and the unnamed school sponsored? Are there other affiliated organizations spreading similar hate in Philadelphia? These and hundreds of related and equally hard questions need to be answered, and the PCHR is certainly authorized to pose them. But will it do so? The PCHR has announced that it is investigating the incident and working with interfaith groups to improve cooperation and understanding. But the fact remains that this celebration was a call for the shedding of Jewish blood, which warrants neither understanding nor sympathy but outright condemnation. And it requires not mediation but an uncompromising, top-to-bottom investigation. Is the PCHR up to the task? Investigating and holding public hearings about offensive signage at cheesesteak shops and TransPass gender discrimination is one thing. Probing the Muslim American Society at the risk of being accused of anti-Islamic and anti-Arab prejudice is quite another. So, will the PCHR use its full resources without fear or favor to lay bare all the facts and circumstances underlying this despicable event? In short, does it have the courage to thoroughly investigate those persons in Philadelphia who are teaching children the joys of butchering, decapitating, and torturing Jews? George Parry is a former federal and state prosecutor. He is a regular contributor to the American Spectator and blogs at knowledgeisgood.net. kignet1@gmail.com. With the end of the Mueller probe and the news that the U.S. economy is performing far beyond expectations, President Donald Trump has reached an inflection point in his presidency. He has the chance to turn the political tides decisively in his favor, if he takes it. On Friday, we learned that the economy added 263,000 jobs in April exceeding the 190,000 that economists predicted. This came on top of the news, a week earlier, that the U.S. economy grew at an annual rate of 3.2 percent in the first quarter, far exceeding predictions of 2.5 percent growth. Unemployment is at the lowest level in five decades. In fact, Americas biggest economic problem is that, according to the Washington Post, the United States has more job openings than unemployed people to fill those jobs. Not only are people finding work, but their paychecks are growing. In April, wages rose 3.2 percent, the ninth straight month of above 3% wage growth. And the Wall Street Journal reports that wages for Americans without a high school diploma rose more than 6 percent last year, outpacing all other groups. Thats bad news for Joe Biden. His presidential campaign is built on the rationale that he can win back the forgotten Americans in key swing states who voted twice for him and Barack Obama but switched to Trump in 2016. His problem is these Americans are doing better under Trump than they did under Obama-Biden. In Wisconsin, the unemployment rate is 2.9 percent; in Pennsylvania, it is 3.9 percent; in Michigan, it is 4 percent; and in Ohio, 4.4 percent. Are these voters really going to switch horses in midstream when they are doing so much better during Trumps presidency than they did during Bidens vice presidency? Here is the bad news for Trump: While approval for his handling of the economy reached a new high of 56 percent, his overall job approval is still a dismal 45 percent, according to a CNN poll. Despite the booming economy, a 54 percent majority still disapprove of Trumps presidency. Why is that? One reason may be that, for the past two years Trump has been fighting accusations that he committed treason by conspiring with Russia to steal the 2016 election. No one likes a traitor, even if he is a job creator. When under attack, the natural instinct is to circle the wagons. Trump has spent the first two years of his presidency feeding and tending to his base, rather than working to expand it. He lashed out with what we now know was justifiable anger at the special counsel and Democrats who accused him of being a Russian agent. Persuadable Americans did not know what to think. But now with the Mueller investigation over, and Trump cleared of any conspiracy with Russia, they might be willing to give the president a second look. How many voters are out there whom Trump might be able to win over? A lot. In the CNN poll, 20% of those who say they disapprove of Trump's performance generally say they approve of his handling of the economy. These Americans are happy with the results of Trump's presidency but not with him. The president's challenge between now and November 2020 is to win over as many of those voters as possible. He can do that by restoring some normalcy to Washington. Trump needs to focus on a positive agenda to improve the lives of Americans, draw attention to his accomplishments rather than his controversies, and reach out and try to work with Democrats. He needs to keep the economy moving, which is why the $2 trillion infrastructure package he announced with Chuck and Nancy is so appealing to the president. For Trump, it is a win-win blue-collar jobs and Keynesian economic stimulus. Trump seems ready to make this pivot. He tweeted last week that after two years of hard work and each party trying their best to make the other party look as bad as possible, its time to get back to business. Republicans and Democrats must come together for the good of the American people. But it will take more than a tweet. Trump needs to be disciplined. He cannot allow Democrats to coax him into toxic political fights. He has been cleared of Russian collusion. Democrats are hurting only themselves with their never-ending investigations. He needs to focus on being president. His policies are working. He needs to make sure that Americans know it. There are millions who are benefiting from the Trump economic boom who do not support Trump yet. His job is to change their minds. Hes got 545 days to do it. Marc Thiessen writes a twice-weekly column for the Washington Post on foreign and domestic policy. He is a fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, and the former chief speechwriter for President George W. Bush. @marcthiessen In front of a digital image of himself, George Norcross took the stage March 5 to address the annual meeting of the Cooper's Ferry Partnership in Camden. Read more Camden Rising was supposed to be more than a rebranding of stale urban redevelopment notions. As created by South Jersey Democratic boss George E. Norcross III, the grand plan would go beyond commercial and institutional projects and reform public safety, education, recreation, and even life itself in the chronically impoverished, postindustrial city of 75,000. It was made possible by an Economic Opportunity Act passed by lawmakers in 2013 and endorsed by Gov. Chris Christie. But a heated six-hour hearing in Newark last week by the task force appointed by Gov. Phil Murphy to investigate the state incentives revealed cracks in the thinking. It also revealed how deeply the old-fashioned, old-boy, business-as-usual political culture is embedded in New Jersey. Thats particularly true in the city and county of Camden, where an autocratic single-party system has maintained a suffocating grip for decades. The Camden Rising Plan called for creating jobs by conferring a billion dollars or more in state tax breaks to persuade businesses to move to or expand in the city. Ordered by Murphy, an audit of the Economic Opportunity Act released in January by the state comptroller questioned the oversight and administration of billions of dollars in tax credits awarded to companies who promised to bring jobs to the state, Camden included. The comptrollers office was unable to verify the existence of thousands of jobs that companies said they had created or retained. The audit criticized the oversight by the states Economic Development Authority, which administers the tax incentives. A recent New York Times report claimed that many of the tax-incentive deals went to those with close ties to New Jersey officials and power brokers. One included a $260 million tax break to Holtec, which the states own analysis found would benefit the state $155,520 over the next 35 years. Why are so many political leaders of every stripe and from every state still so smitten with tax incentives? They promise much more than they deliver. In exchange for generous tax breaks, jobs are promised, but often dont materialize. When they do, those jobs often come at outrageous costs. Last year, during the free-for-all for the Amazon headquarters and the subsequent withdrawal from New York because of public and political outcry over incentives and giveaways, it seemed that the shine for this particular brand of corporate welfare might get permanently tarnished. The outrage from New Jersey tax-credit champions suggests otherwise. For all its sophisticated media and savvy nods to community engagement, Camden Rising turns out to be strikingly similar to the sorry succession of top-down redevelopment mega-developments with names like City Within a City, and Cherokee. These overly ambitious schemes promised that if city residents accepted something they didnt want (displacement, gentrification), they would be rewarded with needed jobs and investment. Those schemes didnt materialize, but a critical mass of commercial, industrial, institutional, and even residential buildings actually has risen in the heart of the city, and beyond. Without community benefit agreements or a mayor with power, the people for whom Camden is supposedly rising are likely to end up with little to show for the subsidies theyve helped pay for. Minister Louis Farrakhan, left, the leader of the Nation of Islam, and radio show host Alex Jones have been banned from Facebook as "dangerous" people. Read more Alex Jones is a despicable person who invents conspiracy theories. Louis Farrakhan is a despicable person and a flagrant anti-Semite. Laura Loomer is a despicable person who traffics in conspiracy theories and Islamophobia. They are among a group of dangerous individuals kicked off Facebook last week. As a company that is traded on the stock market, Facebook has a right to make its own rules. But is this rule right? Previously, Facebook pretty much let the marketplace manage, says Bryan Monroe, an associate professor of journalism at Temple University who specializes in media law. Recent hate attacks in Sri Lanka and New Zealand set the stage for their increased scrutiny of incendiary or hate speech, he says. If this column isnt published exactly as I wrote it, thats not censorship; its editing. My work has to conform to the standards established by editors. Is that what Facebook is doing? No, it is banning people, and the two businesses are not the same. Newspapers make publishing decisions using tests such as fairness, accuracy, and objectivity (except for opinion pieces designed to be subjective). Facebook is very different. Posting requires no particular quality or skill. That explains excessive cat videos and pictures of your restaurant meal. Facebook is less like a newspaper than a brick wall begging for graffiti. It is a global monopoly. I couldnt get anyone from Facebook on the phone, but in an online video, Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg said his company will ban groups where people are repeatedly sharing misinformation or harmful content. But who decides whats harmful Facebook? The same company facing up to $5 billion in fines for privacy violations? Can you see why I am hinky about trusting them 100 percent? By banning some voices, Facebook said it will be the international arbiter of what is and what is not hate speech, says Monroe, whos not sure Facebook is the right entity to do that. As a journalist, my default is always in favor of more speech, not less. Yes, even when that speech is unpleasant and even when I disagree with it. The red lines are incitement to violence and provable lies. The best antiseptic for bad speech is good speech, says Monroe, but Facebook needed a check on incendiary speech." I understand the dilemma. Facebook wants to ban hate speech, but thats hard to define. USA Today reported that some black people are complaining they were kicked off the platform when they wrote about racism. Someone saw that as hate speech. When I read or see some of what Facebook has carried, I want to vomit. Radio show host Jones posted that the massacre of innocents at Sandy Hook was a hoax. That was a deliberate lie, and some of the parents are suing him for defamation. Thats a better solution than banning him. If Facebook should not have the final word about whose views get posted, who should be the decision-maker? That would be you. If you dont like what you are reading, turn the page or protest online. If you read a lie, post the truth. That doesnt mean Facebook should be passive about outright lies. It has options. In the past it took down defamatory or false or obscene posts rather than closing the account. Heres an idea: Facebook can use a caution, like the surgeon generals warning on tobacco products, saying, This page is filled with misinformation that can harm your mental health. Id rather keep the rats in a public cage than drive them underground. With the slate of white male 2020 Democratic presidential candidates growing weekly, Inquirer columnist Will Bunch wonders if he should throw his hat in the ring, too. Read more I just turned 60 in January, so as you might expect Ive spent a lot of time thinking about what to do with the few measly years I have left. Regrets? I have a few OK, actually, theres not enough space to list them all. I have a resume thats long but spectacularly unspectacular. What I lack in charisma, I make up for in dullness. Taking long walks with my dogs Daisy and Bella and listening to the newest audiobook about the 1960s isnt just my most interesting non-work activity its my only non-work activity. Even my mediocrity is kind of mediocre. What possible Act II is there? OK, I know what youre thinking and to be perfectly honest Ive been thinking the exact same thing. I should declare my candidacy for the presidency and enter the 2020 Democratic primary field. This is clearly my year! Democrats, I keep hearing, are looking for four basic things in their next nominee: A white man who is not Donald Trump and has a pulse. Check, check, and an emphatic check! (Ill have to get back to you on No. 4.) Therefore, I today am announcing that I have formed an exploratory committee to run for president ... yes, of the United States. Let me be perfectly clear I dont mean that Im creating an official exploratory committee and filing paperwork with the Federal Election Commission. That would be waaaay too much work, and not in keeping with the low-energy White Dude 2020 nature of my campaign. My exploratory committee consists of the editors off whom I bounced off this column idea, who inexplicably refused to kill it. Im sure readers have some two questions. 1. What distinguishes me from Tim, Seth, Jay, Eric, Joe, Michael, and at least a couple of Johns (stop snickering, Beavis)?, and 2. Just who exactly are Tim, Seth, Jay, Eric, Joe, Michael and these various Johns of whom you speak? As for No 1., Im just like those guys white, male, nominally Christian, performatively heterosexual, a baby boomer with a thinning hairline and a monotonous speaking style, mediocre with a capital M. So I could just slip right into the Democratic field inconspicuously, with few questions asked. (Do primary voters really need to know that I burned my Democratic voter registration on my gas grill in 2016 ... or about The Peoria Incident?) As for No. 2, Im afraid I cant help you. Indeed, when I looked at the rising sea of bland white faces entering the 2020 contest, like the framed, faded Class of 79 group shot in the stairwell of a Dartmouth fraternity, an idea suddenly came to me for a Twitter hashtag to define my campaign: #MeToo. What do you think, ladies? I also have a motto, in the spirit of my Phillies: Why Cant Me? The thing that really pushed me into race was last weeks news that New York Mayor Bill de Blasio is (probably) throwing his faded 1980s Sandinista hat into the ring. Of the people who actually know who Bill de Blasio is i.e, residents of New York City a whopping 74 percent do NOT want him to seek the White House. But reportedly, de Blasio is seething over the fact that a white dude who runs a city barely 1/100th the size of the Big Apple South Bends Pete Buttigieg is doing so well so far in the 2020 race. Well, guess what? Im seething over the fact that a different failed-too-late-'80s-hippie with maybe 100 times the baggage like de Blasio thinks hed be a better president than ME. The nerve! Im not the guy who did nothing while your No. 3 subway ran 45 minutes late and then watched it lose power between stops. I never murdered a groundhog. I dont have my security detail drive me to a faraway gym. I dont even go to the gym! Thats how mediocre I am! Why Cant Me? What are my ideas for America? Well, here Im taking inspiration from the white-ist, dude-ist candidate of them all and thus, understandably, the Democratic front-runner Joe Biden. The other day in Iowa, a voter had the temerity to ask Biden about his health-care plan, and he said he doesnt have the time for the details. Damn right! Hes got too many guy-candidate things to do, like eating bad firehouse chili and slapping other guys on the back of their union windbreakers, or slipping checks from Comcast execs in the pocket of his manly overcoat. When the debates come in June, Im sure Biden will do what any red-blooded male candidate would do: Listen carefully to Liz Warrens answer, wait 10 minutes and simply regurgitate it with a few macho buzzwords thrown in. The audience will surely cheer Bidens spur-of-the-moment brilliance! In fact, one reason I feel so confident about entering the race is that I watched Warren and other women like Sen. Kamala Harris and Kirsten Gillibrand enter the race weeks before any of the male candidates in order to be better prepared than all the guys. Theyve worked five times as hard to come up with detailed policy papers to prove their seriousness, and when theyre ready to collapse from exhaustion to learn how to chug a beer or pick at fried chicken the right way, to somehow prove that theyre likable. What I like is that these gals have done something amazing: Creating reams of policy papers for the Only Candidates Who Can Beat Trump with their incredible Y-chromosomes to later tweak into their own unique plan. Meanwhile, no one has ever asked John Delaney or John Hickenlooper or Tim Ryan or Seth Moulton where theyre likable enough. Maybe Which one are you, again? but not whether theyre likable enough. And when Im in the Democratic race, no one will ask me whether Im likable, which is awesome because my co-workers could tell you that Im not very likable. But I have what it takes to beat Donald Trump: Testosterone. (Although after watching an ad on late-night cable TV Im not sure I have enough ... maybe Ill consult my physician when the primaries are over.) Ill have to shave my beard, of course, lest I differentiate myself from the rugby scrum of other bland white guys, but Im willing to make that sacrifice because my nation clearly needs me. At the end of the day, not only is my chance of taking the oath of office on January 20, 2021, every bit as good as that of Eric Swalwell or Jay Inslee or all the other not-so-young dudes, but I share the same vision: An America where Im in the running for a lucrative job as a cable-news commentator, a six-figure book deal or university speeches paid for out of your kids tuition not because of the content of my character or the luminescence of my ideas, but because a 20-something CNN producer can put the words Former Presidential Candidate (D) under my name. And I promise to use my hard-won TV platform to remind that nation that our America where any white man, no matter how humble of origin or mediocre of accomplishment, can dream of running for the White House was always great. Tamira Brown and Jalil Frazier on the front porch, where steep stairs leading to the sidewalk pose a major obstacle for Jalil. Read more "Today is a bad day," Tamira Brown says, showing me inside the rowhouse she shares with her fiance, Jalil Frazier, and their children. She leads me to the dining room, which has been turned into a hospital room of sorts, and turns on the lights. Frazier, lying on a metal bed, faces the wall. He is propped up on his right side by a hard blue pillow to help heal a painful bedsore. A pair of black medical boots stabilize his feet. When he turns over, a large scar peeks out from underneath his white tank top. His multiple tattoos, in memory of friends who died, are barely noticeable compared with the scars left from when Temple University Hospital doctors fought to keep him alive. He was shot and left paralyzed while protecting a group of kids in a North Philadelphia barbershop. "When he lays around, I don't bother him too much because I know it's one of those days," Brown says. She reminds him it's a blessing he's still there. Days like this, Frazier can't get out of bed, or out of his head. "Some days are better than others," he says, his voice sometimes raspy. They are quiet for a moment, and sitting between them, I see it a wave of emotions left unsaid. They are shell-shocked, struggling with the fear and exhaustion and uncertainty of several lives shattered by gunfire. Before the shooting, Brown said, Frazier, 28, was unstoppable, working two jobs, one at a meat factory and another, cleaning at night. He wanted to open his own business. Brown, also 28, worked as a home health aide before taking a break to care for him. They have two sons ages 9 and 3, the younger of whom has Hirschsprung's disease, a chronic bowel condition. Brown had taken the boys to the Harris Hair Styling Barbershop the day before he was shot, but the boy's colostomy bag leaked and he had to go back the next night, Jan. 11, to get a trim. Two men walked in with guns and tried to rob the place. Some kids were in the shop, and Frazier tried to thwart the robbery. He began fighting one of the men. He doesn't remember any of it. Not being on life support for about a month. Not his heart stopping four times. Not even the boys whose lives he saved. Police arrested a man shortly after the shooting, but a judge threw out the case for lack of evidence. The investigation continues. Frazier was in the hospital for three months and rehab for another after being shot repeatedly in his right leg and chest. News reports hailed him as a hero, a Good Samaritan. Then he faded from the headlines. That's where the story usually ends for us, just as the reality is setting in for gunshot victims who are mostly left to fend for themselves, often without the basics. In Frazier's case, he doesn't have a ramp to get in and out of the Olney home he was finally able to return to last month. Or a chair lift to get up the stairs and into his own bed without scooting and risking more injuries. There are five steps between their porch and the sidewalk in front of their narrow street, five steep steps between him and the independence he craves when he's lying on that bed, stuck in his thoughts. A couple of weeks ago, in an attempt at some normalcy, the couple decided they would go around the corner to pick up their son from school. Brown called some friends to carry the wheelchair down the stairs. They hadn't predicted the hill, a challenge for Frazier on the way there, nearly impossible on the way home. The couple can't help but laugh at the ridiculousness of it all. What isn't amusing in the least is how victims of gun violence are so often left to fend for themselves, fortunate if someone sets up a GoFundMe page or a community rallies around them. Anyone interested in helping can donate through this fundraising page or by emailing the couple directly at Jaymere2008@gmail.com. A nurse comes a couple of times a week, and Frazier gets some physical and occupational therapy, though not as much as Brown thinks he needs. His blood pressure is still a problem. He has trouble sitting up on his own. He needs to be rotated every couple of hours. "It's basically just us," Brown said. What about work? he wonders. What about his legs? They are applying for up to $35,000 through the Victims Compensation Assistance Program, but even if they get the full amount, that takes a while and it won't cover the expenses of gunshot wounds that on average, experts say, cost $50,000 to $60,000 and that's just for in-hospital costs. "Unfortunately, there are so many victims that lives are changed and they're scrambling," said Melany Nelson, executive director of Northwest Victim Services. Nelson helped get Frazier a mechanical wheelchair, donated through the Teddy and Joan Pendergrass Foundation, which aids people with injured spinal cords. But without a ramp, it's just another piece of medical equipment. Now, he waits. And wonders. What if he hadn't been there that night, if he hadn't stood between the kids and the bullets that tore through his body? What if he never walks again? "I don't want to think that this is where I'm going to be for the rest of my life," he says. For now, everything is uncertain including the young couple's plans to get married, to buy a home. Frazier looks at Brown, and the couple share another overwhelming silence. "That's still the plan," he says softly. U.S. Sen Bob Casey, left, and U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans are introducing legislation to help gun violence victims and survivors find and obtain state, federal and local aid. Their bills come in response to a 2018 Inquirer investigation. Read more Four months into 2019, nearly 400 people have been shot in Philadelphia. Most have survived, thanks in no small part to the frenzied work of the citys trauma surgeons. But just because someone manages to cheat death in an operating room doesnt mean he or she wont face months or years of struggling to recover, to adapt to a new life full of physical and psychological disabilities that create significant needs. For many of those victims and their loved ones, day-to-day survival depends on being able to navigate a confusing maze of state, federal, and local government bureaucracy as they try to stitch together enough aid for basic necessities, like functional wheelchairs and handicapped-accessible housing. This American problem affects more than 100,000 people every year, in rural areas and cities alike. But its also an issue that hasnt been meaningfully studied. On Tuesday, U.S. Sen. Bob Casey and U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans cosponsored the Resources for Victims of Gun Violence Act, which promises to establish a federal advisory council to support victims of gun violence, and identify gaps in the myriad support systems. The council, which will be made up of gun violence survivors and an assortment of federal agencies, will be tasked with submitting a report to Congress within 180 days of the bills passage that documents which programs are effective and whether new services are needed. Caseys and Evans bill comes in response to a 2018 Inquirer investigation about the lifelong burdens shouldered by survivors and their families. Your work really spotlighted a huge problem, Casey said. Its not one that gets a lot of attention. Jalil Frazier, one of the victims highlighted in that story, was shot and paralyzed while shielding three young children during a barbershop robbery in January 2018. Last week, Frazier was honored for his heroic act during a fund-raiser hosted by Northwest Victims Services at the Morris Arboretum. Frazier shyly uttered a few short words of thanks from his wheelchair when he was presented with an award. Later, as attendees chatted and listened to music, Frazier quietly sought information for a physical therapy program hes seeking. When he was first shot, he struggled with depression that made it difficult for him to get out of bed. But now, more than a year since the shooting, he feels stronger and more determined to get his life back. But he still has trouble finding the right programs. Im ready to do more, he said as several people started to brainstorm about where he could find the therapy he wanted. Frazier has found the most reliable source of information about available aid in the unlikeliest of places: Instagram. There, he connects with other paralyzed gunshot victims, who are also struggling to find badly needed assistance. I reach out to different people in wheelchairs," he said, "and thats how I be figuring out certain things, I just start talking to guys who have been in my situation. Evans struck an optimistic note when asked if he thought the bill could attract bipartisan support in the House and Senate. Were not impeding on anybodys rights, first and foremost, he said. The issue is about data collection and information, something I believe that can help us make better policies, and address this critical problem that we have around gun violence. Jami Amo, a Columbine survivor, suggested to The Inquirer last year that there ought to be a national clearinghouse that gun violence survivors could consult to discover all of the resources theyre entitled to, with a clear explanation of how to navigate the application processes. She credited Casey and Evans for taking the lead on an overdue task: establishing baseline information on the needs of gun violence survivors no matter if they were wounded during overlooked street-corner gunfire or during a mass shooting that attracted national attention. It is hopeful. I do see it as a great first step, Amo said this week. First step being the operative words here. Now we have to talk about how are we going to expand these programs, make them more accessible, and make them more beneficial to people who need them. Amo expressed some concern about how the advisory council will track and rate the effectiveness of existing aid programs. You can reach 400 people, but if only one person benefits from any services, then, no, thats not an effective program, she said. That would be a gap that we would need to address. The council will be run by the Department of Health and Human Services, and depend on input from gun violence survivors, victim assistance professionals, and federal officials like the attorney general, the assistant secretary for mental health and substance use, and the director of the Office for Victims of Crime. Casey said the councils findings will be available online, easily accessible to people who need them most. Like anything else, unless you have research, its hard to make a determination in how to move forward," he said. In their joint bill, Casey and Evans outline the grim scope of the countrys gun violence epidemic. More than 325 mass shootings were reported in 2018, and firearms are now the second leading cause of death for children and teenagers and fleading cause of death for black children and teenagers. About 1,400 people were shot last year in Philadelphia, where gun violence survivors face an average of $46,632 in medical costs, according to the Department of Public Health. Many, like Frazier, cling to the hope that they wont always have to scrounge for resources to eke out a normal existence. Right now, it would be helpful because Im still trying to figure out my way, still doing research on my own, he said of the proposed bill. "Maybe that would make it easier. Attorney General William Barr testifies during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, May 1, 2019, on the Mueller report. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) Read more WASHINGTON (AP) Special counsel Robert Mueller was expected to step down days after concluding his investigation in March. Yet he remains a Justice Department employee and the department won't say why. That's just one of the complications at play in the high-stakes, secret negotiations over whether Mueller will testify before Congress. Whatever role Mueller now has, keeping him on the Justice Department payroll offers one clear advantage to President Donald Trump's administration: It makes it easier for Attorney General William Barr to block Mueller from testifying before Congress. Democrats, who control the House, have been eager to hear from Mueller. They hope he can shine more light on his investigation into interference in the 2016 presidential election, possible coordination between Russia and the Trump campaign, and potential obstruction of justice. Barr has said repeatedly he doesn't object to Mueller testifying. But he may defer to the wishes of Trump, who tweeted last weekend: "Bob Mueller should not testify. No redos for the Dems!" After Barr skipped out on a congressional appearance last week, attention immediately turned to the possibility of Mueller testifying. And Trump was watching. The president stewed for days about the prospect of the media coverage that would be given to Mueller, a man Trump believes has been unfairly lionized across cable news and the front pages of the nation's leading newspapers for two years, according to three White House officials and Republicans close to the White House. Trump feared a repeat but bigger of the February testimony of his former lawyer and fixer, Michael Cohen, which dominated news coverage and even overshadowed a nuclear summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Vietnam. Trump has long known the power of televised images and feared that Americans would be captivated by seeing and hearing Mueller, who has not spoken publicly since being named special counsel. While Mueller is a Justice Department employee, the department would generally handle requests for him to appear before Congress, and the Justice Department could delay or block Mueller from voluntarily appearing. Congress could issue a subpoena to compel him to appear before the committee. It isn't clear what grounds the Justice Department would use to justify an attempt to block Mueller's testimony. As a private citizen, Mueller could decide whether to accept an invitation to appear or, if he declines, whether to attempt to resist any effort to subpoena him. Rep. Jerrold Nadler, the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, said last week the committee was "firming up the date" for Mueller's testimony and hoping it would be May 15. If the Justice Department tries to block Mueller's testimony, Democrats could issue a subpoena to try to compel his appearance. Any showdown over Mueller's testimony would add to tensions between House Democrats and the Justice Department. Barr has already defied a subpoena to provide the full, unredacted version of Mueller's report, and Nadler has scheduled a Wednesday vote to hold the attorney general in contempt of Congress. Mueller turned over his findings to Barr on March 22. Mueller did not find a criminal conspiracy between Russia and the Trump campaign but did not come to a definitive conclusion on whether the president obstructed justice. Two days later, Barr sent Congress a four-page letter detailing Mueller's principal conclusion and giving his own finding that there was insufficient evidence to bring obstruction charges against the president. On the day the report was turned over to Barr, Mueller's spokesman, Peter Carr, issued a statement saying that Mueller would be "concluding his service within the coming days." He said a small staff remained at the special counsel's office to "assist in closing the operations of the office." When asked Monday about Mueller's continued employment, Carr said he had nothing to add beyond that March 22 statement. While House Democrats have already asked Mueller to testify, Senate Democrats, as the minority in the chamber, are more limited. They don't have the power to set the hearing schedules or compel officials to appear. But they are trying to build a case in public opinion that it's Mueller, not Barr, who needs to tell the story. Senate Judiciary Chairman Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., has said he doesn't plan to invite Mueller to testify on the report. While Trump told those around him that Mueller had "exonerated" him, a sense was growing in the West Wing that the special counsel's gravitas would add weight to some of the politically damaging and embarrassing material about Trump in the special counsel's report. Although the president had previously indicated he would not have a problem if Mueller testified, he lashed out against the prospect over the weekend, furthering his administration's efforts to stonewall all Democratic lines of inquiry. ___ Lemire reported from New York. Associated Press writer Lisa Mascaro contributed to this report. Former Philadelphia City Controller Alan Butkovitz is one of two Democrats challenging Mayor Jim Kenney in the May 21 primary election. Read more Alan Butkovitz started running for mayor of Philadelphia more than two years ago, when it became clear the longtime Northeast Philadelphia ward leader would likely be on the losing end in a Democratic primary for a fourth term as city controller. Butkovitz met with the American Beverage Association eight weeks before the votes were counted in 2017, offering advice on how to combat Mayor Jim Kenneys controversial tax. on sweetened beverages. He hoped the industry in turn would eventually back his play to defeat Kenney. Like his fellow primary challenger, State Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams, Butkovitz has centered his campaign on knocking Kenneys performance on crime, economic opportunity, and taxation. I think, although Jim Kenneys heart is in the right place, I dont think that his focus has been on the really big crises facing the city, Butkovitz said. And I think we are at a point where we cant be taking baby steps. January 2018 marked the first time in nearly three decades that Butkovitz, 67, was not holding elected office. He had served eight two-year terms in the state House, from 1991 to 2006, before his three four-year terms as controller. This is the second time Butkovitz started early on a run for mayor. He put in place critical parts of a campaign in 2013 and 2014, intending to run in 2015, but then dropped those plans because he did not know whether City Council President Darrell L. Clarke would enter the Democratic primary. Clarke ultimately did not run, but Kenney did, leaving Council after 24 years. Butkovitz endorsed him in the six-candidate primary, saying Kenney had proved he has the passion and the know-how to move every neighborhood in Philadelphia forward. Butkovitzs new campaign is light on infrastructure, a sign of the challenges in taking on an incumbent mayor. There is little by way of social media outreach, which he counts as a plus, citing his shoot from the hip style that could cause trouble on social media. But can Butkovitz connect with voters? He has a daunting goal: becoming the first challenger to knock off a mayor seeking reelection in Philadelphia. I dont think Im a good Twitter guy, he said. I think that probably a third of the city knows me pretty well. The people who know me tend to be newspaper readers. Big Soda doesnt buy in on Butkovitz Butkovitzs hope for support from the soda industry has, so far, fizzled. Some well-known opponents of the soda tax 1.5 cents per ounce added to the cost of sweetened beverages to pay for pre-K and other city programs have made individual contributions. But the industrys television blitz against the tax takes no notice of his candidacy. Meanwhile, Butkovitz has started to hammer Kenney for his ties to John J. Johnny Doc Dougherty, leader of Local 98 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Dougherty, City Councilman Bobby Henon, and six other union officials were indicted on Jan. 30, accused of embezzling more than $600,000 in union funds from 2010 to 2016. All have pleaded not guilty. Local 98 helped fund an independent political action committee in 2015 that supported Kenney for mayor. A similar PAC, without Local 98 money so far, is supporting Kenney again this year. An Inquirer analysis found Butkovitz accepted $202,151 from the union, including $22,894 after the 2016 FBI raids on the homes and offices of its leaders. He said that everybody in Philadelphia has taken contributions from Local 98. Still, he claims Dougherty has a death grip on Kenneys administration, influencing appointments to agencies that regulate construction, and helping decide who will build projects funded by the soda tax. If Im in the pocket of Big Soda, they would be doing more for me than what theyre doing, Butkovitz said. Its one thing to get contributions. Its another thing to get bought." Dougherty hit back, suggesting Butkovitz has other issues. Most people think Alans off his rocker these days, the union leader said in an emailed statement. Hes barely at 5 percent in the polls and his only support is from Big Soda. I tell people that instead of wasting their vote on him, to please say a prayer for his health. Attacking Kenney on crime and policing Butkovitz, in his first appearance with Kenney and Williams, recently went after the mayor for not completing a 2015 campaign promise eliminating the policing tactic known as stop and frisk. Speaking in a forum sponsored by the Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists, Butkovitz said white candidates like him and Kenney could not fully grasp how the tactic impacts black Philadelphians. He vowed to end it on the first day if elected. I dont have the experience of virtually all African Americans of being constantly targeted by police, but I did have that experience once in my life, said Butkovitz, who recalled being pulled over in 1973 during a search for a serial rapist. It all came down to a scraggly sketch of a white guy. He had scraggly hair and was 5-foot-7 and, on that basis, I was pulled over and checked. And I can tell you it was an absolutely terrifying experience. Butkovitz also railed about the citys homicide rate, accusing the mayor and his staff of having an ineffective plan to deal with it. The homicide rate in every other city in America is falling, Butkovitz said. In Philadelphia, its skyrocketing. So this is not just some kind of national phenomenon. Butkovitz spoke with clear nostalgic admiration for Operation Sunrise, a 1998 multi-agency effort to crack down on drug dealing and other crime, calling it a very popular program. More than 20,000 people were arrested in neighborhoods that have since seen drug dealing, homicides, and other crimes wax and wane. Butkovitz is also critical of Kenneys support for supervised injection sites, where people dealing with addiction to opioids can use illegal drugs with services to prevent overdoses and extend offers of treatment. He calls the notion an oxymoron and predicts such locations would require police protection and spur more crime. Frankly, the proposal that the mayor has gotten behind on so-called safe injection sites takes us in the exact opposite direction, because it focuses exclusively on the people in addiction, who are unable to pull themselves out of this problem, Butkovitz said. Its going to be a magnet for the drug dealers to come to that area, and were going to be bringing more violence and more homicides into the community. Can he harness the energy that ousted him from office? Butkovitz is hanging his hopes on the political energy that grew from Democrats frustration with the election of President Donald Trump, the same power that ousted him. Rebecca Rhynhart, a longtime appointed city official who had never run for office, won a primary campaign that drew on a willingness to get involved in races that typically dont create much buzz, he noted. It was a departure from the citys history of low-voter-turnout elections for controller and district attorney, where party-driven ward politics usually prevail. Butkovitzs own status as a ward leader and his support from the local party could not save him. In the defeat, Butkovitz saw a path to the office he originally intended to seek four years ago. The seeds of that were planted by the fact that Rhynhart was able to win, Butkovitz said. She was the precursor or pioneer demonstrating that the old rules of politics in Philadelphia dont apply. Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenneys chance to defend his record came 15 minutes into his first joint appearance with two Democratic primary challengers, after they had each castigated him about the controversial police tactic known as stop and frisk. Kenney, who had promised to end it while running for mayor in 2015, had just explained his efforts to reduce unconstitutional pedestrian stops. A moderator asked whether he wanted to respond to State Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams and former City Controller Alan Butkovitz. No, Kenney said, showing neither interest nor irritation. Twenty minutes later, Kenney was still taking flak. Again, the moderator asked Kenney if he wanted to respond. Im fine, he said, and shrugged. Such is the Democratic primary for mayor in a city where no incumbent who has sought a second term has been denied since two terms were authorized seven decades ago. Williams is trying to relitigate the 2015 primary, which he entered as a presumptive front-runner but ended with a distant second-place finish to Kenney. Butkovitz is attempting a comeback two years after Democratic voters denied his bid for a fourth term as controller. And Kenney? He is running the same political prevent defense he used in 2015s general election, when he paid only as much attention as necessary to a Republican nominee with little chance of victory. Kenney won with 85 percent of the vote after securing 56 percent in a five-candidate primary. How seriously is he taking Williams and Butkovitz? Kenney called them annoying gnats in a recent radio interview, a flash of the pique he often displayed in six terms on City Council, behavior he largely set aside to run for mayor. Ive been told maybe not to do that again, Kenney said of the name-calling. But he continues to be dismissive of his challengers. One is retired. He has nothing to do, Kenney said of Butkovitz. And the other one has a more flexible schedule, I guess. Lets start with the face Kenney knows what Philadelphia thinks of his face. He often looks miserable, because he often is. Its a hard job, Kenney said. We deal with really serious issues that are seemingly intractable, and were working hard to change it. The city has an opioid crisis, a climbing homicide rate, potholes that swallow cars, trash swirling along gutters and across sidewalks. It continues to rank as the poorest big city in the nation, with a poverty rate of 25.7 percent. Kenney grapples with these local problems while also remaining a player on the hyper-partisan national stage, defying President Donald Trump by declaring Philadelphia a sanctuary city that wont help U.S. immigration authorities apprehend some in the country illegally. It makes for an odd congruence. A South Philly-born politician first elected in 1992 feels comfortable trading shots with the president but can also still look awkward when recognized on the street. Kenney spoke in an interview shortly after addressing students at his high school, St. Josephs Prep, where the Jesuits drilled into him the mission of service to others. I explained to them that its not easy being a Christian, Kenney said. Its hard to balance your Christianity with the things that come out of Trumps mouth. City Councilwoman Cherelle L. Parker has been a Kenney ally, though they dont always agree. She admires him as a straight shooter who wont sugarcoat problems. He is not a fluffy person, Parker said. What you see is what you get. He doesnt put on one face in one part of the city and then put on another face for someone else. There is one place where Kenney seems to genuinely enjoy himself in classrooms, talking to children of just about any age. Sit him in a chair designed for a much smaller human, give him a book to read aloud and a funny hat to wear. He beams. Theyre more perfect than adults, Kenney said. The numbers are on his side Nearly a majority of registered voters, 48 percent, approve of the job Kenney has done as mayor while 31 percent disapprove, according to a recent Inquirer Poll. And Kenney had more than 10 times more campaign money than his two challengers, according to campaign finance reports. But the city faces serious challenges, and Kenney knows he will get his share of blame. Voters are worried about crime, and Kenney has seen more than one mayor take heat for climbing homicide rates even as other crimes decrease. I dont think its unfair to criticize the mayor or the government for things that are not going right, Kenney said. How to fix it is on everyones plate. His support of supervised injection sites, where people in addiction can use illegal drugs with medical support to prevent overdose, is also controversial. City Councilwoman Maria Quinones-Sanchezs district includes the neighborhoods most ravaged by opioids. She believes Kenney and his staff are working hard. She also says he is sometimes sheltered from voices he needs to hear. He goes to a meeting, gets two tough questions and wants to leave," Quinones-Sanchez said. "He got elected to lead, and that means sometimes leading angry people. My perception with angry people is, angry people care about something. So lets listen to why theyre angry. Standing by the soda tax Williams and Butkovitz hoped for political support from the American Beverage Association, which has spent more than $16 million fighting Kenneys top achievement, a 1.5-cent-per-ounce levy on sweetened beverages to pay for pre-K and other programs. The ABA is airing television ads critical of Kenney that ask Philadelphians to press City Council to repeal the tax. But the industry group is not making moves to underwrite the challengers. In the Inquirer Poll, a strong majority of registered voters called the soda tax a failure, while also backing the programs it funds. Kenney compares it to people loathing Obamacare but raving about the Affordable Care Act. He rejects using the citys $368 million fiscal year 2018 budget surplus to pay for the programs, as some suggest. Bond-rating agencies want Philadelphia to have a cushion. The tax is a dependable, direct, reliable revenue source, Kenney said. Kenney won passage of the soda tax with muscle from ally Local 98 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Local 98s leader, John J. Johnny Doc Dougherty, a boyhood friend; Councilman Bobby Henon; and six other union officials were indicted Jan. 30, accused of embezzling more than $600,000. Local 98 helped fund an independent expenditure PAC that spent $1.8 million boosting Kenney in 2015. The mayor has not been accused of wrongdoing, but Williams and Butkovitz seized on the indictments; their attack has not gained traction. If he wins a second term, what comes after that? If Kenney wins a second term, he will hand off to the next mayor in January 2024. Who should that be? I would like to see a woman, Kenney said. Id like it to be a woman of color, because I think thats what we havent had. Parker and Quinones-Sanchez are frequently discussed as potential candidates. Kenney, citing Quinones-Sanchezs opposition to the soda tax, doesnt see that happening. He calls Parker strong enough, smart enough for the job, quickly adding that it was not an endorsement. As for Kenney, hell be 65 when he leaves office, if he wins. Thats young; several people in their 70s are running for president. But he lists reasons not to seek office again. Congress? Its all about tenure. How do you build that in your mid-60s? Governor? Hed have to resign in the middle of his next term. Yet Kenney doesnt like long-term plans. The students at the Prep asked when it was that he decided to run for mayor. "One hundred days out from the primary, Kenney said, laughing. That late entrance and sudden, dominant performance surprised him most of all. We had a poll three weeks out from that primary that had me up by like 33 points, Kenney said. I said, We got to fire this pollster, because this person is crazy. Theres no way in the world I could be up by 33 points. And we won by 30-something. So it was right. I am the most amazed of anyone. ... I was prepared to lose. Anthony Williams meets potential voters at the ShopRite in the Eastwick neighborhood of Philadelphia last month. Read more In 2015, State Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams ran for mayor with a war chest full of money and support from a whos who of Philadelphia politics. A group of millionaire backers of school choice funded television commercials in his favor. Still, Williams finished the Democratic primary a distant second to now-Mayor Jim Kenney. Four years later, Williams, 62, is back at it, hoping to dethrone Kenney. This time, however, he has little money, and most of the political players are with the incumbent. And no mayor who has run for reelection has lost since the citys two-term limit took effect in 1952. Williams admits his first citywide campaign wasnt the best. This time, he says, its a grassroots effort, and hes more in touch with regular Philadelphians. He is banking on people being disappointed with Kenneys first term, in particular the mayors signature sweetened beverage tax, his supervised injection site plans, and the citys high poverty and crime rates. I do think theres some level of frustration. I dont know if that translates to turnout or not, Williams said as he drove between campaign stops on a recent Saturday. I guess well find out. Its that seemingly lukewarm attitude that has some perplexed. Political fundraisers who previously helped Williams say they havent heard from him this time. Democratic City Committee Chairman Bob Brady said that it was only in mid-April that Williams asked him to grab coffee and talk, something that perhaps should have happened months ago. I didnt approach it in the traditional way, Williams said of his campaign. After all, he was not planning to run and said he did not want to, but people at community meetings kept urging him to get in. Meanwhile, Williams said, he was upset at the level of violence in the city and what he says has been an inadequate response from the Kenney administration. He started thinking of his legacy and the legacy of his father, the late State Sen. Hardy Williams, a pioneering figure in the citys African American political arena, who ran for mayor twice. Theres a responsibility to fight for people who feel they are not being listened to. Im running to win, but the reality is that somebody has to stand up and say, These issues are real issues for everyday Philadelphians, Williams said. So at a certain point in time I said, Ill roll the dice, see what happens. Williams announced his candidacy at a West Philadelphia arts center just two months before the primary election. (Former City Controller Alan Butkovitz also is challenging Kenney.) Williams didnt have the City Council members or the black ward leaders or the many other politicians who endorsed him the first time. He didnt hire big names to run his campaign. The Main Line millionaires of 2015 have kept their checkbooks closed. Instead, neighborhood activists carry his message with bullhorns and caravans. Former Mayor John F. Street also endorsed Williams in a news conference that seemed more focused on bashing Kenney. As of early April, Williams had raised $58,500 this year and had $49,078 in the bank. About 20 percent of his contributions came from the Make a Difference PAC, which has collected money from opponents of Kenneys sweetened beverage tax. Street, along with one-time Democratic candidate for Controller Brett Mandel, accompanied Williams to a recent City Council budget hearing, where the senator offered seven recommendations for better fiscal accountability. He drew no questions or comments. Williams promises to fix crumbling roads, start citywide street-sweeping, invest in crime-fighting and violence prevention all while reducing wage and business taxes and giving people refunds for what he calls unfair property taxes. He also wants to pay for universal pre-K without the sweetened beverage tax. Williams said hed take the citys $300 million rainy-day surplus to pay for it and violence prevention. He promises to cut Philadelphias poverty rate in half. But at the same time, he has criticized the mayor for increasing spending by $800 million. Williams goals also could cost hundred of millions, and spending down the rainy-day fund goes against best-practice recommendations for cities. Thats sort of like saying, well, we only have a certain amount of water and we have two fires, so we have to save for the next fire, Williams said during an interview. If you have a fire, you have to put it out. And then we got to figure out where we find more water to put out the next fire. But right now, were on fire here. Williams grew up and lives in Cobbs Creek. As a child, he received a scholarship to attend the Westtown School, a Quaker boarding school in Chester County, an experience that made him a backer of school choice. After graduating from Franklin and Marshall College, Williams worked for PepsiCo and later started his own vending company. In 1988, he ran for his fathers old state House seat and, 10 years later, succeeded the elder Williams in the Senate. Emmanuel Bussie said Williams independence drew him to his campaign. Bussie is a Democratic committee person in the 61st Ward in Olney and East Oak Lane, where support for Kenney is strong. We need a different kind of Democrat, Bussie said. The incrementalism is killing us. We need someone who is bold and has vision, not these little baby steps. Dressed in black jeans and a black T-shirt that read, Make America Respect Again, Williams shook hands in a Shop-Rite grocery on Island Avenue on a recent Saturday. People nodded in agreement about the violence in the city, the abundance of potholes, and Williams pitch to repeal the sweetened beverage tax. After taking Williams literature, Kenya Holmes said her top issue is violence. Its so brazen, the 46-year-old mother said. I have a teenage son, and I worry about him every day. He cant even go to the rec center to play because when they are letting out, there is some kind of violence in that area. Holmes isnt alone. A recent Inquirer poll showed that the top issue Philadelphians are concerned about is crime. Another woman told Williams that trash and dirty streets were huge problems. Outside of the store, one of his campaign coordinators, Manuel Glenn, was on the bullhorn: May 21st is Election Day! Youve got to get to the polls! Anthony Hardy Williams needs your vote Mayyyy 21st! There was a caravan later that day going up Broad Street. Williams recently started running radio ads, saying in part: From poverty to potholes, we can do better. Back in Center City, J. Nathan Bazzell, a longtime Kenney supporter in Society Hill, said he has been disappointed with the mayor and has turned to Williams. I dont think we are better off than we were four years ago, and if were not, then we have to look elsewhere, Bazzell said, noting the pitted roads he travels on his Vespa. Watching our infrastructure crumble, I feel like he is the absent mayor. Where has he been? Bazzell said he sees the senator as more in touch with the real hardworking people in the city. Williams is relying on a small team of advisers, including Street, Glenn, and longtime local political operative Joe Certaine. For the first time, he is putting his own money into his campaign. This is truly not ego-driven. And its not going to be perfect, he said. But its not scripted like it was before. The St. Laurentius Church in Fishtown is known for its soaring copper spires. Its facade has begun to deteriorate in recent years. Read more A Fishtown developer is working to decide whether redeveloping the neighborhoods St. Laurentius Roman Catholic Church is still feasible, he said Tuesday, one day after chunks of the facade tumbled from the historic property, which dates to the 1880s. Developer Leo Voloshin said that although the falling masonry didnt change anything for his redevelopment team, which includes Linden Lane Capital Partners, he is still working to determine how to move forward. Earlier this year, Voloshin commissioned an engineer to study the feasibility of his redevelopment plan, and on Tuesday said we are just working through [that] report. Pressed about whether he was confident that the project would materialize, Voloshin said, I think we are doing our best to figure it out." For more than three years, Voloshin, the cofounder of the Philadelphia-based Printfresh Studio, which specializes in textile design, has tried to push forward his proposal to redevelop the church into apartments only to face delays and setbacks at almost every turn. The latest complication came in the early hours of Monday, when nearly three tons or 6,000 pounds of stone fell from one of the churchs towers yet again, puncturing the steel scaffolding below, and landing, contained, within the fenced safety zone around the church. A spokesperson for the citys Department of Licenses and Inspections said Tuesday that the agency will need to confer with the archdioceses engineer" before the next steps are decided. L&I has put up additional barricades to reroute traffic and widen the safety zone, the spokesperson said. Meanwhile, the nearby St. Laurentius Catholic School was closed for a second day. The school will reopen Wednesday, as a result of stabilization work that was done Tuesday to secure the adjacent stones and cover the damaged areas, according to a letter by structural engineering company Joseph B. Callaghan Inc., which evaluated the building. In February 2016, Voloshin entered into an agreement of sale with the Archdioceses Holy Name of Jesus Parish to buy the St. Laurentius Church, with plans to preserve the facade and convert the interior into nearly two dozen apartments. In a previous interview with The Inquirer, he said he loves old buildings and preserving them and has previously redeveloped old commercial buildings in Kensington. As for St. Laurentius, Voloshin said, its part of the Philly skyline, and I wanted to preserve it, and no one else stepped up. Yet things quickly grew complicated for Voloshin months after he agreed to buy the property, when neighbors began to disagree on what should happen to the church. In 2014, the archdiocese closed the building after merging St. Laurentius parish with the Holy Name of Jesus parish nearby, citing numerous outstanding maintenance issues, including vertical cracks and heavily deteriorated faces. The archdiocese eventually moved to demolish the property, the oldest in Philadelphia to be built by Polish immigrants, though neighborhood residents successfully fought to keep it standing with historic-designation status. Although a large number of Fishtown residents supported Voloshins plan for the apartments, another group, the Faithful Laurentians, thought that the churchs interior including its 16 murals and three altars should be saved. The disagreement launched years of court proceedings that forced Voloshin to halt his plans. The saga ultimately ended in February, when the states Commonwealth Court ruled that the Faithful Laurentians did not have legal standing. All the while, St. Laurentius Church sat uninhabited and continued to deteriorate, especially in January, when stones weighing about 700 pounds tumbled from one of the churchs towers, closing the St. Laurentius School for several days. Months later, an assessment by an engineer retained by the archdiocese found that the towers stone facades can be expected to fail at an accelerating rate. According to a March release issued by the city, the archdiocese then agreed to inspect the property every three months. To help expedite the redevelopment process, City Council President Darrell L. Clarke authored a bill this year to change the zoning of the land under St. Laurentius to allow for multifamily development, including Voloshins apartment proposal. The legislation, which faced no opposition, was passed in March and took effect immediately. In the months since, Voloshin has been awaiting and analyzing an engineers report to help determine the feasibility of his proposal. Nearly 2 years ago, he estimated that structural restorations would cost nearly $1 million. On Tuesday, Voloshin said that he is still trying to figure out whether its still affordable or not, given the size of the structure and the number of apartments that we are able to put in there. He declined to say how expensive restorations would be today, though he noted that construction costs are now more expensive. He said he hopes to have a decision about how to move forward by mid-June. For now, the property is still classified by L&I as unsafe, meaning the property is in poor shape but is not at immediate risk of collapsing. The archdiocese has maintained that the responsibility for the care of the building rests with the Holy Name of Jesus Parish, which could not be reached Tuesday. A.J. Thomson, a Fishtown resident who lives near the church, urged quick action by all parties. Im trying to figure out at what point does L&I say enough is enough either you start fixing this or you tear it down tomorrow, Thomson said. .... I think a lot of us, we want to see the church preserved. Yet, he continued, God forbid [the stones fell] at a more opportune time when people were walking down the street. WEST CHESTER The holiday standard Blue Christmas has its own meaning in Chester County these days, as the number of registered Democrats in the last month of the year here continues to rise, the partys edge over its Republican counterpart widens, and more municipalities see their political map colors turn from purplish magenta to [] Prizes Grand Prize Season Overall At the end of the season the overall Fantasy Enduro Champion will win an Enduro World Series ready, Pivot Firebird 29 outfitted with XTR M9100, Fox Suspension, PRO Components including the new 170mm Koryak dropper post and same Stans Flow EX rims that have landed on top of more than one EWS podium! Whether your goal is to conquer the EWS race series or just shred your local trails this bike is up to whatever challenge you give it, so get in the game for your chance to win this epic ride! First Place Prize Round 3: Madeira, Portugal Pick the best team for this round and you can walk away with XTR Brake Set M9120 . MSRP of $325. Second Place Prize Round 3: Madeira, Portugal Pick the second best scoring team for this round and you can walk away with a PRO Dropper Koryak , your choice of 150mm or 170mm. MSRP of $300. Third Place Prize Round 3: Madeira, Portugal Pick the third fastest team for this round and you can walk away with SAINT PD-M828 Flat Pedals . MSRP of $180. Fourth Place Prize Round 3: Madeira, Portugal Pick the team that scores enough points for fourth for this round and you can walk away with PRO Tharsis Trail Stem & Tharsis Handlebar . MSRP of $370. Fifth Place Prize Round 3: Madeira, Portugal Pick the last team to make it into the top 5 for this round and you can walk away with a Pearl Izumi Versa Hoodie . Men's and women's sizing available. MSRP of $220. Random Drawing Round 3: Madeira, Portugal Have your team picked in a random draw and you can walk away with a Lazer Impala MIPS Helmet . MSRP of $140. 3-Day Blackout Period Unlimited Trades Injury Icon Office Leagues Employees at Pivot, Muc-Off and more are battling it out behind closed doors in their Office Leagues. We're heading into the third round of the Fantasy Enduro Presented by Shimano. So far over 17,500 Pinkbike readers have picked their dream Enduro World Series team to be in the running to walk home with a Pivot Firebird 29er carbon frame kitted out with Shimano XTR and other prizes!Read on to see all the prizes up for grabs during the third round, learn more about how the league works and increase your chances of taking home a prize. See who is racing by checking the live updating and searchable form on the Enduro World Series website . Just scroll down and click on Participating Riders' to see who is entered into the race.There are prizes for each round, so if you haven't already, make sure to build your team today! If you've already got a team in the mix you're in the running to win the Grand Prize, so visit the Fantasy homepage to make sure you have the fastest team possible for Round 3.In order to avoid players copying each other's teams, all rider selections will be hidden for 72 hours before each race. Start playing mind games with your friends that youare shoulder-hopping your choices.You're allowed unlimited trades after each round. You can stick with what's working,change your whole team out after every race.We've added an injury icon to show high profile athletes who are injured. This is not foolproof or exhaustive, so you'll still need to do your own research into your picks. If you know of riders who are injured, mention them in the comments and well keep this updated.Offices can set up private leagues in addition to playing the main public league. Let the trash talk begin! Local Flavours THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO RIDING ON SUNSHINE COAST, BC Words, photos, & video by Brice Shirbach This was my first time in British Columbia, which might come as a surprise to a few, as I've been producing content for BC-based Pinkbike for half a dozen years now, and somehow managed to snag some goods overseas before I was even able to pay my west coast neighbors to the north a visit. A quick drive from downtown to West Vancouver's Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal provided me with my first glimpse of what lies ahead of me, and it was staggeringly beautiful. This might've been my first trip to BC, but I've long been inspired by still and moving imagery alike, and through vicarious means as I followed along through social media my friends and their many adventures here. It's one thing to see it from a distance, though still very easy to appreciate, and it's also just as easy to pretend that maybe there's some hyperbole at play here. But once you're in the thick of it; once you're surrounded by so much beauty that it hurts as much as it charms, the gravity of this place changes. I experienced 2 full days of sunshine out of my 7 on the Sunshine Coast, and this would still prove to be one of the most impactful and eye-opening mountain bike trips of my life. The people, the scenery, and the trails would, in the end, prove to be game changing for me and I'm already a little desperate to return to see even more of it. Brice Shirbach Local Flavours Age: 37 Location: Wilmington, DE, USA Industry affiliations: Pivot Cycles, Maxxis Tires, Pearl Izumi, 9point8, Julbo, MRP, Deity Components, EVOC, Shimano, Dialed Health, Stan's No Tubes, Topeak, Leatt, Cane Creek Cycling Components Instagram: @bricycles Favorite Trail on the Sunshine Coast: E-Line Riding Style: Whatever's Clever //37Wilmington, DE, USAPivot Cycles, Maxxis Tires, Pearl Izumi, 9point8, Julbo, MRP, Deity Components, EVOC, Shimano, Dialed Health, Stan's No Tubes, Topeak, Leatt, Cane Creek Cycling ComponentsE-LineWhatever's Clever The Sunshine Coast stuns from the moment you catch a glimpse of the landscape from Horseshoe Bay, Summits in the immediate vicinity top out at over 1500 meters. Dream home. I'm always most struck by terrain with a dramatic skyline above the sea. You are on lands that belong to the Coast Salish people, or those of the First Nation. The moss here even made its way to the sea. I know a desert sunset is supposed to be tops, but... A Bit About the Region Getting to the Sunshine Coast Welcome to the jungle. Trail Gnomes are hard at work throughout the SSC. From the moment I first dug in, I knew I had found the "promised land". Paul Hodgson giving me a tour of Hand Solo above Roberts Creek. The diversity available here is breathtaking. Like steeps? Like to hit massive jumps? You're in the right space. Some like it hot, others like it cool. And wet. The lost art of fall line trails is alive and well here. Paul Genovese checking the structural integrity of some branches at Coast Gravity. Dylan Siggers is well known behind the lens, but it turns out he's got unbelievable style on the big bike! Logan Peat taking a break from the pedals on Coastal Cruise. Gary Jackson, owner of Off the Edge bike shop, lives for this stuff. So do I. The Best Trails to Ride on the Sunshine Coast This is going to be a bit of an impossible task, but I'll give it my best. The reality is that I would need years to explore all of what is available now, and by the time I wrapped it up there would be hundreds of miles of fresh cut loam factories that weren't there when I started. I don't know that anyone has had a chance to actually ride everything on the Sunshine Coast. There are some people who have ridden 99% of the South Coast, but have barely touched the stuff around Powell River on the North Coast, and vice versa. When I put these together, I try and get as comprehensive a sample size as I can, but I can honestly say that after 6 straight days of riding both Coasts, I wouldn't even say I began to scratch the surface of what this place offers. Oh, and I loved everything I rode. All of it. Nothing left me feeling anything short of pure joy. So there's that to consider. Because of the enormity of this place and the amount of trail available to ride, I'm going to try and keep my breakdown fairly general in terms of the riding areas. I'm sure there are some people who can break things down into a much more nuanced and detail-oriented fashion, but this will at least help get you started. GIBSONS If you're taking a ferry over from Vancouver, which is very often the case for visitors to the Sunshine Coast, then Gibsons will be your first glimpse of this stunning landscape and community. The first trails are 5 minutes up the road from the ferry drop off at Sprockids Bike Park. Doug Detweiler is behind the organization of the group of 8-18 year olds who are largely responsible for much of the initial work that went into these trails. Despite the youthful name, there is actually a wide variety of trail types for riders of any and all levels and disciplines. Much like the rest of the Sunshine Coast, the closer you are to the trailhead, the mellower the pitch. As you work away from the road and up into the mountains, the trails tend to get quite a bit steeper. While most of the freeride features that put the Coast on the map are found between Roberts Creek and Sechelt, Gibsons does have a handful of really creative flow lines and wooden structures scattered throughout the forest. To be sure, the main draw to Gibsons is the simple fact that you're finally here, in one of the single best places on the planet to ride your bike. Oh and the loam. There's more honest to goodness loam than you can imagine in these here woods. Key trail - Doug's Detention to Pineapple Express : Sure, this is not a single trail, but it's easy to follow, has a very natural flow from one trail to another, and is definitely the most fun way down to the very bottom of the park from the heart of Sprockids. Expect plenty of optional lines, go-arounds, and creative features to play on throughout. It's a perfect trail for intermediates and up, as there are more than enough Easter egg features for advanced riders to hunt for, and a rather mellow pitch when compared to the steeper stuff found further up the slope. Key trail - Torrent : This would actually prove to be my first ever trail in BC, and I ended up picking a classic. Torrent was one of the first downhills built in Gibsons, and it's a hefty task to get to the top of. I often had to shoulder my bike and cling to the side of the mountain as I worked my way through a series of chutes in excess of 80 degree pitches. But it's more than worth the huffing and puffing on the way up, as the mostly fall line descent is a stunning showcase of steep chutes, greasy roots, and non-stop off camber fun. The loam is copious, and there are a handful of timber structures and slippery log rides to mix things up on as well. ROBERT'S CREEK This is where The Coastal Crew made their mark on the rest of us. The trail made famous in their "Kranked 8: Revolve" segment from a decade ago is somewhere above Robert's Creek, and trails continue to be built since that iconic moment in mountain biking cinematic history that have drawn a great deal of inspiration from what Norbs, Dylan, Kyle J, and Curtis did on camera in 2009. Many of the trails here are in fact repurposed logging skids, often dancing back and forth along the fall line. Everything in these woods is either drenched in green, or carries a shade of dampened chestnut brown. The moss almost has a glow to it, and the depth of the loam and organics throughout virtually every single trail is staggering. The area is also known as the B&K trails and they really do offer something for riders looking for everything. Another plus is that these trails are very easy to shuttle. Key trail - Hand Solo : Want to go fast, hit some sweet jumps, roast a few perfect corners, and do so in the middle of a deep, damp, and beautiful forest? The features here are sizable but still reasonably comfortable from your first run on. There's plenty of speed for everything without having to work hard for it, and the trail builders did a great job of making everything intuitive, so there's no guesswork involved when riding this trail. Key trail - Ripped Nipple to El Dorado : This run is really easy to shuttle, and is a quintessential Coast ride, without much of anything especially steep. From the shuttle, you'll have a bit of a punchy climb, but from there you can expect to find lots of natural features, really fun flow, amazing dirt, and some clear cut sections towards the bottom of El Dorado that offer up some amazing views of the water. SECHELT Sechelt sits opposite a sandbar from Robert's Creek but manages to offer up some pretty distinct types of terrain compared to the mostly loamy stuff found throughout the rest of the Sunshine Coast. Don't get me wrong, there's quite a lot of loam here, but you will find a bit more rock as well, with granite lined chutes and some straight up slab and boulder fields with loads of line choices to choose from. Many of the trails are shuttleable, but this is really a great place to string together a bunch of trails for a slightly more XC-oriented ride compared to the rest of the South Coast. Key trail: E-Line There's no really easy way to get here, which is why I imagine it's so damn good. It's got some super steep chutes, dreamy loam and moss lines, and it offers up some of the best views I've ever experienced from behind bars. It can be connected to a couple of trails below to extend the fun, but it's two minutes of unimaginably good fun. Key trail: Huggies An old hiking trail that has since been converted into a SSC classic by one of the South Coast's preeminent rider/builder talents: Linden Feniak. Just a few kilometers from the base of Coast Gravity Park, this is a pretty technical and rowdy trail that will leave you smiling with bits of loam in your teeth. COAST GRAVITY BIKE PARK I realize that this place doesn't really need an introduction on this here website, but for those of you new to the sport; welcome first and foremost. As far as Coast Gravity goes, it's a year-round, low elevation ocean front forest with 12 stunning trails built by some of the most talented builders and riders on the planet: The Coastal Crew. Riders are whisked to the top of the park by shuttle service, and from there have a range of trails to choose from, including massive and perfectly sculpted jump lines, steep and loamy hand built singletrack, and ultra wide corridor trails for people looking to just dip their toes into the mix. Key trail: Dynamite Panther Steep, rough, and loamy, with a slew of optional lines that'll help you get the wheels off of the ground for more than a heartbeat. It's purpose built, but with a more natural, Sunshine Coast feel to it. Key trail: Coastal Cruise Built by the Coastal Crew, for the Coastal Crew, all of the massive features are mandatory, however they are so brilliantly built that I felt comfortable on them with a camera pack on. That's a testament to the brilliance of the trail building here. Definitely for experienced jumpers, there's a rhythm to this trail that needs to be experienced firsthand. POWELL RIVER Powell River is the largest population center on the Sunshine Coast, and in truth is really made up of 5 or 6 separate trail networks that surround the town. It's home to 2 of the absolute loamiest trails I have ever ridden and has become synonymous with the BC Bike Race, although the South Coast plays host to the event as well. The trails around Powell River generally tend to favor the mid to short travel trail bike segment, although there is a growing contingent of youth and dedicated trail builders looking to utilize the copious amounts of fall line terrain at the ready throughout the North Coast. There are loads of massive all-day epics to be found around Powell River, with much of it employing creative use of lumber, and all of it playful and fun. The views can be staggering as well, with Mount Mahoney a stone's throw from the coastline, and moss drenched forests that are both mysterious and inviting at the same time. Side note: The World Health Organization has called Powell River the least polluted city on the planet, so you can happily treat your lungs to some high-quality air while working hard on those pedals! Key trail: Death Rattle This is a new-ish trail found in the Duck Lake area, and it is utilized by the BC Bike Race as a timed enduro descent. While there are a handful of spots that, if you were interested in snagging a KOM or something to that effect, would require a bit of pedaling, the vast majority of this trail stands as a reminder of the unabashed joy riding bikes in the woods can bring us. It has a handful of steep and off camber sections, with multiple line choices, and some amazing corners. Key trail: Burly to Civil Disobedience While a true top-to-bottom run down Civil Disobedience is a bit of an epic adventure in and of itself, I want to suggest something different. The cutoff to Burly will only require half of the climbing involved when headed towards the top of Mount Mahoney where the start of Civil Disobedience awaits, but this version of the run will still bag you 1,000 feet of descending over the course of nearly 5 kilometers. Burly will start out with a few greasy and steep chutes, but offers up some really long lines of sight. You'll pick up the bottom third of Civil from the finish of Burly, and from there you shall fill your belly with the finest loam you'll ever see. This is going to be a bit of an impossible task, but I'll give it my best. The reality is that I would need years to explore all of what is available now, and by the time I wrapped it up there would be hundreds of miles of fresh cut loam factories that weren't there when I started. I don't know that anyone has had a chance to actually ride everything on the Sunshine Coast. There are some people who have ridden 99% of the South Coast, but have barely touched the stuff around Powell River on the North Coast, and vice versa. When I put these together, I try and get as comprehensive a sample size as I can, but I can honestly say that after 6 straight days of riding both Coasts, I wouldn't even say I began to scratch the surface of what this place offers. Oh, and I lovedI rode. All of it. Nothing left me feeling anything short of pure joy. So there's that to consider. Because of the enormity of this place and the amount of trail available to ride, I'm going to try and keep my breakdown fairly general in terms of the riding areas. I'm sure there are some people who can break things down into a much more nuanced and detail-oriented fashion, but this will at least help get you started.If you're taking a ferry over from Vancouver, which is very often the case for visitors to the Sunshine Coast, then Gibsons will be your first glimpse of this stunning landscape and community. The first trails are 5 minutes up the road from the ferry drop off at Sprockids Bike Park. Doug Detweiler is behind the organization of the group of 8-18 year olds who are largely responsible for much of the initial work that went into these trails. Despite the youthful name, there is actually a wide variety of trail types for riders of any and all levels and disciplines. Much like the rest of the Sunshine Coast, the closer you are to the trailhead, the mellower the pitch. As you work away from the road and up into the mountains, the trails tend to get quite a bit steeper. While most of the freeride features that put the Coast on the map are found between Roberts Creek and Sechelt, Gibsons does have a handful of really creative flow lines and wooden structures scattered throughout the forest. To be sure, the main draw to Gibsons is the simple fact that you're finally here, in one of the single best places on the planet to ride your bike. Oh and the loam. There's more honest to goodness loam than you can imagine in these here woods.This is where The Coastal Crew made their mark on the rest of us. The trail made famous in their "Kranked 8: Revolve" segment from a decade ago is somewhere above Robert's Creek, and trails continue to be built since that iconic moment in mountain biking cinematic history that have drawn a great deal of inspiration from what Norbs, Dylan, Kyle J, and Curtis did on camera in 2009. Many of the trails here are in fact repurposed logging skids, often dancing back and forth along the fall line. Everything in these woods is either drenched in green, or carries a shade of dampened chestnut brown. The moss almost has a glow to it, and the depth of the loam and organics throughout virtually every single trail is staggering. The area is also known as the B&K trails and they really do offer something for riders looking for everything. Another plus is that these trails are very easy to shuttle.Sechelt sits opposite a sandbar from Robert's Creek but manages to offer up some pretty distinct types of terrain compared to the mostly loamy stuff found throughout the rest of the Sunshine Coast. Don't get me wrong, there's quite a lot of loam here, but you will find a bit more rock as well, with granite lined chutes and some straight up slab and boulder fields with loads of line choices to choose from. Many of the trails are shuttleable, but this is really a great place to string together a bunch of trails for a slightly more XC-oriented ride compared to the rest of the South Coast.I realize that this place doesn't really need an introduction on this here website, but for those of you new to the sport; welcome first and foremost. As far as Coast Gravity goes, it's a year-round, low elevation ocean front forest with 12 stunning trails built by some of the most talented builders and riders on the planet: The Coastal Crew. Riders are whisked to the top of the park by shuttle service, and from there have a range of trails to choose from, including massive and perfectly sculpted jump lines, steep and loamy hand built singletrack, and ultra wide corridor trails for people looking to just dip their toes into the mix.Powell River is the largest population center on the Sunshine Coast, and in truth is really made up of 5 or 6 separate trail networks that surround the town. It's home to 2 of the absolute loamiest trails I have ever ridden and has become synonymous with the BC Bike Race, although the South Coast plays host to the event as well. The trails around Powell River generally tend to favor the mid to short travel trail bike segment, although there is a growing contingent of youth and dedicated trail builders looking to utilize the copious amounts of fall line terrain at the ready throughout the North Coast. There are loads of massive all-day epics to be found around Powell River, with much of it employing creative use of lumber, and all of it playful and fun. The views can be staggering as well, with Mount Mahoney a stone's throw from the coastline, and moss drenched forests that are both mysterious and inviting at the same time. Side note: The World Health Organization has called Powell River the least polluted city on the planet, so you can happily treat your lungs to some high-quality air while working hard on those pedals! Powell River has a collection of the happiest trail dogs I have ever seen. I didn't list the Civil Disobedience as a "must ride" above only because it's so massive, it's a major investment in time and isn't quite as user-friendly for travelers. However, it is without question one of the single best loam trails I have ever ridden. I'm pretty sure the rest of the top 5 are all on the SSC. Powell River may favor the XC to trail side of the spectrum a hair more than most of what you'll find on the South Coast, but that doesn't mean you'll enjoy it any less. Burly will take you to the entrance of the lower (and loamy) third of Civil Disobedience, but not before you tackle some pretty fun rock rollers and chutes. Weather: Bike Advice: Local Clubs and Advocates: Eat, drink and be merry. And maybe grab another drink. The historic district of Powell River is a really cool place to rest your legs after a long day on the pedals. Food is an art form here. Enjoy. This is a community with a long history of working to develop the Sunshine Coast into the world-class destination it is today. Check out my full gallery of images here Accommodations and Food: Local Bike Shops: Other tips: Learn a bit more about First Nations culture Check out the craft beer, cider, and distillery scene Check out West Coast Thick I woke up 10 minutes before my alarm was set to go off. My eyes went from the ceiling of my hotel room, back to the bedside clock, then to my bikes, and finally to a pair of crows building a nest outside of my window. Oh and then back to the clock. The sounds of downtown Vancouver 6 floors below were probably what woke me up initially, but it was the prospect of what lay ahead that prevented me from a few extra minutes of slumber.First, we need to establish something very important about the Sunshine Coast and really the rest of British Columbia. These are very obviously beautiful lands, and the people who call this place home are famous for easy going temperaments and generally kind attitudes. See: Canadians. However, it is also important to acknowledge that these lands belong to an indigenous people who never relinquished land rights by refusing to sign treaties with the Canadian Crown. These are the traditional territories of the Squamish (Skwxwu7mesh), Sechelt (Shishalh), and Sliammon (TlaAmin) and Klahoose First Nations, and we should consider ourselves fortunate that they share these lands with others, allowing us to freely explore this breathtaking land aboard two wheels.The Sunshine Coast stretches 110 miles from Gibsons along the southern edge of the South Coast, to Bliss Landing, which is the tip of the North Coast spear. It saw its first non-natives arrive in the 19th century, and from there the logging and fishing industries took hold as initial economic staples. The mid-twentieth century saw a rapid population increase, as the largest newspaper mill on the planet was operating in Powell River, and the development of ferry services and increased highway infrastructure allowed for easier travel to and from Vancouver and Vancouver Island.Over 50,000 people call The Sunshine Coast home today, with the largest population centers being Powell River, Sechelt, Gibsons, and Robert Creek. Forestry is at the top of the heap in terms of economic impact for the region, but tourism, cultural arts, and small business entrepreneurship are closing in. Mountain biking is a massive draw here, with events like the BC Bike Race bringing hundreds of participants through the area every year for several years running, and over six times the mileage of legal trails to ride than that of paved roads between the two coasts, a number I found staggering when I first heard it.More recently, the Sunshine Coast has become an ironic amalgamation as a highly visible, yet still largely unknown mecca for some of the most influential and progressive riders and edits in all of mountain biking, with folks like The Coastal Crew, Brandon Semenuk, Kyle Norbraten, Logan Peat, Paul Genovese, Forrest Riesco and scores of other high flying Canadian freeriders and World Cup racers calling this place home while pumping out a steady stream of mind-meltingly brilliant edits time and time again. In reality, the high profile contingent is just the cherry on top of a foundation built upon an unbelievably dedicated core of volunteers and stewards who never seem to take for granted the supreme privilege calling such a paradise home truly is.Well, here's the thing: While the Sunshine Coast is technically connected to mainland British Columbia, the mountains and fjords have so far proved to be too much for the installation of roads in or around them. Thus, the only means of getting to and from this rugged southwest corner of BC is by sea or air.I drove to BC from the eastern United States, and made my way into Canada via Interstate 5, through Canadian Customs, and onto Highway 99 north towards Vancouver. Getting through Customs was a breeze, and the drive north to town was especially lovely as the area was drenched in late afternoon sunlight. My decision to stay overnight in Vancouver felt wise as well, allowing for me to rest up and keep my wits about me after such a long drive. The alternative would have been to try and race through post-work rush hour in one of Canada's largest metropolitan centers in order to catch my ferry. Instead I was able to get a great meal, get some great sleep, and had all morning to make the 30 minute drive from downtown to the ferry terminal at Horseshoe Bay.Both Vancouver and Vancouver Island offer regular ferry service to and from the Coast via BC Ferries . A quick look at their website will provide you with all of the schedule and fare information you need. Automobiles, cyclists, and hikers are all able to utilize ferries and I found the ride to be comfortable, beautiful, and quick. Most of the vessels have cafeterias and wifi as well. In fact, I was actually able to get a lot of work done on my laptop during my return trip following my week on the Coast. Additionally, a ferry ride is required if you are looking to drive from the South Coast to the North Coast, with terminals that connect in Earl's Cove and Saltery Bay. If the first ferry ride from Vancouver is an eye opener, the trip from Earl's Cove to Saltery Bay will bring tears to them.While ferries are by and large the primary means of getting to and from either part of the Sunshine Coast, airlines do offer flights from Vancouver International Airport in Vancouver to both Sechelt and Powell River, as well as flights from Nanaimo and Victoria on Vancouver Island to Sechelt.The Sunshine Coast is a year-round riding destination. Despite being north of the Canadian/American border, the warm air from the Pacific keeps temperatures relatively mild during the winter months, particularly at elevations close to sea level with daytime highs averaging somewhere in the mid-40's Fahrenheit. The steep mountains here certainly collect plenty of snow over the course of the winter, but that precipitation is typically found in the form of rain down low. It's a fairly wet place for most of the year, so always pack some shells and layers, but things can get rather dry and dusty during peak summer months, though still very comfortable with average temps rarely exceeding 75 degrees Fahrenheit in July and August.Bring them all. Seriously, there is more than enough terrain here for almost every conceivable type of mountain bike out there. There's even some decent road riding, particularly around Powell River. We all know those folks who dust off the downhill bikes for a handful of flow laps at the local bike park, and that's totally viable here, but those things were built to smash steep and rough stuff, and this is a place that actually warrants the use of those big hit machines.I brought my long and low Firebird with me, as well as my shorter travel and wheelbased Switchblade, and managed to find things to keep them both extremely happy. I almost always opted for the Firebird on the South Coast, particularly between Roberts Creek and Gibsons, and even some of the steep and raw terrain outside of Sechelt. It was good to go for Coast Gravity as well, although a proper DH bike would've been pretty ideal there.Powell River definitely caters to the shorter and more responsive XC to mid-travel trail bike, as those bikes tend to hit the sweet spot on much of those trails. I drove, so I was able to have a selection, but if you're flying in and need to go with one bike to rule them all, I'd likely opt for a longer travel trail bike. It's better to be over prepared than under gunned, especially during travel. The Coast Mountain Bike Trail Association is a non-profit organization serving the MTB trails on the Sunshine Coast, BC (South Coast - Gibsons, Roberts Creek, Sechelt, Halfmoon Bay, Pender Harbour, Langdale & Egmont). The Powell River Cycling Association was created to represent the interests of cyclists from all disciplines in and around Powell River area, such as developing an all-access bike park, improved cycling infrastructure including the development of bike lanes, ways and paths in and around the major routes of town and creating more access to cycling for the youth of Powell River.While the entirety of the Sunshine Coast combines for just a hair over 50,000 inhabitants, as tourism continues to grow as an economic presence here, the number of lodging options and restaurants to choose from grows with it. I worked my way up the coast during my week in town, and had the opportunity to sample many restaurants and lodging options.If you're looking to stay in Gibsons, Bliss by the Bay is an amazing B&B, perfect for families or a group, and the costs are incredible, especially when split among a few people. In Robert's Creek, I stayed at the venerable biker/backpacker inspired hostel, Up the Creek . Martin Prestage and his son are both mountain bikers, and it includes a bike wash and storage. My last night on the South Coast was spent at the uber-luxurious Painted Boat resort. It is another option perfect for large groups and is just a 20-minute drive to the Earl's Cove ferry. My stay in Powell River was at the Old Courthouse Inn , and it might've been my favorite of the lot. There was fast wifi, bike storage, a really comfy bed, and an adjoining cafe serving up amazing coffee and breakfast. It's run by a couple of amazing guys, J.P. and Kelly, who have a great deal of knowledge of the area and are incredibly hospitable. It's BC though, so everyone was really nice and went out of their way to make me feel at home throughout my time here.The proximity to the water definitely plays a role in what you eat here, although you don't have to be a seafood lover in order to eat well. Gibsons, Sechelt, Pender Harbour, and Powell River offer up the densest selection of dining options, but food is damn near an art form in these parts, so you're never far from something tasty. Keep in mind, this is not a nightlife hub, so places tend to close shortly after dark, even on the weekends. Here are some of my favorite places from my time on The Coast:Breakfast: Gumboot Cafe in Robert's Creek Edie Rae's Cafe in Powell River Base Camp Coffee in Powell RiverLunch: Lone Wolf Bakery in Sechelt Gibsons Public Market in Gibsons Base Camp Coffee in Powell RiverDinner: Gumboot Restaurant in Robert's Creek Smitty's Oyster House in Gibsons Costa Del Sol in Powell River The Coastal Cookery in Powell RiverFor those of you who fancy a tasty beer or two, see below.The Sunshine Coast has a few bike shops to help keep you rolling on your trip here: Off the Edge in Sechelt Elphinstone Cycles in Roberts Creek Suncoast Cycles in Powell River1.. As we established early on, this is land that has belonged to a large community of native inhabitants long before anyone else set foot on this pristine soil, and it would behoove us all to do what we can to show respect and appreciation for their generosity. One way to do so is to educate ourselves on their art and culture, and thein Sechelt is a good place to start.2.. The craft beverage scene here is strong and getting stronger, with several breweries, cideries, and distilleries popping up along the Sunshine Coast. Many of them are deeply involved with the mountain bike community as well, donating beer to the BC Bike Race, opening up their property lines to riders for increased trail access, and working hand in hand with the mountain bike community to cultivate a growing love for mountain bikes throughout the region. Tapworks Brewing Townsite Brewing , and Brickers Cidery are just a few of the places you should check out while in town. You can even build an entire vacation around it via the BC Ale Trail 3.. I travel quite a lot, and often like to come home with some cool gifts for the family that are rooted in wherever I've been. This is a rad clothing and art shop in Powell River that is emblematic of the love locals have for the place they call home. A portion of the proceeds from many of these items are pumped right back into the trails as well, which almost makes me feel good about the amount of money I spent there. 888poker LIVE Returns to Barcelona on May 22 to June 3 May 07, 2019 Jason Glatzer The 888poker LIVE festival will be heading to the Catalonian capital of Barcelona, Spain for 11 days of exciting poker action at the Casino Barcelona. The festival features plenty of tournaments and satellites with combined guarantees of 1 million on May 22 to June 3. The first big event on the 888poker LIVE Barcelona schedule is the 220 Opening Event on May 23-26 featuring a healthy 150,000 guarantee. There are four opening flights in the tournament on May 23-25 with players starting off with 30,000 in chips and allowed to re-enter up to two times. Blinds are 30-minutes for the first three flights with the final one taking place twice a fast with 15-minute blind levels. Surviving players will play down to a winner with 40-minute blind levels on May 26. The next big event is the 2,200 High Roller on May 29-30. The tournament allows for unlimited re-entries during the late-registration period and boasts 45-minute blind levels throughout. PokerNews Covering the Main Event The highlight of the festival is easily the 888poker Live Barcelona 1,100 Main Event on May 30 to June 3. The tournament kicks off with three opening flights on May 30 to June 1 with players starting off with 30,000 chips and compete for 12 blind levels of 45-minutes each. Players can re-enter as many times as they wish during late registration as they strive to make it through to the money places where at least 550,000 is guaranteed to be awarded. The PokerNews Live Reporting Team will be on hand to cover the Main Event from beginning to end as was the case last year when Adrian Costin Constantin shipped the event after agreeing to a heads-up deal with Joel Isla with both players walking away with 114,025 ($133,323). 888poker LIVE Barcelona Schedule Date Time (CET) Tournament Buy-in Stack Clock May 22 4 p.m. Turbo Satellite to Opening Event 1A 50 5K 15 min. May 23 4 p.m. Turbo Satellite to Opening Event 1A 50 5K 15 min. 6 p.m. 888poker LIVE Barcelona Opening Event Day 1A 220 30K 30 min. May 24 5 p.m. 888poker LIVE Barcelona Opening Event Day 1B 220 30K 30 min. 7 p.m. The Thunder 15,000 Gtd 88 15K 20 min. May 25 12 p.m. Turbo Satellite to Opening Event 1A 50 5K 15 min. 2 p.m. 888poker LIVE Barcelona Opening Event Day 1C 220 30K 30 min. 6 p.m. 888poker LIVE Barcelona Opening Event Day 1D 220 30K 30 min. 7 p.m The Breeze 15,000 Gtd 110 15K 20 min. May 26 1 p.m. 888poker LIVE Barcelona Opening Event Final Day 40 min. 2 p.m. High Noon Turbo 5,000 Gtd 50 10K 15 min. 6 p.m. The Hurricane 15,000 Gtd 110 15K 20 min. May 27 6 p.m. The Swordfish 15,000 Gtd 55 10K 25 min. May 28 6 p.m. The Turbo Deepstack 10,000 Gtd 77 10K 15 min. May 29 6 p.m. The Lightning 8-Max 10,000 Gtd 66 10K 20 min. 7 p.m. Super Satellite to Main Event Day 1A 110 8K 20 min. 8 p.m. 888poker LIVE Barcelona High Roller Day 1 100,000 Gtd 2,200 100K 45 min. May 30 3 p.m. Super Satellite to Main Event Day 1B 110 8K 20 min. 5 p.m. 888poker LIVE Barcelona High Roller Day 2 100K Gtd 45 min. 6 p.m. 888poker LIVE Barcelona Main Event Day 1A 550,000 Gtd 1,100 30K 45 min. May 31 6 p.m. 888poker LIVE Barcelona Main Event Day 1B 550,000 Gtd 1,100 30K 45 min. 9 p.m. The Mega Knockout (50 Bounty) 35,000 Gtd 155 20K 20 min. June 1 12 p.m. Super Satellite to Main Event Day 1C 110 8K 20 min. 3 p.m. 888poker LIVE Barcelona Main Event Day 1C 550,000 Gtd 1,100 30K 45 min. 6 p.m. Pot Limit Omaha 150 30K 25 min. June 2 3 p.m. 888poker LIVE Barcelona Main Event Day 2 550,000 Gtd 60 min. 4 p.m. The Whale 45,000 Gtd 333 20K 30 min. 7 p.m. Ladies Event 2,500 Gtd 220 15K 25 min. June 3 3 p.m. 888poker LIVE Barcelona Main Event Final Day 550,000 Gtd Qualify to the Main Event at 888poker 888poker is hosting $109 satellites for a 888poker LIVE Barcelona Main Event package valued at $2,050. But you don't even need to pay $109 to potentially win a package as the online poker room is hosting feeder tournaments starting a low as $0.01. The package winners will be jetting off to Spain armed with: 1,100/$1,250 entry to the 888poker LIVE Barcelona Main Event Three nights accommodation ($500) $300 for travel expenses 888poker LIVE kit You are going to need an 888poker account if you are to be in with a chance to win a $2,200 package for the 888Live Barcelona Main Event. Download 888poker via PokerNews and youll receive a free $88 bonus (20 in the United Kingdom) just for creating your account. Thanks to the special relationship will enjoy with 888poker, the online poker room will also match your first deposit up to $888 or more than double that is advertised on their site. *** Include a contact email address if you want a response *** Please tell us about the problem you are having... See your usage details You will also be sending us basic usage details to help us fix this problem. Details about your session Javascript: not enabled. Submit my Problem Please tell us about your problem before you click submit. Thank you for flagging this problem, we very much appreciate your time and helping us improve the site. 13.1k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Democratic Congressman Ted Lieu of California said on Monday that Congress doesnt have to wait for the courts to start taking legal action against the Trump administration. According to the lawmaker, if the House Judiciary Committee votes to hold attorney general William Barr in contempt, it would set in motion a chain of events that would give Congress to take action of their own to hold Trump administration officials on their own. We can take actions through our internal congressional processes, such as levying fines on individuals without having to go to court, Rep. Lieu said. The Supreme Court has said we have that power. Video: .@tedlieu explains what Congress can do on its own to hold Trump administration officials accountable. #ctl #p2 pic.twitter.com/UBkhBVIob1 PoliticusUSA (@politicususa) May 7, 2019 Rep. Lieu said: If the Judiciary Committee in the House votes to hold Bill Barr in contempt, it triggers two things. One, it allows us to litigate the issue in court. Second, it triggers inherent contempt power, which means we can take actions through our internal congressional processes, such as levying fines on individuals without having to go to court. The Supreme Court has said we have that power. Look, it should not be our first option, but if the Trump administration is going to engage in all of this norm and rule and law violating, then we have to look at all options. The administration is practically begging Congress to take tough legal action From William Barr violating a subpoena to Steve Mnuchin breaking a federal statute by not releasing Donald Trumps tax returns, this administration is essentially begging Congress to take legal action against them. The Democrats were initially right to be cautious and not appear to be overreaching in their efforts to hold Trump accountable, but it has become blatantly clear that this White House will continue to brazenly disregard the rule of law until Congress flexes its oversight authority to its fullest extent. Donald Trump is sprinting this government toward authoritarian rule, and the Democrats can no longer afford to respond with just baby steps. Follow Sean Colarossi on Facebook and Twitter 2.2k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard With a contempt vote looming, Attorney General William Barr made an offer to House Judiciary Democrats to provide slightly more access to the Mueller report. Barr Tries To Ward Off The House Contempt Vote According to Politico: The Justice Department offered on Tuesday to allow more congressional staffers access to a less-redacted version of special counsel Robert Muellers report an attempt to head off a Wednesday vote to hold Attorney General William Barr in contempt of Congress for defying a Democratic subpoena for Muellers entire findings and evidence. The concessions also included allowing a select number of senior lawmakers just 12 have been allowed access to the less-redacted version to keep their handwritten notes on the report. But importantly, the offer does not include allowing additional lawmakers to view the document, and those who can would still be forbidden from discussing it or sharing their notes with colleagues leaving a key demand from Democrats unresolved. Barr does not want to be held in contempt, because the next step is court, and that is where he will lose. Democrats should reject Barrs offer House Judiciary Committee chairman Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-NY) should reject Barrs minimal offer because it does not provide more Democrats with ability to see the unredacted Mueller report and discuss it. Barr is trying to slowly drip out access to the unredacted version of Muellers report. The contempt threat and public pressure are working. Democrats should settle for nothing less than the full report being available to all members and the underlying evidence being turned over to House Democrats. William Barrs position is weakening, and if Democrats keep the heat on, it is only a matter of time before he backs down or loses in court. For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group. Follow Jason Easley on Facebook 4.8k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Senate Democratic leader, Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) accused Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of leading a cover-up for Trump. Chuck Schumer Calls Out Mitch McConnell for Running A Cover Up For Trump Schumer said on the Senate floor, So our leader says lets move on, its over, sort of like Richard Nixon saying lets move on at the height of the investigation of his wrongdoing. Of course, he wants to move on. He wants to cover up. He wants to silence on one of the most serious issues we face. Whether a foreign power can manipulate our elections, the wellspring of our democracy. If the leader is sincere, then put election security on the floor. Lets debate it. Put sanctions on Russia on the floor. Lets debate it. He doesnt want to move on. He wants to run away. Video: Mitch McConnell has been running a cover up for Trump Mitch McConnell has been running a Russia cover up for Trump since the 2016 election. It was McConnell who refused to join with Obama in denouncing Russian election interference in the 2016 campaign. The Senate Majority Leader has been downplaying the role of the Russians while getting hundreds of millions of dollars for his state, so it is no surprise that McConnell is now declaring case closed, and telling everyone to move on. Mitch McConnell has taken over for House Republicans as the leader of the Trump cover-up in Congress. McConnell is moving in lockstep with the White House. Sen. Schumer was right. Mitch McConnell isnt moving on. Hes running away. For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group. Follow Jason Easley on Facebook 850 SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard During Senate testimony, FBI Director Christopher Wray said that he has no evidence that the Trump campaign was spied on. No Evidence That The FBI Spied On Trump Sen. Jeanne Shaheen asked Wray, Do you have any evidence that any illegal entrance into the campaigns or individuals associated by the campaigns occurred? Director Wray answered, I dont think I have any evidence of that sort. Video: Wray stated what every other intelligence community official has expressed in the past. There was no spying on Trumps campaign. In 2017, a top NSA official called Trumps claim that the UK spied on him nonsense. The Trump campaign was under investigation because they were hanging around with Russians and doing things that they should not have been doing. Director Wray was correct. There is no evidence of any spying having been done on Trumps campaign. Trump is using the spying conspiracy theory to discredit those who are investigating him while distracting from the presidents potential and actual crimes. Unlike the rest of Washington, the FBI Director isnt caving and having his soul eaten by Donald Trumps web of lies. For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group. Follow Jason Easley on Facebook 2.1k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Republicans are going full desperate talking points to end the Trump Russia probe, with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell preparing to declare its case closed and White House Propagandist Kellyanne Conway using McConnells words to dishonestly declare on TV, (A)s Mitch McConnell is going to say our Majority Leader in the Senate today, case closed that Putin and the Russians see us still arguing about Russian interference in election that did not exist. Meanwhile, Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), who spends most of his time defending Trumps assumed rights to be above the law, said, I cant say Ive read it all, but Ive read most of it. OH. I mean, its not important. Its just our national security and an ongoing attack on our country, so yeah, why read it. In fact, only two members of Congress have been confirmed as even seeing the full unredacted report, Republicans Rep. Doug Collins and Sen. Lindsey Graham. McConnell said hed get around to reviewing it, but this hasnt been confirmed in my research and McConnells word is worth the same as his repeal and replace plan, which is to say, naught. Yet, before he has even read the full report, Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-NY) is in full Republican histrionic mode that pursing justice and protecting our country is such a farce: This is such a farce. Nadler still hasn't read the less redacted Mueller Report that he has access to RIGHT NOW! That right there sums up his actual level of interest in obtaining more info and finality to this sideshow. https://t.co/cCUjobISec Lee Zeldin (@RepLeeZeldin) May 7, 2019 Republicans dont care about the evidence. They literally do not care that even the redacted version of Muellers report showed that Donald Trumps campaign had multiple contacts with Russians and the Russians interfered in the election to help Trump. This is a fact. Republicans dont need to see the evidence before making up their mind, and that tells you everything about their credibility. Republicans are cheerleaders for the Donald Trump Cult, not actual members of Congress who are upholding their sworn duty to this country. This is traitorous behavior given the facts and given the fact that they know what Trump and the Russians did, and they are not only ignoring it, but allowing it to continue. 5.6k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard The New York State Senate is going to pass a bill that would allow Congress to see Donald Trumps state tax returns. New York Is Going To Give Congress Access To Trumps Tax Returns The New York Times reported: State Senator Brad Hoylman, a Manhattan Democrat, confirmed on Tuesday that the State Senate has enough votes to ensure passage of a bill allowing the commissioner of the New York Department of Taxation and Finance to release any state tax return requested by a leader of one of three congressional committees for any specific and legitimate legislative purpose. A tax return from New York where the president has the headquarters of his business empire and a home in Trump Tower could contain much of the same financial information as a federal return, which Mr. Trump has steadfastly refused to release. On April 11, Holyman told CBSN, Were not suggesting that the tax returns of any New Yorker be made public. Were providing them to Congress at their request under their mandate to be the check on the Executive and perform their important oversight responsibilities. There is nothing Trump can do to stop the New York bill Trump cant stop the legislature from passing the bill, or Gov. Cuomo from signing it. The bill is narrowly written so that only the tax returns of the president are available upon the request of Congress as part of their oversight responsibilities, which negates one of Fox Newss favorite defenses for keeping Trumps tax returns hidden. One way or another, Democrats are going to get access to Trumps financial information. The presidency is powerful, but it is not all powerful. Donald Trump can lie and stall, but he cant keep his secrets and potential crimes hidden forever. For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group. Follow Jason Easley on Facebook 1k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard The bullies of America know that Donald Trump has their backs. The bully can even be a race horse, for whom Trump will tweet a defense. Politically correct MAGA talk show hosts, people who are known to bully and harass on social media, can count on Trump to cry censorship when they are acted against. Naturally, Trumps passion for free speech only applies to the free speech protections for his own tribe. Last week, as part of his defense of James Woods, Alex Jones et al. Trump tweeted: When will the Radical Left Wing Media apologize to me for knowingly getting the Russia Collusion Delusion story so wrong? The real story is about to happen! Why is @nytimes, @washingtonpost, @CNN, @MSNBC allowed to be on Twitter & Facebook. Much of what they do is FAKE NEWS! When will the Radical Left Wing Media apologize to me for knowingly getting the Russia Collusion Delusion story so wrong? The real story is about to happen! Why is @nytimes, @washingtonpost, @CNN, @MSNBC allowed to be on Twitter & Facebook. Much of what they do is FAKE NEWS! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 4, 2019 Truth be told, the master of bullying on social media is Donald Trump. He does it with impunity because he is the president. Worse, Trumps tweets carry the power and weight of his office. Its in that context that the aforementioned tweet is disturbing. Its also the weight of the office that made it possible for Trump to summon Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey to the White House to complain about the fact that he, Trump, was losing bots I mean followers. The rest of us arent so privileged. Out in real America, people of color face harassment and abuse from Trumps poor little misunderstood supporters. The same holds true on Twitter and probably on other social media. But the president is, again, silent. If youre a woman on Twitter, you actually find it necessary to include something in your profile saying you arent on Twitter looking for a guy. In fact, Ive got happily married in my profile, but daily I still get several dms and several accounts who are ever so interested in getting to know me. There is no tweeter with the power and weight of the presidency to advocate for the protection of your right to speak free of harassment. Im not the only one. If you look profiles of women in the resistance, odds are youll find no dms and not looking for relationships in their profiles. Anyone who is Jewish and Liberal is more likely than not to have encountered a Trump supporter with some anti-Semitic sentiments. Campaigning against Cyber-Bullying was supposed to be Melania Trumps big project. Aside from her BeBest hashtag and a speech or two, Melania hasnt done anything during the year since she launched the campaign. But hey, shell make an annual speech and cyber-bullying will go away, right? I could venture that since she is as hostile to the free press, calling it fake news like her husband does, the first lady shares his views on bullying when the target is a critic. Maybe, like her husband, Melania believes critcism is only for the little others in the kingdom of Magastan. It is not okay unless the target is a woman, a liberal, a Jew, a Muslim, an immigrant, a brown person, a black person, a gay person. See where Im going with this? Trump and his supports will scoff at the community standards established on social media even while they use the power of the state to attack the freedoms of privately-owned social media forums. Meanwhile, Trumps tweets have the status of being official presidential statements, since he hires and fires people on Twitter: announces policy, and uses the outlet to supplement the slander and taunting that Trump does at his so-called rallies. So, when Trump tweets about banning certain media outlets from Twitter, he does so in his capacity as the president not merely as some old guy yelling at people to get off of his lawn. But when he does this or when he summons Jack Dorsey to the White House, Donald Trump is acting under the authority of his office. That office, however, is not empowered to regulate speech, as we all know. And as Donald Trump knows when it suits him. Unlike you or me, Trump can summon Jack Dorsey to his office if hes unhappy with the fact that so many of his lost followers are actually bots and fake accounts. Unlike us, when Trump feels like he is being bullied or one of his friends is being bullied, he has the power of the presidency to come to their defense. When Trump or his supporters harass women, threatening to rape them or do them some other form of harm, who is our advocate? Who do we have to summon Jack Dorsey to make the harassment stop? And again, there is a double standard. If you decide to target Christine Blasey Ford for harassment; dont worry. Donald Trump has your back. If youre a decent human being who cares about American democracy, the rule of law and treating all humans with dignity and respect you may be on your own, but you are not alone. At the same point, this isnt a sustainable approach. If there are community standards, they should apply to everyone and they should protect everyone not only Trump supporters and not only Trump opponents. 1.9k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer issued a joint statement where they laid out the dark connection between Mitch McConnell, Donald Trump, and William Barr. Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer hammer Mitch McConnell In a statement provided to PoliticusUSA, Pelosi and Schumer said: Senator McConnells declaration of case closed is a stunning act of political cynicism and a brazen violation of the oath we all take. The Special Counsel report laid out eleven instances of the Presidents obstruction and left a raft of unanswered questions about coordination between the Presidents campaign and Russia. These are not trivial or political questions they go to the wellspring of our democracy. When a President is allowed to violate the law with impunity, and when a foreign power is allowed to interfere in our elections, it gnaws at the roots of the great oak that is our democracy, and could very well topple it. On every issue that matters in peoples lives, the Administration and a complicit Republican Senate are waging an unprecedented, unwarranted, unconstitutional and utterly dangerous campaign of stonewalling. Senator McConnell continues to brag about being the grim reaper, sending bipartisan House legislation to a Senate legislative graveyard, as the Administration refuses to respect Congresss constitutional oversight role and provide Congress and the American people with the truth. There is a dark connection in Washington between Senator McConnell, Attorney General Barr and President Trump: each preventing progress for the people, acting as handmaidens to a special interest agenda that is anti-government, anti-science and against meeting the needs of hard-working families. Democrats are making Mitch McConnell pay For the first time, Democrats are connecting Mitch McConnell to Trump and Barr. Sen. Schumer called out McConnells cover-up for Trump and Barr on the Senate floor. There is more than a dark connection between Trump, McConnell, and Barr. It is a conspiracy by three government officials to protect a criminal president and keep the truth hidden from the American people. Trump isnt the only Republican who is helping Putin topple US democracy. It is time to shine a bright light on the activities of Mitch McConnell. For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group. Follow Jason Easley on Facebook Busby, himself a military veteran, just gets it, Ratliff wrote in nominating Busby for the honor, which he received May 2 during an award presentation at the Hutch. Bruce was prior Navy, so I dont have to jump through hoops on explaining my obligations to my country, Ratliff wrote. His understanding of my duties is unmatched. I am truly grateful to be working for a manager who gets it. Busby has worked at the Hutch since 2001 and has more than three decades of experience in biosafety, radiation safety, health physics and research administration. Upon learning of the honor, Busby said he would accept it, but only on behalf of his entire team and the Hutch overall. By Timothy Gardner WASHINGTON (Reuters) U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday that he plans to appoint Mark Morgan, a border patrol chief under former President Barack Obama who supports Trumps border wall, to head the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. Morgan, who headed U.S Border Patrol for six months after a career at the FBI, came out in support of Trumps border wall in January, urging Trump in an interview with legal news website Law & Crime to stay the course. I am pleased to inform all of those that believe in a strong, fair and sound Immigration Policy that Mark Morgan will be joining the Trump Administration as the head of our hard working men and women of ICE, Trump wrote on Twitter. When Trump took office in January 2017, Morgan was ousted from his post as head of the border patrol. The union that represents border patrol agents had criticized Morgan for supporting Obamas plans to protect certain undocumented immigrants from deportation. Morgan will have to tackle a sharp rise in migrants from Central America that has frustrated Trump, who campaigned in 2016 on a tough immigration stance and construction of a wall that proved popular with his base. Immigration is likely to be a top issue in the 2020 presidential election, but Trumps wall has so far failed to materialize amid opposition from Democrats and lack of an agreement on how to fund it. One of ICEs main roles is to detain and deport people who entered the United States illegally, while the border patrols task is to prevent people from crossing the border illegally. Trump has said he wants to adopt a tougher approach to immigration amid complaints that his previous team was not doing enough to enact his policies. In April, Trump withdrew his previous nominee for the post, Ronald Vitiello. The position requires U.S. Senate approval. The Department of Homeland Security, of which ICE is part, has seen a series of departures this year, including its head, Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen. Her deputy, Kevin McAleenan, is now the acting secretary. Immigrations officials have been tasked with stemming the rising numbers of immigrants arriving at the border, many of them families fleeing violence and poverty in Central America. The U.S. government said it arrested or denied entry to more than 103,000 people along the border in March this year, more than double the March 2018 figure. (Reporting by Timothy Gardner and Lawrence Hurley; Editing by Mary Milliken and Lisa Shumaker) 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. 40,000 people in SC may have this fatigue-causing illness. It's been overlooked for years. Tony Bartelme, senior projects reporter for The Post and Courier, has earned national honors from the Nieman, Scripps, Loeb and National Press foundations and is a four-time finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. Twitter: @tbartelme Signal: 843-412-2283. You are the owner of this article. A photo on Dylann Roof's online manifesto shows the .45-caliber Glock pistol he used in the deadly June 17, 2015, attack at Emanuel AME Church. File/Provided Former North Charleston police officer Michael Slager, who is serving a 20-year prison sentence after he gunned down a black man who fled a traffic stop four years ago, has appealed his case to the U.S. Supreme Court. In 2017, Slager's team brokered a deal with prosecutors and he pleaded guilty to a federal civil rights violation for using excessive force when he fatally shot Walter Scott, 50. That came in exchange for dropping a separate state murder charge. In December 2018, a Charleston federal judge sentenced the former officer to 20 years in prison. In an opinion published in January, the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld Slager's two-decade sentence. It's that opinion that Slager and his legal team are challenging. In the petition filed April 29 with the Supreme Court, Slager's defense argues the appeals court denied the former officer his due process when it affirmed the sentencing on the grounds of second-degree murder instead of voluntary manslaughter. Slager's petition to get his case in front of the high court is based on three factors: that the district court did not fully consider how far away Feidin Santana who captured the video of the incident was from what was happening and, subsequently, that his court testimony was speculative; that the court erred in "discounting" Slager's testimony because his story changed; and lastly, that the court supposedly discounted defense expert witnesses who testified the fight between Slager and Scott was more violent than what was portrayed. Ahead of any legal proceedings, the case garnered attention across the country and contributed to a national dialogue surrounding use of police force against black civilians. On April 4, 2015, Scott, 50, ran from Slager following a traffic stop. Slager pulled out his Taser, and a fight broke out. A video captured by Santana showed Scott and Slager struggling, though conflicting reports later emerged about who had the upper hand in the fight. Slager's defense said Scott beat him and grabbed for the Taser. As it fell to the ground, Scott took off on foot. The officer fired eight shots at the fleeing Scott, five of which hit him. Slager was arrested on a murder charge after the video surfaced three days later. When the case went to trial in 2016, jurors in the states murder case couldnt decide if Slager was guilty, resulting in a mistrial. The former lawman later reached a deal with prosecutors and pleaded guilty in May 2017 to violating Scott's civil rights. Slager remains incarcerated in federal prison in Colorado and is expected to be released in 2034. His defense counsel, Columbia-based attorney Elizabeth Franklin-Best, could not be reached for comment. Monster Hunter, Devil May Cry, and Resident Evil are delivering the goods for Capcom, with the company praising the performances of its key franchises as it reported record profits for the second consecutive year. As detailed in Capcom's financials for the full-year ended March 31, 2019, consolidated net sales rose by 5.8 percent year-on-year to 100 billion yen ($905.6 million), while profits increased by 14.8 percent to 12.5 billion yen ($113.2 million). That upswing was largely driven by the company's core Digital Contents business -- which houses its video game operations -- with net sales in the segment rising by 11.9 percent year-on-year to 83 billion yen ($751.6 million), and operating income jumping by 22 percent to 23.3 billion yen ($210.1 million) over the same period. Capcom said its Digital Contents division was bolstered by the performance of Resident Evil 2, which "exceeded expectations," and the "consistent demand" for the recently-launched Devil May Cry 5. The company also noted the "significant contribution" of flagship title Monster Hunter: World, which has now shipped over 12 million units worldwide (a record-high for Capcom) following the launch of the PC version in August 2018. Moving forward, Capcom will look to strengthen digital download and catalog sales with the aim of further growing its Digital Contents business, and also hopes to find a foothold in the world of esports by running leagues that utilize the Street Fighter franchise. With that in mind, the Japanese publisher is predicting consolidated net sales of 85 billion yen ($769.8 million) and profits of 14 billion yen ($126.8 million) by the end of the next fiscal year on March 31, 2020. While searching for new pastor, Mount Moriah sought someone who knew God and business 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. This photo provided by the Syrian Civil Defense group known as the White Helmets, shows a member of the Syrian Civil Defense group, searching for victims under the rubble of a house that was destroyed by a Syrian government forces airstrike, in the village of Ras el-Ain, in the northwestern province of Idlib, Syria, Tuesday, May 7, 2019. (Syrian Civil Defense White Helmets via AP) Editorials represent the institutional view of the newspaper. They are written and edited by the editorial staff, which operates separately from the news department. Editorial writers are not involved in newsroom operations. At least 17 jurisdictions in South Carolina have some sort of ban in place on single-use plastic bags, mostly up and down the coast. But they may not stay that way for long. Towns in South Carolina largely pass the bans with the aim of reducing plastic pollution in wildlife and waterways. But single-use plastic bags - the kind you get at the grocery store or that you would carry your takeout home in - are a big moneymaker for the plastic industry. And big plastic lobbies. The bans could become banned themselves. Proposals to ban the regulations keep popping up in the statehouse. Coastal and environmental reporter Chloe Johnson explains. The big question: Plastic bag bans may make us feel good, but do they actually help anything? How to listen: What were working on: Conversion therapy - the practice of attempting to suppress or eradicate lesbian, gay, bisexual, and other queer identities - is alive and well in South Carolina despite major medical groups condemning the practice and many states outlawing it. One of the nations most prominent ex-gay groups is based right here in South Carolina. What questions do you have about it? Email the hosts at understandsc@postandcourier.com and we might use your question on a future episode. Read more about plastic bag bans in South Carolina: Listen to previous episodes: It was dusk as Oakley Yoder and the other summer camp kids hiked back to their tents at Illinois Jackson Falls last July. As the group approached a mound of boulders blocking the path, Oakley, then 9, didnt see the lurking snake until it bit a toe on her right foot. "I was really scared," Oakley said. "I thought that I could either get paralyzed or could actually die." Her camp counselors suspected it was a copperhead and knew they needed to get her medical attention as soon as they could. They had to keep her as calm and motionless as possible the venom could circulate more quickly if her heart raced from activity or fear. One counselor gave her a piggyback ride to a van. Others distracted her with Taylor Swift songs and candy as the van sped from their location in a beautiful but remote part of the Shawnee National Forest toward help. First responders met them and recommended Oakley be taken by air ambulance to a hospital. ADVERTISEMENT The helicopter flight transported Oakley 80 miles from a school parking lot just outside the forest to St. Vincent Evansville hospital in Indiana, where she received four vials of antivenin and was then transferred to Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis for observation. Her parents, Josh Perry and Shelli Yoder, were already in bed that night when they got the call about what had happened to Oakley. They jumped in the car and arrived at Riley about two hours before their daughter. Once she made it, doctors closely observed her condition, her toe still oozing and bruised. By lunchtime, Perry said, physicians reassured the parents that Oakley would be OK. "It was a major comfort for me to realize, OK, were getting the best care possible," said Perry, who is a health care ethics professor at the business school at Indiana University Bloomington. Less than 24 hours after the bite, Oakley left the hospital with her grateful parents. Exacting cost Then the bills came. Patient: Oakley Yoder, now 10, of Bloomington, Ind. Insured through Indiana University Bloomington, where her father and mother work as faculty. Total Bill: $142,938, including $67,957 for four vials of antivenin. ($55,577.64 was charged for air ambulance transport.) The balance included a ground ambulance charge and additional hospital and physician charges, according to the familys insurer, IU Health Plans. ADVERTISEMENT Service Providers: St. Vincent Evansville hospital, part of Ascension, a nonprofit Catholic health system. Riley Hospital for Children, part of Indiana University Health, a nonprofit health system. Air Evac Lifeteam, an air ambulance provider. Medical Service: The essential part of Oakleys treatment involved giving her four vials of snake antivenin called CroFab. What Gives: When bitten by a venomous snake, there is no time to waste. If left untreated, a venomous bite can cause tissue damage, hemorrhaging and respiratory arrest. Children tend to experience more severe effects because of their relatively small size. CroFab has dominated the U.S. market for snake antivenin since its approval in 2000. When Oakley was bitten, it was the only drug available to treat venomous bites from pit vipers. (Oakley probably was bitten by a copperhead snake, a type of pit viper, the camp directors told her parents.) In short, the drugmaker, London-based BTG Plc, essentially had a monopoly. Its a profitable drug The average list price for CroFab is $3,198 per vial, according to the health care information tech company Connecture. Manufacturing costs, product improvements and research all factor into the drugs price, said Chris Sampson, spokesman for BTG. A Mexican version of snake antivenin can cost roughly $200. But it couldnt be sold in the U.S. (More about that in a moment.) ADVERTISEMENT Dr. Leslie Boyer, founding director of the VIPER Institute, a venom research center at the University of Arizona, acknowledges that some of the price in the U.S. can be attributed to strict Food and Drug Administration requirements for testing and monitoring. But more than that, she added: "Its a profitable drug, and everyone wants a piece of it." She should know: Funded by government grants and at times working with colleagues over the border in Mexico, her group was instrumental in developing CroFab. Antivenins were first developed more than a century ago. Although CroFab is safer and purer than antivenins of the past, the process while labor-intensive remains fundamentally the same. Snakes, spiders and other creatures are milked for their venom, then a small amount of the toxin is injected into animals like horses or sheep. They then make antibodies without falling ill, and the protective molecules are extracted from their blood and processed to make antivenin. High-jacked Despite the longtime use of antivenins, CroFab and other such products remain a lucrative prospect for manufacturers. Who wouldnt pay top dollar for an antivenin when their child has been bitten by a venomous snake? What patients pay for CroFab can widely vary. Treatment may require a few vials or dozens of them it depends on factors like the size of the patient, the potency of venom in the bite and how quickly the patient is treated. The more antivenin needed, the higher the cost. But hospitals also jack up the price, even though some of these facilities purchase the drug at a discount, said Dr. Merrit Quarum, chief executive officer of WellRithms, a health care cost containment company. In Oakleys case, St. Vincent Evansville hospital charged $16,989.25 for each unit of CroFab, according to the facilitys bill. Thats more than five times as high as the average list price. WellRithms analyzed Oakleys bill from St. Vincent Evansville at Kaiser Health News request and found providers generally accept $16,159.70 for all four vials of the drug. In a statement, St. Vincent Evansville noted that the family was not responsible for that full tab and instead was expected to pay less than $3,500. But the facility appears to have since lowered its price for CroFab. According to its price list posted online to satisfy a recent federal requirement the drug now costs $5,096.76 per vial. And the snake antivenin market now has another drug competing for patients: Anavip. The Mexican product launched in October has a list price of $1,220 a vial in the U.S, a fraction of what Latin Americans pay for it, according to Rare Disease Therapeutics, which distributes the drug in the U.S. Anavips arrival was stalled by a lawsuit filed by BTG in 2013 that claimed the drug infringed on its patent. The drugs true effect on the market remains unclear. CroFab and Anavip are not entirely interchangeable. (The FDA hasnt approved Anavip for copperhead bites, for instance.) And, as part of the legal settlement, Anavip makers must pay royalties to BTG until the CroFab patent expires in 2028. Resolution The insurer, IU Health Plans, negotiated down the antivenin and air ambulance charges and ended up paying $44,092.87 and $55,543.20, respectively. After adjustments to additional bills, IU Health Plans paid a total of $107,863.33. Oakleys family did not pay a dime out of pocket for her emergency care, but such high outlays contribute to rising premiums. Secondary insurance offered through the summer camp covered $7,286.34 in additional costs that otherwise would have come out of Perry and Yoders pockets for their deductible and coinsurance. The policy covers up to $25,000 in damages. Oakleys foot is healed, but her toe bends slightly downward and is sensitive to pressure. She intends to return to the same camp this summer. Perry teaches a course on the ethics of the health care industry, and yet he said the cost of Oakleys care shocked him. But he is aware of how rarely a patient ends up paying nothing for health care. "I know that in this country, in this system," he said, "that is a miracle." Takeaway: Hospitals and insurers can negotiate; snakes dont. If youve been bitten by a snake, "take care of your injury," said Boyer. Dont wait while you worry about the cost. When you get a bill, compare what the facility charged against other health care providers prices using their public charge lists online. Cost estimation tools like Fair Health Consumer or Healthcare Bluebook allow you to see how your bill compares with the average. Momentum is growing for government action on drug prices. In states and in Congress, various proposals have been floated, which include: allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices, tying the U.S. price of expensive drugs to the average price in other developed countries and allowing the government to inject competition into the market when there is none such as by speeding generic drug approvals or allowing imports. Consumers should keep an eye on these proposals as they move through the political process. A last-ditch effort to save the century-old Travelers Hotel was unsuccessful. The Rochester City Council rejected a citizens appeal of the commissions decision that opened a path for the demolition of the former hotel. "I think its important that we support (the Heritage Preservation Commission) and show them that we do listen to them and we do weigh what they say," said Council Member Mark Bilderback, adding that he believes the commission did its due diligence in considering whether the building is a potential landmark. The commission voted 4-3 on April 23 to oppose putting the property on the citys list of potential landmarks, removing a potential obstacle to demolition. Mondays council vote was 6-1 to reject the appeal, with only Council Member Shaun Palmer opposing the decision. ADVERTISEMENT Mayo Clinic, which purchased the building for nearly $1.7 million in 2001 and kept it in operation until 2016, started the process needed to demolish the building at 426 Second St. SW the following day. An application for a demolition has been approved. Local historian Kevin Lund requested Mondays council review within days of the commissions decision, suggesting information provided by Mayo Clinics historical consultants should have been made available before the meeting. "It was not included in the packet of information prior to the meeting, which could have potentially led to a different discussion or decision," he wrote in a letter to Rochester City Administrator Steve Rymer. Charlene Roice, an architectural historian with Hess Roice Historical Consultants, defended the lack of a published presentation, noting an initial report was included in an earlier published agenda. She added that she doesnt typically provide copies of her actual presentation before a meeting or hearing. While Roices report on the hotel was sent to commission members in advance, it was also not found in the agenda packet for the April 23 meeting posted on the citys website. During that meeting, Lund advocated for naming the building as a potential landmark. In his appeal to the City Council, he argued that more emphasis should have been placed on the buildings roles in the hospitality industry. "There distinct properties are associated with Rochesters early hotel industry and important hoteliers that were not associated with the dominant Kahler Hotel Corporation," he wrote. "The restored Parker Hotel is one of the few remaining hotel types in this category." ADVERTISEMENT Commission members did touch on the role the building played in the citys hospitality-based history. "The hotel could be preserved because its a remnant of the hospitality business that has all but disappeared," commission member Tom Meilander, said noting the hotel could be seen as a significant part of what an emerging industry marked by "ma-and-pa-type operations." The brief reference, however, was overshadowed by discussions of Julius Reiter and Billy Friedel, the two men who build separate buildings that were later combined to become the Travelers Hotel. Reiter, a five-term Rochester mayor and one-time vice presidential candidate, built the first building in either 1918 or 1920. It initially provided small apartments for transient visitors. Friedell, a former circus musician turned developer, built a neighboring hotel between 1927 and 1931. It catered to single women in the city. Meilander opposed using the two men as a reason for considering the property as a potential landmark. "The characters, we kind of put them on a pedestal," he said, suggesting a monument could be erected to honor Reiter and Friedel if community members consider them historic figures. The Travelers Hotel was placed in limbo after the Rochester City Council approved an updated heritage-preservation ordinance in 2017. ADVERTISEMENT The former hotel had been earmarked as one of several buildings to be considered for potential landmark status but was removed with approximately 30 other properties when their owners challenged the effort to include them on the list. With the Heritage Preservation Commissions decision, the building was the final Mayo Clinic property to be taken off the "challenged" list. Some have been put on the lost of potential landmarks, and others have been removed from consideration. A handful of other properties, including several homes and churches, remain on the "challenged" list awaiting a commission decision As the award winner of Users Choice Game of 2021 and Best Pick Up & Play of Google Play, Ensemble Stars!!Music launched the first English release, which takes this highly acclaimed game to the next level. The case of a Rochester man charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death of a 17-year-old last winter is now in the hands of a jury. The eight women and four men of the jury were handed the case of Alexander Weiss early Monday evening after attorneys gave their closing arguments in Olmsted County District Court. Two women who sat on the jury throughout the trial as alternates were dismissed Friday afternoon. Weiss, 26, has pleaded not guilty to a second-degree murder charge in connection with a Jan. 14, 2018, confrontation between Weiss and Muhammed Rahim after a minor automobile crash involving Weiss Subaru and the Chevrolet Cavalier Rahim was driving. Weiss claims he acted in self-defense. Over the course of the trial, which began last Tuesday with Chief Deputy Olmsted County Attorney Eric Woodford and defense attorney James McGeeney, jurors heard from Weiss himself, three of Rahims passengers, a woman who drove by and witnessed the incident and nearly a dozen Rochester police officers as well as a medical examiner with the Southern Minnesota Regional Medical Examiners Office and a forensic scientist with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. On Monday, the jury was sent in to begin their deliberations just before 5:30 p.m. Judge Joseph Chase told the jury last week that if they did not reach a verdict the day they were handed the case, they would be sequestered until they finished their deliberations. The case of a Rochester man charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death of a 17-year-old last winter was in the hands of a jury at the Post Bulletins deadline this morning. The eight women and four men of the jury were handed the case of Alexander Weiss Monday evening after attorneys gave their closing arguments in Olmsted County District Court. Weiss, 26, has pleaded not guilty to a second-degree murder charge in connection with a Jan. 14, 2018, confrontation with Muhammed Rahim. The incident followed a minor automobile crash involving Weiss Subaru and the Chevrolet Cavalier Rahim was driving. Weiss did not dispute that he caused Rahims death but claims he acted in self-defense. During the course of the trial, which began last Tuesday with Chief Deputy Olmsted County Attorney Eric Woodford and defense attorney James McGeeney, jurors heard from Weiss himself, three of Rahims passengers, a woman who drove by and witnessed the shooting and nearly a dozen Rochester police officers. Also testifying were the medical examiner with the Southern Minnesota Regional Medical Examiners Office and a forensic scientist with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. ADVERTISEMENT On Monday, the jury was sent in to begin their deliberations just before 5:30 p.m. Judge Joseph Chase told the jury last week that if they did not reach a verdict the day they were handed the case, they would be sequestered until they finished their deliberations. Just as Woodford said when he first addressed the jury last week, he again told them that Weiss made an unreasonable choice to escalate a verbal altercation by brandishing a handgun and made the unnecessary choice to shoot Rahim. Because there was no question Weiss shot and killed Rahim, Woodford said the question jurors would have to consider is "whether the defendants choice to take Mr. Rahims life that day ... should be justified and excused." In refuting Weiss and his attorneys self-defense arguments, Woodford told the jury that the law required Weiss to retreat and avoid danger. "This isnt just words on a paper he has a duty to retreat to avoid the danger so we dont end up with dead 17-year-olds on the pavement," Woodford said. When Weiss went back to his car after an initial confrontation and threats from Rahims passenger, Noah Dukart, to grab his phone and his gun, Woodford said Weiss could have gotten in the vehicle and called 911. "Remember how scared he was, how threatened he felt?" Woodford said, adding that instead of Weiss staying in his car he got back out despite his feelings. Weiss was physically uninjured in the altercation. Testimony differed on whether Rahim bumped Weiss in the chest and spit on him. ADVERTISEMENT During his final statements, McGeeney told jury members that their decision may well be the hardest thing they will ever do finding a man not guilty who has taken another mans life. "I ask you to find him not guilty, because he is not guilty. The evidence supports that, McGeeney said. "Mr. Rahims death is unfortunate and probably unnecessary but not because of the actions and behaviors of Mr. Weiss." Just as Woodford focused on what he said were Weiss unnecessary and unreasonable actions, McGeeney said that Rahims actions and those of Dukart were unnecessary and unreasonable. "It was unreasonable for Rahim to chest bump Mr. Weiss and spit in his face, especially when he knew Mr. Weiss had a gun," McGeeney said. McGeeney told the jurors that what was at issue in the case is whether Weiss acted in self-defense and whether the state had proved beyond a reasonable doubt that Weiss did not. McGeeney highlighted discrepancies in witness testimony and questioned what else might be wrong about the incident in the testimony of a Rochester woman who witnessed the shooting. Balchaynsh Balcha testified that she went to pick up a friend that morning to go to church but was unable to pull into the apartment buildings parking lot because a car, later determined to be the one driven by Rahim, was in the way. She told police a few days after the incident that it took place in a residential lawn near the corner of 31st Street Northeast and East River Road Northeast but police found no evidence that the incident occurred anywhere other than the street. ADVERTISEMENT McGeeney also told the jury they couldnt rely on Rahims passenger and friend Riley Bongiornos testimony, saying it was "in-credible." McGeeney also told the jury that it was not Weiss who escalated the situation but first Dukart and then Rahim. McGeeney rebutted Woodfords argument that Weiss had the ability to extricate himself from the situation by simply running away due to his chronic asthma. He also said Weiss was unable to keep moving back from where the single shell casing from his gun was found because of a drainage ditch. The little DNA evidence in the case was also called into question as Weiss own DNA could not be determined to be on the handle of his own gun. McGeeney reminded the jury that the first officer on scene, Brian Roussell, touched the gun bare-handed and yet, his DNA was not found on the gun. Rahim is alleged to have reached for, and made contact with, the front barrel and slide on the gun. Weiss testified that he shot Rahim after Rahim attempted to reach for the gun a second time. "This is a tragic case. Mr. Rahims death with likely avoidable, but not because Mr. Weiss broke the law. He didnt," McGeeney said, adding that Weiss did not get to make his decision to use force deliberating with a jury. Jurors ended deliberations shortly before 9:15 p.m. Monday after nearly four hours. Deliberations will resume in Olmsted County District Court at 9 a.m. Tuesday. A Rochester man was released on GPS monitoring Thursday after making his first appearance in court on multiple criminal sexual conduct charges. Joseph Thomas Eull, 28, is charged in Olmsted County District Court wth two felony third-degree criminal sexual conduct charges as well as two felony charges of stalking. His next court appearance is scheduled for May 30. On Dec. 14, the Rochester Police department received a report from a woman that she had been sexually assaulted by Eull on two occasions. The woman and an adult male friend also reported that Eull had "aggressively" followed them, according to court documents. The womans friend also reported that on Dec. 8, Eull showed up to his home and was looking through windows. A few days after that, Eull reportedly confronted the man at a local Planet Fitness, called him names, told him to stay away from the woman and asked him to step outside the gym and fight him, according to the criminal complaint. When Winona State University holds a pinning ceremony in Rochester this week for 40 new nurses about to graduate with bachelors degrees, it will be a reminder of the importance of WSU to this community and of Rochesters importance to WSU. Like most other institutions of higher education, Winona State University has experienced roughly a 10 percent decline in enrollment in recent years. That, however, is not true for WSUs enrollment in Rochester. Winona State enrolls about 1,200 undergraduate and graduate students in Rochester. Four new graduate programs will launch next fall, including a masters of social work and an education doctorate, helping to boost enrollment in Rochester by at least 10 percent. "Were bullish on Rochester," Dr. Scott Olson, WSU president said last week in a meeting with the Post-Bulletin editorial board. ADVERTISEMENT Students are also apparently bullish on what WSU is offering. For example, there were 60 applications for the masters in social work program within three days of its announcement. But how much the community at large knows about and appreciates the presence of WSU in Rochester is debatable. A short answer, in our opinion, would be "not enough." Granted, WSUs profile in Rochester was raised when the school moved into the old Riverside building at Fourth Street and South Broadway. Its a prime location at the intersection of two major streets. However, most commuters driving by are probably unaware that WSU also holds classes at Rochester Community and Technical College, where it is building a new nursing sim lab, or that WSUs teacher education program maintains a site at Riverside Central Elementary School. Olson pointed out that annually about 35 percent of new teachers graduating from Winona State become teachers in Rochester public schools. In addition, the majority of nursing graduates usually begin their careers in Rochester. Obviously, Winona State fills a need for Rochesters major employers. Olson said theres more to come. Additional programs will be added in future years, and later this year a major study of WSUs facility needs in Rochester will be announced. The universitys Winona campus is practically at "optimal capacity," Olson said. "Were at a pretty good size in terms of amenities there and residence hall space," he said. "As for Rochester," Olson said, "the skys the limit." ADVERTISEMENT Those are encouraging words for a community that has long hungered for ever more higher education. All of the institutions offering post-secondary education in Rochester deserve the communitys support. But Olsons comments are a good reminder that Winona State should not be allowed to get lost in the shuffle. The government of Guam has sent a delegation to Las Vegas for a two-day Opportunity Zone Expo at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. The delegation includes former Gov. Carl Gutierrez, the governor's chief adviser for economic development, national and international affairs and Gutierrez's deputy, Jeffrey Marchesseault. They're joined by Guam Economic Development Authority Business Development Manager Ed Camacho and his deputy Patrick Sherman. Opportunity zones were established by the Tax Cut and Jobs Act that President Donald Trump signed into law in December 2017. Their purpose is to spur private sector investment in low-income urban and rural communities by offering tax breaks to investors with capital gain liabilities. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. "Opportunity zones are still very, very new," GEDA Administrator Melanie Mendiola said. "There is still quite a bit of learning to do." Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero touted the benefits of opportunity zones during her campaign. Guam has 25 designated zones. "I hope the team is able to not only learn but also develop different approaches to attract investors to our island," Mendiola said. Although there has been interest from some investors, Mendiola said no one has committed to an investment in any of Guam's opportunity zones. Costs Marchesseault's airfare and per diem cost $3,289. It is being paid for by the governor's office and is coming out of the General Fund. GEDA is covering the cost of airfare and per diem for Camacho, Sherman and Gutierrez from its budget. GEDA gets no money from the General Fund. Its funds come primarily from fees charged to arrange bond-borrowing or from the businesses that receive qualifying certificates. Mendiola said the combined airfare and per diem for Camacho is $3,097; for Sherman it is $2,789; and for Gutierrez the cost is $6,491. She explained Leon Guerrero has authorized Gutierrez to fly business class. This is the third overseas trip in pursuit of investors for the former governor in his new role as chief adviser for economic development, national and international affairs. The first trip was to the Chinese city of Shenyang and the second was to Manila. Marchesseault said all three trips had been authorized by the governor, although funds were not available to cover airfare for the trips to China and the Philippines. The former governor paid for those trips himself, Marchesseault said. The governor's office covered his per diem costs for four days in Manila. On "ThePoint" radio show Friday morning, Gutierrez told host Ray Gibson he had met with an investor in Shenyang who has interests in airlines and hotel properties. He declined to name the investor, but claimed he already has bought property on Guam to build a new hotel and is exploring the possibility of launching air service from that Chinese city to Guam and onto Australia. "We're working on that with the Guam Visitors Bureau right now," Gutierrez said. In April, Gutierrez was in Manila, where he met with President Rodrigo Duterte's executive secretary Salvador Medialdea in an effort to win the support of the Philippine government to help lobby the U.S. government to create a Philippine visa waiver for Guam-bound Filipino tourists. Hawaii Sen. Brian Schatz has recently asked if the Marines' relocation to Guam still makes sense. During a Senate Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense hearing in Washington, D.C., on May 1, Schatz sought an update from Marine Commandant Gen. Robert Neller on the relocation of more than 4,000 Marines from Okinawa to Guam. Weve said, and the Marine Corps and my predecessors have always said were content to go to Guam if we have decent, acceptable quality of life which I believe we will with the current plan; that we get the lift to be able to move to (conduct) different training venues; and we have a place to go to train that is within the vicinity, particular in the Northern Marianas island chain, Neller testified. The Marine commandant said discussions about the environmental impact the Marines' relocation will have on the island have yet to be played out. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. He also explained that high-speed vessels or other platforms could be used to move forces in the general area or strategic lift aircraft or amphibious forces from Japan or the west coast of the United States could pick up Marines from Guam. If the purpose of having Marines on Guam is to be in the region, to be forward, to be ready to fight tonight, then theres a moment and you gotta fight tonight, and then you have to wait for San Diego to bring you the lift, it defeats the purpose. You might as well keep the Marines in (the continental United States) or in Hawaii, Schatz replied. So, tell me why this still makes sense, other than our geopolitical commitments and the difficulty in Okinawa. Neller was asked to give his personal view whether the Marines move to Guam still makes sense. The plan as its currently designed, I think is worthy of possibly a review. Thats my personal and professional opinion, the commandant replied. Earlier in the hearing, Neller explained that once the military contracts are awarded for the design of certain facilities later this year, the Marines will be in a position to determine the type of force that will come to Guam. Japan and the United States entered into a more than decade-old agreement to reduce the presence of Marines in Okinawa by moving some of them to Guam. Japan is helping pay for the estimated $8 billion relocation cost and some of Japan's funds have been spent on projects on Guam. Every now and then we get the itch to travel. We want to leave Guam and see the world. Read more Garcia, who has represented the 58th District since 2012, announced her congressional candidacy three days after Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard announced she wouldn't run for reelection. Emmet T. Flood, special counsel to President Trump, has sent a letter to Attorney General Barr. Although Barr is the addressee, Robert Mueller is the main target. The letter is a blistering attack on Muellers report with a shot at James Comey thrown in. Flood gets right to the point: The [special counsels report] suffers from an extraordinary legal defect: It quite deliberately fails to comply with the requirements of governing law. Flood cites two major ways in which the Mueller report suffers from this defect. The first problem centers around its statement that the evidence prevent[ed] [the special counsels office] from conclusively determining that no criminal conduct occurred with respect to possible obstruction of justice. Flood explains that conclusively determining that no criminal conduct occurred was not Muellers assigned task, because making conclusive determinations of innocence is never the task of the federal prosecutor. Instead: What prosecutors are supposed to do is complete an investigation and then either ask the grand jury to return an indictment or decline to charge the case. When prosecutors decline to charge, they make that decision not because they have conclusively determin[ed] that no criminal conduct occurred, but rather because they do not believe that the investigated conduct constitutes a crime for which all the elements can be proven to the satisfaction of a jury beyond a reasonable doubt. Thats because: In the American justice system, innocence is presumed: there is never any need for prosecutors to conclusively determine it. Nor is there any place for such a determination. Our country would be a very different (and very dangerous) place if prosecutors applied the [special counsels] standard and citizens were obliged to prove conclusively. . .that no criminal conduct occurred. Why, then, did Mueller resort to terminology that is foreign to our criminal justice vocabulary? Floods answer is straightforward and difficult to dispute: [T]he [special counsels] inverted-proof standard and exoneration statements can be understood only as political statements, issuing from persons (federal prosecutors) who in our system of government are rightly expected never to be political in the performance of their duties. (Emphasis in the letter) The second big problem with Muellers report is that it didnt do the one job Mueller was tasked with. Under the relevant regulation, his duty was to provide the Attorney General with a confidential report explaining the prosecution or declination decisions reached by the Special Counsel. 28 C.F.R. Section 600.8(c). But on the question of obstruction of justice, Mueller made neither a prosecution decision nor a declination decision. Thus, says Flood, none of the Reports Volume II complied with the obligation imposed by the governing regulation to explain[] the prosecution or declination decisions reached.' (Emphasis in the letter) Flood continues: The [special counsel] instead produced a prosecutorial curiosity part truth commission report and part law school exam paper. Far more detailed than the text of any known criminal indictment or declination memorandum, the Report is laden with factual information that has never been subjected to adversarial testing or independent analysis. That information is accompanied by a series of inexplicably inconclusive observations (inexplicable, that is, coming from a prosecutor) concerning the possible application of law to fact. This species of public report has no basis in the relevant regulations and no precedent in the history of special/independent counsel investigations. Flood goes on to describe President Trumps cooperation with the special counsel, including his decision not to invoke executive privilege over any presumptively privileged portions of the Mueller report. He then condemns the campaign of illegal leaks against the President, many of which were felonies. These leaks disclosed the identity of a U.S. person in violation of his civil rights; they misused intelligence for partisan political purposes; and they eroded confidence in the integrity and impartiality of our intelligence services. Flood complains: The criminal investigation began with a breach of confidentiality executed by a very senior administration official who was himself an intelligence service chief. This leak of confidential information, personally directed by the former Director of the FBI, triggered the creation of [the special counsels office] itself precisely as it was intended to do. Not so long ago, the idea that a law enforcement official might provide the press with confidential governmental information for the proclaimed purpose of prompting a criminal investigation of an identified individual would have troubled Americans of all political persuasions. That the head of our countrys top law enforcement agency has actually done so to the President of the United States should frighten every friend of individual liberty. Flood notes in his letter that some view the Mueller report as a kind of road map for congressional action against President Trump. Floods letter, though not a road map, will perhaps reinforce Attorney General Barrs resolve to investigate and, if appropriate, prosecute the high government officials who may have violated the law in their zealous efforts to undermine the President of the United States. Green advocates aspire to power the entire U.S. electrical system with wind and solar energy. How are they going to do that, given that wind turbines produce electricity only around 40% of the time, and solar panels produce electricity, in most areas, less than 25% of the time? The truthful answer is that whenever utilities build (or contract with) a wind farm or a solar installation, they also build a natural gas plant to provide electricity during the majority of the time when the green resources are idle. This is why wind and solar energy, unlike nuclear power, actually lock us into fossil fuel use for the indefinite future. Of course, green power advocates dont admit that they plan on using natural gas forever. They hold out hope that electricity produced by wind and solar facilities will be stored in batteriesgiant ones, I assumeso that it can be used when the wind doesnt blow and the sun doesnt shine. No such batteries exist, of course, which is why they are not already in use. And any existing or foreseeable battery technology would rely on vast amounts of lithium, which must be mined. Currently, the Chinese are rush[ing] to dominate the global supply of lithium. We do have lithium deposits in the United States, notably in the Panamint Valley of California. The Los Angeles Times reports: A war is brewing over lithium mining at the edge of Death Valley. Recently, the Australia-based firm Battery Mineral Resources Ltd. asked the federal government for permission to drill four exploratory wells to see if the hot, salty brine beneath the valley floor contains economically viable concentrations of lithium. The drilling request has generated strong opposition from the Center for Biological Diversity, the Sierra Club and the Defenders of Wildlife, who say the drilling project would be an initial step toward the creation of a full-scale lithium mining operation. That is the idea, I suppose. They say lithium extraction would bring industrial sprawl, large and unsightly drying ponds and threaten a fragile ecosystem that supports Nelsons bighorn sheep, desert tortoises and the Panamint alligator lizard, among other species. A lithium mine would destroy these spectacular panoramas, drilling opponent Tom Budlong said recently as he and fellow activists buzzed over the Panamint Valley in a chartered Ecoflight aircraft. The Times story includes this photo of the spectacular panoramas of the Panamint Valley. Most would say that it is a desolate, godforsaken place. If we cant mine here, where can we mine? For dyed-in-the-wool environmentalists, the brewing war over lithium mining poses a moral dilemma as it seemingly pits them against efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Constructed with the worlds lightest metal, rechargeable lithium-ion batteries allow vehicles to run on power generated by wind turbines, solar panels, hydroelectric dams and other clean-energy sources. Drilling opponents also acknowledge that the burden of producing lithium should not just fall on nations with less restrictive health and safety regulations and environmental safeguards. Its a tricky question, said Lisa Belenky, senior attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity. We shouldnt export the sacrifices to Bolivia and Argentina, for example, which have massive lithium mines We also think that Panamint Valley is not the right place for it. Currently there is one lithium mine in the United States. I think we can safely say that environmentalists will never approve of another one. Does it matter? There is great demand for lithium used in existing technologiesphones, laptops, electric vehicles, and so on. But the idea that batteries of any foreseeable design will combine with wind turbines and solar panels to satisfy Americas need for electricity is a fantasy. For one thing, batteries of the requisite capacity would be prohibitively expensive. It has been calculated that, using the most advanced battery technology on the market, Teslas 100 MW, 129 MWh battery in use in South Australia, it would cost $133 billion to store the electricity needs of my state, Minnesota, for 24 hours. That is more than one-third of the states annual GDP. Thus, for the foreseeable future, wind and solar energy will be useless add-ons to an already-sufficient electric grid. If you seriously think that CO2 emissions endanger the Earths future, as so many environmentalists at least claim to believe, the only rational course is a massive investment in nuclear power. Roger Simon asks that question. He rightly indicts the journalists who spread the idiotic lie that President Trump colluded with Putins Russia: [A] penalty of some kind, indeed a serious one, should certainly be levied for misinforming the public on the most important subject of our day, which has happened repeatedly over the last few years concerning the Russia probe. And when these prevarications can be shown to have been deliberate, to have been done knowingly, difficult as that may be to prove, the line to sedition may have been crossed and there is an argument the reporters involved should face legal consequences. They should also be fired. *** Many of the major media organizations and their reporters lied about Russia collusion on a regular basis, even, in the cases of the New York Times and the Washington Post, winning Pulitzers for their deceptions. This evolved out of what we might call a systemic folie a deux, a corrupt alliance between the (almost always anonymous) leaker with an ax to grind and the leakee (i. e. the reporter) who is all too eager to grind that ax. A search for the leakers, who are in legal jeopardy, is putatively underway by the DOJ, but, although it obviously takes two for this pernicious tango, the leakees seem bound to get off scot-free. Unjust? Of course, it is. And not so deep down, the media outlets know this. In the end, Roger isnt serious about jailing journalists, much as they might deserve it. But I would add this observation: Why is it that journalists who lied about Russia collusion will no doubt get off scot-free, while proudly displaying Pulitzers on their mantels? Why is it that the media organizations that employ them and share their political biases feel no need to sanction them in any way, let alone fire them? The answer, I think, has a lot to do with the virtual abolition of libel law in the political arena. In a sane legal environment, journalists who published lies about people like Carter Page, and even President Trump, would have to worry about legal liability and the humiliation that comes with an adverse jury verdict. More important, perhaps, their employers would have to worry about paying civil judgments. But when it comes to defamation, we dont have a sane legal environment. The U.S. Supreme Court has seen to that in a series of decisions that deserve to be controversial. Wherever you think the boundaries of defamation law should properly be drawn, I think it is almost indisputable that our current legal regime goes too far in immunizing reporters, editors, newspapers and cable news networks against the consequences of negligently or maliciously propagating career-destroying and life-destroying falsehoods about public figures and matters of public interest. Maybe if President Trump gets another Supreme Court appointment our extremist defamation jurisprudence will be moderated so that there is at least a possibility of holding journalists accountable. Last week, President Trump and the Red Chinese appeared to be making major progress towards a trade deal. However, Trumps team says that the Chinese have reneged on commitments made during the negotiations. Consequently, the administration is prepared to increase tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods. It plans to announce the increases on Friday morning. The New York Times story on this development is full of speculation about Trumps motives. The Times calls Trumps decision a political calculation that staying tough on China will be a better proposition in the 2020 campaign than entering into the deal many expected to be finalized. It adds that Trump is confident his trade policies are bolstering the American economy, without any downside. I assume that Trump has examined both the political and economic implications of increasing tariffs on Chinese goods. However, the Times presents no reason to believe that, at root, Trumps decision is other than what his advisers say it is a response to bad faith negotiating by China. China is notorious for its bad faith in international relations, so we shouldnt be surprised that it apparently has reneged on commitments made during negotiations. The proper response is to do exactly what Trump plans to do inflict more pain on China. But Trump is leaving the door open for China to return to the table if its willing to behave like a proper negotiating partner. The Times reports: A final trade agreement could still be reached. Mr. Lighthizer [Trumps top trade adviser] and Mr. Mnuchin [the Treasury Secretary] said on Monday that the Chinese delegation had not canceled travel plans to come to Washington on Thursday and Friday for negotiations. Were not breaking up talks at this point, Mr. Lighthizer said. The Red Chinese are used to having their way, and used to dealing with an America that isnt willing to make short term sacrifices to deny them their way. Trump has decided to reverse this pattern. It was never going to be easy, and Trump deserves great credit for undertaking this course and for sticking to it. Scrambles for presidential nominations are often analyzed in terms of lanes. Particular candidates are associated with particular lanes, the lanes corresponding to groups of voters clustered by ideology, identity, or some other feature. Its a convenient way to analyze these races. Perhaps its also helpful. In a sense almost every Democrat running for president can be said to occupy a lane. For example, Pete Buttigieg seems to occupy the gay lane; Amy Klobuchar the lane for non-radical females. Cory Booker can be viewed as the great black male hope; Kamala Harris as his female counterpart. Beto ORourke inhabits the white hipster lane, and so forth. But this is not a helpful way to look at the race. In reality, I think there are only three true lanes: the establishment lane, the true believer hard left lane, and the diversity (or identity politics) lane. Joe Biden dominates the establishment lane. Bernie Sanders controls the true believer hard left lane. Ordinarily, there would be no other lanes of consequence. In 2016, for example, Hillary Clinton and Sanders filled the two main lanes and there were no other serious candidates. It might have been that way this year too if Biden and Sanders werent so old, so white, and so heterosexually male. Because they are, there is a third lane. Its the diversity lane the one for Democrats who arent old, white, or male. This is the lane where the most interesting competition will occur. Theres little competition, if any, in Bidens lane. Buttigieg and Klobuchar might be competing effectively in it if Biden hadnt entered. But as long as Biden is in the race, these two had better be able to compete effectively in the diversity lane. (Buttigieg perhaps can, Klubuchar cannot, I think). Sanders doesnt have much competition in his lane, either. Perhaps Elizabeth Warren can peel off some of his hard left support, but so far it looks like she wont capture much of it. The diversity lane is wide open. Its shaping up as quite a free for all. If this lane is to produce a serious contender, one of its occupants eventually will have to dominate it. Thats a tall order precisely because the lane is so diverse. Buttigieg might well be the choice of LGBT individuals, but will Blacks find him appealing? Can Harris gain a foothold among white male voters looking for an alternative to Biden and Sanders? Can ORourke overcome his whiteness? And so forth. We wont have any clear idea about whats going to happen in the diversity lane until the debates begin. However, based on 2016, we already have an idea what the competition between Biden and Sanders will look like. It figures to be tight, just like four years ago with Sanders and Clinton, unless Biden fizzles out. The Party has changed its nominating rules, so the deck presumably wont be stacked against Sanders this time. However, the obsession with defeating President Trump, now that Democrats take him seriously, may work against the Vermont socialist. He needs polls that have him running about as well as Biden is against Trump, and he needs people to believe such polls. Ultimately, voters who think both Biden and Sanders are too old, too white, and too heterosexually male may have to decide between the two. The nomination may hinge on what they decide. PR-Inside.com: 2019-05-07 07:57:02 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 995 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / May 7, 2019 / Alba Minerals Ltd. ("Alba") (TSX - Venture: AA / Frankfurt: A117RU / OTC: AXVEF is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement with Journey Exploration Inc. ("Journey"), a private arms' length company, to acquire all of the issued and outstanding share capital of Journey. Journey holds a 100% interest in 5 prospective vanadium and uranium properties in Colorado and Utah in addition to an option to acquire 100% of a 6th property with a known historic resource. The properties are in and adjacent to the Uravan Mineral Belt which has seen extensive prospecting, exploration, drilling for and production of vanadium, uranium and radium since 1881.The following is an overview of the assets that will be acquired by Alba upon completion of the transaction with Journey.Figure 1 Satellite view of locations of the 6 vanadium-uranium properties transferred by the agreement.La Sal West PropertyThe La Sal West Property is comprised of 176 vanadium and uranium claims (3636.16 acres or 1472 hectares) located in the La Sal District of San Juan County, Utah approximately 20 miles (32km) southeast of Moab, Utah. The property is near the junction of US Highway 191 and Utah Highway 46 and can be easily accessed via dirt roads and 4-wheel drive trails leading off the highways. The La Sal West Property has seen considerable exploration and development over the years.Lyons PropertyThe Lyons Property is comprised of 144 vanadium and uranium claims (2975.04 acres or (1204 hectares) located in the La Sal Creek Mining District of Montrose County, Colorado and abuts the Utah-Colorado border. The claims are adjacent to Colorado Highway 90, which is an extension of Utah Highway 46. The property is accessible by 4-wheel drives off the highway. Nine mines are shown within the Lyons claim block on the geologic map of the La Sal Quadrangle*.Polar Mesa PropertyThe Polar Mesa Property is comprised of 181 vanadium and uranium claims (3,739.46 acres or 1513 hectares) located in the Gateway West Mining District of Grand County, Utah which lie north of the La Sal mountains. The Polar Mesa Property has seen extensive exploration and development over the years, of which, the estimated production from the Polar Mesa Camp to 1945 was reported to be 10,060 tons of ore at an estimated grade of 3.24% V2O5 and 0.46% U3O8 for a ratio of 1:7 of U3O8 to V2O5**.Slick Rock PropertyThe Slick Rock Property is comprised of 158 vanadium and uranium claims (2604.28 acres or 1054 hectares) located in the Slick Rock Mining District of San Miguel County, Colorado. The claims occupy an area of undulating topography on a mesa that is covered in the most part by open grassy areas and scattered short scrubby trees. Elevation ranges from 7,000ft in the north to 8,080ft (2,130m 2,460m) in the south eastern corner of the claim group. The area is readily accessible by roads, tracks and drill trails established by previous miners and explorers of the Spud Patch Group of Mines. Production from the Spud Patch area between 1940 and 1951 is reported to have been 24,000 tons at a grade of 2.2% V2O5 and 0.21% U3O8.Yellow Circle PropertyThe Yellow Circle Property is comprised of 96 vanadium and uranium claims (2045.34 acres or 828 hectares) located in the Yellow Circle Mining District of San Juan County, Utah. Total production from the Yellow Circle Property is unknown, but in 1943 the mines were credited with 1,624 tons of ore averaging 1.65% V2O5***. During the Atomic Energy Commission's purchase program, 1948-70 inclusive, the Yellow Circle Mines produced 43,070 tons of ore that averaged 0.28% U3O8 and 1.52% V2O5****.Wray Mesa PropertyThe Wray Mesa Property consists or two project areas, the Ajax and Dylan Projects, in the La Sal Trend of southeast Utah and southwest Colorado. The Ajax and Dylan are both located on the Utah side. Both projects have historic resource calculations conducted by Homeland Uranium, Inc. in 2007. At that time Homeland was focused on the uranium mineralization due to its higher value. They calculated the resource values listed in Table 1.Table 1 Homeland Uranium Inc. historic resource estimates.DepositMeasured ResourcePounds U3O8Indicated ResourcePounds U3O8Inferred ResourcePounds U3O8Dylan85,501211,713Ajax38,20757,17840,456As with other deposits in the region, these deposits also carry strong vanadium values with ratios ranging from 4:1 to 14:1 V2O5:U3O8 and averaging 6:1 for deposits in the La Sal Quadrangle (Carter and Gualtieri, 1965).The above values are presented here as documentation of a historical estimate for the Wray Mesa property. It is believed that these resource figures were created in 2007 by competent practitioners and are considered accurate for the timeframe in which they were created but have not been verified. There is insufficient information for the Qualified Person to classify these historical estimates as a resource under current CIM mineral resource standards and Alba is not treating them as current mineral resources.Figure 2 One of many accessible adits on the Yellow Circle claims.Together, the properties total 762 mining claims covering approximately 15,697 acres (6352 hectares). All six of the properties have undergone historical exploration, development and/or production of vanadium and uranium.Figure 3 Vanadium mineralization (dark grey to black coloration) in one of the Yellow Circle underground workings.These five properties (with option to acquire the 6th, Wray Mesa Property) are collectively referred to as the Torado Vanadium & Uranium Project. which are located in the vicinity of Energy Fuels Inc. Energy Fuels is currently producing a high-purity vanadium product at commercial rates from the tailings pond solutions at its 100%-owned White Mesa Mill (the "Mill"). The Mill is located within trucking distance of the Properties. Furthermore, Energy Fuels is currently considering going back into full production at the La Sal Complex where they are undergoing a test-mining program to recover vanadium, as further detailed in their release dated April 1, 2019 and available through SEDAR."Alba's mission to become a global player in the Green Energy revolution has been significantly advanced by this acquisition. The procurement of this high-profile portfolio of properties, all with historical workings, mines, excellent infrastructure and s PR-Inside.com: 2019-05-07 15:28:11 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 519 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / May 7, 2019 / AurCrest Gold Inc. (the "Company" or "AurCrest") (TSX-V: AGO) (FRANKFURT: TM8A, WKN: A0YG1K) is pleased to announce that the Company has initiated work with the Lac Seul First Nation ("Lac Seul") to investigate carbon sequestration opportunities in the First Nation's traditional territory in Northwestern Ontario.Lac Seul has enacted a Band Council Resolution to explore the feasibility of valuing their traditional territory for purposes of capturing and sequestering carbon dioxide and monetizing carbon offset credits for sale to the benefit of the First Nation and its business partners. AurCrest, and the Company's subsidiary corporation Wiigwaasaatig Energy Inc. ("Wiigwaasaatig"), will work with the First Nation to finalize the terms of a definitive carbon credit management agreement to develop and implement sequestration project opportunities. AurCrest and Wiigwaasaatig will further engage industry experts to work alongside the First Nation in investigating these project opportunities, and together with Lac Seul will extend invitations to participate to other regional First Nations."As a member of the Lac Seul First Nation, I am proud that the Lac Seul Chief and Council have chosen to work with AurCrest and Wiigwaasaatig, through the Company's model of participation and inclusion with our First Nations neighbour communities, in turning the historic understanding of the role of indigenous people as stewards of the land into a modern model of indigenous-led environmental and community sustainability," stated Christopher Angeconeb, AurCrest President and CEO.About AurCrest Gold Inc.AurCrest is a mineral exploration company focused on the acquisition, exploration, and development of gold properties. AurCrest has a portfolio of properties in Ontario, which include the Richardson Lake and Bridget Lake gold properties.FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:AurCrest Gold Inc.Christopher AngeconebPresident and C.E.O(807) 737-5353christopherangeconeb@ gmail.com Ian Brodie-BrownDirector of Business Development(416) 844-9969ianbrodiebrown@ gmail.com Forward Looking Statement:Some of the statements contained herein may be forward-looking statements which involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Without limitation, statements regarding potential mineralization and resources, exploration results, and future plans and objectives of the Company are forward looking statements that involve various risks. The following are important factors that could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward looking statements: changes in the world wide price of mineral commodities, general market conditions, risks inherent in mineral exploration, risks associated with development, construction and mining operations, the uncertainty of future profitability and the uncertainty of access to additional capital. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events may differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. AurCrest undertakes no obligation to update such forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements.Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.SOURCE: AurCrest Gold Inc. PR-Inside.com: 2019-05-07 15:04:52 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 968 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 DENVER, CO / ACCESSWIRE / May 7, 2019 / International Cannabrands Inc. (CSE: JUJU) (the 'Company') is pleased to announce that La Vida Verde ("LVV"), the Company's largest operating company, has signed a major distribution arrangement with Nabis - one of California's largest Type 11 distributors with state-wide reach. In March, Nabis completed its second round financing and is backed by Y Combinator, Liquid 2 Ventures, Soma Capital, Babel Ventures, Paul Buchheit (creator of Gmail), Stanley Tang (co-founder of DoorDash), and Clark Valberg (CEO of InVision).This significant expansion of LVV's distribution is strategically important to its continued sales growth and aggressive expansion initiative. Nabis currently distributes to over 90% of the retailers in California."Nabis has an unparalleled track record for dependability and timely service. This relationship allows us to rapidly expand our sales territory to parts of the state that have previously been unreachable i.e., north of Sacramento and South of LA" noted Bryce Berryessa, President of La Vida Verde and Board Member of the Company.LVV's goal is to increase delivery speed and availability to key accounts that are on the perimeter of its current service territory. Equally important, the partnership frees up resources to accelerate product development and launch new product lines for the La Vida Verde, Blank Brands, and SkunkFeather brand families.'Nabis is regarded as a top-tier distributor and we have dominated the industry with our extensive network and supreme success rate,' said Daniella Segal, Director of Business Development at Nabis. 'Partnering with La Vida Verde, a leading company that champions holistic cannabis products of the highest quality, only strengthens our positioning and we are thrilled to aid their expansion efforts with existing and new accounts across the state.'"LVV has had a strong first quarter with the hiring of a VP of sales, a full sales team and a core group of brand ambassadors engaging with the leading Northern California dispensaries and our release of new products. Once the transition of LVV distribution resources onto Nabis' platform is complete, LVV plans to repurpose a portion of our internal space used for distribution and move forward with our plan to build out extraction with a C1D1 lab and onsite refinement" shared Eric Hara, CEO La Vida Verde.About NabisNabis is a leading, independent cannabis distributor based in California with a software front-end and infrastructural backend. The tech-driven company provides a lightning-fast distribution network for the fulfillment, storage, and sales of wholesale cannabis products for over 40 major brands including Canndescent, THC Design, Cresco, Beezle, Nasha, and Honey Vape to retailers across the state from small delivery businesses to major dispensary chains. Founded on a simple mission to modernize the cannabis supply chain in 2017, Nabis offers transparency and efficiency for partners through their unique software portal that seamlessly automates every aspect of cannabis distribution. For more information, visit their website at www.getnabis.com About International Cannabrands (ICI)ICI's strategy centers on acquiring micro brands, distribution and specific manufacturing/cultivation companies in the cannabis space. The Company's business model is to generate revenue from cannabis cultivation, brands ranging from flower to edibles and from THC to CBD, oil extraction, ancillary products and apparel in the United States. ICI markets products with THC content where that practice has been legalized at the state level through either medicinal or full recreational use. ICI also markets products containing CBD in the US and internationally. ICI owns 51% of La Vide Verde, Inc. and has the exclusive rights to Julian Marley's JuJu Royal brand. The Company believes as the legal cannabis market evolves, high-quality, unique products will increasingly capture market share and provide a valuable platform for growth.About La Vida Verde, Inc. (LVV)In addition to LVV's wholesale flower, packaged flower, pre-rolls and blunts, its differentiating products include gummies, upscale protein bars, new chocolate forms and super cookies. LVV Brands currently include Skunk Feather Cannabis and Blank Brand. LVV has been operating in California since 2015, and currently has extraction, manufacturing and distribution capability. LVV is a leader in the extraction field, being one of the first to incorporate full spectrum testing in every product, testing for potency, terpenes, pesticides and residual solvents. Its concentrates are pharmaceutical grade and free of any pesticides, microbial contaminants, heavy metals or additives. LVV has recently doubled its manufacturing capability and has installed state-of-the-art technology. LVV believes that the best medicine starts with the food you eat and it takes pride in producing products for people who are search for a natural and healthy alternative for nurturing their bodies. All its products use only healthy fats, are vegan, organic, gluten-free, paleo friendly and low glycemic.International Cannabrands Contact:Steve Gormley Chief Executive Officer1045 Lincoln Street, #106 Denver, Colorado 80203Ph: (323) 828-4321 or steve.gormley@intlcannabrands.com Media Inquiries: media@ jujuroyal.net NEITHER THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER HAS REVIEWED OR ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.Disclaimer concerning Forward-looking StatementsCertain statements included herein constitute 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management at this time, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Additional risks and uncertainties regarding the Company are described in its publicly-available disclosure documents filed by the Company on SEDAR ( www.sedar.com) . The forward-looking statements contained in this news release represent the Company's expectations as of the date of this news release, or as of the date they are otherwise stated to be made, and subsequent events may cause these expectations to change. Except as required by law, the Company does not intend, and undertakes no obligation, to update any forward-looking statements to reflect, in Disclaimer: If you have any questions regarding information in this press release please contact the company added in the press release. Please do not contact pr-inside. We will not be able to assist you. PR-inside disclaims the content included in this release. (CNN) Under a court settlement, people aren't supposed to be able to legally download plans for 3-D printed guns until Wednesday. But because designs for the guns have already been posted online, by Sunday more than 1,000 people had already downloaded plans to print an AR-15-style semiautomatic assault rifle, according to the office of Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro. Shapiro has been fighting to keep 3-D printed guns out of Pennsylvania. At an emergency hearing held over the phone Sunday, the Attorney General's Office asked a judge for a restraining order that would block a website run by gun-rights group Defense Distributed from being accessible in Pennsylvania. The group's site allows people to download plans to make 3-D guns. At the hearing, Defense Distributed agreed to block Pennsylvania IP addresses for a few days until a more formal hearing could be held. Josh Blackman, a lawyer for Defense Distributed, told CNN Monday that more than 1,000 AR-15 gun plans have been downloaded but wouldn't confirm Shapiro's claim that they were only downloaded since Friday. "This is a free speech case. This isn't a gun case," said Blackman, who challenged Pennsylvania's efforts to block the downloads. "One state cannot censor the speech of a citizen in another state." Pennsylvania isn't the only state trying to bar access to 3-D printed guns. Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced Monday he is leading a lawsuit in eight states and the District of Columbia to block a court action that would let people download plans for untraceable 3D-printed weapons. This lawsuit is being filed in federal court in Seattle. The controversy These latest battles flared after Defense Distributed, a Texas-based group, reached a settlement in June with the government that will allow it to post 3-D printable gun plans online. According to the settlement the plan wasn't supposed to be online until Wednesday, but Shapiro said that Defense Distributed put them out over the weekend. The settlement ends a multi-year legal battle that started when Defense Distributed founder Cody Wilson posted designs for a 3-D printed handgun he called "The Liberator" in 2013. The single-shot pistol was made almost entirely out of ABS plastic the same material Lego bricks are made from and could be made on a 3-D printer. The State Department told Wilson to take down the plans, saying it violated the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), which regulate the export of defense materials, services and technical data. In essence, officials said someone in another country a country the U.S. doesn't sell weapons to could download the material and make their own gun. Wilson complied, but said the files already had been downloaded a million times. He sued the federal government in 2015. The settlement says that Wilson and Defense Distributed can publish plans, files and 3-D drawings in any form and exempts them from the export restrictions. The government also agreed to pay almost $40,000 of Wilson's legal fees and to refund some registration fees. The guns Do-it-yourself firearms like The Liberator have been nicknamed "Ghost Guns" because they don't have serial numbers and are untraceable. On the website run by Defense Distributed people can download plans for building the Liberator, as well as files for an AR-15 lower receiver, a complete Baretta M9 handgun and other firearms. Users also will be able to share their own designs for guns, magazines and other accessories. The site on Monday showed more than 12,000 downloads of seven different models of guns. The high-end 3-D printers needed to make such weapons cost thousands of dollars and may be too expensive for most people. But that doesn't ease the concerns of those who think 3-D printed guns are a really bad idea. 3-D printed guns will make it easier for terrorists and people who are too dangerous to pass criminal background checks to get their hands on guns, said Avery Gardiner, the co-president of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf said he was stepping in where the federal government had failed to protect his state's citizens. "The threat of untraceable guns in the hands of unknown owners is too daunting to stand by and not take action," Wolf said. "Attorney General Shapiro and I will fight to protect Pennsylvania families and children. The federal government has abdicated its responsibility to keep our citizens safe, but we will not be deterred from working to ensure Pennsylvania safety laws are followed and our residents are protected from these dangerous weapons getting in the wrong hands." This story was first published on CNN.com, "More than 1,000 people have already downloaded plans to 3-D print an AR-15." Syrian Amad A. from Bonn burnt to death in prison : New errors in the case revealed DUSSELDORF/KLEVE In autumn the innocent imprisoned Amad A. from Bonn, Germany, died from the consequences of a fire in his cell in the prison in Kleve. Before his imprisonment, there is said to have been an erroneous change in his data before his imprisonment on July 6, 2018. Teilen Teilen Weiterleiten Weiterleiten Tweeten Tweeten Weiterleiten Weiterleiten Drucken On 4 July 2018, an official of the district police in Siegen had entered into a database of the NRW police that Amad A. is perhaps identical with a Malian wanted in Hamburg with an arrest warrant. This was found out by the State Criminal Police Office, several people familiar with the process say. The police in Siegen was responsible for Amad A. because he was first accommodated in the refugee shelter Burbach in Germany. The new information could lead to the fact that the investigations against Kleve police officers lead to less severe punishments because of the wrong imprisonment. "If a database in the country made it easier to confuse the two," says Dusseldorf lawyer Julius Reiter, "this could relieve the accused of depriving them of their liberty." However, the defendants should still be accused of negligent conduct, as they only had to compare the search photo of the dark-skinned Malian with the appearance of the light-skinned Syrian. The astonishing thing is that the investigation into the death of Amad A. had already revealed a first erroneous change in the data. Three days after his imprisonment, the LKA in Hamburg had entered into the nationwide investigation file Inpol that the wanted Malian also had the alias Amed A.. Amed A. had originally been picked up by the police because he had been accused of harassing young girls, but he was arrested because of the accusations against the Malian. The opposition demands that both cases be clarified. "We have to find out what happened", says Stefan Engstfeld, representative of the Green Party in the investigative committee on the death of Amad A. SPD member of parliament Sven Wolf, a fully qualified lawyer, goes even further: "The public prosecutor's office and the investigative committee have to investigate exactly. We have to clarify whether all this was just a chain of bad mistakes or whether there was manipulation somewhere. I hope it was all just stupidity." Also, Michael Mertens, chairman of the police union (GdP), demands further investigations. But he also says: "I still cannot imagine that data was deliberately manipulated in order to imprison an innocent man. I don't see any reason why the colleagues should do that." The report includes executive summary, overview section which reveal a deep dive analysis of the emergency medical services (EMS) bean market. Furthermore, market overview section focuses on PESTLE analysis to present a thorough assessment on the market. Meanwhile, the overview section delineates Porters Five Force analysis that will aid in analyzing competitive Factmr PR-Inside.com: 2019-05-07 11:37:36 Press Information FactMR 11140 Rockville Pike Suite 400 Rockville, MD 20852 United States Abhishek Budholiya Marketing Manager 353-1-4434-232 email https://www.factmr.com/ # 779 Words 11140 Rockville Pike Suite 400 Rockville, MD 20852 United StatesMarketing Manager353-1-4434-232 The EMS vehicles market report is a coherent market intelligence on the key revenue growth drivers, industry opportunities, industry trends, and challenges that will eventually impact the growth trajectory of the global EMS vehicles market. An overview of the global EMS vehicles market in the light of the current global healthcare and automotive industry scenario reveals interesting facets pertaining to the adoption of EMS vehicles across key regional markets. An assessment of some of the EMS vehicles market indicators provides detailed insights derived from the global EMS vehicles supply chain analysis, value chain analysis, and the business performance of EMS vehicles across the various regional EMS vehicles markets. A list of the top companies currently engaged in the globalEMS vehicles market adds more credibility to this extensive market study.Emergency medical services to treat conditions such as obstetric complications, infection or injury through rapid assessment, quick transportation to the nearest appropriate health facility by the best possible means to improve survival, prevent disability and control morbidity have surged. As such, developments in medical care and technology have stretched the parameters of what had been the traditional domain of emergency services. No longer limited to actual in-hospital treatment from arrival to stabilization, incorporate prehospital care and transportation. The level of pre-hospital emergency medical care differs significantly from community to community across the countries, ranging from basic life support (BLS) offered by an EMT-basic to advanced life support (ALS) offered by a paramedic.Rising investment in emergency medical care has become a priority given emergency medical systems approach a range of set of diseases spanning the landscape of communicable infections, non-communicable conditions, injuries and obstetrics. The cost and effectiveness estimates tend to depend upon whether the community embraces traditional communication or modern communication systems.For More Details - A sample of this report is available upon request here -As emergency medical services vehicles go driverless, paramedical staff can concentrate on administering care without the loss of time. Meanwhile, where paramedical personnel exist as part of the EMS, their numbers and organization training, location, monitoring and deploymentcan be augmented to propel response time and patient outcomes, especially for obstetric and cardiac emergencies.Two-wheeler EMS Vehicles and Self-driven EMS Vehicles Trending the Global Automotive MarketVehicles catering to emergency medical services (EMS) are finding widespread adoption across the global healthcare sector. Innovations and technological advancements are redefining the paradigms of EMS vehicles deployment for critical care functions. A new trend governing the global EMS market is the introduction of bike ambulances basically two-wheeler EMS vehicles that ply on roads with congested traffic. Especially in countries like India, the increased vehicle population on roads warrants the use of two-wheeled EMS vehicles to address emergency medical issues with speed and efficiency.Pricing Analysis of EMS Vehicles Reveals the Influence of Cost, Customization, and Compliance over Vehicle PricingWhile EMS vehicles are being manufactured in large numbers to cater to the rising demands from the global healthcare industry, the pricing structure of EMS vehicles is driven by several key factors. Cost is paramount here prices of various components and raw materials used in the automotive sector are increasing by the day. Producer price indices for core raw materials such as plastic, aluminum, rolled steel, and resins have skyrocketed in the last 10 years, and this is anticipated to have a cascading effect on the pricing structure of EMS vehicles.Browse Full Report with ToC Here:The report includes executive summary, overview section which reveal a deep dive analysis of the emergency medical services (EMS) bean market. Furthermore, market overview section focuses on PESTLE analysis to present a thorough assessment on the market. Meanwhile, the overview section delineates Porters Five Force analysis that will aid in analyzing competitive scenario with pertaining to emergency medical services (EMS) bean market.Emergency medical services also play a critical role in trauma care. Every year, thousands die in road mishaps and accidents throughout the world. Trained EMS professionals assist the transportation of patients to pre-designated trauma centers through EMS vehicles fitted with the latest emergency medical equipment.Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Market: Competitive LandscapeThe robust analysis of competitive landscape of the emergency medical services (EMS) bean market is bolstered by Porters Five Force Analysis. Besides, the Porters Five Force Analysis delves into potential strategies of the pertinent players in the emergency medical services (EMS) bean market. Additionally, the report also elucidates SWOT analysis, company profile, product portfolio, recent development, company profile, strategic approach, key differentiation.Have Any Query?? Ask Our Industry Expert PR-Inside.com: 2019-05-07 22:41:19 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 913 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / May 7, 2019 / Sandstorm Gold Ltd. ("Sandstorm Gold Royalties," "Sandstorm" or the "Company") (NYSE American: SAND, TSX: SSL) has released its results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2019 (all figures in U.S. dollars).First Quarter HighlightsAttributable gold equivalent ounces sold1 of 14,071 ounces (Q1 2018 - 14,685 ounces);Revenue of $18.2 million (Q1 2018 - $19.5 million);Cash flows from operating activities, excluding changes in non-cash working capital1 of $12.1 million (Q1 2018 - $13.4 million);Average cash cost per attributable gold equivalent ounce1 of $241 resulting in cash operating margins(1) of $1,050 per ounce (Q1 2018 - $276 per ounce and $1,050 per ounce respectively);Net income of $2.5 million (Q1 2018 - $0.4 million).Significant Acquisitions:In January 2019, the Company acquired a 0.9% net smelter returns ("NSR") royalty on the precious metals produced from the Fruta del Norte gold project in Ecuador, which is currently under construction and owned by Lundin Gold Inc. ("Lundin Gold"). The royalty was acquired from a private third party for $32.8 million in cash and covers a land package of more than 644 square kilometres in size, including all 30 mining concessions held by Lundin Gold. For more information on this acquisition, see Sandstorm's press release dated January 18th, 2019.In April 2019, the Company announced that it had entered into a $42.5 million financing package with Americas Silver Corporation which includes a $25 million precious metal stream and NSR royalty on the Relief Canyon gold project in Nevada, USA, a $10 million convertible debenture and a $7.5 million private placement. Under the terms of the precious metals stream, Sandstorm is entitled to receive 32,022 ounces of gold over a 5.5 year period, after which, the Company will purchase 4% of the gold or silver produced from the Relief Canyon project for ongoing per ounce cash payments equal to 30% - 65% of the spot price of gold or silver. In addition, Sandstorm will also receive a 1.4% - 2.8% NSR royalty on the area surrounding the Relief Canyon mine. For more information on this acquisition, see Sandstorm's press release dated April 3rd, 2019.OutlookBased on the Company's existing royalties, attributable gold equivalent ounces sold for 2019 is forecasted to be between 63,000 and 70,000 ounces. The Company is forecasting attributable gold equivalent production of over 140,000 ounces in 2023.In early April, Sandstorm received its first silver delivery from Cerro Moro under the Yamana silver stream agreement. This delivery, which amounted to 300,000 silver ounces, represented the maximum quarterly amount under the stream agreement. Cerro Moro is expected to produce 6.0 million silver ounces in 2019.Financial resultsSandstorm's revenue during the first quarter of 2019 was $18.2 million compared with $19.5 million for the comparable period in 2018. The decrease is largely due to a 4% decrease in the attributable gold equivalent ounces sold and a 3% decrease in the average realized selling price of gold.Net income was higher when compared to the same period in 2018 partly due to certain non-recurring items that were recognized during the first quarter of 2018, including a $4.5 million non-cash impairment charge relating to the Gualcamayo royalty. Other factors impacting the increase in net income include a $1.2 million gain on the revaluation of the Company's investments, largely driven by the change in fair value of the Equinox convertible debenture, and a $0.9 million decrease in cost of sales. The increase in net income was partially offset by a $0.4 million increase in finance expense related to the Company drawing on its revolving credit facility during the first quarter of 2019.Streams & Royalties: Q1 UpdatesOf the gold equivalent ounces sold by Sandstorm during the first quarter of 2019, approximately 40% were attributable to mines located in Canada, 13% from the rest of North America, 20% from South America and 27% from other countries.Three months ended Mar 31, 2019Revenue(in millions)Gold EquivalentOuncesCanada$7.35,658North America excl. Canada$2.41,877South America$3.62,758Other$4.93,778Total$18.214,071CanadaStreams and royalties on Canadian mines contributed 5,658 of the attributable gold equivalent ounces sold during the first quarter of 2019, a 1% increase compared to the first quarter of 2018. The change is primarily due to increases in gold equivalent ounces sold from the Ming mine in Newfoundland and in royalty revenue from the Thunder Creek mine in Ontario. The increases were partially offset by decreases in gold equivalent ounces sold from the Black Fox mine in Ontario and in royalty revenue from the Bracemac-McLeod mine in Quebec.North America Excluding CanadaThe attributable gold equivalent ounces sold from operations located within North America, but outside of Canada, decreased by 18% compared to the first quarter in 2018. The changes were driven primarily by a decrease in gold ounces sold from the Santa Elena mine in Mexico.South AmericaOperations in South America contributed 27% less gold equivalent ounces when compared to the first quarter of 2018. The change was driven by a decrease in gold equivalent ounces from the Yamana silver stream on the Minera Florida mine in Chile and the Chapada mine in Brazil.OtherStreams and royalties on mines in other countries contributed 26% more gold equivalent ounces sold when compared to the first quarter of 2018. The change is primarily due to increases in gold equivalent ounces sold from the Karma mine in Burkina Faso and in royalty revenue from the Hounde mine in Burkina Faso.Webcast & Conference Call DetailsA conference call will be held on Wednesday, May 8, 2019 starting at 8:30am PDT to further discuss the first quarter results. To participate in the conference call, use the following dial-in numbers and conference ID, or join the webcast using the link below:International: (+1) 201 389 0899North American Toll-Free: (+1) 877 407 0312Conference ID: 13690127Webcast URL: https://bit.ly/2UrX9QL Note 1Sandstorm has included certain performance measures in Factmr PR-Inside.com: 2019-05-07 12:28:25 Press Information FactMR 11140 Rockville Pike Suite 400 Rockville, MD 20852 United States Abhishek Budholiya Marketing Manager 353-1-4434-232 email https://www.factmr.com/ # 696 Words 11140 Rockville Pike Suite 400 Rockville, MD 20852 United StatesMarketing Manager353-1-4434-232 Demand for vocal biomarkers is primarily driven by mounting incidences of neurological, psychological, and various other ailments that impact speech such as Parkinsons disease, depression, and attention deficit & disruptive behavior disorders. According to WHO, nearly 350 Mn individuals across the globe suffered from depression in 2016. The Parkinsons disease Foundations estimates slated nearly 10 Mn patients with the disease worldwide in 2016. High prevalence of these disorders are expected to significantly rub off on demand and sales of vocal biomarkers.Quantification and detection of imperceptible characteristics and subtle changes in the voice can precisely decipher essential aspects of a persons changing health, including depression, stress and cardiovascular diseases. Accordingly, clinical psychologists and psychoanalysts have been using vocal patterns of patients to assess their personality traits and move further in leaps and bounds in medical and clinical investigations.Get Free Sample Report Here:A recently compiled report of Fact.MR envisages the global vocal biomarker market to record a spectacular 23.3% CAGR between the forecast period 2018 and 2027. Revenues from global sales of vocal biomarkers are foreseen to surpass US$ 390 Mn by 2027-end. Beyond Verbal, Sonde Health, IBM Corporation, and other leading participants operating in the global vocal biomarker market have been profiled and analyzed in detail in the report.An Israeli company, Beyond Verbal is developing much anticipated voice-enabled AI solutions, aimed at creating proprietary vocal biomarkers for relentless remote monitoring and personalized healthcare screening of health and emotions. Beyond Verbal infers that clinical data delineated with the help of AI, deep learning and machine learning techniques can assist in predicting and monitoring chronic diseases with initial successful results in alluding the presence of sleep apnea, COPD, CHF and detecting coronary artery disease through the voice. Another pertinent company, Sonde Health Inc. joined hands with Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to introduce voice-based technology platform, enabling diagnosis and monitoring of various conditions and diseases.Embracing the future by leveraging technology, psychiatrists or psychologists could use biomarkers to instantaneously diagnose postpartum depression in new mothers, PTSD, specific cancers, Parkinsons disease and even senile dementia.Leveraging Product Development to Enhance CollaborationProduct development prevails as an imperative strategy driving collaborating between leading companies and research institutes across various sectors, and healthcare is no exception, Apropos of vocal biomarkers, Beyond Verbal has developed Beyond mHealth Research Platform, which aims at collaborating with universities, businesses, hospitals, and research institutes for collectively developing unique vocal biomarkers.Vocal Biomarker Market: OverviewThe report offers an up-to-date and comprehensive analysis on vocal biomarker market taking qualitative and quantitative assessment into consideration. The report also elucidates the dynamics of the market such as drivers, restraints, trend and opportunities which have significant impact in the growth of the market. The report peruses into the segregation of market to present a holistic picture of vocal biomarker.Browse Full Report with ToC Here:The report encompasses comprehensive executive summary along with market overview section. The report also delineates economic outlook and profitability of enterprises. The report depicts investment feasibility matrix and PEST analysis to offer an in-depth view of the vocal biomarker landscape. The report also includes competition footprint matrix and product life cycle analysis. The report also incorporates mergers and acquisitions in the vocal biomarker market.The information in the report is backed up by primary research, incorporating interactions in person, a reliable and authentic views of seasoned analyst, surveys, interviews and actionable insights of experts. Besides, the report is underpinned by secondary research encompassing resourceful database, trade journals and verified paid sources. The report is furthered by absolute dollar opportunity analysis which is an instrumental aspect in determining the growth of the vocal biomarker market.Vocal Biomarker Market: Competitive ScenarioThe report also includes Porters Five Force Analysis which serves as basis for delineating competitive landscape of vocal biomarker market. Assessing competitiveness becomes imperative to comprehend and anticipate the moves by competitors, for instance. The report includes deep dive analysis with a dashboard view, including product portfolio, financial overview, recent developments and strategies.Have Any Query?? Ask Our Industry Expert: Union Bank of Nigeria (UBN) Plc on Tuesday said it achieved over one million active mobile users and over 400,000 active online users in 2018. The banks Chief Executive Officer, Emeka Emuwa, made this known at the companys 50th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Lagos. Mr Emuwa told the shareholders that the bank during the period deepened customer acquisition which resulted in a 68 per cent growth in new-to-bank accounts. He said the growth was achieved through improved engagement strategy, service delivery and robust digital platforms. We now have 4.5 million customers served across all our touch points. Today, we have over one million active mobile users and over 400,000 active online users, Mr Emuwa said. He noted that increased channel activity contributed to 101 per cent increase in fees which stood at N2.2 billion in 2018 against N1.1 billion in 2017. Mr Emuwa said the bank in the current year would prioritise customer acquisition, digital and automation, portfolio diversification and cost optimisation, among others, to drive growth and success. He noted that the bank would continue to deepen customer acquisition and retention through product and service innovation, robust and reliable channel platforms and customer experience. On the groups performance for 2018 and plans for 2019, Mr Emuwa said: Our priorities in 2018 were three pronged; enhancing our productivity across board; tightening up our loan portfolio (especially resolving key large exposures which drove NPLs up significantly at the end of 2017); and optimising the banks capital and funding base. I am pleased to report that we made significant strides in each focus area. Notwithstanding a depressed economic environment and a challenging operating landscape, our efforts to optimise productivity delivered results. The chief executive officer said the company in 2019 would double-down on productivity efforts to deliver financial targets. We are harnessing synergies across our business segments to ensure we maximise opportunities across entire value chains, while centralising key business and operational functions for better efficiency, and prioritising customer experience across all our touch points, Mr Emuwa said. He explained that the bank was well positioned to continue executing key business priorities in 2019 and beyond following successful execution of its debut local currency bond issue to raise N13.5 billion and the tightening of loan portfolio. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that major highlights of the groups financial performance for the financial year ended December 31, 2018 showed that profit before tax grew by 33 per cent to 18.5 billion from 13.9 billion in 2017. Customer deposits also went up by seven per cent to N857.6 billion compared to N802.4 billion in 2017, continuing its upward trajectory since 2016; an indication of consumers growing confidence in the brand. As a result of aggressive focus on recoveries, the banks Non-Performing Loan ratio declined to 8.1 per cent in December 2018 from 20.8 per cent as at December 2017. (NAN) A Lagos Division of the Federal High Court on Tuesday rejected a preliminary objection filed by the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, seeking to dismiss the N3 billion suit filed by mobile telecommunications giant, MTN, against the Nigerian government. Chukwujekwu Aneke, the judge, ruled that the suit was not filed out of time, as argued by the AGF. At the last hearing in March, Tijani Gazali, counsel to the AGF, sought a dismissal of the suit, arguing that the failure of MTN to file the suit within three months of the cause of action had robbed the court the jurisdiction to entertain the matter. According to the AGF, the plaintiff (MTN) instituted the suit in disregard to Section 2 of the Public Officers Protection Act which provides that any action against a public officer must be made within three months from the commencement of the cause of action. But Wole Olanipekun, counsel to MTN, urged the judge to dismiss the AGFs objection for being frivolous. Mr Olanipekun, a SAN, said the AGFs preliminary objection was filed out of time and, therefore, null and void since he did not apply for an extension of time. In his ruling, the judge noted that using a simple calculation from when the AGF wrote the final letter in August and September 2018, it cannot be said that MTN filed the suit outside the three months prescribed by law. Subsequently, the preliminary objection is misconceived and accordingly dismissed with no order as to cost. The judge adjourned till June 26 for the hearing of the substantive case. MTN had filed a suit last year challenging the AGFs claims of unpaid import duties and withholding taxes between 2007 and 2017 amounting to N242 billion and $1.3 billion. The telecoms firm demanded N3 billion as general and exemplary damages and legal costs. Last January, the company and the Nigerian government had agreed to an out-of-court settlement in a separate suit in which the government accused the company of illegally repatriating $8.1 billion out of the country. Arbitrary charges effected on Automated Teller Machine, ATM, cards and other services rendered by banks have been identified as a possible factor that may hinder Nigerias financial inclusion drive. Random respondents who spoke with PREMIUM TIMES on Monday said other charges like those on withdrawal limits also discourage customers, especially low-income earners, from accessing financial services offered by banks. Some of the respondents, who claim to have lost interest in bank services, attributed it to those controversial charges. Lingering Controversy Over the years, issues of ATM charges, card maintenance fee and other sundry charges have been major causes of controversies between banks and their customers in Nigeria. In September 2017, a viral campaign was launched against Nigerian banks by customers who lamented how they were unduly charged for various fees that were largely described ridiculous and unfair. Across social media platforms, angry Nigerians poured out their minds and called on the authorities to address the perceived anomaly. By October, the outrage had prompted the Nigerian Senate to frown at the various charges and withdrawal limits placed on accounts by the banks. The Senate also urged banks to allow N40,000 maximum per withdrawal through an ATM and not N10,000. In another resolution, it urged the Central Bank of Nigeria to suspend the ATM Card Maintenance Charges being deducted from customers account pending the outcome of the investigation by the Committees. It also called on the Consumer Protection Council to take up the plight of ordinary Nigerians by looking into the various complaints of excess and unnecessary charges by Nigerian Banks. But despite the intervention of the Senate, many Nigerians still complain of arbitrary charges on their bank accounts. Complaints Charles Okosi, a trader, said the amount a particular new generation bank charged him for Card Maintenance prompted him to close his account after several years of running it. The charges are just too crazy, he said of the amount deducted from sundry services. It is not even worth it. Kazeem Oba, a student of the Lagos State Polytechnic, Lagos, explained that although students accounts are easy to open because they attract zero balance, some of the charges effected on those accounts could be disheartening. They allow you to open the account without any money; savings account. But when you carefully calculate the charges they deduct for card maintenance and all that, youd realise nothing is free, he said. Another student of The Polytechnic Ibadan, Lateef Ojuolape, said his colleagues had abandoned their accounts with a particular new generation bank because of arbitrary charges made on those accounts. He explained that because they are students, there is a limit to how they can cope with the arbitrary charges. CBNs Drive According to the Nigerian central bank, the global pursuit of financial inclusion as a vehicle for economic development had a positive effect in Nigeria as the exclusion rate reduced from 53.0 per cent in 2008 to 46.3 per cent in 2010. In 2012, the CBN launched the National Financial Inclusion Strategy to further reduce the exclusion rate to 20 per cent by 2020. Last June, the CBN said the countrys unbanked population currently stood at 37 per cent. The apex bank lamented that it had not done much to ensure that more Nigerians are included in the nations financial sector. But beyond mere involvement, analysts have opined that a major phase of the financial inclusion journey is for those captured to be active within the financial ecosystem. Access to financial services especially among rural dwellers, poor technology and other logistic concerns have been identified as possible factors that could hinder the nations drive. But with arbitrary charges by banks, respondents who spoke with PREMIUM TIMES said that customers might lose interest in services offered to ease payments and other related transactions. Advertisements There are some traders I know who would not open an account, said Mr Okosi, a trader. They handle cash. They ordinarily will not trust any bank with their money but even if they want to, will they go ahead with all these stories of arbitrary charges that we have in Nigeria? Another respondent, Kunle, noted that his bank has been deducting charges on ATM maintenance fees from his account even as he has never obtained an ATM from the said bank. He said he may be forced to close the account in the nearest future. Threat A finance and public policy expert, Jide Ojo, told PREMIUM TIMES that the development is capable of jeopardising the nations drive toward development and financial inclusion. It is quite unfortunate that Central Bank of Nigeria has not been protecting bank customers, Mr Ojo said. I say this because of the impunity of indiscriminate and criminal bank charges from ATM maintenance fees to card maintenance fees. Even the issue of removal of charges on ATM withdrawal has been grossly flouted by banks. Unlike before when bank customers can withdraw up to N40,000 at once, now you can only withdraw N10,000 at once It, therefore, does not come as a surprise that many bank customers are closing their bank accounts. This poses a serious threat to the financial inclusion plan of CBN. The Niger State Government says it will not engage Health Management Organisations (HMOs) in its newly established State Contributory Health Scheme (NGSCHS). The Permanent Secretary of Niger State Ministry of Health, Makusidi M.M, said the measure became necessary because of the failure of HMOs to deliver services at the national level. The official was addressing some senior executives of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, (NIPSS) study tour team course 41 in Minna, the state capital. They arrived at the state on Monday for a study tour of the health sector, especially the primary health system. Everything is going digital and electronic. All we need to do is to send money directly to the accounts of the service providers. If we use HMOs, they will demand commission, that is why we are removing them in the public sector but engaging them in another way, Mr Makusidi said. We dont want to allow them (HMOs) become so powerful that you cannot even talk to them just like its happening in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). Many have linked poor coverage and service delivery of the NHIS to the operations of the HMOs. HMOs serve as the link between the scheme and the service providers. The scheme disburses cash to HMOs, every three months, who in turn pay service providers monthly for health services of participants. However, HMOs have allegedly not kept to that arrangement as service providers are unable to deliver adequate care. Since inception, HMOs have received over N350 billion from the health insurance scheme. NiCare Leadership newspaper reported three months ago that the bill establishing the Niger State Contributory Health Agency and the Scheme was passed into law last December and was signed by the governor, Abubakar Bello, with a takeoff fund of N100 million. Named NiCare, the scheme is managed by the contributory agency which oversees disbursement to the formal sector. In the informal sector, there will be a Third Party Agent (TPA) in charge of disbursement. To be enrolled in the scheme, each enrollee would pay N600 per head monthly, which will amount to N7,200 annually for the informal sector. In the formal sector, 2.5 per cent of the monthly salary, to be matched with the same amount by the employer, will be deducted at source. Mohammed Usman, the Executive Secretary of the agency, said the scheme is mandatory for all indigenes of the state. The purpose of putting the agency is to ensure that all the people of Niger have access to quality healthcare services. They should not suffer any financial hardship, he told PREMIUM TIMES immediately after a meeting with the NIPPS delegation, Monday afternoon. We have not yet started implementing, but right now, what we are doing is that we are accrediting the facilities and the TPAs we are going to use. By next month, we will go into enrollment and in July, we will start providing services. New NHIS Act, Mandatory Insurance The proposed bill to repeal the NHIS Act has passed third reading in the Senate and awaits presidential assent. While the bill, which comprises of nine parts and 80 sections, makes health insurance mandatory for all Nigeria, it also makes the engagement of HMOs optional. It also provided a clear-cut guideline on how state insurance schemes should be run. PREMIUM TIMES reported how health experts agreed that health insurance should be made compulsory for Nigeria to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) during the first phase of the NIPSS study tour in Abuja. In continuation of the tour, NIPSS, in collaboration with the Development Research and Project Centre (DRPC) on Monday commenced routine visits around the health sectors of four states, starting with Niger and Taraba. Nasirdeen Usman, the Secretary-General of the Alumni association of NIPSS, is the team leader of the tour. The project is aimed at bridging the gap between policymakers and the end recipients of government policies. Advertisements NIPSS is Nigerias policy formation centre for bureaucrats, private sector leaders, army officers, medium-rank and senior civil servants. It was founded in 1979. Nigerian legislators from the Senate and House Committees on Health, Appropriation, and National Planning who are attending a legislative retreat in Johannesburg, South Africa, on budgeting for health, remarked on Monday that bureaucracy is the key obstacle to implementing the mandatory 15 per cent budgetary allocation to the health sector. The meeting, which theme is Legislative Retreat on Budgeting for Health, is holding at the Pan African Parliament in Midrand, Johannesburg as a joint initiative between the Nigerian Institute of Legislative Studies [NILS] and its south African counterpart. The Nigerian delegation is led by Ladi Hamalai, the Director General of NILS based in Abuja. The African Union in its famous 2001 Abuja Declaration proposed a 15 per cent budget spending to the health sector as a condition to achieve a universal and better healthcare services in each country of the continent. Emphasising the challenge of bureaucracy, Sonni Ogbuoji, deputy chairman of Nigerias Senate committee on Appropriation told PREMIUM TIMES at the Pan African Parliament venue of the programme, in Midrand, Johannesburg, that We need to rejig and retool our implementation process so that we can get at least a fair measure of whatever a budgetary allocation that is given to health. Mr. Ogbuoji stressed that If you say we are budgeting below the 15 per cent as recommended for health and our budget is say 8 per cent, we need to see 8 per cent on ground so we can tell ourselves that if we improve it to 10 per cent we shall get 10 per cent and if we now make it 15 it will be Eldorado Jones Onyereri, chairman of Nigerian House committee on banking and finance added, in a more optimistic tone, that while it behoves on Nigeria to respect the Abuja declaration on 15 per cent allocation to the health sector, the legislators are mindful of the enormous challenges the Nigerian economy is facing at the moment. However, Mr. Onyereri believes that the House of Representatives will get close to the vision of the Abuja declaration in the 2017 appropriation, hinting that I believe that this wont be a waste of time, in reference to the retreat with compatriots from South African countries. Nigerian civic sector actors in the public health community have run a three-year aggressive advocacy led by the Partnership for advocacy in child and family health [PACFaH] in the believe that expanded and increased health sector appropriation in Nigeria will help enable a universal health coverage and efficient primary health delivery in the country. Nigerias current health sector appropriation is 4.64 per cent of the annual budget, according to Nigeria Health Watch. This is 10 per cent lower than the budget cap recommended by the African Union in its famous 2001 Abuja Declaration. PREMIUM TIMES data team, working on ten years of Nigerian and South African health data [20062015] say that, based on proportion of national budget appropriated for healthcare, both countries have failed to achieve the threshold spending of the Abuja Declaration. However, the South African government has increasingly shown better parliamentary leadership through oversight and allocation to the health sector, two reasons which earned South Africa the hosting right for the study tour. As the data below indicates, only in 2010 and 2015 did South Africa top Nigeria in health spending between 20062015 but its increase since 2012 had shown measured and continuous rise. With the graphic presentation, it is evident that funds committed to the health sector by the Nigerian government between 2006 and 2015 always hovered around 5 per cent but never got close to the recommended 15 per cent by the African Union standard. The 2010 appropriation was the worst over time with 3.9 per cent and has continued to decline since 2012. South Africa Performed Better by Health Indicators Despite Nigerias eight times lead in health appropriation over South Africa, data is leading to realisation that the problem is even more complicated than a mere case of financing. South Africa, performed better on the World Health Organisation [WHO] ranking of Health systems performance in 2015 ranking 175 out of 190 as against Nigerias 187th position. Over the years the government of South Africa have had a consistent health plan which successive government had followed through. Analyzing available data and narrowing them to specific health indicators in four important primary health issues, nominal health budget proportion favours Nigeria, however the health output or indicator performance was unmistakably in favour of South Africa. Healthcare experts believe that South Africas modest but steady performance in its health spending and outcomes owe more to the commitment of every stakeholder, ranging from the political to technocrat class, as evidenced in the commitments of the ruling political party as highlighted in a 2011 DFID report. Malaria deaths The malaria chart shows that while South Africa continues to persistently experience a decline in their malaria related deaths, Nigeria on the other hand continues to experience an upsurge, peaking at over ten thousand deaths in 2014. However, 2015 data shows a percentage decrease of 35.9 reported deaths signifying a great leap. While within the same time frame South Africa experienced a huge percentage increment 57.4 reported deaths. Neonatal Deaths Neonatal deaths in Nigeria still remains a major source of concern. It has continued on a scary increase compared to South Africas managed record of 15,000 in 2011 that stabilized at 14000 over the last two years while Nigeria continues to record hundreds of thousands in deaths. Maternal Deaths Perhaps one area where the south Africans may want to listen to their Nigerian visitors is how Nigeria is winning the war against maternal mortality. Based on World Bank data on both countries, Nigeria has made nominal progress in curtailing maternal deaths from 2005 while South Africa is still struggling to keep its decline in check. Under 5 years Mortality With respect to Under 5 deaths, data is revealing that both Nigeria and South Africa have good stories with the nominal decline. A major direction for Nigerian legislative delegate to South Africa might be to seek insight on how oversight function and budget implementation monitoring has enhanced outcomes for South Africa than Nigeria. Advertisements Download the data used for this story here and you can also view full infographics here. Data Sources: Nigeria Budget Office, South Africa National Treasury, World Health Organization, and World Bank Apparently disgusted by the negative effect the activities of internet fraudsters impose on Nigerias image, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Ibadan Judicial Division, on Monday, May 6, 2019, rejected the terms of plea bargain presented on behalf of Oladimeji Abiola, an internet fraudster. Instead of the six months prison term proposed in the plea bargain agreement, the judge sentenced Mr Abiola to one year, saying too liberal sentencing would not achieve deterrence which was meant to be the spirit of the law against crimes. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibadan zonal office, arrested Mr Abiola alongside his other colleagues at their hideout in Ibadan on February 4, 2019, for internet fraud. He was thereafter arraigned on February 19, 2019, when he pleaded not guilty to a five-count charge of false pretence, possession of fraudulent documents and knowingly sending indecent, offensive and pornographic pictures preferred against him. At the resumed hearing Monday, the prosecution counsel, Shamsuddeen Bashir, informed the court of the plea bargain agreement between Mr Abiola and the EFCC and urged the court to accept same as he called upon his client to plea to the amended charge presented to the court. The main thrust of the plea bargain agreement states that Mr Abiola be sentenced to six months imprisonment with effect from the date of his arrest and that the sum of $360 (Three Hundred and Sixty United States of American Dollars) already returned by him during investigations be restituted to the victim through the Federal Government of Nigeria. He pleaded guilty to the one-count amended charge when it was read to him. The presiding judge consequently convicted and sentenced him to one-year imprisonment in view of the prevalence of the crime in the society and the way the defendant participated in tarnishing the image of the country. This is to serve as deterrent to others, the judge declared. Similarly, the commissions Ibadan zonal office on Monday arraigned one Yusuf Babatunde, an internet fraud suspect, before Justice P. I Ajoku of the Federal High Court 1, Ibadan. Mr Yusuf was arraigned on a three-count charge bordering on cybercrime and impersonation. The offences were contrary to Section 1(3), Section 22(3)(a) of the cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act 2015 and punishable under Section 22(4) of the said Act. One of the charges reads: That you Yusuf Babatunde (a.k.a John Ben, Lilian John) sometimes in December, 2018, in Ibadan, Oyo state within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with the intent to defraud did possess documents in your Google Account with email lilianjohn0147@gmail.com containing false pretence and thereby committed an offence contrary to sections 6 and 8 (b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under section 1 (3) of the said Act. After pleading not guilty to the charges, the EFCC lawyer, Ibe Kute, prayed the court for a trial date and an order to remand the defendant in prison custody. However, counsel to the accused, Jimoh Babatunde,, presented a bail application on behalf of his client, arguing that the offence was bailable. The application was declined. Justice Ajoku adjourned the case to June 5 for trial and ordered that the defendant be remanded in the Agodi prison pending the determination of his case. The Kano State government has launched a fresh probe to scrutinise the expenses of the Kano Emirate Council from 2013 to 2019. The probe was initiated by the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission, according to a letter dated May 2, and signed by the commissions head of operations, Suleiman Gusau. Also, a top official in the commission, who asked not to be named, confided to PREMIUM TIMES that the letter has been sent to the emirate council, inviting some officials to come and clarify some issues. The letter invited top emirate officials including Mohammad Kwaru (accountant of the council); Mannir Sanusi (chief of staff to the emir); Isa Sanusi (former principal private secretary and half-brother to the emir) and Mujittaba Falakin Kano (private secretary to the emir), to shed light on spending from 2013 to 2019. The officials are expected to honour the commissions invitation on Thursday, May 9, by 12 p.m. at the headquarters of the agency. Mismanagement of funds? The letter indicated the commission invited the aforementioned staff for an alleged violation of section 26 of its enabling law in the management of emirates funds. It also stated that the invitation was based on the power conferred to it under Section 9 and 15 of Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-corruption Commission Law 2008 (as amended). The commission and the state assemby had earlier started a similar investigation, which many believed were moves to dethrone Mr Sanusi, an outspoken leader. Mr Sanusi was a former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria. While he held sway under the Jonathan administration, he often revealed acts of fraud in the economy which did not endear him to many. Since assuming the throne, he has also constantly put the authorities on their toes through regular criticism of government policies. Additional Emirates The current move comes just hours after the Kano Assembly formed a committee to look into the possibility of creating four additional emirates in the state in order to whittle down the emirs powers. In a plenary session on Monday, Speaker of the House, Kabiru Rurum, read a letter signed by one Ibrahim Salisu and others, seeking the creation of new emirates in Karaye, Bichi, Rano and Gaya. A former governor of Kano, Abubakar Rimi, had once created additional emirates in Karaye, Rano and Gaya during the reign of the late Emir Ado Bayero. But this was later revoked by his successor, Sabo Bakinzuwo. To chart a roadmap for Universal Health Coverage in Nigeria, the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, (NIPPS) is embarking on a study tour of four states in the country, to understudy their primary health systems. The tour, which is aimed at bridging the gap between policymakers and the end recipients of government policies, commenced on Monday simultaneously in Niger and Taraba states and will last for a week. Lagos and Akwa Ibom will be visited subsequently. The visit is coordinated by NIPSS in collaboration with the Development Research and Project Centre (DRPC). It is also targeted at building the capacity of participants on the primary health systems as well as providing guidance on the basic minimum packages for PHCs, organisers said. The study tour team course 41 was led by Nasirdeen Usman, the NIPPS director of studies to Niger state. Upon arrival to the state on Monday, the team met with executives of the Niger State Contributory Health Agency (NGSCHS) and health insurance was discussed extensively. They also met with the states Hospitals Management Board (HMB) and the Niger State Drugs and Hospital Consumables Management Agency. They equally toured the states medical drug centre. NIPPS NIPPS is Nigerias policy formation centre for bureaucrats, private sector leaders, army officers, medium-rank and senior civil servants. It was founded in 1979. Many policymakers in Nigeria have attended the NIPSS. Notable among them are ex-military dictator, Ibrahim Babangida, and Nuhu Ribadu, a former anti-corruption chief. Each year, the institute develops a policy plan for the country. It reports directly to the Nigerian president and is supervised by the vice president. This year, NIPPS has a mandate of charting a roadmap that will help the country achieve UHC through better funding mechanism. At the end of this study tour, we will come up with recommendations and strategies that will be conveyed to the president as a pathway to achieving UHC, D. L Sanda, a NIPPS delegate, had said three weeks ago at the introductory phase of the tour in Abuja. The event is coming barely a month after PREMIUM TIMES reported that NIPPS and DRPC led the Nigerian delegation for theAfrica Health Agenda International Conference 2019 (AHAIC) which held in Rwanda. The conference was centred on how African countries can achieve UHC by 2030. Achieving UHC by 2030 is the central target of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 3.8. Targets of SDG 3 include ending preventable deaths of newborns and children under five years of age by 2030. However, five children under five years of age are still dying from preventable causes every five minutes in Africa, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). The Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has appeared before the Senate in plenary to brief the lawmakers over the spate of kidnappings across Nigeria. He appeared alongside the special adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters, Ita Enang, and other police officers. Mr Adamu was invited by the Senate on April 25 to brief the senate on security matters as well as proffer lasting solutions to the menace. The IGPs invitation was one of the many resolutions made after a deliberation on a motion on the senseless killing of a Briton and the abduction of three others in a Holiday Resort in Kaduna State by armed bandits sponsored by Shehu Sani (PRP, Kaduna Central). At the start of plenary, the Senate leader, Ahmed Lawan, prayed that his colleagues take the security briefing from the IGP before any other matter of the day. He thereafter, moved that the Senate resolve into the committee of the whole and invite Messrs Adamu and Enang into the chamber. The Senate President, Bukola Saraki, announced that the briefing will be done behind closed-doors. The Senate went into executive session at about 11:25 a.m. More details later.. A Magistrate Court in Abuja has granted bail to a senator, Ademola Adeleke, after his arraignment for alleged certificate forgery. Mr Adeleke was arraigned on Tuesday after presenting himself for questioning to the police on Monday. The police charged him with five counts of certificate forgery. According to the charges, Mr Adeleke presented forged certificates to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in 2017. He pleaded not guilty to the charges. After taking his plea, the defence lawyers asked for bail for their client. The request was granted by the Magistrate, Muhammed Zubairu, who asked him to post a bond of N2 million with one surety in like sum. He said the surety must be resident in Abuja and is expected to provide evidence of his source of livelihood. The magistrate adjourned the matter till June 24 for hearing. Mr Adeleke left the premises of the court at 12: 22 p.m, after meeting the bail conditions. He had been granted leave to travel abroad by a federal high Court presided by Inyang Ekwo on Monday on health grounds. According to the order made by the Federal High Court, Mr Adeleke is expected to return by June 9 from his medical vacation. Mr Adeleke is currently facing multiple trials following allegations related to his West African Examination Certificate. The politician was first arrested in September 2018, a few days to the Osun governorship election in which he was the main opposition challenger. He was accused of writing WAEC with muddled identity in order to strengthen his credentials for the governorship election that was then upcoming. The senator denied the allegations of forgery when he was arraigned by the police, saying he had been a victim of vindictive politics of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Mr Adeleke, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, was defended by the principal of the school in which he was accused of committing the offence. A statement from his office Monday night said the principal and WAEC swore to affidavits in his defence against the accusation of forgery or impersonation. The PDP has condemned the recent arrest, describing it as an attempt by the ruling APC to further intimidate Mr Adeleke. President Muhammadu Buharis agriculture sector initiatives may yield no success if the insecurity devastating Nigerias northwest persists, the Emir of Katsina, Abdulmumini Usman, suggested on Monday. According to Daily Trust, the Emir told the Minister for Agriculture, Audu Ogbe, that farmers and herdsmen who are the target beneficiaries of government initiatives have abandoned their farms and herds as killings and kidnappings spiral in the region, which includes Katsina, Mr Buharis home state. Mr Ogbe was in the Katsina palace, alongside the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, ahead of the national launch of the distribution of cotton seeds/inputs to farmers for the 2019 planting season, the newspaper reported. But the Emir seized the moment to lament the level of insecurity in the region, which appears to be deteriorated as the so-called bandits continue to kidnap and kill from Abuja-Kaduna highway to rural communities across the northwest. There are no reliable statistics on the incidents but Punch newspaper reported that 41 persons were killed last week in Zamfara State alone and reports of kidnappings and killings in other states, including Kaduna, feature in the dailies almost every day. Every day I receive reports of kidnapping and killings from the district and village heads, the Emir said, as reported by Daily Trust. Speaking to the visiting minister, he said: Tell the president that we have to take care of our people, security first. All these programmes, as good as they are, cannot be (successful) without security. Security is first and fundamental. He continued: What are you to gain by killing, kidnapping people? Its very unfortunate. I have not seen this kind of country; how do we live like animals? Three days ago, Magaji Gari (of Daura emirate council) was abducted. Nobody is safe now, whether in your house or road, wherever you are. What we want you to do for us is to stop the fight. Many people have deserted, abandoned their farms in fear of kidnapping and killings and other atrocities. Its very unfortunate. Although there is an ongoing military operation to restore calm in the northwest, the region has remained troubled. Daily Trust had previously reported that Nigerians in Katsina were fleeing to the neighbouring Niger Republic to escape the persistent attacks. The northwest is the latest addition to Nigerias regions where conflicts have risen beyond the police constabulary role and required military deployment. Others are the oil-rich Niger Delta, the Middle Belt or north-central which is affected by the herdsmen-farmers conflicts and the northeast that is ravaged by the Boko Haram terrorism. In the past week, federal lawmakers in both the Senate and House of Representatives lamented the worsening insecurity in the region. Between April 11 and last Thursday, the Reps twice summoned Mr Buhari over the crisis. The motion leading to the latest summon last Thursday was sponsored by a lawmaker from Mr Buharis Katsina home state, Ahmed Safana. For the last one year, Wallahi, I cant go to my village and sleep, one lawmaker Adamu Chika said during Thursdays proceedings. Overwhelmed by emotion, the lawmaker wept as he asked: Mr Speaker, where are we going? At the time, the president was in the United Kingdom on a private visit. On his arrival on Sunday, after 10 days, he appeared to be trivialising the insecurity when asked if the public should expect a new strategy. No. I have just seen the IG, I think he is losing weight. I think he is working very hard, he replied, referring to the police insepctor general. His lighthearted response to a deadly crisis many Nigerians believe should be considered a national emergency, sparked outrage. The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, on Tuesday told federal lawmakers that the police are making efforts to tackle the insecurity across the country as well as sanction erring officers within their fold, Senate President Bukola Saraki said. Mr Adamu appeared before the Senate in plenary and briefed the lawmakers over the spate of kidnappings across Nigeria. He appeared alongside the special adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters, Ita Enang, and police officers. The IGP was invited by the Senate on April 25 to brief the Senate on security matters as well as proffer lasting solutions to the menace of violent crimes across the country. The invitation was one of the many resolutions the lawmakers made after a deliberation on a motion on the senseless killing of a Briton and the abduction of three others in a Holiday Resort in Kaduna State by armed bandits sponsored by Shehu Sani (PRP, Kaduna Central). At the start of plenary, the Senate leader, Ahmed Lawan, prayed that his colleagues take the security briefing from the IGP before any other matter of the day. He thereafter, moved that the Senate resolve into the committee of the whole and invite Messrs Adamu and Enang into the chamber. The Senate then went into executive session at about 11:25 a.m. After the meeting which lasted for about two and a half hours behind closed doors, Mr Saraki said the IGP briefed the Senate on armed banditry, kidnappings, robberies, terrorist activities and other security challenges in the country. According to him, Mr Adamu promised to improve security on the Abuja-Kaduna road. He also said the Nigerian Police stated the efforts being made at ameliorating the situation and the challenges and that they hoped to address the menace squarely. The IGP promised to address the areas that have to do with disciplining of officers that have been found wanting. Efforts will be taken to improve on the situation, particularly on the Abuja-Kaduna axis and also on areas of intelligence and technology. The Senate also promised and committed that it is ready at any time to give assistance to provide adequate funding that is required in order to make the police be able to combat the necessary threats to our security, he said. The IGPs appearance before the Senate has been commended by both lawmakers and political watchers. This is because the former IGP, Ibrahim Idris, snubbed the Senates invitation four times last year. The Nigeria Labour Congress has accused the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, of being desperate to continue running the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) as a sole administrator. The Congress said this today at a press conference. The union vowed to stage a mass protest to press for the inauguration of the governing board of the fund with Frank Kokori as chairman. The president of NLC, Ayuba Wabba, who chaired the event said: It is clear that the minister of labour and employment is adamant on perpetually appropriating the NSITF in a sole proprietorship. Nigerian workers reject the manifest intent of Chris Ngige to continue to run the NSITF as a sole administrator. Mr Wabba said the intent of the minister is against the provision of laws establishing NSITF and all moral codes. He said a lot of falsehood is being peddled against Mr Kokori by the minister. Contrary to the lies by the minister, Frank Kokoris appointment by President Buhari was without any prompting by the NLC. In fact, it was Ngige who hinted us of Kokoris appointment, he said. Mr Wabba said he believed the president appointed Mr Kokori because of his history of being an incorruptible Nigerian who has never wavered on moral principles. These qualities, he said, Mr Ngige fears. Ngige confessed to some of us that his major problem with the appointment of Kokori is that he is too rigid for his liking, Mr Wabba said. The NLC boss said Mr Kokori was appointed on merit as confirmed by Vice President Yemi Osnibajo. He also said Mr Kokori is eminently more qualified to hold even higher offices as against the claim by the minister that Kokori is not academically qualified to chair the NSITF board. Mr Wabba said the union had written a formal communication to the presidency and all the security agencies on the issue. The union also accused Mr Ngige of recruiting 85 per cent of his village people in the ministry. Mr Wabba said the union would embark on a protest if the Kokori-led board is not inaugurated before May 1. Backstory PREMIUM TIMES had reported how Mr Kokori, a former General Secretary of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers Union (NUPENG), broke down in tears, when he accused Mr Ngige, of oppressing him. Mr Kokori had said this at the scheduled inauguration of the NSITF board, shortly after the event was postponed indefinitely. The minister through his spokesperson, Rhoda Iliya, had accused the NLC of disrupting the event. PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported the controversy surrounding the inauguration. Although the presidency named Mr Kokori as chairman-designate, the labour minister omitted his name when listing those to be inaugurated. The board was constituted by Yemi Osinbajo in October 2017 in his capacity as acting president. Ministers are empowered to inaugurate boards of agencies in their ministries. Mr Kokori, a former labour leader during the Sani Abacha military dictatorship, had told PREMIUM TIMES he would, however, attend the inauguration. Gunmen believed to be Boko Haram members Tuesday evening staged an attack on a convoy of travellers near Molai, a village at the outskirts of Maiduguri, the Borno State capital. The convoy of travellers was guarded by soldiers, but this did not deter the insurgents. The gunmen reportedly travelled from Damboa to the outskirts of Maiduguri before they began the attack near Molai village. Molai is a community known for such frequent attacks. Residents of the community said the attack started at about 6.30 p.m. when Muslims were about to break their fast. The attackers, according to a witness, Bulama Aji, were in their large numbers. They were in large number driving in more than a dozen vehicles. No one suspected that they were Boko Haram until they were about entering into Maiduguri. I wonder where the soldiers were when such a large number of gunmen invaded their convoy. Suddenly we saw one of the vehicles pull out in full speed and ram into a military escort van and a bomb went off. From then on, the other gunmen who embedded in the different parts of the convoy started shooting at the passengers as everyone scampered into safety. The gunmen made their way to Molai where they continued to shoot while setting houses and vehicles on fire, Mr Aji said. PREMIUM TIMES gathered that more soldiers have been deployed to the area. The source, who is an official of the local vigilante in that area, said many people may have been killed in the attack. From the way they attacked using car bomb, there is no doubt there would many casualties, said Mr Aji. But we cannot ascertain the extent of the damage till tomorrow morning, he said. The army is yet to speak on the attack. The tug of war between the labour minister, Chris Ngige, and the Nigeria Labour Congress, continued on Tuesday night over the leadership of a government agency. The two parties have called themselves names over Mr Ngiges insistence that ex-labour leader, Frank Kokori, will not be allowed to head the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF). Mr Kokori had been named as board chairman of the NSITF by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo about two years ago. But Mr Ngige refused to inaugurate the board of the agency. When he eventually decided to do inaugurate the board last month, the minister removed Mr Kokoris name from those to be inaugurated. He later said President Muhammadu Buhari had approved a replacement for Mr Kokori. The ministers actions have infuriated the NLC, whose president, Ayuba Wabba, addressed a press conference on Tuesday accusing Mr Ngige of desperation to remain sole adminstrator of the NSITF. Mr Ngige, in a statement by his spokesperson, Nwachukwu Obidiwe, on Thursday night replied the labour leader. He suggested that the NLCs insistence on Mr Kokori was to allow for corruption at the NSITF. Kokori, a labour leader, was nominated by Ayuba Waba and his journeymen to continue their vicious stranglehold on the NSITF, Mr Obidiwe said. Read the full statement by the labour minister below. The Hon. Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige has dismissed the press briefing held Tuesday by the President of the Nigerian Labour Congress(NLC) Comrade Ayuba Waba as a feeble attempt to wriggle out of shame and illegality, vowing to remain unshaken on the part of the law. The NLC can go ahead and picket the Ministry of labour and Employment and allied interests a million times, but I want to assure them that Ngige will remain on the side of the law, the minister said in a statement by his Special Assistant, Media, Nwachukwu Obidiwe. All the tissues of lies wrapped in a desperate escape route to nowhere by Waba has adequately been addressed variously. However, I wish to restate that the desperate moves by Ayuba and his co-travellers to impose their paddy-man as the chairman of the NSITF will continue to flounder on the insistence knockings of reason as well as the stoic resistance of the Hon. Minster to illegality. Hence, we make abundantly clear once more that the provisions of section 4(a) of the NSITF Act is very clear on the sole responsibility of the Minister of Labour and Employment to nominate a neutral, fit and proper person for the approval of the president for the Chairmanship of the board. The Hon. Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige NEVER nominated Comrade Frank Kokori. However, an appropriate recommendation has been made by the Hon. Minister in conformity with the NSITF Act and in fairness to the spirit of the labour tripartism. A chartered accountant, Senior Fellow of the Institute of Insurance of Nigeria and fellow of the Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, Austin Isire, has been nominated and approved by the President as the Chairman of the board of the NSITF. A neutral person for the avoidance of doubt is one who is neither pro-labour unions which Kokori is, nor Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA) an umbrella body representing private sector manufacturers nor a member of the government. This was the case during the recently concluded National Minimum Wage negotiation, where in the spirit of tripartism, a neutral, fit and proper person, Miss Amah Pepple, was nominated by the Hon. Minister and assented to by the President to chair the committee. Kokori, a labour leader, was nominated by Ayuba Waba and his journeymen to continue their vicious stranglehold on the NSITF and her sister parastatal, Trust Fund Pension where whoever is the chairman of the NISTF automatically becomes chairman. Ayuba, the labour leader is yet to explain to Nigerians his ominous silence over the pillage of the NSITF to the tune of N62 Billion naira when he took over as the NLC President. Nigerians had expected an outrage from him as a labour leader who has constantly been claiming though in ignorance, the NSITF funds, as belonging to workers. Did his election to the first term of office benefit in any way from the oozing filth? Let him tell Nigerians and why he is scared stiff that any other person except Kokori should chair the board of the NSITF. We wish to state once more that the NSITF fund is not workers money as it does not subsist on contributions from workers salaries. It is an insurance premium, an insurance cover contributed by employers in the private and public sectors for the benefit of workers and employers who die or injure in the course of work. May I state for the avoidance of doubt that the Hon. Minister of labour and Employment can neither be intimidated by blackmail nor by hooliganism. Certainly, Sen. Ngige cannot be derailed from carrying out his legitimate duties as directed by the President by rouge unionism. The Director of Centre for International Education (CIE), University of Ilorin, Olabisi Olasehinde-Williams, says the institution has the highest number of international student enrolment in the country for the 2018/2019 Academic Session. Mrs Olasheinde-Williams stated this at the 10th International Students Day celebration held at the University on Tuesday. She said the International Student enrolment now stands at over 300 from about 15 countries across the African sub-region. According to her, the foreign students are pursuing courses in the Immersion, Undergraduate and Postgraduate programmes of the University. The director added that this Semester alone, the university attracted 142 undergraduate and 10 postgraduate students from 13 countries. She also said the university currently has 15 international staff members apart from those who come to different departments on exchange or research programmes. To date we have international staff and students from 20 countries, including Benin Republic, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea and Ivory Coast. Other countries include Japan, Liberia, Libya, Niger Republic, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Pakistan and Togo among others, she said. She noted that the Centre liaises with the university administration to provide conducive work, social and living environment for International Staff. Mrs Olasheinde-Williams also said the University, through the Centres facilitation, has spent over N40 million TETFund grants on university staff for international conference attendance to different parts of the world. In the last batch alone, 23 TETFund conference grants, totaling N34.56 million, were secured for staff across various faculties of the university, she said. While congratulating the international staff and students for giving the university the reasons to celebrate a decade of internationalisation of university education, the director said she remains committed to connecting the world through education. Also speaking at the event, a former Director of CIE, University of Ilorin, Abdulrafi Omotosho, appealed to the Federal Government to open up the nations higher institution to experts from other countries. According to him, the cheapest way to transfer technology is to allow researchers from other countries to come, teach and train students. He explained that most countries in Europe, America, and the western world generally open their doors to outsiders to bring their expertise. The former director, however, observed that securing entry visa and renewal of residence permit for the international staff and students is one of the challenges confronting the internationalisation drive of the University of Ilorin. He pointed out that many of the scientists and engineers making America great today are not Americans. Speaking earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Sulyman Abdulkareem, said that the CIE, within its ten years of existence, has recorded remarkable achievements in actualising the Universitys vision. He observed that the centre has helped in attracting foreign staff and students, and also in facilitating international conferences and in driving international collaborations. (NAN) The head of the election observer mission of the Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa (EISA), former President Goodluck Jonathan, says the observer mission has confidence in the South African elections, based on what they have observed so far. Speaking to the SABC News at the Independent Electoral Commissions Results Operation Centre in Pretoria, Mr Jonathan said the body that manages the elections plays an important role in ensuring safe and successful elections. This years election appears to be one of the strongly contested elections so far in the history of SA democracy and everybody is interested in the outcome. We have observed some of the rallies and we are quite comfortable how things are going, he said. He adds, The key thing about elections is the body managing the election and of course the security, the police. If the stakeholders, the political parties have confidence in these two organisations, then of course we are quite hopeful. The former president also expressed the optimism that management of elections is improving across the continent. I have gone to many African nations as leader of different observation missions including the Commonwealth, African Union, National Democratic Institute, and of course EISA and I am quite impressed and hopeful that the standard of managing of our elections will continue to improve. According to him, the trend of well managed elections would bring about marked improvement in leadership and development on the continent. I believe that If we improve our standard of elections we will get to that point where people, using their vote, can remove a leader they feel is not leading them well. Mr Jonathan who admitted that young people have a role to play in governance however added that the issue of leadership in Africa should not focus on age alone but on competence and ability of leaders to understand new trends in the areas of governance and information technology, especially in the age of knowledge-based economy. Good leadership does not depend on age alone. It has to do with the individual The key thing is being able to lead your country well. The Registrar of the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), Josiah Ajiboye, has said the December 2019 deadline for unqualified teachers to be weeded out of the system would not be changed. The deadline will not be changed. In fact, the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, has directed that unqualified teachers teaching in Nigerian schools be disengaged by December 31, 2019, he said on Tuesday in Jos. Mr Ajiboye spoke at the 6th induction ceremony of 400 newly graduated teachers trained by the University of Jos. The Registrar, who was represented by Adamu Bello, Director, Professional Operations, of TRCN, vowed that teachers without the requisite qualification would be disengaged after the deadline. He advised qualified teachers to ensure that they were registered and licensed with TRCN in line with the enabling law establishing the council as contained in section 17 subsection 2. According to him, a task force will be constituted to enforce the order of the education minister as from January 2020. Mr Ajiboye, who said the license was usually renewed after three years, advised teachers to always attend refresher courses and seminars so as meet up with current trends and development in the teaching profession. The Vice Chancellor of the University of Jos, Sabastian Maimako, in his address, emphasised the need for teachers to acquire requisite qualification in their career. Teachers have important roles to play in the society; they prepare learners for their roles in the society and help nations to attain set goals. Their roles are crucial and cannot be handled to just anyone, he said. The Vice Chancellor, who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics), Tanko Ishaya, told the TCRN boss that the new teachers had acquired the needed training to teach. They have acquired needed skills and discipline in teaching which distinguish them from non-professionals in the classroom, he said. The Dean of the Faculty of Education, Rahila Gowon, in her remarks, said 390 were successful in the professional examination, out of the 400 that sat the test. The Dean said that the remaining 10 would have to rewrite the professional examinations after the induction. She urged governments at all levels and the private sector to partner TRCN for employment of qualified teachers. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that 41 practicing teachers renewed their licenses at the event. (NAN) The acting Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has denied the allegation that the federal government offered to pay Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) N100 billion to shun kidnapping in the country. Mr Adamu denied the allegation on Tuesday in Abuja while speaking with journalists shortly after a closed-door session that lasted more than 2 hours at the Senate. Following report in the social media, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) had frowned at an alleged plan by the federal government to appease MACBAN with N100 billion to set up cattle ranches for their livestock, describing the action as a constitutional crime. The IGP said the need for such agreement between the federal government and MACBAN did not arise if kidnapping in the country was to be tackled. He said the social media report was the figment of somebodys imagination framed up to distract attention. There was nothing like that. That information you got was social media information. It has nothing to do there was no any discussion to that effect. The source of the information, nobody knows; and certainly it is not from government. It is somebodys imagination that just came up to distract attention, Mr Adamu said. On the alleged rape of women suspected to be prostitutes by some police officers in Abuja, the IGP reaffirmed that a panel had already been set up to look into the case. He gave an assurance that any of his officers found to be culpable of the offence would not be spared. A panel has been set up to investigate this and any officer caught and proven to have done that will face the law, he stated. (NAN) The Nigeria Police has arraigned a Senator, Ademola Adeleke, at a Magistrate Court in Mpape, a suburb of the Federal Capital for alleged certificate forgery. Mr Adeleke was on Tuesday brought before a Magistrate, Mohammed Zubairu, by the police. This was after he appeared on Monday following fresh allegations linked to the offence of certificate forgery for which Mr Adeleke is already facing multiple trials. The prosecution team led by Simon Lough had initially been prevented from arraigning Mr Adeleke. The defence lawyers, including Adeniyi Adeyosoye who spoke for Mr Adeleke, asked the court to take cognisance of a subsisting order allowing Mr Adeleke to travel abroad on medication. According to Mr Adeyosoye, the Magistrate Court cannot continue with the matter until the determination of the similar matter at the Federal High Court. Mr Adeyosoye said the decision of the Federal High Court, which allowed Mr Adeleke to travel abroad, should be respected by the Magistrate. He therefore demanded an indefinite suspension of the matter at the Magistrate Court. According to the details of the charge seen by PREMIUM TIMES, Mr Adeleke is being tried for presenting the allegedly forged certificate to further his political ambition. The court had suspended its ruling on the current issues till 30 minutes. When the matter was recalled, the Magistrate said that the order made by the FHC does include a decision that Mr Adeleke should not be arraigned. Subsequently Mr Zubairu ordered that Mr Adeleke be arraigned as planned by the police. He however added that the decision of the higher court for Mr Adeleke to be allowed to travel should be complied with. The orders of the FH court are very clear and unambiguous, Mr Shehu said. He added that the police has a constitutional backing to discharge its duty. If the police believe that a person has caused an infraction of the law, the police is empowered to act according to the law with regards to the alleged offence, Mr Shehu said. Mr Adeleke was first arrested in September 2018, a few days to the Osun governorship election. He was the most potent opposition challenger. He was accused of writing WAEC with muddled identity in order to beef up his credentials for the governorship election that was then upcoming. The senator strongly denied allegations of forgery when he was arraigned by the police, saying he was a victim of vindictive politics of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Mr Adeleke, a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, was defended by the principal of the school in which he was accused of committing the offence. A statement from his office Monday night said the principal and WAEC had sworn affidavits in defending the governor against forgery or impersonation. The PDP has condemned the recent arrest, describing it as an attempt by the ruling APC to further intimidate Mr Adeleke. The assistance of the United Nations and the international community will be invaluable in reversing the devastation visited on Nigeria by the Boko Haram insurgency, President Muhammadu Buhari Tuesday told the visiting President of the 73rd Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Maria Garces. The condition of internally displaced persons ((IDPs) in the country is pathetic. We have at least a million children who neither know their parents nor where they come from, the president told Ms Garces during an audience at State House, Abuja. He added that damage to infrastructure, particularly in the North-east, has been horrendous: Bridges have been blown up, schools, hospitals, churches, mosques, and other buildings have been destroyed. All these will be rehabilitated, and every form of international help is welcome. On the recharge of Lake Chad through inter-basin water transfer from Congo River, President Buhari said climate change was quite real to the region, noting that no fewer than 30 million people are negatively affected by the shrinking lake, with at least half of them being Nigerians. He stressed the role the international community needed to play in the endeavour, since recharging the lake was beyond the financial power of the affected countries. The UNGA President commended Nigeria for being a key part of the United Nations system, saying the country was well respected in the global body. United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Maria Garces with President Buhari Nigeria is a major troops contributor to peace keeping operations, and a major part of the human rights architecture, Ms Garces said. She commended President Buharis leadership of ECOWAS, and of the Lake Chad Basin Commission, pledging to call the attention of the international community to the hurting effects of the Lake Chad problem, and other issues raised by the Nigerian leader. The UNGA President also lauded Nigeria for rehabilitating the UN building in Abuja, which was destroyed by Boko Haram insurgents during an attack in August, 2011. The Vice-chancellor of Kwara State University has been removed from office with immediate effect. A statement by the Kwara government, Monday afternoon, directed Professor Abdulrasheed NaAllah to immediately step down for Professor Kenneth Adeyemi. Mr Adeyemi will serve as acting Vice Chancellor while Mr Naalah proceeds on terminal leave. But for his unceremonious removal, Mr Naalah would have remained in office till July 27 when his tenure expires. The Kwara State Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Science and Technology, Abdullahi Alikinla, urged Mr Adeyemi to take charge of responsibilities relating to the smooth running of the institution in accordance with the law establishing it. Former Kwara State governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed Mr Alikinla said Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed took the decisions regarding the two professors in the exercise of the powers conferred on him by the Kwara State University Law 2009, as amended. The law, he said, empowers the governor, as the visitor to the University, to appoint and remove the Vice Chancellor for good cause and following due consultations. The state government did not give any reason for the sudden removal of Mr NaAllah, the pioneer head of the institution. However, the Nigerian Tribune is quoting the chairman of the universitys governing council, Saka Nuru, as dissociating the council from the governors action. This directive is not in tune with the Universitys law and is going to lead to distraction from the Rain Semester examination and the process appointment of principal officers that are currently in progress, the newspaper quoted Professor Nuru as saying. Prof AbdulRasheed NaAllah This action of the state government is illegal and the Governing Council of KWASU has no hand in the directive. Mr Naallah, 56, was appointed vice-chancellor at the inception of the university in the 2009-2010 academic session. Mr Adeyemi, 69, was a professor of operations research and business development at Covenant University. The National Examination Council (NECO) has released the 2019 National Common Entrance Examination (NCEE) into the Federal Government-run unity schools across Nigeria. The registrar of the council, Abubakar Gana, presented the results to the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, on Tuesday in Abuja. The common entrance examination took place on April 27. According to the registrar,77,832 candidates registered for the examination but only 73,347 sat for the examination. We had 18 visually-impaired students who sat for the examination, he said. When asked for the data on the performance of candidates, the registrar said it is the ministry that will provide the statistics. Minister speaks The minister, Mr Adamu, said the admission exercise will commence on May 14 with the first batch of admissions coming from the first week of June. He said supplementary admissions will take place between July 13 and 20. Mr Adamu said all the unity schools will be opened for resumption by the second week of September. For next years admission, we shall adjust the exam schedules to ensure that children get their admission letters before the end of April. In this years exercise, the following shall constitute the admission criteria:-national merit 60 per cent, equality of States 30 per cent and other factors 10 per cent, he said. He said candidates who applied for schools outside of their states of origin will be given priority. Six candidates scored 191 out of the 200 questions while two candidates scored 1. The director of basic education should investigate this, he said. Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Education, Anthony Anwukah, lamented the low number of candidates who wrote the examination in Zamfara State. The governor needs to be asked why only 59 candidates wrote the examination in Zamfara State, he said. Background Currently, Nigeria has 104 unity schools. News reports show that 79,878 pupils sat for the examination into federal government colleges in 2018, while 78,378 sat for the exams in 2017. The first set of unity schools was set up by the British, before Nigerias independence on October 1, 1960. Three additional ones were established in Warri, Sokoto, and Enugu in 1966 while the Yakubu Gowon military administration, in 1973, established more schools in all the 12 states that existed then. NECO is an examination body in Nigeria that conducts the Senior Secondary Certificate Examination and the General Certificate in Education in June/July and November/December/ respectively. NECO was created by the regime of former Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar, in April 1999. The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing, on Tuesday, said the United Kingdom has spent about 795,000 to promote youth inclusion in politics in Nigeria. She said this at a conference titled The Convergence 2.0, organised by YIAGA Africa and the Not Too Young To Run Movement at Transcorp Hotels in Abuja. Although Ms Laing mentioned 795 million in her speech, the British High Commission later sent a Tweet indicating the correct figure is 795,000. About 300 young newly elected lawmakers of various political parties from across the nation converged at the conference. The aim of the event was to prepare the young legislators for quality representation. The British envoy congratulated the young lawmakers-elect on their emergence saying; You have moved from Not Too Young To Run to being Ready to Run. The UK has been a very proud supporter of this movement, and we have pretty put our money behind the struggle, about 795,000 pounds to be precise. We have and will continue to support you as long as you are prepared to lead. Your growth as political representatives will determine how much progress is made in all areas of life in Nigeria. So you now have a responsibility to engage in the state and federal legislatures on issues which affect the people who voted for you, Mrs Laing added. She urged the legislators to support each other and network despite coming from different geopolitical zones and religions. I also want to encourage you to support each other, particularly the relatively few females among you. Now its time to contribute. Your presence here today in this inaugural group of young representatives is about Nigerias future; its about inclusion, its political participation. It is really about how young people will lead the way and, specifically, how you will lead the way. The need for Women Inclusion The high commissioner called for the participation of more women in politics. Nigeria will not move forward if the space for womens engagement isnt widened, she said. You now hold a special place in Nigerias history, but you need to decide whether you are content just being the first young group of representatives or you would rather be the first wave of change that brought a new dimension to Nigerian politics. According to the BBC, there are 208 women in the U.K House of Commons, which is 32 per cent of the members. In Nigeria, presently, there are only seven female senators and 20 female members of the House of Representatives. From the 2015 general elections, women secured only 6.2 per cent (seven female senators) of the seats in the Senate. Only six women emerged as deputy governors in the 36 states of the country. No woman was elected governor. Some of the factors affecting female political participation and representation in Nigeria, according to Centre for Development and Democracy (CDD), include funding, awareness, culture, religion, party system and structure, among others. The British high commissioner further urged the young lawmakers to make laws and policies that will impact on education, health, security, women, and people with disabilities (PWDs). She also advised the elected young legislators that the inclusion of integrity, fairness, and accountability should become the hallmarks of their tenure. You will make the laws and policies which will affect education, health, the economy, security, women, PWDs and remember, somebody, championed the law which made it possible for you to run for office! The responsibility is on your shoulder to ensure that integrity, fairness, inclusion, and accountability become the hallmarks of your tenure, she added. Advertisements The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has said the leadership style in Nigeria only favours the political godfathers, not the people. He also said Nigerias major problem is lack of leadership, not corruption as widely believed. Mr Dogara said this on Tuesday while addressing young elected lawmakers at an event organised by YAIGA Africa and the Not Too Young To Run Movement in Abuja. The event was tagged The Convergence 2.0: Leadership, Power, and Politics for Democracy Renewal. Mr Dogara said Nigeria needs a leader who would help build a nation, not a godfather who demand to be served and worshipped. According to him, political godfathers make their anointed candidates sell their souls; leaving them to feed on crumbs to run political governance, so as to be worshipped. Unfortunately, the leadership model we have practised so far is the kind of leadership that produces sycophants who are expected to serve their political godfathers and not the people. If for any reason you are picked, then you have to surrender your soul for them to eat in small bites until you become their worshipper. In the midst of this pandemic sycophancy, our so-called godfathers expect us to fit in and not to stand up to be counted or make a difference, Mr Dogara explained. We need leaders who will lead us to build a nation and serve others, not godfathers who demand that we worship and serve them rather than serve the people. The speaker charged the young legislators to be persons of character. He said: Because without character, you cannot be men and women of influence and without influence, you cannot change anything. Mr Dogara also advised the lawmakers to be leaders of the truth, regardless of who is in or against. He also charged the lawmakers to stand firm and take decisive actions that are in the interest of the people Those of you who must grow to become the leaders our nation is yearning for must be prepared to stand for the truth regardless of who is for or against it or even when the consequences are dire. You must be prepared to afflict yourselves in order to bring comfort to our broken people, he said. Mr Dogara also advised the young legislators to shun arrogance and stay connected to their grassroots. It is germane that you shun the arrogance of power. If you do not stay connected to the grassroots and those who have yielded their mandates to you, you will ultimately pay at the polls. The Nigerian voter is becoming increasingly aware of the power of the ballot, and they demonstrated it in some states where elections truly counted. He said apart from being ranked the third most dangerous country in the world, Nigeria is also plagued by a lot of challenges, including insecurity, unemployment and inadequate healthcare. Political witchcraft Mr Dogara accused the political elites of mastering the art of political witchcraft so much that they have tamed the minds of young Nigerians. He said anyone who tries to stand up for his/her right would be automatically cut-off Our so-called leaders have mastered the art of political witchcraft so much so that if you are independent minded you are automatically disqualified. President Muhammadu Buhari Tuesday in Abuja said he will not let Nigerians down in providing effective and result-oriented leadership that safeguards and ensures a better life for citizens, assuring that he is conscious of the weight of responsibility on his shoulders. Speaking after attending the daily Tafsir (Quranic interpretations) marking the month of Ramadan fast at the State House Mosque, President Buhari said the reality of his office weighs heavily on his mind at all times, and he will keep working to deliver an improved life to Nigerians. Mr Buhari has come under increased criticisms over his handling of the countrys deteriorating security crisis. Many Nigerians have been either kidnapped or killed in various parts of the country in recent months. The attacks have mostly occurred in north west Nigeria. Mr Buhari appeared to downplay the crisis when he returned weekend from a trip to the UK. His remarks that police Inspector General Adamu Mohammed was working hard as shown by his declining body weight angered many. Speaking Tuesday, Mr Buhari said he knew what to do, and would not fail Nigerians, according to a statement by his spokesperson, Garba Shehu. Mr Shehu said the president expressed gratitude to all Nigerians for the opportunity to serve a second term in office. He said their expectations for giving him the mandate will be met. The expectations of Nigerians will be met. I will not let them down. I will continue to do my best, he said. The president reiterated his earlier message on the occasion of Ramadan to Nigerians that discipline should be the watch word of every citizen. He advised citizens to use the Muslim fasting period to reflect and be more constructive in purpose by promoting harmony. He said the fasting period also provides good opportunity for charity. In his remarks, Chief Imam of the Mosque, Abdulwaheed Sulaiman, gave thanks to God for allowing the general election to take place peacefully throughout the country. He called for repentance and prayers to avert the current security challenges confronting the nation. He said the security incidents are a test from God. Nigerians deserve access to high quality financial services. But in reality, only too many people are excluded. For its second anniversary, Branch International reflects on its journey to provide financial services to millions of Nigerians. Financial inclusion is one of the biggest and most important topics in the Nigerian financial system. Despite the huge population of the country, transparent financial services still havent penetrated deep into the country. For many people, it is still extremely difficult to access capital for crucial business and personal needs. According to the UKs Enhancing Financial Innovation and Access (EFinA), 34.9 million Nigerians above the age of 18 have been financially excluded. Particularly, this group includes vibrant individuals operating in the informal economy-from Iya Tobi who operates that fast growing canteen on the street; to Engineer Chidi, your go-to guy for all generator repairs; to even Sanusi who supplies you with fresh tomatoes and yam. We all depend heavily on these informal operators and the services they offer. So why shouldnt they have access to better financial services, particularly credit to grow their businesses? Thats where Branch comes in. Branch is a leading instant loan app that uses data science to dramatically increase access to financial services for millions of Nigerians. Branch provides quick loans that help people achieve their business and personal needs. But more importantly, Branch helps to provide loans that are crucial for the growth of small businesses. With just a smartphone, customers can borrow between N1000 and N200,000 without going through any stress. Branch first launched in 2015 and became available for Nigerians in 2017. Over the last two years, the app has seen incredible growth in Nigeria. Branch now has over 1.2 million users in Nigeria. The growth rate is incredible and it testifies to the usefulness and demand for its service. Now, the company has disbursed over one million loans worth over N9 billion in Nigeria alone. Thats N9 billion that has helped individuals, families and businesses make meaningful progress, particularly in the informal economy. Why Do People Trust Branch? Branch App With Branch, customers can instantly borrow the amount they need without ever going to a physical office to request a loan. All loans are approved, disbursed and repaid directly from the app. Branch has earned a trustworthy reputation through the transparency of its services and with its customer-first approach in product delivery. This reputation is a key driver of the impressive achievements it has recorded over the years across all the markets that the app is used. Branch has seen unprecedented global growth, now operating in Nigeria, Kenya, Mexico and India. Users in these countries have downloaded the app over 5 million times. Also, Branch has now processed over 14 million loans worth over $350 million across these countries. Thanks to its sterling records, Branch has received over $250 million investments since 2015. Most recently in April 2019, the company announced a $170 million funding. Branch seeks to offer more services to customers who have traditionally been excluded from accessing financial services. In order to be sure that a user can pay back a loan, Branch uses proprietary technology to analyze users credit worthiness through phone data. It analysis basic details with the users permission to determine if a user is eligible and how much money a user can borrow. Currently, Branch is one of the most downloaded finance apps in Africa. The app takes care of your loan needs with ease, allowing you to focus on growing your business and achieving your personal goals. And in the process, Branch has reached more people, pulling them out of financial exclusion. Download the Branch app today and gain access to the most innovative personal finance app in Nigeria. You just have to try it for yourself. The election petition tribunal sitting in Kano has denied an application by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to scan copies of electoral materials in the governorship election in the state. In her ruling on the application on Tuesday, Justice Halima Shamaki said section 151 subsection 5 of the Electoral Act does not permit the court to authorise forensic examination of materials. Mrs Shamaki, however, granted the PDP permission to access photocopies of the needed election materials in line with the same section of the Electoral Act. She urged all parties involved to draw out the modality and time limit for the inspection of the materials. The counsel to PDP, Maliki Kuliya-Umar, had on Monday filed a motion on notice requesting more time to access, do forensics and scan copies of the electoral materials. But the led counsel to the All Progressive Congress (APC), Aliyu Umar, insisted the tribunal lacks the power to grant PDPs application. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had also opposed the application. It said photocopies of electoral materials are in the public domain and could be obtained with or without court process. PDP had obtained orders from the tribunal to access the materials with all parties observing the process. The opposition party also requested an extension of the orders after exhausting 20 days. The tribunal on April 9 had granted PDP an ex-parte order to inspect all the electoral materials used by INEC. But the party said it was only able to inspect the materials for 15 out of the 44 local government areas of the state. A Sharia Court in Magajin Gari, Kaduna State, on Tuesday ordered a 39-year-old woman, Esther Morris, to pay back her estranged husband, Tajudden Musa, 46, N500 paid as bride price. The judge, Dahiru Lawal, terminated the 11-year-old marriage and ordered both parties in company of the courts personnel to go to the residence to allow Ms Morris take her belongings. Ms Morris of new NDA Barracks, Afaka, Kaduna, dragged Mr Musa to the court, seeking divorce. We got married 11 years ago. God has not blessed us with any child. Since we got married, things are not moving on well for him. He blames me and my family for our lack of children. This is a man who paid N500 as dowry. I want a divorce. I cant continue staying with him, Morris said. She said that the marriage was contracted in a court. He prompted for the divorce with the actions he is exhibiting but he cannot approach the same court for a divorce, she said. The defendant, Tajudeen Musa, 46, a businessman, who lives in on BZ 23 Abuja road by Sardauna crescent, told the court that he also wants the marriage to terminate. I married her as a Christian, I dont want her to bear my fathers name again. She should return all the properties I have with her. (NAN) The Kano State House of Assembly on Tuesday passed the Pensions Rights of Speaker and Deputy Law 2019 legislation , which approves life pensions for Speakers, and their deputies after they leave the office. Similarly, the former speakers and the deputies will now enjoy foreign medical trips and new vehicles every four year. The bill will become law if signed by the governor of the state. The motion for the passage of the bill into law was moved by the majority leader and member representing Kano Municipal in the House, Baffa Babba-Dangundi. According to the new law, There shall be paid pensions to persons who held office as Speaker and Deputy Speaker equal to the emoluments of a serving Speaker and deputy speaker, provided that either the Speaker or the Deputy do not hold any paid elective or selective appointment. A part of the new law states that any speaker or deputy that is impeached by the members will not benefit from the pension and other perks provided by the law. It stated that Any person duly elected as Speaker or Deputy Speaker shall, on completion of his term be entitled to a grant of pension for life by the state, provided that such person was not removed from office through impeachment by members of the House of Assembly. Pension shall be payable to the Speaker or Deputy Speaker at the expiration of the tenure of the holder of the office. Where the Speaker or Deputy vacates office before the expiration of the term of his office, not as a result of impeachment, he shall be paid pension pro-rata the number of years he spent in relation to his tenure of office. Where the Speaker or Deputy Speaker dies in office before the expiration of the term of his tenure, he shall be paid pension pro-rata the number of years he spent in relation to his tenure of office. There shall be provided for the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker a brand new vehicle to be bought by the State Government every four years. There shall be provided for the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker medical expenses either home or abroad depending on the nature of the illness. The house also amended the governors and deputy governors pension law. A spokesperson for the house, Ali Kofar-Kudu, told PREMIUM TIMES the amended law exempted former governors and deputy governors from the scheme. PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported how an attempt to amend a standing rule in the Jigawa House of Assembly, on Tuesday, led to fisticuffs among members and the eventual destruction of the mace. The rowdy session started when the Speaker of the house, Isa Idris, announced a decision to amend the house standing rule aimed at banning all impeached former assembly speakers and deputy speakers from vying for the position of the speaker in subsequent assemblies. The amended rule also sought to disqualify any principal officer who was suspended or impeached from re-contesting. The Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, on Tuesday, declared a State of Emergency in the water and sanitation sector. The governor, who observed that a lot is required for the nation to provide public water and sanitation facilities for her growing population, stated that in Delta State, the water and sanitation sectors are receiving more funding. Declaring the State of Emergency at Asaba, Mr Okowa inaugurated a high-powered steering committee which has him as the chairman to coordinate the Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene Services (WASH) and proffer effective reforms as well as formulate policies to end open defecation. In the next four years, we will increase the allocation to water and sanitation sectors and hold those within the sector accountable as we intend to have good value for any money released, the governor said, adding, water, as the saying goes, is life; but regrettably, we have not done enough collectively as a nation in the provision of public water and sanitation facilities for our ever-growing population. He continued, available statistics from the UNICEF-WHO Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) show that access to piped water on premises in urban areas declined from 32 per cent in 1990 to less than 10 per cent in 2015 and in the same token, access to improved sanitation dropped from 38 per cent to 29 per cent; this clearly suggests an erosion of WASH utility service coverage and it is shocking to say the least, that while population is increasing, WASH asset is depleting. Nigeria currently ranks No. 2 in the world after India in terms of people defecating in the open, as about 25 per cent of our population still practice open defecation; the Sustainable Development Goals 6.1 and 6.2, seek to stop open defecation by 2025 and ensure access to sustainable and safely managed WASH services by 2030, Governor Okowa stated while thanking President Muhammadu Buhari declaring state of emergency on the revitalization of WASH services and threw his weight behind the strategies contained in the National Action Plan. Governor Okowa also thanked the European Union, UNICEF and USAID for their support and various interventions on the improvement of the states WASH services since the beginning of his administration. The Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu, had in an address read by Osikela Omo-Ikirodah commended Governor Okowas administration for declaring the state of emergency, assuring that such has opened the state for financial and technical assistance from the federal government which is determined to end open defecation in Nigeria by 2025. Goodwill messages were received at the event from the representatives of UNICEF, EU/NDSP, USAID, among others. The steering committee has Commissioner of Water Resources as Secretary, Commissioners for Health, Environment, Agriculture, Finance, Basic and Secondary Education, Women Affairs, Works, Economic Planning, among others as members. Twenty-four hours after he was kidnapped, a professor at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Olayinka Adegbehingbe, has been freed. PREMIUM TIMES earlier reporter how the lecturer was abducted on Sunday around Apomu on his return to Ife from Ibadan. He was singled out during a robbery attack. His wife, who was in the car with him, was not kidnapped. While PREMIUM TIMES cannot confirm if ransom was paid for the release of the lecturer, his release was confirmed by university management, the police force and the palace of the Ooni of Ife. Folashade Odoro, Osun State police spokesperson, confirmed Mr Adegbehingbes release to journalists in Osogbo. Also, Ooni of Ifes media aide, Moses Olafare, in a short release sent to reporters said: Having spoken to his wife a couple of minutes ago, I feel so glad to break the good news that Prof Yinka Adegbehingbe of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery of the Obafemi Awolowo University(OAU), Ile-Ife, who was yesterday (Sunday) kidnapped along Ibadan road around Ikoyi-Apomu axis has been released and now in the proper care of the Nigeria Police. The university PRO, Abiodun Olanrewaju, also told Channels TV late Monday night that the lecturer was on the way to the campus in the company of security agencies, to be reunited with his family. Members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities (SSANU) and Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) at the Obafemi Awolowo University, on Monday, staged a protest against the non-payment of allowances and other irregularities. The unions left their offices for freedom park, a spot situated in front of the university Senate building, to make their demands. This grounded academic activities in some departments, particularly those whose courses were linked to practicals in the laboratory. Grouse Protesters said they wanted to draw the attention of the public to the injustice of the management against students and staff of the institution and to request for the full implementation of a 2004 agreement with the school management. The OAU SSANU branch chairman, Oketunde Ademola, stated that the action is meant to show the non-teaching staffs displeasure toward the injustice. He noted that the civil disobedience was meant to reject the illegal deduction of 7.5 per cent of staff salary and to request for full implementation of the earned allowance agreement that was reached in 2004. We are in this struggle because there is fraud and we are protesting against it. We have complained to the federal government. We have written to the EFCC, nothing has been done. We have also written to the director of State Security Service (SSS), nothing has been done. We have written to many agencies, he said. It is even beyond the issue of earned allowance. If they implement earned allowance today, we want (the) government to set up a very powerful panel to investigate OAU, Mr Oketunde said. The OAU NASU chairman, Wole Odewunmi, noted that despite the approval of the earned allowance by the school governing council, there has not been full implementation. He said that only the parts of the agreement which relate to the universitys big officers were being implemented, and that the parts which deal with the generality of staff, such as Hazard allowance, have never been implemented. He noted that the issue had once been raised in 2015 which led to chaos. He said the non-teaching unions were sued to court then. The body has deemed it fit to re-raise the issue as it realised that the university employed over 140 staff in December, 2018, unknown to the federal government, without following due process and despite the fact that salaries of new staff can only be paid after two to three months succeeding employment. The new staff salaries payment has continued unabated since December which disproves the managements claim that there is no fund. There are lots of things they have been doing, which we have been enduring. But following this struggle that has been started, well start inviting the press to raise other ones. Our argument is that there is enough fund to ensure the implementation of the agreement, they shouldnt say there is no fund, he said. Fruitless Meeting? NASU secretary earlier informed this reporter that a meeting with the agenda of salvaging the situation was fixed with the school management for 4 p.m. on Monday. Meanwhile, in a telephone interview, Monday night, the SSANU chairman explained that the outcome of the meeting with the university management was not favourable. He said the protest will continue on Tuesday. The meeting was not that favourable. The management was unable to meet our demands. The struggle will still continue tomorrow because we have to report to the Congress. So, I dont see us resuming tomorrow, he said. The schools Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olanrewaju, was also contacted by for the schools reaction. He said, its an affair I would not want to discuss on the pages of the newspaper. Its a family affair, well sort it out. Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State on Tuesday said the monthly Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the state had increased to over N1.5 billion. Mr Akeredolu disclosed this in Akure, the state capital during a courtesy visit by the Association of Licensed Private Security Practitioners of Nigeria, Ondo State chapter. He said the monthly IGR was previously less than N700 million but had more than doubled due to the initiatives of the present administration. We must think out of the box and be creative. We are thinking anew, acting anew, and doing things differently, he said. The governor also hailed Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, former Lagos State Governor and National leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for his pioneering role at building an economic base which pushed up the IGR of Lagos State as one of the biggest economies in Africa. According to Mr Akeredolu, the commitment of Mr Tinubu to the economic rejuvenation of Lagos when he was the governor remained unparalleled till date. He said successive administrations in that state had continued to build on this. The governor urged the people of the state to collaborate with his administration in its bid to ensure that the IGR of the state improved tremendously to a level of comfort like Lagos. Earlier, the Chairman of the association, Mathew Akinbileje, had lauded Mr Akeredolu on delivery of democracy dividends to the people of the state. He appealed to the governor to incorporate the association in the states security architecture to aid in intelligence gathering. Mr Akinbileje also requested for a patrol vehicle to ease the groups movement and for intelligence gathering. (NAN) SOMERS POINT Members of the Hispanic community told school board members they feel underrepresented in local schools after the layoff of three full-time teachers, including one Spanish teacher, was approved by the Board of Education last week. This community is severely under-served and disenfranchised, said Pedro Santana, treasurer for the Hispanic Association of Atlantic County. Santana was one of five speakers who pleaded with the Somers Point school board at its meeting Thursday to reverse its decision to lay off several staff members. Superintendent Michelle CarneyRay-Yoder said the positions being eliminated were decided based on union contracts. I welcome a diverse staff in our district that is reflective of our community. That being said, we have laws to follow regarding the nonrenewal of staff members, as part of that process race and national origin is never factored into these decisions, CarneyRay-Yoder said. As new employment opportunities become available in the future, I will continue to encourage all eligible applicants regardless of race or national origin to apply. In New Jersey, youre more likely to come across a student diagnosed with autism than in any other state in the nation. A recent study from the Centers for Disease Control, which used research from Rutgers University, found a 43% increase in the prevalence of autism in 4-year-olds in the state from 2010 to 2014, and that one in 35 students in New Jersey has been diagnosed. Its a reflection of New Jerseys ability to diagnose earlier, which leads to better outcomes for students, said Walter Zahorodny, an associate professor of pediatrics at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School who directed New Jerseys portion of the study. But the increase in diagnosis affects the education system financially and students access to quality services. Measles vaccine doesn't cause autism, says a new, decade-long study of half a million people The notion that vaccines might cause autism was refuted nine years ago, when a British medical panel concluded in 2010 that Andrew Wakefield, the doctor with undisclosed financial interests in making such claims, had acted with "callous disregard" in conducting his research. Liz Parlett-Butchers oldest son, 11, is diagnosed and her youngest, 5, is under evaluation for autism. Parlett-Butcher, of Egg Harbor Township, knows that in districts like hers, which has been underfunded for many years by the state while enrollment grew rapidly, finding the money for the services needed is tough. She does believe students in special education bear the brunt of those cuts. She never liked to do things half (way), said George Miller at the time. She was 29 when she died in October 2014. To Schuchter and the Miller family, her story didnt end there. The centers renaming cements their daughters legacy, they said. Its rewarding to know Taras legacy will live on forever now, said Debbie Miller, Taras mother. Schuchter said because of the renaming people in the future will remember Tara and what she stood for. Obviously, its bittersweet because wed love for her to be here to enjoy this, Schuchter said. And Taras twin sister, Lauren Miller, said her sister gave more than funds to fighting the disease. She put a voice and a face to melanoma in the world of cancer research. She kind of set the precedent for our family and told us what she wanted us to do, Lauren said. She wanted us to find a cure, and we believe Penn is on the forefront of finding the cure, too. The family is united in that belief, and has met with patients whose treatment is funded through the foundation. When (Tara) spoke, she said, I dont want another 29-year-old to have to walk in my shoes, Debbile Miller said, And thats what were trying to prevent. Massive flood gates being considered for the mouth of the Great Egg Harbor Inlet likely would impact the ecosystem of a protected river that runs through the Pinelands, the National Park Service has warned. In an April letter to the Army Corps of Engineers, the National Park Service knocked the federal agencys initial study released in March that looked at ways to mitigate flooding caused by storm surge along 3,400 miles of New Jerseys back bays. The letter singled out one idea in particular: the construction of a $3.9 billion storm surge barrier at the Great Egg Harbor Inlet, the body of water separating Absecon Island and Ocean City. Storm surge barriers consist of movable gates that stretch across the mouths of inlets and close during storms to prevent water from entering the bays and inundating nearby homes. Similar structures have been built in the Netherlands and London. But park officials said such a project could disrupt fish migrations, change tidal flows, hurt water quality and affect the ecosystem of the Great Egg Harbor River, a 129-mile waterway mostly located in the Pinelands National Preserve that drains into the Great Egg Harbor Inlet and Atlantic Ocean. He said the fund is helpful for volunteer firefighters because they do not get paid for their service. Were doing it for different reasons. Its not for the money, Winkler said. Senate President Steve Sweeney had said before Murphys announcement that the Senate would not allow the diversion of the firefighters funds to be included in the state budget. There is no reason and no excuse for denying firefighters support and assistance in their time of need, said Sweeney. They put their lives at risk every day in service to others. Refusing or reducing emergency responders and their families the care they deserve in order to prop up the budget is unacceptable. As of March 2018, there were 730 fire departments in the state with 37,683 firefighters, 80.6% of which were volunteer, according to the state Department of Community Affairs. Fire tears through garage, damages home in Vineland VINELAND Officials are investigating a fire that spread through the garage and part of a ho ATLANTIC CITY Six companies responded to a two-alarm attic fire Monday night at a vacant Pennsylvania Avenue row house widely known to be used by homeless people and vagrants, fire Chief Scott Evans said. A call came in at 10:22 p.m. for a fire at 130 N. Pennsylvania Ave. Fire companies were on the scene minutes later, Evans said. Flames could be seen coming from the third-floor windows when they arrived. Firefighters swept the building and an adjoining home, and put ventilation holes in the roof. Evans called the fire very stubborn and said it was under control by about 12:30 a.m. It was very difficult as the fire had already penetrated the walls, he said. The structure sustained major damage, Evans said. An adjacent home had water and smoke damage, and minor fire damage. The cause is still under investigation. Vacant building fires are very dangerous fires, Evans said. Theyre not kept; theyre not maintenanced, so were always concerned about the structural integrity, such as the roof, the walls and the floors. I would rather see it as a casino where people can gamble, have fun and enjoy some beautiful views, she said. Its worth opening up as a casino hotel. Farther down the Boardwalk, Atlantic City resident Deborah Johnson was taking a rest from her bicycle ride in front of the Atlantic Club. Johnson, a retired teacher from New York City who moved to the resort five years ago, said instead of tearing down the vacant casino hotel it should be repurposed as housing for the citys homeless. Johnson said she watched as developers in Brooklyn turned a profit from housing the homeless and saw no reason why the Atlantic Club owners could not do the same thing. Homelessness is a business, she said. Her idea was to have some type of public-private collaboration in which Atlantic Citys homeless could receive vocational training using the Atlantic Clubs existing resources. She envisioned a culinary class or a program where people could learn a trade. Its a crying shame, said Johnson while motioning toward the empty building. Everything is already there. They have all these buildings and dont use them. The transit agency shut down the 60-mile route last year during its rush to install a train safety system, Positive Train Control, in time to meet an end-of-2018 federal deadline. A congressional mandate required PTC, which can automatically control the speed of a train to prevent accidents, throughout New Jerseys rail system, but the Atlantic City line was one of the few where service was halted during the installation. Before the lines suspension, it served fewer than 2,000 people a day and was one of NJ Transits least busy lines. Employee shifts on train lines are typically longer than eight hours. Conductors the staff responsible for patrolling the trains and performing tasks like collecting tickets consider overtime pay as something built into their salaries. Since the line was suspended, though, conductors and assistants continued to work their normal shifts and hours at the Atlantic City lines stops, said Nancy Snyder, a NJ Transit spokeswoman, even as the defunct routes engineers were reassigned to work on trains in the northern part of the state. The conductors and assistant conductors were needed for long hours each day at the stations to assist passengers, Snyder said. Murphy highlights new NJ Transit funds in proposed budget WOOD-RIDGE At an NJ Transit maintenance facility here Wednesday, Gov. Phil Murphy and stat Cant even go see a show or concert at night, you wont have train to take you home. Joan Colwell via Facebook Late night trains get ax under NJ Transit plan At long last we are seeing benefits from restrictions put on menhaden harvests. This is benefiting all sea life and as a result the attraction of a more vibrant ocean has the capacity of attracting more visitors. David Showell Abundant menhaden draw whales and endless dispute over its fishery Dont be so judgmental. This woman did what she had to do to provide for her four kids. Jameelah Mcnair via Facebook Atlantic City woman accused of using a false identity to work as a nurses aide It was never open when I needed it. Amy Schmidt 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. HELSINKI, May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Aiven has completed an 8 million Series A funding round to enhance its leading cloud data platform with more integrated solutions and to accelerate international growth. "We see a tremendous number of companies around the world now implementing their new real-time data platforms in the cloud. The new funding will allow us to better cater to their requirements," states Oskari Saarenmaa, co-founder and CEO at Aiven. The round was led by Earlybird Venture Capital with participation from Lifeline Ventures and Nokia chairman Risto Siilasmaa. Hendrik Brandis, partner and co-founder of Earlybird, joins the Aiven board of directors as part of the transaction. "Aiven's ability to outcompete established market players and build a highly capital efficient international business is impressive. We're eager to become a part of the story and continue growing the company," discusses Brandis. Aiven launched its data cloud in 2016 with a suite of the best open source data infrastructure services that now include the Apache Kafka event streaming engine and databases such as PostgreSQL and Apache Cassandra. Aiven services cover all the needs of complex internet applications and have earned the trust of a growing number of customers, such as Atlassian, Comcast and OVO Energy. Committed to open source, Aiven recognizes the importance of the communities behind these projects and will step up its participation in them. This will mean creating new open source tools such as Kafka connectors as well as participating in feature development and quality assurance of the core projects. Aiven's mission is to enable developers to focus on their core business and build great applications without worrying about software infrastructure. The next step in this journey is offering more integrated solutions on top of the individual building blocks that are currently available on Aiven's data cloud, which will allow teams to build what they couldn't imagine before. About Aiven Headquartered in Helsinki, Finland and with offices in Boston, MA, Aiven is an ISO 27001 certified cloud data platform provider, operating managed open-source database, event streaming, cache, search, and graphing solutions for over 400 customers worldwide. You can visit https://aiven.io for more information or follow Aiven on Twitter: @aiven_io . (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/881660/Aiven_Logo.jpg) Contact: Kyle Buzzell Marketing Manager at Aiven Email: kyle@aiven.io Related Links https://aiven.io SOURCE Aiven ALBANY, New York, May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The global fluorspar market features a highly fragmented and competitive landscape, Transparency Market Research (TMR) estimates. Mexichem S.A.B. de C.V., Centralfluor Industries Group, Inc., and Zhejiang Wuyi Shenlong Floatation Co Ltd. dominated the global fluorspar market. Some of the prominent players in the global fluorspar market are Kenya Fluorspar Company Ltd. (KFC), MINERSA GROUP, British Fluorspar Ltd, and China Kings Resources Group Co., Ltd. These players are investing more the research & development (R&D) activities for enhancing its grade, which is leading to increased competition in the market. Additionally, these players are entering into merger & acquisitions for expansion of portfolio and expanding the global presence. Request a Sample of Global Fluorspar Market: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=1858 TMR's report based on the global fluorspar market estimated to expand at a CAGR of 2.7% by the forecast period from 2017 to 2025. With this steady CAGR, the market is expected to attain a value of US$1,860.8 Mn by 2025 from a value of US$1,505.3 Mn in 2016. Based on the product, in 2016, the acidspar segment held the lion's share of more than 60% and is estimated to remain dominant in the forecast period. Based on the application, the hydrofluoric acid segment accounted for a 40% share of the demand in the global fluorspar market in 2016. Based on the region, the Asia Pacific accounted for the maximum share in the fluorspar market and is expected to be the dominant region by expanding at a CAGR of 2.9% over the forecast period. Request For Multiple Chapters: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=MC&rep_id=1858 Growing Demand for Hydrofluoric Acid to Prosper Fluorspar Market The global fluorspar market has gained traction due to a booming automotive sector. Fluorspar has applications across the production of hydrofluoric acid as a key component. The hydrofluoric acid plays a key role in the purification of aluminum. Additionally, growing usage of aluminum across numerous industries such as mechanical and automotive industries is boosting its manufacturing process. This is a key factor driving the growth of the global fluorspar market. Rising adoption of the automobile and luxurious vehicles globally and mainly across the developing countries due to increasing expenditure power is stimulating growth of the global fluorspar market. Furthermore, rapid industrialization in developing countries is leading to the expansion of the foundries and metal manufacturing. This trend is likely to continue in the coming years due to the rising investment of the companies in the sector. This is likely to encourage consumption of the fluorspars, which in turn, fuel market's growth in the forthcoming years. Request For Discount On This Report: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=D&rep_id=1858 Widening Applications of Fluorspar to Offer Growth Opportunities Despite the growth inducing factors, the mining and extraction of fluorite, which involves the blasting process and thus, the numerous government and associated bodies, are imposing strict regulations over its production. These factors are restraining growth of the global fluorspar market. Additionally, the fluorine gas extracted during the mining is highly fluorine gas in nature along with the corrosivity of hydrofluoric acid. This nature of chemicals is also limiting its adoption to some extent. Nonetheless, widening the application of the hydrofluoric acid across numerous other industries such as mining, refining, industrial chemistry, silicon chip manufacturing, and cleaning is boosting its demand and offer opportunities for growth of the market in the coming years. In addition, demand for the fluorspar for manufacturing the opaque glasses is growing substantially since the manufacture and demand for the glassed have surged substantially due to growing constriction activities. The construction activities of hospitals, offices, and business premises have increased substantially, which is demanding for the high-quality opaque glasses and results in high demand for the fluorspar. This is likely to offer lucrative opportunities for growth in the coming years. Browse Press Release: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/pressrelease/fluorspar-market.htm This information is encompassed in t he report by TMR, titled, "Fluorspar Market (Product - Acidspar, Metspar, Ceramic, Optical Grade, and Lapidary Grade; Application - Aluminum Production, Steel Production, Hydrofluoric Acid, Concrete Additives, and Lithium-ion Battery) - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2017 - 2025." For the study, the fluorspar market has been segmented as follows: Product Type Acidspar Metspar Ceramic Grade Optical Grade Lapidary Grade Application Aluminum Production Steel Production Hydrofluoric Acid Concrete Additives Lithium-Ion Battery Geography North America U.S. Canada Europe U.K. Germany France Spain Italy Rest of Europe Asia Pacific China Japan Australia India Rest of Asia Pacific Latin America Brazil Mexico Rest of Latin America Middle East & Africa South Africa Saudi Arabia Rest of Middle East & Africa Browse Chemicals and Materials Market Research Reports Popular Research Reports by TMR: Calcite Market: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/calcite-market.html https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/calcite-market.html Inkjet Colorants Market: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/inkjet-colorant-market.html https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/inkjet-colorant-market.html Ceramic Matrix Composites Market: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/ceramic-matrix-composites-market.html https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/ceramic-matrix-composites-market.html Chromium Market: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/chromium-market.html About Us Transparency Market Research is a next-generation market intelligence provider, offering fact-based solutions to business leaders, consultants, and strategy professionals. Our reports are single-point solutions for businesses to grow, evolve, and mature. Our real-time data collection methods along with ability to track more than one million high growth niche products are aligned with your aims. The detailed and proprietary statistical models used by our analysts offer insights for making right decision in the shortest span of time. For organizations that require specific but comprehensive information we offer customized solutions through adhoc reports. These requests are delivered with the perfect combination of right sense of fact-oriented problem solving methodologies and leveraging existing data repositories. TMR believes that unison of solutions for clients-specific problems with right methodology of research is the key to help enterprises reach right decision. Contact Mr. Rohit Bhisey Transparency Market Research State Tower,90 State Street Suite 700, Albany NY - 12207 United States Tel: +1-518-618-1030 USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453 Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.com Website: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Research Blog: http://www.europlat.org/ Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/664869/Transparency_Market_Research_Logo.jpg SOURCE Transparency Market Research Andreas Bodczek and Joseph Lichtenberger will join the management team with immediate effect. Their initial focus will be on expanding the flourishing business in the German financial industry by tapping into further sectors as well as establishing IDnow in France and the UK. In addition to IDnow VideoIdent (the online identification via video chat compliant with the German Money Laundering Act), IDnow AutoIdent will play a major role in this expansion. With the help of artificial intelligence, AutoIdent captures passports, driving licences and other identification documents from 193 countries and thus enables a fast verification process for digital customers. IDnow is currently the only provider to offer such a wide range of identification procedures compliant with international regulations and security levels. In 2018, the fintech pioneer achieved sales in the double-digit millions for the first time, creating the basis for further growth. New CEO Andreas Bodczek has already made his mark as an entrepreneur and investor. Following his tenure as Managing Director and CEO of Telefonica Deutschland GmbH from 2001 to 2007, Andreas Bodczek founded his own company Scalar Ventures and became an investor for tech start-ups. In 2009, he co-founded Fyber, a technology provider for mobile advertising, and led the company as CEO until 2017. Joseph Lichtenberger brings with him 25 years of management experience from various positions in German technology companies. These include businesses such as Kabel Deutschland, Roland Berger and Scout24, where he worked as CFO. For the latter, he managed the multi-billion-euro sale to US private equity investors Hellmann & Friedman and Blackstone. Felix Haas, Armin Bauer, Sebastian Barhold and Dennis von Ferenczy, who founded the company in 2014, brought in external managers early on to align the company for growth. The four entrepreneurs are now taking on an active role again at IDnow to help reach the sales target of 100 million euros. The company's repositioning underlines the potential for IDnow as one of the leading providers in the rapidly growing market of digital identities. "We have great ambitions to build a new tech leader out of Munich," said co-founder and executive chairman Felix Haas. "The combination of new leadership and fresh ideas will provide the impetus for a real growth spurt, enabling us to establish a leading international position across new industries." "Secure online identification is interesting for a broad market: all digital business models that include a value transaction worth protecting need secure digital identities for customers. Since the company's inception, IDnow has impressively demonstrated how much this can boost digital transformation in the financial industry," comments CEO Andreas Bodczek. "I see great potential for the same development in other sectors such as insurance and mobility. Our goal at IDnow is to carry our established technology into these areas and thus pave the way for disruptive innovation." "I'm very excited about the chance to join IDnow. The company has established itself in Germany as one of the leading providers of Identity Verification-as-a-Service. Now we are striving to master the next phase of growth," said Joe Lichtenberger. In 2018, IDnow strengthened its management team with industry experts including Oliver Obitayo (previously with EY, Unify and Siemens) as Chief Sales Officer, Vikas Seth (previously with Avira, AVG Technologies and RSA) as Chief Product Officer, Melanie Jungbluth (previously with Gartner) as Vice President Legal and Sandra Lenzing (previously with Hermes and Tchibo) as Vice President Operations. With these staff changes, the company, which recently opened an office in Paris has created the organizational conditions for long-term, international cross-industry business development. About IDnow With its Identity Verification-as-a-Service (IVaaS) platform, IDnow has set out to make the connected world a safer place. IDnow's unmanipulable identity verification is used across industries conducting online customer interactions that require a high degree of security. IDnow uses artificial intelligence to check all security features on ID documents and can therefore reliably identify forged documents. Potentially, the identities of more than 7 billion customers from 193 different countries can be verified in real time. In addition to safety, the focus is also on uncomplicated application for the customer. With five out of five stars on the Trustpilot customer rating portal, the technology is particularly user-friendly. IDnow covers a wide range of use cases both in regulated sectors in Europe and for completely new digital business models worldwide. The platform allows the identity flow to be adapted to different regional, legal and business requirements on a per use case basis. IDnow is supported by venture capital investors BayBG, Seventure Partner, G+D Ventures and Jet A as well as a consortium of renowned business angels. Its portfolio of over 250 customers includes leading international companies from various industries such as Bank of Scotland, BNP Paribas, Commerzbank, eventim, Raisin (Weltsparen), Sixt, solarisBank, Telefonica Deutschland, UBS, Western Union and wirecard as well as fintechs such as Fidor, N26, smava, and wefox. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/882613/IDnow_Andreas_Bodczek.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/882614/IDnow_Logo.jpg Media contact: LEWIS Communications Silvia Leiner / Maren Muller E: idnow@teamlewis.com T: +49-89-173019-49 Related Links https://www.idnow.io/ SOURCE IDnow Tasting traditional food while traveling is the easiest way to experience local culture. On the 38th floor of LOTTE HOTEL SEOUL - located at the heart of Seoul in Myeongdong, which is known for shopping and tourism - is the restaurant Mugunghwa, the oldest five-star hotel restaurant in Korea. The Korean restaurant has lived up to its name, Mugunghwa or rose of Sharon, the country's national flower, with pride and passion to create authentic Korean taste. Based on authentic traditional Korean cuisine, the restaurant has evolved over time by incorporating various recipes and modern elements, such as interior decoration, tableware, and presentation; thus, leading a trend in Korean fine dining. Overlooking the spectacular view of Bukhansan mountain and downtown Seoul, the restaurant can provide diners with an unforgettable memory complete with the finest course meal. The most popular menus of late include "Herring Roe Bibimbap" and "Grilled Daegwallyeong Hanwoo Tenderloin." Herring Roe Bibimbap is unlike ordinary bibimbap made of vegetables and meat, since it is presented with salted herring roe with spice, abalone, and kimchi as topping. Grilled Daegwallyeong Hanwoo Tenderloin features top-grade beef from the eco-green region in the mountainous Daegwallyeong in Pyeongchang County whose extra-tender meat is best enhanced with savory oak wood charcoal. Famed French Restaurant Pierre Gagnaire a Seoul Offering Reasonably Priced World-class Cuisine and Service What is it like to experience Paris in Seoul? On the 35th floor of the Executive Tower of LOTTE HOTEL SEOUL is the French restaurant Pierre Gagnaire a Seoul overseen by French chef Pierre Gagnaire. His unique signature French cuisine with modern sensibilities has earned him the nickname "Picasso of Gastronomy." Pierre Gagnaire a Seoul is the only French restaurant in Korea that earned two stars for the first time when the Korean (Seoul) edition of Michelin Guide started in 2017. Since reopening on September 1, 2018, after months of remodeling, the restaurant has earned the reputation of offering lovers of French cuisine an opportunity to experience exquisite French cuisine at reasonable price and service. Dinner highlights the famed chef's signature southern French cuisine and service. Chef Gagnaire regularly visits Seoul to closely oversee the menus, wine, and other details for the Seoul restaurant. When he last visited in January, Chef Gagnaire expressed his love for Seoul and revealed the reason his restaurant was much loved by diners in Seoul. "I owe the LOTTE hotel staff who have worked very hard and always shared their feelings with me, and I also enjoy the beautiful view from here." French Restaurant "STAY" by Yannick Alleno at the Highest Spot in Korea On the 81st floor of SIGNIEL SEOUL, the symbol of luxury in Korea, is the French restaurant STAY by celebrated French chef Yannick Alleno. Located in Jamsil, the center of culture, shopping, and tourism in Southeastern Seoul, STAY has become a destination in the city's tour course with everything that tourists are looking for, from its ideal location to the scenic view to the best-tasting food. Since its opening in April 2017, STAY has never ceased to be the center of attention, having earned one Michelin star within a year. STAY offers trendy French cuisine made of the best seasonal ingredients found in Korea. Mr. Alleno's exclusive sauce brings together all ingredients in beautiful harmony - enhanced with the best-matching wine - and more than suffices to enthrall diners from around the world. Chef Alleno visits Seoul once or twice a year to oversee his creative production. Regarding his culinary commitment, he said, "Cooking at SIGNIEL SEOUL, the symbol of Seoul, like the Eiffel Tower of Paris, is truly amazing. I am making efforts to create the best taste by continuously discovering fine ingredients and communicating with team members." Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/879487/LOTTE_1.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/879488/LOTTE_2.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/879489/LOTTE_3.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/879490/LOTTE_4.jpg Related Links http://www.lottehotel.com SOURCE LOTTE HOTELS & RESORTS TORONTO and PARIS, May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Array today confirmed it has opened a full-service operation in the La Defense district of Paris, France. The new offices in the Tour First building at 1 Place Des Saisons, will be home to a team of experienced client-service professionals and supporting staff. With this new location at the heart of the beauty industry, Array provides a full-range of client services including design, engineering, project management and account management, in direct proximity to the major beauty brands headquartered in Paris. "The opening of our Paris operations aims to extend our services to our established client base in the region," stated Jeff Casselman, President and CEO of Array, "and we are proud to bring our long, successful history of creating great retail experiences to the doorstep of the world's best know beauty brands. Our extensive global resources can now be married with the benefits of personal, local service, to provide best-in-class merchandising solutions to our Paris-based customers." Array's recent acquisition of Willson & Brown in Europe expanded its cost-effective, global manufacturing footprint, and established a portal for Array to enter the European Prestige Beauty Space, building on Willson & Brown's existing position as a high-quality, agile partner to leading brands and retailers across Europe, the U.K. and the Middle East. Casselman continued "With the backing of Array's extensive global resources and knowledge, our operations in Paris and around the world will position Array as the global partner of choice for global beauty brands." In addition to the new Paris offices, Array also has operations in Toronto and Bradford, Canada; New York and Long Island, New York; Mexico City, Mexico; Shenzhen and Shanghai, China; Warsaw, Poland; Hamburg, Germany; and Leicester, UK. ABOUT WILLSON & BROWN Willson & Brown is a leading Pan-European point of sale business with an impressive track record of designing, creating, installing and supporting point of sale programs in the cosmetics, beverage, fast-moving consumer goods and consumer electronics sectors. They produce a wide range of bespoke shop-in-shop installations, permanent floor stands, counter top units and promotional materials. Established in 1995, they now operate in more than 65 countries around the world and employ over 800 staff. Principally located in Warsaw, Poland, Willson & Brown also has offices in Leicester, U.K. and Hamburg, Germany. Web: http://www.willson-brown.com ABOUT ARRAY Array is the premier provider of in-store merchandising services for the world's leading beauty retailers and brand manufacturers. For over 35 years, Array clients have enjoyed an unparalleled range of in-house services, outstanding creative innovation, true global manufacturing capabilities, comprehensive logistics and complete installation and follow-up services. The results are displays and fixtures that win praise from brand marketers and retailers worldwide. Array is headquartered in Toronto, Canada and employs more than 1400 employees in operations in Toronto and Bradford, Canada; New York City and Long Island, U.S.A.; Mexico City, Mexico and Shenzhen, China. Creating great experiences! Web: www.arraymarketing.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/array-marketing/ Contact: Array, Jeffrey K. Casselman, President and CEO, +1 416 299 4865, Email: [email protected]; Array Paris, Tour First, 1 Place Des Saisons, Paris, France, [email protected] SOURCE Array Marketing Related Links http://www.arraymarketing.com/ YARDLEY, Pa., May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Astarte Medical, the only precision medicine company using software and predictive analytics to improve premature infant outcomes, today announced it has secured $5 million in Series A financing. Investors in the round include Viking Global Investors LP, Lunsford Capital, OCA Ventures, Keiretsu Forum MidAtlantic, Keiretsu Capital Fund, Ben Franklin Technology Partners, Wing VC and Next Act Fund. The Company, which recently graduated from the Illumina Accelerator, will use the funds to complete the development of its NICUtrition suite of digital tools and diagnostics, which support feeding protocols, practice and decision-making in the neonatal ICU (NICU). Duane Morris LLP, as legal council to Astarte Medical, advised the company on the transaction. Every year, more than 380,000 babies are born prematurely in the United States. The first 1,000 days of life are a critical period for a baby's growth and brain development particularly for preterm infants and maintaining a healthy gut is crucial during this time. The rapid changes in the microbiome during this period make it challenging for NICU teams to treat infants with a highly personalized level of care. "This funding will bring us one step closer to completing our suite of solutions to support unmet needs in the NICU to drive better preterm infant outcomes such as improved growth and minimized risk of infection," said Tracy Warren, CEO and Co-founder, Astarte Medical. "NICU feeding protocols are complex and often tracked manually, causing clinical care teams to spend unnecessary time on documentation. Our first product to market will automate and streamline feeding protocols, enabling doctors and nurses to spend more time with their patients and parents." Core to Astarte Medical's platform is its comprehensive and proprietary dataset that integrates feeding protocols, microbial profiles and clinical information. Its NICUtrition suite of products provides actionable information in real time to hospitals and clinical teams, enabling them to standardize care protocols, and customize treatment plans by quantifying preterm infant gut health. "We are thrilled to support Astarte Medical as they develop cutting-edge technology to solve some of the biggest problems for the smallest patients," said Bruce Lunsford, Chairman and CEO of Lunsford Capital. "With its first solution, the Company is poised to make a difference for not just the preterm babies, but also for clinical teams in NICUs where it will help streamline the workflow and increase efficiencies. Astarte Medical is addressing the needs of a large and underserved market, and we look forward to seeing the Company positively impact the industry, lowering healthcare costs and improving health for generations to come." Astarte Medical is comprised of a passionate management team and world-class advisors in neonatology, microbiome and predictive analytics. Company founders, Tracy Warren and Tammi Jantzen, have worked together for nearly twenty years as investors and serial entrepreneurs. Together, they are applying their expertise and business acumen to the vision of Katherine Gregory, PhD, RN, the company's scientific co-founder. A NICU nurse by background, Dr. Gregory integrates her clinical experience with translational research, focused on preterm infant gut health and nutrition. She currently serves as Associate Chief Nursing Officer, Women's and Newborn Health, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School. Astarte Medical recently appointed Eric Heil and Stephen Hanson to its Board of Directors. Heil is an executive with extensive early stage, venture-backed entrepreneurial experience in healthcare, and currently teaches healthcare entrepreneurship at University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business. Hanson is an accomplished hospital leader who has optimized performance for five health systems and four independent hospitals in seven states. Together, they will bring strategic oversight to Asarte Medical's roadmap of solutions to improve preterm infant outcomes. About Astarte Medical Astarte Medical is the only precision medicine company using software and predictive analytics to improve outcomes during the first 1,000 days of life, with an initial focus on preterm infants. NICUtrition by Astarte Medical supports feeding protocols, practice and decision-making in the neonatal ICU with a suite of digital tools and diagnostics designed to standardize feeding, optimize nutrition and quantify gut health. Learn more at www.AstarteMedical.com. This project is supported by the Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern PA, an initiative of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development funded by the Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority. Media Contact Alyson Kuritz 908-892-7149 [email protected] SOURCE Astarte Medical Related Links http://www.astartemedical.com NOVATO, Calif., May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- BIRKENSTOCK Americas today announced that Louise Caldwell has joined as President and General Manager of BIRKENSTOCK NATURAL SKIN CARE in the United States. Caldwell will oversee this high-growth category and spearhead the launch of the brand's complete range later this year. Caldwell reports to Oliver Reichert and Markus Bensberg, the two CEOs of the BIRKENSTOCK Group, who also lead the recently established sister company BIRKENSTOCK COSMETICS with headquarters in Germany. Caldwell joins the company with a successful twenty plus year track record of growing brands in the beauty industry. She served as VP of Sales at Revlon and Elizabeth Arden, and SVP of Sales at Drunk Elephant where she helped establish the fastest growing skin care brand in Sephora US's history. Caldwell also founded her own consultancy advising early-stage beauty brands including Germany-based Dr. Barbara Sturm. Caldwell has led retail partnerships across all channels in the category including department stores, specialty beauty and consumer direct. "BIRKENSTOCK is such an iconic global brand that proudly stands for health and wellness as well as high quality, well-made products. With a strong foundation in footwear that delivers real benefits and a deeply devoted fan base made up of so many naturally-minded women, the opportunity to bring this premier range of Made in Germany natural skin care to the U.S., is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity," says Caldwell. "As the inventor of the footbed, we have a particularly close connection to personal well-being," points out Oliver Reichert, CEO of the BIRKENSTOCK Group. "Alongside healthy walking, standing, running, and resting, skin care has a considerable influence on our well-being. The cosmetics industry offers countless products in this area. Unfortunately, however, many of these contain chemical ingredients that may have a negative effect the defensive properties of the skin and on its ability to regulate moisture balance. This prompted us to start thinking about a healthy product concept in this segment. The result is BIRKENSTOCK NATURAL SKIN CARE genuine certified natural cosmetics without the use of chemicals. The United States offer exceptional business opportunities for our latest product category." Markus Bensberg, CEO of the BIRKENSTOCK Group, notes: "BIRKENSTOCK has a huge and constantly growing fan base in the U.S. It was in the late 1960s when our brand arrived in the United States. We are excited to launch our natural skin care product line almost exactly half a century later. The U.S. market is and always will be one of our most important markets. I'm glad to hand over responsibility for the new business to an acknowledged expert with a proven track record in the industry." "There is no one better to lead this exciting effort than Louise," notes David Kahan, CEO of BIRKENSTOCK Americas. She has demonstrated a deep understanding of the category and success at all levels throughout her career. We are thrilled to welcome her to the BIRKENSTOCK family. The DNA of BIRKENSTOCK has always centered on personal well-being. As we expand into new product categories, BIRKENSTOCK will always stay true to our 245-year heritage of function and quality. The properties that are naturally found in cork just happen to have tremendous benefits for skin. What a beautiful fit. We view our BIRKENSTOCK NATURAL SKIN CARE range as a natural next step for the brand." In releasing BIRKENSTOCK NATURAL SKIN CARE, the company is translating the comfort of the original BIRKENSTOCK footbed to an innovative certified natural cosmetics line. The same raw material that is used as a key component of the legendary footbed is also at the heart of the complete line of care products: natural cork. Based on the remarkable anti-aging effects of the extract obtained from the layer of bark from the cork oak, a multi-active cork oak complex has been developed exclusively for BIRKENSTOCK NATURAL SKIN CARE. This natural, active bio-liquid complex based on cork extract and coconut oil stimulates cell renewal, boosts the skin's protective barrier and increases moisture. Through its positive effect on the anti-aging gene Klotho, it is proven to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and help skin appear smoother, making use of the cork oak's unique ability to constantly renew its own bark layer. All BIRKENSTOCK NATURAL SKIN CARE products contain our cork oak complex in a variety of concentrations. Its effect has been proven in clinical trials. BIRKENSTOCK NATURAL SKIN CARE products are genuine natural "Made in Germany" cosmetics, certified according to the international COSMOS NATURAL standard and are subject to the strictest testing criteria. Effectiveness and dermatological compatibility have been scientifically approved by independent institutions. Consequently, the complete BIRKENSTOCK NATURAL SKIN CARE assortment uses the pure power of nature and strongly opposes the use of controversial chemicals, such as parabens, surfactants, silicones or paraffins. Of course, no animal testing may be carried out or commissioned either in the development or testing phase of our products. In addition, BIRKENSTOCK NATURAL SKIN CARE uses resource-saving packaging and a smart and environmentally friendly refill system that helps protect the earth's natural resources. ABOUT BIRKENSTOCK BIRKENSTOCK is a global footwear brand that stands for quality, function, and all-round well-being. With more than 4,300 employees worldwide, this traditional, sixth-generation family-run business is also one of the German footwear industry's biggest employers. The company's historic roots can be traced as far back as 1774. BIRKENSTOCK was already using the term "footbed" in the 1910s, giving it the meaning which is commonly understood by consumers all over the world to this day as a synonym for outstanding comfort when walking and standing. By the early 1970s, BIRKENSTOCK had become a global player. Manufactured in Germany, the sandals are now sold in more than 100 countries on all continents. BIRKENSTOCK also has a growing range of enclosed shoes, children's shoes, and occupational footwear, as well as specialist products for orthopedic retailers, socks, bags, and belts. In 2017, BIRKENSTOCK added sleep systems and natural cosmetics (BIRKENSTOCK NATURAL SKIN CARE) to its portfolio of products. The company is headquartered in Neustadt (Wied). BIRKENSTOCK has 13 sites in Germany, in the states of North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Hesse, Bavaria, and Saxony. The long-standing family-owned enterprise also operates its own sales offices in the United States and Canada as well as in Brazil, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Denmark, Spain, the United Kingdom and Dubai. SOURCE BIRKENSTOCK FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- CarePredict, the eldercare company that predicts health declines in senior adults' days ahead of clinical diagnosis, is one of the six finalists for the Seventh Asia Pacific Eldercare Innovation Awards. CarePredict is the only US-based company to be selected as the finalist for the Innovation of The Year Technology category. The winners are to be announced at the culmination of the 10th International Ageing Asia Innovation Forum on May 15. CarePredict's AI-powered platform not just detects but predicts health declines like UTI, depression, and risk for falls days in advance "We know that health declines manifest first as changes in the daily activity and behavior patterns in seniors," said Satish Movva, Founder and CEO, CarePredict. "Having the ability to detect and act on these early signs, changes the narrative from reactive to proactive in senior care. We have proven this in senior living communities across North America and Japan and now are thrilled to be recognized as a part of the solution in Asia, home to many advanced aging nations." CarePredict's technology addresses the biggest challenge of senior care today the increasing senior population and the conversely decreasing caregiving population. Using Tempo, CarePredict's smart wearable and remote sensing technologies, the solution continuously observes the activities of daily living (ADLs) like eating, sleeping, walking, toileting and grooming in seniors. Utilizing advanced AI technologies such as machine learning and neural nets, CarePredict produces actionable insights that predict the probability of declines in health such as Depression, Urinary Tract Infections and risk of Falls. Ms. Janice Chia, Founder & Managing Director of Ageing Asia that host the International Ageing Asia Innovation Forum and Asia Pacific Eldercare Innovation Awards said, "Baby boomers are ageing with higher expectations of quality of life compared to previous generations. They are better educated, more affluent, travel widely and desire to age independently. The annual Asia Pacific Eldercare Innovation Awards aims to inspire the care industry to innovate and aims to recognize efforts that make a difference in the approach towards care and delivery. So it is really interesting to see how the innovations have evolved to meet the new demands of the changing demographics of older people." Visit Booth TT8 to see CarePredict's AI-powered solution for preventive senior care at the Ageing Asia Innovation Exhibition. Dr. Jerry Wilmink, CBO, CarePredict will present on "Shifting the paradigm to preventive care with AI" at the Ageing Asia Innovation Forum (AAIF.) About CarePredict CarePredict is the leading AI-based eldercare company focused on preventive senior care. Led by a team of caregivers and healthcare technology veterans, CarePredict's mission is to help family and professional caregivers detect the precursors to conditions like urinary tract infections(UTI), depression and increased risk of falls well in advance, enabling timely action. CarePredict is delivering actionable insights that engage staff, increase resident comfort, and provide visibility into staff efficiency, in senior group living communities across the US, Canada, and Japan. CarePredict recently announced the launch of CarePredict @Home, that empowers family caregivers and home care agency caregivers to provide the same proactive care to seniors aging at home. CarePredict is located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and Menlo Park, CA. For more information, visit http://www.carepredict.com, email [email protected]. Media contact: Subhashree Sukhu Marketing Director [email protected] 1-800-608-7188 ext 526 SOURCE CarePredict Related Links http://www.carepredict.com Sardinia: From your best friend to your great-aunt, you've probably noticed that everyone has already been to the Amalfi Coast. Be the talk of all your followers this summer with a trip to the island of Sardinia, one of Italy's best-kept secrets. The trendsetting Instagrammer will enjoy spectacular beaches, hidden coves, and of course, the freshest seafood the Mediterranean has to offer. Average airfare for summer travel from the US to Sardinia is $1,167*. Baja California: Skip hectic Napa this summer and head south of the border to Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico for winery tours. With its Mediterranean-like climate, the conditions are perfect for producing big, bold reds that are starting to get a lot of attention. As tourism grows, so does the food scene which makes Baja California the perfect destination for the foodie Instagrammer this summer. Average airfare for summer travel from the US to Baja California is $502. Myanmar: This Southeast Asian country has it all. From limestone mountains and rice paddies to breath-taking beaches and temples. This summer, the fashionista Instagrammer should choose a colorful outfit when visiting the white-washed Hsinbyume Pagoda to really stand out. Average airfare for summer travel from the US to Myanmar is $1,157*. Bulgaria: This former Soviet-bloc nation is finding its footing within the European Union and is starting to attract Western travelers. The off-the-beaten-path Instagrammer will appreciate the limited number of tourists and the ability to form a deeper connection with the locals. Plus, the many free walking tours available make it a budget-friendly destination. Average airfare for summer travel from the US to Bulgaria is $995*. Alaska: If you're an outdoorsy Instagrammer, you'll surely enjoy the moderate temperatures and myriad of exciting activities Alaska has to offer in the summer. Plus, in June and July you can take advantage of up to 22 hours of daylight to make the most of your visit. Don't miss out on one of the quintessential Alaskan activities of visiting a glacier. You may even get to see "calving" as the region goes through the summer melt. Average airfare for summer travel from the US to Alaska is $570*. Jordan: Thanks to the fame brought by Indiana Jones, Petra has long been the pinnacle of the adventure Instagrammer's bucket list. However, if you're looking to stand apart from the rest, set your sights on Wadi Rum. In addition to the red-rock desert landscape, you'll feel extra interplanetary with a stay in a desert bubble. Like Petra, Wadi Rum has also been the location for many movie sets. Average airfare for summer travel from the US to Jordan is $1,216*. By consistently monitoring travel trends, CheapOair's mission is to educate and aid consumers and travel professionals in both planning their travel accommodations and staying current on the most popular destinations. For more information, please visit www.CheapOair.com, www.cheapoair.com/mobile, or our social media pages, www.Facebook.com/CheapOair and https://twitter.com/cheapoair. *Based on average roundtrip airfare for tickets booked on CheapOair as of 05/02/19 for travel departing from all US gateways 06/01/19 08/31/19. About CheapOair CheapOair is an online travel agency that specializes in providing cheap flights and great last-minute flight deals for travelers worldwide. Consumers can book online, on mobile apps for iOS and Android, by phone (1-800-566-2345) or live chat. Part of Fareportal's family of travel brands, CheapOair bridges the gap between an online travel agency and a traditional agency with certified travel agents available 24/7 to help find discount flight tickets to global destinations on over 450 airlines, a million hotels, and 100s of car rental companies. Follow CheapOair on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram , and Pinterest to learn how to travel the world for less. SOURCE CheapOair Related Links http://www.cheapoair.com DOWNERS GROVE, Ill., May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Robert Frank came to his local Goodwill store five years ago looking for a job that would give his life purpose. Since then, he has excelled as donation attendant and utility worker, and, with the help of his Goodwill Way Guide, he has learned to read at the age of 65. For his dedication to the job and his eagerness to learn, Goodwill Industries International is honoring Frank as its 2019 Achiever of the Year. Frank suffered severe physical and emotional abuse throughout his childhood, including blows to the head that left him with a cognitive disability. He tried to hide the fact that he couldn't read and write, and he struggled to find a job that made him feel useful and accepted. For many years, he worked as a coat check attendant, dishwasher and cook. "I thought I could do more, and something told me to go to Goodwill," said Frank. "My biggest goal is to be someone and well respected. Everybody at the Goodwill never once put me down. Everybody is really supportive of me." At the Goodwill store in Downers Grove, Frank enjoys cleaning, organizing and interacting with customers. He immediately impressed his supervisor with his hard work, but she noticed his struggles with reading and writing. She referred him to Lauren James, a Goodwill Way Guide who works with employees needing support with child care, transportation and other services. James has no background in reading instruction, but she went online and printed out worksheets, then sat with Frank, working with him one-on-one. Soon he was able to write price tags and fill out forms. At age 65, he read a book for the first time. "At first, Robert lacked self-confidence with reading and in the rest of his life," said James. "Now he has such a positive outlook. He says his favorite new words are magnificent and stupendous. He has career goals and financial goals." "Robert is hard working and meticulous with any job he undertakes," said Jacqueline L. Hallberg, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin & Metropolitan Chicago. "His enthusiasm shines through. He has connected with both the customers and his colleagues, and has become an important part of the team. It is inspiring for his colleagues to see the confidence he brings to work every day." "Robert is flourishing because he found the support structure he needed to help him learn and grow," said Steven C. Preston, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. "At Goodwill, we provide many different services, all with one goal helping people with life challenges move into and advance through the workforce." Frank says his job at Goodwill makes him feel independent, trustworthy and happy. "When you're a nobody, then you become somebody. That's an amazing feeling to have," he said. Goodwill Industries International's Achiever of the Year is a person who has shown great progress and accomplishment in overcoming challenges to finding employment, and who still benefits from the Goodwill work environment or receives services to support employment at a community site. ABOUT GOODWILL INDUSTRIES OF SOUTHEASTERN WISCONSIN & METROPOLITAN CHICAGO As Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin & Metropolitan Chicago celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2019, the organization continues to work tirelessly to support job seekers with disabilities and disadvantages through training, placement and employment efforts. Last year alone, nearly 49,000 people received services and 9,473 men and women entered employment. ABOUT GOODWILL INDUSTRIES INTERNATIONAL Goodwill Industries International (GII) is a network of 160 community-based, autonomous organizations in the United States and Canada with a presence in 13 other countries. GII is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that is recognized by GuideStar with its Platinum Seal of Approval, the organization's highest rating for charities. For the past three years, Goodwill was ranked in the top five brands that inspired consumers the most with its mission in the World Value Index, commissioned by the creative agency, enso. Goodwill has been on Forbes' list of top 20 most inspiring companies for three consecutive years, the only nonprofit featured on that list. Local Goodwill organizations are innovative and sustainable social enterprises that offer job placement and training services, and other community-based programs by selling donated clothing and household items in more than 3,300 stores collectively and online at shopgoodwill.com. Goodwill helps people facing challenges to finding employment, including people with disabilities, veterans and military families, youth and young adults, older workers, people reintegrating into society, and others working to advance their careers. Local Goodwill organizations build revenues and expand employment opportunities by contracting with commercial, state, government and non-government organizations to provide a wide range of business services, including janitorial and grounds maintenance, flexible staffing, food service, manufacturing and contracts packaging, reverse logistics, document imaging and shredding, and laundry services. Last year, local Goodwill organizations collectively placed more than 288,000 people in employment in the United States and Canada. In addition, more than 36 million people used computers and mobile devices to access Goodwill education, training, mentoring and online learning services to strengthen their skills, and more than two million people received in-person services. Goodwill is both an icon and accessible neighbor: more than 82 percent of the U.S. population resides within 10 miles of a Goodwill location. For more information or to find a Goodwill location near you, visit goodwill.org, or call (800) GOODWILL. Follow us on Twitter: @GoodwillIntl and @GoodwillCapHill, and find us on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube: GoodwillIntl. SOURCE Goodwill Industries International Related Links https://www.goodwill.org JERSEY CITY, N.J., May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Legal-Bay LLC, The Pre Settlement Funding Company, announced today that they will be expanding their focus on IVC lawsuits, effective immediately. The reason for the increased focus is that sources close to the litigation have told Legal-Bay that settlements are not imminent in either of the big litigations at this time. However, it is possible that a settlement in principle can be reached by end of 2019. IVC filters are devices which inhibit blood clots in patients, preventing pulmonary embolisms. 80% of the filters sold are put out by C.R. Bard and Cook. However, plaintiffs claim to have had to deal with perforations, shifting after implantation, filter fractures, and general ineffectiveness. Legal-Bay is a leading personal injury pre-settlement advocate, and works directly with many of the top mass tort law firms to provide the best pre-settlement cash advance rates in the industry in as little as 24 48 hours. Legal-Bay has recognized a backlog with IVC litigation, and expects settlement payouts to be delayed well into 2020 or beyond. Chris Janish, CEO of Legal-Bay commented, "Unfortunately, the complexity of this litigation and the inability to determine fair settlement amounts or values for the wide range of injuries is making it hard for the parties to settle the dispute. We do expect to see a settlement in the next 12-18 months. However, final cash payments to plaintiffs is still a long way off, even if the parties were to settle in 2019." If you are involved in a pending IVC lawsuit and are looking for a pre-settlement cash advance now before your case settles, you can fill out an application form at the company's website: http://lawsuitssettlementfunding.com If you do not have an attorney, feel free to contact Legal-Bay and they can assist you with retaining a top IVC lawyer or IVC law firm that works with clients that need funding. All of Legal-Bay funding programs are risk-free as you only repay the advance if your case is successful. The non-recourse advance is not a lawsuit loan, settlement loan, or pre-settlement loans. Please apply online at: http://lawsuitssettlementfunding.com or call the company's toll free hotline at: 877.571.0405 where agents are standing by. SOURCE Legal-Bay LLC Related Links http://lawsuitssettlementfunding.com PHILADELPHIA, May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Livent Corporation (NYSE: LTHM) today reported results for the first quarter of 2019. Livent reported revenue of $98.3 million, a decrease of 4 percent compared to the same quarter in 2018, and GAAP net income of $16.9 million. First quarter 2019 Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted earnings per share were $27.6 million and 12 cents per diluted share, respectively. Livent also successfully completed its separation from FMC Corporation via a share distribution on March 1st, resulting in full independence as a publicly traded company. Revenue, Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted earnings per share were all in-line with the guidance ranges, with price/customer mix, volumes and costs all consistent with previously communicated expectations. Operationally, the third lithium hydroxide line in China was successfully brought into commercial production during the quarter, and lithium carbonate operations in Argentina resumed normal levels following almost three weeks of lost production due to the heavy rains in late January. A total of approximately one thousand tons of lithium carbonate production for 2019 were lost, higher than the Company indicated in February. "By processing additional third-party carbonate, we were able to ensure that supply to customers was not disrupted," said Paul Graves, president and chief executive officer of Livent Corporation. "At the same time, we safely and efficiently brought lithium carbonate production in Argentina back to normal operating levels." Livent continues to move forward with its expansion programs in Argentina and in the United States, which remain on track with the first production from these expansions currently expected in the second half of 2020. "The spin marked the final step in the separation of ownership from FMC and we are excited about our path ahead as a fully independent company," Graves said. "We remain firmly committed to our expansion projects, which remain on schedule and on budget. It is important that these expansions are completed on time to meet commitments to our customers in the energy storage industry. The expansions will use our existing processes and technologies to deliver a low cost and high-quality supply of both lithium carbonate and high-performance lithium hydroxide." Q2 and 2019 Outlook (1) Livent expects second quarter 2019 revenue to be in a range of $105 million to $115 million, compared to $108 million in the same period in 2018. Second quarter 2019 Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted earnings per share are projected to be in a range of $26 million to $30 million and 11 cents to 14 cents per diluted share, respectively. There are two primary factors influencing Livent's outlook for the second quarter and the rest of the year, compared to prior guidance. These are the impact of the disruptions to operations in Argentina in the first quarter, which will lead to one-off costs mainly in the second quarter, and delays of 2019 orders of high-performance lithium hydroxide by a small number of customers, which will lead to lower volumes and lower average realized price for Livent's lithium hydroxide sales in 2019. Volumes are projected to be higher in the second quarter than in the first quarter, reflecting more available lithium hydroxide from the third manufacturing line in China. Customer mix will be similar to the first quarter, with a large long-term customer taking roughly two-thirds of its contracted volume for 2019 during the first half of the year. This timing is unrepresentative of historical patterns with this particular customer. In addition, Livent expects to increase deliveries to customers in China in the second quarter, relative to the first quarter. However, these deliveries will be at lower prices than those realized in 2018, reflecting current market conditions in China. Livent will also incur one-off costs in the second quarter, stemming from the impact of lost carbonate production in the first quarter. Livent does not expect to see a meaningful change in demand for high-performance lithium hydroxide for use in high-nickel cathode chemistries until late 2019 or early 2020 and has reduced its full-year forecasts for volume and pricing accordingly. These reductions, combined with cost headwinds from the Argentina operations due to lost production in the first quarter and unfavorable currency movements, has resulted in lower full-year revenue and earnings guidance. "We are seeing weaker near-term demand for our high-performance lithium hydroxide, as several major customers have informed us about recent decisions to delay their own commercial launches of high-nickel cathode chemistries," continued Graves. "This will result in lower delivered volumes of lithium hydroxide to these customers in 2019 than previously indicated and lower overall sales volumes for the year. In addition, it will result in Livent selling more hydroxide in China for use in cathode chemistries where performance requirements are not as high." As a result, Livent has revised its full-year 2019 guidance, with revenue expected to be in a range of $435 million to $475 million, Adjusted EBITDA to be in a range of $125 million to $145 million and adjusted earnings per share to be in a range of 56 cents to 66 cents per diluted share. "Despite weaker current market conditions, the outlook for electric vehicles and lithium demand remains positive," added Graves. "We have seen multiple OEMs announcing more detailed plans for new EV model launches. Importantly, for the first time they are now specifying performance requirements that will require the use of high-nickel cathode chemistries, which increases our confidence in the growing importance of high-performance lithium hydroxide." The table below provides additional estimates for select financial items: Full-Year 2019 Interest expense $1 - $2 million Adjusted tax rate 18 22 percent Full-year weighted average diluted shares outstanding 146 million Depreciation & Amortization $22 - $26 million Adjusted cash from operations $75 - $105 million Capital additions and other investing activities $235 - $265 million Supplemental Information Livent has posted supplemental information on the web at www.livent.com, including reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. About Livent For more than six decades, Livent has partnered with its customers to safely and sustainably use lithium to power the world. Livent is one of only a small number of companies with the capability, reputation, and know-how to produce high-quality finished lithium compounds that are helping meet the growing demand for lithium. The company has one of the broadest product portfolios in the industry, powering demand for green energy, modern mobility, the mobile economy, and specialized innovations, including light alloys and lubricants. Livent employs approximately 800 people throughout the world and operates manufacturing sites in the United States, England, India, China and Argentina. For more information, visit Livent.com. Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Certain statements in this presentation are forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify these statements by forward-looking words such as "may," "might," "will," "should," "expects," "intends," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "predicts," "potential," or "continue," the negative of these terms and other comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements, which are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions about us, may include projections of our future financial performance, our anticipated growth strategies and anticipated trends in our business. These statements are only predictions based on our current expectations and projections about future events. There are important factors that could cause our actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from the results, level of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including a decline in the growth in demand for electric vehicles; adverse global economic conditions; the success of our research and development efforts; volatility in the price for performance lithium compounds; risks relating to our planned production expansion and related capital expenditures; reduced customer demand, or delays in growth of customer demand, for higher performance lithium compounds, the potential development and adoption of battery technologies that do not rely on performance lithium compounds as an input; risks inherent in international operations and sales, including political, financial and operational risks specific to Argentina and other countries where we have active operations, including China; customer concentration and the possible loss of, or significant reduction in orders from, large customers; failure to satisfy customer quality standards; fluctuations in the price of energy and certain raw materials; failure to achieve the expected benefits of our separation from FMC as well as the other factors described under the caption entitled "Risk Factors" in our 2018 Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 28, 2019. Although we believe the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, level of activity, performance or achievements. Moreover, neither we nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of any of these forward-looking statements. We are under no duty to update any of these forward-looking statements after the date of this presentation to conform our prior statements to actual results or revised expectations. 1. Although we provide forecasts for adjusted earnings per share, Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted cash from operations, we are not able to forecast the most directly comparable measures calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. Certain elements of the composition of the GAAP amounts are not predictable, making it impractical for us to forecast such GAAP measures or to reconcile corresponding non-GAAP financial measures to such GAAP measures without unreasonable efforts. For the same reason, we are unable to address the probable significance of the unavailable information. Such elements include, but are not limited to, restructuring, transaction related charges, and related cash activity. As a result, no GAAP outlook is provided. Media contact: Juan Carlos Cruz +1.215.299.6170 [email protected] Investor contact: Rasmus Gerdeman +1.215.299.5924 [email protected] LIVENT CORPORATION CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited, in millions) Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 2018 Revenue $ 98.3 $ 102.8 Costs of sales 65.6 50.6 Gross margin 32.7 52.2 Selling, general and administrative expenses 9.2 3.6 Corporate allocations 5.1 Research and development expenses 0.8 1.0 Restructuring and other charges 0.1 2.1 Separation-related costs 1.6 Total costs and expenses 77.3 62.4 Income from operations before non-operating pension benefit and settlement charges and income taxes 21.0 40.4 Non-operating pension benefit and settlement charges 0.2 Income from operations before income taxes 21.0 40.2 Provision for income taxes 4.1 8.0 Net income $ 16.9 $ 32.2 Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic (1) 146.0 123.0 Net income per weighted average share - basic $ 0.12 $ 0.26 Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted (1) 146.5 123.0 Net income per weighted average share - diluted $ 0.12 $ 0.26 ____________________ (1) For the prior period presented, the weighted average shares outstanding for both basic and diluted earnings per share was calculated, in accordance with ASC 260, Earnings Per Share, using 123.0 million shares of common stock outstanding, which was the number of shares issued to FMC in part in exchange for the asset contribution by FMC to us. Weighted average shares outstanding for the prior period excludes the 23.0 million shares of common stock subsequently issued as part of the public offering and over-allotment option exercise. LIVENT CORPORATION RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME (GAAP) TO ADJUSTED EBITDA (NON-GAAP) (Unaudited) The table below provides a reconciliation of Net income to Adjusted EBITDA. Three Months Ended March 31, (In Millions) 2019 2018 Net income (GAAP) $ 16.9 $ 32.2 Add back: Provision for income taxes 4.1 8.0 Depreciation and amortization 4.9 4.3 EBITDA (Non-GAAP) (1) $ 25.9 $ 44.5 Add back: Restructuring and other charges (a) 0.1 2.1 Non-operating pension benefit and settlement charges (b) 0.2 Separation-related costs (c) 1.6 Adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP) (1) $ 27.6 $ 46.8 ___________________ (1) In addition to net income, as determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP, we evaluate operating performance using certain non-GAAP measures such as EBITDA, which we define as net income plus interest expense, net, income tax expense (benefit), depreciation, and amortization, and Adjusted EBITDA, which we define as EBITDA adjusted for restructuring and other charges (income), non-operating pension expense (benefit) and settlement charges, and separation-related costs. Management believes the use of these non-GAAP measures allows management and investors to compare more easily the financial performance of its underlying business from period to period. The non-GAAP information provided may not be comparable to similar measures disclosed by other companies because of differing methods used by other companies in calculating EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA. This measure should not be considered as a substitute for net income or other measures of performance or liquidity reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The above table reconciles EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA from net income. (a) We continually perform strategic reviews and assess the return on our business. This sometimes results in a plan to restructure the operations of our business. As part of these restructuring plans, demolition costs and write-downs of long-lived assets may occur. (b) Our non-operating pension expense (benefit) and settlement charges are defined as those costs (benefits) related to interest, expected return on plan assets, amortized actuarial gains and losses and the impacts of any plan curtailments or settlements. These are excluded from our results and are primarily related to changes in pension plan assets and liabilities which are tied to financial market performance and we consider these costs to be outside our operational performance. We continue to include the service cost and amortization of prior service cost in our Adjusted EBITDA results noted above. These elements reflect operating costs to our businesses for the employment benefits provided to active employees. (c) Represents legal, professional, transaction related fees and other separation related activity. RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME (GAAP) TO ADJUSTED AFTER-TAX EARNINGS (NON-GAAP) (Unaudited) (In Millions) Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 2018 Net income (GAAP) $ 16.9 $ 32.2 Corporate special charges: Restructuring and other charges (a) 0.1 2.1 Non-operating pension benefit and settlement charges (b) 0.2 Separation-related costs (c) 1.6 Income tax benefit on Corporate special charges (d) (0.4) (0.5) Tax adjustment (e) (0.1) (0.7) Adjusted after-tax earnings (Non-GAAP) (1) (2) $ 18.1 $ 33.3 Diluted earnings per common share (GAAP) $ 0.12 $ 0.26 Adjustment from GAAP to Non-GAAP average number of shares outstanding (2) (0.04) Diluted earnings per common share (Non-GAAP) 0.12 0.22 Corporate special charges per diluted share, before tax: Restructuring and other charges, per diluted share 0.01 Diluted adjusted after-tax earnings per share (Non-GAAP) (1) $ 0.12 $ 0.23 Adjusted average number of shares outstanding used in diluted adjusted after-tax earnings per share computations (Non-GAAP) (2) 146.5 146.5 ___________________ (1) The company believes that the Non-GAAP financial measures "Adjusted after-tax earnings" and "Diluted adjusted after-tax earnings per share" provide useful information about the company's operating results to management, investors and securities analysts. Adjusted after-tax earnings excludes the effects of corporate special charges and tax-related adjustments. The company also believes that excluding the effects of these items from operating results allows management and investors to compare more easily the financial performance of its underlying business from period to period. As a result, diluted adjusted after-tax earnings is calculated using an adjusted average common shares outstanding (Non-GAAP). Refer to note 2 below for further information. (2) The weighted average common shares outstanding (GAAP) for both basic and diluted earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2018 on the condensed combined statements of operations was calculated, in accordance with ASC 260, Earnings Per Share, using 123.0 million shares of common stock outstanding, which reflects the number of shares held by FMC prior to the IPO. This results in both basic and diluted earnings per share (GAAP) of $0.26 for the three months ended March 31, 2018. The weighted average common shares outstanding (GAAP) for both basic and diluted earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2019 was calculated using 146.5 million shares of common stock outstanding, resulting in both basic and diluted earnings per share (GAAP) of $0.12. Assuming adjusted weighted average shares outstanding of 146.5 million, which was the total number of weighted shares outstanding as of March 31, 2019, adjusted after-tax earnings per share would be $0.12 and $0.23 for the three months ended March 31, 2019, and 2018, respectively. (a) We continually perform strategic reviews and assess the return on our business. This sometimes results in a plan to restructure the operations of our business. As part of these restructuring plans, demolition costs and write-downs of long-lived assets may occur. (b) Our non-operating pension expense (benefit) and settlement charges are defined as those costs (benefits) related to interest, expected return on plan assets, amortized actuarial gains and losses and the impacts of any plan curtailments or settlements. These are excluded from our results and are primarily related to changes in pension plan assets and liabilities which are tied to financial market performance and we consider these costs to be outside our operational performance. We continue to include the service cost and amortization of prior service cost in our Adjusted EBITDA results. These elements reflect the operating costs to our businesses for the employment benefits provided to active employees. (c) Represents legal, professional, transaction related fees and other separation related activity. (d) The income tax expense (benefit) on Corporate special charges (income) is determined using the applicable rates in the taxing jurisdictions in which the corporate special charge or income occurred and includes both current and deferred income tax expense (benefit) based on the nature of the non-GAAP performance measure. (e) The company excludes the GAAP tax provision, including discrete items, from the non-GAAP measure of income, and instead includes a non-GAAP tax provision based upon the projected annual non-GAAP effective tax rate. The GAAP tax provision includes certain discrete tax items including, but not limited to: income tax expenses or benefits that are not related to operating results in the current year; tax adjustments associated with fluctuations in foreign currency remeasurement of certain foreign operations; certain changes in estimates of tax matters related to prior fiscal years; certain changes in the realizability of deferred tax assets and related interim accounting impacts; and changes in tax law. Management believes excluding these discrete tax items assists investors and securities analysts in understanding the tax provision and the effective tax rate related to operating results thereby providing investors with useful supplemental information about the company's operational performance. Three Months Ended March 31, (In Millions) 2019 2018 Tax adjustments: Revisions to our tax liabilities due to finalization of prior year tax returns $ 0.4 $ (0.3) Foreign currency remeasurement and other discrete items (0.5) (0.4) Total tax adjustments $ (0.1) $ (0.7) RECONCILIATION OF CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES (GAAP) TO ADJUSTED CASH FROM OPERATIONS (NON-GAAP) (Unaudited) Three Months Ended March 31, (In Millions) 2019 2018 Cash required by operating activities (GAAP) $ (1.4) $ (0.9) Separation-related activities (1) 23.1 Adjusted cash from operations (Non-GAAP) (2) $ 21.7 $ (0.9) ___________________ (1) Represents reimbursement to FMC for 2018 income taxes and transaction related costs, pursuant to the Tax Matters Agreement, for which we accrued liabilities at December 31, 2018. Also includes Separation-related costs. (2) The company believes that the non-GAAP financial measure "Adjusted cash from operations" provides useful information about the company's cash flows to investors and securities analysts. Adjusted cash from operations excludes the effects of transaction-related cash flows. The company also believes that excluding the effects of these items from cash provided by operating activities allows management and investors to compare more easily the cash flows from period to period. LIVENT CORPORATION CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (In Millions) March 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 Cash and cash equivalents $ 17.8 $ 28.3 Trade receivables, net of allowance of $0.1 in 2019 and $0.1 in 2018 115.1 141.4 Inventories, net 84.4 71.8 Prepaid and other current assets 56.5 59.8 Total current assets 273.8 301.3 Property, plant and equipment, net 296.6 275.7 Right of use assets - operating leases 15.9 Deferred income taxes 2.4 3.0 Other assets 81.4 80.0 Total assets $ 670.1 $ 660.0 Accounts payable, trade and other $ 61.9 $ 72.0 Accrued and other current liabilities 14.9 46.8 Income taxes 2.3 1.6 Total current liabilities 79.1 120.4 Long-term debt, less current portion 50.0 34.0 Operating lease liabilities - long-term 14.3 Long-term liabilities 19.8 17.7 Total equity 506.9 487.9 Total liabilities and equity $ 670.1 $ 660.0 LIVENT CORPORATION CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) Three Months Ended March 31, (In Millions) 2019 2018 Cash required by operating activities $ (1.4) $ (0.9) Cash required by investing activities (25.3) (11.4) Cash provided by financing activities 15.9 12.4 Effect of exchange rate changes on cash 0.3 0.1 (Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents (10.5) 0.2 Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year 28.3 1.2 Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 17.8 $ 1.4 SOURCE Livent Corporation Related Links https://livent.com/ NEW YORK, May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- On Monday night, May 6 at NYC's 2019 Met Gala, this year's Oscar-winning actress Regina King and up-and-coming star Lana Condor helped Lark & Berry make diamond history for being the first cultured diamonds jewelry brand to ever be worn at the annual event. 2019 Best Supporting Actress Oscar winner star Regina King, styled by Wayman+Micah, proudly graced the red carpet decked out in ten Lark & Berry cultured diamond pieces, including the brand's Veto, Nocturnal and Dune Collections. X-Men: Apocalypse star Lana Condor, styled by Jessica Paster, was also wearing her own Lark & Berry cultured diamond earrings from the new, signature Bow Collection. "Our new Bow suite has a special place in the Lark & Berry collection, and we are so proud to have it be part of the prestigious Met Gala this year," says founder Laura Chavez. The Bow Collection, designed by Lark & Berry, was subject to some controversy earlier this year, when it won its craftsman the British "Oscars of Jewelry," judged by 21 industry-leading diamond experts. The prize was short-lived, due to what Lark & Berry believe was a failure on the judges' part to identify the Bow Collection's diamonds as cultured. Lark & Berry founder Laura Chavez commented on the brand's blog that the awards council's reversed decision proves "there is no difference between cultured and mined diamonds, except that of sourcing." Made in a laboratory-controlled environment which mimics the process of diamond formation deep in Earth's mantle, Lark & Berry's cultured diamonds sit within the purest category of diamonds on the market. The process leads to less waste, less water loss and less impact on the environment. The stones are also conflict-free, since no mining and associated exploitation of local communities takes place. Lark & Berry's collections are delicate yet bold, classic and playful. Design is at the core of the brand. Prices range from $200 (14K gold collections) and $2,000+ for fine jewelry in 18K gold and platinum. Lark & Berry's has a flagship in London, a by-appointment space in Hong Kong, and is eyeing new locations in NYC and LA. CONTACT: [email protected] Related Images regina-king-lark-berry.jpg Related Links Website SOURCE Lark & Berry Related Links https://larkandberry.com DUBLIN, May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Manufacture and Wholesale of Machinery for Mining, Quarrying and Construction in South Africa 2019" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The volume of special purpose machinery produced increased by 5.5% between December 2017 and December 2018, while the sales value of these products at current prices rose by 8.2% over the same period. Seasonally adjusted sales value of special purpose machinery was R5.55bn in December 2018. Manufacturers and wholesalers of mining, quarrying and construction machinery are experiencing subdued demand for their products due to low levels of investment in the mining industry and limited activity in the construction sector. Industry Developments: A number of initiatives aimed at boosting the sector include the launch of the Mining Equipment Manufacturers of South Africa, which aims to develop a world-class mining equipment manufacturing sector, as well as government's announcement of a R400bn infrastructure fund and the new Mining Charter which has brought some policy certainty to the sector. However, a recent report said the competitiveness of South African manufacturers is being reduced by import competition, especially from China. Manufacturers blame this on a lack of protection in the capital equipment industry and the fact that state-owned companies and municipalities prefer imported equipment. Report Coverage: This report covers the manufacture and wholesale of machinery for mining, quarrying and construction including statistics up to December 2018. The report discusses the size and state of the industry and factors influencing its success. There are comprehensive profiles of 58 notable companies including large companies such as Barloworld and Bell Equipment. Other companies profiled include Komatsu Africa which opened a new R985m industrial campus in Germiston, Gauteng, in November 2018 and Osborn Engineered Products which is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2019. Key Topics Covered: 1. Introduction 2. Description Of The Industry 2.1. Industry Value Chain 2.2. Geographic Position 3. Size Of The Industry 4. State Of The Industry 4.1. Local 4.1.1. Trade 4.1.2. Corporate Actions 4.1.3. Regulations 4.1.4. Enterprise Development and Social Economic Development 4.2. Continental 4.3. International 5. Influencing Factors 5.1. Economic Environment 5.2. Rising Input Costs 5.3. State of the Mining and Construction Sectors 5.4. Government Support 5.5. Technology, Research and Development (R&D) and Innovation 5.6. Labour 5.7. Environmental Concerns 6. Competition 6.1. Barriers to Entry 7. SWOT Analysis 8. Outlook 9. Industry Associations 10. References Appendix Summary of Notable Players Company Profiles Aard Mining Equipment (Pty) Ltd Ammann Construction Machinery South Africa (Pty) Ltd Aury Africa (Pty) Ltd (Pty) Ltd Babcock Africa (Pty) Ltd (Pty) Ltd Barloworld Ltd Bell Equipment Company S A (Pty) Ltd Bell Equipment Sales South Africa Ltd Bird Machines (Pty) Ltd Bobcat Equipment South Africa (Pty) Ltd CMTI Mining Manufacturing (Pty) Ltd CNH Industrial Sa (Pty) Ltd Criterion Equipment (Pty) Ltd Desmond Equipment S A CC ELB Group Ltd Epiroc South Africa (Pty) Ltd Eqstra Ta Equipment (Pty) Ltd Fermel (Pty) Ltd Flsmidth (Pty) Ltd Galison Manufacturing (Pty) Ltd Hitachi Construction Machinery Southern Africa Co (Pty) Ltd Ian Dickie And Company (Pty) Ltd Invicta Holdings Ltd J A Engineering Works (Pty) Ltd John Deere (Pty) Ltd Joy Global (Africa) (Pty) Ltd Komatsu Africa Holdings (Pty) Ltd Kwatani (Pty) Ltd Liebherr-Africa (Pty) Ltd Longyear South Africa (Pty) Ltd Manitou Southern Africa (Pty) Ltd (Pty) Ltd Master Drilling Group Ltd Max Power Services (Pty) Ltd Mechprotech (Pty) Ltd Metso South Africa (Pty) Ltd Mip Process Technologies (Pty) Ltd Multotec (Pty) Ltd Octa Engineering Kroonstad (Pty) Ltd Osborn Engineered Products Sa (Pty) Ltd Pan Mixers South Africa (Pty) Ltd Petrel Engineering (Pty) Ltd Pilot Crushtec International (Pty) Ltd Reef Construction Machinery Company (Pty) Ltd Rham Equipment (Pty) Ltd Shantui Equipment Southern Africa (Pty) Ltd Smith Capital Equipment (Pty) Ltd Smith Mining Equipment (Pty) Ltd Stampede Equipment (Pty) Ltd Tenova South Africa (Pty) Ltd Thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions (Africa) (Pty) Ltd Torre Holdings (Pty) Ltd Trident South Africa (Pty) Ltd (Pty) Ltd Turner Morris (Pty) Ltd (Pty) Ltd Van Reenen Steel (Pty) Ltd (Pty) Ltd Vermeer Equipment Suppliers (Pty) Ltd Wacker Neuson (Pty) Ltd (Pty) Ltd Weir Minerals Africa (Pty) Ltd Wirtgen South Africa (Pty) Ltd Wuhlf Equipment (Pty) Ltd For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/ux0dth About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research. Media Contact: Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 SOURCE Research and Markets Related Links http://www.researchandmarkets.com One of the leading textile and apparel manufacturing and exporting companies in Vietnam, MXP, produced more than 10 million items in 2018. MXP proposed six strategic solutions in a constitutional proposal to the Government and leaders of the Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association (VITAS), Vietnam Leather, Footwear and Handbag Association (LEFASO), and Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), including: (1) Creating a policy for Vietnamese banks to grant credit and disburse funds for businesses with sustainable production activities; (2) Eliminating discrimination in the apparel industry and creating equal competition between Vietnamese and FDI enterprises; (3) Designing a mechanism to cut corporate income tax to support enterprises creating lots of jobs for society; (4) Appealing to the Government to create stipulations for companies with over 10,000 employees to provide reserve funds to provision against unemployment contingencies; (5) Asking the Government to issue a minimum wage schedule for the coming 5 and 10 years; and (6) Revising regulations for a maximum total overtime of 40 hours per month, instead of the current 30 hours. The private enterprise economic forum was held on a national scale, focusing on discussing key strategic macroeconomic issues and policies regionally and globally. MXP represented the voice of the private sector to discuss and design solutions with the Economic Ministries and industry experts to promote the strong export industry of Vietnamese enterprises amidst the opportunities stem from the CPTPP. Mr. Tran Quang Hao, MXP's Sales Director, said: "MXP has pioneered the application of 4.0 technology to increase labor productivity and management capacity, partnering closely with suppliers of raw materials to open the way for FOB customers who are readily integrated in the global fashion industry's value chain." These strategic shifts will aid businesses to adapt and capture the impending wave of the CPTPP, increasing the value of Vietnamese enterprises manufacturing for export. Website: https://mxp.com.vn/ SOURCE MXP JSC (Manufacturing Sportwear Joint Stock Company) Related Links https://mxp.com.vn/ CORAL SPRINGS, Fla., May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Silver Miller (www.SilverMillerLaw.com) -- the leading cryptocurrency investor law firm in the country -- has commended a new class action lawsuit on behalf of individuals and entities who contributed cryptocurrency or fiat currency to OneCoin, Ltd., the reported $4 billion Ponzi scheme founded by Ruja Ignatova, Sebastian Greenwood, and recently helmed by Ruja's brother Konstantin Ignatov. The lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York and is captioned Grablis, et al. v. OneCoin Ltd., et al., Case No. 1:19-cv-40704 (the "Lawsuit"). A copy of the Complaint filed in the Lawsuit can be seen HERE. Any member of the putative class may move the Court to serve as lead plaintiff through counsel of his/her/its choice or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff in the Lawsuit, however, you must move the Court no later than July 8, 2019 to appoint you as the lead plaintiff. If you wish to discuss the Lawsuit or have any questions concerning this notice or your rights or interests as they relate to the Lawsuit, please contact plaintiffs' counsel David C. Silver of Silver Miller at (954) 516-6000 or [email protected]. The Complaint alleges that OneCoin Ltd., its related corporate entities, and the companies' founders and principals fraudulently promoted cryptocurrency investments and engaged in an unregistered offering and sale of securities that violated numerous federal securities laws, including Sections 5, 12(a), 15, and 17(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, 15 U.S.C. 77e, 77l(a), 77o, and 77q(a). The Complaint further alleges that OneCoin's principals, along with Florida-based attorney Mark Scott, laundered hundreds of millions of dollars of investor funds. The Lawsuit pleads that the Court rescind all investments in OneCoin; return to all investors their funds; require OneCoin to account for all funds raised from investors; and adjudicate that OneCoin and its principals violated multiple securities laws through their fraudulent, unregistered investment scheme. Silver Miller currently represents cryptocurrency investors in actions pending against the Coinbase, Kraken, BitConnect, and Cryptsy exchanges as well as blockchain start-ups Nano and GigaWatt and cryptocurrency hedge fund Coin Signals. Contact: David C. Silver Silver Miller Managing Partner Florida 954-516-6000 Maryland 240-516-6000 Washington, D.C. 202-852-6000 E-Mail: [email protected] SOURCE Silver Miller Related Links http://www.silvermillerlaw.com PROVO, Utah, May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Premier beauty and wellness company Nu Skin has been ranked the world's number one at-home beauty device system brand for 2017 and 2018 by Euromonitor International Ltd.1, which publishes the world's most comprehensive market research on the skin care industry. "Nu Skin has differentiated itself in the rapidly growing at-home beauty device market with 'Device Systems' that combine powerful serums and solutions with beauty devices to become the leading brand," said Ryan Napierski, president. "This combination of scientifically proven formulations with patented technology addresses a range of consumers' top skin care concerns such as cleansing, firming, hydrating, acne and the appearance of lines and wrinkles." Nu Skin offers an innovative portfolio of beauty devices including Galvanic Spa, Body Spa, Facial Spa, ageLOC Me, LumiSpa and LumiSpa Accent that come with a variety of treatment products. ageLOC LumiSpa has been the newest addition and recently reached the milestone of more than two million units sold in just 18 months. The Euromonitor ranking adds to several global product and innovation awards for ageLOC LumiSpa including the Global Pure Beauty Awards, Cosmo Reader's Choice Award, Glamour magazine Glammies, The Techies, A' Design Awards and Spark Design Awards. "One of our strengths at Nu Skin is listening to the voices of our global consumers and developing products and devices that enhance their skin care routines," said Napierski. "As the beauty industry evolves and the popularity of at-home beauty devices continues to increase, we will continue to innovate in this dynamic space and are primed to lead the way in bringing a spa-like experience into the home." About Nu Skin Founded 35 years ago, Nu Skin develops and distributes innovative consumer products, offering a comprehensive line of premium-quality beauty and wellness solutions. The company builds upon its scientific expertise in both skin care and nutrition to continually develop innovative product brands that include the Nu Skin personal care brand, the Pharmanex nutrition brand, and most recently, the ageLOC anti-aging brand. The ageLOC brand has generated a loyal following for such products as the ageLOC LumiSpa skin cleansing and treatment device, ageLOC Youth nutritional supplement, the ageLOC Me customized skin care system, as well as the ageLOC TR90 weight management and body shaping system. Nu Skin sells its products through a global network of sales leaders in Asia, the Americas, Europe, Africa and the Pacific. As a long-standing member of direct selling associations globally, Nu Skin is committed to the industry's consumer guidelines that protect and support those who sell and purchase its products through the direct selling channel. Nu Skin is a wholly owned subsidiary of Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc., which is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol (NYSE: NUS). More information is available at nuskin.com. 1 Source: Euromonitor International Ltd; Retail Value RSP terms; all channels; 2017 and 2018. Includes at-home Skin Care Devices exclusively paired with topical consumable of same brand. Based on Euromonitor custom research methodology, Jan/Feb 2019. Includes electric facial cleansers as defined in Passport database; does not include hair care/removal, body shavers, or oral care appliances. SOURCE Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc. Related Links https://www.nuskin.com/ BOSTON and GUILDFORD, United Kingdom, May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Semafone, the leading provider of data security and compliance solutions for call and contact centers, today announced that their flagship solution, Cardprotect (version 4), is now validated by the Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council (PCI SSC) against the latest version of the Payment Application Data Security Standard (PA-DSS). This achievement makes Semafone one of the only call and contact center payment security solutions in the industry to provide this level of certification. Data security is one of the most important considerations for any company that has a call or contact center that takes and handles payment card transactions. Payment card data breaches, fraud and theft have become pervasive issues, and for most organizations, it's no longer a question of if they will be breached, but when. The Ponemon Institute's 2018 Cost of a Data Breach Study found that the average global probability of a material breach occurring in the next 24 months is 27.9 percent, an increase over previous years. At the same time, the average total cost of a data breach is $3.86 million. Working with a service provider that can ensure the highest level of payment card data security is the only option for businesses that want to protect their customers and reduce the risk of a potentially reputation-damaging data breach. Semafone has gone above and beyond the PCI DSS sampling approach, and has built Cardprotect under the additional, rigorous standards of the PA-DSS, which focus on the payment application itself. With PA-DSS certification, Cardprotect is subject to extensive source code review, testing of the installation and deployment of the payment application and comprehensive penetration testing. This stringent assessment process includes secure development requirements, secure authentication, secure remote access and encrypting sensitive internet traffic, a formal assessment by a Qualified Security Assessor (PA-QSA) and their penetration testing team, and validation by the PCI SSC assessor quality management (AQM) team. "We are pleased to be able to provide our expert guidance to support Semafone in their bid to help protect customers when making payments," says Bryan Scaife, Managing Consultant, NCC Group. "Semafone's PA-DSS certification provides assurance of investment in the continuous maintenance against cyber threats, which helps to reduce the risk for end users." In addition to PA-DSS certification and being a Level 1 PCI DSS Service Provider, Semafone is also certified for ISO27001 and is a Level 1 Visa Listed Merchant Agent, making the company the only software vendor to hold all four certifications, offering both on-premise and cloud solutions for securing telephone payments. Key benefits of these critical certifications include: Level 1 PCI DSS Service Provider: Semafone is a PCI DSS Level 1 service provider, which is achieved following a successful audit with a QSA, and can be used by all merchants processing credit card transactions, including those handling over 6 million transactions per year. Semafone is a PCI DSS Level 1 service provider, which is achieved following a successful audit with a QSA, and can be used by all merchants processing credit card transactions, including those handling over 6 million transactions per year. PA-DSS: PA-DSS is a rigorous framework and assessment of Semafone's payment application software. The certification process includes stringent penetration testing and procedures, controls, and more ensuring Semafone provides the highest level of customer data protection. PA-DSS is a rigorous framework and assessment of Semafone's payment application software. The certification process includes stringent penetration testing and procedures, controls, and more ensuring Semafone provides the highest level of customer data protection. Level 1 Visa Merchant Agent: Semafone has been a Level 1 Visa Merchant Agent in Europe for many years, which requires submitting a report on compliance (RoC) to Visa, who then conduct a vigilant audit to ensure continuous service provider compliance. Semafone has been a Level 1 Visa Merchant Agent in for many years, which requires submitting a report on compliance (RoC) to Visa, who then conduct a vigilant audit to ensure continuous service provider compliance. ISO27001: The international standard for information security certification that customers look to for assurance that a vendor can be trusted with customer data. Having held ISO27001 certification for almost five years, Semafone has consistently maintained the industry's seal of approval. "Semafone has been PA-DSS certified since 2012, which demonstrates our consistent commitment to achieving the highest possible standards in payment data security. By consistently obtaining a PA-DSS certification, we're providing an unmatched level of security and peace of mind, not only for our direct customers but also for our partners," said Gary E. Barnett, CEO, Semafone. "PA-DSS certification is a requirement for any maker, developer and integrator of payment applications that use credit card information for payment authorization and settlement, and that are sold, distributed or licensed to third parties. We are literally saving our payment application partners valuable time and costs that would otherwise have gone towards achieving the certification themselves. For our customers, they can rest assured that by selecting Semafone they will be taking every measure possible to protect their consumers' sensitive information and reduce the risk of a data breach." Learn more information about Semafone's Cardprotect PA-DSS certification. About Semafone Semafone provides software to contact centers so they can take personal data securely over the telephone. Semafone's patented data capture method collects sensitive information such as payment card or bank details and social security numbers directly from the customer's telephone keypad for processing. This prevents personal data from entering the contact center, which protects against the risk of fraud and the associated reputational damage, ensuring compliance with industry regulations such as PCI DSS. The company was founded in 2009 and now supports customers in 26 countries on five continents. Semafone is vertically agnostic and its extensive customer base includes companies such as Aviva Canada, Amica Mutual Insurance, British Sky Broadcasting, Pethealth, Rogers Communications, Santander, Sutter Health and TVG. Major investors of Semafone include Octopus Ventures and BGF (Business Growth Fund). Semafone has achieved the four-leading security and payment accreditations: ISO 27001:2013, PA-DSS certification for Cardprotect its payment solution, PCI DSS Level 1 Service Provider and is a registered Visa Level 1 Merchant Agent. To learn more, visit www.semafone.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook. SOURCE Semafone Related Links https://semafone.com Since late 2016 Donovan has served as Group CEO of TBWA\South Africa, responsible for seven group operating companies across the country, including TBWA\Hunt\Lascaris, GRID, Yellowwood, OpenCo, HDI Youth Marketers and Magna Carta, and 19 affiliate agencies across 14 other African countries. With Asia as an engine of innovation and growth for the TBWA collective, Donovan's background as an entrepreneur and experience running a group of companies in South Africa make him an ideal fit for the regional Asia role. Troy Ruhanen, CEO, TBWA\Worldwide said, "In his time leading our agencies in South Africa, Sean has run a group of successful companies and pushed them to the next level of performance, encouraging integration, collaboration, strengthening client relationships, attracting top talent, and driving a new standard of creativity. Entrepreneurship and innovation are in his DNA. He's got a knack for building chemistry across markets and leads with a roll-up-the-sleeves management style. He is the ideal person to lead the vibrant and diverse markets of Asia, where we continue to innovate at speed and scale." Donovan's elevation comes at a time of positive momentum for the TBWA agency collective, with Ad Age, Fast Company and Adweek recognizing the global collective's achievements. Earlier this year, TBWA was re-appointed by Singapore Airlines as its global lead creative agency for a five-year contract, in addition to expanding its global relationship with Hilton in Asia. This came two months after eight countries across TBWA\Asia were named Agency of the Year, in addition to TBWA's Southeast Asia collective being named Creative Network of the Year, Southeast Asia. During Donovan's tenure, the TBWA\South Africa Group has flourished, winning pan-regional accounts including MTN and Multichoice Africa, receiving multiple accolades, including winning Agency Network of the Year at the Loeries 2018 (Middle East & Africa) and earning the position as the top South African agency at The One Show, Cannes and the Clio Awards in 2018. Most recently, TBWA\Hunt\Lascaris and TBWA\South Africa were recognized as Creative Circle's Agency and Agency Group of the Year. He will work closely with John Hunt, co-founder of TBWA\Hunt\Lascaris and Creative Chairman of TBWA\Worldwide and Cem Topcuoglu, President, International of TBWA\Worldwide, on the search for a successor. Added Donovan: "I am humbled and honored to take on this role within TBWA\Asia. I've been a huge fan of the many innovations, products and business offerings that have come out of the region for years and look forward to working with many of our agencies to continue to push the industry forward. It is a privilege to take on this new role while continuing to lead the TBWA Group in South Africa during our search for a successor, a step I take with confidence because of the strong management we have in place across all of our agencies. South Africa will always have a special place in my heart, and I'm incredibly proud to attribute my knowledge and creative compass to the African market. It now feels like the right time to bring this knowledge and energy into a market as enterprising and progressive as Asia, and I can't wait to grab the opportunity." Donovan's tenure with TBWA goes back to 2010 when TBWA first acquired an equity stake in the integrated communications agency, OpenCo-The Open Collaboration, where he was the Managing Director and founding partner. In 2015 he assumed the reigns of TBWA's coastal operations as Managing Director of TBWA\Hunt\Lascaris in Durban, before taking on the role of Group CEO in December 2016. Entrepreneurial by nature, Donovan is also the founder of a tech start-up and Chairperson of Campaigning4Cancer a non-profit-company that does critical issue-based advocacy work for cancer suffers and their families. Added Philip Brett, Chief Operating Officer, TBWA\Worldwide: "Sean has been a key part of our global leadership team for several years, and we've seen the tremendous impact that he's made across his market and beyond. He is eminently qualified to lead a region as big, dynamic and diverse as Asia." About TBWA\Worldwide TBWA is The Disruption Company: the cultural engine for 21st century business. Named one of the World's Most Innovative Companies by Fast Company and Adweek's 2018 Global Agency of the Year, we create disruptive ideas that locate and involve brands in culture, giving them a larger share of the future. Our collective has 11,300 creative minds across 275 offices in 95 countries and also includes brands such as Auditoire, Digital Arts Network (DAN), eg+ worldwide, GMR, The Integer Group, TBWA\Media Arts Lab, TBWA\WorldHealth and TRO. Global clients include adidas, Apple, Gatorade, Henkel, Hilton Hotels, McDonald's, Michelin, Nissan and Singapore Airlines. Follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram, and like us on Facebook. TBWA is part of Omnicom Group (NYSE: OMC). SOURCE TBWA\Worldwide ATLANTA and COLUMBIA, S.C., May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The Doss Firm LLC said today that its investigation of Centaurus Financial Inc. is continuing after the filing of fraud claims against the firm on behalf of a South Carolina retiree. This week, the Doss law firm filed claims with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (FINRA) on behalf of a retired Flour Corp. engineer, alleging that Centaurus advisers Cindy Chiellini and Katherine Nishnic mismanaged his IRA account by over-concentrating it in complex, high-risk, speculative and illiquid structured CDs, structured notes, foreign bonds, and non-traded REITs. The case is "Tom Dabbs v. Centaurus Financial Inc.," FINRA Arbitration Case No. 19-01250. Jason Doss, of The Doss Firm LLC, said, "This is a case about how a Centaurus customer entrusted his hard-earned retirement savings to financial advisers we allege violated industry rules and the law. The complaint details how the firm allegedly engaged in speculative trading that was wholly unsuitable for his investment objective and risk tolerance, misrepresented the essential features of the securities sold to him, and failed to accurately disclose the risks of the investments." Centaurus also is accused in the complaint of failing to adequately supervise its registered representatives in the Dabbs case, Ms. Chiellini and Ms. Nishnic of the firm's Lexington, S.C. office. Mr. Doss added, "Our investigation and regulatory records indicate that Ms. Chiellini and Ms. Nishnic have been the subject of 15 customer complaints between them, all involving allegations of unsuitable investment recommendations. We have received complaints from other investors and, as a result, we have reason to believe that that Ms. Chiellini and Ms. Nishnic, as agents of Centaurus, engaged in a one-size-fits-all scheme that involved selling high-commission structured CDs, structured notes, foreign bonds and non-traded REITs to their clients regardless of whether it was appropriate." Non-traded REITs, like those sold to Mr. Dabbs, are perennial "Top Ten Investor Traps" identified by the North American Securities Administrators Association, the organization of state securities regulators. The complaint includes alleged violations of the State Uniform Securities Act, breach of fiduciary duty, common law and constructive fraud, fraudulent concealment, negligent misrepresentation, breach of contract, breach of duty, negligence and unsuitable trading. Mr. Dabbs seeks damages, disgorgement of commissions, punitive damages, attorneys' fees, and interest. Contact: Jason Doss, The Doss Firm LLC, Marietta, Ga., 855-436-7752, www.dossfirm.com, [email protected]. SOURCE The Doss Firm LLC Related Links https://www.dossfirm.com The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program, sponsored by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), named Bryan and Tanya Ohio's top high school and middle level youth volunteers in February. In addition to their cash awards, they each received an engraved silver medallion and an all-expense-paid trip with a parent to Washington, D.C., for four days of recognition events. Bryan, a senior at St. Xavier High School, formed a nonprofit organization that recruits volunteers to provide academic and other kinds of assistance to local children who are being raised by their non-biological parents. Because Bryan's mother teaches at an inner-city school, he has been very aware that some students live in foster or group homes because their parents are addicted to opioids. "Mom worries about her students even after work," he said. "She tells me frequently how much her students need and deserve support." So, as a freshman in high school, Bryan began volunteering at a ministry serving people who need help. But when he realized how many children were affected by the opioid epidemic, he decided to organize an effort specifically to address that crisis. Over the past three years, Bryan has recruited more than 50 volunteers from local high schools, the University of Cincinnati, companies and organizations to lend individualized support three times a week to kids living with non-biological parents. They provide academic assistance, mentoring and extracurricular activities at various locations, including libraries, group homes and food banks. More than 900 kids have benefited so far, and of those who have received academic help, over 80 percent have significantly improved their school grades. Bryan's organization also has sponsored two youth symposia to connect young people to mental health services, job opportunities, college admissions personnel, GED programs and other resources; organized an annual summer camp for 88 elementary and middle level students in need; and distributed printed materials at city events to raise awareness of the impact of drug addiction on children. "I truly believe all children should have the opportunities to achieve their fullest potential regardless of family circumstances," said Bryan. Tanya, an eighth-grader at Mason Middle School, built a website to raise awareness of the poverty she had witnessed in the slums of India, and hosted an event that brought in $1,000 to cover a full year of education expenses for 40 Indian children. Before Tanya visited several slums on a family trip to India, she had no idea that some people lived in such poverty. "The people were living without proper schools, roads, houses, food, electricity, and opportunity," she said. "It was so sad." Then, she added, "I realized that I had all the resources I needed to make a difference. I knew I had to help them." Upon returning home, Tanya founded a nonprofit organization called "Realize to Act," and created a website describing her experience in India with words, photos and videos. Afterward, she decided to host a "giving event" to further increase awareness of poverty in India, and to raise money for the education of children there. With help from her parents, Tanya designed promotional fliers, secured sponsors, booked a venue, lined up multiple speakers, sold tickets and served as master of ceremonies. Proceeds from the event were donated to an organization that works to educate Indian children in need and break the cycle of poverty. "What is the point of life?" Tanya asks. "I believe it is to help our world. If we all work together to make the world a little bit better, imagine how beautiful it could be." "We're impressed and inspired by the way these honorees have identified problems facing their communities and stepped up to the challenge to make a difference," said Charles Lowrey, chairman and CEO of Prudential Financial, Inc. "It's a privilege to celebrate their leadership and compassion, and we look forward to seeing the great things they accomplish in the future." "These students have not only done important work in support of people in need they've also shown their peers that young people can, and do, create meaningful change," said Christine Handy, president of NASSP. "We commend each of these young volunteers for all they've contributed to their communities." Youth volunteers in grades 5-12 were invited to apply for 2019 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards last fall through schools, Girl Scout councils, county 4-H organizations, American Red Cross chapters, YMCAs and affiliates of Points of Light's HandsOn Network. More than 29,000 middle level and high school students nationwide participated in this year's program. The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program was created in 1995 to identify and recognize young people for outstanding volunteer service and, in so doing, inspire others to volunteer, too. In the past 24 years, the program has honored more than 125,000 young volunteers at the local, state and national level. For more information about The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards and this year's honorees, visit http://spirit.prudential.com or www.nassp.org/spirit . About NASSP The National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) is the leading organization of and voice for principals and other school leaders across the United States. NASSP seeks to transform education through school leadership, recognizing that the fulfillment of each student's potential relies on great leaders in every school committed to the success of each student. Reflecting its long-standing commitment to student leadership development, NASSP administers the National Honor Society, National Junior Honor Society, National Elementary Honor Society, and National Student Council. Learn more at www.nassp.org. About Prudential Financial Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE: PRU), a financial services leader, has operations in the United States, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Prudential's diverse and talented employees are committed to helping individual and institutional customers grow and protect their wealth through a variety of products and services, including life insurance, annuities, retirement-related services, mutual funds and investment management. In the U.S., Prudential's iconic Rock symbol has stood for strength, stability, expertise and innovation for more than a century. For more information, please visit www.news.prudential.com. Editors: For pictures of the Spirit of Community Awards program logo and medallions, visit https://spirit.prudential.com/resources/media . For B-roll of Ohio's honorees at the 2019 national recognition events, contact Prudential's Harold Banks at (973) 216-4833 or [email protected] . SOURCE Prudential Financial, Inc. Related Links http://www.PRUDENTIAL.com Dublin, May 07, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) Global Market - Forecast to 2025" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. According to analysis, the global Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient market is expected to grow at a high CAGR to reach $307.2 billion by 2025. Adoption of biologics in disease management and increasing regulatory approvals in the past year, increasing scope of HPAPI market, patent expiration of major drugs, increasing trend of outsourcing and increase in geriatric population are some of the factors driving the market growth. The global API market is mainly segmented by synthesis, by business type, by application and by geography. API market based on synthesis is further divided into synthetic API, Biotech API, and HPAPI. Synthetic API holds a major share in 2018 and is expected to grow at a mid-single digit CAGR from 2018 to 2025. The major factors driving the synthetic chemical API market are patent expiration of synthetic (small molecule drugs), increasing number of small molecules in clinical trials, increasing outsourcing by the pharmaceutical companies, CMOs investments to expand manufacturing facilities, rise in incidence of chronic and age-related diseases, rapid growth in oncology market, technological advancement like cryogenic and continuous flow manufacturing. Based on the customer, the synthetic API is further divided into branded API and generic API. Branded API accounted for the largest share in 2018 and is expected to grow at a mid-single digit CAGR from 2018 to 2025. Generic API is expected to grow at a high single-digit CAGR from 2018 to 2025, due to Patent expiry of blockbuster drugs, rising healthcare expenses, increasing outsourcing and shift towards the generic medicines led by the government initiatives. Biotech API is expected to grow at a high single-digit CAGR from 2018 to 2025. Increased investment in R&D by pharmaceutical companies for developing biologic drugs, adoption of biological therapies in disease management, increasing outsourcing, increasing biologics approvals in the past year, increasing chronic and autoimmune illnesses, increasing number of branded drugs going off-patent creating a scope for biosimilars, requirement of novel biologics therapeutics for rare diseases, increasing demand for antibody conjugates are few factors driving the biotech API market. Biotech API is further segmented into monoclonal antibodies, recombinant proteins, vaccines and others (stem cell therapy and gene therapy). Monoclonal antibodies accounted for the highest share in 2018 and expected to grow at a double-digit CAGR from 2018 to 2025. Development of next-generation antibodies such as antibody-drug conjugates and rising venture capital investments and applications of monoclonal antibodies are the factors booming monoclonal antibodies market growth. Based on the customer, biotech API is further divided into biologics and biosimilars. Biologics accounted for the largest share in 2018 and is expected to grow at a high single-digit CAGR from 2018 to 2025. Biologics market is driven globally due to the adoption of biological therapies in disease management, increasing biologics approvals in the past year, increasing chronic and autoimmune illnesses and increasing elderly population globally. Biosimilars are expected to grow at a mid-double-digit CAGR from 2018 to 2025. Factors driving the biosimilar drug market are patent expiry of biological drugs, low cost compared to biologics health care expenditure, increase in chronic diseases, growing geriatric population, demand for quality healthcare. HPAPI is expected to grow at a high single-digit CAGR from 2018 to 2025. Rapid growth in the oncology market, low toxicity and lower side effects, technological advancements in HPAPI, increasing outsourcing, increasing the incidence of chronic and age-related diseases are few factors driving the HPAPI market growth. Based on customer, HPAPI is further divided into branded API and generic API. Branded API is accounted the largest share in 2018 and is expected to grow at a high single-digit CAGR from 2018 to 2025, increased development of targeted therapy APIs, increased investments in the manufacturing of branded HPAPI are the factors driving the market. Generic API is expected to grow at a high single-digit CAGR from 2018 to 2025. Patent expiry of blockbuster drugs, rising healthcare expenses and shift towards the generic medicines led by the government initiatives are some of the factors driving the generic HPAPI market. By business type, the global API market is divided into captive API and merchant API. Captive market holds major share in 2018 and is expected to grow at a mid-single digit CAGR from 2018 to 2025, captive API is further divided into branded captive API and generic captive API, branded captive API accounted for the largest share in 2018 and is expected to grow at a mid-single- digit CAGR from 2018 to 2025. Merchant API market is the fastest growing segment with a high single-digit CAGR from 2018 to 2025. Novel drugs patent expiry, high cost of innovative drugs and complications in innovative drug manufacturing are some of the factors driving the growth of the Merchant API market. Merchant API market is further divided into branded merchant API and generic merchant API. Generic merchant API accounted for the largest share in 2018 and is expected to grow at a double-digit CAGR from 2018 to 2025. Increasing outsourcing, advanced manufacturing facilities, lack of in-house manufacturing capability, high capital investment and cost of API manufacturing are the factors driving the Merchant API market. By therapeutic applications, API market is segmented into infectious diseases, oncology, cardiovascular disorders, central nervous system, a pulmonary disorder, gastrointestinal disorder, endocrine disorders, metabolic disorders, genito-urinary disorders, musculoskeletal disorders and others. In the application segment, Oncology holds a major share in 2018 and expected to grow at a high single-digit CAGR from 2018 to 2025. In synthetic API, infectious diseases accounted the largest share in 2018 and is expected to grow at a high single-digit CAGR from 2018 to 2025, oncology is expected to grow at a high single-digit CAGR from 2018 to 2025. In biotech API, musculoskeletal disorders accounted the largest share in 2018 and the share is expected to grow at a high single-digit CAGR from 2018 to 2025, oncology is expected to grow at a double-digit CAGR from 2018 to 2025. In HPAPI, oncology accounted for the largest share in 2018 and is expected to grow at a high single-digit CAGR from 2018 to 2025. Biotech API and HPAPI is driving the market growth at a faster pace due to rising targeted therapy demand in the last 15 years for the treatment of diseases, mainly in the oncology sector. Active pharmaceutical Ingredients market by region is segmented as North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of the world (ROW) where North America holds the largest share in 2018 and is expected to grow at a high single-digit CAGR from 2018 to 2025. Patent expiration of the major drugs, rising demand for biotech APIs from government and private companies, market entry of biosimilars, increasing the scope of highly potent drugs and increase in the prevalence of chronic diseases such as cancer, musculoskeletal disorder, cardiac disease are some of the major factors driving the North America API market. Asia-Pacific region is expected to grow at a high single-digit CAGR from 2018 to 2025. Low labor cost, abundance availability of raw materials, infrastructure facility, rise in generic drugs demand, increased production capabilities, the presence of a large number of domestic and international players, and concentration of CMO companies are some of the factors that are driving the market growth. Some of the key players of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) market are Lonza Group (Switzerland), Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH (Germany), Teva Pharmaceutical Industries LTD (Israel), Sanofi (France), Patheon N.V (U.S), Aurobindo pharmaceuticals. (India), Seigfried Holdings A.G (Switzerland), Olon S.p.A (Italy), Pfizer Inc. (U.S.), GlaxoSmithKline plc. (U.K.), Cambrex Corporation (U.S.) and AMRI, (U.S.). Key Topics Covered 1 Executive Summary 2 Introduction 2.1 Key Takeaways 2.2 Scope Of The Report 2.3 Report Description 2.4 Markets Covered 2.5 Stakeholders 2.6 Research Methodology 3 Market Analysis 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Market Segmentation 3.3 Factors Influencing Market 3.3.1 Drivers And Opportunities 3.3.1.1 Adoption Of Biologics In Disease Management And Increasing Regulatory Approvals In The Past Year 3.3.1.2 Increasing Scope Of HPAPI Market 3.3.1.3 Patent Expiration Of Major Drugs 3.3.1.4 Increasing Trend Of Outsourcing 3.3.1.5 Increase In Geriatric Population 3.3.2 Restraints And Threats 3.3.2.1 Contamination Of API 3.3.2.2 Fierce Competition Between API Players 3.3.2.3 High Cost For Manufacturing APIs 3.3.2.4 Requirement Of Highly Skilled Technicians 3.3.2.5 Stringent Regulatory Policies And Environmental Concerns 3.4 Regulatory Affairs 3.4.1 International Organization For Standardization 3.4.1.1 ISO 9001: 2015 Quality Management System 3.4.1.2 ISO 13408 Aseptic Processing 3.4.1.3 ISO 14644-1 Clean Room Standards 3.4.2 U.S. 3.4.3 Canada 3.4.4 Mexico 3.4.5 Europe 3.4.6 China 3.4.7 India 3.4.8 Japan 3.4.9 Australia 3.4.10 South Korea 3.4.11 Latin America 3.4.12 Middle East 3.5 Technological Advancements 3.5.1 Introduction 3.5.2 Automation And Control 3.5.3 Continuous Manufacturing 3.5.4 Cryogenic Technology 3.5.5 Single - Use System (SUS) 3.5.6 Mammalian Cell Based Production 3.6 Porter's Five Force Analysis 3.8 Market Share Analysis 3.9 API Manufacturing Units 3.10 Global Pharmaceutical API Production Volume 3.11 Patent Expiry And ANDA Approvals 3.12 Companies Acquisition, Merger And Expansions 3.13 Collaboration And Agreement Between API Manufacturers 3.14 Selected Top Selling API 3.15 API Manufacturers Revenue And Capabilities Table 4 API Global Market, By Synthesis 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Synthetic API 4.2.1 Synthetic API By Customer Base 4.2.1.1 Branded Synthetic API 4.2.1.2 Generic Synthetic API 4.3 Biotech API 4.3.1 Introduction 4.3.1.1 Monoclonal Antibodies 4.3.1.2 Recombinant Proteins 4.3.1.3 Vaccines 4.3.1.4 Others 4.3.2 Biotech API By Customer Base 4.3.2.1 Biologic API 4.3.2.2 Biosimilar API 4.4 HPAPI 4.4.1 HPAPI By Customer Base 4.4.1.1 Branded HPAPI 4.4.1.2 Generic HPAPI 5 API Global Market, By Business Type 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Captive API By Type 5.2.1 Branded Captive API 5.2.2 Generic Captive API 5.3 Merchant API By Type 5.3.1 Branded Merchant API 5.3.2 Generic Merchant API 6 API Global Market, By Application 6.1 Introduction 6.2 Infectious Diseases 6.3 Oncology 6.4 Cardiovascular Disorders 6.5 Central Nervous System 6.6 Pulmonary Disorders 6.7 Gastrointestinal Disorders 6.8 Endocrine Disorders 6.9 Metabolic Disorders 6.10 Genitourinary Disorders 6.11 Musculoskeletal Disorders 6.12 Other Applications 7 Regional Analysis 7.1 Introduction 7.2 North America 7.2.1 U.S. 7.2.2 Rest Of North America 7.3 Europe 7.3.1 Italy 7.3.2 Germany 7.3.3 France 7.3.4 Rest Of Europe 7.4 APAC 7.4.1 China 7.4.2 Japan 7.4.3 India 7.4.4 Rest Of APAC 7.5 RoW 7.5.1 Brazil 7.5.2 Rest Of LATAM 7.5.3 Middle East & Others 8 Competitive Landscape 8.1 Introduction 8.2 Expansions 8.3 Approvals 8.4 Acquisitions 8.5 Agreements And Collaboration 8.6 Others 9 Major Companies 9.1 Albany Molecular Research Inc. 9.1.1 Overview 9.1.2 Financials 9.1.3 Product Portfolio 9.1.4 Key Developments 9.1.5 Business Strategy 9.1.6 SWOT Analysis 9.2 Aurobindo Pharma Limited 9.3 Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH 9.4 Cambrex Corporation 9.5 Divis Laboratories 9.6 GlaxoSmithKline plc 9.7 Lonza Group Ltd. 9.8 Olon S.P.A. 9.9 Thermo Fisher Scientific (Patheon N.V.) 9.10 Pfizer Inc. 9.11 Sanofi 9.12 Siegfried Holding AG 9.13 Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries Limited Companies Mentioned Aarti Drugs Ltd Aash Biotech Pvt Ltd. Abbvie ABC International Pharma Srl. ABClonal J.H Whitney Capital Partners LLC (Accupac, Inc.) Achaogen Inc. Acic Pharmaceutical Inc. Adimmune Corporation Aesica Pharmaceuticals AGc Group AGc Biologics Ajantha Pharma Ajinomoto Bio-Pharma Services Akorn Albany Molecular Research Inc (AMRI) Albemarle Corporation Alcami Corporation Alembic Ltd. Alfachemicals Alkem Laboratories Ltd. Alkermes Plc ALLChem Allergan Plc Almac Group Almelo Private Limited Alpic Remedies Alven Laboratories Ambio Pharma Inc. Amega Biotech Amgen Amneal Pharmaceuticals LLC Amoytop Biotech Ampac Fine Chemicals Angelini Acraf S.P.A. Apicore Us LLC Apotex Fermentation Inc Aqvida GmbH Arena Pharmaceuticals Arene Lifesciences Limited Arevipharma GmbH Ariston Pharma Novatech Pvt., Ltd. Aspire Lifesciences Pvt., Ltd. Astrazeneca Plc. Aurobindo Pharma Ltd. Avra Laboratories Pvt., Ltd. Azad Pharma AG Bachem Holding AG Bal Pharma Ltd. Basf Baxter International Inc. Bayer Pharma Chemicals Biocodex S.A. Biocon Ltd. Biogen Biomax Pharma Biomerin Pharmaceutical Inc. Biophore India Pharmaceuticals Pvt., Ltd. Biosortia Pharmaceuticals Biotechnica Pharma Global Biovian Blanver Farmoquimica Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH. Brammer Bio Brawn Laboratories Ltd. Bristol-Myers Squibb Cadila Pharmaceuticals Limited Cambrex Corporation Catalent Cayman Chemicals Celgene Celltrion Inc. Century Pharmaceuticals Ltd. Cerbios-Pharma Sa Cfm Group (Amsa S.P.A) Changzhou Pharmaceutical Factory Chemcon GmbH China Chemical & Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. Chongqing Huapont Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. Cipla Limited Ckd Bio Coba Pharma Corden Pharma Crystalia Csl Ltd Ctx Lifesciences Daiichi Sankyo Chemical Pharma Co Ltd. Daito Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. Dalton Research Molecule Dcs Pharma AG Dishman Pharmaceuticals Divis Laboratories Dong Wha Pharm Ind Co Ltd. Dr.Reddy's Laboratories Eirgen Pharma Eisai Eli Lilly Pharmaceuticals Emcure Pharmaceuticals Ltd. Enaltec Labs Private Limited. Ercros Estechpharma Co., Ltd. Esteve Qumica Everest Organics Limited. Evonik Industries AG Fareva Group Farmabios Ferring Pharmaceuticals Fis Fabbrica Italiana Sintetici S.P.A. Flamma S.P.A. Florentis Pharmaceuticals Pvt., Ltd. Formosa Laboratories Inc. Fuji Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. GE Healthcare Bio-Sciences Ab Gentec Pharmaceutical Group S.A Gilead Sciences, Inc. Gland Pharma Limited. Glaxosmithkline Plc. Glenmark Generics Ltd. Gnosis S.P.A. Granules India Ltd. GVK Industries Limited (Gvk Bioscience) Haoyuan Chemexpress Co.Ltd. Harman Finochem Limited. Heni Chemical Industries Heraues Holding GmbH Hetero Labs Ltd. Hikma Pharmaceuticals Honour Lab Ltd. Hovione Huvapharma Hybio Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. Ibio Inc Icrom S.P.A. Inabata Pharmasynthese Inalco Pharmaceuticals Indena Insight Biopharmaceutical Intas Pharmaceuticals Ltd. Interquim, S.A. Jeil Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. Johnson And Johnson (Janssen Pharmaceutica Nv, Belgium) Jubilant Lifesciences (Jubilant Generics Ltd.) Katsura Chemical Co.,Ltd. Kern Pharma, S.L. Kleos Pharma Kongo Yakuhin Co., Ltd. Kosher Pharmaceuticals Krka Pharmaceuticals Kyowa Hakko Kirin Ofichem BV Lannett Co. Inc. Laurus Labs. Lebsa Lgm Pharma. Libbs Liptis Pharmaceuticals Lonza Group Lotus Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. Lupin Lusochimica S.P.A Macleods Pharmaceutical Ltd. MAGle Chemoswed Ab Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals Medichem S.A Megafine Pharma Ltd Mehta Api Merck Group (Merck Kgaa) Metrochem Api Micro Labs Ltd. Minakem S.A. Moehs Iberica S.L. Molcan Corporation Morepen Msn Organics Pvt, Ltd. Mylan N.V Nanomedex Pharmaceuticals Natco Pharma Ltd. Neovacs Kinoid Neuland Laboratories Ltd. Neuraxpharm Arzneimittel (Inke) Nifty Labs Pvt Ltd. Norchim Novartis AG Novasep Novo Nordisk Novocap, Olainfarm Jsc. Olon S.P.A. Oncobiologics Optimus Drugs Private Ltd. Orchid Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals Ltd. Orion (Fermion) Paratek Pharmaceutical Pcas Pellets Pharma Limited Perrigo Pfizer Pfanstiehl Pharmispania Phyton Biotech LLC Pierre Fabre Piramal Enterprises Ltd. Polpharma Bb Prajna Generics Pvt. Ltd. Precise Group Probiogen AG Princeton Biomolecular Research, Inc. Rablon Healthcare Pvt Ltd. Raks Pharma Pvt Ltd. Recipharm Ab Regeneron Reine Lifescience Reliance Life Sciences Pvt., Ltd. Reva Pharma Pvt., Ltd. Roche Rochem International Inc. Rpg Life Sciences Rxn Chemicals Pvt. Ltd. Saamya Biotech Sajjala Bio Labs Sandoz International GmbH Saneca Pharmaceuticals Sanofi S.A. Scinopharm Taiwan Ltd. Servier Shenzhen Haorui Industrial Dev. Shilpa Medicare Limited Shiono Chemical Co., Ltd. Shire Pharmaceuticals Shouyuan Chemical Shreeji Pharma International Siegfried Holdinngs AG Sigma-Aldrich Sigmapharm Laboratories LLC. SM Biomed Sdn. Bhd Smilax Laboratories Limited Sms Pharmaceuticals Limited Solara A Pharma Sciences Ltd. Srini Pharmaceuticals Ltd. Standard Chemical & Pharmaceutical Co. Sterling Biotech Ltd. Strides Shasun Limited Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co., Ltd. Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. Suven Life Science Ltd. Suzhou Ryway Biotech Symbiotec Pharma Lab Pvt., Ltd Synergene Active Ingredients Pvt, Ltd. Syn-Tech Chem. And Pharma.Co., Ltd. Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Ltd. Taro Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. Temad Co. Tetraphase Pharmaceuticals Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries Ltd. Therapeutic Md Inc. Theravance Biopharma Thermo Fisher Scientific Corporation Torrent Pharmaceuticals, Ltd. Trifecta Pharmaceuticals LLC Trimax Bio Sciences (P) Limited Umicore Unichem Laboratories Ltd. Union Quimico Farmaceutica, S.A. Unique Biotech Ltd. USV Ltd. Vaishali Pharma Ltd. Venus Remedies (Venus Pharma GmbH) Vertex Pharmeceuticals Viruj Pharma Vivimed Labs Ltd. Wanbury Ltd. Watson Pharma Private Ltd. Wavelength Pharmaceuticals Wellona Pharmaceuticals Welt Care Lifesciences Pvt., Ltd. Wockhardt Limited Wuxi Apptec (Sta Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.) Xellia Pharmaceuticals Yabao Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd. Yangtze River Pharmaceutical Group Yung Zip Chemical Industrial Co., Ltd. Zambon Group (Zach) ZCL Chemicals Ltd. Zhejiang Hisun Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. Zhejiang Huahai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/j379va The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program, sponsored by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), named Armani and Gabbie Utah's top high school and middle level youth volunteers in February. In addition to their cash awards, they each received an engraved silver medallion and an all-expense-paid trip with a parent to Washington, D.C., for four days of recognition events. Armani, a sophomore at Weber High School, has conducted 32 collection and fundraising drives over the past seven years that have yielded more than 6,000 backpacks stuffed with school supplies for children from low-income families, as well as food, books, toys, clothing and hygiene items for other individuals and families in need. When she was in the third grade, Armani heard from her teacher that there were kids in their own community who went to bed hungry at night. "That thought broke my heart," she said. Her response: a food drive that collected 1,000 pounds for a local food bank. Shortly thereafter, Armani began collecting backpacks and school supplies for kids in need. Many other projects followed, and in 2016, Armani founded a nonprofit, "One Can Make a Change." To conduct her collection and fundraising initiatives, she seeks donations through her website, solicits support from local businesses, and arranges activities such as raffles, bake sales, barbecues and lemonade stands. In addition to her food drives and annual backpack project, Armani has provided books to kids, stuffed animals to traumatized and injured children, and clothing and toiletries to the homeless. Recently, Armani helped remove, install and provide funding for a new $12,000 roof on a teen homeless shelter in Ogden. She also has traveled to Ghana with an international nonprofit to help install a water tank and to spend time with children at an orphanage. "Volunteering is not always easy, exciting or fun," said Armani. "Sometimes it's really hard. But it has always been worth it. I am constantly motivated by the smiles that the much-needed items bring to so many faces." Gabbie, a sixth-grader at North Star Academy, organized a day camp in her basement for children in her neighborhood in order to raise money for refugees in Utah. Gabbie has loved babysitting kids for as long as she can remember. Watching her mother volunteering on behalf of refugees, she tried to think of a way that she could help, too. Then an idea came to her in the middle of the night: She could combine her love of children with her desire to assist refugees by hosting a day care event and then donating the proceeds. The next day, Gabbie began making a flier to advertise her "Camp Awesome" for kids 4-7 years old. She distributed it around her neighborhood, tidied up her basement, and gathered toys, games and music. Soon her phone started ringing with calls from parents wanting to enroll their children. "I had a whopping 38 kids who wanted to come to camp!" Gabbie said. Realizing that that was too many kids for one person to handle, she recruited a friend to help supervise. The camp featured dancing, singing, games and other fun activities, plus certificates and awards that Gabbie spent hours preparing. She also had to make sure that all the children got along and that those who were sad being away from home got special attention. Camp Awesome raised almost $200, which Gabbie donated to a Utah organization that supports refugee families. She plans to hold her camp again this summer. "We're impressed and inspired by the way these honorees have identified problems facing their communities and stepped up to the challenge to make a difference," said Charles Lowrey, chairman and CEO of Prudential Financial, Inc. "It's a privilege to celebrate their leadership and compassion, and we look forward to seeing the great things they accomplish in the future." "These students have not only done important work in support of people in need they've also shown their peers that young people can, and do, create meaningful change," said Christine Handy, president of NASSP. "We commend each of these young volunteers for all they've contributed to their communities." Youth volunteers in grades 5-12 were invited to apply for 2019 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards last fall through schools, Girl Scout councils, county 4-H organizations, American Red Cross chapters, YMCAs and affiliates of Points of Light's HandsOn Network. More than 29,000 middle level and high school students nationwide participated in this year's program. The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program was created in 1995 to identify and recognize young people for outstanding volunteer service and, in so doing, inspire others to volunteer, too. In the past 24 years, the program has honored more than 125,000 young volunteers at the local, state and national level. For more information about The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards and this year's honorees, visit http://spirit.prudential.com or www.nassp.org/spirit . About NASSP The National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) is the leading organization of and voice for principals and other school leaders across the United States. NASSP seeks to transform education through school leadership, recognizing that the fulfillment of each student's potential relies on great leaders in every school committed to the success of each student. Reflecting its long-standing commitment to student leadership development, NASSP administers the National Honor Society, National Junior Honor Society, National Elementary Honor Society, and National Student Council. Learn more at www.nassp.org. About Prudential Financial Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE: PRU), a financial services leader, has operations in the United States, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Prudential's diverse and talented employees are committed to helping individual and institutional customers grow and protect their wealth through a variety of products and services, including life insurance, annuities, retirement-related services, mutual funds and investment management. In the U.S., Prudential's iconic Rock symbol has stood for strength, stability, expertise and innovation for more than a century. For more information, please visit www.news.prudential.com. Editors: For pictures of the Spirit of Community Awards program logo and medallions, visit https://spirit.prudential.com/resources/media . For B-roll of Utah's honorees at the 2019 national recognition events, contact Prudential's Harold Banks at (973) 216-4833 or [email protected] . SOURCE Prudential Financial, Inc. Related Links http://www.PRUDENTIAL.com Vytronus is developing the only treatment option for atrial fibrillation (AF) that uses low-intensity collimated ultrasound (LICU ). Unlike other approaches for AF ablation, the LICU catheter inherently does not require contact with the tissue and is capable of both 3D anatomical mapping and ablation. Featuring a robotic catheter tip, the Vytronus LICU system can quickly and precisely generate high-resolution 3D anatomical images. Utilizing the same catheter, the system delivers precisely controlled ultrasound energy for therapy along a user-specified lesion path. Aiming to determine the feasibility of using the Vytronus LICU system to create continuous, durable, flexible lesions that emulate aspects of the Cox Maze procedure to treat persistent AF, the feasibility study has an enrollment target of up to 30 patients at two sites: Na Homolce Hospital (NHH) in Prague, Czech Republic Southlake Regional Health Centre in Newmarket, Canada The study's primary endpoints include acute and chronic safety, as well as six- and 12-month chronic efficacy and reduction of AF burden. NHH enrolled the first 16 patients in this persistent AF feasibility study (PFS). "We have amassed significant clinical experience with the Vytronus technology over the past three years," said Petr Neuzil, M.D., Ph.D., chairman of NHH's cardiology department. "Our electrophysiology team has completed more than 70 ablation procedures using LICU in patients with paroxysmal AF and, most recently, 16 patients with persistent AF." Prof. Neuzil continued: "We are very pleased with the platform's continuously improving capabilities and find it highly efficacious in not only isolating all pulmonary veins but also the posterior wall of the left atrium to achieve a continuous box lesion. Just as importantly, the computer-assisted automation feature leads to reduced dependence on operator skill, excellent continuity of the designed lesions and a substantial reduction in x-ray exposure." Southlake will enroll the remaining PFS patients. "This study will seek to determine the initial clinical performance of LICU in the treatment of persistent AF," said Atul Verma, M.D., medical director of Southlake's Heart Rhythm Program. "We are especially interested in evaluating the technology's ability to consistently isolate the pulmonary veins and the left atrium's posterior wall in this challenging patient population, without relying on the high level of operator skill required to make precise and durable point-by-point radio-frequency lesions." The VALUE study, the first clinical trial utilizing the Vytronus LICU system, enrolled 50 patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. Presented at AF Symposium 2019 on Jan. 25 in Boston by Vivek Y. Reddy, M.D., director of cardiac arrhythmia services for the Mount Sinai hospital and health system in New York, the results showed 80 percent freedom from symptomatic AF/AT/AFL1 at 12 months. "LICU enables the automated creation of 3D anatomic maps and free-form, continuous, and durable lesions while reducing dependence on operator skill," explained John Pavlidis, president and chief executive officer of Vytronus. "It is the only technology of its kind that can create versatile lesion patterns similar to point-by-point radio-frequency ablation with the precision of robotic-assisted automation." The Vytronus LICU system has been submitted for CE Mark as a treatment for paroxysmal AF and is not commercially available anywhere in the world. It is only approved for investigational use in Europe and is not approved for use in the United States. About Atrial Fibrillation With an estimated five million new cases per year worldwide, atrial fibrillation is a common condition in which the upper chambers of the heart beat rapidly in an uncontrolled manner. Also known as AF or AFib, it is classified in three categories: paroxysmal, persistent and long-standing persistent. An estimated 75 percent of patients with atrial fibrillation suffer from either the persistent or long-standing persistent form of the condition. About Na Homolce Hospital Accredited by JCI (Joint Commission International), Na Homolce Hospital is one of the top hospitals in Europe and focuses on the comprehensive treatment of cardiovascular and neurological/neurosurgical diseases. Within the cardiovascular specialization, NHH offers the largest range of modern and clinically verified diagnostics and treatments, including conservative treatment, minimally-invasive techniques and surgical procedures on the heart and blood vessels. Its cardiology centers include those for the treatment of cardiac rhythm disorders, chronic heart failure, congenital heart defects, aortic disease and valvular heart disease, as well as robotic cardiac and vascular surgery. About Southlake Regional Health Centre Southlake Regional Health Centre is a full-service hospital with a regional, clinically advanced focus, located in Newmarket, Ontario, Canada. Southlake offers 426 patient beds and accommodates more than 113,000 visits to the Emergency Department, 24,000 in-patient admissions and 530,000 out-patient visits each year. As a regionally designated site, Southlake is responsible for developing and providing advanced levels of care to the more than one million people. Advanced, specialty services include: arthritis care, cancer care, cardiac care, child and adolescent eating disorders and mental health services for children. About Vytronus Headquartered in California's Silicon Valley, Vytronus, Inc. was formed in 2006 to harness the imaging and therapeutic capabilities of ultrasound energy to treat cardiac arrhythmias, starting with atrial fibrillation. 1 AFL = atrial flutter AT = atrial tachycardia AF = atrial fibrillation CONTACT: Joe McGrath +1 (612) 819-6421 [email protected] SOURCE Vytronus, Inc. Related Links http://www.vytronus.com FUZHOU, China, May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- As reported by Crionline, on May 6, the 2nd Digital China Summit kicked off in Fuzhou City, Fujian Province, China. Themed on 'IT application: new growth drivers for new developments and achievements', the summit is a platform that releases policies on China's information technology development, demonstrates the latest achievements in e-government and the digital economy, sharing theory, experience and practice, and promotes cooperation with global partners to boost the building of a digital China. About 1500 guests including principals from relevant departments in China, heads of online organizations, representatives in the industrial circle, experts, scholars, and representatives from think tanks attended the summit. All the participants had heated discussions on topics such as digital China and smart society, generated innovative ideas, shared experience of development, and planned for future. The activities of the summit included the opening ceremony, main forum, sub-forums, achievement exhibition, innovation competition, and closing ceremony. Twelve sub-forums associated with e-government, digital economy, smart society, industrial internet, digital ecology, satellite application, digital Fujian, and others will be held during the summit. SOURCE Crionline BOSTON, May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Allure Security , the data loss detection and response company, now offers data loss risk monitoring for Microsoft Office365, OneDrive, Sharepoint, and Teams. The Allure platform continuously watches and analyzes log activity, extends visibility even after a document is downloaded, copied or shared with a third party, and surfaces risks based on unique data loss indicators. Allure's intuitive dashboard captures and visualizes risks so users can easily see notable events with granular details and geolocation information, identify key indicators used to calculate and prioritize risks, and monitor most active users, domains, locations and operations. According to a recent ESG survey , companies are migrating data to the cloud faster than they can secure it. The research reveals 50% of survey respondents say they know that they have lost cloud resident data and 22% suspect they have lost data. The architect of this research, ESG Senior Analyst Doug Cahill, said, "The increased use of both sanctioned and unsanctioned cloud-based applications, in combination with security programs for the cloud that are often less mature than existing on-premise initiatives, has led to a significant loss of corporate data. Top contributors to data loss include violations of security policy, the misuse of access controls, and the implications of employees using their own devices." "It's alarming that enterprises still lack visibility into what happens to confidential documents once they've migrated to the cloud. This has left security teams in the dark on cloud risks, including insider and third-party risks caused by downloading and sharing habits that contribute to data loss," said Mark Jaffe, CEO of Allure Security. "Now, organizations can migrate more data to the cloud and get the critical visibility needed to reduce data loss risk and maintain cloud storage integrity." Allure helps organizations understand Office365 use across organizations, and detect and respond to data loss resulting from stolen credentials, insider threats, malicious third parties, ransomware and human error. Allure's approach includes three main components: Watch Office365 activity closely: See who interacts with which files, when and from where. Security teams can know in real time if bulk downloads occur, if files are accessed anonymously, and if documents are opened in risky locations or via unauthorized domains. Extend visibility beyond the cloud share: Agentlessly track activity even after documents are downloaded, copied or shared. Detect leaks and breaches: Know if insiders, malicious third parties, bots or hackers are snooping around confidential and sensitive files, and whether data is lost as a result. Also, security professionals can set up optional alerts to be informed when risky activity is in progress to inform response and limit data loss. Allure's intuitive dashboard captures and visualizes risks so users can easily see notable events with granular details and geolocation information, identify key indicators used to calculate and prioritize risks, and monitor most active users, domains, locations and operations. Additionally, users can drill down into specific document and user activity to collect forensics during active investigations. " We rely on Allure Security as a force multiplier for our security team . It is amazing how Allure is able to collect and analyze cloud log data and present it in such an insightful and digestible manner to flag risks, inform our responses and help us enforce policies. Allure is able to give us visibility into our global file and user activity and effectively complements Microsoft's Security Center," said Antonio Garcia, chief information security officer at GRA. "I was very impressed at how easy it was to set up an Allure Security account . Once our OneDrive environment was connected, our dashboard started populating immediately. Within a day, we saw that our almost 100 employees accessed OneDrive files more than 1,000 times. This finding alone helped us better prioritize our security investments and resources." To request a free data loss risk assessment now, go to: https://www.alluresecurity.com/free-trial View an interactive overview of Allure's approach here: https://prezi.com/view/uhzHeMZSpnxdhmCCprZn About Allure Security Allure Security is on a mission to stop data loss that results from theft or mishandling of files. Allure's technology continuously scores risk by analyzing document access and sharing activities inside and outside of an organization's control. Our SaaS application watches log activity in the cloud, enriches logs with geolocation insights, extends visibility beyond the cloud share, and detects leaks and breaches. Allure's actionable insights strengthen data security, detect breaches and leaks early, and inform data loss responses with unique file activity-based indicators. For more information, visit www.alluresecurity.com , follow on Twitter @AllureSecurity , like on LinkedIn and read the Allure Security Blog . Media Contact: Michelle Barry, Mesmerize Consulting (603) 809-2748 [email protected] SOURCE Allure Security Related Links https://www.alluresecurity.com NEW YORK, May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The largest private funder of suicide prevention research, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), honored John Mann, M.D. and Gregory Simon, M.D. at its annual 2019 Research Awards Dinner last night at the Omni Berkshire Place Hotel in New York City. Dr. Simon received the Research Award for his work using artificial intelligence with electronic health records to identify individuals at risk for suicide. Dr. Mann received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to understanding the neurobiology of suicide throughout his distinguished decades-long career. "As the nation's largest suicide prevention organization, we are proud to present these two honorees with their awards. Dr. Mann has spent his life making major contributions to our knowledge and understanding of about suicide and how to prevent it, specifically in regard to the neurobiology of suicide," said Dr. Jill Harkavy-Friedman, the vice president of research for AFSP. "Dr. Simon has facilitated the identification of individuals at risk for suicide in health care settings, as well as the application of machine learning to suicide prevention." Through Dr. Mann, many researchers who study suicide have improved their own studies, as he has been a mentor to many young investigators over his years in the field. The lifetime award is for a suicide prevention researcher whose career and work have had a significant and broad impact on the field of suicide prevention. This award is not awarded annually, though nominations are solicited each year. The research award is an annual award for a researcher or group of researchers who have completed significant research to advance a specific area of suicide prevention. Gregory Simon, MD MPH Dr. Simon's research focuses on improving access to quality mental health care, especially for people with mood disorders or at risk for suicide. Through his work he aims to bridge research and mental health care. The specific areas his research include improving the provision of health care with medication and effective psychotherapy, evaluating peer support by and for people with mood disorders, identifying and reducing risk of suicidal behavior, cost-effectiveness of treatment, and comorbidity of mood disorders with chronic medical conditions. Simon is an investigator at Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute and a psychiatrist in Kaiser Permanente's Behavioral Health Service. He is also a Research Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Washington. Dr. Simon completed residency training in internal medicine at the University of Washington, residency training in psychiatry at the Massachusetts General Hospital, and psychiatry fellowship training in the Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars program at the University of Washington. J. John Mann, MD Dr. Mann's research employs functional brain imaging, neurochemistry and molecular genetics to probe the causes of depression and suicide. He is The Paul Janssen Professor of Translational Neuroscience (in Psychiatry and in Radiology) at Columbia University and Director, Molecular Imaging and Neuropathology Division (MIND) at the New York State Psychiatric Institute. Dr. Mann received his medical degree from the University of Melbourne, and then completed his internship and residency at the Royal Melbourne Hospital. He was trained in Psychiatry and Internal Medicine and has a Doctorate in Neurochemistry. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide. AFSP creates a culture that's smart about mental health through education and community programs, develops suicide prevention through research and advocacy, and provides support for those affected by suicide. Led by CEO Robert Gebbia and headquartered in New York, and with a public policy office in Washington, D.C., AFSP has local chapters in all 50 states with programs and events nationwide. Learn more about AFSP in its latest Annual Report, and join the conversation on suicide prevention by following AFSP on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. SOURCE American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Related Links http://www.afsp.org SANTA BARBARA, Calif., May 6, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- American Indian Health & Services, Inc. ("AIHS") is providing notice to individuals of a recent incident involving personal information. To date, AIHS has not received any reports that personal information has been misused as a result of this incident. What Happened? On March 7, 2019, AIHS discovered a former AIHS employee forwarded certain AIHS emails to her personal email account. While the individual was employed by AIHS at the time the emails were forwarded, because they were forwarded in a manner that conflicts with AIHS policies and procedures, AIHS immediately launched an investigation with the assistance of a third-party computer forensics expert. The investigation included reviewing the email account of this former employee to determine the information contained in the forwarded emails and to whom the information related. The investigation determined the former employee forwarded certain emails between February 26, 2019 and March 6, 2019, some of which contained information relating to AIHS employees, patients and vendors. Although we are unaware of any actual or attempted misuse of this personal information, we are providing this notice to individuals out of an abundance of caution. What Information Was Involved? The investigation in this matter confirmed that the following types of personal information may have been accessible as a result of the incident: patient name and information relating to billing such as health insurance/payor information, provider name, provider location, date of service, and amount paid/owed to AIHS for services rendered. To date, AIHS has not received any reports of the misuse of this information. What is AIHS Doing? AIHS takes this incident and the security of personal information seriously. Upon learning of this incident, AIHS moved quickly to confirm whether personal information may have been affected by this incident, to identify the individuals related to this personal information, to provide them with notice of this incident, and to put in place identity theft protection services through ID Experts. AIHS is reviewing its existing policies and procedures and reported this incident to law enforcement and state regulators, as required. AIHS is also notifying potentially affected individuals via mail. What You Can Do? AIHS encourages potentially impacted individuals to review their accounts, explanations of benefits, and credit reports for suspicious activity, and to report any suspicious activity to the affiliated institutions immediately. AIHS is providing potentially impacted individuals with identity theft protection services through ID Experts to provide you with MyIDCare. MyIDCare services include: 12 months of credit and CyberScan monitoring and fully managed ID theft recovery services. With this protection, MyIdCare will help you resolve issues if your identity is compromised. For More Information. Please write to AIHS at 4141 State Street, B-11, Santa Barbara, CA 93110 or visit AIHS's website at www.aihscorp.org for more information. Potentially affected individuals may also consider the information and resources outlined below. AIHS encourages potentially impacted individuals to remain vigilant against incidents of identity theft and fraud by reviewing their accounts, explanations of benefits, and credit reports for suspicious activity, and to report any suspicious activity to the affiliated institutions immediately. Under U.S. law, individuals with credit reports are entitled to one free credit report annually from each of the three major credit reporting bureaus. To order a free credit report, visit www.annualcreditreport.com or call, toll-free, 1-877-322-8228. Individuals may also contact the three major credit bureaus directly to request a free copy of their credit report. The credit reporting agencies may be contacted as follows: Equifax P.O. Box 105069 Atlanta, GA 30348 1-800-685-1111 www.equifax.com Experian P.O. Box 2002 Allen, TX 75013 1-888-397-3742 www.experian.com TransUnion P.O. Box 2000 Chester, PA 19016 1-800-680-7289 www.transunion.com The Federal Trade Commission can be reached at: 600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20580, www.identitytheft.gov , 1-877-ID-THEFT (1-877-438-4338); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The Federal Trade Commission also encourages those who discover that their information has been misused to file a complaint with them. You can obtain further information on how to file such a complaint by way of the contact information listed above. You have the right to file a police report if you ever experience identity theft or fraud. Please note that in order to file a report with law enforcement for identity theft, you will likely need to provide some proof that you have been a victim. Instances of known or suspected identity theft should also be reported to law enforcement and your state Attorney General. This notice has not been delayed by law enforcement. SOURCE American Indian Health & Services, Inc. Related Links http://www.aihscorp.org MCLEAN, Va., May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Artemis Consulting Inc., a Virginia-based IT Services and Management Consulting firm, has been awarded a place in the Virginia Chamber of Commerce's 2019 List of the fifty fastest growing companies in Virginia for the second consecutive year. Ranking 22nd this year, the company was honored with the award during the 24th Annual Fantastic 50 Awards banquet on May 2, 2019 in Chantilly, Virginia. The list recognizes privately-held companies headquartered in Virginia that have shown positive revenue and net income growth in the last year and over the last four years. During the banquet, President and CEO of the Virginia Chamber of Commerce, Barry DuVal exclaimed, "It is our honor to recognize the entrepreneurial spirit of the fifty fastest growing businesses within the Commonwealth. We are glad to toast the Virginia business leaders and the dedicated employees who have brought these companies continued success." Amee Shah, Artemis CEO, states "We are delighted to be recognized among the top fifty Virginia companies again. I believe it is largely due to our staff's relentless pursuit of excellence in delivery for our client and in supporting each other's success. Without their efforts in this regard, we would not be as successful." Artemis Consulting enables the digital transformation of their clients' organizations by building web applications, defining user experience (UX), and designing and building iOS/Android mobile apps that are scalable. They also have the expertise required to help organizations migrate legacy applications to the cloud and also design cloud-native applications from the outset. "Time and again, we believe our company values, including our staff's integrity and collaboration with clients, play a big factor in our ability to obtain repeat business," adds Rohit Gupta, Founder and President. To learn more about Artemis Consulting Inc., visit: www.artemisconsultinginc.com. Follow us on Twitter at @ConsultArtemis. About Artemis Consulting, Inc. Artemis Consulting, is a woman-owned IT Services and Management consulting firm in the Washington D.C. metro area. They are an Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Company and among Entrepreneur 360's List of Best Entrepreneurial Companies in America. Since 1999, they have been designing and developing software and integrating systems that transform their clients' organizations. With the growing trend toward Agile methodology and DevOps, Artemis' microservices design and architecture allows for continuous delivery and deployment of complex applications with relative ease. Artemis is also skilled at moving open source and COTS applications to the cloud, saving on physical hardware and infrastructure resources. In the public sector, Artemis Consulting has a variety of Government-wide and IDIQ contracts. The company prides itself on a team-oriented talent base which works collaboratively with clients and believes in being socially responsible in its local communities by donating time, expertise and financial support. Media Contact: Priya Dewsbury (703) 286-7997 [email protected] SOURCE Artemis Consulting Related Links http://www.artemisconsultinginc.com "Like it or not, when it comes to art, size is very important. Giant works fascinate us because they transcend our own scale. Who isn't impressed by huge paintings like Pablo Picasso's Guernica (at the Reina Sofia Museum in Madrid) or Veronese's Les Noces de Cana (at the Louvre Museum in Paris)?" says thierry Ehrmann, Artprice's Founder/CEO. In general, an artist's largest works attract the strongest demand. For equivalent quality, the larger works will almost always be worth more than the smaller works. This week, Artprice picks out a selection of 10 monumental works auctioned in 2018 in each of the major artistic mediums. PAINTINGS Zao Wou-Ki Juin-Octobre 1985 10 x 2.8 meters On 30 September 2018, Zao Wou-Ki's Juin-Octobre 1985 triptych his largest work still in circulation caused a major sensation when it was re-offered for sale at Sotheby's. In May 2005, Christie's sold the same work in Hong Kong for $2.3 million. Thirteen and a half years later, its value exceeded $65 million, i.e. no less than 28 times its previous value. Mark Bradford Helter Skelter I (2007) 10 x 3.65 meters American painter Mark Bradford had a particularly good year in 2018. In 2017, he represented the United States at the Venice Biennale. But it wasn't until the first half of the following year that his prices began to inflate rapidly, generating three new auction records. On 8 March 2018, his Helter Skelter I (2007) came close to $12 million at Phillips in London. This huge piece was a key element in the exhibition Collage: The Unmonumental Picture organized by the New York Museum in New York in 2008. Osgemeos It is Supposed to be Raining But... (2008) 2.5 x 2.5 metres This large format canvas allowed the Brazilian duo of graphic artists to express their art in superb style. Accustomed to large facades, the two street artists have produced a large number of reasonably dimensioned paintings for the market. However, their very large canvases capture all the power of their street art. On 26 June 2018, the painting fetched $132,000 at Phillips in London. DRAWINGS Takashi Murakami Dragon in Clouds-Red Mutation (2010) 18 x 3.6 meters Takashi Murakami's imaginary world stands at the crossroads of manga culture and Sino-Japanese mythology. In April 2018, the auction house Council sold one of his three large-scale interpretations of Asia's most popular mythical creature, the dragon. His colossal drawing red ink on paper titled Dragon in Clouds-Red Mutation seduced Chinese collectors in Shanghai, fetching more than $8.8 million. Giuseppe Bezzuloli Folly driving the cart of Love 481 x 344 cm Commissioned in 1848 to paint the ceiling of the Palazzo Gerini in Florence, Giuseppe Bezzuloli executed this study on the theme of Love and Madness. The final fresco still adorns the ceiling of the famous Tuscan Palace. Estimated between $50,000 and $80,000, the drawing was purchased for $275,000 at Christie's in New York on 30 January 2018. Nowadays, very large-scale historical works are extremely rare on the market and this post-Renaissance drawing which still retains all its power was a superb acquisition. SCULPTURE KAWS Clean Slate (2014) 5.5 x 5.5 x 7.5 meters Kaws is currently an in vogue artist par excellence from New York... to Hong Kong. The American street artist has conquered the international art market with his colorful paintings, his large-scale figurines and his monumental sculptures. Clean Slate (2014) was shown all around the world (Shanghai, Ibiza, Hong Kong and Fort Worth) before being put on sale by Phillips in New York, where it was acquired for nearly $2 million. Philippe de Buyster (Attrib.) Vierge de pitie (c.1650-60) 1.6 x 0.5 x 1.3 meters This 17th century Pieta was one of the very few large-scale Old Master works sold last year. In perfect condition, the terracotta sculpture came from the Chapel of Chateau d'Autricourt in Burgundy (France). Christie's sold the piece for $58,000 (including costs) in Paris on 19 June 2018. Joana Vasconcelos Betty Boop (2010) 4.1 x 1.5 x 3 meters This huge high-heeled shoe made of stainless steel pots and concrete is a perfect example of Joana Vasconcelos's taste for oversize. The Franco-Portuguese artist has never been afraid to invest large places like the Bon Marche department store in Paris or the Palace of Versailles where Betty Boop (2010) was presented in the Hall of Mirrors in 2012. PHOTOGRAPHY Gilbert & George Thirty-Five Locations (2003) 422 x 361 cm The British duo Gilbert & George is not doing as well on the secondary market as in 2008, but their unique large-format photos continue to fetch very good prices. Consisting of 24 rectangular sections, Thirty-Five Locations resembles a huge stained glass window in black, white and red. It was the largest photographic work sold during 2018 and fetched $150,000 at Sotheby's in New York (17 May). MIXED MEDIA Tracey Emin Dark Dark Dark (2007) 3.6 x 1.6 x 1.5 metres In 2007 Artwise commissioned Tracey Emin to customise four Fiat 500s (each unique) for a charity sale. On 5 December 2018 at Phillips' New Now sale, one of them fetched $8,000. In the catalogue Phillips warned Please note this lot is offered as an art work, and not a motor vehicle... The use of motor vehicles as an artistic medium may seem bizarre, but several major artists have lent themselves to the exercise in the past. The BMW Art Car project, for example, allowed Andy Warhol, David Hockney and Jeff Koons to completely transform the exteriors of cars. Copyright 2019 thierry Ehrmann www.artprice.com Try our services (free demo): https://www.artprice.com/artist/23640/baishi-qi Subscribe to our services: https://www.artprice.com/subscription About Artprice: Artprice is listed on the Eurolist by Euronext Paris, SRD long only and Euroclear: 7478 - Bloomberg: PRC - Reuters: ARTF. Founded by thierry Ehrmann (see Who's who certified Biography ) (c) https://imgpublic.artprice.com/img/wp/sites/11/2019/03/2019-bio-whoswho-thierry-ehrmann.pdf). Dicover Artprice in video: https://www.artprice.com/video Artprice is the global leader in art price and art index databanks. It has over 30 million indices and auction results covering more than 700,000 artists. Artprice Images gives unlimited access to the largest Art Market resource in the world: a library of 126 million images or prints of artworks from the year 1700 to the present day, along with comments by Artprice's art historians. Artprice permanently enriches its databanks with information from 6,300 auctioneers and it publishes a constant flow of art market trends for the world's principal news agencies and approximately 7,200 international press publications. For its 4,500,000 members, Artprice gives access to the world's leading Standardised Marketplace for buying and selling art. Artprice is preparing its blockchain for the Art Market. It is BPI-labelled (scientific national French label) Artprice's Global Art Market Annual Report for 2018 published last March 2019: https://www.artprice.com/artprice-reports/the-art-market-in-2018 Artprice is associated with Artron Group the Chinese leader in the Art Market, its solid institutional partner. About the Artron Group: "Artron Art Group (Artron), a comprehensive cultural industrial group founded in 1993 by Wan jie, is committed to inheriting, enhancing and spreading art value. Based on abundant art data, Artron provides art industry and art fans with professional service and experience of quality products by integrated application of IT, advanced digital science and innovative crafts and materials. Having produced more than 60,000 books and auction catalogues, Artron is the world's largest art book printer with a total print volume of 300 million a year. It has more than 3 million professional members in the arts sector and an average of 15 million daily visits, making it the world's leading art website." Artron's Web: www.Artron.net Artprice's Contemporary Art Market Annual Report for 2018 - free access at: https://www.artprice.com/artprice-reports/the-contemporary-art-market-report-2018 Artprice's press releases: http://serveur.serveur.com/Press_Release/pressreleaseen.htm https://twitter.com/artpricedotcom Artmarket News: https://twitter.com/artpricedotcom & https://twitter.com/artmarketdotcom https://www.facebook.com/artpricedotcom 4 million subscribers http://artmarketinsight.wordpress.com/ Discover the Alchemy and the universe of Artprice http://web.artprice.com/video, which headquarters are the famous Museum of Contemporary Art, the Abode of Chaos: https://issuu.com/demeureduchaos/docs/demeureduchaos-abodeofchaos-opus-ix-1999-2013 https://vimeo.com/124643720 The Contemporary Art Museum The Abode of Chaos https://www.facebook.com/la.demeure.du.chaos.theabodeofchaos999 3.6 million subscribers Contact: thierry Ehrmann, [email protected] SOURCE Artprice.com (CNN) The wreckage of a missing private plane carrying 13 people has been found in a mountainous area in the northern state of Coahuila, the state's public security department said. Mexican authorities have been searching for the private plane after it went missing Sunday on its way to Monterrey, Mexico, from the McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas, Coahuila Gov. Miguel Riquelme said. A flight plan indicates that 10 passengers and three crew members were aboard, Mexican officials said. The condition of the six women and seven men remains unclear. Riquelme said the aircraft lost contact after flying over Monclova, Mexico, a city about 111 miles northwest of Monterrey and nearly 114 miles southwest of the United States-Mexico border. The aircraft's wreckage was located in a remote area near Ocampo, Coahuila, when authorities conducted an aerial survey. Several law enforcement agencies were on their way to the crash scene Monday. After leveling off at 37,000 feet, the plane started slightly gaining and losing altitude, according to flight tracking site FlightAware.com. When the plane later climbed to more than 40,000 feet, FlightAware was unable to continue tracking the flight. The plane's location was last recorded at about 7:40 p.m. Eastern time. A spokesperson with the Federal Aviation Administration said Monday the agency did not have any information about the flight and referred questions about incidents in Mexico's airspace to local authorities. The aircraft was described as a Bombardier Challenger 600 series model, according to local media reports. This story was first published on CNN.com "Mexican authorities find wreckage of plane carrying 13 people" English French QUEBEC CITY, May 07, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- LeddarTech, an industry leader providing the most versatile and scalable auto and mobility LiDAR platform, is pleased to announce the participation of Charles Boulanger, CEO of LeddarTech, at the CIBC investor conference on May 14th, 2019. CIBC holds investor and corporate conferences throughout the year. These events range from large, multi-sector forums to intimate, industry-focused gatherings. They have developed a well-earned reputation within the financial community as "must-attend" events. Mr. Boulanger will speak to a crowd of prominent investors on LeddarTechs market growth and the potential of using LiDAR technology in autonomous driving applications. LeddarTechs LiDAR development platform is truly a disruptive technology that allows our customers to design and mass produce customized LiDAR solutions that meet the specific autonomous driving application requirements of OEMs, stated Charles Boulanger. It allows all partners in the value chain to optimize performance and costs for all levels of autonomy. This is a win-win model for all stakeholders, from the component supplier to the automaker. We believe this model is a key factor in enabling the deployment of the autonomous vehicles of tomorrow, concluded Mr. Boulanger. This speaking engagement is preceded by LeddarTechs continued expansion in Canada, with the launch of its new research and development office in Toronto, known as the Toronto Automotive Center of Excellence. The newly expanded team is actively contributing to the development of LeddarTechs solid-state auto and mobility LiDAR platform. The Toronto Automotive Center of Excellence held its Grand Opening event on May 2nd, 2019. About LeddarTech LeddarTech is an industry leader providing the most versatile, scalable auto and mobility LiDAR platform based on the unique LeddarEngine, which consists of a suite of automotive-grade, functional safety certified SoCs working in tandem with LeddarSP signal processing software. The company is responsible for several innovations in cutting-edge mobility remote-sensing applications, its patented technologies enhancing ADAS and autonomous driving capabilities for automobiles, trucks, buses, delivery vehicles, robotaxis, shuttles, and more. Additional information about LeddarTech is accessible at www.leddartech.com, and on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube. LeddarTech, Leddar, LeddarEngine, LeddarSP, and LeddarTech logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of LeddarTech Inc. All other brands, product names, and marks are or may be trademarks or registered trademarks used to identify products or services of their respective owners. WASHINGTON, May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The Alliance for US-International Business (AUSIB) hosted its annual Federal CIO conference on Capitol Hill on April 29, 2019. Keynote speakers included Congressman Steve Chabot, Ranking Member of the House Small Business Committee, and Mr. Sanjay Puri, Chairman of AUSIB. CIOs, Deputies and Directors across Federal agencies, including the U.S. Departments of Justice, Energy, Homeland Security, and Veterans Affairs, participated in the event. Small and medium-size companies filled the audience. Puri offered opening remarks and commended Congressman Chabot for working to improve conditions for small businesses. "Since first being elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1994, you have worked to open access to loans, credit and capital, to provide tax relief and reduce paperwork. You have helped smaller federal contractors get paid more quickly. And you are tireless in your efforts to open the Federal marketplace to minority enterprises," Puri said of Chabot. Having served as Chairman and now as top Republican on the Small Business Committee, Chabot has advocated for America's entrepreneurs, who fuel the engine of job creation. "Small businesses are the backbone of the U.S. economy," Chabot said, thanking Puri for bringing entrepreneurs and small businesses together with CIOs to talk about ways to improve access to the Federal marketplace. As Chabot has said, there is nothing "small" about small businesses, and government needs to do all it can to support them. Puri agreed, stating that the audience was comprised of small and medium size businesses that are anxious to engage with Federal agencies, if given the opportunity. "I am an entrepreneur, too," Puri said. "I have successfully created and exited information technology companies, and competed as a Federal contractor for the past 30 years. I know firsthand of the challenges my colleagues face and that's why I recently started ACEL360 to help entrepreneurs compete and succeed in the Federal marketplace. It is imperative that we exchange ideas and express concerns about how we can increase accessibility for small and medium size businesses, and minority owned enterprises." During a Q&A, moderated by Puri, the CIO panel offered commitment, insight and support for small and medium size businesses the drivers of American innovation. About AUSIB: The Alliance for U.S. International Business (AUSIB) is a leading non-profit trade association that offers a pathway for businesses to succeed in the U.S., India and around the globe. AUSIB seeks to augment investment flows and trade and open new channels of communication between business and government leaders. For more information please visit http://www.ausib.org/ Contact Information Sanjay Puri AUSIB Alliance for U.S. - India Business http://www.ausib.org 703.403.1528 SOURCE Alliance for US International Business Related Links http://www.ausib.org HOUSTON, May 6, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The national civil trial law firm Bailey Cowan Heckaman PLLC has filed a lawsuit in federal court against 3M Company, the Minnesota-based manufacturer behind allegedly faulty CAEv2 earplugs that have been linked to a settled False Claims Act case, and various hearing-related injuries suffered by the U.S. service members who used them. The suit was filed Friday, May 3, 2019 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas (Case No. 19-cv-1630). It claims 3M was negligent in failing to prevent injuries associated with earplugs it knew were defective, and willfully engaged in deceptive and misleading acts. Veteran Diagnosed with Service-Connected Hearing Loss The lawsuit was filed on behalf of a U.S. Army Veteran and Harris County resident who joined the military at the age of 18 in October 2005. An otherwise healthy individual with no prior signs of hearing-related health issues, the Plaintiff was twice deployed for active duty in Iraq; once in 2006 for 15 months, and again in 2009 for 12 months, according to the suit. Like thousands of other service members enlisted in the U.S. military between the years of 2003 and 2015, the Plaintiff used standard-issue 3M Dual-Ended Combat Arms Earplugs (CAEv2) during his active duty tours, as well as during pre-deployment training exercises at Fort Hood. As the complaint notes, the Plaintiff began suffering from noise-induced hearing problems, and was eventually diagnosed with service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus, a condition characterized by ringing in the ears. He was discharged from the military in July 2010. 3M Knowingly Provided Defective Earplugs, Suit Claims In the suit, it's alleged 3M Company which acquired the original earplug manufacturer in 2008 (Aero) and which reached a $9.1M settlement in 2018 to resolve allegations from the federal government that it knowingly supplied defective earplugs to the U.S. military knew CAEv2 failed to provide adequate hearing protection as intended. The complaint alleges negligence and product defects, and includes claims that: 3M earplugs were defectively designed so as to prevent a snug fit in the ear canal; earplugs were defectively designed so as to prevent a snug fit in the ear canal; Fitting instructions provided by 3M resulted in inadequate protection and losing of the seal within the ear canal when followed; resulted in inadequate protection and losing of the seal within the ear canal when followed; 3M failed to provide adequate warning about inherent defects; failed to provide adequate warning about inherent defects; 3M / Aero was made aware of defects associated with CAEv2 earplugs after performing initial testing in 2000, and misrepresented test results In addition to claims of negligence, design defects, strict liability, and failure to warn, the complaint also claims breach of implied and express warranties, fraudulent and negligent misrepresentation, fraudulent concealment, and fraud and deceit. It seeks compensatory damages for the Plaintiffs' economic and non-economic damages, as well as punitive damages. Bailey Cowan Heckaman PLLC is a Texas-based National Trial Law Firm that's earned recognition for its work handling complex and high-stakes civil injury and product liability claims across the country. Since its founding, the firm has cultivated a record of success in cases against some of the nation's largest corporations, with proven results in matters involving defective consumer products, drugs, and medical devices, asbestos exposure and mesothelioma, and violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act. More about the firm can be found at www.bchlaw.com. SOURCE Bailey Cowan Heckaman PLLC Related Links http://www.bchlaw.com SHANGHAI, May 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Beijing Blue Forest Carbon Industry Co Ltd has successfully reached a level of over $500,000 USD in imports and exports, whilst simultaneously achieving an annual export volume of over 6,000 tonnes of coal-based activated carbon. The large number of growing sales, alongside numerous accolades recently being awarded to the company, clearly reflects a high level of quality and efficiency within both the company and the products that they produce and supply. Inline with the company's incredible amount of exports, they have recently been awarded the Class A Foreign Trade Enterprise by the General Administration of Customs of China - whilst proving efficiency and consistency through maintaining an error rate of import and export declaration of under 3%, the company's imports and exports recently reached over $500,000 USD, proving continuous success and quality of their products and solutions. Beijing Blue Forest Carbon Industry Co Ltd advises that an essential use for coal activated carbon is water treatment for swimming pools. Beijing Blue Forest Carbon Industry Co Ltd offers an extensive range of specialist water treatments, focusing on maintaining essential cleanliness and efficiency. Through both Powder Activated Carbon and Granular Activated Carbon products, the company can provide expert water treatment solutions tailored to the customer, whilst also providing thorough, in-depth advice. The company's success and popularity of coal-based activated carbon products extends through to the businesses they supply to - one of the company's proudest partners that they supply to is the well-known filter company, AAF. Although coal-based activated carbon has proven to be the most popular range of products, the company also offers a variety of different solutions and product ranges such as wood activated carbon, coconut shell activated carbon and bamboo charcoal. As updated environmental and health practices are becoming more prominent globally, Beijing Blue Forest Carbon Industry Co. Ltd. provides a number of strategies and solutions to assist in air purification - specifically focusing on biogas treatment through the use of activated carbon. Biogases from landfill sites contact high levels of contaminants, including methane, and hydrogen sulphide, as well as manmade compounds containing silicon. Beijing Blue Forest Carbon Industry Co Ltd's biogas treatment solution can reduce the amount of dangerous deposits. The company advises that by regularly using activated carbon, equipment will last longer and maintain a high performance. In addition, the company offers a range of products that can improve odour control through impregnated and non-impregnated activated carbons. Li Meijiao, CEO of Beijing Blue Forest Carbon Industry Co Ltd said, "Thanks to the customers' honesty and support, we aim to supply activated carbon products with the competitive prices and outstanding quality within the environmental protection industry, both for the individual dealer and the end user. Spreading excellent quality and incredible prices across the world is what we strive to do best. We hope that our spirit will strike a chord with our business management and take Beijing Blue Forest Activated Carbon Products across the globe." About Beijing Blue Forest Carbon Industry Co Ltd Beijing Blue Forest Carbon Industry Co Ltd, located in the Haidian District of Beijing, is the leading global supplier of activated carbon. Following an adjustment in the company's production line to facilitate China's Ministry of Environment Protection, the company has announced new products and solutions to assist in water treatment and air purification. As a global supplier of activated carbon, Beijing Blue Forest Carbon Industry Co Ltd's products are used within liquid phase or gas phase absorption. The company is the market leader in China distributing both domestically and across a number of foreign countries. The company produces a wider variety of activated carbon, such as: extruded activated carbon; granular activated carbon; powder activated carbon. In addition, Beijing Blue Forest Carbon Industry Co Ltd strictly executes ISO 9001 International Management Standard. As a result of incredible prices and excellent service, aforementioned carbon products have been exported across Europe, Southeast Asia and North America. Through maintaining its reputation, Beijing Blue Forest Carbon Industry Co Ltd will continue to grow and provide innovative solutions across the globe. For any further information, please find the contact details below: Beijing Blue Forest Carbon Industry Co. Ltd. 2F, No.1 Building, No.19 Ring Road 4, Haidian District, Beijing City, China Contact: Jane Lee MP: +86-158-3010-9907 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/activatedcarbon-janeli Email: [email protected] Web: www.carbon-activated.com SOURCE Beijing Blue Forest Carbon Industry Related Links http://www.carbon-activated.com SPRINGFIELD, Mo., May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The Legend of Big Whiskey's grows as the Midwest-based restaurant franchise expands to Tulsa, Oklahoma. The brand recently signed a multi-unit franchise agreement for two locations in the Sooner State. Big Whiskey's American Restaurant & Bar. We're a sports bar for sports enthusiasts, a whiskey bar for whiskey enthusiasts, and simply a great place to meet friends or family for lunch, happy hour, or dinner! Local Tulsa businessman, Sean Sylvester, signed the franchise agreement in March with Big Whiskey's. Restaurants and food service are second nature for Sylvester who has served as the Director of Western Operations for Slim Chicken's for the past 4 years, in addition to owning Simple Simon's and Cheezies Pizza franchise locations. Sylvester is also the owner of Shiloh's Family Restaurant in Tulsa. Sylvester states, "The Big Whiskey's brand really stood out to me, it's catchy but original, and their product speaks for itself. It will be a welcome addition to our restaurant landscape in Tulsa." The Big Whiskey's Tulsa menu will feature classic American fare that has made the restaurant a staple throughout the Midwest since its founding in Springfield, MO nearly 13 years ago. Featuring flavorful American bites, some of the brand's signature items includes: Buffalo Chicken Wontons, crispy fried wontons filled with Big Whiskey's Buffalo Chicken Dip; the Big Whiskey BBQ Burger, topped with onion rings, crispy bacon and homemade Honey Whiskey BBQ sauce; and the signature Chicken Ranch Alfredo Pasta, penne noodles smothered with Big Whiskey's homemade alfredo sauce and topped with grilled chicken, a recipe that's been with the restaurant for over 10 years! And there's whiskey! The restaurant boasts over 100 whiskeys, bourbons, and scotches and features multiple signature whiskey cocktails in addition to whiskey on tap. "Architecture plans are being finalized," explains Big Whiskey's president, Austin Herschend. "Tulsa is an ideal area for us and we are really excited to be working with Sean on getting this location open soon!" The first Tulsa location is slated to open later this year. It will be one four Big Whiskey's franchise locations to open in 2019; Big Whiskey's Las Vegas opened in March, Jefferson City, MO will welcome their first Big Whiskey's this fall, and a Birmingham, AL location is anticipated to open before December. For updates on Big Whiskey's Tulsa, follow along on their Facebook page. Big Whiskey's American Restaurant & Bar currently operates eight restaurants in Missouri, one location in Kansas, and two franchise locations; Bentonville, AR and Las Vegas, NV. For franchise information, visit www.bigwhiskeysfranchise.com SOURCE Big Whiskey's American Restaurant & Bar Related Links https://www.bigwhiskeysfranchise.com NORWICH, England, May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- BizClik Media, the innovative, Norwich-based digital media firm, has published its latest issue of the Europe edition of Business Chief. On the cover of the May issue of Business Chief Europe, Yorkshire Building Society's Chief Operations Officer and Executive Director, Stephen White, discusses agility and innovation within the firm's operations. "YBS has been around for over 150 years, and I want to make sure it's around for the next 150 years," says Stephen White. "Therefore, we have to evolve." Dan Brightmore talks to the co-founder and Chief Procurement Officer at Denmark's Tradeshift about its marketplace concept that works beyond the regular limits of procure-to-pay. AB InBev, Accenture, CBRE, DNB, ERGO, and Paddy Power Betfair all feature in this month's edition, with features regarding sustainability, procurement and digital transformation. This month's City Focus looks at what Dusseldorf has to offer. The city's award-winning architecture and thriving manufacturing industry define the capital of Germany's most populous state. For May, Business Chief looks at Europe's top 10 universities to study a Master of Business Administration. The issue can be read here. About Business Chief Business Chief is a media brand fit for the digital age, providing cutting-edge content tailored for company executives, business pioneers and industry thinkers. Divided into eight separate regional titles, Business Chief tells the stories that matter to business leaders and professionals on their way to the top. Through our expertly-crafted digital magazines, websites, videos and social media, those stories reach the right people. Our flagship features are the Leadership Showcases; exclusive interviews with key decision-makers at some of the biggest companies on the globe, documenting their journeys to business transformation and the lessons they've learned along the way. With further themes focused on technology, talent and sustainability, Business Chief has insight on the trends that matter to C and V-level executives, while also delivering consumer-friendly lifestyle content to reflect their interests and wider ambitions. On top of all that and more, Business Chief showcases in-depth digital reports on companies every month, ensuring it covers every angle in the world of business. www.businesschief.com About BizClik Media BizClik Media Ltd is a diverse, multi-platform digital media company focusing on the global B2B marketplace. We have a passion for great content and we collaborate with the world's most inspiring and innovative business leaders to deliver only the best, most engaging and relevant content to you. With a trusted and recognised publishing portfolio that is home to over 16 brands, including e-magazines and web platforms, combined with our social media marketing and data marketing tools, we have the experience, approach and know-how, to deliver your brand in front of the people that matter. www.bizclikmedia.com https://europe.businesschief.com/ Media Contact Sophie Chapman Tel: +44-(0)-1603-215-079 Email: [email protected] SOURCE BizClik Media PROSPECT PARK, Pa., May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- When: May 7, 2019 Borough of Prospect Park 125th Borough of Prospect Park Pennsylvania 125 Year Celebration Where: Historic Masonic Temple Prospect Park, Home to Prospect Lodge No. 578 Free & Accepted Masons 822 Lincoln Avenue Prospect Park, Pennsylvania 19076 When: 7:00 PM 9:00 PM The Borough of Prospect Park, located about 12 miles from downtown Philadelphia, is a community steeped in historical intrigue. It got its start on May 7, 1874, when 103 acres of land were "hereby incorporated into a Borough in conformity with the prayer of the petitioners that the corporate style and title thereof shall be "The Borough of Prospect Park" and the area was turned into a bedroom community, where residents would live and then travel to work in Philadelphia. Even before its founding, the area, formerly called Moore, played a prominent role in some important parts of U.S. history. For one, Reverend Mark Watkinson, of the Prospect Hill Baptist Church, is credited with helping to initiate the printing of the phrase "In God We Trust" on U.S. currency. One of the oldest buildings in Pennsylvania is also located in Prospect Park: The Morton Homestead. This building, along with its 2.5 acres of land, was founded in 1654 by an immigrant from Finland as part of the New Sweden colony. This immigrant's great-grandson was John Morton (born in a cabin on this homestead) who was a delegate to the Continental Congress during the American Revolution. He was one of the signatories to the Continental Association and provided the swing vote that allowed Pennsylvania to vote in favor of the United States Declaration of Independence. On May 7, residents and guests are welcome to attend the 125th Celebration of Prospect Park to learn more about the rich history of the borough in which they live. This event will be held at the Masonic Lodge located on Lincoln Avenue from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Historian Keith Lockhart will be conducting a visual presentation that is sure to delight and entertain history buffs of all ages. On May 14, the Prospect Park Borough Council will hold their monthly meeting at the Morton Homestead. About the Borough of Prospect Park: Located in Delaware County, the Borough of Prospect Park is home to around 6,500 residents who enjoy its prime location with easy access to freeways, railways, and the Philadelphia International Airport. The borough occupies just under a square mile of land and is located near the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge where the East Coast Greenway trail travels through. Media Contact: Patrick O'Connell: 610-532-1007 Email : [email protected] Mayor: Jeff Harris Borough Council: Patrick O'Connell President of Council | John J. Bradley, III Diane Faison | Ralph P. Moore | Eric Schreiber | Mary Ann Shallet | Greg Sutphin SOURCE Borough of Prospect Park Related Links https://prospectparkboro.com "Nubank drove a financial revolution six years ago, and has changed the industry in Brazil for good, expanding competition and offering better services to millions of consumers. We are finally taking the next step by spreading our revolution to new markets, and we see a great opportunity in Mexico," says David Velez, founder and CEO of Nubank. "We've been studying the Mexican financial system for a few years and we heard from a lot of customers about the challenges and headaches they face with existing services. These services have forgotten to put the consumer at the center of their strategy and their products. On top of that, more than 36 million Mexicans currently don't have any access to the bank system - and we want to contribute for this situation to change," explains Velez. With the arrival of Nubank to Mexico, the company will open opportunities to attract the best Mexican talent with the creation of a technology, data science and design hub in the country. "We were impressed by the level of talent that exists in Mexico and look forward to making a significant investment in the Mexican technology ecosystem," says the CEO. Since 2017, Nubank has a technology hub in Berlin, Germany, focused on infrastructure and data engineering. In total, the company now has 1,500 employees from 25 nationalities, including French, Canadians, Australians, Americans, Dutch, and Mexicans. To date, Nubank has raised about US$ 420 million in seven investment rounds with important funds such as Sequoia Capital, Kaszek Ventures, Tiger Global Management, QED, Founders Fund, DST Global, Redpoint Ventures, Ribbit Capital Investment, Dragoneer Investment Group, Thrive Capital and Tencent. Through these investments, it became one of the first unicorn startups in Latin America and today is considered the most innovative company in the region. It has also become one of the most valuable digital banks in the world and the largest outside of Asia. About Nubank Nubank is the leading financial technology company in Latin America. Its first product, launched in 2014, is a no-fee credit card that is fully managed by a mobile app. Almost 30 million people have requested the product since launch, and the company has passed the 8.5 million active customer mark. In 2017, Nubank launched its proprietary loyalty rewards program ("Nubank Rewards"), as well as a digital account ("NuConta") that is already used by 4.8 million people. This year, the company began testing its personal loan service. To date, Nubank has raised around US$ 420 million in seven equity investment rounds from Sequoia Capital, Kaszek Ventures, Tiger Global Management, QED, Founders Fund, DST Global, Redpoint Ventures, Ribbit Capital, Dragoneer Investment Group, Thrive Capital and Tencent. Recently, Nubank was elected as the most innovative company in Latin America and ranked no. 36 on Fast Company' 50 Most Innovative Companies ranking. Josafat Vargas - +52 1 55 3966 1568 Nubank PR Team - +55 11 5180 7060 SOURCE Nubank FAYETTEVILLE, Ark., May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Cabana Holdings, a financial services firm that offers a combination of traditional financial planning, retirement plan consulting, legal counsel, and wealth management, announced today that it has acquired Texas-based Fund Architects, LLC. The acquisition is part of Cabana's growth strategy to serve more advisors looking for core, risk-based solutions to help their clients. The agreement takes Cabana's RIA, Cabana Asset Management, from roughly $730 million to $850 million in assets under management. Ranked the nation's fastest-growing RIA by Financial Advisor magazine in the publication's 2018 RIA survey, Cabana Asset Management provides risk-based portfolio construction, money management and sub-advisory services to the investment industry. "We've known the principals at Fund Architects for some time and are very impressed with their approach to distribution and serving the investment community," says Chadd Mason, Cabana CEO and co-founder. "Like us, they appreciate the value of a process-driven money management approach, coupled with verified and transparent performance returns." Cabana expects to assume Fund Architects' business currently in place and has named Daniel Snover, previously vice president and deputy CIO of Fund Architects, Cabana's director of institutional sales. William Davis, Fund Architects' CMO, will assist with Cabana's institutional business development strategy. Cabana employs its proprietary Cyclical Asset Reallocation Algorithm "CARA" -- in the construction of its Target Drawdown Portfolios, which numerically quantify acceptable levels of risk at the onset of the investment process. "I believe the way we're setting out to improve an investor's understanding of the investment process is different than that of any other active manager and is key to long-term risk-adjusted returns," says Mason. "We look forward to working with the Fund Architects team to get our story out to the broadest audience possible." For more on the Target Drawdown Series, visit https://targetdrawdown.cabanaportfolio.com/ or call Daniel Snover at (972)-383-5300. To receive a copy of the firm's recent white paper "Adjusting Risk Within the Economic Cycle" call Georgia Mason at (972) 383-5300. About Cabana Holdings Cabana Holdings is the parent company of Cabana, LLC (dba Cabana Asset Management and Cabana Retirement Solutions) and Cabana Financial, LLC and shares common ownership with Cabana Law Group (dba Prevost, Shaff Mason and Carns, PLLC in the state of Texas). Cabana's services include wealth management, portfolio construction, retirement plan solutions, tax and estate planning, business development, insurance, annuities and sub-advisory money management. The Target Drawdown Series is available to individual investors and advisors through the industry's leading custodians. Cabana Asset Management claims compliance with the Global Investment Performance Standards (GIPS). For more information about Cabana visit www.cabanaportfolio.com or submit a request to [email protected]. For additional disclosures on rankings, please visit https://cabanaportfolio.com/Awards-Disclaimers. Contact: Georgia Mason Phone: (972)-383-5300 Email: [email protected] SOURCE Cabana Related Links cabanaportfolio.com "Hemant is very experienced at running global healthcare information technology companies, and he brings deep market knowledge, customer relationships, product, strategy, and technical expertise to his role as CEO of Capsule," said Chris Adams, Partner with Francisco Partners. "We are very pleased to have Hemant on board and look forward to leveraging his industry expertise to drive continued growth and innovation," added Justin Chen, Vice President with Francisco Partners. Goel most recently served as the President of Spok, Inc., a provider of critical communication technology to healthcare and other industries, where he was responsible for the operating company. Prior to joining Spok, Goel was Vice President, Clinical Solutions at Siemens Health Services, where he held worldwide development responsibilities for the IT solutions business. "I am very excited for the opportunity to lead this exceptional organization of dedicated and talented professionals. Capsule's solutions have a daily impact on patient care around the world, and I am honored to drive the development and execution of our strategy going forward," said Goel. Goel holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology in Kanpur, India, and a Master of Business Administration degree from the McColl School of Business at Queens University in Charlotte, N.C. About Capsule Technologies Capsule Technologies is a leading global provider of medical device integration for hospitals and healthcare organizations. Our platform captures streaming data from virtually any medical device and transforms context rich information to any clinical documentation, alarm management, patient surveillance, decision support and research system. Our end-to-end data management and connectivity supports better collaboration and communication, improves patient safety and overall satisfaction. Over 2,500 global clients have leveraged our platform to simplify clinical workflows and power data-driven insights throughout the hospital and across care settings. Learn more at www.capsuletechnologies.com. About Francisco Partners Francisco Partners is an investment firm that specializes in technology and technology-enabled services businesses. Since its launch over 19 years ago, Francisco Partners has raised over $14 billion in committed capital and invested in more than 200 technology companies, making it one of the most active and longstanding investors in the technology industry. The firm invests in opportunities where its deep sectoral knowledge and operational expertise can help companies realize their full potential. For more information, please visit www.franciscopartners.com. SOURCE Capsule Technologies, Inc. MINNEAPOLIS, May 6, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Cargill's animal nutrition business is conducting a voluntary recall of select Southern States feed due to aflatoxin levels that exceed FDA's action levels. The affected products, which were manufactured and sold in the eastern United States, were removed from retail shelves throughout February, March, and April 2019. Livestock, horses, and poultry exposed to aflatoxin are at risk of exposure to several health hazards. Aflatoxicosis has the same acute and chronic adverse effects and health consequences across all species and age classes (immature and mature). Immature animals are more sensitive to aflatoxins. Acute aflatoxicosis may result in generalized hemorrhage, bloody diarrhea and death in 1-3 days. In addition, aflatoxin toxicity can cause reduced feed intake, reduced weight gain, liver damage, jaundice, and eventually death. No adverse health effects to animals have been reported to date. Nonetheless, Cargill is taking this voluntary step out of an abundance of caution. The affected products were manufactured at Cargill's Cleveland, North Carolina, facility. Cargill first learned of the issue when it received a notification from the North Carolina Department of Agriculture of test results showing that a single lot of a specific Southern States product contained elevated levels of aflatoxin. Cargill has identified and corrected the root cause. The following affected products were recalled from retail outlets and distributors in the Georgia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia markets and removed from retail shelves throughout February, March, and April 2019. To view the label for each product, please click on the link in the table below that corresponds to that product. Consumers and other end users who have any of the affected lots in their possession should return remaining product to their local dealer or retailer for a replacement or full refund. For more information, call 800-822-1012 (Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time). At Cargill, the safety of our products and the well-being of the animals we feed is our top priority. This recall is being conducted with the knowledge of and in cooperation with the United States Food and Drug Administration. About Cargill Cargill's 155,000 employees across 70 countries work relentlessly to achieve our purpose of nourishing the world in a safe, responsible and sustainable way. Every day, we connect farmers with markets, customers with ingredients, and people and animals with the food they need to thrive. We combine 153 years of experience with new technologies and insights to serve as a trusted partner for food, agriculture, financial and industrial customers in more than 125 countries. Side-by-side, we are building a stronger, sustainable future for agriculture. For more information, visit Cargill.com and our News Center. SOURCE Cargill Related Links http://www.cargill.com DUBAI, UAE, May 07, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FEPE International, the Global Out-of-Home Organization awarded Randy Otto, President of PATTISON Outdoor Advertising with this years Lifetime Achievement Award at the 60th Annual International Congress Gala held in Dubai on May 2. The FEPE Lifetime Achievement Award is the industrys highest honour for accomplishment, recognizing an individual whose contributions have made a significant impact on the Out-of-Home industry worldwide. FEPE International Executive Director John Ellery recognized Otto as one of the true pioneers of not just the Canadian Out-of-Home industry, but worldwide too. We are delighted to honour him with our Lifetime Achievement Award. Otto first joined the Out-of-Home industry in 1976 and has been serving as the President of PATTISON Outdoor since 2004, where he also advises on the board for the Canadian Out of Home Marketing and Measurement Bureau (COMMB). During this time, he spearheaded the launch of Canadas first Proof-of-Performance campaign management system, EyeWitness POP. The first offering of its kind to provide clients a way to monitor their Outdoor campaigns, while creating a level of transparency never before seen in the industry. Randy has been a strong industry leader serving on the COMMB Board since 2003, contributing to the development and advancement of Out-of-Home measurement, says Roseanne Caron, President of COMMB. Building PATTISON into Canadas leading Out-of-Home company came through key expansions led by Otto, such as acquiring the digitally innovative Onestop Media Group and securing key advertising partnerships with transit and airport authorities across the country. In 2018, the recent acquisition of IMA brought with it the exclusive advertising rights to the Metrolinx GO commuter system, further positioning PATTISON Outdoor as the premier provider of Out-of-Home advertising. I was humbled and honored to be recognized with the FEPE Lifetime Achievement Award during the World Outdoor Congress in Dubai, for a career in our industry that I have enjoyed so much, says Otto. The FEPE International Congress celebrates the best of Out-of-Home, including the leaders who have made the industry the global force it is todayAward recipients are the corner stone of our annual Gala event, playing an important role in bringing the worldwide OOH industry together, says Ellery. About PATTISON Outdoor Advertising: PATTISON Outdoor Advertising, a division of The Jim Pattison Group is Canadas largest Out-of-Home advertising company. PATTISON Outdoor helps brands and businesses harness the power of Out-of-Home advertising by providing the most comprehensive range of products, markets, insights and customer support services. With its roots reaching back to 1908, PATTISON has been providing innovative solutions for Out-of-Home advertising opportunities with products ranging from traditional billboards to transit, digital, airport, residential, office, and street level formats. PATTISON is headquartered in Toronto, Ontario and includes over 25 sales offices across the country, providing advertisers unmatched reach and coverage with products available in over 200 markets coast to coast. www.pattisonoutdoor.com www.facebook.com/pattisonoutdooradvertising www.twitter.com/pattisonoutdoor www.vimeo.com/pattisonoutdoor www.instagram.com/pattisonoutdoor About FEPE International: FEPE International (established in 1959) is the only global Out of Home Association, working to promote and improve the OOH industry on behalf of our members. Board members include the major International companies JCDecaux, Clear Channel and Exterion - as well as Stroer, Pikasso, and more recently blowUP media, OUTFRONT Media from the US, oOh!Media from Australia and Selvel One from India. Membership is open to all companies who operate in the OOH sector and as a non-profit Federation funds are reinvested in industry issues such as research and the annual international congress. FEPE is a member of EASA and ESOMAR in Europe as well as a founding member of ICAS and also actively works to help the membership with legislation issues within their own countries as well. It also aims to lobby for Out of Home advertising with authorities, international organizations, opinion formers and other elements of the communication media. More information is available at www.fepe.com. *Eyewitness is a registered trademark, and owned product of The Siroky Group Inc. For more information contact: Mary Ventresca Vice President, Marketing & Business Development, PATTISON Outdoor Advertising 905.282.6889 mventresca@pattisonoutdoor.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b3b33a88-1eea-422c-a74d-9f93b9609527 CHARLOTTE, N.C., May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Channeltivity, a global leader in Partner Relationship Management (PRM) software solutions, today announced their Channel Champion interview series, designed to highlight high achieving channel professionals within the technology industry. "With over 30,000+ channel professionals in the Channeltivity ecosystem, we have the pleasure of working with a wide variety of impressive individuals in the space. We want to highlight the champions that stand out. These professionals know what it takes to build thriving relationships with their partners and are growing their channel in exciting ways," said Jason Jacobs, CEO of Channeltivity. "In addition to giving them well deserved recognition for the work they do, we believe others in the channel will benefit from their depth of knowledge and range of insights." The international group of Channel Managers being featured work in the US and Europe, and range in expertise from marketing, sales, consulting, as well as the distribution side of channel. The program is launching with a selection of videos, podcasts and written interviews from these Champions, with more being released throughout the year. At the end of the year Channeltivity will announce the recipient of their first annual Channel Champions Award, given to the professional that's demonstrated a combination of channel expertise, passion and success. Visit https://www.channeltivity.com/channel-champions/ to hear how our Channel Champions have built, and continue to grow, their thriving programs. About Channeltivity Channeltivity is the Partner Relationship Management solution of choice for high growth companies in Tech Manufacturing, AI/Big Data, Business Analytics, Cloud Services, Enterprise Software, Cyber Security, and other tech segments. With Channeltivity, channel programs build stronger relationships, optimize partner productivity, and accelerate new sales. Channeltivity is easy to use, fast to set up, and connects to top CRM solutions, including Salesforce and HubSpot. To find out why 30,000+ channel sales professionals around the globe depend on us, contact Channeltivity at 877-226-2564 or https://www.channeltivity.com/ Media Contact: Dana Citron 877-226-2564 SOURCE Channeltivity Related Links https://www.channeltivity.com SAN JOSE, Costa Rica, May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The DCILab of the Electronic Engineering School at the Technological Institute of Costa Rica (TEC by its Spanish acronym), has created the first RISC, 32-bit microcontroller completely designed and developed in Costa Rica, for a microcircuit with medical applications. A microcontroller is a microprocessor which, in addition to its processing units, has input-output interfaces and dedicated units for operation and sensing, as well as internal memory to perform specific functions. The microcontroller's official name is SIWA, which means "ancestral wisdom" in Cabecar, one of Costa Rica's indigenous ethnic languages. It is based on a RISC-V, 32-bit architecture, similar to those used in smart phones (such as the ARM processor) and this nucleus can be complemented with different interfaces for different applications. The DCILab of TEC Costa Rica began using the device for medical applications, such as a cardiac stimulator; but it has announced that it may create new versions of SIWA with applications in other fields such as industrial automation, variable monitoring, image processing, among others. The design is based on an open RISC programming architecture and will be used as a control unit for a cardiac stimulator developed by the Catholic University of Uruguay. Alfonso Chacon, of the Electronic Engineering School at TEC, said that: "This milestone not only proves the existence in Costa Rica of the necessary technological capacity to initiate joint developments in the microcircuits area with the country's high-tech industry, but also lays the foundation for a national microelectronics industry." SIWA is an integrated electronic device in a 180-nanometer CMOS technology. Potential in medical industry Today's cutting-edge implantable medical devices demand more intelligence to apply algorithms that monitor biomedical signals, and even to allow doctors to obtain patient data. The more integrated the system is, the greater the reliability and safety of devices implanted in patients, in addition to improving the device's parameters for size and electrical power consumption. This is very different to what is currently done in most systems on the market, since they apply separate devices interconnected among themselves. Jorge Sequeira, Managing Director of CINDE, said that: "Costa Rica is a hub of medical technologies in Latin America, hosting global leaders in Life Sciences and Digital Technologies. This convergence enables the country to create and test new solutions, enhancing the development and performance of medical devices, which are already the country's top export product, for US$3.3 billion in 2018. It is projected that these will grow at an annual rate of 15%, reaching US$5 billion in 2021." Costa Rica's life sciences industry consists of 72 multinational companies that employ 24,600 people. 7 out of 10 world's largest cardiovascular companies operate in Costa Rica. SOURCE Costa Rican Investment Promotion Agency Related Links http://www.cinde.org NEW YORK, May 6, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Citdex Corporation (Citdex), and Stock Exchange of Mauritius (SEM) and Central Depository & Settlement Co. Ltd ("CDS") have signed an exclusive joint venture agreement to launch a Digital Stock Exchange of Mauritius (DSXEM) and a Digital Central Depository Systems (DXCDS) leading to spearhead the development of global digital capital markets and digital securities custodian services in Mauritius. This partnership will allow DSXEM to host financial assets with traditional characteristics as digital securities, using distributed ledger technology. The partnership will provide issuers with a new solution to access capital, and will offer investors regulated, liquid and transparent institutional-grade digital securities with strong fungibility. Sunil Benimadhu, Chief Executive of Stock Exchange of Mauritius and Vipin Mahabirsingh, Managing Director of CDS said, "Mauritius is well positioned to offer a well-regulated and pragmatic framework to issue, trade, and settle digital securities for both retail and institutional investors. We anticipate that digital security offerings will have a positive impact on the development of new business opportunities in our financial services sector, harness economic growth and stimulate technological innovation in Mauritius. This initiative is expected to accelerate the development of the Mauritius International Financial Centre. We are keen to work with Citdex on this venture." Chris Cutler and Victoria Saucier, Managing Directors at Citdex, said, "We are very excited to be part of the growing digital securities ecosystem. We see the DSXEM leading the adoption of regulatory compliant digital securities investments and capital formation. We are particularly pleased to partner with the regulatory authorities in Mauritius to pursue this joint effort, whose goal is to bring the digital securities ecosystem into the mainstream of global capital markets within a regulation-compliant framework." About Citdex Citdex is a global multi-strategy venture investment firm focused on innovative technologies and funds. Citdex uses data-driven analytics to deploy venture-capital and private equity investments around the world. Citdex works with national governments on developing legislation and regulatory frameworks for new digital economies and building innovation hubs. About Stock Exchange of Mauritius The Stock Exchange of Mauritius (SEM) is responsible for the operation of Mauritius's primary Stock Exchange. The SEM operates two markets: the Official Market and the Development & Enterprise Market (DEM). There are 200+ securities listed on SEM representing a Market Capitalization of US $12 + Billion. SEM operates a unique multi-currency capital-raising, listing and trading platform. SEM is one of the leading and most innovative Exchanges in Africa and a member of the World Federation of Exchanges. About Central Depository & Settlement Co. The Central Depository & Settlement Co. Ltd (CDS) was established by the Stock Exchange of Mauritius in 1996 to provide centralized depository, clearing and settlement services for the Mauritian equity and debt markets. The CDS has assisted a number of African exchanges and CSDs to implement electronic trading and depository systems. The Board of Directors of the CDS includes representatives of the Bank of Mauritius and the Ministry of Financial Services and Good Governance. Contact Information Citdex: [email protected] Stock Exchange of Mauritius: [email protected] Central Depository & Settlement Co.: [email protected] Related Files Citdex.Mauritius.PressRelease.pdf Related Images digital-stock-exchange-of-mauritius.jpg Digital Stock Exchange of Mauritius This partnership will allow DSXEM to host financial assets with traditional characteristics as digital securities, using distributed ledger technology. The partnership will provide issuers with a new solution to access capital, and will offer investors regulated, liquid and transparent institutional-grade digital securities with strong fungibility. central-depository-settlement-co.jpg Central Depository & Settlement Co. The CDS has assisted a number of African exchanges and CSDs to implement electronic trading and depository systems. The Board of Directors of the CDS includes representatives of the Bank of Mauritius and the Ministry of Financial Services and Good Governance. Citdex stock-exchange-of-mauritius.jpg Stock Exchange of Mauritius The Stock Exchange of Mauritius (SEM) is responsible for the operation of Mauritius's primary Stock Exchange. The SEM operates two markets: the Official Market and the Development & Enterprise Market (DEM). There are 200+ securities listed on SEM representing a Market Capitalization of US $12 + Billion. SEM operates a unique multi-currency capital-raising, listing and trading platform. Citdex citdex.jpg Citdex Citdex is a global multi-strategy venture investment firm focused on innovative technologies and funds. Citdex uses data-driven analytics to deploy venture-capital and private equity investments around the world. Citdex works with national governments on developing legislation and regulatory frameworks for new digital economies and building innovation hubs. Related Links http://www.dsxem.com http://www.dscds.com SOURCE Citdex Related Links http://citdex.com FORT WORTH, Texas, May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Civitas Senior Living and LKP Ventures have broken ground on Harvest of Roanoke - a new, boutique senior living community along the Texas 114 corridor. This project marks the first senior living community to be developed in the Roanoke area. "We are looking forward to serving seniors and their loved ones in Roanoke and the surrounding areas with our passion-based senior living concept," said Wayne Powell, Founder and CEO of Civitas. "It's a great location, and the prospect of contributing to such a dynamic, growing community is exciting." The ongoing expansive growth within the Texas 114 corridor was definitely a factor in choosing the location, he said. Harvest of Roanoke will be conveniently located on 5.25 acres along SH 114 between SH 170 and U.S. 377 just outside the Country Acres Estates neighborhood, which is adjacent to The Highlands at Trophy Club neighborhood. The community will feature 67 premier assisted living and 16 memory care apartments in a 67,000-square-foot community inspired by the area's local roots and small-town charm. "We love the down-home, friendly ambiance of Roanoke," said Narayan Patel of LKP Ventures. "It's the perfect setting for the kind of warm hospitality we want to offer our residents." The community's location just over a mile from restaurant row in the "Unique Dining Capital of Texas" is an added bonus. "Between our passion for hospitality and Civitas' unique dining experience, it really is the perfect location. We believe these combined factors create a recipe for success," Patel said. Patel is referencing Civitas Senior Living's My Food program, which features restaurant-style dining and facilitates a working relationship between the chef and the residents to create a dynamic, delicious, custom menu unique to their community. Residents will also be able to enjoy Roanoke's unique dining experiences through scheduled outings. Harvest of Roanoke is scheduled to welcome residents Fall 2020 and will bring approximately 60 jobs to the area economy. Arrive Architects, Senior by Design, and Ridgemont Commercial Construction are also contributing to the project. About LKP Ventures LKP Ventures is a third-generation family enterprise focused on real estate investment, development, and acquisitions. For more information about LKP Ventures please email [email protected] or call (214) 585-5204. About Civitas Senior Living, LLC Civitas Senior Living is a senior living owner/operator, property management, and consulting company based in Fort Worth that specializes in the development, acquisition, and operational management of senior housing properties. These properties include assisted living and memory care residences and independent senior living facilities. Civitas is known for its signature Passion Program, which ensures a high-quality, comprehensive continuum of care through a unique integration of all the factors that affect community management. For more information about Civitas, please visit www.CivitasSeniorLiving.com , or call (817) 386-8888. Media Contact: Cami Bachman Civitas Senior Living [email protected] (817) 386-8888 SOURCE Civitas Senior Living Related Links https://civitasseniorliving.com/ SKANES FAGERHULT, Sweden, May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- FIRST QUARTER Net sales: MSEK 566 (603) sales were down 6% y-o-y. After adjusting for impact of currency (+6%), sales in constant currency were down 12%. Operating income: MSEK 126 (120), generating an operating margin of 22.2% (19.9). Earnings after tax: MSEK 94 (89); basic EPS of SEK 2.43 (2.26). Cash flow from operating activities: MSEK 102 (111); cash generation affected by lower sales. Group's net debt: MSEK 27 (92); gearing ratio of 2% (9). Effects of new accounting principles for Leases IFRS 16: The effects in the income statement are not material (EBIT margin +0.1%; EBITDA margin +1.1%). Cash flow from operating activities was affected with MSEK +6. Other effects per 31 March were; total assets MSEK +99; net debt MSEK +102; gearing ratio +8%. President and CEO, David Woolley, comments on Q1 2019 Interim Report. Sales development Published market indices suggest production rates, blended to the Group's end-markets and regions were up by 5% year-on-year in the first quarter. Whilst our customers' end markets grew, they have managed risk and reduced stocks during the first quarter, which means their tier 1 suppliers sales have not grown to the same extent. Group sales for the first quarter were down year-on-year by 12% in constant currency reflecting the decision by a customer, a global OEM, to dual source components during 2019 and is broadly in line with previous guidance. Excluding sales to the global OEM from both periods, group sales were constant for the first quarter year-on-year. The continued sustained demand in the first quarter is evident both in our core regions of North America and Europe, as well in all four sectors we serve, notably truck, and equipment for construction and agriculture. The largest end sector for Concentric continued to be trucks, representing 42% of the Group's sales, concentrated primarily in North America and Europe. Market demand for medium- and heavy-duty trucks in North America grew by 5% year-on-year in the first quarter, whilst European demand continued with low single digit growth. India reported strong market growth in the first quarter but was probably the market most affected by pressure to reduce stocks. Sales to the Agricultural Machinery end sector remained strong predominantly in the Americas and India. However, the Construction Equipment end sector proved more challenging, particularly in North America and Europe as our customers adjusted stock levels to a more uncertain outlook. Concentric Business Excellence The key objectives of the Concentric Business Excellence programme ("CBE") are to achieve absolute satisfaction of our customers and employees. The CBE programme has enabled the teams to efficiently reduce our cost of capacity and output to meet current demand, optimising our operational cost base. The CBE-programme has managed to defend the Group's operating income levels, reporting an operating margin for the first quarter of 22.2% (19.9). Concentric wins important contracts for next generation steering systems Concentric AB has won five Electro-Hydraulic Steering ("EHS") systems contracts worth an estimated total of SEK 94 million over the next five years. The contracts relate to EHS systems to be used in electric trucks as well as hybrid and electric buses. Even though these platforms currently constitute a small niche, local city regulation and customer requirements will drive increased demand for electric commercial vehicles going forward. These nominations are therefore strategically important and we believe that the electric segment presents exciting long-term opportunities for Concentric. Acquisition Opportunities We continue to explore acquisition opportunities that will offer either geographical expansion, product expansion or technologies that will enhance our current engine and hydraulic product lines to provide us with an even greater presence alongside our global customers. Outlook The underlying sales order book remains strong and the level of orders received in the rst quarter indicate that sales in the second quarter 2019 will be broadly in line with sales in the rst quarter. Market indices predict that production volumes blended to Concentric's end-markets and regions will be up 4% year-on-year for 2019, which is lower than the 7% growth rate in 2018. Our expectation remains that demand for medium- and heavy-duty trucks, particularly in North America could weaken towards the end of 2019 and the business is vigilant to the change in customer behaviour such as destocking and is ready to adapt to any market changes. Concentric remains well positioned both financially and operationally, to fully leverage our market opportunities. For further information, please contact: David Woolley (President and CEO) or Marcus Whitehouse (CFO) at Tel: +44-121-445-6545 or E-mail: [email protected] The information in this report is of the type that Concentric AB is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation and the Securities Markets Act. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact persons set out above, at 08.00 CET on 7 May, 2019. This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/concentric-ab/r/concentric-interim-report-january---march-2019,c2804998 The following files are available for download: SOURCE Concentric AB ORLANDO, Fla., May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- CoreMedia announced today that its CoreMedia Content Cloud solution is now available on the SAP App Center, the digital marketplace for SAP partner offerings. The company's Content Cloud solution, a content management and experience orchestration platform, is certified by SAP to integrate with SAP Commerce Cloud, a complete digital business solution that integrates digital and physical touchpoints onto a single, robust platform. CoreMedia Content Cloud integrates with SAP Commerce Cloud to make it easy for customers to easily blend product data with brand and editorial content for the best shopping experience. "We've been partnering and integrating with SAP for over a decade now and we have tremendous respect for their technology," said Jim Stirewalt, General Manager North America for CoreMedia. "We're excited to make our solution available on the SAP App Center and look forward to helping companies maximize their SAP investments." Customers with this solution can enhance their SAP-powered web store capabilities including: Merge content and commerce: Blend real-time product information with brand content to deliver consistent product messages anywhere Headless content management: Create and store omnichannel, reusable content Integrated digital asset management: Manage and integrate rich media content to make Web stores aesthetically appealing and visually engaging. SAP Commerce Cloud customers can view a short product video about CoreMedia Content Cloud here: https://l.coremedia.com/izh The SAP App Center provides customers with real-time access to more than 1,800 innovative partner solutions that complement and extend their SAP solutions, enabling digital transformation of their business. SAP App Center customers can buy solutions directly from partners and centrally manage purchases, billing and vendor communications. CoreMedia is a partner in the SAP PartnerEdge program, which empowers technology partners to build, market and sell software applications on top of market-leading technology platforms from SAP. The SAP PartnerEdge program provides the enablement tools, benefits and support to facilitate building high-quality, disruptive applications focused on specific business needs quickly and cost-effectively. The program provides access to all relevant SAP technologies in one simple framework under a single, global contract. Come meet the CoreMedia team in person at SAP Customer Experience (CX) Live 2019 (booth #123 next to the SAP Community Cloud Theater), taking place May 7-8, 2019 at the Orange County Convention Center West in Orlando, Florida. About CoreMedia CoreMedia is the strategic content management and experience orchestration engine behind today's most iconic online brands. Leading global B2C companies (Deckers, Luxottica, PVH Corp, Finnair, T-Mobile) and B2B firms (Continental, Claas, Emerson, DMG-Mori) create world-class digital experiences powered by CoreMedia. A company of visionaries, trusted advisors, and passionate experts, CoreMedia takes brands to the next level of digital experiences. We're all about dialogue, so let's talk. For more information or to set up a demo, visit www.coremedia.com or follow us on Twitter @contentcloud. SAP, SAP HANA, and other SAP products and services mentioned herein as well as their respective logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of SAP SE (or an SAP affiliate company) in Germany and other countries. See http://www.sap.com/corporate-en/legal/copyright/index.epx for additional trademark information and notices. All other product and service names mentioned are the trademarks of their respective companies. SOURCE CoreMedia Related Links http://www.coremedia.com PORTLAND, Maine, May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The current widespread proliferation of CBD-based products has further highlighted the rapid expansion of the industry with more retailers and medical institutes continuing to sell CBD products. Brightfield Group's research projecting the U.S. hemp CBD market to reach USD 22 Billion by 2022. CBD products are required to have virtually no trace of THC (.3% or less), meaning consumers experience no psychoactive effects often associated with cannabis. Some studies suggest that only 5-10% of the population know what CBD is and its functionality, leaving a huge potential future market share. One barrier of success for new businesses today is marketing, You can't do much paid search (SEM) on Google, Yahoo or Bing. Just about all online presence needs to be with SEO (organic search engine rankings) or social media platforms.CBD product e commerce websites are shut down all of the time. It's extremely hard to stay up on CBD/Hemp laws, product innovation, education, customer service, sales and manage a digital marketing campaign. Banking is extremely difficult for CBD and hemp. Some local credit unions that tailor to medical cannabis caregivers and allow for hemp and CBD products seem to be the only options for everyday traditional banking. There are private banks domestically that anyone in any State can use, you just need to find them. The fees are very high and there are many limitations on what you can do. Wire transfers are prohibited in most banks that allow CBD products. PayPal will shut you down if they think you're selling CBD products. CBD has been integrated into our pharmaceutical market causing concern for smaller companies. Last year, the U.S Food and Drug Administration approved an isolate based treatment, Epidiolex, to treat childhood epilepsy. CBD isolate is a powdered form of pure 99%+ cannabidiol. It does not offer the "entourage effect" of treatment, which is other ancillary cannabinoids (CBG, CBN, CBC) and plant compounds, the fats, proteins, lipids, terpnes, flavinoids working together to feed the endocannabinoid system. Many people argue that this full spectrum entourage effect offers a superior level of effectiveness. Along with the approval of Epidiolex, the FDA had approved several other synthetic cannabis drugs like Marinol. For further contact www.cascobayhemp.shop Eben Sumner, [email protected] SOURCE Casco Bay Hemp Related Links https://www.cascobayhemp.com/ IRVING, Texas, May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Darling Ingredients Inc. (NYSE: DAR) will hold a conference call and webcast on Thursday, May 9, 2019 to discuss the Company's first quarter financial results. The teleconference will begin at 8:30 a.m. ET and will be hosted by Mr. Randall Stuewe, CEO and Chairman of the Board, and Mr. Brad Phillips, EVP and Chief Financial Officer. Additionally, the Company will have a slide presentation available to augment management's formal remarks, which will be accessible via the investor relations section of the Company's website. The related press release will be issued after the market closes on May 8, 2019. Due to historically high call volume, the company is offering participants the opportunity to register in advance for the conference through the following link: http://dpregister.com/10130603. Registered participants will receive an email with a calendar reminder and a dial-in number and PIN that will allow them immediate access to the call on May 9, 2019. Participants who do not wish to pre-register for the call may dial in using 844-868-8847 (U.S. callers), or 412-317-6593 (international callers), and ask for the "Darling Ingredients" call. A replay will be available two hours after completion of the call through May 16, 2019. To access the replay, please dial 877-344-7529 (U.S. callers), 855-669-9658 (Canada) and 412-317-0088 (international callers) and reference passcode 10130603. The live webcast and archived replay also can be accessed on the Company's web site at http://ir.darlingii.com. About Darling Darling Ingredients Inc. is a global developer and producer of sustainable natural ingredients from edible and inedible bio-nutrients, creating a wide range of ingredients and customized specialty solutions for customers in the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, food, pet food, feed, industrial, fuel, bioenergy and fertilizer industries. With operations on five continents, the Company collects and transforms all aspects of animal by-product streams into useable and specialty ingredients, such as gelatin, edible fats, feed-grade fats, animal proteins and meals, plasma, pet food ingredients, organic fertilizers, yellow grease, fuel feedstocks, green energy, natural casings and hides. The Company also recovers and converts recycled oils (used cooking oil and animal fats) into valuable feed and fuel ingredients and collects and processes residual bakery products into feed ingredients. In addition, the Company provides environmental services, such as grease trap collection and disposal services to food service establishments and disposal services for waste solids from the wastewater treatment systems of industrial food processing plants. The Company sells its products domestically and internationally and operates within three industry segments: Feed Ingredients, Food Ingredients and Fuel Ingredients. For additional information, visit the Company's website at http://www.darlingii.com. For More Information, contact: Melissa A. Gaither, VP Investor Relations 251 O'Connor Ridge Blvd., Suite 300 & Global Communications Irving, Texas 75038 Phone: 972-717-0300 SOURCE Darling Ingredients Inc. Related Links http://www.darlingii.com Prof. Lian Yuming, the Director of the Key Laboratory of Big Data Strategy, first proposed "Data Rights Law" in March 2017. The term was then officially recognized by The China National Committee for Terms in Sciences and Technologies. In July 2017, China established the first Data Rights Law Research Center in China University of Political Science and Law, with Prof. Lian as its director, whose study indicates that Data Rights Law is the legal norm to regulate data ownerships, data rights, data utilities and data protection. Data Rights Law 1.0: The Theoretical Basis constructs the theoretical framework of "Data Rights - Data Rights System - Data Rights Law" based on "Data Person" hypothesis, which opens up a brand new field of legal research. This book is not only a grand vision for future legal research, but also a pioneering work for digital civilization research. HEIDELBERG, Germany and ORLANDO, Fla., May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- DATAVARD, a recognized global leader in data transformation and solutions with a history of 20 years in SAP landscape transformation, will present at SAPPHIRE NOW 2019 and ASUG Annual Conference, its approach for successful SAP S/4HANA transitions. "SAP is razor focused on the customer experience and that starts with helping align those customers to get them up and running on the S/4HANA platform as soon as possible," said Gregor Stoeckler, CEO and co-founder, DATAVARD. "DATAVARD offers a complete portfolio for SAP HANA migration and system landscape transformations. Transition to SAP S/4HANA starts with a customized migration path that fits the customer needs and then the safe and secure transfer of high-value data to a fast in-memory platform. DATAVARD is one of the very few companies who bring this ability to SAP customers." DATAVARD has witnessed the complexity of data management for SAP customers in the era of Big Data and Artificial Intelligence only grow more daunting with SAP's fast-approaching 2025 end-of-support for the ECC 6 version of its Business Suite software. For many SAP customers it means the road to SAP S/4HANA begins now. In that spirit, DATAVARD's Gerd Hagmaier, Global Vice President of SAP S/4HANA Services, will outline his customer-centric approach to S/4HANA, which challenges the three siloed "field" concepts so often promoted in the market today. Mr. Hagmaier will touch on multiple strategies for customers to consider when tackling this enormous transition in Five Things to Consider When Moving to S/4HANA at the SUSE booth #2246 at 2pm on Wednesday, May 8th. About DATAVARD At DATAVARD, we are deeply passionate about other people's data. Our team is a recognized global leader in data transformation and management solutions with decades of experience helping many of the world's largest and most prestigious organizations, such as Fortune 500 companies Allianz, Kellogg, BASF and Nestle, and a growing list of SMEs, to transform, innovate and optimize their critical data assets. DATAVARD is bringing unparalleled SAP data and system expertise for SAP S/4HANA and SAP BW/4HANA migration, Big Data landscape design, cloud migration or system harmonization. Our consultants have vast knowledge and proficiency in most data languages from legacy to AI and Machine Learning. We also seamlessly partner with leading SAP infrastructure companies Microsoft, Cloudera, SUSE, Accenture and DXC. DATAVARD is a privately held company with more than 200 data-driven employees around the world. We are headquartered in Heidelberg, Germany. For more information, please visit www.DATAVARD.com on social media at LinkedIn, Instagram and our Expert Blog. SOURCE DATAVARD Related Links http://www.datavard.com VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 07, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Core Gold Inc. ("Core Gold" or the "Company") (TSXV: CGLD, OTCQX: CGLDF) is pleased to announce that it has filed with the applicable Canadian securities regulators an independent technical report prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 (NI 43-101) entitled, Dynasty Goldfield Project Celica, Loja Province, Ecuador (the 2018 Technical Report), containing an updated current mineral resource estimate. The 2018 Technical Report, with an effective date of December 31, 2018 and dated May 6, 2019, was prepared for the Company by Consulting Geologist Mr. Allen J. Maynard, BAppSC (Geol), MAIG, MAusIMM, of Al Maynard & Associates, an independent qualified person under NI 43-101. The 2018 Technical Report was prepared according to NI 43-101 and Form 43-101F1 to support disclosures made by Core Gold in its 2018 Annual Information Form regarding the Dynasty Goldfield Project. A copy of the 2018 Technical Report can be accessed under the Companys SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com, or on the Companys website at www.coregoldinc.com. About Dynasty Goldfield The 100%-owned Dynasty Goldfield Project in Ecuador is part of the larger Dynasty Copper-Gold Belt extending north from Peru. The Dynasty Goldfield Project is located at the southern end of the Occidental Andean Cordillera, 25km from the Peruvian border. About Core Gold Inc. The Company is a Canadian based mining company involved in the mining, exploration and development of mineral properties in Ecuador. The Company is currently focused on gold production at its wholly-owned Dynasty Goldfield project. Mineral is treated at the Companys wholly-owned Portovelo treatment plant. The Company also owns other significant gold exploration projects including the Linderos and Copper Duke area in southern Ecuador all of which are on the main Peruvian Andean gold-copper belt extending into Ecuador. For further information please contact: Core Gold Inc. Mark Bailey, Interim CEO, Director Suite 1201 1166 Alberni Street Vancouver, B.C. V6E 3Z3 Phone: +1 (604) 345-4822 Email: info@coregoldinc.com Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SAN DIEGO, May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Raken, the top-rated daily reporting app and field management solution for the construction industry, has named technology industry growth expert Dave Berman, the former president of video collaboration platform ZOOM, to its Board of Directors. "Raken is in position to see extraordinary growth in the next few years, and I hope my experience and guidance can help them achieve that," Berman said. "This company is meeting a unique need in the construction industry by prioritizing the needs of the field a group that has been traditionally underserved by technology." Berman has more than 25 years of experience in sales, marketing and support in the software technology industry. His innovative and effective sales strategies contributed to major growth for WebEx, RingCentral, Affectiva and ZOOM. Under Berman's leadership, ZOOM experienced triple-digit annual growth in revenue, users and number of employees. Berman currently serves as a venture adviser for Spider Capital Partners, a seed-stage venture capital firm. Berman's experience helping ZOOM build sales motion with individual users and expanding from there to the enterprise level is highly relevant: Raken is taking a similar approach, building a groundswell of adoption in the field and expanding from the bottom up. "Dave has had an incredible track record over the past couple decades, leading some of the fastest growing technology companies of our time. Needless to say, we're excited to have him join our team," said Raken CEO and founder Kyle Slager. "Our software is focused on the mobile workforce in construction the hard-working men and women who work in the field. Raken makes their lives easier and helps them be more productive, and that in turn empowers the supervisors, project managers, executives and clients all the way up the ladder." Raken serves nearly 4,000 clients in 92 countries and has been utilized on over 350,000 projects. The cloud-based SaaS solution boosts productivity and safety by streamlining workflow processes such as daily reporting, time tracking and safety management. Raken recently introduced a Spanish-language option and an "offline mode" following a $10 million Series A funding round in 2018. About Raken Raken provides mobile-first technology to streamline field workflows for the construction industry. Raken's digital toolbox connects the field to the office with daily reports, time cards, task management, photo management, and more. Thousands of the world's top general contracting and subcontracting firms use Raken for their field reporting needs. To find out more, visit www.rakenapp.com or call 866-438-0646. MEDIA CONTACT: Heather Ripley Ripley PR 865-977-1973 [email protected] SOURCE Raken Related Links https://www.rakenapp.com BOSTON, May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Dispatch, the industry leader in empowering enterprise brands to digitally connect with home service providers and power a modern service experience, announced today a partnership with FieldEdge, the leading field service management software for contractors. This partnership will enable FieldEdge users to interact with Dispatch customers directly in the FieldEdge interface, providing valuable insights on real-time actions to data-driven enterprises. In a statement, Dispatch CEO Avi Goldberg praised their newest partner, saying that FieldEdge "essentially invented field service technology more than 35 years ago; their team is one of the most innovative groups out there. Pairing our platform with FieldEdge's technology is a major win, especially for contractors and homeowners." After powering millions of customer interactions in over 30% of the homes in America, the visibility that Dispatch provides into field operations has helped customer-centric enterprise brands reduce their customer no-show rate by 86%, increase their NPS by 35%, and lower their "Where's my tech?" calls by 37%. As more home service brands look for competitive advantages, they're turning to Dispatch to drive both higher customer lifetime value and lower operational expenses -- leading to significant gains in operating margin. FieldEdge has accomplished many firsts in its industry, bringing the first service management software to the market in 1980 and releasing the first electronic dispatch board in the mid-90s. As the leading provider of field service solutions, FieldEdge has helped customers reduce time spent on dispatching and scheduling by 50%. In addition, FieldEdge's real-time QuickBooks integration streamlines the accounting process so contractors have more time to focus on the core business needs such as employee retention, recruiting and growing their customer base. "The Dispatch Gateway with FieldEdge will help contractors better communicate with enterprises and homeowners -- with appointment reminders, status updates, and customer experience surveys, all of which will give FieldEdge users a competitive advantage on performance and customer satisfaction," said Dispatch Head of Customer Engagement Sam Crowell Richard. With the Gateway, FieldEdge users will be able to automatically receive and return work orders from the warranty companies, manufacturers, lead generators, and other field service enterprises that Dispatch serves. Additionally, FieldEdge users will receive their own customizable booking page linked to FieldEdge, enabling lead capture 24/7/365. "FieldEdge is laser-focused on giving its users the best possible tools so that they can be the best home service providers in the business," Goldberg continued. "Our Gateway strategy is about opening up our platform to the world's leading field service technology providers. Ultimately, that benefits the customer and the contractor by facilitating simple, seamless experiences. That makes our two missions very aligned." "With the seamless Dispatch Gateway, we are equipping contractors with the resources necessary to bring in qualified leads and book more jobs directly within the FieldEdge software," said Connie Certusi, President of FieldEdge, "The joint efforts between Dispatch and FieldEdge have allowed us to offer our customers a new, innovative integration experience. We are excited to partner with the Dispatch team and bring the Gateway to the market so both FieldEdge and Dispatch customers can improve the service experience and drive more revenue for their businesses." If you're a Service Industry Professional interested in learning more about the Gateway, or using FieldEdge to power your business, sign up for a demo here. If you work for a brand that leverages relationships with Service Industry Pros, and are looking to gain visibility into the experiences your customers encounter globally, reach out to Dispatch at [email protected]. About Dispatch Dispatch, headquartered in Boston, is one of the fastest-growing software companies in America. Leveraging its proprietary platform and industry-leading technology integrations, Dispatch partners with customer-centric brands to simplify complex home service logistics. The company helps brands build data-driven processes from information collected by their networks, deliver extraordinary customer experiences, and leverage analytics to constantly improve their operations all of which leads to significantly higher margin for Dispatch brand partners. Specialized enterprise verticals include Dispatch Home Services, Dispatch Franchise Services, Dispatch Home Appliances & Technology, Dispatch Retail, and Dispatch Consumer & Commercial Services. Current brand partners include Carrier, Merry Maids, American Home Shield, The Maids, and many others. About FieldEdge FieldEdge is the leading service management software company, enabling contractors to run their businesses with ease. As the original service management software, FieldEdge has helped thousands of organizations increase sales performance and productivity by managing all aspects of their daily operations for 40 years. FieldEdge's comprehensive solution includes features such as smart dispatching, automated management of service agreements, visual pricebook, GPS tracking, real-time QuickBooks integration, payments in the field and marketing automation. FieldEdge has offices in Fort Myers and Atlanta. To learn more visit www.fieldedge.com or contact us at 800-226-7529. Contact: Todd Stewart, [email protected] SOURCE Dispatch Related Links http://Dispatch.me "All Americans deserve access to lower cost health care. Our growing senior population is a group that often faces mobility limitations and can benefit from the safe, effective and convenient care that in-home treatment provides," said Dr. Mark Prather, CEO and co-founder of DispatchHealth. "We're committed to helping all individuals receive the right care, at the right time, in the comfort of their own home or place of need. The financial support and strategic expertise of Echo Health Ventures will allow us to extend our current care model into longer-term, episodic interventions for individuals requiring more advanced treatment." DispatchHealth continues to work in partnership with health systems and payers to improve the lives of Americans needing complex care. The expansion of the company's advanced medical services into longer episodes of care will help address the needs of the three in four Americans aged 65 and older who are living with multiple chronic conditions. These patients often struggle with access to care and face limitations with activities of daily living. The company's delivery of advanced in-home health care is helping to improve outcomes across a broad spectrum of care needs and is expected to save more than $100 million in direct medical spending in 2019. The company is dedicated to the creation of a seamless care experience. In order to ensure that DispatchHealth is an integrated part of the patient's care continuum, the company has developed technology integrations that facilitate care coordination. After treatment, each medical team sends timely and detailed notes back to a patient's primary care physician, senior living community (if applicable) and the patient directly to ensure all parties are kept informed and connected. Among the hundreds of patients seen each day throughout the country, DispatchHealth is able to collect valuable data to spot trends in care needs among different age demographics and identify important social determinants of health. "With 22.2 million unnecessary 911 transports occurring each year, we see a significant opportunity for DispatchHealth to reduce the cost of health care while improving outcomes and satisfaction for patients," said Dusty Lieb, the investment partner who will represent Echo Health Ventures on the DispatchHealth board of directors. "Dr. Prather and his team's deep medical expertise and consumer-centric vision uniquely positions the company for success in an evolving market. We look forward to supporting DispatchHealth to improve the health care system at large." DispatchHealth's on-demand model currently serves 10 different markets across eight states, with plans to continue to grow rapidly across the U.S. Patients can request medical care via phone, mobile app or website and a medical team will arrive within two hours equipped with roughly 70 percent of the same tools and equipment that are found in the typical emergency room. Whether a patient is sick with the flu, has a laceration or requires a higher-level of complex care for serious complications such as asthma, diabetes or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, DispatchHealth arrives prepared to handle a wide array of high-acuity cases. DispatchHealth is also an ideal solution for avoiding readmissions from recently discharged hospital patients who experience complications. DispatchHealth partners and collaborates with many large health systems across the country, such as Baystate Health, Bon Secours Richmond, MultiCare and Texas Health, to provide exceptional care for patients in a lower-cost setting. DispatchHealth also works with most major insurers and handles billing directly with those companies, including Medicare, Medicaid, Medicare Advantage plans, Managed Medicaid plans, Anthem/Blue Cross Blue Shield, United Healthcare, Aetna, Humana and Cigna. DispatchHealth is available seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. local time in most locations. About DispatchHealth DispatchHealth is redefining health care delivery to offer on-demand care for people of all ages in the comfort of their own home. DispatchHealth's board-certified medical teams are equipped with all the tools necessary to treat common to complex injuries and illnesses. DispatchHealth works closely with payers, providers, health systems and others to deliver care in the home to reduce unnecessary emergency room visits and hospital readmissions. Medical teams are available during the day and also on weekends, evenings and holidays, and can be requested via app, online or a quick phone call. DispatchHealth is partnered with most major insurance companies. For more information, visit DispatchHealth.com. About Echo Health Ventures Echo Health Ventures LLC invests to build and grow tomorrow's great health care companies. We invest across every stage and work with our portfolio companies to challenge and transform the health care system. As a strategic collaboration of Cambia Health Solutions and Mosaic Health Solutions, we work closely with our Parents to catalyze the development of our portfolio companies and accelerate their innovations to scale nationally. Echo Health Ventures operates nationwide with offices in Durham, N.C., Portland, Ore., Seattle and Boston. Follow us on Twitter @healthecho. SOURCE DispatchHealth Related Links http://www.dispatchhealth.com DOWNERS GROVE, Ill., May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Dover (NYSE: DOV) announced today that it has completed the acquisition of the All-Flo Pump Company, Limited business ("All-Flo"), which is now part of the Pump Solutions Group ("PSG") unit within Dover's Fluids segment. Founded in 1986 and headquartered in Mentor, Ohio, All-Flo is a growing manufacturer of specialty air-operated double-diaphragm ("AODD") pumps used in a wide range of industrial applications to transfer viscous, abrasive and hazardous fluids, sludges and slurries. The addition of All-Flo further enhances PSG's leading AODD pump portfolio and expands its geographic and channel reach. "We're excited to add All-Flo to our best-in-class portfolio of pump businesses," said Richard J. Tobin, Dover's President and Chief Executive Officer. "This acquisition strengthens PSG's market-leading position and is consistent with our strategic approach of deploying capital in close-to-core markets that offer sustainable, profitable growth, and where we can confidently create value for shareholders." With approximately $12 million of revenue generated in 2018, All-Flo is expected to be accretive to margins of Dover and its Fluids segment. The acquisition is expected to generate double-digit cash Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) by Year 3. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. About Dover: Dover is a diversified global manufacturer with annual revenues of approximately $7 billion. We deliver innovative equipment and components, specialty systems, consumable supplies, software and digital solutions, and support services through three operating segments: Engineered Systems, Fluids and Refrigeration & Food Equipment. Dover combines global scale with operational agility to lead the markets we serve. Recognized for our entrepreneurial approach for over 60 years, our team of approximately 24,000 employees takes an ownership mindset, collaborating with customers to redefine what's possible. Headquartered in Downers Grove, Illinois, Dover trades on the New York Stock Exchange under "DOV." Additional information is available at dovercorporation.com. About PSG: PSG is a global pump solution expert and leading manufacturer of pumps, systems and related flow-control technology for the safe and efficient transfer of critical and valuable fluids and materials. Headquartered in Oakbrook Terrace, IL, USA, PSG is comprised of several world-class brands, including Abaque, Almatec, Blackmer, Ebsray, EnviroGear, Griswold, Mouvex, Neptune, Quattroflow and Wilden. PSG products are manufactured on three continents North America, Europe and Asia in state-of-the-art facilities that practice lean manufacturing and are ISO-certified. PSG is part of the Fluids segment of Dover Corporation. For additional information on PSG, please visit psgdover.com. PSG: Where Innovation Flows. Forward-Looking Statements: This press release contains "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. All statements in this document other than statements of historical fact are statements that are, or could be deemed, "forward-looking" statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous important risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors, some of which are beyond the Company's control. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things, general economic conditions and conditions in the particular markets in which we operate, changes in customer demand and capital spending, competitive factors and pricing pressures, our ability to develop and launch new products in a cost-effective manner, and our ability to realize synergies from newly acquired businesses. For details on the risks and uncertainties that could cause our results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements that may be contained herein, we refer you to the documents we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, and our reports on Form 10-Q and Form 8-K. These documents are available from the SEC, and on our website, dovercorporation.com. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. SOURCE Dover VALLEY COTTAGE, New York, May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Global sales of dust extractors exceeded the revenues worth US$ 1 billion in 2018, which are projected to witness an average Y-o-Y growth of around 6%, in 2019 and ahead. As envisaged by a new research intelligence outlook of Future Market Insights (FMI), dust extractors will enjoy significant gains in the low dust class, accounting for a substantial incremental opportunity over the course of coming years. While adoption of dust extractors in medium dust class will retain a dominant share over that in the low dust class in the long run, the latter is highly likely to outpace former owing to the impressive growth of commercial building sector. Sales are likely to experience a considerable hike in the forthcoming years, as the demand from major end-use sectors, particularly commercial building and offices, is on a constant rise. Construction sites, though envisaged to remain key demand generator in the dust extractor space, will be closely trailed by the wood working segment. The report positions wood working applications of dust extractors market as an important demand contributor to the market and projects a healthy rate of growth for the dust extractor demand in wood working segment. Download the Sample of Report with Table of Contents and Figures: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-9500 DYI Applications Boosting Potential of Online Sales Channels Growing number of projects in the commercial space construction landscape will remain a significant booster for the demand growth of dust extractors at a global level. Moreover, noteworthy increase in the number of DIY applications, strongly backed by flourishing online retail channels, has been cited in the report as important factors impacting the growth of dust extractor market in years to come. The report has attributed growth of DIY applications segment to the progress of home improvement industry, observed in the recent past. In the light of success registered by leading online distributors of DIY vacuum cleaners such as Amazon, EBay, Alibaba, and ShopClues among others, a number of organizations are strategizing their entry to the E-commerce space. The report projects that power tools sales are likely to emerge as a popular strategy among players, which are stepping in the online retail world for DYI vacuum cleaner sales. Growing consumer preference for online channels while shopping DIY application tools is instrumenting accelerated online sales of dust extractors, as per the report findings. However, high price point associated with high-capacity vacuum cleaners will continue to restrain the accelerated growth of dust extractor market in the long run. Preview Analysis of Dust Extractors Market Segmented by (Capacity - 0.4 to 1 Ltr, 1 10 Ltr, 10 20 Ltr, 20 40 Ltr & Above 40 Ltr; Application - Professional Craftsmen (DIY), Woodworking, Car Services, Individual, Garages/Service Stations, Construction Sites & Commercial Establishment Maintenance; Power Source - Battery Operated, 12V, 18V & Direct Power Supply Based; Dust Class - Low & Medium; Vacuum Pressure - 0.01 to 0.1 Bar, 0.1 to 1 Bar & More than 1 Bar; Sales Channel - Hardware, Wholesale & Retail(e-Commerce Platform);) - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2019 - 2029: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/dust-extractors-market In line with the potential competitive edge offered by dust extractor models with compact dimensional design and light weight, key manufacturers are following the growing trend of high R&D investments in innovative product launches. Japan to Rise as the Industry's Manufacturing Hub Europe is envisaged to emerge as a highly profitable region for the prominent consumers of dust extractors, towards the end of the forecast period. Currently, the US and Germany represent the most prominent countries generating significant demand for dust extractors, subsequently benefiting the markets in North America and Western Europe, respectively. According to the report, the demand for dust extractors in developed regions will continue to be favorably influenced by the stringent regulatory framework of regional governments regarding the usage of vacuum cleaners. Furthermore, Japan is also anticipated to be a lucrative regional market for dust extractors, in terms of value and volume. FMI's analysis also depicts that Japan is currently reflecting the potential to develop into the new manufacturing hub. MEA is also projected to remain a prominent regional market for dust extractor sales, which has been primarily attributed to the robust growth of key end-use sectors across the region. Buy this report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/checkout/9500 Dust Extractor Market: Vendor Landscape The dust extractor market is largely fragmented, as a result of the strong presence of a large number of local and established players. The report provides details of some of the key players in the global dust extractor market, such as Milwaukee Tool, Alfred Karcher SE & Co. KG, Makitra Corporation, Hilti Group, Robert Bosch GmbH, DeWalt (acquired by Stanley), Metabowerke GmbH, Panasonic Corporation, Nilfisk Inc., Tennant Company, Numatic International Ltd., Electrostar GmbH (Starmix), Bisell Inc., Fiorentini / Clemas & Co., Verimark (Pty) Ltd., and C & E Fein GmbH. For exclusive insights on the current and prospective scenario of the global dust extractor industry, examined between 2019 and 2029, write to the analyst at [email protected] Our advisory services are aimed at helping you with specific, customized insights that are relevant to your specific challenges. Let us know about your challenges and our trusted advisors will connect with you: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/askus/rep-gb-9500 More from Industrial Automation & Equipment Market Insights: About Us Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights and an aerial view of the competitive framework and future market trends. Browse More Industrial Automation & Equipment Market Insights Contact Us Mr. Abhishek Budholiya 616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018, Valley Cottage, NY 10989, United States T: +1-347-918-3531 F: +1-845-579-5705 T (UK): + 44 (0) 20-7692-8790 Sales: [email protected] Press Office: [email protected] FMI Blog: http://www.fmiblog.com/ Website: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com SOURCE Future Market Insights PORTLAND, Oregon, May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research recently published a report, titled, "Europe Early Toxicity Testing Market by Technique Type (In Vivo, In Vitro, and In Silico), by Application (Drug Discovery, Chemical testing and Others) and End Users (Pharmaceuticals Industry, Food Industry, Chemicals Industry, Cosmetics Industry, and Others): Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 20182025". According to the report, the Europe early toxicity testing market was pegged at $264.84 million in 2017 and is expected to reach $460.11 million by 2025, registering a CAGR of 7.1% from 2018 to 2025. Increase in R&D activities in healthcare, surge in stringency of regulatory authorities concerning public healthcare welfare, and rise in adoption of in vitro model and early toxicity testing have boosted the growth of the Europe early toxicity testing market. However, the limitations of preclinical testing hamper the market growth. On the contrary, technological advancements in the field of early toxicity testing are expected to create lucrative opportunities in the near future. Request Sample Report at: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/5254 In vitro segment dominates the market The in vitro segment held the largest share in 2017, contributing nearly half of the total market, as it permits more detailed and convenient analysis. However, the in-silico segment is projected to manifest the fastest CAGR of 9.3% during the forecast period, owing to introduction of artificial intelligence in the field and need for alternative testing method to check toxicity of chemicals. The report includes an in-depth analysis of the in-vivo segment. Cosmetics industry to manifest the fastest CAGR through 2025 The cosmetics industry segment is expected to register the fastest CAGR of 9.7% during the forecast period. This is pertaining to a recent ban on the sale of cosmetics that had animal-tested, which has boosted the development of in vitro and in silico methods as an alternative to test the toxicity of cosmetics. However, the pharmaceuticals industry segment held the largest share in 2017, contributing nearly three-fourths of the total market. The report includes an in-depth analysis of the segments such as food industry, chemicals industry, cosmetics industry, and others. Drug discovery segment held lion's share The drug discovery segment held the largest share in 2017, contributing nearly three-fourths of the total market. However, the chemical testing segment is estimated to manifest a CAGR of 7.7% during the forecast period. For Purchase Enquiry at: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/5254 Major market players The report includes in-depth analysis of the major market players such as General Electric Company (GE Healthcare), Agilent Technologies, Inc., Evotec AG (Cyprotex), Danaher Corporation (Beckman Coulter, Inc.), Bruker Corporation, Bioanalytical Systems, Inc., PerkinElmer Inc., Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc., The Jackson Laboratory, and Enzo Biochem, Inc. (Enzo Clinical Labs, Inc.). Access KNOWLEDGE TREE (Premium on-demand, subscription-based pricing model) at: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/knowledgetree Knowledge tree is a cloud-based intelligence platform that offers more than 2,000 selective, off-the-shelf reports on niche markets to enable our clients gain deep insights on the latest trends, dynamic technologies, and emerging application areas. Similar Reports: Artificial Intelligence for Drug Discovery and Development Market - Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2018 2025 Drug Abuse Testing Market - Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2018 - 2025 About Us Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Portland, Oregon. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports" and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain. We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry. Contact: David Correa 5933 NE Win Sivers Drive #205, Portland, OR 97220 United States USA/Canada (Toll Free): +1-800-792-5285, +1-503-894-6022, +1-503-446-1141 UK: +44-845-528-1300 Hong Kong: +852-301-84916 India (Pune): +91-20-66346060 Fax: +1(855)550-5975 [email protected] Web: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com SOURCE Allied Market Research HOUSTON, May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- FamilyTreeDNA partnered with detectives in the San Diego Police Department Sex Crimes Unit to help identify a suspected serial rapist using investigative genetic genealogy. This identification lead to the arrest of Christopher VanBuskirk of Goodyear, Arizona, for the sexual assault of six women at knife-point. The FamilyTreeDNA laboratory developed a DNA profile from crime scene evidence provided by investigators, uploaded it into their family matching database, and identified direct matches of the potential suspect by comparing their DNA to the profile created by the laboratory. According to President and Founder, Bennett Greenspan, "We've seen a very rapid succession of violent crime arrests, and the identification of cold case victims, in just a few short months." FamilyTreeDNA Laboratory Director, Connie Bormans, said, "We've used very cutting-edge technology to help take a potential serial rapist off the streets. As a scientist and a mother, this work is very gratifying." In keeping with its long-standing, strict privacy policy, law enforcement does not receive open access to the FamilyTreeDNA database. Law enforcement can only register DNA profiles in the FamilyTreeDNA matching database in cases of murder, sexual assault, and identification of victims of violent crime. They are given the same access to matching profiles as customers and adoptees looking for their biological families. As specified in FamilyTreeDNA's Terms of Service, law enforcement can only receive information not already accessible to the standard user by providing FamilyTreeDNA with valid legal process such as a subpoena or a search warrant. FamilyTreeDNA, the first company to market direct-to-consumer DNA testing for genetic genealogy purposes, began allowing customers from competitor companies to upload their genetic files, at no charge, more than five years ago. *https://journals.plos.org/plosbiology/article?id=10.1371/journal.pbio.2006906 MEDIA: "Families Want Answers" :30 Spot. https://www.dropbox.com/s/hpaowzheym5p9yf/FTDNA%20Ed%20Smart.mp4?dl=0 URL: join.familytreedna.com About FamilyTreeDNA and Gene-by-Gene DNA testing industry, and the top choice for strict consumer privacy, according to U.S. News and World Report - January 8, 2019. FamilyTreeDNA is a privately held company located in Houston, Texas. www.familytreedna.com . Gene-by-Gene is a CAP and CLIA accredited laboratory located in Houston, Texas which processes genetic tests for commercial customers, along with consumer DNA tests for its FamilyTreeDNA division. www.genebygene.com SOURCE FamilyTreeDNA Related Links https://www.familytreedna.com SAN DIEGO, May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Recros Medica, Inc. announced today that its de novo regulatory submission for the Nuvellus Focal Contouring System has been accepted for review by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Nuvellus utilizes the company's proprietary Rotational Fractional Resection (RFR) technology and may provide medical aesthetic physicians a minimally-invasive single treatment option to improve submental (neck and jowl) contouring. Based on anticipated regulatory timelines, Recros expects to receive FDA clearance in Q4 2019.1 Following FDA clearance, Recros plans to launch Nuvellus to select medical aesthetic experts, with a broader market rollout to follow. Nuvellus is a novel alternative to current skin contouring approaches such as traditional surgery and energy-based devices. The Nuvellus system will be comprised of an integrated console, reusable surgical handpiece and differentiated consumable attachments for specific contouring applications. "The entire Recros Medica team is excited about bringing our novel Nuvellus system to aesthetic physicians, and today's submission represents a critical step in that journey," commented Tom Albright, CEO of Recros Medica. "We are confident that Nuvellus will offer customers significant efficacy and versatility, and look forward to working with the FDA to achieve commercial clearance and introduce Nuvellus for one of the largest unmet needs in aesthetic medicine." About De Novo Submission The FDA's de novo submission program is used to expedite regulatory review and ensure accurate classification of medical devices with low-to-moderate risk profiles and no comparable, predicate devices in market. To learn more about de novo submission guidelines, please visit www.fda.gov. About Recros Medica, Inc. Recros Medica, a privately held company, was co-founded in 2014 by Edward Knowlton, MD, a board-certified plastic surgeon who invented Thermage and the Viveve System. Dr. Knowlton's newest invention, Rotational Fractional Resection, is a platform technology for use by dermatologists, plastic surgeons and other aesthetic physicians to reduce skin laxity and enhance focal aesthetic contouring. For more information, visit https://www.recrosmedica.com. Contact: Shannon Severino 412-608-2393 [email protected] 1 Regulatory submission timelines are determined based on the most up-to-date information at time of publication, and are subject to change. SOURCE Recros Medica, Inc. Related Links https://www.recrosmedica.com "Since First Bank & Trust Company offers SBA, USDA Business & Industry and Rural Development Loans, we can provide financing to eligible small businesses that would not ordinarily qualify for loans through traditional lending sources," stated William H. Hayter, Chairman and CEO. "I am confident that John will do an outstanding job leading this effort to expand our loan program to better serve the credit needs of small businesses in our community." About the SBA The U.S. Small Business Administration helps Americans start, build, and grow businesses. The SBA was created in 1953 as an independent agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of our nation. About First Bank & Trust Company First Bank & Trust Company, one of the top community banks in the United States, is a diversified financial services firm with office locations in southwest Virginia, northeast Tennessee, and New River and Shenandoah Valleys. Financial objectives are addressed by offering free checking products for personal and business accounts, and assessing lending solutions managed by mortgage, agricultural and commercial lending divisions. Comprehensive financial solutions are available through trust and brokerage service representatives. For more information, visit www.firstbank.com or contact Nicole Franks [email protected] SOURCE First Bank & Trust Company Related Links https://www.FirstBank.com BROOKLYN, N.Y., May 07, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Opus One Solutions, Booz Allen Hamilton , and Sherburne Municipal Electric announced today that together they will be working to enhance the electricity distribution for New Yorks Village of Sherburne. The implementation of a new electrical distribution control software system based on Opus Ones GridOS platform is expected to improve the operation of the electricity distribution system and create cost-savings for Sherburnes ratepayers. "Grid modernization is a fundamental challenge for communities in the United States and around the world," says Mayor William Acee. "The Village of Sherburne has a clear outline to provide their citizens with efficient and modern power solutions in the years to come." The joint project is supported by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). The GridOS platform will help the Village improve its hosting capacity by integrating traditional capacity planning with potential future distributed energy resources (DERs) and help optimize its investments by enhancing the use of the grids resources. The enhancements will allow for situation awareness and control by providing a user-friendly interface that allows Sherburne Electric to monitor the status of the grid in real-time, enabling greater stability of the Villages grid, fewer outages and minimization of operating and maintenance costs. This will be done using GridOS power flow analytics and distribution state estimation. We are very pleased to be working with such a great innovative, group of partners to bring this project to market, said Joshua Wong, CEO of Opus One Solutions. It's very exciting to see how our solutions improve operational effectiveness of today's grids and the modern grids of the future for utility and customer benefit. The collaboration between Sherburne, Booz Allen Hamilton and Opus One will make it possible to assess various business case deployment strategies for grid edge software. Opus Ones GridOS platform will assess how each party receives value through system optimization, providing the potential for similar strategies in the future for other areas in New York and beyond. About Opus One Opus One Solutions is a software engineering and solutions company with the vision of a distributed energy network. Opus Ones intelligent energy networking platform, GridOS, optimizes complex power flows so that it can deliver real-time energy management and integrated planning to distribution utilities and other managers of distributed energy assets. GridOS is modular, scalable, and integrates seamlessly with existing data systems to unlock greater potential for distributed energy resources, including renewable generation, energy storage, and responsive demand. GridOS also facilitates the management of microgrids from homes to businesses to communities for unparalleled grid resiliency and value to the electricity customer. www.opusonesolutions.com About Booz Allen For more than 100 years, business, government, and military leaders have turned to Booz Allen Hamilton to solve their most complex problems. They trust us to bring together the right minds: those who devote themselves to the challenge at hand, who speak with relentless candor, and who act with courage and character. They expect original solutions where there are no roadmaps. They rely on us because they know thattogetherwe will find the answers and change the world. We solve the most difficult management and technology problems through a combination of consulting, analytics, digital solutions, engineering, and cyber expertise. With global headquarters in McLean, Virginia, our firm employs approximately 25,300 people globally, and had revenue of $6.17 billion for the 12 months ended March 31, 2018. To learn more, visit www.boozallen.com. (NYSE: BAH) About Sherburne Electric Sherburne is a small village in Chenango County, NY with a population of 1,353 residents. Unlike much of New York, the Villages electricity distribution system is municipally owned and operated. Sherburne Electric has also already installed Automated Metering Infrastructure (AMI) meters in its coverage area, deployed an effective demand response program, and achieved significant energy reductions through its ratepayer funded energy efficiency (EE) program. https://www.sherburne.org/electric/ Media Contact: Andrea Coelho Marketing & Communications Manager acoelho@opusonesolutions.com OJAI, Calif., May 6, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Organic hard kombucha brand, Flying Embers (https://flyingembers.com), announces their commitment to support fire safety programs and first responders during Wildfire Awareness Week, taking place from May 6 through 12, 2019. Flying Embers was founded in Ojai, California in 2016 by Bill Moses, co-founder of KeVita Probiotic Drinks. Accompanied by a team of passionate entrepreneurs, Flying Embers set out on a mission to create innovative botanical brews that boast practical benefits. In 2017, the massive Thomas wildfire threatened to destroy Ojai, Ventura and the surrounding areas, as well as the home brewery of Flying Embers. For three days and nights, the Ojai community banded together with the brave firefighters to fight the wildfires, and thanks to their efforts, the community was kept safe. During the course of the ordeal, the Flying Embers' team witnessed first-hand the courage of the firefighters and were inspired to pledge 1% of their revenues to regional fire safety programs and first responders. "Experiencing the Thomas Fire in 2017 firsthand has not only brought us a special appreciation for life," says Bill Moses, "but it has also taught us the importance of teaming with the community. This experience has defined the brand and mission to support fire education and prevention organizations and those first responders who risk their lives for their communities." Flying Embers has initiated this pledge with the Ojai Valley Fire Safe Council. William Castagna, their Board President, acknowledges, "The generous financial support we received from Flying Embers could not have come at a better time. With the Thomas Fire's devastating effects still fresh on our minds, the Ojai Valley Fire Safe Council is being called to action by the community more than ever. These funds have provided a crucial boost of capacity-building and community service efforts." Flying Embers Hard Kombucha uses the ancient alchemy of fermentation to create a better-for-you alcohol sparkling tea made with an adaptogen root blend. It is organic, gluten-free and zero sugar. Flying Embers' current line of three flavors includes Ancient Berry (with elderberry, goji, and raspberry), Ginger & Oak, and Lemon Orchard (with lavender, mint, and ginger). For more information on Flying Embers and locations where the Organic Hard Kombucha is sold, please visit FlyingEmbers.com, follow @FlyingEmbersBrew on Instagram or find us on Facebook. Heather DeSantis Publicity For Good [email protected] SOURCE Flying Embers Related Links https://flyingembers.com NEW YORK and WELLINGTON, New Zealand, May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Funds advised by Apax Partners (the "Apax Funds"), alongside certain co-investors, today announced the completion of the acquisition of 100% of the issued share capital of Trade Me Group Limited for NZ$6.45 per share. The transaction, which values Trade Me at c.NZ$2.56bn (c.US$1.7bn1), was unanimously supported by the Board of the company and received strong approval from shareholders. Founded in 1999, Trade Me is the leading online marketplace and classified advertising platform in New Zealand. The company connects buyers and sellers across its leading vertical marketplaces for automobiles, property, and jobs as well as offering auctions and fixed-priced sales for new and used goods in its horizontal marketplace. Today the business employs over 600 people and is the fourth most visited website in New Zealand with approximately 1.8m visits each day and 7m listings. Last month, Trade Me announced the appointment of Anders Skoe as Chief Executive Officer who will commence his role in July 2019. Anders brings extensive experience in the digital marketplace sector through his current position as CEO of Finn.no, a similar marketplace and classifieds business to Trade Me operating in Norway. He is also Executive Vice-President of Nordic Marketplaces at Schibsted, the global media group, in which Anders' responsibilities comprise overseeing Finn.no alongside leading Swedish and Finnish digital marketplace sites Blocket.se and Tori.fi. Current Trade Me CEO Jon Macdonald will continue in his role until Anders joins and assumes responsibilities. Jon had planned to leave Trade Me at the end of 2018, but at the request of the Board of the company he agreed to stay on while the Apax transaction was pending and to ensure a smooth transition to a new CEO. Jon will subsequently continue to play an important role in the business as a Non-Executive Director. Mitch Truwit, Co-Chief Executive Officer of Apax Partners, said: "We are excited to partner with Trade Me; the clear leader in its market and one of New Zealand's most-loved and recognised brands. We look forward to leveraging Apax's significant experience, gained from other leading digital marketplace businesses around the world, to support management in delivering the company's next phase of growth. We welcome Anders' appointment and look forward to benefiting from his strategic insights, along with those of the existing Trade Me team, in the years to come." Anders Skoe, incoming Chief Executive Officer of Trade Me, said: "I am delighted to join the team at Trade Me, who have developed the company into a household name in New Zealand. I look forward to using my background and experience to build on Trade Me's success to date and take the business to even greater heights. I'm also excited to be working with Apax who have an enviable reputation investing in this space." Jon Macdonald, current Chief Executive Officer of Trade Me, said "It's fantastic that Anders is taking on the CEO role here in New Zealand, particularly given his strong experience in leading such a closely comparable business in a similar market. I wish him all the very best, and in my new governance role I'm looking forward to playing a small part in Trade Me's continued success." The Apax Funds have a strong track record investing in digital marketplace businesses, combining extensive digital investment expertise with deep operational value-add. The investment in Trade Me is the eighth for the Apax Funds in this sub-sector. Previous investments include Auto Trader in the UK, Trader Corporation in Canada, Boats Group in the US, Idealista in Spain, and SoYoung and SouFun in China. About Trade Me Trade Me (www.trademe.co.nz) is the leading online marketplace and classified advertising platform in New Zealand. About Apax Partners Apax Partners is a leading global private equity advisory firm. Over its more than 40-year history, Apax Partners has raised and advised funds with aggregate commitments of c.$50 billion. The Apax Funds invest in companies across four global sectors of Tech & Telco, Services, Healthcare and Consumer. These funds provide long-term equity financing to build and strengthen world-class companies. For more information see: www.apax.com. Media Contacts: For Trade Me Logan Mudge, Trade Me | +64 27 477 9486 | [email protected] For Apax Partners Global Media: Andrew Kenny, Apax | +44 20 7 872 6371 | [email protected] NZ Media: Geoff Senescall / Barry Akers, Senescall Akers | +64 21 481234 / +64 21 571234 309 5659 | [email protected] / [email protected] USA Media: Todd Fogarty, Kekst | +1 212-521 4854 | [email protected] UK Media: Matthew Goodman / James Madsen, Greenbrook | +44 20 7952 2000 | [email protected] Notes to Editors: London-headquartered Apax Partners (www.apax.com), and Paris-headquartered Apax Partners (www.apax.fr) had a shared history but are separate, independent private equity firms. 1 Based on FX rates as at 31 Dec 2018. SOURCE Apax Partners; Trade Me Reopening Genovese's with a refreshed menu curated by building on the favorite dishes of long-time regulars, like the popular lasagna and pizza pies, they want loyal and new patrons to enjoy the cheerful setting. "We invite the community to make Genovese's their spot to savor delicious dishes with wine and beer and a side of local history," says Chef Molina. "We are bringing some fresh and special touches to Genovese's while also honoring its long history in the neighborhood since 1980." "We want to give our long-time regulars the delicious dishes they keep coming back for, while adding new menu items we are sure will become favorites," says Chef Aricia. "We also added more outdoor seating in a space with greenery and flowers for enjoying a meal al fresco." The grand re-opening ribbon cutting ceremony will be held on Friday, May 17, at 11 am. The community is invited to attend and join in the celebration. On that reopening weekend a special treat will be offered to all patrons that come in to try the new menu items on Saturday and Sunday, May 18 and 19. Chef Molina has been touted for more than three decades as one of the premier chefs in all of Southern California. His passion for food and his bountiful culinary adventures have brought acclaim to the restaurants where he has delighted his loyal fans and made numerous new ones. Chef Aricia is a tastemaker that loves to combine her flair for food development and design with business savvy and restaurant management. She is known for creative wine pairing and is an award-winning mixologist. Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/genovesesalhambra Genovese's Italian Kitchen: 2900 W. Main Street, Alhambra, CA 91801; Hours: 11 am to 8:30 pm; Telephone: 626-289-5667. SOURCE Genoveses Italian Kitchen NEW YORK, May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Executive Summary A comprehensive research report created through extensive primary research (inputs from industry experts, companies, stakeholders) and secondary research, the report aims to present the analysis of Global Cocoa Butter Equivalent Market. The report analyzes the Cocoa Butter Equivalent Market By Product Type (Shea Butter, Palm Oil Fraction, Kokum Butter, Illipe Butter, Others), By End Users (Confectionery, Food and Beverages, Others).The Cocoa Butter Equivalent has been analyzed By Region (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Rest of the World) and By Country (U.S., Canada, Mexico, United Kingdom, Germany, France, India, China, South Korea, Saudi Arabia and Brazil) for the historical period of 2014-2018 and the forecast period of 2019-2024. Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05773453/?utm_source=PRN According to the report "Global Cocoa Butter Equivalent (CBE) Market (Volume, Value) - Analysis By Product Type (Shea Butter, Palm Oil Fraction, Kokum Butter, Illipe Butter), End-User ( Confectionary, Food and Beverage, Others), By Region, By Country (2019 Edition): Opportunities and Forecast (2014-2024) - By Region (North America, Europe, APAC, ROW), By Country (U.S., Canada, Mexico, United Kingdom, Germany, France, India, China, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Brazil)", global market is projected to display a robust growth represented by a CAGR of 8.00% during 2019 2024. The product segment of Palm Oil Fraction has been witnessing growth at a noteworthy rate over the past few years backed by low prices, easy availability and increased used in cosmetics industry. Amongst the regions, Europe accounts for the largest regional share in the global cocoa butter equivalent market in 2018. Key factors driving the robust growth rate of Europe region include presence of branded confectionery manufacturers along with increasing consumption of chocolate in the region. The report titled "Global Cocoa Butter Equivalent (CBE) Market (Volume, Value) - Analysis By Product Type (Shea Butter, Palm Oil Fraction, Kokum Butter, Illipe Butter), End-User ( Confectionary, Food and Beverage, Others), By Region, By Country (2019 Edition): Opportunities and Forecast (2014-2024) - By Region (North America, Europe, APAC, ROW), By Country (U.S., Canada, Mexico, United Kingdom, Germany, France, India, China, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Brazil)" has covered and analyzed the potential of Global Cocoa Butter Equivalent and provides statistics and information on market size, shares and growth factors. The report intends to provide cutting-edge market intelligence and help decision makers take sound investment evaluation. Besides, the report also identifies and analyses the emerging trends along with major drivers, challenges and opportunities in the global respiratory care devices market. Additionally, the report also highlights market entry strategies for various companies across the globe. Scope of the Report Global Cocoa Butter Equivalent Market (Actual Period: 2014-2018, Forecast Period: 2019-2024 Global Cocoa Butter Equivalent Market Size, Growth, Forecast By Product Type (Shea Butter, Palm Oil Fraction, Kokum Butter, Illipe Butter and Others) By End User (Confectionery, Food and Beverages, Others) Regional Markets North America, Europe, APAC, Rest of the World (Actual Period: 2014-2018, Forecast Period: 2019-2024) Regional Cocoa Butter Equivalent Market Size, Growth, Forecast By Product Type (Shea Butter, Palm Oil Fraction, Kokum Butter, Illipe Butter and Others) By End User (Confectionery, Food and Beverages, Others) Country Analysis U.S., Canada, Germany, United Kingdom, India, China, Saudi Arabia, Brazil (Actual Period: 2014-2018, Forecast Period: 2019-2024) Cocoa Butter Equivalent Market Size, Growth, Forecast By Product Type (Shea Butter, Palm Oil Fraction, Kokum Butter, Illipe Butter and Others) Other Report Highlights Market Dynamics Drivers and Restraints Market Trends Porter Five Force Analysis Policy and Regulatory Landscape Competitive Landscape Company Analysis AAK, Danisco, Fuji Oil Holdings Inc, IOI Group, Cargill., 3F Industries Ltd., Nisshin Oillio Feldaiffco, Manorma Group 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. Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05773453/?utm_source=PRN About Reportlinker ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place. __________________________ Contact Clare: [email protected] US: (339)-368-6001 Intl: +1 339-368-6001 SOURCE Reportlinker Related Links http://www.reportlinker.com GREENVILLE, S.C., May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Newchip, one of the top investment platforms in the world, has a track record of helping companies get funded with over $20M+ in investments into its companies in 2018 alone. This week, they accepted Gongago Inc., a new online advertising platform for small-mid sized businesses into their online accelerator. "We are very excited to have Gongago join the NEWCHIP family," remarked Ryan Rafols, Founder & CEO of Newchip. "The team impressed us from the startwe are eager to see how they take Gongago to the next level. They have a unique perspective on their market and what they've built so far shows great promise." Launched in early 2016 by founder James Lyon, Gongago simplifies online advertising for small-mid sized businesses, helping business owners connect with customers by providing a seamless solution to showcase and promote their business online. Founder James Lyon believes Gongago is solving real-world problems he's experienced personally as an owner of several small businesses prior to launching Gongago. "There's a massive distance between everyday customers going about their daily lives, and small businesses," says founder James Lyon. Gongago is trying to decrease this distance by making it much easier for small business owners to advertise their business online, promote deals, and connect with customers who are searching for their type of product or service. "We think the future for small businesses is rapidly moving towards online advertising and away from more traditional media," says the founder. Visit https://gongago.com to learn more. Take a look at the other companies accepted into the Newchip accelerator at https://www.newchip.com About Gongago: James Lyon [email protected] (804)-Gongago (804-466-4246) www.gongago.com SOURCE Gongago Related Links http://www.gongago.com DENVER, May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Environmental Leader and Energy Manager honors 100 of the world's top environmental professionals at the annual Environmental Leader & Energy Manager Conference (ELEMCON) next week. ADEC Innovations Director of Global Solutions Greg Scandrett has been recognized for his years of contributions to the industry and his role in developing innovative, award-winning software to advance sustainability across global sectors. Environment + Energy Leader 100 Class of 2019 The Environment + Energy Leader 100 list annually recognizes top industry change-makers who are driving innovation in environment and energy. A celebration of achievement and thought-leadership, the list acknowledges industry innovatorsincluding directors, managers, consultants, and engineersfrom every sector, including consumer goods, environmental solutions, transportation, technology, and education. For more than 25 years, Mr. Scandrett has led project teams, cultivated environmental strategy, and worked closely with environmental, health, and safety (EH&S) clients to build powerful, innovative technology that has helped clients achieve their sustainability goals, and possesses the potential to grow and adapt to other operations, businesses, and industries. "We would like to extend our hearty and enthusiastic congratulations to Greg from all his colleagues here at ADEC Innovations. Greg's vision and dedication to helping our clients raise the bar on their sustainability performance make him a valuable asset to our team, and we are thrilled to see his achievements recognized," said Lance Pierce, President of Global Development for ADEC Innovations. As Director of Global Solutions, Mr. Scandrett leads a team of more than 30 technical professionals in designing, developing, and delivering the next generation of environmental, sustainability, and governance software in the marketplace. Under his guidance, ADEC Innovations has developed award-winning software that helps clients create value and build better, more sustainable programs for their businesses, including the award-winning CleanChain, which helps ensure sustainable operational practices in the supply chain; CDPInsights , which helps companies understand and benchmark their climate change performance; MetricsTrac, which helps companies improve their sustainability performance organization-wide; FoodChain, which helps the food services industry minimize its environmental impact; and the ZDHC Gateway Chemical and Wastewater Modules, which identify greener chemistry within textile manufacturing processes. About ADEC Innovations ADEC Innovations' environmental, social and governance (ESG) business advances sustainable practices around the world and helps organizations responsibly grow and operate. With access to ADEC Innovations' global workforce of over 5,000 employees spanning five continents, ADEC Innovations is able to seamlessly deliver fully integrated, cost-effective consulting, data management and software solutions to ensure we meet our clients' ever-evolving ESG needs and help them save time, reduce costs, optimize resource use, and drive operational efficiencies. Visit esg.adec-innovations.com to find out more. Media Contact Jacki Fricke +1 (714) 508-4100 [email protected] Related Images environment-energy-leader-100.png Environment + Energy Leader 100 Environment + Energy Leader 100 Class of 2019 Related Links ADEC ESG Solutions E+E 100 Honorees 2019 SOURCE ADEC Innovations NEW YORK, May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Affirming its commitment to eliminating barriers for survivors of gender-motivated violence, Her Justice and other amici support Ms. Breest in a lawsuit she filed under the New York City Victims of Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Act ("GMVA"), that alleges she was raped by Paul Haggis, a Hollywood director. The GMVA, a New York City civil rights law, gives victims a right to pursue financial redress for crimes of violence that are motivated by gender. "We know from our clients' experiences that fully escaping abuse and achieving self-sufficiency is challenging, if not impossible, without sufficient financial means," said Hamra Ahmad, Director, Legal Services, Her Justice. "At Her Justice, we are committed to advancing laws like the New York City Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Act that help our clients and other victims of gender-based violence in the City achieve economic justice to remain free from abuse and redress harms suffered." When New York City passed the GMVA 20 years ago, it was an important signal to victims whose rights under federal law had been gutted by the U.S. Supreme Court. This case represents another important opportunity for New York to stand with victims. It is the first case under the GMVA that has been allowed to proceed past the initial stage of litigation. Now, the New York appeals court has an opportunity to affirm that rape is a gender-motivated crime of violence and to make important precedent for holding perpetrators accountable and ensuring victims gain the financial security they need. About Her Justice Her Justice is a nonprofit organization that takes a 'pro bono first' approach to the provision of free legal services to women living in poverty in all five boroughs of New York City. The staff of 17 lawyers, legal assistants, and other non-legal professionals, along with hundreds of volunteer attorneys, ensure that more than 4,000 women every year receive free legal help in family, divorce and immigration matters. Other civil rights organizations that participated in the amicus brief: (including private-practice lawyer C.A. Goldberg, PLLC) American Civil Liberties Union Anti-Violence Project Black Women's Blueprint FreeFrom National Organization for WomenNew York City National Women's Law Center New York City Alliance Against Sexual Assault Sanctuary for Families Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund Women's Justice NOW Additional quotes from other participating amici: ACLU "New York City's Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Act recognizes that sexual violence is a civil rights issue and removes barriers to justice for low-income survivors," said Sandra Park, a senior staff attorney with the ACLU Women's Rights Project. "Sexual violence is a pervasive form of gender discrimination, not simply a private matter between two individuals." National Organization for WomenNew York City "Sexual assault is overwhelmingly targeted at women and LGBTQ individuals. It's a barrier to true gender equality. We hope the court will recognize that sexual assault is an inherently gender-based crime." Sonia Ossorio, President, National Organization for WomenNew York City C.A. Goldberg, PLLC "Survivors of sexual violence need their day in court. And that's what's so important about this case. The lower court said yes, survivors do get their day in court and now the defendant is again trying to assert his control and dominance to silence her. All sexual assault involves gender-based animus. Period. We are proud to sign on to this amicus alongside so many important organizations fighting for justice." Carrie Goldberg, owner, victims' rights law firm, C.A. Goldberg, PLLC SOURCE Her Justice LAS VEGAS, May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The MoneyShow Las Vegas, which provides thousands of retail investors and traders with the opportunity to meet and receive portfolio advice from the best minds in the financial industry, is being held May 13-15 at Bally's Las Vegas Hotel & Casino. The speaker line-up at The MoneyShow Las Vegas will feature the country's leading economists and geopolitical experts, premier money managers, and top analysts who will share their best insights, ideas, and strategies for making money in the stock market in 2019. Featured Financial Experts: Steve Forbes , Chairman and Editor-in-Chief, Forbes Media , Chairman and Editor-in-Chief, Tom Sosnoff , Co-Founder, thinkorswim, tastytrade, & tastyworks , Co-Founder, thinkorswim, tastytrade, & tastyworks Jon Najarian , Best-Selling Author and Co-Founder, Investitute.com , Best-Selling Author and Co-Founder, Investitute.com Stephen Moore , Distinguished Visiting Fellow, The Heritage Foundation , Distinguished Visiting Fellow, The Heritage Foundation Peter Schiff , CEO, Euro Pacific Capital , CEO, Euro Pacific Capital John Buckingham , Editor, The Prudent Speculator , Editor, Keith Fitz-Gerald , Chief Investment Strategist, The Money Map Report , Chief Investment Strategist, The Money Map Report Ralph Acampora , Head of Technical and Market Analysis, Altaira, Ltd. , Head of Technical and Market Analysis, Altaira, Ltd. Craig Johnson , Managing Director and Senior Technical Analyst, Piper Jaffray & Co. , Managing Director and Senior Technical Analyst, & Co. Phil Flynn , Senior Energy Analyst, The PRICE Futures Group In-Depth, Topic-Focused Tracks Include: Income & Growth Summit Highlighting unique income investing opportunities that may be flying under the radar, as well as undervalued growth stocks, this special track will help investors achieve higher returns and better diversify their portfolio. All-Stars of Options Trading This always-popular track provides options traders of all skill levels with the rare opportunity to network with top pro traders while learning their time-tested strategies. Money, Metals, & Mining Symposium Elite metals and mining experts will reveal which metals will outperform the markets in 2019 during this track. Investors will also learn about the specific companies poised for growth, and how to profitably and safely capitalize on the opportunities within this sector. World of ETF Investing This track is designed specifically for self-directed investors, active traders, and financial advisors looking to create a profitable ETF strategy for their portfolio. Alternative Investing During this track, experts will showcase a variety of alternative investments including real estate, energy, fine art and others, while explaining how integrating these asset classes into a plain-vanilla equity portfolio could provide the right amount of spice to boost returns and dampen risk through up and down markets. Cannabis Investing Event This track will provide investors with the opportunity to learn about the high-growth cannabis sector as they hear from a roster of company executives who are focused on specific sub-sectors, elite analysts who cover this rapidly developing industry, and advocates who are leading the cannabis legalization movement all over the world. REITs & Real Estate Investing This special track is designed to teach individual investors how to navigate the vast REIT universe and select a basket of time-tested REITs to add a steady, dependable income stream to their portfolios. In addition to face-to-face access to 100+ top-tier investing and trading experts, free attendance at The MoneyShow Las Vegas provides attendees with access to the interactive Exhibit Hall where they can test-drive and comparison-shop the latest cutting-edge products and services, receive on-the-spot answers to pressing questions, and network with industry experts during the welcome celebration and other special events. For the complete MoneyShow schedule, including speakers, exhibitors, and topics, visit: www.LasVegasMoneyShow.com About MoneyShow MoneyShow - Invest Smarter, Trade Wiser is a global network of investment and trading education. The privately held financial media company was founded in 1981 and is headquartered in Sarasota, Florida, USA. Each year, MoneyShow's roster of live and online events attract more than 75,000 investors, traders, and financial advisors who gather with top market experts in dynamic, face-to-face and online learning forums worldwide. SOURCE MoneyShow Related Links http://www.moneyshow.com ST. PAUL, Minn., May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- IC System, one of the largest collection agencies in the United States, is pleased to announce Robin Borneman as Vice President of Sales. Robin will expand IC System's nationwide presence in the financial services industry. Robin comes to the role with three years of experience at IC System and nearly 20 years of experience in the collection industry. Her background includes roles in training and development, as well as operational management in call center environments for financial services, healthcare, and government operations. Robin joined IC System in 2016 as the Manager of Training and Development, where she implemented and oversaw a diverse new program for training new collection representatives, streamlined the hiring process, and improved the skills of established employees and members of leadership. In her time at IC System, Robin has focused on fostering professional development and personal improvement by using the right tools for the job. In her new role, Robin will bring her unique perspective and expertise to financial services organizations looking to increase their delinquent account recoveries. Robin has worked closely with financial services clients in the past to develop employees for client-specific processes and procedures. "I am thrilled to be starting this new opportunity for a company that encourages employee growth," said Robin. "I look forward to applying what I've learned about employee development to the realm of business development in the financial services industry." Dan Devere, IC System's Senior Vice President of Sales, commented, "Robin is perfect for this position because she has a background that makes her knowledgeable about operational strategy, yet she is excellent at building relationships and working hands-on with IC System's clients. I'm excited to have her as a new member of our field sales team." Please contact Robin Borneman at (612) 597-8007 or [email protected] to discuss the role IC System can play in improving your financial services recovery solution. About IC System IC System is one of the largest receivables management companies in the United States. Celebrating its 80th year, IC System is a family-owned, privately held accounts receivable management firm in its third generation of family ownership. IC System provides customized, tailor-made debt recovery solutions for healthcare, dental, small business, government, utilities, and telecommunications industries on a nationwide scale. Follow IC System on Twitter at @icsystem or on Linkedin. SOURCE IC System Related Links https://www.icsystem.com GREENWICH, Conn., May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- ICON International, Inc., a specialty finance company engaged in corporate barter with a focus on advertising and media buying, has opened a satellite office in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The new location enhances ICON's presence in the marketplace and allows us to provide a more hands-on approach with the growing number of clients in and around the South Florida area. The office is in a prime location, close to the highway, making it easily accessible for our employees and partners. "We are thrilled to have an extension of the ICON family in Fort Lauderdale and look forward to enhancing our existing relationships with clients, getting to know new partners and continuing to grow as a company," says Richard Upton, executive vice president of operations. "The Alliance is thrilled that ICON International is establishing a strong presence in Fort Lauderdale, adding high-value jobs and a significant new office in our community," said Bob Swindell, President & CEO of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance. "We are excited to welcome ICON International to Fort Lauderdale's uptown business district and look forward to the company's growth in our city," said City of Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis. "We're glad that ICON International has chosen to open a new office and add high-wage jobs in Broward County. We look forward to the company's continued success," said Broward County Mayor Mark Bogen. Employment continues to soar as we persistently hire talented individuals. "We have a variety of positions available in our Connecticut and Florida locations and are consistently looking for new individuals to join our media and sales departments," reports Dawn Montelione, vice president of human resources. If you would like to join the ICON team, which was recognized by Ad Age as a 2019 Best Places to Work, check our website (www.iconinternational.com) for current job openings or email your resume to [email protected]. About ICON International ICON International is a specialized finance company that helps companies restore value to underperforming assets and fund corporate expenses through corporate-barter transactions. ICON is a subsidiary of Omnicom Group (NYSE:OMC), a strategic holding company that manages a portfolio of global market leaders. Omnicom's companies operate in the disciplines of advertising, marketing services, specialty communications, interactive/digital media and media buying services. For more information, please call (203) 328-2300, email [email protected] or visit www.iconinternational.com. SOURCE ICON International, Inc. Related Links http://www.iconinternational.com HOUSTON, May 07, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Librestream and ecom, a Pepperl+Fuchs brand, announced today a collaboration on the latest innovation for asset analysis and safety inspections in hazardous locationsthe Onsight Cube-Ex wearable camera . Librestream and ecom worked together to design, build, and certify this unique inspection tool for oil and gas workers in Ex-rated environments. By providing products that support safety, efficiency, and collaboration in the oil and gas industry, the Cube-Ex can ensure that work inside and outside hazardous areas is safer, more flexible, and more efficient than ever. Using the Cube-Ex, workers on an oil rig, in a process facility, or beside an aircraft can safely inspect processes and analyze complex assets. By pairing the Cube-Ex with the intrinsically safe ecom 4G/LTE smartphone Smart-Ex or tablet Tab-Ex, workers can remotely control the camera, view HD video and thermal imaging, or capture and annotate pictures or recordings from a safe distance. The versatile design of the Cube-Ex provides flexibility for workers to wear securely on a hardhat for hands-free inspections, attach to a monopod for hard to reach locations, or mount to equipment to view from afar. This innovation was a result of a co-development and joint go-to-market partnership between Librestream and ecom. For workers who are in potentially hazardous environments, tools that help them safely inspect assets and processes are limited. The Cube goes beyond building on previous award-winning imaging devices for these environments. We re-imagined the definition of an industrial wearable and integrated the latest in image quality, thermal and fusion capabilities. The Cube adds a new dimension to the traditional wearable category and delivers critical information to these digital workers, stated Kerry Thacher, CEO, Librestream. With ecom, we partnered with the clear leader in intrinsically safe hardware to bring the worlds first multi-purpose wearable with thermal imaging to the hazardous location market, explained Thacher. The partnership also includes a distribution agreement for ecom to offer the product under the brand ecom Ex-Camera Cube 800. Weve seen strong demand from customers for a companion device that brings thermal and wearable camera capabilities to hazardous location inspections, shared Roolf Wessels, Managing Director, ecom. With Librestream, we shared a common vision to outfit workers with new digital tools. By adding the Cube 800 Ex-camera to our mobile worker ecosystem, our customers gain a valuable unique tool that can improve safety and overall efficiency, added Wessels. Highlights of the Cube-Ex include: HD Digital and Thermal imaging cameras including Fusion blended mode Flexible design enabling hand-held, head-worn, mounted, and monopod use Remote control of the Cube-Ex camera functions through paired ecom mobile devices Built-in illumination for high quality visuals in low light environments Annotation of pictures or recordings using shapes, text overlay, and spot temperature Rugged design with Zone 1 and Class 1, Div 1 Ex-certified models* Optional cloud content storage, remote expert collaboration, and digital work instruction capabilities available through the Onsight augmented reality platform *certifications pending The Cube-Ex will debut in north america at the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston, Texas, May 6 9. Visit the Pepperl+Fuchs/ecom booth #4261 or Librestream booth #915 in the NRG Center to learn more about the new Cube-Ex intrinsically safe wearable camera. For more information, contact: Marieke Wijtkamp Vice President of Marketing & Client Services Librestream Technologies Inc. Marieke.wijtkamp@librestream.com Tel: +1 204.487.0612 ext. 259 ecom / Pepperl+Fuchs Christian Uhl Head of Communication | Global Marketing Phone: +49 (0) 6294 4224 0 Fax: +49 (0) 6294 4224 100 E-Mail: christian.uhl@ecom-ex.com Internet: http://www.ecom-ex.com Kim Stover Media Relations Lead Global Marketing - Americas kstover@us.pepperl-fuchs.com 330-486-0095 chwartz Public Relations Tobias Fruhauf Sendlinger Strae 42A, 80331 Munchen Phone: +49 (0) 89 211 871-31 Fax: +49 (0) 89 211 871-50 E-Mail: tf@schwartzpr.de Web: www.schwartzpr.de About ecom The Pepperl+Fuchs brand ecom is internationally one of the first addresses for mobile computing and communication devices for use in potentially hazardous areas. As an industry pioneer, ecom has decisively developed explosion protection for mobile devices since 1986 and has proven its technological expertise with a multitude of innovations. ecom is the preferred brand for explosion-protected mobile phones, 4G smartphones and tablets that meet the highest requirements in industrial use. As part of the Pepperl+Fuchs Group, one of the world's leading companies in explosion protection and sensor technology, customers benefit from a comprehensive, end-to-end product portfolio for the hazardous area, which opens up completely new possibilities for the entire process automation. In its four core disciplines Communication, Mobile Computing, Portable Lighting and Measurement and Calibration Technology, ecom offers reliable intrinsically-safe and explosion-proof products, wireless peripheral devices, and smart software applications all backed up with worldwide assistance from service centers in Germany, USA, UAE and Singapore and from ecom subsidiary offices to reduce your risk. For more information, please visit ecoms website: www.ecom-ex.com and www.pepperl-fuchs.com About Librestream Technologies Inc. Librestream develops digital transformation technology that improves service operations within the industrial sector. Deployed globally, the Onsight augmented reality service platform empowers workers to rapidly diagnose, inspect, and manage assets in even the most difficult field environments. The Onsight platform includes core AR capabilities including remote expert, digital work instructions and rich content access. The Onsight Cube accessory, an Ex-certified industrial wearable for hands-free collaboration with live video, HD pictures, and thermal imaging. Oil and gas customers use Onsight to complete HSE inspections, diagnose assets, and perform work procedures. Visit Librestream at www.librestream.com and connect with us on LinkedIn , Facebook & Twitter . Photos accompanying this announcement are available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/adaf0716-40f4-470f-a807-bf2f107876c7 http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/cc235883-6ca4-449c-9e09-abf03c05724a A video accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/82340460-695c-4dd1-b70e-a279a60dcee0 The two-day forum will convene the entire supply chainincluding farmers, processors, cooperatives, dietitians, retailers and dairy ambassadorsto learn about disruptive, forward-thinking trends and how the industry can collaborate to build dairy demand nationwide and globally. Consumer trends and behaviors are changing at a rapid, ongoing rate; thus it is imperative dairy farmers and industry stay on top of the latest disruptive, forward-thinking trends to ensure the category maintains and continues to grow market share globally. "With more than 95 percent of the world's population outside of the United States, it is more important than ever to understand dairy's opportunities to reach global consumers," says Tom Vilsack, President and CEO of US Dairy Export Council who will provide one of the forum's keynotes. Building on the success of last year's live consumer focus group, during which attendees listened to and observed adult consumers discuss their food preferences, the 2019 forum will also feature a similar event, however all panelists will represent Generation Z. With $44 billion in purchasing power and nearly 50 percent of 18-21 years olds participating in their household's grocery shopping, it's critical for the dairy industry to take a close look at how Generation Z makes purchasing decisions and what drives their eating choices. "Understanding youth culture provides valuable clues on the food, health and snacking trends that will drive profitable sales growth," says Jeff Fromm, President of FutureCast, who in addition to serving as the opening speaker, will facilitate the Generation Z live consumer focus group. Key speaker highlights include: United States Dairy Export Council CEO Tom Vilsack will share how USDEC is addressing ways U.S. dairy products can better meet the needs and preferences of international consumers. will share how USDEC is addressing ways U.S. dairy products can better meet the needs and preferences of international consumers. Innovation expert and former Google executive, Steve Lerch will highlight how the digital transformation is impacting consumer's food and health decisions. will highlight how the digital transformation is impacting consumer's food and health decisions. National Pork Board CEO Bill Even will participate in a corporate social responsibility panel with leaders from food and agriculture industries who set a high bar in demonstrating best practices. will participate in a corporate social responsibility panel with leaders from food and agriculture industries who set a high bar in demonstrating best practices. Generational consultant Jeff Fromm will discuss how generational differences are changing buying habits and put attendees into the consumer mindset. will discuss how generational differences are changing buying habits and put attendees into the consumer mindset. An E-commerce panel will share how companies use creative approaches to capitalize on the fact that online food sales are predicted to grow by 15 to 20 percent of total sales in 2022. To see the full agenda and register, visit DairyExperienceForum.com. About Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin: Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin exists to be a tireless advocate, marketer, and promoter for Wisconsin dairy farmers and to drive demand for Wisconsin's dairy products. The organization represents Wisconsin farm families and works to increase the sale and consumption of Wisconsin milk and dairy products, as well as build trust in dairy farmers and the industry. Organizational initiatives include generating national publicity, managing digital advertising, and driving sales, distribution and trial through retail and foodservice promotions. Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin also supports in-school education about the benefits of dairy and funding for the Center for Dairy Research at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. For more information, visit wisconsindairy.org and follow on Facebook. About Midwest Dairy: Midwest Dairy represents 7,000 dairy farm families and works on their behalf to build dairy demand by inspiring consumer confidence in our products and production practices. We are committed to Bringing Dairy to Life! by Giving Consumers an Excellent Dairy Experience and are funded by farmers across a 10-state region, including Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma. For more information, visit MidwestDairy.com. Follow us on Twitter and find us on Facebook at Midwest Dairy. For relevant conversations about issues and trends in the dairy community, listen to Dairy on the Air. SOURCE Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin Related Links http://www.wisconsindairy.org Medtec China adheres to the purpose of promoting innovative development of the industry, and has expanded the range of products on show to encompass 21 exhibit categories and established new exhibition zones to bring together the world's leading suppliers of medical materials, medical manufacturing automation equipment and precision medical components. Further, new exhibition areas, including mold manufacturing and processing devices, life sciences, and in vitro diagnostics (IVD), will meet the needs of varied medical device manufacturers. Quality exhibitors to appear with new technologies and exhibits Many renowned brands such as Covestro, Zeus, Clariant, TANAKA, Nissei, Leedon, Maider, Dario Porta, Cincinnati Test Systems, Cicor, Indo-MIM, DuPont, and Gowin Mold, have declared their intent to attend the exhibition, to exhibit their latest world-leading products and technology solutions in 2019. Mikron Automation is the leading partner for scalable and customized assembly systems - from the first idea to the highest performance solutions. The applied products include insulin pen injectors, DPI Diskus, auto injectors, diagnostic kits, lancing devices, IV catheters, silicon catheters, and suction tubes. Solvay Specialty Polymers manufactures over 1,500 products across 35 brands of high-performance polymers - fluoropolymers, fluoroelastomers, fluorinated fluids, semi-aromatic polyamides, sulfone polymers, ultra-high-performance aromatic polymers, and high barrier polymers. Dou Yee Technologies (DYT) continues to uphold its reputation by manufacturing high-quality, zero-defect MIM/CIM components consistently and promptly. DYT complies with industry best manufacturing standards and has been regarded as the leading components and powder injection molding company in South East Asia since 1996. TA Instruments has a strong reputation as a thermal analysis, rheology, microcalorimetry, and mechanical analysis supplier worldwide. Onsite conferences to gain insight into the industry and grasp development opportunities The MDiT Forum and Regulation Summit 2019 focusing on Regulation, Quality and Technology will discuss the marketing authorization holder system (MAH), reform of the medical device clinical trial management system, regulation of medical devices upon launch on the market, FDA factory inspection, IIMD new materials, and 3D printing technology. In addition, there will be a series of free high-level conferences, which deliver essential contents. By using the international resource platform, and joining hands with the world's leading suppliers, Medtec will present innovative products and cutting-edge solutions, focusing on medical materials, plastic molding, medical design, electronics, packaging & sterilization, international regulations, and market analysis. The activities will gather 900+ industry experts, engineers, QA/QC practitioners, and managers, affording the audience a perfect opportunity for face-to-face exchange with them. The 15th Medtec China will be held in September 2019. A grand opening ceremony and celebration will be therefore be convened. There will be a variety of events, covering business, social, procurement, technical exchange and market analysis, to meet the needs of the audience from different angles. Don't miss the chance to join China's premier MedTech Design and Manufacturing Exhibition, Click here to complete the visitor pre-registration right away. For more information, please visit: www.medtecchina.com To exhibit, visit or for media cooperation, please contact Carina Li Tel.: +86 10 5730 6163 E-Mail: [email protected] Medtec China Organization Committee SOURCE Medtec China NEW YORK, May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The Intelligent Automation Event team is proud to announce this year's Intelligent Automation Week Chicago conference event is returning this August. IA Week is back with an agenda filled with content, experiences, and keynotes ideal for every professional amongst different intelligent automation maturity levels. New content additions include sessions on managing scaling projects for those still in the beginning of their IA journey's, as well as workforce management and process improvement for those advanced in their operations. Experiences like the Buddy Network, the IA Race Challenge, and an off-site cocktail reception at Andy's Jazz Club will be added to this year's program, with Man & Machine focus day making closing out the event. Keynote addresses include Vivek Wadhwa, Technology & Innovation Futurist, Academic & Author, who will illustrate the current state of the tech industry as well as the future landscape of what's to come. Other keynotes like VP of Cyber Threat Intelligence & Incident Response at American Express, Ann Barron-DiCamillo will discuss emerging trends like the importance of data security in a world of increasing cyber threats. Additional speaking sessions will be delivered by executives from Proctor & Gamble, Capital One, Pfizer, General Motors, just to name a few. New event experiences will include the Buddy Network, the IA Race Challenge, and an off-site cocktail reception at Andy's Jazz Club. IA Week's new Buddy Network allows attendees to be matched up with an ideal networking "buddy" based on individual interests pertaining to maturity levels and expertise. If you're an expert on the tech side, enter the Race Challenge to compete in a coding competition to win prizes and learn new skills to bring back to your tech team. In the evening, each day will close with live music and complimentary cocktails, including an off-site reception at Andy's Jazz club. This year's program will conclude with IA Week's exclusive Man & Machine focus day. This one day workshop is dedicated to helping you better understand intelligent automation hands on. The Man & Machine workshop focuses on the hottest IA topics and dives into the technical side of intelligent automation. This experience will guide you through step by step on how to set up and manage your own IA platform. For more information on the Intelligent Automation Week 2019, please contact IA Event Series Marketing Manager, Geena Monaco at [email protected] Contact: Geena Monaco Intelligent Automation Event Series 1-212-885-2713 [email protected] SOURCE Intelligent Automation Week Event Team Manulife Continues Transformation Journey By Unifying Its Global Institutional, Retail and Retirement Businesses C$ unless otherwise stated TSX/NYSE/PSE: MFC SEHK: 945 TORONTO, May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ - Marking another important milestone in the Company's transformation into the most digital, customer-centric global company in its industry, Manulife today announced it has unified its institutional, retail and retirement wealth and asset management businesses around the world under a single, new brand: Manulife Investment Management. These businesses formerly operated under multiple brands and as separate units in different markets. Manulife Investment Management now brings its wealth management and investment expertise together across these three complementary business lines, and across the Americas, Asia and Europe, to better serve investors worldwide. This unified presence will provide customers and intermediaries with a more consistent, seamless entry into its various investment management businesses, including the launch of manulifeinvestmentmgt.com. The new brand allows Manulife Investment Management to extend its strengths deeper into existing channels and markets and strategically position products and solutions to both current and future investors. It will also bring additional capabilities to customers and drive efficiencies by leveraging the scale of the global wealth and asset management business. In addition, the business will now be better positioned to organically grow assets through an amplification and awareness of the size and offerings of the firm. "Manulife Investment Management brings the absolute best of Manulife and John Hancock's wealth and asset management offerings to our customers through a strong, unified, structure and global brand," said Paul Lorentz, President & CEO, Global Wealth & Asset Management. "Our value proposition is dependent on our commitment to our customers' success and on our investment and wealth management expertise across both public and private asset classes, coupled with a global model that can be delivered regionally." Manulife Investment Management Around the Globe The retail business will use the Manulife Investment Management brand around the globe except in the U.S. where we will use John Hancock Investment Management. This will replace Manulife Asset Management in Asia and Europe , Manulife Investments in Canada , and John Hancock Investments in the United States . and , Manulife Investments in , and John Hancock Investments in . As part of Manulife Investment Management, the retirement business will use the Manulife brand around the globe except in the United States , where we will use the John Hancock brand. This will ensure we provide a consistent and more holistic approach to plan participants and plan members in each of the regions. , where we will use the John Hancock brand. This will ensure we provide a consistent and more holistic approach to plan participants and plan members in each of the regions. The new Manulife Investment Management brand will also replace global legacy branding supporting the public markets' institutional business, including Manulife Asset Management and John Hancock Asset Management brands. Across the Private Markets businesses, including Hancock Natural Resource Group, Hancock Capital Management and the John Hancock Infrastructure and Real Estate brands, they will become Manulife Investment Management, with the exception of Hancock Natural Resource Group which will evolve to be more closely affiliated with the Manulife Investment Management brand. About Manulife Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services group that helps people make their decisions easier and lives better. We operate primarily as John Hancock in the United States and Manulife elsewhere. We provide financial advice, insurance, as well as wealth and asset management solutions for individuals, groups and institutions. At the end of 2018, we had more than 34,000 employees, over 82,000 agents, and thousands of distribution partners, serving almost 28 million customers. As of March 31, 2019, we had over $1.1 trillion (US$849 billion) in assets under management and administration, and in the previous 12 months we made $29.4 billion in payments to our customers. Our principal operations in Asia, Canada and the United States are where we have served customers for more than 100 years. With our global headquarters in Toronto, Canada, we trade as 'MFC' on the Toronto, New York, and the Philippine stock exchanges and under '945' in Hong Kong. About Manulife Investment Management Manulife Investment Management is the global wealth and asset management segment of Manulife Financial Corporation. We draw on more than 150 years of financial stewardship to partner with clients across our institutional, retail, and retirement businesses globally. Our specialist approach to money management includes the highly differentiated strategies of our fixed-income, specialized equity, multi-asset solutions, and private markets teamsalong with access to specialized, unaffiliated asset managers from around the world through our multimanager model1,2. Our personalized, data-driven approach to retirement is focused on delivering financial wellness in retirement plans of all sizes to help plan participants and members retire with dignity. Headquartered in Toronto, we operate as Manulife Investment Management throughout the world, with the exception of the United States, where the retail and retirement businesses operate as John Hancock Investment Management and John Hancock, respectively; and in Asia and Canada, where the retirement business operates as Manulife. Manulife Investment Management had $837 billion in assets under management and administration as of March 31, 20193. Not all offerings available in all jurisdictions. For additional information, please visit our website at manulifeinvestmentmgt.com. 1. Public Markets strategies managed by Manulife Investment Management, formerly known as Manulife Asset Management and John Hancock Asset Management. Manulife Investment Management's Private Markets platform offers long term solutions across private equity and private credit, real estate equity and debt, infrastructure equity, timberland and farmland 2. John Hancock Investment Management's multimanager approach oversees a global network of over 30 unaffiliated asset management firms, managing more than 100 investment strategies, in addition to our affiliated asset managers 3. Source: MFC financials. Global Wealth and Asset Management AUMA at March 31, 2019 was $837 billion and includes $189 billion of assets managed on behalf of other segments and $134 billion of assets under administration SOURCE Manulife Financial Corporation Related Links http://www.manulife.com LONG BEACH, New York, May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Ipsidy Inc. (www.ipsidy.com) (OTCQX: IDTY), which operates an Identity as a Service (IDaaS) platform that delivers a suite of secure, mobile, biometric identity solutions, available to any vertical, anywhere, today announced its results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2019. Financial Highlights for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 Total revenue for the three-month period ended March 31, 2019 increased by 41% to $0.7 million compared to $0.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 . increased by 41% to compared to for the three months ended . Net loss before taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2019 decreased by 18% to $2.2 million compared to a net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2018 of $2.7 million . decreased by 18% to compared to a net loss for the three months ended of . Basic and diluted net loss per share for the three-month period ended March 31, 2019 was $0.00 cents compared to basic and diluted net loss per share of $0.01 cents in the three-month period March 31, 2018 . was compared to basic and diluted net loss per share of in the three-month period . Adjusted EBITDA loss for the three months ended March 31, 2019 improved 4% to $1.6 million compared to $1.7 million in 2018. Refer to Table 1 for reconciliation of net income to Adjusted EBITDA (a non-GAAP measure). "Everything starts with trusted identity. We started 2019 by enhancing our suite of mobile biometric solutions to include Proof, our new identity verification solution, and to make Proof and Verified easily accessible through the Ipsidy Identity Portal without any integration," said Philip Beck, Chairman and CEO of Ipsidy. "Our identity platform offers mobile biometric services that work great on their own and even better together. We look forward to more customers and users and to growing our platform revenue over the year as we focus in on our active sales pipeline." Operational Highlights Ipisdy continued to make progress in executing our strategy, building our team, enhancing our identity transaction platform, establishing sales channels and launching our new identity solutions across several vertical and international markets, including the following activities: Continued to develop our frictionless IP Camera solution to enhance our Access solution by leveraging our Ayonix license and allowing for edge processing of facial biometric extraction, tracking and matching. Launched Verified Portal with Safetrade's Xpressa Payment Solutions in South Africa , to quickly identify merchant customers of its online payment gateway and to authorize account profile changes. Verified helped Xpressa enhance its security, increase productivity and improve customer service. Portal with Safetrade's Xpressa Payment Solutions in , to quickly identify merchant customers of its online payment gateway and to authorize account profile changes. Verified helped Xpressa enhance its security, increase productivity and improve customer service. Launched Proof , our new identity proofing solution, available through Ipsidy's new Identity Portal and via integration. Our partner, Datapro, has modified its e-IBS core banking solution and digital onboarding module to include Proof, which is available to Datapro's 160 plus financial institutions with millions of account holders in 31 countries. , our new identity proofing solution, available through Ipsidy's new Identity Portal and via integration. Our partner, Datapro, has modified its e-IBS core banking solution and digital onboarding module to include Proof, which is available to Datapro's 160 plus financial institutions with millions of account holders in 31 countries. Signed agreement with REMCAP to roll out Access , our out-of-the-box solution for physical access management, to their customers across the United States , including religious institutions, schools and other non-profit organizations. , our out-of-the-box solution for physical access management, to their customers across , including religious institutions, schools and other non-profit organizations. Working with RemoteLok to produce a combined solution comprising RemoteLok's EdgeState platform and Ipsidy's Access, to enable biometrically authenticated, authorized users to open door locks, with a blink and a smile. Added Noftek to the Ipsidy Partner Network in order to offer Proof and Verified as part of its suite of data protection and IT security solutions in the Caribbean market. market. Announced agreement with Mobile Solutions Peru to launch Ipsidy solutions in Peru and Chile , with the first customer, Boxer Security, adopting our Access solution and its mobile facial biometric application to verify employee location and attendance for their thousands of security personnel working at hundreds of client facilities around Peru . Additional analysis of the Company's performance can be found in "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" included in the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2019 filed at www.sec.gov and posted on the Company's investor relations website. Get the Ipsidy mobile app at: App Store or GooglePlay. Visit the Ipsidy website today at https://www.ipsidy.com/developers where you can create a demo account and run test authentications using the Ipsidy mobile app. About Ipsidy: Ipsidy Inc. (OTCQX: IDTY) www.ipsidy.com operates an Identity as a Service (IDaaS) platform that delivers a suite of secure, mobile, biometric identity solutions, available to any vertical, anywhere. In a world that is increasingly digital and mobile, our mission is to help our customers know with biometric certainty the identity of the people with whom they are engaging. We provide solutions to everyday problems: Who is applying for a loan? Who is accessing the computer system? Who is at the door? Identity creates trusted transactions. Ipsidy's solutions embed authenticated identity and event details with a digital signature and participants use their own mobile device to approve everyday transactions. Our platform delivers identity solutions that work great on their own but even better together. Ipsidy is headquartered in New York and has operating subsidiaries: MultiPay in Colombia, www.multipay.com.co; Cards Plus in South Africa, www.cardsplus.co.za; and Ipsidy Enterprises in the U.K. Further information on Ipsidy can be found at www.ipsidy.com or contact us at [email protected]. Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements. Information contained in this announcement may include "forward-looking statements." All statements other than statements of historical facts included herein, including, without limitation, those regarding the financial position, business strategy, plans and objectives of management for future operations of both Ipsidy and its business partners, future service launches with customers, the outcome of pilots and new initiatives and customer pipeline are forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions regarding Ipsidy present and future business strategies, and the environment in which Ipsidy expects to operate in the future, which assumptions may or may not be fulfilled in practice. Implementation of some or all of the new services referred to is subject to regulatory or other third party approvals. Actual results may vary materially from the results anticipated by these forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of risk factors, including the risk that implementation, adoption and offering of the service by customers, consumers and others may take longer than anticipated, or may not occur at all; changes in laws, regulations and practices; changes in domestic and international economic and political conditions and others. Additional risks may arise with respect to commencing operations in new countries and regions, of which Ipsidy is not fully aware at this time. See the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Fiscal Year ended December 31, 2018 filed at www.sec.gov for other risk factors which investors should consider. These forward-looking statements speak only as to the date of this announcement and cannot be relied upon as a guide to future performance. Ipsidy expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to disseminate any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained in this announcement to reflect any changes in its expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based. Non-GAAP Financial Information. The Company provides certain non-GAAP financial measures in this statement. Management believes that Adjusted EBITDA, when viewed with our results under GAAP and the accompanying reconciliations, provides useful information about our period-over-period results. Adjusted EBITDA is presented because management believes it provides additional information with respect to the performance of our fundamental business activities and is also frequently used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties in the evaluation of comparable companies. We also rely on Adjusted EBITDA as a primary measure to review and assess the operating performance of our company and our management team in connection with our executive compensation. These non-GAAP key business indicators, which include Adjusted EBITDA, should not be considered replacements for and should be read in conjunction with the GAAP financial measures. We define Adjusted EBITDA as GAAP net loss adjusted to exclude: (1) interest expense, (2) interest income, (3) provision for income taxes, (4) depreciation and amortization, (5) stock-based compensation expense (stock options and restricted stock) and (6) certain other items management believes affect the comparability of operating results. Please see Table 1 below for a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income (loss), the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. TABLE 1 IPSIDY INC AND SUBSIDIARIES Reconciliation of Net Loss to Adjusted EBITDA Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 March 31, 2018 Net loss $ (2,262,739) $ (2,752,925) Add Back: Interest Expense 86,890 239,169 Depreciation and amortization 160,788 110,676 Other (6,226) - Taxes 13,701 4,561 Stock compensation 415,379 738,212 Adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP) $ (1,592,207) $ (1,660,307) IPSIDY INC AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATION (Unaudited) Three months ended March 31, 2019 2018 Revenues: Products and services 723,941 507,927 Lease income 16,437 17,862 Total revenues, net 740,378 525,789 Operating Expenses: Cost of Sales 176,463 120,248 General and administrative 2,567,135 2,798,699 Research and development 4,366 5,361 Depreciation and amortization 160,788 110,676 Total operating expenses 2,908,752 3,034,984 Loss from operations (2,168,374) (2,509,195) Other Income (Expense): Interest expense (86,890) (239,169) Other income 6,226 - Other income (expense), net (80,664) (239,169) (Loss) income loss before income taxes (2,249,038) (2,748,364) Income Taxes (13,701) (4,561) Net (loss) income $ (2,262,739) $ (2,752,925) Net (loss) income per share - Basic and Diluted $ (0.00) $ (0.01) Weighted Average Shares Outstanding - Basic and Diluted 478,950,996 404,254,263 IPSIDY INC AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS March 31, December 31, 2019 2018 (Unaudited) ASSETS Current Assets: Cash $ 2,920,895 $ 4,972,331 Accounts receivable, net 677,826 130,875 Current portion of net investment in direct financing lease 60,313 58,727 Inventory 165,352 133,541 Other current assets 524,217 471,834 Total current assets 4,348,603 5,767,308 Property and equipment, net 216,780 204,000 Other Assets 2,127,999 1,566,177 Intangible Assets, net 3,169,734 3,310,184 Goodwill 6,736,043 6,736,043 Net investment in direct financing lease, net of current portion 544,350 560,036 Total assets $ 17,143,509 $ 18,143,748 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Current Liabilities: Accounts payable and accrued expenses $ 1,562,928 $ 1,302,226 Finance lease obligation, current portion 31,834 30,898 Notes payable, current portion 4,926 - Deferred revenue 551,894 236,270 Total current liabilities 2,151,582 1,569,394 Long-term liabilities: Notes payable, net of discounts and current portion 1,892,673 1,853,648 Finance lease obligation, net of current portion 76,292 84,610 Other liabilities 254,998 45,000 Total liabilities 4,375,545 3,552,652 Commitments and Contingencies Stockholders' Equity: Common stock, $0.0001 par value, 1,000,000,000 shares authorized; 478,950,996 shares issued and outstanding 47,895 47,895 Additional paid in capital 91,186,061 90,770,682 Accumulated deficit (78,697,974) (76,435,235) Accumulated comprehensive income 231,982 207,754 Total stockholders' equity 12,767,964 14,591,096 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 17,143,509 $ 18,143,748 IPSIDY INC AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 2018 CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net loss $ (2,262,739) $ (2,752,925) Adjustments to reconcile net loss with cash used in operations: Depreciation and amortization expense 160,788 110,676 Stock-based compensation 415,379 738,212 Amortization of debt discount and debt issuance costs, net 27,441 144,065 Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable (557,737) (514,722) Net investment in direct financing lease 14,100 12,675 Other current assets 213,842 (169,973) Inventory (42,424) (196,655) Accounts payable and accrued expenses (28,964) 380,899 Deferred revenue 315,624 416,301 Net cash flows from operating activities (1,744,690) (1,831,447) CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Purchase of property and equipment (14,900) (10,474) Investment in other assets including work in process (315,282) (182,140) Net cash flows from investing activities (330,182) (192,614) CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Principal payments on finance lease obligations (7,381) (6,551) Net cash flows from financing activities (7,381) (6,551) Effect of foreign currencies exchange on cash 30,817 29,153 Net change in cash (2,051,436) (2,001,459) Cash, Beginning of period 4,972,331 4,413,822 Cash, End of period $ 2,920,895 $ 2,412,363 Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information: Cash paid for interest $ 3,392 $ 4,223 Cash paid for income taxes $ 13,701 $ 4,561 Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities: Purchase of vehicle with note payable $ 16,510 $ - Recognition of lease right to use assets and related liability $ 514,473 $ - SOURCE Ipsidy Inc. Related Links http://www.ipsidy.com The Best ESL, ELL or World Language Acquisition Solution category "recognizes the best instructional solution for English as a Second Language (ESL), English Language Learners (ELL) and World Languages for students." Istation Espanol is a motivational, culturally authentic education technology program that provides personalized learning for ELLs through formative assessments, adaptive curriculum and flexible teacher resources. The research-based program allows teachers to design curriculum to meet the specific needs of each child. The Best Game-Based Curriculum Solution category "recognizes the best curriculum solution that uses gaming elements as an integral component of a curriculum or assessment product." Istation's innovative middle school reading program seamlessly integrates the entire catalog of middle school reading standards into one continuous, immersive game narrative that provides students with choice, voice and agency as they explore relatable characters and environments. Additionally, administrators and educators can use Istation to easily track the progress of their students, schools, and classrooms as they tackle everything from in-depth poetry analysis to rhetorical appeals and logical fallacies. "We are proud to be named a finalist in both of these categoriesfor providing highly innovative and effective programs in the education technology industry," said Istation COO and President Ossa Fisher. "This is one more indication that Istation has an incredibly talented team of artists, developers, educators and specialists working together to make a positive difference in the education of our children." The SIIA CODiE Awards are the premier awards for the software and information industries and have recognized product excellence for more than 30 years. The awards offer 76 categories that are organized by industry focus of education technology and business technology. Istation was honored as one of 139 finalists across the 32 education technology categories this year. "The 2019 CODIE Award finalists represent the finest in innovation and creativity in educational technology," said President Jeff Joseph at SIIA. "These breakthrough products are opening doors for learners of all ages by developing and utilizing new technologies to respond to diverse student and educator needs." The software industry's only peer-reviewed awards program, the SIIA CODiE Awards have educators and administrators serve as the judges who conduct the first-round review of all education nominees. Each finalist product will go through a second round of SIIA member reviews, and the scores from both rounds will be combined to determine the 2019 CODiE Award winners. Winners will be announced during a CODiE Award Celebration at the Ed Tech Industry Conference & CODiE Awards in San Francisco on Tuesday, June 11, 2019. Details about each finalist are listed at http://www.siia.net/codie/2019-Finalists. About the SIIA CODiE Awards The SIIA CODiE Awards is the only peer-reviewed program to showcase business and education technology's finest products and services. Since 1986, thousands of products, services and solutions have been recognized for achieving excellence. For more information, visit siia.net/CODiE. About Software and Information Industry Association (SIIA) SIIA is an umbrella association representing 800+ technology, data and media companies globally. Industry leaders work through SIIA's divisions to address issues and challenges that impact their industry segments with the goal of driving innovation and growth for the industry and each member company. This is accomplished through in-person and online business development opportunities, peer networking, corporate education, intellectual property protection and government relations. For more information, visit siia.net. About Istation Founded in 1998 and based in Dallas, Texas, Istation (Imagination Station) has become one of the nation's leading providers of richly animated, game-like, educational technology. Istation was named one of 2019's "EdTech 1000: Companies Transforming Education" by EdTech Digest, and has received numerous national educational technology awards. The Istation program puts more instructional time in the classroom through small-group and collaborative instruction. Istation's innovative reading, math and Spanish programs immerse students in an engaging and interactive environment and inspire them to learn. Additionally, administrators and educators can use Istation to easily track the progress of their students, schools and classrooms. Istation now serves more than 4 million students throughout the United States and in several other countries. The company celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2018. Contact: Molly Bryan, [email protected], 214-292-4904 SOURCE Istation Related Links http://www.istation.com DALLAS, May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. (NYSE: JEC) today announced its financial results for the fiscal second quarter ended March 29, 2019. Q2 2019 Highlights: Revenue of $3.1 billion 1 grew 7.7% year-over-year and 8.7% on net revenue basis grew 7.7% year-over-year and 8.7% on net revenue basis Operating profit up double-digit year-over-year; OP margin up more than 120 bps EPS from continuing operations of $0.82 , affected by CH2M related restructuring and ECR divestiture costs , affected by CH2M related restructuring and ECR divestiture costs Adjusted EPS from continuing operations of $1.19 , up 37% year-over-year , up 37% year-over-year Backlog increased $1.5 billion , or 8% year-over-year to $20.7 billion , or 8% year-over-year to Increasing fiscal 2019 adjusted pro forma EPS outlook to $4.45 - $4.85 (excluding full year ECR)2 Jacobs' Chair and CEO Steve Demetriou commented, "Our strong second quarter results include significant net revenue and operating profit growth versus the year-ago quarter, resulting in our adjusted operating profit margin increasing to 9% for the quarter. These results provide momentum to achieve our fiscal 2019 outlook. We view an ambitious strategic vision, consistent execution and disciplined capital allocation as paramount to driving continued shareholder value. We are creating a company like no other that is rooted in a culture of innovation focused on solving the world's most complex challenges." Jacobs' CFO Kevin Berryman added, "Our second quarter results were solid across both lines of business resulting in strong overall revenue and profit growth. The CH2M integration is near complete and revenue synergies are accelerating in backlog, which is up 8% year-over-year. Our transformed portfolio is well aligned to long-term secular growth trends with an efficient cost structure that will drive enhanced operating leverage. We continue to expect $920 million to $1 billion in adjusted EBITDA3 for fiscal 2019 and we are raising our fiscal 2019 adjusted pro forma EPS outlook to $4.45 - $4.85." The company announced the pending acquisition of The KeyW Holding Corporation on April 22, 2019 and closed the sale of its Energy, Chemicals and Resources (ECR) business on April 26, 2019. 1Reflects continuing operations as reported in accordance with GAAP. 2Reconciliation of the adjusted EPS outlook for the full fiscal year to the most directly comparable GAAP measure is not available without unreasonable efforts because the Company cannot predict with sufficient certainty all the components required to provide such reconciliation, including with respect to the costs and charges relating to transaction expenses, restructuring and integration to be incurred in fiscal 2019. 3Reconciliation of the adjusted EBITDA outlook for the full fiscal year to the most directly comparable GAAP measure is not available without unreasonable efforts because the Company cannot predict with sufficient certainty all the components required to provide such reconciliation, including with respect to the costs and charges relating to transaction expenses, restructuring and integration to be incurred in fiscal 2019. Second Quarter Review Fiscal 2Q 2019 Fiscal 2Q 2018 Change Revenue $3.1 billion $2.9 billion $0.2 billion Net Revenue $2.5 billion $2.3 billion $0.2 billion GAAP Net Earnings from Continuing Operations $115 million -$6 million $121 million GAAP Earnings Per Diluted Share (EPS) from Continuing Operations $0.82 -$0.04 $0.86 Adjusted Net Earnings from Continuing Operations $166 million $124 million $42 million Adjusted EPS from Continuing Operations $1.19 $0.87 $0.32 The company's adjusted net earnings from continuing operations and adjusted EPS from continuing operations for the second quarter of fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2018 exclude the charges and costs set forth in the table below. For additional information regarding these adjustments and a reconciliation of adjusted net earnings and adjusted EPS to net earnings and EPS, respectively, refer to the section entitled "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" at the end of this release. Fiscal 2Q 2019 Fiscal 2Q 2018 After-tax restructuring and other charges $55 million ($0.39 per share) $57 million ($0.40 per share) After-tax transaction costs incurred in connection with the closing of the CH2M acquisition and the sale of the ECR business $0.4 million ($0.00 per share) $4 million ($0.02 per share) Other adjustments include: (a) addback of amortization of intangible assets of $18.7 million and $18.2 million in the 2019 and 2018 periods, respectively, (b) the allocation to discontinued operations of estimated stranded corporate costs of $6.4 million in the 2019 and 2018 periods that will be reimbursed or otherwise eliminated in connection with the sale of the ECR business, (c) the allocation to discontinued operations of estimated interest expense amounts in 2019 and 2018 related to long-term debt that has been paid down in connection with the sale of the ECR business of $18.4 million and $14.4 million, respectively, (d) the exclusion of a $37 million one-time favorable adjustment in the 2019 period associated with reduction of deferred income taxes for permanently reinvested earnings from non-U.S. subsidiaries in connection with the sale of the ECR business, (e) the add-back of charges resulting from the revaluation of certain deferred tax assets/liabilities in connection with U.S. tax reform of $40.6 million in the 2018 period and (f) associated income tax expense adjustments for the above pre-tax adjustment items. -$5 million (-$0.03 per share) $70 million ($0.49 per share) Adjusted EPS from Continuing Operations $166 million ($1.19 per share) $124 million ($0.87 per share) (note: earnings per share amounts may not add due to rounding) Fiscal second quarter 2019 earnings from continuing operations include an adjusted effective tax rate of 23% excluding the ECR sale related tax adjustment mentioned above. Additionally, fiscal second quarter 2019 earnings include pre-tax charges for the award and recovery of costs, estimated related interest and attorneys' fees in the amount of $147.0 million for a legal matter. Such charges relate to discontinued operations and therefore are not included in earnings from continuing operations. Jacobs is hosting a conference call at 10:00 A.M. ET on Tuesday May 7, 2019, which it is webcasting live at www.jacobs.com . Energy, Chemicals and Resources (ECR) Sale to WorleyParsons On April 26, 2019, Jacobs completed the previously announced sale of the Jacobs' ECR business to WorleyParsons Limited. KeyW Acquisition On April 21, 2019, Jacobs entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the "Merger Agreement") with The KeyW Holding Corporation, a Maryland corporation ("KeyW"), and Atom Acquisition Sub, Inc., a Maryland corporation and a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of Jacobs ("Merger Sub"). Pursuant to and subject to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub will commence an all-cash tender offer within fifteen business days after the date of the Merger Agreement to acquire all of KeyW's issued and outstanding shares of common stock at a price per share of $11.25, payable net to the seller in cash, without interest, and subject to any required withholding taxes. Jacobs expects to finance the transaction through a combination of cash on hand and its existing credit facility. The acquisition is subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals and is expected to be completed by August 31, 2019. About Jacobs Jacobs leads the global professional services sector delivering solutions for a more connected, sustainable world. With approximately $12 billion in revenue and a talent force of more than 50,000, Jacobs provides a full spectrum of services including scientific, technical, professional and construction- and program-management for business, industrial, commercial, government and infrastructure sectors. For more information, visit www.jacobs.com, and connect with Jacobs on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking statements as such term is defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and such statements are intended to be covered by the safe harbor provided by the same. Statements made in this press release that are not based on historical fact are forward-looking statements. Although such statements are based on management's current estimates and expectations, and currently available competitive, financial, and economic data, forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain, and you should not place undue reliance on such statements as actual results may differ materially. We caution the reader that there are a variety of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from what is contained, projected or implied by our forward-looking statements. For a description of some additional factors that may occur that could cause actual results to differ from our forward-looking statements see our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 28, 2018, and in particular the discussions contained under Item 1 - Business; Item 1A - Risk Factors; Item 3 - Legal Proceedings; and Item 7 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 29, 2019, and in particular the discussions contained under Part I, Item 2 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations; Part II, Item 1 - Legal Proceedings; and Part II, Item 1A - Risk Factors, as well as the Company's other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company is not under any duty to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this press release to conform to actual results, except as required by applicable law. Financial Highlights: Results of Operations (in thousands, except per-share data): For the Three Months Ended For the Six Months Ended March 29, 2019 March 30, 2018 March 29, 2019 March 30, 2018 Revenues $ 3,091,596 $ 2,870,295 $ 6,175,384 $ 4,654,294 Direct cost of contracts (2,474,755) (2,268,667) (4,990,023) (3,710,572) Gross profit 616,841 601,628 1,185,361 943,722 Selling, general and administrative expenses (514,160) (532,873) (969,551) (879,637) Operating Profit 102,681 68,755 215,810 64,085 Other Income (Expense): Interest income 1,670 1,785 3,774 5,619 Interest expense (29,423) (19,228) (54,749) (26,320) Miscellaneous income (expense), net 36,904 (2,661) 39,186 (1,436) Total other (expense) income, net 9,151 (20,104) (11,789) (22,137) Earnings from Continuing Operations Before Taxes 111,832 48,651 204,021 41,948 Income Tax Benefit (Expense) for Continuing Operations 7,947 (51,856) (14,811) (79,056) Net Earnings (Loss) of the Group from Continuing Operations 119,779 (3,205) 189,210 (37,108) Net Earnings (Loss) of the Group from Discontinued Operations (57,006) 55,137 3,153 91,601 Net Earnings of the Group 62,773 51,932 192,363 54,493 Net Earnings Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests from Continuing Operations (5,024) (3,085) (9,562) (3,416) Net Earnings (Loss) Attributable to Jacobs from Continuing Operations 114,755 (6,290) 179,648 (40,524) Net Earnings Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests from Discontinued Operations (832) (260) (1,588) (327) Net Earnings (Loss) Attributable to Jacobs from Discontinued Operations $ (57,838) $ 54,877 $ 1,565 $ 91,274 Net Earnings Attributable to Jacobs $ 56,917 $ 48,587 $ 181,213 $ 50,750 Net Earnings Per Share: Basic Net Earnings from Continuing Operations Per Share $ 0.83 $ (0.04) $ 1.28 $ (0.30) Basic Net Earnings from Discontinued Operations Per Share $ (0.42) $ 0.39 $ 0.01 $ 0.68 Basic Earnings Per Share $ 0.41 $ 0.34 $ 1.29 $ 0.38 Diluted Net Earnings from Continuing Operations Per Share $ 0.82 $ (0.04) $ 1.27 $ (0.30) Diluted Net Earnings from Discontinued Operations Per Share $ (0.41) $ 0.39 $ 0.01 $ 0.68 Diluted Earnings Per Share $ 0.41 $ 0.34 $ 1.28 $ 0.38 Segment Information (in thousands): For the Three Months Ended For the Six Months Ended March 29, 2019 March 30, 2018 March 29, 2019 March 30, 2018 Revenues from External Customers: Aerospace, Technology and Nuclear $ 1,059,508 $ 923,905 $ 2,094,537 $ 1,634,780 Buildings, Infrastructure and Advanced Facilities 2,032,088 1,946,390 4,080,847 3,019,514 Pass Through Revenue (632,359) (608,720) (1,306,637) (1,020,507) Buildings, Infrastructure and Advanced Facilities Net Revenue $ 1,399,729 $ 1,337,670 $ 2,774,210 $ 1,999,007 Total Revenue $ 3,091,596 $ 2,870,295 $ 6,175,384 $ 4,654,294 Net Revenue $ 2,459,237 $ 2,261,575 $ 4,868,747 $ 3,633,787 For the Three Months Ended For the Six Months Ended March 29, 2019 March 30, 2018 March 29, 2019 March 30, 2018 Segment Operating Profit: Aerospace, Technology and Nuclear $ 73,831 $ 52,458 $ 145,982 $ 113,524 Buildings, Infrastructure and Advanced Facilities 172,689 144,755 332,148 211,615 Total Segment Operating Profit 246,520 197,213 478,130 325,139 Other Corporate Expenses (1) (49,901) (47,133) (121,149) (96,361) Restructuring and Other Charges (93,938) (76,473) (141,171) (92,200) Transaction Costs (4,852) (72,493) Total U.S. GAAP Operating Profit 102,681 68,755 215,810 64,085 Total Other (Expense) Income, net (2) 9,151 (20,104) (11,789) (22,137) Earnings from Continuing Operations Before Taxes $ 111,832 $ 48,651 $ 204,021 $ 41,948 (1) Other corporate expenses include costs that were previously allocated to the ECR segment prior to discontinued operations presentation in connection with the ECR sale in the approximate amounts of $6.4 million for the three-month periods ended March 29, 2019 and March 30, 2018, respectively, and $12.8 million for the six-month periods ended March 29, 2019 and March 30, 2018, respectively. Other corporate expenses also include intangibles amortization of $18.7 million and $18.2 million for the three-month periods ended March 29, 2019 and March 30, 2018, respectively and $37.3 million and $29.8 million for the six-month periods ended March 29, 2019 and March 30, 2018, respectively. (2) Includes gain on the settlement of the CH2M retiree medical plans of $32.4 million and $34.6 million and the amortization of deferred financing fees related to the CH2M acquisition of $0.5 million and $1.0 million for the three- and six-month periods ended March 29, 2019 as well as amortization of deferred financing fees related to the CH2M acquisition of $0.5 million and $0.7 million for the three- and six-month periods ended March 30, 2018. Other Operational Information (in thousands): For the Six Months Ended Continuing Operations March 29, 2019 March 30, 2018 Depreciation (pre-tax) $ 41,702 $ 45,240 Amortization of Intangibles (pre-tax) $ 37,349 $ 29,752 Pass-Through Costs Included in Revenues $ 1,306,637 $ 1,020,507 Capital Expenditures $ 58,909 $ 33,499 Balance Sheet (in thousands): Unaudited March 29, 2019 September 28, 2018 ASSETS Current Assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 674,548 $ 634,870 Receivables and contract assets 2,747,172 2,513,934 Prepaid expenses and other 127,320 171,096 Current assets held for sale 1,297,430 1,236,684 Total current assets 4,846,470 4,556,584 Property, Equipment and Improvements, net 268,800 257,859 Other Noncurrent Assets: Goodwill 4,774,849 4,795,856 Intangibles, net 533,638 572,952 Miscellaneous 847,076 760,854 Noncurrent assets held for sale 1,675,012 1,701,690 Total other noncurrent assets 7,830,575 7,831,352 $ 12,945,845 $ 12,645,795 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Current Liabilities: Notes payable $ 24 $ 3,172 Accounts payable 828,522 776,189 Accrued liabilities 1,177,632 1,167,002 Contract liabilities 450,864 442,760 Current liabilities held for sale 731,158 756,570 Total current liabilities 3,188,200 3,145,693 Long-term Debt 2,841,536 2,144,167 Other Deferred Liabilities 1,237,535 1,260,977 Noncurrent liabilities held for sale 122,993 150,604 Commitments and Contingencies Stockholders' Equity: Capital stock: Preferred stock, $1 par value, authorized - 1,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding - none Common stock, $1 par value, authorized - 240,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding136,432,304 shares and 142,217,933 shares as of March 29, 2019 and September 28, 2018, respectively 136,432 142,218 Additional paid-in capital 2,568,809 2,708,839 Retained earnings 3,620,873 3,809,991 Accumulated other comprehensive loss (860,260) (806,703) Total Jacobs stockholders' equity 5,465,854 5,854,345 Noncontrolling interests 89,727 90,009 Total Group stockholders' equity 5,555,581 5,944,354 $ 12,945,845 $ 12,645,795 Statement of Cash Flow (in thousands): For the Six Months Ended March 29, 2019 March 30, 2018 Cash Flows from Operating Activities: Net earnings attributable to the Group $ 192,363 $ 54,493 Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash flows provided by operations: Depreciation and amortization: Property, equipment and improvements 43,812 59,139 Intangible assets 37,963 36,048 (Gain) Loss on disposal of businesses and investments (444) Stock based compensation 28,916 47,189 Equity in earnings of operating ventures, net (5,325) 787 (Gain) Losses on disposals of assets, net 3,730 3,917 Loss (Gain) on pension and retiree medical plan changes (34,621) 3,819 Deferred income taxes (31,008) 6,799 Changes in assets and liabilities, excluding the effects of businesses acquired: Receivables and contract assets (252,731) (171,912) Prepaid expenses and other current assets 47,733 (2,361) Accounts payable (6,754) 17,972 Accrued liabilities (57,763) (20,625) Contract liabilities 57,881 33,599 Other deferred liabilities (48,761) (17,420) Other, net (30,667) 3,204 Net cash (used for) provided by operating activities (55,232) 54,204 Cash Flows Used for Investing Activities: Additions to property and equipment (61,480) (44,845) Disposals of property and equipment and other assets 7,240 428 Distributions of capital from (contributions to) equity investees (3,904) (7,696) Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired (1,484,817) Proceeds (payments) related to sales of businesses 3,403 Purchases of noncontrolling interests (1,113) Net cash used for investing activities (59,257) (1,533,527) Cash Flows Provided by Financing Activities: Net proceeds from borrowings 695,571 1,562,201 Debt issuance costs (3,741) Proceeds from issuances of common stock 25,945 26,636 Common stock repurchases (488,435) (2,951) Taxes paid on vested restricted stock (20,317) (17,140) Cash dividends, including to noncontrolling interests (56,390) (44,233) Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities 152,633 1,524,513 Effect of Exchange Rate Changes 19,136 16,074 Net Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents 57,280 61,264 Cash and Cash Equivalents at the Beginning of the Period 793,358 774,151 Cash and Cash Equivalents at the End of the Period 850,638 835,415 Less Cash and Cash Equivalents included in Assets held for Sale (176,090) (164,612) Cash and Cash Equivalents of Continuing Operations at the End of the Period $ 674,548 $ 670,803 Backlog (in millions): March 29, 2019 March 30, 2018 Aerospace, Technology and Nuclear $ 7,285 $ 7,174 Buildings, Infrastructure and Advanced Facilities 13,428 12,088 Total $ 20,713 $ 19,262 Non-GAAP Financial Measures: In this press release, the Company has included certain non-GAAP financial measures as defined in Regulation G promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The non-GAAP financial measures included in this press release are net revenue, adjusted net earnings from continuing operations, adjusted EPS from continuing operations, adjusted operating profit margin and adjusted EBITDA. Adjusted net earnings from continuing operations, adjusted EPS from continuing operations, and adjusted operating profit margin are non-GAAP financial measures that are calculated by (i) excluding the costs related to the 2015 restructuring activities, which included involuntary terminations, the abandonment of certain leased offices, combining operational organizations and the co-location of employees into other existing offices; and charges associated with our Europe, U.K. and Middle East region, which included write-offs on contract accounts receivable and charges for statutory redundancy and severance costs (collectively, the "2015 Restructuring and other items"); (ii) excluding costs and other charges associated with restructuring activities implemented in connection with the CH2M acquisition and the ECR divestiture, which included involuntary terminations, costs associated with co-locating Jacobs and CH2M offices, separating physical locations of ECR and continuing operations, costs and expenses of the Integration Management Office and Separation Management Office, including professional services and personnel costs, costs and charges associated with the divestiture of joint venture interests to resolve potential conflicts arising from the CH2M acquisition, expenses relating to certain commitments and contingencies relating to discontinued operations of the CH2M business, and similar costs and expenses (collectively referred to as the "Restructuring and other charges"); (iii) excluding transaction costs and other charges incurred in connection with closing of the CH2M acquisition and sale of the ECR business, including advisor fees, change in control payments, costs and expenses relating to the registration and listing of Jacobs stock issued in connection with the CH2M acquisition, and similar transaction costs and expenses (collectively referred to as "transaction costs"); (iv) excluding charges resulting from the revaluation of certain deferred tax assets/liabilities in connection with U.S. tax reform; (v) adding back depreciation and amortization relating to the ECR business of the Company that was ceased as a result of the application of held-for-sale accounting; (vi) adding back amortization of intangible assets; (vii) allocating to discontinued operations estimated stranded corporate costs that will be reimbursed or otherwise eliminated in connection with the sale of the ECR business; (viii) allocating to discontinued operations estimated interest expense relating to long-term debt that was paid down with the proceeds of the ECR sale; and (ix) the exclusion of a one-time favorable adjustment in the fiscal 2019 period associated with a reduction of deferred income taxes for permanently reinvested earnings from non-U.S. subsidiaries in connection with the sale of the ECR business. Adjustments to derive adjusted net earnings from continuing operations, adjusted EPS from continuing operations are calculated on an after-tax basis. Net revenue is calculated by excluding pass-through revenues of the BIAF line of business. We believe that net revenue, adjusted net earnings from continuing operations, adjusted EPS from continuing operations, adjusted operating profit margin and adjusted EBITDA are useful to management, investors and other users of our financial information in evaluating the Company's operating results and understanding the Company's operating trends by excluding or adding back the effects of the items described above, the inclusion or exclusion of which can obscure underlying trends. Additionally, management uses net revenue, adjusted net earnings from continuing operations, adjusted EPS from continuing operations, adjusted operating profit margin and adjusted EBITDA in its own evaluation of the Company's performance, particularly when comparing performance to past periods, and believes these measures are useful for investors because they facilitate a comparison of our financial results from period to period. The Company provides non-GAAP measures to supplement U.S. GAAP measures, as they provide additional insight into the Company's financial results. However, non-GAAP measures have limitations as analytical tools and should not be considered in isolation and are not in accordance with, or a substitute for, U.S. GAAP measures. In addition, other companies may define non-GAAP measures differently, which limits the ability of investors to compare non-GAAP measures of the Company to those used by our peer companies. The following tables reconcile the components and values of U.S. GAAP revenue, net earnings from continuing operations, EPS from continuing operations, EPS and operating profit margin to the corresponding "adjusted" amounts. For the comparable periods presented below, such adjustments consist of amounts incurred in connection with the items described above. Amounts are shown in thousands, except for per-share data (note: earnings per share amounts may not add across due to rounding). Reconciliation of the adjusted EPS and adjusted EBITDA outlook for the full fiscal year to the most directly comparable GAAP measure is not available without unreasonable efforts because the Company cannot predict with sufficient certainty all the components required to provide such reconciliation. U.S. GAAP Reconciliation for the second quarter of fiscal 2019 and 2018 Three Months Ended March 29, 2019 U.S. GAAP Effects of Restructuring and Other Charges Effects of Transaction Costs (1) Other Adjustments (2) Adjusted Revenues $ 3,091,596 $ $ $ $ 3,091,596 Pass through revenue (632,359) $ (632,359) Net revenue 3,091,596 (632,359) 2,459,237 Direct cost of contracts (2,474,755) (3,383) 632,359 (1,845,779) Gross profit 616,841 (3,383) 613,458 Selling, general and administrative expenses (514,160) $ 97,321 $ $ 25,078 $ (391,761) Operating Profit 102,681 93,938 25,078 221,697 Total other (expense) income, net 9,151 (27,117) 515 18,403 952 Earnings from Continuing Operations Before Taxes 111,832 66,821 515 43,481 222,649 Income Tax Benefit (Expense) for Continuing Operations 7,947 (11,824) (125) (48,097) (52,099) Net Earnings (Loss) of the Group from Continuing Operations 119,779 54,997 390 (4,616) 170,550 Net Earnings Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests from Continuing Operations (5,024) (5,024) Net Earnings from Continuing Operations attributable to Jacobs 114,755 54,997 390 (4,616) 165,526 Net Earnings Attributable to Discontinued Operations (57,838) 2,078 1,705 (24,489) (78,544) Net earnings attributable to Jacobs $ 56,917 $ 57,075 $ 2,095 $ (29,105) $ 86,982 Diluted Net Earnings from Continuing Operations Per Share $ 0.82 $ 0.39 $ $ (0.03) $ 1.19 Diluted Net Earnings from Discontinued Operations Per Share $ (0.41) $ 0.01 $ 0.01 $ (0.18) $ (0.56) Diluted Earnings Per Share $ 0.41 $ 0.41 $ 0.02 $ (0.21) $ 0.62 Operating profit margin 3.32 % 9.01 % (1) Includes after-tax CH2M transaction costs and adjustments of $0.4 million as well as after-tax transaction costs associated with the sale of our ECR line of business of $1.7 million. (2) Includes (a) the removal of pass through revenues and costs for the BIAF line of business for the calculation of operating profit margin as a percentage of net revenue of $632.4 million, (b) the removal of amortization of intangible assets of $18.7 million, (c) the allocation to discontinued operations of estimated stranded corporate costs of $6.4 million that will be reimbursed under the ECR transition services agreement (TSA) with Worley Parsons or otherwise eliminated from the ongoing operations in connection with the sale of the ECR business, (d) the allocation to discontinued operations of estimated interest expense for the full period related to long-term debt that has been paid down as a result of the ECR sale of $18.4 million, (e) the exclusion of approximately $37.0 million in one-time favorable income tax adjustment associated with reduction of deferred income taxes for permanently reinvested earnings from non-U.S. subsidiaries in connection with the sale of the ECR business, (f) the add-back of depreciation relating to the ECR business that was ceased as a result of the application of held-for-sale accounting of $(5.8) million and (g) associated income tax expense adjustments for all the above pre-tax adjustment items. Three Months Ended March 30, 2018 U.S. GAAP Effects of Restructuring and Other Charges Effects of CH2M Transaction Costs Other Adjustments (1) Adjusted Revenues $ 2,870,295 $ $ $ $ 2,870,295 Pass through revenue (608,720) (608,720) Net revenue 2,870,295 (608,720) 2,261,575 Direct cost of contracts (2,268,667) 608,720 (1,659,947) Gross profit 601,628 601,628 Selling, general and administrative expenses (532,873) 76,473 4,852 24,605 (426,943) Operating Profit 68,755 76,473 4,852 24,605 174,685 Total other (expense) income, net (20,104) 466 14,384 (5,254) Earnings from Continuing Operations Before Taxes 48,651 76,939 4,852 38,989 169,431 Income Tax Benefit (Expense) for Continuing Operations (51,856) (20,104) (1,344) 30,931 (42,373) Net Earnings (Loss) of the Group from Continuing Operations (3,205) 56,835 3,508 69,920 127,058 Net Earnings Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests from Continuing Operations (3,085) (3,085) Net Earnings from Continuing Operations attributable to Jacobs (6,290) 56,835 3,508 69,920 123,973 Net Earnings Attributable to Discontinued Operations 54,877 (5,633) (13,247) 35,997 Net earnings attributable to Jacobs $ 48,587 $ 51,202 $ 3,508 $ 56,673 $ 159,970 Diluted Net Earnings from Continuing Operations Per Share $ (0.04) $ 0.40 $ 0.02 $ 0.49 $ 0.87 Diluted Net Earnings from Discontinued Operations Per Share $ 0.39 $ (0.04) $ $ (0.09) $ 0.25 Diluted Earnings Per Share $ 0.34 $ 0.36 $ 0.02 $ 0.40 $ 1.12 Operating profit margin 2.40 % 7.72 % (1) Includes (a) the removal of pass through revenues and costs for the BIAF line of business for the calculation of operating profit margin as a percentage of net revenue of $608.7 million, (b) the removal of amortization of intangible assets of $18.2 million, (c) the allocation to discontinued operations of estimated stranded corporate costs of $6.4 million that would have been reimbursed under the ECR transition services agreement (TSA) with Worley Parsons or otherwise eliminated from the ongoing operations in connection with the sale of the ECR business, (d) estimated 2018 impacts of $21.0 million from overhead allocation realignments in connection with the Company's CH2M business in the first quarter of fiscal 2019 had those changes been put into effect in first quarter of fiscal 2018 (the net impact of which was zero for consolidated selling, general and administrative expenses), (e) the allocation to discontinued operations of estimated interest expense for the full period related to long-term debt that has been paid down as a result of the ECR sale of $14.4 million, (f) the add-back of charges resulting from the revaluation of certain deferred tax assets/liabilities in connection with U.S. tax reform of $40.6 million and (g) associated income tax expense adjustments for all the above pre-tax adjustment items. Six Months Ended March 29, 2019 U.S. GAAP Effects of Restructuring and Other Charges Effects of Transaction Costs (1) Other Adjustments (2) Adjusted Revenues $ 6,175,384 $ $ $ $ 6,175,384 Pass through revenue (1,306,637) (1,306,637) Net revenue 6,175,384 (1,306,637) 4,868,747 Direct cost of contracts (4,990,023) (512) 1,306,637 (3,683,898) Gross profit 1,185,361 (512) 1,184,849 Selling, general and administrative expenses (969,551) 141,683 50,149 (777,719) Operating Profit 215,810 141,171 50,149 407,130 Total other (expense) income, net (11,789) (29,291) 1,029 36,470 (3,581) Earnings from Continuing Operations Before Taxes 204,021 111,880 1,029 86,619 403,549 Income Tax Expense for Continuing Operations (14,811) (21,519) (250) (47,959) (84,539) Net Earnings of the Group from Continuing Operations 189,210 90,361 779 38,660 319,010 Net (Earnings) Loss Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests from Continuing Operations (9,562) (9,562) Net Earnings from Continuing Operations attributable to Jacobs 179,648 90,361 779 38,660 309,448 Net Earnings Attributable to Discontinued Operations 1,565 (2,645) 6,500 (47,799) (42,379) Net earnings attributable to Jacobs $ 181,213 $ 87,716 $ 7,279 $ (9,139) $ 267,069 Diluted Net Earnings from Continuing Operations Per Share $ 1.27 $ 0.64 $ 0.01 $ 0.27 $ 2.18 Diluted Net Earnings from Discontinued Operations Per Share $ 0.01 $ (0.02) $ 0.05 $ (0.34) $ (0.30) Diluted Earnings Per Share $ 1.28 $ 0.62 $ 0.05 $ (0.06) $ 1.88 Operating profit margin 3.49 % 8.36 % (1) Includes after-tax CH2M transaction costs and adjustments of $1.0 million as well as after-tax transaction costs associated with the sale of our ECR line of business of $6.5 million. (2) Includes (a) the removal of pass through revenues and costs for the BIAF line of business for the calculation of operating profit margin as a percentage of net revenue of $1.31 billion, (b) the removal of amortization of intangible assets of $37.3 million, (c) the allocation to discontinued operations of estimated stranded corporate costs of $12.8 million that will be reimbursed under the ECR transition services agreement (TSA) with Worley Parsons or otherwise eliminated from the ongoing operations in connection with the sale of the ECR business, (d) the allocation to discontinued operations of estimated interest expense for the full period related to long-term debt that has been paid down as a result of the ECR sale of $36.5 million, (e) the exclusion of approximately $37.0 million in one-time favorable income tax adjustment associated with reduction of deferred income taxes for permanently reinvested earnings from non-U.S. subsidiaries in connection with the sale of the ECR business, (f) the add-back of charges resulting from the revaluation of certain deferred tax assets/liabilities in connection with U.S. tax reform from the first quarter of $11.0 million and (g) the add-back of depreciation relating to the ECR business that was ceased as a result of the application of held-for-sale accounting of $(11.0) million and (h) associated income tax expense adjustments for all the above pre-tax adjustment items. Six Months Ended March 30, 2018 U.S. GAAP Effects of Restructuring and Other Charges Effects of CH2M Transaction Costs Other Adjustments (1) Adjusted Revenues $ 4,654,294 $ $ $ $ 4,654,294 Pass through revenue (1,020,507) (1,020,507) Net revenue 4,654,294 (1,020,507) 3,633,787 Direct cost of contracts (3,710,572) 1,020,507 (2,690,065) Gross profit 943,722 943,722 Selling, general and administrative expenses (879,637) 92,200 72,493 42,552 (672,392) Operating Profit 64,085 92,200 72,493 42,552 271,330 Total other (expense) income, net (22,137) 466 256 17,137 (4,278) Earnings from Continuing Operations Before Taxes 41,948 92,666 72,749 59,689 267,052 Income Tax Expense for Continuing Operations (79,056) (23,919) (17,880) 54,689 (66,166) Net Earnings of the Group from Continuing Operations (37,108) 68,747 54,869 114,378 200,886 Net (Earnings) Loss Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests from Continuing Operations (3,416) (3,416) Net Earnings from Continuing Operations attributable to Jacobs (40,524) 68,747 54,869 114,378 197,470 Net Earnings Attributable to Discontinued Operations 91,274 (2,889) (17,807) 70,578 Net earnings attributable to Jacobs $ 50,750 $ 65,858 $ 54,869 $ 96,571 $ 268,048 Diluted Net Earnings from Continuing Operations Per Share $ (0.30) $ 0.51 $ 0.41 $ 0.86 $ 1.48 Diluted Net Earnings from Discontinued Operations Per Share $ 0.68 $ (0.02) $ $ (0.13) $ 0.53 Diluted Earnings Per Share $ 0.38 $ 0.49 $ 0.41 $ 0.72 $ 2.00 Operating profit margin 1.38 % 7.47 % (1) Includes (a) the removal of pass through revenues and costs for the BIAF line of business for the calculation of operating profit margin as a percentage of net revenue of $1.02 billion; (b) the removal of amortization of intangible assets of $29.8 million, (c) the allocation to discontinued operations of estimated stranded corporate costs of $12.8 million that would have been reimbursed under the ECR transition services agreement (TSA) with Worley Parsons or otherwise eliminated from the ongoing operations in connection with the sale of the ECR business, (d) estimated 2018 impacts of $32.0 million from overhead allocation realignments in connection with the Company's CH2M business in the first quarter of fiscal 2019 had those changes been put into effect in first quarter of fiscal 2018 (the net impact of which was zero for consolidated selling, general and administrative expenses), (e) the allocation to discontinued operations of estimated interest expense for the full period related to long-term debt that has been paid down as a result of the ECR sale of $17.1 million, (f) the add-back of charges resulting from the revaluation of certain deferred tax assets/liabilities in connection with U.S. tax reform of $69.4 million and (g) associated income tax expense adjustments for all the above pre-tax adjustment items. Earnings Per Share: Three Months Ended Six Months Ended March 29, 2019 March 30, 2018 March 29, 2019 March 30, 2018 Numerator for Basic and Diluted EPS: Net earnings (loss) attributable to Jacobs from continuing operations $ 114,755 $ (6,290) $ 179,648 $ (40,524) Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations allocated to participating securities (191) 33 (338) 247 Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations allocated to common stock for EPS calculation $ 114,564 $ (6,257) $ 179,310 $ (40,277) Net earnings (loss) attributable to Jacobs from discontinued operations $ (57,838) $ 54,877 1,565 91,274 Net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations allocated to participating securities 96 (287) (3) (557) Net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations allocated to common stock for EPS calculation $ (57,742) $ 54,590 $ 1,562 $ 90,717 Net earnings allocated to common stock for EPS calculation $ 56,822 $ 48,333 $ 180,872 $ 50,440 Denominator for Basic and Diluted EPS: Weighted average basic shares 138,566 142,531 140,509 133,770 Shares allocated to participating securities (231) (746) (264) (816) Shares used for calculating basic EPS attributable to common stock 138,335 141,785 140,245 132,954 Effect of dilutive securities: Stock compensation plans 981 1,202 Shares used for calculating diluted EPS attributable to common stock 139,316 141,785 141,447 132,954 Net Earnings Per Share: Basic Net Earnings from Continuing Operations Per Share $ 0.83 $ (0.04) $ 1.28 $ (0.30) Basic Net Earnings from Discontinued Operations Per Share $ (0.42) $ 0.39 $ 0.01 $ 0.68 Basic EPS $ 0.41 $ 0.34 $ 1.29 $ 0.38 Diluted Net Earnings from Continuing Operations Per Share $ 0.82 $ (0.04) $ 1.27 $ (0.30) Diluted Net Earnings from Discontinued Operations Per Share $ (0.41) $ 0.39 $ 0.01 $ 0.68 Diluted EPS $ 0.41 $ 0.34 $ 1.28 $ 0.38 For additional information contact: Investors: Jonathan Doros, 214-583-8596 [email protected] Media: Marietta Hannigan, 214-920-8035 [email protected] SOURCE Jacobs Related Links http://www.jacobs.com CHICAGO, May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated ( NYSE: JLL ) today reported operating performance for the first quarter of 2019 with diluted earnings per share of $0.46 and adjusted diluted EPS1 of $0.89. Real Estate Services revenue and fee revenue growth predominantly organic Americas Leasing continued exceptional performance Corporate Solutions double-digit revenue increase Capital Markets decline most notable in EMEA Margin performance reflects expansion in Real Estate Services LaSalle assets under management reach record $64.3 billion ; anticipated reduction in LaSalle incentive fees assets under management reach record ; anticipated reduction in incentive fees Dividend increase of 5 percent to $0.43 per share per share Executed agreement for transformative acquisition of HFF, a leading capital markets intermediary "We recorded strong first quarter results," said Christian Ulbrich, JLL CEO. "In particular, our Americas business continues to enjoy fantastic momentum, driving our overall Real Estate Services business to record first-quarter performance. With healthy pipelines and resilient real estate fundamentals, we are positioned to deliver another very strong year." Summary Financial Results Three Months Ended March 31, ($ in millions, except per share data) 2019 2018 Revenue $ 3,820.6 $ 3,555.2 Revenue before reimbursements 1,961.6 1,891.1 Fee revenue1 1,319.1 1,281.5 Net income attributable to common shareholders $ 21.3 $ 40.3 Adjusted net income attributable to common shareholders1 41.1 44.3 Diluted earnings per share $ 0.46 $ 0.88 Adjusted diluted earnings per share1 0.89 0.97 Adjusted EBITDA1 $ 95.4 $ 107.7 Adjusted EBITDA, Real Estate Services 77.1 65.3 Adjusted EBITDA, LaSalle 18.3 42.4 (1) For discussion of non-GAAP financial measures, see Note 1 following the Financial Statements in this news release. Consolidated ($ in millions, "LC" = local currency) Three Months Ended March 31, % Change in USD % Change in LC 2019 2018 Leasing $ 477.9 $ 401.2 19 % 21 % Capital Markets 193.5 232.7 (17) (14) Property & Facility Management 2,269.1 2,053.6 10 14 Project & Development Services 600.1 579.2 4 8 Advisory, Consulting and Other 181.6 169.2 7 11 Real Estate Services ("RES") revenue $ 3,722.2 $ 3,435.9 8 % 12 % LaSalle 98.4 119.3 (18) (14) Total revenue $ 3,820.6 $ 3,555.2 7 % 11 % Reimbursements (1,859.0) (1,664.1) 12 14 Revenue before reimbursements $ 1,961.6 $ 1,891.1 4 % 8 % Gross contract costs1 (642.6) (606.9) 6 11 Net non-cash MSR and mortgage banking derivative activity 0.1 (2.7) n.m. n.m. Total fee revenue1 $ 1,319.1 $ 1,281.5 3 % 6 % Leasing 461.4 385.1 20 22 Capital Markets 184.8 221.2 (16) (14) Property & Facility Management 280.7 265.2 6 10 Project & Development Services 173.4 173.7 4 Advisory, Consulting and Other 125.1 123.1 2 6 RES fee revenue 1,225.4 1,168.3 5 8 LaSalle 93.7 113.2 (17) (14) Operating income $ 25.4 $ 53.8 (53) % (56) % Equity earnings $ 5.0 $ 13.6 (63) % (62) % Adjusted EBITDA1 $ 95.4 $ 107.7 (11) % (12) % (1) For discussion of non-GAAP financial measures, see Note 1 following the Financial Statements in this news release. Percentage variances in the Consolidated Performance Highlights below are calculated and presented on a local currency basis, unless otherwise noted. Consolidated First-Quarter 2019 Performance Highlights: The company achieved growth of 12 percent and 8 percent in consolidated RES revenue and consolidated RES fee revenue, respectively, compared with 2018, predominantly organic. Leasing led consolidated fee revenue growth in the RES service lines, with a notable contribution from Property & Facility Management. The decline in consolidated Capital Markets revenue was primarily driven by EMEA. Geographically across service lines, RES fee revenue growth for the quarter was led by Americas, contributing 95 percent on a local currency basis, with Asia Pacific contributing 16 percent; EMEA partially offset these increases. LaSalle's decrease in revenue reflects an anticipated reduction from the record incentive fee performance in 2018, partially offset by increased advisory fees. Consolidated operating expenses excluding reimbursed expenses were $1.9 billion, an increase of 10 percent compared with 2018. Consolidated fee-based operating expenses1 were $1.3 billion for the quarter, up 9 percent over the prior year. Income tax benefit was $0.7 million, compared with an income tax provision of $13.5 million in 2018. The income tax benefit this quarter reflects the reduction of a previously recorded reserve for an uncertain tax position. Excluding this discrete item, the consolidated effective tax rate was 24.5 percent for the current quarter. Net income attributable to common shareholders was $21.3 million, compared with $40.3 million last year, and adjusted EBITDA was $95.4 million, compared with $107.7 million. Diluted earnings per share were $0.46, a decrease from $0.88 in 2018; adjusted diluted earnings per share were $0.89, down from $0.97. Adjusted EBITDA margin, calculated on a fee-revenue basis, was 7.2 percent in USD for the quarter (7.0 percent in local currency), compared with 8.4 percent in 2018. Consolidated first-quarter margin performance demonstrates progress on driving margin expansion in RES business, up approximately 70 basis points (35 basis points in local currency), despite lower contribution from Capital Markets. This improvement was more than offset by LaSalle, refer to LaSalle First-Quarter 2019 Performance Highlights. Balance Sheet: Total net debt was $980.1 million as of March 31, 2019, representing increases of $690.8 million and $70.0 million from December 31, 2018, and March 31, 2018, respectively. The increases primarily reflected the payment of annual incentive compensation, made in the first quarter of the year. In addition, EMEA accelerated payment of certain trade payables in advance of its April 1, 2019, implementation of a new financial enterprise system. The company's Board of Directors declared a dividend of $0.43 per share, a 5 percent increase from the $0.41 per share payment made in December 2018. The dividend payment will be made on June 14, 2019, to shareholders of record at the close of business on May 17, 2019. Americas Real Estate Services ($ in millions, "LC" = local currency) Three Months Ended March 31, % Change in USD % Change in LC 2019 2018 Revenue $ 2,250.1 $ 1,941.0 16 % 17 % Reimbursements (1,351.4) (1,181.7) 14 15 Revenue before reimbursements $ 898.7 $ 759.3 18 % 19 % Gross contract costs1 (187.7) (133.1) 41 43 Net non-cash MSR and mortgage banking derivative activity 0.1 (2.7) n.m. n.m. Fee revenue1 $ 711.1 $ 623.5 14 % 15 % Leasing 377.6 293.3 29 29 Capital Markets 99.7 108.2 (8) (8) Property & Facility Management 111.4 110.2 1 2 Project & Development Services 80.7 78.9 2 3 Advisory, Consulting and Other 41.7 32.9 27 28 Segment operating income $ 60.6 $ 46.3 31 % 31 % Equity (losses) earnings $ (0.3) $ 0.1 n.m. n.m. Adjusted EBITDA1 $ 88.0 $ 67.7 30 % 30 % (1) For discussion of non-GAAP financial measures, see Note 1 following the Financial Statements in this news release. Percentage variances in the Americas Performance Highlights below are calculated and presented on a local currency basis, unless otherwise noted. Americas First-Quarter 2019 Performance Highlights: Americas revenue increase was led by Property & Facility Management and Leasing. The Northwest, Mid-Atlantic and New York U.S. markets together with a higher average deal size drove the record Leasing performance. Notable revenue growth in Advisory, Consulting and Other was driven by U.S. valuations businesses. The decline in Capital Markets was attributable to a decline in overall market volumes. Operating expenses, excluding reimbursed expenses, were $838.1 million for the first quarter, up 19 percent from 2018. Fee-based operating expenses, excluding restructuring and acquisition charges, were $650.4 million for the first quarter, up 13 percent over 2018. The increase in expenses reflects revenue-related growth and investments in platform and technology transformation programs. Adjusted EBITDA margin, calculated on a fee-revenue basis, was 12.4 percent in USD for the quarter (12.3 percent in local currency), an increase of 150 basis points compared with 10.9 percent in 2018. The profitability increase primarily reflects improved conversion from Leasing revenue growth and cost management initiatives. EMEA Real Estate Services ($ in millions, "LC" = local currency) Three Months Ended March 31, % Change in USD % Change in LC 2019 2018 Revenue $ 723.4 $ 783.6 (8) % % Reimbursements (164.6) (156.0) 6 15 Revenue before reimbursements $ 558.8 $ 627.6 (11) % (4) % Gross contract costs1 (242.7) (277.2) (12) (6) Fee revenue1 $ 316.1 $ 350.4 (10) % (3) % Leasing 50.5 57.0 (11) (5) Capital Markets 59.6 84.0 (29) (23) Property & Facility Management 95.0 87.2 9 17 Project & Development Services 59.5 64.9 (8) (2) Advisory, Consulting and Other 51.5 57.3 (10) (4) Segment operating loss $ (29.4) $ (20.0) (47) % (62) % Equity earnings $ 0.1 $ n.m. n.m. Adjusted EBITDA1 $ (18.2) $ (7.4) n.m. n.m. (1) For discussion of non-GAAP financial measures, see Note 1 following the Financial Statements in this news release. Percentage variances in the EMEA Performance Highlights below are calculated and presented on a local currency basis, unless otherwise noted. EMEA First-Quarter 2019 Performance Highlights: EMEA's revenue was flat to 2018 and fee revenue decreased slightly as growth in Property & Facility Management was overshadowed by declines in other service lines, specifically Capital Markets. Property & Facility Management growth was primarily due to expansions of existing mandates with Corporate Solutions clients, notably in the UK. The decline in Capital Markets reflects a decline in market volumes and also follows a strong prior year when fee revenue grew 32 percent compared with 2017. Geographically across service lines, MENA had the most notable fee revenue growth for the quarter, while the UK and France had the most notable decreases. Operating expenses, excluding reimbursed expenses, were $588.2 million, a decrease of 2 percent from prior year. Fee-based operating expenses, excluding restructuring and acquisition charges, were $345.5 million, flat with 2018. The change in expenses reflects lower transaction-based variable compensation and lower bonus payouts in the first quarter for 2018 performance than originally expected, offset by increased investments in technology and platform initiatives. Adjusted EBITDA margin, calculated on a fee-revenue basis, was negative 5.8 percent in USD (negative 6.0 percent in local currency) for the quarter, compared with negative 2.1 percent last year. The profitability decrease primarily reflects the revenue decline from higher-margin transactional business. Asia Pacific Real Estate Services ($ in millions, "LC" = local currency) Three Months Ended March 31, % Change in USD % Change in LC 2019 2018 Revenue $ 748.7 $ 711.3 5 % 12 % Reimbursements (341.1) (321.6) 6 13 Revenue before reimbursements $ 407.6 $ 389.7 5 % 10 % Gross contract costs1 (209.4) (195.3) 7 13 Fee revenue1 $ 198.2 $ 194.4 2 % 8 % Leasing 33.3 34.8 (4) 1 Capital Markets 25.5 29.0 (12) (8) Property & Facility Management 74.3 67.8 10 16 Project & Development Services 33.2 29.9 11 19 Advisory, Consulting and Other 31.9 32.9 (3) 3 Segment operating income (loss) $ 0.7 $ (0.9) n.m. n.m. Equity earnings $ 0.3 $ 0.3 % % Adjusted EBITDA1 $ 7.3 $ 5.0 46 % 60 % (1) For discussion of non-GAAP financial measures, see Note 1 following the Financial Statements in this news release. Percentage variances in the Asia Pacific Performance Highlights below are calculated and presented on a local currency basis, unless otherwise noted. Asia Pacific First-Quarter 2019 Performance Highlights: Asia Pacific revenue and fee revenue growth was led by (i) Property & Facility Management, primarily due to expansion of existing client mandates coupled with new client wins, and (ii) Project & Development Services, driven notably by new client wins in Australia. This increase was partially offset by a decline in Capital Markets, primarily due to deal timing. Geographically across service lines, Japan led fee revenue growth. Operating expenses, excluding reimbursements, were $406.9 million, an increase of 10 percent over 2018. Fee-based operating expenses, excluding restructuring and acquisition charges, were $197.5 million, up 7 percent from prior year. The increases in fee-based operating expenses generally correspond with revenue-related expense growth. In addition, 2018 expenses included $3.5 million of higher than anticipated costs on certain client assignments that did not recur in 2019. Adjusted EBITDA margin, calculated on a fee-revenue basis, was 3.7 percent in USD for the quarter (3.8 percent in local currency), compared with 2.5 percent in 2018. Operating performance improvement and margin expansion reflect the expense commentary noted above. LaSalle ($ in millions, "LC" = local currency) Three Months Ended March 31, % Change in USD % Change in LC 2019 2018 Revenue $ 98.4 $ 119.3 (18) % (14) % Reimbursements(a) (1.9) (4.8) (60) (59) Revenue before reimbursements $ 96.5 $ 114.5 (16) % (13) % Gross contract costs(a) (2.8) (1.3) n.m. n.m. Fee revenue1 $ 93.7 $ 113.2 (17) % (14) % Advisory fees(a) 73.8 65.1 13 17 Transaction fees & other(a) 12.4 15.4 (19) (15) Incentive fees 7.5 32.7 (77) (76) Segment operating income $ 12.1 $ 29.1 (58) % (54) % Equity earnings $ 4.9 $ 13.2 (63) % (62) % Adjusted EBITDA1 $ 18.3 $ 42.4 (57) % (53) % (a) Gross contract costs are primarily within Advisory fees and Reimbursements are primarily within Other. (1) For discussion of non-GAAP financial measures, see Note 1 following the Financial Statements in this news release. Percentage variances in the LaSalle Performance Highlights below are calculated and presented on a local currency basis, unless otherwise noted. LaSalle First-Quarter 2019 Performance Highlights: The decrease in revenue reflected an increase in advisory fees more than offset by an anticipated decline in incentive fees compared with the prior year. The increase in advisory fees was split between strong growth in private equity and fees attributable to assets under management (AUM) from recent acquisitions. The growth in advisory fees is notable as approximately $3 million of catch-up advisory fees were earned in 2018 as a result of new equity commitments in established funds. Equity earnings in 2019 were primarily driven by net valuation increases for investments in Asia and Americas. Operating expenses, excluding reimbursed expenses, were $84.4 million, up 1 percent from prior year. Fee-based operating expenses, excluding restructuring and acquisition charges, were $81.6 million, flat from 2018. Expenses reflect a reduction in the current portion of variable compensation expense due to lower incentive fees, offset by deferred compensation expense from significant incentive fees earned in the full-year 2018. Adjusted EBITDA margin was 19.5 percent in USD for the quarter (20.3 percent in local currency), compared with 37.4 percent last year. The change in margin reflects lower incentive fees and equity earnings as well as the deferred compensation expense noted above. AUM was $64.3 billion as of March 31, 2019, an increase of 6 percent in USD (7 percent in local currency) from $60.5 billion as of December 31, 2018. The AUM increase resulted from (i) $5.9 billion from the 2018 Aviva Investors transactions, (ii) $2.6 billion of acquisitions and (iii) $0.4 billion of net valuation increases, partially offset by (iv) $4.9 billion of dispositions and withdrawals and (v) $0.2 billion of foreign currency decreases. About JLL JLL (NYSE: JLL) is a leading professional services firm that specializes in real estate and investment management. Our vision is to reimagine the world of real estate, creating rewarding opportunities and amazing spaces where people can achieve their ambitions. In doing so, we will build a better tomorrow for our clients, our people and our communities. JLL is a Fortune 500 company with annual revenue of $16.3 billion, operations in over 80 countries and a global workforce of over 91,000 as of March 31, 2019. JLL is the brand name, and a registered trademark, of Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated. For further information, visit ir.jll.com . Connect with us https://www.linkedin.com/company/jll https://www.facebook.com/jll/ https://twitter.com/jll https://plus.google.com/+joneslanglasalle Live Webcast Conference Call Management will offer a live webcast for shareholders, analysts and investment professionals on Tuesday, May 7, 2019, at 9:00 a.m. Eastern. Management will also conduct a conference call. If you are unable to join the live webcast and would like to participate in the teleconference, please dial into one of the following phone numbers five to ten minutes before the start time (the passcode will be required): The link to the webcast can be accessed at the Investor Relations website: ir.jll.com . - United States callers: - International callers: - Passcode: +1 877 701 6182 +1 647 689 5462 2057669 Supplemental Information Audio Replay Supplemental information regarding the first quarter 2019 earnings call has been posted to the Investor Relations section of JLL's website: ir.jll.com . An audio replay will be available for download or stream. Information and the link can be found on JLL's website: ir.jll.com . If you have any questions, please contact JLL Investor Relations: [email protected] . Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Statements in this news release regarding, among other things, future financial results and performance, achievements, plans, objectives and dividend payments may be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the company's actual results, performance, achievements, plans, objectives and dividend payments to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. For additional information concerning risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements, and risks to the company's business in general, please refer to those factors discussed under "Business," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk," and elsewhere in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this release, and except to the extent required by applicable securities laws, management expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in expectations or results, or any change in events. JONES LANG LASALLE INCORPORATED Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) Three Months Ended March 31, (in millions, except share and per share data) 2019 2018 Revenue before reimbursements $ 1,961.6 $ 1,891.1 Reimbursements 1,859.0 1,664.1 Total Revenue $ 3,820.6 $ 3,555.2 Operating expenses: Compensation and benefits $ 1,163.8 $ 1,097.2 Operating, administrative and other 707.3 697.3 Reimbursed expenses 1,859.0 1,664.1 Depreciation and amortization 46.5 42.1 Restructuring and acquisition charges4 18.6 0.7 Total operating expenses 3,795.2 3,501.4 Operating income 25.4 53.8 Interest expense, net of interest income 9.6 13.8 Equity earnings from real estate ventures 5.0 13.6 Other (expense) income (0.3) 2.5 Income before income taxes and noncontrolling interest 20.5 56.1 Income tax (benefit) provision (0.7) 13.5 Net income 21.2 42.6 Net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interest (0.1) 2.3 Net income attributable to the company $ 21.3 $ 40.3 Net income attributable to common shareholders $ 21.3 $ 40.3 Basic earnings per common share $ 0.47 $ 0.89 Basic weighted average shares outstanding (in 000's) 45,674 45,443 Diluted earnings per common share $ 0.46 $ 0.88 Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (in 000's) 46,019 45,905 Please reference attached financial statement notes. JONES LANG LASALLE INCORPORATED Segment Operating Results (Unaudited) Three Months Ended March 31, (in millions) 2019 2018 AMERICAS - REAL ESTATE SERVICES Revenue $ 2,250.1 $ 1,941.0 Reimbursements (1,351.4) (1,181.7) Revenue before reimbursements 898.7 759.3 Gross contract costs1 (187.7) (133.1) Net non-cash MSR and mortgage banking derivative activity1 0.1 (2.7) Fee revenue1 711.1 623.5 Compensation, operating and administrative expenses 810.8 688.7 Depreciation and amortization 27.3 24.3 Total segment operating expenses, excluding reimbursed 838.1 713.0 Gross contract costs1 (187.7) (133.1) Total fee-based segment operating expenses 650.4 579.9 Segment operating income $ 60.6 $ 46.3 Equity earnings (losses) (0.3) 0.1 Total segment income $ 60.3 $ 46.4 Adjusted EBITDA1 $ 88.0 $ 67.7 EMEA - REAL ESTATE SERVICES Revenue $ 723.4 $ 783.6 Reimbursements (164.6) (156.0) Revenue before reimbursements 558.8 627.6 Gross contract costs1 (242.7) (277.2) Fee revenue1 316.1 350.4 Compensation, operating and administrative expenses 576.9 636.2 Depreciation and amortization 11.3 11.4 Total segment operating expenses, excluding reimbursed 588.2 647.6 Gross contract costs1 (242.7) (277.2) Total fee-based segment operating expenses 345.5 370.4 Segment operating loss $ (29.4) $ (20.0) Equity earnings 0.1 Total segment loss $ (29.3) $ (20.0) Adjusted EBITDA1 $ (18.2) $ (7.4) JONES LANG LASALLE INCORPORATED Segment Operating Results (Unaudited) Continued Three Months Ended March 31, (in millions) 2019 2018 ASIA PACIFIC - REAL ESTATE SERVICES Revenue $ 748.7 $ 711.3 Reimbursements (341.1) (321.6) Revenue before reimbursements 407.6 389.7 Gross contract costs1 (209.4) (195.3) Fee revenue1 198.2 194.4 Compensation, operating and administrative expenses 400.5 385.0 Depreciation and amortization 6.4 5.6 Total segment operating expenses, excluding reimbursed 406.9 390.6 Gross contract costs1 (209.4) (195.3) Total fee-based segment operating expenses 197.5 195.3 Segment operating income (loss) $ 0.7 $ (0.9) Equity earnings 0.3 0.3 Total segment income (loss) $ 1.0 $ (0.6) Adjusted EBITDA1 $ 7.3 $ 5.0 LASALLE Revenue $ 98.4 $ 119.3 Reimbursements (1.9) (4.8) Revenue before reimbursements 96.5 114.5 Gross contract costs1 (2.8) (1.3) Fee revenue1 93.7 113.2 Segment operating expenses, excluding reimbursed expenses 84.4 85.4 Gross contract costs1 (2.8) (1.3) Total fee-based segment operating expenses 81.6 84.1 Segment operating income $ 12.1 $ 29.1 Equity earnings 4.9 13.2 Total segment income $ 17.0 $ 42.3 Adjusted EBITDA1 $ 18.3 $ 42.4 JONES LANG LASALLE INCORPORATED Segment Operating Results (Unaudited) Continued Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 2018 SEGMENT RECONCILING ITEMS Fee revenue $ 1,319.1 $ 1,281.5 Gross contracts costs1 642.6 606.9 Net non-cash MSR and mortgage banking derivative activity1 (0.1) 2.7 Revenue before reimbursements $ 1,961.6 $ 1,891.1 Reimbursements 1,859.0 1,664.1 Revenue $ 3,820.6 $ 3,555.2 Segment operating expenses excluding restructuring and acquisition charges 3,776.6 3,500.7 Segment operating income $ 44.0 $ 54.5 Restructuring and acquisition charges4 18.6 0.7 Operating income $ 25.4 $ 53.8 Please reference attached financial statement notes. JONES LANG LASALLE INCORPORATED Summarized Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) Three Months Ended March 31, (in millions) 2019 2018 Cash used in operating activities $ (551.5) $ (258.6) Cash used in investing activities (91.0) (60.0) Cash provided by financing activities 592.8 341.8 Effect of currency exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents 0.7 2.0 Net change in cash and cash equivalents $ (49.0) $ 25.2 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of year 634.2 471.7 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period $ 585.2 $ 496.9 Please reference attached financial statement notes. JONES LANG LASALLE INCORPORATED Consolidated Balance Sheets March 31, December 31, March 31, December 31, (in millions, except share and per share data) 2019 2018 2019 2018 ASSETS (Unaudited) LIABILITIES AND EQUITY (Unaudited) Current assets: Current liabilities: Cash and cash equivalents $ 389.5 $ 480.9 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 986.4 $ 1,261.4 Trade receivables, net of allowances 1,607.0 1,854.0 Reimbursable payables 1,018.7 1,090.7 Notes and other receivables 365.3 363.0 Accrued compensation & benefits 1,031.3 1,604.5 Reimbursable receivables 1,486.2 1,540.5 Short-term borrowings 119.3 32.7 Warehouse receivables 501.3 331.2 Short-term contract liability and deferred income 159.6 190.4 Short-term contract assets 305.6 314.7 Short-term acquisition-related obligations 73.2 78.5 Prepaid and other 372.8 321.7 Warehouse facilities 477.2 317.9 Total current assets 5,027.7 5,206.0 Short-term operating lease liability 132.9 Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation 578.5 567.9 Other 213.0 185.7 Operating lease right-of-use asset 592.1 Total current liabilities 4,211.6 4,761.8 Goodwill 2,738.3 2,697.8 Noncurrent liabilities: Identified intangibles, net of accumulated amortization 338.7 336.9 Credit facility, net of debt issuance costs (a) 510.0 (15.9) Investments in real estate ventures 361.9 356.9 Long-term debt, net of debt issuance costs 664.1 671.5 Long-term receivables 216.9 199.0 Long-term deferred tax liabilities, net 30.6 32.7 Deferred tax assets, net 207.6 210.1 Deferred compensation 308.1 277.8 Deferred compensation plans 295.3 258.2 Long-term acquisition-related obligations 153.6 175.8 Other 195.5 192.7 Long-term operating lease liability 535.0 Total assets $ 10,552.5 $ 10,025.5 Other 336.0 387.3 Total liabilities $ 6,749.0 $ 6,291.0 Redeemable noncontrolling interest $ 8.4 $ Company shareholders' equity: Common stock 0.5 0.5 Additional paid-in capital 1,056.6 1,057.3 Retained earnings 3,117.0 3,095.7 Shares held in trust (5.8) (5.8) Accumulated other comprehensive loss (425.9) (456.2) Total company shareholders' equity 3,742.4 3,691.5 Noncontrolling interest 52.7 43.0 Total equity 3,795.1 3,734.5 Total liabilities and equity $ 10,552.5 $ 10,025.5 Please reference attached financial statement notes. (a) As there was no outstanding balance on the Credit facility as of December 31, 2018, the negative liability reflects unamortized debt issuance costs. JONES LANG LASALLE INCORPORATED Financial Statement Notes 1. Management uses certain non-GAAP financial measures to develop budgets and forecasts, measure and reward performance against those budgets and forecasts, and enhance comparability to prior periods. These measures are believed to be useful to investors and other external stakeholders as supplemental measures of core operating performance and include the following: (i) Fee revenue and Fee-based operating expenses, (ii) Adjusted EBITDA attributable to common shareholders ("Adjusted EBITDA") and Adjusted EBITDA margin, (iii) Adjusted net income attributable to common shareholders and Adjusted diluted earnings per share, and (iv) Percentage changes against prior periods, presented on a local currency basis. However, non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered alternatives to measures determined in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). Any measure that eliminates components of a company's capital structure, cost of operations or investments, or other results has limitations as a performance measure. In light of these limitations, management also considers GAAP financial measures and does not rely solely on non-GAAP financial measures. Because the company's non-GAAP financial measures are not calculated in accordance with GAAP, they may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. Adjustments to GAAP Financial Measures Used to Calculate non-GAAP Financial Measures Gross Contract Costs represent certain costs associated with client-dedicated employees, and third-party vendors and subcontractors and are indirectly reimbursed through the fees we receive. These costs are presented on a gross basis in Operating expenses with the corresponding fees in Revenue before reimbursements. However, as we generally earn little to no margin on such costs, excluding gross contract costs from both Fee revenue and Fee-based operating expenses more accurately reflects how the company manages its expense base and operating margins and also enables a more consistent performance assessment across a portfolio of contracts with varying payment terms and structures, including those with direct versus indirect reimbursement of such costs. Net Non-Cash Mortgage Servicing Rights ("MSR") and Mortgage Banking Derivative Activity consists of the balances presented within Revenue composed of (i) derivative gains/losses resulting from mortgage banking loan commitment and warehousing activity and (ii) gains recognized from the retention of MSR upon origination and sale of mortgage loans, offset by (iii) amortization of MSR intangible assets over the period that net servicing income is projected to be received. Non-cash derivative gains/losses resulting from mortgage banking loan commitment and warehousing activity are calculated as the estimated fair value of loan commitments and subsequent changes thereof, primarily represented by the estimated net cash flows associated with future servicing rights. MSR gains and corresponding MSR intangible assets are calculated as the present value of estimated cash flows over the estimated mortgage servicing periods. The above activity is reported entirely within Revenue of the Capital Markets service line of the Americas segment. Excluding net non-cash MSR and mortgage banking derivative activity reflects how the company manages and evaluates performance because the excluded activity is non-cash in nature. Restructuring and Acquisition Charges primarily consist of: (i) severance and employment-related charges, including those related to external service providers, incurred in conjunction with a structural business shift, which can be represented by a notable change in headcount, change in leadership or transformation of business processes; (ii) acquisition and integration-related charges, including non-cash fair value adjustments to assets and liabilities recorded in purchase accounting such as earn-out liabilities and intangible assets; and (iii) lease exit charges. Such activity is excluded as the amounts are generally either non-cash in nature or the anticipated benefits from the expenditures would not likely be fully realized until future periods. Restructuring and acquisition charges are excluded from segment operating results and therefore not a line item in the segments' reconciliation to Adjusted EBITDA. Amortization of Acquisition-Related Intangibles, primarily composed of the estimated fair value ascribed at closing of an acquisition to assets such as acquired management contracts, customer backlog and trade name, is more notable following the company's increase in acquisition activity in recent years. Such activity is excluded as the change in period-over-period activity is generally the result of longer-term strategic decisions and therefore not necessarily indicative of core operating results. Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures Below are reconciliations of (i) Revenue to Fee revenue and (ii) Operating expenses to Fee-based operating expenses: Three months Ended March 31, ($ in millions) 2019 2018 Revenue $ 3,820.6 $ 3,555.2 Reimbursements (1,859.0) (1,664.1) Revenue before reimbursements 1,961.6 1,891.1 Gross contract costs (642.6) (606.9) Net non-cash MSR and mortgage banking derivative activity 0.1 (2.7) Fee revenue $ 1,319.1 $ 1,281.5 Operating expenses $ 3,795.2 $ 3,501.4 Reimbursed expenses (1,859.0) (1,664.1) Gross contract costs (642.6) (606.9) Fee-based operating expenses $ 1,293.6 $ 1,230.4 Below is (i) a reconciliation of Net income attributable to common shareholders to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, (ii) the Net income margin attributable to common shareholders (against Revenue before reimbursements), and (iii) the Adjusted EBITDA margin (presented on a local currency and on a fee-revenue basis). Following this is the (i) reconciliation to adjusted net income and (ii) components of adjusted diluted earnings per share. Three months Ended March 31, ($ in millions) 2019 2018 Net income attributable to common shareholders $ 21.3 $ 40.3 Add: Interest expense, net of interest income 9.6 13.8 Income tax (benefit) provision (0.7) 13.5 Depreciation and amortization 46.5 42.1 EBITDA $ 76.7 $ 109.7 Adjustments: Restructuring and acquisition charges4 18.6 0.7 Net non-cash MSR and mortgage banking derivative activity 0.1 (2.7) Adjusted EBITDA $ 95.4 $ 107.7 Net income margin attributable to common shareholders 1.1 % 2.1 % Adjusted EBITDA margin 7.0 % 8.4 % Three months Ended March 31, (In millions, except share and per share data) 2019 2018 Net income attributable to common shareholders $ 21.3 $ 40.3 Diluted shares (in thousands) 46,019 45,905 Diluted earnings per share $ 0.46 $ 0.88 Net income attributable to common shareholders $ 21.3 $ 40.3 Adjustments: Restructuring and acquisition charges4 18.6 0.7 Net non-cash MSR and mortgage banking derivative activity 0.1 (2.7) Amortization of acquisition-related intangibles 7.6 7.3 Tax impact of adjusted items(a) (6.5) (1.3) Adjusted net income attributable to common shareholders $ 41.1 $ 44.3 Diluted shares (in thousands) 46,019 45,905 Adjusted diluted earnings per share $ 0.89 $ 0.97 (a) In the first quarter of 2019 and 2018, the tax impact of adjusted items was calculated using the consolidated effective tax rate as this was deemed to approximate the tax impact of adjusted items calculated using applicable statutory tax rates. Operating Results - Local Currency In discussing operating results, the company reports Adjusted EBITDA margins and refers to percentage changes in local currency, unless otherwise noted. Amounts presented on a local currency basis are calculated by translating the current period results of foreign operations to U.S. dollars using the foreign currency exchange rates from the comparative period. Management believes this methodology provides a framework for assessing performance and operations excluding the effect of foreign currency fluctuations. The following table reflects the reconciliation to local currency amounts for consolidated (i) revenue, (ii) fee revenue, (iii) operating income, and (iv) Adjusted EBITDA: Three Months Ended March 31, ($ in millions) 2019 % Change Revenue: At current period exchange rates $ 3,820.6 7 % Impact of change in exchange rates 121.3 n/a At comparative period exchange rates $ 3,941.9 11 % Fee revenue: At current period exchange rates $ 1,319.1 3 % Impact of change in exchange rates 42.1 n/a At comparative period exchange rates $ 1,361.2 6 % Operating income: At current period exchange rates $ 25.4 (53) % Impact of change in exchange rates (1.9) n/a At comparative period exchange rates $ 23.5 (56) % Adjusted EBITDA: At current period exchange rates $ 95.4 (11) % Impact of change in exchange rates (0.4) n/a At comparative period exchange rates $ 95.0 (12) % 2. The company considers Annuity Revenue to be (i) 100% of Property & Facility Management, (ii) 50% of Leasing, (iii) 50% of Project & Development Services, and (iv) 50% of Advisory, Consulting and Other Revenue, as well as (v) LaSalle Advisory Fees. For purposes of distinguishing organic from acquisition-related contributions, the population of acquisitions includes those completed in the trailing four quarters inclusive of the current reported quarter. 3. Each geographic region offers the company's full range of RES businesses consisting primarily of (i) tenant representation and agency leasing, (ii) capital markets, (iii) property management and facilities management, (iv) project and development services, and (v) advisory, consulting and valuations services. LaSalle provides investment management services to institutional investors and high-net-worth individuals. 4. Restructuring and acquisition charges are excluded from the company's measure of segment operating results, although they are included for consolidated Operating income calculated in accordance with GAAP. For purposes of segment operating results, the allocation of restructuring and acquisition charges to the segments is not a component of management's assessment of segment performance. Restructuring and acquisition charges were $18.6 million and $0.7 million for the first quarter of 2019 and 2018, respectively. Charges in the first quarter of 2019 reflected (a) $5.0 million of severance and other employment-related charges incurred with respect to headcount reductions or other activities considered to represent structural changes to local, regional and/or global business operations, (b) $7.9 million of costs incurred for restructuring, pre-acquisition due diligence and post-acquisition integration activities, and (c) $5.7 million of net non-cash fair value adjustments that resulted in a net increase to earn-out liabilities that arose from prior period acquisition activity. Comparatively, charges in 2018 included (a) $1.3 million of severance and other employment-related charges incurred with respect to headcount reductions or other activities considered to represent structural changes to local, regional and/or global business operations and (b) $0.6 million of costs incurred for restructuring, pre-acquisition due diligence and post-acquisition integration activities, partially offset by (c) $1.2 million of net non-cash fair value adjustments that resulted in a net decrease to earn-out liabilities that arose from prior period acquisition activity. 5. The consolidated statements of cash flows are presented in summarized form. For complete consolidated statements of cash flows, please refer to the company's Annual Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2019, to be filed with the SEC in the near future. 6. As of March 31, 2019, LaSalle had $64.3 billion of real estate assets under management with approximately $6.5 billion available for investment ("dry powder") contemplating committed capital and available borrowing capacity at traditional leverage levels. Assets under management were composed of $32.9 billion invested in separate accounts, $25.9 billion invested in fund management vehicles and $5.5 billion invested in public securities. The geographic distribution of separate accounts and fund management investments was $21.8 billion in North America, $14.4 billion in the UK, $8.7 billion in Asia Pacific and $6.8 billion in continental Europe. The remaining $7.1 billion relates to Global Partner Solutions (GPS) which is a global business line. Assets under management data for separate accounts and fund management amounts are reported on a one-quarter lag. LaSalle raised $1.8 billion in private equity capital for the quarter ended March 31, 2019. 7. EMEA: Europe, Middle East and Africa. Greater China: China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan. MENA: Middle East and North Africa. Benelux: Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. Southeast Asia: Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. 8. n/m: not meaningful, represented by a percentage change of greater than 100%, favorably or unfavorably. Contact: Investor Relations Phone: +1 312 252 8943 E-mail: [email protected] Appendix: Revenue, Revenue before Reimbursements and Fee Revenue by Service Line Three months ended March 31, 2019 Three months ended March 31, 2018 (in millions) Americas EMEA Asia Pacific Total Americas EMEA Asia Pacific Total Revenue Leasing $ 389.8 52.2 35.9 $ 477.9 $ 304.5 58.9 37.8 $ 401.2 Capital Markets 100.1 64.0 29.4 193.5 111.0 89.3 32.4 232.7 Property & Facility Management 1,362.0 369.3 537.8 2,269.1 1,183.5 350.3 519.8 2,053.6 Project & Development Services 308.7 180.5 110.9 600.1 269.6 222.6 87.0 579.2 Advisory, Consulting and Other 89.5 57.4 34.7 181.6 72.4 62.5 34.3 169.2 RES revenue $ 2,250.1 723.4 748.7 $ 3,722.2 $ 1,941.0 783.6 711.3 $ 3,435.9 LaSalle 98.4 119.3 Consolidated revenue $ 3,820.6 $ 3,555.2 Revenue before reimbursements Leasing $ 386.6 52.2 35.8 $ 474.6 $ 302.3 58.8 37.7 $ 398.8 Capital Markets 99.6 63.8 27.9 191.3 110.8 89.2 30.8 230.8 Property & Facility Management 232.6 221.6 231.7 685.9 191.6 218.1 223.1 632.8 Project & Development Services 107.5 164.8 77.9 350.2 97.7 199.6 63.9 361.2 Advisory, Consulting and Other 72.4 56.4 34.3 163.1 56.9 61.9 34.2 153.0 RES revenue before reimbursements $ 898.7 558.8 407.6 $ 1,865.1 $ 759.3 627.6 389.7 $ 1,776.6 LaSalle 96.5 114.5 Consolidated revenue before reimbursements $ 1,961.6 $ 1,891.1 Fee revenue Leasing $ 377.6 50.5 33.3 $ 461.4 $ 293.3 57.0 34.8 $ 385.1 Capital Markets 99.7 59.6 25.5 184.8 108.2 84.0 29.0 221.2 Property & Facility Management 111.4 95.0 74.3 280.7 110.2 87.2 67.8 265.2 Project & Development Services 80.7 59.5 33.2 173.4 78.9 64.9 29.9 173.7 Advisory, Consulting and Other 41.7 51.5 31.9 125.1 32.9 57.3 32.9 123.1 RES fee revenue $ 711.1 316.1 198.2 $ 1,225.4 $ 623.5 350.4 194.4 $ 1,168.3 LaSalle 93.7 113.2 Consolidated fee revenue $ 1,319.1 $ 1,281.5 SOURCE JLL-IR TORRANCE, Calif., May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Los Angeles, CA -- Habitu8 announced today it named Juliet Okafor as its new Senior Vice President of Global Sales as of March 2019. In this role, Okafor will drive the sales and marketing initiatives around the company's SaaS & behavior performance & support flagship product and ensure customer success and security programs align with business outcomes. She will work directly with founders Chad Loder (CEO) & Jason Hoenich (CPO). Okafor has shown a passion for helping to identify, develop and provide advancement opportunities for women and minorities in non-traditional fields seeking roles within the cyber security industry. Okafor sits on the Strategic Advisory Board for the International Consortium of Minority Cybersecurity Professionals (ICMCP), Fordham University GSAS Dean's Leadership Council, WSC Inaugural Wicked6 Cyber Security Competition and a host of other committees. In addition to her current role with Habitu8, she currently helps build role-based security training and awareness programs for the small, midsize and companies across the Fortune 1000 for RevolutionCyber, LLC. Previously, Okafor served as Senior Vice President of Global Security Solutions for Fortress Information Security, where she was the first employee. In addition to helping define go-to-market strategy and lead sales within the organization, on each project she helped various security stakeholders identify, assess and integrate the silos across their enterprise security program. Prior to Fortress, Okafor launched her cyber security career as Global Director of Business Development & Marketing at TruShield Security Solutions. Okafor received her Juris Doctorate from Temple University Beasley School of Law, an M.A. in Public Communication and Media Studies from Fordham University and a B.A. in Communication from UMass-Amherst. Habitu8 founder Jason Hoenich had this to say about Okafor: "From the moment I met Jules, I could sense she knew what we wanted to do as a company. Jules brings an element to the team that can't be described but you can feel, instantly, in the room and on calls. I'm so incredibly excited to have her on our team." Okafor's statement: "Our society is entering uncharted territory, a new world in which technology and digital innovations can create more vulnerabilities than they solve. I joined Habitu8 because it is a great company, with a great brand - alongside Chad and Jason, we will chart new paths and enable technology that promotes a stronger security culture, minimizes risks resulting from human error and improves overall business productivity." About Habitu8 Security awareness startup Habitu8 is disrupting the industry with its unique, engaging, and humorous brand of cyber risk training videos. More information can be found at https://www.habitu8.io. Photo(s): https://www.prlog.org/12768624 Press release distributed by PRLog SOURCE Habitu8 Related Links https://www.habitu8.io BETHESDA, Md., May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- JW Marriott, part of Marriott International, today announced the culmination of a multi-million dollar full scale renovation to JW Marriott Grosvenor House London. Directed by Hirsch Bedner Associates (HBA) and GA Design, the complete transformation of the hotel's guest rooms and public spaces incorporates a fresh take on present-day design while honoring the rich heritage of the property. "The reintroduction of the iconic JW Marriott Grosvenor House London signifies an exciting milestone as the property celebrates its ninetieth anniversary this year," said Mitzi Gaskins, Global Brand Leader of JW Marriott. "We are thrilled to welcome our guests to the new Grosvenor House where they will continue to enjoy the highest level of luxury, inclusive of enriching experiences and warm, intentional service that embodies the JW Marriott brand." Rich Legacy Replenished The former home of the Duke of Gloucester, Grosvenor House has commanded a notable location on Park Lane since opening its doors in 1929. Originally designed by famed architects L. Rome Guthrie and Sir Edwin Lutyens, the hotel has long been associated with royalty, international dignitaries and celebrities alike. Serving as one of London's main social hubs, Grosvenor House has hosted many significant and extravagant occasions including the Royal Caledonian Ball, The Russian Debutante Ball and, for the past 68 years, the hotel has been the official host of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Awards. The refined and star-studded heritage of Grosvenor House shines while highlighting the hotels favorable location as a close neighbor to Hyde Park. The transformation embodies the historic grandeur of the hotel while infusing a more stylish and contemporary British feel. "Throughout the 90 years of its legacy, JW Marriott Grosvenor House London has played a role, whether large or small, in the history of this well-beloved city," said Stuart Bowery, General Manager, JW Marriott Grosvenor House London. "This year, following significant transformations, our truly iconic hotel begins an exciting new chapter. We look forward to welcoming our guests as we head into the next decade and hope they feel inspired and fulfilled." JW Marriott Grosvenor House London's complete renovation includes an extensive re-imagination of the ground floor, to complement the alluring views of Hyde Park. The decor, including butterfly wall art and bespoke carpets, incorporates a soft palette of neutrals with accents color that echo the changing seasons. The transformation of the original lobby fireplace includes floor-to-ceiling glass, which seamlessly connects the lobby entrance to the bright Park Room setting. Infusing Hyde Park's lush parkland into the design of the hotel corridors and guestrooms, the hotel exudes sophistication. A delicate foliage pattern gently winds through the hallways, while the redesigned guestrooms take cues from autumn in Hyde Park with rich golden leaves layered over the soft grey carpet to create depth and add warmth. The palette of warm neutrals extends to the two Royal Suites for a full home-away-from-home experience. Large pieces of artwork commissioned specifically for the hotel, including sculptural ceramics and framed imagery, communicate the story of the interconnectedness of travel between London, New York and Paris in the early years of the twentieth century. Modern Cuisine Modeled after stately homes throughout the country, the Park Room features floor-to-ceiling glass windows that emphasize uninterrupted and magnificent views of Hyde Park. Fringed chairs and floral decor provide playful illusions to the hotel's past. Guests can indulge in the award-winning Afternoon Tea, served alongside homemade pastries, or taste the exclusive Yellow Rose tea or Serpentine Gin, both concocted specifically for the hotel using plants found in Hyde Park. Thoughtful live piano entertains guest daily from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. JW Steakhouse serves prime USDA select cuts within a traditional steakhouse setting. For an intimate gathering, guests can opt for the private dining room that can accommodate up to 12 guests. The Al Fresco terrace is also available during the spring and summer months. Adjacent to JW Steakhouse is the notable Bourbon Bar, home to more than 300 rare, pre-prohibition, single batch bourbons. As day turns to night, guests can unwind at Red Bar. In contrast to the neutral palette seen throughout the hotel, Red Bar received its name from the space's sensual red decor. Highly trained mixologists enthrall guests with thoughtfully crafted cocktails, making the bar an ideal spot for a night out. Corrigan's Mayfair, led by award winning Host Patron Richard Corrigan, serves quintessential British and Irish dishes. The hotel's most recent dining outpost, Ruya London offers a taste of contemporary dishes from the Anatolian region, stretching from the Mediterranean to the Black Sea. Significant Occasions Boasting one of the largest hotel event venues in Europe, JW Marriott Grosvenor House London features more than 5,000 square meters of flexible meeting space, perfect to host any event, large or small. The crown jewel of the hotel is the Great Room, which can cater for up to 2,000 guests in a single sitting, making it the ideal venue for award ceremonies and receptions. This iconic space was once an ice-skating rink, where young Princess Elizabeth (now Queen Elizabeth II) and her sister, Margaret, learned to ice skate. Today, the eight crystal chandeliers and sweeping staircase serve as a reminder of the storied history. The refined Ballroom also incorporates the hotel's history with cut glass chandeliers and Art Deco features. The Court Suite meeting space, with capacity to seat up to 250 guests, features a bespoke carpet humorous in its pattern, reminiscent of ice-skating memories, with ice-sculpture effects projected by the wall lights. Small weddings, banquets or business meetings are an ideal fit for the 86 Park Lane function suites, offering 20 naturally-lit rooms. About JW Marriott JW Marriott is part of Marriott International's luxury portfolio of brands and consists of beautiful properties and distinctive resort locations around the world. The impressive array of award-winning hotels cater to sophisticated, mindful travelers seeking The JW Treatment the brand's philosophy that true luxury is created by people who are passionate about what they do. These experiences help guests to be fully present, foster connections and feed the soul. Inspired by the principles of mindfulness, JW Marriott is a haven designed to allow guests to focus on feeling whole present in mind, nourished in body, and revitalized in spirit through programs and offerings that encourage them to come together, act with intention and experience every moment to the fullest. Today there are over 80 JW Marriott hotels in more than 25 countries and territories. Visit JW Marriott online , and on Instagram and Facebook . JW Marriott is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy, the new name of Marriott's travel program replacing Marriott Rewards, The Ritz-Carlton Rewards, and Starwood Preferred Guest(SPG). The program offers members an extraordinary portfolio of global brands, experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments and unparalleled benefits including earning points toward free hotel stays and nights toward Elite status recognition. To enroll for free or for more information about the program, visit MarriottBonvoy.marriott.com . About JW Marriott Grosvenor House London Since 1929, Grosvenor House has infused a touch of glamour into Mayfair as the first hotel on Park Lane. JW Marriott Grosvenor House London is a truly iconic property that holds one of the capital's most desirable addresses for significant events. Hosting Royalty, dignitaries and celebrity guests today, as it has done for almost 90 years. Following the completion of a full-scale renovation, this significant property conveys a refined British elegance. The Great Room and Art Deco Ballroom inspire notable events for celebratory occasions, from weddings to society gatherings and are complimented by 21 bright meeting spaces, individually designed to suit today's international traveler. The hotel offers guests to join a culinary journey, including 'Anna's Afternoon Tea' in the Park Room, Creekstone USDA steaks and signature JW Cheesecake at the JW Steakhouse, and 300 varieties of bourbons in the aptly named, Bourbon Bar. Corrigan's Mayfair, with award winning Chef/Patron Richard Corrigan, serves modern British and Irish gourmet cuisine and the new Ruya London features contemporary Anatolian dishes inspired by restaurateur Umut Ozkanca's Istanbul heritage. JW Marriott Grosvenor House is a Park Lane icon with a story that has created a hotel as unique as its past. SOURCE Marriott International, Inc. MEMPHIS, Tenn., May 07, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Smithfield Foods, Inc. has donated more than 41,500 pounds of protein to Mid-South Food Bank . Smithfields contribution was part of the companys 2019 Helping Hungry Homes donation tour. Helping Hungry Homes is Smithfields signature hunger-relief initiative focused on alleviating hunger and helping Americans become more food secure. The donation, equivalent to more than 166,000 servings of protein, will help fight hunger across eastern Tennessee, northern Mississippi, and parts of Arkansas. We see the impact of providing food to those in need every day, said Estella Mayhue-Greer, president and chief executive officer of Mid-South Food Bank. The generosity of this donation of protein from Smithfield will make a huge difference to our neighbors throughout our 31-county service area and we could not be more grateful. This is the 22nd large-scale protein donation made by Smithfield to food banks across the country during its 2019 Helping Hungry Homes tour. Since the programs inception in 2008, Smithfield has provided more than 130 million servings of protein to food banks, disaster relief efforts, and community outreach programs nationwide. As a food company, part of Smithfields social purpose is to help those in need and provide support to alleviate hunger in communities across the country, said Jonathan Toms, associate manager of charitable initiatives for Smithfield Foods. We are humbled to be able to feed so many through this donation to Mid-South Food Bank and to continue our commitment to improving food security. For more information about Smithfield Foods Helping Hungry Homes initiative, and a list of upcoming donation events, visit helpinghungryhomes.com . About Smithfield Foods Smithfield Foods is a $15 billion global food company and the world's largest pork processor and hog producer. In the United States, the company is also the leader in numerous packaged meats categories with popular brands including Smithfield, Eckrich, Nathans Famous, Farmland, Armour, Farmer John, Kretschmar, John Morrell, Cooks, Gwaltney, Carando, Margherita, Curlys, Healthy Ones, Morliny, Krakus, and Berlinki. Smithfield Foods is committed to providing good food in a responsible way and maintains robust animal care, community involvement, employee safety, environmental, and food safety and quality programs. For more information, visit www.smithfieldfoods.com , and connect with us on Facebook , Twitter , LinkedIn , and Instagram . About Mid-South Food Bank Mid-South Food Bank distributes food to charitable feeding programs in 31 counties in west Tennessee, north Mississippi and east Arkansas, where more than 20% of the population struggles with food insecurity and hunger. www.midsouthfoodbank.org . Media Contacts: CARLSBAD, Calif., May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Kids for Peace, home to The Great Kindness Challenge, is pleased to announce a new partnership with The Toy Foundation. These two nonprofit organizations are joining forces to launch The Great Toy Giveaway where thousands of toys will be lovingly distributed by kids to other kids in need throughout children's hospitals, homeless shelters, military bases, schools and community centers. With their overlapping missions of supporting children, this new partnership will not only bring joy to the youth receiving new toys, but to the thousands of children who will put their compassion into action as they distribute the toys. Jill McManigal, co-founder and executive director of Kids for Peace, states: "Kids have the biggest hearts and love helping others. As a youth-empowerment organization, we are always looking for ways to encourage kids to uplift the world through love and action, so when the chance to partner with The Toy Foundation came along, we enthusiastically welcomed this beautiful opportunity." The Great Toy Giveaway will be fueled by toy donations from the toy industry to schools located in California, New York, New Jersey, Illinois, and Florida. Students at those schools will be guided to identify the needs within their own communities with one goal in mind to bring smiles and joy to kids in need. To make the project extra meaningful, students will add a personalized note of friendship to each toy delivered. At some sites, students will elevate the experience even more by not only delivering the toys, but by connecting with each other as they enjoy the toys together, truly "playing it forward." "As a charity that donates millions of toys to millions of children in need annually, The Toy Foundation was inspired to partner with Kids for Peace to expand their toy distribution to schools, offering a unique opportunity for kids to help other kids," said Jean Butler, executive director of The Toy Foundation. "Peer-to-peer giving is a wonderful way to provide joy and comfort to children in need through the experience of toys and play." The Great Toy Giveaway will tap into the big-hearted joy of The Great Kindness Challenge, an uplifting program that empowers students to take an active role in creating a culture of kindness. Started in 2012, The Great Kindness Challenge officially launched in Carlsbad, CA with 3 schools and 1,614 students. The annual program has increased enrollment each year, mobilizing more than 13 million students in 24,027 schools, reaching across all 50 states and 115 countries this past January. The Toy Foundation's Toy Bank is currently accepting donations for The Great Toy Giveaway. Companies located in California, New York, New Jersey, Illinois, and Florida are especially encouraged to participate in order to save on shipping costs. For more information on where to send toys please contact Elizabeth Max today. For more information on The Great Toy Giveaway, please visit: www.GreatKindnessChallenge.org/GreatToyGiveaway. About The Toy Foundation The Toy Foundation (TTF) is a 5013 children's charity whose mission is to provide joy and comfort to children in need through the experience of toys and play. TTF serves children who are coping with serious illness, enduring temporary home placements in the foster care system, suffering from abuse or neglect, experiencing separation from a deployed military parent, or dealing with devastating natural disasters. To date, TTF's signature program, The Toy Bank, has provided more than $200 million in toys to over 26 million children in need around the globe, thanks to its generous toy donors. About Kids for Peace Kids for Peace is a California-based global nonprofit that empowers kids to create peace through hands-on service, global friendships and thoughtful acts of kindness. Founded in 2006 by a mother and a Carlsbad High School honors student, Kids for Peace has now launched over 450 chapters on six continents. All Kids for Peace activities are based on the Peace Pledge, wise words written by children to inspire peace for all. www.KidsForPeaceGlobal.org About The Great Kindness Challenge The Great Kindness Challenge is a positive and proactive Kids for Peace program that creates a culture of kindness in schools, communities, and the world. Using a provided kindness checklist, schools and families are challenged to complete as many acts of kindness as possible. The School Edition is an annual one week challenge during the last week of January. The Family Edition is year-round. Schools and families may get involved by registering at no cost here: http://greatkindnesschallenge.org Contact: Jill McManigal 760.846.0608 [email protected] www.KidsForPeaceGlobal.org www.ToyIndustryFoundation.org SOURCE Kids for Peace Related Links www.kidsforpeaceglobal.org GREENVILLE, S.C., May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Kingdom Winds is announcing plans to expand and intensify its recruiting efforts for Christian creatives and ministries to join the Kingdom Winds Collective along with a special Early Entry package of benefits. The South Carolina-based start-up is specifically searching for talented authors, artists, artisans, musicians, podcasters, videographers, ministries, and churches with a passion and purpose to advance the Kingdom. Gary and Elizabeth Suess are Co-Founders of Kingdom Winds and the Kingdom Winds Collective. Kingdom Winds Collective is a formal alliance of Christian creatives and ministries. Kingdom Winds is actively seeking talented authors, artists, artisans, podcasters, musicians, videographers, ministries, and churches to join the collective. "We believe that we have been called to participate in a movement that is already underway," stated President and Co-Founder Gary Suess. "We see God moving in very powerful ways, calling creatives to use their gifts for His purpose and glory. Our calling is to assist them in their journey while providing a platform to extend their reach, influence, and success." "Finding and recruiting new, emerging, and established talent to join with us are fundamental to what we do, both now and in the future," said Gary. "We are continually searching for gifted creatives both deserving a larger audience and whose addition will strengthen the collective." "Our search efforts are both formal and informal," added Elizabeth. "In addition to being intentional to scour the internet and attend events, it has become almost second nature for our Kingdom Winds crew members to keep an eye out for the next prospect. We also invite anyone to reach out to us or submit an application to be evaluated for acceptance into the Kingdom Winds Collective." Kingdom Winds began operations early last year through its book publishing armKingdom Winds Publishing. Later in the year, the new enterprise formed Kingdom Winds Collective and launched KingdomWinds.com. The groundbreaking Christian website features the content and works of the collective through its multimedia digital publishing platform and integrated online marketplace. The ramped-up recruiting efforts coincide with the rollout of additional enhancements to the Kingdom Winds platform. In particular, the formal launch of Kingdom Winds Radio and Kingdom Winds Broadcast enables the platform to better support and showcase podcasts and streaming video, respectively. Other exciting enhancements are underway and expected to be introduced in the coming months. "Our business model centers on our collective members and partnering with them," explained Co-Founder Elizabeth Suess. "It is our heart and mission to provide them with a larger, more visible platform than what they might otherwise be able to achieve on their own and then come along side of them with value-added support services to help them pursue their calling." "Of course, we are all joining together to provide content that will serve, inspire, encourage, entertain, and enlighten our audience. Ultimately, we hope to make a difference in people's livesand by joining together, we can broaden our reach and influence." More information about Kingdom Winds and the Kingdom Winds Collective, including how to apply for membership and details on the limited-time Early Entry offer, can be found on KingdomWindsCollective.com as well as the main KingdomWinds.com website. Gary explained the impetus behind the Early Entry offer, "We recognize that our value proposition today is not what it will be in six months, a year, or two years from nowso, we are adding some awesome incentives for Christian creatives, ministries, and churches joining with us in the early going!" _____________________________________________________________________________ Kingdom Winds LLC, based in Greenville, South Carolina, is a multifaceted start-up enterprise dedicated to empowering, supporting, and propelling Christian creatives and ministries. At the core is KingdomWinds.com, our innovative digital platform that integrates rich content with an Amazon-style marketplace to showcase works of the Kingdom Winds Collectivea formal alliance of Christian authors, artists, musicians, podcast producers, filmmakers, and ministries. We surround this with Kingdom-focused service offerings, including publishing, marketing, web design, event management, and consulting. Our mission is to advance the Kingdom through the power of alliance, value-added support, and providing a platform to expand reach, influence, and success. Media Contact: Elizabeth Suess, Co-Founder [email protected] 704.293.3843 SOURCE Kingdom Winds Related Links https://kingdomwindscollective.com NEW YORK, May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Kiwi Energy is teaming up with the Ohio City Bicycle Co-op (OCBC) through an in-kind contribution that will foster clean, efficient transportation choices by expanding OCBC's educational initiatives. Kiwi Energy is a leading energy retailer offering environmentally conscious solutions for electricity and gas to residents in the states of Ohio and New York. Kiwi Energy's contribution will help OCBC develop curricula (including preparation materials for their Shop Class series) and student evaluation measures, as first steps to creating a bike mechanic apprentice program at their large facility in Cleveland, Ohio. The new partnership with OCBC is one of the many ways in which Kiwi Energy strives to operate in an environmentally and socially responsible manner. "This project's long term goal is to counter a major cause of climate disruption and build healthy, resilient communities in 'bike repair deserts' -- neighborhoods without a bike shop -- which are usually also home to most 'necessity cyclists' who can't afford a car, or even regular bus fare," explained OCBC Executive Director Jim Sheehan. The group saw a need for professional bike mechanics training to build the "technical infrastructure" to support increased bicycle mobility in their community. They plan to provide that by augmenting the OCBC's existing classes with more advanced repair topics and coordinate them with their well-established youth Earn A Bike program to create a workforce development program for apprentice bike mechanics. How Kiwi Energy is Helping Kiwi Energy's commitment to sustainability is demonstrated in the company's efforts of establishing and growing positive and productive relationships in the energy markets that it serves via annual contributions to different non-profit organizations, including COBC. These contributions are made possible by the Ecogold Environmental Fund. The Ecogold Environmental Fund is privately funded with contributions from Kiwi Energy in order to support non-profit groups running sustainability projects. Kiwi Energy's contribution to Ohio City Bicycle Co-op is a prime example of its perpetual support of institutions that according to its core values. "We encourage our customers to minimize their environmental impact, so we are big advocates of biking - It's one of the most eco-friendly modes of transportation. The work that the Ohio City Bicycle Co-op does makes biking not only more sustainable but more accessible to the Ohio Community. OCBC's solutions have a positive impact on the environment, community, and infrastructure and Kiwi Energy is proud to contribute to their cause," said Richard Booth, President of Retail Operations, Kiwi Energy. About Kiwi Energy Kiwi Energy is an energy retailer dedicated to providing innovative energy solutions for electricity and natural gas supply. We focus on environmentally conscious products backed by friendly and efficient customer service. As a company, we pride ourselves on transparency and our team is always happy to help with any questions about the energy industry or our services. Please visit https://kiwienergy.us/ to learn more. About Ohio City Bicycle Co-Op (OCBC) OCBC is a non-profit, volunteer-driven cooperative bicycle education center offering riding and repair classes, refurbished used bikes for sale or rent, hands-on learning and shop credit for volunteering, and public shop use, advice, and assistance. Browse through http://ohiocitycycles.org/ to learn more. Media Contact: Nichola Clark Email: [email protected] Related Images image1.jpeg image2.jpg image3.jpg image4.jpg Related Links Kiwi Energy Ohio City Bicycle Co-Op SOURCE Kiwi Energy Related Links https://kiwienergy.us All figures in Canadian dollars. VANCOUVER, May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ - KORE Mining Ltd. (TSXV: KORE) ("KORE" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into definitive agreements for a $4,000,000 investment ("Investment") by Macquarie Bank Ltd. and its affiliates (collectively "Macquarie"). As part of the Investment, Macquarie will subscribe for 6,000,000 common shares of Kore and acquire a 1% NSR royalty (the "Macquarie Royalty") on the Imperial Project. Investment Highlights Provides funding for KORE to advance permitting of the Imperial Project, generating a compelling investment opportunity with proximity to existing operations. Includes provisions for certain rights for Macquarie to provide project development financing. Kore maintains a right to buy back the Macquarie Royalty on the following terms: i) within 6 months of the closing date for the Macquarie Royalty, if the Company is acquired at a price of no less than $0.75 per share, the Company may buy back the Macquarie Royalty for $4,750,000; or ii) within greater than 6 months but less than 12 months of the closing date for the Macquarie Royalty, if the Company is acquired at a price of no less than $1.00 per share, the Company may buy back the Macquarie Royalty for $6,750,000; Newmont Goldcorp Corporation also holds a 1% NSR royalty on the Imperial Project. Adrian Rothwell, President and CEO stated, "We welcome this strategic investment from Macquarie, one of the world's major resource investors, as we continue to advance and de-risk the Imperial Project. The Imperial Project, located in Imperial County, California, approximately 17 kilometres from the producing Mesquite Mine owned by Equinox Gold Corp., will contribute meaningfully to the local economy as we advance the project through the permitting process and towards a development decision." Closing of the Investment is subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. About Macquarie Macquarie is a global leader in providing financing to the resources sector. Macquarie Bank Limited is part of Macquarie Group, a global provider of banking, financial, advisory, investment and funds management services. Founded in 1969, Macquarie employs over 15,700 people and has assets under management of AUD$551.3 billion (as of March 31, 2019). About KORE KORE is a development stage company that offers exposure to precious metals exploration and development in North America, with a corporate strategy focused on advancing its California development and British Columbia advanced exploration stage projects. KORE owns a 100% interest in the Imperial gold development project ("Imperial"), located on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) administered land in a current mining district of Imperial County, California, USA. Imperial is approximately 17km SSE of the operating Mesquite Mine recently acquired by Equinox Gold (TWXV: EQX) for US$158 million. Imperial boasts excellent access and infrastructure. For more information on historical work performed on the Imperial Project please refer to the Company's website at www.koremining.com. Our focus on the Imperial Project is supported by an historic Environmental Impact Study/Report completed in compliance with then-existing US Federal and California environmental regulations. The Imperial project inherits the analysis and design of a mine plan that meets Bureau of Land Management and California Surface Mining And Reclamation Act requirements. KORE is advancing and updating background permit studies to meet current regulations and considers the project to have excellent prospects for near-term success as a result of extensive and thorough consultation to date. KORE has adopted a collaborative, inclusive and mutual-benefit driven approach to engagement to build and strengthen stakeholder relationships and looks forward to permitting success on this low-impact, high-return project. Table 1: Combined historical1 estimates of Kore Imperial resources2 Size Grade Contained Au Source Au Cutoff (tonnes) (g/t) (oz) (g/t) Indicated Imperial 45,762,947 0.60 879,000 2012 PEA 0.17 Inferred3 Imperial 76,334,175 0.53 1,298,000 2012 PEA 0.17 A Qualified Person has not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimates as current resources and KORE is not treating the historical estimates as current resources. Significant data compilation, re-drilling, re-sampling and data verification may be required by a Qualified Person before the historical estimates at the Projects can be classified as current resources. The historical mineral resources in this news release were estimated using the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM), CIM Standards on Mineral Resources and Reserves, Definitions and Guidelines prepared by the CIM Standing Committee on Reserve Definitions and adopted by CIM Council. Imperial Mineral Historical Resource Estimation Parameters: a) Grade estimation is based on assay samples composited to 20ft intervals. Grade capping thresholds were determined following a detailed statistical analysis of the data for the entire mineralized domains varied from 0.02 to 0.2 ounces per ton (opt) gold (Au). b) Resource model grade blocks were estimated using Gemcom GEMSTM modeling software based on a traditional wireframe interpretation constructed from a sectional interpretation of drilling data. c) The database for the Imperial model consisted of 349 RC holes totalling 190,134 feet of drilling. A total of 36,361 analyses were considered for use in the resource estimate. d) The modelled gold mineralized zone was subdivided into three domains displaying different strike or dip directions with a total length of 3,200 ft, width up to 800ft and average thickness of 85ft in the East area and 1,200ft in length, 1,000ft in width and average thickness of 90ft to 120ft in the West area, dipping from 5 to 35 degrees e) A bulk density value of 0.077 ton per cubic foot was used and derived from 9 core holes consisting of 32 samples collected in a 1994 and 1995 drilling program. Mineral resources were reported within an optimized pit shell using a gold price of US$1,400/oz with a process recovery of 80%. g) Process costs used were US$1.50/ton and G&A was US$0.40/ton. Open pit mining costs were US$1.20/ton and sustaining capex was US$0.50/ton with open pit slopes of 45 degrees. Qualified Person Statement Technical information with respect to the Projects contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by David S. Smith, CPG, who is KORE's designated independent qualified person for the purposes of NI 43-101. ________________________________ 1 The reader is cautioned that the above referenced "Historical Resource" is considered historical in nature and as such is based on prior data and reports prepared by previous property owners. The work necessary to verify the classification of this mineral resource estimate has not been completed and the resource estimate, therefore, cannot be treated as NI 43-101 current resource verified by a Qualified Person. There can be no assurance that any of the historical resources, in whole or in part, will ever become economically viable. 2 Mineral Resources are not mineral Reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. There is no certainty that all or any part of the mineral Resource will be converted into mineral Reserves. The estimate of mineral resources may be materially affected by environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, sociopolitical, marketing, or other relevant issues. 3 The quantity and grade of reported Inferred resources in this estimation are uncertain in nature and there has been insufficient exploration to define these Inferred resources as an Indicated or Measured mineral resource and it is uncertain if further exploration will result in upgrading them to an Indicated or Measured mineral resource category. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to sell any KORE common shares in the United States. The KORE common shares to be issued in connection with the Transaction have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. Neither 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 Statement Regarding Adjacent Properties and Forward-Looking Information This news release contains forward-looking statements relating to the future operations of the Company and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "will", "may", "should", "anticipate", "expects" and similar expressions. All statements other than statements of historical fact, included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding the future plans and objectives of the Company are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: uncertainties related exploration and development; the ability to raise sufficient capital to fund exploration and development; changes in economic conditions or financial markets; increases in input costs; litigation, legislative, environmental and other judicial, regulatory, political and competitive developments; technological or operational difficulties or inability to obtain permits encountered in connection with exploration activities; and labor relations matters. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect the Company's forward-looking information. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations also include risks detailed from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulations. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company will update or revise publicly any of the included forward-looking statements as expressly required by Canadian securities law. SOURCE Kore Mining Related Links http://www.koremining.com/ AUSTIN, Texas, May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Continental Who's Who is proud to announce that Linda Hanna Lloyd will be a featured author and guest at the Avon Book Fair this upcoming June 12th, 2019. A trailblazing revolutionary author, Linda Hanna Lloyd wrote the captivating The Syrian Peddler, a historical fiction novel which is now available as an audiobook. The piano music between Chapters on the audiobook is also composed and performed by Mrs. Lloyd herself. Linda Hanna Lloyd is well-regarded for her exceptional contributions to the publishing field. Throughout the duration of her career, Mrs. Lloyd has become well versed in handling matters with regards to public health, education and literacy counseling. Mrs. Lloyd's career began as a professor of Health Education at Howard Community College for 11 years, worked for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services where she served as a Health Literacy Expert for the Health Resources and Services Agency, and as an Associate with Health Literacy Innovations. In addition to Mrs. Lloyd's role as an author, she has been a producer and host of the Howard County Maryland Cable Eight Health Forum series, and a winner of several national awards. Early in her career, Mrs. Lloyd attended Carlow College, where she studied Liberal Arts and Sciences. Thereafter, Mrs. Lloyd went on to attain her Bachelor of Science degree in Health Education from Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania, followed by a Master of Education degree in Health Science from Pennsylvania State University. To further advance her professional career, Mrs. Lloyd is a distinguished fellow of several elite organizations including the Texas Writer's League and the National Association of Professional Women. Benevolent to various organizations, Mrs. Lloyd is an avid volunteer of the People's Community Clinic and also participates in Austin Chamber Music Workshops. When she is not working, Mrs. Lloyd enjoys writing, traveling, and playing piano. In recognition of her professional triumphs in the industry, Mrs. Lloyd's poetry has won two awards from the Institute of Creative Research, she was recognized by The Secretary of the US Department of Health and Human Services for outstanding service, and also received an International Community College Teaching Excellence Award from the University of Texas Institute for Staff Development. In looking to the future, Mrs. Lloyd hopes to write a sequel to The Syrian Peddler. Mrs. Lloyd dedicates this recognition to the loving memory of her father, Louis Franklin Hanna. You can listen to a sample of The Syrian Peddler at https://www.audible.com/search?keywords=the+syrian+peddler&ref=a_hp_t1_header_search. For more information, visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/linda-hanna-johnston-lloyd-86549945/ and https://www.amazon.com/Linda-Hanna-Lloyd/e/B06XG6J71G Avon Book Fair will be located in the Avon Public Library at 281 Country Club Road, Avon, CT 06001. Contact: Katherine Green, 516-825-5634, [email protected] SOURCE Continental Who's Who Related Links http://www.continentalwhoswho.com JERSEY CITY, N.J., May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Mack-Cali Realty Corporation (NYSE: CLI) (the "Company") today mailed a letter to its stockholders in connection with the Company's upcoming 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, scheduled for June 12, 2019 (the "Annual Meeting"). Mack-Cali stockholders of record as of the close of business on April 16, 2019 will be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. Bow Street Special Opportunities Fund XV, LP ("Bow Street") and David Werner Real Estate Investments ("DWREI") approached Mack-Cali with a proposal to acquire the Company's suburban and waterfront office assets, hotel joint venture interests and retail assets at a price far below fair market value. The Mack-Cali Board carefully reviewed and considered Bow Street's and DWREI's proposal and unanimously determined that the proposal was grossly inadequate, illusory and unworkable. Now, Bow Street has launched a proxy contest to facilitate its self-interested proposal or, failing that, make a quick profit by forcing a sale of the Company at a "fire sale" price to the detriment of long-term Mack-Cali stockholders. In its proxy materials, Bow Street has omitted important information and included a number of misleading assertions and outright misstatements. Despite Bow Street's attempts to disguise its self-serving agenda, the Company believes that Bow Street's sole objective is to acquire Mack-Cali's premium office assets at a grossly inadequate price. The Mack-Cali Board is open to all alternatives to maximize stockholder value, including a potential strategic transaction. However, the Board believes that it is critically important that Mack-Cali's ongoing asset portfolio transformation be completed in order to position the Company to obtain the maximum value for stockholders in a potential sale or other strategic transaction. The Board urges stockholders to protect the value of their investment and prevent the forced sale of Mack-Cali's high-quality assets at a grossly inadequate price by voting on the WHITE proxy card "FOR" all of Mack-Cali's 11 nominees. Mack-Cali is sending the following letter to stockholders to set the record straight on Bow Street's false statements and misleading assertions: Dear Fellow Stockholders, The Mack-Cali Board of Directors and management team have taken decisive action to transform the Company into a leading office and multifamily residential real estate owner with strong market share in its target markets, and we are laser focused on maximizing stockholder value. The successful execution of our Waterfront Strategy has created a portfolio of high-quality assets that has positioned the Company to continue to create significant value in the near term for stockholders, with a substantial runway for sustainable growth and superior returns. We are seeking your support ahead of the upcoming Annual Meeting of Stockholders on June 12, 2019. Bow Street Special Opportunities Fund XV, LP ("Bow Street") has nominated four directors to stand for election to the Mack-Cali Board at the Annual Meeting. In order to protect the value of your investment and prevent the forced sale of Mack-Cali's high-quality assets at a grossly inadequate price, the Board of Directors recommends that stockholders vote "FOR ALL" of the Company's director nominees on the enclosed WHITE proxy card TODAY. Your vote is important, every vote counts. SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT ON BOW STREET Bow Street is a new Mack-Cali stockholder. In fact, Bow Street only began to accumulate Mack-Cali stock in October 2018 and then approached Mack-Cali in February 2019, together with David Werner Real Estate Investments ("DWREI"), with a proposal to acquire the Company's suburban and waterfront office assets, hotel joint venture interests and retail assets at a price far below fair market value and to effect the spin-off of the Company's residential assets to Mack-Cali stockholders as a newly formed, publicly-traded REIT. Following the Board's careful review and consideration, and subsequent unanimous determination that Bow Street's and DWREI's proposal was grossly inadequate, illusory and unworkable, Bow Street launched its proxy contest. We believe that Bow Street's proxy materials omit important information and include misleading details and outright misstatements, all designed to conceal the simple truth that Bow Street has launched its proxy contest for a single purpose: to facilitate its self-interested proposal to acquire Mack-Cali's premium office assets at a lowball price or, failing that, make a quick profit by forcing a sale of the Company at a "fire sale" price. For that reason, we want to set the record straight on Bow Street. Bow Street's Sole Objective Is to Acquire Mack-Cali's Premium Office Assets at a Lowball Price or Force a "Fire Sale" of the Company We are not opposed to a sale, only a steal. The Mack-Cali Board is open to all opportunities to maximize stockholder value, including through the potential sale of the Company or certain of its assets. The Board is not open, however, to transactions such as the one proposed by Bow Street and DWREI, which would shortchange Mack-Cali stockholders and prevent them from realizing the full value potential of the Company's ongoing asset portfolio transformation and the successful execution of our Waterfront Strategy. In its proxy materials, Bow Street falsely claimed that the Board hastily rejected Bow Street's and DWREI's proposal, without giving it due consideration or trying to clarify the details of the proposed transaction. In fact, the Board carefully reviewed and considered the proposal, in consultation with its financial and legal advisors, before unanimously determining that the proposal is grossly inadequate, illusory in nature and unworkable. In particular, the Board concluded that the proposal grossly undervalues Mack-Cali's core office portfolio. Bow Street's and DWREI's proposed cash purchase price of $2.4 billion to $2.6 billion for Mack-Cali's suburban and waterfront office assets, hotel joint venture interests and retail assets implies a gross asset valuation of approximately $2.0 billion for the Company's core office portfolio, which is significantly lower than management's estimate of approximately $3.0 billion (as of March 31, 2019), which has been confirmed by an independent valuation recently performed by Holliday, Fenoglio Fowler, L.P. ("HFF"), a leading consultant and provider of capital markets transaction services to the commercial real estate industry. We also believe that the proposal significantly overstates the value of the consideration that stockholders would receive in the proposed transaction. While Bow Street and DWREI claim that the stock of the new residential company that would be distributed to Mack-Cali stockholders in the proposed transaction would trade near or at net asset value ("NAV"), we believe that these trading levels are completely unrealistic for a small-cap, highly leveraged company having substantial development exposure and a joint venture investor (Rockpoint Group) with significant rights. Additionally, we believe that the new residential company's significant cash flow constraints would limit its ability to pay meaningful cash dividends thus further impairing the likelihood of achieving an attractive market valuation. Moreover, while Bow Street and DWREI claim that Mack-Cali stockholders would receive $8 to $10 per share in cash net of transaction costs, they have failed to demonstrate that they have the ability to finance the proposed transaction and related material costs and expenses, including the tax exposure in excess of $400 million that the Company believes would be associated with the proposed transaction. Accordingly, the Mack-Cali Board concluded that the proposed transaction is unlikely to deliver aggregate consideration to stockholders that would be anywhere near the hypothetical value of up to $27 to $29 per share the activists have suggested. In fact, in its own proxy statement, Bow Street expressly acknowledges that there can be no assurance that the new residential company would trade at the levels indicated by Bow Street nor that the total consideration would have an immediate value of $27-$29 per share.1 Further, contrary to Bow Street's misleading assertions, members of the Board and the Company's management team met with Bow Street's and DWREI's representatives on several occasions in an effort to clarify the terms of the proposed transaction. However, during these discussions, Bow Street and DWREI failed to provide any information that would change the Board's conclusion that the proposed transaction lacks financing, grossly undervalues Mack-Cali's core office portfolio, and would not deliver stockholder value anywhere near the value indicated by Bow Street. Bow Street's New Focus on an Immediate Sale Process Is an Attempt to Disguise Its Self-Serving Objectives Bow Street's True Objective Is to Make a Quick Profit. In its May 1, 2019 letter to stockholders, Bow Street claims that its objective is to ensure that the Company is sold "to the highest bidder in a robust, transparent auction process."2 Notably, unlike in its previous stockholder communications, Bow Street no longer focuses on the "benefits" of its own proposal to Mack-Cali stockholders, but rather urges the Board to immediately announce a process to explore all strategic alternatives. In our view, this change in strategy is an attempt by Bow Street to shift investor and media attention away from its self-serving proposal which has received mostly unfavorable analyst coverage and portray themselves as stockholder value champions. We urge stockholders not to be fooled by this "bait and switch" approach, which is designed to create the false impression that Bow Street's interests are aligned with those of other Mack-Cali stockholders. In reality, we believe that if Bow Street is unable to compel Mack-Cali to pursue its grossly inadequate proposal, it intends to force a "fire sale" of the Company before full value can be unlocked through the continued successful execution of our Waterfront Strategy, at a price that would allow Bow Street, as a new stockholder, to realize a quick profit on its investment in the Company, to the detriment of long-term investors. Bow Street Is Looking to "Greenmail" Mack-Cali. In its proxy materials, Bow Street makes numerous statements about launching its proxy contest to maximize value for all Mack-Cali stockholders. Bow Street also describes the Company's good faith offer to add two Bow Street's nominees to the Board in order to avoid a costly and distracting proxy contest as an attempt to purchase its "silence."3 However, Bow Street's proxy materials fail to disclose that, at a meeting with Messrs. Mack and DeMarco on March 27, 2019, Bow Street's and DWREI's representatives indicated that Bow Street would be willing to withdraw its director nominations if the Company agreed to sell certain of its office properties to Bow Street and DWREI at a "wholesale" price. In our view, this further demonstrates that Bow Street's true objective is to make a quick profit, at the expense of all other Mack-Cali stockholders. Bow Street's Claims That the Mack-Cali Board Has Rejected Numerous Offers Are Outright Misstatements. Bow Street has also falsely claimed in its proxy materials, citing unsubstantiated media reports, that the Mack-Cali Board is unwilling to entertain any acquisition proposals and has received and rejected "numerous" offers.4 Contrary to Bow Street's outright misstatements and the inaccurate media reports, to date, Mack-Cali has not received or rejected any acquisition proposals, other than Bow Street's grossly inadequate, illusory and unworkable proposal and a similar impractical indication of interest received from Murray Kushner in February 2019. We believe that Bow Street's false statements are nothing more than an attempt to disparage Mack-Cali's Board and shift investor and media attention away from Bow Street's self-serving objectives. COMPLETING THE TRANSFORMATION OF MACK-CALI'S ASSET PORTFOLIO AND CONTINUING TO EXECUTE OUR WATERFRONT STRATEGY IS THE BEST WAY TO MAXIMIZE STOCKHOLDER VALUE AT THIS TIME While the Mack-Cali Board is open-minded and considers all available alternatives for maximizing stockholder value, including a potential sale of the Company, it does not believe that now is the right time for the Company to pursue a strategic transaction. The Company's continuing successful execution of its Waterfront Strategy has positioned Mack-Cali to accelerate earnings growth and narrow the gap between its NAV and stock price, which we expect to unlock significant value in the near term for stockholders. The Board believes that it is critically important that this ongoing asset portfolio transformation be completed in order to position the Company to obtain the maximum value for stockholders in a potential sale or other strategic transaction. The key remaining elements of a successful, fully executed asset portfolio transformation include the following: Waterfront Leasing. To execute leases with quality tenants on over 1.0 million square feet of currently vacant office space. Multifamily Lease-Up and In-Construction Portfolios. To achieve economic stabilization of 1,212 apartment units delivered in 2018; to complete and stabilize active construction projects comprised of 1,947 apartment units and 372 hotel keys. Suburban Office. To selectively and strategically crystalize value of Mack- Cali's remaining suburban holdings. Corporate Objectives. To continue rebuilding operational excellence and efficiencies with related right-sizing of the transformed Company; to improve the Company's balance sheet with a focus on repaying unsecured loans and reducing net debt ratios. The Board believes that a strategic process commenced prior to the successful completion of the Company's ongoing asset portfolio transformation would not result in a transaction in which Mack-Cali stockholders would receive an attractive price for their shares. Moreover, the Board believes that a failed sale process would seriously harm Mack-Cali's business, including by causing significant management distraction and disrupting the Company's relationships with its key employees, vendors and business partners, including leasing brokers, which could have a significant adverse impact on the Company's leasing program. For these reasons, the Board believes that engaging in a sale or other strategic transaction at this time would be premature and would deprive all Mack-Cali stockholders of the opportunity to realize the full value of their investment. We are confident that continuing to advance the Company's Waterfront Strategy is the best way to maximize value for all stockholders at this time. PROTECT THE VALUE OF YOUR INVESTMENT VOTE ON THE WHITE PROXY CARD NOW We do not endorse Bow Street's candidates because we believe that their intent, if elected, is to advance Bow Street's and DWREI's self-interested, opportunistic agenda. Accordingly, we urge you to discard any gold proxy card you may receive from Bow Street. We believe it is clear that Bow Street's true objective remains to facilitate its self-interested proposal to acquire Mack-Cali's premium office assets at a grossly inadequate, lowball price and to capture for themselves the value Mack-Cali is creating through its portfolio transformation and Waterfront Strategy, leaving all other stockholders "holding the bag." We have created a leading asset portfolio, and are confident that we are poised to realize that value for your benefit in the near-term. The Board is confident that continuing to execute on its strategic plan is the best way to maximize stockholder value at this time. Mack-Cali strongly recommends that stockholders vote to support the Mack-Cali Board and protect the value of their investment by voting on the WHITE proxy card "FOR" all of Mack-Cali's 11 nominees. Thank you for your investment and continuing support. Sincerely, Mack-Cali Board of Directors Your Vote Is Important, No Matter How Many or How Few Shares You Own You can vote by Internet, telephone or by signing and dating the WHITE proxy card and mailing it in the envelope provided. If you have any questions about how to vote your shares, or need additional assistance, please contact: Mackenzie Partners, Inc. 1407 Broadway New York, New York 10018 [email protected] Call Collect: (212) 929-5500 or Toll-Free (800) 322-2885 REMEMBER: We urge you NOT to vote using any Gold proxy card sent to you by Bow Street, as doing so will revoke your vote on the WHITE proxy card. About Mack-Cali Realty Corporation One of the country's leading real estate investment trusts (REITs), Mack-Cali Realty Corporation is an owner, manager and developer of premier office and multifamily properties in select waterfront and transit-oriented markets throughout New Jersey. Mack-Cali is headquartered in Jersey City, New Jersey, and is the visionary behind the city's flourishing waterfront, where the company is leading development, improvement and place-making initiatives for Harborside, a master-planned destination comprised of class A office, luxury apartments, diverse retail and restaurants, and public spaces. A fully-integrated and self-managed company, Mack-Cali has provided world-class management, leasing, and development services throughout New Jersey and the surrounding region for two decades. By regularly investing in its properties and innovative lifestyle amenity packages, Mack-Cali creates environments that empower tenants and residents to reimagine the way they work and live. For more information on Mack-Cali Realty Corporation and its properties, visit www.mack-cali.com. Forward-Looking Statements Statements made in this press release may be forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "may," "will," "plan," "potential," "projected," "should," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "target," "continue," or comparable terminology. Such forward-looking statements are inherently subject to certain risks, trends and uncertainties, many of which the Company cannot predict with accuracy and some of which the Company might not even anticipate and involve factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or suggested. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements and are advised to consider the factors listed above together with the additional factors under the heading "Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" and "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, as may be supplemented or amended by the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, which are incorporated herein by reference. The Company assumes no obligation to update or supplement forward-looking statements that become untrue because of subsequent events, new information or otherwise, except as required under applicable law. Important Additional Information and Where to Find It This press release may be deemed to contain solicitation material in respect to the solicitation of proxies from the Company's stockholders in connection with the 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the "Annual Meeting"). The Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and mailed to its stockholders a definitive proxy statement and accompanying WHITE proxy card in connection with the Annual Meeting. The definitive proxy statement contains important information about the Company, the Annual Meeting and related matters. Stockholders may obtain a free copy of the definitive proxy statement and other documents that the Company files with the SEC on the SEC's website, at www.sec.gov. INVESTORS AND STOCKHOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT, THE ACCOMPANYING WHITE PROXY CARD AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT SOLICITATION MATERIALS BECAUSE THESE DOCUMENTS CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Certain Information Regarding Participants Mack-Cali, its directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the Company's stockholders in connection with the Annual Meeting. Information regarding the names of the Company's directors and executive officers and their respective interests in the Company is set forth in the definitive proxy statement and other relevant solicitation materials filed by the Company. These documents, and any and all other documents filed by the Company with the SEC, may be obtained by investors and stockholders free of charge on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Copies are available at no charge on the Company's website at https://www.mack-cali.com. Contacts: David Smetana Mack-Cali Realty Corporation Chief Financial Officer (732) 590-1035 [email protected] Deidre Crockett Mack-Cali Realty Corporation Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications and Investor Relations (732) 590-1025 [email protected] Proxy Solicitor: Lawrence E. Dennedy MacKenzie Partners, Inc. (212) 929-5500 [email protected] Media Contacts: Andrew Siegel / Viveca Tress Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher (212) 355-4449 1 Footnote 2 on page 2 of Bow Street's definitive proxy statement filed on May 1, 2019. 2 Bow Street's letter to stockholders dated May 1, 2019, page 2. 3 Bow Street's letter to stockholders dated May 1, 2019, page 3. 4 Bow Street's letter to stockholders dated May 1, 2019, page 3. SOURCE Mack-Cali Realty Corporation LONDON, May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The Makor Group ("Makor"), an international agency brokerage group trading cash equities, fixed income, FX and derivative products, announced today that Steven Horkulak has been appointed Chief Operating Officer of Makor Securities London Ltd and Todd Foreman has been appointed Chief Legal Officer of Makor Group. The two senior hires reflect Group's ongoing growth. Horkulak, 55, will report to Makor Group founders Michael Halimi and Avi Bouhadana and will be based in London. He has served as an executive officer in the interdealer broker industry for over 20 years and brings with him extensive UK and European business and regulatory expertise. Horkulak was previously a colleague with Mr. Halimi at Cantor Fitzgerald. Horkulak said, "I've watched Michael [Halimi] and Avi [Bouhadana] build a fantastic institutional business from the ground up. I'm delighted to be joining such a dynamic company during its expansion." Foreman, 45, will report to the Makor Group Board of Directors and will be based in London. He has over 18 years' experience as a New York and English qualified lawyer, including private practice experience at leading international law firms White & Case and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, and in-house experience at Deutsche Bank, Societe Generale, JP Morgan and Barclays. He brings expertise in US, English and European securities law, finance and regulatory matters. Foreman holds a B.A. in French and political science from Grinnell College, a J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School and an LL.M. in Banking and Finance law from King's College, London. Foreman said, "With its track record, global operations and ongoing expansion, it's an exciting time to join Makor. I'm looking forward to working closely with Makor's leadership to build a top quality in-house legal function as the Group grows." Mr Bouhadana said, "I am pleased to welcome Steven and Todd at Makor family. I have no doubt that they will take us to a new level of professionalism. With their experience and our entrepreneurial spirit, I am absolutely convinced that Makor will reach a new level of excellence." Mr Halimi said, "I am very excited to work again with Steven Horkulak after so many years. His expertise in our products and markets is a great compliment to our existing business, and I am sure he will be able to help us build on our success." Notes to editors: About Makor (www.makor-capital.com) The Makor Group is an international brokerage firm established in March 2011 by Michael Halimi and Avi Bouhadana, two ex-senior managers at Cantor Fitzgerald Europe. Makor is authorized and regulated by the FCA and Makor's core business is to provide financial securities research and execution to institutional investors across a spectrum of products including Cash Equities, Fixed Income securities, Derivatives and FX. With offices in New York, Chicago, London, Paris, Geneva, Gibraltar, Tel Aviv and Singapore, and over 120 group employees, Makor offers its clients 24-hour global trading providing a single point of contact for more than 90 execution venues in cash equities only. Makor provides its clients with original and innovative trading ideas specializing in risk arbitrage, special situations, relative value and event-driven opportunities for clients and regularly ranks in the Top 3 of the Thomson Reuters EXTEL risk-arb research surveys. Makor acts only as an agent and is therefore not susceptible to the various conflicts in the industry. Makor takes no proprietary positions and as such acts wholly and exclusively for the benefit of the client. Makor's understanding of local markets and extensive client relationships built over 30 years industry experience, allows it to tap into local institutional portfolios in order to maximize liquidity for clients. Besides the client relationships Makor has strong relationships with global custodians and prime brokers. These international custodians, which provide essential services across all asset classes, are the oil that keeps the trading engine running smoothly. Prime brokerage services including custody and trade settlement are as important to the clients as the execution itself and in some cases even more important. Settlement of trading activity needs to be timely and problem free. SOURCE Makor Group Related Links http://www.makor-capital.com STAINES-UPON-THAMES, United Kingdom, May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Mallinckrodt plc (NYSE: MNK), a leading global specialty pharmaceutical company, today reported results for the three months ended March 29, 2019. Unless otherwise noted, the quarter comparisons are to the recast prior year comparable three months ended March 30, 2018. Net sales were $790.6 million in the quarter as compared to $755.3 million, up 4.7%, or 5.0% on a constant-currency basis. Diluted income per share from continuing operations was $1.83 compared with a diluted loss per share of $0.24. Adjusted diluted earnings per share were $1.94 versus $1.62, an increase of 19.8%. "We have started 2019 with continued strong operational execution, achieving robust top- and bottom-line growth, and resulting in significant cash generation as we continue to transform our company. The hospital portfolio continued its positive momentum, and as anticipated we saw the return to growth reported for the Specialty Generics products," said Mark Trudeau, President and Chief Executive Officer of Mallinckrodt. "We are very pleased with the overall progression of our pipeline and data generation efforts, a number of which were highlighted in recent announcements. We are also excited to share results from the Acthar Phase 4 rheumatoid arthritis clinical trial next month, and look forward to the Phase 3 pivotal trial results for our StrataGraft regenerative skin tissue and terlipressin investigational products later this year." Trudeau continued, "As previously announced, our 2019 strategic priorities include (1) maximizing the value of the diversified, inline portfolio; (2) advancing further data generation and the pipeline; (3) completing the separation of the Specialty Generics and Amitiza segment; and (4) executing disciplined capital allocation, with net debt reduction a primary focus. Strong progress has been made on each of these fronts in the quarter." Gross profit was $335.1 million with gross profit as a percentage of net sales of 42.4%, compared with 46.0%. Adjusted gross profit was $566.3 million, compared with $540.8 million, with adjusted gross profit as a percentage of net sales of 71.6% in both periods. Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses were $230.2 million or 29.1% of net sales, as compared to $211.2 million, or 28.0%, while adjusted SG&A expenses were $211.4 million or 26.7% of net sales, compared with $207.9 million or 27.5%. Both SG&A and adjusted SG&A expenses increased due to legal expenses, partially offset by focus on SG&A reduction including benefits from restructuring and acquisition synergies. Research and development expenses were $85.3 million or 10.8% of net sales, as compared to $82.0 million or 10.9%, as the company continued to invest in its innovative pipeline and in-line portfolio data generation. Income tax benefit was $204.7 million, for an effective tax rate of 413.5%. The adjusted effective tax rate was 16.0%. BUSINESS SEGMENT RESULTS Specialty Brands Segment Net sales for the segment in the first quarter 2019 were $547.3 million. Acthar Gel net sales were $223.9 million , an 8.2% decrease, primarily driven by the annual benefit reset process impacting returning patients while navigating continued payer scrutiny on overall specialty pharmaceutical spending. The company continues to expect the product to exceed $1 billion in net sales for 2019. Gel net sales were , an 8.2% decrease, primarily driven by the annual benefit reset process impacting returning patients while navigating continued payer scrutiny on overall specialty pharmaceutical spending. The company continues to expect the product to exceed in net sales for 2019. INOMAX (nitric oxide) gas, for inhalation, net sales were $151.1 million , up 8.1% due to continued, consistent demand and contract renewals fueled by the product's differentiated total service model. (nitric oxide) gas, for inhalation, net sales were , up 8.1% due to continued, consistent demand and contract renewals fueled by the product's differentiated total service model. OFIRMEV (acetaminophen) injection net sales were $95.6 million , an increase of 16.6%, benefiting from continued strong demand and order timing. (acetaminophen) injection net sales were , an increase of 16.6%, benefiting from continued strong demand and order timing. Therakos immunology platform net sales were $61.8 million , an increase of 7.7%, or 9.9% on a constant-currency basis, on growth in the U.S. in Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma, and internationally, including in acute Graft-versus-Host-Disease. Specialty Generics and Amitiza Segment The segment reported net sales in the first quarter 2019 of $243.3 million, an increase of 17.6%, or 17.7% on a constant currency basis. Amitiza (lubiprostone) generated net sales of $53.0 million, and the specialty generics products net sales returned to growth with $190.3 million, an increase of 3.5% driven by continued finished dose generics share recapture. LIQUIDITY Cash provided by operating activities in the quarter was $164.5 million and free cash flow of $124.7 million, allowing for a reduction of debt of $263.5 million in the quarter. Significant progress continues towards the goal of reducing net debt by more than $1 billion following the planned separation of the Specialty Generics and Amitiza segment, including use of free cash flow generation and separation proceeds. Subsequent to the quarter close, the company has purchased $28.1 million in face value of fixed rate notes, and the current cash balance is in excess of $300 million. 2019 FINANCIAL GUIDANCE UPDATE Based on the growth in hospital products and that reported for the Specialty Generics products, and the execution of its capital allocation strategy to reduce debt and thereby interest expense, Mallinckrodt is updating guidance for the 2019 fiscal year including raising adjusted diluted earnings per share guidance. The guidance below, unless indicated, is on a total company basis. Metric (excluding foreign currency impact) 2019 Guidance (original) 2019 Guidance (updated) Total net sales for Specialty Brands segment Increase 1% to 4% Increase 1% to 4% Total net sales for Specialty Generics and Amitiza segment Increase 1% to 4% Increase 2% to 5% Net interest expense $320 million to $350 million $300 million to $330 million Adjusted effective tax rate 14% to 16% 14% to 16% Adjusted diluted EPS $8.10 to $8.40 $8.30 to $8.60 CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST Mallinckrodt will hold a conference call on Tuesday, May 7, 2019, beginning at 8:30 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time. This call can be accessed in three ways: At the Mallinckrodt website: http://www.mallinckrodt.com/investors . website: . By telephone: For both listen-only participants and those who wish to take part in the question-and-answer portion of the call, the telephone dial-in number in the U.S. is (877) 359-9508. For participants outside the U.S., the dial-in number is (224) 357-2393. Callers will need to provide the Conference ID of 9885338. Through an audio replay: A replay of the call will be available beginning at 11:30 a.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday , May 7, 2019, and ending at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday , May 21, 2019. Dial-in numbers for U.S.-based participants are (855) 859-2056 or (800) 585-8367. Participants outside the U.S. should use the replay dial-in number of (404) 537-3406. All callers will be required to provide the Conference ID of 9885338. ABOUT MALLINCKRODT Mallinckrodt is a global business consisting of multiple wholly owned subsidiaries that develop, manufacture, market and distribute specialty pharmaceutical products and therapies. The company's Specialty Brands reportable segment's areas of focus include autoimmune and rare diseases in specialty areas like neurology, rheumatology, nephrology, pulmonology and ophthalmology; immunotherapy and neonatal respiratory critical care therapies; and analgesics. Its Specialty Generics and Amitiza reportable segment includes specialty generic drugs, active pharmaceutical ingredients and AMITIZA (lubiprostone). To learn more about Mallinckrodt, visit www.mallinckrodt.com . Mallinckrodt uses its website as a channel of distribution of important company information, such as press releases, investor presentations and other financial information. It also uses its website to expedite public access to time-critical information regarding the company in advance of or in lieu of distributing a press release or a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) disclosing the same information. Therefore, investors should look to the Investor Relations page of the website for important and time-critical information. Visitors to the website can also register to receive automatic e-mail and other notifications alerting them when new information is made available on the Investor Relations page of the website. NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES This press release contains financial measures, including adjusted net income, adjusted diluted earnings per share, adjusted gross profit, adjusted SG&A, net sales growth on a constant-currency basis, adjusted effective tax rate, net debt and free cash flow, which are considered "non-GAAP" financial measures under applicable SEC rules and regulations. Adjusted net income, adjusted gross profit and adjusted SG&A represent amounts prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (GAAP) and adjusted for certain items that management believes are not reflective of the operational performance of the business. The adjustments for these items are on a pre-tax basis for adjusted gross profit and adjusted SG&A and on an after-tax basis for adjusted net income. Adjustments to GAAP amounts include, as applicable to each measure, amortization; restructuring and related charges, net; inventory step-up expenses; discontinued operations; changes in fair value of contingent consideration obligations; acquisition-related expenses; losses/gains on repurchase of debt; separation costs; tax effects of aforementioned adjustments as well as impacts from certain transactions, such as acquisitions or reorganizations; and other items identified by the company. Adjusted diluted earnings per share represent adjusted net income divided by the number of diluted shares. The adjusted effective tax rate is calculated as the income tax effects on continuing and discontinued operations plus the income tax impact included in Mallinckrodt's reconciliation of net income, divided by income from continuing and discontinued operations plus the pre-tax, non-income, tax-related adjustments included in its reconciliation of adjusted net income (excluding dilutive share impact). The income tax adjustment included in the reconciliation of adjusted net income primarily represents the tax impact of adjustments between net income and adjusted net income as well as tax impacts from certain transactions, such as acquisitions or reorganizations. Net sales growth on a constant-currency basis measures the change in net sales between current- and prior-year periods using a constant currency, the exchange rate in effect during the applicable prior-year period. Free cash flow for the first quarter represents net cash provided by operating activities $164.5 million less capital expenditures of $39.8 million, each as prepared in accordance with GAAP. The company has provided these adjusted financial measures because they are used by management, along with financial measures in accordance with GAAP, to evaluate the company's operating performance. In addition, the company believes that they will be used by certain investors to measure Mallinckrodt's operating results. Management believes that presenting these adjusted measures provides useful information about the company's performance across reporting periods on a consistent basis by excluding items that the company does not believe are indicative of its core operating performance. These adjusted measures should be considered supplemental to and not a substitute for financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP. The company's definition of these adjusted measures may differ from similarly titled measures used by others. Because adjusted financial measures exclude the effect of items that will increase or decrease the company's reported results of operations, management strongly encourages investors to review the company's consolidated financial statements and publicly filed reports in their entirety. A reconciliation of certain of these historical adjusted financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures is included in the tables accompanying this release. Guidance on the company's 2019 diluted earnings per share and effective tax rate has been provided only on a non-GAAP basis. This is due to the inherent difficulty of forecasting the timing or amount of items that would be included in the most directly comparable forward-looking GAAP financial measures. Because reconciliation is not available without unreasonable effort, it is not included in this release. Further information regarding non-GAAP financial measures can be found on the Investor Relations page of the company's website. CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS RELATED TO FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS Statements in this document that are not strictly historical, including statements regarding future financial condition and operating results, economic, business, competitive and/or regulatory factors affecting Mallinckrodt's businesses and any other statements regarding events or developments the company believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future, may be "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. There are a number of important factors that could cause actual events to differ materially from those suggested or indicated by such forward-looking statements and you should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. These factors include risks and uncertainties related to, among other things: general economic conditions and conditions affecting the industries in which Mallinckrodt operates; the commercial success of Mallinckrodt's products; Mallinckrodt's ability to realize anticipated growth, synergies and cost savings from acquisitions; conditions that could necessitate an evaluation of Mallinckrodt's goodwill and/or intangible assets for possible impairment; changes in laws and regulations; Mallinckrodt's ability to successfully integrate acquisitions of operations, technology, products and businesses generally and to realize anticipated growth, synergies and cost savings; Mallinckrodt's and Mallinckrodt's licensers' ability to successfully develop or commercialize new products; Mallinckrodt's and Mallinckrodt's licensers' ability to protect intellectual property rights; Mallinckrodt's ability to receive procurement and production quotas granted by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; customer concentration; Mallinckrodt's reliance on certain individual products that are material to its financial performance; cost containment efforts of customers, purchasing groups, third-party payers and governmental organizations; the reimbursement practices of a small number of public or private insurers; pricing pressure on certain of Mallinckrodt's products due to legal changes or changes in insurers' reimbursement practices resulting from recent increased public scrutiny of healthcare and pharmaceutical costs; limited clinical trial data for Acthar Gel; complex reporting and payment obligations under healthcare rebate programs; Mallinckrodt's ability to navigate price fluctuations; future changes to U.S. and foreign tax laws; Mallinckrodt's ability to achieve expected benefits from restructuring activities; complex manufacturing processes; competition; product liability losses and other litigation liability; ongoing governmental investigations; material health, safety and environmental liabilities; retention of key personnel; conducting business internationally; the effectiveness of information technology infrastructure; and cybersecurity and data leakage risks. These and other factors are identified and described in more detail in the "Risk Factors" section of Mallinckrodt's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2018. The forward-looking statements made herein speak only as of the date hereof and Mallinckrodt does not assume any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events and developments or otherwise, except as required by law. CONTACTS Investor Relations Daniel J. Speciale, CPA Vice President, Investor Relations and IRO 314-654-3638 [email protected] Media Daniel Yunger Kekst CNC 212-521-4879 [email protected] Mallinckrodt, the "M" brand mark and the Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals logo are trademarks of a Mallinckrodt company. Other brands are trademarks of a Mallinckrodt company or their respective owners. 2019 05/19 MALLINCKRODT PLC CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (unaudited, in millions, except per share data) Three Months Ended March 29, 2019 Percent of Net sales March 30, 2018 Percent of Net sales Net sales $ 790.6 100.0 % $ 755.3 100.0 % Cost of sales 455.5 57.6 407.8 54.0 Gross profit 335.1 42.4 347.5 46.0 Selling, general and administrative expenses 230.2 29.1 211.2 28.0 Research and development expenses 85.3 10.8 82.0 10.9 Restructuring charges, net 4.2 0.5 28.2 3.7 Operating income 15.4 1.9 26.1 3.5 Interest expense (82.7) (10.5) (91.4) (12.1) Interest income 1.5 0.2 3.2 0.4 Other income, net 16.3 2.1 4.6 0.6 Loss from continuing operations before income taxes (49.5) (6.3) (57.5) (7.6) Income tax benefit (204.7) (25.9) (36.6) (4.8) Income (loss) from continuing operations 155.2 19.6 (20.9) (2.8) (Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes (0.3) 2.9 0.4 Net income (loss) $ 154.9 19.6 % $ (18.0) (2.4) % Basic earnings per share: Income (loss) from continuing operations $ 1.86 $ (0.24) Income from discontinued operations 0.03 Net income (loss) 1.86 (0.21) Basic weighted-average shares outstanding 83.5 86.1 Diluted earnings per share: Income (loss) from continuing operations $ 1.83 $ (0.24) Income from discontinued operations 0.03 Net income (loss) 1.83 (0.21) Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding 84.6 86.1 MALLINCKRODT PLC NON-GAAP MEASURES (unaudited, in millions except per share data) Three Months Ended March 29, 2019 March 30, 2018 Gross profit SG&A Net income Diluted net income per share Gross profit SG&A Net (loss) income Diluted net (loss) income per share (3) GAAP $ 335.1 $ 230.2 $ 154.9 $ 1.83 $ 347.5 $ 211.2 $ (18.0) $ (0.21) Adjustments: Intangible asset amortization 221.2 (1.6) 222.8 2.63 176.3 (1.7) 178.0 2.06 Restructuring and related charges, net 4.2 0.05 28.2 0.33 Inventory step-up expense 10.0 10.0 0.12 17.0 17.0 0.20 (Loss) income from discontinued operations 0.3 (2.9) (0.03) Change in contingent consideration fair value (5.5) 5.5 0.07 1.6 (1.6) (0.02) Acquisition-related expenses (3.2) 3.2 0.04 Gain on repurchase of debt (14.9) (0.18) (6.5) (0.08) Write off of unamortized debt discount and fees 5.9 0.07 Separation costs (11.7) 11.7 0.14 Legal entity and intercompany financing reorganization (1) (192.8) (2.28) Income taxes (2) (43.2) (0.51) (57.5) (0.67) As adjusted $ 566.3 $ 211.4 $ 164.4 $ 1.94 $ 540.8 $ 207.9 $ 139.9 $ 1.62 Percent of net sales 71.6 % 26.7 % 20.8 % 71.6 % 27.5 % 18.5 % ____________________________ (1) Represents the incremental tax effect associated with the intercompany financing and associated legal entity ownership reorganization completed during the three months ended March 29, 2019. (2) Includes tax effects of above adjustments (unless otherwise separately stated), as well as certain installment sale transactions and other intercompany transactions. (3) In periods where losses are incurred, potential ordinary shares outstanding are excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share, prepared in accordance with GAAP, as they would be anti-dilutive. These potentially dilutive shares are included in the calculation of adjusted diluted earnings per share when dilutive. As a result, the adjusted diluted earnings per share utilized a weighted average share count of 86.3 shares for the three months ended March 30, 2018. MALLINCKRODT PLC SEGMENT NET SALES AND CONSTANT-CURRENCY GROWTH (unaudited, in millions) Three Months Ended March 29, 2019 March 30, 2018 Percent change Currency impact Constant- currency growth Specialty Brands $ 547.3 $ 548.4 (0.2) % (0.4) % 0.2 % Specialty Generics and Amitiza (1) 243.3 206.9 17.6 (0.1) 17.7 Net sales $ 790.6 $ 755.3 4.7 % (0.3) % 5.0 % (1) Includes net sales from an ongoing, post-divestiture supply agreement with the acquirer of the contrast media and delivery systems ("CMDS") business. MALLINCKRODT PLC SELECT PRODUCT LINE NET SALES AND CONSTANT-CURRENCY GROWTH (unaudited, in millions) Three Months Ended March 29, 2019 March 30, 2018 Percent change Currency impact Constant- currency growth Specialty Brands Acthar Gel $ 223.9 $ 243.8 (8.2) % % (8.2) % Inomax 151.1 139.8 8.1 (0.1) 8.2 Ofirmev 95.6 82.0 16.6 16.6 Therakos 61.8 57.4 7.7 (2.2) 9.9 BioVectra 12.4 10.5 18.1 (5.3) 23.4 Other 2.5 14.9 (83.2) (0.7) (82.5) Specialty Brands Total $ 547.3 $ 548.4 (0.2) % (0.4) % 0.2 % Specialty Generics and Amitiza Hydrocodone (API) and hydrocodone-containing tablets $ 17.4 $ 13.9 25.2 % % 25.2 % Oxycodone (API) and oxycodone-containing tablets(1) 16.5 16.6 (0.6) (0.6) Acetaminophen (API) (1) 46.2 49.4 (6.5) (6.5) Amitiza 53.0 23.0 130.4 130.4 Other controlled substances (1) 94.2 89.0 5.8 (0.2) 6.0 Other (1) 16.0 15.0 6.7 6.7 Specialty Generics and Amitiza Total $ 243.3 $ 206.9 17.6 % (0.1) % 17.7 % (1) Prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to current period presentation. MALLINCKRODT PLC CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited, in millions) March 29, 2019 December 28, 2018 Assets Current Assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 225.8 $ 348.9 Accounts receivable, net 575.9 623.3 Inventories 319.7 322.3 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 120.1 132.7 Total current assets 1,241.5 1,427.2 Property, plant and equipment, net 977.0 982.0 Intangible assets, net 8,060.2 8,282.8 Other assets 276.8 185.3 Total Assets $ 10,555.5 $ 10,877.3 Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity Current Liabilities: Current maturities of long-term debt $ 19.8 $ 22.4 Accounts payable 132.6 147.5 Accrued payroll and payroll-related costs 60.8 124.0 Accrued interest 72.4 77.6 Income taxes payable 7.7 25.0 Accrued and other current liabilities 560.7 547.2 Total current liabilities 854.0 943.7 Long-term debt 5,817.6 6,069.2 Pension and postretirement benefits 59.7 60.5 Environmental liabilities 59.6 59.7 Deferred income taxes 81.1 324.3 Other income tax liabilities 262.8 228.0 Other liabilities 366.8 304.6 Total Liabilities 7,501.6 7,990.0 Shareholders' Equity: Preferred shares Ordinary shares 18.6 18.5 Ordinary shares held in treasury at cost (1,617.0) (1,617.4) Additional paid-in capital 5,538.5 5,528.2 Accumulated Deficit (863.7) (1,017.7) Accumulated other comprehensive loss (22.5) (24.3) Total Shareholders' Equity 3,053.9 2,887.3 Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity $ 10,555.5 $ 10,877.3 MALLINCKRODT PLC CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (unaudited, in millions) Three Months Ended March 29, 2019 March 30, 2018 Cash Flows From Operating Activities: Net income (loss) $ 154.9 $ (18.0) Adjustments to reconcile net cash from operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 247.6 198.6 Share-based compensation 10.0 4.6 Deferred income taxes (243.2) (47.8) Other non-cash items 2.6 0.5 Changes in assets and liabilities, net of the effects of acquisitions: Accounts receivable, net 48.7 (22.4) Inventories (0.7) (7.8) Accounts payable (7.1) 19.1 Income taxes 19.8 (2.9) Other (68.1) (106.1) Net cash from operating activities 164.5 17.8 Cash Flows From Investing Activities: Capital expenditures (39.8) (34.3) Acquisitions, net of cash (699.9) Proceeds from divestiture, net of cash 298.3 Other 0.4 8.3 Net cash from investing activities (39.4) (427.6) Cash Flows From Financing Activities: Issuance of external debt 200.0 626.8 Repayment of external debt (448.7) (902.2) Debt financing costs (12.0) Proceeds from exercise of share options 0.3 Repurchase of shares (0.5) (46.6) Other 0.5 (4.8) Net cash from financing activities (248.4) (338.8) Effect of currency rate changes on cash 0.3 (0.3) Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash (123.0) (748.9) Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period 367.5 1,279.1 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period $ 244.5 $ 530.2 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 225.8 $ 511.9 Restricted cash included in other assets at end of period 18.7 18.3 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period $ 244.5 $ 530.2 SOURCE Mallinckrodt plc Related Links http://www.mallinckrodt.com Best Places to Work aims to identify the top workplaces in Tampa Bay based on employee feedback. Employees of all the nominated organizations were anonymously surveyed and evaluated by their employees across a number of elements of the work environment: team effectiveness, retention risk, alignment with goals, trust with co-workers, individual contribution, manager effectiveness, trust in senior leaders, feeling valued, work engagement and people practices. "We are truly a team in everything we do and accomplish," says Bob Meyn, Mattamy's Tampa-Sarasota-Naples Division President. "We believe that our most valuable assets walk in and out of our door each day our people. We demonstrate this belief through an appreciative, collaborative, engaging and performance-driven culture. Every team member has a responsibility to foster this atmosphere, and we truly believe that we are a part of an extended family." The Best Place to Work honorees were celebrated at an event on April 12 at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Billed as the area's largest company picnic, the event was attended by more than 700 attendees from the Best Places to Work. At the event, ranking orders for each category were revealed Mattamy Homes was named the #8 Best Place to Work in the extra large companies category (more than 100 employees). For more information: https://mattamyhomes.com/tampa.aspx https://mattamyhomes.com/about-us/careers About Mattamy Homes Mattamy Homes is the largest privately owned homebuilder in North America, with a 40-year history of operations across the United States and Canada. Every year, Mattamy helps more than 7,000 families realize their dream of home ownership. In the United States, the company is represented in 10 markets Charlotte, Raleigh, Phoenix, Tucson, Jacksonville, Orlando (where its US head office is located), Tampa, Sarasota, Naples and Southeast Florida and in Canada, its communities stretch across the Greater Toronto Area, as well as in Ottawa, Calgary and Edmonton. Visit www.mattamyhomes.com for more information. SOURCE Mattamy Homes Limited Related Links mattamyhomes.com WILLOUGHBY, Ohio, May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- On May 11, Milestone Auctions will conduct a major sale of historical firearms and militaria from long-held collections, including a very special archive of D-Day items apportioned into 11 consecutive lots. Uniform, medals and extensive career archive of WWI U.S. Marine Corps pilot Everitt R. Brewer, the first USMC pilot to score an aerial kill in combat. Estimate: $15,000-$20,000 1891 Colt Lightning Express .50-95 rifle with ammunition, loading tools, and factory letter indicating it was originally shipped to Bombay, India. Estimate: $15,000-$20,000 The 898-lot auction covers seven main categories: Antique & Collector Firearms, Civil War, Indian Wars/Spanish American War, WWI U.S. and German, WWII Nazi German, WWII U.S., and Modern Firearms. In addition to the immeasurably important D-Day Operation Neptune archive, featured collections include a cache of items from WWI U.S. Marine Corps pilot James R. Brewer the first Marine to score an aerial kill and a 1st U.S. Artillery Civil War grouping. Leading the 19th-century weaponry section is an extremely rare 1891 Colt Lightning Express .50-95 rifle. It comes with ammunition, loading tools, and a factory letter stating it was shipped to Bombay, India. It is the only known example with a 19-inch round barrel. "Fewer than 6,500 large-frame Colt Lightning rifles were manufactured between 1887 and 1894. Only a small number within that group was .50-95 caliber," said Milestone Auctions co-owner Miles King. Auction estimate: $15,000-$20,000 Pre-dating the Civil War, a premier edged weapon is an all-original U.S. Navy officer's Model 1841 Eaglehead sword with scabbard. Made by N.P. Ames, Cutler, the sword is in outstanding condition with a bright, shiny 28-inch-blade and retains almost all of its gilt embellishment. Estimate: $4,000-$6,000 Milestone Auctions is honored to present the Spanish American War and World War I uniforms and mementos of Bishop James DeWolf Perry (1871-1947). A descendant of a long line of military heroes, Bishop Perry was a distinguished figure in his own right, even appearing on the cover of Time magazine in 1934. The auction grouping includes Bishop Perry's military chaplain's uniforms, photographs of him wearing the uniforms, an original copy of the aforementioned Time magazine, and other ephemera. Estimate: $7,000-$10,000 Another fantastic archive documents the career of WWI U.S. Marine Corps pilot Everitt R. Brewer. The first Marine ever to score an aerial kill in combat, Brewer was awarded the Navy Cross and Purple Heart for his valiant actions over Belgium against 15 enemy fighter planes. The archive contains his uniform, numerous medals, photos, and even a badly mangled bullet presumably the one that struck him during his military service in Europe. Estimate: $15,000-$20,000 An extraordinary grouping of World War II materials documenting the D-Day Neptune Operation of June 6, 1944 is apportioned into 11 consecutive lots. The archive belonged to Commander Frederick M. Cook USN of the LCF-7 Landing Craft Flak and was consigned to the auction by Commander Cook's family. This remarkable assemblage contains original maps, operational orders, diagrams and descriptions of German batteries and coastal defenses; plus a Neptune monograph issued to only a select few officers who had "above top secret" clearance. Additionally, more than 170 lots of Nazi memorabilia will be offered, including flags, edged weapons, medals, patches, jewelry, helmets, apparel, and even flatware. Antique and collector firearms include several flintlock pistols, Kentucky and Pennsylvania rifles; brass barrel and lock silver-mounted percussion dueling pistols, several pepperbox pistols, an M1851 Colt Navy pistol, an M1860 Colt Army pistol, a Colt M1849 Colt pocket pistol, a percussion powder tester, and numerous other fine guns. The modern firearms selection encompasses rifles, shotguns, pistols and revolvers by such makers as Colt, Winchester, Smith & Wesson, Remington, Mauser, Ruger, Beretta, Glock and Browning, to name but a few. Media contact: Miles King 440-527-8060 [email protected] SOURCE Milestone Auctions Olympia, WA, May 07, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Washington state has become the first in the country to break down historic access barriers and adopt an automatic enrollment policy for advanced math, english, and science classes in all high schools. The policy, also known as Academic Acceleration, is designed to increase access for all students to dual credit and advanced class enrollment, especially underrepresented students who were often left behind even when they were talented enough to progress to the next level. School districts have until the 2021-22 school year to implement the policy and the law also allows families to opt their student out of the advanced classes if desired. The policy is part of HB 1599 (section 502, page 49), passed by the state legislature on April 22 and signed by Governor Jay Inslee (WA-D) on Tuesday, May 7th.This legislation was championed by Stand For Children Washington, a non-profit education advocacy organization. Stand for Children and our tireless advocates will continue to strengthen programs that work to lift more kids toward bright, successful futures. If students are qualified for advanced coursework, we expect to see them challenged and ultimately surpassing every indicator of student success, said Libuse Binder, Executive Director at Stand for Children Washington, a longtime champion of the policy and legislation. Through Academic Acceleration, students who meet standard on state-level exams are automatically placed into the next more rigorous course in the matching content area(s). As of 2018, at least 50 school districts in Washington have already implemented the policy and a majority have improved the equity of access for historically underserved students enrolled in advanced classes (Stand for Children analysis of OSPI data, 2018). The program seeks to rectify historic bias that has limited access for students of color and other disadvantaged groups to advanced education options. Research on Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate, and dual enrollment programs (partnerships between high schools and colleges) show that participation in these advanced, college-credit earning programs increase students likelihood to graduate from high school, enroll in college, and to perform better in college. There is also evidence that these effects are particularly strong for low-income students and students of color. The 2019-2021 biennium budget passed by the Washington State Legislature includes funding to provide for dual credit programs including subsidized Advanced Placement exam fees and International Baccalaureate class fees and exam fees for low-income students. The commitment to ensuring equitable opportunities in advanced coursework was pioneered by Federal Way Public Schools - the states 9th largest district - when its school board implemented the policy in 2010-11. The district saw a dramatic rise in enrollment of advanced classes and a notable increase among students of color. According to 2019 data, passing rates for advanced classes at Federal Way are now at 92% and all racial subgroups are passing at rates of 87% or higher. Inspired by the success in Federal Way, in 2013 the Washington State Legislature passed HB 1642, championed by Stand for Children Washington, which established the Academic Acceleration Incentive Program to encourage adoption of the policy with grants for school districts. As recently as 2016-17, school districts who received the grant and implemented the policy saw significant gains in enrollment by students of historically underrepresented populations (OSPI, 2018). Other school districts in Washington have implemented these policies and also experienced success. Since implementing a program similar to that of Federal Way, in Tacoma Public Schools enrollment in advanced classes has increased from 27.5% to 71.1% for all students since 2013 and tripled for historically underserved students of color from 19.5% to 60%. Weve seen huge results in Tacoma with more kids taking these classes and these exams. And that corresponds with more kids graduating. And as those numbers go up, we have to remember that each one of those numbers is a kid, said Josh Garcia, Deputy Superintendent of Tacoma Public Schools and one of the original architects of the policy in Federal Way. Washingtons success is being mirrored in legislation in at least two other states in the nation including North Carolina and Colorado. Last year, North Carolina passed a law (H986), requiring the automatic enrollment of qualified students into math courses in high school. Meanwhile, the Colorado General Assembly passed legislation in April launching a grant program similar to the one established in Washington in 2013 (SB19-059). While other states do not automatically enroll students, states like Delaware and Kentucky, require schools to notify parents that their students test scores signal they are ready for advanced work. States around the country have been implementing efforts to increase the diversity of students of color and low-income students in advanced classes and college-credit earning classes. According to the College Board, in 2018 only 50% of Black, Latino, Native American, and Pacific Islander students who qualified for advanced classes were enrolled in them (College Board), equating to about 750,000 students nationwide (EOS). In fact, data from the Department of Educations Civil Rights Data Collection, show white students are twice as likely to take dual credit courses as Black or Latino students (Columbia University Teachers College). ### Stand for Children - Washington Stand for Children - Washington is a non-profit education advocacy organization focused on ensuring all students receive a high quality, relevant education, especially those whose boundless potential is overlooked and undertapped because of their skin color, zip code, first language, or disability. To fulfill our mission, we organize parents and community members to speak up and demand excellent schools for their children. We work closely with state legislators to shape education policy and with school districts to implement programming that will benefit every kid. We ensure that the policies we fight for reach classrooms and directly support students by supporting school districts with guidance and tools to implement successful strategies. MARLTON, N.J., May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- On Saturday, April 27, 2019, WOW Influencers hit the Boston area with their latest event connecting better-for-you brands with established mom bloggers and social media influencers at La Brasa in Somerville, Massachusetts. In this intimate networking setting hosted by Moms Meet , a division of May Media Group, LLC, brands, bloggers, and influencers had the opportunity to get to know each other, forge connections, and kick start long lasting relationships. Over 60 attendees enjoyed a cooking demonstration by Chef Gerard Viverito and Regular Girl and snacked on delicious hors d'oeuvres from other health-minded sponsors. Bloggers and influencers also walked away with goody bags worth over $250. Boston-area mom bloggers and social media influencers enjoyed connecting with better-for-you-brands and each other at this relaxed networking event. Moms Meet WOW Influencers is the ideal setting for anyone looking for the right partner to collaborate with on content creation, product reviews, and marketing campaigns. Participants like Ciara C. especially enjoyed the effective format of the event. "WOW Influencers '19: Boston was one of the best networking events that I've ever attended and far exceeded my expectations," she said. "I loved how structured the networking portion was. Will definitely be attending more events in the near future." WOW Influencers brings together the best natural, organic, plant-based, gluten-free, homeopathic, eco-friendly, and educational brands looking to make an impact on the mom audience. Amongst the brands in attendance were Mary's Gone Crackers, Regular Girl, The Jojoba Company, Wildscape, TinkerActive, and Wild Planet. Sue Jacobs, VP of Marketing for Wild Planet Foods had this to say about the event, "The Moms Meet influencer event in Boston provided our brand with an excellent opportunity to connect one-on-one with bloggers across a wide spectrum of the overall mom demographic. Moms Meet made it so simple for Wild Planet to access these enthusiastic influencers, have real conversations with each, and develop a list of those which we can develop ongoing relationships. At the same time, the format allowed us to provide each blogger with specific details about our brand that would resonate with their particular audience." The next WOW Influencers event will take place in Vancouver, British Columbia July 20, 2019. To learn more about upcoming WOW Events and sponsorship opportunities, visit wowevents.momsmeet.com . About Moms Meet Moms Meet, a division of May Media Group, LLC. and host of WOW Influencers, is an international community of health-minded moms. Moms Meet inspires parents to raise happy, healthy families by connecting them with better-for-you products and services. Moms Meet hosts multiple WOW Events each year across the United States and Canada, including the annual WOW Summit and regional WOW Influencer events. Media Contact: Victoria Zeitz 856.753.3800 [email protected] SOURCE May Media Group, LLC Related Links https://maymediagroup.com ORLANDO, Fla., May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Nacha and its Payments Innovation Alliance launched the ACH Quick Start Tool, an online educational resource designed to help small and medium-sized businesses more readily understand and use ACH to make and receive payments for an array of use cases. The Alliance is comprised of a diverse membership of corporates, third-party processors, fintechs and financial institutions that has a broad understanding of the payments environment. The ACH Quick Start Project Team was launched to develop actionable tools to help businesses learn more about and adopt ACH as their preferred payment method. "The ACH Network electronically moves money and data seamlessly and securely. It is the ideal payment method for small and medium-sized businesses to use to pay supplier invoices, bills and other business expenses, as well as get paid for the goods and services they sell instead of by check," said Scott M. Lang, AAP, senior vice president, Association Services at Nacha. "The ACH Quick Start Tool leads businesses through everyday scenarios using easily understandable language on how they can make payments to and get paid by other companies. We encourage banks, credit unions, fintechs and other payment processors to link to the tool as a complementary educational resource for small and medium-sized business customers," Lang said. The ACH Quick Start Tool was unveiled at Smarter. Faster. PAYMENTS 2019, which continues through May 8 in Orlando. This year's conference also coincides with National Small Business Week, which recognizes the critical contributions of America's entrepreneurs and small business owners as they work to grow small businesses, create 21st century jobs, drive innovation, and increase America's global competitiveness. Visit the ACH Quick Start online tool at ACHQuickStart.org. For more information on the ACH Quick Start initiative or to join the Alliance's ACH Quick Start Project Team, visit www.nacha.org/content/payments-innovation-alliance. About Nacha's Payments Innovation Alliance The Payments Innovation Alliance is a 200-plus membership organization that brings together diverse, global stakeholders to support payments innovation. Through collaboration, discussion, debate, education, networking and special projects, the Alliance seeks to grow and advance payments and payments technology to better meet and serve the needs of the evolving industry. For more information and to learn how to join, visit www.nacha.org/content/payments-innovation-alliance. About Nacha Nacha is a nonprofit organization that convenes hundreds of diverse organizations to enhance and enable ACH payments and financial data exchange within the U.S. and across geographies. Through the development of rules, standards, governance, education, advocacy, and in support of innovation, Nacha's efforts benefit all stakeholders. Nacha is the steward of the ACH Network, a payment system that universally connects all U.S. bank accounts and facilitates the movement of money and information. In 2018, there were 27 billion ACH payments, and more than $51 trillion in value moved across the ACH Network. Nacha also leads groups focused on API standardization and B2B payment enablement. Visit nacha.org for more information, and connect with us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. Contact: Kendra Beasley Nacha 703-561-3923 [email protected] SOURCE Nacha Related Links https://www.nacha.org WASHINGTON, May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- National Brain Tumor Society (NBTS), a leader in brain tumor patient advocacy, today brought more than 320 volunteer brain tumor advocates from all over the country to Capitol Hill as part of its annual "Head to the Hill" advocacy event. This record number of Head to the Hill participants traveled to Washington, D.C. from 37 states and held more than 200 meetings with members of Congress and their aides to advocate for the policy needs of brain tumor patients, survivors, and their care partners. "Mobilizing our grassroots network of dedicated brain tumor advocates from across the country to come together and speak up for the brain tumor community with one, unified voice is a tremendous vehicle to educate and engage Congress in a discussion about the sober realities of a brain tumor diagnosis," said David Arons, Chief Executive Officer, National Brain Tumor Society. "Brain tumor patients and survivors, along with those who love and care for them, are often thrust into an environment that is wholly inadequate and unprepared to serve their broad spectrum of needs. They are offered too few opportunities for effective treatment, potentially experience severe and lasting deficits as a result of these treatments, and regularly face financial and practical barriers to affordably access their care. By advancing our agenda, Congress can help reduce the burden of brain tumors through research and better healthcare." For 2019, NBTS and brain tumor advocates urged Congress to help change the status quo by passing legislation that helps develop new, more effective treatments and improves health care delivery for brain tumor patients and their families. Specifically, Head to the Hill participants requested Congress provide robust funding for federal agencies and programs that facilitate medical research, including the National Institutes of Health ($41.6 billion for FY20), the National Cancer Institute ($6.522 billion for FY20), the Peer Reviewed Cancer Research Program of the Department of Defense ($120 million for FY20, with brain cancer and pediatric brain tumors included as diseases eligible for funding), as well as for the Childhood Cancer STAR Act ($30 million in FY20). Beyond appropriations, volunteer advocates and NBTS staff also asked for support of the Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act (PCHETA, H.R. 647) to improve the quality and availability of palliative care for all patients. "Head to the Hill is always the most empowering two days of the year for me,'" said Beth Finn, a volunteer advocate from Pennsylvania. "It's my opportunity to speak up for the brain tumor community and tell our elected officials what I want from them. It's also always energizing to reunite with my brain tumor family, many of whom I only see once a year at Head to the Hill!" In addition to their congressional office visits, Head to the Hill participants were joined by Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy, who remarked on the importance of grassroots advocacy during an empowering address to the assembled group. Coinciding with Head to the Hill, NBTS also held its yearly Congressional Action Day to allow those who were unable to attend the event in D.C. to call, tweet, or email their members of Congress and amplify the voices of those on the Hill. Nearly 87,000 Americans will receive a brain tumor diagnosis in 2019, and with only a 35 percent five-year survival rate for primary malignant brain tumors, an estimated 17,000 people will die because of brain cancer this year. Brain tumors are now the leading cause of cancer-related death in children 19-years old and younger, accounting for three out of every 10 cancer deaths. More so than any other cancer, a brain tumor can have life-altering psychological, cognitive, behavioral, and physical effects. There are no known prevention or early detection methods, few available treatments, and there is no cure. About National Brain Tumor Society National Brain Tumor Society invests in, mobilizes, and unites the brain tumor community to discover a cure, deliver effective treatments, and advocate for patients and care partners. We are the largest patient advocacy non-profit solely dedicated to the brain tumor community and a leading thought leader in the neuro-oncology field. Headquartered in Newton, Massachusetts, our organization raises funds to invest in accelerating brain tumor treatments, prepare the community to navigate their unique brain tumor experience, and convene stakeholders while changing public policy to improve the lives and survival of brain tumor patients. Visit us at https://braintumor.org. Media Contacts: Tom Halkin, Senior Communications Manager, [email protected], 617-393-2849 SOURCE National Brain Tumor Society SAN FRANCISCO, May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Entangled Solutions, a pioneering innovation consultancy for higher education, today announced a multi-year, multi-million dollar opportunity to help one U.S. college chart a path toward sustainability and impact. The competitive, national RFP process, called Project Capstone, will select a single institution to work with an expert team to increase impact, revenue and enrollment opportunities by expanding the scope of the students they serve. "Colleges and universities education are built to lastit's one of the things that makes them great. At a time when small colleges are at a crossroads of financial sustainability, institutions find themselves having to think outside the traditional parameters to identify new ways of competing, offering value and aligning with the needs of learners," said Paul Freedman, founder and senior strategist at Entangled Solutions. "Project Capstone will help one aspiring institution retool to better serve emerging student populations and find a pathway to long-term financial sustainability." The selected institution will receive $2 million in-kind consulting support from Entangled Solutions, who will help the institution identify new opportunities, strategies, and solutions that are sustainable, future-proof, and mission-aligned. Over the course of two years, the institution will gain access to the expertise of an advisory council of national experts, networks, and business partnerships. The project will specifically focus on helping institutions align with the needs of employers, translate educational experiences into industry-recognized credentials, and embrace new delivery models, such as online learning. The winner will be selected based on three key criteria: A track record of quality student outcomes Evidence of sufficient financial resources for a three-year turnaround An executive team with a presidential commitment to student success and willingness to explore and adopt new models. Helping to guide the selection process will be a national advisory council of higher education experts, which includes: Eric Darr , President of Harrisburg University , President of Bridget Burns , Executive Director of the University Innovation Alliance , Executive Director of the University Innovation Alliance Helen Drinan , President of Simmons University , President of Simmons University Jeffrey J. Selingo , Contributor to The Atlanti c, Visiting Scholar at Georgia Institute of Technology , Contributor to c, Visiting Scholar at Michael Sorrell , President of Paul Quinn College To apply, institutions should submit a letter of intent by June 3, 2019 and a final proposal by July 15, 2019. For more information on the project or to submit a proposal, visit Entangled.Solutions/project-capstone. About Entangled Solutions: Entangled Solutions is an innovation and strategy consultancy for education. We develop solutions for academic institutions, philanthropic organizations, and private companies. Our services include innovation system creation, strategic planning, new program creation, go-to-market strategies, and partnership building. Our team includes education technology entrepreneurs, former institutional leaders, and education policy experts. Headquartered in San Francisco with team members in Austin, Boston and Washington, we support both US-based and international organizations. SOURCE Entangled Solutions Related Links http://www.entangled.solutions SAN ANTONIO, May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. David Armstrong (DPM, M.D., Ph.D.) and Dr. Allen Raphael (DPM) will present results of multiple studies of Kerecis' medical fish skin at the Symposium on Advanced Wound Care (SAWC) Spring meeting, May 7 to 11, in San Antonio. The presentation will take place Thursday, May 9, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. in room 216. Kerecis, the developer of medical-fish-skin products, will be at booth 817. Kerecis develops patented fish-skin products to heal human wounds and tissue damage. Because no disease-transfer risk exists between cold-water fish and humans, the Kerecis fish skin is only gently processed and retains its similarity to human skin, making it an ideal substitute for human skin. Fish skin also contains Omega3 fatty acids, which enhance wound healing. Mammalian-sourced skin, on the other hand, needs to be harshly processed to eliminate the risk of disease transfer. The processing makes it less like human skin, reducing its ability to heal human wounds and tissue damage. The Kerecis products will be the subject of a CME symposium "Clinical and Economic Insights on the Use of Fish-Skin Grafts for Tissue Regeneration" where Dr. Armstrong and Dr. Raphael will: Review studies and literature on the use of fish-skin grafts for diabetic, lower-extremity wound healing Examine the economic and clinical studies comparing fish-skin grafts to other cell-based therapies Explore the efficacy of intact fish skin in reducing and resolving complex, lower-extremity, chronic wounds through case studies. "Using fish skin to treat severe wounds is becoming a mainstream therapy. The participation in this CME symposium of the medical leaders Dr. Armstrong and Dr. Raphael reaffirms the relevance and efficacy of fish skin in wound healing," said G. Fertram Sigurjonsson, founder and CEO of Kerecis. "That efficacy is the main reason that Kerecis, the only company in the world commercializing fish skin for medical use, is experiencing such rapid growth in the U.S and worldwide." More than 50 studies have been done on the Kerecis technology. Kerecis is supporting the fish-skin CME with an unrestricted educational grant. Additionally, the company will host its popular "Taste of Iceland" networking event on Thursday, May 9, from 7 to 9 p.m. The event provides an opportunity to see and discuss the Kerecis Omega3 fish-skin grafts, and to taste Icelandic food and drink. Reservations are required and can be made at the company's booth (817). About Kerecis Kerecis is pioneering the use of fish skin and fatty-acids in the globally expanding cellular therapy and regenerative medicine market. The fatty-acid rich (including Omega3) products from the company's patented technologies enable the body to regenerate tissues, rather than simply repair them and risk scarring. The Kerecis products, which are based on Omega3 rich fish skin, are currently being used to regenerate tissue in trauma and chronic wounds such as burns and diabetic wounds. Kerecis is also developing products for areas such as oral surgery, plastic surgery and neurological applications. The company's mission is to extend human life by supporting the body's own ability to regenerate tissues and its vision is to become world leader in regenerating damage of the human body by sustainably harnessing nature's own remedies. For more information, visit www.kerecis.com. Contact Kay Paumier Communications Plus [email protected] 408-370-1243 SOURCE Kerecis Related Links http://www.kerecis.com STOCKHOLM, May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Ocean Yield ASA ("Ocean Yield" or the "Company") announces results for the first quarter ending 31st March 2019. Highlights Declared the 23rd consecutive quarterly dividend of USD 0.1910 per share for Q1 2019. per share for Q1 2019. EBITDA for Q1 2019 was USD 51.9 million and EBITDA adjusted for finance lease effects was USD 67.8 million . and EBITDA adjusted for finance lease effects was . Net profit after tax for Q1 2019 was USD 8.4 million and Adjusted net profit was USD 8.4 million . The FPSO and the Connector had a negative contribution of USD 11.8 million in the quarter. and Adjusted net profit was . The FPSO and the Connector had a negative contribution of in the quarter. Acquisition and delivery of one modern Suezmax tanker for a total consideration of USD 49.0 million , net of a seller's credit of USD 7 million , with a 13-year bareboat charter to Okeanis Eco Tankers Corp. , net of a seller's credit of , with a 13-year bareboat charter to Okeanis Eco Tankers Corp. Agreement with Aker Energy AS regarding an option for a long-term bareboat charter of the FPSO Dhirubhai-1 for oil and gas production in Ghana . Post quarter end, this option has been extended by another 30-days until 30th May 2019 . . Post quarter end, this option has been extended by another 30-days until . During the first quarter, a new short-term time charter contract for the vessel Connector was secured. Post quarter end, another contract has been secured for a period of 28 days plus options, with start-up immediately following the previous contract. The firm period of this contract runs until 26th May 2019 . If all options are exercised, the vessel will be employed until mid-June. . If all options are exercised, the vessel will be employed until mid-June. Post quarter end, Ocean Yield agreed to acquire two modern Ultramax dry bulk vessels for a total consideration of USD 42 million net of a seller's credit, with 11-year bareboat charters to Scorpio Bulkers Inc. net of a seller's credit, with 11-year bareboat charters to Scorpio Bulkers Inc. Post quarter end, the first in a series of four newbuilding VLCCs with fifteen year bareboat charter to Okeanis Eco Tankers Corp. and with five year sub charter to Koch Shipping Pte. Ltd. was delivered. Lars Solbakken, CEO of Ocean Yield, said in a comment: "Results in the first quarter were negatively impacted by no revenues from the FPSO and very limited revenues from the subsea vessel Connector. With respect to the FPSO, we continue the dialogue with Aker Energy with the aim of securing a new long-term charter for use of the FPSO in Ghana, and Aker Energy has now extended the option period until 30th May 2019. Ocean Yield now has a fleet of 60 vessels on long-term charter, including four VLCCs for delivery during Q2-Q3 that will contribute positively to earnings going forward." Ocean Yield ASA Q1 2019 Financial Report Company contact: Eirik Eide (CFO), Tel +47 24 13 01 91 Investor Relations contact: Marius Magelie (SVP Finance & IR), Tel +47 24 13 01 82 This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/ocean-yield/r/ocean-yield-asa--first-quarter-2019-report,c2806052 The following files are available for download: https://mb.cision.com/Public/15361/2806052/893579a904dd8bef.pdf Ocean Yield ASA Q1 2019 Financial Report SOURCE Ocean Yield CHICAGO, May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- P33, a private sector led initiative established to drive global technology leadership for Chicago, has named Brad Henderson Chief Executive Officer. As the founding CEO, Henderson will lead the newly established 501c3 nonprofit organization charged to transform Chicago into a tier one tech innovation hub and promote inclusive economic growth. Henderson, who has been involved with the P33 initiative since its early stages through Boston Consulting Group's pro-bono support, will leverage his combined twenty-plus years of professional experience, academic involvement, and community connections to advance P33's mission to strengthen a diverse, inclusive, and flourishing technology community in Chicago. "Brad has made significant contributions to the P33 effort to date. His engagement in the research and analysis stages of our work has given him a deep understanding of the challenges as well as opportunities ahead," said P33 co-chair Penny Pritzker, Chairman of PSP Partners and former U.S. Secretary of Commerce. "Beyond his intellectual horsepower, Brad's strong Chicago roots and passion for his home town, combined with his global experience of working with businesses, cities, and universities to solve problems at scale, make him the right leader to drive P33 and our city's future forward." Pritzker co-chairs P33 with Chris Gladwin, co-founder and CEO of Ocient, and Kelly Welsh, president of the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago. Henderson's immediate focus will be on continuing to develop P33's implementation plan, designing an operational and organizational structure for the effort, and helping to tell Chicago's technology story in a bigger, bolder way. "P33 is our moment to make sure the next generation has access to greater opportunities and growth in the most inclusive way in our city's history," said Henderson. "From the moment I arrived in Chicago more than 20 years ago, I recognized that our city's biggest strength is the character of its people. We will be relying on the authenticity of that collective strength to drive the P33 effort and our city's global technology leadership forward, to create inclusive and lasting growth for people across all communities." Henderson brings a deep understanding of how to unlock economic opportunities that benefit businesses and individuals to P33's efforts. He joins from Boston Consulting Group (BCG), where he is senior partner and managing director in the Chicago office. Originally from a small town in southern Ohio, Henderson received a scholarship to attend the University of Chicago, which he credits to changing his life. He joined BCG as a summer associate in 2000, and quickly rose through the ranks to spend 2006 in the Mumbai, India office as part of the BCG Ambassador Program and later lead BCG's North American Operations Practice. Henderson has been an active leader in the Chicago community, serving on the board of trustees for the Chicago History Museum, the Association House in Humboldt Park and Interfaith Youth Core. He also serves on the board of ACCION US Network, which provides capital and business support to business owners of color and female business owners, and an investor in Impact Engine, a socially-responsible investment firm. He was a BCG Bruce Henderson Institute (BHI) Fellow focused on impact and socially-responsible investing and is a member of the World Economic Forum Young Global Leaders program. A Rhodes Scholar, Henderson has earned multiple degrees with distinction, including a Bachelor of Arts in Economics with Honors (1997-2001) and Master of Arts in Social Science from the University of Chicago (2000-2001), a Master of Science in Economic and Social History from University of Oxford Balliol College (2001-2002) and a Master of Business Administration from University of Oxford Said Business School (2002-2003). Henderson lives in Chicago with his wife and two children. ABOUT P33 P33 is committed to reclaiming Chicago's position as the World's Brightest Spot for technological discovery and development. We are a team of thinkers and doers business and community leaders, entrepreneurs, educators, technology experts and policymakers who represent today's establishment and tomorrow's vanguard. Our work is focused on the key areas that will drive the future of Chicago's technology leadership: Talent & Education, Capital & Finance, Business, Community & Culture, and Government & Infrastructure. Together, we're harnessing the spirit of technological innovation that lives in Chicago to drive momentum for businesses, both emerging and established, as well as for all people of Chicago. For more information: www.p33chicago.com. Media Contact: Theresa Ianni (312) 240 2760 [email protected] SOURCE P33 Related Links https://www.p33chicago.com CENTREVILLE, Va., May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Parsons Corporation ("Parsons"), a provider of technology-driven solutions in the defense, intelligence and critical infrastructure markets, today announced the pricing of its initial public offering of 18,518,500 shares of its common stock at a price to the public of $27.00 per share. In addition, the underwriters have been granted a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 2,777,775 shares of common stock. The shares are expected to begin trading on the New York Stock Exchange on May 8, 2019, under the ticker symbol "PSN." The closing of the offering is expected to occur on May 10, 2019, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions. Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, BofA Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley are serving as joint lead book-running managers for the offering. Jefferies and Wells Fargo Securities are serving as Senior Co-Managers and Cowen, SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, MUFG and Scotiabank are serving as Co-Managers for the offering. A registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and was declared effective on May 7, 2019. The offering will be made only by means of a prospectus. A copy of the final prospectus relating to this offering may be obtained, when available, from any of the following sources: Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, Attention: Prospectus Department, 200 West Street, New York, New York 10282, via telephone: 1-866-471-2526, or via email: [email protected] ; 10282, via telephone: 1-866-471-2526, or via email: ; BofA Merrill Lynch, NC1-004-03-43, 200 North College Street, 3rd Floor, Charlotte, NC 28255-0001, Attention: Prospectus Department or via email: [email protected] ; or 28255-0001, Attention: Prospectus Department or via email: ; or Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Attention: Prospectus Department, 180 Varick Street, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10014. 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 these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction. About Parsons Corporation Parsons is a leading provider of technology-driven solutions focused on the defense, intelligence and critical infrastructure markets. Celebrating 75 years of operations, Parsons provides technical design and engineering services and software to address our customers' challenges. Parsons has differentiated capabilities in cybersecurity, intelligence, defense, military training, connected communities, physical infrastructure and mobility solutions. Parsons' combination of talented professionals and advanced technology enables a safer, smarter and more interconnected world. Investor Relations Contact: Dave Spille Parsons Corporation 571.655.8264 [email protected] Media Contact: Brian Schaffer Prosek Partners [email protected] SOURCE Parsons Corporation "By partnering with PatientPoint, we have the tremendous opportunity to reach patients, caregivers and healthcare providers at the most important place along the MS journey: the healthcare provider's office," said Kathy Goff, director of information and resources for the National MS Society. "By providing actionable, easy-to-understand patient education coupled with the latest clinical news and practice resources, we hope to spark more informed healthcare provider-patient conversations." Content on the new PatientPoint neurology network is designed to empower neurology patientsan audience that includes more than 100 million Americans. With a focus on everyday living with neurological conditions, symptom management, treatment adherence and tips for caregivers, content in the waiting room and exam room aims to foster doctor-patient engagement that can help patients improve their daily lives. In the neurology exam room, PatientPoint interactive touchscreens offer dynamic, condition-specific multimedia education and 3D anatomicals that help specialists clearly communicate diagnoses. Content from touchscreen devices can also be easily texted and emailed, allowing patients and caregivers to digest information beyond the four walls of the physician office. "We know that education can help decrease anxiety and provide a sense of control," said PatientPoint Executive Vice President of Content & Creative Kate Merz. "With that in mind, the inspiring and educational content offered on our new neurology network is designed to help patients live their best lives." In addition to patient- and caregiver-centric content, the new PatientPoint neurology network features back-office digital screens that will keep busy neurologists and practice staff up to date on a variety of topics ranging from real-time breaking news and research summaries to industry trends, infographics, practice management news and self-care tips. The neurology network is one of a host of PatientPoint technology-enabled engagement networks offered in 10 additional specialties including oncology, primary care and cardiology. "At PatientPoint we put the patient-doctor relationship at the center of everything we do, and our neurology network is no exception," said PatientPoint Founder and CEO Mike Collette. "We conducted extensive research in developing this new network, and we are confident that the resulting blend of empowering health education, lifestyle and partner content will meet the unique needs of neurology patients and drive doctor-patient engagement in an important new medical specialty." About PatientPoint PatientPoint is a patient engagement solutions company passionately committed to making every doctor-patient engagement better. By harnessing the power of technology, our omnichannel platform more effectively educates and empowers patients, caregivers and staff to deliver improved health outcomes and an enhanced patient experience. For 30 years, hospitals, health systems, physician offices and sponsoring brands have trusted PatientPoint and its more than 450 team members to provide a uniquely integrated experience across care settings. Learn more at patientpoint.com. About the Alzheimer's Association The Alzheimer's Association is the world's leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer care, support and research. Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer's. For more information, visit www.alz.org. About the International Essential Tremor Foundation The International Essential Tremor Foundation provides hope to the essential tremor (ET) community worldwide through awareness, education, support, and research. Founded in 1988 as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, the International Essential Tremor Foundation (IETF) is guided by an executive board of directors, a medical advisory board, and an executive director with a staff of two. The organization consists of patients, physicians, educators, health care workers, parents, relatives, friends, and volunteers. For more information, visit www.essentialtremor.org. About Migraine Again Migraine Again LLC is a purpose-driven health media company focused on empowering patients with insights that help them suffer less and live more. Founded by patients, for patients in 2014, our website articles, newsletter, videos, podcasts, interviews and resources are produced by people with migraine and medically reviewed by leading health care experts. By engaging with over 1 million patients each month, Migraine Again is the largest independent media company for people with migraine and headache disorders in over 170 countries. Our leaders also serve as Patient Advocates, Researchers, Producers and Hosts of the Migraine World Summit. Learn more at MigraineAgain.com and MigraineWorldSummit.com. About the National Multiple Sclerosis Society The Society mobilizes people and resources so that everyone affected by multiple sclerosis can live their best lives as we stop MS in its tracks, restore what has been lost and end MS forever. Last year, the Society invested $35 million in MS research with more than 340 active projects around the world. Through its comprehensive nationwide network of services, the Society is focused on helping people affected by MS connect to the people, information and resources needed to live their best lives. We are united in our collective power to do something about MS now and end this disease forever. Learn more at nationalMSsociety.org. Early and ongoing treatment with an FDA-approved therapy can make a difference for people with multiple sclerosis. Learn about your options by talking to your health care professional and contacting the National MS Society at nationalMSsociety.org or 1-800-344-4867. About the Parkinson's Foundation The Parkinson's Foundation makes life better for people with Parkinson's disease by improving care and advancing research toward a cure. In everything we do, we build on the energy, experience and passion of our global Parkinson's community. For more information, visit www.parkinson.org or call (800) 4PD-INFO (473-4636). SOURCE PatientPoint Related Links http://www.patientpoint.com VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 07, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cresval Capital Corp. (Cresval or the Company) (CRV: TSX-V) On March 29, 2019 the Company announced a non-brokered private placement of up to a maximum of 20,000,000 units (the Units) at $0.025 per Unit to raise up to $500,000 (the Offering). Each Unit will consist of one common share in the capital of Cresval (the Common Shares) and one Common Share purchase warrant (the Warrants). Each Warrant will be exercisable into one Common Share for a period of five years at a price of $0.05/share. On April 23, 2019, the TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV) granted the Company a discretionary waiver to allow the Offering to proceed. The Offering is open to all existing shareholders who wish to participate, as previously announced. Any existing shareholders interested in participating in the Offering should contact the Company pursuant to the contact information set forth below. The Companys common shares only resumed trading on February 19, 2019, after being halted from trading since November 29, 2017 as a consequence of its unsuccessful plan of arrangement with Tess Inc. (the Arrangement). During that time and until this Offering, the Company has been unable to fund its operations except internally, and it now needs new equity financing to maintain and preserve its mineral exploration property interests. The Companys mineral properties require further exploration work which is currently being conducted to maintain them, or they would have expired and been forfeited. A dissident group with connections to the Arrangement has recently unfairly depicted the Offering as a means to entrench management. This position is without merit, as the Offering is open to all existing shareholders, and the current President & CEO, Lee Ann Wolfin, is already the single largest shareholder and creditor of the Company. Lee Ann Wolfin and the current management of the Company have financially supported the Company and made sure that its assets are preserved, not the dissident group. Besides recommending a new director to Cresval who declined to act for health reasons, the dissident group has offered for weeks to provide new equity financing for Cresval at a higher offering price, but they have failed or were unable to provide subscriptions for any such investors, just as occurred previously in respect of financing for the Arrangement. About Cresval Cresval Capital Corp. is a junior precious metals and copper exploration company actively involved in three 100% owned projects situated near the productive Bralorne Gold camp in southwestern British Columbia. For more information please visit www.cresval.com . ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Lee Ann Wolfin President and Chief Executive Officer Telephone: (604) 913-7788 Email: lawolfin@cresval.com Forward looking statements: 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 release contains statements that are forwardlooking statements and are subject to various risks and uncertainties concerning the specific factors disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in the Company's periodic filings with Canadian securities regulators. Such information contained herein represents management's best judgment as of the date hereof based on information currently available. The Company does not assume the obligation to update any forwardlooking statement. NEW YORK and HONG KONG, May 6, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Pico, a leading infrastructure, connectivity, data and cloud technology provider to the global financial services community, today announced its continued global expansion with the launch of a new colocation facility and direct connectivity to the Hosting Services Data Centre of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX). HKEX is one of the world's major exchange groups, and operates a range of equities, commodities, fixed income and currency markets. HKEX is the world's leading IPO market and, as Hong Kong's only securities and derivatives exchange, is uniquely positioned to offer regional and international investors access to Asia's most vibrant markets. HKEX is also the global leader in metals trading through wholly owned subsidiaries, the London Metal Exchange (LME) and LME Clear Limited. In 2016, LME selected Pico to provide connectivity to LMESelect, LME's electronic member-to-member trading system. "We are well-positioned to continue our global buildout through this relationship with HKEX, one of Asia's premier gateways to the world's markets," says Pico founder and Chief Executive Officer Jarrod Yuster. "Our best-in-class technology and services give participants cost-effective access to this marketplace with accelerated time-to-market and follow-the-sun support." Becoming a member of HKEX's hosting services demonstrates Pico's continued rapid expansion into the major Asian market centers, including Tokyo and Singapore. Pico plans to launch 20 new data centers in the next 18 months, including Australia, China, India, South Korea and Taiwan to complement Pico's existing 30+ locations worldwide. "We welcome Pico to join our data center, where our market participants can access an array of information, technology and network service providers in a secure environment," says Andy Lee, Head of Hosting Services, HKEX. About Pico Pico is a leading infrastructure, connectivity, data and cloud technology provider to the global financial services industry. For more, visit www.picotrading.com. Media Contacts New York: Forefront Communications Monica VanHorn [email protected] (212) 320-8981, ext. 708 London: The Realization Group Melanie Budden [email protected] +44 (0)7974 937 970 SOURCE Pico Related Links http://www.picotrading.com LAS VEGAS, May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The Healthy Nevada Project, a first-of-its-kind, community-based population health study combining genetic, clinical, environmental and social data, is expanding enrollment to Las Vegas. The Project aspires not only to offer genetic testing to every Nevadan interested in learning more about their health and genetic profile but ultimately, to develop and expand the Project for communities across the United States to drive positive health outcomes nationwide. Adding 25,000 Study Volunteers in Southern Nevada The Healthy Nevada Project is announcing a statewide expansion opening 25,000 testing slots in Las Vegas in a collaboration with University Medical Center of Southern Nevada (UMC), which serves as the host-site for Las Vegas. With UMC welcoming the study to southern Nevada, the Healthy Nevada Project will offer no-cost genetic testing through a simple spit sample to 25,000 study volunteers. Study volunteers will take Helix's clinical-grade DNA saliva test and will receive their ancestry and traits, at no cost, through the My Healthy Nevada Traits app. Participants will then be given a chance to answer a follow-up health survey from Renown Institute for Health Innovation (Renown IHI), and upon survey completion, will be entered to win an iPhone. In addition, study participants can agree to be notified about genetic test results that could impact their health, and which could be used to improve their medical care. This return of clinical results, plus genetic counseling and other genetic services as appropriate, will be provided by Genome Medical, the leading network of clinical genetics specialists. "This is an incredible opportunity to learn more about our genetics and improve health throughout the Silver State," said Mason VanHouweling, CEO of UMC. "In support of UMC's commitment to promoting innovation in health care and building a better future for our home state, we embrace the opportunity to collaborate with Renown Health while hosting the Healthy Nevada Project in southern Nevada." Healthy Nevada Project's Evolution & Ongoing Expansion With more than 35,000 study participants enrolled in just over two years, the Healthy Nevada Project has become the fastest-enrolling genetic study in the country. The Project was created by Renown IHI a collaboration between Reno, Nev.-based not-for-profit health network, Renown Health, and the world leader in environmental data, Desert Research Institute (DRI). Leveraging Renown's forward-thinking approach to community health care and DRI's data analytics and environmental expertise, Renown IHI has grown its capabilities to lead a larger, more complex research study of significance that will analyze and model public health risks in Nevada and serve as a national model for future population health studies working to improve overall health through clinical care integration. During the Project's pilot launch in September 2016, more than 10,000 community members signed up for DNA testing in just 48 hours. In March 2018, phase two offered full genomic sequencing through a simple spit test from partner, Helix, to northern Nevadans. In October 2018, the Project announced the return of clinical results for study participants, notifying them of their risk for CDC Tier 1 conditions including familial hypercholesterolemia, BRCA positive 1 and 2, and Lynch syndrome, a precursor to colon cancer. These conditions affect more than one percent of the population and are inherited, so they impact family members as well. Now, the Project announced its next phase expanding enrollment to 25,000 people in southern Nevada through a collaboration with UMC. Serving as a National Model This expansion to Las Vegas truly makes this the "Healthy Nevada Project" with a statewide impact making Nevada the only state in the U.S. to offer such a program. "Nevada was ripe to advance population health goals because, sadly, our state ranks near the bottom in health outcomes. The Healthy Nevada Project is working to change that," said Anthony Slonim, M.D., DrPH, FACHE, president and CEO of Renown Health and president of Renown IHI. "Our researchers are working on a number of clinical programs and scientific studies to determine why in Washoe County, the county in which Renown Health is located, Nevada's age-adjusted death rates for heart disease, cancer and chronic lower respiratory disease are 33 percent higher than the national rate. Imagine if we can gather more data like this on a national scale and use it to change the future of health and health care? That is what the Healthy USA Project is looking to do in the years to come." "The Healthy Nevada Project is committed to providing study participants clinically actionable data that will help improve their health," said Joseph Grzymski, Ph.D., associate research professor at DRI, principal investigator of the Healthy Nevada Project and chief scientific officer for Renown Health. "We are providing this information at the individual level so study volunteers can make lifesaving changes to reduce their risk. We're also doing it on the community level to develop leading-edge research on health determinants for entire neighborhoods, states and eventually, the country." Expanding to Become the Healthy USA Project The accelerated speed of the Project is made possible thanks to the ever-decreasing cost of sequencing. Today, Helix is able to sequence an entire exome which allows reporting on most actionable genomic knowledge for a fraction of what it would have cost just 10 years ago. Additionally, advances in digital health mean Helix and Project researchers can capture unprecedented amounts of health data digitally, making significant contributions to advancing precision health. The partnership has managed to remove the traditional barriers of population health studies, including the difficulty in recruiting participants, establishing quality high-throughput lab systems and scaling interpretation and return of results. This development will be key as other health systems around the country join the Project. "We are thrilled to see the constant, fast-paced evolution of this Project with Renown IHI," said Justin Kao, Co-Founder and SVP, Business Development and Partnerships, of Helix. "In less than a year, we have sequenced the DNA of thousands of study participants and are now preparing to offer this incredible study in other states. Combining environmental, clinical, social and genetic data allows us to discover risk factors within communities and help people take action to live longer, healthier lives. That's what makes the next step of the Healthy USA Project so exciting for all of us." Northern and southern Nevadans over age 18 who are interested in taking part are encouraged to learn more and sign up for the study at HealthyNV.org. About UMC UMC offers the highest level of care in Nevada, providing a wide range of exclusive and specialized health care services to community members and visitors. UMC is home to Nevada's only Level I Trauma Center, only Designated Pediatric Trauma Center, only Burn Care Center and only Center for Transplantation. Children's Hospital of Nevada at UMC serves as the state's only hospital to be recognized and accepted as an associate member of the Children's Hospital Association. Offering highly skilled physicians, nurses and staff members supported by the latest, cutting-edge technology, UMC and Children's Hospital of Nevada continue to build upon their shared reputation for providing Nevada's highest level of care. In support of its mission to serve as the premier academic health center, UMC is the anchor partner for the UNLV School of Medicine. For more information, please visit www.umcsn.com and www.chnv.org. Renown Institute for Health Innovation is a collaboration between Renown Health - a locally governed and locally owned, not-for-profit integrated healthcare network serving Nevada, Lake Tahoe and northeast California; and the Desert Research Institute - a recognized world leader in investigating the effects of natural and human-induced environmental change and advancing technologies aimed at assessing a changing planet. Renown IHI research teams are focused on integrating personal healthcare and environmental data with socioeconomic determinants to help Nevada address some of its most complex environmental health problems; while simultaneously expanding the state's access to leading-edge clinical trials and fostering new connections with biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies. Learn more at https://healthynv.org/. Helix is a genomics company with a simple but powerful mission: to empower every person to improve their life through DNA. Our affordable, turnkey population health solution enables institutions to quickly scale projects that engage communities and accelerate research and discovery, ultimately allowing every person to benefit from the power of genomics. We've also created the first marketplace for DNA-powered products where people can explore diverse and uniquely personalized products developed by high-quality partners, providing powerful tools to increase engagement and speed the pace of population-scale genomics. Helix is headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area, has an office in Denver, Colorado and operates a CLIA-certified and CAP-accredited next-generation sequencing lab in San Diego powered by Illumina (NASDAQ: ILMN) NGS technology. Helix was created in 2015. Learn more at www.helix.com. Helix, the Helix logo and Exome+ are trademarks of Helix Opco, LLC. All other trademarks referenced herein are the property of their respective owners. SOURCE Helix MENLO PARK, Calif., May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Protiviti's Global Head of Digital, Jonathan Wyatt, has been named by Consulting magazine to its 2019 'Top 25 Consultants' list. Wyatt, leader of the global consulting firm's efforts in driving next generation digital solutions across its multiple service offerings, is recognized in the 'Excellence in Leadership' category. Under Wyatt's leadership, Protiviti Digital helps organizations transform for the future by managing the risks presented by disruptive innovation and exploring ways to embrace the opportunities presented by new and emerging technologies. Prior to taking on his current role in 2017, Wyatt was a member of Protiviti's Global Technology Consulting Leadership team for more than 10 years and previously led the firm's Technology, Strategy and Operations practice. He has worked with some of the largest organizations in the world across a diverse range of industries and with many smaller, fast-growing companies preparing to go public. Wyatt is based in Protiviti's London office. "Our clients are grappling with a huge range of digital challenges and increasingly turning to us for guidance and support. Jonathan has been instrumental in leading Protiviti's services that help companies transform digitally and manage disruptive changes in their markets," said Joseph Tarantino, president and CEO of Protiviti. All the 2019 Top 25 Consultants award honorees will be celebrated at an awards dinner on June 13 at the Mandarin Oriental in New York City. Profiles of the honorees are published in the April/May edition of Consulting magazine. Wyatt is the latest Protiviti consultant to be named by Consulting magazine to its annual Top 25 list. Previous Protiviti honorees were Mike Brauneis (2018), Brian Christensen (2017), Scott Redfearn (2016), Kimberley Dickerson (2015), Carol Beaumier (2014), James Pajakowski (2013), Jim Armetta (2012), Jim Deloach (2011) and Cory Gunderson (2009). About Protiviti Protiviti (www.protiviti.com) is a global consulting firm that delivers deep expertise, objective insights, a tailored approach and unparalleled collaboration to help leaders confidently face the future. Through its network of more than 80 offices in over 25 countries, Protiviti and its independently owned Member Firms provide clients with consulting solutions in finance, technology, operations, data, analytics, governance, risk and internal audit. Named to the 2019 Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For list, Protiviti has served more than 60 percent of Fortune 1000 and 35 percent of Fortune Global 500 companies. The firm also works with smaller, growing companies, including those looking to go public, as well as with government agencies. Protiviti is a wholly owned subsidiary of Robert Half (NYSE: RHI). Founded in 1948, Robert Half is a member of the S&P 500 index. Protiviti is not licensed or registered as a public accounting firm and does not issue opinions on financial statements or offer attestation services. Editor's note: Photos available upon request. SOURCE Protiviti Related Links http://www.protiviti.com PHOENIX, May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Providertech (https://www.providertech.com/) recently announced the release of its CareX automated healthcare communication platform to the Azure Marketplace as part of a new co-sell partnership with Microsoft. Providertech developed CareX to help healthcare providers streamline patient communications, boost overall appointment adherence and reduce lost revenue due to no-show rates. Providertech developed CareX to help healthcare providers streamline patient communications, boost overall appointment adherence and reduce lost revenue due to no-show rates. Responding to a market that requires improved patient engagement as a way to deliver high-quality care and increased positive patient outcomes, Providertech's CareX platform automates communication using text, voice and email. CareX seamlessly integrates with existing Electronic Medical Records (EMR) to coordinate outreach with overdue populations and increase a wide variety of booked healthcare appointments, while reducing no-show appointments. CareX automation helps providers, payers, pharma and FQHCs reduce their overall workload while engaging patients at scale throughout the patient's entire healthcare experience: before, during and after their care. And now, built within Microsoft's Azure Cloud, CareX can be used by healthcare providers to ensure a successful deployment of solutions that are customizable, HIPAA-compliant and easily managed. "Our product evolution and speed-to-market continues to accelerate," said Allen Crane, Vice President, Product Development. "Our latest release on Microsoft Azure takes advantage of Azure's Machine Learning capabilities and AI toolset to enable predictive capabilities in our own adherence models. Additionally, taking advantage of serverless architecture alongside Microsoft's Data Factory for integration allows us to deploy our fully integrated solution into the health system's EMR in as little as two weeks." Providertech CareX Benefits CareX automatically identifies and notifies patients who are due for wellness visits, preventative check-ups and population health screenings. With greater appointment adherence comes increased quality outcomes. Some other benefits, at a glance, include: Reduced No-Show Rates : Customize messages and delivery (email, text or voice). Predict and address no-shows with analytics while sending automated appointment reminders at scale freeing up your staff's time. : Customize messages and delivery (email, text or voice). Predict and address no-shows with analytics while sending automated appointment reminders at scale freeing up your staff's time. Improved Quality Outcomes : Target overdue populations using EHR data and rules while scaling population health outreach with automation. Use collected data to measure the effectiveness of messaging and address gaps in care. : Target overdue populations using EHR data and rules while scaling population health outreach with automation. Use collected data to measure the effectiveness of messaging and address gaps in care. Enhanced Patient Satisfaction and Improved Reputation Management : Route positive patient feedback directly to review sites to improve star ratings. Fend off negative feedback through service recovery, while identifying quality trends using AI language processing features. Providertech CareX and the Microsoft Azure Advantage Working with Microsoft Azure backed with its HITRUST certification for healthcare ensures a level of security that millions of Microsoft users have come to know and trust. Patient data can be uploaded with full confidence that multiple safeguards keep that information secure. Azure also allows seamless deployment of HIPAA-compliant solutions that are integrated with existing client EHRs. Azure enables Providertech faster implementations, using out-of-box solutions coupled with the convenience of pre-built integrations that facilitate quick, client customizations. Finally, an automated deployment process and access to self-service portals allows clients to manage their offices far more easily and efficiently than ever before. "Through Microsoft Azure Marketplace, customers around the world can easily find, buy, and deploy partner solutions they can trust, all certified and optimized to run on Azure," said Sajan Parihar, Director, Microsoft Azure Platform at Microsoft Corp. "We're happy to welcome Providertech's CareX solution to the growing Azure Marketplace ecosystem." Providertech's CareX software navigates today's healthcare landscape with automation that helps companies engage directly with their patient populations to deliver value-based care and increase patient satisfaction. About Providertech Providertech helps healthcare teams scale care management beyond the traditional care setting. Using automated communications built within Microsoft Azure Cloud, Providertech's customizable, patient-centered solutions optimize operational efficiency and improve health outcomes for value-based care initiatives, while reducing costs and increasing revenue. Learn more at www.Providertech.com. Contact: Lisa Blue MHI, RN VP, Clinical Innovation Providertech 602.565.2724 SOURCE Providertech Related Links https://www.providertech.com NEW YORK, May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Quixotic Systems Inc. has completed a 546-kilowatt (kW) solar power system for Conca D'Oro Importers LLC, a national distributor of specialty Italian foods and beverages based in Totowa, N.J. The rooftop solar system, which will provide clean energy for the distributor's warehousing, refrigeration and operations, will pay for itself in three years and save the company more than $2.7 million over the system's life. Food distributors provide a vital service to the American food market connecting farms and packaged food companies with the restaurants and retailers who sell their food. But distributors have seen rising costs in fuel, freight and labor in recent years. For New Jersey distributors like Conca D'Oro, installing a rooftop solar system is one way to offset these expenses -- while reducing the state's carbon emissions. "Solar offers a very positive return on investment and helps us reduce our reliance on fossil-fuel generated electricity, which is important to our customers and community," said Paolo Salvia, president, Conca D'Oro Importers, LLC. New Jersey's favorable solar policies have been a model for other states and helps companies like Conca D'Oro realize rapid payback for their solar investment. The cost of the project was reduced by more than 60 percent through a combination of tax credits and incentives such as New Jersey's Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs), which enable solar project owners to sell certificates for their clean energy. New Jersey's favorable net metering rate structure also ensures that commercial entities realize substantial savings with solar. Conca D'Oro's solar system, which includes 1,500 solar panels ballasted on the facility's 100,000-square-foot roof, will offset the company's electricity use by 60 percent. The company will save an estimated $60,000 per year on its electricity bill alone, not including tax credits, SRECs or depreciation benefits. "For food distributors who typically have large warehouse space with flat roofs and high energy costs, solar is an excellent business decision," said Richard Klein, president of Quixotic Systems. "Now is the time to take advantage of high-value SRECs as well." About Quixotic Systems Quixotic Systems (QSI), founded in 1999 and based in New York City, designs, engineers and installs high-performance solar systems that reduce costs and carbon emissions for homeowners and businesses across New York and New Jersey. Quixotic is certified by NYSERDA and NABCEP for both solar thermal and solar electric (PV) installations. Learn more at www.quixotic-systems.com . SOURCE Quixotic Systems Inc. Related Links http://www.quixotic-systems.com TORONTO, May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Radical Ventures, a venture capital firm investing in entrepreneurs applying deep tech to transform massive industries, today launched a new USD $350 million fund focused primarily on artificial intelligence. Cornerstone LPs include Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB), the Public Sector Pension Investment Board (PSP Investments), TD Bank Group and Wittington Investments Limited. "AI is perhaps the most disruptive technology since electricity. It will transform the world, impacting everyone, and we are just at the beginning of its application," said Jordan Jacobs, managing partner, Radical Ventures. "Toronto and Canada have led the world in developing AI that is disrupting industries from healthcare to finance to smart cities and everything in between. We are now seeing an explosion of AI startups in Toronto, across Canada and globally. Radical aims to back the most ambitious founders seeking to make a positive impact on the world." Jacobs previously co-founded and was co-CEO of Layer 6, a world-leading AI company that deployed a proprietary deep learning prediction engine for banks. Layer 6 was acquired 15 months after launch in January 2018 by TD Bank Group where Jacobs became SVP and chief AI officer (business & strategy). Benji Sucher, former COO of Layer 6, is also a co-founder at Radical and a GP of the new fund. In 2017, Jacobs and Layer 6 co-founder Tomi Poutanen co-founded the Vector Institute for Artificial Intelligence along with 2019 Turing Award winner Geoffrey Hinton (often called the godfather of AI), a core group of machine learning professors at The University of Toronto and former TD Bank CEO Ed Clark (now chairman of the Vector Institute). Vector has quickly grown to become one of the world's top AI research institutions and helps educate the next generation of AI leaders. Clark is joining Radical as a partner. Long-time McKinsey & Company Global Managing Director Dominic Barton also joins Radical as senior advisor. Clark and Barton will help portfolio companies by providing mentoring and advice and access to their extensive global networks. Poutanen and Layer 6 co-founder and Head of AI Maks Volkovs are also advisors to Radical Fund II. Salim Teja, former president, Venture Services of MaRS Discovery District in Toronto, also joins Radical as partner and general manager. Teja's responsibilities will include overseeing Radical's Impact Team, designed to help portfolio companies accelerate their global growth. About Radical Ventures: Radical Ventures was founded in 2017 by Jacobs, Poutanen, Sucher and Volkovs to pool their own tech investments along with a small group of outside investors seeking investments in companies developing AI products or applying AI to create a competitive advantage in massive markets. Radical Fund I concentrates on pre-seed and seed investments. Fund II is concentrated primarily at Series A stage investments with the ability to continue making investments through the growth stages of its portfolio companies. Learn more at www.radical.vc. Contact: Radical Ventures: [email protected] For careers at Radical Ventures: [email protected] Related Images radical-logo-1.png radical-logo-2.png SOURCE Radical Ventures Related Links http://www.radical.vc PLANO, Texas and ESCH-SUR-ALZETTE, Luxembourg, May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Hotshot Technologies , a fast-growing startup providing secure, compliant mobile-first messaging, collaboration and identity management for businesses, today announced the expansion of its senior management team and key achievements driving demand for its solutions. Hotshot is a fast, easy-to-use platform for team messaging that is secure and compliant with labor laws and regulatory requirements. Hotshot launched in late 2018 with an easy-to-deploy app and patent-pending location-and-time-based encryption technology enabling businesses to easily and affordably address the combination of complex security, compliance and labor laws across the globe, including GDPR, CCPA, HIPAA, SEC, ITAR, EU's 'right to be forgotten', evolving 'right to disconnect' regional laws and more. In the age of the "gig economy" and open collaboration, Hotshot's zero trust solution is new way for global businesses to increase productivity, while lowering privacy risk and maintaining control. Hotshot founder and CEO Aaron Turner commented on Hotshot's recent successes, "Demand for the Hotshot solution, including new customer wins we'll announce later this year, and industry awards have increased awareness of our capabilities and fueled our expansion. Our work in 2018 put us on the map. In 2019 we are proud to be a recognized cybersecurity and compliance leader." New Hotshot team members add operational and technical excellence Frederic Richter, Chief Operations Officer. Frederic is a French native speaker from Belgium who relocated to Luxembourg in 2001. He is a chartered accountant with over 10 years' experience as a Tax advisor with Arthur Andersen, Ernst & Young and PwC prior to joining Vodafone, where he was head of Indirect Tax in Luxembourg for five years. In 2016, he helped lead negotiations with the Luxembourg Government to establish the Tomorrow Street Innovation Centre, a joint venture between Vodafone and Technoport. In 2017, he was promoted to Senior Partner and appointed board member of the Tomorrow Street Innovation Centre. Jan Tietjen, CISSP, Director of Technical Solutions Europe. Jan is from Germany, where he lives with his family. He began his IT consulting career in 1995 by helping to build the MetroNet, one of the first German ISPs. In 2009, he joined T-Systems International GmbH as a Security Consultant with a focus on Common Criteria Evaluation. Later, he was Project Security Manager for Deutsche Telekom AG, and in 2016, helped form the Telekom Security business unit within T-Systems International GmbH. As Head of Security Product Assessment, he tested and judged the products of world leading security vendors for the Telekom Security portfolio. 2019 Hotshot industry awards and recognition Hotshot CEO Aaron Turner named one of cybersecurity's Top Executives of the Past 30 Years by SC Media named one of cybersecurity's by SC Media Finalist for 2019 SC Magazine Trust Award/Best Mobile Security Solution for enabling businesses to easily meet demands of regulations such as GDPR, CCPA, HIPAA, and ITAR in addition to EU and US labor laws for enabling businesses to easily meet demands of regulations such as GDPR, CCPA, HIPAA, and ITAR in addition to EU and US labor laws Hotshot honored with four 2019 Cybersecurity Excellence Awards from the 400,000-member Information Security Community, including Best Cybersecurity Startup (Silver), Best Compliance Solution (Bronze), Best Mobile Security Solution (Bronze) and Cybersecurity Professional of the Year (Silver) from the 400,000-member Information Security Community, including (Silver), (Bronze), (Bronze) and (Silver) Aaron Turner , a member of the RSA Conference Program Committee since 2015, presented three times at the RSA USA conference in March, giving thousands of attendees the opportunity to learn more about the latest innovations in mobile security and compliant messaging and collaboration solutions: Hotshot has EU headquarters within the Technoport ltd. business incubation program, in partnership with the Luxembourg Ministry of the Economy and Foreign Trade, and North American headquarters in Plano, TX. About Hotshot Hotshot is a fast, easy-to-use platform for team messaging that is secure and compliant with labor laws and regulatory requirements. It empowers employees to harness speed, convenience and efficiency of modern messaging while reducing employer liability concerning both privacy and security. Designed by an international team of regulatory compliance and security technology experts, Hotshot uses state-of-the-art encryption to protect data wherever it may be and whenever it is needed. Media Contact: Jackie Lucas Vera Voce Communication [email protected] 978-255-1159 SOURCE Hotshot Related Links https://www.hotshot.mobi NSM is a long-range, precision strike missile that can detect and destroy heavily defended land and sea targets at long distances. In 2018, the U.S. Navy awarded Raytheon a contract to manufacture and deliver NSM as the Navy's over-the-horizon weapon system for littoral combat ships and future frigates. The Marine Corps' selection of the Navy's anti-ship missile enhances joint interoperability and reduces costs and logistical burdens. "This fifth-generation missile adds another dimension for sea control operations and for protection from adversary warships," said Kim Ernzen, vice president of Raytheon Air Warfare Systems. NSM is the latest product produced in partnership with Norway and its defense leader Kongsberg. A mobile, land-based NSM is deployed with Poland's coastal defense forces. About Raytheon Raytheon Company, with 2018 sales of $27 billion and 67,000 employees, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, civil government and cybersecurity solutions. With a history of innovation spanning 97 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration, C5I products and services, sensing, effects and mission support for customers in more than 80 countries. Raytheon is headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts. Follow us on Twitter. Media Contact Tara Wood +1.520.247.5630 [email protected] SOURCE Raytheon Company Related Links http://www.raytheon.com CLOQUET, Minn., May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Sappi North America, Inc., a leading producer and supplier of diversified paper, packaging products and dissolving wood pulp, today announced the completion of a $25 million capital investment at its Cloquet, Minn. mill to debottleneck areas of the pulp manufacturing process. The bulk of the investment was made in the recovery areas of the pulp mill. "We are pleased that this investment brings an additional 30,000 tons per year (TPY) of pulp production capability to better serve our dissolving wood pulp customers," said Mike Schultz, Managing Director, Sappi Cloquet Mill. To learn more about Sappi, please visit www.sappi.com. About Sappi North America, Inc. Sappi North America, Inc., headquartered in Boston, is a market leader in converting wood fiber into superior products that customers demand worldwide. The success of our four diversified businesses high-quality Coated Printing Papers, Dissolving Wood Pulp, Packaging and Specialty Papers and Casting and Release Papers is driven by strong customer relationships, best-in-class people and advantaged assets, products and services. Our high-quality Coated Printing Papers, including McCoy, Opus, Somerset, and Flo, are the key platform for premium magazines, catalogs, books, direct mail and high-end print advertising. We are a leading manufacturer of Dissolving Wood Pulp with our Verve brand, a sustainable fiber, which is used in a wide range of products, including textile fibers and household goods. We deliver sustainable Packaging and Specialty Papers for luxury packaging and folding carton applications with our single-ply packaging brands, Spectro and Proto, and for the food and label industries with our specialty papers, LusterPrint and LusterCote. We are also one of the world's leading suppliers of Casting and Release Papers with our Ultracast, PolyEx and Classics lines for the automotive, fashion and engineered films industries. Customers rely on Sappi for high technical, operational and market expertise; products and services delivered with consistently high quality and reliability; and, state-of-the-art and cost-competitive assets and innovative spirit. Sappi North America is a subsidiary of Sappi Limited (JSE), a global company headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa, with more than 12,000 employees and manufacturing operations on three continents in seven countries and customers in over 150 countries. SOURCE Sappi North America, Inc. Related Links http://www.sappi.com WASHINGTON, May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The ESOP Association today welcomed Congressional testimony by U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta acknowledging his "strong" support for Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs). Acosta also noted his view that ESOP companies have made real progress in legal compliance and that The Department of Labor (DOL) can do a better job at providing guidance. "We are grateful that Secretary of Labor Acosta and the Department of Labor have recognized the effort made by ESOPs and their supporting professionals to fully comply with the very complex laws surrounding ERISA and company valuation. We are thankful for and welcome the Secretary's posture to help establish clear guidelines," said ESOP Association President and CEO James Bonham. "There is clear evidence of the benefit ESOPs provide to employees. But the current absence of clear regulatory guidance from the Department of Labor is artificially constraining new ESOP formation. Without better guidance from DOL, the losers are the millions of hard working Americans who miss out on the opportunity to own part of the company where they work." Responding to a question from Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-KY-2) at a May 1 hearing of the House Education and Labor Committee, Secretary Acosta stated: "The industry is conforming much more closely to the law and so, I think enforcement actions peaked sometime around 2013 and have been declining since as industry becomes integrated withwhat pension laws require." Secretary Acosta further acknowledged the benefit ESOPs provide to their employees. When Rep. Guthrie noted that the ESOPs with which he is familiar "have provided extremely lucrative retirement plans for their employees," Secretary Acosta replied: "I strongly support ESOPs I think ESOPs are of benefit to employees." "We also thank Rep. Guthrie for asking Secretary Acosta for greater regulatory clarity through guidance," Bonham continued. "It is impossible to try to comply with an extremely complex set of laws when the enforcing agency offers no written guidance and is inconsistent in the arguments it presents from case to case when pursuing enforcement actions." Rep. Guthrie asked Sec. Acosta for clearer guidelinesa request the Secretary acknowledged was "fair." Secretary Acosta also welcomed feedback on ways to improve ESOP regulations. "If there are particular areas where the guidelines need to be more clear, we'd appreciate knowing that so we can focus the inquiry," Sec. Acosta said. The ESOP Association: The ESOP Association is America's largest employer-sponsored advocacy and education association focused on employee stock ownership plans. Founded in 1978, the Association seeks to enhance federal laws governing ESOPs, provide members with expert information, and fund research via the Employee Ownership Foundation. The ESOP Association is a national non-profit organization with 18 local Chapters. Its members include ESOP companies, companies considering an ESOP, and service providers that assist in setting up and maintaining ESOPs. SOURCE The ESOP Association Related Links http://www.esopassociation.org CALGARY, Alberta, May 07, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- West High Yield (W.H.Y.) Resources Ltd. (the "Company") (TSXV: WHY) announces that it proposes to complete a non-brokered private placement of Units ("Units). Each Unit will consist of one Common Share in the capital of the Company (a "Common Share") and one-third of one Common Share purchase Warrant (a "Warrant"). Each whole Warrant would entitle the holder to purchase one additional Common Share at an exercise price of $0.45 for a period of one year from the date of issuance of the Warrant. There is no minimum subscription for this offering and a maximum of 8,000,000 Units will be issued at a price of $0.25 per Unit for gross proceeds of up to $2,000,000. The Company may pay finders fees on all or a portion of the private placement to eligible persons seeking subscribers to the financing, all in accordance with applicable securities laws and the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange"). The proposed private placement is subject to receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals including the approval of the Exchange. The Company confirms that, as of the date of this press release, there is no "material fact" or "material change" (as those terms are defined under applicable securities laws) related to the Company which has not been generally disclosed. Assuming the maximum offering is completed, approximately $1,500,000 of the net proceeds are expected to be used for the environmental base line study, environmental assessment study and mine plan and permit application and Industrial Mineral Mine Permit application for the Company's Record Ridge deposit near Rossland, British Columbia and the balance of the net proceeds will be used for the Kingston Process Metallurgy Inc. Pre-Feasibility Study Stage 2 discussed in the Companys press release of May 1, 2019 and general corporate purposes. If the offering is not fully subscribed, the Company will apply the proceeds to the above uses in priority and in such proportions as the board of directors and management of the Company determine is in the best interests of the Company. Although the Company intends to use the proceeds of the offering as described above, the actual allocation of proceeds may vary from the uses set out above, depending upon future operations, events or opportunities. About West High Yield West High Yield is a publicly traded junior mining exploration company focused on the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral resource properties in Canada with a primary objective to locate and develop economic gold, nickel and magnesium properties. For further information please contact: Frank Marasco President and Chief Executive Officer West High Yield (W.H.Y.) Resources Ltd. Telephone: (403) 660-3488 Facsimile: (403) 206-7159 Email: frank@whyresources.com Dwayne Vinck Chief Financial Officer West High Yield (W.H.Y.) Resources Ltd. Telephone: (403) 257-2637 Facsimile: (403) 206-7159 Email: vinck@shaw.ca Reader Advisory This press release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The use of any of the words "expect", "anticipate", "continue", "estimate", "objective", "ongoing", "may", "will", "project", "should", "believe", "plans", "intends" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking information or statements. More particularly and without limitation, this press release contains forward looking statements and information concerning the terms of the proposed non-brokered private placement of Units, the proposed use of proceeds and the Company's business plans. The forward-looking statements and information are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by the Company. 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. Forward-looking information is based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made, and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking information. Some of the risks and other factors that could cause the results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking information include, but are not limited to: general economic conditions in Canada and globally; industry conditions, including governmental regulation; failure to obtain industry partner and other third party consents and approvals, if and when required; the availability of capital on acceptable terms; the need to obtain required approvals from regulatory authorities; stock market volatility; competition for, among other things, skilled personnel and supplies; changes in tax laws; and the other factors. Readers are cautioned that this list of risk factors should not be construed as exhaustive. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on this forward-looking information, which is given as of the date hereof, and to not use such forward-looking information for anything other than its intended purpose. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. Not for distribution in the United States. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in the United States. The securities of the Company 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. SANTA CLARA, Calif., May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Seeloz Inc. today announced the Supply Chain Automation for Public Health (SCAPH) initiative to partner with countries managing public healthcare systems. Leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI), SCAPH helps partnering countries improve the operational efficiency of their public healthcare supply chains and accelerate the fulfillment of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs). Building on its Supply Chain Automation Suite (SCAS), a Vertical AI solution to minimize waste and inefficiencies across the food and healthcare supply chains, SCAPH allows countries to minimize expirations, overstock, stockouts and cross-warehouse movements across their public healthcare supply chains. Through its strategic, global original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and go-to-market partnership with SAP, Seeloz will complement the power of AI with the scalability offered by SAP HANA and the SAP Cloud Platform to rapidly partner with countries across the world -- with an initial focus on ASEAN, MENA and East Africa. "Currently, 30% of what the world produces from food and medical supply goes to waste -- a somber statistic and a monumental issue that needs to be solved if countries are to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. At Seeloz, we believe AI can save the world by substantially minimizing this waste. One of the fastest paths to make this a reality is to improve the efficiency of public healthcare supply chains around the world," said Dr. Mohamed Aly, founder and CEO of Seeloz Inc. Seeloz' SCAPH aims to achieve two major goals: supply chain automation and supply chain consolidation. Supply chain automation is the goal of using AI to autonomously drive supply procurement, inventory management and distribution workflows across the public healthcare supply chains for each partnering country. Building on this goal, supply chain consolidation leverages the combined purchasing power and strategic regional advantages to harmonize the public healthcare supply chain across regions spanning multiple neighboring countries. The Sustainable Development Goals are part of the UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The 17 goals, adopted by leaders from all over the world, provide a framework for addressing major challenges currently facing humanity at large. With Seeloz' new initiative, AI and automation will assist partnering countries to effectively excel in at least three of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals: Health and Well-being Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure Responsible Consumption and Production The forecasted SCAPH benefits to partnering countries are numerous and include tracking and reporting of UN Sustainable Development Goal fulfillment, optimal patient care with minimized budgets, and the substantial reduction of all forms of supply chain inefficiencies, from supply expirations, overstock, stockouts and logistics costs. "AI-driven technology is redefining the boundaries between the digital and physical spaces. Data was once static and boring, but today, with machine learning, things are getting more exciting and dynamic. Malaysia is excited and committed to adopt AI to revamp the operational efficiency of the public healthcare system and to positively impact millions of lives, in line with Malaysia's commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals," said Dr. Dzulkefly Ahmad, Minister of Health, Malaysia. Building on its early success in the region, Seeloz is currently expanding SCAPH to empower more ASEAN countries in better managing their respective public healthcare supply chains. In addition to the ASEAN region, Seeloz is proud to partner with countries across other equally important regions in the world, such as MENA and East Africa. SCAPH adoption typically involves a gradual implementation across the country's different regions, municipalities and cities by injecting procurement and inventory management AI-driven automation into healthcare supply distribution centers and warehouses, hospital warehouses and even across the departments and sub-stores of each hospital. Within the U.S., Seeloz continues its aggressive push to partner with different players across the healthcare ecosystem, including integrated delivery networks and healthcare supply distributors. "The SCAPH initiative is a clear demonstration of Seeloz' commitment to make a positive change in the world by maximizing the efficiency of healthcare systems globally. Given the hybrid nature of the healthcare ecosystem in the U.S., Seeloz continues its bold penetration of the U.S. healthcare market with the goal of partnering with all players managing supply chains with annual spending of $100 million to $1 billion plus," said Bill Stitt, VP of Healthcare Solutions at Seeloz Inc. Seeloz is excited about this new initiative and we look forward to working with our partners to help make the world a better place. About Seeloz Based at the heart of the Silicon Valley, Seeloz is an emerging leader in the Vertical-Specific AI-Driven (aka, Vertical AI) software space, aiming at becoming one of the main catalysts of AI-driven Automation across the industry. Driven by its mission to save the world through AI, Seeloz focuses on minimizing waste across the healthcare and food value chains. SAP, SAP HANA and other SAP products and services mentioned herein as well as their respective logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of SAP SE (or an SAP affiliate company) in Germany and other countries. See http://www.sap.com/corporate-en/legal/copyright/index.epx for additional trademark information and notices. All other product and service names mentioned are the trademarks of their respective companies. For more information, press only: Media Relations Contact Amir Razelan Seeloz Inc. 408-757-0505 [email protected] Related Images seeloz.png scas.png Related Links Seeloz Inc. Related Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2zGklsWLGg SOURCE Seeloz Inc. Related Links https://www.seeloz.com HOUSTON, May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Service Corporation International (NYSE: SCI) (the " Company ") announces that it intends to offer $750 million aggregate principal amount of senior notes, subject to market and other conditions. The offering will be made by means of an underwritten public offering pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company will use net proceeds from the offering, together with cash on hand, to repurchase its $425 million 5.375% Senior Notes due 2022 pursuant to a concurrent tender offer and consent solicitation, repay outstanding borrowings under its revolving credit facility, and pay related fees and expenses. Wells Fargo Securities will act as the lead joint book-running manager for the offering. The offering may be made only by means of a prospectus supplement and accompanying base prospectus. The prospectus supplement will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the " SEC ") and may be found on its website at www.sec.gov. When available, copies of the prospectus supplement relating to the public offering may be obtained from: Wells Fargo Securities, LLC Attention: WFS Customer Service 608 2nd Ave S, Suite 1000 Minneapolis, MN 55402 Telephone: (800) 645-9751 Opt 5 Email: [email protected] This press release does not constitute an offer to sell nor the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The notes will be offered only by means of a prospectus supplement and accompanying base prospectus. This press release does not constitute a notice of redemption with respect to the notes being redeemed. Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Statements The statements in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements made in reliance on the "safe harbor" protections provided under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may be accompanied by words such as "believe," "estimate," "project," "expect," "anticipate," or "predict," that convey the uncertainty of future events or outcomes. These statements are based on assumptions that we believe are reasonable; however, many important factors could cause our actual results in the future to differ materially from the forward-looking statements made herein and in any other documents or oral presentations made by us, or on our behalf. Important factors, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include, among others, the following: Our affiliated trust funds own investments in securities, which are affected by market conditions that are beyond our control. We may be required to replenish our affiliated funeral and cemetery trust funds to meet minimum funding requirements, which would have a negative effect on our earnings and cash flow. Our ability to execute our strategic plan depends on many factors, some of which are beyond our control. Our credit agreements contain covenants that may prevent us from engaging in certain transactions. If we lost the ability to use surety bonding to support our preneed activities, we may be required to make material cash payments to fund certain trust funds. The funeral and cemetery industry is competitive. Increasing death benefits related to preneed contracts funded through life insurance or annuity contracts may not cover future increases in the cost of providing a price-guaranteed service. The financial condition of third-party insurance companies that fund our preneed contracts may impact our future revenue. Unfavorable results of litigation could have a material adverse impact on our financial statements. Unfavorable publicity could affect our reputation and business. If the number of deaths in our markets declines, our cash flows and revenue may decrease. If we are not able to respond effectively to changing consumer preferences, our market share, revenue, cash flows, and/or profitability could decrease. The continuing upward trend in the number of cremations performed in North America could result in lower revenue, operating profit, and cash flows. could result in lower revenue, operating profit, and cash flows. Our funeral and cemetery businesses are high fixed-cost businesses. Regulation and compliance could have a material adverse impact on our financial results. Cemetery burial practice claims could have a material adverse impact on our financial results. We use a combination of insurance, self-insurance, and large deductibles in managing our exposure to certain inherent risks; therefore, we could be exposed to unexpected costs that could negatively affect our financial performance. A number of years may elapse before particular tax matters, for which we have established accruals, are audited and finally resolved. Changes in taxation as well as the inherent difficulty in quantifying potential tax effects of business decisions could have a material adverse effect on the results of our operations, financial condition, or cash flows. Declines in overall economic conditions beyond our control could reduce future potential earnings and cash flows and could result in future impairments to goodwill and/or other intangible assets. Any failure to maintain the security of the information relating to our customers, their loved ones, our associates, and our vendors could damage our reputation, could cause us to incur substantial additional costs and to become subject to litigation, and could adversely affect our operating results, financial condition, or cash flow. Our Canadian business exposes us to operational, economic, and currency risks. Our level of indebtedness could adversely affect our ability to raise additional capital to fund our operations, limit our ability to react to changes in the economy or our industry, and may prevent us from fulfilling our obligations under our indebtedness. A failure of a key information technology system or process could disrupt and adversely affect our business. Failure to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting could adversely affect our results of operations, investor confidence, and our stock price. The application of unclaimed property laws by certain states to our preneed funeral and cemetery backlog could have a material adverse impact on our liquidity, cash flows, and financial results. For further information on these and other risks and uncertainties, see our SEC filings, including our 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Copies of this document as well as other SEC filings can be obtained from our website at www.sci-corp.com. We assume no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements made herein or any other forward-looking statements made by us, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. About Service Corporation International Service Corporation International (NYSE: SCI), headquartered in Houston, Texas, is North America's leading provider of deathcare products and services. At March 31, 2019, we owned and operated 1,479 funeral service locations and 482 cemeteries (of which 287 are combination locations) in 44 states, eight Canadian provinces, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Through our businesses, we market the Dignity Memorial brand, which offers assurance of quality, value, caring service, and exceptional customer satisfaction. For more information about Service Corporation International, please visit our website at www.sci-corp.com. For more information about Dignity Memorial, please visit www.dignitymemorial.com. SOURCE Service Corporation International Related Links http://www.sci-corp.com LONDON, May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The following documents (the "Documents") are available for viewing: Prospectus Supplement dated 3 May 2019 Royal Dutch Shell plc Annual Report and Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2018 Royal Dutch Shell plc unaudited consolidated interim financial statements as at and for the three month period ended 31 March 2019 Shell International Finance B.V. Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2018 The Documents must be read in conjunction with the Information Memorandum dated 3 August 2018, as supplemented by the first supplement dated 19 September 2018, the second supplement dated 1 November 2018 and the third supplement dated 8 February 2019, relating to the Programme. The Information Memorandum constitutes a base prospectus for the purposes of Article 5.4 of Directive 2003/71/EC as amended or superseded. Full information on Shell International Finance B.V. and Royal Dutch Shell plc (NYSE: RDS.A) (NYSE: RDS.B) is only available on the basis of the Information Memorandum. The Documents are available for viewing at the 'Financial Publications' section of Shell's website. To view the Documents, please paste the following URLs into the address bar of your browser. Prospectus Supplement dated 3 May 2019 http://www.shell.com/investors/financial-reporting/euro-medium-term-note-programme.html Royal Dutch Shell plc Annual Report and Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2018 http://www.shell.com/investors/financial-reporting/annual-publications.html Royal Dutch Shell plc unaudited consolidated interim financial statements as at and for the three month period ended 31 March 2019 https://www.shell.com/investors/financial-reporting/quarterly-results/2019/q1-2019.html Shell International Finance B.V. Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2018 https://www.shell.com/investors/financial-reporting/debt-information/shell-international-finance-bv-reports.html Other content available on Shell's website and the content of any other website accessible from hyperlinks on Shell's website is not incorporated into, and does not form part of, this announcement. The Documents will be submitted to the National Storage Mechanism and will shortly be available for inspection at http://www.morningstar.co.uk/uk/nsm. Enquiries: Shell Media Relations International, UK, European Press: +44 (0)207 934 5550 Shell Investor Relations Europe: + 31 (0)70 377 3996 DISCLAIMER INTENDED ADDRESSEES Please note that the information contained in the Information Memorandum may be addressed to and/or targeted at persons who are residents of particular countries (specified in the Information Memorandum) only and is not intended for use and should not be relied upon by any person outside these countries and/or to whom the offer contained in the Information Memorandum is not addressed. Prior to relying on the information contained in the Information Memorandum, you must ascertain from the Information Memorandum whether or not you are part of the intended addressees of the information contained therein. This publication does not constitute an offering of the securities described in the Information Memorandum for sale in the United States. This is not for distribution 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 "Securities Act") or under any relevant securities laws of any state of the United States and are subject to U.S. tax law requirements. Subject to certain exceptions, the securities may not be offered or sold within the United States or to or for the account or benefit of U.S. persons, as such terms are defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act. There will be no public offering of the securities in the United States. Your right to access this service is conditional upon complying with the above requirement. SOURCE Shell International Finance BV; Royal Dutch Shell plc Related Links https://www.shell.com HOUSTON, May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ - SkyX systems, an aerial monitoring solutions provider, has partnered with E'Kabel, a leading multinational supplier of fiber optic sensing technology, to provide oil and gas pipeline operators with a premier inspection and monitoring solution. Together, SkyX and E'Kabel offer the most comprehensive inspection solution for midstream infrastructure. E'Kabel's fiber optic technology monitors temperature and DAS / DVS (Distributed Acoustic / Vibration Sensing) to detect leaks, third-party intrusions, deformations and geotechnical events. SkyX systems layer on top of E'Kabel's solution to provide aerial monitoring and visual verification for leaks, corrosion, right of way activities and illegal activities. "Corrosion, human error, mechanical failure and unauthorized digging are the most common cause of pipeline incidents," said Didi Horn, Chairman and CEO, SkyX. "Through our partnership with E'Kabel, we're enabling midstream companies to focus on doing what they do best while we inspect and secure the vast network of global midstream infrastructure. A majority of pipelines are in remote areas that can take extended periods of time to reach and inspect. We're not only helping companies react to incidents much quicker and more effectively, we're able to help them be proactive by providing access to meaningful data that helps them remain in operation, increase safety standards and stay compliant with local laws and regulations." "SkyX and E'kabel share visionary thinking about the future of monitoring strategic assets. We built a strong relationship in order to bring game changing solutions to our customers," said Romer Chirinos CEO-Founder, Ekabel. The SkyOne UAV can be deployed from virtually anywhere with no need for launchers, runways or on-site piloting. Engineered for autonomous vertical takeoff and landing, the UAV has the ability to function effectively in a wide range of conditions with a range of at least 65 miles, endurance up to 90 minutes, minimum speed of 40 mph and maximum speed of 75 mph. Furthermore, automated xStations are strategically placed along the infrastructure, providing infinite range. The partnership marks another milestone for SkyX. Since September, the company closed on a Series B round of funding, expanded operations with the opening of their Houston office and are expected to open a test facility there to provide live demonstrations in the near future. About SkyX: SkyX is revolutionizing the way aerial data is accumulated, analyzed and actioned. By integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) with purpose-built drone systems, we deliver actionable data to drive operational excellence for midstream oil and gas, power transmission lines, railway lines and other long-range assets. Armed with this intelligence, organizations can make better decisions with regards to the health of their aging infrastructure and mitigate risks associated with having remote assets. For more information visit www.skyx.com. About E'Kabel Ekabel is an international company with expertise in energy and data transmission solutions. We are committed to the integral development of our clients and strive to grow those companies using global knowledge and understanding of local standards. Our portfolio includes state of the art technology that generates innovative results for the challenges of everyday life. Ekabel has offices in the US, Australia and throughout the Americas. For more information visit www.ekabel.net SOURCE SkyX Related Links https://skyx.com/ Terumo and Talis announced a strategic partnership in January 2019 which enables Terumo to distribute Talis Clinical's ACG-Perfusion and ACG-RemoteView Systems in cardiac operating rooms and intensive care units. Terumo and Talis have future plans to expand distribution of the systems globally, as well as develop a unique application for ECMO management. Deployed in the OR, the Talis ACG-Perfusion System allows for safe and efficient care by automatically collecting all relevant perfusion data at the point of care. Hospital specific, checklist-driven protocols guide safe best practices which are easily observed and documented in patient care. ACG-Rx a technology embedded into ACG-Perfusion allows the clinical team to review critical parameters and set patient-specific clinical targets to optimize therapeutic delivery. Outside the OR, ACG-RemoteView pushes clinical and operational data to the entire critical care team. For those in supervisory roles, mobile technology makes it possible to view key metrics in real-time wherever they are, while smart notifications alert them to issues that may require immediate attention. "Despite enormous investments in technology, healthcare teams often operate in silos what we refer to as a 'disconnected state,'" said Gary Colister, Founder and President of Talis Clinical. "Talis' powerful ACG System optimizes the clinical workflow to center care around the patient, eliminating silos in the CVOR and CVICU." "Technology is revolutionizing healthcare, and Terumo is constantly seeking ways to provide new value through both the products and services we provide," said Robert DeRyke, President and CEO of Terumo Cardiovascular Group. "The Talis ACG System goes beyond data management to provide smart, actionable clinical insights. It connects clinicians with data that can help them quickly assess situations and make smarter decisions." "Healthcare needs technologies that unlock and transform data in ways that help clinicians take better care of patients," said Harish Lecamwasam, MD, Chief Innovation Officer of Talis Clinical. "Talis Clinical's ACG solutions reconnect clinicians with patients, medical devices, health data and each other. This significantly elevates how we manage patients in the cardiac operating room and intensive care unit." About Terumo Cardiovascular Group Terumo Cardiovascular Group manufactures and markets medical devices for cardiac and vascular surgery with an emphasis on cardiopulmonary bypass, intra-operative monitoring and vascular grafting. The company is headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, with manufacturing operations in the U.S., Europe and Asia. It is one of several subsidiaries of Terumo Corporation of Japan that is focused exclusively on cardiac and vascular specialties. For more information, visit www.terumo-cvgroup.com. About Talis Clinical Talis Clinical, a leading provider of healthcare software solutions, started over 10 years ago with an initiative to build a perioperative documentation system to support safe anesthesia care. This extensive development moved from documenting complex anesthesia workflows to providing advanced clinical guidances to improve patient care in real-time at the point of care. Today Talis Clinical software solutions have expanded beyond anesthesia to the CVOR and CVICU supporting hospitals across the country. www.talisclinical.com SOURCE Terumo Cardiovascular Group Related Links http://www.terumo-cvgroup.com FAIRFIELD, N.J., May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The Inception Company, a technology-driven engagement products and services company, is proud to announce they have been chosen as a finalist in the 5th Annual LTEN Excellence Awards, a national competition that recognizes innovative and inspiring work done by life sciences training professionals and providers in seven competitive categories. The company has been recognized in the Provider Innovation category for Pando, a virtual meeting technology that delivers extraordinary engagement by integrating remote participants with a live studio production. An Inception client has also been selected as a finalist in the Practitioner Innovation category for their vision of reimagining their 6-day Plan of Action (POA) meeting for 2500 sales representatives and conducting it on the Pando platform. The awards are presented and sponsored by the Life Sciences Trainers & Educators Network (LTEN), the world's largest professional association of life sciences trainers and educators. Winners will be announced during a June 5 ceremony at the 48th LTEN Annual Conference, June 3-6, 2019, in Grapevine, TX. "Our expert judges had their work cut out for them this year," said Dawn Brehm, executive director of LTEN. "This year's awards competition saw nearly twice as many entries as previous years, and the quality of the nominees was phenomenal, making judging a very difficult task. Still, our judges came up with an impressive list of finalists, and it's an honor to recognize their game-changing work." Matt Giegerich, CEO of The Inception Company, commented, "We are honored to be recognized by LTEN for such a prestigious award. We launched Pando a year ago and have been thrilled to see the market receptivity. Pando answers an unmet need for our clients by bringing unparalleled engagement and collaboration to remote audiences." "We have been especially pleased to see how much our training clients appreciate Pando," added Shaun Urban, President of The Inception Company. "The trainers enjoy the face-to-face communication with their audience, the ability to conduct real-time surveys and polling, and the option to measure engagement. And the use cases for Pando continue to expand almost daily. Pando has been used for advisory boards, physician speaker training, peer-to-peer education, product demonstrations, patient advocacy engagement, continuing medical education, global manager meetings, and others." For more information about Pando, visit www.pandomeetings.com. About The Inception Company The Inception Company is a technology-driven production company that builds engagement products and services to help our clients reach and connect more fully with their stakeholders, including virtual meeting platforms, broadcast, video, and meeting services solutions. Our newest innovation, Pando, was developed in response to clients' needs for a virtual meeting platform that delivers superior engagement and collaboration. Combining a studio crew, 40-foot video wall, in-person moderator or moderators, and seamless onboarding support by live helpdesk staff, Pando is a fully-produced event that delivers the experience and impact of an in-person meeting. Independently held, The Inception Company is headquartered in Fairfield NJ, with additional offices in New York NY, Blue Bell PA and San Francisco CA. For more information, visit www.pandomeetings.com or www.inceptioncompany.com ABOUT LTEN The Life Sciences Trainers & Educators Network (www.L-TEN.org) is the only global 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization specializing in meeting the needs of life sciences learning professionals. LTEN shares the knowledge of industry leaders, provides insight into new technologies, offers innovative solutions and communities of practice that grow careers and organizational capabilities. Founded in 1971, LTEN has grown to more than 2,100 individual members who work in pharmaceutical, biotech, medical device and diagnostic companies, and industry partners who support the life sciences training departments. Contact: Matt Giegerich Shaun Urban CEO President The Inception Company The Inception Company [email protected] [email protected] 973-840-1800 908-797-1928 SOURCE The Inception Company Related Links https://inceptioncompany.com PORT JERVIS, N.Y., May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The Sentinel of Port Jervis, a family-owned and operated health care organization based in Rockland County, NY announced the completion and opening of a new senior living community in Port Jervis, NY in April, 2019. The Sentinel of Port Jervis is located at the site of old Days Inn in Deerpark. After a complete renovation and expansion, the Sentinel is truly a magnificent senior living community. With this latest acquisition, The Sentinel continues to expand its portfolio of assisted living communities in New York. The community consists of 65,000 square feet sitting on over 5 acres of beautiful lush greenery. The Sentinel of Port Jervis is a 160-unit assisted living community offering both private and semi-private suite options, licensed by the New York State Department of Health as an Assisted Living Program, The Sentinel allows for affordable senior living while providing the highest level of quality care. "We are incredibly proud of this latest project because it brings our vision to fruition- building a beautiful community for seniors while assisting local area residents through job creation," said Eric Newhouse, President of The Sentinel. Mr. Newhouse has proven this concept when they completed a similar project in Amsterdam, NY in late 2017. This will be a blueprint for other upcoming NY locations as well. Neil Zelman, CEO of The Sentinel, quipped, "Some have called our model 'a senior wonderland.' I think that really captures what we are trying to accomplish while providing quality care and life enrichment to the seniors in our communities." To learn more about The Sentinel of Port Jervis, please visit www.sentinelalf.com or arrange an on-site visit by calling 845-697-0400. Media Contact Bassie Friedman (845) 596-8193 [email protected] SOURCE The Sentinel of Port Jervis Related Links http://www.sentinelalf.com NEW YORK, May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The courage and sacrifice it takes to be a member of the military is second to none, but the distinction of raising those who serve is an act worthy of considerable recognition. This Mother's Day, Crown Royal is honoring the Mothers Of Military (M.O.M.) servicemen and women for their selflessness, generosity and dedication by creating 1,000* custom military-grade medals in partnership with Vanguard Industries, the official makers of the United States Military insignia, ribbons and medals. Multi-PLATINUM Selling Performer Thomas Rhett Honors Mothers of Military (M.O.M.) with a Homecoming Surprise from Their Active-Duty Sons and Daughters Through The Crown Royal Purple Bag Project Crown Royal joined forces with The Purple Bag Project partners Thomas Rhett and Packages From Home, a 501(c)(3), to reunite Mothers Of Military with their active duty sons and daughters. Crown Royal joined forces with The Purple Bag Project partners Thomas Rhett and Packages From Home, a 501(c)(3), to reunite Mothers Of Military with their active duty sons and daughters. Ahead of the surprise reunion, the Mothers of Military joined Crown Royal Purple Bag Project partner Thomas Rhett and Packages From Home, a 501(c)(3), to assemble care packages for the brave men and women currently serving overseas. As part of the Crown Royal Mothers Day program, Thomas Rhett sat down with the moms to discuss their experiences and selflessness as Mothers of Military. As part of the reunion, these active duty sons and daughters presented their own Mother Of Military with the custom designed and prestigious M.O.M. Medals to celebrate their generosity and to help inspire generosity in others. Experience the interactive Multichannel News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8534651-crown-royal-mothers-of-military-mothers-day-campaign/ As a kick off to Mother's Day celebrations, Crown Royal enlisted the help of multi-PLATINUM selling performer and Academy of Country Music Awards Male Artist of the Year Thomas Rhett to host an intimate brunch honoring Mothers Of Military servicemen and women in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Known for his philanthropic work, Thomas Rhett recently helped to launch The Crown Royal Purple Bag Project, the brand's largest generosity commitment to-date, which partners with the non-profit organization Packages From Home to distribute one million care packages to military and others in need by 2020. From laughter to heartfelt conversations, the brunch was filled with special moments as the mothers proudly spoke of the accomplishments of their sons and daughters and found camaraderie in their shared experiences. Thomas Rhett and Crown Royal then surprised the mothers by bringing out their active-duty sons and daughters. Representing multiple bases, branches and ranks of the United States Military, the reunions demonstrated the power of unconditional love and support between family members regardless of time and distance. The military sons and daughters took the opportunity to express gratitude for their mothers, pinning each with a Crown Royal M.O.M. Medal. These M.O.M. Medals are in the shape of a pentagon to represent the five branches of the United States Military, and feature the Greek goddess of motherhood Ancient Leto, as well as a double strand rope to symbolize the strength of the bond between a mother and her child. "It's incredible to continue partnering with Crown Royal on The Purple Bag Project, especially when we get to recognize the generosity of Mothers Of Military," said Thomas Rhett. "It was really special to honor these women for Mother's Day and it was a privilege to spend time with the moms who helped raise such brave men and women. I am so grateful to them and their families for their sacrifice." Following this joyful reunion, Thomas Rhett and the group worked to put together care packages in Crown Royal purple bags for deployed servicemen and women. "Crown Royal has supported the military for nearly a decade and showing gratitude to the mothers of these military servicemembers felt like a natural evolution of this commitment," said Nicola Heckles, Director, Crown Royal at DIAGEO North America. "Raising a son or daughter who serves in the military is one of the more generous things a person can do, and our goal is to inspire others across the country to give these mothers the thanks they deserve - this Mother's Day and every day." Crown Royal is recognizing Mothers Of Military (and other deserving mothers)* in communities across the country for their sacrifice and service this Mother's Day. Consumers of legal drinking age can nominate mothers 25 years or older for the M.O.M. Medal at CrownRoyal.com/MothersDay. Select nominated mothers will receive the physical M.O.M. Medal to cherish, and other mothers will be honored digitally on the "Wall of M.O.M.s." When celebrating the special mothers in your life this Mother's Day, and every day, Crown Royal reminds you to do so responsibly. *About The Promotion There is no purchase necessary and it is for legal U.S. residents only. Official Rules are located at CrownRoyal.com/MothersDay. Consumers 21 years and older may nominate a Mother Of Military (or another deserving mother) 25 years or older now through Mother's Day, unless 1,800 nominations are submitted by April 30, 2019, at which point entries will be closed. The program is intended primarily for Mothers Of Military servicemembers, however other mothers who have displayed the same traits of sacrifice, selflessness and generosity may also be nominated. Once a mother is nominated, she will be contacted by Crown Royal by email to obtain her permission to be honored on the digital Wall Of M.O.M.s, as well as her consent to be entered for a chance to win a physical M.O.M. Medal. A nominated mother will not be honored on the digital Wall of M.O.M.s or entered to win a physical M.O.M. Medal unless she first provides her consent. Crown Royal has created 1,000 M.O.M. Medals for distribution, but only 900 will be prizes in the Promotion. Odds of winning depend on number of eligible entries/nominations received. If an entry nominating a mother is selected in the random drawing and she has been verified as being eligible, she will receive a physical M.O.M. Medal from Crown Royal. A mother can only receive 1 physical M.O.M. Medal at most. The Promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or associated with the United States Military, United States Armed Forces or any agency of the United States government. About Crown Royal Crown Royal Canadian Whisky is the number-one selling Canadian whisky brand in the world and has a tradition as long and distinctive as its taste. Specially blended to commemorate a grand tour of Canada made by King George VI and Queen Elizabeth of Great Britain in 1939, Crown Royal's smooth, elegant flavor and gift-worthy presentation reflect its regal origins it is considered the epitome of Canadian whisky. For more information, visit www.crownroyal.com. Crown Royal encourages all consumers to please enjoy responsibly. About Diageo Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands including Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, Bulleit and Buchanan's whiskies, Smirnoff, Ciroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness. Diageo is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo's global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives and ways to share best practice. Follow us on Twitter for news and information about Diageo North America: @Diageo_NA. Celebrating life, every day, everywhere. About Thomas Rhett The upcoming album's lead single "Look What God Gave Her" has already earned the highest chart debut of Thomas Rhett's career. CENTER POINT ROAD connects fans to Thomas Rhett's past, weaving together autobiographical stories with familiar sounds that have propelled his meteoric career. The highly-anticipated new music is the follow-up to the PLATINUM-certified smash LIFE CHANGES, which spawned a 2018 GRAMMY nomination for Best Country Album and has been streamed more than one billion times, delivering a slew of RIAA-certified PLATINUM and GOLD chart-toppers, bringing Thomas Rhett's No. One tally to 12. Thomas Rhett was named country radio's most played artist of 2018, following a CMA Triple Play award for penning three No. One songs within a 12-month period, adding to his collection of trophies from the Country Music Association, Academy of Country Music, Billboard Music Awards, CMT Music Awards and more. On May 17th in Spokane, WA, he will kick off his headlining VERY HOT SUMMER TOUR, visiting 40 stops across the nation. For more information on new music and upcoming tour dates, visit ThomasRhett.com. Contacts: Lisa Wendling Taylor, 704-644-6924 [email protected] Michelle Sibley Diageo, 646-223-2168 [email protected] For Thomas Rhett: Tyne Parrish The GreenRoom, 615-242-7444 [email protected] SOURCE Crown Royal SAN JOSE, Calif., May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Tortuga Logic, a cybersecurity company specializing in hardware threat detection and prevention, is attending the 2019 Design Automation Conference (DAC), June 2-6 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Visit Tortuga Logic at booth #827 to speak with the team and view live product demos. In addition, Tortuga Logic will join industry experts in a panel and special session to discuss the current state of IP and hardware security. Luncheon and Panel Addressing IP Security Assurance Issues WHAT: Tortuga Logic's vice president of engineering, Andrew Dauman will participate in an Accellera-sponsored luncheon and panel addressing IP security assurance issues. Topics will explore responsibilities of system architects and engineers, requirements for a trusted development process across the design chain and sustaining the security of products throughout integration and deployment. The luncheon is free to DAC attendees, however registration is required. WHEN: Monday, June 3, 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. PT WHERE: Las Vegas Convention Center, Room N246 "Ensuring System-level Security Through Hardware and Software Security Verification" WHAT: Alongside the unprecedented growth of the Internet of Things (IoT), an increasing number of security exploits are being discovered. Many of these exploits are due to design flaws in the underlying hardware itself, which enables software to act maliciously. Tortuga Logic's CEO, Jason Oberg will lead a discussion on current hardware security concerns and present a security analysis on a hardware/software system using best-in-class verification techniques. WHEN: Wednesday, June 5, 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. PT WHERE: Las Vegas Convention Center, Room N259 For inquiries or to schedule a meeting with Tortuga Logic at DAC 2019, contact [email protected]. To view the DAC conference program, visit https://www.dac.com/events. About Tortuga Logic Tortuga Logic is a cybersecurity company that provides industry-leading solutions to address security vulnerabilities overlooked in today's systems. Tortuga Logic's innovative hardware security verification platform, Radix-S, enables design teams to identify and prevent system-wide exploits arising around a Hardware Root of Trust that are otherwise undetectable using current methods of security review. To learn more, visit www.tortugalogic.com or contact [email protected]. SOURCE Tortuga Logic Related Links https://www.tortugalogic.com Receiving more than 3,800 entries for the Stevie competition, the American Business Awards recognize outstanding performances in the workplace. The panel of judges commended Traction Guest for its ability to fulfill the need for enterprise security through innovative visitor management solutions that address global facility management challenges. "Great solution in a space that much needed it," and, "a very impressive product that continues to evolve and set itself apart from the staid competition," the judges noted. "Our continued focus on building a customer-first platform enables us to capitalize on a global enterprise market for secure, enterprise-grade visitor management solutions," explains Keith Metcalfe, CEO of Traction Guest. "This year, we set new security standards in the cloud VMS category by adding Assisted-Check-In with ID verification, conditional watchlists, pre-registration protocols and parking management. With this we are expanding visitor management beyond check-in." "Innovation around Assisted-Check-In will fill the gap for layered security at critical facilities. Digitization and integration of visitor data into Salesforce and other CRM tools will create incremental value to the organizations using this software system. The recognition as a leader in this category is testament of the product innovation," stated a judge for the Technology Innovation award category. Fueled by its innovation and unique culture, Traction Guest continues to demonstrate rapid growth with year-over-year revenue and employee increases of over 200%. Now serving clients on five continents across 30 industries, Traction Guest is accelerating its expansion by adding strategic investors, key hires and new partners to grow its presence internationally. 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 progressive brands such as Netflix, DocuSign and Thermo Fisher. https://tractionguest.com/ SOURCE Traction Guest Related Links tractionguest.com RICHMOND, Va., May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- For the fifth year running, London and Paris are the two most popular summer destinations for Americans traveling to Europe. Great Britain's capital city tops the list and will welcome one out of every four European trips reviewed by Allianz Global Assistance, which is an increase of five percentage points since 2018. Despite concerns of overtourism, Reykjavik's popularity with Americans endures as the city holds steady at #3 for the second year in the row. England continues to attract U.S. travelers, despite facing uncertainty with the stalled Brexit discussions between Britain and the European Union. Emerging destinations include smaller but vibrant United Kingdom cities like Manchester, England (#17) making its debut. This year, Edinburgh, Scotland (#8) climbs up from #13 last year and #16 in 2017, while Brussels, Belgium (#19) is back on the list for the first time since 2015. Paris holds on to the number two spot for Americans' summer travel to Europe this year, despite ongoing civil protests across France, and in the wake of destruction to a historic landmark, Notre Dame. German destinations are on the decline this year, with both Munich (#20) and Frankfurt (#15) falling five spots from last year, and Berlin (#21) edged out completely, perhaps in part due to negative publicity on geopolitical issues. Similarly, travel to Athens, Greece continues to drop year over year. The city went from the #4 most popular European summer destination in 2017, to #8 in 2018 and #12 this year. Allianz Global Assistance, a leading travel insurance and assistance company, reviewed trips planned for travel from the United States to Europe from May 25 September 3, 2019. More than half (55 percent) of Americans traveling to Europe this summer will stay for seven days. The top 20 destinations are: London, United Kingdom (25 percent); Paris, France (13.3 percent); Reykjavik, Iceland (12.3 percent); Dublin, Ireland (6.8 percent); Rome, Italy (4.6 percent); Amsterdam, Netherlands (4.2 percent); Barcelona, Spain (3.7 percent); Edinburgh, Scotland (3.3 percent); Madrid, Spain (3.1 percent); Lisbon, Portugal (2.7 percent); Milan, Italy (2 percent); Athens, Greece (1.9 percent); Nice, France (1.5 percent); Zurich, Switzerland (1.5 percent); Frankfurt, Germany (1.4 percent); Prague, Czech Republic (1.1 percent); Manchester, United Kingdom (1.1 percent); Venice, Italy (1 percent); Brussels, Belgium (1 percent); Munich, Germany (.9 percent). "Summer is peak season for Americans to visit Europe, and while major cities like London and Paris remain popular, we see travelers going beyond the traditional in recent years, exploring lesser-known destinations like Manchester," said Daniel Durazo, director of communications at Allianz Global Assistance USA. "Delayed flights or missed connections, lost luggage and unexpected illness or injury can happen anywhere and anytime, even on a long-awaited holiday. The right travel protection policy can assist in protecting your investment and taking some of the stress out of travel hiccups." As one customer with travel plans to Europe, who purchased their insurance through a major U.S. airline, said, "We had to cancel our trip to the UK because of illness. I filed a claim with Allianz and they settled it within a couple days." Another benefited from their policy while traveling to Barcelona and plans to buy again for an upcoming Paris trip: "This is the third time I have used Allianzthe first two there were no claims. So when I filed a claim this time for an illness in Barcelona, I was apprehensive. But the experience was awesome. I'm going to Paris in April and will use your insurance again. It is a comfort to have it." Allianz Global Assistance offers travel insurance** through most major U.S. airlines, leading travel agents, online travel agencies, and other travel suppliers, as well as directly to consumers. For more information on Allianz Global Assistance and the policies offered for travelers, please visit: http://www.allianztravelinsurance.com. *Methodology: The data of U.S. travelers' 2019 Summer traveling plans was gathered by analyzing the number of travelers that went through the online booking process of airfare for partners offering Allianz Global Assistance travel to generate itineraries for roundtrip flights from US airports to Europe during the Summer season (5/24/19 to 9/3/2019) for trips between 5-8 days in length. Destination 2019 Rank 2018 Rank 2017 Rank London 1 1 1 Paris 2 2 2 Reykjavik 3 3 17 Dublin 4 6 6 Rome 5 4 3 Amsterdam 6 5 7 Barcelona 7 7 5 Edinburgh 8 13 16 Madrid 9 9 8 Lisbon 10 N/A 15 Milan 11 14 13 Athens 12 8 4 Nice 13 11 N/A Zurich 14 12 11 Frankfurt 15 10 9 Prague 16 16 20 Manchester 17 N/A N/A Venice 18 17 10 Brussels 19 N/A N/A Munich 20 15 12 Allianz Global Assistance USA Allianz Global Assistance USA is a leading consumer specialty insurance and assistance company with operation centers in 35 countries. In the United States, Allianz Global Assistance USA (AGA Service Company) serves 40 million customers annually and is best known for its Allianz Travel Insurance plans. In addition to travel insurance, Allianz Global Assistance USA offers tuition insurance, event ticket protection, registration protection for endurance events and unique travel assistance services such as international medical assistance and concierge services. The company also serves as an outsource provider for in-bound call center services and claims administration for property and casualty insurers and credit card companies. To learn more about Allianz Travel Insurance, please visit allianztravelinsurance.com or Like us on Facebook at Facebook.com/AllianzTravelInsuranceUS . **Terms, conditions, and exclusions apply to all plans. Plans are available only to U.S. residents. Not all plans are available in all jurisdictions. For a complete description of the coverage and benefit limits offered under your plan, carefully review your plan's Letter of Confirmation/Declarations and Certificate of Insurance/Policy. Insurance coverage is underwritten by BCS Insurance Company (OH, Administrative Office: Oakbrook Terrace, IL), rated "A" (Excellent) by A.M. Best Co., under BCS Form No. 52.201 series or 52.401 series, or Jefferson Insurance Company (NY, Administrative Office: Richmond, VA), rated "A+" (Superior) by A.M. Best Co., under Jefferson Form No. 101C series or 101P series, depending on state of residence. Allianz Travel Insurance products are distributed by Allianz Global Assistance, a brand of AGA Service Company or its affiliates. AGA Service Company is the licensed producer and administrator of these plans and an affiliate of Jefferson Insurance Company. The insured shall not receive any special benefit or advantage due to the affiliation between AGA Service Company and Jefferson Insurance Company. Noninsurance benefits/products are provided and serviced by AGA Service Company. SOURCE Allianz Global Assistance USA Related Links http://www.allianztravelinsurance.com ADA, Mich., May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- USA Financial, a national investment advisory firm, insurance wholesaler and broker-dealer, announces the launch of their newest podcast for financial advisors: Advisor Skinny. This podcast aims to help financial advisors raise the enterprise values of their firms. Each episode will focus on a specific theme of business building, dissecting each topic in a straight forward, no-nonsense manner to "get straight to the skinny," as CEO Mike Walters says. "With the launch of this podcast, I'll be able to get right down to the core on helping advisors enhance their enterprise values by cutting out the nonsense and being brutally honest in each episode; I'm thrilled to share some of what our team has learned from working with successful advisor entrepreneurs for over three decades," says Walters. Since November 2018, USA Financial has launched three additional podcasts: 16 Ways From Sunday, Advisor Elevation and UnNiched. As a part of the Advisor Advancement Network, each podcast helps advisors with financial marketing insights, refining advisors' businesses, and improving relationships with clients, employers and others in the workplace. "I plan to cut through the red tape and financial industry confusion," Walters said. Subscribe to Advisor Skinny on iTunes and Google Play. About USA Financial Founded on April 1, 1988, USA Financial is a privately owned, independent financial services firm serving both investors and financial advisors throughout the country. The firm is committed to empowering financial advisors and investors by helping advisors grow their practice and serve their clients with a wide array of financial solutions and technology offerings. The USA Financial family of companies includes USA Financial Securities (FINRA-registered broker-dealer and registered investment advisor), USA Financial Insurance Services (insurance wholesaler), USA Financial Portformulas (a registered investment advisor and formulaic trending money manager), USA Financial Media (multimedia firm and producer of the nationally syndicated USA Financial Radio Show), USA Financial Exchange (a turnkey asset management platform) and USA Financial Consulting (compliance services and consulting firm). Each of these companies plays a vital role in the overall value proposition offered by USA Financial to its advisors and investors. Visit its website at www.usafinancial.com. Ashley Wolf Flackable (866) 225-0920 ext. 107 [email protected] SOURCE USA Financial Related Links https://www.usafinancial.com SAN FRANCISCO, May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Valimail, the world's leading provider of anti-phishing technologies to stop fake email and restore trust to communications, announced it has won the 2019 Excellence in Customer Service Award presented by Business Intelligence Group. "Valimail has retained 100% of its customers to date a feat that very few cloud companies can tout after four years. The secret to our success is actually pretty simple: We deliver a rock-solid product, we don't oversell or exaggerate our capabilities, and our customer success team is dedicated to ensuring complete customer satisfaction," said Valimail CEO and co-founder Alexander Garcia-Tobar. "We're proud to be recognized by the Business Intelligence Group for our commitment to delivering real value, delighting our customers, and enabling organizations to trust their email by using our solutions." Valimail's products offer protection against inbound BEC (business email compromise) attacks from untrusted senders as well as global phishing protection through DMARC . When DMARC enforcement is implemented properly through Valimail, it is 100% effective against impersonation attacks. With Valimail, the median time to enforcement is 80 days, compared with a median of 376 days for competitors. That means organizations don't have to worry about being impersonated or receiving fraudulent phishing emails that appear to be from trusted sources within their organization. And Valimail is the only anti-phishing company to offer a contractual guarantee that its customers will achieve DMARC enforcement. "Year after year the role of customer service plays a more important role in all of our lives," said Maria Jimenez, chief operating officer of the Business Intelligence Group. "We are thrilled to be honoring Valimail as they are leading by example and making real progress on improving the daily lives of so many." Organizations from across the globe submitted their recent innovations for consideration in the BIG Innovation Awards. Nominations were then judged by a select group of business leaders and executives who volunteer their time and expertise to score submissions. About Valimail Valimail is an anti-phishing company that has been driving the global trustworthiness of digital communications since 2015, with the only complete platform for stopping fake email, protecting brands, and helping ensure compliance. Valimail has won more than a dozen prestigious 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 . About Business Intelligence Group The Business Intelligence Group was founded with the mission of recognizing true talent and superior performance in the business world. Unlike other industry award programs , these programs are judged by business executives having experience and knowledge. The organization's proprietary and unique scoring system selectively measures performance across multiple business domains and then rewards those companies whose achievements stand above those of their peers. Contacts Dylan Tweney VP of Communications [email protected] 650-605-3348 Maria Jimenez Chief Nominations Officer Business Intelligence Group [email protected] +1 (909) 529-2737 SOURCE Valimail Related Links http://www.valimail.com TEL AVIV, Israel, May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- VAYAVISION, a developer of autonomous vehicle perception solutions based on raw data fusion and upsampling, announced today that it has appointed Carl Peter Forster, an automotive industry beacon, to its advisory board. Carl-Peter Forster has over 35 years of experience in the global automotive industry. He began his career consulting at McKinsey & Company in Munich, Germany, after which he held various leadership positions at BMW, including member of the Executive Board as head of global manufacturing. Forster has held such coveted positions as Managing Director of Opel and Vice President of GM Europe, as well as member of GM's Global Automotive Strategy Board. After leaving General Motors, he became Group CEO at Tata Motors, where he was responsible for the Jaguar and Land Rover brands. Forster was a member of Volvo Car's Board of Directors from 2013-2019. "Carl is a pioneer in the automotive industry and we are excited to welcome him to our advisory board," said Ronny Cohen, co-founder and CEO. "He joins VAYAVISION at an exciting time as we bring our debut software product to the automotive market and build deeper relationships within the automotive industry. His appointment brings us closer to helping OEMs and Tier 1s implement safer and more reliable perception software for autonomous vehicles at an affordable price." "VAYAVISION has a truly groundbreaking approach to AV vision and I am pleased to join the company's advisory board at a significant point in their development," said Forster. "VAYAVISION's pioneering raw data fusion and upsampling technology has tremendous potential to transform the AV industry, and I am excited to leverage my own experience and insight to ensure the company's success." About VAYAVISION VAYAVISION's leading environmental perception solution provides vehicles with crucial information on the dynamically changing driving environment for safer and reliable autonomous driving. The software solution encompasses state of the art raw data fusion with upsampling, AI, and computer vision, and has inherent redundancy that is required for functional safety. It is able to reliably and accurately detect small obstacles and "unexpected" objects. Working with leading OEMs and Tier 1's globally, VAYAVISION paves the way for comprehensive AV environmental perception. Media Contact: Sarah Small [email protected] IL:+972-052-214-8601 US:+1-949-255-1449 UK:+44-(0)203-807-1858 SOURCE VAYAVISION Related Links https://vayavision.com ATLANTA, May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Verady - https://verady.com, the leading blockchain asset accounting, reporting, and verification company, is formally announcing its Ledgible platform feature for stablecoin monitoring. Cohen & Company (www.cohencpa.com) became the first client for this feature beginning in 2018 and has utilized the Ledgible platform to assist with reporting on multiple stablecoins. This reporting helps to ensure accurate and reconcilable asset backing. Understanding how blockchain assets align with accounting, reporting, and verification is crucial to the adoption of cryptocurrency. "The foundation for Verady's work was developed years ago as an audit solution to verify Bitcoin assets. The Ledgible platform's accounting capabilities across blockchains, tokens, and exchanges is a natural evolution to match the ecosystem, and stablecoin monitoring is an important part of this process," said Nathan Eppinger, CTO of Verady. As the Ledgible platform continues to expand, it will add further traditional accounting platform integrations, more complex financial reporting, and a wider variety of use cases. "The introduction of stablecoins has been very exciting to see in the industry, but working with crypto-assets is complex. Cohen & Company assists companies with the challenges of financial accountability associated with the use of stablecoins and other crypto-assets. Verady's Ledgible platform is a great tool for us in this exciting field," said Corey McLaughlin, co-President of the Investment Industry Services Division at Cohen & Company. About Verady: Verady provides cryptocurrency accounting, reporting and verification capabilities through the Ledgible platform. Verady believes traditional accounting systems, firms, and standards are currently lacking functionality around cryptocurrencies. The Ledgible platform is the bridge between cryptocurrencies and traditional financial accounting which is needed to further their acceptance and growth. For more information about Verady please visit https://verady.com or follow @veradyinfo. About Cohen & Company: Cohen & Company's Investment Industry Services Division is focused on comprehensive audit, attest, tax, and consulting services exclusively for the investment industry. Our national client base includes mutual funds, hedge funds, private equity, exchange traded funds, commodity pools, investment advisers, fund service providers, high net worth individuals, trusts, and foundations. We have a customized, focused audit approach and deep tax expertise. But what makes us different is our culture built on energy, discipline, results, andmost importantly personal commitment to our clients. The firm has more than 650 associates in Illinois, Ohio, Maryland, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin; has an international presence in the Cayman Islands and Ireland; and is ranked as one of the top accounting firms in the country. Member PCAOB. Learn more at cohencpa.com. VERADY MEDIA CONTACT [email protected] COHEN & COMPANY MEDIA CONTACT Megan Howell [email protected] | 216-774-1175 SOURCE Verady Related Links https://verady.com DENVER, May 6, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Vista Gold Corp. (TSX & NYSE American: VGZ) ("Vista" or the "Company") today announced its unaudited financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2019. Management's quarterly conference call to discuss these results is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. MDT on May 8, 2019. The Company's unaudited financial statements, Management's Discussion and Analysis together with other important disclosures can be found in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed on May 6, 2019 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the Canadian securities regulatory authorities. Summary of Q1 2019 Financial Results Vista reported a net loss of $2.7 million or $0.03 per share for the three-month period ended March 31, 2019. The loss is comprised of $2.1 million of operating expenses and a $0.6 million mark-to-market loss on our investment in Midas Gold Corp., offset by other income of $0.1 million. Working capital at March 31, 2019 totaled approximately $10.7 million, including cash and short-term investments (comprised of government securities) of approximately $6.4 million. The Company currently has no debt. Subsequent to the period end, the Company received the second $1.5 million option payment from Minera Alamos for the Guadalupe de los Reyes gold / silver project in Sinaloa, Mexico. (Please refer to Vista's April 24, 2019 press release). Mt Todd Update During the quarter grinding tests were completed on 470 kilograms of samples with average grades ranging from 0.8 to 1.7 grams gold per tonne (g Au/t), from its Mt Todd gold project. The preliminary grinding test results confirm the results of previous tests, which indicated that the power required to achieve a target grind size of 38-45 microns is less than was estimated in the 2018 preliminary feasibility study. (Please refer to Vista's January 24, 2018 press release.) We have started an update of the Mt Todd technical report and plan to incorporate these test results into an updated preliminary feasibility study scheduled for completion in the coming months. Vista's President and CEO, Mr. Frederick H. Earnest commented, "With completion of the grinding tests, we are now able to complete leach recovery testing as the last phase of a comprehensive testing program. With the anticipated completion of the leach recovery tests in the next month, we expect to generate grind-size leach recovery curves covering a wide range of potential ore feed grades. The relationship between the grind-size and gold recovery on Mt Todd samples is well established, and we expect the leach recovery tests to confirm the results of the test work announced in August 2018. (Please refer to Vista's August 2, 2018 press release.) We are also pleased with the receipt of the Guadalupe de los Reyes option payment as it provides the Company with non-dilutive financing, consistent with our corporate strategy." Management Conference Call A conference call with management to review our financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2019 and to discuss corporate and project activities is scheduled for May 8, 2019 at 2:30 p.m. MDT. Participant Toll Free: 844-898-8648 Participant International: 647-689-4225 Conference ID: 2857058 This call will be archived and available at www.vistagold.com after May 8, 2019. Audio replay will be available for 21 days by calling toll-free in North America: 855-859-2056, passcode 2857058. If you are unable to access the audio or phone-in on the day of the conference call, please email your questions to [email protected]. All dollar amounts in this press release are in U.S. dollars. Technical Report on Mt Todd For further information on the Mt Todd Gold Project, see the Technical Report entitled "NI 43-101 Technical Report Mt Todd Gold Project 50,000 tpd Preliminary Feasibility Study Northern Territory, Australia", dated March 2, 2018 with an effective date of January 24, 2018, which is available on SEDAR as well as on Vista's website under the Technical Reports section. John Rozelle, Vista' s Sr. Vice President, a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, has approved the information in this press release. About Vista Gold Corp. The Company is a well-funded gold project developer. Our principal asset is our flagship Mt Todd gold project in Northern Territory, Australia. Mt Todd is the largest undeveloped gold project in Australia. For further information, please contact Pamela Solly, Vice President of Investor Relations, 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, including such things as our belief that an update of the Mt Todd technical report incorporating new test results into a new report will be completed prior to the end of the second quarter 2019, completion of leach recovery testing as the last phase of a comprehensive testing program in the next month, the leach recovery tests to confirm the results of the testing work announced in August 2018; and our belief that Mt Todd is the largest undeveloped gold project in Australia are forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. The material factors and assumptions used to develop the forward-looking statements and forward-looking information contained in this press release include the following: no change to laws or regulations impacting mine development or mining activities, our approved business plans, mineral resource and reserve estimates and results of preliminary economic assessments, preliminary feasibility studies and feasibility studies on our projects, if any, our experience with regulators, our experience and knowledge of the Australian mining industry and positive changes to current economic conditions and the price of gold. 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, uncertainty of resource and reserve estimates, uncertainty as to the Company's future operating costs and ability to raise capital; risks relating to cost increases for capital and operating costs; risks of shortages and fluctuating costs of equipment or supplies; risks relating to fluctuations in the price of gold; the inherently hazardous nature of mining-related activities; potential effects on our operations of environmental regulations in the countries in which it operates; risks due to legal proceedings; risks relating to political and economic instability in certain countries in which it operates; uncertainty as to the results of bulk metallurgical test work; and uncertainty as to completion of critical milestones for Mt Todd; as well as 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. Related Links http://www.vistagold.com Bringing more than 30 years of defense and aerospace experience to WhiteFox, Kula will oversee strategic growth, manufacturing and general business operations for the organization, and will report to CEO, Luke Fox. He previously held positions at defense contractors like Harris, Moog, Raytheon, and Northrop Grumman. "As our customer-base quickly grows, Mark's expertise is critical in supporting WhiteFox as we continue our mission to pioneer the safe integration of drones into society, keeping the sky open for responsible pilots and advancing drone technology for a better world," said Luke Fox, Founder and CEO of WhiteFox. "The longevity of Mark's career and his extensive background in design, development, production, and testing for a variety of land, sea, air, and cyberspace systems make him a perfect fit for WhiteFox." Prior to WhiteFox, Kula was General Manager of Asia Pacific for Moog Aircraft, and previously held the positions of Vice President of Strategic Pursuits and Vice President of Tactical Airborne Systems at Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems. He recently graduated from being a mentor at Starburst, a startup accelerator enabling innovation for the global aerospace industry, specializing in space, defense, and aeronautics. "Issues arising from unsecured airspace are becoming increasingly frequent and disruptive," said Kula. "I look forward to working with WhiteFox to help solve this challenge by safely and securely empowering the drone industry with the company's innovative and cutting-edge solutions." Kula holds an undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and attended the General Manager Program at Harvard Business School. About WhiteFox ( www.whitefoxdefense.com ) WhiteFox is a global leader in drone airspace security. Pioneering the safe integration of drones into society, WhiteFox products securely manage drones in sensitive airspace worldwide. In a constantly changing industry, WhiteFox is pushing the boundaries of what security means. SOURCE WhiteFox Related Links http://www.whitefoxdefense.com GREENSBURG, Pa., May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- W.N. Tuscano Agency, Inc. announced today it has signed an agreement to acquire Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania-based Insurance Markets, Inc. Founded in 1960, Insurance Markets, Inc. is a Managing General Agency (MGA) and surplus lines broker serving clients primarily in Pennsylvania. The Insurance Markets office located in Northeastern Pennsylvania will continue to operate under the direction of Robin Tuscano, newly appointed Branch Manager and current Transportation Manager at Tuscano Agency. William Tierney, Jr., Peter Tierney, Joe Tierney, and Ryan Tierney will join the Tuscano Agency and operate from their current location. Bill Tierney, President and CEO of Insurance Markets commented, "The Tierney family is pleased to become a part of the Tuscano organization, and we look forward to expanding our reach and ability to serve independent agents in Pennsylvania and the surrounding region." "Insurance Markets provides Tuscano with a local presence in Northeastern PA, to expand its presence in upstate New York and Northern New Jersey," said Robert B. Tuscano, President and CEO of Tuscano Agency. "We are pleased to welcome the Tierney's to the team of insurance professionals and underwriters at Tuscano." W.N. Tuscano Agency Inc. is a regional insurance brokerage firm headquartered in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. The company writes business in 21 states on the East coast and Midwest. For more information: Robin Tuscano 866-442-8063 x306 SOURCE W.N. Tuscano Agency ROCKVILLE, Md., May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- XcelHR announces the introduction of XcelHR Connect, a more powerful HRIS system designed to help employers manage payroll, onboarding, benefits enrollment, and other crucial HR functions for their employees easily and confidently. HR compliance and efficiency are some of the biggest challenges facing small to mid-sized businesses today. XcelHR Connect simplifies the most demanding aspects of being a business owner, including paying employees, benefits enrollment, and HR compliance. By automating these processes, business owners can avoid errors, make more informed decisions with access to key metrics, and save time with quickly capturing employee information. Connect helps business owners increase productivity so they can devote more time and resources to other profit-producing areas of their businesses. What do you get with Connect? Onboard new hires and process federal and state forms effortlessly Web-based benefits enrollment and administration to customize programs to meet employee needs Manage employee records, HR compliance and insights in one place Ability to pay employees accurately and straightforwardly Employee self-service portal to give users access to reports and information anywhere, anytime XcelHR Connect integrates with numerous software products on the market including JazzHR, Time & Labor, and more. With the introduction of Connect, XcelHR continues to push boundaries technologically to bring their clients the best HR management business solutions. To learn more about Connect or receive a demo, click here. About XcelHR XcelHR is a Certified Professional Employer Organization (PEO) that specializes in helping small to mid-sized businesses mitigate the employment risk associated with managing employees. XcelHR takes care of the daily HR administrative tasks associated with paying employees, offering benefits, resolving disputes and more, so business owners can focus on revenue-generating initiatives. Our HR expertise and HRIS software assist business owners at critical points of the employee lifecycle, from recruitment to retirement. Businesses that partner with a PEO grow 7 to 9% faster, and are 50% less likely to go out of business (NAPEO). Find more information about the services XcelHR offers at www.xcelhr.com. For media and other inquiries, please contact XcelHR: Aurelia Fah 301-340-3800 x5100 [email protected] www.xcelhr.com SOURCE XcelHR Related Links www.excelhr.com (CNN) One million of the planet's eight million species are threatened with extinction by humans, scientists warned Monday in what is described as the most comprehensive assessment of global nature loss ever. Their landmark report paints a bleak picture of a planet ravaged by an ever-growing human population, whose insatiable consumption is destroying the natural world. The global rate of species extinction "is already tens to hundreds of times higher than it has been, on average, over the last 10 million years," according to the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), a UN committee, whose report was written by 145 experts from 50 countries. Read more: Australian mammal becomes first to go extinct due to climate change Shrinking habitat, exploitation of natural resources, climate change and pollution are the main drivers of species loss and are threatening more than 40% of amphibians, 33% of coral reefs and over a third of all marine mammals with extinction, the IPBES report said. "The health of ecosystems on which we and all other species depend is deteriorating more rapidly than ever," said Sir Robert Watson, IPBES chair, adding that "transformative change" is needed to save the planet. The report comes six months after the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warned that the world has less than 12 years to avoid catastrophic levels of global warming. In the same way that the IPCC report put the climate crisis on the political agenda, the authors of the IPBES report hope that it will thrust nature loss into the global spotlight. Managing the land Just as with climate change, humans are the main culprits of biodiversity damage, altering 75% of Earth's land and 66% of marine ecosystems since pre-industrial times, according to the report. The report emphasizes the disastrous impact of population growth and rising demand. It notes that the world's population has more than doubled (from 3.7 to 7.6 billion) in the last 50 years, and gross domestic product per person is four times higher. More than a third of the world's land and 75% of freshwater supplies are used for crop or livestock production, it noted. "[There is] very little of the planet left that has not been significantly altered by us," Sandra Diaz, co-author of the report and professor of ecology at the University of Cordoba, told CNN. "We need to act as stewards for life on Earth." Diaz said countries in the Global North are particularly to blame for nature damage due to their "unsustainable" levels of consumption, especially when it comes to fishing and logging. Read more: 'Extinction crisis' threatening global food supply, UN report warns In 2015, a third of marine stocks were being fished at unsustainable levels and the amount of raw timber being harvested has increased by almost half since 1970, with up to 15% of it cut illegally, according to the report. Marine plastic pollution has increased tenfold since 1980, with an average of 300-400 million tons of waste dumped into the world's waters annually. Pollution entering coastal ecosystems has produced more than 400 ocean "dead zones," totalling an area bigger than the United Kingdom. These areas are so starved of oxygen they can barely support marine life. It's not too late Despite the ominous picture "it is not too late to make a difference, but only if we start now at every level from local to global," said Watson, adding that this would require an overhaul of economic systems and a shift in political and social mindsets. Diaz said that governments should implement drastic changes now to avoid a "dire future" in 10-20 years when their "food and climate security [is] in jeopardy." Climate change has already contributed to biodiversity loss by triggering more extreme weather events and rising sea levels and will exacerbate the crisis over the coming decades, the report noted. The report says we can improve sustainability in farming by planning landscapes so that they provide food while also supporting the species that live there. Other suggestions include reforming supply chains and reducing food waste. When it comes to healthy oceans, the report recommends effective fishing quotas, designated protected areas and reducing the pollution that runs off from the land into the sea, among other actions. Rachel Warren, professor of global change and environmental biology at the University of East Anglia, told CNN that governments should focus on "the restoration of destroyed or degraded ecosystems with native species [as this] helps to address both biodiversity loss and climate change." "Biodiversity underpins ecosystem services such as pollination, flood prevention, water and air purification, and soil conservation. We are in danger of losing vital ecosystem services which will have major negative consequences for human civilization," she said. Guenter Mitlacher, director of international biodiversity policy at the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), said, "Ours is the first generation with the tools to see how the Earth has been changed by people at our own peril. We're also the last generation with the opportunity to influence the course of many of those changes. Now is the time to act, not halfheartedly and incrementally but drastically and boldly." The IPBES report comes ahead of two high-level summits in 2020 where world leaders will scale up their climate and environment protection goals. That is when China will host the UN convention on biodiversity to set new 20-year targets and when the signatories of the 2015 Paris Agreement to keep global warming to less than 2 degrees will revise their commitments. This story was first published on CNN.com "One million species threatened with extinction because of humans" On Friday, in the morning, at the Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council Chambers, Yarrabah, His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC and Mrs Kaye de Jersey received a briefing from Council representatives. Following, at Yarrabah, His Excellency and Mrs de Jersey visited Yarrabah State School and the Governor presented Leadership Badges and addressed students and guests. Following, at Yarrabah, His Excellency and Mrs de Jersey toured the Yarrabah Arts and Cultural Precinct. Following, at the Yarrabah Arts and Cultural Precinct, Yarrabah, His Excellency and Mrs de Jersey attended a Community Morning Tea. In the afternoon, at the Pullman Reef Casino Hotel, Cairns, His Excellency and Mrs de Jersey hosted an Investiture Ceremony for recipients of Australian honours and awards announced in the Australia Day 2019 Honours List and Australian Bravery Decorations announced in March 2018 and August 2018, and the Governor addressed guests. NEW YORK, May 6, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- A characteristically Chinese feast of sound and vision to celebrate Huangshan, known as Yellow Mountains, was held in the Delegates Dining Room at the United Nations headquarters in New York on Friday, May 3, 2019. Jointly organized by Huangshan city and Chinese Tourism office in New York to mark China Tourism Culture Week, the event marked Huangshan Tourism Promotion's debut appearance in the Big Apple. Kong Xiaohong, mayor of Huangshan City, the "home of hospitability," introduced the rich ecological, natural, cultural and tourism resources of ancient Huizhou and the new Huangshan. Mt. Huangshan showcases the beauty of China, he said, while adding that it is the essence of humanities in China and the market pioneer of Chinese tourism. Kong added that Mt. Huangshan shared the title of "Symbols of China" with the Yangtze River and the Great Wall. Huangshan City officials stated that hosting the Huangshan presentation and exhibition showed tourists worldwide the charm of the new Huangshan City and the ancient Huizhou. Effectively voicing the Huangshan story globally can build up the international influence of the city's tourism, he added. During the event, Bruce Knotts, Chair of UN NGO/DPI Executive Committee; Brian Teubner, International Trade Manager at Empire State Development of New York; and Qian Jin, Deputy Consul General of the Consulate General of PRC, delivered speeches and gave full recognition to the "China Tourism Culture Week and Huangshan Tourism Promotion." New York Governor, Andrew Cuomo, sent a letter of greeting in which he stated: "New York State extends a warm welcome to the mayor and entire delegation visiting from Huangshan. It is an excellent opportunity for American business, government, and community leaders to become familiar with Huangshan through cultural enrichment and by exploring the potential for future growth of business, tourism, and other interests through mutually beneficial relations." The results of the event were substantial. The officials from Huangshan City carried on a deep discussion around Huangshan tourism and the expansion of overseas markets with the officials from Chinese Consulate General in New York and China National Tourist Office in New York. MEDIA CONTACT: Cimagine Media Group, LLC [email protected] SOURCE Huangshan Tourism LOS ANGELES, May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Zynx Health, market leader in providing evidence- and experience-based clinical improvement solutions since 1996, today announced that Dr. Howard Willson has joined the company as Senior Vice President of Customer Success. In this role, Willson will lead customer satisfaction initiatives that deliver maximum value to Zynx Health clients. "Dr. Willson's wide-ranging healthcare experience makes him an excellent addition to the Zynx team," said Kevin Daly, president of Zynx Health. "We will take advantage of his strong operational and clinical background to advance the development of solutions that help clients achieve their strategic goals. I am confident that our clients will benefit from his commitment to connecting users with clinical solutions that deliver an exemplary customer experience." Over the past 20 years, Willson has worked in clinical operations on the hospital side, as well as consumerism on the employer side. Prior to Zynx Health, he was the head of clinical strategy at Castlight Health, a San Franciscobased public company that pioneered healthcare transparency and decision support for consumers. While at Castlight, Willson led the clinical development for most of the organization's health navigation products. Prior to joining Castlight, Willson served as department chief of emergency medicine at Swedish Medical Center in Seattle, the largest health system in the Pacific Northwest. He is also co-founder of a company that developed an automated process for emergency department facility coding. Willson holds an MD from the University of Illinois College of Medicine, an MBA from The Wharton School, and a BA from Dartmouth College. "Zynx has a long history of partnering with healthcare professionals to deliver clinical solutions that advance quality care and financial performance and improve the health of patients," said Willson. "I am excited be part of the Zynx team and to work with clients developing strategies and solutions that drive clinical excellence across their organizations." About Zynx Health Zynx Health, part of the Hearst Health network, provides healthcare professionals with vital information and processes that guide care decisions and reduce complexity across the entire patient journey in a way that leads to healthier lives for all. Zynx is a pioneer and market leader in evidence- and experience-based clinical solutions that help health systems improve patient outcomes, financial outcomes, clinical engagement, and technology performance. With Zynx Health, healthcare organizations exceed industry demands for delivering high-quality care at lower costs under value-based reimbursement models. To learn more, visit zynxhealth.com or call 888.996.9435. About Hearst Health The mission of Hearst Health is to help guide the most important care moments by delivering vital information into the hands of everyone who touches a person's health journey. Each year in the U.S., care guidance from Hearst Health reaches 85 percent of discharged patients, 205 million insured individuals, 77 million home health visits and 3.2 billion dispensed prescriptions. The Hearst Health network includes FDB (First Databank), Zynx Health, MCG, Homecare Homebase, MHK (formerly MedHOKMedical House of Knowledge) and Hearst Health Ventures (www.hearsthealth.com). Hearst also holds a minority interest in the precision medicine and oncology analytics company M2Gen. Follow Hearst Health on Twitter @HearstHealth or LinkedIn @Hearst-Health. Media Contact: Zynx Health Contact: Michelle Ronan Noteboom Michelle McCabe Amendola Communications Senior Director, Commercial Operations & Marketing 512.426.2870 407.902.7712 [email protected] [email protected] SOURCE Zynx Health Related Links https://www.zynxhealth.com Washington, May 7 : The US space agency NASA revealed on Monday details about its plan to hit a small moonlet target in a double asteroid system with a spacecraft in 2022, its first mission to demonstrate a planetary defence technique. The asteroid, called Didymoon or Didymos B, is a moon asteroid around 150 meters tall orbiting a larger body Didymos A, the most accessible asteroid of its size from the Earth, the Xinhua news agency reported. An international campaign is now making observations using powerful telescopes worldwide to understand the state of the asteroid system. "The Didymos system is too small and too far to be seen as anything more than a point of light, but we can get the data we need by measuring the brightness of that point of light, which changes as Didymos A rotates and Didymos B orbits," said Andy Rivkin, a co-lead of the investigation team. Researchers are still not sure about the target's composition: whether it is composed of solid rock, loose rubble or "softer" sand. A softer surface would absorb much of the impact force and may not be pushed as drastically as if a spacecraft hit a harder surface. But the NASA team will eventually see the asteroid system close-up thanks to an Italian-made imager. The shoebox-sized cube satellite will record the spacecraft's impact and its aftermath. The spacecraft called Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) will carry an optical navigation system to capture images that help the spacecraft reach its target. In its latest design, DART spacecraft will be able to move by relying on small hydrazine thrusters while utilising the electric propulsion system, which will push the start of the primary launch window to July of 2021, shortening the mission flight time. Its previous planned launch time was December 2020. The DART spacecraft will crash itself into the asteroid at a speed of approximately six kilometer per second and the collision will change the speed of the moonlet in its orbit around the main body by a fraction of one per cent, enough to be measured using telescopes on the Earth, according to the NASA. Bhopal, May 7 : Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday said that Malegaon blast accused Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur has been made the BJP candidate from Bhopal as the party feels she is "not guilty" but was made a scapegoat by the then Congress government after coining the word 'bhagwa aatanki' (saffron terror). In an interview to IANS, Chouhan said, "Sadhvi Pragya Thakur was made the party's candidate after a lot of deliberation. He said in 2008 a word was coined 'bhagwa aatanki' (saffron terror). "Congress coined this word and they made her scapegoat and Digvijaya Singh was the medium," he said. The former Chief Minister said that a different kind of atmosphere was created by bringing in "Hindutva terrorism" in the picture. "This was brought under a conspiracy to defame Hindutva. And Sadhvi Pragya was made the scapegoat. She was tortured and despite being a woman she was beaten up mercilessly," he said. When asked if the party could have waited till the time the court acquitted her in the Malegaon blast case, he said, "Why should we have to wait to get her acquitted when we believe that she is not a terror accused." "And Sadhvi Pragya is not fighting alone we all are fighting with her in the elections," he said. To a question if she was fielded from Bhopal after looking at the Congress candidate Digvijaya Singh, Chauhan said, "We fielded her only after Digvijaya Singh's candidature was announced in Bhopal. It was decided that she was the perfect candidate against Digvijaya Singh. "And it was a collective decision of the party," he said. When asked if the BJP government had done a lot of development works in last five years, then why rake nationalism as the party's main election slogan, the BJP leader said, "Nationalism has always been our issue. Will any citizen like, if any soldiers is beheaded by Pakistan?" Recalling the 2016 surgical strikes and the 2019 Balakot air strike across the border, he said: "After Uri and Pulwama we gave befitting reply to Pakistan. "There is nothing wrong in nationalism issue," he said. Lamenting at the Congress and the other opposition parties, the three time Chief Minister said: "Those who are worried never followed nationalism and never bothered for the national security. "Those who gave shelter to SIMI and those who speak in the language of terrorists have problem with the issue of nationalism," he asserted. Hitting out at the Congress for demanding evidence after the air strikes in Pakistan, he said: "After Balakot everyone is happy but the Congress questions it. They looked sad after the surgical strike and air strike and after we successfully brought back Wing Commander Abhinandan." He also said that the government's war against terrorism has entered into the final stage as dreaded terrorist Masood Azhar has been declared a global terrorist by the UN Security Council and the Burhan Wani gang in Kashmir has been eliminated. "The BJP has always said that it will never compromise on the issue of national security," he said adding that there are few disruptive forces in the country and they too will be crushed. Asked about how many seats the party will win in Madhya Pradesh, the BJP leader said: "We won 27 out of 29 in 2014 Lok Sabha elections and this time also we are hopeful of winning 25+ seats in the state." Citing the reasons for the party's strong performance in the state, he said, "In the last four months, the Kamal Nath government has proved to be a boon for the BJP in the state." He said the people have seen the difference between the work style of the two governments. "The work of three term BJP government and the four month old Congress government is visible to the people now. Accusing the Congress of not fulfilling it's poll promise, he said: "They promised to waive off the farmers loan in the state. Go and ask people and they will tell you -- it has not been done." He said even the promise of providing unemployment wage remains unfulfilled. "They have also stopped the pro-people schemes launched during our government like the sambal scheme. People are angry with them," he claimed. He also said that the power supply condition and law and order situation in the state has detoriated ever since the Congress came to power. He accused the Congress government of running the "transfer industry" in the state and said for any soughted post all one has to do is pay. When asked why he was not contesting in the Lok Sabha polls despite being the front runner from Vidisha after Union Minister Sushma Swaraj announced not to contest polls, Chauhan said: "Vidisha is my home and there we are going to win." "I could have fought from any of the 10 seats in the state. I believe after being Chief Minister for three terms I don't seek any chair." He said if he lost in the state then it does not mean that he shall go to Delhi for another post. "It was an easier task to go to Parliament after winning the Lok Sabha elections but I am emotionally attached to the 7.5 crore people of Madhya Pradesh. I don't love position but I love my people. And I have asked my party to allow me to serve my state," he said. Chauhan, who has addressed over 125 public meetings in 10 states in the last 57 days said that the BJP would have formed the government in the state but it respected the mandate of the people as it got less seats as compared to the Congress. When asked how long the Kamal Nath government will last, he said, "(BSP chief) Mayawati is angry with the Congress as her MLA was taken into Congress fold by Jyotiraditya Scindia. So, if the government falls on its own then we cannot do anything." Pressed further, he said, "If such condition (Congress government fails) arises then we will see what happens. Right now we will focus to fight against the government on issues." Asked whether Narendra modi government will return to power, Chouhan said: "Modi government will return to power. I have covered all the 29 seats in the state and I have seen the people backing Modi due to his clear track record and transparency in public life." He also asserted that the BJP will alone secure 300 seats. "People do not have an alternative to Modi. There is no one. Even the opposition does not have the answer to: If not Modi, then who?" He also said that the people back Modi because of the development works under his government in last five years. So far 13 out of 29 seats in Madhya Pradesh have voted. Elections in rest of the 16 seats go to polls in the sixth and seventh phase of on May 12 and 19. Counting of votes will take place on May 23. (Anand Singh can be contacted at anand.s@ians.in) Beijing, May 7 : China has rejected US accusations of operating "concentration camps" in its Xinjiang region, with a government spokesman telling Washington to "stop interfering in Chinese domestic affairs". Speaking at his daily press briefing on Monday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said claims of concentration camps in Xinjiang were "simply not true" and claimed the mass camps were set up to "combat terrorism", reports CNN. "We urge the relevant US individual to respect the fact, abandon bias, exercise prudence in words and deeds, stop interfering in China's domestic affairs and earnestly contribute to mutual trust and cooperation between us," he said. China's response comes after US Assistant Secretary of Defence Randall Schriver on May 3 said that as many as three million Muslim-majority Uyghur ethnic community may be held inside the massive Chinese government camps. "The Communist Party is using the security forces for mass imprisonment of Chinese Muslims in concentration camps," Schriver said. In recent years, the Chinese government has detained large numbers of Uyghurs in what former detainees describe as re-education centres with prison-like conditions, aimed at eradicating Uyghur cultural and religious practices and instilling Communist Party propaganda, CNN reported. However, Beijing has repeatedly denied the Uyghur citizens are being held in such large numbers and against their will, calling the camps instead "vocational education training centres". China has been under increasing pressure in the past six months to shut down its mass camps in Xinjiang. Even China's diplomatic partner Turkey labelled the camps a "great shame for humanity" in February. Sydney, May 7 : Tony Abbott bet me $100 that the climate will not change in 10 years, says an Australian writer and author of "Here Where We Live". Cassie Flanagan Willanski says the former Australian Prime Minister is so confident "climate change is nothing to worry about" that he put his money on it. Abbott has bet me $100 that in ten years' time, the climate will not have changed, Willanski told the Guardian. "He (Abbott) was going to prove he disagreed with climate science, with the majority of Australian voters and with the mother of a six-year-old who had just literally begged him to take the climate emergency seriously, with a jocular bet. No doubt he expected me to laugh and back down," the author said. "When I found myself in a Manly coffee shop last week being offered the bet, I was incredulous. Abbott was smiling, charmingly dismissive," the writer, a white Australian herself, who took a brave and honest look at the relationship between white Australians and Indigenous Australians in her book, said. "This person with the power to help steer the world away from anthropogenic disaster wasn't having a bar of my concerns about climate change," Willanski was stunned. She related: "He wasn't going to help; he was going to wield his status and wealth to show how confident he was in his position of not doing anything." Willanski told the Guardian: "Maybe I should have (backed down), amazed and insulted beyond belief. Maybe I should have said instead (as my husband suggested when I got home) "I'm not going to bet $100. "Bet me something substantial, like your electorate, or all your power, so that you'll actually be motivated to work to save the climate." "But all I could think of at the time was that Abbott was eager to go on record as -- a) completely ignorant of climate science and b) completely dismissive of a parent and her concerns for her child's future. I agreed to the bet," Willanski said. The bet had come about when Willanski went to meet her Sydney cousin at a coffee shop where she discovered that Abbott had chosen the same place to have lunch. Children striking for climate action, inspired by sixteen-year-old Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, were wrapping up a protest outside his office round the corner, she told the Guardian. London, May 7 : UK Prime Minister Theresa May will meet Graham Brady, the chairman of an influential committee of backbench Tory MPs, amid calls for her to set a resignation date, the media reported on Tuesday. It follows a request from the 1922 committee -- an elected body of MPs which represents backbenchers and also oversees leadership contests -- for "clarity" on the issue, according to the BBC. No 10 insists the meeting is routine but reports say that Brady is likely to press May for a timetable for her departure. On Monday, Treasurer of the 1922 committee Geoffrey Clifton-Brown told the BBC that the Prime Minister should announce a "road map" for her resignation after the European elections set for May 23. Meanwhile, cross-party talks to break the Brexit deadlock are due to resume. In March, May pledged to quit if and when Parliament ratified her Brexit withdrawal agreement with the EU -- but she has not made it clear how long she intends to stay if no deal is reached. The UK had been due to leave the EU on March 29, but the deadline was pushed to October 31 after Parliament was unable to agree a way forward. Leading Eurosceptic Bill Cash also told the Press Association "the time has come" for her to resign. "She needs to be given a date. The sooner the better. But it needs to be done in an orderly manner," he said. May's Conservative Party and the opposition Labour Party suffered disappointing results in last week's local elections -- with the Conservatives losing 1,334 councillors and Labour failing to make expected gains, instead losing 82 seats. The Prime Minister has blamed the Brexit impasse for the losses and called on both sides to compromise to agree a deal. However, tensions remain as talks between the government and Labour resume. Labour's Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell has said he does not trust May, after details from cross-party talks were leaked to the press, and accused her of having "blown the confidentiality" of the talks. Reports emerged at the weekend that the Prime Minister was ready to offer a temporary customs arrangement with the EU that would last until the next general election. Washington, May 7 : More than $600,000 has been raised for the treatment of a 13-year-old Indian-American hate crime victim who remains in coma after being struck down intentionally in April by a motorist who thought she was a Muslim. As of Monday evening, the GoFundMe page, created to help seventh grader Dhriti Narayan's family cover the medical costs, had raised more than $600,000. The target was $500,000, reports the American Bazaar online news portal. On April 23, Dhriti and other members of her family were crossing a road in Sunnyvale, California. Suddenly a motorist struck them down intentionally. The family was targeted because the motorist, Isaiah Peoples, thought they were Muslim. Seven others, including Dhriti's father Rajesh Narayan and her nine-year-old brother Prakhar were injured in the incident. Dhriti is currently in coma following severe trauma and head injuries. Since the fundraising appeal went live on GoFundMe seven days ago, more than 12,360 people donated money. The fundraiser on the site reads: "While our hearts and prayer go to Dhriti for her speedy recovery but a huge medical bill and potential rehab costs are expected for her recovery. "We, friends of Dhriti's family, who were touched by her and her family's caring and helpful nature, are actively working with family members and other friends along with appropriate organisations and organising this fund-raising campaign to support the family at this difficult time." Peoples was arraigned in Santa Clara County Superior Court in San Jose on May 3. He was charged on eight counts of attempted murder. His next hearing will be on May 16. New Delhi, May 7 : The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has seized properties worth Rs 1.46 crore including an apartment here and land in Haryana belonging to Delhi Minister Kailash Gahlot's brother Harish, an official said on Tuesday. The action was taken on charges of Harish Gahlot holding assets in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) equivalent to the amount of the seized properties in contravention of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). The agency initiated an investigation into the case under FEMA based on information received from the Income Tax Department about the transfer of Rs 1 crore from India to Dubai through the "hawala" channel last September for making advance payment towards the purchase of two flats there. According to the ED, Harish Gahlot had given Rs 1 crore in cash to his younger son Nitesh Gahlot, who is an NRI and is studying in Dubai, for sending the money through the unauthorised "hawala" channel. Nitesh Gahlot through his contact approached Inderpal Wadhawan, a Delhi-based "hawala" dealer for sending the money. "The 'hawala' dealer kept Rs 4 lakh with him as commission and illegally delivered Dirhams equivalent to Rs 96 lakhs in Dubai which was collected by a friend of Nitesh Gahlot and deposited into Nitesh's Dubai bank account. "Out of these funds, Nitesh Gahlot had made the payment to the Dubai-based developers for the booking of two flats in his name, his father Harish Gahlot, his mother and his elder brother," the ED said. Investigations also revealed that Harish Gahlot on September 26, 2018, had also sent Rs 50 lakh from his bank in India to Nitesh's account maintained in Dubai under the "Liberalized Remittance Scheme" for the purpose code "S0305 - Travel for Education Including Fees Hostel Expenses". However, the ED said, the amount was not used for the intended purpose but for the booking of two flats. Chennai, May 7 : Targeting sales of about four lakh units this fiscal, the maker of Thomson and Kodak brand televisions, Super Plastronics, will start rolling out TVs from its new facility this month end, a top company official said on Tuesday. He also said the company was mulling the possibilities of entering some more consumer durable products. "The new facility at Noida in Uttar Pradesh will be activated by the end of this month. Deliveries will start in the first week of next month. The expansion involved an outlay of about Rs 150 crore," CEO Avneet Singh Marwah told the media here. Once the new unit starts production, Super Plastronics' annual production capacity will double to about 500,000 units, he added. The company currently has three plants - in Jammu, Una in Himachal Pradesh and Noida. Marwah reiterated that there were no plans to consolidate the production operations at one place. According to him, the company hopes to log a turnover of about Rs 600 crore this year, up from Rs 350 crore clocked last fiscal. The company sells the Thomson brand TVs only through Flipkart while Kodak is sold online and offline. "We don't have any plans to alter that sales model," Marwah said. Speaking about new launches, Marwah said eight new TV models under Thomson brand and two under Kodak brand will be launched. On Saturday, in the morning, at Karumba, His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC and Mrs Kaye de Jersey attended the opening of the Les Wilson Barramundi Discovery Centre, and the Governor officially opened the Centre, and addressed guests. Following, at the Les Wilson Barramundi Discovery Centre, Karumba, His Excellency and Mrs de Jersey received a briefing from Carpentaria Shire Council representatives. Following, at the Australian-American War Memorial, Newstead, His Excellency was represented by Commander Peter Tedman DSM OAM, Honorary Aide-de-Camp, at the commemoration service to mark the 77th anniversary of the Battle of the Coral Sea, and Commander Tedman laid a wreath. In the afternoon, His Excellency and Mrs de Jersey returned to Government House following official travel to Cairns, Yarrabah and Karumba. New Delhi, May 7 : Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday accused Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Congress General Secretary for Uttar Pradesh (East), of teaching abuses to the youth of Amethi. Referring to her as Princess, Yogi went on to advise Vadra to go to Italy and teach abuses in her maternal country if she wants to. "I saw what Princes of Congress was doing... I can't believe that they can stoop so low that she will start teaching children of Amethi how to abuse," Yogi said referring to a video that went viral, in which some youths are seen abusing the Prime Minister in front of her. "Priyanka Ji, don't teach Indian youths how to abuse...if you want to teach abusing then go to Italy and teach the youth of your maternal country," Yogi added to the attack. The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister was adderssing an election rally in East Delhi's Mandawali area, seeking votes for Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Gautam Gambhir. Yogi, who reached the venue about five hours late, appreciated Central government's steps to improve security in India. He also claimed that the Congress has been making fake promises since Independence and does not deserve to be back in power. Moscow, May 7 : Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will meet on May 14 in the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi, the country's Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday. "The talks between Lavrov and Pompeo are scheduled for May 14 in Sochi," an official from the Ministry told Russian news agency RIA Novosti. The official said the agreement was reached during talks on Monday between Lavrov and Pompeo in Rovaniemi, Finland, in what was the top diplomats' first face-to-face meeting for around a year. Before that they had met in July 2018 during the Russia-US summit, where the Presidents of both countries -- Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin -- also met. Lavrov called his Monday's meeting with Pompeo "good and constructive" and said it was a "step forward". The ongoing Venezuela crisis was at the centre of the discussions, Efe news reported. Moscow supports the government of Nicolas Maduro while the US leads international support for Juan Guaido, who proclaimed himself interim President in January. At the end of the meeting, which lasted less than an hour, Lavrov reiterated to the press that Russia is totally opposed to military intervention in Venezuela and warned that an operation of this nature would be "catastrophic and unjustified". He said that the US was also opposed to "a reckless military solution", based on recent discussions he has had with US authorities. Lucknow, May 7 : Why Congress President Rahul Gandhi never made it to Amethi on polling day? This question was repeatedly asked by Union Minister Smriti Irani, the BJP candidate from Amethi. She claimed in the afternoon that Rahul Gandhi had landed at the Fursatganj airstrip and was prompting booth capturing. Her claim was found to be baseless because no aircraft had landed in Fursatganj with the Congress President. Irani then claimed that 'Rahul bhaag gaye'. Congress spokesman Surendra Rajput told IANS: "Rahul Gandhi is now the national president of the Congress and he was busy campaigning in Haryana. Congress workers had been assigned the duty of poll management. Smriti Irani has been levelling baseless allegations, including one of booth capturing which has been turned down by the Election Commission too." Former Congress MP Pramod Tiwari, meanwhile, said: "Smriti Irani wanted to create confusion which she did in Amethi because she had realized that she was fighting a losing battle. All she could do was to send the media in a spin. "The people of Amethi have voted for the Congress President who is going to win with a bigger margin than in 2014." Pramod Tiwari said that Irani had even accused Rahul Gandhi of being responsible for the death of a man who was not admitted to the Sanjay Gandhi Hospital. "Can anything be more ridiculous than this?" he asked. Dehradun, May 7 : Marina, a floating restaurant of the Uttarkahand Tourism Department, sank partially in the Tehri reservoir on Tuesday, officials said. The restaurant, which was not in use for some months but was built to promote tourism in the reservoir, has been extensively damaged. "This may have happened because the water level in the reservoir was less these days," said a tourism department official. Efforts were on to retrieve the restaurant with the help of the police. A cabinet meeting was also held in Marina last year as part of a government exercise to promote tourism in Uttarakhand. Top officials of the tourism department were tight-lipped over the incident. The restaurant, built at a cost of Rs 2.5 crore, was not in use due to technical difficulties. Srinagar, May 7 : BJP's state unit secretary Ashok Koul on Tuesday surrendered his security as a mark of protest against the alleged withdrawal of security of a party leader who was killed by militants in Anantnag district on Sunday. Ashok Koul came to the Press Enclave in Srinagar city along with his security, but left the place in a three-wheeler after he told the media that he had decided to surrender his security cover. He was protesting against the alleged withdrawal of security cover to Ghulam Muhammad Mir, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s leader who was killed by militants in Verinag area of Anantnag district on Sunday. In the wake of Mir's killing, state Governor Satya Pal Malik has directed the Chief Secretary to probe the killing of the BJP leader and ascertain whether his security had been withdrawn. Malik also ordered that security of political workers and others who need to be protected must be immediately restored. However, speaking to the media on Monday, Malik clarified that Mir's security had not been withdrawn. Bengaluru, May 7 : Gulf airline Emirates on Tuesday said it will serve one million dates at 'iftar' and 'suhoor' on board and on ground to passengers travelling from India to Dubai during the month-long Ramadan fasting. "Passengers travelling to Dubai from India during this period can enjoy our specially prepared iftar meals on board and on the ground in Dubai to mark the auspicious Ramadan fasting," said Emirates in a statement here. The holy month of Ramadan began in India on early Tuesday with pre-dawn meals (suhoor) and a day-long fasting which is broken at sunset with a sip of water and dates for a feast (iftar) in the company of family and friends. Passengers breaking fast on board will be offered iftar boxes with a nutritional meal. Each box consists of couscous salad and grilled chicken or moudardara and roasted chicken, sandwiches, spinach fatayer or tomato and onion fatayer, assorted sweets, dates, laban and water. "Over 150,000 iftar boxes will be served during the holy month, ensuring passengers are well catered for in addition to the usual meal services on board. The iftar box menus will be refreshed mid-Ramadan," said the airline. The special meals will be offered to fliers across cabin classes on flights that coincide with iftar times and those catering to Umrah groups travelling to Jeddah and Medina in Saudi Arabia during the Ramadan. Dates and water will also be offered at the boarding gates of select flights. To mark the end of Ramadan, fliers will be served sweets for Eid from June 4-6 on select flights. New Delhi, May 7 : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday lodged a complaint with the Election Commission (EC) alleging that the West Bengal government is planning to scuttle the public rallies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A BJP team led by Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Bhupender Yadav and Satya Pal Singh submitted the complaint to the EC here. Talking to the media, Yadav said the state government is pressurising the district administration to scuttle the rallies of Prime Minister in Purulia and Bankura on Thursday. Yadav said the EC has taken note of the complaint and assured that it would look into the matter seriously. The BJP leader said that they have also lodged a complaint regarding violation of the model code of conduct (MCC) by Congress President Rahul Gandhi between March 13 and April 27. Accusing the EC of not taking up the complaints lodged by the BJP, Yadav said out of 11 complaints, notice has been issued in only one, and added that Rahul Gandhi has repeatedly violated the MCC. On the Opposition meeting the Election Commission over electronic voting machine (EVM) Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said the opposition approaching the EC with EVM issue only shows that the opposition has already accepted defeat, even before the results. Naqvi said that the opposition going to the Supreme Court and demanding return of paper ballet was like going back from tube light to the era of lanterns. An opposition team led by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu also met the EC on the EVM-VVPAT issue. New Delhi, May 7 : Essar Steel's majority shareholder Essar Steel Asia Holdings (ESAHL) on Tuesday moved the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) seeking the rejection of ArcelorMittal's bid to buy out the company. "Lakshmi Mittal and Arcelor Mittal India Ltd (AM) had conspired to suppress vital facts and misled the Committee of Creditors, the Supreme Court and the appellate tribunal into believing that Lakshmi Mittal and Arcellor Mittal had ceased to have any business association with his brothers Pramod Mittal and Vinod Mittal and their companies," Essar Steel said in a statement. The Prashant Ruia-led ESAHL, in its application, cited a sworn affidavit filed by Arcellor Mittal on October 17, 2018, which said that there had been no business association between Lakshmi Mittal and his brothers and their companies for more than 20 years, and that Lakshmi Mittal or Arcelor has no shareholding in any of the companies where his brothers are promoters, including GPI Textiles, Balasore Alloys and Gontermann Piepers. ESAHL, which holds 72 per cent stake in Essar Steel, presented documents which show that as late as September 30, 2018, Lakshmi Mittal was a co-promoter of one Navoday Consultants along with his brothers Pramod and Vinod Mittal, and Navoday was in turn a promoter of GPI Textiles, Balasore Alloys and Gontermann Piepers. ESAHL said: "These facts make it clear that Arcellor Mittal has suppressed and concealed from the CoC and all Courts that its promoter Lakshmi Mittal continued to have business relations with his brothers Pramod Mittal and Vinod Mittal, and accordingly AM was ineligible to submit a resolution plan under Section 29A of the IBC." The statement noted that Gontermann Peipers and GPI Textiles are classified as non-performing assets (NPAs or bad loans) and owing to the association of Lakshmi Mittal with these companies, AM would be a related party of these companies, making it ineligible to bid under the provisions of the Insolvency and Bakruptcy Code (IBC). ESAHL had offered Rs 54,389 crore to the lenders of the company. This proposal was rejected by the Committee of Creditors (CoC). The Delhi-based appellate tribunal had approved Arcellor's bid of Rs 42,000 crore on March 18, dismissing the Essar promoters Ruias' plea against the approval to the bid given by the NCLT's Ahmedabad bench. The long-drawn resolution process hit another roadblock with the Supreme Court last month stopping ArcelorMittal from making payment to lenders to buy the insolvent steel entity, stretching, thereby, the billionaire Lakshmi Mittal's wait to have a foothold in his home country. Rawalpindi, May 7 : Pakistan's Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Tuesday detained seven people, including three Chinese men, on suspicion of being involved in human trafficking, a day after arresting 10 Chinese nationals on similar charges. Authorities accuse these men of allegedly arranging fake marriages with Pakistani girls before forcing them into prostitution in China. The men are also accused of using the young girls for organ removal. Seven people including three Chinese were arrested by FIA Rawalpindi on Tuesday. The gang was led by a Chinese national Song Chuaoyang, Geo News reported. FIA busted a similar racket of 10 Chinese nationals on Monday. A senior official at the FIA in Lahore, said its anti-human trafficking cell also rounded up four Pakistani partners in the prostitution ring. FIA Lahore Deputy Director Jamil Ahmad Khan Mayo said the authorities, as part of a crackdown against foreigners involved in illegal activities in the country, arrested eight Chinese nationals on Monday from Lahore Airport and other areas on the charges of trafficking young women to China after marrying them. Mayo said the detained foreigners, with the help of local facilitators, were primarily trapping women from poverty-stricken families of the minority Christian community in phoney marriages between Chinese men and Pakistani women. The FIA officer said a female Chinese national and a fake Pakistani priest were also among the detainees. The Chinese Embassy in Islamabad said it was cooperating with the Pakistani authorities to curb the illegal activity. The Chinese media reported that authorities also recently arrested some members of the network in China. Zhao Lijian, the Deputy Chief of the diplomatic mission, said: "And not only Chinese, there are also Pakistanis involved in this business." San Francisco, May 7 : Amazon faced at least seven lawsuits filed by pregnant warehouse workers who were fired over the last eight years, tech portal CNET reported. The women who had worked at the retail giants warehouses claimed they were discriminated against because of their pregnancy. Beverly Rosales, one of the women who filed the lawsuits, said she was fired from her job barely two months after she had informed her manager at Amazon that she was expecting. Rosales, who filed her suit in January, said her bosses hassled her about how much time she was taking to use the bathroom and how her work pace slowed during her pregnancy, the report claimed. "Amazon wants to push out as much product as possible," Rosales was quoted as saying. "They need as many people that don't need accommodations to work there. They care more about the numbers than their employees." Amazon denied that it monitors the length of bathroom breaks. "It is absolutely not true that Amazon would fire any employee for being pregnant; we are an equal opportunity employer," an Amazon spokeswoman was quoted as saying in a statement. "We work with our employees to accommodate their medical needs including pregnancy-related needs. We also support new parents by offering various maternity and parental leave benefits." Six of the cases were settled out of court. The Seattle-based retail giant which employs over 600,000 people faced criticism for poor treatment of employees earlier too. The company, however, made efforts in the past one year to highlight the benefits it offers warehouse employees. In November last year, it raised its starting pay to $15 an hour and said it would start advocating for a higher federal minimum wage in the US, which is $7.25, the report said. Description GIS 07 May, 2019: A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Economic Development Board (EDB) and Finnpartnership was signed yesterday afternoon at Le Sirius, Le Labourdonnais Waterfront Hotel, in Port Louis, during a Business Forum and Matchmaking Event. The MoU aims at enhancing cooperation in the fields of trade and investment and to encourage private sector investment between Mauritius and Finland. The Business Forum and Matchmaking Event themed Mauritius-Finland: Exploring Trade and Investment Opportunities, was organised by the EDB in collaboration with Finnpartnership, a government institution promoting business activities and partnerships for Finnish companies, and Business Finland. The purpose was to offer a unique platform to Mauritius and Finland to showcase trade and investment opportunities in both countries. The Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade, Ambassador, Mrs Usha. C. Dwarka Canabady, and the Non-Resident Ambassador of Finland to Mauritius based in South Africa, Mr Kari Alanko, and the Chief Executive Office, EDB, Mr Francois Guibert, were present. Presentations during the event focused on: Mauritius - A Valuable Partner for Finnish Trade and Investment in Africa; Doing Business with Finland and Matchmaking Service; and, Exporting to Nordic Countries by Finnpartnership. In her address, the Secretary for Foreign Affairs, highlighted the advantages that Mauritius can offer to Finland in the field of trade and in particular in terms of investment opportunities. She also spoke about government structures, compliance, methods of work, Mauritius good institutional and legal frameworks. Ambassador Dwarka Canabady, further mentioned how Mauritius is managing and providing assistance in the setting up of special economic zones on the African continent namely in Ghana and Senegal and more recently in Madagascar. In addition, she emphasised the importance of knowledge creation, and how Finland can help Mauritius in achieving an enhanced level of education, one, that meets the dreams and aspirations of our country which wants to attain higher heights of success. For his part, Ambassador Alanko, pointed out that Finland has been a Member State of the European Union for over 20 years and as a small market, the Finnish economy can only grow if it is openly connected to the world. Mauritius, he observed, has signed the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union in 2009 and agreed to liberalise 96% of its trade with the EU by 2022. The EPA has been applied since May 2012 and that presents an opportunity to increase trade and investment between Finland and Mauritius, he indicated. The Finnish Ambassador also remarked that Mauritius itself ranks 1st in Africa and is on the top 20 on the World Bank's Ease of Doing Business 2019 Ranking, just three places behind Finland. This is surely another reason for Finnish companies to consider doing partnerships with Mauritian companies and we are committed to promoting that, he emphasised. EDBs CEO, Mr Guibert, stated that the Business Forum spins off directly from the Market Development efforts of the Global Outreach Strategic Business Unit of the EDB. We are consolidating the existing markets for Trade and investment and also actively diversify our outreach strategy to new and emerging markets and that in close collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade, he highlighted. The EDB will soon be opening an overseas representative office for promoting Trade and Investment with Finland and the Nordic countries, he announced. It is recalled that Ambassador Alanko is currently leading a Finnish business delegation to Mauritius to undertake a trade and investment prospection mission in the country. The delegation comprises Government officials and prospective Finnish investors from private companies in the fields of ICT and Education. A total of 20 Finnish companies, through Finnpartnership and Business Finland, have expressed their interest for exploring Trade and Investment relations with the Mauritius Business Community. Trade between Finland and Mauritius Domestic exports from Mauritius to Finland for the year 2017 accounted to 8 million USD with canned tunas as main export items. For the same year, total imports from Finland amounted to nearly 3 million USD, with plastics and electrical components as the main import items. The cumulative flow of private equity fund structured through the Mauritius International Financial Centre from the Nordic countries stood over USD 500 million, out of which, 26 million USD from Finland. New Delhi, May 7 : Weeks before the results of general election are known, the central government has shifted many Ministerial staff back to regular departmental postings. While a government official pointed to possible uncertainty over the current government returning power or the Ministers being retained, a Secretary-level official termed it as routine maintaining that it was usual practice. "Generally, there are Ministers who are not sure of being retained in the next government. In this case, as a courtesy they ask their personal secretary or OSD (officer on special duty) for choice of their postings," the official said. In a May 7 order, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) curtailed the tenure of Ashima Jain as private secretary to Minister of State for Food Processing Industries Niranjan Jyoti. Jain has been appointed Deputy Secretary in the Department of Economic Affairs. In another official order on Tuesday, the government approved the proposal for curtailment of tenure of N. Ashok Kumar as OSD to the Minister of State for Human Resource Development Satya Pal Singh and appointed him as Director in the Department of Commerce. Ajay Yadav, the OSD to the Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Ram Vilas Paswan, has been appointed as Deputy Secretary in the Ministry of Civil Aviation. The condition of reverting the officer to the cadre on cessation of tenure as OSD has also been waived. The ACC has also posted Durga Sakthi Nagpal as Deputy Secretary in the Department of Commerce, shifting her from the post of OSD to the Minister for Agriculture Radha Mohan Singh. New Delhi, May 7 : Two labourers cleaning a sewage tank died here on Monday while three others are battling for their lives, police said. The incident took place in Rohini district. The police are trying to find out who hired them and what safety measures, if any, were taken. Panaji, May 7 : A day after a video in which a visibly irritated Goa Deputy Chief Minister Vijai Sardesai knocked a mobile phone from a government officer's hand went viral, the politician said on Tuesday that he is an "aggressive person" by nature and not quite an "English gentleman". Speaking to reporters, Sardesai also said that he had already expressed regret and added that he needed to control his patience and temper in the future. A video showing Sardesai knocking off a ringing mobile phone from the hands of Siddhivinayak Naik, chief officer of the Margao Municipal Council, during a field visit on Monday had gone viral. "At that time I got irritated because of the ringing phone call. And I acted. I have expressed my regret... I know he is a good officer, he has done good revenue recovery. He knows my habit," the Deputy Chief Minister told reporters on the sidelines of the inauguration of an office of the ruling Goa Forward party, which Sardesai heads. "I am not an English gentleman like that. I am an aggressive person. Everybody knows that. This is not new," he added. While the Congress had slammed Sardesai of behaving in a "dictatorial manner", the Minister had expressed regret hours after the incident. The officer said that the Minister's act of knocking away the phone was "accidental" and that much should not be read into the incident. London, May 7 : The US' Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has warned Norway that a prominent Arab activist who is living in the country under asylum protection is facing a potential threat from Saudi Arabia, the media reported on Tuesday. Pro-democracy activist Iyad el-Baghdadi is a vocal critic of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and is a Palestinian-born writer who is active on Twitter. He gained prominence during the Arab spring when he began tweeting about the Egyptian uprising. His English translations of Arabic tweets and sarcastic takedowns of autocratic leaders gained him tens of thousands of Twitter followers. He was granted political asylum in Norway in 2015, after his arrest and expulsion from the United Arab Emirates, which forced him to leave without any formal charges or trial. Since then, the Saudi Crown Prince has been a frequent subject of criticism for the writer. The revelation comes less than a year after the murder of Saudi journalist and columnist for the Washington Post Jamal Khashoggi, who was killed inside the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul in October 2018. The murder caused international outrage and provoked condemnation of the 33-year-old crown prince who is said to be behind the killing. According to the Guardian, El-Baghdadi was alerted to the threat on April 25 , when Norwegian authorities arrived at his doorstep, took him to a secure location and warned him he was in possible danger from an unspecified threat emanating from the kingdom. The activist was told the threat had been passed on to Norwegian authorities by a foreign intelligence agency, which the Guardian said was the CIA. "The way I understood it was, the Saudis have a crosshairs on me, but there is no idea of what they are going to do," El-Baghdadi told the daily over the phone. "They assured me that they are taking it very seriously. They came prepared," he said, noting that authorities had arrived with two squads: one to whisk him away and another to ensure they were not being followed. Last year, after the murder of Khashoggi, El-Baghdadi warned on Twitter that Prince Mohammed would become more dangerous if he was not held to account by western allies. "If they get away with kidnapping the next step will be assassinations in your capitals, and I'm not joking even a little bit," El-Baghdadi had tweeted. He said the apparent threat meant he was effective: "If they don't want to kill me than I am not doing my job." The move by the CIA to alert Norwegian counterparts does not necessarily mean El-Baghdadi is in imminent and definite danger, the report said. The CIA declined to comment on the issue and so did the Norwegian police security service. New Delhi, May 7 : The Central government has released Rs 1,000 crore additional assistance to Cyclone Fani-affected Odisha while stepping up work to restoring power supply and the telecommunications network, a Home Ministry statement said on Tuesday. The Home Ministry released the amount a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi made the announcement to assist Odisha. Earlier, Rs 341 crore was provided to the stae in advance, the statement said. The information was shared in a review meeting of the National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC), chaired by Cabinet Secretary P.K. Sinha. Stressing on early restoration of power infrastructure, the Odisha government said that following deployment of additional manpower and materials from central public sector units and neighbouring states, the power supply has been restored partially in Bhubaneswar, while a lot of ground still needed to be covered in Puri. "Power supply to maintain essential services such as water, health and banking is being provided through diesel generator sets. It was reported that land line connectivity has been restored in Puri though mobile services still remain skeletal," said the statement. Department of telecommunications is coordinating with the state government to implement a priority plan for restoration of mobile and internet services in the affected areas, said the statement, adding mobile service providers have allowed free SMS and intra circle roaming in these areas. "Cellular towers on wheels are also being deployed in Puri. "Banking services have started and efforts are being made to operationalize all ATMs." The Centre has also decided to extend the the registration dates of the JEE advanced examinations by five more days up to May 14 in Odisha. Those students who are unable to get internet connectivity can approach IIT Bhubaneswar for registration, said the statement. Reviewing the relief measures, the Cabinet Secretary stressed that power and telecommunications in Puri and Bhubaneswar need to be restored on priority basis and directed the state and Central officials concerned to work in close coordination. He further directed that adequate number of gen-sets and mobile cellular towers be arranged and provided for the restoration efforts. The Chief Secretary and other senior officers of Odisha participated in the NCMC Meeting through video conference. Senior officers from Ministries of Home Affairs, Power, Telecommunications, Steel, Financial Services, Road and Transport, Health, Higher Education and NDMA also attended the meeting. Srinagar, May 7 : The Jammu and Kashmir government on Tuesday decided to lift restrictions on civilian traffic on the Udhampur-Srinagar National Highway on Wednesdays from May 13 onwards. "The restriction on civilian movement between Srinagar and Udhampur on NH-44 will be lifted on Wednesdays with effect from May 13. The prohibition on civilian traffic in this stretch would now be only on Sunday," an official statement said. It said the government has been reviewing the restrictions on civilian movement on National Highway (NH-44) connecting Jammu to Srinagar with a view to balancing the security needs of security force convoys with the need for minimizing public inconvenience. In order to ensure safe movement of these convoys, the government had prohibited civilian traffic on NH-44, between Baramulla and Udhampur, every Sunday and Wednesday, from 4 a.m. to 5 p.m. "These restrictions became necessary following the large movement of security forces on an unprecedented scale after the Pulwama terror attack. These forces were required both for anti-militancy operations and for conducting general elections peacefully," it said. However, "elaborate arrangements" were made by the local administration to facilitate movement of public during the period, the statement said. Noting the restriction on civilian movement between Srinagar and Baramulla on NH-44 was reduced only to Sunday after April 22 and completely lifted on May 2, it said that the government "is alive to the needs of citizens and has once again reviewed the requirement of security forces" to relax the restrictions. New Delhi/Mumbai, May 7 : The pilots' union of grounded Jet Airways on Tuesday approached the Supreme Court to direct the consortium of lenders for release of funds to restart operations. In its petition, the National Aviators' Guild (NAG) asked the Supreme Court to direct the airlines' lenders to release the promised amount to restart operations as it impacts 22,000 direct and indirect employees. According to the petition reviewed by IANS, the union said the consortium has failed to meet its obligation of providing Rs 1,500 crore worth of funds to the airline under its turnaround plan. Besides, the petition also asks the Supreme Court to stop the Central government from allotting Jet's time slots at the airport on a permanent basis and to prevent allocation of seats under the bilateral agreement on international sector ro other airlines. Last month, temporary suspension of Jet's operations created a capacity crunch in the domestic sector. Consequently, 280 slots in Mumbai and over 160 in Delhi were left vacant. These slots are being re-allocated by a committee comprising airport operators, the Airports Authority of India and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, with preference being given to those airlines which bring in extra planes. At present, the fate of the airline -- formed on May 5, 1993 -- hangs in the balance, as domestic lenders have called for binding bids from potential investors by May 10 to sell a sizeable stake in the company. In April, Jet was forced to announce a temporary suspension of all flight services as it was unable to maintain even bare minimum operations. Prior to temporarily suspending all flight services, Jet had already folded up most of its operations due to grounding of around 90 per cent of its fleet by lessors, as its consortium of lenders refused to extend loans to the airline. New Delhi, May 7 : Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based HR solutions provider Talocity would provide Yes Bank its AI-supported "touchless" technology for the bank's hiring process and human resource (HR) operations, Talocity said on Tuesday. "Talocity, which provides 'touchless hiring' with unbiased HR outcomes to its clients, on-boarded Yes Bank as a client recently. Talocity's blend of automation enables Yes Bank to further enhance their hiring process and HR operations, to attain high quality talent," read a company statement. According to the statement, the candidates are interviewed by an AI bot on a one-way video platform and Talocity's machine learning and AI capabilities create personality reports, for each job applicant, which tells Yes Bank about the applicant's relevance to the job. Speaking on the development, Deodutta Kurane, Senior Group President for Human Capital Management at Yes Bank, said: "Our partnership with Talocity allows us to employ AI, robotics and use of a flexible platform to reach out to candidates anywhere, at any time. The AI platform makes the first level evaluation much more convenient and effective without human bias, especially in large volume hiring." Talocity CEO Ketan Dewan said: "The benefits of 'touchless' in hiring means that most of the recruitment related translations load will now be undertaken by Artificial Intelligence-powered bots." Kolkata, May 7 : The convoy of two prominent BJP leaders - Assam Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and party's West Bengal President Dilip Ghosh - was attacked by alleged Trinamool Congress-backed goons in East Midnapore district on Tuesday but both were unhurt. The incident happened when Ghosh was going to Khejuri with the convoy after doing a roadshow in Nandigram. According to Bharatiya Janata Party leaders, the convoy was attacked soon after it crossed the Tekhali bridge and reached Tentultala in Khejuri. Some bikes in the convoy were damaged and some BJP workers beaten up by the assailants. "Two cars have been completed broken down. TMC goons surrounded the convoy from all sides," a BJP source said. Neither Ghosh, nor Sarma were injured in the attack and a large police contingent rushed to the area and controlled the situation. Eyewitnesses said the trouble first sparked off during the roadshow at Kunjapur in Kanthi, when some BJP activists were beaten up. But local Trinamool leaders alleged that BJP supporters had attacked the vehicle of its local lawmaker Ranjit Mondal. Condemning the attack on her party leaders, Union Mnister Nirmala Sitharaman alleged they were not given any police protection. "Dilip Ghosh is our state president. Himanta Biswa Sarma is a minister of Assam. But still, they did not get any police help. "TMC criminals, syndicates, attacked our leaders. This is against the law, and an example of the dictatorship in the state," said Sitharaman, who is in the state for campaigning. On the other hand, veteran Trinamool leader and former Union Minister Sisir Adhikari accused the BJP of trying to foment trouble through provocation. "They are provoking us. I don't know whether they had any party programme. Now they have fled," Adhikari, who is contesting the Kanthi Lok Sabha seat, said. The attack on the two BJP leaders came a day after two BJP candidates were attacked during the fifth phase of Lok Sabha elections in the state. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from Barrackpore, Arjun Singh, suffered injuries on his face after being allegedly attacked by Trinamool supporters, while the car of the party's nominee from Hooghly, Locket Chatterjee, was vandalised by Trinamool workers. Jaipur, May 7 : On a day of protests against gangrape of a woman in front of her husband in Alwar, another such case was reported from the city on Tuesday in which an FIR has been lodged at Thanagaazi police station. The victim said accused Kailash Meena and his four accomplices gave her a sugercane juice when she went to Bharatari Dham on April 27 after which she felt dizzy. The accused took her in a Bolero saying they were taking her to a doctor. The woman alleged that when she regained consciousness, she found herself in a room where she was gangraped in the presence of another man identified as Vishram. The accused took her to Pratap village the next day where she was warned of dire consequences. The victim alleged that Vishram's wife forced her to stay as Kailash's wife. The next day she was taken to Jaipur and then to Ajmer. Here, the woman met a few of her relatives and narrated them the entire incident. They went to Thanagaazi police station and registered a case. Director General of Police Kapil Garg said that Kailash Meena is the prime accused in the case and that investigations are in progress. In the Rajasthan cpital, the opposition BJP demanded resignation of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot over the gangrape case. The Chief Minister, while strongly condemning the incident, has directed officials to take tough action against the accused. Meanwhile, the state government on Tuesday in an order kept Alwar Superintendent of Police Rajeev Pachar on Awaited posting order (APO). Additional chief secretary Rajeev Swaroop said he would have to wait till further orders for his next posting. Gehlot in a press note said that any negligence on the police's part would be strictly dealt with. Around a dozen teams have been formed for the early arrest of the accused, he said, adding security has been provided to the victim and her family. Earlier, DGP Kapil Garg said that one person has been arrested in the case while four are absconding. The victim had reported the matter on May 2, however, it was allegedly not taken up by police in view of Lok Sabha elections due on May 6. The pastry case at Michaeli Bakery. Photo: Melissa Hom New Yorkers love their babka now more than ever but the version at Breads Bakery has taken on a life entirely its own. The chocolate loaf became a sensation among sweet tooths as soon as Uri Scheft brought his Israeli bakery here in 2013, and its subsequently been called one of the citys best desserts and named the citys very best babka. If youre part of the Breads Babka Brigade, you can thank, in part, Adir Michaeli. The pastry chef worked for Scheft in Tel Aviv for four years, before coming with him to this city to, he says, establish the branch in Manhattan and bake a whole lot of babkas. Now hes setting out to establish a bakery of his own. This Thursday, Michaeli will open the eponymous Michaeli Bakery, where hell dive even more deeply into the world of Israeli pastries. I tried to focus on deliciousness. Some of the items wont be that pretty, but inviting to bite and eat, the pastry chef says. The pizza bourekas will be like that. Located on the Lower East Side across from the popular Kikis, Michaeli Bakery will mostly be a to-go operation, but will offer eight seats for anyone who just cant wait to dig in. The space has an open kitchen, so you can see whatever is being baked, and theres a basement production kitchen as well. The plan for this bakery has been long in the works: After originally intending to open in Tel Aviv, Michaeli returned here. Pretty fast I decided, no, New York is better for me, he says. But his goal is still to run the type of local pastry shop he went to as a kid. Breads is the boulangerie this is the first Israeli patisserie here, he says. Ive tried to bring the classic Israeli, Tel Aviv style to New York. The menu, then, will be familiar to anyone who knows their Israeli pastry shop, from the buttery rugelach to the bourekas, considered the signature pastry of the country. There will be some seasonal specialties like krembos, chocolate-covered marshmallow and biscuit, and like any pastry chef worth his weight in ganache, hes worked hard to develop his own creation. It wont come out until October, and he wont say much for now. I want the bakery to get popular without it, he says. It has chocolate, yeasted dough, and needs to be always fresh. The shape of it, everything is brand-new. Here, a look at whats on the menu. The vegan doughnut is made from a special dough thats different. We have whats called Sfenj, its a Moroccan doughnut, that we eat during Mimouna, Michaeli explains, referencing the post-Passover holiday. He hardly kneads the high-hydration dough, which he says give it a unique texture and makes it crusty and kind of ugly in a good way. Photo: Melissa Hom The brioche-like kugelhopf is offered as an individual cake. The buttery, yeasted dough is light, and has ingredients including vanilla and currants in it. Its not very popular here, but it definitely should get the stage in the bakery scene, he says. Photo: Melissa Hom Pizza bourekas sound like a New York fusion dish , but theyre popular back in Israel. Theyre flatter, very basic. I just gave my own touch to it, he says. Photo: Melissa Hom This is my favorite flavor, much more than the pizza, Michaeli admits of the burikitas. Theyre made with a lot of feta cheese, which he says gives them a nice saltiness with a great, delicate cheese dough. The crust is speckled with sesame seeds. This is so simple to make and the outcome is so amazing, the chef says. Its wow. Photo: Melissa Hom Other boureka flavors include spinach, if you want to go green Photo: Melissa Hom and potato, if youre in a carbs-on-carbs mood. Photo: Melissa Hom There are also very French items like croissants and what theyre calling a vanilla-raisin Danish (but which youll know as a pain au raisins). Photo: Melissa Hom The chef speaks about his rather attractive looking, crunchy cinnamon roll modestly. It will be not as pretty, because I use a good amount of pastry cream with sugar and cinnamon which makes it moist inside, he says. Photo: Melissa Hom Michaeli is using leavened dough for his croissants and danishes like this cheese danish, to give it a kick of sour flavor. That danish is made with cream cheese, ricotta, sour cream, and lemon zest. Photo: Melissa Hom The rugelach are Israeli-style, rather than the American-style cookies, meaning theyre like a small, very chocolatey danish. Theyre made with a mix of two-thirds dark chocolate and one-third Nutella. Photo: Melissa Hom Just your classic over-sized chocolate chip cookie, which is no small thing. Photo: Melissa Hom The babka are beautifully braided, a la Breads Bakery, and have that nice marbled look to them. The chocolate version is made with a mix of one-third dark chocolate and two-thirds Nutella. Photo: Melissa Hom Theres also poppy seed Photo: Melissa Hom and cinnamon. Photo: Melissa Hom Theres challah if youre looking for something savory or to make eggy French toast. Photo: Melissa Hom Apple pie, too, is available with dough made from low-gluten flour and a filling of Granny Smith apples, cinnamon, lemon zest, sugar, and vanilla. Its topped with butter, sugar, and a flour crumble. Photo: Melissa Hom You can buy packages of cookies, pound cakes, and other things for people to take home for hosting. Two of those items include the shortbread cookies and raspberry jam crumb squares. Photo: Melissa Hom Hes also baking Argentinian-style alfajores, the cookie sandwich typically filled with dulce de leche. Photo: Melissa Hom Michaeli promises plenty of cakes, including one covered in chocolate and shaped like a pyramid and this chocolate layer cake log. Photo: Melissa Hom Other log cakes include the black forest Photo: Melissa Hom coconut mango Photo: Melissa Hom and, finally, meringue roulade log cake made with heavy cream and mascarpone, fresh strawberries, toasted almonds, and vanilla powder. Photo: Melissa Hom Michaeli Bakery, 115A Division St, at Orchard St; 646-360-2284 New Delhi, May 7 : The Delhi Police has arrested four persons for cheating over 360 unemployed youths of various states to the tune of over Rs 50 lakh on the pretext of providing jobs under the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ambitious project "Ayushman Bharat Yojna", a police officer said on Tuesday. The mastermind of gang, Gyan Prakash, 30, and his three accomplices -- Rishi Kant, 27, Ram Narayan, 28, and Praveen Kumar, 22, all residents of Haryana's Faridbad and Gurugram -- were arrested between Friday and Monday in separate police raids. "Following strong pressure from PMO, a team headed by SHO Vinod Narang and Sub-Inspector Amit Kumar worked hard and cracked the case within six days. Police team got a tip-off from the post office from where the job application envelops were dispatched," Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) Madhur Verma said. "Fake appointment letters printed on Aysuhman Bharat Yojna letterhead, fake stamps of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW), SIM cards, forged documents of the Ministry and other government plans and schemes, linked bank account details and laptops used in the commission of crime were recovered from a room in Tigoan in Faridabad from where the syndicate was operating," Verma said. A victim, Surender Kumar, resident of Mahendergarh district of Haryana, had lodged a complaint on April 30 at Connaught Place police station with regard to the recruitment syndicate that duped him. "Kumar had in his complaint alleged that he is unemployed and preparing for government job. He saw an advertisement on April 14 in a national daily regarding open recruitment under the 'Ayushman Bharat Yojna'. He later sent his resume for job. "Kumar on April 25 received an envelope through Speed Post and found a joining letter on the letterhead of Prime Minister Jan Arogya Yojna (PM-JAY) from Connaught Place on which the same mobile number was printed that had appeared in the advertisement," he said. "The joining letter also directed him to get a bank account number by contacting on the same mobile number and deposit Rs 12,500 amount as security deposit. Kumar then decided to visit Jeeven Bharti building to enquire about the recruitment. On going there, he found the joining letter received by him was fake," the DCP said. "During interrogation, Gyan Prakash disclosed that he had started colour workshop in Narela in 2011 and also started transport business simultaneously but later went bankrupt due to heavy losses. As huge debts piled up, he shared his problem with his friend who convinced him to earn huge money through an easy way of cheating unemployed youths on the pretext of jobs in the projects of government of India. He later introduced him to Rihsi Kant and two others," the officer added. The gang used to target youths in remote areas of eastern Uttar Pradesh, Meerut, Haryana, Rajasthan, Mathura and Madhya Pradesh, among others. The gang has already duped over 360 youths to the tune of over Rs 50 lakh. Rome, May 7 : Italy is spearheading a diplomatic push for a truce leading to a negotiated political settlement in war-torn Libya and has held talks on the crisis over the past month with key players Russia and Egypt, Premier Giuseppe Conte told Libya's UN-backed Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj at a meeting here on Tuesday, sources said. Conte confirmed "Italy's commitment to a political solution, which it views as the only one that is practicable, something it has been working for all these past weeks, also via numerous international contacts in Rome and abroad," the diplomatic sources told AKI. The sources cited as examples talks on Libya between Conte and Russian President Vladimir Putin and with Egypt's President Abdel Fatah on the sidelines of the Belt and Road forum in Beijing in late April. Conte also met Qatar's Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Mohammed al-Thani in Rome in mid-April for talks as part of Italy's bid to de-escalate the deadly battle for Tripoli between eastern warlord Khalifa Haftar's militia against forces loyal to the Sarraj government that began on 5 April, the sources said. The sources also referred to "meetings with other Libyan interlocutors" that have taken place, possibly referencing talks in mid-April between Conte and Deputy Premier Ahmed Maitig in Rome and reported talks - also in mid-April - in Tripoli between Italy's envoy to Libya, Giuseppe Buccino and Foreign Minister Mohamed Taher Siala. During his meeting with Sarraj, Conte also reiterated Italy's view that there can be no military solution to the Libyan conflict, while Sarraj decried Haftar's "aggression", according to the sources. Meanwhile, Sarraj said that Italy can make a "positive" difference in resolving the deadly conflict in Libya, the unity government said on Facebook. Sarraj told Conte that Italy should use its "international weight" and step up efforts to persuade "hesitant" countries in Europe and in the region to join in efforts towards a ceasefire and peace talks, according to the post. Help from "our Italian friends" could speed up the process of halting the military "aggression" by Haftar, whose Libyan National Army militia on April 5 began an assault to seize Tripoli, and "prevent further bloodshed", Sarraj said. He also praised "the special relationship" that links Italy to its former colony and lauded "the humanitarian" it gave during the unity government's fight against "terrorism" in the former Islamic State stronghold of Sirte. "There is no doubt that the Italian government wants to stabilise Libya," Sarraj wrote, praising its decision to re-open the Italian Embassy in Tripoli. A former Italian colony, Libya has been in chaos since the Nato-backed ouster of late dictator Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, with rival administrations in the east and west backed by a myriad of militias vying for control of the oil-rich country. Rome, May 7 : The United Nations's cultural organisation on Tuesday hailed the news that prize-winning Reuters investigative journalists Kyaw Soe Oo and Wa Lone were freed by Myanmar after over 500 days behind bars, calling their release "a positive step forward for press freedom". "I welcome the decision to release Kyaw Soe Oo and Wa Lone," Unesco Director-General Audrey Azoulay said in a statement. Myanmar's President, Win Myint granted an amnesty on Tuesday to Kyaw Soe Oo, 29, and Wa Lone, 33, months after they were sentenced to seven years in jail on convictions under the colonial-era Official Secrets Act. "This is a relief for them and their loved ones, but also a positive step forward for press freedom," said Azoulay. Democracies can only function when journalists are able to report without fear of reprisals, she underlined. "Through their dedication and courage, Kyaw Soe Oo and Wa Lone are an inspiration to all those who fight to defend press freedom," she said. At the time of their arrest in Yangon on December 12, 2017, the reporters were investigating the killing of 10 Rohingya Muslim men and boys, allegedly by security forces and Buddhist civilians in Myanmar's western Rakhine State. Kyaw Soe Oo and Wa Lone's jailing in September last year sparked an outcry from diplomats and press freedom groups, who said it raised questions about the progress towards democracy made by Myanmar. The the two journalists were awarded the Unesco/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize at a ceremony held in their absence last week in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where the main World Press Freedom Day events took place. Pratica Di Mare : , May 7 (IANS/AKI) Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte said on Tuesday he hoped to meet war-wracked Libya's eastern military strongman Khalifa Haftar for face-to-face talks aimed at de-escalating the deadly battle for the capital, Tripoli,"very soon". "Today I spoke with (Libya's United Nations backed Premier) Sarraj. And I am confident I will hold direct talks with General Haftar in person very soon," Conte said at Practica di Mare military airport. Conte was speaking to reporters after talks in Rome on Tuesday with Sarraj towards a truce in the month-long warfare in Tripoli and a political solution to the ongoing conflict. The battle for Tripoli pits Haftar's self-styled Libyan National Army against forces loyal to Sarraj's internationally recognised government and began on April 5 when Haftar launched a military assault. Conte described the current state of the fighting in Tripoli as "a stalemate". "There is little movement on the ground in Libya. The Italian government understood the situation from the outset and has continued to rule out military intervention. "There a stalemate, the situation is critical and could become even more so from one moment to another," he said. Opposition from Russia and the US has blocked a UN Security Council resolution on a ceasefire in Tripoli, where the UN says at least 432 people have died, 2,069 people have been injured, and over 50,000 have had to flee their homes since Haftar's offensive began. Sarraj's visit to Rome is the first leg of a European tour aimed at mustering support for a truce in Tripoli and opposition to Haftar's "aggression", the Sarraj government's Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Monday. Sarraj is visiting Europe with Interior Minister Fathi Bashagha and Foreign Minister Mohammed Siala on his trip, according to Libyan broadcaster Al-Ahrar. The ministers are due to travel to Berlin later on Tuesday and from there to Paris and London, it reported. Libya, a former Italian colony, has been in chaos since the Nato-backed rebellion that led to the fall of late dictator Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. Haftar is allied with a rival administration in the east and it and the UN-recognised government in Tripoli are backed by a myriad of militias vying for control of the oil-rich country. Mumbai, May 8 : Amid of the allegation of rape and extortion against the television actor Karan Oberoi, one of his best friends Pooja Bedi along with the band members of his music band 'Band Of Boys' urges on Tuesday that the law that are exciting to protect the voice of rape victim, should be used in responsible manner by the women. In response to the question of IANS on inequality exist in the law at the press meet, Pooja said: "Taking the history of our country in consideration and the patriarchal society that we are living in, there is a situation where a rape victim goes to the police station and her complaint does not get registered, which is wrong. So we need laws against rape and such violence; but at the same time, if a severe number of women are misusing the law if they are not respecting the law that are meant to protect them rather taking advantage of it, we need to think about how to protect the right of a man as well!" She added: "It is unfortunate to see such a kind man being subjected to something like this, the reputation damage, the family trauma is unacceptable to me. There are a number of cases where women are not using the law, they are misusing the law." A complaint was lodged with the Oshiwara Police late on Sunday and charges under the Indian Penal Code Sections 376 (rape) and 384 (extortion) were slapped against him. Watch the video: Pooja Bedi defends rape accused actor Karan Oberoi, says many women misuse law for vendetta He was produced before a magistrate's court which has remanded him to police custody till May 9, his lawyer said. As per the First Information Report lodged by the victim, the accused raped her on the promise of marriage, filmed the act and tried to extort money from her under the threat of making the video public. Karan lawyer advocate Dinesh Tiwari, who was also present there, told IANS: "Though it will be little tougher for first few days but considering the fact that we have all the evidence to prove that my client is innocent, we should get him bailed". All the band members who were present at the press meet emphasised on the contradictory situation that proves the allegation false. According to Tiwari, since the charges are strong, in those cases, police does not need an arrest warrant to arrest the person. However, it is the loophole in the a system where the police do not analyse all the given information from both the parties before dragging one person and put behind the bar. He said: "In one statement, she said that she was sexually assaulted and then she mentioned that she was ready to marry my client (Karan). How could you get ready to marry someone whom later you call a rapist?" Mentioning one of the messages that the victim has sent to Karan, Pooja reads out, "Karan, I am being open and upfront. Can we have sex, without thinking about future, emotions and anything else just for now, as my body needs it. And I do not feel comfortable to indulge with anyone else, so let me know what do you think about it." Then Pooja question, "Isn't it clear that the relationship was one-sided and Karan was approached many times with such messages?" According to the lawyer, they have submitted a series of text message that was sent to Karan by the woman (victim) as evidence to prove his innocence. Watch: Television actor Karan Oberoi arrested for allegedly raping an astrologer -- With inputs from IANS Melbourne-based restaurant chain Dosa Hut have opened their first Gold Coast store after securing space at a convenience centre located in a central part of the region. The chain will occupy a 165 square metre tenancy at Crestwood Plaza in Molendinar after signing a five-year lease with options in a deal negotiated by Tanaka Jabangwe, Knight Franks Associate Director of Retail Leasing. Jabangwe said Dosa Hut had been looking for the right opportunity to open a store in the growing Gold Coast region for some time before leasing the Crestwood Plaza space. The tenant had been wanting to establish a presence on the Gold Coast for some time but was looking for the right space and this Molendinar shopfront ticked all the boxes, he said. Dosa Hut were seeking a central location in a suburban catchment with ease of access to major road networks, and Crestwood Plaza fit the bill on every aspect. The convenience centre is situated on Olsen Avenue, which is a very busy thoroughfare with plenty of traffic passing estimated at circa 57,000 cars daily, which offered great exposure for the restaurant. Dosa Hut, which serves south Indian cuisine, already operates 19 restaurants across Victoria, New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory and Queensland, but the Molendinar restaurant is the first for the Gold Coast. Crestwood Plaza offered a perceived geographical centre to service both the northern catchment and parts of southern Gold Coast with ease, a spokesperson said. We are confident in our food and believe the Gold Coast will appreciate the quality, authentic Indian food we have on offer. Located in the heart of a major Gold Coast growth district in Molendinar, Crestwood Plaza convenience centre fronts the booming Crestwood Heights residential estate, is adjacent to Bunnings Warehouse and opposite Griffith Universitys future development land. The centre features over 190 car parks, a full line Supa IGA as anchor tenant and 17 other specialty stores. With limited vacancies remaining in Crestwood Plaza, Knight Frank are currently seeking interest from additional food and beverage establishments, health and fitness groups, allied health and/or medical. Jabangwe said the Gold Coast retail market continued to be largely driven by demand from local and interstate food and beverage operators. After the Commonwealth Games weve seen an increase in enquiry from established operators seeking high profile positions across the city, he said. There has also been an increase in Asian cuisine offerings and national chains in strategic shopping centre positions particularly through the northern suburbs of the Gold Coast. High-end food and beverage offerings have predominantly been focused around the traditional premium precincts of Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach with a surge in demand for southern Gold Coast positions between Mermaid Beach through to Palm Beach, but there is also plenty of demand from other operators for other suburban areas of the Gold Coast. The suburban catchment offers a less seasonal serviceable population as it alleviates the predominant dependence on tourism spend as perceived in areas such as Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach. Dosa Hut believe local community engagement is paramount to their success and this was one of the key reasons why the first store had to be in a central suburban area. AMP Capitals Shane Oliver has emerged as the nations highest-profile economist. A survey found he had more than twice as many media mentions across print and online news sites over the past year than any other economist. Oliver had 2507 mentions in major print and online publications in 12 months, according to figures compiled by media monitoring provider Streem, who did not include radio and TV. The tally included numerous references to his RBA cash rate forecasts. Craig James, the chief economist at CBAs stockbroking business CommSec, was the only economist from a major bank to make the top five of the list, according to the figures. Dr Olivers tally, which works out to nearly seven news stories a day, was more than double that of James (1041). The property-focused economist Nerida Conisbee, from REA Group, was third, having appeared in 959 media items over the year, as she moved to replace the gap vacated by Domain's Dr Andrew Wilson. Dr Oliver, the chief economist is also head of investment strategy for the $187 billion AMP Capital fund. His contributions regularly appear on Property Observer. The figures examined mentions of economists in metropolitan print and online news stories for the 12 months from April 2018 to March 2019. Streems partnerships lead, Conal Hanna, said some economists were favoured by particular news outlets but Dr Oliver was simply everywhere with 2507 mentions over the past year. Currently holidaying in Sydney, Chris Richardson, of Deloitte Access Economics, often a favourite of political journalists, came in fourth with 877 mentions. The fifth most quoted was former Grattan Institute director Saul Eslake, the vice-chancellors fellow with the University of Tasmania. Also on the top 10 list of economists are Alan Oster of NAB, Bill Evans of Westpac and David Plank of ANZ, The Australian reported. The data had been restricted to people who were quoted in news stories as economists. The figures dont include opinion page contributions. Dr Oliver was among several market economists that had tipped the RBA to cut rates at todays meeting. Purplebricks Australia has announced its intention to exit the Australian market. The decision comes amid the continued advertising campaign for listings by the celebrity builder, Barry Du Bois (below). Even its revised fixed-fee sales model proved to be problematic for real estate agents, amid the slow down in the housing market. Vic Darvey, the Purplebricks Group CEO said after much consideration it had "made the difficult decision to close the Australian business." "Weve been operating here for two and half years and, unfortunately, we have been unable to make the progress in the Australian market that weve wanted, despite the tireless efforts of our employees. "Our present intention is that, over the next few months, we manage the process of closing down the Australian business in an orderly way, attempting to minimise disruption for both our people and our customers. "We will take no further listings in Australia, but intend to engage with our customers to finalise all existing agreements. "This is not a decision we have taken lightly, but with market conditions becoming increasingly challenging, we do not believe that the prospective returns in Australia are enough to justify continued investment." Only last week UBS said the company was not likely to make money in Australia until 2022. Last month it was forecasted that Purplebricks would potentially have to close its Australian operations to save the UK mothership. Global semiconductor silicon quarterly wafer shipments 2015-2019 in millions of square inches (MSI). (Source: TECHCET) The fourth-annual Critical Materials Council (CMC) Conference, produced by TECHCET, included topical presentations, a fab tour, exhibits by specialty materials suppliers, and networking roundtable discussions to learn about best-practices in a pre-competitive environment. Over 150 leading executives and managers within the semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem gathered on April 25th and 26th in the Albany area of New York state for an important event on fabrication (fab) materials. The fourth-annual Critical Materials Council (CMC) Conference, produced by TECHCET, included topical presentations, a fab tour, exhibits by specialty materials suppliers, and networking roundtable discussions to learn about best-practices in a pre-competitive environment. Folks who missed attending the event this year can register to access the posted presentations for a nominal fee at https://cmcfabs.org/cmc-conference-2019/. The event opened again, as in each of the prior three years, on an extremely strong business and technology keynote address by an executive from one of the CMC Fab member companies. The 2019 CMC Conference keynote was given by Dr. John Pellerin, Deputy CTO and VP of Worldwide R&D, GlobalFoundries. Pellerin talked about how demand for new high-volume manufacturing (HVM) semiconductor devices over the next few years will drive needs for increased numbers of new specialty materials as well as volumes of existing materials in his presentation on "Materials Challenges & Opportunities in Differentiated Technologies." In the first session of the event covering global supply-chain issues of economics and regulations, G. Dan Hutcheson, CEO of VLSI Research, presented on "Slowdown: When did it start? What drove it? And When will the recovery come?" Hutcheson showed data from leading economic indicators that the recent decline in global semiconductor fab industry revenues due to memory chip prices may have already turned around. TECHCET Sr. Analysts Dr. Jonas Sundqvist and Terry Francis presented updated information on demand drivers and forecasts for ALD/CVD precursors and Rare Earths, respectively. Sundqvist--also leader of the Thin Film Technologies Group at Fraunhofer IKTS--focused on how new 3D memory and logic chips demand more deposition precursors such that chemical volume growth will outpace that of silicon wafers, shown in the Figure. Francis showed how "Rare Earth" elements are not so rare at the elemental level, but complex dynamics between mining and refining and capitalism have led to a situation where mainland China currently controls most of the market for elements such as lanthanum (used in advanced ICs to create CMOS logic gates). Deep dives into all such materials matters are found in the TECHCET Critical Materials Reports (CMR), and you can find all of them online at https://techcet.com/shop/. The 2020 spring CMC Conference is scheduled for April 24-25 in Austin, Texas. Austin is home to CMC Fab members Cypress and Samsung Austin Semiconductor (SAS). The CMC Fab members and Associate members will again gather for two days of private face-to-face meetings before attending the public CMC Conference. In addition to the annual spring CMC Conference in the US, there is also an annual fall CMC Seminar in Asia. The 2019 CMC Seminar will be held on October 17 in Taoyuan, Taiwan. For more information on CMC events see https://techcet.com/cmc-events/. About CMC: The Critical Materials Council (CMC) of Semiconductor Fabricators (CMCFabs.org) is a membership-based organization that works to anticipate and solve critical materials issues in a pre-competitive environment. The CMC is a business unit of TECHCET, and includes materials supplier Associate Members. About TECHCET: TECHCET CA LLC is an advisory services firm focused on process materials supply-chains, electronic materials business, and materials market analysis for the semiconductor, display, solar/PV, and LED industries. Since 2000, the company has been responsible for producing the SEMATECH Critical Material Reports, covering silicon wafers, semiconductor gases, wet chemicals, CMP consumables, Photoresists, and ALD/CVD Precursors. For additional information about reports, market briefings, CMC membership, or custom consulting please contact info(at)cmcfabs(dot)org, +1-480-332-8336, or go to http://www.techcet.com or http://www.cmcfabs.org. The co-production of Taiwan Matsu Festival and Islands and Taiwan Naturally between Taiwan Tourism Bureau and Public Broadcasting Services (PBS) popular travel series Joseph Rosendos Travelscope was nominated for the 46th Daytime Creative Arts Emmy Award's Outstanding Directing for a Single Camera Lifestyle, Culinary, Travel or Educational and Informational Program. Joseph Rosendo, director and host of Travelscope, expressed, When people consider Taiwan, they most likely think of its bustling capital Taipei. Yet Taiwan is more natural and undeveloped than you think. Nearly 60% of the country is forested, with 9 national parks, 13 national scenic areas, and 18 forest recreation areas. On my many travels to Taiwan, Ive learned that theres always something new to discover on this beautiful islandIlha Formosa. From modern cities to indigenous villages; from island getaways to mountain resorts, I never cease to be amazed by all that Taiwan has to offer. Rosendos participation in the Taiwan Birdathon organized by Southwest Coast National Scenic Area Administration left him impressed by the dedication to bird conservation that allows more than 600 bird species to thrive in Taiwan. In a collaborative effort with the international community in Asia over the past 30 years, the endangered Black-faced Spoonbill population has grown from less than 300 to upwards of 4,000 individuals in present day. Taiwan is a modern prosperous country. Yet they know that truly great people honor nature above profits, preservation before development, and understands that it is essential to always make space for that which thrills the heart, replenishes the spirit, and feeds the soul, Rosendo said in admiration. I just discovered here that nature is not a place you escape to; nature is part of who you are. The religious deities, sacred icons, and national treasures, are all connected to the natural world. The Director General of Taiwan Tourism Bureau, Dr. Yung-hui Chou noted, The belief of Mazu is widespread across Taiwan. With the Bureaus participation, not only did the Travelscope team captured the Dajia Mazu Pilgrimage celebration and discovered the cultural roots of Mazu in Matsu Island, but also experienced birdwatching in the ecologically rich areas. Joseph Rosendos Travelscope gives the international audience a glimpse into Taiwans cultural and natural beauty, and reflects our commitment to Tourism 2020: A Sustainable Tourism Development Strategy. The Director General of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Los Angeles, Ambassador Abraham Wen-Shang Chu said, Ive been to over 80 countries. Taiwan is a unique place on this planet offering road biking along the mountains, with heights of 3,000 meters (9,800 ft.) above sea level. The magnificent views and lovely Formosa rock monkeys are easy to approach on your bike journey through Taiwan. It is the best green tour. The Director of Taiwan Tourism Bureau's Los Angeles office, Brad Shih, added, Birds are one of the important indicators of ecotourism. The Aogu Wetland Forest Park now has a rich ecosystem and habitat after returning to natural state. This is a successful case of environmental education and land reclamation. Taiwan Naturally opens with the story of the swan serenade at the Mingchih Forest Recreation Area, and explores the Jioujhihze Hot Springs, Nanfangao fish harbor, and Shen Yen Teppanyaki along the Northeast and Yilan Coast. Through the lenses of Joseph Rosendos Travelscope, North American audiences can experience Taiwans natural attractions, bird conservation, alpine forest villas, and coastal fish harbors and discover the charm of Taiwans sustainable tourism. Episodes Reference Taiwan Matsu Festival & Islands: https://travelscope.net/episodes/season-10/taiwan-matsu-festival-islands/ Taiwan Naturally: https://travelscope.net/episodes/season-10/taiwan-naturally/ Sudd Institute Press Release on Death Of Dong And Aggrey Author: Sudd Institute Date: 07/05/2019 The Sudd Institute is deeply saddened and shocked by the news of Dong Samuels death. Mr. Dong was the Sudd Institutes Board Secretary from 2012 until he fled the country in 2014. Dong, a gentleman with unmatched integrity and love for his country, served his people with class. The Sudd Institutes Senior Management and the Board of Directors wish to express their solidarity with late Dongs family, friends, colleagues, and the nation at large, sending them sincere sympathies and condolences. The Sudd Institute stands for the right of all citizens to express their views, political or otherwise, freely. Thus, no citizen should ever be subjected to death or repression simply for expressing their views about the country or about its political leadership. The Government of South Sudan should investigate and lay to bare facts about why and who killed Dong Samuel and Aggrey Idri Maurice Smith To be recognized in the footsteps of the legendary Pete Crear is an honor of a career. Mr. Crears legacy stands for a stellar example of professionalism and grace. I thank AACUC for its acknowledgement. Now, the bar is raised. The African-American Credit Union Coalition (AACUC), announced that Maurice R. Smith is the 2019 Recipient of the AACUCs Pete Crear Lifetime Achievement Award. Smith is currently the CEO of both Local Government Federal Credit Union (LGFCU) and Civic Federal Credit Union. Smith, former Board Chairman of the Credit Union National Association (CUNA), has been devoted to the credit union movement for over 35 years. Committed to his beliefs, Smith is an avid fan of credit union ideals. He believes that a business model that empowers its members to engage in democratic, self-help with strong principles that exceed socioeconomic status and class are superior to other business types. His sincere appreciation for local government and community service make him an exceptional leader and well suited for his role at LGFCU and Civic, and in the credit union industry. As the leader and CEO, Smith has always been a staunch supporter of employees reaching their potential through the development of talents, skills and creativity. He is committed to LGFCUs mission: to improve the lives of our members. A sampling of Smiths additional credit union related accomplishments include service as a Board Director of AACUC, service on the CUNA Advocacy, Ethics and Corporate Governance Committees, the National Association of Federal Credit Unions Accounting Standards Committee, and the North Carolina Credit Union League of Directors. He was also the Chairman of the Filene Research Institute Administrative and a Board Member of the Carolinas Credit Union Foundation. Under Smiths leadership, LGFCUs field of membership has provided an array of scholarship opportunities. Those include 120 college scholarships per year for members, professional development scholarships for local government employees, segment field of membership scholarship for law enforcement training, firefighters training, and EMS training. We are proud of Maurice Smiths accomplishments and look forward to honoring him in Charlotte, said Adrian S. Johnson, AACUC Board Chairman. Smith will be presented with the Pete Crear Lifetime Achievement Award during the 21st Annual AACUC Conference in Charlotte, NC on August 9, 2019. Pete Crear Lifetime Acheivement Award History This prestigious award is presented annually recognizing a credit union professional or volunteer whose career best embodies the African-American Credit Union Coalitions mission to increase the strength of the global credit union community. Sustained excellence is a hallmark of the recipients. The recipient will have demonstrated support for the credit union philosophy of People Helping People, organized and/or provided significant assistance to credit unions in need, and has constructively impacted the infrastructure, growth, legislative, regulatory, image and/or service delivery capacity of the Credit Union Movement. In August 2003, Pete Crear received the inaugural African-American Credit Union Lifetime Achievement Award and was further honored by having the award named after him and a college scholarship established in his name. Crear is retired and the past President and Chief Executive Officer of The World Council of Credit Unions, Inc. (WOCCU). Crear is considered a credit union pioneer. Under CEO Tina Hodges leadership, 2018 proved to be an incredibly strong year for the company, as it hit multiple growth milestones and elevated its long tradition of giving back to the local communities it serves. Advance Financial Chief Executive and Chief Experience Officer Tina Hodges was recently named the recipient of a Gold Stevie Award in the 17th Annual American Business Awards. The Nashville-based financial services and Fintech company executive won the gold award for Woman of the Year in the highly contested Consumer Services category. The Woman of the Year category recognizes achievements of women in the workplace in 2018. Under CEO Tina Hodges leadership, 2018 proved to be an incredibly strong year for the company, as it hit multiple growth milestones and elevated its long tradition of giving back to the local communities it serves. In 2018, the company opened 16 new stores, eclipsing 100 stores total, and welcomed hundreds of new employees, growing from 800 at the end of 2017 to more than 1,150 in 2018 a growth rate of 62 percent. In five years, the companys total revenue grew from over $73 million to more than $300 million 226% growth landing it on the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing companies for the seventh year in a row. The charitable arm of Advance Financial, the Advance Financial Foundation, contributed $561,000 in donations, grants and scholarships to organizations and students across the state in 2018. Additionally, the companys Volunteer Paid Time Off policy provided an opportunity for employees give 11,188 hours of Volunteer Time Off last year. It is an honor to be recognized for this award, especially in a category with so many inspiring female leaders, said Hodges. I would not be able to lead this company without the support from our entire Advance Financial community. It is a privilege to learn and lead alongside them each day. The American Business Awards were created in 2002 to honor and generate public recognition of the achievements and positive contributions of organizations and working professionals worldwide. More than 3,800 nominations from organizations of all sizes and industries were submitted this year for consideration in a wide range of categories, and more than 200 professionals worldwide participated in the judging process to select this years Stevie Award winners. The nominations submitted to the 2019 American Business Awards were outstanding, said Michael Gallagher, president and founder of the Stevie Awards. They illustrate the continued vibrancy of innovation and high level of achievement across the American economic landscape. Details about The American Business Awards and the list of 2019 Stevie winners are available at http://www.StevieAwards.com/ABA. About Advance Financial Founded in 1996, Advance Financial is a leading fintech company based in Nashville, Tennessee. With more than 100 stores in Tennessee and online loan services in 13 states, Advance Financial provides fast lending decisions on line of credit loans and other financial services, 24/7/365. Recent recognition includes 2018 Inc. 5000 fastest-growing private companies (7 straight years); A+ rating by the Better Business Bureau; Nashvilles 4th fastest growing company (2018, Nashville Business Journal); Forbes Best Employers for New Graduates (2018); and, Indeed Top-Ranked Workplace for Compensation/Benefits (2018). For more, visit http://www.af247.com. About the Stevie Awards Stevie Awards are conferred in seven programs: the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, the German Stevie Awards, The American Business Awards, The International Business Awards, the Stevie Awards for Women in Business, the Stevie Awards for Great Employers, and the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service. Stevie Awards competitions receive more than 12,000 entries each year from organizations in more than 70 nations. Honoring organizations of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide. Learn more about the Stevie Awards at http://www.StevieAwards.com. Sponsors of the 2019 American Business Awards include HCL America, John Hancock Financial Services, and SoftPro. Weve had a relationship with USA Sliding Doors, Inc. for years, and we are proud to add their brand to our growing family of well-known marine products..... " - Matt Kirby, VP of Sales/Marketing USA Manufacturing has announced the acquisition of USA Sliding Doors, Inc., making it the fifth brand underneath its corporate marine umbrella. These brands include Diamond Sea Glaze, Pacific Coast Marine, Freeman Marine and Steelhead Marine. The acquisition achieves AdvanTecs scope to be a full-scale marine solutions provider to clients worldwide by offering high-quality marine products made in Canada and the United States. Robert Weiland and William Best, founders of USA Sliding Doors, originally started the Company on January 22, 2001. USA Sliding Doors has served the Maritime and Civil Industry supplying doors for the US Navy, Foreign Militaries and multiple Commercial and Civil applications. USA Sliding Doors is known for its Class II and Class III Vertical and Horizontal Watertight doors that are custom designed to fit the needs of the conveyor and vessel manufacturer. The Company is a US Certified Vendor under Cage Code N. 1TML7, which allows for it to supply the US Navy with doors found on the T-AKE, MLP/ESB, T-AGM and T-AO vessels. This relationship has been going on for the last 18 years, said Weiland and Best. We are excited that a distinguished Marine Company like AdvanTec chose to purchase our Company. We have a lot of doors in the field, and now our customers can still count on being reliably serviced. We are very happy our Company will still carry on. Weve had a relationship with USA Sliding Doors, Inc. for years, and we are proud to add their brand to our growing family of well-known marine products. The acquisition just made good strategic sense, as part of our mission to provide customers with most complete product offering, said Matt Kirby, VP of Sales/Marketing at AdvanTec. The strong Commercial and Military Maritime market has allowed AdvanTec Group to grow our capabilities to service a larger market segment. The recent opening of our Robertsdale, Alabama production facility has paved the way for additional heavy-duty products to be added to our solid line of marine closures, noted David VanLaar, Director of Manufacturing Operations at AdvanTec. Staying true to this commitment, all manufacturing of USA Sliding Doors products will be relocated to the Robertsdale location. About AdvanTec AdvanTec is the parent brand to our marine division: Diamond Sea Glaze, Freeman Marine, Pacific Coast Marine, and Steelhead Marine who specialize in: design, engineering and manufacturing of specialty marine application closures and cranes and our industrial division: Surround Technologies, Advanced Flow Systems and Advanced Bending Technologies who create products for industrial applications throughout the world. Their industries range from Clean Tech, Mining, and Construction to Oil and Gas, Petrochemical and Power Utilities. AdvanTec is a collaboration of brands, each brand with a long history of service to marine and industrial clients from around the globe. AdvanTec exists to enable our individual companies in the global marketplace. Our organization lives its primary objective to transform manufacturing into a shared creative experience. We look forward to working alongside Aiken to provide the unified solutions they need to serve as the backbone of their entire district, said Hardeep Gulati, CEO of PowerSchool. PowerSchool, a leading provider of K-12 education technology solutions, announced today that its award-winning unified solutions were selected by the Aiken County Public School District in South Carolina to power key aspects of their district operations from the front office to the classroom to the homegiving educators a complete set of tools to unlock teacher and student potential. As an existing user of PowerSchools student information system, Aiken will now deploy PowerSchools Unified Administration eFinancePlus, PowerSchool Unified Administration Enrollment, PowerSchool Performance Matters Analytics, and PowerSchool Unified Talent, allowing them to manage all aspects of their administrations finance, HR, payroll, online enrollment, student analytics, and teacher recruitment through PowerSchools integrated and secure solutions. Streamlining all of our business practices from student information and registration to budgeting, payroll, purchasing, and human resources will allow greater integration of information and a more seamless delivery of our services across the board, said Aikens Superintendent Dr. Sean Alford. Our goal is to provide a premier experience to the community we serve. In doing so, we recognize the need to remove any barriers to success for teacher candidates, employees, school leaders, parents, and students. We look forward to an enhanced experience for our community with this full suite of PowerSchool solutions. Aiken County Public School District serves more than 24,000 students in 42 schools: 20 elementary, 11 middle, eight high schools, a career and technology center, three charter schools, an adult education center, and an early learning center. Prior to adopting PowerSchools unified solutions, teachers and administrators did not have a single, centralized source to integrate district tasks. Customers like Aiken using PowerSchool unified solutions have reported a more than 25% reduction in administrative time spent on student and classroom management. We look forward to working alongside Aiken to provide the unified solutions they need to serve as the backbone of their entire district, said Hardeep Gulati, CEO of PowerSchool. PowerSchools mission is to power the education ecosystem with unified technology that helps educators and students realize their potential, and we are thrilled to partner with Aiken to deliver an end-to-end solution so they can focus on driving student success. About Aiken County Public School District With engaged and capable teachers and staff, a shared vision to nurture and support students, and community partnerships that enhance the academic, career, and extra-curricular opportunities for all, Aiken County Public School District is the perfect choice for public school education in the Central Savannah River Area. The school system is comprised of 42 schools: 20 elementary, 11 middle, eight high schools, a career and technology center, three charter schools, an adult education center, and an early learning center. The school district is an educational and professional home to 24,829 students, 3,214 employees, and 1,577 teachers, 57% of whom hold advanced degrees. Seventeen schools in the district received 2018 report card ratings of excellent or good, 89% of the graduating class of 2018 earned college acceptance letters, 76% of 2018 graduates have enrolled in a two- or four-year college or technical college and are pursuing an associates degree, certificate, or diploma, and 85% of 2018 graduates were certified as work-ready after earning National Career Readiness Certificates. About PowerSchool At PowerSchool, we believe in the simple truth that every student deserves the best opportunities in life. That's why our mission is to power the education ecosystem with unified technology that helps educators and students realize their potential, in their way. From the back office to the classroom to the home, PowerSchool helps schools and districts efficiently manage instruction, learning, grading, attendance, assessment, analytics, state reporting, special education, student registration, talent, finance and HR. Today, we're proud to be the leading provider of K-12 education application technology supporting over 45 million students in over 70 countries. Visit https://www.powerschool.com/ to learn more. Shomer has become one of the leading providers of risk management services to long term care facilities. Their considerable skills greatly expand Alera Groups expertise and presence in this space. Alera Group, a leading national insurance firm, today announced its acquisition of Shomer Insurance Agency, Inc (Shomer), effective May 1, 2019. Terms of the transaction were not announced. Located in Los Angeles, California, Shomer offers insurance and risk management programs to clients throughout California, with specific expertise in tailoring programs for the unique insurance needs of long term care facilities. The firm specializes in serving nursing homes, home health, and assisted and independent living facilities. Shomer Insurance Agency is an exciting addition to Alera Group. Under the leadership of Joseph Schneerson and Ari Baer, Shomer has become one of the leading providers of risk management services to long term care facilities, said Alan Levitz, CEO of Alera Group. Their considerable skills greatly expands Alera Groups expertise and presence in this space. We are thrilled to welcome Joseph, Ari and their team to Alera Group. As an Alera Group company, we look forward to offering deeper resources to our clients, leveraging the broad team of experts available throughout the company, said Joseph Schneerson, Managing Partner of Shomer. We are excited to be part of this growing organization and the synergistic future ahead. Ari Baer,VP of Shomer, added, We are very excited to be part of the Alera Group family. Shomer will maintain its identity and core values that our clients have come to expect along with the advantages of the Alera Group platform. All Shomer employees will continue operating out of the firms existing locations under the name Shomer Insurance Agency, an Alera Group Company, LLC. Shomer was advised on the transaction by Helfer & Associates LLC, located in Englewood, NJ. Alera Group was formed in early 2017 and is one of the nations foremost independent insurance agencies. For more information on partnering with Alera Group, visit Partner With Us at http://www.aleragroup.com. About Alera Group Based in Deerfield, IL, Alera Groups over 1,500 employees serve thousands of clients nationally in employee benefits, property and casualty, risk management and wealth management. Alera Group is the 15th largest privately held firm in the country. For more information, visit http://www.aleragroup.com or follow Alera Group on Twitter: @AleraGroupUS. 10 Most Reliable Risk Compliance Solution Providers 2019 Allgress featured In Mirror Review Magazine, The 10 Most Reliable Risk and Compliance Tech Solution Providers, 2019. This issue features the leading risk and compliance tech solution providers who are contributing to various prominent sectors with their extraordinary solutions and services. Mirror Review Magazine unveils the business stories of pioneering companies and their leaders who have contributed immensely in the business and technology ecosystem through their vision, mission, triumphs, and value-added services. The team of Mirror Review featured Allgress for its award-winning Integrated Risk and Compliance Management Solutions which are further streamlining and simplifying complexity in various aspects of risk and compliance management. Visit https://www.mirrorreview.com/allgress-inc-reduce-business-risk-delivering-risk-compliance-management-solutions/ for the complete article. We continue our mission of partnering with customers to provide ease of use and rapid implementation to proactively reduce business risk with less complexity, says Jeff Kushner, Allgress, Chief Marketing Officer. Mayur Shewale, Assistant Editor of Mirror Review shares, Large scale developments in compliance regulations and increasing competition among companies to uplift their reputation by complying with regulations is further amplifying the significance of risk and compliance. The team at Allgress have recognized this essentiality and are providing a modular approach which enables the clients to manage one or multiple disciplines of risk and compliance by providing quick-time-to-value independent of an organizations size and maturity. About Mirror Review Mirror Review is a company with a mission to depict not only the achievements of companies and entrepreneurs but also to shed light on the innovations they are carrying out to disrupt the current market scenario. Doing so, it hopes to inspire and enlighten thousands of businesses and personnel around the world. For more information, visit: https://www.mirrorreview.com/. About Allgress Allgress is a global provider of automated next-generation integrated Audit, Compliance, IT Security, Risk and 3rd Party Vendor Management Solutions for organizations and their business partners to meet business risk objectives. Allgress solutions enable organizations to automate and streamline processes to manage the assessment, monitoring, reporting and remediation of business risks with less complexity and reduced costs. Unlike other solutions, Allgress award-winning technology allows customers to derive quicker-time-to-value without an army of consultants. For additional information, please visit us at https://allgress.com or connect with us on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook. Attorney Gary A. Newland, Newland & Newland LLP, Elite Lawyer Recognition The Elite Lawyer rating service recognizes attorneys who display a high level of competence in their practice and receive acknowledgments from their peers, community, bar, and committees. The Elite Lawyer Award assures each attorney chosen for the directory has been nominated by their peers for excellence in the practice of law. The honor is only given to lawyers who have met or exceeded the criteria of a rigorous, multi-phased selection process. It recognizes top-rated attorneys for their outstanding service in their specific area or areas of practice. With offices in Arlington Heights, Libertyville, Chicago, Fox River Grove, and Itasca, Newland has served Illinois for more than 25 years and has recovered millions of dollars in settlements and judgments for his clients. Many of his cases have drawn national attention, including coverage by USA Today, Forbes, NBC, and Oprah Winfrey. Gary Newland received his undergraduate degree and Juris Doctor from Loyola University, Chicago. He worked in corporate defense for one of the largest law firms in the U.S. He then decided to utilize his skills to protect the rights of individuals and to halt abuses by large corporations and insurance companies. A former Chicago prosecutor, Newland has also provided free legal service to underprivileged citizens. Newland has been a member of the Illinois Bar Association, American Trial Lawyers Association, Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, Chicago Bar Association, and Northwest Suburban Bar Association. He maintains a 10.0 Top Attorney Avvo rating. Designed to assist potential clients in choosing an experienced legal professional to address specific legal needs, the Elite Lawyer tools and resources provide information on distinguished attorneys throughout the United States. Only the most outstanding and experienced attorneys receive the Elite Lawyer Award, which separates recipients from their peers when consumers use the directory to search for an elite-level attorney in their area. The Elite Lawyer Award speaks highly of how well each nominated attorney is perceived by their legal community. For more information about Elite Lawyer, or to become a member of the esteemed directory, visit http://www.elitelawyer.com. About Newland & Newland, LLP Attorneys Gary A. Newland and Stephen S. Newland have partnered to help area injury victims for more than two decades. Joined by a staff of talented lawyers, the firm aggressively fights for the rights of its clients and the compensation they deserve. This includes injuries from auto accidents, food poisoning, defective products, workplace accidents, medical malpractice, slip and fall accidents, and more. To learn more about Newland & Newland, LLP or to schedule, a free consultation, call (847) 797-8000 or visit https://www.newlandlaw.com. Im truly grateful for our team that shows up every day and works toward making my visions a reality and making our clients as happy as possible. Its a proud moment when all the hard work, the long hours, and teamwork by our staff is recognized by such an important organization." -Ashish Alfred The Restaurant Association of Maryland just named Ashish Alfred of the Alfred Restaurant Group Marylands 2019 Chef of the Year. The prestigious honor, voted on by the dining public, recognizes overall excellence in the foodservice industry and Chef Alfreds commitment to the community. The Association awards Chef of the Year to an executive chef who demonstrates consistent standards of excellence, serves as an inspiration to other foodservice professionals, displays dedication to the artistry of food and exhibits ongoing commitment to the community. It is a real honor for my team and I to be recognized for all the hard work we put in, says Chef Alfred, 33. Im truly grateful for our team that shows up every day and works toward making my visions a reality and making our clients as happy as possible. Its really a proud moment when all the hard work, the long hours, and teamwork by our staff is recognized by such an important organization. The award reflects an honor-filled season for Alfred, chef and owner of the Alfred Restaurant Group, as he continues to earn rave reviews at his three Maryland-Washington, D.C. area restaurants: Duck Duck Goose Bethesda, Georges Chophouse in Bethesda, and Duck Duck Goose Baltimore. Duck Duck Goose in Bethesda was recently named one of the top ten Favorite New Restaurants by Bethesda Magazine and Best Restaurant in Maryland by Southern Living Magazine. In a glowing review, The Washington Post says about Duck Duck Goose, "the delights are in the details. Alfred recently opened Duck Duck Goose in Baltimore, which Baltimore Magazine honors as one of Charm Citys Best Restaurants. Chef Alfred has recently been profiled by NBCs TODAY Show, The Washington Post and Baltimore Magazine. He also held a command performance at the prestigious James Beard House, where he prepared a multi-course dinner for a sold-out audience. Alfred was classically trained at the French Culinary Institute in Manhattan and honed his skills in some of Manhattans best kitchens. Grounded by his classical French discipline, he isnt afraid to go beyond tradition, take risks and experiment with his offerings. He delivers contemporary dining concepts that are rooted in soulful cooking. Alfred is a popular guest with the media, whether hes sharing a cooking demo and insights on local TV, or battling it out as a contender on Food Networks Cutthroat Kitchen and Chopped. Rex Kurzius, Asset Panda CEO Recognition for Asset Pandas capabilities and success continues as CEO, Rex Kurzius, is selected as a finalist for Ernst & Youngs Entrepreneur of the Year 2019 Southwest. Winners will be announced at an Ernst & Young gala located at the Hilton Antole Dallas on June 29. The purpose of the Entrepreneur of the Year program by EY is not only to recognize but to celebrate the vision, leadership and determination of todays entrepreneurs who are transforming the world with their products and services. Being named a finalist makes all the hard work, perseverance and grit it takes to build a successful company worth it, said Kurzius, I hope others see this success and are inspired to believe in themselves and know that anything is possible. Earlier this year, Kurzius won the Entrepreneur of the Year award from the Frisco Chamber of Commerce, making this nomination by EY his second of the year. In addition, Asset Panda earned nominations for Medium Business of the Year and Employer of the Year by the same organization and has ranked on numerous lists for its capabilities as a software company just this year. About Ernst and Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Program The Entrepreneur Of The Year program, founded by EY, has recognized the endeavors of exceptional men and women who create the products and services that keep our worldwide economy moving forward. Since its inception, Entrepreneur Of The Year has grown dramatically and now includes programs in more than 145 cities and more than 60 countries worldwide. The Entrepreneur Of The Year US Awards gala is the culminating event of the Strategic Growth Forum, the largest gathering of entrepreneurs in America. About Asset Panda Asset Panda is a powerful and flexible cloud-based asset management software designed to help the world work smarter. Asset Panda provides a simple, strategic solution that saves companies an average of two hours per day with its robust capabilities, including asset tracking, inventory management, vendor management and purchase order generation. Its software supports integrations with Microsoft SCCM, Active Directory, G Suite, ZenDesk and more, as integrations are added constantly based off clients requests. The company is committed to providing its customers with outstanding customer service and a constantly improving product. Oftentimes employees are afraid to come forward because of fear of retaliation and bullying. Providing an avenue to submit an anonymous and confidential report will help car dealers save assets and reputation. Given that American businesses lose, on average, 50 billion dollars to employee theft per year, automotive dealerships are not left out of that equation. The most alarming statistic of all is that 75% of employees have stolen at least once from their employers, said Max Zanan, Founder and Owner of Dealer Fraud Hotline. The reality is that most people are good and want to do the right thing; its that small percentage that can do irreparable damage to the dealership without the proper whistleblowing features in place. This newly independent available hotline will help employees alert the company of illegal actions and inappropriate engagements that can jeopardize everyones jobs and livelihood. Dealerships can simply pay the yearly fee, sign up, and receive a dealership ID number, as well as an employee memo, that explains the entire program. Employees are then free to submit anonymous reports, which are immediately sent to the designated persons registered with each dealership. Ive launched the Dealership Fraud Hotline to help dealer principals protect their assets, reputations, and the future trajectory of their company, said Zanan. Its time for all dealership owners to be practical and pragmatic in their management approach. Spread the word on the launch of our fraudulent dealership hotline service today. Zanan is a regarded automotive retail and compliance expert, as well as the author of the best-selling books: Perfect Dealership and Car Business 101. The Dealership Fraud Hotline protection program is available at $365 per year per rooftop to all dealerships in the U.S. We hope consumers learn conservation measures that they can implement into their daily lives. It is extremely important that everybody does their share to safeguard water, said AWWA Chief Executive Officer David LaFrance. Every drop we save at home is one more drop we have in our supply." During the celebration of Drinking Water Week, the American Water Works Association continues to encourage consumers to preserve water supplies and protect water resources. As different areas of North America face drought conditions, avoiding waste through responsible water conservation measures is vital to protecting precious source water. Water consumers can practice conservation by using water wisely at home through the following steps, which are available on DrinkTap.org: Repair leaky faucets, indoors and out. Fill your sink or basin when washing and rinsing dishes. Only run the dishwasher and washing machine when they are full. Take short showers instead of baths. Turn off the water to brush teeth, shave and soap up in the shower. Fill the sink to shave. Repair leaky toilets. Add 12 drops of food coloring into the tank, and if color appears in the bowl one hour later, the toilet is leaking. Install a toilet dam, faucet aerators and low-flow showerheads. Apply mulch around shrubs and flower beds to reduce evaporation, promote plant growth and control weeds. Collect rainfall for irrigation in a screened container (to prevent mosquito larvae growth). Always use a broom to clean walkways, driveways, decks and porches, rather than hosing off these areas. We hope consumers learn conservation measures during Drinking Water Week that they can implement into their daily lives. It is extremely important that everybody does their share to safeguard water, said AWWA Chief Executive Officer David LaFrance. Every drop we save at home is one more drop we have in our water supply. More information about drought and water conservation is available on DrinkTap.org. About Drinking Water Week For more than 40 years, AWWA and its members have celebrated Drinking Water Week, a unique opportunity for both water professionals and the communities they serve to join together in recognizing the vital role water plays in daily lives. Additional information about Drinking Water Week, including free materials for download and celebration ideas, is available on the Drinking Water Week webpage. Established in 1881, the American Water Works Association is the largest nonprofit, scientific and educational association dedicated to managing and treating water, the worlds most important resource. With approximately 51,000 members, AWWA provides solutions to improve public health, protect the environment, strengthen the economy and enhance our quality of life. Grandchildren: My Messages to the Future: a poignant life diary of the Sims Family Homestead with the intention to share ones own story in order to aid in solving the problems of the future generation. Grandchildren: My Messages to the Future is the creation of published author Barry J. Sims, a grass roots American who was born and reared on the Sims Family Homestead in the eastern sector of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. He joined Reliance Electric Company in HR until he retired from Rockwell Automation Power Systems as Vice President of Human Resources after thirty years of service. He is devoted to his God, his family, and his country. Sims shares, How did this book come about? Actually, its the brainchild of my adult children, who encouraged me to document the history of our family from before, during, and after the establishment of the Sims homestead in the eastern sector of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan in 1881. This endeavor quickly expanded to tracing my life in the family tree with the hope that it might be helpful for my grandchildren as they approach the challenges of their teenage years and beyond. After all, they are my messages to the future. Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Barry J. Simss new book is an inspiring account of a family revealing their stories to share their life experiences and help younger readers toward more successful self-evaluation and better life choices. View a synopsis of Grandchildren: My Messages to the Future on YouTube. Consumers can purchase Grandchildren: My Messages to the Future at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble. For additional information or inquiries about Grandchildren: My Messages to the Future, contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919. Bright Now! Dental Team In Partnership with the Smiles for Everyone Foundation, Bright Now! Dental will provide free dental services for low-income, underinsured individuals at its Parma Heights, OH office on June 8th. Dental services provided include same-day procedures such as exams and xrays, fillings, cleanings and extractions. For more information, please visit the Bright Now! Dental website. About Bright Now! Dental Bright Now! Dental provides general dentistry, childrens dentistry and, in select locations, specialty care services such as orthodontics, oral surgery, periodontics and endodontics at over 150 offices across Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Indiana, Maryland, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia and Washington. Bright Now! Dentals Escondido office is operated by Sahawneh Dental Corporation, P.C. (the Group). The Group is affiliated with Smile Brands Inc., one of the largest providers of business support services to dental groups in the United States. Smile Brands Inc. provides comprehensive business support services through exclusive long-term service agreements with affiliated dental groups, so dentists can spend more time caring for their patients and less time on the administrative, marketing and financial aspects of operating a dental practice. Smile Brands is a portfolio company of Gryphon Investors (Gryphon), a leading middle-market private equity firm based in San Francisco, CA. For more information, visit http://www.smilebrands.com. About the Smiles For Everyone Foundation The Smiles for Everyone Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with the mission of delivering smiles for everyone by providing free dental care for those in need, both at home in the U.S. and around the world. Since 2011, the Smiles for Everyone Foundation has delivered over 21,000 smiles and over $16 million in donated dentistry. The foundation currently supports programs which provide free dental care to those in need in Cambodia, Ghana, Laos, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Thailand, and the United States. For more information or to make a donation, visit http://www.smilesforeveryone.org. Contacts: Bright Now! Dental Jody Martin PR(at)smilebrands.com 714.427.1299 Smiles for Everyone Foundation Crystal Strait crystal.strait(at)smilesforeveryone.org 714.824.5037 California Casualty, Presenting Sponsor of California School Recognition Program We couldnt provide this platform of acknowledgment without our partnership with California Casualty, a long-time sponsor of our California School Recognition Program. California Casualty congratulates the 162 middle and high schools and 18 school districts named 2019 California Distinguished Schools and Exemplary Districts. As the Presenting Sponsor, California Casualty attended the 2019 Distinguished Schools Gala held in April at Disneyland. California Casualty Assistant Vice President Lisa Almeida greeted attendees and introduced State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond. What a magical night it was celebrating Californias Distinguished Schools. California Casualty is honored to support, in a small way, the amazing work being done across our great state, she said. Superintendent Thurmond thanked California Casualty for its help. We couldnt provide this platform of acknowledgment without our partnership with California Casualty, a long-time sponsor of our California School Recognition Program, he said. Thanks to their support, we get to properly commend and celebrate our schools that are fighting for a better future for our students, closing achievement gaps, improving academic performance, and putting our students on the pathway to great success. Distinguished School awardees represent examples of not just teaching excellence, learning, and collaboration, but also highly successful school climate efforts ranging from real-time conflict resolution to positive behavior intervention. California Casualty is the Presenting Sponsor of the California School Recognition Program, which also honors the California Teachers of the Year, Classified School Employees of the year and the California Green Ribbon Schools. As the presenting sponsor, California Casualty field marketing managers help present the Distinguished School banners to schools across the state. We are elated to join the Department of Education, California Teachers Association and the Association of California School Administrators in congratulating all of the schools and districts being honored, especially the dedicated staff who worked so hard for this designation, said California Casualty CEO, Beau Brown. Their dedication and innovative leadership have helped California continue to be one of the top states preparing students for graduation, college and beyond. The entire list of 2019 California Distinguished Schools can be found at https://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/sr/cs/yr19distschools.asp. Headquartered in San Mateo, California, California Casualty provides auto and home insurance to educators, firefighters, law enforcement and nurses across the country American heroes who enhance their communities. Founded in 1914, California Casualty has been led by four generations of the Brown family. To learn more about California Casualty, or to request an auto insurance quote, please visit http://www.calcas.com or call 1.800.800.9410. Philly.com Top Workplace 2019 For the past 20+ years, weve been consistently helping customers transform their business through IT efficiency. None of that would have been possible without a steadfast commitment to supporting a positive workplace culture for our greatest asset: our employees. Cannon Group, a business consulting and IT management firm, has been awarded the 2019 Top Workplace award by Philly.com for a second year in a row. The firm joins other top-performing companies in the Greater Philadelphia area who were recognized by their employees for providing an exemplary workplace culture. "Top Workplaces is more than just recognition," said Doug Claffey, CEO of Energage, culture technology specialists who conducted the survey. "Our research shows organizations that earn the award attract better talent, experience lower turnover, and are better equipped to deliver bottom-line results. Their leaders prioritize and carefully craft a healthy workplace culture that supports employee engagement." At Cannon Group, the deep expertise of our employees has helped us build a successful reputation, said Chris Cannon, President and CEO, Cannon Group. For the past 20+ years, weve been consistently helping customers transform their business through IT efficiency. None of that would have been possible without a steadfast commitment to supporting a positive workplace culture for our greatest asset: our employees. Cannon Group recently updated their strategic market message to showcase their expertise, arming employees with robust tools that help them more effectively communicate value to customers. The update included two new offerings, Connectivity as a Service (CaaS) and Project Management as a Service (PMaaS), as well as other communications highlighting the companys IT efficiency value proposition and a web site revamp. Winners were celebrated at Philadelphias Crystal Team Room in the Wanamaker Building on Thursday, April 18, 2019. About Cannon Group Headquartered in Blue Bell, PA, Cannon Group Enterprises, Inc. is a business consulting and IT management firm with over 20 years of transformational technology expertise. Through the strategic selection, integration and management of advanced technology solutions, Cannon Group helps customers lock in value to realize sustainable results through IT efficiency. Named a 2018 and 2019 Top Workplace by Philly.com, Cannon Group boasts an elite team of experts who advocate for their clients to improve productivity, cut costs and build for the future. For more information, visit http://www.cannongroupinc.com or call (610) 930-1000. Follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn. Our focus on complex populations requires a comprehensive care management approach." Christina Turner, CareSource Altruista Health, an innovative provider of care management technology solutions for health plans and provider organizations, today announced that Ohio-based CareSource has selected Altruistas GuidingCare platform to manage its nearly 2 million health plan members across five states in Medicaid, Medicare Advantage, Health Insurance Marketplace and dual-eligible programs. CareSource plans serve Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio and West Virginia. Our focus on complex populations requires a comprehensive care management approach because of the interdependencies of their physical, behavioral and social health care needs, said CareSource Chief Clinical Officer Christina Turner. We looked for a partnership approach and the right technology to deliver administrative efficiency that aligns with our member-centric philosophy. CareSource prioritized highly proactive outreach in its RFP process so they could promote member engagement and facilitate a whole-person approach. Altruistas Mobile Clinician app will put GuidingCare technology in the hands of the CareSource regional care management teams to conduct assessments, create care plans and make social service referrals on Windows and iOS tablets, even in remote and rural areas that dont have reliable internet service. GuidingCare has an integrated search-and-referral tool for social service related needs that efficiently connects care managers and members with community partners and agencies that connect members with food, transportation and other resources. These social determinants of health can present steep barriers for vulnerable populations in accessing providers and following through on care plans. GuidingCare is a 360-degree member-centric platform that excels at allowing interdisciplinary care teams (IDT) to collaboratively and efficiently manage the continuum of healthy to complex populations to best health outcomes, said Altruista Chief Executive Officer Ashish Kachru. The IDT care managers have access to state-of-the-art tools within GuidingCare that nudge them at every step of the way to integrate best practices into managing their members. These best practices have been identified through millions of successful outcomes. About Altruista Health Altruista Health delivers population health management solutions that support value-based and person-centered care models. Its GuidingCare technology platform integrates care management, care coordination and quality improvement programs through a suite of sophisticated yet easy-to-use web applications. It has become the largest and most widely adopted platform of its kind since its founding in 2007. Altruista is headquartered in the Washington, D.C. area and has been named twice as one of the Top Population Health Management Companies to Know by Beckers Healthcare. Health plans and healthcare providers use GuidingCare to transform their processes, reduce avoidable expenses and improve patient health outcomes. For more information, visit http://www.altruistahealth.com. About CareSource CareSource is a nonprofit, multistate health plan recognized as a national leader in managed care. Founded in 1989, CareSource administers one of the nations largest Medicaid managed care plans and offers a lifetime of access to care through health insurance, including Medicaid, Health Insurance Marketplace, Medicare Advantage and dual-eligible programs. Headquartered in Dayton, Ohio, CareSource serves nearly 2 million members in Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio and West Virginia. CareSource understands the challenges consumers face navigating the health system and is transforming health care with industry-leading programs that improve the health and well-being of our members. For more, visit http://www.caresource.com, follow @caresource on Twitter, or like CareSource on Facebook. Meisje: I Met God in Hell: A Young Girls Journey to Forgiveness: a heart-wrenching true story, is the creation of published author Charlotte Van Steenbergen, a native of Dutch East Indies, now Indonesia, who with her family had been taken as Japanese prisoners of war. She is now a US citizen living in Southern California with her husband, enjoying time with their grown children and grandchildren. Van Steenbergen writes, Meisje: I Met God in Hell is the true story of Charlotte Van Steenbergen, a WWII concentration camp survivor, written with the perspective of a wise woman, reliving memories of a very young child in an abusive, brutal environment. Not only is Charlotte a survivor but she is also a thriver. Charlottes memoir is a powerful and beautiful story set in a concentration camp so infamously known for the horrific atrocities perpetrated on the prisoners that it was nicknamed Hell. It was here in Hell that Charlotte first meets God by those who called on Him on a daily basis, and those who cursed Him daily. Known as Meisje (MAY-sha) in the memoir, Charlottes story opens with the infamous day9/11when America was attacked. Not only were the cracks in security in our nation revealed but Charlotte also experienced a crack in her suppressed memories that releases a bombardment of mental images from when she was a young child in a concentration camp. A flashback brings the reader on the journey with Charlotte as she remembers loud bangs on her front door, heavy boots, and men armed with rifles as she, her mom, and two siblings were taken by gunpoint to an unknown destination, stepping over a dead body as they were forced into the back of a military truck. Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Charlotte Van Steenbergens new book is an intense memoir that explores the resiliency of the human spirit despite survivors guilt, PTSD, and traumatic abuse. Van Steenbergen shares her hard-won wisdom accompanied by journal excerpts and poetry for an intimate and deeply moving experience. View a synopsis of Meisje: I Met God in Hell: A Young Girls Journey to Forgiveness on YouTube. Consumers can purchase Meisje: I Met God in Hell: A Young Girls Journey to Forgiveness at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble. For additional information or inquiries about Meisje: I Met God in Hell: A Young Girls Journey to Forgiveness, contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919. Colton and Dr Hermes Somonte Everybody deserves quality dental care they can afford, and so our mission is to help match patients in need with international quality dental services at affordable prices Over the course of five agonizing years, a rare disease caused teenager Colton Ficek to lose most of his teeth, but with the help of three generous dental health companies, he is smiling once again. Coltons ravaged dental health required nothing less than a complete mouth restoration, something his medical and dental insurance carriers refused to cover. Unable to afford the high cost of All-on-4 treatment in the United States, his family resorted to fundraising in an attempt to provide him the dental care he so desperately needed. His tragic story eventually reached Dental Departures (the worlds foremost dental OTA), Sani Dental Clinic, and Straumann (a leading manufacturer of dental implants), who became willing benefactors for Coltons treatment. All costs were covered by the trio when he traveled to Los Algodones in Mexico, also known as Molar City, for his dental implants. Now Colton is able to bite and chew normally, talk and laugh without being self-conscious, and has a new smile he can be proud of. It is unclear how Colton, from Baker City, Oregon, initially contracted the disease, but it was on a family vacation when the affliction began to show itself. Coltons mother, Shelley Conro, noticed a rash developing on her sons skin, which soon developed into sores. Colton was admitted to hospital with a swollen face and a severe fever; doctors remained unsure of what was causing these symptoms. A number of days passed before he was finally diagnosed with life-threatening Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis and sent to the Legacy Oregon Burn Center in Portland. His skin blistered all over, literally peeling off, and it was only with specialty care that he could be kept safe and eventually recover from the devastating first stage of the disease. Unfortunately, more was still to come for Colton. As a result of his skin peeling off within his mouth, he was left with scar tissue that blocked his saliva glands. Without a constant supply of saliva in his mouth to fight off harmful bacteria, Coltons teeth quickly began to decay. Fillings after fillings were used to try and patch his ruined teeth, but it was an agonizing cycle of damage control. Eventually, all of Coltons teeth had to be pulled. Shelleys medical and dental insurance would only provide removable dentures for Coltonfar from ideal for an active teenage boy. Dental implants were the most suitable permanent replacement for Coltons missing teeth, but an All-on-4 to replace both his top and bottom arch of teeth would cost more than $40,000. With no other option but to find the money themselves, Shelley set up an online campaign to start the fundraising. Soon after it was shared on social media, Coltons awful condition grabbed the attention of Dental Departures, a Bangkok-based online medical travel agency that works closely with American dental patients in need of expensive treatment but cannot afford the high prices charged at US dental clinics. As CEO Paul McTaggart explains, Everybody deserves quality dental care they can afford, and our mission is to help match patients in need with international quality dental services at affordable prices. Coltons potentially edentulous future really had an impact on Paul and his colleagues. Too often, we hear of nightmare scenarios of people in real need of dental care they can't afford, said Paul. Coltons case was unique because he was such a young man with his whole life ahead of him. He was facing an entire lifetime with no teeth. Dental Departures quickly put the wheels in motion to help Colton out of his terrible situation. For Colton and his family, everything then started moving quickly. Even after of our tickets were bought, hotels booked, work vacation scheduled, and everything else I still was like, theres no way this is actually happening, said Coltons older brother, Chase Ficek. Sani Dental, one of Mexicos largest and most respected dental clinics, contacted one of the worlds leading manufacturers of dental implants, Straumann, who agreed to supply the expensive implants needed for an All-on-4. Dental Departures would help cover the costs, which included flights and accommodation, plus Sani Dental would also waive treatment fees. Dr. Javier Muniz Perez, the Medical Director at Sani Dental, explained, Given his young age and medical history, Colton was a challenging case for everyone involved in his treatment. With the expertise of our maxillofacial surgeon, Dr. Hermes Somonte, and our prosthodontist, Dr. Karen Caballero, our All-on-4 treatment not only restored function to his mouth but also gave him a bright white smile. Before arriving at Sani Dental, Shelley admits she has preconceptions about the quality of the clinics in Mexico. I work at a medical facility, so I know whats expected in the United States in terms of hygiene and cleanliness. You would think a dental clinic in Mexico was not going to follow procedures the same as we do in the United States. I can tell you that at Sani Dental it's even better; they do a wonderful job. For Chase, who watched his younger brother experience the pain and distress of his teeth crumbling away, the result is more than deserved. When I look at Colton and all that hes been through, he was overdue for a miracle. Dental Departures and Sani Dental have been that miracletheyve brought his smile back. Colton can now look forward to a future with permanent teeth and improved oral health, thanks to the kindness of a handful of dental health professionals who cared enough to do something about it. Still becoming accustomed to the feel of the new implants, Colton gives a thumbs up when asked how he feels. His mothers response surely speaks for both of them. My wish has come true: Coltons got his life back. About Dental Departures Established in 2010, Dental Departures, along with its parent company Medical Departures, is the worlds leading online booking platform for patients seeking high-quality, affordable dental and medical treatment anywhere in the world. With more than 100,000 bookings and 24,000 verified patient reviews, Dental Departures network of more than 6000 dentists and 2300 clinics has helped hundreds of thousands of patients worldwide save hundreds of millions of dollars on dental care. Its parent company, Medical Departures, founded in 2015, helps patients find the best global options in medical care, including specialties such as cosmetic surgery, non-invasive cosmetic treatments, weight loss procedures, orthopedic surgeries, fertility treatments and more. ..as the weather gets colder, Sunshine Awakenings will be focusing solely on providing food to the homeless through their Superfeed project. Your vehicle donation will be help both yourself and your community. Portland Car Donation Program To Support Local Non-Profit To Be Held On Have you ever wanted to make a difference? Do you want to have a positive impact on your community? Furthermore, do you want to receive a tax deductible receipt for your involvement? If so, here is your chance. Portland-based non-profit organization Sunshine Awakenings will be hosting a car donation program on to support its incredible programs. Sunshine Awakenings is a non-profit organization focused on propagating positivity throughout the community. Not only does the organization promote positivity, but it also promotes peace, love, kindness, and equality. The organizations main goal is to elevate awareness about and contribute to the creation of a critical mass of people who are established in peaceful awareness and unity consciousness...this will help bring about the quantum shift in the collective consciousness of our species. Heres how you can help and why you should: When it comes to Sunshine Awakenings, the organization hosts many different programs. Since its inception over five years ago, Sunshine Awakenings has hosted free hug days, free juggling lessons, art therapy, and more. These programs are important because they increase creativity by utilizing the right brain. When our communities become more creative, they become more conscious, aware, and connected. While Sunshine Awakenings is intentional about prioritizing these creative programs, their biggest program by far is Superfeed Portland. Superfeed Portland is an initiative started by the non-profit that provides healthy food to the homeless population in Portland. Currently, there are over 4,000 homeless people either living on the streets or in shelters. However, these people have very little access to food- much less nutritious food that will sustain their bodies. This is why Sunshine Awakenings works with California-based Imperfect Produce to help make pressed juices and gluten-free sandwiches for the homeless population. Imperfect Produce is a company that delivers fresh produce unfit for the grocery store- due to shape or size- and sends them to individuals for a fraction of the price. Imperfect Produce has just begun working with Sunshine Awakenings to help provide them with fresh fruits and vegetables weekly for their groundbreaking Superfeed initiative. While Sunshine Awakenings is an influential non-profit in Portland, it can only stay up and running with the support of the community. Thats why the organization is hosting a car donation program! When you donate your old or used vehicle, you will be helping to support Sunshine Awakenings programs, ranging from art therapy to Superfeed. However, as the weather gets colder, Sunshine Awakenings will be focusing solely on providing food to the homeless through their Superfeed project. For your car donation, you will be helping both yourself and your community. The non-profit will give you a tax deductible receipt for your donation to their 501(c)3 Public Benefit Non Profit Organization. If you want to make a difference in your community and put a bit of extra cash in your pocket, be sure to head down to on to participate in Sunshine Awakenings car donation program. The Vitenas Cosmetic Surgery team is proud to announce that its own, Paul Vitenas, MD FACS, has been given a top spot on Yelps coveted Best 10 Cosmetic Surgeons in Houston list. A leader in surgical and noninvasive aesthetic procedures, Dr. Vitenas uses his three decades of experience to offer not only a full range of tried-and-true surgical procedures, but also the newest and most innovative techniques available for men and women. Dr. Vitenas dedication to proportionate, natural-looking results helped him to earn his place on Yelps highly sought-after listing. Founded in 2004, Yelp is an online review website that gives consumers the chance to leave their unbiased opinion on local businesses. Reviews and testimonials can be left for thousands of service providers including hotels, restaurants, shops and physicians. Using cutting-edge technology, Yelp looks for a variety of signals to determine the quality and reliability of each review. According to the website, as of December 2018 more than 177 million Yelp reviews have been written. This information creates a valuable tool for the community, revealing to consumers that a business or medical practice is dedicated to safety and satisfying results. From the millions of testimonials received each year, Yelp then creates their Best 10 listings. Businesses cannot pay for a position on the sites rankings. Vitenas Cosmetic Surgerys inclusion in the Best 10 Cosmetic Surgeons in Houston list tells other consumers that patients are happy with the bedside manner and dedication of Dr. Vitenas and his team. With more than a dozen positive testimonials, a potential patient can feel confident getting the process started through an initial, confidential consultation with Dr. Vitenas. In addition to Yelp, Dr. Vitenas also has over 2000 online reviews including over 400 Google My Business Reviews. Im often asked how to choose a plastic surgeon, Dr. Vitenas explains. First of all, check to see that the surgeon has certification from the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). Look at the experience and the amount of time the surgeon has dedicated in his career to doing aesthetic plastic surgery. You are looking at the work of an artist, so you want to understand and like their work. Dr. Vitenas then finishes, The last thing (you will want to see) is a personal connection with the surgeon. ABOUT VITENAS COSMETIC SURGERY Vitenas Cosmetic Surgery was founded by Dr. Vitenas in 1991. Today, the office is recognized as one of the best aesthetic practices in Texas. Dr. Vitenas offers a wide variety of surgical and noninvasive aesthetic procedures to meet his patients ever-changing needs including breast augmentation, liposuction, the Mommy Makeover and tummy tuck. Vitenas Cosmetic Surgerys state-of-the-art office is located only minutes away from the Houston Galleria and River Oaks, easily reached from all sides of the city including the Heights, Sugarland, Galveston, Katy and The Woodlands. You can read all of Vitenas Cosmetic Surgerys reviews on Yelp, and their listing as one of the top ten cosmetic surgeons in Houston. Go to the Vitenas Cosmetic Surgery website to learn more about the many procedures available including both surgical and noninvasive techniques, as well as prescription-quality skincare products. To schedule your complimentary consultation with Dr. Vitenas, speak with a patient coordinator by calling the office at 281.484.0088. (HedgeCo.Net) A federal district court has entered a final consent judgment against a broker who was charged with defrauding customers by making unsuitable and unauthorized trades and churning customers accounts, which enriched the broker at the customers expense. The SECs complaint, filed in the Southern District of New York, alleges that from July 2012 to October 2014, Rocco Roveccio, a New Jersey resident, recommended to seven customers a pattern of high-cost, in-and-out trading without any reasonable basis to believe that his customers could make a profit. Roveccios recommendations resulted in losses for the customers and gains for Roveccio. Roveccio allegedly also lied to his customers about the potential for the accounts to profit. The complaint also alleges that Roveccio engaged in unauthorized trading and churning. The final judgment permanently enjoins Roveccio from 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 orders Roveccio to pay $324,614, consisting of $147,115 in disgorgement, $17,499 in prejudgment interest and a civil penalty of $160,000. Separately, the SEC instituted settled administrative proceedings against Roveccio in which, without admitting or denying the findings, Roveccio consented to a Commission order barring him from the securities industry and penny stock trading. Roveccio was formerly associated with Alexander Capital L.P., a New York-based broker-dealer. In June 2018, the SEC filed settled charges against the broker-dealer and two of its managers, including Roveccios former supervisor. The SEC also settled with two other former Alexander Capital brokers in September 2017 and March 2019. Since 2017, the SEC has filed five enforcement actions against brokers for excessive and unsuitable trading, and the SECs Office of Investor Education and Advocacy and Broker-Dealer Task Force has issued an Investor Alert about excessive trading in brokerage accounts. Were always looking for new ways to serve our customers, says Anthony P. Solazzo, CEO of e-TeleQuote. We hope to serve many more people through this convenient online platform. easyMedicare.com (https://www.easyMedicare.com), an affiliate of e-TeleQuote Insurance, Inc., is launching a consumer portal for Medicare plan enrollment. This new online marketplace will allow individuals to compare plans from a number of carriers and complete the enrollment process for Medicare Advantage plans autonomously online. easyMedicare.coms licensed Medicare advisors will also be available by phone and online chat to provide assistance. easyMedicare.com represents many of the most well-known Medicare Advantage carriers, which makes the comparison process for plans more convenient. Individuals can compare the costs and benefits of plans available in their geographic area, as well as look up their physicians and medications. The site provides clear instructions and next steps, and offers multiple text size options for easy reading. Were always looking for new ways to serve our customers. This consumer marketplace represents an incredible effort from our team, and were excited to expand our services, says Anthony P. Solazzo, CEO of e-TeleQuote. We hope to serve many more people through this convenient online platform. There is no additional cost for enrolling via this online marketplace or with easyMedicare.com, although individuals continue to be responsible for paying their Part B premiums. Enrollees also incur any costs of the plan they choose, such as premiums, deductibles, and copays. Those costs are paid directly to the plan provider and are not required at the time of enrollment. To experience the new platform for yourself, visit https://medicare-enrollment-options.easymedicare.com. About e-TeleQuote and easyMedicare.com e-TeleQuote Insurance, Inc., the owner and operator of easyMedicare.com, is an independent digital insurance marketplace providing individuals the ability to purchase Medicare insurance from the comfort of their homes. The company diligently researches available plan options from multiple insurance carriers, helping people choose a plan that best suits their needs. e-TeleQuote provides personal consultation through experienced licensed Medicare advisors who suggest plan coverage options based on an individuals particular needs. The company has proudly served tens of thousands of people across the United States. eConnect's BetRecognition If the past few years have taught us anything, its that Artificial Intelligence (AI) will increasingly drive innovation and advancement when it comes to analytics." eConnect, Inc., a Las Vegas-based software company which provides hospitality companies with a platform for actionable information, reinforced by video, will showcase their latest AI technology at Southern Gaming Summit. eConnects new BetRecognition technology utilizes video analytics to accurately identify the value of bets placed on gaming tables. BetRecognition allows casino operators to see the actual value of all bets at all tables in real time. This is a giant leap forward from the current situation where bet values are strictly an estimate. In addition to wager amounts, eConnects system can precisely determine the Pace of Play and Participation Rate. This allows for deeper insights on player behavior. If the past few years have taught us anything, its that Artificial Intelligence (AI) will increasingly drive innovation and advancement when it comes to analytics. So, we continue to layer the latest technologies onto our platform, commented Henry Valentino, President & CEO of eConnect, With visual bet recognition, were layering on a previously unavailable data source to further enhance the value of our Casino Connect suite. Analytics on the casino floor can make any casino run more efficiently. At this years Southern Gaming Summit, eConnect will be demonstrating how these new technologies are making it easier for our customers and partners to stay secure, stay connected, and stay informed. By employing the power of Artificial Intelligence to detect and isolate unusual events in real time, eConnect is making it easier than ever for Gaming Operators to monitor entire gaming estates with unparalleled coverage. About eConnect eConnect is a cutting-edge technology company that helps improve business performance through data and video intelligence. The company seamlessly integrates digital video surveillance with transactional data from point-of-sale (POS), casino systems, people counting and other data sources to quickly and directly improve profitability, efficiency and the guest experience. eConnect offers measurable ROI within months of system deployment. The software tools are world-renowned for their ability to discover previously unknown problems, thereby reducing or eliminating sources of loss and correcting operational problems. For more information visit http://www.econnectglobal.com "Everynet.Exchange message brokering service has allowed us to rethink how we address the LPWA opportunity, creating a shared economy for our partners where we all benefit in proportion to what we invest"Chris Kelly of US IoT Network Everynet believes that global connectivity should be low cost and ubiquitous. In order to achieve this goal, we solved the private-public network roaming problem in a simple, secure, distributed, and efficient way by leveraging Amazon Web Services (AWS). Instead of basic LPWA initiatives, which aim only to minimize costs, Everynet.Exchange offers Enterprises and private Campus networks the unique ability not only to break-even, but also to create a revenue stream and become net-positive generators. Everynet.Exchange is an AWS-based, geo-redundant, scalable, and secure platform. Virtually every aspect of the server infrastructure is monitored 24x365 by Everynets fully staffed ISO 9001 & ISO 27000 certified Network Operations Centre which guarantees carrier grade availability. The service has already completed closed alpha testing with selected partners and is expanding to a wider beta testing group. Full production release is targeted end of Q4 2019. Registration for Everynet.Exchange opens now with preferential rates awarded for early adopters. "Everynet.Exchange message brokering service has allowed us to rethink how we address the LPWA opportunity says Chris Kelly of US IoT Network, it completely transforms the conventional approach to building the IoT chain and creates a shared economy for our partners where we all benefit in proportion to what we invest" For information on our beta release, please register at http://everynet.exchange or contact us at exchange(at)everynet(dot)com to arrange a meeting at the LoRa Alliance Annual Members Meeting in Berlin, June 11-13th 2019. About Everynet: Everynet has pioneered the concept of Everywhere: a disruptive and unrivalled business model to deploy large-scale, neutral-host, commercial LoRaWAN networks with lowest-cost, lowest-risk, quickest time- to-revenue and carrier grade quality. This model has proven hugely successful, generating a massive paying subscriber base and the highest utilized national networks in the world, transacting a billion messages already through our advanced technology partnership with AWS. (left to right) Nicole Menzenbach, Boston German Consulate, Charlie Baker, Governor of Massachusetts, and Festo TEC reps. Petros Apostolopoulos and Chris Duchesneau. "Establishing this center for LifeTech research and development in greater Boston was the right thing to do in terms of talent pool, proximity to customers, and being a great place to live and work." Governor Charlie Baker recently recognized 13 companies, including Festo, for locating or growing businesses in Massachusetts at the 11th annual MassEcon Corporate Welcome Reception. The companies recognized created 500-plus new jobs, expanded business space by more than 130,000 square feet located in multiple regions of the state, and are involved in life sciences, manufacturing, technology, beverage, printing, and health care. Among the 13 were such well-recognized names as Aetna, Gelato, Humana, and Servier Pharmaceuticals. This was the fifth year that Baker welcomed companies at MassEcons event, which has been held for the past 11 years. MassEcon champions Massachusetts as one of the worlds best places to start, grow and locate a business. Festo dedicated a Technology Engineering Center (TEC) in Billerica in 2018. This TEC is the companys first engineering center in the United States devoted to the life sciences. Being located in greater Boston gives personnel proximity to such research institutions as MIT, Harvard, and Brown. The region also hosts many laboratory equipment manufacturers. The team at TEC pioneers the development of new high speed, high accuracy fluid handling products based on pneumatic principles. The center works with individual customers on automated motion and fluid handling solutions that bring laboratory equipment to market faster and with less cost. Establishing this center for LifeTech research and development in greater Boston was the right thing to do in terms of talent pool, proximity to customers, and being a great place to live and work, said Craig Correia, Director, Process Industries, NAFTA. It was an honor to be recognized by the governor at the annual MassEcon welcome reception. As I listened to the companies that were being welcomed, I could tell many of them are here because of the rich and diverse community that we have, said Baker. Our success as a Commonwealth has been this ability to retain the vitality of local communities while we continue to attract these terrific businesses. For more information on the services of TEC Boston, email lab.automation.us@festo.com and visit Festo Life Sciences on the web. About Festo Festo is a leading manufacturer of pneumatic and electromechanical systems, components, and controls for process and industrial automation. For more than 40 years, Festo Corporation has continuously elevated the state of manufacturing with innovations and optimized motion control solutions that deliver higher performing, more profitable automated manufacturing and processing equipment. Connect with Festo: Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube Recognition for creating reliable, secure and compliant portals, applications, and marketing solutions for the financial industry has really driven our growth over the past few years said Shane Stiles, President Gate 39 Media, a full-service financial marketing and technology agency servicing the financial industry, has announced the appointment of Sean Hayes as Director of Technology. In this new role, Hayes will oversee the Chicago-based agencys WordPress and .NET development teams and serve as the technology liaison for a range of global clients. Hayes brings more than 25 years of technical leadership and software application development expertise. Most recently, he served as Lead Developer at the Chicago Sun-Times responsible for website development in addition to application and services development. Hayes was also previously engaged as Director of Technology for a large real estate brokerage and is as an 11-year veteran in the professional services industry. Gate 39 Media is poised for ongoing success as it continues to innovate key applications, integrations and technology in response to a rapidly changing financial landscape, noted Hayes. Im excited to join a growing team dedicated to ensuring that financial firms stay compliant, take advantage of new technologies and level up their competitiveness. Since 2001, Gate 39 Media has developed solutions specific to the financial industry, including websites, operations and client portals, custom web and mobile applications, market data integration and displays, integration with 3rd party systems, cloud technologies, and most recently a platform of modules for websites and mobile apps specifically designed for the agricultural industry. Recognition for creating reliable, secure and compliant portals, applications, and marketing solutions for the financial industry has really driven our growth over the past few years said Shane Stiles, President of Gate 39 Media. With this growth comes the need for a dedicated, experienced Director of Technology to spearhead our team, and Im thrilled to have Sean Hayes join us in this leadership role. In addition to custom technology, Gate 39 Media is a HubSpot Certified Agency Partner that provides full-featured financial marketing services to a range of clients, including design and branding, content marketing, social media marketing, and strategic lead generation campaigns. For more information on Gate 39 Media, visit https://www.gate39media.com. About Gate 39 Media Gate 39 Media is a financial services marketing and technology agency providing complete solutions for the financial industry since 2001. Located in downtown Chicago, Gate 39 Media serves firms ranging from the worlds largest exchanges, brokerage firms, FCMs, and fund managersto agricultural hedging firms, RIAs, fintech startups, and industry service providers. To learn more about Gate 39 Media, visit http://www.gate39media.com or call (312) 715-1475. G.L. Huyett's new Technology Center in Sidney, NE, will support the companys ongoing commitment to the future of B2B commerce in the industrial fastener industry. G.L. Huyetts Tech Center supports an ongoing commitment to B2B commerce, improved customer service through data driven decisions, enhanced inventory and pricing management, developing product strategy through purposeful merchandising, and driving organizational results thru statistical analysis. In April 2019, G.L. Huyett opened a Technology Center in Sidney, Nebraska, a small rural town on the high plains of Western Nebraska. Sidney is the former home and headquarters of Cabelas, Inc., which dramatically downsized operations in the community after it was acquired by outdoor retail rival Bass Pro Shops. We chose Sidney because of the presence of a large skilled workforce that is under-employed or unemployed and are wanting to stay in Sidney. The Technology Center will be headed by Sarah Sinnett, Vice President of Technology and Marketing. Sinnett was formerly a Portfolio Manager for Bass Pro Shops / Cabelas, Inc. Much of Sinnetts experience is in project management, business strategy, and talent management. She holds an undergraduate degree in Psychology as well as a Master of Science in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, emphasizing the use of statistical analysis and data in driving organizational results. Sinnett will sit on G.L. Huyetts Executive Committee. G.L. Huyett has also hired Alan Beard to the newly-created role of E-Commerce Manager. Beard holds multiple degrees from Kansas State University in Economics and Psychology, and two Masters degrees: a Master of Business Administration from Wichita State University with a concentration in entrepreneurship, and a Master of Arts in Economics. Beard has an individual qualification certificate in Google Analytics and was most recently E-Commerce Manager at Great Plains Industries, a manufacturer of fuel management equipment. Beard will head up G.L. Huyetts continuing development of its e-commerce site, focusing intently on continued improvement of the customer experience by leveraging content-rich attributes targeted specifically at G.L. Huyetts distributor customer base. Beard also has extensive experience in EDI interfaces, another fast-growing technology priority for distributors. We have also hired Charles Chuck Hoffman to the role of Special Projects Administrator. In this role, Hoffman will be tasked with initiating a data analytics function, with specific goals to leverage data to improve decision making at G.L. Huyett. Early priorities include enhanced management of inventory and pricing management, as well as customer analytics to assist the G.L. Huyett sales team in improving the Companys value proposition. Hoffman holds both an undergraduate degree in Business Administration and a Master of Business Administration with an emphasis in Mathematics from Chadron State College. He was previously a Retail Associate Category Manager for Bass Pro Shops / Cabelas, Inc. Future additions to the Sidney Tech Center likely include roles in Digital Marketing, Product Development, and Digital Analytics. The Tech Center supports G.L. Huyetts belief in the future of B2B commerce in the industrial space, and the increasing relevance of e-commerce and technology solutions that wire together the participants in the channel in a more intelligent manner using data to drive decisions and actions. We are excited to embrace these developments as part of our continuing strategy to be the most innovative technology company in the fastener industry, supported by a caring human touch from our sales and customer service teams. About G.L. Huyett Established in 1906 by Guy Huyett in the other Minneapolis, the company is one of the oldest continuously operating businesses in Kansas. The firm is a leading innovator of products and services geared to support industrial distributors in the non-threaded fastener and power transmission sectors, delivered by competent customer-centric people operating in a Culture of Excellence. EIC helps businesses design the right identity, privacy and security strategies for the digital age. I am pleased to be part of a distinguished panel of experts that will address a wide range of policy-driven authorization use cases. Axiomatics, the leader in externalized, fine-grained dynamic authorization, today announced that Gerry Gebel, vice president of business development and David Brossard, vice president of customer relations, will present at the KuppingerCole European Identity and Cloud Conference (EIC), May 14-17, 2019 at the INFINITY BallhausForum Unterschleissheim, near Munich, Germany. EIC is Europes leading event for identity management and digital transformation, offering a variety of best practice discussions, visionary presentations and networking opportunities with future-oriented professionals. The show features over 800 thought leaders, leading vendors, analysts, visionaries, executives and end-users focused on the latest and most relevant Information security and digital Identity topics. On Wednesday, May 15, from 14:30-15:30, Gebel will speak during a panel session called The Changing Landscape of Policy-driven Authorization: A Discussion of NextGen Use Cases. EIC helps businesses design the right identity, privacy and security strategies for the digital age. I am pleased to be part of a distinguished panel of experts that will address a wide range of policy-driven authorization use cases, said Gebel. Session attendees will walk away with an understanding of why authorization is a business requirement, valuable knowledge about different authorization technologies, and the latest trends for authorization. Brossard will speak on Thursday, May 16, from 12:00-13:00 during a three-part session on cloud management. He will lead a session titled To the Cloud and Beyond: Delivering Policy-Driven Authorization for Cloud Applications and Data Lakes. Before Brossards session, Christina Kraus, founder of meshcloud will lead a session called The Role of Identity in Multi-Cloud Management, and after, Michael Brengs, chief revenue officer and managing partner at Optimal IdM, will head a session about divestiture in the retail industry. EIC recognizes emerging trends in the digital identity and security world and presents them to all guests so they can align themselves with the evolution of the industry, said Brossard. Policy-based authorization for cloud applications and data lakes is such a critical topic. I look forward to sharing valuable information with EIC participants for my third consecutive year. EIC 2019 includes five parallel tracks, more than 200 international speakers and experts, many best practice presentations and 120 hours of relevant content. Attendees gain a comprehensive overview of future trends in digital security as well as practical information about current projects. For more information about Axiomatics, visit http://www.axiomatics.com. To attend EIC 2019, visit https://www.kuppingercole.com/events/eic2019 or follow the #EIC19 hashtag on Twitter. About Axiomatics Axiomatics is the leading provider of fine-grained access control. Axiomatics' solutions are utilized by government agencies and Global Fortune 1000 companies around the world to enable digital transformation: share and safeguard sensitive information, meet compliance requirements and minimize data fraud. Axiomatics provides Attribute Based Access Control (ABAC) for applications, databases, Big Data, APIs and microservices. To learn more, please visit http://www.axiomatics.com or @axiomatics. We look forward to this annual event that celebrates the individuals that have overcome obstacles on the way to a brighter future. We offer our continued thanks to the many business and community partners that make our mission achievable year after year. Horizon Goodwill is hosting its 64th Annual Power of Work Awards Program to honor the accomplishments of program participants in 2018. Business and community partners that have partnered with Goodwill to build hope and improve the lives of individuals in 2018 will also be recognized. CEO, David Shuster said, "This is an opportunity to celebrate and recognize the good in our community. The awards dinner celebrates the individuals that have benefited from Horizon Goodwill's services and allows us to thank community partners that have significantly supported our mission- to remove barriers and create opportunities for employment." Horizon Goodwill is honoring the following individuals and businesses: Employer of the Year: Caldwell Manufacturing, Williamsport, MD Mission Partner of the Year: Literacy Volunteers, Winchester Area, Winchester, VA Business Partner of the Year: The Historic Maryland Theatre, Hagerstown, MD Team Spirit Award: Environmental Services Leadership Team, Horizon Goodwill Industries, Hagerstown, MD Chuck S. Robinette Spirit of Goodwill Award: Byyan Boddie of Cumberland, MD Achiever of the Year: David Peterson of Winchester, VA Bennett S. Rubin Graduate of the Year: Rafael Graham of Hagerstown, MD Massey H. Roe Community Service Award: Bill Gaertner of Hagerstown, MD The 2018 Awards Dinner Program is presented by Purdue University Global and will be held at Fountainhead Country Club May 8, 2019, from 5:30 P.M. to 8:30 P.M. Shuster said, "The awards dinner is a unique experience for the community to see first-hand how the power of work changes lives. We look forward to this annual event that celebrates the individuals that have overcome obstacles on the way to a brighter future. We offer our continued thanks to the many business and community partners that make our mission achievable year after year." Visit http://www.horizongoodwill.org to find the nearest Goodwill location or learn how you can help build a better future for someone in your community. About Horizon Goodwill Goodwill has been rated #1 above the global brands Amazon and Google for the Brand World Value Rankings for 2016. Horizon Goodwill Industries, whose mission is "Removing Barriers, Creating Opportunities," is a non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring that all people have access to employment despite significant obstacles. Horizon Goodwill serves over 7,000 clients annually in a 17-county region that includes parts of the states of Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. For more information, please visit http://www.horizongoodwill.org. Obtaining accurate car insurance quotes can be easy. All you have to do is to provide real, accurate data when you fil an online questionnaire, said Russell Rabichev, Marketing Director of Internet Marketing Company. Compare-autoinsurance.org has launched a new blog post that presents several tips for drivers that want more accurate car insurance quotes. For more info and free quotes, visit https://compare-autoinsurance.org/tips-getting-accurate-car-insurance-quotes/ Drivers are recommended to check for car insurance every time a major event happens in his life. Events, like getting married, moving to a new place, or adding a new driver to the insurance policy, can influence the insurance rates paid by a policyholder. The best way for drivers to get car insurance quotes is to get them online. In order to get accurate online insurance quotes, drivers should follow these tips: First, determine what coverage options are needed and additional riders. Besides purchasing the minimum coverage required by each states law, every driver has different needs for their insurance policy. Drivers that own old regular vehicles should consider dropping full coverage when their car will worth less than ten premium rates. Drivers that own new cars, should consider adding new car replacement insurance or gap coverage to their policy in order to protect their vehicles full value in case something bad happens. Check the available budget for premiums. Drivers should not opt for high coverage levels and options they dont really need if they cant really afford to pay the price of the premiums. To see what they can really afford, drivers can use online quotes to simulate different insurance plans with different coverage levels and options. By doing so, policyholders will know how to properly acquire an insurance plan without emptying their wallet. Get all useful documents nearby before getting quotes Online questionnaires will ask the policyholder to provide them with data about the car make, model, sub-model, year of production, safety devices, engine, and other relevant data. Drivers can remember some of these data, but it is important to have these documents nearby when filing an online quote. Sending wrong data to the insurance companies can result in a lower estimate for the actual cash value. Be honest when filling in online forms. Drivers can lie in order to get better insurance rates, but many insurance companies will do careful research on each driver's history that wants a policy from them. Insurance companies will then proceed into penalizing the lying driver, by either increasing their insurance rates or by denying their insurance application. Drivers should check for discounts. Insurance companies will ask certain things that can grant the policyholder several discounts. Drivers can qualify for these discounts if they have low mileage, clean driving record, no claims, or they graduated a defensive driving course, and so on. Insurance companies offer numerous types of discounts, so its important for drivers to mention everything in the questionnaires. For additional info, money-saving tips and free car insurance quotes, visit https://compare-autoinsurance.org/ Compare-autoinsurance.org is an online provider of life, home, health, and auto insurance quotes. This website is unique because it does not simply stick to one kind of insurance provider, but brings the clients the best deals from many different online insurance carriers. In this way, clients have access to offers from multiple carriers all in one place: this website. On this site, customers have access to quotes for insurance plans from various agencies, such as local or nationwide agencies, brand names insurance companies, etc. We pride ourselves in being one of the only cryptocurrency specialized law firms in the United States, as well as being able to provide our clients with legal advice in a cutting edge industry from attorneys who lead the field in cryptocurrency, When blockchain emerged, largely in tandem with the birth of cryptocurrency, individuals and companies around the world saw the exceptional potential offered. Still, with decentralization, a plethora of legal issues are arising, and a few select attorneys are truly equipped to help clients in need of blockchain guidance. The team at ICO Law Group is among the group of elite lawyers specializing in blockchain. For clients who are looking for solid, reputable advice on cryptocurrency or blockchain projects, ICO Law Group specializes in areas including ICOs (initial coin offerings) and STOs (security token offerings). This U.S.-based boutique law firm offers a number of legal solutions for their clients, including press release and white paper review, general advice, tax services, risk assessment, litigation, SEC registration and compliance, and fund formation and structuring. By offering a wide range of ICO and STO specific solutions, ICO Law Group caters to the every legal need of their blockchain based clients. Most recently, ICO Law Group co-founder Michael Miglios article, The Current and Future Implications of Cryptocurrency for the Legal Industry was featured on Forbes. In the article, Miglio discussed legal issues that are currently centered around cryptocurrency, the rise of cryptocurrency law firms, blockchain applications already available for attorneys, accepting cryptocurrency payments, and more. He shared in-depth advice for lawyers and their clients who might be dealing with cryptocurrency or blockchain legal matters, as well as some of the unique situations that can arise in this niche. While cryptocurrency and blockchain are alluring for their decentralized structure and anonymity, they are still open to a surprising amount of legal issues. By partnering with the right lawyer, however, individuals and corporations alike can assure that they do everything within the scope of the law to prevent legal problems. We pride ourselves in being one of the only cryptocurrency specialized law firms in the United States, as well as being able to provide our clients with legal advice in a cutting edge industry from attorneys who lead the field in cryptocurrency, said the team at ICO Law Group. With a long list of clients whove already used their services, ICO Law Group has become one of the most well-known in their niche. Theyve been a go to for companies and individuals alike, and ICO Law Group has also been featured in various publications, events, conferences, and more. Their prowess for helping clients understand their legal rights and obligations, as well as prevent and resolve contractual obligations such as breach of contract, has helped ICO Law Group become one of the top blockchain based legal firms - not only in the U.S., but around the world. With cryptocurrency gaining more mainstream use and attention, said Miglio, the legal community will continue to see new applications and use cases in all of its many forms and functions. I take the position that cryptocurrency is permeating the world, and, in particular, the legal industry. ICO Law Group is currently accepting new clients in the cryptocurrency industry who are looking to partner with a premier law firm with specialization in their field. ICO Law Group is SEC compliant, further assuring clients as to their expertise, and is proud to specialize in fund and capital raising techniques. More information can be found at https://icolawgroup.com/. About ICO Law Group ICO Law Group is a team of expert lawyers specializing in new ICOs and other cryptocurrency-based companies. Contact Adam J. Wolfe ICO Law Group Phone: 832-779-0586 mail: contact(at)icolawgroup(dot)com Website: https://icolawgroup.com/ Co-operation is the key for building a strong and stable union. It is also true that certain reforms can only be put forward by a majority. One good example of this is intervening in tax evasion, states Antton Ronnholm, the party secretary of the Social Democrats and a candidate in the elections to the European Parliament. THE SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY says the European Union should make a majority decision to combat harmful tax competition and aggressive tax planning. It is in Finlands interest that the EU makes a majority decision to combat harmful tax competition and aggressive tax planning. Otherwise, tax havens could torpedo reforms that benefit everyone. Ronnholm emphasised that the middle class can no longer be expected to cover the cost of such practices, which are deteriorating the funding base needed to provide key services and promote well-being. We need tougher measures to intervene in interest arrangements and country-specific public tax reporting. Finland alone cannot change the course, but it needs partners in other EU countries, he said. The Social Democratic Party published its programme for the upcoming elections on Monday, 6 May. The Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), it estimated, remains a major opportunity, but it must be developed in a direction that enables it to respond to possible future crises more effectively. If the better co-ordination of economic policies between member states and the finalisation of the banking union are insufficient measures to maintain stability in the eurozone, the Social Democrats could support exploring the possibility of introducing different cyclical stability mechanisms. The possible stability fund must not become a permanent income transfer system, it stressed. The Social Democrats viewed that finalising the banking union is critical for ensuring taxpayers are not responsible for bailing out collapsing banks. Antti Rinne, the chairperson of the Social Democrats, added that Finland's place remains on the frontlines of the EU. We want all Europeans to be able to be proud of their home country and the entire continent that carries its responsibilities and provides cohesive leadership to the whole world. The Social Democrats is committed to international co-operation and developing the union. For it is our habit to fix, not to break, he stated. Aleksi Teivainen HT Source: Uusi Suomi We have always believed in giving back to the communities in which we work, and I cannot think of a better way than by sponsoring technology education initiatives. InterDev, an Atlanta-area provider of information technology, security and geographic information systems (GIS) services, has announced that it will sustain its commitment to the Beaufort, South Carolina-based Beaufort Digital Corridor (BDC) through 2019 based on the programs benefits for both the city and the community it serves. The BDC sprung from a 2016 visit by Beaufort City Councilman Stephen Murray and City Manager William Prokop to an event sponsored by the Charleston Digital Corridor. Having landed its IT and security contract with the City of Beaufort the same year, InterDev was a natural mentor for the effort. We spent two days with a futurist, saying, What do we want Beaufort to be in 2030? says Prokop. Items like the Digital Corridor are the foundation of what we have to grow to. We started a code camp, and InterDev steps right in and offers scholarships for people that cannot afford to pay for it. CODEcamp, a Charleston Digital Corridor curriculum that Beaufort added in February 2018, is a project-based, introductory code education program designed for busy adults. Over the eight-session program, students learn the fundamentals of web development. InterDev was a founding member of the Digital Corridor and they remain active as a member and business sponsor, says BDC Program Manager Shelley Barratt. They also sponsor other special programs, including Game On!, our game-coding education program to get kids interested in coding. InterDevs mission goes beyond helping governments and commercial interests reap the benefits of technology excellence, says InterDev Founder and CEO Gary Nichols. We have always believed in giving back to the communities in which we work, and I cannot think of a better way than by sponsoring technology education initiatives. In January 2017, the BDC also launched BASECamp, a nascent technology incubator that is currently at 80% occupancy. One of the tenants is MINDFLINT. As a new business in the city, the Digital Corridor was perfect, says MINDFLINT Principal Nate Schaub. Its a natural inroad to the community as a whole. With InterDev having a presence in Beaufort, everyone gets a little involved, says Barratt. The InterDev IT employees come check on us and a couple of them came through the Beaufort educational systemthe Technical College of the Lowcountry. The BDC has been a pivot point for Beaufort, and sponsors like InterDev have been a big contributor to that success, Barratt continues. The computer science department at the University of South Carolina at Beaufort has been graduating 20+ grads per year. These students say, Hey I want to start something here. We are helping to prevent brain drain. About InterDev Beyond their principal role as strategic provider of Managed IT and Security Services, InterDev is well known as a champion of IT visioning and innovation for growing businesses and government agencies; a role they perfected over nearly four decades. In addition to managing and hosting IT operations for a wide range of clients, InterDev offers location-based services aerial (drone) mapping and MosaicGIS, its Esri-based cloud GIS platform as well as VoIP telecommunications services and circuit solutions. InterDev also devised a unique resource-sharing model, helping municipalities form IT alliances that drive greater value through partnership. InterDev delivers services to business and municipalities throughout the Southeast and Midwest from their offices in Atlanta, Beaufort (SC) and Chicago. For more information, visit http://www.interdev.com. About the Beaufort Digital Corridor The Beaufort Digital Corridor (BDC) is a community-sourced initiative to attract, nurture and promote Beaufort's technology entrepreneurs and ultimately the region's tech economy through an array of impactful programs, products and events while leveraging Beaufort's renowned livability. Focused on creating the business, education, and social environment that is attractive to tech entrepreneurs and tech-related companies, the BDC leverages its collaborative relationships, program elements, legislative access and contacts to assist companies with integrating them into the community. For information, visit http://www.beaufortdigital.com. International Virtual Reality and Healthcare Association Logo We know from decades of research that virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) technologies can address the most difficult problems in healthcare. We know from decades of research that virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) technologies can address the most difficult problems in healthcare. Ranging from mood disorders such as anxiety and depression to post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), addiction, autism, cognitive aging, as well as neuro and physical rehabilitation, said Dr. Walter Greenleaf of the Virtual Human Interaction Lab at Stanford University and the Associations Founding Advisory Board Chair. The Association will play a critical role as the coordinator for the design, development and promulgation of industry standards and best practices for the use of VR/AR technology as part of the next generation of digital medical systems. VR/AR technology will have impact by enabling objective clinical assessments as well as providing for improved skill training and procedure planning. Personal health and wellness can also be improved by using immersive systems to promote better nutrition, engender healthier lifestyles, and to reduce personal stress and anxiety. As the cost of healthcare rises, VR and AR can serve as an effective telemedicine platform to reduce the costs of care delivery and improve clinical efficiency in both urban and rural settings. The Association had its official kick-off meeting at the end of the 3rd Annual VR and Healthcare Symposium this past March 8th, 2019 at the University of Arizona. The group discussed the initial goals and strategy for the Association for 2019. We look forward to further collaborating with the immersive healthcare community to shape how XR healthcare solutions are effectively and ethically designed and delivered, said Carrie Shaw, Founder and CEO of Embodied Labs. Our organization, Embodied Labs, is proud to be a founding member of the IVRHA. Having co-founded the VR for Good annual conference in 2017 with Robert Fine and participating in the VR and Healthcare symposiums, I have witnessed first-hand the vast potential for VR to do good in healthcare, said Ken Ehrhart, Founder and CEO of Paracosma. Its with great enthusiasm that our company accepted the invitation to be a founding member of the Association. The Association founding member organizations include: BehaVR Bongiovi Medical and Health Technologies Brain Performance Institute, University of Texas Dallas Center for Accelerated Biomedical Innovation, University of Arizona Center for Aging + Brain Health Innovation (CAHBI) Chronic Pain Research Institute, Simon Fraser University Cleanbox Technology College of Nursing, University of Central Florida EdgeOne Medical Embodied Labs Empower 360 Foundation Enduvo FundamentalVR George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences Healium Health Scholars HP HumanEyes Technologies IKONA Health Immersive Worlds Lavendr by RicoLab Mary Furlong and Associates MindMaze Motus XR MyndVR National Mental Health Innovation Center, University of Colorado NIH/NIAID Bioinformatics NotionTheory Paracosma Playing Forward Polhemus SimforHealth Sine Wave Company The RLab NYC TRIPP Vanderbilt University Innovation Center Very Real Help Virtual Human Interaction Lab, Stanford University Virtual Switzerland Washington State University Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine About Embodied Labs Embodied Labs provides VR-enabled immersive learning systems giveing professional and family caregivers insights that improve the way they view, and provide care for residents, patients, and clients. About Paracosma Paracosma Inc is an AR and VR consulting and systems integration company that provides solutions and skills to both small and large customers. Thier services include content creation, application development, and systems integration across a broad range of AR and VR platforms. It is important for drivers to always carry insurance. Driving without insurance exposes the drivers to potential large financial penalties and legal consequences., said Russell Rabichev, Marketing Director of Internet Marketing Company. Cheapquotesautoinsurance.com has launched a new blog post that explains why is important for drivers to get online car insurance quotes before dropping their coverage. For more info and free car insurance quotes, visit https://cheapquotesautoinsurance.com/why-getting-quotes-is-the-smart-thing-to-do-before-dropping-coverage/ Depending on the states law, driving without insurance or without sufficient coverage exposes the drivers to numerous legal and financial penalties. Driving without insurance can cause bigger problems in the long term. In some cases, standard, affordable insurance carriers will refuse to insure drivers that were caught driving without insurance. Before dropping coverage, policyholders are recommended to carefully research the insurance market and see if they are not better deals from different, smaller carriers. Getting online quotes can prove really useful in these situations. Drivers that drive without insurance are likely to get the following penalties if they get caught: Suspended driver's license. Drivers can expect to see their license suspended in 44 states if they are caught driving without carrying insurance. Drivers can get their vehicle impounded and its registration revoked. If a driver that caused an accident is caught driving without insurance, it might be possible for a court to order the impoundment of the vehicle and its registration to be revoked. In most cases, drivers will need to carry an SR-22 form in order to drive their vehicle again. No insurance violations can bring hefty fines. Depending on each state, the fines for driving without insurance can be as low as $25 in Georgia, or as high as $5,000 in Hawaii, Massachusetts, New Jersey, North Dakota, and West Virginia. Drivers can get their ticket canceled in a specific timeframe if they can prove they were actually insured at the moment they received the fine, but they forgot to carry proof of insurance. Drivers will have to pay to get back their driving privileges. Drivers will have to pay all the fees associated with the suspension and wait for the suspension period to finish in order to get their driving privileges back. To get their registration back, drivers have to prove they purchased a minimum of a six months auto insurance liability coverage and they paid for the registration reinstatement fees. Increased insurance premiums. Most insurance companies will charge extra on a driver that will try to get an insurance coverage after he got caught driving without insurance. Drivers that have coverage lapses are seen as high-risk drivers by the insurance carriers. For additional info, money-saving tips and free car insurance quotes, visit https://cheapquotesautoinsurance.com Cheapquotesautoinsurace.com is an online provider of life, home, health, and auto insurance quotes. This website is unique because it does not simply stick to one kind of insurance provider, but brings the clients the best deals from many different online insurance carriers. In this way, clients have access to offers from multiple carriers all in one place: this website. On this site, customers have access to quotes for insurance plans from various agencies, such as local or nationwide agencies, brand names insurance companies, etc. Using results from their latest industry survey and report, they will discuss pre-owned retail sales, the prevailing attitude from operators (especially in Europe), and the market challenges and opportunities that still exist. JETNET LLC, the world leader in aviation market intelligence, will present a briefing by JETNET iQ on the state of business aviation in Europe at EBACE2019 at the Geneva Palexpo in Geneva, Switzerland. At the briefing, which is free for attendees, JETNET iQ Creator and Director Rolland Vincent and JETNET Vice President of Sales Paul Cardarelli will provide an overview of the services findings, as pertinent to Europe and their exclusive industry-wide forecast for the next ten years. Using results from their latest industry survey and report, they will discuss pre-owned retail sales, the prevailing attitude from operators (especially in Europe), and the market challenges and opportunities that still exist. The briefing will be on Tuesday, May 21 from 11:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. in Salle R, Hall 3, at Palexpo. EBACE At the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition, May 21-23 at booth #W127, JETNET will also be demonstrating their full suite of software for aviation professionals focused on the European theater of operations. Among their other products and enhancements, they will be featuring their new JETNET iQ product level, JETNET iQ OEM Insider. JETNET iQ JETNET iQ (Independent, Quarterly) is an initiative launched in 2011 by JETNET LLC in collaboration with the aviation consultancy Rolland Vincent Associates LLC of Plano, TX. Each quarter the JETNET research team conducts a detailed survey of 500 business aircraft owners and operators around the globe. They have gathered some 17,000 surveys since iQs launch in 2011, likely the most comprehensive ongoing commercially available study of business aircraft owner/operator behavior and sentiment ever conducted. JETNET iQ surveys monitor the pulse of the business aviation owner/operator communityjets and turbopropson such issues as their regard for major airframe and engine brands, intentions for future aircraft utilization and purchases, perceived obstacles to new aircraft purchases, and sentiment for the marketplace as a whole. From this information, they compose a detailed study on a quarterly basis, segmented into four categories: The Economy A review of global economic indicators driving the new and pre-owned business jet markets. The Industry A review of new deliveries, fleet developments, and retirements for each of the major business jet and turboprop airframe OEMs. The Survey The sentiments of aircraft owners and operators on their plans to fly and buy aircraft, their regard for key brands in business aviation, and other relevant topics. The Forecast The JETNET iQ exclusive ten-year prognosis for business jet and turboprop deliveries and retirements. JETNET iQ 2019 Summit JETNET iQ will be holding its 9th Annual JETNET iQ Global Business Aviation Summit June 4-5 at The Ritz-Carton New York, Westchester in White Plains, N.Y. Rolland Vincent, iQ Creator and Director, and Paul Cardarelli, JETNET Vice President of Sales, will join dozens of global business aviation C-level leaders and professionals to present information and engage in conversation on a wide range of topics. The events Keynote speaker will be Bill Boisture, Chairman of Global Jet Capital. For more information visit jetnet.com/summit. As the leading provider of aviation market information, JETNET delivers the most comprehensive and reliable business aircraft research to its exclusive clientele of aviation professionals worldwide. JETNET is the ultimate source for information and intelligence on the worldwide business, commercial, and helicopter aircraft fleet and marketplace, comprised of more than 110,000 airframes. Headquartered in its state-of-the-art facility in Utica, N.Y., JETNET offers comprehensive, user-friendly aircraft data via real-time internet access or regular updates. The Early/Middle College program allows students to earn an associate degree or certificate for little or no cost by completing a fifth year of high school. Students delay high school graduation for one year while they take college courses at Kalamazoo Valley. More than 70 young people from throughout southwest Michigan will walk the stage at Kalamazoo Valley Community Colleges Dale B. Lake Auditorium Thursday, May 9 as the second cohort to complete the schools Early/Middle College program. The ceremony begins at 7 p.m. The Early/Middle College program allows students to earn an associate degree or certificate for little or no cost by completing a fifth year of high school. Students delay high school graduation for one year while they take college courses at Kalamazoo Valley. Tuition and fees are paid by the local school district up to the state maximum allowed. At the ceremony, all students will receive an Early/Middle College Certificate of Completion from Kalamazoo Valley. Students from secondary partners Kalamazoo County Early/Middle College and Gull Lake Early College will receive their high school diplomas. Students who are part of the Van Buren Middle College will be given the Michigan Early/Middle College Association certificate and awarded their high school diplomas later this month. The certificate marks some level of completion in the program, explained Dr. Deborah Coates, dean of instruction Early/Middle College. We are celebrating the hard work and diligence these students put toward completion, Coates said. We have 25 students who earned associate degrees and many more who completed certificates, certificates of achievement or earned transfer credits toward a four year college or university. These students deserve to be recognized and celebrated for their academic achievements. Kalamazoo Valley President L. Marshall Washington, Ph.D., will provide remarks. Early/Middle College graduate Hunter Ackerman and current Early/Middle College student Stephanie Fee will also speak. More than 150 new students are expected to begin the Early/Middle College program this fall at Kalamazoo Valley, bringing enrollment in the program to nearly 400 students. For more information, visit http://www.kvcc.edu/earlycollege. KUDO v2.6 release includes numerous updates focused on compliance for enterprise clients and user experience Our expertise in the field of conferencing and interpretation ensure that we are able to continuously redefine and expand the horizon for the multilingual web conferencing space. Fardad Zabetian, KUDOs Founder and CEO KUDO Inc., the leading cloud-based solution for multilingual video and web conferencing, has announced the release of v2.6 of their platform with numerous updates focused on compliance for enterprise clients and user experience. Distributed organizations can now rely on KUDO as their global meetings platform enabling instant communication across languages. A key milestone introduced with this new KUDO release is the platforms accessibility in China. KUDO enables clients, interpreters, and partners to join or service meetings anywhere in mainland China, Macao, Hong Kong, and the rest of the world. Language differences are a leading cause of communication challenges with China and it was fundamental for us to address this market. stated Fardad Zabetian, KUDOs Founder and CEO, Doing business with China has just been made easier for companies around the world. Developments on the compliance front follow KUDOs strategy to empower truly multilingual meetings in the enterprise environment. This includes the introduction of the Silo solution, a model built upon a dedicated private cloud environment, tailored to the needs of enterprises for which security, privacy, compliance, and custom services are of paramount importance. Updates on the user experience side include a redesigned participant onboarding to easily join a meeting, full support for Mozilla Firefox browser, automatic detection for unsupported browsers, versatile in-session media operation including internet connectivity testing, audio and video device setup, and participants video feed selection, along with other internal improvements to optimize the system. In the words of KUDOs VP of Products & Engineering, Parham Akhavam, This release was the most challenging yet as we had to touch the core architecture of the platform; and with each new undertaking we must focus on the unique multilateral aspects of this video conferencing platform. KUDOs development embeds user-centered design with the need to accommodate the unique needs of clients and participants in cross-national communication, along with the essential expertise and workflow of interpreters. This latest update once more realizes the promise of KUDO to reinvent the space of multilingual meetings. Our expertise in the field of conferencing and interpretation ensure that we are able to continuously redefine and expand the horizon for the multilingual web conferencing space concluded Zabetian. About KUDO KUDO is a powerful cloud-based collaboration platform that enables web meetings and live conferences with real-time multilateral language interpretation. KUDO supports more effective and inclusive meetings by allowing people and businesses to overcome communication barriers and speak in the comfort of their own language. Accessible from anywhere, on any device, KUDO redefines possibilities in global communication. KUDO, Inc. is a New-York based technology startup composed of language and conferencing industry insiders looking to bring people together. More info at http://www.kudoway.com Lime Connect "This research is the first step in breaking down barriers around mental health so that companies and employees are able to truly thrive." - Susan Lang, Lime Connect President/CEO To commemorate Mental Health Awareness Month this May, Lime Connect and the Center for Talent Innovation (CTI) announce their partnership on an international study that will shed light on the largely invisible population of professionals living with mental health conditions. Almost one in five American adults has a mental health condition, and diagnoses for millennials, in particular, have sky-rocketed over the last few years. But previous CTI research shows that many people living with mental health conditions cover up their experiences at work, often fearing judgment and social prejudices. To break the stigma, CTI and Lime Connect will now explore how employers can fully include, and maximize the talents of, employees living with mental health conditions across the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. The study is slated to publish spring 2020. The need to address mental health conditions is urgent. Anxiety and depression are on the rise globally, yet people are declining to disclose at work. This shows just how deep the roots of stigma about mental health conditions are buried, says Julia Taylor Kennedy, EVP at CTI. Employers are uniquely positioned to remove the stigma, and through this research, well show them how. Employees with disabilities possess unique strengths and diverse perspectives that add value to the workplace, says Susan Lang, CEO at Lime Connect. However, the stigma around mental health, and disabilities in general, can keep employees from disclosing and feeling fully included and supported in their role. This research is the first step in breaking down those barriers so that companies and employees are able to truly thrive. CTIs previous study, Disabilities and Inclusion, which was co-sponsored by Lime Connect, uncovered that the majority of employees living with mental health conditions have not disclosed them at work, often fearing prejudgment from both employers and colleagues about professional capabilities. Sixty-eight percent of employees with mental health conditions expend energy repressing some part of their persona. Additionally, more than 2 in 5 employees with mental health conditions experience discrimination or negative bias. The lack of support for employees with mental health conditions harms not only those who have them, but also the employers who dont support them, says Pooja Jain-Link, EVP at CTI. When employees cant be open about their conditions, they arent able to be authentic at workor fully contribute their unique perspectives and experiences. This means employers miss out on the value many of their employees could be bringing to work each day. Together, Lime Connect and CTI will illuminate the unique strengths that those living with mental health conditions bring to their employers and evaluate how work in turn delivers meaningful impact for their lives. The study will also build the business case for supporting employees with mental health conditions at work, and identify the manager behaviors, workplace conditions, and specific programs that allow employees with mental health conditions to thrive in the professional workplace. About Lime Connect Lime Connect is a global not for profit 501(c)(3) organization that's rebranding disability through achievement by attracting, preparing, and connecting high-potential university students and professionalsincluding veteranswho happen to have disabilities to scholarships, internships, The Lime Connect Fellowship Program, and full-time careers with the world's leading corporations. About The Center for Talent Innovation The Center for Talent Innovation is a think tank that conducts research, provides advisory services to organizations on culture, inclusion, and diversity, and builds community with more than 90 member companies. With CTI, those companies are committed to a common vision: to achieve inclusion and diversity in a bias-free, global workplace that optimizes workforce potential. See more at http://www.talentinnovation.org. Our primary focus is on the people we serve, and we are proud of our Colorado Springs team for their commitment to not only our patients, but our employees and philanthropic partners," said Dave Zowine, CEO of MGA Homecare. MGA Homecare Colorado Springs was recently named best in-home care provider by The Gazette for the fourth year in a row. MGA Homecare provides exceptional clinical care, with individualized attention and support, to pediatric patients and their families throughout Arizona, Colorado and Texas. As a leading pediatric home care provider, MGA Homecare strives to meet the needs of the greater Colorado Springs community from patients and their families to clinicians and hospital systems. The team was recognized in several areas by voters including patient care, employee support, philanthropic efforts and overall client satisfaction. Serving as a resource to our community is our priority and we appreciate the support and recognition as an excellent pediatric home care provider, said Dave Zowine, CEO of MGA Homecare. Our primary focus is on the people we serve, and we are proud of our Colorado Springs team for their commitment to not only our patients, but our employees and philanthropic partners. MGA Homecares sister company and certified nursing assistant (CNA) program, MGA Academy, also won an award for best in continuing education. MGA Academy provides an accelerated CNA certification program, CPR and first aid training courses. As the healthcare field sees a demand for more CNAs and other healthcare professionals, the company offers students a hands-on learning experience to prepare them for their future career. This award is a testament to the hard work and countless hours that go in to creating a successful CNA school, said Justin Grant, VP of Business Development, Colorado. Our team is dedicated to ensuring a quality education and preparing graduates for the next step in their home care career. The Gazettes Best of the Springs awards are based on readers choice, voted on by the greater Colorado Springs community. The Gazette recognized MGA Homecare and other Colorado Springs award winners at a celebratory event on April 25. MGA Academy has CNA programs starting every four weeks, see the current class schedule to register. Visit MGAhomecare.com to learn more about pediatric services offered and current career opportunities. About MGA Homecare MGA Homecare has more than a decade of experience providing personalized pediatric home healthcare services. We focus on delivering exceptional pediatric clinical care by matching families with a healthcare professional who has the right skills and experience. Our seasoned clinicians are provided with the ongoing training and resources they need to handle every home healthcare situation with professionalism and care. Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, with offices in Colorado and Texas, MGA Homecare is a part of the ZOE Holding Company family of businesses. Visit MGAhomecare.com or stay connected with us on LinkedIn or Facebook. About The Gazettes Best of the Springs The Gazettes Best of the Springs in an annual readers choice award program aimed at showcasing the best businesses within the greater Colorado Springs area. In its 25th year, The Gazette celebrates the companies, nonprofit organizations and community members that help make Colorado Springs one of the best cities to live. MHVillage/Datacomp win 2019 Manufactured Housing Supplier of the Year Award during the MHI Congress & Expo in New Orleans, La. Datacomp/MHVillage wins Supplier of the Year in the 2019 MHI Excellence in Manufactured Housing Awards at Congress & Expo, in New Orleans, La., May 7. Datacomp and MHVillage, longtime partners in the manufactured housing industry, have been named MHI Supplier of the Year in association with the 2019 MHI Excellence in Manufactured Housing Awards at the annual Manufactured Housing Institutes Congress & Expo, held this year in New Orleans May 6-8. Datacomp was founded in 1987 and is the largest independent provider of market-based manufactured home appraisal, inspections and competitive market data. MHVillage, founded in 2004, is the largest marketplace for mobile and manufactured homes with 25 million visitors annually, representing more than $3 billion worth of mobile home sales and rental transactions. MHVillage and Datacomp were chosen from a field of about a dozen industry entrants in the supplier category. The Supplier of the Year award was announced and presented May 7 to MHVillage/Datacomp Co-Presidents Michael Boers and Darren Krolewski. It is as an honor to receive this award among a field of so many deserving suppliers to the industry, and to be named alongside the top manufacturers, communities, retailers and lenders in the manufactured housing industry, said Boers, who also serves as chief operations officer for the companies. We are proud of the work we do in appraisal, inspection and market data, and our leadership team owes a great amount of gratitude to our staff and the clients we serve. News and Industry Trends from The MHInsider During the application process, the MHVillage/Datacomp team focused on communicating to MHI the value of products and services developed during 2018. This includes the launch of The MHInsider magazine, a high-quality manufactured housing industry news publication that already circulates to 31,500 subscribers nationwide. The MHInsider magazine, which followed the July 2017 launch of the MHInsider blog for manufactured housing professionals, has served to cement MHVillage as the premier technology, advertising and publishing organization in the manufactured housing industry. The last of the former industry journals ceased publication in late 2016, and created what we saw a real void in manufactured housing news for industry professionals, said Krolewski, who also serves in the role of chief business development officer for the companies. We took it upon ourselves to fill that void, and do so in a way that truly captured the tremendous work being done by our manufactured housing colleagues from all corners of the industry. In 2019, The MHInsider magazine expanded publication from quarterly to bi-monthly, in effort to better serve manufactured housing professionals in access to industry trends, features and news. For advertising opportunities with the MHInsider magazine and blog, please contact MHInsider Account Executive Matthew OBrian at (877) 406-0232. For editorial feedback and contributions, please contact MHInsider Managing Editor Matt Milkovich at (616) 214-3181. Readers can sign up at MHInsider.com to receive the MHInsider print magazine in the mail, where they also can read an electronic version of the magazine and stay up-to-date with industry news via our MHInsider professional blog. A Productive Year for Datacomp/MHVillage Among the many valuable efforts within the industry during the last year, Datacomp/MHVillage opted to profile in its successful application for Supplier of the Year the following achievements: JLT Market Reports Acquired by Datacomp in 2014, JLT Market Reports within the last year have expanded to coverage of community rent, occupancy and other integral operating details from more than 170 major markets nationwide. Datacomps JLT Market Reports have been the gold standard for manufactured housing community information for more than 25 years. Home Listing Partnership The Florida Manufactured Housing Association and MHVillage entered an operating partnership that includes home listings powered by MHVillage for FMHA through a branded Find A Home feature that can be accessed through each organizations website. Continued and Expanded Association Work Datacomp and MHVillage are active members of MHI, as well as regional and local organizations that include associations in Arizona, California, Florida, Michigan and Texas. National Advisory Roles Datacomp Co-President Michael Boers serves as chairman of the Fannie Mae Manufactured Housing Duty to Serve Advisory Council. He also serves as a member of the MHI Financial Services Committee Board of Directors Programming, Sponsorship and Promotion of Industry Events The partner companies provide programming, sponsorship and promotional support to numerous industry events and gatherings, including The Louisville Show, The Tunica Show, The International Networking Roundtable, SECO Conference and others. The team at Datacomp/MHVillage applauds the industry for its hard work and dedication during the last year, and looks forward to continued partnership potential and growth during a very productive 2019 for the manufactured housing industry. About Datacomp Datacomp is the nations largest provider of manufactured and mobile home value reports, price information, appraisal reports and inspections. Datacomp makes the lending process safe, simple, and cost-effective by making sure that the customer gets fast, accurate, and reliable home appraisal, inspection and data reports. About MHVillage Based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, MHVillage Inc. is the nations premier online marketplace for buying and selling manufactured homes. Since its inception in 2004, MHVillage has grown to become the number one consumer website for the manufactured housing industry with more than 25 million unique visitors annually. Nearly 80,000 homes are sold annually on MHVillage with a combined transaction value exceeding $3 billion. President, Gary Hutchinson has been accepted into Forbes Technology Council, an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs, and technology executives. Forbes is one of the worlds leading business brands. I believe this membership will strengthen Modality Solutions leadership role within our biotechnology cold chain management industry, said Hutchinson. Past News Releases RSS Modality Solutions is a Silver... Biopharmaceutical Cold Chain Firm... Biopharmaceutical Cold Chain... Modality Solutions President Gary Hutchinson has been accepted into Forbes Technology Council, an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs, and technology executives. Modality Solutions, an Inc. Verified Company, is a full-service biopharmaceutical cold chain engineering firm that guarantees confidence in a companys cold chain. Subject-matter experts provide insight into thermal packaging, monitoring and controls, transport validation, and controlled-environment logistics. Gary Hutchinson was vetted and selected by a review committee based on the depth and diversity of his experience. Criteria for acceptance include a track record of successfully impacting business growth metrics, as well as personal and professional achievements and honors. We are honored to welcome Gary into the community, said Scott Gerber, founder of Forbes Councils, the collective that includes Forbes Technology Council. Our mission with Forbes Councils is to bring together proven leaders from every industry, creating a curated, social capital-driven network that helps every member grow professionally and make an even greater impact on the business world. As an accepted member of the Council, Gary has access to a variety of exclusive opportunities designed to help him reach peak professional influence. He will connect and collaborate with other respected local leaders in a private forum. Gary will also be invited to work with a professional editorial team to share his expert insights in original business articles on Forbes.com, and to contribute to published Q&A panels alongside other experts. Finally, Gary will benefit from exclusive access to vetted business service partners, membership-branded marketing collateral, and the high-touch support of the Forbes Councils member concierge team. It is a distinct honor to be invited to become an Official Member of the Forbes Technology Council, said Gary Hutchinson, President of Modality Solutions. Forbes is one of the worlds leading business brands. I am eager to network and experience new business opportunities through my involvement in the organization and association with technology members. I believe this membership will strengthen Modality Solutions leadership role within our biotechnology cold chain management industry. For more information about Modality Solutions, visit https://www.modality-solutions.com About Forbes Councils Forbes Councils is a collective of invitation-only communities created in partnership with Forbes and the expert community builders who founded Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC). In Forbes Councils, exceptional business owners and leaders come together with the people and resources that can help them thrive. For more information about Forbes Technology Council, visit forbestechcouncil.com. To learn more about Forbes Councils, visit forbescouncils.com. About Modality Solutions, LLC Founded in 2011, Modality Solutions specializes in integrating cold chain operations systems, developing transport validation strategies supporting global regulatory applications and clinical trial operations, and decreasing development cycle times for a faster route-to-market. Through combining the best practices of process validation, systems qualification, and risk assessment, Modality Solutions has earned the reputation of ensuring regulatory compliance, product quality, and patient safety. Modalitys team of engineers are experts at delivering cold chain thermal packaging design and qualification, conducting transport simulation testing and controlled-environment logistics solutions. For more information, visit modality-solutions.com. Despite the rise in popularity of digital documents, printing solutions are often very obsolete. Xerox is now the first company in the world to offer such an innovative solution to sign documents digitally on a printer. - Guillaume Tilleul, CEO Myworkplatform As from today, Mywork E-sign is available on the Xerox e-commerce platform. This new application enables electronic signatures on all Xerox printers. For the implementation of the electronic signatures solution, Xerox entirely relied on software developer Myworkplatform, who chose to integrate Connective eSignatures. Your Xerox printer as a digital enabler In this expanding digital world, companies are investing significant resources in the digital transformation of their operations in order to optimize and secure the flow of documents and information throughout the organization. Huge steps have already been made, nevertheless many documents such as contracts, invoices, receipts and many more still reside on paper. For many companies moving these documents to the cloud remains a big challenge and a burden. In that context Xerox, thought about how traditional printing companies could assist in the innovation of their clients which became a major part of their strategy. So, they reinvented themselves and enlarged their portfolio of services in order to complement their paper services with digital services, as such improving workflows within many organizations. The latest addition to their innovative offering is the Mywork E-sign solution, developed by Myworkplatform. This functionality allows any company with a Xerox printer to scan paper documents and immediately sign these documents digitally on their Xerox device. A huge effort saver, which will for sure help the Xerox clients to digitize any document still received on paper. Guillaume Tilleul, CEO of Myworkplatform proudly explains: Despite the rise in popularity of digital documents, printing solutions are often very obsolete. Xerox is now the first company in the world to offer such an innovative solution to sign documents digitally on a printer. How does it work? As of today, the Mywork E-Sign application will be available in the Xerox App Gallery for download. After downloading, the new e-signature application will automatically be installed on the Xerox printer. Ready to use in a 1-2-3 set-up. When receiving a paper document, it can easily be scanned on the Xerox printer. The employee will have the choice to immediately sign the document in the Mywork E-Sign application or he can send it out for signature to one or more signers. In the Mywork E-sign application, different signing methods with various security levels can be chosen depending on the type of documents, the given user experience and the associated risks. As a result, there is no need any more to manually sign, scan and print documents. The complete signature flow is managed digitally from the Xerox printer and the signed documents can be immediately archived in the cloud. This innovative solution is available for small and medium-sized businesses as well as large companies. Myworkplatform also offers a set of professional services to integrate the electronic signature in your signature flows directly by using the Myworkplatform webservices. Mywork E-sign was developed by Myworkplatform in close collaboration with Connective For the Mywork E-sign functionality, Myworkplatform chose to use the eSignatures solution of Connective. The eSignatures solution of Connective meets and exceeds some of the most stringent USA, EU, and global security standards: GDPR, eIDAS, UETA Act, e-Sign Act. That way we can ensure that the documents cannot be altered with or falsified. Nevertheless, Connective always builds their solutions with user experience at the core, allowing us to offer the highest level of security without compromising on usability. concludes Guillaume Tilleul. Magali Biron, Head of Alliances & Marketing agrees: At Connective it is all about enabling our clients and providing them with the right solutions to realize their digital transformation, a vision we share with Myworkplatform and Xerox. The launch of Mywork E-Sign fully matches this vision as it allows all Xerox clients to digitally sign their documents with a legally binding signature, all from their printer. About Myworkplatform Myworkplatform is one of the nine Xerox Certified Personal Builder (PAB) developers in the world and has a long-time experience in offering ready-to-use or custom build solutions on Xerox printers since 2015. Their mission is to get the most out of any Xerox printer and deliver each employee a seamless user experience, regardless of his job. More information on https://www.myworkplatform.com Press contacts: Guillaume Tilleul, CEO of Myworkplatform Tel.: +32 484 88 58 71 E-mail: gti@myworkplatform.net About Connective About Connective Connective, founded in 2014, has rapidly become a reference in the field of Digital Transaction Management (combining: digital identity, smart document generation and digital signatures). The ScaleUp offers solutions to digitize document-driven processes and easily sign documents digitally. Companies such as BNP Paribas, ING Bank, AG Insurance, Belgian Mobile ID (Itsme), Nuon, Talentsoft, Toyota, Engie, Ramsay, Grant Thornton, DELA, Pirelli, Bank Delen and many others firmly believe in the solution offered by Connective. The company counts more than 50 employees and has its HQ in Antwerp (BE) and subsidiaries in Amsterdam (NL) and Paris (FR). More information on http://www.connective.eu Press contacts: Lotte Van Deyck, Marketing & Communications for Connective Tel.: +32 470 93 02 55 E-mail: lotte.vandeyck@connective.eu Formulated for use in sealers for fasteners and window fittings, ProHere E 00017, provides lubricity and enhanced corrosion resistance on electroplated metal. Michelman has introduced the newest addition to its line of ProHere waterborne polymer dispersions and emulsions for use in metal coatings. Formulated for use in sealers for fasteners and window fittings, ProHere E 00017, provides lubricity and enhanced corrosion resistance on electroplated metal. Used at a low dry film thickness (DFT 0.5 7 ), ProHere E 00017, exhibits excellent adhesion to a variety of metals including cold-rolled, electroplated, and hot-dipped galvanized steel. Easily stripped from plating racks with a hot alkali solution, it contributes to metal preservation through its water, solvent, and acid resistance. This new material performed well in several areas including salt spray tests, consistent COF measurements, and gloss. It is suitable for plating applications in many segments, including automotive and construction applications. Michelmans production facilities in the Americas, Europe, and Asia ensure a reliable local supply of ProHere E 00017 throughout the world. Michelman representatives will be available to discuss ProHere E 00017 in booth #207 at the Eastern Coatings Show held May 13-15, 2019 at Harrahs Resort in Atlantic City, New Jersey. I feel humbled by the industries and people we serve and am honored to call so many of them my dearest friends. Ohio Lumex, a global leader in environmental and process monitoring equipment and services, is celebrating its 20th Anniversary in 2019. In an era of new regulations, process optimization, and risk management, Ohio Lumex has reached two decades of innovation and growth. Founded in 1999 by Joseph Siperstein, the companys President, Ohio Lumex quickly established itself as a mercury monitoring expert with the introduction of the RA-915 Mercury Analyzer to the U.S. market. The RA-915 was critical in measuring low levels of mercury in ambient air at spill sites and soon became the industry standard. Following the success of the RA-915 and the introduction of the Clean Air Mercury Rule, Ohio Lumex made significant technological advancements in mercury measurement technology for compliance with US EPA regulations, including sorbent traps, sorbent trap analyzers, and continuous emissions monitors (CEMs). These innovations led to commercial implementation and rapid growth of the company. I am incredibly proud of the people who have helped build this company into what it is today, said Joseph Siperstein. What started as a company in my garage, has grown into a team of more than 50 skilled engineers, chemists, expert technicians, and business professionals. I feel humbled by the industries and people we serve and am honored to call so many of them my dearest friends. Over the last ten years, Ohio Lumex has expanded its emissions analysis and monitoring capabilities to include a multitude of methods for various gas components, become the market leader in gas sampling technology and analysis, added an in-house NELAP Accredited Analytical Laboratory, and continues to work with regulatory agencies and industry partners to improve upon existing, and develop new, monitoring technologies and analysis methods. With a constant drive for innovation and a paramount focus on quality and customer satisfaction, I truly believe in less costly and more robust analytical instrumentation development for emissions measurements throughout the world, Siperstein continued. About Ohio Lumex: Ohio Lumex has been a leader in providing environmental emissions testing and support services, including analytical instrumentation, laboratory services, and field testing and consultation for 20 years. More information is available at the companys website, http://www.ohiolumex.com. OpenIO, an innovator in open source object storage, today announced that it has signed a distribution agreement with TwoFive, Inc., a leading Japanese security solutions provider. The distribution agreement enables OpenIO to expand the footprint of their object storage solution in Japan. TwoFive, Inc. not only develops end-to-end messaging and messaging security solutions, but also provides a wide range of storage-based solutions for Japanese service providers and large enterprises. TwoFives partnership with OpenIO will allow the company to offer a comprehensive solution to the Japanese market that includes OpenIO SDS, a robust open-source object storage system. OpenIO SDS includes a unique Conscience technology that provides smart and dynamic placement policies. This means that customers can easily scale without the need to re-balance their data, and at a lower TCO. It also simplifies the deployment in on-premise or cloud environments, and because OpenIO SDS is hardware agnostic, it allows for a flexible expansion model. OpenIOs CEO Laurent Denel said, We are excited to grow our presence in Japan, and the TwoFive partnership demonstrates our commitment to this market. Working with TwoFive give us access to a nation-wide distribution network through multiple Japanese Tier 1 system integrators. Data is a key asset for our customers, and we are very pleased to be able to offer our Japanese customers a reliable, scalable, open source object storage solution, says Nobuhiro Suemasa, CEO of TwoFive, Inc. OpenIO and TwoFive will exhibit together at the Japan IT Week, from 8 10 May 2019. Visit us at the Data Storage Expo in the West Hall, booth W6 32. About TwoFive, Inc. TwoFive, Inc. is specialized in the security, design, and development of large-scale messaging infrastructure for fixed-line and mobile operators in Japan. The company was founded in 2014 by a dedicated team of messaging security experts who have deployed numerous platforms in Japans largest ISPs, ASPs, and mobile operators. The company has a very strong distribution network throughout Japan, including multiple Tier 1 system integrators. TwoFive provides system design, construction, security technologies, and implementation services, as well as custom messaging software development. For more information, please visit twofive25.com TwoFive Media contact: Tomoko Taniguchi +81 3 5704 9948 tomoko(at)twofive25(dot)com About OpenIO OpenIO brings the future of object storage to businesses of all sizes today. It offers the most flexible and versatile solution to solve the scale-out challenges businesses face, from terabytes to thousands of petabytes. This open-source solution provides a new way to build backend services for applications, allowing companies to combine storage and integrated data processing on a single platform. Visit us at http://www.openio.io OpenIO: Next-Generation Object Storage. Flexible. Smart. Fast. OpenIO media contact: Stacie Desplanques +33 6 37 10 30 13 stacie(dot)desplanques(at)openio(dot)io OptConnect, a leader in the managed wireless connectivity industry, today announced that their Customer Care Center has been honored with a Gold Stevie in the Customer Service Team of the Year category in the 17th annual American Business Awards. The American Business Awards are the U.S.A.'s premier business awards program. OptConnect President and CEO Chris Baird said, "I am so proud of the team and this unique accomplishment. The driving force behind our Customer Care Center is that it's no longer good enough to have happy and satisfied customers. We believe, and have bet our business, on a philosophy that we should be aiming to create raving fans out of every customer and do it at every customer interaction. We can't prevent every situation that results in a technical support call, but we have chosen to be intentional about what level of service we provide, how we provide it and most importantly, how our customers feel if they're ever in a situation where they need to call on us." OptConnect's Customer Care Center offers 24/7 support, 365 days a year. The team consists of technical experts that work to resolve issues quickly and efficiently. In 2018 alone, the team resolved over 45,000 cases. This team works around the clock to understand, diagnose, and troubleshoot OptConnect devices across all of the different industries the company is involved in. "Our customer care team shows an amazing level of commitment and passion in helping our customers," said TJ Carter, Director of Customer Care. "It's very gratifying to work with an awesome group of people who genuinely put 100% effort into their jobs." More than 3,800 nominations from organizations of all sizes and in virtually every industry were submitted this year for consideration. "The nominations submitted to The 2019 American Business Awards were outstanding. They illustrate the continued vibrancy of innovation and high level of achievement across the American economic landscape," said Michael Gallagher, President and Founder of the Stevie Awards. Nicknamed the Stevies for the Greek word meaning "crowned," the awards will be presented to winners at a gala ceremony at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York on Tuesday, June 11. Details about The American Business Awards and the list of 2019 Stevie winners are available at http://www.StevieAwards.com/ABA. For more information about OptConnect, please visit http://www.optconnect.com. About the Stevie Awards Stevie Awards are conferred in seven programs: the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, the German Stevie Awards, The American Business Awards, The International Business Awards, the Stevie Awards for Women in Business, the Stevie Awards for Great Employers, and the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service. Stevie Awards competitions receive more than 12,000 entries each year from organizations in more than 70 nations. Honoring organizations of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide. Learn more about the Stevie Awards at http://www.StevieAwards.com. About OptConnect OptConnect is an industry leader in the managed wireless connectivity space, based out of Kaysville, Utah. Primary Internet of Things (IoT) markets for OptConnect include ATMs, self-service kiosks, micro-markets, and digital signage. The company's solution focuses on providing safe, secure, reliable, and affordable connectivity by using a combination of proprietary device configurations, cloud-based remote monitoring software, and tight integration with cellular carriers. Additional information is available at http://www.optconnect.com. PayLease, a leading PropTech provider for the property management and Homeowner Association (HOA) industry, today announced it has acquired Zego, the hub for smarter apartment living. Backed by Vista Equity Partners (Vista), a leading technology investment firm focused on enterprise software, data, and technology-enabled businesses, PayLease was recently named to Deloittes 2018 Technology Fast 500 list. The company offers online payments, resident billing, and utility expense management tools to property management companies and serves more than 4,500 property management companies and 12.5 million units nationwide. Through this acquisition, Zegos technology will be integrated into PayLeases best-in-breed Payments, Resident Billing, and Utility Management platform to enable residents to pay rent & utilities, submit work orders, communicate with staff, receive package notifications, access third-party tenant services, and more via one consolidated mobile app. We recognize that our clients are in need of platform-agnostic, resident-centric technologies that drive increased resident satisfaction and improve operational efficiency, said Dirk Wakeham, CEO of PayLease. We look forward to providing additional value to management companies by offering a fully-featured, best-in-class engagement platform that will allow them to increase resident satisfaction and retention, improve resident communications, automate inefficient processes, and reduce vacant unit costs. The Zego platform also integrates smart home devices into the mobile app. Residents who utilize this functionality receive unparalleled convenience and ease-of-use, as they can easily control their apartments smart devices. Whether locking or unlocking doors, controlling lights, adjusting their thermostat, or getting advice from Millie, an artificial intelligence powered personal assistant, residents can perform all these functions through a branded app. This news validates the importance of smart home technology for the multifamily space, as well as Zego's technology, and we're thrilled to be part of PayLease, said Adam Blake, co-founder and CEO of Zego. PayLease shares our entrepreneurial spirit and desire to be at the forefront of innovation in our industry. The partnership confirms the market leadership Zego has built and will allow us to continue to innovate the multifamily industry together. PayLease is the most well-known payments company in the property management industry, and this news speaks to the companys focus on enhancing their offerings with new capabilities and innovative technologies, said Marc Teillon, Principal at Vista Equity Partners and Co-Head of the Vista Foundation Fund. About PayLease PayLease provides online payments, billing, and utility expense management tools to HOAs and property management companies. Property managers use PayLease to improve their business operational efficiencies and boost net operating income. Our solutions are easy to use and are bolstered by the highest levels of security and customer support. Since our inception in 2003, PayLease has grown to serve thousands of property management companies nationwide and is now among the fastest growing technology companies in the United States. For more information, please visit http://www.PayLease.com. About Zego Zego is the hub for smarter apartment living. Built by real estate experts and backed by artificial intelligence, Zego enhances multifamily communities by integrating smart home devices with a single app that connects residents with management, maintenance and a marketplace for local services. Zego improves operational efficiencies and generates additional revenue for owners and managers, while improving apartment living for residents. For more information, visit https://www.zego.io. About Vista Equity Partners Vista Equity Partners is a U.S.-based investment firm with offices in Austin, Chicago, New York City, Oakland, and San Francisco with more than $46 billion in cumulative capital commitments. Vista exclusively invests in enterprise software, data, and technology-enabled organizations led by world-class management teams. As a value-added investor with a long-term perspective, Vista contributes professional expertise and multi-level support towards companies to realize their full potential. Vista's investment approach is anchored by a sizable long-term capital base, experience in structuring technology-oriented transactions, and proven management techniques that yield flexibility and opportunity. For more information, please visit http://www.vistaequitypartners.com. Our global network locations are strategically selected to support the location-based IT needs of our customers in Europe and those in the U.S. that would like to expand to Europe. As a major metro area and an IT hub, Milan will give a significant boost to our high-speed network. phoenixNAP, a global IT services provider offering security-focused cloud infrastructure, dedicated servers, colocation, and specialized Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) technology solutions, today announced the establishment of a new network point of presence (PoP) in Milan, Italy. With the Milan node, phoenixNAP brings its European presence to a total of six locations, two of which are full service production nodes Amsterdam, The Netherlands and Belgrade, Serbia. The Milan location follows the recent addition of network nodes in Warsaw, Poland; Madrid, Spain; and Sydney, Australia. These nodes enable phoenixNAP to provide connectivity into all major European and global interconnectivity points, ensuring maximum network speeds and low latency for its customers. With data center and PoP locations in the U.S., Europe, Asia, and Australia, phoenixNAP has a robust network footprint across the globe. "The launch of the Milan node is another important milestone in our European expansion," said Ian McClarty, President of phoenixNAP. "Our global network locations are strategically selected to support the location-based IT needs of our customers in Europe and those in the U.S. that would like to expand to Europe. As a major metro area and an IT hub, Milan will give a significant boost to our high-speed network. Providing access to all major European and global fiber routes, Milan is one of the most significant network hubs in Italy. This strategic new node is a significant extension of phoenixNAPs global data center network that now includes 14 locations across the globe. Such a geographic distribution ensures 100% uptime across locations and offers 2.35 Tbps of connectivity between data centers. Global organizations can leverage this capacity to achieve uptime, resiliency, and security for their critical workloads. Current IT needs increasingly rely on geographical distribution and we are proud to support the organizations we work with in that respect, said William Bell, Executive Vice President of Products at phoenixNAP. The launch of the Milan node marks another step on our journey to expanding our global footprint and we will be adding further strategic locations in the following months. phoenixNAP is a Premier Service Provider in the VMware Cloud Provider Program and a Platinum Veeam Cloud & Service Provider partner. phoenixNAP is also a PCI DSS Validated Service Provider and its flagship facility is SOC Type 1 and SOC Type 2 audited. About phoenixNAP phoenixNAP is a global IT services provider with a focus on cybersecurity and compliance-readiness, whose progressive Infrastructure-as-a-Service solutions are delivered from strategic edge locations worldwide. Its cloud, dedicated servers, hardware leasing, and colocation options are built to meet always evolving IT businesses requirements. Providing comprehensive disaster recovery solutions, DDoS-protected global network, hybrid IT deployments with software and hardware-based security, phoenixNAP fully supports its clients business continuity planning. Offering scalable and resilient opex solutions with expert staff to assist, phoenixNAP supports growth and innovation in businesses of any size enabling their digital transformation. PPOA hires four new Laser Spine Institute spine practitioners "We are pleased to partner with these incredible providers to allow them the ability to continue extending their level of expertise and incredible outcomes to our Physician Partners of America patients as well as new patients seeking help." -PPOA COO Josh Helms Physician Partners of America is proud to announce it has added four Laser Spine Institute providers: three minimally invasive laser spine surgeons and a consulting physician. Surgeons Stefan Prada, M.D.; Keith Girton, M.D.; and Brett Menmuir, M.D., have joined former Laser Spine Institute surgeon James St. Louis, D.O., in performing minimally invasive laser-assisted procedures to treat chronic pain. Another former Laser Spine Institute provider, Jennifer Bowser, DC, offers patient consultations, the same position she held at LSI. She recently led her first laser spine seminar for PPOA in St. Petersburg, Fla., and will hold a patient consult in the Sun City Center retirement community south of Tampa. We are pleased to partner with these incredible providers to allow them the ability to continue extending their level of expertise and incredible outcomes to our Physician Partners of America patients as well as new patients seeking help, says PPOA Chief Operating Officer Josh Helms. We are proud to be a leader in providing solutions to the opioid crisis and improving patients lives. Dr. St. Louis, the surgical founder of Laser Spine Institute, has been director of PPOAs Minimally Invasive Spine Group since January 2018. Laser Spine Institute, a national spine care company, closed its doors on March 1 amidst rumored financial troubles. More than 500 employees suddenly found themselves out of work and patients were left stranded, including those who had scheduled procedures. Physician Partners of America immediately reached out to help, holding a career fair for displaced LSI workers and hiring many. It also continues to treat former Laser Spine Institute patients. The hiring of the additional doctors brings to six the number of spine providers serving chronic paint patients at PPOA in Florida and Texas. Dr. St. Louis performs procedures primarily in the Tampa Bay, Florida region. Dr. Prada primarily performs procedures in Central and South Florida, while Dr. Menmuir works primarily in South Florida. Dr. Keith Girton will handle both spine and interventional pain management patients along Floridas east coast. Dr. Bowser handles consultations where needed. Phillip Kravetz, M.D., a pioneer in the minimally invasive spine surgery field, practices in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas. Interested chronic pain sufferers and and former Laser Spine Institute patients can make an appointment by calling 855-25-LASER (855-255-2737). After Image - Yellow Prom Dress. On April 6th, 2019, the Johnson Public Library held a special event featuring over a thousand donated formal gowns on their way to prom. Unfortunately, a week before their big debut the library experienced a slight issue. Some of the gowns suffered slight water damage. To remediate the situation, the library staff knew they could count on Hallak Cleaners. The cleaners restoration team are experts in handling situations such as water damage. In fact, they are a trusted name among insurance carriers for post-construction, fire and smoke damage as well. The damaged gowns were saved and ready for their night out - and the restoration services were donated compliments of Hallak. About twenty gowns required a thorough cleaning or restoration. All water-damaged dresses were thoroughly inspected, spot-cleaned, cleaned, finished and then a final inspection. Several of the gowns journey at Hallak were documented. By saving these garments, it means that they were sure to find a happy home soon enough. Prom season is a special time for so many teens. For some, it can be a stressful time due to money and outside obligations; however, prom night should be that one special moment where a teen gets to be a teen. The Johnson Public Library provided a wonderful solution for teens needing a little help from the community. The library reached out to nine other local libraries to be part of the collection process. Other participating libraries were Closter, Demarest, Glen Rock, Old Tappan, Paramus, Ramsey, Township of Washington, Waldwick and Wyckoff. After the event, Hallak Cleaners checked in with Laurie Meeske, Community Relations and Outreach Librarian (Johnson Public Library). She stated that nearly fifty young ladies attended and everyone left with something. Along with prom dresses, there were donated shawls, purses and jewelry to choose from. Some of the restored gowns found a new home that day. Hallak is happy to hear that they were able to be part of such an important event. Operation Prom collected any remaining dresses; they will continue to be offered at future giveaway events throughout New Jersey.This years Operation Prom was a success and the future looks bright. Coveo Impact brings together leaders from nearly every industry to share their stories of how AI-powered relevance has transformed their organization." - Louis Tetu, Coveo Chairman and CEO Coveo, the leader in AI-powered business solutions, today confirmed keynote line-ups for its third annual community event, Coveo Impact, taking place from May 22 to 24 in San Francisco. This years theme,Relevance Rising, reflects the realities that people expect real-time, individualized content wherever and whenever they interact with companies - on web sites, apps, stores, and intranets - and that the only way to meet those expectations is with artificial intelligence. Becoming relevant in every interaction is now imperative for companies to compete in todays economy, delivering a million experiences to a million people, moving from personas to persons. More than 400 customers, partners, analysts and industry leaders are expected to attend to be inspired by what they can do with artificial intelligence, connect with industry-leading AI, CX and DX experts and enhance their knowledge of how to transform digital experiences with machine learning and artificial intelligence. Brendan Witcher, Vice President and Principal Analyst of Digital Business Strategy with Forrester Research, will deliver a keynote entitled Personalization Redefined: How Individualization is the New Bar for Relevance. Witcher serves digital business strategy professionals and is an expert on consumer behavior and technology trends in the commerce engagement space. He will explore the key pillars supporting the next evolution of personalization and why going beyond segmentation to individualization is required to win the loyalty of todays digitally savvy consumer. This years event brings together leaders from nearly every industry to share their stories of how AI-powered relevance has transformed their organization, said Louis Tetu, Coveo Chairman and CEO. As more and more organizations realize how revolutionary relevance is in todays digital economy, as well as the transforming power of AI to tailor digital experiences, its exciting to bring our community together to share our challenges, solutions and lessons learned. Tetu will deliver the opening keynote: Relevance Rising: Competing in the AI-Takes-All Economy, joined onstage by Rosalind Litchfield, Vice President of Product Management at Salesforce, and Peter Cook, Vice President of Digital Transformation, F5 Networks. Tetu will share why an AI-powered relevance transformation strategy is imperative for companies that aspire to grow sales faster, improve customer satisfaction, and make employees more proficient. Coveo Chief Technology Officer, President and Co-Founder Laurent Simoneau will also deliver a keynote, Relevance Everywhere: The Coveo Platform Vision, to share the present and future of Coveos AI-powered relevance platform. Dan Cornwell, Director of eCommerce and Digital Experience at Famous Footwear, and Nigel Piper, Executive General Manager of Customer Success at Xero, will join him for the discussion. A selection of other notable speakers on the agenda include: Ron Runyon, Vice President, Support Services, F5 Networks Jamie Battin, Digital Experience Director, Ellucian Dave Jobling, Senior Program Manager, User Experience, Tableau Software View the full list at impact.coveo.com/speakers. Coveo Chief Marketing Officer Mark Floisand will host a final panel keynote session on the next generation of customer experience titled, If Relevance is the Future, What Do You Need to Do Today? alongside Brad Smith, Founder and President of Vector Business Navigation; Kimberly Ray, Senior Manager of Global Customer Experience, Teradata; among others. Coveo will also honor three customers and one partner at the event for their unprecedented achievements in delivering relevant user experiences and achieving critical business outcomes. Jennifer MacIntosh, Vice President, Customer Experience at Coveo, will present the awards to three customers and one partner. To learn more about Coveo Impact 2019 and to register, please visit impact.coveo.com. About Coveo Make business personal. Coveo uses AI and intelligent search and recommendations technologies to personalize millions of digital experiences for millions of customers, partners, dealers, and employees. Coveo combines unified content, unified interactions and machine learning to deliver relevant information and recommendations across every business interaction, making websites, ecommerce, contact centers, intranets and digital properties and apps effortless, content-rich and effective. Coveo is also embedded in many leading business applications from vendors including Salesforce, Sitecore, ServiceNow, Dynamics and more. Coveo partners with the worlds largest enterprise technology players and has more than 1,500 activations in mid-to-large sized global organizations across multiple industries. Stay up to date on the latest Coveo news and content by subscribing to the Coveo blog, and following Coveo on LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube. RIMBA members worked to remove staging, clear debris, and connect rafters to ceiling joints necessary tasks to help bring the construction project into its next phase. Mortgage, banking, and finance professionals from Rhode Island Mortgage Bankers Association (RIMBA) rolled up their sleeves to help South County Habitat for Humanity (SCHH) bring a home construction project into its next phase. Volunteers arrived at the site on an early May morning to help two Rhode Island families secure affordable housing at a time when rents in the state continue to rise. Association members and other volunteers surrounded the modest-sized duplex to remove staging, clear debris, and connect rafters to ceiling joists. Volunteers were excited to start working as soon as they arrived, especially after SCHH Executive Director Colin Penney gave a stirring speech about the need for affordable housing. It is a good feeling to come out and help people who need affordable housing, said Patrick Deady, President of RIMBA and Senior Vice President and Director of Residential and Consumer Lending at Bank Five. There is power in numbers, and it is amazing to see how much we were able to accomplish. Deady explained that the average rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Rhode Island in 2018 exceeded $1,400 a month. The two families that will occupy the home in Exeter will pay a mortgage closer to $600 a month. The beauty of Habitat for Humanity is that you are able to buy a home that would have otherwise been out of reach for many households, said Thomas Fleming, who is a member of RIMBAs Executive Board and serves as an ambassador for the association. In order to afford the average rent in Rhode Island, Fleming says, families would need to earn around $59,000 a year. People looking for houses like this are not earning anywhere near that amount, Fleming added. The home is scheduled to be completed in July, and it is expected to provide stability for two single mothers and their children. One of the mothers, Rebecca, told SCHH she is excited and grateful about the chance to own a home. Now my son dreams of his new home, she said of her 13-year-old who is looking forward to playing in the yard and having a more stable school situation. Jessica, the other SCHH future homeowner, said she is relieved that she will not have to uproot her daughters life when the rent increases again. I cant wait to not have to move again, Jessica said. Jay Shartenberg, Director of Operations at SCHH, explained that Habitat for Humanity would not be able to help families without the support of volunteers and groups like RIMBA. Having volunteers allows us to build homes without having a labor cost, Shartenberg said. An advocate for sensible policies that benefit Rhode Island consumers and mortgage professionals, RIMBA made a commitment to support the non-profit since the groups missions align with each other in strengthening Rhode Island communities. Spreading pride of homeownership is another reason why RIMBA plans to continue supporting SCHH, Deady explained. These projects give families something they possess, and gives them an opportunity to own something that they can resell later, with some restrictions, Deady said. We work with a vast network of professionals in the real estate industry that are all dedicated to improving the housing market. More importantly, we want our members to leave with a renewed sense to continue advocating for consumers, Deady explained. RIMBA members from a range of companies participated at the event including Appraisal Solutions, Bank Five, Birchwood Credit, Equity National Title, Flagstar Bank, Home Loan Investment Bank, Pawtucket Credit Union, Province Mortgage, Rhode Island Housing, Shamrock Financial, Washington Trust, and a retiree from AAA. The law firm of Partridge Snow & Hahn also participated in the event. Fleming is optimistic there will be more opportunities for RIMBA to support home buyers as the association continues to advocate for policies that have consumers and mortgage professionals in mind. The home is located diagonally across 675 Ten Rod Road in Exeter, R.I. About Rhode Island Mortgage Bankers Association The Rhode Island Mortgage Bankers Association is dedicated to promoting and sustaining responsible home lending in Rhode Island. The mortgage association has over 90 corporate members, which represent thousands of mortgage lenders throughout the state who help businesses and people secure mortgages. As part of its overarching plan to create a better housing market, RIMBA regularly promotes educational initiatives, addresses legislative challenges, and strives to cultivate membership growth. For more information about RIMBA, visit: https://rimba.org. "A common mistake is a lack of transparency about the reality of your spending habits." - Sharon Bloodworth Sharon Bloodworth, CEO, CFP of White Oaks Wealth Advisors contributes regularly to the Forbes Finance Council. In this article she shares her thoughts regarding what are avoidable wealth management mistakes many people make. Sharon asserts, "A common mistake is a lack of transparency about the reality of your spending habits. It is most likely that you will continue to need to spend in retirement what you are spending now." This is sage advice, considering one of the variables that people have the most control over when doing wealth planning is spending and it can make or break a plan. Sharon uses this concept in her daily practice, counselling clients on what their true spending number is in order to back into what is a realistic savings goal would be. She has made it her mission to help clients realize their personal goals. White Oaks is a boutique, high touch, high net worth and multi family office advising and investment firm. It is one of the largest 100% woman-owned registered investment advisory firms in Minnesota. She manages over $400 million in assets including $350 million in privately held funds for accredited and super accredited clients. She is a strong advocate for her clients in all areas of their financial life including helping her key public and private c-suite clients negotiate in and out of their companies. She is also CEO of an investment management firm, White Oaks Investment Management, located in Longboat Key, FL. Her firm was named by CNBC as one of the top 100 fee-only firms in the country. She was honored as a 2013 Top Women in Business and a 2010 Forty under 40 recipient by the Minneapolis St. Paul Business Journal. She has been quoted in CBS Money Watch, USA Weekend, MSN Money, The Financial Times Advisor IQ, Forbes.com, Glamour and CNN Money. She speaks at conferences and to CEO groups on market and economic issues, wealth planning and how to better prepare your next generation. She is currently writing a book on how not to ruin your children with money. Sharon has worked in the financial services industry for over 25 years working at Lord Abbett in New York City, American Express Financial Advisors and White Oaks. Born in the UK, she has lived and studied in Africa, Asia and Europe and speaks multiple languages. In 2007 Sharon funded the rebuilding of a Kindergarten in Indonesia she named after her daughter Sophias Sunshine School. It is her goal to build nine more and bring meaningful economic improvement to the area. Sharon is an active member of the Minneapolis community. She is a board member of Minnesota Opera and serves on the investment committee and as secretary of the board. In Rotary she is the Past President of Rotary Club 9, chair of the Global Grants Committee and chaired the district-wide conference in 2014 and 2018 for their 2,000 members. Sharon has been the chair of the 2015-2018 Valentine Gala committee at the Minneapolis Club. Sharon is also an avid member of Vistage a CEO peer-to-peer group. She led the effort to create an award program to name the top CEO in Minnesota in 2017 and 2018. SherWeb, a global cloud services provider and winner of several Microsoft awards and industry recognitions, announced today it was joining forces with Pulsar360, a premier VoIP service company. Company CEO Peter Cassar said the move would allow SherWeb to expand its presence in the booming market for Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP). Weve been interested in expanding our presence in this market for some time now, said Cassar. The experience and know-how that Pulsar360 brings to the table is invaluable and completely aligned with our vision. The move will scale SherWebs presence in the market and it will allow Pulsar360 to leverage the resources of one of North Americas leading cloud distributors. Business as Usual Under the terms of the transaction, which is effective today, Pulsar360 will remain an independent company. No changes will be made to the company name, staff, services and solutions or technical support. The announcement coincides with the retirement this year of Pulsar360s President and CEO Michael Dozier and Executive Vice-President Gerald Smurlick, after 8 years at the helm of the company and more than four decades in the industry. Its business as usual, said former COO and new President Michael Williams. The big difference is that Pulsar360 will now have access to a whole new set of resources and capabilities. This partnership will allow us to provide even better solutions and services to our partners and customers. Founded in 2001, Pulsar360 is one of the oldest VoIP service companies in North America and an early proponent of cloud technology in the communications industry. The company currently provides services to over 1200 customers. The acquisition by SherWeb comes at an ideal time. A recent report by Zion Market Research has predicted that the global market for VoIP services is expected to reach $140 billion by 2021. Blue Beacon Capital served as the exclusive financial advisor to SherWeb throughout this transaction. About Pulsar360 Pulsar 360 is a Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) provider, offering comprehensive voice, data, and cloud-based solutions. Pulsar360 has one of the lowest attrition rates in the industry and has received numerous awards and recognition, having been recognized as one of the 30 Fabulous Companies of the Year 2018; Number 20 of the 150 Fastest Growing companies in the telecom sector; Product of the Year Award in 2017, 2018, & 2019; one of the top 10 UCaaS providers in the United States; and the Hosted VoIP Award of Excellence in 2016 & 2017. For more information visit http://www.pulsar360.com About SherWeb SherWeb is a leading cloud distributor that helps its resellers be more successful by offering a unique platform and wide range of cloud services. Managed Service Providers use SherWebs platform to select, provision and manage cloud solutions for their clients. They can also take advantage of SherWebs award-winning technical support. Our automation, billing, integrations and marketing programs help our partners work more efficiently. SherWeb currently has more than 5,000 partners and over 50,000 customers in about 100 countries. For more information, visit: http://www.sherweb.com/partners The Community Advisory Board will be comprised of nominees from the SF Supervisors and at-large seats by application. Riders and non-riders from across San Francisco are invited to apply. Individuals with particular insight--such as disability advocates, bike riders, individuals from underserved neighborhoods-- are especially encouraged to apply. Applications due May 12th, 2019, selected Board Members to be notified May 14th, 2019. Application can be found here. Skip is dedicated to serving the public and aims to evolve in a way that is positive and beneficial for the whole community. Skip encourages any interested community members to apply or nominate individuals for at-large positions to promote Skip's successful integration in San Francisco. About Skip Skip operates fleets of shared stand-up electric scooters for last-mile transportation. Focusing foremost on safety and responsibility, Skip educates and trains riders to consider bicyclists, pedestrians, those with disabilities, and local businesses both in how they ride and where they park. Trained teams of local technicians, assisted by industry-leading technology, maintain and repair Skips vehicles. By offering a sustainable alternative to short car trips and connecting riders to public transit, Skip is helping cities solve environmental and transportation issues. The Skip team has been working on last-mile transportation for nearly a decade, and developed the worlds first portable electric vehicle. Skips backers include Accel, Menlo Ventures, Initialized Capital, A Capital, and Y Combinator. We are seeing more businesses look to the cloud for an affordable and secure way to deploy virtual desktops says Emanuel Pirker, CEO of Stratodesk. NoTouch fulfills the need for an advanced, zero-attack surface and hardware agnostic OS and endpoint management solution for Nutanixs Xi Frame. Stratodesk, a Nutanix alliance partner and a leader in end user computing, announced today that it will be exhibiting at Nutanixs annual .NEXT conference in Anaheim. Located at booth B12, they will be giving attendees an inside look at NoTouch Desktop the endpoint OS and management solution for organizations using Nutanixs Xi Frame, a leader in Desktop-as-a-Service. Stratodesk is excited to demonstrate how its flagship product, NoTouch Desktop, is the perfect complement for enterprises using Nutanixs Xi Frame. The companys team of knowledge tech professionals will be present at the booth. Attendees will be able to learn from the presenters how Stratodesk software unlocks unparalleled security and savings benefits for enterprises and organizations across multiple industries. We are seeing more businesses look to the cloud for an affordable and secure way to deploy virtual desktops says Emanuel Pirker, CEO of Stratodesk. NoTouch fulfills the need for an advanced, zero-attack surface and hardware agnostic OS and endpoint management solution for Nutanixs Xi Frame. .NEXT is the only industry conference dedicated to the latest in datacenter and enterprise cloud technologies. This year, the conference is coming to Anaheim, California and features 100+ unique sessions to inspire and inform IT professionals. While at the event, attendees will be able to attend sessions to become educated about hyper-converged infrastructure, hybrid Clouds, cloud automation, IoT and more. This years conference will be held on May 7-9 at the Anaheim Convention Center. Strategic acquisitions enable us to deliver a more customized product and optimized customer experience through local expertise, while growing our global market share, said Jeff Berger, CEO & founder of Talent Inc., which offers a suite of three brands: TopResume, TopInterview, and TopCV. Talent Inc., the global leader in technology-enabled career services, today announced the acquisition of the assets of CV Knowhow, a Manchester-based provider of CV-writing services to job seekers living in the UK. The news follows Talent Inc.s recent launch of TopCV.de, signifying the companys European expansion and first German-language offering. Strategic acquisitions enable us to deliver a more customized product and optimized customer experience through local expertise, while growing our global market share, said Jeff Berger, CEO & founder of Talent Inc., which offers a suite of three brands: TopResume, TopInterview, and TopCV. By acquiring CV Knowhow, we can deepen our knowledge of local best practices and recruitment processes to better serve those candidates seeking to land their next job in the UK, as well as other countries where CVs are customary. Acquiring CV Knowhow enables Talent Inc. to bolster its current offerings from TopCV, the largest CV-writing service in the world, which writes and analyzes more than one million CVs and LinkedIn profiles each year. Job seekers work directly with professional writers and industry experts to redefine their personal brand and stand out from the crowd during the job-search process. Its been a privilege to work with the great team at CV Knowhow, said Shaun Kirk, founder and CTO of CV Knowhow, following the acquisition. After investment from 360 Resourcing in 2015, CV Knowhow has successfully grown to be the UKs market-leading, CV-writing service, and its great to know that the brand will now be under the stewardship of the global market leader in career services. Additionally, Talent Inc.s acquisition announcement this week aligns with TAtechEurope, a two-day conference that brings together the EMEA community of business leaders, technology experts, content developers, sales and marketing professionals, analysts, and investors in the talent-acquisition technology industry. As part of the annual European event, Mr. Berger will serve as a panelist among other industry experts from around the world. About Talent Inc. Talent Inc. is the global leader in career services. Through its suite of brands TopResume, TopInterview, TopCV, and ResumeRabbit the company helps professionals tell the best version of their career story, enabling them to stand out from the crowd and land the right job, faster. Follow Talent Inc. on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook. "The implementation of our new website and marketing program has exceeded every one of our 2020 Year of Perfect Vision goals," said founder Bob Jennings. TaxSpeaker, a comprehensive educational consultation service that offers webinars, CPE packages, and self-study tools, has announced the launch of their new website and completely redesigned branding. A year in the making, the website is designed to be as user-friendly as possible and includes new features like one-click ordering, registering for live classes, webinar sign-ins, and more! The initiative to design a whole new web experience was a critical part of the companys 2020 Year of Perfect Vision goals. According to founder Bob Jennings, this company-wide mission begins with setting out what the year 2020 will look like in a perfect world. "Our new '2020 Year of Perfect Vision' goal recognizes that the perfect vision wont be reached, but it helps by identifying the changes necessary to get there," said founder Bob Jennings. "The implementation of our new website and marketing program has exceeded every one of our goals." TaxSpeaker approached Hatfield Media, a digital media marketing company based in Louisville, Kentucky, with the project. The final product resulted in the improvement of three key components: usability, flexibility, and speed. For CPAs looking to fulfill their CPE requirements, its now easier than ever to find a specific topic or course. Purchasing credits for CPE certifications is more flexible with the new You-Pick hour packages, where a customer can either pay per event or product or purchase a bundle of credit hours and spend however many is needed for certifications. The new site design is also more full-featured and faster than ever before. A customer can take exams, search for products, and transfer products, all in a matter of mouse clicks. With TaxSpeakers rebranding, the Hatfield Media design team introduced a completely new color scheme that communicates the companys fun approach and diverse capabilities. The new icon represents the way TaxSpeaker delivers its up-to-date product to its customers, through materials, videos, and seminars. The three colors represent the core of who TaxSpeaker is; the best in education, presentation, and resources. Taxspeaker is an education company helping financial professionals improve their practice by providing high-quality teaching via in-person and digital delivery. As the only continuing education company whose manuals have ever won the coveted CPA Practice Advisor Readers Choice Award (years 2016, 2017, 2018, & 2019), and with exceptional speakers and industry-leading expertise, Taxspeaker is the gold standard in continuing education. When Bob Jennings, a practicing CPA in Indiana with an extensive background in leading seminars and public speaking, started the company over 25 years ago, he believed that all speakers must have a regular tax practice. He also stayed true to his belief that all courses should be taught from the point of view of the local firm practitioner. These principles have carried out to this day, and the company continues to provide educational materials and resources to professionals in all 50 states, as well as several foreign countries. To learn more about TaxSpeakers packages, webinars, and seminars, visit https://taxspeaker.com/ Media Contact: Ashley Shadburne, Director of Marketing hatfieldmedia.com ashley@hatfieldmedia.com Tech Coast Angels (TCA) invested $10.8 million in a total of 53 companies in 2018. There was a diverse mix of investments: Life Sciences and Software were by far the largest sectors, followed by Internet/Apps, CleanTech/Industrial, Hardware, Financial, Consumer and Business. Angel membership for the network grew to an all-time high to reach 411 at the end of 2018. While the monetary amount of investment declined from recent years, 2018 still presented as a strong year for the angel network. Seventy-six percent (76%) of 2018s investment went to new companies, of which there were 34 second only to the record of 37 new companies in 2016. New company sectors for investment aligned very closely with all investments, with Life Sciences, Software, and Internet/Apps sectors being the most active. The largest deal in 2018 was a new deal, Tourmaline Labs, with a TCA investment of $1.6 million. TCA realized six exits in 2018. One Stop Systems exited via an initial public offering. Envision Solar exited as a private placement in an early stage public company. Three acquisitions led to exits: CaseStack, Ondax, and Ring Router. Investors in What Pumpkin Games were bought out by another shareholder. One Stop Systems 12x return (from an initial TCA investment in 2000), and CaseStacks 15x return (from an original TCA investment in 2002) are reminders that angel investments occasionally require patience and perseverance. TCA also increased its syndication activity through Angel Syndication Network (ASN), which shifted the geographic mix to 24% of investments outside of Southern California. TCAs ACE Fund has influenced this change, with 19% of the funds investment outside Southern California in the most recent fund. Eighty-nine (89%) of TCAs 2018 investments were Seed or pre-Series A rounds, including bridge funding. This is a higher mix than recent years; possibly due to interest in pursuing lower valuations in seed activity as later rounds are offering less attractive valuations in the current investment cycle. Valuations are climbing to historically uncomfortable levels, which is perhaps the key factor as to why less money was invested in 2019. Thirty-eight percent (38%) of TCAs 2018 investments were in companies with valuations below $6 million (as opposed to 69% in 2017), and TCAs investment in deals with companies valued between $6 million to $10 million grew from 29% in 2017 to 46% in 2018. The median valuation was $6.0 million in 2018, compared to $4.5 million in 2016 and 2017. 2018 shows us that there is a strong pipeline of new companies and new ideas seeking angel investment, said Grant Van Cleve, chairman of Tech Coast Angels. We recognize that we could well be facing an investment cycle nearing its end. So we advise entrepreneurs to seek investors with experience and contacts who can help you navigate challenges, and to raise as much as you can in a current round without worrying about dilution. Other observations for entrepreneurs and investors include: Dont cling to a higher expectation based on valuation averages of the last several years. Doing so may leave you accepting a down round during the coming down cycle, being underfunded or even unfunded and out of business In changing markets, VCs focus on existing portfolio companies, so have back-up plans to self-sustain your business without further investment should funding not materialize Stay focused. Spend wisely and frugally. If the next dollar you spend doesnt make for a better product or better customer experience, dont spend it Angels may want to consider selling public company stocks now to be able to take advantage of down-cycle new investments without selling those public stocks at lower prices in a downturn Access TCAs full 2018 year-end report (https://www.techcoastangels.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/TCA-Annual-Report-2018-final.pdf) for more details. The report includes a summarization of 2018, observations for the future, a list of companies added to our portfolio, and various infographics that provide greater detail. About Tech Coast Angels: Tech Coast Angels is one of the largest and most active angel investor networks in the nation, and a leading source of funding for seed-stage and early-stage companies across all innovation industries in Southern California. TCA members are accredited investors who individually invest in startup companies. Companies go through well-structured, transparent, and time efficient screening and due diligence. As founders and executive-level business leaders, TCA members provide companies with more than just capital; they also contribute counsel, mentoring and access to an extensive network of investors, customers, strategic partners and management. TCA is a catalyst in the growth of the thriving Southern California entrepreneurial ecosystem of innovation. A recent Halo Report rated TCA as #2 nationally in a number of funded deals, and a recent analysis by CB Insights ranked TCA #1 out of 370 angel groups on Network Centrality and #5 overall in Investor Mosaic. Since its founding in 1997, TCA has invested over $218 million in more than 380 companies and has helped attract more than $1.66 billion in additional capital/follow-on rounds, mostly from venture capital firms. http://www.techcoastangels.com For more information, please contact: Kimber Smith Fidler Tech Coast Angels kimber(at)smithfidler(dot)com +1 (775) 298 5260 TEKLYNX Product Manager Travis Wayne awarded a Stevie for Product Developer of the Year in the 17th Annual American Business Awards Were honored to receive an American Business Award for New Product of the Year and proud of Travis Waynes well-deserved award for Product Developer of the Year because product development is at the heart of our ability to help companies around the world work better. Doug Niemeyer, TEKLYNX GM TEKLYNX International, the worlds leading barcode and RFID labeling software developer and solutions provider, today announced it was awarded a Stevie for New Product of the Year and TEKLYNX Product Manager Travis Wayne was awarded a Stevie for Product Developer of the Year in the 17th Annual American Business Awards. More than 3,800 nominations from organizations of all sizes in virtually every industry were evaluated for this years American Business Awards competition and over 200 professionals worldwide participated in the judging process to select this years winners. TEKLYNX Internationals American Business Awards come on the cusp of the companys recent product launch, regarded as its most innovative and robust product launch to date, as the industry-leading barcode and RFID software solutions provider continues to digitally transform labeling for companies around the world. TEKLYNX credits its continued investment in software design along with a focus on developing world-class product developers with its continued success as it partners with companies of all sizes across industries to design and implement best-in-class labeling environments. TEKLYNX Product Manager Travis Wayne was recognized as Product Developer of the Year in the 2019 American Business Awards for business results stemming from his multi-faceted product development initiative which increased product development collaboration and speed-to-market while continuing to elevate the voice of customer in new product offerings. Were honored to receive an American Business Award for New Product of the Year and beyond proud of Travis Waynes well-deserved award for Product Developer of the Year because product development is at the heart of our ability to help companies around the world work better, states TEKLYNX General Manager Doug Niemeyer. To learn more about TEKLYNX visit teklynx.com. To learn more about the Stevie Awards and view the complete list of winners of the 2019 American Business Awards visit http://www.StevieAwards.com/ABA. About TEKLYNX International TEKLYNX International is the worlds leading barcode and RFID labeling software developer and solutions provider. An industry innovator for over 30 years, TEKLYNX helps companies operate smoothly and efficiently by implementing labeling solutions that streamline operations while staying ahead of industry-specific compliance and emerging regulations. TEKLYNX is world-renowned for its customer service; offering flexible purchase options, unparalleled service and support, and a comprehensive product offering that grows with companies over time. With operations in the United States, Europe, Japan, Latin America, China and Singapore, more than 750,000 companies in over 170 countries look to TEKLYNX integrated software solutions for their standard of success. Learn more by visiting teklynx.com, LinkedIn, Twitter @Teklynx, and Facebook.com/TEKLYNXInternational or call 888-629-4444. https://www.iiconsortium.org/ CIT is delighted to host the quarterly IIC meeting at our campus in Cork, and we are especially pleased to welcome members of the public to the Smart Manufacturing Forum, part of the IIC Global Event Series. The Industrial Internet Consortium (IIC), now incorporating OpenFog, announced it will present the Smart Manufacturing Forum on May 23, 2019, in partnership with two Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Research Centres Confirm and I-Form. The forum will be hosted by IIC member, Cork Institute of Technology (CIT) at their Cork, Ireland campus. During the forum, attendees will learn about trends, innovations and challenges in smart manufacturing from experts in Artificial Intelligence (AI), 3D printing, supply chain, security and industrial analytics. The Smart Manufacturing Forum will include four keynote presentations and two panel discussions. Smart manufacturing is about connecting industrial assets in a factory and the people using them with information systems and business processes, said Dr. Richard Soley, Executive Director, IIC. With insights based on data analytics, companies can make more informed decisions for transformational business outcomes. At the Smart Manufacturing Forum, technology experts and business leaders will provide their views on smart manufacturing, enabling technologies and their own practical experiences. Dr. Orla Flynn, Vice President for External Affairs at Cork Institute of Technology, welcomed IIC members to Ireland, stating, CIT is delighted to host the quarterly IIC meeting at our campus in Cork, and we are especially pleased to welcome members of the public to the Smart Manufacturing Forum, part of the IIC Global Event Series. Given CITs strengths in cyber-physical systems and smart manufacturing, we see this as a brilliant opportunity to connect Irish businesses and researchers with global thought-leaders and practitioners. Confirm - Smart Manufacturing is an SFI and Industry funded Research Centre dedicated to the advancement of Cyber-Physical manufacturing systems to help Ireland lead in a world where smart products are manufactured by smart machines, through smart production systems, with bespoke products delivered through smart supply chains. This is only achievable through the convergence of IoT and digital manufacturing, both of which form Confirms research agenda. Confirm brings together 9 research performing organisations and over 50 industry partners, and through our community of practice mission Confirm is delighted to work with I-Form and IIC to help Ireland Inc. through this digital transformation, said Confirm Centre Director Professor Conor McCarthy, of the University of Limerick. As an SFI Research Centre focused on advanced manufacturing, I-Form is pleased to partner with the Industrial Internet Consortium and Confirm on this industry event highlighting current trends and challenges in smart manufacturing, said I-Form Director Professor Denis Dowling, of the UCD School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering. Our economy is underpinned by manufacturing: manufacturing is the second largest employer in Ireland and accounts for 36.5 percent of GDP. This event is an opportunity to come together to dissect and discuss some of the key issues facing manufacturers right now, such as how safety, security, privacy and reliability will be assured in this new age of digital manufacturing. Keynote Speakers include: Vincent Wang, Chief Innovation Officer, Wanxiang Group Triona Kennedy, Senior Product Manager, Stryker Orthopedics Jeff McCann, General Manager, DELL EMC Prof. John Barrett, Cork Institute of Technology, Nimbus Research Centre Panel: Digital Solutions in Manufacturing: Innovations and Value from Industry and Research Perspectives. Moderator and panelists from the following companies, institutions include: CONFIRM NUIG CIT I-Form Corlina Panel: Trustworthiness Challenges in Smart Factory. Moderator and panelists from the following companies, institutions include: The MITRE Corporation Entrust Datacard Siemens University of Limerick CIT The Smart Manufacturing Forum is free and open to the public, but registration is required. About CIT CIT and its antecedents have been associated with education in Cork and the broader region since the 1830s. The Institute, with approximately 15,000 enrolments, offers a wide range of flexible full-time and part-time higher education courses (at all levels up to and including PhD) in art & design, business, engineering, humanities, music, maritime studies, and science & information technology. CIT has three main campuses: the main campus is in Bishopstown, with the CIT Crawford College of Art and Design and the CIT Cork School of Music both located in the heart of Cork City centre. The National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI) is located on the lower harbour in Ringaskiddy, County Cork. CIT also delivers programmes in conjunction with Clonakilty Agricultural College in West Cork. CITs mission is to provide student-centred, career-focused education and research for the personal, professional and intellectual development of the student and for the benefit of the broader society in the region and beyond. About Confirm Smart Manufacturing Research Centre CONFIRM is the Science Foundation Ireland Research Centre for Smart Manufacturing. Transforming Irish industry to become world-leaders in smart manufacturing. Confirms mission is to transform the manufacturing landscape through excellent research into smart manufacturing technologies, education and outreach programmes, which engage the general public and the creation of a community of practice to allow Ireland to become world leaders in Smart Manufacturing and Industry 4.0. The Centre is a consortium led by University of Limerick including the Tyndall National Institute, University College Cork, Cork Institute of Technology, National University of Ireland Galway, Athlone Institute of Technology, Maynooth University, Limerick Institute of Technology and the Institute of Technology Tralee. The centre is supported by over 50 industry partners including technology providers and end users from the Multi-National Corporation (MNC) and Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) sectors across Ireland. For more information, visit http://www.confirm.ie About I-Form I-Form, the SFI Research Centre for Advanced Manufacturing, is delivering the next level of understanding and control for complex manufacturing processes. Our mission is to shape the future of manufacturing through high-impact research into the application of digital technologies to materials processing. I-Form brings together a nationwide pool of expertise in materials science, engineering, data analytics and cognitive computing. Funded by Science Foundation Ireland, I-Form works with industry to advance the low-cost, low-risk design of new products and the manufacture of high-value components exhibiting enhanced material performance, while reducing processing times and achieving enhanced process reliability. I-Form is funded through the Science Foundation Ireland Research Centres Programme and co-funded under the European Regional Development Fund. It is a partnership between University College Dublin, Dublin City University, Trinity College Dublin, Institute of Technology Sligo, the National University of Ireland Galway, Waterford Institute of Technology and the National University of Ireland Maynooth - along with strong collaborative industry engagement in sectors that include medical devices, aerospace, automobile and microelectronic components. See http://www.i-form.ie/ for more information. About Industrial Internet Consortium The Industrial Internet Consortium, now incorporating OpenFog, is the worlds leading membership program transforming business and society by accelerating the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). The IIC delivers a trustworthy IIoT in which the worlds systems and devices are securely connected and controlled to deliver transformational outcomes. The Industrial Internet Consortium is a program of the Object Management Group (OMG). For more information, visit http://www.iiconsortium.org. Oil painting by Robert Goldman, "Colorado River at Page, AZ," commemorating John Wesley Powell's expeditions beginning in 1869. A Powell Expedition Anniversary Reception will take place May 18, from 6 9 p.m. at the museum and serve as the grand opening for Goldmans exhibit of 40 vivid paintings. The Thunderbird Foundation for the Arts, operators of the historic Maynard Dixon Living History Museum in Mt. Carmel, Utah, will debut an exciting new fine art exhibit featuring the work of nationally-respected artist Robert Goldman as part of a May 18 celebration marking the 150-year anniversary of John Wesley Powells historic 1869 expedition exploring the Green and Colorado Rivers. In the 1870s artist Thomas Moran joined Powell on his explorations of the Southwest and created a breathtaking body of work that showcased landscapes that had never been seen by anyone outside of the region, said Paul O. Bingham, art dealer and executive director of the Thunderbird Foundation. Much has changed since then, which is why we commissioned the talented Robert Goldman to explore some of those same sites and create A New Perspective of this rugged area of the American West. A Powell Expedition Anniversary Reception will take place May 18, from 6 9 p.m. at the museum and serve as the grand opening for Goldmans exhibit of 40 vivid paintings. The reception will cap off a day-long event honoring Powells exploration and the Southern Paiutes who were extremely important in helping Powells party survive in the harsh conditions of the region. I was so honored when Paul Bingham, who has been an art dealer for 50 years and represented Maynard Dixon, contacted me in Sept. 2018 about a show related to the 150th anniversary of Powells adventure, said Goldman. I didnt want to let them down, so I devoted 100 percent of my time over nine months to the project. Sometimes getting up 3 a.m. to paint. First, I took a trip to Green River, Wyoming where Powells journey began, said Goldman. I was particularly intrigued by a prominent butte there by the Green, which had been painted early on by Thomas Moran. Goldman captured new viewpoints of the Green and Colorado Rivers using a drone and he used a helicopter to gain new perspectives of the Grand Canyon and areas around Page, Arizona, including the Colorado River Horseshoe Bend, the Glen Canyon Dam and Lake Powell. Powell also spent time near Mt. Carmel, Utah, so I researched Barracks Canyon and Zion National Park, added Goldman. He finished up in Gallup New Mexico where Powell had seen red sandstone cliffs and the rock formation then known as the Navajo Church. Goldman will share the full story of his adventures in creating his paintings, on May 18, at 11 a.m. at the Old Rock Church in Mt. Carmel. Goldman grew up in Southern California with his brother Ken, another well-known artist, and has shown his work in San Diego. After living 20 years in Tucson, and now in Prescott, AZ., Goldman learned to appreciate the more austere environments of the West. He is one of a select few artists invited to participate annually in the Grand Canyon Celebration of Art, where his paintings are shown in the Kolb Studio on the South Rim of the park. To further commemorate Powells explorations and the Southern Paiutes, the Thunderbird Foundation and Git er Done Books published a new book written by Carol Ormond, The People: The Missing Piece of John Wesley Powells Expeditions, A Photographic History of the Southern Paiute Tribes. The book features 116 original albumen photographs taken during Powell expeditions between 1872 and 1875, which depict Southern Paiutes and other Native Americans in the region surrounding Powells base camp in Kanab, Utah. The actual prints are only available for viewing at the Maynard Dixon Museum and the Smithsonian in Washington D.C. There will be a book signing and symposium by Ormond on May 18, at 1 p.m. in Mt. Carmel. For the latest information about The Thunderbird Foundations May 18 celebration visit https://www.thunderbirdfoundation.com/. About The Thunderbird Foundation The Thunderbird Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Since 1999, the Thunderbird Foundation for the Arts has been committed to preserving Maynard Dixons Utah property and educating the public about his contributions to American art through educational tours, internships for working artists, art workshops and day camps for people with special needs, and a vigorous artist retreat program. Gifts to The Foundation may be made in cash, securities, art, real estate, and other forms of personal property. Naming and memorial giving opportunities are available as well. Gifts may be made either unrestricted or directed specifically to the needs of the foundation or goals of the donor. Additionally, deferred giving options are available which may provide significant income and tax benefits to the donor(s). For more information about Kane County visit https://www.visitsouthernutah.com/ Media Contacts: Rhonda Greenwood rgreenwood(at)lovecomm(dot)net 801-706-6202 or Whitney Neumann wneumann(at)lovcomm(dot)net 703-994-8456 Christie is a trailblazer in this field and we anticipate an array of memorable displays across the Expo site thanks to Christies innovative technologies. DUBAI, 2 May 2019 True-to-life visuals and a rich sea of color will illuminate Expo 2020 Dubai and create spectacular scenes on Al Wasl Plazas iconic dome, thanks to award-winning global audiovisual technologies firm Christie. As Expo 2020s newly appointed Official Displays and Projection Partner, Christie will showcase its breakthrough laser projection technology, including using more than 250 of its D4K40-RGB projectors to create life-like evolving scenes on Al Wasl Plazas giant 130-meter-wide projection surface, which can also be seen from above. Christies groundbreaking innovations have featured in Hollywood blockbusters and at major sporting events. Regarded as setting the gold standard for display and projection technology, Christie will supply and manage all display screens across the Expo site, contributing to an exceptional Expo experience for the millions of visitors expected to attend. Ahmed Al Khatib, Chief Development and Delivery Officer, Expo 2020 Dubai, said: We aim to create an unrivaled experience at Expo 2020 and spectacular visuals on the giant Al Wasl Plaza dome will be an iconic part of this. Christie is a trailblazer in this field and we anticipate an array of memorable displays across the Expo site thanks to Christies innovative technologies. Bryan Boehme, Executive Director, Global Sales and Business Development, Christie, said: "We are proud and excited to be an Expo 2020 Dubai Official Partner and look forward to creating memories with our unparalleled visual displays. The Christie D4K40-RGB pure laser projector is a powerhouse of technology and will wow the world with its unrivaled, rich and crisp visuals that raise the bar in image quality, making sure Expo 2020 welcomes the future in the most unforgettable and magical way. Christie operates in more than 20 countries, and has operated across the UAE and Middle East from its Dubai office since 2007. The firm has installations across world-class events, retail centers, classrooms and movie theaters, and operated at the World Expo in Shanghai in 2010. Expo 2020 Dubai expects to attract 25 million visits between 20 October 2020 and 10 April 2021, with about 70 per cent of visitors projected to come from outside the UAE the largest proportion of international visitors in the 168-year history of World Expos. The first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region, and the largest event ever staged in the Arab world, will bring together more than 200 international participants, including countries, corporations, multinational organisations and educational institutions, to explore Expos theme of Connecting Minds, Creating the Future. About Expo 2020 Dubai Expo 2020 Dubai is guided by the belief that innovation and progress are the result of people and ideas combining in new ways. For six months from 20 October, 2020, Expo will bring together 192 countries and millions of people to celebrate human ingenuity: Connecting Minds, Creating the Future. During the six months from 20 October 2020 to 10 April 2021, we expect to welcome 25 million visits About 70 per cent of all visitors are anticipated to come from outside the UAE the largest proportion of international visitors in Expo history We aim to create and deliver an inclusive and global Expo with more than 200 participants, including nations, multilateral organisations, businesses and educational institutions Expo 2020 also has an ambitious volunteer program, which aims to include more than 30,000 volunteers from a wide range of ages, nationalities, cultures and backgrounds The Expo site covers a total of 4.38 sqkm, including a 2 sqkm gated area. It is located adjacent to Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai South Expo 2020 Dubai is the first World Expo to take place in the MEASA (Middle East, Africa and South Asia) region Applications for media accreditation for Expo 2020 Dubai are now open and media organisations are invited to submit their expression of interest at https://www.expo2020dubai.com/media-centre/expression-of-interest by 30 June, 2019. All accredited media will have access to the Expo 2020 Media Center and all associated services and facilities within the Expo 2020 site. Additionally, if your media organisation has television or radio studio requirements during Expo 2020, please email media.services@expo2020.ae by 9 May, 2019. Visit: http://www.expo2020dubai.com Follow: Twitter: @expo2020dubai | Facebook: @Expo2020Dubai | Instagram: expo2020dubai About Christie Christie Digital Systems USA, Inc. is a global visual and audio technologies company and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ushio, Inc., Japan, (JP:6925). Consistently setting the standards by being the first to market some of the worlds most advanced projectors and complete system displays, Christie is recognized as one of the most innovative visual technology companies in the world. From retail displays to Hollywood, mission critical command centers to classrooms and training simulators, Christie display solutions and projectors capture the attention of audiences around the world with dynamic and stunning images. Visit http://www.christiedigital.com. About World Expos In 1851 the Crystal Palace was the centerpiece of Londons Great Exhibition the first World Expo. It celebrated the man-made industrial wonders of a rapidly changing world. Architecture, contents and a theme, Industry of All Nations, were combined to create a big idea of nations meeting nations in shared technological and commercial progress. In more recent years, participants in World Expos, including governments, international organisations and companies, have gathered to find solutions to universal challenges and to promote their achievements, products, ideas, innovations, their national brand, and their nations as destinations for tourism, trade and investment. World Expos are held under the auspices of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), the intergovernmental organisation responsible for overseeing and regulating international exhibitions (Expos) and for fostering their core values of Education, Innovation and Cooperation. Today, four types of Expos are organised under the BIEs auspices: World Expos, Specialized Expos, Horticultural Expos and the Triennale di Milano. Kerry McCoy's guest this week is Samuel Ellis Im honored and thrilled at the opportunity to be joining the family at the nationally syndicated SALEM broadcasting network. My goal of this radio show has always been to pay forward my 40 years of experience in a conversational way." Radio show Up in Your Business with Kerry McCoy will be moving its weekly LIVE broadcast to 6:00pm CST Wednesdays on 101.1 FM The Answer. The show will continue airing a prerecorded interview during its usual 2:00pm time slot on KABF 88.3 FM. Im honored and thrilled at the opportunity to be joining the family at the nationally syndicated SALEM broadcasting network. My goal of this radio show has always been to pay forward my 40 years of experience in a conversational way. It is rewarding to think that the work you do has value and hopefully inspires others to take the entrepreneurial leap, said Kerry McCoy. Up In Your Business will be making its debut broadcast on 101.1 FM on Wednesday, May 8th at 6:00 pm with special guest Samuel Ellis founder of Rock Town River Outfitters. This young scientist turned entrepreneur will talk about his adventurous life as a whitewater rafting guide in Colorado, his professional life as an energy scientist and consultant and his entrepreneurial life as owner operator of Rock Town River Outfitters. Up In Your Business with Kerry McCoy is a weekly radio show that celebrates the American Dream. The show and podcast explore the commonalities of successful people, the ups and downs of risk taking, and offers the listener first hand insight into starting and running a business. Tune in to hear prominent leaders share their unique stories, life experiences and wisdom in a conversation with Kerry. Brought to you by FlagandBanner.com. Laugh, cry, think, learn, and listen. In business since 1975, FlagandBanner.com carries more than 20,000 products including flags, poles, hardware, accessories, banners, bunting, clothing, home decor and more on their website. Their historic showroom, housed in the century-old Taborian Hall, and home to the famous Dreamland Ballroom, is located at 800 W. 9th Street in downtown Little Rock, Arkansas. Open Mon-Fri 8-5:30 and Sat. 10-4, closed Sundays. The company also manufactures custom flags, banners and other custom products. For more information about FlagandBanner.com visit them online or call 1-800-445-0653 to speak with one of their friendly flag experts. We are very excited to be in Weymouth and become a part of this vibrant community, said Greg Sawyer, Regional Manager for Henley Enterprises. As with all of our locations, we strive to be a good neighbor and do all we can to help out town residents and the business community. Valvoline Instant Oil Change, home of the 15 minute drive-thru oil change, is holding a grand opening event at their Weymouth, MA service center located at 190 Main St, right past Dairy Queen. The event will welcome the new business to the community featuring 50% off oil changes to all customers Friday, May 10th and Saturday, May 11th. Customers can come out to meet Valvolines newest team of oil change experts and receive a quick, easy, trusted oil change. The Weymouth location was a ground-up construction and marks Henley Enterprises 52nd store in New England, and 203rd store overall. This location is overseen by Store Manager Ricardo Jeannite, and currently employs eight technicians. They are dedicated to hiring local residents bringing additional jobs to the community. We are very excited to be in Weymouth and become a part of this vibrant community, said Greg Sawyer, Regional Manager for Henley Enterprises. As with all of our locations, we strive to be a good neighbor and do all we can to help out town residents and the business community. The people of Weymouth and the South Shore have been so welcoming, and we look forward to building upon this foundation. Valvoline Instant Oil Change offers 30 years of car maintenance services for busy people and company fleets. There is no appointment necessary for their 15 minute drive-thru oil change and even better, you don't even have to get out of your car! Visit VIOC.com for store hours, directions, and coupons. About Valvoline Instant Oil Change Valvoline, a leading supplier of premium branded lubricants and automotive services, has been serving American motorists for more than 150 years. Its operating segment, Valvoline Instant Oil Change, ranks as the #2 quick-lube chain by number of stores, with more than 1,070 company-owned and franchised locations in the U.S. Its industry-leading model delivers service you can see from experts you can trust. Visit http://www.vioc.com to learn more. Trademark, Valvoline or its subsidiaries, registered in various countries Service mark, Valvoline or its subsidiaries, registered in various countries About Henley Enterprises, Inc. Founded in 1989, Henley Enterprises, Inc. is the largest Valvoline Instant Oil Change franchisee. They operate over 200 service centers in 11 states including: California, Delaware, Florida, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Virginia. Vantage Vacation Rentals of Annapolis. Whether youre visiting for a USNA event, a special occasion or simply to explore Marylands waterside capital, well help you find your happy place. We now offer diverse properties from bay to beach and everywhere in between, said Denny Murphy, Director of Business Development for Vantage. Guests can enjoy distinct vacation experiences in Annapolis expecting the same high-quality services that are hallmarks of all Vantage locations. Vantage Vacation Rentals is pleased to announce its expansion into Marylands capital with the launch of Vantage Annapolis. Specializing in short-term vacation rentals and accommodations for Naval Academy and other Annapolis-area events, Vantage Annapolis complements the companys growing portfolio of professionally managed properties. We now offer diverse properties from bay to beach and everywhere in between, said Denny Murphy, Director of Business Development for Vantage. Guests can enjoy distinct vacation experiences in Annapolis expecting the same high-quality services that are hallmarks of all Vantage locations. Vantage Annapolis property owners will gain the full benefits of year-round marketing efforts to a massive list of prospective renters. Vantage makes it easy for these renters to find and book their vacations with a robust website and local reservationists eager to provide personal service and recommendations. Im excited to lead the team and bring a premium level of customer service to our guests and property owners, said Mike Doyle, Vantage Annapolis area manager. As demand keeps growing for Annapolis rental properties, establishing an official presence here was a natural next step. As part of the expansion, Vantage Annapolis has added 40 properties to its portfolio, including waterfront, downtown, large family and pet-friendly options. About Vantage Vacation Rentals Founded in 2007, Vantage Vacation Rentals specializes in delivering exceptional experiences for both vacation property owners and their rental guests in popular Maryland destinations such as Ocean City, Annapolis and the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay, as well as the Delaware beaches and North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Vantage serves owners with extensive property marketing and promotion as well as comprehensive property management services to help maximize rental income opportunities. With over 550 managed properties, Vantage makes it easy for vacationing guests to find and reserve the perfect optionthen enhances their stay with exclusive benefits and discounts. To learn more about Vantage Vacation Rentals, visit VantageVacationRentals.com. I realized that there wasnt a lot of difference between the skills I needed to survive my childhood, to be a father, and go to war. Lt. Col. Bill Riley Only the strong can survive. Lt. Col. Bill Riley carried this lesson from his father from his troubled childhood into his career in the military, and it ultimately framed his experiences as an intelligence analyst at the close of the Cold War and throughout combat zones in the Middle East. His new book, "Baghdaddy: How Saddam Hussein Taught Me to Be a Better Father" (Brown Books Publishing Group), releases today and provides an intimate look at the relationship between the U.S. military and the Middle East. In this book, Riley offers a unique view of spies at rest and his journey home from a traumatizing war. After enlisting in the Air Force after high school, Riley braved the war-torn landscapes of Kuwait, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia. He led the Air Forces largest Network Operations and Security Center and was handpicked to serve as the first U.S. electronic warfare officer for task force operations in Iraq. He was the first cyberspace operations officer awarded the Air Force Combat Action Medal. "Baghdaddy," approved by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), examines Saddam Husseins threatening presence in Kuwait, provides a firsthand look at what came after, and shines a bright light on the unique challenges of trying to rebuild a foreign country while its people are trying to kill you. Lt. Gen. Chris Miller, former Air Force deputy chief of staff, Strategic Plans & Programs, commented on the book, In the Air Force, its often said that every airman has a story. Riley has painted a compelling picture of what it means to lead in combat and in fatherhood and to love. Publishers Weekly writes, Riley relates his military experiences with wit, a slightly twisted sense of humor, and evocative imagery. This very human account of living in some of the least humane environments delivers the message that no matter how different we seem, we are all trying to make the best of life and learn how to be the best versions of ourselves. For more information, please visit https://www.billrileyauthor.com/. Our exclusive partnership with the James Beard Foundation has allowed us to enrich our culinary experiences giving our guests unparalleled access to the most cutting edge and accomplished culinarians in the industry. Award-winning small ship line Windstar Cruises, the Official Cruise Line of the James Beard Foundation, today reveals six new cruises being added to the James Beard Foundation (JBF) Culinary Cruise Collection for 2020. All sailings are led by James Beard Foundation-recognized guest chefs, sommeliers and beverage experts with a passion for their destination. The six diverse cruise offerings will explore locavore cuisine on a country-immersive Croatia cruise; get a flavor for the rugged north of Alaska; discover the hidden gems of France, Spain, and Portugals Atlantic coast; experience exotic cuisines of Indonesia and the Philippines; delight in the hidden harbors of the Caribbean; and introduce cruisers to the trend-setting foodie scene and wine regions of the U.S. West Coast. The six newly announced cruises are scheduled to sail from January through November 2020, and range in length from 7 to 14 days. Together, Windstar and the James Beard Foundation are taking guests on epicurean adventures that deliver the best travel and cuisine experiences worldwide, by curating genuine local culinary encounters while drawing attention to the impactful work of the Beard Foundation network which celebrates food and advocates for food sustainability. Our exclusive partnership with the James Beard Foundation has allowed us to enrich our culinary experiences giving our guests unparalleled access to the most cutting edge and accomplished culinarians in the industry. Every evening, on every single sailing, our cruise guests enjoy destination-inspired JBF dishes created especially for Windstar by the James Beard guest chefs who have sailed with us. We have proudly hosted nearly three dozen chefs, sommeliers and beverage experts and counting. What is unique is that each one has a special connection to the places they are sailing, whether through food or family heritage, this creates powerful and inspiring personal experiences that our guests will never forget, said Windstar President John Delaney. Coinciding with this announcement, and as part of the unique travel-culinary alliance, Windstar sponsors the acclaimed James Beard Foundation Awards, the pinnacle of recognition in the culinary world, happening today at the Lyric Opera in Chicago, IL. James Beard Foundation President Clare Reichenbach commented, We are so pleased to have Windstars support of our mantra good food for good, which commits the James Beard Foundation to giving culinary professionals the tools they need to make the world more sustainable, equitable, and delicious for everyone. The JBF Culinary Cruise Collection shines a light on these chefs and wine experts and highlights the important role that food plays in the culture and economies of each of the ports where Windstar sails, the world round. A number of Windstar alumni guest chefs are attending the JBF Awards Gala including Chef Danielle Leoni of Breadfruit in Phoenix, AZ. who led guests on a Caribbean cruise adventure in January, and is a James Beard Foundation 2018 Fellow for the Women's Entrepreneurial Leadership program; also attending is acclaimed Chef Hugh Acheson of Empire State South, Five & Ten, and The National in Atlanta, GA. who headlined a 2017 European JBF Culinary Cruise and is nominated for Outstanding Restaurateur. Windstars Corporate Executive Chef Graeme Cockburn joins an exclusive club of chefs that have been invited to prepare a signature bite for the 1,000 plus guests attending the famed JBF Awards Gala. Chef Cockburn sails aboard each JBF cruise overseeing the culinary operations, and the dishes specially developed by the James Beard guest chefs are featured in Windstars restaurants each evening and enjoyed on every sailing. For the JBF Awards Gala, Chef Cockburn has developed a recipe inspired by Windstars forays into the alpine areas and glaciers of Alaska and will be serving up Seared Venison Loin & Alaskan Pine Spruce Salad with Nasturtium Pesto and Goat Buttermilk Dressing at the epicurean extravaganza. Windstar also supports JBFs Chefs Boot Camp for Policy and Change. A number of the guest chefs who have sailed with Windstar are alumni of the prestigious camp, a part of the James Beard Foundations Impact Programs which are committed to establishing a more sustainable food system through education, advocacy, and thought leadership. Windstars JBF Culinary Cruise Collection Offers Authentic Culinary Experiences The bespoke portfolio of nine total upcoming sailings in the JBF Culinary Cruise Collection embarking June 2019 through November 2020, are attracting food and wine enthusiasts seeking to fully immerse themselves in the culture, tastes, and flavors of regional cuisines where the ships sail. Each cruise features a James Beard chef, working alongside Windstars culinary team. The guest chef acts as an onboard culinary ambassador teaching first-hand tips and techniques during cooking demonstrations, leading Shopping with the Chef tours to local markets, and picking out fresh local ingredients to use in featured dishes at a wine-paired gala dinner for all on board to enjoy. Similarly, the JBF sommelier/beverage expert accompanies tours to local wineries, leads on board tastings of regional wines and spirits, and works with the chefs to create one-of-a-kind pairing menus that celebrate the quaint, small ports that Windstar is renowned for visiting. Guests on board get to know these epicurean experts on a personal level, tasting the dishes and wines they recommend and hearing firsthand what stirs their passion for food, wine, and spirits. One-on-one interactions with the guest chef and sommelier/beverage expert are a given during memorable cruise moments like Windstars Signature Sail Away and Signature Deck Party, or on a culinary-focused shore excursion. The names of the 2020 guest chefs, sommeliers, and beverage experts who are being tapped as the culinary cruise ambassadors will be announced in the coming weeks. Below are the dates and itineraries for the six newly announced 2020 additions to the JBF Culinary Cruise Collection: In addition, following is the super star line-up of award-winning chefs and celebrated sommeliers who will headline the three remaining 2019 JBF Culinary Cruise Collection sailings: June 22, 2019 James Beard Foundation: Yachtsmans Harbors of the Rivieras 8 days aboard Wind Surf Chef & Restaurateur Jamie Leeds, JL Restaurant Group & Hanks Oyster Bar in Washington, D.C. Sommelier Jeff Strine, JL Restaurant Group & Hanks Oyster Bar, and more) in Washington, D.C. Chef and Restaurateur Jamie Leeds a James Beard Foundation Chef Boot Camp Alumna and owner of JL Restaurant Group will be seeking out the freshest French oysters and bringing guests on chef-led visits to lively markets to gather produce, herbs, fish, and more to showcase in cooking demonstrations and a gala evening meal on board. Alongside her will be Jeff Strine, who works closely with Jamie at JL Restaurant Group where he developed a thoughtful and concise wine program for Hanks Oyster Bars seasonal seafood-focused menu. Both love to travel and are excited to visit lesser-known wine regions and visits to smaller ports such as quaint Sanary-sur-Mer, France. This coastal jewel offers a wine tasting tour above the vineyards in the Provencal hilltop village of Le Castellet, followed by a visit to Domaine de Souviou for tasting the house wines and olive oils grown on the expansive 70-hectares property that is planted with 100-year-old olive trees and rows of vines, cypress trees, and lavender, a treat for all of the senses. September 24, 2019 James Beard Foundation: West Coast Epicurean Extravaganza 10 days aboard Star Legend Chef Duskie Estes of Zazu Kitchen + Farm, Bovolo, and Black Pig Meat Co. in Sonoma County Beverage Expert Michael Metzger of Distinguished Vineyards and Wine Partners Award-winning Chef Duskie Estes is the perfect culinary guide for this first-ever Windstar sailing along the West Coast of America, as she was born in San Diego, raised in San Francisco, and spent eight years in Seattle working for JBF-awarded Restaurateur Tom Douglas before moving to Sonoma County, where she is celebrated as a chef and avid farmer/advocate for snout to tail cooking. Providing wine pairings and insight will be Michael Metzger from Distinguished Vineyards, who works with the James Beard Foundations Impact Program as their sustainable wine partner and represents a collection of iconic wineries including the highly acclaimed Argyle Winery in Oregons Willamette Valley, MacRostie Winery and Vineyards in Sonoma, and Markham Vineyards in Napa Valley. As with all Windstar sailings, this first-ever West Coast cruise boasts a myriad of shore-side adventures including specially curated culinary shore excursions from vineyard visits, to food trucks and farmers markets. In Seattle, guests will enjoy a behind-the-scenes docent tour of the iconic Pike Place Market; after sailing up the Columbia River, the ship has a two-day overnight stay in James Beards native Oregon, where guests can enjoy an Elevated Foodie Walking Tour of the Portland culinary scene, or a brewery/cidery tasting tour. An all-day excursion to Oregons beautiful Willamette Valley allows guests to indulge in private tastings at three wineries in the region that put Pinot Noir on the U.S. map. In Sonoma, foodies will delight in a private cave tour with wine and cheese tasting at the Gloria Ferrer Winery, followed by lunch and an afternoon of olive oil and balsamic vinegars tasting at Figone Olive Oil & Production Mill. Also of note, this U.S. West Coast itinerary is featured as one of the newly announced 2020 culinary cruises but sailing aboard Star Breeze, following her upcoming full ship renovation as part of Windstars $250 Million Star Plus Initiative. The May 5, 2020 itinerary will be a reverse version of the 2019 offering with similar culinary-focused shore excursions, but departing from San Diego, CA. and sailing to Vancouver, B.C. instead. Details on chef and beverage experts in 2020 will be announced soon. October 14, 2019 James Beard Foundation: Classic Italy & Dalmatian Coast 8 days aboard Wind Surf Chef Chris Pandel of Swift & Sons, Cold Storage, and Dutch & Docs in Chicago Beverage Expert Marcello Cancelli of the Boka Group in Chicago Chef Chris Pandel, a James Beard Foundation Chef Boot Camp Alumnus, has a love affair with Italy and Italian-American heritage, so who better to cruise with and explore the shores of Italy, Croatia, and Montenegro, discovering the charm of Venice, the magnificence of Rome, and the vast beauty of the Dalmatian Coast? While visiting the picturesque seaside resort of Rovinj, a top pick shore excursion lets guests tour the wine cellar of the Matosevic Family, Croatias most well-known wine producers. Offering beautiful wine pairings on this cruise is Marcello Cancelli, a Certified Sommelier by the Court of Master Sommeliers who is Area Wine Director for Chicagos Boka Group, overseeing the wine programs at Swift & Sons, Momotaro, Bellemore, Girl & the Goat, and more. Cancelli will be demonstrating his passion and commitment to great wine and its rightful place alongside a meal. For more information on Windstars partnership with the James Beard Foundation, find featured recipes, and view the JBF Culinary Cruise Collection visit: https://www.windstarcruises.com/why-windstar/james-beard-foundation/. To learn more about the Beard Foundation visit: https://www.jamesbeard.org/. Windstar has garnered recent culinary awards, notably being named Best Small Cruise Ships for Dining in Cruise Critics 2019 Cruisers Choice Awards, and a 2019 Editor-in-Chief Award for Best Cruise Partnership as the Official Cruise Line of the James Beard Foundation from Porthole Cruise Magazine. Windstar was also voted 2018 Best Small Ship Cruise Line by AFAR readers; scored a top spot as Best Small Ship in Conde Nast Travelers Readers Choice Awards, and was named to the magazines prestigious Gold List for 2019; while Windstars flagship Wind Surf ranked #1 Midsize-Ship Ocean Cruise Lines in the 2018 Travel + Leisure Worlds Best Awards. To learn more about authentic small ship cruising with Windstar or to book a cruise, contact a travel advisor or Windstar Cruises by phone at 1-800-258-7245, or visit http://www.windstarcruises.com. How much time do you spend looking at your phone? If youre like the average American, it adds up to about 49 days out of the year. ABC News Diane Sawyer spent six months traveling the country and talking to families, teachers, doctors and even tech insiders to put together a two-hour special about how screen time is affecting us and what we can do about it. As part of the special, researchers helped Sawyers team recreate a study in which parents scroll through their phones without looking up for two minutes straight while their children play nearby. In the footage, 2-year-old Jensen begs his mom to pay attention to him no less than 7 times in that short span. Another child, Hunter, seems to just give up. Shes sitting down and shes waiting, one of the researchers, Tracy Dennis-Tiwary, observed. She knows her mother is not available right now. Hunters mom, Monica, said it was a wake-up call. I think you dont realize when youre at home in your own environment, she said. Ill think Ill pay attention more now to not pick my phone up. Dennis-Tiwary, a professor of psychology at New Yorks Hunter College and the Graduate Center of the City University of New York, expressed a similar sentiment about the study as a whole. Its not about guilt-tripping parents but about reminding them of whats important, she said. Face-to-face time we have with our children is not just the icing on the cake, it is the cake, she said. It is the place that children learn the most about the world and about themselves. Read the whole story: ABC Welcome to Railway Gazette. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. By continuing to browse this site you are agreeing to our use of these cookies. You can learn more about the cookies we use here. OK Rantoul, IL (61866) Today Showers this evening becoming a steady rain overnight. Low near 50F. Winds SW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 90%.. Tonight Showers this evening becoming a steady rain overnight. Low near 50F. Winds SW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 90%. At the recent Competitive Carriers Association (CCA) meeting in Denver, DISH Co-founder and Chairman, Charlie Ergen, was asked about the future of competition in the wireless industry. In his response, he said this of the proposed merger between T-Mobile and Sprint: Sprint and-T-Mobile will have a big effect on the people in this room and the industry for a long time to come. We are public that we have opposed it as it has been presented because we think it reduces competition and raises prices. Mr. Ergen should take a look at how his own company is operating, rather than pointing fingers. He purports to favor public policies that promote competition and help consumers, but his companys failure to deploy its massive spectrum holdings over the last several years has thwarted pro-consumer policy. In fact, DISHs continued warehousing of prime commercial spectrum has actually slowed 5G deployment in the U.S., and DISH has a history of trickery when it comes to acquiring spectrum. An FCC investigation into SNR Wireless and NorthStar Wireless, who claimed independent small business discounts during the auction, found that the two companies were more like fronts for DISH to receive discounts to the tune of $3.3 billion. The FCCs investigation revealed that DISH had an 85% economic stake in the two companies. During the auction the two companies purchased a combined $13.3 billion in spectrum, but, leading up to the auction, the companies had combined revenue of $0. After the auction these companies owed DISH about $10 billion. The FCC also discovered that DISH contracted various agreements with the two companies that gave them significant leverage in policy, financial, business, employment, technology, and marketing decisions. DISHs deception would be bad enough if all it did was to bilk taxpayers out of more than $3.3 billion of revenue from wireless spectrum auctions and untold legal fees. However, it gets worse as they continue to hoard spectrum and not even meet the minimum buildout requirements for spectrum licenses. The company sits on about 95 megahertz of nationwide spectrum and plans to use only about 2% of it by 2020. Afterwards it will start building its 5G network from scratch in some nebulous future. As a result of these concerns, we recently sent a letter to the FCC in support of the Commissions inquiry into DISHs progress in this area. Spectrum is the critical input for wireless service. Without access to a pipeline of spectrum to meet Americans growing demand for more mobile services, America cannot invest in the facilities and infrastructure to support 5G. Therefore, when spectrum is not being used, tremendous opportunity costs are imposed on the entire American economy. This brings us back to the proposed merger between T-Mobile and Sprint. Both companies have laid out compelling cases for why a merger gives the U.S. the best chance to win the 5G race, including in the critical areas of innovation, job creation, improving coverage in rural America and pricing. T-Mobile already has a track record of lowering prices and offering innovative services. With the merger, T-Mobile CEO John Legere has said that the New T-Mobile will make available the same or better rate plans for our services as those offered today by T-Mobile or Sprint, for the next three years. And, with respect to creating more competition in the race to 5G, the merger would create a more robust competitor to Verizon and AT&T, undoubtedly putting pressure on them to invest more heavily in their own 5G networks. When Mr. Ergen said, we dont think the other guys get there as fast unless somebodys pushing them a little bit, he was right, but DISH isnt doing any pushing; its squatting. Leading the way in 5G would help America also lead in everything from cars to healthcare to education. That is why the FCC recently announced the largest spectrum auction in our nations history as well as a $20 billion Rural Digital Opportunity Fund to help underserved communities in America. But more steps are necessary to ensure that Americas first in 5G innovation. We need to reward companies that invest and innovative, not those that play regulatory games in Washington. Getting spectrum into the hands of companies that intend to use it means taking action to bring DISHs shady spectrum tactics to an end. Thought experiment: Imagine if the President of the United States raised taxes on Americans by billions of dollars - and then announced that the tax hike generated so much revenue he is going to raise them even more? How would people react? Petitions, protests, the resurrection of the Tea Party? Ironically, President Trump is doing exactly that with his trade taxes on Americans buying goods from China - and there is little if any word against the double tax hike by Trumps most diehard supporters. The Administration on Tuesday issued a Federal Register notice notifying of a 20 to 25 percent increase as early as Friday on roughly another $200 billion worth of Chinese goods. Last year, Trump imposed tariffs on about a quarter-trillion dollars on imports from China. China has already responded with its own tariffs on American goods, as it is threatening to do again in response to the next round of hikes. What has been the impact? Tariffs Hurt the Heartland, an umbrella group for industries opposed to the tariffs, calculate that the Trump Administrations trade sales tax on China has thus far cost U.S importers and consumers, who actually pay the duties, more than $18 billion, a figure growing at a rate of more than $1000 a minute. Thats the cost to Americans of U.S tariffs thus far. Chinas retaliatory tariffs have cost the U.S economy about $40 billion per year, or almost a third of the record $130 billion the United States exported to China in 2017. Now, one has to ask: How many people say, I think it is great that we are losing thousands of jobs, consumers are paying more for basic goods, and domestic companies are generating declining revenues. Lets get some more of that. As hard as it is to believe, that is exactly what is happening. The just-announced U.S tariff increases would affect nearly 6,000 products and parts, including many consumer items such as furniture, clothing, electronics, hardware, dishes, bicycles, meat and cereal. The U.S auto companies, already hard hit by steel and aluminum tariffs, believe they will be on the front lines of increased U.S duties. The United States exported more than $10 billion worth of passenger cars to China in 2017, but that dropped by a third last year after China responded to Trumps previous tariff increases by imposing an additional 25 percent duty on U.S automobiles. Insanity has been defined as constantly doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. That is exactly what Trump is doing by continually doubling down on tariff increases. When you find yourself in a hole, stop digging, according to sage advice. When it comes to its trade with China, the United States finds itself in a deep hole. Its time to stop digging. High schools across the land are seeking to boost college access for high schoolers, giving students a chance to rack up college credit before they graduate. State leaders, including Illinois Senate Majority Leader Bill Brady and Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards, are backing an array of bills requiring that high schools allow students to earn college credit. Illinois and Louisiana are far from alone. Today, four in five U.S. high schools offer college courses and 34 percent of high schoolers earn college credit before graduation. Generally speaking, there are three models for offering these opportunities. The most widely available of these is dual enrollment, available at 82 percent of high schools, in which courses count for college credit but are typically taught at the high school. A second approach, utilized by more than two million students a year, involves taking Advanced Placement courses, in which students can earn college credit by passing an end-of-course exam. A third approach, used much less often, consists of early college programs, in which students enroll in both high school and college courses to earn a high school diploma and college credit. While some research suggests students who take college courses are more likely to graduate high school, enroll in college, and complete a degree than are those who dont, there are questions about how these commonsense findings play out. For instance, other scholars have suggested these positive outcomes are limited to students who took courses on a college campus which describes just five percent of high schoolers (the lions share of which, its safe to say, are doing so through early college programs). One reason the on-campus model is so rare despite its promise are the logistical complications posed by scheduling, transportation, faculty expectations, and more. That makes it noteworthy when high schools find ways to successfully navigate these challenges, especially for students who might not otherwise attend college. That brings us to the 21st Century Charter School at Gary (21C), which is doing just that by incorporating elements from multiple college-credit models. Founded in 2005, 21C serves 883 students across grades K12. The student population is more than 97 percent Black and Hispanic, with 84 percent of students eligible for free or reduced-price meals. While 21Cs focus is on boosting college access, just 13 percent of Gary, Indiana adults have bachelors degrees, posing obvious challenges when it comes to making college seem familiar and a college degree a realistic ambition. Their solution was to get students on campus while in high school to have them experience campus culture, and to take college classes on a college campus taught by a college professor. 21C launched its college program in 2010, and today requires all students to earn at least 24 college credits the equivalent of a full year of college before graduating high school. Between 2015 and 2018, 173 21C graduates earned a cumulative of 1,720 college credits, 16 students graduated with an associate degree, and one graduated with a bachelors degree. In 2019, nine students will earn associate degrees, and 66 graduating seniors will have earned 1,250 college credits. 21Cs program is distinctive from other college-credit programs at least three ways. First, whereas more than three-quarters of dual-credit programs involve students taking college courses at their high school, 21C transports students several miles to college campuses. Second, while typical early college programs involve a memorandum of understanding between the high school and college, 21C has no exclusive partnership; students are instead able to enroll in any of Garys local colleges. Third, whereas traditional early college students earn a high school diploma and associate degree, 21C students are not limited to associate degrees and can enroll in bachelors degree programs. The model entails plenty of challenges. Since 21C students travel to multiple campuses, the school had to spend about $210,000 to buy buses, and spends another $150,000 annually for drivers, maintenance, and fuel. The school also had to realign its daily schedule and academic calendar with those of local colleges, changing daily 55-minute classes to 90-minute every-other-day blocks and shifting the beginning and end of the school year and breaks. 21C also faced initial pushback for having nontraditional expectations for high schoolers, with as many as two-thirds of collegiate faculty expressing resistance to having high schoolers on campus. 21C has also shouldered responsibility for tending to the quality of both the college courses and the work students are doing on campus, requiring 21C staff to make regular audits on campus and weekly check-ins on student progress. While the challenges are real, so are the benefits. There are the financial benefits to students, who earn substantial college credit, and potentially a degree, before graduation. Theres the boost to student self-confidence from the realization that college shouldnt intimidate them. And for campuses, there are opportunities to diversify the student body and potentially boost completion rates and no need to take on remediation, since 21C is providing that kind of support through its instruction, ninth-grade Summer Institute, and counseling. While its far too early to judge whether 21C works, the intense interest in helping more students attend and flourish in college means that this distinctive model is worth a careful look. Frederick M. Hess is director of education policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute. Amy Cummings is a research associate at AEI. They are the coauthors of A Small School with Big Chances: The 21st Century Charter School at Gary. Modern artificial intelligence has grown so complex and advanced that many everyday people are beginning to worry about the prospect of losing their job to a robot or piece of software that can work far more efficiently than a human while demanding less of a paycheck. Despite all the hubbub being raised about the rise of AI, however, little is being said about the positive ways that intelligent machines are supercharging the efforts of modern researchers, especially when it comes to the pharmaceutical industry. Here's how AI is already helping in the search for new cures through old drugs, and how healthcare professionals expect intelligent machines to keep changing the way they deliver positive solutions to patients. AI is speeding up drug discovery One of the most interesting ways that artificial intelligence is coming to shape the modern world is by redefining how we go about pursuing the discovery of new drugs, many of which can save countless lives while generating impressive profits for the researchers who uncovered them. For countless years, the FDA has been tightly regulating research and production centered on new drugs for obvious reasons - allow a researcher to push for a new drug too quickly, for instance, and you could accidentally cause a public health crisis with a bogus product. These days, though, AI is speeding up drug discovery and helping researchers find viable cures for age-old diseases at a record-setting pace. Medical research naturally produces countless reams of paperwork, and human eyes can only scan so much data in such a limited amount of time. Powerful AI-driven algorithms can crunch huge sums of research in fractions of a second, though, which means that human researchers can expedite the drug discovery process by automating the more mundane, paper-processing aspects of their work. Beside finding new insights into a disease through the power of AI, medical professionals and researchers can also leverage intelligent machines for productive ends by making them analyze old drug. Older treatment methods which human practitioners have long-since abandoned or grown ignorant of, for instance, can be thoroughly studied by machine learning algorithms which come to alert researchers of new prospective directions for the drug's development to go in. Certain pharma startups like Pharnext are generating a substantial media buzz precisely because they think that they can master the future by looking to the past. Say goodbye to new drugs In the future, it's a very real possibility that we can say goodbye to new drugs altogether, as we'll simply re-process and repurpose existing combinations of drugs to make them more effective and personalized towards the patient in question. This will undoubtedly help healthcare professionals save money on professional liability insurance costs. In order to achieve this, startup companies like Pharnext are pouring huge sums of money into predictive analytics and other AI operations that they hope will produce a more efficient drug pipeline than ever before. Whereas countless patients have been denied treatment in the past because drug companies simply couldn't bring a product to market quick enough to save their lives, many in the future will be saved by the efficiency wrought by the advent of AI. In Fortune's recent deep dive into Pharnext and how the company is helping pioneer AI technology in the biopharmaceutical industry, the company's founder makes it quite clear that algorithmic means of repurposing existing drugs in order to develop new cures are just around the corner. CEO Daniel Cohen described the way his company intends to map the way that the chain reactions of disease impact the body, noting that AI will be able to come up with more effective drug combinations that attack the harmful cells as they proliferate rather than standing idly by as the patient gets sicker. It should be of little surprise that AI is helping researchers in the pursuit of new cures with old drugs. After all, medical researchers across the nation and healthcare providers everywhere have been racing to further digitize their operations partly so that AI could come and render things more efficient and patient-focused than ever before. Clinicians around the country are finding themselves equipped with virtual partners who help them diagnose and treat patients more effectively, for instance, so it's only natural that biopharma researchers are also getting a helping hand from some friendly robots when it comes to saving lives. This trend is only going to keep growing, especially since AI technology is proliferating around the globe as it becomes cheaper and easier to master. In the near-future, age-old diseases and conditions like cancer and countless others will be eliminated not because of the advent of a new drug, but because a new cure has been found through an existing, older form of treatment. AI is supercharging the efforts of researchers in their pursuit of synthesizing new cures with old drugs, and patients who live in fear of intelligent machines will soon discover that such automated programs may be the reason they're alive and well. @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The Trump administrations misguided attempt to weaken rules that protect our air, water and public lands is meeting stiff resistance in the courts a powerful check on a president who tries to skirt the law at every turn. Four times in recent weeks, federal courts have smacked down these reckless efforts to roll back environmental protections and rapped the administration for rushing to change policy without providing even the most basic legal reasoning. Those decisions echo what other judges have held: this Administration cant short-circuit the regulatory process. When it comes to defending his agenda in court, Trump has one of the worst records of any modern president. Hes lost more than 90 percent of the time, according to the Institute for Policy Integrity, a nonpartisan think tank sponsored by the New York University School of Law. And when it comes to the environment, these rulings have been a major roadblock to the administrations destructive policies that seek to satisfy corporate interests at the expense of natural resources. The latest decision came April 19 when a federal judge in Montana said officials at the Interior Department had neglected an environmental review of its decision to resume coal sales from U.S. public lands, ruling that officials willfully ignored the environmental effects of selling huge volumes of coal from public lands. Before that, a California judge struck down the Interior Departments repeal of an Obama administration rule on coal valuation that was meant to increase revenue for taxpayers. In her blistering opinion, U.S. District Judge Saundra Brown Armstrong said the Interior Department committed serious violations of the law and found the repeal was done in a wholly improper manner. And in March, Trump suffered two setbacks in Alaska after a federal judge ruled that the administration had no legal basis to reverse a ban on offshore drilling in parts of the Atlantic and Arctic oceans, and further rejected plans to build a road through the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge. In the latter case, U.S. District Judge Sharon Gleason said former Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke wrongly dismissed years of data when he arbitrarily decided to allow the road project to move forward. These rebukes share a common theme: the administrations repeated failure to explain why its actions were justified under the law, and a callous disregard for following the legal process required to change critical policies. In one of the biggest losses for Trumps Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a federal appeals court last year ordered the administration to immediately put into effect the Chemical Disaster Rule, an Obama-era safety measure crafted in response to a 2013 explosion at a Texas fertilizer plant that killed 15 people. The court said the administration had no authority to delay the rule by 20 months. A similar ruling last year said the EPA could not delay a regulation limiting methane emissions from oil and gas facilities. Another ruling in August ordered the EPA to ban chlorpyrifos, a pesticide linked to major health problems in children. Under former EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt, the agency had tried to derail the ban in response to lobbying by the chemical industry. But a federal appeals court in California said the EPA failed to consider scientific evidence showing the harms the pesticide caused in children. This dismal record comes as no surprise given the constant chaos, scandals, and impulsive decision-making that are hallmarks of Trumps tenure. Pruitt resigned after months of ethics controversies, while former Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke left office under his own cloud of corruption. And more problems appear to be around the corner. Zinkes successor, David Bernhardt, now boasts the dubious distinction of being Trumps most conflicted cabinet member and is already facing multiple investigations just days after his confirmation. Dozens of other legal challenges on environmental actions are now pending in courts around the country. One of the most important cases is a challenge to Trumps removal of more than two million acres from the Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments, a move that culminated in the largest elimination of protected areas in U.S. history. In those two cases, the court will decide whether Trumps actions were legal. So far more than 100 legal scholars have written that only Congress has the authority to downsize national monuments. Trumps response to these decisions, and others, has been to lash out with unfair and outrageous attacks on the reputation of federal judges. Yet these rulings against him have come from judges appointed by Democratic and Republican presidents alike. So long as his administration continues to act with reckless disregard for the laws, the courts will continue calling him out. Marc Rehmann is the senior campaign manager for the Law of the Land Project at the Center for American Progress. Sam Hananel is an associate director of media relations at the Center. The wave of bombings across Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday represents one of the deadliest terrorist attacks carried out by Islamic State (IS) outside Syria and Iraq. The latest reports suggest that about 253 were killed the figure was revised down by approximately 100 after local authorities reported errors in their initial counting of the victims. This is not the first time IS has attacked Christians or churches on holy days. In 2017 the group bombed two churches in Egypt: St George's in Tanta and Saint Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in Alexandria. 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 By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 05/07/2019 ADVERTISEMENT FOLLOW REALITY TV WORLD ON THE ALL-NEW GOOGLE NEWS! Reality TV World is now available on the all-new Google News app and website. Click here to visit our Google News page, and then click FOLLOW to add us as a news source! ADVERTISEMENT 's revival is premiering later this week, and the cast has officially been announced by Fox.The identities of the 11 individuals who will be starring on , which premieres with a two-hour episode on Thursday, May 9 at 8PM ET/PT, have been revealed.The cast includes a medical student, a hairstylist, a stock broker, and a yoga instructor.As previously announced, the reality dating competition series will air three nights per week over the course of five weeks.will be hosted by Kristin Cavallari , who found fame on Laguna Beach followed by The Hills. Kristin also stars on Very Cavallari on E!.originally aired on Fox in 2003 and featured contestants competing for an "Ultimate Reward" mystery prize which turned out to be $500,000.'s new revival will reportedly follow a similar format as the original show, which featured singles of the opposite sex living, playing and hooking-up with one another in an exclusive resort in a tropical location (the original took place at a resort in Acapulco, Mexico).Each week, the pairings changed and the housemates evicted one of their fellow contestants and a new person joined the cast as a replacement.In a new twist similar to Big Brother's format, Fox's new revival will allow viewers to play along at home and use social media to try and influence what happens on screen as well as who stays and who goes.Following the Thursday night premiere , the series will air one-hour episodes on Mondays beginning on May 13 at 9PM ET/PT and Wednesdays starting on May 15 at 9PM ET/PT. Each Thursday night broadcast will be two hours long from 8-10PM ET/PT.Below is the list of 11 cast members who will be starring on :- Bobby Ray, an entrepreneur from St. Louis, MO- Brittany Campbell, a hairstylist from Thousand Oaks, CA- Carlos Garcia, a trainer from Havana, Cuba- David Barta, a medical student from Burbank, CA- Deiondra Sanders, a hairline company owner from Dallas, TX- Hans Wiener, a model from Salt Lake City, UT- Kendall Galan, a yoga instructor from Redondo Beach, CA- Mariaelena Perez, a bartender from Yonkers, NY- Rosanna Cecconi, a student from Chicago, IL- Tatum Smith, a bottle service girl from Phoenix, AZ- Tyler Berta, a stock broker from Streator, ILClick thelink below to view photos and descriptions of each hotel guest! BEGIN GALLERY >> Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade. By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 05/07/2019 ADVERTISEMENT Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade. Season 14 star Becca Kufrin is opening up about what it's like to live with her fiance Garrett Yrigoyen after nine months of being engaged.Becca from Minneapolis, MN, and Garrett from Reno, NV, recently decided on moving to San Diego, CA, to start fresh in a new place and begin their life together.While the couple's engagement -- which aired on 's finale in August 2018 -- was a fairy tale, Becca admitted to People living with Garrett hasn't exactly been perfect."It's been a change! Because I've never lived anywhere other than Minnesota and I've never lived with a partner before," Becca, 29, told the magazine."I was very independent and used to living on my own, so it's been different to adapt to someone else's lifestyle."Becca went on to say life with Garrett, 30, is very happy but has been an adjustment since she packed her belongings to move in January. The pair is still apparently trying to get settled into a daily routine."Garrett and I are just completely different in everything. I'm very organized and so when I come home, I like to put everything in a proper place and put it away, so you don't see it," Becca explained."He's more of a type of person to come home and throw his keys, his wallet and his receipts everywhere. I feel like I'm always picking up after him!"Although Becca told People the move has been a transition for the couple, she gushed about being in love with Garrett as much as always."He's so adventurous and really pushing me outside of my comfort zone to try new things, so it's been fun," Becca shared. "I'm an Aries and he's a Pisces, so hopefully those are compatible!"Becca and Garrett just celebrated their one-year dating anniversary in March."You had my heart since the very beginning, and I love and value you so much," she wrote in Instagram at the time.Becca and Garrett, however, aren't in any rush to exchange vows."No weddings plans, no dates," Becca confirmed. "We're kind of just playing it by ear and taking it day by day. We literally just figured out where we want to live and moved in together !"Becca just appeared on Monday night's Reunion: The Biggest Bachelorette Reunion In Bachelor History Ever!.'s upcoming fifteenth season starring Hannah Brown will premiere next Monday, May 13 at 8PM ET/PT on ABC.Interested in more The Bachelor news? Join our The Bachelor Facebook Group By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 05/07/2019 ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade. reunion special featured former stars Ali Fedotowsky Kaitlyn Bristowe , and Rachel Lindsay spilling some dirty, juicy secrets about themselves or their time on the franchise.Reunion: The Biggest Bachelorette Reunion In Bachelor History Ever! aired Monday night on ABC and starred 12 former stars, who all gathered in the famed Bachelor mansion to share their stories of romance and recall some memorable moments in their journeys on the show.The reunion special featured Trista Sutter from Season 1, DeAnna Pappas from Season 4, Jillian Harris from Season 5, Ali Fedotowsky from Season 6, Ashley Hebert from Season 7, Emily Maynard from Season 8, Desiree Hartsock from Season 9, Andi Dorfman from Season 10, Kaitlyn Bristowe from Season 11, JoJo Fletcher from Season 12, Rachel Lindsay from Season 13, and Becca Kufrin from Season 14.Throughout the two-hour broadcast, a handful of leading ladies shared deep-dark secrets with viewers at home -- and the most shocking of the bunch arguably belonged to Ali."Honestly, I don't think I've ever told anybody this, but after [ Roberto Martinez ] and I broke up, I actually went on a date with [ Frank Neuschaefer ] and we were romantic for, like, a night!" Ali revealed.'s sixth season in 2010 had featured Frank determining he had lingering feelings for his former girlfriend and so he eventually decided to dump Ali and leave the reality dating competition altogether.Ali thought Frank handled the situation poorly and slammed him for being dishonorable and disrespectful at the time.Frank's exit left only two men in the running for the Bachelorette's heart --Roberto and Chris Lambton -- and Roberto ended up winning Ali's final rose, although they later split.Ali is now happily married to Kevin Manno and the couple has two children together (meanwhile, Chris married former The Bachelor bachelorette Peyton Lambton and they have two children as well).Becca disclosed how she and fiance Garrett Yrigoyen got a little too frisky in the Fantasy Suite during 's fourteenth season last year."Here's a fun little secret from Fantasy Suites: The night that Garrett and I spent the night together, we may have broken the bed," Becca told the cameras during the reunion special. "Sorry, Mom!"Becca and Garrett are still going strong and recently moved into a place in San Diego, CA, together.As for JoJo -- who is currently happily engaged to 's twelfth-season winner, Jordan Rodgers -- divulged how she had gotten pretty sick during her first night on the job."One of my dirtiest secrets from my time on is that I projectile vomited on my first Rose Ceremony ever," JoJo admitted. "And let me tell you, it was dirty. It was really gross!"JoJo was later shown elaborating on what happened while gossiping with her fellow former stars."After we finished Night 1, I'm going back to the hotel where I was staying and I'm going up the stairs and I just start projectile vomiting because of pure exhaustion," JoJo recalled."I'm just vomiting over this ledge. Everyone thinks I'm just hammered!"And Kaitlyn proved she holds her girlfriends in high regard.Following "girl code" rules, Kaitlyn apparently asked for Becca's permission to date her now-boyfriend Jason Tartick , who made it to the Final 3 on Becca's season."I think most people know by now that Jason and I are a couple," Kaitlyn noted. "What people might not know is that I chose to reach out to Becca before and make sure it was okay. Because I'm a big Becca guy, and I'm a classy lady."Kaitlyn and Jason went public with their relationship in January, a couple of months after Kaitlyn announced she had called off her engagement to Shawn Booth , the winner of 's eleventh season whom she had dated for over three years.Kaitlyn and Jason have already said, "I love you," to each other and appear to be totally smitten Rachel disclosed a behind-the-scenes moment from when she competed on Nick Viall 's season of The Bachelor in 2017."Something that most people don't know about me is that I passed out in the Fantasy Suites when I was with Nick," Rachel confessed."You know, it's set up to be this romantic, passionate evening, but for me, it was where I got my best night's sleep."Although Rachel failed to win Nick's heart, she ultimately got engaged to 's thirteenth-season winner Bryan Abasolo and the couple is currently planning their Summer 2019 wedding.In addition, Jillian admitted she was guilty of lighting her room on fire one night during her season by falling asleep with candles on.Jillian is now a mother of two and engaged to Justin Pasutto.Now that reunion has wrapped, Hannah Brown 's edition of will premiere next week on Monday, May 13 at 8PM ET/PT on ABC.Interested in more The Bachelor news? Join our The Bachelor Facebook Group By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 05/06/2019 ADVERTISEMENT Steven Rogers is a senior entertainment reporter for Reality TV World and been covering the reality TV genre for two decades. eleventh-season star Kaitlyn Bristowe is head over heels for boyfriend Jason Tartick and has called him her "everything.""Jason is the most stable human being I've ever met in my life. He is an absolute rock for me. I've never met anyone like that," Kaitlyn gushed to E! News."I don't even know how to put it into worlds of the kind of person he is. He's just the kind of person that your dad would hope you would marry."Kaitlyn announced her split from fiance Shawn Booth in November 2018 and then began dating Jason in January 2019. She confessed to Us Weekly in January she didn't expect to fall for Jason so fast."He's everything. He's hilarious. He's so driven. He's smart. He's well-spoken. He loves his family. He's romantic. Like, he's everything," Kaitlyn told E! News.Kaitlyn is currently based in Nashville, TN, while Jason is in Seattle, WA, but she said they are doing great despite the long distance.In fact, Kaitlyn called Jason the "best communicator I've ever met.""I think healthy communication is what makes long distance work and a lot of Facetimes," Kaitlyn shared."To be honest, we've been really fortunate enough to fly and travel and be able to meet up on the weekends so I still get to see him quite a bit for doing long distance... We're pretty lucky."Kaitlyn said she and Jason have no immediate plans to move closer to each other but they do plan to enjoy a trip to Mexico soon together.Kaitlyn will be appearing on Monday night's reunion special at 8PM ET/PT on ABC entitled The Biggest Bachelorette Reunion in Bachelor History Ever!.Kaitlyn first competed for Chris Soules ' heart on The Bachelor before starring on in 2015 and getting engaged Shawn, whom she had dated for three years before calling it quits.As for Jason, he fell hard for Becca Kufrin on 's fourteenth season and finished in third place, leaving him devastated.Jason was a frontrunner to star on The Bachelor's currently airing 23rd season, but the position ultimately went to their friend Colton Underwood Interested in more The Bachelor news? Join our The Bachelor Facebook Group Porterville, CA (93257) Today Cloudy with light rain early...then becoming partly cloudy. Low 44F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 90%.. Tonight Cloudy with light rain early...then becoming partly cloudy. Low 44F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 90%. State lawmakers overwhelmingly passed a record-high $27.5 billion budget for Georgias 2020 fiscal year with bipartisan support in late March. The budget has now been sent to Gov. Brian Kemps desk. As a result of the budget, Athens-Clarke County will soon see salary increases for teachers, an increase in funding for Medicaid and continued funding of higher education. Only a couple of months after opening her first CBD store near Athens Square Mall, Jacklin Parker is opening up another Your CBD Store in East Athens In January of 2019 Parker and her husband opened up a franchise location of Your CBD Store in west Athens. Parker said this franchise is unique in the CBD market because it isnt tied to marijuana or smoking at all, and instead sells products with the emphasis on medical applications of CBD, or Cannabidiol. The Athens Coalition for Recognition and Redress held its first community event regarding the remains uncovered during an expansion project at Baldwin Hall on the University of Georgia campus in 2015. Local activist groups such as Athens for Everyone and United Campus Workers of Georgia comprise the coalition. As the University of Georgias student body changes, the policies, curriculum and technology must adapt with it. The Presidents Task Force is a group of 20 UGA faculty members that was assembled to advance the institutions longstanding commitment to excellence in undergraduate education, according to its 2017 Report of Progress and Recommendations released in December and its updated report released in March 2019. The two parties have also approached the Delhi high court pleading that two earlier court orders be modified allowing Bakshi to sell his shares in Connaught Plaza Restaurant to McDonald's India. Fast-food chain McDonald's India and its estranged partner Vikram Bakshi have opted to go for an out-of-court settlement to settle their six-year-old dispute, the two parties informed the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) on Monday. The terms and date of the settlement as well as any other development in the case can be informed to the NCLAT by lawyers from any side, the appellate tribunal said. "Counsel for the parties' submits that they are negotiating for settlement but the impugned order may come in their way. In the facts and circumstances, we allow the parties to reach settlement uninfluenced by any of the order passed by the Tribunal or this Appellate Tribunal," the NCLAT order said. The appellate tribunal will now consider their request on May 13. Bakshi had in 1995 inked a deal with McDonald's to open outlets of the US-based fast-food chain in India. The partnership was a 50:50 venture between McDonald's India and Bakshi's Connaught Plaza Restaurant (CPRL), where in the latter would be responsible for opening and managing outlets of McDonald's in northern and eastern India. In 2017, MacDonald's India terminated the franchise agreement of 169 outlets managed by CPRL citing non-payment of royalties and asked suppliers to stop dealing with the latter. The suppliers of CPRL then included Vista Processed Foods, Schreiber Dynamix Dairies, Cremica Foods Industries and Amrit Foods, among others. Earlier in 2013, McDonald's India had ousted Bakshi from the post of managing director of CPRL. However, he was restored to his position in July 2017. Subsequently, McDonald's India had also challenged the use of the McDonald's trademark by Bakshi's CPRL. The two parties have also approached the Delhi high court pleading that two earlier court orders be modified allowing Bakshi to sell his shares in CPRL to McDonald's India. The parties have also pleaded that the earlier court order passed in 2013 be so clarified or amended so that CRPL would be able to issue equity shares worth Rs 6.34 crores to Bakshi Holdings Private Limited. The high court will consider these matters on May 20. In the southern and western regions, McDonald's outlets are run by Amit Jatia-led Westlife Development. Photograph: Shailesh Andrade/Reuters 'Does the BJP opening up a new assault on Rajiv Gandhi indicate that the BJP's internal calculations are pointing to the election results not going as it hoped, and hence a sign of desperation?' asks Saisuresh Sivaswamy. IMAGE: Rajiv Gandhi addresses an election meeting in Kishanganj, Bihar. Photograph: Krishna Murari Kishan/Reuters For all those Bharatiya Janata Party fans who thought the problems of the nation began and ended with Jawaharlal Nehru, and that 50 years more is needed to undo the mistakes of the past 70 years, here's a new name to add to their pantheon of hatred. Former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi, as Prime Minister Narendra Damodardas Modi has discovered in the middle of the election campaign, after four phases of polling were over in fact, was the original 'chor' and that the Congress did not have in it to fight the remaining two phases of elections in the name of its leader who was assassinated way back in May 1991. Meanwhile, all those who expected that the elections will be fought on substantive issues, on a vision for the future, can go back to sleep, the nightmare is still not over. For who knows what else the ruling party, now clearly fighting the election on the backfoot after no less than its senior leader Ram Madhav has hinted at the BJP securing a majority along with its allies -- not on its own, mind -- will now come up in its attempt to discredit the past so that the present can seem rosy and the future can still be sold on a dream of correcting the wrongs. But what about nation-building, did you ask? It is a tough ask of those who mistake the term for the physical construction of highways and superfast railway networks. Nations, they don't realise, are built not on the back of physical infrastructure but on the moral and ethical timbre that the leadership infuses into the conduct of State. And that, woefully, has been the biggest failure of the party that once claimed to be one with a difference, bigger than its failure on the economic or policy front. This is a government of out-shouters, not the out-performers we were led to believe in 2014. The prime minister's disinterring of Bharat Ratna Rajiv Gandhi may have shocked and stunned his old associates. Sam Pitroda, entrusted by the then prime minister with the task of revolutionising the nascent telecom sector, seemed to be close to tears on India Today TV on Monday night, telling Rajdeep Sardesai, 'You are my prime minister, too. Have some decency, please.' Decency, alas, is going to be in short supply, at least till the next two phases of electioneering are over, and who knows, possibly beyond as well. For the bitterness of the last five years, accentuated by the vitriolic and cheap election campaign that we have seen so far when nothing, nothing at all, was considered a no-go area, is going to be terribly difficult to wash away even with a liberal dose of the newly-cleansed Gangajal. Who knows, if the election results do throw up a surprise -- of a kind that even Ram Madhav did not foresee -- the polity is in for a time of acrimony the likes of we did not see even in the dying days of the Rajiv Gandhi regime. The BJP's Amit Malviya harked back to those days on India Today TV when he recalled the election slogan from back then -- 'galli galli mein shor hai, Rajiv Gandhi chor hai' -- to justify his party digging up the past. The message was clear: You say 'tu chor', we will say 'tera baap chor'. Taken together, do Ram Madhav's statement and the BJP opening up a new assault route on Rajiv Gandhi, indicate that the BJP's internal calculations are pointing to the election results not going as it hoped, and hence a sign of desperation, of a collective reminder to the Opposition that once upon a time not too long ago their enemy was the Congress, not the BJP? Naturally, the Congress's Sanjay Jha was very clear that it was indeed so, when he told Bhupendra Chaubey that the 'BJP was falling, and falling fast'. At least on one TV channel, it was a no-debate on who was guilty. Leading with the hashtag #BhrashtracharDebate, Republic TV had an array of 'experts' each talking at each other, making it unclear as to who was saying what or why. It was just a babel of voices, something akin to what India is in election mode. Just as in India during election time, on Republic TV too there is a notional helmsman trying to seemingly restore order, but who really is contributing to the chaos. 'I decided to not raise my voice tonight but you leave me with no choice,' Arnab Goswami told his obstreperous guests in no uncertain terms, before turning up the decibel level a notch or two. The Congress's Pawan Khera's entreaty on India Today TV, that 'Elections come, elections go, we have won elections, we have lost elections, but please don't lose control' is a piece of advice that suits our vaunted TV stars during poll time and beyond. But two TV channels showed what gets drowned out when non-issues such as who was the bigger thief dominate the election discourse. On Mirror Now, Faye D'Souza kept the focus firmly away from nonsense and drivel, and on the aftermath of Cyclone Fani's devastation in Odisha. She had brought in representatives of the state government and the NDRF, who were very responsive to the problems raised. A quick look at the morning newspapers shows how the human tragedy that is still unfolding in the eastern region has been overshadowed by all the name-calling and descent into crassness. The other imagery was from NDTV India, the Hindi channel, where Prannoy Roy and his team were on the field in Uttar Pradesh, focusing on the deprivation in Dalit lives. When an extremely articulate 7th standard girl told Roy and Co in a normal voice, 'We have no income, so what do we eat?' and holds up an empty gas cylinder -- given under the government's successful Ujjwala scheme -- and says the family has no money for a refill, the truth hits you. Not of the real India -- that truth cannot be hidden, lying as it does just a 100 km outside any of our gleaming metros -- but of the miasma of hate, disinformation lies, distortion, calumny that is spread during election time. More than the fog of war, beware the fog of elections. 'It is the RJD, otherwise known for misgovernance, which has offered a candidate of clean and performing credentials, rather than the NDA,' points out Mohammad Sajjad. IMAGE: The simple and unassuming Dr Raghuvansh Prasad Singh of the Rashtriya Janata Dal hits the campaign trail in Vaishali. Photograph: Kind courtesy Raghuvansh Prasad Singh/Twitter Vaishali is the birthplace of Lord Mahavir, the last and 24th Jain Tirthankara who preached peace and non-violence. It is also known for giving birth to a certain kind of republican governance when the Lichhavis ruled over it. It is a site of Buddhist pilgrimage and one of the Buddhist councils was held there. Later, in the 15th century, a Sufi saint, Sheikh Qazin Shuttari, also spread his message of love and syncretism. Every year a huge crowd of devotees from all communities throngs his mazar. Ironically then, quite often, this Lok Sabha seat is offered Bahubali type of strongman candidates. In 2014, Vaishali elected the Lok Janshakti Party's Ramashankar Singh, a man with criminal antecedents. He defeated the Rashtriya Janata Dal's Dr Raghuvansh Prasad Singh, Union minister for rural development in the United Progressive Alliance government. Raghuvansh Prasad Singh lagged behind Ramashankar Singh in all the six assembly segments, five of which fall in Muzaffarpur district. Soon after being elected in 2014, Ramashankar spent almost two years in jail in a case of kidnapping for ransom. Another formidable' candidate to have contested the 2014 election and who garnered a 'respectable' number of votes, was Bhumihar strongman and transport entrepreneur Munna Shukla's wife Anu Shukla. This story of electing Bahubali-like nominees began in Vaishali in the 1994 bye-election of Lovely Anand (wife of Rajput strongman of the Kosi belt, Anand Mohan), which was seen as the beginning of the undoing of Lalu Yadav. Soon after this election, Nitish Kumar broke away from Lalu and formed the Samata Party. This was also an initial phase of the coming together on the electoral front of two rival upper castes, Bhumihars and Rajputs, against Lalu, then chief minister. The immediate backdrop for this was a series of gang wars: In 1992, Bhumihar legislator Hemant Shahi was killed, allegedly by ruling Janata Dal men. In 1994, Chhotan Shukla and Butkun Shukla, two brothers, were killed. The funeral procession of Chhotan Shukla in Muzaffarpur, eventually lynched G Krishnaiya, the district magistrate of Gopalganj, Lalu's home district, for which Anand Mohan Singh was convicted. Subsequently, in June 1998, Brij Bihari, a strongman and symbol of backward caste assertion against upper caste gangsters, was also killed. Brij Bihari was a minister in the Rabri Devi cabinet; his widow Rama Devi is now in the BJP seeking a third term from the Sheohar Lok Sabha seat which she represented in 2009 and 2014. In 1998-1999, she had represented the Motihari Lok Sabha seat on an RJD ticket, defeating the BJP's Radha Mohan Singh, Union agriculture minister in Narendra Modi's Cabinet, who is seeking re-election from Motihari. The latest spine-chilling high profile murder was of a Bhumihar, Samir Kumar, former mayor of Muzaffarpur, in September 2018. The Lalu-Rabri regime is often described as 'jungle raj'. Particularly since 2013, when Nitish Kumar broke off from the BJP, Bihar has seen a sudden spurt in crime, lawlessness, and also communal clashes. This has been further accentuated in recent years. One is not sure if the media and the articulate segments of Bihar really look upon this deterioration with as much disgust and revulsion as they looked upon the Rabri regime. Conversely, not many may disagree that on the issue of lawlessness, an RJD-led administration in Bihar faces greater ire than a regime aligned with the BJP. For many upper castes, the RJD symbolises lawlessness whereas the NDA is not perceived so. This duplicity stands further exposed when one looks at the recent history of Lok Sabha elections in Vaishali where this time, the RJD's Raghuvansh Prasad Singh is pitted against the LJP's Veena Devi. Both are Rajputs. Raghuvansh Prasad, known for his simple, unassuming and frugal lifestyle (and hence nicknamed Brahma Baba), has had a long political career of almost half a century. He has lost only a few elections in his life. His performance as Union rural development minister received much admiration from a cross-section of society. He does not carry allegations of corruption nor does he have any criminal antecedents. Raghuvansh Prasad is thus the development face of the RJD, which is infamous for having neglected development. Even though it is an irony of historic proportions that despite being historic, and full of tourism potential in a resource-starved Bihar, the historic village of Vaishali is yet to be put on the railway map. This, despite the fact that quite a few Bihari parliamentarians have been rail mantris. The only criticism Raghuvansh Prasad faces from the electorate in Vaishali that he extends favours to his caste-men, fellow Rajputs, especially true in awarding contracts for civil construction, something about which the RJD's core base, the Yadavs, have complained to Patna. Another criticism he faces in his home turf is that in many assembly segments, he rarely visits any Muslim village though they have been his most consistent voters except in 2014, when almost every third Muslim voted for their community candidates contesting as Independents (a total of 46,000 votes were thus taken away by these candidates). Besides, some Muslims also voted for the other Independent (Anu Shukla), for the JD-U, and also for the LJP. This is how local political workers, insiders and other election-watchers of Vaishali see it. It is said that many Yadavs who expressed their anger against Raghuvansh Prasad's act of favouring Rajputs, went on to join the Modi bandwagon in 2014. He did not forge any alliance with Bhumihars in terms of having at least one Bhumihar MLA from the Congress-RJD from any of the assembly seats in Vaishali. Raghuvansh Prasad is also alleged to have not let the Muslim leadership grow in its assembly segment of Kanti, which twice elected Muslim legislators, and that he pits one Pasmanda caste candidate against another. Also, there were some incidents of communal tension and violence in which he did not intervene to calm down the situation, which the people hold against him. Yet, local observers, election-watchers and political workers in Vaishali seem to suggest that the Yadavs, Muslims and many poor low castes have come back to Raghuvansh Prasad. Conversations with people from the Kushwaha, Mallah, and Musahar communities don't reveal much about their probable electoral preferences. The RJD's alliance with smaller outfits representing the above three castes does not make it much clear if these votes would really be transferred to the RJD-led coalition. The Kurmis and Ati Pichdas are supposed to be with the NDA. But the bigger fact is the Ati Pichdas (Pachpaniyas, or 55 castes) are mostly silent, possibly because no single caste from this category has populous villages dominated by their people. They are mostly scattered, and at the time of elections, generally avoid being seen as an electorally aggregated and vocal group. So what about the upper castes? The Rajputs appear to have gone over to LJP and NDA nominee Veena Devi's side. Besides, most of the village toughs, cutting across castes and communities, are to be seen in Veena Devi's campaign team. Needless to say, these toughs cum brokers (in the police thanas and in the community development blocks) do influence a lot of votes. Not without any reason, the US-based anthropologist, Witsoe Jeffrey, working on rural Bihar, calls these brokers 'frontline functionaries of the State'. Their counterparts in West Bengal are called mastans, where they are integrated into, and patronised by, the ruling party. On Nitish Kumar's watch, in today's rural Bihar, these elements have fattened themselves on bootlegging, in connivance with the local police and lawmakers. These bootleggers are said to be the providers of money to the political parties. Veena Devi was chairman, district board, Muzaffarpur (2001-2006); BJP MLA from Gaighat (Muzaffarpur), 2010-2015. Her husband Dinesh Singh is an MLC from the Janata Dal-United, and keeps hopping between it and the RJD, depending on who is in power. Their daughter-in-law is vice chairman, district board, Muzaffarpur. So much for the NDA's propaganda of parivarvad (dynasticism), against the RJD-Congress! Sections of the Bhumihars, in private conversation, confide that electing Veena Devi would adversely affect their dominance in the area. Bhumihars have long not been elected either from the Muzaffarpur Lok Sabha seat (where both the alliances have fielded Mallah candidates), or from Vaishali. Muzaffarpur is supposed to be the cultural capital of Bhumihars. At the same time, most of them also have almost undiminishing love for Modi. Though a small section of Bhumihars has joined Raghuvansh Prasad's campaign team, they argue that notwithstanding their longstanding grievances against the RJD's politics of marginalising Bhumihars, of the two Rajput candidates they would prefer someone with a clean image, a highly educated gentleman -- Raghuvansh Prasad. While this caste calculus will reveal its layers only on May 23 when the votes are counted, in Vaishali, it is the RJD, otherwise known for misgovernance, which has offered a candidate of clean and performing credentials, rather than the NDA. Notwithstanding Raghuvansh Prasad's limitations, in this jaded era of money-muscle politics, that a simple gentleman like him can survive and even thrive is indeed quite a feat. Mohammad Sajjad is a professor of history at Aligarh Muslim University. Congress MP Sushmita Dev on Tuesday claimed before the Supreme Court that the Election Commission has failed to appreciate that the alleged "hate speeches" by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bharatiya Janata Party chief Amit Shah are "corrupt practices" and promote the feeling of enmity on religious grounds. In an affidavit, Dev, who placed before the apex court various orders of the poll panel on complaints of model code violation against Modi and Shah, said that the Election Commission has passed orders in a "cryptic manner without mentioning any reason whatsoever, in stark violation of the law laid down by this court" while disposing of some complaints. The Congress has on May 6 lodged a fresh complaint before the poll panel against Modi for his remarks which "maligned and tarnished the image" of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, Dev said in the affidavit filed in the court. The apex court had on Monday asked the Congress MP to bring on record EC's orders giving clean chit to Modi and Shah, after she accused the poll panel of inaction on complaints against the two BJP leaders for allegedly violating the model code of conduct with "hate speeches" and using armed forces for "political propaganda" Alleging discrimination and arbitrariness on part of the EC, Dev said that the poll panel has initiated action for violation of model code of conduct against Union minister Maneka Gandhi, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath, Bahujan Samaj Party Supremo Mayawati and BJP leader Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur for statements which were similar in "tone, tenor, meaning, purport and intention" to Modi and Shah's statements. "The Respondent-ECI failed to appreciate that the hate speeches delivered by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah are 'corrupt practices' under Section 123A of the Representation of People Act, 1951 which ex-facie promote feelings of enmity and hatred between different classes of the citizens of India on grounds of religion," Dev's affidavit said. She said that speeches given by Modi and Shah are also punishable under section 153A of the Indian Penal Code as they "blatantly promote disharmony and feelings of enmity on the grounds of religion and such acts are also likely to prejudice the maintenance of public harmony and tranquility between religious communities". Referring to some of the orders passed by EC on complaints against Modi and Shah, Dev, a Lok Sabha MP from Silchar in Assam and also the President of All India Mahila Congress, said, "The Respondent-ECI has passed the above orders in a cryptic manner without any reasons whatsoever, in stark violation of the law laid down by this court". Dev said that the dissent reported and given by one of the Election Commissioners is not provided along with the order. "This demonstrates a complete lack of transparency and arbitrariness of the Respondent's (ECI) decision-making process on complaints against Shri Modi and Shri Amit Shah," the affidavit said. "The Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in act unbecoming of the high office he holds, made unprecedented obscene/ derogatory remarks, in a speech...by referring to present Congress president Rahul Gandhi's late father and former Prime Minster of India Rajiv Gandhi, in Pratapgarh, Uttar Pradesh," Dev said in her affidavit. It said, "That in light of the aforesaid unfortunate and unbecoming statements made by the Prime Minister to malign and tarnish the former Prime Minister's image, the Congress Party was constrained to submit another complaint dated 06.05.2019 against Prime Minister, Narendra Modi for aforestated obscene/derogatory remarks". The top court had listed Dev's plea for hearing on May 8. Senior advocate A M Singhvi, appearing for Dev, had contended that the poll panel has passed "unreasoned" orders while dismissing complaints of MCC violations against Modi and Shah and moreover, there have been reports of dissent by one of the Election Commissioners in passing some of the decisions. The apex court should consider framing guidelines to deal with violations of MCC in a time-bound manner as the delay denies the level-playing field to all political parties which is part of basic structure of the Constitution, Singhvi said. Dev, in her plea, has alleged inaction by EC in deciding complaints against Modi and Shah and has said that it was "a sign of invidious discrimination" and also "arbitrary, capricious and impermissible" as it was destructive of the integrity of electoral process. Earlier, the apex court had directed the poll panel to decide by May 6, the nine complaints of the Congress party alleging violations of MCC by the Prime Minister and Shah. The poll panel had said that by May 8, it was likely to consider all the representations of the Congress party and its leader. "Narendra Modi should get a tight slap of democracy," a furious Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee said on Tuesday, hitting back at the prime minister for alleging repeatedly that her government is run by extortionist syndicates. IMAGE: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee addresses a rally at Barjora, Bankura in Kolkata. Photograph: @AITCofficial/Twitter She also questioned the BJP's nationalistic and patriotic claims, saying it was an "RSS man" who killed Mahatma Gandhi. "I do not bow my head in politics. When Modi alleges that Trinamool Congress is a party of syndicates...its government is run by syndicates, I feel he should get a tight slap of democracy (be defeated in election)," she said at a public meeting at Raghunathpur in Purulia. Calling Modi a prime minister who is "known for telling lies", Banerjee said during his visits to West Bengal for election he says her government does not allow Durga Puja and other Hindu rituals to be performed. "Do you believe those allegations?" she asked. Joining issue with the prime minister over his claim that she does not allow people to chant "Jai Shri Ram" and throw those who do behind bars, she said, "I will not join them (the BJP) in shouting their slogan. I will rather say Jai Hind." At another meeting at Ranibandh in Bankura district, she questioned BJP's claim of patriotism. "I do not know who Gandhiji's killers were. But we know the name of Nathuram Godse, an RSS man. When you speak of patriotism and serving the nation can you tell us who was he? "Did you fight for the country's independence? You (the BJP) had supported the British. Don't you feel ashamed?" Banerjee said. Speaking in the same vein at Barjora, also in Bankura district, Banerjee said, "They (the BJP) don't revere Gandhiji and Netaji as leaders of the nation .... Modi should not sermonise us on patriotism". A combative Banerjee alleged that BJP starts doing politics over Lord Ram during elections. She said the saffron party could not build even a small Ram temple in the last five years. The TMC supremo asserted Modi will not get a second term in office as he failed to bring in 'acche din' that he had promised in 2014. Instead, more than 12,000 farmers committed suicide, factories got closed and three crore jobs were lost. However, she claimed, while there was distress everywhere, income of those living in West Bengal went up three-fold. She accused the BJP of orchestrating riots between "Hindus and Muslims, Muslims and Christians and Muslims and adivasis" during the last five years. "I don't tolerate rioters-- both Hindu and Muslim. We want peace not unrest. We (TMC) do not want Modi to stay in power. We will help in government formation in Delhi," she added. Former United States president Barack Obama made an exceptional use of his race, went out of his way to develop a personal chemistry with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and moved the State of the Union Address to attend India's Republic Day celebrations as chief guest so as to win over the Indian leader on his ambitious Paris Agreement on Climate Change, his former aide claimed on Monday. The State of the Union Address is an annual message delivered by the US president to a joint session of the Congress at the beginning of each calendar year in office. The tactics deployed by Obama to bring India on board, which was the only major power in his way of the climate deal, was described by his former top personal and national security aide Benjamin Rhodes in a podcast interview. "By the time we got to Paris, the main hold was India," Rhodes said during a discussion with Kurt Campbell, the former assistant secretary of state for east Asian Affairs and Richard Verma, the former US Ambassador to India, in their 'The Tealeaves' Podcast of the Asia Group. In response to questions from Ambassador Verma, Rhodes said the then Obama administration had made breakthrough deal with the Chinese at the end of 2014 where they announced their bilateral emissions reductions targets. This became the core of the Paris agreement, he noted. Following the deal by the two biggest emitters, Rhodes said, other countries started announcing their commitments for the agreement. And as a result, the climate agreement in Paris was within reach. However, the "main holdout was India", Rhodes said as he gave an insight into the strategy adopted by Obama to win Modi. "We had to move the State of the Union address to go to (India)," he said, referring to Obama's visit to India to attend the Republic Day celebrations in January 26, 2015 as the chief guest. Obama is the only American president to visit India twice. Referring to the January 26 invitation from the Indian prime minister, he said, "Given that India was more important for US for its Paris agreement, his top advisors told him to develop personal rapport with Modi... and advised him that he should accept the invite and go... And Obama really did develop a personal rapport with Modi over multiple meetings." It was this personal rapport that helped Obama successfully argue his case with India. Winning Modi also helped Obama get other countries like South Africa and Brazil on board, he claimed. Describing the negotiations with Indian officials in Paris as an unforgettable experience, Rhodes said, "I'll never forget. Obama comes around the corner and the Indian negotiators are there before Modi... they start arguing with Obama. I'd never seen anything like this... This argument between Obama and Indian negotiators went on for 30 minutes. The president had no luck, till Modi arrived." Modi comes around the corner and gets to the core of the issue. Modi told Obama he has 300 million people without electricity. "You're telling me I can't use coal and, and I got to do all these things," the Indian prime minister said. It was at this moment, Rhodes claimed, Obama brought in his race angle. "I remember never seen Obama do this," Rhodes said, adding that he generally used to avoid bringing up his race with other leaders. Quoting Obama, Rhodes said the then US president told Modi, "Look, you know, I get it. I'm black, I'm African American. I know what it's like to be in an unfair system where a bunch of people got rich on your back... but I also have to live in the world that I'm in... if I just made decisions based on that resentment, then I actually would never catch up." Rhodes claimed Obama told Modi that the US will help India to set up solar power plants so that people can get energy faster. He also informed Modi about the big solar initiatives that the US was going to launch with Bill Gates in Paris. "Modi, you could tell, he totally got it," Rhodes said. A day after the in-house panel of the Supreme Court said that there was no substance in the sexual harassment allegations against Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi, a group of women collected outside the court to register their protest. The police banned the gathering of any large group at the area in central Delhi's Lutyens' Zone. Amid noisy scenes, some of the protesters courted arrest. While the journalists covering the protest have been released, over 30 women activists have been detained by the police at Mandir Marg Police Station, Delhi. Security has also been increased outside the top courts premises. Several activists and a group of lawyers were protesting against the procedure adopted by the three-judge panel, led by Justice SA Bobde, to deal with the sexual harassment case against CJI Gogoi. "We were not allowed to protest even for five minutes. First the Supreme Court allows a farce process and then can't even accept any criticism. Rule of law died thousand deaths," lawyer Amritananda Chakravorty tweeted. On Monday, the Supreme Court's in-house Inquiry Committee 'found no substance' in the allegations of sexual harassment levelled against him by a former woman employee of the apex court. Immediately after the office of apex court's Secretary General came out with the findings of the committee, the woman issued a press statement saying that she was 'highly disappointed and dejected'. She said 'gross injustice' has been done to her as a woman citizen of India and 'worst fears' have come true, and all hope of justice and redress from the highest court of the land have been shattered. Photographs: ANI Photos, Adnan Abidi/Reuters Eight images that prove we live in a wonderfully weird world! People eat bananas during a protest against perceived censorship by Poland's National Museum in front of the National Museum in Warsaw. Photograph: Kacper Pempel/Reuters Two 'zebra members' of the Vial Education Program in La Paz are seen at the Auquisamana park in La Paz, Bolivia. Photograph: David Mercado/Reuters A couple from Newcastle, winners of a contest, pose on a bed under the glass Pyramid at the Louvre museum in Paris. They were offered the chance to spend a night in the Louvre museum, an aperitif in front of the painting 'Mona Lisa' by Leonardo Da Vinci, a dinner in front of the Venus de Milo statue during a private visit and finally sleep in their own little mini pyramid under the glass Pyramid. Photograph: Charles Platiau/Reuters Team members strain to pull a DHL Boeing 757 aircraft for 20 metres during a charity fundraising event at the Safi Aviation Park in Safi, Malta. Photograph: Darrin Zammit Lupi/Reuters A cyclist steers down the narrow handrail of a stairway on Waterloo Bridge in London. Photograph: Henry Nicholls/Reuters WikiLeaks editor Kristinn Hrafnsson addresses the media next to a protester outside of Westminster Magistrates Court, where Wikileaks founder Julian Assange had a US extradition request hearing, in London. Photograph: Henry Nicholls/Reuters Steamed dishes are seen on a giant food steamer for an event at a tourist attraction in Xiantao, Hubei province, China. Photographer: Stringer/Reuters People take pictures of a fountain and light show during a season launching event in Stavropol, Russia. Photograph: Eduard Korniyenko/Reuters 'Ab Ram Mandir nahi toh Modi nahi' Hundreds of sadhus on Tuesday trooped to the Madhya Pradesh capital, Bhopal, to seek votes for the Congress Lok Sabha candidate Digvijaya Singh and campaign against Bharatiya Janata Party nominee Pragya Singh Thakur. Led by Namdev Tyagi alias Computer Baba, they will camp in Bhopal for three days. They undertook Hath Yoga on Tuesday, followed by a road show. Hath Yoga involves asanas (positions) that help in relaxing and breathing control. Computer Baba was bestowed minister of state status by the then BJP-led government in Madhya Pradesh and appointed on a panel to clean the Narmada. "BJP sarkaar 5 saal mein Ram Mandir bhi nahi bana paayi. Ab Ram Mandir nahi toh Modi nahi." (The BJP remained in power for five years but it failed to construct Ram Temple, so when there is no Ram Mandir then there should be no Narendra Modi too.)," the Baba said. WATCH: Digvijaya performs 'Hath Yoga' with Computer Baba The self-styled godman, who was recently appointed chairman of a river trust by the Congress government in the state, extended his support to Digvijaya Singh, the Congress' Bhopal Lok Sabha seat candidate. "They (BJP) have fooled people. They have not even spared the saint community. They talked of Ram temple, they have not constructed it in five years and have come back with the same issue. The public won't be fooled now. No temple, no Modi," he told reporters in Bhopal. Asked if the ritual was to pray for Singh's victory, he said, "The saints prayed to God that the person who is treading on the path of religion, the one who served the river Narmada and saints is Digvijaya Singh, and should win by lakhs of votes." Asked about Pragya Singh Thakur, an accused in the Malegaon blast case, he said one cannot become a sadhvi (saint) merely by wearing a robe. At the ritual, Digvijaya Singh was seen dressed in a white kurta pyjama and seated on the ground, while the sadhus formed a semi-circle near him. The Congress candidate from Thiruvanathapuram said that the Centre has ignored the concerns and aspirations of southern states and that Rahul Gandhi's decision to contest from the south has made a very effective outreach. -- INDIA VOTES IMAGE: Tharoor said that the south has an understandable case of step-motherly treatment under the Centre. Photograph: Atul Loke/Getty Images Alleging that south India received "step motherly" treatment under the Modi government, senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said the south will play a key role in voting out the ruling dispensation and "overwhelmingly" side with the Congress. Emphasising that all sections of the country are equally important to the Congress and have been equally sought after, he said party president Rahul Gandhi's decision to contest from Kerala's Wayanad sent a message that under Congress rule, the concerns and aspirations of southern states will not be ignored at the Centre. "I think the south will definitely play an instrumental role in deciding the political fate of the country, particularly in the context of voting out the present ruling dispensation, under whose tenure, the south has an understandable case of step-motherly treatment under the Centre," Tharoor said in an interview. He alleged that in the last five years of Bharatiya Janata Party rule, there has been a "widespread assault" on the spirit of cooperative federalism which has held the country together since Independence. "This is partly on account of cultural factors such as the beef ban and the drive to impose Hindi as a national language, but also because of larger issues such as the uproar regarding the terms of reference of the 15th Finance Commission which has implications on the financial and political security of the southern states," he said. IMAGE: Tharoor is seeking a third straight Lok Sabha term from Thiruvanathapuram. Photograph: @shashitharoor/Twitter The Congress, particularly with Rahul Gandhi's decision to contest from the south, has made a very effective outreach towards the southern states, the former Union minister said. The Congress chief contesting from Wayanad has sent a clear message that under Congress rule, the concerns and aspirations of these states will not be ignored at the Centre, least of all under a potential prime ministerial candidate who will be elected from the south, Tharoor said. "As my own experiences in Kerala tell me, this message has been widely and popularly received and it is clear that the south will overwhelmingly side with the Congress as the most credible alternative to the present ruling dispensation," the 63-year-old leader said. Tharoor, who is seeking a third straight Lok Sabha term from Thiruvanathapuram, which went to polls on April 23, also asserted that there will be a coalition government at the Centre after the elections and that the coalition is more likely to be United Progressive Alliance-3 rather than a National Democratic Alliance-3. "The fundamental fact that the performance of the BJP in 2014, where they secured 282 seats, is based on simple mathematics, a performance that is impossible for them to repeat, even if they had been highly successful in government, which they were lamentably not," he said. "Given how poorly they performed in government, the scale of the frustration and disappointment with their performance is immense and is likely to result in a significant reduction in their seats," he claimed. Tharoor contended that the BJP will be forced to turn to regional parties for support to form a government, but most of those potential partners would be unwilling to offer their support, given how their concerns and voices were "diminished and marginalised" under the Modi-Shah regime of the last 5 years. "Many of those who had joined the NDA got their fingers burned -- many subsequently left their erstwhile alliance with the BJP or openly bickered with them. This sends a clear signal that allying with the BJP comes at a heavy price," he claimed. IMAGE: Tharoor said that Gandhi is the party chief and if the Congress gets a majority, he will be PM. Photograph: @INCIndia/Twitter In contrast, the Congress has presented a compelling and credible narrative across the country and has implemented an effective and energetic campaign during the current elections, he said. This, along with the rising anti-BJP wave and the Congress's historic record and capability of working with regional partners makes it clear that when the coalition government is formed, it will most definitely be the return of the UPA, Tharoor asserted. On whether Rahul Gandhi could be the front-runner for being the opposition's prime ministerial choice, he said Gandhi is the party chief and if the Congress gets a majority, he will be PM. "If the government is a coalition, obviously this is a decision that will jointly be taken by leadership of the parties that constitute the coalition and will take place through established processes and conventions," he said. This is only likely be discussed once the results of the election become clear, he added. However, Tharoor said Gandhi has all the right qualities to make an excellent Prime Minister for the country. It took three and a half minutes for faculty and students at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., to learn there was an active shooter in their school. Four Yale University students feel their mobile alert app can drastically reduce response time during similar emergencies. We realized there that schools really have a communication problem internally, but also externally, said Michael Chime, who developed the app Prepared with classmates Daniel James, Neal Soni and Dylan Gleicher to alert students and faculty members during school shootings. International reports described 2018 as the worst year in the United States for gun violence in schools, and the Parkland shooting was at the center of it. Data from Education Week, a journal covering education in the U.S., found that there were 24 school shootings that resulted in 114 injuries or deaths. The mobile application lets faculty respond almost instantly to an active shooting incident using their phones to connect with students and first responders. Chime said most of the features on the app are the result of feedback from local schools, and a case study he and his team conducted on the Parkland school shooting. Approved users can send a lockdown notification to the entire school and local law enforcement through the program by pressing and holding an active shooter button for three seconds, which sends out an Amber alert-style message. The program also lets users provide information on the emergency through a messaging feature, including location and description of the suspected shooter. That streamlined response will be communicated with the authorities at the press of a button, Chime said, touting a 15-second alert time. A newly added feature also notifies school district officials, who can then can send emergency messages to nearby schools. Were able to ensure that the security of the schools surrounding (the emergency) are in thought as well, Chime said. The app has already received a favorable review at Yale, according to Chime, who said the university has invested roughly $40,000 into the startup, including the Miller Prize for $25,000. The quartet will also spend their summer in an accelerator program where they will continue to develop the application and work with school districts nationwide to implement it. Theyve reached out to school districts in Connecticut and other states, including Louisiana and Ohio, where James and Chime are from, respectively. Chime said theyve been in contact with local law enforcement as well. Another app developer said he saw the undergraduates startup as a valuable tool for the school system. I think thats potentially powerful for sure, said Ben Berkowitz, CEO and founder of SeeClickFix, a New Haven-based web and mobile platform that allows users to communicate with local government about public works issues. His company, which has been around for a decade, has about 350 city partners that use the application and website as a primary means of taking public service requests about potholes, graffiti or illegal dumping. Jordan.grice@hearstmediact.com HARTFORD A few days after information released for the first time by the state Department of Public Health showed more than 100 schools with immunization rates for measles below the standard, Attorney General William Tong issued an opinion that its legal for lawmakers to get rid of the religious exemption. Tongs formal opinion, his first as attorney general, says There is no serious or reasonable dispute as to the States broad authority to require and regulate immunizations for children: the law is clear that the State of Connecticut may create, eliminate or suspend the religious exemption in Section 10-204a(a) in accordance with its well-settled power to protect public health and safety. The opinion was in response House Majority Leader Matt Ritters request for a formal opinion regarding the constitutionality of eliminating the religious exemption for required immunizations. Currently, preschool and school-aged children can present a statement saying they are not immunized because it would be contrary to the religious beliefs of such a child or the parents or guardian of such child. Ritter pointed to the recent measles outbreaks in New York and the Pacific Northwest as the reason the religious exemption should be eliminated. Hes promised to hold a vote on the issue within the next year and he hopes Tongs decision helped inform his colleagues. As you may know three states California, Mississippi, and West Virginia currently do not have a religious or philosophical exemption for required school immunizations. In addition, the lack of either exemption has been challenged and upheld under federal constitutional principles, Ritter wrote in his letter. Ritter said he plans to talk with House Speaker Joe Aresimowicz, Minority Leader Themis Klarides, R-Derby, and Senate President Martin Looney about whether theres an appetite to get rid of the religious exemption this year. He said they thought they would have to pass a law to get access to the school-level data and now within a matter of days they have the opinion from Tong. Ritter, who has two school-aged children, said its an important issue that no one thought they would be dealing with this year. He said he was unable to predict what would happen next. Tong said he doesnt have an opinion as to whether the state should eliminate the religious exemption because thats a policy decision for the legislature and the governor. Tongs opinion focused on the constitutionality under both the federal and state constitution. Despite a diligent search, we have been unable to find a Connecticut case that has held that a religious exemption from school vaccinations was constitutionally required, Tong wrote. On the contrary, over 100 years ago, the Connecticut Supreme Court upheld mandatory school immunizations. Bissell v. Davison, 65 Conn. 183 (1894). More recently, a superior court case has upheld the constitutional dimensions of immunization in the context of a child custody case. In the custody case, Tong said the court noted that religious freedom in this country is not an absolute right and that the right of parents to raise their children in accord with their personal and religious beliefs must yield when the health of the child is at risk or when there is a recognized threat to public safety. There are at least 44 lawmakers, 41 Republicans and three Democrats, who have expressed their opinion against removing the religious exemption. They also wrote to Tong outlining why, under federal and state law, they believe it would be both unnecessary and illegal to eliminate the religious exemption. One of their arguments was that Connecticut doesnt have a problem. Connecticut currently has one of the highest vaccination rates in the country at 98.2 percent, far greater than the 75-86 percent required to achieve herd immunity for mumps, the 80-86 percent required for polio, and the 83-94 percent required for measles, the 44 lawmakers said. The use of the religious exemption in Connecticut, therefore, poses absolutely no threat to public health or safety. However, Ritter believes that argument was weakened Friday by the release of data there are more than 100 schools where the immunization standard for measles is below the 95 percent minimum rate. Ritter said Monday that the information was shocking and many lawmakers were still digesting it. The other argument the 44 lawmakers made in the letter in support of the religious exemption was that eliminating it would force parents with strongly held religious beliefs to homeschool their children. They said this requirement would violate Connecticuts constitution that mandates there shall always be free public elementary and secondary schools in the state. But Tong says in a footnote that Connecticuts constitutional guarantee of free public education does not limit the States power to require vaccinations. STAMFORD A former Glenbrook man was sentenced to 25 years in prison at the Stamford courthouse Tuesday for killing his estranged wife and abandoning their 6-year-old daughter in a New York City bus depot in 2016. Appearing before Judge Richard Comerford wearing a bright orange jumpsuit, Elmer Gomez Ruano, 35, said he was sorry for killing his wife, Donicia Bautista-Cano, in an apartment building directly behind the Glenbrook fire house in November 2016. I would like to apologize. I am very remorseful for what I have done, Gomez Ruano said through an interpreter. At no time did I want things to go the way they did, he added, before Comerford handed down the sentence. Gomez Ruano pleaded guilty in January to the murder of Bautista-Cano less than 48 hours after the two reconciled, patched up their shaky relationship and moved into a Glenbrook apartment together. As a result of the plea agreement with Stamford States Attorney Richard Colangelo, he agreed to be sentenced to 25 years in prison, rather than go to trial and receive a possible life sentence, which is 60 years in Connecticut. Gomez Ruano confessed to using a wet towel to suffocate Bautista-Cano, 24, after she exchanged some panicked texts with her other boyfriend in New Jersey. He says he is going to kill us both, she texted to the man in Spanish, according to police. Police said the disagreement escalated into a physical fight inside their apartment while their 6-year-old daughter was apparently asleep. Gomez Ruanos attorney, public defender Howard Ehring, said during the sentencing that the incident followed a marital breakdown and his client fully cooperated with police in their investigation and confessed to the murder. Ehring also said Gomez Ruano should have had a psychological evaluation right after he was captured by police but went without. Ehring said his representation of Gomez Ruano did not begin until about 10 months after his capture. But Colangelo was quick to point out that Gomez Ruano did not come to police first. He had to be hunted down and captured in New York days after he killed his wife and took his young daughter to a New York City bus terminal and abandoned the child there while he was running from authorities. The daughter led police back to the Glenbrook apartment where her mothers body was discovered. After being captured in New York City, Gomez Ruano was extradited to Stamford in December 2016. No one from Gomez Ruanos family or anyone from Bautista-Canos family attended the sentencing. jnickerson@stamfordadvocate.com TORRINGTON The school district has until June 1 to make corrective actions mandated by the State Department of Education for two of its special education programs. The corrective actions were issued in March against the district and EdAdvance, the educational consortium that manages the Access North and TAP programs the two investigated by the state. The deadline comes as EdAdvance enters into a five-year lease with the school district to rent the now-closed East Elementary School. EdAdvance will receive $1.4 million per year from the school district to operate the two programs. Laura J. Stefon, spokeswoman for the State Department of Education, said Monday that EdAdvance is due to report back on their progress by August 1st. Stefon did not provide an update on the progress the school district has made on state-required changes to the special education programs. Superintendent of Schools Susan Lubomski did not return a call or email message Monday about the status of the districts progress. After the investigation by the state education departments Turnaround Office, EdAdvance was told by the investigators that it was strongly recommended the company teach administration, staff and students the merit of inclusion and diversity; and importance of developing and implementing practices, systems and policies in multiracial, cross-cultural settings that uphold the dignity and worth of all people. The lack of inclusion was cited in an affidavit filed with the State Board of Education by former EdAdvance social worker Heather LaSelle. EdAdvance Executive Director Jeffrey Kitching did not return a call for comment on Monday. In a recent statement to the Register Citizen, Lubomski wrote that, The district is establishing a plan to schedule the (planning and placement team meetings) and training that are in response to the States corrective action. The district will address all recommendations of the report by the mandated date of June 1, Lubomski said at the time. We will continue to train administrators and staff on special education matters and mandates during the remainder of this year and throughout next year, as appropriate, Lubomski added. The findings by the state Bureau of Special Education show that the district failed to meet state and federal education requirements in making special education placement recommendations during planning and placement meetings with students. To rectify the failure to meet the requirements, the district must provide compliant planning and placement team meetings with all students who were enrolled in either North or TAP (Torrington Alternative Program). The lease of the East School building to EdAdvance is very beneficial, Lubomski said at a joint budget meeting with the Board of Finance on May 30. We had a loss of the alternative school, EdAdvance offered the alternative program for next year. We have not had (an alternative school) in 14 years, Lubomski added. The lease shows that EdAdvance would provide an alternative special education and diagnostic placement program for up to 30 middle and high school students at East School. At the budget meeting, Board of Finance member Christopher Beyus asked about the cost benefits of leasing the school to EdAdvance. With this group of students, we cant serve them for the price we pay to EdAdvance, said Board of Education Chairwoman Fiona Cappabianca. Im really concerned that special education programs are getting less services than the rest of the student body, Andrew Fienstein, LaSelles attorney, said Monday. Thirty students is a size that makes it seem that the Torrington alternative program in dumping special education students, Feinstein said. Special needs students have sharply different needs not accommodated with 30 students, he added. Chinese poet and photographer Liu Xia, widow of late Nobel peace laureate and prisoner of conscience Liu Xiaobo, has launched her first exhibition since beginning a new life in Germany following eight years under house arrest in Beijing. Liu, who has now been living in Germany for nearly a year, attended the launch of an exhibition in Frankfurt of her personal photography, which will mark the start of her career as a professional photographer. In a public dialogue with dissident artist Ai Weiwei at Frankfurt's Peter West Gallery, Liu spoke for the first time about her grief over the loss of her jailed husband to late-stage liver cancer in July 2017. "I don't want to face up to it," she told Ai at the event. "Even now, I don't want to admit that Xiaobo is gone." "All of the funeral ceremonies for Xiaobo felt to me fake, as if I was just putting on an acting performance," she said. "Maybe the day will come when I can spell it out, word by word, [and write down] what I want to say to Xiaobo." Liu said she and her husband had little chance to speak to each other in the weeks before his death at Shenyang No. 1 Hospital of the China Medical University, where he was under heavy police guard. "There were a lot of things that we didn't get chance to say to each other," Liu said. "Maybe I will be able to accept that he is no longer here when I have written it all down." 'Memories stayed behind' Asked about how she feels living in a state of relative freedom compared with house arrest back in Beijing, Liu said that she hasn't settled in well at all, and feels "extremely uncomfortable," and often thinks about buying a ticket back home. Her body may have arrived in Berlin, but her thoughts and emotions are all back in Beijing, she said, where her home is still filled with memories from their marriage. "I actually promised Xiaobo that I would take him wherever I went, always, but actually I wasn't allowed to take his ashes in the end, so I came here," she said. "I may be here, but my memories stayed behind, and will always be there." Liu also spoke about how she had married Liu Xiaobo in a simple ceremony at a labor camp where he was serving a sentence at Chinese New Year in 1996, finally enabling her the visiting rights accorded to a wife. Later, when he was preparing to publish Charter 08, a document he co-authored calling for constitutional government in China, she warned him that he would end up in prison over it. But she said she hadn't stood in his way, saying that people have to decide for themselves how to spend the few decades they have to live. Liu said she continues to take antidepressant medication to help her combat the depression she faces, the legacy of eight years under house arrest during which time the police locked her into her own apartment. Ai called on Liu to write down her story, as a form of therapy for someone whose every move has been monitored by the police in recent years. Struggles of the people The exhibition, titled "Please Close Your Eyes," showcases black-and-white photographs taken by Liu Xia between 1996 and 1999. One series of photographs titled "Ugly Baby," has been said to represent the struggles and screams of people in today's China, where strict controls exist on thoughts and speech. One of the most prominent works in the exhibit is a portrait titled simply "Liu Xiaobo's Hands." Liu arrived in Germany in July 2018, after months of uncertainty over her fate. She had been held by China's state security police under house arrest from the time her then-jailed husband's Nobel Prize was announced in October 2010, and was only seen briefly in public at Liu Xiaobo's funeral in July 2017. Liu Xiaobo died on July 13, 2017 of late-stage liver cancer, while serving an 11-year jail term for subversion, and the authorities denied requests for him and Liu Xia to travel overseas to seek medical treatment. He was detained in 2008 after the publication of Charter 08, and sentenced a year later, on Christmas Day, 2009. Eyewitnesses say he played a crucial role in negotiating a truce between student protesters and People's Liberation Army troops sent in to end the protests at Beijings Tiananmen Square on the night of June 3-4, 1989, enabling hundreds to leave safely. Reported by Ng Yik-tung and Tam Siu-yin for RFA's Cantonese Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie. Hong Kong Democracy Party lawmaker James To (L) chairs a meeting of the Legislative Councils Bills Committee to discuss controversial amendments to extradition laws allowing renditions to mainland China, in Hong Kong, May 6, 2019. UPDATED at 2:25 P.M. EDT on 2019-05-07 Pro-democracy lawmakers in Hong Kong say they make take legal action against the secretary general of the city's Legislative Council (LegCo) amid a bitter procedural row over controversial amendments to extradition laws allowing renditions to mainland China. Pro-democracy members of LegCo are accusing Kenneth Chen of misconduct in public office after he helped pro-Beijing lawmakers in their bid to seize control of a committee scrutinizing the amendments. They say a letter from the secretariat paved the way for the ouster of Democratic Party lawmaker James To as chairman of the committee, after he allowed extensive filibustering in the committee by the pro-democracy camp, who oppose the amendments. Pro-democracy lawmakers say the secretariat lacks authorization to write to lawmakers about To, and accuse it of taking part in a political coup with pro-Beijing LegCo members. Pro-Beijing lawmaker Abraham Shek says he has replaced To as committee chair. "He revoked my appointment as chairman, but not using a legal, written form," To told reporters after a meeting of the committee was declared not to have been, in fact, a meeting of the committee. "On that basis, [Shek] issued the notice canceling [a planned] meeting this afternoon, but that is invalid because it wasn't issued by me," he said. Pan-democratic camp convenor Claudia Mo said the members could apply for a judicial review. "[This is] an act of subversion by the LegCo secretariat, who is supposed to serve the entire legislature and not just one sector of pro-Beijing lawmakers," Mo told government broadcaster RTHK. "The fact that they would just bypass all the necessary rules and regulations in order to achieve what their bosses want is more than preposterous." A call for calm LegCo president Andrew Leung called for calm on Monday as To declared that he was still presiding over the bills committee, calling for discussions to resolve the dispute. However, he claimed that the secretariat had acted neutrally, and in accordance with LegCo rules, something the pro-democracy camp disputes. "Everyone needs to take a step back, or maybe sit down and discuss a way out of this dilemma," Leung said. "This shouldn't continue to be handled in a confrontational manner." The dispute came as a delegation of veteran democrats from Hong Kong visited Canada in a bid to highlight the dangers of the amendments to Hong Kong's Fugitive Offenders Ordinance. Democratic Party founder Martin Lee, former pro-democracy student leader and ousted lawmaker Nathan Law were among the delegation calling on the Canadian government to take note of the harm that could be done to Hong Kong. "The Fugitive Offenders Ordinance [amendments] won't just target Hong Kong people; it will also affect Canadians," Lee said during the trip, which will include meetings with Canadian lawmakers and government officials. "I hope that the Canadian government and the [overseas Chinese] community will stand with us and call on the Hong Kong government to stop them." "Chinese Canadians may have moved to Canada, but the Chinese government still regards you as a Chinese citizen," Lee warned, adding: "Chinas criminal law applies to both Chinese citizens and foreign nationals." Taking to the streets Pro-democracy leaders and rights activists in Hong Kong have warned of mass demonstrations if the government presses ahead in the face of public opposition. Last month, tens of thousands of people took to the city's streets in protest over the amendments, which would allow rendition of criminal suspects to mainland China in the absence of an extradition agreement. The planned changes to the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance will allow the Hong Kong government to respond to case-by-case requests for extradition in the absence of a bilateral treaty. The most likely jurisdiction to use the proposed provision is the ruling Chinese Communist Party, which currently has no bilateral arrangement with Hong Kong. Journalists have warned that the new law could both threaten the safety of journalists, who have traditionally used the city as a safe haven, and have a chilling effect on freedom of expression in Hong Kong. Under the terms of the 1997 handover to China, Hong Kong was promised the continuation of its traditional freedoms of the press, of speech and association, as well as an independent judiciary and separate legal system, under the "one country, two systems" framework that has sheltered peaceful critics of Beijing until now. But pro-democracy politicians and rights activists say they have little faith in the Hong Kong government's promises that rendition requests from Beijing will be subjected to stringent human rights protections. The march came after a Hong Kong court jailed four founding members of the 2014 Occupy Central movement, handing down jail terms of 16 months to Hong Kong University law lecturer Benny Tai and retired sociology professor Chan Kin-man on public order charges that included "inciting others to cause a public nuisance." Proposed changes Chief Executive Carrie Lam announced late on Tuesday that security minister John Lee and Secretary for Justice Teresa Chengwould hold a news conference later in the day to address the views of the public and for a more holistic discussion in society. It does not mean changes will be made [to the bill], she said, according to the South China Morning Post. Currently, suspects must be wanted for a crime that is an offense both in Hong Kong and another jurisdiction with which it has an extradition treaty, and requests are limited to a list of 46 serious crimes including murder, assault, and sex offenses. But under the proposed changes, citizens of the democratic island of Taiwan and other countries traveling through Hong Kong could also be placed in jeopardy, should Beijing decide that it wanted to accuse them of a crime. Democratic politicians have also pointed to the arrests of several Canadian nationals on Chinese territory since the arrest of Huawei chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou in Vancouver on Dec. 1, 2018, and to the 2015 cross-border detentions of five booksellers, including a Swedish and a U.K. national, wanted for selling books banned in mainland China to customers there, despite the fact that their actions were entirely legal in Hong Kong. One of the five booksellers, Lam Wing-kei, has fled Hong Kong for fear he could be redetained and sent back to China if the amended law gets through LegCo. China's justice system has a record of arbitrary detention, torture, and other ill-treatment, of serious violations of fair trial rights, and of various systems of incommunicado detention without trial, the New York-based Human Rights Watch has warned. The amendments being proposed in Hong Kong would heighten the risk for human rights activists and others critical of China being extradited to the mainland for trial on fabricated charges, and would be a "devastating blow" to the city's freedoms, it said. Reported by Lau Siu-fung for RFA's Cantonese Service, and by Liu Fei for the Mandarin Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie. The ruling Chinese Communist Party has launched a new wave of political training for colleges and universities that aims to instill the ideology of President Xi Jinping and late supreme leader Mao Zedong in staff and students alike. The Ministry of Education released on Monday a five-year training plan for teachers via a series of "political theory" courses in colleges and universities. According to the ministry, "it is necessary to train dozens of ideological and political scholars with extensive influence ... as well as hundreds of leaders in ideological and political education." Former Guizhou University professor Yang Shaozheng, who was fired outright after he made comments critical of the Communist Party in an online article, said the plan is essentially part of an attempt to step up the "brainwashing" of Chinese students. "I think this is problematic," Yang told RFA. "The students already have the desire for independent thought, and a critical faculty." He said the move would result in an education system that wasn't fit for purpose. "How can you replace their own thinking with party ideology?" he said. "Will the students be allowed to move beyond this framework set by the party? You only have to take one look at the sons and daughters of high-ranking officials to see that they have all left the country." "If our education system was that great, why are they sending their kids off to study abroad?" Yang said. "Why not give them the opportunity to experience an education here in China?" Training plan Under the plan, thousands of teachers and professors will study the classics of Marxism alongside the Thought of Xi Jinping, Mao Zedong and late supreme leader Deng Xiaoping. The results of their theoretical research should then be integrated into their teaching materials, the ministry said. All colleges and universities will be required to send at least two qualified teachers to participate in the program, achieving full coverage of all Chinese tertiary institutions within five years, it said. The plan also calls on colleges and universities to collaborate with each other to deliver ideological training, train ideological teachers and join forces on research projects. Macau University lecturer Choi Chi U said it is significant that the plan is being released ahead of the 30th anniversary of the Tiananmen massacre in June. "On the eve of the 30th anniversary, they want to bring in a new, high-pressure system to control and inculcate with political education," Choi said. "They want to make sure that the obedient students remain obedient, and that the disobedient ones will be frightened into obedience." "Actually, these methods are an attack on the whole of society, to ensure the stability of their regime," Choi said. "All they can do is continue to maintain stability, and prevent the spread of ideas such as freedom and democracy." An official who answered the phone at the Ministry of Education on Tuesday declined to comment. "You need to call [this number]," the officer said. However, repeated calls to the number resulted in a busy signal during office hours. Increased monitoring Authorities in China are also stepping up monitoring of staff and students at the country's higher education institutions through the use of personal data, surveillance cameras in classrooms, and student informants who are the ruling party's eyes and ears on the ground. Student informants are continually being recruited at China's universities and typically report back to the authorities around once every two weeks, according to online documents seen by RFA last month. Meanwhile, students are reporting growing requests from college authorities for their personal data, including private and public social media accounts on platforms like WeChat and QQ. Reported by Wong Lok-to for RFA's Cantonese Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie. Reuters Myanmar reporters Wa Lone (L) and Kyaw Soe Oo (R) gesture as they walk toward the gate of Insein Prison in Yangon after being released under a presidential amnesty, May 7, 2019. Two Reuters reporters serving seven-year jail terms for violating Myanmars state secrets law were released Tuesday under a presidential amnesty, rejoining their families and ending a nearly 18-month saga that harmed the international reputation of national leader and former democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi. Press freedom advocates hailed the release of journalists Wa Lone, 33, and Kyaw Soe Oo, 29, among more than 6,500 prisoners freed under a presidential amnesty, but they lamented that several journalists are among some 300 others who continue to be unjustly imprisoned in the country. The pair were arrested in December 2017 while pursuing a story about the killing of 10 Rohingya Muslims during a brutal military-led crackdown in western Myanmars Rakhine state. Authorities detained them shortly after two policemen with whom they had dinner handed them classified documents related to the atrocities in what their lawyers said was a setup. The reporters, who were awarded a Pulitzer Prize in April for their Rohingya expose, were sentenced in September 2018 after a lengthy series of hearings and a trial. Reuters reporters Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo are among those released under the presidential amnesty, government spokesman Zaw Htay told the media in Loikaw, eastern Myanmars Kayah state, adding that the two journalists were freed in the long-term interest of the state. Press freedom groups blasted the government for not releasing the pair earlier during two other presidential amnesties marking Myanmars Buddhist New Year in April. They also condemned the countrys Supreme Court for a ruling upholding the journalists convictions, despite evidence and testimony that pointed to a police setup. We congratulate Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo on walking free from unjust imprisonment and applaud [that] they have now been reunited with their families, said Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director at New York-based Human Rights Watch, in a statement. These courageous investigative journalists should have never been arrested, much less imprisoned, in the first place, and their release was long overdue. Crisis is not over Rights groups have decried a series of arrests of peaceful critics of the military and the government in recent weeks, including satirical performers, political activists, and journalists, dealing further blows to freedom of expression and press freedom in the developing democracy. [T]he crisis is not over for the literally dozens of other Burmese journalists and bloggers who are still facing baseless criminal charges for their reporting about the Tatmadaw [Myanmar military] or [ruling] NLD [National League for Democracy] government officials, Robertson said. Nicholas Bequelin, regional director for East and Southeast Asia at London-based Amnesty International, called the release of Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo an important victory for press freedom in Myanmar. The case against Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo was a travesty of justice from start to finish, and they should never have spent a day in prison, he said in a statement. While all those who campaigned for their release welcome the governments decision, the reality is the country retains a range of repressive laws used to detain journalists, activists, and any perceived critic of the authorities, he said. Until these laws are repealed, journalists and activists remain under a permanent threat of detention and arrest. The government must follow through its rightful decision to free Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo by releasing all other journalists and prisoners of conscience detained on hollow charges, and by repealing all laws that keep a chokehold on freedom of expression, Bequelin said. Reuters Myanmar reporter Kyaw Soe Oo (L) poses with wife Chit Su Win (3rd from L) and their daughter, along with Reuters reporter Wa Lone (3rd from R) and his wife Pan Ei Mon (2nd from R) and their daughter, after being freed from Insein Prison in Yangon under a presidential amnesty, May 7, 2019. Credit: Reuters Symbols of press freedom Reuters reported that its editor-in-chief, Stephen J. Adler, said he was thrilled by news of the pairs release. We are enormously pleased that Myanmar has released our courageous reporters, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, he was quoted as saying. Since their arrests 511 days ago, they have become symbols of the importance of press freedom around the world. We welcome their return. The U.S. embassy in Myanmar issued a brief statement saying that it welcomes the release of reporters Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo. We are glad they can return to their families. Britains Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt told Reuters in London that the release is fantastic news for Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo who have been in prison unjustly for a very long time now. All of us who support a free press are heaving a huge sigh of relief, he said. Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, who spent nearly 17 months in Yangons Insein prison, were not among the more than 9,500 prisoners freed during the first presidential pardon on April 17 or among the more than 7,000 freed during the second pardon on April 26. I am grateful to all who helped me while I was in prison and to those around the world who prayed for my release, Wa Lone told the media outside the prisons entrance. I am now overwhelmed and excited to see my family and colleagues. I cant wait to go back to the newsroom. After the Supreme Court upheld the journalists convictions on April 23, their families sent appeal letters to President Win Myint and State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, who herself was a political prisoner as an opposition candidate and denied legal due process. Still left in prison Most prisoners who were freed Tuesday had been serving sentences for drug offenses, as were those released during the earlier pardons. Twenty-three of 30 jailed individuals whose release was requested by some of the countrys ethnic armed groups were also among those freed, said government spokesman Zaw Htay. Twenty political prisoners, including the two Reuters reporters, were included in the final amnesty, still leaving behind more than 300 others awaiting trial, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma) (AAPP), a human rights NGO based in Mae Sot, Thailand, that tracks Myanmar prisoners of conscience. Among those not pardoned were prominent Myanmar lawmaker Aye Maung, writer and civil society leader Wai Hin Aung, and former child soldier Aung Ko Htway. Aye Maung and Wai Hin Aung received 20-year jail terms in March for high treason and defamation for making inflammatory speeches against the government at a public event, while Aung Ko Htway is serving two years in jail with hard labor for describing his abduction and forced military service and for contempt of court. Many political prisoners are still left in prison, AAPP member Aung Myo Kyaw said. If the government is dedicated to achieving national reconciliation and peace, it is important that it should release all political prisoners. Wai Hin Aungs elder brother, Thein Win, said he was hopeful that his brother and Aye Maung would be released because the governments announcement for the final amnesty said it was intended for national reconciliation. We heard rumors that his name was among those to be released at midnight, he told RFAs Myanmar Service. The presidents announcement about the amnesty said it was for [the purpose of] national reconciliation, so we were certain he would be released and asked family members in Yangon to meet him in front of Insein Prison. Aung Ko Htways elder sister, Nay Zar Htun, said she was surprised that her brother was not included in the final amnesty. We had high hopes that he would be among those released when we saw that Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo [were freed], she told RFA. This is the fourth time we came to see if he would be released. We will not lose hope although he has been excluded, she added. I have nothing more to say since we all know he was unfairly sentenced. Reported by Wai Mar Tun for RFAs Myanmar Service. Translated by Ye Kaung Myint Maung. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin. SKOPJE -- Pope Francis called North Macedonia a crucible of cultures and ethnic and religious identities and he encouraged the small Balkan nation to press forward with efforts for closer integration with the rest of Europe. The pontiff, in his first-ever visit, described the country as a bridge between East and West in an address to political leaders on May 7. North Macedonia's diversity forms a "mosaic in which every piece is essential for the uniqueness and beauty of the whole," he said. "These particular features are also highly significant for increased integration with the nations of Europe," he said. "It is my hope that this integration will develop in a way that is beneficial for the entire region of the Western Balkans, with unfailing respect for diversity and for fundamental rights." Like neighboring Bulgaria -- Francis's first stop on his three-day Balkan tour -- North Macedonia, a country of 2.1 million people, is mainly Orthodox Christian. But the country has an estimated 15,000 Roman Catholics and a large community of ethnic Albanian Muslims, who make up about one-quarter of the population. North Macedonia, like many of its Western Balkan neighbors, aspires to join the European Union and NATO, goals that were advanced with its name dispute with Greece now resolved. Athens opposed the country's use of the name Macedonia, claiming it indicated Skopjes designs on Greeces province of the same name. The two sides agreed on a compromise last year, with the country changing its name to North Macedonia. Skopje hopes to get a clear signal for the start of European Union accession talks in June and hopes also to become the 30th NATO member by the end of the year. Five other Western Balkan countries -- Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, and Serbia -- are in various stages of the accession process to join the EU. After meeting with the country's leadership, including outgoing North Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov and Prime Minister Zoran Zaev, France held Mass in Skopjes main square. Despite the pontiffs praise, North Macedonias political landscape remains deeply divided between the ruling Social Democrats, who supported the name change, and the conservative VMRO-DPMNE opposition party, which vehemently opposed it. "You come at a time when Macedonian society is deeply divided, and the Macedonian [nation] is heavily wounded by broken promises, unfulfilled expectations, and faltering trust in the international community," Ivanov, a close ally of the opposition party, told the pontiff. Viktor Dimovski, state secretary of North Macedonia's Foreign Ministry, told the media on May 6 that the pope's historic visit comes at a crucial moment in North Macedonia's drive to join the EU and NATO. "The pope's visit strengthens further internal cohesion and unity, and brings messages of reconciliation and solidarity," he said. The pope's visit also included a prayer at the memorial of North Macedonia's most famous native daughter, Mother Teresa, who was born Anjeze Gonxhe Bojaxhiu to Albanian parents in 1910 in Skopje when it was still part of the Ottoman Empire. Francis was surrounded by Mother Teresa's Sisters of Charity nuns in praying before the memorial. Mother Teresa was canonized by Francis in 2016. Francis praised Mother Teresa's dedication to the poor in his homily at Mass. "She went to the Lord exactly as she went to the despised, the unloved, the lonely, and the forgotten," Francis told an estimated 15,000 people gathered in central Skopje. With reporting by AFP, AP, and Reuters Khalida Khorsand, a 35-year-old rights activist from the western Afghan city of Herat, is skeptical about Taliban claims that it has dispensed with its strict rules against girls' education and women working. The militant Islamic group made the declaration in the midst of recent peace talks with U.S. envoy Zalmay Khalilzad aimed at bringing an end to the long U.S. military presence in Afghanistan. But Khorsand still remembers the notorious repressions under Taliban rule as a teenager in the western city of Herat when she risked the death penalty to study literature in a class disguised as a women's sewing group. "After nearly 18 years without the Taliban in power, we now see that the Taliban are coming back in Afghanistan and there haven't been big changes for women's lives -- especially in rural areas," says Khorsand, who has dedicated much of her life since 2001 to advancing women's rights in western Afghanistan. Even without the Taliban in power in Herat, Khorsand says, many hard-fought gains for women since the collapse of the Taliban regime already are under threat. She attributes that situation to what she calls "a Taliban way of thinking" by many Afghans and a proliferation of unregistered religious schools in Herat teaching "radical Islam" to as many as 50,000 young people. If the Taliban gets a role in the Afghan government as part of a peace deal, as Khorsand expects, she fears a floodgate will be opened for resurgent "radical Islamists" in Herat. "I don't know why this has been allowed to happen under the current government of Afghanistan since 2014," Khorsand laments. "They are not paying attention to the rise of fundamentalists and radical groups in Herat. "Now the city has become a safe haven for the radical groups that support the ideology of the Taliban," Khorsand says. "The fundamentalist groups in Herat are very organized and have a lot of money. They take the young people into madrasahs and teach to them the principles of the Taliban, and they are having an enormous impact on the young generation." Those groups already have gained backing from municipal authorities for an unofficial ban on live musical performances in Herat and for a ban on celebrating Valentine's Day -- with both practices being declared "unIslamic." In rural areas of Herat Province, where Khorsand worked for years to help women who are victims of domestic violence, Khorsand says she has seen disturbing signs of support for the punishments doled out by the Taliban under its strict enforcement of Islamic Shari'a law -- amputating the hands of thieves, publicly flogging people for drinking alcohol, and stoning to death those who engage in adultery. Students at Herat's madrasahs deny being radical Islamists. But they also support a return to the prohibitions and punishments of the Taliban era. "Allah says cut off the hands of a male thief and a female thief," says Jan Agha Jami, a 21-year-old at the Fakhr al-Madares madrasah in Herat. "When men and women commit adultery, whip them if they are single. If they are married, they should be stoned, and the Koran's rulings should be implemented in public. "Music concerts are absurd because they are forbidden," Jami tells RFE/RL. "Music is bad for the mind, memory, and even human psyche. When a girl performs in front of strangers, the whole society is corrupted." Reflecting on the growing popularity of such beliefs in Herat, Khorsand says "it makes no difference for women in Afghanistan if the Taliban exists or doesn't exist." "The Taliban's way of thinking about women is the way many people are thinking in Afghanistan," she says. "A lot of Afghans have traditional ways of thinking and they believe the talk of the Taliban. Unfortunately, much of their way of thinking is against the rights of women." Move Forward, Step Back To be sure, Khorsand says there have been important advances for Afghan women since 2001 -- including language in the Afghan Constitution that enshrines the right to education and to work. Women are members of parliament and can be seen on television, competing in sports, and performing in concerts in Kabul. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has refused to put a bill to a parliamentary vote that would prohibit violence against women -- despite years of domestic and international focus on the legislation. But the Afghan government since the collapse of the Taliban regime has included many conservative Islamists and former warlords whose attitudes about women are similar to the Taliban. Sima Simar, the head of Afghanistan's Independent Human Rights Commission, says the gains for women since 2001 can easily be overturned and have rarely been implemented in rural areas where most Afghans live. The 2018 Women, Peace, and Security Index by Georgetown University and the Peace Research Institute of Oslo ranks Afghanistan as the second-worst place in the world to be a woman. Only Syria was ranked worse. That study notes that only 16 percent of Afghanistan's workforce is female and that half of all Afghan women have four years or less of education. UNICEF, the United Nations children's agency, says only half of school-aged Afghan girls now go to school, and that only one out of five girls under 15 are literate. Nearly two out of three Afghan girls are married when they are teenagers or younger. On average, they are sent by their parents into arranged marriages between the ages of 15 and 16. Most imprisoned Afghan women have been jailed for so-called "morality crimes," such as leaving an abusive husband or demanding to marry a man of their own choosing. A study issued in January by UN Women and the nongovernmental gender equality group Promundo found that 80 percent of Afghan women have experienced domestic physical violence. That study found that only 15 percent of Afghan men think women should be allowed to work outside of their home after marriage, and that two-thirds of Afghan men think women already have too many rights in Afghanistan. It is in this environment that Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has refused to put a bill to a parliamentary vote that would prohibit violence against women -- despite years of domestic and international focus on the legislation. Ghani has appointed only five women to a 37-member council tasked with trying to pave the way for direct peace talks between his government and the Taliban at a time when the Taliban refuses to talk directly with the Kabul government. Only 10 women were invited to be part of a 240-strong delegation for so-called "all-Afghan talks" with the Taliban, and even then, the first round of those talks was canceled over reported complaints by the Taliban over the composition of the delegation. No Happy Ending Khorsand was one of about 20 women who, under Taliban rule in Herat, regularly attended covert literature classes for girls and women at a place known as the Golden Needle sewing school. The experiences of those young women were documented in a 2002 book by Sunday Times correspondent Christina Lamb called The Sewing Circles Of Herat. Lamb tells RFE/RL that although women have fought bravely for their rights since the collapse of the Taliban regime in late 2001, many are now concerned that those gains will be lost as U.S. President Donald Trump's administration seeks a peace deal with the Taliban. "Women are very unhappy because it seems as though in the rush to get out of Afghanistan, the Trump administration has prioritized only two things: that the Taliban renounce terrorism and that they stop attacking Americans and other NATO soldiers, and not that they respect the constitution and minorities and equal rights," Lamb says. "This has left women very exposed -- which considering that women's rights had been very much part of the initial reason for removing the Taliban, it's very disappointing," Lamb says. "I'm sure that the Taliban will insist on having some share in power as part of negotiations," Lamb says. "They are saying at the moment in these negotiations that things have changed, that they will allow girls to go to school and for women to work. But who knows what the reality will be were they to actually have power again. "We certainly have seen in some areas [under Taliban control recently] women being lashed by Taliban because they're not regarded as being properly covered," Lamb says. "It's very risky and I can see why women are extremely concerned." As for the women Lamb wrote about in The Sewing Circles Of Herat, she says most have not seen a happy ending to their story after 18 years. "Sadly, those particular women who bravely met under the guise of the sewing circles and who were writing stories and poems secretly, most of them have left the country or have stopped writing because they are not happy with the situation," Lamb tells RFE/RL. "One of them, a poet called Nadia Anjuman, was actually killed by her husband because he wasn't happy about the fact that she was speaking publicly and writing about women's rights," Lamb says. In 2016, Khorsand left Afghanistan for Ottawa, Canada, where she lives with her husband and twin 14-year-old daughters and remains in regular contact with rights activists in Herat. Khorsand tells RFE/RL she went to Canada for her daughters' sake because it is her "primary duty as a mother" to ensure that they get the best education she can provide them. Once her daughters finish school, Khorsand vows to enroll in a university human rights program in Canada -- and then return to Herat "to continue the fight" for the rights of Afghan women. With reporting by RFE/RL Radio Free Afghanistan correspondent Shapoor Saber in Herat BRUSSELS -- Five members of the European Parliament have demanded an explanation as to why Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka has been invited to a dinner in Brussels marking the 10th anniversary of the Eastern Partnership. Several European Union officials told RFE/RL last month that an invitation had been sent to Lukashenka to attend the May 13 dinner alongside the leaders of the EU's other five Eastern partners: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine. The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Lukashenka had not yet responded to the invitation and that they did not expect him to show up. But the fact that Lukashenka was invited in the first place was troubling, according to the letter, which was initiated by British parliament member Julie Ward and addressed to EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini. Lukashenkas regime has maintained a poor human rights record, suppressing dissent, and attacking freedom of speech," said the letter, which was seen by RFE/RL. "European and Belarus citizens deserve a credible explanation for the invitation, which risks giving the impression of endorsing the [Lukashenka] regime," it said. The nature of the regime is an affront to the values espoused by the European Union, which is built on the principles of democracy and the respect for human rights, it added. There has been no confirmation of any official Belarusian attendance at the dinner, though it was possible Foreign Minister Uladzimer Makei, who attended the 2017 Eastern Partnership summit in Brussels, might attend. That summit was the first high-level event organized by the EU in which Lukashenka was cleared to attend after having been excluded from the previous four summits. Belarus, which has been under Lukashenka's rule for 25 years and has been called "Europe's last dictatorship," was sanctioned by Brussels in the wake of the crackdown that followed the presidential election in December 2010. But in February 2016, in response to the release of all political prisoners, the EU lifted most sanctions against the country. Those included the lifting of asset freezes and visa bans on 170 Belarusians, Lukashenka among them, and restrictive measures against 14 companies. Security officials say suspected militants have attacked two separate security convoys in the Pakistan's northwest, killing four soldiers and wounding 10 others. The ambushes came hours apart on May 6 in North Waziristan district, a former Taliban stronghold, said the officials who spoke on condition of anonymity, adding that the attackers then fled toward the border with Afghanistan. The Pakistani Taliban, the Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP), claimed responsibility for the attack. A self-proclaimed spokesman for the group told RFE/RL that the TTP will continue targeting security forces. The twin attacks come days after a cross-border incursion by dozens of militants killed three soldiers in North Waziristan. Pakistan and Afghanistan share a rugged 2,400-kilometer-long border and regularly accuse each other of not doing enough to curb the flow of militants in the border region. With reporting by AP and Dawn The participants at the Arctic Council meeting in Finland's far northern town of Rovaniemi have failed to issue a final declaration reportedly due to a U.S. refusal to mention climate change. At the start of the council's 11th ministerial meeting, Finnish Foreign Minister Timo Soini said the final joint declaration was "off the table" and would be replaced by ministerial statements. He provided no explanation. According to participants, member states were unable to reach an agreement, with the United States alone refusing to mention climate change in the final text. Temperatures in the Arctic region are rising twice as fast as in the rest of the world, prompting the accelerated melting of the polar cap and opening huge untapped energy and mineral resources to commercial exploitation. This is the first time the Arctic Council, which has been holding ministerial meetings every two years since 1996, failed to present a final declaration. The meeting was supposed to come up with a two-year agenda to balance the challenges of climate change with sustainable development. "The hang-up here right now is America making it hard to make a final agreement," Sally Swetzof of the Aleut International Association, one of six organizations representing the Arctic's indigenous peoples, told the media. The Arctic Council consists of the United States, Russia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. In a speech in Rovaniemi on the eve of the meeting, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said President Donald Trump's administration "shares your deep commitment to environmental stewardship" in the Arctic. But he said collective goals were not always the answer. "They are rendered meaningless and even counterproductive as soon as one nation fails to comply," he said. Pompeo also criticized China, which holds observer status, and Russia, slamming their "aggressive behavior" in the Arctic. With reporting by AP, AFP, and Reuters U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has abruptly canceled a visit to Germany, hours before he was to arrive in Berlin on May 7, due to what a spokeswoman said were "pressing issues." Meanwhile, Russian officials said that Pompeo was expected to hold talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in the Black Sea resort city of Sochi on May 14. It would be their second meeting in just over a week. "Unfortunately, we must reschedule the Berlin meetings due to pressing issues," State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said. Ortagus added that the meetings, which had been scheduled with Chancellor Angela Merkel and Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, would be rescheduled. "We look forward to rescheduling this important set of meetings. The secretary looks forward to being in Berlin soon," Ortagus said. Pompeo has been attending an Arctic Council meeting in Rovaniemi, Finland, where he held face-to-face talks with Lavrov on May 6. He had been scheduled to travel to London and Greenland on the May 5-9 trip to Europe, but it was not immediately clear where he would go from Finland. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Russia was preparing for a meeting between Pompeo and Lavrov in Sochi on May 14. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said he would "not rule out" that Russian President Vladimir Putin, who often spends time in Sochi, would meet with Pompeo afterward. He suggested it would depend on the outcome of the meeting. Pompeo said late on May 6 that he had a "good conversation" with Lavrov, who called their talks "constructive." The talks came amid tension over the crisis in Venezuela, where Russia backs Nicolas Maduro and the United States backs opposition leader Juan Guaido, whom it has recognized as the interim president. Pompeo said the two discussed "a wide range of issues." "We have interests that are definitely different," Pompeo said. "There was a desire to begin to try and find paths where we can make real progress on places where we have overlapping interests, as narrow as they may be, and hope we can achieve that." In Germany, Pompeo had been set to discuss "issues of mutual concern, such as Ukraine, Russia, China, Syria, and the Western Balkans" with Merkel and Maas. With reporting by dpa, AFP, TASS, RIA Novosti, and Interfax A Danish newspaper reported that prosecutors have charged a former chief executive of Danske Bank for his involvement in one of the worlds biggest money-laundering scandals. The newspaper Borsen on May 7 quoted lawyer Peter Schradieck as saying that prosecutors raided the home of his client, Thomas Borgen, on March 12. Borgen is the first person to be charged in a case that involves suspicious transactions of some 200 billion euros that passed through Danske Bank's Estonian branch between 2007 and 2015. Danish regulators say the transactions involved nonresident accounts and that up to 35 percent of them were Russian. The second-largest number of nonresident accounts were from Britain. Borgen, who had been in charge of Danske Bank's international operations between 2009 and 2012, resigned in September after an investigation uncovered the scale of the suspicious payments. The bank -- Denmarks largest -- is being investigated in several other countries, including the United States, where it could face major fines. Denmark's state prosecutor filed preliminary charges against the bank itself in November for alleged violations of the country's anti-money-laundering laws. The scandal has spread to Sweden, where Swedbank has dismissed its chief executive over allegations its Baltic accounts were used to launder money. MOSCOW Russian news reports say that investigators are looking at whether pilot error is to blame for the crash of a Sukhoi Superjet 100 at a Moscow airport that killed 41 people. The Kommersant newspaper on May 7 quoted unnamed sources as saying the pilots of Flight SU1492 made several mistakes before and after the crafts emergency landing at Sheremetyevo airport, including flying into a thunderstorm and then landing with a full tank rather than circling to use up fuel. The business daily RBK, meanwhile, quoted unnamed sources as saying that, after the plane had landed, the pilots opened a cockpit window, which could have fanned flames inside the craft, and that they failed to switch off engines immediately upon coming to a stop. Officials said 41 people were killed after the jet burst into flames on the runway during the May 5 landing. Of the 33 survivors, about a dozen required medical treatment, many for smoke inhalation. Two people were hospitalized in critical condition. Investigators said they were still examining data from the two flight recorders and that it could take a week or more to determine a cause. Investigative Committee spokeswoman Svetlana Petrenko said investigators were looking into several possible causes: insufficiently skilled pilots, air-traffic controllers, or technicians who examined the aircraft; a faulty plane; and bad weather. Transport Minister Yevgeny Ditrikh on May 6 said there was no reason ground the nations fleet of Sukhoi Superjet 100 planes pending the outcome of the investigation. Ditrikh was quoted by state media as saying the families of those who died would receive compensation of 9 million rubles each ($135,000). Operated by national airline Aeroflot, the flight took off from Sheremetyevo and was heading for the northern city of Murmansk, carrying 73 passengers and five crew members when it was forced to turn around. Video showed the plane making a hard landing at Sheremetyevo about 45 minutes after taking off. The video shows the plane bouncing, then speeding along a runway, with flames and black smoke pouring from its fuselage. Aeroflot said the plane's engines caught fire on the runway of the airport after making an emergency landing -- not in midair as initially reported. The plane's manufacturer said the aircraft had received maintenance last month. The pilot had some 1,400 hours of experience flying the plane, according to Aeroflot. In an audio recording posted by Russian media, a man identified as the pilot, Denis Yevdokimov, said the plane was struck by lightning, causing problems with systems on board and interrupting communications with the ground. Passengers were also quoted as saying that the jet was struck by lightning during a thunderstorm. Storms were passing through the Moscow area at the time. Aeroflot has long shed its troubled post-Soviet safety record, with its fleet relying mainly on Boeing and Airbus aircraft. However, the state-owned company also owns at least 50 Superjets that it operates on both domestic and international routes. Manufactured by the state conglomerate United Aircraft Corporation, the Superjet is a midrange regional jet, conceived of as a way to help bolster the countrys civil aviation manufacturing industry in the face of competition from Boeing and Airbus, as well as Embraer and Bombardier. With reporting by TASS, AFP, dpa, and Interfax Two Ukrainian fishermen detained last year by Russian border guards after their boat broke down off the coast of the Crimea Peninsula have been released. Lyudmyla Denisova, the human rights ombudsman for Ukraine, said in a post to her Facebook page on May 7 that she had been informed that Ruslan Kondratyuk and Andriy Morosov are now on the way back to their families in the Kherson region. Denisova said Russian border guards detained the fishermen in September after their motorboat broke down, forcing them to land the craft in Crimea, the Black Sea peninsula that Russia annexed in 2014. An official with the Russia-backed government in Crimea confirmed to the Russia news agency TASS that the fishermen had been released. Lyudmila Lubina, identified as a Crimean human rights ombudsman, said a court had fined the men an undisclosed sum, although she said they had faced up to five years in prison. Russia, meanwhile, continues to hold 24 Ukrainian seamen who were jailed after Russian border guards seized their vessels near the Kerch Strait between Russia and Crimea in a flare-up of tension in November 2018. Moscow accused them of illegal entry into Russian territorial waters, which they deny, and they are formally charged with illegal border crossing. Russias annexation of Crimea has not been recognized by the international community. The United States and European Union have imposed sanctions on Moscow for the seizure and its support for separatists in eastern Ukraine. Russian authorities said they have arrested a man accused of involvement in the brutal beating nine years ago of prominent Russian journalist Oleg Kashin. The St. Petersburg city court press service said on May 7 that Vyacheslav Borisov, a 34-year-old former security guard at a military-related factory, had been arrested not for the 2010 attack on Kashin but for the kidnapping of another man alleged to have participated in the beating. The arrest is the latest twist in a winding mystery that highlights the dangers faced by many Russian journalists. Kashin, then a special correspondent for the Moscow newspaper Kommersant, was brutally beaten with metal rods by two men outside his home in November 2010. The attack drew attention from then-President Dmitry Medvedev, who at the time announced that the criminals should be found and punished. One of the alleged assailants later said that a former regional governor, Andrei Turchak, ordered him to attack Kashin in retaliation for his critical writings. Turchak, who is now the deputy chief of Russias upper house of parliament, repeatedly denied allegations that he was involved in the beating. But he and Kashin had feuded publicly, and Turchak had demanded Kashin apologize for an insulting remark. In 2015, three men working at the St. Petersburg factory were accused of being the attackers: Borisov, Danila Veselov, and Mikhail Kavtaskin. In a videotaped interrogation, Veselov said Turchak ordered the attack. And according to other documents filed in Veselovs case, a longtime associate of Turchak named Aleksandr Gorbunov was identified as another organizer. Gorbunov later claimed he had been kidnapped, injected with an unknown substance by his captors, water-boarded, and then forced to admit responsibility for Kashins beating. Kashin, who suffered a broken leg and jaw, a severed finger, and extensive bruising, has said he believes Turchak, a top official in the ruling United Russia party, enjoys protection in the matter under President Vladimir Putin's government. Asked about the arrest of Borisov, Kashin told RFE/RL he heard about it only from news reports. I dont consider it particularly good news, he said, adding he didnt believe that investigators will pursue Turchaks alleged involvement in the beating. Prior to his attack, Kashin had published biting coverage of pro-Kremlin youth groups and commentaries on issues such as an army conscript who had his legs and genitals amputated after brutal hazing by fellow soldiers. With reporting by RFE/RL correspondent Carl Schreck in Prague The Russian authorities who control Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula have promised to remove a section of a high-school history textbook that claims many Crimean Tatars collaborated with Nazi Germany during World War II. The senior education official in the Russian-imposed government of Crimea, Natalya Goncharova, said on May 6 that the pages in question would be removed from the 10th-grade textbook History Of Crimea by the end of the month. Educators and lawyers -- some of them members of the indigenous, mainly Muslim Crimean Tatar minority -- have urged the authorities to remove the book from the curriculum, saying that it threatens to incite ethnic and religious hatred among teenagers. The pages that are to be removed include a claim that the majority of Crimean Tatars "were loyal to" the Nazis, and that "many actively helped them." The claim echoes the pretext that Soviet dictator Josef Stalin's government used when it deported Crimean Tatars en masse from the Black Sea peninsula in 1944, asserting that they were collaborators. Many died on the journey or in exile in Central Asia and the steppes of southern Russia. Crimean Tatars were allowed to begin returning to their homeland in the late 1980s, and make up some 12 percent of its population. Russia seized control of the peninsula in March 2014, sending in troops without insignia, securing key facilities, and staging a referendum deemed illegitimate by Ukraine and most other world countries. Rights groups and Western governments say Russia has conducted a persistent campaign of oppression targeting Crimean Tatars and other citizens who opposed Moscow's takeover of the peninsula. With reporting by TASS and Interfax Russia's energy minister said that oil is expected to resume flowing through a key pipeline to Europe by the middle of May, after contaminated supplies disrupted exports. Aleksandr Novak also said on May 7 that four people had been arrested as part of an investigation into the contaminated oil, which caused major disruptions and tarnished Russia's reputation as a reliable supplier. Russian news agencies quoted Novak as saying that the government had put in place stricter measures to prevent a repeat of the problems with the Druzhba pipeline, which first emerged on April 25. "Investigations revealed a group of companies was carrying out illegal activity," Novak was quoted as saying. He said some unnamed companies were allowed to introduce into the system oil that had excess chlorine compounds. The state-owned pipeline operator Transneft has accused a small private company of being responsible. "The normalization of the situation" is expected in the first half of May, Novak said. The Druzhba pipeline crosses from Russia into Belarus and then branches off. Some oil then heads toward Poland and Germany and some toward Ukraine, Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic. Russian, Polish, Ukrainian, and Belarusian officials met in Minsk last month to discuss the issue. Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the contamination had caused very serious damage to his country's reputation as an oil exporter, and to Russias oil infrastructure. With reporting by AFP and TASS KABUL -- Taliban fighters attacked security checkpoints in Afghanistan's northeastern Takhar Province, killing eight members of the security forces, a local official has said. Provincial council chief Wafiullah Rahmani on May 7 said three soldiers and five police officers were killed in the May 6 attack in Khwaja Bahaudin district. The Taliban has claimed responsibility for the attack. The militants launch near-daily attacks on Afghan security forces, even as peace efforts have been gaining momentum to put an end to Afghanistan's 17-year war. In a separate development, Dadullah Qaneh, a councilman in western Farah Province, said coalition forces on May 5 launched air strikes against Taliban-run heroin labs, killing 15 people. Qaneh said the victims were laborers, but Mohibullah Mohib, the provincial police chief's spokesman, said those killed in the Bakwa district air strikes were all members of the Taliban. Meanwhile, the NATO-led Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan said that a U.S. service member had died in a non-combat related incident in the countrys east on May 6. The incident is under investigation, a statement said. The name of the service member will be released 24 hours after next-of-kin notification. It did not provide further details. The United States has about 14,000 troops in Afghanistan as part of Resolute Support, which provides training and assistance to security forces in Afghanistan as they battle Taliban fighters and other extremist groups. The Taliban now effectively controls or influences about half of the country. Dashing hopes for any quick cease-fire, the militant group has announced the start of its spring offensive, despite taking part in several rounds of talks with U.S. envoy Zalmay Khalilzad in Qatar. With reporting by AP and dpa U.S congressional leaders have clashed over whether the investigation into Russia interference in the 2016 presidential election is, in fact, over, despite Special Counsel Robert Mueller having formally concluded his work. Several Democratic-led committees in the House of Representatives have ongoing investigations related to the findings released in Mueller's final report last month. Mueller's report also mentioned more than a dozen outstanding criminal cases linked to his investigation. The report did not conclusively determine that Trump committed obstruction of justice, although it also did not clear him of the allegations. In a speech on May 7, Mitch McConnell, the top Republican in the Senate, said Democrats "told everyone there had been a conspiracy between Russia and the Trump campaign, yet on this special question, the special counsel's finding is case closed." Democrats have said they want further probes. Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic leader of the House of Representatives, said Congress "would be delinquent" if it did not continue investigating. "The case is not closed," she said. Mueller was appointed in May 2017, taking over an FBI investigation that was opened in late spring 2016 into interactions between Trump campaign associates and Russian officials. In September 2016, the FBI had a longtime informant, and an FBI investigator, meet with a Trump campaign official to discuss the official's conversation with a Russian man. Last month, Attorney General William Barr, who was appointed by Trump, suggested that may have amounted to spying on a political campaign. FBI Director Christopher Wray seemed to break with Barr's statement in testimony before a Senate committee on May 7. "I don't think I personally have any evidence of that sort," he said. "That's not the term I would use," he said. Based on reporting by AP, AFP, and Reuters Employers will develop a set of characteristics of the prospective candidates, and these may include age preferences, or those for gender, race and other improper characteristics. Sometimes, employers believe that hiring someone with a specific demographic satisfies a need for diversity within the organization. While organizations can, and should, cast a wide net to find candidates that represent a diverse set of characteristics, they cannot use those demographics as a basis for their decision-making. In addition, quotas and preferences are generally illegal, other than some government set-aside rules for veterans and qualified disabled individuals. Hiring decisions must be made using a set of legitimate non-discriminatory criteria, and the basis for determining skills, knowledge and abilities need to be job-related. For example, a participant in one of my training classes expressed concern over her teams aging workforce, stating that her business needs included succession-planning and transitioning to a younger workforce that can carry-out long-term objectives. She inquired if, given the organizational need, she could specifically recruit for a younger set of hires. A North Carolina man in his stopped car on Interstate 95 in Prince George County was killed early Tuesday morning when he was struck from behind by a tractor-trailer. The Virginia State Police said Christ M. Vagotis, 75, of the 800 block of Lowdale Drive in Reidsville, N.C., died in the 1:33 a.m. accident on southbound I-95 at mile marker 36.5. The trooper's preliminary investigation shows that a 2019 Chevrolet Cruze, driven by Vagotis, was stationary in the right lane when a 1996 Peterbilt tractor-trailer traveling south on I-95 in the right lane struck Vagotis in the rear. He died at the scene. The male driver of the tractor-trailer was not injured. Authorities were searching for an inmate at the Nottoway Work Center in Burkeville who escaped from a work site Monday. Jason Michael Day, 38, walked away from a greenhouse work unit about 10 a.m., the Virginia Department of Corrections said. Day was convicted of a drug offense and had an expected release date of July 11, 2020. The DOC said it had activated its emergency response teams to apprehend Day, working with state police and local law enforcement. Day, who has multiple tattoos, is described as being 5-foot-7 and weighing about 175 pounds. The DOC says that if you spot him, do not approach him and instead call 911 or local law enforcement. Henrico Countys police chief on Tuesday said authorities have no evidence that human traffickers have targeted the Short Pump area, as some recent social media posts have claimed. In a statement released to local news media, Col. Humberto I. Cardounel Jr. sought to ease public concern that western Henrico Short Pump in particular has been targeted by traffickers seeking to abduct residents and force them into vice-related activities. He noted that multiple social media posts making the rounds have implied that traffickers were at work in the area. We have no evidence of this to be true, the chief said. We have received one report of a suspicious male asking for help. Furthermore, we do not have any credible information to suggest there have been attempted stranger abductions in Short Pump or elsewhere in Henrico County. A Richmond police officer who met with and apologized to three students and their parents for cursing at the children outside Albert Hill Middle School has decided against addressing the entire school at an assembly. The officer, whose name has not been released, met with the affected students and their parents last week, along with interim Richmond Police Chief William C. Smith, and apologized to them all. At the meeting, the officer also signed an agreement promising to attend a school assembly and address the student body. But, since then, he has reconsidered that promise and no longer feels he could handle the much larger setting of a school assembly, Smith said in a statement released Tuesday afternoon. He wants me to pass along his sincere apology for what he said that day and add another apology for not being able to meet with the entire school, the chief added. I believe that if there is any good that has come out of this, it is that the Richmond Police Department has developed a stronger, much more positive and hopeful ongoing relationship with Albert Hill Middle School. According to court documents filed Tuesday, between May 3, 2014, and May 3, 2019, the MSHA collectively issued at least 2,297 citations to the mine operators in question for violations of the Mine Health and Safety Act and assessed civil penalties for each violation. The U.S. attorneys office said the defendants failed to pay the penalties or even notify the MSHA that they contested the assessed civil penalties. When they failed to pay the penalties for 100 days despite two demand letters, the MSHA referred them to the Department of Treasury for collection. The Department of Treasury made another written demand on the defendants, but they still failed to pay, and the Department of Treasury referred the cases to the Department of Justice for collection. Last September, the U.S. attorneys office for the Western District of Virginia sent written demands to the companies for the delinquent debts. The defendants, however, still failed to pay the debts and as of Tuesday continued not to pay both the old and newly assessed penalties. Many Virginians experiencing a mental health crisis will no longer be transported to the hospital in the back of a police car starting this summer as the state moves away from a practice that has been criticized as traumatizing for the patient and a waste of time and money for law enforcement officers. The Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services announced Tuesday that it will award the private security firm G4S a $7 million, two-year contract to provide transportation for the thousands of mental health patients each year who are involuntarily hospitalized. The company will provide drivers to take patients to the closest hospital with an available mental health bed, which can sometimes be hours away. Currently, local law enforcement officers are dispatched to drive patients in the back of a marked vehicle, sometimes handcuffing them even when a crime hasnt been committed. A state study in 2017 called for the behavioral health department to establish an alternative transportation system that would lessen the distress people might feel when theyre handled by police and would stop taking law enforcement officers away from other duties as they drive patients across the state. My students represent the best of America; people who have made mistakes and are still striving and fighting for a better life. I need everyone to do me a favor: close your eyes and think back to when you were a teenager. I want you to think of the worst thing you did in your teenage years. Now imagine if everyone you met during those years (teachers, principals, counselors, student peers) judged you by that moment of weakness. Would you have been given the opportunity to be where you are today? Would you be the person you are today? My students are faced with this challenge and deserve a great education just like every other student in the United States and I am proud to be here to represent them. This award is not just for my students but for all students in America. I accept this award for our black and brown students, and students with disabilities who are being pushed into the juvenile justice system by schools that dont value or understand their culture or abilities. Specifically, I know from my own experience as an African American male, that students need more teachers that look like them, and policies that keep them in school and learning. And until a reform was passed last year in Congress, some PBMs even went so far as requiring local pharmacies to sign gag clause contracts that prevented them from informing patients when a drug would cost them less if they had paid cash rather than going through their insurance plan. Previously, local pharmacists often had little choice but to sign the contracts or be excluded from fulfilling prescriptions under certain insurance drug plans administered by the PBMs. Making things more complicated for patients and consumers, some of the large PBMs are owned outright by big health insurance companies, furthering their collective power to set artificially high drug prices even as health plans cover less and less of the costs. Taxpayers also might be unnecessarily footing the bill for PBMs. For example, PBMs were recently sued by attorneys general in Ohio and Kentucky for fraud related to millions in alleged overcharges made to state government health plans. Time will tell if similar investigations come about in Virginia or elsewhere, but such allegations only add to the need for these congressional hearings and more to establish greater transparency and oversight over PBMs. PBMs should not be able to hide in the shadows when their impact on todays drug costs are so pervasive. Warner and members of the Senate Finance Committee deserve great praise for putting a spotlight on their role and the broader issue of bringing down drug costs and leveling the playing field for local pharmacists. Then there is James Comey, who sealed his fate when he angered both Republicans and Democrats by dabbling in politics leading up to the 2016 election. While serving as FBI director, Comey also apparently wanted to go back to his Justice Department roots by playing prosecutor. He concluded that no prosecutor would have brought a case against Hillary Clinton for her reckless use of government email, a determination that wasnt his to make and which only fed the suspicion by conservatives that the very same FBI that was being super hard on Trump was also being extra soft on Clinton. Finally, lets not forget Rod Rosenstein, who has now resigned. As deputy attorney general, he urged that Comey be fired and oversaw both the Trump-Russia and Clinton-email investigations. During the Senate hearing, Kamala Harris a 2020 Democratic presidential hopeful who grilled Barr and then sent out a fundraising email based on her performance insisted that Rosenstein should not have been in a position to help decide whether Trump could be charged with obstruction of justice for firing Comey since he was among those insisting that Comey be fired. Harris nailed it. When people try to wear more than one hat, they cook up conflicts of interest. Thats the real problem. Teach your children well, folks. Tell them that the secret to a happy life is to always do their jobs and never try to do someone elses. Its a valuable lesson that many folks in the nations capital refuse to learn. Backhoe, operator swallowed by massive sinkhole Guadalajara, Jalisco A backhoe operator, along with his machine, were swallowed by a sinkhole during excavation for a new light rail system. The unusual incident happened Monday morning around 9:15 a.m. in the city of Guadalajara when the driver of the backhoe was suddenly swallowed by the sandy ground beneath him. The operator was working on removing pavement from Alcalde Avenue when the massive sinkhole suddenly appeared. Felipe Lopez Sahagun, director of Proteccion Civil y Bomberos Guadalajara says that after receiving the report around 9:15 a.m., they arrived on site and found a sinkhole about five meters in diameter by 12 meters deep. A backhoe 320 with its operator fell inside. The operator was unharmed without any injuries, said Lopez Sahagun. Personal de la Secretaria de Comunicaciones y Transportes were on site to determine why and how the sinkhole appeared. Photo: Proteccion Civil y Bomberos Guadalajara David Zamora, director of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Works said that after the extraction of the machine, they would work on stabilizing the walls to proceed with investigating the cause of the sinkhole. Normally they are generated by rainwater runoff or some leak, but we have to check exactly what happened in the tunnel. The tunnel was being excavated to add a new Line 3 to the citys light rail system. In "The Public," a moralistic new melodrama that pits a group of cuddly homeless men against a soulless, uncaring bureaucracy, a character remarks on the difficulty of choosing the virtuous path in life. "Our biggest problem," says a chirpy do-gooder (Jena Malone) early in the film, is knowing "which side of the 'right' we're walking on." For other characters in this story about the takeover of Cincinnati's main public library by a contingent of street people, on the coldest night of the year things are less ambiguous: "You're either one of us, or you're one of them," says Jackson (Michael Kenneth Williams), the wise leader of the homeless siege, to the waffling head librarian, played by the ever-earnest writer-director Emilio Estevez. It's a little too on-the-nose that this librarian turns out to be a formerly homeless person himself a man named Stuart Goodson (good son, get it?) and that his main adversary, once Stuart decides to risk his job by letting the insurgents move in, is an overreacting cop named Ramstead (a moniker that neatly telegraphs the character's intransigence and reliance on brute force over negotiation). Much of Estevez's film is similarly reductive. On one side are Stuart and Jackson, the charmingly rumpled, de facto representative of the dozens of homeless men and yes, for some inexplicable reason, they are all men who stage a protest movement by commandeering the library on a subzero night. And on the other side are Ramstead (Alec Baldwin) and the city's coldblooded district attorney (Christian Slater), who implausibly promote the bizarre narrative that, despite all evidence, Stuart is holding the men hostage at gunpoint. That is only one of a handful of things that just don't add up. Sure, Estevez's heart is in the right place. As he demonstrated with his fine last film, "The Way," the director is interested in things that few other filmmakers are willing to tackle with his level of honesty: spirituality, ethical living, right and wrong. And he knows how to construct a story. But this time, he has stuffed "The Public" with too many issues for a single movie, including (but not limited to) addiction, poverty, race, the environment, the death of literacy and the political machine. This is a small film with some big-ish names in it: Jeffrey Wright plays Stuart's boss, Taylor Schilling is his love interest, and Gabrielle Union is a TV reporter. But it topples under the weight of its unwieldy themes. The library setting a place filled with books gives Estevez the chance to signal his thoughtfulness: A man is shown reading Thomas Dumm's "Loneliness as a Way of Life" at one point; at another, Stuart quotes from Steinbeck's Depression-era tale "The Grapes of Wrath," in response to a reporter's interview question. He is chided, moments later, for his intellectual arrogance. Intellectual arrogance is not the problem with the film. Rather, it's the tone of moral superiority. It's hard to disagree with anything in "The Public." Estevez is fighting the good fight. But it's also hard to swallow an argument, however well-reasoned and emotionally compelling, when it feels like it's being shoved down your throat. The Bedford County School Boards newly approved budget includes a 4% raise for school employees and funding to provide Chromebooks for the approximately 5,330 middle and high school students. The board approved the budget to take effect July 1 during a May 1 special session to discuss the budget and vote on awarding a contract for an upcoming school renovation and expansion project. This years budget is approximately $107.8 million for the fiscal year, an increase of more than $3 million from the current budget of $104.4 million. Revenues Some of the school systems expected revenues and expenses for the budget for the upcoming fiscal year include: More than 50% of revenue will come from the $60.5 million allocated by the state, a $2.2 million increase from last year. $5.1 million from the federal government, a $300,000 increase from last year. $36.4 million from Bedford County, about $744,000 more than the $35.6 million the division received from the county in 2018. District 7 Supervisor Kevin Willis confirmed on Monday the Bedford County Board of Supervisors directed staff to allocate the additional funding to the school division in the countys upcoming budget, and the board also has included a 3% pay increase for county employees in the budget, which is scheduled to be approved during the boards June 10 meeting. Expenses More than 70% of expenditures for the division next year, $76 million, are instruction costs, which include salaries and benefits for teachers, guidance counselors and special education instructors. Randy Hagler, the divisions chief financial officer, said the budget approved Wednesday includes a 2.68% cost-of-living increase for division employees as well as step increases for employees based on merit and longevity in the school system. It equals out to a 4% increase, Hagler said on Thursday. The step increases will be different for some employees that have not been in the school system as long but it averages out to 4%. Other expenditures in the budget include $6.3 million in technology spending, a more than $400,000 increase from the current budget, which will be used to accelerate the divisions initiative to issue Chromebooks to middle and high school students. The division originally planned to provide devices for all middle and high school students over a multiple-year cycle by the 2021-22 school year. Superintendent Doug Schuch said the school system now plans to issue Chromebooks to all learners in grades six through 12 during the next school year. Division spokesman Ryan Edwards said Bedford County Public Schools already has issued about 2,000 Chromebooks during the past two school years and are planning to issue approximately 3,400 additional devices next year. Middle school contract Also Wednesday, the school board awarded a contract to Jamerson-Lewis Construction of Lynchburg for the $24.2 million expansion and renovation project at Forest Middle School. The expansion of the school located at 100 Ashwood Drive in Forest will increase the facilitys square footage by more than 60% to 162,000 square feet and would renovate parts of the school. The project will allow the school to accommodate about 1,200 students. The school currently has about 950 students enrolled and is about 100 students over capacity, school officials have said. Construction is scheduled to begin in June and is expected to be complete before the start of the 2020-21 school year. By J. Jack Kennedy Jr. Kennedy, the Wise Court Circuit Court Clerk, is a member of the Virginia Aviation Board. We are fortunate to call Southwest Virginia our home. The people, communities and our natural resources are the envy of the Commonwealth; and each year more and more companies are locating here bringing new opportunities and jobs. A key contributor to our quality of life is our strong and vibrant aviation system. From Lee County Airport to Blue Ridge Regional Airport in Martinsville, Virginias Aviation Region 1 is the home to 10 of Virginias 66 public-use airports. By themselves, these 10 airports employ 463 people; pay wages in excess of $15.2 million annually; and generate nearly $42 million in economic activity each year. In addition, they provide for the movement of people and goods into and out of our area. While we dont have a commercial service airport in our region, we have seven general aviation regional airports (Lonesome Pine, Virginia Highlands, Tazewell County, Mountain Empire, New River Valley, Virginia Tech-Montgomery Executive, and Blue Ridge); two general aviation community airports (Lee County and Twin County); and one local service airport (Grundy). These airports serve as the front door to our communities, and they constitute the first impression of guests to our area. We should be justly proud of these vital assets; however, to ensure that they continue to serve as catalysts for continued economic development wins, support from all levels of government particularly state and local government is paramount. Localities that want to grow their economies support their airports, and they do that by working with the Virginia Aviation Board (VAB) and the Virginia Department of Aviation (DOAV). Each year, the VAB allocates more than $30 million from two sources of revenue to support the operations, maintenance, safety and planning of Virginias 66 public-use airports. In addition to the significant funding, our areas airports have received vital technical assistance from the DOAV to ensure we have excellent facilities and services. I consider it an honor to be your representative on the VAB, and Im proud of the work the dedicated professionals at the DOAV provide to the Region 1 airports and their sponsors. Our airport system provides companies around the world the ability to deliver their products and services to their customers efficiently and cost effectively. And, like parks, greenspace, schools and libraries, airports help define quality of life for our communities. The Virginia Aviation Board and the Virginia Department of Aviation are proud to be partners and financial supporters of our 10 public-use airports the gateway to economic prosperity and to the world. Who or what is to blame for the growing economic gap between a relative handful of high-tech capitals and the rest of the country? Most economists blame this great divergence, as its been called, on two things: The decline of American manufacturing, which in turn can be traced to automation and cheap foreign labor, the latter sending jobs overseas, the former eliminating them altogether. The computer. The internet was supposed to bring about the death of distance and bring about a rural renaissance. It has led to some people being able to work remotely, but mostly its accelerated the clustering of the economy in big cities. Companies like a big labor pool of tech-savvy workers, and theyre more likely to be found in urban centers, not rural areas. Now comes a writer who identifies three other culprits: Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, and Bill Clinton. Daniel Block, the editor of Washington Monthly, recently authored a lengthy piece looking at the economic fate of what he called heartland cities. His jumping-off point was Amazons decision to split its new headquarters between Northern Virginia and New York (and eventually just Northern Virginia alone) a classic case of the rich getting richer. The companys decision is emblematic of a trend that goes far beyond Amazon, Block wrote. In recent years, growth in income and opportunity has overwhelmingly flowed to cities that are already wealthy, most of which are on the East or West Coast. Thats not new. What was new at least to our eyes were some statistics that Block marshalled: Regional prosperity wasnt always a zero-sum game. From 1930 through 1980, virtually every geographic section of the United States saw its per capita income trend towards the national average . . . But suddenly, these trends reversed, and over the next several decades, regional inequality exploded. In 1980, New York Citys per capita income was 80 percent above the national average. By 2013, it was 172 percent higher. Incomes in Washington, D.C., and San Francisco, respectively, went from being 29 and 50 percent above average to 68 and 88 percent higher. Heartland cities, meanwhile, saw their wealth slip away . . . By 2018, 20 of the top 25 were on the East or West Coast. What happened, other than the factors we cited above? Block discounts the role of de-industrialization. New York and Boston once had strong manufacturing sectors, but they transitioned to the new economy, he writes. So did Seattle. Although its now one of Americas most affluent cities, in the 1970s it was one of the countrys most distressed, Block writes. What happened? Seattle had the good fortune to have two native sons named Bill Gates and Paul Allen who founded a company called Microsoft. So were other cities just unlucky because they didnt grow technology sectors? Was it their own fault for not producing enough educated workers to become a technology capital? Block says no. Struggling metro regions had, and still have, hundreds of thousands of residents with college degrees, more than enough to sustain vibrant creative industries, he writes. Theres thus little reason why smaller-sized metro areas cant succeed in the 21st-century economy. So why arent they? The likeliest explanation for the regional divergence, then, doesnt come from economics or sociology, Block writes. It comes from politics and policy. He blames a decades-long push to deregulate certain sectors of the economy. He starts with Carter in 1978 signing off a bill that eliminated the Civil Aeronautics Board. For decades, the CAB had made sure that passengers flying to and from small and midsize cities paid a similar price per mile as passengers flying to and from the countrys largest ones. It required that airlines offer service to places even when such routes were unprofitable, to ensure that no city was left behind. Eliminating the CAB did reduce airfare costs in the nations biggest cities, at least initially. But its ultimate effect was the suffocation of many inland metro areas. Since the boards demise, flights to interior cities have become far less frequent and far more expensive. In Memphis and Cincinnati, theyve nearly doubled in price. He continues by looking at how both Reagan and Clinton changed the rules on how the federal government viewed monopolies, which accelerated mergers and acquisitions in large parts of the economy. Once, he says, the federal government saw its role to be that of protecting small companies. The U.S. Supreme in 1962 ruled that it must respect Congress desire to promote competition through the protection of viable, small, locally owned business. However, from the 1970s into the 1990s and beyond, the federal government took a more laissez-faire attitude that led to many of those small, locally owned businesses being gobbled up. The upshot of these policies is that large firms located in big, economically powerful cities have increasingly captured the market, Block writes. They have bought out their heartland competitors in industries ranging from banking to retail. The result has been a one-way flow of wealth out of middle America and into elite metropolises. He cites St. Louis as an example. St. Louis was once home to a vibrant collection of internationally competitive corporations and given its location at Americas center was a transportation hub and business convention destination. But then its locally-based airline was bought out by Chicago-based American Airlines, which cut flights to St. Louis in half. In 1980, St. Louis had 22 Fortune 500 companies. Today it has nine and one of those is in the process of being bought out by a company in Connecticut. We in Roanoke know this phenomenon all too well. Norfolk & Western is now Norfolk Southern and is headed to Atlanta. Advance Auto is now headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina. What used to be Dominion Bank is now subsumed into Wells Fargo, which is based in San Francisco. So whats the solution? Block wants to see the federal government move to break up some big companies, prevent mergers of others and encourage more community banks so theres sufficient capital available for heartland ventures. He faults both parties. The Republican Partys current economic strategy tax cuts and less regulation with tariffs on top will not help heartland cities, he says. But he says Democrats, whose base is increasingly concentrated in the biggest cities, seem to have lost interest in the rest of the country. Is he right? Of all the French grape varieties that have migrated round the world Pinot Noir, producing those wonderful and expensive Burgundy wines of the Cote dOr, has been the most difficult to copy. Growers in the New World and elsewhere have tried to copy the conditions. Burgundy is cool and wet, has spring frosts and often hailstorms and has limestone soils. Trying to copy these proved difficult in the New World but at long last growers have got the hang of it. Pinot Noir grapes have very thin skins and less tannins so the wines can be drunk much earlier than say top Cabernet Sauvignons which can take many years to be ready to drink. There are probably two styles of Pinot the first deeply coloured, ripely scented, full of red fruit and the other much lighter and earthier, turning gamey after a few years. There are now some very good ones from western USA, New Zealand, Germany and New Zealand. Below are just a few good alternatives from round the world that are readily available. From Germany they may be called Spatburgunder: Palataia Pinot Noir 2017, Gerd Stepps and Matthias Gaul, Pfalz. Germany 13.5pc (M&S 11.50) Aromas of ripe summer berries, red berry fruit with some gamey flavours. Martia Wassmer 2016, Markgraflerland Spatburgunder 13.5pc (The Wine Society 14.90) Lovely gamey, cigar box and truffles. Hans Baer Pinot Noir 2016, Weinkellerei Hechtsheim, Pfalz, Germany 13pc (Tesco 7) Flavours of sweet cherry, raspberry and some savoury notes. Try with duck or pork. From the Americas, California and Oregon State: Edna Valley Pinot Noir 2016, South Central Coast AVA, California 14pc (Majestic 15.99, 13.99 Mixed 6) This is fairly unique as Edna Valley gets cool ocean breezes which stops the grapes ripening in many years. This wine has fine tannins, notes of rose petal and cola with a background of cherry fruit. Higher up the west coast is Monterey: Noble Vines 667 Pinot Noir 2016, Monterey 14.5pc (14.99 Waitrose) This Pinot clone originally came from Burgundys Cotes dOr. Flavours of ripe cherry, juicy plum and some soft, toasty oak. Goes brilliantly with pork or lamb. Sandiford Road Pinot Noir 2016, California 13.5pc (Waitrose 8.99) With a small amount of Petit Verdot and Shiraz. Ripe raspberry and cherry, creamy vanilla, soft tannins. Above San Francisco near the Napa Valley is Carneros which gets cool breezes and fog from the Pacific and San Pablo Bay. One of my favourite Pinots is Saintsbury Pinot Noir 2012 (Majestic 26 mixed six 23). Ripe red fruit on the nose, theres some spice, tobacco, mocha, nice tannins, balanced and delicious. Nearby is Sonoma which has a cooler climate and higher rainfall than most of California giving more elegant Pinots: Folie a Deux 2017, 14pc ( Waitrose 19.99) is a really elegant example with its bramble fruit and hints of coffee ad spice. Driving up out of California through Grants Pass into Oregon I remember it for the hundreds of miles of forest, some great caves to explore and a rugged coastline. The wineries in the two valleys of Umpqua and Willamette produce some lovely Pinots. Oregon Pinot Noir doesnt always appeal to California wine enthusiasts who enjoy big, fruity wines. Oregon red wines are subtle, with high acidity that dont always explode with lusty fruit. Here are two good ones readily available: Underwood Pinot Noir 2016, Umpqua Valley, Oregon 13.5pc (14 M&S) This is splendid Oregon Pinot Noir at a bargain price by Oregon standards. Smooth with soft tannins and flavours of pomegranate and soft fruits. Balanced and elegant it makes a superb accompaniment to aromatic spiced foods or dishes of game or lean meat. Lemelson Theas Selection Willamette Valley, Oregon 2015 (The Wine Society 21) Elegant and complex, this lovely wine has a nose of red currant, raspberry and spice, with some forest berry notes developing on the palate alongside finegrained tannins and bright acidity. A really good example of what Oregon Pinot Noir can achieve. Over to Australia, Tasmania to be precise: Cold, isolated and beautiful, the pristine natural environment of Tasmania gives the opportunity to craft some wonderful Chardonnay and Pinot Noir: Artisan Tasmanian Pinot Noir 2016, Winemaker Glenn James 14pc (Aldi 16.99) Clean and fragrant, elegant, perfumed sour cherry with some spice. Good strawberry fruits and depth of flavours, develops dark fruit complexity in mouth. Devils Corner Tasmanian Pinot Noir 2017, 13pc (The Wine Society 14.95) Made by Tamar Ridge, is a great introduction to the style, bursting with tart red berry and cranberry flavours, fine tannins, spice and a refreshing finish. Mouthwatering and fresh in style, this slips down easily! On to New Zealand, and the middle of South Island, to Central Otago: It is the only part of New Zealand with a Mediterranean climate. It is one of the new areas for fine Pinot Noir: Tesco Finest Central Otago Pinot Noir 2017, Villa Maria. Winemaker Nick Picone 13.5pc (13) Subtle and smooth, elegant juicy red aromas and long velvety finish. The Societys Exhibition Central Otago Pinot Noir 2017, 13pc (The Wine Society 18) Deep ruby in colour, this New Zealand Pinot bursts from the glass with an expressive cherry and clove perfume. Youthful firm tannins, the hallmark of Central Otagos cold night-time growing conditions, hold plenty of concentrated dark berry and cherry fruit flavours, with a touch of cedar and spice on the finish. Finally Chile has some very good Pinots from the cooler valleys such as Casablanca: Cono Sur 20 Barrels Pinot Noir 2015, Adolo Hertado, El Triangulo Estate, Casablanca Valley, Chile (Morrisons 14, Tesco 16) Real finesse, cherry, raspberry, plum, an intense sweet palate and long, soft finish. Lovely with meat, poultry, duck and mature cheese. Morrisons The Best Single Vineyard Pinot Noir, Santo Thomas Vineyard, Aconcague Region, Chile (10) Aged in French oak. Delicious, complex strawberry scented, smooth and mellow. Co-op Irresistible Casablanca Valley Pinot Noir 2016, 13.5pc (8) Flavours of mocha, black cherries, some spice and slight oak background. The fashion in reds locally seems to be Merlot, Shiraz and Malbec. Its time to give Pinot Noir a try. Lucas Oelkers, a senior at Culbertson High School, was elected the 2019-2020 1st Vice President of the Montana State FFA Organization on Saturday, April 6 at the Montana FFA State Convention. Oelkers has been a member of the Culbertson FFA Chapter for the past four years. He comes from a long line of FFA alumni, starting with his grandfather, Russell Oelkers, who was a charter member of the Culbertson FFA Chapter back in 1938. "Growing up, I always knew about FFA, but there was not really any reason behind joining initially. However, throughout the last four years of being actively involved in the Culbertson FFA chapter, I have formulated a reason for being in this wonderful organization. One of the major functions of FFA is to create an outlet for all members to have a sense of belonging to an organization that is bigger than themselves. FFA has provided its members and me a support system that enables us to flourish to our fullest potentials. That promise of commitment is what has kept me interested in FFA," said Oelkers. He explained his favorite part about FFA is partaking in opportunities that FFA provides, including community service projects, agricultural education classes, and FFA competitions such as Agricultural Sales, Agronomy, and Parliamentary Procedures. Oelkers said, "A main objective of the Culbertson FFA Chapter is having a strong presence in one's community. I have helped with and planned for many community service activities, including sponsoring a service station at the Roosevelt County Day of Service where we checked tire pressure and antifreeze levels of community members' vehicles. Another project that we do annually is hanging up Christmas light ornaments on the street light poles around Culbertson." Oelkers added that FFA has had a significant impact on his life. "The main concept that I have benefited from is having a support system. FFA allows its members to become who they truly are as a person. Going along with the 2019 State Convention theme of "Blue and Bold," I have seen the impact that FFA has on its members, including myself, and how it empowers us to be able to become bold in our organization's blue jackets." said Oelkers. Oelkers has always had the goal of being a Montana State FFA Officer and has been preparing for the moment he would obtain an officer position since his freshman year of high school. "My preparation for running for a state officer position started when I was a freshman. Every amount of exerted energy sets the precedence into your future. Within four months of the Montana State Convention was when I started specifically preparing for being a candidate. This entailed studying basic FFA history, current agricultural issues, distinguished individuals within the FFA Organization, and preparing for interview questions; I had to look deep within myself to answer truthfully and confidently the questions that were being presented. Furthermore, past state officers from the area, as well as business leaders within the community, provided me with the opportunity to take part in mock interviews," explained Oelkers. Numerous encounters with people from across Montana encouraged Oelkers to run for a state officer position. "I first want to state unequivocally that without my family's support of my involvement in career and student technical organizations like FFA, I would not have been able to even consider running for a state officer position. Secondly, my advisor, Mr. Jens Nielsen, has built a solid and long-standing FFA program in Culbertson. He enables students to take risks and guides them to their fullest potential. Lastly, Mr. Jacob Martin from Culbertson was the State Treasurer on last year's officer team. He provided me valuable insight, encouragement, and advice in my preparations for running for an FFA state officer position," said Oelkers. When Oelkers was elected 1st Vice President of the Montana FFA State Association, he was beyond excited. Oelkers added, "It was quite suspenseful being named 1st Vice President because there were only two spots left on the officer team during announcements. Subsequently, by this time my heart started filling with doubts. After I realized that I had successfully achieved one of my goals, I was overwhelmed with a sense of fulfillment. I knew that I had done it. I knew that next year my life's course would change drastically. I was eager to get to work. I wanted to put my best foot forward heading into the new FFA year encouraging leadership and community involvement." He claims being elected Montana State FFA 1st Vice President has been his greatest accomplishment yet. He hopes to spend his year of service helping others and investing his time encouraging leadership and involvement in Montana FFA chapters and communities. "I want to give back to an organization that has given so much to me. I plan to fully immerse myself in furthering the ideals of FFA, which include putting others first," said Oelkers. Oelkers's main goal for his time as a state officer is to highlight Montana FFA members' accomplishments, mainly through employing social media, growing membership, and spreading the understanding of FFA to high school students, FFA members' parents, and community members. Oelkers plans to attend Montana State University and pursue a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He explained that he knew from a young age that he wanted to be an engineer. After being involved with FFA, he realized that he could continue to have an impact within the organization and his community without being directly involved in agricultural production. He plans to stay involved in FFA long after his state officer retiring address, "I want to stay involved with the organization by volunteering my time as a mentor and by providing engineering consulting to the organization. I know that wherever I am in life, I will always stay involved with my community and FFA." Urges People To Teach Lesson To Badals Fazilka/ Bhuchho, May 7: Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Tuesday tore through the arrogance of Sukhbir and Harsimrat Badal in their own constituencies, with scathing attacks against the corrupt and power-hungry couple who he said needed to be taught a lesson in these elections for their attempts to divide the state on communal lines. Addressing massive elections rallies in Sukhbirs Ferozepur and Harsimats Bathinda constituencies, Captain Amarinder asked the people to defeat such leaders who used Punjab and their power for promoting their vested interests and not for the states welfare. In Bhuchho, the Chief Minister was accompanied by his cabinet colleague Manpreet Badal, and senior Congress leader and Rajasthan minister Harish Choudhary. Advertisement Seeking votes for the Congress candidates, Shamsher Singh Ghubaya and Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, pitted against the Badals, the Chief Minister said they had made hotels and properties at the cost of Punjabs people during their tenure. Even now, he had heard that Akali leaders were threatening people not to vote for Congress, said the Chief Minister, asking the crowd for the names of the trouble makers. I know how to set them right, I know how to put the Badals in their place, he declared amidst loud cheers. If they (Badals) and other Akalis leaders like Bikram Singh Majithia think they can go around scaring people into voting for SAD, they are mistaken, said Captain Amarinder, adding that muscle power and arm twisting does not work in a democracy. They will all be taught a lesson in these elections, he declared Advertisement These tactics showed that the Badals were running scared in the face of imminent defeat as they knew they would have to face the consequences of their actions, Captain Amarinder said, asserting that nobody who allowed holy scriptures like Sri Guru Granth Sahib, the Geeta, the Bible and the Quran to be desecrated will escape punishment. Punjab has been through bad times, which the Badals tried to further aggravate with their divisive agenda and attempts to create hatred through by allowing acts of sacrilege. IG Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh will be back in SIT after the elections to take the probe in the sacrilege cases to its logical conclusion, warned the Chief Minister, adding that the Akalis can save themselves for 2-3 weeks but not forever. While the Badals had resorted to sacrilege to try and divide Punjab, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was striving to rip apart the nations secular fabric, the Chief Minister said, adding that the BJP and their allies were out to divide India on religious lines while the Congress stood for the equality of all religions. Advertisement Indias strength, he said, lay in its unity, which the BJP, the SAD and their other alliance partners were trying to destroy. Flaying SAD for misusing the Akal Takht and SGPC, Captain Amarinder said while the Congress does not contest SGPC elections, he would personally support anyone who can free the Sikh religious body for the SAD shackles. The SGPC elections are long overdue but BJP, at the behest of SAD, was preventing their conduct, which was the purview of Parliament, where they were in majority, he added. Nationalism is all about secularism, not about Modis desperate efforts to take credit for the success of the armed forces, said the Chief Minister, lambasting the Prime Minister for lowering the prestige of his high office. Indira Gandhi divided Pakistan but never took credit for the political establishment or for herself, while Modi, in contrast, does not tire of singing his own praises on television, remarked Captain Amarinder. No Prime Minister behaves so shamelessly, said the Chief Minister, citing Modis self-obsession as well as his attempts to take undue credit for the actions of the armed forces. Lashing out at Modi for his remarks on Rajiv Gandhi, the Chief Minister said the Prime Minister had absolutely no decency in him as he had not spared even a man who was no more and who could no longer defend himself, which was completely against Indias traditional values and ethics. Instead of indulging in self-praise, Modi and his BJP should think about the problems which people, especially farmers and youth, were facing, the Chief Minister declared. Advertisement Modis false promises (jumlas) had been well and truly exposed, he said, citing the example of the non-existent Rs 15 lakhs which the Prime Minister had promised for every poor in the country. Rahul Gandhi has made a realistic promise of Rs 72000 a year for the poorest of the poor, which the Congress is committed to fulfilling once elected, he added. In Punjab, too, Modi assured him of addressing the states concerns every time he met the Prime Minister but the latter did not do anything, Captain Amarinder said. In contrast, the Congress had fulfilled many of its promises in just two years of its rule, and would fulfill all the remaining in the next three years, just as it had done during his previous term, the Chief Minister said. He had promised to break the backbone of the drugs mafia and save Punjabs children from ruination, which he had done, the Chief Minister pointed out. Those responsible for ruining the youth of Punjab will have to pay for it, he warned. These elections, he said, were our chance to secure the future of our children and our country, and the Congress needed the support of the people to strengthen its hands in ensuring the same. Rajdeep Kaur on Tuesday left the party to join the Congress FAZILKA, MAY 7: The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) suffered a serious blow in Sukhbir Badals Ferozepur constituency as Rajdeep Kaur on Tuesday left the party to join the Congress along with a large number of supporters. Captain Amarinder welcomed Rajdeep into the Congress fold just a little over a year after she had joined SAD. Rajdeep had contested the 2017 Assembly polls from Fazilka as an independent candidate, polling over 38,000 votes. Rajdeeps mother, Harmander Kaur, also joined the Congress. With more and more leaders and workers from other parties deciding to put their weight behind the Congress, the party was clearly dominating the Lok Sabha poll scene, said the Chief Minister, adding that he was happy to have Rajdeep join the Punjab Congress efforts to clean the state of the destructive and divisive Akali forces. Advertisement If such was the extent of disillusionment in Sukhbirs own constituency, one could gauge which way the wind was blowing across the state, Captain Amarinder said, asserting that the SAD president would be ignominiously voted out by the people of Ferozepur. Rajdeep, sister of slain gangster Jaswinder Singh Rocky, thanked the Chief Minister for giving her the opportunity to serve the people of Punjab. Advertisement She blamed Sukhbir Badal's autocratic and highhanded style of functioning for Akali Dal's downfall and said there many who were, like her, feeling disenchanted and suffocated in SAD and wanted to join the Congress, which stands for democracy and inclusive progress. Camilo Santana, reelected last October as governor of the Brazilian state of Ceara with a record vote, called in an interview with EFE for a reinvention of his party, the opposition Workers Party (PT) of former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva . I have always said the PT needs to be self-critical...and start restructuring and reinventing itself, while highlighting all the good things the party did for Brazil during the time it governed (2003-2016), Santana said on the sidelines of an event at the Official Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Brazil. The governor of Ceara, reelected last October with almost 80 percent of the vote in this northeastern region of Brazil, also spoke in favor of the new leadership within the leftist party. He considered that the PT, whose leader Lula da Silva is serving time in prison for corruption, emerged strengthened from the October 2018 elections, despite losing the presidential election to extreme rightist Jair Bolsonaro , who won 55 percent of the vote in the second round. Santana recalled that Fernando Haddad, former mayor of Sao Paulo and PT candidate defeated in that election, had an admirable result considering he had little time to campaign, since the justice system was late in disqualifying Lula da Silva from running. Haddad made it to a second round and obtained 45 percent of the vote in Brazil, while the PT took the greatest number of seats in Congress, winning four more states. This is a very powerful party. The governor of Ceara avoided criticizing the Bolsonaro government, saying it is still too early to judge him. We have to give every government time so we can see what it is they really want to do. He recalled that during the 2018 presidential campaign, when Bolsonaro did not take part in any debate because of the assassination attempt he suffered in the weeks before the elections, there wasnt much discussion of ideas, nor any presentation of policies by the eventual winner. I want Brazil to do well, because it is important for Brazilians, for the states, regardless of who is president. The election is over, we live in a democratic country and the president elected was Bolsonaro. Its time for all of us to work together for Brazil and for its states, Santana said. According to the governor, whenever he doesnt agree with the president, Ill frankly tell him so and whenever he believes Bolsonaro is right, he will also tell him. Ceara, a tourist region of some 9 million inhabitants, is considered the state with the greatest fiscal equilibrium in the country, according to the classification of the Rio de Janeiro Industries Federation. Kelly Rice was re-elected Monday night as treasurer/collector. Adams Returns Incumbents; Rice Re-Elected as Treasurer Joseph Nowak, with his sister Janet Rogge, was re-elected along with Richard Blanchard to a third term on the Board of Selectmen. ADAMS, Mass. The annual town election saw the return of incumbents to office on Monday, including in the only race on the ballot. Treasurer/Collector Kelly Rice, who was first elected to complete a vacant term five years ago, posted an overwhelming victory over Paul Nowicki, who had held the post for nearly 20 years in the 1980s and '90s. Rice is now beginning her second three-year term. Rice earned 597 votes to Nowicki's 198, garnering 67 percent of the votes. There were also a handful of blanks and write-ins. The incumbent and her sisters let out a cheer as the results were announced by Town Clerk Haley Mezcywor at the town garage polling site. "Nice," is all Rice could say as she took in the results. She'd been at the polls since 7 that morning, only taking time out for lunch. She hadn't been alone, either. "I've got a big family," she laughed. She later added, "thank you to all the voters who believed in me and voted for me, thank you." Also returned to office were Richard Blanchard (593) and Joseph Nowak (693), both for their third terms on the Board of Selectmen. No one ran against them although former board member Donald Sommers had returned papers before withdrawing. Running unopposed were Myra L. Wilk for moderator (703); Lorraine Kalisz for assessor (714); James Taylor for cemetery commissioner (689); Peter Hoyt for Board of Health (678); Virginia Phelps (694) and Karen Kettles (675) for two library trustee seats; Michael Mach for Planning Board (660); Joseph Allard (674) for McCann School Committee (Northern Berkshire Regional Vocational School District); Jennifer Gageant (665) for Adams-Cheshire Regional School Committee, and town meeting members in each of the five precincts. Election workers were going through write-in candidates, which were needed for three seats on the Housing Authority (two one-year and a five-year term) and another seat on the Adams-Cheshire Regional School Committee. Erica Girgenti, who ran a write-in campaign, was re-elected to the five-year term on the Housing Authority with 86 votes. Meczywor said she wasn't too disappointed at the turnout, which came out to 13.5 percent. Of the 5,989 registered voters, 810 cast ballots in what was fairly sleepy election with one race and no controversies. Turnout in 2018 when there was a five-way race for two Board of Selectmen seats was about 19 percent, with 1,131 ballots were cast out of 5,863 voters. Updated at 4:15 p.m. on May 7 with official tallies. Same Old Anti-Israel Media Bias Stand for Israel | May 7, 2019 Embed from Getty Images While terrorists launched hundreds of rockets at Israel this weekend, the mainstream media, as usual, only told one side of the story. JNS Jackson Richman laments the ongoing media bias against Israel when the Jewish state is merely defending herself from terrorism: While Israel absorbed as many as 700 rockets fired by the terrorist groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad from the Gaza Strip over the weekend, the media turned the tables on the aggression and launched its usual assault on the Jewish state. Its Israel against Palestinian terrorists, so we always know which side the American media will takethe terrorists, Dan Gainor, vice president of business and culture at the Media Research Center, a media watchdog group, told JNS. Except they wont ever call them that. Fire 700 rockets indiscriminately trying to kill men, women and children, and the press labels you a militant, as long as they support your cause. Gainor cited a usual list of errors and fallacieslike how Gaza is occupied or surroundedneither of which is true. Israel pulled out of Gaza more than a decade ago and it was rewarded by the creation of a terror state. Israel withdrew from the Gaza Strip in 2005. One straightforward headline in The New York Times in the past few days, Gaza Militants Fire 250 Rockets, and Israel Responds With Airstrikes, was attacked by Yousef Munayyer, executive director of the U.S. Campaign for Palestinian Rights, as a stunningly irresponsible and misleading headline. His complaint? That it wasnt slanted in favor of the Palestinians. Thats how uneven the playing field has become A small Cessna soared high above the Mojave Desert recently, its engine growling in the choppy morning air. As the aircraft skirted the mountains on the edge of Death Valley National Park, a clutch of passengers and environmentalists peered intently at a broiling salt flat thousands of feet below. The desolate beauty of the Panamint Valley has long drawn all manner of naturalists, adventurers and social outcasts including Charles Manson off-road vehicle riders and top gun fighter pilots who blast overhead in simulated dogfights. Now this prehistoric lake bed is shaping up to be an unlikely battleground between environmentalists and battery technologists who believe the area might hold the key to a carbon-free future. Advertisement Recently, the Australia-based firm Battery Mineral Resources Ltd. asked the federal government for permission to drill four exploratory wells to see if the hot, salty brine beneath the valley floor contains economically viable concentrations of lithium. The soft, silvery-white metal is a key component of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries and is crucial to the production of electric and hybrid vehicles. Aerial view looking south of the Panamint Mountains in Panamint Valley. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) The drilling request has generated strong opposition from the Center for Biological Diversity, the Sierra Club and the Defenders of Wildlife, who say the drilling project would be an initial step toward the creation of a full-scale lithium mining operation. They say lithium extraction would bring industrial sprawl, large and unsightly drying ponds and threaten a fragile ecosystem that supports Nelsons bighorn sheep, desert tortoises and the Panamint alligator lizard, among other species. A lithium mine would destroy these spectacular panoramas, drilling opponent Tom Budlong said recently as he and fellow activists buzzed over the Panamint Valley in a chartered Ecoflight aircraft. The battle could be a fierce one. Lithium is expected to play an increasingly important role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from cars and trucks, and has been designated by the Trump administration as a mineral essential to the economic and national security of the United States. In addition to powering countless laptops and cellphones, lithium-ion batteries may also play a role in guarding against power line wildfire ignitions. The only functioning lithium mine in North America is about 150 miles away in Clayton Valley, Nev. Most of the lithium used for batteries now comes from the so-called Lithium Triangle of South America a region that includes the worlds largest salt flats. For dyed-in-the-wool environmentalists, the brewing war over lithium mining poses a moral dilemma as it seemingly pits them against efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Constructed with the worlds lightest metal, rechargeable lithium-ion batteries allow vehicles to run on power generated by wind turbines, solar panels, hydroelectric dams and other clean-energy sources. In California alone, officials hope to see as many as 5 million such zero-emission vehicles on state highways by 2030. Drilling opponents also acknowledge that the burden of producing lithium should not just fall on nations with less restrictive health and safety regulations and environmental safeguards. Its a tricky question, said Lisa Belenky, senior attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity. We shouldnt export the sacrifices to Bolivia and Argentina, for example, which have massive lithium mines We also think that Panamint Valley is not the right place for it. A group celebrating the ninth annual Wilderness Torah, Judaisms spiritual connection with nature, hikes in the Surprise Canyon Wilderness Area. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) The Inyo County drilling sites are overseen by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, which, under federal law, is obligated to not only preserve public lands, but make them productive as well. The BLM must set aside some lands for mining and wilderness, for wildlife and off-road vehicle riders alike. But environmentalists say the agency is tilting too far toward the needs of commercial interests and away from the long-term health of the publics natural resources. They worry approval of the plan could trigger a white gold rush across the deserts of Southern California. Already, nearly 2,000 lithium claims have been staked across 30,000 acres of public land administered by the BLM in California. In a formal response to the drilling proposal, a dozen environmental organizations expressed concerns about the effects on ground and surface water if exploration leads to an industrial-scale mine. The environmental assessment does not include mapping of floodplain boundaries, nor any hydrologic modeling or analysis, the response read. There is no discussion of the risks to cross contamination from the deep brines to the freshwater aquifer, and the drill site reclamation practices do not appear to have taken this risk into account. Among those who have spoken against the plan are officials at Death Valley National Park. A large mining operation would have significant water requirements, Death Valley National Park Supt. Mike Reynolds wrote in comments filed with the BLM. Reynolds said water in the area flows downhill from the park to the mine sites on the valley floor. This water would normally help support wildlife within the local ecosystem, he wrote. The U.S. Bureau of Land Management is expected to make a final decision on Battery Mineral Resources request later this year. Battery Mineral Resources failed to respond to repeated requests for comment on the proposal. However, an environmental assessment of its exploratory project concluded it would be safe, prevent significant environmental harm and abide by state and federal regulations. As of April, the company reported anticipated costs of more than $7 million for exploration, claim maintenance fees and payments to a geology consultant in Arroyo Grande. The Panamint Valley shares many of the geological features seen in profitable lithium-brine deposits in Chile, Argentina, Bolivia and Nevada: arid climate, an active fault, a basin encircled by rock mountains, and underground brine pools heated by geothermal activity. Lithium brine deposits account for the majority of worlds lithium production. The process involves pumping water from aquifers and placing it in a succession of large evaporation pools. Over time, the lithium becomes more and more concentrated and can be separated from the water and processed. In addition to Panamint Valley, lithium mining claims have been staked in portions of the Amargosa Basin near Beatty, Nev., which includes stretches of the Amargosa River, which was listed earlier this year as a National Wild and Scenic River. Although environmentalists fear a run on lithium, one expert said it was no simple task to open a mining operation. A years-long effort to establish one at Imperial Countys Salton Sea has yet to bear fruit. On the face of it, extracting lithium from brine seems simple pump it out of the ground, and then divert it into evaporation ponds that leave behind heaps of dried product ready for shipping, said Brian Jaskula, a U.S. Geological Survey expert on mining. While lithium-ion batteries currently dominate the electric vehicle market, they face competition from an array of new, more affordable and environmentally safe technologies in development, said Parans Paranthaman, group leader of the chemical sciences division at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Oak Ridge, Tenn. Lithium-ion batteries, which were developed in 1991, are the most viable in the near term, he said. But beyond lithium, there will soon be zinc, sodium, magnesium and potassium batteries, among others. Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, the owner of the Los Angeles Times, is also the chairman of NantEnergy, an El Segundo-based firm that has developed a rechargeable zinc-air battery, as well as a hybrid zinc-air and lithium-ion battery. The batteries are used primarily in microgrids and communication facilities. Sunset at Panamint Valley. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) On a recent weekday in Panamint Valley, sentiment was split over the prospect of a lithium mining operation in this sparsely populated area of Inyo County. Rock Novak, 65, the caretaker of a trading post in the strike-it-rich ghost town of Ballarat, was telling anyone who would listen that environmental protections are unwanted encroachments on the regions enjoyment of unshackled freedom from everyday rules and regimens. Sitting back in a chair on a wooden porch and gazing out at salt flats that host a frenzy of high-speed off-roaders, Novak said, Id rather see this desert torn up by mining than be under the dictatorship of the National Park Service. Not far away, in Surprise Canyon, hikers wandered a trail that follows a perennial, spring-fed stream fringed with cottonwood trees and wild orchids that earlier this year was designated a National Wild and Scenic River. Most of the hikers were part of the 9th annual Wilderness Torah, a heavily attended outdoor camping event held to celebrate Judaisms spiritual connections with nature. Another hiker was David Lamfrom, director of California and Desert programs for the National Parks Conservation Assn., who wondered whether the charms of Surprise Canyon silence, solitude and natural beauty could survive in the face of pumping systems, evaporation ponds and heavy equipment spread across thousands of acres. This is a misplaced mining project in an area that the public has already agreed should be protected for generations to come, Lamfrom said. It makes no sense to turn our backs on those promises. Several Los Angeles police officers at the departments West Valley station in Reseda may have been exposed to MRSA, a type of staph bacteria that causes a highly contagious infection resistant to many antibiotics, officials said Tuesday. It is not clear how many officers, if any, have been infected or how they potentially came into contact with the bacteria. An LAPD spokesman declined to provide specifics on the nature of the exposure. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA, infections are most commonly spread in hospitals and nursing homes, but also can affect other populations like the homeless community who live in crowded conditions. Infections can be transmitted through contact with a contaminated wound or by sharing personal items, such as towels or razors, that have touched infected skin, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The symptoms of a MRSA infection depend on the part of the body that is infected. People with skin infections often have swelling, warmth, redness and pain in the infected skin. If left untreated, MRSA can quickly spread throughout the body and cause life-threatening problems, including sepsis, according to the CDC. Advertisement LAPD officials said the work areas that may have been exposed to the bacteria have been disinfected. The health, safety, and well-being of our Los Angeles Police Department officers is critical and we are ensuring the officers exposed to this disease are cared for, the department said in a statement. First responders throughout the region and especially here in Los Angeles are constantly responding to incidents that put them at risk of potential exposure to various diseases, and thats why the Department takes this incident very seriously. The LAPDs announcement comes on top of another public health issue faced by the city after a February report revealed that the iconic City Hall building was infested with vermin. Employees shared stories of flea bites and rats skittering down hallways, over official documents and into ceiling panels. In response, crews mobilized to clean up the entire Civic Center area, including stepping up street sweeping and removing vegetation that may provide animals with shelter or food. Employees have been told to empty the trash each night and put away food and water that may attract animals. One City Hall employee, a deputy city attorney, said she contracted typhus. The disease, which has been around since medieval times, is carried by rats. Fleas become infected when they bite rats and then spread it to humans either through bites or when the insects feces are rubbed into a cut or scrape in a persons skin. hannah.fry@latimes.com Twitter: @Hannahnfry The twin sister of a 21-year-old man who was shot and killed at a Hollywood Walgreens has filed a lawsuit against the security guard accused of shooting him, the guards employer, and the national pharmacy chain, according to court documents. Psykyssyanna Hart filed the suit late last month, saying the civil rights of her brother, Jonathan Hart, were violated when security guard Donald Vincent Ciota shot and killed Hart inside a Walgreens store at Vine Street and Sunset Boulevard on Dec. 2. Ciota, 28, of Covina was charged with murder by the Los Angeles County district attorneys office later that month. The guard suspected Hart of shoplifting, and the two got into a physical altercation, prosecutors said. Ciota pulled his firearm and fatally shot Hart in the back as he ran away, according to court records. Advertisement Hart died from a gunshot wound to the neck, a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County coroners office said. He was unarmed and was not shoplifting, the Hart familys attorney, Carl Douglas, said. Detectives told family members the man had a California ID card in his hand at the time of his death, the lawyer said. Hart was profiled, harassed and ultimately shot because he was a homeless, gay black man, Douglas said. Psykyssyanna Hart with a photo of her brother, Jonathan, who was killed by a Walgreens security guard. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) According to the suit, Ciota approached Hart and two friends in an aggressive and hostile manner, although the trio was not committing any crimes or doing anything to justify such harsh treatment. Hart and his two friends told a cashier at the store they were feeling unwelcome, but no employees stopped Ciota from following the three around the store, the lawsuit states. When Ciota approached Hart again, Hart started moving quickly toward the exit. Ciota then crouched and pointed his firearm at Harts back, yelled Freeze, and fired one shot, striking Hart in the back of the neck, the suit states. The suit also says Ciota stood over Harts body and said, Hes dead, although Hart did not die until hours later at a hospital. It took several minutes for medical attention to be called. The lawsuit accuses Walgreens and two security firms, American Protection Group and S.E.B Services, of negligence in Harts death. It also reiterates claims made by Douglas at a news conference in December that Walgreens places armed security guards in stores in African American and Latino neighborhoods. A company spokesman said previously that Walgreens had fired the security firm that worked at the store. We are committed to providing a safe environment for our employees, patients and customers in the communities we serve, spokesman Phil Caruso said. We contract for armed and unarmed security, as well as video surveillance, in our stores based on the public safety needs of each location. javier.panzar@latimes.com @jpanzar Former Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning said in a new legal motion that she will never testify to a grand jury in Virginia investigating the website WikiLeaks, and it therefore makes no sense to continue to keep her in jail for refusing to do so. Manning has been jailed in Alexandria for two months for refusing to testify to the sitting grand jury. She appealed her incarceration to the federal appeals court in Richmond, Va., but a three-judge panel unanimously rejected her appeal last month. Now, in a motion filed Monday in Alexandria, Manning argues she has proven shell stick to her principles and should therefore be released. At this point, given the sacrifices she has already made, her strong principles, her strong and growing support community, and the disgrace attendant to her capitulation, it is inconceivable that Chelsea Manning will ever change her mind about her refusal to cooperate with the grand jury, her lawyers wrote. Advertisement Federal law only allows a recalcitrant witness to be jailed on civil contempt if theres a chance that the incarceration will coerce the witness into testifying. If a judge were to determine that incarcerating Manning were punitive rather than coercive, Manning would be set free. Manning filed an eight-page statement with the legal motion, outlining her intransigence. I can without any hesitation state that nothing that will convince me to testify before this or any other grand jury for that matter. This experience so far only proves my long held belief that grand juries are simply outdated tools used by the federal government to harass and disrupt political opponents and activists in fishing expeditions, Manning wrote. She also said she is suffering physical problems related to inadequate follow-up care for gender-reassignment surgery. Manning served seven years in a military prison for leaking a trove of documents to WikiLeaks before her 35-year sentence was commuted by then-President Obama. Since Manning was jailed for contempt, prosecutors in Alexandria have unsealed criminal charges against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and requested his extradition. Prosecutors have not yet responded to Mannings most recent motion. They have previously stated that Mannings claims that she is being persecuted by the Trump administration are speculative and that she has the same duty as any other citizen to provide truthful testimony when subpoenaed. Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin has made it official: The administration wont be turning President Trumps tax returns over to the Democratic-controlled House. Mnuchin told Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard E. Neal (D-Mass.) in a Monday letter that the panels request lacks a legitimate legislative purpose as Supreme Court precedent requires. In making that determination, Mnuchin said he relied on the advice of the Justice Department. He concluded that the Treasury Department is not authorized to disclose the requested returns and return information. He said the Justice Department will provide a more detailed legal justification soon. The move, which was expected, is sure to set in motion a legal battle over Trumps tax returns. The chief options available to Democrats are to subpoena the Internal Revenue Service for the returns or to file a lawsuit. Last week, Neal promised well be ready to act soon after Mondays deadline. Advertisement Treasurys denial came the day that the House Judiciary panel scheduled a vote for Wednesday on whether to find Atty. Gen. William Barr in contempt of Congress for failing to comply with a subpoena for a full, unredacted copy of special counsel Robert S. Mueller IIIs report. Fights with other House panels are ongoing. I will consult with counsel and determine the appropriate response, Neal said in a statement Monday. Neal originally demanded access to Trumps tax returns in early April under a law that says the IRS shall furnish the returns of any taxpayer to a handful of top lawmakers, including the chair of the tax-writing Ways and Means Committee. He maintains that the committee is looking into the effectiveness of IRS mandatory audits of tax returns of all sitting presidents, a way to justify his claim that the panel has a potential legislative purpose. Democrats are confident in their legal justification and say Trump is stalling in an attempt to punt the issue past the 2020 election. The White House and the Republican presidents attorneys declined to comment on the deadline to turn over Trumps returns. Mnuchin has said Neals request would potentially weaponize private tax returns for political purposes. Trump has privately made clear he has no intention of turning over the much-coveted records. He is the first president since Watergate to decline to make his tax returns public, often claiming that he would release them if he was not under audit. Whats unprecedented is this secretary refusing to comply with our lawful ... request. Whats unprecedented is a Justice Department that again sees its role as being bodyguard to the executive and not the rule of law, said Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr. (D-N.J.). Whats unprecedented is an entire federal government working in concert to shield a corrupt president from legal accountability. But the president has told those close to him that the attempt to get his returns was an invasion of his privacy and a further example of what he calls the Democrat-led witch hunt like Muellers Russia probe meant to damage him. Trump has repeatedly asked aides about the status of the House request and has not signaled a willingness to cooperate with Democrats, according to a White House official and two Republicans close to the White House. He has linked the effort to the myriad House probes into his administration and has urged his team to stonewall all requests. He also has inquired about the loyalty of the top officials at the IRS, according to one of his advisors. Trump has long told confidants that he was under audit and therefore could not release his taxes. But in recent weeks, he has added to the argument, telling advisors that the American people elected him once without seeing his taxes and would do so again, according to the three White House officials and Republicans, who were not authorized to speak publicly about private conversations and spoke on condition of anonymity. With Indias general election inching toward the finish line, the battle for one seat in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh is being closely watched to see whether the scion of the countrys most important modern political dynasty can retain his seat and revive his partys fortunes. After 15 years in politics, Rahul Gandhi is beginning to articulate a vision for India that some observers say is making him a more credible leader. But its unclear whether Gandhi, who is president of the opposition Congress party, has rallied enough support in time to defeat Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Gandhi, 48, has often been the object of derision from political rivals, who accuse him, despite his pedigree, of being a lightweight. In contrast to Modi, a tea sellers son who went on to become Indias leader, Gandhi inherited his power, making him an easy target of charges of nepotism and dynasty politics. For years, Modi and other leaders of his Bharatiya Janata Party have referred to Gandhi as the shehzada, or prince. Critics accuse him of being aloof, a cosmopolitan elite detached from the harsh realities of Indias legions of rural poor. Advertisement After the Congress partys hold in Parliament collapsed from 206 of 543 seats to a mere 44 seats in 2014 elections, Gandhis political obituary was all but written. But with small businesses and farmers hurt by some of Modis signature policies, and mob attacks on Muslims on the rise, Gandhi and the inclusive, secular politics the Congress party has long represented are starting to resonate. Gandhi is seeking re-election for a fourth consecutive time in the Uttar Pradesh town of Amethi. The general election, which is being held in seven phases, ends May 19, and vote counting begins May 23. In finding his feet in politics, Gandhi has become a perfect foil for Modi, said political commentator Seema Mustafa. He comes through as humble, democratic and responsive, and plays on love, peace and humanity as against hate and aggression. The smile against the wagging finger, the embrace against the threat it is all now part of a persona, natural and yet crafted. If Gandhi came across as a reluctant politician, the reasons are not hard to find. His family, starting with his great-grandfather, Jawaharlal Nehru, has produced three prime ministers. Two of them his grandmother Indira Gandhi and father, Rajiv Gandhi were assassinated in office. In my life, I have seen my grandmother die, I have seen my father die, I have seen my grandmother go to jail, and I have actually been through a tremendous amount of a pain as a child, Gandhi said in a 2014 interview with an Indian TV channel. Even after becoming a lawmaker, he distanced himself from political life, refusing to even call himself a candidate for prime minister. In 2014, he was re-elected in Amethi, considered a Gandhi bastion, by only a thin margin. Yet, under relentless public scrutiny, Gandhi has honed his public speaking and leadership skills. He now comes across as more confident, forceful and credible, according to political analysts. And he is also starting to come across as a vigorous and even pugnacious campaigner. In Parliament, where hes represented Amethi since 2004, he had been a backbencher, leaving the party reins largely to his mother, Sonia Gandhi. But hes started to hit back. One recent barb in particular struck home he taunted Modi for wearing a monogrammed suit worth $14,400, saying that Modis suit-boot government was only for the rich. Perhaps most important, Gandhi has shown he has the stomach for a fight, even challenging Modi, a much more experienced politician, to a public debate. Modi has ignored the challenge. Gandhis biggest political triumph in 15 years was easily Congress win in assembly elections in December, wrangling power away from Modis BJP in the states of Rajasthan, Madya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Suddenly, the BJPs preferred Gandhi jibe pappu, Hindi for greenhorn began to fall flat. Suhsmita Dave, head of the Congress partys womens wing, said she has known Gandhi well for a decade and hes basically the same man. The only difference, she said, is that earlier, he held back out of respect for protocol, letting his mother run the party and Manmohan Singh lead the Congress-controlled government. He let them get on with their jobs. This gave the BJP a chance to paint him as a reluctant politician, Dave said. But the truth is that he was never a leader in a hurry. He waited his turn. When it came, he took the bull by the horns and has been vocal and aggressive. There is no point firing your gun until the time is right. Still, critics say theres a long way to go. Gandhi brought his sister, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, into the party, appointing her to oversee a post in the eastern part of Uttar Pradesh that includes Varanasi, the Hindu holy city where Modi is up for re-election as a member of Parliament. Her popularity has drawn huge crowds to campaign events, but it may not be enough to counter her brothers perceived sluggishness. Gandhi has been criticized for his low attendance in the last Parliament, showing up just over half the time; for being abroad at critical moments; for describing power as poison; for not cultivating a younger generation of Congress leaders; and for failing to fulfill a promise to overhaul his partys hierarchy. He also was unable to forge an alliance with two important opposition parties in vote-rich Uttar Pradesh to wrest power away from the BJP in the current election. In New Delhi, too, he was unable to tie up with the ruling party to combat the BJP. Whatever the result of the election, Gandhi is now seen as a feisty opponent, most recently in an interview with the daily Indian Express newspaper. That destruction of the idea of an invincible Mr. Modi, that destruction of the lie of Mr. Modi, is primarily the work of the Congress party, he said. Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Eleven white-painted elephants, their tusks garlanded, gathered with their handlers before Bangkoks Grand Palace on Tuesday to pay respects to Thailands newly crowned king. Hundreds of mahouts, or handlers, dressed in royal yellow sang the royal anthem and kneeled with their elephants before a portrait of King Maha Vajiralongkorn. The ceremony followed a celebration a day earlier in which thousands of Thais watched and cheered as the king and his family waved from a palace balcony. The elephants, which came from across the country, trumpeted at the end of the ceremony. They also posed for group photos. I am delighted for His Majesty that everyone shows their respect to him, even the elephants showed their respect for him. And they did it so well, said Phuraporn Gorgerd, one of those attending the event. Advertisement Thais consider white elephants a sacred symbol of royal power, and an elephant adorned the national flag until 1917. The elephants are not entirely white, and are sometimes painted to look lighter colored than their natural patchy color. Vajiralongkorn took the throne after the 2016 death of his father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who reigned for seven decades. Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Authorities in Virginia say theyre investigating the shooting deaths of three active duty service members in what appears to be a double murder and suicide. The Virginian-Pilot reported Tuesday that the two women and one man were Navy corpsmen. The two women were stationed at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth. The man was stationed at Camp LeJeune, North Carolina. Police say the two women were shot to death at a 7-Eleven in Portsmouth late Saturday night. The man was found with a self-inflicted gunshot wound in a car parked nearby. Naval Criminal Investigative Service identified the women who died as 19-year-old Shianne Soles and 23-year-old Meaghan Burns. Soles is from Veradale, Washington, and Burns is from Massachusetts. Advertisement NCIS identified the man as 22-year-old Donavon Moora, of New York. ___ Information from: The Virginian-Pilot, https://pilotonline.com Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. 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. Personal finance advice comes in many different forms and from various sources. Many of us turn to books or friends and family for advice. More often than not, people turn to Google to ask about their deepest finance concerns. The most-Googled personal finance questions from the past year, however, show Americans have huge anxieties when it comes to their money. Why Google Looks at the Most-Googled Questions. From March 2018 until March 2019, there were billions of personal finance queries via Google. The company takes a look at the most-Googled questions to be sure the websites that appear are the best possible information for people to receive. When people come to Google searching about personal finance, our goal is to help them find the most relevant and useful resources available on the Web, whether thats an answer to a simple question or information that lead them to an expert or help them plan their financial future, a Google spokesperson said. What Are The Most-Googled Personal Finance Questions? People Google a TON about personal finance. The company broke down the most-asked questions into different finance categories: saving, investing, and retirement. Top Saving Money Questions How to save money for a house How to save for retirement How to save for a car How to save for college How to save for a wedding How to save for a down payment How to save for an apartment How to save for a vacation How to save for a kids college How to save for retirement at 40 How to save is widely searched across the United States. Most people are interested in saving for specific life events. Because saving money is crucial to reaching other financial goals and staying out of debt, it is encouraging to see so many people interested in learning how. Top Investing Questions How to invest in stocks How to invest money How to invest in real estate How to invest in bitcoin How to invest in mutual funds How to invest in gold How to invest in penny stocks How to invest in index funds How to invest in marijuana How to invest in cryptocurrency Novice investors can oftentimes feel overwhelmed when getting started. However, investing your savings is key to establishing wealth. Even if youre just starting out with a few dollars, researching more about making investments is a good start. Top Retirement Questions How much do I need to retire? How to retire early? When can I retire? What is the retirement age? How much to save for retirement? How to save for retirement How to retire at 50 How to retire What is full retirement age for social security? Where to retire Retirement is another thing that is always in the back of your mind when you are thinking about personal finance. More recently, the FIRE movement has brought even more attention to retiring early and has people wondering how to do so. Theres no wonder why it is among the most-Google personal finance quesitons. A lot of people are getting their personal finance information from Google, which isnt a terrible thing. Keep in mind, no matter what you find on Google, you should always do additional research to ensure the changes you are making are the right ones. Read More UK rapeseed growers are losing up to a quarter of their crop yield each year because of temperature rises during an early-winter weather window. This figure emerged in new research by the John Innes Centre which identifies a a critical period from late November to the Winter Solstice, December 21 or 22, where temperature has a strong link to yields. The research, which appears in the journal Scientific Reports reveals that a mere one-degree temperature rise in this volatile weather period costs UK rapeseed growers 16m in lost income six months down the line when the crop is harvested. Based on analysis of climate and yield data, the team calculate that temperature variation during this critical time window can lead to losses of up to 160 million in the UK rapeseed harvest -- about 25 percent of the total value. Oilseed Rape, in common with many other winter crops, requires a prolonged period of chilling, known as vernalisation, for the plants to flower and set seed. The effect of climate fluctuations on this process is the focus of considerable interest among researchers and breeders looking to safeguard and stabilise yields. Professor Steven Penfield a lead author on the paper says: "Wide variations in oilseed rape yield is a major problem for farmers so we looked at links to temperature to see whether rising temperatures could have an impact on yields. We had observed there was an effect; what is surprising is the magnitude of the effect we found." "The study shows that chilling of the crop in winter is really important for the development of a high yield. But it's not just winter in general, it's a specific time from late November and through December. Our data showed that even if its colder in January and February, it doesn't have the same effect on yield." advertisement The team analysed data stretching back 25 years from DEFRA and Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) trials to model how temperatures were affecting productivity. "If you ask farmers why they don't grow more rapeseed, they usually say it's too unreliable," says Professor Penfield. "The data in our study clearly shows temperature is having a direct effect on UK agriculture productivity." In the UK there have been improvements in Oilseed Rape yields in recent years. But this has not been accompanied by increases in yield stability with year on year variation accounting for up to 30% of crop value. Until now the drivers of this instability have been unclear. Climatically winter weather in the UK is subject to temperature volatility due to a phenomenon known as the North Atlantic Oscillation. Through fluctuations of atmospheric pressure this can bring warmer, wetter westerly winds or chilly easterlies which bring colder, drier weather to the UK. In the study the researchers ranked oilseed rape varieties according to the stability of their annual yield. Further genetic analysis showed that the trait of yield stability is not correlated with that of yield. "This means it should be possible to breed for yield stability and high yields together without having to sacrifice one for the other," says Professor Penfield. The study, in establishing a clear link between temperature and productivity raises the hope that future rapeseed crops can be bred so that they are less temperature-sensitive, offering breeders the prospect of more stable and productive yields. New research led by the University of Southampton has shown that the threat of range losses for some species as a result of climate change could be overestimated because of the ability of certain animals to adapt to rising temperatures and aridity. The researchers have now developed a new approach to more accurately determine vulnerability, which could aid conservation efforts by ensuring they are focussed on species most at risk. Their findings have been published today in the scientific journal PNAS. Current methods for assessing vulnerability ignore the potential for some animal populations to adapt genetically to their changing environment, meaning they are able to survive in warming temperatures and drier conditions better than other populations within the same species. The international team was led by Dr Orly Razgour, lecturer in Ecology at the University of Southampton, and studied the genomic data of two species of bats native to the Mediterranean, an area which is particularly affected by rising global temperatures. Dr Razgour said: "The most commonly used approach for forecasting the bats' future suggests that the range of suitable habitats for them would diminish rapidly due to climate change. However, this assumes all bats within the same species cope with changing temperatures and drier climates in the same way. We developed a new approach that takes into account the ability of bats within the same species to adapt to different climatic conditions." By taking samples from the wings of over 300 bats living in the wild, the scientists were able to study their DNA and identify the individual bats that have adapted to thrive in hot and dry conditions and those who were adapted to colder and wetter environments. They then used this information to model changes in climatic suitability and the distribution of each group under future climate change. Once the scientists had mapped the areas that were most populated by each group of adapted bats, they studied the landscapes in between each area to determine whether they would allow the hot-dry adapted bats to move to areas inhabited by the cold-wet adapted bats. The study's findings showed that there was suitable forest cover -- vital for these bats to move around -- across most of the landscapes. Thanks to this landscape connectivity, individuals adapted to hot-dry conditions can reach cold-wet adapted populations and breed with them, which will increase the potential of the population to survive as conditions become warmer and drier. Dr Razgour concluded: "We believe that if this model is used when assessing the vulnerability of any species to climate change we could reduce erroneous predictions and misplaced conservation efforts. Any conservation strategy should consider how individual animals can adapt locally and should focus not only on areas with threatened populations but also on making movement between populations easier. This is why it is important to look at the combined effect of climate change and habitat loss." The measure covers Christian worshipers and worshipers of other religious faiths. Councilman Robert L. Bobby Kilgo Jr. of Darlington asked for the ordinance in February. On another matter, an ordinance that would have allowed the implementation of an installment program for payment of county property taxes failed to pass on a tied vote. A motion to approve the measure resulted in a 4-4 vote, meaning the ordinance did not pass. The measure would have given citizens the option of paying their taxes on real property in installments rather than having to pay the full amount all at once. The program would have required taxpayers who chose to sign up for it to begin prepaying their property taxes before tax notices are issued, according to County Administrator Charles Stewart. Stewart said in April that upgrading computer software in the Darlington County Treasurers Office to implement the program would have required a one-time up front cost of approximately $8,700 and about $1,200 per year thereafter to continue the program. Several days have passed to allow the Kentucky Derby fiasco to sink in. We have had additional angles of the incident and a variety of opinions, some saying it was the right call and others saying it was a travesty. I guess thats as far as it will go. I fully understand that some people are going to be outraged by the stewards decision and others will agree with it. People look at things and interpret them differently. But it was the entire scenario and series of events that made this in the eyes of many one of the Kentucky Derbys darkest hours. I am not here to judge the stewards or to state how badly War of Will and Long Range Toddy were hampered or even if War of Will created his own problems by trying to go through an opening that wasnt there, which some angles might suggest. But all were at difficult angles. It certainly was not something you look at and say instant disqualification. War of Will did recover quickly and was back in stride immediately, but faded in the final furlong to finish eighth. Whether you agreed with this controversial and brazen call or not, the fact is, the best horse, who ran his heart out, became the first horse ever to be disqualified from first in the Derby; the jockey who was bothered the most did not even claim foul; most egregious was there was no stewards inquiry; and the jockey who was not bothered at all and was beaten fair and square, did claim foul, just taking a finger pointing, Hail Mary wild shot, something I have never seen before. Good for him. It worked. But his horse had every chance and had no excuse. He had Maximum Security dead to rights, but could not finish him off. I still like this horse a great deal and look at him as an even bigger threat in the Belmont Stakes, but as an objective observer I have to say that this was a good, solid, runner-up performance, but not a winning performance. There was one definitely better. If this was a clear-cut infraction worthy of a disqualification, did the stewards need to look at it for what seemed an interminable amount of time? Sure you want to get it right, but after watching it 15 or 20 times shouldnt you know by then if it was egregious enough to take the winner down? Did they see anything the next 15 or 20 times they didnt see before? That would suggest this was a borderline decision. It certainly was not something they saw in the live running. They initially needed a jockey who was not even involved to alert them that something might have happened. What exacerbated the situation and made it even more disturbing to Gary West was that the stewards wrote a statement that was probably prepared by their lawyers and refused, literally refused, to take a single question from the media, so theyve been about as non-transparent about this whole thing as anything Ive ever seen in my life. Anyone who follows racing has to ask themselves, do you honestly believe in the same scenario the stewards would have disqualified Bill Mott and put up Jason Servis, who has been surrounded by questions himself? It is merely a question. Would they have disqualified Bob Baffert or Shug McGaughey? Would they have taken down the winner if racing didn't suffer a black eye earlier in the year from the deaths at Santa Anita? What if this incident had happened on the first turn instead of the second turn or at the start? Was this worse than 2010 Derby winner Super Saver and third-place finisher Paddy OPrado both wiping out Country Houses sire Lookin At Lucky, who was almost put over the rail? Was it worse than Bayerns actions at the start of the Breeders Cup Classic in which he most definitely cost Shared Belief a shot to win? But that was the Breeders Cup Classic and Bob Baffert and it occurred at the start. Some races simply are bigger events and cannot be treated as any other race. This is all about lifelong dreams and an event that is a piece of Americana. Stewards have proven that in the past. I am happy for Bill Mott and his crew. No one deserved a Derby victory more. But one as tainted as this most certainly has to temper the joy and celebration. Does he really feel like he won the Kentucky Derby in much the same way as the previous winners? I hope for his sake he does. He did a great job with Country House and also with Tacitus and he should be proud of his accomplishment. He can now say he won the Kentucky Derby and hope it goes no further than that. As someone who has been watching the Derby for 50 years and covering it on a national scale for 30 years, this could have been one of the great storylines in Derby history. I understand the stewards do not care about such things, and perhaps they shouldnt. But what they should do is acknowledge that this was the Kentucky Derby, with its huge field and often becoming a bumper car race where far more egregious events have occurred with no action taken. With this decision they have turned the Derby, at least this years, into a race like any other that will have a profound effect on future Derbys, with a likely influx of foul claims for any kind of infraction, whether minor or major. Speaking now as a writer searching for storylines, if anyone deserved to win the Derby as much as Mott it was Gary and Mary West, who have been all class and staunch supporters of racing for 40 years. They have been on the Derby trail since the 1990s when their Rockamundo upset the Arkansas Derby, paying $218, and then suffering an entrapped epiglottis in the Kentucky Derby. They won the Wood Memorial with Buddha, but saw him suffer an injury on Derby Week. They won the Louisiana Derby with High Limit; the Risen Star Stakes with Dollar Bill, who also placed in the Blue Grass Stakes; and the Robert B. Lewis Stakes with Flashback, who placed in the Santa Anita Derby and San Felipe Stakes. Now here they were, not only with last years 2-year-old champion Game Winner, but the undefeated rags to riches colt Maximum Security, a homebred who racing manager Ben Glass couldnt give away for $15,000 as a yearling and had to resort to running first time out in a $16,000 claiming race, for which there were no takers. The colt then rose dramatically through the ranks, winning the Florida Derby, as well as his first four career starts by an average margin of 9 1/2 lengths. Why was this a horse no one wanted? First off, his sire, New Years Day, wasnt exactly setting the world on fire, so West told Ben Glass to sell him and find a farm who would buy half-interest. Although the asking price was cheap, no one wanted to stand him. Finally, a syndicate from South America bought him for dirt cheap and sent him to Brazil. The dam, Lil Indy, had sold for a meager $2,200 as a yearling before being purchased by Glass for $80,000 in foal to Pioneerof the Nile. The resulting foal finished out of the money in all five of her starts. Lil Indys third foal, a full brother to Maximum Security, ran for $7,500 to $10,000 claiming races and finished out of the money in six of his final seven races. Maximum Security was a late foal, born May 15, and his knees didnt close (the bones didnt fuse together). I couldnt sell him for $15,000 as a yearling, Glass reiterated. He was beautiful. I took some people out to the farm to show them several yearlings we had for sale and nobody liked him. I couldnt get anyone to stand his sire and finally sold him to a syndicate in Brazil. His full brother was running in cheap claiming races and his half-sister wasnt doing any good. So we kept him and broke him. West, with over 100 horses, needed to get rid of those who didnt measure up, and this colt, physically and family-wise, certainly didnt measure up. They decided to wait until July for his knees to close so they could eventually run him for a claiming tag. They sent him to Jason Servis along with several other maidens they needed to cull and told him to move them along. But Maximum Security immediately came down with sore shins, so they had to wait for him to get healthy. The colt hadnt shown anything on the farm or at the track in the morning, so when Servis told Glass he wasnt working that well, Glass said to just put him in for $16,000. But once he got over his shin problems and was ready to run, Servis noticed something about him and told Glass, You know, this horse may be better than we think. Maybe we should run him for $40,000. But having just practically given his sire away because no one wanted him, having just sold his dam for a meager $11,000 after having paid $80,000 for her and seeing her go off to Korea, having seen his sister, Lily of the Nile, sell at the sale as a 4-year-old for a paltry $3,000, and with his siblings having done nothing on the track, they decided to stick with the original plan to run for a $16,000 claiming tag, figuring people would see hes a homebred with a dismal family history and assume they were just trying to get rid of a crooked horse. Even though Maximum Security surprised everyone by romping by 9 3/4 lengths, with no one claiming him, the following month Lily of the Nile sold again, this time for only $5,000. Three months later that one-time reject was a winner of the grade 1 Florida Derby and one of the favorites for the Kentucky Derby, and somewhere out there, someone has his dam for $11,000 and his half-sister by Pioneerof the Nile for $5,000. As Glass said, I honestly dont have the answers. All of a sudden this colt woke up. You just never know in this game. When you have over 100 horses you have to move some of them along. Dr. David Lambert once told me a horses heart develops by racing and putting stress on it because it isnt fully developed before they run. Sometimes you cant tell about a horse until they test out their heart. We dont even know yet if hes just a horse for course or if hes this good. Well, they found out that he was that good on the first Saturday in May. But the joy was all too brief. Glass, shaken up by the ordeal, said afterward, A culmination of 40 years of hard work wiped out in 23 minutes. It hurts real bad. With his longtime Derby dreams shattered and with such a bad taste in his mouth, Gary West, who is appealing the decision, is now, after four decades in the sport and having invested hundreds of millions of dollars, contemplating getting out and focusing his energy and resources on the Gary and Mary West Health Institute and their other non-profit endeavors, according to Glass. That would be an even sadder epilogue to this years Kentucky Derby story. Lets hope for the sake of the sport it is only a knee-jerk reaction. Right now it is still in the thought process. But it just shows how deeply they were hurt. Like everything in racing, this shall pass, but its going to take much longer than normal. For the Wests and Ben Glass it may take forever. FLORENCE, S.C. Ministers, pastors and clergy joined MUSC Health-Florence Medical Center on Monday morning to kick off National Nurses Week with the 12th annual Blessing of the Hands. This year more than 16 religious leaders from all denominations visited all areas of the hospital to pray with and bless care team members. The event is the first activity in a weeklong celebration for National Nurses Week, Monday through Sunday. Throughout the week, MUSC is celebrating the dedication, expertise and professionalism that nurses show to their patients every day. U.S. President Ronald Reagan signed a proclamation proclaiming May 6, 1982 as National Recognition Day for Nurses. Since then, the American Nursing Association expanded it to a weeklong celebration, culminating with Florence Nightingales birthday on May 12. Nightingale is credited with introducing professional training standards in the nursing profession. DARLINGTON, S.C. Another great tradition will return to Darlington Raceway for the first time since 2015, as the track will partner with the South Carolina Blood Services Region of the American Red Cross to host a blood drive from 2 to 7 p.m. on May 21. From 2005-2015, the track hosted an annual blood drive that experienced tremendous success by collecting thousands of units of blood. Each donated unit can potentially save the lives of up to three recipients. This is a community event we hosted for 10 years, and we are pleased to bring it back in 2019, Darlington Raceway President Kerry Tharp said. Its an important initiative for our track, and the American Red Cross is a tremendous community partner. We hope donors will come out and donate blood to support this event. Blood donations help patients who undergo surgeries, have chronic illness, traumatic injuries or cancer treatment. By rolling up a sleeve, you can help a loved one or neighbor in the South Carolina community and beyond. For each donation, fans will receive the following: >> A behind-the-scenes look at the Lady in Black, including access to the Walk of Champions Pork flavour differs between breeds of pig Pork is a popular meat, and there is interest in the different flavours produced from the various pig breeds. The flavour is believed to be largely determined by the volatile compounds present in the cooked meat. However, there has been a limited amount of work relating the volatiles present to the breed of pig. Scientists from Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China used HS-SPME and GC-MS to examine pork from four varieties of pig: American Yorkshire pig (a popular commercial breed, similar to the UK Large White), the Hezuo pig (a miniature Chinese breed, typically raised in mountainous regions), the Bamei pig (another Chinese pig, known for its marbled flesh) and finally wild boar (Sus scrofa)/domestic pig (Bamei) hybrids, derived from wild boar from the Ziwuling mountains in China. Pork volatiles examined by GC-MS Eight animals from each of the four breeds were reared under standard conditions and slaughtered after 100 days. The carcasses and meat quality were compared. Interestingly, the wild boar hybrids gave meat of a lower pH (mean 5.7) than the three other breeds (pH 6.1 to 6.5). The Hezuo and Bamei gave meat with more marbling and less lean meat than the other two breeds. Ground raw meat samples from each breed were heated in vials at 80 C for 40 min. The samples were then placed in headspace vials for 40 min for HS-SPME at 80 C, and the volatiles were collected on the SPME fibres. A polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) fibre and a polyacrylate fibre (both Supelco) were used for each sample, being pooled for the GC-MS. The authors note that 80 C may not wholly reflect meat preparation temperatures, and it would be useful to carry out studies using a range of SPME temperatures. GC-MS employed a Thermo Scientific Finnigan TRACE MS along with a Keyi Hengda Technology PEG 20M capillary column. Helium was used as carrier gas, with a constant flow rate of 0.8 mL/min. The oven temperature was held at 35 C for 5 min, increased to 230 C at 5 C/min and then held at 230 C for 8 min. The mass spectrometry employed electron ionisation (EI), scanning 33 to 500 amu. Compounds were identified by comparison with the NIST02 library and the results were confirmed by chemical ionisation (CI), which gave (M + 1) ions. There were significant differences between the different pork samples. 108 volatile compounds were identified from the Bamei meat, 106 from the wild boar hybrid meat, 98 compounds from the American Yorkshire meat and also 98 from the Hezuo meat. Of these compounds, 64 were common to all four meats. The most abundant compound was trimethylfluorosilane, presumably an artefact or contaminant (vinyl silane was also present). A number of compounds associated with flavour, including aldehydes, ketones, esters, furans and sulfur compounds, were present. The wild boar hybrids gave rise to flavour compounds, such as 2-hexanone and 2,5-dimethylfuran, which were not present with the other meats. The wild boar hybrids also gave significantly higher levels of 2-pentylfuran, another important flavour compound. On the other hand, 3,5-dimethylfuran was unique to the Bamei samples. Chemical differences shown between pork from different pig breeds The study showed clear differences between the volatile compounds derived from different pig breeds. In particular, the meat of wild boar hybrids had a number of unique features, which is in line with its somewhat different taste. Such studies can inform pig breeding in order to obtain tastier meat. Follow us on Twitter! Author(s) Ryan De Vooght-Johnson Oakland is considering banning the use of facial recognition software by city departments, including police, a move that could make it one of the first cities in the country to issue a prohibition on the technology. Restricting use of the software is necessary, proponents say, because it poses human rights violations and privacy concerns, particularly for people of color. The San Francisco Board of Supervisors is scheduled to vote Tuesday on a similar policy to ban the use of facial recognition technology and to require board approval for any departments purchasing new surveillance devices. Oaklands Privacy Advisory Commission voted unanimously last week to support a proposal that would ban the use of the software. Introduced by Chairman Brian Hofer and Commissioner Heather Patterson, the proposal would amend the citys current surveillance ordinance and prevent city departments from adopting any facial recognition technology and from using information obtained by the software. We have a right to be anonymous in public, to move about and freely associate, Hofer said. With facial recognition technology, those rights would be infringed. In the private sector, facial recognition software is being used very fast. We wanted to stop it before it gets out in the wild. The proposal is under review by the city attorney and administrator. It will be heard later this month at the Public Safety Committee. If the proposal is passed by the committee, it will be presented to the City Council as early as June. Johnna Watson, a spokesman for Oakland police, said the department does not use facial recognition software. Oakland currently has one of the strongest surveillance ordinances in the country. Passed in 2018, it requires that any proposal involving the use of surveillance be heard in a public discussion. City departments are required to produce annual reports on their surveillance technology. Sameena Usman, government relations coordinator at the Council on American-Islamic Relations in the San Francisco Bay Area, said the Muslim American community nationwide has been subjected to surveillance by law enforcement. A lawsuit filed by the ACLU in 2010 forced the FBI to turn over more than 50,000 pages of documents that showed the federal agencys San Francisco agents had taken notes on the religious activities of Muslims from 2004 to 2010. Its important to eliminate the possibility that facial recognition software could be used, Usman said, to mend a fragmented relationship between law enforcement and the Muslim community. Communities of color, including the American Muslim community, have been concerned over surveillance and being able to practice our First Amendment right to practice our religion openly without having to be concerned of surveillance, she said. Weve seen surveillance in the past of our communities and while we have a robust surveillance ordinance (in Oakland), we want to ensure that facial recognition technology is not included among the technologies used by Oakland police. Council Member Noel Gallo said he would support the use of facial recognition software because Oakland police could use all the help they can get though he would not comment on the current proposal. In Oakland, we do have a good amount of crime, Gallo said. Its just a form of public safety since I dont have the police staffing necessary to protect our children and families. If you do the crime, you should also be clearly identified. 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. But Council President Rebecca Kaplan said banning the technology sends an important message to residents that the city is working to prevent the use of any systems that could unjustly harm people. She said she would support legislation to ban facial recognition software because of its impact on communities of color. Facial recognition systems have been abused and also disproportionately incorrectly identify people of color, putting people at risk of false arrest, she said. A study released in January 2018 by the M.I.T. Media Lab found that facial recognition software incorrectly identified up to 35% of darker-skinned women. In 2016, Georgetown University estimated that 117 million Americans were in law enforcement facial recognition databases. The study found police facial recognition technology disproportionately affects African Americans. These systems will not make us safer, said Matt Cagle, a technology and civil liberties attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California. By preventing the spread of facial surveillance technology, Oakland gives itself the opportunity to focus on real public safety solutions, like listening to the community, following their surveillance ordinance that requires a community conversation about public safety issues. This presents a real opportunity to work on those relationships. If the ban is passed by the City Council, the citys current surveillance ordinance would be amended to include the ban. The concern (with facial recognition) is so great that we are saying, Lets not do this. Lets not even go down this road, Hofer said. Sarah Ravani is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: sravani@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @SarRavani Theres nothing discreet about the Mormon temple perched with cinematic grandeur in the Oakland hills, as anyone who has looked up at its five towers crested with blue and gold tiles can attest. The same goes for the inside, as well. For the first time since its dedication in 1964, the temples doors were opened on Monday to people who arent members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Instead, members of the press walked past the life-size, precast concrete oxen that hold up the ceremonial baptistry. They sit in the 35-foot tall Celestial Room, its walls clad in Italian marble and South American wood. They glimpse onyx-clad marble altars and have a close-up view of the central towers massive wall sculpture depicting Jesus and his apostles. Now Playing: Oaklands head-turning tower Video: San Francisco Chronicle This building is not trying to blend in, said Emily Utt, a historic preservation specialist with the church on hand for the media event, which will be followed by three weeks of public tours beginning Tuesday. It is designed to be monumental. The Oakland California Temple its official name has been closed since January 2018 for a top-to-bottom renovation and restoration. Some changes were cosmetic, such as upgrading the walls of the womens dressing room from paint to marble. At the other extreme were seismic upgrades. We found that some of the walls werent braced as well as they should be, Utt said. And the towers were strengthened so that they wont fall over in an earthquake. I hope everyone can appreciate that. Todd Trumbull Before the tour there were remarks from church leaders, including two of the 12 members of the churchs top council in Salt Lake City. One was Quentin Cook, who explained to the press that the temple is closed because its sacred, not secret. But openness went only so far no cameras were allowed inside, be they full television gear or compact cell phones. Nor was the temple to be explored at will. Church leaders led small groups of media from space to space, explaining the significance of each room to the temples larger role. The one Oakland elected official on hand was Councilmember Sheng Thao, who represents the hilly neighborhood where the temple is located. Ive always wanted to see what it was like, Thao said. She described how when she was a single mother going to nearby Merritt College, seeing it beaming out that positivity really kept me going. Unlike a Roman Catholic cathedral, designed so that the faithful can gather in large numbers, a Mormon temple is geared toward families. Once inside, your shoes muffled by paper slippers to protect the carpeting, theres the ceremonial baptistry where church members can be baptized on behalf of their ancestors (who, the media were told, have the option of deciding whether or not to join the church posthumously). On the second floor, a quartet of instruction rooms each show the same two-hour video of church tenets and flank the Celestial Room, where believers can pray or contemplate in silence. Above them, on the third floor, are seven sealing rooms. These spaces are designed to hold religious wedding ceremonies, though couples might already have wed at their local meeting house. But if the elements of the Mormon faith are replicated in all of the 164 temples now in operation, the architecture of Oakland California Temple is distinct. 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 architect was Harold W. Burton, whose first temple was dedicated in 1923 in Alberta, Canada. The only time he switched from Mormon to secular design was during World War II, when he worked on sets for military training films at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios. Theres a hint of Hollywood spectacle in the Oakland temples visual exuberance the structure is scaled to put on a show from afar, culminating in the 170-foot central tower that rises from a quartet of 96-foot spires. All five peaks are perforated, so that light can be projected at night to spill through the tight weaves of blue and gold tiles. Its a big, bold statement, Utt said of the third and final temple by Burton, who died in 1969. Its unapologetically modern, very much a 1960s building but fused with spiritual elements. (Briefly) open to all Public tours of the Oakland California Temple, at 4770 Lincoln Ave., Oakland, will be held from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., May 11 to June 1. Tickets may be reserved online at www.oaklandtemple.org. The temple will be rededicated on June 16. See More Collapse One aspect of Burtons original design that has been restored is a waterfall within the courtyard, the innermost space of the temple that can be visited by outsiders. The general public also can ascend stairs to an outdoor terrace that offers panoramic views of San Francisco Bay. But only church members will see the addition of several paintings inside that depict the Northern California landscape, including redwood trees and the coastal foothills. Or a feature insisted on by bureaucrats new baptistry railings that surround the sunken corral for the sculptural oxen that hold the baptismal bowl. No matter how sacred a space, it still must be up to code. John King is The San Francisco Chronicles urban design critic. Email: jking@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @johnkingsfchron A proposal to rename a small South of Market street after late Public Defender Jeff Adachi drew supporters to City Hall on Monday, but also a few of the streets residents who said the name change would cause them a major headache. The Board of Supervisors Land Use and Transportation Committee unanimously passed a resolution that would allow the city to begin the process of renaming Gilbert Street, which runs parallel to Sixth and Seventh streets between Bryant and Brannan near the public defenders office, to Jeff Adachi Way. If the board approves the resolution next week, the city can then begin the long process of officially renaming the street. One of the first steps will be surveying all the businesses and residents on the street. Then the board would vote on it again. Supervisor Matt Haney, sponsor of the resolution, said renaming the street after Adachi who unexpectedly died in February will have a positive impact to our community for decades to come. He chose Gilbert Street because thats the street Adachi used to walk between his office and courthouse at 850 Bryant St. A few Gilbert Street residents at the meeting said they were peeved at how much time and effort it would take to change the name on all of their paperwork, from electric bills to passports and immigration papers. Think of everything you need to update when you change your credit card, and triple that, said Brendan Grant, 36, who has owned a home on Gilbert Street for about six years. But many more at the meeting supported the change, saying it was a small way to honor a man who had a big impact on the city. Every individual who knows Jeff has a story of what he has done for the community, said Misha Olivas, program director of United Playaz, a SoMa youth development organization. This is the very least that we can do for him and all he gave to everyone in San Francisco. After the meeting, Haney said he would consider just renaming the block between Bryant and Brannan Streets, a move that he said would likely impact fewer residents and businesses. 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 the board passes the resolution after a final vote, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency would be directed to install a new street sign that says Jeff Adachi Way and place it above a smaller sign that says Gilbert Street for five years. After that period, the street would be officially renamed Jeff Adachi Way. Trisha Thadani Email: cityinsider@sfchronicle.com, tthadani@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @sfcityinsider, @TrishaThadani Vallejo police released body camera footage Monday of a February 2018 incident in which an officer shot and killed a black bicyclist who allegedly grabbed an officers flashlight during a tussle. However, the video does not clearly show whether the bicyclist presented the flashlight in a threatening manner, as police said on Monday as well as in the days following the incident. The newly released footage comes as the Police Department is under scrutiny for its conduct after the shooting death of Willie McCoy in February of this year. On Feb. 13, 2018, Officer Ryan McMahon attempted to stop Ronnell Foster, 33, who was riding a bike erratically without a headlamp around 7:40 p.m., police said. McMahon, on foot, pursued Foster in the northbound lanes of Sonoma Boulevard until Florida Street. Foster continued west on Florida Street, south on Marin Street and stopped near 415 Carolina St. During his pursuit, McMahon can be heard calling dispatch to ask for a backup unit. I have a guy on a bicycle running from me, he said. McMahons next comments come 40 seconds later to report that shots had been fired. Now Playing: Vallejo police released body camera footage Monday of a February 2018 shooting that killed Ronnell Foster, a 33-year-old city resident accused of grabbing an officers flashlight during a struggle. Video: San Francisco Chronicle The Solano County district attorneys office will determine whether criminal charges will be filed against the officer in the case or whether the shooting was justified. Vallejo police said Monday they completed their investigation and submitted the case to the district attorney. We hope that the material released today provides the community enough information to understand how this incident unfolded, police said in a statement. The Foster familys lawyer, Adante Pointer, criticized the polices description of what happened. According to Pointer, Foster was hanging out with friends on Sonoma Boulevard and police were across the street watching the group. When police pulled up abruptly, Foster pedaled away, Pointer said. The police cruiser pursued him, eventually cornering Foster on the street, when Foster ran, Pointer added. Essentially, what you have is an unarmed black man whos shot from behind in the back of his head for doing nothing more than supposedly riding his bike recklessly, he said. Given what the cop ultimately did, (Foster) probably sensed danger, Pointer said about Foster running away. McMahon followed Foster down an alley near 415 Carolina St., where a struggle ensued, police said. McMahon activated his body camera after he shot Foster, but the camera captured the previous 30 seconds of the encounter, as is standard for the body cameras, police said. Audio of the encounter begins when McMahon activates his body camera. 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 start of the video shows Foster on the ground as McMahon deploys his Taser. The next few seconds are unclear as the camera jerks around while McMahon is struggling with Foster. Foster attempts to get on his feet while McMahon puts his Taser away. Police also released an edited, slowed-down version of the video, annotated with captions describing McMahons and Fosters actions that are difficult to see in the dark, grainy footage. According to the captions, Foster grabs McMahons flashlight, but it is not explicit in the video. After a struggle, the video shows Foster appearing to turn away from McMahon when McMahon shoots him and he collapses into nearby bushes, as McMahons flashlight falls to the ground. With his body camera still recording, McMahon calls dispatch to report one person down after shots had been fired. He asks a neighbor to stay at the scene as he directs other officers to his location. Ive never seen a police officer go to this extent to essentially write a ticket for riding a bike in a reckless manner, Pointer said. Ashley McBride is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: ashley.mcbride@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @Ashleynmcb Pacific Gas and Electric Co.s board needs to tour the Butte County community where the companys equipment is suspected of starting a historically devastating wildfire last year, a federal judge said Tuesday. U.S. District Judge William Alsup made the decision at a sentencing hearing he held for the utility regarding a violation of its probation arising from the 2010 San Bruno pipeline explosion. Alsup previously found the utility did not properly report a settlement it reached over a small 2017 fire. Parties in the case must propose specific language regarding PG&Es new sentence by next Tuesday. Alsup wants PG&E directors by mid-July to visit the town of Paradise, which was almost completely wiped out by the 2018 Camp Fire, the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in state history. The inferno killed 85 people and destroyed some 14,000 homes, and PG&E has said the state will likely find it responsible. The company filed for bankruptcy protection less than three months after the fire. At a hearing in San Francisco, Alsup said it was important for PG&E leadership to see the gravity of what happened up there and indicated he will likely join the tour. The board of directors ought to see firsthand the devastation, Alsup said. Alsup also directed PG&E leaders to meet with local officials in San Bruno, site of the gas explosion that killed eight people and destroyed 38 homes. The tragedy led to PG&Es conviction on multiple felonies and 2017 sentencing to five years probation. Tuesdays hearing came almost exactly six months after the Camp Fire started, underscoring PG&Es central role in the inferno and its aftermath. Liabilities from that fire and 2017 wildfires could exceed $30 billion, PG&E has said, fueling its decision to seek bankruptcy protection and ushering in a series of changes at Californias largest utility. Along with visiting disaster-affected communities, Alsup also wants PG&E to have a board committee focused on the companys compliance with its state-mandated wildfire-prevention plan, which the judge made part of the companys probation at an earlier hearing. That committee must also track PG&Es progress with its other probation conditions, Alsup said. With California now right on the cusp of the next wildfire season, Alsup said he will lose sleep ... over did I do enough to help PG&E stop these fires? PG&E did not object to the judges sentencing. PG&E Corp.s new CEO, Bill Johnson, in his fourth day on the job, appeared before Alsup at the hearing. Johnson, who formerly led the Tennessee Valley Authority, said he came to PG&E in California to see if I can make outcomes better. After the hearing, Johnson told reporters he planned to go to Paradise himself sometime over the next couple of days. Johnson indicated he will also visit Wine Country, parts of which were scorched in the 2017 wildfires, but did not specify when. He said he was satisfied with the new terms outlined by Alsup. I thought it was really a wise sentence, Johnson said. Go see these people youve affected, go talk to them, go feel their pain and their issues. Paradise Police Chief Eric Reinbold called Johnsons impending visit to the town a good step in the right direction to put the disaster in perspective for the new utility head. Air Quality Tracker Check levels down to the neighborhood Ratings for the Bay Area and California, updated every 10 minutes Of course, it doesnt do any justice six months later, but thats not his fault hes just coming into this role, Reinbold told The Chronicle. Reinbold, who lost his own home in the Camp Fire, said he wants to tell Johnson about the personal impact of the wildfire and how it has strained law enforcement as police officers and volunteers left for other areas. After Johnson was named the next CEO of PG&E, Reinbold signed onto a letter to PG&E with Kirk Trostle, the former police chief in Chico and Oroville, inviting Johnson to tour communities devastated by the Camp Fire. Reinbold said they did not get a direct response, but he has since learned that he and other local officials will meet with Johnson on Thursday. Reinbold was supportive of having Alsup and PG&E board members tour the community at a later date as well. I think its good for anybody involved in some major decision-making there to have a true understanding of what this event was, he said. The sentencing hearing occurred because of PG&Es role in a much smaller Butte County blaze, the 2017 Honey Fire, which burned just 76 acres and did not destroy any structures or kill anyone. After state investigators found PG&Es equipment responsible for starting the fire, the company reached a settlement with Butte County prosecutors but did not properly report that to its probation officer, Alsup ruled in January. Reid Schar, one of the attorneys representing PG&E, told Alsup that the company fully accepts responsibility for its probation violation. He said the company has already taken steps to improve communication with the probation officer, who is now included on weekly phone calls with the team of the federal monitor appointed to oversee the company because of its San Bruno-related felony convictions. PG&E has also increased its email communications with the probation officer, Schar said. J.D. Morris is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jd.morris@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @thejdmorris OAKLAND, Calif. Carol Cidlik texted with her daughter throughout the day on Dec. 2, 2016, a routine exchange of messages. But in the evening, an unusual and frightening message arrived. At 11:23 p.m., 29-year-old Nicole Siegrist texted from Oakland: Im gonna die now. The message, which her mom received in Hawaii, was one of many sent out by trapped victims in their final moments as a warehouse fire consumed the Ghost Ship artists collective in the Fruitvale neighborhood two and a half years ago. Alameda County prosecutors called Cidlik to the stand as the trials first witness on Monday, seeking to convey to jurors the horror of a tragedy that took the lives of 36 people, nearly all of whom were guests at a music event in the warehouse. Cidlik broke down in tears on the stand when she was asked to identify her daughter in a photo. She remembered her daughter as a happy person. Monday marked the trials third day before jurors and the first of witness testimony in the criminal case against Derick Almena, 49, and Max Harris, 29, who each face 36 counts of involuntary manslaughter. Defense attorneys and prosecutors finished opening statements last week. Prosecutors have told jurors that Almena and Harris are responsible for the deaths after they failed to maintain fire-safety protocols, allowed several people to live in the warehouse illegally and invited dozens into a space that others had deemed a fire trap. Defense attorneys have sought to minimize their clients leadership roles in the warehouse and said evidence will show arsonists torched the building. Vicki Behringer / Special to The Chronicle Curtis Briggs, who represents Harris, and Tony Serra, who represents Almena, on Monday declined to cross-examine Cidlik, who testified as a witness for the prosecution. Both defense attorneys, however, called into question the testimony of the second witness, Nicholas Nico Bouchard, who co-signed on the buildings lease with Almena. Under questioning from prosecutor Autrey James, Bouchard recalled meeting Almena at a New Years party in 2012, and eventually moving in with Almena and his family. The two bonded during this time and worked together to plan festivals, Bouchard said. In late 2013, Almena located a warehouse on 31st Avenue and International Boulevard and wanted to lease it for an art gallery and event space. He tapped Bouchard as a co-signer because he had good credit, Bouchard recalled. Bouchard said the lease agreement allowed the space to be used only as an art collective and to build and create art sets. Nothing in the agreement allowed people to live there, he said, and any changes had to be approved by the landlord. Bouchard said he moved into the warehouse but was alarmed at some of the changes made while he was out of town for a few days. Namely, he said, the first-floor ceiling had a 20-by-20-foot hole being used to hoist pianos up to the second floor. Bouchard said he expressed concerns about this and called a meeting with his mother, Almena and several others to discuss safety at the warehouse. During that meeting, Bouchard said, Almena and his wife showed up two hours late. Bouchard said he thought the warehouse needed sprinklers and electrical and plumbing upgrades, and that his mother suggested they apply for city grants to pay for them. But Almena wasnt amenable to the suggestions, Bouchard testified. He scoffed and laughed at us and said it was too mainstream, Bouchard said. He liked to do things not by the books as much as possible. Bouchard moved out within two to three weeks, he said, and he attempted to distance himself from the lease. He returned the keys to the landlords daughter, Eva Ng, told her about the massive hole and advised her to consider retaking the warehouse, he said. 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. Briggs attempted to undercut Bouchards testimony that he believed the warehouse was a dangerous place at that time. The defense attorney asked Bouchard about ideas he originally had for the artists collective, which included community outreach programs and a place for music events. Bouchard responded that none of these ideas came to fruition during the time he lived at Ghost Ship, and that they were all conceptual. During cross-examination, Serra asked Bouchard how many times he returned to the Ghost Ship after moving out. Bouchard said it was about six times. Serra asked Bouchard if he ever reported concerns to fire, police or child protective service officials. Bouchard responded that he had not. Bouchard denied Serras assertion that the warehouse was kept clean and denied that Almena banned fire hazards. We would openly smoke cigarettes in that space all the time, Bouchard said. Also on Monday, prosecutors announced that one of their witnesses who was expected to testify this week, Robert Jake Jacobitz, died in an accident on Sunday. Jacobitz had performed some electrical work at the warehouse. Testimony in the trial is expected to last for 12 to 18 weeks and will be heard Mondays through Thursdays at the Rene C. Davidson Courthouse in Oakland. South Bend, Ind., refused to go on daylight-saving time, not because of Mayor Pete Buttigieg, but because it upset the cows. So when I went to college, it was the first time that I lived in a different time zone than my mother, Nurse Vivian. My freshman year, Star Wars came out. There was only one movie theater in South Bend (Im sure that Mayor Buttigieg has since made improvements), and it ran the same movie for eight months. Altogether, I watched the Imperial Death Star blow up 37 times. I called Nurse Vivian in Ozone Park and told her about the Force and the Rebellion, and she told me that she and Hap would watch it. The next week, Nurse Vivian opined, I dont see what you like about it. Seems to me the moral of the story is Turn off the visor and shoot. While the clock remained the same, time passed differently in Eastern Daylight than it did in Eastern Standard Time. The child grows up. The parent grows wise. The Avengers: Endgame: No reader is surprised that the Fisher-Paulsons spent two weeks watching all 21 of the prequels, or as Brian called it The Bataan Death March of DVDs. Last Friday, I called in sick, and we had a snow day strawberry Pop Tarts and coffee fueling our trip from Captain America to Infinity War. Comic book nerds are zealots. They have a few rules, including that death does not matter. Bucky Barnes gets killed by the Red Skrull at the end of World War II? Turns out he was in suspended animation. Jor-el and Lara get blown up on the planet Krypton? Turns out theyve been in Las Vegas the past 80 years. The biggest rule is: Thou shalt not spoil. Dont tell me the ending. Dont tell me who dies. Dont tell me where Stan Lee appears. Brian is a nerd-by-marriage, so he adopted this, despite his upbringing. His mother insisted on starting a book by reading the last chapter. Our boys called her Nana, and Aidan inherited this one trait. He cannot abide a literary secret. His first words were, The butler did it! Episode 7 of Star Wars: Despite Nurse Vivian, I waited 30 years. But before I tossed so much as a kernel of popcorn in, Aidan blurted, I saw this with Uncle Jon last weekend. Youre gonna hate it when dies. Left to his own devices Aidan would tell you that Rosebud was a sled, the Ark of the Covenant was gonna get left in a warehouse, and Humphrey Bogart ends up with a French police captain. For Endgame, I was determined to be spoiler-free. The outer, outer, outer, outer Excelsior went under electronic quarantine: no Facebook, no Twitter, no Instagram. In the second-to-last film, Doctor Strange used the Eye of Agamotto to look forward in time, and Aidan mused, Thats kind of like what were doing, Daddy. Like were living outside time. This is true for Zane as well. While the clock remains the same, time passes differently in the Central time zone than it does in the Pacific time zone. But the child grows up while the parent grows wise. To me hes still that little boy who left in July, and yet when he returns this coming weekend he might not even fit in his bed. Peer behind the curtain: This column does not appear by magic. Rather, I wait until the magnets go down the toilet or a head gets stuck in a staircase, and then I start typing. But whatever crisis we have, we have to have it by Thursday night. Thats when I call Crazy Mike and say, Should I tell the story about how the dog got expelled from obedience school? If it gets to Friday morning Crazy Mike says, Tell the muse Im putting in for overtime. But every once in a while, Im in a different time zone than the readers, as if the Eye of Agamotto has cast a spell, and the Fisher-Paulsons who we are on Thursday afternoon are not the same Fisher-Paulsons the following Wednesday morning when the column sees print. By this time next week, for example, Zane will have come and gone. The visit will be a victory for him, or not. On this side of the time zone, I can give you no spoilers, other than we will have watched Endgame. You readers will know next week, but in the meantime, you get to make up your own ending. Just be sure to tune in next Wednesday. Same bat-time. Same bat-channel. Same bat-bungalow. Kevin Fisher-Paulsons column appears Wednesdays in Datebook. Email: datebook@sfchronicle.com Marie Harrison spoke truth to power, politely but effectively. She knew how to give people in high places a piece of her mind. A lifelong passionate foe of the contamination and subsequent development at Hunters Point and India Basin, Harrison organized, picketed, marched and, on two occasions, chained herself to gates. She died May 5 in Stockton at age 71 of chronic lung disease, not long after getting off the phone to help organize a Mothers Day fundraising walk to spread the word about cleaning up the southeast corner of San Francisco. She was a remarkable woman, a fighter and an advocate who knew how to get things done, said colleague and friend Bradley Angel, head of the Greenaction environmental organization where Harrison worked for two decades. She was always gracious and always true to her beliefs. The walk, Angel said, will be renamed in her honor. She never compromised her principles, he added. She was steadfast and true. Mike Kepka / The Chronicle 2004 Marie wasnt for sale, said friend Raymond Tompkins, a chemist who consulted with her about soil contamination at Hunters Point. She was all about integrity. She had a way about her. When she challenged someone on an issue, she was like a mother who caught a child with his hand in the cookie jar. In 2006, Harrison chained herself to the front of the controversial power plant at Hunters Point. She later chained herself to the fence surrounding the Hunters Point Shipyard Superfund site. The sites were contaminated and posed health risks to parts of San Francisco largely inhabited by minorities, she and Greenaction maintained. In October, after the San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted over Harrisons and Greenactions objections to approve a 1,575-unit development at India Basin, Harrison told the board it was ignoring the health risk for our community. Tompkins said his friend took that defeat stoically, telling him, You win some and you lose some. When the Board of Supervisors proposed in June to honor her lifes work, Harrison pondered whether it would be right to accept an award from the same folks she was so often battling. She accepted it, but not before standing up and between taking breaths on her portable respirator reminding the board to do the right thing in its stewardship of Hunters Point and India Basin. You know its not safe yet, she told the board. A native of Kansas City, Mo., Harrison came to San Francisco with her family as a child and attended the old Polytechnic High School and then Skyline College in San Bruno. She sold clothing and jewelry at Nordstrom and Macys department stores in San Francisco, and she enjoyed singing gospel tunes and painting abstract pictures. She is survived by her children, Thomas Harrison of Stockton, Ariann Harrison of San Francisco and Shana Harrison of Oakland; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Her husband of 50 years, Niame Thomas Harrison, died in 2014. A memorial celebration will be held at noon May 18 at St. John Missionary Baptist Church, 825 Newhall St., San Francisco. Steve Rubenstein is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: srubenstein@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @SteveRubeSF Like so many California families, Karim Bayumi of Anaheim, his wife and two young children are doing everything they can to scrape by. Bayumi drives for a large ride-hailing company as his primary source of income. On March 11, Bayumis rate was cut from 80 cents a mile to 60 cents a mile, just barely above the government mileage reimbursement rate. No warning. No explanation. In an instant, a chunk of his income just disappeared. Uber, Lyft and other app-based employers call drivers like Bayumi independent contractors, meaning, in theory, Bayumi is his own boss. But he has no ability to set his own rates, and the companies have the power to deactivate him at any time through no fault of his own. The companies even mandate drivers take a certain number of passengers per week if they want to earn the best possible rate, meaning his flexibility to work when he wants is extremely limited. Bayumi works in whats been called the gig economy. But like so many others, for him, this isnt a gig. Its his job. And hes not even making minimum wage. He doesnt have unemployment insurance. Theres no workers compensation if hes injured. No overtime if he puts in extra-long days. Were labeled independent contractors, but they dont treat us as independent, Bayumi says. The proliferation of corporations arbitrarily classifying workers as contractors to cut costs is part of a larger fissuring of the workplace that makes full-time stable employment increasingly hard to find. Recognizing the disastrous nature of this trend to California workers and our economy, the California Supreme Court issued a landmark decision in the Dynamex Operations West case last year that set up a simple A-B-C test employers must use to determine if a worker is an employee or an independent contractor. This isnt a new idea. A similar test is used in several other states. The ruling simply states that to be called independent, a worker must be free from employer control, doing work outside the regular scope of the business, and independently established in that trade. For example, if a graphic designer offers her services to a restaurant to design a menu, she meets the definition of independent. And there will always be a place in the economy for true independent contractors. Unfortunately, workers in many fields, including construction, truck driving, health care and in the on-demand economy have been misclassified as contractors just so the companies employing them can shave costs by nixing basic worker protections. These companies are also cheating California out of tax revenue to the tune of $7 billion a year, meaning that they arent paying their fair share for our schools, public safety, roads and bridges. Despite the ruling, mega-corporations in the gig economy continue to flout the law. These companies have settled lawsuits and are being challenged in arbitration by drivers who have been misclassified. And while initial public offerings are bringing ride-booking companies tens of billions of dollars in investment, the companies continue to mistreat drivers who are the backbone of their businesses. In response to this growing problem, the California Labor Federation strongly supports Assembly Bill 5 by Democratic Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez of San Diego. AB5 would codify the Dynamex case into California law, and clarify to whom the law applies. This bill provides certainty to California businesses and workers. The measure has the potential to bring hundreds of thousands of workers currently cheated out of wages and basic protections into employee status. The bill would also level the playing field for business owners who follow the law, eliminating the competitive disadvantage they face against employers who cheat. AB5 has broad support from worker advocates, community groups and responsible businesses. And for workers like Bayumi, its passage would be life-changing. On May 8, Bayumi and thousands of other Uber and Lyft drivers are going on strike across the state to call for basic rights and protections like those afforded through AB5. Were going on strike because were angry and frustrated, Bayumi said. There have to be some standards in the ride-share industry. These companies do whatever they want. They dont answer to anyone. Were just trying to make a living. Art Pulaski is chief officer of the California Labor Federation, apulaski@calaborfed.org. He wrote this commentary for CALmatters, a public interest journalism venture committed to explaining how Californias Capitol works and why it matters. My name is Jamal Trulove, and I was wrongfully convicted of a murder that I did not commit because of police and prosecutorial misconduct. I am writing to tell my story because it is important that people understand the devastation of what happened to me and how the San Francisco district attorneys office needs to adopt reforms to make sure it doesnt happen to anyone else. The case against me, based on a 2007 shooting in the Sunnydale public housing project, turned on the testimony of a single purported eyewitness. In fact, she didnt see me do anything. But the jury never knew the truth: that on the night of the murder, the police showed her a single photograph of me, asked her to name me as the shooter, and she did not. The police buried that evidence and the fact that they pressured the woman until she told them, with some uncertainty, what they wanted to hear. Prosecutors gave benefits to this woman totaling nearly $63,000. At the time of the shooting, she was sharing a bedroom and apartment with multiple people in the projects. The prosecutors moved her to a house in the suburbs. They provided money for all of her expenses. At trial, this woman became certain that I was the shooter. The assistant district attorney told the jury in her closing argument to believe the eyewitness because she testified in spite of her fear of my family and me. The prosecutor suggested my family members, friends or I would retaliate against this woman. But there was no evidence that we ever threatened the eyewitness for the simple reason that we did not and would not. The prosecutors closing argument was made out of whole cloth, according to the state Court of Appeal that reversed my conviction. But in the meantime, I went to prison I was sentenced to 50 years to life. I had never been in prison. I left behind my four young children when I was wrongfully arrested. While in prison, I was assaulted because I was not a gang member. During the more than six years I was incarcerated, I saw horrific violence and inhumanity all around me. I spent months on end in lockdown because of fights other inmates had in other parts of the prison. I missed my childrens birthdays, Christmases, Halloween and first days of school. I decorated my cell with letters and drawings from them. All they had from me were my letters of love and encouragement, and the promise that I would return to them some day. I thought I would be released after the Court of Appeals decision, but instead I was returned to San Francisco County Jail for a second trial. There was a new head district attorney by then, but rather than taking a long and hard look at my case, he allowed the same assistant district attorney who had committed the misconduct that led to the new trial to try me again. I went through the stress and trauma of a second trial, once again facing life in prison for a crime I did not commit. At my retrial, my attorneys presented scientific evidence that revealed that the shooting could not have happened as the eyewitness stated and that she could not have even seen it. I was acquitted of all charges. I then filed suit against the police officers who framed me for murder. A civil jury unanimously found that I was innocent and that police officers had fabricated evidence and hidden exculpatory evidence. They awarded me $10 million (plus attorneys fees) for my 6 years of imprisonment. A few weeks ago, the city and county of San Francisco settled this suit for $13.1 million. The prosecutor who tried twice to send me to prison for life for a crime I did not commit still has her job. Now she is a managing attorney in the San Francisco district attorneys office. None of the police officers involved in framing me were disciplined in any way. We need change and it has to come from the top. The win-at-all-costs mentality by prosecutors and police has prevailed too often at the expense of justice. The prosecutor who tried my case and the police who lied to get me convicted needed oversight and consequences. They got neither. Thats just plain wrong. We have a race for district attorney in November and a wide-open field. I hope all the voters will be looking for the candidate who truly stands for change and who isnt afraid to come down on prosecutors and police officers who dont play by the rules. It took 10 years to prove my innocence, and I never should have been charged in the first place. A new district attorney, who is committed to reviewing cases like mine with a focus on correcting wrongful convictions, exonerating the innocent and preventing future misconduct, would be a good start. Jamal Trulove is an actor, musician and entrepreneur who divides his time between San Francisco and Los Angeles. He will appear in the film The Last Black Man in San Francisco, which will be released June 7. SACRAMENTO If a 19-year-old man is convicted of having sex with his 17-year-old boyfriend in California, he must register as a sex offender. But that may not be the case for a 24-year-old man who gets a 15-year-old girl pregnant he can avoid that penalty if a judge decides its unnecessary. That disparate treatment lingers from a historic criminalization of gay sex that California struck from law decades ago. Critics warn that it leaves LGBT young people vulnerable to unfair punishment in more conservative parts of the state where local prosecutors might be more inclined to pursue such cases. State Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, hopes to eliminate the discrepancy with a bill giving judges discretion over sex-offender registration in all cases involving voluntary intercourse between teenagers and young adults. This is such horrific homophobia, Wiener said. Its irrational, and it ruins peoples lives. When California created its sex-offender registry system in 1947, anal and oral sex were illegal, as was vaginal penetration with anything other than a penis. Even after the Legislature decriminalized those acts between consenting adults in 1975, adults who engaged in them with minors continued to be treated more harshly than those who had vaginal intercourse with a minor. The California Supreme Court upheld the legal difference in 2015. Among its arguments was that vaginal intercourse can lead to pregnancy, and forcing a father to register as a sex offender would subject him to social stigmatization that could make it difficult to find a job and support his child. Wiener said that decision is to the eternal shame of the court. His bill, SB145, would instead treat sex acts the same: Although minors cannot legally consent, if a teenager ages 14 to 17 voluntarily had sex with an adult who is less than 10 years older, the judge would decide whether the adult should register as a sex offender based on the facts of the case. The measure has support from Equality California, the LGBT advocacy organization, as well as the American Civil Liberties Union of California and groups representing district attorneys, police chiefs and public defenders. It is sponsored by the Los Angeles district attorneys office. Deputy District Attorney Bradley McCartt told lawmakers at a Senate committee hearing in April that the bill is about public safety as much as fairness. It takes the same amount of time to register and track these young adults who are at little risk of re-offending as it does serial rapists and child molesters, McCartt said. Its important to look at the actual purpose of the registry, McCartt said at the hearing. Remember, its not the punishment for the crime. Its a public safety issue that has to do with crime-solving and keeping track of predators. He told the story of a 17-year-old girl whose mother was upset to find out she was a lesbian. The mother pressed charges against her daughters 18-year-old girlfriend. Although McCartt was able to stop the prosecution, he said, the girlfriend still lost a scholarship to a University of California campus as a result. It seems like we went in a time machine and pulled out something that I cant even believe still exists on the books of our penal codes, McCartt said. Two years ago, Wiener carried another bill to end automatic lifetime registration for Californias sex offender registry and allow offenders convicted of less-serious crimes to remove their names after 10 or 20 years. Law enforcement officers said that with about 100,000 registered offenders, the database had become too large to be useful. According to data provided by Wieners office, at least 2,400 people on the sex-offender registry, and potentially hundreds more, have been convicted of non-vaginal sex with a minor age 14 or older. There is no formal opposition to SB145, though some conservative news sites wrote stories after the bill was introduced accusing Wiener of trying to protect pedophiles who rape children. The measure does not apply to forcible sex acts. Wiener noted that it does not change any crimes, merely whether they result in automatic sex offender registration. We need to stop criminalizing teenage sex, he said. At a minimum, we should not be forcing these kids onto the sex-offender registry and ruining their lives. Alexei Koseff is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: alexei.koseff@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @akoseff New Delhi, May 7 (IBNS): External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Tuesday said five Indian sailors posted in Nigeria have been 'abducted' by pirates.qw Swaraj also directed Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria to prepare a report over the incident. "I have seen news reports about abduction of five Indian sailors by pirates in Nigeria. I am asking Indian High Commissioner to take this up at the highest level with Government of Nigeria for their release.Abhay - Please take this up and send me a report. @india_nigeria," Sushma Swaraj tweeted. I have seen news reports about abduction of five Indian sailors by pirates in Nigeria. I am asking Indian High Commissioner to take this up at the highest level with Government of Nigeria for their release. Abhay - Please take this up and send me a report. @india_nigeria Chowkidar Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) May 7, 2019 More details are awaited. A stern attitude toward the tech industry has emerged on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors the most progressive in recent history as some members look to tax an industry for problems they say it helped cause. In the past year alone, board members have supported a tax on big businesses to raise money for homeless services, decided not to renew a tax break for certain companies many of them tech in Mid-Market and begun crafting a proposal to tax ride-hailing companies. Now, on Tuesday, Supervisor Gordon Mar will officially propose a tax on IPOs to raise money for programs that address income inequality. Taken together, these policies provide a window into how much the current board blames the tech industry fairly or not for the citys stubborn homeless crisis, soaring rents, jammed traffic and inflated property values that are driving residents away. Part of this is a knee-jerk reaction ... around San Franciscos homeless issue and housing crisis, said James Taylor, a political science professor at the University of San Francisco. But its also part of the deeper tension around the soul of the city, which has been evident in City Hall politics for years. The boards eagerness to impose new taxes on the tech industry is a stark departure from just eight years ago when San Francisco was crawling out of the Great Recession. The board at the time supported a number of tax policy changes to keep companies in the city, including the so-called Twitter tax break that gave companies, such as Twitter, a payroll tax break if they moved to the citys seedy Mid-Market district. That tax break passed the board 8-3 in 2011. Eight years later, as the measure hits its sunset date at the end of the month, not a single member of the current board is calling for an extension. A lot of them (the supervisors) think that the tech industry has really benefited from San Francisco and the nature of the city in the last 10 years, and now its time for them to give back, said longtime political consultant Jim Ross. Its a real statement of values for San Francisco and of what the city wants to see from businesses and how they operate here. Paul Chinn / The Chronicle 2019 Now, as a wave of companies plan to enter the public markets this year, Mar wants the IPO tax to help offset the negative impacts that the sudden injection of wealth could have on the city. His proposal, which would levy a 1.12% stock-based compensation tax on public companies, will need five other votes from his colleagues to reach the November ballot. Then it would need to pass by a two-thirds vote. Our city is in such a different place in terms of what our priorities are, Mar said. Its less about growing the economy and keeping jobs in the city. In 2019, its more about how do we address these major problems that we experienced by the growth of the tech sector? More Information 8 City supervisors, out of 11, who voted for payroll tax breaks for S.F.-based tech companies in 2011 Current board members pledging their support to extend the tax breaks when they end this month 1.9% Potential increase in housing costs as a result of Lyft, Pinterest and Uber IPOs this year See More Collapse So far, 2019 is on track to be the biggest year for initial public offerings in recent history. Lyft and Pinterest made their Wall Street debuts earlier this year, and Uber is expected to thunder into the public market this week with a reported $100 billion valuation. Major tech companies such as Slack, Cloudflare and Postmates also plan to go public this year. San Francisco Chief Economist Ted Egan estimates that the Lyft, Pinterest and Uber IPOs alone will generate so much wealth that the city could see a 0.5% to 1.9% increase in its already sky-high housing prices. The arguments that have emerged since Mar announced his tax proposal last month are similar to those during the campaign for Novembers Proposition C, which asked voters to tax big businesses to raise money for homeless services. In both cases, supporters say the tax is a fair way to mitigate the citys gaping wealth disparity, while those against it worry that the additional tax would push companies out of the city. Prop. C passed with more than 60% of the vote, though the money is currently held up by legal challenges. San Francisco has benefited from this growth, and it also hasnt necessarily collected on this growth, said Rodney Fong, CEO of the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce. Theres a finite amount that you can tax an existing business in San Francisco, and we have to be very careful about that. These are very fragile businesses, whether they are big or small. Santiago Mejia / The Chronicle Similar arguments also may emerge around the ballot measure Supervisor Aaron Peskin plans to propose this year, which would tax net fares of Uber and Lyft rides between 1.5% and 3.25%, depending on the type of ride. The two ride-hailing companies agreed to support the ballot measure in exchange for the supervisor scrapping a previous proposal that would have asked voters to tax ride-hailing companies gross receipts at rates up to 0.975%. Mayor London Breed also supports the measure. But Peskin said Uber and Lyft s support of his measure is a sign the tech industry realizes its responsibility to the city. He also pointed to Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff being a major donor to Prop. C. As these companies become more politically mature, they realize that San Francisco is not just a place to be mined, but a society they need to help function, Peskin said. Peskin said the myriad tax measures arent a sign of the boards unfriendliness to the tech industry, but rather a natural course of the citys economy. We are in a very different economic time, he said. We all know the facts. And the facts are that the employees of this industry are very well paid, and that is a driver of housing costs in San Francisco. As Mar and Peskins ballot measures make their way through the board, Jennifer Stojkovic, executive director at sf.citi which represents a number of tech firms in the city, such as Airbnb, Uber and Lyft said the companies plan to engage with the supervisors. The key here is that we just want to make sure that San Francisco elected officials know we are here and we are engaged, and want to be part of the solution, she said. While she said many of her members want to stay in San Francisco, they still need to look out for their bottom lines. Its important for us to understand that our companies and their employees dont want to move, she said. Were invested here, and we want to make sure we can stay here. But at the end of the day, if it becomes inhospitable, they (the companies) have shareholders they need to respond to. Trisha Thadani is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: tthadani@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @TrishaThadani A longtime state proposal to widen a 1-mile stretch of U.S. Highway 101 in Richardson Grove State Park in Humboldt County to make room for bigger trucks has hit a roadblock in federal court, where a judge says Caltrans lacks adequate plans to protect ancient redwoods that soar 300 feet above the highway. For the third time since the project was proposed in 2007, the state Department of Transportation assessed it in 2017 and concluded it would cause no significant impact to the environment. But U.S. District Judge William Alsup of San Francisco said Caltrans had brushed aside evidence that the road-widening could suffocate some redwoods, cause root disease in others and worsen damage to trees hit by trucks that skidded off the highway. The departments studies have failed to rule out significant risks to the lives of these giants, some of which are 3,000 years old, Alsup said in a ruling Friday that rejected the 2017 assessment. He said Caltrans had also given short shrift to the noise generated by heavier trucks and its effect on park visitors. Without an analysis of that noise, Alsup said, the future could bring about the forever destruction of enjoyment of Richardson Grove State Park. Environmental organizations including the Center for Biological Diversity and a group of North Coast residents have been challenging the project since 2010. They won an injunction from Alsup in 2011 that blocked construction contracts and required the state to revise its plans unsuccessfully, so far. Were elated that the court rejected Caltrans misguided and deeply destructive plan, Peter Galvin of the Center for Biological Diversity said Monday. Matt Brady, director of the Caltrans district that includes the project, said the department was considering its options, which include an appeal. Caltrans remains committed to serving the public with a safe and sustainable state highway system that supports the local economy and jobs while preserving the natural beauty of the North Coast, Brady said in a statement. Richardson Grove is at the southern edge of Humboldt County, 200 miles north of San Francisco. As U.S. 101 enters the park, the four-lane highway narrows to a winding two-lane road, 22 feet wide, bordered closely by redwoods. The widening would make room for longer and heavier trucks that are now barred from the highway because of concerns that they would slip off the curving pavement and damage the trees. It would not remove any old-growth redwoods, Caltrans says. 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. Caltrans latest review included a professors study that concluded old-growth redwoods were resilient and could generate new roots when old roots were damaged. But Alsup said the study by Professor Edward Sturgeon failed to consider whether the departments plans to pave earth above some trees root zones would deprive roots of oxygen they need to survive a problem not resolved, he said, by a thinner form of cement Caltrans plans to use. He also said the department had ignored a warning in the state parks handbook saying construction in the structural root zone of an old-growth tree can cause root disease. Diseased roots may have a crippling effect on the balance of the trees, Alsup said. And even if the larger trucks are no more likely to leave the road than the current vehicles, Alsup said, surely a vehicle strike would likely cause more damage to an old-growth tree. Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter:@BobEgelko Throughout the 1970s, Michael Koehn had occasionally smoked marijuana. But in 1985, after his partner, George Manierre, fell sick and Koehn was diagnosed with HIV, he began using it regularly for his health. I went on a program of drugs and learned that (cannabis) would help my symptoms, he says 34 years later. It allowed me to go to work in the morning, and work during the day, and not barf up all my breakfast at home. At the height of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the 1980s and 1990s, thousands of people like Koehn discovered cannabis was one of the few remedies that could counteract nausea and AIDS-related wasting syndrome, which would cause them to rapidly shed body weight and lose appetite, putting them at increased risk for opportunistic infections. At that time, retroviral drugs were barely effective and just as likely to make people with HIV more nauseated. The federal government was slow to respond. As Koehn, who is now secretary of the Brownie Mary Democratic Club, a group that advocates for medical cannabis patients, says, I had a hundred of my friends die. Most of my friends died. It was gruesome, it was ugly, it was personal, and it was a war. Understanding the importance of cannabis to their community, two San Francisco activists fiercely engaged in the battle. Mary Brownie Mary Rathbun and Dennis Peron would successfully challenge the political establishment to legalize medical marijuana. Today, as more people wade into the post-frenetic cannabis gold rush, consuming flashy products offered by rapidly consolidating conglomerates, it can be easy to overlook the story of people like Koehn, Rathbun and Peron many of them LGBT and HIV-positive who took great risks to provide medicinal marijuana to their community. Michael Macor / The Chronicle 1996 Rathbun, who died in 1999, became affectionately known as Brownie Mary when she started making marijuana brownies in the early 1970s to supplement her Social Security income. In 1981, she was arrested for selling her magically delicious brownies and sentenced to 500 hours of community service. Through her volunteer work, she came to care for some of the first San Franciscans dying from AIDS. She adopted people with AIDS as her kids and dedicated her life to baking marijuana brownies to help them with their illnesses. Dennis Peron later estimated that, at her peak, she was giving away 1,600 brownies a month. Peron, who died in 2018, arrived in San Francisco in 1969 with 2 pounds of marijuana that he had smuggled in his luggage from his service in Vietnam. By the late 1970s, he had established himself as one of the biggest pot dealers in the city, selling from his Big Top Pot Supermarket at 715 Castro St., until police raided the storefront, seized the inventory and shut it down in 1977. Peron continued selling pot into the 1980s, but more discreetly. As the AIDS crisis erupted, Peron was asked to help. His brother, Brian Peron, recalls, When the AIDS crisis broke, they said we need someone to supply us with marijuana. So whos the person that theyd look to? The biggest marijuana dealer in the city. On Jan. 27, 1990, the police raided Perons home in the middle of the night, searching for marijuana. They awoke Peron and his partner, Jonathan West, who was in the late stages of AIDS. The police didnt find Perons stash, but they did come across a few ounces West kept in the house to manage his nausea and booked Peron on charges of possession. Brian Peron detailed how West fought to survive so he could help free his partner. Jonathan got up (on the witness stand) and said this is my marijuana. I am sick and dying of AIDS. (Jonathan) had, at that point, KS (Kaposis sarcoma) lesions all over. He had lost half his body weight. Because of his testimony, Peron was set free. West died two weeks later. After losing West in 1990, Peron dedicated himself anew to the movement. In 1992, Rathbun was arrested while baking a batch of marijuana brownies to bring to San Francisco General Hospitals Ward 86, its AIDS ward. At this point, the ward had presented Rathbun with several volunteer of the year awards. Peron knew the contrast between Rathbuns record of public service, her grandmotherly appearance, and the states charges against her would create a sensational story. He publicized her case and arranged interviews. In August of that year, Rathbun met with San Franciscos Board of Supervisors and testified about the medicinal value of cannabis. Not only did her testimony help persuade the board to pass a resolution deprioritizing the arrest and persecution of medical marijuana providers, they declared Aug. 25, 1992, Brownie Mary Day. Sensing the political climate shift, in 1994 Peron founded the Cannabis Buyers Club, modeling it after the local AIDS Drug Buyers Club, a club formed by and for AIDS patients to access drugs not yet been approved by the slow-moving FDA. While the AIDS Drug Buyers Club carried many experimental medicines, it didnt carry marijuana. Peron built the Cannabis Buyers Club to fill the gap. It served both as a medical cannabis dispensary and as a community center for people with HIV/AIDS and other terminal illnesses. Located at Church and 14th streets, the club featured a cafe and several lounges filled with donated couches and chairs. People smoked, traded stories and snacked on complementary peanuts and oranges. On Saturday nights, members put on small theater performances for one another. Food Guide Top 25 Restaurants Where to eat in the Bay Area. Find spots near you, create a dining wishlist, and more. Wayne Justmann, an advocate of medical marijuana and the first person to receive a medical marijuana card in the state of California, recounts the importance of the Cannabis Buyers Club. Tell me where the hell else you, as an AIDS or HIV-positive individual, could go to get a hug? he says now. George Nikitin / Associated Press 1998 Local police largely turned a blind eye, but the Cannabis Buyers Club operated at constant risk of a state or federal raid. In 1996, Peron and Rathbun joined forces with Anna Boyce, a registered nurse and cancer patient advocate in Southern California, to lobby for Proposition 215, a state ballot initiative that would allow anyone in California with a valid doctors recommendation to consume medical marijuana. The 4,500 members of the Cannabis Buyers Club collected signatures and made phone calls. Through their organizing and thanks to the last-minute financing of investor and philanthropist George Soros, who read about the Cannabis Buyers Club in a New York Times profile the proposition qualified for the 1996 ballot, where it passed by a 12 percentage-point margin. Michael Koehn first became involved in cannabis activism during the Cannabis Buyers Club push for Prop. 215. He handed out fliers and gathered signatures. After his partner, David Goldman, retired in 2006, they dedicated their energy to making a small difference for a cause they believed in: cannabis. Together, they now serve on the executive board of the Brownie Mary Democratic Club, where they continue to advocate for medical cannabis patients and their allies. When asked what medical marijuana meant to him and his community, Koehn tears up. Cannabis was a salvation for me with HIV and AIDS. ... It helped a lot of people, he says, composing himself before adding with pride, and the genesis of the cannabis movement was AIDS patients, here in San Francisco. Jeremy Mann is a freelance writer. Email style@sfchronicle.com As measles cases increase across the country, Marin County health officials are encouraging parents at public and private schools to get unvaccinated children their measles immunization as soon as possible. The Marin Department of Health and Human Services sent a letter to schools last week to distribute to families. It outlines what may happen to an unvaccinated child if a measles case is reported in their school. "If your child is unvaccinated or cannot provide laboratory confirmation of immunity and there is a case in their school, they will be excluded from attending school for 21 days to protect themselves and to limit further spread of disease," the letter reads. Across Marin County, the rate of students receiving all five required immunizations for kindergarten is high, at 94 percent. It's only 1 percent less than the statewide rate of 95 percent. But there are a handful of schools with rates less than 50 percent, and Matt Willis, the county's public health officer, warns this makes the community vulnerable. At the Marin Waldorf School in San Rafael, only 22 percent of its 36 students have received all required immunizations; 64 percent have been vaccinated for measles. It has the lowest overall immunization rate in the nine-county Bay Area, and it's among the lowest in the state. At Ross Valley Charter in Fairfax, 56 percent are fully vaccinated and 78 percent immunized for measles, and at Bolinas-Stinson Elementary School, 76 percent are fully vaccinated and 95 percent have received the measles shot. "I think a real concern is schools with rates less than 50 percent," said Willis. "You're not only looking at a threat to the children's academic experience, we're also talking about the school itself. It's possible the school itself wouldn't be able to function with a measles outbreak." Willis added, "In places with low vaccination rates, it's more likely for a case to appear and we see a rapid spread." ALSO: At these 7 Bay Area schools, more than half of the students are unvaccinated Incoming kindergartners at private and public schools are required to get five vaccinations, including the MMR (Measles-Mumps-Rubella) vaccine before starting school, but some parents choose not to immunize. Some believe the shots cause adverse side effects, even though medical research shows vaccines are generally very safe. Federal guidelines say children should only avoid vaccinations if they have a severe allergic reaction or impaired immunity such as from a liver problem, the HIV virus or chemotherapy; less than 1 percent of children fall into that category. In the past, California parents could fairly easily opt out of vaccinations, but in 2016 the state ended non-medical immunization exemptions. As a result, statewide kindergarten immunization rates increased to more than 95 percent in 2017-18 school year. Parents can still obtain exemptions through doctors who examine the child and send the state health department the reason they are recommending the exemption. Health officials say the rate of medical exemptions has also tripled in recent years. It is still less than 1 percent of school children statewide, but dozens of schools have exemption rates of at least 15 percent. Health officials say low immunization rates are problematic because the nation's health depends on a concept known as herd immunity. The medical community pushes to vaccinate as many people as possible to prevent outbreaks of infectious diseases and to create a situation where those few people who can't be vaccinated because they're too young or their immune systems are compromised are protected by those who are immune. When the vaccine rate drops below a certain threshold, the herd becomes vulnerable. In California, even medical exemptions are under fire as the state experiences a measles outbreak. "As of last week, there have been 38 cases in California and over 700 cases in the U.S. in 2019," reads the letter to parents from the Marin Department of Health and Human Services. "This is the highest number of cases since measles was nearly eliminated in 2000." Baghdad, May 7 (Xinhua/UNI) Iraq on Tuesday strongly condemned a Taliban attack against military posts in Afghanistan's western province of Farah. "Iraq strongly condemns the terrorist attack of Taliban gangs against a security headquarters in Afghanistan's western province of Farah," said Ahmed al-Sahaf, spokesman of the Iraqi Foreign Ministry, in a ministry statement. "Iraq affirms its stance to reject terrorism, and stands with the international community in confronting terrorism, and supports all good efforts aimed at eliminating extremism and violence," the statement said. Iraq also "supports the efforts of the Afghan government and its measures to maintain the security and stability of the country," it added. A day earlier, Afghan officials said Taliban militants launched overnight attacks on army posts in Farah, killing at least 13 soldiers and wounding 12 others. The sky was gray and flinging droplets upon the sidewalk outside San Francisco City Hall on Thursday night, but a little dampness didn't dispirit the fabulously dressed men and women sauntering up the grand steps of the Beaux Arts building. Spirits were high assisted in their elevation by freely poured Prosecco and necklines were low as San Francisco's haut monde stepped out in their finest fashions for the most stylish night of the year, the San Francisco Ballet Opening Gala. Videos Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos. By Gideon Levy May 06, 2019 " Information Clearing House " - The cruelty and temerity of the people in Gaza once more reached new heights Saturday: dozens of rockets on Israel before the week of its Independence Day, just after its Holocaust Remembrance Day, and worst of all, two weeks before its Eurovision. How dare you Gaza, how dare you. Israel still hasnt recovered from the Holocaust, is preening itself for its Independence Day, the musicians are starting to arrive at Ben-Gurion Airport, and youre firing Qassam rockets. How will we be able to celebrate? News reports give the impression that Israel is under siege; Gaza is threatening to destroy it. Twitter has already suggested Evas Story on the Gaza Border a play on the social media campaign about the Holocaust. Pundits explain that its all because of Hamas greed. Ramadan is beginning and theyre under crazy pressure for cash. Or, Its all because of the weak security policy that has gotten the terror groups used to Israel; we only strike buildings. And so they shoot, those villains. Hamas wants money, Israels too soft on them, they are terror, we are peace; they were born to kill. On Friday the army killed four protesters by the Gaza border fence, but whos counting. In Israel a teenage boy tripped while running for a shelter. When a lack of policy and continuity yields to blackmail, a voice of wisdom mumbled, and nobody could figure out what he was proposing. Benny Gantz, the alternative. This is what we have an opposition for. Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get our FREE Daily Newsletter Everything is completely disconnected from context and reality, intentionally and willfully. Half a week after Holocaust Remembrance Day, the knowledge that 2 million people have been locked up more than 12 years behind barbed wire in a giant cage doesnt remind Israel of anything and doesnt arouse anything. Half a week before Independence Day, the struggle for freedom and independence of another people is perceived as murderous terror for no reason. Even the desperate attempt to prevent the brink of starvation is perceived as greed; the effort to somehow impart the appearance of a holiday in the holiest month of the year is depicted as extortion. Thats how low the brainwashing goes and no one protests. Everyone accepts it with a shrug. Anyone who doubts how hollow and destructive the inculcation of the Holocaust is in Israel should look at the responses in Israel to this Gaza Ghetto Uprising. Anyone who ignores the reality in Gaza or tries to deny its disaster has learned nothing. Gaza is a ghetto and whats happening in the south is a ghetto uprising. There's no other way to describe it. You can make claims against Hamas but you cant make any claims against Gaza. Its fighting for its freedom and no struggle is more just than its struggle, and Hamas is its leader. The countdown to Hamas death has already begun: Only seven more months until the UN report, until Gaza is unfit for human habitation. But Israel yawns and its spokespeople only know how to tout deterrence, that monster weve created to justify every killing, closure and bout of destruction, as we lie ourselves to death that theres something to deter 2 million unemployed, desperate, humiliated people, some of whom are hungry or dying for lack of medical care, and all of whom are locked up. No one in Israel can imagine life in Gaza over the past 12 years. There are people who see to it that we dont know, including Israels ban on the entry of Israeli journalists, which has stoked no protest at all. Evas Story should be filmed in Gaza way before it's filmed in the Gaza border area. A country that is established on the memory of the ghettos, which only a few days ago sanctified that memory, hides its face from the much larger ghetto that it built with its own hands and doesnt want to see, one hour from the center of that country. A country that was established in a bloody struggle will not recognize the justness of the struggle of another people and wonders whether that people even exists. A society that considers itself exemplary, which was established on the world's indifference to its suffering, shows monstrous heartlessness to the suffering it is causing. What were they before? a woman asked me Friday in a lecture I gave in Tel Aviv. And what were we? What have we become? This article was originally published by " Haaretz " - Do you agree or disagree? Post your comment here Note To ICH Community We ask that you assist us in dissemination of the article published by ICH to your social media accounts and post links to the article from other websites. Thank you for your support. Peace and joy SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) California Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to end the sales tax on tampons and diapers and use revenue from legal marijuana sales toward enhancing child care programs. Those items are part of a "parents' agenda" Newsom will announce Tuesday in a preview of the revised state budget he'll present later this week. "As anyone who takes care of kids can tell you, these costs add up," Newsom will say, according to excerpts of his remarks released by his office. "From diapers to child care, raising kids is expensive wherever you live. But when you factor in the cost of living here in California, it is close to impossible." Cutting the diaper and tampon tax would eliminate about $55 million in revenue from the budget, according to legislative estimates. His child care proposals, meanwhile, would cost about $130 million, with about $80 million coming from taxes on legalized marijuana. Newsom also wants to give families with children under 6 a tax credit of $1,000, but his office did not say how much that would cost. Democratic Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia, who has proposed a bill to eliminate the tampon tax several times, praised Newsom for including it in his budget. She said her proposal is about creating "menstrual equity," meaning that women don't face taxes for products their biology requires them to buy. The proposal is about "having a tax code that's gender neutral (and) a tax code that represents our values," she said. Several other states including New York have already eliminated the tax on tampons. Former California Gov. Jerry Brown rebuffed eliminating the tax on menstrual products and diapers in 2016. He vetoed the proposals alongside five other tax-related bills, suggesting that such issues should be considered as part of the budget. But he included neither proposal in any of his future budgets. "Tax breaks are the same as new spending - they both cost the General Fund money," he wrote in his veto message. "This is even more important when the state's budget remains precariously balanced. Therefore, I cannot sign these measures." Newsom has said he plans to maintain Brown's reserved approach to budgeting by limiting new ongoing spending in favor of using extra money to pay down debts and bank away for the next recession. On Thursday, he'll offer an updated budget that will show whether he's maintaining that approach. He and lawmakers must agree on a one-year spending plan by June 30. In January, he proposed a $209 billion budget with a $21.5 billion surplus, the state's largest in at least 20 years. His plan increased spending by about 4% but pledged more than $13 billion to build the state's reserves and pay down debt. He proposed several billion dollars' worth of new spending on child care, education and housing, and also called for a new tax to pay for improvements to drinking water. On child care, Newsom would spend an additional $54 million on county-run child care programs through CalWORKS, the state's public assistance program. Newsom also wants to spend $80 million in tax revenue from legalized marijuana to pay for child care programs, though his staff didn't offer specifics ahead of the press conference. The Grayzone has obtained a list of key outcomes on Venezuela deleted out of apparent embarrassment by the State Department. It boasts of wrecking the nations economy, destabilizing its military, and puppeteering its political opposition. By Anya Paramp May 06, 2019 " Information Clearing House " - On April 24, six days before self-proclaimed Venezuelan interim president Juan Guaidos attempt to violently overthrow Venezuelas democratically elected government alongside a handful of military defectors, the U.S. State Department published a fact sheet that boasted of Washingtons central role in the ongoing coup attempt. After realizing the incriminating nature of its error, the State Department quickly acted to remove the page. The Grayzone has obtained a full copy of the expunged report. The deleted page puts to bed any claims of Guaidos independence from Washington, as the State Department emphasizes the fact that he announced his interim presidency in January at the the top of a section dedicated to breaking down key outcomes of U.S. efforts with regard to Venezuela. U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Kimberly Breier recently took to Twitter to claim that since he became acting president, Juan Guaido has given tangible results to the people of Venezuela. Her tweet was accompanied with an infographic detailing alleged accomplishments of the powerless coup administration based on data compiled by the legally defunct National Assembly, the only governing body actually controlled by Guaido. But the Venezuela fact sheet posted and then deleted days earlier by the State Department told a dramatically different story. Read the entire expunged fact sheet here [PDF] and at the end of this article. The State Departments economic hit list Entitled U.S. Actions on Venezuela, the document boasted that U.S. policy had effectively prevented the Venezuelan government from participating in the international market and has led to the freezing of its overseas assets. It read like a sadistic celebration of Washingtons retribution against the Venezuelan population as a whole, the kind of collective punishment which is illegal according to Article 33 of the Geneva Conventions. Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get our FREE Daily Newsletter The State Department gloated in the deleted fact sheet that its policy had ensured that the Maduro government cannot rely on the U.S. financial system to conduct business, noting key outcomes of U.S. actions include the fact that roughly $3.2 billion of Venezuelas overseas are frozen. It went on to boast that Venezuelas oil production fell to 736,000 barrels per day in March substantially reducing government revenue. If I were the State Department I wouldnt brag about causing a cut in oil production to 763,000 barrels per day which is a 36 percent drop, in just the two months of February and March this year, Mark Weisbrot, Co-Director at the Center For Economic and Policy Research, told The Grayzone. This means even more premature deaths than the tens of thousands that resulted from sanctions last year. Weisbrot recently co-authored a bracing report which found that 40,000 Venezuelans died between 2017 and 2018 as a direct result of U.S. sanctions. The State Department patted itself on the back for announcing its preparedness to provide an additional $20 million in initial humanitarian assistance to Venezuela, however, the CEPR report concluded that Trump Administration sanctions implemented in August 2017 resulted in a loss of $6 billion in oil revenue over the ensuing year alone. While the State Department praised the opposition for providing medical and hygiene attention to over 6,000 Venezuelans, those numbers dwarf in comparison to the 300,000 people CEPR estimated to be at risk because of lack of access to medicines or treatment [including] 80,000 people with HIV who have not had antiretroviral treatment since 2017, 16,000 people who need dialysis, 16,000 people with cancer, and 4 million with diabetes and hypertension. In other words, the supposed Venezuela Crisis Response Assistance touted by the State Department is not even a band-aid over the gaping wound that US unilateral coercive measures have inflicted on the country. In Weisbrots view, the policy and outcomes promoted by the State Department in the disappeared document will merely lead to more cuts in imports of medicine, food, medical equipment, and inputs necessary to maintain water, health, and sanitation infrastructure. Having denied the Venezuelan government the ability to provide for its own population, the U.S. has essentially promised that thousands more deaths will occur. The State Department did not respond to The Grayzones request for a comment on the fact sheet it deleted. A list of confessions In a recent interview with The Grayzone, Venezuelas ambassador to the United Nations Samuel Moncada characterized the deleted State Department fact sheet as a list of confessions. Imagine if any other country says its proud of saying that we are destroying the economy of our neighbor; we are proud that we destroyed the political system of our neighbor; we are proud that they are suffering. They are saying we are waging war against Venezuela, Moncada emphasized. The ambassador went on to accuse the U.S. of engaging in bullying rather than international diplomacy. The State Departments own fact sheet appears to support this accusation, as it asserts diplomatic pressure resulted in fewer markets for Venezuelan gold. The document further highlighted U.S. actions that have supposedly led more than 1,000 members of the military [to recognize] Juan Guaido as interim President and defect to Colombia, as well as stranding an estimated 25 crude oil tankers with 12 million barrels off Venezuelas coast. They [say] its our key achievements, Moncada commented. They are saying that they are causing trouble in our military and inducing a military coup, [which] so far they havent achieved, but they are working towards. If any other person says that themselves, the ambassador concluded, and you take that confession to court, they would be in prison. The State Departments fact sheet even frames recent decisions by the Organization of American States, Lima Group, Inter-American Development Bank, and European Union to either recognize or support Guaidos shadow administration as a U.S. achievement, highlighting Washingtons outsized influence within each of these supposedly international governing bodies. The decision to mention the E.U. and Lima Group is particularly noteworthy considering the United States is not a member of either organization. They are so far out of any normal parameters of decency, morality, legality, reason, that really they are dangerous, Moncada said of the Trump administration. They are a real threat to international peace, and they are a real threat to my people. US Department of State Deleted Venezuela Hit List by Max Blumenthal on Scribd Anya Parampil is a Washington, DC based journalist. She previously hosted a daily progressive afternoon news program called In Question on RT America. She has produced and reported several documentaries, including on the ground reports from the Korean peninsula and Palestine. This article was originally published by " Gray Zone " - Do you agree or disagree? Post your comment here ==See Also== Note To ICH Community We ask that you assist us in dissemination of the article published by ICH to your social media accounts and post links to the article from other websites. Thank you for your support. Peace and joy An attack launched by a proxy of Iran on not just assets but interests of the U.S. in the region or interests of a U.S. ally in the region, would now be sufficient to trigger a U.S. attack on Iran. By Whitney Webb May 06, 2019 " Information Clearing House " - In a late Sunday press release, National Security Advisor John Bolton announced the deployment of the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group (ABECSG) and a bomber task force to U.S. Central Command as a clear and unmistakable message to Iran. The press release claims that the move was made in response to a number of troubling and escalatory indications and warnings, which were left unspecified. The statement further claims that any attack on United States interests or on those of our allies will be met with unrelenting force and that, while the United States is not seeking war with the Iranian regime, the Trump administration is fully prepared to respond to any attack, whether by proxy, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, or regular Iranian forces. Last month, in a move that many viewed as a set-up for a war with Iran which has long been sought by Bolton as well as Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, even prior to their posts in the current administration the Trump administration labeled the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran as a terrorist organization. Irans government subsequently responded in kind, labeling U.S. soldiers of Central Command as terrorists and designating the U.S. government as a state sponsor of terrorism. While Bolton framed the latest move as a warning to Iran, it turns out that the deployment of the Lincoln Carrier Strike Group to U.S. Central Command was actually announced last month with no mention at all of Iran. Indeed, a Navy press release published on April 8 stated that the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group (ABECSG) departed Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, April 1, for a regularly scheduled deployment. The fleet has already been stationed in the Central Command region since at least April 15, when the U.S. Naval Institute announced that it was anchored off the coast of Spain. Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get our FREE Daily Newsletter However, the New York Times subsequently clarified that the strike group had been ordered to move from the Mediterranean Sea to the Middle East in relation to Boltons announcement. The Times also noted that the validity of the warnings of an alleged imminent attack on American or allied assets in the region by Iran or its alleged proxies was unknown because, as of late Friday, military analysts were not tracking any new, imminent or clearly defined Iranian or Iranian-backed threats against Americans in Iraq or the region. As MintPress has previously reported, Bolton has an extensive record of distorting or falsifying intelligence if it serves his political ends. Given that Bolton has long been an advocate for regime change by force in Iran as well as the pre-emptive bombing of Iran, the intelligence on these alleged warnings should be heavily scrutinized. Yet, because there is no permanent secretary of defense or secretary of homeland security, Bolton has more control over national security policy and intelligence now than at any time since he became national security advisor last April. As a result, this much-needed scrutiny is unlikely to materialize. A sneeze could trigger war The real danger of Boltons announcement is not the framing of the deployment of military assets or the validity of the threats it cites, but rather its sweeping vagueness. Indeed, Boltons press release states that any attack whether by proxy, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, or regular Iranian forces would justify an aggressive U.S. military response. Thus, an attack launched by a proxy of Iran on not just assets but interests of the U.S. in the region or interests of a U.S. ally in the region, would now be sufficient to trigger a U.S. attack on Iran, even if Iran itself was not directly responsible. Given that the Trump administration has defined Iranian proxies rather loosely to include any Shia-dominated militia in the entire region including those that have no provable connection to Iran it is hard to interpret Boltons statement as anything other than a set-up for war. This concern has only been augmented following statements made by Pompeo about Boltons recent press release. Pompeo told reporters late Sunday that the deployment of the strike group was something weve been working on for a little while, continuing: It is absolutely the case that weve seen escalatory action from the Iranians, and it is equally the case that we will hold the Iranians accountable for attacks on American interests. The fact that those actions take place, if they do, by some third-party proxy, whether thats a Shia militia group or the Houthis or Hezbollah, we will hold the Iranians Iranian leadership directly accountable for that. As MintPress and other outlets have previously noted, even the U.S. governments own documents admit that the Houthis in Yemen are not a proxy of Iran and that Iran has no direction over their military actions. In addition, Pompeos claim that any actions taken by any Shia militia group will be blamed on Iran shows that the Trump administration is now building a foundation to attack Iran for actions that include those over which Iran has no control whatsoever. Furthermore, given the vagueness of the press release, military action may not even be necessary to trigger a response, as the press release says that any attack on United States interests or on those of our allies will be met with unrelenting force. For instance, if Iran makes good on its promise to blockade the Persian Gulf in response to U.S. efforts to place a total embargo on its oil efforts, such a move could now be interpreted as an attack on U.S. interests or those of its regional allies even though it would not expressly involve an offensive attack. In addition given that the Trump administration also considers Hamas, which governs the Gaza Strip, a proxy of Iran future hostilities between Hamas and Israel, the U.S. main ally in the region, could also be interpreted as an attack on the U.S. or allied (i.e., Israeli) interests launched by an alleged Iranian proxy. However, in the case of Israel and Hamas, an unnamed U.S. official told the New York Times that the recent strike group deployment was unrelated to the conflict between Hamas and Israel, which saw Israel pound the Gaza Strip with airstrikes over the weekend. Furthermore, it is also worth considering that the execution of a false flag operation attributed to any militia even claiming to be Shia against a target deemed important to U.S. or allied interests could be used to justify war with Iran. The vagueness of Boltons press release, as well as subsequent statements made by Pompeo, clearly show that the war hawks in the Trump administration are laying the foundation for an aggressive military attack against Iran, one that will inevitably lead to war with the Islamic Republic and likely engulf much of the Middle East and potentially much of the world. Whitney Webb is a MintPress News journalist based in Chile. She has contributed to several independent media outlets including Global Research, EcoWatch, the Ron Paul Institute and 21st Century Wire, among others. She has made several radio and television appearances and is the 2019 winner of the Serena Shim Award for Uncompromised Integrity in Journalism. This article was originally published by " MintPress " - Do you agree or disagree? Post your comment here ==See Also== Iran to sell oil in 'grey market' as US tightens sanctions: Minister says Tehran is mobilising all resources to sell oil on grey market to bypass US sanctions on Iranian crude. China lashes out at US over Iran oil sanctions move: China will work to safeguard its companies interests, reflecting its desire to secure foreign markets because it pursues its massiveBelt-and-Road infrastructure adviser. Scoop: Israel passed White House intelligence on possible Iran plot: Israel passed information on an alleged Iranian plot to attack U.S. interests in the Gulf to the U.S. before national security adviser John Bolton threatened Iran with "unrelenting force" last night U.S. sending aircraft carrier, strike force to Mideast to warn Iran Bolton Is So Close to War With Iran He Can Taste It Iran to restart some nuclear activity in response to U.S. withdrawal from nuclear deal Note To ICH Community We ask that you assist us in dissemination of the article published by ICH to your social media accounts and post links to the article from other websites. Thank you for your support. Peace and joy Googles developer conference, I/O, kicked off today. The company didnt have as much to announce as it did last year, but there were certainly some noteworthy moments. That includes a pair of new smartphones, a shuffle of its smart home efforts, and more. On Tuesday, Google hosted its keynote speech for I/O. As usual, the company had quite a bit to go over. We arent going to round up every single thing that Google announced, but mostly the major talking points. So lets get things started: New AR Features in Google Search Google announced that its building augmented reality into parts of Google Search. This feature will launch later this year. It will give users the ability to see things like a Great White shark in AR for up-close-and-personal investigations. Or the human anatomy. These 3D models, which can then be used in an AR situation to put the rendered model into your own space, will be built right into Search: ARe you seeing this?! With new AR features in Search rolling out later this month, you can place, view and interact with 3D objects right in your own space. #io19 pic.twitter.com/Q61U0r2Hvg Google (@Google) May 7, 2019 Google is extending Duplex to tasks on the web. Focusing on narrow use cases to start, like rental car reservations and buying movie tickets. Google Duplex will help reduce the steps to doing both. Google showed a calendar reminder for an upcoming trip. Say something like, Book a National car rental and opens the website automatically. It will then automatically loading up your information, including the dates of the trip in the app. Google Assistant will navigate the app, even select the car you like. Users can control the flow, though, like adding things like a car seat or other options. Google Assistant will then give you the option to finalize the reservation. Duplex on the Web launches later this year. Google is making voice-assisted tasks notably faster with the next-generation Google Assistant. The company is achieving this by shrinking the AI voice model down from 100s of GBs to around 500MB thereby allowing the data to be stored locally on a device instead of the cloud. Google says Assistant will be able to process voice commands up to 10x faster compared to the current iteration. If the live demo given by Google at I/O 19 was anything to go by, there will be almost zero latency and voice commands would be instantly recognized and executed. Plus, with Continued conversation, users would be able to tell commands back-to-back without having to say Hey Google every single time. The voice command will be executed depending on the content being displayed on the screen. Android Q will also bring Smart suggestions using on-device learning. It will automatically read your messages, emails, etc and suggest relevant actions. For example, if someone sends you an address over a message, Android Q will automatically suggest you to open it in Google Maps thereby saving you the hassle of manually copy/pasting it. There are plenty of other new features in Android Q which Google had announced back in March. This includes a system-wide Dark mode, improved navigation gestures, sharing shortcuts, and more. Google is bridging the Nest and Google Hardware teams in this helpful home effort. That means all of Googles smart devices are falling under this category now, including the Google Home smart speaker and the new smart displays out there. Google is publishing a privacy plan for its smart devices, too, making it more obvious how its storing and using data. Google Home Hub is now known as Nest Hub. And now there is a 10-inch display product called Nest Hub Max. This will let you control smart devices like adjusting your thermostat, and lights, and more. It will communicate with Thread-supported devices that rely on a low-power connection, like door locks. There is also a built-in camera. You can turn it on while away from home, see event history, enable home away assist, and get a notification if it catches movement from someone it doesnt recognize. Nest Hub Max launches later this year for just $229. Today, Google is also lowering the price to $129 for the original Nest Hub. Its expanding to 12 new markets and supporting nine new languages. The Pixel 3a (pictured at the top of this article) and 3a XL sacrifice the glass rear panel in favor of a unibody plastic. The displays are also smaller the Pixel 3a comes with a 5.6-inch FHD+ OLED display while the 3a XL comes with a 6-inch FHD+ OLED display, and they both feature Always-On Display. Apart from the difference in display size, the Pixel 3a series have the same specs. This includes 4GB RAM, 64GB storage, Active Edge, Wi-Fi ac, rear fingerprint sensor, Bluetooth 5.0, headphone jack, stereo speakers, and 18W fast charging. The Pixel 3a comes with a 3000mAh battery, while the Pixel 3a XL comes with a 3700mAh battery yes, the Pixel 3a XL has a bigger battery than the Pixel 3 XL. Both phones lack wireless charging due to their plastic build. The highlight of the Pixel 3a series is that they offer the same rear camera as the more expensive Pixel 3 series. This means we are looking at a 12.2MP shooter with OIS, f/1.8 aperture, and 1.44um large pixels. This is the same sensor that Google uses on the Pixel 3 series. So, not a ton of new things, but certainly worthwhile additions to the Google brand moving forward. Anything in this list youre particularly excited about? Late last year, Microsoft announced that it would be rebuilding its Edge web browser based on the Chromium rendering engine. The same one that Google uses for Chrome. At the same time, Microsoft announced Edge would mark the companys (triumphant) return to an official web browser for Apples desktop operating system. It was just yesterday that Microsoft teased the incoming arrival of Edge for macOS at the start of its BUILD developers conference. Word on the street was that Microsoft was planning to launch the software soon, but no specific release date was confirmed. Now it certainly looks like the official launch might be soon, as late-stage developer builds have leaked via Microsofts official servers. Twitter user WalkingCat was the first to discover both the daily Canary builds of Edge for macOS, as well as the weekly Dev build as well. Both are designed to be tested ahead of a public launch, but if anyone wants to try Edge for macOS ahead of that day, that is possible. And the links are still live on Microsofts official servers, both of which you can find below. Microsoft is making sure that Edge works with macOS keyboard shortcuts, and also building in Touch Bar support as well. Among much more. The links to the downloads are available below. Download [via The Verge BRENTWOOD (BCN) A fatal crash Monday on Highway 4 in Brentwood is being attributed to a suspected impaired driver, the California Highway Patrol said on social media. The Contra Costa CHP was advised of a head-on collision between two vehicles on eastbound Highway 4 east of Balfour Road about 4:35 p.m. Monday and determined that a 2018 Honda SUV went over the solid double yellow lines into oncoming traffic. The Honda hit a 2013 Toyota Corolla head on, killing the driver, a 51-year-old man from Ripon who was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the CHP. The driver of the Honda, a Concord man, 46, was uninjured and was arrested on suspicion of felony DUI, CHP Contra Costa said in recounting the incident on its Facebook account. The CHP asks anyone who anyone witnessed this collision or the events leading up to it to contact Contra Costa CHP in Martinez, (925) 646-4980. 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. GILROY (BCN) The city of Gilroy reached a $25,000 settlement Tuesday in a lawsuit filed by a former dispatcher who alleged a "culture of sexual activity" in the police department. Patricia Harrell filed the lawsuit after she was fired in March 2016, saying the department retaliated against her for "refusal to condone or engage in the culture of sexual misconduct" after a career of nearly 30 years. Harrell said officers were having sexually explicit conversations at work, engaging in sexual activity with 14-to-21-year-old members of the Gilroy Explorers group and watching pornography in front of their employees. She disputed police claims that she was fired due to misconduct involving trainees. The city maintained throughout the lawsuit that Harrell's case had no merit, and said the settlement is an effort to end continued litigation. The settlement includes terms to change her termination into a resignation. "Our Police Department works very hard to protect and serve all people who live and work in Gilroy in a professional and ethical manner," Mayor Roland Velasco said in a statement, "I am confident that the department will continue to serve with professionalism and integrity." Over the course of the lawsuit, the scope of the complaint was whittled down from 15 separate causes of action to six causes of action through motions by the city and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. Harrell also dismissed her sexual harassment claim against the city and several employees. Plaintiff's attorney Andrea Justo could not be reached for comment. 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. Full-time students facing steep housing costs in the Bay Area should not have to pay to attend classes at San Mateo County Community College, according to a county supervisor. In a letter sent last week to the college district's board president Maurice Goodman, San Mateo County Supervisor David J. Canepa advocated free tuition for first-time, full-time students for two years. Canepa reminded the board that students used to be able to attend community college at no cost, and urged a return to the old system. "Until 1985, tuition was free at all 115 community colleges in the state but now costs nearly $1,400 a year for full-time students," Canepa said. The cost is burdensome for students in the Bay Area, who face the state's highest housing costs, he said. "The stories about students sleeping in their cars and struggling to pay for food are heartbreaking. The resources exist to give these young adults a fair shot to get an education, now we just need the political will to make it a reality." San Mateo Community College district schools currently charge their students $46 per unit. Some students who aren't receiving the state's tuition waiver for low-income students benefit from the Promise program, which provides free tuition and other services for one year. The Promise program became law in 2017 with the passage of Assembly Bill 19. In the May 2 letter to Goodman, Canepa noted that an amendment to the program giving community colleges $46 million to spend in a variety of ways neglected the program's purpose to provide tuition to students. He noted that schools are at liberty to either waive fees or expand student programs while continuing to charge students. Canepa proposed that San Mateo County and the college district form a partnership similar to the one between San Francisco County and the City College of San Francisco, where free tuition is provided for four semesters to residents. The San Francisco program has been active since voters approved it in 2016; voters will decide on whether to extend it for 10 more years on the November 2019 ballot. Under the program, the city of San Francisco will pay $5.4 million to cover the $46 per credit fee usually paid by students as well as $250 to students who already receive a state-funded fee waiver. When asked whether he had been considering increasing the number of students eligible for waived tuition, Goodman replied that the board was inhibited by a lack of funding. "We would need a lift from county leaders and corporate partners to expand the Promise program, which would be great because having more educated people in San Mateo County would build our workforce," he said. Copyright 2019 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. A leaseholder for the Ghost Ship warehouse in Oakland's Fruitvale district where 36 people perished in a fire in 2016 testified on Monday that master tenant Derick Almena laughed him off when he told him that the building should be brought up to code. Nicholas Bouchard, 27, the second witness in the trial of Almena, 49, and Ghost Ship creative director Max Harris, 29, said he called a meeting several weeks after he and Almena signed a lease for the warehouse at 1309 31st Avenue on Nov. 10, 2013, to address his concern that they were violating the terms of the lease by allowing people to live there. Bouchard said he also was concerned that there were safety issues because the building lacked adequate smoke alarms and fire extinguishers and there were electrical and water issues as well. But Bouchard said Almena arrived late for the meeting and when he said when he finally showed up "he scoffed and laughed at us" and looked at his cellphone and Facebook. Bouchard said he lived with Almena and a few others at the warehouse for a few weeks after they signed the lease but he moved out because of his concerns. San Francisco's new fire chief, Jeanine Nicholson, was sworn in on Monday by Mayor London Breed. Nicholson, a 25-year veteran of the fire department, is the first openly LGBT person to hold the department's top position. She is also the second woman to serve as fire chief after the retirement of her predecessor, Joanne Hayes-White. "I am honored and humbled to have been chosen by Mayor Breed for this role and I am excited to serve the city in this new capacity," said Nicholson in a statement. "I look forward to ensuring that our department remains prepared to respond to any emergencies facing the city, and to working proactively with other city departments help our homeless population get the care they need." Mayor Breed said the city was "in good hands" with Nicholson leading the fire department. "Yes, she has made history, and will continue to be a role model for so many women, for so many brothers and sisters in our LGBT community." Nicholson has held positions in the fire department including deputy chief of administration, firefighter, paramedic, lieutenant, captain and a battalion chief. During her career, Nicholson has survived second-degree burns at 2009 arson fire, which injured five other firefighters, as well as breast cancer. She has since become a proponent of efforts to prevent cancer among firefighters. "Firefighters nationwide get cancer in higher rates than the general population," Nicholson said at the ceremony. "We understand that we signed up for a dangerous job. We love our jobs. It's just that now, we are more likely to die from cancer than anything else." "We will continue to work to provide the best service we possibly can," said Nicholson. "We will continue the mission of the San Francisco Fire Department, and to work towards the priorities of this mayoral administration." A San Jose police officer who was allegedly rammed by a suspect before a fatal police shooting on Sunday afternoon has been released from the hospital as of Monday. The suspect was fatally shot after he dragged the officer a short distance while attempting to flee an East San Jose parking lot in a stolen car, police Chief Eddie Garcia said during a news conference Monday afternoon. It is the second fatal police shooting in San Jose this year. Officers responded to Kollmar Drive and Story Road at 12:55 p.m. to reports of the stolen car. They found the car occupied by a male driver and backed into an apartment parking lot. Police blocked in the car on all sides, but he didn't comply with commands to surrender, Garcia said, describing the suspect as acting "peculiar and bizarre." He said the man jumped out of his car's sunroof and hopped onto other vehicles in an effort to escape, but jumped back into his vehicle and allegedly rammed into patrol vehicles when he was unable to find an exit. He kept ramming into vehicles until he was able to make a space between the cars, and then drove his car directly at an officer, Garcia said. The officer was hit, pinned between the suspect's car and a parked vehicle and dragged under the suspect's vehicle, according to Garcia. Three officers shot the suspect and hit him at least once, and the car came to a stop after hitting a support pole in the parking lot. Paramedics responded and the suspect was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead a short time later. The Santa Clara County medical examiner's office will identify him once his family is contacted. The officer who was hit suffered serious injuries, including multiple fractures, but was discharged from the hospital and is recovering. No one else was injured and the officers involved in the shooting have been placed on paid administrative leave. A 51-year-old man killed in a pileup involving a tour bus that closed U.S. Highway 101 in Brisbane for nearly eight hours Saturday morning has been identified as Kenneth Dwayne Bishop, according to the San Mateo County coroner's office. The crash was reported around 12:45 a.m. Saturday, just south of Sierra Point Parkway in Brisbane. The fatal crash involved at least four vehicles, including a charter bus carrying a famed choir known as the Aeolians of Oakwood University. The bus was operated by Peninsula Tours, and carrying 18 passengers at the time. Several of them suffered minor injuries, but the choir still managed to perform a free concert Sunday evening at the Third Street Baptist Church of San Francisco. The Oakwood choir was founded by the late Eva B. Dykes in 1946 at a historically black university in Huntsville Alabama. It's known for a wide range of performance styles from Negro spirituals to contemporary gospel. Bishop, a San Mateo resident, was in one of the other vehicles involved in the crash. Officials with the California Highway Patrol were not immediately available to provide additional information about the cause of the crash. Members of the East Bay's Asian and Pacific Islander community held a news conference Monday morning in Oakland to call out a Lunar New Year card sent out by the Alameda County Fire Department. Organizers of the news conference, scheduled for 11 a.m. at the Oakland Asian Cultural Center listed at 388 Ninth St., are calling for an investigation after personnel at Station 22 in San Leandro distributed a holiday card that they say depicts firefighters acting out racist stereotypes. The card features an image of three firefighters wearing conical bamboo hats, sometimes known as rice hats or paddy hats, and posing in a classic open-top fire engine parked inside the station. "That is shocking to the community," spokesman Carl Chan said in an interview just before the news conference Monday morning. "It also hurts the reputation of many firefighters who are saving lives every day," Chan said. Chan also said that in late April his organization received anonymous allegations of racial discrimination and harassment at the fire department's dispatch center, and they want county leadership to make sure those issues get addressed. Fire Chief David Rocha declined to be interviewed on the controversy, but a spokesman for the department issued a statement on his behalf saying that Alameda County Fire is taking the allegations seriously. "It is inconsistent with our values and the respect we demand our employees demonstrate toward the communities we serve," Rocha said. "The matter is under investigation as a personnel matter; as such, we have no further comment." A package of measures intended to assist renters - including a rent registry and a just cause for eviction ordinance -- will be considered Tuesday by the El Cerrito City Council. The rent registry would require property owners to annually register rents charged and provide other information on residential rental properties with the city. El Cerrito estimates that 40 percent of its residents are renters. The registry will be used "to collect data to better understand the trends specifically occurring in El Cerrito," according to a staff report by city Affordable Housing Analyst Aissia Ashoori and Community Development Director Melanie Mintz. "Both property owners and renters echoed that the need for local data was an important component to understanding this complex topic and to inform policy making." The Just Cause for Eviction and Prohibition on Harassment of Tenants ordinance "establishes enumerated reasons for which a landlord can terminate tenancy for multi-family properties," according to the staff report. It would only apply to properties with five or more rental units and only for properties issued a certificate of occupancy before Jan. 1, 2015, "in order to continue stimulating an increase in the supply of new housing through the San Pablo Avenue Specific Plan" adopted in December 2014, Other cities that have adopted just cause eviction ordinances include Berkeley, East Palo Alto, Emeryville, Hayward, Mountain View, Oakland, Richmond, San Francisco, San Jose and Union City. The measures are an outgrowth of an affordable housing strategy adopted by El Cerrito in August 2017. The council meets at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 10890 San Pablo Ave. Copyright 2019 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. SAN JOSE (BCN) Two men were taken to a hospital on Monday night after five or six people in south San Jose - ranging from 16 to 18 years old - allegedly assaulted them, according to police. The assault was first reported at 9:47 p.m. in the 5700 block of Tucson Drive, San Jose police Sgt. Enrique Garcia said. Shots were fired in the area at the time of the assault, but Garcia said no victims were located. No suspects are in custody as of early Monday morning. The victims suffered injuries not considered life-threatening. 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) A woman who lived at the Ghost Ship warehouse in Oakland's Fruitvale district testified on Monday that she saw a wall of fire when a blaze broke out there late on the night of Dec. 2, 2016, that killed 36 people. Elizabeth Mazzola, who now lives in Berkeley, said that she had moved into the warehouse at 1309 31st Ave. about a month before the fire and thought it was safe to live there. However, under questioning by Alameda County prosecutor Autrey James, Mazzola said that after the fire broke out she wasn't aware of any fire sprinklers, fire alarms and smoke alarms and isn't sure if there were any exit signs. Mazzola's comments came on the first day of testimony in the trial of Ghost Ship master tenant Derick Almena, 49, and creative director Max Harris, 29, on 36 counts of involuntary manslaughter for the fire. Alameda County prosecutor Casey Bates alleged in his opening statement that Almena and Harris are criminally liable for the fire because there was no time and no way for the people at the party to escape since the warehouse didn't have important safeguards, such as fire extinguishers, smoke alarms and exit signs. Bates also said Almena and Harris violated the terms of the warehouse's lease by turning it into a living space and hosting underground music parties there. But Harris's lead attorney Curtis Briggs and Almena's lawyer Tony Serra alleged in their opening statements that the fire was an act of arson that Harris and Almena couldn't have prevented. They also alleged that the warehouse's owners and Oakland firefighters and police officers are responsible for the fire, saying they knew about the safety issues at the warehouse and didn't take action to remedy them. Mazzola said she was one of about 10 people who lived on the first floor of the warehouse at the time of the fire and estimated that about seven people lived on the building's second floor. She said she was in the trailer where she lived on the first floor when she heard fellow resident Carmen Brito, who also survived the blaze, yell for help. Mazzola said she yelled, "Fire!," grabbed her cellphone and was able to get out of the building quickly. When Autrey asked Mazzola if she still thinks the warehouse was safe in light of the fact that 36 people were killed in the fire, she said, "It's such a strange question. I don't know if I can answer that." Earlier on Monday, Nicholas Bouchard, 27, testified that he called a meeting several weeks after he and Almena signed a lease for the warehouse at 1309 31st Avenue on Nov. 10, 2013, to address his concern that they were violating the terms of the lease by allowing people to live there. Bouchard said he also was concerned that there were safety issues because the building lacked adequate smoke alarms and fire extinguishers and there were electrical and water issues as well. But Bouchard said Almena arrived late for the meeting and that when he he finally showed up "he scoffed and laughed at us" and looked at his cellphone and Facebook. Bouchard said he lived with Almena and a few others at the warehouse for a few weeks after they signed the lease, but moved out because of his concerns. Testimony in the trial will resume on Tuesday morning. At the end of Monday's session James told Alameda County Superior Court Judge Trina Thompson and defense attorneys that a witness the prosecution had planned to call later this week died in a crash in San Pablo on Sunday 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. WASHINGTON, D.C., May 6, 2019 -- The obvious drawback of solar panels is that they require sunlight to generate electricity. Some have observed that for a device on Earth facing space, which has a frigid temperature, the chilling outflow of energy from the device can be harvested using the same kind of optoelectronic physics we have used to harness solar energy. New work, in a recent issue of Applied Physics Letters, from AIP Publishing, looks to provide a potential path to generating electricity like solar cells but that can power electronics at night. An international team of scientists has demonstrated for the first time that it is possible to generate a measurable amount of electricity in a diode directly from the coldness of the universe. The infrared semiconductor device faces the sky and uses the temperature difference between Earth and space to produce the electricity. "The vastness of the universe is a thermodynamic resource," said Shanhui Fan, an author on the paper. "In terms of optoelectronic physics, there is really this very beautiful symmetry between harvesting incoming radiation and harvesting outgoing radiation." In contrast to leveraging incoming energy as a normal solar cell would, the negative illumination effect allows electrical energy to be harvested as heat leaves a surface. Today's technology, though, does not capture energy over these negative temperature differences as efficiently. By pointing their device toward space, whose temperature approaches mere degrees from absolute zero, the group was able to find a great enough temperature difference to generate power through an early design. "The amount of power that we can generate with this experiment, at the moment, is far below what the theoretical limit is," said Masashi Ono, another author on the paper. The group found that their negative illumination diode generated about 64 nanowatts per square meter, a tiny amount of electricity, but an important proof of concept, that the authors can improve on by enhancing the quantum optoelectronic properties of the materials they use. Calculations made after the diode created electricity showed that, when atmospheric effects are taken into consideration, the current device can theoretically generate almost 4 watts per square meter, roughly one million times what the group's device generated and enough to help power machinery that is required to run at night. By comparison, today's solar panels generate 100 to 200 watts per square meter. While the results show promise for ground-based devices directed to the sky, Fan said the same principle could be used to recover waste heat from machines. For now, he and his group are focusing on improving their device's performance. It has been few years since physical key boards have been replaced by on-screen touch sensors for wireless devices such as cellular phones. This even-tually triggered the modern day smartphone-era by introducing large-screen displays on portable devices. In which country was this technology first in-troduced? The answer is Republic of Korea. This time, an innovative 5G smartphone with optically invisible antennas that are embedded within super-resolution displays will be introduced to the market for the first time in the world - again from Korea. On the 27th of March, a University-Industry research consortium lead by Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) and joined by industry partners such as Dong-Woo Fine Chem, SK Telecom, LG Electronics, Keysight Technologies, and Y.Tech announced the world's first 'Antenna-on-Display (AoD)' technology. Spearheaded by POSTECH Professor Wonbin Hong's re-search team, this was the first multilateral academia-industry research cooperation in Korea. The POSTECH research consortium has successfully completed field testing of this technology on a 28 GHz 5G Android smartphone platform and they expect this to expedite the deployment of new concepts for 5G devices in the near future. 5G is expected to be at least 20 times faster than the speed of 4G LTE. Among multiple wireless components, the antenna is one of the most critical differentiators that enable such technology jump. 5G relies on millimeter-wave frequencies which are at least an order of magnitude higher than cur-rent 4G LTE and Wi-Fi. Consequently, the signal attenuation at millimeter-wave becomes much greater, leading to the need to "clustering of the antennas" to form a dense electromagnetic beam at certain directions similar to how microscopes work. Naturally, this means 5G wireless devices requires dozens of antenna in contrast to single-digit number of antennas during the 4G era. However, in the mobile industry, the lack of space to place the 5G antennas within cellular devices has been the fundamental challenge. Future smartphones are expected to be ergonomically, esthetically and technically advanced-simultaneously. Using conventional antenna technology, more number of antennas to support 5G implies an undesired trade-off situation. Naturally this paradox has been slowing down the worldwide deployment of 5G cellular devices up to present. Professor Wonbin Hong of POSTECH and his research team developed an alternative that can embed antennas directly on a display and exemplified its possibility of commercialization in the future. This technology is fundamentally different from conventional antenna for cellular devices. Denoted as Antenna-on-Display (AoD), this concept enables an antenna that is de-signed using nano-scale fabrication technology to trick the human eye into thinking that the antenna is invisible. Using this technology, it is now possible to co-use the entire view area of high definition displays such as OLED and LCD for massive number of 5G antennas. This eliminates the trade-off relation between ergonomics, esthetics and technology. The research team developed a transparent thin film with Dong-Woo Fine Chem for the AoD. LG Electronics integrated the AoD within their cellular device prototype and this was used to conduct real-life 5G trials at 28 GHz with SK Telecom. This research is significant in demonstrating multilateral academia-industry cooperation for the first time in the nation. The research is published on IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, one of the leading journals in the field of electronics and electric engineering. Professor Wonbin Hong of POSTECH who led the research explained, "this is the first step of our collaborative research. Similar to how on-screen touch sensors redefined wireless devices, the Antenna-on-Display has the potential to trigger various possibilities for 5G and beyond. We expect it will contribute not only to creating innovative 5G smartphone concepts but serving as an enabling technology for many ideas beyond our imagination" Mr. Jong Kwan Park, Director of 5GX Labs at SK Telecom said, "SK Telecom will continue to collaborate with POSTECH research consortium to provide the world's leading 5G services related innovations." Northern California is home to many unique residential properties. Add this medieval-style castle to the list. Located in the exclusive East Bay town of Alamo, this 4,476-square-foot mansion rocks the ideal vibe for your next Game of Thrones viewing party. Sitting on 2.2 acres on a hillside with 360-degree views that include Mount Diablo and the Las Trampas ridgeline, it's on the market for $3,475,000, The original owner, who custom-built the three-bedroom, three-bathroom home in 1988, lived in it for only four years before moving out as the result of a divorce. He made sure his vision for the home was realizedhe brought his massive collection of architectural and antique relics, including a total of 120,000 bricks sourced from around the region. He collected items over a 20-year period of time, says listing agent Melissa Fulop of Compass. Salvaged church pews were repurposed into a staircase. All doors, hinges, and handles are custom. Roof rafters tease the eye because, upon further study, one sees faces, objects, and animals carved into the wood. A solid oak bar dating to the 1890s was purchased in Sussex, England. The next buyer has the option to fold the barplus a knights armor set currently residing at the homeinto the asking price. The current ownersthe third to own the propertyhave lived here for 15 years. While attending a dinner party at the castle, they fell in love with it and bought it, says Fulop. They are now moving out to enjoy their empty-nester status. You couldnt replicate this house today for this price, says Fulop. Its an awesome entertaining house. The homeowners used to host a castle party as a school auction. A local restaurant catered in a roasted pig, and people ate with their hands because they didnt have utensils back then. As a testament to the homes durability, few updates have been made since its 1988 construction and none (other than for cosmetic reasons of personal taste) are needed. All the walls are brick. Only two bedrooms dont have brick walls, says Fulop. The neighborhood attracts families, many who commute to Silicon Valley or San Francisco for work. People move here because the schools are great, says Fulop. But its not just a bedroom community. Walnut Creek (five minutes away) is becoming the shopping hub in the East BayNeiman Marcus, Nordstrom, and all the higher-end stores are here now. Several parks and hiking trails, including at Mount Diablo State Park, are nearby. What kind of person will buy this? Someone who wants proximity to all that the Bay Area offers, as well as a unique place to stay in Northern California part time, says Fulop. But, above all, the winning offer will be from somebody who really likes this style, says Fulop. Perhaps a "Game of Thrones" fan? The post Unleash Your Inner Knight in This Medieval Castlein the San Francisco Bay Area appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com. When Lucca Ravioli Company announced its plans to shutter at the end of April, the news was another blow to locals who have witnessed a number of longstanding Bay Area restaurants close within the past year. Between January and Dec. 8, 2018, San Francisco alone had 326 restaurant closures. Over 110 of those closures were restaurants that had been in business for 11 years or more, according to The Chronicles Jonathan Kauffman. Joining the list of 2019 closures were The Nantucket in Crockett, which announced in February it was closing after 89 years, and the upscale Jardiniere, which had its last service April 27. Jardiniere was in business for 21 years. "It's a scary time," said Susie Biehler, a Bay Area restaurant marketing and consultant with 30 years of experience. "We're in a real unpredictable market." ALSO: Most notable and shocking Bay Area restaurant closures of 2018 The reasons behind the closures varied, but the causes didn't make each closure any less shocking. There are issues that plague all businesses, not just the longstanding ones, of course. According to a report by the San Francisco's Office of Economic and Workforce Development, the most common challenges restaurants face include: Employee recruitment and retention Land use regulations and permitting requirements Real estate conditions Increasing competition with online sales and other sources Demographic changes With that in mind, I decided to reach out to three longstanding businesses in the city Sutro's at the Cliff House, Tadich Grill and One Market to find out how restauranteurs manage to stay ahead of the curve. In short, theyre not that worried. We face high cost, a lot of competition frankly, its what keeps us on our toes, said Michael Dellar, Managing Partner of One Market. Offsetting that is that fact that its a great place to be. Business is alive and well. At their core, these restaurants say they've stayed true to their customers and their staff. Each restaurateur I spoke to credited consistency as their greatest asset. David Hanna, general manager of the 170-year old Tadich Grill, says one of the charms about dining at the restaurant is that customers can find an entree they ordered decades ago still withstanding the passage of time. "Other places treat their menus monthly, weekly and though we change our menu daily, we have our standbys," Hanna said. Similarly, Ralph Burgin, general managing partner and chef de cuisine at Sutro's, says his restaurant doesn't dabble much with what's trendy. Instead, he says they offer entrees with flavors customers can expect. "We don't do avant garde, we don't do the latest trend; it's rock solid craftsmanship," Burgin said. "We do play a little bit and keep things interesting but we don't go over it." In a recent phone call, Dellar told me One Market has done various things to keep the 26-year-old restaurant in the conversation. As a self-proclaimed marketing guy, Dellar says he likes to bring new concepts to the table. In the past, thats included dinner specials like the weekly beast, where One Market prepared a whole animal, carved it and served it throughout a weekend. The restaurant also offered half-priced wine last July all 400 labels, no exceptions, Dellar said. Both Sutros at the Cliff House and Tadich Grill take advantage of social media to reach out to their clients, whether that be through a monthly Instagram competition, as Tadich Grill does, or with help from social media experts that post real-time news about the business, like at Sutros. Additionally, Sutro's started selling their Bloody Mary mix a couple years ago. "We sell about 20,000 Bloody Mary's a year at the Cliff House," Burgin said. "I started tinkering with the formula and we have a product now, its awesome. ALSO: We asked diners why they left 1-star Yelp reviews at beloved SF restaurants Value is another thing Sutros, Tadich Grill and One Market have going for them. One Market offers a prix fixe lunch deal for $27 that comes with an appetizer and an entree. For an added $5, guests can have dessert too. The restaurant also offers $6 cocktails during lunch service. Hanna said hell often go to other restaurants and order an entree Tadich Grill offers just to compare. In most cases, he says other restaurants tend to be more expensive or serve smaller portions in comparison. It shows me that were in the right price category and sets us apart, Hanna said. Over the phone, Dellar told me he had a copy of the Chronicles Top 100 Bay Area Restaurants for 2003 where One Market was among the businesses mentioned. He started going down the list to name the businesses still open and those that have long closed. I asked him how it felt to be among the company of S.F. businesses still operating. Im proud. It makes me feel appreciative of our people, our customers and the community at large. Dellar says that things have changed in the area around One Market; they used to predominantly serve older professionals in law and accounting. Those offices have since been replaced with tech hubs along with younger professionals in their 20s and 30s. Dellar thinks that despite the different crowd, One Market has held on to their devoted customers while embracing the change. "I think people who discard their dyed in the wool customer run a risk of trying to be something that they're not to a different audience and we've tried to bridge the gap between the two." -- Follow Susana Guerrero on Twitter and email her at Susana.Guerrero@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. In the wild in their native Colombia, tamarins tiny monkeys that average less than a pound each in weight roam the canopy in small family groups. So it was only natural that when her partner Felix passed away at the Oakland Zoo last year, Electra the cotton-top tamarin became noticeably depressed and withdrawn. ALSO: Snow leopard cubs make their zoo debut Fearing loneliness was the culprit, her keepers set out to find her a new prospective partner. Lots of Californians are fleeing to Texas as of late in search of a lower cost of living, but Alberto the tamarin made the trek in the opposite direction, making his way to the East Bay from the Ellen Trout Zoo in Lufkin, Texas. "Electra hasn't quite been herself since Felix passed away and we are already seeing many positive changes in her behavior since being introduced to the new guy," Oakland Zoo animal keeper Andrea Dougall said in a press release. Alberto was having trouble fitting in with the other tamarins at the East Texas zoo, but in Oakland, he has been taking cues from Electra, keepers said. "He is currently adjusting quite well to his new forever home and following Electra the tamarin's lead on how to navigate around the habitat," Oakland Zoo spokeswoman Isabella Linares wrote in a press release. MORE: Beloved blind sea lion who was once shot in face passes away at SF Zoo When the Oakland Zoo opened the tamarin exhibit back in 2013, the monkeys were the most endangered animals at the zoo. They are among the most endangered species in the world, threatened by the dual problems of habitat loss and by poaching to fuel demand in the illegal pet trade. "Keepers are hopeful that the pair may breed and contribute to the Species Survival Plan for tamarins," wrote Linares. (Buy a girl a drink first, Alberto!) "Alberto is a good match for her genetically," she added. In addition to Electra, Alberto joins two other tamarins in the zoo's Tropical Forest area. COLOMBO, Sri Lanka Two bomb experts were among the suicide attackers who struck churches and hotels on Easter in Sri Lanka, and all those directly involved in the bombings are either dead or under arrest, police said. Acting police chief C.D. Wickramaratne also said in a statement that explosives the Islamic State-linked group stocked for use in more attacks have been seized. The bombings killed 257 people and wounded hundreds at three churches and three hotels. Seven suicide bombers died at their targets while another exploded his device later at a guesthouse after it failed to detonate at a leading tourist hotel. A ninth killed herself to avoid capture by police at her home. Police have detained 73 suspects for investigation since the bombings and have seized stocks of explosives, improvised explosive devices and hundreds of swords. They also found $140,000 in cash in bank accounts connected to the group and another $40 million worth of assets in land, houses, vehicles and jewelry, police said late Monday. President Maithripala Sirisena said Tuesday that all of the suspects explosives, weapons, safe houses and training centers have been found in the 16 days since the blasts. He said those things werent discovered earlier because of weaknesses in Sri Lankas intelligence divisions. Authorities have repeatedly said another attack from the extremist group is possible, but Sirisena said it is now safe for tourists to return. The country is in a safe position right now, he said. Sri Lankas Catholic church hierarchy closed churches for a second weekend on Sunday as the faithful celebrated Mass from home watching live on television. But on Tuesday, one of the churches targeted in the attacks, St. Anthonys Shrine in Colombo, opened part of the building to the public for the first time since the bombing, enabling devotees to pray in the church as was customary every Tuesday. Catholic schools remain closed after reports said two of their locations were to be attacked last weekend. Government-run schools reopened for students in higher classes Monday but fewer students attended out of fear. Army Commander Mahesh Senanayake on Monday urged the public to resume normal activities and trust in the security forces. I ask the people not to fear unnecessarily, not to believe rumors ... believe in the tri-forces and police that defeated one of deadliest terrorist organizations in the world, he said, referring to ethnic Tamil separatists who fought a 26-year civil war. The conflict ended 10 years ago. The air force warned Tuesday that it will shoot down drones in the countrys airspace if necessary, saying they are a threat to national security. Authorities banned drones after last months attacks, but some have been operated in some parts of the country, air force spokesman Gihan Seneviratne said. Krishan Francis is an Associated Press writer. K.M. Chaudary / Associated Press GUJRANWALA, Pakistan Muqadas Ashraf was just 16 when her parents married her off to a Chinese man who had come to Pakistan looking for a bride. Less than five months later, Muqadas is back in her home country, pregnant and seeking a divorce from a husband she says was abusive. She is one of hundreds of poor Christian girls who have been trafficked to China in a market for brides that has swiftly grown in Pakistan since late last year, activists say. Brokers are aggressively seeking out girls for Chinese men, sometimes even cruising outside churches to ask for potential brides. They are being helped by Christian clerics paid to target impoverished parents in their congregation with promises of wealth in exchange for their daughters. YANGON, Myanmar Two Reuters journalists whose reporting on the Myanmar militarys abuses of Rohingya Muslims got them imprisoned and drew the worlds attention to curbs on freedom of the press were freed Tuesday as part of a mass presidential pardon. Wa Lone, 32, and Kyaw Soe Oo, 28, walked out of Yangons notorious Insein Prison at about 9:40 a.m. As they passed through the front gate, waving to the gathered crowd, they were mobbed like rock stars by fellow reporters who as professionals had covered their plight and as colleagues pushed for their release. I want to say that I am very happy today. I want to thank our friends and families who were trying for our freedom and also to those from all over the world who sympathized with us, Wa Lone said. I am really excited to see my family and colleagues. I cant wait to go to my newsroom. Then they were hustled into a black van and taken to reunite with their families. The two reporters were arrested in December 2017 as they were working on a story about security forces involved in killing Rohingya and were accused of illegally possessing official documents, a violation of the colonial-era Official Secrets Act. At their trial the two contended they were framed because of official displeasure over their work, but they were convicted in September and sentenced to seven years in prison. The case drew global attention not only as a media freedom issue but also as an example of how democratic reforms in Myanmar have stalled under Nobel Peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyis civilian government, which took power in 2016. It also came as international condemnation built over the brutal counterinsurgency campaign that Myanmars military launched in the western state of Rakhine, driving more than 700,000 members of the Rohingya minority group to flee to Bangladesh. Aung Naing Soe And Grant Peck are Associated Press writers. Page Content Australia's Fair Work Commission (FWC) is evaluating for the first time whether an employee may be fired for refusing to submit to biometric finger scanning required by an employer. The case involves an employee's concerns about the collection of sensitive data and a potential violation of the Australian Privacy Act. Under the act, if an organization has personal information about someone that was collected for a particular purpose, the entity generally must not use or disclose the information for another purpose unless that person has consented. Organizations that breach privacy laws may face significant criminal and civil penalties. In this case, the employer announced that all employees had to use the biometric scanners to record their attendance at work. Concerned about the collection of his personal information, an employee objected. In turn, the employer fired him for violating its attendance policy. After an FWC commissioner denied the plaintiff's unfair dismissal claim, the employee appealed to the FWC full bench. The plaintiff argued that the commissioner failed to consider whether the request to comply with the fingerprint scanning policy was lawful and reasonable, particularly when the employee refused to consent to the disclosure of his biometric data. The FWC full bench agreed to hear the appeal, satisfied that this matter raised "important, novel and emerging issues." If it rules in the employer's favor, its decision could allow employers to take workers' biometric information despite employees' objections. As part of these proceedings, the FWC is expected to examine the progression of biometric technology and workers' privacy rights. The litigation is pending. [SHRM members-only toolkit: Introduction to the Global Human Resources Discipline] Notice In many Australian jurisdictions, employers violate the law when they fail to obtain employees' consent or, in some areas and industries, when they don't consult with workers on how personal information is collected, stored and used. Accordingly, employers should notify workers about how the biometric data will be stored; the risks of collecting information, such as the possibility of data breaches; how it will be managed and the purpose for the collection. Employers should also be prepared to respond to employees' concerns about biometric data collection policies and processes, particularly when changes might have a major effect on workers' employment. Naomi Seddon and Merille Raagas are attorneys with Littler in Los Angeles. Page Content Workplace compliance mistakes can lead to costly litigation for California employers and continue to make the state golden for employment lawyers. So what are employers doing wrong? Here are five big mistakes that employee-side attorneys say businesses make when it comes to preventing lawsuits.This is the paragraph text Id like to style. 1. Failing to Empower HR "Employers end up with lawsuits when they don't empower human resource professionals to fix toxic work environments," said Jean Hyams, an attorney with Levy Vinick Burrell Hyams in Oakland. "When employees go to HR, they are trying to solve problems, not create them." Hyams thinks employees should be rewarded for speaking up. "I'm a great believer in human resource professionals," she said. HR leaders should refuse to compromise their professional standards when conducting investigations, making factual findings and coming up with remedies, she said. "Of course, HR professionals can only do their job if they are vested with real authority." 2. Conducting Terse Terminations "If California employers want to see fewer claims brought by people like me, the most important thing they could do is handle terminations differently," said David Lowe, an attorney with Rudy, Exelrod, Zieff & Lowe in San Francisco who represents employees and also works as a mediator in employment cases. "A common reason employees tell me that they decided to call a plaintiffs' lawyer is that they feel they were treated unfairly when they were fired," he explained. "This feeling of unfairness frequently arises because the termination decision is communicated tersely, with a scripted message." Furthermore, an employee may be abruptly escorted out of the building, even if he or she has done nothing to suggest a security risk and may not be offered a severance package to help ease the transition. "Employees, most of whom view themselves as having been loyal and hardworking, tell me that this experience is traumatizing and makes them feel like a criminal," Lowe said. While there's no law against treating someone coarsely during the termination process, "once the wounded employee is motivated to discuss the situation with a plaintiffs' attorney, that conversation does sometimes illuminate other potential legal claims including potential discrimination claims or wage and hour violations," he noted. Kindness, respect, honesty and compassion during the termination process are critical, he said. 3. Contesting Unemployment Benefits Fighting unemployment benefits is like "kicking a person while she is down," said Toni Jaramilla, an attorney in Los Angeles and a former chair of the California Employment Lawyers Association. "Not only is the employee without a job and income, now she is deprived of her only source of financial survival while she looks for a job. She may be a single parent or the sole breadwinner or have a spouse or child with a disability." A jury may view an employer as "cruel" or "heartless" for fighting a discharged worker's claim for benefits, Jaramilla said. 4. Denying Additional Leave Another decision that may land an employer in court is refusing to extend an employee's protected leave time under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) or its state equivalent, the California Family Rights Act (CFRA) as a reasonable accommodation under disability laws. Employers mistakenly think they can simply fire an employee once the 12-week protected leave period is exhausted if the employee is unable to return by that time, Jaramilla said. "Not true." [SHRM members-only toolkit: Managing Family and Medical Leave] Employees can request an extension of time under the FMLA or the CFRA as a form of reasonable accommodation for the disability or restriction that placed them on leave in the first place. Furthermore, the employer must engage in a dialogue with the employee (which is called a good-faith interactive process) to determine if an extension of leave time or some other form of accommodation can be reasonably provided. 5. Conducting Shoddy Investigations Failing to properly or promptly investigate employee complaints is another problem that may lead to a lawsuit. "So many times, I've heard employees tell me their complaints were either completely ignored or were investigated in a way that made it obvious that the outcome was already decided before the inquiry started," observed Supreeta Sampath, an attorney in San Francisco and a former board member of the California Employment Lawyers Association. "Neither approach is good for the employer and certainly ensures my phone keeps ringing." Matters can be made worse if a supervisor who is accused of misconduct is told who made the complaint but hasn't been trained on anti-retaliation laws, Sampath added. "More times than not, the real problem for the company is not necessarily the underlying complaint, but the retaliation which flows from that complaint." For example, the employee who complained might be excluded from meetings, given negative reviews or micromanaged. Sampath recommended giving supervisors a laundry list of examples of the ways in which they might knowingly or unknowingly retaliate against subordinates who have filed a complaint with HR. "The same patterns of retaliation repeat themselves across various industries." Properly investigating employee claims and using a practical approach to prevent retaliation can lead to "greater humanity in the workplace and fewer problems down the road in litigation for the company," she added. William Waldo, an attorney with Bononi Law Group in Pasadena, sees the problem as being less about slipshod investigations of formal complaints and more about the absence of complaints. Particularly in sexual-harassment situations, employees may be afraid to complain. So the employer's first opportunity to investigate the complaint and take appropriate remedial action may be when the lawsuit is filed. Be careful, because under California law employers are liable for supervisors' sexual harassmenteven if the employee never made an internal complaint and regardless of whether the employer knew about the harassment. Employers should examine their culture and find improvements that can be made to encourage employees to come forward with concerns, Waldo said. [Visit SHRM's resource page on Workplace Harassment Prevention.] Page Content The California labor commissioner fined a Southern California car wash for more than $2.36 million for alleged wage and hour violations. These fines included both civil penalties and wages owed to employees. This appears to be a continuation of the agency's enforcement actions against commercial car washes from 2012 and 2015. In addition to fining the company, the labor commissioner held both the company president and general manager jointly and separately liable (under California Labor Code section 558.1) for these violations. Individual liability means a manager or officeror anyone else acting on behalf of the company who violates or causes a violation of the labor codecould be liable for paying out a lawsuit. The company's activities affected at least 64 employees. This enforcement action was not triggered by employee complaints. Rather, the agency received information of potential violations from CLEAN, a nonprofit corporation set up to assist employees of the car wash industry. The nonprofit focuses its effort around targeting car washes in the Los Angeles area. Employees recovered damages for violations of waiting time, split shifts and overtime violations. The employees claimed their employer forced them to wait around the facilitywithout paybefore being told if they would be working that day. Further, employees claimed they worked more than eight hours a day without receiving overtime pay and alleged that they failed to receive premium pay for split shifts. The employees also complained of improper record-keeping practices. The car wash also was fined for failing to register with the labor commissioner's office as required under California Labor Code Section 2054. In the past, failing to register had been only an initial trigger for an investigation. Dalia Z. Khatib and Sierra Vierra are attorneys with Jackson Lewis in Sacramento, Calif. 2019 Jackson Lewis. All rights reserved. Reposted with permission. Page Content In an effort to help businesses, on May 1, the Massachusetts Department of Family and Medical Leave (DFML) extended both the deadline to notify employees about the Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave Act (PFMLA) and the deadline for employers to apply for a private-plan exemption from law. Previously, the DFML required employers to distribute notices to employees regarding the PFMLA by May 31 and required employers seeking a private-plan exemption from the contribution requirements of the PFMLA to apply for an exemption by June 30. The new deadline to distribute the required notices is June 30, and the new deadline to apply for an exemption is Sept. 20. Notice to Employees In a previous update, the DFML published template notices that employers can use to fulfill the notice requirement of the PFMLA and required employers to distribute the notices and receive acknowledgment that employees received the notice by May 31. Extending this deadline to June 30, gives employers another month to prepare for distribution to the workforce. The notice must cover the benefits, contribution rates and other protections available under the PFMLA. The notice must also include an opportunity for the employee to acknowledge receipt or decline to acknowledge receipt of the notice. Plan Exemptions The current guidance issued by the DFML requires that an employer seeking an exemption based on a private plan receives approval for that exemption in the quarter before the exemption goes into effect. The update changes that requirement for the initial quarter of PFMLA contributions only. Employers now have until Sept. 20 to file for and receive a private-plan exemption before making the initial contribution. This will give employers more time to contemplate different private plan options. However, if an employer's exemption does not receive approval before Sept. 20, that employer will be responsible for remitting the full contribution amount from July 1 forward. The guidance does not state what an employer should do regarding employee deductions if the employer's request for a private-plan exemption is denied or not acted upon before Sept. 20. Nor does the guidance address the issue of whether an employer could lawfully seek retroactive deductions from employees going back to July 1 if an exemption application is not timely approved. The DFML will continue to accept applications for exemptions after Sept. 20 on a rolling basis. If the DFML grants an exemption after Sept. 20, the exemption will not go into effect until the following quarter and the employer will remain responsible for the required contributions through the end of the quarter in which they apply. For example, if an employer applies for and is granted an exemption based on a private plan in October 2019, that employer must still remit the required contributions through the end of the year before the exemption takes effect in the first quarter of 2020. Jeffrey S. Brody, Samia M. Kirmani, Matthew C. Chambers, Matthew D. Freeman, Keerthi Sugumaran and Brian E. Lewis are attorneys with Jackson Lewis in Boston. 2019 Jackson Lewis. All rights reserved. Reposted with permission. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- In her latest role, Hollywood actress Scarlett Johansson is the fierce and fearless Black Widow in Avengers: Endgame. In real life, she is making headlines for showing the lowest form of PDA with her boyfriend of two years, Saturday Night Live star Colin Jost, who hails from Staten Island. What a world. ScarJost was spotted at an afterparty for SNL over the weekend, holding hands as they entered Rosa Mexicano restaurant in Manhattan. Thats it, thats the story media outlets picked up. Maybe next week theyll hug and warrant a full-page spread. Sure, the pair have avoided publicizing their relationship, so seeing intimacy in any form is an oddity. But this love affair is far from news. They have been going strong since their first public outing in October 2017. Their privacy goes so deep, Page Six reported in July 2018 that Johansson flipped off a fan for taking photos of her and Jost while eating at Shagwong Tavern in Montauk. The one thing we can say with certainty is that they clean up nicely: Last year, the couple classed it up for the Met Gala. This month, Jost was Johanssons plus one at the Avengers: Endgame premiere. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A request for bail for a 54-year-old man accused of stealing a sandwich sparked a controversial back and forth on social media between the Staten Island district attorneys office and a public defender group. Police arrested Robert Ibarra, 54, on Saturday, and charged him with stealing an item from a Western Beef supermarket, according to the criminal complaint. Prosecutors demanded a $5,000 bail, which representatives from Demand Reform, a group of public defenders, said was unfair. The D.A. in Staten Island just asked a judge to set $5,000 bail on a man who took a sandwich and juice because he was hungry and couldnt afford to eat, the group tweeted on Saturday. "The D.A. recommended the man serve 6 months in jail. They did this in the name of the People of New York. " Gillian Kress, a Legal Aid Society lawyer who is representing Ibarra, said the sandwich and juice Ibarra allegedly took is worth $18.78. Kress said her client is not homeless, but does receive affordable housing. My client is indigent,'' said Kress. "He does have supporting housing. However, even people with supportive housing dont necessarily have the means to feed themselves. The Legal Aid Society and the group Demand Reform are not affiliated, Kress said. District Attorney Michael E. McMahon responded to the criticism with a statement on Twitter on Monday, defining the criticism as a gross misrepresentation of the facts. The purpose of setting bail is to ensure that a defendant returns to court, McMahon wrote in his tweet. We requested bail because the defendant on three separate occasions failed to do so. Ibarra was previously arrested for a 1997 felony assault and had several misdemeanor convictions, McMahon added. This defendant has a lengthy criminal history, including a conviction for a violent felony assault for which he was sentenced to seven to 15 years in prison, not to mention 19 separate misdemeanor convictions," McMahon wrote. Kress strongly disagrees with the D.A.s position, saying that the request for bail was excessive and that besides his previous felony assault conviction, Ibarra has not had trouble with the law since 2015, when he received a petit larceny accusation. The real issue is that stealing a sandwich should never be worth six months jail, said Kress. That cost to tax payers far exceeds what resources could be given to the client and help him feed him. Ibarra appeared in court on Sunday and pleaded guilty to petit larceny, an A-misdemeanor, and was sentenced to time served, which allowed Ibarra to credit his time in jail. Additionally, Ibarra received a conditional discharge and was banned from the store. Kress said that taking a guilty plea was Ibarras best option, since if he had stayed in jail, he would have lost his affordable housing. Our office handles each case on an individual basis after a careful review of the facts, McMahon continued in the Tweet. We remain committed to protecting the quality of life of all Staten Islanders and ensuring equal justice under the law, including diversion to treatment and other services whenever appropriate. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The Department of City Planning (DCP) announced Monday it has launched public review of its proposal to streamline Staten Islands three special districts as part of its efforts to establish clear rules for home construction projects while protecting the environment. The proposal has faced recent controversy, as Richmond residents argue that it will remove opportunities for public input on proposed developments in their neighborhood, claiming it will allow for weaker environmental protections and denser residential areas. The plan would combine the three existing districts on Staten Island -- Special Natural Area District, Special South Richmond Development District and Special Hillsides Preservation District -- into one special district to be named the Special Natural Resources District. This also includes the Special Natural Area District in the Bronx. The DCP said on its website that the proposal is being updated to reflect updated environmental science and a more holistic approach to natural resource preservation with clear development standards resulting in better and more predictable outcomes." From Staten Islands wetlands teeming with birds to stunning rock outcroppings along the Hudson River in The Bronx, New York City can boast of remarkable green neighborhoods," said DCP Director Marisa Lago in a news release. These strong, clear new rules will better safeguard the existing natural beauty, while also eliminating expensive and unnecessary red tape that homeowners, for 40 years now, have had to sift through to make even the most minor renovations. The next steps in the formal public review process are a 60-day review by Staten Island Community Boards 1, 2 and 3, followed by a 30-day review period for the borough president and the Staten Island Borough Board. The plan would then return to the City Planning Commission, and then go to City Council. The proposal will be presented by representatives of DCP on Wednesday during a Community Board 3 meeting in Woodrow. The three existing districts were established by DCP in the 1970s and 1980s to ensure that neighborhood development and preservation of environmentally sensitive resources are balanced. DCP said it has developed the current proposal over the last three years, convening with working groups including representatives from local institutions, homeowners, landscape architects, elected officials, local civics and environmental groups and city agencies. Here are the proposed rules, according to the DCP news release: Establish comprehensive and consistent wetland regulations across all special districts, and expand protection to wetlands not currently regulated by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). Continue to require City Planning Commission (CPC) public review for developments larger than one acre, or sites less than one acre with sensitive ecological features. Allow small home projects to go directly to the Department of Buildings (DOB), with clear rules that will ensure the preservation of trees and topography by setting requirements for planting and permeability on every site. Require that natural features, such as trees, be added to the project details that are posted online for the community to review, significantly assisting in enforcement. You can go here to see if the rules will apply to you, using the DCPs interactive map. For more than 40 years, Protectors of Pine Oak Woods has struggled to preserve open space on Staten Island during an age of prolific over-development," said Eltingville resident Clifford Hagen, president of Protectors of Pine Oak Woods and a member of the Staten Island Special Districts Update Working Group. We welcome the Department of City Plannings proposed text amendments and recognize that many of the changes will better protect the trees, escarpments and natural corridors of Staten Island." However, Carol Donovan, president of the Richmondtown and Clarke Avenue Civic Association, told the Advance that residents are concerned the new set of rules would give more flexibility to developers and lessen environmental protections of the boroughs forests and wetlands. This is not helping the environment, Donovan previously told the Advance. City Planning had written regulations to review special natural area districts, and now this proposal would undo everything they did. WHAT WOULD CHANGE? Under the current special districts system, property owners can remove or modify natural features through a site-by-site review by the CPC. The DCP said this option doesnt consider the sites relationship to the larger ecological context, and that the current system is a one-size-fits-all approach for parcels of all sizes, land use or type of natural feature. Donovan said the proposal changes which sites would require review by the CPC, which currently offers opportunities for public input and participation. The citys proposed changes would streamline review for development on small properties that are less than one acre -- allowing owners to proceed directly to the DOB for plan review and compliance of regulations, according to the DCP proposal. These applications would appear only on the DOBs website. This would change the current two-step process that requires a homeowner with a site under one acre to go through public review with the CPC and then also apply to the DOB, which the DCP said adds time and expense to development projects without demonstrable benefit. According to the DCP, any complaints or concerns will be directed to DOB for enforcement of the zoning resolution requirements. Larger sites of one acre or more, as well as ecologically sensitive sites in escarpment (steep slopes) and resource adjacent areas, would require review by the CPC, referral to Community Boards and an application to the DOB. According to the DCP, these larger sites require public review because they contribute more to the public realm and natural habitat. You can go here to read the full draft proposal by City Planning. DCP also provided the video below that describes the natural resource regulations that exist in the two boroughs today, DCPs proposed changes and why they are needed. FOLLOW ANNALISE KNUDSON ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A 46-year-old man with a suspended license led police on a wild chase through the streets of Mariners Harbor before being caught with drugs, authorities allege. The police pursuit began after the suspect, Shawn Mitchell, of Pond Way, was sought for questioning in connection with a domestic incident that occurred on April 25 in Mariners Harbor, according to the criminal complaint. Officers in a marked patrol car allegedly spotted Mitchell driving solo in a 2004 GMC Yukon on Lockman Avenue near Brabant Street on April 26 at about 9 a.m. The officers turned on their flashing lights and siren, but instead of pulling over, Mitchell sped away, turning left onto Brabant Street and right onto South Avenue, the complaint alleges. Mitchell crossed the double-yellow lines and traveled the wrong way on South Avenue, police say. He allegedly failed to stop at a stop sign on South Avenue before turning right onto Arlington Place. He also blew through a stop sign on Arlington Place as he turned right onto Grandview Avenue, according to the complaint. Mitchell then allegedly jumped out of the car while the vehicle was traveling and the Yukon struck a guardrail. At least one vehicle had to slam on its brakes to avoid being struck, police say Police allegedly found heroin, marijuana, plastic bags and a scale inside the Yukon. Further investigation revealed that the suspects license was suspended or revoked, according to the complaint. On the previous day, the suspect allegedly injured a 44-year-old womans left arm and broke a TV in the domestic incident. Mitchell faces a slew of charges including assault, criminally using drug paraphernalia, unlawful fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle, reckless driving, aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, criminal possession of marijuana, harassment, criminal possession of a weapon, criminal mischief, reckless endangerment and criminal possession of a controlled substance. The 5 10 suspect, who weighs about 210 pounds, is being held in the Brooklyn Detention Complex in lieu of bond set at $25,000/$15,000 cash, according to public records. He is due back in Criminal Court in St. George on May 30. An attorney for the suspect did not immediately respond to a request for comment. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Four ships will visit Staten Island for Fleet Week 2019, including two U.S Coast Guard cutters, a U.S. Navy combat ship and a U.S. Navy missile destroyer. Fleet week will take place from Wednesday, May 22, to Tuesday, May 28. Visiting the USS The Sullivans Homeport Pier in Stapleton will be: Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109), from Norfolk, Va. Freedom-class littoral combat ship USS Milwaukee (LCS 5), from Mayport, Fla. Keeper-class cutter USCGC Katherine Walker (WLM 552), from Bayonne, N.J. Medium endurance cutter USCGC Campbell (WMEC 909), from Kittery, Maine (scheduled to depart Saturday, May 25). Tours of the ships will take place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fleet Week has been held nearly every year since 1984, and its anticipated that approximately 2,600 members of the U.S. Navy, Marines and Coast Guards will participate. Each year during Fleet Week, those in New York and the surrounding area are given the opportunity to meet those at sea and watch firsthand the latest capabilities of todays maritime services. To start off the weeklong event, the second annual Helicopter Landing will take place at Miller Field on Tuesday, May 21. The event will host demonstrations by U.S. Navy Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) members from Virginia Beach and Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron NINE (HSC9) known as tridents." The event is free and open to the public. For More information on Fleet Week events, visit www.fleetweeknewyork.com. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The measles outbreak continued to grow this past week, with 60 new cases added to its already-astronomical total for this year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported. Between the span of Jan. 1 to May 3, 2019, 764 individual cases of the measles were confirmed in 23 states, which continued to extend the new high for year-to-date cases since the measles were eliminated from the United States in 2000. The Advance previously reported that the total case count for the measles eclipsed 700 in the United States on April 26 for this year. 2014 held the previous high of confirmed measles cases, with 667 through May 3; however, 2018s total of 372 is the next highest over the past decade, according to the CDC. New York contains two districts where at least three cases of the measles were reported, according to the CDC, and joins California as the only states with more than one district with at least three confirmed measles cases. The outbreaks in these areas are linked to travelers who returned from other countries, such as Israel, Ukraine and the Philippines, with measles, according to the CDC. Earlier this year, the New York State Department of Health warned people in New York City that an Australian tourist who visited several attractions and venues from Feb. 16 to Feb. 21 was confirmed to have measles, the Advance previously reported. Soon after, the Advance reported that there was a measles exposure at Newark Airport, according to the New Jersey Department of Health. Measles can be prevented with the MMR vaccine, which protects against three diseases: measles, mumps and rubella, according to the CDC. The CDC recommends children get two doses of MMR vaccine, starting with the first dose at 12 through 15 months of age and the second dose at 4 through 6 years of age. Teens and adults should also be up to date on their MMR vaccination, according to the CDC website. The MMR vaccine, which is considered extremely safe, is approximately 97 percent effective at preventing measles after two doses, according to the CDC. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A 21-year-old Brooklyn man allegedly was busted with weed and THC in the trunk of his car on an access road to the Staten Island Expressway. New York State Police apprehended Enmanuel Castillo, 21, at the corner of St. Johns Avenue and Narrows Road North in Rosebank on May 3 at about 1:15 a.m. Castillo was driving a 2014 Audi Q5 despite having a suspended or revoked license, according to the criminal complaint. A trooper allegedly found more than 16 ounces of marijuana in the trunk of the car, according to the complaint. Castillo of Linden Street allegedly handed a cartridge of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the active chemical in marijuana, to a trooper. Additional amounts of THC allegedly were found in the center console and the trunk, the complaint alleges. The suspect has been charged with criminal possession of marijuana, criminal possession of a controlled substance and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. His bond has been set at $5,000/$2,500 cash and he is due back in Criminal Court in St. George on May 8. Castillo has another case involving drug and traffic charges winding its way through Criminal Court in Brooklyn, according to public records. An attorney for the suspect did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Japanese component juggernaut shot one across the bow today, unveiling a gravel-specific groupset lineup that spans wide price points. Called GRX, this new groupset platform sits alongside Ultegra, Dura Ace, Deore, XTR, and other platforms Shimano made famous. As of today there is now GRX 10-speed, GRX 11-speed, and GRX Di2 electronic groupset. Whats a little different is that, while Dura Ace is differentiated both by use case and level, GRX is simply use case. Its just gravel, and everything underneath GRX is, by part code, RX400, RX600, RX810, and those numeric designations tell you where the groupset sits in the hierarchy. The RX400 groupsets are 10sp only, and only come in a 2x. RX600 are 11sp, and come in 1x and 2x. There are also mechanical and electronic options. The RX810 is the topline groupset, and is further enhanced by electronic sub-ins, such as the RX815 RD that is for electronic 2x set-ups, and the RX817, an electronic 1x RD. The RX810 and electronic versions of the RDs are pretty sick looking and I mean that in a good way. Stripped down. Reminds me of a Huret Jubilee from 40 or so years ago. The chain line on the 2x groupsets has been pushed outboard by 2.5mm. Im going to need to wrap my brain around whether I like this. But I don't typically come out ahead when I question Shimano on shifting performance. There appears a lot of cross-compatibility among components. The sweet spot in Shimanos 1x and 2x lineups has been, for awhile, as regards gravel, cassettes and compatible derailleurs that sit in between SRAMs 11-32 (and its new AXS 10-33) and its 10- and 11-50 Eagle cassettes. Pricing for aftermarket has already been released. SRAM is likely to downstream its AXS to mechanical fairly quickly; mechanical is what SRAM has done best. But Shimano released the entire suite today, up- and downstream. Shimano calls this a platform dedicated to gravel. The first of this type. SRAM is, in my opinion, heading in a different direction: Its hoping to create products that work across use cases road, gravel, lighter-duty MTB that are all cross-compatible. This is the first, very cursory, look at a very welcome addition to the market for gravel lovers like me. Heres more from Shimano about these new groupsets. 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! Would-be treasurer Chris Bowens questions about the adequacy of the Foreign Investment Review Boards application of the national interest test for approving the $4.4 billion takeover of hospitals operator Healthscope could be nothing more than politicking. But it could also be a warning shot that a Labor government would be taking a closer look at the tax bona fides of offshore companies looking to purchase Australian assets. Any move to restrict foreign investment must be done with particular care, in view of Australias dependence on offshore capital and international trade. Shadow treasurer Chris Bowen questions Brookfield's acquisition of Healthscope. Credit:AAP The investment banking community doesnt seem too worried. They have had no indication from Labor that there will be further restrictions placed on offshore private equity investment - tax based or otherwise. The offices of The Canberra Times in Fyshwick could go under the hammer as new owner Antony Catalano reviews his freshly bought publishing assets. The former Domain chief executive, backed by Alex Waislitzs Thorney Investments, bought more than 160 of Nine Entertainment Cos regional titles last week for $115 million, including The Canberra Times. Nine is the owner of this masthead. Former Domain CEO Antony Catalano has bought the Australian Community Media portfolio of newspapers and publishing assets. Credit:Jesse Marlow The deal was bundled with a portfolio of real estate that included a crown-jewel, the Canberra Times' headquarters, a building expensively renovated by media king pin Kerry Stokes before it was owned by Fairfax. Property sales will be among the first to go under Mr Catalanos ownership, with a vacant site and several offices from the $60 million portfolio likely to be sold quickly. The West Australian government has revealed it has held informal talks with Lynas Corp in the past month, in a sign the rare earths miner may soon find a solution to regulatory problems in Malaysia threatening its future. WA Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Johnston confirmed for the first time since Lynas announced expansion plans in the state last month that the miner had met with the government to discuss "a wide range of issues". But he said the company has not formally applied to set up a processing plant in WA. Analysts say the Mt Weld mine in Western Australia is Lynas' most valuable asset, not its Malaysian refinery. Credit:Bloomberg "Lynas Corporations has met with the State Government to discuss a wide range of issues relevant to Lynas and Western Australia, he said. Lynas has not contacted the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety regarding their reported proposal for a processing plant," he added. Warren Buffett said on Monday that a trade war between the United States and China would be "bad for the whole world." Buffett spoke after US President Donald Trump tweeted on Sunday that he will raise tariffs on $US200 billion ($286 billion) of Chinese imports to 25 per cent from 10 per cent beginning on Friday. Billionaire Warren Buffett says a trade war would would be dire for the world economy. Credit:Bloomberg Trump also said he would soon slap a 25-per cent tariff on $US325 billion of Chinese goods that have not been taxed. The Dow Jones Industrial Average plunged by 450 points at its opening on Monday while the S&P500 and Nasdaq also experienced substantial drops before recovering most of their losses by the close of the session, reflecting continued confidence that the US and China will eventually strike a trade deal. Heavily disguised by a prosthetic mask, hes tackling the old question, "What was Shakespeare like?", with a scenario focusing on the playwrights last three years. The Globe theatre has been consumed by fire, bringing his life in London to an end, and he has returned to his house in Stratford-upon-Avon to rejoin his wife, Anne (Judi Dench) and his two grown-up daughters. All is True stars Kenneth Branagh, recognisable here only by his voice and the hint of wry resignation that shades so many of his performances. Hes also acknowledging his grief over the death of his only son, Hamnet, by planting a memorial garden. This last decision strikes Anne as being irritatingly overdue: 10 years have passed since the child died at the age of 11. If her husband couldnt find the time to mourn with the rest of them, she doesnt see why she should indulge his sorrow now. From left, Judi Dench, Kenneth Branagh, Lydia Wilson and Kathryn Wilder. Will's daughter Judith (Australian actress Kathryn Wilder) is also disturbed by her fathers grief: Hamnet was her twin and shes sure that her father has always felt that the wrong twin died. The script is by Ben Elton, better known for seeing the hilarious side of the Shakespearean age in the TV serials Blackadder and Upstart Crow. Here, he straightens his face and quietens his urge to lampoon. Directed by Branagh, the film is only lightly dusted with dry humour. Labor approved a $1.7 billion foreign takeover of Australia's largest private hospital operator, Healthscope, by two Cayman Islands-linked companies when it was last in power, including one that had just been served with a $620 million tax bill by the Tax Office. Opposition leader Bill Shorten accused foreign companies of using Australia as a "door-mat" for tax havens on Tuesday, escalating earlier queries to a fresh $4.4 billion takeover bid for Healthscope by Cayman Islands-linked asset giant Brookfield and implying multinationals of ripping funding away from schools and healthcare. Labor leader Bill Shorten. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer "I don't think the Australian people want to see multinationals treating Australian tax laws as a doormat, wiping their feet as they head off to the Cayman Islands, especially with Australian health assets," he said. But Mr Shorten's concerns are in stark contrast with the actions of the former Labor government which approved a Carlyle Group and TPG Capital takeover of Healthscope in 2010. Terri Butler, Labor's sitting MP in Brisbane's inner-city seat of Griffith, has been accused of snubbing the only candidates' debate organised for her seat before the federal election. Ms Butler was not alone in brushing off the organisers of the debate, staged by the West End Community Association. The LNP's candidate Olivia Roberts, One Nation's Julie Darlington, Christian Julius from Clive Palmers United Australia Party and Tony Murray from Fraser Anning's Conservative National Party all ignored the debate. Neither the LNP, Labor, One Nation or Clive Palmer's United Australia Party or Fraser Anning's candidate Tony Murray came to the Griffith candidates debate. Credit:Tony Moore Ms Butler stayed at home on Tuesday night to make phone calls to constituents instead of attending the debate at Souths Leagues Club in West End, her campaign manager Peter Allen confirmed. In a statement read out to the crowd of about 80 to 90 somewhat-stunned voters, Ms Butler said she was too busy "fighting the Tories" to attend. It is a blatant denial of history for Scott Morrison to allege that the Labor Party cannot manage the economy when he knows the design and structure of the modern Australian economy was put in place exclusively by the Labor Party. The economy is Labors Labors rejection of the closed economic model of an economy ring-fenced by tariffs with a managed exchange rate, a sclerotic financial market and centrally arbitrated wages bequeathed us in 1983. Former prime ministers Bob Hawke and Paul Keating reunite to endorse Bill Shorten's plan for the economy. Credit:Craig Emerson In place of the Coalitions closed Fortress Australia model, our governments, in the biggest structural reforms since Federation, peeled back the closeted layers of protection trowelled on by successive Coalition governments since the advent of Robert Menzies administration in 1949. Through the flexibility engendered by these major structural reforms the floating exchange rate absorbing the external shocks, the open financial markets, the reform of the tax system and the suppleness of an enterprise-based wages system Australia has experienced an unbroken 28 years of economic growth. An outcome unprecedented in the developed world. Trade minister Simon Crean leaves on Sunday on a 12 day visit to Japan, Europe and the United States in an effort to secure a successful outcome for the latest World Trade Organisation talks. "Substantial political will is needed to conclude the global trade talks and to harness the significant economic and trade dividend to the world economy," Mr Crean said in a statement. The trade talks, known as the Doha round and involving more than 150 nations, have repeatedly stalled since they began in Qatar's capital in 2001. The aim of the talks is the opening up of global trade. Sticking points have been the elimination of farm subsidies and tariffs in wealthier countries, and barriers to manufacturing trade in developing countries. Mr Crean will arrive in Japan on Sunday, meeting with Japanese ministers to discuss Doha, as well as bilateral free trade agreement negotiations and regional forums like APEC. Justin Hemmes may have turned his attention to hosting Prime Minister Scott Morrisons campaign fundraiser at his Vaucluse manor on Monday night, but behind the scenes his sprawling Merivale empire is staring down the barrel of a major internal stoush. Late last week Hemmes lawyers at Johnson Winter & Slattery applied for freezing orders to be placed on the assets of one of the billionaires lieutenants, Joel Cheeseman. At the heart of the dispute about which neither Hemmes nor Cheeseman would comment yesterday appear to be allegations of misleading and deceptive conduct and a breach of contract. A summons was filed at the Supreme Court on Thursday and obtained by this column also shows the company is pursuing Cheeseman for allegations of a breach of fiduciary duty. Hemmes, who in April plonked down $5 million for the 3 Weeds Rozelle hotel but lost out on the bidding war for the John Singleton and Mark Carnegie-owned Steyne Hotel in Manly, has also applied to stop Cheeseman from disposing of $300,000 in assets he presumably wants back. A man who abducted, strangled, then drove his car over a six-year-old boy almost 30 years ago has not been treated for the same psychological trauma he possessed while perpetrating the murder, a court has heard. Phillip Wayne Lett is due to be released on June 23 after serving his maximum sentence of 26 years in prison for killing Damien Noyes after kidnapping him from a park in Whalan, in Sydney's west, in 1992. Damien Noyes, 6, was killed by Phillip Wayne Lett in 1992. NSW Supreme Court Judge Helen Wilson is considering an application by the state to place Lett under an extended supervision order to monitor him over fears he will prey on other children. "There's no questioning the original crime was a shocking and terrible offence," Justice Wilson said during the short hearing on Tuesday. Realistically, if scientists and eminent scientific bodies are not being listened to who will take any notice of a bloomin' old frangipani tree in someone's backyard? I live in hope. - Des Connolly, Loftus Human population growth is exponential and economic development, at best, only superficially considers environmental impacts. In a finite world this situation is unsustainable. Economics must consider true environmental costs, future development should generate a net improvement to the environment, and humans need to stop breeding. The standard responses to news of environmental catastrophe - such as lots of hand wringing, a handful of dollars for endangered species and sticking our heads in the sand - won't help much. - James Buckman, Enmore On the day the UN report confirms that a million species are at risk worldwide, why do we delay and prevaricate? The Coalition government wants to tinker at the edges, and throw token amounts of money to "rescue" some iconic species, but where is the bigger plan to reduce climate change, to strategically protect all our precious native species? This is not just a critical election issue, this is our future and time is very short. - Josie McSkimming, Coogee This planet is our home and the gift that we pass on to future generations. Our existence is tied up with the diversity of creation and what affects it, affects us. There are some fine examples of how to farm and build in ways that reduce humanity's impact on biodiversity. It just requires governments to support these rather than destructive practices and for us to keep our governments from their narrow focus on growth at any cost. - Philip Cooney, Wentworth Falls Stick to the knitting - with or without franking credits Your correspondent claims that "when the franking credits go so does our ability to buy as much wool as we now do" (Letters, May 7). To generate franking credits, there must be a pool of invested capital. And the whole point of superannuation is to generate a pool of capital that is drawn down during retirement. The intention is not for people to try to solely live off any new income it generates. But this seems to have been forgotten, and instead some seem to want to live off free money from the government and preserve every cent of capital. - Brendan Jones, Annandale I believe Labor's tax proposal is intended to take the money your correspondent loses in franking credits and uses to buy wool for crocheting charity goods and give it to the people who need that charity, in the hope that they won't require as much of your corespondent's charity. I hope it works. - Denise Hallahan, Tempe Franking credits will only be lost to those who don't qualify for a full or part pension, which means the craftspeople of the north shore will presumably need to dip into their super to buy the requisite materials for beanie making. Fair-minded people may be less concerned about the variety of handmade articles for sale at the local church fete than they are about restoring fairness to our increasingly unfair social landscape. Accumulated super was intended as income spend it and keep knitting. - Dorin Suciu, Valentine I'm sure those of us who support the removal of franking credits for the benefit of increased government services in areas of health and childcare would gladly donate wool to the affected knitters of the north shore. - Sally Shepard, Nelson Bay In the debate over Labor's proposal to cease franking credits, there has been no reference to the effect this will have on all workers as well as retirees. All large funds have substantial holdings of Australian shares. If credits are removed there will be a fall in the value of these dividend-paying shares and therefore substantial reductions in the superannuation balances of all working and retired Australians. - David Rostron, Killarney Heights Your correspondent's assertion that Labor's tax plans will result in less crocheted articles available for charities is up there with Liberal fear-mongering about $100 legs of lamb and tradies being chucked out of their utes. - Robert Hickey, Green Point I too belong to a weekly craft group which knits for charity. To say stopping franking credits would put an end to knitting for charity is just laughable, but is very creative fake news. - Toni Lorentzen, Fennell Bay Royal welcome May our gift to baby Sussex be a celebration of his safe arrival in good health, the unconditional love of his parents, and membership of an all-embracing humankind ("'This little thing is absolutely divine': Meghan, Prince Harry welcome son", smh.com.au, May 7). - Frederika Steen, Chapel Hill QLD Given the wall-to-wall coverage, it appears Meghan has just had the world's first baby. - Jack Amond, Cabarita Married heterosexual couple living on welfare having a baby strikes me as peak fake news. - Peter Fyfe, Enmore Personal role call Being a bit on the uppity side, I have this day personally granted moi the role of Vice-President for Foreign Affairs, Sydney Environment, and from this time forth command that I be addressed as The Most Dishonourable Alicia Dawson by all you peasants out there ("Honorable Upton Bestowed Title", CBD, May 7). - Alicia Dawson, Balmain Keating still cuts through Yes, Paul Keating still has it. That razor sharp tongue is at it again and has sorely been missed in current Australian politics. And this is from someone who left school at 14 and is the only prime minister from the past 60 years who did not attend university (Letters, May 7). - Michael Blissenden, Dural Labor on right path with Wong Can you imagine the power and supercharged electability of the Labor Party if Penny Wong was the leader ("Wong is poised for grandeur", May 7)? - Peter Pitt, Potts Point Penny Wong has a quality rarely seen in politicians these days. When asked a question, she stops, thinks, then gives a considered response. How refreshing. - Phil Bradshaw, Naremburn The good senator from South Australia is all class. Informed, funny, incisive, friendly, fair, human and unbelievably smart. I can't wait for a package like that to represent us to the world as foreign minister. - Bill Young, Greenwich It looks like Wong will be the first saint ever elected to the Senate. - Riley Brown, Bondi Beach Pre-poll pushback There was a time, not so long ago, when to vote at a pre-poll station, an elector had to sign a declaration as to why she could not vote on election day ("Every vote is sacred. Every vote is great. Make yours count", May 7). Now anyone can vote pre-poll. At the same time, the period has been extended to two and often three weeks. As well, there are many more polling places: some electorates have as many as five. This situation significantly disadvantages small parties and particularly independents. Why do we need as many as 19 different days on which to cast our vote. It is predicted that by May 18, more than half the electors will have already voted. Why then do we need an election day at all? Surely almost everyone can get to a pre-poll station. If not, there is always the option of a postal vote. Given so many people voting early, the political parties should release all their policies before pre-poll begins. - Joan Lambert, Adamstown Honesty the best policy You have "truth in advertising", so why not "truth in election advertising" ("Labor quizzes WeChat over 'fake news'", May 7)? No wonder we can't believe anything that anybody now says. Yet some people obviously believe the lies. - David Rush, Lawson False economy I'm always astounded by the continued claims of the Coalition to be superior economic managers when I read reports showing how the government allowed HealthScope to be taken over by a company based in the Cayman Islands, and so paying no company tax to Australia ("Foreign deals in Labor's sights", May 7). What an easy way to ensure profits. Does the Foreign Investment Review Board take no account of Australia's loss? - Bill Johnstone, Blackheath Faith in freedom I tried to understand from today's article what is bothering the Australian Christian Alliance ("Faithful unite to stop 'godless' politicians", May 7). Perhaps the religious freedom they believe to be under threat is their freedom to limit the freedom of others. - Mark Allerton, Huntleys Cove Folau furore misplaced Many of your correspondents seem confused about the furore over Israel Folau's online comments (Letters, May 7). No one is saying he can't hold these Christian beliefs. He is absolutely entitled to do so. The problem is that he's used his powerful position to get online and pour scorn and shame on those he's decided are sinners. - Merona Martin, Meroo Meadow No one is saying Folau cannot hold his views, he just won't be able to represent Australia and express these views via social media at the same time. - Sam Creenaune, Bulli It's fair enough for Folau's dad to explain his son's comments as not his own but from the Bible. But God is not allowed to play, either. - Ramani Venkatramani, Rhodes Insidious killer Having just lost a dear friend to ovarian cancer, diagnosed only a year ago, I urge everyone to help raise awareness about this silent killer ("Pink meets teal: ovarian cancer funding a matter of life and death", May 6). A woman dies every 10 hours from this disease, yet the funding for research and management of this cancer remains grossly inadequate. May 8 is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Day. Please show your support by contributing to fundraisers such as Fearless Flowers or Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation. Talk to your friends about what you can do. Let your politicians know how you feel. We need to stop losing the people we love to this insidious disease. - Susan Lynch, Bateau Bay Driving down revenue The only reason the law society is complaining about the drink-driving laws is because they will see a drop in their revenue ("Drink-driving laws 'decrease deterrence"', May 7). - Peter Haggarty, Cranebrook Aged care horror show As stories of the horrors of dementia and dementia care snowball from the aged care inquiry, our society needs to face up to the obvious ("Staff ignored requests for heart medicine", May 7). Advance care directives could clearly set out indicators of cognitive decline and at what point a person wishes to have their life peacefully ended. I am sure I am not alone in being horrified at the prospect of spending my final years imprisoned in a distressed and agitated state with a level of care that often adds to the trauma. We must see sense and do better than this horror show. - Lou Collier, Surry Hills Parties need independence We all need to be reminded how Julia Gillard's government was held to ransom by Rob Oakeshott ("In a 'line-ball' seat, Oakeshott tries for political comeback", May 7) We need whoever wins the election to be free of independents. As it is looking more like a Labor victory, I'd like them to be free to govern in their own right with the Greens if need be. Australia is not well served by a handful of independents holding the balance of power, no matter how well-credentialed. A woman and her cat have been rescued from a fire in an inner-west terrace. About 2.40pm on Tuesday, emergency crews received reports of a house fire at Arundel Street and Derwent Street in Glebe. Firefighters arrived at the scene within 10 minutes to find it "well alight", a spokeswoman for Fire and Rescue NSW said. Fire crews battle a house fire in Glebe. Credit:James Brickwood Seven fire trucks attended the scene, with crews working on the first floor of the two-storey semi-detached terrace. Firefighters found one woman in an upstairs bedroom. "Theyve briefly sheltered in place and protected her in her room until all smoke had cleared out and was safe," a firefighter at the scene said. TRAMS BOMBARDED Police endeavoured to regulate the traffic, but each tram and car was bombarded with handfuls of torn paper. Much of the paper came from the Taxation Department. By dusk pavements and roads were mantled with paper up to a foot deep. The police took a tolerant and good-humoured view of the demonstrations, and allowed the public and the motorists plenty of latitude. Police were stationed near hotels, but bars were rushed by the thirsty, who realised to-morrow would be dry. There was little excessive drinking. NIGHT SCENE "They formed a ring to let a Scottish member of the Royal Navy and a W.R.N.S. girl do a Highland fling." Credit:Arthur O'Hara Last night the crowd sang "Waltzing Matilda" and every other song they could think of. When they were hoarse they milled around waving flags and giving husky cheers. Thc joy became infectious. People who came to look on with austere amusement found themselves caught up in it, and before they knew it were linked arm and arm with men and women they hadn't seen in their lives before - and were singing such songs as "Polly-wolly-doodle." They formed a ring to let a Scottish member of the Royal Navy and a W.R.N.S. girl do a Highland fling. Many of them discarded their caps and wore little paper sailor's hats. Soldiers seemed to be the most reserved of all the Servicemen. A R.A.A.F. lad climbed on to the roof of the platform from which loan appeals are launched, and dragged up a companion. A woman marching down Martin Place carrying a Union Jack handed it up to them. The R.A.A.F. man hoisted his companion on to his shoulder and passed up the flag. The crowd redoubled its cheering as the flag was waved high above them. Young people formed "crocodiles," which wound sinuously through the multitude. Policemen stood by and allowed themselves to he jostled - in the interests of peace. The hilarious crowd in Martin Place last night cheered and screamed when a British sailor dragged a policeman out from the back of the police truck and loudly kissed him. "The joy became infectious." Revellers at Kings Cross, Sydney on May 8, 1945 Credit:Arthur O'Hara One old man offered his red rose buttonhole to a girl standing next to him. A much-used mop-head thrown from an office building landed at a jaunty angle on the head of a man standing nearby. "Not long enough": America's first man in space America's first man in space Commander Alan Shepard complained yesterday that his flight was not long enough. He said this in a one-line statement in response to press inquiries. Commander Shepard said he would save the rest of his public comments for a press conference in Washington tomorrow. He was then flown to a hospital on Grand Bahama Island. Doctors said he appeared to be in excellent health and very high spirits. May Day march A crowd of about 15,000 people watched up to 5000 men, women and children march in Sydney's May Day procession yesterday. Police closed some intersections for nearly an hour. Placards carried by the marchers mainly supported trade-union demands for a 35-hour working week, condemned colonialism and urged abolition of the penal clauses in the arbitration system. Union leaders addressed the marchers in the Domain. An eye for an eye The Morrison government has defended Australia's efforts to protect threatened species a day after a global study detailed the prospect of a million species becoming extinct because of humans. The assessment report by the so-called "Paris Agreement for nature" identified more than 40 per cent of amphibian species and a third of marine mammals among those facing oblivion, while about 9 per cent of land-based species "have insufficient habitat for long-term survival". About 7.5 million hectares of habitat for endangered species in Australia has been cleared since 2000, the Australian Conservation Foundation estimates. Credit:Angela Wylie Federal Environment Minister Melissa Price said the Coalition had spent more than $425 million since 2014 on some 1300 projects to "protect and recover populations of threatened species". Other efforts included the increase in Indigenous Protected Areas to 75, with some 67 million hectares managed by traditional owners. A mother watched in horror from a platform at Southern Cross Station as a peak-hour train left with her baby inside but, frighteningly, it's not as uncommon an event as you might like to think. The mother and child spent four terrifying minutes separated on Friday afternoon, as the baby travelled to Flagstaff in the care of concerned and panicked passengers. Addressing the incident after it emerged in the media on Tuesday, Metro Trains' safety boss Anthony Fewster revealed parent-child separations with either the child on the train, or the parent happened about once a fortnight. "It's definitely too many," Mr Fewster said. "We want to keep people as safe as we possibly can [and] we've seen the trend go down in relation to train doors, etc, in the last six months. A 95-year-old great-grandfather from Toorak has been reported missing while driving to a vintage car club meeting in Bermagui, NSW. Ronald McMaster left his Toorak home driving a light grey 1967 Vanden Plas sedan on Saturday morning but never made it to his rendezvous point set for midday. Mr McMaster's 1967 Vanden Plas. Police believe Mr McMaster filled up with petrol in Nar Nar Goon at 9am on Saturday, before he was seen by fellow Wolseley Car Club members driving through Rosedale. A dust storm has hit the state's north-west. Credit:Nine News A dust storm that has rolled across Victoria's north-west has shrouded Mildura in thick red dust, plunging the town into darkness in a matter of minutes. The Bureau of Meteorology said the dust storm hit Mildura airport about 5pm, as winds reached 57 km/h. Mildura resident and social worker Brando Smith, 28, said the sky went from blue to grey to orange and then to pitch black within 15 minutes. For some it was their first day on the job, while others had seen the pomp and ceremony of the opening of Australia's oldest Parliament many times before. There was a frisson of excited energy as the freshly elected MPs took their seats in the two chambers for the first time, as the 57th NSW Parliament was formally declared open on Tuesday. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian introduces new members during a joint party room meeting ahead of the commencement of NSW Parliament sitting on Tuesday. Credit:AAP Premier Gladys Berejiklian and her deputy John Barilaro were the first MPs to be sworn-in in the Legislative Assembly, where the government holds a majority by two seats. The three independent MPs sat together on the far backbench, while the remaining crossbenchers three Greens and three Shooters, Fishers and Farmers were assigned a shared bench. NSW Labor and crossbench MPs are proposing "once-in-a-generation" reforms to the state's upper house, with key changes to be modelled on the Senate's budget estimates. The Opposition will today move a range of reforms, including an Australian-first which will see parliamentary secretaries forced to front Question Time and face budget estimates hearings. Interim Opposition leader Penny Sharpe says proposed changes to the Upper House would deliver a new level of transparency and accountability to government in NSW. Credit:NSW Labor The reforms, which Labor says has support from various crossbench MPs, will see ministers and top public servants undergo a full day of intensive questioning twice a year in budget estimates. Minor parties and independents also will given double the amount of time to introduce new laws in a parliamentary sitting week. London: US actress Pamela Anderson has urged more people to support WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange after visiting him in a London prison where he is awaiting a hearing on a US extradition request. "He's an innocent person... He's a good man, he's an incredible person. I love him," Anderson told reporters after she and WikiLeaks editor Kristinn Hrafnsson met Assange at Belmarsh prison. The US government has accused Australian citizen Assange, 47, of conspiring with former US military intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning to leak a trove of classified material in 2010. He has been held at the prison since police dragged him from the Ecuadorian embassy in London on April 11. He had spent seven years inside the embassy to avoid arrest. Highlands Ranch, Colorado: Two male students armed with guns have burst into a Colorado science and technology school and opened fire, killing one classmate and wounding eight others before being taken into custody, law enforcement officials said. Several of the surviving victims of the attack at the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) School in Highlands Ranch, a Denver suburb, were initially listed in critical condition at local hospitals and in surgery, Douglas County Sheriff Tony Spurlock said. Officials guide students off a bus to be reunited with their parents after a shooting at a suburban Denver school. Credit:AP One of those victims, an 18-year-old male, later died of his injuries, Spurlock said a short time later. "Two individuals walked into the STEM school, got deep inside the school, and engaged students in two separate locations," Spurlock said. Washington: The Trump administration has instructed former White House counsel Don McGahn to defy a subpoena for documents from the House Judiciary Committee, arguing that the materials are subject to executive privilege. The committee wants to speak to McGahn and review certain documents after he cooperated extensively with special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian election interference and whether President Donald Trump obstructed justice. In a letter to House Judiciary Committee chairman Jerrold Nadler on Tuesday, the deadline the panel set for the materials, White House counsel Pat Cipollone said McGahn has been directed not to disclose the documents. Cipollone said McGahn does not have any "legal right" to the materials because they are under White House control and that any requests should be directed to the White House. Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on the Senate floor declared "case closed" on the Russia probe and potential obstruction by Trump, deriding Democrats who he says are "grieving" the result. European Faction Leader Sophie in't Veld (D66) has in 2018 an expense allowance of 27,840 euro Hotel costs in Brussels. The is a fee which, according to the European Parliament, Parliament is specifically provided for the cost of stay in Brussels during meetings. D66 is currently a coalition partner of the Dutch Government under leadership Mark Rutte. With the European Elections, they are now also asking questions about the ' daily allowances ' that D66-faction leader Sophie in't Veld got. In this case for non Hotel accommodation and its Residence in Brussels. It is possible that hundreds of thousands of euros were made ,Ton F. van Dijk from HP/deTijd did Research and discovered that the politician of the D66 as the only one in her group did not pay income tax in the Netherlands. In't Veld is permanently resident from 2005 Belgian capital. As a result, they do not make a high residence fee in its own place of residence. Why did she get a Fee? Like all members of the European Parliament D66-faction leader Sophie in't Veld gets a net expense reimbursement of 320 Euro per official working day In Brussels or Strasbourg, the two major European Meeting venues. And important: "The remuneration is intended for hotel costs, meals and other costs, "according to the Parliament published on its own website :(http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/nl/faq/14/overzichtvan-de-vergoedingen). Sophie in't Veld receives the remuneration of 320 euro a day so only if present at meetings in for example Brussels. In that case, the remuneration is more for expensive hotel nights. A Hotel in the Belgian capital is quickly costing 300 euro per Night or more. According to the European Parliament, Sophie in't Veld joined more than 98% of all votes in Parliament. She says In writing to answer questions from HP/De Time investigation: "As regards the number of meeting days you have precalculated: 2018 shows with me 134 days,of which 47 in Strasbourg. " This means that the D66 politician in 2018 has a whopping 87 days ' present ' was registered with a Meetings in Brussels. In Total, it is only last 27,840 euros in payments received in the year. For the cost of staying in its own place of residence, no substantial hotel costs are made. ' Total In't Veld on during her 15 years of Membership of the European Parliament an amount was received, which is possible to over four hundred thousand euro net In't Veld, does not agree with the conclusion that ' thousands has been made ' due to the large expense allowance for unmade Hotel accommodation in its own residence. From the underlying administration which HP/De tijd has in its possession, it also reveals that Sophie in't Veld Hotel overnights in the Netherlands ' just ' paid from the reimbursement of the fixed expense of 4513 Euro per month. A few examples from 2018: Hotel accommodation in NH Hotel Amsterdam (29 July), 337.06 euro, Mercure Hotel Groningen (14 August), 95.65 euro and Holiday Inn Hotel The Hague (27 September), 150.55 Euro. With the description: ' Transfer to Sophie in't Veld '. Conclusion: D66 Faction Leader in't Veld declares ' the Cost of living and working in multiple locations ' (as she calls it) in the Netherlands does indeed fall under the general fixed expense budget of the European Parliament. The issue is a thorn in the Eye of other members of the D66 Group in Europe. This because In't Veld next to the spacious Fee for ' unmade Brussels hotel costs ', also no income tax is paid In the Netherlands. ' The prominent Dutch D66-politician as a result of the fact that they are permanently living in ' Tax Haven ' Brussels almost 15 years no contribution is made to the collective provisions in Netherlands. ' Sources within D66 confirm that the way in which the field uses European schemes and its structural lack of natural bonding with the Netherlands Country in the past was highlighted then by Party leader Alexander Pechtold. What D66 has done with the information is not known. In any event, it has not led to that she was removed by her party from the list; she is the face of D66 in the coming European elections. Click here to read original articles used as sources. PHILIPSBURG:--- Since the publication of articles on the Fokkens report that mentioned OM Saskia Devries lacked ethical leadership and has committed integrity breaches SMN News was provided with several documents that showed that Devries committed several integrity breaches on St. Maarten as she handled some of the TBO cases, one being the Emerald investigation. Based on the international request submitted to the French authorities it showed that Devries mislead authorities on the French side when she stated that one of the suspects was accused of drug-related charges in the Emerald Investigation. An investigation that dealt with tax evasion and money laundering. The International request prepared by Devries stated the suspect was involved in drug trafficking and as such the Dutch authorities wanted the French to turn over a boat that was anchored on the French territory. The international request submitted to the Vice Prosecutor Yves Paillard on November 21st, 2016, states that the suspect violated the national ordinance on Opium as well as money laundering. The French authorities were asked to arrange surveillance of the suspect on St. Martin and to also conduct the search of the boat that was anchored at Anse Marcel, besides that Devries asked the French authorities to seize and transfer the boat to the TBO and RST team. In that international request in clearly states that a judge would give the instructions for the boat named The Don 1 be seized and transferred to the Dutch investigators. A case was also heard in the Court of Appeals in Basse Terre on in December 2016 where the court honored the request of the Dutch authorities regarding the suspect and the The Don 1. The vessel was transported to the BVI where it was sold through auction in the Netherlands through a Dutch website and not taken to the Dutch side. Judges Involvement. While it was highly publicized that a particular judge was and the OM was concocting with the TBO team in some investigations as the trio were seen eating at the Greenhouse restaurant in January 2018, documentation now show that the same judge Johannes Schols had given an order to sell the boat that was on the French side, while he had no jurisdiction to decide on a boat in French territorial waters. Surprisingly, since the publication of the Fokkens report Judge Schols recently departed St. Maarten and have informed attorneys working on the Dutch side that his term has been up. Emails sent out by Judge Schols on April 23rd, 2019 stated that his term was up and he was returning to the Netherlands. It is further alleged that this particular judge had taken some controversial and unethical decisions while handling TBO cases. One is the ordering of the sale of the The Don 1 after it was confiscated, this vessel was taken to the British Virgin Islands and was auctioned off in the Netherlands. Recently, in another case code-named El Jefe, a vessel that is owned by an American, judge Schols ordered the sale of the boat although it was proven that the boat is not owned by the suspect in the Emerald case. That boat was transferred to Curacao and placed for auction on BVA auction. Based on the information received the boat has a market value of USD 1.3 million and although prosecutor informed the court that the value is between $300,000.00 and 450,000.00 Euros, it was understood that the boat was auctioned for USD120,000.00 Seemingly only persons residing in the Netherlands could have registered and bid for that boat. The Fokkens report will be discussed in the second chamber sometime next week, hopefully, more information on the full content of the report will be made public and the allegations in the Emerald case will be made public. Due to the secrecy when handling International Requests the documents and court verdict rendered by the Appeals Court in Basseterre will not be made public. Medical schools and veterinary medicine school support healthcare, education, and well-being. Two medical schools and the veterinary medicine school operated in the Caribbean by Adtalem Global Education are leading a dedicated community investment program to support the island nations in which they teach. These community programs include a variety of activities and volunteer support, as well as financial contributions and the donation of computer equipment and other assets to community organizations whose missions align with Adtalems focus on healthcare, education, and well-being. Adtalem is a global educator and workforce solutions provider that operates with a sense of purpose focused on academic quality and making a tangible impact on the global community. Adtalem institutions include American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine (AUC) in Sint Maarten, Ross University School of Medicine (RUSM) in Barbados and Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (RUSVM) in the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis. AUC AUC has a robust and established network of community partners on the island and medical students and faculty regularly participate in Community Action Days, where they volunteer at various community organizations. Today, AUC presents its annual Community Commitment grants to 11 foundations: Artcraft Cafe Foundation/The Waste Factory, Community Outreach Mentorship & Empowerment Foundation (C.O.M.E.), Diabetes Foundation of Sint Maarten, I Can Foundation, K1 Britannia Foundation, Mental Health Foundation St. Maarten, Positive Foundation, Safe Haven Foundation, St. Maarten AIDS Foundation, St. Maarten Nature Foundation and Windward Island Emergency Medical Services. Checks were presented in a ceremony on campus by AUC leaders, including Heidi Chumley, MD, MBA and Executive Dean of AUC. We are pleased to continue our support for these valuable organizations, who, in addition to serving the people of Sint Maarten, also contribute to the education of aspiring physicians through their partnerships with AUC, said Dr. Chumley. At AUC, we believe a key skill for any physician is the ability to engage the community as a partner, and we are proud of the experiences that shape our students, which are made possible because of our community partnerships. American University of the Caribbean School of Medicines contributions to the advancement of tertiary education on Sint Maarten is commendable. The school has extended its resources to other institutions as well, unselfishly building up the overall caliber of the Sint Maarten medical and care training programmes, said Honourable Wycliffe Smith, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport. RUSM RUSM established its campus in Barbados in January of 2019 and is pleased to grant funds to 11 organizations that are dedicated to health and medical care, research and youth education: Barbados Cancer Society, The Barbados Breast Screening Program, Caribbean Ophthalmology Research Alliance, The Diabetes Association of Barbados, Eden Lodge Youth Charitable Trust, The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Barbados, K9 Friends, Precious Touch Foundation, Sir George Alleyne Chronic Disease Research Center, Step by Step Diabetes Foot Care Program and The Type 1 Diabetes Registry. RUSM has a history of supporting education, culture and healthcare organizations in the Caribbean with both financial contributions and volunteer commitments. An important component of the medical education experience is to engage with the community to further develop each students awareness of the interrelation between a persons environment and their health, said William Owen, MD, FACP, and Dean and Chancellor for RUSM. As a diverse medical school, there are intrinsic benefits to both our students and the community because of these connections and activities. Ross University School of Medicine continues to demonstrate that its commitment to Barbados is not only financial but also an investment in the islands social capital. Each of these non-governmental organizations plays a pivotal role in educating and caring for our citizens, and these donations will no doubt go a long way toward supporting their efforts as well as supplementing the work of the Government of Barbados, said Honourable Santia Bradshaw, Minister of Education, Technological and Vocational Training. RUSVM In the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis, RUSVM has been a long-standing community partner with organizations fostering education, healthcare and security and safety. Additionally, RUSVM students and faculty are active in an assortment of projects to support animal, marine and environmental health in the region. On May 8, the veterinary medicine school will donate computers and other equipment to ten primary schools, to enhance the learning of young students. In partnership with the government and civic-minded actors, RUSVM is refurbishing and rehabilitating information technology laboratories at the following primary schools: Joshua Obadiah Williams Primary, Cayon Primary, Deane Glasford Primary, Edgar T. Morris Primary, Violet Petty Primary, Estridge Primary, Sandy Point Primary, Newton Ground Primary, Dieppe Bay Primary and Bronte Welsh Primary. We are proud to have once again partnered with the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis as it continues to encourage young people in our community to embrace technology as they pursue excellence in education, said Sean Callanan MVB, MRCVS, CertVR, PhD, DipECVP, FRCPath and Dean of RUSVM. The use of technology is prominent on our campus at RUSVM. As we prepare our students to be globally competitive veterinarians, we want to encourage young students to embrace their education in science and technology. The Ministry of Education is pleased to collaborate with the Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in the upgrade of primary school information technology spaces. This partnership aligns well with the Ministrys strategies to integrate information and communication technologies in teaching and learning to enhance student success and equip learners with key 21st century competencies, said Honourable Shawn Richards, Minister of Education. AUC, RUSM and RUSVM are part of Adtalem Global Education, which also includes Chamberlain University, the largest nursing school in the United States. Adtalem is active with corporate charitable contributions and volunteer activities in locations around the United States and globally, including donations made by the Adtalem Global Education Foundation. PHILIPSBURG:--- On Tuesday, May 7th in the early morning hours a raid was held by police at a house in the area of Dutch Quarter. This raid was held based on information gathered in connection with an ongoing criminal investigation. During this raid, two men identified with initials C.E.F. (45) and C.A.G.W. (26) were both arrested for the possession of illegal drugs and for residing illegally on the island. Both suspects remain custody for further investigation. Two arrested for drugs possession Based on information received on Sunday, May 5th in the evening hours regarding two suspicious men driving in a vehicle in the area of Jump-up casino, a police patrol was sent to investigate the situation. On the scene, the investigating officers encountered the vehicle in question in which two men were driving and from which a strong scent of marijuana was coming. A search of the vehicle was done and a considerable amount of marihuana was found. Both suspects identified with initials H.D and H.T. were arrested on the spot. The marihuana and vehicle they were driving in were confiscated for further investigation. The suspects remain in custody for further questioning. KPSM Press Release. 4-7 JUNE 2019 Sonesta Maho Resort GovRisk, a UK-based Training & Consultancy specialising in Financial Crime Prevention and Anti-Corruption are hosting the 4th Annual Dutch Caribbean AML & Regulation Forum (4-7 JUNE 2019) at the Sonesta Maho Beach Resort. The Forum is supported by the Government of Sint Maarten and the Financial Intelligence Unit. Regulators, Banks, Compliance Professionals, Law Firms, Accountants and Auditors, Casinos, Lotteries, and many other Business Sectors from across the Dutch Caribbean will be in attendance to discuss the latest Regulatory Developments, Business Challenges and Opportunities for Innovation emerging in the Dutch Caribbean; Training Sessions, Interactive Workshops and Debates will be led by international experts and industry leaders; the forum will address Global Regulatory Standards and Strategies to Reduce the Risk of Criminal Activity in the context of the 4th Round of CFATF Mutual Evaluation; The interactive training will examine a wide variety of topics with the assembled participants benefiting from the experience of regional and international experts. The Forum will be focusing on how to effectively prepare Sint Maarten and other Dutch Caribbean jurisdictions ahead of their upcoming CFATF Mutual Evaluations which will see the vulnerabilities of their respective Financial and Gaming sectors to Money-Laundering and Terrorist-Financing Risks as well examining the strength of their corresponding regulatory regimes assessed under the FATF 40+9 Recommendations. Speakers include AML/CFT experts Alan Pedley and Tony Clark from Australia, Cheryl Bazard, lawyer and former Senator from the Bahamas, Avere Hill the Co-Owner of Singapore-based RegTech CYNOPSIS, Chairman of the International Bankers Association Franklin Girigori and from the USA, Keith Whyte, Executive Director of the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG), Detective Dave Hanich from the Delaware State Police Division of Gaming Enforcement and Maureen Williamson former Gaming Regulator of New Jersey who will all be sharing their extensive expertise. Over 100 representatives from the legal and financial sectors, FinTech industry, casino directors, gaming and banking regulators, compliance officers and law enforcement personnel from across 5 Caribbean jurisdictions will attend the event, which is taking place at the Sonesta Maho Beach Resort & Casino, Philipsburg, Sint Maarten from the 4th 7th June 2019. REGISTER here: www.govrisk.org/DCGRF2019 For the past months, we have had meetings in Parliament to try to address the laws pertaining to the FATF (Financial Action Task Force) guidelines. We even had members of the Caribbean FATF come to parliament and explain these guidelines as well the urgency of living up to these guidelines. Yet many times no quorum was achieved in order to handle such important legislation which at the end of the day is unfortunate and could have major consequences for our island. To me it has always been very clear that while some of these laws are clearly being pushed by the more powerful countries of the World to regulate the flow of money, it is the new reality we have to deal with in this online digital world where we are now dependent on credit card and debit card transactions. In many ways, our economy is still a cash-based economy but more and more this is changing as people shop online and travel the World. Yet the persons who now fuel our economy via the tourism and business industry are now dependent on digital transactions. Our tourists expect to use their debit cards and credit cards when visiting our island. We live in an ONLINE WORLD and SXM will be no exception. As a matter of fact, the entire Caribbean is confronted with these guidelines. These are some of the potential consequences of being BLACKLISTED which really concerns me: 1. SXM could face even more negative international press as it is put on the blacklist. Unfortunately, the average person who may want to visit SXM and reads about this would probably think twice and choose another island to visit. While it is easy to get on the Blacklist, it is much harder to clean up the negative image it leaves behind. The word BLACKLIST is one understood across languages as something negative. 2. Our local banks could be denied access to corresponding Banks. As a result, visitors on Sint Maarten would not be able to use their internationally accepted debit and credit cards, because our banks can no longer clear these transactions without corresponding banking. 3. The local Merchants and businesses could be impacted as they will have to find other ways to pay for the merchandise and imports. They would have to rely on cash transactions which would surely not be feasible for the great majority of businesses since it would also mean having to travel with large sums of cash which is not only dangerous but is also illegal if limits are surpassed. This would potentially cripple our businesses which rely primarily on imports. This could increase even more the cost of goods as the companies struggle to keep supplies coming and shelves stocked. 4. Serious investors could stay away from SXM as they would realize the difficulties and negative image of doing business on an island which is blacklisted. 5. Our Government-owned companies could be affected as they struggle to pay their international suppliers. In the case of TELEM, this could have an impact on our connectivity with the world, as internet and telephone will become local only when no international telecommunications company will make agreements with TELEM to allow connectivity with international networks if they cannot clear the payment online. TELEM will not be able to do so because our banks will no longer be able to support such transactions due to lack of correspondent banking. 6. SXM HUB FUNCTION of our Harbor and Airport which is something we have bragged about for years and which is a key factor in the success of our economy will be negatively impacted as investors, businesses and tourists look to other islands. 7. Our society would have to become one dependent solely on cash with bigger risks of crime as people and businesses will have to deal in cash. As our local banks are all branches of international banks, we could see the closing of these branches as these banks cannot build a sustainable and viable business based only on cash transactions. 8. Our local banks would not be able to leverage their deposits on the capital market to allow for debt financing, mortgages, etc on the island. Businesses and people will suffer as a consequence and those services will no longer be available. 9. Our Hotels could be directly impacted as they will not be able to secure reservations and conference bookings via credit card and online transactions. The Air Bnb market which SXM is very much reliant on post-Irma while so many of our hotels strive to rebuild will be crippled as local owners are unable to process transactions because of the lack of corresponding banking. 10. Our Car rentals could be seriously affected as they presently rely almost entirely on online reservations in which credit card financial transactions not only secure reservations but also pay for the rental cost of the vehicles as well as cover any damages incurred to the vehicle. 11. Our ability as an island to refer our patients abroad could be affected by the unavailability of corresponding banking in order to execute online payments to the countries providing the care to our people. 13. Our people would no longer be able to shop online as the local banks lose corresponding banking facilities. As the SMCP Member of Parliament, I believe it is incumbent on us to make sure we protect our island against the consequences created by our failure to live up to international standards such as those of the FATF. I see it as our new reality as we have chosen for Status Aparte. Whether we like it or not we are now, more than ever, part of the International community and will be held to those standards. Therefore, we must protect our image on an international stage when it comes to combating money laundering and terrorism funding. We should not wait to be blacklisted or receive conditions from the Dutch before we move. These laws will be brought to the floor of parliament once more on Wednesday, May 8 and I hope, as a parliament, we will pass them in the interest of our Islands economy and people as we seek to rebuild from Irma. MP Claude CHACHO Peterson LINX Welcome CNCI as 1st New Member to Connect in London from Japanese IXP Partner, JPIX The London Internet Exchange (LINX) and the Japan Internet Exchange (JPIX) recently entered into a new partnership agreement, a collaboration which stems from the knowledge that an increasing number of Asian networks are looking to peer in Europe, and in London in particular. Community Network Center (CNCI) is the first member to join LINX in London from JPIX?s Tokyo PoP. CNCI, a large customer for JPIX, is the second-largest cable MSO in Japan, providing internet connectivity to businesses and consumers across central Japan. Reaching Europe from Asia was high on CNCI?s agenda in order to reduce latency and improve speed to European-based gaming content and streaming. Takanori Furushio, VP-Strategy for JPIX says; ?We are pleased to be able to connect one of our largest customers, CNCI, with our new partners LINX in London. They wanted to be the first network to join LINX through this new partnership and lead the way for other networks to follow.? CNCI?s port is now live and peering traffic and LINX are looking forward to welcoming more networks from the APAC region to peer in London. Kurtis Lindqvist, CMO for LINX says; ?With transport costs to the UK falling and London maintaining its position as a global hub for interconnection, there?s simply no better time to join LINX. We are pleased to be working alongside our partners in Japan and together ?working for the good of the Internet.? AdBug uncovers RedEye, the latest threat to China\-\-s digital Advertising Market HONG KONG, Apr 30, 2019 (ACN Newswire) AdBug, the leading Chinese ad verification company, has uncovered the latest, and perhaps the largest, ad fraud operation and threat to China\-\-s digital advertising market ever: RedEye. China\-\-s largest fraudulent operation is diverting, according to latest AdBug estimates, an estimated US$3 million per day away from brand name advertisers, while over 100 brand advertisers have incurred losses from fraudulent RedEye ad impressions. Many more, with ads displayed in the wrong context or on unwanted websites, have sited varying damage to their \-\-Brand\-\-. According to AdBug, the RedEye operation uses \-\-traffic exchange platforms\-\-, which generate huge amounts of fake traffic for publishers. By connecting different platforms, the RedEye network contains thousands of digital publishers (including top Chinese digital media platforms) and more than 300,000 URLs and apps, which are connected together in complex networks of up to 99 different nodes. Visiting a node generates traffic (and ad impressions) for other nodes in the network, giving members of the RedEye network access to a huge pool of fake traffic and lucrative ad impressions. Many ads embedded on websites or mobile apps in the RedEye network could be displayed on pornographic or other websites with inappropriate content. Causing sever brand safety issues to major international brands, including consumer goods, (e.g. Proctor & Gamble brands, Olay, Safeguard, Whisper and Tide), luxury goods (e.g. Dior, Chanel and Bvlgari), food and beverage brands (e.g. Oreo, Master Kong), skincare brands (e.g. L\-\-Oreal Paris, Maybelline), Infant formula brands (e.g. Wyeth and Friso), vehicle manufacturers (e.g. Ford Group, Lincoln), and even large tech companies such as Apple. [Full list of 250+ brands affected by RedEye: https://www.adbug.cn/#/RedEye] RedEye works by using iframes to embed ads in its network and generate fake impressions. It also connects a number of traffic exchanges into a single network to create a larger pool of users and generate exponential growth in fake traffic. When a page in the RedEye network is loaded, traffic is not necessarily generated by a human user it may be non-human traffic generated by bots. Loading an iframe in the RedEye network automatically loads all the other layers and ads in the network, and non-human traffic can be used to create botnets. Even when a publisher in the RedEye network is blacklisted by an advertiser and the corresponding iframe is blocked, other nodes in the network are not affected. The operators of the RedEye network can also easily recruit more nodes to strengthen the network. This gives the RedEye network access to a huge pool of fake traffic and lucrative ad impressions, which potentially could lead to sever brand safety issues. RedEye is able to generate billions of fraudulent ad impressions per day from websites and apps, including programmatic and direct buying, resulting in huge losses to advertisers. Fake traffic also distorts a wide range of statistics and research, including audience data, click-through-rates, data management platforms (DMP), customer relationship management (CRM) platforms, audience insights and sales forecasts, and brand safety, which aggravates the losses already incurred by advertisers. Martin Zhang, Adbug CEO, says, \The growth of RedEye has been fueled by a number of factors, including a growing demand for fake traffic, the increasingly complex nature of the ad ecosystem, and a lack of technological advances to detect fraud. During our investigation, we\-\-ve noticed that many of the ads in the RedEye network were accompanied by a fraud detection code from leading fraud detection firms. However, these codes usually failed to detect any unusual activity or traffic. \The pixel tracking technology used by most Chinese measurement firms is unable to detect whether an ad is embedded in RedEye\-\-s code. Meanwhile, the Chinese ad industry is often guilty of negligence agencies, DSPs, SSPs and ad exchanges tend to turn a blind eye to fraudulent practices, as there are no incentives to monitor traffic. \In addition, financial rebate partnerships between publishers and agencies create a lack of transparency, which is exacerbated by a general reluctance to involve fraud detection firms. There have even been instances of media agencies colluding with measurement firms and fabricating data in order to solicit new business. This has had a detrimental impact on reputable fraud detection firms that strive to uncover fraudulent practices. \In spite of this,\ says Zhang, \AdBug hopes to bring an end to the RedEye operation and its fraudulent practices.\ For further information, please visit http://redeye.adbug.cn. Cherrypicks, Subsidiary of NetDragon, Wins Two Awards at Hong Kong ICT Awards 2019 NetDragon Websoft Holdings Limited (\NetDragon\ or \the Company\, Hong Kong Stock Code: 777), a global leader in building internet communities, is pleased to announce that two products, \QPoint\ mobile application and \Coding Galaxy\, both developed by Cherrypicks, a subsidiary of NetDragon, have won the \Smart Mobility (Smart Tourism) Silver Award\ and the \Smart People (Smart Education and Learning) Certificate of Merit\ from the 2019 Hong Kong ICT Awards. These awards validate Cherrypicks\-\- persistent pursuit of innovation and its contribution to the society with its technology. The Hong Kong ICT Awards, established in 2006, is an annual event for the IT community in Hong Kong. It is directed by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer and co-organized by Hong Kong ICT industry associations and professional bodies. This annual event aims to encourage innovation and excellence among Hong Kong\-\-s ICT talents and enterprises in their constant pursuit of creative and better solutions to meet business and social needs. The Hong Kong ICT Awards is rigorously reviewed by a judging panel comprising Information and communications technology (ICT) industry seasoned professionals. The judging panel selects the most creative and outstanding products and teams, based on five criteria: innovation and creativity, functionality, market potential and performance, benefits and impact, and quality. Winners in every year are highly recognized worldwide. Ms. Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, attended the awards ceremony as an officiating guest. One of the two Cherrypicks award-winning products, the \QPoint\ mobile application was jointly developed by the Quality Tourism Services Association, the Hong Kong Productivity Council and Cherrypicks. \QPoint\ intelligently locates users in indoor areas with Cherrypicks\-\- smart indoor navigation technology, namely Starbeacon, and analyzes individual users\-\- consumer behavior. Based on the data collected, \QPoint\ provides consumers with the most relevant retail and dining discounts. This application also, via data analytics, helps merchants differentiate their target audience, evaluates effectiveness of promotion campaigns, and gains greater visibility into their business plans. The other award-winning product, \Coding Galaxy\, is a platform for learning computational thinking and is designed for students aged 5 and above. It combines interesting coding-learning applications, offline activities, comprehensive teaching materials, learning analytic reports and management systems for teachers. In addition to providing primary school students with a unique learning experience with high-level participation, it also fosters students\-\- skills in problem-solving, critical thinking, communication, and leadership. Through artificial intelligence technology, it also accurately assesses students\-\- learning progress. Cherrypicks, a subsidiary of NetDragon, has long been focusing on developing technologies in various areas, including virtual reality, augmented reality, computer vision, face tracking, e-wallet and smart location, and has successfully applied these technologies to innovative commercial mobile solutions. Cherrypicks also partners with Huayu, the education subsidiary of NetDragon, to extend the application of these technologies to the education sector in order to enhance students\-\- learning performance. This award serves as a high recognition to the Company\-\-s outstanding research and development capabilities, as well as of an affirmation to Cherrypicks\-\- mobile solutions and educational learning products by the Hong Kong government and various industries. NetDragon and its team will continue to apply its leading technologies to different fields, to actively develop more innovative technologies that benefit the society and to steer forward the development of innovation and technology. About NetDragon Websoft Holdings Limited NetDragon Websoft Holdings Limited (HKSE: 0777) is a global leader in building internet communities with a long track record of developing and scaling multiple internet and mobile platforms that impact hundreds of millions of users. These include China\-\-s number one online gaming portal, 17173.com, and China\-\-s most influential smartphone app store platform, 91 Wireless, which was sold to Baidu for US$1.9 billion in 2013 as the largest Internet M&A transaction in China. Established in 1999, NetDragon is one of the most reputable and well-known online game developers in China with a history of successful game titles including Eudemons Online, Heroes Evolved and Conquer Online. In recent years, NetDragon has also started to scale its online education business on the back of management\-\-s vision to create the largest global online learning community, and to bring the \classroom of the future\ to every school around the world. For more information, please visit www.netdragon.com. For investor enquiries, please contact: NetDragon Websoft Holdings Limited Ms. Maggie Zhou Senior Director of Investor Relations Tel.: +852 2850 7266 / +86 591 8754 3120 Email: maggie@nd.com.cn Website: www.nd.com.cn/ir CITIC Telecom CPC Elevates TrueCONNECT Hybrid to Next Level of Innovation with Industry Leading SD-WAN Technology Integrating VMware SD-WAN by VeloCloud expands choice for enterprises seeking an optimized infrastructure solution for agility, scalability, security and diverse needs HONG KONG, May 6, 2019 (ACN Newswire) CITIC Telecom International CPC Limited (\CITIC Telecom CPC\), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CITIC Telecom International Holdings Limited (SEHK: 1883), today announced the expansion of its TrueCONNECT(TM) Hybrid Software Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN) solution with enhanced features from VMware SD-WAN by VeloCloud, elevating the professionally managed hybrid infrastructure solution to a new level of innovation. CITIC Telecom CPC\-\-s TrueCONNECT(TM) Hybrid offers a compelling full-stack end-to-end solution addressing the growing market need for innovative solutions to meet diverse requirements. It creates more choices for enterprise customers seeking to leverage the powerful benefits of SD-WAN in synergy with CITIC Telecom CPC\-\-s unique value proposition of \global local\ worldwide coverage and multiple market-localized expertise. This latest enhancement of TrueCONNECT(TM) Hybrid comes at a time of increasing business adoption of SD-WAN solutions. Unlike the legacy networking paradigm it is disrupting and gradually displacing, TrueCONNECT(TM) Hybrid offers advanced networking technology and smart deployment capabilities. By leveraging both private networks and Internet resources, TrueCONNECT(TM) Hybrid achieves a level of network security and performance quality that previously only traditional private networks could provide. SD-WAN topology also delivers simplicity and automation, zero touch deployment, high application performance and optimized cloud access leveraging any available transport. TrueCONNECT(TM) Hybrid is a game changing solution to facilitate cloud-network integration, empowering enterprises not only with rapid business deployment and high business continuity, but also cost-effectiveness and optimized customer experiences. \We are extremely proud to work with VMware, an industry leader in SD-WAN innovation,\ said Taylor Lam, CITIC Telecom CPC\-\-s Vice President of Product. \In designing our enterprise solutions, we always handpick best-in-class technology vendors to collaborate with, and VMware also happens to be our long-term partner for virtualization solutions.\ CITIC Telecom CPC\-\-s collaboration with VMware began in 2011, leading to highly innovative and acclaimed results, such as CITIC Telecom CPC\-\-s powerful and versatile SmartCLOUD platform. This latest milestone with VMware SD-WAN is an extension of the fruitful VMware partnership. \We are very pleased to partner with CITIC Telecom CPC in the Asia Pacific region,\ said Sanjay Uppal, vice president and general manager of the VeloCloud business unit at VMware. \With VMware SD-WAN, we are helping CITIC Telecom CPC further strengthen its TrueCONNECT(TM) Hybrid solution to assist organizations undergoing Digital Transformation with newer, more efficient and flexible ways to deploy, manage, and optimize their networks.\ Game Changing Technology, Accelerated Cloud-Network Integration Driven by the need to more effectively compete within resource constraints, and cater to various market disruptions, enterprises the world over are undergoing a massive technological shift. This Digital Transformation includes migration from traditional ownership and management of business ICT systems, to mission-critical dependency on cloud applications and virtualized infrastructure, which all offer significantly higher cost effectiveness, productivity, agility, and scalability. Cloud-Network Integration is thus an inevitable business trend, because optimized network connectivity is a critical factor underpinning seamless connections between the cloud and enterprise infrastructure. TrueCONNECT(TM) Hybrid SD-WAN offers advanced networking technology which accelerates cloud-network integration and empowers companies to make better use of high value mission critical cloud applications and platforms, including Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS), and Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) managed solutions. The SD-WAN solution collates a wide variety of connectivity links and virtualizes them into a single logical network to create new opportunities for optimization, including real-time network management to ensure business applications, and their users, have the most suitable connections they need. Because it is able to leverage low-cost broadband Internet links alongside other dedicated private network technologies while mitigating transport disruptions and downtime, TrueCONNECT(TM) Hybrid SD-WAN enhances business agility and productivity. Its paths are dynamically created and adjusted in real-time, with segmentation based on users and applications, thus offering rapid disaster recovery and unprecedented security. Network congestion and other performance issues are handled dynamically on a per-packet basis. All access requirements can be provisioned through no-CLI business policy configuration, accommodating new business sites, remote offices, and traveling staff, plus various device requirements. A centralized management portal offers not only streamlined orchestration, but also deep visibility and analytics on network activity across the entire enterprise infrastructure. Addresses Multiple Industry Needs, Creates Massive Enterprise Value SD-WAN is so compelling, renowned industry analysts have offered very bullish predictions about its enterprise adoption. Certain vertical market segments are particularly appropriate for leveraging the benefits of SD-WANs. Healthcare, for instance, can greatly benefit from SD-WAN. As patient data transitions from paper to Electronic Medical Records, and both telemedicine and Internet of Things medical devices become more prevalent, healthcare facilities can gain faster and improved patient care, better operational efficiency, reduced staffing, and more rapid deployment (including to rural areas) with SD-WAN\-\-s higher security, higher availability, lower costs and reduced complexity. Retail enterprises are able to leverage SD-WAN\-\-s supreme scalability to rapidly roll out thousands of locations regionally and internationally, all using cloud-based sales and marketing applications. Manufacturing businesses can use SD-WANs to expand rapidly, while also enjoying new levels of ease of changing services and retooling to accommodate new designs and production requirements. Financial services companies can scale with SD-WAN and have peace of mind with the intrinsically enhanced security of segmented SD-WAN links. Cloud-based services give all types of business tremendous agility, scalability and flexibility. They enable organizations to rapidly expand their footprint and help avoid exorbitant networking infrastructure costs. \We foresee a growing multitude of enterprise customers undertaking Digital Transformation in the coming months and years,\ said Mr. Lam. \We launched TrueCONNECT(TM) Hybrid in 2018, this year enhancing it with VeloCloud features to facilitate cloud-network integration and ensure we can offer our customers a truly comprehensive solution. TrueCONNECT(TM) Hybrid encompasses market-leading technologies, our world-class global infrastructure and network operations centers, plus our teams of highly experienced technical and business experts who are on the ground and ready to help our customers at their physical locations, in their local languages.\ About CITIC Telecom CPC CITIC Telecom International CPC Limited (\CITIC Telecom CPC\), a wholly owned subsidiary of CITIC Telecom International Holdings Limited (SEHK: 1883), serves multinational enterprises the world over by addressing their specific ICT requirements with highly scalable tailored solutions built upon the company\-\-s flagship technology suites, comprising TrueCONNECT(TM) private network solutions, TrustCSI(TM) information security solutions, DataHOUSE(TM) global unified cloud data center solutions, and SmartCLOUD(TM) cloud computing solutions. As one of the first managed service providers in Hong Kong to achieve ISO 9001, 14001, 20000, 27001, and 27017 ICT-related certifications, CITIC Telecom CPC delivers on its superior quality commitment through a broad global footprint encompassing some of the highest growth markets in Asia, Europe and America, with over 140 points of presence, 18+ Cloud service centers, 30 data centers, and two dedicated 247 Security Operations Centers. At CITIC Telecom CPC, \Innovation Never Stops.\ For more information please visit www.citictel-cpc.com VMware, VMware SD-WAN, and VeloCloud are registered trademarks or trademarks of VMware, Inc. or its subsidiaries in the United States and other jurisdictions. Media Contact: Rowena Leung (+852) 2170 7536 Email: rowena.leung@citictel-cpc.com 2021s most popular expert panel roundtable discussions Topics that dominated our websites Expert Panel Roundtable articles in 2021 included the effects of COVID-19, the benefits of mobile access, the upcoming potential of deep learning, and the future of access control cards. Our websites Expert Panel Roundtable discussions in 2021 reflected some of the most timely and important topics in the industry. The very most clicked-on Expert Panel Roundtable discussion in 2021 considered the positive and negative effects of COVID-19. The second most popular was trends in perimeter security technology. Smart video solutions Here is a roundup of the Top 10 Expert Panel Roundtable discussions posted in 2021, along with a sound bite from each discussion and links back to the full articles. Thanks to everyone who contributed to Expert Panel Roundtable in 2021 (including the quotable panelists named and linked below). The pandemic has impacted security in many ways, some we are just now realising" What are the positive and negative effects of COVID-19 to security? The pandemic has impacted security in many ways, some we are just now realising. On the negative side, integrators were limited in their ability to access customer locations, posing significant challenges to supporting customers. Innovation was also halted in many sectors such as AI and edge computing in healthcare. However, the pandemic increased awareness regarding the need for smart solutions that can aid in these types of crises. Smart video solutions have been identified repeatedly in the media as a potential pathway to better customer experience and increased safety. Alexander Harlass. Reducing false alarms What are the latest trends in perimeter security technology? Whats really important in perimeter security is the minimisation of false alarms, not simply the potential detection of what might be an unauthorised person or object. In light of that, many systems now include alarm validation that can confirm an alarm event using a camera. The utilisation of AI-based technologies can further validate the accuracy of the alarm, making it as accurate and precise as possible. I anticipate seeing more cross-technological integrations to reduce false alarms, so that personnel in an alarm center spend as little time as possible in validating an alarm. Leo Levit. What will be the biggest security trends in 2021? 2021 will see artificial intelligence (AI) become more mainstream. There will be increased deployment in edge devices, including cameras, thermographic cameras, radar and LIDAR sensors, entry point readers, etc. Additional algorithms will be developed, greatly expanding the use and function as video surveillance transitions from a forensic tool to real-time analytics. This increases the value of these systems and helps create ROI cases for their deployment. Tim Brooks. Access control solutions Investments in tools and platforms to drive digital interactions have accelerated" What will be the security industrys biggest challenge in 2021? The security industry is traditional in the sense that it relies heavily on face-to-face interaction to do business with customers and partners alike. COVID-19 has put a hold on in-person meetings, trade shows, etc., and this trend is likely to extend throughout 2021. Virtually recreating these personal touchpoints, while cultivating and strengthening internal and external relationships, will continue to be both a challenge and opportunity for the security industry. Investments in tools and platforms to drive digital interactions have accelerated. Robert Moore. What are the challenges and benefits of mobile access control? Mobile access control solutions are an exciting innovation in a market where the day-to-day user experience hasnt changed much in the last 20 years. One area that has clear benefits and challenges is in improving the user experience. On one hand, physical credentials are expensive and a hassle to administer; however, they work reliably, quickly, and predictably. Mobile credentials are convenient in that everyone already has a smartphone, and you dont have to admin or carry cards; however, when youre actually standing at the door they need to work as well or better than physical credentials, or the benefits are lost. Brian Lohse. Attacking critical infrastructure What are the security challenges of protecting critical infrastructure? It seems so often we hear about a new threat or cyber-attack in the news. Because of the rapid growth in technology over the last few years, cybercriminals are getting bolder and discovering new ways to attack critical infrastructure. One of the biggest challenges boils down to the capabilities of the operating security system and whether the organisation is aware of the current risks they face. Because there are so many points of entry for cybercriminals to target within critical infrastructure, it is vital that the security solution be prepared for attacks at every level. Charles (Chuck) OLeary. They are more aware when they make physical contact with doors and interfaces" Which security technologies will be useful in a post-pandemic world? People have become more sensitised to crowds and personal space. They are more aware when they make physical contact with doors and interfaces. As the pandemic subsides, these habits will likely remain for a majority of people." "Utilising AI-based cameras to accurately monitor the number of people in a room or in a queue will enable staff to take action to improve the customer experience. For example, AI-based analytics can quickly notify security or operations when people are waiting at a door and initiate 2-way audio for touchless access. Aaron Saks. Central monitoring station What is the potential of deep learning in physical security and surveillance? Deep learning, a subset of artificial intelligence, enables networks to train themselves to perform speech, voice, and image recognition tasks." In video surveillance, these networks learn to make predictions through highly repetitive exposure" "In video surveillance, these networks learn to make predictions through highly repetitive exposure to images of humans and vehicles from a camera feed. That ability is ideal for use with drones patrolling perimeters seeking anomalies or in software that significantly reduces the number of false alarms reported to central monitoring station operators. Through use, the software continues improving its accuracy. Brian Baker. Valuable audit trail How soon will access control cards become extinct and why? Access control cards will go the way of the dinosaur, but they still have some life left in them. For the short term, they have plenty of utility in minimum security use cases and leave a valuable audit trail. But for companies that are more technology-centric, particularly those with high value assets, were seeing demand for next-generation access control, which includes increased integration with video surveillance systems and professional monitoring services. Sean Foley. Which security markets are embracing touchless and contactless systems? Touchless technology is not a new trend, but contactless systems and transactions have surged since the COVID-19 pandemic. Even after the pandemic is over, it is likely public perception of what is hygienic and acceptable in public spaces will have changed. [We are] seeing an uptick in touchless access control systems in the education and flexible office space markets. Brooke Grigsby. This image of the asteroid Ryugu was taken by Japan's Hayabusa2 probe on June 26, 2018, just one day before the spacecraft's arrival at the big rock. Scientists looked at the boulders found on near-Earth objects Ryugu and Bennu to glean information about the way rocks have moved on the surface of these asteroids over time. Ryugu is the apple of Hayabusa2's eye the 3,000-foot-wide (900 meters) asteroid is being studied by the Japanese mission, which gathered close-up pictures and even released a European lander to Ryugu's surface. Hayabusa2 reached Ryugu in late June 2018. Both Ryugu and the asteroid target of NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission, the 1,640-foot-wide (500 meter-wide) Bennu , are diamond-shaped: their poles are distinct and the asteroids appear to bulge at the waist. Related: Rare Disintegrating Asteroid Spied by Hubble Telescope (Photo) The near-Earth asteroid Bennu, as seen by NASA's OSIRIS-REx probe on Dec. 2, 2018. (Image credit: NASA/Goddard/University of Arizona) Now that spacecraft are looking at these objects up close, scientists have an opportunity to understand these asteroids' histories better than ever before. Researchers Bin Cheng, Yang Yu and Hexi Baoyin created a presentation for the 2019 International Academy of Astronautics Planetary Defense Conference , which ran from April 29 to May 3. During the 12-minute presentation titled ''The boulders on asteroid surface: clues to the formation history of the top-shaped morphology,'' the audience learned about the team's simulations. The research combined modeling with new data from the two asteroid missions, and the result was a set of simulations in which a 90-degree, quarter-segment of an asteroid was filled with over 2 million points that would move as 1-meter length particles of the asteroid's surface material, or regolith . To see how the grains moved and shaped the overall global structure of these asteroids, the team accounted for YORP, a phenomenon that affects an asteroid's rotation rate and pole orientation. (YORP is an abbreviation of the four scientists who built on each other's work to study asteroid motion .) Cheng, Yu and Baoyin think the rocky slabs that pop in images of Bennu and Ryugu are too large to have been displaced by any impact event. Instead, the researchers suspect these boulders are likely part of the original asteroid body and that their motion across the surface evolves alongside the morphological changes to the regolith's layer formation. The diamond-shaped asteroids get their form as regolith sloshes down from the midlatitudes toward the equator, researchers found. The poles have more cliff formations and regolith stability, suggested by the fact that boulders are usually found here and not slipping away. The low distribution of boulders near the equators is a sign that the regolith is burying the boulders as it collects in this region, the researchers said. Between the poles and the equator, boulders are found peeking out of the asteroid dust, having traveling some length but not all the way covered. OSIRIS-REx and Hayabusa2 have impressive missions preceding them, like the European Space Agency's Rosetta mission to Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. Rosetta, which ended in 2016, also found boulder movement and cliff collapse on this comet, not unlike the two current asteroid missions. NASA's OSIRIS-REx spacecraft captured this shot of the Earth and moon (left) and the asteroid Bennu (right) on Dec. 19, 2018. At the time, OSIRIS-REx was 71 million miles (114 million kilometers) from Earth and 27 miles (43 km) from Bennu. (Image credit: NASA/Goddard/University of Arizona/Lockheed Martin Space) HELSINKI Launch firm iSpace in early June will attempt to become the first Chinese private company to place a satellite in orbit, following failed launches by two competitors. Beijing Interstellar Glory Space Technology Ltd., also known as iSpace, will launch an unnamed payload using a Hyperbola-1 four-stage rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, according to a company senior official. In an interview with thepaper.cn, iSpace Vice President Huo Jia said the launch vehicle would be transferred to Jiuquan, northwest China, near the end of May in preparation for the mission. The launch will be the third attempt by a Chinese private launch company to achieve orbit, following launches from Landpace Technology Corporation and OneSpace Technology Co., Ltd. The first attempt came in October from Landspace, when an issue with the third stage meant a loss of attitude control and the loss of the payload into the Indian Ocean. OneSpace in March suffered a problem with a velocity gyroscope shortly after firing of the second stage. Similar to the previous efforts, the iSpace launch vehicle will be a have three solid stages with a liquid-propellant fourth stage. iSpace is one of the more prominent of the Chinese launch startup scene, and has boosted its prospects by securing just over $100 million in series A funding from Matrix Partners China, CDH Investments, tech giant Baidu and others. Beyond Hyperbola-1, the company is developing the Hyperbola-2, 2.5-meter-diameter, 38-meter-tall launch vehicle powered by liquid-methane and liquid-oxygen engines. Hyperbola-2 is expected to be capable of lifting 1,900 kilograms to LEO and will have a maiden flight after 2020. At the end of March iSpace performed successful joint tests of a turbopump and secondary systems for a 15-ton thrust methalox engine named JD-1. The company also has suborbital experience, launching the Hyperbola-1S from Hainan island in April last year and the Hyperbola-1Z from Jiuquan in September. Chinese launch startups began emerging following a government policy shift in late 2014 which opened the launch and small satellite sectors to private capital. The speed of the development of launch vehicles by private companies in China has been accelerated by a civil-military integration national strategy, facilitating the transfer of restricted technologies to approved firms in order to promote innovation in dual-use technology. Landspace is developing a methalox launcher of its own, while OneSpace is preparing for another orbital launch attempt before the end of the year. Linkspace, meanwhile, has drawn attention with low altitude hop tests of an 8.1-ton vertical takeoff, vertical landing technology demonstrator. Other entities that have at least progressed to performing engine component tests include S-Motor, Jiuzhou Yunjian, Galactic Energy, Deep Blue Aerospace, Space Transportation and Ningbo Space Engine Technology. In his interview with thepaper.cn, Huo Jia stated that he believed there would be just one or two commercial launch companies in China in the next 5-10 years. "China's rocket technology is very mature," Huo said. "The key is that the satellite downstream application market has not been developed, so the demand for satellite launch is not great." First Chinese sea launch in June The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), the main contractor for the Chinese space program and launcher of all government and military payloads, is preparing for the first sea launch its only solid-propellant Long March launch vehicle, the Long March 11. The Long March 11 will take off from a modified vessel June 5, carrying two Jilin-1 Earth observation satellites for Chang Guang Satellite Technology Co. Ltd., (CGSTL) a commercial spinoff from the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics and Physics in northeast China, according to an April 24 China News article. Jia Hongguang, CGSTL deputy general manager, stated that the company aims to send 20 satellites into orbit this year as it seeks to construct a constellation of 138 remote sensing satellites in low Earth orbit. The rocket has been named "CZ-11 WEY" for the Great Wall Motor's automobile brand WEY, following an agreement between the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, a CASC subsidiary, and the Chinese carmaker. The mission is expected to be carried out in the Yellow Sea, situated between China and the Korean Peninsula, but the flight is expected to pave the way for possible future low inclination launches to take advantage of the higher rotational speed of the Earth nearer the equator. Chinarocket Co., Ltd., a CASC commercial subsidiary, will also be providing competition to the Chinese startups with its own microlauncher named Jielong-1 ('Smart Dragon-1'). Jielong-1 is designed to be "fast, agile and flexible" and capable of putting 150 kilograms into a 700-kilometer SSO. Earlier reports from Chinese media stated that the first launch would take place in the first half of 2019. A Long March 11 launch vehicle undergoing assembly ahead of launch from Jiuquan on Jan. 21. (Image credit: CASC) The Japanese space startup Interstellar Technologies Inc. just became the country's first private company to successfully launch a rocket into space. In the company's third attempt to launch its experimental sounding rocket, named "Momo," Interstellar Technologies managed to get the rocket off the ground and into space. The Momo-F3 rocket lifted off from a test site near the town of Taiki on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido on May 4 at 5:45 a.m. local time (2045 GMT on May 3), company officials said in a statement . Four minutes into the flight, the rocket reached a peak altitude of 70.5 miles (113.4 kilometers) well beyond the edge of space before beginning its descent back to Earth. It splashed down in the Pacific Ocean approximately 23 miles (37 km) away from the launch site after an 8-minute and 34-second flight. A launch video released by Interstellar Technologies shows the rocket's ascent to space, both from the perspective of the spectators on Earth as well as from the rocket itself. In the mission control room, workers wearing hard hats erupt with cheers as the Momo-F3 rocket passes the Karman line, or the commonly accepted boundary of space, which is about 62 miles (100 km) high. Related: Japan's Interstellar Technologies Goes Full Throttle Toward Small Orbital Rocket The Momo-F3 launch vehicle, an experimental sounding rocket built by the Japanese startup company Interstellar Technologies, stands on the launchpad on Japan's northernmost main island of Hokkaido. (Image credit: Kyodo/Newscom) When Interstellar Technologies first tried to launch its brand-new Momo rocket in 2017, the mission "was terminated after 66 seconds of the liftoff due to [a] glitch in the telemetry," company officials said in the statement. Although the mission was not considered a success, Momo-1 did become the first private rocket to launch from Japan. A second attempt last summer ended in a fiery explosion when the rocket failed just a few seconds after it left the launchpad. That rocket lost its thrust almost immediately after liftoff due to a glitch with the main engine, and it exploded as it came crashing down to Earth. The third try was the charm for Interstellar Technologies, but the Momo-F3 mission didn't come without its own fair share of hiccups. Momo-F3 was originally scheduled to launch in April, but it was postponed when engineers discovered a problem with a cryogenic valve. After they replaced a few parts, Momo-F3 was ready to fly, but "strong wind and poor weather" forced the company to delay the launch two more times. On May 4, the rocket was on the launchpad with the countdown clock ticking when an "anomaly" was detected 10 seconds before liftoff, and the countdown automatically stopped. Interstellar Technologies did not offer much information about the last-minute issue, but the holdup didn't last long. Momo-F3 lifted off 45 minutes later with plenty of time left to spare in its 3-hour launch window. The $440,000 Momo launch vehicle is a small sounding rocket that stands about 32 feet (10 meters) tall and weighs just over 1 metric ton. For comparison, SpaceX's reusable Falcon 9 rocket is 230 feet (70 m) taller than a stack of seven Momos! Because sounding rockets are typically used to launch small research payloads and science experiments into orbit, they don't need to be as big and powerful as the rockets that launch spacecraft or large satellites, and they aren't built to be reused. There were no science experiments on board for the Momo-F3 mission, because it was only a test of the rocket's capabilities. With the success of Momo-F3, Interstellar Technologies plans to continue improving its Momo rocket series while also introducing a new one. Named " Zero ," the new rocket will be able to launch small satellites that are too heavy for Momo to launch. Its first test flight is tentatively scheduled for 2020. Miguel Claro is a professional photographer, author and science communicator based in Lisbon, Portugal, who creates spectacular images of the night sky. As a European Southern Observatory photo ambassador and member of The World At Night and the official astrophotographer of the Dark Sky Alqueva Reserve, he specializes in astronomical "Skyscapes" that connect both Earth and night sky. Join Miguel here as he takes us through his photograph "A Pink Sky with a Golden Moon above Niagara Falls." In this panoramic view of Niagara Falls, a golden moon rises against the pink band of the anti-twilight arch, an atmospheric phenomenon also known as the " Belt of Venus ." As a flock of birds soar in the evening twilight, a boat from Hornblower Niagara Cruises not as iconic as the "Maid of the Mist" that made its first trip in 1846 is carrying hundreds of people past the American Falls. This photo was taken on Aug. 23, 2018, three days before the Sturgeon Moon became full. Native Americans called the full moon of August the Sturgeon Moon because the large fish, which are native to the Great Lakes and the Niagara River, are easiest to catch this time of year. Related: Full Moon Names (and More) for 2019 Together with the smaller Bridal Veil Falls (to the right), the American Falls in this drop a combined 75,750 gallons (286,700 liters) of water per second, according to the Niagara Falls State Park website . The American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls are two of three cascades that make up Niagara Falls, the second-largest waterfall system in the world, located on the border between Ontario, Canada and New York State. Both of those waterfalls are on the U.S. side of Niagara Falls, while the famous Horseshoe Falls are in Ontario, Canada. The largest of the three waterfalls, the Horseshoe Falls also known as the Canadian Falls allow about 681,750 gallons (2.6 million liters) of water to flow over every second, according to the Niagara Falls State Park. That's nearly eight times the amount of water that flows over the American and Bridal Veil Falls combined, and it's enough to fill "about a million bathtubs full of water every minute," according to NiagaraFalls.ca. All of the falls combined produce a flow rate of about 3,160 tons of water per second. At that rate, it would take about 222 million years to fill up the volume of the moon assuming that the moon is hollow, which it isn't. Editor's note: If you have an amazing night sky photo you'd like to share with us and our news partners for a possible story or image gallery, please contact managing editor Tariq Malik at spacephotos@space.com. To see more of Claro's amazing astrophotography, visit his website: www.miguelclaro.com. Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom and on Facebook. When Neil Armstrong was the first astronaut to walk on the moon 50 years ago this summer, he became an overnight hero to the world. To his children, though, he remained their dad. Both sides of the famous astronaut show clearly in a new set of items for sale at Heritage Auctions from May 9 to 11, including American and state flags tucked away in the spacecraft during the flight, a leather jacket that the moonwalker enjoyed wearing constantly, and more. These items were carefully curated by the Armstrong family and required a lot of sorting before they were put up for sale. Armstrong died suddenly in 2012 at age 82. In an exclusive interview with Space.com, Mark Armstrong (the youngest of his father's children) said his father's legacy included trying to make day-to-day life in the family as normal as possible. This happened at a time when Armstrong was constantly in the news and was also participating in a multiweek world tour with the Apollo 11 crew to personally meet world leaders. Some items acquired during that tour are for sale at the auction. Related: Neil Armstrong's Photo Legacy: Rare Views of 1st Man on the Moon Neil Armstrong's leather jacket goes up for auction in May 2019. (Image credit: Heritage Auctions) World relations Two items that caught Mark Armstrong's eye are a book and pictures from the Soviet Union, collected in 1970 while his father was trying to foster better relations with the space program there on behalf of NASA. For much of the 1960s, the Soviet Union and the United States were competitors in space , but the mood turned more toward cooperation after the American moon landing. Five years after his visit, American astronauts and Soviet cosmonauts flew together for the first time during Apollo-Soyuz . This was one of the first steps the countries took together toward the International Space Station , which Russia and the United States started assembling in orbit in 1998 and continue to manage together today. Neil Armstrong clearly worked hard for the space program, but he also worked hard for his family. "There really wasn't much training, either for Dad or for the family, on how to handle life after the flight," recalled Mark, who was 6 years old when his father took "one small step" at the Sea of Tranquility in 1969. "My parents both, I think, tried very hard for things not to change," he added. "They wanted our family dynamic, and the people that we were, to be the same after the flight as before the flight. I think Dad had the worst challenge the most difficult challenge, probably by several orders of magnitude because of the number of requests and requirements and opportunities and mandates that were coming at him on a daily basis, which were overwhelming." Mark joked that his father's training as a test pilot sometimes frustrated him. Neil was trained to wait until the last second before choosing to abort, for example, which came in handy when he landed the Eagle spacecraft on the moon with only a few seconds of fuel to spare. Then, Neil would use the same approach with his sons. "I'd ask if can spend the night at Jack's house next week. He'd say, 'I'll think about it,' and he'd think about it. Then he'd tell you on Friday," said Mark, laughing at the memory. He added, though, that the family tried to stick to the same principles for success that they had believed in before the flight. "We used that as a foundation for making decisions on a daily basis, and he was really amazing at boiling down his decisions to what was the right thing to do. He would always do what the right thing was, even if that was unpopular, but he was exceptionally good at making the right choices. I think that's a legacy in and of itself. You take every opportunity, take every decision and think about it carefully, and do what your internal sense of right and wrong tells you what you should do. Then stick to it." Precious items An American flag flown with Neil Armstrong to the moon is up for auction in May 2019. (Image credit: Heritage Auctions) Space was limited on the Apollo 11 spacecraft; in an answer to a question that has become famous, Neil Armstrong was asked what he would like to take with him on the trip, and he quipped that he would prefer more fuel. But there were some items, many of which are going on sale at Heritage Auctions, stashed inside the Columbia command module. For instance, the auction includes numerous flags, which would have been easy to roll up and store, including a range of American flags and some state flags. "I haven't been able to attribute exact rhyme or reason as to why certain flags were taken and others were not. Maybe some individuals had a personal connection," Mark Armstrong said. He added that the Texas and Ohio flags had an obvious personal connection to his father, who had lived in both of those states. Also included are pieces of a propeller and wing that formed part of the first aircraft to take flight in 1903, built and flown by Wilbur and Orville Wright and a small team. The pieces were saved and kept in the Wright estate. In 1969, the Air Force wrote Neil Armstrong by postal mail, asking if he would be willing to take some pieces of the aircraft with him on Apollo 11. The military branch offered to let their astronaut keep half of the pieces, and the rest would be returned to the Air Force. This piece of wood from the Wright Brothers' first flight flew to the moon with Neil Armstrong, and is up for auction in May 2019. (Image credit: Heritage Auctions) "It was important to take the genesis of flight with him," Mark Armstrong said. "First and foremost, he was an engineer and someone who wanted to make aircraft better. That was his boyhood goal, to be an aircraft designer. "Somewhere along the line," Mark added, "he decided he could do that more effectively if he knew how to fly them. At his earliest opportunity, he got his pilot's license, and I think the day he turned 16, he was eligible to fly; he had done all the work. He didn't receive his driver's license until much later that year, because it was less important to him." With the 50th anniversary of the moon landing this year, NASA and museums around the United States plan to host numerous events during the official moon landing date of July 20. Apollo 11 crew members Buzz Aldrin and Mike Collins are still living, and many prominent artifacts of the mission are on display in museums. The spacecraft Columbia, which normally resides in Washington, D.C., is on tour and will be in Seattle for the anniversary date . National Small Business Week is a good time to remind yourself that building a digital business means knowing which SEO tips to implement first. No matter what theyre searching for, people typically turn to search engines first. The best way to grow your traffic, no matter what your business, is by creating a website with both search engines and your visitors in mind. In todays search engine-oriented market, SEO is the most effective way to drive traffic to your website without paying for advertisements. For small businesses with limited budgets, this can be a huge advantage when facing more established competition. SEO (search engine optimization) is a way of structuring your website to build traffic through organic search. As opposed to paid traffic, which comes from advertisements, organic search traffic comes from high rankings in search engines and creating quality content that captures your audience. In a world where 32 percent of people click the first Google search result, SEO is a crucial part of any business. But optimizing your website all at once can be daunting for owners of small businesses who have a lot else to do. These six actionable SEO tips are the best place to start -- small changes can transform your traffic. 1. Monitor all changes. No matter which SEO tips you choose to implement first, the single most important thing to do is monitor those changes. If youre not seeking professional help, this means accomplishing the following: Decide on a metric to use to monitor your traffic. Is it newsletter sign-ups, product purchases, keyword rankings, or percentage of people who return to your website? Start using at least one of the recommended SEO tools to help you rank higher in Google to monitor your progress. Implement one change at a time. How can you know what is working if you do everything at once? 2. Create a clear site structure. It doesnt matter how many SEO tips you implement on your website if it isnt structured in a way thats easy for search engine crawlers and users to navigate. For small businesses with new websites, this means creating a hierarchy that includes: Pages Categories Subcategories Internal linking that reaffirms the site structure Headings Crawlers and humans both love hierarchy: Having a clear site structure accomplishes your two main objectives. First, Google crawlers can quickly understand your content and rank it accordingly. Second, humans can navigate it easily, making them more likely to stay on your website, buy something from it, or return to it in the future. If your site structure is unclear, Google crawlers could miss some of your content, making it impossible for people to search for it in the first place. Bad site structure also leaves your visitors confused and likely to go somewhere else. This will translate to less time spent per visitor, lower conversion rates for online retailers and less traffic as Google demotes your website based these statistics 3. Prioritize content creation. Creating quality content is one of the top SEO marketing trends in 2019, whether youre a small or large business. Here are a few things to keep in mind: Google algorithms consider content quality more than ever before. This means creating content that matches your keywords, headlines, and meta descriptions. Long form content will rank higher than short form. Writing should appeal to readers, not robots. Google algorithms are getting so sophisticated that they penalize content for keyword stuffing, a tactic designed to appeal to algorithms rather than people. Content doesnt just mean text, either. Videos have significant engagement, and photos are equally important. Keep in mind that the ideal content for your website will depend on your type of traffic. Test out different styles and monitor traffic to see what your audience wants from your website. 4. Focus on building both internal and external links. Building a network of internal and external links is a constant process. Whether youre an entrepreneur with a less-than-perfect existing site or youre a small business building a brand new one, one of the best SEO tips is to structure your links a little every day. Use internal linking to create site structure: For starters, its important to internally link every new piece of content. Otherwise, it becomes orphaned content. This means that its disconnected from the rest of your site. Orphaned content is difficult for Google crawler and visitors to find. If a piece of content isnt connected to the rest of your website, crawlers can either miss it or will consider it less important, thereby ranking it lower. More broadly, interlinking pages within your website accomplishes two main things: It helps crawlers understand and better rank your website and logical links make it easier for visitors to navigate (and therefore stay) on your website. Build a network of high-quality external backlinks: Backlinks are a key factor that search engines use to evaluate your website. But today, backlink quality rather than quantity is more important than ever. Instead of spending money on cheap links that will negatively affect your traffic, website owners should create quality content that will solicit backlinks on its own and build relationships with businesses big and small in relevant fields can help you grow your backlink profile. Though buying links may have been an effective tool in the early days of search engine optimization, black hat SEO tricks like this no longer work. In fact, buying low-quality links in bulk is a sure way to have Google demote your website, which will decrease your traffic. When choosing your next SEO firm, make sure theyre not doing anything resembling that. 5. Delete anything that slows down your site. One of the top SEO tips for gaining and maintaining traffic is improving site speed. Google has made it known that site speed is a factor in ranking websites. And research also shows that a half a second delay in page load time translated to a 20 percent decrease in traffic. For entrepreneurs, this means that cutting out elements that slow down your website is key to customer and search engine satisfaction. Some effective tools include: Compressing images Cashing your browser Getting rid of unnecessary elements in CSS Stop using JavaScript 6. Always consider mobile first. Google rolled out mobile first indexing in the summer of 2018. But designing websites for mobile has been a focal point for web designers since mobile traffic outpaced desktop in 2016. Still, whether youre designing a website or creating content, its important to design a responsive mobile website -- even if youre designing it on a desktop computer. This means placing even more emphasis on mobile UX and mobile-oriented site structure. Optimizing your website can be a massive undertaking -- but that doesn't mean that you have to (or should) do it all at once. The best place to start is by focusing on key SEO tips and addressing issues within your website one by one. No matter where you are in the process of optimizing your website, make sure that you approach it methodically. Monitor everything you do so that you can replicate your success with future businesses. Related: Are You a Small Business Owner or an Entrepreneur? 6 SEO Tips to Benefit Any Business 5 Things I've Learned From Venturing Into Solopreneurship Copyright 2019 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved More than 30 million Americans have diabetes. Roughly 7 million people use insulin. A recent study in the Journal of American Medicine found that about 25 percent of people are rationing their insulin because of the cost. A Long Island, New York, mothers tweet went viral when she tweeted that two vials of insulin cost her $524 with a discount card. I left the pharmacy and sat in my car and cried, Doreen Rudolph wrote. Last August, her copay for a three-month supply of insulin was around $1,300. It makes me cry because you watch your child struggle, she told Soledad OBrien in an interview last year for Matter of Fact. You watch them to try to be normal. Since that interview, Rudolphs daughters copay has increased to $1,400 for a three-month supply. In her latest episode of Matter of Fact, OBrien talked with Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Illinois, who recently introduced a bill to tackle whats been considered an American crisis. Were trying to make sure that they dont overuse the rights of exclusivity, he said of pharmaceutical companies. Durbin said there are some deadly consequences when people ration insulin. Watch the video above for more of OBriens interview with Durbin. Sarinya Pinngam | EyeEm | Getty Images Think franchising cant be affordable? Think again. While there are plenty of franchises that cost millions of dollars to get off the ground, there are also plenty of opportunities across a wide variety of industries that require much lower investment levels. So, if youre interested in starting your own business but dont have a lot to spend, check out our lists of the top-ranked franchises that can be started for less than $50,000, less than $100,000, and less than $150,000. These franchises are ranked based on the scores they received in Entrepreneurs 2019 Franchise 500 ranking, a comprehensive analysis of more than 150 data points in the areas of costs and fees, size and growth, franchisee support, brand strength, and financial strength and stability. A companys placement within a particular cost tier does not mean that all franchisees will be able to start their business for less than that amount, but that it is realistically possible; for your reference, weve listed the full initial investment range as given in each companys Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD). WASHINGTON - Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, the finance chairman on Donald Trump's 2016 campaign, on Monday formally rejected a congressional request for six years of the president's tax returns. Mnuchin claimed that the House Ways and Means Committee "lacks a legitimate legislative purpose" for invoking a 1924 law that explicitly states the Internal Revenue Service "shall furnish" the tax returns of any American at the request of the chairman. The secretary acknowledged recently, while under oath, that Treasury lawyers consulted with the White House Counsel's Office about the issue, even though the process was intended to be walled off. Mnuchin announced last night that the Justice Department will soon issue a legal opinion to justify his noncompliance. Trump has told aides that he will take the battle over his tax returns to the Supreme Court. He reportedly believes that the five justices appointed by Republican presidents would protect him from needing to comply with the statute. Another goal might also be to drag out the process so that his taxes don't see the light of day until after he stands for reelection next November. Either way, last night's announcement tees up landmark tests of the separation of powers and the integrity of the justice system. Not always could a treasury secretary be counted upon to do the president's bidding. George Shultz, who led the department under Richard Nixon, established his independence by refusing to order audits of the people on the White House's "enemies list." During a September 1972 meeting in the Executive Office Building, then-White House Counsel John Dean handed IRS Commissioner Johnnie Walters - another Nixon appointee - two lists and said his boss wanted everyone on them audited. Walters resisted and went to Shultz. The secretary skimmed through the lists, which included big donors to Democratic nominee George McGovern, and told Walters to "do nothing." The IRS commissioner asked what he should do when White House officials followed up to check on the status of the audits. "Tell him that you report to me. If he has a problem, he's got a problem with me," Shultz recalled saying in a 2007 oral history with the Nixon presidential library. Reflecting 35 years later, Shultz said: "It was an improper use of the IRS, and I wouldn't do it." Nixon was irate when he found out. "He didn't get secretary of treasury because he's got nice blue eyes," the president told Dean and White House Chief of Staff H.R. Haldeman. "It was a [expletive] big favor for him to get that job. . . . He's going to start repaying. . . . We're not going to have a secretary of the treasury who doesn't do what we say." Walters, who passed away at 94 in 2014, recalled the pressure he faced in "Our Journey," his 2011 memoir. "There were days when it seemed all I could do was break down in my office and sob. That's how scary it was," he wrote. "I felt, and still feel, that had IRS implemented the request it would have ruined our tax system for years to come." The commissioner put the lists in a sealed envelope and locked them in a safe. When he stepped down in early 1973, Walters took the envelope and put it in a new, private safe. Later, he'd turn it over to congressional investigators. "At no time did I furnish any name or names from the list to anyone, nor did I request any IRS employee or official take any action with respect to the list," he wrote in an affidavit to the House Judiciary Committee. We know a lot about this episode, and Nixon's role in it, due to the White House taping system, detailed contemporaneous notes and the various Watergate investigations. New York University's Michael Koncewicz, who previously worked for the National Archives at the Nixon presidential library in Yorba Linda, California, tells the story in a book published in October called "They Said No to Nixon: Republicans Who Stood Up to the President's Abuses of Power." The 40-page chapter about Nixon's efforts to meddle at the IRS is one of four areas Koncewicz explores. He also chronicles how Nixon appointees at the OMB thwarted the president's crusade against MIT, and he follows Elliot Richardson's battles with the president's loyalists as the secretary of the Department of Health, Education and Welfare and later as attorney general, culminating in the Saturday Night Massacre. To be sure, what Mnuchin is doing and what Shultz did not do are very different. No one has accused Trump or Mnuchin of directing the IRS to investigate the president's critics. Indeed, part of Mnuchin's explanation for not turning over Trump's tax returns is that he's trying to protect the president's "privacy." But Koncewicz thinks the Shultz experience is nonetheless instructive in 2019. "While there are some differences, this is yet another example that shows there's very little space for dissent within the Trump administration," he told The Washington Post. "While Walters and Shultz were courageous, they were also operating within a very different Republican Party. What Trump has now is what Nixon always wanted from his Cabinet: complete loyalty. Nixon was obsessed with it, especially by 1972. For Nixon, the enemies list story was more proof that his administration was filled with figures who weren't 'tough.' It's worth noting that both Shultz and Walters were conservative Republicans, but their independent streaks clashed with Nixon's increasingly authoritarian view of the presidency in 1972." One reason Koncewicz's narrative is so compelling is that it's also a redemption story. John Ehrlichman, Nixon's domestic affairs adviser, successfully prodded Shultz soon after he became treasury secretary (he had previously been at the Labor Department) to get the IRS to investigate the personal finances of Democratic National Committee Chairman Larry O'Brien. Shultz instructed Walters to have the IRS investigate O'Brien. Auditors found that he'd slightly overpaid his taxes. The White House then pushed to have IRS authorities interview O'Brien. Walters reluctantly went along with this, but the agents still couldn't uncover any evidence that the Democratic strategist had broken the law. While Shultz tried to accommodate the White House on O'Brien, he drew the line a month later when the White House handed over the enemies list. Dean did not respond to a request for comment. All three of the IRS chiefs Nixon appointed eventually had a falling out with the White House over the president's desire to use the agency to target opponents. In the spring of 1971, Nixon said he wanted an IRS commissioner who would "do what he's told." "Every income tax return I want to see, I see," he said. Ehrlichman agreed. "We want a lawyer that tells us how to do things, and not that we can't do things," he told the president. After Walters left in the wake of Nixon's 1972 landslide, Shultz opposed the White House's first choice for the job because he was such an overt political hack and had a checkered financial past. "My main concern frankly with the IRS is that we have a man there who totally, for once, does what we want," Nixon told Shultz during a February 1973 meeting in the Oval Office. In a meeting with Haldeman and another adviser, Fred Malek, around this time, Nixon stressed that all appointees must be loyal. "There must be absolute loyalty," he said. Eventually Nixon put up another candidate, Don Alexander, for IRS commissioner. As soon as he was confirmed, the president told Haldeman during a March 1973 meeting that there should be "a full examination of Congress's tax returns . . . now that we have our guy in IRS." But the cascading Watergate scandals made it difficult to pursue this goal, and the new commissioner shut down the Special Services Staff at the IRS under pressure in a bid to show that the agency wasn't political. In a 1983 interview, Nixon defended himself. "We are charged with abusing the IRS and abusing other people and using the IRS for that purpose. We talked about it and so forth, but it did not happen," the former president said. Koncewicz notes that the only reason it didn't happen was because Shultz, Walters and others wouldn't go along. "The agency did not become a political weapon during the Nixon years, but it was in spite of the president's many attempts," he said. "Without individuals such as Shultz and Walters, the IRS may have succumbed to becoming an extension of Nixon's darkest impulses." Trump is the first president since Nixon to not voluntarily release his tax returns. Special counsel Robert Mueller's report depicted the president complaining in the Oval Office that Jeff Sessions, his first attorney general, wasn't loyal to him like Bobby Kennedy was loyal to his brother John F. Kennedy. Similarly, Nixon often complained privately that he had been unfairly targeted by the IRS when JFK was president. "They went after me," Nixon said on more than one occasion. There is a bit of irony that Mnuchin put out his statement on the same day that Michael Cohen reported for his three-year prison sentence on charges that include tax evasion. Cohen testified to Congress in February that Trump provided exaggerated statements of his assets - called "Statements of Financial Condition" - to potential lenders and insurers. One reason Democrats want to review the president's tax returns is to see if they corroborate the allegations leveled by the president's former lawyer. There is also some evidence that Trump has taken special interest in IRS personnel. The president directly requested earlier this year that Mitch McConnell prioritize a confirmation vote for Michael Desmond's nomination to be the chief counsel of the IRS, indicating to the Senate majority leader that it was an even higher priority for him than a cote on the nomination of Bill Barr to be attorney general, The New York Times reported last month. "In July, when Mr. Desmond was first being considered by the Senate Finance Committee, Bloomberg News reported that he had briefly advised the Trump Organization on tax issues before Mr. Trump took office," The New York Times reported.. "In private practice, Mr. Desmond worked for a time alongside William Nelson and Sheri Dillon, who currently serve as tax counsels to the Trump Organization." Desmond, who McConnell shepherded through in February, reports directly to the IRS commissioner and the Treasury Department's general counsel. He is responsible for "all matters pertaining to the interpretation, administration and enforcement of the Internal Revenue Code, as well as all other legal matters," according to the IRS website. The 1924 law being invoked by Democrats passed because of the Teapot Dome scandal, which like Watergate shocked the national conscience. Warren Harding's secretary of the interior, Albert Fall, was convicted of taking bribes in exchange for granting oil leases. Congress concluded it had a compelling interest in reviewing the tax filings of executive branch officials to check for financial improprieties. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Tex., called for "immediate legal action" last night. "We cannot allow this bad president to set bad precedent," he said. "If Trump once again faces only Republican silence and Democratic timidity, he will continue to erode our democracy by assuming more and more power." - - - The Washington Post's Joanie Greve and Mariana Alfaro contributed to this report. The following editorial appears in The Washington Post: - - - Floridians voted overwhelmingly and unambiguously last November to toss out a blatantly racist remnant of the state's Jim Crow laws. The constitutional amendment they approved cleared the way for former felons to regain the right to vote. Unfortunately, Republican state legislators last week chose to thwart this clear expression of democratic will, throwing up new barriers to voting. GOP members of the state legislature had resisted for years any change to the state's disenfranchisement law, which denied voting rights to roughly 1.4 million former felons. That population skews disproportionately black; its effect was to impose a lifetime voting ban on 20% of black Floridians. Of the 6 million or so disenfranchised ex-convicts in the United States,about a quarter of them are in Florida. Most Floridians rightly regarded that as disgraceful, and nearly two-thirds cast their ballots last fall to scrap it by adopting Amendment 4, a change to the state constitution. The measure restores the vote automatically to ex-offenders (except for murderers and felony sex offenders) upon completion of their sentences, including parole and probation. The amendment says nothing about requiring felons to render payment for court costs as a condition of regaining the vote, but Republicans in Tallahassee saw in the omission an opportunity for mischief. Late last week, with the annual legislative session drawing to a close, they passed a bill that blocks former felons from voting until they pay outstanding fines, fees and restitution - sums that can amount to many thousands of dollars. The effect would be to maintain the state's disenfranchisement regime for thousands or tens of thousands of ex- convicts who have already served their sentences. It remains unclear whether Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican and first-term governor, will sign or veto the bill. He should veto it. Florida voters, a closely divided cohort in a state notorious for election-night squeakers, made their consensus clear in backing Amendment 4 by a margin of nearly 2 to 1. If Mr. DeSantis sticks with his GOP cohort by affixing a huge asterisk to that electoral outcome, it will be a demonstration of contempt for Florida voters and determination to maintain a disproportionately white electorate in hopes that Republicans will profit politically. For years, other U.S. states have been doing away with disenfranchising former felons, a noxious feature of a blatantly racist past that departs from Western international norms. Just three states - Iowa, Kentucky and Virginia - retain rules automatically imposing a lifetime ban on voting by those with felony convictions, and in Virginia, the effect was largely negated by then-Gov. Terry McAuliffe, a Democrat who restored voting rights to more than 170,000 of them. Amendment 4 in Florida constitutes the biggest single expansion of voting rights in the United States since poll taxes and literacy tests were abolished a half-century ago. The GOP legislation would diminish that reform by resurrecting a new kind of poll tax, denying the ballot box to those of meager means. That would perpetuate an injustice that is a stain on Florida and would become a stain on the Republican Party. The following editorial appears in The Washington Post: - - - The failure of an uprising against Venezuela's authoritarian regime last week has left opposition leaders and their foreign supporters debating what went wrong. Did the generals and other senior regime officials who reportedly agreed to help remove President Nicolas Maduro deliberately deceive opposition leaders? Did Russia persuade Maduro to stand fast? Or did the premature launch of the uprising and the unexpected appearance of formerly imprisoned opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez at a military base cause the regime plotters to back down? Whatever the truth, the failure of the rebellion is a tragedy for Venezuela's long-suffering population. The opposition movement, which aims to restore democracy, has been demoralized, even if it remains intact; Maduro so far has not dared to move against leader Juan Guaido, who has been recognized as Venezuela's interim president by more than 50 countries. The regime, for its part, is incapable of restoring control over the country or addressing its epic humanitarian crisis, which has left Venezuelans desperately short of food, medicine, power and water, and has caused more than 3 million people to flee the country. Given the U.S. embargo on oil trade with the country, the suffering seems sure to intensify in coming months. That makes the need for a solution all the more urgent. Some in the White House are pressing the Pentagon for military options, but the Pentagon is rightly reluctant. Guaido also seems skeptical; he told The Washington Post that if offered U.S. military action, "we will evaluate it" - while indicating that any intervention should come in support of dissident Venezuelan soldiers. In reality, U.S. military action can serve Venezuela only as a threatening prospect that incentivizes senior commanders to move against Maduro. A country of roughly 30 million people with a well-equipped army and a heavily armed civilian population, Venezuela is not Grenada or even Panama; intervention would be costly. The best route forward remains that which Guaido and Lopez were pursuing before last week: a negotiated deal that would replace the regime with a transitional government that would prepare for internationally supervised free elections, with the military acting as a guarantor. Greater international coordination would increase the chance of success. Latin American countries are divided, with one camp demanding Maduro's ouster and another pressing for negotiations. European governments have set up a "contact group" with some of the more dovish Latin Americans, while Russia and Cuba are backing the Maduro regime. The Trump administration increasingly appears to be following its own course, with erratic interventions by President Donald Trump: After speaking to Vladimir Putin by phone on Friday, he declared that Russia was "not looking to get involved in Venezuela," contradicting the public accusations of meddling by Trump's secretary of state and national security adviser. What's needed is skillful diplomacy that unites as many of the international players as possible behind efforts to reengage the Venezuelan military and opposition on a transition plan. That ought to be the role of the United States; if the Trump administration can't or won't play it, others will have to step forward. This is an article from The Washington Post To read an Opinion or Editorial piece from the Houston Chronicle, go to HoustonChronicle.com. President Donald Trump has a superpower. With just a few taps to the screen of his iPhone, he can transform his staunchest adversaries into . . . Donald Trump. No one loves a good conspiracy theory as much as the man in the Oval Office. Indeed, that is how he launched his political career. He was the chief propagator for a shameful lie that the nation's first black president was not born in this country. He continues to gin up new ones. But in addition to using them to stir his own base, Trump has become highly effective at fomenting preposterous scenarios that send his opposition into a conspiratorial frenzy. The latest example came over the weekend, when Trump retweeted an obvious, if lame, joke by one of his most devoted sycophants. "After the best week ever for @realDonaldTrump - no obstruction, no collusion, NYT admits @BarackObama did spy on his campaign, & the economy is soaring," Jerry Falwell Jr., the president of Liberty University, wrote. "I now support reparations - Trump should have 2 yrs added to his 1st term as pay back for time stolen by this corrupt failed coup." Reparations - get it? Falwell was sucking up to the president, distorting the results of special counsel Robert Mueller's report on Trump's possibly illegal effort to obstruct the investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 election, and making a racially insensitive reference to redressing the abomination of slavery. It was a three-fer, in less than 240 characters. Trump himself continued the trolling with a tweet that read: "they have stolen two years of my (our) Presidency (Collusion Delusion) that we will never be able to get back." Traditional and social media took the bait, as Trump surely knew they would. Out of that tweet came a torrent of speculation about the extralegal means he might use to remain president, no matter the outcome of next year's election. A Rolling Stone headline pondered: "Will Democrats Have to Do More Than Defeat Trump in 2020 to Get Him Out of Office?" No less a figure than Harvard University law professor Laurence Tribe wrote, "This is as loud a warning as anyone could ask for: Trump has no intention of leaving his sinecure and exposing himself to jail time." But Tribe also acknowledged: "If he plans to stage his own coup, I'd count on the judiciary, the military, and, ultimately, a popular uprising to stop him. Best = landslide." Should Trump lose the 2020 election, he surely will howl that the results are illegitimate. Indeed, he suggested that he planned to do it in 2016 had things gone the way that preelection polls suggested they would. And his former fixer Michael Cohen, who went to prison on Monday, told the House Committee on Oversight and Reform in late February: "I fear that if he loses the election in 2020 that there will never be a peaceful transition of power." But as Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., sensibly pointed out in an interview with The New York Times, our system provides a straightforward way of settling these things. It comes at the ballot box. That is what happened in last year's midterm elections, in decisive numbers, up and down the ballot. Our democratic process, which has survived threats far more serious than narcissistic bluster, worked as it was designed to do. Trump has sent liberals into a panic over something that is not only a fantasy - there is no mechanism to add two years to a president's term beyond a constitutional amendment - but a pointless distraction given that the election is still 18 months away. And all of this undermines trust in our institutions, which may be the biggest danger of all. So I'd like to suggest trying something radical the next time Trump tweets something ridiculous: Ignore it. Don't swing at everything he pitches over the plate. There no doubt will be those who say that not jumping on each and every offensive thing he utters is "normalizing" Trump. But, in fact, it would do the opposite. It would preserve a sense of proportion about Trump's various sins, and keep a focus on the abuses of power that are actually happening right in front of us, rather than imagining fanciful ones. Most immediate among those at the moment is Trump's threat to prevent Mueller from testifying before Congress. Mueller must explain himself in public, and clearly answer whether Trump and his allies - including Attorney General William Barr - have twisted the conclusions of his 448-page report. Here's a theory to chew on: If the report is truly the exoneration that Trump claims it is, why doesn't he want to let Mueller talk about it? Trump is preparing to do something that is truly out of bounds. In other words, it is the perfect moment for him to throw up a big cloud of dust. Michael Cummo / Hearst Connecticut Media STAMFORD A city man was charged with criminal mischief after video was found of him kicking and denting a car that parked in front of his home, police said. Sgt. Kenneth Jarrett said a complaint was made by a Depinedo Avenue resident about his car being dented after it was parked in front of a home where Douglas Westervelt lived. Jarrett said it was an ongoing problem in the neighborhood. G 4S shares tumbled more than 8% today after Canadas Garda World walked away from a possible bid for the security giant. In April Garda was forced into admitting it was pondering a bid after the Standard revealed its intentions sending shares rocketing 20%. It wasnt clear then whether Garda was looking at an offer for all or just part of the company, which has been plagued by controversy. G4S has earned a reputation for losing prisoners on the way to court and this year reported a 63% drop in profits, leaving it potentially vulnerable to a bid. This weekend Garda said it had decided against a deal. G4S in turn said it had received no proposal from Garda and would continue its review of the cash solutions business, which moves money to and from banks, shops and cash machines. Selling that would leave it free to concentrate on its security arm. G4S shares fell more than 8% initially, but recovered somewhat later to be down 4% or 8p at 208p. That leaves the company valued at 3.25 billion. G4S is the worlds largest security business with sales of more than 7 billion and 550,000 staff across the globe. Garda is smaller, with sales of just 1.5 billion, which had always made some analysts sceptical about the chance of a bid being successful. Under City takeover rules, Garda cannot make a bid for G4S for another six months. Following Gardas retreat, G4S could look to spin off the cash solutions business into its own listed entity, or else seek a sale to a different bidder. City analysts think it would be worth around 1.5 billion. G4S said it has made good progress in its review of the division with additional expressions of interest. Despite todays share fall UBS analyst Bilal Aziz said: We believe a fluid situation with the break-up and ongoing buyer interest should limit downside. H iscox today revealed a rise in the number of property insurance losses in the Lloyds market, including a $10 million (7.6 million) claim on a luxury log cabin. The Lloyds of London insurer said there was a higher number of losses on the book for the first quarter of the year, including damage to the cabin - located in Canada - and the impact of the California wild fires. The fires, the worst on record, killed 98 people and led to $3.5 billion damage when they ripped through the US state last November. Rates in the London market were up 4%, bouncing back from several years of sluggish growth because of a flood of capital chasing premiums and a lack of large claims. Chief executive Bronek Masojada said he was happy with what we achieved during the period after gross written premiums rose 3.3% at constant curency to $1.2 billion. Growth in retail Hiscoxs biggest market was slower because of previously flagged-up IT problems in the UK unit. An IT upgrade last year was found to have slowed the speed at which Hiscox could issue quotes, forcing a second unscheduled overhaul of the system. That slowed Hiscox UK retail growth to 137.3 million, which was down 3.2% at constant currencies. Occasionally in business you make a change and not all of them work and this one didnt work. We made a mistake and were fixing it, said Masojada. A big profits upgrade by insolvencies specialist Begbies Traynor on Tuesday highlighted the fight for survival facing a growing number of UK companies. The business recoveries and advisory firm said full-year revenues and profits were comfortably ahead of City forecasts, aided by favourable market conditions in recent weeks. Its shares jumped more than 10%. The update tallies with figures from the Insolvency Service showing the number of companies in administration rose to a five-year high in the first quarter of 2019, a period covering the run-up to the original Brexit deadline. Begbies own Red Flag data recently showed 484,000 UK businesses in financial distress at the start of 2019, representing 14% of all economically active firms. The hardest-hit sector was property, which saw a 13% increase to 48,182. Construction, often considered the bellwether of the UK economy, has also suffered. T he UKs best-known online estate agent Purplebricks shocked the City on Tuesday as it ousted its boss and revealed plans to slash the size of its international business. The AIM-listed firm said 45-year-old Michael Bruce, credited with turning Purplebricks into the biggest competitor to traditional High Street estate agents, will step down with immediate effect. In a remarkable retreat from ambitious international growth plans, the company also said it will exit the Australia market and review its US business. Shares in Purplebricks, which counts fund manager Neil Woodford among its backers, dropped 7p, or more than 5%, to 128p. Bruce, who is a 7.8% shareholder, founded the business in 2012 alongside his brother Kenny, who is still with the firm. Chief operating officer Vic Darvey will replace him as boss. The move comes after a difficult period as Purplebricks has tumbled following extraordinary growth. It floated at 100p in December 2015 and peaked at 513p in July 2017, putting a 1.4 billion price tag on the business. Chairman Paul Pindar apologised to investors for a disappointing performance over the past 12 months. He added: With hindsight, our rate of geographic expansion was too rapid and as a result the quality of execution has suffered. Against the backdrop of a tough UK market, Purplebricks has faced criticism from analysts over its model, under which it charges its customers upfront whether or not they sell. Analysts at Jefferies have also previously criticised it for not revealing how many homes it has actually sold. Berenberg last month warned the firm should either give up on its international expansion plans or raise more funding as it slashed its rating from buy to sell. Todays update comes less than three months after Purplebricks cut revenue guidance and announced the departure of the heads of its UK and US divisions. Darvey said Purplebricks has outstanding businesses in the UK and Canada. The US review will allow the firm to determine how we deliver the next phase of growth in a more effective and cost-efficient way. Shareholder Merian Global Investors, which has a 13.2% stake in Purplebricks, said it backed todays shake-up. E very baby is different and every birth a special moment but few parents have to share their joy and hopes with an entire nation. Prince Harry stepped forward yesterday to break the news that he was a father with the exhausted delight that all new parents will recognise. But even as he spoke charming, fluent and engaging he will have known that what he said and the way he said it would also be taken as a sign of how the royal family is changing. He and his wife have helped define that different future with great success. Prince Harry talked of his admiration for Meghan Markle how any woman does what they do is beyond comprehension in a way that it is hard to imagine previous generations doing so simply and honestly. With his wife he has taken charge, maintaining their privacy and distance not, for instance, announcing where the birth took place in a fresh and sensible way that recognises how much harder it is to seek the space every family needs in an age when social media can zip around the world in an instant. Might the old guard at the palace be uncomfortable with some of this? Perhaps. Might some traditions seem to grate? No doubt. But its all to the good that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are forging their own path in their own way. An American princess, from a mixed-race family, is part of one of the oldest, most traditional and most famous institutions on Earth and with her husband she is doing things differently. As the congratulations pour in from Britain and abroad, there will be many more moments which stand out. Photographs. A name. Things which this baby boys parents know they must share and on which, fairly or not, they will be judged. But also things which they will want to protect him from, as any new parent would. Getting this balance right is never easy in any family but it will be particularly hard for them. They have made a brilliant start. Whether you follow the royal familys every move or see it as an anachronism and wonder at the fuss, its surely impossible not to be cheered by this couples delight. They are not only a family but part of our nations story too, as, now, is their son. We offer them all the good wishes in the world. TODO: define component type apester London Bridge attack It is almost two years since the horror of a terrorist attack burst into the lives of people in Borough Market and London Bridge. Five men and three women died: people who reflected the diversity of our city, from Australia, Spain, Canada and France as well as Britain. Today the inquest into their deaths opens and it will start by hearing their stories. It will be a moving and difficult event for their families. There are many important questions that the process will attempt to answer. Should better security barriers have been in place? How did the three attackers manage to plan the attack and could more have been done to stop them? What, in the future, might prevent a thing like this happening again? The evidence will be complex and the questions the inquest seeks to answer will not be easy to resolve. But at the heart of it all are people who, unknown to each other, had come together to make their lives in one of the most welcoming and creative places on the planet and found themselves the victims of an evil assault. This inquest is a chance to remember them. Freedom in Myanmar I am a journalist and I am going to continue to be, said Wa Lone as he walked free at last from prison in Myanmar, after 511 days in prison alongside his colleague Kyaw Soe Oo. The Reuters journalists were held for doing their jobs, reporting on the Rohingya crisis which has seen hundreds thousands of Muslims forced from their homes by government action. Myanmar didnt want the truth to be told. Journalism demands that it is. I just want to say that and I really mean this I think youve been really impressive at work this week, I said to my boss last Friday afternoon, shaking her hand. Thanks, she said, confused, thats so nice, no one usually wait, Sam, what is this? The first ever peer-to-peer micro-bonus transaction ever made within my workplace a 10 note pressed artfully into her palm (or what some people might view as tips) as the BBC has described the phenomenon did not go down well. What might surprise, though, is that this practice of distributing small amounts of money by one colleague to another colleague is on the rise. US firm Bonusly piloted the system as a means to recognise and reward colleagues. BBC Radio 5 Lives Wake Up To Money last week found that in the last 12 months 250 UK-based firms and their 10,000 employees have signed up to use Bonuslys system, a 75 per cent increase. This sounds like a tipping point straight from the dystopian playbook (the words Black Mirror inevitably come to mind). At one company, 15 is apparently handed out every month to each employee to allocate as they see fit. If any is unallocated, its rescinded. You can imagine how handing out ersatz pocket money for good behaviour might effect an offices staff, though. For example, whomsoever remembers to bring me a Colin the Caterpillar cake on my birthday will receive a handsome micro-bonus indeed. Moreover, it promises to bring playground popularity politics to the workplace, when its hard enough to grow up at work already (Ive only just graduated from the coffee run). And yet, my unofficial pilot scheme (or a bribe, as HR termed it when they told me this would never be company policy) wasnt a total failure. My boss wouldnt take my money (this time?) but did appreciate the underlying sentiment. I shouldnt need a 10 note to talk straight to colleagues. Good thing, too its a luxury I can barely afford. Meeting my hero was a real hazard Eden Hazard / Getty Images Eden Hazard seems certain to leave Chelsea, so Real Madrid and their Galacticos seem likely to get the brillliant Belgian all very sad for me, a supporter. I met him at a training session I was invited to once, where he and I paired up for shooting practice drills. Every time I shot he blew a huge raspberry, cracking up as I ballooned it over the bar. Never meet your heroes is fools advice. If youre going to have heroes, meet them so you can align reality with your expectations. Put my style crimes in storage Ive moved house again, at 28, more news from my late-blooming adulthood. Gazing into the bowels of my wardrobe, I had what I can only describe as an existential crisis. Seriously, who keeps this stuff?, I asked, sorting a Huel-branded t-shirt, red chinos, and 10s of novelty socks, none of which match, into boxes cheerfully labelled Sams crap. The answer is Past Fishwick, an entity whose alarming decision making makes me constantly wary of what Present Fishwick is up to. Forget Marie Kondos advice to lose anything that doesnt bring you joy; ditch anything that adds to the impression that youre a total moron. Thats not sage advice, its just age. I truly envy those with a storied wardrobe of sartorial successes built up over decades. Now I know where my micro-bonus will be going, if I can win HR around. Fashion tips: these are what I really need. Burst the balloon and save the planet Now action has been taken to battle the scourge of plastic straws, can we finally burst the balloon bubble, too? I received a parcel holding nothing but an enormous balloon, with an invitation to something forgettable. H olding the first ever interfaith youth iftar at St Pauls Cathedral has come to mean so much, in the wake of the tragic attacks on Christian, Muslim and Jewish worshippers across the globe recently. Now, more than ever before, faith and non-faith communities must rally around one another, break bread and engage in social action together to strengthen our communities. The same old statements of support are no longer enough. Real action is now required. St Pauls is a fitting location for such an event and all the more poignant, given the recent fire at Notre-Dame in Paris. Built out of the ashes of London after the Great Fire of 1666 ravaged the city, it is a symbol of hope, renewal and rebirth for all Londoners. For Muslims, Ramadan can also be seen as a time of renewal: to reaffirm the covenant made with God that entreats us to love for our neighbours what we love for ourselves. These first 10 days of Ramadan are known as the days of mercy. It is a mercy that Muslims are compelled to enact as the Prophet said: Have mercy on those on the Earth, so the One in the Heavens may have mercy on you. It is easy to think this is a mercy that is absent from our world at the moment. Yet, in the very centre of the storm, we can see the possibility of a different world. Bringing young people of all faiths and none together over food breeds not only common understanding and tolerance, but also, if allowed to flourish, mercy and love between them. It is apt then that this event is being organised with the City of London Corporation. At once a beacon of progress and innovation as well as tradition and custom, the city holds the memory of where London has come from, but also embraces the future. Young people representing every London borough will be at the iftar later today, hearing from the Bishop of London alongside the Mayor of London, and later joined, at the Guildhall, by the Chief Rabbi. Londons youth will share their experiences and struggles and present their ideas to our faith and political leaders to tell them how they think we can build a stronger and more cohesive London for all. With a message of hope and mercy, it will be for these young people to forge a way forward for our city and nation to decide upon and then shape what kind of world they want to live in. The choices are stark: inequality or fairness, division or unity, hatred or love. It will not only take courage to make the moral choices, but wisdom and discernment too. As organisers we firmly believe that breaking barriers, dispelling misconceptions, and promoting common understanding between people of diverse backgrounds will breed courageous and wise leaders for the future. It is our hope that initiatives like this interfaith iftar will go some way to doing just that. Use the gang you have The best place to start is with the people youve known for years. Its vital to nurture these relationships as they know you the best. Look for diversity Be cautious about surrounding yourself with different versions of you. Diversity of opinion, experience and knowledge is important. Including men in a sisterhood is key weve both had fantastic male support, from bosses, investors, business partners and chairmen who have been instrumental in our success. Add a mentor Mentors are key members of your sisterhood yet women are statistically less likely to have someone mentoring them. It doesnt have to be a formal relationship, or with someone who has done exactly what youve done, rather someone you respect who can guide you. Find different ways to network There is potential to network everywhere, from the gym changing rooms to the school run to a friends party (where we met). If networking fills you with fear, reframe the concept in your mind. You just need to be curious about everyone you meet and the opportunities they could present, and how you can help them in return. Maintain your networks Its hard to keep up with a large and growing network of contacts. This is where social media comes into its own people notice when you like or comment on a significant post. Using diary reminders to drop an email or call at certain times in the year can be hugely effective. Connecting people who you know, but who dont know each other, is a good way of paying forward the networking karma. A board of directors for you Once youve built up a network, narrow down your most trusted advisers. Just as a company would have one, so should you appoint a board of directors for your career. Are you about to negotiate a pay rise, going for a job interview, or dealing with a difficult boss or colleague? Think about who in your network you know has dealt with a similar issue and can be ready to advise and challenge you you dont need yes men or women. Success requires constant work. Lean on your sisterhood to help. Extract from Believe Build Become by Debbie Wosskow and Anna Jones, published by Virgin Books, 14.99 T he Fatal Attraction mistress of a hedge fund boss who stalked his wife for six months in an attempt to wreck their marriage has been spared jail. Simin Doyich, 45, had a series of sexual liaisons with the businessman at his home, office and on a trip to Zurich after they met through dating website Illicit Encounters. But when he refused to leave his wife and cut off all communications, Doyich began a campaign of harassment against the couple by posting lurid allegations and pictures on social media. She also made silent phone calls to the wife and tried to connect on Twitter with friends of the couples children, Inner London crown court heard. The wife told the court from behind a screen she had been left shaking uncontrollably and feeling physically sick during Doyichs stalking, which she dubbed emotional GBH. She said: It was as if I walked in to a scene in the movie Fatal Attraction. Two years of my life has been poisoned by ugly behaviour and the bad intentions of the defendant. At court on Friday, Doyich sat with her head bowed as she was given an 18-month prison sentence suspended for two years and was ordered to attend 30 days of rehabilitation. You had formed the view the relationship may be long-lasting and it is clear you had become consumed with jealousy and an inflated sense of rejection, Judge Peter Kelleher said. The court heard the businessman, who cannot be identified, had dated other women behind his wifes back before meeting Doyich at the end of 2016. They embarked on an affair which ended after a Valentines Day trip to Paris when Doyich caught him texting his wife. She threatened to reveal the affair but her lover instead came clean to his wife of more than 20 years. After deluging him with messages, Doyich then claimed she was pregnant, but said she suffered a miscarriage when he cut off all contact with her. Mr Casey said Doyich made a string of silent dropped calls to the mans wife, and then took the harassment on to Twitter with pixellated sexually explicit pictures and claims about the state of the couples marriage. T he inquest into the deaths of eight people killed in the London Bridge and Borough Market terror attack is due to open this morning. Three women and five men died when three attackers ploughed into crowds in a white van before stabbing revellers with 12 inch ceramic knives on June 3, 2017. The victims were Christine Archibald, 30, Xavier Thomas, 45, Alexandre Pigeard, 26, Sara Zelenak, 21, Kirsty Boden, 28, Sebastien Belanger, 36, James McMullan, 32, and Ignacio Echeverria, 39. Their attackers, Khuram Butt, 27, Rachid Redouane, 30, and Youssef Zaghba, 22, were shot dead by police at the scene. Emergency services tending to the wounded after the June 3 attack / PA An eight-week inquiry into the deaths of the victims will begin at the Old Bailey on Tuesday, which will be followed by a separate hearing for the inquests of their killers in front of a jury. Chief coroner Mark Lucraft QC will deliver a short opening speech before hearing "pen portraits" of the victims from their loved ones. Borough Market & London Bridge terror attack tributes - In pictures 1 /25 Borough Market & London Bridge terror attack tributes - In pictures Flowers and post it notes on the wall by London Bridge Jeremy Selwyn Floral tributes and messages to those killed and injured after the London Bridge terror attack left at London Bridge Nigel Howard A message of "love not hate" posted among the tributes Jeremy Selwyn Thousands of people wrote messages to the victims Jeremy Selwyn Red roses laid out on London Bridge after the terror attack Jeremy Selwyn More flowers at Monument in remembrance of victims Jeremy Selwyn Floral tributes and messages to those killed and injured after the London Bridge terror attack left at London Bridge Nigel Howard A woman sticks a post-it note to the wall of messages Nigel Howard People from all over the world left messages of strength and support after the attack Jeremy Selwyn Onlookers take photos of the floral tributes Nigel Howard It comes as the market gears up to reopen Nigel Howard The Borough Market community left this message of strength Nigel Howard A woman takes a photo of the messages left at the scene Nigel Howard One person Rob wrote: They did not dent our democracy Nigel Howard The sea of flowers by London Bridge Jeremy Selwyn Flowers and post it notes on the wall by London Bridge Jeremy Selwyn Flowers and post it notes on the wall by London Bridge Jeremy Selwyn Floral tributes and messages to those killed and injured after the London Bridge terror attack left at London Bridge Nigel Howard A giant blue screen closes an entrance to Borough Market Jeremy Selwyn The attack came just three months after 52-year-old Khalid Masood mowed down pedestrians on Westminster Bridge in a hired car before stabbing a police officer to death. Armed police patrol the streets the morning after the attack / Jeremy Selwyn The inquest is expected to examine why there were still no barriers to protect pedestrians on London Bridge by June 3. Families will also want answers to the question of how Butt was able to plan and carry out the attack while he was under investigation by security services. Another issue likely to be raised by lawyers acting for the relatives of the victims is the lack of security checks required to hire rental vehicles after cars and lorries were used as weapons in Nice, Berlin and Westminster Bridge. In the coming weeks, the court will hear from witnesses, the family and friends of the attackers, and a senior MI5 officer. Other evidence is expected to include CCTV footage of the attacks and the terrorists' movements, body-worn video from police officers and footage from members of the public caught up in the carnage. P olice have launched an investigation into comments by a Ukip candidate that he might rape a Labour MP. Carl Benjamin sent a Twitter message in 2016 saying he wouldnt even rape the Birmingham Yardley MP Jess Phillips and then revived the comment in a recent video when he said with enough pressure I might cave. Mr Benjamin, who is standing for Ukip in the EU elections in the South West, released a video last month on YouTube, where he has a large following under the name Sargon of Akkad. He said on the video: Theres been an awful lot of talk about whether I would or wouldnt rape Jess Phillips. I've been in a lot of trouble for my hardline stance of not even raping her. I suppose with enough pressure I might cave. But lets be honest, nobodys got that much beer. In response Ms Phillips said: The Electoral Commission should surely have standards about who can stand for election. If Facebook and Twitter can ban these people for hate speech how is it they are allowed to stand for election? She later tweeted: Im normally pretty tough, I take the slings and arrows I might just be tired but when asked to comment on this I was really upset. Today West Midland police issued a statement saying: Police have received a report of malicious communications relating to MP Jess Phillips. A banker who branded his ex-wife a trespasser when she refused to leave their former home in Kensington has sued her for 500,000 in unpaid rent. Kerim Derhalli, 56, demanded that ex-partner Jayne Richardson Derhalli leave the 6 million five-bedroom house in 2017 after they sealed their divorce with a clean break. Mrs Richardson Derhalli, also 56, was handed a package worth about 11.5 million in the split, but refused to vacate the property, saying she would stay rent-free until it had been sold. Mr Derhalli, a former head of commodity trading at Deutsche Bank, launched a legal battle for two years worth of unpaid rent, winning a ruling at Central London county court that she could be considered a trespasser. Finding in his favour, Judge Nigel Gerald said Mrs Richardson Derhalli was not vulnerable when the demand to vacate was issued, thanks to her substantial divorce payout, which included about 6.5 million at the time and 5 million from the future sale of the property. The court heard Mr Derhalli moved out in 2014, and divorce papers were signed in October 2016. Under the terms of the settlement the house would be sold, but they struggled to find a buyer at the original 8 million price tag. In March 2017, lawyers for Mr Derhalli served his ex-wife with a demand that she either vacate the property within four weeks or start paying rent. Despite the home being in his sole name, she insisted she had a right to stay, stating through her lawyers in October that year that she would not be vacating. Mrs Richardson Derhalli, who now lives in Torquay and has remarried, left the home shortly before it was sold for 6 million early this year. Mr Derhalli sued for 500,000 in unpaid rent at 20,000 a month telling the court his ex-wifes right to occupy the property was extinguished upon the decree absolute of the divorce. Her barrister, Nat Duckworth, argued it was standard practice for the wife to remain after a split in the matrimonial home until it is sold. Judge Gerald said: It is my view that Mr Derhalli was entitled to determine the licence to occupy with reasonable notice, adding that the banker had been presumably getting frustrated at her continued occupation of the property rent-free. He said: It follows that Mrs Richardson Derhalli could be considered a trespasser from 21 April 2017 since when she remains liable to pay for the use and occupation of the property. T he family of the first London Bridge terror attack victim today said their whole world has been ripped apart as they paid tribute on the first day of the Old Bailey inquests. Sales manager Xavier Thomas, 45, was walking across the bridge with partner Christine Delcros when he was struck by a rented white van driven by Islamic State-inspired attackers and flung into the river below. Ms Delcros, who was seriously injured in the attack, wiped away tears today as Mr Thomass father Philippe Pesez paid tribute to his gentleman son, and branded the killers barbarians. Since Xavier disappeared in such tragic and traumatic circumstances, our whole world has fallen apart, he said. We were totally devastated by the way in which he was taken from us, in a horrible and tragic way. Christine Delcros, partner of victim Xavier Thomas, arrives for the opening day of the inquest / Getty Images He said Mr Thomas was a devoted father to his grown-up children, who have had tattoos to remember their father since the attack on June 3, 2017. Mark and Julie Wallace, the parents of Sara Zelenak, 21, one of the victims of the London Bridge terrorist attack, arrive at the Old Bailey / PA He still had so much to give, he was only 45, with a future before him. He would have loved to see his children grow up, he would have spoiled them as he did throughout his life, Mr Pesez said. He added that Ms Delcros fell in love with Mr Thomas, and in her eyes he was a true gentleman and tremendously charming. She couldnt help loving him so much. She had the greatest admiration for the exceptional person he was. She felt safe in his unconditional love. The tribute was delivered in French and then translated to the court by the familys counsel, Dominic Adamson. The families of all eight people who died were due to deliver tributes during todays hearing, which was watched by Met Commissioner Cressida Dick, City of London Police Commissioner Ian Dyson, and Scotland Yard head of counter terrorism Neil Basu. London Bridge attack victim Sara Zelenac Canadian national Chrissy Archibald, 30, died in the arms of her fiance Tyler Ferguson after also being hit on the bridge. Frenchmen Alexandre Pigeard, 26, and chef Sebastien Belanger, 36, Australians Kirsty Boden, 28, and Sara Zelenak, 21, James McMullan, 32, from Hackney, and Spaniard Ignacio Echeverria, 39, were all stabbed after the terrorists crashed the van and continued the attack on foot with kitchen knives tethered to their hands. The extremists, Khuram Butt, 27, Rachid Redouane, 30, and Youssef Zaghba, 22, rampaged through the packed Borough market area, stabbing people on nights out at random. They had fake suicide vests strapped to their chests and were eventually shot dead by armed police. London Bridge and Borough Market terrorist attack 1 /40 London Bridge and Borough Market terrorist attack Police and paramedics treat an injured person Daniel Sorabji/AFP/Getty Images A woman is helped to an ambulance at London Bridge Daniel Sorabji/AFP/Getty Images Armed police at London Bridge Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire Emergency personnel tend to wounded on London Bridge Yui Mok/PA Wire Daniel Sorabji/AFP/Getty Images Daniel Sorabji/AFP/Getty Images Debris and abandoned cars remain on London Bridge Chris J Ratcliffe/AFP/Getty Images People walking down Borough High Street Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire Armed Police officers on London Bridge Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire People flee along Borough High Street Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire Police officers outside the Barrowboy and Banker Public House on Borough High Street Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire Shocked onlookers in Borough High Street Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire Police sniffer dogs on London Bridge Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire Armed Police talk to members of the public outside London Bridge Hospital Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire People run down Borough High Street Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire A helicopter lands on London Bridge Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire An armed officer on London Bridge Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire Police officers on Borough High Street Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire Emergency personnel on London Bridge Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire Armed police on Borough High Street Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire Armed Police officer looks through his weapon on London Bridge Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire People run along Borough High Street Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire Police at the scene on Southwark Bridge Carl Court/Getty Images A paramedic rushes to the scene Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire An armed officer on London Bridge Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire A paramedic at the scene Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire Armed police on Borough High Street Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire Emergency personnel on London Bridge Yui Mok/PA Wire Police officers outside the Barrowboy and Banker Public House on Borough High Street Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire People are lead to safety away from London Bridge Carl Court/Getty Images Forty eight people were injured in the attack, which came a few months after a terrorist had run down pedestrians on Westminster Bridge before storming towards Parliament and murdering a police officer. Chief Coroner Mark Lucraft QC is expected to examine why pedestrian barriers had not been erected on London Bridge after the earlier attack, and will look at the effectiveness of security checks during the hiring of vans. Cars and lorries had already been used as weapons in Nice and Berlin. Mr Lucraft will also investigate how Butt was able to carry out the attack while under investigation by the UK security services for suspected terrorist attack planning. A young woman kissed her fiance and told him I love you moments before she was killed in the London Bridge and Borough Market terror attack, an inquest has heard. Three women and five men died on June 3, 2017 after three men ploughed into crowds in a white van before stabbing revellers with 12-inch ceramic knives. The victims were Christine Archibald, 30, Xavier Thomas, 45, Alexandre Pigeard, 26, Sara Zelenak, 21, Kirsty Boden, 28, Sebastien Belanger, 36, James McMullan, 32, and Ignacio Echeverria, 39. At the start of their inquests at the Old Bailey, families of the eight victims paid tribute to their loved ones. The victims of the London Bridge terrorist attack / PA Canadian Ms Archibald was with fiance Tyler Ferguson when tragedy struck during a visit to London. In a statement read to the court, Mr Ferguson said they had been "very much looking forward" to spending the rest of their lives together and starting a family. On the day of the attack, Ms Archibald, who worked in a shelter, was feeling "proud" about negotiating the London Underground when they met for dinner. Mr Ferguson said: "We decided to walk over London Bridge. At one point Chrissy stopped me out of nowhere, gave me a passionate kiss and told me she loved me. Then the attack happened and Chrissy was killed." The partner of Australian nurse Ms Boden, who was killed as she ran towards the terror attack in a selfless bid to save people, told the Old Bailey how he is still in awe of her bravery. Kirsty Boden was killed as she ran towards the terror attack / Met Police In an emotional tribute, James Hodder said he was "completely floored" by Ms Boden, who was from the small town of Loxton, in South Australia, when she moved to London in 2013. The couple lived in Hampstead, in north London, and Mr Hodder said: "We had a beautiful life there. I am still head over heels in love with Kirsty and I miss her so much. But I am so thankful for all the years we shared together and I will treasure those memories forever. Her actions on that night didn't surprise anyone who knew her. To Kirsty it would not have seemed brave. She loved people and loved her life helping others. To Kirsty, her actions that night would have been an extension of how she lived her life. Mr McMullan was celebrating getting financial backing for his online education company on the night he was killed. James McMullan / PA His sister Melissa said he was "excited" and "giddy" when he called his mother to say "everything was going to be OK, that he was going to be able to look after her". French waiter Mr Pigeard's tribute took the form of a picture montage set to his beloved electronic music. The member of French musical collective Club 808 was said to be a "charming and sensitive" man who left an "indelible imprint on the hearts of every woman he loved". Alexandre Pigeard / Met Police His musician father Philippe Pigeard said he was "devastated" and "inconsolable". He said: "I'm not just a father, I'm all the fathers in the world and all the mothers in the world who have been struck by similar tragedies." Frenchman Mr Thomas's girlfriend Christine Delcos, who was among the injured, was overcome by emotion as she gave a tearful tribute in French. Accountant Mr Thomas was described by his family as "fearless, dynamic, unselfish, very hard working and always positive in every situation". Christine Delcros pictured with partner Xavier Thomas / Facebook Australian au pair Ms Zelenak was on a "trip of a lifetime" when she was knifed to death while on a night out with a friend. Her mother Julia Wallace said: "Sara was the happiest she had ever been - working, travelling, meeting new people, doing all the things 21-year-olds should do. "That was until June 3 when our lives changed forever." Sara Zelenak The mother of chef Mr Belanger, Josiane Belanger, told the court: "We miss him so much, his smile, his joie de vivre. "I do not forgive what they did to him. They mutilated and killed him." Sebastien Belanger Spaniard Mr Echeverria, 39, was stabbed to death as he "courageously" tried to fight off the terrorist attackers with his skateboard, the inquest heard. He had been in the UK for over a year at the time of his death and was working as a financial crime analyst at HSBC. Ignacio Echeverria tried to stop the knife-wielding terrorists / PA All eight victims were killed and 48 more were seriously injured in less than 10 minutes of "high and terrible drama", the chief coroner said. Mark Lucraft QC expressed his condolences in court and added: "It is important to acknowledge that many lives were saved by the rapid response of members of the public and members of the emergency services. "A number of those were eyewitnesses to the unfolding drama and will give evidence of what they saw." Mr Lucraft told the court he hoped the inquest would answer the "obvious and understandable questions" of the relatives and give them some comfort. The attackers, Khuram Butt, 27, Rachid Redouane, 30, and Youssef Zaghba, 22, were shot dead by police at the scene of the attack. They launched their assault three months after Khalid Masood mowed down pedestrians on Westminster Bridge before stabbing a police officer to death. The inquests are expected to examine why there were still no barriers to protect pedestrians on London Bridge by June 3. C ross-party Brexit talks have again failed to reach an agreement, Labour has confirmed. The news came after the Government's official acceptance that it cannot get its Brexit deal through Parliament in time to avoid European elections on May 23. Theresa May's effective deputy David Lidington confirmed the elections will go ahead, but said the Government was "redoubling our efforts" to get an EU Withdrawal Agreement ratified by the start of July so the MEPs elected this month never have to take their seats. Shadow business secretary Rebecca Long-Bailey confirmed negotiations on a new Brexit deal that could win a parliamentary majority have still to bear fruit. John McDonnell arrives at Cabinet office with Sue Hayman (2L), Rebecca Long-Bailey (2R) and Keir Starmer / Getty Images "Nothing has been agreed yet," she said after a three-hour meeting. "Discussions today were very robust and we're having further meetings this week where we hope to make some progress. "The Government needs to move on its red lines and we expect to make compromises, but without a government that's willing to compromise, it's difficult to see how any agreement can be reached, and I think the Government is aware of that. "There certainly is a willingness on both sides to move towards some sort of consensus and we certainly need to try." But Ms Long-Bailey said there had been no movement towards a customs union, temporary or otherwise, and would only say another referendum was "one of many options". Chief Whip Julian Smith arriving at the Cabinet Office / PA She said: "We haven't had any movement or agreement on a customs union, certainly not today, but we will see what the rest of the week holds. "Our policy position has not changed since the last Labour conference, where a public vote was one of many options on the table, certainly to avoid a Tory deal, a bad Tory Brexit or a no-deal situation. "Certainly we've been exploring the issue of a confirmatory vote in these discussions, but as yet nothing has been agreed." Pressure on both sides to make progress was heightened by the parties' poor performance in last week's local elections, which both Conservative and Labour leaderships interpreted as a message from voters to get on with delivering Brexit. Loading.... Loading.... Mrs May had been hoping the talks would deliver a compromise deal in time to allow her to call off the European Parliament elections. But more than a month after the talks began, Mr Lidington acknowledged time is now too tight to get a Withdrawal Agreement Bill through both Houses of Parliament by the date of the poll. Speaking at the Cabinet Office in Whitehall, he said that, after its Withdrawal Agreement was rejected three times by MPs, the Government was trying to find "a way forward that has maximum possible support amongst politicians of all political parties". Minister for the Cabinet Office David Lidington outside Downing Street / REUTERS "What this now means, given how little time there is, is that it is regrettably not going to be possible to finish that process before the date that is legally due for European parliamentary elections," he said. "We very much hoped that we would be able to get our exit sorted and have the treaty concluded so that those elections did not have to take place. But legally they do have to take place unless our withdrawal has been given legal effect, so those will now go ahead. "But we will be redoubling our efforts and talks with MPs of all parties to try to make sure that the delay after that is as short as possible. "Ideally we'd like to be in a situation where those MEPs never actually have to take their seat at European Parliament - certainly, to get this done and dusted by the summer recess." The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: "On the basis of advice in relation to parliamentary timetables, we will look to complete this ideally by June 30, but if not then, by summer recess." When Britain finally leaves the EU, the European Parliament will reduce from 751 MEPs to 705, with 27 of the UK's 73 seats being distributed among the remaining member states. B ritain will lose global influence to other nations unless it can shape a new role on the world stage after the Brexit fiasco, one of the countrys most respected diplomatic figures warned today. Sir Simon Fraser, who was top mandarin at the Foreign Office for five years, described Brexit as a bigger blow than the 1956 Suez Crisis, which became an emblem of British foreign policy humiliation. The UKs credibility as a country that pragmatically conducts affairs had been badly damaged by the fallout from quitting the EU, he said, adding that the countrys pivotal role as a link between the US and Europe had been hit. Sir Simon said he also believes the nations security will be diminished. In an interview with the Evening Standard, Sir Simon, now deputy chairman of foreign policy think tank Chatham House, emphasised that Brexit is structurally much more important as a setback than Anthony Edens disastrous attempts to regain western control of the Suez Canal because it is reversing the national strategy of half a century. Countdown to Brexit: 177 days until Britain leaves the EU Suez was just a badly handled mistake in international affairs. This is a big structural decision, he said. While respecting voters reasons for voting Leave and the referendum result in 2016, he said Brexit is a strategic error which will have costs to the economy and Britains influence. Most countries in the world were amazed by the decision that we took on Brexit and secondly even more amazed by the way we have mishandled the delivery of that decision, he emphasised. Our credibility, which used to be very high as a country which knew how to do things, and pragmatically conducts affairs, is badly damaged because of the events of the last three years. If we dont succeed in clarifying Brexit, sorting the situation out, getting ourselves back on the front foot, then yes, over time our influence will be eroded and other countries will supplant that influence. Sir Simon led the Foreign Office from 2010-2015, led the Business Department after the 2008 financial crisis and was chief-of-staff to European Trade Commissioner Lord Mandelson. Theresa May is telling lies about Brexit, says Tory who heckled PM at Welsh conference Essentially you exercise your leverage and influence in the world through key relationships with other countries, through your influence in international organisations and our biggest relationships, biggest forms of leverage, have been the EU and the relationship with the US, he explained. To be effective internationally, countries also need clear policies and priorities but Brexit has distracted us massively from key issues, he said. If you look at this country, its difficult to identify what our foreign policy is, Sir Simon argued. Whats missing is clarity about what the key priority issues are, including over Chinas growing economic and political power, US foreign policy changes and migration, he added. In trans-Atlantic talks, Britains voice used to be central as the country interpreting between Europe and America, continued Sir Simon, who is also managing partner of business advisory firm Flint Global. That is no longer the role that Britain is playing because we dont have that pivotal sort of role, he said. If Brexit happens, he believes UK leverage with the US will decline because it will not be representing the EU, which he described as the single most important multiplier of our voice internationally in recent years. The instinctive relationship with America will remain close, including on defence, intelligence and some foreign policy, Sir Simon said, but Britain is often closer to the EU on issues such as Iran and climate change. If you look at Brexit from the international angle... there was one strand of supporters for Brexit who were what you might call little Englanders who wanted to sort of withdraw into a more nativist relationship with the world and another strand which was actually almost the opposite... ultra liberal free-trading so-called Global Britain, he added. I dont think we have reconciled exactly where we lie on that spectrum ... that we have thought through clearly what the image is that we want to present to the world. With the post-war international institutions authority under threat, including from a more aggressive Russia, Sir Simon said he believes it is a very strange time to quit the EU. There will be a net diminution of our security as a result of stepping outside of the EU, he said. While security ties will continue, including on counter-terrorism, he doubted they will have the same quality and automaticity. Even if Britain decides to stay in the EU, he predicted there will be consequences with possible pressure on the rebate or on future opt-outs. Leaving is difficult and staying is now difficult, he went on to warn. J ean-Claude Juncker has admitted that he made a mistake in failing to speak out against the lies circulating during Britains EU referendum campaign. During a press conference in Brussels, the European Commission president said the commission could have destroyed the lies circulating before the UK voted to leave the EU. However, Mr Juncker said that he had accepted the advice of former Prime Minister David Cameron, who he said urged him not to get involved with the Brexit campaign. The then prime minister asked me not to interfere, not to intervene in the referendum campaign," he said. It was a mistake not to intervene and not to interfere because we would have been the only ones to destroy the lies which were circulated around. "I was wrong to be silent at an important moment. Asked if he now believed the UK might stay in the EU, Mr Juncker made light of the Brexit uncertainty, saying he had given up trying to guess British intentions. Echoing a remark that he had made earlier in his presentation that "nobody understands England but everybody understands English", Mr Juncker repeated a recent comment likening British Parliament to the enigmatic Sphinx of ancient Egypt. "Either they will stay or they will leave," Mr Juncker added. "If they stay they stay, if they leave they leave." His comments came as negotiations between the Government and Labour on trying to end the Brexit impasse continued on Tuesday amid growing impatience over Theresa Mays failure to name a clear resignation date. Under pressure over Brexit: Theresa May / REUTERS Mrs May has said she will step down if her Withdrawal Agreement is ratified, but has not made clear how long she intends to stay if no deal is reached. T heresa Mays allies are threatening legal action to stop the Tory leadership rules being changed to help oust her from power, it was revealed today. The potential court challenge, revealed by a senior supporter of the Prime Minister, came as she faced two separate moves to cut short her premiership. In key developments: The chairman of the National Conservative Convention which represents UK-wide membership declared formally that Mrs May has lost the confidence of activists. Announcing an Extraordinary General Meeting on June 15 to debate a no-confidence motion, Andrew Sharpe wrote: We therefore with great reluctance ask that she considers her position and resigns, to allow the Conservative Party to choose another leader, and the Country to move forward and negotiate our exit from the EU. Officers of the 1922 Committee, which represents backbench Conservative MPs, were shifting towards a vote against Mrs May. A secret ballot last month resulted in a 9-7 divide against changing the rules to push out the PM, but two members of the committee, Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown and Cheryl Gillan, were said by insiders to be considering changing sides. Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt argued that a permanent customs union wouldnt work in the long run because our economy is too big, however Chancellor Philip Hammond called for arrangements which allow us to have as low-friction trade as possible between the UK and the EU. Tory MPs voiced anger as talks between Downing Street and Labour towards adopting a customs union after Brexit were restarting this afternoon. The Standard has learned that Sir Graham Brady, chair of the 1922 Committee which represents backbench Conservative MPs, has taken independent legal advice on whether MPs have the right to change the rulebook. He consulted Alan Mabbutt, the senior official at Conservative headquarters, and also lawyers outside the party structure and was assured that the 1922 Committee is solely responsible for its own rules. Sir Graham Brady, chair of the 1922 Committee which represents backbench Conservative MPs, has taken independent legal advice on whether MPs have the right to change the rulebook / PA Sir Graham was due to meet Mrs May this afternoon on behalf of the executive to insist she give a firm departure date and timetable for a leadership contest. However, the senior supporter of Mrs May said any attempt to alter the rules would be subject to a legal challenge meaning that Downing Street or a group of Tories acting on behalf of Mrs May would go to court. The clash was caused by the abortive confidence vote forced last December by members of the European Research Group, which Mrs May won comfortably. Under party rules, the PM is supposed to have a clear 12 months before any further confidence motion can be put. TODO: define component type apester But the mood of MPs and members has turned sharply against her. Last weeks unprecedented loss of 1,300 seats in the local elections has intensified pressure on No 10. In his email announcing the EGM, Mr Sharpe wrote: We, members of the National Convention recognise the difficult task our Prime Minister has had in trying to extricate the UK from the EU after over 40 years of membership and we honour her work and commitment in that endeavour. It has, however been almost three years since we voted to leave and after two extensions to the original departure date, we no longer feel that Mrs May is the right person to continue as Prime Minister to lead us forward in the negotiations. The will take place a central London location, with party officials travelling from around the country to debate the single agenda item. Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, treasurer of the 1922 committee, told The Standard: We had these disastrous local government results, we are anticipating terrible results in the European elections which we never wanted, the party is literally dissolving before our eyes. He recalled that after John Major survived a confidence vote in 1995 the number of Tory MPs was halved at the 1997 election. We were then out of power for 13 years, he added. I can see a similar situation emerging again unless something radical happens. Another executive member said: Any legal challenge to the 1922 would perpetuate the anger. What would they be doing, kicking the can down the road? Labour divisions intensified today over a referendum. Andrew Gwynne, the election co-ordinator, blamed the mixed message for the partys failure to win seats in the council election. B ritains national newspapers today celebrated the birth of the royal baby though a number chose not to lead with the story. The Daily Mail led the way with a souvenir edition and 23 pages of royal baby reports. A grinning Duke of Sussex was splashed across its front page along with the headline quote from his Windsor Castle statement announcing the birth: This little thing is absolutely to die for! The Daily Mirror focused on Harrys praise for Meghan, with the headline: Im so incredibly proud of my wife. This little thing is absolutely to die for Other papers, however, offered a cooler perspective with their coverage of the birth. The Daily Star had its own novel way of presenting the baby coverage, billing it: American actress has baby. If you really dont care read pages 1 to 6 and 8 to 48. The story was relegated to a teaser on the i front page, with the paper instead splashing on the United Nations warning that one million species are at risk of extinction worldwide. Harry made the lead picture on The Times, but its main story was on the NHS beginning a global recruitment drive for nurses. TODO: define component type apester B ritons are drinking less alcohol despite the amount consumed worldwide being on the rise, a study has found. UK consumption has dropped from 12.6 litres of pure alcohol a year per adult in 1990 to 12.3 litres in 2010, and to 11.4 litres in 2017. And is predicted to drop even further to 11 litres by 2030, according to a study of 189 countries' alcohol intake published in The Lancet. But campaigners warned that four out of five people with an alcohol problem in the UK were still not getting treatment. The research measured alcohol consumption per person between 1990 and 2017. It studied World Health Organisation data and the Global Burden of Disease study. The research showed consumption globally increased by 70 per cent from 20,999 million litres in 1990 to 35,676 million in 2017. Jakob Manthey, the study's author from TU Dresden, Germany, said: "Our study provides a comprehensive overview of the changing landscape in global alcohol exposure. "Before 1990, most alcohol was consumed in high-income countries, with the highest use levels recorded in Europe. "However, this pattern has changed substantially, with large reductions across eastern Europe and vast increases in several middle-income countries such as China, India and Vietnam. "This trend is forecast to continue up to 2030 when Europe is no longer predicted to have the highest level of alcohol use." More than one in seven (15 per cent) people in the UK abstained from alcohol in 2017, three in four (77 per cent) had alcohol, and more than one in four (26 per cent) were binge drinking at least once a month. If these trends continue, by 2030 more than one in eight (13 per cent) people in the UK will abstain from alcohol. Almost four in five (79 per cent) will drink alcohol, and more than one in four (28 per cent) will binge drink at least once a month. The number of drinks that are equivalent to the measure of pure alcohol differs by country - in the UK a standard drink is 8g of pure alcohol. A measure of 5.9 litres is equivalent to one-and-a-half UK standard drinks per day. Karen Tyrell, of drug and alcohol charity Addaction, warned: "In the UK, four out of five people with an alcohol problem aren't getting any sort of treatment. We need to make it a lot easier to get help and support at a much earlier stage. "Alcohol is soaked through our culture. The alcohol industry has set the terms of the debate for too long. Flashy marketing disguises an industry that doesn't do nearly enough to compensate for the harm it causes. We know that 4% of drinkers consume one-third of the alcohol sold. "Helping people make healthier choices is vital but all the evidence shows we need a better policy if we are serious about change." The Alcohol Information Partnership said the study showed more people in the UK are "now drinking responsibly than harmfully", with "old negative stereotypes increasingly a thing of the past". L abour MP Jess Phillips claims she was confronted by a man who ran after her in the street asking why people cant joke about raping her because I pay your wages. Ms Phillips shared the experience with her followers after police launched an investigation into a video of Ukip candidate Carl Benjamin suggesting he might rape her. Mr Benjamin, who previously came under fire for a social media message in which he said he "wouldn't even rape" the Birmingham Yardley MP, posted a video online suggesting that "with enough pressure I might cave". As the police investigation continues, Ms Phillips said on Tuesday that she was confronted by a man in Westminster about Mr Benjamins comments. Ukip European Parliament election candidate Carl Benjamin / AFP/Getty Images She said: Just leaving Westminster and a man ran down the street alongside me asking about why Carl Benjamin shouldnt be able to joke about my rape. Ms Phillips also claimed that the man was shouting I pay your wages. Hundreds of the Labour MPs followers rallied behind her after she shared the encounter on Twitter, with one writing: I pay your wages too and I think you're an inspiration. It comes after West Midlands Police said they had received a report of a malicious communication in regards to Mr Benjamin and were investigating whether an offence had been committed. Ms Phillips said she broke down in tears after being told of Mr Benjamin's comments. Mr Benjamin released the video on YouTube, where he has a large following under the name Sargon of Akkad. After announcing a list of spoof Ukip policies, including invading Spain and restoring the British Empire, he said: "There's been an awful lot of talk about whether I would or wouldn't rape Jess Phillips. "I've been in a lot of trouble for my hardline stance of not even raping her. I suppose with enough pressure I might cave. But let's be honest, nobody's got that much beer." Ukip European Parliament candidate Carl Benjamin / REUTERS A West Midlands Police spokesman said: "Police have received a report of malicious communications relating to MP Jess Phillips. "Officers have spoken to Ms Phillips and the comments are being investigated to establish if an offence has taken place." Ms Phillips told the BBC's Victoria Derbyshire that she broke down in tears in Birmingham city centre "just because I felt the enormous weight of years and years and years of abuse". The Labour MP, a frequent target of online trolls, said: "I realised that I did what all women do in these situations - I had been putting a brave face on it and pretending that it was all fine and that I could cope. "It dawned on me that, for four years essentially, this man had made a career out of harassing me. And I felt harassed. "I felt 'How can somebody say that they would rape me if forced, and be a legitimate candidate in an election?'" She said it was "one thing when he was just some idiot off the internet" but now "it's a different thing when he is standing on the same platforms I am standing on, that he will potentially go to a parliament himself as an elected representative". "I cannot believe our system is so weak at the moment that's allowed to happen." Ukip leader Gerard Batten said: "Ukip has no knowledge of the police investigation and as such we cannot comment. A British soldier has been killed by an elephant while on counter-poaching operations in Malawi. Guardsman Mathew Talbot of the 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards died on Sunday during his first deployment. The Ministry of Defence did not confirm his cause of death but paid tribute to the "exceptionally kind and friendly individual." Brighton Kumchedwa, Director of Malawi's Department of National Parks and Wildlife, confirmed to a Malawi news outlet that Guardsman Talbot had been killed by an elephant. Lt Col Ed Launders MBE Commanding Officer said: I will always feel honoured to have served alongside Guardsman Mathew Talbot. Guardsman Mathew Talbot of The 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards died after being trampled by an elephant / Ministry of Defence He was a determined and big-hearted Coldstreamer who devoted his life to serving his country. It was typical of his character to volunteer for an important and challenging role in Malawi. He was hugely proud to of his work as a Counter-Poaching Operator, and tragically died doing great good. Mathew was loved by his brothers in arms in the Coldstream Guards. We will sorely miss his humour, selflessness and unbeatable spirit. My deepest condolences go to his parents, family and loved-ones. My thoughts and prayers are with them at this desperately sad time. File photo: The Coldstream Guards outside Buckingham Palace / PA Archive/PA Images Guardsman Talbot, who was from Birmingham, completed his military training at the Army Foundation College in Harrogate, before attending the Infantry Training Centre in Catterick, North Yorkshire. He was then posted to Number 7 Company Coldstream Guards, based in London where he spent the first, formative year of his career conducting State Ceremonial and Public Duties, before moving to the 1st Battalion Coldstrem Guards in Windsor. He leaves behind father Steven, his mother Michelle, sisters Aimee and Isabel and girlfriend Olivia. The MoD said the soldier was "often found befriending the locals and learning their language, which he did remarkably quickly." They added: "He became good friends with the Gurkhas attached to the team and took time to try and learn Nepali. "Mathew was a very keen photographer, documenting his time in the military with countless albums of his work. He particularly enjoyed capturing his time in Malawi. "He loved music and his close friends will remember him as a big fan of Frank Sinatra. "Mathew was an avid reader of military history and he was incredibly proud to serve in a regiment that had such a long an illustrious history." Major Richard Wright, Company Commander, said Guardsman Talbot "never failed to make him smile" and was "a real character who was always full of wit and never short of a joke or two, he quickly and easily made lifelong friends in the team." He also said the soldier had recently completed an exercise in Kenya before volunteering to mentor and partner the Malawian Ranger Force in their fight against the illegal wildlife trade. Defence Secretary Penny Mordaunt said: I was deeply saddened to hear of the death of Guardsman Mathew Talbot, who died while carrying out vital counter-poaching work in Malawi. This tragic incident is a reminder of the danger our military faces as they protect some of the worlds most endangered species from those who seek to profit from the criminal slaughter of wildlife. T he arrival of fatherhood completes a long and very public journey for Prince Harry from troubled royal rebel to trusted senior member of the firm. The headstrong younger son of the heir to the throne has long since left behind his reputation as a playboy prince whose nightclub antics often caused deep embarrassment to Buckingham Palace. He is now seen as a mature role model whose achievements include the launch of the Invictus Games for wounded and sick military veterans. As a Commonwealth ambassador, the 34-year-old has the Queens ear and earned her respect after several important royal tours abroad. Prince Harry aged 8 years old in a tank watching a mock battle during a visit to the Light Dragoons in Hannover, Germany / Jeremy Selwyn His marriage last year to Meghan Markle, and now the birth of their son, has given Harry a stability and grounding that seemed a world away just a few years ago. He has been in the spotlight from the moment his mother Princess Diana and father Prince Charles introduced him to the world on September 15, 1984. With his brother William by his side, Diana strove to give them the most normal childhood she could. Her death in a Paris car crash when he was 12 was a shattering loss that the prince has long struggled to come to terms with. Loading.... Four years later Harry confessed to his father to having smoked marijuana on numerous occasions in the first of a series of scandals that led to his wildchild reputation. In perhaps the most notorious incident, aged 20, he was photographed wearing a Nazi uniform to a private party. He later said in a statement: I am very sorry if I caused any offence or embarrassment to anyone It was a poor choice of costume and I apologise. Princes Harry and William with Diana (PA ) / PA In 2012, pictures were splashed over the front pages showing the then 28-year-old naked at a party in Las Vegas. Feeling ashamed for embarrassing his family, but angry at the media for publishing the photos, Harry who was in the Army at the time released a statement. I was in a private area and there should have been a certain amount of privacy that one should expect. It was probably a classic example of me probably being too much Army and not enough prince. Harry, who served in the Army for a decade and undertook two tours of Afghanistan, won the support of his comrades, with many on a 14,000-strong military Facebook group posting nude shots of themselves in solidarity. Chelsy Davy and Prince Harry (John Stillwell/PA ) / John Stillwell/PA Following the Vegas scandal, and with Williams encouragement, Harry sought counselling to help him deal with suppressed feelings he had bottled up after Dianas death. Speaking in 2017, Harry said: My way of dealing with it was sticking my head in the sand, refusing to ever think about my mum, because why would that help? Its only going to make you sad. TODO: define component type apester It was after what he described as two years of chaos that Harry received help from mental health professionals. As one of the worlds most eligible bachelors, Harrys love life was the source of unceasing speculation and intrusion. He always said that he was waiting for the right moment, and the right woman, to come along. He dated British-Zimbabwean Chelsy Davy in an on-off relationship for seven years. Aged 30, during a successful solo tour to New Zealand, Harry said: There come times when you think now is the time to settle down, or now is not, whatever way it is, but I dont think you can force these things; it will happen when its going to happen. He did not know it at the time but within months his world was to change forever. The following year, in 2016, he went on a blind date with an American actress, Meghan Markle, and their stars aligned. Within weeks he had persuaded her to join him in Botswana, southern Africa, where they camped out under the stars. T his is the moment veteran BBC royal correspondent Nicholas Witchell was lost for words live on air as he reported on the royal baby. Stationed outside Buckingham Palace, Mr Witchell suddenly asked presenter Ben Brown to bear with him after he lost his train of thought. "The first Anglo-American birth in the British royal family," he said. "Now we, er, know, of course, that er... excuse me, let me just collect my thoughts." Mr Witchell then continued his report, but seconds later stalled again. He then handed back to Mr Brown. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Baby Announcement - In pictures 1 /26 The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Baby Announcement - In pictures Prince Harry in front of the horses, apparently named George and Sir John, as he announces the birth PA A framed notice of birth was placed outside Buckingham Palace AFP/Getty Images Royal fans celebrate outside Windsor Castle PA the Instagram account of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, reads "It's a Boy !". AFP/Getty Images Television crews at work outside Windsor Castle following the news of the birth of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's new baby boy PA People gather outside Buckingham Palace to take pictures on their mobile phones of the notice placed on an easel in the palace's forecourt in London to formally announce the birth of a baby boy to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex PA Prince Harry speaks after the Duchess of Sussex gave birth to a baby boy Reuters The moment Prince Harry thanks the horses People celebrate outside Windsor Castle after Britain's Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex gave birth to a boy Reuters A television journalist (L) works as Royal wellwishers celebrate outside of near Windsor Castle in Windsor, AFP/Getty Images Town crier Tony Appleton announces the birth of baby boy to Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan Duchess of Sussex, outside Windsor Castle EPA Reuters Britain's Prince Harry speaks after Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, gave birth to a baby boy, at Windsor Castle Reuters Footmen Stephen Kelly and Sarah Thompson bring out the easel in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace in London to formally announce the birth of a baby boy to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex PA Memorabilia is pictured as people celebrate outside Windsor Castle after Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex gave birth to a boy Reuters Pedestrians walk past Windsor Castle AFP/Getty Images People gather outside Buckingham Palace to take pictures on their mobile phones of the notice placed on an easel in the palace's forecourt in London to formally announce the birth of a baby boy to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex PA A sign is placed outside the Prince Harry pub after the announcement of the birth of a baby boy to Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan Duchess of Sussex in Windsor EPA The BT Tower displays a message in celebration of the birth of Prince Harry, and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex's new baby boy AP Iconic London landmark known as the London Eye is seen illuminated in red, white and blue to celebrate the birth of Harry and Meghan's baby boy Getty Images Colleagues jumped to his defence. BBC News at Ten presenter Huw Edwards said: "For the record. Nick WItchells supreme professionalism is and always has been the envy of all his colleagues." And Sky presenter Adam Boulton said: "What just happened to Nicholas Witchell? Great reporter. Something must have been distracting him." Mr Witchell wasn't the only one who had an on-air moment on Monday. The Duke of Sussex himself thanked a pair of horses after confirming the baby's birth on live TV. TODO: define component type apester T he Queen, Prince of Wales and Duke and Duchess of Cambridge today shared their delight at the arrival of the royal baby, with William welcoming the Duke of Sussex into the "sleep deprivation society". The Queen, accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh in a rare public appearance at Windsor Castle, was the first to speak out on Tuesday as she was quizzed by members of the Order of Merit at a luncheon. "Life is good for Your Majesty?" she was asked. The smiling Queen replied: "Yes, thank you" The Queen at Windsor Castle on Tuesday / Jonathan Brady/PA "Congratulations. Another great-grandchild!" she was told. The Queen replied happily: "Yes, I know." She was then asked: "How many of them have you got now?" She replied: "Eight". The Duchess of Cornwall and Prince of Wales arrive at Berlin Airport on Tuesday / PA Meanwhile, Charles, accompanied by the Duchess of Cornwall on an engagement in Berlin, said: "We couldn't be more delighted at the news and we're looking forward to meeting the baby when we return." And William, speaking outside the Cutty Sark in Greenwich, south-east London, said: "Obviously thrilled, absolutely thrilled, and obviously looking forward to seeing them in the next few days when things have quietened down. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at the Cutty Sark - In pictures 1 /20 The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at the Cutty Sark - In pictures The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrive to launch the King's Cup Regatta trophy at the Cutty Sark, London EPA Getty Images Getty Images AFP/Getty Images PA PA PA PA PA Getty Images AFP/Getty Images EPA Getty Images Getty Images Getty Images "I'm very pleased and glad to welcome my own brother into the sleep deprivation society that is parenting." The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Baby Announcement - In pictures 1 /26 The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Baby Announcement - In pictures Prince Harry in front of the horses, apparently named George and Sir John, as he announces the birth PA A framed notice of birth was placed outside Buckingham Palace AFP/Getty Images Royal fans celebrate outside Windsor Castle PA the Instagram account of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, reads "It's a Boy !". AFP/Getty Images Television crews at work outside Windsor Castle following the news of the birth of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's new baby boy PA People gather outside Buckingham Palace to take pictures on their mobile phones of the notice placed on an easel in the palace's forecourt in London to formally announce the birth of a baby boy to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex PA Prince Harry speaks after the Duchess of Sussex gave birth to a baby boy Reuters The moment Prince Harry thanks the horses People celebrate outside Windsor Castle after Britain's Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex gave birth to a boy Reuters A television journalist (L) works as Royal wellwishers celebrate outside of near Windsor Castle in Windsor, AFP/Getty Images Town crier Tony Appleton announces the birth of baby boy to Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan Duchess of Sussex, outside Windsor Castle EPA Reuters Britain's Prince Harry speaks after Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, gave birth to a baby boy, at Windsor Castle Reuters Footmen Stephen Kelly and Sarah Thompson bring out the easel in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace in London to formally announce the birth of a baby boy to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex PA Memorabilia is pictured as people celebrate outside Windsor Castle after Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex gave birth to a boy Reuters Pedestrians walk past Windsor Castle AFP/Getty Images People gather outside Buckingham Palace to take pictures on their mobile phones of the notice placed on an easel in the palace's forecourt in London to formally announce the birth of a baby boy to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex PA A sign is placed outside the Prince Harry pub after the announcement of the birth of a baby boy to Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan Duchess of Sussex in Windsor EPA The BT Tower displays a message in celebration of the birth of Prince Harry, and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex's new baby boy AP Iconic London landmark known as the London Eye is seen illuminated in red, white and blue to celebrate the birth of Harry and Meghan's baby boy Getty Images Asked if he had any pearls of wisdom for his younger brother as a father-of-three, William laughed and said: "Plenty of advice, plenty of advice, but no - I wish him all the best and I hope [in] the next few days they can settle down and enjoy having a newborn in their family and the joys that come with that." TODO: define component type apester The Duchess of Cambridge added: "It's such a special time. Obviously with Louis and Charlotte just having had their birthdays, it's such a great time of year to have a baby, spring is in the air. "As William said, we're looking forward to meeting him and finding out what his name's going to be, so it's really exciting for both of them and we wish them all the best. T he Queen was expected to be the first royal to visit her eighth great-grandchild today. The monarch, who is in residence at Windsor Castle, is likely to make the one-mile journey to the Duke and Duchess of Sussexs home, Frogmore Cottage on the Home Park estate. The British public are likely to get their first sight of the unnamed baby boy who is seventh in line to the throne at a photo-call tomorrow when his parents have agreed to pose for TV and still photographs. But the Prince of Wales, who is said to be overjoyed, will have to wait until the end of the week, when he returns from a three-day visit to Germany, to meet his new grandson. Duke of Sussex 'absolutely thrilled' at birth of baby boy The name of the baby boy, who could take his fathers secondary title, Earl of Dumbarton, was expected to be revealed before the photo-call, but that had not been confirmed. Bookies are quoting Alexander, James, Arthur and Spencer as the favourites. Prince Harry was at Meghan's side during the birth / Reuters The Duchess of Sussexs hopes of a home birth were dashed when she was taken to hospital in central London on Sunday evening by Prince Harry and their Scotland Yard security team. Meghan who was a week overdue was whisked off amid such secrecy that even senior royals were not informed. It is understood she was taken to Marylebones Portland Hospital, where Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie of York were born. Meghan, 37, is thought to have remained there overnight before the arrival of her baby at 5.26am yesterday, with proud father Harry at her side.However, Buckingham Palace has still not officially confirmed that she had a hospital delivery and the Sussexes have said they wanted to keep details surrounding the birth of their first child private. Thrilled Prince Harry after the birth of his son 1 /14 Thrilled Prince Harry after the birth of his son Prince Harry was visibly delighted after Meghan gave birth Harry said it was a "very healthy boy" He said: "Mother and baby are doing incredibly well" The baby was born at 5.26am today Prince Harry said the experience was "amazing" Harry walks out to tell the press about the birth AFP/Getty Images Beaming Prince Harry was visibly thrilled at the birth of his son PA Harry said: "It was amazing, absolutely incredible." AFP/Getty Images "I am so incredibly proud of my wife," said Prince Harry REUTERS Prince Harry said he was 'over the moon' after the baby was born weighing 7lbs 3oz AFP/Getty Images Harry clasps his hands together as he tells the waiting media the news of the Duchess of Sussex giving birth Reuters By contrast, Harrys brother and sister-in-law the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge faced a mass photocall at the private Lindo Wing of St Marys Hospital, Paddington, within hours after all three of their children were born. Meghan was adamant that she did not want to do this and was supported by Harry and the Queen in her decision. Loading.... Instead, Harry gave an interview to a small media pool as the Palace issued a statement to the rest of the media confirming the couple had a baby son and that mother and baby were doing well. Meghans mother Doria Ragland is with her at Frogmore Cottage but it is not known if the duchess has personally informed her estranged father, Thomas Markle, of the birth. The Palace announced that Meghan had gone into labour shortly before 2pm yesterday / AP Harry, who has never met his father-in-law, made a point of saying in the official announcement of the birth that his late mother Diana, Princess of Waless siblings Earl Spencer, Lady Sarah McCorquodale and Lady Jane Fellowes had all been informed in advance of the statement. Both Meghan and Harry had studied hypnobirthing techniques and were hopeful of having an all-female midwife-led delivery in the privacy of Frogmore Cottage. But this was not possible. At the age of 37 meaning she was classed in medical terms as geriatric and a first-time mother, there was too high a risk of medical intervention being needed. The Palace did not announce that Meghan had gone into labour until shortly before 2pm yesterday. At 2.40pm a second statement announced that the couple were delighted to welcome a son. And at 4.45pm the traditional easel confirming the birth was erected at Buckingham Palace. TODO: define component type apester Announcing the happy news after Meghan and the baby went home to Frogmore yesterday, Prince Harry could not hide his joy as he spoke of his amazing son. The 34-year-old said he and his wife were absolutely thrilled and confessed that he had snatched only a couple of hours of sleep, adding with a broad grin: This little thing is absolutely to die for, so Im over the moon. Royal fans camped out overnight in Windsor High Street hoping to catch a glimpse of the baby tomorrow. Chris Imafidon, who has met Meghan five times on her royal engagements with education charities, said: The rumour mill is saying that they might all come out together as a family but we are prepared to wait. I was here when the news broke that he was a boy, it was like wow another Harry! I hope he is as bubbly as Harry is. H undreds of Uber drivers are expected to stage protests in cities across the UK tomorrow ahead of the rideshare firms bumper stock market flotation this week. Drivers in London, Birmingham, Nottingham and Glasgow who are members of the Independent Workers Union of Great Britain (IWGB) and United Private Hire Drivers Branch (UPHD), will boycott the app. Uber is expected to make its debut on the public market on Friday with a valuation of $91 billion (70 billion). This will make its initial public offering (IPO) one of the largest in the history of the technology industry. A global day of action by thousands of Uber drivers is due to take place on Wednesday in response to the public listing. Heres what we know about the UK protests: Uber drivers part of the IWGB union protest outside the Royal Courts of Justice, London, before a ruling on their employment rights. / PA Archive/PA Images Why are Uber drivers boycotting the app? Uber drivers are protesting against the IPO which will lead to big payouts for executives and venture capitalist investors, despite failures to resolve pay issues for drivers. The union has said that Uber's 70 billion valuation is built on an unsustainable business model dependent on "worker exploitation, tax avoidance and regulatory arbitrage". Uber drivers are demanding a Uber raise their fares by 2 per mile. / PA Archive/PA Images Since 2016, successive judgements from the Employment Tribunal, Employment Appeal Tribunal and Court of Appeal have all said Uber drivers are entitled to basic worker rights, such as the minimum wage and holiday pay, IWGB said in a statement. Uber has maintained that its drivers are self-employed. Analysis by UPHD has shown that Uber drivers currently earn on average 5 per hour and work as much as 30 hours per week before breaking even. What are the drivers' demands? Drivers in the UK are demanding fares be increased to 2 per mile and commissions paid by drivers to Uber are reduced from 25 percent to 15 percent. They are also calling for an end to unfair dismissals and for Uber to respect the rulings the 2016 ruling of the Employment Tribunal confirming 'worker' status for drivers Chair of UPHD James Farrar said: "Uber's flotation is shaping up to be an unprecedented international orgy of greed as investors cash in on one of the most abusive business models ever to emerge from Silicon Valley. It is the drivers who have created this extraordinary wealth but they continue to be denied even the most basic workplace rights. We call on the public not to cross the digital picket line on 8 May but to stand in solidarity with impoverished drivers across the world who have made Uber so successful." Protesters will make a stand outside Uber offices in four major UK cities. / EPA Where will the protests take place? The nine hour boycott will start at 7am on Wednesday outside Uber offices in four major UK cities. Drivers will protest outside the Uber UK head office in Aldgate Tower, east London, as well as outside their offices on 100 Broad Street in Birmingham, King Edward Court in Nottingham, and 69 Buchanan Street in Glasgow. What does Uber say? An Uber spokeswoman has said the company will continue to improve the experience of drivers. "Drivers are at the heart of our service - we cant succeed without them - and thousands of people come into work at Uber every day focused on how to make their experience better, on and off the road," she said in a statement. A gas station is pictured in Vancouver, B.C., Wednesday, Apr 17, 2019. Premier John Horgan has asked the British Columbia Utilities Commission to investigate why gasoline in Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Island is so much more expensive than the rest of the country.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward A teenage boy has been killed and eight people have been injured after two students opened fire at a school in Denver, Colorado. Officers arriving at the scene could still hear gunfire as the pair stormed around shooting students in classrooms on Tuesday, police said. STEM School Highlands Ranch, which serves kindergarten through to twelfth grade, was placed on lockdown and students were evacuated. People described how they were forced to run for their life as the gunmen entered campus and began shooting. Police vehicles line the street outside a recreation centre where students were reunited with their parents after the shooting / AP One student died in the attack on the school, which is located seven miles from Columbine High School where 13 people were killed in 1999. The victim killed was not named by authorities but it has been confirmed he was 18 years old. Text messages circulating on social media reportedly from a student at the school claimed "some seniors tackled the gunmen". Pupils step off a bus and head into a recreation centre where they were reunited with their parents / AP Crying children were seen being guided by officials to be reunited with their parents at a nearby recreation centre. The shooting comes a week after a gunman killed two students and wounded four at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte. It also comes nearly three weeks after neighbouring Littleton marked the 20th anniversary of the Columbine massacre. Lines of ambulances and police cars were at the scene of Tuesdays attack and a medical helicopter landed on a nearby field. Douglas County Sheriff Tony Spurlock said the gunmen walked into the school and began shooting students in two classrooms. School shooting: Armed police officers approach the scene at STEM School Highlands Ranch / AP Within minutes, deputies at a nearby sheriff's department substation arrived and arrested the two suspects after a struggle. "As officers were arriving at the school, they could still hear gunshots," Douglas County Undersheriff Holly Nicholson-Kluth said. "I have to believe that the quick response of the officers that got inside that school helped save lives," Spurlock said. Aftermath: Fire and police officers gather at the recreation centre where students were reunited with their parents / AP He did not identify the suspects, but said they were not previously known to authorities. Authorities planned to search their homes and a vehicle at the school, he said. "Tragically, this community and those surrounding it know all too well these hateful and horrible acts of violence," White House spokesman Judd Deere said in a statement. School buses arrive at the recreation centre set up for students / AP President Donald Trump had been briefed on the shooting and was in touch with state and local officials, Deere said. Student Christian Paulson told television station KMGH that he was in study hall when he saw kids running and shouting, "School shooter!" "And I'm like, what? Is this real or fake? And then I just went after them," Christian Paulson said. Officials guide students off a bus and into a recreation center where they were reunited with their parents / AP "And apparently, this is all real. And I tried to run with my life, but I'm out of breath." Rocco DeChalk, who lives near the school, told television station KUSA that he saw so many students running past his house that at first he thought it was a gym class. He said he went outside and saw a teenage boy who had been shot in the back being helped by a teacher and another student. They brought the boy into his kitchen and alerted a police officer, who sent for an ambulance, he said. Three area hospitals reported treating eight people in connection with the attack. Two were listed in serious condition, two were listed as stable, one was in good condition and three were released. P rince Charles has expressed delight at the birth of his new grandson as he addressed an audience at the Queens Birthday Party in Berlin. Speaking at the event held at the British Ambassadors residence, the Prince of Wales said: "It is, if I may say so, a great pleasure to be here with so many of you this evening - above all, to celebrate the birthday of Her Majesty The Queen, who has asked me to convey her warmest greetings to you all. "Of course, it is also a particular pleasure to be back in Berlin once again - especially as the grandfather of a brand new grandson." Prince Charles and his wife Camilla arrived in the capital on Tuesday to begin their four-day tour of Germany. Camilla, the Dutchess of Cornwall, is seen behind a balloon reading 'It's A Baby Boy' in Berlin. / EPA On his visit to the president Charles was given a teddy bear, as the president said: "First of all, let me congratulate you." The Prince of Wales is handed a soft toy for his new grandson by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. / PA The congratulations from President Frank-Walter Steinmeier came at the beginning of a day which was filled with hundreds of messages from members of the public who came to catch a glimpse of the prince. Camilla also received gifts for the new baby, as she visited an outpatient clinic for victims of domestic violence. Britain's Camillla, Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Charles, Prince of Wales arriving at Airport Tegel in Berlin, Germany. / EPA The duchess was given a onesie decorated with German art as well as a balloon with the words "It's a boy" written on it. Camilla said: "As soon as we return I will deliver it to them, direct from Germany. I'm sure they will be thrilled." Charles and Camilla ended their afternoon engagements with a visit to the Brandenburg Gate, where hundreds gathered to pass on their congratulations. Thrilled Prince Harry after the birth of his son 1 /14 Thrilled Prince Harry after the birth of his son Prince Harry was visibly delighted after Meghan gave birth Harry said it was a "very healthy boy" He said: "Mother and baby are doing incredibly well" The baby was born at 5.26am today Prince Harry said the experience was "amazing" Harry walks out to tell the press about the birth AFP/Getty Images Beaming Prince Harry was visibly thrilled at the birth of his son PA Harry said: "It was amazing, absolutely incredible." AFP/Getty Images "I am so incredibly proud of my wife," said Prince Harry REUTERS Prince Harry said he was 'over the moon' after the baby was born weighing 7lbs 3oz AFP/Getty Images Harry clasps his hands together as he tells the waiting media the news of the Duchess of Sussex giving birth Reuters Replying to one comment of "Congratulations on the new grandchild", Charles said: "Thank you, I'm collecting a rather large number of them." Asked if he had seen the baby yet, Charles said: "Not yet. How many grandchildren have you got? None yet? Just you wait." TODO: define component type apester Addressing people in the capital, the Prince of Wales said: "We couldn't be more delighted at the news and we're looking forward to meeting the baby when we return." The couple were welcomed to Berlin on Tuesday by Chancellor Angela Merkel. The three of them posed for photographs before heading into the Federal Chancellery for a private meeting. Before he made his way inside, one man shouted through the gates to Charles, saying: "Congratulations, grandfather." T wo journalists who were jailed in Myanmar for their reporting on the killing of ten Rohingya Muslim men have been freed after spending more than 500 days behind bars. Reuters reporters Wa Lone, 33, and Kyaw Soe Oo, 29, were convicted of breaking the Official Secrets Act in September, but walked free on Tuesday. They were released from a prison on the outskirts of Yangon, the countrys largest city, under a presidential amnesty for 6,520 prisoners. The pair were awarded the Pulitzer Prize for international reporting for the report which got them jailed, which investigated the killing of ten Rohingya Muslim men and boys by security forces and Buddhist civilians during an army crackdown. Reuters journalists Wa Lone (L) and Kyaw Soe Oo gesture as they walk to Insein prison gate / AFP/Getty Images The operation, which began in August 2017, sent more than 730,000 Rohingya fleeing to Bangladesh, according to U.N. estimates. Swamped by media and well-wishers as they walked through the gates of Insein Prison, a grinning Wa Lone gave a thumbs up and said he was grateful for the international efforts to secure their freedom. He said: I'm really happy and excited to see my family and my colleagues. I can't wait to go to my newsroom. Kyaw Soe Oo smiled and waved to reporters. The two were then driven away by Reuters colleagues and reunited with their wives and children. Reuters journalists Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo - In pictures 1 /18 Reuters journalists Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo - In pictures Reuters journalist Kyaw Soe Oo (left)holds his daughter next to wife Chit Su Win and Reuters journalist Wa Lone poses with wife Pan Ei Mon and daughter after being released from prison after receiving a presidential pardon in Yangon, Myanmar AP Reuters journalists Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo react in a car after being released from Insein prison in a presidential amnesty in Yangon AFP/Getty Images Reuters reporters Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo celebrate with their children after being freed from prison, after receiving a presidential pardon in Yangon, Myanmar Reuters Reuters journalists Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo gesture as they walk to Insein prison gate after being freed in a presidential amnesty in Yangon AFP/Getty Images Reuters journalist Wa Lone reacts as he is freed from Insein prison with colleague Kyaw Soe Oo after a presidential amnesty in Yangon AFP/Getty Images Reuters reporter Kyaw Soe Oo reacts as he walks free outside Insein prison after receiving a presidential pardon in Yangon, Myanmar Reuters Reuters reporters Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo gesture as they walk free outside Insein prison after receiving a presidential pardon in Yangon, Myanmar Reuters Reuters reporter Kyaw Soe Oo holds his daughter with his wife Chit Su Win after being freed from prison, in Yangon, Myanmar, AP Reuters journalist Wa Lone and his wife Pan Ei Mon celebrate with their daughter after he was freed from prison with colleague Kyaw Soe Oo in a presidential amnesty in Yangon AFP/Getty Images Reuters journalists Wa Lone (2nd L) and Kyaw Soe Oo (L) celebrate with family members after being freed from prison in a presidential amnesty in Yangon AFP/Getty Images Reuters reporters Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo walk to Insein prison gate after being freed, after receiving a presidential pardon in Yangon, Myanmar Reuters Reuters journalists Wa Lone carries his daughter, as his wife Pan Ei Mon looks on, after he was freed from prison with colleague Kyaw Soe Oo in a presidential pardon in Yangon AFP/Getty Images Reuters journalist Kyaw Soe Oo (R) celebrates with wife Chit Su Win and his daughter after being freed from prison with colleague Wa Lone after a presidential amnesty in Yangon AFP/Getty Images Reuters reporters Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo celebrate with their children after being freed from prison, after receiving a presidential pardon in Yangon, Myanmar Reuters Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt welcomed the release of Mr Lone and Mr Soe Oo, who had been sentenced to seven years in jail, a "clear miscarriage of justice". He hailed their release as a "rare glimmer of hope" amid attacks on media freedom around the world. Human rights lawyer Amal Clooney, who represented the journalists, said she hoped the move signalled "a renewed commitment to press freedom in Myanmar". Mr Hunt said he raised their case with Aung San Suu Kyi, the country's civilian leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, during a visit to Burma in September. He tweeted: "I am extremely grateful she has listened to me and many others and responded to a clear miscarriage of justice. The reporters have been reunited with their wives and children / AP "In a world where media freedom is under attack this is a rare glimmer of hope." It is customary in Myanmar for authorities to free prisoners across the country around the time of the traditional New Year, which began on April 17. Reuters has said the two men did not commit any crime and had called for their release. Editor-in-Chief Stephen J. Adler welcomed the news, and said: "We are enormously pleased that Myanmar has released our courageous reporters, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo. Since their arrests 511 days ago, they have become symbols of the importance of press freedom around the world. We welcome their return. Rohingya refugees move across the Naf River as they cross the Myanmar-Bangladesh border in Palong Khali, near Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, November 1, 2017 / Hannah McKay/Reuters Mrs Clooney praised Mr Adler for his "incredible determination" in securing their release. She said: It is inspiring to see a news organisation so committed to the protection of innocent men and the profession of journalism. "It has been an honour to represent Reuters and the two journalists in this case and I hope that their release signals a renewed commitment to press freedom in Myanmar." U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was he was relieved to learn of the release, spokesman Stephane Dujarric said. Myanmar's Supreme Court had rejected the journalists' final appeal in April. More than 730,000 Rohingya Muslims fled from the crisis / Hannah McKay/Reuters They had petitioned the country's top court, citing evidence of a police set-up and lack of proof of a crime, after the Yangon High Court dismissed an earlier appeal in January. The reporters' wives wrote a letter to the government in April pleading for a pardon, not, they said, because their husbands had done anything wrong, but because it would allow them to be released from prison and reunited with their families. The Reuters journalists were released at the prison to representatives of Reuters and to Lord Ara Darzi, a British surgeon and health care expert who has served as a member of an advisory group to Myanmars government on reforms in Rakhine State. Lord Darzi said in a statement: This outcome shows that dialogue works, even in the most difficult of circumstances. N ew Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern has revealed the country will be issuing gifts in honour of the royal baby. Meghan's pregnancy was announced as she and Harry embarked on a tour of Australia and New Zealand last year. And Ms Ardern said: A donation will be made to a group called Little Sprouts who prepares baby boxes for families in need on the birth of their babies. And also, we'll be purchasing 10 trees through the Trees That Count programme, native trees to acknowledge the birth of their baby. Jacinda Ardern pictured on Monday / Marty Melville/New Zealand Herald via AP "So, they'll be planted here in New Zealand as well. So, I hope New Zealanders think those are nice gifts on their behalf." Last year Ms Ardern became only the second elected leader in modern history to give birth while in office. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Baby Announcement - In pictures 1 /26 The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Baby Announcement - In pictures Prince Harry in front of the horses, apparently named George and Sir John, as he announces the birth PA A framed notice of birth was placed outside Buckingham Palace AFP/Getty Images Royal fans celebrate outside Windsor Castle PA the Instagram account of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, reads "It's a Boy !". AFP/Getty Images Television crews at work outside Windsor Castle following the news of the birth of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's new baby boy PA People gather outside Buckingham Palace to take pictures on their mobile phones of the notice placed on an easel in the palace's forecourt in London to formally announce the birth of a baby boy to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex PA Prince Harry speaks after the Duchess of Sussex gave birth to a baby boy Reuters The moment Prince Harry thanks the horses People celebrate outside Windsor Castle after Britain's Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex gave birth to a boy Reuters A television journalist (L) works as Royal wellwishers celebrate outside of near Windsor Castle in Windsor, AFP/Getty Images Town crier Tony Appleton announces the birth of baby boy to Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan Duchess of Sussex, outside Windsor Castle EPA Reuters Britain's Prince Harry speaks after Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, gave birth to a baby boy, at Windsor Castle Reuters Footmen Stephen Kelly and Sarah Thompson bring out the easel in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace in London to formally announce the birth of a baby boy to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex PA Memorabilia is pictured as people celebrate outside Windsor Castle after Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex gave birth to a boy Reuters Pedestrians walk past Windsor Castle AFP/Getty Images People gather outside Buckingham Palace to take pictures on their mobile phones of the notice placed on an easel in the palace's forecourt in London to formally announce the birth of a baby boy to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex PA A sign is placed outside the Prince Harry pub after the announcement of the birth of a baby boy to Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan Duchess of Sussex in Windsor EPA The BT Tower displays a message in celebration of the birth of Prince Harry, and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex's new baby boy AP Iconic London landmark known as the London Eye is seen illuminated in red, white and blue to celebrate the birth of Harry and Meghan's baby boy Getty Images Australia prime minister Scott Morrison also sent his "huge congratulations" to the couple. Mr Morrison, who climbed the Sydney Harbour Bridge with Harry, said it was "great that the wonderful day has come and everybody is well". Duke of Sussex 'absolutely thrilled' at birth of baby boy But with the Queen's role as Australia's head of state a continual topic of debate Down Under, the arrival of the seventh in line to the throne was an opportunity for critics to voice their dissatisfaction. The Australian Republic Movement said it "warmly congratulates Harry and Meghan on the birth of their son, and all Australians who welcomed a child into the world today". Royal baby: well-wishers flock to Buckingham Palace and Windsor 1 /14 Royal baby: well-wishers flock to Buckingham Palace and Windsor Well-wishers gather outside the gates of Buckingham Palace after the news that Harry and Meghan's baby was announced AP Royal fans celebrate outside Windsor Castle PA People gather outside Buckingham Palace AP Tourists and members of the public gather at the gates of Buckingham Palace AFP/Getty Images Visitors walk outside the Long Walk entrance to Windsor Castle in Windsor following the announcement AFP/Getty Images Members of the media gather outside Windsor Castle AP Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead official Town Crier Chris Brown announces the news of the birth of the royal baby AP People gather outside Buckingham Palace to take pictures on their mobile phones of the notice placed on an easel in the palace's forecourt to formally announce the birth AP Well-wishers gather outside Windsor Castle AP People gather outside Buckingham Palace PA A man dressed as a town crier outside Windsor Castle in Berkshire following the news of the birth of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's new baby boy PA But it added in its statement: "Baby Sussex is the seventh in line for the British throne, behind Prince Harry, Prince Louis, Princess Charlotte, Prince George, Prince William and Prince Charles making him unlikely to ever rule over Australians. "We look forward to when our head of state is chosen by Australians, and on merit, instead of birth right. "An Australian republic will mean that each child born today can grow up aspiring to the top job - regardless of their family, social status or wealth." TODO: define component type apester K im Kardashian squashed rumours her fourth child has been born amid confusion over a text from husband Kanye West mentioning four kids and the arrival of a Royal Baby. Kardashian was accused of stealing the limelight from the Duchess of Sussex, who gave birth to her first child on Monday morning. The reality star tweeted: Wait just saw news our baby boy came but thats not true! Its Met Monday, Im in NYC. I would be at the hospital lol. Twitter users immediately sprang into action, telling Kardashian that the media was talking about Meghan Markle and not her soon-to-be new addition. One wrote: No Kim youre confused, when they say #RoyalBaby is here they mean Harry and Megans baby. Your kids arent referred to as #RoyalBaby. Another said: Nothing can steal the duchess of Sussexs thunder today as a real royal baby arrived Let's just celebrate Harry and Meghan's baby without you shifting the ATTENTION to YOURSELF, tweeted somebody else. Others were quick to jump to Kardashians defence as they pointed out some fans and a couple of US media outlets were led to believe the stars surrogate had given birth after West praised his wife in a text mentioning four kids. Text: Kanye's mention of 'four kids' sent fans into a frenzy / Instagram / Kim Kardashian Sharing a snapshot of their life together, West wrote: This your life. Married with four kids. Get people out of jail. Cover of Vogue. Go to church every week with your family. Dreams come true. People are so rude, E! News had 'breaking news' today on Daily Pop and they claimed Kims baby was here due to Kanye saying in his text they have 4 kids... so no she isnt stealing the light from Meghan. She simply has people assume whats going on in her life, read one tweet. Duke of Sussex 'absolutely thrilled' at birth of baby boy Others told Kardashian that she shouldnt have to explain herself and told haters to take a look at stories before coming for her. Kardashian stepped out for the Met Gala wearing a skintight latex dress, decorated with beading, in a design by Thierry Mugler to fit in with this years theme, Camp: Notes on Fashion. Her outfit drew criticism from some, with fans accusing her of manipulating her waist. Fierce critic Piers Morgan branded her outfit ludicrous and compared it to spanx as he discussed the Met Gala on Good Morning Britain. West kept it characteristically low-key with a $40 (30) black jacket and a pair of his brand Yeezys trainers. A ctor Luke Perry was laid to rest in an eco-friendly mushroom suit, his daughter has said. Sophie Perry, 18, revealed details of her fathers burial in an emotional Instagram post on Friday. In a message shared with her 94.9k followers, the daughter of the former 'Beverly Hills 90210' star explained that her father had chosen an unusual mode of internment. Any explanation I give will not do justice to the genius that is the mushroom burial suit, but it is essentially an eco friendly burial option via mushrooms, wrote Ms Perry, alongside a photo of fungi growing among the trees in Californias Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve. Luke Perry, 52, was buried in the Coeio's biodegradable "mushroom suit" / Coeio All I can say is that you should all look into them at coeio.com or just by googling mushroom burial suit. My dad discovered it, and was more excited by this than I have ever seen him. He was buried in this suit, one of his final wishes. They are truly a beautiful thing for this beautiful planet, and I want to share it with all of you. The mushroom suit, or Infinity Burial Suit, was developed by California-based green burial company Coeio. Made from 100 per cent organic cotton embedded with material from specially cultivated mushrooms, the firm claims its biodegradable suit "delivers nutrients from body to surrounding plant roots efficiently". Founder Jae Rhim Lee wore an early version of the suit during a 2011 Ted Talk in which she explained her research. "Some of our tastiest mushrooms can clean environmental toxins," she said, "so I thought maybe I can train an army of toxin-cleaning edible mushrooms." The company promises to plant two trees for every suit it sells, adding that at a cost of 1,145 ($1,500), its far cheaper than traditional burials which cost more than $5,000. In her Instagram post, Ms Perry explained that mushrooms now hold an entirely new meaning for me. In December I went to San Francisco with two of my best friends. One of them, had never never been to California, so we went to show him the Redwoods. I took this picture while we were there, because i thought, damn, those mushrooms are beautiful, she wrote. Many social media users have praised the 52-year-old actors burial method, claiming it has opened their eyes to alternatives to caskets and cremation. I never knew about this! Thank you for using this voice of yours to share these kinds of things. It is a bit 'scary' (in lack of a better word), yet so fascinating and important, commented one Instagram user. What a beautiful way to keep life going. This brings a whole different level to resting in peace. Thank you for sharing such an intimate part of your life, wrote another. Luke Perry - In pictures 1 /24 Luke Perry - In pictures Luke Perry poses for a portrait during the 2018 Television Critics Association Summer Press Tour in Beverly Hills Invision/AP Beverly Hills 90210 Luke Perry and Madonna in 2005 Rex Features Actor Luke Perry poses during the TV series photocall "Goodnight for Justice" during the 26th edition of the five-day MIPCOM, on October 5, 2010 in Cannes AFP/Getty Images Luke Perry, Jason Priestley and Ian Ziering of the cast of Beverly Hills, 90210 in 1991 Rex Features Luke Perry at the 1996 Blockbuster Awards Rex Features Beverly Hills 90210 Rex Features Kristy Swanson and Luke Perry, co-stars in 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' film (1992) AP Naomi Judd pinches the cheeks of Luke Perry after asking him about the title of his new movie '8 Seconds' in 1994 AP Luke Perry poses during an interview in New York (2001) AP Luke Perry arrives as a guest at the premiere of the new Western film "Open Range" in Hollywood, California in 2003 Reuters Luke Perry talks to attendees at the Sustainable Biodiesel Summit, San Diego in 2006 REUTERS Luke Perry poses for a portrait in 2011 AP Executive producer and talent Luke Perry participates in the UP "Welcome Home" panel during the cable portion of the Television Critics Association Summer Press Tour, Beverly Hills IN 2015 Reuters Luke Perry and K.J. Apa in Riverdale Luke Perry in Riverdale Actor Luke Perry arrives for the press line of "Riverdale" at Comic Con in San Diego in July 2018 AFP/Getty Images Luke Perry pictured in March last year Valerie Macon/AFP/Getty Images However, others have voiced their disgust at the infinity suit. Ridiculous! Dont you know about dust to dust. Had you buried your father in a wooden casket, be assured, he would have been returned to the earth without paying $1,500 for a silly mushroom suit. A sucker is born everyday, commented an Instagram critic. This is creepy, disgusting and disturbing. Imagine now using the mushrooms for a recipe like risotto with funghi,, mushrooms that have been feeding off a corpse, added another. W here better to make your red carpet debut as a married couple than the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art on the first Monday in May? Sophie Turner and Joe Jonas made their first public appearance since their surprise Vegas wedding at the 2019 Met Gala, looking more loved-up than ever. The newlyweds wore coordinating printed ensembles by Louis Vuitton, featuring colourful geometric patterns. Game of Thrones star Turner opted for a chic jumpsuit, while her husband kept things low-key in a patterned polo neck jumper and dark trousers. Debut: The pair made their first Met appearance as a married couple (Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue) / Getty Images Turner wore her hair slicked back, with a smattering of silver hairspray. They were joined at the event by Jonas younger brother Nick and his wife Priyanka Chopra. The couple walked down the aisle of the Little White Chapel in Las Vegas shortly after the Billboard Music Awards last week, and were married with the help of an Elvis Presley impersonator. Vegas wedding: Jonas and Turner tied the knot last week / @diplo The surprise ceremony was attended by a handful of the couples famous friends, including Khalid and Diplo, who documented proceedings on Instagram, sharing videos of Turner wearing a white jumpsuit and veil. Another clip showed the couple exchanging vows, with Turner telling Jonas: I love you and I thank God he gave me you. Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner's wedding Country stars Dan and Shay serenaded the newlyweds with their hit Speechless. Turners mother Sally revealed that the actress had phoned her moments before the ceremony took place. Sophie did call me before, she told MailOnline. She said, Mum, Im getting married in Vegas. I am absolutely delighted and so is my husband Andrew. It was previously reported that the pair were planning to host a festival-inspired wedding extravaganza in France. Z endaya brought a touch of fairytale magic to the Met Gala as she paid homage to Disney princess Cinderella. In a clever nod to this year's theme Camp: Notes on Fashion, the former Disney Channel star dressed in a real life replica of the cartoon princess's famous blue gown, designed by Tommy Hilfiger. In keeping with the character's look, she wore her hair in a blonde updo, complete with a thick baby blue hair band. The most magical moment of the night, however, came when her stylist Law Roach (dressed as Cinderella's fairy godmother) waved a 'magic wand,' prompting the gown to light up. Met Gala 2019 Zendaya - In pictures 1 /18 Met Gala 2019 Zendaya - In pictures Zendaya and Law Roach arrive on the red carpet for the 2019 Met Gala, the annual benefit for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute, in New York EPA Getty Images Zendaya loses a glass slipper as she arrives for the 2019 Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on in New York AFP/Getty Images Getty Images Reuters Getty Images Invision/AP Invision/AP Getty Images AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images PA Reuters Getty Images Fans couldn't get enough of the star's dramatic look, crowning her the "Queen" of this year's event. "Zendaya is the Queen of the Met Gala every single year. That's it. That's the tweet," one Twitter user wrote. "The Met Gala really is Zendaya's playground," another tweet read. The Spider-Man actress even finished her pink carpet moment with another nod to Cinderella, leaving a single glass slipper on the stairs of the Met. At last year's event, the star was praised for fully embracing the theme of Fashion and the Catholic Imagination as she arrived at the event dressed in a full suit of armour, inspired by Joan of Arc. The Met Gala 2019 was co-chaired by Lady Gaga, Serena Williams, Harry Styles and Gucci's creative director Alessandro Michele. Marshall White Center action stalls as Ogden mayor seeks funding info OGDEN Action on the Marshall White Centers future has been placed on hold yet again as the Ogden City Council removed it from Tuesdays meeting agenda pending the drafting of a joint resolution on the matter with city administration. A presentation supporting the replacement of the MWC, as well as creating a timeline for the completion of major tasks required to move the project forward, will be considered during a council meeting on Jan. 11, 2022. Councilman Ben Nadolski pushed for a joint resolution with the administration in Tuesdays work session. I want to move ... The corrections staff has thrown out a number of ideas were considering, Overman said. Some of the changes we can easily make with virtually no cost. Ill have to talk with the commissioners for other ideas that are more significant. Those could take more time to implement. Vonnie Cotant, program manager for the county detention center, shared with commissioners the statistics shes received. They were what she called wonderful news. Currently, the jail is at an average of 86% capacity with a lot of those inmates being housed for other jurisdictions, or what Cotant called paying customers. After looking at the numbers, Commission Chairman Ken Meyer said hes been hearing a lot of good things about jail operations during this interim period. And after a walk-through of the jail by the board, and meeting with staff, they were confident things will be all right. I felt good after that meeting, Meyer said. I think were in good hands and after seeing these numbers, I feel really good. The contract with Nebraska to house inmates from other jails is still in its early stages, but Meyer sees the opportunity to expand that service. The Giants received a warm welcome from the staff and students during an assembly before heading to Chimney Rock. I felt like Id seen it already, said Sowell. The students had seen photos of Chimney Rock in brochures GJHS students included in monthly goodie bags throughout the school year. Since Runza is not found in Louisiana, the students enjoyed lunch eating Runza sandwiches. It was a good place, he said. We had never ate there before since we dont have Runza in Louisiana. The Bulldogs showed their pen pals through the junior high to provide a glimpse of a school day. Its big, said AMarion Dorsey about GJHS. Its like another world of classes. After seeing some of the classrooms, Dorsey said his favorite was the sewing class. You can make stuff and basically, you show your imagination, he said. A highlight of the day for several students and chaperones was hiking the Scotts Bluff National Monument. In Scotts Bluff County, more than $44.7 million was generated in direct travel spending in our area with over $11.8 million in state and local tax revenues. Tourism draws some 289,000 visitors each year to our communities, significantly contributing to local economies and enriching the culture, vibrancy and quality of life for our residents, Meyer said. The proclamation took place in the shadow of Eagle Rock at Scotts Bluff National Monument. We decided it was appropriate this year to do it here because they are celebrating their 100th anniversary here, said Brenda Leisy, Scotts Bluff County Tourism director. National Park Ranger Kayla Gasker said the monument showcases how rich geology, history, cultural and ecological elements combine to create a landmark of the ages. It is fitting we are joined today for the start of National Travel and Tourism Week by our local elected officials and members of the press, Gasker said. It was elected officials and the community at large that helped establish Scotts Bluff as a national monument in 1919. ALLIANCE The Alliance Public Library Foundation is hosting a Mothers Day gift basket silent auction in the Alliance Public Library featuring 26 themed baskets that contain a variety of books, soaps, facial masks, jewelry and other mom gifts. By supporting this fundraiser, you will be able to find a great gift for Mothers Day while benefiting your library and community. All funds raised will go to the Alliance Public Library Foundation, which supports library programs such as Lego Club, Summer Reading and Nebraska Humanities performances. Bids will be accepted through Thursday, May 9, at 5:30 p.m. The baskets are currently on display in the Alliance Public Library located at 1750 Sweetwater Ave. For more information, contact the Alliance Public Library at 308-762-1387. Submit Your News We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form South Africa: IEC removes Benoni Deputy Presiding Officer A Deputy Presiding Officer from a voting station in Benoni, Ekurhuleni, has been removed, following an investigation into a video showing a party agent assisting with the transfer of special votes. The video, which went viral on Monday, showed a party agent helping to transfer special votes in their double envelopes from a ballot bag used during home visits to a ballot box in the voting station. Ballot bags are used to collect special votes during home visits, as ballot boxes are impractical for home visits. At the end of the day of home visits, the special votes collected are then transferred to a ballot box for secure storage and to empty the ballot bag for use on the second day of special voting. The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) said while the transfer of the special votes from bags to ballot boxes is normal procedure, the handling of any electoral material by any party agent is strictly prohibited. They [party agents] are only allowed to observe operations and raise objections. The Deputy Presiding Officer, who was overseeing the process, has therefore been removed, the Electoral Commission said in a statement on Tuesday. Despite the breach, the Commission said it is confident that the integrity was not undermined as special votes have a very strict verification process prior to the counting of ballots through the double envelope system. Explaining the verification process, the Electoral Commission said all special votes are first placed in an unmarked envelope, which is then inserted into a second envelope, which is marked with the voting station and voters particulars for verification. The envelope is then placed in the ballot box or bag (home visits). Before special votes are included in the count, they are subjected to a thorough verification against lists of authorised special voters. This is witnessed by party agents and observers. Only when the special vote is confirmed against the authorised list is the outer envelope removed and the inner envelope is added to normal ballots for counting. This protects the secrecy of the vote, the Commission explained. The Electoral Commission said that following Mondays first day of special voting, it is also investigating reports of instances of the double envelope system not being used in some special voting, as well as some ballot papers which may not have been stamped at the back. The stamping of ballot papers immediately prior to them being issued to voters is an important security measure. Depending on the outcome of the investigation, the Commission will make a decision on whether these votes are included in the count or not. Vigilance of party agents appreciated Meanwhile, the Commission has expressed its appreciation to party agents for the vigilance and voters in monitoring the election process, and in bringing to its attention potential problems. This should be done firstly at the voting station through the Presiding Officer and, if not resolved then it should be raised through the existing channels including the party liaison structures. Providing as much detail of any incident including where and when it occurred would significantly speed up the investigation process. The special voting through home visits and voting station visits continues today. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2019-05-07. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. The 2020 presidential race looks increasingly like it will be the Medicare-for-all election, as an increasing number of Democratic primary candidates including front-runners such as Sens. Kamala D. Harris, D-Calif., and Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., sign on to the slogan. The policy ought to be an easy sell, given that Medicare polls so well and American insurers so badly. Except no, its not going to be easy at all at least not when vague talk about Medicare-for-all turns to the specifics of a system that could rationalize the myriad insanities of the fragmented U.S. health-care system and get a handle on its exorbitant costs. That would inevitably mean bulldozing most private insurance to build something simpler and more straightforward. Unfortunately, people are actually pretty attached to their own little corner of the countrys collective disaster. No, really. You wouldnt know it to read most of the news coverage, or to listen to politicians, but that is one of the more consistent results in health-care polling: Over and over again, roughly 7 out of every 10 Americans report that theyre fairly satisfied with the quality of their personal coverage. The Starkville Rotary Club welcomed guest speaker Keith Key, P.E., of Mississippi Solar, LLC. to talk about solar energy installations and how the energy source is catching on in Mississippi and around the country. 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Nazir Murice Lucky, 20, was arrested April 29 on 17 charges of felony breaking and entering a motor vehicle and six counts of misdemeanor larceny, arrest reports show. He received a $180,000 secured bond from a magistrate. He was arrested again April 30 while in the Iredell County Detention Center for another count of breaking and entering a motor vehicle and felony financial card theft. Lucky received an additional $2,500 secured bond. Earlier in April, he was charged with 18 counts of breaking and entering a motor vehicle, two counts of identity theft, two counts of conspiracy, transferring/recovering/possession of a stolen vehicle and three counts of misdemeanor larceny. Lucky initially received a $105,000 secured bond from a magistrate. Lucky was identified as a suspect in a series of vehicle break-ins which occurred March 31 through April 1, Major Ron Chilton of the Mooresville Police Department said at that time. Chilton stated Lucky was arrested and served with warrants April 11. State records said Lucky has a prior conviction of felony assault. The Mooresville Police Department is searching for a suspect in connection with the robbery of the First Citizens Bank on Medical Park Road Monday. A man came into the bank around 2:20 p.m. and passed a note to a bank representative demanding cash. A weapon was not displayed, a news release from the Mooresville Police Department stated. Employees compiled the demands and the man left the bank with an undetermined amount of cash. The suspect is described as a black man, about 5-feet-8 to 5-feet-9 inches tall and wearing camouflage pants, a red hooded sweatshirt and oversized sunglasses. He left on foot headed towards the Dairy Queen. He was seen getting into an aqua/green/blue car, possible an older Toyota Avalon and the vehicle was last seen traveling towards Fairview Road on N.C. 115. The vehicle was driven by another person. The vehicle had damage to the right front quarter panel, five-star rims and a temporary South Carolina dealership tag. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information about the suspect or vehicle is asked to contact Detective Crow with the Mooresville Police Department at 704-664-3311. (Mining is) a very big part of our story at home, he said. I grew up in an area where we were surrounded by these heaps of dirt, these mullock heaps. That sort of marked where all the mines were, when people dug tunnels and shafts and things like that. We used to go out there as kids, ride our bike out there and explore all these places. And although the Appalachian Mountains, with its own mining history, and Australia are several thousands of miles apart, Achison said those who sought wealth may have something in common. From what Ive read, the story is very similar, he said. These discoveries and the method of extracting gold out of the earth back in those times was much the same. It was left up to individuals to decide to explore these areas and take to it with a pan and a shovel and try and dig this stuff out of the ground, and in brutal times in a lot of ways. Achison will be performing a solo show May 2 at the Iredell Arts Council located at 203 S. Meeting St. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. with tickets starting at $12. Tickets can be purchased brownpapertickets.com/event/3923792 . Funeral arrangements for Officer Jordan Harris Sheldon have been set. The service will be Friday at 11 a.m. at Calvary Church in Charlotte, located at 5801 Pineville-Matthews Road, according to the Town of Mooresville. A procession of public safety vehicles will leave from the funeral home in Concord to the church in Charlotte for the service. Following the service, a procession will travel to the Mooresville Police Department. Sheldon was shot and killed Saturday night after a traffic stop. Sheldon will be moved from the Mecklenburg County Medical Examiners Office on Tuesday at 1 p.m., traveling to Hartsell Funeral Home in Concord, the Town announced on its Facebook page. The procession will travel Interstate 85 from Charlotte to Cabarrus County. The streets of Mooresville are lined with signs of support for Sheldon, his family and the police department. Randy Marions neon signs glowed with a message of encouragement. The McDonalds sign speaks to the tragedy. A counseling group from the Billy Graham organization is in town, willing to listen and help any and all. Williams asked that the community embrace his department. That people work to not only help the police department but also one another. Stand together. Be kind. Help a neighbor. Phones glowed as people Googled the words to It is Well with my Soul, joining in the song. Their voices rose into the night as candles were lit and bagpipes played. The community became one. In a free-form moment, speakers invited anyone wishing to offer a story or a thought on Sheldon or to the police department to take a turn. Many did. Members of the Mooresville community are still reeling from the loss of K9 officer Jordan Harris Sheldon Saturday night. Around 1:30 p.m. on Monday, people were still visiting the patrol parked outside of the Mooresville police headquarters on West Iredell Avenue. Few sounds were heard except for those of cars as they rolled by and people stifling their own emotions. Linda Nelson stared at the patrol car with tears running down her face. She said shed met Sheldon after a mysterious letter appeared in her mail stating she would be arrested if she didnt comply with its demands. After going to the police department, she said the officer was nothing but kind to her, recalling that he made her feel comfortable and explained the letter was a hoax. Nelson added that Sheldon gave her a non-emergency number to reach him if she ever needed help. This whole thing breaks my heart, she said, her voice rasping with emotion. At the Welcome Home Veterans military museum and coffee shop, nine men sat around the table discussing the weekends violence. 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"This is a country where we are still keeping timesheets, Mr. [Labor] Minister. I am urging you, please change the Labor Code and adjust it to modern day. The current Labor Code hails from socialist Romania. In 2019 I must keep a record and timesheets. I don't care if someone is at the workplace for two or 12 hours. He has to do his job, but I must clock him. This is crazy!," Anastasiu said.The AHK Romania president also criticized the system of occupational medicine, voicing his opinion that employee tests are passed for grease money.Speaking of occupational medicine, Anastasiu pointed the finger at some aberrant requirements that don't differentiate tests for blue-collar workers and office workers, go over the top, requiring employees to go through the same health tests when changing jobs, and also stating that tests are passed for grease money.Regarding the minimum wage per economy, Anastasiu said that three quarters of the workforce get undeclared money."Three quarters of the Romania's population are paid the minimum wage. But shouldn't we talk about benefits?" he said, pointing to the HoReCa or the transport sector, where this phenomenon is particularly widespread. He suggested a nationwide pay rise and that the Romanian state should change its attitude towards entrepreneurs and no longer consider they are all prone to shunning the law. Attracting workforce from abroad remains only possibility to solve the issue in the short term, because the Romanians are staying abroad for the quality of life, not for the salaries Dragos Anastasiu mentioned.The first edition of the Working Romania conference takes place in Bucharest on Tuesday; the event is intended as a mouthpiece for the human resources sector, and aims to highlight existing or expected trends in the Romanian labor market. The voice of the Romanian children, who were joined by the voices of the children from the EU sister countries, was loudly and clearly heard, Princess Margareta, Custodian of the Romanian Crown, said at the end of an international conference in Bucharest on the participation of children in the EU decision- and policy-making process. "In his address to Parliament in 2011, my father, King Mihai I, said: 'I do not see today's Romania as an inheritance from our parents, but as a country borrowed from our children.' This means that everything we do is for our children and that their future is the rationale for our actions today. Yes, we should listen to what the children have to say, because they are the heirs of the planet," Princess Margareta said.The Crown Custodian welcomed the adoption of the EU Children's Declaration of Bucharest."Congratulations to all the children here and to those from all European Union countries who have contributed to this conference. This is the first Declaration the children make at such a high level to promote and defend their right to take decisions on matters that influence their life. I am proud that this is happening during the Romanian Presidency at the Council of the European Union. The voice of the Romanian children, who were joined by the voices of the children from EU sister countries was loudly and clearly heard. Your declaration is an alarm signal for us, adults, who should get you involved as partners in defining the future," said the Crown Custodian.Margareta emphasized the need for a real dialogue between generations, mentioning that this principle is being developed in a project of the foundation that bears her name."The partnership and dialogue between generations are close to my heart and represent an essential principle promoted by the Royal Family of Romania. My grandmother and my parents inspired me to develop the dialogue between generations, and today the Margareta of Romania Royal Foundation is a pioneer in this field. (...) But today, at this important meeting, I would like to emphasize the importance of dialogue. The best bond with children is to talk to them, to have a real dialogue between generations, to listen to each other and show mutual respect. (...) Thank you all, children and adults, for visiting Romania! I hope you will keep a whit of my country in your heart and that this memory will encourage you to reach your ambitious goals," said the Crown Custodian.At the end of the speech, the conference organizers offered the Crown Custodian a copy of the EU Children's Declaration of Bucharest. The Bucharest Court of Appeal on Tuesday sentenced the former head of the National Agency for Fiscal Administration (ANAF), Sorin Blejnar, to 5-year detention, for influence peddling. The decision is final. President Klaus Iohannis sent a message on Tuesday to the "Digital International Forum IV - The Digital Future of Europe" event in which he states that Romania has important stakes in the "intelligent industrial sectors", and governments must deliver "responsible policies". "The development of Industry 4.0 brings a huge potential, especially in the automotive industry and in other smart manufacturing sectors. Romania has important stakes in these industries. In this sense, governments have to deliver responsible policies to lead to increasing the resilience of the economy and to abandon populist, short-term measures that impose costs for future generations. Undoubtedly, the digitization of public administration should be a priority for all governments. Technology provides simple and fast solutions to deliver services and to reduce bureaucracy and corruption, to the benefit of both citizens and businesses," says the head of state in the message presented by presidential advisor Cosmin Marinescu.Iohannis argues that "the digital revolution is the greatest challenge of our generation," emphasizing that the Single Market is the most important achievement of the European Union.In this context, he points out that it is necessary for the Single Market to be further strengthened, mentioning that this was one of the essential objectives of the Romanian Presidency at the Council of the European Union.The President says that, despite many advantages, Europe risks being overtaken in the global digital race when it comes to encouraging world-class players in the new digital economy, a context in which it is vital to develop a diversified Single Market. He points out that entrepreneurs "play a vital role" in increasing economic competitiveness, which is why the Union must encourage entrepreneurship and risk-taking in terms of innovation.He mentions that in Romania, with 6pct of GDP, the digital sector is "an important driver of economic growth and innovation", and Romanian companies and specialists are internationally recognized."Romania has the capacity to become a regional innovation hub. The local digital eco-system is young and dynamic. The number of IT companies exploded in the last 5-6 years, the startups doubled their number and the market can boast annual growth rates of 15pct. The digital products are largely exported, with three-quarters of the production going to partners in the Single Market and the United States," says the head of state.President Iohannis also shows that startups need a friendly business environment to grow and prosper. We are aware of the lack of labor force in Romania, and when the business environment shows a little more empathy towards the employees, their efficiency will surely increase, Minister of Labor and Social Justice Marius Budai said on Tuesday at the first edition of the specialist conference Working Romania. "We are aware of the lack of workforce in Romania and at some point called on the business environment. When the business environment shows a little more empathy to the employees and they feel respected, their efficiency will surely increase. As you know, at the end of last year, we signed a Memorandum whereby we declared the field of construction a priority area for Romania," Budai said.In his turn, Cristian Erbasu, CEO Constructions Erbasu, pointed out that Romanian workers abroad are not only thinking about salary when they are proposed to return to the country."We have a problem with tax evasion in construction, where 70pct of employees work 'off the books'. Then we talk about the exodus of the employees. The Romanian workers abroad do not only think about salary, but also about working conditions - health insurance, other extra-salary benefits. A good salary in Romania could reach 1,500 - 2,000 euro per month. (...) Predictability is needed and construction companies suffer from a lack of constancy," Erbasu said. President Klaus Iohannis will attend on Wednesday in central Sibiu, the meeting of the Executive Bureau of the National Liberal Party (PNL), and on Thursday the Summit of the European People's Party (EPP), according to the agenda released on Tuesday. On Wednesday, Klaus Iohannis will be at the meeting of the PNL Executive Bureau, alongside the presidents of the Liberal county councils and the mayoralties' mayors, and will attend the opening of the conference "Europe's Future: Outlooks of Contemporary Evolutions" at the Victor Papilian Medicine Faculty, and the debate "Civic Dialogue", an event organised by the European Commission at the Ion Besoiu Centre.On Thursday, President Klaus Iohannis will participate in the Summit of the European People's Party (EPP) staged at the ASTRA Museum of Traditional People's Civilisation. At the EPP summit, President Iohannis will hold joint press conferences with the EPP Chairman, Joseph Daul, with the President of the EPP Group with the European Parliament, Manfred Weber, and with the Chairman of the PNL, Ludovic Orban.Also on Thursday, the president of Romania will host the informal Summit of the heads of state or government of the European Union, at the Sibiu City Hall.He will also be present at the working lunch of the heads of state or government of the EU Member States at the Brukenthal Museum.At the end of the informal summit meeting, Klaus Iohannis will hold a joint press conference alongside Donald Tusk and Jean-Claude Juncker. President Klaus Iohannis will host the Informal Summit of EU heads of state or government in Sibiu on Thursday, context in which he will present Romania's vision with regard to the EU Strategic Agenda for 2019 - 2024, informs the Presidential Administration. According to the Presidency, the main topic of the informal meeting of the European Council in Sibiu will be the future of the European Union, focusing on the Strategic Agenda of the Union for 2019-2024. On this occasion, the European leaders will have an exchange of views on the current challenges faced by the Union and the priorities of action at European level for the coming years.President Klaus Iohannis will present at the meeting Romania's vision on the Strategic Agenda for the next five years. This document is due to be adopted at the European Council meeting on 20-21 June, based on the conclusions of the Summit held in Sibiu, the Presidential Administration shows.At the same time, EU27 leaders are to adopt a Declaration on the future of the European Union.The European Council President, Donald Tusk, and the European Commission President, Jean-Claude Juncker, will as well attend the meeting held by Romania, which is currently holding the presidency of the Council of the European Union. The President of the European Parliament, Antonio Tajani will also attend the first part of the meeting. President Klaus Iohannis wants the European leaders on Thursday, at an informal European summit in Sibiu, to show that they know what they want of the European Union and to send an optimistic message to show that EU citizens will enjoy both welfare and security. "Our message is very clear: it is the message that I have repeated many times. I, and also all Romanians, wish for a strong, integrated citizen-oriented European Union that also guarantees the security of the citizens, that allows the single market to deepen and that generates both welfare and security for every citizen. Of course, things will be much more detailed in what I hope will be called the Declaration of Sibiu, which we are preparing and which will be discussed on Thursday and then made public. From the very beginning, I have wanted us to have an optimistic declaration, and I believe I have convinced the European Council, my male and female colleagues as well. We are on the brink of European elections, the EU has gone through and resolved so many crises, and I believe that we need a message of optimism, steered towards the future, showing that we, the leaders, are willing to go further, willing to generate what we promise, welfare and security for our citizens. And we have to show that we know what we want of the European Union. And that is what we will prove in Sibiu on Thursday," Iohannis said in Sibiu on Tuesday.He added that he is pleased with the preparations for the Thursday European summit in Sibiu.Iohannis and Sibiu Mayor Astrid Fodor inspected both the building of the City Hall of Sibiu and Brukenthal Palace. The EU summit will be held at the Town Hall, while an official dinner will take place at Brukenthal Palace."At the Town Hall, things are very well prepared; the office that was mine is well prepared for the bilateral meetings we will organise. Leaders also have rooms in the City Hall for bilateral meetings. There is a special office arranged for President Tusk, there is a special office set up for President Juncker and there is also a special office for me. But for all the other leaders there is room, all the offices on the first floor are free for bilateral meetings that can take place there," said Iohannis.The president also wanted to see the preparations in Piata Mare and Piata Mica, where important law enforcement forces are deployed along with unprecedented security measures for Sibiu and special tents for journalists, translators and other participants in the EU summit.On May 9, Sibiu will be the political capital of the European Union for a day, with EU heads of state or government coming together. The EU summit will take place at the Sibiu City Hall in Piata Mare, and Iohannis will hold talks with his guests in the office he occupied when he was mayor of the city, according to incumbent Sibiu Mayor Fodor.According to Romania's Foreign Affairs Ministry, the summit of May 9, dedicated to the future of the European Union and the future strategic agenda of the leaders for 2019-2024, will bring together in Sibiu heads of state or government of EU member states, 36 official retinues, 400 high-ranking guests, about 900 journalists and 100 translators. The EU initiative regarding the reform of the Investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) system and the setting up of the Multilateral Investment Court were the main topics discussed at the informal meeting of the Trade Policy Committee (Services and Investments) held on Monday and Tuesday in Bucharest, under the mandate of the Romanian presidency of the Council of the European Union, informs a press release of the Ministry for Business Environment, Trade and Entrepreneurship. The Trade Policy Committee is in charge with the preparation of the decision-making process at the Council of EU level in respect to bilateral trade relations, with negotiations within the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and with the EU legislation in the trade policy field, in services and investments. At the Bucharest meeting, the representatives of member states and the European Commission discussed the EU strategy in e-commerce related negotiations carried out at WTO level. Negotiations were initiated on January 25, 2019, through a joint statement made in Davos by 76 WTO members, with their purpose being the establishment of global rules on e-commerce, such as: facilitation of cross-border e-commerce transactions and improvement of people's trust in the on-line environment, combating spam and permanently banning custom taxes in e-commerce. They also discussed at the meeting of the Trade Policy Committee (Services and Investments) the initial text proposals of the European Union during these negotiations and also additional negotiation directives. The EU's goal is to initiate a transparent negotiation process and open to as many WTO members as possible and to generate new opportunities in cross-border e-commerce, including for SMEs, while eliminating some traditional obstacles related to distance. According to the MMACA release, the Romanian presidency of the TPC-SI coordinated the debates in order to strengthen the EU stand with respect to the items on the agenda, by harmonising the member states' positions, its mandate being guided by the four main pillars of actions defined by the Romanian Presidency Programme: Europe of convergence, Europe of safety, Europe - global player and Europe of common values. About 7,000 fans sang together with Lenny Kravitz on Monday, and applauded him at the first concert that the artist held in Cluj-Napoca in the Polyvalent Hall. Thank you, friends! It's so wonderful to be here, thank you for your love. (...) You sing marvelously, you sing from your heart, the artist said in the cheers of the audience.Lenny Kravitz decided to return to Romania after the 2008 concert, held in Bucharest, and to give the Romanians an unforgettable evening.We have to connect with ourselves before we connect with others. Neither money, nor possessions, but time is the gift. Follow your instinct, your heart! We each have our little universe to work upon, said the artist in front of the spectators who filled the Polyvalent Hall in Cluj-Napoca.Lenny Kravitz, for the first time on a stage in Transylvania, was present in Cluj-Napoca to promote his new album, Raise Vibration, and the fans listened among others to hits like "Are You Gonna Go My Way", If You Cannot Say No"," I Belong To You "," Fly Away "and" American Woman".The concert in Cluj-Napoca is part of the European segment of the Raise Vibration World Tour, which started on April 26, 2019. The tournament includes performances in 16 countries on the continent, including France, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Finland, Denmark, Poland, Slovenia, Bulgaria and Romania.Annahstasia Enuke performed in the opening of his concert at the Polyvalent Hall in Cluj-Napoca. Cunningham noted as a company that relies on the trust of billions of consumers, Facebook is very susceptible to this form of public pressure. Corporate officials answer primarily to majority shareholder vote, but publicly important ones like Facebook need to win the hearts of most Americans as well, he said. And this isnt the first time Zuckerberg has run into obstacles with shareholders. Last fall, four major public funds proposed removing Zuckerberg as board chairman. At last years annual investor meeting, ordinary investors launched what the Financial Times called a significant rebellion. More than a quarter of these shareholders voted against re-electing Zuckerberg and Facebook chief operating officer Sheryl Sandberg, and 60 percent of those ordinary shareholders supported proposals that would move the company to a one vote per share model that would limit the weight that Zuckerberg and other company insiders votes currently have. Its not just activists looking into the top rungs of Facebook. The Federal Trade Commission is also closely scrutinizing Zuckerberg and has weighed whether to pursue greater oversight of his leadership in the wake of the Cambridge Analytica scandal. Crisp, interviewed Tuesday at a groundbreaking ceremony for the project, said the company hopes to have the new office ready by the second quarter of next year and that Benson Hill would occupy the majority of the space. Already, the company is on a hiring spree. Its workforce of nearly 120 employees has grown by about 50 percent within the last year, and Crisp said it is advertising for about 30 positions now. Some of the firms earliest investment came from St. Louis venture and seed capital, such as Biogenerator, the Helix Fund, Cultivation Capital and Lewis & Clark Ventures. We went for three years without getting paid, without our own lab infrastructure, Crisp said. We did what had to be done to succeed. Presley says he isnt concerned with losing space to sell Nestles products without its own delivery people in stores. Every inch of the freezer is controlled very tightly, he said. As retailers have become more sophisticated, as the retail industry has consolidated some, that bit of Wild West where you could kind of move and push your competitor to the side, thats not the case anymore. The layoffs bring one-time costs of about $500 million, the company said in slides presented to investors. As part of the transition, Nestle USA will close eight company-owned frozen distribution centers. The change should be complete by the second quarter of 2020. In 2017, Kellogg Co. announced plans to eliminate 1,200 distribution jobs as it exited direct-store-delivery as part of a bid to cut costs. That means the company is relying more heavily on retailers to put its products on shelves. Snack giants Mondelez International Inc. and PepsiCo Inc.s Frito-Lay both still rely on DSD, arguing it helps boost sales to have employees in stores stocking products. Q People love traditional hot and sour soup, and I would appreciate a really good recipe. P.F. Chang has a great soup, as does Sesame on Watson. I would actually be very happy to get any restaurants hot and sour soup recipe. Chris Krebeck, Sunset Hills Its a simple soup that comes together so quickly we strongly suggest home cooks use a technique called mise en place, a French culinary term that means everything in its place. In other words, prep well and have all ingredients cut, measured, in a dish and ready to go before you start cooking. Tony Lieu, the affable owner of Fortune Express, didnt have a hard-and-fast written recipe when we met. Instead, he plated most of the ingredients in the cuts and quantity they use for me to see. Everyone knows how to make it. We dont write it down. We start the soup when the customer orders it, Lieu says. We have been cooking this soup for 21 years. We started in the Central West End in 1997 and moved to Chippewa in 1998. Over the years, Lieu developed a loyal base of clients. Many choose to eat in, others take carry-out, and some have Chinese food delivered to their door. But in many ways, these practices seem more like remnants of another time, not an alternate society. In fact, there's not a whole lot to outwardly suggest that Olympos has eschewed the patriarchy for a matriarchy. But Sehl seems to detect pieces of it, nonetheless: The women engage with her more than the men. They hold important roles, but more than that, their roles are valued: "In so many societies women's power is a secret, but in Olympos the secret is out." Foteini Fragkou, a local woman in tourism who has taken Sehl under her wing, seems to confirm this when she tells Sehl that the women: "have some special force or power to run the house and survive in this environment." Indeed, it's the women who are responsible for carrying out tradition for sharing recipes and feeding the family and now, for seeing to it that their community survives. In spite of being disappointed on some level at her findings or lack thereof, Sehl is ultimately impressed: "The women of Olympos reminded me of something even more profound: Women are powerful, no matter what system of government or society they live in." Edge of the world ST. CHARLES COUNTY A O'Fallon, Mo., police officer illegally looked up a woman's personal data in law enforcement databases last year and shared it with someone else, according to charges filed Tuesday. John Bernard Brown, 48, of the first block of South Ridge Meadows Lane in Troy, Mo., was charged in St. Charles County Circuit Court with a misdemeanor count of misuse of official information by a public servant. Last May, Brown looked up a woman's information in the Missouri Uniform Law Enforcement System (MULES) and the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), at or near the O'Fallon municipal court, 1019 Bryan Road, charges say. He then texted her driver's license number and photos, her name, birth date, social security number and home address to someone who asked him for the information. Brown "was acting as the agent of a non-authorized civilian as a text message revealed a request to Brown" on May 16, 2018, charges said. ST. LOUIS Circuit Attorney Kimberly M. Gardner has hired a new first assistant the cousin of a murder victim whose killer was recently sentenced to life in prison. Gardner announced to staff Monday that she has hired Serena Wilson-Griffin as her first assistant. Wilson-Griffin replaces Robert Steele, who left in January to become first assistant to St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell. Wilson-Griffin could not be reached for comment. She started Monday and will be paid $120,000 a year. Wilson-Griffin has worked as a lawyer at the Lewis Rice law firm since 2017, according to her LinkedIn page. Her online biography, since removed from Lewis Rice's website, said she has practiced labor and employment law, with more than a decade of experience advising employers. It also said she has worked with several law firms and healthcare companies in St. Louis. Better Together has long said that its proposal made such sweeping changes consolidating courts and police departments, for instance that it required an amendment to the Missouri Constitution and a statewide vote. But many residents and municipal officials considered that component a deliberate scheme to overpower local voters. Even Better Together board members raised the issue. Essentially, I think its time to pause, to think about the process going forward, board member Will Ross, associate dean for diversity at Washington University School of Medicine, told the Post-Dispatch before a Better Together board meeting last week. The process of unification is so important, we just dont want to do this wrong. Its becoming too divisive. The Better Together board met Wednesday. Spokesman Ed Rhode said nothing newsworthy happened. But Ross said before the meeting that he would present his concerns to members, predicting not all would be happy to hear them. Afterward, Ross said there would indeed be major new developments in the merger initiative, though he wasnt sure if it was real, systemic change. He declined to further discuss the matter. No consensus WASHINGTON Stepping up his anti-Silicon Valley rhetoric, Sen. Josh Hawley said recently that the engineers and scientists who created the social media universe have provided questionable value to American culture and society, and that they are essentially capitalizing on the addictions of their consumers. Speaking at an event sponsored by the Hoover Institution, a think tank affiliated with his Stanford University alma mater, Hawley declared that we have encouraged an entire generation of our bright engineers to work in a discipline that provides little or no productive value to the United States economy. The Missouri Republican said Silicon Valley is taking the best and brightest from communities that need their talents, out to outposts on the coasts, encouraging them to forget the problems of the people that they left behind. And, of course, capital follows them to those places. Hawley added: I think the evidence is more and more strongly suggesting that there is something that is deeply troubling, maybe even deeply wrong, with the entire social media economy; that it does not represent a source of strength for Americas tomorrow, but is rather a source of peril. Parson, who is expected to make a formal announcement about the package on Wednesday, also wants lawmakers to approve other elements of his economic development plan, which could include providing matching funds to help local governments improve roads, bridges and other infrastructure in the St. Charles County community. The proposal is steeped in urgency, not only because the Legislature is set to adjourn on May 17, but because Missouri is competing with other, unnamed states for the expansion, officials said. In addition, Fast Track is one piece of Parsons economic development agenda that has floundered in the General Assembly. The governor, a Republican, had initially sought to earmark $22 million for the program. The House and Senate have agreed on a $10 million funding level. The legislation does not mention any number of new jobs that would be created at the plant where the Chevrolet Colorado, Chevrolet Express Cargo Van, GMC Canyon pickup trucks, and GMC Savana full-size van are built. In all, the plant currently employs about 3,500 workers. GM said no decision has been made pending the outcome of the legislative action. JEFFERSON CITY Four years after the Legislature directed public colleges and universities to charge undocumented immigrants out-of-state or international tuition rates, lawmakers reversed course Tuesday. Lawmakers agreed to allow state-funded schools to charge undocumented immigrants living in Missouri in-state tuition. But the schools will still not be allowed to award scholarships to the students. The move came as a Missouri House and Senate conference committee parsed the states $30 billion budget to settle differences between the two chambers before the chambers send the plan to Gov. Mike Parson, a Republican. The new fiscal year starts July 1. The Senate had stripped the restrictive language, but the House had kept the in-state tuition and scholarship bans in its version of the budget. Sen. Jason Holsman, D-Kansas City, offered what he called compromise language allowing in-state tuition but still banning scholarships for the students as the conference committee was debating funding for higher education. The affected students live here, Holsman said. And theyve grown up here. Chris Gamm sounds tired. Tired from the monthslong flood fight that grinds on in Pike County, Mo., more than an hour north of St. Louis. And tired that coming under siege from the Mississippi River has become commonplace for residents of local communities like Clarksville in recent years, which has perhaps faced the most trying stretch of its 200-year history. Its not their first rodeo, but theyd sure like them to slow down a bit, said Gamm, Pike Countys presiding commissioner, relaying the experiences of local residents. Its just devastating ... continually having to go through this. The latest episode in the areas more frequent brushes with floodwater has been a long one. The neighboring Mississippi River has been at flood stage since March, and its not clear exactly when the high water will subside. Gamm explains that Clarksville desperately needs a reprieve, not only to dry out, but also to take stock of damage in order to receive aid. Literally, Clarksville has been under water for two months. We cant declare disaster or anything until we know whats going on, until we can assess it, he said. The phones are slightly pared down versions of Google's existing Pixel phone line and doesn't tout any new features. The models look the same, and Google says the cameras will have night mode and portrait mode, like the Pixel 3. Google's smart screen gets a (security) camera Google is releasing a larger version of its smart screen device with one big addition: It now has a camera that can double as a Nest security system. The line of smart screens, which look like tablets mounted on smart speakers, is also getting a new name. Instead of Google Home Hub, the new devices will be known as Google Nest Hub and Google Nest Hub Max. Thanks to the camera, the Nest Hub Max can do a couple interesting new tricks. It can use face-detection to determine when a certain person is walking by and show them custom content, such as their calendar reminders. The feature, called Face Match, learns your face during the set up process and saves that information on the device itself. It also turns the Max's screen into a video chatting device using Google's Duo chatting app. It zooms in and pans depending who is talking and where they are going. It's similar to the Facebook Portal without any augmented reality filters. "Today, Trump announced he is opposed to Mueller testifying before Congress. Before the American people," tweeted Rep. Adam Schiff, the California Democrat who chairs the House Intelligence Committee. "He also opposes letting McGahn appear. Barr's testimony alone designed to protect Trump isn't going to cut it. They will testify. The American people deserve the truth." Trump's repeated statements on collusion and obstruction differ from the report's. On collusion, Mueller said he did not assess whether that occurred because it is not a legal term. He looked into a potential criminal conspiracy between Russia and the Trump campaign and said the investigation did not collect sufficient evidence to establish criminal charges on that front. Mueller didn't charge Trump with obstruction but wrote that he couldn't exonerate him, either. In his tweets Sunday, Trump did not indicate if he would take any steps to block Mueller, who is a Justice Department employee. The president tweeted after a Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee said he was hopeful Mueller would testify, noting that May 15 has been proposed. "We hope the special counsel will appear" at that time, Rhode Island Rep. David Cicilline told "Fox News Sunday" and added that "we think the American people have a right to hear directly from him." Cicilline later tweeted that "nothing has been agreed to yet." Amanda St. Amand 314-340-8201 @mandystlpd on Twitter astamand@post-dispatch.com Taylor ignores the significant procedural safeguards already in place for anyone whose assets have been seized. In order to transfer seized property, a state prosecutor must file a petition in court, and the person whose property was seized has the opportunity to object. If a person objects to the seizure of his or her property, the prosecutor has the burden to prove to a judge that the seized property constituted proceeds from criminal activity, and that the federal government is better equipped to handle criminal prosecution of the case. A state court judge must approve of this transfer to the federal government. After that, the federal process includes even more procedural safeguards to protect the rights of individuals whose property has been seized. Of the 57 petitions for transfer of property that my office filed in 2018, only one person objected to the seizure of his property. This strongly indicates to me that law enforcement is only seizing funds that are actually the profits of criminal activity. The drug trafficking organizations dont object because they know that prosecutors can meet their burden to show the criminal nexus to seized funds. Following the disaster, the Obama administration imposed tough new rules on deep-water drilling. They focused in large part on devices meant to prevent blowouts of the ocean-floor wells, the failure of which is what caused the explosion and subsequent spill. Its those rules that President Donald Trumps Department of the Interior is now dismantling at the behest of the same oil industry that so tragically botched its responsibility to its workers and the environment. Among other changes, the reversal of the Obama-era rules will reduce the frequency and duration of safety tests. They will scrap the design changes the government mandated in the apparatus thats suppose to prevent blowouts. And they will allow the oil companies to use third-party companies for inspections instead of government inspectors a virtual invitation to put foxes in charge of the chicken coop. The April 30 letter, Other needs greater than rebuilding of Notre Dame, criticized the Catholic Church and the archbishop of New York for the amount of money being donated to rebuild the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. The author states that the money could be better used to provide clean drinking water, among other things, to the poor of the world. While I do not disagree with her statement of the greater needs of the worlds poor, the writer should be aware that, although the cathedral was built by the Roman Catholic Church approximately 850 years ago, ownership of the cathedral was seized by the government of France during their revolution, which is why the French President Macron, rather than the archbishop of Paris, has vowed to rebuild. The French people regard Notre Dame as a national treasure and a symbol of France that is why the three wealthiest French families have pledged more than $1 billion toward its reconstruction. China has apparently built a network of ground-based lasers that are able to disable or destroy low orbit space satellites. The first of these ground laser systems was spotted (by a retired Indian army officer who specializes in finding secret facilities) in northwest China (Xinjiang Province), 236 kilometers south of the provincial capital. The Indian officer is an expert satellite imagery analyst who, like many researchers, uses commercial satellite images to scour remote areas of China for secret facilities. This has become a popular, and revealing, activity for many amateurs. This use of talented amateurs and the Internet enables groups of experts to share finds and use their talents together to deduce what it is they have found. In the case of ground-based anti-satellite lasers, a lot of work on high-powered chemical lasers was done by the Americans over half a century to develop and test such weapons for ballistic missile defense. Many details of that work are public knowledge. By scrutinizing the Chinese ground facilities, and referring back to earlier work, it became apparent that the Chinese had used more accurate satellite tracking techniques (using more powerful computers and ground multiple ground-based sensors) to construct a system employing multiple ground-based lasers. Analysis of the Chinese Xinjiang facility indicated three ground-based lasers and a tracking facility were at the site discovered. By combining tracking data from other ground-based tracking facilities the orbit of a low orbit (under 500 kilometers) satellite coming into range could be calculated precisely. Then one or more of these ground lasers could fire simultaneously and disable or destroy the passing surveillance, radar or electronic monitoring satellite with multiple beams of laser energy hitting the satellite. Building several more of these facilities would increase the anti-satellite capabilities. Most of the work on these types of chemical lasers was done by the United States but, after more than a decade of effort and billions of dollars to build a practical application, the U.S. Department of Defense halted work in 2011 on the air force ALT (Airborne Laser Testbed). This project was put into storage until such time as more effective technology was available to revive the effort, or it was decided that the ALT was not worth the storage expense. ATL cost over $5 billion during 16 years of efforts. It never worked, at least not in a practical sense. In 2010, for the second time in a row, the ALT failed in an attempt to use its laser to destroy a ballistic missile. That time the problem was with the radar and fire control system, which failed to lock the laser on the actual missile. The radar did detect the actual missile launch. In the past, the main problem had been a lack of power to drive the laser to lethal levels. Because of that, the ALT program has been an expensive near miss for nearly two decades. In 2009 ALT had been demoted from a system in development to a research program. The reason for this was all about energy supply. Even if ALT worked flawlessly, it did not have enough energy to hit a launching missile from a safe (from enemy fire) distance. ALT needed more than twenty times as much energy than it then had and it will be a while before that problem is solved. China got around that by basing its chemical lasers on the ground and using an additional rare material (neodymium) that China is the largest source of. Actually, neodymium is common worldwide but it is one of those rare earths because few countries refine it. Neodymium is used to create high powered lasers and, in conjunction with the chemical energy systems, the Americans developed for their ALT the Chinese can, using this existing technology and their known resources, create ground-based lasers that have sufficient energy to damage or destroy low flying satellites. There have been some successes with this kind of weapon. In 2010 the U.S. Navy successfully tested their laser weapon, using it to destroy a UAV. This was the seventh time the navy laser has destroyed a UAV this way. The laser cannon was mounted on a KINETO Tracking Mount, which is similar, but larger (and more accurate than) the mount used by the Phalanx CIWS (Close In Weapons System). The navy laser weapon test used the radar and tracking system of the CIWS. In 2009 CIWS was upgraded so that its sensors could detect speedboats, small aircraft, and naval mines. The problem here is that knocking down UAVs is not something that the navy needs help with, and the current laser gun technology has to be improved quite a bit before it's worth mounting on a ship. In 2005 manufacturers of combat lasers believed these weapons were only a few years away from battlefield use. To that end, Northrop-Grumman set up a new division to develop and build battle lasers. This optimism was caused by two successful tests in 2004. In one, a solid-state laser shot down a mortar round. In another, a much more powerful chemical laser hit a missile type target. Neither of these tests led to any useable weapons and the combat laser remains the "weapon of the future". The basic problems are reliability and ammo (power to generate the laser). Solid state lasers have been around since the 1950s and chemical lasers first appeared in the 1970s. The chemical laser has the advantage of using a chemical reaction to create the megawatt level of energy for a laser that can penetrate the body of a ballistic missile rising in the air hundreds of kilometers away. The chemical reaction uses atomized liquid hydrogen peroxide and potassium hydroxide and chlorine gas to form an ionized form of oxygen known as singlet delta oxygen (SDO). This, in turn, is rapidly mixed with molecular iodine gas to form ionized iodine gas. At that point, the ionized iodine gas rapidly returns to its resting state, and while doing so releases photons pulsing at the right frequency to create the laser light. These photons are channeled by mirrors and fired at the target which is being tracked and pinpointed by other lasers. The airborne laser weighed about six tons. It can be carried in a C-130H, producing a laser powerful enough to hit airborne or ground targets fifteen kilometers away. The laser exits via a targeting turret under the nose of the aircraft. The laser beam is invisible to the human eye. The chemicals are mixed at high speeds and the byproducts are harmless heat, potassium salt, water, and oxygen. A similar laser, flying in a larger aircraft (B-747 based ALT) was supposed to have enough range to knock down ballistic missiles as they took off. But the ALT never developed sufficient range in atmosphere to be an effective weapon. Nearly half a century of engineering work has produced thousands of improvements, and a few breakthroughs, in making the lasers more powerful, accurate, and lethal. More efficient energy storage has made it possible to use lighter, shorter range ground-based lasers effective against smaller targets like mortar shells and short-range rockets. Northrop's move was an indication that the company felt confident enough to gamble its own money, instead of what they get for government research contracts, to produce useful laser weapons. A larger high energy airborne laser would not only be useful against ballistic missiles but enemy aircraft and space satellites would also be at risk. But companies like Northrop and Boeing are still trying to produce ground and airborne lasers that can successfully operate under combat conditions. The big problem with anti-missile airborne lasers has always been the power supply. Lots of chemicals are needed to generate sufficient power for a laser that can reach out for hundreds of kilometers and do sufficient damage to a ballistic missile. To be effective the airborne laser needs sufficient power to get off several shots. So far, no one has been able to produce such a weapon. That's why these lasers remain "the weapon of the future" and will probably remain so for a while. China has apparently created a practical weapon by avoiding the factors that prevented American efforts from succeeding. By using multiple, more powerful ground-based chemical lasers it was possible to generate sufficient energy to damage or disable low flying satellites and high flying aircraft as well. In its current state the Chinese systems not capable of intercepting ICBM warheads but, rather than going after a difficult goal, the Chinese figured out what was worth zapping with existing laser technology. Sometimes success is mainly a matter of correctly matching goals with capabilities. The 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, 25th Infantry Division flies 19 AH-64 Apache helicopters in an organized formation around Oahu, May 1, 2019. 25th ID's 2nd Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment is flying to commemorate the 158th anniversary of the regiment's activation. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Ryan Jenkins) X 0 20 Help Keep Us Soaring We need your help! Our subscription base has slowly been dwindling. We need your help in reversing that trend. We would like to add 20 new subscribers this month. Each month we count on your subscriptions or contributions. You can support us in the following ways: Over the last few days, more American tariffs were imposed on Chinese imports, ending a truce in the trade war between the two nations. The Americans accuse the Chinese of delaying negotiations in an effort to weaken American resolve. That has worked in the past, but not this time and financial markets in the U.S. and China both declined. It was telling that the Chinese markets declined much more sharply. This was the point the Americans were making, that China was more vulnerable in this trade war. Additionally the American economy is booming while the Chinese economy has hit a rough patch. Chinese GDP growth in 2018 was 6.5 percent (relatively low for China) and many economic indicators there continue declining while those in the United States are growing. This is a reminder that the current trade war with the United States favors the Americans for many reasons that Chinese leaders cannot ignore. China has hit economic slumps since the 1990s, usually the result of economic problems in the West. But now the cause is China because of a lot of bad decisions are catching up with the Chinese leadership that made all the mistakes in the first place. Years of tolerating corruption and ignoring the growth of bad loans (the basis of much corruption) mean that just borrowing more money to give the economy a boost will not work. A sharper decline in Chinese economic activity would have worldwide impact because China is a major trading nation and a major customer for raw materials, semi-finished goods and some high tech items. Fewer orders from Chinese firms have major impact on national economies worldwide. Thats why global financial markets have been in turmoil since 2018 and prospects of a turnaround are not good. The Americans demanding an end to Chinese bad behavior comes at a bad time for China. While 2018 was a bad year for China's economy, 2019 is not much of an improvement. China hopes to maintain GDP growth of at least six percent while at the same time continuing to safely reduce (deleverage) the huge number of bad debts local governments and corrupt banks have taken on over the last decade. The economic decline in 2018 could be measured in many aspects of economic activity (production, orders for raw materials, finished goods or construction and so on) and sentiments (of people running the economy and consumers). Chinese stock markets were down over 30 percent by the end of 2018 and for the first time in three years, profits of industrial firms took a dive. At the same time there were similar shocks to the American economy, but much more limited. In early December Chinese and American leaders agreed to a 90 day truce in their trade war. The Americans did it to test the sincerity of new Chinese trade measures that are supposed to make it easier for some American products to be sold in China. There is also supposed to be a halt in Chinese theft of American IP (Intellectual property) and commercial espionage in general. Until now the Chinese would often flagrantly cheat and then deny that they had done any such thing. This has been going on for decades and the recent American trade war is meant to deal with this long festering issue. The new American tariffs are a reminder to the Chinese that the 90 day truce is not working and it is time for China to decide if it wants to address American concerns or continue the trade war. China is seen as vulnerable because its economy is overheated, unbalanced and at risk of partial collapse. Chinese leaders insisted they needed time to consider their options and cope with some very immediate problems (a growing labor shortage and more business being shifted to other Asian nations). The Americans reminded the Chinese that there would be prompt retaliation if China reneged on any of these agreements and that is good news for Chinese competitors, especially neighboring nations. It is also bad news for Chinese allies Russia, North Korea, Cuba, Venezuela and Iran. China calls this an American effort to thwart the Chinese rise to superpower status. The Americans consider it punishing decades of bad behavior and bad faith negotiations. Bashing Big Brother Since early 2018 Western nations have been increasingly critical of how China was treating its Moslem minority. In the northwest (Xinjiang province) it has been no secret that the extreme security measures have been mainly directed at Uighur, Kazakh and Kyrgyz Moslems. This includes a growing number of electronic tracking methods (mandatory cell phone apps, extensive use of high resolution security vidcams and effective facial recognition tech) that enable police to monitor most everyone in Xinjiang in real time and enormous detail. This system automatically detects and locates disloyal people and has them picked up for reeducation. Nearly a million of these Moslems have been sent to reeducation camps and that has become an international issue, but not with Moslem nations who are usually quick to complain about any real or imagined slight by Western nations. The silence of Moslem critics was not due to restrictions on journalists' (Chinese and foreign) access to Xinjiang because that has not completely kept news of what is going on there from getting out. Thus when it became known that at least 50,000 Kyrgyz Chinese Moslems were also in the reeducation camps there was outrage in some Central Asian nations that had people they could identify with those in the camps. But even these Central Asian nations were not officially critical of the Chinese. The lack of criticism from Moslem nations is mainly about money and the realization that China is able and willing to maintain or withdraw investments depending on how recipient countries behave towards China. Since the 1990s China has been more of a presence in Kyrgyzstan and the other former Soviet stans of Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan) because these nations wanted someone to help with the economy and discourage the Russians from trying to dominate the region as they have done since the 19th century. The stans were very receptive to Chinese diplomatic and economic cooperation. But now many people in the stans are reconsidering their relationships with China in light of the anti-Moslem crackdown in Xinjiang. This is a problem for China which has a growing number of economic investments in the stans, including the massive OBOR (trans Eurasia roads, rail and pipelines) effort. To make matters worse the U.S. is threatening to impose sanctions over the Xinjiang detention camps and there is growing agitation in the UN for sanctions, or at least censure. That is unlikely to happen because China has long used bribes and threats to gain control over UN votes and the willingness of some foreign countries to openly criticize China. Moslem nations are notoriously corrupt and Chinese bribes are more effective there than they are in many Western nations. The reeducation camps of Xinjiang are now estimated to hold ten percent of the adult Moslems in the province. The reeducation often consists of confinement and lectures about what the government considers bad behavior (doing anything the government does not like). Inmates are given a choice; do what the government wants or undergo an escalating series of punishments. Xinjiang has been the test site for how extensive networks of vidcams and other forms of population monitoring can lead to more control over large populations. Already the government boasts that nationwide millions of people have been identified and punished because of their low SCR (Social Credit Rating). Low SCR makes it more difficult to get a good job, a bank loan or a passport. SCR scores depend on what the government sees, hears or reads via that growing network of sensors and informants. The government expects to have the Big Brother monitoring and SCR systems operating nationwide by 2020. Already local officials are finding SCR a useful tool in many different ways. Xinjiang is apparently the laboratory in which it is discovered what works and what does not. For example, Xinjiang factory workers who refuse to accept harsh working conditions and no pay increases can be assigned a low SCR and then told they must either improve their attitude towards bad working conditions or go to a reeducation camp for a while, perhaps a long while if they refuse to behave as ordered. Many Chinese have no problem with SCR and see it as an opportunity. One reason for that, which the government does not like to talk about, or even acknowledge, is that SCR has already been corrupted. Local officials and police have a lot of discretion in deciding which behavior is likely to lower an SCR. In other words, some well-placed or well-timed bribes can keep your SCR healthy. The government is aware of this but knows that despite the vulnerability to bribery, the SCR is still a powerful tool for controlling the population. For example, one way of boosting your SCR, and making some legal money (although usually less than $50 a month) is to agree to work for the secret police as a local informer. In some parts of the country, like the capital, there are a lot of these paid informants. In central Beijing, where nearly four million people live and even more work or pass through, about three percent of the population are paid informants. That is in addition to the extensive network of security cameras and extensive surveillance carried out on the Internet. Exactly how the bulk of China's population will react to extensive and sustained use of SCR is an unknown. But at this point we are beginning to find out, especially in Xinjiang province and some of the major cities. The cost of building and operating the SCR system is one reason why China spends more on internal security (secret police, riot police, coast guard and so on) than they do on the defense budget. May 6, 2019: The U.S. Navy conducted its third 2019 FONOP (freedom of navigation operation) in the South China Sea. This one took two American destroyers within the claimed territorial (closer than 22 kilometers) of some of the Spratly Islands. China issued warnings and accused the Americans of troublemaking. There were five South China Sea FONOPs in 2018. Since 2015, when Chinese South China Sea claims became a major issue, the Americans have carried out seventeen FONOPS in the South China Sea. By early 2019 China had moved more radars and EW (Electronic Warfare) equipment and guided missiles to the Paracel islands. China also declared once more that the Paracels were part of China and China would control its territorial waters. That last 2018 FONOP was near several of the Chinese occupied islands in the Paracels. These islands had long belonged to (and been occupied) by Vietnamese. China took the Paracels by force in the 1970s. In 2012 one of the Paracel islands (Woody Island) was declared the center of Sansha, a new Chinese municipality (city). Sansha is actually Woody Island and dozens of smaller bits of land (some of them shoals that are underwater all the time) in the Paracels and the Spratly Islands to the south. In fact, the new "city" lays claim to two million square kilometers of open sea (57 percent of the South China Sea). China continued its policy of not interfering with FONOPS but does send warships to follow the foreign ships. There are two ways China can enforce its sovereignty exert control over its territorial waters. The traditional response is to attack intruders with gunfire or missiles. Then there is the preferred Chinese method of swarming around the intruder with commercial, coast guard and even navy warships and combat aircraft. This has included causing collisions (often just bumping). China does not want a war with the United States, mainly because of the economic risks which could lead to more unrest inside China. Interference with seaborne trade and trading relationships, in general, would disrupt the Chinese economy and threaten CCP control. What China has demonstrated is a willingness to do everything short of war, especially if they can remain able to claim victim status. Over the weekend the United States announced it is imposing 10 percent tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese exports and imposing more the longer China delays addressing American problems with Chinese misbehavior in terms of trade practices and blatant industrial and military espionage. Today Chinese financial markets declined sharply. May 3, 2019: In Venezuela Russia and China are becoming a problem. The United States reminded Russia that foreign military intervention in the Western Hemisphere is not allowed and that the U.S. is continuing its two centuries of supporting that, with military force if necessary. This warning came after the Americans discovered that Russian special operations troops and security advisors in Venezuela had persuaded embattled dictator Maduro to stay in Venezuela rather than flee to Cuba. American officials told their Russian counterparts that the U.S. would use force to remove the Russian interference from Venezuela. Russia remains defiant. In contrast, China is also supporting Maduro, but in economic, not military terms. That does not violate the 19th century American Monroe Doctrine. China is willing to do business with the opposition, which is considered (by over fifty nations, including most of those in the Americas) as the legitimate ruler of Venezuela. China has no military forces in Venezuela but is working to revive the local oil industry, which Maduro has wrecked through corruption and mismanagement. Using this approach China stands to profit no matter which way the current revolution in Venezuela goes May 1, 2019: At the UN China halted a decade of blocking efforts to declare notorious Pakistani Islamic terrorist Masood Azhar an international terrorist. Azar was responsible for the 2011 Mumbai (India) terrorist attack and a more recent February suicide bombing in Kashmir that left 40 Indian police dead. India has plenty of evidence that Pakistan continues to protect Islamic terror groups that only attack other nations (mainly India and Afghanistan). While Pakistan was grateful that China used its UN veto to block justified counter-terrorism measures involving Pakistan. Yet China was also trying to persuade Pakistan to back off on sponsoring Islamic terrorist groups that were willing to attack Pakistani enemies. Pakistan refused to go along with the Chinese requests so China is sending the message in stronger terms. This move wins China some goodwill from Afghanistan, India and many other nations who have suffered from this Pakistani use of Islamic terrorists. April 27, 2019: China has offered the Philippines $12.2 billion worth of investments and trade agreements. The two nations signed 19 trade deals that, if carried out, are supposed to create 21,000 new jobs in the Philippines. There is a catch to all this; China expects some unwritten diplomatic concessions as well. China has already made deals like this with the Philippines but when the Filipinos refused to back off in the South China Sea those earlier investments and such never showed up. The Philippines is being given another chance to be bought and prove that they will stay bought. Opinion polls show that most Filipinos do not trust the Chinese and are unwilling to give up Filipino territory in the South China Sea. President Duterte has been in China, along with some of the key diplomatic and economic officials, to make final arrangements on these deals. Duterte has also told the Chinese that he knows how this works and that the Chinese should not get their hopes up. April 26, 2019: President Duterte recently returned from China where he met with the Chinese leader and both agreed to work out their disputes in the South China Sea through negotiation. This may not amount to much. The Chinese take the long view and see negotiations and even concessions as tolerable digressions as they relentlessly advance towards their goal. Duterte is aware of this and has already dropped his China wants to be a friend approach and warned China that a military response from the Philippines was now possible. Duterte admits that this would be suicidal for the Filipino forces involved but it would trigger the mutual defense treaty with the United States. Short of that China was warned that their ships surrounding Pagasa Island are there illegally. Duterte has always admitted that the Philippines itself has not got the military resources to oppose Chinese aggression with any degree of success. Filipino legislators are complaining that their government seems unable to do anything about the Chinese threat. Filipino and American diplomatic officials are still trying to decide what constitutes an attack that would trigger the mutual defense treaty. The government does admit that the United States is the only military ally the Philippines has. The Chinese do not want to fight the Americans. Thats not what Chinese propaganda says but within the Chinese government, there is agreement that war with the United States would be disastrous, at least until China is the top military superpower in the world. China does not expect that to happen until the 2030s. So for the moment China talks tough and tries to buy its way out of any embarrassing confrontations with the United States. The current effort with the Philippines is all about how much China has to pay to get the Filipinos to fold. China is well aware of that American link and as is their custom the Chinese are avoiding any direct confrontations that risk leading to violence. This is a potentially dangerous game but so far the Chinese have been successful at it. Until the Americans agree that the Chinese aggression has triggered the mutual defense treaty the Philippines has no option other than trying to be friendly with China while documenting the growing acts of Chinese aggression in the South China Sea. The current American government has demonstrated a degree of resolve and aggressiveness that China is not used to. Fortunately, the Americans hold presidential elections every four years and China is looking forward to possibly getting a more compliant American leader in 2020. If not then there is always 2024. The Filipino government has also decided to declare the disputed (with China) Pagasa Islands and the nearby Eastern Kalayaan islands (actually a group of islets and reefs the Philippines claimed in the late 1940s) as MPA (marine protected areas). According to maritime law (and recently affirmed by an international tribunal) these areas, which are within 200 kilometers of the Philippines (Palawan Island), are well within the Philippiness EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone, waters 380 kilometers from the coast). Although the EEZ is recognized by international law (and a treaty that China signed and uses to defend waters off its own coast) China says that does not apply here because all the islets in the South China Sea belong to China and there is no room for negotiation on that point. As an MPA the Philippines can declare China in violation of still more international agreements. An MPA is the sort of thing that does not stop China but it does annoy them a great deal and increases international opposition to Chinese efforts to take control of the entire South China Sea. China created the current crisis over who controls Pagasa Island and nearby sandbars. The Chinese have put a record number of ships around the island, most of them Chinese fishing boats pretending to be fishing but in reality members of the Chinese naval militia which is being used in unprecedented numbers here. China insists it has not ordered its naval militia fishing boats to physically block Filipino commercial or military ship from getting to Pagasa. But it has become more difficult for Filipino fishing boats to operate in areas they had long worked. China has been threatening to cut off access to Pagasa since 2014 but has never followed through, possibly because the Philippines has often stationed a warship off Pagasa. China claims ownership, despite Pagasa being closer to the Philippines than China and long occupied by Filipinos. Also called Thitu Island, Pagasa is the second-largest (37.2 hectares/93 acres) of the Spratly Islands and is inhabited by 200 Filipinos civilians and a few military personnel. Filipinos have lived on the island since 1956 and there has been a Filipino military presence there since 1970. Many Chinese fishing ships are part of an unofficial but organized and paid naval militia. The Chinese maintain this force with subsidies (for building new fishing boats) and assurances that the navy will assist Chinese fishermen in gaining access to foreign fishing areas and exclusive use of fishing grounds in international waters. The fishing boats are the most numerous and aggressive component of this militia. Overall the militia appears to consist of several hundred fishing and coastal cargo vessels. There are a hundred or so larger civilian ships, mostly ocean going fishing trawlers, as well. The naval militia openly functions as a government supported organization and has headquarters in southern China. Any foreign criticism of the Chinese naval militia elicits only denials from the Chinese government. The best thing about the naval militia is that it is not officially part of the military but will most definitely follow orders. April 25, 2019: Western nations are now considering reviving economic sanctions for Burma because of the unresolved Rohingya refugee problem. China is hoping for the worst because that would mean Burma would be more dependent on China for trade and investment. It would make Burma a Chinese dependency (sort of like North Korea) and the Burmese dont care for that but the army leadership is comfortable with it. The Chinese need some help because Chinese operating commercial (rather than Chinese government) enterprises in northern Burma (Kachin and Shan states) are a major source of complaints in Burma. There seems to be no end of illegal schemes the Chinese come up with that profit at the expense of Burmese in the north. Two of the recent rackets is enticing or kidnapping Burmese women to China and selling them to Chinese men to be wives. There a growing shortage of Chinese women has created a market for young foreign women. China's "one child" policy of the last few decades and the ability to determine the sex of the child before birth led to more (20 percent more) boys than girls being born in China. There's a growing shortage of potential brides, and desperate Chinese men are willing to buy a kidnapped tribal girl from northern Burma (or anywhere else). Other scams include illegal mining and agricultural operations. For the northern tribes, China has rarely been a good neighbor and Burma is the current best example of the worst behavior by a larger neighbor. That bad behavior manifests itself in Kachin State when thousands of locals are regularly demonstrating against the Chinese Myitsone dam, a $3.6 billion project that began in 2009 but has been stalled by local resistance since 2011. In the last year China has threatened Myanmar with economic retaliation and withdrawal of protection in the UN (over criticism of the mistreatment of Rohingya Moslems) unless the dam project resumes. Opposition to the dam has become a national issue with most Burmese angry at Chinese attempts to bully Burma into accepting the dam project. Because Burma needs China more than the other way around Burmese leaders are still working on ways to get the Chinese projects moving again. Meanwhile, the official Chinese policy is an ominous We just want to be friends. April 22, 2019: The new Pakistani prime minister has taken a different view of CPEC (China-Pakistan Economic Corridor), observing that the terms of the deal are not all that favorable for Pakistan. The previous prime minister is being prosecuted for corruption and some of that apparently involved the terms of the CPEC deal. CPEC is more than an economic investment, it also guarantees that Pakistan has an ally against Iran and even Western powers that might have some violent disagreement with Pakistan. China has played down the ally angle. While China is picking up most of the $55 billion cost, details of the agreement are not very favorable for Pakistan. That was always an issue during negotiations and was one reason it wasnt until early 2017 that China and Pakistan finally signed the agreement that granted China a 40 year lease on new facilities China is building in the southwestern port of Gwadar. The lease grants China most (over 80 percent) of the revenue brought in by port and free trade zone operations. China usually imports its own workers from China to do most of the work on projects like this. By 2022 China expects to have about half a million Chinese in Pakistan, some of them with their families. All this means China will own this new port into the 2050s and will have imported a new minority (Chinese) into Pakistan that will, as usually happens in these situations, become a major element in the local economy. The easiest way to provide protection for these Chinese is to have most of them live in a heavily guarded and restricted access area. Gwadar is a key part of CPEC and it has the misfortune of being in a province (Baluchistan) that does not want to be part of Pakistan. China and the Pakistanis try to ignore this by not reporting on non-Islamic terror attacks on CPEC construction projects. The government has long been accused of suppressing news of tribal separatists in Baluchistan attacking government targets and especially those related to CPEC. The separatists claim they regularly carry out attacks on CPEC construction projects, but most of their attacks are still directed at Pakistani security forces and government facilities. Pakistan has told China that it wants to review the CPEC deal and how the terms were arrived at. The Chinese are not pleased, but this sort of thing has happened in many other countries that were initially enthusiastic about CPEC until they studied the fine print of the agreement. April 15, 2019: Russian media revealed that Pakistan is negotiating to make some major (about $9 billion worth) defense purchases from Russia. Currently, China is the largest supplier of military equipment to Pakistan but the Russians are offering better prices for competitive gear including some items where China is not the best source (like military helicopters). Russia has been increasingly willing to make such deals with Pakistan, despite still being a major supplier of weapons to India. That market is slipping away as India increasingly turns to Western suppliers. Pakistan cannot afford the Western stuff and is often facing trouble making purchases because of accusations that Pakistan supports Islamic terrorists. Russia is less concerned about such matters and is willing to be very flexible in order to make a sale. April 10, 2019: Since 2017 Indian Kashmir has suffered a growth in Islamic terrorist activity and more attention from Indian security forces. One recently noticed trend is the more frequent presence of Chinese weapons and munitions (ammo, grenades and such). Pakistan backed Islamic terrorists in Kashmir have long used Pakistani made weapons and ammo but the increasing use of Chinese gear is something new. The reason is believed to be a Pakistani attempt to hide their involvement by sending the Pakistani trained Islamic terrorists into Indian Kashmir armed with Chinese weapons. These are similar to Pakistani ones and widely available from legal and illegal weapons dealers. Kristin Dunne Tourism Bay of Plenty Fantastic beaches, beautiful natural landmarks, prominent Maori history and robust tourism-related infrastructure. The Bay of Plenty has it all, as an incredibly successful cruise ship season illustrates. We welcomed 228,904 passengers on 115 cruise ships during the 2018/2019 season - 79,189 more passengers compared to the previous season. Translating to an estimated $91 million in visitor spending in the Bay of Plenty, this was a $25m increase on the $66m the previous year. But we know we can, and need to, make it an even greater visitor experience where locals and tourists alike can enjoy a full range of activities year-round not just between November and April. Our Destination Development Plan will focus our efforts on targeting the right visitors at the right time and offering them the most Bay of Plenty experiences that we can. By creating a transformative destination experience for visitors, establishing a higher quality of life for its residents and striking a true balance between economic, social, environmental and cultural objectives, we will use tourism to generate a benefit that goes far beyond economic value alone. As we move into this shoulder season, we are committed to reducing the impacts of seasonality so that businesses have increased patronage throughout the year, instead of during just the summer peak. Local events, good weather, targeted promotions domestically and internationally, and ever-increasing cruise passenger numbers all contribute to this growth. Our current domestic campaign enticing Wellingtonians to escape the capital and head north for some sun during the winter months (May to November) is a prime example. Bolstering these winter months holds the key to realising our tourism potential. We hope you will join us in enhancing the Bay of Plentys reputation even further. Water has been restored to more than 800 properties in Welcome Bay this morning. Tauranga City Council had to carry out an emergency water shutdown at 10pm on Monday after the main supply line in the Waitaha Road area had been damaged. In a statement last night, council said the shutdown affected about 850 properties in the area. Water was restored to Welcome Bay properties around 1.30am, says a TCC council spokesperson. The supply to 850 properties had been shut down from 10pm last night to allow repairs to a damaged water main in the Waitaha Road area. If you experience any discoloured water this morning, run your outside tap for about 10 minutes to flush your line. If any problem persists, please contact us on 07 577 7000. Fish & Game says that as predicted, the opening of the new game bird season in the large Eastern Region produced "mixed fortunes" for hunters. The region includes the Bay of Plenty and central North Island areas, East Cape, Gisborne and Wairoa. Fine, warm and generally calm conditions meant hunting was generally harder than hoped for, although some hunters reported good success. Fish & Game Eastern Region Manager Andy Garrick says there were reasonable numbers of hunters out over the weekend, and as in most years, the vast majority were doing the right thing, which was pleasing to see. "They ranged from family groups to new hunters enjoying the outdoor recreation and camaraderie that hunting provides, as well as harvesting wild game for the table," he says. Fish & Game rangers joined forces with Police officers to check compliance and spoke to about 200 hunters in total including 45 in the Gisborne district and 18 in the Wairoa area. "Pleasingly, overall only a small number of relatively minor offences were found, with breaches of the three-shot rule the most common. "Seven hunters were using guns which hadnt been pinned to restrict magazine capacity to only two shots as required under Eastern Region regulations." It was gratifying to find that all hunters spoken to had current game bird licences, and they were all found to be complying with the new firearm laws, Mr Garrick says. Disappointingly, of the offences detected, most were located within the Gisborne and Wairoa districts. Six hunters at five locations were found to either be using unpinned guns, or were in possession of lead shot ammunition in breach of the ban on possessing or using lead shot within 200 metres of open water. Fish & Game rangers also seized a shotgun from one other alleged offender in the Bay of Plenty. The circumstances surrounding each case will be considered and action could include prosecutions, says Mr Garrick. The game bird season for mallards will continue until June 3 for Eastern and Auckland/Waikato regions, and June 16 for Hawkes Bay. Any hunters planning to harvest game birds are again urged to check the regulations booklet before venturing out. Hauraki District Mayor John Tregidga has slammed the decision by Land Information Minister Eugenie Sage to block OceanaGolds application under the Overseas Investment Act to buy land for the purpose of extending its long term operations at Waihi. He says the decision made on Friday last week is biased and shows a blatant disregard for the livelihoods of more than 360 local workers and their families - not to mention the flow-on benefits to local businesses and the wider community. For something so critical to the economic well-being of this district to be tossed out on a political whim like this is completely unpalatable to me, he says. Minister Sages anti-mining position is well known, which is fine, but how can she also be objective and fair when it comes to making decisions on overseas investment applications by mining companies? John says there has been mining in Waihi since the 1800s. It is currently the biggest contributor to economic growth in the Hauraki District accounting for 22.5 per cent of its GDP, and exploration work by OceanaGold shows there are sufficient resources for this to continue for many years to come. The argument that there would be no substantial and identifiable benefits to using productive rural farmland to establish a long term tailings reservoir in Waihi doesnt stack up." Environmental concerns are also unfounded in his view. He says OceanaGold has improved the water quality of the Ohinemuri stream with its operations, earning an award from Waikato Regional Council in 2011. Pastoral farming has a long way to go to come close to achieving anything like this. Its really unhelpful to compare mining operations overseas or in the past to modern mining practices in Waihi. "This town was founded on mining, and there are robust processes in place to ensure any potential adverse environmental effects are managed and mitigated. Its not a ministers role or my role to pre-empt decisions on this, thats what the Resource Management Act is for. The Mayor also says while Sages not-so-sage opinion might have been predictable, Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones silence on the matter is bewildering and downright disappointing. Where is the support from Minister Jones and New Zealand First? Its astounding to me that a government that earmarks three billion dollars for a Provincial Growth Fund designed to help regions like ours facing challenges such as high unemployment, is willing to whistle and look the other way when a minister wipes out hundreds of future jobs with one ill-informed swish of the hand. Its totally inappropriate for a senior minister with such an obvious conflict of interest to continue on in this role. With a shortage of qualified seamen, Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology is offering a new course aiming to develop safe and effective deck crew members. The New Zealand Certificate in Domestic Maritime Crewing (Level 3) course provides the necessary education to be a safe and effective deck crew member under limited supervision on vessels of less than 24 metres in length, operating in restricted and near coastal waters. Maritime programme Manager Maritime Tony Martin says the course will provide participants with the necessary skills to begin a career in the maritime industry. The purpose of this qualification is to provide the maritime industry with personnel who have the skills and knowledge required to operate as a safe and effective deck crew member under limited supervision. After completing the course, participants will also gain the STCW Basic Safety Training certificates, Maritime Restricted Radio Operators Certificate. Tony says graduates will have the basic skills and the qualifications required to work on commercial vessels. This is an NZQA qualification and is intended for people entering the industry and for those moving to a role where a Maritime New Zealand Qualified Deck Crew certificate may be required. Upon meeting Maritime New Zealand Licence requirements, students may be eligible to apply for the industry recognised Qualified Deck Crew Certificate of Proficiency. The 12-week course will be delivered by senior academic staff member Antony Wright, an experienced educationalist with specialist skills in commercial maritime. Antony worked in various roles in the industry including as a pilot launch skipper and Tug deckhand at Port of Tauranga, a marina manager at 5-star resort Fregate Island in the Seychelles, crew on a super yacht, commercial fishing on long line vessels, trawlers, as well squid fishing and is a Tauranga Coastguard crew member. He says he is excited to help teach the next generation of maritime specialists and to see where their new skill sets will take them. This qualification provides graduates a range of opportunities that can take you across the world and the maritime industry is an exciting sector to work in. You never know where you will end up, so take a punt and come and join me. Plans to build the 10km stretch of Hauraki Rail Trail from Kaiaua township to Pukorokoro Miranda will be rolled out to the community at a drop-in session in Kaiaua this weekend. Proposed designs for a parking area and toilet facilities at the Kaiaua end of the Trail will also be on display. Plains Ward Chair Gill Leonard is excited about the project getting underway and the new opportunities it will open up for business on the Kaiaua Coast. Overall, the Rail Trail has provided a huge boost for the district and the Kaiaua to Kopu leg is quite unique. It provides some great natural attractions that can only be seen from the cycleway such as rare migratory shorebirds, wetlands, and shell banks, and its also within easy reach of Auckland cyclists. Before work starts, council wants to hear feedback from the community to find out if theres anything its missed. A robust, adaptable design has been used for the proposed parking area to withstand possible effects from the sea. Were also looking for a name for this area and will be encouraging people to share their ideas around this at the drop in session, says Gill. The completion of this leg will be a real milestone in the construction of the Hauraki Rail Trail, and is one of two new extensions being kicked into gear this year. Hauraki Rail Trail CEO Diane Drummond says construction of the Te Aroha to Matamata leg is now well underway after work began in January. Once this is complete Trail users will have even more options for fresh air adventures and sightseeing, including visiting Hobbiton Movie Set. Recent updates from Destination Coromandel show visitors and tourists are staying longer with us and spending more money while theyre here, and were confident the Hauraki Rail Trail has played a large part in this success. These new extensions are expected to increase visitor numbers and visitor nights from our major markets even further. Im really looking forward to seeing these sections of the Trail come alive. The Government has offered primary and secondary school teachers $1.2 billion worth of pay rises and other improvements to their terms and conditions which go a considerable way towards addressing teachers concerns, Education Minister Chris Hipkins says. Weve been clear the current offers of $698 million for primary school teachers and principals and $496 million for secondary teachers are really good offers and the Government will not be increasing the total amount in this pay round, Chris says. This is by far the biggest offer teachers have had in a decade. The Government is balancing a range of demands including mental health, poverty alleviation and chronic under funding in health which have built up over nine years under National. We are also rebuilding education after a decade of underfunding. While we recognise with our offer that improving teachers salaries is important, its only one part. Since coming into Government 18 months ago, we have: committed an extra $500 million to support children with additional learning needs the biggest increase in learning support funding for a decade. This includes resourcing for 600 learning support co-ordinators to start in schools and kura around the country in 2020 to help address workload pressures on teachers. reduced teacher workload by abolishing national standards. spent $135 million to address short to medium-term challenge of teacher shortages. responded to concerns from the profession by scrapping the charter school model. worked with the two teacher unions to establish a Joint Taskforce on Reducing Compliance to address time-consuming administration and compliance tasks for schools. introduced a $12 million professional support programme to help teachers get more professional support for digital technologies curriculum. Collectively, I am sure these initiatives will benefit those in our schools who are feeling under pressure in their jobs. The Coalition Government has also worked hard to rebuild the lost trust between the Government and the teaching profession. We want to build an enduring partnership with the sector, and were listening very carefully to teachers and principals. One of the first things I did as the Minister of Education was to pass legislation to restore the voices of teachers on its own professional body. We have also worked with teachers and principals to develop a long-term Education Workforce Strategy. We are committed to working through all the issues the teachers are raising but we cant do it all at once. I know that pay is an important factor in teachers feeling valued and fulfilled in their roles. The current teachers claims would cost the Government $3.9 billion - which on a like for like basis is a third of total new Government spending in the last Budget. This is money thats gone to health, police, and children living in poverty. Our offers will see most primary school teachers get a pay rise of $10,000 over the next two years. Even the Employment Relations Authority has described our offer to primary schools teachers and principals as handsome and competitive. We know we have a lot of catching up to do in education, but some of the issues will take time to work through, Chris Hipkins says. Bay of Plenty Are you sick of being the sidekick and ready to move into a consulting role? Or know you could be earning more and just... View or Apply on GoodWork.co.nz New Zealand First leader Winston Peters today welcomes the Ministers announcement of the governments climate change policies, the culmination of months of hard work. New Zealand First is pleased that our coalition agreement commitment to introduce a Climate Change Bill has been met, says Winston. This process began when the last National Government signed the country up to the Paris Agreement. From the beginning of this government, New Zealand First has had the agriculture sectors interests at heart. New Zealand has an internationally unique methane profile given our sheep and dairy farming sector. In negotiations, New Zealand First sought to balance the interests of the agricultural sector and the need for the government to take strong action and show leadership on climate change. We paid careful attention to, and respected, the weight of officials advice around a methane target. The 10 per cent reduction target for biogenic methane has a waste component, making the effective bovine-induced biogenic methane target 26.7 per cent, which lands squarely inside a wide range of officials advice. We also recognise that with this legislation our agricultural sector is facing new responsibilities around farm emissions, says Winston. We are committed to assisting the industry through that transition with discounted emissions costs, better tools and knowledge to help them manage emissions and other environmental factors, as well as increased investment in research and development on ways to reduce emissions. New Zealand First will fully consult with the agricultural sector about how it wants the free allocation to agriculture to be fed back to the sector. What proportion of the assistance New Zealand First has secured in this agreement does the sector want channelled directly to farmers to assist their mitigation efforts and what proportion of the free allocation be directed to fund sector-wide research and development into methane inhibitors, vaccines and other new technologies? We will listen very closely to, and work with, the agriculture sector about their preferences. National welcomes Climate Change Commission The National Party welcomes todays announcement of proposed amendments to the Climate Change Response Act as a positive step towards establishing an independent advisory Climate Change Commission, Leader of the Opposition Simon Bridges says. While we have found common ground on the Commissions form and function, the net-zero target for long lived gases, and the separate treatment of methane, we have serious reservations about the expected rate of reduction for methane. National was clear on its position, as I outlined at my speech at Fieldays last year. We have taken a principled approach to these negotiations, including seeking different treatment for separate gases, and I am pleased to see this reflected in the Bill. We are not convinced that the proposed 24-47 per cent reduction for methane meets our test in terms of science, economic impact or global response. Were committed to taking short term politics out of climate change policy, by having an enduring Commission which will give science-based advice for successive governments. New Zealand has been a global leader in sustainable agricultural production. For this leadership to be enhanced the sector must continue to embrace change, but this target goes beyond credible scientific recommendations. We have signalled to the Government in earlier discussions that it is exactly the sort of decision a newly formed Climate Commission should advise Parliament on, rather than politicians cherry picking numbers. Waiting five years to finally assess whether its fit for purpose is not acceptable. National remains committed to finding a bipartisan approach to climate change that delivers the best outcomes for New Zealand. Authors of sweet or clean romance share about their lives and their stories. The Marion Morning Rotary Club will be celebrating one of horse racings most celebrated events, the Kentucky Derby today. The club will host Derby Day on May 4 at Holston Hills Country Club, starting at 5 p.m. Admission is $10 and includes entrance and four bourbon tastings. A BBQ meal will be available for an extra $10 and a cash bar will serve wine, beer and the Derbys traditional mint julips. All of this will be done in preparation for the large-screen viewing of the main event, the 145th renewal of the greatest two minutes in sports, The Kentucky Derby. Tickets will be available at the door and from Marion Morning Rotary Club members. Proceeds from the event support local and regional civic improvement efforts and scholarships provided by Marion Morning Rotary Club. For more information call 276-706-8200. PINEY FLATS, Tenn. A Bristol man was arrested after an unidentified Piney Flats woman reported her vehicle had been burglarized Wednesday on Nelson Avenue. Jonathan Preston Ketron was arrested and charged with auto burglary and fraudulent use of a credit card, according to the Sullivan County Sheriffs Office. The victim told officers the burglar had taken items that were inside the vehicle, including a cellphone and credit cards belonging to a family member. Later that day, a credit card belonging to the victim was used to purchase gas at a business in Bristol, Tennessee, according to a written statement. The investigation led Sgt. Matt Price to identify Ketron as the suspect, according to the release. Ketron was interviewed Friday and admitted to using the stolen credit card and having knowledge of the auto burglary. He remains in Sullivan County Jail on a $1,000 bond. Three times a week she returns to Kingsport for follow-up care and, on other days, the family heads to Wytheville for therapy. Then, theres the depression. Her father said they explain to Rebecca that much of what shes feeling comes from her head injuries, but he admits the explanations dont help much. Yet, he and his wife, Julie, are grateful for the progress theyve seen. Their daughter, who doctors werent sure would survive, is home and arguing with them. In an earlier interview, Julie described Rebecca as an outgoing and lively young woman, who loves to work on and paint cars. He also celebrated that the commonwealths jobless rate is down to its lowest point in a decade 3.1 percent. However, he acknowledged that the rate is far from that low in many parts of Virginia, including Southwest Virginia. We still have a lot of work to do, he said. Bourbon barrels must be new, made of white oak, and then charred on the inside. Speyside has agreed that the stave mill will procure approximately 80 percent of the white oak logs used for stave production from Virginia growers. Northam gave a nod to that agreement, noting that Smyth Countys forest-related industries generate over $131 million annually and are responsible for 725 jobs. As Darren Whitmer, Speyside Bourbon Cooperages general manager, came to the podium, he lifted his arms in celebration and asked the audience, How cool is this? Thanking all the officials who worked to make the Smyth and Washington plans come to fruition, Whitmer said its truly a dream come true for Speyside. The VSP assisted with the investigation *********** A driver fleeing a Smyth County deputy exceeded 100 mph as he tried to get away Sunday afternoon, according to authorities. The male driver caught the attention of Deputy Greg Ward when he observed him fail to move over as he passed a Virginia state trooper who was pulled over assisting a disabled vehicle, according to Smyth County Sheriff's Office Captain Billy Eller. Virginia law requires drivers to move over for emergency vehicles when they can do so safely. Ward turned on his lights and siren to initiate a traffic stop. According to Eller, the driver of the Tennessee-registered car didn't stop and reached speeds in excess of 100 mph. The chase ended when the driver lost control of the vehicle and came to a rest upside down on the northbound off ramp of Exit 50. The driver, said Eller, sustained only minor injuries and wasn't transported to the hospital. "He's lucky to be alive," the sheriff's office captain said. That driver was in the sheriff's office's custody Sunday. He was facing charges for the traffic violations and Eller anticipated that he would face additional charges as authorities continued their investigation. Please check back for updates to this article and see Wednesday's edition of the Smyth County News & Messenger. The Lord & Taylor department store chain could soon be up for sale. The brands owner, Hudsons Bay Co., said Monday it was pursuing strategic options for Lord & Taylor, which could include a merger or sale, according to CNN. Hudsons Bay said the move will help it focus on its greatest opportunities. Hudson's Bay, based in Canada, bought Lord & Taylor in 2006. In addition to Hudson's Bay stores, the company owns Saks Fifth Avenue, Saks Off 5th outlets and some other retailers. Lord & Taylor has just 45 stores, all located along the East Coast. As a smaller player, it has been harder for the brand to compete since the recession, according to The Wall Street Journal. Lord & Taylor's revenue totaled $1.04 billion last year, down from about $1.4 billion a decade ago, the Journal said. But it has some serious history behind it. It was founded in 1826 and is considered the oldest department store chain in the country, according to the Journal. It has a big presence in Upstate New York with stores at Destiny USA in Syracuse, Eastview Mall near Rochester, Walden Galleria near Buffalo and Crossgates Mall near Albany. Repeated attempts at makeovers have failed to help the brand as more shoppers move online, according to CBS News. The chain has been downsizing, according to CNN. It sold its flagship store on Fifth Avenue in New York City two years ago with the idea of running a scaled-down version, but later decided to shut down the store completely. Lord & Taylor began a partnership with Walmart in 2017 to sell about 150 of its brands on Walmarts website, according to CNN. Contact Kevin Tampone anytime: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 315-282-8598 Syracuse, NY -- A Syracuse man with serious learning disabilities pleaded guilty today to raping a child after a judge urged him to face the facts. Deon Anderson, 32, wasnt sure whether to take a plea deal worked out by his lawyer, Anthony Belletier. Anderson struggled to understand basic concepts in court, let alone weigh the risks of rejecting a plea and going to trial. Anderson had sex with a 9-year-old girl on at least one occasion in May 2017, he eventually admitted. Under law, that qualified him for predatory sexual assault of a child, punishable by up to 25 years to life in prison. And there were allegations hed done it more than once, raising the specter that he could spend up to 50 years to life in prison. But Belletier -- knowing his clients mental challenges -- negotiated a possible settlement with prosecutor Anthony Copani. Copani initially agreed to a 15-year sentence. That would protect the young victim from having to testify in grand jury or at trial. Belletier hired an expert to delve into Andersons history, including his mental disabilities. That convinced Copani to agree to 10 years. Copani said in court today the victims family believed that was a fair plea agreement. Anderson balked at the deal when initially brought into court. The judge nearly moved on. But County Court Judge Thomas J. Miller felt the need to make Anderson understand just what the stakes were. The judge explained that Anderson could bank on 10 years in prison if he took the plea. If not, he could be indicted and face up to life in prison. Not only that, but the judge noted that Anderson had apparently signed a confession. Anderson thought things over again. And he eventually agreed to plea. Miller and Belletier spent time in court explaining certain terms to Anderson -- who admitted he had a learning disability -- before the judge ruled the plea was knowing and voluntary, the standard under law. An in-depth investigation into Andersons history will accompany him to prison. Neither the victim, nor her family, were in court for his plea. Theyll have a chance to address the court during Andersons July 15 sentencing. ROME, N.Y. -- An Oneida County man was airlifted to a Syracuse hospital Monday after his sport utility vehicle struck a ditch, became airborne and rolled several times, authorities said. Peter Cutler, 38, of Rome, was driving a 2011 Ford Edge SUV east on Old Oneida Road at 3:40 p.m. when he went off the south shoulder of the road and into a ditch, Oneida County Sheriffs Sgt. Jesse Tuthill said in a news release. Culters vehicle hit a culvert causing it to become airborne and then roll several times before coming to a rest, Tuthill said in the release. Members of the Oneida County Sheriffs Office, state police, Rome Fire Department, AmCare Ambulance and Mercy Flight responded to the crash on Old Oneida Road, between state Route 26 and Henderberg Road, in the city of Rome. A Mercy Flight helicopter airlifted Cutler to Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse, where he was in serious condition Monday night. Investigators say they are still trying to figure out why Cutlers vehicle left the road. No tickets have been issued. The crash remains under investigation. Good news, Central New York beer fans: Middle Ages Brewing Co. in Syracuse will be pouring its brew again on Tuesday. Middle Ages was forced to shut its doors last week when its liquor license expired at midnight Tuesday. The license was originally registered to owners Marc and Mary Rubenstein. Mary Rubenstein died last January, so during the renewal process, Middle Ages had to remove Mary from the license. Their son, Isaac Rubenstein, who runs the brewhouse at Middle Ages, said the renewal paperwork was incomplete. A spokesman for the liquor authority said the problem was indeed minor and that the state was working with Middle Ages to get it resolved quickly. Just before 5 p.m. today, Rubenstein got word that his license is once again active. We will be open for business tomorrow, he said moments after hearing the news. We would like to thank our customers, both retailers and consumers for their patience and support. Rubenstein thanked the New York State Brewers Association and state Sen. Rachel May, a Democrat from Syracuse, for lobbying the liquor authority to act quickly. During the weeklong hiatus, the Middle Ages staff cleaned the facility and performed some preventive maintenance. The tasting room opens at noon on Tuesday., and according to the brewerys website, Taco Trivia Tuesday starts at 5 p.m. Its official: The sequel to A Quiet Place will be filmed in Western New York. WHAM-TV and WKBW report the Buffalo Niagara Film Commission confirmed Tuesday that A Quiet Place 2 will film scenes in Erie County. Actor, writer and director John Krasinski was spotted scouting locations near Buffalo last month at the Candy Apple Cafe in Akron, N.Y. Krasinski confirmed in February that hell be returning to direct the followup to the hit 2018 horror movie with his wife Emily Blunt reprising her role with onscreen children Millicent Simmonds and Noah Jupe. The Dark Knight actor Cillian Murphy is reportedly joining the sequels cast. Production is slated to begin in July, with a release date scheduled for May 15, 2020. An official title has not been announced, but Krasinski referred to the project as #PartII on Instagram. A Quiet Place was one of the best-reviewed and top-grossing movies of 2018, earning $340 million worldwide on a $17 million budget. The film follows a family forced to live in silence, using sign language to communicate while hiding from monsters with ultra-sensitive hearing in a post-apocalyptic world. Scenes were filmed in 2017 throughout Upstate New York, including in Little Falls (near Utica), Pawling, New Paltz and Beacon. Blunt won a Screen Actors Guild Award for best supporting actress for her role in the 2018 horror film. A Quiet Place was also nominated for an Oscar for Best Achievement in Sound Editing. Krasinski told Collider in November that hes been working on writing the script for the sequel since last fall. Why I had this little idea thats now gotten bigger is most sequels are about a villain returning or a hero returning, and you have to build this entire world around just the idea that I have a hero or a villain, Krasinski said. "Thats a lot, and I think thats where a lot of sequels go wrong because as much as you love that hero or villain, the entire thing is fabricated just to make that person work. [With A Quiet Place 2], we have the world. So its actually the world thats built, its the idea that the rest of the world is going through this exact same experience. Are there other people that have to survive like this? Its that idea of living through the set of circumstances, not again in the same way obviously, but exploring it more. You only got to do it intimately for a small amount of time, so what happens next? Its unclear if Krasinskis character will also appear in A Quiet Place 2. His other acting credits include 13 Hours, License to Wed," Tom Clancys Jack Ryan, and nine seasons as Jim Halpert on The Office. SYRACUSE, N.Y. Six months after launching a nationwide search for Onondaga Countys next economic development director, County Executive Ryan McMahon said he will promote from within. Robert Petrovich, who has worked in the economic development office since January, will take over as director, subject to legislative approval, McMahon said. Petrovich was hired in January as deputy director and has been running the office since then. I am going to promote Bob Petrovich, McMahon said. Hes earned it, and the office is functioning at a very high level. The announcement comes as McMahon and Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh look for ways to cooperate and boost economic development. McMahon has proposed moving the county economic development office into the mostly vacant county-owned Carnegie building, and he invited the city to move its development staff there as well. The city and county are continuing to discuss options but have not announced any new initiatives, McMahon said. Before moving to economic development, Petrovich worked for six years as deputy commissioner of the county transportation department. His business background is in real estate, with an emphasis on site selection and brownfield development. Petrovich was president and principal broker for Brownfield Development Group from 2011 until December 2018, according to his LinkedIn profile. He was a senior executive at S&W Redevelopment of North America from 1998 to 2012. Petrovich has MBA and bachelors degrees from Le Moyne College. Four days after being sworn in as county executive, McMahon announced a nationwide search for a new economic development director. The previous director, attorney Julie Cerio, moved to a position in the county law department. Petrovichs appointment will go to the county legislature for confirmation. McMahon said he plans to fill the deputy director job vacated by Petrovich. State Forest rangers assisted this weekend in the rescue of a Central New York man in a chainsaw-related accident. The man suffered a head injury along with having both of his legs pinned underneath a tree. That incident and others involving Forest Rangers occurred between May 1-4. All specifics below were supplied by the state Department of Environmental Conservation. Village of Holland Patent, Oneida County Wilderness Rescue: On May 4 at 11:53 a.m., two Forest Rangers, an Oneida County Sheriffs Deputy, and a New York State Trooper responded to an Oneida County 911 call to assist Forestport and Woodgate Volunteer Fire Department EMTs with a 58-year-old man from Elbridge injured by a chainsaw during a tree-cutting accident. The man suffered a head injury and had both legs pinned under a tree approximately half of a mile from a road along Little Woodhull Creek. Rangers reached the injured subject by 12:15 p.m. and assisted with initial first aid and patient care. Officers and EMTs carried the injured man approximately 100 yards up a foot trail to a waiting Polaris UTV and transported the subject through the woods to the Gravesville Trail. By 1:07 p.m., STAR Ambulance transported the man to a nearby helicopter landing spot for a LifeFlight helicopter relay to a hospital in Utica. The subject was in stable condition when transported to the hospital. Town of North Elba, Essex County Wilderness Rescue: On May 1 at 8:43 p.m., Essex County 911 transferred a cell phone call to DEC's Ray Brook Dispatch from a Brooklyn hiker reporting that a 19-year-old male in their group was repeatedly slipping and falling after descending Algonquin Peak. The callers 911 coordinates placed the group on the trail approximately .9 miles from Marcy Dam. The call was lost and dispatch was unable to reach the hikers via text. Forest Rangers responded with a UTV via the Marcy Dam truck trail to intercept the hiking party at Marcy Dam. When the subjects were not found at Marcy Dam, Rangers went up the trail toward Avalanche Camp with negative results. State Police Ray Brook, who had also received calls from the hikers' family and friends, provided a second cell number for the group. Dispatch established cell contact with the group by 10:36 p.m. The hikers said they believed they were just over a mile from the Adirondak Loj past Marcy Dam. Ranger James Giglinto caught up to the group on the trail at 11:39 p.m. The subjects reached the Loj at 12:02 a.m. and declined further medical care after being assessed by Ranger Giglinto. The hikers had mistakenly taken a longer route after leaving Algonquin, and the subject having difficulty did not have suitable gear for the trip. Town of Long Lake, Hamilton County Wilderness Rescue: On May 4 at 2:08 p.m., Franklin County 911 transferred a cell phone call to DECs Ray Brook Dispatch from a caller who was lost while hiking back from Bum Pond in the William C. Whitney Wilderness. The 62-year-old male from Bushkill, PA, went on a hike to Bum Pond from Sabattis Road and successfully reached the pond on the lightly marked trails. However, while coming back, the hiker became disoriented and called for Forest Ranger assistance after realizing he was lost. Through questioning by Ray Brook Dispatch and based off his last known point and direction of travel, Rangers established that the hiker was along the shore of Little Tupper Lake. Two Forest Rangers proceeded to the Whitney Headquarters with a boat for an efficient response. The Rangers quickly arrived at the trail coordinates, located the hiker in good condition, and returned him to his vehicle. Town of Persia, Cattaraugus County Wildland Rescue: On May 4 at 10 p.m., Cattaraugus County 911 contacted Forest Rangers for a report of four lost hikers in the Zoar Valley Multiple Day Use Area. Two females, one from Silver Creek and one from Forrestville, and two children became disoriented while hiking. The hikers contacted 911 and their coordinates were relayed to the Rangers. A regional swift water team was deployed, but was unable to reach the group due to rocks in the stream. Rangers John Kennedy and Nathan Sprague then proceeded to hike in with crews on each bank to pinpoint the hikers location. The group was located early Sunday morning and taken out by raft. All were in good health. EMS met the hikers at the parking lot, where they were evaluated and released. It was the talk of anglers up and down the river last week. A Canadian angler landed a 47-inch striped bass on the Hudson River near Albany. Its not the biggest one ever caught in the waterway, but its among, if not the biggest caught so far this year that high on the river. The angler Fred Bain, of Perch, Canada, was fishing April 30 along with a buddy on a charter boat with Capt. Chris Leach of Predator Striped Bass Sport Fishing (formerly Harvest Sun Charters) out of Albany. Bain caught the fish using a live alewife while anchored in shallow waters off the main current of the river, Leach said. Capt. Chris Leach holds up the 47-inch striped bass caught by Fred Bain. The river that day was high and cold and dirty, the charter boat captain said. After being hooked, it took nearly 25 minutes to reel it in. It weighed 46.5 pounds, he said. Leach, who has been fishing on the river for 30 years (20 as a charter boat captain), said the two Canadians decided not to keep the fish, saying they didnt think they could bring it home over the border. I then tried to revive it for about 30 minutes, he said. He was unsuccessful. Leach said he decided to keep the huge fish and have a trophy mount made. Ill bring it with me (for a display) when I do the outdoor shows, he said. The states freshwater record for a striped bass is 60 pounds (53 inches), caught by Eric Lester in 2104 on a blood worm on the Hudson River in Orange County. Send us your Hudson River striped bass photos Photos should be sent to outdoors writer David Figura at dfigura@NYup.com. Include the anglers full name, where he or she lives, when and where on the river the fish was caught -- and on what. SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- A Syracuse City School District teacher has been named one of Norwegian Cruise Lines most joyful and inspiring educators in the nation as part of its Giving Joy campaign. Noelle Files, who has taught at Corcoran High School in Syracuse for 20 years, won a seven-day cruise for two to anywhere Norwegian Cruise Line sails. She also received airfare and accommodations to attend an award ceremony with the other winners Friday in Seattle. Norwegian Cruise Line had asked the public to nominate and vote for educators from the United States and Canada who inspire joy in the classroom. The result: More than 46,000 nominations and 1.43 million votes were cast from March 12 to April 12, according to a Norwegian Cruise Line news release. The Giving Joy campaign aimed to reward teachers who inspire students and bring joy in the classroom, Norwegian Cruise Line contest organizers said. Files, who was diagnosed with two kinds of cancer last October, was among the top 30 educators with the most votes, according to the Giving Joy campaign. While undergoing a rigorous chemo schedule, she is still working, still staying after school and still inspiring her students to do good in the world, according to an email announcing her win. WATERTOWN -- The Dulles State Office Building, which houses the local State Supreme Court, was evacuated briefly Monday afternoon after a bomb threat. According to Lucian Chalfen, director of Public Information for the New York State Unified Court System, the court was alerted shortly before 1 p.m. when a Jefferson County Sheriff's deputy arrived with a bomb-sniffing dog. According to Mr. Chalfen the threat was called into the Lewis County 911 dispatch, and referenced Supreme Court Judge James P. McClusky. "It did mention Judge McClusky," Mr. Chalfen said. "The building was swept, with negative results." Detective Lt. Joseph R. Donoghue Sr. confirmed that the State Office Building was evacuated. He said that no bomb was found and the incident is still under investigation. Around 2:30 p.m., employees started re-entering the building, although according to building security the Supreme Court was closed. Mr. Chalfen said that the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department and the New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigations were investigating and that the threat appeared to originate from outside the county. Mr. Chalfen said the threat was absolutely related to a sentence approved by Judge McClusky last week in the case of Shane M. Piche, 26, a former Watertown City School District bus driver who admitted in a plea deal in February to raping a 14-year-old girl. The case received national attention, particularly after Judge McClusky determined that Piche is a Level 1 sex offender, a designation that deems Piche a low risk to re-offend and negates the requirement for him to be included in online sex offender databases. Prosecutors argued that a Level 2 designation was more appropriate, but Judge McClusky ultimately determined that there was only one victim included in the rape plea, which resulted in a lower score for Piche than calculated by prosecutors. A petition has been started on moveon.orgs website calling for the recall of the sentencing judge, Judge McClusky. As of 5 p.m. Tuesday, the petition had gained more than 20,000 online signatures. A similar petition on the Care2.com site had about 7,000 signatures. - Watertown Daily Times reporter Marcus Wolf and City Editor Brian Kelly contributed to this report. ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo will push lawmakers to pass legislation allowing farmworkers to unionize, the states top labor official said during a farmworker rally outside the state Capitol on Monday. The bill, known as the Farmworker Fair Labor Practices Act, would repeal an 80-year-old state law that prohibits farmworkers from organizing to seek better wages or conditions. It would also guarantee disability benefits and overtime pay. "Our governor believes farm workers should never be treated as second-class citizens," Labor Commission Roberta Reardon told a group of a few dozen farmworkers, relatives and labor advocates. "Gov. Cuomo looks forward to working with the Legislature to get this important bill passed." Similar legislation never got a vote in previous years, when Republicans controlled the state Senate. Supporters are more optimistic this year, following a Democratic takeover of the state Senate. Farmworkers argue they deserve the same labor rights as workers in other industries. They're pushing for a vote in the Legislature before lawmakers end their annual session in late June. "It is very difficult to work in the fields," said Dolores Bustamante, who works in apple farms in western New York. She said more farmworkers would come personally lobby lawmakers but many "are not allowed to take the day off." Farm owners say the act would lead to higher labor costs, put the state's agricultural industry at a competitive disadvantage and, possibly, force some smaller family farms to close. Chris Kelder runs a fruit and vegetable farm in Ulster County and said he relies on seasonal workers many college students looking for summer jobs who often work long hours during the peak of the summer. "It's going to make it hard for us to give them the hours they like if we have to pay time and a half," he said. He said the act could be fatal to farmers already grappling with low commodity prices. If the act passes, he said, Were probably going to be getting a lot less of our food from New York state. Albany, N.Y. New York lawmakers have a deal on legislation allowing cameras to be placed on school buses to help catch drivers who dont stop when students are getting on or off. The bill would allow cameras to be attached to the swinging stop sign on the sides of buses, according to the New York Daily News. The cameras would activate if a driver illegally passes the bus and capture the vehicles license plate The image would go to local authorities, who would impose fines, the News said. Fines under the bill would rise from a flat $250 to $275 for second offenses and $300 for a third violation. The law also calls for municipalities to install signs along school bus routes reminding drivers it is illegal to pass a stopped bus and letting them know cameras are in use, according to the News. A version of the bill passed the Assembly earlier this year. The Senate could vote as soon as next week. Gov. Andrew Cuomo supports the measure and included it in his initial budget proposal, according to the News. An estimated 50,000 drivers in New York illegally passed stopped school buses every day last year, the News said. Contact Kevin Tampone anytime: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 315-282-8598 State Police hope the public can help them solve the killing of a former school official who was left to die from a gunshot wound have an argument with another man on Interstate 84. Richard H. Aderson, 47, of LaGrange was able to call police after he was shot during a roadside dispute on Feb. 5, 1997. Aderson was a former assistant superintendent for the Valley Central School District in Orange County. Troopers said Aderson and another man got into an argument on the side of the highway near Exit 12 in the town of Fishkill after their vehicles were involved in a fender bender. Aderson called Dutchess County 911, telling dispatchers that he had been shot by an assailant who drove off eastbound on I-84. Though mortally wounded, Aderson was able to give police a description of his attacker and the type of vehicle he was driving. Aderson was still alive when emergency workers got him into an ambulance but he died before they could get him to a hospital in Newburgh. State Police said Aderson described his attacker as a white male in his late 40 or 50s with a medium complexion. He stood roughly 6-foot and had a thin build. Trooper said the man was wearing aviator-style eyeglasses and had a receding hairline. It is believed that he was driving a Jeep Cherokee, possibly a 1997 model. The vehicle may have had New Hampshire license plates. Suspect sketch in Richard H. Aderson homicide. (Courtesy of New York State Police) The troopers say Aderson's death remains an active investigation. The agency has pursued over 3,000 leads in the 22-year-old case many of which have sent investigators on the hunt for clues in New England. Anyone with information about the case can call the State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation in Wappinger at (845) 677-7300. Please refer to case # 3021797. All calls may be kept confidential. - By Mike Goodwin, Times Union, Albany, N.Y. QUEENSBURY, N.Y. (AP) A former New York camp counselor who was initially accused of sexually abusing 10 boys has pleaded guilty to two felonies. The Post Star of Glens Falls says Dylan Stolz agreed on Monday to serve 4 years in prison for the abuse of two boys at the Brant Lake Camp in Warren County. The resident of Little Neck said he was not admitting guilt but took the plea before his scheduled retrial to avoid the possibility of a longer sentence. Stolz also was a teacher at Long Island's Hewlett-Woodmere school district. A camper came forward last June alleging that Stolz fondled him. Later, other campers, ages 7 to 10, reported allegations dating back to 2015. A mistrial was declared in February after one of the boys recanted. Western New York native and Syracuse University alumnus Jeff Glor appeared on CBS Evening News Monday night to address his upcoming exit. CBS announced a major shakeup Monday morning, moving John Dickerson to 60 Minutes, putting Anthony Mason and Tony Dokoupil on CBS This Morning with Gayle King, and replacing Glor with Norah ODonnell. Glor, however, refused to name ODonnell or any of his other colleagues on air. As we close tonight, a brief word: You may have heard about changes taking place here at CBS News, about moves that impact colleagues, the unmatched Evening News team, and me. The outpouring of support from you has been everything, he said at the end of the broadcast. I like to think we are all guided by something bigger than one moment and one broadcast. I have always wanted to do work that matters, and still do, he continued, That is something that will never change. I have family, friends, and in the future far more to share with all of you. It will be great. I promise, just as you are. Thank you all for watching. Good night. Ill see you tomorrow. A note from @jeffglor: "I'd like to think we're all guided by something bigger than one moment and one broadcast. I have always wanted to do work that matters and still do. That is something that will never change." pic.twitter.com/iJmDmNLKuk CBS Evening News (@CBSEveningNews) May 6, 2019 Glor did not say whether or not hell remain at CBS News. The network said its in discussions to keep him in a new, unspecified role. [Glors] award-winning reporting shed light on important issues and highlighted humanity in our world. His conversations, you should know, with CBS continues and we hope he will continue working here, King said Monday morning. Glor is expected to continue anchoring CBS Evening News" this week, but ODonnell will take over the anchor chair this summer. CBS Evening News with Norah ODonnell will then move from New York to Washington, D.C., in the fall. We are grateful to Jeff Glor for his award-winning work and his commitment to both his colleagues and to our viewers, new CBS News president Susan Zirinsky said in a statement. As we transition the Evening News to Washington, we are discussing opportunities for Jeff to remain with CBS News and continue providing the same substantive, trusted reporting that he has been offering for the past 12 years. Glor replaced previous anchor Scott Pelley in December 2017, taking over the seat once held by Walter Cronkite, Dan Rather and Katie Couric. But Glor struggled to improve on CBS third place ratings, averaging 6.58 million total viewers (1.355 million in 25-54 target audience) for the first quarter of 2019, according to Nielsen, well behind ABCs World News Tonight with Syracuse native David Muir (9.32 million total viewers with 1.962 million in the target demo) and NBCs Nightly News with Lester Holt (8.68 million total viewers with a slight lead of 1.972 million in the 25-54 demo). Glor, 43, grew up in Tonawanda, N.Y., where his first job was delivering newspapers for The Buffalo News. The diehard Buffalo Bills fan graduated from SU's Newhouse School in 1997, going on to work as a reporter for WSTM-3 (CNY Central) in Syracuse. I take pride in Buffalo and I take pride in Syracuse, Glor told syracuse.com in 2017. I take pride in everything that helped make me who I am today." Minister Ralph Regenvanu during the meeting at Chiefs Nakamal on March 1, 2019. This meeting marked the last stage of the Governments nationwide consultation. Creed announces funding of 500,000 for the roll out of a Lean Principles Programme for Pig Farmers The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed T.D., today announced funding of 500,000 for the roll out of a Lean Principles Programme for pig farmers. Creed announces funding of 500,000 for the roll out of a Lean Principles Programme for Pig Farmers The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed T.D., today announced funding of 500,000 for the roll out of a Lean Principles Programme for pig farmers. Minister Creed said: In a sector which has shown itself to be remarkably resilient over recent years, the adoption of Lean business principles will assist pig farmers to further increase performance and competitiveness without compromising the animal welfare and food quality principles that are critical to the success of the sector. I would strongly encourage pig farmers to avail of this unique opportunity to work directly with Lean experts on their farms. The mainstreaming of this programme delivers on one of the key recommendations of the report of Pig Industry Stakeholder Group, chaired by Dr Sean Brady. Following on a successful pilot programme, involving a collaboration between the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Bord Bia, Teagasc and Enterprise Ireland, additional funding has been made available by the Department for a wider roll out the programme. The objective of the programme is to support the adoption of the principles of Lean manufacturing to achieve operational and efficiency improvements at pig producer farm level. The programme will be available to pig producers in Ireland who are members of the Bord Bia Pigmeat Quality Assurance Scheme. Participants in the programme will work with a panel of Lean consultants established by Bord Bia and Teagasc to deliver a mix of on-farm Lean Start and Lean Plus projects. Speaking about the initiative Bord Bia CEO Tara McCarthy commented: I welcome the roll-out of the Lean Principles Programme for Primary Pig Producers following the successful delivery of the pilot project among 29 pig producers. This Lean initiative complements Bord Bias Pigmeat Quality Assurance Scheme (PQAS) by helping farmers to become more cost and process focused while continuing to meet market requirements and consumer demands. Teagasc Director, Professor Gerry Boyle also welcomed the roll out saying: Teagasc are delighted to be involved in this project after a very successful pilot programme, involving Knowledge Transfer staff in the Teagasc pigs development department. The pig sector in Ireland is resilient and one in which efficiency and costs of production are critical to survival. Lean principles have a role in improving this for the pig sector. The Farm Safety Experience The event attracted over 500 people from family farm backgrounds. Teagasc in association with IFA and Maxol Lubricants hosted The Farm Safety Experience, an interactive event promoting both health and safety with farming families at Coorevin Farm near Borrisokane, Co. Tipperary. The event attracted over 500 people from family farm backgrounds. The event was targeted at all generations of the Irish farm family with a view to making farms safer. It included a tractor driving simulator competition for secondary schools, a childrens play area with obstacle course and a mobile pet farm. In addition AgriKids made an interactive presentation. The event also held interactive workshops including working with oils and lubricants, height for hire, chainsaw safety and livestock handling. Speaking during the event Donal Mullane, Regional Manager, Teagasc Tipperary said: We are over whelmed with the positive reaction of the farming community at todays event. It is particularly encouraging to see the enthusiasm of the children to farm safety. We have already seen the influence children are having on climate Change. Heights, machinery and livestock are the key risks on farms while elderly farmers and children are the most vulnerable. Teagasc Health and Safety Specialist John McNamara said: I have met many parents today who were deeply interested in the welfare of their children on farms and as the busy summer season approaches, everyone in the farming sector must give safety first priority particularly childhood safety. Event co-organiser, Claire Mooney, expressed her thanks to Alma Jordan of AgriKids. Alma entertained over 200 children. We are also pleased with the reaction that the other attractions got. We also wish to thank Banaghans Toys and Moloneys Pet Farm for the entertaintment that they provided for the small children in a safe environment. Michael Somers, event co-organiser welcomed Tic-talk Ireland. Ive been admiring the work that tic-talk have been doing for some time. Lymes disease is a very serious condition. It can happen so simply. Id like to thank all our stalls and partners. Raising awareness only happens when we all come together. Imelda Walsh North Tipperary IFA and co-organiser of the event said: We are conscious that health and safety must include health. Farmers who take care of their wellbeing, both mentally and physical will be better placed to assess and reduce the risks on their farms. Cardiologist Dr Michael Conway asked farmers to treat their heart like any expensive machine on the farm, the heart needs regular screening and any necessary treatments administered at an early stage. He said that the goal in Europe is to reduce cholesterol levels to zero. At the moment Irish people have a cholesterol level averaging 6. He also outlined the development on coronary care in the past 30 years. He also took questions from the large crowd that attended his talk. Owen ONeill, Maxol Lubricants said Maxol Lubricants are delighted to be associated with the event, in particular the Health and Safety DVD which was shot on Coorevein Farm and it was launched on the day. In addition a presentation was made to farm safety charity Embrace FARM. Grassland Farmer of the Year to host Open Day Livestock farmers will have an opportunity to visit the farm of the overall winner of the Grassland Farmer of the Year awards on Wednesday, 24th April at 11am. Livestock farmers will have an opportunity to visit the farm of the overall winner of the Grassland Farmer of the Year awards on Wednesday, 24th April at 11am. Livestock farmers will have an opportunity to visit the farm of the overall winner of the Grassland Farmer of the Year awards on Wednesday, 24th April at 11am. John and Olivia Macnamara, Hospital, Co Limerick were the 2018 Grassland Farmer of the Year winners, and this spring they are opening up their farm for beef, dairy and sheep producers to visit for a day and see how they manage their grass. This is a farm while heavy in nature grew 15 tonnes of grass Dry Matter per hectare consistently from 2012 to 2017. There is huge focus on the farm on grassland management and those who visit the farm will see how a grassland farm is set up to achieve 280-290 days at grass. Speaking in advance of the open day on the 24th April, John Macnamara said: A consistent approach to grassland management has always been and will continue to be part of our business strategy, we try hard to utilise as much grass as possible. Head of the Teagasc Grassland Research Department, Michael O Donovan said: Our grassland work shows that the livestock producers, be they dairy, beef or sheep farmers, that optimise the amount of grass they grow and utilise, have the most profitable businesses. I would encourage all farmers to see how John grows, measures and manages his grass using the technologies available. The Grassland Farmer of the Year awards are part of the Teagasc Grass10 campaign which is supported by Teagasc, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, AIB, FBD Insurance, Grassland Agro and the Irish Farmers Journal. The awards recognise and reward those farmers who are achieving high levels of grass utilisation in a sustainable manner. New Teagasc and Microsoft partnership will enable Irelands farming community to benefit from evolving technologies Microsoft Airband pilot initiative aiming to address rural connectivity challenges is launched by EU Commissioner Phil Hogan Picture shows from left Teagasc student, Killian Faulkner; Cathriona Hallahan, Managing Director of Microsoft Ireland; Gerry Boyle, Director of Teagasc; The European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Phil Hogan; and Teagasc student Noel Prunty in Ballyhaise Agricultural College in Cavan after the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which will see the roll out of a pilot Airband rural broadband initiative to help address rural connectivity. The pilot is part of Microsofts Airband global initiative, which aims to extend connectivity to underserved, rural communities around the world by working with partners and leveraging innovative technologies, such as wireless solutions using TV White Spaces. Teagasc Ballyhaise Agricultural College, Cavan, April 27th: Today, European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Phil Hogan, joined Teagasc and Microsoft at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which will see both organisations work together to develop agricultural-based technology that will advance Irish agriculture in support of rural development and innovation. The first initiative to be rolled out under the MOU is a pilot project, announced today, which will provide remote internet connectivity to Teagasc Agricultural College, Ballyhaise and potentially some surrounding households. It will allow students at the college to access internet-based digital technology while training and working remotely in the fields and outbuildings across the 220-hectare campus. Connectivity means students can leverage a range of technologies, including AI and data analytics, to help inform decision making while learning. The other projects identified in the MOU will be rolled out over the summer and will focus on precision agriculture, big data, and AI. The pilot is part of Microsofts Airband global initiative, which aims to extend connectivity to underserved, rural communities around the world by working with partners and leveraging innovative technologies, such as wireless solutions using TV White Spaces. TV White Space is unassigned broadcast spectrum which travels over long distances, penetrates natural and manmade obstacles, and is abundant in rural areas. There are currently 68 Airband projects globally. In the US alone, Microsoft has committed to bringing three million rural Americans online by 2022. Net1, will work alongside Teagasc and Microsoft providing the ISP connectivity and managing the installation and deployment of the pilot. The pilot project in Ballyhaise Agricultural College is the first of its kind in Ireland. This project will inform how a similar solution can be deployed in other rural or agricultural settings across the country and beyond. The pilot will commence in the coming weeks and will run for up to eight months. At the launch today, Phil Hogan, European Union Commissioner said, From 2020 onwards I want and expect to see an upsurge in Smart Village projects where local initiative is supported by EU funding through programmes such as the Rural Development Programme (RDP) or LEADER, along with partners from the private sector such as Microsoft, who can bring innovative solutions like Airband to the table. Professor Gerry Boyle, Teagasc Director added: Using this technology will allow Teagasc to have high speed broadband across all our farm land in Ballyhaise. Sustainable land management underpins Teagasc courses and our teaching approach is a blend of classroom and practical learning. This project will allow us to bring technology that has previously been restricted to the classroom directly to the field. An example is the measurement of grass and its optimum utilisation. As students are taught the skills of measuring and managing grass, this information, thats stored on the cloud, can be captured on a handheld device in the field allowing immediate management decisions to be made on how much grass to give to animals. We are also delighted to be partnering with Microsoft on a range of other digital projects that will enable Irelands food sector to continue to grow in a manner that meets the highest standards of sustainability. Cathriona Hallahan, Managing Director of Microsoft Ireland said: We are delighted to partner with Teagasc to develop a range of technology solutions to help farmers across the country benefit from digitisation. It is critically important that Ireland, as a farming nation, ensures that the agricultural sector gets the benefit of technology to help inform future planning as well as day-to-day farm management. The projects that we will work with Teagasc on will bring real impact to farmers and we believe they can be scaled rapidly. The Airband Initiative, the first in Ireland, provides an innovative and cost-effective way to tackle the last mile of connectivity. This will be a game changer for farmers and rural communities. The findings can be used to the benefit of other rural communities not just in Ireland but across Europe. Teagasc Green Acres Dairy Calf to Beef Programme Launched The second phase of the Teagasc Green Acres Dairy Calf to Beef Programme was launched by Teagasc Director, Professor Gerry Boyle at a function in the Tullamore Court Hotel on Tuesday 9th April. Pictured at the launch of the second phase of the Teagasc Green Acres Dairy Calf to Beef Programme were: Professor Gerry Boyle, Teagasc Director; Programme Advisors Alan Dillon, David Argue & Sean Cummins along with the participating farmers, industry sponsors (MSD Animal Health; Volac; TP Whelehan/Corteva Agriscience; Liffey Mills; Munster Bovine; Drummonds) and Media Partners Agriland at the Tullamore Court Hotel, on Tuesday 9th April, 2019. The first phase of the programme clearly demonstrated that where the participating farmers focused on the key drivers of profitability in calf to beef systems, there was a substantial increase in both their output and profitability per hectare. The second phase of the Teagasc Green Acres Dairy Calf to Beef Programme was launched by Teagasc Director, Professor Gerry Boyle at a function in the Tullamore Court Hotel on Tuesday 9th April. The programme aims to share information from 14 participating farmers with beef producers right across the country to help them improve the performance of their businesses. This is a joint industry funded initiative that is supported by MSD Animal Health, Volac, Corteva Agriscience, Liffey Mills, Munster Bovine, Drummonds and AgriLand. The programme will follow the progress made over the next three years by 14 beef farmers who are all buying dairy bred calves. It follows on from the very successful first phase of the programme that ended in 2018. Two dedicated full-time programme advisors will work closely with each of the farmers where they will focus on improving their overall farm profitability through better grassland management, calf rearing skills, animal health, financial management and overall farm planning. Speaking at the launch Professor Gerry Boyle said: Im delighted to launch the second phase of the Teagasc Green Acres Calf to Beef Programme. I would like to thank all of the beef farmers and their families who have agreed for their farms to be used as demonstration farms. I would also like to thank our industry partners who are funding this innovative programme, and our media partner, AgriLand. The first phase of the programme clearly demonstrated that where the participating farmers focused on the key drivers of profitability in calf to beef systems, there was a substantial increase in both their output and profitability per hectare. General Manager of MSD Animal Health Ireland, Fergal Morris said: On behalf of the industry sponsors of the Teagasc Green Acres Dairy Calf to Beef Programme we are delighted to be involved in sponsoring this exciting farm programme. Demonstrating best practice on beef farms, from purchase through to finish of dairy bred calves, in systems that are sustainable and profitable is a key goal of the programme. Each of the farms will have the performance of their stock monitored on a regular basis, will complete a Teagasc eProfit Monitor annually, will record their grass covers weekly on PastureBase Ireland and will have a three year plan including a whole farm nutrient management plan drawn up for them. Alan Dillon, Teagasc Cattle Specialist and manager of the new programme said: One of the main objectives is to disseminate the information generated on these 14 farms to the wider audience of beef farmers who are practicing, or considering a calf to beef enterprise on their farm. This will be done through a variety of methods including media, technical notes and on-farm events over the three years of the programme. Agriland Managing Director, Cormac Farrelly welcomed their involvement as media partner to the programme; Were hugely excited to be working with Teagasc and the stakeholders on such an innovative programme. We hope to set a new standard of how these media partnerships work and, as always, intend to bring new innovation to ensure that the key messages and learnings from the programme are brought to as wide an audience as possible. To learn more about the Teagasc Green Acres Dairy Calf to Beef Programme and to meet the participating farmers visit www.teagasc.ie/GreenAcres Teagasc joint 5th among research organisations in Europe. Teagasc secured 6.3 million funding for research from the European Commissions Horizon 2020 programme in 2018. In comparison with all other research organisations and universities across Europe, Teagasc was joint 5th in terms of number of successful projects and 6th overall in terms of money awarded in the agri-food stream of European funding. High-five for Teagasc! Teagasc Directors, researchers and support staff give a high-five to celebrate being the joint-5th most successful organisation in securing European funding for agri-food research. Teagasc joint 5th among research organisations in Europe. Teagasc secured 6.3 million funding for research from the European Commissions Horizon 2020 programme in 2018. In comparison with all other research organisations and universities across Europe, Teagasc was joint 5th in terms of number of successful projects and 6th overall in terms of money awarded in the agri-food stream of European funding. Horizon 2020 is the European Commissions research funding programme. It has a total budget of almost 80 billion and runs from 2014 to 2020. In total, Teagasc has secured 19.6 from Horizon 2020 so far. The 19 Teagasc researchers who are leading or participating in the new projects met with Teagasc Director, Professor Gerry Boyle in Oak Park Carlow. In congratulating the successful applicants, Professor Boyle said: 2018 was a particularly successful year for us, with Teagasc securing 6.3 million in new funding from Horizon 2020, through a competitive process. It is really important for us to collaborate with researchers and knowledge transfer professionals from across Europe and this EU funding allows us to achieve that. Teagasc has reached its target of 19 million from Horizon 2020 with two years still remaining. This is 1.6 times the total funding that we secured during the full duration of FP7 EU research fund (the predecessor of Horizon 2020). Horizon 2020 is organised into three main pillars: Excellent Science; Industrial Leadership and Societal Challenges. The Societal Challenges are organised around seven key societal challenges that the EC has identified as needing significant research and innovation input. Societal Challenge 2 focuses on Food Security, Sustainable Agriculture and Forestry, Marine, Maritime and Inland Water Research and the Bioeconomy. In the 2018 call for Societal Challenge 2 - Food Security, Sustainable Agriculture and Forestry, Marine, Maritime and Inland Water Research and the Bioeconomy, Teagasc was joint fifth for the number of projects awarded and sixth overall for total funding secured. Teagasc is the only Irish organisation in the top-20 for agri-food research funding in 2018. Professor Boyle said: It is great to see the breadth of activities, from cutting edge research and knowledge transfer activities to science outreach and gender studies. In particular I would like to acknowledge Tom Kelly and Paul Cotter who will lead two large Horizon 2020 projects - FairShare and MASTER. The successful research projects that Teagasc will lead or participate in include: Teagasc Research Impact in 2018 New Publication Teagasc has published Teagasc Research Impact Highlights in 2018. In any given year, the impact of Teagasc research is a combination of the continuing impact of past research, and the new impact of recent research. This publication highlights some of these new impacts achieved in 2018. The examples selected are from across our programme and range from research conducted on issues in soils and the environment, animal production, crop production, food processing, food and health, to economics a Teagasc has published Teagasc Research Impact Highlights in 2018 Teagasc has published Teagasc Research Impact Highlights in 2018. In any given year, the impact of Teagasc research is a combination of the continuing impact of past research, and the new impact of recent research. This publication highlights some of these new impacts achieved in 2018. The examples selected are from across our programme and range from research conducted on issues in soils and the environment, animal production, crop production, food processing, food and health, to economics and social science, said Professor Frank OMara, Director of Research in Teagasc. While our researchers published almost 600 peer reviewed scientific papers in 2018, as an organisation that conducts mainly applied research, we work hard to ensure our research programmes will have impact and are relevant to the Irish agricultural and food sectors. Beefing up dairy-beef cattle The expanding dairy herd, coupled with improving reproductive performance, will necessitate that a greater proportion of slaughtered cattle in Ireland will originate from dairy herds. However, the genetic antagonism in cattle between carcass merit and the extent of assistance required at calving demands an index that combines the desired genetic attributes from the perspective of the dairy producer (i.e., easy calving, short gestation) with those of the beef producer and industry as a whole (i.e., efficiency of growth of valuable meat). A profit-based breeding index with eight traits was developed, and subsequently deployed by the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation, to improve the carcass merit of the delivered calf with minimal consequences on the dairy cow. Dr Donagh Berry, Teagasc Moorepark explains: The breeding index will be used by dairy farmers for selecting suitable beef bulls for use on their dairy females, but will also be used by beef bull breeders to breed the next generation of beef bulls demanded by dairy producers. IPM strategies for septoria tritici blotch Septoria tritici blotch (STB) caused by Zymoseptoria tritici continues to be the most economically destructive disease of Irish winter wheat crops. As a wet weather disease, Irish crops are at considerable risk and, as such, Irish farmers must apply fungicides to protect potential yields. Unfortunately, this combination has meant that the Irish Zymoseptoria tritici population has developed resistance to the main fungicides used for its control. In light of these changes, and continued regulatory pressures on the availability of multisite fungicides, Teagasc research is ongoing to determine the best means to ensure that Irish winter wheat crops are protected, but equally to discover how best to manage resistance to current and future fungicide chemistries. Dr Steven Kildea, Teagasc Oak Park, explains: To achieve these goals Teagasc combines detailed sensitivity monitoring with an extensive programme of field trials throughout the main wheat growing regions in Ireland. These have resulted in an increased awareness of the need to maximise the concept of integrated pest management in cereal disease control programmes, with increased emphasis being placed on both varietal choice and agronomic practices used by growers. Novel procedure to generate bioplastics The food and packaging industries are keen on adapting novel biomaterials to reduce the current dependency on petrol-based materials. Also, the EU is demanding a reduction in the generation of food waste, encouraging its recovery, reutilisation and revalorisation. A novel method to generate transparent, food-grade and insoluble bioplastics from pork haemoglobin has been developed; it faces both issues by generating a novel biodegradable and sustainable material to partially replace petroleum-based materials, while blood from meat processors is revalorised. Dr Carlos Alvarez, Teagasc Food Research Centre, Ashtown, describes the applications for such products: Such technology has the potential to be transferred to other protein-based films, the high solubility of which restricts the range of applications. It also unlocks the potential of using wasted proteins as a renewable source for many applications, such as food packaging, bioactive carriers or even biomedicine. Future levels of Irish agricultural greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions The future level of agricultural activity in Ireland is subject to considerable uncertainty for several reasons. These would include: the outcome of Brexit; potential EU trade agreements with third countries; the future size of the EU budget (2021 to 2027); and, the next Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reform. To take account of such uncertainty, six different scenarios were developed to scope out the size of the Irish agricultural sector in the future. This largely involved making differing assumptions about how the dairy and beef sector would evolve in the period to 2030, as these sectors are the principal source of Irish agricultural greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This then allowed projections to be made about how Irish agricultural GHG and ammonia emissions might evolve to 2030. Trevor Donnellan, Teagasc Rural Economy and Development Programme, explains: These emissions could then be compared with potential emission reduction targets to see how much of a gap would need to be filled through actions designed to mitigate GHG and ammonia emissions from the sector. Using research from a separate study, which developed marginal abatement cost curves (MACC) for agricultural GHG and ammonia emissions, it was then possible to determine the likely level of future emissions that could result under the various scenarios and the implications for Irelands compliance with GHG and ammonia targets. The Teagasc Research Impact Highlights 2018 document is available for download at: http://bit.ly/ResearchImpact2018Teagasc. Westmeath farmer wins RDS Teagasc Farm Forestry Award The RDS Teagasc Farm Forestry Award category aims to recognise excellence in sustainable use of land that incorporates both farming and forestry through the successful adoption of a whole farm planning approach. Gerard Deegan, from Cloghan, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath was presented with the RDS Farm Forestry Award in Dublin today Wednesday 24 April. Gerard Deegan, the highly deserving winner of this category received the award from Professor Gerry Boyle, Teagasc Director. The RDS Farm Forestry Award is part of the 2019 RDS Spring Awards ceremony. Gerard Deegan successfully combines an organic calf to beef enterprise and poultry farming with an integrated forest enterprise on his farm at Cloghan, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath. Gerard has also recently commenced a very rewarding involvement with a local social farming initiative. The RDS Teagasc Farm Forestry Award category aims to recognise excellence in sustainable use of land that incorporates both farming and forestry through the successful adoption of a whole farm planning approach. Congratulating Gerard Deegan, Professor Boyle highlighted how the award recognises working farmers who have integrated forestry with their farming enterprises for environmental, economic and social sustainability. The award also acknowledges Gerards role in actively managing his farm forest to optimise the economic and environmental contribution to the farm. Professor Boyle added: Teagasc will continue to support the RDS Forestry and Woodland Awards and encourage farm forest owners to become involved in this very worthwhile competition which will open for this years applications shortly. Accepting the award Gerard Deegan, said he was privileged to accept the RDS Teagasc Farm Forestry Award and will enjoy it. Forestry has allowed me to breathe again. The Royal Dublin Society has been continually involved in the promotion of Irish forestry which has a history going back as far as the 1740s. Brendan Fitzsimmons, Chair of the RDS Agricultural Committee, thanked Teagasc for their ongoing support of the Farm Forestry Award Category. He said he was particularly pleased with the high quality of applicants in this years award categories. In highlighting the benefits of farm forestry at the Awards ceremony, Liam Kelly, Teagasc Forestry Advisor highlighted how the effective integration of forestry into agricultural enterprises presents opportunities for farming families and the communities in which they live to achieve and optimise the many economic, environmental, practical and social benefits that can accrue. Teagasc Forestry Advisor Noel Kennedy also commented on how well planned and actively managed forests and woodlands can complement other farming systems. Since 1980, almost 22,000 private forest owners have received grant aid to establish forests and 83% of forests established have been planted by farmers. Noel Kennedy added: Teagasc provides integrated forestry research, advice, training and education to support forest owners in adding value to and optimising their farm forest resource. Teagasc are also working closely with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine as well as the wider forest industry in actively promoting forestry as a sustainable and attractive enterprise that can be integrated on many farms. In brief: The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) said that Apple and Google had removed three dating apps from their app stores after it found they allowed children under the age of 13 to sign up. The FTC said in a statement that the three appsMeet24, FastMeet, and Meet4U are operated by Ukrainian company Wildec LLC. In a recent letter to the firm, the FTC warned that the apps appeared to violate the Childrens Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) as well as the FTC Act because they did not prevent users who said they were under 13 from joining. The COPPA rule prevents companies from collecting data on under 13s without verifiable consent from their parents. The FTC told Wildec it apparently violated COPPA because the company appear[s] to have actual knowledge that children are using your apps. The FTC act prohibits unfair practices that are likely to cause substantial consumer injury. The apps allegedly collected birthdates, email addresses, photographs, and real-time location data, but did not attempt to block children who said they were under 13, despite claiming to prohibit these users in its privacy policies. The FTCs warning letter noted that allowing adults to communicate with children on these apps posed a serious security risk, adding that several individuals are reportedly facing criminal charges for allegedly contacting or attempting to contact minors using Wildecs apps. Wildec has been urged to immediately remove childrens personal information, to seek parental consent before allowing minors access to the apps, and to ensure that all versions comply with COPPA and the FTC Act. The organization has also issued a consumer alert warning parents about the applications, in which it wrote: its possible that updated versions of these apps could appear in the future but only for adults. A 68-year-old amputee man in Canada was left to crawl on a hotel floor after airline security confiscated the batteries for his electric scooter. Kelowna, British Columbia-native Stearn Hodge and his wife were about to catch a flight at the Calgary International Airport when they were stopped by agents from United Airlines and the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority. The Hodges were traveling with an electric scooter to help Stearn with his disability. However, they were told that they could not bring the vehicle's lithium-ion batteries along for safety reasons. Despite the couple's protests, the security officials refused to allow the batteries aboard the flight. Stern and his wife had to continue with their holiday without using the electric scooter. This left the amputee man to crawl on the floor of their hotel, which he described as "the most humiliating thing" he can think of. Stern has since filed a complaint before the Canadian Human Rights Commission for their bad experience. Discrimination Against People With Disabilities Stern lost his left arm and right leg following an accident at his workplace in 1984. He said he could not wear a prosthetic leg for long periods because he often experiences pain and discomfort. There is also the risk of infection in wearing the device. Despite these challenges, he was still able to keep his independence and dignity with the help of his mobility scooter. Stern's scooter makes use of lithium-ion batteries to operate. These power packs are known to carry more energy charges compared to other forms of batteries. However, they also pose safety risks because of their highly flammable nature. Earlier this year, the U. S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration has banned lithium-ion batteries on all passenger flights because of fire risks. People with disabilities, such as Stern, are allowed to travel with lithium cells if used for medical devices and kept in carry-on luggage based on global standards set by the International Air Transport Association. Stern said he tried to present his IATA documents, as well as a written approval from United Airlines to let him bring his scooter's batteries, but the CATSA and airline agents refused to listen to him. The CATSA official even suggested that he should just use a wheelchair instead. "How's a one-armed guy going to run a wheelchair?" Stern exclaimed. "How am I going to go down a ramp and brake with one hand?" He said the idea should not have even been brought up. Stern's wife was just coming off cancer treatment, which meant she would not have been able to push her husband around in a wheelchair. United Airlines Apologizes United sent Stern an email acknowledging that it was in violation of federal disability requirements during the incident at the airport. The airline apologized to the couple for the "inconvenience" and offered an $800 travel certificate. However, the Hodges are adamant that the CHRC should hear their complaint. John Burns, a lawyer hired by the couple, is set to ask the Federal Court to compel the commission. Under the Canadian Human Rights Act, Stern and his wife are eligible for up to $20,000 in damages for every count of pain and suffering they suffered during the incident. If the discrimination is proven "willful or reckless," then they can receive up to $20,000 more. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Like clockwork, rumors of an upcoming eruption in Yellowstone National Park have started to pop up in time for spring. In April, the U.S. Geological Survey reported swarms of earthquakes in the area. Some have taken this to mean that the supervolcano has awoken and is ready to lay waste to the entire world. However, people should not be alarmed. A major eruption likely will not happen any time soon. 'The Big One' Is Not Coming Yellowstone is a supervolcano, which means that it has erupted explosively, spewing at least 1,000 cubic kilometers of volcanic materials and producing a crater called a caldera. Yellowstone has experienced three major eruptions during its lifetime and the last one took place around 640,000 years ago. It has remained active through lava flows and hydrothermal blasts. According to the USGS, there is magma beneath the caldera now which means that a volcanic eruption within or near the national park is imminent. "Yellowstone's two-million-year history of volcanism, the copious amount of heat that still flows from the ground, the frequent earthquakes, and the repeated uplift and subsidence of the caldera floor also testify to the continuity of magmatic processes beneath Yellowstone and point to the possibility of future volcanism and future earthquake activity," a statement from the agency reads. However, the USGS reiterated that there is no threat of eruption within or near Yellowstone National Park right now or in the near future. Scientists regularly monitor volcanic activity using seismographs, which detects earthquakes) and GPS, which detects ground motion. If Yellowstone is about to erupt, they will know. Swarms Of Earthquake In April Throughout April, the University of Utah Seismograph Stations recorded 57 earthquakes in the Yellowstone National Park. None of these earthquakes, including the largest which was magnitude 2.6, were felt by humans This has been the basis of a new rumor warning about a major eruption from the supervolcano; an article headline claimed that the earthquakes "could be a sign of ERUPTION." However, these swarms of earthquakes are normal occurrences at Yellowstone. It does not mean that "The Big One" is coming. In February 2018, 200 earthquakes were recorded over the course of two weeks. In 2017, an even larger number of earthquakes were experienced in the region. There are two possible causes of earthquake swarms: a shift in major tectonic plates or movements of water, gas, or magma beneath the surface. In the case of Yellowstone, it is the latter. The supervolcano has plenty of fluids and gases beneath the ground. "This is what Yellowstone does; this is Yellowstone being Yellowstone," assured Michael Poland, a scientist at the USGS Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, to Live Science last year. "It experiences swarms all the time." 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A new study by BeBop Labs reveals an unsavory truth: tick bites occur all-year round, not just during spring and summer as previously assumed. The citizen science study based in Plymouth claimed that the threat of tick-borne diseases decreases during winter, but it does not disappear entirely unless the ground is covered with snow. The conclusion was drawn after an analysis of about 1,654 ticks sent by volunteers in the past year. Of the total number, 1,100 were dog ticks and 554 were black-legged ticks often found in deer. The findings were released in the website of the nonprofit group. Tick-Borne Diseases In New Hampshire The analysis found that between one-quarter and one-half of the total ticks collected all year round can cause at least one disease, usually Lyme. Meanwhile, between 5 and 10 percent of those sampled carried the pathogen anaplasmosis. Babesia, which is usually linked to black-legged ticks, appeared in samples from some counties, but not the others. For example, in Merrimack and Rockingham County, about 12.5 percent of the ticks carried the pathogen. The study also combined public data from the University of Massachusetts Amherst Lab of Medical Zoology and Ticknology. "When we looked at what time of year do we find tick-born diseases (in ticks) there was no trend," explained Kaitlyn Morse who runs the BeBop Labs in Plymouth. "It really looks like there are diseases all year round, even the co-infections; no spikes, no trends." This is only the findings from the first year of research from the nonprofit group. That said, Morse cautioned about interpreting the data. She reiterated that the study only reflects tick activity within the past year. She believes that to identify a trend or pattern, there need to be at least three years worth of data. Morse also pointed out that some of the counties are not well represented. "But it is, I think, an indication of what's out there," she added. First Documented Case Of A New Disease Pathogen In New Hampshire The researchers also confirmed the presence of another pathogen called miyamotoi among ticks analyzed for the study. This is the first documented case of miyamotoi in ticks from New Hampshire, the study claimed. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, miyamotoi has already been detected in black-legged ticks and western black-legged ticks in North America. A bit from an infected tick might cause fever, chills, headache, body and joint pain, and fatigue. The researchers warned that miyamotoi seems to be as common as babesia in the collected ticks. They found it in 5 percent of ticks from Grafton County, for example. Tick bites become more common around the warmer months, but there are ways to prevent them. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The immune system is the body's primary defense against disease-causing pathogens. In a new study, scientists filmed how the immune system kill bacteria in the blood. The study, conducted by a team from the University College London, can lead to a better understanding of the processes that take place within the body during bacterial infection. It can also be used to develop new treatment options that will take advantage of the immune system to attack rogue cells. They published their findings in the journal Nature Communications on Monday, May 6. The Immune System Against Bacteria The immune system is a collection of structures and processes that guards the human body against foreign invaders such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites. It can distinguish between the self (the human body) against the nonself (the foreign invader). To kill bacteria, the immune system makes use of nanomachines, which can open holes into the pathogen and kill it without harming the self. To further understand the process, the researchers mimic the creation of these deadly holes formed by the membrane attack complex, or MAC, using a model bacterial surface. They filmed the immune system's response to bacteria using atomic force microscopy at nanometer resolution and at a few seconds per frame. The microscopy functions like Braille: the instrument feels rather than see the molecules on a surface. The needle repeatedly scans the surface and produce an image. It refreshes rapidly in order to track every step of the processes that take place when the immune system attacks a foreign invader. How The Immune System Avoids Damaging Human Cell The researchers found that after each hole forms, the attack briefly pauses in order to allow the human cells to react if it is affected. "It appears as if these nanomachines wait a moment, allowing their potential victim to intervene in case it is one of the body's own cells instead of an invading bug, before they deal the killer blow," explained Edward Parsons of the University College London Center for Nanotechnology. The researchers said that, initially, one copy of the protein is inserted into the bacterial surface. Then, the attack pauses of a bit, after which the other copies are added more rapidly. The process needs 18 copies of the same protein to complete a hole. "It is the insertion of the first protein of the membrane attack complex which causes the bottleneck in the killing process," shared Bart Hoogenboom, a professor at the University College London Physics & Astronomy. "Curiously, it coincides with the point where hole formation is prevented on our own healthy cells, thus leaving them undamaged." 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Astronomers have been studying the nature of blue supergiant stars for decades. Despite years of research, however, these stars have proven to be elusive and difficult to study because they live fast and die young. Add that to the fact that research on blue supergiant stars have been limited by the kind of technology and equipment available years ago. Telescopes can probe far deep into space but cannot "see" the insides of stars. Now, things have changed. A team of astronomers from Belgium and England has uncovered the secrets of blue supergiant stars, all thanks to recent data collected by NASA telescopes. These telescopes have allowed scientists to create models and simulations of the interior of stars. The results of the study, which have been released in the journal Nature Astronomy, provide researchers with more knowledge and insight into the nature of elusive blue supergiant stars for the first time ever. Uncovering The Secrets Of Elusive Blue Supergiant Stars The blue supergiant star is one of the final burning phases before the death of a massive star. With surface temperatures of between 20,000 and 50,000 degrees Celsius, blue supergiant stars are quite hot and bright. One of the most well-known blue supergiant stars is Rigel, which is the brightest star in the Orion constellation and has a mass that is at least 20 times that of the sun. Rigel is so bright that it gives out more light than 60,000 suns combined. What scientists know about blue supergiant stars is that despite their short lives, their brightness allows them to be one of the most visible stars in the nightsky. However, although astronomers can see the surface of blue supergiant stars using telescopes, little is known about the insides of these stars and why they shine bright the way they do. Using Astroseismology To Study Blue Supergiant Stars In the new study, researchers led by Dr. Tamara Rogers from Newcastle University made use of space telescopes to peer into the waves that originate in the deep interior of blue supergiant stars. The technique, which is called asteroseismology, is similar to how seismologists use earthquakes to study the interior of Earth. Rogers and her colleagues have been working for the past five years to create simulations of blue supergiant stars and they predicted that gravity waves could break at the surface of these stars. Additionally, they predicted a second type of wave, which are similar to seismic waves and are generated from deep within the supergiant star. Together with scientists from KU Leuven in Belgium, Dr. Rogers discovered that blue supergiant stars shimmer and ripple in brightness because of the presence of the waves on their surface. Dr. Rogers explained that gravity waves that break at the surface of the blue supergiant star are similar to waves breaking on the shoreline. The second type of wave, which was the standing wave, is similar to seismic waves on Earth. From these two types of waves, Dr. Rogers and her colleagues can understand how the blue supergiant star is moving and rotating. Dominic Bowman, the corresponding author of the study, explained that they can now examine the chemistry and physics behind what is going on deep inside the star's interior and core. He said the frequencies can help them investigate how efficiently metal is produced and how it moves around within the star. "The discovery of waves in so many blue supergiant stars was a eureka moment," Bowman added. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. AMITE About 50 teachers, support staff and their backers filled the Tangipahoa Parish School Board chambers Tuesday to protest the terminations of two teachers caught on video physically restraining a student, and demanding clearer policy on how to respond to students who are fighting. Ponchatoula Junior High School teacher Simone Ingram told the School Board that the superintendent's decision puts "teachers and school employees of Tangipahoa Parish in a precarious situation when it comes to handling physical fights between students. "Because of the manner in which the situation was handled, we see that if we get physically involved, then we run the risk of losing our careers," Ingram said. A few supporters of the Ponchatoula Junior High student and her family attended the meeting as well. +3 Teachers seen restraining girl in viral Ponchatoula Junior High video were fired, union rep says An attorney for one of the teachers seen restraining a student in a video that went viral from Ponchatoula Junior High School in March said th The video shows the student being physically restrained on a concrete courtyard by two teachers. One teacher can be seen forcing the girl to the ground, while another pulls her by the leg underneath a picnic table. Can't see video below? Click here. "You're going to be still or I'm going to thump your ass on the concrete," one of the teachers can be heard yelling. "Let me out!" the student calls repeatedly. Authorities have said the video shows the aftermath of a fight between two students that one of the teachers broke up. The fight, captured on a second, less-widely shared video, depicts two teenage girls grabbing each other by the shirt and hitting each other in the head until a teacher pulls one of the girls away. Superintendent Melissa Stilley fired both teachers Arthur "Rusty" Barrilleaux and Brett Chatelain last week. The situation is proving a test for Stilley, who was appointed superintendent almost a year ago, of how well she can navigate racial tensions in the school system. In this incident, the student is black and the two teachers are white. Report: Video of teachers restraining student is 'disturbing,' Tangipahoa schools leader says The Tangipahoa Parish schools superintendent said the video that circulated on social media last week showing two teachers physically restrain Tony Clayton, an attorney for Barrilleaux, has said Stilley's decision was informed by her concerns about public opinion and not the actions of his client. My client got fired because he happened to be a white teacher breaking up a fight between two black kids. Period, Clayton said in an interview Friday. The 19,000-student school district is nearly 50 percent black and remains in the throes of a 54-year-old desegregation case that has seeded distrust in the community and halted efforts to raise taxes needed to improve facilities. In February 2018, those racial tensions surfaced when many residents, predominantly black, called for the resignation of a board member who posted a photo of a noose on his Facebook page. 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 At Tuesday's School Board meeting, the teachers took turns to speak out. Ingram said she wants the School Board to provide clear policy on how staff should intervene in physical altercations. She also said the policy should be made with the collaboration of the faculty. Until that time, the Ponchatoula Junior High School faculty will no longer use physical interventions to prevent fights, stop fights or prevent a student from running off campus, she said. Dina Esquinance, a former Ponchatoula Junior High School teacher and representative for the Tangipahoa Federation of Teachers, said members of her union would do the same. She noted the risks teachers face in schools on a daily basis by asking anyone in the audience who had been assaulted by a student or intervened in a fight to stand. About a dozen did. "Teachers have been beaten, punched, scratched. All because they instinctively feel the need to protect the students from being hurt," Esquinance said. She said one of the teachers involved in the incident, and who is a union member, never received training on how to intervene in a fight. Melvin McElwee Sr., a former Hammond High School teacher and parent of graduates of the school system pushed back on their comments. He thanked Stilley for making the tough decision. He also said there are ways to de-escalate fights between students without physically intervening, something he experienced first-hand while working at the school. "I'm glad as a parent that no one handled my kid like that," McElwee added. Also in attendance were two representatives from Friends and Families of Louisiana's Incarcerated Children, a group that has been working with the student seen in the video and her family. Gina Womack, executive director of the group, said in an interview that school should be a safe place where students are not being dragged "by two grown-ups in any circumstance." Stilley also addressed the situation during the meeting, although she declined to talk specifically about her decision making, due to privacy concerns. She said her decision was not made hastily and it has "weighed heavily on my heart." She added that the decision was made for the parish as a whole, and not for a particular school or group. "The decision was based on our expectations both for employees and students in our parish and how they should conduct themselves even in tough situations. The decision was not about race. It was an ethical and moral decision based on the facts," Stilley said. She said the school system plans to make changes next year that will address the teachers' concerns. She said the school system will implement a zero-tolerance policy next year for students who "choose to fight." "Students who fight will go to the alternative school. Period. At that site they will receive services to assist making them have better decisions in the future," Stilley said. She said there are guidelines in place for teachers to physically restrain students and that training is provided, a comment that drew grumbles from the audience. But she promised more in the future. "Our commitment moving forward is we will continue to provide additional guidelines and policies not only for bullying, but how to better handle student conflicts in our schools," Stilley said. John Williams, an attorney for the student and her family, said the student shown in the viral video has not faced formal discipline but has not returned to school. A teacher comes by the house each day to work with her, Williams said. This story has been corrected to delete a reference to "teachers and student employees" in a quote from Ponchatoula Junior High School teacher Simone Ingram. She referred to "teachers and school employees." Classic FM Producer Kim Hye-seon posing at a live radio studio at KBS, last Friday. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk WASHINGTON U.S. Sen. John Kennedy took a moment on Tuesday to thank FBI director Christopher Wray for the federal agency's help in tracking down the "punk" who set three historically black churches in Louisiana ablaze. I want to thank you personally and your entire team for your help in catching the punk that burned three of our churches in Louisiana, Kennedy said during an Appropriations subcommittee hearing on the FBI's budget. The perpetrator was caught quickly, and I dont think we couldve done that without the assistance of the FBI. We, in Louisiana, are very grateful for that. Holden Matthews, 21, has been charged with aggravated arson, two counts of simple arson and three hate crime counts in connection with the fires between March 26 and April 4. St. Mary Baptist in Port Barre, Greater Union Baptist in Opelousas and Mt. Pleasant Baptist in Opelousas were all home to predominantly black congregations in St. Landry Parish. Vice President Mike Pence visited with parishioners at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church last week, decrying a recent rash of attacks against faith-based communities and houses of worship. The FBI worked alongside St. Landry Parish Sheriff Bobby Guidroz and State Fire Marshal H. Butch Browning, whose organization headed the arson investigations. 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 crowd-sourcing campaign raised more than $2.1 million toward the effort to rebuild the churches. Supporters posted a brief video update of the clearing efforts at the St. Mary site online Tuesday. +4 Ravens owner called retired Saints TE Ben Watson to pledge $100K for burned Louisiana churches In retired Saints tight end Ben Watson's push to help rebuild three historically black Louisiana churches recently burned to the ground by an In a new twist, public school teachers would get pay raises of $1,200 this year, rather than $1,000, and pay for support workers would rise by $600 under a revamped spending plan approved Monday by the Louisiana House Appropriations Committee. The same panel rejected a bid to boost state aid for public schools by $39 million on a 3-17 vote. The powerful committee later approved the proposed $30 billion spending plan and sent it to the full House, which will debate the measure Thursday. The Republican-dominated panel approved spending an additional $119 million available to it because of higher revenue collections recognized by the Revenue Estimating Conference last month. The budget proposal must go through several more steps and is likely to be changed multiple times before becoming law. The larger raises for teachers, instead of the additional $39 million for public schools, was the most significant difference between the Republican lawmakers on the committee and Gov. John Bel Edwards' administration. State Rep. Walt Leger III, D-New Orleans, said his proposed spending plan, which is in line with the governors, was about 90% identical to the proposal that was ultimately approved by the committee. House Appropriations Committee Chairman Cameron Henry, R-Metairie, made the motion to spend another $20 million on teachers for the $1,200 increases. His proposed changes to the budget passed without much controversy, aside from the debate over teacher pay and public school spending. My preference is to give teachers the biggest pay raise we possibly can, Henry said. The action means that, if the Legislature is unable to agree on a school spending plan, teachers could still salvage a one-time, $1,200 pay raise. The governor and teachers want any increase placed in the school funding formula called the Minimum Foundation Program so it would be recurring. Louisiana public school aid battle sparking new rift between Gov. John Bel Edwards, Senate vs. House In a repeat of budget battles, Gov. John Bel Edwards and the state Senate are lining up against the Louisiana House on whether public schools Edwards told reporters Monday afternoon that he has already planned to raise teacher pay this year and again if he is reelected, but he did not say directly whether he supports the bigger raise proposed by the House committee. The governor did not appear enthused about the changes, however, as he called the block grant funding of $39 million to schools very important and pointed out the plan must line up with the Board of Elementary and Secondary Educations formula for school funding. It would be a very hollow victory for a teacher to get a raise on the one hand and a layoff notice on the other, he said. The latest flurry means Edwards, a Senate committee and BESE are behind one plan pay raises of $1,000 for teachers, $500 for support workers and a $39 million boost for public schools and House leaders another. Henrys draft of the budget also provides some of the money sought by disability advocates for intermediate care facilities and community-based programs; fully funds the popular Taylor Opportunity Program for Students scholarships; and gives an extra $13 million in state general fund dollars to corrections. Higher education, including the TOPS funding, would get an extra $36 million compared with the original budget bill, which was for the most part a standstill budget compared with last year. The bill approved Monday morning also includes $8.8 million for early childhood education for 4-year-olds, which would replace an expiring federal grant. The plan will give the Department of Children and Family Services about $10 million of the $13 million it was seeking to keep from cutting the food stamps program, though that partly depends on a supplemental bill being passed Tuesday. 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 Two key House committees have now turned down the $39 million boost for schools, which would be the second of its kind in the past decade. Last month, the House Education Committee voted to return the school funding plan to BESE and for that panel to remove the $39 million. Without that action, committee leaders said, the state might not have enough funds to raise teacher pay. BESE is set to meet on Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. to tackle the issue. The Legislature can only accept or reject BESEs proposal but cannot change it. Leger made the motion to add the $39 million for public schools to the operating budget blueprint. He said sending more money to public schools would lessen chances teachers would have to spend their own money for supplies. The state has about 50,000 public school teachers and they are paid an average of $50,000 per year. The governor has said current pay is about $2,200 below the average set by the Southern Regional Education Board. The spending plan approved by the committee funds state services starting July 1. It is House Bill 105. Traditionally, the budget is considered as House Bill 1, but House Speaker Taylor Barras held up the states revenue projection for months, preventing lawmakers from moving forward with the traditional budget process. Instead, the committee has been holding hearings based on a standstill budget from last year, plus an additional $26 million in revenue that was not yet recognized. Last month, Barras, R-New Iberia, finally gave in and agreed to recognize additional revenue for the state to spend. The House Appropriations Committees version of the budget also cut out about $700 million in excess budget authority. The move is aimed at bringing the budget projections in line with the amount of money agencies will actually spend. The committee also cut a proposed $11.6 million increase in spending on legislative agencies before approving the Legislatures $96 million budget plan. The Legislature has been sitting on a pot of $85 million in surplus cash, The Associated Press reported, even though it does not have any immediate plans for the money. A bill backed by critics of vaccines that would require providers to give a patient a specific list of information about vaccines before administering them was shot down in a House Committee Tuesday. State Rep. Beryl Amedee, R-Houma, introduced the bill, which would require health providers to give patients any contraindications situations where a drug should not be used of vaccines, as well as the vaccine ingredients and other information, before giving the vaccine. Louisiana health official concerned about anti-vaxxers amid measles outbreak One of the state's top health officials says he's concerned about the growing number of Louisianians rejecting vaccinations for their children The proposal, which was opposed by several health groups including the Louisiana Hospital Association and the Louisiana State Medical Society, was deferred on a 4-9 vote. Dr. Stewart Gordon, representing the Louisiana Chapter of American Academy of Pediatrics, said the bill would require information that is already disclosed by providers, and would be confusing and unnecessary" by inundating patients or families with information about vaccines. 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 Several people speaking in favor of the bill said they did not want to be labeled anti-vaxxers, but they criticized vaccines as potentially dangerous. One proponent cited the Informed Consent Action Network, an anti-vaccination group. One of the states top health officials said Monday hes worried about the growing number of Louisianans rejecting vaccinations for their children amid a resurgence of measles throughout the country. Louisiana has not yet had any reported measles cases, but the U.S. has seen more this year than any time in more than two decades. State Sen. John Milkovich, D-Shreveport, erroneously linked vaccines to autism on the floor of the state Senate recently, perpetuating a long-debunked theory that has helped lead to the rise in measles. Several officials, including U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, have since spoken out against the lawmaker for spreading the debunked claims. The city of New Orleans crumbling infrastructure will receive an infusion of tens of millions of dollars under a deal announced Monday by Gov. John Bel Edwards and Mayor LaToya Cantrell after weeks of hard-fought negotiations between their aides and the citys powerful hospitality industry. The deal would provide $50 million in coming weeks to the Sewerage & Water Board, which has warned that its drainage system does not have enough cash to finish out the year. The money would come from a combination of unspent state disaster money and funding from the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Just as critically for Cantrell, it also would provide up to $26 million a year in new, recurring revenue that could be used for S&WB needs or other infrastructure projects. That money will largely come from higher taxes on hotels and short-term rentals, rededicated money that would be freed up by merging two tourism marketing agencies, and higher property taxes in the Central Business District. Finally, the state will delay $17.5 million in payments it had expected from the city for five years. The citys potholed streets and ancient drainage system would receive the money with the passage of three legislative bills that will go before the full House on Wednesday. New Orleans voters will then have to approve one of them. The fight for more tax dollars devoted to infrastructure has been a central tenet of Cantrells fair share campaign since she took office a year ago this week. Should the deal successfully make its way through the Legislature, she can claim a victory where other mayors fell short. Still, tourism leaders managed to hold onto nearly all of their $120 million in annual hotel tax revenue, and they also appear much closer now to gaining approval for a controversial $558 million, 1,200-room Convention Center hotel that taxpayers would help subsidize Its a win-win-win across the board, Cantrell said at a triumphant press conference with Edwards by her side and 12 New Orleans delegation legislators and two hospitality leaders arrayed behind them. This is a step in the right direction for sustainable infrastructure for the city of New Orleans. For Edwards, successfully brokering the agreement offers an opportunity to cement his support in New Orleans, where he needs a big turnout and a large margin of victory as he runs for re-election this fall. Meanwhile, Stephen Perry, head of the convention-marketing group New Orleans & Co. and a leader in the citys tourism lobby, appears to have expanded his agencys role, as the deal calls for the New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corp., a separate city entity, to now effectively fall under his groups control. Fridays rupture of a 114-year-old water main under South Claiborne Avenue, which prompted a boil-water advisory for a large swath of Uptown and for a time caused worries that it would disrupt patient care at Childrens Hospital, added urgency to getting everyone on the same page, Cantrell and Edwards said. Give and take Since last fall, Cantrell has been seeking $75 million in one-time money and $40 million in annual recurring revenue for infrastructure repairs, while tourism leaders, who parried similar requests in the past, initially offered much less. But the dire financial state of the Sewerage & Water Board, a desire not to be cross-ways with the mayor and the political exigency of trying to win approval for the controversial hotel next to the Convention Center appeared to bring hospitality leaders around. The agreement gives both Cantrell and the hospitality industry something they wanted, but each side had to give up something. Cantrell accepted $25 million less in one-time money and at least $14 million less in recurring revenue than she initially requested. She also agreed that a tax on short-term rentals should be split with hospitality groups rather than being used to build affordable housing, a concession that is certain to draw ire from housing advocates. The City Council has also been eyeing the short-term rental tax as a way to fund more affordable housing. Council members could not be reached for comment on the new deal Monday. But privately, council members have been raising concerns about redirecting that money, both because they argue it is needed for housing and because they worry that making infrastructure funding dependent on short-term rentals could undermine their efforts to rein in that phenomenon in New Orleans. While receiving less than she sought, Cantrell did win agreement from Convention Center officials that the hotel if constructed will give money to the city in lieu of paying property taxes. That issue has been in dispute with Erroll Williams, the assessor, saying the hotel would have to pay property taxes, and Convention Center officials saying it wouldnt. Under the agreement, the center also would have to pay money in lieu of property taxes when it develops other parcels of vacant land adjoining the proposed hotel. Cantrell won other concessions from the Convention Center. It will now have to present its budget to the City Council for discussion every year. It also will need to meet requirements for disadvantaged business enterprises for the hotel, although the RFP sent out for the development already required that. Of the $50 million in one-time dollars for the city, $28 million would come from the cash-rich Convention Center: $20 million from its reserves of $235 million and $8 million that was meant for other projects but wasnt spent. The other $22 million in one-time dollars would come from state Hazard Mitigation Grant Program money that wasnt spent after previous disasters and from a revolver loan fund in the Division of Administration from Hurricane Katrina. Of the $50 million in one-time money, $36 million would go for past-due invoices owed by the Sewerage & Water Board; the rest would pay for urgent upgrades, including making Turbine 6 available for use during cold weather to help power the agency's pumps. The specifics 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 Three bills will enact most of the particulars of the deal. House Bill 589, sponsored by state Rep. Walt Leger III, D-New Orleans, will authorize the Convention Center hotel. But center officials have yet to finalize negotiations with the hotel's proposed developers and financiers. Joe Jaeger, who was supposed to develop the hotel with developer Darryl Berger, complicated matters by pulling out of the deal 10 days ago over an unrelated dispute. House Bill 522 would increase the tax on hotel guests by 1 percentage point and raise $12 million per year. Rep. Neil Abramson, D-New Orleans, is the sponsor. HB522 has passed the House Ways and Means Committee. The hotel tax increase has been pushed by the Bureau of Governmental Research, a nonpartisan New Orleans think tank that has called for rededicating some taxes away from agencies focused on issues like tourism and toward more pressing city priorities. BGR President and CEO Amy Glovinsky praised the deal Monday for including that element as well as for taking money from the Convention Centers reserves, another topic the group has frequently said needs to be addressed. Can't see video below? Click here. Passage of HB522 would require a simple majority in the House and Senate, not a two-thirds majority, as previously reported, because it would reinstate a tax known as the lost penny that previously collected by New Orleans, rather than institute a new tax. House Bill 43 would increase the tax on Airbnb and other short-term rentals by up to 6.75 percent to equalize the rate with the hotel tax rate. HB43 passed the Ways and Means Committee last week. The sponsor is Rep. Jimmy Harris, D-New Orleans. If it is approved by the Legislature, the City Council would put that measure on the October ballot, and New Orleans voters would have to approve it. The tax would raise as much as $10.5 million per year, with 75 percent of that going to infrastructure and 25 percent to marketing efforts in New Orleans. The tax would raise less if the City Council approves a measure to be offered by Councilwoman Kristin Gisleson Palmer on May 16 that would limit the availability of short-term rentals in New Orleans. The mayor has been pushing for more infrastructure dollars since last fall, and her office and Edwards' office thought they had a deal last week. But Abramson insisted that they smooth out the language first in HB589. Negotiators worked that out over the weekend in a series of 10 conference calls. For hospitality leaders, Mondays announcement ends a disagreement with Cantrell that broke into the open at times when the mayor and Perry, the industrys point person in the talks, traded words over earlier proposals by the mayor that sought to claim tax revenue that has gone for tourism marketing. At Mondays announcement, Perry tried to put those disputes behind him. He hailed Cantrell and her lead negotiator, Chief of Staff John Pourciau. Cantrell: not done yet In the end, the hospitality industry didnt give up any net tax revenue to the city, but it did accept the tax increase of 1 percentage point on hotel guests. But it also won higher taxes on Airbnb and other competitors among short-term rental companies. New Orleans tourism and infrastructure deal back in negotiations after tumultuous 24 hours A deal to raise hotel taxes to help fund infrastructure repairs in New Orleans saw a tumultuous 24 hours, with Mayor LaToya Cantrell agreeing The hospitality industry also won approval to merge the New Orleans Tourism and Marketing Corp. into New Orleans & Co., something Perry has sought. Mark Romig, the well-regarded head of the Marketing Corp., will become a senior vice president for New Orleans & Co. The merger idea has raised concerns at some council offices, in part because New Orleans & Co. is subject to fewer requirements that can guarantee transparency about its actions than the agency it is absorbing. Melvin Rodrigue, the Convention Centers board chairman, also blessed the overall deal. The $17.5 million in delayed city payments to the state would come by delaying repayments of $3.5 million per year for five years that the city owes the state for GO Zone payments. The city now will have to begin making those payments in 2026. In her statement with the governor by her side, and in comments earlier to the Ways and Means Committee, Cantrell indicated that she will want still more money for infrastructure. Im committed, as mayor, to filling the gaps, she said, adding in an interview that she still plans to seek voter approval for a stormwater management fee that would be charged on all property owners in the city. But she said she is unlikely to seek to have that vote on the October ballot. Tort reform has been on legislative hiatus since John Bel Edwards, a small-town lawyer, became governor in 2016. That changed when the Louisiana Legislature convened in April largely because of pressure from increasing prices for the insurance required to legally drive a vehicle in this state coupled with the politics of a potent issue with the GOP base and the re-election effort by the Deep Souths only Democratic governor. This week, legislators will vote on three surviving measures, including one that amounts to a bucket list for the tort reform movement that would change how Louisiana courts operate and force litigants into pre-trial negotiations that proponents say could ultimately lower auto insurance premiums but opponents say would leave people injured in car accidents at a disadvantage. Isnt this bill really about politics? Marksville Rep. Robert Johnson, who heads the House Democratic caucus, asked Kirk Talbot, the River Ridge Republican championing the biggest of the tort reform measures, on the House floor. Tort reform has been a key component of GOP platforms since George W. Bush was governor of Texas in the 1980s. Major bill aimed to lower auto insurance rates passes Louisiana House; here are next steps A sweeping proposal to change Louisianas legal system to drive down costs for auto insurers, a measure proponents say would reduce auto insur Republican legislators filed several tort reform bills, so called because of changes to legal technicalities they say are unfair to business. The attorneys who represent injured people, commonly called trial lawyers, have struck back with bills that restrict how insurance companies go about setting rates. For the most part the legislation has gone nowhere. An effort to put a moratorium on highway billboards, in part because of anger over trial lawyer ads, was crushed in a 14-3 vote by the House Transportation committee. The full House rejected on a 40-45 vote legislation that would have expedited jury trials. A trial lawyer bill to limit the use of credit ratings in setting auto insurance rates was deferred Thursday by the Senate Insurance committee. +2 Push to ban new Louisiana highway billboards crushed in House committee A bid to put a moratorium on new highway billboards, in part because of anger over anti-trucker ads sponsored by trial lawyers, was killed Tue Two minor measures are still play. Senate Bill 154, which would remove from the jurys hearing the decision over whether to introduce that a wreck victim was not wearing a seat belt, is on the agenda Monday for a full vote by the Senate. On Wednesday the full House is set to vote on House Bill 229 that would make the violation of driving while using a cellphone more black and white by dramatically limiting the ability of a defendant to show that the infraction fell under one of a handful of the laws exceptions. But high noon for the tort reform movement comes on Tuesday when Senate Judiciary A committee takes up Talbots Omnibus Premium Reduction Act of 2019. The measure changes four long-sought legal procedures in a way supporters say could lead to lower auto insurance rates. The Louisiana Association of Business & Industry has called House Bill 372 the most important legislation of the session. Critics say the bill dramatically restricts access to the courts for crash victims. Trial lawyers argue HB372 ignores more important reasons for high auto insurance premiums, and state trial judges say the changes will clog the courts. The Senate Judiciary A committee has been protective of changing how Louisiana courts operate since Port Allen Republican Rick Ward III became chair. Im optimistic, but Im realistic of the bills chances, Talbot told The Advocate on Friday. Hes hopeful that the 69-30 vote in the House one shy of a veto-proof majority and including a half dozen Democrats will be persuasive to committee members. It is a tort reform bill, Talbot said. But thats only because the system has led to an increased ease of filing lawsuits. Litigation plays a significant role in increasing insurance company costs, which in turn have led to policy premiums going up 52% since 2011 for Louisiana drivers. Worse, Talbot said, six insurance companies last year gave up on Louisiana, leaving fewer companies to compete. 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 We have to stabilize the auto insurance side, Talbot argued. The situation has become untenable. At $2,298 per year, the average annual price for an auto insurance policy in Louisiana is $841 more than the national average of $1,457, according to an April 16 survey by Insure.com, a Foster City, California, internet company that compares policy prices. Michigan leads the pack with a $2,611 average with Louisiana ranked second, just ahead of Florida at $2,219. Insure.com attributes Michigans high prices to no-fault car insurance that covers most of the medical expenses of policyholder, family and passengers injured in car wrecks. For Florida, the group cites a study by the Insurance Research Council, an industry-funded analyst firm based in Malvern, Pennsylvania, which found about a quarter of that states residents dont carry car insurance. Insure.com quotes the same IRC study that shows almost 40% of Louisiana drivers carry the absolute minimum coverage: $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident for bodily injury claims and $25,000 for property damage. The group notes that coverage levels are so low that many drivers turn to the legal system to get a higher payout. Its the number of lawsuits filed that is out of whack with the rest of the country, Jeff Albright, chief executive officer, Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of Louisiana, has testified to over and over in committees this past month considering tort reform bills. Louisiana is about in the middle of the nations statistics when it comes to the rate of accidents. And the number of claims for property damage is just a little higher than the national average, he said. Our bodily injury rate, how often we claim we are injured, is almost double the national average, Albright said. Rep. Talbot has a tort reform bill that is aimed at trying to change the litigation climate. Talbots measure would increase the time that victims of crashes have to file a lawsuit from one year to two; reduce the jury trial threshold from $50,000 to $5,000; take away the ability to sue the insurance company directly; plus allow judges and juries to review claimed medical costs. This new Louisiana bill might help lower auto insurance rates -- but it has its doubters Voting along party lines a Louisiana House committee Monday approved legislation that critics say dramatically restricts auto crash victims a The bill also includes a provision that if costs go down, the Department of Insurance would push insurance companies to lower their rates. Robert Kleinpeter, a Baton Rouge trial lawyer, points to studies by Property Casualty Insurers of America that put litigation at the bottom of a list of factors including urban congestion, distracted driving and poor roadways that influence premium prices. The states chief actuary, Richard Piazza, doesnt disagree. Theres no data directly linking Talbots systemic changes with lower prices in other states. Its a point conceded by a chief lobbyist for the auto insurance industry. Its a misnomer to ever really believe that your rates are going to go down, testified Kevin Cunningham. There are so many pressures for it to go up: medical costs continue to go up, the cost of the vehicle continues to go up, the amount of wages that you have to compensate for continues to go up. So maybe what you do is slow the rate of rise. If Talbots bill is approved by both chambers by June 6, whether it is signed into law ultimately rests with the governor, who is noncommittal until he sees how the finished product reads. The irony of it, its called a premium reduction bill. Theres not a single premium thats reduced by the bill, Edwards told reporters last week. But Ill look at it if and when it gets to my desk. When politicians use the full force of government to oppress the free market, they usually find a cause that pulls at the heart strings of low-information voters. Louisiana Senate Bill 186 is a perfect example. SB186, sponsored by Sen. JP Morrell, D-New Orleans, forces private companies to pay their employees for up to 12 weeks while they are away from the job. Morrells bill has six co-sponsors, all Democrats. The legislation raises taxes on employees and business owners, using the money to create a Louisiana Family and Medical Leave Fund. The fund would pay workers on leave for reasons like the birth of a child, illness, or caring for a family member. Paid leave for Louisiana families a step closer to reality, but bumpy road ahead; see next steps A Louisiana Senate panel easily advanced legislation that would create paid leave for employees to care for family members or after a child is born. Sounds innocuous, right? Who wouldnt be for such a thing? But the larger issue is who gets to decide how a company spends its money on benefits for its employees the government, or the business owner? Businesses operating in Louisianas architecture and engineering industry, for example, pay an average salary of $74,000 per year. If Morrells forced paid leave mandate becomes law, a company with 200 employees in that field would be forced to pay close to $100,000 a year in new taxes. Thats a hundred grand into a state fund the business couldve used to hire an additional employee. Multiply that situation by the number of similar businesses across the state in every sector, and the job losses add up. Consider the legislations impact on one of the states top employers, Lamar Advertising. The company employees more than 3,000 workers. Assuming the average Lamar employee makes approximately $40,000, the forced paid leave legislation would cost the company $750,000 a year in new taxes. You can hire a bunch of new workers with $750,000. Louisianas forced paid leave bill, as currently proposed, exempts businesses with fewer than 20 workers. But the legislations impact on businesses larger than that would be considerable. Currently, the federal government forces businesses to provide 12 weeks of unpaid leave for workers for certain reasons. Ten states currently, or soon will, mandate paid leave. Arizonas the only state with such legislation that was carried by President Donald Trump in the 2016 election. The other states California, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington were all carried by Hillary Clinton and often embrace anti-capitalist policies. Both the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry and the National Federation of Independent Business oppose the state forcing paid leave. But despite the objection, the Senate Committee on Labor and Industrial Relations voted 4-1 to advance the legislation. Dawn Starns, NFIB state director, said her members favor the flexibility of handling leave issues on a case-by-case basis. We oppose this effort to further grow the size of government and its involvement in small business practices," she told lawmakers. Louisiana groups pushing paid family, medical leave programs; here's why proposal faces uphill climb A new coalition of Louisiana groups are lining up behind a proposal from state Sen. J.P. Morrell to create a paid family and medical leave pro At the heart of Morrells forced paid leave legislation is a fundamental distrust of the marketplace the idea that businesses must compete for good workers. The Cato Institute, a pro-market think tank, reports companies have voluntarily increased their paid leave for workers fourfold over the past 50 years. Thats expected to improve as unemployment rates continue to drop and are now near record low levels. New Orleans attorney Zach Butterworth, a supporter of Morrells bill, told The Advocate only three percent of employees use the benefits in states with forced paid leave requirements. If thats true, the forced paid leave mandate not only infringes on the rights of business owners, but it also redistributes the wealth of employees. Politicians seem to be fond of redistributing wealth and interfering with the private sector, dont they? The nations economy is on fire thanks to Trumps pro-business policies. Louisianas economy is also strong, but has not kept up with the nations growth. Gov. John Bel Edwards, a Democrat, and the Republican Legislature have hurt our states competitiveness by raising billions in new taxes. Edwards has also exasperated the problem with what many consider his anti-business and sue-happy policies. Morrells forced paid leave bill would cause us to fall even further behind. Have Louisiana politicians like Morrell learned nothing from Trumps economy? Email Dan Fagan at faganshow@gmail.com. Twitter: @DanFaganShow. Purchases made via links on our site may earn us an affiliate commission Videographer Bill Rodman captured the sun going down in fall 2017 during filming for a short film about coastal erosion. By Lee Gyu-leeXiumin, 29, a member of K-pop band EXO, cut his hair short before heading to Army boot camp training in Gangwon Province, Tuesday. Two selfies of his new hairdo were posted on his Instagram account.He is the first in the nine-member all-male band to start the mandatory 21-month military duty.He held his solo farewell fan meeting "Xiuweet Time" on May 4.EXO debuted in 2012. It rose to stardom with its second 2013 album "XOXO," meaning kiss and hug in online chatting language that is often used in lieu of goodbye.Xiumin's latest solo song, "You," will be released through streaming sites at 6 p.m. Thursday. Willa Jeans Kelly Fields won the Outstanding Pastry Chef award at the 2019 James Beard Awards at the Lyric Opera of Chicago May 6. Fields was one of 10 local contenders at the annual culinary awards. She has been nominated for the award several times, and she thanked her team at her Southern-inspired bakery and restaurant. Named for Fields' grandmother, Willa Jean opened in 2015 and became a fixture in the Warehouse District for weekend brunches and Fields buttery biscuits and chocolate chip cookies. New Orleans usually is well represented at the awards ceremony, considered one of the most prestigious of culinary awards. Last year, Freret Street cocktail bar pioneer Cure won Outstanding Bar Program and Compere Lapin's Nina Compton won Best Chef: South. The foundation held this years media awards at a separate event in April, when Times-Picayune | NOLA.coms Brett Anderson won the Jonathan Gold Local Voice Award, named for the late Los Angeles food writer, who died last year. Brennans Slade Rushing, Coquette owners Kristen Essig and Michael Stoltzfus and Isaac Toups were all in the running for the 2019 Best Chef: South award, which went to Vishwesh Bhatt of Snackbar in Oxford, Mississippi. It was the first time since 2013 that the award went to a chef outside of New Orleans. +3 'Wake-up call': Eye-opening look at how N.O. restaurant industry is tackling substance abuse Substance abuse has long been common among restaurant workers now the industry is trying to do something about it. Fresh off her big set at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, bounce emissary and style queen Big Freedia made her way to New York City, where the Met Gala, a fundraiser for the Metropolitan Museum of Art, was drawing out the well-dressed and other society types. In this short video the Queen Diva posted to Facebook, Freedia in a striking black-and-white suit dances and twerks her way up the red carpet with fellow diva, Ciara: The Senate passed 31-5 today a bill that would ban abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected, around the sixth week of pregnancy before many women know they are pregnant. State Sen. John Milkovich, D-Shreveport, brought the bill to the floor, stating, as he has before, that he is in favor of banning all abortions. The only discussion of the bill was brought forth by Sen. Karen Carter Peterson, D-New Orleans, who asked Milkovich if he was against killing any human with a heartbeat, in what seemed to be a reference to his support of the death penalty. In your bill, you are suggesting that a human being exists at that point you just described, Peterson said. If its a human and they have a heartbeat, youre not for killing them? Milkovich initially agreed, but then modified his position, saying he was against killing an unborn baby with a heartbeat. Petersons comments came after a bill failed that would have put abolishing the death penalty on the ballot in November 2020, coinciding with the presidential election. Milkovich, along with 24 other senators, voted against the bill. Peterson and 12 other senators voted for it. Sen. Dan Claitor, R-Baton Rouge, made a motion to reconsider the bill at a later date. Louisiana Senate committee passes bill to put the death penalty to a public vote in 2020 A bill that would let Louisiana residents vote on whether to ban the death penalty in the state advanced out of a Senate committee 4-2 Tuesday Milkovich amended his bill to include a provision requiring a doctor performing an abortion to check for a fetal heartbeat. At the recommendation of the attorney generals office, a trigger was added to the bill that would make it contingent on a similar law that was passed by Mississippi in March. Milkovich said he was against the trigger. I really wanted it to be effective upon enactment, he said. Bill that would outlaw abortion in Louisiana once a heartbeat is detected clears committee A bill that would outlaw abortions as soon as a fetal heartbeat is detected by a doctor cleared a Senate committee 5-2 Tuesday after discussio The Louisiana Right to Life released a statement supporting the addition, stating it would allow the state to focus on defending its current abortion restrictions in court. This provision allows our attorney generals office to focus on its current defense of already existing pro-life laws in federal court, the groups statement said, referring to a 2014 law that has not gone into effect that would require abortion providers to have admitting privileges to a hospital within 30 miles of the clinic. The five votes against the bill came from Sens. Peterson; Wesley Bishop, D-New Orleans; Troy Carter, D-New Orleans; Yvonne Colomb, D-Colomb; and JP Morrell, D-New Orleans. Sens. Jay Luneau, D-Alexandria, Ed Price, D-Gonzales; and Gary Smith, D-Norco, were not present. The bill now heads to the House. For a rare opportunity to see art history being made or at least edited look no further than the Ogden Museum of Southern Art this month. Piercing the Inner Wall: The Art of Dusti Bonge is a comprehensive survey of the long career of an innovative and consistently engaging artist who deserves to be better known. Attentively curated by the Ogdens Bradley Sumrall, it makes a convincing case for elevating Bonges name to the level of those of her better-known artistic contemporaries. Piercing the Inner Wall: The Art of Dusti Bonge WHEN: Through Sept. 8 WHERE: Ogden Museum of Southern Art, 925 Camp St., New Orleans INFO: (504) 539-9650 or ogdenmuseum.org ADMISSION: $13.50 adults; Louisiana residents free on Thursdays courtesy of The Helis Foundation If her name rings a bell, it may be because Bonge, who died in 1993, was never an unfamiliar presence in the New Orleans and greater Gulf Coast Art scene. Her work has been on view for decades at the foundation devoted to it in Biloxi, and a show at LeMieux Gallery in 2014 reintroduced her work to local audiences. But despite a decadeslong association with a prominent New York gallery, and a well-regarded critical reputation during the years she was active, Bonge has been deprived of the same place in the art historical record given to many of her contemporary abstract artists like Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko and Helen Frankenthaler. Her choice to live apart from the prevailing art currents of the last century likely had something to do with that. Born Eunice Lyle Swetman in Biloxi in 1903, she attended Blue Mountain College in northeastern Mississippi before moving to Chicago to pursue a theatrical career. There she received her lifelong nickname from friends who teased her about her fastidious dislike of living in such a dusty city. It was also where she met Archie Bonge, who was attending the Art Institute of Chicago. The show includes a display case of swooning press clippings chronicling the engagement of the debutante-gorgeous Swetman and her 6-foot-7 cowboy artist fiance; they were married in 1928. Their son was born the next year, and the young familys move back to Biloxi not long after coincided with Bonges decision to devote her attention to visual art. The show opens with a room of Bonges early works: cheerful if unexceptional landscapes in a Cubist-tinged regionalist style reminiscent of her contemporaries, Paul Ninas and Walter Anderson. But a few works, like Cabana in the Beach (1940), hint at a talent for the kind of inventive abstraction that would characterize the rest of her career. Surrealism begins creeping into Bonges work in the late 1930s, but in a way that feels like a natural progression from her earlier Cubist-inflected work instead of a rote engagement with current prevailing artistic trends. The curiously sensuous Woman in Striped Dress (1939) is particularly Picasso-like in its use of elongated forms evoking African masks and statuary. But Bonges more distinctive works from this period sees the artist responding to the teachings of Carl Jung and turning to her own dreamscapes for source material. Many use fantastical circus imagery as points of departure. That merging of a personal visual vocabulary with the artistic styles of the time marks the keyhole people paintings Bonge began making in the 1940s. The quasi-geometric, not-quite-human figures in them have a sculptural presence and weight, and its interesting to think how the compositions might have been influenced by Bonges earlier experiences in theater. Its also here that Bonge begins moving toward full abstraction. At first, the drips, skeins and loops of Abstract Expressionism start seeping into Bonges canvases around the edges quite literally, in the case of Our Halves of Selves Move Through the Night Shadows (1952). But the exhibit shows Bonge quickly and confidently moving into her own distinctive vernacular, marked by forceful applications of exquisitely tonally modulated colors and cutting into painted and canvas surfaces with a knife. Its that original and unpredictable merging of various techniques that perhaps most differentiates Bonge from her artistic colleagues. She didnt know the rules, so she didnt know she was breaking them, said Sumrall. Bonges mature style occasions several of the standout pieces in the show. Her Windows series uses gently amorphous rectangular shapes in compositions that alternately invoke stained-glass windows and abstracted human forms. Another room is devoted to a series of paintings more directly based on dream images than any Bonge had created before: They're smaller, because Bonge kept canvases on easels close to her bed. All dreams are the same, said Bonge. If not recorded immediately, they begin to fade. Bonges later career shows her experimenting with technique and form right up until her final years. Its unlikely youve seen many more gorgeous depictions of nothingness than Bonges enigmatic, shimmering abstractions in her Void series. And a selection of dozens of the jewel-like improvisations Bonge created on pieces of gold-leafed joss paper is further evidence of a restlessly creative mind. Its a mind and a body of work that were fortunate to have a chance to get to know better. ********************************* WHEN: Through Sept. 8 WHERE: Ogden Museum of Southern Art, 925 Camp St., New Orleans INFO: (504) 539-9650 or ogdenmuseum.org ADMISSION: $13.50 adults; Louisiana residents free on Thursdays courtesy of The Helis Foundation Patrol Officer Robert McKeithen knew how to talk to people. He was a very gentle man, very gentle and likeable, a grieving police chief, John Miller, told the media at a news conference called after McKeithen, 57, was gunned down Sunday night in the parking lot at the Biloxi Lopez Quave Public Safety Center. Miller and the rest of the department were in shock Monday morning. McKeithen was set to retire at years end after 24 years of service. He had served in the Air Force before joining the Biloxi police reserves for three years, then becoming a sworn officer in 1995. McKeithen also was a husband and father to one daughter, two stepsons and a stepdaughter. He was shot near his patrol SUV, which sat in the parking lot with a bouquet of red carnations on the hood. Miller also placed a card from the department under the windshield wiper. McKeithens shooting was all the more baffling because his fellow officers said he always knew how to keep distraught victims on track when trying to gather details for an investigation. And he knew how to talk with suspects so they would cooperate. I cant remember any time he had a significant use of force where he couldnt talk someone into seeing things his way, said Sgt. Jay Morgan, who trained under McKeithen and worked with him. Morgan said McKeithen lived in Woolmarket. McKeithen knew all the roads in that community, dirt or paved, and many of the people. His favorite hangout was the Waffle House on Cedar Lake Road. Fellow officers said he often had a cigarette in one hand and a coffee in the other. After Hurricane Katrina, McKeithen was one of five officers awarded the Biloxi Police Department Medal of Valor. He helped rescue four disabled children from a flooded home in Eagle Point, Miller 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 He always preferred to work the night shift. His military background stayed with him, said Capt. Milton Houseman, who, like McKeithen, served in the Air Force. While most officers, including Houseman, wear black sneakers these days, McKeithen stuck with his spit-shined black military combat boots. When he was working, his Medal of Honor was always penned to his uniform. McKeithen stayed away from social media and was known as technology-averse. He caught a lot of the old man jokes, Houseman said, the paw paw jokes, but he always had a sense of humor about it. Houseman remembers a call McKeithen went on about 10 years ago. He was responding to a domestic disturbance. The man had a knife, but McKeithen was able to talk him into putting it down. Houseman said, He could usually talk people down. HOW TO HELP An account has been set up for the family of fallen Biloxi Police Officer Robert McKeithen. The police department says this is the only legitimate account they know about. No donations are being solicited by phone, Biloxi police say. To donate, call Southern Coastal Credit Union, 228-432-0284, or drop by the office at 1042 Howard Ave., Biloxi, Mississippi, or 10383 Automall Parkway in Diberville. Donations also can be mailed to the credit union at P.O. Box 503, Biloxi, MS 39530. Biloxi Police Department Ernst & Young said Monday it will more than double its workforce in downtown New Orleans, adding another floor to the space it is leasing in the Hancock Whitney Center at 701 Poydras St. to house the additional 200 white collar workers. EY, one of the "Big Four" accounting firms, with its headquarters in London, in the United Kingdom, said 175 of the new jobs will be part of its "National Executive Assistance Team," which will make it one of five such centers in the country that provide back office support for the firm's functional lines of business, such as audit and transaction advice. The other 25 jobs will be in EY's "risk services" division, adding to the firm's 180 jobs already located in the Hancock Whitney Center. New Orleans was tapped for the new back office center, which will require lease of an additional 41,000 square feet of space, because of "the citys exceptional pool of qualified and diverse talent, its strong sense of community, and its attractive economic conditions," EY said in a statement. The firm's senior partner in Louisiana, Brian Rotolo, added that "the opening of our NEAT center, as well as the renovation of our office space, underscores our firms commitment to this market and to our people. The EY expansion did not come with any specific tax incentive package, such as was negotiated for the location of DXC's "technology center" in the Central Business District last year, according to state officials. They will be eligible for job-creating tax breaks under Enterprise Zone and similar programs, which are widely available. The news will come as a relief to some real estate analysts, including Corporate Realty, which had expressed worry that the Central Business District's big office developments maybe running out of momentum, after being supported by a number of upgrades by companies including Hancock Whitney Bank into the bigger downtown offices from smaller premises that are earmarked for conversion to hotels and condominiums. 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 move was welcomed by state and local politicians and business leaders as a sign that the local economy continues to diversify. Im proud to see a global powerhouse like EY investing in New Orleans this way, Mayor LaToya Cantrell said, adding that placing the NEAT center here and more than doubling the workforce is a vote of confidence in the city. Governor John Bel Edwards also praised the move and said he expects further expansion of the professional services sector after the EY decision. Louisiana Economic Development, the state's business support agency, estimates that the additional EY expansion will create 97 indirect jobs. EY already has closed its entry-level administrative assistant recruitment drive for the NEAT center, which it advertised two weeks ago. The company was looking for people with a bachelor's degree and one year of experience and described the work of the executive assistant as providing "diversified administrative support to a variety of client-serving and 'core business services professionals.' " Specific tasks would include managing calendars, setting up calls and meetings, processing expense reports and fielding clients' requests, all in a remote, digital environment. "These investments will encourage our people to grow as professionals and to produce their best work," creating opportunities for advancement, said Rotolo. We are pleased to work with EY as they continue to expand in the New Orleans market, providing even more professional opportunities for greater New Orleans residents, said President and CEO Michael Hecht of Greater New Orleans Inc., which coordinated the talks with EY. The firms growth and commitment to the city is another example of the excellent environment that New Orleans provides for businesses, including its skilled workforce, low operating costs and outstanding quality of life. A veteran prosecutor in Orleans Parish District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro's office was reprimanded Monday over a courtroom dust-up he had in August with defense attorney and political consultant Ike Spears. The state Supreme Court publicly chided Assistant District Attorney Iain Dover for "an inappropriate verbal exchange with opposing counsel" in court. There were no more details in the public order, but a source with knowledge of the investigation confirmed that it involved a testy blow-up between Dover and Spears in the courtroom of Criminal District Court Judge Robin Pittman. The two attorneys were arguing over whether Pittman should increase the bail for a defendant in a domestic violence case, according to a transcript. Spears claimed the accuser had previously been convicted of filing a false police report against his client, but Dover said Spears had no proof of that. "Excuse me, sir. You're a liar," Dover told Spears. "I will punch the (expletive) out of you if you call me a liar again," Spears replied. Dover responded by calling Spears a liar again. Spears raised a fist to Dover, who raised his arm up "in a blocking motion." When Pittman tried to stop the fight, Spears told her he was going to be the bigger man than Dover but also offered to settle the exchange "outside the courtroom." "Perhaps, you shouldn't, Mr. Spears," Pittman said. The judge then ordered the two men into her chambers. They both apologized on the record after meeting with her. "Your Honor, let me first apologize to the court for losing my temper with Mr. Dover, threatening to kick his butt after using profanity in the courtroom. It won't happen again," Spears said. "I'll make the same apology, Judge," Dover 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 The reprimand issued Monday came months after that exchange, and it's not clear how the state Office of Disciplinary Counsel, which investigates attorney misconduct claims, became aware of it. Dover consented to the reprimand, which meant the disciplinary office never filed formal charges against him in front of the Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board. Dover has been with the District Attorney's Office since 2011, prosecuting major cases like murders and rapes. In 2016, he was one of eight assistant district attorneys to receive an award from the Metropolitan Crime Commission for excellence in law enforcement. Spears is an attorney and a longtime political operative allied with U.S. Rep. Cedric Richmond. Although the Supreme Court was silent on Spears, he could also face reprimand or discipline if any of a dozen-plus observers in the courtroom at the time filed a complaint against him over the exchange. Spears did not respond to a message seeking comment on whether he is facing a complaint. A spokesman for the District Attorney's Office said he could not comment. Office of Disciplinary Counsel matters are strictly confidential until the Louisiana Supreme Court makes a statement, Ken Daley said. So I have no way of knowing whether any other attorney has had a complaint lodged in this matter. Daley also declined to comment on the reprimand of Dover, saying that it spoke for itself. Prosecutors in New Orleans District Attorney Leon Cannizzaros office on Monday filed manslaughter, attempted murder and illegal gun possession charges against the man who was arrested following a shooting on Bourbon Street that left a local nurse dead earlier this year. The manslaughter charge is reduced from a count of murder with which police booked Louis Barnes, 37, in the shooting death of Julie Couvillon, 36, during the early morning of Feb. 24. Couvillon was walking past Willies Chicken Shack in the 400 block of Bourbon when she was fatally shot in the neck while Barnes and a security guard fought over a gun belonging to the guard, who was trying to eject Barnes from Willies Chicken Shack, a statement from Cannizzaros office said. Cannizzaros office said a careful review of case evidence led prosecutors to conclude that they could not prove a murder case against Barnes, whose attorney has denied that Barnes pulled the trigger of the gun in question. Barnes faces between 10 and 50 years in prison if convicted of attempting to murder the security guard, who was also struck by gunfire during the fight in question. He could face a maximum of 40 years in prison but no mandatory minimum punishment if convicted of manslaughter in Couvillons death. He could also face between five and 25 years in prison if convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm. In a statement, Cannizzaros office said Barnes could face life imprisonment if prosecutors successfully argue that he is a multiple felony offender. Life imprisonment is the mandatory punishment for murder convictions. Generally, manslaughter in Louisiana is an illegal killing without intent. "The inability to prove the specific intent of murder does not diminish in any way the tragedy of Ms. Couvillon's death nor our determination to achieve justice on her behalf," Cannizzaro said in a statement. In other matters recently handled by local authorities: Curtis Cash, 43, was the man who was fatally shot Friday near the intersection of Interstate 10 East and Bullard Avenue, the Orleans Parish Coroners Office said Monday. The Drug Enforcement Administration field division in charge of a four-state region that includes Louisiana collected more than 45,000 pounds of expired, unused or unwanted prescription drugs during an April 27 take back day, officials said Monday. More than 7,000 of those pounds were in Louisiana, with the rest of the amount coming from collections in Mississippi, Alabama and Arkansas. 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 These types of take back days are considered an important part of law enforcement authorities strategy against limiting drug overdose deaths during the national opioid addiction crisis. Shayne Davis, 30, is wanted in connection with a shooting that occurred outside a local business in the 900 block of LeBouef Street in Algiers on Sunday, New Orleans police said Monday. The victim was struck multiple times but was not considered to have life-threatening injuries, police said. Police on Monday released surveillance camera photos of a man suspected of an armed robbery and shooting in the 6000 block of Chef Menteur Highway in New Orleans East on Friday. Alvin Glapion, 41, was arrested on allegations that he used a fishing knife to stab a 42-year-old man during a fight at the corner of Poland and St. Claude avenues in Bywater about 12:25 a.m. Monday, New Orleans police said. Glapion also allegedly punched the victim repeatedly during a fight that erupted while the two men were fishing. About 8:10 p.m. in the 2000 block of Canal Street on Sunday, a woman reported being raped by a man she did not know and met at a bar, New Orleans police said. The address suggests the report was made at University Medical Center. A bystander fired a gunshot at a man who had just robbed a Waffle House of cash at gunpoint in the 2900 block of Elysian Fields Avenue about 6:25 a.m. Monday, New Orleans police said. The robber also allegedly stole a cellphone from two women sitting in a car outside the restaurant before fleeing, police said. It was unclear if the robber was hit by gunfire. There were several other robberies reported across New Orleans between Sunday afternoon and Sunday night. Bag snatchings were reported in the 4300 block of Stemway Drive, 8700 block of Apricot Street and at the corner of Port and North Ramparts streets, police said. Cell phone snatchings occurred in the 300 block of North Front Street, between Bienville and Conti streets on the eastern edge of the French Quarter, as well as the 2800 block of Saint Ann Street, in the Bayou St. John neighborhood. A 15-year-old boy was robbed of belongings at the corner of Dwyer Road and Michoud Boulevard in New Orleans East at gunpoint by three people, whom he followed to the scene of the robbery after meeting them while leaving a store at the corner of Michoud and Chef Menteur Highway about 2:15 p.m., police said. A woman wielding pepper spray stole the car keys of another woman with whom she got into a car accident about 2:20 p.m. The women relocated to 8200 block of Chef Menteur Highway, where one approached the car of the other with pepperspray before reaching in the vehicle, taking the keys out of the ignition and fleeing in her own car, police said. This report was compiled by staff writer Ramon Antonio Vargas A man died after being hit by two cars in New Orleans East over the weekend, police announced Tuesday. Police are searching for both drivers. A man was walking in the roadway in the 12100 block of North Interstate 10 Service Road about 5:25 a.m. Saturday when he was sideswiped by the driver of a vehicle resembling a Nissan Altima. He didnt seem hurt but apparently fell to the road in a daze, police said. A dark-colored Chevrolet pickup truck with a Mississippi license plate heading west then hit and ran over the man, police said. The driver of the truck who appeared to be in his 60s or 70s stepped out of the vehicle, claimed he wasnt at fault and fled the scene. First responders found the injured man unresponsive and took him to a local hospital for treatment. He was later pronounced dead, police said. Anyone with information about the drivers in the case can call Crimestoppers at (504) 822-1111. Tipsters may be eligible for a cash reward. In other matters recently handled by local authorities: Gretna police on Tuesday said two men have been arrested on suspicion of robbing a Pizza Hut there as well as Waffle House restaurants in Kenner and New Orleans East on April 7 and April 8. The Waffle House hold-up in New Orleans East resulted in a security guard being shot and wounded, Gretna police said. Richard Butt Brown, 24, and Emile E Washington, 24, were identified as the suspects with the help of crime cameras as well as license-plate readers. Brown denied being involved when authorities captured him and questioned him. Washington, however, confessed and gave Brown up as his accomplice in the three hold-ups, said Gretna police, who added that the two men are being investigated in connection with other robberies in the New Orleans area. 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 New Orleans police on Tuesday named two men suspected of robbing two women at gunpoint during a violent encounter in the French Quarter a week earlier. Henry Hall, 27, and Randy Hall, 30, are wanted for two counts of armed robbery following a mugging reported about 12:50 a.m. April 30 in the 900 block of Gov. Nicholls Street. Police said a 43-year-old woman and 35-year-old woman surrendered a purse. One victim was knocked to the ground and dragged, and the other had a gun pointed at her and was threatened with being shot. Anyone with information can call Crimestoppers. Tipsters may be eligible for a cash reward. New Orleans police on Tuesday released additional details about a double shooting reported in the Desire area a day earlier. A 15-year-old was walking near the corner of Pleasure and Piety streets about 3:50 p.m. Monday when she heard gunshots from behind her and realized she had been hit in the left arm, police said. She went to a relatives home, and someone there took her to a hospital for treatment, police said. A 26-year-old man later arrived at the hospital with a gunshot wound to his left head and claimed to not remember what happened, though investigators concluded he had also been wounded in the same shooting as the teen girl. The Jefferson Parish Sheriffs Office, at 9:55 p.m. Monday, reported an armed robbery at an apartment in the 2800 block of Harvard Avenue. The male victim was not injured, the Sheriffs Office said. Patrick Healey, 34, of New Orleans, was put on five years probation after pleading guilty May 1 to making false statements to the Federal Housing Administration to help low-income borrowers qualify for loans they otherwise would not have obtained, U.S. District Attorney Peter Strassers office said Tuesday. Healey worked for a company whose name was not disclosed by Strassers office. He was ordered to also pay more than $852,000 in restitution. Nathaniel Louis, 45, pleaded guilty May 2 to previously being captured on recorded calls plotting to deal heroin, Strassers office said. He faces at least 10 years in prison at sentencing tentatively set for Aug. 22. Robert Dunn, 41, has been arrested on allegations that he took cash and credit cards from two people at knifepoint the night of March 17 in the 800 block of Lafayette Street in the Central Business District, New Orleans police said Tuesday. Dunn was already in jail on an unrelated count when he was identified as the alleged robber in the case and rebooked in that investigation. New Orleans police on Tuesday released surveillance camera images of two men accused of snatching a person wallet in the 700 block of St. Phillip Street about 4:10 a.m. Friday. Anyone with information can call Crimestoppers. The South Korean government on Tuesday announced a plan to supply 110,000 additional homes in Seoul and adjacent areas to stabilize the housing market. On top of the 190,000 new homes announced in September and December, 110,000 homes will be created in Seoul and adjacent metropolitan areas, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said in a statement. "The government will continue to focus on stabilizing the housing market and providing homes to end users in Seoul and neighboring areas," Land Minister Kim Hyun-mee said in a press briefing. The latest supply plan includes two large residential complexes that will accommodate 58,000 households in Goyang and Bucheon in Gyeonggi Province, it said. The ministry said it will strengthen public transportation systems to allow access to the selected sites within 30 minutes by extending existing subway lines and establishing new roads, railway systems and transfer stations. In September, the government outlined its broad plan to provide 300,000 "low-priced but quality" homes to the underprivileged as home prices have skyrocketed, particularly in Seoul and metropolitan areas, for years amid ample liquidity in the markets. Helped by the home supply plans and hefty taxation on real estate, the country's real estate market has been stabilized since October, the ministry said. (Yonhap) St. Bernard Parish Sheriffs Office investigators on Monday arrested a man accused of fatally shooting a longtime employee of the popular Bourbon Street bar Tropical Isle inside the victims Chalmette home two days earlier. Matthew Squyres, 35, faces a count of second-degree murder in Saturday nights slaying in the 3600 block of Shangri-La Drive, the Sheriffs Office said. It was the first homicide reported in St. Bernard this year. While the Sheriffs Office didnt name the victim, a social media post from a Tropical Isle co-owner identified him as Larry Hill, 56. The Sheriff's Office said Squyres and the victim knew each other, and the killing resulted from a prior altercation. Details about the dispute werent immediately available. The Sheriffs Office said it received a call about a shooting at 8:30 p.m. Saturday. When deputies arrived, they spotted bullet holes in a window of the home. Deputies called out for anyone who might be there to come to the door; they forced their way inside when no one answered, the Sheriffs Office said. They found the victim lying on the floor with multiple bullet wounds. According to a Facebook post from Pam Fortner, who co-owns Tropical Isle with Earl Bernhardt, Hill is from New Jersey. He joined Tropical Isles staff after moving to New Orleans roughly three decades ago. 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 Larry is well-known to the French Quarter and had become Earls right-hand man and very important to our businesses, the post said. Larry was a gentleman and would help folks who needed help and he was jovial (and) said 'hi' to friends up and down the streets of the French Quarter. Fortner said Hills funeral would be in his New Jersey hometown and that she would release details once they are finalized. I am sad that Larry will not be around any more with his smile, said the post from Fortner, who helped start Tropical Isle at the 1984 Worlds Fair in New Orleans before the business added a string of related bars and music venues along Bourbon. Without elaborating, the Sheriffs Office said that investigators determined Squyres was the killer and arrested him Monday in Chalmette. It said he confessed to the murder after deputies took him into custody. Bail for Squyres a resident of New Orleans East, according to officials had not been set as of Monday afternoon, the Sheriffs Office said. Monday was not Squyres first brush with the law. New Orleans court records show he has at least a pair of illegal drug possession arrests dating back several years. Charges were refused for one of those cases; the other led to a stint on probation. Online public records suggest he has worked as a roofer. Six weeks ago, well-known restaurateur Andrew McConnell declared he didn't have any new restaurant projects on the go. But offered the ground floor of 1920s-era Cavendish House in Russell Street, he couldn't resist. Mr McConnell describes the 384-square-metre space, on the corner of Russell Street and Flinders Lane, as one of Melbourne's most beautiful rooms. "Opportunities like this are a rare find and when they come along it is really exciting. The room deserves to be celebrated." Cavendish House on the corner of Russell Street and Flinders Lane, Melbourne. Cavendish House, built in the mid-1920s in the Chicagoesque architectural style, lies between McConnell's existing Flinders Lane businesses, Supernormal and Cumulus Inc. Anadarko's board has declared Occidental Petroleum's sweetened $US38 billion ($54 billion) takeover "superior," allowing Chevron to either boost its offer or walk away with a $US1 billion breakup fee. The announcement comes about a month after Anadarko accepted Chevron's bid. Credit:Bloomberg The announcement by Anadarko, which had rebuffed several prior bids from Occidental, comes almost a month after it agreed to be purchased by Chevron for $US33 billion. Chevron has so far refused to increase its offer, saying its proposal is a better long-term option for Anadarko shareholders. The takeover of Anadarko has been a rare public fight for an oil industry that hasn't seen many bidding wars. Occidental Chief Executive Officer Vicki Hollub's recruitment of billionaire Warren Buffett and an $US8.8 billion accord to offload African oil and gas fields to Total SA appeared to have been key milestones in winning the board's favor. Anadarko directors had previously chosen Chevron's offer even though it was substantially cheaper than that of Occidental, which, as a smaller company, would have to take on much more leverage to do the deal. Chevron CEO Mike Wirth has signalled he's willing to end his pursuit of a deal if the price gets so high that it imperils investor returns. "We strongly believe that the combination of our two companies create superior long-term value for shareholders of the combined company," Wirth said on an April 26 earnings conference call. No. It was Bill Shortens best answer in his hour-long appearance on Q&A. The question was one bound to win a cheer from the ABC crowd; would the Labor leader stop the Adani coal mine? While the rest of the answer suffered from the some of the verbal cul-de-sacs and misdirection that bedevils modern political language, the unequivocal start made a crucial point: politicians cant please everyone. Bill Shorten on Q&A. Credit:AAP And they shouldnt try to. In the end the best path on offer is the one Aristotle trod more than 2000 years ago: to search for the common good, to try and find the greatest benefit for the greatest number. The philosopher is a favourite of the Catholic Church and Shortens Jesuit education would make him very familiar with the concept. There was a hint of these intellectual foundations in Chloe Shortens introduction of her husband the Labor launch: he is a man for others she said. Bob Hawke and Paul Keating have issued their first joint statement in 28 years to claim Labor's ownership of the economy and endorse Bill Shorten to run it. The two former Labor leaders last shared a platform on the same day in 1991, when Mr Keating resigned as treasurer to challenge Mr Hawke for the prime ministership. Former prime ministers Bob Hawke and Paul Keating reunite to endorse Bill Shorten's plan for the economy. Credit:Craig Emerson "The economy is Labor's," the pair told The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age in a statement conceived some weeks ago as they met to overcome decades of bitterness in their relationship. The pair used their endorsement of Mr Shorten to claim sole credit for Labor in opening Australia's closed economy to become a modern, market economy. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has vowed to stop the spread of union power and stem the growth of environmental rules that he blames for costing Australian jobs, as he sharpens his pitch to voters in the final days of the election campaign. Ahead of his final debate against Opposition Leader Bill Shorten in Canberra on Wednesday night, Mr Morrison warned of a threat to the economy from the expansion of union "red tape" and environmental "green tape" that tied down employers when they should have more freedom to expand and hire workers. Prime Minister Scott Morrison is behind in the polls ahead of the May 18 election. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen In an exclusive interview, Mr Morrison framed the May 18 election as a choice between the continuation of his existing economic policies and the huge tax changes promised by Mr Shorten. Mr Morrison played down the prospect of any changes to industrial relations law if he held power, while also dismissing the prospect of spending cuts that would take Australians by surprise after the election. They are the multi-racial rabble rousers who hope to topple Kevin Andrews. A grassroots group called Colour Code is targeting Mr Andrews, the Morrison governments longest-serving MP, seeking to convince the large Asian-Australian community in his seat of Menzies to vote him out. Colour Code campaigners doorknocking in Doncaster on Tuesday. Credit:Paul Jeffers Volunteers who speak about a dozen languages hit the streets of Doncaster on Tuesday, a day ahead of their official campaign launch, which will paint Mr Andrews as an arch-conservative out of step with his ethnically diverse electorate. The multilingual campaign will play out on Chinese social media sites WeChat and Weibo, on Facebook and Instagram, and through a traditional door-knocking campaign involving an estimated 50 volunteers. WA Premier Mark McGowan has launched an extraordinary parliamentary broadside at Queensland business and political hopeful Clive Palmer, labelling him a "greedy hypocrite" and accusing him of threatening the jobs of more than 3000 mine workers. Mr Palmer has been locked in legal wrangling with CITIC Group, the Chinese government owned operator of the $16 billion Sino Iron project in WA's Pilbara region. Clive Palmer, photographed in Perth earlier this month, has been described by WA Premier Mark McGowan as a "greedy hypocrite". Credit:AAP Mr McGowan said the stoush was threatening jobs and investment and hinted at legislation to resolve the deadlock. "The state government is continuing to explore our legal options regarding Clive Palmer's threat to the more than 3000 West Australians who work on the Sino Iron project," he said. Land Minister Kim Hyun-mee, left, speaks at the government complex in Seoul, Tuesday, to announce plan to supply 110,000 new apartments in cities surrounding Seoul. In addition, the government announced two bed towns in Goyang and Bucheon in Gyeonggi Province. Gyeonggi Governor Lee Jae-myung, second from left, also attended the press conference. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul By Kwak Yeon-soo The government plans to build an additional 110,000 new apartments primarily in cities surrounding Seoul, including the creation of two new commuter towns, to help curb rises in home prices, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transportation said Tuesday. In addition to 35,000 new homes announced in September and 155,000 in December, 110,000 new apartments will be constructed on 28 sites around Seoul and Gyeonggi Province. The two Gyeonggi Province sites selected were in Goyang, providing 38,000 homes, and Bucheon, offering 20,000 dwellings. The four other satellite cities revealed in December include Namyangju providing 66,000 apartments, Hanam offering 32,000, Gwacheon with 7,000 and Gyeyang Techno Valley in Incheon with 17,000. The land ministry said the government took full account in selecting the locations, adding that the housing supply plan is part of the government's broad plan to supply 300,000 homes to Seoul and adjacent areas. "The two new commuter towns will accommodate twice as much space for support facilities than that of existing satellite cities, which will be used for housing venture companies, urban factories and other startups," Land Minister Kim Hyun-mee said during a press conference. "As a result, the large residential complexes will create new jobs." A dog-eared copy of 1983 booklet Improvised Weapons of the American Underground, a replica handgun and a loaded speargun were allegedly seized by police in March when officers raided the Chipping Norton home of Aaron Perks-Alderton, 24. Officers from the Bass Hill regional enforcement squad say they also took a spring-assisted flick knife, two samurai swords, a compound bow and a standard bow from the Balanada Avenue home they raided on March 14, as well as cannabis. Aaron Perks-Alderton, 24, was arrested at his Chipping Norton home in March Credit:Facebook At the home, investigators arrested Aaron Perks-Alderton - the subject of a firearms prohibition order. Made by the Commissioner of the New South Wales Police, such an order bans an individual from having a gun or anything related on the basis it is not in the public interest for them to have access to weaponry. The order also means that police can conduct a search on an individual, their home and their car at any time without the need for a warrant. A retired pensioner charged with a number of bank heists from over 40 years ago will appear again in court on Tuesday, after police laid an additional charge in relation to the historical robberies. Ross Oliver McCarty, from Edgecliff in Sydney's inner east, was first arrested in December last year following a police investigation into a series of Sydney bank robberies in the late 1970s. The man was first arrested in Edgecliff on December 20, 2018. Credit:Police Media The 69-year-old is alleged to have handed threatening notes to bank tellers before stealing cash at eight banks across the CBD and Chatswood between June 1977 and March 1978. Police will on Tuesday allege at Central Local Court that Mr McCarty robbed another bank, on the corner of George and Liverpool streets, in Sydney on May 12, 1977. Its been a common suggestion for solving the overcrowding at Southern Cross station: why not open up the subway under Spencer Street that was closed off more than a decade ago? A broken escalator on platforms nine and 10 has thrown the spotlight on congestion at one of Melbournes busiest train stations however one way of easing the bottleneck appears unlikely to be used. The underpass beneath Spencer Street was closed in 2005. Credit:Nick Kocher The underpass from Little Collins Street to Southern Cross will remain closed in the near future due to large pipes, added since the stations redevelopment, that have made it unsuitable for public use. The subway has been closed since 2005 but a dramatic spike in passenger numbers at Southern Cross has led to congestion on the station's platforms and at surrounding road intersections. An estimated 280,000 passengers use the station each day. In appearing to realise their dream of having a private birth at home, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have once again reminded the world that they are determined to carve their own royal path. The Duchess of Sussex has given birth to a boy. Credit:ninevms Although Buckingham Palace refused to confirm that the 7lb 3oz baby boy had been born at home at 5.26am, it is thought the royal couple's Windsor home, Frogmore Cottage, provided the setting for the momentous occasion, with speculation rife that the Duchess had a water birth with the Duke and her mother, Doria Ragland, by her side. Far from breaking with tradition, the Duchess revived a long-standing royal practice, following in the footsteps of the Queen, who had all her four children at home - including Prince Edward, who was born at Buckingham Palace in 1964 when the Queen was 37 - the same age as the Duchess. Described as having "sailed through" pregnancy, the Duchess is thought to have set her heart on a midwife-led birth at home, preferring a more holistic approach than the medicalised setting many American mothers-to-be are used to. Washington: US President Donald Trump's threat to impose massive new tariffs on China Friday has fractured Senate Republicans, with many hoping it's just a negotiating ploy, some cheering him on and others opposed to his "Tariff Man" strategy altogether. Senator Joni Ernst, Republican from Iowa. Credit:Bloomberg Trump's tough stance against China has also won the president an unlikely ally in Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who tweeted at him to "hang tough" and "don't back down" from his threat of more tariffs. More than any other issue, trade under Trump has scrambled party loyalties, especially when it comes to holding China accountable for stealing intellectual property and other commercial abuses. Voters are divided by geography and industry, rather than ideology, with many of Trump's supporters in rural America bearing the brunt of China's retaliation against US commodities. That leaves Republican senators who are up for re-election weighing whether their voters want them to support Trump wholeheartedly, or take a stand to support their economic interests. This question became even more urgent after Trump tweeted on Sunday that he will raise tariffs on about $US200 billion in goods to 25 per cent from 10 per cent, setting up a tense atmosphere for Chinese negotiators traveling to Washington this week. Chinese Car Companies Kicking US Car Maker Butt In China +VIDEO (Published 2019) Updated With Buh-Bye Tesla In China DETROIT - May 7, 2019: Five years into its plan to reinvent itself as the dominant global technology leader, China has raced far ahead of others on electric-vehicle sales, forged into automated-vehicle development and led the way on deployment of next-generation cellular infrastructure, reports Automotive News. "The Chinese are clearly on the offensive," said Michael Dunne, CEO of ZoZo Go, a consulting firm that advises American companies looking to do business in China. On the other hand, "If you look at the Detroit automakers, over the past five years, it's more or less been a theme of retreat," he said. As President Donald Trump threw another curveball into the ongoing U.S.-China trade negotiations Sunday with a new wave of tariff threats, U.S. automakers are grappling with another vexing challenge: US Car company's sales are tumbling in China. As Chinese companies have developed their competence, paying for mass-market vehicles made by foreign companies has become less appealing, Speaking at an Automotive Press Association event in Detroit Mr. Dunne said as the Detroit 3 have struggled to find an answer for declining sales, China has launched what Dunne calls Autos 2.0, a freshening of its automotive strategy that has focused extensively on autonomous, electric, shared, and connected-vehicle developments. Read more here. By Jhoo Dong-chan The nation's life insurers are struggling to make profits abroad due to fierce competition and high regulatory barriers. It has been over 30 years since they first entered overseas markets, but insurers have yet to make stable profits, and some of them are shutting down their money-losing operations. According to domestic insurance companies, the nation's life insurers posted a combined $7.7 million loss in overseas markets in 2018. In contrast, Korea's non-life insurers posted a combined $20.9 million loss in overseas markets in 2017, but managed to see a turnaround by posting a $23.7 million net profit in overseas markets last year thanks to improved insurance sales. "It's very difficult for life insurers to post a profit overseas," said an official who asked not to be named. "Unlike non-life insurance products, there are not so many life insurance products to support Korean firms' entry overseas. Local firms and customers are also reluctant to buy a foreign life insurer's products." Due to their disappointing businesses, domestic life insurers are shutting down their overseas branches. The nation's life insurers had a total of 21 overseas offices as of the first quarter of last year, but have just 17 offices now. Samsung Life Insurance shut down its office in Myanmar while Kyobo Life closed its New York office. Heungkuk Life also recently closed its office in Beijing. "It's because of profitability. There is no reason to close their overseas offices if they are profitable," another official said under the condition of anonymity. "Korea's insurance market became saturated a long time ago. The financial regulator imposes stricter regulations to protect financial customers. The upcoming introduction of IFRS17 imposes more pressure on local life insurers." IFRS 17, a new set of global accounting standards, is scheduled to be introduced in 2022. Under IFRS 17, savings insurance contracts will be counted as liabilities since insurers are required to pay back a stipulated amount when contracts expire. Domestic non-life insurers saw a turnaround last year, but said they are also experiencing difficulties in doing business overseas. KB Insurance, KB Financial Group's non-life insurance unit, attempted to acquire a 17 percent stake in Bao Minh, the Vietnam's third-largest non-life insurer, to expand its presence in the SoutheastAsian country, but has recently withdrawn its move. "We have reviewed our options in acquiring Bao Minh, but decided not to acquire it due to the gap between the two companies," a KB Insurance official said. "We are looking for other options." The Moon Jae-in administration implemented the New Southern Policy to strengthen the country's ties with Vietnam to support domestic firms' entry to the SoutheastAsiancountry. However, a recent development regarding Korean insurers experiencing difficulties in the ASEAN market demonstrates that the government needs to do a better job to ease regulatory barriers by strengthening partnerships with local regulators to boost Korean firms' business there. Are you a current print subscriber to Columbia Gorge News? If so, you qualify for free access to all content on columbiagorgenews.com. Simply verify with your subscriber id to receive free access. Your subscriber id may be found on your bill or mailing label. gettyimagesbank By Park Hyong-ki Local banking groups are rushing to forge partnerships with tech companies both at home and abroad to develop new services and applications using artificial intelligence (AI). For some banks such as Woori and KB Kookmin, Naver, the country's largest search portal, has become the most attractive AI partner. Woori Bank and Naver's Line have agreed to set up an AI lab where both sides will use and integrate the latter's technology into Woori's banking services ranging from chatbots to recommendation functions. KB Financial Group and KB Kookmin Bank have also joined forces with Naver to develop an AI search engine featuring voice control. It will be converged with KB's internal cloud computing system. They are expected to unveil AI-based services in the latter half of this year. Industry sources say the alliance in AI is part of a step toward developing customized services. "With data analysis and cloud computing, AI will back companies to come up with services and products tailored to individual needs," said a financial industry source. "AI does not have any boundaries to extending its reach. That is why it has the potential to be disruptive." Technocrats such as Lee Kai-Fu, a Taiwanese tech venture capitalist, and Microsoft founder Bill Gates have said not to miss out on AI and embrace "the inevitability of the growth of AI and its phenomenal opportunities." Naver is still considered a small player in AI, compared with its peers in the United States, and even China and Japan. But the tech company holds the key to developing the technology, whereas local financial companies lack the resources to do something with AI, big data and cloud computing. "Financial companies, at least the conventional ones, do not have the culture or the DNA to create something beyond their business borders. That is why they are recruiting professionals from the tech sector," said another industry source. Shinhan Financial Group initially wanted to partner with Naver in internet banking using Naver's AI application, but the search portal was not interested in setting up an internet bank. Shinhan has forged an alliance with Element AI, a Canada-based AI software developer, in an effort to digitally transform the group's business. The founding director of the Bush School of Government and Public Service is retiring following 24 years at Texas A&M and more than 50 years of work in the field of political science. Charles F. Chuck Hermann, who is a senior professor and Brent Scowcroft Chair Emeritus in International Policy Studies, arrived at Texas A&M in 1995, two years before the school opened, to serve as its founding director. Hermanns career was honored in a reception late Monday afternoon. Its been a real privilege to be part of the Bush School, Hermann said before several dozen of his colleagues, current and former students and other community members. Hermann said that he and his wife, Mays Business School professor Lorraine Eden, plan to stay connected to the Bush School, and are working to create an endowed fellowship to financially support one high-achieving student each year. We want to do it every year, and well call them Hermann Fellows, he said. Its for a student in their second year who may not have gotten a top scholarship coming in. Every year, there are people who come in and knock our socks off and do well in classes and take leadership positions. Those are the people we want to target. Simpson said the teachers let her know if a student is not doing as well in the classroom as he or she does in the small reading intervention group. This allows Simpson to help the students learn about accountability in making progress. If you do it at my table, you can do it at your teacher table, Simpson said. It kind of holds their feet to the fire that they need to do what they do in my room with their teacher. Simpson, a Minnesota native, graduated from Texas A&M in 1991 with a degree in elementary education. Following graduation, she married Frank Simpson, who worked in city management. While working in Houston, she earned her special education certification. During that time, I really fell in love with the kids that are kind of the underdog, she said. She said she enjoys celebrating their accomplishments, and as the school year winds down, these accomplishments become more clear. He insists that black people have the power to chart their own course, by investing in their own community and believing in themselves. America constantly sends the message to black people who are poor, have been in prison or are hooked on drugs, that they are worthless. Farrakhan tells them they have value, and helps them find work. The issue with Farrakhans message, though, is that it is geared directly at black people. It is not sugarcoated to be pleasant to white peoples ears. White people dont understand it. Their attention immediately goes to the troublesome things he says. Thats exactly what Farrakhan wants. But his delivery is flawed. It is divisive and detrimental. I wont try to evaluate the legitimacy of anyones religion, but I can speak to how we must interact with each other as Americans. It is wrong to talk about people of different ethnicities and religions in a way that we would not want others to talk about us. There is also another, more practical reality. Black people dont live isolated in America. It is a capitalistic country influenced by wealth and power things that always have been controlled by white people. To achieve equity, white people have to share. 5 Hours After Saying I Do, Army Veteran Dies From Cancer in His New Brides Presence A 20-year-old army veteran battling with liver cancer died just five hours after marrying his girlfriend in Iowa on April 27. Tristan Laue joined the United States Army in July 2016 and was medically discharged in April 2018 because he was suffering from a rare form of cancer. Just hours before his death, Laue got to fulfill his last wish and marry Tianna Hargrafen, the love of his life, reported KWWL. Laue proposed to Hargrafen on Easter and a few days later their families realized that the marriage needed to happen soon. Within the next 48 hours, the entire community came together to celebrate their love and the wedding happened at the familys backyard in Waverly. Hes the love of my life, and even like talking to my mom and everything, she said some people dont get what you two had in the amount of time, like theyll be together for years and still not have the same connection that you guys did, Hargrafen told KWWL. Laue and Hargrafen also share a birthday on May 11. Mitch Laue, the young mans father said Tianna was his angel. Make sure you tell people you love them because you never know when you wont be able to, and just make sure you cherish every day. Even if theyre having a rough day or getting really upset, said Hargrafen. The veterans funeral services were held at Crosspoint Church in Waverly on Saturday. Laues classmates want to create a memorial for him. The class of 2016 mourns our beloved classmate Tristin Laue. We thought it would be a great opportunity to honor him with a memorial bench and his name on the Chickasaw Legacy Pathway, said a fundraiser on GoFundMe. Help us remember a great Chickasaw who brought laughter and kindness to us all! the fundraiser said. In a similar incidence, a 19-year-old bride with cancer had a dream wedding in hospital as she only had hours to live. The young bride-to-be had terminal cancer, and her wedding had to be fast-tracked when doctors feared she only had hours to live. A heartbreaking, but at the same time, heartwarming story. Nina Marino, 19, and Joey Williams, 21, had been childhood friends since primary school. They began dating in June 2017 just after Nina had a diagnosis of an undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma, a type of soft tissue cancer. Although she bravely battled the cancer, it was terminal, and when her condition worsened, doctors suggested they fast-track their wedding plans, as it was feared she wouldnt last through the night. The doctor encouraged us that, if we wanted to be married, we should do it that day. It was a lot all at once. Nina just said, Okay, lets do it, said Joey, according to The Mirror. Family and staff set up a ceremony from Ninas bedside in ICU at St. Josephs Childrens Hospital in Tampa. They decorated the room with photos of the couples journey together. Around 30 or so family and friends gathered to make it a special day for the couple. Nina did last through the night and was able to hang on for another three days. She died on Sept. 6, 2018. Joey told People: It wasnt the wedding of our dreams but it was the wedding that made our dreams come true. It was really important to her. It was one of the things that she absolutely wanted to do, one of the things I wanted to do. Although Nina and Joey didnt have much time to spend together as a married couple, Ninas last memories were happy ones, as her dream was to marry Joey. Photographer Nil Patel was there to photograph the couples precious moment. It was as if there wasnt even an illness present in this equation and everyone was there to celebrate another magical love story, he wrote on LoveWhatMatters. Epoch Times reporter Chris Ford contributed to this report. A Border Patrol official looks out into the distant areas around Sunland Park, New Mexico, on Oct. 4, 2016. (John Moore/Getty Images) After Border Patrol Shuts Down Checkpoints, Cartels Thrive in New Mexico County Mexican cartels are thriving in New Mexico county, where the U.S. federal government shut down two local checkpoints which were critical in stopping narcotrafficking and illegal immigration through the border at El Paso, Texas. Last month, Otero county became the first community to declare a state of emergency, and recently, their county sheriff, David Black, told the New York Post on May 5, that: Its a green light for the cartels when border checkpoints are down. The Epoch Times reported on this situation on March 28, when all highway Border Patrol checkpoints in New Mexico were shut down in order to re-allocate agents to deal with the influx of migrants coming in from south of the border. These checkpoints, within 100 miles of the border, were supposed to protect against people seeking to illegally enter the country. At the time, sheriff Black warned that these actions would result in his county becoming undefended. A Border Patrol official had told the Texas Monthly, back in March, We were told to go ahead and close down all the checkpoints in order to help handle the surge in large numbers of families and unaccompanied children crossing the border that have been overwhelming border officials. The officials concerns were clearly voiced: Its really out of control. Its bad. At the time, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Kevin K. McAleenan said during a press conference that this increased influx in illegal crossings along the Southwest border was turning into a serious strain on law enforcement resources, and warned that the immigration system has reached a breaking point, according to the El Paso Times. Later in April, it was reported that officials from the city of Las Cruces, New Mexico, which neighbors Otero county, were forced to spend about $75,000 in humanitarian assistance, after nearly 1,600 Central American migrants were released in their community within a 10-day period. The Epoch Times reported on how this situation caused a rift between the state governor and local community officials who passed an emergency declaration with a unanimous vote. These local dynamics at the Southern border have highlighted a significant part of the broader national debate on illegal immigration under the Trump administration. President Trump declared a National Emergency concerning the U.S. Southern Border back in February, following the disputes on border security funding leading to the longest-ever government shutdown from December 2018 to January 2019. Congress has so far appropriated $1.4 billion for a border wall and under Trumps emergency declaration, an additional $3.6 billion will be available from military funds in order to build the wall. Trump called once again on Congress today to fix the nations ineffective immigration system, implying that if they do not, he will have to take further action on border security himself. At Wells Fargo, Executives Push for Interim CEO to Keep Job While Wells Fargo & Co.s board looks far and wide for the banks next leader, some of the companys most senior insiders have an alternative proposal: Why not keep the interim chief? Allen Parker, who joined the bank as general counsel to help clean up scandals in 2017, became acting chief executive officer in March when the board announced its seeking an outsider to take over. Across the industry, the expectation is that the next leader will shake up management. Keeping Parker, 64, is seen as a way to foster continuity and give the board more time to groom a permanent successormaybe even from within. Directors have asked senior executives for input, and some are lobbying for Parker to stay on as CEO, according to people familiar with the discussions. Its unclear whether the board, regulators and the banks many critics would be receptive to such a move. Senator and presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren, for example, has thumped on Wells Fargo for years, demanding it stop promoting company veterans to hold colleagues accountable. Some might try to argue Parker meets the definition of an outsiderhe joined the bank only two years ago to clean things up. Yet that time also gives him a head start in understanding the firms problems. Although I do not know Allen well personally, I do know that hes very highly regarded both internally and externally, especially in legal and regulatory matters, former Wells Fargo CEO and chairman Richard Kovacevich said in an interview. He didnt weigh in on whether Parker should stay. A Wells Fargo spokesperson declined to comment on behalf of Parker and the board. People with direct knowledge of the internal discussions about Parker agreed to described executives views on the condition they not be named. At this stage, none predicted he will necessarily get the job. Two emphasized the board has just started its hunt and that it probably will look at a number of candidates before reaching a decision. Finding someone to take over the top job at Wells Fargo will be a challenge. The pool of financial-industry executives ready to lead such a massive and complicated company is shallow. The job description is unusually daunting, with the bank in the midst of reforms, mired in regulatory probes and operating under a Federal Reserve cap on growth. CEO Search The board hired executive recruiting firm Spencer Stuart to run the search, and its been casting a wide net to find initial candidates, people familiar with the situation have said. Banks usually prefer to promote CEOs from a bench of internal executives so they can groom and test potential leaders over a period of years. None of the nations four largest commercial banks has installed an outsider as CEO since the lenders were created in a wave of mergers in the 1990s. Part of the pitch for Parker is that he previously ran a large organizationlaw firm Cravath Swaine & Moore LLP. Hes also steeped in the banks legal and regulatory woes. In the wake of the financial crisis, Bank of America Corp.s broad search for a CEO concluded with Brian Moynihan, who had run business lines but also served as its general counsel. His legal expertise came in handy as he spent years guiding the company out of probes and litigationa task he once likened to carrying a 250-pound backpack in an uphill race, in which competitors were unencumbered. He still has the job. Wells Fargo shareholders might go for a similar approach. The main thing the market wants is someone whos going to get the regulators off their backs and also take care of the asset cap pretty quickly, said Eric Compton, an analyst at Morningstar Inc. But is Parker enough of an outsider? I would think so, Compton said. Hes part of the new wave. The scandals erupted in 2016 with the revelation that Wells Fargo employees had opened legions of phony accounts to meet sales goals. John Stumpf stepped down as CEO in the aftermath. And when the board promoted Tim Sloan to the job, critics questioned whether the three-decade company veteran could be trusted to clean things up. Sloan embarked on a sweeping overhaul with the boards support. But as abuses emerged in more units, external pressures mounted. He resigned days after a congressional hearing in March, and Chair Betsy Duke vowed to find an outsider to complete the transformation. Before Sloans abrupt departure, internal candidates seen as most likely to someday succeed him included Mary Mack, who runs the companys retail bank, and Jon Weiss, who heads wealth and investment management. Recruiting a CEO externally can pose risks for top executives by raising the odds that there will be major changes to strategy or management. After Barclays Plc named former JPMorgan Chase & Co. executive Jes Staley as CEO in 2015, he recruited extensively from his former employer to reshape the firms leadership. Similar scenarios have played out at U.S. banks that hired executives from rivals to lead major divisions. Wells Fargos representatives have reached out to Eileen Murray, co-CEO of hedge fund Bridgewater Associates, as part of the banks CEO search, the Wall Street Journal reported May 6. Recruiters have also pointed to key deputies at bigger rivals and chiefs of regional banks as potential candidates. When naming Parker interim CEO, Duke cited his thoughtful and independent points of view to business, strategy and governance matters. She also noted he has earned the respect and full confidence of our board and executive team. By Hannah Levitt Financial Supervisory Service Governor Yoon Suk-heun speaks at an event for foreign finance companies held in Seoul on April 5. / Yonhap By Kim Bo-eun Reformist scholar Yoon Suk-heun drew attention when he assumed his role as the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS)'s governor a year ago in May 2018. Yoon took the position after his two predecessors stepped down last year, over controversies involving hiring irregularities and overseas trips. Such circumstances imposed increasing pressure on the new governor to normalize the situation at the FSS and reset the role of the supervisory authority's chief. At his first meeting with the press in July, Yoon vowed to take a tough stance against financial companies' irregularities, and "to even wage war" when deemed necessary. His uncompromising stance and determination earned him his title as a "tiger governor." Yet despite expectations, the governor has maintained a low-key stance over the past year, persistently upholding what he deems as the most important value consumer protection. An inquiry by the FSS led to the investigation into allegations that Samsung Biologics broke accounting rules in inflating the value of its subsidiary, ahead of Biologics' initial public offering in 2016. The supervisory authority has also defended consumers over unpaid immediate annuity payouts involving life insurers here. In addition, the FSS is looking into losses small- and medium-sized exporting firms suffered due to derivative products that were sold a decade ago, at the time of the 2008 financial crisis. Meanwhile, Yoon revived a comprehensive audit into finance companies. FSS officials are set to be dispatched this month to the firms that are subject to the inspection this time KB Financial Group, KB Kookmin Bank, KB Securities, Hanwha Life and Meritz Fire and Marine Insurance. The revival of the audit comes in four years since the last one was carried out in 2015. Yet the inspection is different from previous ones in that the FSS will look into companies that are deemed to have problems, instead of looking into every firm. Yoon said the changes were to lessen the burden for companies, by eliminating unnecessary inspections. The FSS also launched a team of investigators who will look into unlawful market practices with special investigation rights, starting this month. The outcome of the comprehensive audit and investigations by the FSS team is set to determine how well the regulator has done. An executive of a foreign life insurance company said, "It is meaningful that inspections by the FSS triggered investigations into the Samsung Biologics case, it is something that the FSS under previous leaders failed to do." An official of a local securities firm said, "The FSS does seem to have stepped up efforts to protect consumers." "At the same time, the regulator has also put more pressure on finance companies," the official also noted. The FSS governor has been seeking to better communicate with domestic and foreign companies here. After a meeting the chiefs of the five major financial groups Shinhan, KB, Woori, Hana, and NH Tuesday, Yoon told reporters he will seek to meet with them every three months. Yoon also met with officials of foreign companies to discuss regulatory policies on two occasions this year. Two best friends who were separated during their childhood have reunited after more than a decade apart and plan to stay together for the rest of their lives as a married couple in Florida. Austin Tatman and Natalie Crowe, both 24, had not seen each other since they were 5 years old when Crowe moved to Connecticut with her mother and siblings. The pair spent 12 years almost 1,300 miles apart until Crowe was a teenager and decided to go through contacts listed in her moms old address book in a storage bin during summer 2012. She revealed she was searching for a specific name. For whatever reason, the first person to come to my mind was Austin. Still to this day, I have no idea why I went to it, Crowe told TODAY. Pre-kindergarten sweethearts reunite years later and get married https://t.co/Q9cV1DPlP5 TODAY (@TODAYshow) May 3, 2019 Instead of phoning Tatman, Crowe decided to look him up on social media and send him a message request to see if he still remembered her. She would often speak with her mother and wonder whether Tatman still remembered her. She would say, If you remember him, then he remembers you,' she said. For Tatman, reconnecting with Crowe was like taking a nostalgic trip back to a simpler time. It was just like being back with your best friend that you havent seen, which was the craziest experience for me, Tatman said. You can never replicate that being away from someone and reconnecting. He described his connection with Crowe as very special, a view the parents from both families shared. The two would hold hands when they went trick-or-treating and going for a spin in Crowes fathers boat. From the second that we met in pre-kindergarten we were best friends, he said. Our parents pretty much told us that it was a very, very special bond that we shared. The couple revealed they first met in the same pre-kindergarten class of 1999 in Ocala, 80 miles northwest of Orlando. We would always hang out on the side kind of by ourselves, Crowe said. After adding each other as friends on Facebook, the couple finally traded cellphone numbers and discovered that Crowes father still lived 10 minutes away from Tatman. They decided to meet in person in Florida. The parents from both families were very pleased to hear the long-lost friends would meet again. They were both over the moon about us getting together, Crowe said. Both sets of our parents were so supportive when we first reconnected, Tatman said. They were just as excited, if not more excited, than we were. When Crowe and Tatman met again they fell in love with each other. On their following date they enjoyed listening to Tim McGraws song My Old Friend on the radio. The 2004 country music hit resonated with the history of their relationship. The song was really key to our relationship, Crowe said. It was so spot-on to our journey. The couple continued to maintain a long-distance romance as they became seniors in high school. Finally, Crowe gained admission to the University of Central Florida (UCF) in Orlando while Tatman attended the University of Florida in Gainesville, 125 miles north of UCF. Tatman proposed to Crowe in 2017 on the beach in Fort Lauderdale witnessed by their family members and friends. They got married on April 13 in New Smyrna Beach, 56 miles northeast of Orlando. The couple recreated a childhood photo of them standing in a red toy Jeep by standing in their wedding attire in a real Jeep off-road SUV. https://www.facebook.com/austin.tatman.33/posts/10219358769666060 The wedding guest book was in the style of an address book as a tribute to the real address book that contained Tatmans contact details that led to the pair finding each other again. Democratic presidential candidate and former vice president Joe Biden speaks during a campaign event at Big Grove Brewery and Taproom in Iowa City, Iowa, on May 1, 2019. (Scott Olson/Getty Images) Biden Confuses Margaret Thatcher With Theresa May, Says Shes Anxious About Trump Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden mistakenly said on May 4 that Margaret Thatcher, the departed ex-British Prime Minister, is anxious about the United States under President Donald Trump. Bidens comments came at a closed-door $1,000 to $2,800 per person fundraiser in Columbia, South Carolina, attended by about three dozen supporters, according to Bloomberg News. Margaret Thatcher, the leader of the United Kingdoms Conservative Party, served as the countrys Prime Minister from 1979 to 1990 and died in 2013. Joe Biden claims Margaret Thatcher, who died in 2013, is worried about Trump https://t.co/IFfLWyKGpG John Cardillo (@johncardillo) May 6, 2019 Biden claimed at the Saturday fundraiser that he had heard from 14 head of states from various countries, including Thatcher, who are worried about President Trump. He then corrected himself saying that it was a Freudian slip and that he was actually referring to the current British Prime Minister, Theresa May. One I can say is Margaret Thatcher, um, excuse me, Margaret ThatcherFreudian slip, Biden said, according to Politico. But I knew her too. He then corrected himself and said, The prime minister of Great Britain, Theresa May. May is also the leader of the Conservative Party. She assumed office in July 2016. Biden also told the gathering that he regretted once making a statement that if he was in high school, he would have taken Trump around back and beat the hell out of him. Well guess what? I probably shouldnt have done that, Biden said at the fundraiser, I dont want to get it down to that level. The presidency is an office that requires some dignity. At the fundraiser, a donor asked Biden to given Trump a nickname in response to the nicknames that Trump has given him. At a fundraiser in S.C. tonight, Joe Biden said he doesnt want to get into nickname-for-nickname mud slinging with Trump but then called him a clown and a no good S.O.B. https://t.co/qLU3an9VFq Jennifer Epstein (@jeneps) May 5, 2019 There are so many nicknames that Im inclined to give this guy. We could just start with clown, he said. Trump calls Biden Sleepy Joe at rallies and in his tweets. The Democratic National Committee, sometimes referred to as the DNC, is again working its magic in its quest to destroy Crazy Bernie Sanders. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 28, 2019 Biden was traveling through South Carolina for a two-day campaign. The state will host the first primary in the south for Democratic nomination race in February 2020. The former vice president raised $6.3 million in the first 24 hours of his 2020 presidential campaign, providing a stronger showing than any of his current rivals. Biden, 76, brought in the bulk of that haul through smaller contributions, his campaign spokesman T.J. Ducklo wrote on Twitter, with 97 percent of those donations being under $200. He bested other candidates, including self-described socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who raised $5.9 million, and Beto ORourke, who brought in $6.1 million. Before entering the race on April 25, Biden faced speculation that he was going to be unable to raise small-dollar donations via the internet. To qualify for the first debate in June, candidates need to receive donations from 65,000 different donors. Biden reached that mark in the first 12 hours of his campaign, Ducklo said. Epoch Times reporter Bowen Xiao contributed to this report. Bodies of Missing Woman Jasmine Lovett, Daughter Aliyah Sanderson Believed to Be Found: Police The bodies of a missing Canadian woman and her daughter were reportedly found on May 6. The bodies Jasmine Lovett, 25, and her 22-month-old daughter, Aliyah Sanderson, were likely found, police in Calgary told Global News. Police said they were found at 4 a.m. local time on May 6 about 30 miles (50 km) west of Calgary in a wooded area in Kananaskis Country near Grizzly Creek, the report said. At least 50 police officers and officials were involved in the search of an area near where they were located. BREAKING: The bodies of Jasmine Lovett and Aliyah Sanderson were found about 50 kilometres west of the city in a wooded area in Kananaskis Country near Grizzly Creek, according to police. https://t.co/IT0VmsGP3Q Global Calgary (@GlobalCalgary) May 6, 2019 A suspect has been taken into custody earlier today, charges are pending, police said of the case. The suspect is the same person who was taken into custody two weeks ago in relation to the disappearance of the two. Autopsies are expected to begin today. Formal identification of the deceased will be done by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, police said in a news release. The cause of death of both victims is not expected to be released. The Calgary Sun reported the suspect was identified as Robert Leeming, 34, and charges are pending. We have located the bodies of a woman & child, believed to be that of Jasmine LOVETT & Aliyah SANDERSON, in Kananaskis, near Grizzly Creek located off Highway 40. A suspect has been taken into custody earlier today, charges are pending. https://t.co/6eB986VfOX Calgary Police (@CalgaryPolice) May 6, 2019 Lovett and Sanderson had been living in a home with Leeming, who is originally from the United Kingdom, for about seven months, but they were reported missing after not showing up for a family dinner, the Sun reported. Family members of the two said they were in absolute agony in the three weeks since they went missing. A neighbor told the Calgary Herald that Leeming kept to himself. Watch live at 4 p.m. as @CalgaryPolice update on discovery of bodies of a woman and child, believed to be Jasmine Lovett and her 22-month-old daughter Aliyah Sanderson: https://t.co/qaeCiaMIyC pic.twitter.com/6vIrFFWgt7 CTV Calgary (@CTVCalgary) May 6, 2019 All I can tell you is he spent a lot of time in the garage. He didnt seem to go to a job, said the man in the report. He said he had only seen Lovett and Sanderson once before, which was about a week before they went missing. The neighbor added that police went to Leemings residence in 2018, which was around the same time he pleaded guilty on animal cruelty charges. Leeming, in a statement to the Herald, said that I hope theyre found we, we were friends. Absolute friends. I would like, obviously, for them to be found and for me to be clear in this, he said. Missing Children There were 464,324 missing American children reported in the FBIs National Crime Information Center in 2017, according to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Under federal law, when a child is reported missing to law enforcement, they must be entered into the database. In 2016, there were 465,676 entries. This number represents reports of missing children. That means if a child runs away multiple times in a year, each instance would be entered into NCIC separately and counted in the yearly total. Likewise, if an entry is withdrawn and amended or updated, that would also be reflected in the total, the center noted. In 2017, the center said it assisted officers and families with the cases of more than 27,000 missing children. In those cases, 91 percent were endangered runaways, and 5 percent were family abductions. Employees walk by the end of a 737 Max aircraft at the Boeing factory in Renton, Washington, U.S., March 27, 2019. (Lindsey Wasson/Reuters) Boeing Says Safety Review Corroborated Its Findings on a 737 MAX Sensor CHICAGOBoeing Co. said on May 5 that a Safety Review Board convened in late 2018 corroborated its prior conclusion that an angle-of-attack (AOA) sensor on the 737 MAX, which has suffered two fatal crashes, was not necessary for the safe operation of commercial aircraft. In a statement following a series of negative news reports, Boeing provided greater detail on its recent decision to make the previously optional AOA Disagree alert a standard, standalone feature on the 737 MAX before the grounded jets return to service. The alert lights up when two sensors produce widely different readings. The angle of attack measures the angle between the air flow and the wing and helps determine whether the plane is able to fly correctly. If the angle becomes too steep, the flow of air over the wing is disturbed, throwing the plane into an aerodynamic stall. That means it starts to fall instead of fly. Although the angle itself is fundamental to flight, the industry has debated for years whether the information should be included in crowded cockpit displays because it is directly related to airspeed, which pilots already watch closely. The debate over displays intensified when it emerged that Boeing had relied on a single angle-of-attack sensor to send information to a piece of anti-stall software that pushed the nose downward on Lion Air Flight 610 and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, which both crashed minutes after take-off, killing a total of 346 people. Neither the angle of attack indicator nor the AOA Disagree alert are necessary for the safe operation of the airplane, Boeing reiterated on May 5. They provide supplemental information only, and have never been considered safety features on commercial jet transport airplanes, Boeing said. Still, when the MAX returns to service, all MAX production aircraft will have an activated and operable AOA Disagree alert and an optional angle of attack indicator, Boeing said. Customers with previously delivered MAX airplanes can activate the sensor. Boeing is also developing a software upgrade and training changes to the 737 MAX that must be approved by global regulators before the jets can fly again. Boeing has yet to formally submit the upgrades to the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration for approval but could do as early as this week once it completes a certification test flight. The FAA did not immediately comment on Boeings statement. By Tracy Rucinski Muqadas Ashraf speaks to The Associated Press in Gujranwala, Pakistan on April 14, 2019. Muqadas Ashraf was just 16 when her parents married her off to a Chinese man who had come to Pakistan looking for a bride. Less than five months later, Muqadas is back home in Pakistan, pregnant and seeking a divorce from a husband she says was abusive. (K.M. Chaudary/AP Photo) Bride Market Trafficks Pakistani Christian Women to China GUJRANWALA, PakistanHundreds of young women from Pakistans small Christian minority have been trafficked to China as brides in recent months as their impoverished community is targeted in an aggressive new marriage market, activists and officials say. Brokers offer desperately poor parents thousands of dollars to give girls in marriage to Chinese men, even cruising outside churches for potential brides. They are helped by Christian pastors paid to preach to their congregations with promises of wealth in exchange for their daughters. Once in China, the girlsmost often married against their willcan find themselves isolated in rural regions, vulnerable to abuse, unable to communicate and reliant on a translation app even for a glass of water. Touted as wealthy Christian converts, the grooms often turn out to be neither, according to accounts from brides, their parents, an activist, pastors and government officials, speaking to The Associated Press. This is human smuggling, said Ijaz Alam Augustine, the human rights and minorities minister in Pakistans Punjab province, in an interview with the AP. Greed is really responsible for these marriages I have met with some of these girls and they are very poor. The Associated Press interviewed more than a dozen Christian Pakistani brides and would-be brides who fled before exchanging vows. All had similar accounts of a process involving brokers and members of the clergy. It is all fraud and cheating. All the promises they make are fake, said Muqadas Ashraf, who was 16 when her parents married her off to a Chinese man last year. Less than five months later, she returned to Pakistan, pregnant and seeking a divorce. In China, demand for foreign brides has mounted, a legacy of the one-child policy that skewed the countrys gender balance toward males. Brides initially came largely from Vietnam, Laos and North Korea. Now men are looking further afield, said Mimi Vu, director of advocacy at Pacific Links, which helps trafficked Vietnamese women. Its purely supply and demand, she said. It used to be, Is she light-skinned? Now its like, Is she female? Pakistan seems to have come onto marriage brokers radar late last year. Saleem Iqbal, a Christian activist, said he first began to see significant numbers of marriages to Chinese men in October. Since then, an estimated 750 to 1,000 girls have been married off, he said. Pakistans small Christian community is particularly vulnerable. It is among the countrys poorest and has little political or social supporting, numbering some 2.5 million in Pakistans overwhelmingly Muslim population of 200 million. Among all faiths in Pakistan, parents often decide a daughters marriage partner. The deeply patriarchal society often sees girls as a burden because the brides family must pay a dowry and the cost of the wedding. By contrast, potential Chinese grooms offer parents money and pay all wedding expenses. Some of the grooms are from among the tens of thousands of Chinese in Pakistan working on infrastructure projects under Beijings One Belt, One Road (OBOR, also known as Belt and Road) Initiative. Other grooms search directly from China through networks. They present themselves as Christian converts, but pastors complicit in the deals dont ask for any documentation. They pay on average $3,500 to $5,000, including payments to parents, pastors and a broker, said Iqbal. Muqadas mother Nasreen said she was promised about $5,000, including wedding costs. But I have not seen anything yet, she said. I really believed I was giving her a chance at a better life and also a better life for us, Nasreen said. When her daughter became increasingly miserable in China, Nasreen contacted the husband and demanded her daughter be sent home. Dozens of Pakistani priests are paid by brokers to find brides for Chinese men, said Augustine, the provincial minorities minister, who is Christian. Many are from the small evangelical churches that have proliferated in Pakistan. In Gujranwala, a city north of Lahore, more than 100 local Christian women and girls have been married off to Chinese in recent months, according to Iqbal. The city has several mainly Christian neighborhoods, largely dirt poor with open sewers running along narrow slum streets. Pastor Munch Morris, who serves at a local evangelical church, opposes such marriages. But he said he knows a group of pastors in his neighborhood who work with a private Chinese marriage broker. Among them, he said, is a fellow pastor at his church who tells his flock, God is happy because these Chinese boys convert to Christianity. They are helping the poor Christian girls. Rizwan Rashid, a parishioner at the citys Roman Catholic St. Johns Church, said that two weeks earlier, a car pulled up to him outside the church gates. Two Pakistani men and a Chinese woman inside asked him if he knew of any girls who want to marry a Chinese man. They told me her life would be great, he said. They were willing to pay him to help, but he said he refused because the churchs priest often warns his flock against such marriages. Human Rights Watch called on China and Pakistan to take action to end bride trafficking, warning in an April 26 statement of increasing evidence that Pakistani women and girls are at risk of sexual slavery in China. On May 6, Pakistans Federal Investigation Agency arrested eight Chinese nationals and four Pakistanis in raids in Punjab in connection with trafficking, Geo TV reported. It said the raids followed an undercover operation that included attending an arranged marriage. By Kathy Gannon & Dake Kang A young pug. Year-old pugs can fetch up to $2,237 in Germany. (Pixabay) California Family Finds Craigslist Ad Listing Their Missing Dog for Sale A California woman whose pug dog went missing from her backyard found it listed on Craigslist two weeks later but said the seller is refusing to tell her who bought it. Samantha Norris posted flyers around the neighborhood after her pug, Ted, went missing from her home in Lake Los Angeles three weeks ago. Two weeks later, she received a Facebook message that Ted appeared to have been listed on Craigslist. Norris later posted a copy of the listing to Facebook, which describes the 2-year-old male pug as super healthy, nice lap dog with all the shots who loves everyone and other pets. The lister said that the dog was being sold because they were moving and asked for a $200 rehoming fee. According to KTLA, Norris called the number on the advertisement. https://www.facebook.com/SamyB19/posts/2436513956360684 She said she did have my dog. She did sell him on Craigslist for $200, Norris said. But despite the admission, Norris is back to desperately searching for Ted again. I was in contact with the person who sold him but she will not give me any information on who she sold him to! wrote Norris in a Facebook post on May 3. I know where the lady lives but she doesnt have my boy. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2436513309694082&set=a.214149841930451&type=3&permPage=1 According to KTLA, the woman lives down the street, less than a quarter mile away. https://www.facebook.com/ktla5/posts/10157583584194614?__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARDBV4hl2dRR3yGwax4qU83c-ALDAJ9W39-L9lPSnGi75IKZsJ51CBoFjTcKDhdZxJMb3kgMHhR5sHz1ws4vTEgtME6lQ-ATy08cuAKnuniw4-lDvnLw_cz-WR2nyEHfRFKXrrWjY8xb2itATQJBHpAUb9dmbN4rtkAjrs0CJdPm9d_XAH2GhQg0FdX_B49RTLGpOD7ECdik_oT-Wg9_tpg80JcJ1xNYEo7PVG9AoUF5EUV6svQyRumEl3hJUCyEOueW5ao_W5qUbVkou0ANBdiOgYBMvlcWNMURiOe1MmQ1dA1VZDCPRwpmde2IUqyfq_77WVIBpAV8Nzg0MA&__tn__=-R Norris said the woman denies stealing Ted, but keeps changing her story. She initially said that he jumped in her van, then that he walked up to her porch, according to KTLA. She said that the alleged thief claimed to have not seen any of the missing dog flyers, despite driving past four of them. The police went to her house and then came to mine to get my side of the story, wrote Norris on Facebook. They said she changed her story a few times and its not making sense. I told them my side and what she had told me and they said I have a case and can press charges and I AM pressing charges against her. Ted is microchipped, which Norris hopes can help trace him as she once again tries to spread the word about her missing dog. It breaks my heart knowing he was literally right around the corner, she told KTLA. Its my dog, its my family. My kids want their dog back. My sons ask everyday, whens he coming back?' Earlier this year, another distraught pug owner in Germany learned that their beloved family pet had been sold on eBay after local authorities had seized the valuable pure-bred over nonpayment of taxes. The sale of the dog quickly became a headache for the local authorities as the new owner sued them for medical bills when it turned out the pug wasnt as healthy as the listing suggested. The family pug, named Edda, was bought online in December for the knock-down price of 750 euros ($850) from authorities in the town of Ahlen. Year-old pugs like Edda normally fetch double the price. Suspicious of the price, the buyer had phoned before purchasing and was surprised to find a local council worker had listed the dog, which had been seized as payment of fines from a local family. It was the first time that the city authorities had seized an animal as debt collection, according to Bild. How it all ended, that was absolutely not okay, the former owner told Tageblatt. She said, I know now that Edda is in good hands, but added her three children miss the dog. The owner said that she accepted that authorities had acted within the law. Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer addresses the Montreal Council on Foreign Relations in Montreal on May 7, 2019. (The Canadian Press/Ryan Remiorz) Canadas Relationship With China Needs Total Reset, Says Tory Leader Andrew Scheer Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer put the focus on China in his first major foreign policy speech, while also reaffirming the importance of human rights. Speaking in Montreal on Tuesday, Scheer outlined what foreign policy would look like under a Conservative government and called for a total reset of Canadas relationship with China. So long as China is willing to hold our exports hostage, all while committing human rights violations on an industrial scale, we have no choice as Canadians but to consider other trading partners, he said. Canadas relationship with China needs a total reset, and nothing can happen until such time. Scheer, who made his speech in both French and English, vowed to launch a formal trade complaint with the World Trade Organization over what he called Chinas trade blockades, something he has already called on the federal Liberals to do. He also said he would end Canadas $256 million funding commitment to the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank to put pressure on Beijing. In addition, Scheer noted that if elected, he would not allow Chinese state-owned enterprises that only have Beijings interests to have unfettered access to the Canadian market. Justin Trudeaus failed relationship with China and his slow response to this crisis is costing Canadian farmers and their families. Canadians deserve better. Canadas Conservatives will always fight for hardworking farmers and the communities who rely on them. pic.twitter.com/w2wfxuwiEs Andrew Scheer (@AndrewScheer) April 29, 2019 The Tory leaders stance on China is markedly different from that of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who soon after taking office worked to form closer ties with Beijing and set about crafting a Canada-China free trade deal. That relationship was dealt a body blow with Canadas arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou last December, which was followed by Beijings arbitrary arrest of two Canadians and implementation of trade obstacles against Canada. In March, China blocked imports of canola from two of Canadas largest canola exporters over claims of pests, while other China-bound canola shipments have since been cancelled. In recent weeks, Canadian soybeans and pork exports have also faced obstacles, with Chinese importers reportedly reluctant to do business with Canadian exporters. Ottawa has said it is deeply concerned by the bans and is working to resolve the issue; Scheer, however, criticized the government for its handling of the situation in his speech on Tuesday. If this government isnt willing to stand up to China when two Canadians are unlawfully imprisoned and billions of dollars in trade is under attack, it never will, he said. He noted that free trade with China may be a possibility in the long run but certain stipulations would have to be in place. Free trade with countries like China will only be possible when China embraces a functioning rule-of-law systemwhen judicial processes which are supposed to guarantee equal market access are no longer subject to control by the government, he said. First comes trust. Then comes trade. We may yet get there with China, but given the events of the last few months, its clear that we are a long ways off. Scheer listed Chinas economic and geopolitical rise, Russias Cold War mentality under Vladimir Putin, and states that export terrorism and extremism as three of the greatest foreign threats to Canadian security and prosperity. He said that, as prime minister, he would be forthright about the threats Canada faces and would address them head-on, including addressing military procurement issues, which he said is currently hyper-politicized, and would increase Canadas cyber warfare capabilities. Scheer also criticized the Liberal government for its choices on issues such as the handling of NAFTA, withdrawing from the anti-ISIS campaign, and repealing sanctions against Iran, that fostered tension and mistrust between Canada and the United States. The Canada-United States relationship transcends the personalities of those who occupy each respective office, and its longevity is crucial to our respective peace and prosperity. So, it must be strengthened and renewed, he said. Scheer concluded by reaffirming the importance of human rights in the modern age. When governments believe that human rights are merely political creations, the results are painful and inevitable: the innermost wants, needs, and even thoughts of vulnerable individuals are suppressed by force, he said. In the 20th century, liberty was confronted by the poisonous ideologies of communism and fascism. In the 21st century, while the threats to liberty may go by different names, they are no less insidious. Thats why I fundamentally believe that we must be honest with ourselves about the threats we face. That is why we must unite the forces of democracy and freedom around the world to confront the threats, with a resolution more firm than those who pose them. And we must be ready to do our part to support the strength of our values with the value of our strengths. Over the next several weeks, I will give a series of speeches called #MyVisionForCanada that will show Canadians how, as Prime Minister, I will lead the country on the major issues we face together. The first speech is tomorrow in Montreal. Follow along at https://t.co/LAHessxQd5 Andrew Scheer (@AndrewScheer) May 6, 2019 Scheers foreign policy speech was the first in a series of five keynote speeches intended to broadly outline his policy plan for Canada under a Conservative government. His next speech in Toronto on May 16 will be about the economy, while the environment, immigration, and confederation will be covered in future speeches. Bryant Mitchell, 23, faces multiple charges including first-degree murder in connection with the shooting of a Chicago mother-of-three on April 26, 2019. (Chicago Police Department) Chicago Woman Killed by Stray Bullet, Suspect Charged With Murder: Police Police said a Chicago man faces murder charges after allegedly firing a stray bullet that killed a mother in front of her two children. Candice Dickerson, 36, was in a cellphone store with her two kids on Chicagos South Side on April 26 when she was struck by a bullet. Chicago police cited by Fox32 said while Dickerson was inside the store shopping for a phone, 23-year-old Bryant Mitchell and another unidentified individual allegedly fired guns outside. A bullet hit the mother-of-three in the face. Dickerson was taken to hospital, where she later died of her injuries. The Chicago Sun-Times reported that an ambulance was also struck by gunfire around the time of Dickersons shooting. Mitchell was identified as the gunman and was arrested on May 4, according to the report. He faces charges of first-degree murder and three counts of attempted first-degree murder. A Norwegian American Hospital Foundation benevolent fund has been set up for the slain woman to honor Candices memory and help with the familys immediate needs and the health, welfare, and educational needs of her children. Candice Dickerson, a committed and beloved Norwegian American Hospital pharmacy tech and single mother, was shot and killed by a stray bullet Friday evening while buying a cellphone for one of her sons, the notice on the funding page reads. She leaves behind three sonsages 17, 12, and 10. Her two youngest were with her at the time of the shooting. Shootings In Chicago According to an earlier Epoch Times report, authorities in Chicago said that the citys murder rate declined in 2018. Last years drop marks the second year in a row in which fewer people were killed in the Windy City than in the year before. Chicago, infamously dubbed the nations murder capital, saw nearly 100 fewer murders in 2018 compared to 2017a 15 percent drop, according to data from the Chicago Police Departments end-of-year crime summary. Murders as a result of a shooting have declined 31 percent in total in Chicago since 2016. This double-digit reduction was the greatest drop in homicides of any major American city, outpacing New York (0.37 percent drop), Los Angeles (9.2 percent drop), and Houston (6.64 percent drop), according to the data published Dec. 31. Crime in the United States Violent crime in the United States has fallen sharply over the past 25 years, according to both the FBIs Uniform Crime Reports (UCR) and the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS). The rate of violent crimes fell by 49 percent between 1993 and 2017, according to the FBIs UCR, which only reflects crimes reported to the police. The violent crime rate dropped by 74 percent between 1993 and 2017, according to BJSs CVS, which takes into account both crimes that have been reported to the police and those that have not. From 1993 to 2017, the rate of violent victimization declined 74 percent, from 79.8 to 20.6 victimizations per 1,000 persons age 12 or older, the U.S. Department of Justice stated (pdf). Both studies are based on data up to and including 2017, the most recent year for which complete figures are available. The FBI recently released preliminary data for 2018. According to the Preliminary Semiannual Uniform Crime Report, from January to June 2018, violent crime rates in the United States dropped by 4.3 percent compared to the same six-month period in 2017. While the overall rate of violent crime has seen a steady downward drop since its peak in the 1990s, there have been several upticks that bucked the trend. Between 2014 and 2016, the murder rate increased by more than 20 percent, to 5.4 per 100,000 residents, from 4.4, according to an analysis of FBI data. The last two-year period that the rate soared so quickly was between 1966 and 1968. Property Crime The property crime rate fell by 50 percent between 1993 and 2017, according to the FBI, and by 69 percent according to BJS. According to the FBIs preliminary figures for the first half of 2018, property crime rates in the United States dropped by 7.2 percent compared to the same six-month period in 2017. As with violent crime, the FBI survey only takes into account crime reported to the police, while the BJS figures include reported and nonreported crime. Public Perception About Crime Despite falling long-term trends in both violent crime and property crime, opinion surveys repeatedly show Americans believe that crime is up. The vast majority of Gallup polls taken since 1993 show (pdf) that over 60 percent of Americans believe there is more crime in the United States on a national scale compared to the previous year. Pew Research surveys show similar findings. A survey in late 2016 revealed that 57 percent of registered voters said crime in the nation as a whole increased since 2008, despite both FBI and BJS data showing double-digit drops in violent and property crimes. Perceptions differed on a national versus local level. Surveys of perceptions of crime levels on a local scale showed that fewer than 50 percent of respondents in every single Gallup survey (pdf) done since 1996 believed that crime in their area had risen compared to the previous year. China's Vice Premier Liu He (C) pose for a photo with U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin (R) and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer (L) at Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on March 29, 2019. (Nicolas Asfouri/Pool via Reuters) China Vice Premier Going to US for Trade Talks BEIJING/WASHINGTONChinese Vice Premier Liu He will visit the United States this week for trade talks, Beijing said on May 7, playing down a sudden increase in tension after President Donald Trump vowed to impose new tariffs. U.S. officials have said China has backtracked on substantial commitments made during months of negotiations seeking to end their bruising trade war. Those concerns prompted Trump to say on Sunday that he would raise tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods to 25 percent from 10 percent by the end of the week, and would soon target remaining Chinese imports with tariffs. Fears that negotiations were unraveling drove global stocks and oil prices lower on Monday, and fed speculation that China could cancel Lius planned visit. Chinas Commerce Ministry confirmed that Liu, who leads the talks for Beijing, will visit the United States on Thursday and Friday. The ministry did not elaborate or give the expected topics of discussion. Beijings response to the prospect of new tariffs has been reserved, and on Tuesday, Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told a news briefing that mutual respect was the basis for reaching a trade agreement. If Liu joins the delegation to Washington, it will signal how serious China is and indicates that China and the U.S. are going to talk further, economists at ING said in a note on Tuesday. Erosion of Commitments U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, who has been an advocate for tough structural changes in China, said on Monday that Beijing had reneged on previous commitments that would have changed the pact substantially. Over the course of the last week or so we have seen an erosion in commitments by China, Lighthizer told reporters. That, in our view, is unacceptable. Were not breaking off talks at this point. But for now come Friday there will be tariffs in place. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, considered to be less hawkish toward China, said its backtracking became clear with new information over the weekend. He declined to give specifics and said the U.S. side had originally hoped to conclude a deal either way this week. They were trying to go back on language that had been previously negotiated, very clear language, that had the potential of changing the deal dramatically, Mnuchin said. The entire economic team are completely unified and recommended to the president to move forward with tariffs if we are not able to conclude a deal by the end of the week. China has repeatedly said it will make changes to open its economy on its own timeline, not in response to trade disputes. But recently it has adopted new laws, including a Foreign Investment Law, and amended others, moves some see as efforts to tackle concerns of the United States and other foreign investors, including those from Chinas largest trading partner, the European Union. The United States now has 25 percent tariffs on $50 billion of Chinese machinery and technology goods, and 10 percent tariffs on $200 billion of products ranging from computer modems and routers to furniture, lighting and building materials. Negotiations to remove U.S. tariffs have been one of the remaining sticking points. China wants the tariffs removed. U.S. officials want to keep some, if not all, as part of any final deal to ensure China lives up to its commitments. By Ben Blanchard & Jeff Mason US President Donald Trump (R) speaks during a trade meeting with China's Vice Premier Liu He (C) in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, DC, on April 4, 2019. (JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images) Chinese Regime Confirms Vice Premier Visit for Washington Trade Talks, Rushes Stimulus Measures Chinas Vice Premier Liu He will arrive in Washington on May 9 for another round of U.S.China trade talks, arriving one day later than scheduled. Chinas Ministry of Commerce confirmed via an announcement on its website on May 7: Accepting the invitation from U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, Chinese Communist Party Politburo member Liu He, who is also vice premier and chief negotiator in the U.S.China trade talks, will visit the United States on May 9 and 10 for the 11th round of consultations with the U.S. delegation. This official announcement is different from previous announcements in which Liu was also named a special envoy of Chinese leader Xi Jinping. This change suggests that Liu would not be making the final decision while in Washington. There was some speculation that Liu might not make the trip after President Donald Trump wrote on Twitter on May 5 that after slow progress on talks, he would increase tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods from 10 percent to 25 percent beginning May 10, and impose duties shortly on $325 billion of currently untaxed Chinese goods. Disagreements Iris Pang, an economist at ING, wrote in an analysis on May 7 that Lius visit signals how serious China [the Chinese government] is and indicates that China and the U.S. are going to talk further. Lighthizer hinted at what could have caused Trumps surprise announcement. During a briefing with reporters on May 6, he said China was reneging on prior commitments after 10 rounds of talks. Investors Business Daily similarly reported on May 7 that Lighthizer said the Chinese side diluted pledged measures to end forced technology transfer and limit state subsidies. Furthermore, Beijing disagreed with Trumps plan to keep some tariffs in place, perhaps through 2020. Stimulus Measures Trumps May 5 announcement caused Chinese stocks to plummet. The Peoples Bank of China (PBOC), Chinas central bank, quickly published a statement on May 6 that it would lower the required reserve ratio of smaller rural banks to divert more liquidity to small, private companies, beginning May 15. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority then announced on May 7 that the PBOC will issue a total of 20 billion yuan ($2.95 billion) of treasury bills out of Hong Kong from May 15 to May 17. It also said 10 billion yuan ($1.48 billion) of the bills are for a three-month loan period, and the other 10 billion yuan are in one-year loans. This will be the third time since November 2018 that the PBOC has issued treasury bills in Hong Kong, the worlds biggest offshore yuan clearing center. By issuing treasury bills, the PBOC can prevent the yuan exchange rate from falling. Pang had noted in her analysis that whether China will speed up fiscal stimulus and continue with more monetary easings would be a sign of whether China plans a tougher, longer path to negotiations with the United States. Frank Tian Xie, a business professor at the University of South CarolinaAiken, told New York-based broadcaster NTD in a May 6 interview that the stimulus measures are to protect the Chinese leaderships rule: The Chinese regime realizes that it will lose control of the economy if it executes the concessions made during the trade talks. Then the Party officials who enjoy profits from the current economic system will lose their interests, and will be extremely against [Xi and his leadership]. Xie ultimately believed that the Chinese regime would not meet the U.S. demands, because the Party would never allow itself to lose its grasp over the economy, even if the outcome [of a trade dispute with the United States] would damage the currently fragile economy. In this May 4 file photo, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, observes tests of different weapons systems in North Korea. North Korea's test of what appears to be new short-range ballistic missile may not have been a direct threat to the United States, but experts warn it almost certainly an omen of bigger problems on the horizon. AP North Korea appears to have tested a new short-range missile _ and President Donald Trump's resolve to keep it from doing more of the same in the future. The test early Saturday was quickly played down by Trump and his top advisers, who noted it was not the kind of long-range missile leader Kim Jong Un has refrained from launching since 2017. But the sudden activity on the North's east coast, complete with fiery photos of a purported bull's eye out to sea, alarmed Washington's regional allies and suggests that Kim's missiles are improving even as the Trump administration wrestles with how to get him back to the negotiating table. Kim personally supervised the test of what experts believe was a short-range ballistic missile first displayed by North Korea at a military parade early last year, along with a drill involving 240 millimeter- and 300 millimeter-caliber multiple rocket launchers. There remains some uncertainty over what was tested. South Korea's military reported that various ''projectiles'' flew from 70 to 240 kilometers (44 to 149 miles) before splashing harmlessly into the Pacific. The activity prompted the 35th Fighter Wing at Misawa Air Base in northern Japan to tweet on its official account _ in all capital letters _ ''MISSILE INBOUND.'' The tweet was soon followed by an all clear, and an ''enjoy your Saturday.'' Trump moved quickly to minimize the significance of the test on his efforts to strike a nuclear deal with North Korea, tweeting that Kim ''knows that I am with him & does not want to break his promise to me.'' Both leaders continue to claim they have a good personal relationship. But tensions have grown since they failed to make any deals during their most recent summit, in Hanoi in February. Kim and senior North Korean officials have since expressed open frustration with what the North claims is an inflexible and unrealistic posture at talks by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and National Security Adviser John Bolton. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres believes North Korea's recent launches only ''increase tensions in the region'' and calls for continued dialogue to advance peace and denuclearization of the Korean peninsula, U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said. Kim suggested last month that he intends to give Washington until the end of the year to change its negotiating strategy. If it doesn't, he has warned, he will seek a different path. His position has created a dilemma for South Korean President Moon Jae-in, who has tried to act as a middleman. Seoul called an emergency meeting Saturday of top officials at its presidential Blue House and urged North Korea to stop committing acts that would raise military tensions. But such calls ring hollow in North Korea since the South has decided to go ahead with joint military exercises with the U.S. that the North sees as provocative. North Korea strongly condemned a drill of a South Korea-based THAAD air-defense system by U.S. troops just two weeks ago. The North's missile test also came just days after the United States tested its Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile from Vandenberg Air Base in California. Though such launches are planned well in advance and not directed at any specific country, they are seen by North Korea as highly provocative. North Korea last conducted a major missile test in November 2017 when it flight-tested an intercontinental ballistic missile that demonstrated the potential capability to reach deep into the U.S. mainland. During the diplomacy that followed those weapons tests, Kim said the North would not test nuclear devices or ICBMs. The latest missile, which the North's media referred to only as a ''tactical guided weapon,'' fell well below that threshold. It is believed to be modeled after Russia's 9K720 Iskander mobile short-range ballistic missile system. The solid-fuel missile, first revealed in a military parade in Pyongyang, North Korea's capital, in February last year, is designed to be maneuverable during flight to boost its accuracy and thwart interception. Experts noted that despite its physical resemblance, the North Korean missile may be a less capable version of the Russian Iskander, which can carry a nuclear warhead and strike targets as far away as 500 kilometers (310 miles). A less capable version is still a clear danger to U.S. allies and American troops stationed in the region. The distance between Wonsan, where the launch was held, and the South Korean capital of Seoul is roughly 200 kilometers (124 miles). More than 20,000 U.S. troops are based in the South and another 50,000 in Japan. All are within range of the North's short- or medium-range missile arsenal. Trump tweeted Monday that he had spoken with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe ''concerning North Korea and Trade.'' He did not provide additional information, but said ''Very good conversation!'' North Korea's state-run media had a propaganda heyday with the launch. The ruling party newspaper showed Kim supervising the drill from a camouflaged tent with a desk and computer screens monitoring a rocky offshore outcropping that was used as a target. One photo has him smiling broadly while a screen shows the top of the crag enveloped in a ball of flames. It also showed the missile rising from a mobile launcher and stressed how the drill was ''organized without an advance notice'' to underscore the need for realistic combat readiness. North Korea's coverage of the developments over the past year presents a sharp contrast to the focus outside of the country on denuclearization. The North's media has centered its attention on the portrayal of Kim as a strong leader on the global stage seeking to free the country of what the North calls unjustified sanctions so that it can develop its economy. Denuclearization is almost never the main topic of its reports. That was the official message yet again on Sunday. In its report on the drills, the state media stressed the need for the military to be on high alert to ''defend the political sovereignty and economic self-sustenance of the country ... bearing in mind the iron truth that genuine peace and security are ensured and guaranteed only by powerful strength.'' (AP) Driver Busts Radar Officer Hiding in Bushes, Police to Review Drivers in Petrie, Australia, recently busted an officer who was hiding in the bushes with a radar gun. The officer was trying to remain hidden to catch speeding drivers, News.com.au reported. He was discovered after a woman in Brisbane shared photos of the officer checking the speed of passing traffic. She wondered if his methodology was legal. But if you dont speed, you dont need to worry. https://t.co/Q007Ic33AO news.com.au (@newscomauHQ) May 6, 2019 Is [an officer] actually allowed to crouch in the hedges in the middle of the road? the woman asked. The woman, who was not named, said she wasnt speeding, and the photos were taken by her passenger. Some social media users blasted the officer, claiming that it was an attempt to gain more revenue via tickets. Some people, however, said it was part of their job description. They are allowed to do it they are doing their job, one person wrote. Can you spot the police officer in the bushes with the speed camera? https://t.co/7LaWT4pvc4 Yahoo News Australia (@YahooNewsAU) May 3, 2019 Another added: They are allowed I think and should do it more often. Queensland Police told the news website that the officer was told to stop hiding in the bushes after it went viral. The Queensland Police Service (QPS) is aware of photos depicting an officer conducting speed enforcement circulating on social media, Road Police Command Assistant Commissioner Mike Keating was quoted by the outlet as saying. The officer in the photo has been identified and was requested to cease operating from that position immediately. Keating said that such a deployment will be reviewed against the guidelines for the operation of this particular type of device. Police officers are able to operate mobile speed cameras from marked and unmarked vehicles in uniform or in normal, plain clothes, says the Queensland Government website. Florida Speed Trap Foiled Recently, police in Florida were foiled when someone placed a sign in front of a speed trap that warned motorists of police, although the officers had a more lighthearted response to the move. The Collier County Sheriffs Office said in a Facebook post that its deputies were set up to carry out a speed enforcement operation after residents made a request. After a significant amount of time had passed they were puzzled, police said on April 17. Traffic was steady, so why had they identified just one driver who was traveling over the speed limit? When they left the area, they discovered a warning was set up next to a speed limit sign further up the road. Police ahead, read the wooden sign. It was leaned up against the pole. As they left the area they spotted this sign about a quarter of a mile ahead of their enforcement site, said the sheriffs office, which added laughing emojis. Drivers Young and Old Taking More Risks Well over half of drivers in every age group have texted behind the wheel, run a red light, or driven faster than the speed limit in the last 30 days, according to a study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, according to The Associated Press. Younger drivers are the worst offenders. Eighty-eight percent of drivers ages 19 to 24 admitted to at least one of those behaviors. But even mature drivers skirted the rules more often researchers expected. For instance, 10 percent of drivers between 60 and 74 have texted or sent email from behind the wheel, while 37 percent of drivers over 75 said theyd driven through a light that had just turned red. The Associated Press contributed to this report An African elephant and her baby in Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe on Nov. 18, 2012, (Martin Bureau/AFP/Getty Images) Elephant Kills British Soldier During Anti-Poaching Operations A 22-year-old British soldier has been killed by an elephant during anti-poaching operations in Africa. The Ministry of Defense (MoD) confirmed that Guardsman Mathew Talbot was killed on May 5 in Malawi. According to various sources, including The Associated Press and the official armed forces media, Talbot was killed by an elephant. He was part of a group of around 30 soldiers deployed to the African country to train rangers tasked with stemming the flow of the lucrative ivory trade. Defense Secretary Penny Mordaunt said, This tragic incident is a reminder of the danger our military faces as they protect some of the worlds most endangered species from those who seek to profit from the criminal slaughter of wildlife. There currently arent any details on how Talbot was killed. A Frank Sinatra fan and an avid reader of military history, Talbot often was found befriending the locals and learning their language during his posting in Malawi, according to the Ministry of Defense. Mathew was a unique character and genuine guy, said Lance Sergeant Louis Bolton, in the MoD statement. Loved and trusted by all who cared for him. I can honestly say that no matter the time of day or situation he was in, he was always laughing and cracking jokeswe loved him for it. The British army has been in Malawi since 2016, passing on military skills to rangers who have to hunt gangs of poacherswho are often ex-military. Asking rangers wearing flip flops, carrying field kit in shopping bags and bearing rifles they may never have fired, to apprehend ex-military poaching gangs is a tall order, Captain Luke Townsend, a specialist in counter-poaching, told The Telegraph. Which is why the efforts of British troops in shouldering this burden are massively appreciated. The elephant population in Malawi plummeted by 71 percent from 2002 to 2006, according to Lilongwe Wildlife Trust in Malawi. According to the trust, the number of elephants killed in Africa has doubled over the last decade, and the amount of ivory seized has tripled. A single dead elephants tusks are estimated to have a raw value of $21,000 but, in comparison, the estimated tourism value of a single living elephant is more than $1.6 million over its lifetime to travel companies, airlines, and local economies. In Botswana, which is home to around one-third of Africas elephants, the government recently proposed lifting a ban on elephant hunting, stirring the ire of some animal rights groups and conservationists. According to some conservationists and hunters, such as prolific hunter Ron Thompson, the 130,000-strong elephant population is too high, resulting in the destruction of the environment for other animals. For example, says Thompson, in allowing the elephants to wreck their habitat, much of the elephants feeding grounds have been destroyed. That means daily long walks between the waterhole and the feeding grounds. Once that distance goes beyond 15 miles, the mothers can no longer lactate, resulting in growing numbers of baby elephants seen abandoned and dying. Ex-Goldman Sachs banker Roger Ng and his lawyer Marc Agnifilo leave the federal court in New York, U.S., May 6, 2019. (Jeenah Moon/Reuters) Ex-Goldman Sachs Banker Ng Pleads Not Guilty to 1MDB Charges Former Goldman Sachs Group Inc banker Roger Ng pleaded not guilty to criminal charges linked to a multibillion-dollar scandal at the Malaysian state investment fund 1MDB in an appearance at federal court in New York on May 6. The U.S. Department of Justice accused 46-year-old Ng last year of conspiring to launder money and bribe government officials in Malaysia and Abu Dhabi through bond offerings that Goldman Sachs handled. He was extradited on May 3 to New York from Kuala Lumpur, where he had been jailed since November. U.S. Magistrate Judge Peggy Kuo, of U.S. District Court in Brooklyn, New York, allowed Ng, a Malaysian citizen, to be released in exchange for a $20 million bond. He was fitted for an ankle bracelet and will be staying at an undisclosed location in the New York City area that the court approved. Ex-Goldman Sachs banker Roger Ng leaves the federal court in New York, U.S., May 6, 2019. (Jeenah Moon/Reuters) His lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, said he convinced Ng to come to the U.S. and face the music because it was evident that prosecutors were not going to drop the case, and his client had become very ill. Ng appears to have lost weight, based on photos of him before his arrest. He was in a very difficult situation, Agnifilo told reporters. Being detained in New York is better than a Malaysian jail, he added. Ng, who left Goldman Sachs in 2014, faces up to 30 years in prison if he is convicted of the three charges against him in the United States, based on alleged violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Prosecutors and Ngs lawyer are trying to negotiate a plea bargain. Government lawyers said they hope to avoid a trial by reaching a deal, though Agnifilo said it was too early to tell. Malaysias home minister wanted Ng to face criminal charges there first but agreed to temporarily surrender him to the United States for 10 months, Malaysias attorney general, Tommy Thomas, said in a statement. The period of temporary surrender may be extended upon mutual agreement by Malaysia and the U.S., Thomas added. Marc Agnifilo, lawyer of Ex-Goldman Sachs banker Roger Ng, speaks at the federal court in New York, U.S., May 6, 2019. (Jeenah Moon/Reuters) The 1MDB case has shaken Goldman Sachs, which is also being probed by the Justice Department for its role as underwriter and arranger for some $6.5 billion worth of 1MDB bond offerings. Prosecutors estimate that high-level 1MDB fund officials and their associates misappropriated $4.5 billion between 2009 and 2014, including some of the funds that Goldman Sachs helped raise. Goldman Sachs has consistently denied wrongdoing and said certain members of the former Malaysian government and 1MDB lied to it about how the bond proceeds would be used. Ng was charged in Kuala Lumpur with four counts of abetting the bank to provide misleading statements in the offering prospectus for 1MDB bond sales. Tim Leissner, another former Goldman Sachs banker, and Malaysian financier Low Taek Jho have also been charged in the United States over 1MDB. Leissner has pleaded guilty. In a statement, Lows spokesman Paul Caminiti criticized the Malaysian government for inhumane prison conditions and called its motivation with the United States politically motivated. Low, whose whereabouts are unknown, has consistently denied wrongdoing through spokesmen. Malaysia has said it was seeking up to $7.5 billion in reparations from Goldman over its dealings with 1MDB, set up in 2009 by then-Prime Minister Najib Razak. Najib, who lost a general election last year, is facing 42 criminal charges related to losses at 1MDB and other state entities. He has pleaded not guilty. By Elizabeth Dilts and Rozanna Latiff Stickers bearing the Facebook logo are pictured at Facebook Inc's F8 developers conference in San Jose, Calif., on April 30, 2019. (Stephen Lam/Reuters) Facebook Reportedly Down for Many Users Facebook appears to be down for a number of users as of May 7. Searches for the term spiked at around 4 p.m. ET. Meanwhile, Downdetector.com noted that there are problems at Facebook. Facebook has yet to issue a statement about the outage. In the comments section, people around the world and the United States reported issues. However, according to a map from the website, the outage appears to be centered around the East Coast. 100% down (Virginia Beach) for about 30 minutes now, wrote one. Facebook and Instagram down on East Coast, another wrote. Added another: Facebook tango down ! Hungary ! Budapest! On Twitter, other users noted that the site was down. Me coming over to Twitter when Facebook is down pic.twitter.com/gs0dDwUhv8 Han (@HBP_x) May 7, 2019 Is #FacebookDown for you right now? ABC 7 News WJLA (@ABC7News) May 7, 2019 Ok, everyone. Dont panic but Facebook is down again!#facebookdown pic.twitter.com/ERWaw95b61 CBS 4 News (@kgbt) May 7, 2019 Getting errors on both Facebook and Instagram at the moment. Are either down for you, or are they working? pic.twitter.com/p7LUnUSDnS Lindsey Mastis (@LindseyMastis) May 7, 2019 In mid-April, Facebook went down for millions of people for at least 12 hours. At the time, the company blamed a server configuration change, and apologized for the outages. Last August, Facebook went down for about 45 minutes, which was described as a relatively lengthy outage for the firm. Earlier, in 2010, Facebook experienced a 2.5-hour outage that at the time the company called its worst outage weve had in over four years. The key flaw that caused this outage to be so severe was an unfortunate handling of an error condition, the company announced. An automated system for verifying configuration values ended up causing much more damage than it fixed. Liberal MP and co-chair of Parliamentary Friends of Falun Gong Judy Sgro speaks at the Falun Dafa Day celebration on Parliament Hill on May 9, 2018. Sgro was sent fake emails in 2018 impersonating Falun Gong practitioners and making irrational statements in an attempt to discredit the persecuted group. (The Epoch Times) Fake Letter Sent in Trudeaus Name Not Isolated Case in Chinas Disinformation Campaign Government officials often targeted with bogus emails from people posing as Falun Gong adherents to discredit the practice A fake congratulatory letter supposedly from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that was recently circulated on social media most likely originated from the Chinese regimes agency responsible for coordinating influence operations overseas, says a China observer. While the letter impersonating the prime minister seems to have been a first, fake letters and emails to government officials masterminded by Chinese Communist Party agents impersonating practitioners of Falun Gong have been a recurringand worrisomeissue for that community for over a decade. The fake letter in the name of Trudeau was circulated to coincide with the inauguration of the Tibetan Association of Canadaa newly formed organization that promotes Tibets reunification with Chinaheld in Toronto on April 20. On April 24, the Prime Ministers Office confirmed to The Epoch Times that the letter was not sent by Trudeau and that the PMO was looking into the matter. Journalist and author Jonathan Manthorpe said he has no doubt that the letter originated from the United Front Work Department, an organ of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) that operates a worldwide program to promote Beijings agenda and subvert other countries by manipulating the open nature of free societies. This is clearly a United Front operation, Manthorpe said at an April 27 event in Toronto related to the topic of his latest book, Claws of The Panda: Beijings Campaign of Influence and Intimidation in Canada. These things are going around all the time. We in mainstream Canadian society should be doing far more to protect and work against these efforts than we are doing. Prominent human rights lawyer and China expert David Matas said the sending of fake emails is standard Chinese Communist Party operation procedure. The Communist Party has a number of propagandistic devices, mechanisms, and institutions to bamboozle and confuse people; the Confucius Institutes are a good example of that, the fake email is another. The Communist Party is kind of, I would say, engaged in dissimulation, pretence, dishonesty, misrepresentationthey will do anything to get their point of view across, he said in an interview. Canadian Officials Spammed by Fake Emails Discrediting Falun Gong Freedom House reported last year that suspected agents of the Chinese regime have in recent years used email impersonation as a tactic to mislead politicians, damage the reputation of its critics, and obtain sensitive information. Grace Wollensak of the Falun Dafa Association of Canada said fake emails are a part of the CCPs overseas campaign against Falun Gong, a meditation practice also called Falun Dafa that has been brutally suppressed in China since 1999. Government officials at all levels in numerous countries have been systematically and repeatedly targeted by fraudulent emails from persons claiming to be Falun Gong practitioners, she said. The emails often portray the sender as obsessive, irrational, and rude, thus lending legitimacy to the Chinese regimes claims that Falun Gong is a menace to society and swaying would-be support from Western government officials. Some of the emails have been traced to IP addresses originating in China, she added. In March of this year, Sue Zhang, a coordinator for Vancouvers Falun Gong community, was forwarded an email received by NDP MP Peter Julians riding office. The email was sent to Julian from someone named Cathy who began by thanking him, then said odd things about Falun Gong and referred to an image the sender had attached of Julian superimposed on an inappropriate background. I have made a poster using your photograph to show how your support the fine arts and Falun Gong. I am sure that you would be glad to see the posters around the world, the email read. What was said in the email claiming to be Falun Gongs view is totally false, Zhang said. No Falun Gong practitioner would make that kind of poster, either. The email is deceiving and a malicious attempt to make us look obsessive and unstable. Liberal MP Judy Sgro, co-chair of Canadian Parliamentary Friends of Falun Gong, received a similar email to Julians in 2018, also with an image of her superimposed on an inappropriate backdrop and stating that it would be posted everywhere to show that she supports Falun Gong. Its really an attempt to disparage the Falun Gongs followers, said Sgro, according to the National Post. According to Wollensak, rounds of fraudulent emails are sent each year to MPs and cabinet ministers, including Global Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland, around the annual Falun Dafa celebrations in May and during the Shen Yun touring season from January to May. Shen Yun is a traditional Chinese culture performance presented by the Falun Dafa Association. The emails appear to be inviting MPs to attend events, but then turn into bizarre threats, she said, adding that large numbers of MPs began receiving such emails in 2010 in an apparent effort to discredit Falun Gong adherents. Last year, Amnesty International sent a report to Global Affairs documenting emails purportedly from Falun Gong practitioners. The emails made grandiose and fanatical claims and were sent to MPs in an effort to reduce support for the group. Amnesty International reviewed seven messages that had been sent between May 12, 2015, and January 2017. Certain emails contain strange and sometimes threatening messages, the report said. For example, emails from May 12, 2015, and May 14, 2015, insult then-MPs Jason Kenney and Stephen Woodworth for not attending a Falun Gong celebration and state that a forthcoming event was the last chance for him to be saved. Amnesty said an April 2016 bogus email that was sent to MP David Anderson was forwarded by his office to the RCMP for investigation. The email chain provided to Amnesty International indicates that this message was apparently taken seriously, as the Honourable David Andersons Executive Assistant forwarded this email to the RCMP, the report said. Over a Dozen Versions In 2015, Bruce Hyer, then-deputy leader of the Green Party of Canada and an MP, received an email calling him stupid to have missed the last chance to be saved by not attending a Falun Gong event. Waiting for you will be a THOROUGH ELIMINATION! the email said. That year, more than 10 Canadian MPs confirmed receiving fraudulent emails impersonating Falun Gong adherents saying nasty things and threatening things, according to Wollensak. Over the years, the Falun Dafa Association has received more than a dozen different versions of fake emails forwarded from Canadian elected officials. We thank those officials for keeping us informed and hope others are not being deceived or manipulated by such emails, she said. Most importantly we hope our government can take effective measures to curb such a reprehensible practice in Canada. If foreign government agents are so bold as to fake a letter from the prime minister, how much further could it go? Former NDP MP Wayne Marston received a bogus email purportedly from a Falun Gong practitioner in 2011. Marstons office tracked the IP address and found that it originated in Hebei Province, China. The email was sent 2 a.m. EST, which is daytime in China. Both Matas and former MP and Secretary of State David Kilgourauthors of Bloody Harvest: The Killing of Falun Gong for Their Organssaid theyve also received emails from someone impersonating Falun Gong practitioners in the past. In one email, Matas was told that if he did not practice Falun Gong, he and his family would suffer dire consequences, and if he didnt reply to the email he would face difficulties and big suffering. Obviously it is an attempt to discredit Falun Gong. For me, I am not going to be convinced by some Communist Party pretence, but some people are. It can be quite damaging for the promotion of respect for human rights, he said. The point of this all is to give the impression that the government of Canada thinks that whats happening in China to Falun Gong is perfectly okay, and of course in the case of Tibet, whats happening to Tibet is perfectly okay, which is not the reality, he added. So I think it is important to counter this dissimulation and pretence so that people dont lose track of the real violations that are happening. Bogus Emails Sent to Officials in Other Countries Government officials in other countries have been targeted by fake email campaigns as well. John Hugh, a former city councillor in Parramatta, Australia, received a suspicious email from someone named Amanda Chin who claimed to be a Falun Gong practitioner and asking him to attend an event. When he replied that he was unable to attend, Amanda wrote back, STUPID! This was the last chance for you to be saved. Waiting for you will be a THOROUGH ELIMINATION! An email sent to a U.S. senators office in January 2011 was traced to an IP address in Hubei province, China. The sender, who claimed to be a Falun Gong spokesperson, thanked the senator for his past support and then made a series of unusual demands, including that the senator and his family practice Falun Gong. It ended with a threat that if the demands were not met, Falun Gong adherents would be mobilized to ensure the senator did not win re-election. After the Christchurch earthquake in 2011, elected representatives in New Zealand received emails from someone impersonating a Falun Gong practitioner stating that the 159 people who died got what they deserved. Dr. Cathy Casey, an Auckland councillor who recognized the email she received as a hoax, said it was shocking and reprehensible that someone would resort to such tactics. As the Communist Party finds that people in the West can see through their direct propaganda and vilification of Falun Gong, it resorts to this kind of underhanded tactic to make practitioners appear irrational, push would-be supporters away, and indirectly justify the torture and killing of innocent people in China, said Erping Zhang, spokesperson for the Falun Dafa Information Center. These fraudulent e-mails are part of a much broader campaign of misinformation, cyber attacks, and online espionage carried out by Chinese agents against Falun Gong practitioners outside China. We encourage those who might come in contact with future messages such as this to be on their guard and immediately alert the Falun Dafa Information Center to check the authenticity of the information, said Zhang. Father Leaves 4-Year-Old in Hot Car Because He Had No One to Watch Him, Reports Say A Minnesota man was jailed after he allegedly left his 4-year-old son inside a car for six hours while he worked on May 4, it was reported. Kristopher Alexander Taylor, 28, said he allowed his son to stay inside his vehicle with the window cracked because he didnt have anyone else to watch his son as he worked. Taylor was working at the Minnesota Monthly 8th Annual Grillfest at CHS Field in downtown St. Paul, according to KAKE-TV, citing charging documents. The boy, who wasnt named, was left in Taylors care by his mother, the report said. Family just released pix of 4yo Riley Taylor. Child died in hot car over wknd. Father, Kristopher Taylor charged w/ Manslaughter. A friend of Kristopher telling me: I know he loved his son. Thats why he worked 2 jobs. Such a sad ending. My heart breaks for him & his family. pic.twitter.com/RGJCELZa8r Paul Blume (@PaulBlume_FOX9) May 6, 2019 Taylor said he and his son were at the food festival for several hours before the child got tired and wanted to go in the car, according to the report. Taylor then cracked the window to the 2017 Dodge Journey and left his son in the car with a game at around 2:45 p.m. Taylor came back at around 5:15 p.m. and found his son unresponsive. He told the officers who were at the scene that he thought his son was dehydrated (and) he had left him in the car for a short period of time, Steve Linders, St. Paul Police spokesman, told CBS Minnesota. Police said they spoke to Taylors co-workers, who said he never left during his shift. A fathers decision tragically ended up costing him his young sons life. Kristopher Taylor of Apple Valley is expected back in court later this week after he was charged with manslaughter for leaving his 4-year-old son in a hot car for hours. pic.twitter.com/qdw2wD7MD2 Ashley Zilka (@ashleyzilka) May 7, 2019 Later, Taylor admitted to what had really happened, police said. The father told us that the child had in fact been in the vehicle all day while he had been at work, so at least five hours, Linders told CBS Minnesota. Police said Taylor parked his vehicle in a parking lot that had been entirely exposed to the sun, but he told them that he didnt believe it was that hot outside. When he rushed his son to the hospital, hospital staff believed he was suffering from a seizure. Anti-seizure medication had no effect, however. It doesnt matter if the sun is direct or not, said Julie Philbrook, a trauma prevention specialist, according to the report. Car temperature goes up three degrees every five minutes, so thats almost 40 degrees in that first hour. So if it was a 65 degree day, in the first hour that car was over 100 degrees. Philbrook and other experts say that parents should never leave children alone in a vehicle, especially when its hot outside. Police say a 26-year-old father in Minnesota left his 4-year-old in a hot car for at least five hours while he was at work, resulting in the boys death. Kristopher Taylor, 26, is charged with second degree manslaughter in the death of his 4-year-old https://t.co/LlEqYHnyxS WHSVnews (@WHSVnews) May 7, 2019 Kids arent able to regulate their temperature, she said. So even just a little bit of rise can cause their core temperature to go to a point where its just too hot for them to survive. Police said he was charged with second-degree manslaughter, which carries a maximum prison term of 10 years. The death comes after a toddler died inside a car left outside a New Jersey home. Kids and Cars The U.S. National Safety Council has stated: Parents and caregivers can act immediately to end these deaths. Even on relatively mild days, temperatures inside vehicles still can reach life-threatening levels in minutes, and cracking the window doesnt help, it says. The National Safety Council advises parents and caregivers to stick to a routine and avoid distractions to reduce the risk of forgetting a child. Keep car doors locked so children cannot gain access, and teach them that cars are not play areas. Place a purse, briefcase or even a left shoe in the back seat to force you to take one last glance. According to experts, children, in particular, are in acute danger when in a vehicle with the windows rolled up on a hot day. Jan Null, a San Jose State professor and former meteorologist with the National Weather Service, told SFGate that the temperatures inside vehicles heat up rapidly, with the air rising about 19 degrees over whatever the outside temperature is in the first 10 minutes and rising another 10 degrees in the next 10 minutes. Whats more, Null said the bodies of small children heat up three to five times faster compared to adults. So, while you and I could be in a car thats, say, 109 degrees, an infant or small child would be to the point of entering heat stroke, he said. The 2020 Jeep Gladiator is introduced during a Jeep press conference at the Los Angeles Auto Show in Los Angeles, Calif., U.S. Nov. 28, 2018. (Mike Blake/Reuters) FCA Sees US Pickup Trucks Hauling Profits in Rest of 2019 MILAN/DETROITFiat Chrysler Automobiles NV (FCA) said on May 3 that new U.S. pickup truck models would help the automaker achieve its 2019 profit targets and offset a weak performance in the first quarter. That renewed forecast sent FCAs shares up 4 percent. Nearly all98 percentof the Italo-American automakers first-quarter profit was powered by its Ram pickup truck. FCAs U.S. sales were down 3.1 percent in the quarter, but Ram sales were up more than 20 percent and outsold rival General Motor Co.s Chevrolet Silverado. The whole quarter was powered by Ram (pickup trucks) while the rest of the company was lagging, said Michelle Krebs, an analyst at Cox Automotive, adding that FCA spent heavily on consumer discounts to outsell the Silverado. The question is whether the strong performance by Ram is going to be enough to give FCA a push moving forward, Krebs said. Analysts and investors have worried about FCAs over-reliance on the U.S. market, given its loss-making operations in both Asia and Europe. FCA expects new models such as the Jeep Gladiator pickup truck and all-new Ram heavy-duty trucks to help it meet full-year targets. Chief Executive Mike Manley told analysts on a conference call most of the profit improvement would come in the second half of 2019. The automaker posted a higher profit for the quarter in Latin America and Manley said the regions strong performance should continue. He said FCAs European region, which lost money in the quarter, would return to a profit with margins of around 3 percent by the end of 2019. The carmaker has pledged to spend 5 billion euros ($5.58 billion) on new models and engines in Italy over the next three years to better use factories, plus boost jobs and margins in Europe. Asked about potential partnerships, Manley said he expected the next two to three years to yield significant opportunities and FCA to play an active role in that environment. FCA has been at the center of renewed merger speculation in recent months. Chairman John Elkanna scion of Italys Agnelli family that is FCAs biggest shareholderreiterated last month the family was prepared to take bold and creative decisions to help build a solid and attractive future for the carmaker. FCAs North American margin fell to 6.5 percent from 7.4 percent a year earlier, below the first-quarter margins posted by Detroit rivals GM and Ford Motor Co. The companys first-quarter operating profit fell 29 percent to 1.07 billion euros, below analyst expectations of 1.31 billion euros. The operating profit at Maserati fell 87 percent, hurt by weakness in the Chinese market. CEO Manley said the performance of the luxury brand should improve in the second half of 2019. FCA stuck to its full-year 2019 adjusted operating profit forecast of more than 6.7 billion euros. The numbers are pretty weak, but whats good is that they confirmed their guidance, and this is giving support to FCA shares, a Milan based analyst told Reuters. By Giulio Piovaccari & Nick Carey The Goethe Galerie shopping mall next to the headquarters of Jenoptik is pictured in Jena, Germany March 21, 2019. (Fabrizio Bensch/Reuters) Germanys Poorer East Embraces Tech Revolution JENA, GermanyFrom the 12th floor of Jenoptiks headquarters, chief executive Stefan Traeger points to his laser factory and the university that provides it with talent. Welcome to Optics Valleya role model for Germanys East in a big year for the region. Three elections in eastern states this autumn are focusing the minds of Chancellor Angela Merkel and her allies, who want to win over voters unhappy that their living standards still lag the West 30 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall. They have work to do. The East was given big promises after reunification but its economy languished. After cash injections of 2 trillion euros ($2 trillion) over three decades, the Easts economic output per capita is still three-quarters of western German levels. But the East is slowly closing the gap and several tech hubs are giving it hope of catchingand maybe eventually overtakingthe West. In Jena, Traeger says his predecessors turned the ruins of the old East German Carl Zeiss conglomerate into Jenoptika multinational lasers and imaging equipment group. With most of the Easts old industries long gone, Merkels government is trying to encourage hubs like Jena to profit from disruptive new technologies. I do feel at times that here in the East, still today, there is this feeling of well, maybe its okay that we just play. No, we want to win, Traeger told Reuters after presenting record earnings for 2018 and a bullish outlook. Many East German firms closed after reunification, so why was Jenoptik different? Traeger says its first CEO, Lothar Spaeth, a former premier of Baden-Wuerttemberg in Germanys West, saw potential to create a world-class business out of an unpolished gemstone. With the aid of government loans, Spaeth built Jenoptik from the Carl Zeiss group, but at a price. It was a very difficult time. Several thousand people lost their jobs, said Helmut Bernitzki, 62, who joined the forerunner to Jenoptik in 1984. We had to expand into new markets, Bernitzki, now an expert in optical coatings at Jenoptik, said. We fought to be profitable and to create jobs here again. In a city of 110,000 inhabitants, 22,000 of them students, Jenoptik has channeled ideas from the university into specialized laser and optics products to give the company a technological edge. Productivity Premium The upshot is high productivity: Jenas output per worker is the highest in the eastern state of Thuringia, and slightly higher than towns like Bielefeld and Bochum in the western state of North Rhine-Westphalia, Federal Statistics Office data show. Here in the Optics Valley in Jena, we have a very closely connected community and it does feel like Silicon Valley, on a smaller scale, said Traeger. He aims to turn ideas stimulated by Jenas university into high-tech products that create and justify price premiums. Generating this added value has eluded other industries in Germanys East. Solar power firms made a promising start in the early 2000s before Asian rivals undercut many of them, with the loss of thousands of jobs. Developing products that rivals cannot beat on price is the holy grail for the optics, biotech and artificial intelligence start-ups taking root in the Eastmany around universities and research institutes. But for the East as a whole, productivity was three quarters the western average in 2017, the latest government figures show. The availability of skilled labor is much lower in East Germany, said Reint Gropp, head of the Halle Institute for Economic Research (IWH). His policy prescription: make the East more attractive to qualified migrants, and invest in universities, research facilities, and urban centers. In short, be more like Jena, home to the Fraunhofer optics research institute and the Friedrich Schiller University, where 14 percent of students are foreign. The Easts appeal to foreigners took a hit last year, however, when Chemnitz, a town east of Jena, saw Germanys most violent right-wing protests in decades after the killing of a German man, for which two immigrants were arrested and one later released. Innovation Clusters The federal government is now encouraging high-tech hubs in Berlin, Potsdam, Leipzig, Dresden, and Jena. The initiatives are bearing fruit. For the first time since reunification, more people moved from the West to the Eastexcluding booming Berlinin 2017 than the other way around, government figures show. Small and mid-sized enterprises are driving the revival. Success stories include Halle-based ProBioDrug, which is developing products to treat Alzheimers disease, and Jena medical devices maker Avatera Medical, which people close to the matter say is considering a stock market flotation. Not all areas are thriving. In the Lausitz region south of Berlin, plans to phase out coal mining are worrying locals. Unemployment in the Eastat 6.7 percentis still 2 points higher than in the West, and the population is older. Easterners also feel their prospects are poorer. A recent study by the DeZIM institute for research on integration found a third of Ossies believe they are treated as second-class citizens, about the same proportion as Muslims. Demand for Talent In Jena, mayor Thomas Nitzsche wants to export his citys success to surrounding areas, where the right and left-wing play on peoples fears of being left behind. Between 1990 and 2016, the Easts population fell by 11.2 percent to 16.2 million, government figures show. The number of working-age people is expected to decline up to 2030, with those over 65 rising to a third from a quarter. Nitzsche is trying to meet Jenas demand for talent. Even if we retained all the school leavers and university graduates we have here, that would still be too few, said Nitzsche, a liberal Free Democrat. So we need to attract people herenot just from Thuringia, but across the country and abroad. Ahead of the regional elections on Sept. 1 in Brandenburg and Saxony and on Oct. 27 in Thuringia, the anti-immigration Alternative for Germany (AfD) is polling close to 20 percent in all three statesputting it in second or third place. None of the major parties want to share power with the AfD. Mainstream politicians, business leaders, and think-tanks agree: the East can continue on an upward trajectory if remains open to skilled outsiders to help its young firms grow. The East, said Gropp at the IWH institute, has less to lose by taking a chance on new technologies than the West, where the auto sector and other mature industries face challenges from innovations like electric cars. East Germany has a better chance of handling this more disruptive structural change, which can take place much more easily in new firms, Gropp said. Could the East even overtake the West? I think it could, absolutely. By Paul Carrel A General Motors logo is shown at the General Motors Technical Center, in Warren, Mich., on June 5, 2014. (Photo by Bill Pugliano/Getty Images) GM Considers Investing $1 Billion in Its Missouri Plant, State Officials Say WASHINGTONGeneral Motors Co. is considering a $1 billion investment at its Missouri assembly plant where it builds vans and trucks, state officials said last week. Missouri Governor Mike Parson told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that GM, in a closed-door meeting, had outlined a plan to invest in the plant and add jobs. Parson told the newspaper that GM is seeking a package of state incentives that would need approval from the legislature before committing to the project to expand its Wentzville plant, which builds the midsize Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon pickup trucks, Chevrolet Express Cargo van, and GMC Savana full-size van. State Senator Bob Onder in a Twitter post praised the plan. I am excited that @GM is considering investing $1 billion dollars in our Wentzville Community! This would extend a decades long relationship between this great company and the great people of St. Charles County, he wrote GM declined to confirm the investment, but said in a statement it appreciated the willingness of state officials in Missouri to work with us on potential opportunities within the state. There has been speculation GM may build a new mid-size body-on-frame SUV based off the Canyon and Colorado chassis. Automotive News reported in 2016 that industry officials believed GM was considering the plan to complete with Fiat Chryslers Jeep brand. GM has come under criticism in Washington after it announced in November plans to idle five North American plants and cut up to 15,000 jobs. Since then, GM has announced some new U.S. investments. GM said in March it planned to invest $1.7 billion in its U.S. plants, adding 700 new jobs, including $300 million at its Orion assembly plant in suburban Detroit. It announced last month that it will add a second shift at its Bowling Green, Kentucky, assembly plant and add 400 jobs where it builds the Chevrolet Corvette. By David Shepardson House Democrats Plan Contempt Vote on Attorney General Barr for Following the Law Commentary The headline of this column might strike the reader as funny, but I assure you that its an accurate description of current events. Democrats in control of one of the key House committees fully intend to hold a vote this week to determine whether the attorney general should be held in contempt of Congress for following the law. On April 19, Democrats on the Judiciary Committee issued a subpoena to the Justice Department (DOJ), in which they demanded 535 completely unredacted copies of the Mueller report. That subpoena had a May 1 deadline. Now thatsurprise!Attorney General William Barr didnt comply with the subpoena by the required time, the chairman of that committee, Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) scheduled a vote for May 8, on whether to hold the attorney general in contempt of Congress. As CNN reported on May 6: House Judiciary Chairman Jerry Nadler has scheduled a Wednesday vote to hold Attorney General William Barr in contempt of Congress after the Justice Department declined to provide an unredacted version of the Mueller report to Congress. The vote to hold Barr in contempt marks the first time that House Democrats are moving to punish a Trump administration official for defying a congressional subpoena and represents a dramatic escalation in tensions between Democrats and the White House. Nadler set Wednesdays Judiciary Committee vote after Barr did not agree by Mondays 9 a.m. ET deadline to comply with a subpoena for special counsel Robert Muellers full, unredacted report and underlying evidence to Congress. Barr made a less redacted copy of the report available for viewing to members of Congress, but guess what? Thus far, only two lawmakers have made the trip to read this lesser-redacted version. Two Republicans and not a single Democrat. The version that Barr provided to the Gang of Eight, plus the chairs and ranking members of the Judiciary committees, had only the grand jury testimony redacted. I believe this is really about Democrats wanting to discover details of several of the 14 grand jury cases that resulted from the work of Mueller special counsels office, so they can begin leaking them. As I discussed in my previous column, Senator Harris Misses Huge Revelation From Barr During Senate Testimony, Democrats are desperate to find out exactly who is being investigated and what evidence has been discovered in several of the 14 grand jury cases that sprang from the Mueller probe, and any other DOJ investigations they dont currently know details about. They are now frantic to impeach the credibility of Barr and especially that of Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, because theyve finally figured out that Rosenstein is going to be a key witness in several of the upcoming cases against major Spygate figures such as James Comey, Andrew McCabe, and Peter Strzok. For more than two years, Democrats had no problem whatsoever with Rosensteins oversight of the Russian collusion/2016 election-related investigations, because they expected him to help Mueller nail the hides of Trump and his associates to the wall for them. Far, far too late, Democrats in Congress have figured out that Rosenstein is going to be a key witness, all rightjust not in the criminal cases they had been hoping for. Far from testifying against Trump and his associates with regard to Russian collusion or obstruction of justice cases, Rosenstein is going to be testifying in cases targeting former highly placed government officials for their rampant abuse of the FISA court and its protocols. In other words, for illegally spying on U.S. citizens under false pretenses for political reasons. Fully ponder this: House Democrats are actually going to vote on whether to hold the United States top law enforcement official in contempt for following the law about disclosing information from ongoing grand jury cases, because they are upset they cant see that information and leak it. What amazing times we live in. Brian Cates is a writer based in South Texas and author of Nobody Asked For My Opinion But Here It Is Anyway! He can be reached on Twitter at @drawandstrike. By Kim Hyun-bin Koreans in Seoul discriminate against foreign residents mainly based on their country of origin, a survey by the Seoul Metropolitan Government showed Tuesday. Many foreign residents said their image of Seoul had improved, but some still face discrimination and disdain. The city government announced the results of the survey conducted on 2,500 foreign residents in the capital last September, to reflect the findings in its policies. According to the survey, 57.3 percent of respondents said Koreans discriminate against foreign nationals based on their nationality. When multiple replies were allowed, 41.5 percent also said discriminative responses took place according to their fluency in Korean, 23.9 percent their financial status, 16.6 percent their jobs, 15.6 percent their appearance including skin color, and 1.1 percent their religion. Regarding the overall quality of life in the capital city, they gave an average rating of 6.89 points out of 10, up 0.03 points from the previous year. They were most satisfied with the residential environment, followed by security, economic environment and welfare programs. Nearly half, or 49.3 percent, said their feelings about Seoul had improved after residing in the capital region, while 45 percent stated there was no change. The former group said their feelings improved because they experienced respect and consideration from Koreans, felt an open and tolerant attitude toward foreigners, and enjoyed welfare services for foreign residents and fast administrative services. But 5.6 percent said their feelings had become worse, mainly because they suffered from discrimination, adding that Korea is not open to foreigners and lacks welfare services for them. Close to 39 percent have experienced stress in the previous two weeks, and the main cause of this was finances (46.2 percent), followed by excessive workload or study (28.7 percent) and difficulty in relations with schoolmates or coworkers (18.5 percent), when multiple answers were allowed. Some 46 percent of the respondents were living with family, and 66.1 percent cited convenient transportation as the most important factor when choosing where to live. The city government also surveyed 42,991 Korean citizens. Regarding immigration, 44.3 percent of the Korean citizens in Seoul agreed the government needs policies to reduce prejudice against marriage immigrants, while 33.4 percent also highlighted the need to set better immigration policies and invite more immigrants to help resolve the country's decreasing population. But 41 percent said an increase in immigration will lead to conflicts with Koreans over jobs. Newspaper front pages from around the nation are on display at the Newseum ,in Washington ,on March 23, 2019. (Alex Brandon/AP Photo) How Legacy News Outlets and Political Actors Maintain Their Illusion of Chaos News Analysis In just two years of Donald Trumps presidency, the terrorist group ISIS has been nearly eliminated, black and Hispanic unemployment levels have reached all-time lows, the economy is growing at a rate deemed impossible under the Obama administration, the United States has become the worlds largest crude oil producer, and manufacturing is returning to the countryamong an array of other successes, too numerous to list here. Despite these successes, however, the Trump administration has been under constant attack by a collective of legacy news outlets, political actors, and policy-focused front organizations that have created a constant picture of chaos in the United States and in the White House. The narratives used to discredit Trump have been debunked one after another. Criticisms of anti-Semitism have been turned around to expose anti-Semitism among leftist politicians and news outlets, the TrumpRussia scandal has transformed into the Spygate scandal of political espionage under Obama, and many other accusations have ended with similar results. In the latest chapter of these chaos operations, House Democrats are voting to hold Attorney General William Barr in contempt of Congress for his refusal to not release the fully unredacted report from special counsel Robert Mueller. Barr was not required to release even the information he did, and cannot release the redacted parts because they relate to grand jury information on ongoing cases. But whats important to remember here is that none of this matters. This is not about Barr, nor the Mueller report, nor foreign influences on the elections. This is about a political faction desperately trying to hold onto power. Its only hope is to cripple the Trump presidency as much as possible while controlling public perceptions enough to flip the coming 2020 elections. Understand this, and everything youre witnessing will make sense. For them, facts dont matter. The issues dont matter. What were witnessing is just a chaos operation; the purpose is to manufacture an illusion of chaos. There are several tactics at play, and by understanding their mechanisms, we can see the sleight of hand at work. Above and Below A major tool in this is the above and below tactic. This works by manufacturing crisis and response, then subverting through the Hegelian dialectic process of thesis, antithesis, synthesis, in order to control the direction of a process set in motion. The below part works through manufactured incidents and protests; the above then can react to these. For example, groups on the ground (below) create an incident; media (above) then amplify the incident to create public demand (below); and political factions (above) then react to the public demand. This process creates a feedback loop, in which reactions from politicians give fuel for more news stories, which further agitate public opinionto which political groups can again respond. When the process reaches a boiling point, with a strong enough public demand, the political factions orchestrating the illusion can use it to justify political intervention through policy. We recently witnessed this tactic used to manufacture the TrumpRussia scandal. The Clinton campaign and the Democratic National Committee financed the creation of opposition research through the firm Fusion GPS. That opposition research took the form of the now-debunked Steele dossier, which political operatives distributed to news outlets and spread throughout the U.S. government. The Steele dossier was used by news outlets and political operatives to claim that Trump had colluded with Russia. This started waves of public panic, which these same political operatives used to then call for investigations of Trump, and later, to undermine his presidency. The above and below tactic comes from communist movements. It was described in 1957 by Czech Communist Party theoretician Jan Kozak as a method for small groups to gain power by agitating society from two directions: one faction in government and another on the streets. One way to exert pressure from below, as Kozak explained, was to fill the streets with rioters, strikers, and protesters, thus creating the illusion of a widespread clamor for change from the grassroots, state authors David Horowitz and Richard Poe in their book The Shadow Party. Radicals in the government would then exert pressure from above, enacting new laws on the pretext of appeasing the protesters in the streeteven though the protesters (or at least their leaders) were themselves part of the plot. The majority of the people would have no idea what was going on. Squeezed from above and below, most would sink into apathy and despair, believing they were hopelessly outnumbered by the radicalseven though they were not. Through this method, Horowitz and Poe write, a small radical group can impose its will on a majority of people who are politically moderate, even under a democratic, parliamentary system. Emotional Agitation When Mueller completed his investigation into TrumpRussia collusion, Barr concluded that there had been no obstruction and no collusion. The Mueller report also showed there was never any evidence that Trump colluded with Russia, which should have raised questions about how the investigation was launched in the first place. Yet, rather than admit to the public that they had lied to them for close to two years, the legacy news outlets and political operatives behind this manufactured scandal merely created a new scandalgoing after Barr for contempt for not publicly releasing information from a grand jury investigation. This, of course, wont go anywhere. Barr is prohibited by law from disclosing info on an ongoing grand jury investigation, and he wasnt required to declassify the Mueller report in the first place. But again, addressing the surface issue is not the purpose. Whats at play is merely a perception-management campaign for incident response. The incident was the Mueller report showing that news outlets and politicians lied to the public. The perception-management campaign aimed to ensure the medias and operatives nearly two-year-long spreading of disinformation, agitating public emotion, doesnt turn the public against them. They needed a way to keep some credibility as their narrative crumbled, and to maintain the emotions they had instilled in their base. Their attacks on Barr are meant to divert public attention and emotion, in order to maintain the public outrage they helped sow. This public outrage is strategically important for the lefts political power. Socialism is dependent on having a group that the public is told to hate and to struggle against. When it comes to social issues, part of the purpose of agitation propaganda is to create emotional memoryto cause people to react to set issues with emotion rather than logic. The agitator will then direct this rage by latching it onto social issues, which can be used to form policy. Then, any attack on the social issue becomes a trigger for the emotional memory. Through this, people are rendered incapable of rational thought. They become unable to look at factual information and to come to reasonable conclusions. Like Pavlovs dogs trained to salivate at the sound of a bell, they are conditioned to go into a frothing rage when hearing anything that contradicts the false narratives theyve been fed. Political Terrorism After the public has been emotionally agitated, systems then are established to maintain the false narratives that created the agitationlest the truth render people rational. This takes the form of political correctness and political labels to launch attacks on people who go against the narratives. This is enforced by all the main players of the political factionincluding by celebrities, politicians, internet platforms, and legacy news outlets. Today, if a person posts a tweet that goes against a narrative, they can be banned from Twitter, as we saw with actor James Woods. He wrote, If you try to kill the king, you best not miss. #HangThemAll, in what was clearly a commentary on the effort to delegitimize Trumps presidency with the Russia collusion story. If a person acts in a way that catches the leftist outrage, he or she risks having leftist politicians and news outlets publicly defaming them in order to destroy their reputations and personal lives, as we saw with Covington Catholic High School student Nicholas Sandmann, who was falsely accused of disrespecting an elderly Native American. Under the now disproven TrumpRussia scandal, for example, outlets that questioned the narrative were accused of spreading fake news. The same applied to outlets that reported on the Spygate scandal, in which the Obama administration spied on the Trump campaign. Even though Spygate can now be verified, it is still described on Wikipedia as a conspiracy theory by Donald Trump. This acts as a form of political terrorism. By attacking people at any level of societyfrom celebrities to high school kidsthe left sends the message that anybody can be publicly destroyed. This terrorism is meant to silence people and to force them to fall in line. Under political terrorism, people become too afraid to voice questions about established narratives, or to publicly oppose political issues. These tactics again pull from communist systems. Mao Zedong framed this concept of political correctness in 1967, with the idea that anyone who supports communist policies is politically correct, and anyone who opposes them should be attacked. We also saw it with the Marxist idea of ideology, in which anything that stands against it is viewed as opposition to be destroyed by any means. Former Polish Minister of Education Ryszard Legutko described the effect of this belief in his book The Demon in Democracy: Totalitarian Temptations in Free Societies. Under communism, these types of political attacks practically put an end to any form of intellectual argumentation. No one argued, but either accused someone of ideological treason or defended himself against such a charge. Indiana Police Solve 47-Year-Old Cold Murder Case With Genetic Genealogy Police in Indiana said they have solved a 47-year-old cold murder case involving the slaying of a 19-year-old woman. Terre Haute Police Chief Shawn Keen said in a news release cited by NBC that Pamela Milams likely killer was Jeffrey Lynn Hand. Milams body was found on Sept. 16, 1972, in the trunk of her car, Fox News reported. Detectives determined she had been raped and strangled. Using Hands DNA and a sample collected at the crime scene, investigators were able to match the two with a 99.9 percent probability, Keen said in the release. Hand was killed in a shootout in 1978, NBC reported, when a deputy saw him trying to kidnap a woman and intervened. At least we now know who he is and he wont hurt anyone else again, Milams sister Charlene Stanford said, according to Fox. Keen began working the cold case in 2008 but it was only last year that a break came after he submitted a data profile to a public genetic genealogy database. Assisted by a genealogist from Parabon NanoLabs, a company that does genetic profiling for ancestry databases and also works with law enforcement, Keen eventually made a positive identification of the suspect. Its been a long 46 years, 7 months, and 20 days, Sanford told Mondays news conference, according to NBC. Many of us, as we got older, thought we would die before we ever learned who killed our sister. The company has helped police departments across the country close over 30 cold rape and murder cases, according to Fox. This type of genetic genealogy can help with other cases, Keen said, according to Fox. Crime in the United States Violent crime in the United States has fallen sharply over the past 25 years, according to both the FBIs Uniform Crime Reports (UCR) and the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS). The rate of violent crimes fell by 49 percent between 1993 and 2017, according to the FBIs UCR, which only reflects crimes reported to the police. The violent crime rate dropped by 74 percent between 1993 and 2017, according to BJSs CVS, which takes into account both crimes that have been reported to the police and those that have not. From 1993 to 2017, the rate of violent victimization declined 74 percent, from 79.8 to 20.6 victimizations per 1,000 persons age 12 or older, the U.S. Department of Justice stated (pdf). Both studies are based on data up to and including 2017, the most recent year for which complete figures are available. The FBI recently released preliminary data for 2018. According to the Preliminary Semiannual Uniform Crime Report, from January to June 2018, violent crime rates in the United States dropped by 4.3 percent compared to the same six-month period in 2017. While the overall rate of violent crime has seen a steady downward drop since its peak in the 1990s, there have been several upticks that bucked the trend. Between 2014 and 2016, the murder rate increased by more than 20 percent, to 5.4 per 100,000 residents, from 4.4, according to an analysis of FBI data. The last two-year period that the rate soared so quickly was between 1966 and 1968. Property Crime The property crime rate fell by 50 percent between 1993 and 2017, according to the FBI, and by 69 percent according to BJS. According to the FBIs preliminary figures for the first half of 2018, property crime rates in the United States dropped by 7.2 percent compared to the same six-month period in 2017. As with violent crime, the FBI survey only takes into account crime reported to the police, while the BJS figures include reported and nonreported crime. Public Perception About Crime Despite falling long-term trends in both violent crime and property crime, opinion surveys repeatedly show Americans believe that crime is up. The vast majority of Gallup polls taken since 1993 show (pdf) that over 60 percent of Americans believe there is more crime in the United States on a national scale compared to the previous year. Pew Research surveys show similar findings. A survey in late 2016 revealed that 57 percent of registered voters said crime in the nation as a whole increased since 2008, despite both FBI and BJS data showing double-digit drops in violent and property crimes. Perceptions differed on a national versus local level. Surveys of perceptions of crime levels on a local scale showed that fewer than 50 percent of respondents in every single Gallup survey (pdf) done since 1996 believed that crime in their area had risen compared to the previous year. Jailed on Cocaine Possession Charges, Mentally Ill Woman Forced to Give Birth in Isolation Cell A mentally ill woman in prison on cocaine possession charges was forced to give birth in an isolation cell last month as her cries for help were allegedly ignored. Public Defender Howard Finkelstein wrote a letter about the incident to Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony alleging that jail inmate Tammy Jackson started complaining about contractions to staffers at 3:16 a.m. on April 10 and by 10 a.m. she gave birth to her daughter all alone, reported the Miami Herald. She was forced to deliver her baby alone, Finkelstein wrote in the letter, requesting that medical and isolation practices at all Broward County detention facilities be reviewed. `Inmate gave birth alone in an isolation cell hours after asking for a doctor`: Tammy Jackson gave birth alone in an isolated jail cell in Florida, prompting an investigation. https://t.co/Qw7Q7x8mym #US pic.twitter.com/H7BW3EVOvb Patrick (@cahulaan) May 6, 2019 The Broward Sheriffs Office (BSO) told the Herald that it learned about the birth only after two days had passed. A Well Path medical team, including a physician and two nurses, attended to the mother and child. Child Protective Investigations Section was notified, and the baby was placed with an appropriate caregiver, BSO spokesperson Gina Carter wrote in an email to MH. Jackson, 34, was arrested and booked on cocaine possession charges on March 27 and was released but was arrested again after she failed to appear for pretrial services. Charges against her included trespassing, sleeping on a public street, and possession of drug paraphernalia. At 3:16 a.m. on April 10, Tammy Jackson, a mentally ill and pregnant prisoner in solitary confinement, started having contractions. By 10 a.m., she had given birth to her daughter, alone in a prison cell..https://t.co/XccJUlAFA3 via @RobynElyse Wonkette (@Wonkette) May 6, 2019 Finkelstein alleged that since the day of her arrest, the BSO knew about Jacksons pregnancy and in order for her medical condition to be monitored, she was placed in an infirmary. Two weeks after her arrest she began started feeling contractions and sought help. According to Finkelstein, instead of helping her and carrying her to a hospital, the jail staff tried to reach an on-call physician. Not only was Ms. Jacksons health callously ignored, the life of her child was also put at grave risk, he wrote. Chief Assistant Public Defender Gordon Weekes told MH that the mother is still in custody but is recovering in a hospital. Mentally ill woman gave birth alone in isolated jail cell, Broward public defender says #News #WorldNews https://t.co/nLkjOtu1Q5 pic.twitter.com/rsB1u3dIep RedditNews (@reddit_news) May 5, 2019 Just imagine going through the trauma of delivering a baby, screaming for help, people are within earshot, and no one comes to your aid from 4 a.m., when the contractions start, until 10 a.m., said Weekes. All the while knowing people are in earshot. Weekes didnt provide any information about Jacksons mental illness but said that it is significant. It is unconscionable that any woman, particularly a mentally ill woman, would be abandoned in her cell to deliver her own baby, Weekes wrote. Your staff did not protect either Ms. Jackson or her child. Despite their neglect and callous indifference, both Ms. Jackson and her child survived. It remains to be seen how this gross negligence will affect Ms. Jacksons already fragile mental health. People in Isolation Cells in the United States According to a survey of 40 state prison systems for the fall of 2015 by the Center on Sentencing and Corrections, there are a total of 1,458 women and 59,048 men in solitary confinement across the country. Check out this informative fact sheet from the Vera Institute on new findings regarding women in segregation, such as solitary confinement or restrictive housing, and learn about the negative impacts of these conditions on incarcerated women https://t.co/wwfIbq4yNP pic.twitter.com/QM7NiAmd70 Justice Roundtable (@justiceroundtab) July 2, 2018 Use of solitary confinement was largely discontinued in the United States in 1890 when the Supreme Court ruled that it led to mental deterioration and resulted in no rehabilitation of those incarcerated, said the Solitary Fact Sheet of Princeton Spear. The practice was re-implemented in the 1980s and 1990s as part of the so-called War on Drugs.' Those with mental illnesses can also be placed in isolation cells in many prisons. Supreme Court Associate Justice Clarence Thomas, appointed by President George H. W. Bush, sits with fellow Supreme Court justices for a group portrait at the Supreme Court Building in Washington, on Nov. 30, 2018. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP Photo) Justice Clarence Thomas Moment May Finally Have Arrived WASHINGTONClarence Thomas has been a Supreme Court justice for nearly three decades. It may finally be his moment. Many Americans know Thomas largely from his bruising 1991 confirmation hearing, when he was accused of sexual harassment charges by former employee Anita Hillcharges he denied. People may know hes a conservative and has gone years without speaking during arguments at the court. But scholars say it would be wise to pay closer attention to Thomas. Thomas is now the longest-serving member of a court that has recently gotten more conservative, putting him in a unique and potentially powerful position, and hes said he doesnt plan on retiring anytime soon. With President Donald Trumps nominees Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh now on the court, conservatives are firmly in control as the justices take on divisive issues such as abortion, gun control, and LGBT rights. Thomas, 70, became the high courts longest-serving justice, the senior associate justice, when Justice Anthony Kennedy retired last summer. But unlike Kennedy, who sat at the courts ideological center and was most often the deciding vote when the court split 5-4, Thomas is consistently on the courts right. Thats won him praise from Trump. As a presidential candidate, he called Thomas highly underrated. Trump said Thomas has been so consistent for so long, and we should give him credit. More than 20 of the men and women Thomas mentored as law clerks have gone on to hold political appointments in the Trump administration or been nominated to judgeships by Trump. Thomas and his wife, Virginia, herself a well-known conservative activist, have dined with the president and first lady. Still, Thomas views can be so far from his fellow justices that neither Roberts nor Chief Justice William Rehnquist before him have assigned Thomas big, landmark opinions on the belief that he wont be able to keep together the votes of his colleagues, said Ralph Rossum, the author of a book on Thomas. Instead, Thomas often writes separately, speaking only for himself. Some critics dismiss those solo opinions as uninfluential, but Rossum disagrees. He stakes out a position more forthrightly or vigorously than other justices are willing to go, but theyre kind of sucked along in his wake, Rossum said, adding that, like a magnet, Thomas drags the court in his direction. They may not go as far as he goes, but they go further than they would have otherwise. Some of the areas of law where, over time, Thomas has pulled the court closer to his positions include voting rights, campaign finance, and the Second Amendment, Robin and Rossum said. If it were up to Thomas alone, the high court would be willing to make sweeping moves. While the court is typically cautious about overturning its past decisions, Thomas, who as an originalist believes in reading the Constitution as those who wrote it meant, feels less bound by precedent than other justices. Just this term, Thomas called on the court to reconsider a landmark 1964 First Amendment case, describing it and later decisions extending it as policy-driven decisions masquerading as constitutional law. He also criticized a 1963 Supreme Court decision that guarantees a lawyer for anyone too poor to hire one. And he equated the courts Roe v. Wade abortion decision with its Dred Scott decision, which said African Americans werent citizens, labeling both notoriously incorrect. He also wrote an opinion rebuking his colleagues for declining to hear cases involving states efforts to strip Medicaid money from Planned Parenthood, a decision Thomas described as abdicating our judicial duty. Alito and Gorsuch agreed. If Thomas writing can be attention-getting, he personally keeps a low profile. Thomas shies away from public speaking, describing himself as an introvert. He once explained: My personality is not such that I enjoy public appearances. At the high court, Thomas rarely asks questions during arguments, a contrast with his vocal colleagues. When in March he asked a question during arguments for the first time in three years, it was headline news. But colleagues and court staff know Thomas as gregarious. Clarence knows the name of every employee in the courthouse, from the lowest position to the highest with virtually all of them he knows their families, their happinesses and their tragedies, Justice Sonia Sotomayor told an audience in 2014 at Yale, where both she and Thomas attended law school. Over the past year, speculation has intensified about whether Thomas might retire, letting Trump nominate a like-minded, conservative justice. But Thomas, who declined an Associated Press interview request, said in public comments recently that hes not retiring, not even in 20 or 30 years. If so, Thomas is on track to be the longest-serving justice in history in 2028, when hell celebrate his 80th birthday. He is currently the courts third-oldest member, behind Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, 86, and Justice Stephen Breyer, 80. Yale law professor Akhil Amar said part of the appeal of staying on the court for Thomas has to include his increasing influence. Amar said he could see Thomas justify staying this way: Its a pretty good job. Im having fun, and Im winning. By Jessica Gresko Lawmakers Criticize Potential Facebook Settlement With FTC WASHINGTONTwo senators on May 6 criticized reported plans for a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) settlement with Facebook Inc. for misuse of consumers personal data, saying that top officials, potentially including founder Mark Zuckerberg, must be held personally responsible. In a letter to the FTC, Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) told the agency that even a $5 billion civil penalty is a bargain for Facebook. The agency is also reportedly contemplating a settlement that elevates oversight of privacy policies and practices to Facebooks board of directors and requires the social media giant to be more aggressive in policing third-party app developers. But that was inadequate, said Blumenthal and Hawley. The FTC should impose long-term limits on Facebooks collection and use of personal information. It should consider setting rules of the road on what Facebook can do with consumers private information, such as requiring the deletion of tracking data, restricting the collection of certain types of information, curbing advertising practices, and imposing a firewall on sharing private data between different products, they said in a letter to FTC Chairman Joe Simons. The FTC has been investigating revelations that Facebook inappropriately shared information belonging to 87 million users with the now-defunct British political consulting firm Cambridge Analytica. The probe has focused on whether the sharing of data and other disputes violated a 2011 agreement with the FTC to safeguard user privacy. The two senators also urged the agency to name any Facebook official who was behind any violation of a consent decree. Personal responsibility must be recognized from the top of the corporate board down to the product development teams, they wrote. The FTC acknowledged receipt of the letter but declined to comment. Facebook declined to comment. Among Facebooks other privacy issues was a glitch that exposed passwords of millions of users stored in readable format within its internal systems to its employees. In September 2018, the company revealed that unknown individuals exploited a vulnerability on the platform that affected 50 million users. In February, The Wall Street Journal reported that several phone apps were sending sensitive user data, including health information, to Facebook without users consent. The company said it worked to remove information that developers should not have sent to Facebook. Bipartisan Dissatisfaction Facebook has been getting heat for years from left and right of the political spectrum for misusing user data, intruding on user privacy, allowing foreign governments to use the platform to interfere in U.S. elections, and suppressing right-wing content. Facebook has cracked down on the foreign meddling and adjusted its data privacy practices. In April, Zuckerberg also called for new government regulations of the internet, which raised concerns of its own. Facebook has denied political bias in content policing, though theres evidence its approach is inherently skewed against conservatives. President Donald Trump came to the defense of popular conservative commentators who have been recently banned or suspended by Facebook and Twitter. Social Media & Fake News Media, together with their partner, the Democrat Party, have no idea the problems they are causing for themselves, Trump said in a May 4 tweet. How can it be possible that James Woods (and many others), a strong but responsible Conservative Voice, is banned from Twitter? Social Media & Fake News Media, together with their partner, the Democrat Party, have no idea the problems they are causing for themselves. VERY UNFAIR! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 4, 2019 Epoch Times staff member Petr Svab and The Associated Press contributed to this report. Lion Farm Owner Facing Cruelty Charges After Inspectors Find Mangy Cubs The owners of a big cat breeding farm that supplies lions for tourists to pet and for hunters to shoot are facing animal cruelty charges in South Africa. Pictures of the farm show lion cubs without fur, suffering from mange. Inspectors found 108 lions, caracal, tigers, and leopards in filthy and parasitic conditions at a lion farm near Lichtenburg in the North West Province, according to the Conservation Action Trust. Two lion cubs were unable to walk due to what appears to be a neurological condition, said inspectors. The national animal protection agency, the NSPCA, has laid charges against the owner of the owner of Pienika farm, Jan Steinman, according to The Times of London. Senior inspector Douglas Wolhuter told the South Africa Sunday Times, Twenty-seven of the lions had mange and the caracals were obese and unable to properly groom themselves. South Africa has more lions in captivity than in the wild, with breeding farms that critics dub snuggle scams. The Humane Society of South Africa said that the photos provide a shocking insight into the industry, which it says homes 12,000 lions in over 200 farms across the county. Lion cubs are ripped from their mothers at just a few days old, to be hand-reared by paying volunteers from countries around the world such as the United Kingdom, who are misled into believing the cubs are orphans, Audrey Delsink, Wildlife Director of HSI/Africa said in a statement. The cubs are exploited their whole lives, first as props by paying tourists looking for selfie shots whilst petting or bottle-feeding the animals, then later as part of walking with lion safaris. Once the lions become too big and too dangerous, according to Delsink, they are killed for their bones or sold to be killed by tourist trophy hunters. According to Delsink, during these canned huntsmostly carried out by hunters from the United Statesthe hand-reared lions are shot in a fenced area. The captive lion breeding industry is sanctioned by the state, which establishes a quota for the trade of lion bone, which is still used in remedies and ointments in Asia. Many animal rights organizations complain that the industry is poorly regulated. The farm where the mangy lions cubs were photographed is credited as a sponsor of an association set up to maintain standards in the industry, the South African Predator Association (SAPA), according to the Times. The owner is listed as a council member of the same organization. SAPA says it does not support canned lion hunting but stands for responsible hunting. SAPA said in a statement to the Independent: SAPA is aware of the complaints. It will now be dealt with in terms of the SAPA code of conduct and disciplinary process. Corrective measures will be enforced once the SAPA council processed all the facts at hand. The broader criticisms of the captive lion breeding program are rejected by some in the hunting community with first-hand experience of the process. Hunter Ron Thompson, who worked in Africas national parks for six decades, says he set out to investigate the industry for himself last year. I knew nothing about the captive breeding of lions except the personal preference opinions expressed in animal rights propaganda and the mediaboth of which grossly distort the truth, he wrote on his blog. Thompson says he visited over 40 farms across three provinces. Only two of the farms we visited still removed the cubs from their mothers within days of their birtha state of affairs that is rapidly being phased out. All the other farmers keep the cubs with their mothers until they are weanedat 4 to 6 months of age. At weaning, each cubs DNA is registered and they are individually micro-chipped. This is a new and now automatic procedure. He said that his observation of the hunting of captive-bred lions is a far cry from the picture of canned lion hunting that the media likes to portray. The hunting of captive-bred lions in South Africa can only be carried out using the walk-and-stalk method. This involves the hunter following the lions spoor, on foot, until he catches up with his quarry, he wrote. An undated photo of Wang Xinchun who had to have his feet amputated after being tortured by Chinese police in 2002. He died in China on April 23, 2019 after suffering years of torture and abuse at the hands of the Communist regime. (Minghui.org) Man Who Lost Both Feet From Police-Inflicted Torture Dies An amputee in China recently died after being tortured, harassed, and abused by authorities on-and-off for nearly two decades because of his faith. Wang Xinchun lost both of his feet in 2002 at the age of 26 after being tortured by local policeman who were targeting Wang because of his belief in the spiritual discipline Falun Gong, according to Minghui.org, a U.S.-based website that serves as a clearinghouse for the persecution of the practice that is banned in communist China. Since that time, frequent arrests, detentions, torture, and harassments caused Wangs health to severely deteriorate. He died in April at the age of 43 after suddenly losing consciousness. Two months earlier, Wang had become paralyzed on the left side of his body. Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is a spiritual discipline consisting of meditation exercises and a set of teachings centered around the principles truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance, according to its website. The discipline surged in popularity in China in the 1990s, with around 70 million to 100 million people practicing by the end of the decade, according to the estimates cited by Western media at the time. Perceiving this popularity as a threat to its totalitarian control, the Chinese Communist Party banned the practice in 1999, launching a brutal campaign to eradicate Falun Gong. Feet Amputated Wang, a computer technician from Yichuang city in northeast Chinas Heilongjiang Province, began practicing Falun Gong in 1998 at the age of 22. At the time, he was suffering from pancreatic cancer, but after three months of doing the meditation exercises, the illness disappeared, as well as his ascites, according to Minghui.org. After the persecution of Falun Gong was unleashed in 1999, Wang refused to renounce his faith in the practice and thus became a target for local police. In January 2002, Wang was on his way to distribute information flyers about the regimes suppression of his faith when he was arrested and searched by three policemen, including the chief of police, Wang said in a personal account published on the website. Wang managed to run away from the police but was forced to head into the mountains to evade them. Police pursued him overnight and into the next morning. While Wang was in the mountains, he accidentally stepped knee-deep into a river in which the water was freezing cold from the harsh winter. His wet legs soon iced up. In the meantime, the police surrounded the mountain. After two days evading police in the unfamiliar terrain, Wang was arrested. He was then taken to a police station, where he was repeatedly slapped in the face and had his personal items confiscated, including his cell phone, coat, and money. Police then soaked his feet in a basin of scalding waternot the correct treatment method for frostbite. As a result, Wangs feet became swollen, making it difficult for him to stand up. This is the cruelest way of stabbing people without using a knife, Wang said. When they arrested me on the mountain, I was still able to walk, and I was not totally frostbitten. Only when they washed my feet with hot water did my feet truly suffer injury. Upon returning home, Wangs feet started to fester and slowly decompose. Eleven months later, both his feet had to be amputated. Relentless Harassment Prior to the persecution, Wang ran an electrical appliance repair shop. But police later confiscated the computers that he used to run his business, forcing him to shut down the shop. He later opened a shoe repair shop, but had to close that too when he was sent at a detention center. After his release, he opened another small shoe repair shop, which was also closed by the police department. During the two decades, Wang was detained on several occasions, and beaten, tortured, and harassed by police more than a dozen timesdespite his disability. On one occasion, police tortured Wang while he was detained at a station. Wang protested the detention by going on a hunger strike. On the fifth day of his hunger strike, officers dragged Wang onto a large metal rack, and stretched his arms and legs out in four directions, buckling them onto hoops connected to a rack. Since he did not have feet, the police couldnt buckle his legs, so they wrapped his thighs with wire and tied that to the hoops. While Wang was tied up in this position, police kicked him in the head, chest, abdomen, and ribs. As a result, he sustained a large amount of swelling on the head. Wang was tied up on the rack for five days, and was force-fed daily by a tube inserted through his nose into his stomach. These force-feeding sessions caused Wang to vomit and lose consciousness. The local police were unrelenting in their attacks on Wang, targeting him for arrest, beatings, or detainment, both while he was at and away from home. During one beating at the hands of local authorities, the perpetrators told Wang: Beating you does not violate the law. With the Communist Party in power, beating people is not in violation of the law. The Communist Party is the law. Michael Cohen is seen in his car as he leaves his apartment in New York City before heading to Otisville, N.Y., to serve a 3-year prison sentence on May 6, 2019. (EDUARDO MUNOZ ALVAREZ/AFP/Getty Images) Michael Cohen Reports to Prison to Begin 3-Year Sentence President Donald Trumps former lawyer Michael Cohen began serving a three-year sentence for tax evasion and campaign finance violations on May 6. Cohen arrived on the morning of May 6 at the Federal Correctional Institution in Otisville, a federal prison in the wilderness some 70 miles northwest of New York City. On the way to prison, Cohen made remarks to reporters outside of his Manhattan apartment, suggesting that he hopes Trump loses the presidency in the 2020 election. I hope that when I rejoin my family and friends that the country will be in place without xenophobia, injustice, and lies at helm of our country, Cohen said, adding that there still remains much to be told and I look forward to the day that I can share the truth. In response to Cohens comments, Congressman Mark Meadows (R-N.C.), who is among Trumps strongest supporters in Congress wrote on Twitter: Guy who lied to Congress, then came back to Congress under oath and lied again, wants you to know he has more to say. Guy who lied to Congress, then came back to Congress under oath and lied again, wants you to know he has more to say https://t.co/wGWLVmQ31V Mark Meadows (@RepMarkMeadows) May 6, 2019 Cohen testified before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee on Feb. 27 after publicly turning against his former boss during the investigation into alleged collusion by the Trump campaign and Russia during the 2016 election. Cohen had once claimed that he would be willing to take a bullet for Trump. He pleaded guilty last year to campaign finance violations, tax evasion, and lying to Congress. Cohen had testified before Congress that the president never directed him to liean allegation made in a false report published by BuzzFeed News, which alleged that the Mueller team had evidence that Trump had directed Cohen to lie to Congress about his real estate business deal in Moscow. The special counsels office disputed these claims and confirmed in the report released last month that the news was false. Cohen said that he and the President did not explicitly discuss whether Cohens testimony about the Trump Tower Moscow project would be or was false, and the President did not direct him to provide false testimony. Cohen also said he did not tell the President about the specifics of his planned testimony, the special counsels report states. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Watch Next: Key Takeaways From the Mueller Report Experts Say Multiculturalism Poses Threat to Americanism A report on a forum held by the Claremont Institute WASHINGTONAn array of Americas leading intellectuals agreed May 3 that multiculturalismdescribed as the attempt by the Wests enemies to divide and conquer itconstituted a threat to what one called Americanism. That term was described as the legacy of liberty and individualism conceived by the countrys Founding Fathers, ensconced in the U.S. Constitution, and which underwent a new birth of freedom after the Civil War. According to the program for the event, sponsored by the Claremont Institute and entitled Multiculturalism vs. America, the drive toward the former has eroded the latters fundamental grasp of citizenship and national identity. Specifically, multiculturalism perniciously and invidiously divides Americans by race, ethnicity, gender, and sexual orientation, a list easily expanded to include gender identity, gender expression, and disability, which are other protected classes now etched in policy and often law. Protecting such classes is an outgrowth of the central idea around which American society is organized, said Christopher Caldwell, a senior fellow at the Claremont Institute. Caldwell cited Abraham Lincoln, who claimed a country is always organized around such a central idea. Americans used to be united around the concept of liberty, Caldwell argued, while the public today is largely organized around justiceor more precisely, anti-discrimination. Based on that idea, said Caldwell, the rights to which protected classes are entitled tend to multiply, colonizing larger and larger parts of American life. As those rights have expanded, they have generated political fallout, as voters were driven to vote for Donald Trump out of anxiety about the claims made by identity politics. To illustrate that fallout, a participant in the event told the story of a voter asked to reconcile his support for then-candidate Donald Trump with his Christian faith. The voter responded: Are you kidding? If you have a 7-to-2 Hillary court, theyll be hunting Christians in the streets. The participant added wryly, of course, thats incorrect; instead, theyll be hunting Christians in the churches. Single or Different? To the extent that people believe Americas majority religion constitutes a key part of the countrys culture, such a sentiment may not be merely anecdotal. For example, Henry Olsen, a senior fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center, presented data from a survey asking thousands of respondents whether they believed America had a single culture or many different cultures. Olsen underlined that the answer helped describe the divide between Clinton and Trump voters: While 77 percent of Clinton voters thought America had many different cultures, 54 percent of Trump voters thought America had one primary culture. This helps demonstrate, Olsen said, that Clinton and Trump voters disagree profoundly about what it means to be American. In a distant early warning line of Trumps victory, Olsens 2016 survey found that 71 percent of those surveyed said, Even if some people are offended, Americans need to be able to speak frankly about controversial issues and problems facing the country. Another 22 percent asserted the contrary: People need to be more careful about the language they use to avoid offending people with different backgrounds or values. Yet, at the same time, 71 percent of those who self-identified as very conservative said their culture was generally becoming rarer and less acceptednearly quadruple the 18.4 percent of the very liberal who said the same. Olsens data found an echo in that of the Club for Growth, an organization committed to supporting free-market conservatives in U.S. elections. Club President David McIntosh reported that in the 2016 Republican primary data analytics that drove the groups decision-making, voters driven by racial resentment had grown into the largest subset of Republican voters, which McIntosh charged was a troubling reaction to multiculturalism. McIntosh argued that conservatives concerned about such racial polarization had a responsibility to try to defeat the lefts multiculturalism, if only to try to defuse its growing backlash among their own voters. Corporate Multiculturalism That backlash also is being driven by corporate multiculturalism online, according to Raheem Kassam, global editor-in-chief at Human Events. He noted that recently Facebook and Instagram permanently and unceremoniously removed controversial conservatives Laura Loomer, Alex Jones, and Paul Joseph Watson, as well as leftist Louis Farrakhan, known for his diatribes against Jews and whites. Farrakhan was the token radical leftist in the purge, whom both The Washington Post and The Atlantic tried to brand as far-right. Kassam recounted that he himself had recently received an unsolicited Hi Raheem email from a Facebook official, informing him that her company didnt allow hate speech on its platform. The official went on to say that Facebook defined the term hate speech as language that targeted or attacked a particular protected class, including on the basis of race, sex, gender, gender identity, or serious disability or disease, and further defined an attack broadly as speech that excluded or dehumanized such a protected class, or might, in some cases, cause violence. Kassams post that triggered Facebooks concern, from more than a decade before, had argued that men cant be women. Kassam said he asserted his brown privilege by replying, first, when he wrote the post he was a Muslim expressing his religions view; and second, the post was based on the statistical fact that those who suffer from gender dysphoria are actually more likely to die by their own hands if they are encouraged to self-identify openly as the opposite gender, rather than seek treatment for the underlying mental health issue instead. As a result, Kassam argued, the Facebook officials email, by her own definition, was hate speech, and if the company was anti-Islam and pro-suicide, he would be interested to know it. He didnt receive a reply. Murder Trial of Parents Accused of Killing 2-Week-Old Daughter Begins The trial against parents who are accused of murdering their 2-week-old daughter and dumping her body in the woods began on May 7. Parents Cortney Bell and Christopher McNabb are facing multiple charges, including murder, after the body of their infant daughter was found in a wooded area near their home in October 2017. In their opening statements, prosecutors told jurors that Bell and McNabb were negligent parents who provided an unhealthy living space for their children 2-year-old Clarissa and their now-dead 15-day-old Caliyah. They said the pair smoked meth and brought drug-addicted friends into the house, reported 11 Alive. Were not going to sugar coat anything for you, were going to show you exactly how this baby was living, Newton County Assistant District Attorney Alex Stone said. Meanwhile, the defense attorneys for McNabb and Bell told the court that the state wouldnt be able to prove the pair were responsible for the infants death beyond a reasonable doubt. On the morning of Oct. 7, 2017, Bell frantically called 911 to report Caliyah missing. The terror in Bells voice could be heard in the 911 audio recording. She said she had been asleep since 5 a.m. after feeding the child but when she woke up the baby was gone. Okay, you said you were sleep and woke up and she was gone? the 911 operator asked. Yes. My my 2-year-old came and woke me up. I was sleeping on the couch, she said. Searchers hours looking for Caliyah, who was found the next day, wrapped in a blue cloth and placed underneath a log in a wooded area located about a quarter mile away from the trailer park where her parents lived, according to Newton County Sheriffs Capt. Keith Crum, reported the news website. Crum said after Caliyahs body was found, McNabb allegedly tried to make an escape but was intercepted and arrested at a gas station. An autopsy by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation medical examiner of Caliyahs body revealed in October 2017 that the baby had died from a blunt force trauma to the head and the manner of death was ruled as a homicide. McNabb was subsequently charged with malice murder, felony murder, aggravated battery, and concealing a death, reported the news website. The arrest warrant revealed that McNabb had struck the victim with an unknown object. This action did cause the victims skull to be seriously disfigured and damaged beyond repair, according to the warrant, reported the news website. Bell was later arrested and charged with second-degree murder, second-degree cruelty to children and contributing to the deprivation of a minor in January 2018. Violence Against Children In another case of apparent child abuse, a father from Louisville was charged after allegedly hitting and killing his 1-month-old son. Police said he became upset for losing a video game. Anthony Trice, 26, was babysitting the infant alone on May 3 when he lost a video game and threw the controller, reported WDRB, citing police. https://www.facebook.com/WDRBNews/posts/2270191936360033 Police said Trice then allegedly took out his anger by punching his son in the head with his fist, causing serious injury to the child. The 26-year-old then picked up the infant and walked to the kitchen to prepare him a bottle. But he dropped the child while carrying him to the kitchen, according to authorities. Trice then noticed his son was in distress and called 911. The baby was taken to Norton Childrens Hospital in a serious condition and died on May 5. The father was originally charged with first-degree criminal abuse of a child, but those charges were upgraded to murder on May 6, according to jail records. He bond was also raised to $1,000,000 cash. He is scheduled to next appear in court on May 16. Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon, left, shakes hands with Colombian President Ivan Duque Marquez at the latter's office in Bogota. Monday (local time). Yonhap South Korea and Colombia agreed to expand bilateral cooperation in the fields of information and communication technology (ICT) and infrastructure construction in a top-level meeting here on Monday. The agreement was announced after South Korean Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon's talks with Colombian President Ivan Duque Marquez at the latter's office in Bogota. Lee, who arrived in the Colombian capital on Saturday for a three-day visit, and Duque held one-on-one and expanded talks for an unusually long two hours and 40 minutes before attending a joint press conference to announce their agreement to further upgrade bilateral relations. Lee's rare talks with the president of a foreign country were originally scheduled to last 70 minutes. Lee is the first South Korean prime minister to visit Colombia in 37 years. Duque said at the news conference that the potential for economic cooperation between Colombia and South Korea, an ICT powerhouse, is very enormous because his government is pursuing the so-called Orange Economy, which promotes industries utilizing ICT. In response, Lee said South Korea will explore ways to share its experience and technology with Colombia as the country seeks to reinforce its ICT infrastructure in preparation for the Fourth Industrial Revolution. "President Duque explained his government's plan to build various facilities in the Medellin region in preparation for the Fourth Industrial Revolution. In this regard, South Korea will seek various ways to share its advanced ICT, including 5G, with Colombia," the prime minister said. The two leaders also agreed to expand bilateral cooperation in infrastructure construction, with Duque calling for South Korean participation in Colombia's road and infrastructure projects. Lee expressed his wish that South Korean companies will be able to take part in Bogota's subway, sewage treatment plant and other infrastructure projects. The two countries agreed to push for a Colombian investment promotion mission to visit South Korea in October to hold intensive discussions on expanding two-way cooperation in ICT, infrastructure and renewable energy. The two countries also agreed in principle to hold a joint conference on establishing a bilateral free trade agreement during the Colombian mission's visit to Seoul. Earlier, Lee met with a group of Colombian war veterans who fought in the 1950-53 Korean War. Colombia was the only South American nation that sent its troops to fight in the Korean War. Of its 5,314 soldiers, 213 died or went missing and 567 were injured. After the visit to Colombia, Lee was to leave for Ecuador on Monday for a meeting with President Lenin Moreno. Lee's trip is part of the Seoul government's efforts to expand diplomacy with Central and South America. (Yonhap) People visit the Baidu booth during the 4th World Internet Conference in Wuzhen in China's eastern Zhejiang province on Dec. 4, 2017. (AFP/Getty Images) CEO of Chinese Search Engine Baidu Nominated for Top Engineering Honor; Netizens Oppose Robin Li, the founder and CEO of Chinas biggest search engine site, Baidu, was recently nominated to become a member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE), a state-run research institution meant for the countrys top engineers. But after the CAE announcement on April 30, many netizens took to the internet to voice their opposition, criticizing Li for running a company known for complying with the Chinese regimes censorship rules and abetting fraudulent companies false advertising. The CAE nominates new academicians every two years. Li was among a list of 531 nominees, along with Baidus senior vice president of artificial intelligence, Wang Haifeng. The CAE academician system was established in 1994. Its the highest academic title in engineering science and technology in China. Being an academician is a lifetime honor; they enjoy the same benefits and retirement packages as deputy ministers in the government. Netizen Reaction Zhou Jian, the owner of a social media account that publishes news on Weibo, a Twitter-like platform, published an article explaining why he believes Li isnt worthy of the title. He pointed to examples of Baidu profiting from unethical practices involving fraudulent hospitals. The most notable case occurred in 2016, when Wei Zexi, a 21-year-old college student from northwestern Chinas Shaanxi Province, died at a Chinese military hospital in Beijing after receiving an unapproved immunotherapy treatment that he found through Baidus online ads. Wei had a rare form of cancer known as synovial sarcoma. Chinese media and netizens revealed that Baidu was generating advertising revenue from a Chinese medical syndicate known as Putian Network, which has a history of marketing fake medicine and treatmentsincluding the one that caused Weis death. The hospital claimed that the treatment was proven to be 80 to 90 percent effective for curing the illness. Beijing Evening News also reported an incident in 2013, when parents of a 3-year-old girl who had epilepsy searched for treatment via Baidus specially curated list of recommended hospitals. After seeing that Haihua Hospital in Beijing was on the list as a facility with epilepsy treatment experts, her parents took her there and paid 20,000 yuan ($2,957) for treatment. After about two weeks, the girls condition got more serious; she developed a high fever and constant convulsions. When the family no longer had money for treatment, the staff forced them to leave and dropped them off at the Beijing Childrens Hospital. Doctors there did a check-up and declared that she was in critical condition. Their diagnosis showed that because of a lack of effective treatment, the little girl was suffering from encephalitis, complicated by respiratory failure, brain dysfunction, etc. She could pass away at any time, the Beijing Evening News reported. Haihua Hospital had falsely advertised itself as a public hospital when it was, in fact, a privately run facility. In 2012, Beijing Epilepsy Treatment Association had revoked its membership for that reason. But Baidu listed the hospital as a well-recommended facility. Due to the delay in sufficient treatment, the young girls brain was seriously damaged, though she survived after receiving life-changing treatment at the childrens hospital. Others shared their opinions with NTD, part of the Epoch Media Group. A Chinese netizen surnamed Zhang, from Chinas Jilin Province, believed Baidu played a vital role in keeping free information out of China. As a monopolizing internet giant, [Baidu] suffocated our rights to express ourselves. What we want to say cant be published online, and the information we obtain from the internet is not reliable. Search results are either nonexistent or heavily restricted for topics that the Chinese regime deems taboo, such as the Tiananmen Square Massacre. Another netizen surnamed Zheng from Xian City, Shaanxi Province, questioned Lis credentials. Li is not a scientist, to begin with. How can he be elected as an academician? Chinese authorities choose some people to be academicians based on their needs from a political perspective, he told NTD. Baidu also came under fire in January for providing biased search results in favor of its own content aggregation service, called Baijiahao, after Chinese journalist Fang Kecheng documented the evidence in a series of social media posts. Pallbearers carry the casket of homicide victim Valerie Reyes into her funeral mass at St. Gabriel's Church in New Rochelle, New York, on Feb. 12, 2019. (Tyler Sizemore/Heast Connecticut Media) New York Woman Found in Suitcase Had Suffocated to Death, Officials Say A New York woman whose body was discovered inside a suitcase on a road in a Connecticut town was murdered by being suffocated to death, officials said on May 6. Connecticut medical examiners office confirmed that 24-year-old Valerie Reyes, from New Rochelle, New York, had died from homicidal asphyxia. The office didnt specify whether Reyes had died before she was put in the red suitcase. JUST IN: the Office of the Chief Examiner has released the cause of death of the New Rochelle woman found dead in a suitcase in Greenwich. Valerie Reyes died from homicidal asphyxia. @News12CT pic.twitter.com/xlDMxzgAPj Marissa Alter (@MarissaAlter) May 6, 2019 Reyes was last seen on Jan. 19, and was later reported missing by her family on Jan. 30, according to Pix11. The Greenwich Police Department said workers who were doing a routine sweep of the area found her body on Feb. 5, around 10-15 feet off Glenville Road in Greenwich, reported Greenwich Time. Reyes ex-boyfriend, Javier Da Silva Rojas, was arrested after authorities said he had fraudulently used her credit card to withdraw $1,000 on Jan. 30, according to the New York Post. He is currently held on a federal charge of kidnapping resulting in death and, if convicted, he faces the death penalty. Da Silva Rojas, 24, holds dual citizenship in Venezuela and Portugal, and had entered the United States via a visa waiver program back in May 8, 2017. He did not leave within the specified 90-day timeframe, ICE officials told Greenwich Time in a statement. Photo shows Valerie Reyes with suspected killer Javier da Silva Rojas https://t.co/OJk9Xq24Lr Ted Graham (@TeddGraham) February 14, 2019 Claims of Accidental Death Prosecutors said in a federal complaint that Da Silva Rojas said he and Reyes had been at her apartment in New Rochelle on Jan. 29. He [said that he] had sex with the Victim at the Victims Residence, the federal complaint read. Da Silva Rojas noted that at some point the Victim fell to the floor and hit her head. Da Silva Rojas then indicated that he placed packing tape over her mouth, bound her legs and hands, and put her in a suitcase. He then said that he placed the suitcase in his car and drove away. After driving for some time, Da Silva Rojas stated that he placed the suitcase in a forest. The federal complaint said Reyes body was found barefoot. Her shirt was unbuttoned and her hands were bound behind her back with white string and packing tape. On Feb. 6, following an autopsy, her death was ruled to be a homicide. There were obvious signs of head trauma including bruising around the face and a large hematoma to the deceased females forehead, the federal complaint read. https://www.facebook.com/NBCNewYork/posts/10157028467974099 In an exclusive interview with Da Silva Rojas in February, the New York Post reported that he said he had tried to revive Reyes before disposing of her body. I didnt know what to do, Da Silva Rojas told the NY Post. I dont know what happened. I didnt mean to do it Im a bad person. Rojas said she fell, we fell together, when he was asked how Reyes had died. He then nodded when asked if she fell off the bed, according to the NY Post. The Post summarized Da Silva Rojass version of events as being that Reyes fell on the floor and cracked her head open while they were having sex, and that she died accidentally. She wasnt responding. I went and put my mouth on her mouth. I tried to put air in, Da Silva Rojas said. He also told the Post that he had bound her body because she didnt fit in the suitcase. Valerie Reyes homicide in Greenwich: What we know https://t.co/MicyQPoUiW pic.twitter.com/QxZ9j9IL5y Popular Crime (@popular_crime) May 7, 2019 He added that he didnt call the police because thought they would blame him, and said that he had withdrawn money from Reyes credit card in hopes that police would find out and catch him. But back in February, a source told CBS2 that the cause of death was asphyxiation and not a head injury. Following Da Silva Rojass comments to the NY Post, one reporter commented on the inconsistencies of his version of events. One question that has been raised is, if Da Silva Rojas loved Reyes so much and her death was only an accident, why not just leave her if he was too afraid to call the cops? Courtney Deeren of the Brockport Stylus wrote. Although Da Silva Rojas claimed his relationship with Reyes was good, he couldnt remember how long they had been together, Dereen noted. Taping someones mouth after they are already dead seems unnecessary, as does tying up her hands and legs. It doesnt seem as though someone who allegedly loved a person would be willing to dispose of them on the side of the road as if they were trash, she added. While Da Silva Rojas has apologized to the Reyes family, he can never take back what happened. His apologies wont mend the broken hearts of friends and family who loved Reyes. North Carolina 7-Year-Old Girl Shot Twice Playing on Her Front Porch Police said a 7-year-old girl playing on the front porch of her North Carolina home has suffered two gunshot wounds. Officers responding to a shots-fired call in a neighborhood in High Point on Monday, May 6, found a girl had been shot twice, reported Fox8. Bullets injured the childs left leg, according to the report, with one round grazing her ankle and the other lodging in her thigh. Emergency responders transported the girl to the hospital, where she was treated for her injuries. Doctors cited in the report said the ankle wound was insignificant, while the injury to her thigh would not require surgery. WFMY reported the girl was kept overnight at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center for observation. What Happened? Investigators told WFMY that the girl was at home playing with some other children at a home on the 800 block of East Russell Avenue, when around 9:30 p.m. gunfire rang out. The children all ran into the house, according to the report, where the girls mother noticed blood on her daughters leg. It was reported the children believed the shots came from someone who was hiding in the bushes across the street. They did not provide investigators with a description of the suspect. Fox8 reported that no suspects were identified after a police search of the crime scene with a K-9 unit and interviews with area residents. Police have asked anyone with information about the shooting to contact the authorities. Crime in the United States Violent crime in the United States has fallen sharply over the past 25 years, according to both the FBIs Uniform Crime Reports (UCR) and the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS). The rate of violent crimes fell by 49 percent between 1993 and 2017, according to the FBIs UCR, which only reflects crimes reported to the police. The violent crime rate dropped by 74 percent between 1993 and 2017, according to BJSs CVS, which takes into account both crimes that have been reported to the police and those that have not. From 1993 to 2017, the rate of violent victimization declined 74 percent, from 79.8 to 20.6 victimizations per 1,000 persons age 12 or older, the U.S. Department of Justice stated (pdf). Both studies are based on data up to and including 2017, the most recent year for which complete figures are available. The FBI recently released preliminary data for 2018. According to the Preliminary Semiannual Uniform Crime Report, from January to June 2018, violent crime rates in the United States dropped by 4.3 percent compared to the same six-month period in 2017. While the overall rate of violent crime has seen a steady downward drop since its peak in the 1990s, there have been several upticks that bucked the trend. Between 2014 and 2016, the murder rate increased by more than 20 percent, to 5.4 per 100,000 residents, from 4.4, according to an analysis of FBI data. The last two-year period that the rate soared so quickly was between 1966 and 1968. Property Crime The property crime rate fell by 50 percent between 1993 and 2017, according to the FBI, and by 69 percent according to BJS. According to the FBIs preliminary figures for the first half of 2018, property crime rates in the United States dropped by 7.2 percent compared to the same six-month period in 2017. As with violent crime, the FBI survey only takes into account crime reported to the police, while the BJS figures include reported and nonreported crime. Public Perception About Crime Despite falling long-term trends in both violent crime and property crime, opinion surveys repeatedly show Americans believe that crime is up. The vast majority of Gallup polls taken since 1993 show (pdf) that over 60 percent of Americans believe there is more crime in the United States on a national scale compared to the previous year. Pew Research surveys show similar findings. A survey in late 2016 revealed that 57 percent of registered voters said crime in the nation as a whole increased since 2008, despite both FBI and BJS data showing double-digit drops in violent and property crimes. Perceptions differed on a national versus local level. Surveys of perceptions of crime levels on a local scale showed that fewer than 50 percent of respondents in every single Gallup survey (pdf) done since 1996 believed that crime in their area had risen compared to the previous year. Epoch Times reporter Simon Veazey contributed to this article. Pilot, Two Passengers Killed, One Survived in Small Plane Crash SMITHERS, B.C.The British Columbia coroner says it is investigating three fatalities after a small plane crashed northeast of Smithers. Andy Watson, the spokesman for the BC Coroners Service, says in a statement that the service is investigating the death of the pilot and two passengers after the Cessna 182 went down on Saturday, May 4. He says a fourth person who was on the plane survived the crash and was taken to a Vancouver hospital. Transportation Safety Board spokeswoman Sophie Wistaff says a team of investigators is at the site and will be gathering information and evidence looking into what may have caused the crash. The Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre said it received a transmission from the planes emergency locator Saturday morning, prompting a search about 62 miles (100 km) northeast of Smithers. When the site was found, a rescue technician was lowered by cable from a helicopter to check for survivors and the operation was turned over to police. At 0845 this morning (4 May) @VicJRCC_CCCOS received a distress notification from an ELT registered to a Cessna 182 about 50nm north of Smithers Landing. A crash site has been located and search and rescue efforts are underway. Please visit https://t.co/mVqTCoUw04 for details pic.twitter.com/AbBMqtPqHM Victoria JRCC CCCOS (@VicJRCC_CCCOS) May 4, 2019 The next day, fire rescue officials say a kayaker pulled a pilot to shore after the pilots small plane crashed into a north Florida river. Maleah Davis (L) and her "stepfather" Darion Vence, pictured with a mark on his forehead after he said he had been abducted with his daughter. (Houston Police Department) Police Say Stepfather Now a Person of Interest in Maleah Daviss Disappearance The stepfather of Maleah Davis, the 4-year-old Texas girl who went missing earlier this week, is now considered a person of interest in the case, according to police. Darion Vence was the last person to see Maleah before her disappearance, and he told police that he, his 2-year-old son, and Maleah were abducted on May 3 by three men in a blue truck, said officials. Vence told authorities that he was knocked out by one of the men, Click2Houston reported. When he regained consciousness, the girl and his family car were gone. The girl has not yet been located. Sugar Land police said that Vences story has been inconsistent, adding that he first told detectives that he walked to the hospital. He later told them that he was dropped off, Fox26 reported. The police are looking at surveillance camera footage in the area. Amber Alert Update: Houston police tell me Darion Vence is a person of interest in his stepdaughter Maleahs disappearance. Sugar Land police tell me he changed his story, first saying he walked to the hospital, then saying someone dropped him off. https://t.co/YcS3luozmZ Ivory Hecker FOX 26 (@IvoryHecker) May 7, 2019 Officials issued an Amber Alert for Maleah after she was reported missing over the weekend. I realize theres a lot of blanks in that story, but were hoping the public can fill in the blanks, Sgt. Mark Holbrook said on May 5, Fox News reported. Volunteers from Texas EquuSearch searched the woods near U.S. Route 59 and Greens Road on May 6. We want to start checking every single dumpster just in case, Fox quoted Texas EquuSearchs Tim Miller as saying. We believe in miracles. Lets hope we get one. Maleah was wearing a pink bow in her hair, a light blue zip jacket, and blue jeans, as well as gray, white, and pink sneakers when she was last seen. Better quality, color photo taken by traffic camera of the stolen Nissan Altima with tags 330-92G9. #hounews pic.twitter.com/UizXnhIC4h Houston Police (@houstonpolice) May 5, 2019 The girl is described as an African-American female with black hair and brown eyes. She is about 3 feet tall and weighs between 30 and 40 pounds, said officials. Child Protective Services Involved Child Protective Services removed Maleah from her home last August, only to send her back in February, ABC13 reported. The child and her two siblings were removed after the agency investigated allegations of abuse that led to a head injury that Maleah had suffered. Brittany Bowens, Maleahs mother, said that her head injury was caused by a fall. FIND MALEAH Search efforts resume today for 4-year-old #MaleahDavis in NE Houston. According to CPS officials, the girl and her two siblings were removed as the agency investigated allegations of physical abuse related to her head injury -> https://t.co/rlEtPTermx. #abc13 pic.twitter.com/mj183RSlRb Steve Campion (@SteveABC13) May 7, 2019 My spirit is so broken, I feel so lost. I cant concentrate, I cant focus. Its so overwhelming for me. It doesnt seem real, Bowens said this week after the girl went missing. Anything helps. Share a post, share a flier, anything. It is greatly appreciated and I mean that from my heart, I mean that with every bit of me, Bowens said. Bowens told ABC13 that she isnt suspicious of Vences account of what had happened. Theres not one thing in my soul that says that he would do that, she told ABC13. Meanwhile, Vences 2011 Nissan Altima hasnt yet been recovered, and police consider it a stolen vehicle. It has a Texas license plate with the number 330-92G9. A quarantine imposed in parts of Mongolia after a couple died of the bubonic plague has now been lifted, according to reports. Authorities earlier declared a six-day quarantine on May 1 in Mongolias western Bayan Olgii Province, according to the BBC, following the deaths of two people who contracted the deadly disease after eating raw marmot meat. Marmots are large squirrels of the Marmota genus, known for communicating in whistles. Raw meat from the animal is thought in some cultures to be a folk remedy for relieving ailments. The ethnic Kazakh couple died on May 1, according to the Guardian, with authorities indicating the cause of death as the bubonic plague. The disease is the same kind that killed millions in Europe and Asia in previous centuries. Ariuntuya Ochirpurev of the World Health Organization (WHO) told the BBC that the couple had eaten raw marmot meat and kidney. Euronews identified the victims only as in their thirties. The Siberian Times reported that a senior official from the National Centre for Zoonotic Dermatology and Medicine said that the unnamed victim ate meat from the rodent despite the fact that eating marmots is banned. He ate the meat and gave it to his wife, and they died because the plague affected his stomach, Dr. N.Tsogbadrakh said, according to The Times. Four children are orphaned. Alert on Russian border with Mongolia after two deaths from bubonic plague. Russian tourists stuck in western Mongolia after closure of frontier to stop spread of infection.https://t.co/tAKAHfIZTg#plague #Mongolia pic.twitter.com/WxORlWZ8NG The Siberian Times (@siberian_times) May 3, 2019 The Quarantine The quarantine stranded a number of European tourists from Russia, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Germany, according to Euronews. Euronews reported that flights into the city were diverted or canceled, and a border crossing between Mongolia and Russia was closed. Dear passengers, because of quarantine in Bayan Ulgii aimag flights to this province dated May 02 and May 04 are cancelled. You can refund tickets or make day changes without any charges Contact number 7000-1111 email info@hunnuair.com Hunnu Air (@HunnuAir_MR) May 2, 2019 Mongolias Health Ministry said in a statement that 124 people had been given antibiotics, adding that doctors who examined them found no evidence of bubonic plague symptoms. One of those allegedly stranded was Russian national Evgeny Viluzhanin, who wrote on Facebook: thanks to the woolly fat hamster, I had to spend three days in the city of Ulgii. According to the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD), plague is an acute, severe infectious disease caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis. The bacterium is found in fleas and wild rodents such as rats, squirrels, chipmunks or prairie dogs. While human cases of bubonic plague are rare, each year in Mongolia at least one person dies of the disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). While potentially deadly, the plague can be treated with antibiotics. Plague in the United States According to the CDC, the plague was first introduced into the United States in 1900, by rat-infested steamships that had sailed from affected areas, mostly from Asia. Epidemics occurred in port cities. The CDC notes that the last urban plague epidemic in the United States took place in Los Angeles in the mid-1920s. Plague then spread from urban rats to rural rodent species, the CDC states, adding that hotspots of the disease have been noted in parts of the western United States, mostly in rural areas. Human cases of the plague in the United States are largely confined to two regions: Northern New Mexico, northern Arizona, and southern Colorado; and California, southern Oregon, and far western Nevada. Almost all of the cases reported in the last 20 years have occurred among people living in small towns and villages or agricultural areas rather than in larger towns and cities, the CDC states. Seven cases of plague infection per year on average have been reported in the U.S. in recent decades. The disease affects people of all ages. Mortality Figures in the United States According to 2017 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Center for Health Statistics, the 10 leading causes of death in the United States were: heart disease, cancer, unintentional injuries, chronic lower respiratory diseases, stroke, Alzheimer disease, diabetes, influenza and pneumonia, kidney disease, and suicide. The third most common cause of death in the United States was unintentional injury. The most common unintentional injuries result from motor vehicle crashes, falls, fires and burns, drowning, poisonings, and aspirations, according to the CDC. These further break down as follows: the most common are unintentional poisoning deaths (58,335), followed by motor vehicle traffic deaths (40,327), and unintentional fall deaths in third place (34,673). The total number of emergency department visits for unintentional injuries in the United States in 2017 was 30.8 million, according to the CDC. The 10 leading causes accounted for 74 percent of all deaths in the United States in 2017. Reuters reporters Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo walk free outside Insein prison after receiving a presidential pardon in Yangon, Burma, on May 7, 2019. (REUTERS/Ann Wang) Reuters Reporters Jailed in Burma Freed From Prison YANGONTwo Reuters journalists jailed in Burma, also known as Myanmar, after they were convicted of breaking the Official Secrets Act walked free from a prison on the outskirts of Yangon on Tuesday after spending more than 500 days behind bars, witnesses said. The two reporters, Wa Lone, 33, and Kyaw Soe Oo, 29, had been convicted in September and sentenced to seven years in jail, in a case that raised questions about press freedom. President Win Myint has pardoned thousands of other prisoners in mass amnesties since last month. It is customary in Burma for authorities to free prisoners across the country around the time of the traditional New Year, which began on April 17. Reuters has said the two men did not commit any crime and had called for their release. Before their arrest in December 2017, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo had been working on an investigation into the killing of 10 Rohingya men and boys by security forces in western Burmas Rakhine State after coordinated attacks on police outposts by insurgents in August 2017. The resulting violence sent more than 730,000 Rohingya fleeing to Bangladesh, according to U.N. estimates. The report the two men authored, featuring testimony from perpetrators, witnesses and families of the victims, was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for international reporting in May, adding to a number of accolades received by the pair for their journalism. A spokesman for the Burmese government could not immediately be reached for comment. Burmas Supreme Court had rejected the journalists final appeal in April. They had petitioned the countrys top court, citing evidence of a police set-up and lack of proof of a crime, after the Yangon High Court dismissed an earlier appeal in January. The reporters wives wrote a letter to the government in April pleading for a pardon, not, they said, because their husbands had done anything wrong, but because it would allow them to be released from prison and reunited with their families. Watch Next: Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., speaks to reporters at the Capitol in Wash., on April 9, 2019. (J. Scott Applewhite/Photo via AP) Sen. McConnell: Democrats Angrier at AG Barr for Doing His Job Than at Putin Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) declared case closed on special counsel Robert Muellers Russia investigation in a floor speech on May 7, accusing Democrats of making baseless speculations and claims, as they grieve the result. This investigation went on for two years. Its finally over, McConnell said. He said many Americans were waiting to see how their elected officials would respond to the conclusions. With an exhaustive investigation complete, would the country finally unify to confront the real challenges before us? Would we finally be able to move on from partisan paralysis and breathless conspiracy theorizing? Or would we remain consumed by unhinged partisanship, and keep dividing ourselves to the point that [Russian President Vladimir] Putin and his agents need only stand on the sidelines and watch as their job is done for them? he said. McConnell added, Regrettably, I think the answer is obvious. While Republicans have been encouraging lawmakers to move on from the Russia probe, some Democrats appear to refuse accept the conclusions and are instead pressing for more information and oversight about the handling of the report. McConnell criticized the Democrats for drawing out the political battle, in hope that they could find evidence of criminality by the Trump campaign. For two years many of the presidents opponents seemed to be hoping the worst conspiracy theories were actually true. They seemed to be hoping for a national crisis for the sake of their own politics, he said. He said as a result of the special counsels conclusionswhich found no collusion between Russia and the Trump campaign and provided no sufficient evidence to bring an obstruction of justice chargethe Democrats have now entered the five stages of grief, including denial of the reports conclusions and anger toward Barrs handling of Muellers report. The Democrats are angryangry that the facts disappointed them. Angry that our legal system will not magically undo the 2016 election for them. And theyve opted to channel all their partisan anger on to the attorney general, McConnel said. They seem to be angrier at Bill Barr for doing his job than they are at Vladimir Putin. Why are they angry? Did the attorney general fire the special counsel? Or force him to wind down prematurely? No. Did he sit on the Mueller report? Keep it secret? No. He reported out his bottom line legal conclusions and then released as much as possible for the world to see. Did he use redactions to mislead the public? No. Working with the special counsel team, he released as much as possible within standard safeguards, he added. After McConnells speech, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) condemned McConnell, calling his speech an astounding bit of whitewash and entirely unconvincing. He doesnt want to move on. He wants to run away, Schumer said. Democrats have criticized Barr for weeks, ever since the attorney generals release of an initial four-page memo that provided the conclusions of the special counsels findings. Muellers report was eventually released on April 18, concluding that neither the Trump campaign, nor anyone associated with it, conspired with Russia to influence the 2016 presidential election. Moreover, on the issue of obstruction of justice, Barr said the special counsel did not provide a prosecutorial judgment, nor did it provide enough evidence to substantiate that the president obstructed justice. House Democrats have refused to accept the findings of the Mueller report and have launched hearings and investigations into the obstruction of justice claims that many of them have openly admitted they hoped would lead to the impeachment of President Donald Trump. They have also criticized Barr for his handling of the release of the report, accusing him of siding with the president, while repeatedly calling for the full unredacted report despite knowing that compliance would result in Barr violating the law. On May 6, House Democrats scheduled a vote for May 8 to decide whether to hold Barr in contempt of Congress for not turning over a fully unredacted report as demanded. Senate Finance Committee member Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) during a hearing in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill, on April 10, 2019. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Senate Moves Toward Ending Conundrum of Export Credit Agency WASHINGTONThe Senate has taken an important step toward confirming President Donald Trumps nominees for the U.S. Export-Import Bank (Ex-Im Bank), despite efforts of advocacy groups backed by the Koch brothers to end the credit agency. The Trump administration has been pushing the Senate to revive the federal export credit agency, labeling it a national security weapon. However, conservative opponents of the bank call the agency an example of crony capitalism that puts U.S. taxpayers at risk. Last week, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) filed to advance the nominations for the Ex-Im Bank, an important first step in resolving the current stalemate. The Senate held a cloture vote on the nominees on May 7 to proceed to a confirmation vote. Final votes are expected to take place May 8 for the confirmation of Kimberly Reed as president of the bank, and Spencer Bachus and Judith DelZoppo Pryor to serve on the board. The banks board of directors has lacked a quorum for more than three years, preventing the agency from approving loans and guarantees above $10 million. A minimum of three board members is required to have a quorum. Confirmation of these nominees by the full Senate will allow the bank to finance U.S. exporters large projects, such as commercial aircraft and power turbines. Obviously, this is a welcome development, said John Schuster, the former head of Ex-Ims structured finance division. The vote appears to be precipitated by administration concerns about China trade issues, he added. U.S. businesses have missed $21 billion in overseas opportunities since the bank lost its quorum in 2015, and exports worth $40 billion are sitting in limbo, according to the administration. Thats $40 billion of American exports, unable to reach those new markets and new customers, Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) said May 7 on the Senate floor. We must confirm these nominees to ensure that the Export-Import Bank is once again fully operational. The federal credit agency has become a political target of the Koch brothers, who are among the Republican Partys biggest donors. A coalition of 18 advocacy groups led by the Koch-funded nonprofit Americans for Prosperity issued a letter to Congress on May 2, urging lawmakers to oppose the re-authorization of the bank, which is set to expire in September. The Ex-Im Bank, as it is informally known, administers corporate welfare loan programs that grant unfair advantages to a few domestic companies at the expense of many others, all the while putting billions of taxpayer dollars at risk and fostering a danger of internal corruption that has too often materialized, the letter stated. Over the past several years, the bank has also become a top target for conservative Republicans, who have urged reforms at the bank. Im going to oppose all the nominees today because were going ahead and putting the cart before the horse, Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) said May 7 on the Senate floor. The Ex-Im Bank unreformed is an example of crony capitalism that puts us taxpayers at risk and subsidizes some pretty unsavory characters, he said. At the Ex-Ims annual conference in March, White House trade adviser Peter Navarro criticized lawmakers for creating a needless conundrum. Its time for Congress to end its delaying tactics and get on the side of Americas farmers, ranchers, manufacturers, and workers, he said. Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) speaks during Attorney General William Barr's testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee on May 1, 2019. (Alex Wong/Getty Images) Senator Harris Misses Huge Revelation From Barr During Senate Testimony Commentary In an amazing exchange during testimony before the United States Senate on May 1, Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) badgered Attorney General William Barr by demanding to know why he hasnt recused himself yet from having any involvement with the Mueller Special Counsel or any of the referred criminal cases that sprang from it. When that line of attack failed, Harris turned to repeatedly demanding an answer to the same recusal question about soon-to-depart Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein. In his answer to Harris series of questioning about why Rosenstein never recused himself from involvement in overseeing investigations in which he was a witness as well, Barr dropped a huge bombshell that just about everybody has missed. First, Harris challenges Barr on his supposed need to recuse himself from dealing with any of the 14 cases arising from the Mueller Special Counsel investigation (at around 4 minutes 50 seconds into the MSNBC video linked above): Harris: Will you agree to consult career DOJ ethics officials about whether your recusal from the fourteen investigations that have been discussed by my colleagues is necessary? Barr: I dont see any basis for it, I already consulted with them and Harris: Have you consulted with them about the 14 other investigations? Barr: About the Mueller case. Harris: Have you consulted with the career DOJ ethics officials about the appropriateness of you being involved or recusing yourself from the 14 other investigations that have been referred out? Barr: On what basis? Harris: Conflict of interest! Clear conflict of interest! Barr: Whats my conflict of interest? Harris: I think the American public has seen quite well that you are biased in this situation and have not been objective and that would arguably be the conflict of interest. Barr: I havent been the only decision maker here. Now, lets take the Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who was approved by the Senate 94 to 6 with specific discussion on the floor that he would be responsible for supervising the Russian investigation. [emphasis added] At this point Harris grins broadly as if Barr has just wandered into a trap shes been waiting to spring shut, and says: Harris: Im glad you brought that up. Thats a great topic. Barr: He has thirty years experience and we had a number of senior prosecutors in the Department involved in this process, both career and noncareer. Harris: Yes, Ive read the process, sir. I have another question and Im glad you brought that subject up, because I have a question about that. Earlier today in response to Senator Graham, you said quote that you consulted with Rosenstein constantly, unquote, with respect to the Special Counsels investigation and report but Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein was also a key witness in the firing of FBI Director Comey. Did you consult with Barr: Well thats. Harris: Im not finished. Did you consult with DOJ Ethics officials before you enlisted Rod Rosenstein to participate in a charging decision for an investigation the subject of which he is also a witness? [emphasis added] Harris has now swung her trap shut and stares triumphantly at Barr waiting for his answer. Try to fully grasp what Harris loaded question implies: the Deputy Attorney General who oversaw the Mueller Special Counsels Office during its entire existence should have recused himself from any involvement whatsoever with it. You can see from Barrs face he cant quite believe hes being asked this. Barr: My understanding was that he had been cleared already to participate in it. This clearly was not the answer Harris expected, and her face shows it. Harris: You had consulted with them and they cleared it? Barr: No. I think they cleared it when he took over the investigation. Thats my understanding. [emphasis added] Harris: You dont know whether he has been cleared of a conflict of interest? Barr: He wouldnt be participating if there was a conflict of interest. Harris: So youre saying that it did not need to be reviewed by the career ethics officials in your office to determine if it was appropriate? Barr: Well, I believe it was reviewed. And I also point out this seems to be a bit of a flip flop. Because when the Presidents supporters were challenged Harris: Sir, the flip flop I think in this case is that youre not answering the question directly. Did the ethics officials in your office and the Department of Justice review the appropriateness of Rod Rosenstein being a part of making a charging decision on an investigation which he is also a witness in? Barr: So, as I said, my understanding was that he had been cleared and he had already been cleared before I arrived. [emphasis added] Harris: In making a decision on the Mueller report? Barr: Yes. Harris: And the findings of whether or not the case would be charged on obstruction of justice? He had been cleared on that? Barr: He was the Acting Attorney General on the Mueller investigation. Harris: Had he been cleared by your side, a decision Barr: I am informed that before I arrived, he had been cleared by the ethics officials. [emphasis added] Harris: Of what? Barr: [Clearly stunned that he has to state the obvious] Serving as Acting Attorney General on the Mueller case. Harris: How about making a charging decision on obstruction of justice when the underlying offenses include him as a witness? Barr: Thats what the Acting Attorney Generals job is. Understand what you just read here: Harris demanded to know from Barr if Rosenstein had been cleared by the DOJ ethics department to be both a witness in Mueller-report-related cases and the overseer of those cases. She fully anticipated Barr looking confused and either saying he had no idea if Rosensteins dual role and the direct conflict of interest it implied had ever been addressed by the DOJ ethics department or that he would come out and say no. Barr answeredmuch to Senator Harris obvious surprisethat Rosenstein had been cleared for this dual role when he was appointed. Of course, Harris misses the revelation here from Barr. Yes, I believe Rosenstein is going to be a key witness in more than a few upcoming cases. Harris thinks that should disqualify Rosenstein from making decisions while he was in charge of Special Counsel Mueller. Flustered at not getting the answer she obviously wanted, all Harris could think to do was repeat the question several times, perhaps in the hopes that Barr would change his answer. He did not. Multiple times she asked him if Rosensteins dual role had ever been addressed by the Department of Justices ethics department, and so multiple times Barr told her that yes, the issue had been addressed and Rosensteins dual role had been cleared by the DOJ Ethics Department at the time he was appointed to the role of Deputy Attorney General. Heres your key reminder: when was Rod Rosenstein appointed to head the Mueller Special Counsel? When he was confirmed to the DAG job back on April 25, 2017. As Barr correctly notes, it was actually discussed on the Senate floor at the time his nomination to the DAG post was being debated that he would the person leading the Russia investigation if he was confirmed to this post, which he was, by a vote of 94-6. The DOJ Ethics Department looked into the issue of Rosenstein both leading the Russia investigation and appearing as a key witness in cases that sprang from what ended up being the Mueller Special Counsel at the time he was appointed to the job way back in April 2o17. Ponder the implications of that, because its clear that Senator Harris did not. Brian Cates is a writer based in South Texas and author of Nobody Asked For My Opinion But Here It Is Anyway! He can be reached on Twitter at @drawandstrike. By Kang Hyun-kyung Seo Yong-ung, a star educator who assembled quite a fortune in the 1980s through his business empire Hansaem named after his nickname, died on Monday of a chronic ailment. He was 75. He lost his wealth in the 2000s as a result of the downfall of his education business. His unsuccessful bid for re-election in 2000 as a lawmaker also played a part in the fall of his business. Seo was the epitome of Korea's education fever. In the 1980s and 1990s, he was an unrivaled star in Korean literature courses offered by his for-profit education institute aiming to help students enter university. He was famous for his unique teaching technique "highlight and underline it," a phrase he uttered during his lecture whenever he found keywords or key phrases that his students must memorize to earn good scores in Korean literature on the scholastic aptitude test. He is the author of the bestselling Hansaem Korean reference book series. They became must-have items for all students. Seo Yong-ung, a star educator who assembled quite a fortune in the 1980s through his business empire Hansaem named after his nickname, died on Monday of a chronic ailment./ Korea Times file Sheriff: Unstable Situation, Shots Fired at Colorado School, At Least 7 Injured, 2 Suspects in Custody An active and unstable scene has been reported on May 7 at a Colorado school where authorities said multiple injuries were reported after shots were fired. Douglas County Sheriffs Office officers said 7 possibly 8 students have been injured. Moreover, police say two suspects are in custody, while SWAT is still clearing the school. According to CBS News, the injured have been taken to local hospitals. Authorities have not provided details about the severity of their injuries. #stemshooting 7 possibly 8 students have been injured. Two shooters in custody. SWAT still clearing school. Students being bused to Northridge Rec Center. Parents please have patience with reunification process. DC Sheriff (@dcsheriff) May 7, 2019 Authorities said in a Twitter post that they responded to STEM School Highland Ranch off Ridgeline Blvd at 1:53 p.m. on a call about shots being fired. #stemshooting, at 1:53 pm responded to STEM school off Ridgeline Blvd in HR on call of shots fired in school, first update, 2 injured, deputies in process of identifying and locating shooter(s). Still active and unstable scene. DC Sheriff (@dcsheriff) May 7, 2019 STEM school incident: still getting info, believe 2 injured. Please find other routes. Media staging now on south side of AMC! DC Sheriff (@dcsheriff) May 7, 2019 Earlier, authorities said 2 people were reported injured, and deputies were in the process of identifying and locating shooter(s). Unstable situation, shots fired at STEM school at Ridgeline and Plaza. Avoid area. Media go to north side of AMC DC Sheriff (@dcsheriff) May 7, 2019 Numerous units from the South Metro Fire Rescue are also assisting at the scene. Numerous units from South Metro are on scene assisting. Follow @dcsheriff for incident updates and please avoid the area, leave streets open for emergency vehicles. https://t.co/bOLZV52rnw South Metro Fire Rescue (@SouthMetroPIO) May 7, 2019 Authorities have asked parents to go to Northridge Rec Center to pick up their children. UPDATE #sremshooting, PARENTS please go to Northridge Rec Center not Elementary School to pick up children. DC Sheriff (@dcsheriff) May 7, 2019 The STEM school has been placed in lockdown. All other Highlands Ranch schools are on lockout. We will provide more information as soon as we have it, according to Douglas County School District. Revision: ALL Douglas County School District after-school activities are canceled for the evening. Douglas County School District (@dcsdk12) May 7, 2019 Colorado Governor Jared Polis said in a statement that he is monitoring the situation in real time. We are making all of our public safety resources available to assist the Douglas County Sheriffs Department in their effort to secure the site and evacuate the students. We are monitoring the situation in real time. The heart of all Colorado is with the victims & their families, Polis said. We are making all of our public safety resources available to assist the Douglas County Sheriffs Department in their effort to secure the site and evacuate the students. We are monitoring the situation in real time. The heart of all Colorado is with the victims & their families. Jared Polis (@GovofCO) May 7, 2019 Authorities urged the public to avoid the area. STEM School Highlands Ranch serves K-12 with 1,850 students550 elementary age students, 700 in middle school and 600 high school students, according to the school website. This is a developing story. Please check back for updates. Stephanie Vitori, owner of Cheeseburger Baby from Miami, Florida receives the Phoenix Award for Disaster Recovery from Chris Pilkerton (R), acting administrator of U.S. Small Business Administration, at the 2019 National Small Business Week Awards Ceremony at the United States Institute of Peace in Washington on May 5, 2019. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times) Small Businesses Are Optimistic, Despite Hiring Challenges WASHINGTONSmall-business owners from across the country continue to be upbeat about the U.S. economy and their enterprises outlook. Despite a looming labor shortage, entrepreneurs are looking to keep up their hiring spree this year. Small businesses will continue to reinvest and hire this year, according to Chris Pilkerton, acting administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). With respect to how business will expand over the course of 2019, we see great potential and great opportunity for small businesses, he told The Epoch Times. After Linda McMahon left her post as administrator last month, Pilkerton has started to lead the agency in an acting capacity while the presidents nominee awaits Senate confirmation. The economy is strong, Pilkerton said and small businesses have gotten tax refunds that theyre able to put back into their business. For nearly 50 years, the SBA has celebrated the success stories of U.S. entrepreneurs during National Small Business Week. And this years National Small Business Week, held from May 5 to May 11, recognizes the achievements of small businesses. According to Pilkerton, small businesses are an important piece of the larger economy as they contribute to the workforce by employing two out of every three net new jobs in the country. Thats incredibly important when you take a look at the unemployment rate, which is at a historic low, at 3.6 percent because of all of the economic policies that are in place, he said. Entrepreneurs Remain Upbeat Small-business optimism has increased since President Donald Trumps election in 2016, reaching the highest levels in decades. And according to the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), small businesses are creating new jobs at an all-time high and also reporting increased compensation. Oklahoma City area is just growing like crazy, said Michael Van Eaton, a small business owner from Shawnee, Oklahoma, who attended the National Awards Ceremony of the Small Business Week hosted by the SBA in Washington on May 5 and 6. There are more concrete trucks running in Oklahoma City than theres ever been and thats just a direct sign that the economy is doing well, he said. His small family business, Van Eaton Ready Mix provides durable concrete products for everything from driveways to wind turbine foundations. The company employs about 200 people and hires more than 200 subcontractors. Tax reform has helped Van Eaton to expand his business and hire more people. It grows the business, thats the deal. I mean, we just keep pounding the money back into the business, and it makes us more efficient, he said. We could add another 50 people easily and we will. It has been a good year so far and a record first quarter. However, it is a challenge for small businesses like Van Eaton to hire people, especially at the upper management level. Its competition for us, he said, adding that hiring is key for his companys survival. Small Business People of the Year This years Small Business Person of the Year award went to a couple from Prescott, Arizona. Jennifer Herbert and Jeff Herbert, the CEO and chief strategic officer, respectively, of a company called Superstition Meadery, received the award for creating new flavors of mead, an alcoholic beverage made by fermenting honey. We are growing as fast as we can, as fast as makes sense for our business, Jeff Herbert said. The SBA has certainly helped us with three loans now and that has certainly been the financial vehicle that has allowed us to experience such aggressive growth. The company employs 25 people and is planning to hire 50 more this year. With the help of an SBA-guaranteed loan, Superstition Meadery has bought a historic building to renovate it into a mead and food pairing restaurant, which will be first of its kind, according to Jennifer Herbert. Mentoring Programs The SBA supports small businesses by providing guarantees for bank loans. It also provides counseling, training, and mentorship programs throughout the country, which are mostly free. Jeffrey Perry, a small manufacturer from Huntington Beach, California, is one of the business owners who has received support from the SBA through its Emerging Leaders initiative and SCORE mentoring programs. When I started my company in 2010, I actually didnt have a plan. I just had a company and I had no idea what to do, said Perry, who owns All Industrial Tool Supply. Quite honestly, it was a very scary time. He said SBAs mentoring program helped him understand how to build and expand his business. Weve grown 30 to 40 percent every year really since day one, he said. Perry is optimistic about the state of the manufacturing industry in the United States. A lot of people read that its not healthy or that all manufacturing is going overseas. Its not. In fact, we see its coming back. Its very strong. I feel its a great place to be. However, hiring new people is Perrys biggest challenge in business. Were looking for talented people with a growth mindset, but its very challenging. Its such a tight labor pool that we have a really hard time. You cant just post an ad and hope that people come. It just doesnt work that way. Workforce Development Small businesses are having trouble finding suitable workers due to a growing skills gap problem. U.S. job openings surged to record high levels this year as companies struggle to find people with the talents they need. According to the NFIB, 60 percent of small companies surveyed in March said that they were hiring or trying to hire, but 90 percent of those firms reported few or no qualified applicants for the positions they were trying to fill. And a near-record 21 percent of small business owners reported that finding qualified workers was their top business problem. Right now, theres been so many jobs that had been filled, but theres also been a lot of jobs that had been created, and we need to find folks to fill those jobs, said Pilkerton. He said SBA is working with the Labor and Education Departments in developing the workforce the small businesses need. Disaster Recovery This year, Stephanie Vitori, owner of Cheeseburger Baby in Miami, Florida, received the Phoenix Award for Disaster Recovery. Vitoris burger shop was one of the many small businesses in Florida hit by Hurricane Irma in September 2017. The companys facility and truck were nearly destroyed, bringing her business almost to an end. With the help of SBAs disaster recovery loan, Vitori got the staff and revenue back to pre-disaster levels. SBAs disaster loan program is the main source of federal assistance for small-business owners. The agency provides low-interest disaster loans to businesses and residents hit by disasters to help them get back on their feet. SBA usually guarantees loans for small-business owners. However, to provide recovery support to the communities, the agency chooses to lend money directly. It takes just one day for a number of common ingredients found in sunscreen to enter a persons bloodstream, according to research from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The study, published in The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) on May 6, examined how several chemicals found in four commercially available sunscreens were absorbed into the bloodstream of 24 healthy participants. Between July and August 2018, scientists studied four chemicals commonly found in sunscreen: vobenzone, oxybenzone, ecamsule and octocrylene. Participants applied one of either a lotion-sunscreen, cream-sunscreen or two sprays, four times a day for four days on areas of the body uncovered by their swimwear. 30 blood samples were collected from each participant over a period of seven days. Upon analyzing plasma levels in the participants blood samples, scientists found that the level of active ingredients in their bloodstreams was high enough to spark a government investigation. We rely on sunscreens to help prevent sunburn & to reduce the risks of skin cancer & early skin aging caused by the sun. Check out this video from Dr. Woodcock that explains FDAs efforts to make sure sunscreens work & are safe https://t.co/GgNrQqNL85 Dr. Ned Sharpless (@FDACommissioner) May 6, 2019 The four chemicals were discovered to have entered the bloodstream at levels that exceed the FDAs recommended threshold without a government safety inspection. Additionally, three of the chemicals accumulated in the bloodstream with continued daily use, and remained in the body for at least 24 hours after the sunscreen had been applied, CNN reported. Almost all participants had levels of the chemicals which exceeded 0.5 ng/ml within one daythe Threshold of Toxocological Concern (TTC). The TTC was developed by the FDA as a measure for a chemical to undergo nonclinical toxicology assessment to examine its effects on the body, reported The New York Daily News. In this phase 1 trial involving healthy volunteers, application of 4 commercially available sunscreens resulted in plasma concentrations of active ingredients that exceeded the threshold established by the FDA for waiving toxicology studies. Learn more https://t.co/nSJb1yhV57 JAMA (@JAMA_current) May 7, 2019 The chemical oxybenzone stood out among the four chemicals as the one that was absorbed into the bloodstream at the highest rate. It was discovered at levels as high as 209.6 ng/mL. David Andrews, senior scientist at The Environmental Working Group said: Looking through the results tables of the study, one thing about oxybenzone stood out. Oxybenzone was absorbed into the body at about 50 to 100 times higher concentration than any of these other three chemicals they tested. Despite the findings, experts urge people to continue using sunscreen. The study emphasized that the research does not indicate that individuals should refrain from the use of sunscreen. Systemic absorption of the active ingredients of sunscreens does not mean they're unsafe, but raises questions about how the sunscreen industry and regulatory agencies evaluate the risks and benefits of these OTC products @califf001 @KanadeShinkai https://t.co/qWbdXojOV8 JAMA (@JAMA_current) May 7, 2019 Dr. David Leffell, a Yale School of Medicine dermatologist and spokesman for the American Academy of Dermatology, told CNN, Studies need to be performed to evaluate this finding and determine whether there are true medical implications to absorption of certain ingredients. In a joint announcement, Janet Woodcock, M.D., director at the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) and Theresa M. Michele, M.D., director of CDERs Division of Nonprescription Drug Products, Office of New Drugs said product absorption into the bloodstream does not necessarily mean it is unsafe. Rather, this finding calls for further testing to determine the safety of that ingredient for repeated use, said a statement by Woodcock and Michele on the FDAs website. Such testing is part of the standard pre-market safety evaluation of most chronically administered drugs with appreciable systemic absorption. Good advice in here. Still need basic studies to get this right in the long run. @dukeforge . Sunscreen enters bloodstream after just one day of use, study says @CNN https://t.co/4equiVOc8k Robert M Califf (@califf001) May 6, 2019 Woodcock and Michele also emphasized how essential sunscreen with SPF 15 can be in helping to protect against skin cancer, which is the most common cancer diagnosis among Americans annually, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. The World Cancer Research Fund says melanomathe most dangerous form of skin canceris also the 19th most common cancer around the world in men and women. A fire truck on West 23rd Street, in New York on September 17, 2016. (Bryan R. Smith/AFP/Getty Images) Thats Not Even Human, Thats an Animal: Aunt of 3-Year-Old Left in Car to Burn Alive Speaks Out The aunt of a toddler whose father allegedly left her in a chained-shut car to burn a live in New York has spoken out. Zoey Pereira, 3, was pulled from the burning Audi Quattro on May 5 at an intersection near JFK airport and rushed to Jamaica Hospital where she was pronounced dead, according to reports. Earlier, her father Martin Pereira, 39, had fled the scene in flames, dousing himself in a nearby pond where first-responders found him, pulled him out, and took him to hospital under police custody as a person of interest. On Monday, May 6, police ruled Zoeys death as a homicide, reported the New York Post. But Pereira, who was being treated at Weill Cornell Medical Center in Manhattan for second- and third-degree burns, has not been charged as of Monday evening. Zoeys aunt told the Post that she believes Pereira is responsible for the toddlers death. He killed a baby. He burned her alive. He did that to her. Thats not even human, thats an animal. Thats a coward, she said. Law enforcement sources said the man and the girls mother were engaged in a bitter custody dispute over the girl, according to the New York Daily News. The source said they do not live together and have a limited history of domestic violence. Sources told the Post that Zoey was strapped into an infant seat in the back of the car while its rear doors were chained shut from the insideone door to the other so that neither could be opened. Moreover, the car had been doused in gasoline and a propane tank in the trunk was leaking into the back seat. A second tank was found outside the vehicle, according to the Post, citing sources. Firefighters struggled to get Zoey out of the car and were only able to rescue her after the door handles that the chains were locked onto had melted. Witnesses described the incident as some sort of explosion. I heard a boom, like something explode. When I came out, I saw smoke, witness Lisa Silvera, 50, told the Daily News. Another eyewitness said she saw a man running from the scene engulfed in flames, who ran to a nearby pond to put out the fire, before first-responders found him. He was on a stretcher, hes burned, Silvera told the Post. He looked white. So burned. With a mask on his face. The Epoch Times reporter Simon Veazey contributed to this report. A re-enactment of the treatment of prisoners of conscience in China. (Minghui) They Tortured Me Until I Wanted to Die: Womans Hellish Experience While Imprisoned for Her Beliefs There were only ten days until the Lunar New Year. My two children were very young, said Cao Suqin, her eyes misty as she reminisced. My family was ripped apart. One of my children was sent to my mother-in-law, the other was sent to my mother. I was imprisoned. Cao, now 53 years-old and a new resident of New York, recounts the beginning of the end of her life in the land in which she was raised, and that turned on her when its ruling party realized its ideologies could not cage her. In 1999, the Chinese Communist Party launched a state-wide suppression of Falun Dafa, a spiritual discipline which upholds the tenets of truth, compassion, and forbearance. Falun Dafa enjoyed immense popularity in China from the early 1990s, with over 70 million people practicing before the persecution began, according to government estimates cited by Western media at the time. Like Cao, those who subscribe to this belief have been persecuted by the Chinese communist regime through to the present day. When the crackdown began, Cao, then 33, journeyed to Beijing to spread the truth about her faith and expose the lies proliferated in state-run media. Her activities did not go unnoticed, and on Nov. 8, 1999, Cao was kidnapped from her home and held in a detention center for 50 days. During this time, she was starved alongside other Falun Dafa practitioners. Less than a month after her release, she was imprisoned again in an illegal labour camp. This three year ordeal saw Cao, a prisoner of conscience, housed with inmates consisting of drug users and prostitutes. When I arrived at the labour camp, the inmates beat me. The first time, eleven of them threw me on the ground, Cao told The Epoch Times. They punched and kicked me. The police officers pretended nothing was happening. People go to police stations for protection. They do not protect me; they watch as others beat me to death. They [the inmates] stabbed my hands with hooked needles until the wounds bulged. Sometimes the drug users and prostitutes in the prison would force me into a corner and hit my face. Sometimes they forced me onto a bed and used pliers to hit my knees, and to clamp my breasts. They tortured me until I wanted to die Once, they tried to throw me off the second floor. They stopped when I cried out. Every day, Cao was forced to make wigs to meet a daily quota that required her to work for up to 18 hours a day. When her sister visited her, she was shocked by how emaciated Cao looked. Every night I kept my eyes open afraid that someone would The police told Cao she would be released if she wrote a statement renouncing her faith. They ordered her to go out and convince others to also stop practicing. I asked themwhat did I do wrong? They said: Give up your beliefsthen there is nothing wrong. I said, You want me to give up my faith? Not even if you execute me. Its because of my beliefs that I am able to be a good person. I wrote nothing for them. Cao was regularly harassed by police even after she was released from the labour camp. On Nov. 3, 2006, moments after her children arrived home, a group of police officers kicked down the door. When they came inside, they acted like bandits. My children were shocked. The police searched her home for Falun Dafa materials, without providing any documentation authorizing their trespass. Following the search, they demanded that Cao accompany them to the police station. Cao asked to be allowed to change out of her sleepwear first, and was refused. The police told her she would be released after a short questioning. Instead, they drove her to a detention center. At the detention center, the men there pulled at my sleepwear it was mortifying. When I was young, I loved my country. I loved the Communist Party, Cao said. But then In the short span of a few years, Caos rose-colored glasses had shattered, and finally, one day, her husband sat her down. You should go, he said. If you stay, they will never stop harassing you. On March 9, 2019, Cao arrived in the United States. It felt like returning to pre-1999. Before 1999, being able to study Dafa with others freely, practice its exercises. Thats why, somehow, it feels like home here. I called my husband and he said: For each day Falun Gong is persecuted in China, do not come back. Spread the truth in that place. With reporting by Eva Fu Toddler Dies After Being Left in Hot Car in New Jersey: Reports A toddler died after being left in a car in New Jersey, according to reports on May 7. Lakewood Township police said they are investigating the death of the nearly 2-year-old girl, NBC New York reported, which added that the girl died at around 2 p.m. local time. A neighbor made the grisly discovery, sources told the NBC affiliate. A toddler died after being left in a car in New Jersey, law enforcement sources say https://t.co/Z9IOWudKHG NBC New York (@NBCNewYork) May 6, 2019 The toddlers mother attempted to take the girl into a daycare, but she didnt want to go in before they drove home, the report said. A source then told the outlet that there was some miscommunication about whether the mother or father would take the girl from the vehicle. Mayor Meir Lichtenstein said warm temperatures contributed to this girls death. It seems like wonderful parents. They have one other child that is approximately 4 1/2 years old that is also a girl, and they are very saddened, Lakewood Mayor Meir Lichtenstein told CBS New York. I was actually at the hospital and I saw the parents. Theyre extremely saddened by what happened. On May 6, they were in the 70s in the area. On a 70-degree Fahrenheit day, temperatures inside a car can get into the 90s in short while. In 30 minutes, it can reach 100 degrees, NBC noted. Police in Lakewood, New Jersey are investigating after a baby girls body was found in the back seat of a car outside a home on Monday. @AliBaumanTV reports https://t.co/oRCKGVl2V7 CBS New York (@CBSNewYork) May 7, 2019 The parents face no criminal charges, and they have not been officially accused of any wrongdoing. A neighbor spoke out about the case. My wife was leaving to work and she walked out and she saw the mother crying holding the baby in her hands, the neighbor said. My wife walked in and said call Hatzolah, which is the local EMS, the Jewish EMS. He added: I performed CPR for the first couple minutes until first responders arrived and then they came and took over. The neighbor said he saw the cars front window rolled down. Theyre loving parents, very devoted parents, the neighbor said. Its gonna take a while to make sense of it and make something out of this, but at this point the community will go forward and be together and strong. It wasnt all that warm but what happens is sometimes when the sun shines down on a car the inside of the car can the temperatures can rise and, like I said, thats probably exactly what law enforcement is trying to ascertain at this time, Lichtenstein also stated. Kids and Cars The U.S. National Safety Council has stated: Parents and caregivers can act immediately to end these deaths. Even on relatively mild days, temperatures inside vehicles still can reach life-threatening levels in minutes, and cracking the window doesnt help, it says. The National Safety Council advises parents and caregivers to stick to a routine and avoid distractions to reduce the risk of forgetting a child. Keep car doors locked so children cannot gain access, and teach them that cars are not play areas. Place a purse, briefcase or even a left shoe in the back seat to force you to take one last glance. According to experts, children, in particular, are in acute danger when in a vehicle with the windows rolled up on a hot day. Jan Null, a San Jose State professor and former meteorologist with the National Weather Service, told SFGate that the temperatures inside vehicles heat up rapidly, with the air rising about 19 degrees over whatever the outside temperature is in the first 10 minutes and rising another 10 degrees in the next 10 minutes. Whats more, Null said the bodies of small children heat up three to five times faster compared to adults. So, while you and I could be in a car thats, say, 109 degrees, an infant or small child would be to the point of entering heat stroke, he said. Ekrem Imamoglu, the opposition, Republican People's Party's (CHP) mayoral candidate in Istanbul, gestures during a rally in Istanbul, late Monday, May 6, 2019. (Lefteris Pitarakis/AP Photo) Turkeys Electoral Board Orders Re-Run of Istanbul Vote ANKARATurkeys top election authority voided the mayoral election won by an opposition candidate in Istanbul and ordered a do-over, ruling May 6 in favor of a request by the presidents party to throw out the vote it narrowly lost. Opposition leaders said the Supreme Electoral Boards decision to invalidate the results from Istanbuls election raises concerns about President Recep Tayyip Erdogans grip on power and Turkish democracy in general. Ekrem Imamoglu of the opposition Republican Peoples Party, or CHP, placed first by a slim margin in the March 31 mayoral election, defeating the ruling party candidate, former Prime Minister Binali Yildirim. Erdogans conservative and Islamic-based Justice and Development Party, or AKP, alleged that a series of election irregularities made the results illegitimate. Repeated ballot recounts and earlier appeals failed to keep Imamoglu from being declared the winner. He took office on April 17, Turkeys state-run Anadolu Agency said the Supreme Electoral Board revoked Imamoglus mandate and called a new election for June 23. As grounds to annul the March 31 results, the board said that some ballot station heads were not civil servants as required by law, the news agency said. Yildirim, the ruling partys candidate in Istanbul, said he hoped the decision would lead to beneficial and beautiful results for Istanbul. Leaders of the opposition held an emergency meeting late on May 6. Imamoglu said he would wait for official word from the electoral board before commenting on the decision. Lawmaker Baris Yarkadas, a fellow CHP member, wrote on Twitter that he considered the ruling evidence the electoral authority has succumbed to political pressure. I feel sorry for Turkey, Yarkadas wrote. Police set up barricades around the electoral boards headquarters in Turkeys capital of Ankara, but there were no immediate signs of demonstrations. Howard Eissenstat, a Turkey expert at the nonprofit Project for Middle East Democracy and a Middle East history scholar at St. Lawrence University in New York, said the May 6 ruling removes the last fig leaf of competitive elections hiding the erosion of democracy in Turkey. Turkey wasnt democratic yesterday and its not democratic today, Eissenstat said. He noted that Erdogans party previously invalidated election results in Turkeys mostly Kurdish-populated regions after a pro-Kurdish party won and replaced elected mayors with government appointees. Erdogan cannot afford to lose in the second round. It would a disastrous display of weakness, Eissenstat said. The local elections held across Turkey on March 31 produced setbacks for the president. His party lost city hall in the capital, Ankara, as well as in Istanbul, ending the 25 years the Justice and Development Party and its Islamist predecessor were in charge of both cities. The loss of Istanbul, Turkeys largest city and the countrys commercial and cultural capital, was particularly hard for Erdogan. He began his political ascent as Istanbul mayor. At pre-election rallies, he repeatedly told crowds, Whoever wins Istanbul, wins Turkey and Whoever loses Istanbul, loses Turkey. Istanbul, with its 15 million residents and strategic location straddling Europe and Asia, is Turkeys financial and cultural heart. It made up 31% of Turkeys GDP of $851 billion in 2017 and draws millions of tourists. The city government had a budget of $8.8 billion last year. The municipality has awarded lucrative contracts to businesses close to the government over the years and offers huge financial resources and employment opportunities. By Suzan Frazer Delegates line up to leave after the closing session of the National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing's Great Hall of the People when the rubber-stamp parliament approved a foreign investment law on March 15, 2019. (Greg Baker/AFP/Getty Images) US Congressional Report Highlights Beijings Failed Attempts to Address Foreign Investment Concerns China is causing billions of dollars in losses for the U.S. economy every year while resorting to a number of different tactics to acquire U.S. technology, according to a recently released congressional report. At the same time, Beijing hasnt made efforts to address the technology outflow from the United States, despite recently enacting a foreign investment law. The report, titled How Chinese Companies Facilitate Technology Transfer from the United States, was released by the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission (USCC) on May 6. It detailed how Beijing has gotten its hands on U.S. technology through six different means: foreign direct investment in the United States; venture capital investment in U.S. companies; joint ventures in China between Chinese and U.S. companies; licensing agreements for U.S. companies operating in China; cyber espionage; and recruitment of U.S. experts to work in China. New Law Fails to Curb Problems The Chinese regime attempted to address intellectual property (IP) theft when it formally enacted a new foreign investment law in March, which will be effective beginning Jan. 1, 2020. The provisions forbid local authorities from compelling foreign companies to transfer their technology; require licensing procedures to be streamlined; and allow foreign investors to transfer money outside of China in any currency, among other measures meant to appease growing U.S. criticism of Chinese trade practices. But the reports assessment of the law wasnt positive. Although the law requires government officials to protect foreign firms IP rights and bans technology transfer requirements, the law only provides general assurances that, if enacted, will still take years to implement. U.S. and foreign companies currently have few options other than to form a joint venture with Chinese firms in exchange for access to the Chinese market, whereby they must provide their IP and technology to their Chinese partners, the report said. Such arrangements put U.S. economic competitiveness andpotentiallynational security interests at risk. Meanwhile, Chinese licensing requirements require foreign companies to obtain approval from authorities for more than 100 different business activities, causing delays and added costs that are discriminatory toward foreign investors, the report said. Another malpractice by Chinese authorities isnt destroying information such as product and process information submitted by foreign companies to gain licensing approval, which has led to sensitive corporate information being shared or exposed. The Foreign Investment Law includes provisions that suggest these [licensing] practices will be eliminated, but the wording of the law remains vague, the USCC report stated. This is not the first time the USCC has questioned Chinas new foreign investment law. In a trade bulletin released on April 5, the commission pointed out that unnamed observers have expressed concern the law will serve as window dressing and not result in meaningful change. European entities also made similar concerns about the new Chinese law. The European Union Chamber of Commerce, in a press release published on March 15 after the laws approval, specifically criticized Article 40 in the law. That provision states that China has the right to retaliate against any country that takes discriminatory prohibitive, restrictive, or other similar measures against the Peoples Republic of China with respect to investment. [Article 40] allows for political issues to influence investor-state relations, and gives China power to take unilateral action against trading and investment partners based on a principle of perceived negative reciprocity, the press release stated, noting that its vague wording further adds to the legal uncertainty that the law creates for foreign companies. EUobserver, an online newspaper based in Brussels, quoted an unnamed EU official as saying that the new Chinese investment law does not address all the issues of concern for Europeans, such as in the area of forced technology transfer, in an article published on April 8. The official added that it is time for action, not only words. Tech Outflow The report also noted the uptick in Chinese investment into U.S. semiconductor and artificial intelligence (AI) companies. According to the USCC report, Chinese firms with state funding have attempted to acquire or have invested in at least 27 American semiconductor firms, with investments totaling more than $37 billion, between 2013 and 2016. In the AI industry, Chinese firms invested in at least 51 U.S. AI startups and firms from 2010 to 2016. Recruiting overseas Chinese and Western experts is another means by which Beijing acquires U.S. technology. The USCC report mentioned two state programs, Project 111 and the Thousand Talents Program, with the former having recruited 39 Nobel Prize winners by 2009, while the latter brought more than 4,000 foreigners to China by mid-2014. At the same time, Beijing has utilized intergovernmental exchanges and academic partnerships at U.S. universities to gain access to U.S. research and equipment. For example, the U.S. Department of Energy currently has several bilateral agreements with China, one of them being the U.S.-China Clean Energy Research Center established in November 2009. These exchanges allow Chinese entities to develop the knowhow to create and run advanced research and development facilities, the report said. A 2018 report by the the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, an independent think tank partially funded by Australias Department of Defense, also pointed out that, since 2007, Beijing has sent more than 2,500 Chinese military scientists and engineers abroad, often by masking their military ties, to study at colleges and universities in countries like Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States. These exchanges directly allowed China to develop better military technology by leveraging U.S. and other countries experience, facilities, and resources in high-tech industries, the report concluded. U.S. technology and IP have also been stolen through cyber attacks, many by hackers with direct ties to Beijing. The USCC report, citing comments from James Lewis, senior vice president at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), pointed out that the U.S. economy suffered financial losses of $20 billion to $30 billion annually over the past two decades due to Chinese cyber espionage. US Responds To Threat By Iran The US responds to a credible threat by Iran in a statement from the White House. The Trump administrations deployment of an aircraft carrier strike group and bombers to the Middle East in a response to Iran to Irans threat said acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan. Original report by Petr Svab Warren Buffett, chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, at the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program press conference on Nov. 26, 2013 in Detroit, Mich. (Bill Pugliano/Getty Images) Warren Buffett Defends Kraft, Says Wells Fargo Made Big Mistakes OMAHA, Neb.Buffett on May 4 signaled his commitment to Kraft Heinz Co. and defended his actions toward Wells Fargo & Co., two of the largest investments at his Berkshire Hathaway Inc., despite mistakes at both that have caused many investors to sour on them. Buffett, 88, spoke before tens of thousands of people in Omaha, Nebraska, where the Berkshire Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and Vice Chairman Charlie Munger, 95, fielded more than 50 shareholder and analyst questions for six hours at the centerpiece of a weekend of events. Kraft Heinz has been a thorn for Berkshire, which in February took a $3 billion write-down on its 26.7 percent stake, because of the packaged food companys inability to keep up with changing consumer tastes and reliance on older brands such as Oscar Mayer and Jell-O. The company was created from the 2015 merger of Kraft Foods and H.J. Heinz, the latter of which had been owned by Berkshire and Brazils 3G Capital, which runs Kraft Heinz day-to-day. Buffett defended 3Gs management, saying the combined company is doing well operationally, and that its current problems cannot be blamed on a lack of investment. But he also maintained that we paid too much money for Kraft. You can turn any investment into a bad deal by paying too much, he said while adding it was not inconceivable Berkshire could partner with 3G again on a transaction. He said 3G had more willingness to take on leverage and pay up, but in many cases also had way better operators. Mistakes at Wells Fargo Buffett, who became famous in 1991 for criticizing Salomon Inc.s practices and becoming interim chairman to right the mess, also faced a question about his relative silence about Wells Fargo, where Berkshire owns a nearly 10-percent stake. Wells Fargo has spent more than 2-1/2 years addressing the fallout from mistreating its customers, including by creating fake accounts, losing two chief executives in the process, including Tim Sloan in March. Buffett repeated that Wells Fargo made some big mistakes in its sales practices, and that when you find a problem, you have to do something about it. He also said chief executives who make big mistakes shouldnt walk away with their wealth. But many questionable Wells Fargo practices long predated Sloans becoming chief executive, and Buffett and Munger have defended him. I dont think people ought to go to jail for honest errors of judgment, Munger said, calling Sloan an accidental casualty. Big Profits, Big Buybacks Berkshire also reported on May 4 that operating income, a measure of Berkshires business performance, rose 5 percent, helped by the Geico auto insurer and BNSF railroad, though it fell just shy of analyst forecasts. Results excluded Kraft Heinz because that company has not released its own quarterly results, Buffett said. Berkshire also repurchased $1.7 billion of stock, reflecting Buffetts difficulty in finding better uses for the companys $114.2 billion cash hoard. Buffett acknowledged he would be willing to repurchase $100 billion of stock if it became cheap enough, and Munger predicted Berkshire would become more liberal with buybacks. This much cash is certainly a drag for Buffett, said Trip Miller, managing partner of Gullane Capital Partners LLC in Memphis. He and Charlie are certainly open that they missed it on several great businesses for many years. The purchases of Apple and Amazon are a good sign. Berkshire owns more than $50 billion of Apple Inc. stock, and Buffett said one of Berkshires portfolio managers, Todd Combs, and Ted Weschler, has invested in Amazon.com Inc. Munger also lamented Berkshires failure to invest in Google, now part of Alphabet Inc, saying I feel like a horses ass for not identifying Google earlier. Berkshires more than 90 businesses and roughly 389,000 employees make the company a barometer for the U.S. economy, and a report card for one of the worlds most revered investors. Not Just Business The shareholder weekend is not all business. Buffett on May 4 made his usual slow-motion crawl, with a crowd of photographers in tow, through an exhibit hall where shareholders could buy Berkshire-owned products, including 20,000 pounds of Sees candies and 28,752 Dairy Queen bars. We love you Warren, shareholders shouted as Buffett nibbled a Dairy Queen vanilla orange bar. People lined up before midnight to get early access to the best seats at the arena, which opened at 7 a.m. Daphne Kalir-Starr, 9, a fourth-grader from New York City, lined up with her father at 11 p.m. late on May 3, along with her sleeping bag. Its her third time to see Buffett. I really like hearing from great investors, she said. Even though he wasnt really recognized at the beginning, he kept working at it. Bela Chowdhury, 49, came from Kolkata, India, with other students from a nonprofit group that promotes financial literacy for women. He is the ultimate guru, she said. Meanwhile, Luke On, a University of Toronto finance undergraduate, said he lined up at 10 p.m. on May 3. I have no place to stay and wanted to save money, but I wanted to see Warren and Charlie, he said. By Trevor Hunnicutt & Jonathan Stempel Zero-waste grocery store holds pop-up tea party Wasteupso, a community-based zero-waste grocery store, is running a pop-up Zero-Waste Tea Party this Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Kew & Leaves near Nodeul Station on Seoul Metro Line 9. "We're having a party!" organizers said in an online invitation. "A tea party in fact complete with delicious handmade teas, vegan desserts, flowers and more!" The event includes a tea-tasting and -blending class offered in Korean and English, desserts provided by two vegan bakeries, handcrafted ceramics for sale, zero-waste flower bouquets, the Wasteupso Zero-Waste Shop and a raffle giving away prizes from participating businesses. Ten percent of profits made from the pop-up shop will be donated to a Korea-based nonprofit organization, to be announced soon. Registration is recommended for the tea class. Visit fb.com/wasteupso or contact wasteupso@gmail.com for more information. Lecturer recalls Korean provisional gov't The number of Koreans remembering the 1910-45 Japanese occupation of Korea may be on the decline. Ahn Young-ok, born in Shanghai on Dec. 29, 1932, has vivid memories of that era and his father's activities with the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea, formed in China. Ahn will share his experiences, including living in North Korea from 1944 to 1946 before fleeing south, his contributions to the 1950-53 Korean War and time spent in the U.S., for the Royal Asiatic Society Korea Branch (RASKB) next Tuesday. As a firsthand witness to several pivotal moments in Korea's modern history, he will share some of the lesser-known facts about the creation of modern-day Korea. Ahn lectured last year on his role in the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) during the Park Chung-hee era and his own significant contribution to Korea's "Miracle on the Han River." The lecture will be held May 14 at 7:30 p.m. on the second-floor lounge of Somerset Palace in downtown Seoul. All are welcome; non-members pay 10,000 won and students pay 5,000 won. Visit raskb.com for more information. J.K. Rowling is well-acquainted with failure. She felt its familiar weight while unemployed and struggling to make ends meet on welfare. She knew it as she sat in cafes and restaurants around Edinburgh, Scotland, furiously writing the seven-book series that would become the worldwide phenomenon of Harry Potter. For all the hardship that failure represented at the time, Rowling has said the sheer breadth of it -- all of her fears coming to pass -- was, in a way, liberating. After finishing her first novel, Rowling received rejection letter after rejection letter. Even after she procured an agent, the story was turned down by 12 publishers before Harry Potter finally made its bookstore debut on July 26, 1997. Almost 22 years later, the magical world Rowling imagined has raked in more than $25 billion in the form of movies, books, toys and more. On top of that, Rowlings international childrens nonprofit, Lumos, claims to have protected over 31,500 children from institutions and orphanages since 2009. In less than a decade, Rowling found worldwide success after realizing her passion. Heres some of her most enduring advice on success, failure and everything in between. On failure: By every usual standard, I was the biggest failure I knew. Now, Im not going to stand here and tell you that failure is fun. That period of my life was a dark one, and I had no idea that there was going to be what the press has since represented as a kind of fairytale resolution. I had no idea then how far the tunnel extended, and for a long time, any light at the end of it was a hope rather than a reality. So why do I talk about the benefits of failure? Simply because failure meant a stripping away of the inessential. I stopped pretending to myself that I was anything other than I was, and began to direct all my energy into finishing the only work that mattered to me. Had I really succeeded at anything else, I might never have found the determination to succeed in the one arena where I felt I truly belonged. (From her Harvard University commencement address, 2008) On naysayers: Don't you dare let their laughter extinguish your ambition. Turn it into fuel! (From Twitter) On rock bottom: I was set free, because my greatest fear had been realized, and I was still alive, and I still had a daughter whom I adored, and I had an old typewriter and a big idea. And so rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life. (From her Harvard University commencement address, 2008) On risk-taking: I had nothing to lose, and sometimes that makes you brave enough to try. (From Twitter) On perfection: Never wait in expectation of perfection or you'll wait forever. Do the best you can with what you've got, and be one of those who dared rather than those who merely dream. (From Twitter) On imagination: Imagination is not only the uniquely human capacity to envision that which is not, and therefore the fount of all invention and innovation. In its arguably most transformative and revelatory capacity, it is the power that enables us to empathise with humans whose experiences we have never shared. (From her Harvard University commencement address, 2008) On happiness: Personal happiness lies in knowing that life is not a check-list of acquisition or achievement. Your qualifications, your CV, are not your life, though you will meet many people of my age and older who confuse the two. Life is difficult, and complicated, and beyond anyones total control, and the humility to know that will enable you to survive its vicissitudes. (From her Harvard University commencement address, 2008) On follow-through: The discipline involved in finishing a piece of creative work is something on which you can truly pride yourself. You'll have turned yourself from somebody who's 'thinking of,' who 'might,' who's 'trying,' to someone who did. And once you've done it, you'll know you can do it again. That is an extraordinarily empowering piece of knowledge. So do not ever quit out of fear of rejection. Maybe your third, fourth, fiftieth song/novel/painting will be the one that 'makes it,' that wins the plaudits, but you'd never have got there without finishing the others (all of which will now be of more interest to your audience). (From Twitter) On perception: Your conception of failure might not be too far removed from the average persons idea of success. (From her Harvard University commencement address, 2008) Related: Copyright 2019 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved Welcome to National Small Business Week, an entire week dedicated to celebrating the typically uncelebrated version of the American entrepreneur. Drive through the heart of any downtown in this country and you will pass small business after small business -- laundromats, restaurants, gas stations, clothing stores and more. Small businesses are the glue that holds American communities together, but we seldom label those business owners "entrepreneurs." For example, when a plumber comes to fix your toilet, do you think of him or her as a small business owner or as an entrepreneur? We have been conditioned to believe that the entrepreneur title should only apply to people like Steve Jobs, Jeff Bezos or on a small business scale, the founder of a cool startup that just sold for millions of dollars. Related: How Culture Saved Our Company After Nearly Killing It The fact is, all business owners are entrepreneurs. The size and the nature of the business is irrelevant. We have enough division in this country right now. Why not strive for inclusion? The main goal of the article I linked to above was to highlight the differences between small business owners and entrepreneurs. For example, the author makes this distinction: Small business owners have a great idea -- Entrepreneurs have big ideas Those are both big, and somewhat elitist, generalizations. As entrepreneurs and small business owners, we can change this way of thinking by investing time in better understanding one anothers businesses. Did Ross Black, founder and CEO of Simple Box Storage and the 2019 Small Business Person of the Year for Washington state, only have a great idea when he came up with Simple Box Storage? Or, did he implement big ideas into the creation of Smart Storage? Im guessing it is the later, based on the fact he just won a fairly large award and his company is growing like a weed (no pun intended). A recent article argued entrepreneurs and business owners have a different relationship with their companies. Entrepreneurs view their companies as assets. Something to be developed, shaped and readied for market. And then sold for a profit so that they can move on to the next Big One. So Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard doesnt qualify as an entrepreneur because he never sold out? Why not ask him? Chouinard answers that very question in his book, Let My People Go Surfing, which should be required reading for all entrepreneurs. Related: Patagonia Founder Yvon Chouinard on His Latest Social Venture I am a small business owner of a retail cannabis operation and growing lifestyle brand, and I definitely consider myself an entrepreneur. I do focus on the big picture and plan at least six months out. I do think risk is essential for success, and I am constantly figuring out better ways to scale. I am not sentimental about my retail store, a small business owner trait pointed out by both articles linked to above. Rather, Im passionate about my brand, which exists beyond the brick and mortar. All entrepreneurs have one really important thing in common: we dont like working for the man (or woman)! We want to be the man! Our desire to run the show means we each believe we have the vision and ability to take an idea from a concept to a reality, then nurture it over a sustained period of time. It doesnt matter if you are selling books online or selling them from a brick-and-mortar store, or both. Related: This Entrepreneur Bet His Existing Business to Launch a Coffee-Shot Brand Every entrepreneur I know needs to wear 15 hats, from brand visionary to accountant to marketer and customer service. The cannabis business is no different. I feel like Im stuck in meetings all day! What is different from your typical small business or startup environment is that the cannabis industry is highly regulated but not yet federally legal, so I have to take extra steps to accomplish tasks that my neighbor at the coffee shop, for example, doesnt. Simply because of the slow pace of the legislative cycle I might plan even further out than the founder of a startup tech company. Not only do I have to plan ahead, I have to plan for sudden and often highly impactful changes. I have a plan A, Plan B and a Plan C just to cover my bases. Every entrepreneur struggles uphill. Most of us started our businesses because we were tired of following someone elses dream. We set our own course and that is what really matters. The tactics we use and whether or not we have an exit strategy are just variations of the entrepreneurial journey. Dividing small business owners and entrepreneurs into two distinct categories is silly and smacks of old-school elitism. Let's label every business owner as an entrepreneur and keep it at that. Simply fold the SBAs Small Business Week and its resources into Congress National Entrepreneurship Week initiative and boom, everyone wins. Best of all, this would allow all of us to get to know one anothers business better and an opportunity to practice inclusion instead of exclusion, which can only be a good thing. Related: Are You a Small Business Owner or an Entrepreneur? 6 SEO Tips to Benefit Any Business 5 Things I've Learned From Venturing Into Solopreneurship Copyright 2019 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved Traveling the world might not seem like such a distant dream for college grads drowning in student debt anymore, thanks to a "sunternship" program brought to you by Days Inn by Wyndham. The hotel company is putting out a call for anyone over 21 who has a passion for travel, photography and storytelling to apply to be their newest "suntern," where they'll travel the world to different Days Inn locations over the course of two weeks. We believe everyone deserves a cultured, overseas experience without deferring or prolonging student loans and this mindset was the very inspiration behind this years global Sunternship program, Patrick Breen, vice president of brand operations at Days Inn by Wyndham, said in a press release. NORWALK Just tell them youre looking for Norwalk, and the average person on the street in Nagarote, Nicaragua will know which direction to point you. Theyll lead you to the community center, built in the small town in western Nicaragua by the Norwalk Nagarote Sister City Project (NNSCP). If you go to Nagarote, you just say, I go to Norwalk, and everyone knows where it is, said Miguel Salinas, field director at NNSCP, seated beside John Woyke, the groups executive director, in the latters Westport office this week. Salinas was in town for less than a week as part of an annual trip to meet with board members and investors and to raise awareness for the partnership and for its upcoming Worlds Greatest Fiesta and fundraiser, May 31 at the Westport Inn. This whole partnership is between Norwalk, and the surrounding towns, and Nagarote, said Woyke, a New Canaan resident. We dont get any government funding, the U.S. embassy doesnt sponsor us. A very large portion of our funding comes from running this once a year. Salinas grew up in Leon, Nicaraguas second largest city, a little more than 30 miles north of the more rural Nagarote, but always felt connected to the more agrarian communities nearby. Im blessed to have had the opportunity to go to private schools and private universities. When youre put in these situations and you have this privilege, you feel that you have the commitment to give back to your community, Salinas explained. For much of his early career, Salinas worked in community development, at times working with delegations of students from the United States and elsewhere abroad who were visiting Nicaragua on service trips. Six years ago, he learned of the Norwalk Nicaragua Sister City Project and applied to lead the organization in the field. One of the things that caught my attention of this job is that they were working around education and I think education is key to the evolution of a person and, of course, the evolution of a community, Salinas said. I saw they were a very solid organization, they have been there over 30 years providing educational opportunities for children, for teenagers and for college students. I thought it was a good opportunity as a Nicaraguan to help a child and to make a positive impact on a community. Salinas helps to oversee an operation that employes 17 Nicaraguans and offers tutoring, enrichment, scholarships and after school programs to more than 200 children and teens. The group is hoping to raise money to start a pre-school in Nagarote a building for which has already been built that would subsidize education for low-income students and provide childcare for parents who work. Three years ago, the groups scholarship graduated its first class of five students from college. Currently, there are twenty students enrolled, studying things like computer engineering, nursing, dentistry and teaching. What makes me proud, is that these are five new professionals in the community that, if it werent for the project, they wouldt have had that opportunity, Salinas said. They are the first generation in their family to go to college. And we have 20 students now with the same story. To RSVP to the gala, which features a silent auction and dinner, visit sistercityproject.org. justin.papp@scni.com; @justinjpapp1; 203-842-2586 NORWALK For the last few weeks school and city officials have been trying to figure out how to handle school construction costs, which many times have come in higher than their projected budgets. On Monday, the Norwalk Board of Estimate and Taxation approved more than $15 million in special capital appropriations to deal with the budget shortfalls, while also reducing multiple accounts by almost that amount to offset the costs. The result was an additional $1.5 million allocated toward the school construction projects. As we have discussed, the architects and construction managers overseeing construction of the Boards Facilities Improvement Plan have advised us of projected budget shortfalls relative to the amount allocated in several of (our) major school construction projects, including the New Columbus School at Ely, the Jefferson School renovation-as-new project and the Norwalk Global Academy, Superintendent Steven Adamowski wrote to Mayor Harry Rilling and the Board of Estimate and Taxation. The board authorized special appropriations of: $3,488,000 for the Columbus at Ely project. $5,453,000 for the Jefferson School and $4,653,000 for the Norwalk Global Academy (the current Columbus school). In addition, it voted to authorize an additional $1.5 million for the Norwalk Global Academy to go with the Board of Educations recommendation to build a new school at the Columbus School site on Concord Street, instead of renovating the historic building as new. The vote to go with the new project is against the decision the Common Councils Land Use and Building Management Committee made last week when it approved a renovation of the current building as new. School officials said that the conversation surrounding what will happen to that building is not over. Our board did debate the issue and concluded that a new building was highly preferable, so that is whats before you tonight, Tom Hamilton, the Norwalk Public Schools Chief Financial Officer, said. The final vote is not done here. I assume theyll be some discussion about that issue shortly. The full Common Council has to vote on what to do with the school project. The board also reduced the following projects to help cover the costs: the district building management systems by $1 million, the district fire alarm systems by $50,000, the facilities master plan capital needs implementation by $11,868,000, the schools for the new millennium project by $97,000 and the facilities assessment study implementation by $579,000. Despite the temporary solution to the funding, members of the Board of Estimate and Taxation, as well as the citys new chief financial officer, said they were concerned about the shortfalls in the budgeted amounts. Its making us look a little foolish to keep adding and adding and adding, board member James Frayer said. Frayer said that he thought the situation was a bit like when a parent gives an allowance and a child spends it and comes back to ask for more. Board of Education chair Mike Barbis and Hamilton defended the plans for the school, stating that the original estimated costs were based largely on square footage, compared to the detailed plans that are in front of them now. Barbis said that district had not touched its school buildings for 15 years, which is why the district was in the situation it is now. Norwalks always cut corners and it always comes back to bite us, he said. Barbis said that there was also a political element to the estimated costs for the projects that were put together by the citys former chief financial officer, Bob Barron. The original number we submitted to the city that number got cut and cut and cut, Barbis said. The city had a finance person that had different numbers per square foot than what our architect provided. Henry Dachowitz, the citys new CFO, said that tough decisions would have to be made in the future to make sure the citys finances are in order and that it is not spending outside of its means. How much can we afford? Someone has to make tough choices, you cant catch up with everything all at once, he said. kelly.kultys@hearstmediact.com NORWALK Most single family homeowners across the city should see their tax bills decline, after the citys $367.5 million budget for fiscal year 2019-20 was approved on Monday night at the Board of Estimate and Taxation meeting. About $327 million of the budget will come from tax revenues. The mill rate went down in each of the citys six taxing districts, which officials said will result in tax decrease for many single-family homeowners based on median assessed property values. East Norwalk, or the third taxing district, will be the only district to see a tax increase, $284 on the median assessed home at $304,840. The citys revalution of property values has increased the grand list by an estimated 16 percent, which helped allow for the mill rate reduction, although appeals of the assessments are still ongoing. The fifth taxing district will see the biggest decrease on their property tax bills, with a projected $659 drop on a single family home assessed at $375,840. Residents in the first taxing district, or Downtown Norwalk, will see a drop of about $237 on their taxes for a median assessed home valued at $240,170. The second taxing district, or South Norwalk, will see taxes dip just slightly, with a decrease of $31 on the average assessed home of $227,420. The fourth taxing districts taxes will decrease $396 on the average assessed home of $275,550. Rowayton, or the sixth taxing district, will see a decrease of $351 on the average assessed home of $764,730. Mayor Harry Rilling said that the department heads worked really hard to come up with a budget that they could be proud of. The budget includes over $198 million for the Board of Education budget, $139 million for city services and programs and just under $30 million in debt service. On the city side, the police budget is just over $26.5 million and the Fire Departments accounts for $19.5 million. Over $45 million goes to employee benefits and pension contributions. About $16 million in revenue comes from intergovernmental revenue, from the state and federal governments. This years budget process was much quieter than years past with just one person speaking at the open public hearing earlier this year. kelly.kultys@hearstmediact.com A handout photo made available by Russian Investigative Committee (Sledcom) shows a Sukhoi Superjet 100 of Russian airline Aeroflot burning at Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport, Russia, 05 May 2019. Conflicting numbers of fatalities are reported after the plane had to make an emergency landing just after takeoff for the flight to Murmansk. EPA/Russian Investigative Committee Forty-one people including at least two children have died after a Russian passenger plane made an emergency landing and erupted in a huge ball of fire and black smoke at Moscow's busiest airport on Sunday, investigators said. Dramatic footage that went viral on social media showed Aeroflot's Sukhoi Superjet 100 aircraft crash-landing and then speeding along the runway at Sheremetyevo international airport, flames pouring from its fuselage. Passengers could be seen leaping onto an inflatable slide at the front and running from the blazing plane as huge black columns of smoke billowed into the sky. "There were 78 people including crew members on board the plane," the Investigative Committee said in a statement, adding that the plane had been flying to the northwestern Russian city of Murmansk. "According to the updated info which the investigation has as of now, 37 people survived." A spokeswoman for the investigators confirmed the death toll was 41. Another 11 people were injured, Dmitry Matveyev, the Moscow region's health minister said earlier in the day. A passenger plane is seen on fire during its emergency landing in Sheremetyevo International Airport in Moscow, Russia, on May 5, 2019. Russia's Investigative Committee confirmed 37 survivors from 78 people aboard an SSJ-100 passenger plane en route to the northwestern Russian city of Murmansk that was on fire during an emergency landing in the Sheremetyevo International Airport in Moscow Sunday. (Xinhua/Sergei) This image taken from video provided by Instagram user @artempetrovich, shows the SSJ-100 aircraft of Aeroflot Airlines on fire during an emergency landing in Sheremetyevo airport in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, May 5, 2019. (@artempetrovich via AP) 'Horror before our eyes' Witness Alyona Osokina said she was inside the terminal when she suddenly saw a plane on fire rushing along the runway. "The blaze was devouring the plane," she told Rain TV. Osokina said that fire engines had arrived quickly but could not immediately put out the blaze. "This horror and tragedy happened before our eyes," she said, adding that those who managed to flee the plane then walked calmly towards the airport. "I believe they were in a state of deep shock." The jet carrying 73 passengers and five crew members had just left Sheremetyevo when the crew issued a distress signal, officials said. "Flight Su-1492 took off on schedule at 6:02 pm (1502 GMT)," said a statement from the airport. "After the take-off, the crew reported an anomaly and decided to come back to the departure airport. At 6:30 pm, the aircraft made an emergency landing," it added. Russia's flagship carrier said the plane had to return to the airport "due to a technical reason" and its engines caught fire upon landing. Previous reports had said the fire broke out in mid-air. The jet reportedly managed to land on its second attempt, hitting the ground with its landing gear first and then its nose. The plane's fuel tanks were full and a much bigger death toll could have been a real possibility, aviation experts said. Investigators said they were looking into various lines of inquiry and it was premature to draw any conclusions about the cause of the accident. Russian President Vladimir Putin had offered his condolences to the victims' loved ones, the Kremlin said. He has also said the investigation "should be as thorough as possible," the Kremlin added. Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev ordered a special committee to investigate the disaster. The Murmansk region where many of the casualties are believed to be from will go into a three-day period of mourning beginning Monday. Some flights have been diverted to other Moscow airports or Nizhny Novgorod, some 400 kilometres (250 miles) east of the Russian capital. Numerous Aeroflot flights are expected to be affected in the coming days. The Sukhoi Superjet 100 aircraft of Aeroflot Airlines is covered in fire retardant foam after an emergency landing in Sheremetyevo airport in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, May 5, 2019. Over a dozen people died Sunday in a fiery airplane accident at Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport, a spokeswoman for the Russian Investigative Committee said. (Moscow News Agency photo via AP) The Sukhoi Superjet 100 aircraft of Aeroflot Airlines is covered in fire retardant foam after an emergency landing in Sheremetyevo airport in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, May 5, 2019. Over a dozen people died Sunday in a fiery airplane accident at Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport, a spokeswoman for the Russian Investigative Committee said. (Moscow News Agency photo via AP) Relatives and friends of victims react as they leave a place where others are gathered at the Sheremetyevo airport in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, May 5, 2019. At least 40 people died when an Aeroflot airliner burst into flames while making an emergency landing at Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport, officials said early Monday. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko) People wait at Sheremetyevo International Airport in an area where others are gathered for news about passengers aboard an Aeroflot airliner that burst into flames while making an emergency landing at the airport in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, May 5, 2019. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko) Blow to aviation industry The country's aviation's safety record has been chequered and the latest disaster is seen as a huge blow to its already struggling aviation industry. The Sukhoi Superjet-100 was the first civilian aircraft developed in the country's post-Soviet era. At the time of its launch, in 2011, it was a source of national pride and seen as one of Putin's pet projects. But numerous technical problems with the plane have been reported in recent years and Russia has struggled to convince foreign carriers to purchase it. The government offered subsidies to encourage Russian airlines to buy the Superjet and Aeroflot has become its main operator. In September 2018, it announced a record order of 100 Superjet-100s. After the tragedy some suggested that Russia may be better off abandoning the Sukhoi Superjet altogether. (AFP) Ambulances are parked in front of the terminal building of the Sheremetyevo Airport outside Moscow after a Russian-made Superjet-100 on fire attempted an emergency landing on May 5, 2019. - The Interfax agency reported that the plane, a Russian-made Superjet-100, had just taken off from Sheremetyevo airport on a domestic route when the crew issued a distress signal. 13 people died according to Russian agencies. (Photo by Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP) NORWALK Parents took to Facebook earlier this week to vent their frustrations over what some described as an abundance of spam emails being sent from Norwalk Public School addresses. The emails came from Norwalk school employees and asked recipients to click links to shared files, or pertaining to the welfare of students, parents reported. They are the result of a small number of phishing emails that get through the districts servers, according to Chief of Digital Learning and Development Ralph Valenzisi. The vast majority that try to get through are blocked daily. We get thousands of spam messages a day. It just happened to be that one went through and got clicked on, Valenzisi said. Its normal, its not anything that we dont normally deal with. According to David Hopp, director of technology at Norwalk Public Schools, phishing scams like the ones reported by parents are attempts to get information usernames, passwords or credit card information often by posing as somone familiar to the victim. Hopp said that if the email looks suspicious, its best not to click on it and not to enter credentials. If a fraudulent link is clicked on by a person, the email may then be spread to all the contacts in that persons contact list. Once Norwalk Public Schools is notified of a problem, they reach out to the source to try to eradicate the scam. We have them change the password. Thats the biggest piece. Then check the account and, make sure its in good standing, Hopp said. Valenzisi said training to protect against these kinds of scams was added to the upcoming 2019-2020 budget, after an internal test showed that many staff members were unprepared to decipher what was a legitimate email and what was spam. We realized from there that we needed to actually budget for some training software, Valenzisi said. In the upcoming school year, Valenzisi and his team will send fake phishing emails to school employees and track who clicks on the emails and who refrains. After a designated number of clicks on potentially threatening emails, the employee would be directed to a training video. Parents also questioned whether the spam emails were evidence that student records might not be safe, but Valenzisi assured that that was not the case. Theyre completely separate systems, this is just email, Valenzisi said. justin.papp@scni.com; @justinjpapp1; 203-842-2586 HILLSBORO, Ohio - If age alone is not enough, journalism and politics are professions guaranteed to lead to a case of chronic cynicism. Having spent a 30-plus-year career almost evenly divided between those two pursuits, it's difficult for me to view politics, particularly in Washington, with anything but jaded eyes. I recognize that such relentless skepticism is unhealthy, so the occasional chance to speak with high school or college students - who still exhibit hope and optimism about government and politics - is a much-needed elixir. They help recalibrate my attitude, at least briefly. But then comes a spectacle such as Attorney General William Barr's appearance before the Senate Judiciary Committee last week, where I watched practiced masters ply their well-honed thespian skills, giving credence once again to Shakespeare's observation about the world and the players on its stage. Democrats brought varying degrees of commitment to their assigned roles during Barr's guest-starring turn on Capitol Hill. Sen. Kamala Harris of California offered a convincing portrayal of a prosecutor, a part she essayed earlier in her career, complete with knowing nods and dismissive asides. Sen. Mazie Hirono of Hawaii had the juiciest lines, but she was curiously still on book, reading her part with little conviction. Calling a U.S. attorney general a liar should be done with more than the casual air of someone commenting on the weather. Barr's performance was unsteady as he waited, often in vain, for his cue to emerge, but Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., has his "outraged and offended" routine down pat. Some newspapers must be tempted to assign their theater critics to cover such farces while saving their news reporters for more serious events. There is irony in the fact that while President Donald Trump was once a TV star, his appeal for many is that he alone seems forever off script. His spontaneity and impulsiveness, reckless as they often are, place others' rehearsed recitations in even starker relief. Why were Democrats furious with Barr for his four-page summary of special counsel Robert Mueller's report and Barr's pre-release news conference? Because he set the narrative. They wanted to set the narrative! They wanted to write the script! How dare he steal their thunder. The New York Times recently reported, "As Speaker Nancy Pelosi urges caution on impeachment, rank-and-file House Democrats are agonizing over the prospect of trying to oust President Trump, caught between their sense of historic responsibilities and political considerations in the wake of the special counsel's damning portrait of abuses." I read the story and laughed out loud, falling victim again to my acute pessimism. The notion that anyone in Congress is "agonizing" over "their sense of historic responsibilities" was comical to me. Try as I might, I detect no authentic outrage over the Mueller report by seasoned Democrats such as Pelosi of California, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York, House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff of California or House Judiciary Chairman Jerrold Nadler of New York, whose feud with Trump is personal and goes back decades. There is simply applause to be earned from a grateful Democratic base. When it's their turn, Republicans will be just as happy to switch roles, as will happen in the coming months when more interesting details arise about the genesis of the Trump-Russia probe. Republicans are no less driven by the temperature of their base. Trump-hating commentators often ask what it will take for Republicans in Congress to abandon the president. The answer is, most will dump him in a heartbeat if his poll numbers among the GOP faithful go south. But then I stop and chide myself. Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe my cynicism runs too deep. I remind myself that I personally know members of Congress who are sincere and do good things for their constituents. I try to tell myself that maybe the Democrats' outrage over Trump, Barr and the Mueller report is real. Maybe Pelosi, Schumer, Schiff and Nadler have no motive other than an altruistic, patriotic desire to defend the Constitution from the evil that is President Trump. Before long, though, my cynicism owns me again. I try to exorcise the demon, but it materializes with every congressional hearing, every Washington news conference, every campaign stump speech. What I see is not good government, just poll-tested show business. Still, we can't all be cynics. Politicians need the trusting and the innocent. Perhaps this is why the parties target the youth vote, and some even want to lower the voting age to 16, before pessimism takes root. Democratic partisans and Never-Trumpers will naturally cheer the coming hearings on obstruction of justice and other Mueller report matters. But I particularly envy the true believers, the non-jaded Americans who will watch the proceedings believing they are witnessing history unfold. In their eyes, Democratic members of Congress will be rising to meet their "historic responsibilities." I'll watch the same hearings and seeing nothing more than the latest chapters of the "Trump-Russia Collusion and Obstruction Show," a Partisan Political Production that was almost derailed when the attorney general exercised script approval over last month's blockbuster finale. No worries. It's been renewed for additional episodes - with a guarantee through 2020. EDWARDSVILLE Curtains Up Theater Company invites audiences to celebrate Mothers Day weekend with Disneys Freaky Friday, a new musical about a mother and daughter who switch places for a day. The show will be performed at SIUEs Dunham Hall on Friday, May 10 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, May 11 at 2 and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, May 12 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors, and $10 for children. They can be purchased from the Curtains Up website. Scott Tripp is the director and Aaron Williams is the co-director of the musical. Joel Hackbarth is the musical director. The show is based on a book from the 70s. There were also two non-musical movies based on the book. The musical is more closely based on the book, Tripp said. Disney just released a musical version on the Disney Channel, Tripp said. Its the same as this show. They may have cut a few songs. Curtains Up is the first group in the St. Louis area to perform the musical, Tripp said. We submitted our request at midnight the day they released it. More Information IF YOU GO WHAT: 'Freaky Friday' musical WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 10; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 11; 2 p.m. Sunday, May 12 WHERE: SIUE's Katherine Dunham Hall INFO: Purchase tickets online at curtainsuptheater.com See More Collapse It talks about having a positive body image and about bullying, he said about the musicals positive message. The musical has about 35 cast members, with six being adults. The main characters are the mother and daughter who switch places. The daughter is a teenager and in high school. Tripp and Williams said they had a lot of teens audition. It has a pop score, and a lot of them have seen a movie version of it, Williams said. The music is by the composer of If/Then and Next to Normal, Tripp said. The harmonies are really tough and some of the songs are very long, but our cast has done really well. Both directors thought the show would be appropriate for ages from about eight and up. There was nothing you couldnt say on daytime TV, Williams said. And her little brother in the show is that age. At the beginning of the musical, Tripp said, the mother and daughter feel very disconnected because each deal with their own problems. The mother, a widow who is engaged to remarry, on the eve of the wedding, gets in an argument with her daughter and somehow the two switch bodies. Its very challenging for the leads, he said. Theyre only themselves for about an eighth of the show. The message of the show is great for Mothers Day, Tripp said. Its about finding their connection again. CARBONDALE The First Circuit Juvenile Justice Council, in coordination with The Illinois Association of Juvenile Justice Councils (IAJJC), The Southern Illinois Violence Prevention Project (SIVPP) and the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA), will host its inaugural First Circuit Juvenile Justice Council Symposium on Tuesday, May 14 at Southern Illinois University. Acting Illinois State Police Director and former St. Clair County States Attorney Brendan F. Kelly will be the keynote speaker at the symposium. Brendan has been a leader in efforts to improve the Illinois juvenile justice system for the last decade. We are excited for him to share his experiences and his ideas to build on our progress said Tyler R. Edmonds, First Circuit Juvenile Justice Chair and Union County States Attorney. This one-day symposium will offer information, insight and continuing education credits for individuals involved with education, prevention, intervention, treatment and accountability for children at risk for abuse, neglect or delinquency. The upcoming First Judicial Circuit Juvenile Justice Council Symposium is a watershed moment for juvenile justice in southern Illinois. This symposium brings professionals and practitioners together to partner in a unique learning and sharing experience focused on issues affecting our youths, from trauma-focused cognitive behavior therapy to restorative justice as well as many other important issues. Moving forward our approach will surely be better informed and consequently immensely better suited for the youth we serve because of this opportunity, Judge Todd Lambert of Saline County said. Attendees will attend sessions that will focus on evidence-based practices and trauma-informed approaches that can be utilized to help improve public safety and create sustainable change in the lives of at-risk youth. Register online at conferenceservices.siu.edu or by phone at 618-536-7751 Prosecutor-General Moon Moo-il speaks to reporters at the entrance of his office at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in Seoul, Tuesday. / Yonhap By Kang Seung-woo Prosecutor-General Moon Moo-il has reaffirmed his opposition to sharing the prosecution's exclusive investigative powers with police, citing the protection of the basic rights of the people. This was the latest outburst from the top prosecutor expressing opposition to the Cheong Wa Dae-led judiciary reform plan that is aimed at curbing the prosecution's unhampered authority. Moon first expressed his antipathy Wednesday during an overseas business trip. "The basic rights of the people can be protected under circumstances, where the rights to initiate and close cases are separated and police investigations are under the control of the prosecution," Moon told reporters Tuesday on the way to his office after shortening his trip. "The principle must be observed at every state-run investigative organization, including the prosecution. I hope there will be a forum to publicly discuss the judiciary reform bill that can protect the interests of the people." The top prosecutor's statements came after two National Assembly committees placed key reform bills on a fast track late last month, including one expanding the powers of the police that will allow them to open and close investigations without needing approval from the prosecution. Under the current law, only the prosecution has the right to close a case. While still overseas, Moon publicly slammed the bill, describing it as "running counter to the democratic principles of checks and balances." His criticism, seen as representing the views of his subordinates, caused a strong stir, and he eventually cut short his trip. The reform bill comes amid continued criticism that the investigative rights of the prosecution are too powerful, often leading to their abuse of power and corruption scandals. Later in the day, Moon also presided over a meeting with senior prosecutors to discuss the issue and how to express their opinion to the government, the Assembly and the public. The senior prosecutors voiced concern that the bill, by giving police the right to close cases without sending them to the prosecution, could violate democratic checks and balances, which they claim may eventually undermine the people's fundamental rights. "The prosecution has taken flak due to the absence of an organization enforcing control over its rights to open and close investigations, but if the bill is passed, police will be empowered with the same rights with no one to keep them in check," an official at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office said. "In scenarios where judicial control over police investigations does not work properly, there should be countermeasures. In that respect, a variety of measures need to be discussed about the expansion of the independent investigative authority of the police." Moon plans to hold more meetings with senior prosecutors to collect opinions from within the organization before appearing at the National Assembly special committees on judiciary and political reform, if asked. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Elizabeth Robinson and Herry Purnomo (The Jakarta Post) - Tue, May 7, 2019 15:15 962 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa8736971a3 3 Opinion palm-oil,EU,European-Union,biofuel,ban,trade-barriers,deforestation,commodity,export-oriented-industry,The-Conversation Free Anyone lucky enough to visit Ghana could do worse than order a plate of boiled yam and red-red a stew made with beans and tomato paste. A Sunday morning treat in Europe might be homemade crepes and hazelnut chocolate spread. Both of these meals though part of very different cuisines and eaten in different places contain palm oil, an edible vegetable oil extracted from the fruit of the oil palm (Elaeis guineensis). The link between palm oil production and deforestation in the tropical regions where it is grown is well known, but few people realise how prevalent palm oil is in items consumed every day, such as cleaning products and biodiesel. Global production of palm oil has increased rapidly since the 1990s, with plantations in Indonesia and Malaysia supplying around 85% of the global trade. Read also: Message to the EU: you have the chance to stop fuelling devastation in the Amazon Many of these plantations have replaced natural forests and drained carbon-rich peatlands. In Indonesia alone, palm oil is cultivated by more than 4 million smallholder farmers, employing more than 7 million labourers throughout its supply chain, and in 2017 exports contributed over USD$23 billion to the countrys economy. The European Parliament issued a resolution in 2017 to phase out and eventually ban biofuels made from palm oil. The EU ban could reduce demand for palm oil, but many, including the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, arent sure it will be effective in stemming deforestation. Malaysian farmers meanwhile argue it will harm their livelihoods.. The ban could even harm the environment by ending efforts to work with countries that are developing sustainable palm oil production that can also reduce poverty. More harm than good? Just under half of the EUs palm oil imports are used for biodiesel. Despite the importance of palm oil to Indonesias economy, the impact of an EU ban is likely to be small. Indonesia exports two thirds of its biodiesel production, but only around one fifth of that goes to EU countries. Indonesia may compensate for lost sales in the EU by increasing sales to large importers such as India and China. The EU ban could set back Indonesias efforts to manage its forests and palm oil trade more sustainably as these customers arent currently committed to sustainable sourcing. Unintended consequences like these highlight why bans can be crude policy instruments. The EU ruled that renewable fuels such as biodiesel must comprise 10% of transport fuel by 2020. This was intended as an implicit ban on fossil fuels comprising the final 10% of vehicle diesel, but banning particular crops like palm oil for biofuels and keeping a biofuel requirement simply diverts the problem. This is particularly so if the EU continues to meet the 10% requirement using first generation biofuels those derived directly from food crops, such as soy or rapeseed. Replacing food crops to meet increased demand for bio-ethanol production places pressure on land and could increase global food prices, hurting low-income households most. Better approaches would target the interconnected problems of carbon emissions, deforestation and poverty. EU countries could support the sustainable cultivation of palm oil, breaking the link between oil palm expansion and deforestation in producer countries. One way to do this is planting on degraded land rather than replacing forest. This avoids the negative impact of a ban on the livelihoods of millions of farmers. Demand for fossil fuels could be reduced more effectively by making public transport more accessible, affordable and reliable. Incentives for people to buy electric cars, through subsidy and a higher density of charging points, could also help. Indonesia and the EU have already worked together on this issue with some success. A voluntary partnership agreement between the two in 2003 helped Indonesia reduce illegal logging and export timber to the EU. But given that most of Indonesias palm oil exports go to countries outside of the EU, a global approach is needed. The UN Environment World Conservation Monitoring Centre investigates the sustainable trade in forest products. It hopes to understand how incentives for supplier and producer countries can ensure trade improves livelihoods, prosperity and the natural environment. In an increasingly interconnected world, seemingly sensible decisions made in one place can have unintended consequences elsewhere. An EU palm oil ban, designed to protect tropical forests, could instead harm the livelihoods of farmers and increase forest loss if countries such as Indonesia and Malaysia switch to markets with fewer environmental checks and balances. *** Elizabeth Robinson, Professor of Environmental Economics, University of Reading dan Herry Purnomo, Professor of Forest Management and Governance, Centre for International Forestry Research This article was originally published onThe Conversation. Read the original article. 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 Endy Bayuni (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, May 7, 2019 08:44 963 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa87366e1a9 1 Opinion #2019PresidentialElection,#2019GeneralElections,2019-presidential-election,2019-elections,democracy,polling-stations,death,KPPS,TPS,election,voting-day,#commentary Free The April 17 general election may have been peaceful and orderly but it still goes down as one of the bloodiest in Indonesias history, with the death of more than 400 polling station workers. Indonesia does not have a history of election violence, and this year is no exception, in spite of the brutal exchange of words between candidates and parties in their campaign. The nation should take pride that they have held their fifth democratic, free and fair elections since 1998. The reported 80 percent turnout this year is testament to peoples faith in democracy. Unfortunately, this time democracy comes with a big price tag. The death toll among polling station workers brought the nations attention to the brutal and arduous work they endured. Before this, their contribution to the success of Indonesias elections has been underestimated and underappreciated. Judging by the cold reactions as if this is the price to pay for democracy, many people, including those in government, still do not understand the work involved. The elections would not have been possible without the work of these workers. They are ordinary people recruited from local neighborhoods who dedicated their time and energy. The General Elections Commission (KPU) made sure that voting was as easy and convenient as possible, limiting the number of voters to no more than 300 for each polling station to administer the five elections: President/vice president, House of Representatives, Regional Representatives Council, provincial-level legislative council and regency/city-level legislative council. More than 800,000 polling stations nationwide were set up for the 192 million registered voters, and with each station run by nine people, the KPU relied on the work of more than 7.2 million volunteers. For most voters, getting to the polling station required a mere few minutes of walking. Typically a voter spent no more than 10 minutes waiting and casting the five ballot papers. There were no scenes of long lines of people waiting to vote. In countries with large concentrations of Indonesians, such as in Singapore and Sydney, Indonesians waited up to five or six hours to vote because the embassy could only open one polling station. But not in Indonesia. Since the government declared voting day a national holiday, many voters enjoyed the rest of the day, taking advantage of the generous discounts from eateries in big cities like Jakarta. We could not have made it easier for people to vote. But now we have learned that voting-made-easy has its costs: The death of volunteers, mostly caused by exhaustion. More than 400 at the last count, including around 90 who died while working, and hundreds more still recovering in hospitals. On April 17, volunteers typically spent 20 hours working non-stop, many going beyond 24 hours, far beyond what a normal human being can endure. Everyone was exhausted. Besides administering the votes, they had to count all five ballot boxes. And they had to fill in multiple reports to the KPU. Their work began the day before, when they had to set up the tent, chairs, tables and other props. A few days earlier, they wrote the invitation to vote to the 300 people registered at their polling station, and hand delivered them door-to-door. Did the volunteers know what they were getting into when they signed up? Many did, from experience in administering past elections. They knew it so well many swore they would not do it again. Yet, they signed up because the subdistrict office begged them since no one else wanted to do it. Others who had no prior experience had no idea what they were getting into, and were physically unprepared. Running a polling station was not a difficult or complex job, but it was arduous and physically taxing. The requirement for the job was a high school diploma. They were given a brief workshop on how to run the polling station and fill in the forms. A few days before D-Day, the KPU asked the volunteers to produce a doctors certificate to say they were fit. At short notice, most were told to obtain it from local community health centers. For a small fee, without going through the check up, they got the letter declaring they were fit. The KPU has protected itself. Most commentators with little idea of the work involved were quick to blame the decision to hold the presidential and legislative elections simultaneously. Naturally, they propose that the elections be held separately in 2024 as in past elections. But that would only mean volunteers having to work twice as much next time around. Going by the death toll in 2019, it is unlikely that the KPU will be able to recruit as many volunteers, not for one round of elections, let alone for two. The work of polling station workers could have been made much easier if Indonesia allowed for electronic voting. India, with five times the number of voters, has used e-voting that seemed fair and without evidence of massive fraud. Even without e-voting, much of the work in 2019 could have been made simpler with computers. Instead, the KPU insisted on volunteers doing everything manually. With e-voting, the KPU still needs volunteers to run the polling stations in 2024, but with computers, their work would be so much simpler and far less taxing than the current analog system. We can even include all the other elections gubernatorial and regency/mayoral elections as previously planned to cut the huge costs of running so many elections in this country. We should continue to make voting as easy as possible for people but we can also make administering the elections much easier, in the name of democracy. *** The writer, a senior journalist, survived running a polling station in South Jakarta Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Inforial (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta, Indonesia Tue, May 7, 2019 15:56 962 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa873697c7e 4 Inforial Free The increased number of groups with disposable income and the expected demographic bonus in Indonesia provide a promising market opportunity for insurance companies. The demographic bonus comes as a result of robust economic growth, thanks to a larger working age group, which is expected to reach 70 percent of the total population by 2030 In general, however, insurance awareness among Indonesian people remains low. This entails continuous endeavors to raise the awareness among the young people about the importance of life and financial protection and investment. This explains why PT AXA Financial Indonesia, which is part of AXA Group, recently launched its latest unit link product, AXA Signature Link (ASL), and opened AXA Experience Zone, an educative platform featuring high-tech games. The launch was conducted on May 5 at Kuningan City in South Jakarta. AXA Group is one of the biggest insurance and asset management companies in the world. . (./.) AXA Financial Indonesias CEO Niharika Yadav said during the opening ceremony that aligned with the companys mission to be a partner to its customers by providing innovative and comprehensive solutions based on their needs, we present AXA Signature Link, a new generation unit link product with great flexibility on protection. Today, we also present AXA Experience Zone, a platform to build awareness and educate Indonesians by leveraging the technology of tomorrow. Through a unique and fun way, we will simplify insurance for millennials and the young family segment and contribute to financial literacy, aligned with the OJKs [Financial Services Authority] program. Both these initiatives are proof of AXAs commitment to customer centricity and in line with our spirit of our partner Liverpool FCs [motto], Youll Never Walk Alone. AXA Signature Link is a long-term protection product that not only covers life protection but also terminal illnesses. This solution also offers optimum protection as well as investment at every stage of life. This product completes the wide range of AXA Financial Indonesias unit link products with winning features, including: Rider benefits that can be add based on customers needs Covers until the age of 100 Positive allocation in the first year and 100 percent allocation in the second year. Loyalty bonus of 1 percent from the average investment value during the last 60 months, which will be given in the form of units in the investment value on the 10 th year and every five years afterwards, as long as the policy is active. year and every five years afterwards, as long as the policy is active. Guarantee the policy is active for the first 10 years Eight investment fund options that can be adjusted to customers risk profile Investment alternative to offshore market for optimum results. Flexibility in terms of top up, withdrawal and free of charge for switching. Meanwhile, AXA Financial Indonesia director Vicentius Wilianto said: We realize that at every stage of life, everyone will have different needs and AXA Signature Link is there to help them fulfill each one of them. He went on to say that this is a long-term solution for financial protection that can provide customers with optimum sum assured as well as loyalty bonuses for customers, so that they can achieve their financial dream be it by preparing for an education plan, retirement plan or income protection. In addition to providing long-term investment benefits, AXA Signature Link offers other benefits such as basic insurance benefits for risk of death and terminal illness, as well as riders benefits such as coverage for inpatient care and surgery at a hospital. It also offers a premium payment waiver in the case of permanent disability and critical illnesses. These benefits are expected to enable customers to plan their finances with peace of mind. With the AXA Signature Link product, we believe that our agency distribution channel is ready to enter the era of transformation in protection. The advantages of this latest product make our agents more confident as financial consultants, said AXA Financial Indonesia director Cicilia Nina. AXA Signature Link helps our customers get comprehensive and optimal protection solutions that are easy to reach. With AXA Signature Link, we offer protection that provides the best lifestyle for customers and their families. OJK data strengthens the companys optimism by predicting that the total premium of life insurance will reach Rp 257.38 trillion (US$17.99 billion) in 2019, where unit link is predicted to contribute around Rp 131.16 trillion and traditional insurance around Rp 126.51 trillion. On the other hand, the Indonesian Life Insurance Association (AAJI) reported that unit link is still the biggest contributor at 58.4 percent for the past 10 years. AAJI further targeted unit link to grow 15-20 percent this year. In order to support the government in improving financial and insurance education and literacy among the public, AXA Financial Indonesia together with other business units under AXA Indonesia presents AXA Experience Zone, an interactive education area. The educational platform is available from April and will run through March 2020. As part of our commitment to introducing and educating insurance to the public, AXA Indonesia presents the AXA Experience Zone, an interactive education platform created to introduce the importance of protection through a fun and unique way. With fun virtual games, the AXA Experience Zone will bring better awareness to Indonesian people regarding health, life and asset protection. Both adults and children can enjoy playing with this VR/AR technology, said AXA Indonesia country CEO Julien Steimer. The AXA Experience Zone is a platform for the public to understand insurance and the importance of protecting the future through a unique and fun concept. The public can visit the AXA Experience Zone at Kuningan Citys UG floor, where there will be exciting virtual reality games that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, starting from the age of 5 years old. For further information, please contact: PT AXA Financial Indonesia Customer Care Centre AXA Tower lt. GF, Jl. Prof. Dr. Satrio Kav. 18, Kuningan City, Jakarta 12940, Indonesia Tel: +62 21 3005 9999 | Fax: +62 21 3005 8009 | Email: customer@axa-financial.co.id Head office AXA Tower lt. 17, Jl. Prof. Dr. Satrio Kav. 18, Kuningan City, Jakarta 12940, Indonesia Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Kaneez Fatima (Agence France-Presse) Tabur, Pakistan Tue, May 7, 2019 07:00 963 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa873664ddc 2 People Pakistan,airplane,Muhammad-Fayyaz Free The engine is from a roadcutter, the wings are burlap, the wheels are borrowed from a rickshaw: a popcorn seller has caught the attention of the Pakistan Air Force by building his own plane. The tale of Muhammad Fayyaz has captured the hearts of many in a nation where millions, just like him, have limited access to education and are fighting for opportunities. "I was literally in the air. I couldn't feel anything else," Fayyaz said of his first flight in a machine he learned to build mainly from viewing TV clips and online blueprints. Pakistan has been thrilled before by stories of scientific prodigies plucked from obscurity before -- notably, that of the engineer who said in 2012 that he had invented a car that could run on water -- a story that was later debunked by scientists. But Fayyaz insists he flew and his claim is being taken seriously by the air force, whose representatives have now visited him multiple times, even issuing a certificate to commend his work, he revealed. There has been a steady stream of visitors wanting to view his creation, which now sits in the empty courtyard of his three-room home in the village of Tabur in central Punjab province. Dreaming of a jet plane The 32-year-old said he had dreamed of joining the air force as a child, but his father died while he was in still in school, forcing him to drop out at the eighth grade and do odd jobs to feed his mother and his five younger siblings. As an adult, his passion for flying remained undiminished, so he took a wild gamble on a new dream and put everything he had into creating his own craft. By day he worked as a popcorn seller, by night as a security guard, saving every rupee he could. The first thing he had to acquire was information -- beginning with watching episodes of the National Geographic Channel's Air Crash Investigation for insight into thrust, air pressure, torque, propulsion. Cheap internet access in a nearby city helped fill the gaps, with Fayyaz claiming he spliced blueprints of planes he found online for his own creation. He sold a piece of family land, and took out a 50,000 rupee ($350) loan from a micro-finance NGO, which he is still paying off. Read also: Guns and tourists: Aboard the unlikely India-Pakistan 'friendship bus' He used his meagre funds creatively, buying burlap sacks wholesale and persuading a kind workshop employee who had seen him scouting for materials to build him a propeller. There was trial and error. Some equipment needed to be replaced, designs had to be altered, the wiring had to be reworked. His family worried he was obsessed. "I kept telling him to stop. I kept telling him to concentrate on his family and work, he was being crazy over nothing. But he didn't listen to a single word," his mother, Mumtaz Bibi, recalled. But Fayyaz kept going. And, at the end of it all produced a plane -- tiny, fragile, and painted a bright blue. 'Locked up with criminals' In February this year, he said, after more than two years of ridicule, he was ready. Fayyaz claims his friends helped him to block a small road which he used as a runway for that first flight attempt in February. The plane reached 120kph before taking off, Ameer Hussain, a witness who claims to have ridden alongside the plane in a motorcycle, told AFP. "It was between two and two and half feet off the ground," he said. "It flew for about two to three kilometres before landing." AFP has been unable to verify the claim. But the attempt made Fayyaz bold enough to want to try again in front of the rest of his village, many of whom had mocked his efforts. He picked March 23, Pakistan Day, for the unveiling. Police said hundreds of people crowded around his tiny plane, many clutching national flags. But before Fayyaz could even start the engine, the police arrived and arrested him, confiscating his plane. "I felt as though I had committed one of the worst acts in the world, as though I am the worst person in Pakistan," he explained, adding: "I had been locked up with criminals." The court released him with a 3,000 rupees ($19) fine. When AFP visited the local police station, officers said they had arrested Fayyaz as his plane was a safety threat. Officer Zafar Iqbal explained: "The plane was returned to him as a goodwill gesture. Should he obtain a flying license or permit, he is free to fly." Fayyaz's misfortune resulted in social media fame, and he was called a "hero" and an "inspiration" by some netizens. Representatives from the Pakistan Air Force have made two visits to view the plane and the commander of a nearby base issued him a certificate which praises his "passion and dexterity" in building what it described as a "mini basic airplane". Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, May 7, 2019 16:08 962 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa87369a373 1 Lifestyle Dior,Kim-Jones,BTS,K-pop,#KPop,music,concert Free Iconic K-pop boy band BTS kicked off its World Tour with a performance in Los Angeles on Saturday that reportedly attracted around 60,000 concertgoers. Complementing their spectacular show, the band members wore special stage costumes designed by Dior's artistic director of menswear, Kim Jones. "This is the first time that Dior has created men's stage wear for a pop band," read a statement from the brand, adding that the band members had met Jones earlier this year. "I love BTS because they are really great guys and also super into fashion. Everyone I know is kind of crazy about them," said Jones, who ended up creating seven stage costumes for the band. Read also: Ultimate beginners guide to BTS A sketch shows their stylish looks, which include cargo pants, boots and bomber jackets inspired by Jones' futuristic pre-fall 2019 collection for men. The band members are said to don the costumes at their upcoming shows across the US, Europe and Brazil, including Chicago (May 11), New Jersey (May 18), Sao Paulo (May 25), London (June 1 to 2) and Paris (June 7 to 8). (sop/kes) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Sebastien Malo (Reuters) New York, United States Tue, May 7, 2019 22:09 962 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa8736a3661 2 Parents children,parents,climate-change,Science,environment Free Teenagers in the US coastal state of North Carolina who were schooled in the basics of man-made climate change saw their parents grow more concerned about the issue, scientists said on Monday in the first study of its kind. The results suggested nationwide protests by young people urging action to tackle global warming could influence the views of adults at home, researchers told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. Danielle Lawson, lead author of the study published by the journal Nature Climate Change and a researcher at North Carolina State University, said the findings could "empower" ongoing efforts by students, such as the "Fridays for Future" marches. That movement has seen school children around the world walk out of classes on Fridays, including in the United States, in protest at government inaction on climate change. In the study, parents whose middle school-age children followed a curriculum that included learning about climate change increased their own level of concern by nearly 23 percent on average, the researchers found. For conservative parents, the rise was significantly higher, averaging 28 percent. The two-year experiment, involving about 240 students and nearly 300 parents, was the first to demonstrate that climate change education for children promotes parental concern, a North Carolina State University statement said. But the results could only be generalized to North Carolina coastal counties, where the experiment took place, said Lawson. In the research, teachers gave some students lessons on climate change, including classroom activities like mapping data and field trips to places experiencing degradation linked to global warming. Another group did not follow that curriculum. Read also: Teen activist Greta Thunberg's speeches to be released in a book Parents of both groups shared their level of preoccupation about global warming in surveys administered before and after the experiment. Brett Levy, an assistant professor of education at the New York-based University at Albany who was not involved in the study, said the results potentially spoke to dynamics at play as students skipped school to demand climate action. "Sometimes people who participate in protests learn about the issues involved," he said. "This study suggests that young people involved in these climate demonstrations could influence the views of their parents." Currently, 37 of 50 U.S. states, plus Washington D.C., have adopted science education guidelines that include learning about climate change as a result of human activity, said Glenn Branch, deputy director of the National Center for Science Education. Thirteen states do not mention climate change as man-made, describe it only as a possibility, or misrepresent the scientific consensus about the phenomenon, he added. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Rieka Rahadiana and Haslinda Amin (Bloomberg) Fiji Tue, May 7, 2019 09:15 963 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa873672717 2 Politics #2019GeneralElections,Joko-Widodo-Maruf-Amin,Sri-Mulyani-Indrawati Free Indonesian President Joko Widodo has an ambitious list of goals for his next termimproving education and health care, providing a social safety net and developing infrastructure. What he needs, though, is the power to pick a team capable of helping him achieve them, according to Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati. The 57-year-old, known as Jokowi, is set for a second five-year mandate with an official running tally of Aprils election showing him leading challenger Prabowo Subianto by about 12 percentage points. The president and his running mate, top cleric Maruf Amin, need to accommodate the varied interests of 10 parties that make up their coalition while addressing a sizable current account deficit amid global uncertainties. He needs to have a free hand to decide what team he wants to choose in order for him to deliver, as well as to accelerate the development that he already initiated, Sri, a key member of Jokowis Cabinet, said in an interview in Fiji where she was attending Asian Development Bank meetings. The official election result will be announced by May 22. The former World Bank managing director told Bloomberg TVs Haslinda Amin that Jokowi may need to turn to the private sector to help with infrastructure development by providing mechanisms to attract investors. The president, she said, would also want to distribute wealth more evenly to lower the poverty rate to below 9 percent. The 2020 state budget draft will reflect Jokowis increased focus on the development of human resources, the health sector, social security and infrastructure, Sri said. Stability in Indonesias leadership and governance would reassure its people and the international community, but there is still a need to be vigilant on the impact of much weaker-than-projected 2019 global economic growth, she said. Revenueboth tax and non-taxmay fall short of this years target because the price of oil will probably be lower than budgeted and commodity prices are softer due to the weakening global economy, Sri said She believes Indonesia should continue pursuing tax reform by improving compliance and educating the population about the importance of paying tax. Jokowi is expected to take steps in next years budget to boost investments and exports to stimulate the economy as external risks increase. The central bank is also considering easing measures to spur growth, allowing Sri to provide incentives to the economy. The government is targeting a GDP expansion of 5.3 percent to 5.5 percent in 2020. Foreign direct investment in Indonesia in the first three months of the year dropped for a fourth straight quarter as investors remained cautious before April elections. Investment fell 0.9 percent to Rp 107.9 trillion (US$7.6 billion) from a year earlier, undermining efforts to narrow the current account deficit, which widened to almost 3 percent of GDP last year. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, May 7, 2019 08:06 963 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa873669ca7 1 City Central-Jakarta,teenage-delinquency,teenagers,Juvenile,brawl Free Yet another teenager has died in a deadly brawl in Greater Jakarta, with the victim dying of a laceration wound after a fight in Senen, Central Jakarta, on Sunday. Senen Police Chief Comr. Muhammad Syafei said the brawl involved two gangs of teenagers, who were residents of Jl. Kramat II in Kwitang subdistrict, Senen. The two groups agreed to meet to fight on social media, Syafei said on Monday as quoted by kompas.com. Syafei said the victim died after his abdomen was slashed with a sickle. The 17-year-old was rushed to a hospital, but died of blood loss. The police had arrested 18 teenagers involved in the brawl, he said. From the 18 people we will find out who swung the sickle, Syafei said. Sundays incident is not the first death to occur from teenage violence in Greater Jakarta in the first week of May. Depok Police in West Java have arrested five teenage suspects after a teenager, identified as RAS, was killed in an act of mob violence on Wednesday. The five teenagers have been identified as AR, 16, MGA, 16, YS, 17, FL, 16, and RA, 17. According to Depok Police crime division chief Comr. Deddy Kurniawan, RAS had been drinking coffee with a friend in a coffee shop when he saw a group of teenagers fighting near the Proklamasi police post. The victim left the coffee shop to see the incident, Deddy said as quoted by kompas.com. However, one group of teenagers thought that RAS was a friend of the other gang, and while RAS was on his way home, the teenagers chased after him and slashed him with a sickle. RAS died after suffering wounds to his abdomen and back. Earlier this year, a senior high school student was killed on the evening of March 14 in a duel with another student that involved sickles in Bogor, West Java, after a heated argument on Facebook. The 17-year-old student, identified as AH, died from head wounds sustained in the duel with MR, 14, a student at a different school. Bogor Police crimes division head Adj. Comr. Benny Cahyadi said in a press statement that MR had been arrested. The police have also confiscated the sickles used during the duel and AH's clothes as evidence. Benny said MR and AH had never met prior to the duel, which took place in Ciampea. The two had interacted on Facebook, where they became embroiled in a heated argument. Benny stressed that the duel was motivated by a personal grudge resulting from the online argument, and that it was not connected to rivalries between school gangs, a common problem in Bogor. A study into teenage brawls, known as tawuran in Indonesian, showed that the majority of fights were triggered by "trivial" problems. The researchers believed that the complex psychological condition of the teenagers, related to going through a coming-of-age period and the search for identity, was one of the biggest factors behind the brawls. Jakarta Police spokesperson Sr. Comr. Argo Yuwono said the police were committed to ensuring every case of teenage gang violence ended in court. We always investigate, we take them to court, and then the courts decide the punishment, Argo told The Jakarta Post over the phone on Monday. He added that prosecution of juvenile perpetrators always followed the legal procedures laid out in the Child Protection Law and the Juvenile Law. (gis) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Karina M. Tehusijarana and Arya Dipa (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta/Bandung Tue, May 7, 2019 While last weeks May Day demonstrations took place relatively peacefully, acts of vandalism during protests in several cities across the country triggered a police crackdown on so-called anarcho-syndicalist activists. National Police chief Gen. Tito Karnavian said that he has ordered the mapping of the group and that action would be taken against it. Weve seen them in previous years in Yogyakarta, in Bandung, now they are in Surabaya and Jakarta, he told reporters recently. Unfortunately they conduct violence and vandalism, tagging the A symbol and damaging fences. 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 By Jung Da-min The Ministry of National Defense has launched an investigation into the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses (KIDA) over allegations that a senior KIDA member created a slush fund and bribed politicians. A senior official of KIDA's Defense Information System Management Group allegedly collected portions of the bonuses paid to the employees to create a slush fund, and bribed some government officials and lawmakers, according to the ministry. The official's name was not revealed. The allegation was raised last month by a whistle-blower from the defense think tank and the Office for Government Policy Coordination Prime Minister's Secretariat first received the report. The prime minister's office has found a list of government officials and lawmakers who allegedly received the money, written by the senior KIDA member. The case was then referred to the defense ministry later last month. The ministry on Tuesday started an investigation into KIDA and it said the investigation is likely to continue for about two weeks. According to a Hankyoreh report, the slush fund may exceed 400 million won ($343,000). Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, May 7, 2019 15:36 962 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa8736979c3 1 City market,inspections,anies-baswedan,garlic,price,ramadan Free Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan conducted a random inspection at Kramat Jati wholesale market in East Jakarta on Tuesday morning to ensure food supply and prices during Ramadan. Garlic was the first and main commodity that Anies checked at the market, where at least 10 tons of garlic was recently sold. The garlic, reportedly imported from China, cost retailers Rp 600,000 (US$41.95) per 20 kilograms. [Im sure they] will run out by this afternoon. The demand for garlic is very high, said Arief Nasrudin, the director of citys Pasar Jaya market operator, who accompanied the governor. The price of garlic in Jakarta has drastically increased as a result of shortages at the beginning of Ramadan. At Pasar Jaya Market, garlic was selling for Rp 80,000 to Rp 100,000 per kilogram on Tuesday, a significant increase from the usual Rp 20,000 to 30,000 per kilogram. Anies went on to inspect other products, such as rice, cooking oil and milk. The governor has instructed his administration to increase the food supply at all city markets during Ramadan by 10 to 20 percent from the usual amount. (das) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, May 7, 2019 16:09 962 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa87369b044 1 City East-Jakarta,tarawih,pedestrian-bridge,demolition,ramadan Free Several young Muslims performed their last tarawih (evening prayers during Ramadan) on the Jl. Basuki Rahmat pedestrian bridge in Jatinegara, East Jakarta, on Monday, as the structure will soon be demolished to make way for the Bekasi-Cawang-Kampung Melayu (Becakayu) toll road project. Every Ramadan, the pedestrian bridge has been used by youths in the area as a place to pray because the nearby Mushola Miftahul Jannah prayer room only allows older residents. This is our last year. There are five neighborhood units [RT], from RT 8 to RT 12, that will be evicted for the Becakayu toll road. This is our last chance seeing young Muslims praying on the bridge," Arafat, the musholas caretaker, said as quoted by Wartakota.tribunnews.com. He went on to explain that the area would be cleared for the construction of an elevated ramp road that will connect Cawang, East Jakarta, to the toll road. The toll road developer, Arafat added, had measured the mushola several months ago as it would build a new prayer room of the same size elsewhere. "The building is valued at Rp 900 million [US$63,000]. The total area is 88 square meters," he added. Another caretaker, Ponco, said he was sad to see the mushola, which was built in the 1980s, torn down soon. The mushola has served as a place where young Muslims of the area learned about Islam. "It's been our tradition that the elders pray inside the mushola while the young people pray on the bridge. I'm sad, but what can I do?" Ponco said. (vla) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Stefanno Reinard Sulaiman (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, May 7, 2019 08:54 963 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa87366ec05 1 Business FreeportIndonesia,smelter,project,Gresik,East-Java,progress Free Gold and copper miner PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI) president director Tony Wenas said the company was committed to completing its US$2.8 billion smelter in Gresik, East Java, by the end of 2022. Tony said progress on the project had reached 3.86 percent as of February. "It's in accordance with our plan that we have submitted to the government. We will continue the development and expect to complete it by the end of 2022," he said in a press statement issued by the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry on Sunday. He made the statement while visiting the companys mine in Papua on Friday. Tony said PTFI had almost completed the land acquisition for the project, which would be followed up by preparing the land for further construction and pumping water out of the ground. He claimed the smelter, which is designed to have a capacity to process 2 million tons of copper concentrate annually, had attracted interest from many local and foreign financial institutions. Law No. 4/2009 on coal and mineral mining requires mining companies to build smelters so that companies would export more refined mineral products rather than unprocessed ores, hence drawing more value out of the countrys mineral wealth. The ministry's director general for mineral and coal, Bambang Gatot Ariyono, said the government would revoke the mineral export permit of companies that failed to show progress on their smelter projects. "The export permit is issued annually, and we will evaluate it every six months. The requirement [for the permit] is to make progress on smelter development in accordance with the firm's plan submitted to us." he said. (bbn) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, May 7, 2019 14:58 962 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa8736941ae 4 Business bambang-brodjonegoro,capital-city-relocation,candidates,Kalimantan,Sulawesi Free National Planning Minister Bambang Prodjonegoro says that the government has invited four provinces to suggest locations for a new capital to replace Jakarta, after President Joko Jokowi Widodo revived an old plan to relocate the state capital. The National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) has invited four provincial administrations Central Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, East Kalimantan and West Sulawesi to prepare a relocation plan. The four provinces are deemed to meet the criteria for a new capital. We will determine the ideal location for the capital city. It is not an interregional competition, Bambang said in Jakarta on Monday as quoted by kontan.co.id. Meanwhile, the President flew to Kalimantan on Tuesday to follow up on plans to relocate the state capital. He is to visit the East Kalimantan provincial capital of Balikpapan and the Central Kalimantan provincial capital of Palangkaraya. The latter has been frequently mentioned as a strong candidate for the new state capital. Bambang, who is also the Bappenas head, said cooperating with local administrations in preparing to relocate the state capital was important to assure smooth relocation in the event that a particular region was selected, particularly in terms of land availability. We have to know the land that is available for relocating the capital city, so that we do not need to acquire new land, he said, adding that the new state capital should be located close to the cities that already exist in a province. He said that after the study on relocating the capital was completed, the government would seek approval from the House of Representatives in the form of a new law. Meanwhile, the leaders of the four provinces had declared their readiness in being the site of the new state capital. Central Kalimantan Governor Sugianto Sabran said the administration had prepared the three regions of Palangkaraya municipality, Katingan regency and Gunung Mas regency. We have prepared tracts of land between 300,000 and 500.000 hectares. Most of the land is forested land, he added. Meanwhile, South Kalimantan Governor Sahbirin Noor said the province had prepared a coastal area, which he said was a suitable location for the capital city of a maritime country. East Kalimantan Development Planning Agency (Bappeda) head Zairin Zain said the provincial administration had prepared four locations for the new capital: the regencies of Kutai Kartanegara and North Penajam Paser, and the cities of Balikpapan and Samarinda. West Sulawesi Governor Ali Baal Masdar said the province was a suitable location for the state capital, because it represented cities in eastern Indonesia, which was distant from the current capital in Jakarta. (bbn) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Karlis Salna and Harry Suhartono (Bloomberg) Jakarta Tue, May 7, 2019 08:57 963 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa87366f0ad 2 Business manufacturing-industry,commodity-prices,Indonesia,center,negative-investment-list,investment,Airlangga-Hartarto,industry-ministry,Industry-4-0,Germany,South-Korea,Jokowi,Prabowo Free Indonesia plans to open up more sectors to foreign investors and reboot its stringent labor laws to become a regional manufacturing powerhouse rivaling Germany and South Korea, according to Industry Minister Airlangga Hartarto. President Joko Widodos government will rely on automotive, chemicals and electronics industries to push the contribution of manufacturing sector to 25 percent of the nations economy by 2025 from 20 percent now, Hartarto said. The move may help boost exports from Southeast Asias largest economy and tackle its current account deficit, he added. Our target is to be the manufacturing hub of ASEAN, Hartarto said in an interview in Jakarta on Monday, referring to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Indonesia will seek to eclipse Germany and South Korea and match up to China as a base for making everything from electric vehicles to petrochemical products, he said. Widodo, who is preparing for a second five-year term, is looking to rejuvenate the countrys struggling manufacturing sector to bolster growth, help rein in the current account deficit and create millions of jobs. Indonesia has been growing at about 5 percent a year, well short of the presidents 7 percent target, as it has long relied on exports of raw commodities. The governments initiatives to bolster manufacturing will include relaxing the negative investment list, which regulates levels of foreign ownership across hundreds of sectors, implementing tax holidays for both domestic and foreign firms, and reforming the labor law, Hartarto said. Widodo, known as Jokowi, has a greater mandate and political support to address sensitive issues such as labor law, a key factor that has hindered investors coming to the country, Hartarto said. The incumbent leads his challenger Prabowo Subianto by about 12 percentage points with votes from about two-thirds of polling stations tallied, setting him on course for a wider margin of victory than in 2014. With the world moving toward electric vehicles, Indonesia wants battery-powered automobiles to make up 20 percent of the nations total output by 2025, Hartarto said. A road map being prepared by the government would involve existing manufacturers such as Toyota Motor Corp. and Mitsubishi Motors Corp. as well as Chinese electric vehicles makers such as BYD Co. and Wuling Motors Holdings, he said. Few of the existing players are already doing the pilot projects in Indonesia such as Mitsubishi, Toyota and Honda motorcycles, Hartarto said. If they are doing the prototyping and pilot projects, that means they are committed to further investments. Jokowi has promised tax incentives to companies willing to invest in electric vehicles while also making it expensive to own fossil fuel-powered automobiles to save the country about Rp798 trillion ($56 billion) from reducing dependence and imports of crude oil. The country is counting on its abundant reserves of nickel ore, a key raw material in electric batteries, as a big draw for foreign companies seeking to expand production. What Indonesia needs apart from revitalization of our manufacturing sector is revitalization of our innovation system with a focus on the manufacturing and the digital economy, Hartarto said. The next source of Indonesias economic growth will come from the capability of the Indonesian people. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Stefanno Reinard Sulaiman (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, May 7, 2019 10:12 963 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa873677739 1 Business mining-companies,export-permit,revocation,smelter,progress Free The Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry has temporarily revoked the export permits of five mining companies after they failed to show any progress in developing smelters as required by prevailing laws and regulations. The ministrys mineral director, Yunus Saefulhak, said on Monday that the government would return the permits to the companies after they show significant progress in building smelters. This is a temporary revocation. We will activate their permits when they manage to show progress in smelter development. We have to be firm in enforcing the law on the smelter requirement, he said. The five mining companies are PT Surya Saga Utama, PT Genba Multi Mineral, PT Modern Cahaya Makmur, PT Lobindo Nusa Persada and PT Integra Mining Nusantara. Four of the five companies lost their export permits last year. Yunus said the government had also permanently revoked the export permit of PT Gunung Bintan Abadi (GBA), a bauxite producer in Riau. He said the company had ignored three warnings issued by the government. The local government also revoked its [mining] permit because of misuse, Yunus said, explaining that the mining company had exported 1.2 million tons of bauxite annually, not only its own production, but also bauxite produced by other companies. The requirement for mining companies to have smelters in Indonesia was stipulated by Law No.4/2009 on coal and mineral mining to add value to the country's mineral commodities. (bbn) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Tassia Sipahutar (Bloomberg) Jakarta Tue, May 7, 2019 16:48 962 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa87369d2b7 2 National Jokowi,jakarta,relocation,capital-city-relocation,Soeharto,Kalimantan,Palangkaraya,Balikpapan Free Indonesian President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo arrived in Kalimantan island to survey possible locations for a new capital, fast-tracking a plan to move the administrative headquarters out of over-crowded and congested Jakarta. Jokowi arrived at Balikpapan city in East Kalimantan on Tuesday and visited Bukit Soeharto, one of the locations being considered for the capital, his office said in a statement. The president is scheduled to visit Palangkaraya in Central Kalimantan province and review another possible site for the capital on Wednesday, it said. Jokowi last week revived the decades-old plan to set up a new capital as the population in Jakarta and its suburbs continues to swell, having hit about 30 million people. Already one one of the worlds most congested cities, the coastal metropolis is also sinking by as much as 6 inches every year and is hit by frequent flooding. While the selection of the site for a new administrative capital may be several months away, town planners and political analysts have been pointing to Palangkaraya, the capital of Central Kalimantan. The city of about 260,000, which is relatively free from natural disasters and located near the centre of the vast archipelago, has been mooted as an option for a new capital since the 1960s. In a meeting with heads of state agencies on Monday, Jokowi said the government was serious about moving the capital by zeroing in on three alternatives. The area of the shortlisted sites ranged from 80,000 hectares to 300,000 hectares, he said. Bukit Soeharto was among the locations under governments consideration for the past year and a half, Jokowi said, adding its proximity to airports in Balikpapan and Samarinda and toll roads will be supportive. The most important thing is Indonesia as a big country wants to have an administrative center that is separated from economic, business, trading and services center, Jokowi said. We want to move ahead as an advanced country. Building a new capital may take between five to 10 years and cost as much as $33 billion, according to Planning Minister Bambang Brodjonegoro. With the capital moving out of Java island, Jokowi expects to ensure economic development of its far-flung regions. The government estimates the greater Jakarta area loses Rp 100 trillion ($7 billion) a year in lost productivity because of its endemic traffic congestion. The government will devise a special arrangement to finance the setting up of the new capital to avoid any strain on the state budget, Jokowi said. Availability of clean drinking water will be a major consideration in picking the new site, the president said. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, May 7, 2019 17:19 962 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa87369e5ff 1 National migrant-workers,Malaysia,Indonesia-Malaysia,abuse,petition Free Following the recent acquittal of Malaysian woman S. Ambika, who stood trial for the murder of Indonesian migrant worker and East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) native Adelina Sau last year, several NGOs associated with the Aksi Rakyat Indonesia Menggugat movement in Kupang, NTT, have signed a petition pushing for further legal action. The Legal Advocacy Board of Timor Evangelical Church, the NTT Migrant Worker Association, the Resource of Governance and Social Change Institute and the Kupang Volunteer Association for Humanity are among the NGOs that signed the petition. Lambasting the Penang High Courts acquittal of S. Ambika, who was Adelinas employer, the NGOs have urged Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad look into the case as it concerns a violation of human rights. The NGOs have also urged the Indonesian government to push for an immediate appeal against the Penang High Court ruling. Through the petition, the NGOs are calling on President Joko Jokowi Widodo to play a more active role in protecting the rights of migrant workers who experience abuse. Furthermore, the NGOs are demanding that both Indonesian and Malaysian governments work together to resolve issues related to violations of migrant workers rights. On Monday, hundreds of Aksi Rakyat Indonesia Menggugat members protested in front of the NTT Police headquarters and the NTT governors office. Adelina Sau died tragically and the alleged murderer was cleared of all charges, field coordinator Ardy Milik said as quoted by tempo.co. Adelina died in a hospital in February last year after succumbing to wounds allegedly inflicted by her employer. Rights advocates alerted the authorities to the East Nusa Tenggara natives condition after they found her battered and bitten and forced to sleep outside with her employers pet Rottweiler for more than a month. The case attracted public scrutiny and sparked diplomatic tensions between the neighbors, with Jakarta threatening to stop sending Indonesian domestic workers to Malaysia. The government has also voiced concerns about Adelina possibly being a victim of human trafficking. (rfa) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Apriadi Gunawan (The Jakarta Post) Karo, North Sumatra Tue, May 7, 2019 13:05 962 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa8736820a2 1 National #Indonesia,#NorthSumatra,#sinabung,#volcano,#volcanic-eruption,Indonesia,North-Sumatra,Sinabung,Volcano,volcanic-activity,volcanic-ash,volcanic-eruption Free Mount Sinabung in Karo regency, North Sumatra, erupted on Tuesday morning after being inactive for about a year. The eruption took place at 6:41 a.m., spewing ash 2,000 meters into the air in a northeast direction. Muhammad Nurul Asrori, a Sinabung monitoring post officer, said that Tuesdays eruption was the first since May 2018. He said the ash spew could drift as far as 15 kilometers. People within the 15-km radius, both locals and tourists, should be alert to the eruption, he said. Asrori said that the eruption was felt until 10:44 a.m. and the ashes were still visible. The volcano, which has been rumbling since 2010 and underwent a deadly eruption in 2016, did not have a lava dome. Since February 2018, we havent seen a lava dome in the Sinabung crater. This is why there are no hot clouds, Asrori said. He also warned local citizens to stay alert because the Mt. Sinabung was still under alert (level IV) of the four-level national volcano alert system. Nobody is allowed to do anything within a 3-km radius in the north-west sector, 4-km in the south-west sector, 7-km in the south-southeast sector, 6-km in the southeast-east sector and within a 4-km radius in the north-east sector, Asrori said. Pelin Depari, a villager of Lau Kawar, said he was shocked to learn that Mt. Sinabung had erupted again. The ash covers everything including our plantations and it's quite thick, he said. Karo Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPDB) head Martin Sitepu said four districts were badly affected by the Sinabung eruption, namely Simpang Empat, Namanteran, Kabanjahe and Berastadi. Many villages in the four districts were affected by the ashes. This surprised us because its been a year since Sinabung was active, he said. Martin said the eruption hit the local economy hard because the ash damaged plantations. He said his agency was deploying several fire trucks to help water down the ash and wash it away from the plantations. It will take time to clean up the ash because it's thick and the exposed area is quite large, he added. Karo 0205 military district commander Lt. Col. Taufik Rizal, who is also a member of the Sinabung Eruption Task Force, called on villagers to stop their activities in the mounts red zone. It is still dangerous. Theyd better stay away, he said. Sinabung roared back to life in 2010 for the first time in 400 years. After another period of inactivity it erupted once more in 2013 and has remained highly active since. In 2016, seven people died in one of Sinabung's eruptions, while a 2014 eruption left 16 people dead. Indonesia is home to about 130 volcanoes because of its position on the Ring of Fire, a belt of tectonic plate boundaries circling the Pacific Ocean where frequent seismic activity occurs. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Stefanno Reinard Sulaiman (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, May 7, 2019 17:10 962 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa87369d7dd 1 Business oil-and-gas-blocks,investment,new-regulation,Djoko-Siswanto Free In trying to reduce Indonesias decade-long oil trade deficit, the government is facilitating oil and gas companies that have won contracts to accelerate their investment in their blocks even before the transfer of operation. Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Ignasius Jonan has issued Ministerial Regulation (Permen ESDM) No. 3/2019 on the operation of oil and gas blocks in which the production sharing contracts (PSCs) are due to expire. The Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry Oil and Gas Director General Djoko Siswanto explained that the regulation was issued to ensure the legality of new contractors actions in investing in the blocks to prevent any production decline. [With the regulation], new contractors can invest earlier [in the blocks they have been given] after they have signed the PSC, he said. The new regulation is a revision to Permen ESDM No. 23/2018 that regulated that the disbursement of the working commitment (KKP) funding could only be used for exploration in an open area. Article 13A of the new regulation stipulates that a contractor can propose a revision in the use of its KKP funding to the minister through the Upstream Oil and Gas Regulatory Task Force (SKK Migas) with technical and economic considerations. The alteration of the [exploration] location can be done after the PSC is signed or before the contract takes effect. the regulation states. Up to December last year, the government secured Rp 31.5 trillion (US$2.2 billion) in KKP funding that was collected from mining companies that won oil and gas blocks and had altered their contracts. (bbn) By Kim Hyun-bin A Turkish Airlines flight took off without returning luggage to passengers who canceled their flights to Istanbul due to hours of delay. The flight, which was initially scheduled to depart Incheon International Airport at 11:45 p.m. on Sunday, failed to take off due to engine problems, which resulted in a seven-hour delay. During the delay, around 50 passengers stuck waiting on the plane canceled their travel plans and disembarked, but the flight eventually took off for Istanbul with their baggage still aboard. Incheon International Airport Corp. (IIAC) says it is common protocol for any airline to unload baggage if passengers are not aboard the plane. "If anyone exits the plane before takeoff, the airline is responsible for taking the person's baggage off the plane and the passengers have to be escorted out of the terminal by an airline employee," an IIAC official said. "Once a passenger disembarks, the luggage needs to go through another round of scanning but Turkish Airlines took off with the luggage still aboard." Those passengers are still waiting to receive their baggage. "The luggage is expected to be returned to the passengers within this week, and we have informed the passengers of the delay," Turkish Airlines Seoul office said. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Vela Andapita (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, May 7, 2019 18:45 962 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa8736a0016 1 City hindu,temple,Bekasi-regency,Bekasi,West-Java,intolerance Free Videos and photos that appear to show local residents protesting over a plan to construct a Hindu temple in Sukahurip village in Sukatani district, Bekasi regency, West Java, have gone viral. The images circulating online show people protesting with banners, one of which reads: Be careful! If you insist on building the temple, we are ready to carry out jihad as you are the one who started this. Bekasi Police chief Sr. Comr. Candra Sukma Kumara confirmed that the protest took place, but denied it was staged by local residents. Local figures, who are also members of the Bekasi Religious Harmony Forum [FKUB Bekasi], have been discussing the temple construction plan since 2017 without any backlash. The protest allegedly comes from residents outside Sukahurip village, he told The Jakarta Post via text message on Tuesday. According to FKUB Bekasi data, there are 6,000 to 7,000 Hindus in the regency. FKUB Bekasi head I Made Pande Cakra, who is involved in the project, said that, currently, Hindus from the regency who wanted to practice their rituals had to travel all the way to Pura Agung Tirta Bhuana in neighboring Bekasi municipality. The Hindu community, he said, had established a committee and worked to meet all requirements needed to build the temple. We have complied with a joint ministerial decree (SKB) that requires that we gain support from local residents and people who will use the temple, Pande said, referring to a decree issued by the religious affairs minister and home minister in 2006. The SKB requires support for the construction of a house of worship in the form of a list of names and copies of ID cards from 60 local residents and 90 people who will use the facility. Indonesia is our home. Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity). Adherents of all religions have the same right to observe their religions in their houses of worship. Its stated in Article 29 of the 1945 Constitution, he said. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Stefanno Reinard Sulaiman (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, May 7, 2019 A Reuters report on Royal Dutch Shells plans to withdraw from the development of the gas-rich Masela Block should be a wake-up call to the government to accelerate its completion of the project, which has been delayed by nearly a decade, an analyst says. Researcher Pri Agung Rakhmanto of Jakarta-based research group ReforMiner Institute said the government should take the report as a warning, that it would lose a big investor in the countrys oil and gas sector if it was not serious about resolving uncertainties in the project. Its a warning for government that if clarity and certainty is not provided soon on the project investment, which is actually in our sights, it will be back to zero, he told The Jakarta Post on Monday. 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) Jakarta Tue, May 7 2019 Yet another teenager has died in a deadly brawl in Greater Jakarta, with the victim dying of a laceration wound after a fight in Senen, Central Jakarta, on Sunday. Senen Police Chief Comr. Muhammad Syafei said the brawl involved two gangs of teenagers, who were residents of Jl. Kramat II in Kwitang subdistrict, Senen. The two groups agreed to meet to fight on social media, Syafei said on Monday as quoted by kompas.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 Agnes Anya (The Jakarta Post) New York, United States Tue, May 7, 2019 15:13 962 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa8736965a9 1 World #Indonesia,#UnitedNations,secretary-general,Antonio-Guterres,attend,debate-sessions Free As president at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the whole month of May, Indonesia is to host, among other things, two open debate sessions to which UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has confirmed attendance, an official has said. "Insya Allah [God willing], he [Guterres] will be present at the sessions," Indonesian Permanent Representative to the UN Dian Triansyah Djani told Indonesian reporters in New York on Monday, local time. Triansyah explained that Guetteres confirmed he would be present because Indonesias main theme during its presidency, Investing in Peace: Improving Safety and Performance of United Nations Peacekeeping, was in line with his own focus during his tenure at the UN Secretariat. Indonesia plans to conduct open debates about the training and development programs of UN peacekeeping operations on May 7 and the protection of civilians in armed conflicts on May 23. Dian said the secretary-general would be a so-called briefer or speaker at the two sessions. Guetteres has been voicing his desire in particular to increase the role of female peacekeepers in the UN peace missions. In addition, he recently also underlined the need to make UN peacekeeping operations stronger and safer. That is a key element of his Action for Peacekeeping (A4P) initiative, which he initiated to strengthen peacekeeping by pushing ahead with collective action by all peacekeeping stakeholders. Because of its strong portfolio of peacekeeping operations, Indonesia the eighth largest peacekeeper contributor in the world out of 124 countries was chosen among the countries that formulated the A4P initiative, Dian said. Indonesia, aiming to deploy a total of 4,000 peacekeeping troops by the end of this year, has so far deployed 3,080 soldiers. Of those, 100 are female troops who were deployed earlier this year as part of Indonesia's efforts to enhance the role of female peacekeepers. Dian said the strong portfolio was what made Indonesia confident about choosing the peacekeeping theme for its presidency. Earlier in the day, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi hosted a visual presentation of Indonesias contributions to the peace missions at the UN headquarters in New York. The presentation, screened on a large wall banner, consists of descriptions and pictures of what Indonesians peacekeepers have been doing in the UN missions. The presentation is to go on until May 17. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Made Anthony Iswara and Marchio Irfan Gorbiano (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, May 7, 2019 12:40 962 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa873680b61 1 Business unemployment,February,BPS,decline Free Indonesias open unemployment rate slightly dropped to 5.01 percent in February this year from 5.13 percent in the same month last year thanks partly to an increase in employee recruitment by the trade sector, according to the latest unemployment data released by Statistics Indonesia (BPS) on Monday. The number of unemployed people fell by 50,000 to 6.82 million in February from 6.87 million in the same month last year. However, the unemployment rate in rural areas was 6.3 percent, almost double the rate in urban areas, which was only 3.45 percent. Based on the level of education, graduates of vocational high schools contributed the most to Februarys unemployment with 8.63 percent, followed by associate degree (Diploma 3) holders with 6.89 percent BPS head Suhariyanto said the informal sector remained an important part of the workforce, accounting for 57.27 percent, 74.08 million people, of nationwide employment, despite a decline by 0.95 percent year-on-year. The BPS data also showed that the trade industry hired the most people in February last year with 920,000 workers, followed by the food and beverage sector with about 700,000. On the other hand, in terms of business sectors, agriculture lost 590 workers or 1 percent within a year despite making up most of the national human resources with 29.46 percent. The workforce in government administrations, as well the information and communication sector, also decreased by 0.43 percent and 0.06 percent, respectively. We published a report on unemployment twice every year in February and August, but we avoid comparing the current figures with the ones from last August as there are seasonal changes, like the difference in crop seasons, affecting the workforce employment [in agriculture], Suhariyanto said. But looking at these figures, the government should boost the trade and agriculture sectors to employ more workers in the future. Suhariyanto said. He also pinpointed education as one of the roots of the unemployment problem.(hen) Topics : unemployment February BPS decline Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Wed, May 8 2019 Jean-Pierre Lacroix - AFP On May 26 every year, the international community marks the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers. Indonesia, serving as president of the UN Security Council for the entire month of May, is putting peacekeeper training and the role of women in the spotlight. The Jakarta Posts Agnes Anya met with the UN undersecretary-general for peacekeeping operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, in New York to discuss efforts to improve on the work of the so-called Blue Helmets. Below are excerpts from the interview: Question: What are the most pressing challenges to peacekeeping operations that the UN Security Council needs to pay more attention to? 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 By Lee Min-hyung The United States has expressed regret over North Korea's "egregious violations" of human rights amid their reviving tension in the wake of the North's recent test of short-range projectiles. "For decades, the regime in North Korea has subjected its people to egregious violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms," U.S. Department of State spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said in a statement Monday (local time). She said about 100,000 North Koreans suffer in political prison camps, and those who try to flee are "tortured and killed" when caught. "We remain gravely concerned and deeply troubled by these abuses," she said. "We continue to work with the international community to raise awareness, highlight abuses and violations, enhance access to independent information, and promote respect for human rights in North Korea." The statement came only a few days after the North fired some projectiles into the East Sea, in an apparent show of dissatisfaction over the stalemate in nuclear talks with the U.S. following the breakdown of the Hanoi summit last February. Despite the provocation, the U.S. and the South expressed their willingness to continue to maintain the rare dialogue with the North. But given that the North has reacted sensitively against the international community raising the issue of its human rights, the statement is seen as a gesture to press the North over its recent provocative gesture. The department spokeswoman went on to take issue with the North's human rights and expressed determination to continue to raise the awareness of the issue. "As we reflect on North Korea Freedom Week, we recognize the efforts of the North Korean defectors and human rights community to continue to shine a spotlight on the dire human rights situation in North Korea," she said. The event has taken place each year since 2004 to raise awareness of the North's human rights violations and call for the international community to pay close attention to the issue. According to Voice of America, the United Nations human rights council will broadcast live via the internet about the North's human rights conditions on Thursday. Liberty Korea Party Chairman Hwang Kyo-ahn speaks during his nationwide tour to protest the government at Jagalchi Market in Busan, Tuesday. / Yonhap By Park Ji-won The main opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP) stepped up criticism over the Moon Jae-in administration's North Korea policy, Tuesday, after North Korea's firing of projectiles. LKP Chairman Hwang Kyo-ahn condemned the government's North Korea policy, criticizing that it failed to detect what Pyongyang fired were "missiles." "North Korea took provocative actions against South Korea. But the Moon Jae-in administration claims what North fired were not missiles," Hwang said during his nationwide tour in Busan, Tuesday. Claiming that South Korean people live under the threat of the North's nuclear weapons, he said "South Korea's economy, people's lives and security have collapsed under the current administration." He also criticized the government's "income-led" policy for resulting in slow growth and reporting higher unemployment. Rep. Na Kyung-won, floor leader of the LKP, also claimed the government made a "lukewarm response" to the North's move and minimized the North's threats to support Pyongyang. "The North's missile directly targeted our people's lives and safety. But government authorities said it is hard to tell whether what the North fired was to attack or defend something. I cannot tell whether the Moon Jae-in administration works for our people or for North Korea." The move is likely aimed to step up criticism against what they called the ruling party's intention to extend the "leftist regime" after the LKP failed to block the other four parties' move to fast-track reform bills in the National Assembly. The LKP has staged sit-ins and sleep-ins with the aim to interfere with other parties' attempts to put the bills on the fast track at the National Assembly and claimed the government has been orchestrating the fast-tracking attempt. Hwang is widely expected to continue his claims that the Moon Jae-in administration is a "dictatorship" during the tour while promoting his party to raise its support ratings before next year's general elections. Meanwhile, Pyongyang continued to criticize South Korea for continuing joint military exercises with the U.S., warning that such acts violate the declaration made between the two Koreas and could damage inter-Korean relations. Meari, one of Pyongyang's propaganda websites, criticized recent exercises that the South and the U.S. jointly conducted for two weeks starting April 22, as well as August's upcoming training, saying "These military provocations could break the trust between the Koreas and make the situation even worse." Describing the joint drills as "an apparent betrayal by the South of the inter-Korean agreements," it called on the South Korean military to "behave discerningly" if it doesn't want a breakdown of relations. The media's move is the latest in a series of criticisms by Pyongyang over Seoul's military drills with Washington in an apparent sign of growing frustration over stalled denuclearization talks with President Donald Trump. Follow our GFW19 coverage here For 28 years, Graduate Fashion Foundation has brought us the spectacle that is Graduate Fashion Week - and in doing so has earned itself a reputation for introducing us to some of the most exciting young UK designers of recent times. With the careers of Christopher Bailey MBE, Stella McCartney, Giles Deacon, Matthew Williamson, and Julien Macdonald, among many others, all being launched at GFW, recognition at this event is a real honour for graduate designers. Image credit: Erika Astrid. Image courtesy of The PHA Group. Every year, GFF hosts a photoshoot where a select few graduate designs are submitted for final selection by a distinguished stylist and photographer. This year though, for the first time ever, GFF has introduced the Talent of Tomorrow: a group of 12 final year students currently on courses that showcase at GFW were invited to shadow and work at the photoshoot alongside these professionals, giving them the chance to gain invaluable experience and add impressive work to their portfolios. With creative direction by inimitable fashion photographer Erika Astrid and stylist Jennifer Mertens, heres the product of a creative collaboration like no other: From L-R: LOOK 1 by Chelsea Flinn of the University of Huddersfield, worn by Rachel Sealey. LOOK 2 by James Siddons of Manchester School of Art, worn by Rashpal Amrit. LOOK 3 by Chloe Bagge of Leeds Arts University, worn by Victoria Magrath. LOOK 4 by Billie Rose Hart of the University of East London , worn by Mercedes Benson . LOOK 5 by Jessica Parsons of Birmingham City University , worn by Chloe Street . LOOK 6 by Nid Matomela of the University of Salford, worn by Suleman Kudus. LOOK 7 by Ellie Thomson of Edinburgh College of Arts, worn by Jade Pearl. Image credit: Erika Astrid. Image courtesy of The PHA Group. LOOK 8 by Agnese Balsamini of the Academia Costume & Moda, worn by professional model Kayoung. Image credit: Erika Astrid. Image courtesy of The PHA Group. LOOK 9 by Brian Mc Lysaght of Edinburgh College of Art, worn by professional model Joseph. Image credit: Erika Astrid. Image courtesy of The PHA Group. LOOK 10 by Charley Parr of the University of Central Lancashire, worn by professional model Joseph. Image credit: Erika Astrid. Image courtesy of The PHA Group. LOOK 11 by Demi Hardy of Southampton Solent University, worn by Influencer Jade Pearl. Image credit: Erika Astrid. Image courtesy of The PHA Group. LOOK 12 by Jasmine Farmer of Nottingham Trent University, worn by Influencer Victoria Magrath. Image credit: Erika Astrid. Image courtesy of The PHA Group. LOOK 13 by Jogaile Zairyte of the University of Portsmouth, worn by professional model Kayoung. Image credit: Erika Astrid. Image courtesy of The PHA Group. LOOK 14 by Katherine Jane Watts of the University of Portsmouth, worn by influencer Suleman Kudus. Image credit: Erika Astrid. Image courtesy of The PHA Group. LOOK 15 by Lisa Gerstendfeld of the Cambridge School of Visual and Performing Arts, worn by professional model Kayoung. Image credit: Erika Astrid. Image courtesy of The PHA Group. LOOK 16 by Margaret Sam of Kingston University, worn by professional model Joseph. Image credit: Erika Astrid. Image courtesy of The PHA Group. LOOK 17 by Megan Grinham of Norwich University of The Arts, worn by influencer/journalist Chloe Street. Image credit: Erika Astrid. Image courtesy of The PHA Group. LOOK 18 by Mikkel Kunze of the University of West London, worn by influencer Rashpal Armit. Image credit: Erika Astrid. Image courtesy of The PHA Group. LOOK 19 by Venus Chen of the University of Portsmouth, worn by influencer Rachael Sealy. Image credit: Erika Astrid. Image courtesy of The PHA Group. LOOK 20 by Alexandra Fan of Edinburgh College of Art, worn by professional model Joseph. Image credit: Erika Astrid. Image courtesy of The PHA Group. LOOK 21 by Carline Zhou of the University of Salford, worn by professional model Kayoung. Image credit: Erika Astrid. Image courtesy of The PHA Group. here For more information about the graduate designers, their collections, and what inspired them, you can visit the Graduate Fashion Week website Graduate Fashion Week will take place from 2nd-5th June so be sure to check back next month for our coverage straight from the shows themselves! Lead image credit: Erika Astrid. Image courtesy of The PHA Group. By Lee Min-hyung Unification Minister Kim Yeon-chul This appeared in Fridays Washington Post. When Russian interference in the U.S. election campaign was first detected in 2016, some confusion about its extent and import might have been understandable. Today, there can be no confusion. As the Mueller report says, the Russian government interfered in the 2016 presidential election in sweeping and systematic fashion. Unfortunately, the first family remains in denial about this. President Donald Trump, who benefited from the interference, says the investigation was a witch hunt and a hoax. His son-in-law, Jared Kushner,dismissed it as a distraction at a panel sponsored by Time magazine on Tuesday. He said, You look at what Russia did you know, buying some Facebook ads to try to sow dissent and do it and its a terrible thing. But I think the investigations, and all of the speculation thats happened for the last two years, has had a much harsher impact on our democracy than a couple of Facebook ads. He added, Quite frankly, the whole thing is just a big distraction for the country. This is just plain wrong. Russias social media offensive originated at the Internet Research Agency in St. Petersburg, was financed by a crony of Russian President Vladimir Putin, and developed themes and tactics to use on social media to help Trump and disparage Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. According to the report, Facebook identified 470 Internet Research Agency-controlled accounts that collectively made 80,000 posts between January 2015 and August 2017, reaching as many as 126 million people. In January 2018, Twitter said it identified 3,814 Internet Research Agency-controlled Twitter accounts. Two units of Russian military intelligence carried out a second prong of the Russian attack, breaching 29 computers at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and 30 computers of the Democratic National Committee. The operation siphoned 70 gigabytes of data from the DCCC file server and raided thousands of emails and attachments from the DNC, including its opposition research on Trump. The Russians also used spear-phishing to break into Clintons campaign and stole tens of thousands of emails; they organized rallies on divisive topics; planted malware in election equipment systems; and disseminated materials to harm Clintons candidacy. Not just a couple of Facebook ads. The false reading of history matters because the White House should be leading the nations defense against another possible assault on election integrity. But how can Trump and his team do so if they cannot acknowledge what already happened? The New York Times reports that Trumps acting chief of staff is wary of bringing before the president any proposals to prevent Russia from further interference. That amounts to a dereliction of duty. Election Commission endorses 349 constituency MPs BANGKOK: The Election Commission has approved all existing 349 constituency MPs as it rushes to meet the MP endorsement deadline so Parliament can convene by May. politics By Bangkok Post Tuesday 7 May 2019, 05:06PM Sawaeng Boonmee, deputy secretary-general of the Election Commission, at a briefing on Tuesday (May 7). Photo: Tawatchai Kemgumnerd The remaining seat was left vacant after the EC banned Surapol Kiatchayakorn, a Pheu Thai candidate for Chiang Mais district 8, for giving to a monk B2,000 in cash and a wall clock. A fresh election will be held for the constituency on May 26 and Pheu Thai may not field a candidate. Of all the approved district MPs, 136 are from Pheu Thai, followed by Palang Pracharath (97), Bhumjaithai (39), Democrat (33), Future Forward (30), Chartthaipattana (6), Prachachat (6), Action Coalition for Thailand (1) and Chartpattana (1). The EC had said earlier it would endorse the same proportion of the 150 party-list MPs on Wednesday (May 8), apparently after the Constitutional Court decides whether the calculation and allocation method of list seats the EC intends to use is constitutional. Even after the endorsement, the EC may continue to scrutinise the MPs for possible breaches of election law, which gives it the authority to act over the period of one year but the cases have to be ruled by the Supreme Court for election cases. Read original story here. His Majesty praises unity BANGKOK: His Majesty the King said he was impressed by the unity among the Thai people who gathered to offer him their best wishes during his grand public audience. culture By Bangkok Post Tuesday 7 May 2019, 09:26AM Three hundred drones form an image of His Majesty the King in front of the Grand Palace during the coronation ceremony on Sunday evening (May 6). Photo: Patipat Janthong The monarch also said he hoped the show of solidarity will provide inspiration for Thais to work together towards a prosperous future. His Majesty delivered his speech as he appeared side by side with Her Majesty the Queen on the balcony of the Suddhaisavarya Prasad Throne Hall before a sea of yellow-clad jubilant Thais. There were numerous chants of Long Live the King as the crowd waved yellow flags bearing the Kings emblem. I and the Queen are delighted to see Thai people gather in unison to express their goodwill on the occasion of my coronation, the King said in a reply to a well-wishing message read by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on behalf of the nation. The unity of all of you who are here to offer your best wishes and goodwill to me with sincerity is really impressive and gives me great pleasure. May the unity of you all who show goodwill to me be a positive sign for all sides to work together for the sake of the countrys progress and prosperity. My thanks for the message of goodwill delivered by the prime minister on behalf of everyone and I would like to return my best wishes to you all. May you be happy and successful, His Majesty the King said. Earlier, His Majesty granted an audience to Aziz Pitakkhumpol, the spiritual leader of Thailands Muslims, religious leaders and members of the business community. After the grand public audience, Their Majesties the King and Queen were driven to Chakri Maha Prasad Throne Hall where members of the diplomatic corps, foreign consuls and representatives of international organisations waited for an audience. Singaporean ambassador Chua Siew San, as dean of the diplomatic corps, represented the gathering in congratulating the King. May this great Kingdom be blessed with abiding peace, prosperity and progress under Your Majestys auspicious reign, said the ambassador. In his reply, the King assured them that they will receive full support from the government and people. Read original story here. Man with mental disability drowns in Phuket Town public water source pond PHUKET: Police this morning (May 7) recovered the body of a man who is estimated to have had the mental age of a four- to five-year-old child from a pond at Suan Luang (Kings Park), on the outskirts of Phuket Town. deathpolice By Eakkapop Thongtub Tuesday 7 May 2019, 05:05PM Police at the scene earlier today (May 7). Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub The pond is used as a public water source for residents in Phuket Town and nearby areas. Panya Duangrat, 28, a cleaner in the park, found the body in a pond at the rear of the park, near the entrance along Wirat Hongyok Rd, at about 9:20am and reported it by calling the 191 police hotline. Col Prawit Ang-chuan, Chief Investigator of the Phuket Provincial Police, and other officers soon arrived to find the body of Banyat Chusri, 42, floating face down, naked in the water. Police with the assistance of rescue workers recovered the body of Mr Banyat, a resident of Phuket Town near the Polytechnic College at Saphan Hin On examining the body, officers found no signs of a physical struggle, police confirmed. Initially police were unable to identify Mr Banyat, who went by the nickname X, as his clothes were not found in the area, Lt Col Rachan Panwai of the Phuket City Police told The Phuket News. However, Mr Banyats neighbour happened to be present when police were recovering his body from the water, and believed it looked very much like Mr Banyat. The neighbour then called Mr Banyats mother, who arrived in person and identified the body as that of her son, Col Rachan explained. Despite other local media reports, Col Rachan denied that his officers had confirmed that Mr Banyat suffered bouts of epilepsy. His mother did not tell us anything like that, he said. We were told that although Mr Banyat was 42 years old, he had a mental disability and that he had the mental age of a child about four to five years old, Col Rachan said. Mr Banyat was last seen leaving his family home last night, Col Rachan added. His mother went looking for him, but failed to find him, he said. Police believe that Mr Banyat went into the water for a swim, but drowned, leaving the presumed cause of death as misadventure. However, Col Racha noted, We still have to wait for doctors at Vachira Phuket Hospital to confirm that. Myanmar couple stabbed in Chalong PHUKET: A Myanmar worker was stabbed to death at a migrant workers camp in Chalong on Sunday evening (May 5) following an argument about kratom being used at work. crimedeathmurderviolencepolice By Eakkapop Thongtub Tuesday 7 May 2019, 11:59AM Chalong Police Deputy Chief Lt Col Sanan Janrong said the attacker was angry that the couple had told their manager that he had brought liquid kratom extract to work. Phuket Provincial Rescue Centre workers arrived at the scene on Soi Klumyang in Moo 6, Chalong, at approximately 10:45pm where they found Then Zawoo, 43, severely injured from a stab wound to the left side of his body, as well as his wife, 33-year-old Khin Cho Set, with a stab wound to the right side of her body. Capt Somkiet Sarasit of Chalong Police went to Vachira Phuket Hospital to see the couple. Both were suffering from serious injuries although Mr Then was in critical condition. At approximately 2:20am (May 6), hospital staff informed Capt Somkiet that Mr Then had died from his injuries while Ms Khin was in a stable condition. Initial investigations revealed that the couple had left work at about 10pm on Sunday night and were on their way home when they were approached by a man on a motorbike. Words were exchanged before the man stabbed them both and drove away. Chalong Police Deputy Chief Lt Col Sanan Janrong said the attacker was angry that the couple had told their manager that he had brought liquid kratom extract to work. Police are still hunting for the suspect who they believe they have identified, although his identity has not been disclosed. Visitors use binoculars to see the North side from the unification observatory in Paju, South Korea, May 6. North Korea appears to have tested a new short-range missile. AP-Yonhap By Kim Yoo-chul President Moon Jae-in needs to send a special envoy to North Korea as early as possible to demand the halt of any further provocative actions following the North's recent missile launches, analysts said Tuesday. They said even conventional weapons testing could put Washington-Pyongyang relations on a downward spiral. As President Moon acts not only as a facilitator of nuclear dialogue, but as an advocate that Pyongyang and Washington can trust, sending an envoy will help the Koreas and the U.S. avoid further tension, they added. An envoy could discuss specific conciliatory incentives such as snapback provisions on sanctions easing, a resumption of humanitarian assistance, and Washington's promise for security guarantees. "North Korea's latest missile tests show how fragile both the nuclear issue and President Donald Trump's personal diplomacy with Kim Jong-un are. Against this backdrop, Moon should send a special envoy to the North as soon as possible to keep the nuclear diplomacy going," Kim Kyung-min, a diplomacy professor at Hanyang University, said. Kim Hyung-seok, a former vice unification minister, also supported the idea of dispatching a special envoy to "minimize North Korea's provocations" in order to prevent angering the U.S., specifically Trump. "The two Koreas need to talk. As Washington is still maintaining its own strategic patience on the matter, President Moon has to get Washington to offer limited sanctions relief. Seoul and Washington want North Korea to continue talking, but Pyongyang needs motivation to prevent it acting provocatively," the former vice minister said. Yang Moo-jin, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul, stressed sending an envoy to address Pyongyang's latest provocation was a "good idea" as the missile launches showed Kim's patience could be wearing thin. They agreed, in principle, that Seoul and Washington are handling the situation, fairly well. But they stressed the North Korean leader did cross Trump's own red line of testing no missiles whatsoever while the denuclearization talks were underway. A commercial satellite image, captured by Planet over the Hodo Peninsula at 10:54 am local time May 4, shows what analysts at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey believe is the launch point and exhaust trail of a new short-range ballistic missile tested by North Korea. Planet/Handout-Reuters People invited to sign books of congratulations for HM The King PHUKET: Phuket Governor Phakaphong Tavipatana has invited people to sign books of well-wishes for His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn at Phuket Provincial Hall. Similar books of congratulatory messages from the public are also available at local government across the island. culture By The Phuket News Tuesday 7 May 2019, 06:37PM Phuket Governor Phakaphong Tavipatana signs a book of congratulations for HM The King at Phuket Provincial Hall yesterday (May 6). PR Dept Phuket Governor Phakaphong formally opened the opportunity to sign the books of well-wishes at Phuket Provincial Hall at 3:30pm yesterday afternoon (May 6). Present to witness the first signing were Phuket Vice Governors, officials, top-ranking police and members of the public. Please come to sign the books for His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn to show our loyalty and appreciation together, Governor Phakaphong said. The books are available on the first floor of Kor Sim Bee Building at the Phuket Provincial Hall complex. The books will remain here until the end of May, he added. The books of congratulations will be available to the public during regular government office hours, from 8:30am to 4:30pm on government working days. Elsewhere across the island, books of congratulations became available at local administrative and municipality offices. All municipalities, Tambon Administration Organisations (OrBorTor) and the three District Offices in Phuket Town, Kathu and Thalang have their own books for people to sign their messages of congratulations, explained Win Sitthichen, Director of Phuket Provincial Office of the Department of Local Administration told The Phuket News. The books became available for people to sign from 1 pm on Saturday (May 4), in accordance with Phuket Vice Governor Thanyawat Chanpinits order to all officials on May 3, he said. Vice Governor Thanyawats order followed an order issued by Ministry of the Interior Permanent Secretary Chatchai Promlert on Friday, informing the provinces, government offices, state enterprises, district offices, and local administrative organisations, to arrange well-wishing message signing activities for His Majesty the King, at the provincial hall and suitable venues, allowing the general public to sign their messages to His Majesty from 1pm of 4th May 2019 onward. (See story here.) Patong Municipality, however, confirmed to The Phuket News today that their books of congratulations will be available from tomorrow onward. Chances for snow increase as Christmas approaches Roads are clear now, but as the weekend draws closer, the chance of snow will potentially increase. OTTAWA - Canada has used a major World Trade Organization gathering to demand China deliver evidence that Canadian canola is contaminated. Stephen de Boer, the Canadian ambassador to the worlds leading trade body in Geneva, told the WTOs general council on Tuesday that Canada wants to meet in China in good faith to hear its science-based concerns that recent Canadian canola shipments were, in fact, tainted. China banned shipments from two Canadian canola companies last month. This week, the government announced China had similarly banned pork from two Canadian companies. Open and predictable rules-based international trade is the only way global commerce can succeed. Co-operation between WTO members and willingness to engage on issues is equally important, de Boer said. Canada therefore concludes by asking again for China to provide the scientific evidence that supports its findings. This is a specific case, but I raise it in this setting because its an important example of the broader concerns and the trend of increasing trade-restrictive measures. De Boers intervention at one of the WTOs most senior decision-making bodies is an attempt to push China, which has stonewalled requests for Canadian experts to travel to the Peoples Republic to examine Chinese evidence on the canola. The government says two separate inspections by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency have turned up nothing, while several cabinet ministers have said Chinas complaint about the quality of the canola shipments is not science-based. Chinas rejection of Canadian food products is part of the escalating tensions following the RCMPs December arrest in Vancouver of Huawei Technologies executive Meng Wanzhou. Canadian authorities detained her on a U.S. warrant alleging she committed fraud on American banks in an effort to get Huawei around sanctions against Iran. Mengs arrest infuriated China. Nine days later, China imprisoned two Canadians ex-diplomat Michael Kovrig and entrepreneur Michael Spavor and accused them of violating Chinas national security. Both are still in custody. While de Boers statement is not the formal complaint that Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer has urged the government to launch, it represents the first formal opportunity to draw attention to the issue in front of a major meeting of the WTO, said a senior Canadian government official, who was not authorized to speak on the record because of the sensitivity of the situation. China places great importance on being a member in good standing of the WTO, the worlds trade referee, especially as it tries to displace the United States as a global trade leader. De Boer told the WTO council that Canada wants to be a good trading partner and if another country sees a problem with a Canadian export, Canada wants to find a solution. Canada has been working hard to resolve this issue with China, using every available means on the ground in both countries, said de Boer. While Canada was pressing its case at the WTO, a Nova Scotia cabinet minister said the federal government would welcome American influence to resolve the ongoing dispute with China. I would say that it would be helpful, for sure, Rural Economic Development Minister Bernadette Jordan said in an interview. Its different times now in the world than weve faced even four years ago. We see challenges all around the world. And we will continue, as a government, to stand up for our Canadian products. Conservative MP Randy Hoback recently told the House of Commons agriculture committee hes concerned China might decide to single out Canadian maple syrup or seafood next. Jordan said her constituency is the largest lobster-producing riding in the country, and hardly a day goes by without her talking to a fisher. In 2017, Canada exported 10 million kilograms of live lobster to China. Canadas efforts to diversify its markets for seafood continue apace with the ratification of free-trade deals with the European Union and the 10 Pacific Rim countries in the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership, she said. Yes, China accounts for a significant portion of our lobster sales our seafood, its not just lobsters. But I think with the ability for us to open up Europe, our ability to open up other Asian markets, there is that potential to make sure that those challenges are mitigated. Jordan stressed there has been absolutely no indication of any movement by China to take trade action against Canadian seafood. While she offered few details of what contingency plans the government may have if China does hit the seafood sector, Jordan suggested the government would come to its aid if necessary. Weve worked with the canola farmers specifically on a package for them. Im sure that when the time comes, if theres a need, we will be there for our fishers as well. Last week, the government helped canola farmers by changing a special agricultural program that advances money against later crop sales. The change raises loan limits to $1 million from $400,000. The interest-free portion of that program is also rising to $500,000 from $100,000. Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau told The Canadian Press the government wants to ensure producers have the support they need and officials are dealing with issues that arise on a case-by-case basis. Note to readers: ADDS quotes from Canada envoy to WTO CALGARYChina is snapping up more Canadian crude as global heavy oil supplies dwindle amid Iran sanctions and a political crisis in Venezuela. Ambelos is the second tanker to leave Vancouvers Westridge terminal this year bound for China, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Its carrying more than half a million barrels of heavy Canadian crude, according to IHS Markit. It follows the Erik Spirit, which sailed to Chinas Nanhai district from Westridge last month. The shipments happened even as Canadian heavy crude has sold at an average discount to West Texas Intermediate futures of less than $11 (U.S.) a barrel so far this year. Worldwide supplies of heavy, high-sulfur crude are growing tighter after the Trump administration ended all waivers for countries seeking to import sanctioned Iranian crude oil and as a spiralling political crisis in Venezuela curtails that countrys oil output. In addition, supply cuts by OPEC typically target less-valuable heavy, high-sulfur barrels. Its a question of adequacy of supply at this point, Kevin Birn, IHS Markits director of North American crude oil markets, said by phone. Given the rapid deterioration in Venezuela, its left that market a lot tighter than it would otherwise be. Bitumen from Northern Albertas oilsands represent the worlds third largest reserves of crude but a shortage of pipelines impedes exports. Prices have surged since sinking to a $50 a barrel discount late last year, after the Alberta government imposed production curtailments on large producers. Heavy Western Canadian Select in Hardisty, Alta., was $13 a barrel below West Texas Intermediate, and about $19 below Dubai, the Middle East benchmark. It costs about $4 a barrel via pipeline to reach the Westridge terminal for pickup by tanker, according to toll data. Read more about: EDMONTON - A former NDP finance minister from Saskatchewan is heading a panel of financial experts in Alberta to review what Premier Jason Kenney calls a deep fiscal hole. The group led by Janice MacKinnon is to come up with a plan by Aug. 15 to get Alberta out of deficit, Kenney said Tuesday. As promised in our platform, we recruited an independent, non-partisan group of experts to conduct a deep dive into Albertas fiscal situation, Kenney said. This panel is tasked with recommending a path to a balanced budget without raising taxes, as is our commitment to Albertans, by the year 2022-23. Kenneys United Conservatives defeated Rachel Notleys NDP in last months provincial election. A budget wasnt tabled in March because of the campaign. Kenney said the groups recommendations will help make up the budget in the fall. Total debt was barrelling towards $100 billion, fuelled by the second-highest per capita spending of any province in Canada, he said. Albertans understand that, in the long run, debt cripples our ability to provide high-quality public services, and thats why they gave this government a strong mandate to change course. In the provinces last fiscal update, then-finance minister Joe Ceci projected a deficit of $6.9 billion for the 2018-2019 fiscal year down from the $8.8 billion in his financial blueprint last March. Forecasts in February totalled revenue at almost $50 billion and total expenses at just over $56 billion. Debt was pegged at $56.8 billion and projected to rise to $95 billion by 2024. MacKinnon was finance minister in the 1990s under former Saskatchewan NDP premier Roy Romanow and went on to advise several other governments on their fiscal plans. She said Albertas focus shouldnt be on taxes, but on growing the economy and getting the deficit under control. I actually faced the prospect of (Saskatchewan) going into bankruptcy because for years governments ignored the warning signs of mounting debt and deficits, and they failed to act, she said. MacKinnon called Alberta a big-spending province, but said that hasnt translated into better public services. Even if the budget was balanced, I would look at the spending ... because a lot of money is being spent in a lot of areas and you are not getting the outcomes. You are not getting the results. The NDP said Kenney is using the panel to pass the buck for future cuts. Deron Bilous, member of the legislature for Edmonton-Beverly-Clareview, said there is no way Kenneys government can balance the budget by 2022 while cutting corporate taxes and without slashing public services. They are now bringing in an outside panel to, quite frankly, justify what we feel are likely cuts that are going to be coming very, very soon, Bilous said. The panel, which also includes former ATB Financial president Dave Mowat and former University of Alberta dean of business Mike Percy, is to make its report public shortly after it is submitted to the government, Finance Minister Travis Toews said. The other panel members are Kim Henderson, a former deputy minister to the premier, cabinet secretary and head of the public service for British Columbia; Bev Dahlby, a research director at the School of Public Policy at the University of Calgary; and Jay Ramotar, who held several deputy minister postings with the Alberta government, including Service Alberta and the treasury board. This combination photo shows President Moon Jae-in, left, and U.S. President Donald Trump, Tuesday. Yonhap By Kim Yoo-chul President Moon Jae-in and U.S. President Donald Trump discussed ways on how to quickly resume talks aimed at dismantling North Korea's nuclear program by maintaining the current momentum for dialogue. Trump also supported Seoul's plan to send food products to the North, Cheong Wa Dae said. "President Moon had phone talks with U.S. President Donald Trump for 35 minutes from 10:00 p.m., Tuesday (KST) and briefed him on Seoul's position about North Korea's short-range projectiles including tactical-guided weapons over the weekend," Cheong Wa Dae spokesperson Ko Min-jung said in a statement. The senior presidential aide added the leaders also exchanged opinion about food shortage-related issues in North Korea. "Trump told Moon Seoul's plan to supply food products to North Korea comes in a timely fashion by adding the plan would be a positive measure," Ko said. She said the two leaders stayed together in responding North Korea's provocations in a "thoughtful manner." TORONTO - Freedom Mobile confirmed Tuesday it had a data security breach from late March to late April, but the wireless carrier said only about 15,000 customers were affected far fewer than an outside research firms estimate. The Calgary-based company which operates networks in Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia was apparently warned of the breach by researchers at vpnMentor, which announced it to the press. The vpnMentor report said two of its researchers, Noam Rotem and Ran Locar, had warned Freedom of their findings on April 17, 18 and 23 but didnt get a response from the company until April 24. For ethical reasons, we didnt download the database, so we dont know exactly how many people were affected, the blog said. However, the blog was posted under the title Report: Freedom Mobile Customer Data Breach Exposes 1.5 Million Customers based on the assumption that hackers could access unencrypted data from all of Freedoms customer base. Freedom said in an emailed statement that any reference to 1.5 million customers affected is inaccurate . . . The company said its investigation determined the breach began on March 25 and affected data processed by a new external third-party vendor, Apptium Technologies, that had been hired to streamline its retail customer support. The internal systems of Freedom Mobile or (parent) Shaw Communications were not compromised as part of this third-party vendor security exposure, the company said in a statement. It said the breach affected customers at 17 retail stores who opened or changed accounts as late as April 15 or made changes to opened accounts on April 16. It said the problem was fixed by April 23. Freedom also said that it had found no evidence, as of Tuesday, that any data has been misused and we are conducting a full forensic investigation to determine the full scope of impact. Valerie Lawton, of the federal privacy commissioners office, said in an email that it had received a breach report related to Freedom Mobile late Monday afternoon. Canadas federal private sector privacy law, the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA), includes confidentiality provisions and we dont have further details to offer at this time, Lawton said. Under PIPEDA, which was most recently updated in November, private-sector organizations that control personal information must advise the privacy watchdog of breaches that pose a real risk of significant harm to individuals. They must also notify affected individuals about the breaches and keep records. However, the Canadian law in contrast to the European Unions year-old General Data Protection Regulation provides more flexibility about when organizations inform the Office of the Privacy Commissioner. Asked why it didnt disclose close the leak sooner, the company said it took time to verify the legitimacy of the warning and verify details with its third-party vendor. Companies in this story: (TSX:SJR.B) G4S Plc, the worlds biggest security firm with more than half a million employees, fell the most in six months after a Canadian rival said its no longer interested in acquiring the company. Garda World said it had no intention to make an offer on Sunday, after announcing that it was considering a cash bid for all or part of the business last month. Under U.K. takeover regulations, Garda World cannot make any attempt to purchase shares in G4S for the next six months. G4S slumped as much as 8.5 per cent, the most since Nov. 8, and traded 5.8 per cent lower as of 8:12 a.m. in London. The initial announcement of Garda Worlds interest sent shares of G4S, the worlds biggest guarding firm, a record 20 per cent higher on April 10. The London-based company endured a tough year in 2018, weighed down by its cash-handling business. That prompted G4S to consider a sale or spinoff of the unit, which moves money to and from banks, shops and cash machines, to focus on security guarding. The company has received additional expressions of interest to acquire the cash business, G4S said in a statement on Tuesday, and the firm will evaluate those alongside its ongoing review into that division. G4S said that since Garda Worlds announcement it has received no proposals from the firm. MARKHAM, Ont. - The chief security officer for Huawei Canada says the companys record in Canada shows the China-based company can be trusted to supply the countrys fifth-generation wireless networks. Olivera Zatezalo says theres never been a security breach from Huawei equipment since the company arrived in Canada more than a decade ago. She made the comments at Huawei Canada headquarters in Markham, Ont., after several officials assured reporters that the company has a long-term commitment to Canada. The United States has been pressing its allies to shut Huawei out of their advanced 5G networks to prevent Chinas government from getting access to highly sensitive information. However, Zatezalo says that Canadians should trust their own governments expertise in network security and its experience working with Huawei. Zatezalo says shes in regular contact with the government body investigating the national security aspects of 5G technology but doesnt know whether its conclusion will be in Huaweis favour. Web Smiths recent experience at his local Apple store in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio, has been an exercise in frustration. There was the time he visited the Easton Town Center location to buy a laptop for his 11-year-old daughter and spent almost 20 minutes getting an employee to accept his credit card. In January, Smith was buying a monitor and kept asking store workers to check him out, but they couldnt because they were Apple Geniuses handling tech support and not sales. It took me forever to get someone to sell me the product, says Smith, who runs 2PM Inc., an e-commerce research and consulting firm. Its become harder to buy something, even when the place isnt busy. Buying a product there used to be a revered thing, now you dont want to bother with the inconvenience. Smiths sentiment is shared by legions of Apple customers who vent on social media, customer forums and in conversations with reporters. Only a few years ago, the raves easily outpaced the pans. In interviews, current and former Apple employees blame a combination of factors. They say the stores have become mostly an exercise in branding and no longer do a good job serving mission shoppers like Smith. Meanwhile, they say, the quality of staff has slipped during an 18-year expansion that has seen Apple open more than 500 locations and hire 70,000 people. The Genius Bar, once renowned for its tech support, has been largely replaced with staff who roam the stores and are harder to track down. Thats a significant drawback because people are hanging onto their phones longer these days and need them repaired. In January, Apple Inc. stunned Wall Street, warning that revenue for the holiday quarter would come in well below forecasts, mostly owing to slowing sales of the iPhone. While weakening demand for Apples most important product largely reflects a maturing smartphone market, the problems at the stores werent helping. Weeks later, chief executive officer Tim Cook announced that retail chief Angela Ahrendts was leaving and would be succeeded by veteran Apple executive Deirdre OBrien. OBrien, 52, has plenty to work withand her division remains an object of envy for the beleaguered retail industry. Last year, Apple stores and accompanying website were responsible for a significant chunk of the $77 billion that the company got from direct distribution channels. As recently as 2017, the retail arm was generating an estimated $5,500 in sales per square foot, easily outpacing rivals. But thats getting harder to pull off. When Apple reported earnings on April 30, executives acknowledged resorting to long-shunned retail tactics, such as discounts, cheap financing and generous trade-ins, to goose demand for the iPhone. Thats not a viable long-term strategy. OBriens immediate challenge is to make the stores more shopper-friendlyeven if that means moving away from the tony gathering places her predecessor favoured and creating more clearly defined spaces for browsing, quick purchases and service. As human-resources chief (a position she will hold concurrently), she is well situated to overhaul recruitment and training. Thats crucial because store associates will probably be deployed in the coming years to sell the array of servicesmusic subscriptions, extended warranties and moreApple is counting on to augment slowing iPhone sales. An Apple spokesperson declined to comment and didnt make OBrien available for an interview. Ahrendts didnt respond to requests for comment. Skepticism greeted the 2001 opening of Apples first two stores near Los Angeles and Fairfax County, Virginia. Consumer gadget companies had tried similar experiments with mixed results, and the stampede online was already underway. But Apple pulled it offtransforming the retail experience with airy, minimalist stores and industry-disrupting innovations like the Genius Bar. Before long, consumers were lining up for days to get their hands on the next iPhone or iPad, and kids were hanging out after school, taking snapshots on the Mac Photo Booth app. Over the next few years, the Apple Stores uncluttered look was emulated by Microsoft, Samsung, Tesla and more. For a decade, Apples retail experiment flourished under Ron Johnson, a former Target executive whose efforts earned him a mostly deserved reputation as a retail pioneer. During his tenure, Johnson oversaw the opening of 350-plus stores and expansions into more than a dozen countries, including Japan, Australia, Italy, China and Canada. Then, in 2011, he left to reboot the department store chain J.C. Penney (where he struggled to replicate the Apple magic before being pushed out). Johnson didnt return requests for comment. He was replaced in early 2012 by John Browett, who had previously run the British electronics chain Dixons. Browett borrowed from the big-box playbook by pushing accessories and warranties. That boosted sales but weakened a culture that preferred to help customers rather than sell to them. In a morale-damaging effort to cut costs, he fired workers, cut the hours of others, reduced overtime and promoted fewer people. Browett didnt even make it to the holiday shopping season; Cook fired him and ran the retail operation himself until Ahrendts started in May of 2014. The former Burberry chiefs hiring was widely applauded. At the time, Apple was positioning itself as a fashion brand; an executive who had made her name pushing $500 cashmere scarves and $3,000 trench coats now would be selling pricey Apple Watches. Under Ahrendts, the stores began to resemble jewelry emporiums, where a $17,000 (U.S.), special-edition Watch wouldnt seem out of place. For the first time, salespeople recommended products and were encouraged to say things like, I think the smaller one suits your wrist. One of her first moves was to turn the stores into Town Squares, where shoppers could hang out and, in industry parlance, spend time with the brand. Lines at the Genius Bar would have spoiled the effect, so stores started replacing the beloved customer-service counters with Genius Groves (comfortable seating under trees), tables and roaming Geniuses. Checkout counters also disappeared in favour of salespeople armed with mobile devices. The goal was to make Apple stores more like luxury showrooms, pushing offstage the unseemly business of checking out and fielding complaints. Meanwhile, Ahrendts began moving sales and service onto the webencouraging staff to tell customers to get in line, online. Customers were to make an appointment on Apples website and then pick up the product at a store. Apple was trying to streamline things, says one employee, but in the process made things more difficult for some customers. Before her arrival, the Apple Store excelled at three key tasks: selling products, helping customers troubleshoot their devices and teaching them how to get the most out of their gadgets. Steve Jobs was really keen on stepping into the store and knowing what to do, recalls a former Apple retail executive, who requested anonymity to speak freely. Mission shoppers who wanted to pick up a pair of headphones or an iPhone could get in and out quickly; those who wanted to learn more about their purchase could spend an hour getting trained by a Creative. If someone brought in a busted iPhone, a Genius would sort it out. Over time, according to several current and former employees, Ahrendts upset that finely tuned balance. You dont feel like there is much engagement at the front of the store, there isnt a push to people, says the former executive. The store should be a place where you see upgrades happening. The overhaul of the Genius Bar has been especially controversial. Customers looking for technical advice or repairs must now check in with an employee, who types their request into an iPad. Then when a Genius is free, he or she must find the customer wherever they happen to be in the store. Ahrendts was determined to get rid of lineups, but now the stores are often crowded with people waiting for their iPhones to be fixed or batteries swapped out. The Genius service also lost the human touch. In the past, Geniuses could work on a Mac or iPhone right at the counter, chatting and explaining what they were doing. The people doing the support now dont have a lot of room to work, this person says. They often have to take your machine to a back room. Opinion is divided on the changes Ahrendts made to customer education. For many years, you could pay a $99 annual fee and schedule one-on-one training sessions with an Apple worker. Ahrendts replaced that with Today at Apple, free group sessions where customers can learn to drum on GarageBand, use an Apple Watch or enjoy a concert. The company says few people signed up for the previous service but that 18,000 Today at Apple sessions are held each week. Employees say customers complain that the classes proceed only as quickly as the slowest learner and recommend bringing back the one-on-one sessions. Ahrendts gets credit for accelerating the stores focus away from Macs to mobile devicesa necessary move since iPhones generate most of Apples revenues. Industry watchers applaud the accessories section, which features pullout drawers containing iPhone cases. The installation of giant video walls marketing products added wow factor. Employees also say not all of the problems afflicting the stores can be blamed on Ahrendts. Some say her tenure got off to an undeservedly rough start with the launch of the Apple Watch. Apples first wearable device had been hyped for months but, owing to production snafus, the stores didnt have enough units for several months. Ahrendts (and store associates) took a lot of heat for that, they say. Employees also say the deterioration in the quality of store staff didnt start under Ahrendts but worsened during her tenure. Employees used to be very skilled, one says. When you came to Apple, you could walk in and talk to someone who happens to be a musician or videographer on the side, really knowledgeable. They hire really nice people now, but they are much less technical. During the Johnson era, sales associates got three weeks to a month of training; now they get about a week if theyre joining an existing store. Geniuses, who earn $22 an hour on average, according to Glassdoor, were trained at Apples Cupertino, California, headquarters. Now theyre mostly trained in stores. Even before Ahrendtss departure was announced in February, Apple began moving away from her strategy. Stickers and poster boards appeared in stores pushing new devices and initiativesanathema to Ahrendtss less-is-more philosophy. The pricey, special-edition watches were long gone, and Apple had introduced lower-priced handsets like the iPhone XR. Her successor will probably borrow from the past, says the former executive. The original Apple stores were broken up into sections where, for example, customers could learn how to create music, photo slide shows or home videos on a Mac. This person says OBrien could potentially create areas to promote Apple Music, Apple News+, the upcoming TV+ video service and iCloud storage. Some employees speculate shell bring back the original Genius Bar. Apples new retail chief recently embarked on a listening tour of the stores, her Instagram feed filling up with happy snaps and shutouts to employees she encountered in Paris, Hong Kong and Austin, Texas. The rank-and-file mostly welcome her ascension, employees say, because shes a known quantity. OBrien helped launch Apple stores almost two decades ago, working alongside Jobs, Johnson and Cook. In the early days, she was responsible for getting products on shelves in the Americas. On May 11, OBrien will open a new Apple Store at Carnegie Library in Washington D.C., the companys 505th location and the first to open on her watch. Deirdre has a deep understanding of the stores, says the former executive. Shes just never been the face of them. Now, for better or worse, she is. Read more about: CALGARYAlberta Premier Jason Kenney intends to follow Ontario in asking the provinces universities and colleges to conform to free-speech guidelines, but freedom of expression experts say the move is mostly about optics among a right-leaning base. The post-secondary education section of the United Conservative Party platform says the government will require the provinces universities and colleges to develop, post and comply with free speech policies that conform to the University of Chicago Statement on Principles of Free Expression. Often called the Chicago principles, the statement is the result of a university committee assembled in 2014 to state the schools commitment to freedom of expression. The short report says, It is not the proper role of the university to attempt to shield individuals from ideas and opinions they find unwelcome, disagreeable, or even deeply offensive. Numerous other schools across the United States have also adopted the statement since the report was published in 2015. But the principles attracted much more public attention in 2016, when the universitys dean of students wrote a letter to the incoming class that said the schools views on freedom of expression mean they dont support trigger warnings or intellectual safe spaces. James Turk, the director of Ryerson Universitys Centre for Free Expression in Toronto, said the Chicago principles are a good affirmation of the importance of freedom of expression. The report also recognizes that there are limits to freedom of expression, including speech that violates the law or constitutes threats or harassment. Read more: Free speech policies now in effect at Ontarios colleges and universities Premier Doug Ford hosts Alberta Premier Jason Kenney in love-in for carbon crusaders But Turk also sees the dean of students letter as an appeal to wealthy, right-wing donors. He said it drew the attention of the U.S. political right, which picked up the Chicago principles as a model for protecting free speech on campus, and conservative Canadian politicians are now using it themselves as a dog-whistle blow. Thats how Kenney and (Ontario Premier Doug) Ford have happened to pitch Chicago, as opposed to Stanford or a dozen other (freedom of speech principles) that are equally appropriate, he said. This is not about free expression. This is about playing to a base. The Chicago principles were crafted in the U.S., and the law on freedom of expression is slightly different in Canada. In this country, the wilful promotion of hate against members of groups defined under protected grounds can be considered hate speech, and lead to criminal charges. Some provinces, including Alberta, also have hate speech provisions in their human rights codes. U.S. law, on the other hand, restricts speech only if its clearly inciting violence. Ontario and Alberta have both seen a handful of free-speech debates bubble over on university campuses in recent years. At the University of Ottawa, far-right commentator Ann Coulter cancelled a speaking appearance at the school in 2010 over apparent safety concerns when a large group protested the event. And at the University of Alberta in 2016, an anti-abortion group took the university to court when they were told theyd have to pay for security costs to hold a rally in the universitys central quad there was tension the year before when an organized counter-protest showed up in response to a graphic anti-abortion display. Turk said those events become highly politicized, painting an inaccurate picture about free speech being eroded on campuses. Those are really rare. Its very much a man bites dog story, but people get the impression: Oh my God, look whats happening at universities. University of Windsor law professor Richard Moon, who specializes in hate speech and freedom of expression, agrees that he doesnt see a crisis that political leaders need to address. Universities already have and conform to their own policies about expression and academic freedom, and so far, its unclear what role governments see themselves playing. In Ontario, Ford gave schools a Jan. 1, 2019 deadline to implement the free-speech policies or face funding cuts. Kenney hasnt said whether Alberta institutions could face the same consequences. As of Monday evening, the provincial government hadnt responded to Star Calgary questions about its plan to implement the Chicago principles. The whole tone and tenor of the Chicago principles really does reflect the American free speech traditions, Moon said. We dont know the willingness of provincial governments to discipline universities for failing to live up to what they understand those principles require, Moon said. But Turk said hes concerned about governments reaching too far. In his view, the word comply in the UCP platform could point to looming penalties. Thats the kind of intrusion thats entirely inappropriate if universities are going to fulfil their social role, he said. They are opening the door to a very American-style model of university funding, which is highly politicized and really intrusive into what the universities are. Read more about: CALGARYA 34-year-old man has been charged in the deaths of 25-year-old Jasmine Lovett and her 22-month-old daughter Aliyah Sanderson following their disappearances last month. Robert Andrew Leeming, the landlord of the Cranston home where Lovett and Sanderson were living and who is believed by police to have been in a domestic relationship with Lovett, appeared in court Tuesday by CCTV from the Calgary Remand Centre, clean-shaven and looking subdued. He did not address the court other than to confirm his name and date of birth. He was ordered not to contact two of Lovetts family members. Leeming is facing two second-degree murder charges following an extensive search by police for the pair that led to the discovery of human remains in a heavily wooded area near Grizzly Creek, a day-use area off Highway 40, early Monday. On Tuesday afternoon, the bodies were positively identified as the mother and daughter. The causes of death will not be revealed to the public, according to a police statement Tuesday. Staff Sgt. Martin Schiavetta of the Calgary Police Services homicide unit told reporters Monday the main suspect in the case was arrested that morning. He had been detained two weeks before, shortly after police began searching for Lovett and her daughter, but released. The two hadnt been heard from since April 16, and their family reported them missing on April 23 after they didnt show up at a family dinner. Read more: Bodies of missing Calgary mother and toddler found, suspect in custody Search continues for missing Calgary mom and daughter believed by police to be dead Family shattered as search continues for Calgary woman and daughter presumed dead Schiavetta told reporters Monday the suspect and Lovett had been in a relationship that deteriorated over time. We believe the suspect and Jasmine were in a relationship and that this was a targeted attack motivated by domestic-related matters, Schiavetta told reporters at police headquarters. Police believe Lovett and her daughter were killed between April 16 and April 17, but werent taken to the Grizzly Creek area until some time between April 17 and April 20. It isnt yet clear to police where they died; Schiavetta said investigators are still waiting on results from the RCMPs crime lab. Investigators are still asking anyone who saw a grey Mercedes-Benz SUV in the area to contact police. Police are still searching the Kananaskis area for evidence, and arent sure when theyll wrap up. According to divorce records obtained by Star Calgary, Leeming and his ex-wife married in 2013 and have a three-year-old son. After the divorce proceedings concluded, Leemings ex-wife was left as their sons primary caregiver, with Leeming allowed supervised visits. In a sworn affidavit filed last September, his ex-wife claimed Leeming emotionally destroyed me during their relationship and caused her to fear for her own safety as well as their childs. She was granted a restraining order against him, according to court records obtained by Star Calgary. In the documents, Leemings ex-wife expressed concern about a number of incidents during their marriage, including one where Leeming admitted to getting rid of their dog by tying him to a tree without food and water for four days. Provincial court records show Leeming was convicted in August on one count of causing an animal to be in distress and two counts of failing to provide for the proper care of an animal. He was fined a total of $5,000 and forbidden from having custody of any animal for 10 years. According to his ex-wifes affidavit, Leeming had threatened the dog on several occasions with a weapon. Leemings affidavit also notes he had a restricted firearms licence and possessed a number of guns, along with 60 knives. These include kitchen knives as well as Bowie and Leatherman-style knives, ranging in length from a half-inch to eight inches long. The affidavit doesnt describe the sorts of guns Leeming owned. But a restricted firearms licence would cover all handguns as well as some semi-automatic rifles, such as the AR-15. Applying for such a licence requires passing two day-long safety courses and submitting to a background check, which includes providing two character references. An application for a firearms licence also requires a prospective licence-holder to provide contact information for current and past romantic partners theyve lived with over the past two years to rule out any concerns about domestic violence, according to A.J. Somerset, an author who writes about Canadian gun culture. Your spouse or partner that you are currently living with has to sign the application to indicate that she has no concerns with you getting a firearm, he said. Leeming has been unusually open with the press as the investigation played out. He told CTV and Global News he had been questioned by police in relation to the disappearances, but said he was innocent and called the investigation stressful. His lawyer, Balfour Der, said Leeming has support from his family, though they do not live in Canada. Der said its too early to discuss bail for Leeming, who is being held at the Calgary Remand Centre, but didnt rule it out. Its certainly available to us and something that we will pursue if its, you know, if its reasonable and can be done, Der said. Leeming is expected to appear in court on May 14. It was quiet on Tuesday afternoon in the southeast community of Cranston where Lovett and Sanderson lived in a townhouse. Its front gate was left open, childrens toys were still sitting against the house and there was no longer a heavy police presence outside the home. But residents in the area are still rattled by the news. Outside of the complex, purple ribbons tied to trees lining Cranarch Rd. fluttered in the breeze. At the entrance of the townhouse complex, Androulla Perry, who lives nearby, tearfully tied a bundle of balloons to the gate, which was already covered in ribbons, flowers and notes, Its just unreal. What did the baby do? she said. Perry did not know Lovett or Sanderson, though they reminded her of her own granddaughter. My heart, it breaks. Cranston resident Amanda Park said she was also saddened to hear of Lovetts and Sandersons fates, but is hoping the discovery in Kananaskis brings the victims family peace and closure. Im glad that they did find (their bodies) and that the family can now, you know, come to terms with it, Park said. I could never imagine. Like, it just kind of goes through your head, like what would have happened? With files from Rosa Saba and The Canadian Press Read more about: EDMONTONAs Arctic ice melts and opens opportunities to countries eyeballing the area, statements by the United States top diplomat hint at heated relations between Canada and its neighbour to the south over claims on the territory. Speaking at the Arctic Council Ministerial meeting in Rovaniemi, Finland, U.S. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo criticized the claims of countries with interests in the Arctic, including Russia and Canada. No one denies Russia has significant Arctic interests, Pompeo said in a transcript of remarks circulated by the U.S. State Department. We recognize that Russia is not the only nation making illegitimate claims. The U.S. has a long-contested feud with Canada over sovereign claims through the Northwest Passage. According to Global Affairs Canada, Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland spoke with Pompeo at the meeting Tuesday morning. In a statement emailed to Star Edmonton, Freeland maintained the two countries have a close and fruitful relationship, while strongly asserting Canadas claim to the waterway. Canada is very clear about the Northwest Passage being Canadian. There is both a very strong historic and geographic connection with Canada, she said. And actually, as we see the conditions of the Northwest Passage changing with our changing climate, I think thats actually grounds for closer collaboration with the United States. Read more: Opinion | Heather Mallick: Arctic attack on Canada leaves Pompeo adrift at sea Pompeo says Canadian claim to Northwest Passage is illegitimate Rapid melt of permafrost in Canadian Arctic could dramatically increase greenhouse gas emissions, research warns The routes between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans run between Canadian islands, but the two countries disagree about whether that makes them internal Canadian waters or international waters near Canadian territory. The disagreement matters more now that melting sea ice means the Northwest Passage is getting closer to becoming a viable commercial shipping route. An agreement reached by former prime minister Brian Mulroney and former U.S. president Ronald Reagan in 1988 allows the U.S. to designate the Northwest Passage as an international waterway while allowing Canada to say that it is a part of Canadian sovereign territory. But Pompeos speech, which also cites security and environmental concerns around Chinas Arctic interests, amounts to a denial of the agreement, said Andy Knight, a professor of international relations at the University of Alberta. In my opinion, what the Trump administration is doing by opening up this can of worms is typical of its desire to thumb its nose at international law, to upset relations with long-standing allies, and at the same time, find ways of blocking any attempts by China to challenge the U.S.s global hegemonic position, Knight said in an email. Chinas signature international infrastructure project, the multibillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative, aims to expand trade by building roads, ports, and other facilities to connect Asia through Africa and the Middle East to Europe. The only reason why the U.S. has challenged the Canadian position in recent times is that climate change is allowing ships to pass through the normally frozen Northwest Passage more easily, and there are obvious commercial interests in the area, Knight said. It might even prove to be stiff competition for the Panama Canal if billions of dollars worth of goods and natural resources are redirected from the canal through the Northwest Passage to Asian and European markets, he added. This could be an economic boost for Canada, if it could enforce its de jure (officially sanctioned) sovereignty claim over the area. Knight traced Canadas claim to the Arctic Archipelago back to 1909, when Sen. Pascal Poirier legally asserted Canadas sovereignty over the area. But, he noted, the strongest argument for the countrys de facto sovereignty over the region is the presence of Inuit, who have lived, hunted and travelled on the ice of the Northwest Passage for thousands of years. Before 1985, Knight added, there was no real dispute over the Northwest Passage being considered Canadian internal waters. Thats when Polar Sea, an icebreaker with the U.S. Coast Guard, used the passage without seeking permission from Canada. This, in effect, was a challenge to Canadian sovereignty over this area, Knight said. So, in effect, while Canada has de jure sovereignty over the passage, its de facto sovereignty was placed in doubt by the U.S. action. Without the enforcement capability to deny countries from sending commercial, or even military, vessels through the waterway, Canada is hard-pressed to exercise its sovereign claim to the passage, Knight said. Thus, de jure sovereignty over this region is trumped by the inability of the Canadian government to exercise de facto sovereignty in this case. With files from The Canadian Press Read more about: Some 400 unsuspecting property owners and tenants across Canada are about to get a dose of military history courtesy of mystery postcards soon to land in their mailboxes. The project Postcards from Juno being spearheaded by the Juno Beach Centre, Canadas Second World War museum on Juno Beach, is using postcards to notify people living at select addresses about Second World War veterans who lived at their current location in the 1940s, before heading over to serve in Nazi-occupied France, where they were killed in battle. The veterans were chosen from among the Canadians who died during the first five days of the Normandy landings from June 6 to June 10, 1944 a pivotal step in the march toward Europes liberation from Nazi Germany. Staff at the centre cultivated the first tranche of addresses from the attestation papers of soldiers the military records of more than 900 Canadians who died during those first days of the Battle of Normandy. The project is part of efforts to mark the 75th anniversary of D-Day (June 6, 1944) when 14,000 Canadian soldiers, along with over 140,000 British and American allies, stormed a stretch of beach (code named Juno) on Frances northern coast, creating the largest seaborne invasion in history. The personalized postcards include the name, rank, age, and the date of death of the soldier linked to each address. The idea of using the last pieces of personal information linked to hundreds of fallen Canadian soldiers to create postcards commemorating their sacrifice was conceived by Mike Bechthold, executive director, Juno Beach Centre Association, which operates the war museum in Normandy. Its a way to look at the men who never came home, he said. In a lot of ways, these are the postcards they would have sent, had they survived the battle. The cards will include a collage of images from D-Day and the Battle of Normandy and inform recipients theyre living at the last known address of the soldier before he volunteered to serve. Details on how current residents can comment on the project will be attached, something Bechthold hopes will harvest interesting tidbits not yet known about the addresses and the soldiers themselves. Hes aware that some of the cards could end up with recipients who may toss them into the bin before understanding their intended purpose but, its worth the risk. Its about raising awareness, he said. I would like to see Juno Beach on a Canadian $20 bill. I would like there to be a Juno beach day, very much like how we have Vimy Ridge Day. As we lose our veterans, were losing our personal connection with the story, he said. This batch is the first of what he envisions being hundreds more cards to come. We have every intention of doing that, he said of expanding the project. Right now, its about keeping it as a manageable project, because 900 addresses is a lot to go through. Jason Miller Pte. George Westlake, Cliff St., Toronto Dave Byron will soon have another keepsake to tuck away with his own fathers Second World War service medals a postcard honouring one of three brothers, who once lived at his house and were killed during the Normandy landings. It didnt take Byron, 65, long to utter the name of the three military men who lived in the Cliff St. home he now inhabits. The Westlake brothers, he said with some certainty of the surname that rings bells in military circles. I already knew it. The Westlakes legacy is imprinted all over his neighbourhood. Westlake Memorial Park within a stones throw of his front stoop bears their name and a laneway near the park was rebranded Heroes Lane in their honour. How the hell did a family with three boys live in this thing, its not big enough and I live alone, Byron quipped. Byrons home is among the 82 Toronto addresses that are part of the Postcards from Juno project. George Westlake, 23, of the North Nova Scotia Highlanders, was the first of the brothers to die on June 7. Four days later Albert, 25, and Thomas, 29, members of the Queens Own Rifles, were among 100 Canadians who died trying to take the tiny village of Mesnil Patry. Juno Centre officials said this batch of cards will honour George his brothers died just after the cut-off date for this leg of the project. Byron, who has resided at that address since 1981, recalls celebratory gatherings of groups near the house in previous years. I had a tour from France show up one day, he said. My neighbour called and said, there is a whole bunch of people in your front yard. The group in question Westlake Brothers Souvenir Association was brought there by Gary Westlake. Westlake, 77, a nephew of the fallen veterans, has fought doggedly to have their sacrifice commemorated. Westlake lauded the Juno Centre for its efforts. Theyre the only three Allied soldiers who are brothers in the world, to be buried in the same cemetery, he said. Any added source of remembrance, I applaud. Westlake initially had some misgivings about the card being sent to Cliff St., preferring instead for it to end up with immediate family, the nearby Royal Legion Branch 31 or Westlake Brothers Souvenir Association. Hearing of Westlakes feelings, Byron said the card will certainly not land in the garbage and hes open to handing it over to a group of Westlakes choosing. I think its a good idea that theyre doing this and I would like to get one, Byron said of receiving the cards. I will do more research, because my father and two uncles served in World War II. Gary Westlake met Byron for the first time on April 1. They exchanged stories about their links to the war. Since hes got a connection to the military, that would be a nice person to send it to, Westlake said. I will share it with him, because I would love for him to know about who my uncles are. Jason Miller Pte. John E. Stewart, W. 10th Ave., Vancouver Terry Sandersons late father, Bert, served in the Second World War as an artist who helped craft military decoys and worked on set design for theatrical productions that toured army camps. Bert was never sent out on the front lines, but between 1944 and 1945 he spent time in the U.K., France and Germany, where he created fake airfield strips and airplane decoys to throw off the Germans flying overhead. Sanderson was surprised to learn that his Vancouver home sits on land that was the last known address of Pte. John E. Stewart, who died on D-Day, June 6, 1944, at the age of 48. He is buried in Bretteville-sur-Laize Canadian War Cemetery in Normandy. Ive always hated wars, I feel sad for this guy ... hes a hero, said Sanderson, who should get a postcard from the Juno Beach Centre. I feel sorry for his family, too. I know what my grandmother and my mom went through when my uncle and dad were overseas. Sanderson was about 7 when his dad set out for Europe and the U.K., and remembers him coming home about two years later with a small sketch pad full of European street scenes. A commercial artist by trade, Bert also took photographs during his time overseas, and his photos of postwar Germany sit in boxes at Sandersons brothers house. Bert would later reproduce at least a dozen of the sketches and photos as much larger watercolour paintings. Now 82, Sandersons memories of his fathers participation in the war are sparse, but one of the watercolours hangs on the wall of his condo in Vancouvers Fraser Heights neighbourhood. When he came back I used to watch him put a paper on the kitchen table and start painting. I always loved watching somebody do something like that. Sandersons family connection to the war extends to his uncle, Bernard OSullivan, who was part of the Royal Canadian Air Force, and flew Spitfire planes in the Battle of Normandy in France. OSullivan, survived the war and worked as a TV and stage actor after returning home. Tessa Vikander Flight Sgt. Morris Campbell Murray, Kingswood Rd., Toronto A six-month stay in France, almost 26 years ago, led Tony Price and his wife, Leslie, on a military odyssey across Europe. Unbeknown to the Prices, the Toronto home they were leaving behind contained a piece of military history that would take them more than 30 years to uncover: their home was the last address of Second World War soldier, Flight Sgt. Morris Campbell Murray. Im very proud of this house and its connection to that time, Tony Price said, while standing at the entrance of the picturesque two-story house. Price has dug into the history of his Beaches-area home, but the search came up mostly blank except for the fact it was built in 1909. A surprise call from the Star, informing the 72-year-old and his wife of the Juno Centres postcard initiative, aimed at honouring Murray and hundreds of others killed during the first five days of the Normandy landings unlocked a treasure trove of historical information. Price was surprised by some of the connections his own family shared with Murray, who was 29 when he was killed on D-Day. Murray attended one of the local schools, Malvern Collegiate, where Prices children went. And Price now knows that Murray died conducting air attacks of German-held Mont Fleury, on June 6, 1944. Oh my God, this is so very interesting, said Price, whose Welsh-born father fought with the British at Ypres, Belgium. Leslie Price, 71, noted the couple have made several trips to northern France, to sites linked to the First World War. Last fall they visited Vimy Ridge, for Remembrance Day. One trip that stands out was a tour of Dieppe, France, where in August 1942, the Allies conducted a raid on that was catastrophic, with more than half of the raiding soldiers killed, most of whom were Canadians. There are these German bunkers up on the hill, up from a steep cobblestone beach, she recalled of the site. The Canadian troops were sent in and they were slaughtered. She said the postcard will serve as symbol of their respect for and appreciation of Canadians contributions to the Second World War. The number of these veterans left is dwindling, she said. This is a good way to keep their memory alive. Jason Miller Trooper Alfred White, 81st St., Edmonton Born in Denmark in 1943 during the German occupation, Kurt Sorensen doesnt have any memories of the Second World War, but he can recall some of its effects, like the rationing of things like cigarettes and coffee. I remember they had to have stamps to get that kind of stuff, he said. Even in the 50s. In the fall of 1966, Sorenson moved to Canada and worked as a farm hand in Saskatchewan before landing an oilpatch job in northern Alberta. He made enough to buy a small two-bedroom house in Edmontons Forest Heights neighbourhood in the early 1990s, just south of the North Saskatchewan River, where hes lived ever since. Before that it was the home of Trooper Alfred White, with the Sherbrooke Fusiliers Regiment, who died at 32 on June 7, a day after the Allied landing at Normandy. The son of Victor and Margaret White, he is buried at the Beny-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery near Reviers, France, not far from where he died. While he was surprised to learn of his connection to the soldier, Sorensen felt an instant respect for Whites sacrifice, and a brotherly bond that transcends time, one he said is shared by those whove served. Having served in the Danish Army for two years as a young man, Sorensen still remembers fragments of his training. In his front yard, he deftly performs a few drill commands, standing at attention and presenting arms with a nearby broom serving as a makeshift rifle. Its something thats stayed with me all my life, he added. We were proud to serve. It was the comradeship. When he gets his postcard from the Juno Beach Centre, commemorating Whites service, Sorensen intends to hang it on his wall. Hamdi Issawi Pte. Robert Neville Cooper, 1st Avenue N.W., Calgary For 33 years, Richard Weisbeck, 79, has lived in an apartment on a residential, inner-city street in the Calgary neighbourhood of Sunnyside. Up until recently, he shared it with his wife, Irene, who died three months ago. So he knows about loss. The 31-unit apartment building that he manages sits on the same land where Pte. Robert Neville Cooper once lived, a soldier with the Canadian Scottish Regiment who died at Juno Beach on D-Day, a month before his 24th birthday. Cooper is buried in the Beny-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery near Caen, France. The son of Albert Henry and Gertrude Middleton Cooper of Vancouver, Cooper worked at the Yale and Royal hotels before he enlisted in Calgary in 1940. He was one of 87 Canadian Scottish who lost their lives that day, although the Juno Beach Centre notes his regiment captured 200 prisoners and killed a good number of the enemy. Soon a postcard will arrive at Weisbecks building, a reminder from the centre in France that June 6 the day Cooper died marks the 75th anniversary of D-Day, when Allied forces landed on the beach. Weisbeck has no connection to Cooper other than the earth under his feet, but the same war touched his life, although his familys story has a happier ending. His father and three uncles came home when he was around 7, but he wasnt allowed to ask them about it. They (his uncles and his dad) told us that we should never bring it up, because theres too much that went on, said Weisbeck, who knows little about his fathers military experience. When he thinks about war in todays age, he thinks of the depressing attacks on religious groups and churches around the world, including the Christchurch mosque shooting in New Zealand in March and the wave of bombings that struck hotels and churches in Sri Lanka on Easter. There are people in this world that do bad things, and they try to create more problems, he said. There should be no discrimination of any kind about what your nationality or religion (is) or where youre born or anything ... Lifes too short, I know that. Amy Tucker Rifleman Norman Symington, Salisbury Ave., Toronto Mark Kingwell is a self-described Canadian military brat, who was constantly uprooted from one military base to the next, an upbringing that had him living in locales from P.E.I., to Nova Scotia, to Winnipeg and London, Ontario. We moved every few years, Kingwell, 56, said of his formative years as the son of Royal Canadian Air Force serviceman. His wife, Molly Montgomery, is an American, whose father Bruce Montgomery was a civil-rights supporter, who opposed the Vietnam War and fought to gain equal representation for Black Americans. He represented Black contractors in Washington who were not receiving fair pay, she said. Both my parents were against the Vietnam War, and protested when they could. Since tying the knot 11 years ago, the couple has created many memorable moments at their Cabbagetown home, but the history of the quaint Salisbury Ave. house was recently amplified with notice that it was the last known address for Rifleman Norman Symington, who was 24-years-old when he was killed on June 7, 1944. The duo will soon have a colourful commemorative postcard, courtesy of the Juno Beach Centre, marking Symingtons service and his connection to the home. It adds meaning and a sense of history to the home, said Montgomery, 56, who believes the home was built around 1885. Montgomery treasures her mothers tales about the hardships of life during the Second World War, such as food rationing and how butter shortages led to margarine being sold in its pasty, white state along with a package of vegetable dye, which the women of the household would have to mix in to create the sought-after yellow colour, common to people who use the product today. It was more of a collective sacrifice, she said of that era. Now, it just seems fragmented. We dont have that connection to a common cause anymore. Kingwell said the First and Second World Wars were key to Canada establishing its national identity. The lure of military service, even had him thinking about following in his fathers footsteps. I came very close to joining up myself when I was finishing high school, said Kingwell, who is now a University of Toronto philosophy professor. I wanted to fly airplanes. Jason Miller Lance-Cpl. Robert William Walker, Sophia St., Vancouver Paul Jenkinson takes great pride in his home and his fathers 11 years of service as a radar technician on the DEW line after the Second World War. On war memorial days, he hangs a large Canadian flag on the porch of his three-storey character house in Vancouvers Mt. Pleasant neighbourhood. Seated on a green velvet antique sofa in his living room, Jenkinson tears up when he recalls his father, William Joseph Jenkinson, realizing the six-year anniversary of his death is only days away. William enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force, but never fought in a war. Jenkinson and his wife purchased the house about 15 years ago, and he and his father-in-law spent 10 years restoring it from top to bottom. Built around 1910, the wood-frame house was the last known address of Robert William Walker, a Lance Corporal from the Canadian Scottish Regiment, who died in Normandy at 21 on June 9, 1944. Its an aspect of the houses history Jenkinson hadnt known until the Star knocked at his door. Its touching, to say the least. It actually really wants me to preserve the house. Jenkinson and his wife have discussed selling the house in recent years, but hes worried a future owner would knock it down. He wants to apply for a heritage house designation, despite the fact that doing so could decrease the property value. Im not selling, I dont care what the city assesses it at, he said. I want it designated heritage so that a house like this stays behind. Tessa Vikander Flying Officer John Arthur Cole, 100A St., Edmonton In November, Dan Allen plans to travel Europe on a guided tour of Second World War sites. Along the way he will stop in Normandy, where his father, a private in the Governor Generals Foot Guard, landed 75 years ago, shortly after D-Day. Although his father survived the war, even though he was captured and interned for a month as a German prisoner of war, his fathers lieutenant George Edgar Venus wasnt as fortunate. Venus is buried at Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery in the Netherlands, another stop on Allens itinerary, where he plans to pay his respects to the man who served with his father. If Allen adds a visit to the Courances Communal Cemetery 60 km south of Paris, he would find yet another connection to the Second World War: The grave of John Arthur Cole. On June 6, 1944, the 23-year-old Flying Officer with the Royal Canadian Air Force 78 Squadron died at Juno Beach. Before that, Cole lived at the Rossdale address in Edmonton that Allen calls home. Its good to know that there was a veteran here who gave his life, Allen said. It gives you a better connection to that past. In 2003, Allen said the house that once stood there was torn down, making way for the river valley home he built and shares with his wife. The fact that the address hasnt changed means hell be expecting a postcard from the Juno Beach Centre celebrating Coles life and service. Its a gesture the 69-year-old appreciates. With time marching on, and as the lives and memories of those who lived through and fought in the Second World War fade, he said were quickly approaching the end of an era. As we get older, those last vets, the ones that survived, every year theres less and less of them, Allen explained. Theres not a lot of time left. When Allen receives his postcard, he plans to add it to a book of keepsakes, including letters his father penned home during the war, and share that history with his children and grandchildren to keep those memories alive. Hamdi Issawi Rifleman Thomas Joseph Pierce, Delaney Cres., Toronto Dont try to convince Nada Conic that Canadian troops were merely good Samaritans whose sole aim it was to liberate a persecuted continent. I dont experience World War Two from the notion of Canadians volunteering to pay the ultimate price to liberate Europe, she said. I have a very complicated relationship with the military. Standing at the entrance of her Delaney Cres. home in Toronto the last known address of Rifleman Thomas Joseph Pierce Conic pauses before explaining that her parents homeland of Yugoslavia was rendered forever fractured because of the war. Though Conic has compassion for the soldiers killed, shes reluctant to sing praises for the horrors the war unleashed on many ordinary people. I do not see them as dying in glory for a righteous cause, no matter how justified the Allies were in defeating the Nazis, Conic said. The Third Reich had to be brought to an end. But, the lads who signed up dreaming of glory were pawns and cannon fodder in a cynical and stupid game. According to military records Pierce was born Nov. 21, 1921 and was 23 when he was killed while serving as a member of the Queens Own Rifles. Hes buried at buried at Beny-Sur-Mer, the Canadian cemetery near Juno Beach. Conic and her Irish-Canadian wife, Paula Monahan, 60, are now anticipating the arrival of a the commemorative postcard, sent by the Juno Beach Centre, honouring Pierces sacrifice, and forever linking him to the Toronto house they now share. I hadnt heard stories like that until I met Nada, Monahan said, referring to Conics familys experience. It certainly gives you insight into the other side. She never gets as fierce about anything, as she gets when she talks about the war, Monahan said. Where as we think if it as a great victory, her mom was almost bombed. Still, Monahan takes pride in living in house once home to a soldier who died for the freedom of his country. The owner of the property is Linda Roberts, whose father, Joseph Ferdinand Keay, died at 65 in 1988, and served in two major conflicts: the Second World War and Korean War. Hes one of those ones who never talked about it, she said. So many of them came home devastated from these wars, so they never got over it. Word of the postcard has spurred renewed interest in her own family history. Its wonderful to be commemorating these people, because this younger generation arent going to be aware of it if we dont keep on them, she said. You dont want these soldiers lost, because they gave up their lives for us. Jason Miller Pilot Officer Harry Beazley, Liverpool St., Halifax It will be four years this August since Carla Taunton and her partner moved into the charming two-story home on Liverpool St. The west-end Halifax home is modest a front mud room opens into a spacious living room scattered with toys, and behind that is a playroom that used to be Tauntons office. The kitchen and porch at the back of the house are new additions. A three-tiered bird feeder hangs off the gnarled tree in the front yard. Its her 1-year-old daughter Rubys first home. Soon Taunton should receive a postcard from the Juno Beach Centre telling her that the house was the last address of Pilot Officer Harry Beazley. He served with No. 15 Squadron of the Royal Air Force until his death on June 8, 1944, and is buried in a communal grave with six other pilots in the Gambais Churchyard in Yvelines, France. I love the idea of the multiple histories of an object or a home, Taunton said after learning about the Juno Centres postcard project. Thinking about how there has been so many people that have lived here, but not only the histories of the home, but the everyday stories. Taunton recently researched her own family tree and discovered that her mothers brother, Tank Cmdr. Douglas Gordon Purdy, died in Dieppe in 1942, and her great grandfather, Charles Taunton, died during the First World War. I was always interested in learning about Canadas role in the war, and then figured out we lost two significant family members in the process, said Taunton. I think its incredible to make those connections to service. When she thinks about war, Taunton thinks about being a new mother and the impact of war on the family left behind. After her great-grandfather died, Taunton said her family was uprooted, moving from Montreal to Vancouver, where she was raised. I wonder, since he didnt come home, what happened to the family here, said Taunton about Harry Beazley, who was 26 when he died. According to property records, the home belonged to his parents, Robert and Alice. After Alice died in 1962, Robert lived there 10 more years until the house was sold when he was 96. Taunton, an art historian at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design University, is excited about the visual aspect of the postcard project. Its a way to articulate or bring forward an idea or history that we cant perceive in our mind sometimes. To her, the postcard project will allow disparate communities to share ideas and experiences. You can do that through art because you can make people feel bigger than themselves, but also connected, said Taunton. Regardless of where theyre sent, Taunton thinks the Juno Beach Centre project is an opportunity for Canadians from diverse backgrounds to realize war histories can hit surprisingly close to home. I think the postcard is perfect, said Taunton. Its bringing it back together. Julia-Simone Rutgers Pte. Joseph Rackham, 12th St. N.E., Calgary Rafael Allocca doesnt live in the original house that was built on his northeast Calgary property in 1928, but theres something about it that makes him feel like he and his partner are not alone. Theres a presence of someone living here, said Allocca, 51, who bought the Bridgeland place in 1995, and later demolished the original house and rebuilt it in 2013. According to the Juno Beach Centre, a Second World War museum in France, Alloccas property was once the home of Pte. Joseph J. Rackham, an infantryman with the Canadian Scottish Regiment who died on June 7, 1944 at the age of 34 during the invasion of Normandy. It was an important turning point in the war against the Nazis forces occupying Western Europe. Allocca was going to receive one of the postcards being mailed out from the Juno Beach Centre in France to the home addresses of Canadian soldiers killed in the first wave of the Normandy invasion. Rackham did register for the army with Alloccas address, but the chance discovery of a Calgary Herald news report of Rackhams death has a different address on it, so the Juno Beach Centre has updated its database and the card will now go to a house about a kilometre away to mark 75 years since the Allied invasion began on June 6, 1944, known as D-Day. Because there were no known remains, Rackhams name was added to a list of 1,800 Commonwealth soldiers at the Bayeaux Memorial near Caen, France. Although the Second World War was over long before Allocca was born in 1968, he heard stories from his father about the war service of his grandfather, who served in the Italian army and at one point was once a prisoner in England for about a year. From what my dad told me, he (his grandfather) served in Britain for a few years and (in) India. His father, as the oldest of four children, had to help raise his siblings until their father returned. Amy Tucker OTTAWACanada has used a major World Trade Organization gathering to demand China deliver evidence that Canadian canola is contaminated. Stephen de Boer, the Canadian ambassador to the worlds leading trade body in Geneva, told the WTOs general council on Tuesday that Canada wants to meet in China in good faith to hear its science-based concerns that recent Canadian canola shipments were, in fact, tainted. China banned shipments from two Canadian canola companies last month. This week, the government announced China had similarly banned pork from two Canadian companies. Open and predictable rules-based international trade is the only way global commerce can succeed. Co-operation between WTO members and willingness to engage on issues is equally important, de Boer said. Canada therefore concludes by asking again for China to provide the scientific evidence that supports its findings. This is a specific case, but I raise it in this setting because its an important example of the broader concerns and the trend of increasing trade-restrictive measures. De Boers intervention at one of the WTOs most senior decision-making bodies is an attempt to push China, which has stonewalled requests for Canadian experts to travel to the Peoples Republic to examine Chinese evidence on the canola. The government says two separate inspections by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency have turned up nothing, while several cabinet ministers have said Chinas complaint about the quality of the canola shipments is not science-based. Chinas rejection of Canadian food products is part of the escalating tensions following the RCMPs December arrest in Vancouver of Huawei Technologies executive Meng Wanzhou. Canadian authorities detained her on a U.S. warrant alleging she committed fraud on American banks in an effort to get Huawei around sanctions against Iran. Mengs arrest infuriated China. Nine days later, China imprisoned two Canadians ex-diplomat Michael Kovrig and entrepreneur Michael Spavor and accused them of violating Chinas national security. Both are still in custody. While de Boers statement is not the formal complaint that Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer has urged the government to launch, it represents the first formal opportunity to draw attention to the issue in front of a major meeting of the WTO, said a senior Canadian government official, who was not authorized to speak on the record because of the sensitivity of the situation. China places great importance on being a member in good standing of the WTO, the worlds trade referee, especially as it tries to displace the United States as a global trade leader. De Boer told the WTO council that Canada wants to be a good trading partner and if another country sees a problem with a Canadian export, Canada wants to find a solution. Canada has been working hard to resolve this issue with China, using every available means on the ground in both countries, said de Boer. While Canada was pressing its case at the WTO, a Nova Scotia cabinet minister said the federal government would welcome American influence to resolve the ongoing dispute with China. I would say that it would be helpful, for sure, Rural Economic Development Minister Bernadette Jordan said in an interview. Its different times now in the world than weve faced even four years ago. We see challenges all around the world. And we will continue, as a government, to stand up for our Canadian products. Conservative MP Randy Hoback recently told the House of Commons agriculture committee hes concerned China might decide to single out Canadian maple syrup or seafood next. Jordan said her constituency is the largest lobster-producing riding in the country, and hardly a day goes by without her talking to a fisher. In 2017, Canada exported 10 million kilograms of live lobster to China. Canadas efforts to diversify its markets for seafood continue apace with the ratification of free-trade deals with the European Union and the 10 Pacific Rim countries in the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership, she said. Yes, China accounts for a significant portion of our lobster sales our seafood, its not just lobsters. But I think with the ability for us to open up Europe, our ability to open up other Asian markets, there is that potential to make sure that those challenges are mitigated. Jordan stressed there has been absolutely no indication of any movement by China to take trade action against Canadian seafood. While she offered few details of what contingency plans the government may have if China does hit the seafood sector, Jordan suggested the government would come to its aid if necessary. Weve worked with the canola farmers specifically on a package for them. Im sure that when the time comes, if theres a need, we will be there for our fishers as well. Last week, the government helped canola farmers by changing a special agricultural program that advances money against later crop sales. The change raises loan limits to $1 million from $400,000. The interest-free portion of that program is also rising to $500,000 from $100,000. Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau told The Canadian Press the government wants to ensure producers have the support they need and officials are dealing with issues that arise on a case-by-case basis. Read more about: WINNIPEGA Crown prosecutor says a Winnipeg man on trial for killing an Indigenous woman committed a ghastly crime, while the defence says he did not mean to cause her harm. Brett Overby, who is 32, has admitted to causing the death of 21-year-old Christine Wood, but says he did not intend to kill her. Overby has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder but his lawyers are asking a jury for a manslaughter verdict, arguing that he reacted after Wood came at him with a knife. During closing arguments, the Crown says Wood was slaughtered. Prosecutors pointed to evidence that her throat was cut, she was stabbed multiple times and her blood was all over Overbys basement. Wood was reported missing after she travelled to Winnipeg from Oxford House First Nation in northern Manitoba in the summer of 2016. Her body was found 10 months later in a ditch near a farmers field just outside the city. Read more: Man accused of killing Manitoba woman testifies she came at him with knife Read more about: North Korea's state-run television KRT on Sunday (May 5) released several still photographs of leader Kim Jong Un supervising a military drill. KRT said North Korea conducted a "strike drill" for multiple launchers, firing tactical guided weapons into the East Sea on Saturday (May 4). The purpose of the drill was to test performance of "large-caliber long-range multiple rocket launchers and tactical guided weapons by defense units," the state media said. Military experts said the tactical guided weapons could be a short-range, ground-to-ground ballistic missiles. (Reuters) MONTREALCanada is disappointed the United States has blocked the Arctic Council from issuing a unanimous declaration acknowledging climate change but has no choice but to keep working with a key ally, says Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo declined to utter the words climate change throughout the eight-country summit of Arctic nations that wrapped Tuesday in Finland, including in a meeting with Freeland. Foreign Minister Timo Soini of Finland, which ended its two-year chairmanship of the council on Tuesday, said no joint declaration was possible because the U.S. would not agree to language about climate change. I think Canada feels, as do many members of the Arctic Council, that its a disappointment we werent able to reach a shared communique that we all agreed with, Freeland told reporters Tuesday from Latvia, where she was transiting to Ukraine as part of a whirlwind European trip. We were certainly not prepared to have an agreed communique that didnt forthrightly and clearly speak about climate change. The failure to agree on a shared statement also drew condemnation from the Inuit Circumpolar Council, which represents people in Canada, Greenland, Alaska and Russia. Read more: Opinion | Heather Mallick: Arctic attack on Canada leaves Pompeo adrift at sea Intense sense of emergency drives Canadian version of Green New Deal Opinion | Heather Mallick: Climate change is much worse than you think While the U.S. government concerns itself with semantics, playing games with words, our people are witnessing the adverse impacts of climate change. What about us and our reality? said the groups international chair, Dalee Sambo Dorough, an Inuk from Alaska. Freeland said Canada recognizes with sadness that the U.S. has decided to withdraw from the Paris climate-change accord. We continue to express our disappointment with that decision. Having said that, we have to move on ... with all the other countries of the world that want to co-operate with us on climate change and of course we need to move on with our relationship with the United States, our neighbour and our ally. The American opposition to acting on climate change was not total, though, because the Trump administration views melting Arctic ice to be an economic opportunity. Pompeo says it will open new sea lanes and trade routes, slashing ships travel time between Europe and Asia. In a speech in Finland on Monday, Pompeo called Canadas claim over the Northwest Passage illegitimate, language that was criticized as not reflecting the 1988 Arctic Co-operation Agreement that allows Canada and the U.S. to continue to agree to disagree on the issue. The agreement allows the U.S. to designate the passage as an international waterway while allowing Canada to say that it is a part of Canadian sovereign territory. Freeland tried to strike a conciliatory note on the issue while not giving an inch on Canadas position. Canada is very clear about the Northwest Passage being Canadian. There is both a very strong historic and geographic connection with Canada. Having said that, we collaborate closely with all of the members of the Arctic Council. The U.S. is more concerned about Russia and China in the Arctic than ownership of the Northwest Passage, said Pompeo. The challenges in the Arctic arent between the United States and Canada, let me assure you, he said. There are others that threaten to use it in ways that are not consistent with the rule of law. Pompeos views on the economic benefits of climate change met with a muted response during his Monday speech in the northern Finnish Arctic city of Rovaniemi. Steady reductions in sea ice are opening new naval passageways and new opportunities for trade, potentially slashing the time it takes for ships to travel between Asia and the West by 20 days, Pompeo said, as Freeland and the foreign ministers of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia and Sweden looked on. Arctic sea lanes could become the 21st centurys Suez and Panama canals. The summit wrapped with a brief joint statement that reaffirmed the councils commitment to maintain peace, stability and constructive co-operation in the Arctic. Read more about: Premier Doug Fords cuts are now hitting tourism-boosting efforts for Toronto and Ottawa, with agencies recently saying theyve been told their provincial funding is being eliminated entirely. According to Tourism Toronto, it faces a cut of $9.5 million about one-quarter of an annual budget that includes $28.6 million from a tax collected on local hotel stays. Ottawa Tourism says it is losing $3.4 million. Toronto welcomed 44 million visitors last year. Some 15.5 million tourists and convention-goers stayed overnight, one-third of them visitors from outside Canada. Tourism Toronto, the official sales and marketing organization for leisure travel and meetings, says the visitors annually pump a total of $9 billion directly into the local economy. An Ontario Ministry of Tourism official notified Tourism Toronto about two weeks ago, suggesting there would be some transitional funding for this year before the grant disappears, and that a new provincial tourism strategy is coming this spring or summer, according to Tourism Toronto. We dont have any other information to go on right now, said Andrew Weir, Tourism Torontos executive vice-president of destination development, adding his agency has sales staff and marketing staff or representatives in eight countries. Read more: Opinion | Edward Keenan: Doug Fords government is an axe-wielding agent of chaos Toronto mayor declares war on Ford governments ill-advised budget cutbacks Fords plan to eliminate teaching jobs gets a failing grade in new poll It will have a real impact, Weir said of the cut. We have to evaluate in which markets we can no longer promote Toronto, which major conventions and events we cant bring to the city. Having just had one phone call so far and no further details, we cant make any decisions yet until we get more information. The cut would mean Toronto Tourism would stop providing sales and support for Mississauga and Brampton tourism officials because the funding was regional, Weir added. Ottawa similarly provides support to the Prescott-Russell area. Until their new tourism strategy is released, we really wont have a full understanding of the net change of budget cuts and any potential new funding programs, said Ottawa Tourisms Jantine Van Kregten. In addition to the Toronto and Ottawa areas, the provincial ministry has funded 11 other regional tourism organizations across Ontario to the tune of about $40 million per year. A spokesperson for Michael Tibollo, Ontarios minister of tourism, culture and sport, has not yet responded to the Stars request for full details of the cut and if the new strategy will replace any funding. Weir said tourism investments have paid huge dividends across many sectors, not just hotels. Some 25,000 visitors from around the world will this month descend on Toronto for Collision, North Americas fastest growing tech conference. All three levels of government, Tourism Toronto and Exhibition Place won a bid to host the annual conference for the next three years. Investors, leaders in the high-tech industry are coming to see our local entrepreneurial tech sector exposed to the world, Weir said. Id like to think the (provincial) government sees the opportunity in tourism, and that they will make some smart new investments, including new tourist draws. The cut is one of several, including funding to municipalities for public health, child care and transit operations, in the Ford governments April budget, details of which have emerged slowly. Toronto Mayor John Tory revealed the change Tuesday during a news conference with Guelph Mayor Cam Guthrie, chair of the Large Urban Mayors Caucus of Ontario, where they both criticized the Ford government for deep cuts with no consultation. I think thats bad for Ontario, ultimately, certainly bad for Toronto, Tory said of cancellation of the tourism grants. Were going to have to find a way to make certain Tourism Toronto can carry on attracting tourists and conventions. Guthrie said mayors of other cities stand with Toronto in asking Ford to halt a war of words, and the cuts, and sit down with municipal leaders to see how they can help the province cut its deficit. These cuts will hurt real people, Guthrie said, noting municipalities, which by law are not allowed to run deficits, face choices of tax hikes, cutting important services or delaying important projects to deal with cuts which are retroactive to April 1. Tory said Fords cuts will cost Toronto well north of $100 million this year alone. In a statement issued after Tory and Guthrie spoke, Ford continued attacking Toronto spending, saying the city can eliminate waste and absorb the provincial cuts without making any cuts to services for residents. Among spending on the block in Toronto are breakfasts for hundreds of children in poverty, more than 6,000 subsidized child care spaces and transit funding that will total about $100 million per year. If John Tory spent as much time going through the citys finances as he does worrying about the colour of the Toronto sign, he would be able to find some efficiencies and deliver some value for taxpayers dollars, Ford wrote. Torys Twitter account has announced, five times in the past week, why the TORONTO sign in Nathan Phillips Square was lit a particular colour. Reasons include maternal mental health day, community living for disabled people, honouring Canadian naval heroics in the Second World War, a Toronto Rock lacrosse playoff game and childrens mental health week. David Rider is the Star's City Hall bureau chief and a reporter covering Toronto politics. Follow him on Twitter: @dmrider Read more about: Toronto police have made an arrest after a 78-year-old man was assaulted outside a Starbucks on the Danforth over the weekend. Police say that at around 5 p.m. Sunday, officers responded to an assault in the area of Danforth and Gough Aves., west of Pape Ave. Police say the suspect yelled and swore at a man just as he was leaving the store, and then punched him, causing the victim to fall and hit his head. He was seriously injured. A day after releasing a surveillance camera image of the suspect, Barry Dennison, 62, of Toronto, was charged with aggravated assault. He is scheduled to appear in College Park court June 17. For Blaine Barber it was a blast from his past, a chance to revisit the former Yonge St. HMV store where he had purchased hundreds of records. But this time he walked out of the same address with a different type of product: the kind he can smoke. I thought it was going to be much larger, Barber, 49, said when he walked into the Tokyo Smoke cannabis store. Located north of Yonge-Dundas Square, it opened Monday and saw a steady stream of customers. The store is intentionally kept small. Store management said demand will dictate the pace at which they expand, with enough room to go up to about 6,000 square feet from its current 1,500 square feet. Some of those records that I bought here 15 years ago are worth hundreds of dollars now, he said. Now, Im coming here to buy weed. Barber has visited two of the four Toronto stores opened since April 1, and says the customer experience varies. The shelves are stocked with dozens of different indica and sativa strains. Barber described his earlier trip to Hunny Pot, which was the only Toronto location to open on April 1, as a more guided hand-holding experience, where customers are assigned a budtender who travels through the store with you. Which means you wait in line longer, but you get dedicated service, Barber said of the Queen St. W. pot shop. Here (Tokyo Smoke), its a bit more laissez-faire. Barber who admits to having an average understanding of the effects of various pot strains, said he finds staff at both locations to be fairly knowledgeable. There are signs here that says how much (THC or CBD) is in each, he said. The store was granted occupancy clearance Sunday. By Monday, Tokyo Smoke, had been supplied with 125 kilograms of pot said store manager Brytany Melville. We have cannabis for days in the back and we get another order on Wednesday, she said. We dont even have them (strains) all on the floor, so if somebody comes in specifically wanting a strain that they know by name, we can still sell it to them. Melville said Tokyo Smoke not only won one of the coveted initial 25 operator licences, but also hit the jackpot with its location. We know that 230,000 people cross this intersection, each day, so we knew we were going to get hit with traffic, Melville said. Store owner Colin Campbell and his wife Sophie, who secured rights to the Tokyo Smoke brand for their store, were kept busy Monday as they tried to keep up with the demands of opening the citys fourth legal brick-and-mortar cannabis store. It wasnt a difficult process, but its the waiting, Sophie said of the approval process ran by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO). Theres a learning curve in terms of navigating that process. The government chose 25 retailers through a lottery but fewer than half met the April 1 deadline. Cannabis retailers who failed to open their stores by the April 1 government-set deadline face financial penalties, with AGCO gradually drawing down on store owners $50,000 letters of credit, as set dates are missed. Seven have already forfeited the $50,000 for missing set deadlines, AGCO said. As of today, 19 stores have been authorized in Ontario, 17 of which are open and selling cannabis, the AGCO says. With files from the Canadian Press. The future of one of Torontos historic high schools is at stake after a six-alarm fire ravaged York Memorial Collegiate Institute. On Wednesday, Toronto fire services will bring in heavy equipment to begin tearing down parts of the building as firefighters hunt for hidden fires in a school that was preparing to celebrate its 90th anniversary this month. What has to happen is that we have to slowly, systematically, judiciously peel back the building, tear away some brick, tear away some roofing to get at that burning. Otherwise it will just continue to burn in hidden voids and walls that are inaccessible, Toronto Fire Capt. David Eckerman said Tuesday. By Wednesday, crews will have been fighting fires at the school for a third day. Firefighters were first called to the school on Eglinton Ave. W., near Trethewey Dr., around 2 p.m. Monday. The three-alarm fire was contained by 4 p.m., but a second blaze was spotted by a thermal-imaging camera overnight. That blaze was upgraded to a six-alarm fire at around 10 a.m. Tuesday. And by midday, more than 100 firefighters and at least 10 fire trucks were on site trying to contain it. Heavy smoke and flames could be seen pouring from the building. Parts of the roof and walls toward the schools south side appeared to have collapsed. Traffic was blocked on several streets around the school. Fearing another possible flare-up, fire crews will begin ripping down part of the school. A structural engineer will be on scene Wednesday to co-ordinate and assist with how parts of the structure are to be removed. Speaking to reporters Tuesday outside the school that first opened in 1929 and was dedicated to the memory of youth killed in the First World War, principal Donna Drummond said it was a sad day for all. Its a school named after those who sacrificed their lives for us and to get us our freedoms, she said. Were losing a phenomenal history. This is a fairly significant, special school, she added. When you come into the school from the main entrance on Eglinton, they have 11 steps representing the 11th day and the 11th month and the eleventh hour, she said, referring to the date and time the wars armistice was signed on Nov. 11, 1918. According to the website of Architecture Conservancy Ontario, the building was designed by Charles Wellington Smith. Many of the design elements reference the war and military themes. Inside, theres a roll of honour with the names of the war dead. Each side wall in the auditorium features three stained glass windows designed by Will Meike. They were made and installed by Robert McCausland Glassworks. They commemorate two turning points in Canadian history the Battle of the Plains of Abraham in 1759 and the Battle of Ypres in 1915. According to the schools website, the buildings cornerstone was laid on May 6, 1929 90 years ago Monday. Plans were in place to commemorate the anniversary later this month for students, staff and alumni. Rebuilding the school is not going to replace the significance of what the school meant to so many people, Drummond said. Monica Adjei, who owns Beauty Supply IBS, a small business nearby, said the school is an important part of the community and shes worried about the impact on stores like hers, many of which depend on students for business. Students would come in my store to buy things like lip gloss, makeup, body lotions, shampoo and hair extensions. Thats like 50 per cent of my business, she said, noting area businesses were already seeing less customers due to ongoing construction of the Eglinton Crosstown. I am absolutely terrified. Its a big blow to us if the school is closed for the next three or four months. Its like we are drowning. Toronto District School Board spokesperson Ryan Bird said Tuesday its too early to determine where the roughly 900 York Memorial students will attend classes for the rest of the school year. Classes are set to end on June 7, followed by two weeks of exams. Right now, were taking this one day at a time so its too early to say what the plans moving forward are going to be. Staff are currently looking at possible plans that well be able to finalize once were able to enter the building in the days ahead, Bird said. Once we get the school released to us by Toronto Fire, well have to to get in there and determine the exact amount of damage, he said. In a message posted on Twitter on Tuesday night, TDSB announced the cancellation of Wednesday classes for George Harvey Collegiate, including classes for students pushed out of York Memorial by the fire. Instead, staff from both schools will be reassigned to Oakwood Collegiate for the day, and social workers will be at Oakwood to support students and staff as needed. Toronto Fire Chief Matthew Pegg said it is too early to tell what caused Tuesdays fire. There will be an investigation in to both fires, he said. Paramedics services said one person was treated for smoke inhalation Monday, but no serious injuries have been reported. Chantel Sookram, a graduating student at York Memorial, says its heartbreaking to see her school ravaged by the fire. Ive spent four years of my life here, which is a big chunk, she said. There are so many memories within those walls that a lot of us cherish. Referring to the buildings historic stained-glass windows, Sookram said those windows told a story about her school and that they were beautiful. With files from Temur Durrani One student died Tuesday in a shooting at a suburban Denver school, law enforcement authorities said, a shooting that left seven classmates injured and came less than a month after the region marked the 20th anniversary of the Columbine massacre. Two suspects, both students at the school, are in custody, according to Douglas County officials. The Denver region has been on edge as the 20th anniversary of the Columbine High School massacre was memorialized, and deadly threats were called in to other Denver-area schools. The Columbine attack, in which two teenage gunman killed 13 people, marked the beginning of a new era in the United States a time when the threat of school shootings has taught a generation of children how to flee, hide and even fight back when faced with a gunman. In a message on social media Tuesday night, the Douglas County Sheriffs Office wrote, with extreme sadness, that a student had been killed in Tuesdays attack. Douglas County Coroner Jill Romann has not identified the student, according to the sheriffs department, but confirmed the victim is an 18-year-old male. It had been only days since another school shooting. At the University of North Carolina in Charlotte last week, a student tackled a gunman who opened fire on a classroom, police said, killing two and injuring four others. The Colorado shooting happened shortly before 2 p.m. Tuesday local time at the STEM School Highlands Ranch a charter school campus with more than 1,800 students in kindergarten through 12th grade. The two suspects were able to walk in and get deep inside the school, Douglas County Sheriff Tony Spurlock said. Holly Nicholson-Kluth, undersheriff for the Douglas County Sheriffs Office, said the shooting started in the middle school portion of the campus, and an administrator called police after hearing shots. Quite a few shots were fired, Nicholson-Kluth said. Nicholson-Kluth said her agency has a substation blocks away from the school and responded quickly. Officers could hear gunshots as they arrived, she said. Within about two minutes, the first deputy arrived and confronted a suspect, Spurlock said. Shots were fired, and deputies struggled with the suspects before taking them into custody, he said. I have to believe the quick response of the officers that got inside that school helped save lives, Spurlock said. The injured students were 15 years old or older, he said. Spurlock said it was too early to discuss possible motives for the attack. One of the suspects is an adult, Spurlock said, and the other is a juvenile. Neither of the suspects was injured, he said. The suspects were not on the radar of law enforcement, as far as he knew, he said. A suspect vehicle was being searched in the school parking lot, Spurlock said, and both suspects houses would be searched. Officials from the Douglas County School District could not immediately be reached Tuesday evening, but they posted a notice on their website that lockouts at county schools had been lifted. All after-school activities and programs were cancelled for the day. They also advised parents of STEM school students that they could pick up their students at Northridge Recreation Center in Highlands Ranch. KUSA-TV showed footage of parents running from an elementary school where they had initially been told they could reunite with their children, to the Northridge Recreation Center. With so many students at the school, Spurlock said shortly after 6 p.m., we are frantically trying to identify every one of those and making sure we can connect them with their parents. The FBI is investigating the crime scene, Spurlock said. A handgun was used, he said, but he did not have other information about weapons. No teachers or staff members were injured, to his knowledge, Spurlock said. Colorado state leaders offered prayers and aid to law enforcement. ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia - Ethiopian factory workers are now, on average, the lowest paid in any major garment-producing company worldwide, a new report says. The report by the New York University Stern Center for Business and Human Rights comes as Ethiopia, one of Africas fastest-growing economies, pursues a bold economic experiment by inviting the global garment industry to set up shop in its mushrooming industrial parks. The governments eagerness to attract foreign investment led it to promote the lowest base wage in any garment-producing country now set at the equivalent of $26 a month, according to the authors of the report, Paul M. Barrett and Dorothee Baumann-Pauly. In comparison, Chinese garment workers earn $340 a month and those in Kenya earn monthly pay of $207. Drawn by the newly built industrial parks and a range of financial incentives, manufacturers for some of the worlds best-known brands among them H&M, Gap, and PVH employ tens of thousands of Ethiopian workers in a sector the government predicts will one day have billions of dollars in sales. The new report is based on a visit to the flagship Hawassa Industrial Park that opened in June 2017 in southern Ethiopia and currently employs 25,000 people. Ethiopian leaders often show off the industrial park, 140 miles (225 kilometres) south of Addis Ababa, to visiting foreign dignitaries. According to the report, most young Ethiopian workers are hardly able to get by to the end of the month and are not able to support family members. Given relatively little training, restive employees have protested by stopping work or quitting altogether. Productivity in the Hawassa factories typically is low, while worker disillusionment and attrition are high, the report says. Ethiopian politics are also unexpectedly disrupting factory operations. The Ethiopian government should address ethnic tension in Hawassa and elsewhere, the report says. It calls on the government to implement a long-term economic plan for strengthening the apparel industry and establish a minimum wage that ensures decent living conditions. ___ Follow Africa news at https://twitter.com/AP_Africa MEXICO CITY - The bodyguard for a prominent Mexican journalist thwarted an attempt to steal the columnists car in an upscale Mexico City neighbourhood Monday, killing one of three armed robbers and wounding another in an exchange of gunfire, authorities said. Columnist Hector de Mauleon, who was inside a nearby restaurant and not injured, is known for his critical writing on organized crime for the newspaper El Universal and has been threatened on numerous occasions. The newspaper said de Mauleon had hired the retired military officer as his bodyguard because of the threats. El Universal said that as de Mauleon sat in the restaurant on a tree-lined street in the Condesa neighbourhood, three gunmen approached the car, where the armed bodyguard was waiting. The paper said the bodyguard confronted the assailants and left one of them dead, while another was wounded and one more fled. The city prosecutors office confirmed that gunfire was exchanged, but mentioned only the dead assailant and the wounded one. It said the wounded assailant was taken to a hospital in police custody. An Associated Press journalist at the scene saw a body loaded into a forensic van. De Mauleon writes frequently about organized crime in Mexicos capital and has been outspoken about extortion rackets in Condesa. In 2017, Mexicos National Human Rights Commission condemned a chilling video threat against De Mauleon. Mexicos federal security agency condemned Mondays incident on Twitter. FRAIJANES, Guatemala - Gunfire during a riot in a Guatemala prison Tuesday left at least seven inmates dead and 10 wounded, authorities said. National Civil Police said the dead were all prisoners at the Pavon Rehabilitation Model Farm in the municipality of Fraijanes, about 10 miles (17 kilometres) east of Guatemala City. Prisoners had control of the facility for some eight hours Tuesday. Gunshots could be heard inside the prison and some inmates could be seen carrying guns. Prisoners carried their own dead to the entrance so authorities could identify them. Some 1,500 police officers and soldiers were sent to the scene, and regained control by late afternoon, officials said. Cecilio Chacaj of the municipal firefighters said 10 prisoners suffered bullet wounds. Prison authorities said the facility was built to house 900 prisoners but held 4,137. SAN JOSE, Costa Rica - A mostly European group of nations said Tuesday it will send a high-level delegation to Venezuela to propose solutions to that countrys protracted crisis. European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said in Costa Rica that the delegation will travel in the coming days. The International Contact Group, consisting of eight European countries, the European Union and four Latin American countries, concluded its meeting in San Jose on Tuesday. The group formed after Juan Guaido, the leader of Venezuelas opposition-controlled congress declared himself early this year interim president in a direct challenge to Nicolas Maduros rule. It reiterated its goal of a peaceful resolution through the holding of free and fair elections as soon as possible. It also expressed concern for Venezuelas humanitarian situation and called for unrestricted access for aid. Bolivia did not sign the groups declaration, but participated in discussions. The group called on the Venezuelan government to respect the right to peaceful protest and to dissolve armed civilian groups. The declaration tried to give Guaido some cover as well. The National Assembly, democratically elected and presided over by Juan Guaido, must continue being the centre of the countrys political life, the declaration said. Its constitutional rights must be respected in line with national legislation, the parliamentary immunity of its members must be guaranteed. On Tuesday, Venezuelas top court opened a criminal investigation against six opposition lawmakers following the failed attempt last week to trigger a military uprising. By Tong Kim North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is waiting for the Trump administration to change its position and accept his offer of a phased denuclearization. However, there is no indication that Washington is considering backing down on its demand for an early, comprehensive denuclearization that caused the breakdown of the Hanoi summit in late February. Pyongyang is now saying that if Washington does not drop its current "method of calculation" by the end of this year as set by Kim in his April 13 speech to the Supreme People's Assembly, the U.S. "will face an undesired consequence" according to its first vice foreign minister, Choe Son-hui's warning on April 30. Choe was reacting to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's April 25 interview with CBS, in which he said if the North does not keep its commitment to denuclearize, his administration could "change paths." Choe was practicing what she has learned from her long diplomatic career, a hardliner's support for her leader and an artful ambiguity. "It is a foolish and dangerous idea to bring down our system at any cost even by resorting to the military means, as the maximum pressure and economic blockade are not working against us," she said. However, she added, "Our determination for denuclearization remains unchanged, and when the time comes, we will put it into practice." Choe has risen to a prominent position of influence very fast especially under Chairman Kim. Now she is the first vice foreign minister and a member of the Council of State Affairs. During Kim Jong-il's rule, the first vice minister was more influential and had more access to the leader than the foreign minister, a position now held by Ri Yong-ho, who is also a member of the state council. Choe was first known to Americans in 1994 as an interpreter for Kim Kye-gwan, then vice foreign minister, who headed DPRK delegations to numerous bilateral and multilateral negotiations involving the United States. Kim himself later held the position of first vice foreign minister. She rose up the ladder of positions from a researcher to deputy director general, to director general, and to vice minister responsible for U.S. affairs. Nobody now knows when and how the dialogue of denuclearization will get back on track. As far as Pyongyang is concerned, the ball is in the U.S.' court until the end of the year. When U.S. nuclear envoy Stephen Biegun goes to Seoul this week to discuss a "final, fully-verified denuclearization," there is no great expectation of his visit to make a big difference, unless he brings a new idea with President Trump's blessing. If Biegun wants to meet with his DPRK counterpart whenever possible, it may not be former nuclear representative Kim Hyok-chol anymore. Although unconfirmed, there were reports that Kim was sent back to the foreign ministry after being held accountable for the failure of the Hanoi summit. Former minister of the united front for unification and still a vice chairman of the Workers Party Kim Yong-chol, who met Trump twice at the White House, has also been reported to have been reprimanded for his failure to advise the infallible Kim Jong-un rightly. When North Korea says it wants to see the U.S. stop its hostile policy, it means not just security assurances against foreign invasion, it also wants economic assistance that can support the livelihood of the people to solidify the legitimacy of the Kim regime. In the meantime, Kim's biggest challenge is how to survive the sanctions pressure and develop a self-sufficient economy. World food organizations report North Korea's food shortage for this year is about 1.5 million tons, which the North has no money to import and will have to depend on international grants. Donors are mindful that the regime is developing a nuclear program and has an abysmal record of human rights. Yet, North Korea will not surrender its nuclear weapons unilaterally because of sanctions or military threats. It may be considering unthinkable options: fighting economic hardship, launching provocations, or waiting out until a better chance comes. In a way, now is the best time for the North. South Korea is trying hard to mediate talks between Pyongyang and Washington. If the North survives the maximum pressure from the international community, Kim Jong-un will still be in power in the next two or three years, but Trump may not be around after two years and Moon will be gone after three years. Perhaps, Kim has a golden opportunity to resolve a century-old issue to build friendly relations with the U.S. and the neighbors, and a peaceful, nuclear-free Korean peninsula. Tong Kim (tong.kim8@yahoo.com) is a Washington correspondent and columnist for The Korea Times. He is also a fellow at the Institute of Corean-American Studies. MEXICO CITY - Authorities in the northern Mexico border state of Tamaulipas say they have detained 289 Central American migrants, including some children with measles and other illnesses. The Tamaulipas state government says the migrants were found crammed into the freight compartments of two tractor-trailer trucks. Authorities had to punch a hole in one of the freight containers to free the migrants, who had been transported from the Gulf coast state of Tabasco toward the U.S. border. Some of the children were also found to have chickenpox. The state said Monday the migrants were given food, water and medical attention and turned over to immigration authorities. MEXICO CITY - Mexicos Economy Department said Tuesday that U.S. consumers could pay 38% to 70% more for tomatoes after the U.S. Commerce Department announced it would re-impose anti-dumping duties on Mexican imports. The Mexican agency said the country exports about $2 billion in tomatoes to the United States and supplies about half the tomatoes the U.S. consumes annually. It said that many small- and medium-sized Mexican tomato exporters wont be able to pay the deposits required to export. Tomatoes are Mexicos largest agricultural export after beer and avocadoes, and tomato growing and harvesting provides about 400,000 jobs in Mexico. But the deposits required to comply with the 17.5% U.S. tariff would amount to about $350 million, money that many Mexican producers dont have. In March the Commerce Department announced it was ending a 2013 suspension agreement in which Mexican growers promised to sell at fair prices, and that it would reinstate the 1996 tariffs. The Mexican government said its growers continue to negotiate with the U.S., and expressed hope that another agreement, like ones that have been in place for 23 years, could be reached. U.S. growers, mainly in Florida, say Mexican tomato producers charge below fair prices; U.S. growers also have a hard time competing with Mexicos extremely low wages. However, the availability of Mexican tomatoes has increased the availability of fresh tomatoes year-round and helped lead to an increase in U.S. tomato consumption from an average of about 12 pounds per person in the 1980s to almost 21 pounds in 2011. LIMA, Peru - Prosecutors in Peru alleged Tuesday that they have gathered overwhelming evidence implicating former President Ollanta Humala in Latin Americas biggest graft scandal and will seek a 20-year sentence for the former head of state. Prosecutor German Juarez told a judge that investigators have gathered some 1,500 files backing up their assertion that Humala and his wife received over $3 million from Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht for his presidential campaigns. Were talking about concrete, punishable acts, he said. Humala and his wife, Nadine Heredia, have been under investigation for their alleged role in the Odebrecht corruption scandal rocking Peru for several years. They were ordered behind bars as a 2017 as a preventative measure but released the next year. The couple is disputing the charges, arguing that evidence presented has been falsified. Odebrecht admitted in a U.S. Justice Department plea agreement to paying $800 million in bribes to high-ranking officials around the region in exchange for lucrative public works contracts. Prosecutors are accusing Humala of taking money from both Odebrecht and illegal mining operators during his 2006 and 2011 campaigns. Humala is a former army coronel who lost the 2006 election but won five years later. The former president and first lady are accused of trying to hide the Odebrecht funds by depositing them in small amounts that went undetected by banks. Prosecutors also accuse the pair of hiding the origin of the illegal donation by making fraudulent invoices charging for services that were never actually provided. Prosecutors are requesting a 26-year sentence for Heredia. The Odebrecht corruption scandal has upended Perus politics, with nearly every living former president now under investigation. Former President Alan Garcia shot himself in the head in April as authorities arrived at his home to arrest him in connection with the probe. HONG KONGTwo prizewinning journalists were released from prison in Rangoon, Burma, on Tuesday after more than a year in detention for covering the countrys deadly crackdown on the Rohingya minority group, the Reuters reported. The two reporters, Wa Lone, 33, and Kyaw Soe Oo, 29, were arrested in December 2017 and sentenced in September to seven years in prison under the colonial-era Official Secrets Act for receiving documents from a police officer. The men, along with their Reuters colleagues, in April were awarded the Pulitzer Prize for international reporting, one of journalisms most coveted and prestigious honours. Their case had become an international cause celebre, with journalists, human rights activists and world leaders calling for their release. Their arrest, like the ethnic conflict they were covering, was a turning point in the Wests perception of Burmas de facto prime minister, Aung San Suu Kyi, who had long been seen as a force for democracy and tolerance. Since her party took power three years ago, the number of journalists arrested in Burma has increased to 43, according to a recent Human Rights Watch report. In April, the two journalists lost their final appeal in Burmas Supreme Court. After that decision, a lawyer for the men said their last chance at release was through petitioning the countrys president or legislature. The men were released as part of a mass amnesty for thousands of prisoners by President Win Myint. Traditionally, authorities issue pardons for prisoners across the country during the New Year, which began April 17. Their defence lawyers argued that the evidence in the case was planted by the police and that the rolled-up papers they were handed contained information that was already public. The reporters testified at trial that they were arrested so quickly that they never had a chance to look at the documents. The Burma military began a campaign to repress a long-simmering Muslim insurgency in 2017 in the restive western state of Rakhine. In all, more than 700,000 members of the Rohingya minority group were driven from their homes and fled to neighbouring Bangladesh. The United Nations has said that Burmas top generals should be investigated on charges of genocide. KABUL - Taliban fighters attacked the offices of a U.S.-based aid organization in the Afghan capital on Wednesday, setting off a huge explosion and battling security forces in an assault that lasted more than six hours and killed at least five people, the Interior Ministry said. Dozens of civilian vehicles and shops were either destroyed or damaged, and several buildings were also damaged. A large plume of smoke rose from the area and the sound of sporadic gunfire could be heard. The ministrys statement said four civilians and a police officer were killed and 24 others were wounded in the assault. It was not immediately clear if any foreigners were killed or wounded. The ministrys statement said the attack ended after all five insurgents were killed by Afghan forces. Around 200 people were rescued from both buildings within the compound, it said. The attack targeted U.S.-based aid organization Counterpart International, which has offices near those of the Afghan attorney general, said Interior Ministry spokesman Nasrat Rahimi. The groups offices are in a compound with two five-story buildings. We are incredibly saddened by this attack and are working as quickly as possible to account for our staff, the organization said in a statement on its website. Their safety and security is our primary concern. Johan Bass, U.S. ambassador in Afghanistan, strongly condemned the attack on the NGO. He said the targeted organization helps local communities, trains journalists and supports the Afghan people. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan in a statement also condemned the insurgents for deliberately targeting a civilian aid organization. Todays attack was particularly deplorable, hitting civilians helping Afghans, the statement said. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the group attacked the organization because it was involved in harmful Western activities inside Afghanistan, without elaborating. Taliban insurgents stage near-daily attacks on Afghan forces, even as peace efforts have accelerated to find an end to the countrys 17-year war. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani called for peace with the Taliban last week and promised to free 175 Taliban prisoners ahead of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which began Monday. The Taliban said they would continue their attacks during Ramadan, but would be very careful of civilians during any operation. The insurgents have rejected past cease-fire proposals, saying U.S. and NATO troops must withdraw from the country first. The Taliban also refuse to negotiate directly with the government in Kabul, seeing it as a U.S. puppet. BEIJING - China confirmed Tuesday its economy czar will go to Washington for trade talks despite fears he might cancel after President Donald Trump threatened to escalate a tariff war over Beijings technology ambitions. The announcement suggests President Xi Jinpings government is putting its desire to end a conflict that has battered Chinese exporters ahead of the political need to look tough in the face of U.S. pressure. The decision to have Vice Premier Liu He, Xis top economic adviser, take part in talks due to start Thursday might keep alive hopes the two biggest global economies could make peace as early as this week. The Trump administration is pressing Beijing to roll back plans for government-led development of Chinese global competitors in robotics, electric cars and other technologies. Washington, Europe, Japan and other trading partners say those violate Chinas market-opening commitments and are based in part on stolen technology. Trumps announcement Sunday that he would increase tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese imports to 25% from 10% caused global stock markets to plunge. Markets steadied after a Chinese spokesman said Monday that envoys still were preparing to go to the United States, though there was no word then whether Liu would take part. On Tuesday, Chinas main stock market index rose 0.7% and most other Asian markets also rebounded. The American side is led by Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. A Commerce Ministry statement announcing Lius plans gave no indication whether other details such as the size of his delegation might change. Washington and Beijing have raised tariffs on billions of dollars of each others exports, disrupting trade in goods from soybeans to medical equipment. Estimates of lost potential sales so far range as high as $25 billion. Both governments have said negotiations were making progress, but Trump expressed frustration Sunday at the pace. Mnuchin said Monday that Chinese officials were trying to go back on some of the language that had been negotiated in 10 earlier rounds of talks. In response, a foreign ministry spokesman, Geng Shuang, said Beijing is sincere in continuing consultations. Asked whether China took Trumps threat seriously, Geng said similar situations had happened many times before. We hope the United States can still work together with China, Geng said at a news briefing. On the basis of mutual respect and equality, we will resolve each others legitimate concerns and strive to reach an agreement of mutual benefit and win-win. The decision to send Liu to Washington as scheduled shows China urgently hopes to reach an agreement, said Ma Hong, a professor at Tsinghua Universitys School of Economics and Management. They couldnt abandon it just because of a Twitter comment, said Ma. The conflict is testing how far Beijing is willing to go in changing a state-led economic model it sees as the path to prosperity and global influence and how much power Washington will have to enforce any agreement. The United States accuses Beijing of pressing foreign companies to hand over technology in exchange for market access, improperly subsidizing Chinese firms and stealing American trade secrets. No details of the talks have been released. But private sector analysts say Beijing is willing to change details of its plans so long as it preserves the ruling Communist Partys dominant economic role. The Trump administration has imposed 10% tariffs on $200 billion in Chinese imports and 25% tariffs on another $50 billion. The Chinese have retaliated by targeting $110 billion in U.S. imports. Trump said Sunday he also planned to impose 25% tariffs on another $325 billion in Chinese products. That would extend penalties to everything China ships to the United States, its biggest foreign customer. A stumbling block in the talks is U.S. insistence on an enforcement mechanism with penalties if Beijing fails to keep its promises. The Trump administration wants to keep tariffs on Chinese imports to maintain leverage over Beijing. Chinese negotiators have balked at what economists say they might see as giving Washington too much control. It is not completely an economic issue, said Ma. After all, it concerns the rights of a sovereign country. GUJRANWALA, Pakistan - Muqadas Ashraf was just 16 when her parents married her off to a Chinese man who had come to Pakistan looking for a bride. Less than five months later, Muqadas is back in her home country, pregnant and seeking a divorce from a husband she says was abusive. She is one of hundreds of poor Christian girls who have been trafficked to China in a market for brides that has swiftly grown in Pakistan since late last year, activists say. Brokers are aggressively seeking out girls for Chinese men, sometimes even cruising outside churches to ask for potential brides. They are being helped by Christian clerics paid to target impoverished parents in their congregation with promises of wealth in exchange for their daughters. Parents receive several thousand dollars and are told that their new sons-in-law are wealthy Christian converts. The grooms turn out to be neither, according to several brides, their parents, an activist, pastors and government officials, all of whom spoke to The Associated Press. Once in China, the girls most often married against their will can find themselves isolated in remote rural regions, vulnerable to abuse, unable to communicate and reliant on a translation app even for a glass of water. This is human smuggling, said Ijaz Alam Augustine, the human rights and minorities minister in Pakistans Punjab province, in an interview with the AP. Greed is really responsible for these marriages ... I have met with some of these girls and they are very poor. Augustine accused the Chinese government and its embassy in Pakistan of turning a blind eye to the practice by unquestioningly issuing visas and documents. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs denied that, saying China has zero tolerance for illegal transnational marriage agencies. Human Rights Watch called on China and Pakistan to take action to end bride trafficking, warning in an April 26 statement of increasing evidence that Pakistani women and girls are at risk of sexual slavery in China. On Monday, Pakistans Federal Investigation Agency arrested eight Chinese nationals and four Pakistanis in raids in Punjab province in connection with trafficking, Geo TV reported. It said the raids followed an undercover operation that included attending an arranged marriage. The Chinese embassy said last month that China is co-operating with Pakistan to crack down on unlawful matchmaking centres, saying both Chinese and Pakistani youths are victims of these illegal agents. The Associated Press interviewed more than a dozen Christian Pakistani brides and would-be brides who fled before exchanging vows. All had similar accounts of a process involving brokers and members of the clergy, including describing houses where they were taken to see potential husbands and spend their wedding nights in Islamabad, the countrys capital, and Lahore, the capital of Punjab province. It is all fraud and cheating. All the promises they make are fake, said Muqadas. ___ SUPPLY AND DEMAND In China, demand for foreign brides has mounted, a legacy of the one-child policy that skewed the countrys gender balance toward males. Brides initially came largely from Vietnam, Laos and North Korea. Now men are looking further afield, said Mimi Vu, director of advocacy at Pacific Links, which helps trafficked Vietnamese women. Its purely supply and demand, she said. It used to be, Is she light-skinned? Now its like, Is she female? Pakistan seems to have come onto marriage brokers radar late last year. Saleem Iqbal, a Christian activist, said he first began to see significant numbers of marriage to Chinese men in October. Since then, an estimated 750 to 1,000 girls have been married off, he said. Pakistans small Christian community, centred in Punjab province, makes a vulnerable target. Numbering some 2.5 million in the countrys overwhelmingly Muslim population of 200 million, Christians are among Pakistans most deeply impoverished. They also have little political or social support. Among all faiths in Pakistan, parents often decide a daughters marriage partner. The deeply patriarchal society sees girls as less desirable than boys and as a burden because the brides family must pay a dowry and the cost of the wedding when they marry. A new bride is often mistreated by her husband and in-laws if her dowry is considered inadequate. By contrast, potential Chinese grooms offer parents money and pay all wedding expenses. Some of the grooms are from among the tens of thousands of Chinese in Pakistan working on infrastructure projects under Beijings Belt and Road Initiative, a project that has further boosted ties between the two countries in recent years. Other grooms search directly from China through networks. They present themselves as Christian converts, but pastors complicit in the deals dont ask for any documentation. They pay on average $3,500 to $5,000, including payments to parents, pastors and a broker, said Iqbal, who is also a journalist with a small Christian station, Isaac TV. Iqbal has gone to court to stop marriages and sheltered runaway brides, some as young as 13. Muqadas mother Nasreen said she was promised about $5,000, which included the cost of the wedding and her daughters wedding dress. But I have not seen anything yet, she said. I really believed I was giving her a chance at a better life and also a better life for us, Nasreen said. ___ PRIESTS AND BROKERS Dozens of priests are paid by brokers to find brides for Chinese men, said Augustine, the provincial minorities minister, who is Christian. Many are from the small evangelical churches that have proliferated in Pakistan. Gujranwala, a city north of Lahore, has been a particular target of brokers, with more than 100 local Christian women and girls married off to Chinese in recent months, according to Iqbal. The city has several mainly Christian neighbourhoods, largely dirt poor with open sewers running along narrow slum streets. Tucked away in the alleys are numerous evangelical churches, small cement structures unrecognizable except for small crosses outside. Pastor Munch Morris said he knows a group of pastors in his neighbourhood who work with a private Chinese marriage broker. Among them, he said, is a fellow pastor at his church who tells his flock, God is happy because these Chinese boys convert to Christianity. They are helping the poor Christian girls. Morris opposes such marriages, calling them an insult. We know these marriages are all for the sake of money. Rizwan Rashid, a parishioner at the citys Roman Catholic St. Johns Church, said that two weeks earlier, a car pulled up to him outside the church gates. Two Pakistani men and a Chinese woman inside asked him if he knew of any girls who want to marry a Chinese man. They told me her life would be great, he said. Everything would be paid for by them. They were willing to pay him to help, but he said the churchs priest often warns his flock against such marriages, so he refused. Brokers also troll brick kilns, where the poorest work essentially as slaves to pay off debts, and offer to pay off their workers debts in exchange for daughters as brides. Pakistani and Chinese brokers work together in the trade. One prominent broker in Gujranwala is a Pakistani known only as Robinson. He refused to talk to the AP, but his wife Razia told the AP that they make arrangements through a Chinese marriage bureau in Islamabad. Moqadas and another young woman from the same neighbourhood, Mahek Liaqat, said Robinson arranged their marriages, providing photos of potential grooms. Afterward, they each described being taken to the same, multi-story house in Islamabad, a sort of boarding house with bedrooms. There, each met her husband for the first time face-to-face and spent her wedding night. Mahek, 19, said she stayed there with her husband for a month, during which she saw several other girls brought in. She attended several weddings performed in the basement. Other brides told of meeting their husbands at a similar house in a posh neighbourhood of Lahore. Simbal Akmal, 18, was taken there by her parents. Two other Christian girls were already there in a large sitting room, picking grooms. Three Chinese men were presented to Simbal, and her father demanded she choose one. She told him she didnt want to marry, but he insisted, claiming it was a matter of our honour, she said. He had already promised I would marry one, she said. They just wanted money. She married, but immediately fled. She was joined by her sister, who refused her parents demands to marry a Chinese man. Both escaped to a refuge run by the activist, Iqbal. ___ IN CHINA Muqadas said her husband had claimed to be a man of money, but when she arrived in China in early December, she found herself living in a small house, just one room and a bedroom. She said he rarely let her out of the house on her own. He forced her to undergo a battery of medical tests that later she found were attempts to determine why she was not yet pregnant. On Christmas Eve, when she pressed him to take her to church, he slapped her and broke her phone, she said. I dont have the words to tell you how difficult the last month there was, said Muqadas. He threatened me. Finally, he agreed to send her home after her family said they would go to the police. Mahek said she hadnt wanted to get married, but her parents insisted. Her Chinese husband was possessive and refused to let her leave the house. He was just terrible, she said. In China, her husband, Li Tao, denied abusing Mahek. He said he was a Christian convert and worked for a state-owned Chinese company building roads and bridges when he met Mahek through a Pakistani matchmaker introduced by a Chinese friend. He was taken by her at first sight, he said. If you look at her and you see shes right for you, thats it, right? Li returned with Mahek last winter to his hometown of Chenlou, a village surrounded by wheat fields in coastal Jiangsu province. They moved into his mothers home, a one-story courtyard house. After Maleks family reached out to their government for help to bring her back, the police showed up at Lis home and said they were told he was illegally confining a woman in his home. He said it was Mahek who refused to go outside. I wouldnt force her into doing anything, Li said. She just had to learn to adapt to a new environment. I wasnt asking her to change right away. Still, he bought plane tickets to take her back to Pakistan. Others, however, are unable to come back. Maheks grandfather Idriis Masih said he contacted the parents of several other Pakistani girls whom Mahek had befriended through a phone app in China and who were desperate to return home. All the parents were poor and shrugged off his attempts to convince them to retrieve their daughters. Each told him, She is married now. It is her life, he said. ___ Kang reported from Linyi, China. Associated Press researcher Shanshan Wang in Beijing contributed to this report NEW DELHI - The U.S.peace envoy on Afghanistan on Tuesday met with Indian leaders and discussed peace efforts amid the envoys ongoing dialogue with the Taliban, an Indian official said. Indias External Affairs Ministry spokesman Raveesh Kumar said that India will work with key partners in coming days. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad met with Indias External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Indias National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and other officials in New Delhi. The Taliban said over the weekend that the gap is narrowing in talks with Khalilzad over a timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan. Talks between the U.S. and Taliban began last year with the appointment of Khalilzad as the U.S. peace envoy. The two sides are meeting in Qatar, where the insurgent movement maintains a political office. The U.S. Embassy in New Delhi said on Tuesday that Khalilzad discussed with Indian leaders an emerging international consensus for peace efforts. The embassy in a statement said Khalilzad highlighted benefits that peace would bring to the region including the prevention of using Afghanistan as a platform for terror attacks, improved prospects for regional peace and security and increased regional trade. Khalilzad also recognized the many important contributions India has made to Afghanistans development, the statement said. India has been training Afghan soldiers and helping war-ravaged Afghanistan build infrastructure. LONDON - Former Baywatch star Pamela Anderson says Julian Assange does not deserve to be in a supermax prison after visiting the WikiLeaks founder behind bars. Assange is in Londons Belmarsh Prison serving a 50-week sentence for jumping bail in 2012. He is also being held on an extradition warrant to the United States for allegedly hacking into a Pentagon computer. The actress, who has defended Assange before, told reporters Tuesday that he is innocent and being treated unfairly. It was great to see him, but this is just misrule of law in operation. It is absolute shock that he has not been able to get out of his cell, she said. Assange says he is a journalist who has done nothing wrong. He is fighting extradition to the U.S. GENEVA - The UN human rights office is praising the release of Reuters journalists Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo from prison in Burma, but says a very dire situation remains for freedom of expression in the Asian country. Rights office spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani hailed good news but insisted that the two Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists should never have been convicted in the first place. The journalists were pardoned and released on Tuesday. They had been convicted of violating Burmas Official Secrets Act over reporting on security forces abuses of Rohingya Muslims. Shamdasani cited a rights office report in September, after the convictions, that laid out very constructive recommendations to Burmas government to improve freedom of expression. She said there has been no positive progress in relation to those recommendations. Sustainable growth not possible without fair competition The Moon Jae-in administration has come under criticism for making little progress in reforming family-controlled conglomerates, or chaebol. Some critics have even accused President Moon of reneging on his campaign commitment to chaebol reform. The three pillars of Moon's economic policy are income-led growth, innovative growth and economic fairness. Chaebol reform is a core part of creating a fair economic system. It is almost impossible to buttress the pillars without carrying out this reform. That's why chaebol reform is important in realizing fair competition and sustainable growth. What the Moon government should do is reduce the concentration of economic power on a small number of big businesses. Without doing so the country cannot address the worsening problem of social polarization between the haves and have-nots as well as the economic imbalance between large conglomerates and small and medium enterprises. Disappointingly, however, the liberal government has yet to produce any tangible results. Moon's income-led growth policy has gone nowhere not creating more jobs and not bringing a higher income to the working class. Innovative growth still has a long way to go, while it appears to be impossible to usher in a fair economy. Concerns are growing that the Moon administration might backpedal on chaebol reform amid the deteriorating economic conditions. This is all the more so after the President met Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong, April 30, at the firm's ceremony to declare a new vision for system semiconductor manufacturing. The meeting prompted speculation that the government was returning to the outdated way of nurturing conglomerates to boost exports. Even some progressive scholars slammed Moon for neglecting chaebol reform, although Fair Trade Commission Chairman Kim Sang-jo dismissed such criticism. The Moon administration should make unwavering efforts to push to reform conglomerates to get rid of their unfair business practices and create a level playing field. Chaebol reform is not a matter of choice, but a matter of survival for the Korean economy. WARSAW, Poland - Rights groups and government critics in Poland are protesting Tuesday after police temporarily detained a human rights activist for putting up posters depicting the countrys most revered Catholic icon with the LGBT rainbow on the halos of Mary and baby Jesus. Prosecutors in the central city of Plock said the woman has been questioned and has heard charges of insulting religious feelings and desecration of the icon of Mother of God of Czestochowa, popularly known as the Black Madonna of Czestochowa, a painting housed at the Jasna Gora monastery in Czestochowa, in southern Poland, since the 14th-century. The activist, 51-year-old Elzbieta Podlesna, last month placed posters with altered images of the icon on walls, garbage bins and mobile toilets near St. Dominiks church in Plock. She did not physically damage the icon, which was venerated by pontiffs including Pope John Paul II. European Council president Donald Tusk, who was in his native Poland, said the Polish authorities harsh reaction was inconceivable. The Warsaw-based Helsinki Foundation of Human Rights found the raid on Podlesnas home and her brief detention hard to understand. The case has highlighted the clash in predominantly Catholic Poland between the freedom of speech and laws banning hostility against religious beliefs. On social media, debate raged between critics of the government who said it was an abuse of power, and Catholics and backers of the conservative ruling party who argued their feelings were intentionally hurt. Deputy Justice Minister Patryk Jaki called the posters part of a campaign to humiliate Catholics and said it has to be stopped. The debate came ahead of this months European Parliament elections. In recent weeks, the ruling rightwing Law and Justice party has described the LGBT rights movement as a danger to Polish families and children. It seemed to be tapping into a belief held by some Poles that liberal values have been forced on them as a result of Poland joining the EU 15 years ago. LGBT rights have become increasingly visible as more Polish cities and towns hold gay pride parades, including in places known as bastions of the church and conservative values like Czestochowa. Podlesna defended her actions on private TVN24 Tuesday. This is certainly not an attack on religion, certainly not an attack on faith, this is not a form of attack, she said. How can you attack anyone using a picture, lets be serious, she added. Podlesna said police came for her early Monday and searched her home. She was put in custody for several hours. She could face up to two years in prison or a stiff fine if convicted. Interior Minister Joachim Brudzinski thanked the police for their action and said that the principles of freedom and tolerance did not give anyone the right to hurt the feelings of believers. Poland is predominantly Catholic and its government is conservative and pro-church, in recognition of the churchs supportive role in the countrys struggle for freedom during World War II and later against communist rule. Jasna Gora is the nations holiest shrine, drawing hundreds of thousands in annual pilgrimages. The late Pope John Paul II, who was Polish-born, visited it since childhood and as a clandestine student during WWII. The church has recently been under criticism in Poland for its continuing prominent role in state matters, and for revealing hundreds of covered-up cases of sexual abuse of minors by priests. Public opinion surveys have shown falling support for having nuns and priests, or even lay educators, teach religion in public schools. ___ This story was earlier corrected to say Podlesna is not an Amnesty International activist. SANTA FE, N.M. - A recent college graduate from New Mexico who had just landed his dream job as a fishing guide in Russia was among those killed when an airliner burst into flames during an emergency landing in Moscow. Jeremy Brooks, 22, of Santa Fe was remembered Monday as a fly-fishing expert by his former boss Ivan Valdez, owner of The Reel Life fishing shop. Valdez said Brooks recently graduated from Colorado College in Colorado Springs after majoring in environmental science. Brooks was on his way to work as a fishing guide in northwest Russia, a job he coveted after having a passion for fly fishing since he was 7. Valdez told the Albuquerque Journal that he hired Brooks at 16 as a guide for his shop as soon as the teen got a drivers license. He never had a mean bone in his body, said Valdez, who described Brooks as more of a son than an employee. He had it all to offer the world. I never heard a bad complaint against him. Marco Rossetti, who went to high school with Brooks at Santa Fe Prep, struggled to talk about the death of his friend. Aside from the point of fishing, because thats not all he was, he was the best person. He was there and had any friends back better than anybody, Rossetti told the Journal. I have more respect for him than any other person on this planet. And now hes not on this planet. The Russian airliner that took off Sunday from Moscow was airborne for 28 minutes before returning for an emergency landing while still heavy with unburned fuel, which then ignited after a rough touchdown. Flames quickly engulfed the aircraft, killing 41 of 78 people aboard. ___ Information from: Albuquerque Journal, http://www.abqjournal.com NASHVILLE - The Latest on the Tennessee House speakers chief of staff (all times local): 7 p.m. The Tennessee House speakers top aide has resigned amid allegations that the aide sent racist and sexually explicit texts. Chief of Staff Cade Cothren resigned Monday, hours after he also admitted to doing cocaine in a legislative office building years ago when he was press secretary for the Tennessee House Republican Caucus. House Speaker Glen Casada confirmed the resignation to The Associated Press late Monday. Cothren did not give a clear response Monday to allegations that during the time he was doing drugs, he also sent texts in which he used a racial slur and called black people idiots. WTVF-TV first reported on the texts last week. In an email to the AP, he said that he had done things he was not proud of. Nor did he respond definitively to allegations reported in The Tennessean on Monday that he sent sexually explicit messages to and made inappropriate advances toward former interns, lobbyists and campaign staffers between 2014 and 2016. The Tennessean quoted Cothren as saying that he had sent derogatory texts to women in the past. The newspaper quoted House Speaker Glen Casada as saying that his own involvement in the sexually explicit messages amounted to comments on a relationship between two consenting adults. ___ 6:15 p.m. A newspaper is reporting that the Tennessee House speaker and his top aide sent each other sexually explicit text messages about women. The Tennessean on Monday also reported Chief of Staff Cade Cothren sent sexually explicit messages to and made inappropriate advances toward former interns, lobbyists and campaign staffers between 2014 and 2016. The newspaper said the text messages between the two men did not involve the former interns. It did not say if they involved the others. Cothren told The Associated Press in an email the accusations are years old. He also referred the AP back to a statement he had sent earlier Monday in response to other allegations. In that statement, he said he had done things he was not proud of. The Tennessean quoted him as saying that he had sent derogatory texts to women in the past. It quoted House Speaker Glen Casada as saying that his own involvement in the messages amounted to comments on a relationship between two consenting adults. Also Monday, Cothren admitted to using cocaine in the legislative office building years ago when he was press secretary for the Tennessee House Republican caucus. WTVF-TV first reported the drug use. ___ 2:40 p.m. A top aide for Tennessee House Speaker Glen Casada has admitted using cocaine in a legislative office building. Chief of Staff Cade Cothren on Monday told news outlets he used the drug at work several years ago but no longer does so. But Cothren didnt give a clear response to allegations that during that time frame he also sent texts in which he used racial slurs and called black people idiots. WTVF-TV first reported on the texts last week. The TV station quotes the 31-year-old aide as saying in an email Monday that because the texts allegedly happened years ago, I can sincerely say it is hard for me to remember things with absolute clarity. BOSTON - A California executive has pleaded guilty to charges that he paid $400,000 in bribes to get his son into Georgetown University. Stephen Semprevivo pleaded guilty Tuesday in Boston federal court. He is the third parent to plead guilty in the vast college admissions bribery scheme. Authorities say Semprevivo gave $400,000 to an admissions consultant who paid off then-Georgetown tennis coach Gordon Ernst for pretending Semprevivos son was a team recruit. Ernst has pleaded not guilty to accepting $2.7 million in bribes to designate at least 12 applicants as recruits. Semprevivo is an executive at Agoura Hills-based Cydcor, which provides companies with outsourced sales teams. Semprevivos attorney, Steven Boozang, declined to comment. Actress Felicity Huffman is scheduled to plead guilty in the case Monday. HENDERSON, Nev. - Former Vice-President Joe Biden said Tuesday that the Trump administrations removal of protections from deportation for young immigrants and the separation of immigrant families at the U.S.-Mexico border are part of the battle for the soul of the country that spurred his White House bid. Biden, making his first visit as a 2020 Democratic presidential candidate to heavily Latino Nevada, said President Donald Trump uses immigration to demonize people. It isnt who we are. Were better than that, Biden said as he kicked off a rally in the Las Vegas suburb of Henderson in front of about 200 people. But after his speech, as he posed for selfies and took pictures along the rope line, he brushed off the questions of a Latino teenager who asked Biden if, as president, hed commit to ending U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcements practice of issuing detainers for immigrants who are arrested or convicted of a crime while in the country illegally. Biden told the teen that hed change it but didnt offer specifics, instead moving away as he said, Take a look at my website. His campaign website doesnt list a policy on ICE detainers but instead calls for fixing a broken immigration system, securing the border and addressing the root causes of migration that lead people to leave their home countries. Immigration is a key concern in Nevada, the third early state to cast votes for the Democratic presidential nominee. The Western state is considered the first test of a candidates appeal before strong labour unions and a diverse population, including about 29 per cent who are Latino. Biden also met Tuesday in Las Vegas with immigration activists in a private roundtable, according to his campaign Instagram account. Bidens midday speech at a painters and craft workers union hall drew plenty of applause at he called for rebuilding the backbone of this country, the middle class, and strengthening unions. Folks, theyve declared war on labours house for a long time now. If Im president of the United States, it will stop! he said to loud cheers. Although Biden launched his campaign with an explicit appeal to labour, hes not meeting during his Nevada visit with the 60,000-member strong Culinary Union. The union, which represents bartenders, housekeepers and other workers in the citys famed casinos, is one of the most powerful endorsements in Nevada Democratic politics. Biden spoke at the unions meeting hall last year as he campaigned for Democratic candidates in the state. Instead of bringing his presidential campaign message about middle-class workers before the Culinary Union, he held a fundraiser Tuesday night with MGM Resorts CEO Jim Murren whose company sits on the other side of the negotiating table from Culinary. The fundraiser at a high-end restaurant at a Las Vegas Strip luxury hotel comes on the heels of an announcement late last month that MGM Resorts, the states largest private employer, expects to cut about 1,000 nonunion jobs by June. D. Taylor, the former Culinary Union president and current president of the unions national affiliate Unite Here, sent a letter to Murren last month warning of a corporations responsibility to keep good jobs in communities and cautioning that the union would not stand by silently if the benefits of casinos and casino jobs are imperiled by the financial engineering of investors. The Culinary Union had no comment about Bidens fundraiser Tuesday. Murren said at the fundraiser that his son worked briefly for Biden in the White House and noted the work his wife, Heather Murren, has done on cancer research a cause Biden and his wife have taken on. At the fundraiser, Biden said that four years with Trump in the White House would go down as a historical aberration, but that eight years would cause fundamental, systemic change in this country. Our alliances will crumble. Not a joke. There will be no NATO after eight years, Biden said as he started to raise his voice. You cannot stand on the world stage and embrace autocrats and dictators, take their word publicly, publicly like with Putin, over our entire intelligence community. He declared that the rest of the world needs us badly. Before he officially jumped into the 2020 race, Biden struggled to respond to a complaint from former Nevada politician Lucy Flores that he made her uncomfortable by touching her shoulders and kissing the back of her head before a 2014 campaign event. A few other women made similar claims, though none alleged sexual misconduct. As Biden took the stage in Nevada Tuesday afternoon, a woman in the crowd joked about the allegations, yelling to the former vice-president, You can hug and kiss me anytime, Joe! Biden laughed, paused, made the sign of the cross and said, Thats very nice. Thank you. Biden addressed Flores complaint in an interview with KLAS-TV in Las Vegas , saying that Flores was entitled to her personal space and hes trying to be more careful about that, not hugging people while posing for a selfie unless they ask. I was trying to be reassuring. The truth of the matter is, shes completely entitled. If I made her uncomfortable, its my fault, he said. ___ This story has been corrected to show a woman shouted, You can hug and kiss me anytime, Joe! not You could come and kiss me anytime! ATLANTA - Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp on Tuesday signed into law one of the nations most restrictive abortion laws, a measure that bans the procedure once a fetal heartbeat is detected, which can be as early as six weeks, before many women know they are pregnant. Kemp, a Republican, said he approved the bill to ensure that all Georgians have the opportunity to live, grow, learn and prosper in our great state. The signing caps weeks of tension and protests at the state capitol and begins what could be a lengthy and costly legal battle over the laws constitutionality. But a legal showdown is exactly what supporters want. We will not back down, Kemp said. We will always continue to fight for life. Anti-abortion activists and lawmakers across the country have been energized by the new conservative majority on the U.S. Supreme Court that includes President Donald Trump appointees Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh. They are pushing abortion bans in an attack on the high courts 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling, which legalized abortion nationwide until a fetus is developed enough to live outside a womans uterus. Staci Fox, the president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Southeast, said she had one message for Kemp: We will see you, sir, in court. At a news conference on the Capitol steps, she said the new law criminalizes doctors for providing lifesaving care. The organization vowed to campaign to unseat lawmakers who supported it, saying they would be held accountable for playing politics with womens health. The legal director of the ACLU of Georgia, Sean Young, has said the group will challenge the measure in court. Under 50 years of Supreme Court precedent, this abortion ban is clearly unconstitutional, Young said in a recent interview with The Associated Press. Every federal court that has heard a challenge to a similar ban has ruled that its unconstitutional. Current law allows women in Georgia to seek an abortion during the first 20 weeks of pregnancy. If its not blocked in court, the new ban would take effect Jan. 1. The measure makes exceptions in the case of rape and incest if the woman files a police report first and to save the life of the mother. It also would allow for abortions when a fetus is determined not to be viable because of serious medical issues. In addition, the bill includes provisions for alimony, child support and even income tax deductions for fetuses, declaring that the full value of a child begins at the point when a detectable human heartbeat exists. The legislation would result in $10 million to $20 million in lost tax revenue for the state each year, according to its author, Republican Rep. Ed Setzler, who offered the estimate during a committee hearing in March. Setzler called the bill a common sense measure that seeks to balance the difficult circumstances women find themselves in with the basic right to life of a child. But Democratic Sen. Jen Jordan said theres nothing balanced about it: Its an all-out abortion ban. Jordan said she is particularly worried that the new law will push obstetricians away from practicing in Georgia, worsening health care outcomes for women in a state that already has one of the nations worst maternal mortality rates. Its about the unintended consequences, Jordan said. Theyre making policy choices that are going to end up causing women to die, and theyre preventable deaths. Georgia has at least 11 abortion providers, according to the National Abortion Federation, a group that advocates for access to abortion. Some abortion providers have already faced negative effects from the bill, according to Wula Dawson, director of development and communications for the Feminist Womens Health Center, an abortion clinic in Georgia. Dawson said anti-abortion protesters outside their clinic have become bolder and more aggressive toward patients. In the first few months of 2019, heartbeat abortion bans have been signed into law in four states: Mississippi, Kentucky, Ohio, and now Georgia. Lawmakers in other states including Tennessee, Missouri, South Carolina, Florida, Texas, Louisiana and West Virginia, are considering similar proposals. A bill that recently passed the Alabama House would outlaw abortions at any stage of pregnancy, with a few narrow exceptions. Kentuckys law was immediately challenged by the ACLU after it was signed in March, and a federal judge temporarily blocked it. Earlier versions of the law passed in North Dakota and Iowa have also been struck down in court. According to the Guttmacher Institute, a research group that supports abortion rights, about 33,000 abortions were provided in Georgia in 2014. NEW YORK - The number of measles cases in New York City has reached 466 since the outbreak began in October. The citys health department said Tuesday that 43 new cases were recorded since it last reported figures in April. The new cases include two public school students who do not identify as members of the Orthodox Jewish community, but had religious exemptions that allowed them to attend school without being vaccinated. Health officials said the children, who live in the Sunset Park section of Brooklyn, did not attend school while infectious. Orthodox Jewish communities in the Williamsburg and Borough Park sections of Brooklyn account for most measles cases in the city. Health officials say 84 individuals in Williamsburg have received summonses subject to fines for not complying with a mandatory vaccination order. INDIANAPOLIS - Police said Tuesday that they arrested two men in the non-fatal shooting of two southern Indiana judges outside of an Indianapolis fast food restaurant last week. Brandon Kaiser, 41, and Alfredo Vazquez, 23, are due in court Wednesday to face charges in the shooting of Clark Circuit Court judges Bradley Jacobs and Andrew Adams early on May 1, police said. Kaiser faces preliminary charges of attempted murder, battery, aggravated battery and carrying a handgun without a license, according to Marion County jail records. Vazquez is charged with assisting a criminal. Jail records dont list an attorney for either defendant. Police did not say what led to the arrests. On Friday, police released surveillance video showing two suspects getting out of an SUV outside the restaurant and asked for the publics help in identifying them. Police said an argument between the suspects and the judges, who were in Indianapolis for a judicial conference, escalated to the shootings. They also said they had found no evidence to suggest that the judges were targeted because of their jobs. Both judges are hospitalized in Indianapolis in stable condition. Attorney Larry Wilder, a spokesman for the judges, said Monday that both men have been up and walking around, but it will be a while before they can return to work. Clark County lies along the Ohio River just north of Louisville, Kentucky. NEW YORK - The cocktail bar was shutting down, and guests were being encouraged to commence the elegant trek to dinner through the majestic halls of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. But Joan Collins had just swept in, channeling her famous Dynasty character, Alexis, in a tiered gown of fluffy white feathers and gobs of blinding diamonds. And Alexis wanted a glass of wine. Im having a great time, Collins said of her first Met Gala. Id be even better if I had a drink. The sartorial theme of this years gala was camp not summer camp, but the esthetic of camp and its influence on fashion, as explored in the museums new exhibit, Camp: Notes on Fashion. It wasnt an easy theme to grasp; the instructions for guests were to dress with studied triviality. But while the results varied hugely from Katy Perry dressing as an elaborate candlelit chandelier (and later, a cheeseburger) to Kanye West wearing a simple black jacket that cost about $40 there were indeed some slam-dunk camp moments, and one was Collins. Im a Met Ball virgin, she said, so I thought I would come as my character, Alexis Morell Carrington Colby Dexter Rowan, and embrace it, she said. Everybody ALWAYS said she was camp. But even Collins, in her glistening diamond tiara, could not out-camp perhaps the champion camp-er of all time, Lady Gaga. The pop star and actress, a co-chair of the gala, put on a virtual burlesque show on the red carpet, slowly shedding a series of three outfits until she was left vamping in black lingerie. Celine Dion was a different kind of show girl, dressed in a supremely crafted creation by Oscar de la Rentas Fernando Garcia and Laura Kim, inspired by the 1941 movie Ziegfeld Girl starring Judy Garland (a camp heroine, of course.) Inside, Dion explored the exhibit along with her designers, and confessed that even now, I honestly dont really understand what camp is. No matter: Garcia and Kim had done their research, resulting in a Vegas showgirl ensemble made of countless strands of silver-gold glass beads that took many thousands of man hours to construct, paired with a spiky feathered headpiece. Im just honoured that they wanted me to be a part of this whole process, Dion said. After walking the red carpet actually, a pink-carpeted staircase guests entered the Mets vast Great Hall, where they were greeted by an imposing centerpiece of pink roses, topped by pink flamingoes. Some toured the exhibit, while others headed straight to the museums airy Petrie Court to sip cocktails and munch on crispy sea bass hors doeuvres, bits of foie gras, or mini-BLT towers. Model Ashley Graham, attending her third Met Gala, laughingly confessed that she heard this years theme and thought: Girl Scouts! But she liked what she learned about camp. Its extra, she said. Exaggerated happily and proudly. That was the spirit, she said, of her outfit, a short blazer dress by Dapper Dan for Gucci, with bright green eyeliner, sparkly leggings, and a Judith Leiber purse in the shape of a huge, golden retro cellphone. Its the exaggerated version of myself, she said of the outfit. Big, bold, but still you. Laverne Cox had no trouble understanding the camp theme; in college at Marymount Manhattan, shed been obsessed with Susan Sontag, the author of the 58-point essay, Notes on Camp, on which the Met exhibit is built. In fact, Cox, a star of Orange is the New Black and the first openly transgender person to be nominated for an Emmy, was able to reel off competing definitions of camp. Its of course artificial, but also parody, said Cox, wearing a striking sculptural gown by Christian Siriano, along with turquoise hair. Its a comment on culture. Also, theres high camp vs. low camp. And theres an invisible wink of camp. She pondered whether Garland and daughter Liza Minnelli were the same type of campness. Billy Porter, too, had done some thinking about camp. The Pose actor solidified his growing reputation as a red-carpet star with a dramatic entrance as an Egyptian sun deity on a litter carried by six shirtless men. His golden ensemble were talking gold on the head and the face, too, as well as huge golden wings was designed by the Blonds. The kids today call it being extra, Porter said inside, of the camp esthetic. Its about taking a thing and exploding it to the biggest degree. It has in the past been used as a pejorative, but this evening reclaims it. Porter was also carrying a purse with a written message that demanded, using an expletive, to be paid fairly. It means, he said with a grin, that you cant pay me scale no more! Get the prices right. Attending his first gala was Max Hollein, who took over as the museums director last year. Hollein said that since work on the exhibit began, he and museum colleagues have been finding the camp in familiar works all over the museum. Camp is a lens, a way of seeing the world, he said, an esthetic that existed long before we knew what it was. In all, Hollein pronounced the affair quite an extravaganza. The annual party is, of course, a fundraiser, and the chief source of funding for the Costume Institute; museum officials said Tuesday that this years haul was a record $15 million. For Broadway actor Patrick Vaill, examining the fashions at the exhibit, the adjective that seemed most apt was joyful. Vaill was joined by his Oklahoma! co-star Damon Daunno, whos nominated for a Tony for his role as Curly. Daunno, dressed in a pink Prabal Gurung suit, praised Anna Wintour, co-chair of the gala for more than two decades, for welcoming members of the Broadway community to the party, along with better-known megastars of TV, movies, music and sports. How generous and hip that she does that, he said. Other Broadway actors at the gala included the five leads from the Temptations musical Aint Too Proud, in black-and-white Thom Browne suits, and Santino Fontana, starring now in Tootsie. Fontana and his wife, actress Jessica Fontana, attending their first Met Gala, professed like many to some lingering confusion over the meaning of camp, without much help from studied triviality. But they seemed to know it when they saw it. I mean, Joan Collins! noted Fontana approvingly. Now, THATS camp. IOWA CITY, Iowa - An Iowa State Patrol supervisor received $40,000 in relocation benefits as part of a reassignment to western Iowa last year, even as he began claiming a newly built house 120 miles away as his home for tax purposes, a review by The Associated Press shows. The patrol is conducting an internal investigation into whether Lt. Joel Ehler, its district manager in Council Bluffs, is in compliance with its residency policy and his moving benefits were handled appropriately. A patrol spokesman, Sgt. Nathan Ludwig, told the AP that it is aware of the matter and takes very seriously the concerns that were raised in an anonymous complaint that sparked the investigation. We are duty bound to investigate the allegation and all surrounding facts and circumstances, he said. We will objectively discharge our duties in that regard and will determine whether there is any merit to the complaint. Ehler had been stationed in Des Moines and living in the central Iowa town of Adel when was assigned in June 2017 to lead the patrol office based in Council Bluffs. He qualified for state-funded relocation benefits. The Iowa Department of Public Safetys long-standing residency policy requires troopers to live in the county where they are assigned and their supervisors to live within 30 straight-line miles of the city limits of their duty station. Ehler was required to move within 30 miles of Council Bluffs, which is about 115 miles west of the Adel residence. Property records show he and his wife sold the home one year after his reassignment for $469,500 or $146,500 more than what they paid eight years earlier. The state approved Ehlers request to be reimbursed $29,000 in closing costs on the June 2018 sale, as allowed under the relocation benefits policy. The payout included a $14,000 commission for an agent with Keller Williams Realty, a brokerage where Ehlers wife is also an agent, records show. The state also granted his claim for $10,000 in income tax assistance for the move. But instead of moving toward Council Bluffs, Ehler began living the day after the sale in a new home 15 miles to the east in West Des Moines, according to a homestead tax credit application that was signed by Ehler in September 2018 and obtained by AP through an open records request. Property records show that the couple built the home on land they acquired months after Ehlers 2017 reassignment to Council Bluffs, and that its now assessed at $388,000. Ehler, who has been with the patrol since 1992, did not return messages seeking comment. His wife declined comment. Ehlers supervisor, Capt. Darin Fratzke, said he could not comment during the investigation, which is being conducted by the departments professional standards bureau. Ehler has told patrol officials that since September 2017 he has been living in a rental home in Avoca near Council Bluffs and is therefore in compliance with the residency policy, which is designed to ensure that patrol managers and officers can quickly respond to public safety emergencies and natural disasters. But its unclear whether the rental would put Ehler in compliance. Under the policy, residences are defined as the places that employees declare as their permanent homes, such as the addresses they list on their tax returns, drivers licenses and mail correspondence. To qualify for the homestead tax break, individuals must attest that they own a property and will occupy it for at least six months each year, according to the Iowa Department of Revenue. I further state that I began ... to occupy this homestead on the above date, Ehler attested of the West Des Moines home, listing a date of June 27, 2018. An anonymous complaint, signed by a concerned trooper and obtained by the AP, alleges that Ehler is not in compliance with the residency policy for multiple reasons, including that he does not stay in Avoca on the weekends. The complaint alleges the relocation benefits appear to be a misuse of funds. Violating the residency policy can lead to termination. Records show that in 2016, the Department of Public Safety fired a gaming agent who was accused of living too far away from the casino in Larchwood where he was based in northwestern Iowa. The agent told the department after his promotion that he moved his primary address to within the 30-mile boundary. But an internal investigation later found he was actually still living outside the area, while parking his state car at a rental property owned by a college roommate. The department has previously been criticized for allowing relocation benefits that did not comply with state policies. A state audit released in 2011 identified six department employees who received more than $122,000 in benefits to relocate less than 25 miles without prior approval, including two who moved less than 4 miles. ___ Follow Ryan J. Foley athttps://twitter.com/rjfoley By Deauwand Myers The Democratic Party of Korea has had a fixation on rapprochement with North Korea for decades now. The famous (and somewhat tarnished) legacy of the Sunshine Policy in 1998 by then President Kim Dae-jung (the political mentor of current President Moon Jae-in) was ultimately unsuccessful. A string of bloody strikes from the North's military, culminating in the deaths of dozens of South Korean navy sailors with the covert sinking of the Cheonan, elucidates this point. Moreover, since the Sunshine Policy's sunset, the North has continued its research and development of ICBMs, nuclear-tipped missiles capable of traversing vast distances at speed and reaching American territory. The problem with this (honorable) goal of peace with the North is simple and profound: Denuclearization will never be accepted by North Korea. As I wrote last month, North Korea's regime is hell-bent on keeping its rudimentary nuclear arsenal as a deterrent against forced regime change from the United States, et al. For North Korea, the atomic bomb equals survival. The recent test launches of several short-range missiles by the North's military is proof that not only is North Korea still belligerent, it sees its missile test launches as a means to get international attention, especially after the (predictably) unsuccessful nuclear summits between Kim and Trump. This conundrum for President Moon is twofold. One, Moon expended a great deal of political capital, intellectual energy, and time toward bettering diplomatic relations with North Korea, to no avail. Two, it's obvious to even a casual observer of Korean politics that the citizenry is dissatisfied with Moon's preoccupation with North Korean diplomacy to the neglect of addressing domestic issues, especially the widening wealth gap, unemployment and/or underemployment of young adults who have achieved tertiary education. Korea's executive branch is even more powerful and centralized than that of America's. In such a top-down approach to governance, the president exerts enormous power over every aspect of the country's running. If she or he chooses, a great deal of the government's resources and attention will be focused on whatever the chief executive chooses. It was a scandal when news outlets reported on how little time President Moon and his administration has spent on the domestic economy since his inauguration. This is disappointing and dangerous for Korea's future. With a stagnant economy, plateauing wages, underemployment, a ballooning household debt burden, and a declining birthrate, Korea faces a huge challenge like that of Japan, China, and many advanced European democracies. If a country has more elderly than they do people of age in gainful employment, social welfare programs will collapse. There simply isn't a large enough tax base to support the growing population of the aged and infirmed, not to mention the poor and underprivileged. Further, unique to countries like Korea and Japan, the population is racially homogenous and somewhat averse to foreign immigration, meaning the country's workforce is understaffed in some industries. (But to be fair, having lived in both Korea and Japan, the Korean government is far more engaged in welcoming foreigners and providing services to support foreign life in Korean society). There are ways to address these issues. First, the Democratic Party (like that of the United States' iteration) believes and has proposed and implemented policies to help improve the socioeconomic and sociopolitical conditions of the population. During Moon's campaign, he promised to create more opportunities for young adults and wageworkers. In 2017, some of these policies included pumping a relatively conservative 10 trillion won ($8.9 billion) in the form of a fiscal stimulus in the hopes of inducing job creation and in support of startups and small- to mid-sized companies. He also pledged to create nearly a million public sector jobs by increasing taxes on the rich and through better regulation of major family-owned conglomerates (called chaebol), like Samsung. Unfortunately, these policies have not been fully planned-out or implemented, all while showy displays of North Korean engagement flood the media. Just in terms of political optics, this isn't a very good look. It's no wonder then President Moon receives low approval ratings on the handling of domestic economic issues. But all is not lost. Moon has enough time left in his tenure to do two things at once. Sure, pursue better relations with North Korea. But while doing so, pay special attention to the bread and butter issues of the working and middle classes. Rising educational costs, the rising cost of living, and an unsure and stressful future after university graduation threaten to undermine not only Moon and his party's legacy, it threatens Korea's viability as an Asian economic power and its continued success in providing a modern standard of living. Former President Clinton's aid James Carville famously quipped, "It's all about the economy, stupid." This makes just as much sense if said in Korean. Deauwand Myers (deauwand@hotmail.com) holds a master's degree in English literature and literary theory, and is an English professor outside Seoul. HONOLULU - A Japanese tourist and her husband lured another visitor from Japan to their Waikiki hotel room and sexually assaulted her, according to court documents. Prosecutors charged Nagisa and Darrell Dorch with multiple counts of sexual assault. According to court documents the couple and the woman were hanging out at the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort pool. The documents say Nagisa Dorch asked the woman to go with her to the couples hotel room to help pick out a bathing suit. After they entered the room, Darrell Dorch arrived and the couple became intimate, which made the woman uncomfortable, the documents said. When she tried to leave, Darrell Dorch allegedly punched repeatedly. Nagisa Dorch translated her husbands sexual demands and kissed the woman, police said. Nagisa Dorch helped the woman leave the room when the couples son knocked on the door and Darrell Dorch went on the balcony, court documents said. Court documents said the woman was raped at least four times, Hawaii News Now reported. Nagisa Dorchs lawyer, Walter Rodby, said in court Monday shes never been in trouble before, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported. State Public Defender Jack Tonaki, whose office represented Darrell Dorch in court, declined to comment about the case. He said its too early to tell whether his office will continue to represent him. GREENBELT, Md. - A Coast Guard lieutenant accused of stockpiling firearms and drafting a hit list of prominent Democrats and journalists can be released from custody and supervised by relatives in Virginia while awaiting trial, a federal magistrate judge said Tuesday. U.S. Magistrate Judge Charles Day stopped short of ordering 50-year-old Christopher Hassons immediate release after a hearing in Greenbelt, Maryland. The magistrate is giving prosecutors time to appeal his decision to a district court judge. Day said Hasson must be subject to 24-hour home detention at one of two Virginia homes: either his mother-in-laws rental home or a house owned by his father-in-law. The magistrate also agreed to using global positioning equipment to monitor Hasson. Court officials in Virginia must inspect the two homes and set up the monitoring equipment before Hasson can be released. Prosecutors have portrayed Hasson as a domestic terrorist and a racist extremist intent on carrying out massive killings. Hassons attorney says prosecutors havent filed terrorism-related charges since his Feb. 15 arrest because they havent found any evidence to back up those allegations. Day said during a hearing last month that Hasson is entitled to be freed pending trial on firearms and drug charges. Defence attorney Liz Oyer proposed several pretrial release options for Day to consider during Hassons detention hearing, the third since his arrest. Federal prosecutors oppose Hassons release under any conditions. Their appeal likely keeps Hasson detained pending a district court judges review of the matter. The Government continues to believe that the defendant poses a serious danger and must be detained pending trial, Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Windom wrote in a court filing Sunday. Hasson is a self-described white nationalist who espoused extremist views for years and intends to murder innocent civilians on a scale rarely seen in this country, Windom wrote in a previous court filing. Prosecutors said Hasson compiled what appeared to be a computer-spreadsheet hit list that included Democratic presidential hopefuls Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand, Elizabeth Warren, Cory Booker and Kamala Harris. Also mentioned were such figures as MSNBCs Chris Hayes and Joe Scarborough and CNNs Chris Cuomo and Van Jones. Prosecutors also say Hasson targeted two Supreme Court justices and two social media company executives and searched online for their home addresses in March 2018, within minutes before and after searching firearm sales websites. During last months hearing, Day said he still has grave concerns about Hasson based on information prosecutors have presented. But the magistrate also took into account the defences argument that he hasnt been charged with any terrorism-related offences since his arrest. Oyer, an assistant federal public defender, said Hassons parents and brother in Arizona also are willing to serve as his custodians. Hassons wife has moved out of a Maryland apartment and is living in Virginia with her mother. The magistrate ruled out allowing Hassons wife or Arizona relatives to supervise him. However, Day is requiring Hassons parents and his father-in-law to put up their property for a bond. The magistrate also said Hasson cant have any access to firearms or internet-capable devices if he is released. Windom said none of those custodian options are viable or meet what Day said was the goal of ensuring that someone has eyes and ears on Hasson like nobodys business. The only way to ensure that goal is met is to keep the defendant detained in the custody of the United States Marshals Service, the prosecutor wrote. Oyer has said her client hadnt made any direct or specific threats to harm anyone. Prosecutors are seeking to punish Hasson for private thoughts that he never shared, she said. They have not come forward with evidence that Mr. Hasson is a domestic terrorist because he is not, she told Day last month. Hasson has pleaded not guilty to charges of illegal possession of firearm silencers, possession of firearms by a drug addict and unlawful user, and possession of a controlled substance. Investigators found 15 guns, including seven rifles, and more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition at Hassons basement apartment in Silver Spring, Maryland, prosecutors said. Hassons Feb. 27 indictment also accuses him of illegal possession of tramadol, an opioid painkiller. Hasson, a former Marine, worked at Coast Guard headquarters in Washington on a program to acquire advanced new cutters for the agency. JUNEAU, Alaska - A Republican state lawmaker has been stripped of her committee assignments after breaking with the Alaska House majority coalition over a budget vote. The House Committee on Committees met without public notice Tuesday to remove Rep. Gabrielle LeDoux from her committees. The coalitions communications director pointed to legislative rules that say the committee is not subject to the same noticing requirements as other committees. LeDoux broke with the caucus last week by voting to accept the Senates version of the state operating budget. She said she knew the caucus rules and the consequences for breaking them. She voted Tuesday to accept the committees report, which included naming a minority Republican, Rep. Laddie Shaw, to replace her as chair of the House Special Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs. WASHINGTON - In a story May 7 about the Venezuelan embassy in Washington, The Associated Press erroneously identified Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidos appointee as ambassador to Washington as Gustavo Vecchio. His correct name is Carlos Vecchio. A corrected version of the story is below: No diplomats, no Venezuelans as activists occupy DC embassy The Venezuelan embassy in the tony D.C. neighbourhood of Georgetown has become an unlikely flashpoint in the fight over who will lead the South American nation By LUIS ALONSO LUGO Associated Press The Venezuelan embassy in Washington has been full of people for a month. None is a diplomat. None is Venezuelan. The Venezuelans are all outside a crowd of expatriates who angrily demand the eviction of American activists who moved into their embassy to support embattled president Nicolas Maduro. The red-brick embassy in the tony Georgetown neighbourhood has become an unlikely flashpoint in the confrontation between populist Maduro and U.S.-backed Juan Guaido for political power in the South American country. Maduro invited the American activists into the embassy as the United States and another 50 countries recognized Guaido as president and severed ties with his government. After the embassy was officially closed, the diplomats left. The activists remain. We are placeholders, Medea Benjamin, co-founder of one of the groups, Code Pink, told The Associated Press. They see Maduro, whose government is recognized by the United Nations, as Venezuelas legitimate leader. We are doing what another country will hopefully do, which is hold the space. When two countries dont have relations, its common for a third, neutral nation to handle diplomatic functions in place of an embassy or consulate. The Trump administration has said the activists are trespassing Venezuelan sovereign territory and need to leave. Carlos Vecchio, Guaidos appointee as ambassador to Washington, has said hes signed all necessary documents and it is now up to U.S. authorities to clear the building. But the State Department, which is responsible for the security of diplomatic properties, has not forced the protesters out. A department official told the AP that it continues to co-ordinate with the U.S. Secret Service and our federal and local law enforcement partners regarding the situation at the Venezuelan embassy. The main entrance remains chained shut, but activists and other visitors continue to enter and leave through a side door. Some of the activists go to work in the morning and return in the evening. The Secret Service and other agencies are providing security, but its still up to the activists to determine who can enter or leave. They use a photo gallery of anti-Maduro figures to screen out political foes. Contacted by the AP, the Secret Service said it is not facilitating, nor preventing, individuals, food, medicine, or any type of emergency services from entering the building. The activists created a so-called Venezuela Embassy Protection Collective, hanging giant posters from the roof and keeping a busy schedule of conferences, concerts, poetry recitals and other events. They have also made themselves at home. At least a dozen people sleep inside the building, taking turns using the one shower. On visits, AP journalists saw people working on computers, preparing posters and sharing meals at a big table. Still, some things in the embassy havent changed. A hallway by the side entrance still displays autographed jerseys signed by Venezuelan baseball stars Miguel Cabrera, Bobby Abreu and Johan Santana. It was a relatively tranquil environment until an uprising against Maduro failed last Tuesday. Venezuelan expatriates showed up in big numbers outside the embassy and have not left since. Vecchio initially stayed away from the embassy. But he reluctantly showed up last Wednesday following criticism from Venezuelans about why the ambassador was nowhere to be found while foreigners were hunkered down in his building. When Vecchio started speaking, pro-Maduro activists placed a loudspeaker at the window and started singing and chanting slogans, drowning out the diplomat. The Venezuelan expatriates have also been loud chanting slogans and occasionally blasting a vuvuzela, the long horn that is a staple at Latin American soccer matches. They have set up tents and stay overnight right outside, and they have made human chains to keep activists from going back into the building with food. Both sides accuse each other of being obnoxious, rude and disrespectful. And both seem to be right. When Gustavo Tarre, Guaidos ambassador to the Organization of American States, spoke outside the embassy last week, he called the pro-Maduro activists lambucios, an expression in Venezuelan slang referring to someone who has a great desire for food. Vecchio has been labeled on twitter as #cowardlycarlos, while the pro-Guaido crowd has been tagged #gusanosunidos (unitedworms). ___ Luis Alonso Lugo on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/luisalonsolugo COLUMBIA, S.C. - A South Carolina sheriff and two deputies angered by someone videotaping a police investigation jailed the man for three days, created a fake police report, took his cellphone and tried to destroy it and lied to the FBI, according to federal indictments. Chester County Sheriff Alex Underwood, his Chief Deputy Robert Sprouse and sheriffs Lt. Johnny Neal Jr. were charged Tuesday with several counts ranging from civil rights violations to lying to police. Underwood is the 12th South Carolina sheriff indicted or accused of criminal activity connected to their job in the past decade. South Carolina has 46 counties. Less than two weeks ago Florence County Sheriff Kenney Boone was charged with embezzlement in state court. The charges against Underwood and his deputies stemmed from a man videotaping the aftermath of a wreck after a police chase in November. The man, who was filming from the yard of his Fort Lawn home, was identified in court papers only by his initials. Underwood told the man to go back to his porch. The man refused and kept recording for 25 minutes, prosecutors said. The sheriff then ordered the man to his porch again, grabbing him, demanding his cellphone and then saying he was under arrest, according to the indictments. Underwood and his deputies kept the man in jail for three days without a reason, prosecutors said. They added that authorities then lied about a missing police radio to get a warrant to get inside the mans home and had a deputy call the mans number so they could locate his cellphone. The deputies then created a false police report, which they gave to FBI agents and which said the man stepped out of his yard into the public roadway and cursed at police, according to the indictments. The sheriff and his chief deputy also created a fake discipline report to make it look like another deputy took the cellphone, prosecutors said. Underwood wanted to destroy the phone even though the man livestreamed his footage on Facebook and the sheriff lied about not seeing the cellphone footage for a week when he viewed it within hours, prosecutors said. Court records did not list lawyers for Underwood or any of his deputies. Underwood, 55, faces up to 51 years in prison if convicted of five charges against him. Sprouse, 44, faces up to 70 years behind bars if convicted of five charges and Neal, 39, faces a maximum sentence of 35 years if convicted on three counts. Underwoods wife, Angel, is the chief magistrate for Chester County, which has about 32,000 people and is about 60 miles (95 kilometres) north of Columbia. South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster suspended Underwood and appointed State Law Enforcement Division Capt. Donald Max Dorsey to serve as sheriff. Dorsey is in the agencys narcotics division. ___ Follow Jeffrey Collins on Twitter at https://twitter.com/JSCollinsAP . Read his work at https://apnews.com/search/jeffrey%20collins CHEYENNE, Wyo. - Its longer than two city buses, weighs more than a Boeing 747 fully loaded with passengers and can pull 16 Statues of Liberty over a mountain. The Big Boy No. 4014 steam locomotive rolled out of a Union Pacific restoration shop in Cheyenne over the weekend for a big debut after five years of restoration. It then headed toward Utah as part of a yearlong tour to commemorate the Transcontinental Railroads 150th anniversary. Big Boys hauled freight between Wyoming and Utah in the 1940s and 1950s. Of the 25 built by the American Locomotive Company in Schenectady, New York, from 1941 to 1944, eight remain. Only No. 4014 will be operational. Engineered for steep mountain grades, each Big Boy had not one but two huge engines beneath a 250-ton (227-tonne) boiler able to hold enough water to cover an area the size of a basketball court to the depth of a high-top shoe. The locomotives are not only big, theyre so complex that steam train buffs long considered restoring one to a fully operational state all but impossible, said Jim Wrinn, editor of Trains magazine. They were the pinnacle of steam locomotive design in the years before diesel engines took over as the less expensive, more efficient standard for U.S. railroads, Wrinn said. Its a pretty big deal, said Wrinn. Nobody ever thought that a Big Boy would be restored to operation. Ever. Union Pacific hasnt said how much the restoration cost, but Wrinn estimated at least $4 million based on similar restorations. The result will be one of just six to eight steam engines still operational on mainline U.S. railroad tracks. The last steam locomotive delivered to Union Pacific, the Living Legend Northern No. 844, has remained in service since 1944. Big Boy No. 4014 will join in No. 844s publicity work as a railroad version of the Goodyear Blimp, Wrinn said. The locomotives will tour the Union Pacific system throughout 2019 in honour of the Transcontinental Railroads 1869 completion. They will be in Ogden, Utah, this week for an event featuring UP and Utah officials and a descendant of one of the Chinese workers who helped build the railroad. Few train engineers these days know what its like to drive a steam locomotive, though retired Union Pacific engineer Mickey Cox once got a brief turn driving No. 844. The cab had no air conditioning behind the big coal-fired boiler and got dirty, Cox recalled of his jaunt that included driving through a tunnel between Cheyenne and Laramie. Everybody in the cab is, you know, covered with soot by the time you go through the tunnel on those things. And it gets very hot. By the time you get out to the end of the tunnel, youre welcome to see daylight, said Cox, whose father and grandfather worked in the rail industry in Wyoming. It wouldve been a tough job back in the day, Im sure. Converted to burn fuel oil instead of coal, Big Boy No. 4014 will be less filthy, but even fewer people alive today know the experience of driving it. Big Boy No. 4014 was retired in late 1961, and no Big Boy engine has run since 1962. One retired Union Pacific employee, Jim Ehernberger, remembers the Big Boys well. He joined the railroad at age 16 in 1953. You could sure tell when a Big Boy left town. The ground kind of vibrated a little more than it did with the other types of locomotives. They were very, very powerful, Ehernberger said. Union Pacific towed Big Boy No. 4014 to Cheyenne in 2014 after acquiring it from a museum in Pomona, California. They had to basically completely disassemble the locomotive down to just the frame and the shell, Wrinn said. It was an immense undertaking. ___ Follow Mead Gruver at https://twitter.com/meadgruver AUSTIN, Texas - Nearly a year after a mass shooting at a Texas high school in which eight students and two substitute teachers were killed, lawmakers in the gun-friendly state are close to passing measures that they say would harden campuses by adding more armed school personnel, beefing up security plans and boosting student mental health resources. As for restricting gun sales or access to weapons, theres likely no chance of that happening in a state where the Republican leadership has long pledged to protect gun rights. Texas allows the licensed carry of handguns and the unlicensed open carry of long guns, such as assault-style rifles. We can make soft targets harder for a person with violent intent to get to, and we can try to find these people earlier, but in Texas leaders are loath to touch the guns themselves, said Cal Jillson, political science professor at Southern Methodist University. Its part of the broad Texas ethos, the Texas image, this sort of cowboy image from history. Texas isnt alone in its push to arm more educators. Florida lawmakers approved increasing the number of armed teachers in response to the February 2018 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas high school in Parkland that killed 17. The changes being pushed in Texas include several measures proposed by Gov. Greg Abbott shortly after the May 2018 killings at Santa Fe High School near Houston. The current Texas legislative session is the first for state lawmakers since that event, and Abbott declared school safety one of his top priorities. The session ends May 27. No student should be afraid to go to school, Abbott said. No parent should be fearful when dropping their child off at school. So far, the state Senate has approved $100 million for schools to spend on various efforts to harden campuses with metal detectors, vehicle barriers, new security doors, shooter alarms systems and myriad other safety measures. Thats far less than the $400 million Florida approved for school safety measures in 2018. Senators have also passed a sweeping campus safety bill designed to get more mental health counsellors into schools and to create threat assessment teams that would help identify potentially dangerous students before they act. School districts would also be required to draft campus emergency plans that would be filed with the state. While those initiatives have widespread bipartisan support, the efforts to arm more school personnel have faced more resistance. The state Senate has passed bills that would rapidly expand the school marshal program, which trains teachers and other school personnel to carry weapons and let them keep their weapons on them at all times instead of locking them in a safe away from students. Another measure would protect school marshals from liability lawsuits for reasonable action taken to maintain student safety. Teachers groups and gun control activists worry that more guns in classrooms, even concealed weapons, will lead to potentially lethal accidents. Critics have also suggested that it could lead to more violence against African American students because of inherent biases. According to the Giffords Law Center, there have been more than 65 reported incidents of mishandled guns at schools in the last five years, ranging from a teachers gun falling from his waistband to a security guard leaving a weapon on a bathroom counter. I have this terrible picture in my head of lots of school marshals walking around with firearms, said Gyl Swizter, the executive director of Texas Gun Sense, who said she is one of Texas more than 1.35 million handgun license holders. I dont think thats a good place to be. Gun rights advocates say the marshals will save lives. What stops people with guns is other people with guns, said state Rep. Tony Tinderholt. Guns stop gun violence when someone wants to go kill children in a school. The Texas school marshal program was created shortly after the 2012 shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, but was slow to take hold. Schools are not required to have armed marshals and many larger districts employ their own police or contract with local law enforcement. Texas had less than 40 certified school marshals across more than 1,000 public school districts in early 2018. Applications rose sharply after the Santa Fe school shooting and the number of school marshals is now close to 200. Marshals receive 80 hours of training, including practice in live shooter scenarios. The state Senate voted to eliminate a provision that limit marshals to one per 200 students or one per building, and to allow them to carry their concealed weapons near students. If a shooting starts and the marshals gun is in a locked box on the other side of school, it might as well not even be on campus, said Jerry Patterson, the former state legislator who authored Texas license to carry handguns law in 1997. A firearm that is not employable has no value, Patterson said. You have no school marshal program if the gun is locked up in a safe. ___ This story has been altered to correct the spelling of Marjory Stoneman Douglas first name, which had been misspelled Marjorie. ___ Follow Jim Vertuno on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ JimVertuno RENO, Nev. - The Latest on new DNA evidence that helped solve a 37-year-old murder investigation at Lake Tahoe (all times local): 12:50 p.m. New DNA evidence in a cold case murder at Lake Tahoe 37 years ago has determined the woman whose body was found near a hiking trail in 1982 was killed by a man who committed suicide in jail a year later after confessing to three other murders in California. Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam (BAY-luhm) said at a news conference in Reno Thursday he has closed the investigation into the shooting death of the victim now identified as Mary Silvani (sihl-VAH-nee). She was born in Pontiac, Michigan in 1948 and attended high school in Detroit before moving to California. Balaam says her killer was James Richard Curry, who was born in Texas in 1946 and served prison time for robbery there before he was arrested in California in January 1983. He says Curry confessed to a 1982 murder in Santa Clara and two killings in the San Jose-area in January 1983 but died in a Santa Clara jail before he went to trial. ____ 9:40 a.m. Washoe County homicide detectives have uncovered new DNA information in their cold case investigation into the shooting death of an unidentified woman found near Lake Tahoe in 1982. Sheriff Darin Balaam scheduled a news conference in Reno Tuesday to announce what he says is a major breakthrough in the investigation into the murder of a woman known only as Sheeps Flat Jane Doe. Deputies found her body in July 1982 near a popular hiking trail in the Sheeps Flat area near Tahoes north shore just off the Mount Rose Highway above Incline Village. Sheriffs spokesman Bob Harmon wont say if theyve identified a possible suspect. But he says representatives from the DNA Doe Project and Indentifinders International will join members of the sheriffs forensic science division at the news conference set for 11:30 a.m. WASHINGTON - The Latest on the United States and Venezuela (all times local): 4:25 p.m. Vice-President Mike Pence says the U.S. is lifting sanctions on a former Venezuelan intelligence official who broke with the government of President Nicolas Maduro during a failed uprising last week. Pence said the action to lift sanctions on Gen. Manuel Figuera is meant as a signal to others who might abandon the embattled Maduro. Figuera was head of the SEBIN intelligence agency. He was among about 150 officials and businesses sanctioned as part of a U.S. effort to force Maduro to step down. Pence said in a speech on Tuesday that the U.S. was also considering sanctions on members of the Venezuelan Supreme Court. The U.S. and more than 50 other countries view Maduros reelection as illegitimate and have recognized National Assembly leader Juan Guaido as interim president. ___ 3:20 p.m. The Pentagon says a U.S. Navy hospital ship is preparing to deploy to Latin America to provide medical services in countries where several million Venezuelans have taken refuge. Acting Defence Secretary Patrick Shanahan said Tuesday that before the USNS Comfort can be deployed from its homeport of Norfolk, Virginia, a staff of doctors, nurses and other medical staff have to be assembled. Another defence official said the plan is to send the ship from Norfolk in June. The Comforts last tour provided medical assistance in Colombia and other countries where most of an estimated 3 million Venezuelan refugees have settled to escape a deep political and economic crisis. U.S. officials have warned that many more Venezuelans are expected to flee their country if the crisis continues. GREENBELT, Md. - The Latest on a detention hearing for a Coast Guard officer accused by federal prosecutors of being a domestic terrorist (all times local): 3 p.m. A federal magistrate judge has declined to immediately release a Coast Guard lieutenant while he awaits trial on charges of of stockpiling firearms and drafting a hit list of prominent Democrats and journalists. U.S. Magistrate Judge Charles Day stopped short of ordering 50-year-old Christopher Hassons immediate release after a hearing Tuesday in Greenbelt, Maryland. The magistrate is giving prosecutors time to appeal his decision to a district court judge. Day said Hasson must be subject to 24-hour home detention at one of two Virginia homes: either his mother-in-laws rental home or a house owned by his father-in-law. The magistrate also agreed to using global positioning equipment to monitor Hasson. Court officials in Virginia must inspect the two homes and set up the monitoring equipment before Hasson can be released. Prosecutors have described Hasson as a domestic terrorist and racist extremist intent on carrying out a killing spree. But Day noted prosecutors havent brought any terrorism-related charges against Hasson since his arrest in February on firearms and drug offences. ___ 1:16 a.m. A Coast Guard lieutenant accused of drafting a hit list of prominent Democrats and journalists is getting a hearing on the conditions of his possible release from federal custody. A defence attorney has proposed several pretrial release options for U.S. Magistrate Judge Charles Day to consider during Tuesdays detention hearing in Maryland for 50-year-old Christopher Hasson. Day said during a hearing last month that Hasson is entitled to be freed pending trial on firearms and drug charges. But the magistrate didnt immediately order Hassons release. Federal prosecutors oppose Hassons release under any conditions and plan to appeal if Day does order him freed. Prosecutors have said Hasson is a self-described white nationalist who espoused extremist views for years and intends to murder innocent civilians on a scale rarely seen in this country. This photograph has many uses in both the model and photographer's Instagram feeds. It is not only a provocative picture of a Korean Instagram "pay model" (@so_lexy), but a calling card for the brands of both the model and a photographer looking for more gigs. It complies with Instagram's flesh exposure policies even as it pushes the edge of what is socially acceptable according to still-extant conservative social norms for young, Korean women. It is not a mere statement of narcissism or lasciviousness on the part of the model, but is an act of business, even if "art" is perhaps only a delivery vehicle, a kind of aesthetic cover. Photo by Andika Ahn (Instagram @andika_hendro_wibowo) By Michael Hurt The more I do work as a visual sociologist and ethnographer in Korea, the more I am fascinated by the many rabbit holes I am pulled down. The hypermodern Korea I live in and Korea's hypermodernity has permeated through society to differing extents and in different ways is most apparent when entering virtual spaces and interacting with people's many avatars and layers of artifice. Whether it be the street fashion culture of the paepi, the growing, glowing influence of the drag culture in bigger pockets around major cities like Seoul and Busan, or a growing economy of models, photographer, makeup artists, and stylists and all the people who access this network of people, these "hypercultures" (not subcultures of people with values against/different from the "system," but subgroups of people possessed of the overculture's values who are engaged in specialized work for collective gain) are defining innovative and surprising ways to get famous, make money to pay bills and generally get ahead. And in a time of a stagnating economy, massive under-employment and the general social malaise that comes with such instability and worry, the rise of Korea's Instagram makes a lot of social sense, especially the closer one chooses to look. In a time when the separation between producer and consumer, professional and amateur, and even paid and unpaid has become confusingly blurred to the point of near meaninglessness, a closer look at one of the cultures that sits on all these fault lines is certainly warranted and is endlessly fascinating. The shadow economy of Korean Instagram You may have Instagram, but do you really get it? There are the majority of us who use Instagram as a living, visual/pictorial diary and languish in the personal use/amateur zone of followers in the double or triple digits, and then there are those with 25-50,000-plus followers who make a substantial part of their living off their online activities. We've heard about the Jenner sisters' sponsorships, the money that can be made off advertising and the sheer power of pride in being an "influencer" of many sorts as stories in the news, on social media and around the proverbial water cooler. But South Korea is a different story and does Instagram on a whole other level. Korean Instagram has evolved from pre-existing general and media-specific cultural patterns into a particular ecosystem of commodified creative skills and skilled workers that have actually come to play a large role in the social and economic lives of a group of creatives who, before the advent of Instagram, used to engage in those activities as hobbyists or avid amateurs. What has evolved is a fiscal and political economy of image creators that has grown as the direct result of and response to shifts in the larger economy of a South Korea in which many younger people are un- or underemployed. At the same time, society has been witness to a compression of the skills required to create artistic expressions that would have been far more difficult and expensive to produce even two or three decades prior to now. This skills compression is superficially similar to the process described by biologist Ernst Haeckels in his infamous (and erroneous) pronouncement that "ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny," meaning that within the developmental growth cycle of an individual, the evolutionary stages of the entire species is recapitulated. Or something like that. The main takeaway here is that what has evolved on Korean Instagram is not only at least the sum of all image production skills that has existed before it, but also a higher level of skills and the economics to properly compensate them that is quite unlike anything anywhere else in the world. In these heavily hypermediated and commodified days, exposure is an important part of gaining concrete and countable markers of cultural capital. On the social media service Instagram, the number of one's followers weighed against the numbers of one's posted pictures results in a cultural capital quotient as a "social influencer" that can result in money in the bank. And it is not just how flesh is shown or how much, but how it is professionally made up, lit and shot with knowledge and gear that was highly specialized only a decade ago. Indeed, the digitalization of media is only the most patently obvious shift in the hypermodern content of today. Marshall McLuhan may have shown the world that the "medium is the message" in that it is not just the content of a new medium that changes society and the way we live, but the medium itself that has a huge social impact. For McLuhan, this was television. For us today, this is certainly social media and Instagram is its prophet/profit. But it is also true that the modes of media-making is the message, especially as evidenced by the huge changes in the social relations that have to happen for the media we see to even exist in the first place. Korean Instagram has developed its own fiscal and creative economy in which those involved in the image-making process can be compensated for the services they perform in the process, all according to the key commodity that is most useful and relevant to the particular skill set they possess. And each agent in the exchange is using a particular form of cultural capital that is quite useful within the peculiar creative economy of Korean Instagram but only partially (if at all) useful in the larger field of society. As for me, I presently have around 2000 followers on my main Instagram account (@kuraeji), which serves as my personal account, as well as my portfolio as a photographer. However, as far as marketers would be concerned, this isn't an impressive number when combined with the number of people I follow, which is about 2300, as well as the approximately 6300 pictures I have posted since 2012, none of which I have deleted. So when divided into my number of followers, I am not very "influential" at all compared to a Korean high school-age fashionista with an equal amount (about 2000) followers, following very few other people, with perhaps only 20 or so picture posts. Having 2000-plus followers with only 20 posts is quite impressive. So would having around 25,000 followers with fewer than 50 or so posts. Regardless of whether the followers are real people or fake bots made for show, having a profile like that will attract small beauty/makeup/fashion brands to request the Instagrammer to display their product in pictures, often usually including a payout of perhaps around 80150,000 won per product display picture post. If one is lucky enough to breathe the rarefied air of Instagrammers with follower counts in the hundreds of thousands or more, product placement posts can command payouts of thousands of dollars each, which can add up to a sizable income. And it's not just models baring more skin that are the anchor around which this creative economy evolves. There are makeup artists who participate as servitors of model-photographer production, as well as makeup artists and beauty product promoters who participate as well. Claudia (@funskincare), an Indonesian Instagrammer with 27,000 followers, poses at a beauty/skin care expo (@kbeautycollective) in Seoul. Photo by Michael Hurt What is interesting is how the photograph is the central currency around which this particular political economy revolves, which actually privileges photographers in the equation, who are able to leverage good photographs to the models who need them to bolster/grow their feeds, who also employ and retain makeup artists and stylists, who typically charge anywhere from 80,000 to 100,000 won per look, respectively, if they are paid professionally. Aspiring Instagram model Dasl (Instagram @das925) poses for the author's camera at a coffee shop in Seoul. Photo by Michael Hurt 'Entrepreneurial femininity' What is interesting to note is how similar the process is between how women's bodies are used to make money in K-pop and in the Instagram-based beauty/fashion/model economy. Scholars Brooke Erin Duffy and Emily Hund put forth an extremely facile concept of "entrepreneurial femininity" in their article "'Having it All' on Social Media: Entrepreneurial Femininity and Self-Branding Among Fashion Bloggers", published in 2015 and before the Instagram economy coalesced into what it is today. The authors talk about an "entrepreneurial femininity" that centralizes fashion bloggers' (own) female bodies as a means of production through a system of self-care and curation of the body and all its accoutrements, all while actively (and necessarily) masking the work and productive processes that went into producing the glittering images on the screens, i.e. "I just woke up like this" or "#nofilter." One of the fascinating things about looking at the seemingly unremarkable world of Korean Instagram through the lens of "entrepreneurial femininity" is just how much an academic term created to describe circa-2014-era big fashion bloggers (this is an eon ago in internet years) seems to fit a social phenomenon in Korea in 2019 to a much more complete "T." Embodied work There is a legion of young Korean women marketing themselves under the Korean term "pay models" who charge (mostly) 2050-something Korean men anywhere from 30,000 to 80,000 won to pose for (mostly) groups of such photographers through rental studios. (Which was one of the major formative moments for the Korean "Me Too" movement, through the incident involving model Yang Hye-won and allegations of being forced to pose nude against her will and unwanted sexual touching by the photographers.) Since then, many chul-sa groups of hobbyist model-photographer posing (which have been around since the early 2000s on Korean internet cafes) have adjusted their practices through strict rule enforcement and vetting systems (e.g. no touching of the model under any circumstances, especially to "adjust her hair," and requiring all members to attend at least three group sessions before doing any one-on-one work. Korean photographers contacted for this article report that this incident has actually forced a welcome shaking/shaping up of practices among more serious photographers in Korea. This also quite likely created a more conscientious environment for the growth of the "pay model" on Korean Instagram. According to several pay models I interviewed, there are two main ways to get paid work as a model on Korean Instagram. One is to be an in-demand (read: pretty and willing to pose in a risque fashion) pay model who commands a decent hourly rate of say 60,000 won, usually booked at a minimum of two hours per session. Although 60,000 won seems to be an average of the several models I've spoken with who have fewer than 100,000 followers, one with 100,000 followers reported the highest hourly rate of 500,000 won. This leads to the other major way to earn money through Insta-influence, that of paid endorsements, or all those images of young female Instagrammers posing with specific products in their feeds, which garners anywhere from 50,000 to 100,000 won per image or set, depending on the size of the marketer's budget and the size of the feed. Additionally, there are higher-order groups marketers who gather together either influencer with high follower counts or who have the potential to gain high follower numbers who gather groups of models to leverage into the ability to charge brands flat rates to plug their products into their network of models, paying the individual models either by commission or a flat rate for being in the network. Art as cover But what is even more interesting is how leveraging the female body on screens for commercial gain in South Korea mirrors the path taken by K-pop to do the same. Since South Korean society tends to hold putative works of art (especially "fine art") in high esteem and in a special social category above the fray of the usual social criticism that comes in Korea's oft-mentioned "conservative culture," one of the best ways to carry out "entrepreneurial femininity" in a society that infamously used to bully young women out of their jobs for daring to post bikini shots on the now-defunct Cyworld social media platform in the early 2000s is to couch one's productive work within known categories of artistic production. This seems to have been a pressure that pushed the model-photographer chul-sa formation into the direction of the "arty" look of the hwabo (roughly: "photo editorial") and the utilization of professional makeup artists, rental studios and stylists. Given that aspects of this underground social institution have been in place a decade (e.g. the chul-sa system) before Instagram was even Kevin Systrom's very good idea, the Korean Instagram economy has evolved in a particular way that it has not in other places in the world. In short, Korean Instagrammers and their legions of photographers, stylists, makeup artists, and even graphic designers and retouchers, have created a nearly unparalleled level of quality that rivals the level of professional fashion and photography producers found in the pages of Vogue or Harper's Bazaar. In the end, this is a job, and the truly professional professionals are doing work to provide and accomplish goals, just like the rest of us. Korean Instagram model @so_lexy with her newborn baby. Photo from Instagram (@so_lexy) BILOXI, Miss. - The Latest on the killing of a Mississippi police officer (all times local): 7:45 p.m. Hundreds of Mississippi residents are remembering a Biloxi police officer shot to death. People gathered Tuesday outside the police station, steps away from where Patrolman Robert McKeithen was gunned down Sunday night in the parking lot. Mourners included McKeithens widow and several other family members, who held hands through most of the ceremony but didnt speak. Biloxi Police Chief John Miller thanked people who piled flowers and other tributes on McKeithens SUV for showing their love for us. Darian Atkinson remains jailed without bail after the 19-year-olds arrest Monday on a capital murder charge. His 21-year-old brother was booked into jail early Tuesday on a charge of being an accessory to the crime. Both men are expected to appear before a judge Wednesday morning. ___ 4:15 p.m. The mother of a man accused of killing a Mississippi Gulf Coast police officer says her son is not a thug. Pamela Broger tells The Associated Press on Tuesday that if her son Darian (DEHR-unh) Atkinson shot Biloxi Patrolman Robert McKeithen, its because he has mental health problems. Broger says Atkinson went to Texas for work and came back a completely different person. She says shes had to call police several times. She says officers told her there was nothing they could do because Atkinson wasnt hurting anyone. Atkinson was arrested Monday and charged with capital murder in the Sunday night shooting of McKeithen outside the Biloxi police station. Hes jailed without bail. Broger denies that her older son Davian Atkinson did anything to merit his arrest for being an accessory to the crime. Broger says Darian Atkinson came home Sunday night when the family didnt know about the shooting and left Monday in Davian Atkinsons car. ___ 2:40 p.m. A Mississippi NAACP leader says his goddaughter was threatened with death last year by the man whos now accused of fatally shooting a Biloxi police officer. Biloxi NAACP chapter President James Crowell tells the Sun Herald that Darian Atkinson threatened his goddaughter in February 2018 when the two were Biloxi High School students. Crowell held a news conference at the time, saying parents should have been notified. WXXV-TV reported then that the accused student, who was never named publicly, was suspended for three days. Atkinson is charged with capital murder in the Sunday shooting death of Biloxi Patrolman Robert McKeithen. Hes jailed without bail after his Monday arrest. Biloxi School Superintendent Arthur McMillan didnt immediately respond Tuesday to an Associated Press email seeking comment. Gulfport Police Chief Leonard Papania, whos leading the investigation, didnt respond immediately Tuesday to a text seeking comment. ___ 8:45 a.m. The brother of a man accused of gunning down a police officer is accused of aiding him. Davian Lewanika Atkinson was booked into the Harrison County jail early Tuesday on accessory charges. Gulfport Police Chief Leonard Papania confirms to The Associated Press Tuesday that the 21-year-old Atkinson is accused of aiding his brother, 19-year-old Darian Tawan Atkinson. The younger brother was arrested Monday and is charged with capital murder in the Sunday night shooting death of Biloxi Patrolman Robert McKeithen. Police say Darian Atkinson shot McKeithen dead in the parking lot of the Biloxi police station. He was arrested Monday evening in Wiggins and escorted back into the same police station. Neither brother has seen a judge yet and its unclear if either has a lawyer. Online jail records show bail set at $500,000 for Davian Atkinson. No bail is listed for Darian Atkinson. ___ 8 a.m. Police in Mississippi are feeling vindicated after capturing a teenager accused of gunning down a uniformed officer at a police station. Biloxi citizens applauded Monday night as 19-year-old Darian Tawan Atkinson was returned to the scene of the crime in handcuffs. Police said Atkinson walked around inside the station Sunday night before shooting Biloxi Patrolman Robert McKeithen in the parking lot. Atkinson smiled as he was escorted through a phalanx of television cameras and police officers. Biloxi Police Chief John Miller said officers feel vindicated. Hes been treated properly and fairly. And now we will grieve for the family. McKeithens death leaves a wife and four children without him. He had been planning to retire this year. ANCHORAGE, Alaska - An escaped prisoner who eluded capture for nearly a month has been arrested by Alaska State Troopers at a cabin in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough. Troopers arrested 59-year-old Brian Church on Monday. Church on April 12 walked away from Point Mackenzie Correctional Farm. About 10 days later, he was seen breaking into a cabin on Flat Lake west of Big Lake. A witness snapped Churchs photo but the troopers Special Emergency Response Team arrived too late to apprehend him. Troopers received a tip Monday that someone was in a cabin that was supposed to be unoccupied on East Butterfly Lake at the south end of Nancy Lake State Recreation Area. Troopers flew in by helicopter and captured Church inside the cabin. He was held on escape charges and suspicion of burglaries. The provincial government is reviewing the regional government system in Ontario. Mississaugas mayor, Bonnie Crombie, argues yes, now is the perfect time to right a historical wrong and allow Canadas sixth largest city to be independent of Peel Region. The mayor of neighbouring Brampton, Patrick Brown, argues no, the costs involved in dissolution of the region are unfair to his taxpayers. Bonnie Crombie Mayor of Mississauga YES After 45 years, its time for Mississauga to leave the Region of Peel and become an independent city. The regional government model in Peel is broken beyond repair, and its time for change. Now. Regional government is holding Mississauga back from achieving its true potential as a world-class city. As an independent city, Mississauga would finally have full control over its future and all decision making. It would be able to deliver services more efficiently and effectively, by reducing waste, by eliminating the duplication that exists between two levels of government (theres no need for two planning or engineering departments doing the same work). And, it would see Mississauga taxpayers finally treated fairly and with respect for the first time in decades. Separation would result in better government. Today, Mississauga residents are over-contributing $85 million per year to subsidize Brampton and Caledon money that should stay in Mississauga to be spent on our priorities. This situation is not new. In 2004, when Mayor Hazel McCallion sought separation, the number was $32 million. Every year, Mississaugas taxpayers are forced to pay more and more to the Region. Enough is enough. Mississauga has consistently provided over 60 per cent of the regions funding, and at times as high as 77 per cent. Yet, despite providing the lions share of the funding and having more than 50 per cent of the population, Mississauga doesnt get an equitable, fair say at the decision-making table. With five regional councillors for 70,000 people (thats the size of one Ward in Mississauga!), one vote from Caledon is worth four times that of Mississauga or Brampton. This is not fair or democratic. Its not surprising that Brampton and Caledon, and the Region of Peel are advocating for the status quo and for Mississauga to remain part of the region, they only stand to continue to benefit. Every study shows Mississauga would be better off by becoming independent, experiencing significant financial gains. The facts dont lie. Ask yourself: if Mississauga wasnt so important to the Region of Peel, why would Brampton and Caledon be so adamant we stay? If, as some claim, Brampton and Caledon are paying for growth in Mississauga, then why not let us leave? The answer is simple: Mississauga has paid its fair share, and much more, for close to 50 years, and if we leave the Region of Peel, Brampton and Caledon will finally have to stand on their own two feet and be honest with their taxpayers. They will need to find a way to continue to deliver the services their residents have come to rely on without using Mississaugas tax dollars. Theyve been along for the ride for far too long. THE BIG DEBATE: For more opposing view columns from Toronto Star contributors, click here. Mississauga is the third largest city in Ontario and sixth largest in Canada. Home to almost 800,000 people and more than 91,000 businesses, Mississauga is a global destination, which some have described as a modern economic miracle. Our local economy is strong and we are outpacing Ontarios in terms of job growth. We have a distinct identity from other cities and a strong sense of civic pride. So, our ask is as fair as it is simple: treat Mississauga like other independent, single-tier cities in Ontario like Toronto, Ottawa, Hamilton, Thunder Bay, Guelph, London, Windsor, and even Dryden. Yes, Dryden, Ont., with a population of 7,750 people, has more powers than the City of Mississauga. Its frustrating that Mississauga has to ask Brampton and Caledon for permission at the region to act on our priorities things like planning, development, and building affordable housing. Imagine if Toronto had to ask another city for permission to build housing or to proceed with developing land. It would be absurd, yet this is the daily reality for Mississauga. As mayor, its my job to do whats in the best interests of my city and the taxpayers of Mississauga. We have done our homework, developed a strong business case and engaged our residents, the majority of whom are in support. Ultimately, the final decision rests with the province. I know Premier Ford is listening and that hes open to the idea of Mississauga becoming an independent city. Premier Ford, were here, were ready, and were waiting. Bonnie Crombie is the mayor of Mississagua. Last fall when I ran to be mayor of Brampton, I campaigned on a platform of a municipal tax freeze. We needed to become more tax competitive with our neighbours. Brampton is the only large municipality across Canada to deliver a property tax freeze this year for its residents. Patrick Brown Mayor of Brampton NO Mississauga is now threatening our residents by implementing skyrocketing tax hikes by advocating a divorce from the Region of Peel. I will not stand for this. My residents have had enough of property tax hikes. Since 1974, when the Region of Peel was created, council members have worked in co-operation to provide regional services (police, paramedics, public health, waste management, water, Transhelp, social housing, roads, social services, and long-term care). The region was created by Bill Davis, arguably the most successful premier in our provinces history. This former Progressive Conservative premier had wisdom in this creation as it put taxpayers first. The region was recognized in January with the Excellence Canada Platinum Award for outstanding achievements in system management and public service delivery. In January, the Government of Ontario announced a review of the eight regional municipalities in the province. The purpose of the review is to help ensure that these municipalities are working effectively and efficiently and can continue to provide the vital services that communities depend on. I believe there are more pressing issues at Queens Park than regional governance review for our provincial politicians to spend their time on. For starters, I am more concerned about the lack of hospital beds in our city, the cuts to education, the lack of resources for children with autism, the need for funding to combat guns and gangs and the need for infrastructure funding to move people, goods and services. These are important priorities for Brampton. Share your thoughts: Although this is a process initiated by the province, we needed to engage residents on their views on whether we split, merge or stay with the Region of Peel. We have hosted a telephone town hall with over 5,000 residents participating, we are soliciting feedback on our website and we hosted a town-hall meeting at city hall, which was streamed on Facebook. During our telephone town hall, 66 per cent of residents supported the status quo. I want to assure taxpayers I am committed to improving the quality and reducing the cost and overlap of municipal services. I am open to any efficiencies that will eliminate duplication. There is only one taxpayer. Our citys recommendation to Premier Doug Ford will be based on evidence and factual data. To justify its position to separate, the City of Mississauga was using outdated data from a report completed in 2003. A lot has changed in the past 16 years. Bramptons population has nearly doubled while Mississaugas growth has slowed dramatically. We cost-shared the costs of its previous development; it would not be equitable if Mississauga did not do the same for Brampton. I need to be convinced that separation will not lead to massive tax hikes for our residents. Earlier this year, Deloitte, the Region of Peels auditor, was asked to undertake a financial analysis of service delivery models to identify the impacts associated with: Amalgamation of the local municipalities with the region. Dissolution of the region (establishing three independent municipalities in Peel). Deloittes findings will cause sticker shock for all taxpayers in Peel Region. Amalgamation will require additional tax levies of $676 million that will need to be raised when compared to the status quo over the next 10 years. Dissolution will ultimately require additional tax levies of $1.081 billion that will need to be raised when compared to the status quo over the next 10 years. The Ford government says it wants to reduce the tax burden for Ontario families. The Deloitte report clearly shows that pooling resources for policing, water treatment and other regional services saves residents tax dollars. The report says in a crystal clear manner that taxes will skyrocket in Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon if we dont share the costs of these services. As it stands, the dissolution of Peel Region will be costly for taxpayers. I hope the Ford government looks out for the little guy and does not give us an unnecessary tax increase. Patrick Brown is the mayor of Brampton. Read more about: On Friday morning, Mayor John Tory was on CBC Radios Metro Morning to discuss the latest provincial funding cut for the city of Toronto. This time, it was a reduction in childcare funding that the city manager estimates could cost the city $84.8 million, and jeopardize more than 6,100 subsidized spaces. The provinces approach to Toronto has become uneven, unpredictable and volatile, said the mayor. It was blunt talk from a leader who has sometimes been criticized for being too diplomatic in his attempts to preserve good relations with those legally enabled to carve the government he leads into whatever shape they please. But it also encapsulated one of the more alarming things thats become apparent about this provincial government in the months since it took office, more so in the weeks since it launched its first budget: Doug Fords government is a axe-wielding agent of chaos, moving fast and breaking things, without any plans that arent apparently made up on the fly. Here was city manager Chris Murray, in the letter to councillors about the cuts to child care: ... the city was not consulted or provided with any advance warning about these changes. Sound familiar? The first clause of that sentence read, As with recent changes to the provincial/municipal cost-sharing arrangements for public health referencing another set of cuts that arrived as a surprise and occupied the citys attention these past couple of weeks. But it could have said, As with the sudden cutting of the size of city council in half in the middle of an election campaign, or, As with the changes to the citys transit plan using new routes and new technology, or, As with the decision to shortchange the city for hundreds of millions of dollars in gas tax revenue Premier Ford had directly promised to deliver In each case and in others affecting those across the province using library services, caring for children with autism, or attending and working for the school system, to cite just a few more examples the people directly affected by these multimillion-dollar decisions were taken by surprise by the drastic, immediate changes to the services they rely on or deliver. No notice, no advance consultation or negotiation, and apparently very little consideration of any effect beyond the one on the bottom line. Read more: Toronto mayor declares war on Ford governments ill-advised budget cutbacks Opinion | Christopher Hume: Doug Ford offers booze, speed and dangerous cuts is that what Ontarians want? Doug Fords cuts put over 6,000 subsidized daycare spaces at risk, Toronto warns Which sort of puts the lie to the Ford governments constant refrain that all these changes are something other than budget cuts or more than just that, anyway. That the dishonesty is so transparent doesnt slow down the Conservative governments dissembling one bit. In an attempt to protect childcare funding for future generations, our government is looking at ways to better deliver services and reduce administrative costs, Education Minister Lisa Thompsons office said. What a load of hooey and exactly the same hooey we heard about autism programs, education, the city council cuts, public health. Gutting these programs suddenly and unexpectedly is about better services? How do you figure that? Well, Thompsons office says, we are challenging municipalities to reduce their administrative spending See, thats not how you improve things. Throwing an organization, a government and peoples lives into turmoil by eliminating the resources theyve depended on is a singularly ineffective way to help them do better. If you were serious about preserving or enhancing services while also making administration more effective and cost-efficient, what you might do is sit down with the people doing the work and figure out a plan with them to do things more effectively. And if you succeeded, youd see better services materialize and costs lowered, and you could announce the proven savings in your next budget. Like, you have to teach kids to swim slowly, methodically, in the shallow end before you can claim to have helped them avoid drowning. You dont just throw them off the boat in the middle of the ocean and then say, In an attempt to save lives, we are challenging these children to better float and propel themselves in aquatic settings using fewer of our boating resources. Worse yet, it doesnt appear the provincial government even knows what it is doing. In virtually all the cases Ive mentioned, and more, the bloviating about how this is not actually a cut but an enhancement is accompanied by little to no detail about what the plan actually is, and how it will be implemented. Ministers and their staff are quick to shout liar, liar, pants on fire at their critics, but slow to provide any evidence to back an alternate interpretation. And then, as we saw with changes to autism funding or education, the scramble to consult after the fact, or to add millions in funding to stop the adverse effects their critics correctly pinpointed but the government apparently didnt foresee, and promises to fix the things they so rashly broke. This doesnt appear to be a government making tough but worthwhile changes. It appears to be a government gleefully wielding a wrecking ball without first checking which buildings are in its path. Thats a problem for all of us who have kids in provincially funded schools, or who rely on the provincial health care system, or who live in municipalities. Which is to say, its a problem for all of us. Its one thing to be governed by skinflints who see the cost of everything and the value of nothing. Its even worse to be governed by trigger-happy hotheads whose order of operations is ready, fire, aim. Theres an old army saying called the seven Ps: Proper prior preparation prevents piss poor performance. The uneven, unpredictable, volatile Ford government seems to live proudly by the opposite of that advice, and now were all getting a hard lesson in just how poorly that works out. Read more about: By calling Canadas claim over the Northwest Passage illegitimate, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday did that traditional Trump administration standup act, offending everyone while offering no comedy whatsoever. The main offence lay in giving a crude blustering speech in Finland to the peaceable Arctic Council, where eight countries Canada, the U.S., Russia and other Nordic nations discuss co-operation and environmental protection. Even though China is given observer status, its not the place for threats about security and economic matters. The speech went down badly with all diplomats, the U.S. played rogue, so no change there then. The Northwest Passage, in all its forms, runs between 19,000 of Canadas northernmost islands. That is a fact. That the U.S. disagrees with this fact is not new. Canada and the U.S. formally agreed to disagree in a 1998 Arctic Co-operation agreement. Pompeo even called it a feud. It is not. Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland crisply dismissed Pompeo. Michael Byers, UBC professor and Canadas foremost Arctic expert, responded briskly. Pompeos description of Canadas claim is consistent with 50 years of U.S. policy and therefore no cause for concern. What do you do when the U.S. Secretary of State gives a speech full of factual mistakes, logical inconsistencies, and gratuitous insults? Laugh? Cry? My suggestion: Ignore him. These guys don't last. Byers has a point. And he has always had a point about the Arctic: it is changing ferociously fast. Climate change is melting great expanses of ice, making it pathetically vulnerable to industrial exploitation that will make global warming even worse. In Byers 2009 book Who Owns the Arctic? he was horrified by the damage already done. Read more: Freeland makes it very clear the Northwest Passage is Canadas after Pompeo questions legitimacy Pompeo says Canadian claim to Northwest Passage is illegitimate Earths natural diversity is at great risk but there is still time to save it, UN report says Arctic riches are easier to find now. Pompeo mentioned oil, natural gas, uranium, gold, fish, and rare earth minerals, but most of all, shipping lanes. He even referred to Arctic real estate rather than land, sea and ice. And then Pompeo translated co-operation between relevant nations as bitter competition between the U.S. and seven upstarts. He insulted Canada, Russia and even China, making enemies on three fronts, when the standard American trickery is to choose one enemy and then call for bullying. According to New York Times reports, Pompeo is suggesting Beijings efforts to build infrastructure in the region and partner with Russia on new sea routes could risk turning the Arctic into another area of competing territorial claims, like the South China Sea. But Byers says there is no Chinese infrastructure in the area. Pompeo paints a negative picture of Russian and Chinese efforts. In fact, they have been constructive. Russia and China are following the rules. He ridiculed Pompeo for getting the date of the 1867 Alaska Purchase wrong by 10 years, for basing gas and oil stats on 11-year-old information about undiscovered reserves, which by definition do not exist, and going over the top by referring to a feud. The speech read as if it were written by a Republican intern who wrote it three or four days ago using Fox News as a research source. Then he said the most damning thing of all. It was the equivalent of a Trump tweet. Thats the problem with Trump hires, les incompetents. They have no expertise. Pompeo was an obscure Kansas congressman elected in the Tea Party wave. Suddenly, he was CIA chief, for 13 months. Now hes Secretary of State, although he believes in the Rapture, which means the end of the world will be no bad thing in his eyes. Believers like himself will enter heaven, bodily. In other words, he doesnt have skin in the game when it comes to protecting way station Earth and its billions of unbelievers. It is a never-ending struggle until that moment, folks, Pompeo has said. Until the Rapture. There is no future for the Arctic without unlikely partners like Russia, Canada, and other northerners working together on what climate change leaves behind. There will be many and much more profitable places on the planet for the most heavily armed nations to battle over. About the Arctic, can we not continue to agree to disagree, at least until Trumpism departs American rule? Read more about: OTTAWAAndrew Scheer is taking aim at China and Russia in his first major foreign policy speech, while advancing cautious criticism of U.S. President Donald Trump for pulling back from traditional alliances in a new era of Great Power rivalry. In a speech in Montreal today, Scheer will lay out the broad strokes of a Conservative foreign policy under his leadership. A copy of his prepared remarks, obtained by the Star, calls for a total reset of the Canada-China relationship and says Canada should not expand trade with the growing superpower until that reset is secured. So long as China is willing to hold our exports hostage, all the while committing human rights violations on an industrial scale, we have no choice as Canadians but consider other trade partners, Scheers remarks read. This relationship needs a total reset. Nothing can happen until such time. The Conservative leader will vow to launch a complaint with the World Trade Organization over Chinese trade blockades, and pull out Canadas contribution to the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. Read more: Scheer government would seek to join U.S. missile defence program Opinion | Heather Scoffield: Andrew Scheer will balance pro-Trump and pro-trade Everything you need to know before Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou returns to court Wednesday Its a sharp contrast to Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus early attempts to warm Chinese-Canadian relations a relationship that has been severely strained by the Canadian arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou, and the seemingly retaliatory trade actions by Beijing and arbitrary arrest of two Canadian nationals by Chinese authorities. A Scheer-led Conservative government would also begin talks with the Trump administration to join a continental missile defence program, part of a plan to reinvigorate existing security alliances with the Five Eyes countries the United States, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Australia and Canada. Scheer will list the emergence of Chinese dominance, along with Russia rediscovering its Cold War mentality under Vladimir Putin and Islamist-inspired extremism as the three biggest foreign threats to Canadian security and prosperity. Hell level harsh criticism of how Trudeau has handled foreign files, referencing Trudeaus disastrous India trip, criticizing how the Liberal government handled the NAFTA renegotiations with U.S. President Donald Trump, We have seen serious mistakes over and over from this government, and they are almost always attributable to Mr. Trudeaus domestic politics or his thirst for the limelight, Scheer plans to say, accusing the prime minister of having an unseriousness in foreign policy. For him, the world is a stage, and the rest of us merely players in his act. Scheers speech is the first in a planned five-part rollout of his vision for Canada not quite the Conservative platform, but the broad strokes of where the Conservative leader wants to take the country on matters like immigration, the economy, federal-provincial relations and the environment. Since becoming leader in 2017, Scheer has put little specific policy in the window for Canadian voters. Thats led to criticism from the governing Liberals that Scheer lacks a plan, particularly on the environment. On Russia, Scheer said the Kremlin is hearkening back to the countrys imperialist era. Vladimir Putin cannot be allowed to act with impunity when it comes to his military adventurism, Scheers remarks read. While today he is occupying Ukraine, tomorrow it could be Canadas Arctic waters. But Scheer also offered some mild criticism for Trumps administration. Without a doubt, relations with the current administration have been challenging for all world leaders. The current president has reversed decades of established American foreign policy, particularly when it comes to Americas alliances, Scheers remarks read. Regardless, the Canada-U.S. relationship will endure. We cannot allow personality to trump the bond between our two countries. Justin Trudeau has on too many occasions put his partisan political goals ahead of managing this relationship upon which so many Canadian jobs depend. While criticizing Trudeau and his government on his handling of NAFTA renegotiations, Scheer does not indicate how he would have managed the file differently. The speech also keeps the criticism focused on Trudeau rather than his global affairs minister, Chrystia Freeland, broadly seen as a strong performer in the Liberal cabinet. We live in a world where the forces against liberty and individual freedoms are gaining. These pervasive ideologies must always be confronted because the results are painful, and inevitable. The innermost wants, needs, and even thoughts of vulnerable individuals are suppressed by force, Scheers remarks read. In the 20th century, liberty was confronted by the poisonous ideologies of communism and fascism. In the 21st century, while the threats against liberty go by different names, they are no less insidious. We must be honest with ourselves about the threats we face, the speech concludes. Its why we must unite the forces of democracy and freedom across the globe to confront threats with greater resolve than those who pose them. And we must be ready to do our part, to back up our strength of our values with the strength of our forces. Read more about: OTTAWACharges of assault and sexual assault have been withdrawn against former Toronto Maple Leafs player Dave Tiger Williams after he apologized for his actions during a military goodwill trip. But in an impact statement, the complainant a military flight attendant said the 2017 incident has left her struggling with PTSD that has cost her a flying career she loved and may bring an end to her time in uniform. I feel entirely worthless as a result of being objectified by Mr. Williams and his actions, and left to deal with it on my own when the military should be supporting me, she wrote. I was blamed for ruining the fun that Team Canada flights used to be. She said an apology is a good thing, but it should be heartfelt and freely offered. For him to give a half-hearted non-apology does not make my heart happy. Williams, 65, was charged in February 2018 with a single count each of assault and sexual assault in relation to incidents on board an Air Force CC-150 Polaris aircraft. The December 2017 trip took senior officers and former NHL hockey stars, Olympians and entertainers to Athens, Greece, to meet the crew of the frigate HMCS Charlottetown and then on to Latvia to visit Armed Forces personnel on deployment. Read more: Tiger Williams continued tour while victim of alleged sex assault flew home to Canada Maple Leafs star Tiger Williams charged with sexual assault Air force personnel felt pressure to ignore misbehaviour by VIP passengers, report reveals Williams was originally scheduled to stand trial for eight days in June, but the case was resolved Tuesday afternoon in a brief hearing at an Ottawa courthouse before Justice Norman Boxall. The former NHL player did not appear, but his lawyer Michael Lacy presented a signed statement from Williams. During the (flight) I consumed alcohol. My behaviour towards one staff member on the plane caused her to feel uncomfortable. I do regret my actions and I apologize, Williams wrote in his statement. In response, Crown attorney Meaghan Cunningham sought to have the charges against Williams withdrawn. Although there is a reasonable prospect of a conviction in this case, given the statement by Mr. Williams that has been filed and the apology that he has made, we do not feel that it is in the public interest to proceed with the prosecution, Cunningham told the near-empty court. The Crown is asking that the charge be withdrawn on that basis. A statement of agreed background facts filed with the court said Williams was taking part in a military-organized trip with troops overseas. During the flight, most passengers consumed alcohol, people mingled through the cabin and music was played. There was a party atmosphere, the statement said. One of the flight attendants ... reported that she had been physically touched on two occasions by Mr. Williams while he was interacting with her during the flight, the statement said. Lacy stressed that Williamss statement was not an admission of civil or criminal wrongdoing. The matter was set for trial. Its being resolved in a different way, he told the court. If the manner had proceeded to trial, we would have vigorously defended. Lacy also said that Williams was not admitting any of the contents of the complainants statement. Mr. Williams is not acknowledging the accuracy or correctness or otherwise of the document, he said. In her impact statement, the complainant whose identity is protected by a publication ban painted a picture of military goodwill flights on which booze flowed freely and the flight attendants felt powerless to curb bad behaviour by VIP guests passengers. These party flights had gone on for years ... and it took a major incident to become public and a pilot to make the right choice that this needed to stop and that none of this behaviour was acceptable, she wrote. Some of the passengers were so inebriated, they were stumbling, drooling, urinating themselves, wrote the complainant, who was in court Tuesday. She criticized the senior ranks for not being supportive, including those on the flight. The incident happened right in front of high ranking military officials, who did nothing, she wrote. I felt very powerless and lost on the flight, as the example is supposed to come from the top, if you see something, say something but the top was right there and they didnt do anything to help us, she wrote. She said the flight attendants had been told before that flight that VIPs did what they wanted to. If it had happened anywhere else in my life, I would have immediately raised my voice in protest and defended myself but I felt that I would get trouble if I defended myself verbally with a VIP, she said. The former flight attendant is now grounded for health reasons and fears she may never be able to get well enough to continue her military career. She suffers from anxiety, has nightmares about the incident and says she is a husk of who she once was outgoing and motivated. Now Im terrified, depressed, medicated and anxious. My entire world has been flipped upside down. Mr. Williams has taken so much away from me, she wrote. None of this would have been an issue if Mr. Williams had not imbibed a large amount of alcohol, both prior to and on the flight, and did what he did. In the wake of the charges last year, Gen. Jonathan Vance, the chief of defence staff, halted all Team Canada flights and declared that if they do resume, there would be no alcohol served onboard. In a statement to the Star after Tuesdays court hearing, the defence department said that its employees have a right to a harassment-free workplace. Many aspects of the December 2017 Team Canada flight were extremely regrettable and should not have occurred, the statement said. While we review this decision, we will be reaching out to the victim to address any concerns in order to ensure he/she is being properly cared for during this very trying time, the department said. It could take a Tory to topple the Tories and lead the Liberals back to power, a new poll suggests. Toronto Mayor John Tory, a former Progressive Conservative leader who left that party five years ago, would be the front-runner in the undeclared Ontario Liberal leadership race, the Corbett Communications survey found. While Premier Doug Fords Conservatives would win an election held now with 35 per cent support ahead of the Liberals at 27 per cent, the NDP at 25 per cent, and the Greens at 12 per cent a Tory candidacy for the Grits could jolt the political landscape. He changes the whole dynamic for everybody, veteran pollster John Corbett said Tuesday. We looked at the field (of existing Liberal leadership hopefuls) and ... who is leading the province against Ford? Its John Tory, said Corbett when asked why the firm tested the mayors name. Using Maru/Blues Maru Voice Canada online panel, Corbett Communications surveyed 1,836 Ontario voters last Thursday and Friday. A sample of this size would have a margin of error of 2.4 percentage points, 19 time out of 20. Read more: Opinion | Edward Keenan: Doug Ford may be the Night King of Ontario politics. John Tory has few weapons to fight him Child-care cuts will harm municipalities, advocates say Tourism Toronto says Ford government has cut all its provincial funding The poll was conducted before Torys broadside against Ford on Monday in a major speech in Scarborough, but it comes against the backdrop of him warning of the effect of Fords funding cuts on the city. Those surveyed were asked which one of the following potential candidates would you be most likely to support for the Ontario Liberal Party. Tory was at 41 per cent, compared to Liberal MPPs Mitzie Hunter and Marie-France Lalonde at 4 per cent apiece and former minister Steven Del Duca and MPP Michael Coteau at 3 per cent each. Of the remaining respondents, 36 per cent were undecided and 9 per cent preferred another candidate. In a general election scenario, the Liberals led by Tory were at 32 per cent, compared to Fords Conservatives tied with Andrea Horwaths New Democrats at 27 per cent apiece and Mike Schreiners Greens at 12 per cent. But any other Liberal candidate in the survey would appear to help Horwath. Her New Democrats were at 33 per cent against Fords Tories at 31 per cent with 19 per cent for Del Ducas Liberals, and Schreiners Greens at 14 per cent. Similarly, against Coteaus Liberals, at 19 per cent, Horwaths NDP was at 33 per cent to 31 per cent for Fords Tories, and 14 per cent for Schreiners Greens. With Hunter as leader, the Liberals were at 18 per cent, Horwaths New Democrats at 34 per cent, Fords Tories at 31 per cent, and Schreiners Greens at 14 per cent. Lalondes Grits were also at 18 per cent to 34 per cent for Horwaths NDP, 32 per cent for Fords Tories, and 14 per cent for Schreiners Greens. Andrea Horwath has established herself as the opposition leader, said Corbett. The only place that doesnt hold up is if John Tory runs. He upsets both fields in running for the Ontario Liberal leadership and in running for government. In a statement, the mayors spokesman said he is focused on leading Toronto the job that he was elected and re-elected to do. Every ward across Toronto voted for Mayor Tory (last fall) because residents trust him to stand up for Toronto, to get transit and housing built, and to be honest with them, said Don Peat. Mayor Tory believes a strong Toronto helps build a strong Ontario and that a strong province helps Toronto grow. Thats why the mayor is speaking out now about the provinces cuts. Tory led the Conservatives to defeat in the 2007 election due largely to his doomed promise to fund faith-based schools. He has not been a member of the PC party since 2014, when he sought municipal office. In that civic election, which looms large over their current feud, he defeated Ford with 40.3 per cent of the vote to 33.7 per cent. Torys success in city politics has been bolstered by Liberal backers, including his principal secretary, Vince Gasparro, an influential Grit who worked for former prime minister Paul Martin. Pointing to former federal PC leader Jean Charest, who later became Quebecs Liberal premier, and former Ontario NDP premier Bob Rae, who became a federal Liberal MP, Corbett said Canadians accept party switchers. People look at the mayor of Toronto and they dont see a Conservative mayor, they see a centrist mayor, the pollster said. Hes more of a consensus leader. He waits to see which way the wind is blowing and then he travels along with it and sets his sails accordingly. Ford, in contrast, can be a polarizing figure. Corbetts poll found 24 per cent approved of the job the premier is doing compared with 66 per cent who disapprove, with 10 per cent who were unsure. The Liberals are expected to choose a new leader next year. They are currently led on an interim basis by John Fraser, who took over after Kathleen Wynne led the party to defeat last June following almost 15 years in power. Robert Benzie is the Star's Queen's Park bureau chief and a reporter covering Ontario politics. Follow him on Twitter: @robertbenzie Read more about: VANCOUVERCanada will cover the costs of bringing home dozens of containers filled with garbage that have been sitting in a port in the Philippines for years. Its not yet clear how much it will cost to ship the containers of trash to the Port of Vancouver as the government has yet to choose a contractor to handle the transport, a Global Affairs Canada official said Tuesday morning, but it could be close to a quarter of a million dollars. HMM Hyundai America Shipping Agencys Vancouver office estimated it could cost between $195,000 and $242,000 to ship 69 trash-filled containers from Manilla, Philippines to Vancouver. Between the peak shipping period of June and October, those costs could rise even higher. The containers have been a major source of contention between Canada and the Philippines. In 2013 and 2014, a private Canadian company, Chronic Inc., shipped 103 containers of garbage, wrongly labelled as recycling, to the Philippines, setting off an diplomatic dumpsterfire. In 2014 the companys owner denied the allegations to the Star. Chronic Inc. appears to be dormant, according to media reports. By 2017 the stench from the containers had become unbearable, the Philippines newsite GMA News Online reported. Read more: How did 103 containers of Canadas rotting garbage end up in the Philippines? Canadian garbage rotting in Manila violates international law, experts say For years, the Philippines have been asking Canada to repatriate its trash. And, in a particularly heated moment last month, Filipino President Rodrigo Duterte threatened to declare war with Canada if the dozens of garbage-filled containers were not dealt with. Duterte was also quoted saying load the containers to a ship, and I will advise Canada that your garbage is on the way. Prepare a grand reception. Eat it if you want to, in a May 7 report by the Filipino news site philstar.com. Trash from 34 of the containers has already been disposed of in the Philippines, the countrys Department of Finance said in a statement Tuesday, leaving 69 for Canada to repatriate. Canada remains committed to finalizing arrangements for the return of the waste to Canada for disposal, said Adam Austen, a spokesperson for Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland. The Philippines Department of Finance, however, said Tuesday that Canadas bureaucratic red tape is further delaying the removal of the waste. Hours later, the Ecological Waste Coalition of the Philippines, a coalition of more than 140 environmental health and justice organizations, sent an open letter to Environment and Climate Change Minister Catherine McKenna asking the Canadian government to expedite the process. The removal of your wastes in our land will put this long standing dumping controversy to a close, and open up a new chapter in our nations bilateral relations, wrote Aileen Lucero, the organizations national co-ordinator in the emailed letter. Alongside the costs of transporting the waste back to Canada, the Canadian government has agreed to pay the cost of fumigation, the statement from the Philippines Department of Finance said. The Philippines Department of Environment and Natural Resources meanwhile, agreed to cover the cost of inspecting the waste-filled containers for seaworthiness. All 69 have already been inspected and are considered seaworthy, the Philippines Department of Finance statement said. Although one, already infested with termites, will have to be further secured before transport. Weve essentially been internationally embarrassed into taking the waste back, said Myra Hird, a professor in the school of environmental studies at Queens University. The years-long dispute over the garbage highlights the need for much stronger regulations aimed at decreasing consumption and increasing reuse and refurbishment, she said. We need governments that are much stronger, who are willing to take on industry. Its unclear at this point where in Canada the garbage will be disposed once it arrives at the Port of Vancouver. That will be up to Environment and Climate Change Canada to decide. A spokesperson for B.C.s Ministry of the Environment said if the waste is to be disposed of in B.C., the federal environment department will need to negotiate directly with the operators of waste-disposal facilities, which set their own disposal fees. In B.C. landfills, incinerators and other waste disposal facilities are either run by local governments or private operators. The containers will have to be inspected to determine whether the waste is toxic or contaminated and sorted for safe disposal. Whether its disposed of at a municipal landfill or incinerator or a specialized landfill that deals with hazardous waste will depend on the contents of the containers, she said. With files from Andrew Jeffrey and the Canadian Press Read more about: By Baek Byung-yeul Korea has joined hands with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to co-develop payloads for lunar landers, the country's space science institute said Tuesday. The Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI) said it signed a partnership with the NASA to cooperate on prospective future space exploration programs and platforms. NASA recently announced a plan to land at the South Pole of the moon in 2024 for scientific research. The U.S. space agency also plans to develop lunar payloads with U.S. firms and foreign partners. Under the agreement, KASI and NASA will launch an exploration science working group. "The working group will explore possibilities for cooperation between the two agencies through exploration science opportunities," the Ministry of Science and ICT said. The working group will meet once a year and their initial focus will be scientific opportunities relating to lunar orbiting, the lunar surface and cis-lunar space. The science ministry said the agreement was made possible as the two agencies have had prior scientific partnerships. The two also successfully launched a working group on heliophysics, which is the study of how the sun affects space and the environment of planets. The ministry said the Korean side of the working group will have experts from KASI, the Korea Aerospace Research Institute, the Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building, the Korea Institute of Science and Technology and the Korea Institute of Geoscience. From left are Anne Kennedy, vice principal of academics at Bishop Feehan High School, Megan McFarland, Samir Kassem, Joan Drobnis and Principal Sean Kane. Renault Samsung's factory in Busan / Korea Times file Renault Samsung Motors Corp. said Tuesday it plans to temporarily halt operations at its only plant later this month amid an extended dispute with its labor union over wages. Renault Samsung, the Korean unit of French carmaker Renault S.A., plans to suspend the operation of the Busan plant, 450 kilometers south of Seoul, for several days in late May, due to the plant's declining utilization rate, a company spokesman said. "But the company has not decided on the timeframe for the temporary suspension," he said. Earlier, Renault Samsung suspended the plant's operations from April 29 to May 1 as it failed to reach any agreement over wages and working conditions for the past six months. The union staged 62 rounds of strikes from October through April 19, resulting in production losses of over 14,320 vehicles, according to the automaker. The company wants to maintain a certain output level at the plant by securing export models from its parent company, while the union is more focused on increasing wages and reducing labor intensity. In particular, the company is sticking to its plan to outsource the manufacturing of vehicles, if needed, and relocate assembly line workers against their will. The union is strongly opposed to the idea, saying outsourcing will result in job cuts. Renault Samsung produces the SM3 compact, the SM5 midsize sedan, the SM6 upper midsize sedan, the SM7 large sedan, the SM3 Z.E. all-electric car and the QM6 SUV. It also produces Nissan Motor Co.'s Rogue SUV on a manufacturing contract. The QM3 compact SUV is built in Spain and shipped to Korea. The company plans to manufacture the XM3 compact SUV in Busan for local sales in the first half of 2020 but expressed concerns that the production may not begin as scheduled due to continued strikes. It is urgent for the company and the union to sign a wage and collective agreement deal in order to secure production volume for the SM3 and the XM3 for exports to Europe, Renault Samsung CEO Dominique Signora said last month. Renault will continue to invest in Renault Samsung, as the Korean unit has played a pivotal role in developing its D-segment passenger car models, such as the SM6 sedan and the QM6 SUV for the French auto group, Signora said. The union said it will continue to go on strike until the company accepts their demands. Affected by strikes, Renault Samsung's sales fell 40 percent to 39,210 vehicles in the January-March period from 64,900 units in the same months a year earlier. (Yonhap) One teacher is going the extra mile to keep up with the youth, and his efforts have been noticed and are being applauded by the internet. James Callahan hears plenty of slang as a sociology teacher at Lowell High School in Massachusetts. But rather than stay in the dark about what it all means, he's been asking his students to define each word and he's been keeping a meticulous spreadsheet of everything since September, according to USA Today. Callahan told the publication that he thought that by asking the students about what the words mean, he could understand them better and "make a connection with them on a personal level." Titling the Google Doc "Callahan's Generation Z Dictionary," Callahan defines everything from bops ("A modern enjoyable song") to yahurrd ("Are you aware?") in a classic, straightforward way. A few other slang words he's defined over the year include, "real one," "finna" and "periodt." He told USA Today that the dictionary (of sorts) breaks up his lesson and gets his students involved with the project. "Language is so fluid, and every generation creates their own vocabulary bank of slang," Callahan said. "The students created it, I am sort of just the archivist!" The students seem to enjoy working on the list, and one student eventually shared photos of the document on Twitter, writing, "My sociology professor keeps an alphabetic list of new slang terms he learns from students and I will never get over it." The tweet was liked over 562,000 since it was posted on April 30, with many applauding Callahan for his efforts. "The fact that he teaches sociology is what makes this special," wrote one person. "That's adorable," wrote another person. "Your professor is adorable." "This is actually pretty cool of him and kinda sweet too," stated another Twitter user. In the day or so since the student's tweet went viral, Callahan took to Twitter himself to not only provide a PDF document of the ongoing list, but to announce that one of the school's fundraising projects via donorschoose.org was fully funded thanks to the attention from the tweet. Read Dianne de Guzman's latest stories and send her news tips at dianne.deguzman@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 the Fire on High By Elizabeth Acevedo HarperTeen. 400 pp. $17.99 --- "With the Fire on High" could have been a caricature. A teen mom raising a child in poverty, with her own mother dead and father absent. It could have been a story weighed down with gravitas. Or a fairy tale - the young mother from North Philly who dreams of being a chef. But author Elizabeth Acevedo, whose debut "The Poet X" won the National Book Award last year, transcends old tropes, letting us into the mind and heart of a teenager as she struggles with how to follow her dreams - and whether she should. Acevedo's heroine is Emoni Santiago, an Afro-Latina high schooler who moves through the world fearlessly: "People wonder why I walk so hard, why I smile so rarely at strangers, why I mean mug and carry grit like loose change in my pocket." Unlike many teen pregnancy stories for young adults, "With the Fire on High" focuses on what happens after. When we meet Emoni, she is a high school senior taking care of 3-year-old "Babygirl" with help from her abuela. Emoni's life is consumed by decisions and obligations. She wakes up, gets Babygirl ready for day care, goes to school, works at the Burger Joint and comes home to do it all again. She is torn between applying for college and finding a job to support her family, between taking a culinary arts class or opting for study hall. Her kitchen is the one place Emoni can be free and experiment with recipes from her African American and Puerto Rican roots. Whether it is mofongo, strawberry milk, arroz con pollo or mac and cheese, cooking is where Emoni finds release. "Some days, when my feelings are like this, like a full pot of water with the fire on high, I don't know what to cook," she explains. "Plans and ideas escape my mind and instead I let my heart and hands take control." The story follows Emoni in her last year of high school as she confronts what is possible for her - in her culinary dreams, her romantic life and her capacity as a mother, daughter, granddaughter and young woman of color. Recipes are sprinkled throughout the book, starting with Lemon Verbena Tembleque, a citrusy spin on a Puerto Rican coconut pudding which Emoni says is "best eaten cold while daydreaming about palm trees and listening to an Hector Lavoe classic." Though the novel is written in prose, there are times Acevedo, who is herself a National Poetry Slam champion, veers toward verse: "I come from a place that's as sweet as the freshest berry, as sour as curdled milk; where we dream of owning mansions and leaving the hood; where we couldn't imagine having been raised anywhere else." Acevedo's first novel, written in verse, centered on a teenage poet. Now, we have a teenage chef. A former eighth grade English teacher, Acevedo sees these young talents not as rarities. They are everywhere - and in Acevedo's hands, their stories transcend what is expected of them. --- Depenbrock is a producer for the Kojo Nnamdi Show on WAMU 88.5, Washington D.C.'s NPR station. ALTON Love your sari, can you teach me to dance like that? That accolade was overheard at Its Raining Zen on Saturday in Alton during the Third Annual Small Town Big World, an event designed to help visitors have fun while gaining a deeper understanding of several different cultures. The sari and dance comment was made following a demonstration of dances from India by Geetha Aruru. This is my second year taking part in Small Town Big World and I love it, Aruru said. Its an honor to he here. You learn about other cultures and you get to tell people about your own. Its Raining Zen also featured Native American culture and spirituality on Saturday, including a painted horse and drum circles. Germania Brew Haus shared German menu items, clothing, and had Weihenstaphener Beer on tap, a lager from the worlds oldest brewery in Germany. We are starting with coffee and making our way to the beer, said Germania patron Brian Arendt of Alton. This is our favorite place, we are keeping them in business. I studied in Germany, and German beer has an incredible variety, Arendt said. They have been experimenting with ingredients for more than 1,000 years they take their time brewing. Arendt and his wife intended to visit all of the Small Town Big World venues on Saturday. That was also the aim of Ash Dale of East Alton, who brought her three children to the Haskell House Childrens Museum, which had a dress-up station with apparel from cultures around the world, make and take crafts, and cuisine from several countries. Its a really good opportunity to learn about other cultures like Nigeria and Egypt, Dale said. We home school, so this is another way to supplement the things we learn at home. You find out the world is bigger than you think it is. Deepak Balaji came from Quincy because he would like to see his home city put on a multi-cultural event like Altons. I like that in small towns you can showcase diversity, Balaji said. You can bring out the cultures that are sometimes hidden, and you can achieve that a lot easier in a small town. Balaji was watching a martial arts demonstration in the Old Bakery Beer Company, which also channeled England in the restaurant and Brazilian dance and traditional Philippine dancing and clothing in their event space. Little Mexico Restaurant featured Mexican and Mayan clothing, cuisine and folk art; the YWCA of Alton displayed Altons black history, hosted Meet A Muslim with the Center for American Islamic Relations, and showcased Jewish traditions; and the Hayner Public Library had a display of internationally-themed books and information about how to do genealogy research. A passport directed attendees to the venues, where they could experience global sights, sounds and tastes. Small Town Big World was hosted by Alton Main Street, and executive director Sara McGibany felt year number three was a success. Small Town - Big World is a great opportunity for us to celebrate our wonderfully diverse community, McGibany said. We are so grateful that so many people turned out to share their heritage and learn about other cultures. ST. LOUIS Fans of Tennessee Williams are in for a treat again this year, when the festival named in the playwrights honor returns for its fourth run. My intention was always to make this an annual event, said festival executive artistic director and huge Tennessee Williams fan Carrie Houk. The response from the community and beyond was so great that (from the beginning) I realized there was a real thirst for Williams work, both known and lesser-known. The Tennessee Williams Festival St. Louis was awarded the Arts Startup of the Year in January by the Arts and Education Council. Actor Bryan Batt (Salvatore Romano in Mad Men) made a special appearance to preview an excerpt of Dear Mr. Williams, a one-man show, inspired by the life of Tennessee Williams, which will premiere at this years festival. The event will also feature Williams The Night of the Iguana as its main stage production May 9 through 19 at the Grandel Theatre in St. Louis. Jim Butz, Lavonne Byers, Nisi Sturgis, Elizabeth Townsend and Harry Weber headline as Americans who are hiding or seeking at a Mexican hotel just prior to World War II. Tim Ocel will once again direct, having guided last years festivals A Streetcar Named Desire to 11 award nominations by the St. Louis Theater Circle. Ocel said Iguana allows for the possibility of compassion and the restoration of the spirit, and stands up for, even fights for, human dignity and respect. Houk said it is her favorite play by Tennessee Williams (and thats saying something, since she likes them all). At the center of Iguana is Shannon, a pastor who has lost his flock, has lost his religion, and has misplaced his sanity and sense of decency. He takes refuge at a rundown resort owned by the lusty Maxine, where they are soon joined by the beautifully refined, but repressed Hannah, in the company of her grandfather, Nonno. These two may be scam artists, but they are artists all the same, and offer some brief hope of redemption. In addition, the festival will feature the Williams comedy that inspired TVs The Golden Girls. Set in the Central West End and featuring an all-female cast, A Lovely Sunday for Creve Coeur will be directed by Kari Ely at Grand Hall, upstairs from the Grandel Theatre. Williams believed that growing up in St. Louis was essential to the shape of his work, but Creve Coeur is one of the few plays that he actually set in the area. Four eccentric and unforgettable women fry chicken, plan a picnic to Creve Coeur Lake, and cope with loneliness and lost dreams in an efficiency apartment. Williams gives more laughs than usual, but no less poetry or poignancy. More Information Festival highlights Three productions ("The Night of the Iguana," "Dear Mr. Williams," "A Lovely Sunday for Creve Coeur") Day of panels, curated by Tennessee Williams' experts Bus tour of important Williams' sites Sunday jazz brunch Tribute reading by a variety of actors See More Collapse Williams often likened himself to a bird, forever in flight, Houk said. The desire to fly away comes out of the pores of the women of this play. The cast includes Maggie Wininger, Kelley Weber, Julie Layton and Ellie Schwetye. Director Ely said in these four characters, Williams creates the outrageous extremes of four disparate personalities, and reminds us how important it is to make real human connections on the hilarious journey to find happiness. Batt (SAG Award winner for Mad Men), will appear at the Curtain Call Lounge with Dear Mr. Williams and the tumultuous - and sometimes treacherous - journey from adolescence to adulthood. The play will be directed by award-winning Broadway director Michael Wilson, and was conceived and written by Batt. An exclusive reception and meet and greet with Batt and Wilson will be held immediately following the 8:30 p.m. performance on Friday, May 10. Tickets for this event, including the performance, are $100. Send an email to carrie@twstl.org or call TW Fest at (314) 517-5253. Other events happening during the run of the festival will be panel discussions, curated by renowned Williams expert Thomas Mitchell, a bus tour of important Williams sites around St. Louis, a Mothers Day Sunday jazz brunch, and a tribute featuring curated readings by several local actors. Tennessee Williams wrote, Time is the longest distance between two places, for The Glass Menagerie, a play that opened in 1944, and changed his life. Time has not dulled the impact of that production nor those that followed, and though Williams died 36 years ago, his spirit, writings, wit and observations of life, live on in events like the festival in St. Louis. What better place to honor the man than a city where he spent his formative, college and early work years? He worked at the International Shoe Company in St. Louis, in between times of study at The University of Missouri Columbia and Washington University, and wrote essays, articles, stories and plays in his spare time. Stanley Kowalski in A Streetcar Named Desire is said to be based on a man he knew at the shoe company. His home life in St. Louis formed the basis of The Glass Menagerie. His works have won multiple Pulitzer Prizes, Tony Awards and Academy Awards. Other iconic works include Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Suddenly Last Summer, Camino Real and A Streetcar Named Desire. His creations range from famed classics, to adaptations for film and opera, to dozens of newly discovered plays and writings that are being documented, performed and studied around the world. Williams is honored with a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame, and his grave is in St. Louis Calvary Cemetery. After college he moved on to places like New York, Los Angeles and New Orleans. Since 1986, the Tennessee Williams New Orleans Literary Festival has been held annually in New Orleans. Other festivals are in Key West, with two in Mississippi, and one in Provincetown, Massachusetts, and Houk has attended them for years. She had dreamed of the day when a Tennessee Williams Festival would be realized in St. Louis, and was a driving force in its culmination and its continued success. She said she knew she wanted to be in theater when she was born, and Tennessee Williams work resonated with her. His themes and writing hit me right where I live, she said. Her uncles knew Williams, and she met him once in 1973 in New York City, at the opening of The Country Girl, and had dinner with him and Maureen Stapleton, who was starring in the production. I think a Tennessee Williams Festival in St. Louis was years and years overdue, Houk said. Leadership support for the festival is provided by Mary Strauss and Nancy and Ken Kranzberg. The festival is also funded in part by the Missouri Arts Council, the Missouri Humanities Council, the Regional Arts Commission and the Arts and Education Council. The 2019 Tennessee Williams Festival runs May 9 through 19. Tickets are on sale at metrotix.com. For more information and times for events, visit twstl.org, send an email to info@twstl.org, or call 314-517-5253. The body was found in the bushes along a dirt road in a rural town in Moldova on the morning of Oct. 1, 2011, and within a matter of hours, Irina Vorotinov's phone was ringing halfway across the world. From her home in Maple Grove, Minnesota, she shared the dreadful news with her two grown sons: The body belonged to their father, Igor Vorotinov. The circumstances were strange. The well-dressed dead man didn't appear to be beaten or shot, at least as far as the one investigating police officer could tell, but his body was already decomposing. Enlisting the help of his son, the police officer promptly brought the body to a state morgue, an old dilapidated building without refrigeration or air conditioning, whose single green door was reachable only by a dirt path. There, the medical examiner determined that the man found in the bushes had died of a heart attack. He was carrying Igor Vorotinov's passport, among other identifying documents. Irina Vorotinov hopped on a plane. She arrived in the village of Cojusna and, accompanied by a U.S. Embassy representative, traveled to the morgue to confirm that the dead man really was Igor Vorotinov, her ex-husband. She told authorities it was, electing to cremate his remains in Ukraine before returning home with the ashes in an urn. On Nov. 4, 2011, she arranged his funeral at Lakewood Cemetery in Minneapolis, attended "widely" by the local Russian community who knew Igor well, according to federal prosecutors. But before long, Igor's oldest son, Alkon, was about to discover a $2 million secret. On a trip to Moldova in June 2012, while visiting a family friend at a party one night, Alkon found it: his father - alive. To Alkon and his brother's horror and relief, the body found in the bushes didn't belong to Igor. Nor did the ashes in the urn. Instead, federal prosecutors said, their father was living large and under a fake name in Moldova and Ukraine, reaping the fruits of a $2 million life insurance policy that his ex-wife collected despite knowing Igor was alive the whole time. Now, after authorities spent years searching for the undead Igor Vorotinov, the 54-year-old was convicted of mail fraud Friday after pleading guilty in federal court in Minnesota. Irina, 52, had already pleaded guilty in 2016 and was sentenced to 37 months in prison for staging her husband's funeral and duping the insurance company into paying her the $2 million life insurance policy, which prosecutors said she intended to split with her ex-husband. Their eldest son, Alkon, 29, pleaded guilty in 2015 to failing to report his parents' fraudulent scheme to authorities, a felony, and was sentenced to three years of probation. His defense attorney said he was the victim of his parents' deceit - but prosecutors allege Alkon's coverup was all part of the family affair. "The manner of this crime's execution was quite sophisticated," federal prosecutors wrote in court documents. "We now know that there really was a body found in a field in Moldova. The government executed a search warrant on the urn at Lakewood Cemetery, and it really contained human remains. Somehow, Moldovan officials . . . were paid to write false reports to make it appear that Igor had actually died. This offense required deft coordination and execution." Irina submitted the insurance claim to Mutual of Omaha three days after Igor's "sham funeral," prosecutors said. The insurance company contracted with Worldwide Investigations to confirm that Igor was truly dead in Moldova. But prosecutors say the conspiracy was so entrenched that many of the people the insurance company interviewed, including the police officer and medical examiner, were in on it. The police and the morgue employees all claimed no one took pictures of the body because no one had a camera. In March 2012, Irina received more than $2 million, and began wiring it all over the world - Switzerland, Hungary, Moldova. Her son, Alkon, participated in some of the transactions. But his defense attorney, Matthew Mankey, claims he had no idea his father was alive until seeing him with his own eyes. Prosecutors haven't challenged this claim. The June 2012 discovery, Mankey said in court documents, startled him. He was "experiencing an emotional roller coaster with his father's supposed death and resurrection," Mankey wrote. "He actually had to experience a funeral/memorial service for his father only to later find out that his father was alive. What kind of people put their own children through that kind of emotional turmoil?" Alkon continued making the trips to Moldova to visit his father, telling prosecutors that at one point his mother joined him there for a New Year's celebration at the end of 2012. But eventually the repeated vacations would catch the attention of investigators. On June 18, 2013, the FBI received an anonymous tip from someone in Moldova claiming that Igor Vorotinov was alive, living under the fake name "Nikolay Patoka" in Ukraine or Moldova. The next time Alkon and his Moldovan fiancee returned to the United States from Moldova, in November 2013, U.S. Customs and Border Protection detained the couple and confiscated their belongings. On Alkon's laptop, an FBI agent testified in court in 2015 that they found several curious photographs of the supposedly dead Igor: There he was in April 2013, posing with Alkon's fiancee's young daughter in a park. There he was in May 2013, playing with the little girl at a swimming pool - and "very much alive," the agent testified. Irina and Alkon were arrested in 2015 while Igor remained in Moldova. As federal authorities investigated, Alkon provided incriminating information against his parents, in part resulting in a more favorable plea agreement - but the feds said in sentencing documents that he almost blew it. At the last minute, Alkon met with prosecutors and spontaneously put his father on the phone, who spoke from Moldova. Igor then concocted an elaborate story about a kidnapping that prosecutors called "palpably ridiculous," designed to make Irina appear innocent. Igor claimed that his friends in Moldova faked his death without even his knowledge, then kidnapped him as part of a conspiracy to steal all the life insurance money. Igor and Alkon claimed the kidnappers demanded ransom money from Alkon, that the entire fraudulent scheme was the kidnappers' plan, and that Irina had nothing to do with it. "What he did here, by participating in fabricating this ridiculous story to make it look like Igor was kidnapped, and his death staged by his kidnappers, without Irina's knowledge, was so stupid that it actually appears to have led to her plea of guilty rather than obstruct a path to her conviction," prosecutors wrote. Igor was arrested in Moldova last November on the mail fraud charges and extradited to the United States. In his plea agreement filed Friday, prosecutors still do not reveal how exactly Igor or others managed to find a dead body on which to plant his identifying documents. He is expected to be sentenced in July, and prosecutors are seeking 41 months in prison. Defense attorneys for Irina and Alkon say that they have been made to suffer for the sins of the father, reaping nothing from the scheme and living in poverty while for years Igor lived comfortably with his girlfriend in Transnistria, an unrecognized independent state within Moldova. In November 2011, the same month Irina filed the fraudulent insurance claim, her defense attorney says her breast cancer returned after a long remission. She underwent a double mastectomy and chemotherapy before losing her home to foreclosure while deep in medical bills, the defense attorney claimed. Just before she was sentenced to prison in 2017, she was living in subsidized housing "as a destitute felon." Alkon, his attorney wrote in pre-sentencing filings, attempted suicide at one point. And because of his mother's illness and inability to work, Mankey said, the son will likely be made to repay much of the $2 million to Mutual of Omaha as part of restitution. "He will likely be paying off Mutual of Omaha his entire life," Mankey wrote. The love ritual began with candles, alcohol, vegetables and photographs, all carefully arranged. Then clients were told to send photos and videos of themselves reciting graphic statements and performing sex acts to a Paraguayan business specializing in witchcraft to finish the magic spell aimed at finding a soul mate. That's when a self-described sorcerer started another familiar rite: extortion. Ariel Boiteux, an Argentine national who masterminded an international scheme that entangled an estimated 200 victims in at least 12 countries, threatened to post the photos and videos of the intimate acts unless his clients paid "large sums of money," according to authorities, sometimes demanding six-figure payoffs. Boiteux, 31, and associates with his company, Amarres Inmediatos, even posted some explicit content to websites, Facebook and Instagram and forced clients to pay to take down the posts. But as the alleged warlock of witchcraft extortion learned this week, there were no tricks in his bag of distorted magic that could get him out prison. The U.S. attorney's office for the Southern District of California announced Monday that Boiteux was sentenced to two years in federal prison for the crime of foreign transmission of an extortionate threat. He pleaded guilty in December after being extradited from Paraguay to San Diego last July, the Los Angeles Times reported. "This was a despicable scheme that preyed upon people who put their trust in a phony," U.S. Attorney Robert Brewer Jr. said in a news release on Monday. "This defendant used the vulnerability of the lovelorn to humiliate and extort them, and for that he will pay a price." Authorities in Paraguay said that the estimated 200 victims hailed from the United States, Paraguay, Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Italy, Mexico, Peru, Spain and Switzerland, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported. Not too long ago, the witchcraft extortion business was humming along for Botieux, who had set Amarres Inmediatos' website in 2015. The computer expert tapped into the Latin American culture of witches or spiritual guides offering to cast spells for "amarres de amor," or "moorings of love." He advertised his brujeria services on Facebook, Instagram and MercadoLibre, an Argentina-based online marketplace similar to Craigslist, according to the plea agreement. As the Union-Tribune first reported last year, Boiteux soon realized the potential to control his clients through threats of public humiliation. And he could do it all remotely. In February 2017, Boiteux discovered that a female client whose recordings he obtained from the faux ritual was "a well-connected public figure with access to significant financial resources," according to the plea agreement. Boiteux's associates had already convinced her to wire $7,200 through Western Union, the Times reported, but they wanted more. So Boiteux and his associates threatened to publicize the sensitive content unless she paid more than $250,000, authorities said. That same month, Boiteux sent a WhatsApp message to another victim, threatening to post recordings on YouTube, according to the federal indictment. One month later, the computer expert sent a YouTube link to yet another victim and claimed a video from their ritual had already been uploaded. According to the indictment, Amarres Inmediatos also threatened to sell the more sexual content of some victims to tabloids or porn distributors. Boiteux's scheme started to unravel later in the year. In October 2017, an undercover agent from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement called a phone number listed on the company's website. The agent offered to purchase the recordings of a victim, whose ritual had been partially uploaded to websites in another extortion attempt. Once Botieux agreed to sell, he instructed the U.S. official to make a Western Union transfer. By the time the agent wired $800 from San Diego to a Western Union in Ciudad del Este, Paraguay, local authorities were waiting. When Boiteux arrived at the pickup spot he had used before, he was arrested by Paraguayan police. It remains unclear whether the victim, whose name was not released, has any ties to San Diego. In addition to Boiteux, three others were arrested in the scheme, including his 15-year-old brother, the Union-Tribune reported. "I commend the dedicated work by our cybercrime experts who worked diligently to bring Boiteux, who dangerously preyed on others for his own financial gain, to justice," David Shaw, Special Agent in Charge for Homeland Security Investigations in San Diego, said in the Monday news release. Boiteux's extradition to San Diego was not without drama. According to the Argentine news outlet TN.com, he tied his mouth shut with wire as part of a hunger strike before his transfer to the U.S. When a judge asked him to confirm his identity during his first court appearance last year, Boiteux, in a wheelchair, offered a bizarre answer involving angels, the Times reported. After a mental competency exam found he was fit to move forward with the case, he pleaded guilty to one count of extortion, according to the Union-Tribune. Authorities said that the 31-year-old is being credited for time served both in South America and in federal custody in the U.S., meaning he will be released in July. They added he would be sent back to Argentina upon release this summer. Sitting in a wheelchair in a federal courtroom on Monday, Boiteux only had a few words to say to U.S. District Judge Marilyn L. Huff, the Union-Tribune reported. "I'm very remorseful, ma'am," he said. Customers stand in line to buy cheap fried chicken at Lotte Mart's store in Seoul in this December 2010 file photo. When it began offering its first 5,000 won fried chicken deal. Starting Wednesday, the discount chain operator began holding a similar sales event that will last until May 8 to commemorate its 21st anniversary. Korea Times file The Illinois Emergency Management Agency, the American Red Cross and Illinois Department of Public Health have released emergency preparedness messaging in Spanish and French to help with language barriers. Tips for emergency preparedness are available through the ReadyIllinois website in several languages, including Spanish, French, Italian, Filipino and German, through the use of Google translator at the bottom rightcorner of the website. ALTON The Mississippi River neared its expected crest in Alton, but additional thunderstorms predicted over the next few days raised some concerns. According to the National Weather Service the river was to crest at 34.8 feet at about 7 p.m. Monday, about 0.9 inches below the 35.5 crest predicted a few days ago. That lowers this flood from the fifth-highest on record to the seventh. However, thunderstorms were likely Monday through Wednesday, and possible Wednesday evening and Thursday, bringing the possibility of another surge. Alton Public Works employees were manning pumps at the foot of State Street Monday morning, and the westbound lanes of Landmarks Boulevard were closed from Henry Street to Broadway. Despite the high water, most downtown businesses were open, but many had pumps working. Ray Foraker was watching two pumps at Chez Marilyn. Its rough, he said. We were losing ground yesterday and had to get another pump today. They had just installed a new floor in the back here, and there was no way to get down there to it, so I had to cut a hole in the new floor to get access to the basement. He said the pumps will be running constantly until the water goes down. Although the crest was expected at 7 p.m. Monday, additional rain made predicting when the river would drop problematic. At this point were only including 24 hours of precipitation in the forecast, said Patrick Walsh, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in St. Louis. I know were going to be wet over the week. Were looking for a secondary crest near where it is right now. Walsh said it appeared the original crest figures were lowered because of levee breaks and overtops to the north near Lincoln County, Missouri, located across from Calhoun County, which relieved pressure on Altons water levels. I hate to see it happen to them, but it helped us out a bit, Foraker said. Walsh said the main axis of rain over the next few days will be to the north. Its looking like most of it is through northwest Missouri through southeast Iowa and parts of central Missouri, he said. They are expecting 3-4 inches of rain over the next few days, while the St. Louis metro area will probably see 1-2. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources also announced the Illinois River has been closed to recreational river traffic from Grafton to Lakon. With river levels rising and additional rain in the forecast, conditions are not favorable for boating on the Illinois River, said IDNR Director Colleen Callahan. These conditions are treacherous for not only boaters, but our emergency response personnel who are called upon to respond to and rescue those involved in water mishaps. To the south, Illinois American Water Co. told customers to conserve water after a levee break on Chouteau Island damaged a water intake facility. The Alton area is not affected. The affected area runs just north of Interstate 270 to Troy, then south to Columbia. Our team reacted quickly and is working to complete critical repairs, said Karen Cooper, senior manager of field operations and production for the companys Southern Division. While this work is completed, customer conservation of water use is critical to maintaining water service for customer needs including sanitation and fire protection. We thank our customers for their help and cooperation. Customers should restrict all non-essential water use until further notice and refrain from non-critical water use like running sprinklers, dishwashers and washing machines at this time. Customers are also asked to avoid filling bathtubs if at all possible and to use showers instead. In West Alton, once the crests levels were dropped, officials started reconsidering options. Volunteers spent the weekend sandbagging to shore up the levee, which would overtop at about 35 feet. Reach reporter Scott Cousins at 618-208-6447. Sheriff's offices and police departments in jurisdictions that provide "sanctuary" to undocumented immigrants will have a new way to work with federal authorities to detain and deport them, immigration authorities said Monday. The new Warrant Service Officer program, introduced Monday in Pinellas County on Florida's Gulf Coast, will allow participating departments "the flexibility to make immigration arrests," according to ICE. The move would allow local authorities to detain a criminal suspect beyond the point at which he or she would have been otherwise released if ICE has requested his or her detention, essentially giving ICE an extra 48 hours to take the suspect into federal custody. Selected sheriff's office personnel "will be nominated, trained, and approved by ICE to perform certain limited functions of an immigration officer," within the local jail or correctional facilities, according to a Memorandum of Agreement signed by the agency and Pinellas County on Monday. ICE framed the new program as a countermeasure to the so-called sanctuary cities across the United States that Acting Director Matthew Albence said "undermine public safety" by adopting policies of noncooperation with federal immigration authorities. President Donald Trump has repeatedly blasted such jurisdictions, including San Francisco and New York, where local authorities refuse to respect ICE requests to hold people in local jails on behalf of immigration officials. Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri on Monday echoed Trump in blaming sanctuary city policies for crimes that he said would otherwise have been prevented. "Because the jail didn't honor the detainer, a 65-year-old woman was raped," Gualtieri said in reference to a Mexican national who had been deported at least 13 times before being convicted of violent assault in Oregon last year. ICE already has extensive formal agreements - known as 287(g) agreements - with 75 U.S. cities and counties, where local law enforcement agencies actively help ICE to arrest and detain people who are in the United States illegally. Those local agencies interview suspected illegal immigrants about their citizenship status and use ICE training and computer technology to collaborate with the agency. The Warrant Service Officer (WSO) program provides for a more limited form of collaborative immigration enforcement, but it could be logistically easier for local sheriff's offices to adopt. ICE plans to provide a single day of on-site training, and sheriff's deputies would not be tasked with interviewing detainees to ascertain their citizenship and immigration status. "The genesis of the WSO program was: How can we offer a cooperative partnership with jurisdictions that reside in states that have local or state policies that limit cooperation with ICE?" said Matthew Bourke, an ICE spokesman. In devising the program, ICE realized it could also be useful to rural areas and counties that want to support federal immigration enforcement but lack the resources to send their deputies to lengthy training courses. Immigrant rights groups and law enforcement agencies in Democratic strongholds have argued that such arrangements unlawfully turn sheriff's deputies into federal immigration agents and jails into immigrant holding cells. They say such programs are a misuse of resources that detract from larger priorities, such as the pursuit of violent criminals, while also hurting relations with local immigrant communities. "It really causes a lack of faith, lack of trust in the local police authorities," said Ramon Carrion, an immigration attorney in Clearwater, Florida. "The average person needs to feel they can trust the police department. . . . I can see that there's going to be a reluctance to do so." The term "sanctuary city" is generally applied to cities where local authorities refuse to heed ICE's detention requests, and in some cases refuse to communicate detainee information to ICE entirely. Trump, who has made stopping illegal immigration a top administration priority, has accused sanctuary cities of releasing "dangerous" criminals into the streets, instead of holding them for ICE. And administration officials have on multiple occasions proposed releasing undocumented immigrant detainees onto the streets of sanctuary cities as retaliation against Trump's political foes, an idea that ICE officials have said would be costly and difficult to justify. The Florida Legislature last month passed a bill that would bar local authorities from ignoring ICE detainer requests. Immigration experts say the bill was largely preemptive; whether Florida has any cities or counties that would actually be considered sanctuary cities is a matter of debate. But the state is home to one of the largest populations of undocumented immigrants, according to the Pew Research Institute, and some of Trump's staunchest supporters, including Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis. ICE said a representative of the governor's office attended the WSO signing ceremony with the Pinellas County Sheriff on Monday. "I think they see the political benefit of jumping on the Trump bus," Carrion, the immigration attorney, said of the local authorities. "But this problem filters down, it filters up, it filters sideways - it has all sorts of other ramifications. I think the sheriff's department will rue the day they signed this agreement." If youve graduated from college in the past year or so and started your first job, youre no doubt learning a lot about establishing yourself as an adult and being responsible for your own finances. So thoughts of your retirement are probably far away. And yet you have several good reasons to invest in your 401(k) or similar employer-sponsored retirement plan. First of all, by contributing to your 401(k), you can get into the habit of regular investing. And since you invest in your 401(k) through regular payroll deductions, its an easy way to invest. Furthermore, your 401(k) or similar plan is an excellent retirement-savings vehicle. You generally contribute pre-tax dollars to your 401(k), so the more you put in, the lower your taxable income. Plus, your earnings can grow on a tax-deferred basis. Your employer might also offer a Roth 401(k), which is funded with after-tax dollars; although you cant deduct your contributions, your earnings can grow tax-free, provided you meet certain conditions. And with either a traditional or Roth 401(k), you generally have a wide array of investment options. But perhaps the main reason to start investing right away in your 401(k) is that, at this point of your life, you have access to the greatest and most irreplaceable asset of all time. The more time you have on your side, the greater the growth potential for your investments. And by starting to invest early in your plan, you can put in smaller amounts without having to play catch-up later. Suppose, for example, you begin investing in your 401(k) or similar plan when youre 25. For the sake of simplicity, lets say you put in $100 a month, and you keep investing that same amount for 40 years, earning a hypothetical 7 percent rate of return. When you reach 65, you will have accumulated about $256,000. (Your withdrawals will then be taxable, unless you chose the Roth 401(k) option.) But if you waited until you were 45 before you started investing in your 401(k), again earning that hypothetical 7 percent, youd have to put in almost $500 per month about five times the monthly amount you could have invested when you were 25 to arrive at the same $256,000 when you turn 65. Clearly, the expression time is money applies when it comes to funding your 401(k) theres just no benefit in waiting to contribute to your retirement plan. This isnt to say that you have a lot of disposable income, especially as you may be paying off thousands of dollars in student loans. But, as mentioned above, the money for your 401(k) is taken before you even see it, so, in a sense, you wont miss it. And you can certainly start out with small amounts, though youll at least want to put in enough to earn your employers matching contribution, if one is offered. As your career progresses and your salary goes up, you can steadily increase the amount you put into your 401(k) or other retirement plan. When retirement is decades away, it can seem like more of an abstract concept than something that will one day define your reality. But, as weve seen, you have plenty of incentives to contribute to your 401(k) or similar plan so, if you havent already done so, get started soon. Edward Jones is a licensed insurance producer in all states and Washington, D.C., through Edward D. Jones & Co., L.P., and in California, New Mexico and Massachusetts through Edward Jones Insurance Agency of California, L.L.C.; Edward Jones Insurance Agency of New Mexico, L.L.C.; and Edward Jones Insurance Agency of Massachusetts, L.L.C. This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. Indonesian President Joko Widodo arrived in Borneo island to survey possible locations for a new capital, fast-tracking a plan to move the administrative headquarters out of over-crowded and congested Jakarta. Widodo, known as Jokowi, arrived at Balikpapan city in East Kalimantan on Tuesday and visited Bukit Soeharto, one of the locations being considered for the capital, his office said in a statement. The president is scheduled to visit Palangkaraya in Central Kalimantan province and review another possible site for the capital on Wednesday, it said. Jokowi last week revived the decades-old plan to set up a new capital as the population in Jakarta and its suburbs continues to swell, having hit about 30 million people. Already one one of the world's most congested cities, the coastal metropolis is also sinking by as much as 6 inches every year and is hit by frequent flooding. While the selection of the site for a new administrative capital may be several months away, town planners and political analysts have been pointing to Palangkaraya, the capital of Central Kalimantan. The city of about 260,000, which is relatively free from natural disasters and located near the centre of the vast archipelago, has been mooted as an option for a new capital since the 1960s. In a meeting with heads of state agencies on Monday, Jokowi said the government was serious about moving the capital by zeroing in on three alternatives. The area of the shortlisted sites ranged from 80,000 hectares to 300,000 hectares, he said. Bukit Soeharto was among the locations under government's consideration for the past year and a half, Jokowi said, adding its proximity to airports in Balikpapan and Samarinda and toll roads will be supportive. "The most important thing is Indonesia as a big country wants to have an administrative center that is separated from economic, business, trading and services center," Jokowi said. "We want to move ahead as an advanced country." Building a new capital may take between five to 10 years and cost as much as $33 billion, according to Planning Minister Bambang Brodjonegoro. With the capital moving out of Java island, Jokowi expects to ensure economic development of its far-flung regions. The government estimates the greater Jakarta area loses 100 trillion rupiah ($7 billion) a year in lost productivity because of its endemic traffic congestion. The government will devise a special arrangement to finance the setting up of the new capital to avoid any strain on the state budget, Jokowi said. Availability of clean drinking water will be a major consideration in picking the new site, the president said. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., declared Tuesday morning that it's "case closed" when it comes to President Donald Trump and special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation. Calling it a "Groundhog Day spectacle," McConnell said, "This ought to be good news for everyone, but my Democratic colleagues seem to be publicly working through the five stages of grief." This is an argument Trump's allies have made for weeks. "Case closed," Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said nine days ago when asked about whether he would call former White House counsel Donald McGahn to testify. "It's over, folks," White House counselor Kellyanne Conway said immediately after the Mueller report was released. The White House even declared "case closed" before we saw the report. "I don't think it is going to be damaging," press secretary Sarah Sanders said of the report, after Attorney General William Barr's letter summarized it's top conclusions. "We consider this to be case closed." That early declaration should show you just how much of a tactic this is. There are a whole host of reasons this claim is problematic - both procedurally and rhetorically. The main reason is that Mueller expressly left this as a matter for others to decide. He decided not to render a traditional opinion on whether to accuse Trump of obstruction of justice, citing existing Justice Department policy against indicting a sitting president. He also said he would have exonerated Trump on obstruction if he could, but added explicitly that the report "does not exonerate him." And while doing so, Mueller noted that impeachment is an alternative method for holding a president accountable - and also that a president isn't immune from criminal prosecution after leaving office. "A possible remedy through impeachment for abuses of power would not substitute for potential criminal liability after a President leaves office," Mueller wrote in a footnote. He explicitly declined to clear Trump and noted potential future actions that could be taken. The second reason is that there are plenty of unresolved questions. Even if you accept Graham's argument that McGahn's 30 hours of cooperation are contained in the report and that his testimony would be redundant, there are the 14 cases Mueller referred out, some of which are ongoing. There is the Southern District of New York's investigation, which has implicated Trump in Michael Cohen's criminal campaign finance violations. There are the questions about Trump's finances and his still-unreleased tax returns, which Mueller didn't deal with in his report. The New York Times reported that Trump and his siblings obtained their father's wealth through, in some cases, "outright fraud." And there are of course Mueller's newly revealed concerns about Barr's handling of his report. There are some key unresolved questions on which Mueller could provide some important clarity, even if he as circumspect in testifying as many expect he would be. The last word from Mueller right now is that he believes Barr fed misinformation about his report and that the public was misunderstanding it. Perhaps he's satisfied now that the full report is out and people can draw their own conclusions, but we don't know that to be the case. And just from a strictly rhetorical perspective, the "case closed" claim is pretty discordant. Trump spent much of his 2016 fomenting "Lock her up!" chants about Hillary Clinton, despite the FBI having announced explicitly that it wouldn't charge her with a crime. And in that case, it was because of the evidence - not some Justice Department policy saying they couldn't indict Clinton. The Mueller report also revealed that Trump, after taking office, tried at least three times to get the Justice Department to prosecute Clinton. So Trump wanted the Justice Department to prosecute someone whom it had explicitly declined to, but his White House and allies say a report that explicitly does not "exonerate" him is "case closed." The argument from there, I suppose, would be that Mueller may not have cleared Trump, but that Barr and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein then concluded they wouldn't accuse Trump. Even if you set aside that Trump recently appointed Barr, and Barr's controversial handing of the matter, he was confirmed by the Senate as attorney general and does have authority over the probe. He's welcome to make what conclusion he wanted to. But even in his testimony last week, Barr made a point to emphasize that he hadn't completely cleared Trump. "No, I didn't exonerate," Barr said. "I said that we did not believe that there was sufficient evidence to establish an obstruction, an offense which is the job of the Justice Department, and the job of the Justice Department is now over." Wait, you might be saying, so Barr said it was case closed? Not exactly. Here's what came next. "The report is now in the hands of the American people," he said. "Everyone can decide for themselves. There's an election in 18 months. That's a very democratic process, but we're out of it." Congress is part of that Democratic process, as the representatives of the American people. Congress also holds in its power the only remedy for holding a president accountable while he or she is in office. Exactly what course it should take is up for it and the people who elect it to decide. McConnell and the White House have decided it's time to move on, and from a political standpoint that's not surprising. But there are plenty of unresolved questions here, and at last notice one very key player sure didn't seem to think this was "case closed": Robert Mueller. David Carson | St. Louis Post-Dispatch (AP) Another round of rain has led to more flash flood watches across the Midwest. The National Weather Service issued the watches Tuesday for parts of Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Texas. And communities along the Mississippi River remained under flood warnings as high water levels made their way downstream, closing roads and shutting off regional locks and dams to navigation. Morgan County Sheriff ARRESTS, CITATIONS Timothy S. Ferguson, 31, of 124 Wolcott St. was booked into the Morgan County jail at 5:29 p.m. Saturday on a criminal damage to property charge. Michael A. Timmons, 27, of 401 S. Grove St., Waverly, was booked into the Morgan County jail at 8:18 p.m. Saturday on a parole violation. Jacksonville Police ARRESTS, CITATIONS Tiffany L. Swarringin, 32, of 208 Ebony St., Murrayville, was booked into the Morgan County jail at 5:11 p.m. Sunday on a charge of criminal damage to property after police say she shot a BB gun at the window of the Circle K at 602 N. Main St. A 15-year-old girl was arrested at 8:38 p.m. Sunday on a charge of resisting a peace officer. Robert K. Hocking Jr., 37, of 8 Havendale Court was booked into the Morgan County jail at 12:27 a.m. Monday on a resisting a peace officer charge. Brett L. Hannant, 36, of 8 Havendale Court was booked into the Morgan County jail at 12:43 a.m. Monday on a resisting a peace officer charge. BURGLARIES, THEFTS A window was broken out of Top Shelf Liquors and money was taken from a vending machine between 3:06 and 3:15 a.m. Sunday, according to a report filed at 5:42 a.m. Sunday. Cass County Sheriff ARRESTS, CITATIONS Charles R. Bobo, 20, of Hope, Arkansas, was booked into the Morgan County jail at 2:35 a.m. Monday on charges of vehicle code violations and driving while license is revoked or suspended. Pike County Sheriff ARRESTS, CITATIONS Katie M. Bell, 28, of Louisiana, Missouri, was arrested at 6:51 p.m. Sunday on charges of possession of a controlled substance and having no valid drivers license. Phillip R. Stauffer, 22, of Baylis was arrested at 12:55 a.m. Sunday on possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. Richard J. Wagy, 46, of Pittsfield was arrested at 12:25 a.m. Sunday on a riving under the influence charge. Alysha M. Kindle, 36,of Hull was arrested at 7:58 p.m. Sunday on a criminal trespass to land charge. Curtis W. Kindle, 35, of Hull was arrested at 7:58 p.m. Sunday on a criminal trespass to land charge. Maria Sanchez, 37, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, was arrested at 12:39 a.m. Friday on charges of possession of cannabis, possession of cannabis with intent to deliver and trafficking in cannabis. Virginia S. Sanchez, 39, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, was arrested at 12:39 a.m. Friday on charges of possession of cannabis, possession of cannabis with intent to deliver and trafficking in cannabis. Chad A. Wooldridge, 32, of Pearl was arrested at 11:29 a.m. Friday on a petition to revoke. Heather C. Rodhouse, 37, of Pleasant Hill was arrested at 9:13 p.m. Friday on a possession of methamphetamine charge. Dylan J. Brower, 23, of Carbondale, Colorado, was arrested at 9:58 p.m. Wednesday on charges of possession of cannabis, possession of cannabis with intent to deliver, trafficking in cannabis and possession of drug paraphernalia. Zachary O. Cantwell, 25, of Pleasant Hill was arrested at 8:07 p.m. Wednesday on a driving under the influence charge. Jorge L. Mojica-Andrade, 31, of Decatur was arrested at 12:53 p.m. April 30 on petition to revoke conditional discharge. Jennifer M. Hirstein, 45, of Springfield was arrested at 12:53 p.m. April 30 on a petition to revoke. Cody G. Dempsey, 26, of Pleasant Hill was arrested at 8:50 p.m. April 29 on charges of possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. Compiled by Samantha McDaniel-Ogletree and David C.L. Bauer In this file photo taken on April 03, Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah (C) attends an event in Bandar Seri Begawan. Brunei's sultan has announced that death by stoning for gay sex and adultery will not be enforced after a global backlash, but critics call for harsh sharia laws to be abandoned entirely. AFP Brunei's sultan has announced death by stoning for gay sex and adultery will not be enforced after a global backlash, but critics Monday called for harsh sharia laws to be abandoned entirely. In a speech late Sunday, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah said a moratorium on capital punishment that already applies to Brunei's regular criminal code would also extend to its new sharia code, which includes death by stoning for various crimes. The code, which also punishes theft with the amputation of hands and feet, fully came into force last month in the small sultanate on Borneo island, making it the only country in East or Southeast Asia with sharia law at the national level. The move sparked anger from governments and rights groups, the United Nations slammed it as a "clear violation" of human rights while celebrities led by actor George Clooney called for Brunei-owned hotels to be boycotted. In a televised address, the all-powerful sultan made his first public comments about the furore and took the rare step of addressing criticism, saying there had been "many questions and misperceptions" regarding the sharia laws. "Both the common law and the sharia law aim to ensure peace and harmony of the country," he insisted, according to an official translation of his speech. Some crimes in Muslim-majority Brunei including murder and drug-trafficking were already punishable with death by hanging under the regular criminal code which is enforced alongside the sharia code but no one has been executed for decades. Hassanal said that "we have practised a de facto moratorium on the execution of death penalty for cases under the common law. "This will also be applied to cases under the (sharia penal code), which provides a wider scope for remission." 'Human rights monstrosity' But rights groups said the announcement did not go far enough. "It really doesn't change anything," Matthew Woolfe, founder of rights group The Brunei Project, told AFP. "This announcement does nothing to address the many other human rights concerns about the (sharia code)." The maximum punishment for gay sex between men under the sharia code is death by stoning, but perpetrators can also be sentenced to lengthy jail terms or caning. Women convicted of having sexual relations with other women face up to 40 strokes of the cane or a maximum 10-year jail term. Whipping and jail terms, as well as severing of limbs for theft, under the new code were not affected by the sultan's announcement. It was not clear how far other sharia punishments would be enforced. The sultan also vowed in his speech Brunei would ratify the United Nations convention against torture which it signed several years ago. Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director for Human Rights Watch, said that "the entire law is a human rights-abusing monstrosity that should be scrapped. "It's a quaint but unrealistic idea that a temporary moratorium on the death penalty is worth something in a royal dictatorship where the sultan's word is law." LGBT stigma still strong While gay Bruneians were relieved the death penalty for homosexual sex would not be enforced, they said the law still encourages discrimination against LGBT people in the former British protectorate of about 400,000 people. "There will still be hate against LGBT people," Khairul, a gay man in Brunei who gave only one name, told AFP. "This law should be changed as long as it exists, there will always be stigmatisation against LGBT people and non-Muslims in Brunei." The sultan one of the world's wealthiest men, who has been on the throne over five decades announced plans for the sharia penal code in 2013. The first section was introduced in 2014 and included less stringent penalties, such as fines or jail terms for offences including skipping Friday prayers, but introduction of the harsher penalties was delayed after criticism. Analysts say he is seeking to burnish his Islamic credentials and shore up support among the country's conservatives due to the waning fortunes of the oil-dependent economy, which has been ravaged by recession in recent years. (AFP) GRANITE CITY Granite City native Zack Nunn is ready to put his words into action. Right now, people across the country are ready for a new generation to step up and lead, he said. Nunn will graduate from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville on Saturday, May 11 with a bachelors in political science from the College of Arts and Sciences. He has already added a major leadership role to his resume, as this spring he was elected to the Granite City School Board. Im excited to get to work on my hometown school board, Nunn said. Its going to be a new experience for me, but I think straight out of college, its a good way to get thrown into being an adult out in the real world, making tough decisions. The 22-year-olds successful election was no small feat. He was one of seven candidates vying for three open seats. Nunn turned in close to 75 petitions, exceeding the 50-petition requirement, to secure a place on the ballot. He then knocked on an estimated 2,000 doors, introducing himself to voters and promoting the important impact he intends to make. I know what its like to be in the students shoes, because I was in those shoes just four years ago, explained the former Granite City High School student body president. I also know what its like to transition from high school to college, to look into the job market, and basically what we as a district should be doing to prepare our students for the next step. I will bring a fresh perspective. Nunn credits his studies at SIUE and experience working on statewide political campaigns with helping prepare him to run for office. Dr. Moffetts political science 300 course taught me how to use data to make decisions, Nunn said. I used that when determining which voters to try and contact, which people to target. My classes also taught me how to conduct research. This will help me most once I begin on the school board. Ill be researching issues and helping determine the best path forward. His advice for others his age with a desire to hold an office: If youre interested in running for office, you should start small, but go for it. Dont get in line and wait your turn. Society is ready to hear new ideas from the younger generation. School board duties arent the only item on Nunns future agenda. He is currently applying for jobs. He also plans to take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) in July, as he is considering going to law school. The administration's categorical refusal to release President Donald Trump's tax returns heightens the difficult question Democrats face, and raises the prospect of a nightmare scenario - both in political and substantive terms. Democrats must now choose between continuing to pursue the returns through conventional channels, which carries some risk of failure, and getting serious about impeachment hearings, which would likely minimize that risk to the greatest extent possible. If Democrats go with the first, it raises at least the possibility that they could squander months in court, only to fail to secure Trump's returns at the end - at which point they'd decide it's too late to pursue impeachment, because 2020 would be looming. To be sure, there are many other reasons to initiate an impeachment inquiry, beyond overcoming resistance to releasing the returns. But this dispute throws the broader choice Democrats face into sharper relief. The Treasury Department has declared that it will not release Trump's tax returns to the House Ways and Means Committee. This appears to violate the law, which says the returns of any individual "shall" be furnished upon request by tax writing committees. Democrats on Ways and Means now have two leading options, according to Steve Rosenthal, a senior fellow at the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center. Democrats can subpoena Treasury for the returns, or they can sue to force Treasury to comply with the law, or both, Rosenthal tells me. But either of those two paths would likely require a lengthy court battle -- one that Democrats might lose before the Supreme Court. The legal case for getting the returns appears strong. In requesting Trump's personal and business returns, Rep. Richard Neal, D-Mass., the chair of Ways and Means, argued Congress needs them to scrutinize whether the IRS is enforcing tax laws against the president. Thus, Neal furnished a legislative rationale that the law doesn't even appear to require. But that doesn't mean the legal case for getting them is airtight. Rosenthal says that in either case, the Supreme Court could side with Trump, by arguing that Democrats "are applying the statute unconstitutionally." In this telling, the court would rule that Congress' power to solicit tax returns is not unlimited, and cannot be applied for illegitimate purposes. The court could decide Democrats are "just rummaging through Trump's returns to embarrass him and not for a legitimate legislative purpose, and that Neal's explanation is a pretext," Rosenthal told me. Daniel Hemel, a professor at the University of Chicago Law School, agrees. He told me the court could rule that the statute "can't sweep more broadly than Congress' constitutional authority," which "doesn't include the power to investigate except for legitimate legislative purposes." To be sure, Democrats could win this battle, both experts said, because they do have multiple legitimate purposes for getting the returns. But this is hardly guaranteed, particularly with this court. And it could take months or years. The bottom line: A loss, coming next fall or later, is at least possible. And at that point, Democrats would likely be even more reluctant to launch impeachment hearings, with 2020 right around the corner. This would constitute an epic, disastrous failure. Not getting Trump's returns would allow him to get away with one of his most blatant acts of contempt for transparency, for the separation of powers, and for the notion that basic accountability should apply to him at all. And we simply don't know how much corruption -- from tax fraud to emoluments clause violations to compromising foreign financial entanglements -- this might end up concealing from view. Impeachment hearings could strengthen Democrats' hand The idea here is that, if Democrats were to initiate an impeachment inquiry, it would create a legislative purpose for compelling release of the returns that is basically unassailable -- that legislative purpose being impeachment. "I think Ways and Means' argument is fundamentally solid," Rosenthal said. But he added that if Democrats stressed that an impeachment inquiry were its purpose, "I don't see how any information can be withheld -- the Mueller report, tax returns, anything. This would make it airtight." Other legal experts agree. It's possible Democrats might not even have to go this far. They could potentially state that they are soliciting information for the express legislative purpose of deciding whether to launch an impeachment inquiry, Rosenthal says. That latter possibility needs more expert attention. But the bigger point here is that more forthrightly embracing an impeachment inquiry as a key rationale - immediately, or the question of whether to launch one - very well might strengthen Democrats' hand. This is the case not just on Trump's tax returns, but also in other areas, as Rosenthal points out. That includes empowering Democrats to fight against efforts to conceal the unredacted Mueller report; efforts to prevent former White House counsel Donald McGahn, who witnessed extensive obstruction of justice, from testifying, and possibly Special Counsel Robert Mueller as well. "Congress' hand is strengthened across the board by acknowledging that the information is relevant to a possible impeachment inquiry," Rosenthal tells me. Jonathan Bernstein argues the contrary case: This is a contested view; Democrats might prevail on some fronts without impeachment; they can employ other tools. It's true this is a contested view. But that means it might prove correct, and the question still remains whether Democrats will at least try to use all the tools at their disposal, and what the dangers are in not doing this. The argument isn't necessarily that Democrats must launch an inquiry right this second. But it must be put on the table clearly as a point towards which they are converging of necessity, in response to Trump's worsening abuses. Democrats (and other impeachment skeptics) need to more forthrightly engage with the argument that the failure to do this could end up with Democratic oversight mostly being neutered, with no remaining options. Yes, Democrats could then beat Trump in 2020. But what if they don't, after having seen their oversight efforts largely blocked, and having failed to exercise all the powers they have at their disposal? Job Title: Administrative Assistant Organisation: Tetra Tech International Services Duty Station: Uganda Reports to: Regional Manager About US: Tetra Tech International Services is implementing the USAID-funded Uganda Sanitation for Health Activity. The project works to increase household access to sanitation and water services and improved health through hygiene behavior change campaigns in homes, schools and health facilities in up to 25 districts in Uganda. Job Summary: The Administrative Assistant is responsible for managing Regional Office administrative systems. The Administrative Assistant will be responsible for ensuring clear and effective communication, managing travel schedules, meetings, and overall coordination of regional office activities. This position is responsible for all Finance, procurement and Administrative functions at the regional office. Key Duties and Responsibilities: Administration & HR Responsible for the day-to-day management of the regional office i.e. maintain a register of visitors, notifying concerned staff, taking messages, updating noticeboards among others. Represent S4H at events as approved by the RM or office manager. Ensure security policies and protocols are adhered to by all staff and all parties that access the RO. Maintain the directory of partners, government offices, businesses, and update it regularly as required. Maintain the inventory of office supplies and coordinate additional procurement of items as needed; Assist with the annual physical inventory of project property at the regional office; Report all stolen or lost property Maintain HR records as directed by the Office manager i.e. Leave cards, evaluation schedules Manage travel reservations and arrangements for the region; Supervise driver and office assistant/ cleaner. Maintain a filing system as per the Tetratech ARD filing policy. Organize relevant meetings, appointments, conferences, workshops for staff; Arrange regular program staff meetings under the guidance of the RM, take minutes as required and distribute to concerned parties; Any other related tasks assigned by respective supervisor/s from time to time. Finance and Procurement Capture all accounting data from original vouchers and post into accounting spreadsheets under the guidance of the Accountant. Under the supervision of the RM, develop and submit funds requests for approval and replenishment. Manage relationships with local vendors Maintain a local vendor list with updated addresses and contacts Keep a log of all agreements and notify the procurement team of expiry dates and any other changes Main effective procurement documentation and records in compliance with ARD and USAID policies and procedure for all program operation costs Qualifications, Skills and Experience: The applicant must be a high school graduate. College education in preferable. At least three years of experience in an equivalent position with International organizations. Work experienced in USAID funded project is a plus. Working knowledge of English, both written and spoken. Able to communicate fluently effectively both verbally and in writing. Excellent interpersonal skills, including patience, diplomacy, willingness to listen and respect for colleagues. Must be capable of working both individually and as part of a team. Must also be able to create a supportive working relationship among all project teams. Tactfulness, Enthusiasm to the job. Good Human Relation skills, integrity and ability to work under pressure. Languages: Excellent Language proficiency in spoken and written English. How to Apply: Applications should be submitted to Jobs@Uganda-sanitation.org with a subject Admin Assistant. Qualified candidates should provide their current curriculum vitae (CV), cover letter, and 3 professional references. Short-listed candidates who meet the job profile credentials will be contacted for an interview. Selected candidates will be hired as soon as they are available. Compensation will be commensurate with relevant experience and established salary history. Deadline: 13th May 2019 For more of the latest jobs, please visit https://www.theugandanjobline.com or find us on our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/UgandanJobline Job Title: Data Entrant Finance Organization: Carlcare Service Limited Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda About US: Carlcare Service Limited was established in Hong Kong in 2009 with an aim to provide professional service support to mobile phones and other electronic consumer products, and over the years has become a leading service brand for consumer electronics in South East Asia, Middle East and Africa. Currently, Carlcare is providing full service support for Tecno, Itel, & Infinix; three worldwide famous mobile phone brands. Key Duties and Responsibilities: Verify payments made through non-cash platforms ensure accurate entry into the system. Maintain records for each payment made/ funds received by staff andensure accurate entry into the system. required. Prepare and submit daily reports on the above payment records asrequired. clients in relation to payment Receive and address phone calls, emails, mails from employees/clients in relation to payment accounted for and prepare monthly petty cash reports. Making timely requests for petty cash, ensure that all petty cash isaccounted for and prepare monthly petty cash reports. accordance with company guidelines Ensure that cash received is receipted and banked on time inaccordance with company guidelines for easy retrieval Administrative support including filing financial and other recordsfor easy retrieval Qualifications, Skills and Experience: Bachelors Degree in Finance/ Accounts related course from a reputable University The applicant for the Data Entrant Finance job must hold aBachelors Degree in Finance/ Accounts related course from a reputableUniversity Two years experience in a similar role. Ability to use QuickBooks and similar accounting software Ability to work under pressure and with minimum supervision How to Apply: All candidates who wish to apply for the above position can deliver their applications ie CV, cover letter, and copies of academic qualifications to the address below: Carlcare Service Limited, Prism Building (Next to E-Tower), Kampala Road 6th Floor, Plot 71/73 Kampala, Uganda Email to: hr.ug@transsion.com Deadline: 14th May 2019 at 17:00hrs For more of the latest jobs, please visit https://www.theugandanjobline.com or find us on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/UgandanJobline By Jung Min-ho Philippine authorities have launched an investigation into some business owners accused of exclusively catering to Chinese customers in the country. According to Monday, the country's presidential office ordered the Department of Labor and Employment to look into allegations that some Chinese-owned restaurants and other businesses refuse to serve Filipino customers. The move comes a day after Senator Panfilo Lacson urged the government to "shut down" such businesses. "We should prioritize Filipino entrepreneurs," Lacson was quoted as saying in a radio interview. "If investors coming from China would do business even in SMEs, that will be alarming because many of our countrymen will be deprived of investment opportunities." Senator Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III also criticized them. "Business firms operating in the Philippines are not allowed to discriminate," Pimentel said. "Limiting customers to Chinese people only is a form of discrimination Close them down for violating the Constitution." Previously, netizens accused a Chinese restaurant in Alabang, Muntinlupa City, on social media of refusing to serve Filipino customers. There have also been reports that some stores in Makati and Pasay do not welcome Filipinos. Job Title: Early Career Internship Program UBL (Several No Experience Job Opportunities) Organization: Diageo Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda Reports to: Corporate Relations & Legal Director About US: Diageo is the worlds leading premium drinks business with an outstanding collection of beverage alcohol brands across spirits, beer and wine. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, J&B, Windsor, Buchanans and Bushmills whiskies, Smirnoff, Ciroc and Ketel One vodkas, Baileys, Captain Morgan, Tanqueray and Guinness. About UBL: Uganda Breweries Ltd is the second largest business unit in EABL group and has operations in Uganda. It is an integrated business with a brewery and a distillery with the beer and spirits businesses contributing to circa 85% and 15% of NSV respectively. Market share has ranged between 39% and 45% with an ever increasing competitive landscape and volatile macroeconomic backdrop. UBL is an integrated beverage business with supply and demand for beer, spirits and soft drinks with a fast growing arm of international premium drinks business. We have been a leading brewer in Uganda since it began operations in 1946, boasting a rich legacy of iconic brands. Located in Port Bell Luzira in the outskirts of Kampala, the brewery is continuously modernized and its operating capacity expanded. The plant has a total brewing capacity of 1,000,000 hectolitres per year set to grow by 50% with on-going investment in expansion of brew house. Bell Lager is the companys flagship brand having been in the market for over 60 years. other key Brands include: Bell Lager, Tusker Malt, Pilsner, Senator, and Guinness. Qualifications, Skills and Experience: job must be enrolled in a recognized institution for the first degree program and are eligible for their internship as partial fulfillment of the course work requirements by the Institution. The ideal candidate for this Diageo Early Career Internship Programjob must be enrolled in a recognized institution for the first degreeprogram and are eligible for their internship as partial fulfillment ofthe course work requirements by the Institution. is incredibly eager to learn and explore possibilities. A successful intern has a desire to gain professional experience andis incredibly eager to learn and explore possibilities. Strong listening skills are also required to perform this role. directions, as well as not being afraid to ask questions will ensure a productive internship. Oral and written communication skills, the ability to followdirections, as well as not being afraid to ask questions will ensure aproductive internship. Very articulate with fluent English. follow instructions, can work quickly and accurately under pressure. Patient, attention to detail, fast learner, committed, able tofollow instructions, can work quickly and accurately under pressure. detail and pride in their work at this initial stage of their career development Keen to learn about the markets and also with a high attention todetail and pride in their work at this initial stage of their careerdevelopment How to Apply: All applicants should have the following; require internship as part of requirement for course completion. Letter from institution indicating you are a student there and/orrequire internship as part of requirement for course completion. Personal Accident insurance cover for the period of the internship Bank account details Click Here For more of the latest jobs, please visit https://www.theugandanjobline.com or find us on our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/UgandanJobline Job Title: Senior Stakeholder Management Officer Organization: Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU) Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda About US: The Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU) is a statutory body established under Section 9 of the Petroleum (Exploration, Development and Production) Act 2013, and in line with the National Oil and Gas Policy for Uganda which was approved in 2008. The PAUs mandate is to monitor and regulate the exploration, development and production, together with the refining, gas conversion, transportation and storage of petroleum in Uganda. This includes ensuring that petroleum operations in Uganda are carried out in accordance with the relevant laws, regulations, guidelines, statutes and in line with international best practice for the petroleum industry. Job Summary: The Senior Officer Stakeholder Engagement is responsible for building and maintaining positive and growing relationships with key stakeholders of the Authority. Key Duties and Responsibilities: partners in the development and delivery of PAUs strategic goals Ensures stakeholders are recognized aspartners in the development and delivery of PAUs strategic goals engagement strategies including informing, consulting and involving stakeholders where relevant and evaluates the effectiveness of these strategies. Develops and implements stakeholderengagement strategies including informing, consulting and involvingstakeholders where relevant and evaluates the effectiveness of thesestrategies. risks to stakeholder relationships as soon as they arise so risks can be managed effectively. Advises senior management of issues andrisks to stakeholder relationships as soon as they arise so risks can bemanaged effectively. understand the value of and are committed to the genuine participation of stakeholders in the development of products and services designed to meet stakeholder needs in a client focused manner. Ensures PAUs management and staffunderstand the value of and are committed to the genuine participationof stakeholders in the development of products and services designed tomeet stakeholder needs in a client focused manner. ongoing implementation of a stakeholder contact management system Manages the effective delivery andongoing implementation of a stakeholder contact management system levels from time to time and implements strategies for improvement, based on the feedback Evaluates stakeholder satisfactionlevels from time to time and implements strategies for improvement, basedon the feedback stakeholder engagement strategies to sustain valuable stakeholder relationships Develops and implements PAUsstakeholder engagement strategies to sustain valuable stakeholderrelationships consult and engage stakeholders on relevant projects Assists business units to effectivelyconsult and engage stakeholders on relevant projects stakeholder engagement guidelines Monitors the implementation of PAUsstakeholder engagement guidelines and equity service level agreement with its stakeholders Oversees implementation of PAUs accessand equity service level agreement with its stakeholders management reporting and environmental scanning processes Provides content and updates for variousmanagement reporting and environmental scanning processes reports and dashboards representing effects of interventions on targeted stakeholders Produces accurate stakeholder engagementreports and dashboards representing effects of interventions on targetedstakeholders documentation, review and submission of periodic progress reports to relevant internal and external stakeholders Coordinates the preparation,documentation, review and submission of periodic progress reports torelevant internal and external stakeholders unit and the staff under jurisdiction and implements initiatives that foster staff capacity building and career development. Manages performance of both the businessunit and the staff under jurisdiction and implements initiatives thatfoster staff capacity building and career development. assigned from time to time. Perform any other duties as may beassigned from time to time. Qualifications, Skills and Experience: Authority of Uganda (PAU) Senior Stakeholder Management Officer job placement must hold a Masters degree in either; Business, Marketing, and Communications, or Statistics from a reputable institution The applicant for the PetroleumAuthority of Uganda (PAU) Senior Stakeholder Management Officer jobplacement must hold a Masters degree in either; Business, Marketing, andCommunications, or Statistics from a reputable institution Business, Marketing, and Communications, or Statistics from a reputable institution A Bachelors degree (Hons) in either;Business, Marketing, and Communications, or Statistics from a reputableinstitution stakeholder management or communications, 3 of which should have been served at supervisory level in a reputable organization Five years of corporate experience instakeholder management or communications, 3 of which should have beenserved at supervisory level in a reputable organization other Government institutions Demonstrated experience in liaising withother Government institutions and equity principles and issues Knowledge and understanding of accessand equity principles and issues sector or related field from an internationally recognized institution Other qualifications in the oil and gassector or related field from an internationally recognized institution qualifications or membership of nationally and internationally recognized professional bodies. Internationally recognized professionalqualifications or membership of nationally and internationally recognizedprofessional bodies. A Second language Drive, confidence, energy and enthusiasm Flexible and positive approach to change approach to communication Creative thinking and innovative inapproach to communication Ability to work with senior stakeholders communication issues, recognizing business wide implications and ability to repackage appropriate response into a clear digestible format for a wide audience Proven ability to understand complexcommunication issues, recognizing business wide implications and abilityto repackage appropriate response into a clear digestible format for awide audience English with proven copywriting experience High standard of written and spokenEnglish with proven copywriting experience and organizational skills Exceptional time management, planningand organizational skills principles and tools and ability to apply these effectively Strong understanding of consultationprinciples and tools and ability to apply these effectively stakeholder networks Ability to develop and maintainstakeholder networks relationship management skills Highly developed influencing andrelationship management skills corporate reputation context Understanding of issues management in acorporate reputation context written communication skills. Outstanding interpersonal, verbal andwritten communication skills. How to Apply: All suitably qualified and interested candidates are encouraged to apply online by clicking on the link below. Click Here (Register) -> Proceed to Application NOTE: considered. ONLY online applications will beconsidered. attach CERTIFIED copies of the required academic documents only e.g. Degree, Transcript, Diploma, A-level and O-level certificates and PLE results slip. Applicants are required to scan andattach CERTIFIED copies of the required academic documents only e.g.Degree, Transcript, Diploma, A-level and O-level certificates and PLEresults slip. candidates will be vetted and background checks conducted before they are considered for appointment into the Authority. Academic documents for the successfulcandidates will be vetted and background checks conducted before they areconsidered for appointment into the Authority. candidates will be contacted. Only short listed and successfulcandidates will be contacted. probationary period of not more than six months and subsequent confirmation in service will be based on satisfactory performance of the individual. All appointments shall be subject to aprobationary period of not more than six months and subsequentconfirmation in service will be based on satisfactory performance of theindividual. Deadline: 20th May 2019 by 11:59 pm. For more of the latest jobs, please visit https://www.theugandanjobline.com or find us on our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/UgandanJobline MARGARET WEEDEN, Chariho, Girls Track, Senior; Weeden won two events for the Chargers in the first meet of the season. Weeden was first in the high jump (5-0) and the long jump 15-1. ANNE DRAGO, Stonington, Girls Basketball, Senior; Drago scored 39 points in three games as Stonington started the season 1-2. Drago had 16 in a loss to Fitch, 12 in a win against Griswold and 11 in a defeat to Ledyard. SYDNEY HAIK, Westerly, Girls Basketball, Sophomore; Haik scored 14 points as the Bulldogs opened the season with a victory over Cumberland. Haik had three 3-pointers, five assists and five steals. ZANE BREWER, Wheeler, Boys Basketball, Freshman; Brewer scored 21 points and grabbed eight rebounds in the Lions season-opening win over Grasso Tech. Brewer followed that with 18 points and five rebounds in a loss to Hale-Ray. Vote View Results Reuters journalists Wa Lone, left, and Kyaw She Oo wave as they walk out from Insein Prison after being released in Yangon, Myanmar, May 7. AP Two Reuters journalists who were imprisoned for breaking Myanmar's Official Secrets Act over reporting on security forces' abuses of Rohingya Muslims were pardoned and released Tuesday, the prison chief and witnesses said. Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo were freed after President Win Myint issued a blanket pardon for 6,520 prisoners, said Zaw Zaw, chief of Yangon's Insein Prison. Myanmar's Supreme Court on April 23 rejected the journalists' final appeal against their seven-year prison terms. Their convictions were related to reporting on security forces' abuses of the Muslim Rohingya minority. The reporters and their supporters had said they were framed because of official displeasure over their reporting. ''We are enormously pleased that Myanmar has released our courageous reporters, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo,'' said a statement issued by Reuters Editor-in-Chief Stephen Adler. ''Since their arrests 511 days ago, they have become symbols of the importance of press freedom around the world. We welcome their return.'' Wa Lone, 32, and Kyaw Soe Oo, 28, last month shared with their Reuters colleagues the Pulitzer Prize for International Reporting, one of journalism's highest honors. Myanmar's military launched a brutal counterinsurgency campaign in the western state of Rakhine in 2017, driving more than 700,000 Rohingya to flee to Bangladesh. The Reuters reporters had worked on an investigation of the killings of 10 Rohingya villagers in Inn Din village, for which the government last year said seven soldiers were sentenced to up 10 years in prison with hard labor. The reporters were arrested in December 2017 and sentenced last September after being accused of illegally possessing official documents, a violation of the colonial-era Official Secrets Act. Family members of the two freed men were elated. Chit Su Win, the wife of Kyaw Soe Oo, said she was waiting at home with their child to be reunited with her husband. She said she doesn't know how to express her feelings, but ''Now the three of us can hug each other and we are so happy for that.'' Thura Aung, the brother of Wa Lone said ''We're so happy that they got released today. We heard that they would be on the amnesty list. Now it is actually happening, I am so glad for that.'' The United Nations office in Myanmar said it welcomed the release of Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo. ''The U.N. in Myanmar considers the release of Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo a step toward improving the freedom of the press and a sign of Government's commitment to Myanmar's transition to democracy,'' it said in an emailed statement. (AP) Labours plan to renationalise the UKs water companies for half of their existing market value is astonishing in its audacity. And shocking in its naivety. If carried out, Labours proposal to take control at such a whopping discount would be a disaster for shareholders, millions of whom are pensioners, who would lose up to half of the value of their investments, but also customers who could face higher water bills. More worryingly, Labours plan to buy back the 32 water companies at less than 20billion about half of their market value is a red light to overseas investors wanting to invest in the UK. And a clear one: your money is not safe here. Double trouble: Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn (right) and Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell want to buy back the UK's 32 water companies at less than 20bn - half of their market value Legal experts are already warning that Labour might be breaking the law too. Its discount plan undermines the UKs property rights but also contravenes international treaties and might lead to a flood of lawsuits. Yet this potential nightmare is like water off a ducks back to the shadow chancellor, John McDonnell, Marxist architect of his latest smash-and-grab revolution. He says shareholders should be compensated only for the money already invested, and not the estimated value of future profits which will not exist under public ownership. What naive nonsense. McDonnell dismisses figures that suggest the market value of the UKs water industry is 44billion or 90billion if you include debt as fantasy and the work of politically motivated think-tanks. But these are sound numbers from the Centre For Policy Studies, the Social Market Foundation and other independent forecasters. More threatening, perhaps, is that McDonnell says Parliament would decide the appropriate amount that investors would receive. MPs cant even decide on Brexit, so you can imagine the mess theyd make of this. Where Labour did have a point is that some of the water companies have behaved badly. Big dividends have been paid out to shareholders and there have been fines for leaks. But most of these issues have either been fixed or are in the process of being fixed. Indeed, Peter Simpson, chief executive of Anglian Water, says Ofwat has clamped down so tightly that the days of big returns have gone. And water bills are set to come down later this year. The UK has one of the highest standards of water quality in the world. Since privatisation, productivity has shot up 64 per cent and 130billion has been spent on upgrading water and sewage infrastructure. Another 50billion will be invested over the next five years. Would any government be willing to put such sums on their books? Highly unlikely. The industry also has an impressive record on the environment. As part of its social contract, the aim is for net zero carbon emissions by 2030. Thats 20 years ahead of the 2050 date set by the Committee on Climate Change for the rest of the country. So you have to ask, what is the problem that Labour wants to solve by nationalising the industry? If the industry could understand this, Simpson says, they would crack that too without it having to cost the taxpayer billions in nationalisation. Theres another question. Why is Labour obsessed with water, which is running well, when there are other more critical issues, such as investing more in schools or manufacturing? McDonnell and Co should be made to explain why and how they can propose to steal from peoples pensions. Standard Chartered bank faces a backlash from furious investors this week over a stealth increase in its boss's huge pension payments. The lender is giving Bill Winters 474,000 this year towards his retirement up from 460,000 a year earlier. It is hiking the payout despite growing anger over lucrative pension deals for chief executives which are better than what ordinary staff get. Pension row: Standard Chartered is giving boss Bill Winters 474,000 this year towards his retirement up from 460,000 a year earlier Standard Chartered is likely to face a major rebellion over Winters's pay at its AGM tomorrow, when shareholders will vote on whether to accept his remuneration package. One top investor said the arrangements are among the worst they had seen, adding: 'Large shareholders are going to make their feelings known.' Big businesses are under growing pressure to act over pension deals and fat cat pay with Barclays, tech firm Micro Focus and shopping centre owner Hammerson all suffering large investor revolts. The Investment Association trade body has said bosses should get a pension payment equal to no more than 24 per cent of their salary. At present, many are handed a far higher proportion. Winters was already facing sharp criticism because in 2018 his pension payment was equal to 40 per cent of his 1.2million salary, or 460,000. But in what looks like a bid to head off criticism, Standard Chartered has now redefined what the 57-year-old's pension is calculated against, to include other elements of his pay packet. It is lumping together Winters's base salary and a fixed pay allowance, which are together worth 2.4million. This allows Standard Chartered to claim his pension contributions are equal to only 20 per cent of his annual fixed pay even though the figure is actually going up by 14,000. Other staff at Standard Chartered get maximum contributions of 10 per cent. Investors have said the bank's actions are an attempt to game the system. One top shareholder told the Financial Times it is 'an amazing, daft decision' which will not fool anyone. Another said: 'It seems like they are trying to be too clever.' The Investment Association has warned its members which include large City institutions that Winters's pension deal is too lucrative. And investor advice groups Glass Lewis and ISS have both urged shareholders to vote against the deal. A defeat would be seen as a major blow for the bank's reputation. Luke Hildyard, of the High Pay centre, said: 'Big businesses, and banks in particular, have suffered immense reputational damage for their differing treatment of top executives and ordinary workers in recent years. Scandals like this suggest that major corporate culture and governance issues remain in place at the big banks, but boards are completely failing to show responsible leadership or win back the confidence of colleagues and wider society.' It feels incongruous to be in a drugstore in Deerfield, Illinois, and to see shelves of Boots No 7 creams, those most quintessentially British of beauty products. Most people who shop in Boots in the UK and that's eight out of ten of us have no idea that the pharmacy chain has for the past five years been part of a 37billion transatlantic giant, Walgreens Boots Alliance. The company, which is listed on the US stock market, has its headquarters in Deerfield, a suburb about 45 minutes outside Chicago. Pharmacy chain Boots has for the past five years been part of a 37billion transatlantic giant, Walgreens Boots Alliance Converting American women to the anti-wrinkle properties of No 7's cult Protect & Perfect serums and the Soap & Glory skincare range is just one of the ambitions harboured by Stefano Pessina, the 77-year-old chief executive. The Italian billionaire, who started his career after taking over a small family pharmacy business in Naples, bought Boots in 2006 with private equity backing and merged it with Walgreens in a 16billion deal in 2014. Pessina whose 65-year-old partner Ornella Barra is co-chief operating officer has a phenomenal track record but makes no bones that, recently, times have been tough. He warned last month that Walgreens Boots Alliance had just experienced the most difficult three months since the merger, due to weak sales on both sides of the Atlantic. The company slashed its profit forecast and the shares are down 22 per cent this year so far, at a time when the S&P 500 index of leading US shares is up strongly. As Alex Gourlay, 58, the Scottish-born co-chief operating officer, said: 'We clearly need to improve.' Walgreens Boots Alliance is being hit on several fronts. In the UK, where former Dixons Carphone boss Seb James is at the helm, it is suffering from a cocktail of familiar woes on the High Street: hefty business rates and online competition among them. Working closely: Stefano Pessina with Ornella Barr Sales at Boots, which has almost 2,500 stores, fell by 1.3 per cent in the most recent quarter. Operating income was down by 22.6 per cent and gross profit by nearly 9 per cent. In the US, profits and sales were down because of a fall in generic drug prices and because, like its rivals, Walgreens was hit as pharmacies are receiving less money in reimbursements when they dispense prescriptions. It doesn't help that Amazon has its tanks on the lawn it bought online pharmacy Pillpack, which delivers drugs through the post, for 760million last summer. Gourlay, who oversees Walgreens and Boots, is not taking the setback lying down. The plan is to fight back through cost savings, with the aim of cutting 1.2bilion a year by 2022. In addition, he wants to drive improvements in the business through digitisation along with better service and products for customers. In the UK, James is overhauling stores and opening new beauty halls, including a flagship in London. The company is also bringing No 7 and other brands to the vast Chinese market through the launch of a flagship online Boots store on Tmall Global, a platform run by ecommerce giant Alibaba. The idea is for Walgreens Boots Alliance to become a 'mass specialist' delivering healthcare to large numbers of people around the world. 'There are three platforms that will survive in most market places,' says Gourlay. 'There are the mass retailers, such as Tesco, Walmart or Carrefour; then there are the new retailers, such as Amazon, and finally the mass specialists, which is where we want to be.' British invasion: Boots quintessentially British No7 cosmetics being sold in a US store The Walgreens store in Deerfield is a bright, airy space but, despite the No 7 products, is very different from Boots for a start, there are shelves full of booze and supermarket foodstuffs. 'There have been some ideas exported from Boots,' says Gourlay. 'We have no ambition to copycat Boots here, as that isn't right, but some of the philosophy about health and beauty is really similar.' Traditionally, the US market divides into premium beauty brands sold in upmarket shops, and very cheap cosmetics in drugstores. So mid-market offerings such as No 7 have scope to grow. The Deerfield store has an optician and hearing care. There is also a 'Feel More Like You' facility for people who have had cancer, helping them find the best wigs or hairpieces and make-up tips about how to draw on eyebrows lost to chemotherapy. Walgreens is embarking on a number of partnerships that will allow it to experiment with new directions. These include a venture with supermarket group Kroger to sell its goods in a number of stores in Kentucky. It has also embarked on a seven-year partnership with Microsoft, with the aim of using apps, data and new technology to help deliver cheaper and better personalised healthcare. It has also done a deal with Verily, a Google company, initially aimed at helping people to take their pills as prescribed. The company will work with Verily on other projects aimed at helping people with chronic conditions, and on advanced technologies such as sensors and software to prevent, detect, and manage diseases. There is speculation that Pessina might be eyeing his next big deal and that he will emulate rival US drugstore CVS, which last year sealed a 53billion merger with health insurer Aetna. No doubt Pessina would be open to doing a similar transaction at the right price if an opportunity arises. Boots has come a long way since its founder, John Boot, started selling herbal remedies in Nottingham in 1849, but it is facing one of the most challenging periods in its long history. Its Italian boss, who colleagues say, despite being in his eighth decade, still works harder than anyone else, is dispensing some strong medicine. Kraft Heinz has uncovered a 140m error in its accounts Food firm Kraft Heinz has uncovered a 140million error in its accounts and warned it will have to restate almost three years of results. The US conglomerate, which owns the famed baked beans brand as well as Philadelphia cheese and Capri Sun drinks, said it had discovered employee 'misconduct' after launching an investigation. The probe was prompted by the US Securities and Exchange Committee in October, relating to Kraft's procurement accounting. It revealed 'misstatements' in results for 2016, 2017 and the first nine months of 2018. Kraft said the errors will not have any significant impact on its finances. Last year, the firm made more than 20billion in revenues. Kraft added that it had taken action against staff members, and had made improvements to its internal controls. The SEC investigation is continuing. Shares in Domino's Pizza tumbled today after the fast food chain warned it no longer expected its international business to break even after a 'persistently weak' sales. Domino's, which has more than 1,100 UK locations, also saw sales growth at home more than halve compared to last year. And it said new openings in the UK were being impacted by its ongoing discussions with franchises, who have been complaining they are not receiving a big enough slice of the delivery firm's profits. International troubles: Domino's warned of 'persistently weak' sales overseas Sales at its international division fell 2 per cent on a reported basis to 25.1million in the first three months of the year. Domino's boss David Wild said: 'Internationally, performance remains disappointing and trading visibility is limited. As we outlined at the full year results, we have new management in Norway, Sweden and Switzerland, and a heightened focus on store level performance. 'However, given persistently weak system sales in all our International markets we no longer expect this part of our business to break-even this year.' In the UK the situation was better, with like-for-like sales rising 3.1 per cent in the period but that's well below last year's 7 per cent rise. Like-for-like orders by volume fell 2.7 per cent in the UK, but this was offset by a 5.1 per cent hike in prices. Domino's said it had a 'healthy' pipeline of new stores in the UK, but said openings were being impacted by 'ongoing franchisee discussions'. Wild said the group remains in an 'open and ongoing dialogue' with its UK franchisees. The spat started last year when powerful franchisees claimed they were not receiving a big enough slice of the delivery firm's profits leading to them threatening to halt new store openings. The group opened four new stores in the first quarter - compared with nine opened in the same period a year earlier. Shares fell 6 per cent to 245.35p in morning trading. UK sales growth more than halved compared to last year, but comparable sales still grew 3.1% Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, said one of the key concerns about Domino's is that it has reached saturation point in its core UK market. 'This puts the onus on its overseas operations to deliver growth and is probably why today's update and its gloomy prognosis for the international arm has resulted in such a negative market reaction,' he added. 'Despite having access to a strong brand, there is no guarantee of success in markets with significant differences from the UK in terms of their culinary culture. And Domino's is rowing back on a previous pledge to break-even with this part of the group in 2019. 'Even here in the UK, there are signs of diminishing appetite for its offerings with the volume of orders slipping and like-for-like sales only held up by price increases which are unlikely to be sustainable longer term.' Out: Michael Bruce had been in charge since setting up the Purplebricks with his brother in 2012 The founder of online estate agent Purplebricks has been ousted as chief executive after the company admitted it rushed its global expansion. Michael Bruce had been in charge since setting up the business with his brother in 2012 but yesterday dramatically quit amid growing concerns about performance. The 45-year-old was replaced by Vic Darvey, the operations chief who was poached from price comparison website Moneysupermarket in January. Purplebricks also announced a retreat from Australia and is reviewing its US business, with chairman Paul Pindar saying growth had been 'too rapid'. The changes sent shares tumbling by nearly 12 per cent as investors fretted about the company's future, with top shareholder Neil Woodford among those hit. It came just months after Purplebricks slashed its sales forecasts and revealed that top executives in the UK and US had left. Shares have fallen 67 per cent in the past year, and 77 per cent since their peak in 2017, with Pindar saying the board was 'very conscious' of the poor performance. 'We sincerely apologise to shareholders for that,' he added. 'With hindsight, our rate of geographic expansion was too rapid and as a result the quality of execution has suffered.' He said Purplebricks had also made 'sub-optimal' choices about how to spend cash. Pindar, 60, said: 'We will learn from these errors and will not make them again.' A source close to Purplebricks claimed Bruce's exit had been a 'mutual decision' with the board. In recent months he had moved to California to oversee Purplebricks' US business after the departure of boss Eric Eckardt. Bruce, who has four children from two marriages, still owns 11 per cent of the company but will no longer sit on the board. His brother Kenny, 43, owns 2.6 per cent and remains sales director. The pair set up their business together with the aim of slashing costly fees paid by home sellers to estate agents, attracting support from some of the City's best-known investors such as Woodford and Old Mutual. Purplebricks floated on London's stock exchange in December 2015, valued at around 240million. It began its international expansion by launching in Australia in September 2016, followed by a US launch a year later and the takeover of a rival in Canada in July 2018. The company is now valued at around 360million, with Michael and Kenny Bruce's stakes worth around 40million and 9million respectively. But despite ploughing millions of pounds into its Australian and American businesses, these have not proved as successful as its Canadian arm. Coupled with persistent concerns about property prices, this has contributed to the share price tumbling from a high point of 526.7p in July 2017. Yesterday Purplebricks announced it was closing the Australian division, while cutting costs at the US division and reviewing its future. However the firm was bullish about the UK and Canada market. Darvey said: 'We have two outstanding businesses in the UK and Canada, both of which enjoy market-leading positions. 'We have also made significant progress in the US building a disruptive brand and our proposed review will allow us to determine how we deliver the next phase of growth in a more effective and cost-efficient way.' Purplebricks said that revenues for the financial year that ended on April 30 would be between 130million and 140million, as it indicated in February. However, this was down from earlier guidance of between 165million and 175million. Neil Wilson, the chief market analyst at Markets, said: 'Purplebricks tried to run before they could walk and are paying the price for being just a little bit too ambitious.' BHP is facing the largest group claim in British legal history over allegations it was 'woefully negligent' in the run-up to a Brazilian mining disaster that killed 19 people in 2015. The 5billion claim alleges that BHP 'knew of the risks' surrounding the deteriorating condition of the Fundao dam, which collected waste at the Samarco iron ore mine. Court documents argue that BHP 'disregarded' warnings about safety risks and that worries over falling revenues meant the company kept increasing its output of iron ore, a key ingredient for making steel, which led to higher water levels. Mine tragedy: The 5bn claim alleges that BHP 'knew of the risks' surrounding the deteriorating condition of the Fundao dam, which collected waste at the Samarco iron ore mine When the walls of the dam crumbled it released deadly toxic sludge that destroyed the village of Bento Rodrigues and spilled into rivers, eventually seeping into the Atlantic Ocean. It was the worst environmental disaster in Brazil's history. Samarco, the operator of the mine, is a 50/50 joint venture owned by BHP and Brazilian mining firm Vale. In an unrelated incident, a dam at another Vale iron ore mine collapsed in January this year, killing an estimated 300 people. UK-US law firm SPG Law says it has evidence that BHP was aware of what was going on at Samarco and that its operations were overseen by directors that had a 'direct reporting line' to BHP's senior managing body. SPG Law filed the claim in the High Court in Liverpool yesterday on behalf of 235,000 clients, who include 25 municipal governments, a church, businesses and members of an indigenous community. It also represents individuals, including 140,000 people from the city of Governador Valadares which had its water supply cut off. Tom Goodhead, a partner at SPG Law, said: 'The repeated warnings and recommendations of dam safety experts were acted upon too slowly, or sidestepped entirely. The company took risks, increased production and turned a blind eye to dangers.' Most of the 5billion would go towards claims from municipal governments faced with costly environmental clean-ups. Goodhead said the case, if it goes to trial, could be worth even more. Although SPG Law wants a trial to be conducted in Britain, it would be heard by an English judge looking at Brazilian law. This is under an EU law that says when an accident happens overseas it should be judged by the law of the country where it takes place. BHP has to reply within four weeks but because the case is so extensive it may ask for more time. It may challenge the right of the courts in England to hear the case. Goodhead said a preliminary trial could take place this year or early next year. BHP, which has settled a US investor class action and is battling Australian shareholder lawsuits, has rejected all charges. It said: 'We have been served with proceedings in the business and property courts in Liverpool relating to the failure of the Fundao tailings dam at Samarco. We intend to defend these proceedings.' By Abhinav Ramnarayan LONDON, May 7 (Reuters) - Germany's 10-year bond yields hovered near the zero percent mark on Tuesday as industrial orders from Europe's largest economy improved slightly, but not enough to encourage investors to leave the safety of euro zone government debt. The March orders figures marked an end to two months of steep declines, but were weaker than expected, pointing to lacklustre growth. Worries on the euro zone economy have centred around Germany's export-oriented economy, which has had a rough few months and could be in the line of fire should U.S. President Donald Trump turn his attention to Europe in his efforts to redraw trade relations with the world. Bond yields have fallen sharply this year on expectations the European Central Bank would need to ease policy further to kickstart a moribund economy. On Tuesday, borrowing costs across the single currency bloc rose initially on the news, but the move didn't last, most likely because of the weak nature of the data. Germany's 10-year bond yield rose a basis point to 0.02 percent in early trade, before returning to 0.01 percent, more or less flat on the day. Other high-rated euro zone bond yields were flat to a touch lower on the day. "We are still in the downward trend channel. As long as there is no major positive news, I don't see the chance of a breakthrough and we will remain on low levels or drop further," said DZ Bank rates strategist Daniel Lenz. He added that news of faltering trade talks between the United States and China also put downward pressure on yields. Top U.S. trade officials said on Monday that China backtracked on substantial commitments it made during trade talks with the United States, prompting President Donald Trump to impose additional tariffs on Chinese goods slated to go into effect on Friday. Later on Tuesday, the European Commission is due to release a set of forecasts for the year and all attention will be on what expectations are for Italian public spending. According to Italian newspaper La Republicca, the Commission will forecast a 2.6 percent deficit for Italy this year, which could reignite a debate that raged through the latter half of last year between Brussels and Rome. "A forecast of 2.6 percent would be moderate but higher than the compromise the two sides found last year, and when you add the negative political stance in Italy at the moment, this could affect BTPs," said Lenz. For the moment, Italian government bond yields remain unaffected, with the 10-year yield flat at 2.57 percent. (Reporting by Abhinav Ramnarayan Editing by Andrew Heavens) iShares MSCI Hong Kong ETF's stock was trading at $21.67 on March 11th, 2020 when COVID-19 (Coronavirus) reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization. Since then, EWH stock has increased by 6.6% and is now trading at $23.10. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19. 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 Imperial Brands PLC, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures, imports, markets, and sells tobacco and tobacco-related products. It offers a range of cigarettes, fine cut and smokeless tobacco, papers, and cigars; and next generation product (NGP) portfolio, such as e-vapour products, as well as oral nicotine and heated tobacco products. The company sells its products under various brands, including Davidoff, Gauloises, JPS, West, L&B, Bastos, Fine, Winston, News, Parker & Simpson, blu, Kool, Horizon, Jade, Cohiba, Montecristo, Romeo Y Julieta, Backwoods, Skruf, Golden Virginia, Rizla, and Knox in approximately 160 countries worldwide. It also provides logistics services that include the distribution of tobacco and NGP products for tobacco and NGP product manufacturers; and various non-tobacco and NGP products and services. In addition, the company is involved in the management of a golf course; marketing of papers; restaurant business; distribution of pharmaceuticals, POS software, and published materials and other products; printing and publishing activities; and provision of long haul transportation, industrial parcel and express delivery, advertising, and support management services. Further, it owns the trademarks; and retails its products. The company was formerly known as Imperial Tobacco Group PLC and changed its name to Imperial Brands PLC in February 2016. Imperial Brands PLC was founded in 1901 and is headquartered in Bristol, the United Kingdom. Read More Mettler-Toledo International, Inc. is a supplier of precision instruments and services. The firm manufactures weighing instruments for use in laboratory, industrial, packaging, logistics, and food retailing applications. It also manufactures several related analytical instruments and provides automated chemistry solutions used in drug and chemical compound discovery and development; and also, metal detection and other end-of-line inspection systems used in production and packaging and provides solutions for use in certain process analytics applications. Its operations are conducted by the following segments: U. S. Operations, Swiss Operations, Western European Operations, Chinese Operations and Other. The U.S. Operations segment represents certain of the company's marketing and producing organizations located in the United States. The Swiss Operations segment includes marketing and producing organizations located in Switzerland, as well as extensive R&D operations that are responsible for the development, production, and marketing of precision instruments, including weighing, analytical, and measurement technologies for use in a variety of industrial and laboratory applications. Th Read More Sagen MI Canada Inc., through its subsidiaries, operates as a private residential mortgage insurer in Canada. It provides mortgage default insurance to residential mortgage homebuyers, lenders, brokers, and realtors. The company was formerly known as Genworth MI Canada Inc. and changed its name to Sagen MI Canada Inc. in February 2021. Sagen MI Canada Inc. was founded in 1995 and is headquartered in Oakville, Canada. Read More TC Energy Corporation operates as an energy infrastructure company in North America. It operates through Canadian Natural Gas Pipelines, U.S. Natural Gas Pipelines, Mexico Natural Gas Pipelines, Liquids Pipelines, and Power and Storage segments. The company builds and operates 93,400 km network of natural gas pipelines, which transports natural gas from supply basins to local distribution companies, power generation plants, industrial facilities, interconnecting pipelines, LNG export terminals, and other businesses. It also has regulated natural gas storage facilities with a total working gas capacity of 535 billion cubic feet. In addition, it has approximately 4,900 km liquids pipeline system that connects Alberta crude oil supplies to refining markets in Illinois, Oklahoma, Texas, and the U.S. Gulf Coast. Further, the company owns or has interests in seven power generation facilities with a combined capacity of approximately 4,200 megawatts that are powered by natural gas and nuclear fuel sources located in Alberta, Ontario, QuAbec, and New Brunswick; and owns and operates approximately 118 billion cubic feet of non-regulated natural gas storage capacity in Alberta. The company was formerly known as TransCanada Corporation and changed its name to TC Energy Corporation in May 2019. TC Energy Corporation was incorporated in 1951 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Banco Santander: 2 & 3 Triton Limited, A & L CF (Guernsey) Limited (f), A & L CF June (2) Limited, A & L CF June (3) Limited, A & L CF March (5) Limited, A & L CF September (4) Limited, AFB SAM Holdings S.L., ALIL Services Limited (b), AN (123) Limited, ANITCO Limited, Abbey Business Services (India) Private Limited, Abbey Covered Bonds (LM) Limited, Abbey National, Abbey National Beta Investments Limited, Abbey National Business Office Equipment Leasing Limited, Abbey National International Limited, Abbey National Nominees Limited, Abbey National PLP (UK) Limited, Abbey National Property Investments, Abbey National Treasury Services Investments Limited, Abbey National Treasury Services Overseas Holdings, Abbey National UK Investments, Abbey Stockbrokers (Nominees) Limited, Abbey Stockbrokers Limited, Ablasa Participaciones S.L., Administracion de Bancos Latinoamericanos Santander S.L., Aduro S.A., Aevis Europa S.L., Afisa S.A., Albert., Aljardi SGPS Lda., Alliance & Leicester, Alliance & Leicester Cash Solutions Limited, Alliance & Leicester Commercial Bank Limited, Alliance & Leicester Investments (Derivatives) Limited, Alliance & Leicester Investments (No.2) Limited, Alliance & Leicester Investments Limited, Alliance & Leicester Limited, Alliance & Leicester Personal Finance Limited, Altamira Santander Real Estate S.A., Alternative Leasing FIL, Amazonia Trade Limited, Amherst Pierpont, Andaluza de Inversiones S.A., Aquanima Brasil Ltda., Aquanima Chile S.A., Aquanima Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Aquanima S.A., Arcaz - Sociedade Imobiliaria Portuguesa Lda., Argenline S.A. (b), Asto Digital Limited, Athena Corporation Limited, Atual - Fundo de Invest Multimercado Credito Privado Investimento no Exterior, Atual Servicos de Recuperacao de Creditos e Meios Digitais S.A., Autodescuento S.L., Autohaus24 GmbH, Auttar HUT Processamento de Dados Ltda., Aviacion Antares A.I.E., Aviacion Britanica A.I.E., Aviacion Centaurus A.I.E., Aviacion Comillas S.L. Unipersonal, Aviacion Intercontinental A.I.E., Aviacion Laredo S.L., Aviacion Oyambre S.L. Unipersonal, Aviacion Real A.I.E., Aviacion Santillana S.L., Aviacion Suances S.L., Aviacion Triton A.I.E., Aymore Credito Financiamento e Investimento S.A., BEN Beneficios e Servicos S.A., BRS Investments S.A., BZW Bank, Banca PSA Italia S.p.A., Banco Bandepe S.A., Banco Madesant - Sociedade Unipessoal S.A., Banco PSA Finance Brasil S.A., Banco Popular, Banco Santander (Brasil) S.A., Banco Santander (Mexico) S.A. Institucion de Banca Multiple Grupo Financiero Santander Mexico como Fiduciaria del Fideicomiso 100740, Banco Santander (Mexico) S.A. Institucion de Banca Multiple Grupo Financiero Santander Mexico como Fiduciaria del Fideicomiso 2002114, Banco Santander (Mexico) S.A. Institucion de Banca Multiple Grupo Financiero Santander Mexico como Fiduciaria del Fideicomiso GFSSLPT, Banco Santander - Chile, Banco Santander Consumer Portugal S.A., Banco Santander International, Banco Santander International SA, Banco Santander Mexico S.A. Institucion de Banca Multiple Grupo Financiero Santander Mexico, Banco Santander Peru S.A., Banco Santander Rio S.A., Banco Santander S.A., Banco Santander Totta S.A., Banco Santander de Negocios Colombia S.A., Banco de Albacete S.A., Bansa Santander S.A., CCAP Auto Lease Ltd., Canyon Multifamily Impact Fund IV LLC, Capital Street Delaware LP, Capital Street Holdings LLC, Capital Street REIT Holdings LLC, Capital Street S.A., Carfax (Guernsey) Limited (f), Carfinco Financial Group, Carfinco Financial Group Inc., Carfinco Inc., Casa de Bolsa Santander S.A. de C.V. Grupo Financiero Santander Mexico, Cater Allen Holdings Limited, Cater Allen International Limited, Cater Allen Limited, Cater Allen Lloyd's Holdings Limited, Cater Allen Syndicate Management Limited, Centro de Capacitacion Santander A.C., Certidesa S.L., Chrysler Capital Auto Funding I LLC, Chrysler Capital Auto Funding II LLC, Chrysler Capital Auto Receivables LLC, Chrysler Capital Master Auto Receivables Funding 2 LLC, Chrysler Capital Master Auto Receivables Funding 4 LLC, Chrysler Capital Master Auto Receivables Funding LLC, Cobranza Amigable S.A.P.I. de C.V., Community Development and Affordable Housing Fund LLC (g), Compagnie Generale de Credit Aux Particuliers - Credipar S.A., Compagnie Pour la Location de Vehicules - CLV, Comunidad Laboral Trabajando Argentina S.A., Comunidad Laboral Trabajando Iberica S.L. Unipersonal en liquidacion (b), Consulteam Consultores de Gestao Lda., Consumer Lending Receivables LLC, Crawfall S.A. (b), Cantabra de Inversiones S.A., Cantabro Catalana de Inversiones S.A., Darep Designated Activity Company, Decarome S.A.P.I. de C.V., Deva Capital Advisory Company S.L., Deva Capital Holding Company S.L., Deva Capital Investment Company S.L., Deva Capital Management Company S.L., Deva Capital Servicer Company S.L., Digital Procurement Holdings N.V., Diners Club Spain S.A., Direccion Estratega S.C., Dirgenfin S.L. en liquidacion (b), Ebury, El Corte Ingles, Elavon Mexico, Electrolyser S.A. de C.V., Entidad de Desarrollo a la Pequena y Micro Empresa Santander Consumo Peru S.A., Erestone S.A.S., Esfera Fidelidade S.A., Evidence Previdencia S.A., Financeira El Corte Ingles Portugal S.F.C. S.A., Financiera El Corte Ingles E.F.C. S.A., Finsantusa S.L. Unipersonal, First National Motor Business Limited, First National Motor Contracts Limited, First National Motor Facilities Limited, First National Motor Finance Limited, First National Motor Leasing Limited, First National Motor plc, First National Tricity Finance Limited, Fondos Santander S.A. Administradora de Fondos de Inversion (en liquidacion) (b), Fortensky Trading Ltd., Fosse Funding (No.1) Limited, Fosse Master Issuer plc, Fosse Trustee (UK) Limited, GTS El Centro Equity Holdings LLC, GTS El Centro Project Holdings LLC, Gamma Sociedade Financeira de Titularizacao de Creditos S.A., Gesban Mexico Servicios Administrativos Globales S.A. de C.V., Gesban Santander Servicios Profesionales Contables Limitada, Gesban Servicios Administrativos Globales S.L., Gesban UK Limited, Gestion de Instalaciones Fotovoltaicas S.L. Unipersonal, Gestion de Inversiones JILT S.A., Gestora de Procesos S.A. en liquidacion (b), Getnet Adquirencia e Servicos para Meios de Pagamento S.A., Global Vosgos S.L. Unipersonal, Grupo Empresarial Santander S.L., Grupo Financiero Santander Mexico S.A. de C.V., Grupo Financiero Santander SAB de CV, Guaranty Car S.A. Unipersonal, HQ Mobile Limited, Hispamer Renting S.A. Unipersonal, Holbah II Limited, Holbah Santander S.L. Unipersonal, Holmes Funding Limited, Holmes Master Issuer plc, Holmes Trustees Limited, Hyundai Capital Bank Europe GmbH, Iberica de Compras Corporativas S.L., Independence Community Bank Corp., Insurance Funding Solutions Limited, Interfinance Holanda B.V., Inversiones Capital Global S.A. Unipersonal, Inversiones Maritimas del Mediterraneo S.A., Isla de los Buques S.A., Klare Corredora de Seguros S.A., Landcompany 2020 S.L., Langton Funding (No.1) Limited, Langton Mortgages Trustee (UK) Limited, Langton Securities (2008-1) plc, Langton Securities (2010-1) PLC, Langton Securities (2010-2) PLC, Laparanza S.A., Liquidity Limited, Luri 1 S.A. en liquidacion (b) (e), Luri 6 S.A. Unipersonal, Master Red Europa S.L., Mata Alta S.L., Merciver S.L., Mercury TFS, Mercury Trade Finance Solutions S.A. de C.V., Mercury Trade Finance Solutions S.L., Mercury Trade Finance Solutions S.p.A., Moneybit S.L., Mortgage Engine Limited, Motor 2016-1 PLC, Motor 2017-1 PLC, Mouro Capital I LP, Multiplica SpA, NW Services CO., Naviera Mirambel S.L., Naviera Trans Gas A.I.E., Naviera Trans Iron S.L., Naviera Trans Ore A.I.E., Naviera Trans Wind S.L. (b), Naviera Transcantabrica S.L., Naviera Transchem S.L. Unipersonal, NeoAuto S.A.C., Norbest AS, Novimovest Fundo de Investimento Imobiliario, Open Bank Argentina S.A., Open Bank S.A., Open Digital Market S.L., Open Digital Services S.L., Operadora de Carteras Gamma S.A.P.I. de C.V., Optimal Investment Services SA, Optimal Multiadvisors Ireland Plc / Optimal Strategic US Equity Ireland Euro Fund, Optimal Multiadvisors Ireland Plc / Optimal Strategic US Equity Ireland US Dollar Fund, PBE Companies LLC, PECOH Limited, PI Distribuidora de Titulos e Valores Mobiliarios S.A., PSA Bank Deutschland GmbH, PSA Banque France, PSA Finance UK Limited, PSA Financial Services Nederland B.V., PSA Financial Services Spain E.F.C. S.A., PSA Renting Italia S.p.A., PagoFX Europe S.A., PagoFX HoldCo S.L., PagoFX UK Ltd, PagoNxt Merchant Solutions S.L., PagoNxt S.L., Parasant SA, Patagon.com, Pereda Gestion S.A., Pingham International S.A., Popular Spain Holding de Inversiones S.L.U., Portal Universia Argentina S.A., Portal Universia Portugal Prestacao de Servicos de Informatica S.A., Prime 16 Fundo de Investimentos Imobiliario, Punta Lima LLC, Punta Lima Wind Farm LLC, Retop S.A., Return Capital Servicos de Recuperacao de Creditos S.A., Return Gestao de Recursos S.A., Riobank International (Uruguay) SAIFE (b), Rojo Entretenimento S.A., SAM Asset Management S.A. de C.V. Sociedad Operadora de Fondos de Inversion, SAM Investment Holdings S.L., SAM UK Investment Holdings Limited (b), SANB Promotora de Vendas e Cobranca Ltda., SCF Eastside Locks GP Limited, SDMX Superdigital S.A. de C.V., SMPS Merchant Platform Solutions Mexico S.A de C.V, Sancap Investimentos e Participacoes S.A., Santander (CF Trustee Property Nominee) Limited, Santander (UK) Group Pension Schemes Trustees Limited, Santander Ahorro Inmobiliario 1 S.A., Santander Ahorro Inmobiliario 2 S.A., Santander Alternatives SICAV RAIF, Santander Asesorias Financieras Limitada, Santander Asset Finance (December) Limited, Santander Asset Finance plc, Santander Asset Management - S.G.O.I.C. S.A., Santander Asset Management Chile S.A., Santander Asset Management LLC, Santander Asset Management Luxembourg S.A., Santander Asset Management S.A. Administradora General de Fondos, Santander Asset Management S.A. S.G.I.I.C., Santander Asset Management UK Holdings Limited, Santander Asset Management UK Limited, Santander Back-Offices Globales Mayoristas S.A., Santander Banca de Inversion Colombia S.A.S., Santander Bank & Trust Ltd., Santander Bank National Association, Santander Bank Polska S.A., Santander Brasil Administradora de Consorcio Ltda., Santander Brasil Gestao de Recursos Ltda., Santander Brasil Tecnologia S.A., Santander Capital Desarrollo SGEIC S.A. Unipersonal, Santander Capital Structuring S.A. de C.V., Santander Capitalizacao S.A., Santander Cards Ireland Limited, Santander Cards Limited, Santander Cards UK Limited, Santander Chile Holding S.A., Santander Consulting (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Santander Consumer (UK) plc, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2013-B2 LLC, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2013-B3 LLC, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2018-L1 LLC, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2018-L3 LLC, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2018-L4 LLC, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2018-L5 LLC, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2019-B1 LLC, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2019-L2 LLC, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2019-L3 LLC, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2020-B1 LLC, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2020-L1 LLC, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2020-L2 LLC, Santander Consumer Bank, Santander Consumer Bank AG, Santander Consumer Bank GmbH, Santander Consumer Bank S.A., Santander Consumer Bank S.p.A., Santander Consumer Banque S.A., Santander Consumer Credit Services Limited, Santander Consumer Finance Benelux B.V., Santander Consumer Finance Global Services S.L., Santander Consumer Finance Oy, Santander Consumer Finance S.A., Santander Consumer Finance Schweiz AG, Santander Consumer Financial Solutions Sp. z o.o., Santander Consumer Finanse Sp. z o.o. (b), Santander Consumer Holding Austria GmbH, Santander Consumer Holding GmbH, Santander Consumer International Puerto Rico LLC, Santander Consumer Leasing GmbH, Santander Consumer Mediacion Operador de Banca-Seguros Vinculado S.L., Santander Consumer Multirent Sp. z o.o., Santander Consumer Operations Services GmbH, Santander Consumer Receivables 10 LLC, Santander Consumer Receivables 11 LLC, Santander Consumer Receivables 3 LLC, Santander Consumer Receivables 7 LLC, Santander Consumer Receivables Funding LLC, Santander Consumer Renting S.L., Santander Consumer S.A., Santander Consumer S.A.S., Santander Consumer Services GmbH, Santander Consumer Services S.A., Santander Consumer Technology Services GmbH, Santander Consumer USA Holdings Inc., Santander Consumer USA Inc., Santander Consumo S.A. de C.V. S.O.F.O.M. E.R. Grupo Financiero Santander Mexico, Santander Corredora de Seguros Limitada, Santander Corredores de Bolsa Limitada, Santander Corretora de Cambio e Valores Mobiliarios S.A., Santander Corretora de Seguros Investimentos e Servicos S.A., Santander Customer Voice S.A., Santander Digital Assets S.L., Santander Drive Auto Receivables LLC, Santander Equity Investments Limited, Santander Espana Merchant Services Entidad de Pago S.L. Unipersonal, Santander Espana Servicios Legales y de Cumplimiento S.L., Santander Estates Limited, Santander F24 S.A., Santander Facility Management Espana S.L., Santander Factoring S.A., Santander Factoring Sp. z o.o., Santander Factoring y Confirming S.A. E.F.C., Santander Finance 2012-1 LLC, Santander Financial Exchanges Limited, Santander Financial Services Inc., Santander Financial Services plc, Santander Finanse Sp. z o.o., Santander Fintech Holdings S.L., Santander Fintech Limited, Santander Fundo de Investimento SBAC Referenciado di Credito Privado, Santander Gestion de Recaudacion y Cobranzas Ltda., Santander Global Consumer Finance Limited, Santander Global Facilities S.A. de C.V., Santander Global Facilities S.L., Santander Global Operations S.A., Santander Global Services S.A. (b), Santander Global Sport S.A., Santander Global Technology Brasil Ltda., Santander Global Technology Chile Limitada, Santander Global Technology S.L., Santander Global Trade Platform Solutions S.L., Santander Guarantee Company, Santander Holding Imobiliaria S.A., Santander Holding Internacional S.A., Santander Holdings USA Inc., Santander ISA Managers Limited, Santander Inclusion Financiera S.A. de C.V. S.O.F.O.M. E.R. Grupo Financiero Santander Mexico, Santander Insurance Agency U.S. LLC, Santander Insurance Services UK Limited, Santander Intermediacion Correduria de Seguros S.A., Santander International Products Plc. (d), Santander Inversiones S.A., Santander Investment Bank Limited, Santander Investment Chile Limitada, Santander Investment I S.A., Santander Investment S.A., Santander Investment Securities Inc., Santander Investments GP 1 S.a.r.l., Santander Inwestycje Sp. z o.o., Santander Lease S.A. E.F.C., Santander Leasing LLC, Santander Leasing S.A., Santander Leasing S.A. Arrendamento Mercantil, Santander Lending Limited, Santander Mediacion Operador de Banca-Seguros Vinculado S.A., Santander Merchant Platform Operations S.A. de C.V., Santander Merchant Platform Services S.A. de C.V., Santander Merchant Platform Solutions Mexico S.A. de C.V., Santander Merchant Platform Solutions S.A., Santander Merchant Platform Solutions Uruguay S.A., Santander Merchant Platform SolucoesTecnologicas Brasil Ltda., Santander Merchant S.A., Santander Mortgage Holdings Limited, Santander Paraty Qif PLC, Santander Pensiones S.A. E.G.F.P., Santander Pensoes - Sociedade Gestora de Fundos de Pensoes S.A., Santander Private Banking Gestion S.A. S.G.I.I.C., Santander Private Banking UK Limited, Santander Private Banking s.p.a. in Liquidazione (b), Santander Private Real Estate Advisory & Management S.A., Santander Private Real Estate Advisory S.A., Santander Real Estate S.A., Santander Retail Auto Lease Funding LLC, Santander Rio Asset Management Gerente de Fondos Comunes de Inversion S.A., Santander Rio Trust S.A., Santander Rio Valores S.A., Santander S.A. Sociedad Securitizadora, Santander Secretariat Services Limited, Santander Securities LLC, Santander Seguros y Reaseguros Compania Aseguradora S.A., Santander Servicios Corporativos S.A. de C.V., Santander Servicios Especializados S.A. de C.V., Santander Technology USA LLC, Santander Tecnologia e Inovacao Ltda., Santander Tecnologia Argentina S.A., Santander Tecnologia Espana S.L.U., Santander Tecnologia Mexico S.A. de C.V., Santander Totta SGPS S.A., Santander Totta Seguros Companhia de Seguros de Vida S.A., Santander Towarzystwo Funduszy Inwestycyjnych S.A., Santander Trade Services Limited, Santander UK Group Holdings plc, Santander UK Investments, Santander UK Operations Limited, Santander UK Plc, Santander UK Technology Limited, Santander Wealth Management International SA, Santander de Titulizacion S.G.F.T. S.A., Santusa Holding S.L., Services and Promotions Delaware Corp., Services and Promotions Miami LLC, Servicio de Alarmas Controladas por Ordenador S.A., Servicios de Cobranza Recuperacion y Seguimiento S.A. De C.V., Sheppards Moneybrokers Limited, Shiloh III Wind Project LLC, Sociedad Integral de Valoraciones Automatizadas S.A., Sociedad Operadora de Tarjetas de Pago Santander Getnet Chile S.A., Socur S.A., Sol Orchard Imperial 1 LLC, Solarlaser Limited, Sovereign Community Development Company, Sovereign Delaware Investment Corporation, Sovereign Lease Holdings LLC, Sovereign REIT Holdings Inc., Sovereign Spirit Limited (f), Sterrebeeck B.V., Suleyado 2003 S.L. Unipersonal, Summer Empreendimentos Ltda., Super Pagamentos e Administracao de Meios Eletronicos S.A., Superdigital Argentina S.A.U., Superdigital Colombia S.A.S., Superdigital Holding Company S.L., Superdigital Peru S.A.C., Suzuki Servicios Financieros S.L., Swesant SA, TIMFin S.p.A., TOPSAM S.A de C.V., Taxagest Sociedade Gestora de Participacoes Sociais S.A., Teatinos Siglo XXI Inversiones S.A., The Alliance & Leicester Corporation Limited, The Best Specialty Coffee S.L. Unipersonal, Time Retail Finance Limited (b), Tonopah Solar I LLC, Toque Fale Servicos de Telemarketing Ltda., Tornquist Asesores de Seguros S.A. (b), Totta (Ireland) PLC, Totta Urbe - Empresa de Administracao e Construcoes S.A., Trabajando.com Mexico S.A. de C.V. en liquidacion (b), Trabajando.com Peru S.A.C., Trans Rotor Limited (b), Transolver Finance EFC S.A., Tresmares Growth Fund Santander SCR S.A., Tresmares Santander Direct Lending SICC S.A., Tuttle and Son Limited, Universia Brasil S.A., Universia Chile S.A., Universia Colombia S.A.S., Universia Espana Red de Universidades S.A., Universia Holding S.L., Universia Mexico S.A. de C.V., Universia Peru S.A., Universia Uruguay S.A., Uro Property Holdings SOCIMI S.A., WIM Servicios Corporativos S.A. de C.V., WTW Shipping Designated Activity Company, Wallcesa S.A., Wave Holdco S.L., Waypoint Insurance Group Inc., and Wirecard (Technological Assets). UPPER MERION The Pennsylvania State Modern Language Association has recognized Upper Merion Area High School as a recipient of the Silver Globe Award for 2019-2020. Andrew Kuhn, Director of Humanities, Upper Merion Area School District, presented the award to French teacher Madame Jennifer Sharp at Mondays School Board meeting. This award represents an exemplary level of program development that supports standards-based world language instruction as determined by criteria developed by the Pennsylvania State Modern Language Association (PSMLA), Kuhn noted. In particular, PSMLA noted the recent Advanced Placement offerings in Spanish, French and German; dual enrollment with Montgomery County Community College for levels 4 and Advanced Placement for 24 credits in each language, and increased practice for students speaking in the target language using FlipGrid. Our World Language department will continue to develop Integrated Performance Assessments across all levels of Spanish , French and German. We also hope to host the fall conference of the Montgomery County Association of Teachers of Foreign Languages at our high school in November, 2019. Privately, Kuhn explained that FlipGrid gives students the chance to record their voice in the target language, and theyre getting more opportunities to speak the target language, record it into their iPad, and then teachers can listen to that and give students feedback. So, using technology allows students to speak the language much more, and teachers, instead of grading every assignment, chooses a few and gives feedback. Were leveraging technology to have much more practice in speaking and listening. In business developments, the board approved a contract with Villanova University, including an estimated expense of $12,742 subject to solicitor and administrator approval of the final wording, for the Upper Merion Area High School commencement ceremony to be held Monday, June 10, 2019 at Villanova University. The fee of $12,742 includes facility license fee and all expenses associated with the event. Bridgeport Elementary School principal Tim Bickhart announced that the schools new health education teacher would be Chris Falcone, who was in the audience with his wife and children. A student representative announced that the Senior Prom will take place on May 31 at Rivercrest Country Club. In preparation for the Summer Academy Professional Development Workshop, the board approved the recommended hiring of Joshua Gansky, School Counselor and Mindfulness trainer/supervisor trained through Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals Mindfulness Institute, for a cost not to exceed $1700, to be paid from the Curriculum and Instruction budget. It was noted that teachers will have the opportunity to learn classroom strategies in Mindfulness during this Summer Academy workshop. Mindfulness training for teachers, according to the agenda notes, helps to improve students cognitive performance and resilience to stress while creating a more focused learning environment. With a motion by Eric Wellington, a final resolution was passed unanimously by the board (including Robyn Briggs, Alice Budno Hope, Eric Elvanian, Gary Ledebur, Maura Buri, Eric Wellington, Maggie Philips, Brett M Oslon and Melissa Galvan) to approve the entire list of Operations and facilities items. Solicitor Jeffrey Sultanik announced that he had no report. At his contentious hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Attorney General William Barr dropped a big hint about his investigation into the conduct of the Trump-Russia investigation. Many people seem to assume that the only intelligence collection that occurred was a single confidential informant and a FISA warrant, Barr said. I would like to find out whether that is, in fact, true. It strikes me as a fairly anemic effort if that was the counterintelligence effort designed to stop the threat as it is being represented. Here is what he meant: There has been a lot of discussion on the right about the FBIs use of a confidential informant, an England-based college professor named Stefan Halper, to spy on some Trump campaign figures, including the sometime foreign policy volunteer advisers George Papadopoulos and Carter Page. There has also been talk about the FBIs use of a so-called FISA warrant a court-approved permission to wiretap against Page. There was also speculation about other possible FBI surveillance, but the Halper operation and Page FISA case were the only ones definitely known. So Barr was saying that if the FBI really took the Trump-Russia matter seriously, if they thought it was a threat to the republic, would that be all they would do? No other wiretaps or other surveillance? No other confidential informants? Nothing? Given that Barr was already looking into the question, his phrasing suggested he suspected there was more. Sure enough, just days later, The New York Times reported that in the summer of 2016 the FBI sent an undercover agent, a woman who went by the alias Azra Turk, to London to pose as Halpers research assistant and tease information out of Papadopoulos. (The Times was so reluctant to call Turk a spy that it referred to her, in a headline, as a cloaked investigator.) So now there are Halper, Turk and the Page FISA warrant. If they represent the totality of the FBIs surveillance, that would still be a pretty anemic response to what some in the bureau viewed as a full-scale Russian attack on American democracy. So the key question of the Barr investigation will be: Is there more? The answer is not publicly known. But consider this: The Mueller report noted that on Aug. 2, 2017, the Justice Department authorized the special counsel to investigate specific allegations against four Trump campaign officials: Page and Papadopoulos, plus former campaign chairman Paul Manafort and former security adviser Michael Flynn. Is it reasonable to believe that the FBI pulled out the big investigative guns, the spies and the wiretap warrant, against the two smaller figures Page and Papadopoulos and not against the far more important figures of Manafort and Flynn? Or if not against them, perhaps against others? It wasnt that long ago, on April 10, when, during another Hill appearance, Barr set off a firestorm by declaring that spying did occur on the Trump campaign. Democrats pounced; how dare Barr call the FBIs investigation spying? Perpetuating conspiracy theories is beneath the office of attorney general, tweeted Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer. It is abundantly clear that Barr was correct. He was careful to add that the unknown factor about the spying was whether it was adequately predicated that is, whether the FBI had a legitimate reason to do it. But there was no doubt that spying happened. Now, the question is whether there was more than is now publicly known. Congressional investigators are anxiously awaiting the results of an investigation into at least some of the surveillance by Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz. That report is thought to be coming in the next couple of months. They are also watching to see what Barr will investigate on his own. Both are deeply important efforts. Just as the public needed to know what is in the Mueller report, it needs to know about the FBIs secret political operations in the 2016 campaign. (Byron York is chief political correspondent for The Washington Examiner.) SCHENECTADY The public will get to weigh later this month on a controversial proposed ban on single-use plastic straws and plastic stirrers that is stirring debate among city leaders. On Monday, several of them raised concerns about the idea, which is being pushed by City Council members John Polimeni and Karen Zalewski-Wildzunas. The pair stressed the that plastic straws foul the environment and that it would be nice if Schenectady took the lead in being more environmentally friendly. "It's become quite evident straws do not recycle, they stay around forever, they are a hazard and they eventually end up in the ocean, " said Zalewski-Wildzunas. "When you go to a restaurant, there's no reason you have to have a straw." Councilwoman Leesa Perazzo asked about enforcement. Polimeni responded that restaurant patrons would call City Hall if they saw a business flouting the plastic straw, ban but that he was confident the "majority of our establishments will abide by the legislation." Councilman Vince Riggi said while he wasn't against the proposal, he wanted to see a more comprehensive plan that deals with littering. "The main problem is how do you educate people not to litter," he said. City Council President Ed Kosiur said a proposed plastic straw ban in the state Assembly offered an opt-in clause, which he favored. "I think it should be a state and countywide issue," Kosiur added. If the proposal passes, the Schenectady ban, which includes a medical exemption for people with special needs, would take effect Jan. 1, to allow businesses a chance to use up their remaining supply. The Schenectady ban will carry fines that start at $100 and rise with each subsequent infraction. The public hearing on the proposal is slated for 7 p.m. Monday, May 29, during the regular City Council meeting. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. If a ban is enacted in Schenectady, the city would join other municipalities, businesses and institutions that have already taken steps to stop using plastic straws. After commencement in May, the University at Albany will basically ban plastic straws, following a campaign from a student activist and approval of the student association. More Information Public hearing Issue: Schenectady proposed plastic straw ban When: 7 p.m. May 29, during the regular City Council meeting Where: Room 209, City Hall, 105 Jay St., Schenectady See More Collapse The ban on plastic straws in the Bethlehem school district took effect April 29. Additionally, the Starpoint district in Lockport has also enacted a ban. And Syracuse University and Pace University Law School have banned plastic straws, opting instead for paper. In September, fast food giant McDonald's will replace plastic straws with paper ones in all its restaurants in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Seattle and Miami Beach have passed bans on plastic straws. The city of Malibu, Calif., is banning plastic cutlery and straws. Watervliet A military contractor at the Watervliet Arsenal is paying a $50,000 fine for failing to properly maintain air pollution control equipment, according to the state Department of Environmental Conservation. Hartchrom Inc., a chrome plating company that lines cannon tubes for the U.S. Army, also agreed to improve its inspection and record-keeping for equipment used to control pollution from its chroming process. During two visits to the Building 35 facility in early August 2018, state inspectors found that Hartchrom workers were failing to inspect the pollution control equipment for cracks or leaks. The inspectors then discovered cracks in equipment meant to remove chromium, a toxic, carcinogenic heavy metal. If Hartchrom fixes the issues, DEC agreed to suspend an additional $10,000 fine, according to an agreement signed by DEC and Hartchrom last month. Calls to Hartchrom for comment Tuesday weren't returned. Calls to Michael Sterthous, an Albany-based lawyer for Hartchrom, which has been at the arsenal since 2002, for comment also weren't returned. In March 2017, the Swiss-based company was awarded a $17 million contract from the U.S. Army to perform chrome-plating and surfacing operations for cannon barrels on 120 millimeter and 155 millimeter cannon. According to a DEC statement, the agency has "no evidence of Hartchrom violating emission standards." Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. When pollution equipment was tested by state inspectors in October 2015, it was found to be operating within acceptable limits, according to DEC. When the cracks were found in August 2018, the equipment was again found to be working properly. DEC indicated that Hartchrom was last cited by DEC in 2010 for violations that included beginning construction without a permit. In 2014, the company got into a dispute with arsenal managers over the company's attempted improper disposal of tainted production liquid at the facility's wastewater treatment plant. Arsenal officials stopped the company from dumping 39,000 gallons of tainted liquid, forcing Hartchrom to dispose of the liquid as hazardous waste. Afterward, Hartchrom tried to recoup what it claimed were more than $92,000 in disposal and lost revenue expenses from the U.S. Army. But last year, the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals denied the claim. Calls to arsenal officials for comment weren't returned. Last year, the Army took back management control of the arsenal from the not-for-profit Arsenal Business & Technology Partnership, which had brought in Hartchrom as a tenant. Saratoga Springs In a hotel ballroom, dozens of women, and a few men, listened raptly as Ellie Yieh offered tips on career success. "This is a very tough industry for women," she said. "But it's very important for you to keep your eye on the ball." Then she repeated some advice she credited to her husband: "Your job is not to have people like you," he'd told her. "Your job it to drive the performance of the team." As the $450 billion semiconductor industry faces a range of challenges from tariff threats to technology hurdles it's also working hard to be more inclusive and to encourage young people to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. "Our member companies have tens of thousands of unfilled positions around the world today," said David Anderson, president of SEMI Americas, the industry trade group that is holding its Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing Conference this week in Saratoga Springs. The Women in Semiconductors program preceded the the main event Monday, and has grown in popularity in the three years it has been held. Attendance tripled to 150 this year from 50 in the first year. Yieh, a corporate vice president at Applied Materials, delivered the keynote address. Women now make up 56 percent of university enrollment, but only 18 percent of those majoring in STEM fields. "The pipeline is narrowed there," said Anderson. ASMC 2019, as the conference is called, is in its 30th year. The last nine have been held in Saratoga Springs. The Women in Semiconductors event is a draw, as is the area. "People like the town," Anderson said. The semiconductor industry has grown into a major presence locally, with such institutions as SUNY Polytechnic Institute, the University at Albany, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, all producing graduates in related fields. The arrival of GlobalFoundries in 2010 offered many of those graduates an opportunity to stay local, as it created thousands of new jobs for scientists and technicians. And demand for the microprocessors, or chips, that GlobalFoundries and companies such as Texas Instruments and Intel produce continues to grow. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. Industries from agriculture to pharmaceuticals depend on sensors and microprocessors, said Anderson. "The next big thing is really everything," he added. "Semiconductors have become ubiquitous." Concerns that the United States might get into a trade war do cause some concerns. Anderson said tariffs could cost the American semiconductor industry $700 million a year. "As an industry we're about 80 percent exports from the U.S.," Anderson said. "We're heavily impacted by trade." And the industry continues to pursue cutting-edge technologies. It's exploring new materials with which to make semiconductors. Late last year SUNY Polytechnic Institute and Applied Materials announced a seven-year, $880 million research program at SUNY's Albany campus. And quantum computing, which replaces the ones and zeroes of computing with transistors that "can be effectively a 1, or 0, or any state in between," said Anderson, promises a whole new generation of computing power. Once they're perfected, "the computing power will be much greater than today." Los Angeles Court TV is ending its long recess. The channel for legal junkies that thrived during the trial-crazy 1990s comes back from the dead after more than a decade Wednesday amid a crime-story craze that its backers hope will launch it into a long new life. "The timing could not be better," said John Alleva, a lawyer and producer on the former Court TV who now is its vice president and managing editor. "The interest in true crime and this type of programming has reached a fever pitch. We're in a perfect situation." The new Court TV, available over the air and on some cable providers depending on the market, will look a lot like the old. The new owners bought Court TV's name, logo and library, and will revive its practice of airing trials virtually in their entirety for much of the day while talking about trials and all things legal for the rest of the day. "We're not jumping in for a minute here, 20 minutes there," said Scott Tufts, a veteran producer who long coordinated trial coverage for CNN and now joins Alleva as a vice president and managing editor for Court TV. "These are compelling stories of human events that will attract a large, and we believe dedicated audience." And one of its former stars, Vinnie Politan, will be the face of the new channel as its primetime anchor. Like many involved with Court TV, the 54-year-old Politan was a lawyer before he was a journalist, and lives to combine the two specialties, something that the dismantling of the old channel left him unable to do. Politan talked to The Associated Press by phone from the Court TV studios in Atlanta. He's spent the last several years there working for the local NBC affiliate, his love of the law limited to segments that lasted little more than a minute. Now, as host of "Closing Arguments" from 6 to 9 p.m., he can go long. "It's the deep dive," Politan said. "To be able to get into a story, to follow a story from beginning to end, to own the story is absolutely amazing." The original Court TV was launched by a conglomerate of owners in 1991. Its popularity rose during the 1994 Menendez brothers' trial and soared during its airing of the 1995 O.J. Simpson trial. Time Warner bought it in 2006, and in 2008 rebranded it as truTV, with an emphasis on reality shows aimed at a younger audience. Its court coverage slowly phased into oblivion. The most devoted of Court TV's employees, including Alleva and Politan, had always wanted it back. The intervening years have seen a popularity surge in podcasts like "Serial," TV trial reenactments such as "The People v. O.J. Simpson," and a slew of Netflix crime documentaries including "Making a Murderer." Katz Networks, a division of the E.W. Scripps Company, which has a long history in journalism, is taking a shot that the public's interest will take hold for Court TV once again. Katz Networks CEO Jonathan Katz, who was instrumental to the revival, will also be chief executive of Court TV. The revived channel's online component will include a livestream of its telecasts, access to its library of older trials, and the ability to quickly catch up with an ongoing trial. Court TV will seek to lead the national conversation on high-profile cases. Producers plan to go all-in on the forthcoming Harvey Weinstein sexual assault trial, set to start in New York in September. But smaller cases in far-flung places will be just as essential to its programming. The channel's first live coverage inside a courtroom will be the Covington, Georgia, trial of parents charged with the murder of their newborn baby after they had reported him missing in 2017. "The smaller trials are what really drives Court TV," Alleva said. "The majority of the trials are going to take place in small places across America." Of course, to provide such coverage, judges will need to allow cameras in court in the first place a fight that for Court TV is both essential to its business model and a matter of principle. "There should be a camera in every courtroom," Politan said. "These are public courtrooms, it's our government, no judge or lawyer owns the court." The channel has joined media outlets including the AP in the legal fight for access to the Weinstein trial. Seema Iyer, a former New York City prosecutor with an expertise in forensics who has worked as a legal analyst for CNN and MSNBC, will anchor the channel's daily 3 to 6 p.m. timeslot. She said she leapt at the Court TV job for the rare chance it offers her to use her skills to talk to, and help create, viewers as smart and obsessed as the anchors. "They'll fact check us," Iyer told the AP on a joint phone call with Politan. "We can't make mistakes." Shaker High student Madison VanDenburg is favored to win this year's "American Idol," according to the online wagering site BookMaker. Now in the top five contestants in the singing competition, the 17-year-old from Cohoes has 9-4 odds of winning on the site, ahead of Laine Hardy (3-1), Alejandro Aranda (7-2) and Laci Kaye Booth (4/1). Wade Cota has the longest odds, at 5-1. The new projections put VanDenburg ahead of the odds another site published two weeks ago, when Hardy was at 2-5 and VanDenburg at 3-1. VanDenburg advanced to the penultimate episode of the 17th season of "Idol" this past Sunday, when she sang Janis Joplin's "Piece of my Heart" on the first performance of the night, which featured Woodstock-era classics. For her second song, in the Showstoppers category, she sang "I Surrender" by Celine Dion. VanDenburg received high praise on Sunday from the three celebrity judges, who dubbed her "the next Kelly Clarkson" in her audition last fall, referring to the first "Idol" winner. "I don't want you to be second. I want you to win this thing," judge Katy Perry said Sunday. After her performance, the camera panned to VanDenburg's mother, who drove for three and a half days with a banner on the back of her car to watch her daughter sing Sunday. In a viewing party Sunday at Cohoes Music Hall, where VanDenburg has performed, Mayor Shawn Morse led the crowd to record a video saying "We love you!" to their local favorite. VanDenburg sent her own video to show fans at the event. "Thank you for supporting me before 'American Idol' even started. It's awesome to see so much support for talent in the Capital Region. I really wouldn't be anywhere without you guys," VanDenburg said on the video. "I hope to make you proud. I cannot wait to come back to New York!" "No matter what happens, I'm really happy with what I've achieved," VanDenburg told the Times Union last week. "It would be OK if I didn't win. Everything I've gotten out of the show has been incredible." VanDenburg auditioned in October and was one of 40 contestants invited to Los Angeles for the show, which began airing March 3. Pretaped for the first 13 weeks, "Idol" has broadcast live since April 21. "Idol" airs at 8 p.m. Sunday on ABC. Windsor, England The improbable love story between an American actress and a British royal took the best of all possible turns Monday with the arrival of a healthy baby boy. The as-yet-unnamed baby arrived less than a year after Prince Harry wed Meghan Markle in a spectacular televised event on the grounds of Windsor Castle that was watched the world over. Meghan is now the Duchess of Sussex, but she still does things her own way: The couple bucked royal tradition by declining to say where the baby was born and opting not to come out to pose with the newborn just hours after the birth. Instead, an obviously overjoyed Harry emerged to tell the world via its waiting TV cameras that a baby had been born. It marked a moment the nation is likely to remember as a once-troubled boy undone by the death of his mother Princess Diana in 1997 car crash seemed giddy in his embrace of fatherhood. "This little thing is absolutely to die for," the ginger-haired, bearded prince said. "I'm just over the moon." The baby weighed 7 pounds, 3 ounces at birth and was born at 5:26 a.m. Harry said their son was a little bit overdue and that had given the royal couple more time to contemplate names. Harry promised that more details such as the baby's name will be shared in the coming days. Harry and the palace didn't immediately provide details on whether the baby was born at a hospital or if it was a home birth. The royal couple had earlier said they wanted to keep details private. The infant is seventh in line to the British throne and is the eighth great-grandchild of 93-year-old Queen Elizabeth II, Britain's longest reigning monarch. It is a satisfying moment for the queen as the monarchy grows in popularity in part because of public affection for Harry, his older brother Prince William, and their two wives, Meghan and Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge. Harry, the 34-year-old son of Prince Charles, said he was present at the birth. "It's been the most amazing experience I could ever have possibly imagined," he said. "How any woman does what they do is beyond comprehension. "We're both absolutely thrilled and so grateful for all the love and support from everybody out there. It's been amazing, so we just wanted to share this with everybody," he said. Word that the baby had been born was withheld while senior members of the royal family, including the queen, were told. Princess Diana's family was also informed. Buckingham Palace said minutes before 2 p.m. that Meghan had gone into labor (in fact the baby had already been born) and Harry emerged less than an hour later to announce the birth in person. Harry's dramatic announcement, and his obvious pleasure, sparked cheers among royal fans and well-wishers who had gathered outside the imposing grounds of Windsor Castle hoping to hear the news. "Cheers to the newborn baby boy! Hip hip hooray!" said 64-year-old John Loughrey, popping open a bottle of sparkling wine. He was clad in head-to-toe Union flags and royal family memorabilia to mark the occasion. Some people in Windsor said it would provide a welcome respite from the continuing political stalemate over Brexit. Londoners Pam and Keith Jonson said the news will provide a boost to peoples' spirits. "You can tell by people around," Pam Jonson said. "Lifts everybody a bit. Definitely. With all that's been going recently. It's nice uplift actually." Buckingham Palace said Meghan's mother, Doria Ragland, was also with her daughter and was overjoyed with the baby's arrival. Harry said he planned to make another announcement, probably in two days' time, "so everyone can see the baby." It's expected they will pose for a family picture at that point. The arrival of a boy was something of a surprise because Britain's legal bookmakers several weeks ago stopped accepting bets on the baby's sex because so many people had placed bets on the baby being a girl. Bookmakers came to the conclusion that the rumor the baby was a girl must have been based on some type of leak from a person in the know. Meghan has brought something new and different to the royal family. She is an American who enjoyed a successful career in show business before joining the royal family. The child will be eligible for dual citizenship, but Harry and Meghan have not said whether they plan to apply for American status. Harry has long spoken of his desire to start a family. He had several serious relationships, but they collapsed in part because of the pressure of constant press scrutiny, leading Harry to vow to protect Meghan from intrusive reporting. He has complained publicly about a racist undertone in coverage of Meghan, who has a white father and an African-American mother. Jacom Stephens / Getty Image Albany police took a man into custody while he sat on a public bus after receiving a burglary complaint. The man, who police did not immediately identify, is suspected of stealing from several downtown businesses, said Deputy Chief Brian Hogan. Albany Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo is calling on the state Department of Financial Services to launch an investigation into reports that nurses are being denied life insurance for carrying overdose-reversal drugs. Nurses traveled to the state Capitol on Monday to protest the practice, and to call for legislation that would prohibit life insurers from denying someone benefits or increasing their rates solely because they were prescribed naloxone, a drug that reverses an opioid overdose. Many nurses have taken to carrying the drug out of concern about encountering drug overdoses in non-clinical settings, such as public restrooms, libraries, parking lots and other public areas. It appears that the coverage denials are related to an actuarial warning registered by insurance companies when considering anyone with a naloxone prescription regardless of whether it's for professional reasons or their own usage related to an opioid addiction. "Nurses are on the front line of our state's fight to combat the opioid epidemic, and it is unacceptable that life insurance providers would deny these hard-working health professionals coverage for common-sense precautions they take to help save lives," Cuomo said. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. The governor encouraged nurses who have been denied coverage to contact DFS via the department's consumer complaint website or phone line. Nurses can file a consumer complaint here or call 212-480-6400 or toll-free 800-342-3736. As the nation continues to battle a rise in overdose deaths largely attributable to opioids, the U.S. Surgeon General has called for an increase in availability of naloxone (also known by the brand name Narcan) and emphasized the importance of the overdose-reversing drug. Research shows that when naloxone and overdose education are available to community members, overdose deaths decrease. Washington A House committee is poised to hold Attorney General William Barr in contempt of Congress the opening salvo in what could be a lengthy, acrimonious court battle between House Democrats and President Donald Trump's administration over special counsel Robert Mueller's report. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler scheduled a Wednesday vote to hold Barr in contempt of Congress, citing the Justice Department's failure to provide the full text of Mueller's report by the Monday morning deadline. Nadler, D-N.Y., said Barr's failure to comply with a subpoena left them with "no choice but to initiate contempt proceedings." The movement to hold Barr in contempt reflects the deepening rift between Democrats and Barr, whom they accuse of spinning the results of Mueller's investigation to Trump's benefit. Barr, in a memo summarizing Mueller's investigation, said there was insufficient evidence that Trump obstructed justice a conclusion Democrats fiercely dispute. Nadler said the version of Mueller's report that has already been released to the public offered "disturbing evidence and analysis that President Trump engaged in obstruction of justice at the highest levels." Now, he said, lawmakers need the full version and the underlying evidence "to determine how to best move forward with oversight, legislation and other constitutional responsibilities." The committee said contempt proceedings could be postponed if the attorney general makes a "good-faith" effort to comply with the committee. In a possible thaw, Nadler said Monday evening that the Justice Department had agreed to meet with his staff Tuesday, adding that he hopes to make "concrete progress" toward resolving the dispute. Justice Department spokeswoman Kerri Kupec said earlier that the department has "taken extraordinary steps to accommodate the House Judiciary Committee's requests for information" regarding Mueller's report, but that Nadler had not reciprocated. She noted that Democrats have refused to read a version of Mueller's report with fewer redactions that has already been provided to Congress. Kupec said officials were continuing to engage with the committee, and Nadler's staff had been invited to the department "to discuss a mutually acceptable accommodation." Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. If the committee approves the contempt resolution against Barr, as expected, it would head to the full House for final approval. But that step is unlikely to lead to criminal charges. A House vote would send a criminal referral to the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, a Justice Department official who is likely to defend the attorney general. Yet by pursuing contempt, Democrats hope to send a message to the Trump administration about their willingness to invoke congressional powers in the majority. There is precedent for sitting attorneys general to be held in contempt of Congress. In 2012, the House held then-Attorney General Eric Holder in contempt over a botched gun-tracking operation known as Fast and Furious. Republicans cited the Justice Department's failure to turn over, without any preconditions, documents related to the risky operation. The Justice Department took no action to prosecute the attorney general. House Judiciary Democrats say Congress is "the only body able to hold the president to account" since the Justice Department has a policy against indicting a sitting president. They say they need the full report and the evidence that it cites, including witness interviews and "items such as contemporaneous notes." State Police hope the public can help them solve the killing of a former school official who was left to die from a gunshot wound after an argument with another man on Interstate 84. Richard H. Aderson, 47, of LaGrange was able to call police after he was shot during a roadside dispute on Feb. 5, 1997. Aderson was a former assistant superintendent for the Valley Central School District in Orange County. Troopers said Aderson and another man got into an argument on the side of the highway near Exit 12 in the town of Fishkill after their vehicles were involved in a fender bender. Aderson called Dutchess County 911, telling dispatchers that he had been shot by an assailant who drove off eastbound on I-84. Though mortally wounded, Aderson was able to give police a description of his attacker and the type of vehicle he was driving. Aderson was still alive when emergency workers got him into an ambulance but he died before they could get him to a hospital in Newburgh. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. State Police said Aderson described his attacker as a white male in his late 40 or 50s with a medium complexion. He stood roughly 6-foot and had a thin build. Trooper said the man was wearing aviator-style eyeglasses and had a receding hairline. It is believed that he was driving a Jeep Cherokee, possibly a 1997 model. The vehicle may have had New Hampshire license plates. The troopers say Aderson's death remains an active investigation. The agency has pursued over 3,000 leads in the 22-year-old case many of which have sent investigators on the hunt for clues in New England. Anyone with information about the case can call the State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation in Wappinger at (845) 677-7300. Please refer to case # 3021797. All calls may be kept confidential. ALBANY In May 2016, Brian Swank sat on his parents' porch in Poughkeepsie holding Mehraneh Rayatidamavandi's hand and told her he loved her more than anything in the world. He couldn't afford a ring, but he asked her to marry him, and she said yes. "I told her, 'I promise you I'll do whatever it takes for us to be together and get married and have our life together,'" Swank said. A few days later, he took his fiancee to the airport to return to her native Iran before the expiration of Rayatidamavandi's visiting scholar visa the one that had allowed her to study at the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse, where the couple met. They knew that, according to the terms of that visa, they would have to wait two years before they could get married and make a home in the U.S. But they never imagined that President Donald J. Trump's travel ban on immigrants from Iran and six other countries would end up keeping them apart indefinitely. Trump issued his ban as an executive order immediately after taking office in January 2017, stating that he was suspending visas for individuals from specific countries in order to protect U.S. citizens from foreign nationals who intend to commit terrorist attacks or exploit immigration laws. Trump's proclamation mentioned the 9/11 attackers but the ban did not cover Saudi Arabia or the United Arab Emirates, home to almost all the terrorists who carried out the attacks. Trump subsequently criticized the program that issued a visa to the suspect in an October 2017 truck attack that killed eight people in Manhattan. But the couple noted that Rayatidamavandi had already been vetted in 2015 by the U.S. government for her visiting scholar visa. "We are not a threat, we are ordinary people we don't have anything to do with politics," said Rayatidamavandi in a phone interview. "We didn't choose our place of birth; nobody can do that. It's not fair to be punished because of the place I'm born. Love doesn't know any boundaries. Love doesn't know any nationalities." The couple first shared their story with radio stations Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and NPR-affiliate WNYC before reaching out to the Times Union. They met in the same landscape architecture program in the fall of 2015. Swank was getting his bachelor's degree while Rayatidamavandi was a visiting scholar. Her doctoral degree focused on improving vitality in children through park design. After the pair connected on a class trip to Boston, Swank asked her out on a coffee date, where they talked for more than three hours. "We built this amazing relationship," he said. "I knew very early only she's not like anybody I've ever met, she's special, she's the one for me." Swank brought Rayatidamavandi home for Thanksgiving, then Christmas, then New Year's. She met his family and went on a girls' date with his mom. After seven months, the two got engaged and Rayatidamavandi returned home. They prepared to apply for a visa for a fiancee of a U.S. citizen as soon as her two years at home, required by her previous visiting scholar visa, were done. Eight months later, Trump signed a presidential proclamation that bans her from coming to the U.S. Iranians applying for immigrant visas received the most application rejections of citizens from any of the seven banned countries, according to the State Department. The U.S. Supreme Court upheld the ban last summer a day Rayatidamavandi described as the worst day of her life. A month later, she had an interview for her visa at the U.S. consulate in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. Her only hope to come to the U.S. under the travel ban is to get a waiver to prove three things: that the denial of a visa would cause undue hardship; its issuance is in the interest of the U.S.; and the applicant doesn't pose a national security risk. Swank said Rayatidamavandi brought an accordion folder full of supporting documents to her interview, but the consular officer didn't even look at it. Her application has now been in administrative processing extra security vetting for 10 months. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. A bill in the U.S. House of Representatives would repeal the ban and prohibit nationality-based discrimination in issuing visas. Ongoing lawsuits are challenging the travel ban and the waiver process, for which there is little information and no formal application. As of Jan. 31, 2,673 applicants had been cleared after a consular officer determined the applicants satisfied all criteria and completed processing, according to the State Department. Iranians were granted waivers in only 1.6 percent of cases between December 2017 and October 2018, according to data obtained by U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Maryland. "These thousands rendered ineligible under this (policy) is pretty arbitrary," said Ryan Costello, policy director with the National Iranian American Council, a research, policy and community-building nonprofit. Now, Swank works as a project manager and landscape designer in New Jersey while his fiancee, who is living with her parents in Tehran, has not applied for jobs because of her uncertain future. They talk every day and have spent a total of eight weeks together in Malaysia, Dubai and the Republic of Georgia over the past three years. The couple said it would be impossible for Swank to live in Iran: He doesn't know the language; marriages between a Muslim and non-Muslim are forbidden; and U.S. citizens, as the State Department has warned, face arbitrary detention. Without a waiver, they won't be able to live together in the U.S. "We have been sacrificing a lot to be together one day," Rayatidamavandi said. "All I can see right now is a foggy picture of the future, which becomes darker some days." "It's an unknown thing we can get a call tomorrow, (or) it could be next fall," Swank said. "There's no way to plan. We're in limbo. It's very stressful on us. We feel like this is something that's trying to tear us apart. I'm never going to let this happen." ALBANY Legislation designed to curb the pardon power of President Donald J. Trump is scheduled for a vote in the state Senate on Wednesday. The measure, which is crafted specifically for presidential pardons, would narrow New York's double jeopardy laws to increase the ability of state and local prosecutors to take up cases that have already been resolved at the federal level. The change to New York's law would apply to a pardoned individual who is related to the president, worked in the White House, served on the president's campaign, committed crimes to benefit the president, or helped the president avoid a criminal prosecution. Assembly Democrats, who initially balked at the proposal, are also expected to pass the measure before the end of the legislative session, according to Assemblyman Joe Lentol, D-Brooklyn. Sen. Todd Kaminsky, a Long Island Democrat championing the issue, said the legislation is needed in light of evidence collected by Special Counsel Robert Mueller that he said indicated Trump intended to use his pardon power to aid close associates. "No one not even the president and his inner circle is above the law, and I urge the Assembly to pass this vital piece of legislation in an expeditious fashion," Kaminsky said in a statement. "Justice demands no less." If adopted into law, the changes would take effect immediately and apply to future criminal offenses or cases that haven't begun. The state's double jeopardy laws came under scrutiny last year with the convictions of Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort and longtime Trump attorney and fixer Michael Cohen. Critics of the president raised concerns he may pardon one or both men. Trump said that Cohen, who subsequently turned on his former patron, had asked White House attorneys to consider giving him a pardon and that Cohen later lied about that effort to Congress. "He directly asked me for a pardon," Trump said in a March 8 tweet. "I said NO." Despite the legislation's specific references to the president's family and close associates, state Attorney General Letitia James, who crafted the language, says it was tailored for anyone. The bill is less expansive than the proposal lawmakers failed to pass during last year's session, despite a public push from Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. But Assembly Democrats initially resisted passing the legislation in its current form this year because they believed it was too narrowly written, according to Lentol, who sponsors the measure. "You can't win in this business," he said. "Last year we had a very broad bill, and a lot of people complained because it was too broad." The legislation hasn't been amended since it was introduced in March, but Lentol said that his colleagues have evolved on the issue following lobbying from the attorney general. "I believe we'll have a vote before the end of session, and maybe as soon as a week or two," he said. David.Lombardo@timesunion.com - 518.454.5427 - @poozer87 Washington Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has made it official: The administration won't be turning President Donald Trump's tax returns over to the Democratic-controlled House. Mnuchin told Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal, D-Mass., in a Monday letter that the panel's request "lacks a legitimate legislative purpose" as Supreme Court precedent requires. In making that determination, Mnuchin said he relied on the advice of the Justice Department. He concluded that the Treasury Department is "not authorized to disclose the requested returns and return information." He said the Justice Department will provide a more detailed legal justification soon. The move, which was expected, is sure to set in motion a legal battle over Trump's tax returns. The chief options available to Democrats are to subpoena the IRS for the returns or to file a lawsuit. Last week, Neal promised "we'll be ready" to act soon after Monday's deadline. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. Treasury's denial came the same day that the House Judiciary panel scheduled a vote for Wednesday on whether to find Attorney General William Barr in contempt of Congress for failing to comply with a subpoena for a full, unredacted copy of special counsel Robert Mueller's report. Fights with other House panels are ongoing. "I will consult with counsel and determine the appropriate response," Neal said in a statement Monday. The president of ICMSA has asked rural voters to support local election and EU Parliament candidates who demonstrate a real commitment to farming and rural communities. Pat McCormack urged voters to support those with defined policies and who will act on the basis that farming and the wider food production sector it supported was part of the solution to our environmental challenges and not a scapegoat for fears being hyped up by people who themselves have no viable answers or solutions. The last year has seen three major issues come to the fore at national and international level, any one of which, on their own, has the potential to shape for good or bad the very future of Irish agriculture, he said. But coming together, as they are, ICMSA does not exaggerate when we say that they will determine the future of Irish farming and the dependent wider rural economy and society. Brexit, CAP Post 2020 and Climate Change either taken on their own or as a package will decide whether we will have a rural economy at all, he said. Noting that the Irish economy continued to perform well with strong economic growth and employment levels, Mr McCormack said there was, nevertheless, a clear issue with the vulnerability of the rural economy. Brexit, now extended to the end of October, remains a very serious threat and is directly impacting on farmers incomes since the second half of 2018 - supports must be introduced immediately to address that fact, he said. CAP is the key EU policy to support farmers. The Commission proposal is a for a substantial reduction in the CAP. Ireland must ensure that the current CAP budget is at least maintained. The regulations surrounding CAP must be simplified and reflect the practical realities of farming in Ireland, he said. Farmers were being unfairly targeted in the Climate Change debate by certain vested interests and Irish agriculture can play a very positive role in addressing climate change if appropriate policies were adopted, he said. The EU and local elections present farmers and rural dwellers with an opportunity to set out their concerns to politicians, said Mr McCormack. [May 06, 2019] CDB Aviation Expands Asia Executive Team CDB Aviation, a wholly owned Irish subsidiary of China Development Bank Financial Leasing Co., Limited ("CDB Leasing"), announced today the new executive appointments to its Asia team: Sign Kadouh took the position of Head of Commercial, Asia Pacific and Nick Seah assumed the role of Head of Commercial, Greater China & North Asia. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190506005838/en/ Sign Kadouh CDB Aviation's Head of Commercial, Asia Pacific (Photo: Business Wire) "We are very delighted to welcome Sign and Nick to our Asia commercial team, as we continue to strengthen our operations in this important market, particularly in China," said CDB Aviation Chief Executive Officer Peter Chang. "We are bringing our newly established global platform back to China to re-energize our presence. China is where our roots and foundation are, and where we hold unique relationships with its airlines. With a significant number of new aircraft deliveries destined for China, CDB Aviation is poised to leverage the strength of our leasing platform to benefit the Chinese airlines and their customers." Sign Kadouh, who assumed the position of Head of Commercial, Asia Pacific, has been instrumental over the past two years in building a strong and sustainable customer base across the region, further emboldening CDB Aviation's pedigree among Asia's leading airlines. "His energy, enthusiasm, and significant transaction experience make him well positioned to lead further development of our business in the fastest growing air travel market in the world," said CDB Aviation President & Chief Commercial Officer Patrick C. Hannigan. Kadouh joined CDB Aviation in February 2017 as Senior Vice President, Commercial, becoming part of the lessor's commercial team based in Hong Kong. Kadouh has more than a decade of experience in aviation finance and legal, and has spent nearly a decade of his career working in Asia. Prior to CDB Aviation, Kadoh served as Vice President, Legal, at International Lease Finance Corporation and AerCap (post the 2014 acquisition). He advised leasing teams on legal matters and led aircraft lease negotiations across Asia Pacific. He also was part of the M&A and Private Equity Group of Paul Hastings (News - Alert) LLP, based in the Los Angeles and Shanghai offices, focused on representing private equity funds and corporations in domestic and cross-border acquisitions. Kadouh received a Juris Doctor from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law, and a B.A. in Management from Michigan State University. "I am very excited to join CDB Aviation and work alongside the industry's leading commercial team, who know the industry well and, most importantly, who are versed in understanding and anticipating the needs of airlines globally, to deepen our customer relationships across Asia Pacific. I look forward to leveraging our company's strong brand as a global, full-service lessor to bring us closer to our customers in the region and to better serve their needs to meet their growth objectives," commented CDB Aviation's Head of Commercial Asia Pacific Sign Kadouh. With a strategic focus on China being central to CDB Aviation's aggressive growth strategy, and the region's increasingly significant role in global aviation's future, Nick Seah will head the company's commercial activities in Greater China and North Asia. "We look forward to leveraging Nick's extensive leasing and finance expertise, as well as his broad network of strong airline relationships in China to increase our efforts to better serve clients in this important region," added Hannigan. Seah joins CDB Aviation from BOC Aviation, where he served as Executive Vice President, overseeing airline leasing and sales for a number of Asia Pacific jurisdictions, including China, Hong Kong, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Brunei, Bhutan, Nepal, Mongolia, Tibet, and the Himalayas. Seah has more than two decades of experience in aviation and corporate finance. Prior to BOC Aviation, he managed Citi's corporate and investment banking activities for the energy, aviation, and telecommunications clusters in Singapore. Previously, he held executive positions in corporate finance, commodities and trading, M&A, and global banking for Fortis Bank and Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi (News - Alert). Seah earned his M.B.A. in Finance from Columbia University, New York, and B.A.A. in Finance and Administration from National University of Singapore. Nick Seah, CDB Aviation's Head of Commercial, Greater China & North Asia, commented: "I'm truly excited to be part of the core team bringing the CDB Aviations' franchise to new heights in the Greater China and North Asia region. I am confident in the dedication of the management bench and the scale of our recognized world-class operation to energize our Chinese platform well into the future." Hannigan concluded: "We are continuing to strengthen our commercial team in Asia and across the globe, adding the highest calibre of leasing and finance leaders who are well versed in our industry, boasting the breadth of expertise and experience that enables them to anticipate the needs of airlines in all markets of the world, delivering on our commitment to being a global, full-service lessor." About CDB Aviation CDB Aviation is a wholly owned Irish subsidiary of China Development Bank Financial Leasing Co., Limited ("CDB Leasing") a 35-year-old Chinese leasing company that is backed mainly by the China Development Bank. CDB Aviation is rated Investment Grade by Moody's (A1), S&P Global (A), and Fitch (A+). China Development Bank is under the direct jurisdiction of the State Council of China and is the world's largest development finance institution. It is also the largest Chinese bank for foreign investment and financing cooperation, long-term lending and bond issuance, enjoying Chinese sovereign credit rating. CDB Leasing is the only leasing arm of the China Development Bank and a leading company in China's leasing industry that has been engaged in aircraft, infrastructure, ship, commercial vehicle and construction machinery leasing and enjoys a Chinese sovereign credit rating. It took an important step in July 2016 to globalize and marketize its business - listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX STOCK CODE: 1606). www.CDBAviation.aero View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190506005838/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 06, 2019] Marcus & Millichap Elevates Key Executives Marcus & Millichap (NYSE: MMI) announced today Richard Matricaria and J.D. Parker have been promoted to executive vice presidents of Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Services, Inc. Parker and Matricaria are long-term members of the firm with extensive experience as investment brokers and in management throughout their careers. In this new role, they will oversee the firm's division managers and specialty group directors to streamline operations and execute strategic initiatives more efficiently. "Richard and J.D. have demonstrated the ability to combine their brokerage and management skills with exceptional project management and program development in a variety of areas," said Hessam Nadji, president and chief executive officer. "We have growth opportunities in virtually every market segment, and these key executives will help us pursue them on behalf of our brokers and shareholders." A 15-year company veteran, Parker began his career with the firm as an investment broker and most recently held the position of senior vice president and division manager overseeing the Northeast division. Prior o that, he served as regional manager where he grew the Manhattan operation to the top office firmwide by sales volume and established the Westchester and Brooklyn offices. Parker has enhanced Marcus & Millichap's international presence by launching the Global Capital Group in 2017 to access potential international investors at key events in Asia, Europe and Latin America. Last year, he was instrumental in expanding the firm's footprint in Canada through the acquisition of two well-regarded firms in Montreal and Ottawa. Matricaria joined the company in 2000 as an investment broker and most recently held the position of senior vice president and division manager overseeing offices in the Midwest. In the last two years, he grew the Midwest division's revenue by 30% and salesforce by 40%. Matricaria also played a major role in the acquisition of the largest independently owned financing company in the Midwest last year. Additionally, he oversaw the creation of Marcus & Millichap University, a web-based brokerage training portal designed to complement the company's industry-leading in-house training. Matricaria previously served as manager of the firm's Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Jacksonville and Tampa offices which grew to be among the company's top ten operations. Matricaria and Parker will report to Mitchell LaBar, Marcus & Millichap's chief operating officer. About Marcus & Millichap (NYSE: MMI) With nearly 2,000 investment sales and financing professionals located throughout the United States and Canada, Marcus & Millichap is a leading specialist in commercial real estate investment sales, financing, research and advisory services. Founded in 1971, the firm closed 9,472 transactions in 2018 with a value of approximately $46.4 billion. Marcus & Millichap has perfected a powerful system for marketing properties that combines investment specialization, local market expertise, the industry's most comprehensive research, state-of-the-art technology, and relationships with the largest pool of qualified investors. To learn more, please visit: www.MarcusMillichap.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190506005841/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 06, 2019] CONDUENT 24 HOUR DEADLINE ALERT: Approximately 24 Hours Remain; ClaimsFiler Reminds Investors with Losses in Excess of $100,000 of Deadline in Class Action Lawsuit against Conduent, Inc. - CNDT ClaimsFiler, a FREE shareholder information service, reminds investors that they have only until May 7, 2019 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against Conduent, Inc. (NYSE: CNDT). Investor losses must relate to purchases of the Company's shares between February 21, 2018 and November 6, 2018. This action is pending in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey. Get Help Conduent investors should visit us at https://www.claimsfiler.com/cases/view-conduent-inc-securities-litigation or call toll-free (844) 367-9658. Lawyers at Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC are avalable to discuss your legal options. About the Lawsuit On November 7, 2018, the Company disclosed negative Q3 and Q4 projected operating results due to "continued suboptimal performance from an inherited legacy technology vendorstem[ming] from the vendor's inability to deliver on service level agreements, lack of responsiveness to Conduent's needs, and poorly structured contract which we inherited" Further, 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, the price of Conduent's shares plummeted. About ClaimsFiler ClaimsFiler has a single mission: to serve as the information source to help retail investors recover their share of billions of dollars from securities class action settlements. At ClaimsFiler.com, investors can: (1) register for free to gain access to information and settlement websites for various securities class action cases so they can timely submit their own claims; (2) upload their portfolio transactional data to be notified about relevant securities cases in which they may have a financial interest; and (3) submit inquiries to the Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC law firm for free case evaluations. To learn more about ClaimsFiler, visit www.claimsfiler.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190506005817/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 07, 2019] eSilicon Tapes Out 7nm neuASIC IP Platform Test Chip SAN JOSE, Calif., May 07, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- eSilicon, a leading provider of FinFET ASICs, market-specific IP platforms and advanced 2.5D packaging solutions, announced today the tapeout of a 7nm test chip to validate the latest neuASIC IP platform release. eSilicons neuASIC IP platform provides a library of IP that supports a wide range of functions found in artificial intelligence applications. The IP is verified to be compatible and supports algorithm-specific customization as well as a validated integration architecture through eSilicons ASIC Chassis. IP on the test chip includes specialized memory and compute blocks to support near-memory compute applications. These include specialized low power memory for interfacing with multiply-accumulate functions (MACs) as well as large embedded SRAMs supporting multiple ports. The large (GIGA) memory supports WAZPS (word all zero power saving) and various sleep modes for standby power reduction. The compute blocks include several MAC blocks, low power standard cells, transpose memory functions and a convolutional neural network engine. Low-power data movement IP (cross-bar) are also included as well as IP for support functions such as GPIO, PLL and BIST. Our neuASIC IP platform has received a very strong reception, said, Patrick Soheili, vice president, business and corporate development at eSilicon. Some of the largest consumers of AI technology in the world, as well as many high-profile AI startups have engaged with us to dig deeper into our neuSIC IP platform. This new test chip will provide silicon data to support that process. You can learn more about eSilicons neuASIC IP platform here , or contact your eSilicon sales representative directly or via [email protected] . About eSilicon eSilicon provides complex FinFET ASICs, market-specific IP platforms and advanced 2.5D packaging solutions. Our ASIC-proven, differentiating IP includes highly configurable 7nm 56G/112G SerDes plus networking-optimized 16/14/7nm FinFET IP platforms featuring HBM2 PHY, TCAM, specialized memory compilers and I/O libraries. Our neuASIC platform provides AI-specific IP and a modular design methodology to create adaptable, highly efficient AI ASICs. eSilicon serves the high-bandwidth networking, high-performance computing, AI and 5G infrastructure markets. www.esilicon.com Collaborate. Differentiate. Win. eSilicon is a registered trademark, and the eSilicon logo, neuASIC and Collaborate. Differentiate. Win. are trademarks, of eSilicon Corporation. Other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Contacts: Sally Slemons Nanette Collins eSilicon Corporation Public Relations for eSilicon [email protected] [email protected] [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 07, 2019] Aiven Closes 8 Million Series A Round on Back of Strong Performance HELSINKI, May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Aiven has completed an 8 million Series A funding round to enhance its leading cloud data platform with more integrated solutions and to accelerate international growth. "We see a tremendous number of companies around the world now implementing their new real-time data platforms in the cloud. The new funding will allow us to better cater to their requirements," states Oskari Saarenmaa, co-founder and CEO at Aiven. The round was led by Earlybird Venture Capital with participation from Lifeline Ventures and Nokia chairman Risto Siilasmaa. Hendrik Brandis, partner and co-founder of Earlybird, joins the Aiven board of directors as part of the transaction. "Aiven's ability to outcompete established market players and build a highly capital efficient international business is impressive. We're eager to become a part of the story and continue growing the company," dscusses Brandis. Aiven launched its data cloud in 2016 with a suite of the best open source data infrastructure services that now include the Apache Kafka event streaming engine and databases such as PostgreSQL and Apache Cassandra. Aiven services cover all the needs of complex internet applications and have earned the trust of a growing number of customers, such as Atlassian, Comcast and OVO Energy. Committed to open source, Aiven recognizes the importance of the communities behind these projects and will step up its participation in them. This will mean creating new open source tools such as Kafka connectors as well as participating in feature development and quality assurance of the core projects. Aiven's mission is to enable developers to focus on their core business and build great applications without worrying about software infrastructure. The next step in this journey is offering more integrated solutions on top of the individual building blocks that are currently available on Aiven's data cloud, which will allow teams to build what they couldn't imagine before. About Aiven Headquartered in Helsinki, Finland and with offices in Boston, MA, Aiven is an ISO 27001 certified cloud data platform provider, operating managed open-source database, event streaming, cache, search, and graphing solutions for over 400 customers worldwide. You can visit https://aiven.io for more information or follow Aiven on Twitter: @aiven_io . (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/881660/Aiven_Logo.jpg) Contact: Kyle Buzzell Marketing Manager at Aiven Email: [email protected] [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 07, 2019] IDnow Pushes for 100 Million Euro Sales Target With New CEO and CF MUNICH, May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- IDnow (www.idnow.io), a leading provider of Identity Verification-as-a-Service solutions with more than 250 customers including N26, Commerzbank and UBS, brings two top managers to its Executive Board by appointing Andreas Bodczek as CEO and Joseph Lichtenberger as CFO. At the same time, all founders return to the operational business. The aim is to push ahead with the company's expansion into other industries and new European markets, breaking through a turnover barrier of 100 million euros the next few years. Andreas Bodczek and Joseph Lichtenberger will join the management team with immediate effect. Their initial focus will be on expanding the flourishing business in the German financial industry by tapping into further sectors as well as establishing IDnow in France and the UK. In addition to IDnow VideoIdent (the online identification via video chat compliant with the German Money Laundering Act), IDnow AutoIdent will play a major role in this expansion. With the help of artificial intelligence, AutoIdent captures passports, driving licences and other identification documents from 193 countries and thus enables a fast verification process for digital customers. IDnow is currently the only provider to offer such a wide range of identification procedures compliant with international regulations and security levels. In 2018, the fintech pioneer achieved sales in the double-digit millions for the first time, creating the basis for further growth. New CEO Andreas Bodczek has already made his mark as an entrepreneur and investor. Following his tenure as Managing Director and CEO of Telefonica Deutschland GmbH from 2001 to 2007, Andreas Bodczek founded his own company Scalar Ventures and became an investor for tech start-ups. In 2009, he co-founded Fyber, a technology provider for mobile advertising, and led the company as CEO until 2017. Joseph Lichtenberger brings with him 25 years of management experience from various positions in German technology companies. These include businesses sch as Kabel Deutschland, Roland Berger and Scout24, where he worked as CFO. For the latter, he managed the multi-billion-euro sale to US private equity investors Hellmann & Friedman and Blackstone. Felix Haas, Armin Bauer, Sebastian Barhold and Dennis von Ferenczy, who founded the company in 2014, brought in external managers early on to align the company for growth. The four entrepreneurs are now taking on an active role again at IDnow to help reach the sales target of 100 million euros. The company's repositioning underlines the potential for IDnow as one of the leading providers in the rapidly growing market of digital identities. "We have great ambitions to build a new tech leader out of Munich," said co-founder and executive chairman Felix Haas. "The combination of new leadership and fresh ideas will provide the impetus for a real growth spurt, enabling us to establish a leading international position across new industries." "Secure online identification is interesting for a broad market: all digital business models that include a value transaction worth protecting need secure digital identities for customers. Since the company's inception, IDnow has impressively demonstrated how much this can boost digital transformation in the financial industry," comments CEO Andreas Bodczek. "I see great potential for the same development in other sectors such as insurance and mobility. Our goal at IDnow is to carry our established technology into these areas and thus pave the way for disruptive innovation." "I'm very excited about the chance to join IDnow. The company has established itself in Germany as one of the leading providers of Identity Verification-as-a-Service. Now we are striving to master the next phase of growth," said Joe Lichtenberger. In 2018, IDnow strengthened its management team with industry experts including Oliver Obitayo (previously with EY, Unify and Siemens) as Chief Sales Officer, Vikas Seth (previously with Avira, AVG Technologies and RSA) as Chief Product Officer, Melanie Jungbluth (previously with Gartner) as Vice President Legal and Sandra Lenzing (previously with Hermes and Tchibo) as Vice President Operations. With these staff changes, the company, which recently opened an office in Paris has created the organizational conditions for long-term, international cross-industry business development. About IDnow With its Identity Verification-as-a-Service (IVaaS) platform, IDnow has set out to make the connected world a safer place. IDnow's unmanipulable identity verification is used across industries conducting online customer interactions that require a high degree of security. IDnow uses artificial intelligence to check all security features on ID documents and can therefore reliably identify forged documents. Potentially, the identities of more than 7 billion customers from 193 different countries can be verified in real time. In addition to safety, the focus is also on uncomplicated application for the customer. With five out of five stars on the Trustpilot customer rating portal, the technology is particularly user-friendly. IDnow covers a wide range of use cases both in regulated sectors in Europe and for completely new digital business models worldwide. The platform allows the identity flow to be adapted to different regional, legal and business requirements on a per use case basis. IDnow is supported by venture capital investors BayBG, Seventure Partner, G+D Ventures and Jet A as well as a consortium of renowned business angels. Its portfolio of over 250 customers includes leading international companies from various industries such as Bank of Scotland, BNP Paribas, Commerzbank, eventim, Raisin (Weltsparen), Sixt, solarisBank, Telefonica Deutschland, UBS, Western Union and wirecard as well as fintechs such as Fidor, N26, smava, and wefox. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/882613/IDnow_Andreas_Bodczek.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/882614/IDnow_Logo.jpg Media contact: LEWIS Communications Silvia Leiner / Maren Muller E: i[email protected] T: +49-89-173019-49 [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 07, 2019] CollabNet VersionOne Releases 13th Annual State of Agile Report DevOps, Scrum and SAFe adoption continue to rise in 13th annual report along with an increased emphasis on measurement and metrics ATLANTA and THE HAGUE, Netherlands, May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- European SAFe Summit #SafeSummit -- CollabNet VersionOne ( www.collab.net ), a global leader in Enterprise Value Stream Management, Agile management, Git version control and DevOps, today announced the 13th annual State of Agile report . The report the longest running and most widely-cited agile survey in the world shares the experiences of software professionals in a variety of industries and roles around the world. This year's survey findings feature increased global diversity with more results from respondents in Europe, Asia, South America and Africa than the year before. The 13th annual report features new themes, shifts in priority and expanded areas of focus. As the importance of DevOps continues to grow, the DevOps section was expanded with new results on improving DevOps practices. Value Stream Management, an emerging category that helps organizations realize the value of connecting Agile and DevOps practices, is featured for the first time in the 13th annual report. Notable findings reported this year include: Agile is being adopted more frequently to reduce costs - The new report shows a 71 percent increase in project cost reduction as a primary reason to adopt agile. It also cited a 27 percent increase in the reduction in project costs as a key benefit of agile. According to the report, the adoption of agile has a bigger focus on reducing project costs and improving team morale and is less about increasing productivity and reducing risk in comparison to the year before. - The new report shows a 71 percent increase in project cost reduction as a primary reason to adopt agile. It also cited a 27 percent increase in the reduction in project costs as a key benefit of agile. According to the report, the adoption of agile has a bigger focus on reducing project costs and improving team morale and is less about increasing productivity and reducing risk in comparison to the year before. DevOps is a higher organizational priority - The need to understand and improve DevOps continues to rise as a prioriy for organizations with 90 percent of respondents citing it as important. The report also showed a 27 percent increase from last year in respondents who think DevOps transformation is very important. The need to understand and improve DevOps continues to rise as a prioriy for organizations with 90 percent of respondents citing it as important. The report also showed a 27 percent increase from last year in respondents who think DevOps transformation is important. End-to-end traceability is key to improving DevOps practices - A total of 38 percent of respondents identified end-to-end traceability from business, through development, test and deployment as the most valuable capability for DevOps improvement. - A total of 38 percent of respondents identified end-to-end traceability from business, through development, test and deployment as the most valuable capability for DevOps improvement. Value Stream Management is new, but important - Although value stream management made its debut this year, 67 percent of respondents reported that it was important for connecting the business to its software delivery capability. - Although value stream management made its debut this year, 67 percent of respondents reported that it was important for connecting the business to its software delivery capability. SAFe dominates scaling methods - The Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) continues to grow in adoption and was identified as the scaling method of choice by 30 percent of respondents. The 13th annual State of Agile Report is available for download at www.stateofagile.com . Share This: Read the @CollabNetV1 13th annual State of Agile report to learn about changes in the #software industry! #StateOfAgile #Agile #DevOps www.stateofagile.com #SafeSummit About CollabNet VersionOne CollabNet VersionOne is the Enterprise Value Stream Management leader that accelerates high value software development and delivery, while improving quality and reducing risk. Our offerings provide global enterprise and government market leaders a cohesive solution, spanning idea through delivery, that enable them to capture, create, deliver and measure the flow of business value throughout their application development lifecycles. www.collab.net . Follow us on: Twitter LinkedIn Facebook CollabNet VersionOne is a Vector Capital Company. Company trademark and logo details available here: https://www.collab.net/legal . Contact: Laura Balboni Catapult PR-IR [email protected] 303-581-7760 Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/590681/CollabNet_VersionOne_Logo.jpg [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 07, 2019] Hg invests in Litera Microsystems LONDON, May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Hg announces today that it will invest in Litera Microsystems ("Litera"), a leading provider of end-to-end document lifecycle solutions to the legal and life sciences industries worldwide, headquartered in Chicago. Terms of the transaction are not disclosed. Based in London, Munich and New York, Hg is a specialist private equity investor focused on software and service businesses, committed to building businesses that change the way we all do business, through deep sector specialisation and dedicated operational support. Litera has developed a leading suite of legal document productivity applications, delivered as an end-to-end platform to more than 1,300 organisations across the globe. Based in Chicago, New York and London, Litera provides a suite of best-in-class productivity tools that help customers to focus on what matters: creating the highest quality documents. The investment in Litera follows one of Hg's core investment theses, focused on the secular growth of software suppliers for business-critical functions in the legal and regulatory compliance sector. Hg has been actively following this theme for over 15 years, with Litera representing the sixth legal and compliance business currently in Hg's portfolio, with others including STP, a leading provider of insolvency and law practice software in Germany; and Mitratech, a leading global provider of Enterprise Legal Management ('ELM') software to corporate legal departments, based in Austin, Texas. Hg's team has known Litera for several years, recognising it as a business solving mission-critical workflows for its customers, leading to strong recurring revenues and displaying the same growth characteristics as many others in the Hg portfolio. The investment will be made from Hg's Genesis 8 Fund which, following the completion of this transaction, will be 54% invested across 7 software and service businesses. Ben Meyer, Jean Baptiste Brian and Hector Guinness at Hg, said: "We have been very impressed with Litera's great track record of delivering innovative products that change the way legal professionals work, with an unmatched record of excellent customer support and satisfaction. We look forward to working closely with Avaneesh and his team to continue the success of this company." Avaneesh Marwaha, CEO of Litera, said: "Over the last few years, Litera has experienced great success in creating a platform for long term growth. As we looked for the next partner to align the business with, Hg stood out. Leveraging Hg's support and their experience in software, legal, life sciences and global expansion will enable Litera to reach new levels of success with confidence, whilst also allowing us to further invest in our people and culture. We look forward to partnering with Hg and developing new products and capabilities to continue to meet the evolving needs of our customers." Hg were advised by Evercore (M&A), EY (Financial & Tax), Deloitte (Financing), PWC (Commercial) and Skadden (Legal). Litera were advised by William Blair. For further details: Hg Tom Eckersley +44 (0)20 7089 7888 Brunswick Chris Blundell and Joe Shipley +44 (0)207 404 5959 About Hg Hg is a specialist private equity investor, committed to building businesses that change the way we all do business, through deep sector specialisation and dedicated operational support. We are a leading European investor in software and services businesses, with increasing global presence, having built a team of 170 people over 25 years. Hg partners with the businesses and management teams we invest in. We have 35 operational professionals providing practical support to management teams to help them realise their growth ambitions. We share best-practice 'playbooks' and leverage Hg's executive and portfolio network as a powerful tool for knowledge sharing across comparable businesses. Based in London, Munich and New York, Hg has funds under management of around $13 billion serving some of the world's leading institutional and private investors. For further details, please see www.hgcapital.com About Litera Microsystems Litera Microsystems is the leading provider of software for drafting, proofreading, comparing, repairing and cleaning documents in the legal and life sciences industries worldwide. Our core products empower users to generate, review, and distribute high-quality content quickly and securely, from any device. Today, Litera Microsystems supports thousands of document-intensive organizations across the globe, helping them satisfy the complex demands of clients and regulators. https://www.litera.com/ The contents of the Hg and Litera Microsystems' websites and any website accessible from hyperlinks on such websites (or any other website) are not incorporated into, and do not form part of, this announcement. View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hg-invests-in-litera-microsystems-300844795.html SOURCE Hg [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 07, 2019] Hikvision Launches New Turbo HD X Security Solutions HANGZHOU, China, May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Hikvision, the world's leading supplier of innovative security products and solutions, launches the latest generation Turbo HD Series - Turbo HD X, which is a complete system to help stop intruders in real-time and avoid damage and loss of property. From passive monitoring to active deterrence, in a wide variety of applications The Hikvision Turbo HD X series of cameras has a built-in detector that captures infrared light emitted by human bodies, distinguishing it from other visual 'noise'. Once the camera detects a potential intruder, its built-in siren flashes red and blue light and makes a loud sound with the aim of frightening the intruder away. The Turbo HD X series can support a broad range of perimeter protection and security system processes for in-process warning and evidence collection after an event. It enables transformation of the traditional monitoring and post-event investigation approach and helps change perimeter protection from passive monitoring to active deterrence in order to protect people and assets. It can be used in warehouses, residences, jewellery stores and more. A complete end-to-end system More importantly, the Turbo HD X is a complete and unified system, featuring front-enddevices linking to back-end devices and a remote application. As the front-end alarm sends a warning to potential intruders, the system also triggers an alarm at the back-end, to notify security personnel. Users can also receive alarm information remotely, via an application on their mobile devices. Even better false-alarm reduction Turbo HD X cameras can also be integrated with Hikvision's cutting-edge AcuSense DVRs. The intelligent false-alarm reduction technology within these DVRs will disregard irrelevant movements picked up by the camera - such as rain, leaves and animals - and instead focus exclusively on human or vehicle movement. Together, this integrated solution dramatically reduces the number of false alarms and ensures security staff focus on actual targets for greater efficiency. Building on already impressive functionality All of this builds on the impressive functionality that has been delivered by Hikvision's Turbo HD DVRs and cameras since their launch in 2013. In addition to impressive HD image clarity, the last six years of Turbo HD products have delivered a wealth of innovations to the market, including super-efficient bandwidth and storage usage and ultra-low-light video recording - all helping customers to enhance their security and perimeter protection. Frank Zhang, the President of the International Product and Solution Center at Hikvision, says, "Once again, we are bringing fresh ideas and new possibilities to the industry. Usually, video surveillance records are only searched for evidence after someone has suffered the consequences of an intrusion. However, criminals may give up further actions if they believe their behaviour has been detected. By stopping intruders in their tracks, the Hikvision Turbo HD X can help our customers to avoid costly damage and loss of property." About Hikvision Hikvision is a world leading provider of security products and solutions. Featuring an extensive and highly skilled R&D workforce, Hikvision manufactures a full suite of comprehensive products and solutions for a broad range of vertical markets. In addition to the security industry, Hikvision extends its reach to smart home tech, industrial automation, and automotive electronics industries to achieve its long-term vision. Hikvision products also provide powerful business intelligence for end users, which can enable more efficient operations and greater commercial success. Committed to the utmost quality and safety of its products, Hikvision encourages partners to take advantage of the many cybersecurity resources Hikvision offers, including the Hikvision Cybersecurity Centre. For more information, please visit us at www.hikvision.com. Photo - https://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20190507/2458268-1 SOURCE Hikvision [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 07, 2019] Artificial Solutions and Rucker Lypsa Team-up to Deliver Conversational AI to the Automotive Industry STOCKHOLM, May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Artificial Solutions (FNSE: ASAI ), the leading specialist in enterprise-strength conversational AI, announced today that it has signed an agreement with Rucker Lypsa to develop conversational AI applications for the automotive industry. Rucker Lypsa is part of EDAG group, one of the largest independent automotive engineering companies in the world and provides major car manufacturers and their suppliers with a wide range of services. As part of their portfolio, the company creates innovative applications to enable seamless interactions between the car and its user. "Intelligent conversational applications offer car manufacturers a way to forge a closer relationship with their customers, both in and out of the car," says Michele d'Alessandro, CTO of Rucker Lypsa. "Working with Artificial Solutions enables us to take a flexible approach to designing conversational AI systems that will work across any platform, language or device and allow car manufacturers to differentiate themselves by providing the ultimate driving experience." Already used by several manufacturers in the automotive market, Artificial Solutions award-wining conversational AI platform, Teneo allows business users and developers to collaborate on creating sophisticated, highly intelligent applications in 35 languages, running over any channel. The ability to analyze and make use of the enormous quantities of conversational data is fully integrated within Teneo, delivering unprecedented levels of insight that reveal what customers are truly thinking. "We're delighted to be working with Rucker Lypsa," says Andy Peart, CMSO of Artificial Solutions. "Conversational AI opens up new opportunities for the automotive market by allowing manufacturers to take the customer experience beyond the inside of the car, while continuing to deliver insight and trends that transforms the bottom line long after the car has been sold." For more information: Lawrence Flynn, CEO, Artificial Solutions Tel: +44 (0)1635 523267 Email: [email protected] This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/artificial-solutions-international-ab/r/artificial-solutions-and-rucker-lypsa-team-up-to-deliver-conversational-ai-to-the-automotive-industr,c2804474 The following files are available for download: https://mb.cision.com/Main/16195/2804474/1038012.pdf PDF View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/artificial-solutions-and-rucker-lypsa-team-up-to-deliver-conversational-ai-to-the-automotive-industry-300845016.html SOURCE Artificial Solutions International AB [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Google is forcing people to use 2FA what that means for you Some Google users are being told they have to start using two-factor authentication by Nov. 9, and millions of others will follow by the end of the year. Here's what that means for you. (Image credit: Shutterstock) Updated, 5/10/19, 8:30am PT: The increased tariffs--which jumped from 10% to 25%--went into effect at 12:01am ET on May 10. CNN reported that China's Ministry of Commerce released a statement that read "We hope the United States will meet us halfway, and work with us to resolve existing issues through cooperation and consultation." More information is available via the U.S. Federal Register. Original article, 5/7/19, 7:26am PT: U.S. President Donald Trump said in February that he delayed an increase on tariffs affecting goods imported from China because of "very productive talks" between the countries. But on Sunday he increased tariffs on $200 billion worth of goods from 10% to 25% and said he might also apply the 25% tariff to another $325 billion worth of goods. That's bad news for many companies, but it could prove especially problematic for AMD and Nvidia. The primary concern isn't actually the increased tariffs--investors seem to be more worried that China will cancel its talks with the U.S., leading to increased tension between the countries. Reports about China's intentions have varied over the last few days: The Wall Street Journal reported Sunday that China was thinking about canceling the talks, but CNBC reported soon after that China was still preparing to make a trip to the U.S. this week. AMD and Nvidia's share prices have ping-ponged as much as those reports. Share prices for both companies fell around 4% early Monday, then picked up slightly before markets closed and have been falling back down so far this morning. Some of this can be attributed to market fluctuations--it's hard to find a tech stock whose price doesn't change daily--but it could also indicate unease about how the companies will fare based on these trade talks. The worst-case scenario is for these companies to lose China entirely. RBC analyst Mitch Steves told Business Insider: "A major concern here, the products would be deemed mission-critical, and the U.S. would prevent shipments to China, or tax them heavily (a large buyer of GPUs). We think China trade talks will negatively impact our universe. Most notably, we think GPUs and Semi-cap are most at risk to the downside if tensions continue to rise." China is an important gaming market. Niko Partners released new research this month indicating that by 2023, China will have more than 354 million PC gamers playing online games, which is greater than the entire population of the U.S. It doesn't take an economic degree to figure out that losing access to such a massive market because of a U.S.-China trade war probably wouldn't be good for AMD and Nvidia's financial results. That loss isn't guaranteed. Maybe talks between the U.S. and China will improve. Even if they don't, AMD and Nvidia could escape relatively unscathed as long as they aren't barred from selling their products in China. Like we said at the top, the increased tariffs themselves aren't the real fear. AMD CEO Dr. Lisa Su told us as much in January, when she said that her main fear about the trade war was the uncertainty it caused, not the tariffs. (Image credit: The upcoming Windows 10 light theme.) At Microsofts Build 2019 developer conference here in Seattle, theres a word I heard far less than many expected: Windows. Since CEO Satya Nadella took the reigns of Microsoft in 2014, theres been a big focus on Azure, Microsofts cloud computing platform and suite of services, which Nadella worked on before his ascendancy. Funding to the Windows division has been cut, Windows head Terry Myerson left, and a lot of work has been put on Microsoft services on other operating systems, like iOS, macOS and Android. And at Nadellas keynote, that was clear. Windows was brought up a few times as part of Microsoft 365, its combination of Office products, enterprise mobility and security, and, of course, Windows 10. But Windows is still going strong. And one executive hinted at that strength. Rajesh Jha. (Image credit: Microsoft) Rajesh Jha, executive vice president of the Experiences and Devices group (which encompasses Office 365, which he previously headed up), made a joke about it when he hosted the Microsoft 365 technical keynote at Build. If youre all here to learn about Windows and Office, youre still in the right place, Jha joked just half an hour following Nadellas keynote, which barely mentioned either. Then he spouted the big number: one billion people using Windows. Thats individuals, businesses and education. And theyre not all jumping ship at once. Windows may not be the focus of the company anymore (Microsoft missed the chance to move it to mobile phones. It knows it), but its a hugely profitable business for Microsoft. In a recent profile of Microsoft under Nadella, Bloomberg Businessweek pegged Windows as being a $20 billion-per-year business. In its Q3 Fiscal Year 2019 earnings report in April, the revenue from MIcrosofts More Personal Computing group, was $10.7 billion. Some of that included Windows OEM revenue (up 9 percent), Windows commercial products and cloud services (up 18 percent) and Surface revenue (up 21 percent) -- all devices or services that depend on Windows 10. And interoperability is hugely important. Android and iOS owners still use Windows and Office, so it makes sense to focus on it (and, of course, those devices are selling like hotcakes. Some people's first machines run Android, not Windows). It also makes sense to put the spotlight on Azure, the burgeoning new star on Microsofts Redmond campus and beyond. And surely, Microsoft would rather not just have developers do work on Windows 10, but also Azure, the Microsoft Graph and Office. Much of the immediate future of Windows 10 - the imminent May 2019 update - has already been revealed in the form of Insider builds. Builds of 19H2 and 20H1 are still forthcoming, even in some Insider Builds. So at Build 2019, Microsoft focused elsewhere. Its weird for the company to be so quiet about its operating system with a billion users, but developers and users dont have to worry about its disappearance. Note: As with all of our op-eds, the opinions expressed here belong to the writer alone and not Tom's Hardware as a team. (Image credit: Sharaf Maksumov/Shutterstock) The U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) announced today that it has launched its own website on the Tor anonymity network. The site is meant to be accessed by those who would like to send the CIA anonymous intelligence tips or are interested in a job at the agency. Even the CIA Needs the Tor Network The CIA believes its move to an .onion site was a natural move because its more "secure, anonymous, untraceabletraits ever-present in CIAs intelligence collection mission." The site will otherwise be an exact replica of the CIA.gov website. However, it can only be accessed via the Tor browser or other browsers and applications that can access the Tor network. It doesnt work on regular browsers that dont support Tor, such as Google Chrome. The CIAs Director of Public Affairs, Brittany Bramell, said in a statement accompanying the announcement: Our global mission demands that individuals can access us securely from anywhere. Creating an onion site is just one of many ways were going where people are. The site, which can be found at the onion address ciadotgov4sjwlzihbbgxnqg3xiyrg7so2r2o3lt5wz5ypk4sxyjstad.onion can be used to apply to a job at the CIA, but its main purpose is to get intelligence tips from other spies or people who would leak information from their own governments or organizations. Tor, not Just for Criminals? The Tor network and browser have generally been seen as tools used by cybercriminals. However, as with any privacy tool, its potential for good can be far greater than its potential for harm. The Tor network has been used by civil liberties activists in countries where freedom of speech is limited. For instance, it continues to remain an important tool for those who want to bypass the Great Firewall in China, although thats not as easy to do as it once was. The New York Times and Facebook have also launched their own anonymous websites on Tor so that people in such countries can more easily access the sites, or in NYTs case, send them anonymous tips more safely. Now its the CIAs turn to embrace Tor, and this should further advance the idea that Tor is not just a tool used by criminals but one that can important to helping sustain democracies. The next step would be for mainstream Internet users to start using Tor for their daily web surfing activities without being tracked by various advertising companies. The Brave browser has already started offering an embedded version of Tor in an alternative private mode, and Mozilla has promised to do something similar in the future with Project Fusion. Once Tor starts being embedded into more applications, its usage for everyday activities could drastically increase. Furthermore, now that the CIA, one of the most powerful intelligence agencies in the U.S. government, maybe they'll reconsider their approach to encryption and online anonymity. This car had a prototype assistant for BMW inside. (Image credit: Tom's Hardware) Sure, Microsoft makes Cortana, but it's also using providing a sort of white-label virtual assistant for technology partners thorough a program called the Virtual Assistant Solution Accelerator with templates and tools for other companies to develop their own agents. At the Build 2019 developer conference in Seattle, I had the chance to sit in a BMW using a prototype version of an assistant meant for a car. The point of this is to allows these partners to make assistants that fit in with their technology needs. So when I met "Joy," the (not finally named) AI in the BMW I was sitting in, it responded with results that suggested it knew it was a car. A screen in the console shows results for the assistant. (Image credit: Tom's Hardware) With the program, companies can customize the skills that are available for devices (like a smart assistant), services (like Skype), or, in this case, a vehicle. Want productivity stuff? Microsoft already made a bunch of it. Doesn't work for you? It's open source, so you can tweak it. And you don't need much hardware on your end, as all of this runs in Azure. The first question a representative asked Joy was how it liked Seattle. "Seattle is a wonderful town," it responded. "I'm just glad I'm equipped with rain sensors." In this case, it referenced sensors on board. But in theory it could also know what kind of interior it has or other available features. But the demo was also connected to Office, Outlook.com and Google's G Suite, so when I asked for my to-do list, I got results from Microsoft To-Do. Then, the BMW rep brought up a calendar. He brought up the possibility of creating a scenario that allows you to call into a meeting and, because it knows you're in a car, rolls up the window to reduce noise. There's no release date for an assistant like this in a BMW car, but a BMW representative said it will be built into the existing voice command system, which works offline. But for Azure services, you'll need a wireless connection. (Image credit: Shutterstock) According to the Financial Times, Huawei announced that it plans to build a chip research and development factory in the UK, right next to Arms headquarters. Huawei has been recently accused of installing backdoors in telecom equipment. To regain its trust, the UK government has asked the company to commit to multi-billion dollar investments that would make it easier for regulators to verify whether or not Huaweis equipment is compromised. New Huawei R&D Center In UK Last year, Huawei purchased a 550-acre site from Spicers, a UK stationery business, for $49 million. The company intends to build an R&D center there employing about 400 people that should open by 2021. The focus of the new R&D center will be making chips for broadband networks, but eventually, the company may also start developing AI software there. Huaweis network equipment has come under fire recently from multiple governments, and the U.S. government has warned that Huaweis hardware may come with backdoors meant to aid the Chinese government in espionage operations. Some Continue To See Huawei As Security Risk Vodafone recently admitted that between 2011 and 2012 it found certain security holes in Huaweis network devices that allowed the company to connect remotely to the devices and change their configuration. Vodafone didnt want this kind of feature to exist in its devices due to the security risk it posed to Vodafones own customers, but Huawei was initially reluctant to disable the capability completely. Huawei has also promised for several years to invest billions of dollars into making sure that its networking software can be easily audited, but a report from the UK government found that the company hasnt made any real progress on that front. The company has yet again promised to change this, but it remains to be seen how committed it will be to this promise. According to Financial Times, some of the residents where Huawei plans to develop its R&D center believe that Huawei is coming there to spy on the UK government. However, most seem to believe that the Chinese companys investments are welcome, according to the FT report. Prime Minister Theresa May recently let Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson go because he presumably leaked to the press the fact that Mrs. May would allow Huaweis 5G equipment in UK networks despite the security risks that this involved. Man's death in Northland ruled a homicide; 1 in custody KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Kansas City, Missouri, police said Monday they are investigating a man's death as a homicide after his body was found following a fire at a Northland home on Sunday afternoon. A police spokesman said a suspect was in custody and charges were expected "in the near future." Local authorities seem more cautious when counting up recent murders whilst this tragedy signals increasing danger on the nice side of the bridge as gunfire echoed through the neighborhood and was the precursor to this grisly discovery. Read more: Police are investigating. SOURCE: KMBC Chipman Road in closed in both directions due to a police investigation in Lee's Summit.Lee's Summit Police said officers are handling a disturbance call off of Northwest Chipman at Northwest Olive Street. As a result, Chipman is closed in both directions.A spokesperson for the Lee's Summit Police Department said the disturbance started overnight as a shooting investigation. UMKC faces large personnel changes following faculty buyout UMKC may be losing some of its most senior faculty members this year.Announced earlier this year, the entire UM system has offered tenured faculty members over the age of 62 a contract buyout. According to these metrics, this plan could impact 112 members at UMKC. Harsh times at the city college continue as social justice debate gives way to economic reality. In the Midwest there's agiven that the promise of gainful employment to pay off massive student debt is sketchy at best. Moreover, since most people learn everything they know from. . . The payoff of a college degree is a tougher sell. Here's the result of this tough situation: So, without further ado, heres what we think should be on every car enthusiasts watchlist when it comes to electric cars with coolness as their middle name. Then, we should be in for the rise of unusual suspects, such as Chinas BYD, joined by promising startups like Rivian and even boutique carmakers thats right, were looking at Croatias Rimac Automobili but also Pagani, which has recently signaled the intention to build an all-electric hypercar. What are we looking at exactly? For starters, a lot of first-ever electric cars coming from reputed brands that have a solid history in a given field take Porsche and sports cars, for example. The electric car snowball has been growing rapidly in recent years and, at this point, its only a matter of time before the trend will make the transition to norm. While nowadays most carmakers offer some sort of electrification in their lineups, 2020 is expected to bring a sustained push in this direction, with more and more manufacturers joining (or strengthening) the electric bandwagon. The next generation of electric cars will be the exact opposite of boring LISTEN 16:32 Hondas e Prototype is an evolution of the 2017 Urban EV Concept but not a production model yet, as the name clearly points out. However, the series-produced car (youll only get it in Europe, by the way) will likely be a slightly toned-down iteration, yet theres still a chance it might retain the better part of the concepts neat features. Were talking extinct side mirrors replaced by cameras, pop-out door handles, four dashboard screens and a fair share of physical buttons (thumbs up for that, Honda), the tinted glass roof (not ideal when looking to save weight, especially in an electric car, but at least it looks fancy) and a wood-clad cockpit a la BMW i3. Why does it matter? Besides the cool factor, Hondas e Prototype looks like a prime candidate for urban areas which are already suffocated by traffic congestion and pollution. Now, Honda claims a range of over 200 km (124 miles) and a fast-charge feature that juices up the battery to 80 percent in just 30 minutes, which in theory is more than enough to cover the usual trip to the supermarket/mall/office or any errand-running you might have to do. Plus, in the presence of a good-coverage metropolitan charging network, we can see the e Prototypes road-ready variant as an interesting choice for commuters. Read our full speculative review on the 2020 Honda Urban EV. Porsches Taycan (formerly known as Mission E) arrival is perhaps the brands most expected launch if we ignore the 911, naturally. At the time of writing, test mules have already completed the better part of the testing phase that literally put the pre-production prototypes through hot and cold. The Taycan is trumpeted to pack a powertrain that allows it to reach 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.5 seconds and attain a maximum range of 500 km (miles) NEDC. Most impressive feature, though? The ability to charge the battery with 100 km (62 miles) worth of range in just four minutes or 400 km (250 miles) in 15 minutes thanks to an 800-volt fast-charging system. Just to see the big picture here, Teslas Supercharger stations employ 480-volt outlets. Why does it matter? Well, it can powerslide, judging by what Porsches letting us see in terms of pictures taken during post-R&D testing. And lets face it performance car lovers will definitely keep the fire burning in their bellies even in the electric era, so the Taycan has high chances of fueling that, mostly because its built up by a company thats been making thrill-inducing cars from day one. Whats more, the Taycan will lead the way for other electric Porsches but also pave the way for fellow carmakers. You might have heard that Porsche is working together with BMW, Ford, and Daimler on a 400-charger network in Europe (fitted with 350kW chargers) and plans to install 2000 AC charging points nearby various points of interest such as hotels and restaurants located in up to 20 markets. And guess what these wont be solely dedicated to Porsche models. Read our full speculative review on the 2020 Porsche Taycan. Its still early days for the Lagonda SUV, which will come out of the All-Terrain Concept shown here. Although it wont be Aston Martins first SUV the DBX takes that biscuit, whatever comes out of this prototype will set the foundation for a new sub-niche the luxury electric car. How luxurious, you might wonder? Well, speaking to Autoblog at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show, Marek Reichman, Chief Creative Officer at Aston Martin revealed that the production version of the SUV will use cabin materials such as alpaca, Swarovski crystals and silk. The steering wheel will incorporate a digital display but heres the true icing on the cake: according to Aston Martin, the cars key will levitate between the two front seats thanks to a set of electromagnets. Mind officially blown. Why does it matter? The incoming roadgoing version of the Lagonda All-Terrain Concept matters because, well, the 1% will still want to go from A to B in style and we can think of a bunch of potential buyers from the Middle East jumping for joy at the sight of this. So, thats number one. Number two: it will likely trigger responses - or offensives if you prefer carmaker press blurb jargon - from Aston Martins counterparts, i.e., the likes of Bentley, Rolls-Royce, and perhaps Mercedes-Maybach. Which, in turn, will stimulate the search and development of new materials and technologies which, at some point in the future, could become available for the masses, through more affordable cars. Read our full review on the 2020 Aston Martin Lagonda SUV When we first saw the e-tron GT, the first thought that came up was: right, we can imagine Iron Man driving this thing. Some moderately good news, though: your name doesnt have to be Iron Man to drive it just make sure you own a fat bank account when the road-going model launches. Until then, the concepts 434 kW (582 horsepower) routed to the electric Quattro permanent all-wheel-drive setup under the supervision of Audi Sports magic wand will have most Audi fans drooling. Vector in the matrix LED headlights, sharp-as-ever looks and a tad more practicality than youd expect, now that theres no internal combustion engine to kill space (450 liters in the trunk and 100 liters offered by the frunk) Why does it matter? The third child of the Audi e-tron family is important in a context where Audi might decide not to retain the services of the R8 in the future. Which, by the way, is one of the most sought-after supercars out there if we look at Google search queries as reported by Veygo. The e-tron GT must also make up for the major flop known as the Audi R8 e-tron, which lasted just one year on the market and disappointingly racked up sales of less than 100 units. Thanks to input from sister company Porsche yes, Audi will get access to Porsche know-how in developing the e-tron GTs production version this will be yet another proof that you can still enjoy performance and exciting looks without gulping down gallons of gasoline or have your designers draw cars that look more like household appliances. Plus, we could see technology normally used in Le Mans and Formula E racers reach the streets. Read our full review on the 2020 Audi e-tron GT. VW started a flurry of hip looks and downright coolness with the T1 Microbus (aka Bulli) and it is bound to get a modern twist thanks to the carmakers development of the ID BUZZ. Heres what we know the ID BUZZ will be fully electric (two motors will take care of that, while also providing all-wheel-drive abilities) and packed with all sorts of smart tech think fancy HUD tech that uses augmented reality, a steering wheel thats migrating towards the idea of a tactile interactive touchpad, and screens instead of mirrors - all wrapped up in a massively attractive outer shell. Why does it matter? First and foremost, we cant think of a classier way of hauling your surfboard. On a more serious note, just like the Honda e Prototype, youre supposed to best employ the ID BUZZ in urban settings, but it focuses on the people carrying task to a greater extent, offering space for more than two or four passengers again, this is something you want in crowded cities: less cars that are able to move more people. In addition, it also explores the utilitarian side of such an electric vehicle VW says a cargo-oriented version is coming with Level 3 autonomous tech, which could easily be integrated in a fleet serving delivery companies or small business owners that need to move stuff on a daily basis. Yet again, it is highly important that the ID BUZZ is served by a charging network with adequate coverage to efficiently show its skills. Read our full speculative review on the 2020 Volkswagen Van. 620 miles of range per charge Well, where do we start? The hype generated before and after Tesla officially announced its second Roadster is a standalone argument in favor of its coolness. But if thats not enough, maybe the insane specs can change your mind: 0-60 mph (96 km/h) in 1.9 seconds, 0-100 mph (161 km/h) in 4.2 seconds, 8.8 seconds needed to clear the quarter mile and 10,000 Nm of wheel torque topped by a claimed maximum range of 620 miles (998 km). Does this sound a bit out of this world? Of course, it does. Why does it matter? Active aerodynamic elements If Tesla can deliver it in the said configuration with the claimed specs, then the new Roadster will redefine the performance-oriented electric car. It will also set the pace for future, similar contraptions, but most of all, it will shut up those who cant look further than V-8, V-12, and diesel engines not that the first two categories are less enticing and simply cold-shoulder the potential of electricity in cars just because they can. Read our full review on the 2020 Tesla Roadster. Specs out of the way, perhaps the greatest ace up the sleeve for Rimacs C_Two will be the exclusivity. With just 150 units planned, this car will be a rare sight around the world. Moreover, Rimac is confident that it will rewrite the hypercar rules not by adding electricity into the mix, but by baking two different personalities into the C_Two: that of a track car and a grand tourer which is something McLaren hasnt quite succeeded in doing with the Senna, since driving it on public roads swiftly turns into a grueling task on longer trips. And yeah, we all know the C_Two is a technological tour de force, but it is details like the exquisite aero wheel design, the doors that take with them a part of the cars roof when opened and the cars computing power of 22 MacBook Pro laptops that burn a hole into our brains. Why does it matter? Well, certainly not because Richard Hammond crashed a perfectly functioning Rimac Concept One which, by the way, turned out a profitable accident that allowed Rimac to sell three cars the exact same day. As we see it, the Rimac C_Two will encourage more boutique carmakers to step up and develop all-electric supercars. It will also provide a hard nut to crack for all the other brands doing that already competition is necessary for progress, remember? as well as options for buyers. Look at it this way: would you rather look for cars in a single-brand market or would you like to have a poll to choose from? Read our full review on the 2019 Rimac C_Two Since we mentioned competition earlier, the MINI SE would go after the Honda e Prototype if we look strictly at the funky-fresh bunch of small electric cars. Moreover, it will offer a similar electric range (120 miles, which is roughly 193 km, while the Honda e Prototype promises 124 miles of range or 200 km). Sure, we dont expect it to retain the same amount of visual flair or the cheeky color scheme as seen on the MINI Electric Concept from 2017, but we do hope it will keep alive the nippy on-the-road behavior MINI got us accustomed to over the years. Why does it matter? Again, its a matter of having alternatives. With longer trips out of the question for this kind of electric car, you might want a vehicle that zaps from lane to lane and makes your heart beat faster even if it means youll have to dodge other cars or navigate through tight streets and narrow parking lots to unlock its full potential. The inception of the MINI SE will also set the first brick for BMWs plans of turning MINI into an electrification-friendly brand, according to Automotive News in other words, every model MINI churns out will be available with some sort of electrification, be it hybrid or fully electric. Read our full review on the 2017 MINI Electric Concept. Rivian has been around since 2009, but its notoriety in the car world is as shorter as the name of its all-electric pickup truck. So, why do we think the R1T is cool? Well, we might fall into the trap of subjectivity, yet it simply looks right and announces something the automotive realm hasnt seen so far an all-electric pickup truck that can also deliver stunning performance. Not to mention that in designing its interior, Rivian turned its attention to the furniture and hiking gear industries. Just to put things into perspective here, the most potent Rivian R1T makes 14,000 Nm (10,325 pound-feet) of torque and blasts the 0-60 mph (96 km/h) interval in 3 seconds. It can also carry a maximum load of 800 kg (1,763 pounds) and pull 5,000 kg (11,023 pounds). Why does it matter? For a change, it challenges the upcoming Tesla Pickup. Secondly, provided Rivian does deliver on this, it will show that a startup can develop its own electric cars from the ground up. Hopefully, others will follow. Thirdly, if sedans (even of the electric ilk) cant fight the menace of SUVs, then at least well be able to choose between a hunchback SUV-coupe and a much cooler and practical pickup truck body type. Lord knows well take the pickup anytime. On the practicality side, an electric pickup possesses all the traits of an apt workhorse. Sans the traditional engine, gearbox, and differential(s) theres more room for storing or carrying stuff. You also gain a frunk (R1Ts offers 330 liters of space) and other potential storing spaces. Plus, you get to keep the bed. Can you see the win-win situation here? Read our full review on the 2020 Rivian R1T pickup truck Try to ignore the SUV body, and youll learn to appreciate its other quirks such as the suicide doors and the high-life interior that mixes pretentious color hues such as Purus Rose and Enlighted Cloudburst with materials like Jacquard seat upholstery. Sure, we must cast a shadow of doubt as to how many of these spoils will reach production, but one can dream, right? As if that wasnt enough, BMW is showing us what it can do in terms of body paint with a sort of chameleonic, mesmerizing hue called Liquid Greyrose Copper, which can change color from warm copper to dark rose. Why does it matter? The Vision iNext bears significance not just for BMW and its electric future. Its ambitious aim is to place you at the center of, well, everything - a world thats made of connectivity, technology, autonomous driving combined with the same spirited driving shown by the brands models, lavish interior and, an all-electric powertrain. In a nutshell, if we were to bring together all the traits of every entry in this list, then we would get the Vision iNexts goals. The concept previews a car that will try to bring you the best of all worlds we just hope the beaver face wont stick around for the production version. Will BMW be able to set a high bar with it and turn it into a future benchmark? Well just have to wait and see. Read our full review on the 2018 BMW Vision iNext Tourexpi, turizm haberleri, Reiseburos, tourism news, noticias de turismo, Tourismus Nachrichten, , travel tourism news, international tourism news, Urlaub, urlaub in der turkei, , holidays in Turkey, , global tourism news, dunya turizm, dunya turizm haberleri, Seyahat Acentas, This site is best viewed with Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0+, at a minimum screen resolution of 1024 x 768. Silver Sets Up A Long-Term Wave B Bottom Precious Metals traders have been hanging on every turn in the markets over the past 2+ years. The upside price move in early 2016 setup a very strong expectation that further upside price moves were about to result in an upside price explosion in metals. Remember, 2016 was a very big US Presidential election year. 2020, being the next big US Presidential election year, is only about 7 months away and the rancor has already started in the news cycles. Our proprietary Fibonacci price modeling system is suggesting that Silver has set up an ABC bottom in Oct/Nov 2018 and has already initiated an A/B upside price leg that should result in a C or C/D/E price advance over the next few months. Our Fibonacci price modeling system is suggesting an upside price target of $22 per ounce for this move, which breaks the previous July 2016 highs of $21.22. We believe the ultimate upside target of this next bullish move is bear $28 to $29 based on longer-term Fibonacci price modeling. Initially, this upside move must break the $16.30 level, which represents immediate resistance. Then, it must push above the $18.66 level, which represents secondary resistance. Once Silver passes the $18.66 level, the last leg higher will attempt to break the $21.22 level and push up into new recent highs (higher than the 2016 highs). We believe the current US Presidential election cycle will be full of twists and turns most of which will be very public and explosive. We believe this election cycle will create a certain level of fear in the markets that are above and beyond what we have seen over the past 15+ months. In a method that is very similar to what happened in 2016, the public will become entrenched in the election cycle process and the global economy may suffer slightly as the political shenanigans continue to play out on our TVs, newspapers and web browsers. The October/December 2018 lows were, most likely, the lowest price levels we will see going forward. Additionally, the current price levels, below $15 per ounce, may be the last time well have the opportunity to see prices this low in a number of years. Our price modeling is suggesting that Silver and Gold will begin a Momentum Base Rally from these lows that may last many years. If you want to know when we get long Silver next be sure to join our Wealth Trading Newsletter and get our trading signals. In fact, we are giving away and shipping FREE Silver rounds for select membership levels for the next few days. Chris Vermeulen www.TheTechnicalTraders.com Chris Vermeulen has been involved in the markets since 1997 and is the founder of Technical Traders Ltd. He is an internationally recognized technical analyst, trader, and is the author of the book: 7 Steps to Win With Logic Through years of research, trading and helping individual traders around the world. He learned that many traders have great trading ideas, but they lack one thing, they struggle to execute trades in a systematic way for consistent results. Chris helps educate traders with a three-hour video course that can change your trading results for the better. His mission is to help his clients boost their trading performance while reducing market exposure and portfolio volatility. He is a regular speaker on HoweStreet.com, and the FinancialSurvivorNetwork radio shows. Chris was also featured on the cover of AmalgaTrader Magazine, and contributes articles to several leading financial hubs like MarketOracle.co.uk Disclaimer: Nothing in this report should be construed as a solicitation to buy or sell any securities mentioned. Technical Traders Ltd., its owners and the author of this report are not registered broker-dealers or financial advisors. Before investing in any securities, you should consult with your financial advisor and a registered broker-dealer. Never make an investment based solely on what you read in an online or printed report, including this report, especially if the investment involves a small, thinly-traded company that isnt well known. Technical Traders Ltd. and the author of this report has been paid by Cardiff Energy Corp. In addition, the author owns shares of Cardiff Energy Corp. and would also benefit from volume and price appreciation of its stock. The information provided here within should not be construed as a financial analysis but rather as an advertisement. The authors views and opinions regarding the companies featured in reports are his own views and are based on information that he has researched independently and has received, which the author assumes to be reliable. Technical Traders Ltd. and the author of this report do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any content of this report, nor its fitness for any particular purpose. Lastly, the author does not guarantee that any of the companies mentioned in the reports will perform as expected, and any comparisons made to other companies may not be valid or come into effect. Chris Vermeulen Archive 2005-2019 http://www.MarketOracle.co.uk - The Market Oracle is a FREE Daily Financial Markets Analysis & Forecasting online publication. Hotel software developer Fairmas GmbH is one of the sponsors of the International Hotel Technology Forum (IHTF), which will take place from 14 to 16 May 2019 in Zagreb, Croatia. For the past 15 years, the Forum has brought together the hotel industry and technology companies to exchange information on the latest trends and developments. (TRAVPR.COM) BERLIN - May 6th, 2019 - Fairmas is third-time sponsor of the International Hotel Technology Forum Berlin 06.05.2019 The International Hotel Technology Forum (IHTF) will take place this year from 14th to 16th May in Zagreb, Croatia. Fairmas supports IHTF for the third time serving as an official sponsor. For the past 15 years, the international forum has brought together the hotel industry of the entire EMEA region and hotel-specific technology providers. On this 16th edition, the program will focus on the areas of technology, as well as marketing and sales. Participants will benefit from over 50 different lectures, workshops and round table discussions about the latest trends and developments in hotel technology. Sponsors have the opportunity to arrange individual product presentations during the IHTF Forum in advance. There is no doubt that financial planning and revenue management are slipping into the limelight and being strongly focused on by the industry. The necessary data for these critical processes are already collected but are in various places. This is why industry-specific solutions with data integration features are essential to process data efficiently and intelligently, that is, breaking up silos and bringing them together to maximize their use. With our hotel expertise alongside our innovative solutions for efficient financial planning, management reporting and revenue monitoring, we do not want to miss out on any opportunity to address this growing need," explains Oliver Rabe, Director of Business Development who will be representing Fairmas at IHTF. Currently, more than 3,750 hotels worldwide use the Fairmas products FairPlanner, PickupTracking and Hotel Benchmarking. Fairmas will present the latest innovative features of FairPlanner and PickupTracking at IHTF. For example, there is the new import functionality of the month-to-date figures from the local accounting system into FairPlanner that allows the user to compare Forecast and Budget with the accruing Actuals in real-time. Joint customers of Fairmas and rate shoppers such as OTA Insight and HQ plus, upon their request, can have the rate shopper details as an additional column in their PickupTracking dashboard next to their own room prices, giving them a more comprehensive view of their hotel pricing status. Requests for product presentations or individual appointments can be made via the contact form on https://fairmas.com/en/. About Fairmas: Fairmas GmbH, headquartered in Berlin, develops web-based financial planning, controlling and management reporting solutions as well as daily benchmarking especially for the hotel industry. Fairmas software solutions integrate easily into the hotel's existing IT software environment and interface efficiently with all major property management systems (PMS), accounting systems and document management systems among others. Since 2003, Fairmas has been a strong partner to the hospitality industry. Currently, there are 8,196 users in 3,750 hotels worldwide who use the companys software solutions from global hotel chains, to leisure hotels and privately-owned hotels. Experienced executives from the industry secure the hotel industry know-how, while a team of 43 hotel and IT specialists ensures the creative solutions of tailor-made software products. For more information, please contact: Fairmas GmbH Whether you live in the area or are traveling to the city for the balloon festival, grasp the opportunity to sample the best Mexican food in Albuquerque. Take full advantage of the fact that guests are allowed to bring food into the Balloon Fiesta Park. (TRAVPR.COM) NEW MEXICO - May 6th, 2019 - The 2019 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is happening again later this year in October. Whether you live in the area or are traveling to the city for the balloon festival, grasp the opportunity to sample the best Mexican food in Albuquerque. Take full advantage of the fact that guests are allowed to bring food into the Balloon Fiesta Park. Best Places to Eat for the Balloon Fiesta 2019, Burrito Express Are you going to be in town for the ABQ Balloon Fiesta? Take some time to explore the citys culinary offerings. The City of Albuquerque is famous for its good Mexican restaurants that serve both unique New Mexican fusion and traditional Mexican food. Dont forget to take advantage of the amazing Mexican cuisine this city has to offer and visit Burrito Express for some of New Mexicos best burritos. Best Places to Eat Near the Balloon Fiesta While the New Mexico Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque will have on-site food and concessions, the options are limited once you leave the event venue. A quick online search will reveal numerous highly-rated Albuquerque restaurants for all tastes. If youre craving for Mexican dishes, just search for the best Mexican restaurants near me and the Internet will take care of the rest. Best Restaurants Close to the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta The Albuquerque, New Mexico balloon festival is staged at the northern edge of the city. A short drive into the city will reveal all of the best places to eat in Albuquerque. Tourists will want to check out Old Town Albuquerque, Downtown, and of course our section of Route 66. While you are not allowed to bring glassware and alcohol into the balloon festival venue, you can bring food! Grab some excellent, homemade Mexican burritos from Burrito Express to satisfy you throughout your day at the New Mexico hot air balloon festival. Best Burritos by Burrito Express Near the Balloon Fiesta Park You may be looking for a convenient meal you can enjoy inside or outside the Balloon Fiesta in Albuqueruqe, New Mexico. You might wonder, Where is the best burrito near me? Look no further. Burrito Express is a fast, casual eatery famous around New Mexico for our authentic, savory Mexican burritos. We only use the highest-quality burrito ingredients from our handmade tortillas to our homemade salsa and everything in between. Best Mexican Restaurants in Albuquerque The best Mexican food in Albuquerque is made with the freshest ingredients and the greatest attention to flavors and quality. While there are lots of excellent Mexican food places that serve authentic Mexican food in the City of Albuquerque, Burrito Express is one of the best burrito restaurants in the whole New Mexico. Visit us to discover why. About Burrito Express:- We offer burritos with all homemade ingredients! This freshness is a key to the Burrito Express taste. Visit us at https://burritoexpressinc.com/best-places-eat-balloon-fiesta-2019/ ### A study has found that kids exposed to climate change science at school use it to convince their parents of the issue's urgency. Before 16-year-old Greta Thurnberg began her now-famous climate activism, skipping school on Fridays to sit in front of the Swedish parliament with a sign that read, "School Strike for Climate," she started with her parents. She presented facts and documentaries, sharing everything she'd learned, until they relented and acknowledged the truth in what she'd said. Greta told the Guardian, "After a while, they started listening to what I actually said. Thats when I realized I could make a difference." It turns out, parents aren't as set in their ways as one might think, and a child can be a profound influencer. A new study from the University of North Carolina, published May 6 in Nature Climate Change journal, set out to discover just how effective children are at changing their parents' minds and the answer is very. For the study, researchers asked teachers to incorporate climate change studies into their curriculum. Prior to the study starting, 238 students and 292 parents completed a survey to determine their level of concern about climate change. Participants were divided into a control and an experiment group, and the latter was given the new climate change material at school. Following the two-year test period, all participants completed another survey to see if anything had changed. Concern about climate change was measured on a 17-point scale, ranging from -8 (not concerned at all) to +8 (extremely concerned). The researchers found that children do bring home what they've learned at school and communicate it to their parents, engaging in ways that spur parents to reconsider their views. This is partly due to the trust that exists between parents and children, making it easier to talk about an emotionally-charged issue such as climate change. Over the years, both the control and experimental groups developed more concern about climate change, but the change was most pronounced in families where children were taught the curriculum. "Notably, liberal and conservative parents in the treatment group ended up with similar levels of climate change concern by the end of the study. The 4.5 point gap in the pretest shrunk to 1.2 after children learned about climate change." (via Eurekalert) Curiously, the people who showed the greatest attitude change were fathers, conservative families, and parents of daughters. The reason for daughters having more impact than sons is unknown, but it's thought that perhaps young girls are more effective communicators than boys or were more concerned about the issue to begin with. Climate scientist Katharine Hayhoe expressed delight at this finding: "As a woman myself and someone who frequently engages with conservative Christian communities, I love that its the daughters who were found to be most effective at changing their hard-nosed dads minds." Children are effective advocates because they are not weighed down by the burden of preconceived notions, the pressure of community-held views, and entrenched personal identities. They're a clean slate, willing to absorb radical new information and pass it on with enthusiasm. The findings offer consolation and hope at a time when we desperately need it. In the words of lead study author Danielle Lawson, "If we can promote this community-building and conversation-building on climate change, we can come together and work together on a solution." Now this seems more possible than ever. But opening it up to everyone and everything could lead to an environmental disaster. In 1969 Humble Oil beefed up an oil tanker, the SS Manhattan, and pushed it through the Northwest Passage, which Canada claimed as an inland waterway but the US insisted was international and open to any vessel. The President of Humble Oil (now ExxonMobil) declared that "an open Northwest Passage means... an international trade route that will have a profound influence on...the patterns of worldwide trade... A year-round sea-route in this area could do what the railroads did for the United States, and might do it quicker. Humble Oil/viaThey did not ask permission, but Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau granted it anyway and sent along a Canadian icebreaker, the John A. Macdonald. Earle Gray, a journalist who was on the Manhattan, writes: TRENTON His nickname was Suge, short for sugafoot, because he was bowlegged. But family members should have just called him LL Cool J. Ladies loved Javier Morales, and the cool physical fitness fanatic loved them back. He was a gigolo, his brother, 41-year-old Juan Morales, recalled in a phone interview Tuesday about his younger brother. I swear to god. I aint lying or nothing. Dr. Th*t Man. Thats his nickname. He left a lot of broken hearts out here. The younger Morales, 40, became Trentons second murder victim of the year, gunned down last week near the intersection of Hudson and Pearl streets. Police sources said Morales was shot in the back twice by his killer, who remains on the lam. Authorities have not offered up any description of the assailant or a motive for the killing. The Trentonian has learned investigators are looking into a burglary at the victims home that occurred the same week he was killed. For days, Juan Morales, a local street documentarian known as Pito who has built an online following through videos he posts of police interactions with the public, was too shook up to talk about his brothers death. He said one of his sons was with Javier Morales in the neighborhood when someone snuck up behind them and started shooting. Pito said his younger son eerily predicted something bad was going to happen minutes before he got the call about his brother being shot. Im washing clothes. I had to bring the washer out in the yard because I was laying ceramic tiles on the floor in the laundry room. My [younger] son says to me, Dad tell Baby Pito to watch out for the bad guys. Theyre gonna shoot. Pito said he called his other son, Baby Pito, and told him to be careful. Couple minutes later, he called me back, Dad, they shot at me and Suge, Pito recounted of the tragic call. Pito scooped up his younger son and called Pitos mother, telling her in Spanish that something happened to Javier. Trying to shelter his youngest from the harsh reality, Pito told his mother to meet him on the porch to get the kid. Then he rushed over to Pearl Street, where he was corralled by the same cops hes often at odds with. I just knew he was gone, bro, Pito said. Im trying to get to him. The police are holding me back. I was trying everything to get to him. They was holding me, Chill Pito. They telling me to calm down. One of the cops just hugged me. I just watched my brother die, bro. Baby Pito was in the wagon, his dad said; police interviewed him at headquarters about what he saw. My son was right next to him, Pito said, adding he has been too busy making arrangements for his brother to ask questions or get answers from his kin or the cops. [My son]s not talking. Hes not telling me anything. Hes in another world. Suge had a rough-and-tumble past; court records show convictions for drugs, harassment and robbery, some of them dating back to the 1990s. He was sentenced in 2004 to 12 years in prison, under the No Early Release Act mandating he serve 85 percent of the bid, on the robbery conviction. When he got out of the joint, Javier started working for a landscaping business with his eye on starting his own, his brother said. Javier was finished with parole supervision, Pito said, but the cops kept close tabs on him. He was arrested April 18 in Trenton and charged with crack cocaine possession and other drug offenses, court records show. An avid fan of the San Francisco 49ers, the father of two worked out religiously at the gym to keep himself in top shape for his female companions. Javiers soft spot for women was not a secret among family, rivaled perhaps only by his love of cars. One of his nephews called him Uncle P***y, his brother said. Pito wondered if his brothers affinity for female affection may have had anything to do with his murder. Javier Morales was carrying on an affair with a married woman, Pito said. The Mercer County Prosecutors Office has not said whether detectives are looking into any possible love-triangle angle. A spokeswoman said no additional information was being released at this time. Meanwhile, cops confirmed they are investigating a reported burglary at Javier Morales home, on the 600 block of Greenwood Avenue. Pito said someone stole a safe from his brothers home containing a large amount of cash, jewelry, car titles and his passport. Trenton Police spokesman Lt. Peter Szpakowski said the burglary was reported Sunday; he didnt know if investigators have established a link between the burglary and Javiers murder. Pito said he talked to his brother on the phone the day he was killed. They planned to take a trip to Cancun, and Pito called to make arrangements. Javier told his brother hed call him back once he got to home so he could provide Pito with information he needed to book the flights. I never got to get the passport number, Pito said, sounding emotional but covering with tough talk. Life goes on. Sh** happens. We lose lives every day. You gotta be strong about it. We was opposite in some ways; we was the same in every way. I just love the sh** out of my brother. It put a black hole in my heart, for real. Like I said, I gotta maintain for me and my family. Im dealing with it. It hasnt hit me at all. I havent really cried yet. He might cry at his brothers service Friday, at Chiacchio Southview Funeral Home on South Broad Street, but Pito said he wont don those memorials shirts people wear when theyve lost loved ones. Javier Morales isnt dead, Pito said, hes just somewhere else, probably lounging with some ladies. I aint wearing my brother on a T-shirt, Pito said. My brother is going to live. Its what you hold in your heart. Thats how you keep a mother***er alive. In Defence of Marxism is committed to safeguarding your privacy. At all times we aim to respect any personal data you share with us, or that we receive from other organisations, and keep it safe. 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Please let us know if you have any queries or concerns whatsoever about the way in which your data is being processed by emailing the Data Protection Manager at webmaster@marxist.com vermaajay1968@gmail.com New Delhi: Ride hailing major Ola on Monday said Ratan Tata, chairman emeritus of Tata Sons, has invested in its EV business Ola Electric Mobility (OEM). This investment, which is part of OEMs series A round of funding, is in Tatas personal capacity, it said. Details of the funding were not disclosed. His investment in OEM will bring his deep experience and mentorship to the companys ambitions to make electric mobility viable at scale, it added. Tata is also an early investor in ANI Technologies, Olas parent company. He had invested in ANI Technologies in July 2015. In March this year, OEM had announced raising Rs 400 crore in a funding round led by Tiger Global and Matrix India. The electric vehicle ecosystem is evolving dramatically every day, and I believe Ola Electric will play a key role in its growth and development, Tata said. PTI gspannu7@gmail.com New Delhi/Chandigarh, May 7 Pawan Kumar Bansal, the Congress candidate from Chandigarh Lok Sabha seat on Tuesday accused his BJP rival Kirron Kher of attempting to defame him. Bansal vent his ire against the BJP and its sitting MP in Chandigarh after the Enforcement Directorate on Tuesday attached Rs 89.68 lakh cash in a money laundering case involving his nephew. The ED has attached cash worth Rs 89.68 lakh in a money laundering case involving the nephew of Congress leader and former railway minister. Dragging me mischievously in a case of which I am a prosecution witness, proves that the BJP has already smelled defeat in Chandigarh. Hence, Kirron Kher and her party are now trying all desperate means to defame me, he told reporters here. Bansal said, Six years back, the case filed against me by the CBI when I was the railway minister was blown out of proportion. For over eight hours I was interrogated by the CBI but nothing was found against me. On the contrary, I was made the prosecution witness in that case completely acquitting me of all the charges. Had I got anything to do with that case, do you think the BJP government over the last five years would have spared me? he posed. Bansal alleged that ever since his name was announced as the Congress Chandigarh candidate, the BJP has been trying hard to smear his name in one way or the other. The BJP has already accepted defeat. Otherwise, instead of finding ways to attack me, they would have concentrated on talking about their own achievements. The truth is that the sitting MP has done nothing for the development of Chandigarh, he said. Chandigarh Congress chief Pardeep Chhabra alleged that the BJP had stooped to the lowest level of dirty politics. Recently, Kirron Kher has been served with two show cause notices by the poll panel. It seems the BJP has lost its balance. Amit Shahs rally in Chandigarh has already turned out to be a faux pas. Nothing is working for them, he said. Chhabra claimed this was an old case which has no relevance now and is a deliberate move by the BJP to defame Bansal since they have nothing to say against him. It is a deliberate attempt to divert the attention of the voters from their failures to something which does not hold true. She (Kher) is using official machinery which she could not use for peoples good, he alleged. The ED said, in a statement, that it has issued a provisional order under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) to freeze the bribe money, which according to it was proceeds of crime. The cash was allegedly seized by the CBI from the office of Bansals nephew Vijay Singla in 2013 in a bribery and corruption case related to appointments at top positions in the railways. The ED filed a separate criminal case based on CBIs FIR and charge sheet against Railway Board Member (Staff) Mahesh Kumar, Vijay Singla, Sandeep Goyal and seven others. The agency said CBIs probe found that Mahesh Kumar, a 1975 batch officer of Indian Railway Service of Signal Engineers (IRSSE), was posted as General Manager, Western Railways and he wanted to get himself appointed as Member (Electrical), Railway Board instead of Member (Staff). For this, he was in touch with N Manjunath who was further in touch with Sandeep Goyal, a friend of Singla. Singla demanded Rs 10 crore through Sandeep Goyal from N Manjunath to get Mahesh Kumar posted as Member (Electrical), the ED said, quoting the CBI probe. While delivering a token amount to Singla and Goyal, the CBI team raided Singlas office at Sector 28 in Chandigarh and seized Rs 89,68,000, it said. During that time, Bansal was the railway minister and his nephew Vijay Singla was allegedly caught red-handed while accepting a bribe of Rs 89,68,000. The ED said its own probe dug out details of the alleged bribery case. It is revealed that N Manjunath on behalf of Mahesh Kumar was persuading various railway vendors, manufactures, contractors for making arrangement of bribe amount for promotion of Mahesh Kumar as Member (Electrical) by alluring them that all the contributors would be taken care of/benefited from the desired posting of Mahesh Kumar, it said. Investigation found that the first instalment of bribe amount was contributed by N Manjunath, M V Murli Krishna, Sushil Daga and the Venketeshwara Rail Nirman Pvt Ltd. The said amount was routed through the account of various companies/individuals and with assistance of hawala agents, the ED said, adding that a probe into the matter was underway. PTI editorial@tribune.com Karam Prakash Tribune News Service Patiala, May 6 The 40-year-old, Jaspal Singh, was working in his fields when the news of his 15-year-old daughter topping the district in the Class X exam reached him. Ravneet Kaur, a student of Akal Academy Balbehra, made to the top rank in the district with 99.4 per cent marks in the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) Class X exam. The CBSE announced results for Class X today afternoon. Initially, I was just aware of Ravneet passing the Class X exam and decided to congratulate her after my work at the field was over. But then I came to know that she had already made to the top in the district, said Jaspal. I only knew that she has passed the examination, but was not aware that my daughter had scored so well that she topped the district, said elated Jaspal. Ravneet has scored 497 marks out of 500 in the Class X board exam. The district topper, Ravneet Kaur, said, I want to be a doctor and will pursue medical stream. I was not expecting that I would top the district. I used to study extra at home to prepare for the board exams, added Ravneet. The school principal, Meera Verma, said, Ravneet had been working hard throughout the year for her Class X CBSE examination. She did the school proud by securing highest marks in Patiala district. Girls outshine boys Once again girls have outshone boys in the district in the Class X CBSE examination. The top three positions have been bagged by girls. After Ravneet Kaur, the second position has been bagged by Yashvi of Akal Academy Balbehra. M Bhavya of Lady of Fatima Convent Secondary School stands third with 98.6 per cent marks in the district. Jashanpreet Kaur of the Akal Academy Reeth Kheri and Nikita Sharma of Lady Fatima scored 98.4 per cent marks each in the Class X exam. Akshita of Budha Dal Public School, Niyati Singla of Lady Fatima and Shreya Dembla of DAV Public school got 98.2 per cent each in Class X. Lt Gen DS Hooda (Retd) Lt Gen DS Hooda (retd) Former Northern Army commander THE Army recently initiated the process for the recruitment of women as soldiers in the Military Police. This is a very significant decision as the entry of women in the Indian military is currently restricted to only the officer rank in select logistics and support branches. While this is a very welcome step, it is also likely to reignite the debate over expanding the opportunities for women to enter the combat arms in the Army. In December 2018, an interview of the Army Chief had stirred up a controversy over his comments on giving combat role to women. Without going into the merits of his argument, it must be brought out that this is not a simple issue to resolve and must be viewed dispassionately. Those who caution against the induction of women in combat arms state that the Army cannot be compared to any other organisation. Wars are violent and brutal and fought in the harshest of terrain and conditions. They must be won by the most efficient application of power and with least casualties to our force. It is for this reason that the military organisation has retained a unique ethic distinct from its civilian counterparts. Combat is physically demanding and has therefore been primarily a masculine endeavour. Physically, women are weaker than their male counterparts, and this could be a severe disadvantage in combat roles that involve carrying heavy loads and long-distance marching. This physical disparity cannot be wished away, and any dilution in standards could degrade effectiveness. It is for this reason that most militaries around the world have seen minimal participation by women in combat arms. Canada has one of the most gender-integrated militaries in the world, with over 15% representation of women and with 13 women in the General and Flag Officer ranks. However, women in the infantry are less than 1%. It is also pointed out that a small representation of women in combat arms will not have any positive impact and could adversely impact unit cohesion. In field areas and along hostile borders, male soldiers or officers will have to take on an additional burden, and this could lead to discrimination against the female officer. Pro-women groups invoke the right to equality while pressing for participation in all sections of the Army, including combat arms. They state that this is an inalienable right granted by the Constitution. While men, in general, have higher physical attributes, there are also some women who can meet the required physical standards for combat arms and should not be denied the opportunity if they desire to serve in these units. They also challenge the theory of women in combat arms resulting in a loss of unit cohesion. Prof Anthony King has carried out extensive studies on gender integration in the military, with a focus on unit cohesion. His findings, as outlined in his article The Female Soldier, indicate that collective combat performance cohesion relies more on training and professional competence. Accordingly, individuals are judged not so much on their personal characteristics but their professional ability and they are accepted into the section, platoon, or company on this basis. In my view, the debate around women in combat arms is not headed for an early resolution. In the meantime, we should turn our attention to gender mainstreaming in the Army, which is a more crucial requirement. Today, women in the Army are an integral part of the organisation and are doing an outstanding job, but there are many hurdles to achieving gender integration. The token inclusion of women in various arms will not automatically result in gender equality in an institution that idolises masculinity. We have to therefore focus on systems and policies that give rise to disadvantages by treating gender as the reason for various exclusions. About 1,500 women commissioned as Short Service officers are not being considered for permanent commission. This issue has been dragging on in the courts, and although there have been some recent pronouncements about the grant of permanent commission, the exact terms are unclear. The first step towards gender integration will be to treat men and women on a par and offer a regular grant of commission to women. The disparity in career management must also be addressed. Currently, women officers are barred from attending courses, for instance, at Defence Services Staff College. This limits their opportunities for taking up important career-enhancing appointments and also restricts their experience. This automatically places them at a considerable disadvantage vis-a-vis their male counterparts, exacerbating disparity. This reinforces the belief that the Army is a male-dominant organisation with women in secondary roles. Finally, the issue of grant of command assignments to women officers. While greater promotional avenues are likely to be offered, it is understood that command of units will not be given to women officers. If this happens, it could be the one single step that keeps in place a structure that is already deeply gendered in favour of men. Lacking command experience, women officers will be cut off from leadership roles and unable to contribute to policies and decisions that bring in a gender perspective. Our current focus should be on finding ways for greater gender integration and gender mainstreaming of the Army. If we can bring in policy changes that remove some of the current discriminatory practices against women, we can create the right foundation for gender equality and an expanded role for women in the future. harinder@tribunemail.com Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has been leading the BJPs campaign in Haryana in the parliamentary polls. During the past one month, he has criss-crossed the length and breadth of the state several times. The Tribune reporter Sushil Manav caught with him at Kalanaur in Haryana while campaignning for the BJP candidate in Rohtak. Excerpts: We are in the last week of electioneering in Haryana. What do you think are the BJPs chances in Haryana and how do you think the party will perform at the national level? I have been visiting several places in Haryana, addressing rallies and hold roadshows. I have observed that Prime Minister Narendra Modis popularity among the electorate is even more than it was in 2014. People have realised that Modi alone can provide a strong government. I am very confident that our party is going to win all 10 seats in the state and the BJP will win more than the 282 seats the party won in 2014. Together with our NDA partners, we will get 340 plus seats. From where does this confidence stem? After all, the BJP government has been in power for five years and the people have a plethora of issues with the government. As I said earlier, people have made up their mind to give the BJP another chance, because Narendra Modi is the only leader today with a pan-India appeal. In contrast, as far as Rahul Gandhi is concerned, even leaders of his own party are not ready to seek votes in his name. The Congress candidates across the country are seeking votes in the name of the party rather than of their party president. Congress is accusing the BJP of using Balakot airstrikes for its victory in parliamentary polls. The party alleges the sacrifices of martyrs are being used to seek votes. How do you respond? The BJP never used this issue. After Pulwama, the Indian Air Force carried out airstrikes. But the Congress immediately started expressing doubt on the veracity of the claims of the armed forces. First it said there were no causalities in Balakot. Then it said the airstrikes were carried out during the Congress regime too. By questioning the valour of our armed forces, the party itself made this an issue. On what issues are you seeking votes from people in Haryana? We are seeking votes on the basis of works done by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the poor in these five years. We are seeking votes on the basis of transparency we have brought about in recruitments. Over 70,000 jobs have been provided to the youth on merit alone. We have completely eliminated the system of bribes and recommendations in recruitment. We are overwhelmed by peoples response. Had we decided to go for Assembly polls along with parliamentary polls, we would have won both very comfortably. Does this mean we may have elections for the state Assembly, if the BJP comes to power again at the Centre? No. the elections for the state Assembly would be held as per the schedule. Even when there was such talk earlier, we had made it amply clear that we could go for early polls if the nation was to see all elections together, not otherwise. Congress alleges your party is trying to polarise elections on caste lines. Tour comment? If any political party is trying to polarise the polls, it is the Congress and not the Bharatiya Janata Party. Our party gave the Jats reservation by passing a Bill in the Assembly, even then s Haryana was burnt to divide people on caste lines. We believe in Sabka saath, sabka vikas, taking along people of all castes. We have ensured development in all the 90 Assembly segments of Haryana without any prejudice whatsoever. On 17 April 2019, Taiwanese working people received a memo, signed by folklore sea goddess Mazu herself, that Foxconns CEO Terry Guo Tai-ming () should be their president. As any self-respecting bourgeois understands, an anointment should not go without a fancy feast. Thus, Mr. Guo officiated his heaven-endorsed bid for presidency at a KMT award ceremony where he was the recipient of an award of honour. Little did he know that speaking in tongues with such a haughty attitude would only invite vengeance from the most powerful of earthly forces. Thanks to him, the working class is a step further in realising that it is time to storm the heavens. An international enemy of the working class Guos bid for the highest office in Taiwan will draw concerns from well beyond the island country. His Foxconn empire (also known as Hon Hai Precision Industry , oversees the suffering and exploitation of tens of thousands of workers wherever it reaches. The multinational conglomerate currently ranks 24th on the Fortune Global 500 list, hauling in over $154 billion USD in revenue in 2018. It remains the largest contract electronics manufacturer in the world, pumping out products on behalf of Apple, Sony, Amazon, Xiaomi, Dell, Nokia, Blackberry, and more, to the point that over 40 percent of all of the world's consumer electronic products were produced by Foxconn. Its operations span across Asia, Europe and the Americas, placing over a million workers under the regime of Terry Guo. Marx once stated that capitalism at once creates enormous sums of wealth while simultaneously deepening the misery of the working class to an unprecedented degree. The Foxconn empire itself embodies this reality. Innolux ), a subsidiary of Foxconn and a major electronics manufacturer in Taiwan where Guo began his empire, is notorious for its low wages and bullying management style against the workers. In 2014 an Innoux worker anonymously debunked Guos claim that he pays his workers a high monthly wage of $36,000 NTD (around $1,100 USD) when in reality her wage was merely $16,000 NTD ($510 USD). This workers expose soon inspired many other Innolux workers to come out with their own stories, to the point that management investigated the real identity of the testifying worker and forced her to write a letter to apologise to Terry Guo, among other punishments. In 2010, workers in Foxconns plant in Chennai, India went on strike over the meagre wage of $106 per month they were receiving. 319 workers were arrested due to this strike. Later, in 2014, claiming a lack of orders from Nokia, Foxconn suddenly closed their Chennai plant overnight causing 1,300 permanent workers to lose their jobs. At the same time a suspicious new manufacturer Rising Star took over the operations of the closed plants and hired contract workers with significantly less pay. This new manufacturer, operating in exactly the same way as the previous Foxconn plant did, refused to honour an agreement that Foxconn had made with the unions that they would rehire the sacked permanent workers if their operation reopened, claiming that they have no connection to Foxconn, despite their official Facebook page indicating the contrary. In 2017, looking to take advantage of the poor state of labour protection in Wisconsin, USA, Foxconn announced that they planned to open LCD manufacturing plants there, with then-governor Scott Walker promising that this move would create 13,000 jobs and thus justified a state investment of $3 billion taxpayer dollars in the operation. In reality Foxconn only planned to create 3,000 jobs with a public promise that they would simultaneously enforce rapid automation. To-date, only 200 locals have been hired, while 75 homes and acres of farmland in Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin have been bulldozed in favour of Foxconns facilities, but Foxconn is now renegotiating the contract with the state. The suffering of Foxconn workers in China is known to the world / Image: Flickr, iphonedigital But the most miserable section of Foxconns employees are those in China, where the majority of their workers are to be found. Aside from the infamous episodes of workers driven to suicide now widely known to the world, Foxconn continues its regime of attacking the workers interests to maximise profit by placing their workers in a labyrinth of company stores, wage-slashing disciplinary procedures, abhorrent dormitory conditions and cutbacks on benefits. It also openly refuses to hire Uyghur and Tibetan workers. All of the above behaviour has been under the watch of the Chinese Communist Party dictatorship. According to the Labour law of China as amended in 2014, plants cannot have more than 10 percent dispatch workers within its workforce, but in 2018 it was discovered that more than 40 percent of Foxconns Kindle manufacturing plant in Hunan are dispatch workers who suffer from overwork and constant wage theft. The brutality of chairman Guos reign, clearly, is applied consistently across the world in the name of profit. A new level of the crisis One can ask the question as to why Terry Guo, this personification of the world bourgeoisie with direct access to both Xi Jinping and Donald Trump, chooses at this moment to venture into Taiwanese politics? The answer is to be found in the crisis of capitalism that is expressed through the political crisis in Taiwan and throughout the world. Lenin observed that during such capitalist crises the ruling class can no longer rule as they had before. Taiwan is a pivotal advanced capitalist economy in East Asia. Its politics has long been dominated by the manoeuvring and conflicts between the interests of US and Chinese imperialism. For both the Chinese ruling class and the working class, the separation of Taiwan from China remains an important political question. The CCP continues to justify its political dictatorship over the Chinese working class via nationalist, chauvinist language, which includes the promise that it would one day reclaim Taiwan under its fold. Whereas for many Chinese workers, the separation of Taiwan from China reminds them of the painful legacy of China under the domination of many imperialist forces in the past. On the other hand, the experience of the Taiwanese working class, now far more diverse culturally, detracts from the narratives of Chinese chauvinism. For a long time a marginal Island at the intersection of various great powers in East Asia, the Taiwanese masses have endured a history of being dominated by outside forces in their own homes. The Japanese colonial period that began in 1895 also pushed Taiwan down the road of capitalist development that diverged from how it took place in China. When at the end of World War II Taiwan was returned to China under the KMT, the latter used the language of Chinese chauvinism to justify their subjugation of the Taiwanese masses under the rule of the rotten Chiang Kai-shek regime. This policy intensified after the KMT was expelled by the Chinese Revolution of 1949 to Taiwan, where they continued the domination over the Taiwanese working class with a US-sponsored military dictatorship that lasted until the 1980s. In this process both the workers movement and the yearning for national self-determination began to grow rapidly among both the Taiwanese masses, the latter primarily led by petit-bourgeois who had fought the KMT dictatorship in favour of Taiwanese Independence. The content of the self-determination sentiment would see a qualitative transformation as Chinese capitalism was restored by the CCP. The Taiwanese workers and youth saw across the Taiwan Strait not a government that appealed for class solidarity against capitalism, but one that uses the very same chauvinist language that opts to annex Taiwan into a larger, oppressive capitalist economy. At the same time the KMT sharply adapted itself to becoming the champion of the bourgeois who wish to become compradores of the CCP regime in Taiwan, while the supposedly pro-independent but no less bourgeois Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) exposed its true reactionary nature to the Taiwanese working class. After more than a decade of changing between DPP and KMT governments, the Sunflower Movement of 2014 marked a qualitative transformation in the class struggle. This magnificent movement, first led by students trying to stop the KMT Ma Ying-jeou government from illegally fast-tracking a wide-ranging neoliberal trade agreement with China, inspired the participation from the masses all over the country that led to a collapse of support for the KMT and a new DPP government led by Tsai Ing-wen out of a lack of alternative in 2016. The Sunflower Movement channelled the anger of the Taiwanese masses against the KMT and the CCP, while realising that the DPP itself is unable to effectively resist the encroachment of Chinese Imperialism. The KMT remains in complete disarray after the fallout of the Sunflower Movement, with none of its leading politicians being able to regain enough support from the masses. On the other hand, the DPP governments reactionary nature is rapidly revealing itself to the Taiwanese working class with its determined attack on workers rights and reneging on all the progressive democratic promises that it made during the 2016 election campaign. This then created a second political tremor in the municipal elections of November 2018, where the DPP lost control over the vast majority of cities around Taiwan, while the KMT was only able to gain victory on the back of a crackpot candidate Han Kuo-yu who wielded Trumpian anti-establishment demagogy against both the DPP and the KMT establishment and inspired a following across Taiwan. Han was able to get elected as mayor of Kaohsiung, a longstanding stronghold of the DPP, by a landslide with his methods. Han remains the only KMT politician that could garner support on the shaky ground of the anger of a layer of the masses against the DPP but which finds no working class alternative available to them. This situation led to short-sighted calls within the ranks of the KMT for Han Kuo-yu to run for president in 2020, less than one year after he took office as mayor. The mainstream of the Taiwanese bourgeoisie - and the CCP - generally prefer the KMT as their primary representative due to their increasing dependence on Chinese capitalism. With the KMT unable to produce a viable candidate and with the strategy of running Han for president risking an even greater discrediting of bourgeois politics in Taiwan, a new feigned anti-establishment candidate, one that can claim to be from outside of politics but ultimately serves to preserve the existing order with a new guise, has become necessary. The pre-eminent bourgeois, Terry Guo, who holds enormous spiritual authority over all of the Taiwanese ruling class and supporters of capitalism, therefore has stepped into the KMT primary election as a mere party member. This technique is not unlike the path taken by Emmanuel Macron in France who founded a new party when both of the establishment parties of France had collapsed while elements that the mainstream bourgeois would not be comfortable working with began to rise from both the Right and the Left. Only this time no dissolution of the KMT is required. Han Kuo yu remains the only popular politician within the KMT with his right-wing, 'anti establishment' facade coupled with promises of making everyone rich / Image: Han Kuo yu official Guos bid, nonetheless, introduces a number of major contradictions in the situation, the greatest of which will fall upon the CCP. Terry Guo is at once the most preferred yet most dangerous from the point of view of the Xi Jinping regime. On the one hand, a Guo government in Taiwan would guarantees attempts at collaborating with the CCP as well as the agenda of Chinese imperialism. On the other, the CCP would have to justify its support for a robber baron that is reviled by millions of Chinese workers, not to mention a class enemy that the Taiwanese and the Chinese workers can rally against. With the rising level of class struggle inside China and a world economic slump looming on the horizon, endorsing Guo openly would further expose before the Chinese working class the bourgeois nature of the CCP, putting themselves on political thin ice. Guo himself would also have to forego running his massive empire which currently has no leadership succession plan. With many of Foxconns biggest clients descending into crisis, Guos sudden move into politics introduces many uncertainties for his investors. Bloombergs Tim Culpan summed up these concerns: If he were to step away, theres every chance that the underlying businesses would falter for lack of direction. And with his key client, Apple Inc., facing its own troubles, now is hardly the time for Guo to be distracted. Guo-linked stocks fell on Friday. Whatever his latest deal is, its not clear itll be good for either investors or Beijing. Within Taiwan, rising class conflict and deepening capitalist crisis also continues to create problems for the KMT and the bourgeoisie. According to a poll conducted by Shih Hsin University, Guos run has yet to be a lightning rod within the KMT. In fact, at 28 percent support he slightly trails behind Han Kuo-yu, who would get 28.8 percent of support if he actually runs. This is not as neat a transfer of support as Guo and his camp might have hoped for. In a recent trip to the US, Han also raised the slogan of Lean on the US for (Taiwans) Defence! Lean on China for the Market! This is an overture to US Imperialism that sharply detracts from the mainstream of the KMT and Guo. Realising his firm base of support, Han Kuo-yu released a statement clarifying his intentions with regards to running for president. He said that he is unable to participate in the primary election process as it stands while lamenting the political elites have been making backdoor deals for too long and they have strayed away from the people. He then ended his statement by saying: I love the Republic of China. I am willing to take up the mantle to defend and enrich it. Hans statement implies an ultimatum to the KMT leadership. He wants them to directly co-opt (or draft) him as their presidential nominee. Two days later, the KMT leadership announced that Han would be included in the primaries. As of now, Han still leads in the polls against Guo. Given the limitations of both of these figures, it is very likely that the KMT leadership will opt for a compromise, and engineer a collaboration between Guo and Han in one way or another. However, at this point of general crisis, the manoeuvring between different sections of the ruling class against one another might create an even-deeper crisis for the KMT. An absence of options The shaky ground that the KMT stands on, even with Guos intervention, is mirrored in the DPP. Since the spectacular loss of last years midterm election, President Tsai Ing-wen stepped down as the party chairperson and is now facing a challenge from her previous head of government William Lai in the DPP primaries. Lai is a DPP grandee who now has adopted the positions of the bourgeoisie who support the DPP, i.e. building closer relations with China while attacking the working class. It should be noted that Tsais politics does not differ from that of Lais. However, due to Tsais superficially militant rebuttal of Xi Jinpings new year address regarding the ultimate fate of Taiwan, she has won over support of a section of the youth while placing her at greater odds with the CCP. From the standpoint of the Taiwanese bourgeoisie who bankroll the DPP, this disqualifies her from effectively serving their interests and thus an internal challenge was launched. Regardless of who the DPP nominee is in the end, the entire party will remain a political organisation that firmly stands against the interests of Taiwanese workers and youth. Given that the preference of DPP bourgeoisie to Lai, there is strong pressure for some sort of conciliation between Tsai and Lai, with Lai being Tsais running mate being a popular option. It can be foreseen, however, if Tsai wins a second term on this basis, a ministerial coup against her from within the DPP will be on the cards. William Lai (right) who worked as the Premier under the Tsai government is launching a challenge to Tsai for the DPP's presidential nominee / Image: William Lai official Facebook Outside of the DPP there is yet another force, the White Force led by non-partisan Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je. A political opportunist par excellence, Ko rose to prominence as an outsider physician who demagogically won over a section of the Sunflower Movement supporters who were tired of both the KMT and the DPP. After defeating the KMT (with the endorsement of the DPP) in 2015 and being narrowly re-elected with challengers from both the KMT and the DPP, Ko had firmly integrated himself into Taipeis establishment politics, gathering a gang of politicians from across the political spectrum into his fold. He has sharply distanced himself from his previous image of being militantly pro-Taiwanese independence with progressive values to someone who is openly friendly to the CCP and refrains from supporting gay marriage. No matter what superficial or organisational differences that Terry Guo, Tsai Ing-wen, Ko Wen-je and others may have, from the standpoint of the working class they are all people opposed to workers interests. A fight for a workers alternative A popular perspective that exists among many Taiwanese workers and youths is the idea that a KMT president would set Taiwan down an irreversible path towards being annexed by China, which would also mean the certain destruction of democratic rights won through past struggles in Taiwan. The presidential bid of Terry Guo reaffirms this supposition, given his close ties with the CCP leadership. Thus, we are told, we must support Tsai Ing-wen despite our misgivings of her and the DPP, since they present the best chance for Taiwan to remain an independent democratic republic. This is a reasonable concern among many workers and young people in Taiwan. Refusal to unify with China on the present basis remains the dominant sentiment, the latest poll indicating that support for maintaining the status quo stands at 57.4 percent while support for de jure independence is at 20.1 percent. Those leaning towards support for unification is at 15.9 percent. Let us be clear that Marxists agree that an imperialist annexation of Taiwan by China would be a reactionary development that would hugely suppress the democratic rights of Taiwan while increasing the level of exploitation. Nevertheless we should also have a measured perspective on the present situation and more importantly, provide a program for the Taiwanese working class for a concrete way out of this political blind alley. To begin with, we must admit to ourselves that prolonging the status quo is neither desirable nor feasible for a growing layer of workers in Taiwan. The 19 years of two-party system has brought a consistent downward pressure upon the working class and youth. The social crises that arose in the process were always subsumed under the superficial debate of unification/independence as directed jointly by the KMT and the DPP. The accumulation of frustration due to this lack of political representation of the working class in Taiwanese politics thus gave rise to the careers of the various anti-establishment populist politicians we are seeing today, who all ultimately embrace the agenda of the bourgeois and approach the CCP. The Taiwanese population are already looking for a way out of the miserable status quo, and every socialist and consistent democrat should throw themselves into building a political alternative for the working class. On the other hand, as long as the CCP remains in power in China, it will not end its efforts to place Taiwan under its sphere of influence in one way or another. In the near term, despite Xis bluster, the CCP is unable to impose the reactionary scheme of One Country, Two Systems on Taiwan should a pro-China government come to power, because this would invite only enormous mass opposition from the powerful working class in Taiwan which risks spreading the contagion of class struggle into China itself. It prefers a friendly government in Taiwan that can continue to deepen Taiwans dependence on China to pave a way for annexation some way down the road, just as the KMT Ma Ying-jeou government attempted. This does not mean that a major assault on workers interests will not take place, for as we have seen repeatedly, because of their class interests, any bourgeois party and politician, as well as US Imperialism, would have to make concessions to the CCP at the expense of the Taiwanese working class. They are incapable of acting otherwise. Instead of choosing between lesser evils, the real task is for the leadership of the working class to build a class independent workers party with a fighting socialist program for the nationalisation of the biggest corporations and banks under democratic workers control and management and to massively raise wages and fund social programs. Such a party should not restrict its own activities to electoral politics, but must be intimately involved in all of the workers struggles. They must raise the political need to fight capitalism and imperialism in every strike action and meaningfully draw the working class into participating in politics democratically. Only such a party can mobilise mass action that is the only effective weapon against the encroachment of Imperialism, just as the 2014 Sunflower Movement halted the agenda of Chinese Imperialism. While this party will bring the working class to the forefront of the struggle for Taiwans right of self-determination, as the bourgeoisie are not capable of doing so, it also must actively appeal to and connect with the Chinese working class. The presidential bid of Terry Guo presents an excellent opportunity for this to take place. Even if he is not the KMTs presidential nominee in the end, it is very likely that he will be significantly involved in Taiwanese politics in the near future, especially if a KMT government comes to power in 2020. Here we have a bourgeois whose enterprise ravages the lives of workers across China and the world. A consistent class-based fight against Guo and the bourgeoisie in Taiwan, led by a workers party with a socialist program, would help the workers in China to realise that they must also fight Guo, his bourgeois peers, and their facilitator, the CCP regime. The enormous productive forces controlled by Foxconn across the strait and around the world must be seized by the working class and placed under democratic workers control. This would also open up possibilities for the Taiwanese labour movement to connect with workers around the world, breaking out of its longstanding lack of connection with workers internationally. Zhu Meixue (in blue vest) supporting struggling workers of Yung Tay Engineering / Image: Zhu Meixue official Facebook We see some important beginnings already. In 2018 a militant union leader Zhu Meixue ran an independent, class-based campaign for mayor in Taoyuan. While not elected on this basis, he and his team of militant Labour activists used the momentum to found a Livelihood Association (), a union-backed organisation that can struggle for workers rights and progressive social demands which hopes to be the progenitor of a future Labour Party. This is an excellent start. If it adopts bold slogans against the capitalist system and imperialism, while actively connecting with the advanced section of workers and youth, this project could rapidly take off and become a real alternative for the Taiwanese working class, as well as an inspiring example to the Chinese working class. editorial@tribune.com Sushil Manav & Ravinder Saini Tribune News Service Kalanaur (Rohtak), May 6 It is one oclock in the afternoon and people are sitting in a tent in a veterinary hospital of this small town on the Bhiwani road awaiting the arrival of Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar. With mercury soaring at 41 degree Celsius, many get restive as the wait gets longer and announcement on the public address system tells that the CM is about to arrive. This is Khattars fourth visit to the Rohtak parliamentary constituency ever since the elections have been announced. With Prime Minister Narendra Modi scheduled to address a rally here on May 10 and two of Khattars ministers OP Dhankar and Manish Grover and two MLAs Vikram Singh Yadav and Naresh Kaushik permanently camping here, the BJP has gone all out to wrest the Rohtak seat from Deepender Hooda, the lone Congress sitting MP from Haryana. Let them try as hard as they can, but they will not be able to defeat Deepender. He is such a nice guy that his appeal cuts across caste and age barriers. Hold him from his kurta or from his hand, his kurta may get torn, but he will never get angry. People here just cant think of going against him, says Deepak, a chemist shop owner outside the veterinary hospital. Hari Pal, a villager from nearly Gudhan village, however, has a different view. Deepender is definitely an affable person and peoples favourite, but we want Modi to return to power so that the countrys frontiers can be safe and secure. We cannot vote for Rahul Gandhi as our Prime Minister when even the Congress candidates in Haryana are not seeking votes in his name, says Hari Pal. Mangal, a resident of Rohtak town who has come to Deepaks shop to supply medicines, adds that the election has become highly polarized as Jats are rallying behind Deepender and non-Jats are backing BJP nominee Arvind Sharma. In the process, JJP nominee Pradeep Deswal and INLD candidate Dharamvir Fauji are losing ground as Jats are rallying behind Deepender. The BJP, however, is not leaving any opportunity to portray Deepender and his father Bhupinder Singh Hooda as anti non-Jats and are also holding them responsible for the 2016 Jat quota violence when properties of Punjabi community and some others were torched by the rioters. While Khattar himself avoids touching the issue, his Minister for Cooperatives Manish Grover comes down heavily on the Hoodas. Just see their election banners. The banners have pictures of Deepender Hooda and Bhupinder Singh Hooda, but the picture of state Congress president Ashok Tanwar is missing because he is a Dalit, says Grover. In his speech, Khattar speaks more about schemes for the poor launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his own government and does not target the Hoodas much. The CM lists schemes like Ayushman Bharat, Ujjwala, Bhawantar Bharpai, etc, and asks people to chose between Modi and Rahul Gandhi. In an obvious reference to Deepender, Khattar tells people to end dynastic politics. Rohtak MPs father Bhupinder Hooda and grandfather Ranbir Hooda have also represented this seat. Hoodas are seeking votes on Rohtak Ki Choudhar. But what have they given to you. They have just filled their own coffers and cared for their own family, he adds. harinder@tribunemail.com Geetanjali Gayatri Tribune News Service Bhiwani, May 6 Carcades of candidates zip down roads, leaving behind clouds of dust in Bhiwanis hot and arid Badra subdivision, a part of the Bhiwani-Mahendergarh seat, which is headed for a triangular fight. Interestingly, in this Jatland, sitting Member of Parliament Dharambir Singh of the BJP faces a challenge from two women candidates, former MP Shruti Choudhry of the Congress and Swati Yadav of the fledgling Jannayak Janata Party (JJP). While Dharambir is hoping to defeat anti-incumbency and get re-elected, the two women candidates are harping on his failures. Shruti, the granddaughter of the late CM Bansi Lal, addresses small meetings in villages through the day and turns to urban areas after dusk. Her mother, Congress Legislature Party Leader Kiran Choudhry, does the same in another part of the constituency, making sure they have covered the entire constituency. In Govindpura, Shruti walks over to a group of women and seeks their support. You have always stood by Chaudhry Bansi Lal and my father Surender Singh. I have come to you to ask for your vote because you know I did a lot of work here when I was MP, she says. In the last five years, nothing seems to have been done. I need you to vote for me to be able to redress your grievances. She lists out projects she had brought to the constituency earlier. She is two hours behind schedule and has 15 to 20 meetings to address. She quickly meets the villagers and moves on. In Gokal village in the same block, Swati projects herself as a social worker out to transform lives. Accompanied by a few Aam Aadmi Party leaders, she addresses one of the many rallies scheduled for the day. Terming the election as a battle between right and wrong, she tells voters: Twice you have chosen the wrong candidate. Give me a chance. I have studied abroad and was making a lot of money. But I left all that and returned to be in your midst. Being an MP, to me, is not business. I have come back to work for your welfare. The crowd seems impressed. Many come forward to garland her. Dharambir wants votes in the name of PM Narendra Modi. Shruti wants it in the name of Bansi Lal. This time choose wisely, Swati implores. A supporter takes off slippers as she concludes her speech with the announcement that they must press the button for slippers, the JJP poll symbol. She then leaves for the next village. The voters seem awe-struck by the confidence the two women candidates exude. Many are yet to make up their mind on which one to choose. gspannu7@gmail.com Hisar, May 7 Delhi Chief Minister and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging that his nationalism was fake. Speaking at a poll rally in favour of his ally Jannayak Janata Partys Dushyant Chautala here, Kejriwal projected JJP-AAP as a viable alternative. Hitting out at the prime minister, Kejriwal said Modi was seeking votes from people for the Balakot air strikes carried out in February. Modi has not done any work in these years. He has nothing to show for development. Modi is saying only one thing that they killed terrorists by carrying out air strikes, he alleged. A few days ago, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan gave a statement saying he wants Modi to continue as Indias prime minister. Imran Khan is seeking votes for him. There has never been an example of a Pakistani prime minister batting for our PM in the last 70 years, the AAP supremo said. Continuing his tirade against the prime minister, he said everyone knows that Pakistan sent terrorists from across the border to carry out an attack on the Pathankot Air Force base in Punjab, but strangely the Modi government had allowed a Pakistani investigation team to probe. In January 2016, Pakistan sent its terrorists to carry out attack on air force station in Pathankot, but Modi ji allows Pakistanis to probe the incident, he said. Modis nationalism is fake, he is dangerous for the country, he has done setting with the Pakistanis and he needs to be exposed, Kejriwal alleged. He claimed that the traders were still struggling with the after-effects of demonetisation. Modi said demonetisation will help end terrorism, end corruption. Did it achieve desired results? But instead people lost jobs and traders were destroyed, he said. Invoking his Haryana roots, Kejriwal appealed to people to vote for AAP-JJP candidates on all the 10 Lok Sabha seats, which go to polls in the sixth phase on May 12. We want to serve the country, we want to serve people, this is why we are asking you to strengthen our hands. Dushyant has been serving you people as an MP during the past five years. We are not here to seek votes in any one individuals name but on the basis of our work, he said. PTI editorial@tribune.com Tribune News Service Mandi, May 6 Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said that a few Congress leaders are putting pressure on their senior party leader Virbhadra Singh to make misleading statements during the Lok Sabha elections. He said it is unfortunate that these leaders are trying to dictate terms to an experience leader of Virbhadra Singhs stature. The Chief Minister, who was addressing a public meeting at Dehar in Sundernagar Assembly segment of Mandi district, said that though everyone has right to express his views in a democracy some leaders are giving wrong feedback to their high command and senior party leader like Virbhadra Singh. He said there has always been conflict between Virbhadra Singh and Pandit Sukh Ram. Virbhadra Singh has publicly announced that he cannot forgive Sukh Ram because he has not been honest with the Congress. Congress leaders know very well that the BJP is going to win all four Lok Sabha seats of the state with bigger margin. This is the reason they were shying away from contesting the elections. And now they are resorting to undignified statements which is not good for a healthy democratic set up, he remarked. The Chief Minister urged the people to ensure victory of BJP candidate Ram Swaroop Sharma from Mandi parliamentary constituency to strengthen the hands of Narendra Modi. He also addressed the public meeting at Karsog Assembly segment of Mandi district in favour of the BJP candidate. amansharma@tribunemail.com New Delhi, May 7 The Supreme Court on Tuesday transferred a case related to alleged custodial death of an accused in gang-rape and murder of a minor school girl in Himachal Pradeshs Kotkhai in 2017, from Shimla to Chandigarh. A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi transferred the case to Chandigarh after the CBI and the accused said they have no objection if the case was transferred from Shimla. We order transfer of the case to a competent CBI court in Chandigarh, the bench, which also comprised Justices Deepak Gupta and Sanjiv Khanna, said. The counsel appearing for the CBI informed the bench that charge sheet has been filed in the case against several police officials ranging from constable to former Inspector General of Police (IGP). The apex court had last month granted bail to former Himachal Pradesh IGP Zahur Haider Zaidi, an accused in the case, and said it would later deal with the aspect of transferring the trial from a court in Himachal Pradesh. The top court had in November last year sought responses from Zaidi, Deputy Superintendent of Police (Theog) Manoj Joshi and six other Himachal Pradesh policemen as to why the trial against them be not transferred from Shimla. The CBI had earlier told the court that though the charge sheet has been filed, the trial in the case has not seen the light of the day and hence the matter be transferred to other court for expeditious disposal. Zaidi and seven others were arrested in the custodial death case of Suraj, who was found dead at the Kotkhai police station on July 18, 2017. A 16-year-old girl had gone missing in Kotkhai on July 4, 2017 and her body was found from the Halaila forests two days later on July 6. The post-mortem report had confirmed rape and murder and a case was registered. Amid a huge public outcry in the state, a SIT headed by Zaidi was constituted by the then Virbhadra Singh-led Congress government. The SIT arrested six persons, and after the custodial death of one of the accused Suraj, the high court had handed over the investigations of both the cases to the CBI. The CBI had arrested Zaidi, DCP Joshi and other policemen in connection with the custodial death. PTI editorial@tribune.com Tribune News Service Shimla, May 6 Chief Secretary BK Aggarwal has invited High Commissioner of Malaysia Dr Dato Hidayat Abdul Hamid for the global investor meet being held in Dharamsala in September. He urged him to bring a business delegation and sought cooperation of the Embassy to encourage investment from leading companies of Malaysia. According to an official note, Aggarwal had a meeting with him in Delhi and informed him that the state government was focusing on hydro-electricity, horticulture and food-processing, tourism, healthcare and wellness centres, urban development and housing, IT & electronics and pharmaceuticals sectors for investment partnership. He said the state would consider a roadshow in Malaysia. The High Commissioner welcomed the idea of a roadshow in collaboration with the CII and Chamber of Business. As Malaysia has a huge Buddhist population and many adventure seekers, he expressed hope that Buddhist tourist circuit and adventure tourism could be a point of common interest between Malaysia and Himachal, he added. Principal Resident Commissioner Sanjay Kundu held a meeting with Ambassador of Kuwait Jasem I Al-Najem in New Delhi and discussed various issues related to the meet. He invited him to attend the meet along with a business delegation. He sought cooperation of the Embassy to encourage investment from private and public companies of Kuwait. Roadshow in Malaysia editorial@tribune.com Tribune News Service Solan, May 6 National leaders from both Congress and BJP will focus on Himachal which goes to the polls in the last phase on May 19. While Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address his first rally in Mandi on May 10 and second rally at Solan on May 13, BJP national president Amit Shah is slated to address three rallies on May 12 in Chamba, Hamirpur and Nahan . The district administration is yet to receive official confirmation of the May 12 rally which is slated to be held at Thodo Ground, Solan. Rahul Gandhi will provide the much-needed momentum to the Congress campaign by addressing his first rally at Una on May 10 while the dates for other rallies are yet to be finalised, said Congress chief spokesperson Naresh Chauhan. He said they had requested for more rallies of Rahul Gandhi as well as roadshows of Priyanka Gandhi but the confirmation was yet to be received. With the state leaders of the Congress and BJP already touring the state, the much-needed vigour will be added to the poll campaign by the presence of national leaders. Both parties are keen to ensure that one major rally of their key national leader is held in each of the four constituencies. Senior leaders like Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur and Virbhadra Singh were seen addressing poll rallies in various districts till now while waiting for their star campaigners from the national level to spare time for the state. Clash of titans on May 10 editorial@tribune.com Arteev Sharma Tribune News Service Jammu, May 6 Despite tough geographical terrain and hostile weather conditions in the snow-bound and inaccessible remote areas, Ladakh on Monday kept up the trend of a high turnout by recording an overall impressive poll percentage of 71.10. During the 2014 parliamentary elections, the overall polling percentage in Ladakh was 70.78. Having Kargil and Leh districts, Ladakh has 1,74,618 voters. There are four Assembly segments Kargil, Zanskar, Leh and Nubra in the region. The Election Commission of India had set up 559 polling stations across the constituency for smooth conduct of the electoral exercise. The highlight of the polling in the Ladakh region, which marked the end of fifth and final phase of the Lok Sabha polls in Jammu and Kashmir, was a massive turnout in the remote Zanskar Assembly segment in Kargil district. The segment saw 81.98 per cent voters coming out cast their ballot, followed by 78.6 per cent in the Kargil segment. However, Leh district witnessed a slight drop in voting as 61.68 per cent of the electorate voted in the Leh segment as compared to 63.67 per cent in the 2014 polls while the poll percentage in the Nubra segment was 67.70. The overall voting percentage in the Ladakh seat remained 71.10 and the polling remained peaceful and smooth. There was no major complaint from any part of the region, Avny Lavasa, Returning Officer of the Ladakh seat, said over the phone. The fate of four candidates, including Rigzin Spalbar of the Congress, Jamyang Tsering Namgyal of the BJP, Congress rebel and former MLA Kargil Asgar Ali Karbalai and NC-PDP and influential Islamia School-backed Sajjad Hussain Kargili (both contesting as Independents) was sealed in the EVMs. According to officials, the voting started on a dull note in all segments but it picked up as the day progressed. Ladakhi people, particularly women in traditional dresses, stood in serpentine queues to cast their votes. The mood was quite upbeat, especially in the remote Nubra and Zanskar segments of the region. If the psephologists are to be believed, the slight drop in the turnout on the Leh Assembly segment could hit the BJP which has been trying to retain the seat. The saffron party, which was largely dependent on voters in Leh district, had been facing a direct contest from its archrival Congress which had won both the Leh and Nubra segments during the 2014 Assembly elections and made a clean sweep in the civic polls last year. editorial@tribune.com Our Correspondent Rajouri, May 6 A sub-inspector (SI) of the BSF was injured with splinter injuries when the Pakistan army resorted to unprovoked heavy shelling and firing on the Armys forward locations and civilian areas in the Krishna Ghati sector (KG) in Poonch district on the second consecutive day today. The injured BSF personnel was identified as Gokul Anand and admitted to a hospital in Poonch. He was reported to be stable. In the late evening hours on Sunday, a teacher Mushtaq Hussain of Maldyallian village (in Degwar) was injured when a mortar shell fired by the Pakistan army landed near his house. The Army retaliated the unprovoked shelling with mortars and firing of small arms in the Krishna Ghati sector at 2.45 pm today, said Lt-Col Devender Anand, PRO, Defence. On Sunday, the Pakistan army initiated unprovoked ceasefire violation by shelling with artillery and firing with small arms along the Krishna Ghati sector. A Colonel of the army unit and four soldiers were injured and admitted to the army hospital in Rajouri. A porter was injured in the Keri sector in Rajouri district and was admitted to the army hospital in Udhampur. All government and private schools falling within 0-5 km from the LoC remained closed today in the Keri sector for the safety of the students as Pakistan on Sunday had targeted civilian areas in which one porter was injured. MA Asad, Deputy Commissioner, today visited villages near the LoC, including Rattal and Bassali, and handed over a cheque for Rs 15,000 as initial aid to the mother of Mohd Maroof, porter, who was injured in the shelling yesterday. Meanwhile, border dwellers, including Liakat Choudhry, sarpanch, demanded the early construction of bunkers, bullet-proof ambulance and the construction of a medical centre at Bassali. Schools remain closed in Keri sector All government and private schools falling within 0-5 km from the LoC remained closed today in the Keri sector for the safety of the students as Pakistan on Sunday had targeted civilian areas in which one porter was injured. editorial@tribune.com Majid Jahangir & Rifat Mohidin Tribune News Service Pulwama/Shopian, May 6 Deserted polling booths, missing polling agents and scared polling staff Pulwama and Shopian recorded the lowest turnout on Monday in the final phase of the polling. The day was also marked by militant violence and stone-pelting incidents. The two volatile districts of Pulwama and Shopian, part of the Anantnag parliament constituency, recorded the lowest voter turnout of less than 3 per cent. J&Ks Chief Electoral Officer Shailendra Kumar said the twin districts recorded a voter turnout of 2.81 per cent. Shopian district polled 2.88 per cent votes, while Pulwama polled 2.14 per cent, he said, adding that the aggregate voting percentage for the Anantnag parliamentary constituency was 8.76. The turnout in the Valley has seen a constant dip since the first phase of the polling in north Kashmirs Baramulla constituency that recorded 34 per cent turnout. Voting fervour was missing in the two districts, the erstwhile bastion of the Peoples Democratic Party. A majority of the polling stations were deserted and the poll staff was sitting idle. The polling began in volatile Pulwama and Shopian after late-night stone pelting at scores of places that left many, including poll officials, injured and torching of at least three government buildings in Rajpora, Qasbayar and Drubgam of Pulwama district. Despite heightened security, militants made their presence felt as they lobbed at least two grenades towards polling stations in Pulwama. Unidentified men also hurled two petrol bombs in the poll-bound districts. Nobody was, however, injured in these incidents. Fear, coupled with anger and alienation, were the main reasons for people to stay away from polling in the twin districts. Sample this: Tucked away from the strategic Srinagar-Jammu national highway, a small hamlet of Lethpora looked desolate. Security forces outnumbered the voters and the polling staff remained idle most of the day, waiting for people to come and exercise their franchise. Just 100 m from the polling booths was the spot where the Jaish-e-Mohommad suicide bomber Adil Dar rammed his vehicle into the CRPF convoy, killing 40 soldiers on February 14. Over two months later, tension hangs in the air and fear is palpable. Most of the people preferred to stay indoors, seemingly to avoid any trouble. Out of the 2,825 voters, less than 300 turned up on the polling day. We didnt vote as our lives have been turned miserable after the Pulwama bombing, said Altaf Ahmed at Lethpora. Barely 15 km from Lethpora is Gundibagh, the native village of suicide bomber Adil Dar. No polling station was set up inside the village. We dont know where our polling station is, said a youth in the area. The authorities had clubbed many polling stations amid fears of violence. In the Kakapora area of Pulwama, 13 polling stations were set up inside boys higher secondary school Kakapora. At 11 am, out of over 8,000 votes, only four were polled. In neighbouring Shopian, the other militant stronghold district, the voter turnout was also dismal. A group of youths, with masked faces, gathered on the main road in Shopian to block roads. There was complete silence as a few residents made their way to polling stations. We have poverty at home and we have been told that our problems will be solved. We have no big reason to vote, said Shada Begum, 45, a resident of Shopian district. In Zainporas Shopian, where the authorities airlifted the poll officials on Sunday due to the tense situation, locals were busy with their daily work. Blast shadow on Lethpora turnout editorial@tribune.com New Delhi, May 6 The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a plea challenging the J&K Governments order restricting civilian traffic for a day in a week on a stretch of the national highway from Udhampur to Baramulla for the movement of security forces. The state governments counsel told the bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice Deepak Gupta that the order restricting traffic on the national highway was taken due to the ongoing election and will remain in force till May 31. The Additional Solicitor General appearing for the state of Jammu and Kashmir submits that the closure of the highway as on date is for one day in a week, i.e., Wednesday. He has further submitted that the said closure will be effective only till the end of May, 2019, the bench noted in its order. Taking into account the reasons that have prompted the state to order for the closure of the highway which is restricted to one day in the week, we are not inclined to keep this petition pending any longer, the bench said and disposed of the plea. The state government had issued an order on April 3 in which it said that keeping in view the Pulwama terror attack, another car bomb attack on security forces convoy at Banihal and movement of forces during the Lok Sabha elections, no civilian traffic movement will be allowed on the highway stretch from 4 am to 5 pm once a week. The order had said there would be one dedicated day every week for movement of security forces convoy when there would be no civilian traffic on the national highway from Baramulla to Udhampur from 4 am to 5 pm. The regulation of the vehicular movement on the highway would remain in force till May 31, it had said. The plea had been filed by Muzzafar Shah, senior vice-president of the Awami National Conference, and social worker Yasmeen Sonaullah. The plea, filed through advocate Suhail Malik, had alleged that the absurd and draconian decision to restrict civilian traffic movement on the 270-km stretch on the national highway directly affects lives of lakhs of people and its indirect economic and social impact is interminable. The impugned order means a virtual lockdown of the Valley a day every week which will directly affect 10,000 vehicles plying every hour, which includes vehicles carrying patients, students, tourists, businessmen and government officials, the plea said, adding, such an extreme step was not even adopted during the Kargil war in 1999. PTI Turn Mughal road into all-weather road: Rasheed Srinagar: Awami Ittihad Party (AIP) leader and former legislator Engineer Rasheed on Monday protested against the government for its failure to make Mughal road and Jammu-Srinagar national highway as all-weather roads. He also flayed the jailing of separatist leaders. Rasheed, along with his supporters, reached Khalsa School and marched towards the civil secretariat, which opened today after functioning in winter capital Jammu for six months as part of the traditional Durbar move. He said there would be no need to have two separate capitals for J&K if there was an all-weather road connecting the Jammu division with Kashmir. The money spent every year on the face lifting of the city roads and pavements should be spent on making Mughal road an all-weather highway to connect the two divisions, he said. He criticised the government over the jailing of separatist leaders and youth, saying the repressive measures by government agencies would alienate the Kashmiri people further. TNS ROBINSINGH@TRIBUNE.COM Mona Young enthusiasts are fast transforming the food culture of our city. While the culinary scene in Chandigarh is almost close to saturation, some engineers, some students, doubling up as entrepreneurs, backed up by a thorough food and beverage background, are not only standing their ground, but also expanding with multiple outlets in tricity! Engineers hand It was one summer in the US that gave food enthusiast Ankush Arora an idea to roll out a gourmet American street food chain. And, so was born Uncle Jacks. While there are options aplenty, yet there was none that did American street style grilled onion, pepper, fajitas or sliders. And, thats precisely what this engineers hand-crafted brand brings to city. Roll Xpress was born out of the exasperation of another engineer, Amit Chugh. He was appalled by international brands entering Indian markets and succeeding with selling aloo tikki burger! Why dont we sell our indigenous flavours, our style, to the international market? For Guntash Sandhu, it was the desire to do something productive along with finishing school that gave rise to Hash Guys. It was eating at Chilis one day that Shreh Madan saw an opportunity of providing quality food at a reasonable price. With a degree in hotel management from Oxford Brookes University, UK, he was handling the pharmaceutical business and staying in tricity when he conceived the idea of Burgrill. For Divyansh Gupta, Foodibles was born out of the necessity he felt of a tiffin service that could cater to students like him. Three years on, he is happy making about 500 plates a day with major corporates as his clients and looking at expanding to other cities next! Growth curve While most major international food chains are here, beating the competition is not an easy game. However, these home-grown brands have done reasonably well. Uncle Jacks has seven joints in tricity, and presence in Delhi, Ludhiana and Patiala already. If one has to pick its USP, quality food and interesting presentation it is. But a brand is to be built from a scratch. Just like Rahul, Pooja are very relatable Indian names, so is Jack for America and since our restaurant serves it all American, the name made perfect sense. Three years in Chandigarh, not only has this diner won hearts, its cheese fries have gone global, getting a mention in LA Food Fest. His venture has been a case study at IIM Ahmadabad, while also at KFC and McDonalds headquarters. Beating the competitors is a thought that never crossed this 28-year-olds mind. About three years on, Roll Xpress sits pretty at 12 outlets across tricity and aiming at 100 across country by the end of 2019. While most of their business is through online sales, selling through Uber Eats, Swiggy, Zomato and the like, Amit insists that loyal client base is made at the outlet. Food game Guntash banked on a catchy name to fetch his first few customers, Now you see hash as in hashtag or something else, its up to you, but someone coming in served my purpose. Next was to tickle the taste-buds! I do a lot of Indian-American fusion, which has worked well with city food lovers palate. Shreh claims many firsts that give an edge to his outlet Burgrill, which has seven outlets in tricity and 28 in total, spread across 12 cities. Being trained in UK, I have learnt to pay attention to every minute detail. Right from the temperature of the food being served at or stored, we have total standardisation. (With inputs by Sheetal) shalender@tribune.com Former Madhya Pradesh CM Digvijay Singh is engaged in perhaps the most difficult contest of his political career. He is locked in a fierce fight with Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur. The senior Congress leader talked to The Tribune reporter on the charge of having coined the phrase saffron/Hindu terror. Excerpts: Bhopal has become the centre of attention. What are the issues you are contesting on? Madhya Pradesh has been ruled by the BJP for 15 years and Bhopal for 30 years. It is a progressive, well-located city with several educational institutions. But it does not feature among the top educational or employment hubs like Hyderabad, Pune, Nagpur or Bengaluru. These cities are getting all employment opportunities. This is one issue that voters of Bhopal must ask the BJP. You are being accused by the BJP of trying to sell a soft Hindutva image to woo majority vote. It is the BJP that started using religion for political gains. Congress leaders, right from Mahatma Gandhi to the current leaderships, have been practicing Hindus. Leaders of other religions in our party have also been practicing their religion. Everyone who knows us knows we follow our religion. Religion and politics are two different issues. I have for several decades performed puja at Pandharpur Mandir on Ashadi Ekadashi. I perform Govardhan parikrama and the Narmada parikrama on foot. I had visited all temples even before the BJP was born. You are accused of coining the phrase saffron terror. This phrase was coined by then Home Secretary RK Singh. The BJP got him to use saffron terror for political gains and rewarded him in 2014 with the party ticket and made him a minister in the Modi government. It was also used by the Maharashtra Police under the then Police Commissioner Satya Pal Singh, who was also given the BJP ticket and made a minister in the Modi government. It is the BJP which coined the term saffron terror... I always said Sanghi (RSS) terror. With Pragya as your rival, how confident are you of a victory? The Bhopal seat has been with the BJP for the past 30 years. I have taken it as a personal challenge to unseat the BJP. How confident are you of your party doing well in the state? We have been in power only for a few months and have waived loans of 22 lakh farmers. The government on the very first day took the decision to waive loans of eligible farmers and it is only a matter of months that the paper work will be completed. The decision will be implemented in letter and spirit. Your rival Pragya is calling this contest a dharmyudh. She was arrested by the Madhya Pradesh Police under the tenure of the BJP Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. The police was the first investigator in the murder case of Sunil Joshi (RSS activist), who was accused of the Samjhauta blasts, as per the police records. Pragya was part of the conspiracy. shalender@tribune.com Controversial Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, on bail in the Malegaon blast case, talks to The Tribune reporter Vibha Sharma on the controversy surrounding her remarks against late Mumbai Anti-Terror Squad chief Hemant Karkare and other issues, including Hindutva. Excerpts: How confident are you of winning in Bhopal? Dont you think your statement against Hemant Karkare has only strengthened the position of Digvijay Singh? I see my victory in the eyes of every citizen of Bhopal. Whether old or young, everyone is blessing me like his or her sister or daughter and this gives me complete confidence that I will win over evil forces like Digvijay Singh in this dharmayudh. Do you think you made a mistake by publicly venting your anger against the late IPS officer Hemant Karkare who laid down his life for the country? I have never demeaned anybodys martyrdom. Anyone who fought for the nation or lived for the nation has the highest possible respect in my heart. My party has also stated its stand on the issue loud and clear. As a disciplined worker of my party, I abide by it completely. But your comments have been condemned by the IPS fraternity? Do you not think you have antagonised the entire police force? As I said earlier I never meant anything like that so no such question arises now. You have been used to polarise these elections. What is your agenda in these elections? When two Hindus are contesting, where is the question of polarising? Narendra Modi has proved himself to be the best Prime Minister and made the country stronger and Shivrajji (former CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan) have played a very important role in Madhya Pradesh in its progress. My agenda is to strengthen their efforts for the state and Bhopal. Are you worried over the soft Hindutva image your rival Digvijay Singh is trying to build to counter you? Digvijay Singh is a known anti-Hindu Congress leader who always appeases minority communities. Perhaps he never thought he, as an ambassador of Osamaji, Hafiz Sayeed saheb and innocent Afzal Guru, will have to come to a public trial in the heart of India. He is afraid of his defeat that is why he is on a temple run, but God will never forgive him. People will chargesheet him for what he did in Azamgarh. harinder@tribunemail.com Sushil Manav Tribune News Service Rohtak, May 6 The anxious families of five Indian seamen held captive by pirates in Nigeria heaved a sigh of relief when two of the hostages called up friends and family from satellite phone to inform them about their well-being late on Sunday evening. The families are, however, worried as the calls got disconnected soon after the seamen urged that the phone number be passed on to the Indian High Commission in Nigeria so that the authorities can reach out to them. Sources said Swapna Rani Patra, wife of hostage Sudeep Kumar Choudhry, received a call from Captain Dash, her husbands friend in Ghana, that Sudeep called him on Sunday night and informed about the well-being of all hostages. He said the pirates had kept them somewhere in Bakasi Kalaba and requested him to provide the satellite phone number to the Indian High Commission in Nigeria as soon as possible. The call said the Nigerian Navy has not been able to locate them so far. Sai Avinash, another Indian captive on the ship MT Apecus, called up his sister to give almost identical information. Meanwhile, responding to The Tribune report about the seamen being held captive, Pakistan human rights activist Ansar Burney said he was already working on it. Yes, I am aware and already working on it. Please pray, Burney tweeted. Ankit Hooda (20), from Assan village in Rohtak, is among the five. His cousin Bharat Deswal said they were yet to receive any response from the Central government. harinder@tribunemail.com Tribune News Service New Delhi, May 6 The fate of Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Congress president Rahul Gandhi, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Union Minister Smriti Irani was sealed as polling for the fifth phase of General Election concluded today. Fifty-one parliamentary constituencies across seven states recorded 63.5 per cent voter turnout. With the completion of the fifth phase of polling, voting for 424 of the 543 parliamentary seats has concluded. Barring a few incidents of violence reported from West Bengal and Jammu and Kashmir, voting was largely peaceful and no loss of human life was reported from anywhere, Election Commission official Sandeep Saxena said. Election is being held on 542 seats. Polling for the Vellore Lok Sabha seat in Tamil Nadu was cancelled due to excessive use of money. harinder@tribunemail.com Shubhadeep Choudhury Tribune News Service Kolkata, May 6 Sparks flew thick and fast in West Bengal today as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had a go at each other on a crucial day of polling in the state. At an election rally in Tamluk, Modi accused Mamata of doing politics over cyclone Fani. He alleged she did not even speak to him when he rang her up to enquire about the calamity. I am just back from Odisha after reviewing the post-cyclone situation. I also wanted to speak to the West Bengal Chief Minister to discuss the issue. I called her up, but Didi is so arrogant that she didnt speak to me. I waited for her call, but she didnt get back to me, Modi said. Speed-breaker Didi was more interested in doing politics. I wanted to speak to officials, but the government did not allow that, the PM said. Earlier, the TMC hit out at Modi for calling up Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi on Friday instead of talking to the CM to enquire about the ground situation in the wake of the cyclone. At a public meeting at Gopiballabhpur in Jhargram constituency, Mamata said the expiry Prime Minister was indulging in petty politics on the cyclone relief issue. She said her government would not hold a meeting with Modi because she considers him an expiry PM. The Chief Minister said she had stationed herself at Kharagpur as the path of the cyclone was supposed to pass through that area before reaching Bangladesh. She oversaw the disaster preparedness and took care that people were safe. When Modi called up, I was not in Kolkata. I was in Kharagpur and so could not speak to him, Banerjee, who is frequently seen talking on mobile phone, claimed. Didnt talk to me I wanted to speak to CM Mamata Banerjee to discuss the issue (Fani cyclone). I called her up, but Didi is so arrogant she didnt speak to me. I waited, she didnt get back. Narendra Modi, Prime Minister Contest in name of Rajiv Gandhi: Modi I had called a member of naamdar parivar (dynasty) bhrashtachari (corrupt) no. 1 and some people got such a severe stomach ache. I challenge the Congress to fight elections in the name of Rajiv Gandhi when polling takes place in Punjab, Delhi and Bhopal. Narendra Modi, PM He hates us, I only have love for him: Rahul Narendra Modi insulted a martyr (Rajiv Gandhi); no matter how much hatred he has for my family, I only have love for him. Rahul Gandhi, Congress chief monicakchauhan@gmail.com Tribune News Service New Delhi, May 7 A day after an in-house inquiry panel gave a clean chit to Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi rejecting allegations of sexual harassment against him, the complainant demanded a copy of the report and woman activists held protests outside the court. "I have a right to the report, the reasons for the same as well as copies of the depositions of any witnesses, any other persons or any other evidence considered by the Committee," said the dismissed woman employee of the Supreme Court in a letter to Justice SA Bobde who headed the three-member committee. The report has since been submitted Justice Arun Mishra -- number four in seniority. Incidentally, Justice Mishra is also heading a three-judge Bench which had requested Justice (Retd) AK Patnaik to probe allegations of a larger conspiracy to frame CJI Gogoi in a sexual harassment case. The complainants latest salvo at the panel came on a day when several women lawyers and activists protested outside the Supreme Court against the clean chit given to CJI Gogoi. Many of them were detained by Delhi Police which had issued prohibitory orders in the area. The in-house inquiry panel which also included Justice Indu Malhotra and Justice Indira Banerjee had on Monday given a clean chit to the CJI as it found "no substance" in the allegations of the dismissed woman employee. Citing a top court verdict, it had also said the report was not "liable to be made public". The complainant who created a storm by accusing the CJI of sexual harassment and withdrew from the panels proceedings mid-way -- said the verdict was given at a time prior to the Right to Information Act. She said if the CJI was being given a copy of the report, directly or indirectly, she was also entitled to it. "I find it rather strange that the complainant in a case of sexual harassment is not to be provided with a copy of the report which finds her complaint to be without substance and that my complaint has been held by the committee to be this without giving me any reasons for the same," she said. Both the parties had a right to receive a copy of the report, she asserted. "I am shocked that despite my detailed affidavit, ample corroborative evidence and clear, consistent statement before the Committee reiterating my experience of sexual harassment and consequent victimisation the Committee has found 'no substance' in my complaint and affidavit. She said lack of transparency in the functioning of the inquiry panel and not providing her a copy of the report "would be a violation of the principles of natural justice and a complete travesty of justice". Bar Council of India Chairman Manan Mishra, however, backed the in-house inquiry panel, saying there was nothing wrong about the procedure and there should be an end to this unfounded controversy. Mishra said, We should not doubt the decision of our three judges of the committee, otherwise, it will send a very wrong signal and there shall be no end to such malicious complaints against the responsible authorities/persons discharging important functions. However, senior counsel Rakesh Dwivedi said suppression of the report giving clean chit to CJI has dented the "prestige, credibility and integrity" of the judicial system. gspannu7@gmail.com Yash Goyal Jaipur, May 7 A 19-year-old Dalit woman, who was going with her husband on a motorcycle, was allegedly gang-raped by five people who chased them on their two motorcycles in Rajasthans Alwar district. The accused also shot pictures and made videos on which they were threatening the couple of dire consequences if the matter was revealed to anyone since the incident which reportedly took place on April 26. Meanwhile, BJP state president Madan Lal Saini on Tuesday demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, who holds the Home Ministry portfolio, for concealing the case during an ongoing election process since May 2. The couple was on their way from Lalwadi to Talvariksh village when the gang of five intercepted them and took them to the rocky hills and forest area of Lalwadi under Thanagazi police station on April 26, Additional Director General of Police (Crime) BL Soni told The Tribune on Tuesday. The victims husband lodged an FIR naming the five accused on May 2, and one of the main accused, Indraj Gurjar, a 23-year-old truck driver was arrested today, Soni said, adding he has confessed to his involvement in the alleged rape. Police were looking out for four others on the links provided by Indraj, and womans medical examination was done by the Alwar government hospital, Soni added. SP Alwar Rajiv Pachar said a case under various sections of the IPC including 376 and SC-ST Act was registered against the five accused and a special team was investigating the case. Condemning the incident, Saini told a press conference that it was a political conspiracy of the Congress government to save its image in public during second phase of election in Alwar on May 6. After 11 days, no action was ensured and in last 21 days nine case of rape were reported in parts of the state, he added. rchopra@tribunemail.com New Delhi, May 7 The Enforcement Directorate has seized a flat in Vasant Kunj of Delhi and a land in Haryana worth Rs 1.48 crore in a FEMA and hawala case against Harish Gahlot, brother of Delhi minister Kailash Gahlot. The agency said it issued a seizure order under Section 37A of FEMA freezing the flat and a land at Chauba village in Haryana in lieu of the alleged illegal assets held abroad. Investigation was initiated under FEMA (Foreign Exchange Management Act) based on the information received from the Income Tax Department informing about the transfer of money of Rs 1 crore from India to Dubai through hawala channel by Harish Gahlot through a Delhi-based hawala dealer for making advance payments towards purchase of two flats in Dubai in September 2018, the ED alleged in a statement. Premises linked to the family and associates of Kailash Gahlot, AAP MLA and Delhi Transport Minister, were raided by the I-T Department in October last year. The properties of his brother Harish Gahlot were also searched. The tax department searches were conducted as part of a tax evasion probe against two firms--Brisk Infrastructure and Developers Private Limited and Corporate International Financial Services Limited--that are reportedly operated and owned by the family of Kailash Gahlot. Kailash had denied any wrongdoing and the AAP had called the action political vendetta. The ED said its probe revealed that in September 2018 Harish Gahlot had given Rs 1 crore in cash to his younger son Nitesh Gahlot, who is an NRI and studies in Dubai, for sending the money to Dubai allegedly through unauthorised hawala channel, that denotes skirting legal banking route to transfer money. Nitesh Gahlot, through his contact, approached Inderpal Wadhawan, a Delhi-based hawala dealer, for transferring the amount. Wadhawan kept Rs 4 lakh as commission and illegally delivered dirhams equivalent to Rs 96 lakh in Dubai which was collected by the friend of Nitesh Gahlot and deposited in the Dubai bank account of Nitesh Gahlot, the agency charged. Out of these funds, the ED said, Nitesh Gahlot made payment to Dubai-based developers for booking two flats in the names of him, his father Harish Gahlot, his mother and his elder brother. Investigation also revealed that on September 26, 2018, Harish Gahlot had sent Rs 50 lakh from his bank in India to the bank account of his son Nitesh Gahlot maintained in Dubai under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) for the purpose code S0305Travel for Education Including Fees Hostel Expenses etc, the ED said. However, the agency said the amount was not used for intended purpose but actually used for booking of the said two flats in Dubai. PTI shalender@tribune.com Tribune News Service New Delhi, May 6 In the midst of controversy kicked up by Opposition parties regarding functioning of the electronic voting machines (EVMs), former Chief Election Commissioner SY Quraishi on Monday said there should be no apprehension after the introduction of VVPAT slip. The EVM controversy should now be behind us after introduction of VVPAT slip, Quraishi said after releasing a book titled India: The Wrong Transition, authored by journalist Anand K Sahay. Responding to a query from the audience at the function, he said credibility of the EVM was first questioned by parties when he was in the Election Commission. However, the issue was resolved after it was agreed upon to introduce the paper trail to the voting machines. As many as 21 Opposition parties have petitioned the Supreme Court pleading that EVMs be backed up by the paper trail device printouts in at least half of the booths in the remaining phases of the Lok Sabha elections. Speaking on the occasion, Air Vice Marshal Kapil Kak (retired), who had been involved in the peace process in Jammu and Kashmir in the past, batted for the Indian government entering into a dialogue with Pakistan. I do not agree that it is the worst time to talk to Pakistan. There have been far worst times before. After the terrorist attack on Parliament, the then Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, made a bold move, Kak said, alluding to Vajpayee holding talks with Pakistan. We have to start a dialogue with Pakistan, sooner or later he said, adding: During the Narendra Modi government, alienation of people has only deepened. The muscular policy has achieved nothing, he said. Sahays book analyses five years of the Narendra Modi government and finds faults with its policies, including on Jammu and Kashmir. monicakchauhan@gmail.com Tribune News Service Mukstar/New Delhi May 7 Girls outshone boys in the ICSE Class 10 and 12 examinations, with two students scoring 100 per cent marks in Class 12. This is the first time that students have scored 100 per cent marks in the ISC exam. The results of the ICSE Class 10 and ISC Class 12 were announced on Tuesday by Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) chief executive and secretary Gerry Arathoon. While girls achieved a pass percentage of 99.05 per cent in Class 10 examination as against 98.12 per cent by boys, the pass percentage achieved by girls in Class 12 examination is 97.84 per cent as against 95.40 per cent of boys. Mumbais Juhi Rupesh Kajaria and Muktsars Manhar Bansal topped the Class 10 ICSE examination with 99.60 per cent. The second rank has been shared by ten students with 99.40 per cent marks and the third rank has been shared by 24 students with 99.20 per cent marks. 16-year-old Manhar Bansal, who topped ICSE Class X exam, wants to become an IAS officer. He is presently in Delhi, and has got admission at Delhi Public School, RK Puram. A student of humanities, Manhar always dreamt of getting and all India rank one day, said his father Dr Madan Mohan Bansal, who is a leading private practitioner here. Madan Mohan said, I havent yet even had a word with my son as he has switched off his cell phone. We were earlier getting news that Manhar got all India second rank, but my elder son, a doctor, in Delhi, told me that Manhar has got first position, said Madan Mohan. Manhar always topped the school in last five years, he said. Kolkatas Dewang Kumar Agarwal and Bengalurus Vibha Swaminathan topped the Class 12 ISC examination with 100 per cent marks. The second rank has been shared by 16 students with 99.75 per cent and the third rank has been shared by 36 students with 99.50 per cent marks. With PTI amansharma@tribunemail.com Shiv Kumar Tribune News Service Mumbai, May 7 The Maharashtra government is all set to buy the sea-facing Air India building at Mumbais Nariman Point from the cash strapped airline. Chief Secretary UPS Madan told reporters here today that the state government has emerged as the highest bidder by offering Rs 1,400 crore for the property. He added that the building stood on land leased by the state government and the Maharashtra government was looking to shift several of its departments once the building comes in its possession. At present, there is a secretariat annexe building which is part of the Mantralaya complex next door to the Air India building. Several offices which are located at other buildings in Nariman Point would be moved to the building which used to house Air Indias headquarters in the past, according to the state goverment. Air India was in occupation of the property on a 99-year lease from 1970 onwards when the building was constructed, according to state government officials here. The Maharashtra government was the highest bidder offering Rs 1,400 crore for the building. Other bidders included the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust and the Life Insurance Corporation. The Devendra Fadnavis government wants to take possession of the building in around six weeks from Air India and will need to get tenants in some of the floors to vacate apart from its own office space. The state government wants the airline to pay rent for the booking office in the building. The Union Civil Aviation ministry wants the building to retain its name and logo. The ministry wants Air Indias logo to remain on the buildings roof as well, a state government official said. The Maharashtra government is likely to agree to the proposal since the Air India building and the hoarding advertising the airline outside the building draws scores of tourists every day, according to officials. shriaya.dutt@tribuneindia.com Dubai, May 7 The Indian owner of a Dubai-based Malayalam TV station has fled the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as he struggled to keep it afloat amid mounting losses, leaving unpaid employees in limbo, the media reported. Launched around two years ago, Channel D had two live shows daily. A senior staffer at Channel D told the Gulf News on Monday: "We were not paid for months but in the hope of a turnaround, the dozen odd staffers lumbered on. Nobody expected the end to come so soon." The TV station's office remains shut but the channel is still on air. "They are running repeats of old shows. But even that is likely to stop when their contract with Etisalat expires this month end," he said. A cameraman, who claims the company owes him seven months salary, said he was repeatedly assured that their dues would be settled. Fingerprint door access control of staffers was deactivated in March while telephone lines were disconnected a month earlier. "These were obvious red flags but we didn't suspect anything amiss because we trusted the owner," said another employee. The channel also had a unit in Kochi, Kerala, but that too has been reportedly shut down. IANS shalender@tribune.com New Delhi, May 6 On a complaint alleging violation of the model code of conduct (MCC) during the ongoing elections, the Supreme Court today asked Congress MP Sushmita Dev to produce the evidence on record regarding the Election Commissions (EC) order giving a clean chit to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah. A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi has listed the matter for further hearing on May 8. Dev is the Congress MP representing the Silchar Lok Sabha seat in Assam. Representing Dev, senior advocate AM Singhvi said that the EC has not been reasonable in declining the complaints registered by the Congress on the MCC violations by the Prime Minister and the BJP president by purposely using the armed forces in their election campaign to gain political mileage. Singhvi also mentioned that many orders of the poll body contained dissenting notes by its officials. Singhvi said: The court should lay down guidelines as it relates to the basic structure and dissent of the official must be disclosed in all cases...the apex court must look into some orders. The Bench asked Devs counsel to file an additional affidavit in court documenting, on record, the poll bodys orders on the complaints of MCC violations by the BJP leaders. The SC on Thursday directed the EC to decide on all the remaining complaints against Modi and Shah filed by the Congress regarding the violation of MCC before May 6. The EC has already given a clean chit to Modi in respect two speeches one in Latur (Maharashtra) urging first-time voters to exercise their right in favour of the Balakot airstrike heroes and the soldiers martyred in the Pulwana attack, and the second in Wayanad (Kerala) where, he said, the majority is in a minority, and the maximum voters in the constituency are from minority community. In her petition, Dev alleged that inaction by the poll panel on complaints against top BJP leaders was a sign of invidious discrimination, and maintaining such an approach is destructive, which will cast doubt on the integrity of electoral process. She said, The PM in blatant violation of the MCC held a rally on the day of polling in Gujarat on April 23rd, 2019, i.e. date of voting for the third phase of the election. IANS Varanasi: Sacked BSF jawan moves SC shalender@tribune.com New Delhi, May 6 Congress leader and Punjab Cabinet minister Navjot Singh Sidhu today attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for making false promises to the people in 2014 and said these promises were like bamboo long but hollow. Sidhu called the PM liar-in-chief saying none of the major flagship schemes of the government had attained the desired objectives. The PM will drown in the wave of his own falsehoods, Sidhu said listing details of a range of schemes and citing data to argue that none of the promises had been fulfilled. He began by mentioning the PMs pet Rs 20,000-crore Namami Gange project. Water Resources Minister Nitin Gadkari had said 80 per cent work under the scheme will be completed by 2019. But what is the truth? Of this Rs 20,000 crore, only Rs 6,000 crore has been spent and 10 per cent sewage treatment plants installed, Sidhu said , adding the Ganga is the most unclean in Varanasi, Modis constituency. The other schemes for which he lambasted the PM were Digital India where he said of the 2.5 lakh villages which were to be connected with broadband by February 2019, only 1.1 lakh actually had the optic fibre cable laid as of today. Flanked by Overseas Congress chairman Sam Pitroda who earlier attacked the PM for targeting late Rajiv Gandhi, Sidhu made a special mention of the PMs scheme of Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana and said 78 per cent of the 786 MPs of the two Houses had not adopted any village. We also want to ask the PM about his two adopted villages in Varanasi Jayapur and Nagepur where only 400 toilets have been made and in most of them, cow dung is being stored, asked Sidhu, wondering with no scheme achieving its objective does the PM expect me to call him Raja Harishchandra? TNS rchopra@tribunemail.com Chennai, May 7 The DMK on Tuesday indicated its party chief MK Stalin might not meet K Chandrasekar Rao on May 13, as announced by the Telangana Chief Ministers Office earlier. Sources close to the DMK president said Stalin was busy with his campaign schedule for the May 19 by-polls to four constituencies in the state and declined to divulge more details. Earlier, a statement from the Telangana Chief Ministers Office (CMO) had said that Rao would meet the DMK chief at his residence here on May 13. He had met his Kerala counterpart Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday, even as Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy also rang up Rao after learning about his visits to Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Rao, who had floated the idea of a non-Congress, non-BJP front some time ago, had met Stalin in April last as part of his outreach to regional parties, with the DMK leader hosting lunch for the visiting TRS supremo and his party colleagues. However, the Dravidian party later entered into a poll pact with the Congress and faced the April 18 Lok Sabha polls in the state in alliance with the national party as part of a mega coalition that also includes the Left. The DMKs move is perceived as a signal to the Telangana veteran that it was keen to carry on its alliance with the Congress even after the results of the seven-phase polling are out on May 23. Incidentally, it was Stalin who had declared Congress president Rahul Gandhi as the oppositions prime ministerial candidate at a party meeting here, though the idea did not find favour with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav. While by-polls to 18 assembly seats were held on April 18 along with the Lok Sabha election, four others are going to polls on May 19. The outcome of the by-polls is crucial for Tamil Nadu as it would determine the continuance of the ruling AIADMK in power. Therefore, all parties, including arch rivals AIADMK and DMK, are leaving no stone unturned to ensure that they win maximum seats even as Stalin has been claiming that the ruling party will lose the election and pave the way for a new government headed by the DMK. PTI rchopra@tribunemail.com New Delhi, May 7 The Supreme Court on Tuesday allowed Karti Chidambaram, who is facing criminal cases being probed by the ED and CBI, to travel to the US, Germany and Spain this month. A bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices Deepak Gupta and Sanjiv Khanna said the nod to travel abroad was subject to compliance of conditions imposed earlier. The apex court had in January granted Karti, son of Congress leader P Chidambaram, permission to travel abroad after depositing Rs 10 crore with the secretary general of the Supreme Court. The top court had also asked him to file an undertaking that he would return and cooperate with the investigation. Karti is facing criminal cases which are being probed by the Enforcement Directorate and the CBI. One of the cases relates to the Foreign Investment Promotion Board clearance to INX Media for receiving foreign funds of Rs 305 crore when his father was the finance minister. PTI rchopra@tribunemail.com Hyderabad, May 7 A United Front-type government of regional parties supported by the Congress is the only likelihood after the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, a key TRS leader said on Tuesday. B Vinod Kumar, sitting Lok Sabha member from Karimnagar and a confidant of TRS president and Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, claimed that regional parties would win more seats than BJP-led NDA or Congress-anchored UPA. United Front experiment was...Congress supporting from outside. This time also there is every likelihood of such a proposition. No doubt, Kumar, the deputy floor leader of TRS in the Lok Sabha, told PTI. On his assessment of the Lok Sabha election results, he said, The Congress crossing 100 (seats) and reaching 120-130 will be a herculean task for them. And the BJP definitely not more than 170 (seats). According to him, the idea of the United Front surfaced after the election results in 1996, but now I hope that even before the results (on May 23), that talk is on. I think that (a UF government with Congress supporting from outside) is the only likelihood, Kumar said. The TRS had been pitching the idea of a non-Congress, non-BJP federal front of regional parties for several months now. Chandrasekhar Rao met his Kerala counterpart, Pinarayi Vijayan, heading the CPI-M-led LDF government, on Monday in Thiruvanathapuram, as part of his outreach to opposition parties. Kumar had accompanied him. The Chief Ministers daughter and sitting Nizamabad Lok Sabha member K Kavitha told PTI recently that regional parties might hold the key for government formation. She had said the TRS is in touch with various parties not part of the BJP-led NDA and Congress-anchored UPA on its efforts to forge a federal front of regional outfits. A federal front would take good shape after the Lok Sabha election results are out, Kavitha had said. PTI shalender@tribune.com Our Correspondent Patna, May 6 BJP chief Amit Shah today said the BJP should not be voted for its development works such as road infrastructure growth, increased electricity reach and distribution of gas connections among the poor, but for its efforts to defend the country as PM Narendra Modi did with airstrikes on terrorist camps in Balakot. Addressing a rally in Bettiah in West Champaran, Shah said: BJP should be voted for its stand to curb terrorism, because it defended the country by ravaging terrorist camps inside Pakistan by carrying out airstrikes. He attacked National Conferences Omar Abdullah who wanted a separate Prime Minister for Kashmir. Abdullah wants two PMs in India one in Kashmir and another for the rest of the country as he wants to separate Kashmir out of India. Whether BJP forms its government or not, Modi becomes PM or not, but our workers (BJP) would not allow anyone to take Kashmir away from India, he said. Slamming Congress president Rahul Gandhi over his foreign trips, Shah said: Rahul baba leaves India for his holiday if the mercury rises here and his mother Sonia ji goes after him. But it is Modi who toils 18 hours a day for the development of the country. Congress and its next five generations ruled in India for 70 years but they did nothing. Reckoning development schemes initiated by Modi, Shah said: The Modi government constructed over 8 crore toilets for women, 2.5 crore houses for poor, 2.5 crore electricity connections and it covered 50 crore poor under Ayushman Bharat health scheme that never happened in the past 70 years. amansharma@tribunemail.com Saurabh Malik Tribune News Service Chandigarh, May 7 Barely 12 hours after clean chit to Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi in a sexual harassment case, another controversy on Tuesday hit judiciary with a gangrape victim accusing a sitting and a retired Punjab and Haryana High Court Judge of helping an accused allegations that were described as grossest contempt by the Bench hearing the matter. The victim, who appeared in person before the Bench of Chief Justice Krishna Murari and Justice Arun Palli, also alleged that her matter was listed before no less than six HC Judges from 2012 to 2017. But instead of deciding the cases, the Judges gave threats to lodge contempt of court case against her. She also alleged her matter was transferred to some other court without mentioning any reason. The woman also alleged that the accused with the help of six advocates typed all the interim orders passed by the HC. Her arguments and three petitions filed in public interest indicated that the accused was acquitted/discharged and her appeal before the order was pending before another Bench. Besides this, a contempt matter was also pending against her. In one of the petitions, she alleged the sitting judge and the now-retired judge were relatives of the accused. These two Judges are approaching the other Judges in the Punjab and Haryana High Court and as such justice is not being provided to the petitioner, she alleged. The victim also alleged that she was confined in Faridkot jail in a false contempt case, where women constables tortured to compel her into entering a compromise in the gangrape case. The senior advocates are threatening her to withdraw the appeal against the acquittal, she added. The Bench, during the hearing, asserted she had levelled allegations against a sitting judge, who had nothing to do with the matter and dubbed it as private interest litigation. The Bench added that such matter could be dealt with under the PIL jurisdiction only if the issues involved public at large and the petitioners interest also. Referring to her allegations against senior advocates and judges, the Bench added she had other remedies also under the CrPC. Have you tried lodging an FIR, the Bench questioned. You say you are not getting justice in the High Court? Who drafted the petition? You have not drafted it Whatever you have suffered, we may have full sympathy with you, but as judges we are bound by law The Bench added efforts would be made to ensure that her cases were decided as early as possible and asked her to come the next morning and take the order. In response to her arguments that HC had inherent powers under Article 226 to quash the trial court order of discharging the accused, Chief Justice Murari added he had learnt nothing in his study of law, 22 years at the Bar and 15 years as a Judge, if the Sessions Court order with appeal pending could be quashed under the provision. editorial@tribune.com Ruchika M Khanna & Anirudh Gupta Tribune News Service Along the Hussainiwala border (Ferozepur), May 6 Hows the josh? High.... thats what villagers along the border tell you, when asked about the nationalism agenda being propagated by a national party in the ongoing Lok Sabha polls. With the border state of Punjab set to go to the polls on May 19, people here are showing a complete U-turn this time as compared to the last Lok Sabha elections when they had refused to be swept by the Modi wave. This time round, nationalism propaganda of the BJP is finding resonance among the people here. But this may not necessarily translate into votes as people are also unhappy with the politicisation of the national security agenda. He (Prime Minister Narendra Modi) dared to show Pakistanis their place by barging into their area and attacking them. To any Punjabi, who has grown up listening to the stories of valour, this act of air strikes at Balakot is heroic, says Jaswant Singh of Gatti Rajoke village here. His friend Prem Singh, who runs a small shop, too, joins in the discussion. Our village has a lot of men in the armed forces. Jo appan Pakistan ton badla leya, uh tan jayaz si (our revenge on Pakistan is justified), he says. As the discussion goes on, the issue of the success of air strikes being denied by many came up. The villagers, to our surprise, know that many international agencies have denied any major impact of the strikes. But thats not important. What is important is that finally India used its might to show Pakistan its place, they say. At Gatti Rahimeke village, Balwinder Singh and Jagmeet Singh say for villages located right at the border, national security is of prime concern. In Ferozepur, because of the Sutlej meandering its way through the International Border, we are at the receiving end. For us, it is a big thing that India dared to take on Pakistan and tell them that enough is enough. To top it all, Masood Azhar being designated as a terrorist and China being forced to support India on this, is a big achievement. However, it is not a political achievement, but that of India. No political party should be taking credit for it to win an election. Why demean our armed forces and our diplomats, who worked tirelessly to achieve this? they say. As the sun begins to set, we head to witness the retreat ceremony at Hussainiwala, where the thunderous tapping of feet by BSF jawans, who match every step, every motion with their Pakistani counterparts, catches the fancy of hundreds of Indians. The feeling of patriotism juxtaposed with the recent developments engulfs the hearts of one and all, who visit the Indo-Pak joint check post at Hussainiwala. Ramesh Kumar, who has come to watch the ceremony with his wife Maya Devi from Nawalgarh in Rajasthan, says, We wanted to watch the retreat ceremony for long. But now when the political narrative is so strong, we decided to take a few days off and come here. The retreat ceremony made my chest swell with pride, just as the air strikes in Pakistan did. Chander Singh of Ferozepur says ever since the air strikes, the visitor inflow to Hussainiwala has increased. Even from the city, many are thronging the border just to shout slogans against Pakistan. It gives us a sense of pride when we shout slogans and wave the Tricolour, he chuckles. However, only time will tell if this growing sentiment of nationalism will turn into a political mandate for any party. editorial@tribune.com Tribune News Service Khatkar Kalan/khadoor sahib, May 6 Taking Prime Minister Narendra Modi head-on over his bhrashtachari No.1 remark against former PM Rajiv Gandhi, the Chief Minister said Modi had hit the nadir of pettiness in his desperation to stay in power. The CM said, It is a tradition in our country not to mouth bad words against someone who is no more and especially someone who gets killed. But the power-hungry Modi has lost all sense of decency and proportion in his election campaign. Capt Amarinder held a public meeting in support of Congress candidates from Khadoor Sahib and Amritsar Jasbir Singh Dimpa and Gurjit Singh Aujla, respectively, at Jandiala. He slammed Union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal, accusing her of doing "nothing" for the state despite being a part of the Centre. "This Bibi (Harsimrat) failed to do anything for her own state despite being a part of the Union government," Amarinder Singh said, alleging that the BJP-led government at the Centre was not keen in the development of the state. Amarinder Singh blamed the Centre for the shortage of gunny bags that led to slowing the lifting of wheat in mandis. "Our opponents have adopted a new trick to create problems for us. They have diverted gunny bags to Haryana, where their own party is in power," he alleged. editorial@tribune.com Vishav Bharti Tribune News Service Sangrur, May 6 Voters in the Sangrur Lok Sabha constituency are not known to be kind to its leaders. It is no surprise that it has in the past preferred Communist leader Teja Singh Sutantar (1971), Simranjit Singh Mann (1999) and Bhagwant Mann (2014) to many a heavyweight. This election may be no different. Harvesting has come to an end, yet there are no signs of electioneering on the Zirakpur-Bathinda highway, except for a few hoardings with Capt Amarinder Singhs giant picture and the slogan Sara Punjab, Captain de naal, which AAP claims has been stolen from them. Enter nearby villages, and the ground reality seems rather odd. Only two years in office and a divided Opposition, yet it is clear the Congress honeymoon in Punjab is over. People have started asking for ghar-ghar rozgar. In her twenties, Pardeep Kaur from Wazid Ke Kalan village on the Barnala-Ludhiana road, who is MSC (IT), works as a typist for a paltry Rs 4,000 a month. Where are the jobs, she asks angrily. Kewal Singh Dhillon, a two-time Congress MLA from Barnala, lost to AAP in the 2017 Assembly elections. He is now challenging AAPs Bhagwant Mann, who won the seat by 2.11 lakh votes in 2014. The SAD has fielded former Finance Minister Parminder Singh Dhindsa. The Congress candidate and his men are facing hostile crowds in villages. They are shown black flags and turned away. The Dalits are angry at the governments decision to discontinue free power to them, TET-qualified teachers for denial of jobs and sugarcane farmers for delay in payment. Dhillon claims these incidents are orchestrated by his AAP rival. This is vehemently denied by young Bahal Singh. I am ready for any punishment if anyone can prove that I ever supported or voted for AAP, he says. The situation is worse for SAD-BJP candidate Dhindsa. The Akalis are yet to recover from the crushing defeat in the 2017 Assembly elections. Except Lehragaga, the SAD was trounced in all Assembly constituencies. Dhindsa is trying hard to garner votes in the name of PM Narendra Modi. No mention of note ban or GST, he chooses to dwell on akhand Bharat. Local BJP leaders admit to cold response in towns too. There is no doubt that traders are annoyed with us because of demonetisation and GST, says Lalit Garg, district president, Vyapar Mahasangh, Barnala. Last elections, people had spent from their own pocket to see Mann enter Parliament. They are disappointed that the common mans MP remained inaccessible to them for five years. Look at my performance in the Lok Sabha as MP and the funds I distributed in villages, justifies Mann, whose main advantage over his opponents is his extraordinary communication skills. He turns each speech into a dialogue between himself and the audience, leaving them spellbound. Punjab Ekta Partys Jassi Jasraj and Simranjit Singh Mann are in the fray too. Electoral history indicates Sangrur does not re-elect its leader. This leaves everyone wondering if the voters will punish Mann too or will he defy history and win once more. editorial@tribune.com Deepkamal Kaur Tribune News Service Khatkar Kalan, May 6 Days ahead of polling in the state, Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh today tried to appease the farming community by announcing to advance the paddy sowing schedule by one week. While the scheduled date of paddy sowing was June 20, the Chief Minister said his government would allow sowing from June 13 onwards. This has been the main demand of the farmers. I would have further advanced the schedule of paddy sowing, but I cannot as the exchequer has to bear an extra burden of Rs 400 crore for advancing it by just one week, Capt Amarinder said, while addressing a rally in favour of Anandpur Sahib candidate Manish Tewari. The Chief Minister made three more announcements in favour of the farmers. The PSPCL will pay compensation to those farmers whose crop was damaged due to sparking from main power lines during the recent rains. The loss due to fires caused by any other reasons will be compensated from the CM relief fund, Capt Amarinder said. He said, I am expecting a report of girdawari for crop destroyed because of rain and windstorm within four days. I have already kept aside funds for compensation to the affected farmers and it will be released at the earliest. The farmers have told me that the crop with high moisture content and less lustre is being procured with a price cut of Rs 4.6 per quintal. I assure the farmers that they will get full amount. Buying gunny bags states job: Sukhbir Fatehgarh Sahib: SAD president on Monday said, "Gunny bags for the procurement of wheat or paddy are purchased by the state government in advance. The Centre has no role in it. Chief Minister Capt Amrinder Singh is befooling the people by levelling baseless allegations." He claimed that the SAD-BJP government had made the state power surplus and launched several welfare schemes, but the Capt Amarinder government discontinued the same. editorial@tribune.com Rajmeet Singh Tribune News Service Fatehgarh Sahib, May 6 Congress nominee Dr Amar Singh and the Shiromani Akali Dals Darbara Singh Guru, both former bureaucrats, are hardselling their administrative experience to woo the voters of Fatehgarh Sahib, a reserved seat. Dr Amar Singh is counting on his role in extending central schemes to Punjab and allocation of additional storage space for grain during his tenure as CMD, FCI. Guru is hoping that the rapport he enjoyed with officers and people during his stint as Principal Secretary to Parkash Singh Badal will pay him dividends. At a gathering at Sanghol village, also known as Uchha Pind Sanghol, Dr Singh tells a crowd: A politician takes quite a while to acquire administrative skills. I have had enough administrative experience in the Union Government. Can the SAD candidate tell you what has been his contribution to Punjab? He then speaks about PM Modis unmet promise of Rs 15 lakh in the bank accounts of the poor and the misery brought on the people by the note ban. He (PM) promised two crore jobs and is now concealing data on unemployment. But the Congress has kept its promises to the people. Addressing a rally at the Bassi Pathana grain market, Guru dubs Dr Amar Singh an outsider. He served outside the state for 30 years. We need to vote for national security and a strong PM. TheAmarinder Singh government has failed on all fronts, he alleges. The two former bureaucrats have unsuccessfully contested Assembly elections in the past. Dr Amar Singh lost from Raikot (Ludhiana) and Guru lost from Bhadaur (Barnala) and Bassi Pathana (Fatehgarh Sahib). Both claim it is a direct Congress-SAD contest this time. But there are reports of Punjab Democratic Alliance (PDA) candidate Manvinder Singh Giaspura gradually catching up with them. This could mean a dent in the SAD vote bank. Poll observers point out that in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections Congress nominee Sadhu Singh Dharamsot had trailed in the Amargarh and Sahnewal Assembly segments. This helped the then AAP candidate, Harinder Singh Khalsa, a former IFS officer, register a win. The Fatehgarh Sahib constituency is spread over nine Assembly segments Fatehgarh Sahib, Bassi Pathana, Amloh in Fatehgarh Sahib district, Khanna, Sahnewal, Samrala, Payal and Raikot in Ludhiana district and Amargarh in Sangrur. There are 14,74,947 voters, 80 per cent belonging to the Ramdasia community and the remaining Balmikis. The voters are unwilling to speak out. But they surely understand the issues raised by contestants. (Inputs by Surinder Bharadwaj) editorial@tribune.com Chandigarh, May 6 The law enforcement agencies have seized drugs, liquor and unaccounted cash worth Rs 275 crore in the state. The value of total seized material made between March 10 and May 5 is Rs 275 crore of which drugs are valued at Rs 212 crore, Chief Electoral Officer S Karuna Raju said. He said the agencies seized 7.60 tonnes of drugs, including opium, poppy husk and habit forming pills, along with 12.28 lakh litres of liquor in the state. The cash seizure was to the tune of Rs 30.99 crore, while value of seized gold and other precious material was Rs 21.95 crore, said Raju. The office of Punjab CEO has formed a special team, which is keeping tabs on the supply of habit-forming drugs in the state. So far, licenses of four shops selling tramadol have been suspended and show-cause notice to 17 shops has been issued, he said. The Chief Electoral Officer revealed that as many as 1,429 highly sensitive places had been identified. Besides, 3,728 persons had been identified who could create disturbance, he said, adding that out of these persons action had already been initiated against 3,673, while the remaining would also be brought to book. As per the directions of the election commission, Dr Raju said till date 96.4 per cent licensed weapons had been surrendered and 124 illegal arms and 770 illegal ammunitions were confiscated. He said 955 complaints were found correct out of 1,840 complaints received on cVigil app. The CEO reminded candidates contesting the polls that they would have to advertise their criminal antecedents on TV and in print media for at least three times during electioneering. If any candidate is convicted or any criminal case is pending against him, he will have to advertise in the media, said Raju. TNS amansharma@tribunemail.com Tribune News Service Sangrur/New Delhi, May 7 After his resignation from all party positions last year due to differences with SAD chief Sukhbir Badal, rebel Akali leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa on Tuesday for the first time sought votes for BJP and its allies. He said since the BJP has taken numerous steps for the welfare of Sikhs, both BJP and its allies deserve votes. Dhindsa said during five-year rule of the BJP, the Sikhs, particularly the 1984 riots victims, were given justice. The government had constituted SIT that re-investigated the riot cases and one of the prime accused, Sajjan Kumar, besides others were punished. They are behind the bars. The other accused will also be punished, he said. Dhindsa added that the work to construct Kartarpur corridor has been started and it will be completed soon. He said during the BJP government a major function to mark Guru Nanak Dev birth anniversary was also held in Dubai. When asked why SAD is not contesting parliamentary elections in Delhi, he said the party has alliance with the BJP which is constesting on all seven seats in the national capital. Asked about Punjab where SAD is an ally of BJP and that he resigned from all positions of SAD last year, Dhindsa told Tribune over phone: The SAD-BJP alliance is very old and I along with SAD leaders have met with PM Narendra Modi many times on these issues. Since SAD is alliance partner of BJP, its candidates also deserve votes. I have sought votes for all allies, including SAD in Punjab, because to strengthen BJP and to save the country. People should vote for its all alliance partners also, Dhindsa said. On whether he would campaign for his son Parminder Dhindsa, who is contesting from Sangrur parliamentary seat on SAD-BJP ticket, he said his best wishes are always with his son and his entire family is fighting elections. My health does not allow me, but my all associates are with Parminder and guiding him in ongoing election campaign. Since my family has clean track record of last 45 years in politics and Parminder has won five elections consecutively without any problem, our political opponents are spreading baseless rumours about differences in our family. Like BJP, all allies would also win because there is a strong Modi wave in country said Dhindsa. SS Dhindsa had resigned from all positions of SAD last year and expressed his displeasure with the working of SAD president Sukhbir Badal. He had also advised Parminder against contesting elections, but after party gave ticket to Parminder, senior Dhindsa had given his best wishes to his son and said due to health problems he would not campaign for his son. harinder@tribunemail.com Paris, May 6 Humanity is rapidly destroying the natural world upon which our prosperity and ultimately our survival depends, according to a landmark UN assessment of the state of nature released on Monday. Changes wrought by decades of pillaging and poisoning forests, oceans, soil and air threaten society at least as much as climate change, said Robert Watson, who chaired the 132-nation meeting that validated a Summary for Policymakers forged by 450 experts. One million animal and plant species face extinction, many within decades, they reported. Alarmingly, the accelerating pace at which unique life-forms are disappearing already tens to hundreds of times faster than during the last 10 million years could tip Earth into the first mass extinction since non-avian dinosaurs died out 66 million years ago. In the short term, humans are not at risk, said Josef Settele, a professor at the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research in Germany and co-chair of the UN Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). Halting and reversing these dire trends will require transformative change a sweeping overhaul of the way we produce and consume almost everything, especially food, the report concluded. We are eroding the very foundations of our economies, livelihoods, food security, health and quality-of-life worldwide, said Watson. By transformative change, we mean a fundamental, system-wide reorganisation. The pushback from vested interests, he added, is likely to be fierce. Drawing from 15,000 sources and an underlying 1,800-page report, the executive summary details how our species growing footprint and appetites have compromised the natural renewal of resources that sustain civilisation, starting with fresh water, breathable air, and productive soil. An October report from the UNs climate science panel painted a similarly dire picture for global warming, and likewise highlighted the need for social transformation on an unprecedented scale to cap the rise in temperature at 1.5C (2.7 Fahrenheit). The global thermometer has already gone up by 1C, and on current trends will rise another 3C by centurys end. The report will serve as a basis for redefining our objectives ahead of a key meeting of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity in China in October 2020, said co-author Yunne Jai Shin, a scientist at the Research Institute for Development in Marseilles. AFP shriaya.dutt@tribuneindia.com SAN FRANCISCO Chinese state-sponsored hackers got some of the US National Security Agency's tools and they repurposed these tools to attack allies of the US and private firms in Asia and Europe in 2016, the New York Times reported. Rather than stealing the code, the Chinese intelligence agents captured it from an NSA attack on their own computers, said the report on Monday, citing research by cybersecurity firm Symantec. The repurposed American tools were used by Chinese intelligence contractors to carry out attacks in at least five places - Belgium, Luxembourg, Vietnam, the Philippines and Hong Kong, according to the research. Scientific research organisations, educational institutions and computer networks were among the targets. Instead of naming China explicitly in its research, Symantec identified the attackers as the Buckeye group, the cybersecurity firm's own term for hackers that the US Department of Justice has identified as a Chinese Ministry of State Security contractor operating out of Guangzhou, the New York Times report said. The Buckeye attack group has been active since at least 2009, when it began mounting a string of espionage attacks, mainly against organisations based in the US, Symantec's security response attack investigation team wrote in a blog post. IANS editorial@tribune.com Moscow, May 6 At least 41 persons, including two children, on board a Russian Aeroflot plane were killed after it burst into flames while making an emergency landing at a Moscow airport. Aeroflot flight SU 1492 skidded down the runway at the Sheremetyevo Airport on Sunday, with its rear section ablaze and spilling thick, black smoke. Dramatic videos on social media show passengers using emergency exit slides to escape the burning aircraft. The jet had 73 passengers and five crew. Two children and a flight attendant were among the dead. One witness said it was a miracle anyone escaped, the BBC reported. The Superjet 100 was flying from Moscows Sheremetyevo Airport to Murmansk, a Russian city in the Arctic circle, when an emergency on board forced it to turn back to the airport. Its crew sent a distress signal when malfunctions occurred in bad weather shortly after take-off at 6.2 pm (local time). After making an emergency landing at the airport, the planes engines caught fire on the runway, Aeroflot said, adding that the crew did everything to save the passengers. The aircraft landed with full fuel tanks because the crew lost contact with air traffic controllers and decided it was too dangerous to dump fuel over Moscow, Russian news agency Interfax said. Earlier reports said the plane had landed on fire, but Interfax reported that the jet caught fire after a very bumpy landing. There were 78 persons, including crew members on board the plane. According to the updated info which the investigation has as of now, 37 people survived, the Investigative Committee said in a statement. Some passengers blamed bad weather and lightning for the incident. One passenger who survived the crash, Petr Egorov, was quoted by the Komsomolskaya Pravda daily newspaper as saying that the flight had just taken off and the aircraft was hit by lightning, adding: The landing was rough - I almost passed out from fear. State TV aired a mobile phone footage shot by another passenger in which people could be heard screaming. Mikhail Savchenko claims he was on the plane when it exploded into a fireball on the tarmac but managed to jump out. He shared a video of passengers running away from the burning plane. Kristian Kostov, a former Bulgarian Eurovision contestant, posted on social media about witnessing the incident. He said people at the airport were left shaking after seeing the aircraft engulfed by fire. Russian President Vladimir Putin was briefed about the mishap and expressed condolences to the families of victims, IANS Skidded on runway amansharma@tribunemail.com London, May 7 Former Baywatch star and now animal rights campaigner Pamela Anderson spoke emotionally after meeting WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange in a London prison on Tuesday, warning that his life was in danger. Its been very difficult to see Julian here and to make our way through the prison to get to him was quite shocking, said Anderson, who visited Assange several times when he lived as a fugitive inside Ecuadors embassy. Hes a good man, hes an incredible person. I love him. I cant imagine what he has been going through, the US actress and former Playboy model said outside Belmarsh prison, wearing a large cape with slogans calling for the defence of free speech. We need to save his life. Thats how serious it is, she said, adding: We just have to keep fighting because its unfair. Hes sacrificed so much to bring the truth out. Anderson, who lives in France, starred in the hit US series Baywatch and is now a prominent animal rights activist. British police arrested Assange at the embassy last month after Ecuador withdrew his asylum after seven years. He had sought refuge there to escape extradition to Sweden where he had been accused of rape and sexual assault. Assange is now serving out a 50-week sentence for jumping bail and is contesting an extradition request from the United States where he is wanted for hacking. WikiLeaks published hundreds of thousands of classified documents exposing US military wrongdoing in the Iraq war and diplomatic secrets about scores of countries. WikiLeaks editor-in-chief Kristinn Hrafnsson, who visited the prison with Anderson, said: Julian Assange is bent but not broken. Hes an extremely resilient person. I want you to think about the fact that such resilience usually comes from the fact that he knows that he is innocent, he said. AFP FOR a second year the occupancy rate at hotels in Tobago over the Christmas holiday seems to be low, as a result of the ongoing battle with the Covid-19 pandemic. Speaking with the Express yesterday, Tobago Hotel and Tourism Association president Christopher James said, while he does not have the figures from the various hotels, villas and guest houses as yet, the reports the association has been receiving are that bookings are slow. REFERENCING Charles Dickens A Tale of Two Cities in his Christmas message to the nation yesterday, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley called for peoplevaccinated and unvaccinatedto acknowledge not only their personal rights but also a duty to care for others. He noted the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and its impact on the world as he called for a renewal of humanitarian values. For unto us a child is born, unto us, a son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. It is Christmas Day and I am certain many families are coming together in whatever way that is possible, even with the pandemic. I trust whatever you are doing, to the best of your ability keep in mind we are still in a pandemic. The move by COTU boss Francis Atwoli to support MPs' bid to award themselves KSh 250,000 in monthly housing allowances was widely covered in newspapers on Tuesday, May 7. They also reported extensively on the questionable budgets in Nairobi, Kiambu, Kakamega, Murang'a, Samburu, Nyamira and Nyeri counties. READ ALSO: Chuka University student commits suicide after killing girlfriend 1. Nation Nation reported that the EACC has launched a probe into the source of Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko's wealth. The antigraft agency wants to understand where Sonko gets money that he splashes around. According to investigators, Sonko is not known for any major investments. Apart from the KSh 96 million secret budget, Sonko is also expected to explain unaccounted withdrawal of KSh 209 million. The flamboyant governor is further needed to shed light on KSh 3 billion undisclosed bank balances. Investigators also claim KSh 381 million was irregularly paid to suppliers. Nation reports that the EACC has launched a probe into the source of Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko's wealth. Photo: Nation Source: UGC READ ALSO: Sharon Otieno afufuka tena huku akitarajia kumsimamisha Obado kizimbani kuanzia leo 2. Star The Anglican Church has expressed displeasure in a plan by the government to equip young learners with sex education. Reverend Tom Otieno said that the proposed curriculum aimed at sensitising children on lesbianism, gay, bisexual and trans gender is a fast ticking time bomb. Otieno likened the lessons to porn or teaching children how to safely enjoy sex which is against Christian values. The cleric said that an alternative curriculum needs to be developed and must be jointly crafted by the church, parents and educationists. Otieno likened the lessons to porn or teaching children how to safely enjoy sex which is against Christian values. Photo: Star Source: UGC READ ALSO: Military boss Gen Samson Mwathethe's term in office extended by one year 3. People Daily Trial of the murder case facing Migori Governor Okoth Obado is set to take place on Tuesday, May 7, before the High Court. Obado and his co-accused Caspal Obiero and Michael Oyamo were earlier charged with murder of Rongo University student Sharon Otieno and her unborn baby but pleaded not guilty. Even as the case starts, People Daily reported that Sharon's family has read malice following a decision by the DPP to withdraw conspiracy to murder charge. According to the DPP, conspiracy to murder can be tried in a lower court. However, the family claims the withdrawal has weakened the case. READ ALSO: Tana River county suspends nurse who was filmed drunk while on duty in viral video 4. Taifa Leo Newly formed Transformation National Alliance Party (TNAP) has not listed Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria as one of its members. The party presented its registration documents to the registrar of parties but Kuria's name was missing. The MP had earlier suggested he would use the outfit to vie for presidency in 2022. According to pundits, Kuria might have excluded himself fearing to be chased away from Jubilee Party for associating with a rival outfit. Those allied to TNAP claim President Uhuru's Jubilee Party has scuttled and holds no future. READ ALSO: Flamboyant Mike Sonko chews miraa live on Facebook, splashes out cash on fans Taifa Leo reports that those allied to TNAP claim President Uhuru's Jubilee Party has scuttled and holds no future. Photo: Taifa Leo Source: UGC 5. Standard A freshly released study has revealed that about 80 newborns die at Kenyatta National Hospital. The report by Priti Jagdishbhai Tank, Anjumanara Omar and Rachel Musoke blamed the high infant mortality rate on congestion, lack of adherence to prescribed medical practice and unavailability of respiratory support. Due to congestion at KNH, up-to five prematurely born babies share an incubator and this risks them to cross infection. The high number of the young patients in one incubator also increase risk of administering medication to the wrong infant. The high number of the young patients in one incubator also increase risk of administering medication to the wrong infant. Photo: Standard Source: UGC Do you have a hot story or scandal you would like us to publish, please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690 and Telegram: Tuko news. The girl with a hole in her heart. Source: TUKO.co.ke - A member of the ANC party had disclosed Mudavadi would be unveiling the new outfit soon - Team Komboa Kenya was expected to go head-to-head with the likes of Team Tanga Tanga - A section of Luhya leaders, however, faulted formation of the ANC political wing Amani National Congress (ANC) party leader Musalia Mudavadi has angered a section of leaders from Western Kenya with his proposed new political outfit, Team Komboa Kenya. The decision is perceived as an attempt to create something akin to Team Kieleweke and Team Tanga Tanga, two political factions that have seen Jubilee party leaders sharply divided. READ ALSO: Section of Jubilee MPs push for ruling party's merger with ODM ahead of 2022 Senator Malala faulted formation of the new political outfit saying it would be a setback in the push to bring Luhya leaders together ahead of the 2022 General Elections. Photo: Cleophas Malala. Source: Facebook READ ALSO: Uhuru atumia kazi za serikali kupoza joto la kisiasa eneo la Mlima Kenya Formation of Team Komboa Kenya was faulted by a number of Luhya leaders among them Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala who have been trying to rally Mulembe nation behind President Uhuru Kenyatta's Kieleweke camp. "We are disappointed with plans by the Mudavadi camp to form Team Komboa Kenya. It is now clear Mudavadi is not with us. We will now switch our focus as young leaders and steer the destiny of the community," Malala told Daily Nation on Tuesday, May 7. READ ALSO: Mudavadi, Wetangula parties maintain merger plans still on course, dismiss fallout reports The senator accused Mudavadi of working against the ongoing push for unity among Luhya leaders who are currently scattered in various political parties and with no clear consensus yet on who will represent the region in the 2022 presidential race. Mudavadi's plan to launch a new political formation was revealed by one of his close allies, Sabatia MP Alfred Agoi, on Saturday, May 4. According to the lawmaker, the ANC party leaders had met in Nairobi to finalise discussions on creation of Team Komboa Kenya and plan how the new wing would be unveiled. Musalia Mudavad's Team Kieleweke is expected to take on Jubilee party's Team Tanga Tanga as the ANC leader warms up for the 2022 presidential race. Photo: Musalia Mudavadi. Source: Facebook READ ALSO: ANC, Ford Kenya parties finalise unity pact plan Speaking of the elusive Luhya unity, the ANC party has been in merger talks with Ford Kenya party which were expected to agree on who between Mudavadi and Moses Wetang'ula would fly the presidential flag in 2022. The two parties in May 2018 issued a joint statement saying their unity pact was still very much on course despite reports the were not able to reach an amicable agreement. "Nothing is going to stop it, least of it panicky political outsiders and their surrogates in whatever guise," the ANC party Secretary General Barrack Muluka said in a statement. 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. Dramatic Labour Day celebrations - On Tuko TV Source: TUKO.co.ke Nearly all of Tanzania was grappling with grief and a state of sadness as thousands of people showed up to bid late tycoon Reginald Mengi goodbye. The billionaire's body arrived in the country on Monday, May 7, and his fans, beneficiaries, family and friends filled the streets to catch a glimpse of his casket. READ ALSO: Buzeki apendekeza maandamano ya umma kufurusha viongozi wafisadi READ ALSO: Meet South Sudanese model Adut Aketch who can pass as Lupita Nyong'o's twin Social media was awash with heart wrenching photos of the late businessman's memorial which was attended by many including dignitaries. Tanzania's president John Pombe Magufuli was among the attendants and he had once described the deceased as a good friend and a hardworking man. READ ALSO: Curvy socialite Kim Kardashian earns up to KSh 50 million from a sponsored Instagram post Mengi's grieving widow Jacqueline Mengi popularly known as K-Lynn was at a loss for words and at times, she could be seen sniffing and crying in pain. The loyal wife who was donned in black tried her best to summon some strength The tycoon's four kids also attended the farewell event and his youngest kids joined their mum in carrying the cross outside the venue. Netizens sympathised with Jacqueline and the late Mengi's young twin boys who had to battle with the thought of never seeing their vibrant dad again. Not a dry eye could be seen in the room and it was evident the deceased had touched a lot of lives when he was still alive. Mengi passed away in Dubai on May, 2 2019. The cause of his death is still unknown. Do you have an inspirational story you would like us to publish? Please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690 and Telegram: Tuko news. VOX POP: Is your girlfriend/ boyfriend allowed to touch your phone? Source: TUKO.co.ke - Edward Kemboi met a man who identified himself as an NIS officer collecting crime stories in Uasin Gishu county - The police officer asked the fraudster to help his son secure employment with the National Intelligence Service - The impostor told Kemboi to pay KSh 300,000 as mandatory 'government' fee - The police officer gave him the money but the man went missing after reaching Nairobi where he was supposed to issue the forms to his son A police officer attached at Langas Police Station has been conned KSh 300,000 by a man who was masquerading as an NIS officer assigned in Uasin Gishu county to collect stories on crime. All was well for Corporal Edward Kemboi until the day he met a man who identified himself as a National Intelligence Service (NIS) officer sent on a mission of collecting crime reports that have been recorded at police stations in Uasin Gishu. READ ALSO: Mudavadi's attempt to form new political outfit dubbed Team Komboa Kenya met with resistance Corporal Edward Kemboi is attached at Langas Police Station where he reported the case. Photo: Facebook / Langas Police Station Source: Facebook READ ALSO: 12 moving photos from Tanzanian billionaire Reginald Mengi's memorial service According the Standard, Kemboi said the fraudster was always armed with cameras and microphones whenever he visited the station and they had interacted on several occasions. He said he first met the man during the Agricultural Society of Kenya Showground in Eldoret where he told him he had been sent to cover stories of interest to the government. "When I met this man at the police station, he looked like a gentleman. The reason why I fell in the trap, he was well dressed, always holding a camera and a microphone, without knowing he was a senior and professional conman," said Kemboi. READ ALSO: MCA wa Siaya wamulikwa kuwaajiri wapenzi wao After getting familiar with him for some time, the police officer approached the him asking him if his 20-year-old son, Erick Tanui, would get a job at NIS. The impostor told Kemboi it was possible but first there was a 'government' fee of KSh 300,000 he had to pay before getting some special forms to fill for enrollment into NIS. The law enforcement officer travelled all the way to Nairobi and applied for a soft loan from the National Police Sacco. He returned with the money and together with his son, they handed it over to the impostor. Tanui and the fake NIS man boarded a vehicle to Nairobi where the latter was supposed to give him the forms. READ ALSO: Lupita Nyong'o dazzles in daring, whimsical dress during annual Met Gala Things went south when they arrived in the city. The man vanished into the streets and left the police Corporal stranded. He called his father who sent him money and he traveled back home empty handed. The matter was reported at Langas Police Station. Kemboi is now a stressed man as the Sacco is recovering its money every month and the suspect is still at large. My worry is how I can get this conman. He didnt give us his full names, he is a person known to many people including journalists. My family is suffering following a heavy deduction from my salary. I pray that justice will take its course so that I can recover my money, he said. Do you have an inspirational story you would like us to publish? Please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690. Follow us on Telegram: Tuko news Source: TUKO.co.ke Looking at Lisa Rileys success with Pinots Palette, you would not guess that she isnt an artist and had no small business experience before opening her first local franchise. She worked on the trading floor for large corporations before deciding to go into business for herself. She was familiar with the Pinots Palette concept and thought Tulsans would take to the business, which provides an upscale paint-and-sip experience where guests receive walk-through instruction on a full-canvas painting while enjoying libations and music. I feel like we fit a niche that was unexpected. People were hungry for time with family and friends that was different from the normal movie and brunch, Riley said. Riley opened her first Pinots Palette location at 1621 E. 15th St. more than seven years ago. Since that time, shes opened locations in Jenks and Broken Arrow, along with a mobile location. She employs more than 30 people. Its amazing weve been so successful because I wasnt sure if it was something I could do, and I took a leap of faith to try and open a business, she said. Rejoice Christian Schools celebrated a true display of patriotism last week. Four 8th-grade students got a unique opportunity to place a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Monday morning. Cyrus Kornegay, Kristin Limerick, Kiersten Shern and Colby Thomas participated in the honorable ceremony, held at the historical site in Arlington National Cemetery in Fort Myer, Virginia. Wreath laying ceremonies at the tomb are conducted thousands of times each year by various individuals, dignitaries and organizations. Tani Shern, parent and trip leader, said it was a humbling experience to be a part of the ceremony, especially since the slots fill up six month in advance on most occasions. Weve been looking forward to having this opportunity since the early stages of planning this years trip, Shern said. And this year we were able to meet and shake the hands of an honor guard from Minnesota, which has never happened before. This has been a memorable occasion for these students. McDonalds recently awarded several of its Owasso and Collinsville employees with scholarships for college. The honors come as part of McDonalds Archways to Opportunity education initiative, which gives company employees across the nation an opportunity to learn and grow through various pathways to success. Seven seniors at both the 76th Street and 116th Street stores each received $2,500 scholarships; another senior received $3,000 for his role as a manager. They include: Sean Orr, Quincy Orr and Nathan Kopecky from Owasso High School; Sam Birrueta from Ram Academy; Eddie Williamson and Peyton Haynie from Collinsville High School; BreeAnn Kopecky, who is taking online classes; and Caleb Griffin, the $3,000 recipient, who is homeschooled. These students join several other McDonalds student employees recognized in communities across northeast Oklahoma, including Foyil, Sequoyah, Verdigris and Mannford. McDonalds owners Tim and Patty Rich visited each location to recognize the recipients for their outstanding efforts and congratulate them on a job well done as well as a bright future. An Owasso teen was among two people who were killed in a three-car crash in the Texas Panhandle early Monday. Jacob Frogge, 18, of Owasso, died at the scene in Gray County, about two miles west of McLean, and Collin Lovelace, also 18 and of Owasso, was taken to a hospital with life-threatening injuries, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety. Fungisai Banda, a 33-year-old woman from Bentonville, Arkansas, was also killed, and a 2-year-old boy in her car was taken to a hospital. His condition was stable. A tractor-trailer driver told Texas Highway Patrol troopers he was driving east on Interstate 40 when he saw a single headlight of a vehicle heading toward him in his lane about 1 a.m., the report states. The truck driver said he drove onto the shoulder to avoid hitting the car, driven by Lovelace and carrying Frogge, but the car behind him, which held Banda and the 2-year-old child, tried to overtake him at the same time. The two cars struck head-on, and the car carrying Banda and the child was thrown into the truck's path. The truck struck the car on its driver's side, according to the report. Owasso native Malerie Levens is set to graduate from the Oklahoma School for the Blind on Thursday, May 16. OSB is a division of the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services, a state agency that assists individuals with disabilities through vocational rehabilitation, education, employment and independent living programs. After graduation, Levens plans to attend college to become a special education teacher. Levens joins 10 other graduates who are receiving their degrees from the Muskogee-based school. Rita Echelle, OSB superintendent, said the Class of 2019 has exceeded her expectations. It has been an honor to be a part of this groups lives and education. I am so proud of them. I wish them the very best in their future endeavors, Echelle said. I hope they will use the skills and education they received here and become the independent, productive citizens I know they can be. Levens will officially walk the stage during OSBs commencement ceremony, held at 1 p.m. in the schools auditorium, 3300 Gibson Street in Muskogee. He said Oklahoma, like other parts of the country, are struggling to ensure people have the skills necessary for the workforce. To that end, he said he plans to double down on the states lauded career tech infrastructure. It always comes back to workforce. The good news when it comes to workforce in Oklahoma, we have the best career tech infrastructure in the entire country, Pinnell said. With our K-12, which, yes, absolutely we have to address and make sure that we fully fund it in an appropriate wayK-12 partnering with career tech is a model that certainly can separate us from other states. He said having startup funds available is also important in creating a favorable environment for entrepreneurs and businesses. Pinnell also discussed opportunity zones, which are selected by the Department of Commerce, to encourage people to invest in economically-depressed areas. There are 117 zones in the state. (Day traders on the coasts) are looking for places in the middle of the country where theyre able to park a lot of money, were talking millions and millions of dollars, into shovel-ready projects most of the time, he said. Managing Editor Lindsey is the managing editor for the Skiatook Journal. She holds an M.A in English from the University of Central Oklahoma. Prior to the start of her news career in 2011, Chastain was a professor of English at the University of Central Oklahoma. Area restaurants get ready for Mothers Day on Sunday, May 12 Some area restaurants have submitted their plans for Mothers Day on Sunday, May 12. Most require reservations. McGills, 1560 E. 21st St., 918-742-8080, and 6058 S. Yale Ave., 918-388-8080, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. both locations buffet with such items as beef tenderloin, roasted ham, turkey, eggs Benedict and pasta lobster; $32 adults, $14 ages 12 and younger. Mayo Hotel, 115 W. Fifth St., 918-582-6296 or email events@themayohotel.com, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. elegant buffet in the Grand Hall; $45 adults, $12 ages 11 and younger. Prospect Local Bar & Kitchen, Hotel Indigo, 121 S. Elgin Ave., 918-779-4445, 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. limited brunch menu with such items as malted flapjacks, fried catfish and acai berry bowl from $10 to $15, plus buffet featuring omelet station, grilled chicken, ham carving station and beef Bourguignon, $28 adults, $14 ages 12 and younger. For months after Helen of Troy closed last year, the Tulsa World received many emails from fans of the restaurant wanting to know what happened. We lost contact with the owner, Sam Senjlawi, and didnt have an answer until Senjlawi resurfaced recently with Helen of Troy in The Farm Shopping Center. I took about 13 months off to spend more time with my family (he has two young daughters) and get recharged, Senjlawi said at his new place in The Farm. I looked around at different spots in Tulsa and Broken Arrow, and this location came up. It was the best choice. The old place had 3,500 square feet, and this one has 1,500, which is more manageable. We stopped in for a late dinner recently, and, unfortunately, the kitchen was out of lamb shanks and kafta kabob, most likely the two entrees we would have ordered. Ive had the lamb shank more than once at Helen of Troy, and it always has been flavorful and tender without being smothered in tomato sauce. Gau described himself as a friend of the family. He said he was so close to Mayhew and wife Angie that he called them mom and dad. He said the relationship goes back about 11 years when he met the couple at a Dragon Con-related event in Atlanta. Its not often that a fan meets a celebrity at a convention and a lasting friendship develops, but thats what happened, according to Gau. Because of my size, at 6-9 and 380, we had kind of a kinship, Gau said. (Mayhews listed height was 7-foot-3.) Gau, who is in the 501st Legion Star Wars group, traveled from his home in Ohio to spend time with Mayhew at Fan Expo Dallas but learned shortly after his plane landed that Mayhew had passed away. Instead of spending time with Mayhew, he stationed himself at Mayhews table and engaged front-of-the-line fans in conversation. Texans were mourning one of their own. Though Mayhew was British, he married a Texan in 1999 and became a U.S. citizen in 2005. He and Angie lived in Boyd, Texas. Gau said the Mayhews sometimes invited members of the 501st Legion to their ranch for cookouts. Emilio Estevez Tex and The Outsiders were actor/future filmmaker Estevezs first two movies. He would go on to make a third film based on an S.E. Hinton novel, starring in 1985s That Was Then, This is Now. Gailard Sartain Who better to hear the local-color story and the funny side of making a movie in Tulsa from than the legendary comedic actor from Tulsa. Of course, his role in The Outsiders called for him to be dead-serious, but he could tell more about his chigger-attack story at the Skiatook film site that he told the Tulsa World about in 2017. So f ia Coppola Coppolas Oscar-winning filmmaker daughter (Lost in Translation) was learning the trade while hanging around the Tulsa sets with Dad, and we know she has great stories. Thats according to Rob Lowe, who once said that during filming of The Outsider, the young Coppola was publishing a newsletter, The Dingbat News, about all the goings-on on set that shed give out to the cast and crew. Mickey Rourke It's not every state legislator who knows enough about author J.R.R. Tolkien and his "Lord of the Rings" series to lecture on the subject, but John Waldron is not your average Oklahoma lawmaker. Rep. Waldron, D-Tulsa, "is a lifelong Tolkien fan," a Circle Cinema representative said, reminding that the former social studies teacher at Booker T. Washington High School "taught annual lectures on 'The History of Middle Earth.'" An advance screening of a new biopic film that's opening this week about the author is set for 7 p.m. Thursday, May 9, at Circle Cinema. That screening will include an introduction by Waldron entitled "Before 'Game of Thrones': The impact of J.R.R. Tolkien on modern literature." Tickets and more information are available at circlecinema.com or by calling 918-585-3456. Michael Smith 918-581-8479 michael.smith@tulsaworld.com Twitter: @michaelsmithTW Your dedicated investigations and documentation should be accessed by all involved and used to stop such insanity. Dear Dr. Fox: What is your advice about feeding feral cats? About two years ago, four feral cats were hanging around my neighborhood. I called our animal control unit, and they recommended capturing, neutering and releasing them. To make a long story short, all four had already been neutered. It was hard for me to see hungry animals, and I began feeding them basically just dry food in the morning outside on our deck. Something happened last summer to one of them, and now there are three. We have been away for vacations a few times, and I worry about what will happen to them, but they always seem to find their way back to our house. What do you recommend doing? My husband is not a cat lover and would never agree to capturing them and trying to make them indoor cats, but I find it hard to ignore their hungry stares. A.P., Trumbull, Connecticut Dills has said she was not targeting any one school but thinks the public deserves an accounting for an estimated $18 million in state and federal funds flowing from virtual charter schools to for-profit management companies in the current fiscal year. Dills has said some virtual charter schools have been voluntarily reporting such expenditures as superintendent salaries and that the new requirements imposed by reporting requirements will begin July 1. State education officials indicated that the new reporting requirements will begin July 1, which is the start of Fiscal Year 2020. Previous years expenditures are not subject to the new laws reporting requirements. However, an audit can look at anything, Dills said. Asked how soon Epic will comply with the new reporting requirements for payment and itemized expenditure information related to Epics educational management organization, Lang responded: We will comply fully at the first reporting deadline that arises after the law is in effect. The Oklahoma State Department of Education will now have to add new reporting categories to its statewide financial accounting system for public schools, called the Oklahoma Cost Accounting System, or OCAS. JAY A Delaware County man sobbed as he was sentenced Monday to six years in prison for the death of a Department of Transportation supervisor who was killed in a construction zone accident. Robert Dryden Smith, 40, of Jay pleaded guilty in January in Delaware County District Court to first-degree manslaughter in the May 18, 2016, death of Jarrell Gray, 47, of Grove. Gray suffered fatal injuries while he was supervising inmates who were removing brush in a construction zone on Oklahoma 20 west of Jay. Smiths westbound vehicle hit a Department of Corrections inmate work van and then hit Gray, who had been standing behind a wood chipper that was attached to an ODOT truck, according to an arrest affidavit. Smith told law enforcement officers that he had been distracted because he was looking down at his cellphone, the affidavit states. Gray, the father of three sons, had been with ODOT since December 1998. Through tears, Smith told Grays family that he was sorry and that he could never forgive himself. I never had children and every holiday I think of the Gray children, he said. OKLAHOMA CITY A former state employee has been charged with embezzling more than $23,000 from the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. Stephanie Ware, 52, called herself a typical thief as she confessed to stealing funds that the Special Operations Division had seized, according to a court affidavit. She told OHP investigators that she had taken money between 10 and 15 times. The Oklahoma Attorney Generals Office filed four felony counts of embezzlement against Ware on Monday. She could face up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine for each count if convicted. Update (3 p.m. Wednesday): The Stroud Police Department has confirmed that Austin Cornett, 7, has been found safe, according to department spokesman. Police are searching for a boy from Stroud believed to be in danger after he was picked up from school by a noncustodial parent. Austin Cornett, 7, was last seen when he was picked up from school by Sarah Hill. He reportedly was wearing gray shorts and an orange Nike shirt. Hills vehicle is described as a maroon 2007 Mazda CX7 with Oklahoma license plate EKP237. Anyone with information on Austins or Hills whereabouts should call the Stroud Police Department at 918-968-2733. Stetson Payne 918-732-8135 stetson.payne@tulsaworld.com Twitter: @stetson__payne Another measure passed and sent to the governor Monday, HB 1095, by Rep. Mike Osburn, R-Edmond, was touted by its author as clearing the way for those wanting to work as contract employees. Several members of the House, though, wondered whether it isnt more likely to clear the way for employers to classify more employees as contract workers in order to deny them benefits and save money on unemployment payments. The bill would simplify the criteria by which the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission determines whether a worker is an employee or an independent contractor and would bring those criteria in line with Internal Revenue Service practices. After adjournment Monday, the House Rules Committee scheduled a conference meeting on a prescription benefit manager bill somewhat similar to one Stitt vetoed last week after the Legislature approved it without a dissenting vote. These are not in-kind contributions, Ferate said. These are uncoordinated and in an entirely separate manner. Shawna Calico, chairwoman of the Cherokee Nation Election Commission, signed the letter. The commission met for an hour in executive session before reconvening to read the document aloud and vote in favor of sending it. Walkingstick is on the ballot for principal chief against Chuck Hoskin Jr. and Dick Lay. If the campaigning continues, the letter offers notice that the Election Commission may take civil legal recourse against Appleton, donors to the corporation and any candidate or person working in coordination. The referenced documents reflect just some of the Cherokee for Change, LLC legal violations that the investigation conducted pursuant to Cherokee Nation Election Law has uncovered, the letter says. Ferate said Appleton began as a fundraising consultant to Walkingsticks campaign but resigned before being paid and before independently forming Cherokees for Change. The project is being led by the University of Nebraska, which will be using drones, and also includes researchers from NOAA's National Severe Storms Laboratory and the University of Oklahoma's Cooperative Institute for Mesoscale Meteorological Studies. It is being funded with $2.4 million from the National Science Foundation and NOAA. Waugh who has bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees in meteorology from OU designed one of the instruments that the team will be using on about 15 vehicles in the project. He also built customized cages around several heavy-duty pickups to hold the instruments and protect the vehicles from large hail and small flying debris. I dont mind (hail) dents. Dents to me are like trophies. But when you start to lose your windshield like every other day, that becomes a problem. Im the guy like Q in James Bond. The fun thing about building everything is if it breaks, I have to fix it, Waugh said. And I get to go along for the ride as a researcher ... and analyze the data. To its shame, Oklahoma foists the cost of justice on an unpopular group with little recourse criminal defendants. The idea is to use fees and fines to make the people responsible for the cost of the states criminal courts bear the costs of operating those courts. Thats a warped, self-serving variant of the idea of user fees. The beneficiaries of a well-operated criminal court system arent the people who are convicted, it is the general public, who get to live in a well-managed, just society. Dumping the costs of the judiciary, prosecutors and some government services only vaguely related to courts on criminal defendants gives those who are sworn to uphold justice an obvious conflict of interest. If they want the bills paid, they better keep the fines flowing. Worse, it coerces defendants to pay their way out of jail, a perversion of equal justice under law. Its also a self-defeating mechanism, because the funded government services end up dependent on fines and fees from some of the poorest people in society. The MP for the constituency, in which officials plan to put the large storage site for Covid Representatives of the Navy Command of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and the Royal Navy of the British Armed Force have held a meeting to discuss the current security situation in the Black Sea region. The Ukrainian Defense Ministrys press service reported this on May 7. The meeting of representatives of the Navy Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the Royal Navy of Great Britain took place in Odesa... During the meeting, the parties discussed the current security situation in the Black Sea region, directions of bilateral cooperation," reads the report. It is noted that Commander Matthew Warren, HMS Echo's Commanding Officer, told the Ukrainian delegation about capabilities of the ship. In turn, First Deputy Commander of the Ukrainian Navy Andriy Tarasov stressed that for Ukraine it was very important that the British Royal Navy ship visited its ports in a complicated time for Ukraine. iy U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch will complete her diplomatic mission in Ukraine on May 20, Ukraine's Mirror Weekly newspaper has reported, citing U.S. diplomatic sources. "Marie Yovanovitch has immediately left for Washington for consultations. The ambassador should fly back to Ukraine next Saturday, on May 11. On May 20, as all embassy diplomats were informed today, Yovanovitch will return to Washington. Prior to the appointment of a new head of a diplomatic mission in Ukraine, these duties will be performed by the charge d'affaires whose candidacy has not yet been approved," the report reads. In 2016, Yovanovitch replaced Geoffrey Pyatt as U.S. ambassador to Ukraine. In July, the U.S. Senate approved her candidacy, and on August 23, she arrived in Kyiv. op 05/06/2019 Contact: Nancy Cicco, 978-934-4944 or Nancy_Cicco@uml.edu and Christine Gillette, 978-934-2209 or Christine_Gillette@uml.edu LOWELL, Mass. An IBM executive who oversees emerging technology partnerships for the multibillion-dollar company and a business marketing strategist who launched her career in Lowell will anchor the 2019 UMass Lowell Womens Leadership Conference. The Power and Potential of Women will bring together professionals across all fields to share ways to advance their careers and enhance their time away from work. The conference, which is expected to draw more than 250 people, will be held on Tuesday, June 18 at the UMass Lowell Inn & Conference Center, 50 Warren St., Lowell. Headlining the event will be Sophie Vandebroek, vice president of emerging technology partnerships at IBM Corp, where she leads key strategic initiatives to scale IBMs partnerships and ecosystems. Before serving in her current post, she was chief operating officer for IBM Research, a leader in transformative innovations such as artificial intelligence, blockchain technology and quantum computing. Prior to joining IBM, she was chief technology officer of Xerox Corp., where she also served as president of the companys Innovation Group and as a corporate officer. Vandebroek is a 2011 inductee of Women in Technology Internationals Hall of Fame and a fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. She holds 14 U.S. patents and serves as a director of IDEXX Corp. This event has become a highlight of our year, bringing together dynamic women from established leaders to entry-level professionals for an inspiring day focused on our mutual successes in the workplace and beyond. Were particularly excited about this years lineup of speakers and look forward to learning from their achievements and challenges, and hearing about their future plans, as we meet and share ideas with each other, said Elizabeth Altman, event co-chair and assistant professor of management in UMass Lowells Manning School of Business. Opening the conference will be Lorna Boucher, managing director, chief marketing officer and executive committee member of Instinet Holdings Inc., a New York brokerage firm that serves clients in the asset-management and insurance sectors. Boucher launched her career while she was still a student in UMass Lowells Manning School of Business, where a class assignment asked her to develop a marketing plan for Lowells small businesses. Bouchers project was so successful, it helped her land her first full-time job. Since her 1986 UMass Lowell graduation, she has progressed to increasingly more senior roles in marketing and brand management, serving businesses including Bankers Trust Co., UBS and KCG Holdings. In 2017, Markets Media honored her with the Women in Finance Award for Excellence in Marketing. Boucher also serves on UMass Lowells Manning School of Business Advisory Board. Other event speakers are scheduled to include Ann Barry, director of global risk management at Juniper Networks; Amy Hoey, Lowell General Hospitals executive vice president and chief operating officer; and Ashley Tsongas, chief of staff and strategy at Oxfam America. They will be joined by women leaders in career counseling, computer technology, financial services, health care, higher education, human resources, human services, law, publishing and retail who will participate in 12 panels. The conference includes four tracks with concurrent sessions focusing on advancing business careers, building skills, owning your value, and empowering and inspiring others. The session formats include individual speakers, integrated panels and interactive workshops for an energetic, high-value experience. UMass Lowell faculty will moderate panels on topics including: Skill-building, featuring Denise Dunlap, assistant professor of global strategy, innovation and entrepreneurship; The future of the workforce, with Beth Humberd, assistant professor of management; Women in technology, with Elissa Magnant, visiting professor of management and co-director of the universitys Richard and Nancy Donahue Center for Business Ethics and Social Responsibility; Board membership, featuring Erica Steckler, assistant professor of management and co-director of the universitys Richard and Nancy Donahue Center for Business Ethics and Social Responsibility; Cultivating well-being at the office, led by Suzanne Nobrega, outreach director of UMass Lowells Center for Promotion of Health in the New England Workplace. The conference will end with a networking reception. The full schedule can be found at www.uml.edu/wlc. Individuals interested in attending the conference should visit www.uml.edu/wlc. Registration is going on through Tuesday, June 11. The conference was founded in 2015 by UMass Lowell Chancellor Jacquie Moloney, the first woman to lead the university in its history and one of the inaugural recipients of the Women Who Mean Business honor from the Boston Business Journal. UMass Lowell is ranked No. 7 and for the second-straight year the highest-ranked educational institution in the Top 100 Women-Led Businesses in Massachusetts by the Boston Globe Magazine and Commonwealth Institute. The university is home to the Center for Women and Work, an innovative research collaborative that seeks remedies for gender-based inequality in the workforce through education and promoting change. Funded by the National Science Foundation, the centers Making WAVES (Women Academics Valued and Engaged in STEM) initiative is establishing innovative approaches to increasing the diversity of faculty in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields at higher-education institutions across the country. UMass Lowell is a national research university located on a high-energy campus in the heart of a global community. The university offers its more than 18,000 students bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees in business, education, engineering, fine arts, health, humanities, sciences and social sciences. UMass Lowell delivers high-quality educational programs, vigorous hands-on learning and personal attention from leading faculty and staff, all of which prepare graduates to be leaders in their communities and around the globe. www.uml.edu Expert: Grain yield in Ukraine may shrink by 2.4% in 2019 11:07, 07.05.19 2284 The harvest of spring grain in the current year may also decline by 9-10%, mainly due to a decrease in the yield of maize. Kyiv-Uzhgorod flight launched before presidential elections to be suspended from May 17 14:57, 07.05.19 4124 The company says local flights in Ukraine's Zakarpattia region are unprofitable. Chinese company accuses Akhmetov's DTEK of fraud 16:54, 07.05.19 2579 The equipment purchased by DTEK is said to be almost half the price of that of Sany. Imports of petroleum products to Ukraine rise since year-start 21:45, 07.05.19 1116 Russian petroleum products took up some 43% of imports costs. Kyiv officials allegedly told the company the project was too costly. A Swiss architectural firm, Leuppi & Schafroth Architekten, says the concept of and constructive solution for the "Klitschko Bridge" in central Kyiv was taken from their project that had been submitted to a 2013 competition and was never paid for. The bridge, which is now under construction, is designed for pedestrians and cyclists, and is set to connect the Kreschatiy and Volodymyrska Hirka parks, Nashi Hroshi investigative project reported. The publication notes that in a recent statement, the company's founder and principal, Stephanie Schafroth, said several architects had notified her of a bridge being built in Kiev, which is very similar to her company's project of 2013. According to Stephanie Schafroth, the basic concept, general design principles, the form, the constructive solution, and the materials were taken from her company's project. Read alsoKlitschko: Talks underway with Europa-Park to create similar theme park in Kyiv The monetary prize the company won for their project at the 2013 competition was never paid, according to Schafroth. She says that in April 2017, representatives of the Kyiv City State Administration contacted the company, stating they were willing to implement the project. The budget and schedule that the company prepared during the competitive phase was very realistic, Schafroth states. Their project, she says, was the cheapest, most rational and possible for implementation. After a series of letters and videoconference calls with a group of Kyiv officials, the project cost was criticized as too high. The offer the company made to sell the rights to the project was also rejected as too expensive. Kyiv officials never got in contact ever since, according to the architect. She noted that project assessment said it would cost a little over 6 million Swiss francs, while today's cost stands at nearly 10 million Swiss francs. A pretrial investigation is underway. The National Anti-corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) has opened proceedings against Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, Andriy Parubiy on suspicion of misuse of budget funds. Read alsoKyiv court orders anti-corruption probe of Rada Speaker Parubiy "On April 10, 2019, an authorized person of NABU, pursuant to the decision of an investigative judge of Kyiv's Solomyansky District Court dated April 2, 2019, included data in the State Register of Pretrial Investigations on signs of a crime under Part 1 of Article 364 and Part 1 of Article 210 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine," NABU's press service told UNIAN. Thus, a pretrial investigation is underway into deliberate abuse of power or official position to obtain unlawful benefit contrary to the interests of the service, as well as improper use of budget funds, budget expenditures or loans from the budget. The court ruling of April 2 was published in the State Register of Judicial Decisions. No one has contacted the investigator, Horbatiuk said. Chief of the Special Investigations Department of the Prosecutor General's Office (PGO) of Ukraine Serhiy Horbatiuk has said outgoing Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has failed to appear for interrogation as a witness in the Maidan case. "Two weeks ago, Ukrainian President Petro Oleksiyovych Poroshenko was summoned for 10:00 a.m. Kyiv time on May 7 for additional interrogation as a witness," he told journalists, according to an UNIAN correspondent. Read alsoSpecial investigator Horbatiuk ready to become chief prosecutor under Zelensky's presidency "Unfortunately, as you can see, the witness has not appeared for interrogation. No one has contacted the investigator, no one has either informed about the reasons for non-attendance or requested another date. This has not happened," Horbatiuk added. As UNIAN reported earlier, Poroshenko had to come to the PGO's Main Investigation Department on Borysohlibska Street in Kyiv on May 7. He is supposed to sign an interrogation report of 2016, as well as answer a number of questions relating to the investigation of criminal cases about crimes against participants in the Revolution of Dignity. Horbatiuk explained why the interrogation report of 2016 had not been signed yet. According to him, the interrogation was recorded on video then, and later it was transcribed, but since 2016, the investigators have not managed to meet with Poroshenko for signing the protocol with the transcribed interview. The provisions of the law will apply to citizens of Ukraine and stateless persons permanently residing in Ukraine. The Kremlin has proposed a draft law to simplify the procedure for granting temporary residence and residence permits to certain categories of foreign citizens and stateless persons. The draft law provides for the issuance of a temporary residence permit to certain categories of foreigners without a quota approved by the government of the Russian Federation, according to the Moscow-based Interfax news agency with reference to the press service of the Russian government. Read alsoPutin signs decree to simplify granting Russian citizenship to certain categories of Ukrainians The provisions of the law will apply to citizens of Ukraine and stateless persons permanently residing in Ukraine. The initiators also propose the period for considering applications for temporary residence permits be shortened from six to four months. As UNIAN reported earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin on April 24 signed a decree on the expedited procedure for the issue of Russian passports to residents of temporarily occupied Donbas. On April 27, Putin said Russia could simplify the procedure for granting Russian citizenship to all Ukrainians not only to those who reside in Russia-occupied districts in the east of Ukraine. On April 29, a center opened in the town of Novoshakhtinsk in Rostov oblast offering services for issuing Russian passports to residents of Russia-occupied districts in Ukraine's Luhansk region. On April 30, a similar center opened in Rostov oblast's village of Pokrovskoye to service residents of the occupied Donetsk region. On May 1, Putin signed a decree under which more categories of Ukrainian citizens will be able to obtain Russian citizenship with the use of the simplified procedure, in particular, these are citizens of Ukraine who do not have citizenship of another state, as well as stateless persons who were born and permanently resided in Crimea and left the peninsula before March 18, 2014, as well as their children, husbands (wives) and parents. Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs resolutely demands that the Russian side immediately repeal all unlawful decisions regarding the issue of Russian passports to Ukrainian citizens and eliminate their negative consequences. The president-elect has named his major political priorities. Ukraine's President-elect Volodymyr Zelensky met with European Commissioner for European Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn in Kyiv on Tuesday, May 7. During the meeting, Zelensky named his priorities defeating corruption, de-monopolization in the energy sector and de-oligarchization in the media, Zelensky's press service reported. "Our priority is not fighting corruption, but defeating it. De-monopolization in the energy sector, de-oligarchization in the media," Zelensky said. According to the report, the president-elect assured the European Commissioner that "our European choice remains uncontested", and announced readiness to restore criminal liability for illegal enrichment. "As guarantor of the Constitution, I will defend the path the citizens of Ukraine chose at the elections," Zelensky's press service quoted him as saying. Read alsoZelensky's adviser Danyliuk, U.S. Energy Secretary discuss Ukraine's energy independence Also today, Hahn was received by Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman, who said European integration remained top priority both for Ukraine and the government along with continued reforms and promoting changes in the states legal and judicial systems. UNIAN memo. In 2014, the European Union and Ukraine signed the Association Agreement, which marked the beginning of a new period in the development of relations between the EU and Ukraine. The Agreement is the main instrument for ensuring Ukraine's rapprochement with the EU: it contributes to the deepening of political relations, stronger economic ties and mutual respect for common values. The economic part of the agreement, on a deep and comprehensive free trade area (DCFTA), provides Ukraine with an opportunity to expand trade relations and economic development, since it opens up new markets, contributes to harmonizing legislation, standards, and regulations in various sectors. The latter will help Ukraine integrate EU standards into key sectors of the economy. Moscow is trying to turn the occupied Crimea into a military bridgehead without dissidents, according to the Crimean Tatar Resource Center. Russia is intensifying repression against Crimean Tatars and Ukrainians living in the temporarily occupied Crimea to intimidate them and eventually squeeze them out the peninsula, says Eskender Bariiev, chairman of the Crimean Tatar Resource Center. Presenting a report on human rights violations in the occupied Crimea over the first quarter of 2019 in Kyiv on Tuesday, May 7, Bariiev said: Despite these five years of occupation, Russia doesn't just continue, it intensifies its repressive actions against the indigenous Crimean Tatar people and Ukrainian activists to squeeze them out [of Crimea] and intimidate them," an UNIAN correspondent reports. According to Bariev, the Russian Federation is trying to turn the Crimea into a military bridgehead without dissidents who would disagree with Russia's illegal actions. "They are trying to get rid of 'unwanted' people by intimidating them, conducting searches, accusing them of terrorism, extremism, and other crimes," Bariiev said. Read alsoRussia allows possibility of pulling out of human rights convention Elvir Sagirman, a communication manager at the Crimean Tatar Resource Center, says Russians troops been regularly conducting illegal military exercises on the occupied peninsula. Also, besides military exercises, Crimea's militarization is underway, accompanied by propaganda calling on local young men to join Russian army ranks. Sagirman notes Russia's efforts to attract underage children to various actions held in the occupied Crimea. "All these actions are in breach of international law, in particular, Article 51 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, which states that the occupying power may not compel people living in the occupied terriroties to serve in its armed or auxiliary forces," he added. Desir says the attack is particularly alarming and cannot remain unpunished. OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Desir on May 6 called for an effective investigation into an attempted murder of Vadym Komarov, a journalist from Cherkasy, Ukraine. Read alsoPolice requalify brutal assault on Cherkasy journalist as "murder attempt" "I condemn this very violent attack against journalist Vadym Komarov in Cherkasy that has left him in a coma and barely alive. This is an attempted murder against a local investigative journalist known for his reporting on corruption. This targeted attack is particularly alarming and cannot remain unpunished. The investigation was promptly initiated and I call on the authorities to do their utmost to fully investigate the crime," Desir said, as reported in an OSCE press release on May 6, 2019. Local journalist and blogger Vadym Komarov, known for his investigative reports on corruption, was attacked in the center of the city of Cherkasy on the morning of May 4. He was hit on the head several times and is still in a coma after neurosurgical surgery in a local hospital. "I hope Vadym Komarov will fully recover soon and that he and his colleagues will be protected from violence and intimidation," the OSCE representative said. Sytnyk must come to the Prosecutor General's Office of Ukraine at 10:00 a.m. Kyiv time on May 10. Investigators of the Prosecutor General's Office (PGO) of Ukraine have summoned Director of the National Anti-corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) Artem Sytnyk for interrogation. Read alsoUkraine's antigraft bureau opens case against Parliament Speaker Parubiy "He is summoned to the Prosecutor General's Office of Ukraine for interrogation at 10:00 a.m. Kyiv time on Friday [May 10]," the PGO's press secretary Andriy Lysenko said. As UNIAN reported earlier, Chief of the Special Investigations Department of the Prosecutor General's Office (PGO) of Ukraine Serhiy Horbatiuk said outgoing Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko had failed to appear for interrogation as a witness in the Maidan case. The court has extended the defendant's term in remand until July 22. Articles published by RIA Novosti Ukraine were in fact propaganda, directed against the statehood of Ukraine, that's according to a report drawn by linguistic experts upon the investigators' inquiry in the case of former editor-in-chief of RIA Novosti News Agency, Kirill Vyshinsky, who is being tried on treason charges, also being accused of subversive information activities aimed against Ukraine. During a hearing at a Kyiv's Podil district court on Tuesday, the prosecutor elaborated on the articles in question, referring to the expert report. The conclusion says the pieces were propaganda designed to impose on readers the impression that Ukraine is under external control, citizens are divided into irreconcilable camps, the country is incapable of winning the war, and Russia is an invincible state. Read alsoChief of RIA Novosti's Kyiv office admits dual Russian-Ukrainian citizenship Besides, the articles published by RIA Novosti, claimed that residents of the temporarily occupied territories of Luhansk and Donetsk regions had the right to self-determination and voluntarily decided to secede from Ukraine. The details of the expert report were read out as part of the indictment. The prosecutor will tentatively finish reading out the indictment at the next hearing scheduled for May 30. Read alsoChief of RIA Novosti's Kyiv office indicted on charges of treason SBU As UNIAN reported, Vyshinsky was detained in Kyiv on May 15, 2018, and charged with committing state treason and conducting subversive information activities against Ukraine. Today, on May 7, the court extended Vyshinsky's remand term until July 22. Ukrainian intelligence reports say five enemy troops were killed on Monday, May 6. One Ukrainian soldier has been wounded in action on Tuesday, May 7, as Russia's hybrid military forces have already mounted four attacks on Ukrainian army positions in Donbas, eastern Ukraine. Read alsoPoroshenko praises effectiveness of JFO in Donbas "One member of the Joint Forces has been injured as a result of shelling. Each enemy attack has been given an adequate response. Information on the enemy's losses is being verified," the press center of Ukraine's Joint Forces Operation said in an update published on Facebook as of 07:00 Kyiv time on May 7, 2019. Since Tuesday midnight, Russia-led forces have attacked Ukrainian positions near the town of Avdiyivka, and the villages of Hnutove and Bohdanivka, using 120mm mortars, automatic grenade launchers, heavy machine guns, and small arms. Twelve enemy attacks were reported on Monday, May 6. Ukrainian intelligence reports say five enemy troops were killed on that day. Russian occupation forces opened fire from 120mm mortars, weapons installed on infantry fighting vehicles, grenade launchers of various types, heavy machine guns, and small arms. Under attack were Ukrainian positions near the town of Maryinka, as well as near the villages of Troyitske, Talakivka, Pavlopil, Lebedynske, Hranitne, and Novozvanivka. Militants fired 13 times at Ukraine positions in Donbas from day-start. As a result of ceasefire violations by Russian-backed forces in the Donbas warzone on Tuesday, May 7, a soldier of Ukrainian Joint Forces was killed in action and another two were injured, according to the JF Operation press service. Russian armed formations shelled positions of the Ukrainian units using 122mm artillery systems, 120mm and 82mm mortars, also firing weapons installed on infantry combat vehicles, as well as anti-tank missiles, and opening fire from large-caliber machine guns, automatic rifles, and sniper weapons. In the zone of responsibility of the "Skhid" [East] operational-tactical grouping, the enemy six times attacked Joint Forces' positions: twice using 120mm mortars near Avdiyivka; 82mm mortars, large-caliber machine guns, and small arms near the village of Vodiane; automatic grenade launchers, large-caliber machine guns, and small arms near Hnutove; MANPADs in the area of Novoselivka Druha; and small arms near the village of Bohdanivka. Read alsoOSCE again spots Grad multiple rocket launchers in Donbas In the Pivnich grouping's zone of responsibility, the enemy engaged JF positions seven times: four times using 122mm artillery systems, 120mm mortars, anti-tank missile systems, and large-caliber machine guns near the village of Novozvanivka; 122mm artillery systems, 120mm mortars, IFV arms, and automatic grenade launchers outside Popasna; sniper weapons - near Pivdenne, and small arms - within the parties' separation zone near the village of Luhanske. As a result of the shelling, a JF soldier was killed, and two were injured. Joint Forces delivered an adequate response to enemy provocations. Within the parties' separation area near Stanytsia Luhanska, Joint Forces did not return fire in response to the shelling. Reports on enemy losses are being verified," the press center concluded. Pompeo said all were welcome to share in the Arctic's wealth, but raised doubts about the aims of Russia and China, both of which have been increasing their presence in the region. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Monday that Russia is behaving aggressively in the Arctic and China's actions there had to be watched closely as well, amid growing divisions in the polar region over global warming and access to minerals. Speaking as he arrived in northern Finland for a meeting of nations with territory in the Arctic, Pompeo said China appeared to have national security aims there, and Russia's activities, including plans for new shipping channels from Asia to northern Europe, deserved a closer look, as reported by Reuters. "The United States and Arctic nations welcome transparent Chinese investment that reflect economic interests, not national security ambitions," Pompeo said in a speech. Read alsoBritish forces to step up Arctic deployment to protect NATO's northern flank from Russia media Countries have been scrambling to claim territory or, like China, boost their presence in the region as thawing ice raises the possibility of exploiting much of the world's remaining undiscovered reserves of oil and gas, plus huge deposits of minerals such as zinc, iron and rare earth metals. Pompeo said all were welcome to share in the Arctic's wealth, but raised doubts about the aims of Russia and China, both of which have been increasing their presence in the region. "The Pentagon warned just last week that China could use its civilian research presence in the Arctic to strengthen its military presence, including by deploying submarines to the region as a deterrent against nuclear attacks," he told delegates at the conference in Rovaniemi, Finland. "We need to examine these activities closely, and keep the experience of other nations in mind. China's pattern of aggressive behavior elsewhere will inform how it treats the Arctic." Russia has also been boosting its presence, reopening military bases closed after the Cold War and modernizing its powerful Northern Fleet to safeguard its interests. "In the Northern Sea Route, Moscow already illegally demands that other nations request permission to pass, requires Russian maritime pilots to be aboard foreign ships, and threatens to use military force to sink any that fail to comply," Pompeo said. "These provocative actions are part of a pattern of aggressive Russian behavior in the Arctic." The Arctic Council is made up of the United States, Canada, Russia, Finland, Norway, Denmark and Iceland. The region's indigenous populations are also represented. Yovanovitchs departure leaves the United States without an ambassador in Ukraine, a country on the front line of the Wests standoff with Russia. Two senior U.S. Democrats questioned President Donald Trumps administration on Tuesday over the departure of the U.S. ambassador to Ukraine months before the end of her expected three years in Kyiv. In a statement, Representatives Steny Hoyer, the No. 2 Democrat in the House of Representatives, and Eliot Engel, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, called the departure of Ambassador Maria Yovanovitch politically motivated, according to Reuters. Yovanovitch, a career diplomat who has served during both Republican and Democratic administrations, has been the subject of attacks in right-leaning media allied with the Republican Trump as well as a senior Ukrainian official. Read alsoU.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Yovanovitch to be recalled media A State Department spokesperson declined to comment beyond confirming her departure, saying, "Ambassador Yovanovitch is concluding her three-year diplomatic assignment in Kiev in 2019 as planned." Yovanovitchs departure leaves the United States without an ambassador in Ukraine, a country on the front line of the Wests standoff with Russia following Moscows annexation of Crimea and support for militants in Donbas, as Ukraines new president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, takes office after winning Aprils election. May 7 2019 Plant machinery specialists Bernard Hunter have brought forward indicative proposals for a mixed-use retail development in Edinburgh incorporating a medical centre, community hub and 60-bed hotel. An application for planning in principle prepared by Mackenzie Design Company earmarks brownfield land to the east of Gilmerton Station Road for the commercial hub, referred to as Gilmerton Gateway. In a statement, the company wrote: The vision of the Bernard Hunter family business is to regenerate the brownfield lands that neighbour the company headquarters in Gilmerton and create a well-designed and high-quality development. Gilmerton Gateway is integral in the long-term strategic plan of the family with the intention being that Bernard Hunter would build and manage the overall operations with associated income reinvested back into the family business. A new junction would be formed to provide access, connecting to a pedestrian and cycle route bisecting the site. (@ChaudhryMAli88) Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, May 7 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 7th May, 2019 ) :A joint Spanish and Equatorial Guinea naval operation has rescued 20 crew members on a merchant ship from a hijacking by pirates in the Gulf of Guinea, the Spanish defence ministry said Tuesday. The captain of the Maltese-flagged vessel sounded the alarm on Sunday after their ship was approached by armed pirates, the ministry said, with the crew taking refuge in an emergency compartment. "Once on board, the pirates used a megaphone to demand the crew surrender and give them all the money on board," the ministry added. When the captain refused to comply, the pirates managed to fire into the emergency compartment, the ministry said. No one was injured by gunfire. The Spanish "Serviola" patrol ship, which carries out security and surveillance tasks in the region, received reports of the hijacking and conducted a rescue operation with an Equatorial Guinea navy vessel. Ten pirates were arrested, according to the Equatorial Guinea authorities. "I congratulate the heroic action of our armed forces," said Vice President of Defence and Security in Equatorial Guinea, Teodorin Nguema Obiang, in a statement read out on state radio on Tuesday. He said the navy intervened after "a call for help from a boat... attacked by a speedboat with ten pirates on board". "Thanks to the swift intervention of our armed forces, (we) managed to save the crew on board and arrest ten pirates," he said, adding that their presumed nationality was Nigerian. The Gulf of Guinea, a coastal zone stretching thousands of kilometres off West Africa, has now eclipsed the Gulf of Aden -- off the Horn of Africa -- as the continent's piracy hotspot. Reports of attacks in waters between the Ivory Coast and the Democratic Republic of Congo more than doubled in 2018 compared to the year before, according to a piracy report by the International Maritime Bureau in January. The last quarter of 2018 saw a significant spike in violence off West Africa, with vessels boarded by pirates well outside territorial waters, and crew kidnapped and taken to Nigeria where they were held for ransom, the report said. Piracy in the Gulf, home to Sub-Saharan Africa's two main oil producers Nigeria and Angola, has seriously disrupted international shipping routes and cost the global economy billions of Dollars. (@ChaudhryMAli88) A Senegalese court on Monday sentenced in absentia Muslim leader Sheikh Bethio Thioune to 10 years of hard labour for abetting the murder of two followers Mbour, Senegal, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 6th May, 2019 ) :A Senegalese court on Monday sentenced in absentia Muslim leader Sheikh Bethio Thioune to 10 years of hard labour for abetting the murder of two followers. The high criminal court in Mbour found the influential head of a branch of the Mouride Brotherhood guilty of failing to denounce a crime and being an accomplice to murder seven years ago. His deputy, Sheikh Faye, was convicted of the same charges and received the same sentence from the court in the coastal town about 80 kilometres (50 miles) south of Dakar. Ten other defendants, more or less directly involved in the grisly killings, were given 15 years of hard labour, while two were given eight years. Prosecutor Youssou Diallo last week asked the court to give hard labour for life to Sheikh Bethio over the killings on April 22, 2012. The charges ranged from murder entailing barbaric acts, criminal association, receiving and burying corpses without authorisation, possessing weapons illegally and failing to report a crime. The case bas been widely followed in the West African country, where 90 percent of the population are Muslims and the Mouride Brotherhood is a Sufi order of islam wielding considerable political sway. Thioune was arrested on April 23, 2012, a day after the deaths of two followers whose savagely beaten bodies were found 800 metres (yards) from his house in the village of Keur Samba Laobe, western Senegal. When the trial began exactly five years after the arrest, one of the sheikh's defence attorneys, El Hadji Mamadou Ndiaye, said he had barred one of the victims from entering his home. The man, according to this account, had been accused of zealously worshipping Thioune and even comparing him to God -- an act of sacrilege. He refused to obey the ban on entering the residence, which prompted Thioune's outraged supporters to kill him and one of his friends, the lawyer said. Thioune was freed on bail in February 2013 and has been in France for medical treatment during the trial. The court announced that he would not be summoned "because of his age", but seized his assets and awarded 100 million CFA francs (about 152,500 Euros / $171,000) to the heirs of each murdered man. Manufacturing-Works to Continue Under New Leadership A program aimed at helping Wyoming manufacturers achieve success will continue under new leadership, according to the University of Wyoming Office of Research and Economic Development. Manufacturing-Works, a partnership of UW, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the Wyoming Business Council, provides technical and business assistance to manufacturing companies across the state. Discussions are taking place among those partners regarding appointments of the permanent director and assistant director of the program, as those positions are now vacant. Recognizing the need for the services of this program, particularly at a time when manufacturing can play such an important role in growing and diversifying Wyomings economy, the university has chosen a new direction for the leadership of Manufacturing-Works, says Ed Synakowski, UWs vice president for research and economic development. Working with our partners, we are confident that we will soon have new leaders to move the program forward. Manufacturing-Works, which is part of the Wyoming Business Resource Network, has existed for more than two decades, supported by federal and state funding. It has offices in Laramie, Cheyenne, Casper, Sheridan and Afton. Other components of the Wyoming Business Resource Network include the Wyoming Technology Business Center, the Wyoming Small Business Development Center, the Wyoming Technology Transfer and Research Products Center, and the Wyoming Procurement Technical Assistance Center. Manufacturing-Works promotes innovation, manufacturing and industrial competitiveness to build a stronger and more prosperous Wyoming through enhanced economic security and improved quality of life. Services to manufacturers include broad technical assistance, engineering solutions, general business assistance, marketing assistance and financial counseling. Manufacturing-Works is part of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) National Network, which has centers in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. MEP is administered by NIST, which is part of the U.S. Department of Commerce. UW Student Earns Prestigious Udall Scholarship UW student Tessa Wittman, who has been named a 2019 Udall Scholar, poses with her dog, Whiskey. (UW Photo) University of Wyoming junior Tessa Wittman, of Minneapolis, Minn., has been named a 2019 Udall Scholar, one of just 55 people to receive the award nationwide this year. Each year, the Udall Foundation awards scholarships to college sophomores and juniors for leadership, public service and commitment to issues related to Native American nations or to the environment. Wittman is majoring in wildlife and fisheries biology and management, and environment and natural resources, with minors in honors and reclamation and restoration ecology. From the start of her academic career at UW, Tessa has set herself apart with impressive academic prowess, personal commitment to excellence, and extensive undergraduate research and service experiences, says UW Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources Associate Lecturer Maggie Bourque. She is a voracious thinker and insightful colleague, seeking to understand the depth and range of the natural world as well as the complexity of the human experience. Im grateful to all the faculty who supported Tessas Udall Scholar application from the Honors College and Haub School, as well as the departments of Zoology and Physiology, and Economics. Among her activity at UW, Wittman spent the past two summers working as a field technician for the Wyoming toad program through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Wyoming toads are one of the most endangered amphibians in North America, and they are endemic to the Laramie Basin. Her personal research involves developing genetics tools that will allow researchers to tell whether a toad has been in the water with a simple water sample. In addition, Wittman works as a research assistant in the Ruckelshaus Institute on a project studying the human dimensions of sagebrush management, in partnership with the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. As part of her Udall award, Wittman will spend five days in Tucson, Ariz., at Scholar Orientation, where scholars extend their professional network, meet other scholars and alumni, and learn new skills. Receiving this scholarship is a huge honor and reinforces all of my hard work here at UW, Wittman says. I aspire to contribute to positive solutions for our biosphere, and connecting with fellow Udall Scholars is an excellent way to build a collaborative network with students and professionals who are as passionate as I am about ecosystem solutions. I am excited to join a cohort of exemplary environmental scholars as we all forge a new path in conservation. Wittman chose UW for having the most cutting-edge research, the most access to federal lands and the most field-research opportunities. On campus, she is involved in UWs Wildlife Society and serves as president of Restoration Outreach and Research Club on campus. Through that club, Wittman is working with BikeNet on land and trail restoration. Tessa has actively sought out diverse interdisciplinary experiences inside and outside the classroom that give her the foundation to grow into a future environmental leader, says UW Haub School Professor of Practice Drew Bennett. The Udall Scholarship is an explicit recognition of her talent, and we are extremely proud of her achievement. We cant wait to see all she will accomplish in her career. Foreign investors considering the Vietnamese market are often drawn by its competitive costs. Vietnams low wages have traditionally provided these cost savings; however, the country has also quietly developed one of the most competitive tax regimes throughout Southeast Asia. Vietnams tax incentives are a standout feature of the tax regime and are applied to a variety of industries and projects throughout the country. Vietnamese government continues to improve business conditions through reform and have included tax incentives in recent legislative updates most notably Vietnams Law on Investment to lower the cost of doing business within the country. Foreign investors, particularly those involved in slightly higher value-add production, should be able to use incentives to offset their temporary costs until regulatory reforms take hold, and to position themselves ahead of their competitors in the years ahead. Taxation in Vietnam Corporate Income Tax (CIT) Corporate Income Tax, or CIT, is levied at a rate of 20 percent on locally sourced profits of companies operating within the country. CIT is payable annually. Value Added Tax (VAT) Value Added Tax is the most important indirect tax applied in Vietnam. It is applied at one of three rates (0, 5, and 10 percent) to the good or service in question. Most goods within the country, however, are taxed at 10 percent. Personal Income Tax (PIT) Personal Income Tax is applied on a graduated scale depending on the income of the individual in question. Senior managers are likely to be taxed at 35 percent, which is Vietnams top tax rate, while laborers will likely be taxed at 5 to 10 percent, depending on their salary. Tax Incentives Vietnams Law on Investment specifies three forms of incentives that are available to companies operating within the country. The following incentives are listed under Section 1, Article 15.1: Application of a lower rate of corporate income tax for a certain period of time or throughout the project execution; Exemption or reduction of import tax on goods imported as fixed assets on raw materials, supplies, and parts used for the project; An exemption, reduction of land rents and land levy. Preferential rates The different preferential rates include: 10 percent for the lifetime of the entire project; 10 percent for 15 years from the first year of income generation; 17 percent for the lifetime of the entire project; 17 percent for 10 years from the first year of income generation. Tax holidays Tax exemptions include: Tax exemption for 4 years, 50 percent reduction of payable tax amounts for 9 subsequent years; Tax exemption for 4 years, 50 percent reduction of payable tax amounts for 5 subsequent years; Tax exemption for 2 years, 50 percent reduction of payable tax amount for 4 subsequent years. Vietnams Law on Investment, as well as its subsequent decrees and circulars, specify in the types of projects that qualify for incentives and the nature of incentives that these projects qualify for. The most common incentives are those available for investments made in specialized locations, industries, or investment zones in the country. Incentives in disadvantaged locations The Vietnamese government provides location-based incentives for regions based on the levels of development and investment. The government provides these incentives as a means of attracting capital and improving development in these areas. The areas that the government selects for incentives are consistently located near Vietnams borders with China and Laos as well as the southern Mekong region. Vietnam provides two tiers of incentives to investment projects depending on the level of development and needs in the area. Foreign investors can currently choose between locations that are disadvantaged and those that are extremely disadvantaged. Investments in both locations benefit from preferential corporate income tax as well as tax holidays with the level of incentive directly tied to the level of disadvantage within these regions. Investors must have sourced income from an investment in an area currently classified as disadvantaged or extremely disadvantaged for incentives to apply. Government Decree 118/2015/ ND-CP provides the latest guidance on where incentives are applied throughout the country and should be consulted closely by interested parties. Companies involved in low value-add production are often the best positioned to take advantage of the challenges in these regions. Those who do so will retain a strong first mover advantage as Vietnam continues to rapidly develop. Incentives for prioritized industries Vietnam extends investment incentives to a number of industries and projects that it has identified to be of strategic importance for the country. Vietnamese policy in recent years has broadly promoted projects in high tech industries, large capital, or labor-intensive investments, and projects that are expected to have a tangible impact on social conditions, such as education or healthcare. Incentives in economic zones Vietnam has encouraged the establishment of economic zones throughout the country. These zones provide increased access to infrastructure, pools of talent, and networks of suppliers. Foreign investors in these zones also benefit from tax incentives extended by the Vietnamese government. Most economic zones will qualify an investor for tax holiday incentives. In limited cases, where the zone is located in a disadvantaged area, a preferential rate of corporate income tax will also apply. Foreign investors must set up their operations inside of a zone that offers incentives in order to qualify for preferential treatment or tax holidays. Vietnams economic zones are a common entry point for a variety of firms. Firms in need of specialized labor, easy access to ports, and good business conditions should strongly consider setting their operations up within one of Vietnams industrial zones. Applying for Investment Incentives When to apply Vietnam confirms eligibility for tax incentives along with the issuance of the investment registration certificate. Upon receipt of an investment registration certificate, investors should receive documentation confirming their qualification for incentives. Investors should consider investment incentives during their review of the Vietnamese market and start the investment process with the requirements for desired incentives in mind. Incentives to apply for Vietnams Ministry of Finance has clarified under Circular No. 83/2016/TT-BTC (Article 4.5) that investment projects shall, when meeting multiple eligibility requirements for CIT incentives, be entitled to the most favorable CIT incentive. Investors should carefully assess their options when entering the Vietnamese market in order to find the incentive program that balances cost reduction and compliance. Withdrawal of incentives While the withdrawal of incentives is uncommon, investors who fail to meet the requirements specified in their incentives packages may lose incentives. Vietnamese governmental Decree No. 118/2015/ND-CP Article 17.4(c) clarifies, where an investment project fails to satisfy conditions for investment incentives for a certain period of time, the investor shall not receive such incentives over such period. Incentive granting authority The Ministry of Planning and Investment is in charge of granting investment incentives, but this work is conducted in conjunction with local governments. During the application process, various technical ministries may be involved to assess an investment project. Once investment incentives are granted, the Ministry of Finance and Department of Taxation are responsible for applying the rates of taxation specified in the incentives package. Foreign investors that are new to the Vietnamese market often find the application process complex and time-consuming. Professional service firms familiar with Vietnams governmental structure can assist companies to better understand the application process. Vietnams tax incentives, while attractive on paper, can present challenges to investors unfamiliar with the countrys legal system. Foreign investors keen on investing in Vietnam and securing investment incentives must be sure to understand the incentives that Vietnam currently offers, which will provide the best saving for them over the duration of their project, and the requirements that they will face when applying for these incentives. ... Jodie, I would abandon this idea of getting Reagan in a second if I could only win your heart and live out the rest of my life with you, whether it be in total obscurity or whatever. I will admit to you that the reason Im going ahead with this attempt now is because I just cannot wait any longer to impress you. Ive got to do something now to make you understand, in no uncertain terms, that I am doing all of this for your sake! By sacrificing my freedom and possibly my life, I hope to change your mind about me. This letter is being written only an hour before I leave for the Hilton Hotel. Jodie, Im asking you to please look into your heart and at least give me the chance, with this historical deed, to gain your respect and love. I love you forever, John Hinckley President Ronald Reagan waves to the crowd immediately before being shot outside the Washington Hilton Hotel on March 30, 1981. (Courtesy Reagan Library/Handout via REUTERS) White House Press Secretary James Brady and District of Columbia police officer Thomas Delahanty lie wounded on the ground after John Hinckley Jr. fired six shots at President Reagan. (Courtesy Reagan Library/Handout via REUTERS) White House Press Secretary James Brady and District of Columbia police officer Thomas Delahanty lie wounded on the ground after John Hinckley Jr. fired six shots at President Reagan. (Courtesy Reagan Library/Handout via REUTERS) White House Press Secretary James Brady and District of Columbia police officer Thomas Delahanty lie wounded on the ground after John Hinckley Jr. fired six shots at President Reagan. (Courtesy Reagan Library/Handout via REUTERS) White House Press Secretary James Brady and District of Columbia police officer Thomas Delahanty lie wounded on the ground after John Hinckley Jr. fired six shots at President Reagan. (Courtesy Reagan Library/Handout via REUTERS) White House Press Secretary James Brady and District of Columbia police officer Thomas Delahanty lie wounded on the ground after John Hinckley Jr. fired six shots at President Reagan. (Courtesy Reagan Library/Handout via REUTERS) White House Press Secretary James Brady and District of Columbia police officer Thomas Delahanty lie wounded on the ground after John Hinckley Jr. fired six shots at President Reagan. (Courtesy Reagan Library/Handout via REUTERS) White House Press Secretary James Brady and District of Columbia police officer Thomas Delahanty lie wounded on the ground after John Hinckley Jr. fired six shots at President Reagan. (Courtesy Reagan Library/Handout via REUTERS) White House Press Secretary James Brady and District of Columbia police officer Thomas Delahanty lie wounded on the ground after John Hinckley Jr. fired six shots at President Reagan. (Courtesy Reagan Library/Handout via REUTERS) Secret service agents and police surround John Hinckley Jr. (Courtesy Reagan Library/Handout via REUTERS) Assassination attempt I looked up at the presidential box above the stage where Abe Lincoln had been sitting the night he was shot and felt a curious sensation ... I thought that even with all the Secret Service protection we now had, it was probably still possible for someone who had enough determination to get close enough to the president to shoot him. White House senior staff hold an emergency meeting on the assassination attempt in the situation room. From left to right: Helene Von Damm, Fred Fielding, Drew Lewis, Richard Allen, Don Regan, Alexander Haig, David Gergen, Max Friedersdorf, Larry Speakes, Richard Darman and Caspar Weinberger. (Courtesy Reagan Library/Handout via REUTERS) Secretary of State Alexander Haig speaks in the White House Press Room about President Reagan's condition. (Courtesy Reagan Library/Handout via REUTERS) President Reagan looks at a Get Well Soon Mr. President photo while recovering at George Washington Hospital, April 8, 1981. (Courtesy Reagan Library/Handout via REUTERS) President Reagan talking with James Baker and Senator Laxalt while recovering at George Washington Hospital, April 8, 1981. (Courtesy Reagan Library/Handout via REUTERS) President Reagan leaving George Washington Hospital escorted by Nancy Reagan and daughter Patti Davis, April 11, 1981. (Courtesy Reagan Library/Handout via REUTERS) President Reagan returning home to the White House. (Courtesy Reagan Library/Handout via REUTERS) President Reagan working in his study four days after returning. (Courtesy Reagan Library/Handout via REUTERS) President Reagan attends his first cabinet meeting after returning. From left to right: James Watt, Alexander Haig, Martin Anderson, President Reagan, Frank Carlucci, Joseph Wright. (Courtesy Reagan Library/Handout via REUTERS) On March 30, 1981, President Ronald Reagan and three others were shot and wounded by John Hinckley Jr. in Washington, D.C., as they were leaving a speaking engagement at the Washington Hilton Hotel. Hinckleys motivation for the attack was to impress actress Jodie Foster, who had played the role of a child prostitute in the 1976 film. After seeing the film, Hinckley had developed an obsession with Foster. He left a long letter in his hotel room on the day he attempted to assassinate Reagan, indicating that he believed that he might be killed in his attempt and professing his love:Reagan was struck by a single bullet that broke a rib, punctured a lung, and caused serious internal bleeding, but he recovered quickly. No formal invocation of presidential succession took place, although Secretary of State Alexander Haig stated that he was in control here while Vice President George H. W. Bush returned to Washington.Besides Reagan, White House Press Secretary James Brady, Secret Service agent Tim McCarthy, and police officer Thomas Delahanty were also wounded. All three survived, but Brady suffered brain damage and was permanently disabled; Bradys death in 2014 was considered homicide because it was ultimately caused by this injury.A federal judge subpoenaed Foster to testify at Hinckleys trial, and he was found not guilty by reason of insanity on charges of attempting to assassinate the president. Hinckley remained confined to a psychiatric facility. In January 2015, federal prosecutors announced that they would not charge Hinckley with Bradys death, despite the medical examiners classification of his death as a homicide. On July 27, 2016, it was announced he would be released by August 5 to live with his mother in Williamsburg, Virginia; he was subsequently released on September 10.On March 21, 1981, new president Ronald Reagan and his wife Nancy visited Fords Theatre in Washington, D.C. for a fundraising event. Reagan recalled,On March 28, Hinckley arrived in Washington, D.C. by bus and checked into the Park Central Hotel. He noticed Reagans schedule that was published inand decided it was time to act. Hinckley knew that he might be killed during the assassination attempt, and he wrote but did not mail a letter to Foster about two hours prior to his attempt on the presidents life. In the letter, he said that he hoped to impress her with the magnitude of his action and that he would abandon the idea of getting Reagan in a second if I could only win your heart and live out the rest of my life with you.On March 30, Reagan delivered a luncheon address to AFLCIO representatives at the Washington Hilton Hotel. The hotel was considered the safest venue in Washington because of its secure, enclosed passageway called Presidents Walk, which was built after the 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy. Reagan entered the building through the passageway around 1:45 p.m., waving to a crowd of news media and citizens. The Secret Service had required him to wear a bulletproof vest for some events, but Reagan was not wearing one for the speech, because his only public exposure would be the 30 feet (9 m) between the hotel and his limousine, and the agency did not require vests for its agents that day. No one saw Hinckley behaving in an unusual way; witnesses who reported him as fidgety and agitated apparently confused Hinckley with another person that the Secret Service had been monitoring.At 2:27 p.m., Reagan exited the hotel through Presidents Walk and its T Street NW exit toward his waiting limousine as Hinckley waited within the crowd of admirers. The Secret Service had extensively screened those attending the presidents speech. In a colossal mistake, the agency allowed an unscreened group to stand within 15 ft (4.6 m) of him, behind a rope line. As several hundred people applauded Reagan, reporters standing behind a rope barricade 20 feet away asked questions. As Mike Putzel of the Associated Press shouted Mr. President, Reagan unexpectedly passed right in front of Hinckley. Believing he would never get a better chance, Hinckley fired a Rohm RG-14 .22 LR blue steel revolver six times in 1.7 seconds, missing the president with all six shots.The first bullet hit White House Press Secretary James Brady in the head and the second hit District of Columbia police officer Thomas Delahanty in the back of his neck as he turned to protect Reagan. Hinckley now had a clear shot at the president, but the third bullet overshot him and hit the window of a building across the street. As Special Agent in Charge Jerry Parr quickly pushed Reagan into the limousine, Secret Service agent Tim McCarthy put himself in the line of fire and spread his body in front of Reagan to make himself a target. McCarthy stepped in front of President Reagan, saving the president from harm at considerable risk to his own life. He was struck in the abdomen by the fourth bullet. The fifth bullet hit the bullet-resistant glass of the window on the open side door of the limousine. The sixth and final bullet ricocheted off the armored side of the limousine and hit the president in the left underarm, grazing a rib and lodging in his lung, causing it to partially collapse, and stopping less than an inch (25 mm) from his heart. Parrs prompt reaction had saved Reagan from being hit in the head.After the shooting, Alfred Antenucci, a Cleveland, Ohio, labor official who stood nearby Hinckley, was the first to respond. He saw the gun and hit Hinckley in the head, pulling the shooter down to the ground. Within two seconds agent Dennis McCarthy (no relation to agent Timothy McCarthy) dove onto Hinckley as others threw him to the ground; intent on protecting Hinckley, and to avoid what happened to Lee Harvey Oswald, McCarthy had to strike two citizens to force them to release him. Agent Robert Wanko (misidentified as Steve Wanko in a newspaper report) took an Uzi submachine gun from a briefcase to cover the president's evacuation and to deter a potential group attack.The day after the shooting, Hinckleys gun was given to the ATF, which traced its origin. In just 16 minutes, agents found that the gun had been purchased at Rocky's Pawn Shop in Dallas, Texas. It had been loaded with six Devastator brand cartridges, which contained small aluminum and lead azide explosive charges designed to explode on contact; the bullet that hit Brady was the only one that exploded. On April 2, after learning that the others could explode at any time, volunteer doctors wearing bulletproof vests removed the bullet from Delahantys neck. Workers inspect parts at a factory in Ha Noi. - Photo hapi.gov.vn Of them, some 400 would be eligible to have production systems and their products in line with international standards, as well as have sufficient supply capacities in global production networks from multinational corporations in Viet Nam, the department said. Top priority should be given to fostering trade promotion, co-operating with foreign firms and encouraging them to invest in the citys supporting industries, the departments deputy director Dam Tien Thang told the Vietnam News Agency. Local firms should innovate and seek ways to improve their competitiveness and getting access to multinational businesses in order to gain a better understanding of their partners product requirements, according to Thang. He added that supporting industries, which have played a crucial role in the citys industrial restructuring progress, are expected to make significant contributions to enhance competitiveness, attract investment, raise exports, as well as expand the production scale and effectiveness of industries. Thus, the city has drawn up incentives policies for those firms in the sector. The city has thus far established a number of industrial parks specialising in supporting industries, such as Quang Minh and Bac Thang Long-Noi Bai, to attract large domestic and foreign investors. Chatbot Vietnam CEO Le Anh Tien Buying things through Messenger, why not? Chatbot Vietnam is specialised in providing diverse chatbot solutions embedded into popular messenger platforms such as Facebook Messenger, Zalo or Viber that answer customers questions and help them place orders without the need for a customer service officer. The startup founded by Le Anh Tien who is now CEO, and two other partners who were all born in the 1990s came into being in November 2017 when the trend of chatbot startups began booming in Vietnam as Industry 4.0-associated disruptive technologies such as blockchain and artificial intelligence were unfolding their wings. Le Anh Tien majored in Electronics and Telecommunications at the Danang University of Science and Technology and was one of 10 individuals below the age of 30 to carve out a spot on Forbes Vietnams People to Watchlist in 2017. Tien and his twin-born brother have developed a raft of software solutions, winning accolades at diverse domestic and international competitions. We are proud of our energetic, fledgling startup and are looking forward to growing into a Vietnamese Unicorn [a startup valued above $1 billion], said Tien. With his current team, Tien believes that they could shortly overcome the biggest difficulties facing the chatbot format instilling the habit of buying products through messenger applications into users. Nearly 300,000 people are directly interacting with the Chatbot Vietnam system per month and over 68,000 fanpages have installed chatbots to assist with sales, more 7,000 of which have chosen subscription-based services packages. Nearly 300,000 people are directly interacting with the Chatbot Vietnam system per month and over 68,000 fanpages have installed chatbots to assist with sales, more 7,000 of which have chosen subscription-based services packages. Chatbot Vietnam serves three customer groups: businesses, state agencies, and individuals. The package for individual subscribers costs VND290,000 ($12.6) per month. The company expects to post about VND30 billion ($1.3 million) in revenue in the first six months of this year, and will continue focusing on product development before entering the market expansion stage. By that time, we will need at least $3 million to feed our business expansion plans, including breaking into regional markets, Tien said. Choosing a parasite platform Initially, Tien and his partners founded Chatbot to serve the management of the coffee shop they operate at a co-working space. After a three-month test run, the results were beyond their expectations. The team then upgraded the model and replicated it in other locations to turn it into a commercial product. Tien and his associates decided to set up Chatbot and chose the format for it to operate as a parasite on popular messenger platforms to capitalise on Vietnams immense development potential in this field based on the magic figures that up to 48 per cent of the Vietnamese population use social networking sites, 91 per cent of shippers use Facebook, and more than 30 million Facebook users use Messenger. Startups often have limited capital sources. Therefore, through integrating our service into messenger platforms and leeching off e-commerce giants that already have tens of millions of users who are accustomed to modern purchase patterns was an effective cost-saving measure, Tien said. The Chatbot Vietnam team Currently, the three most popular messaging apps Facebook Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp all belong to Facebook. Tien said that by the end of this year, when the proposed merger of these three popular messenger platforms goes through,there will be great opportunities for Chatbot Vietnam to approach new customer groups from Instagram and WhatsApp, as well as acquire more data for user behaviour analytics. CEO Le Anh Tien is confident that in the forthcoming time the operation of Chatbot Vietnam will not be overly reliant on Facebook. As the life circle of one product often lasts for one to two years, it is a must for them to introduce new products that inherit the best attributes of the previous platform. Chatbot Vietnam expects to launch our new product in the middle of this month. At that time, we will need funds for our market expansion plan, including breaking into regional markets and boosting our competitiveness, Tien said. Surpassing more than 500 projects globally, Chatbot Vietnam was ranked 10th and listed among the top 24 projects attending the 2019 GIST Tech-I Competition finals hosted by the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Chatbot Vietnam also carved out a spot among the top 5 projects in the E-Business category at the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Prizes Contest 2019 which was hosted by the International Telecommunication Union (Geneva, Switzerland) under the patronage of the United Nations Development Programme. Boeing said engineers had identified the safety alert issue on its 737 MAX aircraft in 2017. (Photo: AFP/Jason Redmond) Boeing said on Sunday engineers had found the safety alert issue on its 737 MAX aircraft in 2017, a year before the deadly crash in Indonesia that killed 189 people. According to Boeing, a supposedly standard piece of equipment that tells pilot about disagreements between angle of attack (AOA) indicators - which measure the plane's angle vis-a-vis oncoming air to warn of impending stalls - did not activate unless an additional optional indicator was purchased by airlines. Neither the Lion Air aircraft nor the Ethiopian Airlines jet that went down several months later, killing 157 people, had the feature. "That's negligence from Boeing in regards the AOA system," said Evi Samsul Komar, whose son and nephew were on the fatal flight. "Boeing needs to be more careful." Another relative, Imam Rismanto, whose brother died in the crash, said Boeing should never have sold the plane without the safety feature. "They must take responsibility for these two aircraft accidents," said Rismanto, adding Lion Air was also to blame for not purchasing the optional indicator. Faulty AOA indicator information may have played a role in both deadly crashes, causing the 737 MAX anti-stall system to unnecessarily activate and push the nose down toward the ground even as pilots fought to maintain altitude. Boeing said senior management only "became aware of this issue in the aftermath of the Lion Air accident". A review into the pilot warning system glitch had concluded that "existing functionality was acceptable" until a planned software update. The admission is another blow for Boeing as it struggles to cope with the fallout from the two crashes, according to Jakarta-based aviation analyst Gerry Soejatman. "Boeing's battle to get the 737 Max back in the air is becoming harder with all these new revelations, restoring credibility to the public is going to be harder," he told AFP. Boeing's entire 737 MAX fleet has been grounded since shortly after the Ethiopian Airlines crash in March, while investigators study the incidents and engineers work on solutions. As the EU aims to curb palm oil use, Malaysia is threatening to retaliate. (Photo: AFP/Mohd Rasfan) The southeast Asian country is the world's second biggest palm oil producer after Indonesia and would be hit hard by the EU's plan to phase out its use in biofuels by 2030. Teresa Kok, the Malaysian minister responsible for palm oil, is beginning a tour of European capitals to press her case but vowed that her government would fight back if the EU did not back down. "We see this as a form of trade war by the EU against Malaysia and Indonedia as palm oil producing countries," she told AFP. "We will deifnitely look at what are the kind of trade items that we import from Europe and we will be looking at other countries (to source them)." Kok said Malaysia would consult with Indonesia before looking what action could be launched at the WTO. Palm oil is a a major ingredient in a wide range of products from food to cosmetics but it has long been controversial as environmentalists say it drives deforestation, with huge swathes of rainforest logged in recent decades to make way for plantations. Its use in food and cosmetics has already dropped in Europe, partly due to pressure from green groups on major corporations, but has been increasing in biofuels. Kok doubled down on a threat by Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad to retaliate over palm oil by buying new fighter jets from China instead of France's Rafale jet or the Eurofighter Typhoon. "Our prime minister say he likes the fighter jets of China but our defence minister two weeks ago had gone to Russia to look at their weapons and planes," she said. "And Russia is willing to buy more palm oil from Malaysia. So we're looking at all these options." At the press conference (Photo: VNA) During a press briefing at Tam Chuc Buddhism Culture Centre on May 6, Vice Chairman and Secretary General of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS)s Executive Council, Venerable Thich Duc Thien, who is also Secretary General of the International Committee for Day of Vesak, said the day will take the theme Buddhisms Approach to Global Leadership and Shared Responsibilities for Sustainable Societies. Nearly 400 speeches in English by foreign scholars and 110 others in Vietnamese will be presented at forums. The forums will focus on responsible leadership for sustainable societies; Buddhisms approach to harmonious families, education and responsible consumption; and Buddhism and the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The Vesak 2019 celebration will include spiritual cultural activities such as traditional Buddha bathing, prayers for national peace and prosperity, a lantern releasing night for world peace and photo exhibitions on pagodas recognised as world heritages in Vietnam. Buddhist followers and visitors to the event will be delivered free lunch boxes. The event will be an important diplomatic event to improve the role of the VBS amid the global integration as well as enhance ties between the VBS and other Buddhist Sanghas in the world. It will also afford Vietnam a chance to introduce its culture, history and people to international friends. Prime Minister of Nepal, K P Sharma Oli (Source: nepal24hours) Vesak 2019, or the 16th UN Day of Vesak, will be celebrated at the Tam Chuc Buddhism Culture Centre in Kim Bang district of northern Ha Nam province from May 12-14. According to the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, around 500 foreign delegations with about 1,650 members from 112 countries and territories will attend the Vesak 2019 celebration, together with 15,000-20,000 domestic Buddhist followers and people. More than 500 speeches by domestic and foreign scholars will be delivered at the events meetings. The Vesak 2019 celebration is themed Buddhist Approach to Global Leadership and Shared Responsibilities for Sustainable Societies. It will be the third time the UNs commemoration of Vesak is held in Vietnam. Previously, it took place in Hanoi in 2008 and the northern province of Ninh Binh in 2014. The UN General Assembly on December 15, 1999 recognised the Day of Vesak to celebrate the thrice-sacred event of the life of the Buddha Gautama and to acknowledge the contributions Buddhism, one of the oldest religions in the world, has made to humanity. The UN Day of Vesak was first celebrated in 2001. Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has stressed that the southern key economic zone plays an important role in the countrys socioeconomic development, especially in its GDP. Southern key economic zone plays an important role in socio-economic development of the country, especially in Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Photo: Le Toan. This zone consists of Ho Chi Minh City and seven other provinces, including Binh Duong, Dong Nai, Binh Phuoc, Tay Ninh, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Long An, and Tien Giang. This zone now accounts for 45 per cent of the nations GDP, 42 per cent of the state budget, and more than 40 per cent of the export volume. Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue urged localities to regularly review priority projects to ensure regional socioeconomic development. Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc talked with conference's participants. Photo: Le Toan. Nguyen Thanh Phong, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Peoples Committee cum chairman of the council of the southern key economic zone, said the government should issue a decree on the development of this area to ensure effectiveness and co-ordination. Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung noted that despite the significant contributions to the countrys socio-economic development, the southern key economic zone is still facing many challenges. He raised nine shortcomings related to economic development, the gradual slowdown of economic growth, and the low introduction of hi-tech products. The regions foreign direct investment (FDI) attraction has not been as strong as earlier, and the scale of FDI projects in the region has been smaller as well. The zone also has yet to issue specific guidelines to boost connectivity in the region, Minister Dung added. Minister of Transport Nguyen Van The pointed out bottlenecks in regional transport, especially the overload at Tan Son Nhat airport, the asynchronous development of the Cai Mep-Thi Vai seaport complex and roads, and the North-South Railway. Concluding the conference, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc assigned the Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Government Office to set up a prime ministers directive on the development of the southern key economic zone to be a foundation for the implementation in the coming time. The PM said that to develop the southern key economic zone, all related authorities must understand that development must be unified without gaps. There must be a special policy for the whole area in order to ensure its development in the future. He also requested authorities of the related provinces to push up the process of Long Thanh International Airport and to start construction in 2020. In recent years, the southern key economic zone has gained many achievements in socioeconomic development, with average annual GDP growth of 8.34 per cent during 2016-2018, and per capita income reaching $5,474 last year two times higher than the nations average. Experts see continued expansion of ride-hailing services thanks to their convenience, Photo: Le Toan Speaking at a meeting with the executives of leading global firms on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos in January, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said that Vietnam aims to develop a legal framework that will accommodate the new technologies of Industry 4.0 and accelerate public-private partnership to create environmentally friendly breakthrough products and services. Industry 4.0 is knocking on the doors of every single enterprise, bringing about radical changes. Vietnam considers it a big opportunity when countries compete through innovation in addition to traditional means like trade liberalisation, scale, experience, labour, and capital, the prime minister added. In this spirit, Vietnam has become an emerging market for several disruptive firms. Ride-hailing firms like Grab, Go-Viet, FastGo, and Be have taken the country by storm with their services, bringing tremendous benefits to both customers and drivers. However, the Ministry of Transport (MoT) is proposing to step up regulation of ride-hailing companies, aligning service firms with taxi operators. The proposed change has ignited the debate about how street-hailing and ride-hailing services should be managed. The MoT recently submitted to the government the latest draft replacing Decree No.86/2014/ND-CP on business conditions for automobile transportation. Accordingly, the MoT maintains its proposal that electronic-contract-based vehicles using ride-hailing platforms like Grab, Go-Viet or Be must install taxi signs on the top of the vehicles sending many wondering about the future of disruptive business models in Vietnam. Nguyen Van Hau, chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Bar Association, said, The sharing economy is about the sharing of idle assets. Ride-hailing platforms under the model have generated employment and income for many people. It is clear that the proposed rule will increase unnecessary procedures and lead to the loss of jobs. Hau went on to say that customers will be harmed by the loss of competition, which will likely translate into higher prices, longer waiting times, and lower quality ride-hailing services. Truong Thanh Duc, lawyer at BASICO law firm, said that Vietnam and some other countries are confused whether to classify ride-hailing apps as taxi firms or Internet-based service providers. Their business model is unique, so I think the government should use technology to regulate or tax them. This reflects the nature of these firms and would prevent double taxation or tax evasion, said Duc. He added that despite their ambiguous legal status, ride-hailing apps should be allowed to operate in Vietnam as they benefit consumers, the economy, and push Vietnam towards Industry 4.0. We should encourage new innovations in Vietnams transport system, Duc emphasised. Kenneth Atkinson, executive chairman of Grant Thornton, told VIR that ride-hailing services should be properly regulated and taxed. The regulatory environment is the only possible risk to ride-hailing apps in Vietnam. I can only see continued expansion because of the growing popularity and the mindset of Vietnamese millennials, together with the growing acceptance and convenience for ride-hailing services. If the MoTs regulation becomes effective, investors may be concerned about their decision to invest in the country. Meanwhile, consumers could lose the chance to benefit from modern and convenient services brought by technological advances. With the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership already in effect and the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement expected to be ratified this year, Vietnam is required to make greater efforts to ensure full compliance. Among them, there are regulations to limit the governments intervention in e-commerce activities like ride-hailers. Before proposed rules can come into force, legislators will need to make careful considerations to ensure it falls in line with Vietnams FTA commitments and does not stunt the countrys efforts to embrace new technology in Industry 4.0. Fish sauce is produced in Cat Hai District of the centrally-run Hai Phong City.-VNA/VNS Photo An Dang Viet Nam has more than 3,000km of coastline and an abundant source of seafood. According to the HCM City Food and Foodstuff Association, the country consumes 250 million litres of fish sauce a year. Of this, traditional fish sauce accounts for 60 million litres and industrial fish sauce for the rest. A survey by the HCM City-based Business Study and Assistance Centre (BSA) pointed out that 90 per cent of fish sauces are distributed via traditional channels, with traditional markets accounting for nearly half. Only one or two businesses have programmes to promote their products, and the distribution channels of traditional fish sauce makers are not stable, according to the BSA. Didier Corlou, a famous French chef who cooked meals for many world celebrities who visited Viet Nam, said there is a huge opportunity to promote consumption of traditional fish sauce in the country given its large population. But for that he said it is necessary to educate people, especially the younger generations, how to identify traditional fish sauces from industrial ones. To enable export of traditional fish sauces, he said businesses should focus on quality and not use additives, and just use fish and salt to make them. Importers, especially in Europe, only care about the quality of the fish sauce, not quantity, he said. Businesses could promote their products to the world through celebrities or famous chefs, even through tourism and diplomatic programmes, he said. They need to tell stories to consumers about how traditional fish sauce is made and the process of brewing anchovies in vats so that they understand the value of fish sauce, he said. Every locality needs a different story because every place has its own unique characteristics, and businesses should integrate these stories into their marketing strategies, he added. To promote the marketing and distribution of traditional fish sauces, the High Quality Vietnamese Product Business Association has implemented a programme to enable traditional fish sauce associations and businesses to bring their products to modern trade channels and traditional markets in large cities such as Ha Noi and HCM City. Vu Kim Hanh, the associations chairwoman, said the programme would develop an app to support sales and marketing and improve the brand identities of traditional fish sauces. "The market is becoming increasingly competitive, requiring traditional fish sauce makers and traders to improve their marketing and distribution capabilities in the battle for market share." Nguyen Hoang Anh, chairman of the Commission for the Management of State Capital at Enterprises, attended the opening of the first trading session of Vietnam Airlines shares on HSX According to Decision No.115/QD-SGDHCM dated April 11, 2019, HSX has approved the listing of 1,418,290,847 HVN shares at the price of VND14.128 trillion ($614.26 million, at par value of VND10,000 $0.434). With reference price on the first trading day of VND40,600 ($1.77) with a fluctuation band of 20 per cent, the market capitalisation of Vietnam Airlines (VNA) at HSX is estimated at VND57 trillion, equivalent to $2.5 billion. Nguyen Hoang Anh, chairman of the CMSC, said: Vietnam Airlines has become the enterprise with the highest capital value to list on HSX to date this year, and also one of the two companies that had listed on the HSX among the 19 state-owned corporations represented by the CMCS. This is a result of enhanced strategic vision that has been implemented by Vietnam Airlines Board of Directors. From our perspective, Vietnam Airlines state capital has proved to be an effective investment that provides exceptional benefits to the state, shareholders, and employees. Pham Ngoc Minh, chairman of the VNA Board of Directors, said: The listing on HSX marks an important milestone for VNA to further leverage its legacy, standardise corporate operations, and open up opportunities to attract investment. This has also reaffirmed our ongoing commitment to improving the liquidity of HVN shares and maximising shareholder value. Pham Ngoc Minh, chairman of the Board of Directors of Vietnam Airlines, delivered a speech at the event Earlier, all HVN shares were removed from listing on the UPCoM stock exchange on April 23, 2019. After two years of listing on UPCoM, HVN was one of the stocks with the best liquidity and is among the top five most-traded stocks with an average of more than 800,000 shares traded per session, equivalent to the trading value of about VND30.6 billion ($1.3 million, based on average HVN share price in 2018). This shows the investors increasing expectations for the carrier. VNA has achieved remarkable growth after switching to a joint stock company model since April 1, 2015 with revenue and profit targets higher than in the previous years. In 2018, VNA nearly exceeded the record high of VND100 trillion ($4.3 billion) in revenue for the first time. The group concluded another year of growth due to optimised operational efficiency and market-driven solutions, pocketing the highest consolidated pre-tax profit of VND3.3 trillion ($143.5 million), exceeding 36.8 per cent of the plan, of which the parent company contributed VND73.227 trillion ($3.2 billion) in revenue and VND2.418 trillion ($105.13 million) in pre-tax profit, exceeding 23.4 per cent compared to the target set at the 2018 annual general shareholders meeting. The financial indicators of VNA have improved significantly as the debt to equity ratio was 2.58 at the end of 2018 and will be reduced to 2.41 by the end of 2019. The airlines efforts to enable innovation and development have been recognised by international and national communities through a series of prestigious awards. In 2018, VNA received the prestigious four-star Airline Certification from Skytrax for the third consecutive year. With a brand equity of $416 million, according to Brand Finance, VNA continues to move one position upward in the ranking in the top 10 most valuable brands in Vietnam. On the stock market, VNA was honoured by HNX by being voted into the top 10 UPCoM Enterprises announcing transparent and public information for the period 2017-2018. In its quest for excellence, the flag carrier is continuing to improve all elements of its service to reach five-star status. In the first quarter of 2019, VNA continued its growth momentum with nearly VND26 trillion ($1.13 billion) and VND1.579 trillion ($68.65 million) of consolidated revenue and pre-tax profit respectively, achieving 45 per cent of the annual plan. The parent company reached VND19.332 trillion ($68.7 million) in revenue, up 5.5 per cent over the same period last year, and VND1.279 trillion ($55.6 million) in pre-tax profit, up 36.6 per cent. This acts as an important step to boost VNAs strong earnings performance, increasing operational efficiency and benefits to the stakeholders. Vietnam Airlines is set to pay a 2018 cash dividend worth US$63.9 million.-Photo Vietnam Airlines The State, which owns 86 per cent of the firm's capital, will receive about VND1.22 trillion. Major shareholder ANA Holdings Inc. of Japan, which holds 8.8 per cent, will get VND124 billion. Vietnam Airlines said it conducted 141,300 flights in 2018, transporting 21.9 million passengers and making consolidated revenue of nearly VND99 trillion and consolidated after-tax profit of VND2.6 trillion, exceeding its plan for the year by 36 per cent. Vietnam Airlines set a target this year to achieve consolidated revenue of nearly VND111.7 trillion, up 13 per cent year on year, and consolidated after-tax profit of nearly VND2.7 trillion, up 6 per cent. The total investment cost is expected to be over VND5.4 trillion. The carrier set a target to occupy a minimum of 55 per cent of the domestic aviation market and a strong market share in the international market, ensuring balance between growth, market share and efficiency. Fleet development According to the carrier's fleet development plan for 2021 to 2025, Vietnam Airlines will own an estimated fleet of 135-177 planes. Its narrow-body fleet will make up 95-120 of the units. It currently has 63 narrow-body aircraft. The annual pre-tax profit of the entire network in the 2021-25 period is expected to be between VND2.2 trillion and VND3.6 trillion per year, of which the air transport profit from the narrow-body fleet will contribute between VND359 billion and VND1.4 trillion. On May 7, Vietnam Airlines will list 1.4 billion shares on the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange, moving from the UpCom. The reference price in the first trading session will be VND40,600 per share; the first day fluctuation range is 20 per cent. Vietcombank officially plans to open a branch in Australia this year. - Photo Vietcombank At a recent AGM, chairman of the Commercial Joint Stock Bank for Foreign Trade of Vietnam (Vietcombank) Nghiem Xuan Thanh said the bank planned to open a branch in Australia this year. Vietcombank is also expected to open a representative office in the US in July 2019 after receiving approval from the US Federal Reserve. With the expected launch, Vietcombank will become the first commercial bank in Viet Nam to set up a representative office in the US. Vietcombank launched its first overseas bank in Laos in October last year, besides representative offices in Singapore and Hong Kong. The Sai Gon-Ha Noi Commercial Joint Stock Bank (SHB) has also submitted a plan to shareholders to set up a wholly-owned bank or contribute capital to a credit institution in the Ivory Coast to enter the African market. SHBs leader said the number of Vietnamese firms investing in the Ivory Coast had increased recently, mainly focusing on building processing factories to serve export and import activities. The demand for capital and international payment activities have also increased quickly, and SHB wanted to seize the opportunity. SHB will also open wholly-owned banks in Laos and Cambodia. The two markets are the top investment destinations chosen by many other Vietnamese banks over the years thanks to significant overseas investment by Vietnamese firms in those markets, such as the Commercial Joint Stock Bank for Industry and Trade of Vietnam (VietinBank), Commercial Joint Stock Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam (BIDV), Sai Gon Thuong Tin Commercial Joint Stock Bank (Sacombank), and Military Commercial Joint Stock Bank (MB). Statistics from the Foreign Investment Agency under the Ministry of Planning and Investment showed that in the first four months of this year, the finance and banking sector ranked second in overseas investment by Vietnamese firms with total registered capital of US$36 million, accounting for 24.1 per cent of the countrys total overseas investment. Experts forecast free trade agreements (FTAs), especially the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership and the EU-Viet Nam FTA, would contribute to increasing Viet Nams overseas investment significantly. Financial and banking expert Can Van Luc said FTAs were opening significant opportunities for businesses investing abroad, facilitating banks to open branches in foreign countries to provide banking services. Under the banking development strategy to 2025 with a vision to 2030 approved by the Prime Minister, Viet Nam aims to have at least two-three banks in Asias top 100 banks by assets and three-five banks listed on foreign stock exchanges. Prime Minister Hun Sen has announced plans to reform the countrys armed forces by reducing the number of generals. Cambodia has one of the highest numbers of generals per capita in the world, with several thousand officers reportedly holding the rank. The former opposition leader, Sam Rainsy, labelled the move a ploy to avoid a military coup, saying Hun Sen was using the pretext of a reform campaign as cover. Rainsy said Hun Sen had only demoted generals whom he did not trust because he was scared of a military coup, which may take place in the near future. The surprise announcement was made as Hun Sen attended the Second Belt and Road Forum in Beijing last month. He was reported as saying that in the future only the defense minister and army commander would be given the top rank of four-stars. Phay Siphan, government spokesman, said the move was part of an ongoing program of reforms. This is an additional reform of the efficiency of the armed forces, he said. This is to avoid overlapping job responsibilities. At the moment, the government reform is not only on the political front. We reform all sectors. As of early 2018, Cambodia had more than 3,000 military generals presiding over its 125,000-strong armed forces. Rainsy, who lives abroad in exile, has repeatedly called on the military and police to move to oust Hun Sen. But his calls for a coup appear to have largely fallen on deaf ears. His remarks are just for public attention. In Cambodia, the people are calm and wont heed his calls, Siphan said. At a five-day military training exercise that kicked off on Saturday, Hun Sens eldest son and the army commander, Hun Manet, said the event was a warning to unfriendly forces that the Cambodian army was loyal to Hun Sen's administration. At least 20 local officials of the now-dissolved Cambodia National Rescue Party in Battambang province have been summoned for questioning related to allegations they violated a Supreme Court order which dissolved the CNRP in November 2017. Fear has gripped local opposition officials since the CNRP was dissolved by the Supreme Court. For former members of the CNRP, even organizing a private party or posting messages and activities online comes with surveillance and questions from the authorities. Phan Reth, a former deputy commune chief in Kdol Daun Teav, said he was summoned to appear at the court on May 8. This is another threat and a new warning to put more burden on [me], he said. Reth was elected as the deputy commune chief in June 2017, but he was removed from the opposition after his party was dissolved. He defended his continued public support for the former opposition leader, Sam Rainsy, as his political right. Chea Chiv, a former CNRP executive committee chief for Battambang province, said he and 20 of his colleagues had been subpoenaed so far in what he said was a politically motivated case. It is unfair; the court just followed the politicians since the court is under the order of politicians, he said. The summons is a threat and intended to suppress the rights [of opposition members]. I have no freedom of expression as a citizen, added Chiv, 39, who was banned from political life for five years in the same ruling that dissolved the party. He said his online posts and activities have been closely monitored by the government. Teang Sambo, Battambang provincial court spokeswoman, said she was unaware of the case. Another court spokesman, Heng Luy, could not be reached for comment. Government spokesman Phay Siphan claimed that the summonses were not related to politics and the government cant comment on the courts affairs. Immediately following the partys dissolution, the ruling Cambodian Peoples Party oversaw a purge of CNRP officials, with more than 5,000 local CNRP representatives losing their positions. The opposition had controlled more than 43 percent of seats on local councils following a strong showing at local elections in 2017. The CPP, led by Prime Minister Hun Sen, bristles with paranoia over the alleged threat of a color revolution, even as it has stifled almost all dissenting voices and claimed every seat in parliament in July 2018s general election. The CNRP was the countrys largest opposition party and the only party to win seats in parliament in the 2013 election. Its president, Kem Sokha, was jailed on treason charges shortly before the party was disbanded. He was later placed under house arrest and is still awaiting trial. The CPP claims that Sokha conspired with the United States to overthrow Hun Sen. Eng Chhay Eang, vice president of the CNRP, told VOA Khmer that the court cases were evidence of a continued crackdown on the opposition/ Hun Sen knows that the CNRP is an obstacle to his power. Two Reuters journalists jailed for their reporting on the Rohingya crisis in Myanmar walked out of prison on Tuesday, freed in a presidential amnesty after a vigorous global campaign -- and backroom diplomacy -- for their release. Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo were mobbed by media as they stepped out of Yangon's notorious Insein prison after more than 16 months in detention. Their December 2017 arrests made them an international cause celebre and a sign of Myanmar's deteriorating press freedoms under Nobel laureate and civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi. The journalists waved and smiled broadly as they walked out of the jail. Wa Lone, 33, thanked people from "around the world" for advocating for their release and vowed he would return to work. "I can't wait to go to my newsroom," he said. "I am a journalist and I am going to continue." "We're really happy and excited to see our family and colleagues. I don't know what to say, we're very excited." Wa Lone said shortly after his release. "I really want to meet my family and I am supposed to go to the cinema with my family tonight," Kyaw Soe Oo told reporters. They were freed in an amnesty that included more than 6,000 prisoners. A government spokesman told reporters that family members had sent letters to Aung San Suu Kyi and the president Win Myint. "Leaders took into consideration the long-term interest of (the) country," Zaw Htay said. Ravina Shamdasani, spokeswoman for the U.N. human rights office, welcomed the journalists' release but chastised the Myanmar government. "It is good news that Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo have been released, but they should never have been arrested and convicted in the first place." Investigating Atrocities The two men were convicted on charges of violating the official secrets act and sentenced to seven years each. At the time of their arrest, they had been reporting on a September 2017 massacre of 10 Rohingya Muslims in conflict-hit Rakhine state, where the Myanmar army forced some 740,000 of the stateless minority to flee over the border to Bangladesh. The case prompted an outcry around the world and crushed what was left of Aung San Suu Kyi's legacy as a rights defender. Reuters has said the two were imprisoned in retaliation for their expose. The army jailed seven soldiers for the massacre in a rare response to allegations of atrocities. Military spokesman Zaw Min Tun said it had no comment on the release except that the case was "undertaken in line with the law". Setup by police Rights groups and legal experts say the prosecution's case was riddled with irregularities. A whistleblowing police officer testified during their trial that his superior had ordered his team to trap the reporters in a sting -- testimony the judge chose to ignore. The now-former officer Moe Yan Naing told AFP he was "delighted" the families were back together, and expressed interest in meeting the journalists if they wanted to. Media advocates, the U.N. and rights organizations praised the release but slammed the original arrest and conviction. "We congratulate Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo on walking free from unjust imprisonment and applaud they have now been reunited with their families," said Phil Robertson, Human Rights Watch deputy Asia director, adding they should have never been arrested in the first place. Aung San Suu Kyi led her National League for Democracy party to victory in historic 2015 polls, ending decades of military-backed rule. But the dreams of a new day for Myanmar were short-lived -- the army launched a campaign against the Rohingya in Rakhine state, which UN investigators have said amounted to genocide. Myanmar has denied the charges and said it was defending itself against Rohingya militants, who attacked and killed police officers in August 2017. Pulitzer prize During their imprisonment, the journalists were showered with numerous awards and honors in response to their work. Last month, they won the prestigious Pulitzer Prize. Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo were also on the cover of TIME magazine as part of its person of the year coverage featuring journalists targeted for their reporting. The case against them became a byword for the war against press freedom and prompted an international campaign that attracted the support of prominent rights lawyer Amal Clooney, who said Tuesday it had been an "honor to represent" her clients. We are enormously pleased that Myanmar has released our courageous reporters, Reuters Editor-in-Chief Stephen J. Adler said in a statement. Since their arrests 511 days ago, they have become symbols of the importance of press freedom around the world. We welcome their return. Cambodia could lose as much as $600 million if the European Union decides to suspend it from a lucrative preferential trade scheme over human rights concerns, the World Bank has estimated. In an official assessment of the cost to Cambodias economy if the E.U. withdraws the country from the Everything But Arms (EBA) scheme, the Bank on Monday said the value of Cambodian goods exported to Europe would drop by between $513 million and $654 million as increased tariffs put off buyers. The decline in textiles production would also lead to a decline in garment exports of between $320 million and $381 million, it said. E.U. officials are currently reviewing Cambodias EBA membership after a sustained campaign by the ruling Cambodian Peoples Party against the former opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party, activists and independent media prompted criticism from Brussels and Washington. If the E.U. decides to remove Cambodia from the scheme, tariffs on textile products would almost double. Neav Chanthana, deputy government of the National Bank of Cambodia, told reporters the World Banks findings were announced that the removal of Cambodia from EBA would have serious consequences but argued the government was prepared with contingency plans. Its a concern but the government has planned to respond if it [EBA] is withdrawn. But we hope that they need 18 months to do research and negotiation, and study what to do with it. Weve prepared and we hope that they will not withdraw it, she said. Last year, Cambodia exported $9.5 billion of garment and footwear products. The E.U. accounted for a third of these exports, according to the World Bank. In February 2019, the European Commission announced an official procedure that could lead to the temporary suspension of Cambodia due to a decline in human rights and democratic standards. The World Bank has warned that downside risks are the erosion of export competitiveness, a potential slowdown in China, an overextended financial sector [which is associated with banks exposure to construction and real estate. Given Cambodias heavy reliance on capital inflows and tourists from China, a sharp slowdown in the Chinese economy could dampen growth prospects, reads the report. However, it noted that preliminary estimates show Cambodias real growth achieved a four-year high of 7.5 percent in 2018, compared to 7.0 percent in 2017. Driven preliminary by the rapid expansion of exports and robust internal demand, the economy performed better than expected. A former personal lawyer of U.S. President Donald Trump started a three-year prison sentence on Monday for helping pay off two women to keep quiet about their alleged affairs with the president before the 2016 election and other wrongdoings. Michael Cohen has said he has violated law at Trump's order. As he departed his apartment in New York City for the federal prison in Otisville, New York, Cohen said there is a lot more to be said. VOA's Zlatica Hoke reports. Some Zimbabweans are resisting a move by a Chinese investor to open a quarry mine in a village just outside the capital, Harare. Opponents say the project will displace about 20,000 people who live in the area. But as Columbus Mavhunga reports from Harare, a representative of the Chinese company denies the claim. At least eight people died when police raided a drug-scarred Rio de Janeiro neighborhood on Monday, amid a sharp jump in police killing of suspected criminals in the state that underlines the tough new security measures favored by far-right President Jair Bolsonaro. The raid began around 11 a.m., according to local media reports, and triggered a massive shootout between police and suspected gangsters. TV images showed a police helicopter hovering overhead as the gun battle emptied out local schools, with pupils fleeing through the streets. In a statement, Rio's civil police said the operation was aimed at detaining Thomaz Jhayson Vieira Gomes, known as "3N," a suspected drug baron. "There was resistance from the criminals and eight suspected traffickers were shot and killed in the confrontation," the statement said. "Three others were taken to the police station, including one of 3N's personal security guards and 3N's wife." The number of people in Rio state killed by police hit a quarterly record of 434 during the first three months of 2019, up 18 percent compared with the same period last year. The first-quarter tally was the highest since state records began in 1998, and comes as the number of statewide murders has fallen. Rio Governor Wilson Witzel, who took office on Jan. 1, has urged police to take no prisoners in the battle against drug gangs and even suggested during the campaign using helicopters with snipers to take out gang bosses. Over the weekend, Witzel tweeted a video of himself onboard a police helicopter during a police raid on gangs in the city of Angra dos Reis, south of Rio. Witzel's views echo those of Bolsonaro, a former army captain and federal lawmaker who represented Rio state for nearly 30 years. Bolsonaro has long advocated tough measures to kneecap violent gangs and quickly moved to loosen gun laws after he took office at the start of the year. Nonetheless, his flagship crime-fighting bill languishes in Congress. Violence in Brazil continued its downward march during Bolsonaro's first three months in office. The number of homicides in Brazil, which hit a world record in 2017, fell more than 27 percent compared with the first quarter of 2018, according to preliminary state data compiled by Reuters. The fall in murders is attributed to the growing nationwide dominance of the First Capital Command gang, better state policing methods and the deployment of federal security agents to some of the country's most violent states. What do famous Americans such as author Edgar Allan Poe, Wild West outlaw Jesse James and theoretical physicist Albert Einstein have in common? They all reportedly married their first cousins. The legality of cousin marriage in the United States varies from state to state. The practice is illegal in 25 states. A first cousin is the child of either parent's brother or sister. In some societies around the world, marrying a first cousin is often preferable, not only to keep property or money within the family, but in some cases to keep a "good catch" from going off with a stranger. But the practice is generally viewed as taboo in the United States. Opposition to first-cousin marriage in the U.S. dates back to the Puritans, among the earliest European settlers in America, who opposed such unions as far back as the 17th century, according to the book "Consanguinity in Context" by medical geneticist Alan Bittles. Marriages are considered "consanguineous" when couples are either second cousins or more closely related. The first actual laws against first-cousin marriage appeared during the Civil War era, with Kansas banning the practice in 1858, followed by Nevada, North Dakota, South Dakota, Washington, New Hampshire, Ohio and Wyoming in the 1860s. While first-cousin marriages were once favored by the upper classes in the U.S., such alliances declined sharply in the mid-to-late 19th century, possibly because advances in transportation and communication offered perspective brides and grooms greater access to a wider pool of marital prospects. Also, as families grew smaller, so did the number of marriageable cousins. And women became more independent during that period, so their marital options increased. One of the earliest people to influence American public opinion on the issue was the Rev. Charles Brooks of Massachusetts. Brooks delivered a paper at a meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in 1855 that asserted first-cousin marriage led to birth defects among the children of such unions. Alexander Graham Bell, best known for inventing the telephone, also waded into the debate. He suggested introducing legislation to ban consanguineous marriages in families with deaf-mute members so that the condition would not be inherited by children of such marriages. A seven-year Columbia University study published in 2018 found that children whose parents are first cousins have a 4% to 7% probability of birth defects, compared with 3% to 4% when the parents are distant relatives who marry. From 1650 to 1850, the average person was fourth cousins with their spouse, according to the study. By 1950, the average person was married to their seventh cousin. The researchers believe that today, many couples are 10th to 12th cousins. The data on consanguineous marriage in the U.S. is "scant and incomplete," according to Bittles. CousinCouples.com, a website for people who are romantically involved with their cousin, estimates that about one out of every 1,000 U.S. marriages is between first cousins. However, Bittles finds that number to be unrealistically low. "The recent large-scale migration to the USA of couples from countries where consanguineous marriage is traditional may not reveal their premarital relationship," he told VOA via email. "In terms of numbers, this particularly applies to immigrants from Arab countries ... where 20-plus percent of marriages are consanguineous, and South Asian countries such as Pakistan and Afghanistan where more than 50% of marriages may be consanguineous." Some states allow first-cousin marriages only if the couple can't have children because they are too old or one of the parties is found to be infertile. China has confirmed that its top trade negotiator will travel to the United States to conduct a new round of trade talks later this week, even after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened higher tariffs on billions of dollars of Chinese goods after he complained the process is taking too long. The Commerce Ministry issued a statement Tuesday that Vice Premier Liu He, President Xi Jinpings top economic advisor, will meet with U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin for two days of talks beginning Thursday. Trump's Twitter comments on Sunday about the new tariffs sent Asian stocks and U.S. futures tumbling Monday and added uncertainty over the future of U.S.-China trade negotiations. Despite the market drop, China's official media stayed silent on Trump's comments all morning. Hours later, Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told reporters that China is "trying to get more information" about Trump's comments about new tariffs but stressed that Beijing's negotiating team is still preparing to travel to the U.S. for talks this week. Geng did not say whether Vice Premier Liu would lead the delegation. The tweet is a big wrench in Chinas foreign trade policy, Nick Marro, analyst at The Economist Intelligence Unit (The EIU), told VOA. There were a lot of expectations that at least the groundwork for a deal will be finalized this week, he said, explaining why Beijing should be upset by the new threat. Tweet with teeth In his tweet, Trump said he would increase tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods from 10 percent to 25 percent on Friday. This would reverse a decision Washington took last February to keep it at 10 percent in the midst of trade talks. The Trade Deal with China continues, but too slowly, as they attempt to renegotiate. No!, Trump said, expressing dissatisfaction about the pace of trade negotiations and what he considered a Chinese attempt to renegotiate some aspects of the proposed deal. Lighthizer on Monday confirmed that tariffs will be imposed Friday. He and Treasury Secretary Mnuchin told reporters Trump had learned over the weekend that Chinese officials "were trying to go back on some of the language'' that had been negotiated in 10 earlier rounds of talks. They did not offer details. Trump also said his policy of hiking taxes on Chinese goods had paid dividends. These payments are partially responsible for our great economic results, he said. He went further, saying another $325 billion of Chinese goods which remain untaxed will be taxed at 25 percent. He did not specify a timeline for making this change. Unaffected stance In its response Monday, the Chinese foreign ministry expressed hope that there is no change in the situation, and the two countries will continue to strive for an end to the trade war. What is of vital importance is that we still hope the United States can work hard with China to meet each other half way, and strive to reach a mutually beneficial, win-win agreement on the basis of mutual respect, Geng said. Echoing Chinas confidence that trade talks would not be disrupted by Trump's tweet, Shanghai-based expert Shen Dingli said, China and the U.S. have big and overlapping stakes in bilateral trade. They will overcome any difficulties for a successful outcome of the trade talks. The Arctic is melting, but don't ask U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to talk about climate change. Nor even to agree on a text that mentions it. For the Trump administration, disappearing sea ice in the world's high north appears to be first and foremost an economic opportunity to exploit rather than a crisis to mitigate. That position was made clear by Pompeo over two days of meetings in the northern Finnish city of Rovaniemi involving the foreign ministers of the eight members of the Arctic Council Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden and the United States. Steady reductions in sea ice are opening new naval passageways and new opportunities for trade, potentially slashing the time it takes for ships to travel between Asia and the West by 20 days, he said in a speech Monday, which was met with polite but muted applause. Arctic sea lanes could become the 21st century's Suez and Panama Canals. Finnish Foreign Minister Timo Soini, whose country is wrapping up its two-year chairmanship of the council, said Tuesday there will be no joint declaration as the summit couldn't get the U.S. to agree on a text that includes language about climate change. A senior U.S. official, speaking to reporters on condition of anonymity, downplayed the failure to craft a declaration and defended Pompeo's omission of climate change from remarks. Just because you don't have a certain phrase in it, you can't infer that the United States has taken a position that is anti-environment, the official said. Pompeo did acknowledge environmental concerns, and told the meeting Tuesday that the Trump Administration shares your deep commitment to environmental stewardship. The Arctic has always been a fragile ecosystem, and protecting it is indeed our shared responsibility, Pompeo said. Over the summit, Pompeo also defended President Donald Trump's decision to pull the U.S. out of the Paris climate accord in 2017, a day after a U.N. biodiversity report warned that extinction loomed for over 1 million species of plants and animals. Collective goals, even when well-intentioned, are not always the answer, Pompeo said. They are rendered meaningless, even counterproductive, as soon as one nation fails to comply. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said his country is open to the widest kind of cooperation in the Arctic and that existing international law allows to reliably ensure all the national interests of all. Bill Erasmus, the chairman of the Arctic Athabaskan Council, a Canada-based group of indigenous people, expressed disappointment that a joint declaration had not been reached. We recognize that climate change is real, he said. Climate change is man-made, and our elders tell us that we are clearly in trouble. Official U.S. statements and documents prepared for the meeting did not refer to climate change and their scientific focus was limited to reductions in U.S. carbon emissions that predate the administration and research. According to statistics Pompeo presented, U.S. energy-related CO2 emissions fell by 14% between 2005 and 2017, while global energy-related CO2 emissions increased more than 20%. In terms of black carbon, which is a particular threat to the Arctic, U.S. emissions were 16% below 2013 levels in 2016 and are projected to nearly halve by 2025, he said. I'm sure it was a good party, Pompeo said of the negotiations in Paris. I'm sure it felt good to sign the agreement. But at the end of the day, what matters to human health, what matters to the citizens of the world, is that we actually have an impact on improving health. And our technology, our innovation, the R&D we put in in the United States, that's what will drive better climatic outcomes, that's what will create cleaner air and safer drinking water, and that's what I hope the whole world will focus on. Pompeo again declined the opportunity to mention climate change on Tuesday when he met with Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland who pointedly referred to the phenomenon as she played down a dispute with the United States over the sovereignty of the Northwest Passage. We have a very close, very fruitful collaboration, she said. And actually, as we see the conditions of the Northwest Passage changing with our changing climate, I think that's actually grounds for closer collaboration with the United States. Pompeo replied by saying the U.S. is more concerned about Russia and China in the Arctic than ownership of the Northwest Passage. The challenges in the Arctic aren't between the United States and Canada, let me assure you, he said. There are others that threaten to use it in ways that are not consistent with the rule of law. Canada's Freeland said recent scientific studies that indicate temperatures could increase in Canada's Arctic by 11 degrees Celsius (52 degrees Fahrenheit) are terrifying and that we have a responsibility to be part of a collective solution. She also noted that unpredictable weather patterns caused by climate change are causing security threats and navigational issues. Iceland's foreign minister, Gudlaugur Thor Thordarson, was bleak in his assessment. We can expect due to climate change more drastic changes in the next two decades than we have seen in the last 100 years, he said. An attack against a leading and award-winning Colombian environmentalist, Francia Marquez, has put the spotlight on the dangers facing campaigners in a country where one activist is gunned down every two days on average. Marquez and other rights activists survived an attack against them involving grenades and gunfire late on Saturday as they held a meeting in a rural area in the country's southwestern Cauca province, according to local media reports. So far, no one has been arrested for the attack. Bodyguards provided Colombia's president Ivan Duque said in a tweet on Sunday that he has ordered an investigation into the incident he called a "cowardly attack, which authorities say has already started. "We can't allow the free expression of social leaders to continue to be threatened," Duque tweeted. At least two bodyguards provided by the government to protect at-risk campaigners attending the meeting were injured during the assault, according to media reports. Last year, Marquez was awarded the prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize, known as the "Green Nobel" that honors grassroots activism, for her work in defending Afro-Colombian land rights and communities. Faces death threats Marquez told the Thomson Reuters Foundation in an interview last year that she has faced death threats for her activism after speaking out about the scourge of illegal gold mining and the pollution she says it causes. "We condemn the cowardly attack against Francia and her colleagues and will continue to support her success and safety in any way we can," said Michael Sutton, executive director of the Goldman Environmental Foundation. "We call on the Colombian government to bring the perpetrators of this attack to justice and to redouble efforts to prevent further harm to activists," he said. The United Nations on Monday also called on Colombia to make sure that the attackers are brought to justice and that efforts are stepped up to protect activists. The latest attack highlights the dangers facing campaigners in Colombia, where rising numbers of rights activists and land rights defenders are being killed despite a 2016 peace deal with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). Accord ends war but not fighting The accord ended a half century of civil war but activists working to implement the deal, as well as land rights campaigners and those fighting human rights abuses are targeted by criminal groups seeing their financial interests threatened. According to Colombia's Ombudsman Office, murders of activists have increased to 178 in 2018, up from 126 in 2017. Diana Sanchez, coordinator at Somos Defensores, a Bogota-based human rights campaign group, said attacks and killings of activists, especially in rural areas, will likely continue. "This is a very worrying attack it involves well-known leaders," Sanchez told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. She said most of the time it is not known who is behind the killings of activists in Colombia, but said drug traffickers, illegal armed groups and FARC dissidents are often to blame. Senior members of the British royal family said on Tuesday they were delighted and thrilled at the birth of Prince Harry and Meghan's baby as the couple considered a name for their son. Meghan gave birth in the early hours of Monday morning to the boy, the seventh-in-line to the British throne, leaving his father, Queen Elizabeth's grandson, and royal fans across the world enthralled. "We couldn't be more delighted at the news and we're looking forward to meeting the baby when we return," Prince Charles, the baby's grandfather and heir-to-the-throne, said to well-wishers while on a trip to Berlin. Harry's elder brother Prince William and his wife Kate said they were absolutely thrilled at the news. "I'm very pleased and glad to welcome my own brother to the sleep deprivation society that is parenting," he said. "I hope the next few days they can settle down and enjoy having a newborn in their family and all the joys that come with that." Kate added: "As William said, we're looking forward to meeting him and find out what his name's going to be so it's really exciting for both of them." So far, Harry and his aides have merely confirmed the boy weighed 7 lb 3oz (3.26 kg) and that Meghan and the couple's first child were both healthy and well. "I am so incredibly proud of my wife and, as every father and parent would ever say your baby is absolutely amazing, this little thing is absolutely to die for," Harry said on Monday. Few details about the birth have been released by Buckingham Palace with the announcement itself a mix of traditional and modernity which many say the baby himself represents, being the first mixed race child to be born into a senior position in British royalty in recent history. The news was relayed on a ceremonial easel outside the palace after "It's a Boy!" was trumpeted on the couple's Instagram account, attracting more than 2.6 million "likes". It was not clear whether the birth took place at the couple's home, Frogmore Cottage on the estate of Windsor Castle where they married in a lavish ceremony in May last year, or if Meghan had been rushed to a London hospital as a number of British newspapers reported. Congratulations Flood In Celebrities and world leaders were among those to send messages, a reflection of the star status of Harry, 34, and former U.S. actress Meghan, 37. "Congratulations, Meghan and Harry! Barack and I are so thrilled for both of you and can't wait to meet him," former U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama said on Twitter. Harry and Meghan decided to eschew the recent royal tradition of posing for photographs with their new baby hours after the birth, leaving the world's media and royal fans waiting for a first glimpse of the boy who is entitled to both British and American citizenship. It is expected that the couple will hold a limited photo call on Wednesday to show off their son. "We're still thinking about names," Harry said. "The baby's a little bit overdue so we've had a little bit of time to think about it ... that's the next bit." Bookmakers have James, Alexander, Albert, Philip, and Arthur as the favorite names, although other suggestions include Spencer, which was the surname of Harry's late mother Princess Diana. The baby, the eighth great-grandchild of 93-year-old Elizabeth, the world's longest-reigning monarch, will not automatically be a prince or a princess or be known as "His Royal Highness" unless the queen issues a decree. However, when Elizabeth is succeeded by Prince Charles, royal rules mean the boy would then have such titles. "It is possible that Harry might want his child not to have the burden of a royal title but I think the rest of the world would like the child to have (one)," said Ingrid Seward, editor of "Majesty" magazine. "Harry always says how much he didn't want to be a prince and he'd rather be almost anything else but when you're in that world it's very difficult to step out of it." The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission has rejected an appeal filed on behalf of Maximum Security, the horse that crossed the Kentucky Derby finish line first on Sunday only to then be disqualified. The commission said that under the rules, the decision by race officials was not subject to an appeal. Gary West said he was "stunned, shocked and in total disbelief" when 22 minutes after crossing the finish line in first place, officials disqualified Maximum Security for appearing to impede other horses. Second-place finisher Country House -- a 65-1 long shot -- was declared the winner. "Winning it was the most euphoric thing I have probably ever had in our lives and disappointment when they took the horse down for the first time in history," West said. Replays of Saturday's dramatic race showed a muddy track as Maximum Security veered out of his lane and got in the way of other horses around him -- a clear violation of the rules of thoroughbred racing in nearly every state where the sport is run. West complained that the field was too crowded for Saturday's race. "Churchill Downs, because they're a greedy organization, has 20 horses rather than 14 like you have ... in every other race in America. Just because they can make more money, theyre willing to risk horses' lives and people's lives. It's like a rodeo out there," West said. Track president Kevin Flanery sent an email to Reuters denying West's allegations that a crowded track led to his horse's violation. Flanery said the number of horses who run in the Kentucky derby has been consistent for many years. West says he will not run Maximum Strength in the Preakness on May 18 in Baltimore, saying there is no chance of his horse winning racing's Triple Crown -- the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes -- and that two weeks is too soon to run him again. The European Union-backed International Contact Group on Venezuela said on Tuesday it could send a political mission to Caracas to pursue a solution to the country's ongoing crisis, reiterating its call for fresh elections. Speaking after a third meeting of the group in the Costa Rican capital San Jose, EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said there should be no military intervention in Venezuela and urged all sides to avoid escalating tensions. "The only way to unblock a stalemate in which the country clearly is is to find a democratic, peaceful political way forward that can be inclusive and that can respect the will of the Venezuelan people," Mogherini told a news conference. A stand-off between Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro and the opposition intensified in January when Juan Guaido, leader of the National Assembly, invoked Venezuela's constitution to assume the interim presidency, arguing that Maduro's 2018 re-election was illegitimate. Guaido, who Maduro dismisses as a U.S. puppet trying to foment a coup, has won the backing of a number of Western powers. Mogherini said free and fair elections should be held to break the impasse. To encourage a resolution, she added, the contact group "is ready to undertake a mission at the political level in Caracas." "There are a set of concrete options we have worked upon," she said, declining to provide further details. The group's members, consisting of about a dozen countries from Europe and Latin America, and international governmental organizations, agreed to meet again soon to assess progress and the next steps, she said. In addition, the group had accepted an invitation to meet with the Lima Group, a mostly Latin American set of nations also seeking an end to the crisis in Venezuela, Mogherini said. The contact group formed in January, aiming to help create the conditions for Venezuela to emerge from the crisis. Europe would have to reimpose sanctions on Iran if Tehran reneged on parts of the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, a French presidency source said on Tuesday. Iran's state-run IRIB news agency reported on Monday that Tehran would restart part of its halted nuclear program in response to the U.S. withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal, but added Tehran does not plan to pull out of the agreement. Iran's president is due to speak on Wednesday. "We do not want Tehran to announce tomorrow actions that would violate the nuclear agreement, because in this case we Europeans would be obliged to reimpose sanctions as per the terms of the agreement," the source said. "We don't want that and we hope that the Iranians will not make this decision." France, Germany and Britain, the European signatories to the agreement that lifted sanctions against Tehran in exchange for restrictions on Iran's atomic activities, have scrambled to save the deal amid U.S. efforts to isolate Tehran since it announced its withdrawal a year ago. However, the three have repeatedly warned Iran that it must comply with all aspects of the deal and most importantly the elements related to nuclear activity. Those restrictions have increased the time Iran would need to build a nuclear bomb if it chose to do so. The United States and the U.N. nuclear watchdog believe Iran had a nuclear weapons program that it abandoned. Iran denies ever having had one. "We sent messages to Tehran to say that we were determined to implement the agreement, that we really wanted them to stay in this agreement even though we took into account the complexity of the situation and passed on the same messages to our American allies," the French source said. "Tomorrow, depending on what is in the statement from Tehran, at this stage what we're expecting is a collective European reaction but as we do not yet know exactly what will be in it, we are preparing for different eventualities." One hundred people dressed up as Evita Peron and paraded in the streets of Argentina's capital Monday, a day before the 100th anniversary of the birth of the charismatic first lady. Eva Maria Duarte, who died in 1952 from cancer at age 33, was an actress who became the second wife of Juan Peron, an army general who served as president for two different spans. Best known as "Evita," she was idolized as a "champion of the poor" and helped women obtain the right to vote. The performers marched through the streets of Buenos Aires to a building decorated with a large cast-iron portrait of Evita. Some wore her trademark top-knot hairstyle, while others donned ballroom dresses in homage to the combative first lady. "We want to highlight the image of Eva Peron as a combative woman. As feminists, we believe in her struggle," said Nora Elia Savio, an actress. "In her time, she fought for our rights." Evita's persona has transcended time and borders. The global fascination began in the 1970s with Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical "Evita." Then came Alan Parker's film starring Madonna based on the musical, and it was followed by Evita's dresses shown at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art as part of a Christian Dior exhibit. The Evita Museum in Buenos Aires recently inaugurated an exhibition titled "Childhood and Peronism, the toys of the Eva Peron Foundation" to mark the 100th anniversary of her birth. The head of the top law enforcement agency in the United States told lawmakers Tuesday he would not use the term "spying" to describe the agency's court-approved surveillance work. "Well, it's not the term I would use, "FBI Director Christopher Wray told the Senate Appropriations Committee "Lots of people have different colloquial phrases." Wray's comments are a departure from remarks made by his boss, Attorney General William Barr. Barr told a Senate Appropriations subcommittee in April, "I think spying did occur" on the Trump campaign and said, "Spying on a political campaign is a big deal." Barr's language closely resembled that of President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly accused the FBI of spying during the election season. While Wray acknowledged that people use different terms, he said his priority is ensuring the agency's work is "done by the book." Wray added he "personally" did not have any evidence the FBI conducted any illegal surveillance into any campaigns or into people associated with them. The FBI director declined to further discuss the agency's probe into the Trump campaign because it is part of an investigation conducted by the Justice Department's inspector general. This is part one of a four-part series. WASHINGTON Even as the Islamic States caliphate was clinging to life with its last defenders cornered in a small town in northeastern Syria, the terror group managed to shock those who would eventually see it die. Instead of waiting out about 1,000 civilians and 300 or so hard-core IS fighters who had retreated to Baghuz, the U.S.-led coalition watched for weeks in late February and March, as upwards of 30,000 civilians and 5,000 fighters, slowly surrendered. Very much unanticipated, a senior U.S. defense official said at the time, describing what he called the magnitude of humanity flowing out of the terror groups final shred of territory. We continue to be surprised by the numbers, the official added. But when it comes to the Islamic State terror group, numbers have always been a challenge for the United States and its partners, starting with their first efforts to measure the terror groups appeal to would-be jihadists from across the globe. Counting IS foreign fighters And it is that same uncertainty that has some officials and analysts worried that the narrative surrounding the demise of IS foreign fighters that the majority are dead or in custody may be wrong. We still have pretty reasonable numbers still in the region right now that are almost certainly active, said Seth Jones, director of the Transnational Threats Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Its hard to know if some have stayed and given up the fight, said Jones, who has been studying the rise of Salafi-jihadist movements worldwide. But the fact that theyre still there, just the fact that theyre free, indicates that theres a reasonable chance theyre still committed to jihadist activity. Just this past week, those jihadis got a call to arms when IS issued a new video of reclusive leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi urging followers to seek vengeance for the fall of Baghuz. The threat persists, said U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Stabilization Denise Natali. "ISIS remains a determined enemy as evidenced by Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi's first appearance in yearsexhorting his supporters to keep up the fight despite territorial losses." U.S. intelligence officials first began raising concerns about jihadists, or so-called foreign fighters, flocking to the growing civil war in Syria in early 2014, estimating there were about 7,500 from some 50 countries. Just a year later, the estimated number of fighters in Syria and Iraq had more than doubled. And the numbers are growing even now, not from a new influx but as intelligence services the world over continue to learn of more people, young and old, who left their homes to fight under the banner of the black flag. Senior U.S. counterterrorism officials told VOA that at last count, an estimated 45,000 fighters a jump of 5,000 from the previous estimate had flooded the battlefields of Syria and Iraq, almost all in the name of IS. Tracking IS foreign fighters If getting a grip on the number of foreign fighters who joined Islamic State has been challenging, following them once they joined the terror groups ranks has been even more difficult. To be sure, many have been killed. But at least about 15,000 are thought to have left the caliphate, two-thirds of whom are likely still at large. According to an August 2018 report by the United Nations, another 10,000 fighters were in Iraqi custody. More recently, U.S. defense officials have said at least 2,000 more are being held by the Syrian Democratic Forces, the predominantly Kurdish force that liberated IS last pocket of territory in the Middle Euphrates River Valley. We anticipate that number will rise as we work with the SDF to verify the national identities of ISIS fighters in SDF custody, said Pentagon spokesman Commander Sean Robertson, using an acronym for the terror group. Still, thousands more are as of yet unaccounted for, the U.N. report warning that as of mid-2018, increasing numbers were finding refuge in Afghanistan, bringing with them skills in handling weaponry and improvised explosive devices and knowledge of military tactics. Central Asian fighters tend to feel most comfortable relocating among Afghans of Uzbek and Tajik ethnicity, the United Nations said. Other foreign fighters, perhaps fearing the imminent collapse of the IS caliphate in Syria, may have made their way back to Iraq by exploiting vulnerabilities along the Syria-Iraq border. Some even continued to join the fight. Coalition officials told the U.S. Defense Department Inspector General this past January, the actual number is unknown but estimated that it is most likely 50 per month. The numbers, and the threat they represent, have resonated to a degree at the highest levels of the U.S. government. We're under no illusions that this issue writ-large has gone away, a senior U.S. administration official said this past December when asked about IS staying power in Syria and Iraq. In terms of the next phase of the mission, it is continuing to remain vigilant about the ongoing threat of ISIS, the official said, pointing to places like Libya and Egypts Sinai Peninsula, long seen as potential landing spots for surviving foreign fighters. U.S. intelligence officials have also warned that foreign fighters could find refuge with IS branches, or even less formal networks, in more than a dozen other countries, including Turkey, which for years had served as a gateway for foreign fighters looking to enter Syria. With the collapse of the terror groups territorial control in Iraq and Syria, such concerns are starting to take center stage. We're going to remain very vigilant about potential ISIS activities and their related groups, the senior official said, anticipating this moment. Across the region and around the world, quite frankly. This story is the first in a series looking at the threat of IS foreign fighters. Next up, a look at where the IS foreign fighters are going now. U.S. Attorney General William Barr faces the prospect Wednesday of a vote by a U.S. House committee to hold him in "contempt of Congress." What does that mean? Congress has significant, if time-consuming, powers to demand witnesses and documents. One of these is the contempt citation. Democrats in the House of Representatives are threatening to use it on multiple fronts, including against Barr for ignoring a subpoena issued by the House Judiciary Committee seeking an unredacted version of the Mueller report on Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election and President Donald Trump. Trump and his administration are stonewalling several inquiries being led by House Democrats into his administration, his family and his business interests. Here is how the congressional subpoena, contempt and enforcement process works. What is a subpoena? A subpoena is a legally enforceable demand for documents, data, or witness testimony. Subpoenas are typically used by litigants in court cases. The Supreme Court has recognized Congress' power to issue subpoenas, saying in order to write laws it also needs to be able to investigate. Congress' power to issue subpoenas, while broad, is not unlimited. The high court has said Congress is not a law enforcement agency, and cannot investigate someone purely to expose wrongdoing or damaging information about them for political gain. A subpoena must potentially further some "legitimate legislative purpose," the court has said. What can Congress do to a government official who ignores a subpoena? If lawmakers want to punish someone who ignores a congressional subpoena, they typically first hold the offender "in contempt of Congress," legal experts said. The contempt process can start in either the House or the Senate. Unlike with legislation, it only takes one of the chambers to make and enforce a contempt citation. Typically, the members of the congressional committee that issued the subpoena will vote on whether to move forward with a contempt finding. If a majority supports the resolution, then another vote will be held by the entire chamber. The Democrats have majority control of the House; Trump's Republican Party holds the Senate. Only a majority of the 435-member House needs to support a contempt finding for one to be reached. After a contempt vote, Congress has powers to enforce a subpoena. How is a contempt finding enforced? The Supreme Court said in 1821 that Congress has "inherent authority" to arrest and detain recalcitrant witnesses. In 1927, the high court said the Senate acted lawfully in sending its deputy sergeant-at-arms to Ohio to arrest and detain the brother of the then-attorney general, who had refused to testify about a bribery scheme known as the Teapot Dome scandal. It has been almost a century since Congress exercised this arrest-and-detain authority, and the practice is unlikely to make a comeback, legal experts said. Alternatively, Congress can ask the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, a federal prosecutor, to bring criminal charges against a witness who refuses to appear. There is a criminal law that specifically prohibits flouting a congressional subpoena. But this option is also unlikely to be pursued, at least when it comes to subpoenas against executive branch officials, given that federal prosecutors are part of the branch's Justice Department. "It would be odd, structurally, because it would mean the Trump administration would be acting to enforce subpoenas against the Trump administration," said Lisa Kern Griffin, a former federal prosecutor and a law professor at Duke University. For this reason, in modern times Congress has opted for a third and final approach to enforcing a contempt finding: getting its lawyers to bring a civil lawsuit asking a judge to rule that compliance is required. Failure to comply with such an order can trigger a "contempt of court" finding, enforced through daily fines and even imprisonment, Griffin said. An Indian man in U.S. immigration custody died in an Arizona jail last week, federal officials announced late Monday. Simratpal Singh, 21, was found unresponsive on May 2 at La Paz (Arizona) County Jail, where he was awaiting transfer to a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility, the agency said in a statement. Medics transported him by ambulance to a local hospital, then by helicopter to a second facility, where personnel declared him dead shortly before 2 a.m. on May 3. Singh was initially arrested on charges of assault and sexual assault. He posted bond before being released into ICE custody. An autopsy is pending to determine the official cause of death, according to ICE. Singh is the fifth detainee to die in ICE custody in fiscal 2019. The agency sees about 10 deaths in its custody every year. The medical treatment of people held by ICE and U.S. Customs and Border Protection is under heightened scrutiny as the Trump administration continues a series of policy decisions designed to limit immigration while responding to an increased number of families arriving at the southwest border. Immigrant advocates question the speed and quality of care that those in custody are receiving. Days before Singh's death, a 16-year-old Guatemalan boy who crossed into the U.S. without his parents died while in the care of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the agency tasked with caring for unaccompanied children who enter the country without legal status. Mental health researchers have also raised concerns and linked immigration detentions to "severe mental health consequences." No other information about the circumstances of Singh's death, or of the criminal charges against him, was immediately available Tuesday. Iran is giving up some "voluntary commitments" to the six-nation nuclear deal, but is not pulling out of the deal, Foreign Minister Mohammad Zarif says. Iranian state media quote Zarif as saying Iran is making the move because "the European Union and others ... did not have the power to resist U.S. pressure." Zarif did not specify what he means. But a newspaper tied to the hardline Revolutionary Guard says Wednesday's announcement would "ignite the matchstick for burning the deal." President Hassan Rouhani will send letters to Britain, China, France, Germany, and Russia outlining exactly which parts of the deal he is abandoning. He also plans to make a speech Wednesday. His remarks will come exactly one year after President Donald Trump pulled the U.S. out of the agreement, calling it one of the worst deals ever put together. A French official cautions Iran against making any moves that would compel Europe and others to reimpose sanctions. "Depending on what is in the statement from Tehran, at this stage what we're expecting is a collective European reaction. But as we do not yet know exactly what will be in it, we are preparing for different eventualities," the official said Tuesday. The 2015 agreement obligated Iran to reduce its uranium enrichment program in exchange for sanctions relief. The U.S. reimposed sanctions on Iran when Trump tore up the deal. The sanctions have had a devastating effect on what was already a weak Iranian economy. The sanctions relief from the five other signatories has brought little help. The U.S. announced last week it would no longer waive sanctions against countries that buy Iranian oil another blow to Iran. Despite the havoc on the Iranian economy, U.N. officials have certified Tehran's compliance with the nuclear deal. But Iranian newspapers have reported the country could revive some of the nuclear activities it halted under the agreement. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made an unannounced visit to Baghdad on Tuesday and met with the Iraqi prime minister and other senior officials after voicing U.S. concern about Iraqi sovereignty due to increasing Iranian activity in the region. The visit came two days after U.S. national security adviser John Bolton said the United States was deploying the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and its strike group to the region as well as a bomber task force because of a "credible threat by Iranian regime forces." Washington has ramped up sanctions pressure on Iran over its nuclear program in recent months and listed the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist group. "I wanted to go to Baghdad to speak with the leadership there, to assure them that we stood ready to continue to ensure that Iraq is a sovereign, independent nation," Pompeo told reporters en route to Baghdad to meet with Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi. Asked if there was a threat to the Baghdad government from Iran that raised U.S. concerns about Iraqi sovereignty, Pompeo said, "No, no, generally this has been our position since the national security strategy came out in the beginning of the Trump administration." An Iraqi government source confirmed the meeting with Abdul Mahdi but did not elaborate on the details. Speaking with reporters ahead of his meeting with the Iraqi leaders, Pompeo also said he would have an opportunity to discuss pending business accords with Iraqi officials, including "big energy deals that can disconnect them from Iranian energy." "I will obviously talk about the security situation there, and the forces that we have in Iraq as well, ensure that we continue to support the Iraqi security forces, the ISF, and can train them, professionalize them, so that the new leadership there in Iraq can have security control inside of the country," Pompeo said. The visit to Iraq came after Pompeo canceled a planned visit to Berlin, citing "international security issues." As Malawi gears-up for elections this month, candidates and voters say flooding from Marchs Cyclone Idai has already negatively impacted the vote. Some registered voters living in evacuation camps lost voting registration certificates in the floodwaters while candidates say they cant get their message to would-be supporters living in evacuation camps. Mafulesi Khingi from Manjolo Village is among thousands of eligible voters still living in evacuation camps two months after Cyclone Idai. The tropical storm that hit Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe in March flooded them out of their homes. Khingi said the floodwaters also swept away her voter registration and those of six other family members. We had no time to rescue our voter certificates, she said, because the house was collapsing. The only thing they could do, says Khingi, was to run for their dear lives. Not having a voter certificate means having to explain why to officials who then look-up registration at the polls before they can vote. While Malawi election authorities say it should not prevent voting, the extra step could deter voters, especially those who are not informed. Cyclone Idai flooding killed 60 people in Malawi and displaced nearly 90,000 households in 15 districts. But it could also have an impact on the general elections held every five years. Gladys Ganda is a parliamentary candidate for the ruling Democratic Progressive Party in Nsanje district. She said Cyclone Idais displacement of people is preventing her from campaigning in affected areas. In the sense that people are not in their homes. Some people are camping in various camps and obviously when you go to do campaign, you will not find people around that area and you also not allowed to campaign at the camps, she said. Ganda said not being allowed to campaign in the evacuation camps has made it difficult for candidates like her to promote their platforms. Bizel Bishop, a flood survivor at Bangula evacuation camp, agrees. He said they are not properly getting the issues raised by the candidates because the candidates are not allowed to campaign at the camp. And returning home is also difficult, says Bishop, because there they have no food. They can only wait for the government to help their return home where they will be able to attend campaign rallies. Lusizi Nhlane is Commissioner for Malawis southern flood-hit Chikwawa district. He said allowing campaign rallies at evacuation camps would bring chaos as they are already too crowded. But Malawis Electoral Commission says banning campaign rallies at evacuation camps deprives the flood survivors of being informed voters. Sam Alufandika is the commissions Chief Elections Officer. As Malawi Electoral Commission we have not received this [complaint] officially but we will do our own investigation to find out why they are not allowed to go to the camps. Because everybody is supposed to be reached out. They have to know what these candidates are offering for them to have an informed choice on polling day and those who are affected by floods cannot be left out, he said. Malawis government has announced it will start closing the evacuation camps on May 14, just one week before elections. An announcement by U.S. National Security Advisor John Bolton that Washington is sending an aircraft carrier group and bomber task force to the Middle East is drawing mixed reactions from countries in the region. Iran has condemned the move, while some U.S. allies nod in agreement. Arab media announced the U.S. deployment of the aircraft carrier group USS Abraham Lincoln and an air strike force, amid reports of possible tensions with Iran and threats by Iranian officials to "close the Strait of Hormuz," to shipping from the Gulf. Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, told a group of visiting students and teachers Sunday that Tehran would ultimately defeat (its declared enemies) the United States and Israel, "with the help of God." He said that despite all the "propaganda" and other measures that the (U.S.) is taking and despite Iran's military disadvantage, he thinks that God will help Iran defeat the U.S. and bring (Israel) to its knees. Some Arab media reports said that Iran and its Lebanese proxy militia Hezbollah had supplied the Palestinian Hamas movement in Gaza with a new rocket launch system to hit targets inside Israel, used during recent fighting. VOA could not independently confirm the claim. Al Arabiya TV analyst Youssef Azizi claims Iran has brought a number of its proxy militias from Lebanon, Iraq and Afghanistan to its western Khuzestan Province and "might possibly try to attack U.S. forces in Iraq or Afghanistan." Iranian media say the militias are helping victims of recent flooding. Iranian analyst Massoud al Faikh told Arab media that he believes Iran "has no incentive to launch an attack against its adversaries, since it is weaker than they are." He went on to say, however, that Iran does have a "strong network of speed boats which could launch attacks against shipping in the Gulf." Iran's ISNA news agency also reported that President Hassan Rouhani would "respond on Wednesday to U.S. sanctions and (Washington's) withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal (JCPOA)...by imposing counter-measures based on Articles 26 and 36 of the deal." U.S. President Donald Trump pulled out of that deal on May 8 of last year. Rouhani told a gathering Sunday that the U.S. was "trying to bring down the Iranian regime" and Tehran must foil those efforts. He said Tehran is engaged in a war with the U.S. to destroy Iran's political system and that Tehran must educate its young people well, in order to prevent that from happening. Rouhani told another gathering that the U.S. was "trying to starve it financially by preventing it from exporting oil in addition to creating dissension among the Iranian people." He went on to suggest that Iran "must increase its sales of petrochemical products to increase its revenues." Trump is expected to announce new sanctions on Tehran on May 8, including on its petrochemical product exports, on the anniversary of the U.S. withdrawal from the nuclear accord. Two Reuters journalists who were arrested for violating Myanmars colonial-era Official Secrets Act were released Tuesday. Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo were among the thousands of prisoners pardoned by President Wyn Myint as part of an annual amnesty issued by authorities around the time of the traditional New Year, which began April 17. Greeted by a crowd of reporters as they walked out of the gates of the notorious Insein prison in Yangon, Wa Lone vowed to continue his work, telling his colleagues I cant wait to go to my newsroom. The pair were convicted last September and sentenced to seven years in prison. They were covering the brutal military campaign in northwestern Rakhine state that drove nearly 700,000 Rohingya Muslims across the border into Bangladesh in August 2017. They were arrested in December of that year after meeting with two police officers at a restaurant in Yangon and given a stack of documents. The pair were investigating the massacre of 10 Rohingya by police and soldiers in the village of Inn Din. Their release comes just two weeks after Myanmar's Supreme Court rejected an appeal of their convictions. Their lawyers said the original conviction should be thrown out because the journalists were setup by police. At one point in their trial, a law enforcement official testified he planted documents on the two men. Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo were awarded the Pulitzer Prize for international reporting for their work in uncovering the massacre, which they shared with two colleagues who completed the story after their conviction. We are enormously pleased that Myanmar has released our courageous reporters, Reuters Editor-in-Chief Stephen J. Adler said in a statement. Since their arrests 511 days ago, they have become symbols of the importance of press freedom around the world. We welcome their return. The United Nations humanitarian coordinator in Myanmar issued a statement welcoming the journalists release, calling it a step toward improving the freedom of the press and a sign of the Governments commitment to Myanmars transition to democracy. "May their release herald a new era of press freedom in Myanmar, where reporters no longer fear reprisal merely for doing their jobs," said Shawn Crispin, Senior Southeast Asia Representative of the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) in a statement released Tuesday. The arrests of Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo sparked international outrage among free speech and human rights activists, who saw the case as Myanmar's first real test of freedom of expression since embracing democracy in 2016 after decades under repressive military rule. A special United Nations investigative panel has accused Myanmar's military of carrying out numerous atrocities during the 2017 crackdown against the Rohingya Muslims "with genocidal intent." The U.N. panel is calling for the prosecution of its top generals, including the army's commander-in-chief, General Min Aung Hlaing, of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. Pakistani police claimed to have arrested five persons, including a reporter of a daily Urdu-language newspaper, for their alleged involvement in sectarian killings. At a Monday news conference, DIG-East Amir Farooqi identified the held persons as Syed Matloob Hussain, a reporter of daily Jang, Syed Imran Haider Zaidi, Waqar Raza, Mohammad Abbas and Syed Mohtasham. He alleged that Matloob was held for receiving training from abroad and downloading a list of personalities from an official website and submitting it to a "foreign handler" for their possible targeted killing at an "appropriate time". Matloob was recently in the news as his family had claimed he was picked up from his home and several media organizations had shown their concerns over his mysterious disappearance. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) reported last month that Matloob was abducted from his Karachi home at dawn on 30 March masked men in civilian dress, who came in unmarked vehicles accompanied by three police cars. The group had called for an investigation into Matloob's case and that of Aab Takk News TV cameraman Syed Ali Mubashir Naqvi, who also was abducted on April 1. Both are members of the Shia Muslim minority in Pakistan. We have not been told for what crime Matloob was picked up, his brother, Minhaj, told RSF. The way he was taken away makes it look as though he was a terrorist but he was not a terrorist. Pakistan it one of the worst countries in RSF's global press freedom rankings. At least three journalists were killed in connection with their work in 2018, the group said. Purported "anti-state activities" DIG Farooqi claimed that some of the "missing persons" whose relatives had been protesting outside President Arif Alvi's house in Muhammad Ali Society in Karachi for the past few days were allegedly involved in "anti-state activities." He cited intelligence agencies and said "links with sectarian killings" and a neighboring country were being "probed". Police say reporter Matloob Hussain downloaded details of election candidates for his "foreign handler." The officer also claimed some persons shown as "missing" might have gone underground to avoid arrest. A spokesman for the Shia Missing Persons Relatives Committee rejected the police claims on Monday, maintaining that the suspects shown by police as alleged targeted killers and facilitators had been missing for the past couple of months. "All of a sudden they were shown in the media with such serious allegations," said spokesman Rashid Rizvi. "The tone and words of authorities, in fact, can fan sectarianism and damage sectarian harmony. "All these persons who were showed as suspects were picked up from different parts of the city a couple of months ago," Rizvi said. "We have been striving for their release and safe return but unfortunately they are being labeled as criminals and terrorists." "Enforced disappearances" of journalists and activists are common in Pakistan, according to the country's Human Rights Commission. Alleged military training DIG Farooqi said that suspect Syed Imran Haider Zaidi alias Ali allegedly visited a neighboring country in 2015 and 2017 and received 25-day "militancy training" twice, including information gathering, weapons and explosives handling, surveillance and counter-surveillance techniques under the supervision of their "National Guards." "Imran Zaidi confessed to his involvement in conducting reconnaissance of more than 28 individuals, out of which nine individuals have been targeted including seven by Muhammad alias Chhota group," said the DIG. Regarding alleged hiring of media persons, the police officer claimed that Imran Zaidi "tasked other members of the group to find out Shia media persons for recruitment and onward training in a neighboring country." About Muhammad Abbas, the DIG said he was a resident of Jafar Tayyar Society, Malir, who is a "dedicated member of Imran group," received the same training as Imran and also conducted surveillance. On Waqar Raza alias Wikki, the senior officer said that he was resident of F.B. Area and was an "active member of Piyam-i-Wilayat Scouts". "He used to take along groups of Shia youth to a neighboring country and also remained involved in collection of funds for Piyam-i-Wilayat Scouts." Syed Mohtasham, a resident of Hussain Hazara Goth in Gulistan-i-Jauhar, got "militancy training from neighboring country twice in information gathering, weapons and explosives handling, surveillance and counter-surveillance techniques, profiling and preparing individual recce". "He motivated Matloob alias Owais for joining the group and visiting (the) neighboring country for training," claimed the senior officer. Account challenged Rizvi, who is also one of the organizers of the sit-in outside the President's Karachi residence, told Dawn that their talks with Sindh Governor Imran Ismail and Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Ali Zaidi late Sunday night did not yield any results. He said both leaders told them that the government would set up a committee to look into the matter but the relatives of missing persons felt that as in the past, such committees did not produce results. According to Rizvi, some missing persons have remained missing for the last three to four years and their whereabouts were still unknown. He claimed that out of a total 80 enforced disappearances in the country, 41 hailed from Karachi. In response to last week's accusation by the military that Pakistan's Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) has been receiving funds from Afghanistan's and India's intelligence agencies, its leader, Manzoor Pashteen, blamed the country's most powerful institution of turning the war on terror into a lucrative business in their region. Pashteen alleged to VOA in a telephone interview from Islamabad that Pakistan's military has been trying to sow confusion among people about PTM. "These are baseless accusations that we receive funding from foreign intelligence agencies. They cannot produce a single evidence," Pashteen said. "There is an English saying that if you cannot convince them, confuse them. That's exactly what the military has been doing against us. "They [military] train militants here and then the militants carry out attacks in my country and other countries of the world. With PTM's emergence as a movement, the military can no longer operate with impunity to do that and their so-called business has been faced with difficulties," he added. Military's warning Last Monday, Major General Asif Ghafoor, director general of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) and the spokesperson for the military, accused the PTM of receiving funds from Afghanistan's National Directorate of Security (NDS) and India's Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), and advancing their agendas inside Pakistan. "On the PTM website, they have got a number that states the amount of funds they have collected from Pashtuns around the world. But tell us how much money did you get from the NDS [Afghanistan's National Directorate of Security] to run your campaign? How much money did RAW [India's Research and Analysis Wing] give you for the first dharna [sit-in protest] in Islamabad?" Ghafoor asked. "We want to do everything for the people [of tribal areas], but those who are playing in the hands of people, their time is up. Their time is up," Ghafoor added, implying that PTM members are serving as foreign agents. But Pashteen charges that it's the military that gets funding from foreign countries, not his movement. "They [military] want to end PTM so that they could continue nurturing militancy and then attack them here and there and receive funding for it from the international community," Pashteen said. "It was not us. It was them who have received about $33 billion from foreigners," he added. Pakistan has received more than $ 33 billion in U.S assistance since 2002 including more than $14 billion in Coalition Support Fund (CSF) which is a U.S. Defense Department program for reimbursing allies that incur costs while supporting the U.S-led counter-insurgency and counter-terror operations in the region. 'Anti-state forces' Ghafoor urged Pakistan's Pasthun population not to be provoked by what he called "anti-state forces," which he used to describe Pashteen and his movement. "Pakistan armed forces will not rest until your issues are resolved. We hope that you will not pay attention to their [PTM] rhetoric and instead stop these anti-state forces," Ghafoor said. But Pashteen maintains that he respects the country's constitution and that the military has a tendency to label anyone who fights for constitutional rights as "anti-state forces." "Whomever criticizes them [military] is anti-state. Those who demand respect to constitution are labeled as anti-state. Those who demand a republic are called traitors and anti-state," Pashteen said. "You tell me, isn't it constitutional to demand due process for missing persons? We simply say that if someone committed a crime, punish him, and if someone is innocent, release him. How is that unconstitutional?" he asked. Grievances Pashtuns, who are the largest ethnic group in Afghanistan but a minority in Pakistan, have felt neglected and targeted in Pakistan for some time. That long-simmering anger boiled over in January 2018 with the death of Naqeebullah Mehsud, a 27-year-old shopkeeper-turned-model, at police hands in Karachi. Police said at the time that Mehsud had been killed in a shootout with members of the Pakistani Taliban, but an internal inquiry cast doubt on that claim, saying Mehsud had no evident link to any militant group. The killing sparked days of protests and a weekslong march in Pashtun-dominated northwestern Pakistan. It also prompted the establishment of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement, or Pashtun Protection Movement, that has since held dozens of rallies across the country demanding basic rights for ethnic Pashtuns. The movement demands an end to extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, removal of military checkpoints, and the establishment of a truth and reconciliation commission. The government says that measures have been taken to address those concerns. Pashteen, however, denies they have and vows his movement will continue to hold rallies and push the government for meeting those demands. Media blackout Pashteen has increasingly relied on social media to get his movement's message across to supporters, complaining that local Pakistani media have not covered the group's activities. He claims after he held an interview with Khyber TV a month ago, "When they wanted to air it, soldiers went in to the station and confiscated the very computer that the interview was stored in." Editors from Khyber TV deny this. This is totally wrong and fabricated. No Pakistani soldiers ever entered our premises nor anyone forced the station not to air the interview, Hassan Khan, the group editor at the Khyber TV told VOA. The interview was not broadcast because Pakistani security officials contacted and informed us giving media platform to anyone trying to fuel ethnic or religious troubles in the country is against the government policy, Hassan said. He said he has been added to the Exit Control List, banning him from travel abroad. Pashteen said the military has been harassing and intimidating him and his friends to get them to end the movement, but he vowed that the movement would continue to operate until their demands are met. "The military even warned us in its recent press conference. We have been nonviolent and we would continue to be nonviolent in the future. We believe in humanity and we would serve humanity. We would never harm anyone. But our movement will continue," Pashteen said. Prosecutors in Peru alleged Tuesday that they have gathered overwhelming evidence implicating former President Ollanta Humala in Latin America's biggest graft scandal and will seek a 20-year sentence for the former head of state. Prosecutor German Juarez told a judge that investigators have gathered some 1,500 files backing up their assertion that Humala and his wife received over $3 million from Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht for his presidential campaigns. We're talking about concrete, punishable acts, he said. Humala and his wife, Nadine Heredia, have been under investigation for their alleged role in the Odebrecht corruption scandal rocking Peru for several years. They were ordered behind bars as a 2017 as a preventative measure but released the next year. The couple is disputing the charges, arguing that evidence presented has been falsified. Odebrecht admitted in a U.S. Justice Department plea agreement to paying $800 million in bribes to high-ranking officials around the region in exchange for lucrative public works contracts. Prosecutors are accusing Humala of taking money from both Odebrecht and illegal mining operators during his 2006 and 2011 campaigns. Humala is a former army coronel who lost the 2006 election but won five years later. The former president and first lady are accused of trying to hide the Odebrecht funds by depositing them in small amounts that went undetected by banks. Prosecutors also accuse the pair of hiding the origin of the illegal donation by making fraudulent invoices charging for services that were never actually provided. Prosecutors are requesting a 26-year sentence for Heredia. The Odebrecht corruption scandal has upended Peru's politics, with nearly every living former president now under investigation. Former President Alan Garcia shot himself in the head in April as authorities arrived at his home to arrest him in connection with the probe. Pakistans ethnic-based Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) has rejected allegations it has been receiving funds from Afghanistan's and Indias intelligence agencies to destabilize the country. In turn, the PTM chief, Manzoor Pashteen, is blaming the military of maligning his movement to cover up its own alleged wrongdoings in the name of fighting terrorism. In a telephone interview with VOA, Pashteen alleged that Pakistans military has been trying to sow confusion about PTM. "These are baseless accusations that we receive funding from foreign intelligence agencies. They cannot produce a single evidence," Pashteen said. "There is an English saying that if you cannot convince them, confuse them. Thats exactly what the military has been doing against us." "They [military] train militants here and then the militants carry out attacks in my country and other countries of the world. With PTMs emergence as a movement, the military can no longer operate with impunity to do that and their so called business has been faced with difficulties," he added. Militarys warning Last Monday, Major General Asif Ghafoor, director general of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) and a spokesperson for the military, accused the PTM of receiving funds from Afghanistans National Directorate of Security (NDS) and India's Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), and advancing their agendas inside Pakistan. "On the PTM website, they have got a number that states the amount of funds they have collected from Pashtuns around the world. But tell us how much money did you get from the NDS [Afghanistan's National Directorate of Security] to run your campaign? How much money did RAW [India's Research and Analysis Wing] give you for the first dharna [sit-in protest] in Islamabad?" Ghafoor asked. But Pashteen charges that its the military that gets funding from foreign countries, not his movement. "They [military] want to end PTM so that they could continue nurturing militancy and then attack them here and there and receive funding for it from the international community," Pashteen said. "It was not us. It was them who have received about $33 billion from foreigners," he added Pashteens native North Waziristan tribal district on the Afghan border until recently had been condemned by the United States as the epicenter of international terrorism. The Pakistani military, as part of the U.S.-led coalition fighting terrorists and Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan, has undertaken major security offensives over the past 17 years, dismantling terrorist infrastructures, including that of al-Qaida, in Waziristan and adjoining tribal areas. Under its Coalition Support Fund, Washington would reimburse expenses Islamabad incurred on conducting counterterrorism operations to secure the nearly 2,600 kilometer border with Afghanistan in support of international military operations on the other side. Gen. Ghafoor said the operations have led to a significant reduction in terrorist attacks in both countries and tens of thousands of Pakistanis, including security forces, have lost their lives in the process. 'Anti-state forces' Gen. Ghafoor urged Pakistans Pashtun population not to be provoked by what he called "anti-state forces," a term he used to describe Pashteen and his movement. "Pakistan armed forces will not rest until your issues are resolved. We hope that you will not pay attention to their [PTM] rhetoric and instead stop these anti-state forces," Ghafoor said. But Pashteen maintains that he respects the countrys constitution and that the military has a tendency to label anyone who fights for constitutional rights as anti-state forces. "Whomever criticizes them [military] is anti-state. Those who demand respect to constitution are labeled as anti-state. Those who demand a republic are called traitors and anti-state," Pashteen said. "You tell me, isnt it constitutional to demand due process for missing persons? We simple say that if someone committed a crime, punish him, and if someone is innocent, release him. How is that unconstitutional?" he asked. Grievances Pashtuns, the largest ethnic group in Afghanistan but a minority in Pakistan, have felt neglected and targeted in Pakistan for some time. That long-simmering anger boiled over in January 2018 with the death of Naqeebullah Mehsud, a 27-year-old shopkeeper-turned-model, at police hands in Karachi. Police said at the time that Mehsud had been killed in a shootout with members of the Pakistani Taliban, but an internal inquiry cast doubt on that claim, saying Mehsud had no evident link to any militant group. The killing sparked days of protests and a weeks-long march in Pashtun-dominated northwestern Pakistan. It also prompted the establishment of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement, or Pashtun Protection Movement, that has since held dozens of rallies across the country demanding basic rights for ethnic Pashtuns. The movement demands an end to extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, the removal of military checkpoints, and the establishment of a truth and reconciliation commission. The government says that measures have been taken to address those concerns. Pashteen, however, denies this and vows his movement will continue to hold rallies and push the government for meeting those demands. Media blackout Pashteen has increasingly relied on social media to get his movement's message across to followers and supporters, complaining that local Pakistani media have not covered the group's activities. He claims after he held an interview with the local Khyber TV a month ago, "When they wanted to air it, soldiers went in to the station and confiscated the very computer that the interview was stored in." This is totally wrong and fabricated. No Pakistani soldiers ever entered our premises nor anyone forced the station not to air the interview, Hassan Khan, the group editor at the Khyber TV told VOA. The interview was not broadcast because Pakistani security officials contacted and informed us giving media platform to anyone trying to fuel ethnic or religious troubles in the country is against the government policy, Hassan said. Pashteen said he has been added to the Exit Control List, banning him from travel abroad as well. Pashteen said the military has been harassing and intimidating him and his friends to get them to end the movement, but he vowed that the movement would continue to operate until their demands are met. "The military even warned us in its recent press conference. We have been nonviolent and we would continue to be nonviolent in the future. We believe in humanity and we would serve humanity. We would never harm anyone. But our movement will continue," Pashteen said. Qatar on Tuesday said it is sending $480 million to Palestinians in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip after a cease-fire deal ended the deadliest fighting between Israel and Palestinian militants since a 2014 war. Qatar's Foreign Ministry said $300 million would support health and education programs of the Palestinian Authority, while $180 million would go toward urgent humanitarian relief in U.N. programs and toward electricity. The Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip suffers from chronic electricity shortages. The recent two-day outbreak of violence killed 25 people in Gaza, both militants and civilians, and four civilians in Israel. Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem said Egyptian mediators, along with officials from Qatar and the U.N., helped broker the cease-fire deal. The deal is believed to include a number of economic aid and development programs in Gaza, including providing additional electricity and creating temporary jobs in a territory where unemployment has skyrocketed to over 50 percent. Israel approved the resumption of fuel shipments into the Gaza Strip on Tuesday after cutting off the supply during Sunday's surge of violence, according to COGAT, the Israeli defense body responsible for Palestinian civilian affairs. It confirmed Israel would indefinitely ease restrictions on the movement of people and goods through its two main crossings with the territory next week, following the country's observation of Memorial Day and Independence Day. The energy-rich, small nation of Qatar has become a major donor to the Palestinians. The Palestinians have been divided between two rival governments since 2007, when Hamas drove forces from the internationally recognized Palestinian Authority out of Gaza. Hamas has ruled Gaza since then, with the Palestinian Authority administering autonomous zones in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. This marks the first time in recent years that Qatar has funded the Palestinian Authority directly. In recent years, its money has only gone to Gaza, where it opened a hospital just last month. The United States and the European Union classify Hamas as a terrorist group. Although Qatar doesn't pay directly to Hamas, its support since 2012, totaling $755 million, has been a vital lifeline for the cash-strapped group, relieving it from having to fund civilian and infrastructure projects. Omar Shaban, a Gaza economist, said the latest funding was extraordinary. This decision boosts Qatar's role in the coming phase and makes it as acceptable in Ramallah as it is in Gaza, he wrote on Facebook. Both Palestinian governments are in deep financial distress. The Palestinian Authority has been hit hard by cuts of hundreds of millions of dollars in U.S. aid, as well as a dispute with Israel over tax transfers. Israel has begun to withhold money from these transfers that it says the Palestinians give to families of Palestinian attackers who have been jailed or killed in fighting with Israel. Israel says the money rewards violence. The Palestinians say the payments are social welfare to families affected by conflict, and they have refused to accept the tax transfers unless the funding is fully restored. The aid cuts and refusal to accept partial tax transfers have plunged the Palestinian Authority into a deep crisis in which it is only able to pay its workers half of their salaries. In the West Bank, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas thanked the Qataris and said the aid would help the Palestinian people overcome some of their hardships, face the challenges and strengthen their steadfastness on their land. In Gaza, meanwhile, the economy has been ravaged by an Israeli-Egyptian blockade, years of fighting with Israel and Hamas' isolation and mismanagement. Cuts in aid from Abbas' government, as well as U.S. cuts in funding for U.N. programs, have also hurt the coastal strip's population. Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh welcomed the Qatari aid and thanked the Gulf state's leader. This honorable decision is a continuation of the unwavering Qatari stances that support the Palestinian people politically and financially, in addition to defending the Palestinian rights at international platforms, he said. VOA's Ira Mellman contributed to this report. YANGON, MYANMAR Two Reuters journalists jailed for their reporting on the Rohingya crisis in Myanmar walked out of prison Tuesday after more than 16 months in detention. Their release followed a vigorous global campaign by media and human rights organizations, and backroom diplomacy. Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo were mobbed by media as they stepped out of Yangon's notorious Insein prison. They were freed in a presidential amnesty that included more than 6,000 prisoners. Their December 2017 arrests made them an international cause celebre and a sign of Myanmar's deteriorating press freedoms under Nobel laureate and civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi. The journalists waved and smiled broadly as they walked out of the jail. Wa Lone, 33, thanked people from "around the world" for advocating for their release and vowed he would return to work. "I can't wait to go to my newsroom," he said. "I am a journalist and I am going to continue. "We're really happy and excited to see our family and colleagues. I don't know what to say, we're very excited," Wa Lone said shortly after his release. "I really want to meet my family, and I am supposed to go to the cinema with my family tonight," Kyaw Soe Oo, 29, told reporters. Government spokesman Zaw Htay told reporters that family members had sent letters to Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint. "Leaders took into consideration the long-term interest of [the] country," he said. In a statement released late Tuesday, the White House welcomed the release of Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, saying, "Jailed for over 500 days since December 2017 for reporting on atrocities against the Rohingya, we are delighted they will be reunited with their families. "We hope that other jailed journalists in Burma will also be allowed their freedom," it continued. Human Rights Watch's deputy Asia Director Phil Robertson told VOA there are "well over 30 journalists who are still in prison or facing charges" in Myanmar. Ravina Shamdasani, spokeswoman for the U.N. human rights office, welcomed the journalists' release but chastised the Myanmar government. "It is good news that Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo have been released, but they should never have been arrested and convicted in the first place." Investigating atrocities The two journalists were convicted on charges of violating the Official Secrets Act and were sentenced to seven years each. At the time of their arrest, they had been reporting on a September 2017 massacre of 10 Rohingya Muslims in conflict-hit Rakhine state, where the Myanmar army forced some 740,000 of the stateless minority to flee over the border to Bangladesh. The case prompted an outcry around the world and crushed what was left of Aung San Suu Kyi's legacy as a rights defender. WATCH: Prisoners released The real reason the two reporters were released at this time was "international pressure," Robertson told VOA via Skype. "The people at Reuters had done a very effective campaign to bring this to the the leaders of the world." On the detention of the reporters, Robertson said, "This is all about the government and the military trying to persecute critics who dare report stories that they don't like." "The [Myanmar] government put them all the way through their actual legal system even though quite clearly they should never should have been arrested in the first place, much less prosecuted," Robertson said. "And ultimately, you know, having kept them in prison for five hundred days, decide that they're going to cut their losses and and they've let them go now." Reuters has said Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo were imprisoned in retaliation for their expose. The army jailed seven soldiers for the massacre in a rare response to allegations of atrocities. Military spokesman Zaw Min Tun said it had no comment on the release, except that the case was "undertaken in line with the law." Set up by police Rights groups and legal experts say the prosecution's case was riddled with irregularities. A whistleblowing police officer testified during the trial that his superior had ordered his team to trap the reporters in a sting testimony the judge chose to ignore. Former officer Moe Yan Naing told the Agence France-Presse news agency he was "delighted" the families were back together, and expressed interest in meeting the journalists. Aung San Suu Kyi led her National League for Democracy party to victory in historic 2015 polls, ending decades of military-backed rule. But the dreams of a new day for Myanmar were short-lived when the army launched a campaign against the Rohingya in Rakhine state, which U.N. investigators have said amounted to genocide. Myanmar has denied the charges and said it was defending itself against Rohingya militants, who attacked and killed police officers in August 2017. Pulitzer Prize During their imprisonment, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo were showered with awards and honors in response to their work. Last month, they and the staff of Reuters were awarded the prestigious Pulitzer Prize for international reporting. Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo were also on the December 2018 cover of Time magazine as part of its Person of the Year coverage featuring journalists targeted for their reporting. Their case became synonymous with the war against press freedom and prompted an international campaign that attracted the support of prominent rights lawyer Amal Clooney, who said Tuesday it had been an "honor to represent Reuters and the two journalists." In a statement, Reuters Editor-in-Chief Stephen J. Adler said, "We are enormously pleased that Myanmar has released our courageous reporters. Since their arrests 511 days ago, they have become symbols of the importance of press freedom around the world. We welcome their return." Syrian and Russian warplanes have been escalating airstrikes on the last remaining rebel redoubt in northern Syria. The air raids are as much a message to Turkey as to die-hard rebels and jihadists in the province of Idlib, say analysts. Russia wants Turkey to do more to remove from the province jihadists fighters once affiliated with al-Qaida, they say. The U.N. is calling for de-escalation in northwestern Syria, with Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urging all parties to recommit to a truce covering opposition-held parts of Idlib, western Aleppo and northern Hama. More than 2.7 million people live in the rebel redoubt, many displaced from other parts of the war-wrecked country. The Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) said at least 27 civilians have been killed and 31 injured since April 29, including women and children. Turkey, which backs moderate Syrian rebels and has been in alliance with them against the Syrian Kurds, agreed in September to disarm and remove fighters in the hardline Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham faction. That armed group, once formerly affiliated with al-Qaida, has been expanding its control over parts of Idlib. Activists say 43 combatants and five civilians were killed on Monday alone in the stepped up airstrikes that reportedly have included dropping barrel and incendiary bombs on residential areas. U.N. officials say the use of barrel bombs in the last few days is the worst theyve seen by the Syrian army in the 15 months since an agreed to cease-fire for Idlib, which shares a 130-kilometer border with Turkey. Two medical facilities were also reportedly damaged Monday, bringing to 12 the number of medical clinics bombed since April 28. Relief workers say the bombings occurred despite their coordinates having been shared with the warring parties through a U.N. deconfliction mechanism. Aerial attacks have targeted the city of Jisr al-Shughour and the al-Ghab plain, as well as the towns of al-Latamenah and Maarat al-Numan in the south of Idlib province, rebels say. A 15-kilometer demilitarized buffer zone was established along the front lines separating the opposition and forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad last September in a deal between the leaders of Russia and Turkey. The move shelved a threatened all-out assault by the Russia-backed Assad government on Syria's last rebel stronghold. Under the terms of the deal, all radical fighters would withdraw and all opposition factions would remove heavy weaponry from the zone. By the end of 2018, transportation routes between Syria's port of Latakia with Aleppo and Hama were meant to have been restored. Rebel leaders say the military objective of the intensified airstrikes appears to be aimed at seizing control of highways M5 and M4. But they are warning also the air blitz may herald the start of a final government offensive on the rebel enclave, much as intense bombing did in 2016 before a successful government assault on Aleppo. An offensive will happen sooner rather than later. It's just difficult to say how soon, according to Ahmad Rahal, a former rebel commander. On Monday, government troops and allied Iran-backed militiamen captured a string of opposition-held villages in northern Hama. Rebel factions carried out counter-attacks in neighboring Latakia province and launched some weaponized drone attacks on the Russian airbase at Hmeimim. Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War say the government forces appear to be setting the conditions for only a limited ground attack mainly focused on the southern Idlib and northern Hama countryside. Armored units have been deployed, according to Syrian government news reports. Russian President Vladimir Putin has said it is unlikely that a full-scale assault on Syrias Idlib province will be mounted, dismissing it as impractical for now, although he has not ruled it out entirely. The political aim of the intensified airstrikes appears aimed at putting pressure on Turkey to fulfill its side of the demilitarized zone deal. Whatever the objectives, the human cost is mounting. U.N. agencies such as the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights estimate that tens of thousands are fleeing and relief workers are warning of an apocalyptic humanitarian disaster. OHCHR spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani said, "We call on all parties to the conflict to respect the international humanitarian law principles of distinction, precaution and proportionality and to ensure the full protection of civilian objects. This blatant aggression has forced well over 300,000 people out of their homes and did not stop even on the first day of the holy month of Ramadan, rebel leaders say. In a statement issued Tuesday, the Syrian Coalition, the main umbrella opposition group, said, The fierce Russian airstrikes and the regimes heavy artillery shelling are directly targeting residential areas. Sri Lanka's president said Tuesday that almost all of the suspects who carried out the deadly Easter bombings on churches and hotels have been arrested. President Maithripala Sirisena told Associated Press that "99-percent" of the suspects had been seized, as well as their explosive materials. Police said an estimated $40 million in assets owned by the perpetrators have been frozen. More than 250 people were killed more two weeks ago when Sri Lankan militants bombed churches full of Easter worshipers and luxury hotels. Two days later, Islamic State claimed responsibility. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said earlier Tuesday all of the jihadists responsible for the attacks have been arrested or killed but that the country is still threatened by "global terrorism." Wickremesinghe told parliament despite the dismantling of much of the network linked to the attacks, the Buddhist-majority country needs more international help to prevent future attacks. "We need intelligence-sharing with foreign partners to deal with this challenge," he said. Eight countries are already participating in the Sri Lankan-led investigation, including the United States. Sri Lankan authorities have said two little-known domestic Islamist groups were responsible for the bombings, the National Thowheeth Jamaath (NTJ) and Jamathei Millathu Ibrahim (JMI). Tourism in Sri Lanka declined nearly eight percent in April from one year ago as travelers stayed away after the attacks. But on Tuesday President Sirisena declared the country is safe for tourists. Farah Ballout's big, infectious smile is the first thing that greets you at her workplace, a cafe in Lebanon with a mission to do more than just brew coffee. Before she was hired, the 29-year-old who has Angelman Syndrome, a genetic disorder that means she has developmental disabilities had struggled to find work in a country with high unemployment. "I feel like it is a dream that I started here," Ballout said as tears rolled down her face. "It feels like you are walking into your home it doesn't feel like you are going to work." Almost all the 14 staff at the Agonist coffee shop near Beirut where Ballout has worked for the past five months have special needs, from autism to Down's Syndrome. Wassim El Hage set up the business in December to help people with disabilities, who are typically excluded from the workforce in Lebanon. As a social enterprise a business that aims to do good as well as make profit it faces even more of a challenge than most startups in a country whose economy has been badly hit by years of political instability and a mass influx of refugees. The country is grappling with an unemployment rate of 30 percent, and nearly 2,200 businesses closed last year, according to Lebanon's chamber of commerce. For El Hage, that was part of the motivation Lebanon, he said, desperately needs organizations prepared to hire people who would otherwise struggle to find jobs. "It is not my target to make money or to make profit for my own self. My target is to give them back this money [for them] to be integrated, to be independent, to have a real life," he told Reuters. "We need it in Lebanon." The tiny country is home to more than a million refugees, mostly from its war-ravaged neighbor Syria. Since its own civil war ended in 1990, Lebanon has faced a raft of challenges, from electricity shortages to garbage mountains due to a lack of landfill sites and now social enterprises are stepping in to help. These include Compost Baladi, which manages waste and compost, and SunRay Energy, which helps rural communities in Lebanon adopt solar energy with a lease program and flexible payments. But social entrepreneurs say a lack of funding and government support are making it difficult for such ventures to thrive. 'Snowball of change' Unlike many countries including Britain and Thailand, Lebanon offers no tax breaks or other incentives to help the sector. "There is no single governmental policy or strategy to manage the social enterprises field," said George Ghafary, head of a social enterprise that employs former substance abusers, prisoners and disadvantaged women to work on environmental projects. "Social enterprises can create a snowball of change, especially if the government offers incentives to existing companies ... thus creating even bigger impact." No one at the Labor Ministry was available for comment on the government's policy. Samer Sfeir co-founded ProAbled, which trains people in Lebanon with special needs to work and companies to hire them. He bemoaned a lack of funding for social enterprises and contrasted the government's approach with that of Britain, where the government actively seeks out such businesses to supply publicly funded goods and services. "It is not difficult to start a social enterprise, but to scale it is hard ... everybody is focused on starting something new, not working on helping what already exists," he said. "Regular business already struggle in Lebanon's economy, but social enterprises have even a more difficult time, because it is more costly to run, and eventually your profit margin is less because you are giving back." Acceptance It is a problem El Hage, 32, is familiar with. He started Agonist with his own money after failing to raise private investment due to skepticism the cafe would be a success. In fact, he said, Lebanese people have come from all over the country to get their caffeine fix with a side of banter from people they would not usually get to meet. As coffee and pastries are handed out, staff often sit and chat with customers. Before leaving, each customer is asked to put their hand in a basket and pick a positive proverb. "This big-time changes the way Lebanese see people with disabilities to accept them exactly as they are," said one return customer, Vincent El Khoury. "Many people look at them as less than, and I hate this." Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has made it official: The administration won't be turning President Donald Trump's tax returns over to the Democratic-controlled House. Mnuchin told Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal, D-Mass., in a Monday letter that the panel's request "lacks a legitimate legislative purpose" as Supreme Court precedent requires. In making that determination, Mnuchin said he relied on the advice of the Justice Department. He concluded that the Treasury Department is "not authorized to disclose the requested returns and return information." He said the Justice Department will provide a more detailed legal justification soon. The move, which was expected, is sure to set in motion a legal battle over Trump's tax returns. The chief options available to Democrats are to subpoena the IRS for the returns or to file a lawsuit. Last week, Neal promised "we'll be ready" to act soon after Monday's deadline. Treasury's denial came the same day that the House Judiciary panel scheduled a vote for Wednesday on whether to find Attorney General William Barr in contempt of Congress for failing to comply with a subpoena for a full, unredacted copy of special counsel Robert Mueller's report. Fights with other House panels are ongoing. "I will consult with counsel and determine the appropriate response," Neal said in a statement Monday. Neal originally demanded access to Trump's tax returns in early April under a law that says the IRS "shall furnish" the returns of any taxpayer to a handful of top lawmakers, including the chair of the tax-writing Ways and Means Committee. He maintains that the committee is looking into the effectiveness of IRS mandatory audits of tax returns of all sitting presidents, a way to justify his claim that the panel has a potential legislative purpose. Democrats are confident in their legal justification and say Trump is stalling in an attempt to punt the issue past the 2020 election. The White House and the president's attorneys declined to comment on the deadline to turn over Trump's returns. Mnuchin has said Neal's request would potentially weaponize private tax returns for political purposes. Trump has privately made clear he has no intention of turning over the much-coveted records. He is the first president since Watergate to decline to make his tax returns public, often claiming that he would release them if he was not under audit. "What's unprecedented is this secretary refusing to comply with our lawful ... request. What's unprecedented is a Justice Department that again sees its role as being bodyguard to the executive and not the rule of law," said Rep. Bill Pascrell, D-N.J. "What's unprecedented is an entire federal government working in concert to shield a corrupt president from legal accountability." But the president has told those close to him that the attempt to get his returns was an invasion of his privacy and a further example of what he calls the Democrat-led "witch hunt" like Mueller's Russia probe meant to damage him. Trump has repeatedly asked aides as to the status of the House request and has not signaled a willing to cooperate with Democrats, according to a White House official and two Republicans close to the White House. He has linked the effort to the myriad House probes into his administration and has urged his team to stonewall all requests. He also has inquired about the "loyalty" of the top officials at the IRS, according to one of his advisers. Trump has long told confidants that he was under audit and therefore could not release his taxes. But in recent weeks, he has added to the argument, telling advisers that the American people elected him once without seeing his taxes and would do so again, according to the three White House officials and Republicans, who were not authorized to speak publicly about private conversations and spoke on condition of anonymity. US President Donald Trump is to host Hungary's firebrand anti-immigration Prime Minister Viktor Orban at the White House next week, officials said on Tuesday. "President Donald J. Trump will welcome Prime Minister Viktor Orban of Hungary to the White House on May 13, 2019," the administration said in a statement. "Recognizing the longstanding ties between the United States and Hungary, the president and the prime minister will discuss ways to deepen cooperation on a range of issues, including trade, energy, and cyber security." As leaders of NATO countries, the statement said, Trump and Orban will "explore opportunities to meet the many national security responsibilities of their two countries." Orban's anti-immigration campaigns in Europe echo many of the themes of Trump's own drive to build a wall on the US-Mexico border and his attempts to thwart migrants seeking US asylum. With elections to the European Parliament to be held later this month, Orban's hardline some say xenophobic stance against refugees and "Brussels bureaucrats" has alienated even former conservative allies. His Fidesz party was suspended in March from the EU's biggest and most influential political grouping, the conservative European Peoples Party, after running a controversial billboard campaign accusing European Commission head Jean-Claude Juncker of plotting to flood Europe with migrants. On Monday, Orban withdrew his support for the EPP's lead candidate to replace Juncker, Manfred Weber of Germany, a former ally. Weber said Tuesday that Hungary was going in the "wrong direction" under Orban. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg is visiting the Turkish capital amid escalating tensions between alliance members Turkey and the United States over Ankara's procuring of a Russian S-400 missile system. The NATO chiefs visit is seen as a last-ditch attempt to persuade Ankara out of its purchase of the Russian missiles. Stoltenberg met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, along with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusolgu. We "made evaluations on a wide range of issues, including NATO-EU relations and Turkey's S-400 purchase," Cavusolgu tweeted. Stoltenberg's visit comes only a matter of weeks before Moscow delivers its S-400 missile system to Turkey. Washington is warning of sanctions under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, which bans significant weapon purchases from Russia. U.S. officials claim the Russian missiles will compromise NATO defense systems, particularly the latest U.S. warplane the F 35, which Turkey is a joint production partner. The U.S. Pentagon warns the F-35 collaboration, along with the delivery of the jets, is also in jeopardy if the S-400s are delivered. With time running out for a solution to the impasse, Erdogan emphasized what was at stake for NATO. "We are at a time when threats such as terrorism are directly concerning the security of alliance," Erdogan said Monday in a speech, with Stoltenberg in attendance. "There are serious divergences in the international security atmosphere." Analysts claim Stoltenberg was widely seen by Ankara as an honest broker in the S-400 controversy, avoiding taking sides and stressing the importance of dialogue. But he is hardening his stance. "Decisions about military procurement are for nations to make," he said. "But as I have said, interoperability of our armed forces is fundamental to NATO for the conduct of our operations and missions," Stoltenberg said in an interview Sunday with Anatolia Agency, Turkey's state-run news organization. I welcome and encourage the discussions about Turkeys possible acquisition of a U.S. Patriot missile system, Stoltenberg said. Washington is offering its Patriot missile system as an alternative to Russia's S-400. Until now, Ankara routinely claimed that only Washington was voicing opposition to the S-400 purchase. Turkish officials argued the dispute was a bilateral affair, rather than with NATO. "This would never have happened if there had not been a vast erosion of trust between the two NATO allies triggered by several ongoing disputes. So, the context is important," said Sinan Ulgen, head of the Istanbul-based think tank, Edam. Analysts claim Ankara's portrayal of the missile controversy as a bilateral affair runs the risk of a dangerous diplomatic miscalculation. "NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg tells Turkey that every ally has the right to choose any system, they have that right to buy," said international relations professor Huseyin Bagci of Ankara's Middle East Technical University. "But the political consequences of buying the strategic systems, he does not say anything." Stoltenberg is walking a diplomatic tightrope, with NATO relying heavily on Turkish military support. "Turkey is a highly valued ally, and NATO stands in solidarity with Turkey as it faces serious security challenges," Stoltenberg tweeted Monday. Turkey has the second-largest army in the alliance after the United States, with its forces participating in operations from the Balkans to Afghanistan. In 2020, Turkey will take command of the NATO Response Force. With Turkey bordering Syria, and the main transit route for many jihadists seeking to return home to Europe, Ankara is seen as vital by most of its NATO European partners in counterterrorism and intelligence cooperation. Analysts claim such cooperation explains why Washington remains mostly alone in its public opposition to Turkey's pricing the S-400 missile system. However, Erdogan reminded Stoltenberg that Ankara, too, has its concerns over the commitment of its NATO partners. "We expect our friends in NATO to act only in accordance with the spirit of the alliance and to hold the alliance's founding values," Erdogan said, referring to Turkey's fight against terror groups. Ankara is frustrated over the support lent by Washington and other European countries to Syria's Kurdish militia, the YPG, in the war against Islamic State. Until now, all sides appear ready to avoid any confrontation over the simmering tensions and disputes. But with the looming delivery of the S-400 to Turkey, analysts warn it could be a catalyst for a rupture in the alliance. The U.N. women's agency launched a campaign Monday to bring a young generation of women and men into the campaign for gender equality ahead of next year's 25th anniversary of the conference that adopted the only international platform to achieve women's rights and empowerment. UN Women announced its new "Generation Equality: Realizing women's rights for an equal future'' at a news conference where it also made public events planned to mark adoption of the 150-page platform for action to achieve gender equality by 189 governments at the 1995 Beijing women's conference. "Today, nearly 25 years after the historic Beijing conference, the reality is that not a single country can claim to have achieved gender equality,'' said a statement from UN Women's executive director, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka. "Despite some progress, real change has been too slow for most women and girls in the world, and we see significant pushback in many places.'' "Women continue to be discriminated against and their contributions undervalued,'' she added. "They work more, earn less and have fewer choices about their bodies, livelihoods and futures than men - and they experience multiple forms of violence at home, at work and in public spaces.'' Mlambo-Ngcuka said the General Equality campaign is aimed at speeding systematic change "on the laws, policies and outdated mindsets that must no longer curtail women's voice, choice and safety.'' UN Women's deputy executive director, Asa Regner, said at the news conference that there have been positive results since Beijing. She pointed to a record number of girls in school, better access to health care, a decrease in maternal mortality, more women in top positions in the business world and fresh efforts to address violence against women and to put women at peace negotiating tables. But she said the biggest challenges are to change male-dominated "power structures'' that leave far more women and girls facing poverty and violence. Ahead of next year's anniversary events, UN Women has asked all 193 U.N. member nations to submit details and data on what their countries have done to implement the 1995 Beijing platform, Regner said. As of Friday, she said, it had received 22 responses but hopes the entire membership will answer. The Beijing platform called for bold actions in 12 critical areas for women and girls including combatting poverty and violence, improving human rights and access to reproductive and sexual health care, and ensuring that all girls get an education and that women are at the top levels of business and government, and the top table in peace negotiations. Events leading up to next year's anniversary include the U.N. Commission on the Status of Women's annual meeting in March 2020 devoted to Beijing's implementation, a high-level meeting when world leaders gather for the annual General Assembly session in September 2020, and a "Global Gender Equality Forum'' co-hosted by France and Mexico in France bringing civil society representatives and activists of all ages together to look to the future. No date has been announced yet for that event. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said at Monday evening's opening of an exhibition on women who were part of the Soviet Union's military effort in World War II that "we will not achieve peace'' or any of the U.N.'s development goals for 2030 "without the full and equal participation of women.'' "Yet we all know that there is still a stark imbalance of power around the world, and we are even seeing a backlash in some areas against women's rights,'' he said. Regner said the majority of countries favor progress on gender equality, but there is "pushback.'' There are governments and movements, she said, that value "so-called traditional family values and other ideas around women's and men's roles both in families and in societies which do not correspond to international agreements, and which would not necessarily give women the space and possibility to decide over their own lives, bodies, economic empowerment, etc.'' Regner, a former Swedish minister, said UN Women's task is to spur implementation of Beijing and other agreements - and "we will never back down.'' U.S. President Donald Trump's intention to further hike U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods has alarmed American lawmakers of both parties who fear dire economic consequences from escalating tensions between the United States and its trading partners. "I'm anxious for the tariff war to come to an end," Republican Sen. Jerry Moran of agriculturally rich Kansas told VOA on Tuesday. "Exports are very important to the economy of my state. I would encourage the rapid resolution between the United States and China, because it has an immediate and consequential effect on the livelihoods of lots of people." "The [president's] whole tariff policy has been dangerous folly," New Jersey Democratic Sen. Robert Menendez said. "I hear it from New Jersey companies that recently, just this past week, told me about tariffs they have to pay on particular products that they can't get anywhere else [but foreign suppliers]." Who's paying? On Sunday, Trump announced that tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese goods would rise from 10% to 25% as of Friday. He tweeted that "China has been paying" U.S. tariffs and that China's "payments are partially responsible for our great economic results." Such assertions are disputed by many lawmakers, including Republicans who, on other matters, often come to the president's defense. "Currently, U.S. importers have paid the U.S. government over $16 billion in tariffs on imports from China," Oklahoma Republican Sen. James Lankford said via Twitter. "This tax is not paid for by Chinese exporters, this is all paid by U.S. importers." Trade talks to continue Despite Trump's tariff threat, Chinese officials have signaled they intend to continue trade discussions with Washington, prompting some lawmakers to applaud what they see as the White House's hardball negotiating stance toward Beijing. "The only reason that China is at the [negotiating] table is because of these tariffs, let's not kid ourselves," Republican Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana said. "China has been cheating and it's got to stop. And President Trump has been the first president to call their hand." Some Democrats, meanwhile, credit Trump for confronting China over its trade practices but fault the strategy and tactics the president has employed. "I commend President Trump for saying the status quo with China is not working," Virginia Democratic Sen. John Warner said. "China is not playing by the rules, and my fear is the president may end up with a deal where the president sells an extra $100 billion of [American] soybeans, but these broader issues around technology ... and [China's] ongoing theft of intellectual property go unaddressed." "Tariff policy by tweet does not work," said Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who is seeking next year's Democratic presidential nomination. "We've had two years of experience now [with Trump], and it just seems to be getting worse and worse." Beyond China Tariff concerns on Capitol Hill extend beyond China. A group of Republican lawmakers has urged Trump to halt tariffs targeting Canadian and Mexican goods, warning the measures could torpedo Congress's consideration of a newly negotiated free trade pact between the United States and both nations. Regarding the president's new tariff threat on Chinese exports, some Republicans are willing to give the president the benefit of the doubt for now. "Perhaps the president is espousing additional tariffs for purposes of getting China's attention and to negotiate an agreement. That would be a wonderful outcome," Moran said. "The challenge is: it's not just one country that can impose tariffs. So, when the United States [previously] imposed tariffs, China retaliated on products from the United States. And that is very damaging to the ability to earn a living." Jeff Seldin and Michael Bowman contributed to this report. PENTAGON / WHITE HOUSE U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has made an unscheduled visit to Iraq, amid growing tensions with Iran after intelligence reports indicated that Iran moved short-range ballistic missiles by boat in waters off its shores. The move, first reported by CNN, was one of several clues that Iran might be considering or preparing to attack U.S. forces in the region, a government official told AP. The official told the news agency that they were not sure whether the boats with missiles represented a new military capability or were only being moved to new locations. Pompeo on Tuesday canceled a scheduled trip to Germany and made an unannounced visit to Baghdad to meet with Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi and President Barham Salih to share concerns about the increasing Iranian activity. "We don't want anyone interfering in their country, certainly not by attacking another nation inside of Iraq," Pompeo told reporters traveling with him from Iraq to Britain. He said the threats against American interests were "imminent." "That is, they were attacks that were going to happen fairly soon," Pompeo said. "We've taken every action we can to deter them." U.S. officials also are speeding the arrival of the USS Abraham Lincoln, an aircraft carrier, and its strike group from European waters to the Arabian Sea, and deploying a B-52 bomber task force in response to the potential Iranian threat. "What you see is us getting in the right posture for that dynamic environment," Acting Secretary of Defense Pat Shanahan told reporters Tuesday at the Pentagon. On Monday, Pompeo said, "We have continued to see activity that leads us to believe that there's escalation that may be taking place, and so we're taking all the appropriate actions, both from a security perspective as well as our ability to make sure the president has a wide range of options in the event that something should actually take place." The concerns expressed by Pompeo and U.S. defense officials contrast with U.S. Central Command's (CENTCOM) assessment just over a month ago. Despite Iran's "significant capability" in Syria and the region, CENTCOM officials said there were no indications Tehran was setting its sights on U.S. forces. "Iran's priority is to defeat ISIS, which it sees as an existential threat," the Defense Department's Lead Inspector General for Operation Inherent Resolve said, summarizing CENTCOM's March 26 assessment in a report issued Tuesday. "They are not displaying the intent to attack U.S. forces," the report added, warning, "this calculus could change if Iran perceives a U.S. desire to ramp up anti-Iranian activities in a post-ISIS environment," using an acronym for the militant group. Some former U.S. intelligence and security officials worry, however, that recent rhetoric from the White House combined with its ongoing "maximum pressure" campaign, has done just that. New America Foundation Fellow Ned Price told VOA an unusual and aggressive Sunday evening statement issued in the name of the U.S. national security adviser John Bolton in which he warned the U.S. is "fully prepared to respond to any attack" makes it seem like the U.S. is "intent on driving the Iranians into a corner." "The concern with Bolton's threat coming in the midst of a series of escalations from the Trump administration underscores the concern that the administration is trying to goad the Iranians into an unwise and ill-considered reaction," said Price, a former spokesman for the Obama-era National Security Council. Hawaii Sen. Brian Schatz echoed that sentiment Tuesday on Capitol Hill, telling VOA, "John Bolton's history lends itself to the most worrisome analysis of this situation." However, Schatz, a Democrat, remained confident the United States and Iran were "a long way from anything kinetic [violent], and hopefully we will remain a long way from anything kinetic." The USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group includes fighter jets, helicopters, destroyers and more than 6,000 sailors. The group left a U.S. port in the state of Virginia in early April. The Trump administration has been working to apply what it calls a "maximum pressure campaign" against Iran to try to get the country to change its behavior, including its sponsorship of terror groups and what the White House alleges is a ballistic missile program that threatens the United States. In response to last month's U.S. designation of a key part of Iran's military (IRGC) as a terrorist group, Iran called the United States a state sponsor of terrorism and said U.S. forces in the Middle East are terror groups. The U.S. has recalled career diplomat Marie (Masha) Yovanovitch from her post as ambassador to Ukraine, timing the State Department says was aligned with the coming presidential transition in Kyiv. But two key Democratic lawmakers claim the move was a political hit job with roots in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. The State Department said the 60-year-old Yovanovitch, appointed by former President Barack Obama, is completing her three-year tenure in Ukraine as planned, although her term actually extended to Aug. 20. The State Department said her return coincides with the planned June inauguration of comedian Volodymyr Zelenskiy as the Ukrainian leader after his resounding defeat of President Petro Poroshenko in last months election. Democrats cry foul Congressman Steny Hoyer, the majority leader in the House of Representatives, and Congressman Eliot Engel, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, disputed the State Department explanation for Yovanovitchs early recall, saying she was a dedicated public servant and a diplomat of the highest caliber who has represented the United States under both Republican and Democratic administrations. The lawmakers contended that the White Houses outrageous decision to recall her is a political hit job and the latest in this administrations campaign against career State Department personnel. Its clear that this decision was politically motivated, as allies of President Trump had joined foreign actors in lobbying for the ambassadors dismissal. Hoyer and Engel said that by recalling Yovanovitch just mere months before her tenure in Ukraine was set to end, the administration is harming American interests and undermining American diplomacy. Trump accusations Yovanovitchs time in Kyiv coincided with U.S. special counsel Robert Muellers investigation of Russian meddling in the 2016 election. One of the key figures in that probe was President Donald Trumps one-time campaign chairman Paul Manafort, who was paid millions of dollars as a lobbyist for pro-Russian interests in Ukraine linked to deposed President Viktor Yanukovych, who was ousted in a popular uprising in 2014. Manafort has now been convicted of several financial crimes tied to his lobbying and has been sentenced to 71/2 years in prison. Ukrainian Prosecutor General Yuriy Lutsenko has alleged that information about payments to Manafort was revealed in an effort to help Democrat Hillary Clinton in her campaign against Trump, a contention that Trump adopted in recent months in an effort to disparage claims that it was Russia that was helping him. As Russia Collusion fades, Trump said on Twitter in March, Ukrainian plot to help Clinton emerges. The same month, Trumps oldest son, Donald Trump Jr., tweeted that the U.S. needed more ambassadors like conservative Richard Grenell, the Trump-appointed American envoy to Germany, and less of these jokers as ambassadors like Yovanovitch. Calls Grow to Remove Obamas U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine. Hoyer and Engel called on the State Department to reverse Yovanovitchs dismissal. In this period of transition, Ukraine needs gifted professionals like Ambassador Yovanovitch more than ever, they said. "The American dream is no longer alive," Dr. Tarkeshwar Tiwary lamented, looking back on a decade-long journey he has spent chasing a stable future in the United States for his two Indian-born children. "I feel really demeaned," he said. A 45-year-old pulmonologist at a hospital in central Pennsylvania, Tiwary is one of 300,000-plus Indian immigrants awaiting legal permanent residency under an employment-based visa. He is among the nearly 50,000 licensed Indian physicians working in the United States, and he says he feels invested in his rural community of 20,878. But the wait for a green card a pathway to citizenship is becoming too long to bear. "What was promised to me was that if I intend to immigrate, I will be immigrating in a reasonable period of time," Tiwary said. "If I had gone to any other country, like Canada or Australia, I would have been a citizen much, much earlier." For employment-based visa applicants, the timeline to receive a green card can vary, but none face wait times remotely as long as Indians up to 151 years for applicants today. One common route to permanent residency is through an H-1B dual-intent temporary visa, under a "specialty occupation." Indian nationals comprise three-quarters of all H-1B visa holders a majority in computer-related occupations but a 7% per-country, per-year limit on employment-based preference green cards has exacerbated wait times across all professions. "[Wait times have] been increasing since 2003-2004, where there was a big jump and USCIS [U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services] basically stopped processing them for a couple years," said David Bier, immigration policy analyst at CATO Institute. "It's taken off, increasing up to a decade for people who applied 10 years ago. And that's with serious attrition too. Lots of people have given up." Like others in his field, Tiwary's decision of whether to stay in the U.S. or leave comes down to what is best for the family. His kids a daughter entering high school and a son at the University of Pittsburgh have spent a majority of their lives in the U.S. and "think to themselves that they're American," but will lack any viable employment options in the country as they enter the job market. That is, unless Tiwary's luck changes soon. Rural communities hit hardest Should Tiwary and other Indian physicians abandon their efforts and leave the U.S., local residents from Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Maryland who travel more than an hour for specialized or subsidized care could feel the pinch, adding to the growing health-care shortage woes plaguing rural America. At Chambersburg's Keystone Health, nearly one in five patients lives in poverty and 65% of pediatric patients receive medical assistance, according to President & CEO Joanne Cochran. A federally-qualified health center, Keystone relies heavily on foreign-born family doctors, many of them from India on H-1B and J-1 exchange visitor visas. "We have Indian doctors in family medicine, psychiatry pediatrics, internal medicine, infectious disease, urgent care..." Cochran told VOA. "It would be a huge hardship [if they were to leave]." The foreign-born talent at Keystone includes Dr. Jagdeep Kaur, an addiction psychiatrist and mother of two U.S.-born children, ages 3 and 5. In addition to concern for her aging parents abroad, whom she is unable to sponsor, Kaur's frustration lies in the restrictions that her temporary visa imposes on her work, hampering her ability to grow the scope of her practice and contribute research to the state's opioid epidemic. Also in limbo is Dr. Mohamed Abdus Samad, a 32-year-old nephrologist at Chambersburg Hospital, whose dialysis patients travel upward of 80 to 100 kilometers (50 to 60 miles) to see him. As the need for kidney specialists increases and his bonds with patients grow stronger, the decision to wait for a green card becomes harder. "They are grateful for the care that they get, but it also puts pressure on me," said Samad, who is on an H-1B visa through 2020. "If I want to make any move, I have to think about what will happen to those patients." Christine Newman, a patient of Samad, worries it could take months to book an appointment at another hospital, if he and physicians facing similar predicaments were to leave. "They're doing what they're supposed to," Newman said. "[The U.S. government] should cut through that red tape and get them in." Amy Thatcher, a Keystone patient from Spring Run, Pennsylvania, says her Indian doctor, Raghav Tirupathi, saved her life after discovering her hand had become infected by a staph bacteria (MRSA) following a joint replacement procedure. To lose her doctor because of an ongoing visa issue, she said, would be "devastating." "We base our trust in the people that we see, and we continue to see them," Thatcher said. 'Difficult political lift' At the present rate, Bier, at the CATO Institute, predicts Indian immigrants will continually drop out in large numbers. In February, the U.S. House of Representatives introduced the bipartisan Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act of 2019, which seeks to eliminate the per-country cap on employment-based immigrant visas, while increasing the per-country cap on family-based immigrant visas. But while addressing what Bier calls "nationality-based discrimination," the House bill and a similar measure introduced in the Senate face opposition among some foreign nationals previously unaffected by the backlog. Last year, the National Iranian American Council (NIAC) sent a letter to corporations lobbying for a previous version of the bill, arguing that it would risk "creating a monopoly over the green card process" and "exacerbate" the impact of the Trump administration's travel ban on Iranian nationals. "[It's] a difficult political lift," Bier told VOA. "Everyone else has an incentive to keep the system the way it is where Indians have to wait an indefinite period of time, basically and everyone else basically gets ushered to the front of the line, ahead of them." Adding to Indian doctors' dilemmas is the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) proposed rules to end the President Barack Obama-era H-4 employment authorization program, known as H4 EAD, which allows certain spouses of H-1B visa workers to gain employment. If rescinded, it would affect some 90,000 spouses mostly Indian women with advanced degrees. Geetha Potineni, a network security administrator with master's degrees in computer science and biotechnology, is one of them. Her husband, Dr. Venkat Konanki a nine-year pediatrician at Keystone Health says the prospect of his wife retaining the ability to work is as important as his own eventual green card prospects. "Instead of that, how about just going back to India?" Konanki recalls of the conversations at home, with Potineni and their two U.S.-born daughters, ages 7 and 9. "If there was no discrimination in allotting green cards based on country of birth, I would have never needed H4 EAD," Potineni wrote in an email to VOA. "With two advanced degrees, I never thought of not utilizing my education." "I've always wanted to contribute both at home and outside of it," she added. A section of the USS Missouri is being repaired as part of a $3 million restoration project to address rust and other deterioration on the Pearl Harbor memorial ahead of the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II. The 887-foot (270-meter) Missouri was the site of Japan's unconditional surrender on Sept. 2, 1945, in Tokyo Bay. The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported Monday that the battleship will undergo repairs to its aft superstructure that are expected to be completed in August. Last year, a $3.5 million renovation was done on the tallest portion of the superstructure. Michael Carr, president and CEO of the USS Missouri Memorial Association, said rust is an ongoing issue for the historic ship. About 12,000 square feet (1,100 square meters) of steel will be sandblasted and painted, and some 8,000 pounds (3,600 kilograms) of steel will be replaced. Five hundred gallons of paint will be used. "These parts of the ship have not been [sand] blasted and painted in 30 years since the ship was recommissioned in the 1980s, so it's well past time to do it," Carr said. A week of activities is being planned in September 2020 at the Missouri as well as the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum to honor the end of the war. Carr said almost all of the Missouri's main deck will have new teak by the surrender anniversary on Sept. 2, 2020. More than 2,000 sailors and Marines were aboard the ship for the ceremony that Gen. Douglas MacArthur said was intended to "conclude a solemn agreement whereby peace may be restored." Tonight on The Connection we are discussing the arrest of 131 school children in Bulawayo who were netted in steamy vuzu parties in which they were taking dangerous substances and engaged in casual sex. These parties, normally attended by children aged between 13 and 24, surfaced in Zimbabwes second largest city, Bulawayo, in 2014. Parliament wanted to ban these parties but this has been continuing for years. Why do young people continue attending these parties? What needs to be done to help children involved? To join our discussion text us on WhatsApp on +1202 465 0318. You can also call our studio directly at +1202 619 2077 to participate. Michael Cohen, U.S. President Donald Trump's one-time personal attorney and political fixer, headed to prison Monday to begin a three-year sentence, in part for helping pay off two women to keep quiet before the 2016 election about affairs they allegedly had with Trump a decade before he ran for the White House. The 52-year-old Cohen, now disbarred as a lawyer, is reporting to a minimum-security Federal Correctional Institution in Otisville, New York, 120 kilometers northwest of New York City, where he worked for Trump for more than a decade. As he left New York City, Cohen unleashed a parting shot at Trump, saying he hoped that once he completes his sentence, "the country will be in a place without xenophobia, injustice and lies at the head of our country. There still remains much to be told. And I look forward to the day that I can share the truth." Cohen was the in-house lawyer for the Trump Organization, the real estate mogul's global business empire. After Trump entered politics, he was a regular on cable television news shows brashly defending his boss whom he once said he would "take a bullet" for. But that life fell apart as special counsel Robert Mueller and other federal prosecutors started investigating Trump and his campaign's links to Russia and whether Trump, as president, obstructed justice by trying to thwart Mueller's probe. Mueller has cleared Trump and his aides of colluding with Russia, although the prosecutor did not reach a conclusion on obstruction, even as Attorney General William Barr decided there was not enough evidence to warrant obstruction charges against the president. Cohen was mentioned in Mueller's report more than 800 times. Cohen pleaded guilty to financial crimes, allegations that he facilitated a combined $280,000 in hush money payments to two women, and also for lying to Congress about the length of time Trump was trying to reach a deal in Moscow to build a skyscraper there. Trump has long denied sexual encounters with the women. Five men in Trump's orbit have pleaded guilty or been convicted of an array of offenses and another faces a trial later this year. Among the Trump aides, Cohen's three-year term is second only to the 7.5-year sentence handed out to former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort, who was convicted of several financial crimes. For awhile after Cohen's New York offices and the hotel where he was staying were raided by federal authorities in April 2018, Trump stayed in contact with Cohen, saying he did not believe he would flip in his loyalty to Trump and turn against him. Trump called Cohen a "fine person with a wonderful family." But within months, Cohen declared that his first loyalty was to his family and his country, not Trump. Their relationship turned distinctly icy after Cohen told a congressional panel early this year that he came to realize that his long efforts putting the best light on Trump's actions and life were misguided. "I am ashamed that I chose to take part in concealing Mr. Trumps illicit acts rather than listening to my own conscience, Cohen testified. I am ashamed because I know what Mr. Trump is. He is a racist. He is a conman. He is a cheat. Trump in turn called Cohen "weak" and a "rat." Washington pundits had once suggested that Trump would eventually pardon Cohen to free him from his prison term. But as Cohen headed to prison Monday, Trump, who comments on issues large and small throughout the day on Twitter, made no mention of his one-time aide. South Africa's top three political parties sprinted towards the finish line before Wednesday's poll, with the leaders of each party giving impassioned pleas to a deeply divided, conflicted electorate of 26.7 million people. The ruling ANC, the established Democratic Alliance (DA) and upstart Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) parties held their final rallies over the weekend in Johannesburg, the nation's economic hub. The long-ruling ANC leads the 48 parties contesting this year. The party has held power since 1994, but has weathered harsh criticism this year for a slew of government corruption scandals. The head of the ANC, President Cyril Ramaphosa, acknowledged that during the party's final rally. "We admit that we have made mistakes and we put ourselves before our people and say, Yes, we have made mistakes, but it is only those who are doing nothing who don't make mistakes,'" he said to a full stadium in Johannesburg. But analysts, like Ivor Sarakinsky of the University of the Witwatersrand, say the top parties' biggest enemies may be themselves. "A lot of voters are conflicted," he told VOA. "I don't think there's a clear choice because the main parties, and even some of the smaller parties, are bringing enormous baggage into this election in terms of their own internal dynamics," he added. "We focus on the ANC's baggage and dynamics, but all the parties have their own baggage. The DA and the controversies in terms of internal leadership, the EFF in terms of internal leadership and questions about financial flows into the party. There's controversy around all of them." He says the drama around corruption and internal leadership struggles notably within the ANC have distracted from real issues like the economy and the fact that the nation remains deeply divided, socially and economically, a quarter-century after the end of apartheid. "It's about identifying a party that has a manifesto that meets most of your needs, interests and concerns in terms of where the country is going in the future," he said. "And that's a tough ask, because the manifestos don't deal with what many people know are the real issues, and the politics and the emotion and the symbolism and the political tactics has distorted how many parties are marketing themselves. So it's a tough choice for voters at the moment, in this election." Those conflicted or apathetic voters are exactly what the upstart, far-left EFF party is trying to mop up. Party leader Julius Malema, a one-time ANC stalwart, urged voters not to stay on the sidelines. "Comrades, I want to say to all who are saying they are not going to vote because they don't see how the vote helps them, you are committing a suicide, because by not voting you are giving the ANC power," he told supporters at his party's final rally. The leading opposition DA is also hot on the ANC's tail, with leader Mmusi Maimane urging voters not to vote based on appearances or personalities. "I need your vote!" he told supporters. "My fellow South Africans, this is not a popularity contest. This is not about who looks like what, and whether you like this person. I'm not asking you to marry me." Some Zimbabweans are resisting a move by a Chinese investor to open a quarry mine in a village just outside the capital, Harare. Opponents say the project will displace about 20,000 people who live in the area. A representative of the Chinese company denies the claim. Photo: Vulture May kicks off with the 15th annual PEN World Voices Festival, when international authors take over New York for a week of panels and events, and ends with the announcement of the 2019 Man Booker International Prize. In celebration of a month replete with world literature, Vulture has a publishers thoughts on the 3 percent problem of translated literature; an encounter with one of todays most exciting young novelists; and, below, a roundup of 15 great translated books published in the last five years. Severina, by Rodrigo Rey Rosa, translated from Spanish by Chris Andrews (Yale University Press, February 2014) The books of this Guatemalan favorite of Roberto Bolanos vary substantially in tone and breadth. Rey Rosa is capable of exploring the aftermath of crime and the philosophical ramifications of the modern age, but in this short novel he opts to tell a different kind of tale, abounding with restlessness and compulsion. The narrator becomes obsessed with the title character, a young woman with a penchant for stealing from the bookstore he owns. His discovery of her motives sets in motion a series of interconnected musings on the nature of storytelling, truth, and fiction itself. Tobias Carroll Tram 83, by Fiston Mwanza Mujila, translated from French by Roland Glasser (Deep Vellum, September 2015) Its rare for a novel about static characters to possess so much momentum, as this enthralling Congolese authors work does. The title refers to a nightclub, located in an archetypal setting known as the City-State, in which much of the books action takes place a place where liberation and oppression circle one another warily. Mujila focuses on two old friends, Lucien and Requiem, who find their loyalty tested by their own ambitions and the often nefarious characters around them. Mujilas prose brings together harrowing histories, vivid descriptions, and group dynamics; the result is both kinetic and haunting. T.C. One Hundred Shadows, by Hwang Jungeun, translated from Korean by Jung Yewon (Tilted Axis Press, October 2016) The South Koreans first novel and her first to be translated into English is mesmerizing and surreal. Set in a run-down Seoul neighborhood with an uncertain future, it deals with dilemmas of urban-class structure that feel universal, even as the setting feels quite specific. As the central characters puzzle over their hesitant relationship, a series of mysterious events involve shadows that behave bizarrely, accumulating a kind of weight and density. These ethereal properties both convincingly stable and dreamlike accentuate the novels mood and contrast sharply with the otherwise realistic tone. T.C. Things We Lost in the Fire, by Mariana Enriquez, translated from Spanish by Megan McDowell (Hogarth, February 2017) So many of the best (and quite frankly, most terrifying) short stories coming out of Latin America are currently being written by women. Mariana Enriquezs gripping stories, finally translated into English last year, are a case in point. Grotesque body horror women setting themselves on fire, a girl yanking out her fingernails (sorry!), a drug high gone terribly wrong is interwoven with the traumas of an Argentine society dealing with poverty, corruption, the drug trade, and the remnants of a dictatorship. Definitely read this one with the lights on. Luisa Rollenhagen The Twenty Days of Turin, by Giorgio De Maria, translated from Italian by Ramon Glazov (Liveright, February 2017) It took decades for this novel, first published in 1977, to be translated into English. Unfortunately, De Marias book about strange conspiracies, fascist governments, and menacing figures feels just as relevant now. Years after a series of horrific and possibly supernatural events took place in Turin, a writer sets out to investigate by interviewing witnesses and participants, attracting the attention of sinister forces. The ensuing events blend the visceral and the metafictional, leading to an utterly chilling conclusion. Its both a powerful metaphor for Italian history and a paranoid thriller for any time, especially ours. T.C. Frontier, by Can Xue, translated from Chinese by Karen Gernant and Chen Zeping (Open Letter Books, March 2017) Xue has inspired rapturous praise from the likes of Susan Sontag and Robert Coover for her bold, mercurial works, which grapple with identity and place. Frontier is set in a fictional municipality known as Pebble Town, the name of which is the first indication that were in a world more stylized than our own. The arrival of a young woman named Liujin provides the catalyst for a multifaceted look at the residents, encompassing various philosophical conundrums as well as some glorious weirdness. Its among the most immersive fiction youre ever likely to encounter. T.C. Go, Went, Gone, by Jenny Erpenbeck, translated from German by Susan Bernofsky (New Directions, September 2017) Whenever the political psyche strains to find a signal within the noise, some novels seem perfectly timed to answer the call. Set smack in the middle of Europes refugee crisis in 2015, Erpenbecks novel explores what happens when a German pensioners life intersects with a group of African refugees. What could easily end in trite kumbaya idealism instead evades simple answers, preferring to linger in awkward spaces, amid unpleasant truths: How willing are we to upend our own comforts to help a stranger? Thanks in part to a superb translation, you dont have to be freighted with German history to feel uneasy about these questions. L.R. Transparent City, by Ondjaki, translated from Portuguese by Stephen Henighan (Biblioasis, May 2018) On paper, a rough description of the Angolan writer Ondjakis novel might sound intimidating: It places a character with a surreal condition into a starkly realist setting, while its loose structure occasionally hews closer to free verse than traditional narrative. But in telling the story of a man named Odonato, who is slowly fading out of existence, and the chaotic city around him, Ondjaki takes risks that actually smooth the flow. In other words, hes experimental without being off-putting; it helps that his tale is both ecstatic and bittersweet. The language immerses the reader in the novels milieu, but also charts out unexpected dimensions. T.C. Flights, by Olga Tokarczuk, translated from Polish by Jennifer Croft (Riverhead, August 2018) Flights, which won the Man Booker International Prize in 2018, is a distinctively structured book that eludes easy classification. Some of its fragmented chapters link up with sections elsewhere in the book, while others appear briefly, make their point, and vanish. Throughout, Tokarczuk deftly shifts perspectives from the intimate and memoir-esque to the sweeping and historical. This bold work of fiction is singular both among recent literary works and within Tokarczuks own oeuvre, which explores radically different literary styles in each book. T.C. An Untouched House, by Willem Frederik Hermans, translated from Dutch by David Colmer (Archipelago, October 2018) As long as I wasnt wounded, nothing had happened. There had never been any other people, not in my lifetime, nowhere in the whole world. The anonymous narrator of An Untouched House is a Dutch soldier in World War II. After his regiment commandeers a resort town, he enters a house and fancies himself the new owner, willing himself to forget the war. Problems arise when the legal occupants show up. This novella is a fascinating portrait of a solipsistic mind, a scrupulous rendering of the erosion of human empathy that resonates in these uncivil times. Christopher Byrd The Hole, by Jose Revueltas, translated from Spanish by Amanda Hopkinson and Sophie Hughes (New Directions, October 2018) This ferocious account of human tenacity takes depravity seriously. It tells the story of three inmates and the three women they convince to bring drugs into prison. All are described in language by turns exalted and vulgar. A junkie, with his head cocked to the side to stare out of the tiny opening of a cell door, is likened to John the Baptist with his head on a plate. Elsewhere, a body cavity search becomes an occasion for a phenomenological meditation on the malleability of desire. Revueltass febrile sentences are as concentrated and intense as anything by Thomas Bernhard or Hermann Broch. C.B. Death Is Hard Work, by Khaled Khalifa, translated from Arabic by Leri Price (Farrar, Straus & Giroux, February 2019) Many Syrian writers today are writing from exile but not Khalifa, one of its most famous literary figures, who still lives in Damascus. Death Is Hard Work takes place in the current day, in the midst of the brutal war most of us experience merely as headlines. Three siblings have to travel a few hours from Damascus to return their deceased fathers body to his native village. Normally this would be a simple task, but in wartime nothing is simple. Their dangerous road trip frames a sharp, unflinching portrait of the psyche of a splintered family and a shattered country. L.R. Good Will Come From the Sea, by Christos Ikonomou, translated from Greek by Karen Emmerich (Archipelago, March 2019) What happens when everything turns on the question of money money you dont have? Think of the compulsions that might overcome you. Ikonomous short stories describe the lives of Greeks coping with the economic fallout of the debt crisis. The people in his fiction discover that poverty is an instructor a revealer of depths, a conjurer of fresh identities. In this collection, some characters are hardened by their experiences, some find courage, and some lose themselves in delusions. Each of their stories is gripping from the first to the last. C.B. Dark Constellations, by Pola Oloixarac, translated from Spanish by Roy Kesey (Soho Press, April 2019) When Oloixaracs first novel was translated in 2017 as Savage Theories, it was clear that the Argentine author had no small feat in mind. The philosophy majors debut was a multidisciplinary, anthropological deep dive into a history of violence as framed through Argentinas military dictatorship. Now shes back with Dark Constellations, an ambitiously expansive novel, as erudite as the last, which introduces us to 19th-century explorers, hackers in the 1980s, and researchers in the not-so-distant future working on a massive surveillance project. Theyre all after the same thing: observing, cataloguing, and controlling the human experience. L.R. Kasebier Takes Berlin, by Gabriele Tergit, translated from German by Sophie Duvernoy (New York Review Books Classics, July 2019) Tergit was a quintessential writer of Berlins roaring 20s, who captured a divided city wild with hedonism, cabarets, abject poverty, multiculturalism, and the escalating battle between fascists and communists that would come to define the continents fate for decades. Finally, her seminal 1932 novel a biting critique of Weimar-era politics that made her no friends; she fled the Nazis a year later is forthcoming in English, and Tergit might get the global recognition she deserves. L.R. Samanta Schweblin. Photo: Alejandra Lopez May kicks off with the 15th annual PEN World Voices Festival, when international authors take over New York for a week of panels and events, and ends with the announcement of the 2019 Man Booker International Prize. In celebration of a month replete with world literature, Vulture has a roundup of 15 recent translations you should definitely read; a publishers thoughts on the 3 percent problem of translated literature; and, below, an encounter with one of the most exciting young novelists writing today. When the Argentinian author Samanta Schweblin was 12 years old, she decided to stop talking. It was shockingly simple. She had gotten into one of those devastating fights 12-year-old children have with their friends, and was consumed by indignation over not being able to defend herself. Words abandoned me, she says now. They werent sufficiently precise to explain to the world what my grievance was. So she did the only reasonable thing a 12 year old could do: She became mute. We think of a silent world as a constricted one. But for Schweblin, it became a space to flourish. [Spoken] language has always bothered me, she says. Im always trying to say something, Im trying to search for words and they dont appear Im always uncomfortable. Spending her day with books was a significant improvement over having to talk to people. Eventually her teachers gave her parents an ultimatum: Schweblin either needed to get a note from a psychoanalyst or start talking. So after a year of silence, she begrudgingly reentered the land of speech. But her silence had set something monumental in motion: When I stopped talking, language exploded in the best possible way. I was constantly reading, I started writing, and my interior world was enormous. Though Schweblins reticence endures to this day, last month I managed to convince her to meet me another Argentinian living in Berlin at an outdoor cafe around the corner from her Kreuzberg apartment and speak to me about how much she dislikes speaking, especially about her work. I literally feel that every time I open my mouth, Im making my books worse, she says, laughing and stirring her espresso. Because I really feel that everything I wanted to say, I already said exactly how I wanted to say it in the book. But there is no escaping the curiosity of her fans. They are inevitably going to wonder about the warm, smiling woman who can write so hauntingly about, among other things, teen girls eating live birds, brides abandoned along a haunted highway, strange diseases coursing through a towns water supply, and artists obsessed with smashing peoples heads against concrete. Schweblins work has only been available in English since 2017, when her terse, nail-bitingly-unsettling novel Distancia del rescate was translated as Fever Dream. It was shortlisted for the Man Booker International Prize, won the Shirley Jackson Award, and is currently being adapted for Netflix by Claudia Llosa, who directed the Oscar-nominated The Milk of Sorrow. She had stories published in Harpers and The New Yorker, and earlier this year she published her second translated book, the beguiling collection Mouthful of Birds, which is once again shortlisted for the Man Booker. Her rise seems swift, but as with so many non-English writers, its been a long time coming. Anglophone readers have a lot of catching up to do. Before a word of her work had been translated into English, Schweblin had already been translated into more than 20 different languages, and her oeuvre, including the short story collection Siete Casas Vacias and her recent novel Kentukis, is passionately acclaimed in Argentina and across the Spanish-speaking world. Its exciting to see an English-speaking audience start to dig deeper into her work, but it should also be said that Schweblin has been having a moment for a very long time, ever since El nucleo del disturbio came out in 2002 and started raking in prizes throughout Latin America. The fault is not entirely that of America and its aversion to translated literature. Schweblin had been approached by English translators over the years, but was too cautious to accept them or perhaps too savvy. There were some really interesting offers from independent publishers, but Ive seen it happen to other Latin American authors where their books simply got lost with really small publishers, she explains. If a book of mine were to be published in English, it would have to do really well. Because if a translation was done and the book didnt really sell, then that book is dead. That book only has one chance. Her anxiety about being misunderstood, misinterpreted, or taken out of context makes sense when you see how masterfully she handles her prose a writer in full control on the page. Her language is economical, yet supremely effective at creating a tense, claustrophobic atmosphere; shadows lurk behind the words left unwritten, the sentences that refuse to reveal the hidden things just around the corner. Rarely, if ever, is the horror named. It is simply felt. Nothing can be trusted. Schweblin has placed her full trust in Megan McDowell, who translated Fever Dream (and is currently working on Kentukis), and has been able to preserve the thrillingly sinister spirit of her writing. In Mouthful of Birds, opening lines put us on alert. Gismondi found it odd that the children and the dogs didnt run out to greet him when he arrived, begins one story. In another, the smile of a ticket vendor in an otherwise abandoned train station feels foreboding both in English and Spanish. You can see why Schweblin wanted to wait until she found a translator who could get it exactly right. Schweblin also feels right about the timing of her U.S. arrival. Readers seem to finally be widening their horizons a little bit looking abroad for everything from Elena Ferrantes sweeping dramas of friendship to Scandinavian thrillers. Schweblin credits the creation of the Man Booker International Prize, established in 2015, with introducing a broader range of writers to anglophone readers, giving them a shot at bestseller lists where Americans once held a near-monopoly. Perhaps, less fortunately, there is also the sense that Americans are no longer immune to the sorts of troubles that afflict flailing democracies around the world. There are so many people who feel so furious and so trapped, she says, that theres this very strong need to look outward. Sitting in that Kreuzberg sidewalk cafe as bits of German, Turkish, English, Russian, and Spanish mix in the air around us, she tells me about her own need to look outward. I really wanted to live abroad. Not because of Buenos Aires I love Buenos Aires. But just for the sake of being somewhere else. When the opportunity arose, in 2012, to come to Berlin on a year-long fellowship, she didnt hesitate. Shes been here ever since, and although Ive lived on and off in this city for several years, I can only envy her full integration here. Shes part of Berlins tight-knit Latin American literary expat community and regularly leads Spanish-language literary workshops but still insists she is a stranger in this city. Our conversation keeps circling back to Argentina. Suddenly were getting excited about the panuelos verdes and their fight to legalize abortion, reminiscing about Buenos Aires and what streets we used to live on, whos gone and whos still there. Maybe shell return one day, she says, when things have calmed down there and it would be easier to live. Maybe. For me there will always be something distinctly Argentinian in her writing, which I can only clumsily identify as a neurotic unease. The vaguely unidentifiable dread you feel when youre in the campo, the Argentinian countryside, where the darkness teems with the legends passed around slowly through the sleepy, dusty pueblos. Or those weird moments in Buenos Aires, when you turn a corner and suddenly come across an eerily quiet street, and are overcome with the sensation of something watching you from behind the rotting wooden shutters of a Belle Epoque house. Perhaps there is simply some inherent melancholy in the culture. Perhaps its the undercurrent of existential dread as economic crisis after economic crisis batters the country, as poverty rates skyrocket and crime and violence feel commonplace. Perhaps its a high tolerance for the absurdity of the nations politics. The Argentinian capacity to imagine and experience tragedy has always been copious. All of this pervades the writing of Schweblin a necessary corrective to outdated ideas about the regions politics and especially its literature. For many readers throughout the U.S. and Europe, Latin American literature is still firmly rooted in the 60s, when the boom latinoamericano brought Garcia Marquez, Cortazar, Fuentes, and co. onto the world stage. Schweblin is thankful for their legacy, but also delicately suggests the need to move forward. There are moments during interviews, at festivals, or at readings where youre asked about the boom, and to me its like theyre asking me about some really old grandfather who Ive never really known, she says. Its a bit disconcerting. Just as contemporary American literature is no longer solely defined by mildly depressed kings of the suburbs like Updike and Cheever, Latin American literature contains multitudes beyond magical realism. Between the boom and Schweblin are what she calls two lost generations, mostly unknown to Anglophone readers writers just now being rediscovered. Another Argentinian, Sara Gallardo, comes to mind a household name in Spanish but only posthumously translated into English last year. Or the late Argentinian Hebe Uhart, whos also just being translated now. Or Mario Benedetti; Eliecer Cardenas; Maria Luisa Puga the list can go on. As I said, theres a lot of catching up to do. In Schweblins case, it was the writer herself who needed to move beyond her borders to break new ground: Leaving Argentina, she says, brought me closer to Latin America. Because paper is very expensive in Argentina, it was easier to find a wide variety of Latin American literature in Berlin than in her home country. Germany also prodded her to look beyond Argentina in her writing. Kentukis is a technological dystopia following various protagonists across several countries; its her first attempt to write a truly global work. I dont know if I would have had the courage to make a move like that if I hadnt left Argentina, she says. Berlin also helped in practical terms, thanks to her fellowship. I had an entire year where I didnt do anything other than write, she says. The first three years in Berlin were the three most productive years of my life. Berlin brought the world to Schweblin, and ultimately, it brought Schweblin to the world into 25 languages, on the verge of global literary fame, and, Netflix willing, pop success as well. Were quite provincial, us Argentinians, she says. Argentina is so far away from everything, its even far away from the rest of Latin America. Its something an Argentinian doesnt realize until they leave. You could say much the same thing about American readers as well. Photo: Vulture and Courtesy of the Studios Over the past few years, horror fans have been spoiled by a steady parade of outstanding studio films (Get Out, Annihilation, A Quiet Place). Were in the boom times! Sort of. The major-market offerings of 2019 havent quite lit both our hearts and the box office ablaze, save for Jordan Peeles megasuccessful Us. But the official horror season has delivered some inspiringly inventive small-budget releases that serve up creature-feature chills and head-banging vampire mania. This year has brought us dance parties in hell, really disturbing drug trips, meditations on trauma, murderous works of art, alpine witches, and more. Here are Vultures picks for the top horror films of 2019 so far. Annabelle Comes Home Photo: Warner Bros. The motto for the Conjurings expanded-universe movies has generally been Good enough! While there are some jump scares to be had among the franchise, outside the core components of Ed and Lorraine Warren, most entries feel like theyre on cruise control to keep this big machine rolling for New Line. And listen, the third Annabelle movie doesnt break any new ground, but it is a damn fine time at the movie theater. Having the Warrens anchor the whole affair brings that warmth and familiarity that Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson have mastered as paranormal-investigator lovebirds, and building the action around a night with the babysitter gone wrong makes this quaint haunted-house outing feel like just the right kind of teen scream for a summer horror movie. Annabelle, were happy you came home. Belzebuth It is hard to do possession and exorcism and make it feel fresh, but thats exactly what director and co-writer Emilio Portes pulls off with Belzebuth. The story starts in the delivery wing of a Mexican hospital where a nurse goes rogue and carries out an unspeakable killing spree. That event lays the groundwork for a shocking string of murders that will take place years later in the same town, targeting local children. But these are not crimes of men, and supernatural investigators are brought in to assist local police in rooting out the unholy origins of some approaching evil. The deaths are heinous, but they dont veer into exploitative, and the lead cop who was touched by tragedy at the start of the film finds himself in the middle of god and the devil as he fights to save a young boy. Belzebuth is gritty, intense, and at times terrifying. Bliss Writer and director Joe Begos has been getting a ton of buzz this year for his insane double drop of Bliss and VFW. And while youll have to wait until next year for the latter, the former is now available for your twisted enjoyment. This is horror filmmaking at its most stripped down. Dora Madison stars as an artist trying to make rent whose agent sucks and whose brain is creatively blocked. Shes got a massive piece due, but her inspiration is lacking, until a wild night of sex and drugs and maybe blood-drinking unlocks her mind and leaves her feeling more furiously ready to paint than ever. If only she knew why she was having these intense cravings, and if only she knew whether they were for more drugs or more blood. Madison gives a full-body, full-mind performance as an increasingly nocturnal woman who will go to great lengths to get her fix and complete her masterpiece. But is the blood sucking real, or is it all just a drug-fueled dream? And either way, can her body and her relationships bear the cost of her newfound manic creative drive? Boar There is only one movie this year thats worth watching if you want to see a wild pig the size of a van terrorize the wilds of Australia. Much like Razorback before it, this entry from writer and director Chris Sun is both thrilling and ridiculous a creature feature thats down-to-earth only when compared to the spectacles of kaiju and Kong. And thats what makes it a great time. Theres a lot of blood and guts, a lot of full-view shots of the gnarly beast, and perhaps most incredibly of all theres the truly massive actor who played Rictus Erectus (Nathan Jones) in Mad Max: Fury Road as a goofy, overprotective uncle who both bottle feeds a mob of baby lambs and furiously sings Ice Ice Baby while driving. In a movie about a rabid man-eating boar. This is cinema! Braid The feature debut of writer and director Mitzi Peirone is narrative in the form of a quick hallucinogenic trip. A pair of neer-do-well women in their 20s are being hunted by the law and decide that their childhood best friends grand country estate is the best place to hide out. Big mistake: Their friend, Daphne (Cams Madeline Brewer going all out once again), is an extremely troubled shut-in who conscripts her old friends into playing the most fucked-up game of house ever: Theres upsetting sexual role-playing, violence, even adults in playpens. Braid is a flawed work, but Peirone commits to going big and weird and wild enough to make this an exciting debut. Climax Photo: Wild Bunch A tight, terrifying film about what happens when a large group of dancers are unknowingly dosed with LSD during a party and then left to survive the waking nightmare unfolding around them. Provocateur Gaspar Noe wrote, directed, and shot the film himself, working from a five-page story treatment for a script. (He hadnt even planned on using a choreographer until star Sophia Boutella talked him into hiring a professional.) With a cast made up almost entirely of dancers who had never acted before, Noe eschews rigid scene structure in favor of long, voyeuristic shots of the characters crumbling amid pounding dance beats. Its intimate and beautiful and brutal and unique and increasingly hard to watch. Crawl If you didnt predict Crawl about a father and daughter trying to ride out a category 5 hurricane in Florida while trapped under the flooding foundation of a house and pinned inside their watery kill box by a bunch of man-eating alligators was going to be one of this years surprise hits, then shame on you! Shame! Piranha 3-D and High Tension director Alexandre Aja flexes his creature feature muscles once again under the producing eye of Sam Raimi for this lean, 87-minute disaster thriller and body horror bonanza. Kaya Scodelario and Barry Pepper are a surprising yet great father-daughter pairing, and in addition to being a break-neck suspense film it also gives you the catchphrase, Apex predator all day, baby! Deep Murder Deep Murder has managed to hack the system. Thanks to its novel premise what if a slasher took place on the set of a soft core porn, but its not actually a set and everyone just is a stock porn trope? and complete commitment to its in-world rules, its practically impossible for this movie to fail. Cheesy dialogue? Tons of cliches? One-dimensional characters? Theyre all just part of the porn construct, which also sets up incredibly silly kills and some surprising avenues for character development as the porn mansions inhabitants start to achieve self-awareness and grow beyond their soft-focus constraints. And every single actor, from Katie Aselton to Jerry OConnell to Chris Redd and the rest, plays their respective archetypes (the hot mom, the dirtbag sex fiend, the hot jock, etc.) with such gusto you cant help but respect it. You dont need a big budget if youve got a logistically achievable big idea, and Deep Murder unselfconsciously goes all in. Hagazussa: The Heathens Curse Hagazussa has been making its way to audiences for a long time. (Vulture named it one of its most anticipated horror films of 2018.) The feature debut of Austrian filmmaker Lukas Feigelfeld centers on a woman named Albrun, who was orphaned after her mothers death under disturbing circumstances and grows up in an alpine village where the residents (and local clergy) treat her terribly. Feigelfeld exercises extreme patience in creating an atmosphere of dread, letting his heroines battle with her true nature and the society that persecutes her unfold like a lucid dream. On its face, Hagazussa will remind some viewers of The Witch, but Feigelfelds film is working with a magic all its own. Harpoon The three friends in Harpoon were supposed to be setting out for an afternoon pleasure cruise, but then an explosive love triangle emerges and the engine quits working and it all goes to hell. Richard is a wealthy picture of toxic masculinity, Jonah is his longtime best friend, and Sasha is Richards long-suffering girlfriend. Three is a tough number, especially when one person is crushing on another guys significant other, and extra-especially when youre trapped on a boat with no radio, food, water, or clear plan for returning to shore. Its a simple structure, and the fun of Harpoon is watching this tiny cast careen toward catastrophe as their secrets start to spill out in desperate hours. Its sick. But its fun! The Hole in the Ground Lets hear it for melancholy Irish horror! Following in the path of recent sad-horror highlights like The Cured, The Devils Doorway, and the outstanding A Dark Song, Lee Cronins The Hole in the Ground uses grief and trauma to envelop viewers in its portentous atmosphere. The story centers on a woman and her son who left a dangerous situation behind to start over. But theres this massive hole in the ground in the woods behind their new home thats giving off some seriously evil vibes. As her son starts changing for the worse, Sarah (Seana Kerslake) starts losing her grip and must figure out how to break the hold of that gaping, breathing crater and whatever is inside it. I Trapped the Devil With all due respect to Jordan Peeles revival, I Trapped the Devil is the best Twilight Zone episode youll see this year. Of course, its not literally an installment in that episodic series, but this surreal, nerve-twisting story of a man convinced he has Satan trapped in his basement wouldve made Rod Serling proud (see The Howling Man from the original series). Josh Lobo wrote and directed this haunting little number that combines an unwelcome family homecoming at Christmastime and the smallest-scale battle between good and evil. Knife+Heart Photo: Memento Films One of the best things happening in horror in 2019 is how much more overtly queer its been. In director and co-writer Yann Gonzalezs period-piece/French slasher, Vanessa Paradis plays a gay porn producer who is wrecked by the combustion of her relationship with her girlfriend (also her editor) as well as by a strange raft of murders. A masked killer is picking off her actors and the ineffectual police are of no help, leaving Paradiss Anne to try and sleuth him out herself. Knife is a beautiful film that still feels like it was made in a grittier 1970s film scene, and its a dare to other filmmakers who might dull the queer presence in their movies in the service of something more broadly appealing. Level 16 The fact that writer and director Danishka Esterhazy is able to create such a complete-feeling world with just a few stark hallways and sleeping quarters is a testament to the richness of Level 16. Set in an ominous boarding school called the Vestalis Academy, which is presided over by a severe headmistress and a kind physician, the story revolves around a group of girls raised to embody purity and goodness so that they may one day be adopted by loving parents. Each one must be a pristine incarnation of feminine virtue, lest she be punished, but after a lifetime of being treated like a living-doll lab rat, one girl has had enough. When Vivien (Katie Douglas) realizes what adoption for Vestalis girls really means, she conspires with a fellow prisoner to break out. In the process, the girls learn the full extent of the horrors theyve been subjected to without their consent, and that the prescribed definition of a good girl is total bullshit. Little Monsters Australian writer and director Abe Forsythe wanted to make a movie about his experience putting a kid through kindergarten and the crazy emotional highs and lows that both parent and child experience. What he ended up with is a zombie horror-comedy about a class stranded at a park with only their extremely capable teacher, played by Lupita Nyongo, and one boys neer-do-well uncle to protect them. As if the zombies werent a big enough problem, the kids are also in the presence of childrens entertainer Teddy McGiggles (Josh Gad), whos having a full psychotic break as he faces mortality. There are Taylor Swift sing-alongs. There is Lupita slaying the undead while she convinces her students the entire day is just one big game. And theres Josh Gad getting punched in the face. Good times. Luz The German film Luz, from writer and director Tilman Singer, sounds simple enough, a young woman arrives in a police station with a demonic entity on her tail, but the execution is far from simple or even intuitive. Instead, Luz functions like a feat of hypnosis. Its short, just 70 minutes, and yet deliberately paced and tough to untangle. But its also enveloping in its weirdness a truly art-house horror experience. If youre looking for a genre picture to challenge and unnerve you, check out Luz. Midsommar Ari Aster followed up Hereditary with a body horrorlaced, brightly lit mindfuck that only he could make. At nearly two-and-a-half hours long Midsommar counts as a horror epic, and it follows a group of American grad students as they participate in a rare seasonal festival that will test their fortitude and their sanity and their interpersonal relationships and, of course, their ability to survive. Aster returns to catastrophic grief as a main theme for Midsommar, and once again impresses with his meticulous world-building and willingness to push the audiences limits for how much disturbing behavior they can handle. The writer and director goes bigger and more ambitious for Midsommar, letting audiences know the violent delights and pitch-black humor show no signs of tapering off. The Nightshifter This Brazilian ghost story features a mortician in a rut who spends his night shifts chatting away with the bodies that land on his table. But its not all in his head. Stenio is having real conversations with the dead, and one of them tips him off that his wife has been stepping out. He gets back at his wife for her infidelity, but using his ill-gotten information comes with a price, and now Stenio must protect his family from the spirit thats attached itself to him. Dennison Ramalho co-wrote and directed this tense haunted-house effort, and it makes for some good old-fashioned bump-in-the-night scares with just enough of a twist to feel fresh. One Cut of the Dead One Cut of the Dead is a zombie movie, but not the kind youre used to. This low-budget Japanese zom-comedy follows a film crew making a cheesy undead production when theyre suddenly overrun by flesh-eating monsters but to say anymore would wreck the many surprises of this truly innovative zombie romp. One Cut was a box-office smash when it premiered in Japan in 2018, and its truly one of the best movies this subgenre has seen in a long time. Its funny, frantic, bloody, and keeps you guessing at every turn. Actiooooooooon! The Perfection Photo: Netflix Making a truly good exploitation movie asks something close to impossible: Go all-out while exercising just the right amount of judgment in the exact right places, and also strike the right balance between class and trash. The Perfection, which was directed by Richard Shepard and co-written by him along with Eric C. Charmelo and Nicole Snyder, gets the recipe just right. Logan Browning and Allison Williams star as two elite cellists whose paths cross when Williamss character, Charlotte, comes out of a long retirement and reconnects with her old teacher, who has been guiding the career of Brownings Lizzie ever since Charlotte had to leave the conservatory a decade ago. Its a queer, twisted, and jarring story of love and obsession and violence and vengeance and sexually charged cello performances. If youre feeling a semi-hard-core, its a slice of perfection. Piercing Writer and director Nicolas Pesces debut feature, the excellent The Eyes of My Mother, was black-and-white and felt troublingly real. His follow-up, an adaptation of Ryu Murakamis novel Piercing, is just as intimate but much more surreal. Mia Wasikowska and Christopher Abbott star as a pair looking for some dark pleasure, but theyre on very different pages about what that means. Shes a prostitute, hes a paying customer planning to elaborately kill her, but his plans get more complicated when Wasikowskas character turns out to be even scarier than he is. Its a sort of love story for people who like psychosexual foreplay and violence, and Pesces execution is thrilling. Ready or Not Ready or Not is the feel-good genre rager of the summer. Havoc queen Samara Weaving best known for ripping up the screen in The Babysitter and Mayhem finds herself in the middle of another rampage as a new bride fighting off the in-laws who are trying to kill her. Theres a whole deal with a supernatural pact and ritual sacrifice, but the point is, Weavings Grace married into the wrong family of bumbling rich assholes who think it is their dark mandate to turn her into a blood offering. But she wont go quietly, and puts up one hell of a fight as a blood-stained bride in this joyfully over-the-top horror comedy. Watch Ready or Not and receive the bonuses of a bow-and-arrow armed Andie MacDowell and a coked out Melanie Scrofano. Starfish Its been a great year for narratively adventurous genre films. Filmmaker A.T. White has been writing, directing, and producing short films for years, but Starfish is his feature debut. Virginia Gardner stars as Aubrey, a girl attending the funeral of her best friend. Pretty soon, after an overnight invasion in which monsters tear through the landscape, shes one of the last people on Earth. Its not A Quiet Place, though. Most of the movie is of Aubrey staying in her dead besties apartment, hanging out with a pet turtle, scraping by to survive, and trying to decode a series of messages her friend left behind that could possibly save the world if she cracks them. Its haunting and visually arresting and occasionally has some scary-ass monsters. Think survival horror as a dream sequence. Sweetheart Vulture called Sweetheart a diamond-sharp thriller when it debuted earlier this year at the Sundance Film Festival, and at less than 90 minutes long, it is indeed lean and mean. Kiersey Clemons carrying almost every minute of the film on her own stars as Jenn, a woman who becomes stranded on a beautiful island and must survive hunger, dehydration, and the presence of a mysterious creature that starts to stalk around her camp at night. This contained creature feature is director J.D. Dillards first follow up to the 2017 fantasy-tinged thriller Sleight, and with it, he continues to show off his ability to make big worlds on small budgets. Tigers Are Not Afraid American audiences had to wait two years to finally see Tigers Are Not Afraid as it rolled out around the world, but this gritty ghost story managed to surpass the hype. Mexican writer and director Issa Lopezs beautiful, brutal dark fairy tale centers on a group of children orphaned by gang violence who are being hunted by thugs and followed by a mysterious other-wordly presence. It feels like a bracingly current successor to the early cinematic legacy of Guillermo del Toro small-focus stories blown out into imagination journeys through the fantastic who has raved about the film and is now collaborating with Lopez. The filmmaker wanted Tigers to feel like a war movie in its execution, and her blend of wonder and realism is a best-case example of how horror cinema can snap our world into such clear focus. Us Photo: Monkeypaw Productions/Blumhouse Productions Jordan Peeles follow-up to Get Out pushed his thematic ambitions even further: Us is an action thriller, a sci-fi horror film, and even a family comedy that comments on race, class, Generation X, and more. At the heart of it all is a gripping dual performance by Lupita Nyongo that should vault her into the For Your Consideration race come awards season. With Us, Peele cements his status as a thrilling creative talent willing to go big. Velvet Buzzsaw Velvet Buzzsaw is exactly what Netflix is for: Get a fascinating director together with a great ensemble cast, throw a lot of money at the whole thing, and let it all be as weird as possible. Writer and director Dan Gilroys follow-up to the enthralling Nightcrawler sees him reuniting with Rene Russo and Jake Gyllenhaal. She plays a high-end-gallery owner named Rhodora Haze and he plays an esteemed art critic named, yes, Morf Vanderwalt. Theres also Toni Collette as a bitchy art buyer, Natalia Dyer as a lowly executive assistant named Coco (who is hilariously referred to as Rococo), and Zawe Ashton as the ambitious climber Josephina. Together, they all end up in crisis when a cache of brilliant work is discovered in a dead mans apartment and it literally starts killing people. The death scenes are fantastic. The narcissism is dialed up to the max. The bangs on Gyllenhaal are unforgettable. A wonderfully fun blend of camp and horror. The Wind One thing that sort of gets left behind in movies about pioneers on the frontier is that the frontier was probably really scary. Homesteaders were out in the middle of nowhere, vulnerable to murderous passersby and/or malevolent spirits. The scope of The Wind, from director Emma Tammi and screenwriter Teresa Sutherland, is enjoyably narrow. A woman named Lizzy (Caitlin Gerard), who is often left alone by her husband because everything is far away or hard when youre a pioneer starts getting haunted by either a ghost or her own mind or both. As the story slowly unfolds, we learn about the strange and sometimes tragic events that have shaped Lizzies isolated life on the prairie, and the combination of Gerards powerful performance and the ever-more-chilling setting makes the world itself start to feel like a constant threat. For more of the years greatest pop culture, dont miss Vultures list of the best movies, best songs, best albums, best books, and best video games of 2019. They came from 48 states and seven countries and many were wearing fake beards and cowboy hats. On Saturday, more than 5,000 people took to the streets of College Station to compete in the first Chuck Norris 5K charity run, with the master of martial arts himself at the finish line, determined to high-five every participant. The massive migration of Chucks got moving at 9:30 a.m. in the front parking lot of the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum, and the route wound throughout the Texas A&M campus, ending back at the museum. Norris could be seen standing on a platform with his wife, Gena, giving two big thumbs up to his fans as they dashed by during the start. Texas A&M student Kentaro Iio was the first to cross the finish line and the first runner of the day to give Norris a high-five. I wanted to win because this is the inaugural 5K, said Iio, an international student from Japan. It was unbelievable to shake his hand. Its a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Written by: Diana West Was just listening to Byron Yorks interview with George Papadop. https://ricochet.com/series/byron-york-show/ About 20 minutes in Papadop mentions meeting Mifsud in Italy. We know that while Mifsud was supposedly out of sight last year, he was living in Link Campus, a Roman university "with ties to Western intelligence. (Rep. Devin Nunes recently said in an interview with Maria Bartiromo that the FBI sponsored training actvities these almost every year.) https://dailycaller.com/2019/04/19/joseph-mifsud-papadopoulos-mueller/ I guess Mifsud wasnt really out of sight. Then I remembered an item in The Red Thread about the Institute of International Education, under whose auspices members of the Frankfurt School entered the US as refugees from Nazi Germany, including Paul Tillich, who, with Reinhold Neibuhr, had been a professor of James Comey's thesis advisor. In Germany, Tillich had taught as a close associate of the Frankfurt School, the notoriously Marxist institution, some of whose members and associates were later linked to the NKVD.(Meanwhile, the co-founder and president of IIE, Stephan Duggan, was also the father of State Department official Lawrence Duggan, later exposed as a Soviet agent. Much of the institutes 1930s legwork was performed by Edward R. Murrow, then an officer of IIE, later the CBS star and an open antagonist of Sen. Joseph McCarthy.) The institute transplanted hundreds of refugee- academics onto American campuses. Many, such as Tillich and Herbert Marcuse, would inculcate Marxist ideas in generations of college students. The institute, by the way, is still up and running. On checking its current activities, I found its president, Allan Goodman, on a 2017 panel at a State Department-co-sponsored conference on Global Ties. One of the other co- panelists was suspected intelligence agent Joseph Mifsud, a shadowy figure in the anti-Trump conspiracy." My International Education Lightbulb went off. Guess whose husband has a career in this international education stuff ex-FBI anti-Trump conspirator Lisa Pages! Page's husband has been i.d.d as Joseph Burrow. Here is his LInkedIn page, https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-burrow As you will see, until December 2017, Burrow was for some years with an outfit called ISEP Study Abroad. In this story about the Western-intelligence-linked Link Campus, it says: http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:O8Kp3wp13YUJ:breakinthedesk.eu/consortium/link-campus-university/+&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us Link Campus University operates since 1999 as the Italian filiation of the University of Malta. Malta? Never mind that Buttigiegs Gramscian Marxist father is from Malta, as is Joseph Mifsud. The Link Campus University have been introduced to the international academic world through bilateral agreement and cooperation programmes with several universities in different countries as the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Italy and Australia. The Link Campus University is also associated with some of the main international university networks as Utrecht, Compostela, Santander and Community of Universities of the Mediterranean. Moreover, it attends to the main research, teaching and exchange programmes of the European Union as MEDA, Socrates and Leonardo. In the United States it is a member of ISEP (International Student Exchange Programme), NAFSA (Association of International Educators) and CIEE (Council for International Education Exchange). Excluding the United Kingdom, it is the oldest member of the Commonwealth University Association. So, Mifsud's Western-intelligence-linked home away from home, Link Campus, is a member of ISEP, where, according to LinkedIn, ex-FBI official Lisa Page's husband Joseph Burrow used to work. Whether these items connect they sure seem linked. Midway Independent School District named Woodgate Intermediate School Principal Aaron Pena as its new assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction, the district announced Tuesday. Pena has worked for Midway since 2011, first as principal of Woodway Elementary School, according to a press release. He became principal of Woodgate Intermediate School in 2017. Dr. Aaron Pena is diligent in his practice and committed to the profession, Midway Superintendent George Kazanas said in the press release. What stands out most is his work ethic and passion for students and teachers. Penas 20 years of teaching and leadership experience include an impressive track record of service at the elementary and secondary levels in both urban and suburban school settings, the press release states. He has a particular talent for transforming academic performance of campuses, Kazanas wrote. Im excited to see how his ability to impact a campus can be amplified across the district. Sam Mangrum, 89, passed away on Saturday, May 4, 2019 in McGregor, Texas. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, May 9, at OakCrest Funeral Home, with Aryn Mojica officiating. Burial will follow at Waco Memorial Park. Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 8, at the funeral home. Sam was born January 20, 1930, in Mineral Wells, Texas, to W.J. and Lorene (Jordan) Mangrum. He was a veteran of the United States Army and the National Guard. Sam was a loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather and great-great grandfather. He was hardworking, an astute businessman and for many years owned and operated Mangrum Air Conditioning in Stephenville. He had a passion for antique cars and rebuilt Model T Fords, giving each of his four children one of his lovingly remodeled cars. Sam was a member of the Commemorative Air Force, the Boy Scouts of America and served on the Lacy Lakeview City Council for several years. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Lacy Lakeview. I-35 safety issue Regarding the Sunday Trib story, Businesses brace for widening of Interstate 35 through Waco: I have only one negative thing to say of this project. Can someone give a good viable reason for why the pedestrian bridge will not be replaced? The I-35 pedestrian bridge is used quite often by Waco residents and Baylor University students alike. The manager of Collin Street Bakery is even shown running on this bridge. Several photos staff photographer Rod Aydelotte took were from this pedestrian bridge. I have heard it would be too expensive to replace. Well, there we go again, putting a price on human life. This is a vital safety measure for residents and tourists in our area who may not have transportation available to them. Because of the makeup of our area, we should actually have that one replaced and one or two more added. If they want to say it cannot be done, then I must ask why it is that there are currently two pedestrian bridges on I-37 going into Corpus Christi with two more now being built? This is on a stretch of road about two miles long with some residential development on one side, heavy industrial use on the other. It does not have near the residential activity that the Baylor area of I-35 does. Yet, as said earlier, they are currently adding two more pedestrian bridges in that area. Temperatures in Rome plummet as Italy records coldest May in 62 years. Italy has not been this cold in May since 1957, thanks to an intense wave of arctic air sweeping the country, with unseasonal snowfall, hailstones and icy winds, particularly in the north. The temperature in Rome on 5 May 2019 was among the lowest for that day in the last decade. The minimum and maximum temperatures were respectively 7-14 Celsius, compared to a reading the same day last year of 14-20, or in 2017 with a maximum temperature of 24 for the same day. Photo Dimensione Suono Roma Photos and magnets that belonged to JP Rodriguezs great-grandmother are displayed in the 6-year-olds bedroom in Miami. (Josh Ritchie for The Post) The empty seats at holiday tables this month have many families mourning. Lisa's real name is Hongying. Being interviewed in 2006, she chose to go by Lisa "because it was easy to write, easy to remember, and there were already too many Helens," she says, chuckling. She was born and raised in Wuhan, the capital of Hubei, the third of six children. Her father was a military driver, her mother a ticket taker on a bus. Because both parents worked, her job, starting at age 10, was to cook for the family. After high school, she worked at a hotel for foreigners and became interested in pastries. The chef saw potential in her and for three years taught her to make dumplings, noodles, sauces, dim sum, breads and sweet and savory pastries. Students in Kayse Fernandess fourth-grade class used to ignore the railroad tracks that run next to the freeway and along the outskirts of their city. If they did think about them, they figured they were just an old-fashioned way to get from one place to another. Thats the only world I knew. So nothing was abnormal in my mind. I didnt understand, obviously, my dads, like, a major drug dealer. But I know he doesnt have a job. And I know that people treat us different from everybody else especially in our neighborhood, but even at restaurants or the barbershop or stores. You know, we had our own parking space at the Capital Centre. Now we have so much more access to celebrities and all that, but then, those guys were, like, the most relevant people in the black community here in D.C. You know what I mean? And then also, outside of my dad, every other man that I know, right, this is his lifestyle as well. I didnt really know people who worked, particularly men. While new schools in the charter and traditional public sectors are opening, other campuses sit more than half-empty, facing budget cuts as their student populations dwindle. The problem is most acute in the upper grades in low-income neighborhoods, where charter schools are plentiful and a large percentage of students commute across the city seeking options they think are better than the schools in their own neighborhoods. In some wealthier areas, schools sit above capacity, strained by having too many students. On the night of May 2, a special agent with the Archives Office of the Inspector General, was summoned by the Secret Service to the north side of the White House, where Wallace had told the Secret Service that he had set the Archives fire. We still have some issues here in Montgomery County, Jawando said at a news conference on the steps of the council office building in Rockville after the unanimous vote. This would go in the right direction for making sure that when our police officers are involved in the death of a resident, that we have an independent investigation and that investigative report be made public so that the community can look at it and learn from it. He resolved to build a community where people with and without intellectual disabilities could live and work alongside one another as equals. With financial help from his parents and other patrons, Mr. Vanier bought what he called a dilapidated house in the French town of Trosly-Breuil, northeast of Paris, initially with no electricity or running water. The first two residents, one mentally and physically disabled by meningitis and the other by encephalitis, came from an overcrowded psychiatric hospital. Hassons public defenders have fought back against the governments assertions, saying prosecutors offered no concrete evidence detailing when and how Hasson was allegedly planning to strike. Hassons attorneys said that he has no criminal record and that the writings the government pointed to as evidence of his dangerousness were private thoughts that should not be weighed to keep him in jail pending trial. The increase comes as other portions of the economy also are on strong footing. The District reached 700,000 residents last year, a number not seen since the 1970s. Though the unemployment rate has ticked up slightly in recent months, it remains below 6 percent, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The members of the Virginia Energy Reform Coalition said states such as Texas and Ohio have devised successful ways to deregulate the energy market and usher in competition that saves money for consumers. They consulted with Pat Wood III, who led the Texas utility commission in the late 1990s and served as chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission under President George W. Bush. The aspiration procedure takes their physicians only about ten minutes to complete, attorneys for the Virginia Department of Health argued in one motion. A medication abortion requires even less physician time, and can be done via Skype meaning that the physician does not have to be in the same room (or even the same city) as the abortion patient. "I've been in the minority party my entire time in the General Assembly, and even though we made historic gains last year, I keep seeing bills that a majority of Virginians care about dying in party-line votes in committees," she said in an interview Monday, referring to legislation to promote solar power, tighten gun control, and outlaw discrimination against gay people in housing and public employment. "I just feel like I need to step up and do all I can to help make that happen." Leana Wen, president of the Planned Parenthood Action Fund, said in an interview that the Georgia legislation is part of a larger landscape of nearly 300 antiabortion bills introduced so far this year in 36 states. Many of them contain far-reaching provisions, such as one in Georgia that allows authorities to investigate women who miscarry, and one in Texas that would allow capital punishment for those receiving or performing an abortion. Official Thai election results favor anti-military party: Thailand's Election Commission endorsed results from the March 24 general election, declaring that the Pheu Thai party associated with fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra topped the field by winning 136 constituencies. The commission said the military-backed Palang Pracharath party ran second with 97 seats. It is still unclear who will form the next government, as the two top parties are seeking partners to achieve a parliamentary majority. An election commission official cautioned that the endorsements could be withdrawn pending investigations of more than 400 complaints. The amendment says nothing about requiring felons to render payment for court costs as a condition of regaining the vote, but Republicans in Tallahassee saw in the omission an opportunity for mischief. Late last week, with the annual legislative session drawing to a close, they passed a bill that blocks former felons from voting until they pay outstanding fines, fees and restitution sums that can amount to many thousands of dollars. The effect would be to maintain the states disenfranchisement regime for thousands or tens of thousands of ex-convicts who have already served their sentences. Turks who have fought Mr. Erdogans attacks on independent media and civil society now have a new loss to mourn: Never before has a Turkish government refused to accept the results of an election. They must hope that Mr. Erdogans strong-arm move backfires and that he again loses Istanbul when the new vote is held next month. Fortunately, there is reason to believe that may happen. The presidents appeal of the election results was controversial even inside his party, where a rift has been growing between the clique around him and those who favor democratic practices. Third, it is dangerous to assume that time is on our side that eventually the Palestinians can be coerced or worn down into accepting something less than statehood, without any lasting costs for Israel. That is a recipe for more unrest and human tragedy. And given demographic realities, with Arabs soon to emerge as the majority in the land Israel controls from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean, it is also a recipe for the erosion of Israel as a Jewish democracy. That in turn could have profound consequences for the U.S.-Israeli alliance and the American public affinity on which it rests. The president of Liberty University floated this fine idea over the weekend, and Trump himself quickly embraced the proposal with a retweet, adding a rationale: Despite the tremendous success that I have had as president, including perhaps the greatest ECONOMY and most successful first two years of any president in history, they have stolen two years of my (our) Presidency (Collusion Delusion) that we will never be able to get back. As a space cybersecurity researcher, I am excited about the renewed interest in space from both the commercial and exploratory perspectives. But we need to be strategic about the security of these space systems. Unlike Internet of things devices such as baby monitors, which we purchase for less than $100 and discard or sell once a new model comes out, satellites often remain in orbit for much longer and are less dispensable. So if we dont consider the cybersecurity of the space asset now, well likely be dealing with the ramifications of that for several years to come. The lack of government intervention in satellite security does not mean that we can ignore cybersecurity as an issue. Species extinction is one of those problems whose vast scale, in space and time, makes it difficult to comprehend, let alone address globally. As any paleontologist can tell you, species appear and disappear naturally at a gradual rate with no human intervention. And in the 3.5-billion-year history of life on Earth, there have been five abrupt mass extinctions when more than three-quarters of all living species were quickly wiped out. The most recent came 66 million years ago, when an asteroid strike is believed to have killed off the dinosaurs. McConnells forceful rhetoric comes as the fallout from Muellers investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential campaign shows no signs of ending anytime soon. Separately, regarding McConnells call for a focus on the legislative agenda, the Senate has spent much of the past few months on nominations and little time on legislation. A key House committee plans to vote Wednesday on whether to hold Attorney General William P. Barr in contempt of Congress for not complying with a subpoena, as the conflict continues to flare over releasing Muellers unredacted report and Barrs testimony before the House. In a Monday evening statement, the White House announced Trumps decision to sign an executive grant of clemency, which amounts to a full pardon, citing support from the military community and Oklahoma elected officials, some of whom had recently renewed a public campaign for the presidents order. Behenna, the statement said, was entirely deserving. However, some condemned the move as mercy for a man who showed none to Mansur. Education Montgomery County Community College will present the spring installment of the interview/talk show program Issues and Insights April 20 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. in Science Center room 214, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The programs will be simulcast to the Colleges West Campus in South Hall room 216, 101 College Drive, Pottstown. Dr. Kolsky will offer a humorous presentation, Carrots, Sticks and Politics: A State of the Nation and the World Message. In this speech, he will provide his interpretation of domestic and international politics and then welcome questions from the audience for discussion. Issues and Insights, is free and open to the public. For information, contact Dr. Thomas Kolsky, professor of political science, at 215-641-6380 or tkolsky@mc3.edu. Montgomery County Community Colleges STEM Scholars Program will host a STEM Jam! open house April 25 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the Advanced Technology Center at the Colleges Central Campus, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The drop-in event is designed for students interested in learning more about careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Activities will include STEM program information and career advising, STEM speakers throughout the day from industry and academia, micro-helicopter and robotics competitive obstacle courses and demonstrations and static models of STEM student and faculty work. For more information about STEM Jam! or STEM programs at MCCC, contact William Brownlowe at wbrownlowe@mc3.edu or 215-641-6644, or Robin Zuhlke at 215-619-7440 or rzuhlke@mc3.edu. Temple Ambler, located at 580 Meetinghouse Road, presents the following events: International Club Global Bazaar April 15 from 5 to 8 p.m. The Ambler Campus International Club invites all students, faculty, staff and the community to celebrate a multitude of diverse cultures, which will be showcased at the organizations Global Bazaar. This family friendly event will highlight cultural traditions and celebrations in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, South American, North America and Africa through music, entertainment, food and informative displays developed and presented by students at the Ambler Campus. Young visitors will be provided with passports, which they may get stamped at each country they visit. Prizes will be awarded to world travelers who talk to cultural representatives, answer questions about the countries theyve visited and take part in fun-filled activities designed to help them learn about the rich diversity of cultures found throughout the world. Refreshments will be served. The event is free. For more information, call 267-468-8108 or e-mail tuc36466@temple.edu. EarthFest 2011 April 29 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. More than 75 exhibitors, including the Philadelphia Zoo, The Franklin Institute, the Academy of Natural Sciences, the Elmwood Park Zoo and the Insectarium, will take part in EarthFest 2011. School students of all ages are invited to attend and develop displays of their own. EarthFest partner the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society also offers its Kids Grow Expo, featuring the Junior Flower Show, as part of the event. For more information, call 267-468-8108 or e-mail duffyj@temple.edu. Annual Spring Plant Sale May 7 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The plant sale an Ambler Campus tradition dating back to the early 1900s will feature woody plants and perennials in portable sizes, hardy trees, shrubs, and vines, native plants that are attractive to wildlife, herbs, and hanging baskets. There will also be numerous special plants for sale to highlight Amblers special anniversary year. Garden books and garden tools will also be available for sale. Students, staff, and volunteers from the Department of Landscape Architecture and Horticulture and the Ambler Arboretum Advisory Committee will be available to answer questions. All proceeds from the Spring Plant Sale will support the Ambler Arboretum Fund and the Pi Alpha Xi National Honor Society. Information: 267-468-8001 or judy.shatz@temple.edu. Learn more at www.ambler.temple.edu/anniversary. June Homecoming/Louise Bush-Brown Garden Dedication June 5 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. (June Homecoming), Bright Hall Lounge; 2 p.m. (Garden Dedication), Ambler Campus Formal Perennial Gardens. Tickets June Homecoming: Participant $18 per person; Sustainer $25 per person; Benefactor $40 per person. The 2011 June Homecoming, sponsored by the School of Environmental Design Alumni Association, will include the Alumni Association annual meeting and luncheon. June Homecoming will be followed by the formal dedication of Temple University Amblers Formal Perennial Gardens as the Louise Bush-Brown Formal Gardens. During this 100th anniversary of the campus, Temple University Ambler and the Ambler Arboretum of the Temple University is honoring Louise Bush-Browns many contributions to the history of the campus by formally dedicating the gardens in her honor. During the program, campus Executive William Parshall will welcome guests, Ambler Arboretum Director Jenny Rose Carey will speak about the Bush-Browns and the history of the garden, and an official ribbon cutting will be held for the Louise Bush-Brown Formal Garden. Following the ribbon cutting, guests are invited to take a tour of the gardens, which will wend their way to the Campus Greenhouse for the School of Environmental Designs annual Plant Auction. Information (Garden Dedication): 267-468-8001 or judy.shatz@temple.edu. Information (June Homecoming): 215-482-0722. Learn more at www.ambler.temple.edu/anniversary. Northview Garden Tour and Fundraiser for the Ambler Arboretum June 12 from noon to 5 p.m. Call for reservations. Tickets: $15 per person or $20 at the door. In addition to the gardens of the Ambler Arboretum of Temple University, Arboretum Director Jenny Rose Carey has a garden oasis all her own right in Ambler Northview. Visitors will have the opportunity to take self-guided tours throughout the many gardens, where garden experts will be available to answer questions about the various designs. The Ambler Keystone Chapter of the Womans National Farm and Garden Association will also provide tea and refreshments. All proceeds from the tours will support the Ambler Arboretum of Temple University. Information or to register: 267-468-8001 or judy.shatz@temple.edu. Learn more at www.ambler.temple.edu/anniversary. The Senior Adult Activities Center of Montgomery County, 536 George Street, Norristown, will hold the following events: SAAC Adult Day Care, an alternative to Nursing Home Care is available for information call 610-275-1960 Volunteers are needed for Meals on Wheels Program (call the number above) SAACs Fifth Avenue Boutique opens Monday through Friday from 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Exercise with Theresa will be held every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 1 p.m. Dance class is held every Monday at 10 a.m. Tai Chi is held every Monday at 10 a.m. Yoga is held every Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. Line Dancing is held every Thursday at 10:30 a.m. Dancing with Joan is held every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. Sculpture Class is held Wednesdays from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Why Should I Learn Spanish? will be held Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. Generations On-Line computer classes for seniors will be held Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. 4 p.m. computers are available during those hours. Health Living will be held every Tuesday at 1 p.m. Boomer U will hold the following events. Boomer U is located at 45 Forest Avenue, Ambler. Registration & payment is required for all events: 215-619-8863. Pilates Class is held Wednesdays and Fridays at 9:30 a.m. First class is free; please bring a mat. For information call 610-291-5376. Blue Bell School of Dance, 921 Penllyn Blue Bell Pike, Blue Bell, hosts Argentine Tango Classes and a Milonga dance party every Friday evening. Lessons start at 8:30 p.m. followed by dancing at 9:30 p.m. Andrew Conway, master Argentine Tango dancer, instructor and performer and his partner Linda Chase will instruct. All levels welcome and no partner is needed. Refreshments will be served. Fee is $12 per person and includes lesson and dancing. Information: 215-634-1101 or www.amoretango.com. The Montgomery Hospital Medical Center will offer the following classes: Childbirth Education Class- all parents are invited to participate, including those who are delivering at other hospitals. For more information on maternity services or classes, call 610-270-2020. CPR and First Aid Courses are offered for beginners to experiences health care providers. Call 610-270-2313. The Ambler SAAC (Senior Adult Activities Center), located at 45 Forest Ave in Ambler will hold the following events: Tai Chi every Monday and Thursday at 11 a.m. Yoga is every Tuesday at 1 p.m. and Friday at 10:30 a.m. Strength and balance training every Wednesday at 10 a.m. Armchair Aerobics is held every Monday at 10 a.m. Gourmet Weight Wise every Thursday at 12:30. Fitness Center and Pool Room open daily 8 a.m.-4 p.m. The Diabetes Education Center will offer day and evening classes each month. Health insurance pays for diabetes education classes. Preregistration is required. Call 610-270-2301. For Kids & Families The Ambler Kiwanis Club will host its annual Easter Egg Hunt April 26 at 10 a.m. in Ambler Borough Park, located just off of the intersection of Hendricks Street and Valley Brook Road. Members of the Wissahickon Key Club will assist Kiwanians in hiding thousands of wrapped chocolate eggs in a designated area of the park. Also hidden will be plastic colored eggs, which are redeemed for prizes. Elementary school children are separated by age. Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation will hold its 21st annual Storybook Egg-Stravaganza April 15 fom 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Upper Dublin Township Building. Toddlers and preschoolers love this annual event where photo opportunities with favorite friends abound! Treasures are collected from UDP&Rs assortment of lifesize cutouts of favorite cartoon characters from Disney, Sesame Street, Nickelodeon and other well-known animation. Children can have their picture taken with Bugsy OHare; bring your own camera. And dont forget a basket for goodies! $7 for UD residents; $12 for non-residents. Pre-register at 215-643-1600 ext. 3443. Splash Week is a free week-long program that teaches children and families basic swimming skills and water safety practices. All YMCA branches will host multiple classes each day from April 11 to 15. For more information, contact the Ambler Area YMCA at 215-628-9950. Healthy Kids Day is April 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The day is filled with fun, engaging and artistic activities that cultivate healthy living as part of the YMCAs larger efforts to help more kids and families become physically active. All activities are free and open to the community. For more information, contact the Ambler YMCA at 215-628-9950. No reservation is required. The Ambler Area YMCA has added several new programs for area youngsters. Classes are held late afternoons or evenings on various weekdays. For more information, visit philaymca.org or call 215-628-9950. Basic Beading: Ages: 10+. Wednesdays 7 to 7:45 p.m. This class will teach you the fundamentals of wiring and stringing along with how color can be used to create unique and vibrant beadwork design. You will create various jewelry including earrings, bracelets, charm pendants and much more! Supplies will be provided. Bringing your own jewelry pliers or tools would be a plus. Messin with the Masters: Ages: 8-12. Thursdays 7 to 7:45 p.m. Learn about some of the worlds greatest artists. You will be inspired to create your own Starry Night with oil pastels and tempera paints, a tissue paper painted Monet garden, a Picasso head using scraps of paper, a Georgia OKeeffe clay flower bowl and a Rousseau jungle collage. Super Scientist: Ages: 5-7. Mondays 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. Well be concocting chemistry experiments such as making slime, mixing potions and having fun with magnet magic. Your budding little scientist will enhance his/her creative thinking and motor skills and to top it off will learn that science can be serious fun. Wacky Junk Art: Ages: 8-12. Thursdays 6 to 6:45 p.m. Why throw it away! Instead join us to make household junk into aliens from outer space, wacky specs, crazy hats, body masks or a recycled train. Globe Trotters: Ages: 4-6. Tuesdays 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. Youre never too young to start thinking globally. Each week, we explore a new country through crafts, games, music, stories and even some taste-testing. A perfect introduction to our great big world! Crazy about Crafts: Ages: 5-7, Thursdays 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. Let your childs creative juices flow with our fun arts and crafts projects each week. Fine motor skills and creative thinking skills will be enhanced with this crafty class. Come out and join the Ambler Area YMCAs Teen and Junior Leaders Club. Participants are given the freedom to plan community service projects year round and truly make a difference in the lives of people in need. Those in Teen and Junior Leaders also attend leadership retreats all along the East Coast three times a year and meet other leaders who are doing the same great work in their respective areas. Dont miss out on this inspiring opportunity. Teen Leaders, ages 13-17, meet every Wednesday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Junior Leaders, ages 10-12, will begin in the spring and will meet every Monday. For more information, contact Mike Miles, Teen Director, 215- 628-9950 x 1540 or mmiles@philaymca.org. Did you know that the new Ambler Area YMCA holds childrens birthday parties at its site for members and non members as well. The Ambler Y does all the work from start to finish and birthday parties include a personalized cake, ice cream, beverage and paper products. Parties are held on Saturday and Sunday afternoons and include two party hosts to lead activities, set-up, clean-up and assist with serving. You can have a Splash Party for children ages six to 12 in the new zero depth entry pool with water slide and spray fountains. Up to 25 children have exclusive use of the pool area with 30 minutes in the party room. Sports Parties are offered for kids ages four to 12 with age appropriate activities and games, and sports such as floor hockey, soccer, basketball or dodge ball. Children ages three to five years of age will enjoy parties in the Family Active Center with use of the Moon Bounce and organized activities, such as parachute play and songs. For information, 215-628-9950 ext. 1583. Community Events at the Ambler Y: -YAchievers YMCA Achievers is a developmentally based, extracurricular, educational and team mentoring program designed to help students in grades five through 12 prepare for fulfilled livelihoods in college and beyond. Participation is free and all students in this program receive a free YMCA membership. Registration for the 2009 program begins now. You do not need to be a YMCA member to utilize these special services. Call 215-628-9950 to register. Greater Norristown Art Leagues Childrens Weeklong Summer Art Camps will be held at 800 West Germantown Pike in East Norriton, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday throughout the summer. The cost per session is $125 per student for ages 6 and up. Jo Ann Cooksey Bono teaches an introduction to basic drawing skills and techniques from 10 a.m. until the lunch break each day. In the afternoon sessions, Mary Vogel Lozinak involves the students in hands on projects such as collage, papermaking, T-shirt printing, 3D design and sculpy clay. Fridays Graduation Day includes an art show, awards ceremony and reception for parents, siblings, grandparents and friends. All supplies are included. Students provide their own lunch. A refrigerator is available and the building is air-conditioned. This is the 15th year to run this successful program. Both instructors are professional artists with State Police and Child Abuse Clearances. To register, call Jo Ann at 610-279-1008, or register on-line at www.gnal.org. Health Dresher Physical Therapy is hosting an interactive seminar discussing its Golf Assessment Progam April 30 from 10 a.m. to noon at Dresher Physical Therapy, 1075 Virginia Drive, Suite 200, Fort Washington. Physical therapist Chris Miller, certified through the Titleist Performance Institute, will discuss why your body may be the most important piece of golf equipment you invest in and how this can drastically improve your game. $10 in advance; $15 at the door. Call 215-619-4545 to reserve your spot. The Chestnut Hill Center for Enrichment, Center on the Hill and Chestnut Hill Hospital will host a Senior Health and Resource Fair April 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Chestnut Hill Presbyterian Church, 8855 Germantown Ave. The event is free. For more information, call 215-248-0180 or e-mail chseniors@cavtel.net. The Ambler Senior Adult Activities Center is hosting Help Yourself to Health, a new six-week workshop for older adults with ongoing health conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure, anxiety, heart disease and others. The free workshop will take place at the Ambler Senior Adult Activities Center, 45 Forest Ave. on six Thursdays, May 12 through June 16 from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Although there is no charge to participate, registration is required. To register, call 215-619-8863. The Ambler Senior Adult Activities Center is sponsoring an eight-week program called A Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns About Falls. Presented by the Montgomery County Health Department, this workshop will be held on Tuesdays, May 3 to June 21 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Ambler Center, 45 Forest Ave. If you pre-register by April 27, the fee is only $5! Registration at the first class is $10. (Checks should be payable to SAAC and will benefit our Meals on Wheels program that serves homebound seniors.) A workbook will be provided and refreshments will be served. Call 215-619-8863 to register or for more information. Fort Washington Wellness Center classes are ongoing. There are several offered during lunch or right after work, for your convenience: Boot Camp from noon to 1 p.m. on Monday; Zumba is MWF from 11 a.m. to noon and Friday at 4 p.m.; there are 25 cycling classes; Ashtanga and Vinyasana Yoga and Pilates; and a group Womens Strength Training class M-F from 10 to 11 a.m. Questions, call Cathy DeMarco at 215-641-1245. Following the success of other local area programs, Impact Sports and Upper Dublin Parks and Recreation are delighted to team up again to offer a spring program for the 2011 season! Upper Dublin area children ages 3-5 years old can attend a Sports Program featuring their favorite sports games; soccer, rugby, hockey, track and field, basketball, and more. The program will start on April 27 and run through June 1. Cost for the program is $85 for the six weeks. The classes will be running 12- 1 p.m.; 1- 2 p.m.; 2- 3 p.m. For more info or to register, call Upper Dublin Township on 215 643 1600 or visit their website a http://www.upperdublin.net. Spring Aquatic Programs UDHS Pool: -Summer is just around the corner Community Aquatic Programs at the UDHS Pool can help get you into shape! Programs begin in March; preregistration is required. Shallow Water Aerobics Two 5-week programs, Wednesday nights, 8-8:45 p.m., $40R/$50NR. Adult Swim Instructions Two 5-week programs, Wednesday nights, 7-8 p.m., $50R/$60NR -Open Rec Swims are fun for the whole family! Come out on Fridays from 7-9 p.m. or Saturdays from 1-4 p.m. and enjoy use of the pool and diving area. Fridays are offered through June 17; Saturdays are offered March 12-May 21. -Join a growing group of adult lap swimmers and water walkers. Lanes are set aside evenings and weekends for use; lanes are shared. Monday Thursday from 7:30-9:30 p.m.; Fridays from 7-9 p.m. and Saturdays (March 12-May 21) from 1-4 p.m. -Private Swimming & Diving Lessons for ages 3-adult are offered at the UDHS Pool through a partnership with the Upper Dublin Aquatic Club (UDAC). Visit the UDAC website for more information, www.udac.us, and click the link to UDHS Private Lessons. -Looking for local programs for US Masters Swimming (adults) or Water Polo (all ages)? UDAC and UDSD are working together to develop programs that will be offered at the UDHS Pool. Add your name to Interest Lists by emailing slohoefer@upperdublin.net. emails will be sent about clinics and program start dates. Questions about Community Aquatic Programs at the UDHS Pool, group use of the pool or pool rental? Contact Susan Lohoefer, Facility & Community Affairs Manager at slohoefer@upperdublin.net or call 215-643-8800 x8994. SilverSneakers Fitness Program. The Healthyways SilverSneakers Fitness Program is a result-oriented program that enables older adults to take charge of their health. The program is an innovative blend of physical activity, healthy lifestyle and socially oriented programing. Members of the program are eligible for a free YMCA membership, with use of the pool and exercise equipment, along with customized classes designed for older adults who want to improve their strength, flexibility, balance and endurance. If you are a subscriber to Independence Blue Cross (Personal Choice 65 PPO) or Keystone 65 HMO, Bravo Health, or Health Options Programs (HOP), call the Ambler Area YMCA, 215-628-9950 or Hatboro Area YMCA, 215-674-4545. You can also visit www.silversneakers.com. Zumba Fitness offers Zumba dance/fitness classes at Academy of Dance and Music/BBAD Studio located at 1524 DeKalb Pike in Blue Bell (behind Sherwin Williams). Classes are offered three times a week: Tuesdays at 6 p.m., Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 8 a.m. For a free trial pass for your first class, email us at info@danceandmusic.biz or call 610-277-2557. For more info, visit our site at www.academyofdanceandmusic.org. Chestnut Hill Health Systems presents the following Health Education Programs: FITNESS CLASSES Golden Yoga: A Breathing, Stretching and Relaxation Class. Fridays, 2:30-3:30 p.m. Lea Auditorium, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave. Registration for four classes at a time required. Golden Yoga is Classical Yoga, adapted by the SKY Foundation, to accommodate those who have difficulty getting up and down from the floor. The program includes postures, breathing, relaxation and meditation techniques, all performed while sitting in a chair and standing. Registration required. Call 215-247-3029. Cost: $20 for 4 classes per month. Tai Chi: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 8:30 9:30 a.m. Springfield Residence, 8601 Stenton Ave. Classes, for the novice or beginner/intermediate student, are designed to improve balance, power, posture, coordination, flexibility and mental focus. Slow, gentle movements are modified to most everyones abilities. For more information or to sign up for a free introductory class, call 215-882-2804. Cost: $8 per class/paid monthly. SUPPORT GROUPS Weight Loss Surgery Support Group: Fourth Wednesday of the month, 7-8 p.m. Williams Conference Room, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia. Join us for a monthly get-together where well share information for those interested in weight loss surgery, learn from guest speakers discussing current news on issues including lifestyle modification, nutrition and exercise and provide ongoing support for those who have completed surgery. Registration required. Call 215-753-2000. Breast Cancer Networking Group: Fourth Tuesday of the month 5:30 7 p.m. Williams Conference Room, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia. A free, confidential support group for women living with a diagnosis of breast cancer designed to provide a forum for sharing information, feelings and concerns associated with breast cancer. Facilitated by Tish Wakefield, LCSW, Oncology Social Worker. Registration required. To register or for more information, call 215-248-8047. New Moms Support Groups Tuesdays 10:30 a.m. 12 p.m.; contact Jeanine ORourke, MSW or 2:30 4 p.m.; contact Susan Schack, Ph.D Volunteer Conference Room, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave. The Center for Postpartum Depression at Chestnut Hill Hospital is pleased to offer two new support groups to support new moms. Both groups will be run by experienced mental health professionals who really get it when it comes to new motherhood and juggling relationships, extended family, work/family balance and self-care. If you are experiencing new mom challenges that often heighten anxiety and involve hormonally driven depression, join us for an informative and supportive forum to connect with other moms. Infants are welcome. $30 per session (flexible based on need). Registration is required. Call Dr. Schack, 646-265-2484, or Ms. ORourke, 215-206-2931. Man to Man Prostate Cancer Support Group Third Thursday of the month 8-9 a.m. Williams Conference Room, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave. A networking group for men diagnosed with prostate cancer designed to provide education, support and encouragement. Spouses and partners welcome. Harry M. Baer, MD, Chief, Urology Division, will host Ask the Doctor. Registration required. Call 215-248-8325. Contact the Senior Center by phone 215-248-0180 or email (chseniors@cavtel.net) with your questions about these programs or any of our on-going activities and classes. Holy Redeemer HomeCare and Hospice seeks compassionate and emotionally mature volunteers to provide support to local hospice patients and their families in Bucks, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties. Volunteers may also assist with pet therapy and administrative work within the hospice department and are requested to have daytime availability. Hospice patient care volunteers visit with patients in their homes or nursing facilities once a week for two to three hours. They provide emotional support and companionship to patients and family members, assist with errands or provide respite for caregivers. Bereavement volunteers support the families of hospice patients following the loss of a loved one, while administrative volunteers assist with typing, mailings and/or filing. Hospice care workers provide a great service to families and loved ones of hospice patients. Many volunteers also report a great deal of personal satisfaction as a result of their services. Patient care and bereavement volunteers complete an application and attend an 18-hour volunteer training program that covers the medical, psychological and spiritual aspects of hospice volunteering. Day and evening training programs are offered. To sign up for volunteer opportunities in Pennsylvania, contact Holy Redeemer Volunteer Coordinator Jean Francis at 215-698-3737 or email jfrancis@holyredeemer.com. Librarytalk Upper Dublin Public Library, 805 Loch Alsh Avenue, Ft. Washington, 215-628-8744 www.upperdublinlibrary.org APRIL CHILDRENS PROGRAMS: Storytimes: Please register in the library. o Wee Ones: 0 to 23 months Thursdays and Fridays 10:30 to 10:50 a.m. o Tiny Tots: age 2. Wednesdays 10:30 to 10:50 a.m. and Fridays 11 to 11:20 a.m. o Jr. Book Lovers: ages 3 to 6. Tuesdays 10:30 to 11 a.m. o Bedtime Storytimes: 7 to 7:30 p.m. April 20 and 27. Wear your jammies, bring your teddy & hear Miss Barbara read bedtime stories! For ages 3 to 6. APRIL TEEN PROGRAMS: North Hills Library Teens April 28 from 4 to 6 p.m. Movie Matinee APRIL UDPL ADULT PROGRAMS: NEW! ESL Conversation Group. Tuesdays from 7 to 8 p.m. Interested in practicing your English in a safe and caring environment? Come to our conversation group and improve your skills! Please register with Kay Klocko at 215-628-8744 or kklocko@mclinc.org. One-on-One Computer Mentoring. Get personalized assistance from experienced computer volunteers! Sign-up for a one-hour session. Limit one session per month. Please register contact info above. Book Groups Please register with Kay Klocko 215-628-8744. o Daytimers: April 21 at 1:30 p.m. Tired of book groups where you all read the same book? Read any fiction or non-fiction book on this months theme: Explorers. Please register. Meetings: Annual Meeting of the Friends of UDPL: April 14 at 1 p.m. Board of Directors: April 20 at 7 p.m. Blue Bell Library www.wvpl.org Upcoming Events: The Wissahickon Valley Public Library, 650 Skippack Pike (Route 73) in Blue Bell, is diagonally across from the Blue Bell Inn. Call 215-643-1320 or visit their website at www.wvpl.org. For children and teens at Blue Bell: * Story times with guitar music by Miss Michelle, the singing librarian. * Mondays at 10:30 a.m. for all ages. * Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m. for all ages. * Fridays at 10:30 a.m. for all ages. * Family Movies, new releases, second Saturdays of the month at 1:30 p.m. * May 14 Despicable Me * June 11 Alpha and Omega * Special Events * April watch for date of spring/Easter events * April 14 at 4:30 p.m. Junior Lego Club for children ages 3 through 5. Parents and caregivers need to stay with children. * April 14 at 7 p.m. Jeopardy for ages 11 to 18. Test your book and library knowledge for prizes. Sign up to be a contestant. No sign up to be in the audience. Snacks provided. * April 16 at 1 p.m. Adult Mystery Book Group discussing The Beekeepers Apprentice by Laurie King. * April 16 at 1:30 p.m. Childrens event for One Book, Every Young Child celebration. Story and craft for book Whose Shoes? * April 19 at 7 p.m. and April 26 at 1:30 p.m.- Adult book group discusses The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester. Group led by Adam Button. * April 30 through May 3 Friends book sale with about 10,000 items for sale for children, teens and adults. * May sign up for Science in the Summer * June sign up for Enrichment Programs for Elementary-Age children * June sign up for Summer Reading, all ages For adults at Blue Bell: * Daytime Book Discussion Group fourth Tuesday, Jan April at 1:30 p.m. * April 26 The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester * Night-time Book Discussion Group third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. o April 19 The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester * Art Series with Dr. Sheldon Weintraub, docent at The Barnes and speaker at local colleges o April 27 at 2 p.m. The Art of Looking at Art-Is She Nude or Is She Naked? *Mystery Book Discussion Group, third Saturday of the month at 1 p.m.; new mystery theme each month; www.wvpl.org/programs * Yoga on Mondays at 1:30 p.m. $20 for eight classes; $5 per drop-in class. * Tai Chi on Mondays at 3 p.m. with Dr. Kurt Findeisen. $20 for eight classes; $5 per drop in class. * Philadelphia Museum of Art presents class on their Marc Chagall exhibit, April 13 at 2 p.m. * Giant Book Sale, April 29 May 3 o Starts with almost 10,000 items for children and adults! o Held during library hours. o Preview for members of the Friends of the Library, April 28 at 7 p.m. o Join the Friends and attend the preview sale. Modest fee to join. * Blooms at Blue Bell Gardening Series o May 11 at 1 p.m. Summer Bulbs by PA Horticultural Society * Knitting group Mondays and Wednesdays at 10 a.m. Work on your project or observe and learn. The groups continue year-round in the community room. * Socrates Cafe discussion group every Monday at 7 p.m. You pick the topic to discuss each week. No sign-up, nothing to read. * Bridge every Friday at 12:30 p.m. New players welcome. * Mah Jong every Wednesday at 1 p.m. New players welcome. *Chess every Wednesday at 7p.m. for adults and teens 14 and older. * Movie Matinee showing recent releases every Thursday at 2 p.m. April 14: Maos Last Dancer; April 21: Welcome to the Rileys; April 28: Conviction; May 5: Inception; May 12: Inside Job; May 19 The Kings Speech; May 26 The Fighter; June 2 Rabbit Hole; June 9 Black Swan; June 16 127 Hours * Ongoing like-new, year-round book sale for adults & children during library hours * Library opening at 10 a.m. Monday through Saturday! Ambler Library, a branch of the Wissahickon Valley Public Library, 209 Race St., 215-646-1072. www.wvpl.org. All the following events occur at the Ambler Library. * Story times with guitar music by Miss Michelle, the singing librarian. * Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. for all ages. * Thursdays at 4:30 p.m. for all ages. * For adults: * Beading Group meets the first and third Monday of every month at 1 p.m. Work on your own projects or come to watch and learn. * Free Family History Lookup with Connie Briggs. Email Connie for an appointment at the Ambler Library. conniebriggs@comcast.net * Special Events: * April 14 at 1:30 p.m. Book Group discusses Skeletons at the Feast by Chris Bohjalian. * April 19 at 7 p.m. Travel to Paris with world traveler Harry Balin. Tea and scones at 6:30 p.m. * April 21 at 7 p.m. Art with Sara for children in fourth through seventh grades. *May 2 at 6:30 p.m. Discuss the movie Lone Star with Temple Professor Lisa Hawkins. Watch the movie ahead of time. *May 10 Robert Capucci discusses Art into Fashion. Tea and scones served at 6:30 p.m. Program at 7 p.m. *May 12 at 1:30p.m. Book Group discusses The Imperfectionists by Tom Rachman. *May 17 Tour the gardens of Devon and Southwest England with Lois McMullen. Tea and Scones at 6:30 p.m. Program at 7 p.m. *June 13 at 6:30 p.m. Discuss the movie Blade Runner with Temple Professor Lisa Hawkins. Watch the movie ahead of time. Meetings and Lectures The Unisys Blue Bell Retiree Group will meet in the Church on the Mall in the Plymouth Meeting Mall April 14 at 1:30 p.m. Kathy Sacket Young, director/trainer with the North Penn YMCA, will speak on Keeping Fit in Retirement. For more information, contact Membership Committee Chairperson Jerry Feldscher at 610-275-3538 or President Al Rollin at 215-368-4833. The next FWBA meeting will be April 28 at the Hilton Garden Inn Fort Washington. Networking begins at 11:30 a.m.; meeting from noon to 1 p.m. Leon Singletary, Principal, First Contact HR and FWBA Executive Board, will present: Social Media: How to Use It To Get More Business. Lunch is provided courtesy of the Hilton Garden Inn Fort Washington. Members are welcome to bring a guest. An RSVP is requested by return email or 215-628-0313. Big Brothers Big Sisters Southeastern PA is hosting a information sessions over the next few weeks on how to become a Big Brother. The information sessions will take place: April 16 at noon, April 19 at 8 a.m. and April 28 at 6 p.m. All sessions will be held at the groups Norristown Office,t 530 DeKalb St., Norristown. For more information, call 610-277-2200. The North Penn Chapter of the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) normally meets on the third Tuesday of each month from now until May. Meetings are held at the William Penn Inn on Route 202 and Sumneytown Pike, Upper Gwynedd, PA. Social hour starts at 5:30 p.m., dinner is served at 6:30 p.m., and the technical program begins at 7 p.m. Cost with reservation is $28 for members. Members without reservations and guests pay $30. Students with reservations pay $15. Reservations may be made by noon on the Monday preceding the meeting by phoning 215-371-1854 or emailing the reservation to northpennima@yahoo.com northpennima@yahoo.com. Information about the North Penn Chapter is available at http://northpenn.imanet.org/. LeTip, a professional organization of men and women who are dedicated to the highest standards of competence and service meets every Tuesday at Cedar Brook Country Club, 180 Penllyn Pike, Blue Bell at 7 a.m. -meeting officially starts at 7:16 a.m. and ends at 8:31 a.m. Our purpose is the exchange of business tips, leads, and referrals. Each business category is represented by one member and conflicts of interest are disallowed. Guests are welcome to visit any of our breakfast meetings. Every third Thursday of month, Sunrise Assisted Living of Blue Bell (795 Penllyn Pike, Blue Bell, PA 19422, 215-619-2777) serves as a satellite site to 148th Legislative district PA congressman Mike Gerber from 10 a.m. to noon. Stop by for help needed with things such as disability placards and license plates, vehicle registration, utilities issues, birth/death certificates,property tax/rent rebates, etc. Notary services arranged by appointment. The Eastern Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce is an action-oriented organization dedicated to promoting its members and the economic health of eastern Montgomery county. The Chamber is committed to serving as a catalyst by uniting business, community agencies, government and education to make our county a great place to live and work. For information, call 215-887-5122 or visit www.emccc.org. Do you have a fear of public speaking? Blue Bell Toastmasters Club can help. We meet from 7 to 9 p.m., on the second and fourth Tuesday at the Marriott Courtyard, located on Route 202, directly across from the Montgomeryville Mall. Learn how to improve communication and leadership skills in a friendly and supportive environment. Guests are welcome. Admission fee: $5. For more info, visit www.bbtoast.org. The PennSuburban Chamber of Commerce will hold the following meetings (for reservations to any of the following, email info@PennSuburban.org) -Breakfast News Network, 7:30-8:45 a.m. at Normandy Farm Hotel (1401 Morris Road, Blue Bell, PA 19422) $15 members, includes full buffet breakfast. Join us for a networking program at Normandy Farm Hotel every Thursday morning for breakfast, business news, informative speakers, and plenty of networking. The cost includes a full breakfast buffet. Copies of the business cards will be made available to those who would like them. The BNI, Fort Washington Chapter meets every Monday at The Hilton Garden Inn, 520 Pennsylvania Ave., Fort Washington for a networking meeting. Meetings are from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. Visitors are welcome. The only cost to attend is the cost of your meal. For information or a reservation to attend, please call Luanne Cram at 215-947-7784, or visit our Internet site at: http://www.BNIDVR.Com and click on the menu item Find a Chapter. For the past seven years, people have enjoyed participating in WVWAs Adopt-a-Tree program. Individuals can support the Association in its reforestation efforts by purchasing native trees to be planted. Supporters can plant their adopted tree or have WVWA volunteers will plant it. Trees cost $30 each. If you would like to volunteer or purchase a tree(s), please contact: Bob Adams at Bob@wvwa.org or call: 215-646-8866 for more information. Check www.WVWA.org for directions and maps. Sustainable Upper Dublin, http://sustainableupperdublin.org, meets the first Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m., at the Upper Dublin Township Building, 801 Loch Alsh Avenue, Fort Washington, PA 19034. Please send any questions to suec@sustainableupperdublin.org or call 610-996-6316. To learn more about Sustainable Upper Dublin, view or join the discussion at http://googlegroups.com/group/sustainableupperdublin. Special Events The Mattie N. Dixon Community Cupboard will hold its first nutrition class April 19 at 10 a.m. at the Community Cupboard, 150 N. Main St., Ambler. Lynne Sinclair, a nutritionist from Abington Memorial Hospital specializing in diabetic nutrition, will conduct the class. Topics will include healthy eating, beneficial foods, recipes, making meals with every day foods, and how to use unfamiliar produce. A healthy snack will be provided.The class is is open to all residents in Montgomery County. The Historical Society of Fort Washington presents The History of Conshohocken April 19 at 8 p.m. at the Clifton House, 473 Bethlehem Pike, Fort Washington. Jack Coll will present an illustrated program on the history of the Borough of Conshohocken. Coll is a longtime resident of Conshohocken and a member of the Conshohocken Historical Society. He is co-author with his son, Brian, of the Arcadia Then and Now Series book Conshohocken. He has also done books Conshohocken and West Conshohocken Sports and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Italian Feast. He has taken many photos for the Conshohocken Record and the Norristown Times Herald. This program is free. Refreshments will be served. For additional information, call 215-646-6065. Taste of the White House Soiree featuring former White House Chef Walter Scheib will take place April 29 at 6 p.m. at Manufacturers Golf & Country Club in Fort Washington to celebrate HealthLinks 10th anniversary and honor its founders, the Eugene Jackson Family. The evening will heat up with a Chef Meet & Greet, followed by a specially selected presidential menu. Gala tickets are $150 per person. Proceeds benefit HealthLink, a free clinic providing compassionate, quality medical and dental care to uninsured, working adults in Bucks and Montgomery counties who fall in between the health care cracks. Go to http://tasteofthewhitehouse.charityhappenings.org to make reservations online or lend support through sponsorship. For event information, call 267-699-0124 or email jmarushak@healthlinkmedical.org. The Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association will hold an open house at the Evans-Mumbower Mill April 17 from 1 to 4 p.m. The Mill is at the corner of Swedesford and Township Line Roads in Upper Gwynedd. The open house is free but donations are welcome. For more information, call 215-646-8866 o email info@wvwa.org. The Eastern Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce will host Breakfast With Your County Commissioners and State Representatives April 21 from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at the Holiday Inn Fort Washington, 432 W. Pennasylvania Ave. Commissioners: James R. Matthews (Chairman), Joseph M. Hoeffel (Vice Chair), State Representatives: Todd Stephens (District 151) and Josh Shapiro (District 153). Register onlineat www.emccc.org. $10 for EMCCC member; $20 for non-members. Upper Dublins Districtwide Allied Art Show will be held April 27 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. in the Upper Dublin High School Athletic Complex. The Rev. Alfred Muli, chaplain at Fort Washington Estates, will be the featured speaker at the Kiwanis sponsored breakfast observing the National Day of Prayer May 5 at 7 a.m. at the William Penn Inn. The breakfast is open to the public ($15). Reservations can be made by calling 215-646-4356 or by emailing georgesaurman@Juno.com. The Upper Dublin Shade Tree Commission invites people to participate in its spring bare root planting events, sponsored in part by Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation and Friends of Robbins Park. On April 9, zix trees will be planted at the Evelyn B. Wright Park & Community Pool, 401 Logan Ave., North Hills, at 9 a.m., followed by the planting of 10 trees at Sheeleigh Park, Loch Alsh Avenue and Douglas Street, Ambler, at 10:15 a.m. On April 29, students from Upper Dublin High School will join the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society to plant 16 trees in Robbins Park, Butler Pike and Meetinghouse Road, Ambler, to help launch the societys Million Trees campaign. This event will occur in conjunction with Temple Amblers EarthFest. Experienced tree-tenders are sought to assist the students. For more information,contact Ron Ayres at 215-653-0421 or 215-483-4348. The Friends of the Wissahickon and the Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association are teaming up once again to clean the Wissahickon Creek from top to bottom April 30 from 9 a.m. to noon. This spring marks the 41st anniversary of Wissahickon Valley Watershed Associations annual Creek Clean Up, and the second year that FOW has teamed up with WVWA. Volunteers of all ages will clean the creek, the surrounding trails and the many tributaries of the Wissahickon Creek. Armed with bags, volunteers will be assigned to sections of the creek. Following the clean up, all volunteers are invited to WVWAs Talkin Trash picnic in Fort Washington State Park, with food provided by Whole Foods Market of North Wales. The pavilion is located on Mill Road in Flourtown. To help out in Montgomery County, all volunteers must be pre-assigned a section of the Wissahickon Creek to clean. Please contact Bob Adams, WVWA director of stewardship, at 215-646-8866 ext. 14 or bob@wvwa.org. To work with the Friends of the Wissahickon in Philadelphia, meet at the pavilion along Forbidden Drive, a short distance south of the intersection of Forbidden Drive and Northwestern Avenue. Limited parking is available along Northwestern Avenue and other nearby streets. Volunteers are encouraged to bike or carpool to the event. To participate, register at www.fow.org. Contact Kevin Groves with questions at 215-247-0417 ext. 105 or groves@fow.org. Montgomery County Community Colleges International Club invites the community to the second annual International Festival April 20 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Central Campus, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The rain date is April 26. The International Club will transform the outside quad area into multicultural celebration with various performances by dancers, singers and musicians. Artists will share their artwork at various display tables. Activities include games, raffles, Easter egg decorating and henna tattoos. Students will have samples of international cuisine at tables representing different countries and will serve food from various local ethnic restaurants. Throughout the evening, volunteers will accept donations and will raffle gift baskets and prizes to raise funds for Habitat for Humanity. Donations of food, international clothes and prizes are needed. Volunteers, including artists and performers, are welcome. For more information or to sponsor an activity, contact Gillian Nel, International Club president, at gnel9277@students.mc3.edu or 267-974-0163. The Arts and Humanities Division at Montgomery County Community College is partnering with the Philadelphia Writers Conference to host Memoirs Matter: How Life Stories (Including Yours) Can Transform Your Relationship to Literature April 23 from 1 to 3 p.m. in Advanced Technology Center room 101, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The event is free and open to the public. In the first part of this two-hour seminar, professor and author Robert Waxler will explain how writing his two memoirs affected his life as well as his relationship to literature. In the second part, blogger and workshop leader Jerry Waxler will present a sequence of steps to help writers find their own story. For information, contact Dana Resente at dresente@mc3.edu. The Maple Glen Garden Club will hold its fourth annual Plant Sale on May 7 from 8 to 11 a.m. Perennials, shrubs, vegetables and native plants grown by the club members will be sold. The club uses the plant sale proceeds to fund community projects, a college scholarship and community plantings. The sale will be held in the 500 block of Coach Road, Horsham, as part of a neighborhood garage sale. Plants will be sold at bargain prices. For more information, email MapleGlenGardenClub@gmail.com. The Relay for Life Craft Show is looking for local crafters to participate in show, which will be May 21 from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Wissahickon High School track, 521 Houston Road, Ambler. There is a $10 entry fee, and 20 percent of sales are donated to the American Cancer Society. Participants will receive a 6-foot table under a tent. For information, contact Joanne at joannescoles@comcast.net or Mindy at mcamsilver@comcast.net. Spring House Estates is hosting its annual book fair on April 18 from 4 to 7 p.m. and April 9 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Included will be hardback and paperback used books. Spring House Estates is located at 728 Norristown Road, Lower Gwynedd. The PennSuburban Chamber of Commerce will present the Penn Suburban/Hatfield Joint Business Card Exchange April 20 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Univest Bank Lansdale Area Financial Service Center, 120 Forty Foot Road, Hatfield. The event is free. To make reservations, visit PennSuburban.org/Events. Join Univest National Bank and Trust Co. for a spring-inspired Business Card Exchange at its newest office in the Hatfield Pointe Shopping Center. Come out and meet members of Univests executive management team while enjoying fine food and beverages. 13th Annual Community Reading Day Kick-off Breakfast Get Together April 26 from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at the North Wales Area Library, 233 Swartley St., North Wales. The event is free. To make reservations, visit PennSuburban.org/Events. For more information, contact the chamber office at 215-362-9200 or info@pennsuburban.org. Join presenting sponsor Verizon, chamber staff and fellow members for the Community Reading Day volunteer get together. The Community Reading Day program allows volunteers to read a designated book to second-grade students throughout 38 area public and private schools and present the book as a gift to each class. Even if you are not a volunteer, you are cordially invited to stop by to network, enjoy coffee and pastries. Ambler Mennonite Church is hosting a Spring Craft Show and Flea Market May 21 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Rain date will be May 28. The community is invited to shop the great craft booths, find some gifts and deals, as well as enjoy home baked goods and tasty lunch specials. Childrens activities are planned. All vendors are encouraged to contact the church at 215-643-4876 or AmblerMennonite@verizon.net. Advertising, signage, customer parking and a shuttle to auxiliary parking at nearby lots for vendors will be provided. 10 foot by 10 foot spaces can be rented for $5 each and tables for an additional $5 each. All proceeds from space and table rentals go toward school kits for children around the world. The church is located at the corner of East Mt. Pleasant Avenue and North Spring Garden Street, Ambler. The Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association presents The Life & Times of Aquatic Insects in the Wissahickon Creek April 16 from 1 to 3 p.m. Join WVWA for a hands-on program. RSVP required: www.wvwa.org or 215-646-8866. WVWA member fee: $5 per person / $15 per family. Non-WVWA member fee: $10 per person / $20 per family. The photography exhibition Natures Palette by photo-artist Judy Miller will run March 18 to May 19 at the Art in the Storefront gallery, 41 E. Butler Pike, Ambler. JPRN Networking For People in Transition & People Who Can Help Them Unemployment remains high. JPRN, the Jarrettown Professional Relationship Network can help. Are you trying to network your way to a new job? Do you have expertise or contacts that can help people in transition? Is your company or organization looking for people in the area? This is a free outreach program to support those seeking work, involve people with contacts and networking know how, and involve local companies. Meetings held monthly at Jarrettown United Methodist Church, Limekiln Pike. Pennsylvanias Low-Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) grant program is now open for the 2010-11 heating season. Grants are based on income, family size, type of heating fuel and region. Additional information, such as specific income limits, and applications for LIHEAP grants are available online via the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Access to Social Services (COMPASS) website at www.compass.state.pa.us. Applications are available at most public officals district offices, county assistance offices, local utility companies and community service agencies, such as Area Agencies on Aging or community action agencies. Begin your holiday shopping at Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation! Entertainment books for 2011, Philadelphia North, are now on sale at $30 each. Regal/United Artists movie tickets are on sale for just $7.50 each, and tickets to the Adventure Aquarium, Baltimore Aquarium, and the Philadelphia Zoo are also available. Discounted ski vouchers to area mountains will be arriving in December; call 215-643-1600 x3443 for more information. Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation office hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. RSVP of Montgomery County and the Wissahickon Valley Public Library have partnered again to offer the public their popular free mock interview sessions. The mock interviews are conducted by RSVP volunteers who are retired professionals, some of whom were in hiring positions themselves. Packets of information which include a sample employment application and interviewing tips with mock interview questions are available at the library to pick up prior to a scheduled mock interview or will be sent via email once the interview is scheduled. To schedule your interview, please contact Janis Glusman at RSVP 610-834-1040, ext. 16. The library is also offering a free resume review service. Bring in your current resume and the professional reference staff will assist you with hints and tips on capturing your work history accurately. Registration for Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation summer playgrounds, Camp B.I.G. and Small Folks, X-Zone, and sports camps has began. Register online at www.upperdublin.net/store, or at the UDP&R office, 801 Loch Alsh Avenue, Fort Washington. Call 215-643-1600 x3443 for more information. Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation and Danielles Espresso Cafe presents Mornings at Mondaug Bark Park April 16 and May 21 from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Meet fellow dog lovers. These events include complimentary coffee, treats for people and pups and raffles/giveaways. Upper Dublins Annual Spring Flea Market will be held June 4 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Reserve a table, or come and shop. Tables are $15 for UD residents, $20 for non-residents. This successful event occurs rain or shine. Refreshments available. Call 215-643-1600 ext. 3443 to register for a table. Regal movie tickets available for purchase at Upper Dublin Township Parks & Recreation. Reduced rate: $7.50 per ticket. Some restrictions apply. Call 215-643-1600 x3443. Whitpain Township Parks & Recreation movie tickets $7.50 Regal Cinemas, United Artist & Edwards Cinemas on sale throughout the year Monday Friday from 9 a.m. 4 p.m. Whitpain Township Parks & Recreation Camp Sign-ups for Stony Creek Day Camp Stony Creek Tracers and Park n Tots. Register on-line at www.whitpaintownship.org OrCome to Township Building with check or Visa MasterCard Monday Friday from 9 a.m. 4 p.m. For additional information call 610.277-2400 ext. 374 Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation offers exciting new programs for the fall: -Returning favorites include UK Elite Petite Soccer, Tiny Dancers, Kiddie Tennis, Fun-nastics, Messy Playtime, Little Chefs, and more. Babysitters Training will be offered in November and December. Continuing Adult Fitness Classes include Cardio Circuit, Core & More, Yoga, Boxing, and Adult G.Y.M. For more information call 215-643-1600 x3443. Register for programs online at www.upperdublin.net/store. Music and Theater The community is invited to a Cantors Concert April 16 at 8 p.m. Congregation Beth Or, 239 Welsh Road, Maple Glen. Listen and hum-along to the Yiddish, pop tunes and classical music performed by Congregation Beth Ors own Cantor David Green and his special guest, Cantor Irvin Bell, from Temple Beth Israel in Deerfield Beach, Fla. The cantors will be accompanied by Mark Sobol and his Klezmer musicians. Tickets are $18 in advance and $25 at the door. RSVP with payment to Barb Murtha, 239 Welsh Road, Maple Glen, PA 19002, or call 215-646-5806 ext. 220. Gwynedd Friends Coffeehouse will host the Jameson Sisters May 14. Doors open at 7:30 pm, performance at 8:00 pm. Gwynedd Friends Coffeehouse is located at the corner of Rte. 202 & Sumneytown Pike, Gwynedd. $5 suggested donation. Light refreshment available at a modest cost. For further information, call 215-393-9576 or visit gwyneddmeeting.org/coffeehouse.html. Celebrate patriotism through song with Gwynedd-Mercy Colleges choir, the Voices of Gwynedd, as it presents Hear America Singing April 15 at 8 p.m. The choir will perform song selections from all over the country, including Georgia on My Mind, New York State of Mind, and a medley including Philadelphia Freedom and Allentown. The performance will end with When the Saints Go Marching In to acknowledge the choirs upcoming tour in New Orleans. Hear America Singing will take place in the Julia Ball Auditorium, located in St. Bernard Hall. Parking is available in lots A, C and D. Admission is free. The Choristers will present Anton Dvoraks Stabat Mater April 16 at 7:30 p.m. at Upper Dublin Lutheran Church in Ambler. The choir will be accompanied by a 41-piece orchestra. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for senior citizens, $10 for students and children are free. Tickets will be sold in advance or at the door. For more information, call 215-542-7871 or visit TheChoristers.org Religious News The Staircase Gallery at Or Hadash: A Reconstructionist Congregation in Fort Washington will feature the work of Emily Ennuat-Lustine. The artist will be showing paintings and graphics inspired by her own personal spiritual journey and quest for meaning. Some of the works to be shown have been inspired by Biblical Psalms and writings. Her work has been shown at Abington Art Center, Cheltenham Arts Center and Old City Gallery of Jewish Art among others. The exhibition is open Friday evenings starting Feb. 18 after Shabbat services. Gallery hours are: Mondays through Thursdays 10-4:30, Fridays 10-3 and following Shabbat Services and Sundays 10-1. The synagogue is located at 190 Camp Hill Road in Fort Washington. For additional information contact the synagogue office at 215-283-0276. Reunions St. Matthews High School Conshohocken Class of 1961 is looking for classmates. For details, contact Greg Marincola at 215-646-2239, 215-740-1296 or gregcola@comcast.net. Olney High School Class of 1971 is Lloking for classmates for a 40th reunion Oct. 28. For details, contact Judy at ohsclassof71@yahoo.com or 215-870-7572. Abington High School Class of 1961 is seeking classmates for a 50-year reunion to be held Oct. 14-15, 2011.Visit the website, www.abington61.com, for details or call 215-947-1779. Overbrook High School class of January 1956 is having a 55 year reunion on May 22, 2011 at the Bala Golf Club in Philadelphia. For information please contact overbrookreunion56@comcast.net Germantown High School Class Of January 1961 is looking for classmates for 50th year reunion to take place in May of 2011. Please contact: 215-362-9148, 856-577-0659 or samdelcomo@comcast.net The June 1961 class of Germantown High School is holding their 50th reunion on May 15, which will be a brunch. For further details please contact Linda Dorfman Alten at lindaalten@yahoo.com or call 215-441-8411. Support New Life Presbyterian Church in Dresher, will host GriefShare, a special seminar and support group which will run on Monday evenings from 7 to 9 p.m., from March 7 through June 6. At each meeting there will be a DVD about the grief process, discussion and reference to a grief workbook. Preregistration is required to secure a place in the group and to purchase a GriefShare notebook (for a one-time fee of $15). The notebook goes along with the 13-week schedule covering such topics as: living with grief, the effects of grief, and stuck in grief. For more information or to register, call: Sandy Elder at 215-884-5149. PUPS (People Understanding Parkinsons) A self-help group for those adjusting to a new diagnosis or dealing with the early stages of Parkinsons Disease. Meets fourth Tuesday of the month from 1 to 2:30 p.m., at Abington Health Center, Schilling Campus, Willowood Building, 2510 Maryland Road, Suite 251, Willow Grove. For more information or to RSVP, contact Lorna at 215-542-2931. The North Penn Visiting Nurse Associations Meals on Wheels program is looking for volunteers to pack or deliver meals to the elderly and infirmed. Meals are packed and delivered mornings, Monday through Friday. You can volunteer for as many days per week or month as you would like. Packaging meals requires approximately 2-1/2 hours of your time each day and involves making sandwiches, packaging food into individual serving containers and packing coolers with the meals. Delivering meals requires approximately 1-1/2 hours of your time each day and involves loading coolers into your car and delivering a route of approximately 10 to 15 stops. The Meals on Wheels program is also in need of emergency, winter-weather volunteers to pack and deliver meals in bad weather. North Penn VNA is located at 51 Medical Campus Drive in Lansdale and delivers meals in the Lansdale, North Wales and Blue Bell areas. For more information or to volunteer, please call Bridget, North Penn VNA Meals on Wheels coordinator at 215-855-8296. Elkins Park Area CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) meets the first Tuesday of every month, 7- 8:30 p.m., at Einstein at Elkins Park Hospital in Elkins Park. For information on CHADD or ADHD, please see our website www.chadd.net/249 or call Claire Noyes at: 215-779-6656. Center for Loss and Bereavement, 3847 Skippack Pike, Skippack (610-222-4110) www.bereavementcenter.org Offers professional counseling for individuals, couples, children and families dealing with issues of loss and bereavement. Six-week adult support groups: Newly forming young adult grief support group every other Wednesday, 7 8:15 p.m. (free of charge); Monthly loss of child support second Mondays, 7-8:15 p.m.; Six-week young loss of spouse/partner Thursdays, 10-11:15 a.m.; Other groups scheduled as interest is shown for suicide loss support, adult loss of parent, motherless daughters, adult loss of sibling, coping with chronic illness and disability and mens loss of spouse. Nellos Corner Family Bereavement program offers peer grief support groups for ages 4 through teen and their caregivers Every other Tuesday or Wednesday (free of charge) Local chapter of Parents of Murdered Children also meets at the Center. Registration required. Call for further information. CHADD is a national organization for children & adults with Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder, providing education, advocacy and support for individuals and their families with AD/HD. Einstein at Elkins Park Hospital, 60 Township Line Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027, will host children & adults with Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder on the First Tuesday of each month 7 8:30 p.m. Free, no childcare provided. The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphias Kehillah of Old York Road is sponsoring a free Caregiver Support Group for individuals who care for an elderly person with cognitive and/or physical impairments. The group meets at SarahCare Adult Day Care Center, 101 Washington Lane, Suite G-6, Jenkintown, Pa., on the first Wednesday of each month. Patty Rich, China is not going to take a position on North Korea over a fit of pique with Donald Trump, but at the same time, it is not unlike the Chinese to say, Why the hell should we accommodate you or take risks in service of a U.S. priority when youre doing this to us on one of our core interests? said Daniel Russel, who served as assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs in the Obama administration. Everything that he says is a trial balloon even his, quote, jokes are trial balloons, said Ruth Ben-Ghiat, a New York University professor who studies authoritarian rulers. But if you look at what he jokes about, its always things like this its the extension of his rights, its the infringement of liberties. And authoritarians are continually testing the boundaries to see what they can get away with, and everything he does is a challenge to Democrats to mount some response against him. Another camp argues that the Democrats best chance in 2020 will be to mobilize the blocs of voters that would more likely not vote than vote Republican. By building a diverse coalition that includes, among others, African American voters and the growing Latino population turning out in big numbers, Democrats could overcome what some of them believe is a fixed number of Trump voters. This theory holds that Democrats have more potential voters to add to their 2020 bloc than Trump does, as long as the right candidate emerges to generate excitement. Nadler added: To be clear, a letter from the White House in service of the Presidents apparent goal of blocking or delaying testimony that the President believes would be politically damaging is not a basis for Mr. McGahn to violate his legal obligation to appear before the Committee. Rather, if the President wishes to block Mr. McGahns appearance in the face of a duly issued subpoena, the burden rests with the White House to file an action in court to attempt to do so. Ahmad is one of thousands of Afghan children to receive artificial limbs because of war injuries since the hospital opened in 1988. He and his older sister, Salima, who was carrying him at the time, were both wounded when they were caught in the battle in Logar province four years ago. It is our turn to say thank you. The readers of this newspaper and its related publications and websites in the tri-county area have overwhelmed us with generosity in responding to our Operation Holiday program to provide gifts and food for families in need at Christmastime. The fundraising for this years campaign stands at $111,575, and donations continue to come... Now Puigdemont gets up in time for an 8 a.m. video check-in with a team in Barcelona that still calls him Mr. President. He gives video interviews to Catalan television outlets. He speaks, by video, to political rallies. His wife and his daughters, aged 9 and 11, stayed behind, so he rings them in the morning as they drive to school, then chats with them over a video connection in the evenings to help his daughter with her math, Catalan- and Spanish-language class homework. Israel has only two real options, said Kobi Michael, a senior research fellow at Israels Institute for National Security Studies. I think we have to make all the possible effort to give another chance to the calm agreement, make changes that are significant to civilian aspects even though that is considered by some in Israel as a weakness, he said. We have to give it another chance, and if it does not work, then we will have no other option but to enter into Gaza and finish the military wing of Hamas. The reaction of the cities appeared to take the court by surprise, too. Without explanation, it issued an amended decision three days later stressing that perhaps Saginaw could come up with a new argument that would convince the district court that warrantless chalking was acceptable. We wanted to let them know about the increased threat stream that we had seen and give them a little bit more background on that so they could ensure that they were doing all they could to provide protection for our team, Pompeo told reporters. They understood, too, its important for their country. We dont want anyone interfering in their country . . . and there was complete agreement. Jeffrey Harris, a former assistant U.S. Attorney in New York and longtime friend of Trump lawyer Rudolph W. Giuliani, said he first saw the letter when it was blasted out to an email group for former federal prosecutors. He said he signed because if he had a case involving even one of the incidents Mueller described, I would have clearly prosecuted that person or persons, and I can tell you, when Rudy was a prosecutor, he wouldve done the same thing. State gives grant for Farmstead Park restoration in Upper Moreland Township But Suu Kyi winner of the Nobel Peace Prize has been under significant pressure from Vice President Pence and others to intervene in the case and free the journalists. She had defended their detention and said they were not jailed for their reporting but because they were convicted of breaking colonial-era state secrecy laws. You cannot [keep] criminals who have committed humanitarian crimes, you cannot have drug trafficking kingpins, or members of judicial tribes, you cannot have individuals that are part of the mafia in gold trafficking, oil trafficking and gas trafficking, or food mafias, said Maria Corina Machado, an opposition conservative. Thinking that any of these individuals would be willing to bring justice to Venezuela, simply wont happen. Attracting and retaining talent is a growing concern for industry across Ireland. As one of the five key pillars in the Governments Future Jobs Ireland 2019 report, enhancing skills and developing and attracting talent is recognised as a significant contributor to securing Irelands economic success. The challenge of attracting and retaining talent will be addressed at the upcoming Workforce Ireland 2019 seminar, jointly hosted by Waterford Chamber Skillnet, Carlow Kilkenny Skillnet, County Tipperary Skillnet and Wexford Chamber Skillnet. The seminar takes place on May 22 at Mount Juliet Estate. The event will be facilitated by one of Irelands foremost trainers, Michael Cox of MCX Training and Development, and will feature a number of keynote speakers throughout the morning. At Workforce Ireland 2019, Skillnet Ireland chief executive Paul Healy will discuss how we can Address Current and Future Skills Shortages. Speaking on the importance of having a strong workforce, Healy said: Fostering a skilled and educated workforce is critical for strengthening Irelands competitiveness and sustaining our future success. The world of work is transforming, and the pace of technological development is redefining the future of economies globally. This presents challenges but also new possibilities many job roles will be redefined, and emerging job roles will require new and different skill sets. Businesses need to consider new ways of attracting and retaining talent by becoming flexible, innovative and adaptable. I am delighted that a number of Skillnet Networks have joined together to bring this expert event to businesses in the South East. Morgan McKinley associate director David Cooney will speak on The South-East as part of Ireland Inc Attracting Talent to our Business Unit. Other topics throughout the half day seminar include staff retention with Brian Cleary of Acorn Regulatory, recruitment with Datapac's Dr Karen OConnor, learning and development with Zurich's Elaine Hayes, spending your training budget with Eirgen's Ria White, and creating a great workplace with Scurri's Lisa Murphy. Speaking about the event, Waterford Chamber Skillnet network manager Sara Mullally said: Future-proofing, succession planning and retention are all key concerns for industry right now. As we approach full employment, attracting and retaining talent must be given due consideration at all times. Our seminar will offer expert opinions, advice and shared experiences so we can ensure our workforce is reaching its full potential. "We are delighted to have such a high calibre of speakers lined up and we would encourage all HR executives, senior managers and business owners to take the half day away from the office to engage, learn and of course offer their own advice. To book your place at Workforce Ireland 2019 for 50, please contact your local Skillnet Network, Waterford Chamber Skillnet on 051-311139, Wexford Chamber Skillnet on 053-9122226, County Tipperary Skillnet on 052-6191105 and Carlow Kilkenny Skillnet on 059-9132152. The fund held a dedicated pool of the bank's own capital for dealmakers to deploy in promising startups. The idea: Plow the money into fledgling companies and hope their growth simultaneously brings in profits and burnishes the Wall Street firm's credentials for investment banking mandates. A meeting over meat pies and beers with Uber founder Travis Kalanick is set to pay off handsomely for Goldman Sachs,. Credit:Marlene Awaad Meat pies and beer and a chat with Travis Kalanick "David had the foresight to develop an investing platform for his bankers," said Scott Stanford, a former Goldman Sachs banker who brought Uber to the attention of his bosses. "It's a win-win for everyone." Stanford is now with the venture-capital firm ACME (formerly Sherpa Capital), another early backer of Uber. It was over meat pies and beers in a Dublin pub that Stanford first met Uber founder Travis Kalanick. At the time, Stanford was leading Goldman Sachs's internet investment-banking practice and had previously secured investments in other companies, such as Facebook and LinkedIn, from other corners of the bank. Before long, he had become a trusted counsel to Uber. When the ride-hailing company launched a fundraising round in 2011, Stanford pushed for Goldman to chip in some money. Loading At Goldman, where rule-by-committee is the norm, there were a few unsure of putting the firm's capital behind such an unproven company. Serendipity helped. One executive, former Chief Financial Officer David Viniar, told colleagues that the first he heard of Uber was from his daughter days before the investment came up for approval. She raved about a new app that brings cabs to your doorstep. The investment was green-lit and bankers set about figuring out how to get closer to the company. Cohn was quick to build a rapport with Kalanick, taking a liking to the brash and pugnacious founder of the ride-hailing startup during frequent trips to Silicon Valley. Other Goldman bankers on the ground like George Lee also courted the company, making sure Kalanick was at some of the firm's marquee events, such as an annual confab for tech startups in Las Vegas. No trespassing By 2015, Uber was growing rapidly but needed more cash to fund its unprofitable operations, so Cohn spearheaded a $US1.6 billion deal that was largely marketed to his firm's private-wealth clients. Meanwhile, Gautam Gupta, an up-and-coming Goldman banker, had moved to Uber and in the span of a few years climbed to CFO. Uber's IPO is one the most eagerly awaited in years. Credit:AP It was starting to look like Goldman had set out a virtual no trespassing sign for rivals. Among members of Kalanick's inner circle, it was understood that when the company eventually went public, Goldman Sachs would bag the top role, according to people with knowledge of the situation. "That would have been my view," Cohn said. "I had a very, very strong relationship with that management team. I bear-hugged the relationship." For those watching then, Morgan Stanley didn't appear much in the picture, despite soft overtures like a publicly touted decision to allow employees to expense Uber rides. Loading Yet a sequence of events starting around 2016 began to change that. When Uber canvassed a group of banks for new borrowings, it was Morgan Stanley that came back with the most aggressive terms. At the time, much of Wall Street was grappling with diktats imposed by federal regulators on lending to risky companies. Morgan Stanley proceeded anyway. Some bankers were frustrated with the rigid guidelines but decided to take the hit in favor of cultivating a promising client, people said. When authorities sent missives asking them to stay away, executives found more discreet ways to keep helping Uber -- like switching their role on debt deals to adviser instead of the lead arranger. Then two other developments weakened Goldman's grip: Weeks after the 2016 presidential election, Cohn left to join Donald Trump's White House. The next year, Uber's top management was swept out, following allegations of boorish behavior and toxic workplace culture. Morgan Stanley kept edging into more conversations, private placements and debt deals. Michael Grimes, a top Morgan Stanley banker, even moonlighted as an Uber driver. And as one of Wall Street's top underwriters of technology IPOs, Morgan Stanley was a safe pick for Uber's board once it was ready to proceed with a sale. Morgan Stanley managed to beat Goldman Sachs to the punch on the Uber IPO. Credit:Bloomberg A representative for Uber declined to comment. In a regulatory filing this year, Morgan Stanley's name appeared first - lead left - in the list of banks handling the deal. Then came Goldman Sachs. Uber is offering 180 million shares at $US44 to $US50 apiece, according to a regulatory filing last month. On a fully diluted basis, the valuation could top $US91.5 billion. The major parties are facing pressure from Australia's elite universities to increase financial support for students to make sure those from low socioeconomic backgrounds can access a quality education. The call to raise student welfare payments by at least $75 a week is contained in a series of election-eve recommendations from the Group of Eight, which is pushing for greater investment in research, tertiary education and international engagement to prevent the sector being "overwhelmed" by global competitors. The nation's eight elite research universities have called for student support payments to be increased. Credit:Bryan O'Brien Group of Eight chief executive Vicki Thomson said the Youth Allowance and other student income support were inadequate and "very often does not enable students from disadvantaged and under-represented backgrounds to have a genuine opportunity to succeed" at university. "The level of support for those students who are most in need of it, is in dire need of an increase," she said. Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size The election campaign slogan has enjoyed big highs and suffered great lows in Australian political history. For every classic, such as It's time, Kevin07 and Keep the bastards honest, there are downbeat numbers such as Labor's 1987 effort, Lets stick together. Lets see it through. Or the 1990 misfire, The answer is Liberal, to which then-Labor leader Bob Hawke replied, "If the answer is Liberal, it must have been a bloody stupid question." Bill Shorten or Scott Morrison. The choice is yours. Credit:Matthew Absalom-Wong In 2019, the Liberal Party's official campaign slogan is Building our economy, securing your future. The Labor Party is going with A fair go for Australia. So what is the strategy behind these choices? What role do slogans really play in election campaigns? And what does the "vomit principle" have to do with it all? Democrat leader Don Chipp in 1977. The Democrats held the balance of power in the Senate, sometimes with other minor parties and independents, from July 1981 until 2004 Credit:Matthew Absalom-Wong What makes a good slogan? Campaign slogans should be positive and create a sense of "something bigger" in the minds of voters, says Canberra University political communications expert Caroline Fisher. There also needs to be an emotional quality. "The ones that are most effective are the ones that really capture the mood of the time," she says. Advertisement Fisher, who was a media adviser to former Queensland premier Anna Bligh, says both major parties have created serviceable slogans in 2019. For the Liberal Party, the use of "our economy" and "your future" mean the party's pitch is about more than simply re-electing the party or Scott Morrison. The reference to security brings an emotional element. For Labor, the "fair go" reference also conjures up the bigger picture, with an emotional pull. "It's an ethical thing, it's about doing the right thing," says Fisher. But neither slogan is likely to find its way onto collectors' edition T-shirts or bumper stickers any time soon. Australian National University political marketing researcher Andrew Hughes cautions the parties that their slogans are too long to really resonate with voters. "That's how advertising works, you have a three- or four-word slogan because thats all that people can remember." Video: The ALP It's Time song from 1972. Gough Whitlam's Labor party went on to win the election. What do the slogans say about the parties' strategies? Melbourne University's Marcus Phipps researches political marketing and says both major parties have "really gone back to their roots" with their slogan efforts this year. Advertisement This sees the Liberal Party, traditionally viewed as the superior economic manager, talking about exactly that. Labor, on the other hand, is traditionally seen as stronger in areas such as health and education, which neatly fall under the "fairness" umbrella. "They certainly seem to be going very tightly cast in their messaging. They're trying to build their campaign around what they see their greatest strengths are. They're not confusing their messages," Phipps says. Scott Morrison echoes Liberal Peter Costello from the '90s. Credit:Matthew Absalom-Wong What's a sub-slogan? Once a main slogan is established, "sub-slogans" are wheeled out under these broad headings. These are can be ramped up or abandoned, depending on how well they are seen to be cutting through during the campaign (focus groups are also conducted constantly to gauge this). For example, since the budget was released, Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Treasurer Josh Frydenberg have regularly used back in black and back on track. The phrase is also an old Peter Costello line from the 1990s so it serves a dual purpose: it trumpets the Coalition's present economic credentials and harks back to the Howard era, which was renowned for its stability and huge pots of money. At the Labor campaign launch, Shorten argued Labor offers a better deal for the next generation. The fair go tagline has been incorporated into many of Labor's announcements, whether it be childcare funding (Gives a fair go to millions of households) or money for the Melbourne metro tunnel (Restore Victorias fair share of federal infrastructure funding). Advertisement The election classic from Gough Whitlam, 1972. Credit:Matthew Absalom-Wong How are the slogans reinforced? While voters say they don't like negative slogans and attack ads, there is still a benefit to parties using them, because they stick more easily in people's minds. "Everyone hates it but they can't help but be influenced by it," says Phipps. So the government is also relying on negative slogans to highlight its economic performance relative to Labor's. In the wake of big spending Labor announcements on dental care and childcare, Frydenberg said: He [Bill Shorten] cant manage money, so hes coming after yours. The Liberals similarly have the Bill Australia can't afford on high rotation. Phipps says this last line not only attacks Labor's economic credentials, it reminds voters that Shorten is not very popular with voters (according to opinion polls). "You've got to give them kudos for their clever use of the Bill." Above: A Liberal Party Tweet punning on Bill Shorten's name. Advertisement Labor is also using negative sub-slogans around its fairness theme. While Labor argues its policies will improve life for Australians, they are also seeking to portray life as unfair under the Coalition. A recurring line from Shorten is, Everything is going up, except your wages. ALP campaign press releases no matter what they are announcing are reliably concluded with a line about Liberal cuts. Related to their main campaign slogans, both sides are also putting a lot of effort into portraying each other as risky. There is a big price for changing government, Morrison has argued, while also relying on a campaign standard: Who do you trust to manage a $2-trillion economy/to keep the budget in surplus? Labor had significant leadership problems when it was last in government (understatement!) but the ALP is nonetheless trying hard to emphasise the Liberals have had two leadership spills since 2013 (while Labor has kept its leader). Shorten refers frequently to My united team, in contrast to the Chaos and division ("people are sick of the chaos") on the Coalition side. As the Coalition has made preference deals with One Nation and United Australia Party candidates, Shorten has also begun to refer to a Coalition of creeps, crackpots and cranks. Shorten v Frydenberg, 2019. Credit:Matthew Absalom-Wong I feel like I'm hearing the same things, over and over again There's a reason for that. Fisher says parties operate on something called the "vomit principle". Advertisement Labor has pledged to reduce red tape on Australia's charities and create national fundraising laws in a "fix" that is also designed to sideline maligned charities commissioner Gary Johns. It follows a bruising year for charities and not-for-profits fighting new foreign transparency laws that threatened to impose administrative burdens and curb their ability to advocate. Maligned: Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission boss Gary Johns. Credit:AAP Charities spokesman Andrew Leigh, set to become the first ever charities minister if elected, said the Coalition had "waged a war on charities" and the sector was "yearning for change". Labor argued in a Senate report earlier this year that reform of state-by-state fundraising regulations was "urgent" and "long overdue", and will today commit to an overhaul within two years of being elected. Google has said it will let users set up their profiles to automatically delete location and web-browsing data, giving people a middle ground to the internet giant's always-on or always-off data hoovering mechanisms. Users can now choose to have their data deleted after a three-month or 18-month period, the company said in a blog post. The change gives people more control over their information, but it also may stop some users from opting to block out Google's data collection altogether. While people can stop all collection now, the company relies on user data to target ads that feed its multibillion-dollar revenue machine. Google users can now choose to have their data deleted after a three-month or 18-month period. Google has struggled to convince customers and regulators that it respects their privacy and keeps the reams of data it collects on people safe. It shut down the Google Plus social network last year after finding a glitch that exposed the personal information of half a million users. Google and fellow online ad giant Facebook have become some of the most-valuable companies in history by collecting billions of data points on billions of people and selling targeted access to advertisers. Politicians, consumers and privacy advocates around the world are questioning those business models, and whether giving up personal information is worth the services provided by the companies. Welcome to Morningstar.co.uk! You have been redirected here from Hemscott.com as we are merging our websites to provide you with a one-stop shop for all your investment research needs.To search for a security, type the name or ticker in the search box at the top of the page and select from the dropdown results.Registered Hemscott users can log in to Morningstar using the same login details. Similarly, if you are a Hemscott Premium user, you now have a Morningstar Premium account which you can access using the same login details. News Wherever you throw me, I will stand an inspiring motto for those who feel tossed about by the uncertainties, fears and pain associated with two years of Covid